News Story not available

This story has been published on: 2022-10-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.

This story is no longer available on our site.


:    9         

         2013 .         9          .    .
NORTHWOOD  A Northwood man has been sent to prison for up to 10 years for crimes committed in two North Iowa counties.

Dennis L. Jaspers, 54, was ordered to serve up to five years in prison after having his probation revoked last week on a Cerro Gordo County conviction of second-degree theft, a Class D felony.

He attempted to leave the Walmart store in Mason City with unpaid merchandise valued at more than $850 on Nov. 28, 2015, according to police.

He received a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty, but violated the terms of his probation, according to court records.

Jaspers also pleaded guilty last week to a Worth County charge of third-degree criminal mischief, an aggravated misdemeanor, and was sentenced to up to two years in prison. The Manly Police Department arrested him on that charge in May.

He also had his probation revoked on previous Worth County convictions of third-degree burglary and possession of contraband in a correctional facility, both Class D felonies punishable by up to five years in prison.

All the Worth County sentences are to be served concurrently with each other but consecutive to the Cerro Gordo County sentence.

 Mary Pieper


Photo source AFP

The information was released at the recent meeting assessing Danangs performance in attractive foreign direct investment in the first six months of 2016.

However, leaders of Danang City said that the investor was currently mulling over the investment location and would give the final decision at a working session with Danangs leaders in August.

According to a source of VIR, Hanoi seemed to be the most likely destination for the centre earlier in March. However, with the exception of the relevant government agencies proposal of a location and guidance to finish the necessary administrative procedures, no further details have been released yet.

At that time, along with rumours about establishing a data centre, Apple posted advertisements to recruit an iPhone distribution director and an iOS retail director in Vietnam.

The tech-savvy community expects the opening of the first Apple Store in the country. Apples products are distributed through authorised resellers, such as FPT Shop and, most recently, MobiFone.
A Volkswagen logo is seen at a dealership in Seoul, South Korea, August 2, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Earlier this week, the state of Bavaria said it would sue Volkswagen, the first regional government in VW's home country to take legal action against the company.

Lower Saxony, which has a veto power on VW's supervisory board and holds a fifth of VW's voting rights, currently sees no legal basis to claim damages, Weil told Welt am Sonntag.

"As a result there are no plans for a lawsuit," he was quoted as saying.

Europe's largest automaker is also caught up in legal action in the United States, South Korea and elsewhere, and is facing billions of dollars in costs related to its emissions-test manipulations, making it the biggest scandal in VW's history.


The Hanoi Opera House is an iconic landmark Last week, Viettel Corporation, Hoa Phat Corporation, Asia Commercial Bank and Hoa Phat-A Chau Real Estate Company sent a proposal to the Hanoi Peoples Committee to invest between VND3 and 5 trillion ($158 to $263 million) in the Thang Long Theatre in the Tay Ho Tay urban area.



In exchange, these companies wanted the right to use 600 hectares in Dong Anh district, north of the Red River, for an urban development, to recover their investment costs. A source from Hanoi Peoples Committees Urban Department told VIR that it had received the proposal, however, it faced many difficulties.



The source said the projects final investment had not been fixed because the architecture was still being studied and the amount of capital under the build-transfer model was unclear. Also, Hanois master plan had not been approved by the prime minister, so no decisions could be made over the Dong Anh area.



The proposal from investors to take the project in the form of build-transfer is good, because it will save the citys budget. However, we cant consider anything right now, because the project is already on track and it will take time to change it away from its current plan, she added.



VIR learned that the committee had planned to set up the Thang Long Theatre using the citys budget, at an estimated cost of around VND2.4 trillion ($126 million).



As of last week, land clearance and compensation for the project were underway and a groundbreaking ceremony would happen before October, to celebrate the 1,000-year anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

The Thang Long Theatre location has been changed three times since the idea originated three years ago.



In 2007 the theatre was set to be built in Tu Liem districts Me Tri commune, near the National Convention Centre and Hanoi Museum. However, one year later the committee decided to move the theatre to Quang An commune, Tay Ho district, and the former site was earmarked for a hotel project.



Last year, the developers of Tay Ho Tay township project committed to hand over a piece of land to the committee for public construction, and the theatre was once again moved to the 25ha site in the Tay Ho Tay urban area. The theatre is designed to have different functions, with an area for classical concerts, traditional music and traditional arts, with open air arts and room for large-scale public events.



Currently, the nations biggest theatre is the Hanoi Opera House, which is a single building set up during the French colonial, with only 900 seats.
Deep beneath the dark earth, hidden from screeching bombers and harboring desperate soldiers, the people of Vinh Linh, Quang Tri lived for many years in the now famous Vinh Moc Tunnel. They survived, and even prospered, in their makeshift underground community.

During that time, 17 children were born in the tunnels, each of whose lives was a testament to just how perfect the complex network of caves and warrens were at protecting those forces within. As time goes by, it has become both a historical evidence and a tourist destination for discovering a heroic period of Vietnams history.

The Vinh Moc tunnel system includes more than 60 tunnels such as Tan My, Mu Giai, Tan Ly, among which Vinh Moc is the most solid and firm village tunnel, with 3 floors and round staircase, still remaining as in past days.

The tunnel soil is dense clay, allowing easy hand digging of the tunnels. Air caused the clay to harden, making the walls extremely strong. The tunnel network's total length is nearly 2 km, structured into three floors with the first 13 m beneath the ground, the second 15 m, and the third, 23 m.

The village tunnel was built in over two years and required approximately 6,000 cubic meters of earth to be dug out. The main inner axis is 2,034m long, 1-1.2m wide, and 1.5-4.1m high. The two side cliffs are moulded into small temporary houses every 3m.

The tunnel center has a 150 seat hall, clinics and maternity place. It is linked to the sea by seven exits, which also function as ventilators, and to a nearby hill by another six.

The Vinh Moc tunnel complex was built to shelter the people of Son Trung and Son Ha communes in Vinh Linh district of Quang Tri Province. It was constructed in several stages, beginning in 1966 and coming into use until 1971.

The complex grew to consist of wells, kitchens, rooms for each family and clinics. Around 60 families lived in the tunnels; as many as 17 children were born inside the tunnels as well. Finally, the tunnels were a success and no villagers lost their lives thanks to them. The only direct hit was from a bomb that failed to explode, and the resulting hole was used as a ventilation shaft.

After the war, it became a famous tourist site.
An Airbus logo is pictured on the company booth during the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) at Cointrin airport in Geneva, Switzerland, May 24, 2016. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

A UK government agency this year suspended the issue of export credits to Airbus, citing discrepancies in declarations by the plane maker on the use of third-party intermediaries during jet sale negotiations.

The agency, UK Export Finance, had said it was referring the discrepancies to the SFO, which would decide whether to launch a criminal investigation.

"Airbus Group has been informed by the SFO that it has opened a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption in the civil aviation business of Airbus Group relating to irregularities concerning third party consultants," the company said in a statement.

"Airbus Group continues to cooperate with the SFO."

French and German agencies have also halted export credits to the plane maker, which support deliveries to airlines with limited access to commercial funds.
Program



Haydn  Oboe Concerto, 1st movement

A Time for us, Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet

The Town with a Ocean view (from Ghibli)

Hanois Autumn

Etc

About the artists

Hoang Manh Lam (Oboe)

Hoang Manh Lam has started studying oboe at Vietnam National Academy of Music under the direction of Doctor Ngo Phuong Dong. He got Master Degree in 2014.

During studying time, he enthusiatically rehearsed and performed in chamber groups and joined several domestic and foreign orchestras: joined rehearsing and performing in Nagoya (Japan) in 2004, joining Cisma Symphony Orchestra (canton international summer music academy in China) in 2005 and 2006; the master class in Malmo (Sweden) with the Hanoi students quintet by professon Asger Svendsen in 2007.

In 2011 he got a scholarship to study at the Temple University-Philadelphia in the USA, following instructions of professor Peter Smith,a Philadelphia Orchestra member. Now he is principal oboe player at the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra.

Phung Hoai Thu (Viola)

Thu was born in 1995. She started playing the violin when she was 5 years old, supervised by Mr. Tran Manh Hung. After that she had Dr. Bui Cong Duy as her next mentor. Along with her main course of violin she also practices viola as her second instrument. She participated in various mastering courses that are taught by many professors. She attended two music summer camps in Norway in 2013 and 2014. In 2013 and 2014, she practiced and performed with the Asian Youth Orchestra in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, China, Thailand and Singapore. In 2014 she was admitted to the N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory in Russia and has been studying at this music institution since then.



Izuo Risa (Piano)

Izuo Risa was born in 1985 in Osaka. When she was 6 years old, she started to learn playing piano. When she was 18 years old, she started to learn vocal. She learned to play the piano and vocal at Osaka University of Arts. After graduation, she worked at music school for 7 years as a piano and vocal teacher. After that she came to Vietnam and currently she is teaching to play the piano and vocal to teachers and kids at the kindergarten in Hanoi.



Sakai Haruka (Piano)

Sakai Haruka started Jazz music self-taught at the age of 10. As her passion grows she went to SENZOKU College of Music to receive formal training in Jazz. In SENZOKU she met much respected Jazz pianist/teacher Yuki Arimasa. After graduation she performed Jazz Piano in Tokyo for 3 years. She then started writing songs.

Haruka now teaches music for teachers in Hanoi. Haruka's latest album is KI O KU. This is the 2nd project of Haruka and Japanese young musician which started in 2013.

Tickets



Price: Adult 150,000vnd, Student 80,000vnd (Including soft drink)

Ticket Office: V-Artroom (0199391775 Mac Thao), Star Lotus (58 To Hien Thanh St. Hai Ba Trung District.), 45 Hao Nam (0946628558 Lam, Please call before coming)

Time: August 20

V-Artroom, 3F IPH-Indochina Plaza, 241 Xuan Thuy St, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Photo by LOS ANGELES TIMES

Robert Stone, 69, of Los Angeles, has terminal cancer, and is in hospice care. Stone became one of the first people in California to obtain lethal medications under a new state law that allows doctors to write prescriptions for terminally ill patients to kill themselves.


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
A lawyer representing Prime Minister Hun Sen was questioned in court on Friday over a defamation case filed by the premier last week against the leader of Cambodias opposition party.

The defamation claims were lodged against Cambodia National Rescue Party president Sam Rainsy over comments he made on Facebook after the daylight murder of prominent political analyst Kem Ley last month.

CNRP Senator Thak Lany was also hit with a similar charge for a speech she gave in Ratanakkiri province late last month, in which Hun Sens lawyer claims she said the prime minister was behind the killing.

Rainsy told VOA after the case was filed last week that he did not regret writing the Facebook post and went on to reiterate the same comments.

Deputy court prosecutor Ly Sophanna told reporters after Fridays questioning that the investigation was ongoing.

Hun Sens lawyer, Ky Tech, said the prime minister wants the law to find justice in order to prevent people who speak falsehoods and place blame on innocent people.

According to Tech, Hun Sen has only requested a minor fine as a symbolic recognition of wrongdoing.

Lany is was due to be questioned on Monday while Rainsy, who is in self-imposed exile and faces a two-month prison term if he returns to Cambodia over a separate defamation ruling several years ago, is due in court on August 19.
Abdication by Japanese emperors is rare, the last coming in 1817 when Emperor Kokaku stepped down.

Emperor Akihito ascended to the throne following the 1989 death of his father, Emperor Hirohito, continuing a royal lineage that dates back hundreds of years.

But the emperor was the first to take over in a new era of a vastly diminished role under a new constitution following Japan's defeat in World War II. The document describes the emperor as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people" who derives his position from "the will of the people with whom resides sovereign power."

The change during Emperor Hirohito's time essentially demoted him from the status of a living god in a military dominated nation to a non-governing symbol. The emperor and his family now participate in ceremonies, host dinners and teas, receive dignitaries and visit different parts of Japan, including those hit by natural disasters.

The emperor refrains from commenting on the country's political matters.

Emperor Akihito

The 82-year-old emperor was a child during the war and was sent away from Tokyo during the conflict. Following the war, he visited dozens of countries as prince and in 1959 became the first member of the royal family to marry a commoner.

In recent years he has suffered from health problems, including prostate cancer and heart issues, which along with his advancing age have led to him cut back on his duties and delegate some to his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito. The emperor and his wife, Empress Michiko, have two other children.

He has acknowledged making some mistakes in his official duties and announced it will be difficult to fulfill them.

Crown Prince Naruhito

The 56-year-old prince is first in line to continue a royal lineage that the family dates to 660 B.C. His time as prince has included similar activities to those of his father, including visiting a number of foreign countries and taking on ceremonial duties at home.

Under the current system, the line of succession follows male heirs. The prince has been married since 1993 to Princess Masako, who was a commoner like the prince's mother, and the couple has one teenage daughter.

Princess Masako

The 52-year-old princess has kept a low and private profile, which she has in part attributed to struggles with stress. With the focus on male heirs, there was great public interest in the couple having a male child. The prince's brother, Prince Akishino, is the father of a son and two daughters.

The princess has a degree in economics from Harvard University and worked in Japan's foreign ministry before agreeing to marry the prince after a long courtship.
Authorities in Afghanistan on Monday claimed to have made major successes against the Taliban and Islamic State, saying national security forces have killed hundreds of fighters, including key leaders linked to both groups.

Major General Mohammad Habib Hesari, Director General of Military Operations, told a news conference in Kabul that fighting is still raging in the restive southern Helmand province, but that Afghan forces have the upper hand.

He said Afghan forces conducted major counterinsurgency operations in several provinces, killing more than 700 Taliban insurgents over the past week, while scores have been wounded and approximately 50 arrested.

Most of the casualties inflicted on the insurgent group were in southern Helmand, eastern Nangarhar and northern Kunduz provinces, the general added.

"We have also suffered casualties, but they are not as high as of the enemy," he said when asked to give a casualty toll for Afghan security forces.

The general went on to acknowledge that the situation in Helmand was cause for concern; however, he said Afghan troops have effectively blocked insurgents from capturing any district or town, asserting the battle in the province has not been as widespread and intense as has been reported in the media.

"The situation is under control and the initiative there is with us," Hesari said.

Chief reportedly killed

Meanwhile, regional military commander General Mohammad Zamman Waziri on Monday visited Achine, a remote mountainous district in Nangarhar.

He told a group of reporters accompanying him to the region that Afghan forces have killed Afghanistan's Islamic State chief, Hafiz Saeed Khan.

Waziri would not say where, how or exactly when Khan was eliminated. U.S. defense officials say they have been unable to confirm the death.

IS established its bases in Achin and surrounding districts after launching its Afghan operation in January 2015.

Afghan forces backed by U.S. drone strikes, however, are said to have flushed out IS militants from these districts and cornered them to remote parts of Achin.

IS appointed Khan as the head of its local branch, named Islamic State of Khorasan Province. Afghan officials have previously also publicly claimed killing the IS commander in security operations, but those assertions were later denied.

New Taliban unit

Speaking in Kabul, Hesari acknowledged that Afghan troops in Helmand are facing a newly raised commando-like Taliban unit of several hundred fighters, which is better organized and equipped. The insurgent group is reportedly called the Sara Khitta, or Red Force, and claims it has played a key role in battlefield advances in Helmand, which the Taliban regards as its heartland, inflicting heavy casualties on Afghan forces.

The U.S. commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, said last month that Afghan forces have suffered about 20 percent higher casualties this year. The casualty toll in 2015 stood at around 20,000, according to U.S. military estimates.

Reports recently quoted Helmand's provincial council director, Kareem Atal, as claiming that since late July, around 600 Afghan police officers and soldiers have been killed or wounded in the province, and the Taliban has consistently expanded its influence, citing the new insurgent commando unit for Taliban advances.

Kidnapping

Elsewhere in Afghanistan, security forces are conducting search operations in Kabul to try to recover an American and an Australian kidnapped Sunday evening.

An Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman told VOA Monday that the two professors of an international university in the capital city were on their way to a guesthouse in Kabul when unknown armed men stopped their vehicle and took them away.

There were no claims of responsibility.
Analysts in South Sudan say partners in the peace process must quickly move beyond the peace resolutions passed Friday by regional bloc IGAD and pave the way for the regional protection force expected to be dispatched soon.

Professor Jacob Chol, head of the college of political science at the University of Juba, welcomed resolutions passed by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, especially the deployment of a regional protection force in an effort to restore stability in South Sudan.

But actions speak louder than words, he said, and unless action is taken soon, the resolutions will be worth not much more than the paper theyre written on.

What is important here is to be able to serve this idea now," he said, noting that IGAD and South Sudanese officials needed to discuss and agree upon the size of the protection force and how it should be funded and supported.

Chol said hostilities must immediately cease in the parts of South Sudan where combat operations continue. He said negotiations by the SPLM and the SPLM-IO, under the engagement of the IGAD partners, most be focused on bringing peace to South Sudan.

Analyst Augustine Ting Mayay, a researcher with the Juba-based Sudd Institute, agreed.

The first thing that needs to be done is to stabilize the security of the country," Mayay said. "There has been no conflict in Juba in particular, but they are having some minor violent activities taking place in the periphery.

Mayay reiterated that IGAD must act swiftly to restore peace in South Sudan: "If we are not taking action on [the resolutions,] they may not deliver any objective.

Return by Machar

IGAD officials have also called for SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar to return to Juba, resume his duties as first vice president and rejoin implementation of the peace agreement signed last August.

A top member of the SPLM-IO said he was cautiously optimistic that the deployment of a protection force could bring a return to calm in Juba and help parties get back on track with implementing the peace deal.

Mabior Garang de Mabior, the former water and irrigation minister appointed by Machar, said the decision by IGAD to send a protection force into Juba was a step in the right direction, but that the lack of political will by the governments leaders was largely to blame for the slow progress in implementing the peace deal signed a year ago.

Deng Bior Deng, secretary-general of the Democratic Change Party, said additional forces could help restore confidence in Jubas security situation. He said the tense atmosphere in Juba had taken a toll on people who worry about more fighting. "If there is something that can separate the fighting parties and then secure the lives of the civilians, then we would welcome it, Deng said.

Garang said that he had not spoken directly to Machar since July, but that the former first vice president called for an outside protection force to help provide a buffer between the warring parties.
As the Indonesian government and security services celebrate the killing of the countrys most notorious terrorist, experts say there is still much work to do on the countrys soft approach to combating radical Islam.

While direct action against terrorists has gotten a boost, analysts warn the risk of recruitment remains unchanged.

We dont have much of a budget or facility for the soft approaches like a de-radicalization program at the micro, individual level, at the group level and also in the macro, societal level, said Hamdi Muluk, a psychology professor and terrorism expert at the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java. Its this approach that can prevent future radicalization.

Perhaps the most resounding failure of the governments de-radicalization efforts is Santoso himself, the terrorist leader who died in a gun battle last month in central Sulawesi. He underwent a de-radicalization program while imprisoned in 2010.

Santoso

Santoso, also known as Abu Wardah, had been a thorn in Indonesias side for years. He originated as a jihadist figure during Muslim-Christian violence in Sulawesi in the period of instability following the fall of longtime Indonesian strongman Suharto.

He went on to entrench himself in the impenetrable jungles of central Sulawesi, emerging as the leader of the East Indonesia Mujahidin in 2012 and declaring for the Islamic State, or IS, in 2014  an effective public relations move that focused attention on his guerrilla band.

The actions of his network in Central Sulawesi had already been making regular headlines as it clashed with security forces chasing him around Poso, his Central Sulawesi stronghold. After his IS pledge, that coverage became almost weekly on Indonesian TV networks, websites and newspaper pages.

It raised the heat on the government to kill or capture him.

I think Santosos death will have a positive impact on Indonesias image in the eyes of the region and globally, said Muluk. It would disaffirm (the notion) that Indonesian counter-terror forces, in this case the Tinombala task force, are incapable of chasing, capturing or destroying terrorist actors [including] the most prominent ones today, like Santoso.

But that is guarded optimism.

Muluk also said there was no evidence that the recruitment for ISIS ended with Santosos death.

Muluk is not alone in this concern.

We need more effort beyond conventional strategic programs, said Fajar Riza Ul Haq, executive director of the Maarif Institute, an NGO with close ties to one of Indonesias largest Muslim groups, Muhammadiyah. Our enemy is a step ahead.

Online engagement

Indonesia has had relatively few IS fighters for a country of its size. Most estimates put the number in the hundreds, a surprisingly low tally given the country has the worlds biggest Muslim population. Experts cite the relative stability of the country and a generally more moderate practice of Islam.

But a problem facing authorities is the increasing online savviness of terrorist groups and Indonesias huge proportion of young people, who are some of the most engaged online users in the world.

This means access to vulnerable people is much simpler than it would have been before the digital age, and small, fragmented urban cells pose a greater threat of radicalization than a guerrilla group in a remote area.

Radicalization remains a threat, however large the symbolic importance of Santosos death.

Santosos death is not an ending, said Ul Haq, The state must work together with religious-based organizations  At the same time, the government must ensure religious-based organizations take this issue really seriously.

Succession

His cell might be shrinking, but doesnt mean the end at all, Muluk said. They may be trying to find the new Santoso.

There is a candidate to replace Santoso as the public figurehead of Indonesian terrorists.

Amman Abdurahman, imprisoned at the infamous Pasir Putih jail, is a likely candidate. He has followers in another remote part of eastern Indonesia, a small district called Bima on the rugged and beautiful island of Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara province. The Bima gang, according to Muluk, still takes its orders from their jailed leader.

Santosos second wife was from Bima, and the Bima gang are, in Muluks words, bound by the same Salafist ideology, and an act of revenge for Santosos killing if it comes from anywhere is likely to come from there.
The brother-in-law of one of the men who attacked the satirical Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris has been jailed in Bulgaria, and authorities say he is suspected of trying to join extremists in Syria.

Mourad Hamyd was initially suspected of a role in the January 2015 attack on the paper, but his high school classmates launched a successful social media campaign to clear his name, saying he was in class at the time. "I am a student who lives peacefully with his parents,'' he said then.



The Paris prosecutor's office said Monday that someone close to Hamyd flagged his probable trip to Syria, and he was detained near the border in late July.



Hamyd's sister was married to Cherif Kouachi, one of two brothers who carried out the deadly attack at the Charlie Hebdo offices.
Human rights groups in Europe are urging Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan to exercise restraint as he pushes to implement the death penalty in the wake of last month's failed coup against him.

The call for reinstatement of the death penalty has become frequent in the weeks since the failed coup attempt as Erdogan carries out a massive purge of those suspected of taking part it in it.

The purge has mostly targeted members of the military, police and intelligence services, journalists, and academics belonging to the outlawed movement headed by cleric Futhullah Gulen, a U.S. resident. Tens of thousands have been arrested or suspended from their jobs.

Istanbul rally



Millions attending a rally Sunday in Istanbul heard the Turkish president repeat his support for legalizing executions in the country for the first time since 2004 if the Turkish parliament decides to introduce a such a measure.

The U.S. has it, Japan has it, China has it. Most of the world has it. So they are allowed to have it, Erdogan told the rally. Sovereignty belongs to the people, so if the people make this decision I am sure the political parties will comply, he said.

Amnesty International officials in London said Monday the organization is alarmed by the statements, which the group sees as a clear suggestion that the death penalty would be meant to punish those responsible for the July 15th coup attempt. More than 200 people were killed in the failed coup, some of them by putschist soldiers who fired at civilians taking to the streets to stop the coup.

The appalling violence committed by those behind the 15 July failed coup led to the tragic loss of more than 200 lives and the Turkish government must bring all those responsible for these crimes to justice. However, this should be done through fair trials not subject to the death penalty, said Fotis Filippou Amnesty Internationals Deputy Europe Director.

'Traitors cemetery



Istanbul officials have set aside a plot of land for what they dubbed a traitors cemetery next to a dog shelter in the outskirts of the city. In announcing the plans for the cemetery, Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas said, May every passerby curse them and not let them rest in their tombs. Topbas said those buried at the cemetery would not receive rites according to Muslim tradition.

The cemetery has only one grave, Mehmet Karabekir, a military officer accused of taking part in the coup attempt and who died in it. Reports said his family refused to accept the body out of shame, and possibly fear.

In contrast to the cheers that Erdogans calls received at Sundays rally, the plans for the cemetery and the mayors harsh words have been reason for pause among some Turks. Officials have largely distanced themselves from the plans and have removed a sign that that read Traitors Cemetery from the plot, reflecting what analysts say could be growing unpopularity of Erdogans retaliatory actions that some see as cruel and extreme.

Reintroducing this ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment would be a major setback for human rights, said Amnestys Filippou.

EU prospects



Erdogan's support for reintroduction of the death penalty pushes Turkey even farther away from the possibility of joining the European Union, an effort that had only recently been re-energized by a migrant-swapping deal that promised, among other things, eventual visa free travel for Turkish citizens in Europe in exchange for billions of dollars in EU aid to handle the migrants.

EU officials quickly made it clear that a return of the death penalty will kill Turkeys prospects for membership. Turkey is bound by the European Convention on Human Rights, and no country can become an EU state if it introduces the death penalty, said EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry last month.



Erdogan has threatened to pull out the EU migrant deal, saying the deal might not be possible if the EU does not honor its commitments, including those on visa-free travel.

Analysts have long believed Turkeys EU accession bid is dead and the Turkish leaders iron-fisted approach will only push Turkey farther away from Europe.

Erdogans endorsement of the death penalty might signal the end of Turkeys [already nearly non-existent] EU accession prospects and a more troubled relationship with Europe and the U.S., writes Fadi Hakura, a Turkey specialist at Chatham House.

This uncompromising approach in the post-coup period will have profound negative implications on Turkeys domestic politics, security and foreign policy in the foreseeable future to the detriment of its stability and prosperity, Hakura said.
Iran's former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has written a letter to President Barack Obama, asking him to "quickly fix'' a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could cost Iran some $2 billion.



That April ruling allows families of victims of the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut and other attacks linked to Iran to collect monetary damages from frozen Iranian funds.



In the letter, which was posted on Monday on a website affiliated with Ahmadinejad's office, he writes: "I passionately advise you not to let the historical defamation and bitter incident be recorded under your name.''



Ahmadinejad says he gave the letter to the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which represents U.S. interests in Iran. Embassy officials declined to comment.



The letter comes amid speculation about Ahmadinejad's political future.
The Green Party is appealing to disgruntled supporters of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and millions of young voters saddled with student loan debt in an attempt to challenge the two-party dominance of U.S. politics.

Political experts and pundits see little hope the small party can achieve that goal, but these same experts admit to having been confounded by many of this years developments.

At the Green Party national convention Saturday in Houston, delegates nominated Massachusetts physician Jill Stein for the presidency, amid chants of Jill, not Hill  a reference to Democratic Party presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who was described by speakers as an oligarch, a tool of Wall Street and a warmonger.

Many of the people on hand at the convention wore Sanders T-shirts and buttons. They were disappointed by Clintons eventual victory and angered when the Wikileaks group released emails showing Democratic leadership favoritism toward Clinton.

Graham Cabrera, who was at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia, told VOA he saw party officials suppress the Sanders supporters.

I saw firsthand what happened, he said. It was complete control, it was complete censorship, it was complete disenfranchisement of Bernie supporters and Bernie delegates.

Democratic Party officials deny there was any fraud at their convention, and Sanders endorsed Clinton and spoke at the convention.

'Same values' as Sanders

Ryan Trundle, who was a Sanders delegate at the Democratic convention, wore a Bernie cap to the Green Party gathering in Houston and dyed his beard green to demonstrate his enthusiasm for Stein.

She has the same values and morals as Bernie Sanders and stands for the same things, he said.

Trundle said he was part of a network of 5,000 Sanders supporters, 90 percent of whom, he said, planned to vote for Stein.

But recent polls showed that more than 80 percent of Sanders supporters nationwide were planning to vote for Clinton. Many said they still disliked Clinton but saw her as the lesser of two evils when comparing her with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

In her acceptance speech, Stein rejected the idea of voting for Clinton just to defeat Trump.

We are saying no to the lesser evil and yes to the greater good, she said.

Stein is on the ballot in only 21 of the 50 states, and although she expects that number to rise, it is already too late for her and running mate Ajamu Baraka to be included in at least three states. But Stein sees an opportunity this year to attract not only Sanders voters, but also young people who carry loads of student loan debt and often work at low-wage jobs despite having college degrees.

Potential support

Speaking at the end of the convention, Stein told of her plan to eliminate student debt.

There are 42 million people who are locked in predatory student loan debt, she said, That is enough to win the election, right there.

Sanders supporter Veronica Triagle, 25, told VOA she thought the Green Party could attract many of those voters. If they listen to Stein, she said, "people are going to see that they actually have a lot in common with her beliefs.

The biggest impact the Green Party had in a presidential election occurred in 2000, when it nominated activist Ralph Nader as its presidential candidate. Although he won less than 3 percent of the national popular vote, he may have won sufficient votes in some key states, notably Florida, to allow Republican candidate George W. Bush to defeat Democratic candidate Al Gore.

In the 2012 election, however, Stein was the candidate, and she won just 0.36 percent of the nationwide popular vote.

Looking toward 2020

But given the unpopularity of the two major party candidates this year, some political observers see the Green Party and the Libertarian Party, the largest of the minor parties in the United States, in a position to expand their voter base in preparation for the next presidential election in 2020.

WATCH: Greens Nominate Stein, Baraka at Convention

Some recent polls have shown the Libertarian presidential candidate, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, with 8 percent support and Stein with around 5 percent.

Neither party is close to the 15 percent needed to be allowed into the presidential debates scheduled for September and October.

But if a party wins more than 5 percent of the national popular vote in this years election, it would qualify for public campaign funds in the next election. The Green Party accepts no corporate donations and relies on individual contributors, so gaining several million dollars in this way could have an impact four years from now.
Health officials say Monday's powerful suicide blast at a hospital complex in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta killed at least 70 people and wounded 112 others.

The blast occurred shortly after dozens of lawyers gathered in Quetta's Civil Hospital to protest and mourn the killing of their provincial bar associations president in an early morning drive-by shooting by unknown gunmen.

Most of the bombing victims were lawyers. Journalists and television cameramen covering the lawyers rally were also among those killed and wounded.

WATCH: Video footage from scene of attack

A splinter faction of the extremist Pakistani Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) claimed responsibility for both killing the bar association president and the subsequent deadly bombing. A spokesman for the group said that a suicide bomber was deployed at the hospital anticipating lawyers and government officials would gather in large numbers.

There was no independent confirmation of the claim. JuA claimed responsibility for an Easter attack in the second largest Pakistani city of Lahore in March in which more than 70 people were killed.

The United States last week designated JuA as a global terrorist organization.

The Islamic State group also later issued its own claim of responsibility for the hospital bombing.

Speaking to VOA, the provincial government spokesman, Anwar ul-Haq Kakar gave details of Monday's attack in Quetta.

This morning, unfortunately, one of our very distinguished lawyers, Bilal Anwar Kasi, was targeted and he was martyred in the early hours of the morning. As soon as his dead body was received by the lawyer community there was a huge blast. As a result we have got a huge number of injuries and many deaths.

Provincial government and officials of the bomb disposal squad in Quetta have now confirmed the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber, saying they have recovered head and legs of the attacker form the site of the blast.

Government spokesman Kakar said the violence appeared to be in a reaction to Pakistans counter-terrorism and counter-extremism efforts.

The same terrorist groups which are religious and sectarian-inspired, we are suspecting that they are behind such heinous acts, he said.

In Washington, the U.S. State Department condemned "in the strongest terms" Monday's attack in Quetta.

"Today, terrorists targeted a hospital, as well as the judiciary and the media, two of the most important pillars of every democracy," a statement said. "These brutal and senseless attacks only deepen our shared resolve to defeat terrorism around the world and we will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism."

At the United Nations, a statement by Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said "the targeting of mourners at a civilian hospital makes the attack particularly appalling."



Quetta is the capital of Baluchistan province, where ethnic Baloch separatists and religious extremists routinely carry out such attacks.
Iran said on Monday that $1.7 billion that the United States sent it in January was cash owned since before the 1979 revolution, confirming the White House's assertion that it was not related to nuclear talks or a prisoner release.

The Obama administration said last week that the cash paid soon after the implementation of the deal under which Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program, and following the release of five detained Americans, was not "ransom" as some U.S. Republicans had alleged.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that the transfer settled a long-standing Iranian legal claim and was negotiated on a separate track from the nuclear agreement which was opposed by hawks in both Washington and Tehran.

The money  $400 million in funds frozen since 1981 plus $1.3 billion interest  was part of a trust fund Iran used to buy U.S. military equipment before the 1979 revolution after which the two countries cut diplomatic ties.

"The transfer of $400 million from America to the Islamic Republic of Iran was related to sale of military equipment to Iran prior to the revolution and had nothing to do with the nuclear deal," the head of Iran's National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA.

As the U.S. presidential campaign heats up, Republicans, including candidate Donald Trump, have attacked Obama over the payment, questioning the timing of the transfer.

"We prefer not to get involved in details of the case and let the U.S. presidential candidates reveal their real nature in this chaotic electoral atmosphere," Shamkhani said.
Japanese Emperor Akihito made a rare televised address to the nation Monday to argue that he is becoming too old and too frail to carry out his duties.

When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being, as I have done until now," Akihito said in his address.

The 82-year-old emperor is reportedly in declining health. In recent years he has had heart surgery, bronchitis and has been treated for prostate cancer.

The emperor cannot simply abdicate his throne because the 1947 Imperial House Law states that imperial succession can occur only upon an emperors death.

The emperor stopped short of advocating that parliament change the law because he did not want to be seen as interfering in national politics.

He was asking for the understanding of the Japanese people in his situation. His message did not have any political impact nor diplomatic impact, said Japan analyst Hosaka Yuji with Sejong University in Seoul.

Japanese opinion polls show 80 to 90 percent public support changing the law so that the emperor can abdicate.

But some traditionalists in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's conservative ruling coalition are reluctant to open the abdication issue up for debate, because the process could introduce other changes they strongly oppose, like allowing women to inherit the throne.

Prime Minister Abe was non-committal in his response to the emperors subtle plea to change the imperial succession law.

"Considering the emperor's age and burden on his duties, I think about his mental fatigue. I think we should carefully think what is possible according to his message," Abe said.

Symbol of unity

Born in 1933, Akihito ascended to the throne in 1989 after the death of his father, Hirohito, who was considered a deity until Japan's defeat in World War II.

The occupying American forces stripped the emperor of his powers, and defined his role in the new post war constitution as a symbol of the state and of the unity of the people.

Akihito is a popular figure and is seen as a more approachable and engaging emperor than his father. He even broke with tradition to marry a commoner, the Empress Michiko.

In countries like China and the Philippines Akihito has tried to heal the wounds of World War II by expressing remorse for the death and destruction caused by Japan.

While the emperor does not overtly take sides in Japanese politics, Akihito has made recent statements that seemed critical of conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abes ruling coalition.

Abe and his nationalist supporters have tried to downplay the militarys alleged past war crimes and maintain that Japan should not have to apologize in perpetuity for World War II.

To mark the 70th anniversary of end of the war last year, the emperor delivered a much more conciliatory message than Abe when he said, Looking back at the past, together with deep remorse over the war, I pray that this tragedy of war will not be repeated, and together with the people express my deep condolences.

The emperor has also been a strong proponent of preserving the pacifist constitution that Abe wants to revise to expand the powers of the military.

Crown Prince Naruhito

Akihitos son and heir, 56-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito, has already taken over some of his fathers official duties.

The crown prince is expected to support his fathers positions in support of the pacifist constitution and in maintaining a conciliatory approach in dealing with concerns from Japans neighbors.

When his ideology on peace is needed for some cases, there is a possibility that he can play a role as a young power broker which could influence the current situation, said Hosaka.

Last year, during a discussion about Japans participation in forcing as many as 200,000 women into sexual slavery during the war, Naruhito seemed to rebuke nationalists who tried to deny or minimize these claims.

It is important to look back [at] our past with modesty and pass down correctly the miserable experience and the historic path Japan took, he said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly condemned so-called cow protection groups and urged an end to their attacks on low caste Hindus.

The most shocking attack came to light when a video of four low caste men being stripped, tied to a car and flogged in the western Gujarat went viral last month. The video, uploaded by the attackers, was meant to warn the low castes.

The furious low caste community, called Dalits, said the young men were taking the dead cow to be skinned  a traditional occupation of the low castes.

The attack in Modis home state, Gujarat, was not an isolated episode. Cow vigilante groups have become increasingly active since the BJP came to power two years ago and incidents of violence targeting low castes and Muslims suspected of killing cows or eating beef have increased.

Modi frustrated

Speaking in southern Hyderabad state, Modi said it was frustrating to see discrimination persist against the community even after decades of independence. Saying It is our duty to protect and respect those on the lowest rungs of society,  he called on anyone to attack and shoot him, but not my dalit brothers.

Modi also sought to distance his party from the cow vigilantes, saying they were not legitimate cow protection groups. Seventy to 80 percent were involved in anti-social activities and masquerading as cow protectors to save themselves," he said.

He accused the cow vigilantes of trying to deepen social tensions in the name of cow protection and called on state governments to prepare dossiers on such groups.

The strong comments came as Modi faced criticism for not speaking out on a volatile issue that has brought angry Dalits on the streets and led to accusations by opposition parties that the community is facing growing atrocities under BJP rule. The low castes have pledged to boycott their traditional tasks such as disposal of dead animals and manual cleaning of sewers.

Impact on upcoming elections

Sanjay Kumar, director at New Delhis Center for the Study of Developing Societies, said Modi is reaching out to the community as the party prepares for key elections in two states, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, in the coming year.

He said the attacks by cow vigilantes have alienated the low castes, whose support had boosted the BJPs electoral fortunes in 2014.

With all that was happening in many states, it is clear that Dalits would turn their backs on the BJP and If that would happen, BJP would suffer a huge loss electorally, said Kumar.

But he believes that Modi was not off the mark in saying that these groups were not genuine cow protection groups.To some extent these are kind of lumpens [trouble makers] I would say. They are trying to hide in the overall ideology of BJP, Hindutva, protection of Hindu, cow etc, he said.

Political analysts say Modis comments against the cow protection groups may stem the attacks for the time being, but they will anger hardline Hindu groups linked to the BJP for whom cow protection is on top of the agenda. Under pressure from such groups, several BJP-ruled states have tightened laws on cow protection.

The centuries-old caste system traditionally divides Hindu society into four main castes with Dalits or untouchables at the bottom and priests on the top. Dalits performed the lowest tasks such as cleaning bathrooms. Social prejudices against the lower castes persist and despite affirmative action programs, the community remains poor and marginalized.
China put four human rights defenders on trial last week, each of whom received a prison sentence of three to seven and a half years for state subversion.

But human rights groups and observers say the latest wave of what they call sham trials against legal advocates, arrested amid an orchestrated crackdown last July, is mostly a political charade, and to some extent, bears a resemblance to the notorious Moscow Purge trials in the late 1930s.

More importantly, some added, the trials show that the civil society in China is far from empowered.

Political purge

History always repeats itself, rights lawyer Liang Xiaojun said. This wave of trials reminds us of the Soviet Unions Moscow trials, where all [defendants] confessed and claimed themselves to be the unpardonable wicked while singing praise to [the unions leader Joseph] Stalin, added Liang, who had represented Hu Shiquen in earlier cases.

The Moscow trials of the Soviet Union were generally seen as part of Stalins purge of opponents whose guilt was doubted to be genuine.

Hu and three other Chinese activists  Zai Yanming, Zhou Shifeng and Gou Hongguo  stood trial at the Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate Peoples Court from Tuesday to Friday. All were sentenced to prison following their trials.

Without examining evidence or defending against the subversion charges, the court sessions were wrapped up in just a few hours, with the convictions based largely on confessions given after the defendants had been held incommunicado for 13 months and deprived of legal counsel of their own choosing.

All four defendants promised not to appeal.

Todays trial made me realize my sin. My past action has harmed the party and government. I hereby express my deepest repentance to the government, Zhou Shifeng told the court on Thursday.

Zhou was director of Beijings Fengrui law firm, which was at the center of the governments crackdown against 300-strong legal defenders after having taken on sensitive cases where its clients challenged the authorities.

Fail to keep heads up

Liang said there is no doubt last weeks subversion trials awarded a political victory to the authorities, who have successfully bent the accused to their will.

An official CCTV editorial described the activists as having conspired to push down the wall, or attempted to trigger a color revolution to topple the regime, but ended up being pushed down themselves.

Liang admitted that he was frustrated by the outcome of last weeks subversion trials especially after Christian rights lawyer Zhang Kai showed up in court to endorse what he said was problematic legal procedures.

But he said he remains confident other activists to be put on trial in the future will stand firm on their beliefs.

We wished they [detained defenders] could be set free soon. But we also wished that they would have kept their heads up to plead not guilty. That would have given the [Chinese] civil society a great inspiration and moral motivation, Liang added.

Civil society empowerment

Its understandable that the accused might not be free to make up their own mind, especially when the security of their loved ones is at stake, analysts said.

Tseng Chien-yuan, an associate professor at Chung Hua University in Taiwan, argued Chinese society still lacks a strong force to effectively monitor the governments compliance with legal due process in handling the arrested lawyers and rights defenders.

Regrettably, in China, where everything is tightly controlled, social forces, which are unbiased and strong enough to challenge or question the way the Communist Party has handled the July 9 crackdown against rights defenders, are not available, said Tseng.

International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group (CHRLC) and Chinese Human Rights Defenders, have come forward, calling for Chinese authorities to immediately repeal all four verdicts, end show trials and free the remaining legal defenders.

Inquiry should be made to hold the Public Security, Procuratorate and the Court at both central and local levels legally accountable for the malfeasances and power abuses incurred in the handling of the cases, CHRLC said in its press statement.

The problem is not with the dissent. The problem rather rests in the regime. They feel so paranoid, so frightened of their own people, said CHRLC chairman Albert Ho, who is also a pro-democracy politician in Hong Kongs Legislative Council.

According to Ho, Chinese authorities plan to put the remaining detained defenders on trial before the Communist Partys Politburo meeting in November.
The Pakistani government says it wants to introduce a new counter-extremism policy. But as Mondays bombing in Quetta shows, Pakistan has a long way to go to stop the carnage that has plagued the country, analysts say.

A new counterterrorism policy in Pakistan would be a good thing, but I worry it could just be window dressing that papers over the broader problem, Michael Kugelman, senior researcher at the Woodrow Wilson Center, told VOA.

Kugelman said that the militant extremism problem would not end if Pakistan continues to refuse to crack down on all forms of terrorism and all forms of terrorist groups.

Pakistans National Counter-terrorism Authority (NACTA), which monitors and proposes counter-extremism strategies, is in the process of forming a new national counter-extremism policy in the country, officials said. A national counter-extremism policy will be introduced within two months, NACTA chief officer, Ehsan Ghani told VOA.

School reforms



According to Ghani, the policy will propose new laws as well as amendments to some existing laws in the country. It would also propose reforms in the education sector, including the widespread Madrassa system, to change the mindset in the country so the people be tolerant.

But Peshawar-based defense analyst Saad Mohammad Khan, a retired military leader, said the new laws and policies cannot be effective if they are not properly enforced.

Extremism is everywhere in the society, Khan added in the interview with VOA. It is present in our houses, in our schools, offices, market...

Khan said that unless the entire education system is overhauled, extremist views would be nurturing even in the mainstream and secular schools.

Children are taught that we [Pakistanis] are better human beings than others, and that other people [nations] are anti-Islam, Khan told VOA. When those children grow up, most are paranoid which leads them towards extremism."

According to Khan, prominent members of the ruling Muslim League, which is not an Islamist party, have shown opposition to changing the current curriculum in Pakistani schools.

Experts say many madrassas in Pakistan have been a source of militancy in both Pakistan and in neighboring Afghanistan.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government was scathingly criticized last month for a $3 million grant it recently allocated to Darul Uloom Haqqania madrassa, a controversial Islamic seminary that some critics call the University of Jihad.

Taliban sympathies



Headed by former senator Samiul Haq, the madrassa houses about 4,000 students and is widely known for links to, and publicly expressed sympathies for, the Taliban who are fighting local and U.S.-led international forces in Afghanistan. That association has won the Islamic cleric the title of Father of the Taliban.

You also have an environment in Pakistan that enables extremism, said Kugelman. Networks of religious institutions and clerics as well as powerful victimization narratives that fuel the hardline ideologies that allow militancy to thrive.

I cannot imagine a new counterterror policy would do much to address this. The bottom line is that killing terrorists will not make terrorism go away, Kugelman said.

Anti-terror chief Ghani told VOA that under the governments National Action Plan, an action plan established in January 2015 to crackdown on terror networks in Pakistan, the government has taken a number of stern actions to counter extremism, including the closure of 98.4 million unregistered cellphone sim cards in the country. He acknowledged, however, that a number of terror and banned group leaders still appear on television channels in Pakistan to further their agenda.

US military aid

In Washington, the Pentagon has withheld $300 million in military aid to Pakistan because of insufficient action by Pakistan against the Haqqani terrorist network.

The U.S. congress has shown that it is unhappy with Pakistans continuing support for groups like the Haqqani network that continues to fight Afghan and the U.S. forces in Afghanistan. And we saw that with the blocking of the U.S. government funding for F-16s sale to Pakistan, Lisa Curtis, a senior researcher at the Washington-based Heritage Foundation, told VOA.

Curtis said that ongoing Pakistan military operations against militants in the tribal region has reduced violence in Pakistan but other militant groups should be targeted too.

The Zarb-e-Azb operation has reduced violence in Pakistan but the U.S. also has concerns about other militant groups operating in the region and there are disagreements on these issues between Washington and Islamabad, Curtis said. There will be a change The frustration will grow. Whoever is the next U.S. president, it is likely to develop tougher policies towards Pakistan and demand more changes with regard to its policies toward Taliban.."

Pakistan denies the allegations, saying it does not distinguish between good and bad militants. We have taken decisive action against terrorists and extremists and also cooperate widely with other countries to defeat it, said Pakistans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nafees Zakaria.
No matter their race or ethnicity, most young Americans worry about violence inspired by foreign extremists. But young people of color, especially African-Americans, are at least as fearful of white extremists operating on domestic soil.

Thats among the findings of a new GenForward survey, based on a sample of more than 1,750 people ages 18 to 30. Conducted in July, it found that 62 percent of African-Americans and 55 percent of Latino-Americans expressed concern about white extremists; only a third of whites and Asian-Americans shared that apprehension.

At least half of all three groups said they were very concerned about the threat of violence committed by people in the United States motivated by foreign extremists.

The GenForward poll is conducted by the Black Youth Project at the University of Chicago and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Violent acts committed by people outside the United States also caused concern. Fifty-six percent of Latino-American respondents said they were very concerned, compared to 49 percent of African-Americans, 40 percent of Asian-Americans and 41 percent of whites.

Privacy concessions



Across racial groups, young Americans agree that some freedoms should be sacrificed in attempts to prevent terrorist acts, the survey found. Eleven percent of respondents said sacrifices are always necessary; 54 percent said they occasionally are needed.

The concern about violence follows several recent mass shootings. Nine African-Americans were shot to death last summer in a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, by a white man had talked of starting a race war, officials say. An American gunman of Afghan descent committed the worst mass shooting in modern American history in June when he killed 49 people in a gay night club in Orlando, Florida.

In July, five policemen were killed by an African-American gunman as a protest against police shootings was ending in Dallas, and three law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were fatally shot by an African-American man shortly after a black man was killed by police.

Two-thirds of the respondents disagree with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's call for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States. Sixty-four percent of whites, 66 percent of Latino-Americans and 79 percent of African-Americans and Asian-Americans oppose the ban.
The Red Cross is launching its first search and rescue ship on Monday in an effort to save the lives of people crossing the Mediterranean in search of refuge and safety in Europe.

The Responder will patrol the central Mediterranean route between North Africa and Italy, where most of the 3,100 drownings of migrants have happened this year.

The Italian Red Cross, with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) is partnering with independent charity Migrant Offshore Aid, (MOAS) in the joint mission.

"Too many, far too many children, women and men are drowning in the Mediterranean as they try to reach Europe," says Elhadj As Sy, IFRC Secretary General. "This vessel is a buoy of hope that will save lives and alleviate human suffering."

The Responder is expected to rescue at least 1,100 people every month.
Former prime minister Evaristo Carvalho has been elected president of Sao Tome and Principe, the election commission said on Monday, after incumbent Manuel Pinto da Costa dropped out of the race citing voting irregularities in the first round.

Carvalho won 42,058 votes in Sunday's poll, the National Electoral Commission (CEN) said, announcing provisional results.

Only 46 percent of voters voted and of those 18 percent turned in blank or invalid ballots, said CEN chairman Alberto Pereira.

Vice president of the ruling ADI party, Carvalho was guaranteed victory in Sunday's run-off after Pinto da Costa quit alleging irregularities in the first round on July 17, which Carvalho led with 49.88 percent of the vote to Pinto da Costa's 24.83 percent.

Located in the Gulf of Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe is a former Portuguese colony of about 200,000 people.

Carvalho, 75, narrowly lost the last presidential election to Pinto da Costa in 2011. He was prime minister in 1994 and again in 2001-2002, and has also served as president of the national assembly and defense minister.

Pinto da Costa ruled the country as a single-party state from independence in 1975 until 1991. He was president again between 2011 and 2016.

Sao Tome and Principe has 19 oil blocks in its exclusive economic zone and an additional joint exploration zone with Nigeria, but is yet to find any commercially viable oil.
A Saudi-led coalition airstrike killed nine civilians outside the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Sunday night, residents said, as forces loyal to the exiled government stepped up an offensive in the area.

The strike hit Odhar village in the Nehm area, which has been at the center of renewed fighting between supporters of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's government and Iran-allied Houthi forces.

U.N.-backed peace talks to end Yemen's conflict broke down over the weekend, and pro-government forces said they had begun an offensive to retake Sanaa.

Two residents of the Nehm area reached by telephone said four people returning from a market were killed when their vehicle was hit as it passed a grocery store. Five people in the store also died in the airstrike, they said.

Saba, the state news agency run by the dominant Houthi movement, said 12 people died including six members of the same family, and that some bodies were burnt beyond recognition. The agency said 17 others were wounded.

A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition referred inquiries to the Yemeni government. A government military spokesman said he was checking the report.

At least 6,400 people have been killed in Yemen's 16-month war, half of them civilians, according to the United Nations.

The Saudi-led alliance has said it wants to avoid civilian casualties, and an internal investigation published last week largely exonerated eight mass-casualty strikes, citing the presence of Houthi fighters.

Comments to Reuters from rights groups and witnesses at the time of the attacks suggested they had together killed hundreds of civilians.
South African military enthusiast Alan Coleman boasts one of the world's biggest private collections of war-related material, from swords used in the Napoleonic Wars in the early 1800s to British machine guns used in World War II. Some of Colemans pieces relate to Africas many conflicts, from Zulu spears to bullets from the Mau Mau insurgency in 1950s colonial Kenya.

Music from the early 1940s greets visitors to the War Store here in this city's Rosebank neighborhood.

The space contains a kaleidoscope of battlefield uniforms, military badges, dead tank commanders' helmets and soldiers torn, muddied love letters from World War I trenches.

But Alan Coleman specializes in war material from Africa.

He has deactivated rifles from South African troops who fought Cuban-supported Angolan forces in the late 1970s.

In some of Colemans rare footage, a Cuban fighter jet takes off to attack a South African base.

Coleman holds a tattered, stained light brown hat. It once belonged to a fighter for the South West Africa Peoples Organization (SWAPO). A South African infantryman shot the fighter dead during a mid-1980s insurgency in what's now Namibia.

The hat, Coleman said, is "Russian-made, but then it was used by SWAPO. Its obviously been in combat because its got a [bullet] hole. Were not sure if this is blood or some sort of brain matter, possibly."

Not all of Colemans items are from combat.

"What weve got over here is from the Boer War," he said, referencing the conflict, dating to 1899, between the British and Afrikaners of Dutch or French heritage.

He focused on a toy. "Its actually from the concentration camps, where the South African Boers were put into camps by the British. This is an original doll that was made in the camps for the Boer children. And its made out of material, with a painted face."

Some of Colemans favorite material was given to him by South Africans who fought with legendary British mercenary "Mad" Mike Hoare in the mid-1960s to overthrow the Congolese government.

"These items here are from that actual action. So weve got a bag here and all the stuff in here was either captured flags, and the guys personal stuff. Theres some photographs of him in the Congo, in his gear. This sort of stuff is very well sought after, because this is the real soldier of fortune stuff," said Coleman.

The South African mercenaries were immortalized in Warren Zevons classic song, "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner," a standard on the War Stores playlist.

People from all over the world bring Coleman war-related items.

"Theyll have it in their cupboards, from their grandparents, from generations before," Coleman said. "They dont know what it is, and then we assess it for them. We even had a guy that came in the one time with a Victoria Cross. He had it in his drawer, from his grandfather, from the Boer War. When I told him the value of it, he fell over backwards. We got him over a million rand for that item."

That translates to $73,414 today.

With money like this at play, Colemans collection is protected by a sophisticated security system.

Yes; weve got everything! Everything that can possibly be used, we have it, he said.

Coleman sells to private collectors around the globe, but he says his quest for the objects of conflict has another motive beyond profit.

"The important part here is getting the history out of the woodwork [and] into the collectors hands. The collectors pay for it, so therefore theyre going to look after it," said Coleman.

Coleman owns a lot of memorabilia from World War II. Winston Churchill, Britains prime minister at the time, has a big presence in his shop.

Coleman points to a gray uniform. On its collar are the black lightning bolts of Germanys infamous SS squad.

"Weve got Third Reich, Nazi stuff here, and we get a lot of the Jewish clients coming to us and saying, 'How can you sell this stuff?' But the fact is, if we dont sell it and keep it alive, its going to be forgotten. We have Jewish clients who actually buy the Nazi stuff, to keep it alive, so that people can remember."

Coleman said its fascinating to interact with war veterans.

"The other day, we had a guy that was 96 years old. He served in World War II," the collector recalled. "He was up in North Africa and then he went to Italy. Just speaking to the guys  they're living history. In 10 years time, theyre all going to be gone."

Coleman said he sometimes gets "unexpected" visitors, including men who served with the German SS on the Russian front. They, like others, come to tell him their stories.

Coleman travels the world in search of rare pieces for a collection he knows hell never complete  and doesnt want to, either.
Syrian military officials insist rebels have failed to lift the Assad regimes weeks-long siege of Aleppo, arguing the insurgents have managed only to breach government lines by opening a thin corridor in the southwest. But the ferocity of government and Russian airstrikes the past 24 hours suggests the rebels have managed to deliver a major blow, one the regime now is desperately trying to reverse.

The rebel breach will likely complicate high-level discussions between the United States and Russia on the targeting of jihadist militias in the war-shattered country. The rebel offensive was led by a jihadist militia, Jabhat al-Nusra that announced last month it is cutting ties with al-Qaida.

The rebranded Jabhat Fateh al-Sham has aimed to expand its influence over other rebel armed groups. Its leader, Abu Muhammad al-Julani, said in an audio message Friday the success of the then unfolding rebel offensive in Syrias second largest city is due in large part to the coalescence and unity of the factions against the enemy.

The offensive saw jihadists and hardline Islamists coordinating with more moderate insurgent groups aligned with the Fatah Halab Operations Room featuring Western-backed Free Syrian Army militias. In all, 22 insurgent groups have been involved in the week-long offensive, a-first of-its-kind for the rebels.

The offensive has consisted of two prongs, rebels attacking from the citys eastern districts into the government-held southwest and insurgents mounting a push from the countryside west of Aleppo into the city.

Russian airstrikes



The United States has been pushing Russia to distinguish between moderate rebel groups and jihadists with its blistering airstrikes on the insurgents.

The Kremlin has long insisted all those fighting to oust their longtime ally President Bashar al-Assad are terrorists, mimicking the Syrian governments position.

The Syrian governments news agency, Sana, disputed Monday rebel claims of having broken the siege.

Quoting military sources, Sana said regime forces had managed to isolate rebel factions who had infiltrated several military academies in southwest Aleppo and are now engaged in mopping up resistance. Syria officials argued also the corridor the rebels had opened into the besieged rebel-held eastern part of the city had not been secured by the terrorists and is still controlled by Syrian fire.

Assessing gains

But observers dismiss government claims. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, argued the breach amounted to one of the most significant defeats dealt to the government since the conflict started in March 2011.

The breach of government lines prompted celebrations in Aleppo and opposition group video posted online appears to confirm rebel claims, as does Syrian government video showing waves of airstrikes on the southwest.

A convoy of half-a-dozen rebel pick-up trucks laden with fruit and vegetables entered the besieged area Sunday through the newly-opened corridor, activists and residents told VOA. Though not enough provisions to feed the up to 300,000 people estimated to be living in rebel-held districts, the convoy amounted to a symbolic act of defiance.

With fierce government bombardment it is unlikely the rebels can transport significant amounts of food and medicine.

Rebels say their advance is far from over. They say they have seized a large chunk of the Western district of Ramouseh, blocking an important supply route for the government.



Fearing the 1.5 million residents living in the Western part of the city could come under siege by the rebels, government forces sped dozens of trucks loaded with food and fuel to government-held districts, according to the Syrian Observatory.

The rebel offensive has buoyed the spirits of the political leaders of the rebellion.

Anas Alabdah, president of the Syrian Coalition, said the spectacular gains made by rebel fighters conveyed a clear message to the Assad regime, Iran and Russia, they will not be able to defeat the Syrian people or dictate the terms of a settlement.

The Army of Conquest, the coalition of rebel groups led Jabhat Fatah al-Sham which in March 2015 managed to take control of Idlib province to the north-west of Aleppo, said in a statement Sunday that it would double the number of fighters for this next battle. It announced it had started a new phase to liberate all of Aleppo. The coalition added: We will not rest until we raise the flag of the conquest over Aleppo's citadel.

That may be beyond the rebels's abilities, say military analysts, and the government and foreign Shiite militias loyal to the regime are moving fast to try to contain the breach. The Iraqi paramilitary force, Harakat al-Nujaba, said in a statement it is dispatching 2,000 fighters to help drive back insurgents.
MASON CITY  A male juvenile was taken into custody Monday after an intense law enforcement search in southwestern Mason City involving a plane and a drone.

Lt. Dan Schaefer of the Iowa State Patrol said the boy, who he believed to be 14, came out of a cornfield at 2:15 p.m. and was arrested without incident.

The juvenile, whose name is not being released, was driving a car allegedly stolen out of Kentucky and faces a number of charges, according to Schaefer.

Shortly after 10:30 a.m. a state trooper stopped the boy, who was reported to be driving all over the road, on the Avenue of the Saints east of Highway 65, Schaefer said.

The juvenile took off in the vehicle and a pursuit ensued, according to Schaefer.

The boy drove into a cornfield at Eisenhower Avenue and the Avenue of the Saints, and officers from numerous agencies set up a perimeter around the field, Schaefer said.

Police were searching the cornfield with guns drawn as a State Patrol plane circled the area and K-9 units were deployed.

A private drone was used for a short time during the search, Schaefer said.

More than 20 law enforcement vehicles were at the scene, including the Mason City Police Department, Cerro Gordo County Sheriffs Office and Iowa State Patrol.

The boy has been turned over to juvenile court services, according to Schaefer.

He said he doesnt know if the boy allegedly stole the car or was in possession of a stolen vehicle.
The economy is expected to be the focus of the presidential campaign this week when both top candidates make major speeches in the same city on their plans for the country if they are elected.

Republican Donald Trump will speak Monday and Democrat Hillary Clinton will appear Friday in Detroit - the struggling midwest city that is headquarters of the U.S. automobile industry.

"I will be the greatest jobs president that god ever created," Trump has said.

His plans are expected to include large corporate tax cuts for business and industry and to renegotiate trade deals that he says give all the advantages to countries such as China and Mexico.

Former U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, whose support of Trump has been lukewarm, was asked on Fox News Sunday if Trump's plans are economically sound.

"Of course not...no candidate's numbers add up."

Clinton has said she will put forth the biggest jobs creation program since World War II, focusing on rebuilding crumbling infrastructure, such as repairing and building roads, bridges, and airports. She said she will pay for it by making sure the wealthy and corporate America pay their fair share of taxes.

Last week, Donald was strongly criticized for his public feud with the parents of a Muslim-American soldier killed in Iraq in 2004.

Many veterans also felt his lighthearted acceptance of a gift of sacred Purple Heart award, given to wounded and dead servicemen and women, was an insult.

He fell behind Clinton in the polls and said the November election will be rigged, a remark President Barack Obama called "ridiculous." Obama also called Trump "unfit" to be president.

Trump's campaign manager, Paul Manafort, told Fox News on Sunday that Trump wants to put these controversies behind him.

"He is very focused, He knows what he needs to do. I am confident that he's going to start doing it," Manafort said.

But Trump's sharp tongue surfaced again Sunday. He tweeted that the "media is going crazy. They totally distort so many things on purpose."

Hours earlier in New Hampshire, he said Hillary Clinton was mentally unbalanced and "totally unhinged." He disputed Clinton's comments that Trump has a bad temper, is easily insulted, and cannot be trusted with the country's nuclear arsenal.



Watch: Trump, Clinton Address Email Scandal

Trump has said after her handling of classified e-mails while secretary of state, Clinton is the one who cannot be trusted with national security

Also Sunday, Ohio Governor John Kasich, who unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination, said whoever wins the election must stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking to CNN, Kasich called Putin a "thug" who is trying to revive the long-dead Soviet Union.

Kasich said Putin has got to return Crimea to Ukraine and that the U.S. cannot show weakness to someone who has become very aggressive towards the West.

Trump has faced charges of being someone who admires Vladimir Putin and ignoring allegations of brutality against the his political opponents.
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump outlined his economic plan Monday, saying he wants to "jump-start" the American economy with new tax cuts, curbs on government regulation and efforts to boost the fortunes of middle-income workers

Trump, a real estate tycoon seeking his first elected office, called his Democratic opponent, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, "the candidate of the past," who was wedded to higher taxes, more restrictions on businesses and tighter controls on energy development.

"I want to jump-start America and it can be done," Trump told the Detroit Economic Club, in the Michigan city that is the hub of U.S. auto manufacturing. He was interrupted several times by protesters, who were led out of the venue.

WATCH: Trump on jump-starting America



Tax cuts

Trump drew cheers from business executives with a call to cut the 39 percent U.S. corporate tax rate, the third-highest in the world, to 15 percent.

"I am going to cut regulations massively," Trump pledged. "I want wealth to stay in America. We are in competition with the world and I want America to win."

He vowed to simplify the tax system for individual taxpayers, saying that "for many Americans, their tax rate will be zero."

Trump attacked U.S. trade deals, including the proposed 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, claiming that Clinton will eventually support the pact even though she has declared her opposition to it. "I am totally in favor of trade deals," Trump said, but only if they benefit U.S. workers. He said he would re-negotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement the U.S. has with Canada and Mexico, and that "if we don't get a better deal, we will walk away."

"Americanism, not globalization will be our new credo," he said.

He accused Clinton of being "all talk, no action" when she promised to create 200,000 jobs in New York state when she served as a senator there a decade ago.

Falling poll numbers

Trump, coming off a week of controversial comments and falling poll numbers in his race for the White House, hoped to use the speech to reset his campaign three months ahead of the November 8 national election to pick the successor to President Barack Obama when he leaves office next January. Clinton, a former U.S. secretary of state, is speaking to the same group Thursday about her economic plans.

They both are hoping to boost the U.S. economy, the world's largest. It remains one of the world's most envied as economies elsewhere stagnate or falter, but it has not hit three percent annual growth since 2005, a rate that many economists consider to be a sign of a robust economy.

Ahead of Trump's speech, one of his economic advisers, Stephen Moore said, "We need much, much faster growth if we're going to have wages rising and salaries rising and middle-class incomes rising. How do we get back to a healthy rate of economic growth which we haven't had in a decade?"

Trump is also calling for a temporary moratorium on new government regulations, revival of a proposal for an oil pipeline running from Canada through the central United States that Obama rejected, and elimination of the country's tax on big estates when wealthy people die.

Clinton also laying out economic plan

Clinton is spending Monday in the southeastern state of Florida, touring a small brewery and holding two rallies. In her speech Thursday, aides say she will lay out plans for "the biggest investment in good-paying jobs" since World War II.

In recent days, she has called for boosting U.S. spending to fix U.S. highways, upgrade airports and fund new infrastructure projects.

Both of the candidates' economic plans would be costly. Clinton has called for new taxes on the highest-income earners to help pay for hers. Trump has yet to spell out options to fund his proposals, and analysts say that his earlier tax-cutting plans would dramatically increase the country's $19 trillion national debt, adding as much as $10 trillion to the figure during the next decade.

Former U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, whose support of Trump has been lukewarm, was asked on Fox News Sunday if Trump's plans are economically sound.

"Of course not ... no candidate's numbers add up," Gingrich said.

Latest polls: Clinton leads Trump



In the week since the end of the Republican and Democratic national conventions, national polls show Clinton, seeking to become the country's first female president, pulling to a seven-percentage point advantage over Trump, 47.5 to 40.5 percent, according to an average compiled by realclearpolitics.com. But voters rate the two more evenly on the question who could best handle the U.S. economy.

Trump has boosted her recent gain with a series of comments many voters have rejected, including his criticism of a Muslim-American couple whose son, a U.S. Army captain, was killed in Iraq. The couple said Trump had made no sacrifice to the United States that was comparable to their loss.

Trump responded that he had sacrificed by adding "thousands of jobs" to the national economy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to work toward restoring full relations with Turkey, but said rebuilding trade ties will be time consuming.

"Ahead of us lies painstaking work to resuscitate trade and economic cooperation. This process has already started, but it will take some time," Putin said Tuesday after meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Saint Petersburg.

Erdogan said the two countries will restore their yearly bilateral trade target of $100 billion and will speed up the resumption of charter flights from Russia to Turkey.

The Turkish leader also said he is ready to build a natural gas pipeline with Russia and negotiate a deal to construct Turkey's first nuclear power plant.

The two agreed to meet later to seek common ground over how to resolve the crisis in Syria. Turkey and Russia support opposing sides in the conflict.

Marc Pierini, visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe and former EU ambassador to Turkey, told VOA there are no guarantees that Russia and Turkey can overcome their differences over the Syrian conflict.

"Whether one day they can come to some sort of understanding on this, I doubt, Pierini said. It may take a little more than just a meeting. Maybe counterterrorism cooperation will resume, and it will be a first step. But I doubt you can see a long-term relationship if Turkey doesn't change its position on [Syrian President Bashar] al-Assad."

Erdogan is turning to Russia after post-coup criticism from the West and in an effort to mend relations with Russia after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter plane along the Syrian border last year.

"Your visit today, despite a very difficult situation regarding domestic politics, indicates that we all want to restart dialogue and restore relations between Russia and Turkey," Putin told Erdogan.

Alexander Baunov of the Carnegie Moscow Center said, It is significant for both because both of them have to bargain hard with the West. Putin is about sanctions and about normalizing the relations, about bringing them more [to] business as usual."



"Erdogan wants, of course, that after crushing the coup he is criticized too much by the Western politicians, journalists, and media," Baunov added. "For him to bargain means to show that he can get closer to Russia and alienate himself from the West.

Erodgan was livid after Western nations that condemned the coup attempt last month also criticized him for his massive crackdown in response to the putsch. Pierini said the response was in accordance with international law.

"It means that we don't want to see coups and we support the legitimate government and president. But it means also the rule of law while fixing the coup, he said.

Russia was quick to condemn the Turkish insurgents. More than 270 people died during the failed attempt by some elements of the military.

Erdogan has accused Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is exiled in the U.S., of orchestrating the coup. On Tuesday, Erdogan warned the U.S. that if it fails to extradite Gulen, it would cause great harm to relations between the countries.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau told reporters Tuesday in Washington, "This [extradition] is not a process that is influenced by emotion or political rhetoric. It's actually governed by a treaty."

Erdogan viewed the Western response to the crackdown as betrayal, says Moscow State Institute of International Affairs' Victor Mizin.

So, what he decided, it's some kind of his version of 'pivot to the East,' promoting the relations with such countries like Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mizin said.



But the relationship with Russia is the most important tactically, and not just for Turkey.



Now it's very important [for Russia] to turn this country, which was the spearhead of NATO against the Soviet Union in the past, and where so many intelligence assets or radars had been placed to monitor Russian military activity, to draw it back to Russia and to resume good relations, Mizin said.

Jet downing



The face-to-face talks in St. Petersburg are expected to focus on restoring economic ties that were severed after Turkeys F-16 shot down Russias SU-24, resulting in the deaths of one jet pilot and a rescue pilot killed during a recovery attempt.



The incident sparked finger-pointing, Russian sanctions, and fears of a wider conflict between Russia and the NATO member. Moscow accused Ankara of supporting terrorism, while Turkey accused Russia of violating its airspace and bombing civilian targets inside Syria.



Russia imposed costly economic sanctions on Turkey, including banning Turkish food imports as well as Russian vacationers from visiting Turkey, striking a multi-billion dollar blow to the country and its important tourist trade.



But, a surprisingly fast rapprochement came in late June after Erdogan gave a long-demanded apology, expressing regret to the families of the two pilots in a letter to Putin. More recently, he accused the pilots of the Turkish F-16 of being involved in the coup. They were earlier arrested.



Political analysts say that while Erdogans quick 180-degree turn was motivated by the economic damage caused by lost Russian trade, tensions with his Western allies in Europe and the United States have spurred the face-to-face meeting with Putin.



Not all common ground



Some minority calls inside Turkey for Ankara to seek a strategic partnership with Russia to replace ties with the United States and the European Union are unlikely to gain ground.



At the same time, I think it would be unrealistic to think that Turkey could be banished or ousted from NATO as certain American experts, especially on the conservative side would suggest because, as I said, strategically, Turkey is too important, Mizin said.



While progress in the talks is expected on economic issues, the conflict in Syria remains a sticking point.



Russias bombing campaign in support of Syrias President Bashar al-Assad had already put a chill on relations between Moscow and Ankara, which supports rebel groups in Syrias five-year civil war and wants to see Assad leave power.
Former Vice President Joice Mujuru claims that President Robert Mugabe abandoned war veterans a long time ago and he is a difficult person to work with.

Mrs. Mujuru, who was expelled from the ruling Zanu PF party for allegedly attempting to topple Mr. Mugabe and then formed Zimbabwe People First, says time is up for the Zimbabwean leader.

Speaking at a rally at Gadzema Grounds on Saturday, Mrs. Mujuru said it is now time for the war veterans of the 1970s to do everything possible to force President Mugabe to realize that his time is up.

She said this can be done in many ways including peaceful public protests.



Mrs. Mujuru claimed that war veterans used to approach her seeking help and she used to refer them to President Mugabe, who is their patron.

At the end of the day, she claimed that the president did not address their grievances.

However, this could not be verified by state officials and the war veterans.

She also alleged that the president is a very difficult person to work with and to make matters worse, he does not listen to any advice.

Mrs. Mujuru said its now time for opposition parties to work with each other in order to remove the ruling Zanu PF party and President Mugabe from office.

She urged members of the public to continue staging public protests saying even state security agents of the spy network, the Central Intelligence Organization, the national army and police should help in rebuilding Zimbabwe.

ZimPF had to approach the High Court to get permission to hold the rally after Chinhoyi police cancelled the event citing lack ofadequate manpower on the eleventh hour.

High Court Justice Joseph Musakwa granted the party permission to hold the event on Saturday morning.



ZimPF spokesperson, Jealousy Mawarire, said surprisingly only Mashonaland West police are denying them permission to hold such events.

Mawarire said it is now clear that Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo is behind the refusal as a way to fix his former wife ZimPF Provincial chairperson, Marian Chombo.



Former Zanu PF Politburo member, Dzikamai Mavhaire, warned the police to be professional and desist from being used by Zanu PF politicians because ZimPF will form a new government after 2018 elections.
President Robert Mugabe has appealed for peace in Zimbabwe saying while protesters have a right to stage peaceful marches in the country they should not engage in violent activities.

Mr. Mugabes call came at a time when Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Constantine Chiwenga warned protesters that they will face the wrath of the law.

Addressing thousands of people at the National Heroes Acre to mark Heroes Day today, President Mugabe said Zimbabweans should desist from violent public protests.

Mr. Mugabe said while Zimbabweans have a right to stage peaceful protests they should do so peacefully.

But Mr. Mugabe noted that protests do not build a nation.

Some Zimbabweans, driven by Pastor Evan Mawarire of hush tag this flag, Tajamuka-Sesijikile Campaign and others, have been staging protests demanding an end to serious social and economic issues affecting the country.

At the same time, General Chiwenga fired a broadside at the protesters saying they are abusing social media in trying to bring regime change in the country.

General Chiwenga, who held a press conference soon after President Mugabes address, said Zimbabwe would be forced to come up with strict laws to stop the abuse of social media.

He further said social media was not designed to effect regime change in any nation.

General Chiwenga said the Zimbabwe National Army wont stand and look as the nation is burning.

He further noted that President Mugabe is the legitimate leader of Zimbabwe.

The army commander said Zimbabweans should forget about changing the government though undemocratic means.
South African police with the assistance of the army Monday dispersed thousands of people who had converged at the Musina border post protesting against a law banning the importation of some goods.

Reports from the border town say there were skirmishes between the police and some protesters resulting in the arrest of a handful people.

Musina is on the South African side from across the Beitbridge border of Zimbabwe.

Organizers of the protest said they were going to picket at the border post, discouraging any commercial activity at all the countrys borders, until the ban is reversed.

Studio 7 was not able to ascertain the level of activity at other border crossings.

One of the organizers of the protest Dennis Juru of the International Cross Borders Association said they are confident that the protest will force the Zimbabwean authorities to reverse the ban.

"The turnout was very, very impressive and people gathered at the China Mall but police and the army dispersed the people," said Juru.

He added that they were happy that there was no commercial activity at one of Zimbabwe's busiest cross border bus terminal, Rodeport in Harare.
Zimbabwe commemorates Heroes Day at a time when war veterans of the 1970s recently dumped President Robert Mugabe saying he is largely to blame for the countrys current social, economic and political problems.

Former Vice President Joice Mujuru claims that President Mugabe has dumped war veterans and he is a difficult person to work with in government.

South African police and the countrys national army descend on Zimbabwean protesters trying to shut down the main border post linking the nation with Zimbabwe. Organizers of the protest say at least 6,000 people gathered at the Messina Border post early this morning and were forced to temporarily leave the place after police and the army ordered them to disperse.

Members of the public react to an order by the Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe for mobile phone companies to stop free air-time promotions as local people use social media to criticize the government.

And Kirsty Coventry has failed to reach the final of the 100 metre backstroke. We will give you an update on the 2016 Olympic Games.

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 Blessing Zulu and Gibbs Dube will be talking with listeners about the conflict between President Robert Mugabe and war veterans as Zimbabwe commemorates Heroes Day. Participate by sending your messages on our WhatsApp number 001 202 465 0318. Please note that we are livestreaming on all Studio 7 Facebook pages. Stay tuned!!!!!!
Cillian Murphy in The Dark Knight Rises. Photo: Warner Brothers

Its not your imagination: Weve been in a superhero-movie boom for nearly two decades now. But as Hollywood continues to reboot old franchises and stir up support for even the most obscure comic-book characters, Cillian Murphy, like many of us, has to ask: Are we running out of caped crusader stories to adapt?

Have they exhausted every single comic book ever? Murphy asked from a giant, comfy chair in his New York hotel room during a recent Vulture interview for his upcoming film Anthropoid. I dont know where theyre coming from anymore. Its an interesting question coming from Murphy, who played Dr. Jonathan Crane a.k.a. Scarecrow in Christopher Nolans Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises. Those three films debuted just as easily accessible special effects helped create a boom of movies specifically engineered to metastasize overseas, yielding the glut of half-baked, spandex-laden films that have come since.

It was a different time back when we made Batman Begins, Murphy said. I think that Chris [Nolan] has to take credit for making that trilogy of films. I think theyre so grounded in a relatable reality.

Nobody in those films ever had a superpower, he continued. Do you know what I mean? Its a slightly heightened level of storytelling, where New York is Gotham, and no one did anything magical. Batman in his movies just did a lot of pushups and was, like, British. So thats what I loved about them. My kids love the Marvel movies, but I dont know. I dont watch them.

From over on the couch, Murphys Anthropoid co-star Jamie Dornan perked up and chimed in.

Do you remember when you were a kid, and you used to go, like, Who would win in a fight, Batman or Superman? Thats exactly what studios are doing now, Dornan said. Theyre having those kind of playful oppositions of, Oh, who do you think would win in a race between these two? And then theyre going, Oh, why dont we make a bloody movie about it? Its like a day at the playground.

I reckon theyre going to make a movie of Rice Krispies starring Snap, Crackle, and Pop, Murphy said with a laugh. Im hoping to play Crackle.

Ill play Pop, Dornan said.

You heard it here first.
Nic Cage and Willem Dafoe are some very bad men in the new Dog Eat Dog trailer, but obviously they arent so bad they dont have qualms about snatching someones baby. Oh sure, they will murder seemingly everyone in a five-block radius, choke a cop, kidnap an elderly couple, rob people blind, and dispose of at least one corpse. But babies? Theyre so fat and silly. Those little chubby feet. Man, its a real quandary.
Sigh. Photo: HBO

Watching Naz on HBOs The Night Of is like watching a wide-eyed Bambi nuzzle a hunters rifle. From the fantastic first episode, Riz Ahmed is committed to making the unbelievable believable: Dear sweet Jesus, why would you do that, Naz? you are undoubtedly screaming at the TV. But scream all you want, dear viewer, because our naive protagonist has apparently never watched an episode of Law & Order, Criminal Minds, The Wire, or, for Gods sake, Bones in his entire existence. Hes a freshly hatched chick, oblivious to the most basic rules of conduct after youve been arrested for a crime. So lets snap to it: Heres a running list of dumb things that Naz has done so far  one that has only lengthened approaching the finale. And were being charitable here.

Leave the house in the first place.

All the signs were telling you this wasnt meant to be the night you got laid. Your parents told you not to go to that party, all your friends bailed on you, and you couldnt find a ride. In New York City, thats when we call it a night. But no, you chose to steal your dads only source of income, the cab he owns with two other people, and take a joyride through Manhattan with the very first hot stranger who mistakes you for an actual cabbie. If, by some miracle you make it out of this, Naz, maybe next time, dont think with your dick.

Not know how to use your fathers taxi.

You know what else could have prevented this entire chain of horrific events? If you just switched to Off Duty on your fathers cab. You should have figured this out before you started driving!

Pop a random pill from a stranger.

What did your mother tell you about taking drugs from hot strangers?

Put the murder weapon in your jacket pocket.

All right. If we were ranking this list, this is beyond a reasonable doubt the number one dumb thing that Naz does. We get it: Youre freaked out! You just had the wildest night of crazy drug sex in your life and you wake up to a dead body. Yikes! You have no idea what happened, or if  gasp  you did it. But the very, very, very last thing you should do is put the murder weapon in your pocket and run away with it. Come on! At least wipe the fingerprints and leave it.

Break back into the apartment because you forgot your keys.

We actually feel for you on this one, Naz. We lose our keys all the time. This was just the worst possible time you could have done that.

Try to run away from the cops  in the police station.

There were a lot of times you could have run, Naz. In fact, you tried at the beginning. Good effort. But, the worst time to pull this trick is in the police station after the cops find a bloody knife in your pocket. Where are your critical-thinking skills?

Talk to the cop!

Get. [clap emoji] A. [clap emoji] Lawyer. [clap emoji]

Agree to DNA testing.

Oh my God, Naz, this is the second-dumbest thing you could have done. The detective Dennis Box is actually telling you, I need your consent, Naz. That means you have a choice here to say no. You know you had rough sex with Andrea: Is there any question that her DNA will be all over your penis?

Trust literally every inmate who speaks to you.

If the guy in the bed next to you informs you he knows how to turn lukewarm water into acid with baby oil from the commissary, shows you the crime-scene photo of his dead niece, and repeatedly tells you hes in for trying to kill her killer, maybe stay far away. He is not your buddy. He will not help you. Stop following him around like a lost puppy. And quite frankly, when he flips the script and throws said acid at your face, you deserve it. (And while were at it, quit confiding in Freddy! This will not end well.)

Royally screw up the plea deal.

Look, we get it, 12-to-15 years is a long time to spend in prison. Especially for someone so clearly unfit for prison life as you, Naz. But you know whats longer than 15 years? Your entire life! Potentially without possibility of parole! How you failed so miserably to accept the lesser of two evils here  and continue to naively think your version of the truth will set your free  defies logic, like pretty much everything youve done since you followed your penis to that party downtown.

Tell your free lawyer to quit.

After flushing the plea deal down the toilet, any sympathetic son might have mercy on his poor parents depleted wallets. But nope! On a power trip, you proceed to taunt your pro-bono lawyer to quit, putting your already too-patient mother and father in the dire position of having to pay a lofty lawyers fee for the entirety of your doomed trial. Did you even realize this impulsive decision now means your fate is in the hands of a younger attorney who very obviously has never led the defense on a murder trial? Way to go, buddy!

Shave your head.

While your Vulture editors differ on whether Riz looks hotter with a shaved head, what we do agree on is that it is a monumentally bad idea to do so before you appear in court. Love that youre getting swole, though.

Become a drug mule.

The D.A.R.E. program really failed you, Naz.

Tattoo Sin and Bad on his knuckles.

LOL, youre so damn corny.

Start smoking crack.

Ahem, see above.

Kiss his lawyer.

So this is on both of you, but Naz is such a vortex that he can bring even the level-headed Chandra down to the depths of dumb. To be fair, Naz kind of started this mess by calling her on his secret burner phone, but Chandra: We expected more from you, girl. (I mean, we kind of get it, though. Those eyes.)

Repeatedly lie to your lawyers.

A lie by omission is still a lie, Naz. And when your life is on the line, maybe dont forget to tell your lawyers you also took (and previously dealt!) Adderall the night you possibly murdered someone. And your violent past? How about you be more forthright about that next time so your lawyers arent totally blindsided during the trial.

Help Freddy kill a guy.

Prison has really changed you, Naz.


What has four is and is a dark comedy? Tig Notaros One Mississippi, which entered Amazons pilot season last fall, and has emerged with a September 9 premiere date for its first season. The series is based on Notaros own experience, and finds her character recovering from a double mastectomy, living with an intestinal disease, and coming home to Mississippi to take her mother off of life support. That might not sound like the stuff of comedy, but consider that One Mississippi also has Happy Endings Casey Wilson, who plays Notaros girlfriend, and, also, parades!
Troy Ave. Photo: Thaddaeus McAdams/WireImages

Troy Ave, the rapper charged in connection with the May shooting at New York Citys Irving Plaza that left his bodyguard dead, has now sued both the venue and its owner, Live Nation, for negligence. The rapper, born Roland Collins, claims that security at the venue was lax and that guns should not have been permitted inside the building, which had hosted a T.I. concert the night of the shooting. The venue had a duty to protect Troy, as an invited performer, and they failed him miserably, his lawyers said in a statement. Collins was injured in the shooting, along with two other attendees. He was arrested the next day and charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon. Collins pled not guilty to all charges, maintaining that he did not shoot his bodyguard and was not the owner of the weapon he allegedly fired. He has since been released on bail, recovering from what his lawyers call disabling injuries which will forever affect his life, his career, and his pursuits.
MASON CITY | Registration for Mason City Schools' Walking School Bus program is open for students and adults.

The program uses adult volunteers to supervise children as they walk to school.

It increases physical activity for children, reduces traffic around schools and offers parents a safe means for their children to travel to school. Routes are established within one mile of Harding, Hoover, Jefferson and Roosevelt elementary schools.

For children who live outside walking routes, designated stops are identified to join the group.

The fall session runs Aug. 31 to Oct. 28. Adult volunteers should be available 7:20 to 8 a.m. one to two days a week to serve as a leader.

For more information visit www.cghealth.com or call 641-421-9312.
Beatlemania64, a Beatles tribute band, will present a Concert in the Park at 8 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Creekside Amphitheater in Warren Park, 450 S. Old Temple Road in Hewitt.

Tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Tickets for ages 17 and younger cost $10.

VIP tickets cost $75 and include priority seating, a meal, a meet-and-greet with the band and photos before the concert.

For more information, call 666-2442 or visit www.cityofhewitt.com.

TSTC registration rally

Texas State Technical College will host a registration rally for the fall semester from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at TSTCs Student Services Center on Campus Drive.

The event is geared to make the registration process as easy as possible by allowing students to complete all of their paperwork in one place.

For more information, visit www.tstc.edu/rally or call 799-3611.

YMCA 5K, 10K training

The YMCA of Central Texas will have registration through Friday for a 5K and 10K training program.

The seven-week training program will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Aug. 15 to Sept. 28.

Cost for 5K training is $45 for YMCA members and $75 for nonmembers. Cost for 10K training is $50 for members and $80 for nonmembers.

Training fee includes a training shirt and entry fee for the LiveStrong at the YMCA 5K or 10K.

For more information, email crystal.hernandez@ymcactx.org or call 776-6612, ext. 210.

SCV meeting

The Sons of Confederate Veterans will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Poppa Rollos Pizza, 703 N. Valley Mills Drive.

Speaker Markham Dossett will talk about The Battle of Brandy Station.

Optional dining will begin at 6 p.m. Visitors are welcome.

For more information, visit www.scv-waco.org. or call 772-1676.

Private applicators

The Texas A&M Agri Life Extension Office of McLennan County, 420 N. Sixth St., will have a private applicators training class from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

The registration fee is $60, which includes the Private Applicator Study Guide and a Laws And Regulation Manual.

The registration deadline is Monday. To register, call 757-5180 or email melba.catchings@ag.tamu.edu.

CWJC classes

Christian Womens Job Corps of McLennan County will start Career Track and GED classes Aug. 22.

Classes are geared for women who are looking for a change or who are seeking to get back into the workplace.

For applications, call Dorothy Clark at 757-0416 or email Dorothy@cwjcwaco.org.

Watercolor Society

Central Texas Watercolor Society will meet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 1624 Wooded Acres Drive.

The program will include demonstrations by club members of various water-based mediums.

The program is free to first-time visitors. A salad lunch will be provided.

For more information, call 772-1982.
Residents in West have varying memories from April 17, 2013.

Some say its the sound that sticks with them.

For others, an indescribable feeling.

For Kim Woodard, a high school teacher who lost the lives of friends as well as her home that day, it was the sight.

I was outside looking that way when it happened, Woodard said. I can remember the fire going, and the mushroom cloud going. Then, everything was dark.

As she and other teachers on Monday weighed the past three years, from the day of the deadly fertilizer plant explosion that killed 15 people, injured hundreds more and left the town  including the school districts campuses  in ruins, to moving in and out of portable buildings, to the start of school in a brand-new campus just two weeks away, one thing was certain: Their hearts are full, and theyre ready to see their students again.

It took Woodard about three or four months, after seeing footage on television again and again, to remember that it wasnt nighttime when the explosion happened, she said.

The little things that happened in those three or four months, and the years that followed, are what helped West rise up out of the ashes and into the light, the teachers said.

Those little things are what excite them and are what they hold onto now as they begin unpacking boxes and decorating their new classrooms at what they call their new home, they said Monday morning.

The new West High School and Middle School, 1008 Jerry Mashek Drive, is expected to open Aug. 24, two days later than most other districts so officials can wrap up any last-minute construction issues.

Teachers began moving into the campus this week, and said they have felt two distinct emotions as they see the campus for the first time and become comfortable in their new home.

Theres a very big high of joy, but youre bringing back a lot of the things weve gone through over the years that we made it through, and weve made it through stronger, Woodard said. You balance those with faith. Thats all there is to it.

Move-in day started about 8 a.m., with a few teachers waiting in the parking lot, not ready to walk into the building by themselves, they said.

Most of their classroom supplies and books were already in boxes, moved over by staff earlier. A few, like high school English teachers Chelsey Lauer and Donna Sexton, brought decorations from home to line the walls.

As they unpacked, box by box, Lauer pulled out a students handwritten note from each, saying she put one in the top of every box to remind herself why she does what she does. Lauer, who instructs freshmen, wasnt in West at the time of the explosion. She came afterward from Waco, with her first year at one of the temporary buildings, she said.

My son has cystic fibrosis, and my students are so great about it, she said through tears, placing a note back into one of the boxes. They are so loving, and want to help raise money for a cure. Theyre already going through so much.

As she and Sexton blasted 80s music across their adjoining rooms, she said she was overwhelmed by how much she had to unpack and hadnt decided if she will hang the notes on one of her walls. But it could be a good place to start, she said.

Their classrooms are similar to others throughout the campus, with a sliding whiteboard wall that combines or separates some rooms for collaboration. Each room also has a whiteboard wall with a projector to give students more interactive capabilities.

The campus, divided by a main hall down the middle separating the middle school side from the high school side, is two stories tall. It has a library and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) lab, two practice gyms and a competition gym, collegelike lounge and study areas, a large cafeteria, a two-story auditorium and more.

At a cost of about $52 million, the campus was paid for through insurance funds and money from the Texas Education Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Thats one of the best parts  local taxpayers didnt have to pay a dime to rebuild part of West ISD, Superinendent David Truitt said.

Building both halves of the school to be basically identical will help students transition smoothly from middle school to high school, said Michele Scott and Don Snook, principals of the middle school and high school, respectively.

Its permanent, and thats such a good term, said Jacqueline Uptmore, a sixth-grade English/language arts and reading teacher. Im just excited. It was hard the last couple days in the portables, but we all walked out of them and took that last step together.

Theyll miss the breakfasts and lunches given by the community, the teachers said. Theyll miss the prayers and embraces from those wanting to help with recovery efforts. They may even miss having middle school and high school students share a gym, but flexibility and patience have been the defining factors throughout the transition, Woodard said.

When we moved into the portables the first year, we didnt have our buildings. They werent ready yet, said Woodard, who teaches several computer-related courses, referring to her and a fellow teachers plight. They werent ready for us until seven weeks into the school year, so we both had computer classes we were teaching with no computers. We were drawing on paper instead of a computer. The kids just rolled with it.

There are things the teachers wont miss about their previous accommodations, though, like the long walks to use a restroom or visit an administrative office, or worry about shoes catching on wooden walkways, they said.

But the teachers and administrators will take that flexible skill set with them, because thats what brought everyone close together, they said. Theyre even excited about having water fountains to fill up water bottles again, they said.

As the West community figures out how to navigate the new campus together, the educators are eager to see the reactions when their students walk in the door on that first day.

I cant wait to see the little things the kids are going to enjoy  hearing them laugh and get excited about coming in a room and being in a hallway, said Sexton, a sophomore English teacher. My daughters going to be a senior, and theyve been in portables for three years. They get to spend their senior year at a school.

I cant wait to hear them when they walk in. I want to be at the front door. I think theyll squeal, and I think some are so sensitive theyre going to cry. And Ill cry that first day. I didnt lose my house, but I lost friends. My daughter was calling (Woodards) daughter the entire night, and could never get her.

Reliving all that? I think some of them are going to cry, and were just going to have to be there to give them hugs.
As many of you will have guessed from watching our Facebook page, most of us here at WarbirdsNews were at Oshkosh for AirVenture 2016. It was an extraordinary year, with some exceptional performances and rare attendees. We got to see the Martin Mars strut her stuff both on and off the water. WWII veterans like Doolittle Raider Col. Dick Cole, Tuskegee Airman Col. George Hardy and several former WASPs, including Dawn Seymour. The Commemorative Air Force brought their full Tora! Tora! Tora! display for a spectacular night show for the very first time. We saw a U-2 Dragon Lady make a flypast. The world famous Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds aerial demonstration team performed each day following their Wednesday arrival. And whats more, we had an F-4 Phantom II two-ship for probably the last time ever at a major public air show in the USA. We thought you might like a run-down of the numbers from EAA Chairman, Jack Pelton along with some photography highlights by our chief editor, Richard Mallory Allnutt.

Comment from EAA Chairman Jack Pelton:

It was a magical week at Oshkosh this year. You could sense the enthusiasm throughout the grounds no matter where you were. From the aviation anniversaries we celebrated, to the magnificent performances by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, to the airplanes and aviators who were here, there was an energy that reinvigorated everyone involved in aviation. We premiered our annual Founders Innovation prize and celebrated the flight of our 2 millionth Young Eagle with thousands of EAA-member pilots who made that remarkable achievement possible. Our industry partners conducted more than 70 news conferences in Oshkosh, launching countless new products and technologies that benefit the aviation community.

Attendance: Approximately 563,000, an increase of nearly one percent over 2015.

Comment from Pelton: Our attendance was particularly outstanding, since we had some weather challenges mid-week compared to seven perfect days in 2015. Our grounds crew and our volunteers, who number more than 5,000, did a superb job keeping the site ready for visitors and campers who arrived by ground or by air.

Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin.

Total showplanes: 2,855 (up 7 percent over 2015): 1,124 homebuilt aircraft (up 11 percent), 1,032 vintage airplanes (up 7 percent), 371 warbirds (up 6 percent), 135 ultralights and light-sport aircraft, 101 seaplanes, 31 rotorcraft, 41 aerobatic aircraft, and 20 non-categorized aircraft.

Commercial exhibitors: Final total of 891, a 10 percent increase over EAA AirVenture 2015.

Forums and Workshops: A total of 1,050 sessions attended by more than 75,000 people.

Social Media, Internet and Mobile: More than 35 million people were reached by EAAs social media channels during AirVenture; EAA AirVenture app had 1.6 million screen views; EAA video clips during the event were viewed 957,000 times; and EAAs 1,100 photo uploads were viewed more than 7.4 million times.

Guests registered at International Visitors Tent: A record 2,369 visitors registered from a record-tying 80 nations. Top countries represented: Canada (578 visitors), Australia (340), and Argentina (167). [NOTE: Actual international attendance by country is undoubtedly higher, since these are self-reported figures only.]

Media: 750 media representatives on-site, from six continents.

Whats ahead for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017 (July 24-30, 2017)? Comment from Pelton:

q The planning for EAAs 65th annual fly-in convention begins now. There are people already coming forward with ideas that well consider in the coming weeks. Next year, for instance, is the 80th anniversary of the iconic Piper Cub airplane and the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force. We also want to continue to be the place where new aviation technology and innovations are unveiled to the world. Our evening lineups continue to provide attendees with additional reasons to stay throughout the night, and 2017 will be no different as well kick off the week on Monday, July 24, with an evening concert by the Grammy-nominated alt-rock band Barenaked Ladies, presented by Ford Motor Company. Although the lineup of features, attractions and anniversaries is still developing, it will be a collection of aircraft and people unmatched anywhere in the world.
Silly me.

One of the popular political catchwords of the 21st century is transparency  a government that is so open in its policies and decision-making as to be figuratively transparent.

Mason City prides itself in its transparency. You can go on the citys website, www.masoncity.net, and bring yourself up to date on what every city agency has been doing or plans to do.

That covers what happens at public meetings or whats on the agenda for the next ones, and thats great.

Where transparency becomes a little fuzzy is what happens in government before and after the public meetings, a time when government wheels are moving, all for apparently good purposes but nonetheless arousing trust issues with a suspicious public.

This is almost always true when cities and counties engage in economic development projects. More often than not, companies looking to relocate want the negotiations to be confidential, including keeping the name of their company quiet.

And that becomes a problem for those of us who believe in the publics right to know, especially when the deals involve taxpayers money, which they always do.

When the North Iowa Corridor EDC and Clear Lake officials were working with McKesson, the Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company, on a plan for McKesson to build a warehouse and distribution center in Clear Lake, the name of the company was kept secret  amazingly  for many months. And nobody in Clear Lake seemed to care.

But when EDC and Mason City officials were attempting to bring the Prestage pork processing plant to Mason City, the plan failed because of the publics environmental concerns  but that same public questioned what they believed were negotiations kept secret from them.

The question becomes: When does the publics right to know supersede confidential negotiations involving how public money is going to be spent on a project?

Or the opposite: When does the possibility of bringing a multi-million-dollar company to an area supersede the publics right to know whats going on?

As Kent Darr recently wrote in Business Record, an online publication in Des Moines, Its a fine line that probably does not violate the letter of the states open records and public meetings law, but it does run afoul of the spirit of doing the publics business before the public.

On the other hand, city and economic development officials believe it is a necessary path to take in order for their communities to grow.

According to Darr, West Des Moines Mayor Steve Gaer didnt know what company his city was dealing with until a city staffer noticed a Property of Microsoft sticker on a laptop computer.

Microsoft built a $1 billion data center in West Des Moines and recently took out a $320 million building permit for more construction. Would any of that happened if someone had broken the confidentiality agreement? Who knows?

Chad Schreck, head of the North Iowa Corridor EDC, says it is not uncommon for officials to not know who theyre dealing with until late in the process. All they know is Company A wants to locate in your area and bring x-number of jobs  are you interested? Then both sides start trading information and see what happens.

From governments standpoint, its good business. From the publics standpoint, a lot of bad things can happen if you allow government to do too many things behind closed doors.

Silly me.
27 minutes ago

Elon Musk takes over Twitter but where will he go from here?

Elon Musk has taken control of Twitter after a protracted legal battle and months of uncertainty. The question now is what the billionaire Tesla CEO will actually do with the social media platform. Musk gave one hint about where he's headed in a tweet Friday afternoon, saying no decisions on content or reinstating of accounts will be made until a content moderation council is put in place.

Read Article
Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit

Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools:

Portfolio Monitoring

Top Stock Lists

Premium Reports

Stock Screeners

Live News Feed

Premium Support

Free for your first month.
Emergent BioSolutions Inc., a life sciences company, focuses on the provision of preparedness and response solutions that address accidental, deliberate, and naturally occurring public health threats (PHTs) in the United States. The company's products address PHTs, which include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives; emerging infectious diseases; travel health; and emerging health crises and acute/emergency care. It offers BioThrax, an anthrax vaccine; ACAM2000, a smallpox vaccine; Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent to treat botulinum disease; vaccinia immune globulin intravenous that addresses complications from smallpox vaccine; raxibacumab for the treatment and prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax; Anthrasil to for inhalational anthrax; reactive skin decontamination lotion kits; and Trobigard, a combination drug-device auto injector product candidate; and Trobigard, a combination drug-device auto injector product candidate. The company also provides NARCAN, a nasal spray for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose; Vivotif, an oral vaccine for typhoid fever; and Vaxchora, a single-dose oral vaccine to treat cholera. In addition, it is developing AP003, a Naloxone multidose nasal spray; AP007, a sustained release Nalmefene injection for treatment of opioid use disorder; AV7909, an anthrax vaccine; CGRD-001, a pralidoxime chloride/atropine auto-injector; CHIKV VLP, a chikungunya virus VLP vaccine; COVID-HIG for the treatment of SARS-CoV2; EGRD-001, a diazepam auto-injector; SIAN, an antidote for the initial treatment of acute poisoning of cyanide; and UniFlu, a universal influenza vaccine. Further, the company provides contract development and manufacturing services comprising drug substance and product manufacturing, and packaging, as well as technology transfer, process, and analytical development services. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
NGL Energy Partners LP is a vertically integrated master limited partnership operating a network of midstream pipelines and storage facilities. The company is a diversified play on mid-stream operations offering multiple services for producers and consumers alike. Founded in 1944, the company is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The company, through a network of subsidiaries, is in business to transport, store, blend, and market crude oil, natural gas liquids, refined products, renewables, and water solutions in the United States. The company seeks to generate positive cash flow through its businesses and deliver returns to shareholders in the form of dividends, organic, and accretive growth. Organic growth is achieved by investing in new assets while accretive growth includes the acquisition of assets that complement the existing portfolio.

NGL Energy Partners operates in three segments that include Water Solutions, Crude Oil Logistics, and Natural Gas Liquids Logistics.

The Water Solutions segment transports, sells, reclaims, and recycles water for oil and natural gas production. This segment also aggregates recovered crude oil for sale, disposes of wastes, and performs cleaning services for trucks and fracking tanks along with other services.

The Crude Oil Logistics segment buys and transports crude oil and equivalents to refiners for processing and sale at pipeline heads and other trade hubs. This segment also provides storage and transportation services for third parties.

The Liquids Logistics segment supplies LNG, refined petroleum products, and biodiesel to commercial, retail, and industrial consumers in North America. This segment operates through a network of 24 terminals that are supported by third-party storage facilities, common carrier pipelines, and a fleet of leased railcars.








Mans best friend. For many people, that statement is literally true. There are a lot of people who count dogs among the most important parts of their lives.

Faithful, loyal, loving, sweet, intelligent  dog lovers describe their companions in glowing terms. Unfortunately, as we all know, owning a dog is a little like owning a car. Most of the time its great. Sometimes, however, you, your family or complete strangers end up bleeding in a ditch.

The city of Britt has had for several years a vicious animal ordinance that specifically lists pit bulls as a breed of dogs banned from living within the city limits. Last month, discussions between the city police and the City Council resulted in a decision to begin enforcing that ban.

That led to an outcry from pit bull owners and some dog lovers in general, decrying a law that would prohibit an entire class of dogs. Judge the deed, not the breed, was a common sentiment on social media websites.

Last week, after a spirited discussion at the Britt City Council meeting, the council decided to delay enforcing the pit bull ban, instead forming a committee to examine the issue, look at other cities ordinances and make a recommendation. Various city officials offered to sit on the committee and the council welcomed other interested city residents to take part.

We applaud the City Councils decision to do more research on this topic, and to make a recommendation based on facts and logic rather than emotion and opinion.

One of the problems this committee will face, however, is sifting the science from the biases. A google search on are pit bulls dangerous returns 769,000 hits, on variations ranging from history to hysteria.

Its easy to see both sides of the argument. We absolutely believe those people who describe their own pit bull pets as gentle, dependable, child-friendly and non-threatening. We believe that almost all dogs, of any breed, properly trained and cared for, can be good family pets and safe companions.

The website caninejournal.com makes the interesting case that, based on statistical causes of death, you are 16 times more likely to drown in a 5-gallon bucket, 60 times more likely to be killed by a falling coconut and 200 times more likely to die of an aspirin overdose than to be killed by a pit bull.

On the other hand, we have all read or seen horrifying news accounts of children or adults mauled or killed in dog attacks, and more often than not the kind of dogs involved in those attacks are identified as pit bulls.

We recognize that much of the bad reputation pit bulls have is because of their history of use in dog fighting or because they have been purposefully trained to be aggressive toward other animals and/or people. But the fact is that some breeds, when abused, mistreated or improperly trained, have a greater potential to be dangerous than others.

The National Canine Research Council argues that breed-specific bans fail to produce the intended outcome of reducing dog bite incidents, citing studies in several countries that show banning a certain breed does not lower the number of reported dog bites or dog attacks.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) notes that media reports have played a role in the perception of greater risk from pit bulls, citing evidence that reports of dog attacks receive far greater attention when they involve pit bulls than other breeds. It also notes that often any short-haired, stocky dog is identified as a pit bull when it is involved in an attack.

Sybil Soukup, executive director of the Humane Society of North Iowa, said the Humane Society also discourages breed-specific bans, noting that the notions of the most dangerous breed has changed over time. In the 1970s it was Dobermans. The stigmatized breed in the 1980s was German shepherds. It was Rottweilers in the 1990s, she said.

Taking all of that into account, we recommend a vicious or dangerous animal ordinance based on the actual actions of individual animals, rather than breed-specific bans.

The Britt City Code already includes such language as part of its animal control ordinance.

It says it is unlawful for anyone to keep a vicious dog or cat within the city. A dog or cat is considered vicious if it is caught in the act of worrying, chasing, maiming or killing domestic animals or fowl, or when a dog or cat attacks or bites any person without provocation, or when the propensity to attack or bite persons shall exist and such propensity is known or ought reasonably to be known to the owner.

But the Britt law goes beyond that, listing pit bull breeds along with lions, tigers, wolves, bears, apes, alligators and other animals that are specifically not allowed.

Were not suggesting that tigers are appropriate household pets, but in the case of pit bulls we think the city should give them the benefit of the doubt, and require removal of those that give cause to believe they are a danger, rather than simply belonging to a stigmatized breed.

As we have written here before, it is within a communitys responsibilities to set up rules for animals including pets that have the potential to interact with other people or animals in public.

But while justified, those regulations must also be reasonable. We encourage Britt  and other communities with similar laws  to move away from breed-specific dog restrictions.
Telecom Italia S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides fixed and mobile telecommunications services in Europe, South America, and the Mediterranean Basin. The company operates through Domestic, Brazil, and Other Operations segments. It offers fixed and mobile voice and Internet, and public telephony services, as well as products managed and developed for individuals and families; and voice, data, and Internet services and products, and information and communications technology solutions for small and medium-size enterprises, small offices/home offices, the public sector, large accounts, and enterprises in the fixed and mobile telecommunications markets. The company also manages and develops a portfolio of regulated and unregulated wholesale services for fixed and mobile telecommunications operators; provision of infrastructure for housing radio transmission equipment of mobile telephone networks; and development, engineering, building, and operation of network infrastructures, information technology (IT), real estate properties, and plant engineering. In addition, it engages in customer care, operating credit support, loyalty, and retention activities; and staff functions and other support activities. Further, the company offers office products and services for IT sector. The company was founded in 1908 and is headquartered in Rome, Italy.
SunTrust Banks, Inc. operates as the holding company for SunTrust Bank that provides various financial services for consumers, businesses, corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit entities in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer and Wholesale. The Consumer segment provides deposits and payments; home equity and personal credit lines; auto, student, and other lending products; credit cards; discount/online and full-service brokerage products; professional investment advisory products and services; and trust services, as well as family office solutions. This segment also offers residential mortgage products in the secondary market. The Wholesale segment provides capital markets solutions, including advisory, capital raising, and financial risk management; asset-based financing solutions, such as securitizations, asset-based lending, equipment financing, and structured real estate arrangements; cash management services and auto dealer financing solutions; investment banking solutions; and credit and deposit, fee-based product offering, multi-family agency lending, advisory, commercial mortgage brokerage, and tailored financing and equity investment solutions. This segment also offers treasury and payment solutions, such as operating various electronic and paper payment types, which comprise card, wire transfer, automated clearing house, check, and cash; and provides services clients to manage their accounts online. The company offers its products and services through a network of traditional and in-store branches, automated teller machines, Internet, mobile, and telephone banking channels. As of December 31, 2018, it operated 1,218 full-service banking offices located in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. SunTrust Banks, Inc. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
The good news is Telstra's chronic network problems are not behind the woes being experienced by Seven's digital streaming of the Rio Olympics.

Seven told CBD that its app is actually working just fine. Honest.

Seven has said 13 countries are affected by the issue  including New Zealand, Canada and Holland  which originates with the Olympic broadcast server in Rio that is obviously having a bit of trouble coping with the unprecedented global demand for video streams of the Olympics.

And Andy Penn's Telstra is nowhere near the problem.
The push to encourage more students to enrol in science and technology degrees is dangerous and risks leaving many graduates unemployed, the respected Grattan Institute has warned.

A new report by the think tank, to be released on Monday, finds that science enrolments have surged over recent years yet science graduates are struggling to find jobs. They are also less likely than other graduates to put into practice what they learnt at university.

Despite this, business groups, the science lobby and politicians continue to argue Australia needs more graduates with Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) degrees.

Grattan Institute higher education program director Andrew Norton said beginning a science degrees was a "risky" decision that students should not make lightly.
Itiviti Group Holding AB (former Orc Group Holding AB) and Itiviti Group invite you to attend an investor telephone conference (in English) on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 3.00 p.m. CEST. CEO Torben Munch and CFO Tony Falck will present and comment on the groups interim report for January  June 2016. Register by e-mail at ir@Itiviti.com or phone +46 8 506 477 00 no later than August 17, 2016. When registering please include your name, e-mail and phone number. Orc Group and CameronTec Group on February 2, 2016 announced the establishment of the new combined company Itiviti. On April 1, 2016 Orc Group Holding AB announced the completion of the combination. Following that Orc Group Holding AB has changed name to Itiviti Group Holding AB. About Itiviti Itiviti is a world-leading technology provider for the capital markets industry. Trading firms, banks, brokers and institutional clients rely on Itiviti technology, solutions and expertise for streamlining daily operations, while gaining sustainable competitive edge in global markets. With 13 offices and serving more than 400 customers worldwide, Itiviti was formed by uniting Orc Group, a leader in trading and electronic execution, and CameronTec Group, the global standard in financial messaging infrastructure and connectivity. From its foundation in 2016, Itiviti has a staff of 400 and an estimated annual revenue of SEK 700 million. Itiviti is committed to continuous innovation to deliver trading infrastructure built for todays dynamic markets, offering highly adaptable platforms and solutions, enabling clients to stay ahead of competitive and regulatory challenges. Itiviti is owned by Nordic Capital Fund VII. www.itiviti.com
MONTREAL, Aug. 8, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ROI Land Investments Ltd. (OTCQB: ROII) ("ROI" or the "Company") announced today that it has made the following changes to its senior management team:

Effective today, Mohsen Maaouia has been appointed interim Chief Financial Officer in replacement of Slim Feriani, who has resigned. Mohsen has been a financial advisor for ROI since February 2016.

Mohsen Maaouia, is a Certified Public Accountant (France), and has years of international experience working for major companies within different fields such as finance, acquisition audits, consolidation of accounts and large-scale distribution.

A French National, Mohsen Maaouia pursued his entire studies in France. He spent 13 years working within several different audit and accounting firms, notably as a Manager at the Deloitte firm (Neuilly sur Seine) where he handled client files such as Financiere Saint Dominique (capital company affiliate of Credit National), Holiday Inn, Hermes, Prisunic etc. Internationally, he has advised a large MENA group in planning subsidiaries for the agri-food sector, hotel industry, trading and services (Caterpillar, John Deere etc.). Mr. Maaouia has been pursuing his career as an independent accountant for over 20 years, specializing in various: sectors as in textile, industry, and mining.

ROI's Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sami Chaouch expressed, "The Company is pleased to appoint Mr. Maaouia as interim CFO. He brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge as a senior accountant and financial expert. I look forward to working closely with him."

Interim CFO Mr. Mohsen Maaouia expressed, "I have a deep affection for this Company and I am pleased to expand my role with the Company moving forward. I will work closely with the Company's auditors and ensure accurate public filings."

About ROI Land Investments Ltd.

ROI Land Investments participates in the early stages of real estate development. The Company acquires raw land free of zoning restrictions located in geographies positioned to benefit from unique economic catalysts. ROI also manages the permitting process, oversees the construction of infrastructure and works closely with established developers to bring the projects to completion. The Company has projects underway throughout North America and the UAE.

SAFE HARBOR AND INFORMATIONAL STATEMENT

This press release may contain forward-looking information, including all statements that are not statement of historical fact regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the company, its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things: (i) the company's financing plans; (ii) trends affecting the company's financial conditions or results of operations; (iii): the company's growth strategy and operating strategy; and (iv) the declaration and payment of dividends.

The words "may", "would", "will", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", and similar expressions and variations thereof are intend to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statement are not a guarantee of future of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's ability to control, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including the risk disclosed in the company's statements and reports filed with the OTC Markets.

Contacts:

Swann Xerri

sxerri@roilandinvestments.com

Claudia Nelke

cnelke@roilandinvestments.com

+1 514 416 4764

HUG#2033773
The second Policy Dialogue between the WCO and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was held on 5 August 2016 at JICAs Headquarters in Tokyo, at the invitation of the President of JICA, Mr. Kitaoka.

Both Secretary General Mikuriya and the JICA President welcomed the progress made since the first Dialogue and they also welcomed the launch of a new WCO/JICA joint project for trade facilitation in Africa. They undertook to promote the implementation of this project for the benefit of African nations, this being a new cooperation initiative between JICA and the WCO. They also expressed the hope that the next Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), to be held in Nairobi in late August, would bring positive results for the African continent.

On 4 and 5 August, the Secretary General also had meetings with Japans Minister of Finance, Mr. Aso, as well as high-level talks with the Deputy Minister of Finance, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Directors General from the Government of Japan.

The Minister of Finance fully recognized the importance of the role of Customs and commended the WCOs on its work and initiatives, in particular in respect of border security measures. Secretary General Mikuriya and the Minister also exchanged views on the use of new technology and its potential future impact on the business environment, including the Customs community.
WILMINGTON, Mass., Aug. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the tenth consecutive year, UniFirst Corporation (NYSE:UNF), a leading supplier and servicer of uniforms, workwear, and protective clothing throughout the U.S. and Canada, has been named one of Americas top 50 apparel companies by Apparel magazine, a leading international resource for the global apparel industry.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e8e797d6-d5e8-40a0-bdaf-544a37abe5cf

To be eligible, companies had to record at least $100 million in annual sales, and rankings were based on overall performance and financial management.

UniFirst appears on the list alongside some of Americas most popular apparel companies including Michael Kors (No. 1), Hanesbrands (No. 15), Gap (No. 24), Under Armour (No. 23), Columbia Sportswear (No. 14), and TJX Companies (No. 16).

UniFirst president and CEO Ronald Croatti says that UniFirsts success is particularly remarkable given ongoing market challenges. There are many potential obstacles each year that can have profound, ripple effects on our business. Im extremely proud of our teams efforts to skillfully navigate the course year after year with our customers satisfaction firmly in mind. Their ability to deliver and maintain personalized, image-enhancing uniform rental programs and to efficiently handle a myriad of unique customer needspaying special attention to the smallest of detailshelp protect our reputation as a reliable service supplier and value-added business partner in the market. Thats how weve been able to grow each year for 80 years now.

So much of what we do is dependent upon the relationships we build with our customers, says Adam Soreff, UniFirsts director of marketing. These relationships and the commitment we have to customer service are what buoy us when the market gets volatile. Were celebrating our eightieth year in business and were keenly aware that we are, above all, a service company. And we do everything we can to provide total customer satisfaction.

The Apparel Magazine honor helps round out a string of accolades UniFirst has recently won, including Globe 100 recognition by the Boston Globe, 50 Best Companies to Sell For in North America designation by Selling Power magazine, and being named the number one large company on Floridas Best Companies To Work For list.

For more on UniFirst or Apparel magazine, visit their websites: www.unifirst.com, and www.apparelmag.com.

About UniFirst

Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., UniFirst Corporation (NYSE:UNF) is a North American leader in the supply and servicing of uniform and workwear programs, as well as the delivery of facility service programs. Together with its subsidiaries, the company also provides first aid and safety products, and manages specialized garment programs for the cleanroom and nuclear industries. UniFirst manufactures its own branded workwear, protective clothing, and floorcare products, and with over 225 service locations, 275,000 customer locations, and 12,000 employee Team Partners, the company outfits more than 1.5 million workers each business day. For more information, contact UniFirst at 800.455.7654 or visit www.unifirst.com.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 8, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On the morning of August 9, 1956, ambulances transferred patients from Knoxville General Hospital to the newly built state-of-the-art and air conditioned University of Tennessee Memorial Research Center and Hospital. The new hospital with tiled floors featured four-bed wards  a premium of privacy for the day - instead of the large open wards with wooden floors. The new atomic or isotopic hospital that would later be known as The University of Tennessee Medical Center was a dream come true for the region.

Sixty years later, The University of Tennessee Medical Center has evolved into a major healthcare facility with six Centers of Excellence and the bustling campus is home to more than 5,000 team members and physicians. It is the region's academic medical center, Magnet-recognized hospital and Level I Trauma Center and provides other unique services such as a dedicated Heart Hospital, kidney transplant center, Joint Commission/American Heart Association recognized Comprehensive Stroke Center, Level III private-room neonatal intensive care unit, and a state designated regional perinatal center.

"The University of Tennessee Medical Center has been a tremendous asset to this region for 60 years, touching many lives," said Joe Landsman, president and CEO. "We attribute our rich history and our well-respected standing within the community to our physicians, nurses and other team members who day after day dedicate themselves to excellence and compassion in patient care."

Physician training programs have been part of the medical center since it opened in 1956, when it offered a fully accredited Internship Program. A shortage of physicians became a concern for Tennesseans in the 1960s, especially in rural communities. The state responded to that need by founding the Clinical Education Center in Knoxville, the predecessor to today's UT Graduate School of Medicine. Today, the UT Graduate School of Medicine, established in 1991, educates physicians and dentists in 22 residency and fellowship programs as well as medical students in their third and fourth years. It continues to add accredited programs to meet the healthcare needs of the region.

When the medical center opened in 1956, there was a strong focus on medical research, and the facility included 14 laboratories. With its proximity to Oak Ridge, for many years research focused on birth defects, blood disorders and cancer. Today, discovery is still at the foundation of the medical center's mission with the focus on making discoveries in the lab that have clinical application while also taking clinical observations and studying their validity in the lab. Through a unique partnership with Siemens, the medical center has access to the world's most advanced imaging technology for research and clinical applications. In this era, translational research and partnerships within the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratories and beyond, set the standard for modern medicine.

The mission of The University of Tennessee Medical Center, the region's only hospital to achieve status as a Magnet recognized organization, is to serve through healing, education and discovery. UT Medical Center, a 609-bed, not-for-profit academic medical center, serves as a referral center for Eastern Tennessee, Southeast Kentucky and Western North Carolina. The medical center, the region's only Level I Trauma Center, is one of the largest employers in Knoxville. For more information about The University of Tennessee Medical Center, visit online at www.utmedicalcenter.org.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=41034
Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required.

Your Full Name: (optional)

Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required.
Advertisement

By West Kentucky Star Staff

Aug. 08, 2016 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 08, 2016 | 10:33 AM | PADUCAH, KY

A man was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop in downtown Paducah.



According to the McCracken County Sheriff's Department, deputies had received tips for months alleging that 40-year-old John Day of Leeds Drive in Paducah, was involved in illegal methamphetamine activity.



Deputies said during the course of the investigation, detectives stopped Day as he drove on Broadway in Paducah. Day was initially stopped for traffic violations last Thursday afternoon. While the traffic stop was being investigated a police canine alerted to the presence of illegal drug odor in Days truck.



A search of Days truck was conducted and detectives located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.



Detectives got a search warrant for Days home on Leeds Drive. During that search, detectives found more methamphetamine paraphernalia, prescription medication, and a handgun.



Day was charged with careless driving, failure to notify the Department of Transportation of an address change, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police said more criminal charges are expected as the investigation continues.




Search of Mayfield home snares alleged meth trafficker and two others
Advertisement

By Chris Skates

Aug. 08, 2016 | PADUCAH, KY

By Chris Skates Aug. 08, 2016 | 11:27 AM | PADUCAH, KY

I attended the Fancy Farm picnic yesterday. All the old traditions Western Kentucky has grown to know and love held true. I enjoyed my annual (or occasionally semi-annual) mutton sandwich. Only the pit bosses at Fancy Farm can make mutton taste that good. The heat and humidity was darned near oppressive until some clouds and showers rolled in. And the speakers traded jabs in a manner that some find offensive and others find entertaining. Though there are some sharp elbows at Fancy Farm, one need only do a little historical investigation of American political speeches to find that the barbs are quite mild compared to those of the supposedly genteel 19th century.



Governor Matt Bevin proved to be the most natural speaker of the day, even besting long time veteran Senator Mitch McConnell, who seemed to me a bit off his game on Saturday. Bevin was winsome and effective, even stopping his speech at one point for a little satire. In mid-speech a Kentucky State Trooper handed Bevin a mock subpoena for yet another lawsuit from the Democrat Attorney General Andy Beshear. The mock suit was to sue the Governor for quoting a nursery rhyme earlier in his speech when he spoofed the Beshears as Papa Bear and Baby Bear.



It was the funniest moment of the day but satire is most funny when it calls attention to absurdity in real life. And when it comes to the reality of Kentucky politics these days one can only laugh to avoid crying. Governor Bevin regularly (and I believe sincerely) states that there is much more that unites Kentuckians than divides us. But the leaders of the Kentucky Democrat party dont seem to share his views. Rather than govern through compromise, they have resorted to one juvenile trick (see Speaker Stumbos stunt with the House clerk going home for the day before filing Veto papers from the Governor and the subsequent silly lawsuit by Stumbo) and frivolous lawsuit (Beshears suit regarding much needed funding cuts to state universities, a case Beshear already lost at the Circuit Court but that he is appealing) after another.



The political hijinks of the Democrats are bad enough but what is truly sad is the distorted view many Kentucky voters are getting of the political process. Conditioned by the gridlock in Washington, and influenced by sometimes skewed media coverage of events, particularly from Eastern Kentucky media sources, Kentucky voters are already throwing their hands up and asking why politicians cant just get along. The narrative that emerges seems to be that both sides are equally at fault and are bickering like children. A more in depth look however, demonstrates that the squabbles are demonstrably one sided.



In every case, if one looks a little deeper than the headline, the suits are a result of one of two things. Either Democrats are protecting themselves and their turf, or liberal activists and institutions (Planned Parenthood) that support Democrats are defying the Governors legal and constitutional directives in order to protect their turf. You can do your own digging and draw your own conclusions about the merits of the individual suits. For the sake of brevity in this column I ask you to take part in a logical exercise:



One party had held the House for ninety five years and the Governors office for all but four of the past forty four years. During that time, especially in the last eight years, has Kentucky grown economically stronger or weaker? Has Kentuckys unemployment gone up or down? Has the state pension fund been in sound financial shape? With all those answers being obvious, who is more likely to be protecting turf and attempting to provide themselves cover?



Obviously when a new governor from a new party comes into power and has promised to end the status quo in Frankfort some toes are going to have to be stepped on and what was considered the sacred turf of the long ruling party is going to have to be encroached upon.



Kentuckians voted overwhelmingly for this type of change and reform last November. They made it clear that they were not pleased with the direction that Kentucky was headed. The current situation in Kentucky politics is not simply a case of politicians just cant get along or same old gridlock. This is not an instance where both sides are equally at fault. It is a case where one side is trying to do whatever it can to hang onto the control it has enjoyed for nearly a century.



That party will do whatever it can, including refusing to leave positions that they have been fired from or throwing a litigious fit to stop needed reforms. Now it is incumbent upon those same Kentucky voters to not run at the first sign of trouble but to instead support the one who is trying to make hard decisions to clean up government. It is also incumbent on Kentuckians to not be surprised when the party that passed Obamacare in the dead of night and overturned marriage amendments in thirty four states with the decision of a single justice, runs to the courts or to the media to get their way. Kentucky voters should know by now that the party of Obama is going to cling to the stranglehold they have had on Kentucky by any means available to them.



Chris Skates is a Paducah resident, columnist and novelist who won the best historical fiction award from the Christian Writers Association for his first novel entitled The Rain. His second novel Going Green was compared by one critic to Grisham and Clancy. Chris has worked and traveled in an Al Quieda dominated region and was greatly enlightened during a private meeting with the son of the founder of Hamas Mossab Hassan Yousef. Chris is available to speak and can be reached at chris@chrisskates.com.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 07, 2016 | 05:34 PM | HOPKINSVILLE, KY

A Hopkinsville man has been charged with the murder of his two sisters.

According to the Hopkinsville Police Department, officers responded to a disturbance Sunday morning at a home on East 7th Street. Inside the home, police found 62-year-old Joanne Rogers of Hopkinsville dead from an apparent stab wound. Police also found 69-year-old Francis Carolyn Coleman, of Houston, TX, with a stab wound to her neck.

Coleman was transported to Jennie Stuart Medical Center in Hopkinsville and then transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN, where she was pronounced dead.

Police said the women's brother, 65-year-old Robert Jerry Rogers, of Hopkinsville, was found inside the home with blood on him and his clothing. Detectives charged Rogers with two counts of murder and lodged him in the Christian County Jail.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Babson Capital Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (the Fund) (NYSE:BGH) announced its monthly dividend for August 2016 of $0.1534 per share, payable on September 1, 2016. Based on the Funds July 29, 2016 share price of $18.72 per share, the distribution represents an annualized yield of 9.83% per share. Based on current projections through the payable date, the Fund expects that this distribution will be comprised of net investment income.



Additionally, the Fund announced estimated monthly distributions of $0.1534 per share for September 2016 and October 2016. The distribution schedule appears below:

Month Ex-Date Record Date Payable Date Amount 1 August 08/19/2016 08/23/2016 09/01/2016 $ 0.1534 September 09/20/2016 09/22/2016 10/03/2016 $ 0.1534 October 10/19/2016 10/21/2016 11/01/2016 $ 0.1534

The Fund seeks to pay a distribution at a rate that reflects net investment income actually earned. A portion of each distribution may be treated as paid from sources other than net investment income, including but not limited to short-term capital gain, long-term capital gain or return of capital. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of these distributions will depend upon the Funds investment experience during its fiscal year and will be made after the Funds year end. The Fund will send to investors a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will define how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is managed by Babson Capital Management LLC. The Fund invests primarily in short-duration, global high yield bonds with the objective of seeking as high a level of current income as Babson Capital determines is consistent with capital preservation, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund expects to maintain a weighted average portfolio duration, including the effects of leverage, of 3 years or less.

1 Amounts represent estimates for September and October.

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 in 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.

Because the Fund is newly organized, its shares have a limited history of public trading. Investors should read the Funds prospectus and consider carefully the risks, investment objectives, charges and expenses associated with an investment in the Funds common shares. For a copy of the prospectus, please contact your securities representative.

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

16/1853
SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transwestern today announces it has been selected by Tigers (USA) Global Logistics Inc. to provide real estate advisory and lease administration services for the global logistics and transportation companys national real estate portfolio. In this capacity, Transwestern will provide site selection and economic incentives guidance, portfolio optimization and management, financial analysis, lease audits, and transaction management and negotiation. Senior Vice President Ed Mendence, CCIM, SIOR, oversees the account.

Mendence has negotiated over 10 transactions across the country on behalf of Tigers, which specializes in bespoke supply chain solutions, e-fulfillment, and transportation by air, sea and road.

With increased competition in the continuously evolving global supply chain and transportation industries, Tigers USA has aligned its real estate portfolio as a strategic asset to facilitate growth, to continue to constantly improve, adapt, and to quickly execute strategic real estate decisions that serve its customers and the growing demand in e-commerce and multi-channel sourcing, said Mendence.

Mendence has assisted Tigers USA in expanding its footprint to include various facilities in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and Denver, in addition to its Chicago headquarters in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

Tigers is committed to providing innovative solutions to the supply chain and e-fulfillment industries, and we must capitalize on every opportunity before us to make that mission a reality, said Tigers USA President of the Americas, Sebastian Tschackert. With Ed and Transwesterns real estate guidance, I am confident that we will meet the dynamic needs of the changing global economy.

ABOUT TRANSWESTERN

Transwestern is a privately held real estate firm of collaborative entrepreneurs who deliver a higher level of personalized service  the Transwestern Experience. Specializing in Agency Leasing, Management, Tenant Advisory, Capital Markets, Research and Sustainability services, our fully integrated global enterprise adds value for investors, owners and occupiers of all commercial property types. We leverage market insights and operational expertise from members of the Transwestern family of companies specializing in development, real estate investment management and research. Transwestern has 34 U.S. offices and assists clients through more than 180 offices in 37 countries as part of a strategic alliance with BNP Paribas Real Estate. Experience Extraordinary at transwestern.com and @Transwestern. For updates from the Bay Area office, follow @TranswesternSF.

ABOUT TIGERS (USA) GLOBAL LOGISTICS INC.

Tigers is a global logistics and transportation company that specializes in bespoke supply chain solutions, e-fulfilment and transportation by air, sea and road. The core of Tigers culture centers upon freedom, responsibility, performance and people development. The combination of Tigers logistics expertise, global network and client centric work ethic, provides a truly unique customer experience.

The Tigers Group is privately owned by Jumbo Glory Limited and GeoPost S.A. www.go2tigers.com.
woohoo921 wrote:

I am still a bit confused on Choice B after reading through the expert responses.



From my understanding Choice B is essentially saying that it is rare for an animal to have Lyme Disease in an area where there are no white-footed mice.



The argument says that transmission of Lyme Disease to ticks is rare for other host animals (using the word "most".... so for most of them), but the white-footed mouse is an exception. White footed mice are great at passing Lyme Disease to ticks.



Given that it is not so likely for other host animals to be able to pass on Lyme Disease to ticks, how could it not be the case that very few animals in areas where there are no white footed mice be infected with Lyme Disease?

Quote:

I would also be so appreciative if an expect could breakdown the structure of the argument (e.g., what is the context, premise, and conclusion, etc.)



Thank you in advance!

Hmmm... answer the following questions, based *entirely* on what the passage explicitly says. Don't try to make any inferences, or don't say the answer is 'probably' this because of what's in the passage. Answer the questions only by 'what the passage says.' If the passage doesn't say anything explicit, say "The answer is not explicitly in the passage."1). How do humans get lyme disease?2). How to ticks get lyme disease?3). How do white footed mice get lyme disease?4). How do other animals get lyme disease?Some of these are explicitly in the passage, some are not.For the ones that are NOT explicitly in the passage, you might think 'well, but I can *infer* the answer to those questions based on what is written.'So for those questions, go ahead and write out your logic the inference before moving on.Okay. Now, here's the thing... You actually *can't* infer the answers to those other questions based on what's in the passage. Two of those questions can be answered explicitly by what is written, the other two cannot, and in order to try to answer them, you are bringing in assumptions or unknown information to justify the inference. You have to avoid such things on CR.I was talking with a fellow teacher yesterday and she said something that I thought was really poignant: "Your inferences in verbal should be as objective as your inferences in quant."So if I have a triangle, and there are 20 and 90 degree angles... I know the other angle is 70. How? Well, it's a known rule tested often on the GMAT... "The angles of a triangle add up to 180."There's no known rule tested on the GMAT, "The way humans get lyme disease is the same way other animals get lyme disease." It might be that way (I suspect it probably is), but the question says "The **information in the passage most strongly supports**," so here we're basing our inferences on the information in the passage.So it's important to note what kind of question this is. The question says the information in the passage supports which answer. That is what we call an 'inference' question. It's NOT an 'argument' question (some inference questions do have arguments, but many, like this one, don't). Often inference questions just say out a situation and ask, essentially, "What can you be essentially certain of, if what is written is true?"So I'm not getting argument structure from this passage. Instead I'm seeing something like a 'causal chain.'Biodiversity Low [causes--->] WF Mouse Populations expand [causes---->] WF mouse main food source for ticks [----->causes] easier lyme disease transmission to ticks [----->causes] more ticks with LD to infect humans.It's not an ironclad causal chain, but it seems pretty solid. C is the one that best matches that logic. If there's high biodiversity, the first link in this chain breaks, so humans would have less risk of getting bit by a LD tick.A is very tempting, but I can imagine two places with similar proportions of LD ticks, but one that has a more 'outdoorsy' culture, leading to much more LD even though the proportion of ticks with LD is equivalent. Or I can imagine a place that just has a lot MORE ticks, with a LOWER proportion of LD, leading to more LD overall (LD in 10% of ten trillion ticks is a lot more LD than in 90% of 1000 ticks)._________________
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 08/08/2016 (2272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A long-awaited inquest into the fatal police shooting of an indigenous Winnipeg man suffered yet another delay before it began Monday because of new information from a witness that could raise additional questions about police conduct.

The information came to light Friday, and it contradicts what the witness previously told police about the events surrounding the police shooting, said Crown attorney David Gray, who is acting as counsel for the inquest.

What the witness had to say went to the heart of what was alleged to have occurred, Gray said, so the inquest cant proceed until the witness can give a new statement, which may then have to be investigated further, he said.

Craig McDougall, the 26-year-old man shot and killed by a Winnipeg police officer in 2008.

Its been eight years since 26-year-old Craig Vincent McDougall, an Oji-Cree man, was shot and killed by police outside his family home on Simcoe Street. Gray and lawyers for the Winnipeg Police Service and the McDougall family all told Associate Chief Provincial Court Judge Anne Krahn they didnt want to see more delays, but this is an unexpected circumstance.

No ones happy about the fact this may be delayed. This is not a situation that anybody wanted, Gray said.

The judge is set to resume the inquest next week. But there are logistical questions that need to be answered before then, including which agency can take the new witness statement in a case that involves Winnipeg police. It may have to be handled by RCMP, an out-of-province police force or the provinces Independent Investigation Unit (IIU), which was formed last year to investigate serious matters involving police in Manitoba.

Lawyer Corey Shefman, who isnt charging the McDougall family for his representation, said its a little bit ironic that part of the reason were looking at a further delay is because this took place so long ago that the IIU wasnt in existence at the time.

Speaking to reporters outside court Monday, Shefman said a witness has changed her statement essentially 180 degrees from an earlier statement given to police.

This new evidence potentially brings to light (police) conduct which needs to be investigated, and so as I said in court, Brian and the McDougall familys interest is that this is done right. So while were very much opposed to any delay, if a bit of delay means doing it right, were willing to take that.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES Officers investigate outside 788 Simcoe St. in 2008 in the hours after Craig McDougall was shot and killed by police.

The mandatory inquest wasnt called until 2013, six years after Craig McDougall was Tasered and shot four times by police, who said he had a knife he refused to drop. Police said at the time that a knife was recovered at the scene, but witnesses said Craig wasnt armed and had only a cellphone in his hand.

McDougall was reportedly intoxicated and distraught at the time, and the girlfriend he had been speaking with on his cellphone just before it happened has said she heard police shouting at him to drop a knife.

The Winnipeg Police Service spent two years on its initial investigation into the shooting, and a subsequent 14-month external review by the Ontario Provincial Police deemed the shooting justified.

The delays have already been outrageous, Shefman said, suggesting systemic racism is part of the reason the inquest has taken so long to get underway.

This inquest is the first in Manitoba to look into what role, if any, systemic racism played. But I think its important that we look at not just the role that systemic racism played in Craigs death, but in what happened after Craig died. I think that if it took eight years to call an inquest for someone who didnt look like Craig, I think there might have been a lot more outrage. Im glad that clearly people are paying attention today, he said.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Family member Morris McDougall reads a statement from Craig McDougall's father Brian, two days after police shot and killed his son in 2008.

People need to be aware that Canada and Manitoba and Winnipeg have a real problem with race; particularly our indigenous communities face these issues every day, he added, saying the delay is incredibly difficult for the family.

Earlier this year, Krahn delivered an oral decision in favour of expanding the scope of the inquest into McDougalls death, saying the inquest will look into whether systemic racism within the police force had anything to do with the young mans death. The inquest wont investigate racism among individual officers or within the police force in general. Instead, it will examine how institutional police policies may have led specifically to McDougalls death.

McDougalls father, Brian, was present in court with other relatives and band councillors from Wasagamack First Nation, a community about 600 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg on the shore of Island Lake. He and his family have asked for privacy, but Shefman read aloud a statement on Brian McDougalls behalf outside court Monday.

Weve been waiting for eight years. For eight years, we havent had answers. When I was taken to the ground and put in handcuffs by police as Craig lay in front of me in the yard, I asked the officer who had his knee on my back if my son was breathing. I didnt get an answer. This inquest is our first chance to get answers and Im looking forward to hearing all of the evidence and the recommendations that the judge will make at the end. I dont want what happened to our family to happen to any other family. When Craig was growing up, our family was close in Wasagamack. Craig enjoyed spending time with his grandfather on the family trapline and participating in other traditional customs. Growing up, Craig heard stories about his uncle, J.J. Harper, who fought for respect and justice for our people. My family is grateful that our lawyer, Corey Shefman from Boudreau Law, has volunteered his time to represent us. We know that most families in our situation wont be so lucky. We hope that in the future the government will treat families at inquests more fairly than they treated our family because we have seen how important it is to have an advocate in the inquest system.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Brian McDougall (centre), surrounded by family members two days after his son Craig was shot and killed by police in 2008.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 07/08/2016 (2273 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba midwifery students are cautiously optimistic about a new partnership that will allow them to complete their studies, but provides no long-term solution for a future program, according to a group statement Sunday.

On Friday, the University of Manitoba and Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart announced a memorandum of understanding with Hamilton, Ont.s McMaster University to offer admission to midwifery students who had completed their first year of Manitobas midwifery program.

For the 14 students of the University College of the Norths troubled midwifery degree program, the announcement put their career plans back on track after the province revealed in June the program was being discontinued.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES UCN hopes the midwifery program will be offered in September on the University of Manitoba campus.

The students were supposed to transfer to the University of Manitoba in September, but the NDP government was voted out before funding was approved and the Conservative government wanted problems sorted out before it set up funding.

I am personally overjoyed to be able to graduate in Manitoba as a midwife in 2019, said Lauren Henderson in an email Sunday. Henderson is one of the students who began at the UCN last year and was partway through her studies when the program was cancelled. Im so thankful to all involved who helped orchestrate the partnership with McMaster for my cohort.

Henderson also provided a group statement from the students.

It is with great relief that we as students welcome the relocation of our midwifery program to McMaster University and the University of Manitoba, the statement reads. We cherish the opportunity to resume our degree in our own province, helping to consolidate the progression of Midwifery in Manitoba.

The students will now be taught in Manitoba by U of M midwifery instructors as McMaster transfer students and given a modified fall term so they can move into clinical midwifery placements afterwards.

As it stands, however, the program will not be extended to allow future students to enrol, leaving concerns about a need for midwives in the province unanswered.

Manitoba needs more midwives and we need to grow midwifery in Manitoba, said Henderson in her email.

I hold out hope there is a more permanent solution for future midwifery students in Manitoba, she wrote. I cannot wait to serve the women and babies of my home province.

The UCN midwifery degree program began in 2006. Since then, it has graduated nine students at a cost of more than $8 million.

The Ontario Midwifery Education Program was established in 1993 and is the oldest of its type in the country.

Beverley OConnell, dean of the U of Ms college of nursing, told the Free Press last week were very pleased with our homegrown solution, which will allow current midwifery students to continue to live, work and study in Winnipeg and, during clinical placements, serve patients in remote and rural communities across Manitoba.

Eileen Hutton, assistant dean of midwifery and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at McMaster, said last week this collaboration will build on McMasters expertise in midwifery education and support the growth of midwifery in Manitoba.

aidan.geary@freepress.mb.ca

 with files from Kevin Rollason
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 08/08/2016 (2272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The grand experiment of establishing a midwifery degree program at the University College of the North as a jewel of northern post-secondary education is all but officially dead.

UCN has no role in a deal between the University of Manitoba and Hamiltons McMaster University to deliver the second year of a midwifery program for 14 students at the Fort Garry campus next month, an aide to Education Minister Ian Wishart said Monday.

Wishart would not speculate Monday whether UCN could possibly play any role in the ongoing development of the program, which has produced only nine graduates in a decade at a cost of more than $8 million in provincial grants.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS "UCN Bachelor of Midwifery" is printed on a sign outside the Anx building, where the program has been paying for unused space.

Wishart did reveal it will cost the province $552,349 to deliver the midwifery program for the 2016-17 academic year (the money goes to the U of M, which will turn it over to McMaster), compared to the $859,000 the former NDP government had been paying UCN annually.

There was no immediate explanation of the cost disparity, though Wisharts staff said it shows the NDP pursued political solutions at the expense of taxpayers.

Asked if UCN will be a participant this fall, Wisharts aide said by email: No. The new partnership program will leverage the experience of a well-established program at McMaster University, as well as the expertise of the University of Manitoba in health education. The program will be delivered at the College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (U of M). Courses will be delivered by U of M midwifery instructors and through online learning courses instructed by professors at McMaster University. Clinical placements will take place in Manitoba.

Going forward, he said, A sustainable, long-term program is an important next step for the province in order to support the growing demand for midwifery services in Manitoba. It is too early to speculate on the details of a potential long-term program.

UCN, a school with main campuses in The Pas and Thompson, issued a statement Monday saying the students success has always been at the forefront: UCNs priority throughout all of this has been to ensure the 14 students who were enrolled in the midwifery program would have acceptable options to continue their education. We congratulate the minister and the U of M for keeping the students as their priority.

The 14 students had been in limbo for their second year of studies until the deal was brokered with McMaster, whose involvement will provide accreditation to the program.

The NDP announced in 2004 it would create the program as a major investment to provide indigenous education and midwifery services in the North.

UCN launched the program in 2006, but it moved to Winnipeg in 2009.

The first student graduated in 2013, but only after the secondment to UCN of three full-time professors collectively paid more than $307,000 a year to oversee the program.

Later that year, the province ordered UCN and the U of M to create a joint and expanded program, a move that blindsided UCN. The NDP planned to add $844,000 a year in extra funding once the joint program was up and running.

The NDP further ordered UCN to enrol the 14 students in September 2015, even though the joint program would not be operational until September 2016 at the earliest.

The NDP did not fund the proposed joint program before losing the April 19 election, and Brian Pallisters Conservatives declined to put the $844,000 in their first budget in May, saying they want to get the program running properly before considering expansion.

UCN was taken aback in 2014 when the province ordered the U of M to play a major role. Minutes of partnership committee meetings show a contingent of senior administrators from the U of M, including now-retired vice-president academic Joanne Keselman, faculty of health sciences dean Brian Postl, and vice-provost David Collins; these officials would be considered surprisingly heavy-duty personnel to oversee an undergraduate program with 14 students.

That could have been a less-than-subtle message the NDP government had lost faith in UCNs ability to run the program.

The NDP issued a statement Monday, saying: While in government, we recognized the value of midwifery and worked to create a joint program to meet the growing demands of urban centres while respecting the needs of northern and indigenous communities. Over the last few months, we have called on the government to make sure midwifery programming continues. While it is important that the needs of existing students are met to ensure continuation of their studies, it is very concerning that it appears existing programming for northern students will no longer be funded. It is important that the demand for midwifery services among Indigenous and northern communities be met.

UCN also said Monday it has been able to sub-lease out space at the University of Winnipeg it had rented for midwifery classes for more than $177,000 a year; this academic year will be the final year of the lease.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 08/08/2016 (2272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba minister responsible for labour is staying out of the situation involving layoffs at Ben Moss Jewellers that came with no warnings or severance.

Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Cliff Cullens department cannot intervene in any way before Dec. 30, a government staffer said Monday.

This company is under the protection of the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), a federal statute that prevents legal actions against a company or its directors. This includes any wages that may be owing to employees or other monies owing to other creditors. This protection will be in effect until Dec. 30, 2016, she said.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Ben Moss employees who were laid off are taking their complaints to the labour board, and customers are concerned about the fate of their warranties. The Winnipeg-based jewelry store was bought at a bankruptcy auction.

Once protection is lifted, Employment Standards can investigate. In some cases the company declares bankruptcy and employees are able to access the federal Wage Earner Protection Program for outstanding wages.

The Manitoba Labour Board has received three complaints about the sudden layoffs so far. Some employees had been with the Winnipeg-based company for almost 40 years.

The company sought creditor protection in May to undertake a restructuring. Gordon Brothers Canada was hired to oversee the closure of 11 of their underperforming stores.

But Ben Moss announced July 29 that going-out-of-business sales would begin at all 54 of its locations across Canada, including five in Manitoba  four in Winnipeg and one in Brandon.

Last Tuesday, after the long weekend, at least 27 of 51 head office employees were notified their jobs had been terminated.

There has been no response to a request for an interview with Brent Trepel at Ben Moss. Trepel, whose family owned the business for several decades until it was sold to JSN Group three years ago, has remained involved in the management of the company, which has been Canadian-owned and operated since 1910.

The provincial government spokeswoman said Manitobas employment standards branch requires employers to give workers notice or pay in lieu of notice on a scale relative to the employees length of employment. A worker with at least 30 days but less than a years employment must receive one weeks notice. Workers with between one and three years tenure must receive two weeks. The length of notice increases to eight weeks for people employed more than 10 years. In cases of group termination of more than 50 employees, that may increase to up to 18 weeks.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 08/08/2016 (2272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Would Craig McDougall be alive today if the Taser Winnipeg police used to try to subdue him had worked properly?

No one will ever know, but Ross McLean, a Canadian security expert and former Toronto police officer, said on Monday improved Tasers are just one of the tools added to officer toolboxes in the eight years since the 26-year-old McDougall was fatally shot while refusing to drop a knife police have said he was holding.

And in the last few months, American police leaders unveiled what they believe are the future changes needed to guide use of force when officers arrive at a volatile encounter.

Michael Conroy / The Associated Press Files A Taser X26 in Knightstown, Ind.

An inquest into McDougalls death started on Monday, but it was quickly put over to next week after word came that a witness had changed their statement.

The inquest is expected to hear from a representative of the company that manufactures Tasers to explain why the device malfunctioned when police tried to use it on McDougall.

McLean said that in the years since McDougall was shot, two newer models of Tasers have come out.

They are more effective since 2008, he said. That is something that has changed.

But there are others. Sock rounds, the bean bag rounds, pepper spray, more police officers get more de-escalation training. Winnipeg now has the IIU (Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba).

And another thing, there are more cellphones, smartphones and cameras now taking photos of what officers are doing.

McLean said more police officers and departments are using body cameras to record what officers are doing and seeing.

The unfortunate thing is there are times police will still have to use a lethal weapon, he said.

It still is not a good outcome, but it is an outcome its not easy. The second guessing has never got bigger than now.

Meanwhile, the Police Executive Research Forum, a law enforcement policy group based in Washington, D.C., released the report Guiding Principles on Use of Force in January. The report came after 18 months of study including surveys of 280 police agencies in the United States and even taking a group of police chiefs to Scotland to see how policing is done in a country where most officers dont carry guns.

The report came after a report by the Washington Post, which said that of the 990 people shot and killed by police in the United States last year, about 25 per cent displayed signs of mental illness, 16 per cent were armed with a knife, and nine per cent were unarmed.

The principles the organization came up with on use of force include emphasizing the sanctity of human life, that use of force must meet the test of proportionality, de-escalation should be formal agency policy, and officers need to prevent other officers from using excessive force.

The principles also include instructing officers to immediately give first aid to the person who seconds before may have been trying to kill them.

And the report recommends getting rid of what it called outdated concepts such as police feeling they must resolve all situations as quickly as possible and the so-called 21-foot rule, the buffer zone they would try to keep between themselves and the person they are trying to help.

Chuck Wexler, the organizations executive director, wrote in the report that they looked at the issue because police chiefs were telling them departments are confronted with serious challenges.

That means rethinking some of the fundamentals of policies, training, tactics, and equipment regarding use of force, Wexler wrote.

We need to challenge the conventional thinking on how the police approach some potential use of force situations, in particular those that involve people with mental illness who do not have a firearm this report reflects the latest thinking on police use of force issues from the perspective of many of the nations leading police executives.

But the proposals were immediately criticized by the National Association of Police Organizations, which represents officers.

The association called the recommendations dangerous new use of force rules.

The men and women who actually do this difficult and often dangerous job deserve to have their own lives, and the ability to protect themselves, defended, the association said in a statement in response at the time.

The actual general public out there still overwhelmingly supports law enforcement both as the fundamental safeguard of civilized society, and as personified in the individual man or woman who, while imperfect, still usually gets it right.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 08/08/2016 (2272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A group of Winnipeg grandmothers wants your old art.

Grands n More, a volunteer group that raises funds for grandmothers in African countries impacted by AIDS, is gearing up for its second annual Art from the Attic sale of recycled art.

The event is an opportunity for people who are moving, downsizing, decluttering or just tired of what they have to donate art to a worthy cause. As long as the item can hang on a wall, Grands n More will take it.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Jean Altemeyer (from left), Carol Hibbert and Judy Cumberford of Grands n More would like to see you, or your art donation, Sept. 18 at the Corydon Community Centre.

The art will be sold at a one-day sale next month. All the proceeds will go toward the groups fundraising efforts for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which in turn supports grassroots projects in 15 sub-Saharan countries.

Last years inaugural sale featured artworks priced from $5 to $500. Grands n More raised $32,000 during the five-hour sale, more than doubling its goal for the event.

The sale attracted everyone from parents looking for artwork for their childrens rooms, to newcomers to Canada looking to decorate their homes, to students looking to spruce up their apartments and more.

Some people come with their tape measures because they just want the frame, said Carol Hibbert, who joined Grands n More seven years ago. There are some beautiful frames.

People were just happy and they had such a good time, added Jean Altemeyer, a Grands n More member who is serving as one of the sales co-ordinators.

Grands n More formed in 2007 and has since raised almost $500,000.

The group is one of more than 240 Canadian grandmother groups that are part of the Stephen Lewis Foundations Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. These groups assist grandmothers in Africa who are caring for grandchildren who have lost parents to AIDS.

To date, Canadian grandmothers have raised nearly $25 million to support community-based projects in the areas most severely affected by AIDS.

The issue is so clear-cut, Altemeyer said. Why wouldnt you help?

Hibbert adds Grands n More views its work as a partnership with grandmothers in Africa, who are already doing good work where they are.

These women are strong, Hibbert said. We have the ability to raise money for them and show our support for them, so its a partnership.

Grands n More has more than 120 members, all of whom volunteer their time and pay an annual $25 membership fee to participate.

The group is more diverse than its name suggests, including men and young women in its ranks.

Not everyone is retired, not everyone is a grandma and not everyone is female, said Judy Cumberford, who joined the group three years ago.

This years Art from the Attic sale takes place Sunday, Sept. 18 at the Corydon Community Centre (1170 Corydon Ave.) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Anyone wishing to donate art to the sale can by drop it off at End of the Roll, a carpet and flooring company located at 801 Century St. If you would like someone to pick up your donation, call 204-806-6076 or email grandsnmore@gmail.com.

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron. epp@gmail.com.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 07/08/2016 (2273 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Its been 28 years since John Kendle helped out the Tragically Hip, then a young rock band that had a tough break on its first gig in a new city.

On Friday, the Hip were back in Winnipeg for what is likely the last time. In front of a packed house at the MTS Centre, frontman Gord Downie said a very public thank-you to the music journalist, nearly three decades after the fact.

To a roaring crowd, Downie, who has incurable brain cancer, recalled the story as he remembered it  tanking their first show, losing a string of concerts and being saved by Kendle, the music journalist who wrote the column that saved their careers.

John Kendle, he got us our first gig. We came here, we got fired, Downie said. We were looking at six nights of gigs gone.

It kept us going or we were heading back to Kingston and, you know, becoming the accountants that we always dreamed to be, Downie said, after recalling how the article prompted Winnipeggers to rally together and hire the band for shows for the rest of their stay. So thank you very much, sir.

Gord Downie: gratitude

Kendle is now the managing editor of Canstar Community News, a division of FP Canadian Newspapers, which owns the Free Press. Kendle was in the audience Friday, blown away.

I had a sense that something might happen, because he said, When we were first here we got fired, and then he stopped, said Kendle Sunday, remembering the moment of the shout-out. And then he went and said what he said over the mic, and I heard it, and it was a very humbling, surreal and emotional moment.

My partner Liz just hugged me and started sobbing, Kendle said. And that got me going, and then the friends we were sitting with got in on the act and I think all four of us were up there kind of crying and grinning and couldnt quite believe it.

Kendle said he remembers the occasion well  the way he tells it is this: Monday, March 14, 1988, the Hip were scheduled to play the Diamond Club, a hotel bar. It was the first gig of their first western Canadian tour, and it tanked. Kendle said hed seen it coming  the Diamond Club was a top-40 show-band bar, and the Hip werent exactly the usual fare.

Sure enough, that night, they got fired after their first set, he said. The stories that Ive heard differ. Some say that it had to do with the fact that someone spit on the stage at the band. Some say that its because Downie performed a song while he was lying on the floor, which he was known to do.

Either way, the Hip lost their next five gigs and the hotel rooms theyd been promised along with them.

Tuesday, the fifteenth of March, they woke up probably thinking it was one of the blackest days of their lives, Kendle said.

Kendle said he wasnt at the Diamond Club show. But he knew the Hip, and when he heard about the cancellations, he started making phone calls.

Kendle said it wasnt down to him at all. Instead, he says it was Rob Hoskin, a local booking agent, and the Hips own agent in Toronto who did the real work and found most of the bands last-minute replacement gigs. They ended up staying at the Osborne Village Motor Inn and played shows at Corner Boys and university pubs. But Downie wasnt wrong that Kendle wrote an article in the Hips defence.

I wrote a column for the Sun that ran on that Friday, which would have been the 18th, basically decrying the fact that all original bands got the short end of the stick, and that it was an unconscionable thing for them to be fired from the Diamond Club, and that the Hip was a band that was on the up and up and that people would be watching them for a long time to come, Kendle said. Turns out, he was right.

After the show Friday, Kendle said he went backstage to say hello. When he was back there, he said he corrected them on the story, wanting to clarify the details lost over nearly 30 years.

But some stories are so good it doesnt matter if theyre true, and thats what the Hip told Kendle.

Gord Sinclair (the Hips bassist) said, John, thats the legend! John Kendle and Corner Boys, Kendle said. And I said, OK, Ill stand with the legend.

While Kendle said the shout-out was humbling, it was also bittersweet.

Out of the eight shows the Hip have played on their farewell tour, Kendle said hes seen part or all of seven of them either live or via Periscope, Twitters live-streaming tool. He said hell be at the West End Cultural Centre Aug. 20 with friends and family, watching the bands final show.

aidan.geary@freepress.mb.ca

Back then we were kids who shared a love of rock n roll. I just wrote about it. They did it and are still doing it. #TheHip  John Kendle (@johnkendle) August 6, 2016
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 08/08/2016 (2272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Critics of Canadas system of supply management covering dairy, eggs and poultry  matching domestic demand with domestic supply in a way that works eminently well for both consumers and producers  continue to haul out old canards about its effectiveness that data demolishes.

It is true the Canadian Dairy Commission has determined dairy prices will increase, very slightly, in order to address declining dairy-farmer incomes from its past decisions. That is reasonable, I think. Consumers are getting a good deal, at least when compared with those in countries raised in a recent Free Press editorial (Dairy commission leaves sour taste, July 21).

Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. are most often used as Canadian comparators, designed to flagellate supply management. Surely these open and free systems must produce cheaper product than that found in Canada.

Expatistan, an index comparing costs in various cities around the world, disagrees. Free Press readers might be surprised to know a litre of milk bought in Wellington, New Zealands capital, costs NZ$2.03, while a litre bought in Winnipeg is the equivalent of a mere NZ$1.55. Eggs cost a staggering NZ$7, compared with just NZ$3.37 in Manitobas capital.

Overall, food in Winnipeg is 20 per cent cheaper than in Wellington.

What about, say, Brisbane, Australia? A litre of milk in that city is cheaper than in Winnipeg, but only by three cents. And that has come at the cost of driving Australian dairy farmers into utter penury. The Australian federal government recently had to pledge a multimillion-dollar support package to the sector to prevent its collapse. Eggs more than make up the difference  they cost A$5.81 in Brisbane, 45 per cent more than Winnipegs cost of A$3.18.

The story is the same the world over  milk and eggs in those countries that liberated the industries often cost more than in Canada. In the U.S., eggs are generally more costly, while milk is cheaper. But that dairy cheapness comes with a cost  it is based on very inexpensive labour and subsidies. For example, with respect to the former claim, a recent study from Texas A&M University calculated that should immigration reform as proposed by U.S. President Barack Obama carry the day, the price of a gallon of U.S. milk would have to increase by 91 per cent given the dependence of U.S. dairy on cheap, largely Hispanic labour. There is no equality or equity in American milk production.

There is no country today that can claim dairy as a robust sector of the economy  except Canada. European dairy farmers are rioting in the streets, Australians are taking legal action against a big co-operative and New Zealanders are wondering what happened to their world as many dairy farms have become money-losing propositions.

And what of the much talked-about global dairy boom Canadian farmers are missing? In short, this is a fiction. Only seven per cent of total world dairy production is traded internationally. New Zealand controls 32 per cent of that seven per cent, while the U.S. and the EU combined have approximately 51 per cent of it. What is left is a pittance. It works out to less than one per cent of total global production, which is filled by small, pasture-based players such as Argentina and Uruguay. That is not even taking into account the stated American aim of increasing dairy exports to push out competition.

Might Canada take market share from some of the big players? I doubt it. The EU and the U.S. subsidize their dairy farmers, while temperate New Zealand is a very low-cost producer, with its cows eating grass and never facing cold weather. Moreover, the U.S. has stated its objective is to increase its Asian dairy exports and to drive out competition through whatever method. I have no doubt it will do so.

The U.S. National Milk Producers Federation has also targeted Canada and is insistent we should give up our Canadian system of supply management. They want to flood us with fluid milk, which they could do with a very small increase in production. With eggs, a big U.S. egg producer recently told a conference it was a benefit for Canadians to the system we do. Without it, he suggested, Canadian egg producers would get clobbered by imports from south of the border, with attendant effects on food security and sovereignty, and those eggs would not be cheaper than they are now.

This, then, raises the issue of food security and sovereignty. Supply management responds to Canadian concerns. The covered commodities are priced in Canadian dollars and produced according to Canadian standards by Canadian farmers. Remember that C$8 cauliflower from last year?

Supply management takes into account both consumer and producer interests; I find it difficult to believe it remains under attack. It is postmodern, not neo-Soviet, providing a reasonable income to farmers and a good price for consumers. Other systems can learn from ours. I anticipate a return to regulation in Australia and the EU, and a fundamental rethink in New Zealand.

It feels good to be a trendsetter.

Bruce Muirhead is the associate vice-president, external research, and a professor of history at the University of Waterloo. He is also holds the Egg Farmers of Canada Chair in Public Policy.
ss20tali wrote:

Profile



Gender: Female

Age: 26 ( Will be 27 when i join B School)

Nationality: Indian

GPA: 9.78/10

Degree: Electronics and Communication Engineering. (From a decent college, but not any of the IITs or NITs)

Years of Professional Experience: a little over 4 years. Hoping to complete 5 years by the time i start my MBA.



Official Score: 700 (Q50, V34, IR3, AWA5.0)



Work Profile: Research Engineer in the R&D Division of one of the largest Consumer electronics Company in the world (One of the renowned brands in the world). 2 promotions in 4 years. Several awards and technical publications. I have mentored several interns and have couple of engineers working for me.



Extra Curricular: I am a trained musician in Indian Classical and folk music. I have been a keyboard player for a professional music group and have a certificate in Indian Music.



Goals:

Short Term: I want to work in technology commercialization, project management and project lifecycle management in the field of consumer electronics or communications technology.

Long term: PMO roles for tech projects in government organizations.



Target schools: Rice Jones, Kelley, Tepper, Nanyang, UIUC.



I am looking for schools in USA, Singapore and Canada. Could you suggest some other schools considering my profile and chance for scholarship?

I am little worried about my IR score. I am willing to retake GMAT if it is necessary.

Scholarship is one of the most important factors for me.



mbaMission Senior Admissions Consultant

Chicago Booth Alum, over 70 5-star reviews on GMAT Club

Sign up for a free 30-minute consultation at https://www.mbamission.com/consult/mba-admissions/

Read our Insider's Guides to the top b-schools: http://www.mbamission.com/guides.php?category=insiders



Kate RichardsonmbaMission Senior Admissions ConsultantChicago Booth Alum, over 70 5-star reviews on GMAT ClubSign up for a free 30-minute consultation at https://www.mbamission.com/consult/mba-admissions/Read our Insider's Guides to the top b-schools: http://www.mbamission.com/guides.php?category=insiders Signature Read More

Hello! Impressive GPA! Even if it's not an IIT, it's still excellent. I think your GMAT is good too and definitely high enough to apply to the schools you list. Being a little higher could help your chance at scholarship but depends on whether or not you think you can score higher. Your Quant is nearly perfect and IR / AWA are less important sections, so I might only retake if you felt you could significantly improve your verbal score. But definitely not necessary to retake.Otherwise your profile sounds great, with the promotions and strong work accomplishments, plus the musical interests.I think you'll be competitive at the schools you list, seems like a good list. As for other schools, consider UW Foster in the US (with its location in Seattle it has great ties to top tech companies) plus some Canadian schools (e.g., Schulich, Rotman, etc.).Good luck! Keep us posted if we can help with anything else.Kate_________________
Most people who know of the International Crane Foundation understand its basic mission: To conserve cranes and the environmental resources they depend on worldwide.

Many may be familiar with the organizations prior use of ultralight aircraft to help endangered whooping cranes learn migration patterns within the eastern United States. But here are three things you may not know about ICF, and what its employees do on a daily basis.

1) The government owns the birds

ICF has helped restore the North American whooping crane population from its low point in the 1940s, when there were an estimated 21 birds remaining, to a current population of around 600.

There are roughly 110 cranes on site at ICFs facility, which spans nearly 300 acres north of Baraboo. But since they are an endangered species, the birds technically belong to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

ICF works closely with the federal agency, as well as other organizations such as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, to develop plans to restore the crane population. But the ultimate authority over the birds falls to the federal government.

Thats why, even though ICF spearheaded the effort to guide the eastern flock using ultralight aircraft beginning in 2001, the decision to end that campaign this year ultimately was made by USFWS.

The federal agency said the annual ultralight journeys havent been successful enough to make the whooping crane population self-sustaining. According to USFWS, 250 whooping cranes have been released into the eastern migratory population since 2001, and 93 have survived. From the surviving birds, only 10 chicks survived long enough to fly.

ICF supported the federal agencys decision, and is working with government agencies to find more natural means to raise and release whooping cranes into the wild.

Its ongoing, adaptive management, with tweaking here and there, Anne Lacy, ICFs crane research coordinator, said during a question and answer session during the organizations Cranes of the World Festival on Saturday. We need more research to know what it is that causes them not to fledge a chick.

2) Standing on one leg regulates heat

Visitors at the organizations Baraboo headquarters may be puzzled to see cranes standing on one leg at times. According to Cynthia Gitter, an assistant curator of birds at ICF, the cranes arent practicing their balance.

Its a resting pose, she said. Its thermal regulation. Tucking (the leg) under saves heat and helps decrease energy use.

The heart pumps warm blood into arteries that transport it into the legs, and those arteries are in contact with veins that return cooled blood into the heart. Standing on one leg helps birds reduce the heat lost through their unfeathered limbs by one half, according to birdnote.org.

3) ICF employees get good at acting like birds

Those familiar with ICFs techniques might have seen pictures of scientists dressed like cranes, feeding and mingling with young birds. But many may not know that it takes more than a slick costume to pull off that ruse.

We cant exactly mimic cranes, Gitter said. But we try the best that we can.

That means adapting to the birds behavior on the fly, so to speak, in order to help the young cranes hone their instincts.

Sometimes, a chick will hear something that startles it, and pop its head into the air. Although the ICF employee  draped in white sheets with a bird puppet on its hand  might not have heard the delicate noise, he or she must mimic the chicks response.

When a chick goes into alert mode, you have to realize that and respond appropriately, Gitter said.

When chicks become snotty little teenagers, Gitter said, they sometimes try to exert size-dominant behavior. A crane might stare down another bird (or an ICF employee dressed like one) and elevate its head higher to show superiority.

ICF employees respond in kind, posturing their hand puppets higher and higher as the chick competes.

And the scientists arent always reacting to the birds. Part of their job includes learning to walk, forage, and generally behave the way a crane does. We even preen ourselves like cranes would, Gitter said.
There was a thought-provoking op-ed column in The New York Times recently from the mayor of Bloomington, Indiana, the home of the University of Indiana, a Big Ten school like Wisconsin.

In the column, Mayor John Hamilton wondered aloud how he could protect his city from guns.

You see, Bloomington is in a position much like Madison and other Wisconsin cities these days. Local laws have been usurped by overzealous Republican legislators and their soulmates in their respective governors offices in order to make sure their views are stamped across the entire state.

Thats something, of course, that they vehemently object to if its the federal government stamping its powers on the states. But what the heck, who ever said these politicians have principles?

Hamilton said hes at his wits end about guns, pointing out that one of his main jobs is to help keep his city safe. He cited a couple of recent examples:

First, there was the incident at the citys public swimming pool that was filled with kids taking lessons and their parents sitting poolside watching over them. Soon a man arrived and walked around the pool with a handgun very visible on his hip. No one, the mayor said, had the slightest idea if the gun was loaded or not, but you can imagine the parents angst, especially in the wake of San Bernardino and Orlando.

Then there was Bloomingtons annual Fourth of July parade. Thousands of people lined the downtown streets waving flags and exhibiting their patriotic best. A float rolled by, he wrote, featuring armed men from a private firearms training center with military-style machine guns held at the ready, ammunition belts attached, atop a pickup truck.

The celebration took a nervous-making turn, the mayor said, adding that his office fielded dozens of calls from Bloomington citizens who had witnessed the events.

This is all happening in Gov. Mike Pences Indiana, Hamilton added. Its why Pence gets an A rating from the NRA and holds one of the most extreme anti-gun-control views among national politicians, he claimed.

My constituents arent against all guns, he added. They respect Second Amendment rights. They just dont want handguns carried around at their public pools. They dont want machine guns in their parades. Nor does my police department. Nor do I.

Hamilton noted that Bloomington had restrictions in place on the possession of firearms in parks and city facilities and at city council meetings. But the Legislature five years ago prohibited cities from enforcing virtually any individual local regulation of firearms, ammunition or their accessories.

The mayor asked what many of us ask: How exactly are we to tell a good guy with a gun from a bad guy with a gun?

How are parents, looking up from slathering sunscreen on their kids, to make the necessary judgment? he asked. They dont want to be in that position. Theyre certainly not trained to be in that position.

Yet as a mayor hes been rendered powerless by politicians who want to impose their pro-gun views on all, no matter the differences between rural and urban municipalities.

Thats the same attitude that prevails in Wisconsin. Local governments are forbidden to tailor regulations to the needs of their communities because of new laws passed by a Legislature led by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and signed by Gov. Scott Walker that equate the problems of Milwaukee and Madison with those in Alma or Richland Center.
River meeting was set miles away to silence opposition

Kudos to the five legislators who objected to the holding of the hearing on the Lower Wisconsin River Master Plan at a remote location.

But is this not just a government tactic at any level; dilute the opposition? Are they not but using geography as a tactical weapon?

They have consistently ignored the positive financial impact brought to the area by Mazo Beach users, the most adversely affected by their grand plan. We are disheartened and wander aimlessly this summer, waiting for cold weather. Hold this meeting in our backyard where we can mount a serious challenge.

Facts were ignored and altered to justify the closing of Mazo Beach. We were maligned and blamed for exaggerated infractions performed by a non-beach user group. We are an impediment to their grand plan. I probably wont live long enough to see it fail miserably.

And I will drive down to the area this fall to see if they have opened it for hunters. I am a gun owner, but isnt a person with a gun more likely to have a serious accident than a person not wearing a bathing suit?

Michael McGreevy, North Freedom
My fellow Wisconsin voters, I would ask you to turn your attention away from the antics of Donald J. Trump for a moment and concentrate on the state of Kansas.

Yes, the Kansas Dorothy and Toto called home. Kansas is currently under the stewardship of one of the most tea -partying, trickle -downers in the country, Gov. Sam Brownback. According to many news sources, people in Kansas are not happy with the results of his budget slashing, tax cutting policies.

Under Brownback, education has suffered the most. It has taken some moderate Republicans in a recent primary to put a dent in his wacky ideology.

Sound familiar? Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and his minions are cut from the same Koch Brother cloth that gave Kansas Mr. Brownback. So I urge you to vote for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot who will reject the "make the rich richer" schemes that men like Mr. Walker and Mr. Brownback have put in motion.

If the right wing power of our state legislature is not diluted in the coming fall election, I fear Wisconsin will eventually look like home only to a privileged few. The rest of us will be stuck in Oz with an orange-haired wizard who blows hot air.

Margaret Sherman, Beaver Dam
Author Maureen Holtz began her novel, The Last Resort, with a series of what if questions. What if the United States drastically curbs healthcare coverage? What if at the same time a small African nation seeks a solution to its economic woes by legalizing physician-assisted suicide as a way to encourage medical tourism? Those questions form the basis of this engaging novel which Holtz will discuss as the guest author at Columbus Books & Beer on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Black Kettle, 139 N. Ludington St., Columbus.

Holtz explains that the novel was born out of personal experiences as well as news stories about medical tourism. Much like one of the main characters in the novel, Ive lived through the death of my mother and father, my mother-in-law, my aunt and a friends mother, Holtz says. Some years ago, I was watching a story about medical tourism: people going to countries such as Indonesia, Cambodia and Mexico in search of good health care at a much more affordable price. It gave me food for thought.

The novel, set in the year 2021, shifts back and forth between central Illinois and the fictional African nation of Mkanda. Mkanda has legalized physician-assisted suicide to encourage a new type of travel  euthanasia tourism. With the United States slashing Medicare coverage and instituting new rules, Mkanda appeals to those desperate to end their struggles in a timely way. In Illinois, Hank Grimmager, suffering from ALS and the early stages of Alzheimers, pleads with his devoutly Catholic daughter, Olivia Harper, to take him to Mkanda. Olivia doesnt want to bypass all her beliefs and be party to her fathers death, but finds it impossible to ignore his needs. The novel erupts into the inevitable conflict when religion and money are involved in matters of love and health.

Holtz does not present herself as an advocate for physician-assisted suicide. In fact, while writing the book, she had to balance her religious upbringing with the tough realities of facing terminal illness.

This is not Holtz first published book, however, it is her debut fiction novel. Her other titles include two books that revolve around Illinois philanthropist Robert Allerton, known as Chicagos richest bachelor in 1906 (Robert Allerton: The Private Man & The Public Gifts and Allertons Paradises). Her third non-fiction book is Images of America: Monticello.

Holtz did not begin writing her novels and non-fiction books until her retirement from a career in the computer software industry. She continues to write novels, short stories and travel articles.

The monthly Books & Beer gathering engages local and regional authors with readers in the community in a fun, casual setting. All interested readers in the area are welcome to attend. Copies of The Last Resort are available for $10 at The Black Kettle. In addition to the Sept. 1 event, upcoming featured authors and titles include Kelly Dinardos Gilded Lili on Sept. 29, Silvia Acevedos God Awful Thief on Nov. 10, and Donna Urbikas My Sisters Mother: A Memoir of War, Exile, and Stalins Siberia on Dec. 8. More information can be found on the groups Facebook page Books and Beer Columbus.
The Salvation Army recently donated $500 to the Columbus School District to put toward food for its Summer Meals Program.

Through the program, kids in the community who are 18 years old and younger can get free breakfast and lunch during the summer months. Columbus Middle School will be serving meals until Aug. 19. Schools from throughout Columbia County are participating in the program this year.

The Summer Meals Program looks for volunteers to help with supervision and prepping of foods each day as well as monetary donations.

Angela Swinehart, the Salvation Army field representative for Columbia County, said the Salvation Army likes to help as many people as it can each year. Red Kettle donations make it possible for the organization to assist individuals and families in need with food, utilities and rent throughout the year.
Items are listed under the day of the event only, running as space permits prior to the event. To submit items, call 745-3511, email jcutsforth@capitalnewspapers.com or visit www.portagedailyregister.com. Include name and phone number.

Today

Columbia County Public Health Walk-In Clinic, 8 a.m. to noon, Columbia County Division of Health, 2652 Murphy Road, Portage. Use door No. 4. Bring childs immunization record. Visit www.co.columbia.wi.us for more information.

Columbus Red Cross blood drive, 8 a.m. to noon, Columbus High School, 1164 Farnham St., Columbus. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit www.redcrossblood.org/" href="http://www.redcrossblood.org/">redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767 to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed. A blood donor card or drivers license or two other forms of identification are required.

Euchre card party, 6:30 p.m. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, W8267 Highway 33 East, Portage. Public welcome. Contact: Cloe, 429-2363.

Free summer meals for kids and teens, served Monday through Thursday. Free to kids and teens age 18 and younger. Meals served from 11:15 to 11:50 a.m. at Goodyear Park (by the Splash Pad), 1100 MacFarlane Road, Portage, and from 12:05 to 12:40 p.m., followed by a fun food activity from 12:30 to 1 p.m., at the Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Meals will be served through Aug. 11.

Portage Pedalers Monday night ride, meet at 6:30 p.m. at Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Monthly rides meet at: Augustparking lot across from Hill Auto; and September at 6 p.m. at Portage Public Library. Wear a helmet and bikers under 18 must ride with a parent.

Portage American Legion Post 47 and American Legion Auxiliary, Portage Knights of Columbus Hall, 918 Silver Lake Drive. Cocktails at 5 p.m., soup and sandwich meal served at 6 p.m. Meeting at 7 p.m.

Portage Second Harvest mobile food pantry, 11 a.m. Building No. 8, Columbia County Fairgrounds, Portage. Bring boxes, bags, baskets or wagons to carry food.

Randolph Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Village of Randolph, 248 Stroud St., Randolph. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767 to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed. A blood donor card or drivers license or two other forms of identification are required.

Seniors Bowling Social, 1 p.m. Tollys Alleys, East Wisconsin Street, Portage. Cost is $6 and includes three games of bowling and shoe rental.

Wisconsin United WE CAN Portage will hold NARCAN Training, 6:30 p.m. Portage United Methodist Church, 1804 New Pinery Road, Portage. Narcan is the opiate reversal drug used in reversing opiate overdose. Life Point of Madison will be training anyone wishing to learn how to use this life saving aid. You will need to register by Aug. 4. Call 608-745-8996 to reserve your spot. You may leave a message. Please make sure to register so we will be able to reserve your spot. Wisconsin United WE CAN holds support and education meetings for anyone dealing with addiction on the second Monday of every month at the Portage United Methodist Church.

Tuesday

Family Summer Movie Series, 10 a.m. Portage Theater, West Wisconsin Street, Portage. Admission is 50 cents. Movies run Tuesday through Thursday at 10 a.m. through Aug. 25. For more information, call 742-6678.

Free summer meals for kids and teens, served Monday through Thursday. Free to kids and teens age 18 and younger. Meals served from 11:15 to 11:50 a.m. at Goodyear Park (by the Splash Pad), 1100 MacFarlane Road, Portage, and from 12:05 to 12:40 p.m., followed by a fun food activity from 12:30 to 1 p.m., at the Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Meals will be served through Aug. 11.

Museum at the Portage, 804 MacFarlane Road, Portage. Open from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday in April, May, September and October; and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday in June, July and August. Admission is free.

Portage Family Skate Park Public Meeting, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Gerstenkorn Administration Building, 305 E. Slifer St., Portage. All interested people are welcome to attend. If the Portage Schools are closed or released early the PFSP meeting will be canceled and announced on our Facebook page with a new meeting location as soon as possible.

Wednesday

Bingo, 5:30 p.m. 131 Restaurant, North Main Street, Pardeeville. Bingo will be played every Wednesday, except the first one of the month.

Columbia County Public Health Walk-In Clinic, 8 a.m. to noon, Columbia County Division of Health, 2652 Murphy Road, Portage. Use door No. 4. Bring childs immunization record. Visit www.co.columbia.wi.us for more information.

Concerts at the Portage, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. VFW Hall, 215 W. Collins St., Portage. Featuring My Sweet Patootie (Canada). Desserts provided by Portage Kiwanis Club. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy this free concert.

Family Summer Movie Series, 10 a.m. Portage Theater, West Wisconsin Street, Portage. Admission is 50 cents. Movies run Tuesday through Thursday at 10 a.m. through Aug. 25. For more information, call 742-6678.

Free summer meals for kids and teens, served Monday through Thursday. Free to kids and teens age 18 and younger. Meals served from 11:15 to 11:50 a.m. at Goodyear Park (by the Splash Pad), 1100 MacFarlane Road, Portage, and from 12:05 to 12:40 p.m., followed by a fun food activity from 12:30 to 1 p.m., at the Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Meals will be served through Aug. 11.

Portage Campus of Madison Area Technical College open house, 4 to 7 p.m. 330 W. Collins St., Portage. Staff members, students and instructors will give campus tours, demonstrate classroom technology and provide information about student services available at the campus. There will be hands-on activities for all ages. Wolfie, the Madison College mascot, will be on hand as well as representatives of Portage Fire and Police Departments. Sandwiches will be served from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Call 608-745-3100 for more information.

Portage Pedalers Wednesday night ride, meet at 6:30 p.m. at Pat and Dougs house, W7956 Douglas Center Road (East of Briggsville on Highway 23 North via 3rd Avenue). Meeting place in AugustJohn Muir Park; and September at 6 p.m. at Pat and Dougs house. Wear a helmet and bikers under 18 must ride with a parent.

St. Vincent de Paul free medical clinic, 9 a.m. to noon. Wilz Drugs lower level, 140 E. Cook St., Portage. No appointments needed. Information needed is name, date of birth and a contact number. A chiropractor is available from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. A foot clinic is available every week. The clinic can do exams and prescribe medications. Physical therapist available. Discounted medications are available at Wilz and Wal-Mart. Call Bonny Oestreich, RN, at 608-234-0159 for information.

Texas Hold em card tournament, VFW Hall, 215 W. Collins St., Portage. Register at 6 p.m. Cards begin at 6:30 p.m. Entry fee is $20. One hundred percent payout. Open to the public. For information, call the VFW Hall at 742-5350.

TLC Community Clothes Closet, corner of East Cook and Main streets, Portage. Open from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

AMPI retired employees breakfast, 8:30 a.m. Dinos Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Road, Portage.

Free blood pressure screenings, 1 to 5 p.m. Divine Savior Healthcare, 2817 New Pinery Road, Portage. No appointment necessary. Call 745-6405 for more information. Do not eat, smoke, drink caffeine or exercise for 30 minutes prior.

Wednesday Soup, Salad and Sandwich Bar, 11:30 a.m. Portage Senior Dining Site, lower level of the Portage Municipal Building, 115 W. Pleasant St., Portage. For seniors age 60 and older; suggested donation $4. Order by noon the day before by calling 608-742-8726. Bingo held at 10:30 a.m., sponsored by Our House.

Zumba, 5:30 p.m. 1208 Northport Road (the former Freedom Carpeting building). This is a $5 drop-in class. For more information, contact Deb at DJMACK00001@yahoo.com or Rena at 697-6713.

Thursday

Endeavor Lions Club Bingo, 6:30 p.m. Endeavor-Moundville Fire Department, Endeavor.

Family Summer Movie Series, 10 a.m. Portage Theater, West Wisconsin Street, Portage. Admission is 50 cents. Movies run Tuesday through Thursday at 10 a.m. through Aug. 25. For more information, call 742-6678.

Free summer meals for kids and teens, served Monday through Thursday. Free to kids and teens age 18 and younger. Meals served from 11:15 to 11:50 a.m. at Goodyear Park (by the Splash Pad), 1100 MacFarlane Road, Portage, and from 12:05 to 12:40 p.m., followed by a fun food activity from 12:30 to 1 p.m., at the Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Meals will be served through Aug. 11.

Open Texas Hold em, 7 p.m. Sport Club 22, Pardeeville. For information, call 566-9655.

Portage Lions Club Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive, 4 to 7 p.m. Walmart, New Pinery Road, Portage.

Portage World War II Museum, 119 E. Cook St., Portage, offers free tours to all veterans from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The tours take 2 1/2 hours. For information, call 608-697-3690.

Friday

Free blood pressure screenings, noon to 3 p.m. Divine Savior Healthcare  Crossroads Clinic, N4390 Crossroads Clinic Road, Oxford. No appointment necessary. Call 745-6405 for more information. Do not eat, smoke, drink caffeine or exercise for 30 minutes prior.

Portage World War II Museum, 119 E. Cook St., Portage, offers free tours to all veterans from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The tours take 2 1/2 hours. For information, call 608-697-3690.

Unique Singles, 5 p.m. Trails Lounge, Wauona Trail, Portage. All single men and women older than age 50 welcome. The group is strictly social with no dues or officers.
All of Columbia Countys polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday for the fall partisan primary  an election with a light local ballot, and for which a relatively light turnout is expected.

Heres some of what you need to know about the primary election.

Question: There have been court rulings regarding Wisconsins voter ID law. Does that mean that voters no longer need to show ID at the polls?

Answer: According to Columbia County Clerk Susan Moll, the recent court rulings will have no effect on the voter ID requirements for the primary, though they might affect the Nov. 8 general partisan election. That means you need to bring your ID, and show it to the poll worker, before youll be issued a ballot.

Acceptable forms of ID include a drivers license issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, even if driving privileges have been revoked or suspended; a Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card; either a Wisconsin DOT-issued drivers license or ID without a photo, if you have a religion-based exemption; a military ID card issued by any branch of U.S. uniformed service; a U.S. passport; or a U.S. passport issued by a federally-recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin.

There are other forms of ID that are acceptable, but they cannot be expired. These include: a veterans photo ID issued by the Veterans Health Administration of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs; a certificate of naturalization issued not more than two years before the date of the election; a Wisconsin DOT-issued driving receipt or ID card receipt issued not more than 45 days before the election; a photo ID issued by a Wisconsin accredited university, college or technical college, if the ID has a photo, the students signature and an expiration date no more than two years after the date of issuance (those who submit student IDs must also bring proof of current enrollment); or a citation or notice of intent to suspend or revoke a Wisconsin DOT-issued drivers license, if this notice is dated within 60 days of the election date.

Detailed information about voter ID requirements can be found at bringitwisconsin.com.

Q: What local and state races are on the ballot?

A: For Columbia County voters, there are three county constitutional offices on the ballot, and in every case, the incumbents  County Clerk Susan Moll, County Treasurer Deborah Raimer and County Register of Deeds Karen Manske  are running unopposed on the Republican ballot, with no opponents in other parties.

Also unopposed on the Republican ballot is incumbent District Attorney Jane Kohlwey.

All seats in the state Assembly are up for grabs, and in District 42, which encompasses most of Columbia County, Rep. Keith Ripp, R-Lodi, is on the Republican ballot, and his opponent, George Ferriter of Doylestown, is on the Democratic ballot. In District 81, Rep. David Considine, D-Baraboo, is on the primary ballot for a second term, and Republican David Moore of Wisconsin Dells is on his partys primary ballot.

For Senate District 14, which encompasses a large portion of Columbia County, Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, is seeking another four-year term, with a challenge on the Democratic side from Waupaca Mayor Brian Smith.

Other parts of Columbia County are in other Legislative districts. You can find out what races are on your ballot by going to myvotewi.gov.

Q: What national races are on the ballot?

A: All U.S. House of Representatives seats are up for grabs every two years. For Congressional District 6, which includes all of Columbia County, Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Glenbeulah, is seeking a second term, and is alone on the Republican primary ballot. On the Democratic primary ballot, there are two candidates: Sarah Lloyd of Wisconsin Dells and W. Michael Slattery of Manitowoc.

In the U.S. Senate race, Republican Ron Johnson of Oshkosh is seeking a second six-year term, but the man he unseated in 2010, Russ Feingold, of Middleton, is not alone on the Democratic primary ballot. Hes challenged by Scott Harbach of Kenosha, who describes himself as an independent Democrat.

Q: Speaking of independent, Ive heard that there are independent candidates seeking some of these seats. Why arent they on the primary ballot?

A: By Wisconsin law, independent candidates do not appear on the primary ballot, though they will appear on the November ballot. Area candidates who have been certified by the Government Accountability Board as independents include Jeff Dahlke of Mequon, whos seeking the Sixth District seat in the U.S. House, and Portage attorney Douglas Kammer, who is running for district attorney.

Q: May I vote in the primary on more than one partys ballot?

A: No. And if you vote in more than one party, none of your votes will be counted.

Unlike some states, Wisconsin does not require voters to request a particular partys ballot at the primary. Instead, all the primaries are on one ballot. You may choose a party on the ballot, but you dont have to. If you do, then your votes in that partys primary will be counted, but any votes you cast in another primary will not be counted. If you do not choose a party, and you vote in more than one party, none of your votes will be counted.
need

putting knowledge into action

This post is part of Accepted's Big Brand Theory Series for MBA applicants by Natalie Grinblatt Epstein, an accomplished Accepted admissions consultant (since 2008) and entrepreneur. Natalie is a former MBA Admissions Dean and Director at Ross, Johnson, and Carey.

Does the oldest business school actually have a brand?Does the oldest business school actuallya brand?Ironically, Wharton is a more powerful global brand than the elite Ivy League university of which it resides. In fact, many people dont know that the University of Pennsylvania is a highly regarded Ivy League institution. Outside the United States the University of Pennsylvania, Whartons parent university is often confused with Penn State University, the parent university to the Smeal College of Business, to the humorous consternation of both schools.As I searched through Whartons collateral, it was difficult to zero in on its point of view. However, its tagline,, was easy to find. But I ask, is Whartons tagline synonymous with its brand? I will go out on a limb here and say, no. Wharton is its own brand. Wharton is Wharton. But the admissions officers and their marketing colleagues are giving you a hint through this tag line that they are seeking students who can put knowledge into action.How does one put knowledge into action? Well, I would venture to say that you would put knowledge into action the same way Columbia students bridge theory with practice and how Michigan Ross students put thought into action. These taglines sound extremely similar, but they do get to the crux of the type of student these schools seek.Wharton seeks a student who can take the information that he or she gathers from school, the workplace, the community, and the world, process the information and then act on the ideas and concepts acquired. As an applicant you need to demonstrate that you not only know the information, but that you have implemented the concepts that youve learned. For more information on how to do explain this process in an essay, read my blog post Show me, Dont Tell Me . While I wrote the blog for PhD students, the theory applies to MBA candidates as well. In the application , the main essay looks toward the future, so you cant demonstrate that you have the trait to turn your knowledge into action in the main essay. You can only explain that you can act on your knowledge in the work experience, extracurricular activities and community service section in the application. You can also establish that you offer this trait on your resume and in optional essay 1.Ill focus on optional essay 1 for the purpose of this blog. I suggest exhibit how and where you learned about something and then acted upon it in optional essay 1. Did you read about a theory in a book and then test it out in the real world? Did you hear a political pundit on the news describe something and gather your friends in a grass roots effort to implement or refute the pundits opinion? A great example comes from a environmentally astute MBA. He believed that if areas of the world that dont have access to potable water were given access to potable water that it would lessen the political unrest in these countries where access to water is a big issue. He researched his theory through expert white papers and journal articles. He tested his theory by creating a process to make polluted water potable and distributed his patented invention to several regions that suffered from political unrest. He put his theory into action, and had results that proved his theory worked in over half of the regions where he distributed this process. He is now working with a manufacturer and an NGO to gain more distribution throughout the world.While your example doesnt need to have the kind of impact that changes the world, it does need to describe in detail, what you did to make a difference. Did your Relay for Life impact the latest therapies for cancer? Did your understanding of the book Trading Systems that Work lead you to pursue a finance degree? Did your Improvisational class at school help you become a skilled public speaker? Did you learn something from a colleague at work or at school that enabled you to arrive at a better answer.Their tagline is put to the test during their Team Based Discussions. If you are invited to participate, you are given a mini-case, asked to present a solution and then work for 35 minutes with a team of potential future classmates to come up with the best or optimal solution. The evaluators will observe how you synthesize the information around the table and use it to come up with a viable action Wharton can use in the future.So while Whartons brand stands alone, its tagline is instrumental to the success of your application. For more information about successful strategies on your Wharton application, register for Accepteds Get Accepted to Wharton webinar and contact our consultants for assistance with your application._________________
Election setback proves that Zumas scandals do matter

Unless leaders take the hard decision to remove the president, the party could lose the character that made it one of Africas great liberation movements.

At the end of last year, around the time of Nenegate, I released a couple of tweets which received some public traction. It was in the midst of a public debate calling on parliament to fire the president for jeopardising the countrys economic security through his irresponsible action of firing then finance minister Nhlanhla Nene. I argued that in the context of our political system, only the national executive committee of the ANC could make this decision. This is because the president is inevitably chosen by the ruling party, even though the actual election ostensibly happens through a sitting of the two houses of parliament.

I effectively put it to the NEC of the ANC, via the Twittersphere, that sometimes people are called upon to make difficult decisions and that this was one of those moments. I also indicated that I understood that they were confronted with the danger of a split in the organisation, and that the plan might very well have been to wait two years for Zuma to leave as ANC president and then begin the arduous process of fixing the problems of the organisation and the country. But I warned that the danger of this strategy was that the ANC would continue to bleed with each new scandal that Zuma became embroiled in.

None of what I said was particularly earthshattering. It was a view shared not only by many analysts and observers of South Africas political scene, but also by many activists and leaders within the ANC. Since then, we have had the Constitutional Courts decision on Nkandla, the continuous scandals around the Gupta familys business dealings with public entities of one kind or another and the possibility of the reinstatement of the corruption charges against the president. Each successive scandal has severely eroded the stature and reputation of the ANC, even within its own support base. This has now come back to haunt the ANC.

Worst election outcome for ANC

The results of the local government elections are a dramatic symbolic reflection of the bleeding of the party. In its worst election outcome since the dawn of democracy, the ANCs electoral vote at the national level has declined from 62% to about 54% between the 2011 and the 2016 local government elections. At the time of writing, the ANC had lost two major metros  Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay  and was in a decimal point battle with the DA for two others, Johannesburg and Tshwane. Having first lost Cape Town in 2006, and then again in 2011, it has now again lost it decisively in 2016, with the DA taking over 66% of the vote. In this election, it has also failed to get a 50% majority in Johannesburg and Tshwane. Coalition politics will take over with the greatest likelihood being a DA-EFF partnership that results in the ANC being unseated in both the political and economic capitals of the country.

ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu has described these results as humbling and a cause for concern. He told journalists that the ANC would need to do some introspection on what went wrong. But this is more than just a cause for introspection  it is a massive tragedy for the ANC. This is a party that has always been perceived as a modernist political entity. Yes, it is responsive to tradition and culture, but this has always been done with an eye to the future. The ANC, at least in recent memory prior to Zuma, saw tradition and culture not in a static sense, but as capable of evolving and being compatible with the project of modernity. This vision of tradition and culture has been under threat during the Zuma years, and the threat is now manifesting itself in the patterns of electoral support for the ANC itself.

The suburban vote

By losing the urban metropoles, the ANC is going to be perceived  even if this is not the reality  as a rural organisation that is tied to a conservative, rigid notion of tradition. The question that now confronts the party is, what was the message being sent by voters as they shunned it in the urban areas? There is a tendency among some in the ANC to suggest that the failures in the urban metropoles really have to do with local politics. They argue that Nelson Mandela Bay and other metropoles were lost because of local issues such as specific instances of service delivery failure and even factionalised politics oriented around individual ambitions. There is some semblance of truth in this, but this alone cannot account for the massive swings to opposition parties and the large number of people who stayed away from the polls, especially in townships. After all, the suburban vote turned out in much bigger numbers than the township one, which impacted severely against the ANC. All of the local challenges existed in previous elections, yet the voters did not deliver such a massive rebuke. Why then did they do it this time around?

The answer has to lie in the campaign led by opposition parties which effectively focused on national issues such as corruption, etolls, the failures of the president, including the firing of the minister of finance, and Nkandla. For a long time, the NEC of the ANC deluded itself by insisting that Nkandla did not matter. These election results have proven that Nkandla does matter. So do Guptagate and the many other scandals that have plagued the president. Yes, this was a local government election. But perhaps more significantly, it was a referendum on the president, and this referendum has returned a decisive answer.

Where to go from here?

It has been suggested that Zuma will respond to the election results by reshuffling his cabinet to get rid of dissident voices. But, Mr President, a cabinet reshuffle will not fix the problem. These election results are an indictment of you and the only cabinet reshuffle that would fix this problem is the one in which you exit from government. This is also the challenge that confronts the NEC of the ANC. It is a difficult decision. I understand that there are many risks involved, including the possible factionalising of the party. But there are historic moments in which hard decisions are necessary and risks have to be taken. These hard decisions cannot be avoided. They have to be confronted in the context of the existing political and socioeconomic realities of the historical moment.

If the NEC does not heed the warning that the electorate has delivered, then the ANC will likely bleed further, and it will continue to do so until such time as the organisation has the courage to make the right choices. The danger is that it may make the decision too late, and that by the time it does, the ANC would have lost the essential character that defined it as one of the great liberation movements of the African continent.

Professor Adam Habib is Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Witwatersrand
Estimados amigos,

Les doy cordialmente la bienvenida a este Blog informativo con articulos, analisis y comentarios de publicaciones especializadas y especialmente seleccionadas, principalmente sobre temas economicos, financieros y politicos de actualidad, que esperamos y deseamos, sean de su maximo interes, utilidad y conveniencia.

Pensamos que solo comprendiendo cabalmente el presente, es que podemos proyectarnos acertadamente hacia el futuro.

Las convicciones son mas peligrosos enemigos de la verdad que las mentiras.

There are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen.

You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.

No soy alguien que sabe, sino alguien que busca.

Only Gold is money. Everything else is debt.

Las grandes almas tienen voluntades; las debiles tan solo deseos.

Quien no lo ha dado todo no ha dado nada.

History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.

If you know the other and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.




NGOs and the Fallacy of Civil Society



Though called "non-governmental," NGOs often receive significant government funding and may pursue political agendas.





Summary



Non-governmental organization (NGO) is often a misleading label. Over the past several decades, a new phenomenon  government-backed NGOs  has emerged. These groups are formally independent from governments, but in reality rely on government support and funding, domestic or foreign.



 In Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkan states, foreign governments  both from the West and Russia  have used NGOs to further geopolitical aims.



 The involvement of organizations like USAID and NED in funding pro-Western NGOs has created both fear and suspicion that Western governments are attempting to instigate color revolutions  popular protest movements aimed at regime change.



 NGOs across the former communist bloc are largely not financially viable without domestic government or outside support.



 While both Russia and the West use NGOs, funding these groups is not a very effective method of influencing decision-making and public opinion.



Introduction



Civil society is a sphere that, by definition, is outside the scope of government. Following a trip to America in the early 1830s, Alexis de Tocqueville  much impressed with American civil society  wrote in his work Democracy in America that wherever at the head of some new undertaking you see the government in France, or a man of rank in England, in the United States you will be sure to find an association. Thinkers like Tocqueville valued and advocated for the separation of private life from the public and the ability to organize outside the framework of the state. Civil society includes everything from business associations to Girl Scouts, charities and bowling leagues. These are forms of organizing, both political and non-political, where the government plays no role.



Within civil society, there is a subgroup generally referred to as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These groups are non-profit entities that provide services, conduct research or perform advocacy work. As their name suggests, in theory these groups are firmly grounded in civil society, have no relationship to government and are often regarded as a check on government.



Nevertheless, many NGOs are not truly non-governmental entities. Over the past decades, a new phenomenon  government-backed NGOs  has emerged. These are groups that formally are independent from governments but in reality rely on government support and funding, domestic or foreign. Governments use these groups as tools for building influence and achieving goals that they cannot undertake directly. Nowhere is this phenomenon more prominent than in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkan states, where foreign governments  both from the West and Russia  have used NGOs to further geopolitical aims.



In this region, financial and sometimes legal limitations have prevented the rise of indigenous groups truly independent from government influence.



NGO, therefore, is often a misleading label that can belie a political purpose. Government funding of NGOs creates a new class of political organizations. These groups are at the very least in an ambiguous position. At most, they have become government organizations and thus no longer part of civil society.



The West and Russia: Government-Backed NGOs



NGOs are sometimes used by governments and intelligence agencies to boost influence and further strategic goals. During the Cold War, Western and Soviet intelligence agencies actively sought to influence local groups in countries of interest. The Central Intelligence Agency covertly funded private organizations  in addition to newspapers and political parties  to help shape public opinion in Europe.



When the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), one of Americas main vehicles for supporting NGOs abroad, was created in the 1980s, it was set up as a private-public partnership largely to shield the organization from meddling or accusations of intelligence agencies involvement. Nevertheless, NED still relies on U.S. government funding for many of the 1,200 grants it issues to NGOs abroad each year.



This financial dependency on the U.S. government, as well as awarding grants to NGOs involved in promoting social causes and political agendas that align with U.S. interests (and at times anti-government activities in their home countries), has opened up NED and other major government-funded institutions  like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI)  to suspicions of continued CIA involvement.



Over the past 25 years, NED, USAID, NDI, IRI, their German counterparts Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, and a host of other government and private foundations have supported NGOs in Central and Eastern Europe that promote democratic governance, fair elections, training for youths and activists and anti-corruption and transparency efforts. These projects are funded partly to further the goals of strengthening pro-Western movements in the region and promoting European integration in countries like Moldova and Ukraine.



NGOs in Ukraine, which Russia considers a key strategic buffer and where Washington and the Kremlin are competing for influence, have received significant funding, directly and indirectly, from Western governments. According to USAID, the top foreign institutions funding groups in Ukraine are USAID, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (a government entity), the Mott Foundation (a private U.S.-based institution), the International Renaissance Foundation (a branch of the U.S.-based private Open Society Foundation) and the U.K.s Department for International Development (a government entity). It is estimated that between 1992 and 2014, the U.S. spent between $3 billion and $5 billion in assistance to Ukraine. Over the past decade, a significant portion of this aid went to NGOs, especially groups that work on governance, anti-corruption and democracy issues, and groups that had been involved in the 2004 pro-Western Orange Revolution.



For example, New Citizen is a coalition of NGOs that was involved in setting up the first round of protests against the government of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2013 and later expanded into the Maidan movement, ultimately leading to the fall of the government. New Citizen had earlier received funding from U.S. government-funded organizations. American grants to Ukrainian NGOs were often allocated for training activists or election monitors, and in some cases totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars.



U.S. efforts have continued, however, even after the fall of the Yanukovych government. One recent example of U.S. efforts in Ukraine is NDIs use of its Civi online contact management system. This helps Ukrainian NGOs and members of parliament with outreach to voters, allowing them to send texts and mass emails to thousands of supporters. At the same time, some NGO projects funded by the U.S. government have overtly strategic undertones. IRI, with funding from NED, is currently running a project to develop political coalitions and produce materials that debunk Russian deception campaigns.



The involvement of organizations like USAID and NED in funding pro-Western NGOs and democracy projects has created both fear and suspicion among some governments in the region that Western governments are attempting to instigate color revolutions  popular protest movements aimed at regime change. In countries like Belarus, Azerbaijan and Russia, strong efforts have been made to limit NGOs ability to operate and access foreign funding. Notably, in July 2015, NED became the first foreign organization banned in Russia under the Kremlins law against undesirable international NGOs.



Like the U.S. and some Western governments, Russia also funds NGOs and uses these groups to further its geopolitical aims. There is evidence of strong connections between Russian intelligence agencies, in particular the FSB, and Russian-backed NGOs. In fact, some of the money and goods used by Russian-backed rebels in Donbass were moved through what on paper are Orthodox charities.



Russian funding for groups in Central and Eastern Europe revolves primarily around financing for groups and projects related to Russian-speaking communities, as well as Slavic and Orthodox communities. The Russian states formal vehicle for extending its influence in the NGO realm abroad is Rossotrudnichestvo (the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation), which maintains offices abroad and acts as a grant-awarding institution.



At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the presidents office also issue a large number of grants to Russian-friendly and Russian-backed groups. Russia also uses the Orthodox church to build its influence. Moreover, state-owned companies and oligarchs close to the Kremlin have provided funding for Kremlin-backed NGOs in the region. These groups include cultural institutions, youth organizations and human rights NGOs. Their activities range from Russian language promotion to history projects, conferences, information campaigns, youth camps and trainings designed to shape public opinion and promote pro-Russian views, as well as build ties between Russia and communities across the region.



Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia have been the focus of many of these projects, while Russia also supports NGOs in the Balkans and Baltic states. A 2016 study by Chatham House found that the Russian World Foundation, funded directly by the Russian state, has made Ukraine its focus  spending about a million dollars a year primarily on projects connected to pro-Russian groups and initiatives to emphasize linguistic divisions between Ukrainian and Russian speakers within the country.



Lack of Independent Funding



While there are variations across Central and Eastern Europe, in much of the region NGOs are directly or indirectly dependent on governments. This is the case because NGOs across the former communist bloc are in large part not financially viable without domestic government or outside support. The graphic below shows the results of a 2015 study by USAID on the sustainability of civil society organizations in Central and Eastern Europe.



A score of 1 to 3 indicates that most groups have sound financial management systems in place, raise a significant percentage of their funding from local sources and have multiple sources of funding. A score of 3.1 to 5 indicates that while still largely dependent on foreign donors, individual groups experiment with raising revenues in other ways. However, a depressed local economy may hamper efforts to raise funds from local sources. This middle category includes a wide range of countries, from the Baltic states to the Balkans. Finally, a score of 5.1 to 7 indicates that most groups are largely inactive after failing to win foreign donor funding. In this category, governments restrict access to resources  foreign or domestic  through legislative and other means. This category includes countries like Belarus and Azerbaijan.



This data reveals two key realities about non-governmental organizations, even in parts of the region where there are relatively few legal restrictions on the activities of NGOs. First, groups in countries with weaker economies struggle to find domestic sources of funding and are thus more likely to depend on foreign governments or international donors for funding and support. Only two countries  Poland and Estonia  fall in the top category where groups are considered financially viable. The vast majority of countries fall in the second category, where poor economic conditions undermine local fundraising efforts.



This discrepancy is due to the fact that most Central and Eastern European countries still lag behind their Western counterparts economically. At the same time, European Union integration has intensified the economic disparities. According to World Bank data, Polands GDP per capita is over seven times that of Moldovas. While most funding for groups in Poland comes from domestic sources, an estimated 83 percent of funding for groups in Moldova comes from foreign donors. There is a strong relationship, therefore, between a countrys wealth and the level of organizations reliance on foreign funding.



The second important reality behind the USAID data is that even in wealthier countries where groups enjoy high levels of financial sustainability and do not need to rely heavily on foreign funding sources, groups are often still dependent on domestic government funding. For example, in Poland, USAID found that despite the fact that 29 percent of Poles are estimated to have donated to charities in 2014, local governments are still the main source of funding. This dependency highlights that although there is more funding available overall in more developed countries in the region, private domestic funding is limited even in wealthier Central and Eastern European countries. For the most part, groups throughout the area must rely on funds either from domestic state sources or foreign entities.



Limitations of NGOs



While Russia and the West fund NGOs, there are two factors that undermine the effectiveness of NGOs as a tool of influence. First, there is a general lack of public trust in these groups. In Georgia, merely 22 percent of respondents trust civil society organizations, according to a 2015 Transparency International poll. In Moldova, a 2015 poll by the Institute for Public Policy found that only 24.2 percent of the public trusts these groups. In Ukraine, 45.7 percent of the population trusts civil society organizations, according to a Razumkov Center poll. This lack of trust likely emanates from the communist era, as well as from a perception that NGOs often depend financially on governments  foreign or domestic  or certain private interests.



Another factor is that the focus of NGO work often translates into these groups holding workshops or organizing projects with partners that are already likely to agree with them. For example, Western-funded democracy or capacity building projects often involve partners and participants who are already pro-Western. Similarly, the focus of Kremlin-funded NGOs on Russian speaking and Orthodox communities means that their work often involves individuals who already have exposure to pro-Russian views.



Funding NGOs, therefore, is not a highly effective method of influencing decision-making and public opinion. Nevertheless, both sides see the financing of NGOs as one tool in a diverse set of activities that together boost their position in the region. These tools include financing media outlets, like U.S. government-funded Radio Free Europe and Russian state-funded Russia Today. In the case of Russia, these tools also include building relationships and sometimes even financially supporting already existing anti-establishment, Euroskeptic or pro-Russian political parties. For the West, integration through the EUs association agreements and policy options like visa-free travel and loans to governments are important ways to influence decision-making and public opinion in the region.



Conclusion



NGOs are generally presented as independent entities forming one of the pillars of civil society, but in some cases these groups are not part of the private sphere that Tocqueville and others supported. The U.S. and other Western governments openly fund NGOs in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans, as well as other regions. At the same time, Russia also supports its own network of NGOs as the two sides compete for influence. Once a group relies on government funding  from its own country or from outside powers  it is no longer truly a part of civil society, but rather a government-sponsored entity that could be used as a vehicle for achieving political goals.
We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2022. Donate today




China News on Women





Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page
Granny had not been seen for years, but was spotted and photographed once again on July 27

Her official name among the scientists who have followed her for decades is J2, but most know the orca matriarch as Granny. Grannys age is estimated at 105 years old, which would make her one of the oldest killer whales. A lot has happened during her lifetime including two world wars and the sinking of the Titanic.

Granny was first spotted and photographed in 1971. She was seen with a younger orca called Ruffles, thought to be the offspring of Granny. Since Ruffles was also a mature adult he would have been at least 20 years old. Granny has never been seen with any other calves, and killer whales stop giving birth at about 40, so researchers decided that made Granny 60 years old, with an estimated birth year of 1911.

Female orcas typically live to be about 50 years old, but some have been reported to reach the age of 100. The Orca Network says that there is a margin of error of about 12 years, but that would still mean Granny is an amazing 90.

She is the matriarch of the group known as the Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW). Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching experts were able to identify Granny through a distinctive marking on her dorsal fin, as well as a half-moon-shaped notch.

When Granny was spotted again on July 27, after years of anonymity, she was seen jumping high out of the water like a youngster. She has generally been seen in the waters around Canada and Washington. A favorite in the area, she was even made the honorary mayor of Eastsound, Wash. Her final mayoral address was published in The Islands Sounder on June 25.
Long-dormant Chumley's, the legendary West Village speakeasy and NIMBY magnet, has finally been given the date of its resurrection: September 6th. Nine long years after a chimney and wall collapse forced the bar to shutter, the Times reports that it'll finally reopen at its Bedford Street home, with a shiny new decor and fancy menu to usher in its new era. Up in heaven, Jack Kerouac is rolling his eyes.

As was previously reported, there's a new captain at the helm at Chumley's. Alessandro Borgognone, operator of lauded Sushi Nakazawa just a block away, signed on with two business partners to spruce up Chumley's to appeal to the neighborhood. The partners have upgraded the bar's decor to include "patterned wallpaper, leather banquettes, French-oak tables...[and a] long, dark bar." At least the book jacketscelebrating the bar's literary historyhave been brought back, though some are reproductions.

The new "Chumleys on steroids," as Borgognone describes it, puts a big focus on the dining side of the bar/restaurant. Victoria Blamey, a former chef de cuisine at notable tasting menu restaurant Atera in Tribeca, will be leading the kitchen; previously, that meant classics like burgers and steak frites "in the $10 to $25 range." Borgognone now says diners should expect to pay $50 per personbefore drinks. "We dont do bars where people are drinking in and flopping all over the floorthats not our kind of business," Borgognone explained.

If these measures still can't appease neighbors, at least would-be drunken hooligans will probably just walk on past Chumley's without even knowing it's there. As part of the Greenwich Village Historic District, signs aren't permitted on the building.
A young man wanted to make a point about racism in the United States, but his plan backfired when he was exposed for a liar by police. 20-year-old Khalil Cavil of Texas was working at the Saltgrass Steak House in Odessa when he claimed he was discriminated against because of his Muslim name. Cavil took
Call For Entrepreneurs & Creatives As Town Centre Pop Up Studio Opens

This article is old - Published: Monday, Aug 8th, 2016

A town centre studio has completed its first day of filming today  with a call out for entrepreneurs and creatives in the area to get in front of the camera and showcase what Wrexham has to offer!

Throughout the week Welsh Presenterpreneur Samantha Jones and Leighton Cox, Wrexham TV, will be hosting their Pop-up Studio Live in Henblas Street.

The event will put the spotlight on entrepreneurs, creatives and business owners based in Wrexham.

Today was the first day of filming and a number of local businesses, including the team from King Street Coffee, local artist Rhi Moxon, Sami Blackford from Love Yourself Naturally and B&B owner Pamela Morris have popped by to explain their work.

We spoke with Samantha earlier today to see how the project came about and how the first day went. She said: Were setting up a popup studio in the town centre and filming interviews with those who have gone out there and built a business of their own and speaking with creatives who do what they love for a living.

We want to inspire everyone to realise they can do what ever they want in life.

Samantha added: It has come together in about six weeks. I did a quick Periscope with the King Street Coffee guys and it had about 200 views in ten minutes. Leighton spotted that and asked if I wanted to work with him.

Speaking of his Wrexham TV online channel, Leighton said: Previously things have been presenter led, so I suggested when she was back in Wrexham we should do something together. It was just going to be pieces to camera but has grown into this.

Sam added: I am doing some work with the New Entrepreneurs Foundation later in the year so this fits as a summer project, with the community of Wrexham and the opportunity to do something positive.

The plan went from just filming people to a full pop up studio. The aim being to speak with creatives and entrepreneurs as many do not realise they are entrepreneurs as well.

The first day has gone really well, there are people watching us on Facebook with over 500 views on the first video we have done. The people we have spoken with already are all talking positively of Wrexham. We are looking for more engagement, so if you are watching dont be scared to ask a question as we do look at the questions live in the interviews!

Sam outlined the work to make the pop up studio  with the Henblas Street space provided by Wrexham Council for the week. Decorating the space has largely been provided by the generosity of local businesses, along with Topshop in Chester who provided clothing for the week.

She added: I had a bit too much fun doing the studio, we cleaned the space up with a proper clean. We were left with just chairs and a white wall, so I was sat on Pinterest getting very excited. Thanks to loads of people who have helped, the guys at Colour Supplies, ASAP Signs did the signage, King Street Coffee Co, and Geoff the farmer who has given us hay bales  he even brought them down to us!

As someone living in the proverbial big smoke of London, but with links to the town we asked Sam about an external perspective of the town: It is back on the up as far as I am concerned. There has been low points but a lot is due to the perception of the town not actual problems. I have never done any of this type of thing before but it would not have had this type of traction in London.

The community of the town is so strong, it is very close knit. There are a minority of people who think the town is ruined and broken, but it really is not.

There is a wide line up over the next week, with perhaps a highlight being Wrexhams own Ben Barlow of Neck Deep appearing live on Friday evening.

If you are in business, an entrepreneur or a creative in the area and you want to drop in for an interview then emails Sam on feature@samanthajones.tv she says, If we find space, well get you on camera!

You can view the videos filmed so far, with the replay ability via Facebook Live via https://www.facebook.com/TheeSamJones/ and we have embedded their twitter feed below:



Tweets by PopupStudioLive
WASHINGTON (Gray DC)  Congressman Reid Ribble will return to Congress in September to finish up his third and final term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ribble will spend August recess with his family and away from the race to fill his vacated seat.

The last thing they need is the old guy hanging over their shoulder, Ribble said.

The Congressman set a term limit for himself in order to, as he says, stay driven and focused on things that are really important and really urgent. He believes the less time he spends in the halls of Congress, the more valuably hell use his time.

Ribble doesnt see himself as a career politician; he spent 35 years in the roofing industry before joining Congress. He says vacating his seat will change up the momentum in the House.

It will refresh the congress with new ideas, new energy, new urgency by having new people, Ribble says.

The Wisconsin primary is Tuesday August 8th.
John Oliver took a look at the embattled state of American journalism last night, reminding us that local newspapers are crumbling, reporters are being turned into content-making automatons who spend their mornings reblogging satirical video clips, maniacal billionaires are taking over editorial meetings, and the supposed savior of it all is a rainbow infographic machine named TRONC. Oliver's conclusion: we're all hosed.

The twenty-minute clip opens with selections from the Oscar best picture-winning Spotlight, a film that tells the true story of how reporters at the Boston Globe uncovered a massive cover-up of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. "One of the things that made Spotlight so powerful is the knowledge that the newspaper industry today is in big trouble," Oliver reminds us. "Papers have been closing and downsizing for years, and that affects all of us, even if you only get your news from Facebook, Google, Twitter, or Ariana Huffington's Blockquote Junction and Book Excerpt Clearinghouse."

With his giant apparatus of news aggregation running at full power, Oliver points out just how many TV news programs, including his own, depend upon the hard-won, unsexy reporting of local newspapers in order to structure their own broadcasts. Media in America is, as Oliver claims, a food chain, and without local papers doing investigative journalism, many elected officials and private industries will fall further into unchecked corruption. "While there are some great web outlets, some of which do cover local government, there aren't nearly enough to replace what's been lost," he rightly notes. "Not having reporters at government meetings is like a teacher leaving her room of seventh graders to supervise themselves."

The centerpiece of the Last Week Tonight segment is the beleaguered Tribune Media Company, which was sold to private investment tycoon/psychopath Sam Zell in 2008. Under Zell's leadership, newsrooms in Boston, Orlando, and Chicago became toxic work environments, and the company ultimately fell into bankruptcy. Since then, Tribune Company has rebranded itself as Tribune Online Content, aka...TRONC, a word that sounds just like "a stack of print newspapers being thrown into a dumpster." Just what the hell is TRONC and can it save online journalism? Watch the clip, decide for yourself, and maybe start paying for a newspaper subscription?
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has ruled out any challenge to the June 23 referendum vote to leave the European Union.

In an interview published over the weekend, Corbyn rejected calls for either a second referendum or a general election to re-decide the issue. Asked whether he thought calls by leadership contender Owen Smith for a second referendum were anti-democratic, he replied, I think weve had a referendum, a decision has been made, you have to respect the decision people made.

Corbyns statements against a referendum re-run are his most emphatic yet. They follow last Thursday nights leadership debate where Smith made repeated calls for a second referendum. The country was lied to by the Brexiteers, he said, describing the Brexit vote as a cataclysmic mistake for our country.

Let me be blunt. I dont want a Brexit plan under Labour Under me we would be fighting to stay in the European Union. Under me wed be saying lets negotiate and then lets put it again to the country in a second referendum or a general election.

Smith condemned Corbyn for not fighting hard enough for a Remain vote. For 30 years you didnt believe in the European Union, he said. He also attacked Corbyns June 24 statement that Article 50 [of the Lisbon treaty] has to be invoked now so that we can negotiate an exit with the European Union.

We should still be fighting for what we believe in, Smith responded, which is remaining part of the European Union.

Smiths pledge to overturn the referendum vote points to the central motivations of the regime-change operation against Corbyn. The mass resignation of Labour MPs on June 26, and subsequent vote of no-confidence by 172 Labour MPs just two days later, was a direct response to the Brexit vote. Smith speaks for the dominant faction of the British ruling class which regards exit from the EU as a threat to the economic and geo-strategic interests of British imperialism.

Following last Thursdays televised debate, the campaign against Corbyn has intensified, with Lord Peter Mandelson, a leading ally of former Prime Minister Tony Blair and founder of New Labour, accusing Corbyn of sabotaging the Remain campaign.

We were greatly damaged by Jeremy Corbyn's stance, said Mandelson. No doubt at all about that. Not only was he most of the time absent from the battle, but he was holding back the efforts of Alan Johnson and the Labour In campaign. I mean they felt undermined, at times they felt actually their efforts were being sabotaged by Jeremy Corbyn and the people around him.

Mandelsons comments were made in a BBC2 documentary, Brexit: the Battle for Britain, airing Monday night. The program includes accusations by Will Straw, executive director of Britain Stronger In Europe, that Corbyns campaign was lukewarm.

While Smith, Mandelson and other leading Blairites have attacked Corbyn for delivering a Leave vote, an aggregate of leading polls published on the eve of the referendum show the largest pro-Brexit swings occurred among Conservative voters. On the eve of the referendum, 72 percent of Labour voters supported Remain, while among Conservative voters support for Remain had dropped from 51 percent in May, to 44 percent.

No comparable backlash by the political establishment against Corbyn has been launched against the Conservatives. While the overwhelming majority of the PLP backed the Remain camp, the Tories were, and still are, split down the middle. The ruling class thus regards the Labour Party as potentially the most effective vehicle for its attempts to reverse a Brexit provided that the party is placed under what they consider to be a reliable leadership.

The Guardian is at the centre of these efforts. In a comment published Friday, columnist Jonathan Freedland explained what is at stake in the ongoing efforts by the Blairites to regain control of the Parliamentary Labour Party. The dispute with Corbyn was over whether the centre-left advances its goals through parliament or some other means, he claimed. For the Corbynites, he complained, strength and competence in parliament would be nice, but its not essential as their goal was not simply the winning of elections, but the building of a social movement.

In ordinary times, you can see why some left idealists might find this appealing. But these are not ordinary times. The European referendum has changed everything. For we are in a critical hiatus, during which the meaning of that 23 June verdict will be determined.

Freedland concluded that with Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May under pressure from the Brexiteers in her own cabinet, there needs to be countervailing pressure on May to push her in the other direction Whats needed is a serious, coherent, functioning opposition--one that salvages something from the referendum wreckage.

The anti-democratic content of Freedlands prescriptions is clear: the PLP must be wrested from the influence of the overwhelming majority of the party membership in order to overturn the referendum vote, or at the very least, help the Tories negotiate the best possible terms for Brexit.

The authoritarian arguments of Freedland and the Blairites do not lend a progressive, let alone socialist content to the political positions of Jeremy Corbynwhether regarding his support for a Remain vote or his more recent rejection of a second referendum.

It was not just the Brexiteers who lied during the referendum campaign. Their claims that living standards would be improved by leaving the EU and curbing immigration, thereby freeing resources to the National Health Service and other social services, was matched by the brazen lies of the Remain camp. Corbyn duly parroted their claims to offer a progressive alternative to xenophobia and nationalism, portraying the EU as the guarantor of social, environmental and workplace protections. Under conditions where the EU is imposing austerity, repression, and war, millions of workers rejected such lies.

Corbyn is well aware of the alienation and anger of millions of workers and young people and has tacked left in an attempt to contain and channel it within the confines of the Labour Party and the parliamentary system. But the truth is that his positions post-Brexit are not dissimilar to those of May, who has also declared that Brexit means Brexit.

It has happened: the Remain campaign didnt get the majority, the Leave campaign did so weve got to work our way round that, Corbyn told Huffington Post. And that means crucially speeding up the negotiations for future market access for manufacturing industries particularly in Britain and if we dont speed up that discussion to give some degree of certainty for future market access, then Id get very worried about industries in Britain that cannot easily switch to another market. And also what kind of trade structure we are going to have in the future.

Corbyn offers only an alternative perspective to safeguard the interests of British capitalism, under conditions where there are growing tendencies towards the break-up of the EU under the impact of growing national antagonisms between the imperialist powers, the emergence of separatist tendencies in Scotland, Catalonia and elsewhere and, above all, the growth of class antagonisms due to the imposition of savage austerity measures by the EU and its member states.

A genuine socialist perspective is one that seeks to unite the European working class to establish workers governments throughout Europe in a struggle against all sections of the capitalist class. This, the perspective of the United Socialist States of Europe, offers the only means of unifying the continent and ending the growing threat of austerity, militarism and war.
The regular column Jakob Augstein publishes for Germanys leading news weekly Spiegel Online is called, When in doubt, left. It is, ironically, an appropriate title. It allows the multi-millionaire Spiegel heir to portray himself as a left-liberal, so long as he has doubts about the direction in which official politics is heading. But now the time of doubt is over. In the face of the growth of militarism, the strengthening of the state apparatus and anti-refugee agitation, Augstein has openly declared he is a right-winger.

In his latest column, he rails against dual citizenship for Germans of Turkish origin, belatedly accepting that Christian Democratic Union (CDU) politician Roland Koch, who stirred up xenophobic sentiments with a petition campaign against dual citizenship in 1998 to win the Hesse state election, was correct.

Dual citizenship was once thought of as a progressive project. It was an error, Augstein writes. Dual citizenship should be reserved only for citizens from EU countries.

To justify his about-face, Augstein cited the demonstration in Cologne on July 31, where 40,000 people protested the military coup in Turkey and solidarised themselves with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who only narrowly escaped the coup plotters.

The call to introduce the death penalty had been raised from the crowd, Augstein asserted. Then he cited at length Turkeys economics minister Nihat Zeybekci, who threatened the coup plotters with draconian punishmentshowever, not in Cologne, but at rallies in Turkish provincial townssomething Augstein did not divulge.

Based on this meagre construct, Augstein accused the Cologne demonstrators of paying homage to a dictatorship. Regardless of how autocratic Erdogan portrays himself, hundreds of thousands in Germany stand by him, he wrote. Among them are probably many who have a Turkish as well as a German passport. Germans screaming for dictatorship?

Augstein laments the fact that there are now approximately 500,000 people living in Germany who have Turkish and German passports. The well-meaning dual citizenship initiative had made the integration of some Turks more difficult and given 500,000 Turks living in Germany the opportunity not to have to decide. Given the growth in migration, this can no longer be tolerated, Augstein continued.

Augstein wants citizens who feel obligation to the state and know to which ministers, presidents and premiers they owe loyalty. The claim that dual citizenship is an accepted part of the German immigration societys culture of recognition is rejected by Augstein, who writes in contrast, An immigration society accepts everyone who acknowledges it. Why then do such people require a second citizenship?

This is not fundamentally different from the right-wing demand for a leading German culture (deutsche Leitkultur). The idea that citizens must profess allegiance to a society (whatever that means), are bound to the state and owe loyalty to the government is deeply anti-democratic and authoritarian. It stands in the unwholesome traditions of the authoritarian German state. From here it only requires one small step further to demand loyalty to the fatherland and the accusation of betraying the fatherland bound up with this, which in Germany was used to target numerous socialists, opponents of war and other critical individuals.

Augsteins rightward evolution is no isolated case. It is symptomatic of the members of an entire section of the privileged upper-middle class who formerly understood themselves as left and liberal but who now give their full support to the state under conditions of deepening social tensions and the return of German militarism.

Heribert Prantl, the long-time head of the domestic affairs desk at the Suddeutsche Zeitung and partner of Augsteins sister Franziska, vehemently defended the decision of the German Supreme Court to ban a video message from Erdogan at the Cologne rally. And the Social Democrat and former president of the Academy of Arts in Berlin, Klaus Staeck, described the officers who led the Turkish coup as rebels and denounced the condemnation of the coup as pseudo-intellectual babble.

In the United States, several left liberals are supporting Hillary Clinton, the candidate of Wall Street and the military, who has managed to attack her semi-fascist opponent Donald Trump from the right because he is allegedly too soft on Russia and China.

The rightward evolution of these layers underscores that the struggle against xenophobia, social cuts, the buildup of the state apparatus and militarism can only be waged on the basis of a socialist programme that seeks to mobilise the international working class.
The National Health Service (NHS) in England is facing a colossal financial challenge and cannot deliver the required services to patients and maintain standards of care within the current budget.

This is the damning conclusion of Impact of the Spending Review on health and social care, a report released July 23 by the House of Commons Health Select Committee. It underlines the parlous state of NHS finances due to endless cuts and indicates that the health service is facing an existential crisis.

The report examines the effect of the Conservative governments spending review last autumn on health and social care and its impact on the NHS Englands Five Year Forward View strategy document. The strategy document was published by NHS chief executive Simon Stephens in 2014 and identified a projected 30 billion funding gap by 2020-2021. Stephens is a former Labour Party councillor, who later became an adviser to former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair. The strategy was promoted as a panacea for eradicating inequality in health outcomes between the rich and poor. The most deprived people, for example, can expect to live in good health nearly 17 years less than their least deprived counterparts do.

In last years Spending Review, great play was made of then Tory Chancellor George Osbornes announcement that the NHS would receive an additional 8.4 billion to plug the funding gap. That figure was a lie as even Health Select Committee chair and Tory MP, Dr. Sarah Wollaston, acknowledged. Wollaston said the increase in health funding is less than was promised by the usual definitions.

Total NHS spending will in fact rise by just 4.5 billionhalf the amount Osborne announced. The rest includes money diverted to NHS England from the Public Health grant to Local Authorities and Health Education England.

However, to even talk about an increase in spending on the NHS is misleading. To plug the funding gap, the NHS has been instructed to make savings of 22 billion by 2021, on pain of fines and takeovers by regulators.

Accepting the overarching strategy of the ruling elite that efficiency savings are required, the Five Year Forward View advocated Preventative Medicine as the key to realising these savings. However, the Public Health budget, which finances preventative health, is set to shrink from 3.47 billion this year to 3 billion by 2020/21.

The Select Committee concludes that neither the government nor NHS managers can provide sustainable ways of meeting the rising deficits.

The Select Committee findings are no less bleak when it comes to the training of new staff. Its assessment that Spending Review cuts on Health Education England come at a time when the workforce shortfall is already placing a strain on services and driving higher agency costs is an indictment of the criminal operation now underway to wreck the NHS.

The report describes how cuts in training for new doctors and nurses have led to staff shortages and reliance on more expensive, agency staff and that We are deeply concerned about the effect of the cuts on the training budgets, which takes effect next year. Nurses instead will have to fund their own training and living expenses by taking out loans, leading to debts of up to 52,000.

With one in three nurses due to retire in the next five years, and one in 10 nursing posts unfilled, ending bursaries will inevitably make worse the huge crisis in the supply of NHS staff.

The Select Committee report also expresses what is obvious to allthat the NHS cannot implement the seven-day service in hospitals and GP (General Practitioner) surgeries demanded by the government, given the constraints on NHS resources.

The imposition of seven-day working without the necessary extra funding has met with huge opposition from health workers and the public. Junior hospital doctors have taken days of strike action, for the first time ever, against an inferior contract that increases their hours without remuneration and compromises patient safety. They recently rejected the British Medical Associations (doctors trade union) recommendation to accept the governments final offer before they imposed the new contract.

In Reviewing Social Care, the Select Committee writes that historical cuts to social care funding have now exhausted opportunities for significant further efficiencies in this area. In other words, and like most other sectors in the NHS, Social Care has been cut to the bone. In what the report refers to as delayed transfers of care, the discharge of old people from hospital after treatment is often delayed, because there are not enough places in recuperative care homes.

The reports final verdict on Social Care is that increasing numbers of people with genuine social care needs are no longer receiving the care they need because of a lack of resource.

In relation to provision for Mental Health Services, the Select Committee warns that promised extra money to achieve parity for this poor relation could get sucked into deficits in the acute sector.

Not only are services being cut now, but funds earmarked for facilitating the changes outlined in the Five Year Forward View are being used to cover current account deficits. The budget for capital projects is also being raided.

Hospitals have been told by NHS England that they need to take whatever action is necessary to tackle the 2.5 billion deficit this year, the largest aggregate deficit in the history of the NHS. An example of the destruction this is leading to is at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, northwest England, which due to a 40 million deficit is preparing to shed 350 jobs out of total staff of 5,000. In Scotland, Tayside health chiefs are planning cuts in jobs and services over the next five years to tackle a deficit of 175 million.

Such is the determination of the government to impose austerity that Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, one of the few Tory senior cabinet members to retain his post after Prime Minister Theresa May took up office last month, has instructed NHS England to abandon long-established NHS treatment targets. Waiting times for Accident and Emergency treatment and cancer referrals will be relaxed and hospitals have been told to ignore previous safety guidelines regarding staffing levels. One nurse per eight patients now no longer constitutes the absolute minimum safety level, but is the maximum ratio allowed.

A picture emerges of an NHS near collapse. For the ruling elite, its answer is more of the same. The House of Commons Select Committee concludes, If the funding is not increased, there needs to be an honest explanation of what that will mean for patient care and how that will be managed.

Department of Health Director Pat Mills is more forthrightthat patients may have to pay to use the NHS by 2025.

Though making a hard-hitting assessment of the crisis overwhelming the NHS, the parliamentary report was a fraudulent exercise. It is a part of a softening up process to prepare the population for the break-up and destruction of the NHS. The report does not and cannot offer any progressive solution to the funding crisis, because the Select Committee that wrote it comprises MPs from the very parties, including Labour, whose policies have led the way in attacking the NHS.

For further information: visit nhsfightback.org.
An acute lack of affordable housing along with deadly and deplorable conditions in existing housing for the low-income elderly has left tens of thousands of Detroit area retirees with no safe and healthy place to live out their retirement.

Affordable housing has nearly vanished for extremely low-income renters. A 2015 Urban Institute report states, not a single county in the United States has enough affordable housing for all its extremely low-income (ELI) renters. Many elderly and disabled people fall into the category of ELI because government assistance is so meager.

In the Wayne County, Michigan, area (Detroit), an ELI renter is one that receives less than $14,000 per year in total income. Quicken Loans CEO Dan Gilbert and a series of Democratic Detroit mayors have systematically demolished 50 percent of the available units in the Detroit area. Gilbert was the driving force behind the Detroit Blight Task Force, which was set up to carry out the wholesale demolition of existing housing stocks as part of the so-called recovery of Detroit.

The Urban Institute report gives special emphasis to Detroit where, like Milwaukee and Chicago, there are far more LI renters than there are apartments. It notes the crisis is acute and getting worse year by year. In Wayne County, Michigan, the negative trend is the result of a precipitous drop in the supply of affordable housing for ELI renters, from about 48,000 units to about 24,500.

Conditions at federally subsidized housing sites for seniors and disabled people in the Detroit area are deplorable. Typical are the conditions in the Detroit suburb of Ferndale where, during the heat wave of recent weeks, an elderly resident contacted the World Socialist Web Site about the lack of adequate air conditioning in her building. The tenant of Autumn House, one of the sites administered by the Ferndale Housing Commission (FHC), told the WSWS that management had set up fans in the sweltering hallways.

The Ferndale Housing Commission continues to receive complaints from tenants, but many who try to speak out at meetings are ignored.

The tenant of Autumn House told the WSWS that the Commission replies to all complaints with the refrain, there is no money.

Some of the conditions noted by residents of Autumn House in an FHC survey one year ago include:

* Sweltering temperatures in the building, sometimes rising to 90  95 Fahrenheit.

* Lack of screen doors making it impossible to leave outside doors open for ventilation.

* Lack of adequate cleaning and maintenance. Inadequate abatement of bedbugs.

The tenant told the WSWS, I havent bought an air conditioner because I cant afford it. Once you get an air conditioner it also costs for electricity. Having no air conditioning is not good for peoples health. Why pay rent when youre not comfortable? This is 2016! How can you have people living in these hot boxes with no air conditioning, especially people that are old and sick?

I have a breathing machine and an inhaler. There are people with asthma and breathing problems that end up going to the hospital. There was a guy who went to the hospital whose breathing was so bad they said he could have died.

The majority of people that are able to get about will go somewhere else where there is air. Last year I spent the majority of time at the library. I would go in there and sit and read books just to get the cool air and try to stay their long enough to where it would cool down outside.

A HUD inspection in 2011 leveled several citations against FHC for providing substandard housing, yet tenants still are living in terrible conditions.

They tried to put me out when I was out of town seeing about my son in Las Vegas. The attorney from Legal Aid put a monkey wrench in it and got it canceled. He has been fighting all my battles for me, except for the charges for my toilet and my lock. I have a bill for a lock change and for repairing a toilet back-up and it comes to something over $200. I ask them, how am I supposed to live if Im giving you all my money?

Its horrible to leave your apartment and then come home and find your things gone. Its horrible in there. There was a guy who wanted to rent a place to live and he knocked on the window and I told him Im not trying to get into your business but if you dont mind dealing with bedbugs, roaches, mice, rats and not getting any of your needs met then this is your place. Then he said Oh no!

When I signed the papers to move in and then I said Id like to see the apartment and she told me Oh no we dont do things like that. We will give you the keys and you can move in on such and such a day, but we dont show you the apartment. So I asked her for my money back and she said, We dont do that either.

In September 2015, residents marched in front of HUD offices in downtown Detroit. The resident of Autumn House said, What was so bad was when we went down to demonstrate in front of HUD, there were about 30 of us, and they came out and told us we were making too much noise, and had a few of us come inside and talk to them. I was one of them. Then they told us everyone was out to lunch.

Several HUD inspections beginning in 2011 leveled citations against FHC for providing substandard housing, yet the problems continue.

Just last month in another housing development, a racially integrated apartment building for the elderly and disabled residents in Ypsilanti, 30 miles west of Detroit, the same types of conditions were exposed. Residents called a local news station complaining they had been living for at least six months in an 11-story apartment building, Towne Center Apartments, with elevators operational for no more than a few minutes at a time and only sporadically. Without reliable elevators, the residents in wheelchairs and frail elderly are locked in or out of their apartments for long stretches of time.

Forest City Real Estate, traded on the New York Stock Exchange with $10 billion in assets, owns Towne Center Apartments.

Medical personnel told the local television news they were unable to see their homebound patients because they themselves could not climb the stairs to the upper floors of the eleven-story building.

The FHC has been recently beset by scandal. The former director of the commission, Debra Wilson, used her position to steal from the impoverished tenants. Wilson resigned in disgrace after having been caught red-handed coming out of a tenants apartment with the tenants prescription painkillers. She had been using a passkey and was replacing residents painkillers with Tylenol. Despite this, FHC paid Wilson a $130,000 severance.
New York's melting pot status means some of the best cuisine from around the world is just a Metrocard swipe away. This week, head to the Lower East Side for Italian wine, Queens for Turkish fare, and the Bronx for everything in between.

Italians drink more wine per capita than any other country in the world (alright technically Vatican City drinks the most but WHATEVER). The point is this level of oenophilia is something to which we should all aspir. A one-way ticket to Rome may not be a possibility, but you can at least indulge in some of the best Italian wine at Murray's Cheese Viva Italia fest on Tuesday. Attendees will sip vino from various wine-making regions including Lambrusco, Pinot, and Brunello, each one paired with fresh Italian cheese. Act fast: tickets are only available until just past 6 p.m. today. Purchase them here.



(sumbul / istockphoto)

If you've been seeking a more intimate bond with baklava, head to the Turkish Cultural Center in Sunnyside on Thursday for a special cooking class. The specific menu is still a mystery, but students at past classes have cooked up Turkish treats like stuffed peppers, coconut cake, and cheese and parsley puff pastries. A $30 ticket covers the cost of the class, utensils, and all the finished goods you can stuff your face with.

Sample some of the Bronx's best food and drink on Friday at the second annual Bronx Food and Wine Festival. The food fest, hosted by Eat nYc, will be hosted at the Bronx Zoo's Crane Pavillion and will feature selections from the borough's finest restaurants, breweries, wineries, and other local cuisine. Best of all, you'll be helping others while feeding yourself: proceeds from each ticket will be donated to Food Bank For New York City, which is capable of turning each dollar into five meals for needy New Yorkers. Tickets are $75, but there's a limited quantity of two-for-one passes available, as well as VIP tickets for $100. Purchase tickets here.

And finally, summer is BBQ season, but it can be a little tricky if you don't have a back yard (or a grill). On Friday, Babeland will be throwing a free BBQ bash at their Brooklyn location. They'll be grilling up hot wieners (sorry, had to), serving ice-cold beer, and giving a few sex tips (independently of the hot dogs and beer). The event is free, but be sure to show up early: the first 10 guests get gift bags. Register here.
In the aftermath of the partys national convention, Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton has shifted sharply to the right, centering her campaign strategy on forging an anti-Trump alliance with sections of the Republican Party and the military-intelligence apparatus.

Clintons criticism of Trump has revolved around claims that he is an agent of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that he will be insufficiently aggressive against Syria and deferential to the military brass. Clinton has also stepped up her efforts to woo billionaires who have traditionally supported Republican campaigns on the grounds that she will be a more effective commander in chief and defender of the interests of Wall Street.

Clintons moves following the convention expose all the more fully the political role of her main rival during the Democratic Party primaries, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Following his endorsement of Clintonand his groveling display at the Democratic National Convention, where he called for a vote for Clinton by acclamationSanders has assumed the task of covering Clintons extremely right-wing campaign with the threadbare cloth of Sanders own political revolution.

In an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times, published on August 5 and titled I support Hillary Clinton. So should everyone who voted for me, the senator attempts to bully his supporters into voting for Clinton through a combination of fear-mongering and outright lying.

Sanders begins his comment by declaring, Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee and I will vigorously support her. Following a denunciation of Trump as a racist and bigot, he writes, In these difficult times, we need a president who will bring our nation together, not someone who will divide us by race or religion, not someone who lacks an understanding of what our Constitution is about.

Sanders says nothing about the actual policies of Clinton or the role of the Obama administration in which she served as Secretary of State. In fact, Obama has gone further than Bush in undermining core democratic rights, including his assertion of the power to assassinate anyone, including American citizens, without due process as part of his drone killing program. Obama has also overseen the further militarization of the police, which kills more than 1,000 people every year.

Sanders goes on to claim that Clinton has shifted to the left, repeating the mantra that the two worked together to produce the most progressive platform in the history of American politics. Sanders further states that Clinton will work to overturn Citizens United, which made it possible for the billionaires to buy elections.

That Clinton has the backing of many of these billionaires doesnt cause Sanders to blink. As for the progressive Democratic Party platform, it includes meaningless pledges for minor social reforms with the insistence that the US must maintain the strongest military in the world, take action against Syria and stand up to Russian aggression.

In his comment, Sanders says nothing about foreign policy, in line with his entire campaign, during which he combined occasional tactical criticisms of Clintons support for the 2003 invasion of Iraqwhich led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of peoplewith full support for the Obama administrations war policy, including the drone assassination program.

In complete Orwellian fashion Sanders concludes, During the primaries, my supporters and I began a political revolution to transform America. That revolution continues as Hillary Clinton seeks the White House. It will continue after the election. Such statements lay bare the actual content of his political revolution, which was intended to trap mass anger behind the Democratic Party and con workers and youth into voting for candidates completely beholden to corporate America.

Particularly significant is the fact that, since the Democratic National Convention, Sanders has said nothing about the release of roughly 20,000 Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails by WikiLeaks, which reveal the DNCs moves to undermine the Sanders campaign and the partys corrupt fundraising practices.

Since the initial release, the Clinton campaign and the media have focused on the leak in order to attack Republican nominee Donald Trump from the right, on the basis of the unsubstantiated charge that they came from a computer hack organized by the Russian government. Putin, the narrative goes, released the emails in order to shift the US elections in favor of Trump.

Even as the corrupt practices revealed in the emails confirm Sanders earlier criticism of Clinton, he is ignoring them as he attempts to promote the candidate of Wall Street.

As recently as May 2, the Sanders campaign issued a press release criticizing the Clinton campaign for operating a money-laundering scheme through the Hillary Victory Fund, also known as the Victory Fund or HVF. The accusation came from an expose by Politico, showing that the fund was directing the bulk of donations into the Hillary Clinton campaign and DNC, instead of state parties as Clinton had claimed.

The funds practices are confirmed by the leaked emails. They were arguably illegal based on campaign finance laws, which limit the amount a single donor can contribute to a candidate or the DNC.

Other leaked emails further revealed the Democratic Partys pay to play fundraising activity. As contributors could be given different benefits packages based on their donations, with the highest package requiring an individual to raise $1,250,000 or personally give $467,600 between January 2015 and June 2016.

In at least one case, multinational conglomerate Honeywell was given a hotel for the national convention with a relatively small contribution of $60,000 since it is the biggest PAC contributor in the country, and the Democrats wanted a better relationship with them for later in the election cycle and for years to come.

Prior to backing Clinton on the floor of the Democratic National Convention, Sanders responded to booing from his supporters by insisting that this is the real world we live in. In the two weeks since he made this comment, the content of Sanders real world has been even further exposed: it is a world of endless war and political reaction, in which both parties are controlled by the rich, and the American people are offered a choice between a fascistic demagogue and a warmonger with the closest ties to Wall Street.

Within this real world, Sanders is playing the most duplicitous role in his attempt to gloss over Clintons record. Sanders shameless promotion of a virulently pro-war corporate candidate confirms the analysis of the WSWS that the real role of his campaign was to direct anger over inequality back into the safe channel of the Democratic Party.
Since the failed Turkish coup of July 15, carried out by sections of the military with the undoubted connivance of the United States, the right-wing Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP) government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrested or detained over 60,000 political opponents. These include coup supporters in the army, members of the judiciary and educators whom it has accused of supporting Erdogans American-based rival, Fethullah Gulen, widely believed to be a CIA asset.

It would appear that the regime is taking advantage of the unpopular coup attempt to settle accounts with opponents of various stripes. It has implemented dictatorial measures against freedom of expression, including artistic expression, after it declared a state of emergency on July 21 and closed at least 15 universities and 1,043 private schools which it claims have ties to Gulen.

The regime has also closed three news agencies, 39 television and radio stations, 60 newspapers and magazines and 29 publishing houses. According to the Turkish daily Hurriyet, books produced by these publishers will be removed from Turkish libraries and pulped.

Turkish authorities have issued arrest warrants for 89 journalists since the end of July. Most were accused of being members of armed terrorist organizations and attempting to overthrow the government.

The International Press Institutes Director of Advocacy and Communications, Steven M. Ellis, said in a statement, The staggering number of journalists targeted in the ongoing purge, coupled with the near-complete lack of evidence implicating them in any criminal or terrorist activities and the fact that many of them have been critics of government policies, suggests that the purge now has more to do with settling scores and silencing the presidents opponents than with identifying and punishing those actually responsible for the coup attempt.

Aside from the closure of educational institutions, according to a July 31 open letter signed by 42 international scholarly organizations, the Erdogan regime has fired nearly 15,000 employees at the education ministry and asked for the resignation of almost 1,600 deans. On July 24, the government detained at least 31 academics from Istanbul University on suspicions of supporting organizations around Fethullah Gulen. Travel abroad for academics has been restricted.

Even before the coup, the AKP government had threatened academics and attempted to tie dissent on the universities to terrorism. In January, police rounded up 27 academics who had signed a petition, along with over 1,400 others, that demanded that the Erdogan government cease attacks on life, liberty, and security, and urged in particular the prohibition of torture in Turkeys Kurdish-majority provinces.

Artists have also been targeted by the AKP regime in recent weeks. Zehra Dogan, an artist with an international reputation, who has been painting and reporting from the largely Kurdish city of Mardin in the southeast of the country, was arrested by security forces on July 21 while sitting in a cafe. Charges of supporting a terrorist organization were laid against her and her painting was used as evidence.
On July 27, the UK Court of Appeal ruled by two-to-one that the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) must release the names of the companies and organisations that benefitted from the governments Mandatory Work Activity (MWA) workfare scheme.

Some 500-plus organisations benefitted as a result of free forced labour over a six-month period between July 2011 and January 2012.

The names include well-known high street supermarkets and shops such as Tesco, Boots, WHSmith and Superdrug as well as charities including Oxfam, Age UK and the National Trust. Several local authorities also benefitted, among them Scarborough, Whitby and Essex councils, as have a number of academic institutions.

The MWA scheme was brought in by the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government in May 2011 and ran until November 2015 when the DWP let the programme lapse. The Blair/Brown New Labour government from 2005 to 2010 had experimented with a similar scheme, the Jobseeker Mandatory Activity, piloting it between 2006 and 2008 but did not proceed further.

Under MWA, benefit claimants were obliged to do 30 hours unpaid work a week or risk being sanctioned and losing their Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) payment of around 70 a week. The placement was for a four-week period. According to the DWP, the MWA scheme was meant to target those lacking, or failing to demonstrate, the focus and discipline that is necessary to effectively: seek out and pursue job opportunities [or] secure and retain employment.

In 2012, the DWP itself carried out a review of the effectiveness of the MWA programme. The findings showed that the scheme did not help unemployed people get into work and did not enhance the prospects of those seeking work to obtain a proper job. Despite the overwhelming evidence showing its ineffectiveness, the DWP decided to expand the programme, forcing around 70,000 claimants a year onto it at a cost to the state of 5 million a year.

Commenting at the time, Jonathan Portes, the director of the National Institute for Economic and Social Research, which researches areas of social policy, said it was difficult to see how the findings into the effectiveness of MWA could be reconciled with the decision to expand it. He said, At a time of austerity, it is very difficult to see the justification for spending millions of pounds on a programme which isnt working, adding that it appeared to have been designed to enable job advisors to punish those deemed not to be sufficiently active in looking for work.

Portes should not have been so incredulous. From the beginning, the intention behind the scheme was not to assist people to get back into employment, but as a subvention to employers. It was in line with the entire ethos of governments globally since the financial crisis of 2008to bail out the banks and enable the ruling elite to recover their losses at the expense of the working class.

When the legislation setting up MWAs was drafted, it was explicitly stated that the intention was to boost employers profits. Section 48 of the 2011 official guidance explained its purpose was: working towards the profit of the host organisation, providing that the majority of the role is dedicated towards delivery of benefit to the community.

In 2012, under a freedom of information request, the DWP was asked to name the organisations benefiting from the use of free labour under the MWA scheme. The DWP refused to divulge the information stating that to do so would hurt the commercial interests of the organisations involved.

The DWP continued in the same vein after a tribunal hearing in May 2013 ruled that it had to divulge the names. It was not until last month following a Supreme Court ruling that the names were finally released.

A spokesperson from Boycott Workfare, which campaigns against the use of workfare schemes, told the Independent, Workfare provides free labour for businesses and charities, enforced by the threat of destitution through benefit sanctions, and paid for by the publicincluding people on workfare. Workfare doesnt help people find jobs: its just an excuse for sanctionsThe organisations that benefit by exploiting the forced, unpaid work of claimants have been shielded by the DWPs secrecy for far too long. The DWP have been using this case to deny other requests for similar information.

Without fanfare, in November of last year, the Conservative government, led at the time by David Cameron, announced its intention to scrap the MWA scheme by spring of this year.

Since its inception, the scheme has forced around 120,000 claimants to work for their unemployment benefit. At the same time, the government announced it was scrapping Community Work Placements (CWPs)six-month long placements, where JSA claimants would be expected to work 30 hours a week, usually for a community organisation or charity. Around 28,000 JSA claimants were put on to a CWP and forced to work for their dole money under the threat of sanctions or loss of financial support.

Other claimants are still being put on cheap/free labour Work Experience and Work Academy schemes. In theory, these are not compulsory but the reality is very different.

A posting July 10 on the Boycott Workfare web page from a Work Experience participant explained that people would have their JSA slashed if they didnt go on the scheme.

It read, I am currently on the Work Experience scheme at B&M in Droitwich Spa, doing over 30 hours of unpaid work for four weeks. If I do not do this I will have my Job Seekers Allowance cut. There are four people, including myself, doing forced unpaid labour here. We have been told by the job centre and B&M that only one out the four of us might be given a job after the four weeks. So three of us will be working full time and wont even get a chance at the position, and even the fourth person might not even get the job as they say it is only possible someone will be taken on.

The MWA and Work Programme are just two of a series of workfare pilots and programmes rolled out/supported by the Labour Party and Tories over the last decade. These include Steps to Workthe equivalent of the Work Programme in Northern Ireland, the Community Work Placements, Day One Support for Young People Trailblazer and Mandatory Youth Activity Programme.

In 2013, the vast majority of Labour MPs refused to vote against the Tory governments jobseekers (back to work schemes) bill, dubbed the workfare bill. Their support prevented 250,000 jobseekers, who had been found by the Royal Courts of Justice to have been exploited on a workfare scheme after working for up to 780 hours unpaid, from receiving 130 million in rebates.

The MWA scandal is yet another example of how increasingly precarious work has become. Zero-hour contracts and self-employment for minimal reward are becoming the norm. With the ongoing economic crisis, transformation of the trade unions into arms of management and the Labour Party into a pro-capitalist organization, the exploitation of workers and youth can only be intensified.
After last year's successful inaugural Big Latch On, more than 100 headed to Times Square on Saturday to celebrate the beauty and importance of breastfeeding.

The event, like the Brooklyn one, was to help kick-off World Breastfeeding Week,

Breastfeeding World organized the event, and issued this statement about breastfeeding:

Celebrated in 120 countries, [Global Big Latch On] marks the signing of the WHO/UNICEF document Innocenti Declaration, which lists the benefits of breastfeeding and the global and governmental goals. This year NYC Breastfeeding World aims to break the current 2015 record of 14,889 children breastfeeding across 845 locations, and the 2014 record for numbers of countries taking part (31), numbers of breastfeeding women attending (14,173) and total attendance (23,906). Breastfeeding contributes to the normal growth and development of babies/children with research demonstrating that children who are not breastfed are at an increased risk of infant morbidity and mortality, adult obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, premenopausal breast cancer, and ovarian cancer (for both mom and baby). The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby's life to enhance these benefits, continuing to breastfeed for two years, and/or as long afterward as is reciprocally desired by a woman and her child.

According to Breastfeeding World, there were "a total of 303 breastfeeding supporters including: 105 breastfeeding moms & 101 children latched."

After the latch on in Times Square, the group headed to Bryant Park to relax and get to know each other. Photographer Sai Mokhtari noted that there were "a good number of dads on toddler patrol," and adds there was a "bubble guy, guitar guy and glitter body painting to keep the kids occupied. It was a nice, very chill family hang."

It is legal for women to breastfeed in public and private places in New York; they should never be shamed or bullied into stopping or nursing in a bathroom. The NYCLU says the places where women are allowed to breastfeed "includes stores, day care centers, doctors offices, restaurants, parks, movie theaters and many other places. No one can tell you to leave any of these places because you are breastfeeding, and no one can tell you to breastfeed in a bathroom, a basement or a private room." Or Target.
Yakima police arrested two women they say vandalized a car parked at an apartment complex in the 200 block of South Fourth Street early Sunday morning, and broke into the car owner's apartment. The women were booked on suspicion of first-degree malicious mischief and residential burglary. (DONALD W. MEYERS/Yakima Herald-Republic)
1. Fill in your name or an alias. Do not leave blank or use the name 'guest' or 'anonymous'.

2. No Nivul Peh. Profanity will be deleted.
An indictment was filed against Wassim Hutaba, 29, for allegedly expressing support for ISIS on social media. He is from the Arab village of Reina.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



According to the indictment from the Northern District Prosecutor's Office, Hutaba announced that he doesn't believe that he is beholden to the laws of the State of Israel  a state he calls a "kufar state"  and justified ISIS attacks around the world, calling them "legitimate responses to Western attacks on Islam."

As opposed to other indictments filed against Israeli citizens who have expressed their support for ISIS in the past, Hutaba didn't go to Syria, didn't leave Israel, and didn't pledge allegiance to ISIS.

According to his testimony, he considered pledging allegiance to the terror group, but decided not to because of his wife's resistance to the idea. She was worried that he would be arrested, and said that him joining would negatively affect the family.

Wissam Hutaba on trial for supporting ISIS

Hutaba added that those are the same reasons he decided against carrying out an attack in Israel.

According to the indictment, Hutaba was investigated by the Shin Bet in December, and was warned not to engage in anything which might harm the security of the State of Israel, including supporting ISIS. Nevertheless, he continued to go onto ISIS web pages, read ISIS publications, and watch videos of ISIS carrying out attacks.

Meanwhile, he was in constant contact with ISIS recruiters and supporters both in Israel and abroad, and posted messages of praise and support of the organization, leadership, and teachings.

He also posted a picture of the ISIS flag flying over the Temple Mount and one overlaid over a map of the world. The pictures received a lot of likes and shares.

On the day of the deadly terror attack in Belgium in March, Hutaba posted a status saying "you acted without consideration and thought that it was your right to prevent free women from wearing the Hijab, so is it not our right to go out and kill you invaders with beheadings? Of course it is. The equation is simple and clear; as you kill so will you be killed. Just as you kidnap so will you be kidnapped. Just as you hurt our security, we will hurt your security. Those who started are wrong. The way to protect your security is by stopping all your acts of wrongdoing and your influence on our nation."

Tareq Katib, Hutaba's representative, said in response that "they have connected him to support for a terrorists organization. The trial will be postponed for another two weeks. The suspect claims that what he wrote on Facebook is religious and not in connection to ISIS."

Dozens of Israeli-Arabs have joined ISIS in Syria, and approximately six Israeli-Arabs have been killed fighting with the terrorist organization, with the last one reportedly killed two months ago.
Security officers in Brazil have chosen an Israeli personal security app called SayVU to help secure the 2016 Olympics.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



All the security officers are equipped with our app, said SayVU founder and CEO, Amotz Koskas. It is connected to our hotline, which will be used if the need arises.

SayVU is programmed to send automatic messages to the police when the user is in distress. The app can be triggered even when the phone is locked by either shaking ones cell phone, saying Call SayVU, or pressing the selfie button. It also automatically activates the phones GPS and microphone, sending all relevant information to the police.

Koskas stressed that SayVU is being used only by security forces, but is not yet ready for use by the common citizen.

Koskas decided to develop the app after the kidnapping of Gil-Ad Shaer, Naftali Frenkel, and Eyal Yifrach in 2014. Shaer managed to call the Israel Police emergency line, but his cries for help were dismissed by police dispatchers who had assumed the call was a prank.

SayVU was developed in an effort to prevent such occurrences from happening in the future, as police would have been automatically sent to the scene had they used the app.

When Gilad Shaer told the police, they kidnapped me, the speech-to-text feature would have been automatically activated and have been instantly sent to our hotline, where we could figure out the context in which the statement was said and the proper response, contended Koskas.

The city of Ofakim recently implemented the SayVU app citywide after a pedophile was apprehended when a teacher used it to alert the police in real time. The cities of Ashdod and Herzliya have also expressed interest in the app.

Koskas maintains that his app is purely for altruistic purposes and does not intend to place it on the retail market. My interest is for everyone to have this app and to save lives."

SayVU is projected to be available to the public by the end of 2016.
The IDF undercover strike unit "Duvdevan" received the IDF Chief of Staff's Decoration of Honor on Sunday. The unit has gone on hundreds of missions over the past year and is leading the fight against the Palestinian wave of terror.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



The General Staff Committee on Decorations recommended the unit for the decoration in a move which was praised by the President of the Military Prosecutor's Office.

Duvdevan in Action (:  ")

X

The committee said that "the Duvdevan unit has been leading the ongoing fight on the West Bank front of the IDF Central Command over the past year, and carried out many complicated missions. The unit has taken part in hundreds of complex combat missions, the goals of which were to arrest wanted terrorists, prevent terror attacks, and attack terrorist infrastructure."

Duvdevan soldiers (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisencott awarding the unit with the Decoration of Honor (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

They added that "an honorable mention should be awarded to the commanders and soldiers of the unit who have demonstrated devotion to maintaining their goals, bravery, striving for contact, and creativity in carrying out their tasks."

Duvdevan soldiers (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

Duvdevan soldier (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

Fighters in the elite unit of the IDF Central Command  which was incorporated into the new commando unit along with Egoz and Rimon  developed new fighting methods to defend against the current wave of terror which have intensified the fight and brought the unit deep inside Palestinian territory.

Amongst the operations carried out by the unit was the operation to arrest the murderers of the Hankin couple next to Nablus, arresting the murderers of Malachi Rosenfeld, Danny Gonen and Dafna Meir. They were also involved in assassinating the members of the terror cell who killed Micky Mark.
Starting this October, every combat soldier released from the IDF will be able to study for a university degree or a profession at the expense of the military, Ynet's sister publication Yedioth Ahronoth has learned on Sunday.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, who is leading the scholarship program, recently met with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, urging him to help secure the funding to offer scholarships to all released soldiers and not just combat soldiers. Kahlon promised he would work to include all soldiers in the scholarship program.

The scholarship program, which was approved in a meeting at the IDF's Manpower Directorate on Sunday, will be funded by donations from the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers (AWIS) and the Friends of the IDF (FIDF) organizations.

IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

"This money should be used to fund a bachelor's degree, not a gym. The army will build the gym," the ID chief said.

The IDF will also participate in funding the scholarships through a foundation it will set up for this purpose, while the soldiers will fund a third of their tuition using a deposit set aside for them by the Defense Ministry.

Soldiers who are new immigrants, minorities or of disadvantaged families will also receive the scholarship, even if they did not serve in a combat position, with the objective being to eventually include all released soldiers in the program.

Estimates put the cost of the program at around NIS 230 million a year, while including all released soldiers would cost an additional NIS 500 million. In the first year, however, the cost will be much lower, totaling at only a few tens of millions of shekels, as initially the program would include a smaller group of released soldiers.

According to senior military officers, there will be an overhaul in the model used for donations to the IDF, with the top priority being dedicating the money to pay for higher education for soldiers.

The new program will also bring to equality among the released soldiers as combat soldiers from some elite units, such as Sayetet 13 and Sayeret Matkal, receive full scholarships from donorssomething that is not given to their friends from Golani, the Paratroopers and the Engineering Corps, for example.
JAKARTA- Indonesian authorities said on Monday that several suspected radicals arrested on Batam island last week were part of a group that has "dozens of members" and has been active for two years.

Anti-terror forces arrested six men on Friday on suspicion of planning a rocket attack on neighboring Singapore.

National police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar said the group mostly recruited members online and was taking instructions from Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian who has joined ISIS in Syria.
The international charity World Vision says Israel has accused the charity's Gaza Strip director of funneling what appears to be an impossible sum of money to Hamas.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



Israel's Shin Bet security agency says Mohammed el-Halabi confessed to siphoning about $7.2 million a year to Hamas over five years. The agency says this is roughly 60 percent of World Vision's total Gaza budget.

World Vision Germany spokeswoman Silvia Holten said on Monday the charity's budget in Gaza in the last decade totaled $22.5 million. She says World Vision has stopped its Gaza operations amid investigations. Germany has suspended donations to World Vision in Gaza.

Mohammed el-Halabi (Photo: Herzel Yosef)

Meanwhile, Australia said on Friday it was suspending funding for relief group's operations in the Palestinian Territories.

Mohammad El Halabi was World Vision's manager of operations in Gaza, and was arrested by Israel on June 15 while crossing the border into the enclave.

According to the Shin Bet, el-Halabi crafted an elaborate scheme to funnel funds, food, medical supplies and agricultural equipment to Hamas. He fraudulently listed the children of Hamas operatives as wounded, created straw organizations, and inflated project costs to divert cash, the agency said. Building supplies intended to support farming projects were transferred to Hamas for constructing tunnels and military installations, according to the Shin Bet.

Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon speculated that World Vision's budget does not include in-kind donations.

"They are trying to belittle their role and to show they are much smaller than they really are," Nahshon said of World Vision. He did not provide proof of his claim, but said el-Halabi's legal team will have access to the evidence. He added that el-Halabi confessed to his crimes.

World Vision said it was shocked by the claims, and a Hamas spokesman said the group had no connection with Halabi.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) called the allegations "deeply troubling" and said in a statement that it was "urgently seeking more information from World Vision and the Israeli authorities."

"We are suspending the provision of further funding to World Vision for programs in the Palestinian Territories until the investigation is complete," it said.

Israel welcomed the decision and said it has passed on details of the case to a number of countries from where money is being sent to Gaza.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said it "calls on the organization and others dealing in aid to the Gaza Strip to examine themselves and their local partners."

Australia has paid World Vision approximately A$5.7 million ($4.35 million) over the past three financial years for the provision of aid in the Palestinian Territories, a DFAT spokesman said
"Another issue that came up in the unofficial debriefing on the planeand in very high volumewas the fact Muki Betzer stopped in the middle of the charge into the terminal, which put Amnon and myself (and of course the hostages as well) in great danger. He was asked why he stopped and answered: 'My Kalashnikov was jammed.' His answer seemed very strange... after we landed in Israel, and during the years that followed, his explanation changed and became 'empty magazine'... there didn't appear to be any target that justified emptying out his magazine... It's unclear why an officer as experienced as Muki did not think to keep enough bullets in his magazine for the critical stage of storming (the terminal). In short, the explanations he gave to why he stopped did not convince us and the issue remained unresolved."

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



This excerpt, published here for the first time, was written by Amir Ofer, the first of the soldiers to storm into the terminal in "Operation Thunderbolt"later known as Operation Yonatan after Sayeret Matkal commander Yonatan "Yoni" Netanyahu who was killed in the operation. The excerpt appears, along with many others, in the pages of "Operation Yonatan in the First Person," a new book, excerpts of which were exclusively published on Ynetnews last month. The book, which for the first time includes testimonies from commandos of the elite Special Forces unit Sayeret Matkal who stormed the terminal, has recently reignited the bloody war of egos among them.

Deputy Commander Muki Betzer, left, and Commander Yoni Netanyahu.

Throughout the past 40 years, every now and again, the fight for glory and credit over the most famous rescue operation in history has resurfaced. In the political echelons, then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and his then-Defense Minister Shimon Peres sent representatives on their behalf to the set of Menahem Golans feature film about the operation to fight for the credit. Meanwhile, soldiers from the Golani and the Paratroopers brigades felt bitter about the fact this operation was being portrayed as a victory solely of Sayeret Matkal.

But the most heated fight for credit and glory was between the deputy commander of Sayeret Matkal, Muki Betzer, and the Netanyahu familyparticularly Dr. Iddo Netanyahu, who dedicated a large part of his life to investigating the operation and writing about it. Journalists who sought to hurt brother Benjamin using Yoni's memory delighted in the argument.

The two sides quarreled over everything, but these are the main points of contention:

Who planned the operation? Did Yoni, upon returning from the Sinai Peninsula on Thursday, find an operation in its final stages of planning (Betzer's version) or did he have to plan almost the entire operation (the Netanyahu family's version)?

Should Yoni have opened fire at the Ugandan guards the commandos encountered on the runway en route to the terminal (the Netanyahu version) or should he have heeded Betzer's advice, as the deputy commander claims, and not open fire so as to not risk losing the element of surprise?

Did Yoni account for the fire that would likely come from the control tower (the Netanyahu version) or did he err in the deployment of the forces and was eventually shot himself from the control tower (Betzer's version)?

Why did Betzer stop in the midst of storming the terminal, causing the entire team of commandos to stop behind him (the Netanyahu version)? Betzers answer is that he merely had to change magazines and didn't cause any delay.



In the absence of a record of the raid or an official operational debriefing, there is no way to proveon a legal levelwhat actually happened. On the other hand, the book that was recently distributed in a private ceremonyattended by the Sayeret Matkal commandos, the pilots, Yoni Netanyahu's girlfriend, his brothers Benjamin and Iddo and representatives of the Paratroopers and Golani brigades (that also participated in the operation, fighting in other areas of the Entebbe airport)provides a definitive answer to these questions, as much as 40-year-old testimonies could be relied upon.





It turns out that the version of events presented by a great majority of Sayeret Matkals soldiers and officers almost completely matches (apart from minor differences) the Netanyahu familys version. According to the testimonies, Yoni (alongside Betzer and other officers) is the one who planned the operation; Yoni was right in opening fire at the Ugandan soldiers, and it's unclear whether the element of surprise was lost; it's also unclear where exactly the bullet that fatally wounded Yoni was fired from; and the control tower is made of reinforced concrete so there was no way to neutralize it anyway.

And, as previously mentioned, the bitter argument between Betzer and the other commandos remains over the reasons why he stopped in the midst of the charge into the terminal.

One could argue about the way Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chose to portray the operation during the ceremonies to commemorate 40 years since the raid, but historically, factually, and to the point, it needs to be said that the Sayeret Matkal commandos, even those who strongly oppose Benjamin Netanyahu and his ways, praise and exalt Yoni's actions, before and during the operation, until he was killed.
BELFAST- A leading member of a major Northern Ireland paramilitary group that was supposed to have disbanded was shot dead in Belfast on Sunday, sparking fears of a fresh feud that could raise tensions in the British-controlled province.

Local media named the deceased as John Boreland, who was injured in a previous murder attempt two years ago. Boreland was a member of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) which scrapped its weapons in front of independent monitors in 2010, completing the disarming of Northern Ireland's main militant groups.

A 1998 peace deal largely ended three decades of bloodshed between Catholic Irish nationalists, seeking union with Ireland, and predominantly Protestant unionists who want to remain part of the United Kingdom, but pockets of violence remain.
KINSHASA - Rebel fighters killed at least eight civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo before fleeing when Congolese troops arrived, local sources said, in a region where a spike in ethnic violence has halted some aid deliveries.

Hundreds of civilians have died over the past year in inter-communal violence and a series of massacres by armed groups in Congo's North Kivu province, which borders Rwanda and Uganda.

Lawless eastern Congo is plagued by dozens of armed groups that prey on the local population and exploit mineral reserves. Millions died there between 1996 and 2003 as regional conflict caused hunger and disease. The recent increase in violence has prevented aid from reaching vulnerable populations.
It's no secret that the situation facing Jewish heritage sites in the Arab world is dire, especially in light of the absence of stable leadership in many of these countries, neglect, and never ending wars.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



In Iraq, the majority of the ancient Hebrew egravings in Ezekiel's tomb have been destroyed. In 2014, ISIS blew up Jonah's tomb in Mosul.

Now, the prophet Nahum's tomb in the town of Alqosh in northern Iraq is under threat. However, it's not under threat by ISIS  at least, not directly.

The crumbling 2,700 year old tomb of the Prophet Nahum (Photo: Shardar)

There is a real danger of the tomb collapsing due to neglect, as the site lies in an area on the border where responsibility and sovereignty is undefined. Along with this, it is clear that ISIS's control over parts of northern Iraq  especially over the nearby city of Mosul  have exacerbated the worry over the existence of the tomb.

Hebrew inscription in the tomb of Prophet Nahum (Photo: Shardar)

Knesset Members across the spectrum turn to UNSCO

The courtyard of the 2,700 year old tomb is decrepit and full of boulders. The ancient walls are beginning to buckle, and the ancient Hebrew engravings on the walls are falling off and fading.

The tomb of the Prophet Nahum  who wrote the Book of Nahum, prophesying the fall of the fall of the Assyrian empire  was kept and protected by the Jews who lived in Kurdistan until they left and made Aliyah to Israel in the 1950's and 1960's. The local people who remained then took responsibility over preserving the tomb.

The crumbling 2,700 year old tomb of the Prophet Nahum (Photo: Shardar)

Now, the only people taking care of the dilapidated site is an Assyrian-Christian family who do it at their own initiative. They were recently contacted by MK Ksenia Svetlova (Zionist Union) who established a lobby to preserve and care for Jewish heritage sites in Arab and Islamic countries.

After receiving pictures detailing the poor condition of the site, MK Svetlova, along with several other MKs, went to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with a letter asking them to help preserve this and other Jewish heritage sites.

The crumbling 2,700 year old tomb of the Prophet Nahum (Photo: Shardar)

"We heard worrying news about the fate of the site recently, which, as we know, is in a region of geopolitical and economic turmoil," the letter read. It continued, asking UNESCO "to work in every way possible to protect the site and mitigate damage to it, and to bring it up the next time you discuss protecting ancient sites in your council."

"We need to save what we can"

The MKS also turned to the Kurdish Regional Government in northern Iraq, and asked them to get involved in the issue. If the UNESCO request doesnt bear fruit, then the MKs will turn to other Jewish organizations who deal with the issue of Middle Easter Jewry.

"We are talking about the birthplace of the Jewish prophets," said MK Svetlova. "We need to save what we can, especially the Tomb of Nahum, which isn't in a conflict area."
Canada's Green Party voted on Sunday to add the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement (BDS) to their official party policy, but the party remains deeply divided over the issue.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



According to media reports in the country, the resolution passed despite much contention within the party and the objection of its leader, Elizabeth May, who said she would rather support "action that can work." She also told a workshop meeting about the policy that she would rather not lead a party that had endorsed BDS.

Former Green party candidate Richard Zurawski called the vote "destructive for the party," while another member worried it's not time for the Greens to be "more polarizing."

Green Party leader Elizabeth May (Photo: Reuters)

"Every country has its issues," Zurawski said. "When we specifically single out Israelis, I worry about the buzzwords and subtext and code language, which is anti-Semitic."

The Green Party is the most supportive among Canadian political parties of the Palestinian cause. It supports a two-state solution and Israel's right to exist.

There was an attempt to amend the resolution during the party's biennial national convention in Ottawa, altering the wording to say that the Greens supported "effective means" for a peaceful solution and "such effective means may include facilitating negotiations, use of diplomatic sanctions, and consumer action by concerned citizenry." But that effort was struck down.

"Im deeply disappointed," party leader May said after the vote. "The party policy on this issue is a position I cant support," she added, saying BDS tactics were ineffective and "polarizing."

Not all members objected to the motion. "I've never felt prouder to be a member of this party," said Dimitri Lascaris, who tabled the resolution. "We took a brave stand today for human rights."

Another foreign policy resolution raised at the convention sought to call upon the Canada Revenue Agency to revoke the charitable status of the Jewish National Funds over allegations it had planted trees on the ruins of Palestinian villages.

May opposed this motion as well, and a compromise was reached according to which the resolution would call to revoke the charitable status of any organization complicit in human-rights violations.

In February, the Canadian parliament endorsed a motion condemning any groups or individuals supporting BDS. While the motion was proposed by the Conservative Party, it received significant support from the Liberals as well.
Just when it appears that all records have been broken, it turns out that this is not the case. The newspaper that hovers somewhere between anti-Zionism and something far more serious came out last week with the question "Is Israel an Evil State?" Two days later, one of the paper's senior journalists provided the answer: "Yes, it is an Evil State."

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



Two days before writing that Israel was an "evil state," that same senior journalist published an article entitled "180 babies," who were killed in the Gaza Strip. Behold, the shocking proof of this "evil state."

This "proof" appeared in a report by the B'Tselem organization about the fatalities of Operation Protective Edge, released to mark two years to the war. The report uses the same recycled claims of a mass killing of innocents, while adding interpretation, in the report itself, according to which, "one party breaching the law does not permit its opponent to do the same." That is the most B'Tselem could write against Hamas, that comes out of his report almost entirely blameless. Meanwhile, the decisions made by Israel's leadership make them "fully responsible  both morally and legally  for the extreme harm to civilians."

According to B'Tselem, 2,202 people were killed in the Gaza Strip during Operation Protective Edge. Of them 1,394, 63 percent, were civilians not involved in the fighting. B'Tselem's numbers are controversial, but we'll leave that aside for a moment.

Instead of rebuilding Gaza, Hamas prefers to dig attack tunnels and make rockets. (Photo: Reuters)

To see just how farfetched the NGO's claims are, one need only look at the very data it provides, including the gender and age of each fatality. Let's leave for a moment the group of 808 fatalities that even B'Tselem graciously admits were terrorists. We're left with 1,394. If they were indeed all innocents, killed as a result of indiscriminate or random fire, the age distribution would be identical, or at the very least close, to the age distribution in the Gaza Strip.

But lo and behold, it turns out that the real statistics are quite different. Among those defined as innocents between the ages of 18-32, 275 are men and 127 are women. Among all fatalities aged 18-59, 1,296 are men and 247 are women. Five times(!) more men than women. Such high numbers of fighting-aged men, compared to such small numbers of women from the same age group do not point toward randomness. Such a discrepancy could not have occurred if indisriminate fire towards population centers had actually taken place. It indicates that the vast majority of those killed are fighters.

It doesn't end here. Teenagers, 14 and over, were involved in the fighting as well. Sometimes they were used as human shields, sometimes they were brainwashed into joining the fight by the anti-Semitic propaganda to which they are subjected from birth. The question of involvement can be checked by examining gender distribution. Among 14-17 year olds, there were 123 boys killed, compared to 32 girls. That's nearly four times(!) as many.

IDF forces near Gaza border during Protective Edge. (Photo: Ido Erez)

A further step is required: Comparing those killed during Protective Edge to the fatalities in similar conflicts. There's no need to make comparisons with third-world militaries as those of western nations suffice. Various sources have published statistics about the number of people killed in the first year of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. According to British medical journal The Lancet , the number stands at about 100,000 killed, among them about 46,000 children under the age of 14. The 0-14 age group in Iraq consitutes about 42 percent of the general population, which idicates a much stronger tendency of "indiscriminant fire" than Israel's critics seem to find.

In comparison, 391 children of that age group were killed. They constituted 17 percent of deaths, but are about 43 percent of the general population of Gaza. Further indication that Israel took care to avoid civilian casualties is that even Iraq Body Count , whose estimates are much lower, indicates that the percentage of civilians killed in Iraq is much higher than that in Gaza.

The problem isn't that B'Tselem is publishing figures. On the contrary, that's well and proper. The problem is that the NGO is erasing the background of the bigger picture. It doesn't write about Hamas' repeated refusal to accept Netanyahu's ceasefire offers. It doesn't report Hamas' refusal of the Quartet's conditions. It doesn't document Hamas' official encouragement of its people to locate themselves in civilian homes and fire at the IDF from within, knowing that an IDF retaliation would be a PR victory for Hamas that way. The B'Tselem report doesn't speak about these key issues. It places responsibility almost exclusively at Israel's door.

These are people, including many children. Every person killed is a tragedy, and everyone should regret the harm caused to innocents. But this does not give people a license to engage in such flagrant manipulations. A close look at B'Tselem's report, as well as comparisons with other conflicts, show the deception, which turns into anti-Israel propaganda. There's no bigger lie than this.

The figures show Israel's valiant efforts to protect human life. US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs at the time, General Martin Dempsey, said that he has sent US military officers to Israel in order to learn how to protect innocents. The plain statistics show that the US military still has a lot to learn.

Hamas is almost entirely absolved of blame for Protective Edge in the B'Tselem report. (Photo: Reuters)

Nazi propaganda said Europe must be cleansed of the evil presence of Jews. Hamas propaganda says that the Middle East must be cleansed of the evil presence of the Jewish state. The new anti-Semitic propaganda points to Israel as the focal point of the axis of evil. And an Israeli newspaper has determined that Israel is an "evil state," explaining that this evil," cannot happen anywhere, and it has political and social roots that are deeply embedded in Israeli society." The anti-Semites couldn't put it better themselves.

The B'Tselem report didn't aim for this kind of result. Intentions can be good. Self-criticism is part of democracy. Manipulations however, are another matter. The problem, according to B'Tselem, is not Hamas  which calls for the murder of Jews, educates Gazan children to kill Jews, and dedicates its resources to digging attack tunnels and manufacturing rockets instead of rebuilding the Gaza Strip  but Israel.

Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic said recently that Haaretz's articles were being used by neo-Nazi propagandists. What more do I have to say?
The Mount Hebron Regional Council has come to the aid of a Palestinian doctor who was reportedly dismissed for attempting to save Rabbi Michael Miki Marks family in July.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



Rabbi Mark was killed in July when a Palestinian terrorist sprayed his travelling vehicle with bullets as they were driving in Mount Hebron from Otniel. During the attack, Mikis wife, Chava was seriously injured while two of his ten children, Pedayah (15) and Tehila (13) were also injured.

After the attack, the family was assisted by two Arabs prior to the arrival of Israeli medical teams and their actions arguably saved their lives.

In this dark attack two Arab residents acted to help and rescue the family until the Israeli teams arrived. These actions were extremely important in preventing much more serious damage, said Mount Hebron Regional Council head Yochai Damri during a tour by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked in south Mount Hebron.

Yochai Damri (Photo: Mount Hebron Regional Council)

The first one arrived at the scene just seconds after the incident and started trying to force the doors open with a car jack to free the children and get them out. He also tried to unfasten the safety belt that was choking the mother, said Damri.

Afterward he protected the children in his car and made sure that no one hurt them or tried to kidnap them. He did this despite the fact that dozens of vehicles passed by, threatened him and demanded that he stop treating Jews. After a few minutes a doctor arrived who was also on his way to Jerusalem. He provided first aid to the wounded and continued on his way when the rescue teams arrived.

As a result of this he (the doctor) was fired from his job, Damri claimed. I met with him and he asked me to help him in removing the obstructions for his work license.

Rabbi Michael 'Miki' Mark

Damri said that he wrote a letter this week to the defense minister asking for his help in providing work permits for the two heros. I met with them and I understand their difficulties but it is reasonable that in instances like these we are obligated, as the Jewish people, to express our gratitude to the people who behave like human beings as is expected from them in these instances.

Now, of all time, is the time to strengthen the positive elements and send a clear message that normal and positive conduct will be rewarded in kind, he concluded.

The justice minister is expected to send a letter to the UN Secretary-General in order to exert pressure on the Palestinian Authority for firing the Palestinian doctor.

In an interview with Ynet, Dr. Ali Abu Shareh, the doctor who helped the family, said that he saw the overturned vehicle of the Mark family while he was driving with his brother and wife to Jerusalem to pray in the al-Aqsa mosque.

I stopped and there was already a Palestinian man there with his wife who were trying to help the wounded, he recalled. The first thing that I saw was Tehila in a state of shock. I started speaking to her in English and she understood me. Then my brother started speaking to her in Hebrew and said to her, Dont be frightened. This is my brother who is a doctor and he wants to help you.

I checked the children and realized that they were not seriously injured. Then I got to the mother and saw that she was choking because of the safety belt, continued Dr. Shareh. We unfastened the belt, removed her from the vehicle and started treating her. At this point the first ambulance arrived from the Red Crescent and a military jeep. I shouted to the soldier in English inside, Call an Israeli ambulance urgently! Now! Now!

After a few minutes a Magen David Adom ambulance team arrived at the scene. Dr. Shareh explained to them that he was a doctor, that the woman had a pulse and had to be urgently evacuated to hospital.

At the same time I shouted to the soldiers to move the jeep to make way for the ambulance so it could travel quickly. Thank God we got her out of there quickly. If we had got there later it could have ended very differently.

Dr. Shareh emphasized that he does not feel like a hero but simply acted in the same way any doctor should be expected to act. I did was was obligated of me, he insisted. It doesnt matter to me whether we are talking about a Palestinian or a settler. My job is to save people because they are people.

Moreover he asked that the message be sent to the children of Miki Mark: I know that the blow to the family is a heavy one but I want them to know that I did all I could to help them.
At least a dozen women protested Donald Trump's economic policy speech Monday by jumping up and shouting in a coordinated effort to disrupt the Republican presidential nominee's remarks.

One at a time, women seated throughout the audience stood up and yelled "Mr. Trump," but their continued shouts were quickly drowned out by boos as security led them from the room. An organization called the Michigan People's Campaign is claiming responsibility. It was hard to hear the women, but the group says they were yelling at Trump about jobs and his comments on women.

"It's all very well planned out," Trump said after security had led several protesters out.
Maintenance hiring flies over century mark

The 944th Fighter Wing Detachment 1 recently surpassed the century mark, by having well over 100 members assigned to the unit, which is a landmark piece to their development.



As part of the Air Force Reserve 944th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Det. 1 stood up as a classic association with the 56 FW in October 2014. Their mission is to train combat-ready Airmen and provide mission ready equipment.



The unit is actively looking to fill many more vacancies. The growth is accelerating as we currently have over 120 maintainers on the books and are ramping up to go even faster with an end goal of approximately 445 positions in the next couple of years, said Maj. Karwin Weaver, 944 FW Det. 1 commander. There will be a mix of fulltime Air Reserve Technicians and part-time Traditional Reservists filling those positions.



The Det., which provides maintenance for both F-35 and F-16 aircraft and equipment, will eventually become a group within the 944 FW. The group will include both an Aircraft Maintenance Squadron which will have responsibility for aircraft maintenance and a Maintenance Squadron which will have responsibility for back shop maintenance.



In a classic association the aircraft belong to the active duty, while the Reserve individuals will provide manpower and work side by side active duty members to maintain the aircraft and equipment.



While discussing the importance of their mission Weaver said, The 56 FW is a great host, the Maintenance Group has brought our maintainers right into their shops with seamless integration. They have embraced us as part of their strategic visions for the growing mission of Luke AFB.



For individuals interested in filling fulltime ART maintenance positions, they can put in applications though USAJOBS.com, which is the official website for listing civil service job opportunities with federal agencies. Note: ARTs are full-time civil service civilian employees who are required to serve as a military member of the Air Force Reserve one weekend a month and for a 15 day tour of annual training. On weekend Unit Training Assemblies and during their annual two-week annual tour of duty, ARTs train with fellow reservists.



For those interested in filling part-time TR maintenance positions they can contact the 944th Recruiting office at 623 856-7429. Note: TRs serve in the Unit Program, where they are required to report for duty with their parent unit and serve as a military member of the Air Force Reserve one weekend a month and for a 15 day tour of annual training.


This Account has been suspended.
As a homeowner, you probably already know that you should be working to maintain your home. But, chances are, you Read More
Manila: A Philippine lawmaker is seeking to permanently ban U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump from visiting the Southeast Asian nation after the billionaire called it one of the "terrorist nations."

Trump has no major business in the Philippines, but developer Century Properties Group Inc is building a $150-million Trump Tower, a high-rise residential building under licence from the American real estate mogul.

In a bill filed in Manila`s House of Representatives, Congressman Joey Salceda said, "There is no feasible basis or reasonable justification to the wholesale labeling of Filipinos as coming from a `terrorist state` or that they will be a Trojan horse."

Salceda was referring to Trump`s comments at a rally on Thursday in Portland, Maine, in which he took another swipe at immigrants.

"We are letting people come in from terrorist nations. That should not be allowed because you can`t vet them. There`s no way of vetting them, you have no idea who they are. This could be the great Trojan horse of all time," Trump said in a clip of his speech posted to YouTube. (http://bit.ly/2aEP0S5)

"An immigrant from Afghanistan who later applied for and received U.S. citizenship, an illegal permanent resident from the Philippines were convicted from plotting to join Al Qaeda and the Taliban in order to kill as many Americans as possible," Trump said.

People of Philippine descent living in the United States number around 4 million, making up the second largest population of Asian Americans, Salceda said, citing data from the U.S. State Department.

A former reality TV star, Trump has won support particularly from white blue-collar U.S. workers who feel neglected by the political establishment.

Along with his proposed ban on Muslims, his plans have included building a wall along the Mexican border to keep out illegal immigrants.
Toronto: Sightings of a shirtless Justin Trudeau are causing something of a stir across Canada and internationally this summer.

The Prime Minister was most recently photographed shirtless while taking a break from surfing and simultaneously photobombing a couple getting married on a Tofino, British Columbia, beach.

A Vancouver Island wedding photographer, Marnie Recker, tweeted the photo of Trudeau on Saturday with his surf board standing several meters (feet) away from the bride, generating plenty of retweets and fanfare online.

Twitter's reaction to this pic of Canada PM Justin Trudeau shirtless on the beach is hilarious (via @marnierecker) pic.twitter.com/W5hKfOVsuS  Charlene White (@CharleneWhite) August 7, 2016

It wasnt clear exactly when the photo was taken, but Trudeau has been in British Columbia for the past week.

The 44-year-old Trudeau took office in November and carries one of the most famous names in Canadian political history. His late father was prime minister for the better part of 16 years, between 1968 and 1984, and remains the rare Canadian politician who is recognized in America.

A previous sighting of Canadas shirtless Prime Minister gained international attention.

The BBC and Time magazine reported on a Canadian family that encountered Trudeau while hiking in Quebecs Gatineau Park last month and took a selfie with the Prime Minister who was not wearing a shirt.

Reporting on the same Quebec encounter, American online news provider Mic called shirtless Trudeau one of Canadas most prized national treasures.

The satirical news website the Syrup Trap poked fun at the online obsession over the Prime Minister's physique with a story headlined: Family on camping trip doesnt know how to tell shirtless Justin Trudeau to leave them alone.
Karachi: At least 40 people were on Monday killed and 50 others, mostly lawyers, injured when a bomb ripped through a hospital in Quetta in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province followed by gunfire.

The loud explosion was heard as lawyers brought the body of president of Balochistan Bar Association (BA) Advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was gunned down by unidentified assailants earlier in the provincial capital, to the hospital, according to police and rescue officials.

Lawyers and journalists had gathered at the emergency department where Kasi's body was brought, when the explosion occurred. Most of the injured are lawyers, eye witnesses were quoted as saying in the local media.

At least 40 people were killed and 50 others injured in the blast, The Express Tribune reported but did not attribute the toll to police or officials.

Aerial firing could still be heard near the hospital's emergency's ward, the paper said.

Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said over 30 killed in the bombing.

"This was a security lapse and I am having this personally investigated," he said.

Police said unknown men also opened fire after the blast.

Panic tore through the hospital after the incident and emergency has been declared at hospitals in Quetta.

A heavy contingent of Frontier Corps and police arrived and cordoned off the area.

It is suspected that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber, Bugti told DawnNews.

Two unidentified men opened fire at Advocate Kasi's car near Quetta's Mengal Chowk on Manno Jan road as he left his home in the morning for work, police officials said. The former president was shifted to Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the blast or the earlier shooting.

The provincial capital bordering Iran and Afghanistan has been at the receiving end of several such acts of terror. In May, two persons were killed and five injured when an explosion occurred at the main entrance of Balochistan University.
Kabul: An American and an Australian were kidnapped at gunpoint in the heart of Kabul, officials said Monday, the latest in a series of abductions of foreigners in the conflict-torn country.

The two professors at the American University of Afghanistan were seized on Sunday evening and no group has so far claimed responsibility for their abduction.

"Two foreign professors, one American and the other Australian, were abducted at gunpoint by a kidnapping gang from Dar-ul-Aman road in the centre of Kabul city," a security official told AFP.

"We refrain from further comment in order to not damage police rescue efforts."

The kidnapping comes just two weeks after the rescue of an Indian charity worker, who was also taken at gunpoint near her residence in the heart of the city.

The US State Department said it was aware of reports of the kidnapping of an American citizen, but declined to comment further.

The Australian government confirmed the "apparent kidnapping" of one its citizens, citing its embassy in Kabul, but also refused to elaborate due to security considerations.

"We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation, including the serious threat of kidnapping," the government said in a statement.

The abductions underscore the growing dangers faced by foreigners in Afghanistan.

A group of tourists, including British, American and German nationals, came under Taliban fire on Thursday in the western province of Herat, leaving some of them wounded.

Aid workers in particular have increasingly been casualties of a surge in militant violence in recent years.

The Indian charity worker, 40-year-old Judith D`Souza who was a staff member of prominent NGO Aga Khan Foundation, had been abducted on the night of June 9.

D`Souza`s abduction came after Katherine Jane Wilson, a well-known Australian NGO worker, was kidnapped on April 28 in the city of Jalalabad, close to the border with Pakistan.

Wilson, said to be aged 60, ran an organisation known as Zardozi, which promotes the work of Afghan artisans, particularly women.

The United States in May warned its citizens in Afghanistan of a "very high" kidnapping risk after an American narrowly escaped abduction in the heart of Kabul.

In April last year the bullet-riddled bodies of five Afghan workers for Save the Children were found after they were abducted by gunmen in the strife-torn southern province of Uruzgan.

mam-ac/fa


Islamabad: At least five people were killed when a blast hit a hospital in Pakistan`s Quetta city.

The blast that hit the the Civil Hospital followed the killing of President Balochistan Bar Association Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Quetta earlier in the day, Dawn online reported.

The explosion took place soon after lawyers arrived at the hospital when the Kasi`s body was brought in, police said.

Several lawyers were reported injured in the explosion and aerial firing could still be heard at the premises.

TV reports showed people trying to exit the hospital. Journalists present at the premises also came in the line of fire, Dawn online added.
Islamabad: At least 65 people were killed and over 150 others injured when a suicide bomber struck mourners, mostly lawyers and journalists, gathered at a government-run hospital in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province in one of the worst attacks in the country this year.

The bomber struck the Civil Hospital in Quetta where the body of president of Balochistan Bar Association (BA) Advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was shot dead earlier in the day, was being brought.

Quetta where the body of president of Balochistan Bar Association (BA) Advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was shot dead earlier in the day, was being brought.

Gunfire followed the explosion. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, police said it was a suicide attack where eight kilogrammes of explosives were used.

Television footage showed scenes of chaos, with panicked mourners fleeing through debris as smoke filled the corridors of the hospital's emergency ward.

A contingent of Frontier Corps and police arrived and cordoned off the hospital following the blast, restricting access to the area.

A loud explosion was heard as lawyers and journalists had gathered at the emergency department where Kasi's body was brought for autopsy.

Several lawyers have been targeted during a recent spate of killings in Quetta.

Today's suicide attack appeared to target Kasi's mourners, Anwar ul Haq, a spokesman for the Baluchistan government, said. It is the second deadliest in Pakistan this year so far, after a bombing in a crowded park in Lahore over Easter killed 75.

Bomb Disposal Squad officials also confirmed the explosion was a suicide bombing.

As many as 65 people have been killed and over 150 others were injured in the attack, Haq said, adding the death toll could increase.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain strongly condemned the attack. Sharif ordered the provincial government to arrest the culprits.

"No one will be allowed to disrupt the peace of the province," Sharif said.

A journalist was among the deceased while another was critically injured, according to reports.

"This was a security lapse and I am having this personally investigated," Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said.

Panic tore through the hospital after the incident and emergency has been declared at hospitals in Quetta.

The provincial government has announced three-day mourning during which Pakistan's National Flag will remain at half mast on government buildings.

Social networking site Facebook activated its "safety check" feature after the blast in the provincial capital bordering Iran and Afghanistan.

Quetta has also long been regarded as a base for the Afghan Taliban. In May, Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed by a US drone strike while travelling to Quetta from the Pakistan-Iran border.
Islamabad: With radio-like antennae meant to swivel and point at vehicles carrying bombs, "magic wand" explosive detectors proliferated throughout conflict zones in the 2000s until they were exposed as a global scam.

But in an astonishing security threat, more than 15,000 of a new variant of the handheld device have been made in Pakistan to guard high-value facilities such as airports and government installations, despite officials conceding they are effectively useless.

Many creators of the original devices are serving long prison sentences for fraud, including British businessman James McCormick. His ADE-651 became a mainstay of security forces in Iraq, where $85 million was spent on them, before they were officially banned last month.

"It serves a deterrence value only -- it`s good for police and security personnel to have something in their hands," said a senior interior ministry official, who asked to remain anonymous.

Pressed on whether Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgents -- who have been waging an insurgency that has that claimed more than 60,000 lives in Pakistan since 2004 -- may by now be wise to the deception, he conceded: "Yes, they are savvy and they probably are aware by now."

His comments were backed by two more senior members of government, though neither was prepared to go formally on the record.

Official silence over the matter may be linked to the enormous sums of money involved in the business, observers say, while many bureaucrats fear for their jobs if they speak out.

"Powerful people make money through these scams and you cannot offend powerful people, even if it means endangering lives," said one former official at the interior ministry.Pakistan initially imported foreign detector devices such as the ADE-651 and the German made Sniffex, according to a government source, but in 2009 Pakistan`s Airport Security Force (ASF) took over making and selling the wands.

More than 15,000 units have been sold within the country at a cost of 70,000 rupees ($700), according to an official, amounting to a total revenue of more than $10 million.

The ASF -- which declined multiple requests for comment -- is technically a civilian institution but is staffed by many serving senior officers deputed from the powerful military, which wields considerable influence over the country`s defence and foreign policy.

The wands, named "Khoji" (finder), are used by security personnel to protect airports and government installations, and have also been widely sold to the private sector and deployed at malls, hotels and fast-food chains.

J Chacko, a London-based security analyst, said they were endangering lives.

"A false sense of complacency based on devices that do not work does represent a public security threat," he said.The device claims an accuracy level of 90 percent, according to a copy of its user manual obtained by AFP, but uses the principles of radiesthesia, or dowsing, which experts consider junk science.

"Khoji is the first device of its kind that can detect explosives from distances of up to 100 metres (330 feet), even when the explosive is hidden behind walls or metal barriers such as buildings or vehicles," the manual boasts.

"It detects the interference by between the magnetic field of the earth, the explosive, the device itself and the human body, which allows the device to penetrate and locate even small amounts of explosive through concrete, soil, and metal barriers."

But Andrea Sella, a professor of chemistry at the University College London, dismissed the claims as "laughable".

"There is no physical basis for the operation of those devices," he told AFP. "It`s pure snake oil, sold to desperate people who use them because something, even if useless, is better than nothing.

"There is no `magnetic` signal that you might be able to pick up. The idea that you could do so through metal, especially steel in a car, is laughable."

His comments were backed by Pervez Hoodbhoy, a leading Pakistani physicist who trained at the US`s MIT.

"It`s a fraud. There`s no way that explosives can be detected by electromagnetic means," he said.

Leading scientists are currently developing legitimate explosives-detectors based on sensors that "sniff" out explosive compounds such as triacetone triperoxide, but the work remains in its infancy.

A Western security consultant Afghanistan told AFP: "The only device that can currently detect such explosives is a dog."

ia-wh/st/cah/fa


Quetta: A suicide bomber in Pakistan killed at least 75 people and wounded more than a hundred on Monday in an attack on mourners gathered at a hospital in Quetta, according to officials in the southwestern province of Baluchistan.

The bomber struck as a crowd of mostly lawyers and journalists crammed into the emergency department to accompany the body of a prominent lawyer who had been shot and killed in the city earlier in the day, Faridullah, a reporter who was among the wounded, told Reuters.

Abdul Rehman Miankhel, a senior official at the government-run Civil Hospital, where the explosion occurred, told reporters that at least 70 people had been killed, with more than 112 wounded, as the casualty toll spiked from initial estimates.

"There are many wounded, so the death toll could rise," said Rehmat Saleh Baloch, the provincial health minister.

Jamaat-ur-Ahrar, a faction of the Islamist militant Pakistani Taliban group, claimed responsibility for the attack in an email.

It was not immediately clear if the group had carried out the bombing, as it is believed to have claimed responsibility for attacks in the past that it was not involved in.

"The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ur-Ahrar (TTP-JA) takes responsibility for this attack, and pledges to continue carrying out such attacks," said spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan in the statement.

Only last week, Jamaat was added to the United States` list of global terrorists, triggering sanctions.

Television footage showed scenes of chaos at the hospital in Quetta, with panicked people fleeing through debris as smoke filled the hospital corridors.

Bodies lay strewn across a hospital courtyard shortly after the blast and pools of blood collected as emergency rescuers rushed to identify survivors.

The motive behind the attack was unclear, but several lawyers have been targeted during a recent spate of killings in Quetta, the provincial capital of Baluchistan which has a history of militant and separatist violence.

The latest victim, Bilal Anwar Kasi, was shot and killed while on his way to the city`s main court complex, senior police official Nadeem Shah told Reuters. He was the president of Baluchistan Bar Association.

The subsequent suicide attack appeared to target his mourners, Anwar ul Haq Kakar, a spokesman for the Baluchistan government, said.

"It seems it was a pre-planned attack," he said.

Ali Zafar, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan, told reporters in the eastern city of Lahore: "We (lawyers) have been targeted because we always raise our voice for people`s rights and for democracy...Lawyers will not just protest this attack but also prepare a long-term plan of action."

Police cordoned off the hospital following the blast, with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif paying visits to the wounded on Monday evening.

In January, a suicide bomber killed 15 people outside a polio eradication centre in an attack claimed by both the Pakistani Taliban and Jundullah, another Islamist militant group that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State in the Middle East.

Monday`s attack was the worst in Pakistan since an Easter Day bombing ripped through a Lahore park, killing at least 72 people. Jamaat-ur-Ahrar also claimed responsibility for that atrocity.

Quetta has long been regarded as a base for the Afghan Taliban, whose leadership has regularly held meetings there in the past.

In May, Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed by a U.S. drone strike while travelling to Quetta from the Pakistan-Iran border.
Guwahati: At least 49 people have lost their lives and nearly 41 lakh were affected in three waves of flood this year in Assam, the state assembly was informed on Monday.

In a written reply to a short notice question by AGP MLA Phani Bhusan Choudhury, Minister of State for Disaster Management Pallab Lochan Das said 49 people were killed due to flood this year as per available information.

"During the current year, 40,92,180 people in 4,675 villages across 29 districts were affected in three waves of flood in Assam," Das said. He also informed the house that 41,426.48 hectares of crop land have suffered massive damages due to the deluge.

"The detailed information about the quantum of damage is still being collected. We will be able to tell about the exact loss only after flood water recedes," Das said.

To another written query by Choudhury, the minister replied that the land area of the world's largest river island Majuli has been shrinking gradually.

"Under Majuli revenue circle, the area of Majuli was 9,30,712 bigha 3 Majuli revenue circle, the area of Majuli was 9,30,712 bigha 3 katha and 4 lecha in 1951. Currently, this stands at 5,25,712 bigha 3 katha and 4 lecha," Das said.

Of this, 13,440 bigha 2 katha and 15 lecha vanished since 2001 due to erosion by Brahmaputra and its tributary Subansiri, he informed.
Panaji: Bombarded with complaints about drinking of alcohol on beaches, roads and highways and in public areas by tourists, the Goa government on Monday introduced a new amendment to state excise law which recommends identification of 'no alcohol consumption zones' across Goa.

Those found drinking in these zones will be fined up to Rs 10,000, the bill recommends.

"Government is receiving a number of complaints of consumption of liquor in open spaces, public places, beaches, public roads, state and national highways, mostly by visiting tourists," the Goa Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2016 which was introduced in the ongoing monsoon session of the Goa assembly states.

"Upon consumption of liquor the bottles and cans are strewn around causing environmental degradation and causing harm to pedestrians accessing the area," it says.

"Such persons, after being in an inebriated state, cause nuisance to general public, disturb peace in the area and cause general local tension, thereby posing a law and order situation on regular basis."

According to the bill, no person shall consume alcohol in a 'no alcohol consumption zone' and those who do can be fined Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000.

Goa, known as a popular tourism and nightlife destination, is also known for cheap alcohol, thanks to a liberal excise regime on liquors across the board.
Panaji: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will not be contesting the forthcoming assembly elections in Goa, state BJP chief Vinay Tendulkar said on Monday.

Tendulkar also said that BJP President Amit Shah will be kick-starting the party`s campaign for the 2017 state polls.

Asked to respond to reports in the national media, about the possible return of Parrikar, a former chief minister, to state politics, Tendulkar said: "No, he will not come".

Media reports had said, with an eye on elections in the state, the BJP`s national leadership was keen on a change in the state leadership on the lines of Gujarat, where Anandiben Patel was replaced by Vijay Rupani as Chief Minister on Sunday.

Tendulkar also said that Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar alone will not be the party`s most prominent face during the campaign ahead of the polls.

"The face of CM will be there, (Union AYUSH Minister) Shripad bhau (Naik), Parrikar will be there," Tendulkar said. His comment follows Parrikar`s public statement a month back, when the Defence Minister had tipped Parsekar to lead the poll campaign.

Tendulkar also said that Amit Shah would be arriving in Goa on a three-day visit from August 19-21, during which he would kickstart the poll campaign.

"On August 20 he will address a conference of nearly 10,000 poll booth workers. He will also be meeting MLAs, ministers and hold another meeting with the party`s state office bearers. It is a packed schedule. From August 20, the poll bugle will be sounded," he said.
Kochi: A woman recruiter for Islamic State has made sensational revelations before the Special Investigation Team of Kerala Police that the Iraq and Syria based global terror outfit is secretly running terror classes in Kerala where so far 40 people have been indoctrinated in its ideology of jihad.

Yasmin Ahmad, a 28-year-old school teacher in Kerala who was recently arrested on the grounds of being a suspected ISIS recruit, told the investigators that a person called Abdul Rashid, a fugitive ISIS recruiter held these classes, and is now operating out of Afghanistan.

We have identified some of those who attended radicalisation sessions conducted by Rashid in Thrikkaripur in north Keralas Kasargode. We are closely watching movements of some of them, said a senior officer of the Kerala Police SIT.

Ahmad was arrested at the Delhi airport last week, when she was about to board a flight to Kabul.

She was reportedly going to join Rashid there.

Rashid is believed to have orchestrated the disappearance of 21 youth from Kerala in the months of May and June.

Ahmad couldnt go along with the group of 21 due to some problem with her 4-year-old childs travel documents. She belongs to Saudi Arabia and came to Kerala three years ago after she found a job in Peace International School in Malappuram, where she met Rashid.

Rashid used to conduct the sessions in the guise of Quran classes, where he briefed the recruits about the ISIS. He regularly read the ISIS magazine, Dabiq, and used material from online propaganda to radicalise youth.
New Delhi: The Centre on Monday took strong objection to a private school in Allahabad ordering banning singing of the national anthem.

Zia-ul Haq, manager of MA Convent School in Baghara locality, had justified his decision to ban the reciting of the national anthem saying, the phrase 'Bharat Bhagya Vidhata' violated the basic tenets of Islam.

Minister of State for Human Resource Development Mahendra Nath Pandey said the government would not accept the insult to the national anthem.

The issue has hogged the headlines and the Bharatiya Janata Party along with Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Hindu Yuva Vahini have demanded strict action against the administration.

Meanwhile, a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to look into how the school was allowed to run for two decades without any clearance from authorities and the allegation against the manager, they said.

Haq was arrested under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act after several teachers resigned over the issue.

The proceeding to seal the alleged illegal school has already been initiated.

Ritu Tripathi, principal of the school, told ANI on Sunday that she went to the school management seeking their permission to organise events like singing of national anthem and `Saraswati Vandana` for the August 15 function, but she was told that such events had not been organised since the school was established, and thus, it won`t be done this year too.

She said when she asked the reason behind the denial of permission the management told her that they had an issue with `one line in the national anthem` ie `Bharat bhagya vidhata`.
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Police, which is under tremendous pressure to arrest those involved in the Bulandshahr gang-rape case, has picked up 11 suspected members of the Saleem Bawaria gang for questioning in connection with the horrific incident.

According to reports, those picked up by the police are believed to be closely associated with the kingpin of the Bawaria gang. Sources claim that these suspects were picked on the basis of information that they had been in Kithore area of Meerut before proceeding to Bulandshahr.

The arrested Bawaria gang members were under electronic surveillance for as long as five months for their alleged involvement in other crimes, The Hindu quoted a senior police official as saying.

Though the UP Police is tight-lipped about the prime suspect and head of the gang Saleem Bawaria, it is believed to be very close to nabbing him anytime now.

A lot of people were picked up for questioning about the incident. We are tracing the previous history and involvement of all the suspects. Teams are searching for Saleem but giving any time frame for his arrest would not be possible, Anees Ahmed Ansari, Senior Superintendent of Police, Bulandshahr, had said.

According to Ansari, seven teams of the UP Police and Special Task Force are involved in the operation to arrest Saleem and raided his possible hideouts in Moradabad, Rajasthan and Haryana.

The police teams are trying to find him in areas as far as Bokaro Steel Plant in Jharkhand. Searches are also underway in tribal settlements in Madhya Pradesh, UP border and even Bihar.

Twenty five members of the gang attended a meeting at Saleem Bawariyas house recently. The two members of the gang who attended the meeting - Shahwaiz Raisuddin of Sutari village in Bulandshahr and Jabar Singh of Gautam Budh Nagar - were arrested by the police as accused in the gang rape case, a police official said.

The police got to know about the meeting by interrogating Jabar Singhs wife who is related to Saleem Bawariya.

Police had arrested Singh and his wife from Rabupura village in Gautam Buddh Nagar.

We have got information that many members of the Saleem Bawariya gang are active in Bulandshahr and have relatives in the district. Shahwaiz who is one of the three accused arrested so far in connection with the case, is a resident of Hapur and an old associate of Saleem, the official said.

Singhs wife told the police that the Bawariya gang worked in an organised way. They operate in four groups and they meet after every five or six months, generally at Saleems place. In each of these meetings, all the four groups of the gang are given a target which they are supposed to achieve till they meet again, said the official.

Bawariya gang members escape the police net because they have different names such as saasi, mewaiti, ghumantu, kangra and bhaatu.
New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had claimed that the D-company led by fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim had planned to create a new terror outfit to eliminate Hindu leaders and trigger communal clashes to avenge 2002 Gujarat riots.

According to a chargesheet filed by the NIA in connection with the sensational murder of two BJP leaders in Gujarat's Bharuch in 2015, the conspiracy to create a new terror outfit was hatched by the Dawood gang in Karachi and South Africa.

The D-company wanted to trigger communal violence by killing Hindu-leaders and throwing alcohol bottles at churches in India, the NIA said in its chargesheet.

India Today reported that the NIA, based on its investigation, concluded that the international crime syndicate was trying to lure its recruits by offering handsome money and jobs in foreign countries.

The underworld had asked its recruits in India to throw petrol bombs and indulge in arson in churches. The entire motive to kill Hindu leaders and attack churches was to create communal tension, the NIA mentioned in its chargesheet filed against ten accused in the BJP leaders' murder case.

The killing of former BJP president of Bharuch and senior RSS member Shirish Bangali and general secretary of Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha Pragnesh Mistry in Bharuch by two unidentified gunmen on November 2, 2015 was done at the behest of the Dawood gang, it said.

NIA further stated that the conspiracy was to kill Hindu leaders allegedly involved in the 2002 Gujarat riots and who were perceived to be anti-Muslim.

The D-company had even allegedly asked its recruits to kill Hindus in the name of Islam while authorising others to extort money using its name.

The D-Company, through Javed Chikna planned to target Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal leaders who were active in the Gujarat riots of 2002 and who are generally vocal and perceived to be anti-Muslims, the NIA said.

"As part of the plan, Javed Chikna (based in Pakistan) and another senior member of D-Company (based in South Africa) Zahid Miyan alias Jao contacted several of their men including Chikna's brother Abid Patel and Yunus (also called Manjrao) and asked them to prepare a list of such leaders," NIA reportedly mentioned in the chargesheet.

A total of 12 accused were arrested in connection with the case and were booked under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, IPC, Arms Act the Gujarat Police Act

Abid Patel (brother of Dawood's close aide Javed Patel alias Chikna who is based in Pakistan), Saiyed Imran, Zuheb Ansari, Inayat Patel, Mohmad Yunus, Haider Ali, Nissarbhai Sheikh, Mohsin Khan Pathan, Mohmed Altaf Shaikh and Abdul Salim Ghanchi are among those who have been named by the NIA in its chargesheet.

The security agencies have recently warned that Pakistan's ISI is once again seeking the help of underworld to strike violence in the country and trigger communal clashes by using the Babri and Godhra slogans.
New Delhi: Congress members in Rajya Sabha on Monday accused the government of misleading Parliament on the issue of 39 Indian youths going missing in Iraq two years ago, with an Akali Dal member also seeking an update on the matter.

Raising the issue of the missing Indians during the Zero Hour, Pratap Singh Bajwa (Cong) charged External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj with having "misled Parliament and the nation" on the issue.

In June 2014, he said 40 people, mostly from Punjab, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh, were kidnapped by the ISIS.

Bajwa said one Harjeet, belonging to Gurdaspur district, had managed to escape and later gave a statement that all the Indians were killed before his eyes.

The Congress MP said Swaraj had then assured Akali Dal leaders that the government had information from six sources which confirmed that all these people were alive.

Asking the Prime Minister to send an all-party delegation to Iraq to know the ground reality, Bajwa said if the abducted youths were alive, they should be brought back or else their parents should be informed that they are no longer alive.

"We have been taking the nation and Parliament for a ride for two years," he added.

Senior party MP Ambika Soni also said: "We want to know what has happened to those 39 people".

Associating himself with the sentiments of the Congress MPs, Naresh Gujral, member of NDA partner Akali Dal, demanded that the External Affairs Minister make a statement on the issue.

Nominated member K T S Tulsi raised the issue of suicide by farmers in the country, while Ram Kumar Kashyap (INLD) demanded that MPs be allowed to use their constituency development fund for asset repair and maintenance.

Congress member P L Punia said the new adverstisment policy of DAVP was hurting small and medium newspapers and said the government did not consult the stakeholders while coming out with the new policy. He asked the government to review the policy in consultation with small and medium newspapers
Karachi: Terror leader Syed Salahuddin, the head of the Hizbul Mujahideen, has threatened a nuclear war between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue, saying that armed jihad is the only option left with suppressed Kashmiri people.

Speaking to reporters in Karachi, Salahuddin said there is a great chance of a nuclear war taking place between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.

Pakistan is duty bound, morally bound, politically bound and constitutionally bound to provide concrete, substantial support to the ongoing freedom struggle on the territory of Kashmir. And, if Pakistan provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between the two powers, he added.

He said three wars have already been fought between the two countries over the Kashmir issue, adding that he can predict a fourth war with certainty because Kashmiris are no longer ''willing to compromise under any circumstances.''

Whether the world supports them or not; whether Pakistan stands by them or not; whether the United Nation performs its duty or not; they have taken a pledge to fight up to the last drop of their blood, he added.

Salahuddin further warned that if the international community did not pay heed to the ongoing violence in Kashmir, Kashmiris from both sides of the divided Valley would be forced to take things into their own hands.

If God forbid, the international community continues to give a cold shoulder and ignore this issue and Pakistans efforts are not fruitful, and India does not stop its atrocities, a big incident can occur. Our base camp in liberated Azad Kashmir and the Kashmiris from this side will announce the trampling of the Bloody Line (of Control), he said.

Salahuddin further stated that there would be no ceasefire line, no international rules and no consideration for the United Nations observers.

Bleeding Kashmiris will come from that side, these Kashmiris will go from this side, and God willing a decision will take place on the bloody line, he added.

He said the Kashmiri people have reached this conclusion that they have no second option except to go ahead with an armed struggle and an armed jihad.

Neither is the international community doing its duty, nor are the international organisations trying to stand by their resolutions, nor is the Modi government ready to give any leeway. So, what remains with Kashmiri suppressed, bleeding people? Nothing less than target-oriented armed struggle. God willing, all this is already present there, but a new dimension will enter it now, which will prove very dangerous for India, god willing, Salahuddin said.

He asserted that the Kashmir movement was now gaining strength every day and night.

After the martyrdom of Burhan Muzaffar Wani, why did the entire state come out on to the streets against India? Actually Burhan is not the name of a person; it is the name of an ideology, a goal, the name of a dedication and a sentiment. At this point in time, the Indian troops are faced with Burhan in every street and lane. Every old person is Burhan, every child is Burhan, every young man is Burhan and every mother, daughter and sister is Burhan, he added.

Kashmir has been on the boil after security services on July 8 gunned down 22-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani. Around 60 people have been killed and more than 5,000 wounded, including the security forces, since protests erupted in Kashmir after the killing of Wani.
Itanagar: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has proposed to create 54 border outposts along the McMahon Line to further improve security in Arunachal Pradesh and along the India-China border, an official said on Monday.

On Sunday, ITBP Inspector-General Manoj Singh Rawat, who is in charge of the North East Frontier Headquarters, called on Chief Minister Pema Khandu and discussed ITBP's proposals to expand their establishment in the state in order to improve security in the state and at the border.

It also proposed a permanent stationing of one ITBP battalion at Hollongi area here in the mountainous state capital of Arunachal Pradesh.

The proposal is viewed as being essential to base the ITBP command in the state capital rather than in the faraway location in Meghalaya's capital Shillong and Assam's Tezpur for efficiency in command control.

The ITBP also informed the Chief Minister of its plan to open new sectors across the state in towns like Likabali, Pasighat and Aalo.

The ITBP officer announced that besides guarding the borders, the paramilitary force will also be deployed to guard all essential government installations, offices and institutions in the state.

Chief Minister Khandu has agreed to extend all possible cooperation to the paramilitary force in expanding its establishment in the state.

He appreciated the ITBP's role in maintaining peace and security in the state, and also lauded the humanitarian assistance extended by it during natural calamities.

Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,030-km unfenced border with China. The McMahon Line, a thick line drawn on the map of the British India that translates into an imaginary land border now known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC), separates India and China.
Islamabad: Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed on Monday lashed out at UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon over Kashmir issue and appealed to all Muslim nations to boycott the intergovernmental organisation.

Addressing in Jamia Masjid Al-Qadsia, Saeed also suggested that all Muslim-majority nations should call back their ambassadors from India besides boycotting India-made goods.

"If the UN general secretary feels that whatever is happening in Kashmir today is an internal matter of India, it clearly means that the country (India) has been given a free hand. UN has given New Delhi the liberty to do what it wants to," Saeed said.

"Therefore, we appeal to the leaders of all 60 Muslim nations to boycott institutions like UN and at the same, shut down the Indian embassies and send back the ambassadors," Saeed added further.

He also urged the Pakistan government to openly support Kashmir issue by coming in support with 'freedom movement of Kashmiris'.

Pakistan should openly stand with the freedom movement of Kashmiris. If it does not cooperate with the oppressed people, then this country will not get rid of its own problems due to Allahs anger. Blood of Kashmiris invite us to openly help them, he said.

Last week, a media report stated that Saeed advised the Nawaz Sharif government and traders in Pakistan to suspend all the business activities with its neighbouring country till the 'independence of Kashmir' is achieved.
Shadnagar: A major encounter took place between gangsters and police in Telangana's Shadnagar on Monday.

Two criminals were gunned down in the encounter in Millennium Township area of Shadnagar, according to details available so far.

Reportedly, one criminal has been identified as Naeem, a 'most-wanted' gangster in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

He was also involved in Naxal activities too.

Police asked him to surrender but he and his men started firing on the cops.

The entire area was cordoned off after the tip-off.

Heavy security force was deployed on the outskirts of Hyderabad, one house was surrounded as operation by a joint team of NIA and Telangana Police took place.
Nalbari (Assam): An NDFB(S) militant suspected to be closely associated with those involved in the attack in Kokrajhar that claimed 14 lives was apprehended today from Assam's Nalbari district, police said.

Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the army and police nabbed the militant from a bus at Ganesh Mandir Chowk on NH 31 in the district and a 7.65 pistol, four rounds of ammunition and some documents were seized from him.

The police claimed that the militant, identified as Bodoland Boro, was associated with those involved the Balajan Tiniali market attack on August 5.

The militant hails from Dhurmopur village in Kokrajhar district and was on his way to Guwahati from Kokrajhar, police said.

The Centre has asked Assam government to hunt down those involved in the attack and bring them to justice, Home Minister Rajnath Singh told Lok Sabha today in a suo motu statement.
New Delhi: Urging the Prime Minister to break his silence on the deteriorating situation in Kashmir, Opposition in Rajya Sabha led by Congress on Monday demanded initiation of a political process to defuse the crisis that has led to an unprecedented 30 days of curfew across the Valley.

The Opposition parties also demanded stopping the use of pellet guns on protesters, even as one member demanded withdrawal of AFPSA from the Kashmir Valley and withdrawal of the dominating presence of army from civilian areas.

Raising the issue in Zero Hour after his notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business to discuss the issue was disallowed, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said no state in independent India has seen 30 days of continuous curfew that has paralysed the administration, shut down educational institutions and led to near zero attendance in government offices.

"In such circumstances, we want to awaken the government ... We feel the government and the Prime Minister are watching the situation deteriorate like a silent spectator," he said, adding he wanted to know why Modi has spoken on the grave situation in Kashmir so far.

"Hindustan ka Taj jal raha hai, par uski garmi Delhi tak nahi pahuchti (India's crown is burning but the heat hasn't yet reached Delhi)," Azad said.

Over 8,000 people, including security personnel, have been injured while 410 eye surgeries and 1,650 other surgeries are reported to have been done because of the use of pellet guns on protesters, he said.

Observing that 1018 incidents have been reported, he said over 1000 youth are in prison. "Please do not consider this as a law and order issue," Azad told the government.

Citing social media comments on Modi not making any statement on the Kashmir unrest, he said people are eager to listen to his views on the situation.

He asked the Prime Minister to call an all-party meeting where political leaders can offer solutions and express their sympathy with the people of Kashmir. This should be followed up with an all-party delegation visiting Kashmir to assuage the feeling, the senior Congress leader added.

Expressing anguish and pain at the continuous 30-day curfew, Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) said there was nothing working in the Valley except armed forces.

"More than 1000 incidents of firing have happened. More than 8000 are injured and 60 dead," he said describing the use of pellet guns and "inhuman" and "criminal".

Stating that even Israel does not use pellet guns against Palestinians, he said the situation cannot be solved by law and order machinery.

"Our remaining silent is deepening the alienation of the

Kashmiris," Yechury said, adding "we have heard the silence of the Prime Minister (on Kashmir). His silence is more eloquent than words."

The Prime Minister's silence is "sending a message that this government does not care," he said, adding that an all-party delegation's visit in 2010, when 120 people had died in stone pelting and retaliatory action by police, had helped assuage the feelings of the people there.

"Why can't we do this now," he asked and demanded that the Prime Minister should respond and start the process of diologue.

Describing the situation in Kashmir as alarming, D Raja (CPI) said to de-escalate the situation, the use of pellet guns should be stopped forthwith and AFPSA repealed.

Also, the "dreaded midnight knocks" should be stopped as well as the dominating presence of the army in civilian areas should be reduced and security forces withdrawn, he said.

"Government should initiate political process to win the minds of the people, win confidence of people," Raja said.

Neeraj Shekhar (SP) said 60 youths have been killed in Kashmir, yet there was no statement from the Home Minister and Prime Minister on the issue.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, he said, went to Kashmir but could not meet everyone. He should have taken senior leaders of political parties on his visit.

Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said the silence of government on the issue was painful and demanded Prime Minister make a statement.

"Is issue par bhayanak shanti hai (there is dreadful peace on the issue)," he said.

Stating that the government is committed to peace and tranquility in Kashmir, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said there should be no doubts about the government's commitment towards the state.

The government, he said, was open to discussion on the Kashmir situation and it can be scheduled tomorrow or on Wednesday.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said since the House wants the discussion today, "if possible, do it tomorrow."

"Government has admitted readiness for discussion," he told the members.
New Delhi: The RSS on Monday threw its full weight behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his Fake gau rakshak remark, and said that some bad elements in the society are creating trouble.

RSS said the prime minister has echoed same sentiments as that of sang's and it has already asked the authorities to crack down on fake cow vigilanties in order to ensure social elements are kept in check.

RSS leader Indresh Kumar said, There are some bad elements in the society and the prime minister may have received reports of people who in the name cow protection may have been involved in doing wrong things.

PM Modi has alerted people about the bad things that are going on in the society. But he also prasied those who is doing good work for cow protection, Kumar said.

However, the Hindu Mahasabha has slamed prime minister for the remarks.

Mahasabha leader Swami Chakrapani said PM Modi has made all gau rakshaks criminals. The Mahasabha will send a legal notice to him to find out on what basis he claimed 80 percent of gau rakshaks are fake, he said.

Mahasabha president Rekha Singh also said that her organisation condemns the PM's remarks.
New Delhi: With the situation in Kashmir valley remaining tense, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Monday, convened a high-level meeting in the national capital to discuss the issue.

Besides the Home Minister, the meeting is being attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, MoS PMO Jitendra Singh, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, among others.

The meeting chaired by Rajnath Singh was preceded by his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

Today is the 31st straight day of curfew in Kashmir after violence first broke out over the death of 22-year-old terrorist Burhan Wani.

The issue echoed in the Parliament too with opposition parties questioning PM Modi's silence.

The Opposition parties also demanded stopping the use of pellet guns on protesters, even as one member demanded withdrawal of AFPSA from the Kashmir Valley and withdrawal of the dominating presence of army from civilian areas.

Raising the issue in Zero Hour after his notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business to discuss the issue was disallowed, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said no state in independent India has seen 30 days of continuous curfew that has paralysed the administration, shut down educational institutions and led to near zero attendance in government offices.

In such circumstances, we want to awaken the government We feel the government and the Prime Minister are watching the situation deteriorate like a silent spectator, he said, adding he wanted to know why Modi has spoken on the grave situation in Kashmir so far.
Allahabad: There is another revelation in the Allahabad school's National Anthem controversy!

According to details emerged so far, MA Convent's school manager Zia-Ul-Haq didn't allow the students to sing National Anthem for the past 12 years.

Citing an explanation for National Anthem ban, Zia-Ul-Haq says, "Bharat bhagya vidhata line in National Anthem is anti-Islamic."

The national anthem has a line, Bharat bhagya vidhata, which is against Islam as Allah is our bhagya vidhata. How can we say Bharat has made our destiny, Haq explains.

According to Zia-ul Haq, the ban decision was taken following objections from some Muslim parents.
New Delhi: Condemning the attacks on Dalits, RSS on Monday termed as inhuman the violence and asked state governments to take action against elements trying to 'disturb communal harmony and trust'.

VHP, an RSS affiliate, however, vowed to continue its work related to protection of cow, saying they have been doing it for a long time and will continue the work.

"We appeal to all the sections of the society to remain aware of elements who want to disturb the environment of communal harmony and trust. We expect the administration to take speedy action against such individuals and groups who break the law," RSS general secretary Bhaiyaji Joshi, second in chain of command after its Sar Sanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, said in a statement.

Significantly, RSS had also issued a statement yesterday denouncing the attacks on Dalits.

He said taking law in one's own hands to harass Dalits was not only illegal but also inhuman.

While declining to comment on the attacks on Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes, VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain said there was a lot of controversy over it.

"We will not like to comment on the issue. However, cow protection has been going on since long. We will continue to work for it," Jain said.

The comments by RSS and VHP came in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly rebuking perpetrators of violence on Dalits in the name of cow protection, telling them, "if you have to shoot, shoot me" but stop attacking "my Dalit brethers".

Facing increasingly bruising opposition assault on his government and BJP over attacks on Dalits and on the issue of cow vigilantes, Modi had yesterday lashed out at "fake cow protectors", denouncing them for the second day running for trying to create "tension and conflict" in the society and asking the states to take stringent action against them.

Joshi said that several political parties and leaders of various castes are trying to create a situation of uncertainty through half baked information which is not conducive to harmony.

RSS also would like to appeal to political parties and various heads that there is a need to normalise the situation of uncertainty through public cooperation, Joshi said.

"By sympathising with the victims, there is a need to think that such incidents do not take place," Joshi said in the statement.
New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi is recovering fast from shoulder injury and her overall condition is improving towards normalcy, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, where she has been admitted for the last six days, said today.

The hospital said all her systemic functions are stable while doctors treating her indicated that she may be discharged in the next couple of days.

"Sonia Gandhi who has been admitted under the care of Dr Arup Basu and his team from Department of Pulmonology, is afebrile (has no fever).

"All her systemic functions are stable. Gandhi's condition is steadily improving towards normalcy. She is recovering fast for shoulder injury under Dr Prateek Gupta and his team from Department of Orthopaedics," said Dr D S Rana, Chairman (Board of Management) of the hospital.

Gandhi had undergone a surgery on her left shoulder five days ago. She has been doing mild exercises for last three days as part of post-operative physiotherapy.

69-year-old Gandhi was shifted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Wednesday from the Army Research and Referral Hospital, where she was rushed soon after her arrival from Varanasi around midnight on Tuesday.

She had to cut short her roadshow in Varanasi after she was taken ill. She had fractured her left shoulder during the roadshow. The Congress president was shifted out of the ICU on Thursday.
Delhi: Former Bahujan Samaj Party leader and Padrauna MLA Swami Prasad Maurya on Monday formally joined BJP, along with his supporters, including several former party leaders.

Maurya, a former BSP general secretary, and several others were inducted into the party in the presence of BJP chief Amit Shah.

Speaking on the occasion, Maurya said that he will work to strengthen the party's OBC base across the state.

Former Bahujan Samaj Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya joins BJP, in presence of BJP Chief Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/Vylp6h9cLQ  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

Maurya had left Mayawati's party on June 22, accusing party chief of selling poll tickets and deceiving Dalits.

Maurya, who was the Leader of Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly when he announced his resignation, was regarded as the OBC face of BSP.

Maurya arrived in the national capital this morning to join the BJP.

Besides Maurya, a few former BSP leaders, including Shivpur MLA Udai Lal and former MLCs and MLAs have also joined the party.

Mauryas entry into BJP could help the party woo the Kushwaha-Maurya castes of western UP  one of the largest OBC groups in the state.

In an apparent attempt to reach out to the caste group, the BJP had earlier appointed Phulpur MP Keshav Prasad Maurya as its state party president.

Besides bolstering BJPs OBC base, Maurya, who practices Buddhism, could also help the party reach out to disgruntled BSP supporters.
New Delhi: This video is going viral on various social media platforms!

In the video, a young girl can be seen asking unknown people on Delhi streets to be friends with her.

Here is what happened!

WATCH
Delhi: Turkish Consul General Erdal Sabri Ergen has said that the outfit, which attempted to overthrow President Tayyip Erdogan's government, has deep roots in Mumbai and some other parts of India.

He also said that the organisation poses threat to country's internal security.

"In the aftermath of coup attempt in Turkey, we have found some connection in India, Mumbai of the perpetrators," Ergen said.

"Fethullah Terror Organisation (FETO) has network worldwide including India," he added, as per ANI.

FETO is led by US-based cleric Fettullah Gulen.

On the other hand, Pune Mirror, in its report few days back, had said that in a letter addressed to the Union Home Ministry, Ergen had warned that FETO controls a number of educational, cultural, and business organisations in Mumbai and other metros of the country.

The report had also said that he had urged both the Union and the state government to take action against the FETO-controlled organisations.

On July 15 this year, a coup was attempted in Turkey and was carried out by a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces that had organised themselves under a council called the Peace at Home Council.

They had attempted to seize control of several key places in Ankara, Istanbul and elsewhere.

However, they failed to do so after forces loyal to the Turkish government defeated them.

The government has accused the coup leaders of being linked to the Gulen movement - which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the Turkish government.

On the other hand, Gulen has said that Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan staged the event as a false flag operation in an attempt to legitimise further curbs to civil liberties and purges to the judiciary and military.

Meanwhile, during the coup, over 300 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured.

Later, mass arrests followed, with at least 6,000 were detained, including more than 2,800 soldiers.
Imphal: Two BSF personnel were injured when three powerful bombs exploded at Kangpokpi in Manipur's Senapati district on Monday.

Police said the three IEDs exploded at a place 3 km away from Kangpokpi town when the Border Security Force personnel were trying to board a vehicle.

After the explosion, Manipur police and BSF officials rushed to the spot and conducted search operation but no one was arrested, police said.

The injured were given first aid by Assam Rifles doctors at Kangpokpi and referred to a hospital here.

No organisation or individual has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack so far.

In another incident, an IED weighing 3 kg was recovered by a combined team of Manipur Police and 25 Assam Rifles early today while frisking passengers and checking bus near Tendongyan village in Manipur's Imphal West district, said Th. Vikramjit, Additional Superintendent of Police.

The IED, which was recovered after a tip off, Intelligence said was to be used to attack security forces, he added.
London: Newly-appointed UK home secretary Amber Rudd is to decide on the extradition of Tiger Hanif, wanted in India in connection with two bomb blasts in Surat in 1993 following the Babri Masjid demolition, a media report said here on Monday.

The 55-year-old Hanif, an alleged aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was traced to a grocery store in Bolton, Greater Manchester, and arrested by Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant from Indian authorities in February, 2010.

He lost his appeal in the UK High Court in April 2013 following which the case was handed over to then UK home secretary and now Prime Minister, Theresa May, to sign an extradition order.

As part of UK extradition proceedings, he was allowed to make representations to the Home Office and the case has now passed on to May's successor Rudd's desk.

"Further representations have been made to the Home Secretary in this case and they are currently being carefully considered," a UK Home Office spokesperson said.

Hanif, whose full name is Mohammed Hanif Umerji Patel, arrived in the UK illegally in 1996 after skipping bail in India following his arrest over the attacks.

He was allowed to stay in Britain claiming he was a Muslim being persecuted in Hindu-dominated Gujarat and went on to obtain a UK passport in 2005.

According to a report in the Daily Star Sunday, lawyers representing Hanif have received around 200,000 pounds in legal aid or state funds sought by people unable to afford legal costs of their defence.

"The costs to taxpayers of these cases are large enough, without lengthy delays on top causing the bill to balloon. Of course procedures must be followed, but a swift resolution is in everyone's interest, and it'd save taxpayers' money too," Jonathan Isaby, from UK pressure group TaxPayers' Alliance, told the newspaper.

May had first?ordered?Hanif's extradition to India in June 2012 and his last appeal was heard in the UK High Court in April 2013 when Justice?Kenneth Parker said there was "no arguable basis" for not extraditing him.

Justice Parker had said in his ruling, "The information provided in the request describes how, following an attack on a mosque in December 1992, internecine hostilities broke out between the Muslim and Hindu communities in Gujarat.

"The requesting state's case is that the appellant was part of a Muslim group which obtained explosives, guns and other weapons and then carried out revenge terrorist attacks on the Hindu community, including two explosions which resulted in loss of life, injury and damage," he said.

The first explosion was in January 1993 in a market in Surat which killed an eight-year-old girl and the second in April 1993 at Surat railway station.

If the new UK home secretary signs the extradition order, Hanif may take his appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
New Delhi: Under scanner over alleged terror links, controversial televangelist Zakir Abdul Karim Naiks Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) could be banned, said reports on Monday.

The Law Ministry has informed the central government regarding its proposed move, which is seen as an attempt to corner the controversial physician-turned-preacher accused of motivating terrorists.

Also, to bolster its case, the government has compiled a list of FIRs registered against Naik - especially one filed in 2005 and another in 2012.

The Law Ministry's proposal for action against Naik is based on these FIRs.

The Home Ministry has been informed that the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), founded by the Mumbai-based Naik in 1991, could be declared unlawful under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The law ministrys opinion makes a clear case of banning the IRF by declaring it an unlawful organisation, a senior home ministry official was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Such a move will mean no person can be a member of the IRF - whose website says it is a registered non-profit public charitable trust - hold meetings or collect funds.

A ban under UAPA is valid for five years.

Naik, who is said to be currently in west Asia, is accused of dodging police after allegations that his sermons influenced a terrorist killed in the July 1 Dhaka siege. Bangladesh has banned Naiks Peace TV, saying it incited the attack on a Dhaka cafe in which 22 people were gunned down.

His trouble compounded after suspicion that his speeches inspired 20-odd people, who disappeared from Kerala and feared to have joined the Islamic State terrorist outfit.

His media adviser Aarif Malik defended the preacher on Sunday, saying no government agency has sent any notice or summons to Naik.

Naik has no plans to return to India at least this year due to his prior engagements (abroad). But he has promised to cooperate in any probe by the government, he said.

Zakir Naiks advocate Mubin Solkar, however, said that it is totally unjustified to propose a ban against IRF.

If the UAPA is invoked to ban the organisation, the government will have to prove its charges in a specially appointed tribunal.

The law says an outfit can be called unlawful if there are allegations that its activities are prejudicial to national integration, or promoting enmity between groups on the grounds of religion and race, and doing acts intending to or supporting secessionism.

Naik and IRFs activities have been questioned after the Dhaka attack, although the qualified doctor has been under surveillance since the 2003 serial blasts in Mumbai, when his name cropped up.
New Delhi: Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Monday gave a stern reply to Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin.

Lashing out at the Hizbul head for threatening a nuclear war between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue, Naidu said, Who is he and who has given him the right to speak about Kashmir?

The senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader's rhetoric came after Salahuddin said there is a "great chance" of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.

Naidu criticised Pakistan for harbouring and encouraging terrorists like Syed Salahuddin. He said: They (Hizbul chief) keep talking bad for publicity. Pakistan must seriously think if encouraging such people is right.

"Pakistan is duty bound, morally bound, politically bound and constitutionally bound to provide concrete, substantial support to the ongoing freedom struggle on the territory of Kashmir. And, if Pakistan provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between the two powers," Salahuddin told reporters in Karachi.

Tensions have been simmering in Kashmir ever since Hizbul commander was killed on July 8.

Meanwhile, a Kashmiri youth injured during clashes on Friday succumbed at a hospital today, taking the death toll 55 in the Valley Kashmir where curfew continued in many areas in the wake of violent protests.
New Delhi: Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday bluntly asked BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on why their party had opposed the GST Bill when the UPA was in power, with Modi, then Gujarat Chief Minister, terming it "anti-states".

"We are getting all the blame, a perception has gone we (Congress) stalled the GST. Actually it is you all (BJP) who opposed it," Kharge said in the Lok Sabha while participating in the GST bill.

He said the issues raised by Congress should have been addressed earlier.

Pointing towards Prime Minister Modi, who was present in the house, Kharge said as Gujarat chief minister, Modi himself had opposed the GST.

"You ruled there for 13 years. If you had agreed about the merits of GST earlier, it would have been implemented long back and the country would have benefited long back," he said.

"So please stop blaming us... that Congress has stalled GST," he said.

Kharge also said the government should not try to push the GST bill as a money bill.

Earlier, another Congress member Deepender Singh Hooda also said the GST bill should not be considered as a money bill.

Kharge's remark that all BJP leaders insist on describing the central government as "Modi Sarkar" and "not BJP Sarkar" drew laughter even from the Prime Minister.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi was also present in the house.


Srinagar: Government-enforced curfew and separatist-called shutdown continued for an unprecedented 31st day on Monday in the Kashmir Valley as the death toll in the month-long unrest mounted to 56 after an injured civilian succumbed at a hospital here.

There were more violent protests across the valley in which at least a dozen civilians were wounded, a police spokesman said here.

The civilians were wounded in clashes with the security forces in the south Kashmir highway town of Bijbehara. Police said the injured have been shifted to hospital for treatment.

An angry mob torched a police post in north Kashmir Sumbal town after one person died in a road accident involving an army vehicle. The deceased identified as Muhammad Ashraf Mir was hit by an army mine-proof vehicle while he was driving his car.

Authorities continued with curfew in south Kashmir towns of Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama and Kulgam while restrictions were imposed for the 31st consecutive day in the old city areas of Srinagar and in Handwara, Sopore, Kupwara and Baramulla towns.

Earlier, an injured youth, Amir Bashir, of south Kashmir Shopian district who was injured in a clash with security forces on August 5, succumbed at a Srinagar hospital.

Separatists leaders continued to remain under preventive detention here. They have given a protest calendar till August 12 asking people to shut shops, businesses, offices and schools.

All educational institutions, business establishments and public transport have remained closed for over a month in the valley. Widespread protests erupted in the Valley on July 9, a day after Hizbul 'commander' Burhan Wani was killed in a gunfight with the security forces.


Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is likely to meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi on Monday to discuss the situation in Kashmir.

Mehbooba left for Delhi this afternoon and is likely to meet Singh to discuss the unrest in Kashmir in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces last month, PDP sources said.

Reacting to the development, opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said Mehbooba has finally given up the 'business as usual act'.

"So @MehboobaMufti has finally given up on her 'business as usual' act and rushed to Delhi instead.

"The amazing thing is that it's taken 31 days and more than 50 deaths to finally 'disturb' the Chief Minister," Omar wrote on twitter.

As many as 55 persons including two police personnel have been killed and several thousand others injured in the violent protests since July 9.
New Delhi: As Kashmir remains tense, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Monday, met Home Minister Rajnath Singh to deliberate on the ongoing situation in the state.

Briefing the media after meeting Singh, the Peoples Democratic Party chief said, There is a need to take the same initiative of winning hearts of J&K people, which was taken during former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee ji's tenure.

Pinning hope on PM Narendra Modi, Mufti expressed confidence on the prime minister that he will initiate dialogue with people of J&K to address their problems.

I believe there is a need to heal wounds of people of J&K. They are our own people and dialogue process in J&K can improve the situation in the Valley, Mufti asserted.

J&K can become a bridge between India and Pakistan, if proper dialogue process is initiated, the CM maintained.

Mufti had a discussion with the Home Minister about the situation in the wake of the Kashmir uprising that was triggered by the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

Over 55 people have been killed and over 5,000 people injured in clashes between the security forces and protestors.
New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday met Home Minister Rajnath Singh here to discuss the situation in the restive valley that has been on the boil for the past one month.

Mehbooba Mufti reached the Ministry of Home Affairs here in the afternoon to discuss the situation in the wake of the Kashmir uprising that was triggered by the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

The Chief Minister arrived in Delhi a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the Kashmir situation with National Security Advisor Ajeet Doval and Rajnath Singh.

Earlier on Monday, opposition parties condemned the silence of the central government over the situation in Kashmir.

Over 55 people have been killed and over 5,000 people injured in clashes between the security forces and protestors.
New Delhi: Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha on Monday demanded a discussion on the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, and also asked the government to call an all-party meeting on the issue.

"Today it's one month of curfew, everything has stopped. I don't think any state had curfew for 30 days after Independence. School, colleges are shut, there is almost nil attendance in Secretariat,' Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha.

"The government, and specially the Prime Minister, are mute spectators. India`s crown is on fire but the heat is not reaching the government in Delhi," he said.

Azad accused the government of being silent on the issue.

"People are eager to hear what the Prime Minister has to say on Kashmir. This is not an ordinary situation. I urge the government to call an all-party meeting, and an all-party delegation should go to Kashmir," Azad said.

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury questioned the use of pellet guns against protesters in Kashmir.

"There has been curfew since 30 days. In such a situation how can we remain silent? Why are we using pellet guns? It`s inhuman, it`s criminal, even Israel does not use it against Palestinians," Yechury said.

He also slammed the government for remaining silent on the issue.

"By choosing to remain silent, the Prime Minister is sending a message that this government does not care," he said.

D. Raja of the Communist Party of India also said the use of pellet guns should be stopped.

Samajwadi Party member Neeraj Shekhar said: "The youths killed were Indians or not? There is no statement from the Prime Minister or Home Minister... What message are we sending?"

Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav added: "The government`s silence on this issue is hurting."

Following this, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government is ready to debate the issue.

"We want peace in Kashmir... and people of Kashmir have repeatedly defeated powers that have tried to disrupt peace. We are ready to debate on the issue," Naqvi said.
Srinagar: Two BSF personnel and a militant were killed on Monday in an operation in Macchil sector near the Line of Control in Kashmir.

Security forces launched an operation in Macchil sector in north Kashmir's Kupwara district following information about presence of militants in the area, an Army official said.

He said one militant was killed in the operation that was going on till reports last came in.

Two BSF personnel were also killed in the operation, he said, adding further details of the incident are awaited.
Thiruvananthapuram: A day after the UDF split with the Kerala Congress-Mani quitting the alliance after being partner for 34 years, the Congress said on Monday that it was under the UDF rule that former Finance Minister K.M. Mani got a clean chit in the bar scam.

After a hurriedly convened meeting of the Congress-led United Democratic Front here on Monday, Leader of Opposition and UDF chairman Ramesh Chennithala said the reasons that Mani gave for leaving the alliance do not hold water.

"He was with us for 34 years and the Congress had always held him and his party in high esteem, and even at his time of crisis in the bar scam, it was me as Home and Vigilance Minister -- after a quick verification done by the Vigilance Department -- who gave him a clean chit on two occasions in the bar scam. We honestly do not know why he left us," said Chennithala.

"His decision came after he agreed to be with the UDF protest to be held against the state government on Wednesday," added Chennithala.

With Mani's departure, the United Democratic Front's strength in the 140-member house slid from 47 to 41.

Mani's party had been a constituent of the UDF since 1982. Even after the original Kerala Congress broke up, Mani remained with the Congress. He has been a legislator since 1967.

Mani had been cut up with a section of the Congress leadership ever since he quit as Finance Minister in 2015 over an adverse remark by the Kerala High Court in the bar scam, when Chennithala was the Home Minister.

"I do not know why he has a grouse against me, as I have been close to him since I became a cabinet colleague in 1987. I personally do not have anything against him, even though his party organ of late has been attacking me," said Chennithala, who pointed out that Mani leaving the UDF is no personal setback to him.

"We are not going to open any dialogue with him as we feel that we have done no wrong to him and moreover the reasons he gave for leaving us have no merit," said Chennithala.

Meanwhile, Mani is firm on his decision to break off from the UDF.

"Under no circumstances will there be any change in our stand that we took yesterday. From now on, we will be equi-distant from all the political fronts in the state and we will sit as a separate block in the assembly," Mani told reporters in Kottayam.
Damoh: In a tragic incident, one person was killed after a car fell into an overflowing drain in Madhya Pradesh`s Damoh district last night.

As many as four persons were rescued from the car.

A search and rescue operation was carried out by the State Disaster Response Team Force (SDRF) after one of the victims went missing.

Incessant rains in the past few days have wrecked in Madhya Pradesh with swollen rivers over-flowing to nearby roads.

Meanwhile the MeT department in Bhopal has predicted heavy rainfall for the next 24 hours in the state.
Raisen: A man died in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh while trying to save a cow from being swept away in a fast-flowing river in spate, police said on Monday.

Some people were trying to save a cow on Sunday from being swept away in a river in Bamhori village in Raisen district, T.S. Thakur, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Silwani, told IANS.

That is when Raju Jogi, 35, dived into the rapid flowing stream to save the cow, he said.

"While the cow was eventually saved, Jogi was washed away. His body was later found one and a half kilometres from the village," Thakur said.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court today directed the CBI to probe into alleged illegal activities of an Uttar Pradesh legislator, who is also accused in other criminal cases, saying the investigation by other central agencies prima facie suggests that shell companies associated with him were purportedly indulging in money laundering.

The apex court order asking CBI to submit the status report within three months came after it examined the reports of the Special Fraud Investigation Organisation (SFIO), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) which has carried out probe on a complaint against BSP Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Mohammad Iqbal.

"The new reports by SFIO, ED, CBDT suggest that several companies which are prima facie shell companies or fake companies are indulging in money laundering and needs investigation and CBI needs to examine the serious issues and take into consideration these developments," a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said.

The bench, also comprising justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, also issued notice to the CBI asking the agency to examine the reports of other central agencies for filing its status report.

At the outset, Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh submitted that pursuant to April 25 order, further action has been taken and the agencies have filed the status reports but there was a need for more time to examine the cases as people are non-cooperative and are not forthcoming.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by another UP leader Ranvir Singh, who has accused Iqbal of indulging in money laundering.

His counsel Harin Raval alleged that CBI has not taken any action on the complaint.

However, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the BSP MLC, said that there was biasness in the probe and the person coming to the

Supreme Court himself has three criminal cases against him.

The apex court on the last hearing had also perused the SFIO report about the probe carried out in various companies associated with Iqbal.
Mumbai: Several social groups plan to launch a Gandhi-Edhi campaign to promote India-Pakistan peace ahead of the Independence Day celebrations on August 15, an official said here on Monday.

A pre-Independence Day meeting will be held here on Saturday for communal harmony, service to humanity, India-Pakistan Peace and SAARC Solidarity in which many social organisations, NGOs and individuals will participate.

"The meeting will take a pledge on several points to promote peace between India-Pakistan which are united by our shared civilisational and cultural heritage with all our neighbours in South Asia to joyously celebrate India's 70th Independence Day," said Jatin Desai, general secretary of the Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy.

Besides the forum, the meeting will have representation from Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal, All India Memon Jamat Federation, Muslim Intellectuals Forum, Save Our Land, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan and All India Milli Council etc.

They will also strive to strengthen communal harmony, national unit and integration, safeguard secularism, social, gender and economic justice and other basic ideals of the Indian Constitution, Desai added.

The groups would salute all the martyrs and heroes of freedom struggles in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other SAARC countries, and work for realising their dreams in firm conviction that the destinies of all South Asian countries are intertwined.

All like-minded groups and individuals would rededicate themselves to service of humanity in the best traditions of Mahatma Gandhi, Abdul Sattar Edhi and others who believed that serving poor and needy is the highest form of worshipping God.

The participants would urge for peace, normal and good-neighbourly relations between India, Pakistan and among all the countries in South Asia, call for end to eliminate terror and religious extremism from the sacred soils of both India and Pakistan -- and rest of South Asia -- and reaffirm that non-violent acts of love, compassion and humanitarian service without discrimination are the best ways to defeat hate and violence, Desai pointed out.

The PIPFPD also urged the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan to immediately resume bilateral talks on all outstanding issues, focus on ending terror, find a lasting solution to the Kashmir problem, reverse the costly arms race and remove all hurdles in people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges.
Chennai: In a brazen incident, an Ola driver was on Monday arrested by the Chennai police for killing his wife by setting her ablaze inside his cab in Nandanam following a heated argument.

28-year-old Prema was travelling with her husband and two children in the Ola cab on Sunday afternoon. The couple got into a bitter argument while they were on their way after which Prema poured a bottle of petrol (that was kept in car for emergency) on her inside the car to threaten her husband.

To her surprise, her husband Nagaraj, 30, who is an Ola cab driver by profession, stepped out of the car and set her ablaze, leaving her and their two children to die.

A police source told media that Prema managed to save her children by helping them escape through the window while the fire started to engulf her.

She was admitted to Kilpauk Medical College but succumbed to her injuries on Sunday evening. In a statement given to the police, Prema stated that she was burnt alive by her husband Nagaraj, (30).

Police said that Prema and Nagraj got married five years ago after he first husband abandoned her. She and their two children were seating on the back seat of the car when the incident took place.

A doctor said that Prema was admitted to the hospital with over severe burn injuries and was in a critical condition. Her four-year-old son was also admitted with burn injuries and was critical.

Based on her complaint, Nagaraj was arrested and booked under charges of murder by Saidapet police.
Hyderabad: Superintendent Of Police (SP) Rama Rajeshwari, Monday, gave a detailed account of how police gunned down dreaded gangster Nayeemuddin in Shadnagar town of Telangana's Mahabubnagar district.

Briefing the press, Rajeshwari said, based on an input, local police was contacted and a team was sent to ascertain the information on Naeem.

When the information was verified, a police team was sent to arrest them. However, when the officials reached there, the driver who was driving Nayeemuddin's Endeavour car opened fire on the cops and ran away, the SP said.

The person who was sitting in the car also started firing at the police team, following which the cops retaliated and the gangster was killed.

Nayeemuddin was earlier a member of a Maoist squad and was wanted in several cases including gunning down of an IPS officer in 1993.

Nayeemuddin was allegedly involved in many cases including gunning down of IPS officer K S Vyas at L B stadium in the city in 1993.
Allahabad: Taking suo moto cognizance of the horrific gang-rape of a women and her teenage daughter in Bulandshahr, the Allahabad High Court will take up the case for hearing on Monday.

Listed as a criminal Public Interest Litigation titled rape of mother and daughter on NH-91, the case will be heard by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dilip Babasaheb Bhosale and Justice Yashwant Varma.

The July 29 Bulandshahr gang-rape when the mother-daughter duo, along with other family members, were dragged out of their car on NH-91and raped in a nearby field had sent shock waves across the country.

Last week, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to the two victims of the Bulandshahr gang-rape incident.

Akhilesh Yadav said all were hurt with the incident and no amount can compensate for the mental trauma of the victims. He said the state government will ensure that the culprits get the strictest punishment and warned police that stern action will be taken against them if such incident happen again in the state.

The three men, who have been arrested, have been sent to 14-day judicial custody. However, the police is yet to arrest the gang leader Saleem Bawariya and other accused, who still remain absconding. UP Police have launched a hunt to nab the kingpin of a criminal tribe gang.
Lucknow: Remaining three accused in the horrific Bulandshahr gang-rape case, which had sent shock waves across the country, were arrested on Monday night.

Among those who were arrested is main accused Salim Bawaria.

"Remaining three accused in Bulandshahr gang rape case are arrested," UP DGP Javeed Ahmed said.

"Main accused Salim Bawaria is among those who have been arrested," he added, as per ANI.

Apart from the above, police had said last week that three culprits had been nabbed by them.

On July 29, a group of criminals had waylaid a car, carrying six members of a Noida-based family on their way to Shahjahanpur in western Uttar Pradesh and had sexually assaulted a minor girl and her mother after dragging them out of the vehicle.

The incident had led to widespread criticism of the law- and-order situation in UP.

Apparently rattled by the outcry, senior minister in the Samajwadi Party government Azam Khan had remarked that he suspected a 'political conspiracy' behind the incident, evoking widespread condemnation.

Meanwhile, earlier today, the Allahabad High Court had sought to know from the UP government why the investigation in the case be not handed over to the CBI.

A division bench of Chief Justice DB Bhosale and Justice Yashwant Varma had also sought a report on status of probe in the case, including the "criminal antecedents, social background and political affiliations, if any", of the accused persons, as per PTI.

The court has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident.

On the other hand, the Lucknow bench of the HC has also sought within a week an appropriate reply from the UP government on a PIL seeking a direction for a CBI probe into the case.

A division bench of justices Amreshwar Pratap Sahi and Vijay Laxmi passed the order on the PIL filed by NGO 'We the People' through its general secretary Prince Lenin.

The court has listed the matter for further hearing on August 22.

(With Agency inputs)
New Delhi: BSP supremo Mayawati Monday assailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his 'delayed' condemnation of vigilante cow protectors, saying he was "sleeping like Kumbhkarna" for the last two years and made the statements to woo Dalit voters ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.

"Modi was silent for the last two years. He slept like 'Kumbhakarna' (the mythological character in Ramayana who slept for six months at a stretch). He has woken up now because assembly elections are going to take place in Uttar Pradesh and some other states.

"He knew that he would not get a single Dalit vote. He gave the statements to get Dalit votes," she said.

Mayawati's criticism of the the Prime Minister came after his denunciation of the cow vigilantes, twice in two days in Delhi and Telangana.

Seeking to contain the damage to BJP government in his home state Gujarat, going to polls next year, following the Una Dalits flogging incident, and similar episodes in some other states, Modi had yesterday and the day before come down heavily on the so-called cow protectors, calling them "anti-socials" who should be "punished".
Agartala: The Communist Party of India-Marxist on Monday lashed out at the Trinamool Congress, saying people and democracy are being attacked under the ruling dispensation in West Bengal.

Addressing a public rally here, West Bengal CPI-M State Secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra said the Trinamool Congress has been attacking the people, democracy and economy in the eastern state.

"The Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee attacked the common man, democracy and economy, besides livelihood of people of West Bengal," Mishra said.

"In the last five years and two months, under Trinamool rule in Bengal at least 186 CPI-M members were murdered and over 50,000 injured, a large number of them permanently incapacitated. Over 70,000 families were evicted from their homes," Mishra alleged.

"In the 1970s, a reign of terror was unleashed. But this time, under the Trinamool, character of the attacks has changed. But as Adolf Hitler did not succeed, Mamata Banerjee and her party would not succeed in attacking the Left parties," he added.

The rally here was organised by the Tripura state committee of the CPI-M to express solidarity with its West Bengal unit.

Citing instances of alleged attacks on CPI-M activists in West Bengal, Mishra said: "A deaf and dumb girl was raped in a district. Her FIR was not registered by the police despite repeated appeals. Then the goons threw acid on her body and she died on Sunday."

"Journalists, judges, police officials, senior bureaucrats, opposition party workers and leaders, and innocent apolitical people are being murdered and attacked recklessly in Bengal," Mishra alleged.

"I have heard that Mamata Banerjee would address a gathering here on Tuesday. She can come, no one would harm her here. But her deposit of Trinamool candidates would be forfeited in the 2018 assembly elections in Tripura," Mishra said.

"The complete name of TMC is All-India Trinamool Congress. But beyond Bengal it has no existence. Left and other opposition parties got over 2.15 crore votes in the last assembly elections and the TMC secured only 30 lakh additional votes than the opposition parties," Mishra stressed.

The CPI-M leader said the Left Front government in West Bengal created assets and established democracy in 34 years. But the Trinamool Congress destroyed everything.

"Over 10,000 factories have shut down. And Mamata Banerjee is claiming that the Trinamool Congress created 68 lakh jobs to youths," Mishra said.

Tripura Chief Minister and CPI-M politburo member Manik Sarkar and other party leaders also spoke at the rally.


Addis Ababa: More than 90 people were shot dead by security forces in protests across Ethiopia`s Oromiya and Amhara regions at the weekend, residents and opposition officials said on Monday.

Unrest flared in Oromiya for several months until early this year over plans to allocate farmland surrounding the regional capital for development. Authorities scrapped the scheme in January, but protests flared again over the continued detention of opposition demonstrators.

At the weekend, protesters chanted anti-government slogans and waved dissident flags. Some demanded the release of jailed opposition politicians.

"So far, we have compiled a list of 33 protesters killed by armed security forces that included police and soldiers but I am very sure the list will grow," Mulatu Gemechu, deputy chairman of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress, said.

The deaths were in at least 10 towns across Oromiya, he said, including Ambo, Dembi Dolo and Nekemt - areas that saw previous rounds of protest.

"Twenty-six people have been injured, while several have been detained," Mulatu said, adding three members of his party were also being held.

Government officials were not immediately available for comment. The state-owned Ethiopian News Agency said "illegal protests" by "anti-peace forces" had been brought under control. It did not mention casualties.

DISPUTED TERRITORY

Oromiya is the second region to be hit by unrest in the past few days.

In Amhara, residents said police fired live bullets at demonstrators during protests over disputed territory that continued until early Monday in the city of Bahir Dar.

"Soldiers fired live rounds at protesters. Hospitals have been filled by dead and wounded victims," one resident said, putting the number killed at 60.

Tensions have been rumbling for two decades over the status of Wolkayt district, a stretch of land that protesters from Amhara say was illegally incorporated into the neighbouring Tigray region to the north.

Nigusu Tilahun, spokesperson for the regional government, told state-affiliated news outlets that seven people died over the weekend.

Amnesty International said the bloodshed in Bahir Dar may amount to "extrajudicial killings" and that at least 30 people were killed in one day.

The United States said it was "deeply concerned" by the violence in both regions.

"We reaffirm our call to respect the constitutionally enshrined rights of all citizens, including those with opposition views, to gather peacefully and to express their opinions," its embassy in Addis Ababa said in a statement.

Any sign of unrest is closely watched in Ethiopia, a Western ally against Islamist militants in neighbouring Somalia and an economic power seen as a centre of relative stability in a fragile region.

"Ethiopian forces have systematically used excessive force in their mistaken attempts to silence dissenting voices," Michelle Kagari, Amnesty International`s Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes, said.
Dhaka: Bangladesh has kicked out a North Korean diplomat after he was caught smuggling more than one million cigarettes as well as electronics into the country in a shipping container, Dhaka officials said today.

Han Son Ik, the first secretary of the North Korean embassy in Dhaka, has been ordered to leave the country after failing to declare the goods worth nearly half a million dollars to customs.

Bangladesh foreign secretary Shahidul Haque confirmed the order had been made to the North Koreans, but declined to give a timetable for his departure.

Local media said he had been ordered to leave by today.

"We have asked North Korea to take him back for violating diplomatic norms," Haque, Bangladesh's top foreign bureaucrat, told AFP, declining to give details.

A senior customs official told AFP the North Korean used his diplomatic immunity earlier this month to import the goods which were suspected destined for the black market.

"The diplomat declared that his cargo contained food and soft drinks. But when we opened the cargo, we found 1.6 million stalks of expensive cigarettes and electronics," Moinul Khan, head of intelligence at Bangladesh customs, told AFP.

"At market prices these products are valued at 35 million taka (USD 430,000). We suspect that he brought the products to sell to local smuggling gangs," he said.

AFP was unable to immediately contact the North Korean embassy for comment.

In March last year, another North Korean diplomat was forced to apologise after he was caught at Dhaka airport trying to smuggle nearly 27 kilogrammes (60 pounds) of gold, worth USD 1.7 million, into the country.

In 2012, customs authorities issued a 2.5-million taka fine after seizing illegal wines from another North Korean envoy.

Last year, a North Korean restaurant in Dhaka was shut down after officials found it was selling wine and drugs such as Viagra without permission.
Canberra: A court in Australia has imposed a fine of USD 15,0000 on a man for uploading an offensive post on Facebook in which he accused a 74-year-old motel owner of hosting pedophiles.

The livelihood of former deputy principal Kenneth Rothe, who ran two seaside motels in New South Wales, Australia, took a turn for the worse after a local electrician posted the offensive post on Facebook.

"Pedophile warning:  Nambucca has been used as a relocation for these monsters  blue dolphin nirvana hotel and above the Indian restaurant!...Bus stops are right out front of these hotels for our children?" David Scott wrote in 2014, referring to the names of Rothe's two motels.

After the post went viral, he started receiving random calls from people from all over asking for sex, while there were many who lashed out at him.

In addition, Rothe received brutal thrashing over the post that he had to spend at least six months in a hospital. His family was so terrified by the attack that they moved to another state.

A New South Wales District Court judge has now ordered Scott of paying USD 150,000 in damaged to the slandered motel owner.

It would be fair to say that the publication of the matter complained of has destroyed the plaintiff's well-being as well as his peace of mind, she added.
Florida: Florida health officials are investigating a new non-travel- related case of Zika virus in Palm Beach County, but it is not yet clear whether the person contracted the virus from local mosquitoes or from a recent trip to Miami.

Governor Rick Scott said in a statement on Monday that the infected person recently traveled to Miami-Dade County, which is experiencing an outbreak of Zika caused by local mosquito transmission. So far, 16 people have been infected in the Miami area. The Palm Beach case brings the state`s tally to 17.

An investigation was under way to determine how the person in Palm Beach County became infected.

The governor said the state still believed active transmission of the virus were confined to a one-square-mile (260-hectare) area in Miami-Dade County that includes Miami`s Wynwood district.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning pregnant women to avoid this area in Miami because Zika has been tied to birth defects, including microcephaly, which can case severe developmental problems.

With the school year approaching, Scott said he had ordered the department of health to work with the state`s department of education "to ensure students, parents, educators and district leaders have all the resources and guidance they need to combat the Zika virus."

The continuing Zika outbreak was first detected last year in Brazil, where it has been linked to more than 1,700 cases of the microcephaly, and has since spread rapidly through the Americas. Its arrival in the continental United States has been widely anticipated.
Tokyo: Japan`s newly appointed defence minister on Monday ordered the nation`s military to be ready to destroy any missiles fired by North Korea that threaten the country, local media reported.

Tomomi Inada issued the order, public broadcaster NHK said, without mentioning any indication that Pyongyang is preparing to launch such a missile.

Last week Prime Minister Shinzo Abe picked Inada, a close confidante with staunchly nationalist views, as the new defence minister.

NHK said Inada is expected to renew the readiness order every three months so that Tokyo can seamlessly maintain a state of alert.

A Japanese defence ministry spokesman declined to confirm the report.

Her appointment came Wednesday, the same day North Korea, a major security headache for Japan, fired a ballistic missile that landed just 250 kilometres (155 miles) off its coast -- hitting Japanese-controlled waters for the first time.

The US military said the North had actually launched two Rodong intermediate-range missiles simultaneously, but one appeared to have exploded on take-off.

The launches followed a North Korean threat of "physical action" over the planned deployment of a sophisticated US anti-missile system in South Korea, and came just weeks before the start of large-scale joint South Korea-US military exercises.

Pyongyang has conducted a series of missile tests this year in defiance of UN sanctions imposed after its fourth nuclear test in January.

After Wednesday`s launch Japanese media quoted officials as saying they were surprised and voicing concern that North Korea was getting better at concealing its preparations to fire missiles.
Tokyo: Japanese Emperor Akihito said on Monday he is concerned his weakening health may make it hard to fulfil his duties, in a speech seen as signalling a possible future abdication.

"I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being as I have done until now," he said in an address to the nation.

"There are times when I feel various constraints such as in my physical fitness," the 82-year-old said.

Akihito spoke obliquely -- never mentioning the word abdication -- but the government is expected to interpret his comments as meaning his wish is to eventually step down.

It can then begin creating the necessary legal mechanism which currently does not exist.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in a swift response to the emperor`s speech, said the government would take the emperor`s remarks "seriously".

"Considering the emperor`s duties, as well as his age and the burden (of the job), we have to firmly look at what we can do."

Speculation about the emperor`s future emerged last month with reports he had told confidantes that advancing age was making it harder to perform his ceremonial duties and that he would like to step down in a few years.

The address marked only the second time for Akihito to speak directly to the nation. The first was in the days after the March 2011 triple earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster as he sought to calm a nation undergoing its worst crisis since the war.

Japan`s imperial house is said to be the world`s oldest hereditary monarchy, and according to legend stretches back some 2,600 years in an unbroken line.

Akihito has keenly embraced the role of symbol of the state imposed after the war. He is credited with seeking reconciliation both at home and abroad over the legacy of the war fought in his father`s name.

He has ventured to a number of locales that saw intense fighting, including Okinawa at home and Saipan, Palau and the Philippines abroad, making sure to offer prayers for the souls of all the dead and not just Japanese.

Any eventual move by Akihito to step down appears to have wide public support.

A survey by Kyodo News last week showed that 85.7 percent of people surveyed were in favour of legal changes that would allow abdication.
Islamabad: Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif on Monday ordered special combing operations after a powerful explosion in a Quetta hospital left at least 63 people dead.

Gen Sharif told intelligence agencies to initiate "special combing operations to target those involved in terror attacks", a spokesperson for the military said.

The army chief earlier chaired a high-level meeting that was attended by Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch and the Commander of the Southern Command.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted the army chief as saying that the bombing was specially targeted at the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Gen Sharif also visited the injured at the Civil Hospital. Critically injured individuals were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

The ISPR said the injured were also being flown to Karachi.
Panama City: Panama`s image has been hurt by the sudden exit of US Nobel-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz as head of a government-appointed financial reform panel set up in the wake of the Panama Papers, one of its remaining members said Monday.

He "is doing damage at an international level to our country and its reputation," said Alberto Aleman, a former administrator of the Panama Canal who sits on the committee.

Stiglitz and Swiss anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth resigned from the seven-member panel on Friday, accusing the government of reneging on a guarantee to publicly release the body`s final report and other acts that were together "tantamount to censorship."

"We were just shocked. How could you have a committee on transparency that itself was not going to be transparent?" Stiglitz told AFP.

Aleman, speaking to a news conference on Monday, said Stiglitz`s comments "certainly affect the credibility" of Panama, which established the committee on April 29 to repair its tarnished image.

The Panama Papers scandal burst into the media earlier in April, based on a leak of millions of secret client documents from a Panama law firm`s servers.

They detailed how wealthy foreigners used a Panama law firm to create or manage offshore entities to store assets. Some of the entities were linked to tax evasion, money laundering and organized crime.

Panama`s government is fighting to avoid being put back on international black lists as a tax haven as a result. But it has thus far declined to sign up to automatic tax information exchanges urged by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

France has already slapped the country with a tax haven designation following the Panama Papers revelations.

Aleman said the remaining members of the panel -- comprising four Panamanians and a Costa Rican -- had wanted the final report, due early September, to go first to the Panamanian government for evaluation, but Stiglitz had insisted on it being made public at the same time.

One of the Panamanians, Gisela Alvarez, a former minister, stressed that this was the first time Panama had undertaken a serious analysis of its financial system.

The departure of Stiglitz and Pieth "might close an opportunity for big changes," she said.

Panama`s government, for its part, issued a statement after Stiglitz and Pieth`s exit reaffirming its "firm and real commitment to transparency and international cooperation."
Kabul: Six civilians were killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) hit a vehicle in Afghanistan`s Ghazni province on Monday, police said.

The dead included three children, Xinhua news agency quoted police as saying.
Seoul: A group of South Korean opposition lawmakers defied President Park Geun-Hye and left for China today to discuss the deployment of a US anti-missile system that has opened a damaging rift between Seoul and Beijing.

Park had urged the MPs to scrap their trip, arguing that it would boost China's opposition to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and deepen divisions in South Korea over the issue.

Seoul's decision to host a THAAD battery, to counter a growing threat from North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes, has been condemned by China as a threat to its own security interests and to regional stability.

The ongoing row is threatening to undo the substantial effort President Park has put into strengthening ties with China, which is not only South Korea's largest trade partner but also the key player in curbing North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Kim Young-Ho, one of the six lawmakers from the main opposition Minjoo Party travelling to Beijing, said their sole motivation was to calm the situation.

"We are visiting with the hope of offering at least a little warmth to the icy Seoul-Beijing ties," Kim was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency before leaving Seoul.

But Park insisted the visit would be counter-productive and suggested the MPs were being irresponsibly disloyal.

"On a matter of national security, there should be no division between the ruling and the opposition parties," she told a meeting of top aides Monday morning.

"Some politicians are making ridiculous claims that the deployment of THAAD will only offer good excuses for North Korea to stage more provocations -- an argument that is very similar to the North's own views," she said in comments published on her official website.

THAAD has been the subject of domestic protests in South Korea, particularly by those living in the rural county of Seongju where the first battery will be installed.

Residents say the system's powerful radar poses health and environmental hazards and argue that its presence will make them a key military target.

Opposition parties have been less than supportive of the deployment, although outright criticism has largely been limited to left-leaning MPs and activists.

Responding to Park's criticisms, Kim said calling off the visit at this stage would make things worse.
Taipei: Taiwan protested Monday Kenya`s deportation of five Taiwanese citizens to China after they were acquitted of running a cybercrime cell last week, as relations with Beijing worsen under the island`s new president.

Kenya`s actions are just the latest in a recent spate of deportations of Taiwanese to China, with Taipei accusing Beijing of "abducting" citizens from countries that do not recognise the island`s government.

A Kenyan court on Friday acquitted 35 Chinese and five Taiwanese held in custody since December 2014 for allegedly running a cybercrime cell from an upmarket Nairobi suburb on the grounds that the prosecution had failed to prove their involvement.

The group was accused of being involved in running an unlicensed telecommunication system and was engaged in organised crime -- charges they had denied.

Kenya deported dozens of Taiwanese in April also accused of fraud, after they had been cleared of charges.

Observers read the deportation cases as a Chinese bid to pressurise Taiwan`s new Beijing-sceptic leader Tsai Ing-wen -- who took office in May.

But Beijing insists that Taiwanese fraud suspects be sent to China to face trial as their alleged telecom crimes largely target mainland Chinese.

The five Taiwanese were deported to China in a flight that took off from Kenya around midnight Sunday, despite the court`s decision for them to be returned to Taiwan, according to officials in Taipei.

"We express strong protest to the Kenyan government... We regret that Kenyan authorities bowed to pressure from China to forcefully deport five suspects from our country to China," the foreign ministry said.

Taiwan`s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), its top China policy-making body, said it lodged a protest with Beijing over the latest round of deportations.

"The Chinese side ignored our repeated calls not to deport our people to China and seriously hurt the feelings of Taiwanese people," it said in a statement.

MAC said it will continue to negotiate with China to secure the suspects` return to Taiwan to stand trial.

The president`s spokesman Alex Huang also voiced concerns over the deportations, saying it "violated human rights and international precedent".

The deportations fly in the face of condemnation from rights groups, with Amnesty International saying last week the Taiwanese face potential "human rights violations" if sent to the mainland.

Taipei has also protested the recent deportations of Taiwanese fraud suspects from Malaysia and Cambodia to China.

Relations between Taiwan and China have grown increasingly frosty since Tsai and her the Democratic Progressive Party came to power.

China insists that self-ruling Taiwan is part of its territory even though the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war.
Puebla state: Landslides triggered by Tropical Storm Earl`s remnants have killed at least 40 people in Mexico, officials said late Sunday, as a new storm threatened the country`s Pacific coast.

Hardest-hit was the central state of Puebla, where 29 people died, including at least 15 minors, as landslides buried several homes in the state`s northern mountains, the local government said.

Another 11 died in similar circumstances in the eastern state of Veracruz, its governor said.

Earl swept in from the Caribbean at hurricane strength Wednesday, striking just south of Belize`s capital. It hit Mexico as a storm on Thursday and eventually weakened to a tropical depression.

Even in its weakened state Earl carried a deadly punch over the weekend.

In the town of Huauchinango, the amount of rain that normally falls in a month came pouring down in just 24 hours, the Puebla government said Sunday.

A rain-soaked hill crumbled and came sweeping down on an adjacent village, killing 11 people including eight minors, it said.

Several highways in Puebla were ripped up, two bridges collapsed and power was knocked out in several towns.

Governor Rafael Moreno Valle pledged to rebuild damaged structures and posted on Twitter photos of himself walking in mud and residents helping in clean-up efforts.

By late Sunday Moreno Valle warned that the death toll could rise.

"We`re still in a search mode and we already have canine teams... searching for missing people," he said.

Puebla officials did not say how many people were missing, but they did say that the landslides and flooding left some 200 people homeless.

In the state of Veracruz, 11 people were killed due to landslides and flooding, Governor Javier Duarte wrote on Twitter.

The dead included an elderly man who was swept away in his home by a rain-swollen river, officials said.

Some 1,200 people were moved to shelters across Veracruz due to effects of the storm, officials said.By Monday, however, it was approaching Tropical Storm Javier that was sparking new warnings.

Javier, which could strengthen to hurricane status by Monday afternoon, was expected to bring heavy rains and high winds to southwestern Mexico in the coming days, US weather forecasters said.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said Javier was about 250 miles (405 km) southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

"On the forecast track, the center of the tropical cyclone should pass near or over the southwest coast of Mexico later today, and approach the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula on Monday," the center said.

The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour (85 km/h) with higher gusts and was expected to dump four to six inches (10 to 15 cm) of rain in western Mexico, it said.

Mexican forecasters warned of swollen rivers, heavy rain, choppy waves and flooding due to Javier.

Another tropical storm, Ivette, also was swirling in the eastern Pacific, but it was far from land and expected to weaken later in the day, according to the NHC.
Kansas City: The young son of a Kansas state lawmaker died on a water slide that is billed as the world's largest, according to officials and the boy's family.

Authorities did not immediately identify the child who died at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas, but State Representative Scott Schwab and his wife released a statement saying it was their son Caleb Thomas Schwab.

"Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with," said the statement, which asked for privacy as the family grieves.

Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio said the child died on one of the park's main attractions, Verruckt, a 168-foot-tall water slide that has 264 stairs leading to the top.

Verruckt, which means "insane" in German, was certified as the world's tallest water slide by Guinness World Records. Riders go down the slide in multi-person rafts and have to be at last 54 inches tall, according to the park's website.

Officials haven't provided specific details about what led to Caleb's death. Kansas City, Kansas, police spokesman Officer Cameron Morgan said he did not have any information, and Prosapio said more details would be released later.

"We honestly don't know what's happened," she told reporters at a news conference. "That's why ... A full investigation is necessary. We have to understand what's happened."

The park will be closed today, and the ride will be closed pending the investigation, Prosapio said.

Authorities initially said the victim was 12 years old, but Clint Sprague, a pastor who is acting as a spokesman for the family, said Caleb was 10. Scott Schwab is a Republican from Olathe. He and his wife, Michele, have four sons, Sprague said.

House Speaker Ray Merrick told the Kansas City Star Schwab's family was "the center of his world."

Prosapio said the boy's family had been at the park with him on Sunday.

The 2014 opening of Verruckt was delayed a few times, though the operators did not explain why. Two media sneak preview days in 2014 were canceled because of problems with a conveyor system that hauls 100-pound rafts to the top of the slide.



Prosapio said in 2014 that park officials would not hesitate to delay operation again for however long it takes to make sure the slide is safe.

In a news article linked to the news release announcing a 2014 delay, Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry told USA Today that he and senior designer John Schooley had based their calculations when designing the slide on roller coasters, but that didn't translate well to a water slide like Verruckt.
Washinton: A muslim woman in the US was fired from her new job at a dental clinic for wearing a hijab to work.

Najaf Khan was hired as a dental assistant at Fair Oaks Dental Care in Fairfax County last week. She did not wear the hijab at her interview or on the first two days of employment.

"I was really upset. The day that it happened, I was devastated," NBC Washington quoted Khan as saying.

On her third day, she chose to wear the hijab as she felt that she would stay at the job and wearing it was part of her spiritual journey.

According to NBC Washington, Khan said that Dr. Chuck Joo, the owner of Fair Oaks Dental Care, told her to take off the hijab and gave her an ultimatum: she could continue wearing the scarf and be fired or work without it.

"When I said that I would not compromise my religion for that, he held the door open for me and I walked out," Khan added.

Joo told the media that pen displays of religion were not allowed at his business because he wants to keep it "neutral". If his employees want to wear a hat, it must be a surgical hat for sanitary reasons, Joo added.

The Council on American Islamic Relations responded to Khan`s termination and said, "No employee should face termination because of his or her faith or religious practices. We call on Fair Oaks Dental Care to reinstate the Muslim employee and to offer her reasonable religious accommodation as mandated by law."

Khan said she would likely refuse an offer to return to the dental office as she would not want to work with someone "so close-minded".
United Nations: Washington's UN envoy warned Monday there will be no quick victory in the battle for Syria`s second city of Aleppo and voiced alarm over the fate of civilians caught up in the fighting.

"The longer the fighting drags on, the more civilians will be caught in the middle, the more they will pay the highest price," Samantha Power told the Security Council which met to discuss the crisis in Aleppo.

Syrian rebel forces on Sunday announced a bid to capture all of the city after joining up with jihadists on the weekend to open a route into besieged eastern Aleppo.

Fighting for the city entered a new phase last month when government forces took control of the last supply road into rebel-held areas, leaving some 250,000 people in eastern districts surrounded.

"The fighting of the past few days confirms what we have known for a very long time," said Power.

"Despite the overwhelming force of the Assad regime, Russian, Iran and Hezbollah on one side, neither side will be able to win a swift or decisive victory in the battle for Aleppo," she added.

Council members heard accounts from Syrian doctors who showed graphic pictures of children wounded in barrel bomb attacks and reported that they had been unable to save them because of a shortage of medicine.

"What we have seen in Aleppo is beyond words," said Zaher Sahloul, a doctor from the Syrian American Medical Society.

Sahloul invited council members to visit Aleppo to meet with doctors and nurses fighting to save lives.

French Deputy Ambassador Alexis Lamek warned that the fighting in Aleppo could kill off any prospects for the peace process launched in Vienna to try to end the five-year war.

"Aleppo could become the grave of the Vienna process," said Lamek.

The United Nations is hoping to re-launch peace talks in late August, but that effort is conditional on progress in delivering humanitarian aid to civilians.

More than 290,000 people have been killed since Syria`s conflict erupted in March 2011, the Observatory said in a new toll on Monday.

The deaths included more than 84,000 civilians.
DECATUR -- Corey Bond has been a deejay for 25 years. He hopes the Celebrations DJ Showcase, which debuted this year, will help bring DJ culture to the younger generation.

Its a growing phenomenon, and I want to help spread it in Decatur, said Bond, who organized the event and was one of seven deejays who performed at the Back Lot Stage.

We had deejays from not only Decatur, but from all over the Midwest, Bond said. And we were able to expose Decatur to several different types, like mashup, hip hop, house and turntablist. It was a great chance to give some deejays a platform to show off their skills and style.

Bond said he hoped the showcase would return next year. This years showcase wasnt a contest, but Bond said that idea is swimming in his mind for the future.

THERES A DIFFERENCE: Sitting behind dozens of bottles of Jasbos salsa, James Bippen explained the difference between Mexican and American salsa.

In Mexico, they make it with lime, not sugar and vinegar, Bippen said.

He said Jasbos is an Acapulcan recipe. There were a variety of flavors, with Bippen recommending the tequila salsa, with Jose Cuervo cooked in, and the verde.

Bippen, who was set up in the Arts and Crafts section on Prairie Street, said he mostly sold around the St. Louis area.

ANXIETY CHAIR: According to Howie Dial youth director for Life Builders Church, the Anxiety Chair Water Ride in the Kid's Block is designed to get you wet  really wet.

The ride is a set of six chairs grouped together under a mesh canopy holding a large water-filled punch-balloon. As the balloon slowly fills with water, Dial or other operators talk to the participants to keep their minds off the impending gush of water. The tension is palpable, as those sitting in the chairs feel the seconds tick by before the balloon gives up and water bursts forth.

Dial named the various balloon colors, such as Casper for the white balloon and the green one is called the green burger.

When it's over, the drenching is often a welcome respite from the afternoon sun.

I'm trying to grab their attention, he said. It's just about having fun.

COMMODORE DECATUR: Curt Jackson approached retired Celebration Producer Fred Puglia nearly a decade ago and told him the event needed the presence of Commodore Stephen Decatur and Abraham Lincoln.

Puglia told Jackson that Lincolns were easy to find, but he couldn't find a Stephen Decatur. It wasn't easy  1812 Naval uniforms can't be purchased just anywhere  but Jackson hired a local seamstress and made a uniform that he wears to the Celebration every year. He said he plans to have an actual Admiral's jacket next year.

I have a lot of fun with it, Jackson said.

Jackson said the sword is the best part of his uniform as he drew an identical replica of a Naval sword from 1812 out of its scabbard.

The kids love this, Jackson said. They always ask, 'Is that real?'

PHILIPPINES STYLE: Skippers Island Oasis, a new food truck at the Celebration this year, included lobster on a skewer among its variety of meat on a stick.

The meat was all prepared in a Philippines style. The truck is owned by Lyn and Jason Richardson. Jason was in the Army stationed in the Philippines when he met Lyn. Along with niece Nicole Jaurio and some other family, theyve just recently struck out in the food truck business.

My uncle loves to cook Filipino food. Hes white, but he wants to bring it to other white people. And anyone else he can, Jaurio said, laughing.

REGISTER TO VOTE: Celebration may be a lot of fun, but it has its serious side, too. The Macon County Young Democrats offered members of the community an opportunity to register to vote.

According to Colin Gholson, president of the Macon County Young Democrats, the offer is open to any political party.

It's about being involved in the community and an active member of society, he said. We're not trying to steer anybody or say anything negative.

Gholson has seen many young people who want to get involved but don't know how to. He set up the Celebration tent as an open-door access to ask questions. We need to stand up and be a rising force, he said. Once the older timers are gone, you're next.

Through Saturday evening, 24 people had registered to vote.
STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire agreement during the weekend across the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact over 60 times.

Azerbaijani forces fired more than 935 shots from various caliber small arms at Armenian positions.

The Defense Ministry of Nagorno Karabakh told ARMENPRESS the Defense Army forces are in control of the situation and continue confidently monitoring the borders.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. The European Democratic Students (EDS) summer gathering came to an end in Larnaca, Cyprus. The gathering was entitled EU future of energy strategy.

The Youth Organization of the Republican Party of Armenia was represented by Anna Ohanyan and Arusyak Poghosyan.

The Youth Organization of RPA told ARMENPRESS Anna Ohanyan has been elected Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the EDS.

Earlier on August 5 the EDS Executive Bureau was formed, and the RPA Youth Organization was elected as an affiliated member.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Two foreign professors from the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul have been kidnapped, local police say, RT reported.

ABC News reported that an American and Australian professor were kidnapped at gunpoint outside the university on Sunday.

Kabul police chief Abdel Rahman Rahimi confirmed the kidnapping.

The pair was abducted near the university campus by gunmen wearing the uniform of the Afghan forces, local media reported.

The Australian embassy in Afghanistan is seeking to verify reports of the kidnapping, a spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs told Australian news agency AAP.

The US State Department also confirmed the reports of the kidnapping, saying due to privacy considerations, we have no information to offer.

The news comes days after the Taliban claimed responsibility for an attack on a group of foreign tourists in western Afghanistan.

In July, Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada claimed an end to foreign occupation would bring unity to Afghanistan.

An Indian aid worker kidnapped in Kabul in June was rescued in July and returned to India.

According to Professor Sreeram Chaulia, of the Jindal School of International Affairs in Delhi, Afghanistan is experiencing a security crisis, and America, China and Pakistans efforts to broker a peace deal with the Taliban has proven fruitless.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. The death toll in Mexico's landslides and flooding has jumped to 38 after Tropical Storm Earl swept through the country's eastern regions, BBC reported.

The state worst hit is Puebla, where officials say 28 people died. Another 10 people were killed in the state of Veracruz.

Previously, the confirmed number of deaths was six.

Earl made landfall in Belize this week as a Category One hurricane, after causing destruction in the Caribbean.

The storm was later downgraded to a tropical depression but it still left a path of destruction in Mexico.

Most of the victims were in the remote town of Huauchinango, Puebla.

They died after their houses were engulfed by tons of mud and rocks.

A whole hill collapsed near Huauchinango, sweeping down on a nearby village, officials say.

"It is a tragedy what has happened to our people in Huauchinango," Mayor Gabriel Alvarado was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

Heavy rain continued in the region, forcing officials to close a section of the main federal motorway to the capital Mexico City.

Earlier this week, at least nine people died due to extreme weather in Haiti and the Dominican Republic as the storm passed over the Caribbean.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. A spectacular light display on the side of Edinburgh Castle has marked the opening of the city's International Festival, BBC reported.

Dubbed Deep Time, the event, soundtracked by Glasgow post-rock band Mogwai, saw the landmark used as a canvas for animated projections taking in 350 million years of history.

A planned live stream of the event malfunctioned, but spectators hailed the event as an "amazing spectacle".

The festival runs until 29 August.

A viewing arena was created on Castle Terrace for the show, which marked the start of Standard Life's three-year sponsorship of the Edinburgh International Festival.

On social media, Press Association reporter Ben Phillip described the event as "absolutely spectacular", while Joanna Keating said it was an "amazing spectacle" which "kicked off the festival in style".

The festival's organizers apologized for the failure of the live stream, but said a video of the event would be uploaded afterwards.

Deep Time was developed by the company 59 Productions with academics from Edinburgh University and will also look at the work of renowned Edinburgh scientist James Hutton (1726-1797), often referred to as the father of geology.

Leo Warner, creative director of 59 Productions, said: "Deep Time gives us an opportunity to build on the success of The Harmonium Project and to create a spectacular event that is more deeply connected to the story of the city."

Festival director Fergus Linehan said organizers wanted to "offer the people of Edinburgh and beyond a spectacular start to the summer festival season".
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is widening her lead over Donald Trump in a new national poll out Sunday, bolstered in part by her party's consolidation of support after the conclusion of their national convention in July, CBS reported.

According to the Washington Post/ABC News survey, Clinton and her vice presidential candidate Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine have an eight-point advantage over Trump and his running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, 50 percent to 42 percent among registered voters. That's double the four-point lead the Clinton-Kaine ticket had just before the Republicans held their national convention last month.

The eight-point gap still stands when third-party candidates are factored into the race, with Clinton at 45 percent compared to Trump's 37 percent. Libertarian party nominee Gary Johnson stands at 8 percent and Stein at 4 percent.

Clinton's lead is helped by the coalescing of Democrats around their party's nominee, according to the Post/ABC survey. Clinton has 92 percent of support among self-identified Democrats -- a jump from the 86 percent that said they supported her before the GOP convention. Trump comes in with support from 83 percent of self-identified Republicans -- just a one-point difference from the 82 percent that supported him pre-convention.

Clinton's lead is also helped by negative opinions of Trump following his handling of the Gold Star Khan family, who have been outspoken critics of the GOP nominee and whose Muslim son died in the Iraq War in 2004 fighting for the U.S. as an Army captain. Nearly three-quarters of registered voters -- 74 percent -- said they disapproved of how Trump managed the situation. Fifty-six percent of voters said they strongly disapproved of it.

Overall, Trump still struggles with negative opinions: just 36 percent of voters say they have a favorable impression of Trump, while 61 percent have unfavorable views of the billionaire.

Clinton's favorability ratings have seen a slight improvement since the conventions: forty-six percent have a favorable opinion of Clinton, with 52 percent holding unfavorable views of her. In July, she had a net negative rating of 17 points.

The Post/ABC poll was conducted August 1-4 among a 1,002 adults. The margin of error for overall results was 3.5 points and 4 points among 815 registered voters.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Japan's Emperor Akihito has said he fears age and deteriorating health mean he is finding it difficult to continue in his role, BBC reported.

The revered 82-year-old emperor's comments came in his second-ever televised address to the public.

While he did not use the word "abdicate", he strongly indicated that he wishes to hand over his duties.

PM Shinzo Abe said the government would take the remarks "seriously" and discuss what can be done.

In 10-minute pre-recorded message, Emperor Akihito said he hoped the duties of the emperor as a symbol of the state could continue steadily without any breaks.

Akihito, who has had heart surgery and was treated for prostate cancer, has been on the throne in Japan since the death of his father, Hirohito, in 1989.

If he were to abdicate, it would be the first time a Japanese emperor has stepped down since Emperor Kokaku in 1817.

"While, being in the position of the emperor, I must refrain from making any specific comments on the existing imperial system, I would like to tell you what I, as an individual, have been thinking about.

Ever since my accession to the throne, I have carried out the acts of the emperor in matters of state, and at the same time I have spent my days searching for and contemplating on what is the desirable role of the emperor, who is designated to be the symbol of the state by the constitution of Japan. As one who has inherited a long tradition, I have always felt a deep sense of responsibility to protect this tradition.

At the same time, in a nation and in a world which are constantly changing, I have continued to think to this day about how the Japanese imperial family can put its traditions to good use in the present age and be an active and inherent part of society, responding to the expectations of the people."

Emperor Akihito said one possibility when an emperor could not fulfil his duties because of age or illness was that a regency could be established.

But he suggested this was not the ideal outcome, saying: "I think it is not possible to continue reducing perpetually the emperor's acts in matters of state and his duties as the symbol of the state."

Akihito's eldest son, 56-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito is first in line to the Chrysanthemum throne, followed by his younger brother Prince Akishino. Women are not allowed to inherit the throne and so Princess Aiko, the daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito, cannot succeed her father.

Abdication is not mentioned under existing laws, so they would need to be changed for the emperor to be able to stand down. The changes will also have to be approved by parliament.

The emperor is constitutionally not allowed to make any political statements, and the desire to abdicate could be seen as being political.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. At least 53 people killed and over 50 others were injured when a bomb exploded in Civil Hospital Quetta on Monday, Express Tribune reported.

The blast, followed by gunfire after president of Balochistan Bar Association Advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Quetta.

Television footage from the site showed scenes of chaos, with panicked mourners fleeing through debris as smoke filled the corridors of the hospitals emergency ward.

A heavy contingent of Frontier Corps and police arrived and cordoned off the hospital following the blast, restricting access to the area. According to police and rescue officials, the bomb exploded rescue officials brought Kasi to the hospital.

Kasi was targeted by two unidentified gunmen who opened fire on his car near Quettas Mengal Chowk on Mannu Jan road. The bar association president was shifted to Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.

More than 50 mourners, including lawyers and journalists were entering the emergency department of the hospital, accompanying Kasis body, when the bomb went off, Faridullah, a journalist who was at the scene, told Reuters.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Representatives of the Ombudsmans Office visited Davit Sanasaryan and Armen Martirosyan on July 30  the day following their arrest  in the detention facility of the Police. Sanasaryan and Martirosyan are members of Hello Yerevan faction of Yerevan City Council.

Following their incarceration, the Ombudsman himself visited the Nubarashen Correctional Facility and held private meetings with Martirosyan and Sanasaryan.

Members of Hello Yerevan faction addressed a letter to the Ombudsman, asking assistance in changing the preventive measure on Martirosyan and Sanasaryan.

Taking into consideration the results of private meetings with Sanasaryan and Martirosyan, as well as the letter of Hello Yerevan, the Ombudsman has launched proceedings on discussing the matter.

All information which was provided by Martirosyan and Sanasaryan were summarized according to the regulations and were sent to the interim Prosecutor General, with the aim to discuss it within the framework if the preliminary investigation. Martirosyan and Sanasaryan were in turn notified on the Ombudsmans actions.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Several Armenian online stores and delivery networks join forces to promote Made in Armenia products.

On August 8, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Cooperation Association of SMEs, menu.am, buy.am and crossroad.am deliver networks, which aims at promoting Armenian products.

According to the memorandum, the abovementioned platforms will introduce a Made in Armenia section, and SMEs under the section will have privileged conditions.

Hakob Avagyan, President of the Cooperation Association of SMEs said according to their research, small enterprises which produce Armenian products face problems with supermarkets and malls, in terms of promoting their products.

We asked founders of online platforms to try and assist small businesses and introduce a Made in Armenia submenu in their websites, which will ease finding Armenian products. This has an important message, that we need to change consumer culture, Avagyan said.

According to menu.am founder Vahan Kerobyan, local producers will have significant advantage, as Armenian products will be offered not only in Armenia, but also in markets where delivery networks are planning to enter.

Zara Mazmanyan, director of buy.am, said currently 50+ Armenian products are represented in their platform, starting from beverages, and products such as soap, candles etc.

According to her, the section of Armenian made products is actively operating, which is the result of customer feedback.

We are an online mall, we work with Armenian stores, and we collaborate also with artists. Representation in our platform is free of charge and delivery is cheap, she said.

Crossroad.am founder Alex Alexanyan said this initiative will be a success if both customers and producers are given the correct incentives.

We all are online platforms, but our business models differ, we complete one another. Crossroad has one particularity; we provide tools to our partners to open their online stores in our platform. Of course, great efforts will be needed for changing mentality, because there is this stereotype, as if products brought in from abroad are better, Alexanyan said.
Mikayel Tamazyan, mayor of the Lori village of Katchatchkout, shows us to the house of Samvel Boghosyan and his seven children.

Tamazyan assures us that while the family is kind of down and out, the children are good pupils who steer away from trouble.

Samvel Boghosyan and his wife Silva lived in the Russian city of Armavir for the past seven years. When the house they were staying was sold, they couldnt afford to rent, so they returned to their native village in Armenia.

As we talk, Silva returns from her shopping run in Alaverdi. Please dont take pictures, she instructs us, seeing the camera. It seems she had an uncomfortable encounter with reporters in 2008, when the family returned to the village from Russia.

They had no house and stayed with Samvels grandmother. The children were young and the family didnt receive any subsidies. Silva was irritated that reporters arrived and captured the familys problems on film.

Silvas anger slowly subsides. We tell her that we too are reporters covering the plight of large families in remote villages in Armenia. We make a point of telling her that we dont promise any assistance.

Thank god, we survive. We dont go hungry, she says

The village is located in a sinkhole zone. The family still lives in the house of Samvels grandmother. Its considered unsafe. Some of the children sleep near the beams supporting the ceiling

Silva, who works as a cleaning attendant at the village school, says they get by with state subsidies and the animals they raise. They also pick and sell berries in season. Clothes are handed down from child to child.

I regret returning from Russia. There is no work here. I cant get my children all that they want. By boys were taking painting lessons and the girls dance classes. Here, there is nothing I can do, says Silva.

Her eldest son, Senik, was recently released from military duty. He now in the third year at the Alaverdi European College, studying economics.

Silva says that Artour, her second oldest son, has vision problems and headaches. His conscription into the army is on-hold pending a military investigation.

Samvel chimes in saying that education is their number one priority for the children. All seven seem to agree, focusing on their schooling and doing well in class.

Mariam, one of Silvas daughters who just graduated high school, wants to become a Russian teacher. The family, sadly, doesnt have the money for tuition.

All the children have done well at school. Samvel proudly says that Sofya graduated the village elementary school with a red diploma (with honors). He doesnt know where Sofya will continue her schooling.

The girl blushes as she quickly places the diploma on the table before rushing away. She wants to go to university and become an algebra and geometry teacher.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. The leader of Germany's liberal Free Democrats (FDP) likened Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's purge of state institutions to the actions of the Nazi party in the 1930s in comments published on Sunday, Reuters reported.

FDP leader Christian Lindner said he saw parallels between Erdogan's behavior and aftermath of the Reichstag fire in 1933 portrayed by the Nazis as a Communist plot against the government and used by Adolf Hitler to justify massively curtailing civil liberties.

"We are experiencing a coup d'etat from above like in 1933 after the Reichstag fire. He is building an authoritarian regime tailored solely to himself," Lindner told the Bild am Sonntag.

"Because the rights and freedoms of the individual no longer play a role, he cannot be a partner for Europe," he added.

His comments echo those of Austria's far-right Heinz-Christian Strache who said on Saturday that Erdogan's use of the failed putsch in July to crack down on his opponents was reminiscent of Hitler's use of the Reichstag blaze to amass greater power.

Erdogan has angrily rejected suggestions that he or his government might have been behind the failed coup, which he has blamed on the followers of a U.S.-based Muslim cleric. Erdogan narrowly avoided capture and possible death on the night of the attempted coup.

The FDP are not currently represented in Germany's Bundestag but have previously governed as a junior coalition partner to Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives (CDU) and are a potential ally for them after federal elections in autumn 2017.

However, Lindner criticized Merkel's response so far to the crackdown on Erdogan's opponents in the army, civil service, academia and media.

"It disgusts me that the EU accession talks (for Turkey) have not been ended long ago. But Mrs Merkel is only cautiously urging 'proportionality'," he said.

Germany's foreign minister on Friday resisted a push by Austria to halt the talks with Turkey on joining the European Union, saying the bloc needed to think more broadly about how to frame its relationship with Ankara in troubled times.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. The longest rail strike since 1968 has begun, with hundreds of trains cancelled on the Southern network across south east England, BBC reported.

The RMT union said its five-day walkout in opposition to a new role for conductors was "rock solid".

Southern is running about 60% of its normal timetable.

Parent rail firm Govia Thameslink (GTR) is in a bitter dispute with the RMT over plans for drivers to operate doors on new trains using CCTV.

BBC Correspondent Ben Thompson said the strike, which started at 00:01 BST and ends at 23:59 BST on Friday, is the longest on the railways since 1968.

It follows a series of one-day strikes since 26 April after the union balloted 393 members.

Southern is the main operator for Sussex and east Surrey and also runs services in London, Kent, Hampshire and Buckinghamshire.

A rail users group in east Surrey said the disruption was "another heavy slap in the face for poor, tired and frustrated commuters".

In a statement, the Reigate, Redhill and District Rail Users' Association said: "Members of the RMT have guaranteed jobs, a good salary and a reasonable work/life balance. Whereas the long suffering commuters are under threat of losing jobs, losing salary, losing holiday and being unable to get home to their families.

"The RMT leadership shows utter contempt to rail users by ruining their daily lives for the honour of pushing a button to close train doors."

The Conservative MP for Bexhill and Battle Huw Merriman is tweeting a video diary of his journey from Bexhill to Brighton via Eastbourne. He said he was "a bit disappointed Southern rail couldn't find some buses to put as a replacement service".

The Campaign for Better Transport and a Southern passenger group Association of British Commuters plan to march from London Victoria station to the Department for Transport on Wednesday afternoon to hand in a "six foot letter".

It calls on the new Rail Minister Paul Maynard to "listen to passengers, freeze fares and pay compensation".

Last month, Southern brought in a reduced timetable in response to continued cancellations and delays, blaming issues with crew availability.

The Conservative MP for Lewes Maria Caulfield tweeted: "Judging by my inbox this morning the tide has turned against the unions in this industrial dispute."

But RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "The strike action this morning is rock solid across the Southern rail network as we fight to put rail safety before the profits of the failed Govia Thameslink operation.

"This action has been forced on us by the arrogance and inaction of Govia Thameslink and the Government, who have made it clear that they have no interest in resolving this dispute or in tackling the daily chaos on Southern."

The RMT wanted GTR to match terms offered by ScotRail in a similar dispute.

GTR chief executive Charles Horton said the RMT action was "completely unacceptable, unjustified and unnecessary" and he apologised for the "inconvenience and disruption to passengers' lives as a result".
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. As of August 8, the State Employment Agency of Armenia has signed contracts with 5,226 landowners/farmers, under the project Assistance to rural economy through promoting seasonal employment.

Head of the State Employment Service Artak Mangasaryan said 6809 people were involved in the agricultural activities finances by the project.

The priority of the project is restoration of damages which occurred by natural reasons in mountainous and bordering communities.

Within the frameworks of the project, each of the farmers receives 4000 AMD for every business day.

Other family members of the farmers are also eligible to be involved in the works.

As of August 8, 430 communities are involved in the project.

The project was launched in 2013.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. At least 93 people have been killed in Quetta, Pakistan, when a bomb exploded in a Hospital on Monday.

Earlier media reported about 53 being killed and 50 others wounded.

The blast, was followed by gunfire after president of Balochistan Bar Association Advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Quetta.

Television footage from the site showed scenes of chaos, with panicked mourners fleeing through debris as smoke filled the corridors of the hospitals emergency ward.

A heavy contingent of Frontier Corps and police arrived and cordoned off the hospital following the blast, restricting access to the area. According to police and rescue officials, the bomb exploded rescue officials brought Kasi to the hospital.

Kasi was targeted by two unidentified gunmen who opened fire on his car near Quettas Mengal Chowk on Mannu Jan road. The bar association president was shifted to Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.

More than 50 mourners, including lawyers and journalists were entering the emergency department of the hospital, accompanying Kasis body, when the bomb went off, Faridullah, a journalist who was at the scene, told Reuters.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. According to political scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan, a new format is being shaped in Baku, with the participation of Russia , Iran and Azerbaijan, who will also include the Nagorno Karabakh issue in the meetings agenda.

The preliminary issues, which have been discussed, concern cooperation in communication and transport; however, essentially we are dealing with an occurrence, meaning a new format, which in the future will make several other issues subject of discussion. They will try to coordinate their policy in the region in security, economy and regional issues. This format will definitely include the Nagorno Karabakh issue, the political scientist said.

According to Shahnazaryan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will push forward the same propaganda policy during the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, just like during the meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

He will deliver the same speeches, which have been voiced by official Baku for many years, that is  Aliyevs maximalist claims towards both Armenian side and the international community, by speculating the territorial integrity issue, he said.

On August 8, Presidents of Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan met in Baku.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. German Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Sawsan Chebli said introduction of death penalty by Turkey will mean suspension of talks on EU membership.

Introduction of death penalty by Turkey will be incompatible with EU values. This will mean suspension of talks on EU membership, she said.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Police Chief of Armenia Vladimir Gasparyan signed a decree on dismissing Ashot Karapetyan from the post of Head of Yerevan City Department of the Police on August 8, press service of the Police informed Armenpress.

We have already informed that based on the ongoing investigation results in the Police, as well as the orders of the Police Chief, several police officers, including Ashot Karapetyan have been subjected to disciplinary penalties. According to Police Chief Vladimir Gasparyans decree Ashot Karapetyan today has been dismissed from his post, the statement said.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Russia will do everything possible so that Azerbaijan and Armenia find a compromise on the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh that is acceptable for both sides, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on August 8 in Baku, reports TASS.

"You mentioned Karabakh. This is really a problem that we got from our Soviet past. I know how acute this issue is for both Azerbaijan and Armenia," Putin said at the meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

"We will do everything possible so that Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a compromise acceptable for both sides, so that the peoples of the two countries win from this, and so that both countries feel that they have resolved this difficult issue in the interests of current and future generations," the Russian President said.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. 13-year-old boy has died in lightning strike in Hovit village of Shirak province, head of the village Avetik Seropyan informed Armenpress.

The incident took place on August 5 in the administrative territory of the village at 17:15 when the boy Robert Avagyan was returning home with his cousin. 300-400 meters have left for returning home, and the incident occurred, Avetik Seropyan said.

He said the boy has been taken to hospital, but it was already late.

The childs funeral will take place on August 9.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Russia and Azerbaijan can find solutions to problems stemming from decreasing trade cooperation which has been hit by crises in the global economy and falling oil prices, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on August 8, reports TASS.

The Russian leader noted that trade between the two countries has decreased due to various reasons, including the global economic crisis, a drop in prices on traditional export commodity, problems with exchange rate fluctuations. "And it will be highly timely to speak today about it, to try to find ways to solve these issues," Putin said at a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

According to the Russian President, the two countries have a good base to solve these matters. "We do maintain physical volumes [of trade], and we have promising projects, not only in the energy sector but also in other industries," he said.

About 600 Russian companies are currently operating in Azerbaijan and Russias direct investments stand at about 1.5 billion U.S. dollars, he noted. "We continue cooperation in the Caspian Sea region, including military cooperation," he added.

Bilateral cooperation "has really acquired the character of strategic cooperation, which is vital for the diversification of relations," Putin underscored.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. On August 8 newly appointed Ambassador of Greece to Armenia Nafsika Nancy Eva Vraila presented the copies of her credentials to Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Karen Nazaryan, press service of the MFA informed Armenpress.

Congratulating the Ambassador on her new post, Karen Nazaryan said the traditional friendly Armenian-Greek relations serve a strong base for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Deputy FM wished her success and expressed hope her high professional abilities will give a new impetus to the further expansion of the relations between the two states both in bilateral and multilateral formats.

The Greek Ambassador expressed gratitude for the reception and wishes, and ensured she will make the maximum efforts to deepen and strengthen the relations between the two friendly states, to move forward the Armenian-Greek agenda.

At the meeting the sides highlighted with satisfaction the continuous assistance between the two states in the international structures, they discussed the Armenian-Greek political, economic and sectoral cooperation, as well as the recent regional developments.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Police Chief of Armenia Vladimir Gasparyan convened a working consultation on August 8 with the participation of high-ranking police officers, press service of the Police informed Armenpress.

The Police Chief introduced the personnel changes in the Police system.

He informed that Head of Yerevan City Department Ashot Karapetyan has been dismissed from his post and transferred to the reserve.

The Police Chief presented the newly appointed Head of Yerevan City Department, Police Colonel Sargis Martirosyan who was previously the head of Shirak Regional Police Department.

Other personnel changes have also been made in the Police system. In particular, Artak Karapetyan has been appointed head of Shirak Regional Police Department. Previously he was the head of Lori Regional Police Department. Arshavir Gevorgyan has been appointed head of Lori Regional Police Department.

At the end of the consultation Vladimir Gasparyan gave concrete instructions to the newly appointed heads of the Police Departments.
German carmakers and machine-tool builders were among the firms most avid to leap into the new market when the deal came into force in January

A hoped-for export bonanza has failed to materialise a year after a deal to lift international sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme, a German industry association told AFP Monday.

"Despite increased foreign trade, there is a certain disillusionment," Volker Treier, chief economist at the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), said.

German exports to Iran had increased 11 percent in the first four months of 2016 to 890 million euros ($985 million), and likely stood at over one billion euros in the first six months, Treier said.

That leaves a lot of ground to make up if firms are to match DIHK forecasts of 5.0 billion euros of exports annually within three years of the deal, mounting to 10 billion euros within five years.

"There is definitely headroom for expansion," Treier acknowledged, although he rejected any suggestion that German firms might be disappointed with performance so far.

Growth could be even more vigorous in the second half of the year, he went on.

In the long-negotiated deal struck last July, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China agreed to lift some economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for the Islamic republic curbing its nuclear programme.

German carmakers and machine-tool builders were among the firms most avid to leap into the new market, where their products had been sought-after rarities until the deal came into force in January.

"Of course the expectations were high that trade with Iran would return to where it was in the old days," Treier said, but "we're far removed from that".

With many Western banks still reluctant to issue loans for deals involving Iran -- fearing to fall foul of continuing US sanctions against Tehran's financial sector -- cash to fuel the business is hard to find, the DIHK said.

But some German household names are already making inroads into Iran's economy, with Daimler planning a factory to build Mercedes-Benz cars with two local partners, while Siemens has licensed gas turbines and power station generators to Iran's Mapna.
Emblems of VW Golf VII car are pictured in a production line at the plant of German carmaker Volkswagen in Wolfsburg Emblems of VW Golf VII car are pictured in a production line at the plant of German carmaker Volkswagen in Wolfsburg, February 25, 2013. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo

Canadian Volkswagen owners are upset and frustrated, hoping the company will make good on its promise to compensate them for emission-cheating vehicles with a settlement similar to the one reached earlier this summer with U.S. customers.

U.S. owners of roughly half a million TDI diesel vehicles that were made between 2009 and 2014 learned in late June that Volkswagen will either buy back their cars at "fair value," according to U.S. deputy attorney general Sally Yates, or will have the option of having them fixed. Car owners may also receive between $5,000 US and $10,000 US each in additional compensation.

The deal, which includes a $2.7 billion US fine, is worth about $14.7 billion US. The settlement must still be approved in federal court.

After the U.S. settlement was reached, Volkswagen Canada issued a statement to say that the deal would factor into similar negotiations north of the border, but noted that "settlement details coming out of the U.S. court proceeding may not apply to Canada."

The statement said, "Our hope is to provide remedies to Canadians on pace with U.S. customers."

At the time, the company said it expected to have news for Canadian drivers of two-litre TDI vehicles by July 29.

But earlier this week, a spokesman for the company confirmed that Volkswagen Canada filed an update in Ontario Superior Court to say that "discussions are ongoing," and as they continue it will abide by a court order not to divulge information about the talks.

"It remains our primary goal to reach terms that treat our valued Canadian customers fairly," Thomas Tetzlaff told CBC News in an email on Wednesday. "We will share more information as soon as we're able."

Slow progress angers owners

That response incensed Canadian customers, who were hoping for news of a deal last week.

"We heard the [U.S.] court ruling, they are going to buy them out, and then you go to the VW Canada website and they say 'we are continuing talks and what happens in the States isn't necessarily going to happen in Canada,'" Vince Lamanna told CBC News Friday.

Story continues

"It's just nonsense."

Tetzlaff declined CBC's request for an interview, but said Friday that court dates are scheduled for Oct. 18 and Dec. 19 and 20.

"The parties are aiming to report on the 2.0L TDI issues at this time," Tetzlaff said Friday in an email. "In the event that a settlement agreement in Canada is reached earlier, the parties will advise the court and request an earlier appearance."

'This is absolutely horrible'

Canadian customers were shocked when they heard that vehicles were installed with what are known as "defeat devices" that allow them to pass emissions tests but then spew up to 40 times the allowable level of pollutants in actual road use.

Lamanna has driven diesels for the better part of 30 years, and always looked forward to new models coming to the market. He bought his Jetta in November 2013 and learned of the defeat devices through media reports in September 2015.

"I like the way the car drives, but from an environmental point of view this is absolutely horrible," Lamanna told CBC. "We're not talking a couple of points that we're polluting, we're not talking 10 per cent versus 12 per cent. It's 40 times."

If he had a compensation cheque in his hands from Volkswagen, he'd head straight to a General Motors dealership and buy a Volt, he said.

For now, the Stoney Creek, Ont., resident has no choice but to drive the car, particularly because his commute is about to get longer when his office moves to Oakville, Ont., more than 36 kilometres away.

"I really wish I was in a financial position to drive my car up [to Volkswagen head office], I would sign the ownership and I would leave it at the front desk with my key," he said.

'I'm very angry'

Resident Graeme Young feels much the same as Lamanna.

Young has been driving Volkswagens since 2004. He bought his current vehicle, a 2014 Passat TDI, in August two years ago

When he first heard about the emissions issue, he figured that the company would "sort it out," and was heartened when he heard of potential buybacks south of the border.

Like other VW owners who have written to CBC and are complaining to online forums, he was disappointed to hear the company's statement from late July.

"I'm very angry with them at this point because they are not treating us fairly," Young told CBC. "We've had no real updates whatsoever."

He's already racked up 91,000 kilometres on his car due to a 150-kilometre round-trip journey from his home in Cobourg, Ont., to work in Belleville, and the mileage piles up every day.

He's concerned about what that might mean for a buyback.

"If there's a potential buyback, there will be an adjustment for mileage," Young said. "So the longer Volkswagen waits, the more mileage we have, the more risk of an expensive repair and the less money we'll get from a buyback."

'I believed in this brand'

Alex MacPherson felt duped when he found out the company had installed a cheater system in vehicles such as his Jetta.

"I believed in this brand  I bought this car for a reason. It doesn't feel great as someone who is Earth-conscious to know it is putting out more pollutants than necessary," McPherson told CBC.

He was disappointed that the company has pushed back news of a Canadian deal.

"We can't keep driving these and feel good about ourselves. So something needs to be done and I just want an answer. It's not about the initial mistake  it's what you do to make things better."

CBC News attempted to speak to general managers of Toronto-area Volkswagen dealers, but those interview requests did not receive immediate responses.

Meanwhile, owners are starting to band together as they wait for news. A Facebook group called Canadian VW TDI Owners popped up this week, and owners are also airing their grievances on a forum called Dieselgate.
OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Bank of Canada wants the country's banks to start a fund that would invest in small- and medium-sized businesses in Canada to help foster better global expansion for domestic firms, according to a report from the Globe and Mail. The plan would see banks and potentially pension funds and insurers put money into a private sector fund of at least C$1 billion ($767.99 million) that would make debt and equity investments of C$2 million to C$20 million in Canadian companies, the newspaper reported on Monday. The initiative is still at an early stage, according to the report, which cited a briefing on the fund prepared by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce . Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz and CIBC Chief Executive Victor Dodig are both proponents of the fund, the Globe said. The Bank of Canada said it does not comment on commercial decisions of financial institutions. The fund is modeled on a similar bank and government sponsored fund in Britain, the Business Growth Fund, that was launched in 2011. The fund is backed by five major British banks and has up to 2.5 billion pounds ($3.28 billion) with which to make equity investments in small and medium firms. (Reporting by Leah Schnurr; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 8, 2016) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

Romet Limited announced today, James A. McDonald joins the company as Director of Sales and Marketing - Canada.

James has over 20 years of experience in Sales and Marketing and nine years experience in banking.

James began his career in banking with National Trust and TD Bank before moving into Sales with RPM Mechanical for nine years. In 2004, he joined Elster Canadian Meter and was promoted to Director of Sales and Marketing in 2007. In 2014, James was promoted to Director of Sales and Marketing, Measurement and Regulation United States and Canada for Elster Gas - Metering Americas before joining Romet.

James holds a B.A. in Resource Management from the University of Windsor and an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University with a focus in marketing and strategic management.

"I am very excited to be working with James again," stated Roy A. Sutterfield, Chief Executive Officer, Romet Limited. "He has proven leadership skills, is well respected by our customer base and industry colleagues. James is very knowledgeable of utility practices as well as gas measurement. His orientation toward customer needs and business development make him an excellent fit with Romet's continued growth."

Romet, established in 1972 is an international market leader in positive displacement rotary gas meters, electronic volume, temperature instrumentation and auxiliary equipment for the natural gas industry.

To view the photo accompanying this press release please click on the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20160807-JAMES%20McDONALD.jpg
Virtual Reality

Arizona State Students Design VR Apps for 360-Degree Storytelling

Two apps created by students at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at ASU are receiving recognition for their innovative, virtual reality storytelling.

A lab at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University is receiving an award for two student-designed virtual reality apps that offer a new entry point into a highly reported subject  the border between the United States and Mexico.

The Cronkite Schools New Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab received the Excellence in Innovative Technology Award from the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF) for their work. Launched in 2006, the lab provides Cronkite students a space to design and create cutting-edge media, such as mobile apps, news games and interactive websites, according to ASUs website. Cronkite students collaborate with computer engineering, design and business students in the lab to create digital media products.

NABEFs award acknowledges Cronkite News VR and Cronkite Border VR, two VR apps that apply a 360-degree spin on documentary storytelling. To develop the apps, 16 students traveled to the border to record its current state. The students shot 360-degree video and interviewed both residents and border patrol agents to tell the story in a new medium.

We are so disconnected when we talk about the border, said Retha Hill, director of the New Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab. Many people have never been there. We wanted to help people better understand and experience the border with these apps.

The students behind the VR apps will formally accept the award this November during the NAB Show NY Conference in New York.
Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less.
VALLEY COTTAGE, N.Y., Aug. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The significant rise in lifestyle-related diseases and the developments in healthcare infrastructure are expected to influence the demand for pharmaceuticals in Saudi Arabia. In 2016, the Saudi Arabia pharmaceutical market is anticipated to procure value worth US$ 5,209.5 Mn at a y-o-y growth of 6.0 % over 2015. The mounting demand for branded drug products will continue to incite the growth of the Saudi Arabian pharmaceutical market in 2016.

The demand for pharmaceuticals in Saudi Arabia is expected to register substantial growth owing to the increasing penetration of health insurance companies and the rising incidence rate of non-communicable diseases. Furthermore, the exceptional rise in the per capita income of Saudi Arabia is also expected to foster the demand for branded pharmaceutical drugs. Another key factor driving the growth of the pharmaceutical market in Saudi Arabia is the countrys strategic move to allow 100% FDI in the pharmaceuticals sector. Although, the shortage of profound indigenous research capacity in the pharmaceutical industry and the delayed registration of drug and medicine patents is expected to limit the expansion of the market in 2016 and beyond.

Request a Sample Report: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gc-1733

Based on the product type, the pharmaceutical market in Saudi Arabia is expected to witness an upsurge in the prescription-type branded drug products. In terms of market value, the branded drugs are estimated to reach US$ 2,760.8 Mn by 2016-end. The demand for generic drugs is projected to secure steady growth, attributing to the insisting promotion of generic drug adoption by healthcare insurance providers.

On the basis of the diseases, the pharmaceutical drugs used for treatment of cardiovascular diseases will continue exhibiting robust growth in 2016. The demand for cardiovascular medications will continue to surge due to the prominence of circulatory disorders in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the rising prevalence of disorders related to body sugar levels is expected to make diabetes a rapidly growing disease-based sub-segment in the Saudi Arabia pharmaceutical market.

Saudi Arabia Pharmaceutical Market Free Analysis by Product type: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/saudi-arabia-pharmaceutical-market

The pharmaceutical market in Saudi Arabia is also segmented on the basis of distribution channel, where retail pharmacies will continue to account for 80% market share compared to hospital pharmacies. The westernisedmodernisation of retail pharmacies in Saudi Arabia has led to the availability of a wide range drugs and medicinal products, thereby attaining a considerable growth in the retail pharmacy sub-segment in 2016 and further.

The rising resource potential in Saudi Arabia is projected to positively reform the production environment for pharmaceutical manufacturers. In order to expand the markets size, structuring alliances with well-established native companies is predicted to be a key strategy for global pharmaceutical leaders. The key players in the Saudi Arabia pharmaceutical market include Novartis AG, SPIMACO, Pfizer Inc., and Glaxosmithklineplc.,Jamjoom Pharma, and Tabuk Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Co. among others.

Request for Table of Contents: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gc-1733

Long-term Outlook: The Saudi Arabia pharmaceutical market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9.0% over the forecast period 2016-2026. In terms of market value, the pharmaceutical market in Saudi Arabia is estimated to be worth US$ 12,281.4 Mn by the end of forecast period.

FMI Latest Insights:

Anti-ageing Market: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/anti-aging-market

Parenteral Packaging Market: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/parenteral-packaging-market

Europe Viscosupplementation Market: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/europe-viscosupplementation-market

About Us

Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends.
HELENA, Mont., Aug. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aureus Incorporated (OTCPK:ARSN) ("Aureus" or the "Company) is pleased to announce its recent acquisition of two mineral properties in Montanas Confederate Gulch mining district, historically known for placer gold discoveries.



The two properties are the Keene Placer claim and Western Star Load claim and mill site. The Keene Placer claims consists of 19.67 acres, in the Montana Gulch, the known feeder of gold for the Confederate Gulch in Broadwater County, MT. Historical work was completed on the Keene Placer property in the early 1990's which has shown positive indications of mineralization. Aureus intends to use the historical information along with a phase one exploration program to complete a NI 43-101 report. Western Star Lode Claim and Mill site is 13.22 acres and located in the northern half of the Confederate Gulch mining district in Broadwater County, MT.

The Confederate Gulch mining district, containing some of the richest placer ground in Montana, lies on the western slope of the Big Belt Mountains between Helena and Townsend east of the Missouri River (now Canyon Ferry Reservoir).

Mr. Tracy Fortner, Aureuss CEO, commented, Over the years, I have worked on many mineral properties, and I believe there is great potential on our two newly acquired properties. Our goal is to explore both properties with the focus on the discovery of gold and ultimately to build a processing facility to service both properties.

The two properties were acquired through a Purchase Agreement, dated July 21, 2016 between the Company and Montana Mine Land Holdings LLC, a company controlled by Tracy Fortner, our President & CEO.

Additional information regarding the Purchase Agreement discussed here can be found in the Companys Form 8K/A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28, 2016.

About Aureus Incorporated

Aureus Incorporated is a junior gold exploration and mining company with mineral interests in Nevada and Montana, both known for being gold areas. The Company was founded in 2014 with the goal of acquiring and exploiting minerals claims in North America with a focus on the western region, where historical many large gold discoveries have been made.

For additional information, please visit the Company's website www.aureusgold.com, the contents of which are not incorporated into this press release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "should," "intend," "estimate," "projects," variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not a forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements are risks that are detailed in the Company's filings, which are on file on the Companys page on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions website at www.SEC.gov.

Disclaimer: This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
MIAMI, Aug. 8, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Association Services of Florida, an Associa company, is not taking the threat of Zika lightly. They are making sure residents in its managed condos are fully informed about the CDC's (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommendation for those living within Miami's Wynwood neighborhood.

On Friday, May 5, the management firm distributed informational flyers to more than 1,200 condo unit owners, within a 20 block area between NW 20th St. and NW 39th St., who are considered to be at the greatest risk of contracting the mosquito-transmitted virus which has been linked to at least 14 cases in that area, according to the CDC.

"We are taking every precaution necessary and making sure the residents living within our managed communities are informed about the precautions they should be taking as well," says Association Services of Florida President Marc Rodriguez. "Unsurpassed customer service and compassion for our clients is an important part of the Associa culture and this effort is one of the ways we're able to directly impact the health and well-being of the families who have put their trust in us."

The Zika virus alert flyer that was distributed includes information about how to control mosquito breeding, such as removing standing water. It also covers protective measures that can be taken to avoid exposure to mosquitos and lists common Zika virus symptoms along with important CDC contact information.

Building and managing successful communities for more than 37 years, Associa is the worldwide leader in community management with over 10,000 employees operating more than 180 branch offices in the United States, Mexico, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa. Based in Dallas, Texas, our industry expertise, financial strength, and innovation meet the unique needs of clients across the world with customized services and solutions designed to help communities achieve their vision. To learn more about Associa and its charitable organization, Associa Cares, go to www.associaonline.com or www.associacares.com.

Stay Connected:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/associa

Twitter: https://twitter.com/associa

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/associa

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/associa/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/associamarketing

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Associaonline

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=41037
NASSAU, Bahamas, Aug. 8, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Retired NASA astronaut Scott Kelly touched down on the beautiful shores of The Bahamas this weekend to experience firsthand the beauty and culture of the islands he gazed on from space during his time orbiting Earth. The famous American astronaut accepted the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism's invitation to visit The Bahamas after he returned to Earth in March following a year-long mission in space.

Kelly, his daughter, and significant other had dinner with Minister of Tourism, Obie Wilchcombe on Sunday at the historic Graycliff restaurant before departing for Exuma on Monday.

"We made contact with him, and soon after he arrived on Earth he accepted our invitation. It is our pleasure to treat him to this much-needed vacation. We wanted him to spend time in The Bahamas so that he can enjoy all of the things that are important to us, and see why we say 'It's Better In The Bahamas,'" Wilchcombe said.

Minister Wilchcombe presented Kelly with a framed coin from The Central Bank of The Bahamas featuring The Bahamas from space.

Kelly also met with science and technology students from local high schools and The College of The Bahamas and answered their many questions after dinner. When asked by one of the excited students why he continued to post about The Bahamas during his long mission, Kelly's answer was simple  there is nothing like it.

It is so expansive and so absolutely beautiful," Kelly told the group. "I think one of the reasons why we know that aliens have never come to Earth is because they would've all been here in The Bahamas. If you're going to land somewhere on Earth, you would land in the most appealing place from space," he joked.

During his mission, Kelly shared dozens of stunning photos he took of The Bahamas, especially the Exuma chain. He described the islands as "a refreshing sight" during his time in space.

He tweeted to his more than 421,000 followers, and mainly to his daughter, that The Bahamas is "the most beautiful place from space". His tweets garnered international attention and The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism invited Kelly and his daughters to visit the country once his mission was complete.

In Exuma, Kelly will have the opportunity to see the beauty of the islands up close. He will be treated to snorkeling, fishing, feeding the iguanas, swimming with the pigs and some much needed rest and relaxation.

Director General in the Ministry of Tourism, Joy Jibrilu, spoke of Kelly's impact on The Bahamas as a brand. "Kelly's Bahamas tweets from space, about the beauty of The Bahamas, were a true highlight," she said. "Over 251,000 stories were written globally about this. He helped us tell the world just how beautiful our destination is."

Kelly is expected to document his trip to Exuma and share it with his social media followers.



About The Islands Of The Bahamas

The Islands Of The Bahamas have a place in the sun for everyone from Nassau and Paradise Island to Grand Bahama to The Abaco Islands, The Exuma Islands, Harbour Island, Long Island and others. Each island has its own personality and attractions for a variety of vacation styles with some of the world's best scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boating, as well as, shopping and dining. The destination offers an easily accessible tropical getaway and provides convenience for travelers with preclearance through U.S. customs and immigration, and the Bahamian dollar at par with the U.S. dollar. Do everything or do nothing, just remember It's Better in The Bahamas. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations, call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. Look for The Bahamas on the web on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Photos accompanying this release are available at:

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=41047

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=41048
Lancet Study:

These findings firmly counter those of a Cochrane review of direct-acting antiviral treatment trials that could neither confirm nor reject if direct-acting antivirals had an effect on long-term HCV-related morbidity and mortality. They also provide the best evidence to date to support guidance documents that recommend direct-acting antiviral treatment for all patients with chronic HCV infection.





Latest Update Feb 12, 2019A systematic review published by the Cochrane Collaboration suggested achieving SVR (cure) for patients using hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) doesn't correlate with any long term benefits. View each rebuttal and all ongoing media coverage.
As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ
The name of the man who was killed when a Dodge County deputy returned fire on Friday was released today.

James A. Quealy, 59, Beaver Dam, died at 8:46 p.m. Friday after allegedly saying he wanted to die by suicide by cop.

Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigations is leading the investigation in the shooting which happened at 215 Woodland Drive, Beaver Dam. Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt said Monday that the name of the deputy is being withheld at the request of the Department of Criminal Investigation pending its investigation.

Dodge County Sheriff's Office received a call at 6:46 p.m. to check the welfare of a man at the apartment and alerted Beaver Dam Police. Quealy had sent texts that had concerned friends. Beaver Dam Police were also warned that he had a firearm. Beaver Dam Police Chief John Kreuziger said on Saturday that Beaver Dam Police made contact with Quealy and he said that he wished to end his life by suicide by cop. Due to the nature of the incident, Beaver Dam Police requested assistance from the sheriffs office.

Schmidt said the sheriffs office received the request for assistance at 7:40 p.m.

There were efforts to end the situation peacefully and safely, Schmidt said.

Unfortunately the suspect turned his weapon on a deputy sheriff and fired, Schmidt said Saturday. "The deputy sheriff involved returned fired in an effort to stop the threat both to himself and the community. As a result of the suspect was shot and killed.

The deputy is a nine-year veteran of the sheriffs office and was not injured. The deputy has been placed on non-disciplinary administrative leave in accordance with Dodge County Sheriff's Office policy.

Both the Dodge County Sheriff's Office and the Beaver Dam Police Department receive annual training on numerous areas handling emotionally disturbed people and use-of-force situations.
A former State Capitol Police officer was sentenced Monday to four years of probation, with 10 months in jail as a condition of probation, for the theft of a painting from the Governors Mansion in 2011 and an unrelated 2015 forgery case.

Im humbled and Im sorry and I want to make everyone whole to the best of my ability, said Travis Sackett, 32, now of Tempe, Arizona.

Sackett, who was a Capitol officer from 2009 to 2011, pleaded guilty in June to felony theft for stealing a 1968 painting by Wisconsin artist Aaron Bohrod called Gold Fantasy Box, which had been in storage at the Governors Mansion.

He also pleaded guilty to unrelated counts of forgery, misuse of someone elses identity, identity theft and misdemeanor bail jumping.

While Dane County Circuit Judge Nicholas McNamara remarked Monday that stealing the painting was one thing, he said the more sophisticated act was the fraud, in which Sackett created a look-alike lien satisfaction document intended to fool the Dane County Clerk of Courts office into believing that he had paid off restitution he owed for a 2012 theft case. The public trust was what really was stolen in both of these cases, McNamara said.

Sackett blamed the crimes on an addiction problem that he tried to solve by himself and the effects of a later head injury he sustained.

The painting was discovered missing during an audit in January by the state Department of Administration, and turned up for sale at Don Barese Fine Art and Antiques in Hamden, Connecticut.

Barese told police he bought the painting from Sackett in March 2011 for $1,800. The sentence was recommended by Assistant District Attorney Paul Humphrey and Sacketts lawyer, David Bolles.

In addition to the time in jail and other conditions, Sackett was ordered to repay Barese and to pay about $13,000 for restitution in the fraud case.
After four days of searching, authorities in Grant County have ended their search for a missing Chicago woman who presumably drowned in the Mississippi River last week.

Volunteers from about three dozen fire departments, sheriff's offices, EMS units, park rangers, the DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service looked for four days before the search for Virginia Aberle, 29, was stopped on Saturday.

Aberle was with a group of friends on a canoeing trip on the Mississippi River, when the group stopped to camp Tuesday night at Wyalusing Beach. Aberle and another canoeist jumped into the river, but Aberle didn't surface.

Rescue efforts began shortly after the incident early Wednesday morning, but the rescue changed to a recovery effort later in the day.

"Each day of the recovery, there were anywhere from 10 to 15 boats and jet skis on the water, with over 40 volunteers," said Sheriff Nate Dreckman.

Dreckman asked anyone boating on the Mississippi River, from the Wyalusing Beach to Guttenberg, Iowa, to be aware of the missing woman.

Guttenberg is down the river from Wyalusing and is the site of a lock and dam on the river.

"Please keep your eyes open for the body of Virginia Aberle," Dreckman said. "If her body should be spotted, call 911."
"Boko Haram" Fighter Challenges IS' Appointment of Barnawi, Threatens Nigeria to Take War to Capital
NTSB Trying Again to Find El Faro's Black Box

"We're hopeful that the information contained in the voyage data recorder will provide insights into the circumstances of the ship's sinking," said Brian Curtis, acting director of the NTSB Office of Marine Safety.

The National Transportation Safety Board's third mission to find the voyage data recorder of the sunken cargo ship El Faro is under way. The Military Sealift Command's fleet ocean tug USNS Apache was scheduled to leave Aug. 5 from Virginia Beach, Va., and to arrive at the site where the wreckage was located around Aug. 9.

The NTSB, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy, and Phoenix International are joining the recovery effort and using CURV-21, a deep ocean remotely operated underwater vehicle, to retrieve the recorder and to conduct additional documentation of the wreckage. "We're hopeful that the information contained in the voyage data recorder will provide insights into the circumstances of the ship's sinking," said Brian Curtis, acting director of the NTSB Office of Marine Safety.

The ship sank Oct. 1, 2015, during Hurricane Joaquin. NTSB began searching for it soon afterward and ultimately found it in April in about 15,000 feet of water about 41 miles northeast of Crooked Islands, Bahamas.

This mission is expected to end sometime between Aug. 16 and Aug. 20 and will cost $500,000, bringing the total for the three missions to approximately $3 million.

Phoenix International Holdings Inc., which is based in Largo, Md., also has been involved in the search for the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean.
Tiong Bahru has evolved into an interesting enclave of indie cafes, coffee joints, artisanal bakeries and restaurants. Antique and art galleries, independent bookstore BooksActually, yoga studios and offices of creative agencies have also sprouted up in Singapores oldest housing estate, which is also the first to obtain conservation status.

Joining the milieu are the realtors of SRI, a real estate agency that opened its 2,000-sq-ft office space a month ago on the ground floor of a block on Eng Watt Street, off Seng Poh Road. The co-working space environment with its bar-height work tables is best suited for realtors who work flexible hours and, sometimes, remotely.

SRI, founded by managing partners Bruce Lye and Benson Koh two months ago, is a spin-off from SRI5000, which the duo co- founded six years ago as a division of SLP Realty. They have kept SRI, the acronym for Singapore Realtors Inc. But we felt SRI5000 was too much of a mouthful, explains Lye. SRI is a brand that people already recognise, and its simpler, so we dropped 5000.

SRI trio (from left) Bruce Lye, Benson Koh and Tony Koe

The choice of Tiong Bahru was intentional, and the offices location on Eng Watt Street is ideal, given its ample parking space. Before we selected this location, we spent a week coming at different times of the day to make sure it wouldnt be inconvenient for our agents.

A well-honed tradition at SRI5000 was the adoption of 5000 by member agents for their vehicle registration numbers and the last four digits of their mobile phone numbers. The number has become synonymous with the teams identity, and the tradition has continued in the new firm. The number is still in our hearts, says Lye. One of our agents recently won the bid for the latest car number plate  SLF 5000  and has put it on her new Lexus.

Cafe culture

The Eng Watt Street unit now occupied by SRI was once a showroom of tile company Rice, which vacated the place last year when it moved into its own building on Henderson Road. SRI gutted the unit to create an open floor plan with a cafe-like space. A meeting area-cum-pantry at the rear features a skylight.

Story continues

People are drawn to this place because theres more sunlight compared with our previous place, which was in a conventional office building, says Koh. Now that were on a ground floor, theres more sunlight, a park just across the street, coffee joints and cafes in the vicinity.

At SRI, there are currently 120 agents, many of whom had moved over from SRI5000. Another 80 are coming on board, and that will bring the total to 200. While the majority are from SRI, about 15% are agents who are crossing over from other agencies, says Koh.

SRI5000 split from SLP Realty to have greater autonomy, according to the duo. There were many levels within SLP, says Lye. We had many ideas, but we couldnt always push them through. SLP Realty is a subsidiary of SLP International Property Consultancy.

Including SRI5000 and SLP Scotia (renamed Scotia Real Estate in March), SLP Realty had about 1,100 agents. Lye, 33, and Koh, 34, were also not keen on managing the agency and wanted someone to help them with the day-to-day operations. We felt we lacked the experience, says the former.

That led to the appointment of Tony Koe as CEO of SRI. The 45-year-old Koe was executive director of SLP International for four years before leaving in May to team up with Koh and Lye. Prior to that, he was with JLL and Knight Frank.

Things came to a head at SLP when parent company ZACD Group announced early this year that it was transforming the latter into a private-equity firm, with Ryan Gwee as an equity partner and group managing director of ZACD Group since end-2015. Gwee was CEO of Asia Capital Pioneers Group and, before that, head of private banking at Standard Chartered Bank (China). Also in place is a team of ex-bankers in ZACDs new financial services arm.

ZACD also launched its Asia Pacific Real Estate Opportunistic (ARO) Fund Series II in February, with a target to raise $300 million in equity. The ARO Fund Series II will focus on investments in three asset classes: high-end residential property in Singapore, industrial properties with a focus on data centres in Asia, and student accommodation in Australia.

The repositioning of ZACD into a private equity firm caused some confusion about the role of SLP, according to a source. Some clients called asking whether SLP was still a real estate agency or whether it was now involved in fund raising, which put some of the realtors in a bit of a predicament.

Efficiency and transparency

However, the trio at SRI saw their departure from SLP as an opportunity to start afresh in their own outfit. While they will maintain the same culture, the new firm will give them the opportunity to roll out all the tech initiatives that they wanted to introduce. One example is the introduction of greater efficiency and transparency with regard to billing and payment processes for commissions and co-broke agents fees, says Koh.

Not knowing when a payment will be made is a source of frustration to co-broke agents, says Lye. If they are informed in real time when payments are made, they will not have to keep calling to find out. Most people may not think its a big deal, but it is important to agents.

At SRI, the group will continue to focus on resales  from mass market to luxury homes  which form 80% of the business. It will stay away from new project launches, as these involve a lot of manpower and time commitment. Its a numbers game, says Lye. Leading up to the launch, agents have to spend two months hyping the project and collecting cheques. But on the actual day of the launch, only a fraction of those who submitted cheques will actually buy. So, for every three happy faces, there will be seven sad agents at the launch. As team leaders working alongside our agents, we know how they feel and want to avoid that.

A case in point was the launch of executive condominium Treasure Crest in Sengkang. A total of 1,077 e-applications were received over a 10-day period last month. On the first two days of booking over the weekend of July 16 and 17, 362 out of 504 units were sold. The conversion rate from e-applicants to buyers was 33.6%, which is considered good in todays market, says SRIs Koe.

In another recent EC launch, there were 240 e-applications, but on the first weekend, only 24 units were sold. The number of agents involved in the launch was at least 500, he says.

Projects

While SRI may not want to be the agents involved in the first cut of new launches, the firm relishes securing the sale of balance units in the later phase. Since its inception, the real estate agency has secured a handful of appointments from developers. These include Vue 8 Residence, a 463-unit private condo in Pasir Ris by Capital Development and ZACD Investment. As at end-June, 341 units had been sold at a median price of $959 psf. The developer has appointed SRI to handle the sales of the balance units.

Another project is an 11-storey commercial development called Tai Seng Point at Irving Place, next to the Tai Seng MRT station. The freehold project contains 47 strata units, of which the 22 industrial units are fully sold. Another 17 shop units and seven F&B units are still available for sale. The developer is SingHome.

Yet another development where SRI has been appointed an exclusive agent is One18 Residences in Phnom Penh by ASX-listed property developer Kingsland Global. Thirty per cent of the units in the development have already been sold.

On Stevens Road in Singapore, The Pines, a redevelopment of The Pines Country Club by Singapore-listed property group Oxley Holdings, will see the opening of two hotels by AccorGroup: Ibis and Novotel. Oxley is leasing out its retail and F&B space in the project, and SRI is one of the leasing agents.

Koe sees opportunity to create a property management arm as an extension of SRIs business. This will include private condo management under the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST), commercial and industrial buildings. Currently, property management is still very old school, he says. We believe developing technology applications for real estate is something that will really elevate the industry.

This article appeared in The Edge Property pullout, Issue 740 (Aug 8, 2016) of The Edge Singapore.

Related Articles From TheEdgeProperty.com.sg

From property agents to developers
Taiwan on Monday protested Kenya's deportation of five Taiwanese citizens to China after they were acquitted of running a cybercrime cell last week, as relations with Beijing worsen under the island's new president. Kenya's actions are just the latest in a recent spate of deportations of Taiwanese to China, with Taipei accusing Beijing of "abducting" citizens from countries that do not recognise the island's government. A Kenyan court on Friday acquitted 35 Chinese and five Taiwanese held in custody since December 2014 for allegedly running a cybercrime cell from an upmarket Nairobi suburb on the grounds that the prosecution had failed to prove their involvement. The group was accused of being involved in running an unlicensed telecommunication system and was engaged in organised crime -- charges they had denied. Kenya deported dozens of Taiwanese in April also accused of fraud, after they had been cleared of charges. Observers read the deportation cases as a Chinese bid to pressurise Taiwan's new Beijing-sceptic leader Tsai Ing-wen -- who took office in May. But Beijing insists that Taiwanese fraud suspects be sent to China to face trial as their alleged telecom crimes largely target mainland Chinese. The five Taiwanese were deported to China in a flight that took off from Kenya around midnight Sunday, despite the court's decision for them to be returned to Taiwan, according to officials in Taipei. "We express strong protest to the Kenyan government... We regret that Kenyan authorities bowed to pressure from China to forcefully deport five suspects from our country to China," the foreign ministry said. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), its top China policy-making body, said it lodged a protest with Beijing over the latest round of deportations. "The Chinese side ignored our repeated calls not to deport our people to China and seriously hurt the feelings of Taiwanese people," it said in a statement. MAC said it will continue to negotiate with China to secure the suspects' return to Taiwan to stand trial. The president's spokesman Alex Huang also voiced concerns over the deportations, saying it "violated human rights and international precedent". The deportations fly in the face of condemnation from rights groups, with Amnesty International saying last week the Taiwanese face potential "human rights violations" if sent to the mainland. Taipei has also protested the recent deportations of Taiwanese fraud suspects from Malaysia and Cambodia to China. Relations between Taiwan and China have grown increasingly frosty since Tsai and her the Democratic Progressive Party came to power. China insists that self-ruling Taiwan is part of its territory even though the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war.
chun cui he milk tea

The  craze is still on even after weeks since it has arrived to our Singapore shores! How is it even possible that stocks in selected 7-Eleven stores nationwide get wiped out within minutes?

So much so that they have put up signage limiting customers to only six bottles at a time, due to its overwhelming response. Its popularity really baffles me.

Ive seen friends posting pictures of these bottles of drinks on Instagram whenever theyre in Taiwan, raving about how delicious it is. Finally, Ive had my chance to taste if its worth all that attention.

chun cui he milk tea

Weve gotten both flavours that are currently sold on our shelves, Milk Tea and Latte, which are both priced at $2.80 each.

The other flavours that are available in Taiwan are Black Milk Oolong, Mandheling, Cocoa Milk Tea, Sumiyaki, Green Milk Tea, and Cafe Au Lait. I dare not think what would happen if Abana Singapore Pte Ltd (the distributor) decides to bring them in.

Upon emptying the milk tea from its bottle  that resembles very much like a shampoo bottle  the drink is evidently silky and creamy from its milky content. Interestingly, the milk tea is a shade darker than the latte.

While the Chun Cui He Milk Tea hides notes of aroma from the tea leaves and milk that the drink uses, it also had a very strong accompanying syrupy sugar scent.

On the other hand, the Latte had a subtle coffee fragrance, a slight chocolatey taste, and a whiff of caramel to it.

chun cui he milk tea

I enjoyed the Latte way more than the Milk Tea, it was much lighter and refreshing in taste, and more aromatic than other bottled lattes you can get at convenience store in Singapore.

I cannot say the same for the Milk Tea, which could be easily outshined by other brands in our current market. Ive surveyed the ground, mainly among friends and colleagues, and most had the same conclusion: there are better milk tea brands out there.

Nonetheless, being Singaporeans and having born with a competitive nature, Id say go for it if you havent managed to get a bottle and try it for yourself. Theres even an official Abana Facebook page where you can monitor when they will be replenishing stocks in 7-Eleven, and tips from fans on the outlets with higher chances of getting these bottles.

Story continues

To each its own taste, perhaps youll enjoy the milk tea more than I do. Would I hunt for this milk tea all over Singapore? Probably not  In Taiwan and Hong Kong, its easily available like a bottle of Pokka green tea.

Expected damage: $2.80 per bottle

Chun Cui He ( ): Selected 7-Eleven stores across Singapore | Facebook

The post Chun Cui He : Bottled Milk Tea Craze in Singapore  Is It Worth The Search? appeared first on SETHLUI.com.
Tommy Guerreros latest interviewee in his always enjoyable BS With TG series is street skating pioneer and wallride artist Natas Kaupas, here to discuss SMA Tours, Rocco sleeping on his floor, working out the finer points of board design with Skip Engblom, starting 101 and more. We also get an insight into what hes been doing since leaving the limelight, so have a watch for some skate history and keep an eye out for part two coming this Friday

Logan, the early 80s death of skateparks, skating with Tony Alva, Dogtown, tattooing blind punks, travelling to Japan, who he's hyped on currently skate-wise, Julien...

Big Brother, the ankle injury which put a stop to his skateboarding career, the big pants small wheels era, working laying out porn mags, the...

Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.
* Drilling, hard-to-extract oil to drive Yugansk's output

* Rosneft sees its total output flat this year

* Novak: no prerequisites for joint actions on oil markets now (Adds details, quotes, background)

By Olesya Astakhova

NEFTEYUGANSK/MOSCOW, Russia, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Russia's Rosneft, the world's top listed oil company by output, plans to increase production at its key unit, adding to the global glut, it said on Monday.

Moscow sees no need for new talks with fellow producers on joint actions on markets. It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) was part of a group of global producers which were trying to agree on an oil output levels freeze in April to help to speed up a supply/demand rebalance. Talks failed as Saudi Arabia refused to sign a deal without Iran.

Oil prices rose on Monday lifted by reports of renewed talks by some members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to restrain output.

Russia, the world's top oil producer, sees no prerequisites for new talks on freezing oil production yet but is open to negotiations, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday.

"If other countries raise the issue of a freeze, we are ready to discuss this," he told reporters.

"But the position of Russia is that the prerequisites for this have not yet come to pass, considering that prices are still at a more or less normal level."

Russia was pumping at an average of 10.85 million barrels per day (bpd) in July, slightly up from June thanks to increases at some of its biggest producers, including Rosneft.

Rosneft, which saw its oil production down 1 percent last year to 202.8 million tonnes (4.07 million bpd), has recently announced an ambitious drilling programme in a move to turn around the trend. Rosneft sees its oil output flat in 2016.

Drilling continues at Yuganskneftegaz, a subsidiary of defunct Yukos and Rosneft's biggest producing unit.

Yuganskneftegaz's head, Khasan Tatriyev, told reporters that his company is targeting an annual oil production of 68 million tonnes - or 1.4 million bpd - by 2020. Last year, oil output at Yugansk was at 62.4 million tonnes.

The planned increase to 68 million tones (1.37 million barrels per day) would come from a heavier drilling programme and going after hard-to-extract oil, Tatriyev said. Hard-to-extract oil is expected to account for 15 percent of Yugansk's output by then from around 5 percent last year.

According to Yugansk's presentation, it plans to almost double production of unconventional oil to 5.7 million tonnes this year. (Reporting by Olesya Astakhova; Writing by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Tom Hogue and William Hardy)
Ares Management is reportedly seeking to raise more than $45bn for its latest batch of funds.
Dutch buyout house Main Capital Partners is looking to expand its presence in the German software market with the openin
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs that on August 8 the USD exchange rate was 476.14 AMD which is an increase of 0.12 drams compared to the previous day.

Armenpress reports that the Euro decreased by 2.25 drams forming 528.04 drams. British pound dropped by 5.22 drams forming 621.32 drams, Russian ruble increased by 0.06 drams reaching to 7.34 drams on August 8.

The prices for precious metals are as follows: the price for silver per gram is 309.53 AMD, gold-20,519.18 AMD, and platinum-17,543.26 AMD.
Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel announced Monday that he has demoted the longtime head of the Department of Justice environmental protection unit.

Thomas Dawson, who once worked as a state intervenor for environmental protection, now is an assistant attorney general in the unit he directed since 2003, DOJ spokesman Johnny Koremenos said.

After Schimel appointed a new director, Dawson announced he will retire in January, Koremenos said. Dawson said he wasnt authorized to discuss the changes.

Schimel named Assistant Attorney General David P. Ross as director of the environmental unit. Ross has extensive experience in positions dealing with environmental regulations as a private attorney in Washington, D.C., and as a public employee for the state of Wyoming.

Leaders of conservation groups said Ross had big shoes to fill.

It would be hard to find anybody with a better knowledge of environmental laws in Wisconsin or a better record of upholding them than Tom, said Keith Reopelle, a senior policy director at Clean Wisconsin. Its pretty difficult to view this as anything but a continuing softening of that office of environmental protection.

Schimel, a Republican who took office in 2015, has faced criticism from conservationists and Democrats for his environmental stances and what they see as excessive partisanship.

This year, he issued a formal opinion that had the effect of rolling back state powers to protect water from high-capacity wells.

Meanwhile, the environmental protection units staff this year shrunk to its smallest size in 25 years, continuing a long-term trend as state regulators sought fewer fines from polluters.

In announcing Dawsons replacement, Schimel said DOJ cares about environmental protection.

The Department of Justice takes seriously its role in environmental enforcement and the addition of Dave Ross to my leadership team will offer a new management perspective, and two decades of environmental litigation and consulting experience, Schimel said in a statement. As Ive said before, we are stocking the pond at DOJ with some of the very best legal minds in the country, and Dave Ross is certainly no exception.

Ross LinkedIn profile indicates he joined DOJ several months ago after working two years for Wyomings attorney general as a senior assistant attorney general in the water and natural resources division enforcing laws and defending regulators.

An Appleton native and 1994 UW-Madison graduate, Ross received his law degree and a masters in environmental law with honors from Vermont Law School in 2001.

Working for a series of law firms, mostly in Washington, D.C., Ross helped developers, businesses and trade associations determine how to comply with environmental regula- tions.

Ross defended major homebuilders accused of violating storm water regulations, and represented clients involved in litigation over the Clean Air Act and over water quality standards for Florida, the Chesapeake Bay and the Mississippi River Basin, according to his profile.

Schimels announcement noted that Ross had represented green energy developers and investors. Ross LinkedIn profile indicated he defended a permit allowing a wind-energy facility to impact endangered species habitat, performed environmental due diligence for wind energy investors, and evaluated offshore wind developments for the federal government.

Unit shrank

Last year, Schimel had six attorneys assigned to the DOJ environmental protection unit compared to 10 as recently as 2008, according to data the department released showing a decrease over 25 years.

Koremenos said in July he couldnt explain the decrease, but outside attorneys who have worked closely with the unit said it may be a symptom of the dwindling number of pollution cases the state Department of Natural Resources has referred for legal action.

The DNR sent between 105 and 179 violations to environmental protection unit lawyers annually between 1989 and 2009, according to the DOJ data, but the number has exceeded 100 only once since then.

Fines hit low point

Last year, fines against polluters fell to their lowest point since at least 1994, dropping below $1 million for only the second time in that period, the data show.

Dawson joined DOJ in 1976 and held the position of public intervenor, an assistant attorney general position that was abolished in the 1995 state budget.

Public intervenors advocated for public rights related to natural resources in court, in agency rule-making and in legislative hearings.

State intervenors lobbied agency administrators and legislators, and sought agreement among industry and other groups.

Dawson worked in DOJs civil litigation unit until 1997, when he took a three-year leave to head the Wisconsin Strategic Pesticide Information Project, a nonprofit formed to enact legislation aimed at tracking pesticide sales and use.

He teaches environmental law at UW Law School and the UW-Madison Environmental Toxicology Center.
Modified On Aug 08, 2016 07:40 PM By Arun

After being riddled with controversy, it is good to see Mitsubishi getting back to doing what they do best -- making cars. The Japanese manufacturer has taken the wraps off the 'XM' concept at the ongoing Indonesia Motor Show. The concept will eventually spawn a 7-seater SUV.

Interestingly, the 'X' in the name denotes crossover whereas the 'M' stands for MPV. Being a pre-production concept the vehicle does feature some outlandish design elements, which, we must add, look super cool. The large air dam, sleek grille and short nose combo is hard to dislike. It also features a heavily sloping roofline, which we expect to be chucked out in the production version. The customary flared wheel arches, faux skidplate and a pair of roof rails are in place for that oh-so-trendy SUV look.

Mitsubishi haven't revealed anything about the interiors of the XM. But, expect it to be peppered with technology and enough space to seat seven. The concept has been green-flagged for production, and is likely to be built in Mitsubishi's manufacturing facility in Java, Indonesia. Production will begin October onwards, and we expect a global unveil in mid-2018.

The SUV-meets-MPV styling and the seven-seater configuration places it squarely in Honda BR-V territory. Does Honda India have anything to worry about? Not really. As much as we'd like to see Mitsubishi revive itself in India, we just don't see it happening anytime soon. It's just the Pajero that is holding fort for the Japanese car brand, and the weak dealer and after sales network isn't helping either.

Recommended read: Facelifted Mitsubishi Lancer Unveiled
Published On Aug 08, 2016 01:00 PM By Alshaar

Renault has managed to crack Indias car market with its entry-level offering, the Kwid, and it now plans to carry this momentum across sub-continental borders with its export market.

Renault India operations CEO and managing director, Sumit Sawhney, recently said to PTI, Last month we started exporting Duster and Kwid to Sri Lanka. This month we will be entering Nepal while we also prepare to enter Bhutan.

Not restricting itself to just Asian markets, the Indian wing of the French manufacturer is also eyeing other emerging markets like Africa.

We are working on strategy for exports to South Africa, hopefully, it will be finalised soon. Besides, we are looking at other countries in Africa, Sawhney added.

As for the Americas, Renault India has already prompted the manufacture of the Kwid and is looking to export components for the small car. Certain sets of components will be supplied from here in India, said the MD.

READ: Renault Kwid 1.0-litre launch this month

Along with its remarkable success in Indias domestic passenger vehicle market, Renault has also shown remarkable growth in terms of its exports as well. It shipped out 441 units in the first quarter of the current financial year as opposed to just 56 units in the corresponding period last year.

In the country, the Kwid registered a near-200 percent growth in the said quarter while in July, the company registered a 600-plus percent growth; courtesy the Kwid that ended up as being the sixth highest selling car in India for the month.

In order to meet this towering demand for the small car, the company has also ramped up production at its facilities. We have started the third shift at our Chennai plant. We are producing about 9,000-9,500 units of the Kwid now, Sawhney said.
Modified On Aug 08, 2016 04:26 PM By Arun

The Calya is Toyota's latest MPV, which is expected to debut at the Indonesia Auto Show. As of now, the vehicle is meant for Indonesia only, and there's no concrete information on whether the Japanese automaker will take it to other markets. However, when we delved deeper into what the little MPV had to offer, we couldn't help but think it might just fit in well with the Indian car-buying masses.

The design is quirky, it looks spacious enough to seat seven for those occasional jaunts, and appears to be brimming with tech. Of course, Toyota is still slightly cross about the diesel ban and has withheld future investments. However, here are five solid reasons why we think Toyota should bring in the Calya.

The dimensions are just right!

The MPV measures 4,070mm in length, 1,655mm in width and 1,600mm in height. The wheelbase is a healthy 2,525mm. For the sake of comparison, the Mobilio measures 4,386 X 1,683 x 1,603mm. Toyota can reap further benefits if it manages to shave off 70mm from the length, making the Calya duck under the four-metre mark.

The engines are on hand

The Calya falls under Toyota's Low Cost Green Car (LCGC) class of vehicles, which consciously ditches bigger engines for smaller ones. For our market, the MPV can borrow the engines (both petrol and diesel) from the Etios sedan or the Liva hatchback -- which have proven to be efficient and reliable.

Open playing field

The sub Rs 10 lakh segment hasn't seen a lot of action in a long, long time. Other than the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, no other vehicle from any manufacturer has been able to leave a mark. The Mobilio and the even the Lodgy, for that matter, failed to set cash registers ringing.

Can't afford an Innova? Get a Calya!

This might as well be the MPV's tagline if the company decides to launch it here. The Innova, which was originally meant to be an affordable MPV, has catapulted into a much more expensive, luxury-laden segment with the launch of the Innova Crysta. For those who think the sticker price is too high, or can't stand the long waiting period, the Calya can be a swell alternative.

The gap in the portfolio

Toyota has a healthy range of vehicles for the Indian market. You'll find a hatchback sharing space with an SUV that costs over five times as much. Go over the portfolio with a fine comb, however, and you'd spot an open slot around the Rs 8.0 lakh to Rs 10.0 lakh mark. There is no low-cost MPV to choose from. And, for a brand like Toyota that is known in India for MPVs such as the Qualis and the Innova, the Calya at a sub Rs 10 lakh price point is bound to click. Also, at that price, it will not only get lapped up by private buyers, but by fleet operators as well.

What do you think of the Calya? Should Toyota bring it to our shores to battle the Ertiga and the Mobilio? Sound off in the comments section below.

Also Read: Next-gen Toyota Fortuner Spied In India
Modified On Aug 08, 2016 07:37 PM By Khan Mohd. for Toyota Innova Crysta 2016-2020

This makes the Crysta the only vehicle in its segment to be offered with both petrol and diesel engine options.

After a lot of speculations and delays, Toyota has finally launched the petrol version of the Innova Crysta. The prices start at Rs 13.72 lakh and goes up to Rs 19.62 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the top of the line variant. The timing of the launch is spot on as 2.0 or higher capacity diesel engines are currently banned in Delhi and Kerala and the Japanese carmaker can now market its MPV in these regions.

It is offered in four variants, namely, Zx (7-seater) automatic, Gx (7-8-seater) automatic, Vx (7-seater) manual and Gx (7-8-seater) manual.

Akito Tachibana, managing director of Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) said, The Innova is an iconic brand and has long established itself as the number 1 MPV in the Indian market. Often referred to as the segment creator, the brand Innova has proved itself again by being the first in the segment to offer a vehicle with a petrol variant.

Commenting on the introduction, N. Raja, director and senior vice president (sales & marketing), TKM said, The recently launched Innova Crysta has received an overwhelming response from the market. We are very thankful to our customers who have helped us realise this dream. We are confident that the Innova Crysta petrol will be equally successful in continuing the legacy that the iconic brand Innova has created in the Indian MPV market.

Besides the introduction of petrol trims, an all-new 2.7-litre Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence) petrol engine also debuts in India. The 2.7-litre mill generates a max power of 166PS along with max torque of 245Nm. The vehicle comes with Eco and Power drive modes. The ARAI-certified mileage figures read 10.83kmpl for the automatic version and 9.89kmpl for the manual one.

The petrol trims are offered with the array of features listed below.

Comfort and Convenient Features

3D Design Combination Meter with 4.2-inch TFT Multi Information Display

8-way power adjustable driver seat

Automatic LED projector headlamps

Ambient illumination

Upper glove box with cooling

One touch tumble second row seat

Rear Auto AC with Digital Display

Easy slide front passenger seat

Safety features

Standard Safety Features - 3 Airbags, Antilock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) & Brake Assist (BA), height adjustable Seatbelt with Pre Tensioner & Force Limiter (PT/FL) for front seat, 3-point seatbelt for all occupants & Child restraint system (ISOFIX)

Zx variant (In addition to Standard Safety Features) - 7 Airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) & Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)

Apart from the newly added features, it also gets new shades in the form of Garnet Red, White Pearl Crystal Shine and Avant-garde Bronze.

The Toyota Innova Crysta has already been getting great response for its diesel trims ever since it was launched. With the addition of the petrol variants, it is further expected to amplify, especially in Delhi and Kerala, where its diesel versions werent initially launched due to the ban.

Read More on : Toyota Innova Crysta india
Now that the presidential race is truly on, anyone who cares about Americas foreign policy and national security has no option but to vote for Hillary Clinton. Even if you dont like her.

The most urgent reason is the need to prevent a mercurial, ill-informed hot head from ever having his hand on the nuclear button. The second reason is that Clinton has a particular skill set that is vital for these unstable times.

Donald Trump has demonstrated over and over again that he doesnt have the temperament to be commander-in-chief. He flies off the handle at criticism and shoots off his mouth with reckless abandon (like his call for Russia to hack and release Clintons emails).

Many Trump supporters appear to believe he can compensate for his flaws by surrounding himself with foreign policy heavy hitters. But hes failed to do so. Whereas Ronald Reagan, to whom Trump compares himself, had a vast array of foreign policy advisers and a clear ideology when he ran for president, Trump has neither.

Trump has already terrified Americas allies and thrilled our adversaries with his talk of dismantling our key alliances with NATO, Japan and South Korea, and his praise for authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China. He has suggested ditching an array of treaties that would undercut important international institutions.

Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, speaking recently at the University of Pennsylvania, tried to imagine the situation if Trump were elected, and could hardly get the words out. To think that someone like Donald Trump could become president, Panetta said, and could back off our alliances, could say troops ought to torture, and that we ought to spread nuclear weapons and ban all Muslims  this is crazy.

He has already jeopardized our national security, has already raised questions about where the United States is and will be.

Having recently returned from Germany and France, where I spoke with government officials and foreign policy experts, I can attest to the bewilderment and shock of our close allies. He cant possibly win, can he? was the question I heard everywhere.

Our foreign partners are also bewildered at how eager Trump is to belittle them. After a French priest was murdered by the Islamic State  a tragedy that normally inspires condolences  Trump shot off: France is no longer France.

French President Francois Hollande angrily retorted, France will always be France. It never gives up because it still bears ideals, values  its when you lower your standards that you are no longer what you are. Thats something that may happen to others on the other side of the Atlantic.

Why insult an ally at such a painful moment? That question gets to the heart of why Trump presents such a danger to Americas future. Trump appears to believe that America  and he, himself  can go it alone.

Which brings us to Clinton. No one can contest the breadth of her foreign experience, as first lady, senator and secretary of state. She understands the critical need for the United States to maintain its role as a global leader at a time when Western democracies are in turmoil. She grasps  as Trump doesnt  that Americanism and globalism cant be separated. Prosperity at home requires stability abroad.

Moreover, Clinton recognizes that the global challenge to democracies from Moscow, Beijing, and the Islamic State requires that alliances be solidified, not broken.

Yes, she has made mistakes (who wouldnt have in decades of public service). Her staffing choices have not always been wise. Her use of a public email server was clearly unwise (though only a few dozen of 30,000 emails examined by the FBI had classified information). The Libya intervention ended poorly (though the options were all bad).

And the closely held White House foreign policy team left her little space to shape policy during her years as secretary of state. But what came through during her tenure was her toughness when confronting adversaries. In summer 2012, she  along with Panetta, CIA chief David Petraeus and top army brass, wanted to arm moderate Syrian rebels (when they truly existed) as leverage to force Damascus to the bargaining table  a move that might have ended the Syrian conflict. The Obama team refused.

Clinton has taken a firmer stand than Obama toward Russias hybrid warfare in Ukraine. She has advocated a more forceful effort to end the Islamic State caliphate (without sending U.S. ground troops). Yet her stance is far different from the reckless Trump rhetoric, which promises to defeat the Islamic State overnight but gives no details. As Clinton ruefully admitted at the Democratic convention, she is a stickler for details.

Of course, this is a bizarre election year  when the isolationist Trump has pulled GOP foreign policy to the left of Obama, and Democrats have taken on the mantle of patriotism. Clinton has the support of retired Gen. John Allen, and other retired brass, and clearly is comfortable dealing with the military. Yet some Americans may fear an activist Clinton foreign policy will pull the country into another conflict.

But the Democratic candidate has made clear that, whenever possible, she prefers tough diplomacy to force. She showed her chops when she maneuvered Europe, Russia, and China into supporting tough sanctions against Iran. The final Iran deal was negotiated after she left office, but she has pledged to hold Iran to every detail.

Trump, on the other hand, wants to junk the deal, which would lead either to an Iranian nuke or another Mideast war.

Indeed, the irony of this election year is that the GOP, which was once the party dedicated to keeping America safe, has put forward a candidate whose temperament would gravely endanger U.S. security. Thats why  whether or not you like Clinton  its so essential she be elected to the job.
New Argentine Public-Private Partnership Regime Expected Soon: Another Step In The Right Direction

4 August 2016

Last June, Argentine President Mauricio Macri sent a public-private partnership bill to Congress, which was designed in consultation with local business chambers and multilateral entities, and has also drawn support from various members of the legal and financial community.

This briefing provides an analysis of the highlights of the PPP bill and of the aspects that could be improved.

Download PDF
Workers operate machinery on the assembly line at a Lyric Robert factory, operated by Guangdong Li Yuanheng Intelligent Automation Co., in Huizhou, Guangdong province, China, on Monday, April 18, 2016.

In July, exports fell 4.4 percent on-year, while imports fell 12.5 percent in U.S. dollar terms, according to Reuters data. Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast declines of 3.0 percent and 7.0 percent, respectively.

China's exports and imports fell more-than-expected in dollar-denominated terms in July, reviving concerns over the economic outlook both at home and abroad.

The trade figures will again steer attention to China's economy, which slowed to a 25-year low in 2015, as improvements in consumption failed to offset a marked slowdown in China's traditional economic drivers.

Concerns have also risen over the competitiveness of China's state-owned enterprises as well as the sharp rise in debt levels.

"The country's export growth is likely to remain subdued for some time. While we think the worst is probably over for many emerging markets, global growth is likely to remain lackluster well into next year," said Julian Evans-Pritchard, an economist at Capital Economics.

The weak data are likely to keep government policy accommodative, Nomura analysts said in a note.

Nomura added that the import slump was likely exaggerated due to massive flooding which further impacted already sluggish demand.

Despite the downbeat headline numbers, the figures show that the slowdown was "reasonably stable," said Toby Lawson, head of global markets at Societe Generale in Australia.

"There is no surprise that China growth is slowing. It's just a matter of how quickly it slows and how volatile it is," Lawson told CNBC's "Street Signs".

The Chinese markets, he said, have been far more stable than 12 months ago when the stock market fell sharply.

Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook.
watch now

Oil's recent dip back into the $30s per barrel may be enough to get some OPEC members to curb their bickering and consider joint action  especially if oil plummets again. Considering a deal and agreeing to one are two different things, but talk that the cartel would discuss its options sparked a rally in oil prices Monday. "All of a sudden, the price narrative was divergent from the OPEC message. They see the wisdom of changing the rhetoric  It's no surprise they'd go back to the playbook that worked successfully," said RBC's head of commodity strategy Helima Croft.

After recovering from the winter's lows, oil plunged back into bear market territory last week, and reports surfaced that the cartel plans to meet on the sidelines of an energy conference in Algeria in late September. On Monday, OPEC President Mohammed bin Saleh al-Sada, Qatar energy minister, confirmed that meeting, and oil rose nearly 3 percent. West Texas Intermediate settled at $43.02 per barrel.

People work at the Halfaya oilfield in Amara, southeast of Baghdad, Iraq. Essam Al-Sudani | Reuters

"One thing they really could do is bring forward the Venezuelan proposals to explore production bands for individual countries," said Croft. She said they would not likely take action but could form a committee to study the Venezuelan idea.

"Even talk of a new mechanism would be enough to change the sentiment if you have people thinking OPEC might be out there and be relevant again. The thing I took away from June was they were saying, 'Don't assign us to the dustbin. We're still relevant,'" said Croft.

But since OPEC agreed in November if 2014 to let the market set oil prices, some of the hardest hit members have worked unsuccessfully to bring about an oil production freeze that would give OPEC more control over pricing through production. Saudi Arabia, OPEC's biggest exporter, successfully led the cartel to end production quotas and leave pricing to the market. But OPEC members and non-members alike continued to pump high levels of oil, flooding the market with even more crude and driving the price down into the upper $20s per barrel in February of this year. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly said it would not agree to any deals on production unless all producers agreed. At the same time, Iran has refused to agree to curb production since it has been in the process of returning the barrels to market that it was unable to export while under sanction for its nuclear program. Iran's re-entry has been met with price wars as producers struggle to hold and build market share. "There's still this incredible battle. This is the problem with having U.S. production and having less demand in the U.S. Everything becomes a battle for Asia. It's also internally with in OPEC. Iraq has been stuffing a lot of barrels into China. It's a fierce battle for Asian market access. They're competing against Russia," Croft said.

'There may be a little bit more to it this time'
Dairy farmers blockaded the Muller factory at Market Drayton on Sunday night in protest over the companys failure to increase milk prices in line with more positive market signals.

About 75 farmers are understood to have joined the demonstration, organised by Farmers For Action members, which disrupted the flow of lorries onto the site until midnight.

The producers met at Market Drayton auction market before moving on to the Muller site at about 8pm.

See also: Muller freezes milk price for September

The action was prompted by Mullers decision to hold its standard non-aligned liquid milk price for September at about 18p/litre.

The move has angered farmers, who point out that when dairy commodity prices drop, farmgate prices are quick to go down. However, when commodity prices start to rise, some processors are much slower to pass the benefit back to farmers.

The NFU described Mullers decision to freeze the price for another month as an insult to the companys suppliers and completely out of line with recent positive market movements.

FFA chairman David Handley said the protest had been organised after a number of Muller producers called the organisation asking for help, he said.

Utter disgrace

I think it is an utter disgrace that in 2016, farmers are being pushed into this sort of action again  in what is now a rising market, said Mr Handley.

We are not accepting that Muller isnt going to pay more for September. It needs to pay more and unless we have some form of communication from them this week, we will be back in Market Drayton.

Muller needed to explain how it could justify keeping the base price static when its formula price had increased by nearly 0.5p/litre, he added.

A statement from Muller said: Disrupting a business with a track record for offering a competitive milk price to farmers and investing in the UK dairy industry makes no sense whatsoever.

The organisers of this disruption are not suppliers and should not claim to represent the 1,900 farmers who do supply us.

We will take whatever measures we can to protect our business.
Is it not shameful for mighty country like India that some terror leader from small country like Pakistan is threatening us ? Will Indian government now show guts to take direct action against all such terrorists to solve issue of terrorism in India ?  Editor, Hindujagruti

Karachi : Terror leader Syed Salahuddin, the head of the Hizbul Mujahideen, has threatened a nuclear war between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue, saying that armed jihad is the only option left with suppressed Kashmiri people.

Speaking to reporters in Karachi, Salahuddin said there is a great chance of a nuclear war taking place between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.

Pakistan is duty bound, morally bound, politically bound and constitutionally bound to provide concrete, substantial support to the ongoing freedom struggle on the territory of Kashmir. And, if Pakistan provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between the two powers, he added.

He said three wars have already been fought between the two countries over the Kashmir issue, adding that he can predict a fourth war with certainty because Kashmiris are no longer willing to compromise under any circumstances.

Whether the world supports them or not; whether Pakistan stands by them or not; whether the United Nation performs its duty or not; they have taken a pledge to fight up to the last drop of their blood, he added.

Salahuddin further warned that if the international community did not pay heed to the ongoing violence in Kashmir, Kashmiris from both sides of the divided Valley would be forced to take things into their own hands.

If God forbid, the international community continues to give a cold shoulder and ignore this issue and Pakistans efforts are not fruitful, and India does not stop its atrocities, a big incident can occur. Our base camp in liberated Azad Kashmir and the Kashmiris from this side will announce the trampling of the Bloody Line (of Control), he said.

Salahuddin further stated that there would be no ceasefire line, no international rules and no consideration for the United Nations observers.

Bleeding Kashmiris will come from that side, these Kashmiris will go from this side, and God willing a decision will take place on the bloody line, he added.

He said the Kashmiri people have reached this conclusion that they have no second option except to go ahead with an armed struggle and an armed jihad.

Neither is the international community doing its duty, nor are the international organisations trying to stand by their resolutions, nor is the Modi government ready to give any leeway. So, what remains with Kashmiri suppressed, bleeding people? Nothing less than target-oriented armed struggle. God willing, all this is already present there, but a new dimension will enter it now, which will prove very dangerous for India, god willing, Salahuddin said.

He asserted that the Kashmir movement was now gaining strength every day and night.

After the martyrdom of Burhan Muzaffar Wani, why did the entire state come out on to the streets against India? Actually Burhan is not the name of a person; it is the name of an ideology, a goal, the name of a dedication and a sentiment. At this point in time, the Indian troops are faced with Burhan in every street and lane. Every old person is Burhan, every child is Burhan, every young man is Burhan and every mother, daughter and sister is Burhan, he added.

Kashmir has been on the boil after security services on July 8 gunned down 22-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani. Around 60 people have been killed and more than 5,000 wounded, including the security forces, since protests erupted in Kashmir after the killing of Wani.

Source : Zee News
New Delhi : Under scanner over alleged terror links, controversial televangelist Zakir Abdul Karim Naiks Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) could be banned, said reports on Monday.

The Law Ministry has informed the central government regarding its proposed move, which is seen as an attempt to corner the controversial physician-turned-preacher accused of motivating terrorists.



Also, to bolster its case, the government has compiled a list of FIRs registered against Naik  especially one filed in 2005 and another in 2012.

The Law Ministrys proposal for action against Naik is based on these FIRs.

The Home Ministry has been informed that the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), founded by the Mumbai-based Naik in 1991, could be declared unlawful under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The law ministrys opinion makes a clear case of banning the IRF by declaring it an unlawful organisation, a senior home ministry official was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Such a move will mean no person can be a member of the IRF  whose website says it is a registered non-profit public charitable trust  hold meetings or collect funds.

A ban under UAPA is valid for five years.

Naik, who is said to be currently in west Asia, is accused of dodging police after allegations that his sermons influenced a terrorist killed in the July 1 Dhaka siege. Bangladesh has banned Naiks Peace TV, saying it incited the attack on a Dhaka cafe in which 22 people were gunned down.

His trouble compounded after suspicion that his speeches inspired 20-odd people, who disappeared from Kerala and feared to have joined the Islamic State terrorist outfit.

His media adviser Aarif Malik defended the preacher on Sunday, saying no government agency has sent any notice or summons to Naik.

Naik has no plans to return to India at least this year due to his prior engagements (abroad). But he has promised to cooperate in any probe by the government, he said.

Zakir Naiks advocate Mubin Solkar, however, said that it is totally unjustified to propose a ban against IRF.

If the UAPA is invoked to ban the organisation, the government will have to prove its charges in a specially appointed tribunal.

The law says an outfit can be called unlawful if there are allegations that its activities are prejudicial to national integration, or promoting enmity between groups on the grounds of religion and race, and doing acts intending to or supporting secessionism.

Naik and IRFs activities have been questioned after the Dhaka attack, although the qualified doctor has been under surveillance since the 2003 serial blasts in Mumbai, when his name cropped up.

Source : Zee News
Kochi : A woman recruiter for Islamic State has made sensational revelations before the Special Investigation Team of Kerala Police that the Iraq and Syria based global terror outfit is secretly running terror classes in Kerala where so far 40 people have been indoctrinated in its ideology of jihad.

Yasmin Ahmad, a 28-year-old school teacher in Kerala who was recently arrested on the grounds of being a suspected ISIS recruit, told the investigators that a person called Abdul Rashid, a fugitive ISIS recruiter held these classes, and is now operating out of Afghanistan.



We have identified some of those who attended radicalisation sessions conducted by Rashid in Thrikkaripur in north Keralas Kasargode. We are closely watching movements of some of them, said a senior officer of the Kerala Police SIT.

Ahmad was arrested at the Delhi airport last week, when she was about to board a flight to Kabul.

She was reportedly going to join Rashid there.

Rashid is believed to have orchestrated the disappearance of 21 youth from Kerala in the months of May and June.

Ahmad couldnt go along with the group of 21 due to some problem with her 4-year-old childs travel documents. She belongs to Saudi Arabia and came to Kerala three years ago after she found a job in Peace International School in Malappuram, where she met Rashid.

Rashid used to conduct the sessions in the guise of Quran classes, where he briefed the recruits about the ISIS. He regularly read the ISIS magazine, Dabiq, and used material from online propaganda to radicalise youth.

Source : Zee News
Kuwait City : A man has been arrested in Kuwait for suspected links with the Islamic State terror group.

The authorities in Kuwait arrested and charged Abdulla Hadi Abdul Rehman Al Enezi after being tipped off by Indias National Investigation Agency (NIA).



NIA had information that Al Enezi was involved in terrorism funding and recruiting youths for the ISIS terror group.

In fact, the suspect has admitted to supporting terrorist organisations and being involved financing terrorism, following his return to Kuwait from Pakistan in 2013.

Al Enezi is believed to have funded several ISIS sympathisers in India, including Panvels (Maharashtra) Areeb Majeed who returned to India months after joining the ranks of the ISIS in May 2014.

Areeb, who has been in custody ever since, had told sleuths during interrogation that Al Enezi sent $1000 to him and his three friends (also ISIS sympathisers) from Kuwait when they were in Iraq in 2014.

Source : Zee News
A seminar titled EK BHARAT ABHIYAN  KASHMIR KI AUR, was organised by the Bharat Raksha Manch along with Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Panun Kashmir at Bhubaneswar today.

Dr. Ajay Churungoo, head of Panun Kashmir, the organisation which has been spearheading the movement for the return of the Hindus to the valley, led a three man delegation. He spoke on the 25 year struggle of the displaced Hindus of Kashmir, and how successive governments failed the restore peace in the valley. Representatives Sri Ram Sene, Shiv Sena, Hindu Makkal Katchi, Hindu Sanhati and other Hindu organisations from 10 different states attended the Seminar. The Seminar was attended by many eminent persons of the State.

Shri. Murali Manohar Sharma, the National Co-convener of the Bharat Raksha Manch said that the joint conference will urge the Government of India to take immediate steps to prevent Kashmir and entire Indian Nation from becoming another Islamist controlled territory like parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, or Iraq. It is time that the government removes its blinkers and recognizes the fundamentalist upsurge in Kashmir and as a part of the global Jihad engulfing the entire Indian nation. The open movement of dreaded terrorists of LeT, Hizbul Mujahideen and JeM in the separatist protests is a warning to the very democratic set up of the country.

The Bharat Raksha Manch along with fifteen other Nationalist and Hindu organisations is holding a two day conference on the 8th and 9th August at Bhubaneswar. The conference will be the 7th nationwide initiative of wherein 160 Nationalist and Hindu Organizations across the country are collaborating to support the return and rehabilitation demands of the Kashmiri Hindus on the terms that Panun Kashmir has been highlighting since the last 25 years.

National Spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Shri. Ramesh Shinde said that the present policies of the State and Centre are allowing encouragement and support from within to the separatists. The entire spectrum of political parties operating in the state has bent to accommodate Muslim separatism and communalism. The recent wanton killings of our security persons, infiltration, subversive and anti-national activities are dashing the hopes of Kashmiri Hindus to return to their homeland.

Others who spoke at the Seminar included Dr. Bimalendu Mohanty, Shri. Suryakant Kelkar, Adv. Vishnu Shankar Jain, Shri. A. B. Tripathy and Shri. Sanjib Hota
Drug addiction is a serious problem in the region of Punjab. One of Indias most prosperous states, the fertile land of the five rivers and nations bread basket is having to struggle with a serious problem that is now reaching epidemic proportions. So much so that drug addiction has now become a key poll issue. (Source)

It is estimated that four out of ten men are addicted to some or other drug and that up to 50% of those are young farmers. While 15% of those are addicted to poppy husk (known as bhukki), 20% are addicted to synthetic drugs churned out by pharma companies in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh.

It isnt just people from the fringes of society that are addicted, students from good families are often caught in the toils of drug addiction. A study by the Guru Nanak Dev University suggested that 70% of young Punjabi men could be addicted to the drugs that are easily available, particularly in areas close to the borders. (Source )

Children as young as 12 years of age are seen to be involved in the drug trade. Drugs are openly sold and easily available. (Source)

The reasons for widespread drug addiction in Punjab are many: unemployment and frustrated economic expectations are among the reasons. There is also the fact that pharmaceuticals such as pain relieving opioids and sedatives are easily available from chemists; without prescriptions.

According to some, it is the Punjabi culture for heavy drinking and partying as well as the habit of landowners supplying raw opium to farm labourers to encourage them to work harder, that has contributed to the problem. Most rural households in the state are thought to have one addict.

The fact that there is a steady supply of drugs from across the border is another reason. Heroin smuggled is in from Afghanistan and Punjab is a part of the transit route for drugs. This fact is evidenced by frequent seizures of illegal drugs by the authorities. Just before the Loksabha polls last year, Rs 800 crore woth of drugs, liquor and other narcotics were seized by poll authorities.

In recent years there has also been a sharp increase in the rate of HIV infections in the state. This is because the rate of injectable drug users (IDUs) is far higher here than in other states. The national prevalence of HIV is 9% but in Punjab this number is in the region of 26%. (Source)

Source : IndiaOpines
About In Your Pocket

In Your Pocket is the brainchild of German Matthias Lufkens and Belgian brothers George, Oliver and Nicolas Ortiz, who, over several beers in the Stikliai beer hall in Vilnius, Lithuania, a town that at the time had no telephone directory, came up with the idea of Vilnius In Your Pocket during a long December evening in 1991. The four set out to conquer the world armed only with a dream and a laptop: they still have the dream, and they still have the laptop.

In Your Pocket is now one of Europe's leading providers of urban information, supplying locally produced, practical information for over one hundred cities all over the region, available at the travel portal www.inyourpocket.com and in more than 70 publication guide books, published in 23 countries. In Your Pocket's lively, honest style has received consistent praise from, among others, Le Monde, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Guardian, the Sunday Times, the BBC, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet. We are, indeed, the best. But don't take our word for it: take a look at our Press Clippings file [pdf, 160kb].

After a management buyout at the end of 2018, In Your Pocket has adopted a startup mentality, and aims to greatly expand its online content over the next couple year - first covering all of Europe and then going global in 2020. However, most importantly the storied brand will maintain the aims and values Matthias, George, Oliver and Nicolas first set out back in that beer hall in 1991 by being an opinionated guide written by local people who know their city and are part of its community.

In Your Pocket offers attractive print and web partnership packages. For more information, take a look at our advertising information page.
Health campaigners have rejected claims from the Irish Beverage Council, that a sugar tax will not work.

The group representing makers of soft drinks has said introducing the tax would cost the average Irish household an extra 60 a year.

Drinks-makers also say that sugar taxes in other countries haven't reduced consumption in the long term.

Cliona Loughnane of the Irish Heart Foundation has said that is simply not the case: Mexico put a one paso on a can of fizzy drink, that was about a 10% price increase, and over the first year of implementation, 2014, it led to a reduction in consumption of 6%.

In France we saw a 5% price increase from 2012 and it led to just under a 3% reduction.

The Irish Heart Foundation have released the following statement:

Responding to the Irish Beverage Councils statement issued today that a tax on sugar sweetened drinks is all cost and no benefit, the Irish Heart Foundation has said it is unsurprised but disappointed at industrys failure to be part of the solution against Irelands obesity epidemic by supporting this vital public health measure.

In fact the Foundation says the IBC is going to be the odd man out not in favour of a levy on sugar sweetened drinks which has the backing of the Irish public and which is contained in the programme for government.

Cliona Loughnane, policy and research manager with the Irish Heart Foundation said: We are not surprised by the views expressed by the Irish Beverage Council but it continues to be disappointing to hear when we are facing significant obesity and food poverty problems among our children that are not going to go away if we continue to rely on voluntary codes adopted by industry.

Right now we live in a country where obesity among children aged 8-12 years old has risen two-to-four fold since 1990 and it has to stop. Sugar sweetened drinks are the most consumed beverage in Ireland. These drinks, with no nutritional value, are being consumed by 53% of four-year-olds and 75% of 5 to 18 year olds.

At the Irish Heart Foundation, we believe society has a duty of care to its children and introducing a levy on SSDs is a significant public health measure the Irish government must take. In Mexico, a one-peso tax was introduced in 2014 which led to a 10% price increase and reduced consumption by 6% by the end of the year.

Not only will such a levy drive a reduction in consumption of these high sugar products, it will also provide funding for vital health and nutrition programmes specifically targeting children and young people through a dedicated Childrens Future Health Fund.
LifeStyle

The best LifeStyle shows are right here, from Australia and around the world. Catch up with the experts on home design and interiors, food and cooking, the property market, and get fresh ideas with the savviest of renovators. Whether you need inspiration for cooking up a storm, to refresh a tired room, or tips to sell your property, Foxtel LifeStyle will always something new for you to watch. Enjoy your favourite experts like Andrew Winter and Neale Whitaker, or Deb Hutton and Jamie Oliver live or On Demand.

Get Foxtel
Please enable JavaScript to experience the functionality of this website.

- MWEB
- Goodluck Jonathan has cried out over plots to assassinate him

- The ex-president's claim comes on the heels of accusations that he is a sponsor of the NDA

- Jonathan has denied the allegations, claiming that it was part of an attempt to assassinate him

- GEJ said MEND has been seeking to kill him even while he was vice-president of Nigeria

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, ex-president of Nigeria has raised an alarm that his life is under threat by militants.

Jonathan has said that the group MEND is after his life.

In a statement made by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze on Sunday August 7, Jonathan said the list of sponsors by the splinter group Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) was political, adding that it was part of an attempt to assassinate him.

The statement read in part: Since it is not in our place to speak for all those named in the obvious fabrication, we are only intervening to the extent that its hidden intent poses a violent threat to the life of former President Goodluck Jonathan, a committed patriot.

READ ALSO: Enjoy the fastest surfing with UC browser

We are seized by the feeling of deja vu occasioned by the resurrection of one dim character masquerading as Cynthia Whyte, who had in the past served as the spokesperson for a notorious group that had all along shown its hand to be going after the life of former President Jonathan.

The former President recalled that in 2007, after he emerged as the running mate of the late President Umar YarAdua, the group invaded Yenogoa in an effort to assassinate him.

He added that the members of the group later bombed his compound in Otuoke, Bayelsa state, on a night he was scheduled to attend to an important matter in his country home.

Do we need to remind anybody that the so-called Cynthia Whyte is the self-declared spokesperson for the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, a violent and murderous underground group led by one Henry Okah, which has not hidden its intention to destroy the former President? Jonathan stressed.

Jonathan said that the list, which named him and other South-South leaders as Niger Delta Avengers sponsors, was another attempt by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), to eliminate him.

According to him, the bombing that took place on October 1, 2010 at the Eagle Square, Abuja, showed that the group was violent.

GEJ noted that: We have no doubt in our mind that MEND, as a group contracted to go after Jonathan with the mind of assassinating him, has yet to abandon this criminal and ignominious craving. It is in this light that we view the purported statement issued by Cynthia Whyte as not only a sadistic continuation of this sick desire, but also a futile attempt to instigate the Federal Government to needlessly go after the former President.

Those who have been following the unsavoury developments in some parts of the country since the last general election would have noticed that MEND, its paymasters and other unscrupulous elements in the South-South region have been striving fruitlessly to exploit the ensuing confusion by surreptitiously working for the fulfilment of its yet-to-be declared political agenda.

We are not under any illusion that more accusations and allegations of this nature would not be hurled Jonathans way in the future. But we are very positive that he can never be fazed by such negative energy.

A group, which split from the NDA  Reformed Niger Delta Avengers  had named Jonathan as the grand patron of the NDA.

An online medium, Sahara Reporters, reported that in a statement by its spokesperson, Cynthia Whyte, the RNDA also listed the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, as sponsors of the NDA.

Others mentioned in the list were Chief Edwin Clark, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio; ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo); the founder, African Independent Television, Raymond Dokpesi; Kingsley Kuku; Kimi Angozi, and Patrick Akpobolokemi.

According to Sahara Reporters, the group said the NDA sympathisers are Daniel Alabrah; Tony Uranta, Daniel; Ms. Annkio Briggs, and a former spokesman for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh.

The Reformed Niger Delta Avengers also named Oyege Nimi Brown, VIP Timothy, Joshua Macaiver, Paul Bebenimibo, among others, as the main operatives of the NDA.

It added that the President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Udengs Eradiri, aka Brig. Gen. Murdoch Agbinibo, served as the NDAs chief spokesman.

Also, Clark, who spoke through his lawyer, Mr. Dotun Sowemimo, wondered why he would be mentioned as one of the sponsors of such a heinous crime against the nation.

He said: The allegation is an attempt to undermine the efforts of the Niger Delta leaders to bring true, lasting peace to the region.

Clark and other leaders in the region believe in the unity of Nigeria. The list is a cheap lie, which is meant to distract the peace moves by the elders and leaders in the Niger Delta.

On his part, Wike, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, said the list should be ignored by the members of the public.

Dokpesi, also distanced himself from the Niger Delta Avengers. Dokpesi in an interview with The Punch on Sunday in Abuja, said he remained committed to strengthening the unity and stability of Nigeria.

He said, I dont know who is giving that report; I have never met any member of the NDA in my life, I have no association with them and I dont know who they are. I have been committed to strengthening the unity and stability of the country.

Also denying the allegation, Metuh said he had nothing to do with the NDA. He said: Ordinarily, I would not have responded to this, but on this occasion, I have chosen to respond, as this particularly borders on matters affecting national security.

This is a wicked, cruel and devilish plot to link me with such activities, especially as the claim is outright false.

A former spokesman for the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, also denied being a sympathiser of the NDA.

Alabrah said in a statement on Sunday that the report was a product of mischief designed to distract the Federal Government from decisively addressing the resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta.

The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, denied being a sponsor of the Niger Delta Avengers or any other militant group.

In a statement on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Anietie Ekong, the former Governor of Akwa Ibom state described the allegation as baseless, reckless and senseless.

The statement read in part, Senator Akpabio has no link with the Niger Delta Avengers or any other militant group for that matter.

Also, a former Adviser to President Jonathan, on Niger Delta, Mr Kingsley Kuku, denied reports linking him with the Avengers.

Meanwhile, there are indications that Goodluck Jonathan is meeting with militants in the Niger Delta region in a bid to put an end to bombing of oil and gas pipelines.

The Guardian reports that a group, Niger Delta Peace Agenda, which is based in Bayelsa state, confirmed that Jonathan was secretly meeting with militants, especially the Avengers, and cautioned all Niger Delta militants to listen to the former president and Ijaw leaders to give peace a chance in the region.

Source: Legit.ng
Legit.ng is #1 online trusted source of the latest news in Nigeria. We are covering Nigeria news, Niger delta, world updates, and Nigerian newspaper reviews. We guide our readers to the world of politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion, lifestyle and human interest stories.
August 8, 2016 Jin Prugsawan , 252-475-9402

The National Park Service and the First Flight Society invite you to celebrate National Aviation Day on Friday, August 19, 2016, at Wright Brothers National Memorial. The event will celebrate 100 years of the National Park Service protecting Americas treasures and provide opportunities to explore aviation from the time the Wright brothers first took flight to the boundaries we push today.

National Aviation Day was first proclaimed on August 19, 1939, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This day also coincides with Orville Wrights birthday. In commemoration of what the Wright Brothers achieved, the park will host special guest speakers, pilots, have aircraft on display, and flight-related activities available for all visitors throughout the day. The park will be open from 9 am to 5 pm, and entrance fees will be waived for the event.

All-Day Activities :

Junior Ranger Program: Kids can pick-up a junior ranger booklet, learn about the Wright brothers to complete the activities, and be sworn-in as a junior ranger.

NASA Exhibits:

Explore models depicting the history of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) space program, experience the Journey to Mars exhibit, and see what is like to be living and working in space.

NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary: Stop by to learn about the work the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) does to conserve and manage coastal and marine resources. Learn about the nation's first sanctuary and how NOAA works to protect the rich and diverse cultural resources off North Carolina's coast. Find out how NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations' fleet of ships and aircraft facilitate Earth observations. Hear how NOAA's Hurricane Hunters, "Kermit" and "Miss Piggy," support hurricane and tropical storm research in the Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and the Eastern Pacific.

3-D Chalk Art Display: The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau is sponsoring a large-scale, "three-dimensional" public chalk art display. Visitors will be able to walk on and interact with the 3-D display created by artist Tracey Strum, who is internationally recognized and highly awarded for her street art. In recognition of the National Park Service Centennial, the collage will pay tribute to the Outer Banks National Parks - Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial.

Aviation Exploration: Join Tom Freeman, Safety and Education Specialist for the North Carolina Department of Transportation Aviation Division, as he explores the field of aviation through presentations and special activities.

Kite-Making and Stunt Kite Lessons: The Wright brothers first tested their flight theories by flying kites. Kitty Hawk Kites will be on hand to teach you how to make your very own kite. There will also be the opportunities to learn how to steer, swoop, and dive a stunt kite with a Kitty Hawk Kite instructor.

Aircraft on Display: Various airplanes and helicopters will be on display near the Wright Brothers Monument. Get a close look at modern-day flying machines and talk with their pilots.

Scheduled Activities :

All scheduled activities will take place in the Flight Room Auditorium in the visitor center unless otherwise stated.

10:00 - 10:20 am National Aviation Day Opening Remarks

A skydiver from Skydive Suffolk will kick off the days events by jumping into the park carrying the American Flag. Outer Banks Group Superintendent Dave Hallac and First Flight Society President Mike Smith will then provide opening remarks and invite all to celebrate National Aviation Day. Meet near NPS tent.

10:30  11:00 am First Flight Tour

Step back into history during this short walk to the actual site of the Wrights first powered flights. Learn more about the first flight and the events of that historic December day. Meet at Visitor Center Patio.

10:30  10:55 am Maiden Flight

Harry Haskell previews his new novel Maiden Flight, the true-life story of the Wright sister, Katharine, who left her world-famous brother Orville to marry the man she loved--the author's grandfather. Drawing on intimate family letters, the author will shed new light on an exceptional womans struggle for independence and fulfillment.

11:00  11:25 am First to Fly?

Were the Wright brothers really the first in history to fly? What about the stories of other experimenters who claim to have preceded them? Dr. Tom Crouch of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum will discuss the evidence for those claims and uncover the truth!

12:00  12:25 pm 100 Years of National Parks and its Connection to Aviation

National Parks and Aviation, they are both ideas born in America and are now part of our National Heritage. Join Park Ranger Darrell Collins to discover more about the national parks that keep the stories of our aviation heritage alive.

12:30  12:55 pm US Coast Guard Storytellers

Honoring 100 years of distinguished aviation service by the men and women of the United States Coast Guard, a Coast Guard Aviator will lead you through the progression of flight, innovation, and the Coast Guards contribution to our Nations well being.

1:00 pm US Coast Guard Aircraft Flyover

*Weather Dependent

1:00  1:25 pm Flight Room Talk

Learn how the Wright brothers solved the problems of human flight as a park ranger tells the story of their triumph at Kitty Hawk. Visitor Center Flight Room Auditorium

2:00  2:25 pm The National Park Service Celebrates Flight!

In celebration of the centennial of the National Park Service, Dr. Tom Crouch of the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum will discuss the history of Wright Brothers National Memorial, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, three National Park sites commemorating historic moments in American aviation.

3:00  3:30 pm First Flight Tour (see above)

3:00  3:25 pm US Coast Guard Storytellers (see above)

3:30  3:55 pm Maiden Flight (see above)

4:00  4:25 pm Flight Room Talk (see above)

The First Flight Society is a long-standing partner of the National Park Service. For more information, see www.firstflight.org.
Recently I watched a short interview with Noam Chomsky in which the eminent Linguistics and Philosophy professor responded to a statement made by Hillary Clinton during her unctuous address to The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) earlier this year.

AIPAC, as we all know, superintends the notorious Israel lobby, a broad coalition of Zionist (though not necessarily Jewish) organizations that wield a tremendous amount of influence over the legislative and executive branches of our government. Thus, should one wish to become a player in Washington, whether it be in the Senate or the Oval Office, one would do well to pander to the belligerent views of Howard Kohr and his small army of pro-Israel hawks.

Clinton has been doing so for many years nowspecifically since 1998, when her own political ambition took shape. A look at the transcript of her speech to AIPAC on March 21 makes plain just how faror lowshe is prepared to go to curry favor with the Israel lobby.

In the bit to which Noam Chomsky responds, Clinton takes aim at the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which exists to put pressure on business entities providing material support to the ongoing theft of Palestinian land and resources by the Israeli government. BDS is a peaceful campaign that draws inspiration from the Anti-Apartheid Movement, the latter having helped bring to an end to the apartheid era in South Africa.

Heres what Clinton had to say:

Ive been sounding the alarm for a while now. As I wrote last year in a letter to the heads of major American Jewish organizations, we have to be united in fighting back against BDS. Many of its proponents have demonized Israeli scientists and intellectuals, even students.

To all the college students who may have encountered this on campus, I hope you stay strong. Keep speaking out. Dont let anyone silence you, bully you or try to shut down debate, especially in places of learning like colleges and universities.

That was met by a standing ovation. How inspiring! One wonders whether Clinton is conscious of the weapons-grade irony contained here. Probably she is, but you never know (she did, after all, select Timothy Kaine as her running mate). Anyway, the irony certainly wasnt lost on Chomsky, who has been speakingor trying to speakabout the Israel-Palestine issue at universities for decades.

Im very happy, Chomsky said, dripping with characteristic sarcasm, that she has agreed that one should not shut down debate on this issue on campus. Shes about 40 years too late.

He went on to describe the fraught environment typical of his numerous talks on campuses across the country: Police protection, airport-style security, and violent disruptions of presentations which then had to be shut down. Until very recently, he added, police insisted on walking me back to my car, just because of the threat of violence.

So indeed, its very nice that Mrs. Clinton has finally decided that yes, maybe it would be nice to have free and open debate on campus, as there is now for the first time.

I think its safe to say that Chomsky was being a little over-optimistic when he said theres now free and open debate on college campuses. Indeed, he qualified the remark by adding that the situation is not perfect by any means.

Censorship on campus (and elsewhere) is a red hot issue these days, which is a good sign. It means the public is coming around to the notion that the rights guaranteed us by the First Amendment should never be abrogated.

That said, most of the coverage of this issue misses the mark. Oftentimes we see articles ridiculing hysterical students who demand safe spaces, condemn their cafeterias for serving insufficiently authentic foreign cuisine, and try to get people fired for uttering microaggressions. The rise of liberal intolerance on college campuses is a disturbing phenomenon, yes, and it should be addressed, mocked, whatever, but it simply doesnt rise to the threat level of Zionist censorship, which is more organized and which comes from powerful right-wing institutions.

A comprehensive report by Palestine Legal details the unrelenting campaign of censorship waged against those who attempt to speak about Israeli government policy from a Palestinian perspective. They cite numerous examples of how suppression of this particular brand of activism has been institutionalized.

Naturally, a favorite tactic of the censors is to conflate legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. Indeed, of the 152 incidents Palestine Legal responded to in 2014, 76 involved accusations of antisemitism based solely on speech critical of Israeli policy; in the first six months of 2015, 83 of 140 incidents involved false accusations of antisemitism.

This, of course, is nothing new; its been used by the Zionists for decades. In their vital book, The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy, geopolitical experts John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt (themselves defamed as antisemitic) lament the exploitation of antisemitism as an instrument of propaganda:

The charge of anti-Semitism remains a widely used weapon for dealing with critics of Israel, especially in the United States. The charge of anti-Semitism is one of the most powerful epithets one can level at someone in America, and no respectable person wants to be tarred with that brush. Undoubtedly, the fear of being called an anti-Semite discourages many individuals from voicing reservations about Israels conduct or the merits of U.S. support [for that conduct].

This particular strategy has quite literally been institutionalized. According to the U.S. State Department, examples of antisemitism (i.e., hatred of Jews) include attempts to demonize Israel, delegitimize Israel and impose a double standard for Israel. In other words, our government has effectively stripped the word of its meaning, giving official license to anyone wishing to smear Palestinian rights activists as sinister Jew-haters.

There are several examples of this erroneous new definition of antisemitism being used by pro-Israel organizations to shut down debate on college campuses. In one case reviewed by Palestine Legal, the student government at Northwestern University blocked the student body from voting on a divestment referendum because students, backed by Israel advocacy groups, argued that discussing divestment would in and of itself create and antisemitic climate. Sound logic!

Moreover, university curriculum has been attacked on the same grounds. In 2015, AMCHAan organization dedicated to investigating, documenting, educating about and combating antisemitism at institutions of higher education in Americalobbied to have a course at UC Riverside, the point of which was to study Palestinian voices through contemporary literature and media, canceled. Why? Because, according to AMCHA, the course had a clear intent to politically indoctrinate students to hate the Jewish state and take action against it. AMCHA explicitly cited the State Departments redefinition of antisemitism to buttress its case. While the course ultimately went ahead as planned, the instructor became the target of anti-Muslim hate mail and misogynistic cyberbullying as a result of the campaign.

Often accompanying the charge of antisemitism is one of support for terrorism (the kind of terrorism we dont like, obviously). Despite their nonsensical premise, charges of sympathizing with terrorists lead many scholars and students to self-censor out of fear of endangering their careers. And understandably so. Accusations of support for terrorism are not trivial, particularly when they come from powerful organizations with political and/or legal clout.

If youre not careful, you may be blacklisted by one of the many Israeli propaganda groups masquerading as human rights watchdogs. To take one example, theres an anonymously-run website called Canary Mission, whose express purpose is to document the people and groups that are promoting hatred of the USA, Israel and Jews on college campuses in North America. Published on their site is a list of over 600 individuals, most of them current or former college students, who are ostensibly guilty of promoting such hatred. Each name is accompanied by a headshotpresumably lifted from social mediaand a link to the individuals offending activities and relations.

For instance, the website accuses one female college student of having organized a protest on November 16, 2012, to call out Israels war crimes against the Palestinian people. Furthermore, her Twitter feed is filled with anti-Israel and anti-Zionist posts. Therefore, obviously, she has been outed by the Canary Mission as someone who spreads hatred of America and Jews in general. Again, impeccable logicnot to mention ethics.

One can only imagine how bad things were 40 years ago (when Chomsky had to have a police escort walking to the parking lot) if the circumstances today are auspicious by comparison (as Chomsky assures us they are). In any case, its plain to see that activists for Palestinian rights still face severe backlash for even attempting to express solidarity with the victims of Israeli expansionism. And its no wonder, really. After all, our next president (does anyone doubt at this point that Trump is throwing the election?) enthusiastically lends her unconditional support to Israeli atrocities and shamelessly demonizes anyone who dares speak out against them.

Toward the end of her speech to AIPAC, Clinton quoted the late Elie Wiesel (side note: read this), who apparently asserted that Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. And how right he was, as every Palestinian living in Gaza or the West Bank will tell you.
Maris Currans Five Nights in Maine has very little new to offer. At least two films in the last six months alone have dealt with a similar premise, chronicling the aftermath of the death of a loved oneJean-Marc Valees Demolition and Sean Meshaws Tumbledownbut even with the add-ed wrinkle of a character coping with death through the help of an in-law, this film is painfully familiar. Which means the primary appeal of this film lies in watching two actors with supreme control of their gifts go toe-to-toe in emotional warfare. But even as tensions roil between these two performers tossing scathing accusations back and forth, Currans directorial touch is so muted she inevitably numbs her own drama.

As the film begins, Sherwin (David Oyelowo), is waiting for his wife, Fiona (The Loneliest Plan-ets Hani Furstenberg) to return home, but receives a call informing him that shes died in a traffic accident. In the subsequent days, Sherwin erects a chrysalis of sadness around himself, whiling away his days crying, drinking and smoking. Curran has a light touch in these initial scenes, even though her imagery threatens to tip at any moment into ponderousness. Shots like a fleeting glance at Fionas lipstick smudges on an unwashed glass, or a longing look at the urn that arrives at his home from an irritatingly chipper man from the crematorium are played effectively, with an understated poeticism.

Curran breaks this potential narrative stagnancy quickly, introducing Sherwins sister, Penelope (the consistently excellent Teyonah Parris), who offers an outside view of the extent of his depression. Reluctant to return to normalcy, he accepts an invitation to convalesce with Fionas mother, Lucinda (Dianne Wiest), in Maine. Still in a state of emotional decay, he hopes the trip can offer some measure of closure about Fionas disastrous visit to her mothers shortly before her accident.

Curran is purposefully vague about both Fiona and Lucindas relationship and Sherwins experiences, only offering a hint of deep-seated resentment and disconnection via flashbacks. Suffering from cancer, Lucinda now lives alone under the daily care of Ann (Rosie Perez), a kindly caretaker whos coy about her own knowledge of what happened. During his days in Maine, Sherwin wanders the surrounding wilderness, rehabilitating in nature, but at meal times he faces the unfailing directness of Lucinda. She doesnt mince words and shes as likely to compliment the food as attack him about whether he was responsible for Fionas death. She was just here and finewhat happened?, she asks nastily, minutes into their first meal together. As Lucinda, Wiest is believably irritating as a woman who micromanages every-one around her, and theres a compelling dynamic in the juxtaposition of Lucindas stinging passive aggression, and Sherwins conflicting annoyance and obligation to attend to this fragile woman.

Shot by talented cinematographer Sofian El Fani (Timbuktu, Blue Is the Warmest Color), Five Nights In Maine looks frequently gorgeous. The outside photography has a trance-like seren-ity, especially paired with the films ambient-like score; with its blend of sprinkled piano, synth tones, and the musique concrete of dripping water and rustling air, the film finds its greatest energy in these scenes.

Curran has a far more difficult time elevating basic scenes of conversation. With Fani, she has a knack for mise-en-scene, as in a finely composed exchange between Sherwin and Lucinda, positioned at opposite angles at a kitchen table. But theres a general awkwardness to the rhythms of dialogue in the film, particularly surprisingly in the rapport between Oyelowo and Wiest. In a late example, Lucinda leaves the room after Sherwin confronts her in what feels like it should be a pivotal moment, but it barely registers. The scripts characterizations often seem more illogical than moving.

There are other minor character details that are better left experienced, but Currans film as a whole just comes off as unbalanced. Despite an ominous foreshadowing in the cutting and steadily escalating music, the film doesnt lead to a big fight or any Earth-shattering revelations. Thats somewhat refreshingbut it also cant help but make Five Nights in Maine overly slight, especially with an ending that practically represents the archetype of an Indie Film, cheapening whats been all about respecting each persons very personal journey through grief.

Director: Maris Curran

Writer: Maris Curran

Starring: David Oyelowo, Dianne Wiest, Rosie Perez, Teyonah Parris, Hani Furstenberg, Bill Raymond

Release Date: August 5, 2016
Leonard Cohen, the brilliant mind behind classic hits like Hallelujah, Im Your Man, Suzanne and many more, wrote a heartbreaking final note to his muse and onetime lover Marianne Ihlen shortly before her death from leukemia on July 29. Ihlen and Cohen met in Hydra, Greece in the 1960s and lived together for nearly a decade, with Ihlen serving as the inspiration for songs So Long Marianne and Bird On a Wire.

Ihlens friend Jan Christian Mollestad reportedly contacted Cohen after learning that Mariannes condition was deteriorating, leaving her with only days to live. Cohen responded with a letter only hours later, which was delivered to Marianne in Norway the next day, during her last few days of consciousness. Mollestad read the letter aloud to Marianne, who was delighted that Cohen had written something for her so quickly:

Well Marianne, its come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon. Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine. And you know that Ive always loved you for your beauty and for your wisdom, but I dont need to say anything more about that because you know all about that. But now, I just want to wish you a very good journey. Goodbye old friend. Endless love, see you down the road.

Mollestad told Canadas CBC radio that Ihlen had reached out her hand at the line, Stretch out your hand. Only two days after, she lost consciousness and slipped into death, he continued. And when she died, I wrote a letter back to him saying in her final moments I hummed A Bird on the Wire because that was the song she felt closest to.

Mollestad went on to detail the pairs relationship and how Cohen changed Mariannes life. A post on Cohens Facebook page reads, The death last week of Marianne Ihlen, the woman immortalized in So Long, Marianne has evoked an overwhelming response from those who knew Marianne well, those who knew her only as Leonard Cohens muse, and even those who previously didnt know there was a real Marianne.
Local Author, Peter B. Mires, will be available to sign copies of book

End

--Lake Tahoe is the gem of the Sierra Nevada. Those who visit this beautiful "Lake of the Sky" may share Mark Twain's impression of the place as he camped on its shore in 1861: "As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole earth affords." Twain's quote, from Roughing It, includes the trinity of Tahoe's landscapesky, mountains, and lakethat people still find inspiring. This explains, in large part, why the man-made environment around the lake is predominantly rustic, a style of architecture noted for its compatibility with its surroundings through the use of natural materials in constructionlogs, stone, and wooden shinglealong with muted shades of green and brown. Through its homes, resorts, and other assorted buildings, Lake Tahoe remains "the fairest picture."Peter B. Mires is a historical geographer whose interests include architecture and the cultural landscape. Peter R. Dube has practiced architecture in the Reno/Tahoe region for almost 30 years (with an emphasis on historic preservation)and serves on the Nevada State Board of Museums and History. This book uses photographs from California and Nevada archives to present a comprehensive picture of Lake Tahoe's remarkable rustic architecture.Barnes & Noble5555 S. Virginia StreetReno, NV 89502Saturday, August 20th 2016; 1:00 p.m.  3:00 p.m.Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.The combination of Arcadia Publishing & The History Press creates the largest and most comprehensive publisher of local and regional content in the USA. By empowering local history and culture enthusiasts to write local stories for local audiences, we create exceptional books that are relevant on a local and personal level, enrich lives, and bring readers closer - to their community, their neighbors, and their past. Have we done a book on your town? Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com
M&G Real Estate has appointed Thorsten Slyta to manage Nordic assets and support the investment ambitions of the business in this key European region, in particular the wider European property strategy managed by David Jackson and Simon Ellis. He joined in mid-July and reports to Marc Reijnen, Head of Continental

[]
NAI apollo group made two lettings in Frankfurts Mayfarth Quartier. Pfeiffer & May and KLAFS Sauna have simultaneously let a total of 1,000 sqm of floor space on Mayfarth Strasse 15-19. The lessor is Merz Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG. The wholesaler for sanitary products Pfeifer & May is expanding

Photos: B&V Braun Canton Architekten GmbH



[]
Toyota is in the process of deriving crossover variants of its popular hatchbacks and sedans to keep up with global trend

The auto giant recently premiered that Yaris Cross which which will share its platform and components with its hatchback sibling. The company is also reported to be working on a slightly larger crossover based on the new Corolla.

It was recently discovered that the trademark Corolla Cross was filed in Australia two years ago. A heavily disguised prototype was seen testing in Thailand a few days ago, indicating that the Toyota Corolla Cross is in advanced stages of development.

Also Read  2020 Toyota Corolla Gets 5 Star Safety Rating

It seems that the test mule is donning RAV4 body panels as a decoy. If the Yaris Cross is anything to go by, the Corolla Cross can be expected to feature a fresh styling. While the interior too is expected to feature fresh styling, we expect the crossover to share a significant number of components with the existing Corolla.

The powertrain lineup is expected to comprise 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter petrol hybrid systems which are employed by a range of Toyota products across the world. Toyota is also likely to introduce an all-electric powertrain. The SUV will be based on the modular TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture). One can expect the upcoming Toyota to be equipped with comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems.

With customer preference turning towards crossovers steadily, it is imperative for automakers to configure their product lineups accordingly. The Corolla may be the best selling car in the history but if it doesnt adopt the crossover avatar, the nameplate may slowly fade away into oblivion.

In global markets, it will be positioned between the C-HR and RAV4. South East Asia, Australia, North America and Europe are expected to be the primary target markets. It is too early to say if Toyota Kirloskar Motor will launch the Corolla Cross in India but if it does, the vehicle would be positioned to take on the likes of MG Hector Plus, Jeep Compass, Tata Gravitas, etc.

Also Read  Toyota Corolla Discontinued in India

The Toyota Corolla Cross is expected to be ready for its international debut in late 2021 or early 2022. Given that it will be a Corolla, one can expect it to emerge as an important volume spinner for the brand. Rivals like Hyundai and Honda may adopt a similar strategy and migrate their existing hatchback and sedan nameplates (like Elantra, Accord, etc) to crossover platforms.
In July, the fatal police shootings of Alton Sterling -- a black man in Louisiana -- and Philando Castile -- a black man in Minnesota -- went viral on social media. The aftermath of the Castile shooting was first shared via Facebook Live, which is a type of mobile streaming video technology (MSVT) that allows users to stream live video to followers, similar to Periscope and Meerkat.

The real-time video of Castile's death reached over 5 million people within a week of its posting.

In a new study, Up, Periscope: Mobile Streaming Video Technologies, Privacy in Public, and the Right to Record , Jeremy Littau, assistant professor of journalism at Lehigh University, and Daxton Stewart, associate dean and associate professor in the Bob Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University, examine the legal rights of people to record and live stream and any potential right to be free from being recorded and streamed in public places.

The authors find that current laws protecting individual rights are insufficient to protect privacy when it comes to these technologies and that the First Amendment likely protects livestreaming activities of users.

"The Castile shooting is important not only for its content, but also because a Facebook user showed the public a new tool that it might not otherwise have known about or thought to use in a situation like this," Littau says.

He adds: "What happened in Minnesota is one of those incidents that serve as a harbinger for what is to come."

Because of the ease with which users are able to share live video streams, MSVTs have great potential to catalyze new privacy laws and policies, as legislatures, courts, citizens, and tech companies consider the balance between peoples individual's right to privacy and the public's right to free expression.

advertisement

Littau says that mobile streaming technologies will soon completely change how the public views privacy. He predicts some entities will seek to carve out special exemptions for themselves.

"Our work already mentions situations where municipalities have tried to pass laws stopping citizens from recording police activities in public. It's completely unconstitutional, but that won't stop people from trying," he explains. "Exempting public officials and government workers from the laws that apply to everyone is not a new idea in the U.S. At some point a locality is going to try and make it a crime to live stream police actions on the street."

Services like Facebook Live break down the previous lag between information collection and information distribution, making potential privacy violations instantaneous and unavoidable, according to the research, which was published in print in Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly in June.

The researchers advocate that privacy challenges be addressed directly between by mobile streaming companies and their users via contracts. Attempts to strengthen privacy laws will likely be thwarted by First Amendment protections.

"Ultimately consumers of tools like Periscope and Facebook Live will shape the way they are used," Dr. Stewart says.

He adds: "If the developers do not place restraints on use, and do not provide tools for the community of users to monitor content, then it's likely we will continue to see them put to troubling uses such the teenager who live-streamed her suicide in France, or the young woman who live-streamed a friend being sexually assaulted earlier this year."

Stewart says the biggest challenge that the courts will face when these cases arise will be trying to fit old ways of thinking about privacy and public spaces into new tools that weren't even foreseeable when those approaches to privacy were developed. "In this study, we advocate for less legal restraint of recording and live-streaming public matters or government officials in public places, which clearly deserve First Amendment protection," he says. "But we also call for wisdom by users and tech companies in controlling the spread of materials that may be more harmful to private individuals."
Clusters of hunter-gatherers spent much of the late Stone Age working out the basics of farming on the fertile lands of what is now Turkey before taking this knowledge to Europe. In an analysis of ancient genomes published August 4 in Current Biology, researchers at Stockholm University and Uppsala University in Sweden and Middle East Technical University in Turkey report that at least two waves of early European settlers belonged to the same gene pool as farmers in Central Turkey -- genealogy that can be traced back to some of the first people to cultivate crops outside of Mesopotamia.

To help clear up the evolution of farming in the West, the investigators compared genetic information from Europeans living during the Neolithic period (a.k.a. the late Stone Age, 10,000-4,000 years ago; the chronology varies between Europe and the Near East) with that from nine individuals excavated from two ancient settlements in Anatolia (the area between the Black and the Mediterranean Seas).

The earliest of the gene sequences were taken from four people of the Boncuklu community, who lived between 10,300 and 9,500 years ago. The Boncuklu were a group of foragers who had recently adopted small-scale agriculture. The other five samples (dating back 9,500 to 7,800 years ago) came from Tepecik-Ciftlik villagers, who had more sophisticated farming practices.

"In Boncuklu, we find diversity levels more similar to contemporaneous hunter-gatherers, which could be expected because they themselves were foragers a couple of centuries back in time" says co-author Mehmet Somel, an evolutionary biologist at Middle East Technical University. "In fact, they were proto-farmers. Boncuklu people did not have domestic animals, and gathering was also important for the village."

"Even 1,000 years later in villages like Tepecik-Ciftlik and Catlhoyuk, we still find that gathering and especially hunting are important for the culture; thus, the Neolithic way of life took a long time to be fully established, not only culturally so, but also demographically so," says Anders Gotherstrom, an archeologist at Stockholm University. "What happened here was most likely an increase in population size, with increasing fecundity, and higher levels of mobility and gene flow so that, over time, Neolithic Near Eastern villages became more cosmopolitan, and this eventually triggered expansion into Europe."

While a lot of archeological work had been done on these settlements, this is the first study to examine the genetic properties of the human remains. This type of analysis would have been impossible until just recently due to the degradation of the DNA, which was drawn from inside the bones of the deceased. Somel helped lead the acquisition of the genetic material, and Gotherstrom and his colleague Mattias Jakobsson at Uppsala University did the genome sequencing. The analytical work was then performed by all three parties.

The paper only helps confirm speculations about how farming spread in the West, but "what is going on in the East is still a largely unwritten chapter," Gotherstrom says. Agricultural revolutions took place in other parts of the world, and this type of analysis could help in the understanding of how they spread, as well. Somel is interested in exploring how people moved and how genetic connections and cultural connections overlap through human history.
A research team headed by investigators at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) has developed a tool that allows scientists to quickly manipulate levels of two proteins in the same cell. They say the method, dubbed a "dual molecular tuner," offers an easy way to perform in-depth analyses in mammalian cells in general, and stem cells in particular.

Their study, published May 27 in Nature Communications, uses two plant hormones to target specific proteins for degradation, thus allowing researchers to reduce these proteins to levels they choose. This process happens within minutes, enabling the scientists to monitor what happens in the cells as these proteins are depleted.

"We can, for example, monitor differences in cell cycle depending on how one or another protein is depleted, because this tool acts so quickly and so effectively," says the study's senior investigator, Ran Brosh, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of the study's corresponding author, Ihor R. Lemischka, PhD, Professor of Pharmacological Science, Developmental and Regenerative Biology at ISMMS.

Not only can researchers choose how much of one or both chosen proteins can be degraded, the entire process is reversible, Dr. Brosh says.

"Loss-of-function studies are key to understanding how genes work, but methods to rapidly and effectively disturb the function of mammalian genes -- particularly stem cells -- are scarce. This dual molecular tuner, in which you can manipulate two proteins independently of each other, is very useful for a wide variety of studies that have been hard to do to date, such as decoding signaling networks or protein interactions," he says.

The tuner can be used for two proteins because researchers have identified two plant hormones that help signal the cell's targeted destruction of the proteins being studied.

advertisement

The hormones are auxin and coronatine, the bacterial analogue to the plant hormone jasmonate, both of which regulate plant physiology, but are completely non-toxic to humans -- "We eat these hormones in our vegetables and salads every day," Dr. Brosh says.

The way the system works is that researchers silence the gene or genes of interest using traditional gene silencing techniques while simultaneously delivering the same gene(s) in a form they can control. These genes now contain sequences that produce a short peptide called a degron -- its function is to regulate protein degradation -- that is fused to the encoded protein.

A third component that is introduced (all three contained within a single lentiviral vector) is a receptor for the plant hormone. When the cells are treated with the hormone it binds its receptor, which then targets the protein-degron fusion for destruction. "Our tuner allows a researcher to harness the cell's degradation system, and we can turn it up or down as we wish -- like dimming lights a little or all the way," Dr. Brosh says.

Unlike other gene editing techniques, which can take months to apply to a single gene, establishment of the dual tuner takes one or two weeks of lab work, he adds.

While the tool is meant for research, it can have clinical application such as screening for drug targets, Dr. Brosh adds.

Collaborators include researchers from the University of Washington which also shares a patent with ISMMS for the development of coronatine as a research tool.

This work was supported by grants from New York State Stem Cell Science, the National Institute of General Medical Science and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
To survive, the parasites responsible for malaria and toxoplasmosis depend on mechanisms inherited from the plant world. This is what a team of researchers from CNRS1 (Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS/INSERM/Universite Grenoble Alpes) and the University of Melbourne2 has shown. They have just published two studies in Cell Microbiology and PLOS Pathogens. This discovery is a major advance for the development of new therapeutic targets for these parasites, which have such substantial public health consequences.

Apicomplexa are a group of parasites responsible for serious diseases in humans, such as malaria and toxoplasmosis. The parasites responsible for these two diseases infect several thousands of millions of people each year and cause death in almost one million of them (mainly children and immunosuppressed patients)3. The absence of an effective vaccine and the rapid emergence of strains that are resistant to multiple treatments4 underlines the urgent need to develop new therapeutic pathways.

Biologically, these parasites and humans share almost everything, hence the difficulty of developing effective treatments with limited side effects. But for about fifteen years, research has shown, in a surprising manner, biological characteristics in common with plants. For example, they have a compartment called the "apicoplast," a relic of a microscopic algae that these parasites' ancestors would have incorporated. In collaboration with Australian colleagues, the team of Cyrille Botte, a CNRS researcher at the Institute for Advanced Biosciences in Grenoble, has just demonstrated that one of these characteristics is essential for malaria and toxoplasmosis parasite proliferation in human cells.

During some of the phases in their cycle, these parasites actively multiply, mobilizing large quantities of lipids, essential constituents of biological membranes. The team has demonstrated for the first time that the compartment of plant origin (the apicoplast) generates a precursor necessary for the synthesis of most of the parasite's lipid membranes, and followed the outcome of this precursor in parasite membranes.

Further, using a genetic inactivation technique for this plant pathway, the team was able to demonstrate the in vitro death of the parasite during acute phases of toxoplasmosis and during the hepatocyte development phase in malaria.5

This discovery of a plant-based "Achilles heel" in the toxoplasmosis and malaria parasites opens a path to new therapeutic perspectives that only target the parasite, without affecting humans.

Notes

1 Apicolipid team.

2 Other laboratories and entities involved: in France, Laboratoire TIMC-IMAG (CNRS/Grenoble INP/Universite Grenoble Alpes) and the Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire Vegetale (CNRS/INRA/CEA/Universite Grenoble Alpes); in Australia, Deakin University and the Australian National University; in the USA, Johns Hopkins University and Pennsylvania State University; in the UK, the Francis Crick Institute.

3 Source: WHO, 2015

4 In particular to artemisinin, whose discovery was awarded with the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2015, and for which resistance was discovered in 2007, after only a few years of use in the field.

5 In liver cells.
Genetic testing of patients with a rare form of cancer that can affect children and young adults can pick out genetic errors hidden in their family tree which increase the risk of a wide variety of cancer types.

Inherited cancer-causing mutations can give rise to the phenomenon of 'cancer families' where multiple family members develop cancer -- sometimes one type, sometimes many different types of cancer, depending on the gene involved.

A team, including researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, led internationally by researchers at Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Australia, looked at patients with rare cancers called sarcoma to shed light on the genetic causes of multiple cancers within families.

They found that over half of 1,162 patients with sarcoma tested were born with mutations in at least one gene already known to increase cancer risk.

Some of the most common inherited mutations occurred in genes known to drive the development of multiple tumour types -- p53, APC, BRCA1 and BRCA2 -- putting these patients at increased risk of other cancers such as breast, ovarian or bowel cancer. When such mutations are found, families can be offered genetic counselling and screening, where appropriate.

The new research, published today (Thursday) in The Lancet Oncology, also found that 19 per cent of the patients had mutations that could be targeted by new or existing cancer drugs and could point the way towards clinical trials in sarcoma patients.

advertisement

Researchers initially targeted their efforts to analyse the DNA sequence of 72 genes linked to increased cancer risk in 1,162 sarcoma patients aged over 15 years.

Some 55 per cent of patients in the study harboured potentially harmful mutations in at least of one of the 72 genes tested. Inherited mutations in the genes BRCA2, ATM, ATR and ERCC2 were found to be common in sarcoma patients, and linked to risk of sarcoma for the first time by this study.

A fifth of the patients had mutations in more than one of the genes tested and, importantly, people with genetic errors in multiple cancer genes were found to be more likely to get cancer at a younger age than those with a single genetic mutation. This is the first evidence that multiple genetic mutations interacting could be causing sarcomas in some patients, rather than a single gene driving their disease.

The UK arm of the project involves 250 patients and is being led by researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and The Royal Marsden, supported by Sarcoma UK and the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative.

It is part of a worldwide research project called the International Sarcoma Kindred Study (ISKS), being led by researchers at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Australia and will include colleagues in the UK, US, France, India and New Zealand.

advertisement

Current UK project leader Professor Winette van der Graaf, Professor of Personalised Oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Consultant at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said:

"This study gives us the most detailed picture yet of the genetics of sarcoma patients, and reveals that in a significant proportion there may be a genetic cause for this rare cancer, and other, more common types of the disease.

"The research helps explain why some patients with sarcoma are prone to develop other cancers in their lifetime, and provides new clues to the phenomenon of 'cancer families'.

"This collaborative work also suggests that much of inherited cancer predisposition may be due to defects in multiple genes working together, any one of which would be unlikely to cause cancer on its own. It's an important step forward in our understanding of sarcoma genetics, and is just the first part of a much bigger research project to catalogue many more contributors to cancer risk."

Study co-author Professor Ian Judson, who led the UK arm of the study at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden, said:

"Sarcomas are rare types of cancer that disproportionately affect the young, have low survival rates and in which there are currently few treatment options available.

"This important study has uncovered mutations occurring in some sarcoma patients that could potentially be targeted by precision treatments -- opening up new avenues for treatment that should be investigated in clinical trials.

"It's also fascinating that this study has shed light on the inheritance of cancer risk in families more widely, and offers clues to explaining why some families are affected by many different cancer types."

Sarah McDonald, Director of Research at Sarcoma UK, said:

"Sarcoma UK supports high quality research; this project has provided evidence around the inherited risks of sarcoma and cancer. If we can identify individuals at high risk of developing sarcomas this could lead to earlier detection and more effective treatment of these tumours. With 10 people every day diagnosed with sarcoma in the UK, Sarcoma UK is delighted to support the UK recruitment of participants into of this study. We looking forward to hearing Professor David Thomas from the international project team giving the Keynote address at Sarcoma UK's Research Symposium this autumn."
Marine fisheries catches have been drastically under-reported in the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean, threatening the marine environment and livelihoods of the local community, reveals a recent study published in the open-access journal Frontiers in Marine Science.

Actual catches on the islands were an alarming 2.8 times, or 86% higher than that reported to the FAO, and this has very troubling implications.

Lead researcher Aylin Ulman, recently based at the Sea Around Us, and her team call for urgent action from policy-makers to ensure the future sustainability of the fishing industry in this archipelago nation.

Fishing has historically been the main industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands and in some areas up to 75% of locals are involved in the fishing industry. The rise in tourism is creating more demand for locally caught seafood and is placing increasing pressure on local marine life.

The islands operate small-scale fisheries for queen conch, Caribbean spiny lobster, and finfish as the three main targets. The local government is required to report all catches to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) to be able to trade with signatory nations of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). The international trade of wild animals must be shown to not threaten the survival of local stocks.

However, the data that are passed on to the FAO are incorrect because they only account for commercial catches that will be exported, and do not include seafood caught and consumed by locals and tourists on the islands. This can put future stocks at risk.

advertisement

"DEMA (The Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs) has done a great job of monitoring fish sold to the country's fish plants," said Ulman; "However, it seems they have not always had enough staff to monitor seafood being sold or given to locals and tourists, whether that be at the dock, in shops, or in restaurants."

For a better estimate of the amount of seafood caught around the islands, the authors assessed all catches between 1950 and 2012. More accurate records of catches for export, artisanal, and subsistence fisheries were identified from Turks and Caicos Islands Government reports. A recent and thorough seafood consumption survey from 2013 involving locals and tourists was additionally used to estimate the previously unreported local consumption of seafood.

The reconstructed data also included evaluations of recreational catches and illegal poaching. Using these data and mathematical models, Ulman and her team have made the most accurate estimates to-date of seafood consumption by residents and tourists on the islands.

Reported catches have been used to put regulations in place for sustainable catch limits. However, these limits have been unsustainable, leading to the over-exploitation of marine life.

In fact, local consumption of conch is close to the total number allowed to be caught under these 'sustainable' limits, and this is without taking into account the number of conch that are exported, which is almost equal to local consumption. As a result of this study, the authors hope that future catch limits will be based on total seafood catches from all fishery sectors.

"Local seafood consumption surveys should continue to be completed once every three to five years to track changing patterns, especially with the ongoing growth of tourism. Local consumption catches must be factored into the equation when calculating the total allowable catch limits, especially for key species of conch and lobster, to determine if it is even possible to continue the export business," said Ulman.

New legislation is needed to reduce seafood catches so that stocks are being fished within safe limits, and this study adds new weight to the urgency of this issue. The Turks and Caicos Islands Government have recommended a stop to the export of conch for up to five years to allow populations to recover, but they have been delayed in implementing this.

"While the results of this research may seem like bad news, we are quick to emphasize that this new data may actually present an opportunity," said co-author Edward Hind; "The staff at DEMA now have the knowledge to set catch limits that really will work. If the government supports the Turks and Caicos Islands fisheries scientists in collecting better catch data, then the country can have healthy fisheries for decades to come."

The under-reporting of fisheries catches is common in other regions and neighboring island nations. Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica are facing the same the problems and urgent action is required to avoid further over-exploitation of marine life.
Many lower organisms retain the miraculous ability to regenerate form and function of almost any tissue after injury. Humans share many of our genes with these organisms, but our capacity for regeneration is limited. Scientists at the MDI Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, are studying the genetics of these organisms to find out how regenerative mechanisms might be activated in humans.

The ability of animals to regenerate body parts has fascinated scientists since the time of Aristotle. But until the advent of sophisticated tools for genetic and computational analysis, scientists had no way of studying the genetic machinery that enables regeneration. Using such tools, scientists at the MDI Biological Laboratory have identified genetic regulators governing regeneration that are common across species.

In a paper published in the journal PLOS ONE, MDI Biological Laboratory scientists Benjamin L. King, Ph.D., and Voot P. Yin, Ph.D., identified these common genetic regulators in three regenerative species: the zebrafish, a common aquarium fish originally from India; the axolotl, a salamander native to the lakes of Mexico; and the bichir, a ray-finned fish from Africa.

The discovery of genetic mechanisms common to all three of these species, which diverged on the evolutionary tree about 420 million years ago, suggests that these mechanisms aren't specific to individual species, but have been conserved by nature through evolution.

"I remember that day very well -- it was a fantastic feeling," said King of the discovery. "We didn't expect the patterns of genetic expression to be vastly different in the three species, but it was amazing to see that they were consistently the same."

The discovery of the common genetic regulators is expected to serve as a platform to inform new hypotheses about the genetic mechanisms underlying limb regeneration. The discovery also represents a major advance in understanding why many tissues in humans, including limb tissue, regenerate poorly -- and in being able to possibly manipulate those mechanisms with drug therapies.

"Limb regeneration in humans may sound like science fiction, but it's within the realm of possibility," said Yin. "The fact that we've identified a genetic signature for limb regeneration in three different species with three different types of appendages suggests that nature has created a common genetic instruction manual governing regeneration that may be shared by all forms of animal life, including humans."

In particular, the scientists studied the formation of a mass of cells called a blastema that serves as a reservoir for regenerating tissues. The formation of a blastema is the critical first step in the regeneration process. Using sophisticated genetic sequencing technology, King and Yin identified a common set of genes that are controlled by a shared network of genetic regulators known as microRNAs.

"Scientists here are studying an evolutionarily diverse range of animals to gain insight into the genetic mechanisms underlying the repair and regeneration of complex tissues and why these processes are poorly active in humans," said Kevin Strange, Ph.D., the laboratory's president. "The value of our approach is confirmed by this remarkable study, which for the first time reveals a genetic network governing limb regeneration that is common across three evolutionarily distinct animal species."

The study also has implications for wound healing, which, because it also requires the replacement of lost or damaged tissues, involves similar genetic mechanisms. With a greater understanding of these mechanisms, treatments could potentially be developed to speed wound healing, thus reducing pain, decreasing risk of infection and getting patients back on their feet more quickly.

Another potential application is development of more sophisticated prosthetic devices. When a limb is amputated the nerves at the site of amputation can be damaged. The repair and regeneration of these nerves could potentially enable the development of more sophisticated prostheses that could interface with these nerves, allowing for greater control.

While speedier wound-healing and improved prostheses may be on the nearer-term horizon, the ability to regrow limbs is a long way off. How long? "It depends on the pace of discovery, which is heavily dependent on funding," Yin said. He predicted the timeline could be hastened if enough research funding were available. "Unfortunately," he added, "we are in a period of greatly diminished funding for scientific research."
As humans evolved over many thousands of years, our bodies developed a system to help us when we start running and suddenly need more oxygen. Now, using that innate reflex as inspiration, UCLA researchers have developed a noninvasive way to treat potentially harmful breathing problems in babies who were born prematurely.

The technique uses a simple device that tricks babies' brains into thinking they are running, which prompts them to breathe.

Each year, about 150,000 babies are born after only 23 to 34 weeks of gestation, which puts them at risk for apnea of prematurity, a condition in which breathing stops, often for several seconds, accompanied by severe falls in oxygenation.

The condition occurs because -- in infants whose systems not yet fully formed -- the respiratory system ignores or cannot use the body's signals to breathe. Compounding the danger, premature newborns' lungs are not fully developed, and therefore do not have much oxygen in reserve. When breathing stops in these periods of apnea, the level of oxygen in the body goes down, and the heart rate can drop. That combination can damage the lungs and eyes, injure the nerves to the heart, affect the hormonal system (which can lead to diabetes later in life), or injure the brain (which can result in behavioral problems later in life).

Hospitals use a range of approaches to minimize the duration of premature babies' breathing pauses -- placing them on their stomach, forcing air into the lungs with a facemask and giving caffeine to stimulate the brain -- but none is perfect and each carries other risks.

According to Dr. Ronald Harper, a distinguished professor of neurobiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, even newborns have the innate mechanism that triggers increased breathing.

advertisement

"When our feet hit the ground running, we flex muscles and joints that have nerve fibers leading to the brain which signal that the body is running," he said. "This message is coupled with another set of fibers to parts of the brain that regulate breathing and sends a signal that those parts need to increase breathing. Fortunately, that coupling exists even in extremely young infants."

The idea to use an external breathing device to treat apnea of prematurity arose over a cup of coffee between Harper and Dr. Kalpashri Kesavan, a neonatologist at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, when the conversation turned to how a baby's breathing could be supported if the brain was told the baby was running or walking.

Harper's lab, which focuses on brain mechanisms that drive breathing during sleep, had already developed a device that he had intended to test for treating people with breathing problems. The device is a pager-sized box with wires that connect to small disks which are placed on the skin over the joints of the feet and hands. (Placing them on the hands is another nod to how the human body evolved: Early humans ran on all fours, so nerves in the hands are still involved in signaling the brain that the body is running.) Once the battery-powered machine is turned on, the disks gently vibrate, which triggers nerve fibers to alert the brain that the limb is moving.

"We thought that if this reflex were going to work for any kind of sleep disorder with breathing problems, then premature infants would be the No. 1 target, because breathing stoppages are so common and have the potential to do so much injury," Kesavan said. "It's almost like it was naturally made for them."

The researchers tested the device on 15 premature infants who were born after 23 to 34 weeks of gestation, and who were experiencing breathing pauses and low oxygen. The disks were placed on one hand and one foot, and the device was turned on for six hours at a time, followed by six hours off, for a total of 24 hours.

advertisement

The scientists compared the babies' vital signs during the periods when the device was on with the times when it was off. They found that when it was on, the number of incidents when babies' oxygen levels were low was reduced by 33 percent and the number of breathing pauses was 40 percent lower than when it was off. The device also reduced low-heart-rate episodes by 65 percent, which is especially significant because slow heart rate can impair the flow of blood to vital tissues. The findings were published online in the journal PLOS One.

The researchers now plan to study the approach on a larger number of patients and over a longer period of time. They'll also study the effects of the device on blood pressure and other cardio-respiratory measures, as well as its impact on sleep quality. Breathing stoppages typically wake infants, and reducing the number of pauses in their breathing should lead to less disturbed sleep.

While most premature babies eventually grow out of their breathing problems, it can take weeks to months before their respiratory systems develop sufficiently to allow them to breathe on their own at all times.

"Long-term use of the device could decrease breathing pauses, maintain normal oxygen levels, stabilize the cardiovascular system and help improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants," Kesavan said. "We may be able to bring about this change with something that is noninvasive, drug-free and has no side effects, and there is nothing better than that."

Harper is also testing the device on adolescents who suffer breathing problems due to spinal cord injuries and adults with sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea.

The University of California has applied for a patent for the device, and is discussing its commercialization with several companies.

The study's other authors are Paul Frank, Daniella Cordero and Dr. Peyman Benharash, all of UCLA, and the research was supported by grants from the UCLA Children's Discovery and Innovation Institute.
Two years after Medicaid coverage was expanded under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in their states, low-income adults in Kentucky and Arkansas received more primary and preventive care, made fewer emergency department visits, and reported higher quality care and improved health compared with low-income adults in Texas, which did not expand Medicaid, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The findings provide new evidence for states that are debating whether to expand or how to expand coverage to low-income adults.

The study will be published August 8, 2016 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The researchers found similar benefits for residents in Kentucky -- which expanded using Medicaid managed care -- and Arkansas -- which used federal Medicaid funding to subsidize private insurance, the so-called "private option."

"What this means is that it doesn't matter so much how states expand coverage," said lead author Benjamin Sommers, assistant professor of health policy and economics at Harvard Chan School and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. "What matters is whether they expand at all."

So far, more than 30 states and the District of Columbia have chosen to expand coverage under the ACA. In numerous states the debate over expansion continues and in Arkansas and Kentucky, newly elected governors have proposed scaling back or overhauling their expansions.

Sommers and colleagues surveyed approximately 9,000 low-income adults in Arkansas, Kentucky, and Texas from late 2013 to the end of 2015. The results showed that, between 2013 and 2015, the uninsured rate dropped from 42% to 14% in Arkansas and from 40% to 9% in Kentucky, compared with a much smaller change in Texas (39% to 32%). Expansion also was associated with significantly increased access to primary care, improved affordability of medications, reduced out-of-pocket spending, reduced likelihood of emergency department visits, and increased outpatient visits. Screening for diabetes, glucose testing among people with diabetes, and regular care for chronic conditions all increased significantly after expansion. Quality of care ratings improved significantly, as did the number of adults reporting excellent health.

Many of these changes were more apparent in 2015 than in 2014. Previous studies looking at the early impact of Medicaid expansion had shown increased affordability and access to care, but limited impact on utilization, preventive care, and health. Sommers said those studies probably underestimated the ACA's impact because they were using data from just the first year or 18 months of coverage and it may be that the benefits of expansion take longer to unfold.

"Health insurance matters to people's health," Sommers said. "Our study shows that with health insurance, whether it's Medicaid or private coverage, people can better afford their medical care, get more preventive care and chronic disease management, and ultimately achieve better overall health."
Scientists have clarified details in understanding the beneficial function of a type of protein normally associated with prion diseases of the brain, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (commonly known as mad cow disease) and its human counterpart, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Studying mice and zebrafish, researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of Zurich have shown that the proteins -- when properly folded -- play a vital role in nerve cell function by maintaining the insulation around axons, the nervous system's electrical "wiring."

The study appears August 8 in the journal Nature.

Improperly formed prion proteins that cause disease are infectious because they hijack their neighbors, resulting in misfolded proteins and setting off a domino effect that spreads through the brain destroying tissue. Although the role of prion proteins in these fatal brain diseases is well-known, scientists have long puzzled over the normal function of the protein, called PrPC.

"Previous studies have suggested a role for prion proteins in maintaining neurons, but until now, no one knew how the properly folded versions of the proteins function," said co-author Kelly R. Monk, PhD, an associate professor of developmental biology at Washington University. "It's surprising to see that the protein has a role in maintaining the structure of nerve cells, considering that a misfolded version of PrPC is known to cause fatal brain diseases."

Past work by the researchers at the University of Zurich demonstrated that mice lacking PrPC had disruptions in the insulation surrounding axons, but the reasons for the disruptions were unclear. The new study demonstrates that PrPC binds to Schwann cells, which are cells that provide support for the brain's neurons. Schwann cells produce the nerve-insulating protein called myelin and then wrap this insulation around the long, thin axons. Properly insulated axons enable the rapid propagation of nerve signals. Specifically, PrPC binds to a docking site on Schwann cells called Gpr126.

In past work, Monk and her Washington University colleagues demonstrated that the docking site on cells played an important role in nerve formation during embryonic development in zebrafish and in mice. But the new study identifies roles for both Gpr126 and PrPC in maintaining the integrity of neurons through adulthood.

When either of these components is missing, Monk said mice experience a gradual loss of interactions between Schwann cells and axons, with a resulting loss of of myelin. Without this important insulation, walking progressively becomes more difficult for mice, and they eventually reach a state of paralysis.

"We have identified a definitive function for the normal prion protein and clarified how it works on a molecular level," said senior author Adriano Aguzzi, MD, PhD, of the University of Zurich. "Our study answers a question that has been intensely researched since the prion gene's discovery in 1985."

The researchers said the findings may have implications for understanding and eventually treating nerve disorders that result from the loss of the insulating myelin sheaths, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and other devastating peripheral neuropathies.
A new study challenges earlier interpretations of an important burial mound at Cahokia, a pre-Columbian city in Illinois near present-day St. Louis. The study reveals that a central feature of the mound, a plot known as the "beaded burial," is not a monument to male power, as was previously thought, but includes both males and females of high status.

The new study, published in the journal American Antiquity, is one of several recent analyses of the site from researchers at the Illinois State Archaeological Survey at the University of Illinois and their colleagues at other institutions. All of the studies confirm the presence of males and females in the beaded burial.

In 1967, archaeologist Melvin Fowler discovered a massive burial site at Cahokia while excavating an unusual, ridgetop mound. This mound, now called Mound 72, held five mass graves, each containing 20 to more than 50 bodies, with dozens of other bodies buried individually or in groups, sometimes directly over the mass graves. Fowler identified 270 bodies in the mound.

Scientists later determined that all of the burials occurred between about 1000 and 1200, during the rise and peak of Cahokia's power and influence. Some of the burials appeared to be high-status individuals whose bodies were placed on cedar litters.

"Mound 72 burials are some of the most significant burials ever excavated in North America from this time period," said ISAS director Thomas Emerson, who conducted the most recent study with physical anthropologist Kristin Hedman and skeletal analysts Eve Hargrave of ISAS, Dawn Cobb of the Illinois State Museum Society, and Andrew Thompson of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The ISAS is a division of the Prairie Research Institute at Illinois.

"Fowler's and others' interpretation of these mounds became the model that everybody across the east was looking at in terms of understanding status and gender roles and symbolism among Native American groups in this time," Emerson said.

advertisement

Emerson and his colleagues discovered that some of those early interpretations were based on inaccurate and incomplete information. Most of the errors involved the beaded burial. Here, two central bodies were placed, one on top of the other, on a partial bed of beads that also ran between and around the bodies. Several other bodies, buried at the same time, were arranged around this pair.

Fowler and later archaeologists came to believe that this was a burial of two high-status males surrounded by their servants. They interpreted the arrangement of beads associated with these central figures as the remains of a beaded cape or blanket in the shape of a bird. The pattern of beads near the heads of the two central bodies resembled a bird head, some thought.

Because the bird is a common motif related to warriors and supernatural beings in some Native American traditions, Fowler proposed that the central males of the beaded burial represented mythical warrior chiefs.

"One of the things that promoted the concept of the male warrior mythology was the bird image," Emerson said. Once this interpretation took hold, many researchers came to see this as evidence that Cahokia was "a male-dominated hierarchy," he said.

A fresh look at the early archaeologists' maps, notes and reports and the skeletal remains told a new and surprising story. First, the researchers found that there were 12 bodies associated with the beaded burial -- not six, as had been previously reported. And independent skeletal analyses conducted by each of the co-authors -- Thompson, Hedman, Hargrave and Cobb -- revealed that the two central bodies in the beaded burial were actually male and female.

advertisement

Further analyses revealed other male-female pairs on top of, and near, the beaded area. Some were laid out as fully articulated bodies. Others were disarticulated bodies, the bones of which had been gathered and bundled for burial near these important couples. The researchers also discovered the remains of a child.

"We had been checking to make sure that the individuals we were looking at matched how they had been described," Hedman said. "And in re-examining the beaded burial, we discovered that the central burial included females. This was unexpected."

"The fact that these high-status burials included women changes the meaning of the beaded burial feature," Emerson said. "Now, we realize, we don't have a system in which males are these dominant figures and females are playing bit parts. And so, what we have at Cahokia is very much a nobility. It's not a male nobility. It's males and females, and their relationships are very important."

The new findings are more in line with other evidence from Cahokia, Emerson said.

"For me, having dug temples at Cahokia and analyzed a lot of that material, the symbolism is all about life renewal, fertility, agriculture," he said. "Most of the stone figurines found there are female. The symbols showing up on the pots have to do with water and the underworld. And so now Mound 72 fits into a more consistent story with what we know about the rest of the symbolism and religion at Cahokia."

Emerson said that those who saw warrior symbolism at Cahokia missed the special culture of the time period.

"When the Spanish and the French came into the southeast as early as the 1500s, they identified these kinds of societies in which both males and females have rank," he said. "Really, the division here is not gender; it's class."

"People who saw the warrior symbolism in the beaded burial were actually looking at societies hundreds of years later in the southeast, where warrior symbolism dominated, and projecting it back to Cahokia and saying: 'Well, that's what this must be,'" Emerson said. "And we're saying: 'No, it's not.'"

Other recent findings related to the people buried in Mound 72 are described in the Journal of Archaeological Science, the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, and a chapter in the book "Beyond Collapse: Archaeological Perspectives on Resilience, Revitalization and Transformation in Complex Societies."
Some horses have special gaits, which are more comfortable for the rider than walk, trot or gallop. Now, a study by an international research team under the direction of the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in Berlin revealed that these gaited horses most likely originated in the 9th century medieval England. From there they were brought to Iceland by the Vikings and later spread all over Europe and Asia. These findings were published in the current issue of the journal "Current Biology."

Walk, trot and gallop are the gaits which all horses can master. However, riders who want to sit in their saddle more comfortably while still making good time on long journeys would benefit from choosing gaited horses. They are able to perform special gaits, like the ambling or pacing, which are typical for Icelandic horses and allow for a smoother ride. Responsible for this ability is a mutation in the DMRT3 gene, which was recently shown by a study with over 4,000 horses from different breeds. To investigate the history of gaited horses the scientist analysed this mutation in the genome of 90 horses from the Copper Age (6000 BC) to the Middle Ages (11th century). They detected the mutation in samples of two English horses from 850 -- 900 AD and more frequently in Icelandic horses dating to the 9th -- 11th century. Most likely the first gaited horses appeared in medieval England and were then transported to Iceland by the Vikings. Horses have existed in Iceland since 870 BC. In contrast, no European (Scandinavia included) or Asian horse of the same period carrying the mutation for the alternative gaits was found.

It is improbable that the English and Icelandic gaited horse populations developed independently from each other in such a short time. "It is much more likely, that the first horses ever imported to Iceland already carried the mutation for alternative gaits. The Vikings recognised the value of the gaited horses and preferentially selected for this trait -- thereby laying the foundation for the worldwide distribution," explains Arne Ludwig, geneticist at the IZW. Historic sagas also suggest that Icelandic horses exhibited the ability for alternative gaits at a very early stage. Although the origin of the Icelandic horse is not fully resolved, the general assumption is that they came to the island together with the Vikings. However, since the mutation was not found in Scandinavian horses of the 9th century, horses from other regions must have been brought to Iceland as well.

Historic records report that Vikings were repeatedly pillaging on the British Isles and conquered the region of today's Yorkshire -- precisely the region the two historic gaited horses originated from. "Taking that into account our results suggest that Vikings first encountered gaited horses on the British Isles and transported them to Iceland," explains Saskia Wutke, PhD student at the IZW and first lead author of the study. The high frequency of the mutation for gaitedness in the early Icelandic horses indicates that the Icelandic settlers preferably bred gaited horses -- apparently the comfortable gaits proved to be particularly suitable for long distance travel through rough terrain.
As a result of the incident, police are now looking for a blue 2002 Subaru station wagon, registration EWH180.

Police are also looking to locate 44-year-old Kyle Scott Tweedie who was an occupant of the car and is wanted by police for breaching his bail.

Police are asking anyone who knows where Tweedie or the car is, or who witnessed the incident, to phone the Auckland City District Crime Squad on 09 302 6557.

Alternatively, information can also be left anonymously via the Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 line.

Police are looking for Kyle Tweedie. Photo: NZ Police.

Headline Police office hit by car

A police officer received minor injuries after being hit by a car in the weekend.

The female officer received medical attention and is now back at work following the incident in Three Kings, Auckland, on Saturday.

As a result of the incident, police are now looking for a blue 2002 Subaru station wagon, registration EWH180.

Police are also looking to locate 44-year-old Kyle Scott Tweedie who was an occupant of the car and is wanted by police for breaching his bail.

Police are asking anyone who knows where Tweedie or the car is, or who witnessed the incident, to phone the Auckland City District Crime Squad on 09 302 6557.

Alternatively, information can also be left anonymously via the Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 line.
A special festival celebrates the love of dogs.

In Nepal, Hindus celebrate Diwali, a festival of lights celebrated by millions every year in the fall in India, Nepal and elsewhere. Specific to Nepal's parties, though, is a day dedicated to dogs, called Kukur Tihar.

This photo showing dogs wearing floral garlands at the festival was catching clicks on Reddit recently.
<p><em>Animal Humane Society</em><span></span></p>

In South Korea alone, there are around 17,000 dog meat farms. Over 2 million dogs are transported to these farms every year. Despite these staggering numbers, a very small percentage of the country's citizens actually participate in the practice, and many people there are trying to stop it. Nami Kim, an animal advocate in South Korea, is a retired teacher who has dedicated her life to rescuing dogs from the dog meat farms. She also helps to shut down the farms altogether and find new jobs for the former dog butchers. Her ultimate goal is to put an end to the vicious cycle.

Animal Humane Society

Among the 300 dogs she rescued recently were 10 tiny puppies, only a few months old, who desperately needed new, loving homes. Wanting to find the best possible homes for the puppies, Kim got in contact with the Animal Humane Society in Minnesota. "We had never done an international transport before, so it took months of planning to make this all happen," Brie Nodgaard of the Animal Humane Society told The Dodo. "Nami Kim needed a place to rehome these rescued dogs, and we were able to do that!"

Dodo Shows Soulmates Dog Goes Everywhere In His Dad's Kangaroo Pouch

Animal Humane Society

The process of getting the puppies from South Korea to the U.S. was not a quick one. After they were cleared medically to travel, funds were raised to fly the puppies to Chicago, the closest direct flight to Minnesota. Once they landed, a few volunteers drove the puppies to a different airport, where they were put onto a tiny plane belonging to Pilots N Paws, a flight service for rescue animals.

Animal Humane Society

Volunteers from the Animal Humane Society watched the plane land, and then drove the puppies back to the shelter for food, baths and some much-needed rest. "I could see it in their eyes that they knew they were safe," Nodgaard said.

Animal Humane Society

The puppies were exhausted, but overall happy and excited to meet so many new people. The 10 puppies included five girls and five boys: Tora, Bliss, Honey, Rosie, Tannie, Tommy, Charlie, Mark, Tucson and Leo. They arrived at the shelter on Wednesday, and on Saturday they were finally ready to be put up for adoption.

Animal Humane Society

"Doors opened at 10 a.m.," Nodgaard said. "One woman waited in line by 6:30 a.m. to make sure she could give one of these rescued puppies the best life that she could. By 11 a.m. every single puppy was spoken for." After almost losing their lives and then traveling miles and miles just to be safe, the puppies finally all have homes.

Animal Humane Society

"Just knowing their story and what their life was destined for is now forever changed," Nodgaard said. "Nami Kim is truly a remarkable woman, and is my hero! Words can't express how overjoyed, proud and happy I am to be a part of making this happen - I too am forever changed!"
Its a Tuesday morning in Christie Pits and Im breaking a sweat alongside more than a dozen people during the last leg of Oonagh Duncans boot camp class.

She leads us all through the fun-but-intense Roxanne workout. You know the song  Sting growls Roooxanne and put on the red light over and over. When he sings the former, you do a push-up, and for the latter, you do half a burpee. After 3 minutes and 13 seconds of The Police putting us through misery, were all giggling, sweaty, and sore.

But the groups soon-to-pass pain has a purpose: Helping fundraise for a Syrian family to start a new life in Canada.

You hear about these things, and you feel so distant, and now Im getting Facebook messages from this woman whos sitting  right now  in a tent (on the Syria-Lebanon border), says Duncan, a fitness industry veteran.

Shes talking about Ramia, a 32-year-old mother of four from Syria who began reaching out to people in Toronto earlier this year, hoping for help to start a new life in Canada with her family. Ramias husband, Mohammed, is recovering from a stroke in Lebanon. She hasnt seen him in months.

Right now, Ramia  who asked the Star to withhold her last name for safety reasons  is living in constant fear and hunger with her children, Mohammed Adnan, 11, Ghiyath, 10, Sham, 3, and Zein, 2, their life uprooted first by Syrias civil war, and now their perilous journey out of their home country.

Im so blown away by her resilience and resourcefulness, says Duncan, a Toronto mother of two. I think, would I be able to do that? But as a mom, youll do anything.

Duncan is among a group of Torontonians hoping to raise the $33,000 the Canadian government estimates it would cost to provide for Ramias family for a year upon their arrival to Canada.

Community Matters, a neighbourhood organization with more than two decades of experience helping newcomers get established in the St. James Town neighbourhood of Toronto, is the familys community sponsor and will help administer the funds.

This summer, Duncan slashed the cost of her Fit Feels Good boot camp classes in half to bring in an influx of new clients, and has raised more than a $1,000 for the cause.

I wanted to check this class out for awhile, and it was a lovely, pleasant surprise to find out there was something additional to contribute to the community, says boot camp attendee Diane Der, 45.

Ramia first connected with various people in Toronto through Facebook, including Laura-Jean Bernhardson of Fresh Collective, the Toronto fashion label, and Siyar Abu Hantash, of Canada Today Arab news. Shes been sending them regular updates on her journey with her children.

She broke my heart, says Abu Hantash, who has been speaking to Ramia in Arabic. She was always asking, How can you help?

Ramia speaks English and French as well. I talked to her through Facebook Messenger in July, and she spoke of the generosity of the people she now knows in Canada.

The doors are close (sic) on my face, Ramia told me in brief messages from her camp on the Syria-Lebanon border. My children all the time scared and hungry. The situation is very difficult.

There are still many hurdles ahead, from hitting the fundraising target, to hoping Ramia and her family can get all the documentation they need to leave for Canada. But Duncan and her fellow fundraisers in Toronto say they wont stop until the job is done.

When I think about those kids, and that mom, and everything shes doing  I just want to get them here, Duncan says.

Help the cause:https://www.gofundme.com/HelpRamia

SHARE:
REGINAA key member of Saskatchewan Premier Brad Walls government who oversaw the provinces liquor and gaming authority has resigned from cabinet after announcing hes been charged with impaired driving.

Don McMorris, who is the deputy premier, said he was charged Friday after slowing down at a construction zone east of Regina near White City, where he said he was pulled over by RCMP.

McMorris told reporters at the legislature on Saturday that he spoke with Premier Brad Wall, who accepted his resignation.

He said he will also leave the Saskatchewan Partys caucus while he deals with the legal aspects of the matter and seeks counselling.

There are no words to describe how sorry I am to my family, to my colleagues and to all the people of the province of my actions. They are absolutely unacceptable, McMorris said.

I should have never got behind the wheel after drinking. I know better. I absolutely know better. I take responsibility for my actions.

McMorris did not answer when asked by a reporter at the media availability what his blood-alcohol level was.

Today is to say Ill be resigning from cabinet. There will be legal matters that will take place in due course, McMorris said.

Wall issued a short statement expressing his disappointment with McMorris.

Drinking and driving risks and ruins lives and is completely unacceptable, Wall said.

I respect that Don has taken full responsibility for his actions and I support his decision to step away from caucus and seek counselling.

An RCMP spokesman said on Saturday that police were not immediately prepared to release any information on the allegations against McMorris.

Wall said he will be naming an interim minister Monday.

McMorris was the minister of Crown investments and was also the minister responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance, the governments publicly owned automobile insurer.

In May, Saskatchewan Government Insurance launched an ad campaign against impaired driving, which noted that in 2014 there were more than 1,100 collisions where alcohol or drug use was a factor, resulting in 61 deaths and 541 injuries.

Charles Smith, an associate professor of political studies at the University of Saskatchewan, said the timing is poor for the Sask Party government, which has enjoyed high popularity during its time in office. A minister being charged with impaired driving is bad, Smith said, but it comes on the heels of a pipeline spill last month into the North Saskatchewan River where Walls response appeared slow.

It starts to look like a government thats struggling a little bit. And I think thats just bad news all around for the government, Smith said.

On top of that, Smith said McMorris is a key member of Walls inner circle and was overseeing a promise by Wall to privatize some liquor sales.

The province announced last November that it was selling 40 of its 75 government-owned liquor outlets and adding 12 private retail stores across the province.

MADD Canada said last year that it opposed plans to privatize liquor sales in Saskatchewan because it would make alcohol more accessible.

We have serious concerns about privatization of alcohol and its an embarrassment, and should be an embarrassment, to this government to have a minister responsible for it charged with impaired driving, Andrew Murie of MADD Canada said.

Fortunately he didnt kill anyone and he didnt hurt himself, but he could have.

Impaired driving became an issue in Saskatchewans provincial election this past spring when Wall defended three of his partys candidates who had drunk driving convictions.

Wall said at the time that the convictions were many years ago and the candidates fully disclosed them. The most recent of the convictions was 15 years ago.

The NDP also admitted during the campaign that two of its candidates had impaired driving convictions.

McMorris said he has indicated many times that drinking and driving is dangerous and unacceptable, which is why the government has strengthened laws and penalties to combat it.

One incident is too many, and Im that one incident, he said.

Smith said the charge could be devastating for McMorriss political career.

If hes convicted of drinking and driving, its going to be very difficult for the government to keep him on in any capacity.

SHARE:
QUEBECFor all the talk about banning pit bulls in Quebec, an advisory panel convened to look into the fate of those dogs doesnt appear to be biting on a controversial call to prohibit the dogs.

Theres no mention of banning the breed from a government-appointed advisory panel to look into the matter, according to recommendations in a draft document obtained by The Canadian Press.

That goes against what Premier Philippe Couillard and several senior Liberal government ministers have publicly been saying since June  that a province-wide ban on pit bulls in Quebec along the lines of one in Ontario may be the way to go.

If Couillards government elects to abide by the recommendations in the draft document, marked confidential and dated July 29, theres no mention in them of a ban like Ontario, where pit bulls have been banned since 2005.

Instead of targeting certain types, the panel suggests a case-by-case approach and pit bull and dog breed arent mentioned in the recommendations.

The group is recommending a law that would set conditions to owning dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs and would include an awareness campaign aimed at preventing dog bites and educating the owners of such dogs.

The group also recommends establishing a bite reporting protocol to gather reliable data on the number and severity of assaults.

In the 11 years since Ontario banned the breed, the province doesnt know whether the number of dog bites has been reduced because that data isnt collected at the provincial level.

Several Quebec municipalities including Montreal, Quebec City and Brossard have announced bans this summer after a string of attacks that included one death  Christine Vadnais, 55, of Montreal, was killed in her own backyard.

Some other Canadian cities, including Winnipeg, have banned the breed.

The Quebec panel is suggesting the province give municipalities the right to adopt more stringent rules than provincial law should they wish to do so.

The panel has until Aug. 31 to submit its report and recommendations to Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux, who has promised to move swiftly on the matter.

Read more about:

SHARE:
GRAND PRE, N.S.For the first time in more than a decade, Ottawa is asking Canadians to nominate favoured places as candidates for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Environment Minister Catherine McKenna made the announcement Monday in Grand Pre, N.S., home to one of Canadas 18 UNESCO sites out of more than 1,000 worldwide.

As we look around here today, we can feel how special this place is to Canada, McKenna said, because it takes a very special place to make the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

McKenna invited Canadians to suggest places of cultural, historic and natural significance for Canadas list of nominees for world heritage status by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture.

She said the additions to the nomination list, last updated in 2004, will be revealed in 2017 in honour of the 150th anniversary of Confederation.

As anyone who has had the privilege of exploring our great country knows, theres no shortage of spectacular places, McKenna said.

The minister is putting together a committee of heritage experts, including indigenous representatives, to review submissions for Canadas next world heritage bid.

Five of the 11 sites on Canadas current nomination list have been inscribed as world heritage sites most recently Mistaken Point, N.L., which was recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Turkey last month.

Mistaken Point is one of seven world heritage sites in Atlantic Canada. The rocky stretch of coastline on the southeastern tip of Newfoundlands Avalon Peninsula is home to some of the oldest known evidence of complex, multicellular life.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are places of cultural or natural significance that members of the global community have committed to preserve for future generations, sometimes through financial assistance or expert advice.

It is reserved for humanitys most outstanding achievements and natures most inspiring creations, McKenna said. Our government is committed to ... giving Canadians the opportunity to experience these special places.

Read more about:

SHARE:
39-year-old man is in hospital after he was shot by Toronto police during a stabbing investigation in the city's downtown core Monday, spurring an investigation by the Special Investigations Unit.

The SIU is an independent agency responsible for investigating incidents where death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault arise from interactions involving police.

A team of 10 investigators from the SIU has taken over the case. The SIU says the stabbing and shooting incidents are part of one larger incident.

SIU spokesperson Jason Gennaro said police were called to the area of Yonge St., just north of Dundas St. some time after 5:30 a.m. following reports of a man attacking another man with a knife.

Police arrived at around 6 a.m., and confronted the 39-year-old man on Dundas St. between Bay and Yonge Sts., a short distance away from the stabbing call.

North of the Eaton Centre on Dundas St., bloody clothing and at least four red cups were among the evidence strewn along the road and sidewalk.

A 66-year-old man was treated in hospital for a knife wound and later released.

The man shot by police was struck a number of times,  Gennaro said. He was taken to St. Michael's Hospital for surgery and is now in stable condition.

SHARE:
For 18 months, Haidar Omarali says he was told when and where to work by multimillion-dollar utilities retailer Just Energy. He was told what to say to customers courtesy of a pre-written script, what to wear in the form of company branded clothing, and was trained, supervised and disciplined by his company.

Sound like an employee to you? So it should, according to a new class-action lawsuit  the first of its kind in Canada.

But in the eyes of multi-national corporation Just Energy, Omarali was not an employee at all; he was an independent contractor with no right to minimum wage, overtime pay, or any other workplace protections. As a result, court documents allege, the 58-year-old Toronto father worked at least six days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on commission set by the company, which sometimes came out to as little as $3.32 an hour  far below Ontarios $11.25 minimum wage.

The class-action lawsuit on behalf of 7,000 Just Energy sales agents claims the business with operations across North America and the United Kingdom unjustly enriched itself by misclassifying its salespeople as independent contractors. That, the suit alleges, allowed it to make significant savings on things like basic pay, overtime, and EI contributions  since only workers designated as employees are entitled to such workplace rights. The case has yet to be tested in court.

They keep you at the bottom of the totem pole because thats where most of their revenue comes from, said Omarali, who says he had to cash out his kids life insurance at one point to make ends meet.

In a statement to the Star, Just Energy said it disagreed with the Ontario superior courts decision to certify the lawsuit, or give it approval to move forward as a class action, adding that the presiding judge acknowledged the company may well prevail on the merits.

The judge also recognized that previous decisions by numerous regulatory agencies had reassured Just Energy that the sales agents were, indeed, independent contractors, and not employees. Just Energy believes it complied with the law and will continue to vigorously defend itself in this litigation, the statement said.

In a summary of its position, leading labour law firm Koskie Minsky described its clients, who went door-to-door across Ontario selling gas and electricity contracts, as low-skilled and vulnerable employees, often people without post-secondary degrees or new Canadians.

This is the first class action where were actually seeking determination from the court that all 7,000 of these people were improperly classified and as a result denied their basic employment rights like minimum wage, said Jody Brown, a lawyer for the plaintiffs.

Brown said the key objective of the suit was changing current behaviour around misclassification, which strips workers of basic protections.

Under Canadian law, independent contractors are generally supposed to operate autonomously, setting their own schedules and using their own equipment. According to the class-action suit, Just Energy sales agents signed a contract classifying them as such. But, the suit alleges, they were also transported by company employees to target neighbourhoods, subject to mandatory training, supervision, and disciplinary schemes, and instructed to wear company-branded clothing  right down to the hat on their head, which they were told should sport the Just Energy logo.

In response to those allegations, lawyers for Just Energy said in a statement of the company's position sent to the Star that their sales agents training was largely a function of regulatory compliance. While it says its sales agents had to identify themselves as company representatives to customers and abide by some company restrictions, it also said workers were not required to follow scripts prescribed by Just Energy or otherwise follow Just Energys suggestions or advice.

The issue of what defines an employee and who should be entitled to basic workplace rights is a live one: Ontario is in the midst of reviewing its employment and labour laws, which critics call outdated and ineffective. Among the recommendations made by labour groups is a government crackdown on misclassification by establishing a reverse onus on employee status  meaning all workers would be presumed to be employees unless their bosses can prove otherwise.

I think increasing enforcement mechanisms to ensure people know if theyre captured as an employee or not, or if theyre really being misclassified is important, Brown said.

When people are looking for a job, theyre looking for a paycheque. Theyre not necessarily aware of the legal nuances, the differences between an independent contractor and an employee.

As previously reported by the Star, there has been significant momentum south of the border to tackle employee misclassification. At the Port of Los Angeles, hundreds of truck drivers are challenging their classification as independent contractors through the courts. The U.S. Department of Labour has signed agreements with multiple states to tackle employee misclassification, and recently issued legal guidance to clarify that most workers should be treated as employees under the law.

The lawsuit filed by Omarali and his lawyers against Just Energy says the individual claims of the 7,000 sales agents would have been too small to pursue  but a class action would provide access to justice to thousands of vulnerable employees.

For Omarali, who left the company in 2013 after making less than $24,000 that year, it is about righting a job opportunity gone wrong.

There was always the hope that you would make more, he said. But that was just a mirage.

SHARE:
Ontario will keep open four schools for 160 children who are deaf, blind or have severe learning disabilities while it develops pilot projects to help kids with similar challenges in traditional schools.

The move follows protests by worried parents last winter and spring  and an outcry from opposition parties at Queens Park  after the government stopped admissions at the schools in Milton, London, Belleville and Ottawa for the fall.

Education Minister Mitzie Hunter said Monday the governments goal is to better help children with special needs across the province closer to home.

But critics like David Lepofsky of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance charged the latest step falls miles short of what is needed by 334,000 students with special education needs.

Hunter said the government spent months consulting with parents and experts on how to best meet students needs so they can reach their full potential in school, and in life.

We need to ensure equity and better serve our students who are deaf, blind or have severe learning disabilities by providing them with robust services and effective programs in their home communities, she added in a statement.

The government did not give a permanent commitment to keep the schools open, with a spokeswoman in Hunters office saying only that there are no plans to close.

Bob Ryan, a residential counsellor at the Trillium school in Milton, said the pilot projects sound like smoke and mirrors.

The hometown schools have been saying for decades that we cant do this,  added Ryan, president of an Ontario Public Service Employees Union local representing staff at Trillium.

I dont even see how they can get a pilot project off the ground by September.

Children in the schools can be in Grade 7 or 8 but reading at a Grade 1 level, Ryan said, making remedial work a tall order in the regular school system.

Hunters office said three-year pilot projects will begin in public and Catholic school boards in Cambridge, London, Sudbury and Windsor, involving Trillium and the Amethyst and Sagonaska Demonstration Schools in London and Belleville, respectively.

Those boards were chosen because some they have experience in serving students with severe learning disabilities in reading, said Hunter spokeswoman Nicole McInerney.

The purpose is to build capacity in school boards, she added. We anticipate that these three-year pilots will inform possible expansion of the programs further across the province.

Parents were shocked when the government halted admissions to the schools for this fall, saying their children desperately need the individualized attention they during and after classes in the schools.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the governments climbdown on the special needs schools echoes backtracking on efforts to charge some seniors more for prescription drugs and a revamping of a controversial new autism policy.

She said it will be a challenge for the government to provide the robust services children enjoy in special needs schools in the regular school system.

Its certainly not happening now.

Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown applauded Hunters announcement but said he will take it with a grain of salt.

We await further details and confirmation that these schools will remain open past the 2016-2017 school year, he added in a statement.

Read more about:

SHARE:
INTERCOURSE, PA.On the outskirts of a town called Intercourse, an entire community of people has survived this election season with the chastity of its eardrums never once penetrated by the sound of Donald Trumps voice.

Many Amish have never heard him speak. Theyve read newspaper articles about him, learned about him through word-of-mouth, but have never had the full sensory experience because their traditionalist faith forbids television, radio and the web.

So the reactions are spontaneous and physical when a reporter visits this farming community and attempts to impersonate the outer-borough twang of a candidate who brags about his billions, his beautiful wife and the gold-garnished skyscrapers adorned with his name.

Eyes pop in surprise. Bellies burst in laughter. Heads shake in disgust.

Thats a little too much bragging, says a young woman at a bookstore counter. Usually when people think too much of themselves, thats when it all goes downhill.

Across the parking lot with the horse and buggy, the local librarian strokes his beard and says: Were supposed to be humble and not have pride.

Like everyone else interviewed here, they wont let their names be printed. Modesty is so central to the Amish way of life that people in this Pennsylvania community wont be photographed, wont linger before mirrors and avoid media attention.

But heres a shocker  most are pulling for Trump.

It begs the question of how a casino-owning, publicity-seeking, wealth-worshiping, serial marrier of fashion models gains the support of people who dont gamble, eschew glamour, detest divorce and consider bankruptcy repugnant because it means youve broken a promise.

Easily, it turns out.

The Amish are extremely conservative  so they support Republicans against a party they associate with abortion, homosexual rights and other forms of social liberalism.

Another factor frequently comes up in conversation: Hillary Clinton is a woman.

No Amish is going to vote for Hillary, says the man in the library. No one wants a woman president . . . What does Bill think about his wife running for president?

On the wall, theres a picture of the librarians ancestral hometown. His forefathers were imprisoned in a castle in Passau, Germany, before fleeing for the New World. On the floor, theres an old wooden chest that brought his family belongings to America. He says they made the journey, fittingly, in 1776  the year of independence.

A German dialect remains the common language here. Children learn English at school, which they attend through Grade 8. Then they usually work in a family business. Large families keep the community population growing.

The estimated 70,000 Amish in Pennsylvania could be a powerful voting bloc. In a close race, a big Amish turnout could put Trump over the top in a state thats crucial to his northeastern rust-belt strategy.

But theres just one problem  the Amish dont vote.

An estimated 5 per cent cast ballots in the last election. Getting voter ID isnt the problem, they say. The issue, frankly, is they dont really care all that much about voting. Its not encouraged or discouraged by church preachers; its just not a priority.

One dairy farmer explains the case for not voting. The end of the world could happen at any moment, he says. In the meantime, every interim detail is determined by the Almighty.

One guy on the knees (praying) will do more than 20 at the polls, says the farmer, standing in front of his red barn. God puts leaders in place to fulfil His plan.

This farmer makes world-class organic butter used in fancy restaurants. Thats according to a non-Amish friend, because this farmer in the dusty pants and dark suspenders doesnt brag. He doesnt fret, either, about the world ending. He says he tries leading a faithful life; the rest is in the Lords hands.

He does fear for the country, though. He likens modern America to the biblical Sodom and Gomorrah.

He says its problems started with womens rights. Men had always ruled the world, he says, since it was created a few thousand years ago. Then women started voting, they began working, then came birth control and family planning, abortion, gay rights: It all went belly-up, he said.

Of five people interviewed by The Canadian Press, none said they planned to vote.

Someones trying to change that.

A Super public action committee has been launched by a former member of the community. It has printed ads that emphasize more relatable parts of Trumps story: He doesnt drink, works hard and involves his children in the family business. The ads gloss over the casinos, divorces, bragging and bankruptcies.

But Amish PAC founder Ben White says hes trying to even out the score. He says newspapers dont tell the whole story about Trump, and people need to hear it.

The media . . . is doing a huge disservice to the country by not mentioning the successes hes had, said King, who left the community for a modern life.

King said theres a sense of urgency  Pennsylvania could be a close race.

One of his most important tasks will be organizing car rides to distant polling stations. A lift, he figures, could shave two hours off some trips. Horse-and-buggy transport is notoriously slow. Thats one reason this semi-rural area known for its roadside jam stands also has huge traffic jams, with cars stuck behind plodding, four-legged vehicles.

For instance, if people wanted to hear Trump speak at an upcoming rally in the nearby town of Lancaster, the 15-kilometre trip would take an hour.

Dont expect the bookstore clerk to slog all the way there. She expressed surprise when a reporter mentioned how a neighbour declared the whole community was pulling for Trump.

Raising an eyebrow, she replied sarcastically: It was a man (who said that), right?

She doesnt intend to vote. But the woman in the bonnet said that if she did: I prefer Hillary. I think she knows what shes doing.

Read more about:

SHARE:
WASHINGTONA longtime GOP Capitol Hill operative and former CIA officer has launched an independent bid for president to offer an alternative for Republican loyalists who dont back Donald Trump.

Evan McMullin said on his campaigns Facebook page he was challenging the Republican nominee for president because its never too late to do the right thing.

McMullin has been a critic of Trump on his personal Facebook page over attacks the billionaire businessman has made on Muslims, including against the parents of U.S. army Captain Humayun Khan, who was killed in Iraq in 2004.

Our country needs leaders who are in it for the right reasons, McMullin wrote Aug. 4. Leaders who actually understand what makes this nation the hope of the world.

McMullins run is considered to be an uphill battle because many state filing deadlines for independent presidential candidates to appear on state ballots have already passed. The number of states that have put such deadlines in the rearview mirror now amount to a majority of electoral college votes.

McMullin is a former chief policy director for the House Republican Conference and was a senior adviser on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, according to LinkedIn.

A spokesman for the conference said McMullin is no longer an employee there and that it has zero knowledge of his intentions.

The former CIA agent worked on counterterrorism and counter-insurgency operations during his 11 years with the agency, according his online profile.

He has taken to Facebook in recent days to highlight his own experience while criticizing Trump.

As Donald Trump continues attacking Muslims and as a former CIA officer, Id like all Americans to know the truth: American and other Muslims have played a central role in virtually every counterterrorism win weve had since 9/11, McMullin wrote. They are an indispensable asset in this fight. Attacking them as a group makes America weaker, not stronger.

Read more about:

SHARE:
DALLASThe family of a Muslim boy who was arrested after bringing a homemade clock to school filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Texas school officials and others, saying the incident violated the 14-year-old boys civil rights, prompted death threats and forced them to leave the United States.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Ahmed Mohamed, who was arrested at his suburban Dallas high school in September and charged with having a hoax bomb. He says he brought the homemade digital clock to school to show his English teacher.

Ahmed showed off the clock, made out of a plastic pencil box and electrical wire and other hardware salvaged from his parents garage, on Monday during a news conference with his parents and attorneys.

Irving police later dropped the charge, but he was still suspended for three days. He never returned to the school; his family opted to have him take classes elsewhere.

The lawsuit names Irving Independent School District, the city of Irving and the schools principal, and asks a jury to determine the damages. In November, the family asked the district and city to pay $15 million or else face a suit. District spokeswoman Lesley Weaver said in a statement Monday that attorneys for the district will review the suit and determine a course of action.

Irving ISD continues to deny violating the students rights and will respond to claims in accordance with court rules, she said, adding that school officials for now will have no further comment.

The Mohamed family questioned whether the boy was mistreated due to his religion but the district has denied the claim.

The family has since moved to Qatar, citing threats and a scholarship offered to Ahmed in the Persian Gulf country. Ahmed moved back to the U.S. last month for the summer to visit family and friends, and will do some travelling around the country, but will return to Qatar next month to start Grade 10 at Qatar Academy, a private school in Doha.

For the safety of my family, I have to go back to Qatar, because right now its not very safe for my family or for anyone whos a minority, Ahmed said during Mondays news conference.

While in Texas, Ahmed said, he has to wear a hat, sunglasses and a hoody. I cant walk out of the house without being covered up because I might get shot because that happens here, he said.

The teens parents, Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed and Muna Ibrahim, have not found work yet in Qatar, so the family of eight is living in government housing and on food vouchers.

Among the claims made in the suit, which was brought by the teens father, is that the boys right to equal protection under the law was violated and that officers arrested him without probable cause.

Ahmed was a victim of systemic discrimination by the school district and state Board of Education that has marginalized Muslims and other minority groups, the suit claims.

History tells us that when we have stood tall and proud for equality and freedom, we have grown as a nation, the suit says. When we have given in to fear and hate, we flounder.

The suit adds, In the case of Ahmed Mohamed, we have the opportunity to take a stand for equality and for justice, two things that should prevail above all else.

The Irving school district is also under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice over an alleged pattern of discrimination against minority students.

The district in February sued the Texas Attorney General to keep the justice departments investigation private.

Ahmeds story brought an outpouring of support from President Barack Obama, other political leaders, corporate executives and NASA scientists.

When I went to the new school, they asked me, are you that clock kid? I told them yeah, I was. My identity was stripped, Ahmed said.

SHARE:
Willow Short was never supposed to survive. According to doctors, she wasnt even supposed to be born alive.

While still in her mothers womb, doctors discovered a devastating heart defect. They said shed likely be delivered stillborn.

But when she arrived, the newborn cried. She was alive. Six days later, she received a heart transplant, and with the help of a stringent course of daily medication, Willow thrived.

Her inspiring story filled the local newspapers, not to mention the New York Times. The Short family legacy, it seemed, was one of perseverance, faith and strength.

That changed Saturday.

Two years after defying death, police found the toddler and her two older siblings, Liana, 8, and Mark, Jr., 5, dead in the living room of their Pennsylvania home. Nearby were their parents, Megan and Mark Short, also dead, authorities said.

All had been shot. So had the dog.

Officers with the Sinking Spring Borough and Spring Township police departments found a handgun beside one of the deceased adults, though they didnt specify who, and a handwritten murder/suicide note somewhere in the home, according to a statement from the Berks County District Attorney Office.

Authorities have not released a motive, but said the investigation thus far revealed there had been domestic issues between Megan Short, 33, and her husband, Mark, 40.

Online, Megan was not shy about those issues, a neighbour told the Reading Eagle.

On July 23, during an exchange on Facebook, Megan Short told Angie Burke, who lives down the street, that she planned to leave her husband.

The two were commenting back and forth on a link Burke had posted to an opinion article published in the Washington Post titled He didnt hit me. It was still abuse, Burke told the Eagle.

In it, author Leigh Stein previewed her forthcoming memoir, where she describes the humiliation, manipulation and psychological abuse she suffered while dating her ex-boyfriend. Burke provided the newspaper with screenshots of their exchange, recounted here.

It really does a number on your mental health for sure, Short commented.

Later, she added: This is why I am leaving my marriage Angie. 16 years.

Throughout the conversation, Megan Short said she had found a rental property and was waiting to be approved. She hoped to move to Yardley, she wrote, about an hour and a half from the familys Sinking Spring home.

Then last week, Burke saw another Facebook post from Megan, the Eagle reported, soliciting friends to help her move. She would need their assistance, Burke said, on Saturday, Aug. 6.

When that day arrived, Burke told the newspaper she was on her way home from the bakery, where shed picked up a birthday cake for her husband, when she saw not moving trucks, but police.

I just got sick, Burke told the Eagle.

Police discovered the bodies when a family member called, concerned that Megan had not shown up for a scheduled lunch date, officials said.

Neighbours often saw the family on walks, towing their three blond-haired children in a wagon. Photos on both Megan and Mark Shorts Facebook pages show the five of them together on vacation at Disney World and in professionally taken portraits.

But in stories in local media, the feature in the New York Times and posts on various support blogs, it was clear the Short family had endured great struggle. The Times story documented their frustrations and anxiety trying to obtain the critical medication keeping Willow alive. In a blog post for Philly at Heart, headlined Learning to Heal: My Experience with PTSD, Megan chronicled her battle with post traumatic stress disorder, brought on by her experiences with Willows tenuous health.

She wrote:

There are very few moments when you can clearly see your life as separated into the before and after. Having a child born with a severe congenital heart defect has been the most significant shift of my life. Like many moms, I have always put my familys needs ahead of my own and forgotten to make time to take care of myself. Having a child with a life-threatening illness intensified that. I was so focused on learning everything I could to keep my child alive and to minimize the impact on my other children that I didnt see the full impact that it had on me.

Also an advocate for organ donation, Megan spoke often about her gratitude toward the family who made Willows survival possible.

Someone elses child died so that my child could live, Megan told the Eagle in a profile about Willows recovery after her transplant. I know theyre in so much pain. I am so thankful.

SHARE:
SHAH SADDERUDD, PAKISTANIn this Punjab village where a familys worth is tallied in the number of males it can produce, Muhammed Azeem was different.

He valued his daughters as much as his sons.

He raised the three girls to be independent young women. When one of them married, she refused to take her husbands name. Another changed hers to Qandeel Baloch and became famous, shocking this conservative Islamic country with risque videos that showed her in skin-tight clothing grinding against men.

Azeem didnt care. He loved Qandeel  whose new name meant torch in their native language.

I supported everything she did, Azeem says. I liked everything she did.

Her fathers love helped make Baloch a role model to a generation of young Pakistani women. But it may have also planted the seeds of her destruction.

Her younger brother Muhammed Wazeem seethed. Villagers would constantly show him her Facebook posts and criticize his family for allowing her to make the videos.

He decided he had to save the familys honour. Last month, he drugged Baloch and then, as their parents slept downstairs, strangled her.

In most so-called honour killings, families close ranks around the killer. Not this time.

My son was wrong, Azeem says. I will not forgive him.

This is the story of a girl from one of the poorest, most backward areas of Pakistan who emerged to transfix a nation  and then was killed for her role in its clash between tradition and modernity, between Islamic fundamentalism and secularism.

Balochs home village, Shah Saddaruddin, is a seven-hour drive from the capital, Islamabad, a journey through sugar-cane and mango fields, often on roads that are no more than dirt tracks.

Most girls are hidden away once they reach puberty, and many are married shortly afterward to a boy chosen by their parents. In a country where 1,000 people die each year in honour killings, women are the main target.

Women here are strictly controlled, Balochs sister, Munawar Azeem, says. Its our tradition, but Qandeel was stubborn, she always wanted more, had different ideas.

Weeping for her sister, she says their father loved his girls too much.

Baloch was always different, even when she was still a little girl named Fouzia.

One day, she saw her older brother practicing karate and judo. Every day after that, the 8-year-old could be found outside working on her martial arts moves. Her mother, Anwar Bibi, smiles at the thought of her daughter.

I dont know why she was the way she was, but she never cared what anyone thought, Bibi says. She was always brave.

Fouzia told her mother shed be famous one day.

Her first public performance was in 2012 on Pakistan Idol. It was a disaster. Judges cringe as she sings, and afterward she sobs backstage. The video went viral.

Her notoriety grew, and soon she was amassing millions of views on her YouTube videos  and thousands of thumbs-down.

One user on her Facebook page wanted Baloch arrested for spreading vulgarity. One with a rudimentary grasp of English wrote, simply, We hete you.

But she inspired many others. One wrote: You are strong like men, and another said: Fabulous style and confidence. U r such a superstar my QB.

Balochs transformation from fame-hungry celebrity to fledgling feminist may have its roots in her short marriage, one she said was marked by abuse.

It seemed like a love match at first. Unlike many here, it wasnt an arranged marriage. She fell for a family friend.

As Ashiq Hussain, her ex-husband, tells it, Fouzia would pursue him, writing him letters.

Even sometimes she would use her own blood to write, he says.

There was no Qandeel then. She was Fouzia.

She was obsessed with moving to the city, buying a house and wearing pretty clothes, he says.

Maybe in her heart, he says, she was already thinking of being a star.

If any moment captures Pakistans clash of cultures, its the selfie Baloch took two months ago, during the holy month of Ramadan.

In it, she is almost sitting on the lap of Muslim cleric Maulvi Abdul Qavi in a Karachi hotel room. She wears his pointed cap perched above her flaring eyeliner. Her mouth forms an exaggerated O of surprise.

On a recent day, Qavi sits cross-legged on the floor of his office in Multan, the Punjab city where Baloch was killed. One of the members of his entourage fans him in the 45C heat.

When asked about a police investigation into his possible involvement in inciting violence against Baloch, he struggles for composure.

The main thing is, it is condemnable, he says of her killing.

Not everyone has condemned the killing, however.

A girl who decides to publish her naked pics for sake of publicity...what her brother is sppose to do??? one tweet said.

At Balochs grave in Shah Sadderuddin, her sister Munawar points to half a dozen men gathered there to praise her.

Look at them, she says. When she was alive, everyone said horrible things about her, and now they come and pray at her grave. See what hypocrites we are.

Balochs father is devastated by her death.

His daughter, he says, was more of a son than any of his six sons, providing for the family.

I miss everything of her. You were my daughter. God gave you fame. May God bless you.

Read more about:

SHARE:
Revamping econ plan, Trump vows tax cuts to 'jump-start' US

DETROITTrying to turn the page after a tumultuous campaign stretch, Donald Trump unleashed a blistering attack Monday on Hillary Clintons approach to the economy while promising he would provide deep tax cuts and jolt middle class workers back to prosperity.

Trump also revisited his opposition to current trade deals, including his plan to renegotiate the NAFTA trade agreement with Canada and Mexico and improve intellectual property protections.

Trumps speech to the Detroit Economic Club reflected the Republican presidential nominees attempt to reboot and redirect the conversation to his strength: the economy. Trump offered a few new policy specifics but trained much of his attention on his Democratic opponent.

The one common feature of every Hillary Clinton idea is that it punishes you for working and doing business in the United States, Trump said. He said he wants to jump-start America and added, It wont even be that hard.

Turning to taxes, Trump said no business should pay more than 15 per cent of its income in taxes, a major drop from the current 35 per cent corporate tax rate.

He revamped his previous proposal, unveiled during the GOP primary, by increasing the amount that the highest-individual income earners would pay.

Trump said he wants to simplify the tax code, which currently has seven tax brackets, to three: 12 per cent, 25 per cent and 33 per cent of income after deductions. Trumps proposal from last year had envisioned four brackets: zero, 10 per cent, 20 per cent and 25 per cent.

In a new proposal, Trump called for allowing parents to fully deduct the average cost of child care from their taxable income. Its a theme Trump and his daughter, Ivanka, first introduced during the Republican National Convention as his campaign seeks to broaden its appeal to Democratic voters ahead of the general election.

The current Child and Dependent Care tax credit includes caps for qualifying expenses that Trumps plan would eliminate, though a senior campaign aide said there would be an income limit for eligibility.

Detroit, with its devastated real estate market and dearth of jobs, has come to symbolize the nations broader struggle to recover from the recession and restore manufacturing jobs. But Democrats have touted the comeback of the auto industry during the Obama administration as a mark of success for the types of economic policies Clinton is supporting.

In short, the city of Detroit is the living, breathing example of my opponents failed economic agenda, Trump said, referring to Clinton.

Clinton, in Detroit later in the week, plans to call for the largest investment in jobs since World War II, her campaign says, while questioning Trumps own commitment to helping the middle class.

Read more about:

SHARE:
Mel Hurtig, the economic nationalist, is dead. The cause he championed is not.

Hurtig died last week at 84. His passing was generally viewed, if at all, as an end point to an era that is now passe  an era in which Canadians fretted about foreign control of the national economy and elected governments that promised to rectify the situation.

But for better or worse, nationalism is alive and well in the world. In Russia, it expresses itself as a muscular chauvinism. It the United Kingdom, it produced the vote that has ended that countrys membership in the European Union.

In the United States, it has given rise to the xenophobia and nativism that fuels Donald Trumps presidential campaign.

Hurtig would be horrified by the protofascist nature of much of 21st century nationalism. I doubt, though, that he would be surprised. He recognized the power of this force and in his life tried to steer it along paths that were both democratic and, in the original sense of the word, progressive.

Ironically, one country in which economic nationalism is weaker these days is Canada. The three major political parties have signed onto the orthodoxy of free trade and globalization. If they quibble at all, as the New Democrats occasionally do, it is over the details.

But Canada may be behind the times. Globalization is under attack in the U.S. and Europe. Americans fret about the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership deal and the existing North American Free Trade Agreement. They have come to understand that such trade and investment pacts dont always work for them.

The entire European Union project is being questioned in France, Italy and the Netherlands. The single European currency is rightly viewed by many of the countries that use it as a Trojan horse.

The Council of Canadians, which Hurtig helped found, didnt have much luck in Canada when it argued against the proposed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the EU.

But it did have some success in Europe where its agitation helped produce a backlash that may well sink CETA.

The economic nationalism of Hurtigs time focused on foreign ownership of Canadian industries. As such, it was a project that embraced not only many in the general population but also important sectors of Canadian business.

So it was perfectly logical that Walter Gordon, a prominent Liberal and one of the pillars of Torontos financial class, would promote this kind of nationalism. The business nationalists that Gordon represented wanted the countrys economy to be controlled by Canadian, not American, capitalists.

The Liberal government of the day responded. It passed a law to review foreign takeovers. It passed another to give Canadian-owned companies an edge in the booming oilfields.

But the great successes of economic nationalism occurred just as Canadian business was beginning to change its mind. The new business view, articulated in a 1985 royal commission report, recommended that the government do an about turn and embrace free trade with the U.S.

Canadian business interests promoting the new view calculated, correctly, that they could make more money selling successful firms to American buyers than they could if foreign ownership were limited.

In the years that followed, iconic Canadian businesses, ranging from the Hudsons Bay Co. to Inco and Stelco were sold to foreigners.

Today, there is little support for economic nationalism among Canadian business. Conversely, there is little desire among the general population to protect Canadian firms that ultimately dont want protection.

Still, this does not mean the urge for autonomy has disappeared completely from the country. If economic nationalism means economic democracy then the spirit of Mel Hurtig arguably lives on among those who want a fairer shake for the middle and working classes.

It also lives on among those who dont want the laws of the land overturned by foreign business in the name of free trade.

Most of all, it persists because we live in world that is wearying of the globalized economy. This is one area where the usually deft Justin Trudeau Liberals are missing the boat.

Canadians want trade. They want to be open to the world. But they also want to be protected from economic chaos and run their own show. They want to be masters in their own home.

Thomas Walkoms column appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

SHARE:
As Yogi Berra once said: Its like deja vu all over again.

This time its yet another study that, quelle surprise, found a wage gap between men and women. In this case it was female faculty members at the University of Waterloo who were found to be making less than their male counterparts. So much so that the university is going to spend $1 million to bump up the pay of 326 female faculty members by almost $3,000 each starting Sept. 1.

The Waterloo wage-gap review is the latest in a series of welcome efforts by Ontario institutions to deal with this troublingly persistent issue. Yet, as this case demonstrates, growing awareness doesnt always entail adequate redress.

First, the proposed remedy doesnt go far enough. The salary bump for Waterloos female profs will not be retroactive. We cant go back and change history, but we have ability to influence the future, school president Feridun Hamdullahpur said. But thats misleading. The university can make the raise retroactive as the University of Toronto did when it struck a landmark pay equity agreement in 2011 with the union representing its clerical and technical staff.

Second, the study was limited in scope to the salary data; researchers were precluded from considering the root causes of the bias. Thats short-sighted. As Aimee Morrison, an associate professor at the university pointed out, not attacking the source of the pay gap means it keeps reproducing itself. Indeed, a previous review conducted by Waterloo in 2008 also found female faculty members were paid less than their male counterparts. The fixes imposed at the time clearly didnt stick.

Women in Ontario still make only 70.6 cents for every dollar a man earns, according to the latest StatsCan data. For decades, groups as diverse as the Equal Pay Coalition, Catalyst, think-tanks and banks have studied the wage gap, and decried it, without much effect. In the late 1980s Ontario even passed pay-equity legislation that was supposed to close the gap, but didn't.

The strange persistence of this disturbing inequity led Premier Kathleen Wynne to strike the Gender Wage Gap Steering Committee last fall. Perhaps its report, to be issued in the next few weeks, will finally pave the way to enduringly equal pay.

Until then, the University of Waterloo should do the right thing and make the wage bump for female faculty members retroactive. Or does it believe the work those women did was less valuable than that of their male colleagues?

SHARE:
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares of Apple (AAPL) were rising mid-Monday afternoon despite allegations by Russia's Federal Anti-Monopoly Service that the Cupertino, CA-based company and 16 other iPhone resellers in Russia fixed the prices of the iPhone 6 and 6S on the local market starting as early as October 2015, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The antitrust commission claims that iPhone prices were static for some time across a majority of retailers.

Apple first drew scrutiny from the antitrust body in Russia in February when the unit began looking into the allegations. Antitrust leaders said the company could be fined up to 15% of total iPhone sales revenue.

Russian handset retailer Svyaznoy reported that Apple's iPhone comprised about 27% of sales revenue for resellers in 2015, the Journal reports.

Russia's government-appointed Internet public advocate, Dmitry Marinichev, has criticized the case. He has said it won't be possible to punish Apple, as the company operates on the free market and can establish its own pricing level.

(Apple is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells AAPL? Learn more now.)

Separately, 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 rated this stock as a "buy" with a ratings score of B.

The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, expanding profit margins and notable return on equity. TheStreet Ratings feels 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: AAPL
The lobby of a Westin hotel in Richmond, Va. If Marriotts $13.6 billion takeover of Starwood is approved, it would create the worlds largest hotel company, with 1.1 million rooms worldwide. (Steve Helber/AP)

Marriott Internationals proposed $13.6 billion purchase of Starwood Hotels & Resorts has hit a snag: China.

The Bethesda-based hospitality giant said Monday that the Chinese Ministry of Commerce needs up to 60 additional days to review the companys purchase of Starwood, a deal that would create the worlds largest hotel company.

A green light from Chinese regulators is the last remaining hurdle for Marriott, which has already received necessary approvals from regulators in 40 countries, including the United States, and the European Union.

[The latest destination for Chinas billions: U.S. hotels]

Marriott and Starwood continue to believe that their planned merger transaction poses no anti-competitive issues in China, Marriott said in a statement Monday.

The hiccup follows a heated bidding war between Marriott and a business group led by Chinas Anbang Insurance Group, which offered $14 billion in cash for Starwood, before pulling its bid in April.

Marriott executives had originally expected the Chinese government to complete its antitrust reviews by Aug. 9, according to a July 28 call with Wall Street analysts. The latest development pushes back the process by as much as two months.

Weve provided very, very significant amounts of information [to Chinese authorities] over the course of the last six or eight months, Arne Sorenson, president and chief executive of Marriott, said in the call. We remain optimistic that we will receive clearance from China and will complete the transaction in the coming weeks.

Experts say Chinas extended review is not surprising given the size of the hoteliers reach in the country, which could be seen as posing a threat to Chinas burgeoning hospitality sector. Marriott has 91 properties in the country, with an additional 146 in the works. Starwood, based in Stamford, Conn., has 283 hotels in China.

This sort of bureaucratic entanglement is not uncommon in China, said Eswar Prasad, a professor at Cornell University and former head of the International Monetary Funds China division. Of course, China is trying to expand the role of its domestic players, so there are residual concerns about what this deal could mean for Chinas own hospitality industry.

Chinas anti-monopoly law went into effect in 2008. As of May 2015, the ministry had reviewed 1,058 deals, and rejected just two: Coca-Colas proposed purchase of the Huiyuan Juice Co., and the creation of a shipping alliance among three European shipping companies. An additional 24 deals were approved conditionally, according to data from the U.S.-China Business Council. Although the initial review period is 30 days, many reviews stretch on for more than 200 days.

This may be, at one level, a bureaucratic hiccup, Prasad said of the Marriott-Starwood deal. But its also a signal that the merged corporation would have to remain very much under the terms of Chinese regulators.

If the deal is approved, the combined hotelier, to be based in Bethesda, would have 30 brands with 1.1 million rooms. It would bring together Marriotts Courtyard, Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance Hotels brands with Starwoods Sheraton, Westin and St. Regis.
The Celtic Tiger, Irelands turn-of-the century decade of rapid economic growth and prosperity, may have come to an end with the Great Recession of 2008, but the country has lately been enjoying a boom of an entirely different sort: a flourishing of fiction writing. In addition to such established masters as Edna OBrien, Colm Toibin, John Banville and Roddy Doyle, the national literature boasts a cadre of splendid suspense novelists, led by Tana French, Declan Hughes and Stuart Neville, and a rising generation of gifted younger writers (many of whom were featured in a recent issue of Granta magazine), among them Colin Barrett and Belinda McKeon. Aspiring to join these ranks is Lisa McInerney, whose debut novel, The Glorious Heresies, won the 2016 Baileys Womens Prize and has just been released in the United States.

As with a number of her contemporaries, McInerney focuses on the gritty underbelly of post-Celtic Tiger Ireland. The Glorious Heresies is set in the city of Cork, but banish from your mind any bucolic images you may retain from a vacation to the south of Ireland. This book occupies a cramped urban terrain of brothels, schoolboy drug dealers, grim housing estates and malicious thugs.

The proceedings open with a murder. Maureen , an older woman living alone in a former house of ill repute owned by her gangster son, Jimmy Phelan, clocks an intruder on the head with a gaudy religious tchotchke. The dead man, an itinerant drug addict, had entered the house looking for a devotional ornament left behind by his girlfriend, Georgie, who had been employed as a sex worker there. It falls to Jimmy to dispose of the body. Its a nasty world, he observes  and a tightly knit one, too.

[Review: Edna OBriens The Little Red Chairs confronts Radovan Karadzic]

Although the plot follows the complications that arise from the coverup of the crime and Georgies search for her missing man, this is no story of detection. Its deepest concern, as suggested by the title, is with the intricate, contorted relationships in 21st-century Ireland between faith and vice, virtue and corruption, redemption and damnation. The diminishment of the Catholic Churchs central place in Irish life  through scandal, apathy and generational change  has left a gaping moral hole in the lives of these characters. Theres nothing there, one of them says. No confessor, no penitent, no sin, no sacrament. Just actions to be burned away. For many in the book, that gap is filled with alcohol, drugs and violence.

[Colm Toibins Nora Webster: A masterful portrait of a grieving woman finding herself]

McInerney writes an energetic, profane prose laced with the vibrant idiom of Cork street life. Although I lived in Ireland for a number of years, there were plenty of words and phrases here that were new to me, including chattyboo, noodenaw, crackawlies and, best of all, jackeen scrote. The narrative is jumpy and at times fervid, calling to mind the thought process of a recovering addict, sliding from one point of view to another, skipping back and forth in time, and offering short monologues from some of the characters as if they were being interviewed by a documentary filmmaker. (Prior to this novel, McInerney achieved renown for The Arse End of Ireland, a blog about working-class life in Galway.)

A recurring motif in The Glorious Heresies is the problem of the unintended or unwanted child conceived out of wedlock  the Magdalene anguish, as the author calls it. Jimmy is the offspring of such a union, and during the course of the novel, Georgie is forced to reckon with an unexpected pregnancy. In most cases, the outcomes are hideous for the mother, entailing banishment, loss of custody and disgrace. McInerney displays the ways in which the shaming of these women is at the root of the moral turpitude her novel so unrelentingly chronicles.

In a darkly comic scene that is the rhetorical heart of the book, Maureen goes into a church to confess her crime and winds up getting into an argument with the priest over Catholic hypocrisy. When the confessor reprimands her for her vulgar speech, Maureen replies, Youre crosser about my language in the confessional than you are about the fact that I killed a man. To the priests horror, Maureen then implies that the punitive way she was treated when she was pregnant exempts her from guilt over the accidental killing of the intruder. We are all born in sin, the cleric tells her. No one gets respite from the nature of their soul.

Theres not much of a respite for the reader in this bleak, powerful novel, either. A tough gallows humor pervades, but there is little in the way of redemption or hope for McInerneys characters. In that regard, The Glorious Heresies remains unstintingly true to its own subject matter.

Jon Michaud is a writer in New York.
Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan warms up before play against the Miami Heat in 1992. (Al Messerschmidt Archive/Associated Press)

Basketball icon Michael Jordan has donated $5 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, museum officials announced Monday.

The gift, the largest from a sports figure to the 19th Smithsonian museum, pushes private donations to the museum to $278 million. Including federal aid, the museum, which President Obama will open Sept. 24, has raised more than $548 million.

The Chicago Bulls star also gave a jersey that he wore during the 1996 NBA Finals to the museums permanent collection. In recognition of the gifts, the museum will name a section of its sports gallery the Michael Jordan Hall.

The inaugural exhibition in that space will feature artifacts associated with 17 game-changing athletes, including tennis player Althea Gibson and track-and-field great Jesse Owens. Jordan is among those spotlighted.

Jordan played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association, and won six championships with the Chicago Bulls. Winner of two Olympic gold medals, including one with the 1992 Dream Team, Jordan is principal owner of the Charlotte Hornets and is the first former player to hold a majority interest in a team.

I am grateful for the opportunity to support this museum, Jordan said in a statement. I also am indebted to the historic contributions of community leaders and athletes such as Jesse Owens, whose talent, commitment and perseverance broke racial barriers and laid the groundwork for the successful careers of so many African Americans in athletics and beyond.

Museum Founding Director Lonnie G. Bunch III expressed gratitude for Jordans contribution. His gift will enable our visitors to explore how sports were used to break barriers as a way to gain full participation in American society, Bunch said in a statement.

Founding Director for the National Museum of African American History and Culture gives us an idea on what to expect when steeping inside the newest addition to the Smithsonian Institution. (Adriana Usero/The Washington Post)

Authorized by Congress in 2003, the 400,000-square-foot museum is under construction on the Mall, between the Washington Monument and the National Museum of American History.


Owners Marjorie Meek-Bradley and Peter Bayne found themselves on the wrong side of the Districts zoning definitions in trying to open their new restaurant, Smoked and Stacked, in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. (April Greer)

Peter Bayne called his partners in Smoked & Stacked as soon as he got the bad news. The D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs had determined that their sandwich shop, featuring smoked meats by former Top Chef contestant Marjorie Meek-Bradley, qualified as a fast-food restaurant and that their location  on the Ninth Street NW side of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center  is not zoned for fast food.

As soon as the words were out of Baynes mouth, Meek-Bradley and fellow Smoked & Stacked partner Geoff Dawson lost it. I had to hold the phone away from my ear, Bayne recalls.

Between the two of them, Dawson and Bayne have opened more than 15 bars and restaurants in the District. But neither had known that the District treats fast-food restaurants differently from the full-service kind. And theyd had no reason to suspect that they would run into problems at the convention center. There is, after all, a Sbarro pizza outlet on the other side of the building, along Seventh Street NW.

It was a surprise to us as much as it was a surprise to the landlord, says Bayne. Their landlord, incidentally, is Events DC, the quasi-governmental group that owns and manages the convention center and Nationals Park.

Because fast-food joints are restricted along Ninth Street, but not all of Seventh, the Smoked & Stacked partners would need to get an exemption from the Districts Board of Zoning Adjustment, a process that could take months. They didnt have months. They had already hired a general manager and had started paying rent.

Bayne, Meek-Bradley and Dawson had to make some quick decisions: Should they pursue an exemption from the board, which would take time and cost them thousands in legal fees? Should they rework their concept? Or should they wait until Sept. 6, when new zoning regulations will go into effect, potentially ending this surreal era in which fast-casual eateries and chef-driven sandwich shops are lumped in the same category as Burger King, McDonalds and Popeyes?

Marjorie said, The fact that my food is fast food is insulting,  says Bayne about Meek-Bradley, who also leads the kitchen at Ripple in Cleveland Park.

Shes not wrong, he adds. Its not fast food. This is just a category that was created to slow down McDonalds and Burger King years ago.

New rules, new conflicts

Smoked & Stackeds partners are not the first D.C. restaurateurs to grapple with this problem. The Board of Zoning Adjustment has dealt with countless requests for exemptions to the rules that prohibit fast-food restaurants near residential neighborhoods. They have come from a broad variety of businesses, from Einstein Bros. Bagels to Real Spice Jamaican Eatery, but one group in particular has been a frequent petitioner: craft-conscious counter-service eateries such as Smoked & Stacked, often labeled fast-casual restaurants in the industry.

Fast-casual chains such as Chipotle, Nandos Peri-Peri, &pizza and others need exceptions because under current regulations, they qualify as fast-food restaurants even though they typically offer higher-quality ingredients than your average Mickey Ds. At present, the District deems an establishment a fast-food restaurant if it includes any one of the following: a drive-through window; customers who pay for their food before they eat it; meals served with disposable plates and flatware.

The D.C. Zoning Commission levied its first restrictions on fast-food eateries in 1985, when the major chains were spreading to parts of the District where residents and Advisory Neighborhood Commissions did not welcome them . Locals and ANC commissioners didnt want the car traffic, the pedestrians, the litter, the late-night hours or the gaudy signs associated with fast-food joints, according to the original 1983 petition from two ANC commissioners representing Columbia Heights, Shaw and other neighborhoods.

Before the restrictions went into effect, the District had no limitations on where fast-food restaurants could locate, which accelerated their spread. The Washington Post reported in May 1985, when the zoning commission first passed emergency regulations, that the District had 130 fast-food restaurants, 35 more than the previous year. The number of fast-food outlets, in short, had jumped 37 percent in one year.

For years after the original restrictions were enacted, DCRA, the enforcer of city regulations, had to work through some bizarre calculations to decide whether a place was a fast-food restaurant. The agency, for example, had to determine whether at least 10 percent of the public floor space was devoted to patrons waiting in line to order. It also had to determine, before the restaurant even opened, whether 60 percent of its food items had been pre-prepared or packaged before a customer placed an order.

Its almost impossible to tell whether the citys tortuous regulations have had their desired effect: DCRA says fast-food restaurants continue to open at a steady clip, but without reviewing every single certificate of occupancy, the agency cant determine which ones were issued to traditional fast-food joints and which ones went to fast-casual restaurants such as Cava Mezze or &pizza.

One things for certain, though: The rules have led to conflicts. In 2006, the ANC for H Street NE protested the occupancy permits issued to several restaurants, arguing that the establishments were, in fact, fast-food joints. In the case of a Cluck-U Chicken franchise, the ANC said the place had such a brisk carryout business that its off-premises consumption exceeds on-premises consumption.

Hoping to solve the problems it had helped create, the D.C. Zoning Commission amended its food-fast rules in 2007, approving the current three-point definition. A restaurant now has to meet only one of the three criteria to get slapped with the fast-food tag. There are no shades of gray: If a restaurant has a drive-through window, asks for money up front or uses disposable dishware, its a fast-food joint. No if, ands or buts.

More change, in September

For whatever reason, the District has become a fast-casual incubator, not only attracting popular chains such as Nandos and Bobbys Burger Palace but also nurturing its own brands such as &pizza, Taylor Gourmet, Sweetgreen, Cava Mezze and Beefsteak. These operations, whether local or national, tend to follow a formula: Ditch the low-grade ingredients and the uncomfortable settings of fast-food joints but maintain their speed, a quality cherished more than ever in the Internet Age. They also tend to play up their connections to celebrity chefs and the farm-to-table movement, those twin darlings of the modern dining scene.

Nandos chief executive Burton Heiss says he was familiar with Washingtons fast-food restrictions when his South African-Portuguese chicken chain tried to open an outlet in Woodley Park. What surprised him was that the exemption process also included the local ANC, which could impose stipulations to lessen the impact of a fast-food operation. The local ANC did just that: It recommended limiting Nandos exemption to five years, which the Board of Zoning Adjustment approved.

The five-year restriction made no business sense to Nandos. The company had planned to invest $1.7 million to build out the former Bank of America space on Connecticut Avenue NW and intended to sign a 10-year lease with the landlord, with two five-year options to renew.

So Nandos backed out, which caused a mini-uproar in Woodley Park, particularly after a blog floated the rumor that a 7-Eleven might take over the space. The ANC reconsidered and gave Nandos a 10-year exemption. Nandos now expects to open in Woodley Park at the end of this month.

Nandos victory didnt come cheap. Heiss estimates the chain spent nearly a year and somewhere between $50,000 and $100,000 in legal fees to secure the exemption. It was not easy, the executive says.

Even though obtaining an exemption can chew up time and cash, &pizza co-founder and chief executive Michael Lastoria says he has seen the benefits of working with the ANC. The process allows the D.C. chain to hear from residents about the problems in their neighborhood, whether rats, stench or noise, Lastoria says. The restaurant, in turn, can address those concerns and generate goodwill. The process can show locals the difference between a good neighbor and a corporate interloper.

The fast-food restriction, while it was limiting, all it did was create a conversation that I find healthy, Lastoria says. The costs, he adds, are ultimately offset by the relationships you develop and the people you meet along the way.

The new zoning regulations, more than eight years in the making, will kick in Sept. 6. Among the many changes is a new definition of a fast-food restaurant. The city has relaxed the language: There are now five characteristics that define such a place, but no single one automatically places a restaurant in fast-food land. The D.C. Office of Planning, the lead agency in drafting the revised regulations, notes that the new definition gives DCRA more flexibility.

In other words, the DCRA zoning administrator will be able to look at the totality of a restaurant, not at any single element, to determine whether it falls into the fast-food category.

Depends on the money

The switch from a fixed definition to an interpretative one makes some restaurateurs nervous. It introduces an element of human judgment into the determination process. And where there is human judgment, there is inevitably error.

Despite that, Peter Bayne and his partners with Smoked & Stacked are rolling the dice. They decided to alter their concept  but only on paper  to secure the necessary building permit to do some needed construction. They have no intention of opening as a restaurant where customers receive a check only after they get their sandwiches.

But come Sept. 6, the owners are betting that DCRA will deem Smoked & Stacked a restaurant, even though the place will operate in a manner that could still define it as a fast-food shop. Bayne and his partners say they are certain the DCRA zoning administrator will make the right call. If theyre right, the partners expect to open within days after the new regulations take effect.

But what happens if, by chance, DCRA determines that Smoked & Stacked still qualifies as a fast-food joint?

The owners would then have to change their concept for real or file an appeal. If the latter, they would find themselves in the very situation they had hoped to avoid: going before the Board of Zoning Adjustment, spending more time and money.

How the District of Columbia defines a fast-food establishment

A place of business, other than a prepared food shop, where food is prepared on the premises and sold to customers for consumption and at least one of the following conditions apply:

A. The premises include a drive-through;

B. Customers pay for the food before it is consumed. One characteristic that would satisfy this element would be building permit plans that depict a service counter without seating unless the applicant certifies that the intended principal use is for a restaurant or grocery and that the counter is part of a carry out service that is clearly subordinate to that principal use; or

C. Food is served on/in anything other than non-disposable tableware. Characteristics that would satisfy this element include, but are not limited to: the building permit plans do not depict a dishwasher or do depict trash receptacles in public areas.

A proposed or existing establishment meeting this definition shall not be deemed to constitute any other use permitted under the authority of these regulations, except that a restaurant, grocery store, movie theater, or other use providing carryout service that is clearly subordinate to its principal use shall not be deemed a fast-food establishment. (54 DCR 9393[1.next.westlaw.com])


Ahmed Mohamed and his father Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed pose for a photo at the Islamic Center of Irving in Irving, Tx. in July. (Cooper Neill /For The Washington Post)

Nearly one year after 14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed was arrested for bringing a suspicious-looking homemade clock to class, his family has filed suit against his former Texas school district, the principal of the high school and the city of Irving.

The lawsuit filed Monday claims that Ahmeds civil rights were violated in the incident that made the 9th grader go viral last September.

Accusations of racial and religious profiling fueled the hashtag #IStandWithAhmed. Even President Obama chimed in on Twitter, telling the boy: We should inspire more kids like you to like science. Its what makes America great.

The charge  possession of a hoax bomb  was dropped, but MacArthur High School suspended Ahmed for three days.

[Read the full lawsuit]



Ahmed built his clock inside a pencil case from Target. In middle school, he often showed off his creations to his teachers. (Cooper Neill /For The Washington Post)

Ahmeds school has stated that they did not think the clock was an actual bomb, but a hoax bomb. (Cooper Neill /For The Washington Post)

Citing a pattern of disproportionate disciplinary actions for black students in the Irving Independent School District (ISD) and a history of anti-Muslim sentiment in Irving, the lawsuit alleges that Ahmed was discriminated against based on his race and religion. It also claims his Fourth Amendment rights were violated when he was interrogated by police and principal Daniel Cummings for over an hour without the presence of his parents before he was arrested.

Ahmeds family no longer lives in Texas. They moved to Qatar in October. But in June, they returned to Irving for summer vacation. Thats when they hired Hutchinson & Stoy, the Texas firm also representing a Baylor University student who claims the school ignored reports that she was raped by a football player.

A spokeswoman for Irving ISD responded with this statement: As with any legal matter of this nature, attorneys for the school district will review the filing and respond as appropriate. Irving ISD continues to deny violating the students rights and will respond to claims in accordance with court rules. Because this matter is now in litigation, Irving ISD officials will have no further comment at this time.

Although a previous demand letter from the family threatened to sue the city and the school district for a combined $15 million, no specific dollar amount in damages is named in this lawsuit.

I lost a lot of things in my life, Ahmed recently told The Washington Post. The number one thing people think about me is that Im living the life . . . But I cant build anymore. My dad doesnt have a job anymore. I moved from my house to an apartment. I lost my place for building things. Over [in Qatar] its very boring, I cant do anything. The only thing I can do is use the Internet.

To read more about what its like to be a 14-year-old who went viral, check out our story on Ahmeds first few days back in America.

This post has been updated.
Valari Staab has been around TV news long enough to see trends come and go  and sometimes come back again.

In 2008 and 2009, when revenue dropped significantly, many TV stations cut back in two areas: investigative and consumer reporting, recalled the NBCUniversal executive, who supervises 11 NBC-owned newsrooms in big markets that include the District, New York and San Francisco.

A lot of stations were down to one investigative reporter, she said, if they had anyone at all.

I-teams, as they were known when they became popular decades ago, seemed to be a thing of the past across the country, with a few exceptions.

But now, the TV I-team is back. You could see evidence of this at the recent Investigative Reporters and Editors conference, where almost a third of the 1,800 attendees were TV journalists, mostly from local stations  looking spiffed up and camera-ready, and easy to spot among the scruffier print scribes.

And IRE recently elected Matt Goldberg of KNBC in Los Angeles as its board president, the first time a TV journalist has held that post in many years. Although trade organizations such as the National Association of Broadcasters dont keep numbers to prove it, theres general agreement in the industry that I-teams are proliferating on local TV.

And the attitude about I-teams has changed along with their numbers. Its about the business as well as the journalism.

Stations need market differentiation  a distinction between what they offer and what everybody else offers, said Al Tompkins, senior faculty member for broadcast at the Poynter Institute.

He points out that not all of what TV stations tout as investigative journalism measures up.

A lot of investigative folks are doing day turns   getting a story done in one day  and you have to ask: How investigative can you be in eight hours? Tompkins said.

But, he noted, those quick hits can add an element of enterprise journalism  a quick dive into public records, for example  thats worthwhile. And some of the projects are flashy enough to get plenty of attention.

Tompkins mentions the Tampa CBS affiliate WTSPs expose of how yellow lights at intersections were short-timed to make it easier to charge drivers with running red lights, thus generating more traffic-ticket revenue for municipalities.

At the deeper end of the pool is traditional watchdog work, especially important at a time when investigative reporting at local newspapers is atrophied by staff cuts.

For example, KARE, the NBC station in Minneapolis, took a year to investigate how veterans with traumatic brain injuries were often examined by unqualified doctors and sometimes denied appropriate treatment and benefits at the Veterans Affairs hospital there. The project, Invisible Wounds, which took the top broadcast award at IRE this year, resulted in a nationwide review by the VA inspector generals office; hundreds of veterans were offered new exams.

With less importance but plenty of camera appeal, Chris Nakamoto, a reporter for WBRZ, the ABC affiliate in Baton Rouge, was filmed in the spring as he was led away in handcuffs after he tried to get public records on the mayors salary in White Castle, La. Law enforcement officials detained him after a claim that he was harassing the town clerk and refusing to leave the town hall. The incident happened on public property.

This all comes at a crucial moment for local TV as an industry, where there are both hopeful signs and reasons for trepidation.

Local TVs steady stream of advertising and other revenue has helped maintain staffing levels for their newsrooms, which rose 1 percent in 2014  a sharp contrast with newspapers 10 percent drop in the same period, the most recent report by Pew Research found.

And although TV news remains the major news source for Americans in general, the clock is ticking ominously, with millennials identifying Facebook as their major news source.

This makes the scramble for audience (and the ad dollars that may follow) more important than ever. Many stations have decided that enterprising journalism  dubbed investigative by marketers  is one way to get there.

The only way to hold or grow an audience these days is to have exclusive content, said Mark Horvit, executive director of IRE. The term investigative is a way to say, We dug this up  this is ours,  he said.

Many journalists see whats happening in local TV as an important development, although they suggest taking some of the marketing with a grain of salt.

Stories about bedbugs that are called investigative journalism are kind of silly, said Sarah Cohen, who runs a data journalism team at the New York Times and is the immediate past president of the IRE board of directors. But not everything has to be a six-month project. The core of investigative work is something of public importance that somebody doesnt want you to know.

By that measure, the return of the I-team to local TV stations can be regarded only as positive. And if a TV reporter seeking public records ends up in handcuffs, making for riveting footage, that might not be so bad, either.

For more by Margaret Sullivan, visit wapo.st/sullivan.
BLOOD DONATIONS

BLOOD DRIVES Monday, noon-5 p.m., Village at Leesburg, 1614 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg, 800-733-2767; Wednesday, 4-8 p.m., in front of Alamo Drafthouse, 20575 Easthampton Plaza, Ashburn, 866-256-6372; Aug. 16, 3-7 p.m., Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Rd., Leesburg, 866-256-6372; Aug. 19, 1:30-6 p.m., St. James Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall St., Leesburg, 800-733-2767; Aug. 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Leesburg Public Safety Center, 65 Plaza St., Leesburg, 800-733-2767

INOVA BLOOD DONOR CENTER Mondays noon-8 p.m., Tuesdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Fridays 6 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays noon-4 p.m. Dulles Town Center, 45745 Nokes Blvd., Sterling. 866-256-6372 or inova.org/donateblood.

FIRST AID

FIRST AID/ADULT, INFANT AND CHILD CPR/AED Aug. 20 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Medical Office Building, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-3588. $85. Registration required.

HEARING

DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER Technical assistance through the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and presentations to businesses, civic groups and schools. Third Tuesdays 2-5 p.m., Workplace, 205 Keith St., Warrenton. Call for an appointment, 800-648-6324; TDD, 540-373-5890. Free.

FREE HEARING TESTS Age 18 and older. Mondays-Thursdays 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing Center, 19465 Deerfield Ave., Suite 201, Lansdowne. 703-858-7620. Registration required.

HEARING LOSS, TINNITUS AND MENIERES SYNDROME SUPPORT For all ages, including parents of children with hearing loss. First Fridays at 2 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. 703-430-2906.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING Age 18 and older, second Tuesdays 10 a.m., Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. 571-258-3400.

HEARING LOSS OUTREACH Free referrals. Fourth Thursdays 10 a.m.-noon, Loudoun County Workforce Center, 102 Heritage Way, Leesburg; third Thursdays 10 a.m.-noon, Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. Free appointments: 703-430-2906 or nvrcloudoun@aol.com .

MENTAL HEALTH

COUNSELING FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE SURVIVORS Provided by Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice. 703-771-9020.

CRISISLINK Suicide and crisis intervention. The organization provides community education, has a volunteer crisis response team and offers CareRing, a daily telephone outreach program for the elderly and disabled. 703-527-6016, volunteer@crisislink.org or crisislink.org.

PIEDMONT CHAPTER, NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS Serves Fauquier, Orange, Madison and Rappahannock counties. Support group, education classes and events for people living with mental illness and their family members. First Wednesdays 7-9 p.m. Fauquier Hospital, 500 Hospital Dr., Sycamore Room A, Warrenton. 571-426-8213.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA CHAPTER, NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS A support group, classes and programs for people living with mental illness and their family members. naminorthernvirginia.org.

PREGNANCY, PARENTING

ADOPTIVE FAMILY PRESERVATION Adoptive families discuss common experiences; registration required. Third Tuesdays 12_2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Rd. Call 703-941-9008, Ext. 23, or email jmellario@umfs.org.

BIRTHRIGHT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY Free pregnancy tests, baby clothing, transportation and support throughout pregnancy, 823 S. King St., Leesburg. 703-777-7272.

BOND BETWEEN US A nonprofit organization that offers support to birth parents when children have been placed for adoption. Fourth Tuesdays 7:30 p.m. Call for location. 703-771-7844.

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT Mondays 9:30-10:30 a.m., Fauquier Hospital Family Birthing Center, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-3588.

DAD SUPPORT New and expectant fathers share ideas. First Tuesdays 7 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg. 703-858-6360.

FOR THE CHILDRENS SAKE A group for separating or divorcing parents to share advice. Four-hour session weekly. Information : 703-391-8599 or fitsfoundation.org.

LA LECHE LEAGUE Mother-to-mother support and breast-feeding information. 10 a.m. second Wednesdays in Warrenton, 540-351-6103. Third Fridays 10:15-11:45 a.m., call for location, 703-444-7386. Second Fridays 10:15 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Rd., 703-431-3852; Thursdays 10 a.m.-noon, Panera Bread, 43670 Greenway Corp. Dr., Ashburn, email lllashburn@gmail.com. Third Fridays 10:15 a.m., Christ the Redeemer Church, 46833 Harry F. Byrd. Hwy., Sterling, 540-338-4637.

LOUDOUN FATHERHOOD PROGRAM Fathers discuss the joys and challenges of being a parent. Meets every other Saturday for two hours for four months; sponsored by Northern Virginia Family Service. 571-748-2796. Free.

LOUDOUN NURTURING PARENTING PROGRAM Positive parenting techniques; children attend with parents. Registration required. Call 703-771-3973, Ext. 27, or email nurturingprogram@lcsj.org . Free.

MOTHERNET/HEALTHY FAMILIES LOUDOUN Program links first-time parents with medical, social and educational resources to give children a socially and physically healthy start in life. Family support workers meet with participants in homes. English-Spanish translation provided. 703-444-4477, Ext. 217 , or inmed.org.

NEW MOTHERS SUPPORT Wednesdays 9:30-11:30 a.m. Inova Loudoun Medical Pavilion, 224 Cornwall St., Leesburg, main entrance. Babies welcome. 703-858-6360.

YOUNG PARENT SERVICES Support for teenage parents. Loudoun County Department of Family Social Services, 52 Sycolin Rd., Leesburg. Call for times. 703-771-5375.

ONLINE CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION PROGRAM Inova Loudoun Hospitals Web-based program uses animation, videos and interactive activities to guide users through the basics of childbirth, breastfeeding and caring for newborns. 703-858-6360. thebirthinginn.org/classes.

PARENTING ALONE GROUP For parents of school-age children who have lost a spouse or partner to cancer. Second Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. 703-698-2536 or email jennifer.eckert@inova.org .

PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH SUPPORT Childbirth Solutions Resource Center, 8393 W. Main St., Marshall. 571-344-0438.

SENIORS

EXERCUSE EQUIPMENT: Weights, treadmills, bikes and a cardio-glide. Instruction provided. Age 55 and older. Weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039. Free.

FITNESS FOR PEOPLE 55 AND OLDER Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 1-1:45 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. 571-258-3400. $36, 12-visit card.

EYE CARE LensCrafters staff members will clean glasses and make minor repairs. Second Wednesdays 1-2 p.m. Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. 703-430-2397. Free.

INOVA LOUDOUN MOBILE VAN Blood pressure checks. Second and fourth Tuesdays 9:30 a.m.-noon, Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling, 571-258-3280; first Wednesdays 9:30 a.m.-noon, Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039.

LAUGHING YOGA FOR SENIORS I mprove flexibility and balance. Thursdays 9:30-10 :30 a.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039. Free.

LOUDOUN ADULT DAY CENTERS For seniors with physical limitations or memory loss, a safe and social environment, therapeutic activities, individualized care and respite for caregivers. Limited transportation. Sliding-scale fees. Weekdays in Leesburg, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 703-771-5334; Purcellville, 571-258-3402; and Ashburn-Sterling, 571-258-3232.

SENIOR OUTREACH SERVICES Free and confidential assistance from an Area Agency on Aging case manager. Call for an appointment or sign up at the Senior Center at Cascades. First and third Wednesdays 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. 571-258-3280.

SENIOR OUTREACH SERVICES Free and confidential assistance from an Area Agency on Aging Elder case manager. Sign up in the Leesburg Senior Center lobby. Second and fourth Thursdays 11 a.m.-noon and 12:30-4:30 p.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039. Free.

SENIOR OUTREACH SERVICES Free and confidential assistance from an Area Agency on Aging Elder case manager. Call for an appointment or sign up at the Carver Center. First and third Mondays, 12:30-5 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. 703-737-8741. Free.

ZUMBA: For people 55 and older who are learning Zumba for the first time, or those who prefer a lower-impact version. The fitness program combines Latin and international music with dance.Thursdays 11 a.m. Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. 571-258-3280. $12.

TAI CHI Stretching and strengthening movements. Mondays 11 a.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039. Free.

ZUMBA GOLD CLASS Age 55 and older. Wear rubber-soled shoes and comfortable clothing; bring water and a towel. Tuesdays 11 a.m., Tuesdays and Fridays at 1 p.m. Senior Center of Leesburg, 102 North St. NW, Leesburg. 703-737-8039. $24 per month.

SUPPORT GROUPS

AL-ANON SERVICE CENTER OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA A volunteer is available 24 hours with information for spouses, family members and friends of problem drinkers. 703-534-4357 or 877-339-8350. Mondays 8 p.m. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 125 W. Washington St., Middleburg, 540-554-2747; Tuesdays 7:30 p.m. St. James Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall St. NW, Leesburg, 877-339-8350; Fridays 8:30 p.m. Grace Episcopal Church, 6507 Main St., The Plains, 800-344-2666; Tuesdays 12:15 p.m. Warrenton Church of Christ, Route 29 N., 540-347-7448; Tuesdays 7 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 p.m. Warrenton Presbyterian Church, 91 Main St., 800-344-2666.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Various meeting times and locations in Loudoun County. 800-208-8649 or 703-876-6166. nvintergroup.org.

ALZHEIMERS CAREGIVER SUPPORT For those who care for people with Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. Fourth Wednesdays 4-5:30 p.m. The Villa at Suffield Meadows, 6735 Suffield Lane, Warrenton. 540-316-3800.

ALZHEIMERS CAREGIVERS SUPPORT For those caring for people with Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. Second Mondays 7-8:30 p.m. Galilee United Methodist Church, 45425 Winding Rd., Sterling. 703-430-9229. galileeumc.org.

ALZHEIMERS CAREGIVER SUPPORT Emotional, educational and social support for family members and friends of people with the disease. Third Saturdays 10 a.m. Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging, 20145 Ashbrook Pl., Ashburn. Call 703-771-5407 or email lesley.katz@loudoun.gov.

ALZHEIMERS CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP Fourth Thursdays 3-4 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. 540-903-6831 or alz.org.

ALZHEIMERS SUPPORT First Tuesdays 10-11 a.m. Spring Arbor Assisted Living, 237 Fairview St. NW, Leesburg. 540-338-6520.

ALZHEIMERS SUPPORT First Wednesdays 4 p.m. Leesburg Adult Day Center, 16501 Meadowview Ct., Leesburg. 703-771-5334.

TALK ABOUT CURING AUTISM A nonprofit organization educating and supporting families affected by autism. tacanow.org.

AUTOIMMUNE SUPPORT Last Thursdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jackson Building, 209 Gibson St., Leesburg. Email autoimmunesupport@hotmail.com .

BEREAVED PARENT SUPPORT One-on-one counseling is available. Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814. scsm.tv.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT For those experiencing loss because of the death of a loved one. Age 18 and older. Third Mondays 1 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Chestnut Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. Sponsored by Capital Caring. 703-957-1800.

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT Fourth Tuesdays 7-8 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Tower, Chestnut Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-349-0588.

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT For those with new diagnoses or starting treatment. Register if attending for the first time. Fourth Mondays 5:30-6:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. 703-858-8857.

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT For those who have finished treatment, have had a recurrence or metastatic breast cancer. Register if attending for the first time. Fourth Mondays 6:30-8 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. 703-858-8857. Free.

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT ASSISTANCE FUND Loudoun County residents who have received a diagnosis or have undergone treatment in the past 12 months are eligible to apply for financial assistance. Areas included are wigs, bras, puffs and prostheses, mammograms and medical bills, food and help with utilities, rent or mortgage, and transportation costs. The Pink Assistance Fund has been established by the Loudoun Breast Health Network. lbhn.org.

CANCER SUPPORT Oncology nurses, social workers and spiritual care providers offer education and support to patients, families and caregivers. Second Mondays 5:30-6:30 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Sycamore Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-2273.

CANCER SUPPORT Life with Cancer, for patients, family members and friends. Second Thursdays 7 p.m. Ashburn Presbyterian Church, Room 202, 20962 Ashburn Rd. 703-729-2012. ashburnpresbyterian.org.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT AND RESOURCE GROUP Wednesdays 10:30 a.m.-noon (no meeting first Wednesdays), Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814. scsm.tv.

CARING FOR AGING PARENTS Support group. Confidential. Fourth Wednesdays 7:30 p.m., Family Focus Counseling Service, 20-B John Marshall St., Warrenton. 540-349-4537.

CHADD PARENTS SUPPORT For parents of children with ADD/ADHD. Fourth Sundays 3 p.m. KinderCare, 44051 Ashburn Village Shopping Plaza. chadd.nova loudoun@gmail. com .

CHRONIC ILLNESS SUPPORT Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 a.m. Spiritual Care Support Ministries, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814 or scsm.tv.

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION: Support for those discouraged because of illness, bereavement, caregiving or a loved one in the military. Thursdays 10 a.m.-noon. Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814.

COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS For parents who have experienced the death of a child. First Wednesdays 7:30 p.m. St. James Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall St. NW, Leesburg. 540-882-9707.

CREATING AND CONNECTING Two-hour art therapy and relaxation workshop for cancer patients. Every other month, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. Call for dates. 703-858-8850.

DEPRESSION BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE OF WESTERN LOUDOUN Saturdays 3 p.m. Purcellville Library, 220 E. Main St., Carruthers Room. Call 703-431-7160 or email kathy@dbsanca.org.

DROP-IN GRIEF SUPPORT For those coping with a death. Second and fourth Wednesdays 1-2 p.m. St. Davids Episcopal Church, 43600 Russell Branch Pkwy., Ashburn. Sponsored by Capital Caring. 703-597-1781.

FAMILIES OVERCOMING DRUG ADDICTION SUPPORT First and third Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Sycamore Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-9221 or email myfodafamily@gmail.com.

GRIEFSHARE Open to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. Purcellville Baptist Church, 601 Yaxley Dr., Purcellville. Call 540-338-0918 or email caring@purbap.org . Workbook, $15.

GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER YOUTH AND PARENT SUPPORT A group in partnership with Metro DC PFLAG. Fourth Sundays 4-6 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church, 22135 Davis Dr., Sterling. 703-328-6518.

GRIEFSHARE Nondenominational seminar and support group. Tuesdays 7:30-9 p.m., and Wednesdays, 1-2:30 p.m. Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814. Free.

GRIEF SUPPORT Sponsored by Hospice Support of Fauquier County. Individual counseling available. First and third Thursdays 3:30-5 p.m. Hospice Support Office, 42 N. Fifth St., Warrenton. Registration required. Call 540-347-5922 or email hospicesupport@verizon.net.

GRIEF SUPPORT Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814.

HOSPICE SUPPORT Free medical-equipment loan facility for Fauquier County residents. Especially needed are donations of wheelchairs, bedside commodes, rolling walkers, electric hospital beds, shower benches and chairs, adult diapers, lift chairs, Ensure and hospital bed mattresses. 540-347-5922.

LOOK GOOD, FEEL BETTER For women undergoing or emerging from cancer treatment. Every other month, 6:45 to 9 p.m. ,Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. Call for dates. 703-776-2820. Free.

LOUDOUN CHADD SUPPORT Led by Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Third Thursdays 7 p.m. Leesburg Town Hall, lower-level conference room, 25 W. Market St. 703-669-2445.

LOUDOUN INTERGROUP OF OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS Fellowship and support. For locations and times, call 571-420-2012. oa.org.

LYME DISEASE SUPPORT Fourth Sundays 2-4 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Conference Room A and B, Leesburg. Go to natcaplyme.org or email loudounlymeadvocates@gmail.com.

LYME DISEASE SUPPORT Third Thursdays 7 p.m. Warrenton Church of Christ, 6398 Lee Hwy. Access Road, Warrenton. 540-347-7265 or email lymeinfauquier@gmail.com.

LYME DISEASE SUPPORT First Tuesdays 7-8:30 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. Email charphealy@yahoo.com.

MADD LOUDOUN VICTIM SUPPORT For those who have been affected by drunken driving. Third Wednesdays 7:30 p.m. 210 Wirt St., Leesburg. 540-338-6491.

MAN-TO-MAN CANCER SUPPORT Sponsored by Loudoun Cancer Care Center, for prostate cancer patients and their families. Second Tuesdays 6:30-8 p.m. Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. Call 703-858-8857 or email karen.archer@inova.org.

MENDED HEARTS Northern Virginia chapter, for heart surgery patients and families and friends of heart disease patients. Third Saturdays 11 a.m., Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg (Patient Information Lounge) . 703-924-6244 or mendedhearts200.org.

MENOPAUSE SUPPORT Third Thursdays 6:30-9 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg (second floor, Patient Education Room). 703-858-8060.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT Saturdays 10:30 a.m. Fauquier Hospital Chestnut Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-349-2826.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT Last Sundays 2-4 p.m. Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Pl., Potomac Falls. 703-771-4256.

NAR-ANON FAMILY SUPPORT For those affected by loved ones with addiction. Meaningful Mondays, 7-8 p.m., Galilee United Methodist Church, 45425 Winding Rd., Sterling. 703-203-9792; Wisdom Wednesdays 7-8 p.m., St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 37730 St. Francis Ct., Purcellville, 703-606-7125; Serenity Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. Leesburg Presbyterian Church, 207 W. Market St., Leesburg, 703-606-7125.

PARKINSON'S SUPPORT Open to anyone with Parkinson's disease, family members and caregivers. First Tuesdays 1:30-3 p.m. Call for Ashburn location. 571-442-8851.

POST-PARTUM SUPPORT Second and fourth Wednesdays 1-2:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Cornwall Campus, 224 Cornwall St., Leesburg. 703-909-9877. Email lamckeough@gmail.com. Registration required.

REACH TO RECOVERY Home visit program for mastectomy and lumpectomy patients. Temporary prostheses, exercise instruction and encouragement. 703-938-5550.

SEXUAL ASSAULT AND INCEST SURVIVORS GROUP COUNSELING Services provided by Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice and the Loudoun Abused Womens Shelter are free and confidential. 703-771-9020.

SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS EMPOWERMENT SUPPORT Sponsored by Sexual Assault Victims Volunteer Initiative. Child care available with 48-hours notice. Mondays; call for times and locations. 540-349-7720.

SPIRITUAL SUPPORT GROUP For cancer patients, family members and friends. Third Tuesdays 6:30-8 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. 703-858-8850.

STROKE SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS SUPPORT Second Wednesdays 11 a.m.-noon, Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg, second floor, Patient Education Room. 703-858-6667 or robynthomson@inova.org.

SUICIDE COUNSELING Third Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m. Leesburg Town Office, Conference Room 2, lower level, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg. 703-587-1618 or survivorsofsuicidelossleesburg@gmail.com.

WOMENS SUPPORT Sponsored by Services to Abused Families. Tuesdays 6:30-8 p.m. Confidential location. 540-825-8876.

WIDOW AND WIDOWER SUPPORT Third Mondays 11 a.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039.

WOMENS CANCER SUPPORT Woman to Woman, first Wednesdays 6:30-8 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. Registration required. 703-858-8850.

MISCELLANEOUS

BRAIN TRAUMA SURVIVORS BROWN BAG LUNCH For survivors and caregivers, first Tuesdays, noon-1:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg, second-floor Patient Education Room. Call 703-737-3150 or email jberg@braininjurysvcs.org. Free.

CANCER RESOURCE, EDUCATION AND WELLNESS (CREW) Monday 5:30-6:30 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Chestnut Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. For information, call Richard Shrout at 540-316-2273. Free.

CHILD DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS For ages 2-5. Children may not be kindergarten-age-eligible. Sponsored by the Loudoun County public schools Child Find Center. 571-252 - 2180.

CHOLESTEROL SCREENINGS Weekdays 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Fauquier Health LIFE Center, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-2640. Registration required. $35.

EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPLIES Loudoun residents who are in need can receive a free three-day supply of groceries. Supplies are distributed Mondays through Saturdays by Loudoun Interfaith Relief. 703-777-5911. interfaithrelief.org.

FAUQUIER FREE WALK-IN MEDICAL CLINIC Patients must call Thursdays from 12:30 to 1 p.m. to register for the clinic, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Patients are also seen by appointment Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Fauquier and Rappahannock residents only. Bring proof of address for the first visit. Patients cannot have Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance. Information: 540-347-0394 Tuesdays or Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

FAUQUIER HOSPITAL BISTRO SENIOR SUPPER CLUB Nutritious meals and fellowship for people 55 and older. Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:30-6:30 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Bistro on the Hill, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-3588. $5.49.

HEROES (Hometown Enabling Relationships, Opportunities and Empowerment through Support) is a program for military families. A trained volunteer provides support to military members and their families, from pre-deployment up to two years post-deployment. Assistance includes financial help, job placement, family care and mental health services. heroescare.org or email caring@purbap.org .

LOUDOUN CARES INFORMATION AND REFERRAL HELPLINE Call for help in finding resources for county residents who are dealing with rent eviction, utility cut-offs, needed health care, employment and more. 703-669-4636.

MOTOR SKILL SCREENINGS Birth to 21 months. First Thursdays, Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing Center, 19465 Deerfield Ave., Suite 201, Lansdowne. Call for an appointment. 703-858-7620. Free.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN Call for help in resolving complaints related to long-term-care facilities. 703-324-5861.

ROAD TO RECOVERY For cancer patients who need rides to appointments. 410-781-6909. Email jen.burdette@cancer.org. Free.

SAFE SITTER CLASSES For girls and boys ages 11-14. First Saturdays except for holiday weekends. 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riveerside Pkwy., Leesburg. To receive a Safe Sitter Certificate, students must pass practical and written tests on babysitting concepts and handling an emergency. Take a lunch from home or buy lunch in the cafeteria. $70, includes handbook and snacks during the day. Registration required. Call 703-858-8818 or email charlene.martin@inova.org.

SAFE SITTER TRAINING Saturday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Sycamore Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-3588. $60. Register.

SEVEN LOAVES FOOD PANTRY Individuals and families can receive a three-day supply of food, distributed Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10 a.m.-noon. 540-687-3489 or sevenloavesmiddleburg.org.

TREE OF LIFE FOOD PANTRY Serving western Loudoun County. Food is delivered Wednesdays and Saturdays. 703-554-3595.

 Compiled by Sandy Mauck

TO SUBMIT AN ITEM

Email: ldliving@washpost.com

Fax: 703-777-8437

Mail: Health Calendar, The Washington Post, 104 Dry Mill Rd. SW, Suite 101, Leesburg, Va. 20175
To accommodate Pokemon Go, three parks stay open later

Because several Leesburg parks are Pokemon Go hotspots, the town is extending hours for three parks, which typically close at dusk, from dawn until 10 p.m.

The parks open after dark are:

Ida Lee Park, 60 Ida Lee Dr.

Georgetown Park, 221 S. King St.

Raflo Park, 345 Harrison St.

All other town parks will continue to close at dusk.

Leesburg police caution Pokemon players to be aware of their surroundings, to use crosswalks, and to be careful of traffic while looking at a smartphone.

Although players have been seen in town parks as late as 2 a.m., police warn that people remaining in parks after closing time face trespassing charges.

Final 9/11 motorcycle ride to visit Leesburg on Aug. 19

A motorcycle procession to honor the victims, heroes and volunteers of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks will ride through Leesburg on Aug. 19.

The Americas 9/11 Foundation ride  the final one for the annual event  will begin in Somerset, Pa., and stop at the Pentagon on the way to its final destination at the World Trade Center site in New York.

The motorcycles will enter Leesburg heading south on Business Route 15 at about 2 p.m. and travel down King Street through the historic downtown, after which they will proceed from South King Street to the Route 7/15 Bypass and onto the Dulles Greenway.

Those planning to see the procession should arrive no later than 1:30 p.m. Parking will be available at several locations, including the Town Hall parking garage, the Liberty Street parking lot (Liberty and Royal streets) and the Pennington parking lot (Church and North streets).

Spectators are asked not to hand anything to the motorcyclists. For information, go to americas911ride.org.

Loudoun Parks Department to mark 50th anniversary

The Loudoun County Department of Parks and Recreation will begin its 50th-anniversary celebration with family-friendly activities Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. at Franklin Park, 17501 Franklin Park Dr., Purcellville.

The free festivities will include fireworks, food vendors, giant inflatables, games, prizes, vendor demonstrations, and live music by the Plunge and the Immortals.

Information is at loudoun.gov/prcs.

Construction inspections will be scheduled online

Loudoun County is phasing out its voice-automated system for scheduling construction inspections, citing outdated technology and declining use.

Beginning Sept. 2, inspections may be scheduled or canceled by using the Web Automated Inspection Request System (WAIRS) at loudoun.gov/wairs. The new system will be available at all times.

Inspections may also be scheduled by calling the Department of Building and Development at 703-777-0220 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
An organization that provides electricity to states along the East Coast has decided to suspend its plan to build a power line that will connect Delaware to a nuclear power complex that sits off its shores.

The decision comes about a month after Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and Delaware Gov. Jack Markell (D) announced that they planned to team up to fight the increased rates that some Maryland and Delaware taxpayers were scheduled to pay to cover the cost of the power line.

[Hogan teams up with Delaware gov. to fight rate hikes they deem unfair]

Hogan said he was extremely pleased with the decision by PJM to temporarily suspend the project, known as the Artificial Island power line, to conduct more analysis. Hogan and Markell objected to residents in their states paying for a project that would largely benefit New Jersey customers.

It is clear that our concerns have been taken seriously, Hogan said in a statement.

PJM officials said it will study the project and make a decision on how to proceed after the study is completed in February. Last year, PJM board members approved a plan to build a transmission line under the Delaware River. The construction estimates from Public Service Electric & Gas came in higher than PJM had planned for, officials said.

We need a firmer understanding of the changes that have occurred since the project was initially approved to ensure that we have the best path forward, Andrew L. Ott, PJM president and chief executive, said in a statement.
Maryland is providing $3 million to police and sheriffs departments across the state to help them fight heroin problems.

Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced Monday that a little more than $2 million will be given to nine jurisdictions in mostly rural areas to help pay for the continuation of their Safe Street initiatives, which mix law enforcement, treatment and drug prevention. An additional $1 million or so will pay for the state police to hire heroin coordinators, who will collect and share data about drug seizures, arrests and investigations.

From our smallest town to our biggest city, heroin is destroying lives, Hogan said in a statement. A coordinated law enforcement and treatment response is essential to our administrations ability to help fight this epidemic and provide our citizens with the lifesaving support they need.

[Fentanyl and heroin deaths continue steep rise in Maryland]

The funding covers two recommendations made by the Heroin and Opioid Emergency Task Force, which was chaired by Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford (R).

The announcement comes on the heels of Hogan announcing last week that he would not spend $80 million that the state legislature had set aside for various programs it wanted funded. Among them: a violence-prevention program in Baltimore known as Safe Streets.

Last week, Baltimore city officials protested the announcement.

Doug Mayer, a spokesman for Hogan, said that the two programs are different and that Baltimore did not apply for a state grant.
Don Reuwer had several properties damaged in downtown Ellicott City, Md., during the July 30 flash flood. He shows how high the level of water rose inside one of his buildings, Linwood Center Boutique. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

Like the rest of Main Street in Ellicott City, Md., 60-year-old Howard House has seen its fortunes rise and fall, like the Tiber and Patapsco rivers that have inundated the old mill town west of Baltimore with disastrous regularity since its founding in 1772.

The sturdy granite hotel and restaurant was a popular stop for mid-19th-century travelers headed west on the National Road, and a day-trip destination for urban dwellers. The 20th century wasnt as kind. In the 1940s, the decorative wrought iron on its second-floor porch was sold to the government for the war effort. Later, it devolved into down-at-the-heels digs. But new owners put some money into it, placing a photography studio and an art gallery at ground level, with renovated apartments above.

Howard House was one of an estimated 90 buildings damaged a week ago Saturday, when an astonishing 6.5 inches of rain fell in about two hours, turning the Main Street historic district into a murky torrent that swept two people to their deaths.

[How an off the charts flood ravaged Ellicott City]

For a town where history is the financial lifeblood, the historic storm is a staggering blow. Main Street, with its mash-up of vintage clothing stores, antique shops and museums, lives on tourist dollars that are, for the moment, gone.





Howard County officials said they are committed to helping their county seat get back onto its feet. As structural engineers, insurance adjusters and anxious owners slogged through the stagnant water and humidity this week, trying to put a dollar figure on the damage, the future was uncertain.

This is the worst ever, much worse than Agnes, said Howard House owner Ron Peters, referring to flooding that followed the 1972 hurricane. Peters, who has rental homes just west of downtown that were hit hard, said the water came down like the frigging Niagara River.

Nearly all of the historic district buildings have long stories, many of them arcs of success, decline and renewal.

Two adjacent 1860s buildings in the 8100 block of Main have had incarnations as Holtman grocery store, Laumann barber shop  which at one point offered customers bloodletting with the help of leeches  and in the 1940s a library operated by the Howard County Womens Club. But time took its toll.

Both buildings withstood floods and fires, substantial neglect and makeshift renovation, current co-owner Walter Johnson wrote in a 1989 application for historic preservation.

But the July 30 storm dealt a final blow, rendering the buildings so structurally unsound that they may face demolition, county officials said. That would orphan two shops and several tenants who lived above them.

Just up the street, the longtime home of Caplans department store looked more bombed out than flooded out. The water burst through all sides, taking out the front and back.

1 of 34 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  See what the scene looks like after flooding in historic Ellicott City View Photos Cleanup begins after a night of flooding damages Ellicott City, Md., and surrounding areas. Caption Cleanup begins after a night of flooding damages Ellicott City, Md., and surrounding areas. Aug. 1, 2016 A family walks down Main Street in Ellicott City, pulling a wet vacuum cleaner as residents clean up after the weekend flood that killed two people and caused millions of dollars in damage. Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

The water just blew the place apart, said Tamara Beideman, owner of Sweet Elizabeth Jane, a clothing store operating there.

She lost $150,000 worth of inventory. Electronics with her point-of-sale data are floating in the river someplace.

A river runs under it

The first recorded flood was in 1780, just a few years after three Quaker brothers from Bucks County, Pa.  Joseph, Andrew and John Ellicott  founded what became a center of milling and graining. They chose a shallow valley in the middle of a lot of water.

A support beam under the railroad tracks downtown marked where water reached during the worst of the floods in 1868, 1972, 1923 and 1952. There were bad ones in between as well: 1901, 1917, 1923, 1975, 1989, 2006.

As Ellicott City grew, many businesses and homes were built over the Tiber, a tributary of the Patapsco. When the rains began on July 30, Beideman got a call from her panicked manager who reported that the water was coming up through the floor.

[Residents vow to rebuild historic district]

Back in the day, it was kind of a good thing to do. They didnt have good sewage [systems] back then, said Don Reuwer, the Howard County developer who owns or co-owns a major portion of the Main Street corridor.

But high water is more than a calamitous event for Main Street and its owners and merchants. Over the decades it has seeped into the civic soul, to the point where recovery is now part of the towns identity, and a point of pride.

We always come back better, Reuwer said.

Downtown was devastated by the June 1972 flooding that followed Hurricane Agnes. Of the towns 83 stores 39 were on such low ground that they were swamped by river and mud. The water rose so fast that almost nothing got saved, said a Washington Post account.

It also caught Ellicott City in the midst of preparations for its bicentennial that September. Enough of the damage was repaired that the celebration went forward as planned.

Three years later, Hurricane Eloise filled up Lower Main Street like a large basin, flooding shops to the second story, local historian Joetta Cramm wrote in 1996. The cleanup began anew.

Longtime residents said those who couldnt tolerate the constant punishment dealt by the rivers have long since left. Those who remain have assimilated it as a part of life in Ellicott City.

You can always see it from the lifers, said Shawn Gladden, executive director of the Howard County Historical Society. Its obviously sad and tragic, but its something theyve done before.

[Urbanization, extreme weather could worsen towns vulnerability to flood]

The history hasnt all been uplifting and inspiring. Caplans was a retail anchor for downtown through most of the 20th century. Sam Caplan, whose grandfather founded the business in 1895, was a popular figure, often referred to in newspaper stories as Ellicott Citys unofficial mayor.

The store carried a little bit of everything, his wife, Gertrude, said in a 1997 oral history excerpted by the Baltimore Sun. Caplans boasted of the lowest prices: In 1949, ladies dress shoes were $4.49. Mens neckties went for $1 to $2.50.

But Gertrude Caplan said things were never the same after the 1972 flood.

Dont ask me, dont ask me, she said of the flood. I think that was really the turning point of Ellicott City. That was the downfall of our business . . . because it just, everything just sort of was washed away. The store closed in 1977.

Nobody knows whats next

The long, low-rise concrete building at 8307 Main is young by Ellicott City standards, dating back to about 1930, according to Reuwer, its owner. It was a showroom for Charles Millers Chevrolet dealership and later housed the Howard County Health Department and the Howard County Times newspaper.

Remnants of the ramp for moving cars to the dealerships second-floor garage are still visible inside the Linwood Center Boutique, one of two businesses on the lower level. It is a thrift store staffed by autistic adults enrolled at the same-named school, which is on higher ground. The store, which relies on community donations of furniture, clothing and knickknacks, is designed as a training opportunity for Linwood students.

The surrounding building is solid  with concrete floors three feet thick. But inside the boutique is an uninhabitable gumbo of water, mud and debris. Executive director Bill Moss is eager to start the turnaround so his students can return.

They want to work, and its hard to find jobs, said Moss, who calls the store a godsend.

Next door at La Palapa Grill and Cantina, the familiar post-flood smell is taken to the next level by spoiled food. General manager Simon Cortes and his workers are wearing dust masks as they clean out the main dining room, where a buffalo head hangs over the bar.

Nobody knows whats next. Everything is still up in the air, said Cortes, whose father, Gilberto, opened his first restaurant, El Azteca in Clarksville, 23 years ago. The family operates five places.

Cortes wasnt even supposed to be on the premises. Howard County restricted access to Main Street last week because of safety concerns. But he needs to get rid of the stinking food and start ripping out the floors and walls.

Cortes had a full house that rainy Saturday night, lots of large parties and people waiting. He knew there was trouble when he saw the Tiber, which also runs under his place, spilling out from an exposed channel in his parking lot. Soon the water was backing up onto Main Street, and drivers were climbing out of windows onto their car roofs.

Everybody started freaking out, he said.

Cortes is proud of his employees, all of whom stayed to help guests. His biggest regret now is that they are out of work. Weve tried to place them at other restaurants, but we cant place 50 people.

As he returns to the tasks in front him, Cortes repeats the vow heard up and down Main Street last week.

Well rebuild and well be back. Thats for sure.
Nancy Navarro, the first Latina to serve on the Montgomery County Council would be barred from running again under the Ficker amendment even though she has served less than three terms. (Sarah L. Voisin/THE WASHINGTON POST)

Republican activist Robin Ficker on Monday presented Montgomery County with what he said are 18,000 signatures in support of placing a term-limits measure on the November ballot.

The signatures, spread over 3,600 pages of petitions packed in a box that once held bananas, favor limiting county council members and the county executive to three consecutive terms.

Their delivery to County Executive Isiah Leggetts office starts the official clock for determining whether the question goes on the ballot. The county Board of Elections has 20 days to verify that those who signed are registered voters. If at least 10,000 signatures are valid, opponents will have 10 days to request a review in circuit court.

If passed by voters, five of the all-Democratic councils nine seats would change hands after the 2018 elections. Roger Berliner (D-Potomac-Bethesda) and Marc Elrich (D-At Large), are each serving a third term; Nancy Floreen (D-At Large) and George L. Leventhal (D-At Large), are in their fourth.

Because Fickers proposed amendment defines term as either a full or partial term, a fifth council member, Nancy Navarro (D-Mid-County) would also be affected. She was first elected in May 2009 to fill the unexpired term of the late Don Praisner and then elected to two full terms in 2010 and 2014. Ficker was one of Navarros 2009 opponents.

Nancy Navarro, the first Latina to serve on the Montgomery County Council, would be barred from running again under the Ficker amendment even though she has served less than three terms. (Sarah L. Voisin/THE WASHINGTON POST)

Leggett (D), serving his third term, would also be barred from seeking another term, although he is unlikely to run again.

[In Marylands most populous county could term limits finally win?]

Opponents contend that elections are the best vehicle for limiting tenure in office. Ficker, who led two unsuccessful campaigns in 2000 and 2004 to impose term limits, called the incumbents self-serving tax increase specialists who need to be unseated. He cited the 8.7 percent property tax increase approved by the council this spring as one of several spending decisions that justified their removal.

Ficker also said that by his count, 44 percent of the signatures came from registered Democrats.

The council added a new twist to the term-limits debate last week before adjourning for the summer. It voted to place on the ballot a proposed charter amendment specifying that a partial term must be at least two years. Under such language, Navarro could run again in 2018.

Council President Floreen said Monday that the council was only trying to add clarity to the definition of a partial term.

It was appropriate to be clear on what partial meant, said Floreen, adding that under Fickers formulation, someone who served a single day of a third term would be barred from running again.

Ficker said it was an attempt by the council to confuse voters and protect one of their own.

Theyre trying to create the Nancy Navarro special exception, said Ficker, who denied that it was intended as payback for his 2009 defeat.

Ficker asserted that he included similar language in his 2000 and 2004 proposed amendments, long before he ran against Navarro or even knew who she was.

But a review of the two ballot questions shows no such provisions.

Navarro, the first Hispanic woman to serve on the council, said Monday that Fickers intent was pretty clear.

If it passes, everybody gets three terms, but not the Latina woman, Navarro said.

During Fickers presentation of the signatures Monday, a reporter for the Montgomery Sentinel asked whether Ficker would agree to debate Democratic activist Paul Bessel, an opponent of term limits, in an event sponsored by the paper.

Ficker said he would have to check his calendar.

Navarro said she was open to a debate with Ficker at any time.

Ill be happy to express my take any time at any place, she said.
Undated photo of Anna Lee Posante. For years, her husband, Issy Posante, has told a story about catching her sneaking a piece of cake in the middle of the night. She swears it never happened. (Family Photo)

Ah, the Irish. They  well, we  are said to have the gift of the gab. Or, to put it another way, we lie.

Oh, now thats an awfully strong word, boyo. Better, perhaps, to say we embellish.

Thats certainly the case with some of my readers Irish ancestors. They  the readers, not the ancestors  responded to my call for questionable family lore, after my column last week on a story handed down by My Lovely Wifes family that might not be, technically, true.

[A flowering hoya plant brings a flowering of doubt]

John Galuardis grandfather James ODowd told everyone that hed been born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the place to which his Irish-born father had escaped after being injured in the 1867 Fenian Rising rebellion and imprisoned by the English.

But when John, of Potomac, Md., consulted the archives, things didnt check out. James ODowd was born in England. And his father was also born in England. Wrote John: I visited Ireland several times and went to Dublin to look up the archival records for the 1867 rebellion when many injured were imprisoned in Dublin Castle. There was no record of an ODowd in there.

John concluded: To sum it up, my grandfather had a vivid imagination but not too near the truth.

The Districts Donald M. Malone also found a dubious Irish connection. His great-great-grandfather, A.J. Malone, supposedly came to this country from Ireland to work building railroads. But according to the census, Andrew Jackson Malone was born in Kentucky. The name was a giveaway: Hed been named after the hero of the War of 1812 and future president.

While he was growing up, Richard Garrison of Arlington, Va., was always told that his great-grandfather, Pvt. Joshua J. Vetter of the 12th Michigan Infantry, was wounded by a mortar fragment at Shiloh during the Civil War. When Richard looked up the records he found something a little less dramatic: Rather than being injured in battle, Pvt. Vetter contracted conjunctivitis from dust.

According to the family lore Richard Teare absorbed growing up, his great-great-grandmother Mary Mahone Hively had two brothers who served in the Union Army and two who fought for the Confederacy. This division caused their mother to die of a broken heart.

A tragic story, emblematic on a small scale of the situation of the nation at large, wrote Richard, of the District. However, my sister and I found in the excellent records of Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati that Marys mother, Permelia Adelaide Henderson Mahone, died in 1856 of typhoid fever.

Ron Saunders dodged a bullet before he was even born  or so his mother always told him. She was working as a movie projectionist in Pryor, Okla., when a tornado tore down Main Street, demolishing nearly every business in town.

She told me that when the power went out she started down the stairs to the lobby, wrote Ron. She was on the first landing when the tornado destroyed the theater. The only thing left was the stairwell that she was in. She came through without a scratch. The story she told me was that she was pregnant with me at the time.

A few years ago Ron Googled Pryor OK tornado and learned that the tornado occurred in April 1942.

I was born in June 1943, he wrote. Now since I know that my mother would never lie or exaggerate, it must be that I had the longest gestational period in human history.

The story in David Kesslers family was that his mothers aunt and uncle gave siblings Fred and Adele Austerlitz  later to become the Astaires  money in Newark for their first dance lessons.

Years and years later, my mothers aunt and uncle went to see Fred Astaire perform on stage in New York, wrote David, of Silver Spring, Md. They sent a note backstage to let the master know who was in the audience. The note was not answered. Freds early benefactors were disrespected and shamed.

David said hes always loved Astaire for his talent and would tell the story as evidence that we can love the art without respecting the person who makes the art.

As it turns out, Fred and Adele never lived in Newark. They were from Omaha and studied dance in New York City.

Wrote David: The story is completely and utterly false.

Rebecca Posantes story has no connection to the famous or the historic, but its the sort of oft-told tale ripe for exaggeration.

As Dad tells it, Mom was trying to lose a little weight and eat more healthy food, wrote Rebecca, of Alexandria, Va. One night he heard a noise elsewhere in the house and set out to determine if it was friend or foe. Seeing nothing but continuing to hear something, he flung open a door  he insists it was a door to a closet  and found Mom munching on strawberry shortcake.

Rebecca said the veracity of this story has been questioned throughout the years. How much noise does eating strawberry shortcake actually make?

Twitter: @johnkelly

For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly.
A man who was fatally shot in the head last week in Northwest Washingtons Shaw neighborhood was attacked while playing dice in a parking lot, D.C. police said in an affidavit filed along with documents regarding the arrest of a suspect.

Marcus Martin, 19, of Southwest Washington was charged with first-degree felony murder and was ordered detained by a D.C. Superior Court judge at a hearing Monday.

Martin is charged with shooting Derryk Johnson, 19, of Northwest Washington on Aug. 7. Police said Johnson was one of two people shot a few minutes after 10 p.m. in the 600 block of N Street NW. One victim survived.

Police said in an affidavit that the gunman and two others were driving around the District looking for people to rob when they spotted a group of men gambling with dice on N Street. It was not clear from the court document whether the assailants obtained any money; it appears that the two men were shot moments after the gunmen approached.

Police said they are looking for two other men in the case.
After the fatal crash on Feb. 27, and away from the scene, investigators positioned the cars as they were at impact: The silver Volt was driven by Michael Buarque de Macedo; Ogulcan Atakoglu was driving the blue BMW. (Montgomery County Police)

A Maryland man pleaded guilty Monday to vehicular manslaughter after speeding into a Chevrolet Volt carrying a family of four to a school play in February, killing three people, prosecutors said.

At about 7 p.m. on Feb. 27, 20-year-old Ogulcan Atakoglu of Potomac was driving a BMW M series 235i at 115 mph in a 45 mph zone at the intersection of River Road and Braeburn Parkway in Bethesda, the Montgomery County States Attorneys Office said in a statement.

[He was going 115 mph. They were driving to a school play. Then, a deadly crash.]

The BMW slammed the Volt broadside, court records showed, killing Michael Buarque de Macedo, 52; Alessandra M. Buarque de Macedo, 52; and their son Thomas Michael Buarque de Macedo, 18, who were on their way to a high school play and were five minutes from curtain time. Atakoglu hit the brakes as he tried to avoid the crash, but the BMW struck the Volt at about 75 mph.

Several horrified witnesses tried to help, including men who lifted a metal sign to try to pry open a door of the Volt and a doctor who went through a broken window to give aid. Helena Buarque de Macedo, the then-15-year-old daughter of Michael and Alessandra, was the only one in the Volt to survive.

I did it! Its all my fault! Atakoglu was heard yelling at the scene.

Atakoglu pleaded guilty to three counts of vehicular manslaughter before Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Mary Beth McCormick. Sentencing was set for Nov. 7, and Atakoglu was held without bond, according to prosecutors.

Todays guilty plea is the first step towards the long road of taking responsibility by Mr. Atakoglu, Ramon Korionoff, public affairs director for the Montgomery County States Attorneys Office, said in the statement. While he and his family may feel the emotional sting of jail time, we believe the judges decision to. . . hold him pending sentencing is the just and fair action to take.

David Felsen, an attorney for Atakoglu, said that the intersection where the accident occurred is dangerous, but his client had accepted responsibility for his part in the crash.

This case is a tragedy all the way around, Felsen said.

Each vehicular manslaughter count has a maximum penalty of 10 years, prosecutors said, and the guidelines in this case are three months to four years per count.
Cindy Harris, the victim of the June 2015 attack by Julio More of Silver Spring, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison. (Family photo)

Alone with a battered child strapped in the car seat, Julio More needed a cover story.

It was just after midnight, in a parking lot outside Rockville. The child was his girlfriends daughter. He picked up his phone and called her.

A dark SUV, he told his girlfriend, had just cut him off. Three black guys got out. One had a stick.

The 26-year-old Silver Spring man stuck with that racially charged fiction over the next few hours  holding to it at the hospital, alone with the police and in text messages to his girlfriend sent to say how he tried to protect her 3-year-old girl.

I jumped on top of her to cover her, he wrote. Thats when they hit my hand, then pulled me away from her. . . . If I find those guys, I would do the worst to them.

Julio More was sentenced to 15 years in prison for beating his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter. According to court documents, More, 27, beat the child in June 2015 while she sat strapped in her car seat. (Montgomerty County Police Department)

But those guys never existed.

It was More  sentenced to 15 years in prison on Friday for first-degree child abuse  who beat the child.

He punched her at least five times with his fist and at least five more times with his motorcycle helmet, according to court records. The girl survived the June 2015 attack, but suffered skull fractures, a temporary loss of breathing and permanent damage to small spots in her brain, court records state.

One minute  one series of minutes, he completely loses it, Mores attorney, Andrew Jezic, said in court, trying to explain what had happened.

The case stood out for its explosive violence visited on the most defenseless of victims, a little girl locked into place in her car seat.

Prosecutors asserted that More tried to kill the child because his girlfriend, who was estranged from the childs father, wanted to spend more time with the little girl, and that meant less time with More.

Jezic said that More had been beaten badly as a child in Peru, which led to a series of suppressed emotions that exploded. More, who had been a longtime worker at a United Parcel Service warehouse, spoke briefly in court Friday.

Cindy Harris (Family Photo)

I ask for forgiveness from the bottom of my heart, he said in a written statement to Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Sharon V. Burrell. It is so hard to ask for it after what I have done.

The little girl, Cindy Harris, has since turned 4. She lives with her father, Chris Harris, in Pennsylvania.

Its remarkable  shes absolutely amazing, Harris said by phone on Saturday.

His daughter writes her name and can count past 20. Shes brilliant, he said.

But Harris said he worries about emotional damage.Sometimes shell have little nightmares.

He recently watched her playing with a young cousin and talking about Johnny, the name she had for More.

 He is not a nice person. He is mean, she told her cousin, Harris said. Little kids  they shouldnt have to say that about a grown person.

More was born in Lima, immigrating at 11 to the United States under an asylum petition, and in high school considered trying to join the Marine Corps, Jezic said. He instead got a job at UPS in a warehouse and a call center, Jezic said. He had a reputation for being calm at work and never showing anger, colleagues would later say in court.

More began dating Judith Harris in September 2014, according to court filings. The two had troubles that were exacerbated as she tried to spend more time with her daughter. Mores mother also became ill, and his father lost his job near the same time, Jezic said.

Julio, rightly or wrongly, bore the weight of all these troubles immediately prior to the incident, Jezic wrote in documents filed with the court.

It was on June 22, 2015, that Judith Harris left her daughter with a babysitter, and went to her job at a restaurant.

Shortly before midnight, More picked up the girl and then was set to pick up his girlfriend from the restaurant. Enroute, he grew upset about the stress in his life and the possible misplacement of his motorcycle keys, said a forensic psychologist who evaluated him, Michael Deem.

All the frustration, all the anger, all the years of repressing, led to this horrific beating that he perpetrated, Deem would later say in court.

Mores cover story to hide the childs beating was laced with racial overtones  the three men yelled at him for his Hispanic heritage and yelled at the little girl because they thought she was Hispanic, too, he said.

The story crumbled after More failed a polygraph test and then admitted to detectives that he alone had beaten the child, according to Montgomery County Assistant States Attorney Ryan Wechsler.

He said he didnt know why he did it, Wechsler said.

On Friday, the prosecutor asked Burrell, the judge, to sentence More to 20 years. Wechsler said that the same serenity that Mores friends had described as an attribute was also apparent in the aftermath of his attack on the child, when More failed to take the girl to the hospital, and instead waited for his girlfriend to arrive at the parking lot after his call.

The only explanation, the only reasonable explanation for that is because he thought his job was done, Wechsler said. He thought that baby was dead.

Jezic asked the judge for a sentence of 18 months, noting that his client had never been arrested before the incident. He suggested that Burrell give More credit for his entire excellent life lived up to that point.

Chris Harris  Cindys father  was in court when Burrell handed down the 15-year sentence. He appeared calm, but as he later said, he had opted not to speak in court for fear his words would go beyond courtroom decorum.

Its time for him to sit and think about what he did, Harris said.
An off-duty police officer shot and wounded an intruder in his home in Prince Georges County, authorities said.

The officer works for the police department at the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, the water and sewer utility serving Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties.

The incident occurred about 1 p.m. in the Laurel area of Prince Georges, authorities said.

The suspect was hit in the arm, and received a non-life threatening wound, the WSSC said.The officer was not injured.

A source familiar with the investigation who was not authorized to speak publicly said the shooting followed a confrontation in the house. After being hit, the suspect fled, but was taken into custody not far away, the source said. He was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

Officials said no charges have been placed in the incident.

Neither the officer nor the suspect was named.

According to the utility, the officer worked for the Baltimore campus of University of Maryland for 20 years. He has been a WSSC police officer for one year, the utility said.

Investigation of the incident is to be carried out by the Prince Georges police.

It was unclear Sunday evening whether the intruder was armed. Little information was available about the circumstances of the incident, or what the intruder was seeking.
Ill always think of them as Tims PA speakers, although Tim, a guitarist friend and band mate, said he bought them used from a harmonica player in College Park. After passing through Tims basement, they spent time in a half-dozen other basements. Theyve been veritable Zeligs of Washington-area vocal amplification.

They are a pair of late-1970s Yamaha model SO-112T speaker cabinets: 36 inches high, clad in period black-and-gold speaker grille cloth and weighing in at a rupture-inducing 70 pounds. Each.

Being in a band is about knowing how to play your instruments and being able to write good songs and get along with the other band members. But its also about stuff.

When you are just starting out, you obsess about stuff, believing that the lack of the right stuff  not the lack of talent  is what is keeping you from well-deserved fame. If only I had this guitar or that drum set, you think. If only I had that amplifier. If only I had a PA and didnt have to plug my vocal microphone into my guitar amp.

No one sounds good with a vocal microphone plugged into a guitar amp.

Every musical generation craves its own stuff. In the 18th century, hardcore air violinists drooled over the Stradivarius. In the 1960s, there were PA speaker cabinets made by a company called Kustom that came upholstered in sparkly blue, tuck-and-roll plastic, as if the equipment had been hewn from the bench seat of a 1954 Chevy. (I guess today, musicians want the right Apple GarageBand plug-in and MIDI joystick.)

Wed go over to Tims basement and sing through his Yamaha PA speakers, hoping that whatever gigs we got would be at a place that already had a PA, because the thought of lugging those speakers out of the basement, into a car, then into a club conjured images of a future spent in a hernia truss. Then Tim replaced the Yamahas with newer, smaller speakers. This is the way of PA evolution: Like cellphones and hearing aides, its all about miniaturization.

By the time Tim got his new, smaller PA, I had my own basement. His old PA was installed there for practices. Then Tim got a new new PA, and his old new PA speakers came into my basement. It was time to find a new home for the old old speakers, the mighty Yamahas.

Tim didnt want them, so I gave them to a guy I knew from work named Peter , who used them for a while in his rehearsal space. When Peter was done with them, he gave them to his friend Jim . Then Jim gave them to his friend Dave.

Each step of the way, the Yamahas got a bit shabbier, if not any lighter.

Ive never met Dave in person, though Ive heard that, like me, hes a lover of stuff. His garage is said to resemble that scene from Citizen Kane where the camera pulls back to reveal mountains of accumulated possessions. But eventually even Dave realized he didnt need a pair of late-1970s Yamaha model SO-112T speaker cabinets.

He traced their lineage to me and a few months ago sent me an email: Did I want the speakers back, or should he find a new home for them? I checked with Tim: Did he want the speakers back, or could Dave release them into the wild?

Tim had since upgraded to a PA system so compact that it practically fits in the palm of his hand. No way did he want those Japanese boat anchors back. By all means, continue the circle of life, Dave, said Tim.

Dave happened to be selling a Yamaha guitar amp of similar vintage, so he included the PA speakers in his Craigslist ad, pointing out that the amplifier and speakers all had the same black-and-gold grille cloth, perfect for anyone demented enough to contemplate forming a late 1970s/early 1980s supergroup.

Thats important, because while your tribute band may not sound great if you use this crap, itll look awesome, Dave wrote. A whole stage of this era of Yamaha stuff would be funny as hell. If you take just the amplifier, the price is $125. But if you take the amp and the speaker cabs also, the whole package price goes down to $100. Yeah, I gotta get rid of stuff.

The cost of the PA speakers? Negative $25.

There are probably about a dozen people on the planet to whom the prospect of owning matching late-1970s Yamaha band gear is appealing. Dave found one. His name is Roger.

Tims PA speakers are in Rogers basement now. The beat goes on.

Twitter: @johnkelly

For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly.
Delta Airlines passengers from around the world shared photos and videos early Monday, Aug. 8, after a massive computer failure that caused the cancellation of hundreds of flights. (Monica Akhtar/The Washington Post)

Delta Airlines passengers from around the world shared photos and videos early Monday, Aug. 8, after a massive computer failure that caused the cancellation of hundreds of flights. (Monica Akhtar/The Washington Post)

Behind each of the four big players in the U.S. airline industry  American, United, Delta and Southwest  there is a tangled computer system pieced together after decades of mergers that married mismatched networks.

Just what went wrong with Delta Air Lines system Monday that caused hundreds of cancellations and delays is still being sorted out. Was it a power outage, as Delta says? Or was it more likely an internal computer glitch, as Georgia Power, the utility at Deltas Atlanta hub, says?

In either case, aviation and computer specialists say, it shouldnt have happened. Computer systems and their electric power sources should have foolproof backups, they say.

Tens of thousands of passengers were delayed as Delta canceled 451 of its nearly 6,000 daily flights by mid-afternoon Monday. The airline warned that more cancellations and delays were likely to follow as it struggled to revive its computer network.

But there may be more of the same airline problems in the months to come as long-term reverberations follow a tumultuous decade of mergers that swiftly consolidated the industry.

Delta passengers wait in line at a ticket counter at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J., Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Delta Air Lines delayed or canceled hundreds of flights Monday after its computer systems crashed, stranding thousands of people on a busy travel day. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (Seth Wenig/AP)

These [remaining] airlines have long histories: 20 years of cobbled-together systems, said Rick Seaney, creator of FareCompare.com, a travel website. Its difficult to integrate older technology. They have hundreds and hundreds of cobbled-together things that they have to track down to make sure everything is working correctly.

Before Monday, the most recent evidence of airline computer system problems came last month, when Southwest Airlines needed several days to fully recover from a collapse in its systems that resulted in more than 2,300 cancellations and 8,000 late flights. Last summer, a United Airlines computer glitch forced the cancellation of dozens of flights and delayed hundreds more.

[Southwest Airlines computer glitch causes cancellations]

Southwest absorbed a new and different computer system when it acquired AirTran six years ago. Southwest is investing millions of dollars in the creation of a new computer system to replace its aging network.

American Airlines, which finalized its merger with US Airways last year, is working hard to marry the two systems.

Americans about to, in the next month-and-a-half or two, start to integrate US Airways systems, Seaney said. Typically, when youre trying to do a cut-over like that, you pick a weekend when you have slow traffic just in case you have glitches.

Since the turn of the century, American has absorbed TWA. US Airways merged with America West, then with American. Delta merged with Northwest. United merged with Continental.

A Delta Airlines employee hands out snacks to passengers waiting to check in following a Delta Airlines system-wide computer breakdown, at Newark International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on Aug. 8, 2016. (REUTERS/Joseph Ax) (Staff/Reuters)

Bijan Vasigh, a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, said it may be time for airlines to invest in totally new computer systems to replace the patchwork networks now in place.

The cost [of Mondays shutdown] should be huge for Delta Air Lines, he said Im sure that they will try to revisit this issue.

Airlines rely on their computer systems to manage a number of operations, including obvious elements, such as reservations and ticketing, and behind-the- scenes management of plane movement, gate assignments, air crew scheduling and even the displays on arrival-departure screens at many airports.

Deltas computer system failure came at the height of the summer travel season and on a Monday when many business travelers head to airports to begin their workweek. But Vasigh pointed out that it could have been worse.

Imagine if this event had happened during Thanksgiving or Christmas; this would be catastrophic for the airline, Vasigh said. Recapturing those passengers and accommodating them would be a nightmare.

But the failure of computer software or the loss of electrical power should not cripple an airline, specialists agreed.

Anytime you have a systemwide outage, it either has to be one of the core systems or some sort of networking glitch, Seaney said. All computer systems have redundancy. Typically, almost all companies  especially if you have credit card data  are required to be spread out, sometimes across different countries, to make sure that basically [their network] never goes down.

They also have backup power, he said.

If you have any sort of critical infrastructure, you have gasoline-powered backups for at least 24 hours, Seaney said. Typically, what you have is two or three hours of battery backup and another 24 to 48 hours of gasoline-powered backup.

Delta said its computers stopped working at 2:30 a.m. Monday. Shortly before 9 a.m., the airline lifted a self-imposed ground stop and began resuming limited operations, but it told passengers: If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, you are entitled to a refund. Even if your flight is not canceled, you may make a one-time change to your ticket without fee.

In a later statement, the airline said, We are aware that flight status systems, including airport screens, are incorrectly showing flights on time.

Ed Bastian, Deltas chief executive, issued a video apology to the airlines passengers, saying people were working around the clock to restore operations.
Correction: Charlotte Hagers name was misspelled in a previous version of this story. This version has been corrected.

Dmitriy Komkov and Heidi Baumgartner embrace as they watch artists take part in the Roll Down Get Down art event at the Brentwood Village Shopping Center in Northeast Washington on Sunday. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

Only one business remains at the Brentwood Village Shopping Center on Rhode Island Avenue. Since the end of June, the rest have been shuttered, and the parking lot has sat mostly vacant.

Sunday was different.

About 30 artists from across the District, Maryland and Virginia flocked to the former strip mall. Starting in late morning and working into the evening, the group of graffiti, fine art and street artists painted more than 2,000 feet of roll-down gates along the barren strip.

The goal, said Jordan Dyniewski, is to beautify and completely transform this parking lot.

Dyniewski, 31, is the director of ReCreative Spaces, a Mount Rainier, Md.-based community arts organization and a co-organizer of Sundays paint jam called Roll Down Get Down. The event, Dyniewski said, is an attractive, bold and vibrant way to make people in the neighborhood stop and think,  Wait a minute. This isnt a parking lot anymore. 

Carol Bushar, left, assists artist John Grunwell, not pictured, with a mural as they take part in the "Roll Down Get Down" painting event. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

The artwork created Sunday will last as long as the remnants of the shopping center do  meaning not for long.

In October, the site is scheduled to be demolished to make way for a new 20-acre, mixed-use development that promises to be the future centerpiece of the Rhode Island Avenue community, as the developer behind the project touts it.

The developer, MidCity, won approval from the Zoning Commission late last year to redevelop the Brookland Manor affordable housing complex and the Brentwood Village Shopping Center. The plan is one of the citys largest private developments. When completed, the eight-block project will include 1,760 residential units, 181,000 square feet of retail space and a one-acre community green.



Once finished, it will be another neighborhood along Rhode Island Avenue in Washingtons Northeast to witness major change.

Housing prices in neighborhoods, such as Eckington and Woodridge, have risen in recent years, pushed up by increased demand from young professionals and families priced out of central downtown areas. Rhode Island Row, a development completed in 2012, brought in a host of new shops, restaurants and apartments.

In a quickly gentrifying neighborhood, art and culture become all the more vital, said Dyniewski who regards art in public space as a means to break down barriers and create dialogue.

Juan Pineda stands on crates to paint his mural at the Brentwood Village Shopping Center in Northeast Washington on Sunday. In October, the site will be demolished to make way for a new 20-acre, mixed-use development. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

For a neighborhood in flux, art points the way to what has been and what will be, Dyniewski said.

The whole point is to get [the community] to come out and say to them, look, this is your space, and to encourage them to stay through the changes so people arent run out, he said.

[Most in D.C. say neighborhoods are better, but many say redevelopment helps the rich more ]

On a exterior brown brick wall of a dental and vision clinic  the last remaining tenant in the strip mall  Cita Sadeli was busy working on a large portrait of a woman. She used a large roller brush as she applied a white base layer of paint. To her side, the painter had a piece of paper with a pencil sketch of the planned portrait: a woman with full lips, sunglasses and braids. A strong, empowered woman, as Sadeli described her.

Sadeli, a D.C. native, sees street art as an opportunity for storytelling.

Everything great here in D.C. is great because of the foundations, of its heritage, Sadeli said. She mentioned the Districts history as Chocolate City and the deep roots of its black and brown communities.

I see [those foundations] being wiped out, Sadeli said, and she believes she has a responsibility to preserve some of the communities stories through art.

Nearby, Juan Pineda was busy spraypainting his moniker on a roll-down gate. Using a color mix of oasis and navy blue, neon green, fluorescent orange and hot pink, he sprayed CRI in giant letters, weaving in elements of Mayan hieroglyphs.

Pineda, 40, is a Washington-based visual and graphic artist. He said he thinks graffiti and street art have the potential to create jobs. What if a grocery store, the lobby of an apartment building or even the offices of a law firm wanted some urban art in their spaces, he asks? Pineda sees opportunities for artists to have work commissioned as Brentwood is redeveloped as a new neighborhood.

[Washington is fighting graffiti artists  but it loves the graffiti aesthetic]

For the artists, the fleeting nature of their work here is part and parcel of their craft.

Everybody here knows that their work will not last, said Max Gibbons, 25, a development associate at Words Beats & Life, a co-organizer of the event and a nonprofit group promoting hip-hop and art education in the city.

Everything is temporal, nothing is permanent, said Charlotte Hager, 30, a paintbrush canvas artist who works by day as a family planning program manager for the Baltimore city government. She was working on a colorful image of a blossoming flower.

Even if we create a moment of temporal beauty and bring the community out here to show them the power of art, that is what matters, she said.

The art on these rolldown gates may be ephemeral, but the goal is to create a long-lasting impact, said Emily Arden Eakland, founder of ReCreative Spaces.

After the shopping malls demolition, the area will sit flattened for three years  and ReCreative Spaces will continue hosting public art events there.

The hope is that the momentum we build here will be long term, Eakland said.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe speaks to reporters prior to the start of the first day of the Democratic National Convention in July. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Armed with an autopen, Gov. Terry McAuliffe said two weeks ago that he had all he needed to swiftly but individually restore voting rights to more than 200,000 felons.

But McAuliffe (D) has since decided that he needs something else: time.

McAuliffe brought delegates to their feet at last months Democratic National Convention when he vowed to defy the states highest court, which had just struck down his April executive order to restore voting rights to felons who had completed their sentences. He said the 200,000 felons would have their rights back in the space of two weeks.

That self-imposed deadline came and went Monday without a single felons rights having been restored.

McAuliffes spokesman, Brian Coy, said the governor is taking the time necessary to make sure the rights-restoration orders are handled properly.

The headline here is, Governor ensures process is correct,  Coy said. Were making sure we fully comply with the courts order, making sure hes done a review of the individuals in question here, and then he will take action.

Coy declined to lay out a new timetable but said no action would be taken before the state Board of Elections meets Wednesday to discuss the matter.

[McAuliffe promises to dodge court ruling tossing sweeping clemency order]

McAuliffe was criticized by Republicans and some Democrats for his handling of the original executive order, plagued by multiple errors. The administration accidentally restored rights to 132 sex offenders who were still in custody, for example, as well as to convicted murderers still on probation in other states.

Some of those critics were not sure what to make of the delay.

Were waiting to see what he does, said Del. Rob B. Bell III (R-Albemarle), a candidate for state attorney general in 2017 who has led the charge against McAuliffes original clemency order. Obviously hes made various public comments about finding a way to circumvent [the court ruling]. . . . Well see what he comes up with and we will review it.

McAuliffes slower approach caused some embarrassment for his political action committee, Common Good VA. Last week, it issued a fundraising email trumpeting his action to restore rights.

After the Republican-led operation to overturn the Governors Restoration of Rights, we still managed to individually restore rights to over 30,000 new registered voters in Virginia with a promise not to stop until all 200,000 Virginians have their voice returned! read the email, which the Richmond Times-Dispatch first reported.

The next day came a correction:

To clarify, Gov. McAuliffe is in the process of reviewing thousands of cases of Virginians who were stripped of their right to vote by Republicans and the Virginia Supreme Court, but he has not yet restored those individuals civil rights. It is his intention to abide by the order of the state Supreme Court and also to grant as many Virginians the right to vote as possible within the law, on an individual basis. The Governor remains committed to ultimately ending the system of discrimination and disenfranchisement in our Commonwealth.

In April, McAuliffe issued a broad executive order to restore voting rights to more than 200,000 felons who had completed their sentences. McAuliffe said the move would help felons rejoin society and move Virginia away from a policy that disproportionately affects the black community.

Republicans said McAuliffe was trying to help Hillary Clinton, a close friend and political ally, by pumping up the voting rolls with black voters. Exit polls show African Americans tend to vote Democratic.

GOP leaders, also upset that the order covered violent felons, contended that McAuliffe had overstepped his authority by restoring those rights en masse instead of individually, as every previous governor had. They filed suit and prevailed with the Supreme Court, which in late July agreed that governors can restore rights only on a case-by-case basis. The court ordered that 13,000 felons who had registered to vote since the April order be removed from the rolls.

McAuliffe, who considered the order one of his biggest achievements, told Virginia convention delegates that he would use an autopen to individually sign orders for all 200,000.

By the end of this week, I will have restored the rights of all 13,000! McAuliffe declared at a breakfast for the state party delegation two weeks ago. And in two weeks, all 206,000 will have their rights back, folks!
Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.) resigned Tuesday from the Virginia Beach Republican Party, two days after he endorsed Libertarian Gary Johnson for president over Republican nominee Donald Trump. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.) resigned Tuesday from the Virginia Beach Republican Party, taking another step away from party politics two days after he endorsed Libertarian Gary Johnson for president over Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Leaving the local committee of the Republican Party will have little practical effect on the congressman, who is retiring from Congress at the end of his term after six years in office.

Rigell said he remains a proud member of the Republican Party, although there is no party registration in Virginia.

Scott Rigell is a lifelong Republican and a member of the Republican Party, the same party of Lincoln, Reagan and so many other conservative leaders who supported limited government, fiscal responsibility, a strong national defense and freedom, Esmel Meeks, a senior adviser to Rigell, said in a statement.

The move, first reported by TV station WAVY, signals another symbolic break with the party for Rigell, who said in March that he would not vote for Trump and has expressed dismay at the intensity and toxic nature of partisanship in Congress.

The number of influential Republican officials saying that they can't vote for either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton is growing as Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) pledges she won't vote for Trump. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

Rigell said he thinks Trumps policies and statements put him in line with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party, leaving him with Johnson as the only conservative in the race for the White House.

Faced with the decision for president, in which the traditional choices are between two lifelong Democrats in Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, his conscience dictates that he votes for a fiscal conservative alternative, Governor Gary Johnson, Meeks said.

Under Virginia GOP rules, members of local committees must commit to supporting the partys nominees. If they refuse, they are automatically removed from the local committee and their membership is terminated.

That means that they can no longer vote on internal party workings, such as changes in bylaws and the election of an internal chairman.

Because Scott refuses to support his partys current nominee for President, the local committee was expected to revoke Congressman Rigells membership. Knowing that, Congressman Rigell resigned from the Virginia Beach Republican Party, Meeks continued in the statement. While he is no longer a member of his local party unit, he remains a proud member of the Republican Party.

[Leading Va. Republicans skip Cleveland, and Trump camp sees it as a good sign]

Dennis Free, chairman of the GOP committee in the 2nd Congressional District, which Rigell represents, said he volunteered for Rigell in all three of his elections and considers him a close friend.

Im sorry it came to this, but it is what it is, said Free, who backs Trump. As a party official, I have a duty to the party and I take that seriously.

Rules say Rigell can return to the city committee if he applies at a later date and members accept him.

In supporting a candidate other than Trump, Rigell joins a contingent of Republicans unhappy with the moguls unorthodox campaign and comments some consider unwelcoming to women, Muslim Americans and Hispanics.

Another prominent Virginia Beach Republican, former state senator Jeffrey L. McWaters, is enthusiastically supporting Trump and last week hosted a fundraiser at a steakhouse for his running mate, Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana.

He is a better candidate than Hillary Clinton, McWaters said of Trump. He believes in the principles of the Republican Party. And he will be choosing as many as four Supreme Court nominees.
Virginia Democrats and a former Obama administration official said Monday that Hillary Clintons economic plan would create millions of jobs and make the biggest investment in infrastructure since President Dwight D. Eisenhower built the national highway system.

The message runs counter to her performance as a U.S. senator from New York, according to a Washington Post review of her promise to create 200,000 jobs in the economically struggling Upstate region.

Upstate manufacturing jobs declined nearly 25 percent during her tenure, The Post found, and her economic development programs have had little effect on employment in the eight years since she left the Senate.

[As senator, Clinton promised 200,000 jobs in Upstate New York. Her efforts fell flat.]

On a day that Donald Trump unveiled his economic plan in Detroit, the Clinton campaign in Virginia pushed back with data from Mark Zandi, chief economist at the private research firm Moodys Analytics.

The campaign cites reports that it says show Clintons plans would create 10.4 million jobs  including 270,000 in Virginia  while under Trump the economy would lose 3.4 million jobs and plunge into recession.

The Zandi model is also based on Trumps plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, which, the reports say, would reduce the size of the U.S. workforce and raise prices for consumers.

Asked to reconcile the Democratic message with Clintons results in New York, Jared Bernstein, a former chief economist to Vice President Biden and a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said the Bush White House put up roadblocks.

Remember she took office as senator when the George Bush presidency and Congress came to town, and that was going to make it a very heavy lift for any kind of progressive job-creating policies that she was going to put forth, he said after a news conference Monday morning in Arlington. Another was planned for Richmond in the afternoon.

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said that as president Clinton would draw on relationships with Republicans if Democrats fail to pick up the 30 seats they need to win control of the House.

I do have a dream, Beyer joked about winning the majority.

The expectation is that a President Hillary Clinton and a Vice President Tim Kaine, who has great relations across the aisle, will be able to sit down with Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy, the leaders in the Senate and work out something in the first 100 days, he said.

Acting alone as a senator from New York, Beyer said, Clinton did not have the ability to put together a multibillion-dollar infrastructure bill as she would in the White House.
Pennsylvania

Family of five found dead in murder-suicide

A Pennsylvania couple featured in news stories about their difficulties getting medication for a daughter who had a heart transplant were found shot to death in their home along with their three children in an apparent murder-suicide, authorities said.

District Attorney John Adams said a handwritten note that appeared to be a murder-suicide note was found in the familys home in Sinking Spring on Saturday afternoon. Police said they found all five dead of gunshot wounds and a handgun near one of the adults, but they didnt say who they think was the shooter.

Police went to the home to check on the welfare of the family after receiving a call from a relative concerned that the woman had not shown up for a lunch date. Mark Short Sr., 40; Megan Short, 33; and their children  Lianna, 8; Mark Jr., 5; and Willow, 2  were found dead in the living room, Adams said. A dog also was found dead.

The district attorneys office said the married couple had been having domestic issues. In an April 13 post on Philly at Heart, Megan Short wrote of her emotional struggles over her daughter Willows condition.

When only days old, Willow had a heart transplant for a congenital defect. Her family was featured in articles in the Reading Eagle in 2014 and in the New York Times last year about her condition and the Shorts difficulties obtaining anti-rejection medication for her.

 Associated Press

Kansas

Lawmakers son dies on waterpark attraction

The son of a Kansas state lawmaker died Sunday on a water slide that is billed as the worlds largest, according to officials and the boys family.

Authorities did not immediately identify the boy, who died at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, but Kansas state Rep. Scott Schwab and his wife released a statement saying it was their son Caleb Thomas Schwab.

Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with, said the statement, which asked for privacy as the family grieves.

Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio said the boy died on one of the parks main attractions, Verruckt, a 168-foot-tall water slide that has 264 stairs leading to the top. The slides name means insane in German.

Officials havent provided specific details about what led to Calebs death. Kansas City police spokesman Cameron Morgan said he did not have any information.

The park will be closed Sunday and Monday, Prosapio said. An investigation is ongoing.

 Associated Press

Four dead after train collision: Police in eastern Oklahoma said four people were dead and one was injured after a train hit the car they were riding in. Poteau Assistant Police Chief Greg Russell told TV station KHBS that the collision happened about 1:30 Sunday afternoon when the car tried to cross railroad tracks at an intersection without crossing bars. A juvenile was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. None of the victims were immediately identified.

Bodies found at base of cliff: Los Angeles police say the bodies of a man and woman were found at the bottom of a sea cliff in the San Pedro section of the city. Officer Mike Lopez said the bodies were discovered Sunday morning beneath a bluff. He said the Los Angeles coroners office will investigate.

 Associated Press
Black-eyed Susans intertwine with soybean plants. Most farmers say the Midwestern prairie chokes crops. But, according to Iowa State University researchers, the wild thicket protects soil from erosion. (Andrew Dickinson for The Washington Post)

Theres a wild presence in Tim Smiths corn and soybean field that most farmers kill on sight.

Smith made his way toward it, hoisting his long legs over row after row of soybean plants under a baking mid-morning sun. Its right over there, he said. He stopped at the edge of a Midwestern prairie, a thicket of tall flowers and grasses more frightening to farmers than any horror movie madman lurking in a barn with a chain saw.

Most growers say prairie is a nuisance that can choke crops. But not Smith. He is proud of the three acres he planted in the middle of one of the most productive farms in the county. He was there to show it off, not spray it.

This affection for prairie bucks a farming tradition that dates back to when settlers arrived in the Midwest to farm centuries ago and ripped out wild grasses to tame the earth. Over time, prairie was nearly eradicated. Farmers today are still destroying the little that is left.

It is a colossal mistake, according to recent studies by researchers at Iowa State University. Not only does prairie, with its deep-rooted plants, soak up farm wastewater that pollutes rivers, it also enriches soil.

Tim Smith owns corn and soybean farms just east of Eagle Grove, Iowa. He planted three acres of prairie in the middle of one of his farms. (Andrew Dickinson for The Washington Post)

The reason why we have the best soil, making it possible to have the worlds best food production, is prairie, said Lisa Schulte Moore, an Iowa State professor known around the state as the prairie guru. And were killing it.

[Farm Bureau takes aim at EPA limits on pollutant runoff into Chesapeake Bay]

Now Schulte Moore and a team of 50 researchers are pushing for a resurrection and spreading a message: Wild prairie could help the states agriculture industry. It could slow soil erosion that costs farmers more than a billion dollars per year in lost yield and lower water pollution from fertilizers and chemicals  pollution that triggered a lawsuit by Des Moines against three farm counties upstream.

Prairie, together with other conservation practices already on farms, advocates claim, has the potential to reduce the massive runoff of nutrient pollution mostly from Midwestern farms that flows down the Mississippi River and forms a gigantic dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico every summer. In past years, this dead zone has suffocated marine life in an area the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.

Some agriculture officials and city leaders believe lawsuits will not stop with Des Moines if gulf cities and states continue to lose fish harvests and tourist dollars to damage from the dead zone.

Iowa joined several Midwestern states in an effort to cut the regions contribution to gulf pollution nearly in half, but participation is voluntary in Iowa, and conservation efforts are lagging.

A promising response, but hesitation lingers

When Smith stepped off the edge of a soybean field into his prairie strip, he literally took a walk on the wild side.

A prairie strip filled with black-eyed Susans lies next to soybeans on Smith's farm. (Andrew Dickinson for The Washington Post)

Bees landed and took flight from his sweaty forearms. A chorus of dickcissel birds sang as blackbirds dipped, dived and screeched at humans strolling dangerously close to their nests. Butterflies flapped technicolored wings as they darted between plants.

Prairie serves as habitat for hundreds of species. Its milkweed feeds monarch butterflies, which make an epic migration through the United States from Mexico to Canada every year. Monarch populations have dropped dramatically because of insecticides and loss of habitat.

Providing wildlife habitat for birds and animals on the decline is one of the driving forces behind a program called STRIPS  Science-based Trials of Rowcrops Integrated with Prairie Strips. Smith said he planted his prairie two years ago because he strongly believed in that philosophy.

[Supreme Court ends challenge to the Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan]

He received funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help pay for the seed, which is not always easy. Smith said other farmers told him agronomists at local NRCS offices fought them on the idea.

I told [the NRCS] what I was doing . . . they said okay, Smith recalled. But you go to another county, and it might be a whole different discussion. They say, Do this, and you dont do that. You dont get a consistent answer in every office.

What STRIPS proposes is so new and so innovative, said Schulte Moore, one of the projects leaders, that the entire conservation service is not on board. In Washington, officials are watching with interest. But in the counties, some farm advisers roll their eyes.

Schulte Moore is hopeful that this is changing. When STRIPS promoted the benefits of prairie to farmers a few years ago, they looked at us like we were crazy, she said. But when they produced research from an experimental chunk of prairie planted in a wildlife refuge, farmers such as Smith started to see that it could stop erosion and runoff.

In 2012, when the project was new, only one farmer signed up to plant prairie. Over the next three years, 26 planted it. Last year, 120 farmers who attended the projects field presentations said in surveys that they intend to plant a total of 400 acres.

We were like, Wow, thats a lot,  Schulte Moore said. It was far too many acres to handle for a program struggling to survive on a paltry federal research grant. Schulte Moore spends most of her day asking for money.

But the response mattered. People who dont work with farmers view them as curmudgeons, Schulte Moore said. But theyre savvy and very data oriented. They get it.

Schulte Moore said she understands why many farmers are hesitant. Two hundred years ago, farmers plowed up the prairie because they didnt consider it valuable . . . or couldnt eat it. Now were asking them to plant it.

Smiths prairie acres were laid on a slope leading to Eagle Creek, which runs 90 miles to Des Moines. When rain soaks the field, the deep-rooted prairie slows it down, Smith said, and allows the earth to absorb it.

Tests show that the nitrate level in water from Smiths farm is substantially lower than water in the creek, Schulte Moore said.

That has not swayed some reluctant farmers. Nearly 200 miles south of Smiths farm, Steve Berger said over and over that he was excited about the idea of planting prairie on his 3,000 acres.

And yet, while mulling the idea for months, he has not planted a single acre.

Every other conservation method has a place on his farm: cover crops of oats or rye to soak up nitrogen, terraces that block water erosion and buffer strips that slow water running off the edge of farms.

But Berger, whose farming knowledge is respected throughout the Midwest, is hesitant about prairie strips. Its not easy to do this, and if you set a farmer up for failure, they wont come back and do it again.

Bergers farm is an ocean of green soy and corn that undulate like waves when winds blow. Its profit margin is high. He said he needs more time to plan.

My days and hours are scheduled right now, and when you talk about prairie strips, Ive got to make time for it, he said.

The clock is ticking

How much time do Iowa farmers have?

The states soil is eroding at an alarming rate. Topsoil was an average of 14 inches deep statewide in the mid-1800s; now its about six, Iowa State researcher Rick Cruse estimated in studies.

Can we keep going this way for another 150 years? I dont think so, Smith said.

Iowa farmers lose about $40 per acre to soil erosion in a state where more than 85 percent of the land is covered by crops. If you look at those figures and the amount of corn acres in Iowa, you quickly surpass a billion dollars of annual lost revenue, Cruse said. Nearly a third of topsoil is lost in ephemeral gullies, swaths carved into farms by heavy rain. Since most prairie plants are perennial, they physically stabilize the soil most of the year.

Public opinion could turn against farmers long before the soil is gone.

Angered by nitrate pollution in two rivers that supply its drinking water, Des Moines Water Works sued three county boards of supervisors upstream for failing to regulate farm pollution that the agency pays $1 million per year to remove.

Des Moines Water Works is planning to build an $80 million facility within the next five years to manage an expected increase in nitrate pollution.

We view it as a violation of the Clean Water Act, Bill Stowe, the utilitys chief executive and general manager, said. Some experts estimate that nitrates in Des Moines water sources will spike substantially above what the Environmental Protection Agency allows.

The lawsuit has pitted Des Moines against a state that favors farmers and agriculture. Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett spoke out against it, saying, When you file a lawsuit, that draws lines in the sand. The emotions make people harder and can develop resentment.

Corbett said he worries that litigation could allow courts to decide how Iowans should farm or open the door to stronger federal regulation.

If we dont want judges deciding from the bench water policy for Iowa, and we really dont want the EPA coming in and telling farmers what to do, the best way is to take the initiative on ourselves, Corbett said.

For Cedar Rapids, the first step was to place several acres of prairie strip amid its corn and soy farm at the local airport, a demonstration project meant to show farmers that prairie can work. Leading by example, Corbett said.

Midwest states have to take responsibility for the pollution they produce, he said. No ones disputing that there is a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, and no one is disputing that years and years of phosphorous have made their way down the rivers of the Midwest, he said.

Corbett admits hes slightly biased. His city processes thousands of bushels of corn and is home to one of the worlds largest ethanol plants, creating hundreds of jobs and providing millions of tax dollars. He said he sympathizes with Des Moines Water Works, but the state needs to work together to solve pollution.

Stowe, the water agency manager, said outreach efforts failed. Were not looking for sympathy, he said. Were looking for results.
THAILAND

Voters approve charter backed by military

Thai voters Sunday overwhelmingly approved a new junta-backed constitution that lays the foundation for a civilian government influenced by the military and controlled by appointed  rather than elected  officials.

Although near-final results showed that more than 60 percent of voters in a referendum called by the military government approved of the constitution, the vote is likely to be met by some skepticism.

The junta  led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a retired army general who has severely curtailed dissent since coming to power in a 2014 coup  had imposed restrictions on public discussion of the proposed constitution.

Despite curbs on civil liberties, Prayuths rule has brought a measure of stability and ended the frequent street violence and divisive politics that had frayed Thailands social fabric for years.

Thailand has endured 13 military coups and 11 attempted takeovers since it replaced an absolute monarchy with a constitutional one in 1932. This would be Thailands 20th charter.

 Associated Press

BELGIUM

Islamic State claims machete attack

The Islamic State militant group on Sunday asserted responsibility for a weekend machete attack that wounded two police officers in the Belgian city of Charleroi, calling it an act of reprisal carried out by one of its soldiers.

Prosecutors identified the assailant as a 33-year-old Algerian known to police for criminal offenses but not for extremist acts.

Belgian media said he was in the country illegally, despite having been issued two separate orders to leave. The government did not confirm the reports.

The attack on Saturday is being treated as a terrorist incident, notably because the man shouted Allahu akbar  Arabic for God is great  as he slashed at the officers outside Charlerois main police station, Prime Minister Charles Michel said.

The assailant was shot by a third officer and died in a hospital. A statement by the Islamic State-affiliated Aamaq News Agency said the attack was in response to the Crusader coalitions military campaign against the group.

Belgium is a member of the U.S.-led coalition combating the Islamic State.

 Associated Press

SYRIA

Rebels breach regimes siege of Aleppo

Rebels breached the Syrian governments siege on opposition neighborhoods in the city of Aleppo, opening a corridor in the south and marking a major breakthrough. The push prompted intense airstrikes Sunday as insurgent groups put up a massive defense to protect the new corridor and gain ground.

The battle for Aleppo, Syrias largest city and former commercial heart, is pivotal for the civil war. The breach causes a dent in the governments confidence and territorial expansion, bolstered by Russian air support.

In a major offensive Saturday, an alliance of more than two dozen rebel groups pushed government forces and allied fighters out of parts of the southern Ramouseh district.

The state Syrian Arab News Agency denied the siege was broken and said the government had declared that operations were still ongoing. It said warplanes targeted rebel vehicles and locations in the area Sunday.

The rebel advance threatens a major highway linking the government-controlled part of Aleppo to the outside world, leaving about 1.2 million people at risk of losing a supply line.

 Associated Press

Macedonia declares emergency after flooding kills 21: Macedonia declared a state of emergency in parts of the capital hit by torrential rain and floods that left at least 21 people dead, six missing and dozens injured. Mayor Koce Trajanovski said the damage was the worst Skopje has ever seen. Further north in Croatia, stormy winds have disrupted road and sea traffic at the height of the tourist season.

Duterte ups ante in war on drugs: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has linked more than 150 judges, mayors, lawmakers, police and military personnel to illegal drugs, ordering them to surrender as he ratcheted up his war on a drug pandemic. Duterte relieved many of those named from their posts and ordered their gun licenses revoked. His latest salvo ups the ante in his war on drugs, which has left more than 400 suspected dealers and pushers dead since he took office in June.

 From news services
SYRIA

Iran-backed militias deploy to Aleppo

Iran-backed militant groups from Lebanon and Iraq are deploying hundreds of additional fighters to front lines in the Syrian city of Aleppo, Iranian media and militia officials said Monday, after Syrian rebels breached a government-imposed siege over the weekend.

The reinforcements by at least four groups will shore up Syrian President Bashar al-Assads forces there as fighting over control of the city intensifies.

Rebels breached the government siege on opposition neighborhoods in Aleppo over the weekend, opening a corridor in the south. The push prompted intense airstrikes Sunday.

Irans semiofficial Fars News Agency said Monday that the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah had deployed fighters to a government-held neighborhood in Aleppo.

Reinforcements are also arriving from Iraq via Iran from the Iraq-based Hezbollah Brigades, Asaib Ahl al-Haq and al-Nujaba militias, militia officials said.

Meanwhile, a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders and specializing in pediatrics in a rebel-held northern province was destroyed over the weekend in airstrikes that killed 13 people, including four staffers and five children, the international medical charity said Monday.

The group said two of the four airstrikes directly hit the hospital in Millis, in Idlib province. The hospital used to receive 250 patients a day, many of them women and children.

 Associated Press

TURKEY

10 foreigners suspected of ties to Gulen are held

Turkish authorities have detained at least 10 foreign nationals suspected of ties to a U.S.-based cleric whom Turkey accuses of masterminding the failed July 15 coup attempt, a senior official said Monday.

At least four of them were formally arrested pending trial, while a fifth person was released, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told reporters. One of the suspects was detained Saturday after entering Turkey illegally from Syria, the deputy premier said. Kurtulmus said that at least one wanted foreign national was on the run.

Turkeys government has launched a broad crackdown targeting followers of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of being behind the

coup attempt. Gulen, who lives

in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania, has denied involvement.

Nearly 18,000 people have been detained or arrested in the crackdown, mostly from the military. Tens of thousands of people in the judiciary, the media, education, health care, the military and local government have been suspended or dismissed from their jobs.

The Turkish government is demanding Gulens extradition from the United States.

 Associated Press

AFGHANISTAN

American, Australian kidnapped in Kabul

Five gunmen wearing Afghan military uniforms have abducted an American and an Australian in Kabul, a security official said Monday. No group has asserted responsibility for the abduction.

The two foreigners were taken from their SUV while driving Sunday night on a main road near the American University of Afghanistan, according to Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry.

They are thought to be employees of the university and are male, Sediqqi said.

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul issued a statement confirming the kidnapping of an American citizen but gave no details due to privacy concerns.

U.S. Embassy security officials are working closely with Afghan law enforcement and security colleagues and AUAF to assist in the investigation into the kidnapping, it said, referring to the American University of Afghanistan.

Australia also issued a statement confirming the apparent kidnapping of an Australian in Kabul.

 Associated Press

Kin of Charlie Hebdo killer detained in Bulgaria: The brother-in-law of one of the men who attacked the satirical Charlie Hebdo publication in Paris has been jailed in Bulgaria on suspicion of trying to join extremists in Syria. The Paris prosecutors office said someone close to Mourad Hamyd, who was initially suspected of a role in the January 2015 attack on Charlie Hebdo and was later cleared, flagged his probable trip to Syria and he was detained. Hamyds sister was married to Cherif Kouachi, one of the Charlie Hebdo attackers.

1,000 protesters arrested in Indian-controlled Kashmir: Government forces have arrested more than a thousand protesters in Indian-controlled Kashmir, authorities said. Inspector General Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani said the arrests were made over the past two weeks in a bid to end a month of protests in which more than 55 civilians and two police officers have been killed. Kashmir has been under a security lockdown and curfew since the killing of a popular rebel commander sparked large protests against Indian rule. Kashmir is divided between archrivals India and Pakistan.

 From news services
So lets stipulate: Donald Trump is not Vladimir Putins willing agent, and its not certain if or to what extent Putin is trying to elect Trump president. The real issue is that Trump and Putin share the same nihilistic approach to international relations. Together, they could transform our world.

Putin already has fostered a current of ruthless, cynical and utterly unprincipled opportunism in what, before his arrival, was thought of as an increasingly cooperative and rational international community. The Russian president has embraced and perfected the use of lies for geopolitical advantage, pursued and murdered his opponents in foreign capitals, invaded neighbors openly as well as by stealth, intervened in other countries elections, and flouted the rules governing international trade and sports.

For the most part, he has gotten away with it, thereby establishing a model of lawlessness and mendacity that other regimes have begun to follow. Having noticed that one of Putins prime opponents, Alexander Litvinenko, was murdered in the heart of London without meaningful consequences, China has taken to abducting dissidents outside its borders, including a British citizen seized in Hong Kong. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkeys would-be Putin, hasnt yet killed or kidnapped a foreign critic, but he bluffed Germany into authorizing legal action against one of its own citizens who insulted him.

Putin has succeeded in putting blatant falsehoods on a par with documented reporting in explaining international events. For example, Moscow says U.S. intelligence operatives, and not the Ukrainian people, were responsible for the ouster of Putins client, former president Viktor Yanukovych (who once employed Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort). And Hillary Clinton somehow ordered up the mass anti-Putin demonstrations in Moscow five years ago  thereby, perhaps, earning the payback of Russias hack of the Democratic National Committee.

Putin may well believe these lies himself, or he may suppose they are no different than the stories peddled by Western politicians. Either way, he has managed to create an alternative reality. There is the world the West knows, and there is Putins. Viewers of international satellite channels can take their pick.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said the United States gets "no respect" from Russian President Vladimir Putin during a town hall event in Scranton, Pa., July 27. (The Washington Post)

This, too, is something other regimes are learning. More than perhaps ever before, thanks to the Internet and satellite television, the world is awash in state-sponsored conspiracy theories, most of them anti-American. The United States has a secret plan to divide Egypt into pieces, says the regime of Abdel Fatah al-Sissi; no, it is too busy sponsoring a military coup in Turkey, says Erdogan. Nonsense, says Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro: U.S. plotting is focused on overthrowing him via a military invasion.

For all its partisanship and poison, U.S. politics mostly avoided these pathologies  until the rise of Trump. Trump may not match Putins use of violence. But his unreserved embrace of falsehoods, cynicism and the amoral pursuit of narrow interest is as pure an American expression of Putinism as we are likely to see. That raises the ominous question: What would the world look like if they were both in power?

Start with alliances and multilateralism. For a century and more, the closest U.S. foreign bonds have been founded on shared values. In a Trump presidency, the United States, like Russia, would have no allies, only clients. Washingtons message to Estonia would echo Moscows to Belarus: Pay for the superpowers support, deliver what is demanded, or be abandoned.

Like Putin, Trump would create his own global reality. Never mind that more Mexicans have returned to their country than have immigrated to the United States since 2009; in Trumps world they flood across the border, mandating the construction of a wall. U.S. and Russian lies may well overlap  Trump and Putin concur that there are no Russian troops in Ukraine, even if they are still killing Ukrainians on a near-daily basis.

Who will defend truth? Maybe Sweden.

Trump would likely grant Putins most cherished wish, which is to sit as an equal with the U.S. president, dividing up the world into spheres of influence. The results would be catastrophic for a string of countries in Eurasia and the Middle East. Trump could be invited by Putin to surrender Ukraine and Georgia, and maybe Egypt and Jordan, and he may well agree. After all, the businessman may conclude, there is no money to be made in those places.

Trump pictures himself striking tough deals with a like-minded strongman. He surely underestimates Putins ruthlessness and is ignorant of his conception of U.S.-Russia relations as a zero-sum game. After 15 years in power, Putin is skilled at the arts of deception, betrayal, sabotage and tactical aggression. Trump, by comparison, is a dilettante. So the consequence of a Trump-Putin world would not just be the triumph of amoral statesmanship; it would be the rise of Russian influence at Americas expense.

1 of 60 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  What Donald Trump is doing on the campaign trail View Photos The GOP presidential nominee is out on the trail ahead of the general election in November. Caption The GOP presidential nominee is pressing his case ahead of Election Day. Nov. 7, 2016 Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at SNHU Arena in Manchester, N.H. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Read more from Jackson Diehls archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
A CHINESE human rights lawyer held incommunicado for more than a year has confessed to her crimes and been released on bail  except the confession seems coerced, and no one has seen Wang Yu since her supposed release.

Last summer, the Chinese government began a crackdown on what it called a well-organized criminal gang. That gang was really a group of lawyers who sought to hold the government to its own legal standards by exposing human rights violations, case by case. Since then, more than 300 advocates and family members have been summoned, questioned or detained in investigations of subversion of state power. At least 16 remain in custody. Ms. Wang was  and may still be  one of them. Her husband is also in detention, and her son is reportedly under house arrest in Inner Mongolia.

Ms. Wang has a remarkable record. Yet according to her statement last week, she disavows all of it. Her crusades for equal justice  particularly for women and girls  were merely the product of manipulation from foreign forces to smear the party and attack the Chinese government. Ms. Wang wont acknowledge, wont recognize and wont accept an international human rights award she was given.

The script is tried and true. As The Posts Emily Rauhala reported, China has said the same thing  using the same words  about the recent ruling on the South China Sea. In another so-called confession in January, a Hong Kong seller of banned books told a bizarre tale of a hit-and-run accident whose consequences he wished to face in China. He also renounced his ties to Sweden, saying much like Ms. Wang that deep down I think of myself as Chinese.

Ms. Wang has not been heard from since her statement, even though the Chinese government claims she has been set free on bail. The same is true of legal assistant Zhao Wei, who was supposed to be released last month after posting a confession online. Several of Ms. Wangs colleagues are also in detention. A court began hearing their case last week, but the trial is open only to select members of the media. Two have been sentenced; one received seven years in prison while the other got a three-year suspended sentence. When the wives of other detainees traveled to Tianjin to seek information, they were placed under house arrest.

For years, Ms. Wang has been publicly committed to questioning the state. Now, in a chilling testament to Chinese tyranny, she has publicly condemned her own questions. Ten years ago, these lawyers could rarely get a case into court. Five years ago, some were disbarred. Today, they face trials far from free or fair  and the defense of human dignity is treated as treason.
I DONT know what to say. That was the first thing Metro Board Chairman Jack Evans said when we called him about the recent derailment on the Silver Line. The loss of words was understandable. How do you explain the serial failures of the system to live up to its most basic safety obligations? Again and again and again, Metro has made a mockery of its claim to put safety first. That should spur officials in the District, Maryland and Virginia to finally enact the legislation needed to establish an effective oversight agency.

Investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board into the July 29 derailment outside East Falls Church found a stretch of tracks with crumbling rail ties and rails that were too far apart. Most alarming were the conclusions that Metro officials may have known about the problems since 2009, that track inspections are conducted less often than required by the systems guidelines and that the specialized vehicle used to detect track problems has been out of commission. That the derailment occurred during the systems much-ballyhooed SafeTrack maintenance blitz would be almost laughable if not for fact that approximately 75 passengers lives were endangered. One person was injured, and service was disrupted.

Mr. Evans is calling the Metro board out of recess for a meeting on Aug. 25 to address the safety lapses underscored in the NTSB report. Good that Mr. Evans is demanding answers and that he will insist the session be open to the public and not, as is the wont of an agency that tends to hunker down when criticized, behind closed doors. But more than words are needed if the system is to right itself. The continued missteps and embarrassments  the latest being the arrest of a Metro Transit Police officer suspected of having ties to the Islamic State  make it even more difficult to persuade Congress and the local jurisdictions to provide Metro with the revenue it needs to maintain the system.

Metros decline is due to years of neglect, so we are mindful that it will take time to fix the problems. Nonetheless, General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld, on the job less than a year, and the systems new safety officer, a respected veteran of New York Citys transit system who started in May, need to lay out a convincing argument that progress is being made in addressing the agencys institutional rot. Its equally critical that District, Maryland and Virginia officials live up to their promise to the U.S. Transportation Department by moving as quickly as possible to establish a safety authority that will have real teeth in providing oversight of Metro.
The Aug. 4 news article Was $400 million in cash handed over to Iran a ransom for 4 Americans? quoted White House press secretary Josh Earnest saying the cash was not ransom. It has been reported that President Obama said the only way to transfer $400 million to Iran was by cash in an airplane instead of a wire transfer because U.S. banks do not have relationships with Iranian banks.

In 1980, our banks did not have relations with Iranian banks, but we found a way to wire a transfer at a time when computer technology was primitive compared with today and relations with Iran were tense. Last year, the United States could have moved the funds electronically to a bank in Europe with relations with Iran, and then have that bank pass along the funds electronically. So the presidents explanation was a bit disingenuous.

Howard M. Wachtel, Shepherdstown, W.Va.
Traffic from the outer loop of the Beltway, I-495, left, merges with the traffic from I-270, center, during the evening rush hour. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press)

In his Aug. 5 letter, Solving congestion in Maryland, Virginia state Del. Jim LeMunyon (R-Fairfax), correctly pointed out several benefits that would result from a new Potomac River bridge connecting Virginias Route 28 with Interstate 270 in Maryland. But he left out the benefit that is perhaps most important: It would make Dulles Airport much more accessible to residents of Montgomery County and surrounding areas.

Because the Maryland Department of Transportation would have to approve and assist in construction of any such bridge, the chances of it being built are slim to none. After all, MDOT owns and operates Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport, and it is not about to make it easier for Maryland residents to fly out of Dulles.

Jim Morris, Lovettsville
In the public imagination, no industry better symbolizes the downfall of U.S. manufacturing than steel. Shuttered plants dot the Midwest. Since 1973, steel employment has dropped 76 percent, from 610,700 to 147,300 in 2015. Moreover, the culprit seems clear  trade  and its influence seems pervasive: Manufacturing as a whole lost about 5 million jobs from 2000 to 2015. No wonder both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have jumped on the anti-globalization bandwagon.

Globalization seems guilty as charged  except that the popular indictment is wildly misleading.

Though trade has helped reshape U.S. manufacturing, it is only one force of many. The appeal of making it the prime villain is political and psychological. We can blame manufacturings problems and dislocations on foreigners and disloyal American multinational firms. If they behaved better, the U.S. economy would improve. There is some truth to this, but it is hardly the whole truth  as the case of steel shows.

Despite plummeting industry employment, U.S. steel production is roughly where its been for decades, between 90 million and 120 million tons a year. Imports generally represent 20 percent to 25 percent of domestic consumption. True, dozens of steel plants have closed. But dozens of more efficient plants have opened. Productivity (a.k.a., efficiency) has increased dramatically.

The industrys largest change of the past half-century is the rise of so-called mini-mills. There are now two dominant ways of making steel.

The traditional way is to start from scratch: Iron ore, limestone and coal are melted to form pig iron; then the pig iron is boiled in whats known as a basic oxygen furnace to make molten steel, which is formed into various finished products (sheet for cars, beams for construction and the like).

Mini-mills are the second way. Their raw material is scrap steel, which is melted in electric arc furnaces to make molten steel. The mini-mills have a big cost advantage over the older, vertically integrated mills. From 1970 to 2015, their share of total U.S. steel production went from 15 percent to 63 percent, reports the American Iron and Steel Institute, an industry group.

This has huge implications. In a recent study, economists Allan Collard-Wexler of Duke University and Jan De Loecker of Princeton University found that the spread of mini-mills  with their greater efficiency  explained most of the industrys job loss. Put differently: If there were no foreign trade in steel, most of those jobs would have vanished anyway. The least efficient vertically integrated plants were forced to close. The decisive competition has been domestic, not foreign.

To be sure, steelmakers face some legitimate trade issues. Theres a global steel glut, mainly because China sharply expanded its industry on the unrealistic assumption of continued strong economic growth. The numbers are breathtaking, according to a report by analyst Lucy Lu of the Peterson Institute. Since 2005, global steelmaking capacity has increased by three-quarters, with China accounting for 78 percent of the gain. China now represents 50 percent of world production, up from 31 percent in 2005.

The consequences were predictable. Prices have plunged, as China and others have tried to export some of their surplus capacity. U.S. producers are now, to some extent, protecting themselves by filing trade complaints against steel imports being illegally dumped or subsidized by foreign governments. But this is a short-term expedient. Whats needed is a global agreement that reduces the worst concentrations of excess capacity, starting with China. U.S. steelworkers and companies cannot compete against foreign subsidies.

Still, we shouldnt lose sight of the larger picture. The standard story about the fate of U.S. manufacturing is incomplete. It blames the loss of U.S. factory jobs mainly on foreign imports and the move of American firms abroad. Thats part of the problem, but a larger cause is  as with steel  rapid productivity growth, argues Harvard University economist Robert Lawrence. Better manufacturing methods and technologies mean that fewer workers can produce the same output.

This is a good thing, even if it initially involves fewer jobs, because higher productivity promotes higher living standards. Compared to other high-income economies (that is: excluding China), writes economist Marc Levinson of the Congressional Research Service in a report, the United States has performed well in manufacturing. . . . From 1990 through 2014, the only high-income countries with faster growth [were] a handful of smaller economies, including Finland, Israel and Sweden.

We are being fed a largely false narrative on globalization. It is not the source of most of our problems. All dynamic economies experience constant disruptions from changing technologies, shifting consumer tastes and inevitable business cycles. Some instabilities come from abroad; most  for the United States  originate at home. What matters is the economys ability to offset the losses with new jobs and opportunities. That is the ultimate test.

Read more from Robert Samuelsons archive.
Marc E. Elias preps with Sarah Gonski, left, and Amanda Callais on Aug. 3 before a hearing in federal court for his lawsuit charging that Arizonas law on the handling of absentee ballots is unconstitutional. (David Jolkovski/For The Washington Post)

After a lopsided string of court victories knocking down state voting restrictions, Democratic superlawyer Marc E. Elias was literally flying high last week in his pursuit of other Republican-initiated voting laws he says hurt his partys most loyal constituencies.

First up was the battleground of Ohio, where Elias told a federal appeals court that the state had unlawfully cut a few days of early voting disproportionately used by African Americans.

Less than 24 hours later, the lawyer whose firm counts Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee among its clients was in a federal courtroom 1,600 miles away. He charged that Arizonas new law regarding the handling of absentee ballots was an unconstitutional effort to discourage Latino and Native American voters as well as those who assist them.

[Voting rights activists score victories in key states]

Elias, a go-to lawyer for Democrats in recount fights and redistricting battles, has now taken a prominent and somewhat controversial place among the coalition of groups challenging a wave of state election laws that were rewritten in recent years.

This year more states than ever will require potential voters to show photo ID in order to vote in the election. Here's why this is so controversial. (Monica Akhtar/The Washington Post)

With a multimillion-dollar commitment from liberal mega-donor George Soros, Elias is challenging laws that, he argues, diminish the impact of important Democratic Party constituencies of African Americans, Latinos and young people.

I dont think people should think were done filing lawsuits for this election cycle, Elias said in a taxicab interview after two flights and a two-hour weather delay delivered him to Phoenix.

It has been a heady few weeks for those challenging voting-law changes passed by Republican legislatures. Judges have either blocked or softened restrictions adopted in Texas, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota and Kansas.

[Appeals court says Texas voter-ID law hurts minorities]

Those are among the 15 states that would have new and stricter laws in place for the coming presidential election, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. The states say they are seeking to combat voter fraud and protect confidence in the electoral process.

But in the past month, a long list of judges, appointed by both Democrats and Republicans, have found the threat either negligible or nonexistent. Instead, the judges said, there is evidence that the laws hinder minority participation in the process.

Wisconsins experience, for instance, demonstrates that a preoccupation with mostly phantom election fraud leads to real incidents of disenfranchisement, wrote U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson last month.

502 Bad Gateway

But North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) is asking the Supreme Court to review the appeals court ruling that said his states election-law overhaul was aimed at discouraging minority turnout, not protecting against fraud.

Citing limited cases of recorded voter fraud begs the question: If your house has never been broken into, do you still lock the door? McCrory wrote in a USA Today op-ed.

The legal battles against voting restrictions continue to be led by civil rights groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Advancement Project and others.

But Eliass efforts explicitly on behalf of Democrats have made 2016 different. Besides joining the efforts of civil rights groups in several states, he has also struck out on his own, bringing additional claims in states that are especially important for Hillary Clintons campaign and future Democratic candidates. These include Ohio, Arizona and Virginia.

Some who have worked on voting issues for years are wary of the optics. I love Marc, but I want to be very clear about who we are and who he represents, said Sherrilyn Ifill, president and general counsel of the NAACP LDF. I dont want what we have been doing for years [protecting minority voting rights] to be dismissed as partisan.

She adds that as a civil rights lawyer, I sued plenty of Democrats.

Elias joined civil rights groups in some cases but said he also filed lawsuits in places where a favorable ruling will help the Democratic Party.

Were challenging the laws in the states in which we have the greatest concern, he said. Regardless of who the plaintiff is, protecting civil rights ought to be something that we all strive to do.

Elias said he understands that civil rights groups fear that his involvement hinders their hope for bipartisan support for voting rights  for instance, strengthening the Voting Rights Act.

But he notes it has been three years since the Supreme Court struck down a key part of the law that required some states, mainly in the South, to get federal approval for changes to voting laws to make sure they did not harm minority voters. Republican leaders in Congress have done nothing to come up with standards that could lead to renewed federal oversight, he said.

The way to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act is to make Nancy Pelosi the speaker of the House and Chuck Schumer the [Senate] majority leader and put Hillary Clinton in the White House, he said.

Even if anyone tried, there would be no way to separate Elias the voting rights lawyer from Elias the political lawyer. Asked about the clients he and his colleagues at the law firm of Perkins Coie represent, Elias replies: We represent the DNC, the DSCC, the DCCC, the DGA, the DLCC, House Majority PAC, Senate Majority PAC, Priorities USA, Emilys List, 40-plus Democratic senators, 100-plus Democratic House members.

Translation in outside-the-Beltway English: the national Democratic Party, its governors, almost all of its members of Congress and its campaign and fundraising apparatus. And its presidential nominee.

Elias came to Washington as a new lawyer in 1993, when he said there was really no such thing as political law. The 2000 presidential recount in Florida and the McCain-Feingold campaign finance act of 2002 changed that.

Eliass personal breakthrough came when he represented Al Franken in the recount of the 2008 Minnesota Senate race. It was the longest recount in history  eight months  and resulted in a 312-vote win for Franken. Since then, Elias has been the go-to lawyer for a string of Democrats in recounts and has never lost.

He is also a major player in campaign-finance law and redistricting disputes. He won at the Supreme Court last term when the justices upheld a court-imposed remapping of congressional districts in Virginia that could produce a second African American congressman from that state.

But Eliass entrance into voting rights protection is something new. While Elias will not discuss the funding for his project, Soross spokesman Michael Vachon said Elias approached them with a set of proposals for challenging state restrictions that would be helpful up and down the ballot.

That was appealing to Soros, who began his political giving with voter mobilization efforts, Vachon said. And they agreed with Elias that there was work to be done beyond what the civil rights groups, to which Soros also contributes, were doing.

The other groups have to be nonpartisan, Vachon said. We agreed there was a need to look at this from a partisan viewpoint.

Soros has given $5 million to the trust that funds the litigation, Vachon said, and Elias said he has picked his shots with an eye toward protecting the Obama coalition of African Americans, Latinos and young people.

In Ohio, Elias challenged the states elimination of the Golden Week, a period of a few days before an election in which voters can both register and cast their ballots at the same time.

Elias won the first round. After a trial in federal district court, Judge Michael Watson, nominated to the court by President George W. Bush, said the elimination of the period was a minor burden on voters but one that disproportionately affected African Americans.

Watson said the law violated constitutional equal protections and the Voting Rights Act because the Republican legislatures reasons for doing away with the Golden Week did not justify the action.

On appeal, Ohio Solicitor General Eric Murphy told a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit that Ohio has one of the most generous early voting periods in the nation, while some states offer none at all.

But Elias told the court that it didnt matter. The issue, he said, is what will the change do to burden minority voters in Ohio. The judges said they would rule on the appeal soon.

Likewise in Arizona, Elias told U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes that a new law making it a felony for anyone other than the voter or a family member or caregiver to turn in an absentee ballot was suspect.

The law upends a common Democratic practice of gathering ballots in minority communities or on reservations, and there has never been evidence that it has led to fraud, Elias said.

Sara J. Agne, representing the state Republican Party, said the legislature did not have to wait for fraud in order to take precautions. She noted that more than half of the states have restrictions on who can handle absentee ballots.

Rayes said he would rule before next week, when the law is scheduled to take effect.

Elias will be back in Phoenix next month anyway. He is challenging cuts in the number of polling places that led to long lines and the turning away of some voters during the states presidential primaries in March.

Early on, longtime voting rights activists worried that in Eliass zeal for helping Democrats in 2016, he would file suits that would later come back to haunt them.

Some in the voting rights community expressed concern when he came into these voting cases that he could establish some bad precedent, said Richard Hasen, a professor at the University of California at Irvine, whose Election Law Blog serves as something of a bulletin board for election lawyers. Hes done well so far, however, and with the changing balance of power on the courts, he may well have continuing success in at least some of his cases.

Elias heard the criticism too.

All I can tell you is we sued in Virginia and we got a consent decree on long lines at the polls, he said. We sued in North Carolina and obviously thats worked out. Weve sued in Wisconsin and weve won in the district court. We sued in Ohio and won before the district court and now have the argument in the 6th Circuit.

He paused. So those who were concerned we were going to make bad law so far dont have much to point to. Weve made a lot of good law.
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, and Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) greet diners at L.P. Steamers restaurant in Baltimore after speaking at the National Urban League Conference last week. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia is holding fast to his long-held belief that the current military operation against Islamic State forces has not been properly approved by Congress  a position that puts him at odds not only with President Obama but also with his running mate, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Kaine placed the blame squarely on Congress for its inability to tackle the issue.

I dont think the current legal authorities are sufficient to wage this war against ISIL, Kaine said on NBCs Meet the Press Sunday, using an acronym for the Islamic State.

As Obamas first secretary of state, Clinton supported the presidents position that he had all the authority he needed to wage military action in Syria, Iraq and other trouble spots without first seeking congressional approval.

While she has supported Kaines push for more congressional action, Clinton has also been clear that she will continue to act under the same authority Obama has, even when Capitol Hill doesnt weigh in.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) is Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's vice presidential candidate. Here's what you need to know about him. (Sarah Parnass,Osman Malik/The Washington Post)

Kaines ongoing, unsuccessful effort to draft and win approval for a new war resolution serves as a window into how Kaine views the relationship between the executive and legislative branches. It has also shown the limitations of his ability to coax allies across the finish line, even on his hallmark issue  suggesting that his courtship approach might not work in todays hyper-partisan era.

Finally, how Kaine handles this issue going forward will offer telling evidence of his influence within the next administration, should the Democrats win.

The first clue came when he delivered his 30-minute acceptance speech for the vice-presidential nomination in Philadelphia last month  without mentioning the war powers issue.

Nowhere did Kaine describe how much he has tried to compel Congress to define the parameters of an increasingly hot war.

After winning election in 2012, Kaine led the effort to draw up a new war resolution to replace those written more than a decade ago to take on Osama bin Laden and then Saddam Hussein. Almost single-handedly, he turned what congressional leaders in both parties had considered a nuisance into a defining cause about congressional duty and the constitutional boundaries a president faces.

The unwillingness of this Congress to authorize the war not only shows a lack of resolve, it sets a dangerous precedent, Kaine said in early June, introducing amendments to try to force a debate on the issue. Its not hard to imagine a future president using this inaction to justify the hasty and unpredictable initiation of military action.

But Kaine, 58, and a small band of younger allies in the Senate failed. They never even got full consideration in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on which he serves.

1 of 57 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail View Photos Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her running mate, Tim Kaine, hit the road after the Democratic National Convention. Caption Hillary Clinton loses to Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Nov. 9, 2016 Hillary Clinton speaks in New York while her husband, former president Bill Clinton, applauds. Melina Mara/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Even Kaines close friends recognize that he now must adhere to whatever posture Clinton takes on this issue.

Tim knows hes applying for a job that is very different, said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a close ally who sits next to Kaine on the Foreign Relations Committee.

However, Kaines generation of lawmakers hope that in choosing her running mate, Clinton demonstrated that she wants to engage Congress on a new authorization for the use of military force, as war resolutions are technically known.

Hillary is signaling that shes serious about an AUMF, Murphy said.

Given the past two years of gridlock on the issue, Kaine faces long odds of being any more successful on crafting and passing a war resolution as Clintons vice president.

[Kaine sought to boost Kaine brand after being passed over for VP in 2008]

It had been an area of concern for several years, but in the summer of 2014  as the Islamic State took over more land in Syria and Iraq while committing high-profile murders of Western hostages  Obama ramped up a bombing campaign and sent more U.S. troops into those hostile territories to help advise Iraqi military leaders.

At issue is the presidents authority to take the country to war without first seeking congressional approval. Obama has claimed that congressional authorizations passed in the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, permit him to order any actions combating terrorism. And he has bluntly said that he has no timeline for how long the forces would be deployed.

Kaine has said that the post-Sept. 11 authorizations were too open-ended, arguing that actions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria all required separate congressional approval. One of those resolutions was meant to target bin Laden, who was killed in 2011; the other dealt with Hussein, who was captured, tried and killed by the new Iraqi government in 2006.

In an early 2015 interview, after Republicans took the Senate, Kaine said that he would judge Majority Leader Mitch McConnells stewardship of the chamber on a single issue, whether he allowed a full war debate on the Senate floor.

One of the ironies in the fact that it never happened is that Republicans were fully willing to approve a broad, sweeping authorization giving Obama, and any future president, almost unlimited power to go after the Islamic State. It was the Democrats, including Kaine, who wanted to place limits on both time and deployment of ground troops on any future authorizations.

Theres no reason for us to give him less authority than what he has today, which is what hes asking for, John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), the House speaker at the time, told reporters after a 2015 trip the Middle East.

Key Republicans, including Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), agreed with the presidents view that the 2001 war declaration gave the administration all the authority it needed, according to a GOP official reviewing the debate this year.

Kaine can sound like a tough military hawk calling for a war debate, but his own position is squarely on the liberal side of the argument. He wants a strict timeline  one proposal called for a three-year war against Islamic State forces, after which the next president would have to withdraw or get new authority to act. He wanted limits on ground forces in those territories, which most Republicans consider a non-starter.

[Boehner: War resolution stalled amid calls for more U.S. military action]

Murphy called Kaine a strong defender of Obamas use of forces so far. His bone of contention has been that the strategy has been unauthorized, Murphy said.

Kaine also could never win over his own leadership. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), the majority leader in 2014 and now minority leader, essentially told Kaine to drop the matter, Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.) and other Democrats said.

This is an issue thats easy to brush aside, Coons said.

Reid preferred letting Obama act on his own, according to a Democratic official familiar with the 2014 and 2015 discussions. Irritated by Reids inaction, Kaine used direct channels into the West Wing, emailing senior advisers to try to get them to push Reid, the Democratic official said.

But Kaine could never persuade Obama to push Congress to act. Obama periodically raised the issue and said Congress should pass a new resolution, but he never gave it top priority and was content continuing to make his war decisions with no congressional input.

Ultimately Kaine even lost the support of his longtime allies on the issue. Both Murphy and Coons said that as the Republican presidential primary unfolded, they lost interest in the war resolution bid. The Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, and the second-place finisher, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex., both advocated a forceful use of the military.

Democrats simply decided they couldnt risk compromising with Republicans and giving more power than they were comfortable with, if Trump ended up winning.

Its a different animal today, Murphy said.
Hillary Clinton cast the presidential election Monday as a moment of national reckoning  and rejection of Donald Trump as a national imperative.

Just imagine Donald Trump in the Oval Office, facing a real crisis, Clinton said. What happens when somebody gets under his skin? I dont know if the United States can afford that kind of risk.

Campaigning in critical Florida, Clinton warned that voters should not be fooled by what she called an effort to refurbish the Republican nominees image.

There is no other Donald Trump, Clinton said. What you see is what you get.

It was Clintons second trip to Florida in a month, a mark of the states importance on several fronts this election. Long a swing state prized for 29 of the 270 electoral votes needed to win and a dependable source of Democratic campaign cash, Florida this year is also an important part of Clintons strategy to turn out large numbers of Latino voters.

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton vowed to help Puerto Rico address the islands economic difficulties at a rally in Kissimmee, Fla., Aug. 8. (The Washington Post)

Clinton leads Trump in the state by 6 percentage points in a statewide poll conducted by Suffolk University last week. She held a similar lead in other state polling in July, before the Republican and Democratic conventions.

Hes not only putting our national security at risk, now hes putting our economy at risk, Clinton charged.

[Former GOP national security officials: Trump would be most reckless U.S. president in history]

She tweaked Trump for economic policies that she said would cost millions of jobs and business practices that she said have cheated small businesses.

Florida would gain 650,000 jobs under my plan [and] lose more than 200,000 jobs under Trump, Clinton claimed.

Trumps economic policy speech Monday in Detroit was an effort to make these old tired ideas sound new, Clinton said.

But heres what we all know. His tax plan will give super big tax breaks to large corporations and the really wealthy, she said. He wants to roll back regulations on Wall Street; he wants to eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Board, which has saved millions of dollars for Americans. He wants to basically just repackage trickle-down economics.

To laughter from a crowd of more than 2,000 at the St. Petersburg Coliseum, Clinton invoked some old-fashioned folk wisdom.

You know that old saying, Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me?  Clinton said playfully.

She also toured a family-run small brewery business in St. Petersburg and was rallying Democrats outside Orlando later Monday. The area is home to large numbers of Puerto Rican and Dominican immigrants atop other Hispanic populations drawn by tourism and agriculture.

Clinton said that as a senator from New York I paid a lot of attention to Puerto Rico. We had a big Puerto Rican population in New York just like you do here in central Florida.

And in both places, she noted, Puerto Ricans can vote for president. Although American citizens, Puerto Ricans cannot vote for president while living on the island, but can do so when living in the country proper.

We want to register everyone to vote who is eligible to vote, she told a crowd in Kissimmee.

On Tuesday, Clinton plans to tour a clinic in a neighborhood where the Zika virus has been detected.

I will be visiting health professionals on the front lines in Miami, who are confronting the Zika challenge, Clinton said. Because Washington cannot keep ignoring the needs of the families of Florida.

Clinton was introduced in St. Petersburg by Sen. Bill Nelson, who praised Senate colleague and vice presidential nominee Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, and called Clinton the clear choice in temperament and experience.

Do you want somebody who will fly off the handle? Or do you want somebody who is steady? Nelson asked. Do you want somebody who has no idea about the subject that he is talking about, or do you want somebody who is really prepared?

Clinton is holding fundraising events Tuesday in South Florida. It was not clear whether she will see Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Clinton ally who was ousted last month as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.

Also Monday, the chief spokesman for the Florida Republican Party, who is Hispanic, said he is leaving his job and joining a conservative organization due to differences with GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Wadi Gaitan, a former senior House Republican aide who focused on Hispanic affairs, becomes yet another high-profile Latino Republican official to leave his job because he can no longer tolerate defending and explaining Trump. The Republican nominee has spent much of the past year maligning immigrants, minorities and women, a strategy that helped him win the partys nomination but that has led to historically poor approval ratings among black and Latino voters.

Gaitan will be joining the LIBRE Initiative, a grass-roots organization backed by the industrialists Charles and David Koch.

Im thankful for my almost two years with the Florida GOP, however, moving on gives me a great, new opportunity to continue promoting free market solutions while avoiding efforts that support Donald Trump, Gaitan said in a statement.

The LIBRE Initiative and its executive director, Daniel Garza, remain active in Hispanic communities nationwide, spending millions of dollars in the past year trying to draw Latino voters to support conservative or libertarian policies. The group does not advocate for political candidates. Garza has said that Trumps combative anti-immigrant rhetoric has made his organizations outreach more difficult.

Ed OKeefe in Washington contributed to this report.
At a rally in Detroit Aug. 8, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump outlined what he would do as president to take the U.S. economy to "amazing new heights." (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

At a rally in Detroit Aug. 8, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump outlined what he would do as president to take the U.S. economy to "amazing new heights." (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

Seeking to put the most difficult stretch of his campaign behind him, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump used a major economic speech Monday to reach out to two voting blocs that remain critical to his faltering chances of winning in November: traditional fiscal conservatives and disaffected blue-collar workers.

But Trump faced a new round of resistance from within his party that threatened to stall his effort to move beyond the uproar he caused last week. In an opinion column published by The Washington Post late Monday, Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) became the latest sitting Republican senator to declare that she will not support Trump. In addition, dozens of national security officials who served in GOP administrations signed a letter saying that he is not qualified to be president.

Reading from a teleprompter at the Detroit Economic Club and pausing calmly when protesters interrupted him, Trump assailed Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and cast himself as the only change candidate on economic issues. He did so in part with tax-cutting, regulation-curbing plans that are squarely mainstream in his party and in part with his now-familiar attacks on the forces of globalization that have unnerved many workers. He took swipes at free-trade deals championed by GOP leaders and attacked immigrants and refugees.

The Republican nominee shared few new policy details and continued to offer no specifics for how he would pay for tax cuts or spending increases large enough to balloon the federal budget deficit. He promised more clarity in coming weeks.

Trump proposed a new set of individual income tax rates higher than he previously suggested, but he also promised to bring rates lower than they were even during the George W. Bush administration. He was vague in other areas, including a promise for major federal infrastructure spending and another, the only new policy proposal in the speech, that would allow working families to deduct child care-costs from their federal income taxes.

1 of 60 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  What Donald Trump is doing on the campaign trail View Photos The GOP presidential nominee is out on the trail ahead of the general election in November. Caption The GOP presidential nominee is pressing his case ahead of Election Day. Nov. 7, 2016 Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at SNHU Arena in Manchester, N.H. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Throughout his address, Trump took sharp aim at Clinton. He held up Detroit, which has been devastated by manufacturing job losses, as the living, breathing example of her failed economic agenda.

I want to jump-start America. It can be done. And it wont even be that hard, he said.

At a rally in St. Petersburg, Fla., Clinton assailed Trumps plan as an outdated replica of previous Republican pitches, saying it would give super-big tax breaks to large corporations and the really wealthy and basically just repackage trickle-down economics.

She added: You know that old saying, Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. 

Clinton framed rejecting Trump as a national imperative.

Just imagine Donald Trump in the Oval Office, facing a real crisis, she said. What happens when somebody gets under his skin? I dont know if the United States can afford that kind of risk.

On income taxes, the business mogul said he would work with House Republicans to implement the three brackets they have proposed: 12 percent, 25 percent and 33 percent. The move puts Trump in line with Speaker Paul D. Ryan (Wis.), with whom Trump has had a tense alliance.

Previously, Trump proposed tax brackets of 0 percent, 10 percent, 20 percent and 25 percent. He continued to call for a 15 percent corporate income tax rate for all businesses, which is lower than Ryans proposed 20 percent corporate rate.

Trump also promised to end some special interest tax breaks but named only one, the carried interest provision that many investment fund managers use to reduce their tax liability. Experts cautioned, though, that Trumps plan would still deliver a windfall to such investors, because it would reduce income and corporate rates.

Lacking more details from the campaign, it is difficult to say how much Trumps revisions to his tax rates would alter the cost of his economic plan, which analysts had previously estimated could reduce federal revenue by $10 trillion over the next decade. Equally difficult to measure are the benefits the plan would deliver to taxpayers across income levels.

It seems very likely that this version of the plan will lose less revenue than the last version because it will contain relatively smaller tax cuts for individuals, Scott Greenberg, an analyst at the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, said in an interview. A key question, he added, is the level at which various marginal tax rates begin to take effect: A tax plan where the 33 percent [rate] kicks in at $250,000 and one where it kicks in at $750,000 are two very different tax plans.

Trumps economic focus followed a week in which he stoked tensions with party leaders by initially declining to endorse Ryan and Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) in their primaries this month. Trump also drew widespread ire for criticizing the Muslim parents of a U.S. Army captain who was killed in Iraq, and he fell dramatically behind Clinton in public polls.

The measured, pre-written remarks in Detroit on Monday were intended to steady a listing campaign, and conservatives received the calls for tax and regulation cuts positively. But most reaction to the speech, even among conservatives, was mixed. In the end, Monday served as a reminder that many Republicans remain highly skeptical of Trump.

Lanhee Chen, who was the policy director for GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney in 2012, called the speech a mixed bag. He praised the details on taxes as a nod to more orthodox Republican views, but he said Trumps main challenge now is to prove to voters that he is as serious about policy-making as he is about picking fights with critics.

One speech is not going to change a narrative, Chen said.

Also Monday, a group of 50 former national security officials who served under Republican presidents signed a letter warning that Trump would be the most reckless President in American history.

The letter was signed by Michael Chertoff and Tom Ridge, former secretaries of homeland security; Michael V. Hayden, a former director of the CIA and the National Security Agency; and John D. Negroponte, a former director of national intelligence and deputy secretary of state, among others.

[Former GOP national security officials: Trump would be most reckless American president in history]

Separately, Wadi Gaitan, the chief spokesman for the Florida Republican Party, announced that, as a result of differences with Trump, he is leaving his job to join a conservative organization.

Im thankful for my almost two years with the Florida GOP, however, moving on gives me a great, new opportunity to continue promoting free market solutions while avoiding efforts that support Donald Trump, Gaitan, who is Hispanic, said in a statement.

In Detroit, protesters sidetracked Trumps speech repeatedly. Unlike in large rallies where Trump often calls for demonstrators to be removed, riling up the crowd, he waited patiently as they were escorted out Monday. At one point he remarked calmly, This is all very well-planned out.

His speech outlined a plan designed to accelerate economic growth, largely in classic conservative fashion: by reducing taxes and regulations on businesses and by opening vast new swaths of federal land and water to drilling. He said that as president, he would sign an executive order creating a temporary regulatory moratorium on new agency regulations.

I am going to cut regulations massively, he said. Massively.

Freezing all pending federal regulations would include many Wall Street regulations created by the Dodd-Frank legislation passed in the wake of the financial crisis. Trumps energy agenda would open new sections of American coastal waters to offshore oil drilling and sweep away the Obama administrations efforts to fight climate change. Both moves have frequently found widespread support among Republican lawmakers and in conservative policy circles.

In other areas, he skirted or defied Republican orthodoxy. Trump made no attempt to propose spending cuts or other measures to offset his proposed tax-rate cuts or begin to reduce the national debt, as he has promised to do in the past. His child-care expense plan could increase the debt even further, unless it were offset by spending cuts or a rapid increase in economic growth. So could an infrastructure spending plan that he has said could cost more than $500 billion.

[Ivanka Trump champions working moms  except the ones who design her clothes]

The plan also promises to increase growth by reducing the United States trade deficit with China and other trading partners, in part by levying tariffs on imported goods from those countries. Some economists, including Trump adviser Peter Navarro, say that reducing the trade deficit would boost growth. Others, including Mark Zandi of Moodys Analytics, warn that a tariff war could push the United States and much of the world into recession.

Trump has adopted hard-line opposition to sweeping trade agreements, arguing that they have hurt American workers. He reiterated his commitment to renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement and withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He singled out President Bill Clinton for signing NAFTA and accused the accord of moving U.S. jobs abroad. He said a vote for Hillary Clinton is a vote for TPP.

The one common feature of every Hillary Clinton idea is that it punishes you for working and doing business in the United States, Trump said.

As secretary of state, Clinton praised TPP. But in the Democratic primary, she abandoned her support for the agreement. Most congressional Republicans support the multi-nation pact.

Anne Gearan in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Carole Morello and Ed OKeefe in Washington contributed to this report.
A flag for the Republic of Ireland has to mark the mostly invisible border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. (William Booth/The Washington Post)

Back during the Troubles, the border here was a treacherous place, a briar patch of watchtowers and customs posts, and rough smuggling clans and lethal Irish Republican Army cells.

A generation ago? So fearful were British troops of IRA snipers that they deployed their soldiers in helicopters instead of risking the roads in County Armagh.

Today, this is a fine place to be a cow.

Now there is peace  and plenty of golf being played  along the 300 miles of the sinuous border that separates Northern Ireland from Ireland.

Yet change may be coming to the frontier, following the vote in June by Britain to leave the European Union.

There are no signs, no custom posts or immigration control along the 300-mile invisible border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. (William Booth/The Washington Post)

What will happen to the Irish isle, north and south, is one of the biggest wild cards of the Brexit vote.

Northern Ireland is a part of Britain, and so it must now bid goodbye to the European bloc, no matter that a clear majority in Northern Ireland wanted to stay in the union  56 percent voted to remain, while 44 percent voted leave.

Their neighbors to the south in Ireland will remain part of the E.U.

What will happen to trade and travel is unknown  and there are even bigger questions being asked about unification of the island.

Will a Romanian  or a Libyan  traveling from Dublin soon have to show a passport on the way to Belfast? Will a truckload of E.U. or British goods be inspected crossing the border, and how? Will a bottle of milk cost the same on both sides  and who will enforce the regulations for its proper pasteurization, and what will happen to the millions in farm subsidies, tax breaks and development funds that help farmers produce the milk?

In first meeting after Brexit vote, Merkel and May insist divorce can be amicable

Britains new post-Brexit prime minister, Theresa May, vowed that no one wants a return to the borders of the past. But many question whats ahead.

Politicians in the U.K. insist that they will move forward with the process to exit the E.U., but not everyone is happy about it. Here's what will make it a long and difficult ordeal. (Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)

Nobody knows whats going to happen to our border, and people who know the least are the politicians, said Eugene McSkeane, 39, a hog farmer in Crossmaglen in Northern Ireland, who pointed to the overblown promises made before the historic Brexit ballot that were quickly withdrawn after the votes were counted.

The farmer said the decision about the border wont be made by just Britain or Ireland. The remaining members of the E.U. will also have a say.

McSkeane lives in the north but crosses back and forth across the border without a thought.

We pay our electric bill in the south and our water bills in the north, he said. Its second nature.

Kids go to schools on either side. Farmers till land that straddles the line. A local veterinarian said its a mornings work to treat a cow in the north and a sheep in the south.

Technically, I imagine youre supposed to check in with someone when you transport a body across the border, but I dont see why you would bother with that now, said Bernard OHanlon, 56, a funeral director and owner of a pub in Mullaghbawn in Northern Ireland. His two businesses, alongside a car wash, are combined.

Weve forgotten all about borders, he said. Now are they going to mean something again? Thats daft.

At the crossroads near OHanlons is a monument to fallen fighters who died during the 1916 Easter Rising against British rule that led to independence for Ireland. Beneath the flowers and portraits are the words, If you really want an Irish Republic vote Sinn Fein.

A can of worms

Drive down the hill over the river you wont see a sign telling you you just crossed a border, said Brendan McAleavy, 55, a publican in Cullaville, whose bar has two different drawers at the cash register, one for British pounds, the other for euros. (Britain maintained the pound as its currency despite being an E.U. member, while Ireland adopted the euro).

More than 180 formal roads cross the border  many more if you count tractor trails and foot paths.

Along the River Fane, anglers fish for trout from both sides of the border. A local has hung the green, white and orange flag of Ireland along a hedgerow.

This will now become the E.U.s back door to Britain and vice versa.

Alasdair McDonnell, a member of Parliament from Belfast, said hes been deluged with queries from constituents worried about what will happen to the border in the wake of the Brexit vote.

Weve opened up a can of worms, he warned during a debate in Parliament.

Theres been massive progress and benefits of the last 20 years, he said. Free movement has transformed the island of Ireland.

There are people with a living memory of the hard border, and its not a good memory at all, said McDonnell, a member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party.

Nobody wants a return to the dark days, he said.

It was only 15 years ago that the last bomb exploded in the long conflict between British security forces and Ulster loyalist paramilitary groups and the Irish Republican Army. More than 3,500 people were killed during the Troubles, half of them civilians.

The peace brought by the 1998 Good Friday Agreement is now well-worn, widely accepted and an economic success for both north and south.

For some, change is worrisome.

Brexit got everyone talking, thats for sure. It reminds everyone who is who, where is where, north and south, the Troubles, all of that, said Anne Devlin, a shop clerk who was filling her car with gas in Castleblayney in Ireland but who lives in Northern Ireland.

During the Troubles, one sides freedom fighter was the others terrorist, she said.

The past is best in the past, Devlin said.

It doesnt take much to stir tensions on the border, said Eunan OHalpin, a professor of contemporary Irish history at Trinity College in Dublin.

Is there still bitterness? Of course there is, he said.

[Theresa May vows bold, new future for Britain as E.U. exit awaits]

A vote for a united Ireland?

After the Brexit ballot, Irish politicians quickly began to jostle for advantage as they assessed what future negotiations over the coming split would mean  for the border, for the relations between north and south, between London, Belfast, Dublin and Brussels.

That Ireland can be both one unit and two separate units may be a bizarre political fiction, but it is a fiction that has enabled former enemies to live with one another in relative peace, Ian McBride, professor of Irish and British history at Kings College in London, wrote in the Guardian.

In an interview, McBride said, I assume therell be a common sense solution to this. He said too many people have too much to lose.

The leader of the main opposition party in Ireland, Micheal Martin, said the rejection of Brexit by voters in Northern Ireland could be a defining moment in Irish politics and may show people the need to rethink current arrangements.

Martin McGuinness, deputy first minister of Northern Ireland and a leader of Sinn Fein, called Brexit a disaster for Ireland.

Anything that resembled a return to border checkpoints would represent a grievous undermining of the Good Friday Agreement, McGuinness said. I view such a prospect with great alarm.

Sinn Feins leader, Gerry Adams, said that the vote by Northern Ireland against Brexit should boost support for a future referendum on Irish unity.

Talk of such a border poll to consider the reunification of north and south raises hackles among British loyalists in the north.

Arlene Foster, first minister of Northern Ireland, vowed that little would change along the border and said talk of a referendum on the unification of Ireland was folly.

This is the silly season, and often we have people coming forward with policy ideas that have no relevance to reality, and certainly a border poll, if it were to happen, would give a resounding result that we wanted to remain within the United Kingdom, Foster told the BBCs Today program.

Sammy Wilson, a leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, which supported a leave vote in the Brexit campaign, told The Washington Post in an interview at his offices in Larne that there are already immigration controls shared by Ireland and Britain in the form of the Common Travel Area protocol.

Wilson said the threat of rising tensions between Catholics and Protestants, republicans and unionists, is a despicable argument.

We dont have a disaffected population. We wont have a return to terrorism, he said.

Theres too much trade, too much togetherness now.

Its all going to blow over soon enough, he said.

Read more:

Britains scientists are freaking out over Brexit

With Britains exit from the European Union, France sees an opening

Letter from Cambuslang: In Scotlands Rust Belt, a new push for independence

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
During a 2006 Senate campaign debate, then Democratic incumbent Hillary Clinton was forced to defend her record on job creation and her promise to create 200,000 jobs in Upstate New York. (C-SPAN)

During a 2006 Senate campaign debate, then Democratic incumbent Hillary Clinton was forced to defend her record on job creation and her promise to create 200,000 jobs in Upstate New York. (C-SPAN)

In her presidential bid, Hillary Clinton has made job creation a centerpiece of her platform, casting herself as a pragmatist who would inspire the biggest investment in new, good-paying jobs since World War II.

Her argument that she would put more Americans to work has focused on her time in the Senate, when she took on the mission of creating jobs in chronically depressed Upstate New York. As her husband, former president Bill Clinton, put it recently, she became the regions de facto economic development officer.

But nearly eight years after Clintons Senate exit, there is little evidence that her economic development programs had a substantial impact on upstate employment. Despite Clintons efforts, upstate job growth stagnated overall during her tenure, with manufacturing jobs plunging nearly 25 percent, according to jobs data.

The former first lady was unable to pass the big-ticket legislation she introduced to benefit the upstate economy. She turned to smaller-scale projects, but some of those fell flat after initial glowing headlines, a Washington Post review shows. Many promised jobs never materialized and others migrated to other states as she turned to her first presidential run, said former officials who worked with her in New York.

Clintons self-styled role as economic promoter also showcases an operating style that has come to define the political and money-making machine known to some critics of the former first couple as Clinton Inc. Some of her pet economic projects involved loyal campaign contributors, who also supported the Clinton Foundation, The Post review shows.

Watch Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's speech at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Clinton spoke about domestic policy, national security and beating Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. (Video: Victoria Walker/The Washington Post;Photo: Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

Clintons Senate record  rarely examined in detail this campaign cycle  offers a template for her approach to jobs creation. Her campaign has crafted a detailed jobs plan and cited her Upstate New York work as a blueprint for a Clinton presidency.

Republican opponent Donald Trump claims hes created thousands and thousands of jobs as an international developer and knows better how to stimulate the economy. Most of the jobs Trump created were construction and management jobs for projects early in his career, when he was building heavily in New York City and other locations.

Clintons pledge to help Upstate New York amid an early 2000s recession was risky, experts say. To her credit, she really did focus on economic development upstate as a focus and as a purpose, said David Shaffer, former president of the Albany-based Public Policy Institute, which compiles New York jobs data.

But Shaffer and other experts faulted Clinton for setting an unrealistic goal by promising to create 200,000 new jobs in a region struggling to retain existing positions. As soon as I heard that, I thought, Okay, some D.C. consultant sat around with focus groups to figure out what would sound good. You wouldnt make a promise like that if you had seriously looked into it, Shaffer said.

Clinton also has touted success with cosmetic projects that created few jobs, The Post found. Nicholas A. Langworthy, the Republican Party chairman in Erie County, N.Y., said hes taken aback by Clintons repeated references to what he described as small bore efforts, such as securing federal money for a Buffalo project called Artspace that created residential living space for artists. Clinton cites Artspace in her list of Senate accomplishments.

To have someone running for president of the United States bragging about an Artspace apartment building in Buffalo is laughable, Langworthy said. Thats a project a city council member or a small-city mayor would champion, not a U.S. senator.

Kris Balderston, a longtime senior Clinton aide now at FleishmanHillard, a D.C. communications firm, said the Buffalo project was a symbol that she was going to be helping everybody no matter how big or small.

1 of 57 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail View Photos Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her running mate, Tim Kaine, hit the road after the Democratic National Convention Caption Hillary Clinton loses to Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Nov. 9, 2016 Hillary Clinton speaks in New York while her husband, former president Bill Clinton, applauds. Melina Mara/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Clintons backers say the unfulfilled jobs promise pales in comparison to her work on the Sept. 11, 2001 recovery and protecting New York military installations. All told, Clinton aides have said, she helped to secure more than $1 billion in federal assistance for New York, not including $20 million in post-Sept. 11 funds.

Campaign spokesman Glen Caplin said Clinton worked hard to create jobs. Facing the stiff head winds of the [George W.] Bush economy, she never gave up and never stopped fighting for New York jobs, he said.

Caplin added, referring to the campaign contributions and Clinton Foundation donations by some of the entities Clinton worked with in Upstate New York: Hillary Clinton worked tirelessly to help New Yorkers. Its no surprise that people who saw that work wanted to support her election campaigns and efforts to make a difference in peoples lives around the world.

Focus on upstate

In her first Senate campaign, Clinton zeroed in on upstate, the region north of New York City and its suburbs. Upstate native Balderston said upstate reminded Clinton of rural areas in Arkansas, where her husband had served as governor.

A day after announcing her 2000 candidacy, then-first lady Clinton vowed to infuse more than a half billion dollars into the upstate economy. A television ad ran just before the election, citing the 200,000 new jobs goal. Clinton won by more than 12 points.

In March 2001, she introduced seven bills to stimulate the upstate economy  part of a larger partnership to spur job creation across our country, Clinton said. None of the measures passed, records show.

Clinton shifted to federal grants and other assistance. In her 2009 Senate farewell speech, she said she had worked hard to help make investments in New Yorks economy.

But counting jobs is trickier. Clintons campaign said she stimulated employment by encouraging cooperative relationships and securing federal money for initiatives such as an Albany bioscience center and a Buffalo medical campus.

The campaign declined to estimate how many jobs Clinton created. Campaign officials cited a line from a chart produced by the New York State Department of Labor, showing Upstate New York gaining 117,000 jobs during Clintons first term.

The Post was unable to confirm that number, and the state agency does not use Upstate New York as a specific regional area to measure employment. Different agencies use different metrics to count jobs, and definitions of what constitutes upstate New York vary.

The most authoritative jobs numbers are widely considered to be those from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Multiple analyses of its New York data show that upstate actually lost jobs during Clintons first term. For example, the non-partisan Public Policy Institute in Albany  which uses BLS data for a monthly snapshot of Upstate New York  reported that the region lost more than 31,000 payroll jobs between October 2001 and December 2006.

Clinton was re-elected in November 2006 and left the Senate to become secretary of state in January 2009.

During her overall Senate tenure, according to the institute, upstate jobs rose 0.2 percent overall, but manufacturing jobs fell 24.1 percent.

The quest for jobs

In the Senate, Clinton cultivated a mutually beneficial relationship with Corning, an upstate manufacturer of glass and high-tech products. Through legislation and federal grants, she helped steer money to Corning to support its diesel emissions reduction technology.

Corning officials said federal legislation passed in 2005 helped create about 300 upstate jobs. But that legislation was introduced by a Republican senator. Clinton was among the 21 co-sponsors. The bill did not reverse the economic decline of Steuben County, where Corning is located. Employment there declined about 7 percent during Clintons Senate tenure, data shows.

Corning employees have donated to Clintons campaigns at a massive clip, and Cornings chief executive co-hosted a 2015 fundraiser for her. The company paid her $225,500 in 2014 to speak to Corning executives. Corning also has given more than $100,000 to the Clinton Foundation, its records show.

Clinton also has touted her role in creating an eBay university that trained New York entrepreneurs to sell products on eBay. The idea was that expanding their sales would allow them to create jobs. Company executives have supported Clinton. Its then-CEO, John Donahoe, hosted a 2015 campaign fundraiser with his wife, Eileen, who worked for Clinton at the State Department. EBay paid Clinton $315,000 for a 20-minute speech last year, and eBays charitable foundation has given more than $50,000 to the Clinton Foundation.

In 2003, Clinton launched an upstate jobs initiative with Clinton family ally Roger Altman, deputy treasury secretary in the Bill Clinton administration.

Hillary Clinton and Altman called their program New Jobs for New York, designed to match New York City financiers with upstate entrepreneurs. At the announcement, Clinton said New Jobs would create the jobs that will make the entire state vibrant and economically sound.

The non-profit organization was headquartered initially at Altmans Manhattan office. Its unpaid, voluntary board included former Bill Clinton administration appointees and a Hillary Clinton campaign donation bundler.

Overall, New Jobs board members and their spouses have contributed more than $115,000 to Hillary Clintons campaigns since the non-profit was formed.

The focus on jobs creation shifted over time. Instead, the non-profit touted using Clintons extraordinary power to convene at business conferences. It issued a progress report in 2006 that reads like a Clinton campaign flyer and features her in five photographs.

How many jobs did the program create? From a jobs perspective, I genuinely dont remember, said one person familiar with the organization, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters.

In the report, only one company specifically cited new jobs: Lumetrics of Rochester. CEO John Hart said last week that Lumetrics added 10 jobs after hooking up with investors at a New Jobs conference, then also securing help from New York state and other investors.

In eight years, New Jobs privately raised just over $1 million from undisclosed sources and spent the bulk of it on staff salaries and conferences.

Clinton appeared at networking events in 2005 and 2006 as she geared up for a reelection campaign. New Jobs did virtually no work after 2007, according to documents and interviews, and it liquidated in 2011.

Clinton did personally go to bat to create upstate jobs at Lockheed Martin. Judy Marks, a Lockheed senior executive, was vice chair of New Jobs.

Lockheed and a British partner were competing in 2005 to build Marine One helicopters for the Navy, a contract that promised to generate 750 new upstate jobs.

Clinton called British Prime Minister Tony Blair to ask him to work the Bush White House, according to a person familiar with the conversation, who recounted it on condition of anonymity.

Lockheed won the contract, but the Pentagon cancelled it in 2009 because of cost overruns. The jobs disappeared.

Jobs in Buffalo

As Clinton cranked up New Jobs, she also helped recruit Mumbai-based Tata Consultancy Services to open a software development center in Buffalo.

Buffalo was struggling to rebuild its manufacturing base, and Tata, a division of a massive Indian conglomerate, was expanding its North America footprint. Clinton, who then co-chaired the Senate India Caucus, also persuaded Tata to partner on several projects with a local university.

Tata officials predicted up to 200 new Buffalo jobs. But Clinton came under fire for aligning with a global leader in outsourcing that relied heavily on foreign workers who were in the United States on temporary visas. Clinton defended outsourcing, telling CNN in 2004, You know, outsourcing does work both ways.

Ron Hira, an outsourcing critic then in Rochester, branded the Tata deal an obvious Clinton outreach to the Indian American donor class.

From an economic development perspective, bringing in Tata was just a terrible idea, said Hira, an Indian American who is a professor at Howard University.

After opening in Buffalo, Tata announced that it would also locate a new training center in the city, former employees said. At one point, Tata employed about 45 people in Buffalo.

As the U.S. economy tanked, however, Tatas Buffalo business faded.

Anxious Tata employees said they turned to Clintons Senate office, which was unresponsive. We were calling to try to get a scope on what was happening, what we were going to do as the economy continued to go south, one former employee said. The phone would go unanswered.

Tata closed its Buffalo office in 2009 and laid off the eight to 10 employees still there, according to former employees.

Tata spokesman Ben Trounson said the office closed because local market conditions did not perform as well as we hoped.

Although foreign nationals cannot contribute to U.S. campaigns, Clinton has won campaign support from the Indian American community, records show. And Tata has remained friendly to the Clintons. Tata Consultancy Services contributed between $25,000 and $50,000 to the Clinton Foundation, and Ratan Tata, then chairman of the Tata Group, was a speaker at the Clinton Global Initiative conference in 2010.

Upstate greening

Clinton holds out the success of a Rochester project called Greenprint, a 2006 alternative energy conference and follow-up report that recommended ways for the city to create economic growth by harnessing green energy.

Clinton said at the time that the effort holds tremendous economic potential, although there has been no estimate of jobs created.

Clintons office worked closely with the Rochester Institute of Technologys Golisano Institute for Sustainability, named for New York businessman Thomas Golisano, a billionaire philanthropist. Golisano, a Bill Clinton friend, was an original underwriter of the Clinton Foundation, to which he has donated between $10 million and $25 million, records show.

Back in Buffalo, the Artspace project illustrated Clintons theory that improved quality of life may draw prospective employers. She secured a federal grant for Artspace, the artists residential complex, which also won backing from the Republican administration of then-Gov. George Pataki.

In her 2009 Senate departure speech, Clinton said Artspace had created a model for not only urban revitalization but also economic development centered on cultural projects.

Did the project create jobs?

Its a really creative use of space, said former Buffalo mayor Tony Masiello, a Hillary Clinton donor. He said it helped transform the neighborhood.

The remodeled building was the setting for a May 2015 Clinton fundraiser, billed as the premier western New York Democrats for Hillary event.

Alice Crites contributed to this report.

Read more:
Ethiopian security forces fatally shot several dozen people in weekend protests across the country as frustration with the government grows, an opposition leader and Amnesty International said Monday, while hundreds staged a rare demonstration in the capital after calls via social media.

The government again blocked the Internet over the weekend, alleging that anti-peace elements based abroad and online activists were to blame for the violence.

In a statement, Amnesty International said that at least 67 people were killed in the Oromia region alone when security forces fired on protesters and that at least 30 were fatally shot in the northern city of Bahir Dar. The rights group cited credible sources and said hundreds of people were detained.

An opposition politician, Mulatu Gemechu of the Oromo Federalist Congress party, said that more than 70 people were killed across Oromia. Many others were injured, and we have lost count of the number of those who were arrested, he said.

The protests in several parts of the country highlighted growing tensions between Ethiopias citizens and its leaders. In a rarity, people carriedbanners criticizing political heavyweights and displayed the East African countrys former flag, used by the military government that the current administration overthrew in 1991.

We need freedom, one banner said. Demonstrations occurred despite the governments warning against unauthorized gatherings.

Ethiopia, a close security ally of the West, is often accused by rights groups of stifling dissent. The U.S. Embassy said in a statement that it was deeply concerned with the extensive violence.

However, Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen told Fana Broadcasting Corporate on Monday, We will not tolerate bodies that aim to overthrow the government and the constitutional order of the country by force.

The protesters rallied around various causes. In Bahir Dar, the northern Amhara regions capital, they demanded the reinstatement of the Wolqayit area in the Tigray region to the Amhara administration.

The arrest of members of a committee set up to oversee the reinstatement led to violent clashes over the past week.

The arrests also ignited weekend demonstrations in the Oromia region. Protesters demanded the release of people detained earlier this year in massive demonstrations against plans by the capital, Addis Ababa, to expand its territory into adjacent Oromia lands. The proposal has since been retracted.
People carry an injured lawyer at the scene of a bombing in Quetta, Pakistan, on Aug. 8. (Jamal Taraqai/European Pressphoto Agency)

A gruesome suicide bombing at midday Monday left at least 70 people dead outside a hospital in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta, most of them lawyers who had rushed there to protest and mourn the earlier killing of a local bar-association leader.

The Khorasan branch of the Islamic State, a regional affiliate of the Mideast-based Sunni Islamist militant group, asserted responsibility for the blast in telephone calls to journalists in Pakistan. But a separate Pakistani militant splinter group, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, issued an online statement claiming it had carried out the bombing.

[Why a fractured Taliban is endangering the U.S. mission in Afghanistan]

Medical officials in Quetta said late Monday afternoon that about 70 people had died and that more than 100 others were wounded and receiving treatment. The death toll climbed throughout the day as critically wounded victims succumbed to their injuries.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Gen. Raheel Sharif, Pakistans army commander, flew to Quetta to visit hospitalized victims. The premier condemned the blast, expressing his deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives, and said he planned to convene a special security meeting to address it.





The attack was the deadliest in the capital of violence-plagued Baluchistan province since 2013, when a string of bombings targeted the areas Shiite Muslim and ethnic Hazara community. One bomb that detonated in a market that February killed at least 110 people.

Mondays blast, in which officials said a bomber detonated a suicide vest, appeared to be timed to target the crowd of lawyers, journalists and other civilians who had gathered outside the casualty ward of the citys Civil Hospital. They were waiting for the body of Bilal Anwar Kasi, head of the Baluchistan Bar Association, which had been brought for an autopsy after Kasi was shot dead on his way to court. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility for his slaying.

It seems it was a preplanned attack, Anwar ul Haq Kakr, a spokesman for the local government, said of the hospital attack, according to the Reuters news agency.

The U.S. State Department condemned both of Mondays attacks. Today, terrorists targeted a hospital, as well as the judiciary and the media, two of the most important pillars of every democracy, its statement said.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also denounced the bombing. He said that the targeting of mourners at a civilian hospital was particularly appalling.

Television footage of the bomb scene showed horrific carnage, with burned and bloody bodies of black-suited lawyers flung across the hospital plaza, while police and emergency crews tried to help survivors. Several journalists were also among the dead.

The provincial government appealed to the public to donate blood, saying local medical facilities were overwhelmed and facing shortages.

The provincial chief minister, Sanaullah Zehri, vowed in a statement that we will not let terrorists and their financiers play with the peace of our province.

Zehri charged that Indias intelligence service has been behind the financing of terrorism in the troubled region. India and Pakistan are longtime adversaries.

However, the two militant groups that claimed to have carried out Mondays bombing are both of Pakistani origin and were spawned in the tribal belt bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Khorasan group has official ties with the Islamic State, but the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar group has also reportedly claimed allegiance to it.

Baluchistan, a vast desert province that borders Afghanistan and Iran, has long been roiled by terrorism, political intrigue, a separatist insurgency and deadly tribal conflicts. It is home to a large number of Afghan refugees, and its capital has served as a base for Afghan Taliban leaders and a staging ground for the dispatch of arms and supplies across the border into Afghanistan.

The Khorasan group is composed mostly of former Pakistani Taliban fighters from the northwestern tribal areas who broke away from their original group after its leader, Hakimullah Mehsud, was killed by a U.S. drone strike in 2013. They have mostly been battling Afghan military forces in eastern Afghanistan, hundreds of miles from Quetta. On July 23, the group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Kabul that killed 80 people.

The Islamic State has increasingly resorted to bombings and other spectacular attacks as it has lost ground in Syria and Iraq, as well as in Afghanistan.

Constable reported from Kabul.

Read more:

Bomb that killed 80 Hazaras in Kabul also upended nonviolent reform effort

Islamic State claims attack on Pakistani consulate in Afghanistan

Pakistans University of Jihad getting millions from the government

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
A report published last month highlights the fact that the Spanish-based transnational infrastructure company Ferrovial and its financial backers are profiting from human rights abuses by operating the Australian offshore detention centres (ODCs) on Nauru and Papua New Guineas Manus Island. Ferrovial currently holds the Australian government contract to run the centres, following the companys takeover of Australian-listed Broadspectrum (formerly Transfield).

Entitled Association with Abuse, the report was authored by the Australian-based Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) in conjunction with No Business in Abuse (NBIA), a non-government organisation. The report asserts that Ferrovial is complicit in the numerous violations of basic democratic and legal rights of the more than 1,500 men, women and children forcibly detained indefinitely on these remote islands. Most of the detainees are from Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, or are stateless.

The report documents the violation of 47 international laws, in five main categories: rights to liberty; freedom from arbitrary detention and freedom of movement; cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and inhumane conditions; right to the highest attainable standard of health; child abuse and other violations of the childrens rights and the right to security of the person.

Ferrovial, the report states, had full, prior knowledge of the scale and severity of the human rights abuses at the core of the offshore detention regime when it took over Broadspectrum. Ferrovial has said it will not bid for a new contract when the current one expires in February 2017. But the report urges Ferrovial, together with the Australian government, to find an immediate alternative with humane conditions for the detainees.

Ferrovial, with a market capitalisation of almost 14 billion euros, operates Londons Heathrow Airport, toll roads in North America and security services in various countries. The report calls on Ferrovial and its investors and financiers to end all involvement with the detention centres. It argues that the company is in breach of its corporate responsibility to respect human rights under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which Ferrovial and its financial stakeholders have agreed to honour.

The report details that during the companys takeover of Broadspectrum, the NBIA gave Ferrovial its 2015 report on the human rights abuses in the centres, which it had previously presented to Broadspectrum. Despite this information, and the extensive amount of public documentation of abuses at the camps, the company proceeded with its May 2016 takeover.

Though the profits that Ferrovial receives from the contract are not known, Ferrovial itself assessed that most of Broadspectrums earnings came from the contract. According to the Australian governments AusTender web site, Broadspectrum (now Ferrovial) receives an average of $1.4 million a day to run the camps.

Operating the centres involves Ferrovial, as the lead contractor, making decisions about detainee welfare, movement, communication, behaviour, accommodation, food, clothing, water, security and general conditions. Under the contract, Ferrovial can decide whether detainees are put into solitary managed accommodation and authorise the use of force against detainees. This means that Ferrovial is directly responsible for the daily violations of international law.

The report highlights the arbitrary imprisonment of asylum seekers. Despite the camps being declared open centres in a bid to stymie an Australian High Court challenge to the legality of the camps, the detainees are still highly restricted in movement. Moreover, they have significant concerns for their safety, with reports of assaults and violence toward refugees. Association with Abuse cites indictments of the centres by medical experts and UN officials who say the detainees are intentionally subjected to degrading, cruel and inhumane treatment tantamount to torture. One cited report referred to the deliberate provision of only extremely basic conditions as part of a systematic policy in order to deter others, and the severity of suffering caused to detainees.

Another report by Dr. Isaacs concluded that the imprisonment of children in the centres, making Australia the only country in the world to do so, constitutes child abuse. Also proven is that the medical facilitates on the islands are substandard, referencing the death of Hamid Kehazaei who died after contracting septicaemia from a cut in his foot due to inadequate healthcare on Manus Island.

According to the report, these practices place the company at risk of a law suit under international law for crimes against humanity. In a media statement accompanying the report, HRLC advocacy director Rachel Ball said: Any association with abuse on this scale brings with it significant operational instability, legal liability and reputational damage. Its time for the financial sector to take immediate action and end support of human rights abuse.

In April, moreover, the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Supreme Court found that the detention of asylum seekers on Manus Island breached the right to personal liberty in the PNG constitution, rendering their incarceration unlawful. Australias Liberal-National government, backed by the Labor Party, has continued the detention in defiance of the ruling.

While acknowledging that the Australian government is the architect of the detention regime, the report argues that the abuses would not be possible without the participation of private companies. This reflects the limited perspective of NBIA and its partner GetUp, which is to pressure companies, in their own profit interests, not to take on the lucrative contracts offered by the Australian government.

NBIA executive director and GetUp campaign director Shen Narayanasamy said: The Turnbull government promised to keep the camps open, but it is facing an emerging global corporate consensus that no respectable business can associate itself with the gross human rights abuses in these camps.

The political responsibility for the abuses occurring at Nauru and Manus does not lie just with the present government of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. It also rests with the previous Labor government, propped up by the Greens, which reopened the camps in 2012 for the specific purpose of cruelly punishing asylum seekers in order to stop refugees trying to find protection in Australia.

The reality is that governments across the globe are scapegoating refugees and promoting xenophobia in order to divert the mounting hostility among youth and working people to the deteriorating social conditions imposed by the corporate elite. The stripping of basic democratic and legal rights from refugees by successive Australian governments is setting a precedent to be used against asylum seekers and the working class more broadly as these conditions worsen.
Last weeks announcement of the resignation of New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton comes at a time of growing protests against police violence, as well as a counteroffensive aimed at building up support for police repression of the working class.

Brattons career spans 45 years. He is best known for his tenure at the head of the New York Police Department (NYPD), as well as the Los Angeles Police Department, and is perhaps the most recognizable local police official in the US. He is most closely associated with the broken windows strategy of policing, focusing on petty violations in the name of preventing more serious crimes.

Broken windows grew to encompass the notorious stop and frisk policy, in which working class youth, disproportionately black and Hispanic in New York City, have been harassed in huge numbers.

Stop-and-frisk targeted nearly 700,000 workers and youth in 2011. It was declared unconstitutional in 2013, a decision that was later overturned but remains in court for final adjudication. In the meantime, however, enormous anger in working class communities has led to a drastic reduction in these stops, with the police trying other techniques aimed at defending the regime of unprecedented and ever-rising social inequality in the city.

It is notable that, despite the reduction of the number of stops, there has been no increase in crime, thus demonstrating that stop-and-frisk was never about crime but rather about intimidation and harassment.

Brattons first tour as police commissioner in the US largest city came with the election of Republican Rudolph Giuliani as mayor. He served from 1994-96, but left in a dispute with Giuliani that seemed to have more to do with personality than policy. Bratton, exhibiting a political dexterity for which he has become known, returned in 2014 after the election of Democrat Bill de Blasio, supposedly the liberal opposite of the right-wing Giuliani.

De Blasio, the first Democrat to serve as mayor of New York City in more than 20 years, no doubt calculated that Bratton would shore up his law-and-order credentials. And in the past two-and-a-half years, the police commissioner has given right-wing editorialists such as those of Rupert Murdochs New York Post much reason for satisfaction. He presided over a growth in the department to 36,000, with 1,300 new officers added in 2015 alone. He also oversaw a substantial militarization of the NYPD, including the addition of assault rifles and body armor.

During Brattons most recent tenure the city has figured prominently in the growing wave of police killings, with the chokehold death of Eric Garner on Staten Island in July 2014 and the shooting death of Akai Gurley in Brooklyn later that same year.

The immediate reason for Brattons resignation, to take place in mid-September, is unclear. Only a few weeks ago he suggested that he would be around for most or all of the remaining 17 months of de Blasios first term before his expected bid for re-election.

It is possible that the 68-year-old Bratton decided to cash in on his decades of service to the ruling elite, as nearly all past elected and appointed officials at his level have done. He will be joining a private corporate consulting firm, Teneo Holdings, at an undisclosed salary. The firm was founded by two highly-placed Democrats, one of whom served in the administration of President Bill Clinton, and the other under Hillary Clinton when she was Secretary of State.

It should also be noted that Bratton leaves during an ongoing federal investigation of corruption within the NYPD, in which several high-ranking officers have already been charged.

For most of the past 25 years, the NYPD has been led by two men, Bratton and Raymond Kelly (1992-94 and 2002-13). Perhaps with this in mind, de Blasio spoke of continuity at the news conference at which Brattons departure was announced and his successor, James P. ONeill, was introduced.

ONeill, who has known Bratton for about 25 years and was reportedly the outgoing commissioners choice for the post, told the news conference, We never stop trying to drive down crime and quell disorder In the context of rapidly widening economic inequality and economic stagnation in the years following the 2008 crash, the promise to quell disorder is a clear warning that the interests of the citys elite will be protected by the full force of the NYPD.

De Blasio and Bratton also touted so-called neighborhood policing, which the mayor said would change everything. Similar words have been uttered before, only to be followed by more of the same police harassment and abuse. This time around, in the name of better police-community relations, neighborhood coordinating officers will, among other things, pass out their cell phone numbers. This is, in effect, an attempt to create a network of informers to forewarn police of impending disorder.

The changing of the guard at the NYPD must be seen in the context of the growing anger reflected in the primary contests of both major capitalist parties in the 2016 election. In the case of the Democrats, the ruling elite pivoted from the massive support for Bernie Sanders in the primaries to a convention that emphasized support for the military and the police.

A law-and-order counteroffensive has been mounted in response to the mass protests of the last several years. New York Citys new police commissioner will be expected to carry a big stick against an increasingly angry working class.
Late Friday evening, the Obama administration released a previously secret policy document that gives general instructions to those engaged in preparing, approving and carrying out the drone-missile assassinations that have become the hallmark of Obamas eight years in the White House.

The document, a President Policy Guidance, or PPG, was made public, albeit with extensive redactions, as the result of a protracted legal battle by the American Civil Liberties Union. Federal Judge Colleen McMahon ordered the Justice Department to release the document no later than Friday, August 5. The ACLU posted the PPG on its web site the next morning.

The 18-page document makes clear that what has taken place since Obama entered the White House is the routinization and bureaucratization of state killings. Literally any individual on the planet could be targeted for assassination by a Hellfire missile fired from a US Reaper drone.

Derek Chollet, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs from 2012 to 2015, described the atmosphere inside the Obama administration in an interview last month with the Washington Post. [T]he use of military powerthe United States killing people overseasoccurs so frequently now that it just kind of washes over the debate, he said. It has become almost too easy. No one even notices it any more. Its just a constant.

While US citizens and resident aliens (US persons in the language of the PPG) require specific approval by the presidentunlike citizens of foreign countries, where only notice to the president is required, but not his approval in advancethere is no geographical restriction whatsoever. Nothing stops the CIA from proposing, and the president from approving, the drone missile assassination of someone within the borders of the United States.

And even the restrictions that are supposedly imposed by the document are subject to waiver at the presidents discretion. The document declares, in one of its most important passages:

Nothing in this PPG shall be construed to prevent the President from exercising his constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive, as well as his statutory authority, to consider a lawful proposal from operating agencies that he authorize direct action that would fall outside of the policy guidance contained herein, including a proposal that he authorize lethal force against an individual who poses a continuing, imminent threat to another countrys persons.

In other words, the document spells out what the president requires his subordinates to do in order to receive his approval, while reserving the right of the Commander in Chief to do anything he wants.

The document is filled with bureaucratic jargon reassuring the officials involved that their actions are in compliance with the law, that lawyers for the nominating agenciesthe agencies drawing up the death listswill review each candidate and provide assurances that their targeting is lawful. Moreover, assassination strikes will be authorized only if there is near certainty that there will not be civilian casualties.

The only certainty, however, is that the guidance document has been drawn up to create a paper trail exonerating the decision-makers against future prosecution at a war crimes tribunal. These officials will argue that they were assured no civilians would be killed. In turn, lower-level officials have been told what type of assurances they must provide in order to have their nominations to the death lists approved.

A footnote on the second page explains, This PPG does not address otherwise lawful and properly authorized activities that may have lethal effects, which are incidental to the primary purpose of the operation. In other words, unintended deaths, what was termed collateral damage during the Vietnam War, are simply not an issue. This is nothing but a blank check for killing civilians on a mass scale, as long as the deaths are explained as incidental to the main operation.

The PPG spells out a complex approval process. It starts with the nominating agency, usually the CIA or Pentagon, with recommendations approved by the CIA director or secretary of defense, then reviewed by the staff of the National Security Council, which works at the direction of the president, and finally signed off on by the deputies committee, a group consisting of the No. 2 officials of the Pentagon, CIA, State Department and other national security agencies, and then the principals committee, which brings together the senior officials of the same agencies. In the event of inter-agency disputes, or if the target is a US person, the final decision is reserved to the president.

The role of the NSC in this process is particularly important. This body has quadrupled in size under the Bush and Obama administrations, as day-to-day direction of national security policy has been concentrated in the White House. Besides giving the president and his closest aides a direct line to the military-intelligence apparatus, the NSC insulates the drone assassination program from outside scrutiny.

Considered part of the White House, the NSC is exempt from any congressional scrutiny as well as the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, under the interpretation of executive privilege embraced by Bush and Obama and accepted by Democrats and Republicans in Congress. NSC officials, up to and including current National Security Adviser Susan Rice, cannot be subpoenaed by a congressional committee or otherwise held accountable for their actions.

According to former Obama administration officials, there are currently seven countries where drone missile killings are taking place: Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. But Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, as active war zones, do not require advance approval. They are essentially free-fire zones for the drone missile operators. It is unclear whether Libya was given the same status when Obama last week signed an order authorizing US bombing of supposed ISIS bases in the country.

Last month, the White House released data for the first time on civilian deaths caused by drone missile strikes, but its figures were widely dismissed as a gross underestimation by journalists and human rights groups that have investigated the program. The official figure of 116 civilians killed in drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and Libya is only one-tenth the estimate of the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism, for example.

Like the redacted text of the President Policy Guidance document, the civilian death estimate was released late on a Friday, in a signal to the corporate-controlled media that this was information the US government preferred to downplay.

The media obediently followed orders. A few perfunctory articles appeared in newspapers on Saturday and Sunday, but there was no outcry, there were no editorials denouncing the assertion of a presidential right to kill without judicial process, and the Sunday television interview programs did not so much as mention the word drone.


Following last months announcement that the US would deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to South Korea, the Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) and its allies are attempting to head-off growing public hostility to the decision. Their stance is entirely disingenuous, with this progressive block seeking to posture as an alternative to Washingtons war drive in the region.

The main opposition MPK, or Democrats, alongside the Peoples Party and the Justice Party, in the National Assembly, are opposing THAAD on the grounds of environmental and health concerns, without addressing the growing threat of war. On August 3, the three parties announced a joint panel to investigate the anti-ballistic missile batterys deployment. While MPK interim head Kim Jong-in has not taken a clear public stance on THAAD, the party will choose a new chief this month and each candidate has criticized the weapon system.

The same day, 10 MPK members toured the proposed THAAD site in Seongju, a city 210 kilometers southeast of Seoul, to give nominal support to the citys residents who have held numerous protests against the governments decision. Kim Hong-geol, the son of former President Kim Dae-jung, suggested the party would soon position itself against THAAD deployment as an official stance.

While the MPK hopes to exploit the THAAD issue to boost support in next years presidential election, its underlying concern is the potential economic impact. We cannot help being worried over the strong opposition from China and Russia, along with the possible economic restrictions that can be implemented by Beijing [on South Korea], Kim Jong-in said in July. China is South Koreas largest trading partner.

At the same time, the Democrats are seeking to prevent the issue from becoming the focus for widespread anti-war sentiment among workers and youth.

The THAADs purpose is not to defend against so-called North Korean aggression as Washington and Seoul claim, but to prepare for a nuclear war with China. The South Korean THAAD installation is part of a wider anti-ballistic missile system being erected to protect US bases from any Chinese counterattack following a first strike by the US military. THAAD includes interceptor missiles and the AN/TPY-2 X-band radar system, designed to identify and knockout incoming attacks.

The anti-ballistic missile system is bound up with Washingtons pivot to Asia and broader military build-up throughout the region that seeks to reinforce American dominance and subordinate China to the interests of American imperialism.

The MPK is attempting to strike a balance between Washington and Beijing in order to try to maintain the alliance with the US without alienating China and provoking economic retaliation. MPK lawmakers intend to visit Beijing today. Kim Yeong-ho, the chief of the partys THAAD committee, questioned the governments claim that China will not impose trade sanctions against South Korean firms, saying: We plan to look into the probability by exploring contradictory information.

Park Ji-won, the floor leader of the Peoples Party, expressed the conundrum facing the South Korean ruling elites last month, declaring: Although we cannot think of the Korean Peninsula without the Seoul-Washington alliance, we cannot ignore the economy as well. All the opposition parties fully back South Koreas military alliance with the US and the arms build-up in the region.

While supporting the US military presence in South Korea, former MPK leader Moon Jae-in has sought to stir up nationalism by suggesting that South Korea should take a more independent stance and strengthen its own military. The military is weak and has to rely on US forces, he wrote recently. The defense industry is tainted with corruption. This is the hard reality of the countrys defense system under the Park Geun-hye government. Moon ran for president against Park in 2012 and has aspirations for a 2017 run.

President Parks ruling conservative Saenuri Party has strong connections to the military and the US alliance. The Democrats, on the other hand, represent layers of business seeking closer economic relations with China and entertaining the hope of turning North Korea into an ultra-cheap labor platform. The Sunshine Policy of former presidents Kim Dae-jung and Noh Moo-hyun aimed at easing tensions with North Korea and opening it up to South Korean investment, but that policy was effectively sabotaged by US President George W. Bush.

In a speech on August 15 last year, Moon called for the removal of the May 24 sanctions imposed by Seoul on Pyongyang saying: It wasnt North Korea who suffered an economic blow as a result of the May 24 sanctions, but rather South Korean companies. These measures were put in place in 2010 following the sinking of the Cheonan, a South Korean naval vessel, for which North Korea was blamed despite questions regarding its involvement. Democrats similarly opposed Seouls closing of the Kaesong Industrial Complex in North Korea in February, where South Korean companies employed North Korean workers.

At the time of Moons speech, the Peoples Party was still formally aligned with the Democrats in the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, the MPKs previous name. The Peoples Party, along with the Justice Party, represents corporate interests concerned about maintaining trade and investment with China. They make only token references to the danger of war in the region and, like the MPK, are holding out the prospect of further discussion in the National Assembly as a means of dispelling public anger over the issue.

Article 60 of the constitution requires parliamentary approval of a treaty that imposes a financial burden vital to national security and the people, Justice Party leader Sim Sang-jeong said in July. The THAAD deployment and related aspects of the agreement must pass through parliamentary proceedings.

Significantly, the MPK avoided any discussion of THAAD prior to Aprils general election, despite formal negotiations on its deployment beginning just a month earlier. All the opposition parties are determined to prevent a public debate over South Koreas integration into US war plans. Democrat presidents Kim Dae-jung and Noh Moo-hyun each backed the US-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, sending troops to both countries despite widespread anti-war sentiment.
The decision by the United States government last month to launch civil action to recover $1 billion in funds, said to have been looted from Malaysias state-owned investment fund, 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), has compounded pressure on Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to step down.

Justice Department lawyers and Federal Bureau of Investigation officials joined US Attorney General Loretta Lynch at a press conference on July 20, the day the case was filed. Officials highlighted hundreds of millions of dollars spent on gambling at US casinos, buying hotels and luxury real estate in the US and Britain, purchasing high-priced works of art and producing the motion picture The Wolf of Wall Street.

Among the allegations contained in the legal case are that members of a conspiracy, including 1MDB officials, their relatives and associates, diverted 1MDB funds using fraudulent documents and representations to launder funds through a series of complex transactions and fraudulent shell companies with bank accounts located in Singapore, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the United States. These transactions sought to conceal the origin, source and ownership of the funds, and were ultimately processed through US financial institutions and were used to acquire and invest in assets located in the United States.

The Justice Department statement detailed the money trails in at least three main schemes: $1 billion embezzled in 2009; $1.3 billion misappropriated from two bond offerings in 2012; and a further $1.2 billion taken from a bond offering in 2013.

Allegations were first raised just over a year ago by Malaysian news portals, The Edge and Sarawak Report , and the Wall Street Journal. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, as well as Malaysias political opposition, pointed the finger at Najib, who heads the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

Until now Najib has not been named in any of the official investigations in the United States, Singapore, Switzerland and Luxembourg into the money-laundering operations involving 1MDB funds.

Those named in the documents are Najibs son-in-law Riza Aziz, Malaysian financial industry figure Jho Low, who is a close associate of Aziz and Najib, Low associate Eric Tan Kim Loong, Khadem Al Qubaisi, who was a managing director of an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, and US citizen Mohamed Ahmed Badawy al-Husseiny.

Najib has not been identified as such but there are 36 references to Malaysian Official 1 (MO1), who allegedly received hundreds of millions of dollars stolen from 1MDB. It is obvious that Najib, who founded 1MDB in 2009 and has since been the chairman of its board, is the unnamed MO1.

The document itself indirectly implicates Najib. Paragraph 39, for instance, states: Upon its formation (1MDB), Malaysian Official 1 assumed a position of authority had the authority to approve appointments to, and removals from, 1MDB Board of Directors. Further, [A]ny financial commitments by 1MDB, including investments, that were likely to affect a guarantee by the government of Malaysia for the benefit of 1MDB or any policy of the Malaysian government, required, the approval of Malaysian Official 1.

To anyone with knowledge of the scandal, the identity of MO1 is clear. In one section, the complaint quotes Malaysian Attorney-General Apandi Ali at a press conference in January, claiming that $681 million had come into Najibs account legally from the Saudi royal family. The complaint alters the quote by inserting Malaysian Official 1 in place of Najib, effectively equating MO1 with Najib.

The document contradicts Apandis account, saying that the money came from an account whose beneficial owner was Low associate Tan Kim Loong. Tracing the complex path of money transfers comprises a large part of the complaints evidence supporting its requests to the court for forfeiture.

The day after US lawsuit was launched, authorities in Singapore announced they had frozen bank accounts holding $184 million, of which $88 million belonged to Low and his family. They cited control failings and breaches of money laundering regulations at a number of financial institutions as part of Singapores investigation into illicit activities involving 1MDB.

Najib issued a statement saying the US Justice Department lawsuit must be given space and opportunity for the judicial process to be carried out. He added that any individual who has been named must clear their own names, implying that others would take the blame.

Najib and the UMNO leadership have attempted to defuse the 1MDB scandal by issuing blanket denials, purging UMNO critics, closing down Malaysian investigations into 1MDB, exercising tight control over the mainstream media and cracking down on the opposition. On June 29, Lim Guan Eng, chief minister of Penang state and secretary-general of the ethnic Chinese-based opposition Democracy Action Party, was arrested on dubious corruption charges.

The US lawsuit, however, is a blow to Najib and indicates that he is losing support in American ruling circles. Najib has enjoyed political support from President Barack Obama in return for tilting foreign policy toward Washingtons anti-China pivot to Asia, strengthening ties between the Malaysian and American militaries and backing the US-led Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).

In July last year, Time magazine published an article urging Obama to steer clear of Najib in his search for dependable allies in Southeast Asia. It listed as harmful to US interests the potential growth of the 1MDB scandal, the continued jailing of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, Najibs overreliance on the Islamist Parti Islam se-Malaysia, the potential of French investigations into corruption involving submarine acquisition to bring Najib down, and the governments increasing turn to police-state measures to maintain its rule.

A Financial Times editorial on August 2 bluntly declared that Najib had forfeited US support and should stand aside while the investigations ran their course. Mr Obama should encourage all US agencies to pursue the 1MDB case to the full extent of American and international law. That applies not only to potential charges against Mr Najib and his associates, but also those involving banks and companies that have abetted the alleged laundering of more than $3.5 billion stripped from 1MDB.

Like the Wall Street Journal, which has vigorously pursued the 1MDB scandal, the Financial Times represents the interests of international finance capital, which, under conditions of worsening global economic breakdown, cannot tolerate the cronyism for which Malaysias ruling UMNO is notorious. Such practices act as an impediment to the profits of global banks and corporations.
LOCARNO, Sitzerland  Berlin-based Films Boutique, a world sales company for movies from new art-house talent and established  though often singular  auteurs, has acquired Heartstone and Guilty Men, both of which are set to world-premiere at Septembers Venice Days.

The two titles are first features. Films Boutique will also be representing black-and-white Venice competition title The Woman Who Left, the German sales agents second title with Philippine Lav Diaz this year.

Written and directed by Icelandic feature first-timer Gumundur Arnar Gumundsson, and with ace cinematographer Sturla Brandth Grvlen (Victoria, Rams) serving as DP, Heartstone is set in a remote fishing village in Iceland. Teens Thor and Christian experience the rush of first love as one tries to win the heart of a girl; the other discovers new feelings toward his best friend.

When summer ends and the harsh nature of Iceland takes back its rights, its time to leave the playground and face adulthood, the synopsis reads.

Heartstone is produced by Join Motion Pictures, a new company in Iceland, and the much more established and larger SF Studios Production, in Denmark.

Gumundur is a real talent. He manages to combine the breathtaking beauty and harshness of wild Iceland with the tenderness and youthful energy of the characters, said Louis Balsan, at Films Boutique.

He added: Recent successes like Mustang show us that audiences connect with a film that takes the freshness of youth to deal with serious issues.

Heartstone was developed at the Cannes Festivals Cinefondation Residence Program. A graduate from the Icelandic Art Academy, Gumundsson garnered a special mention at Cannes for his short film Whale Valley, which was also nominated for a European Film Award. The director took home a string of prizes for his 2014 short Artun.

Directed by Colombias Ivan D. Gaona, Pariente (Guilty Men) begins with a couple, Mariana and Rene, preparing their wedding. As an illegal paramilitary armed group demobilizes in the region, strange new murders endanger their villages tranquility.

Story continues

A drama thriller and neo-Western with a social underbelly, suggesting how some of the paramilitary moved into racketeering, the movie has echoes of Sergio Leone. Well-connected in Latin America, Films Boutique saw large success handing Colombian Ciro Guerres Oscar-nominated Embrace of the Serpent, as well as select other Latin American titles such as La jaula de oro.

The most daring section in Venice, Venice Days is an excellent platform to launch two emerging filmmakers, said Bausan. Both titles are in the running to hit a further big festival later in September, which would allow Films Boutique to follow-up on business broached at Venice.

Not all the buyers in the world are at Venice. But there are always some high-quality acquisitions executives, said Bausan. He added: Every time were at Venice Days, we end up closing the first deals, which are the hardest to close. And you arrive in Toronto with reviews.

The acquisitions come as Films Boutique has already seen a banner 2016. Divines, a ghetto drama from Houda Benyamina, won the Cannes Camera dOr for best first feature. Lav Diazs epic A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery scooped up the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize for innovation. Sundance and Berlin Panorama title Kiki, directed by Sara Jordeno and Twiggy Pucci Garcon, earned a Teddy Award for best documentary. Joao Pedro Rodrigues The Ornithologist competes this week for Locarnos Golden Leopard.

Related stories

Locarno Film Review: 'Paula'

Locarno Film Review: 'The Last Family'

Locarno: Cameron Bailey on Audience Trends, Fest Competition, Value of Reboots
Mind-blowing in the best possible way, The Ornithologist may not work for everyone, but those willing to embrace its puzzling ingredients will find a rewarding solution: further confirmation of a genuine film artist. The fifth narrative feature of Portugals Joao Pedro Rodrigues continues the soul-searching outlook and inventive storytelling of The Last Time I Saw Macao and To Die Like a Man, but reaches for even more ambitious territory with equally confounding and enlightening results. This isnt a crossover moment for Rodrigues, a favorite in certain diehard cinephile sects, but nevertheless marks a major step forward.

The movie depicts the Homeric voyage of a modern-day ornithologist named Fernando (Paul Hamy) who inexplicably transforms into a revered Catholic saint. (More on that later.) As his journey begins, Fernando ventures down a tranquil river in his kayak, observing rare birds through his binoculars and enjoying the desolation. But the simplicity of his mission is short-lived.

Everything changes with the sudden arrival of a current that overturns his vessel and sends him careening into the waves. Washing up unconscious in the middle of the wilderness, hes resurrected by a pair of devious Chinese women lost on a journey of their own along the Camino de Santiago. From one bizarre encounter, Fernando careens into many more: the odd rituals of drunken men dressed as shamans, a fleeting gay romance that turns deadly, suspicious birds that watch his every move. Rodrigues unleashes a gripping series of discursive ingredients in the build-up to the stunning final act, when Fernando awakens to a new personality altogether.

In a sense, The Ornithologist is the film that Rodrigues has been building toward for years, consolidating many of the themes found throughout his features and shorts: questions of personal and spiritual desire, queer identity, and the twin specters of history and mythology. While To Die Like a Man featured similarly vibrant, surreal developments, The Ornithologist maintains a more hypnotic edge as it remains almost entirely within the confines of jungle terrain. The natural setting and intimate, dreamlike sequences suggest what might happen if Apichatpong Weerasethakul remade Stranger by the Lake. If those references go over your head, The Ornithologist could be a tough proposition, but not an impossible one.

Story continues

There are certain things we shouldnt try to understand, Fernando asserts at one point. However, The Ornithologist provides a clue to its intentions with an opening quote from Saint Anthony of Padua, a 13th century priest and famed miracle worker (his legacy also inspired Rodrigues 2013 short Morning of Saint Anthonys Day). The friar reportedly endured an ill-fated mission to Africa, fell ill and attempted a return home, only to wind up shipwrecked off the coast of Italy. Fernando also drifts into a foreign world, although its an understatement to say that Rodrigues takes some liberties from that point forward. The Ornithologist is less about Saint Anthonys legacy than the mystical feelings it represents.

From a perilous meeting with a deaf-mute shepherd named Jesus to a showdown with a trio of gun-toting topless women on horseback who speak Latin, The Ornithologist never lacks for surprising twists. But its never too far from expressing one mans gradual process of awakening to his purpose. Shortly before tipping over into body horror during a climactic scene, the movie finds Fernando/Anthony preaching to the fishes, just like the saints legend claims he did. How did you end up in these dark waters? he asks, perfectly encapsulating the existential quest at the center of this beguiling achievement.

Although some early parts of The Ornithologist suffer from a stilted, artificial quality (particularly when it comes to the English-language dialogue), Rodrigues always casts an immersive spell. Thats thanks in part to a sharp, consistent visual sensibility  the deep forest greens and ominous shadows of nighttime scenes create a world rich with uncertainties.

The quest for the unknown gives The Ornithologist a powerful trajectory. Wandering about in a bewildered state, Fernando/Anthony loses touch with society and attempts to reject it until the very end. The movie concludes with the suggestion that the only cure to existential confusion comes from companionship. The Ornithologist doesnt solve all its mysteries, but it does make peace with them.

Grade: A-

The Ornithologist premiered at the 2016 Locarno Film Festival. It is currently seeking distribution.

Related stories

Shakespeare Gets Another Original Twist In Matias Pinero's New York Drama 'Hermia & Helena' -- Locarno Review

Frank Capra Meets the Dardenne Brothers in Bulgarian Drama 'Glory' -- Locarno Review

Gaspar Noe Says All Directors Are 'Sucking D*cks For Financing' And Women Enjoyed 'Love' More Than Men
LOCARNO  Switzerland has launched a new rebate program PICS designed to benefit co-productions, with two movies already tapping can from the new initiative: Thomas Imbachs Glaubenberg, from Zurichs Okofilm Production, and Manuel Flurin Hendrys Papa Moll, backed by Zodiac Pictures, producer of smash-hit Heidi.

Both feature films have now gone into production. Co-production projects eligible for the Switzerland Film Investment Refund (PICS) require a minimum budget of CHF2.5 million ($2.45 million), billable costs of at least CHF500,000 ($510,204) and not less than five shooting days in Switzerland for fiction films. PICS refunds the Swiss co-producer between 20% and 40% of billable costs with a ceiling of CHF600,000 ($616,000). PICS coin is compatible with other federal funds, said Ivo Kummer, head of the film department at the Swiss Federal Office of Culture.

Current Swiss national public-sector incentives take in selective and automatic subsidies from Switzerlands National Ministry of Culture, and a 20%-40% rebate on Swiss spend from Switzerlands FISS. Regional funds offer returnable subsidies and grants. Swiss pubcaster SRG pre-buys and co-produces Swiss films, said Michael Steiger a producer at Zurich-based Turnus Filmm which backed Billie Augusts Night Train To Lisbon.

Switzerland is an inveterate co-producer. Recent Swiss international co-productions include Claude Barras 2016 Annecy winner My Life As a Courgette, announced Aug. 5 as the Swiss entry for the foreign-language Oscar race, Michael Kochs Marija and Milagros Mumenthalers The Idea of a Lake, both in Locarnos 2016 international competition

In the past, Swiss producers often could not raise enough funding to become lead producers, even when they initiated a project, said Claus Ladegaard, head of film funding.

With PICS, they can raise 20%-30% more financing in Switzerland and therefore have more creative influence, he added.

The new incentive, designed to allow Switzerland to make more ambitious films, comes as Swiss producers will gather Aug. 8 at Locarno to discuss opportunities and risks of international co-production at Switzerlands Foundation for Professional Training in Cinema and Audiovisual Media (FOCAL).

Story continues

Switzerland can sell more than watches and chocolate, said Thomas Tribolet, a lawyer at the Swiss Film Producers Association and moderator at FOCAL, emphasising the quality of crews  while acknowledging is main problem of being aa high-priced country.

This years FOCAL event also analyses Denmarks public funding model. with the participation of Claus Ladegaard, head of film funding at the Danish Film Institute, Zentropa producer Louise Vesth, and Per Neumann, CEO of European Film Bonds.

Five years ago, Denmark abandoned an automatic funding scheme in favour of credit financing. Initially disapproved of by some local producers, the market-driven model has yielded interesting results.

According to the Cannes Film Market 2016 Focus report, Danish films scored a 29.9% market share in 2015, not much below Frances (35.5%).

Per Ladagaard, Denmark has two main reasons for co-productions: Gaining inspiration from others  we have to learn from other countries that can provoke and challenge us; and financing. We need foreign financing for a number of our films, he added citing movies by Lars von Trier and Nicholas Winding Refn.

With so many small countries in Europe, co-production is a necessity.

Whats the advantage? I think small co-production countries are good at getting the most out of every cent, said Vesth.

The FOCAL co-production session takes place Aug. 8 at Locarnos Industry Days.

Related stories

Locarno Film Review: 'Paula'

Locarno Film Review: 'The Last Family'

Films Boutique Acquires 'Heartstone,' 'Guilty Men' (EXCLUSIVE)
Switzerland is sending My Life as a Courgette, a stop-motion animated feature about the struggles and adventures of a young orphan boy, into the running for the 2017 foreign-language film Oscar.

The debut of Swiss-born director Claude Barras, the pic premiered to critical acclaim in Cannes this year before going on to win both the best feature honor and the audience award at the Annecy Animation Festival, the gold standard for international animation.

Read more: Cannes Hidden Gem: Stop-Motion 'My Life as a Courgette' Is Both Whimsical and Serious

Based on the novel by French writer Gilles Paris, My Life as a Courguette was adapted for the big screen by Cesar-nominated French writer-director Celine Sciamma (Girlhood). Critics, including The Hollywood Reporter's Boyd van Hoeij, were impressed by Barras' ability to balance what is an often dark tale of social injustice with lightness and humor.

Buyers seem to agree. Indie Sales, which is handling worldwide rights to the film, has closed deals with more than 20 European countries as well as selected territories in Asia and the Middle East. U.S. rights are currently under negotiation.

Tiny Switzerland has punched above its weight in the foreign-language category of the Oscars. The country has been nominated five times for best foreign-language film and won twice: in 1984 for Richard Dembo's Dangerous Moves and again in 1990 for Journey of Hope from director Xavier Koller.

Read more: 'My Life as a Courgette' ('Ma Vie de Courgette'): Cannes Review
An unarmed Florida therapist shot while his hands were up is suing the cop who opened fire. According to the Miami Times, Charles Kinsey filed a federal lawsuit against North Miami SWAT Officer Jonathan Aledda on Wednesday (Aug. 3), accusing the cop of violating his civil rights, excessive force, and false arrest.

Kinsey, a behavioral technician at Miami Achievement Center for the Developmentally Disabled, was shot in the leg last month as he begged officers not to open fire. Kinsey had gone outside to persuade an autistic man, 26-year-old Arnaldo Rios, to come back into the center.

Mr Kinsley followed Mr. Rios and attempted to pursued him [to] get up from the intersection and to re-enter MACtown, the suit reads. A passerby saw Mr. Rios sitting in the middle of the intersection and called the police.

The suit points out that the passerby specifically noted that Mr. Rios appeared to be mentally disabled and that Mr. Kinsey was trying to help Mr. Rios.

Police say they thought they were responding to a call about a suicidal man with a gun. In the video footage, Rios can be seen playing with a toy truck.

Despite Kinseys attempts to explain to cops that Rios was a patient and posed no threat, Aledda fired off three shots, one of which struck Kinsey.

Kinseys complaint states that, Officer Aledda violated Mr. Kinseys clearly established Fourth Amendment right to be free from excessive force during police seizures when he shot Mr. Kinsey in the leg.

When asked why he fired, Kinsey says Aledda told him, I dont know.

Aledda slapped handcuffs on Kinsey after he was shot. In his suit, Kinsey says the cuffs were too tight, cutting off his circulation.

It is important to note that, when Officer Aledda fired his weapon, neither Mr. Kinsey nor Mr. Rios had committed a crime, posed a threat toward any officer, civilian or each other; nor did Mr. Kinsey or Mr. Rios attempt to evade arrest, the lawsuit states.

North Miami Police claimed that the officer fired his weapon to protect Kinsey from Rios. Aledda has been placed on paid administrative leave, while the shooting is being investigated.

Kinsey says that at least one officer was aware that Rios didnt actually have a weapon and reportedly said, Its a toy truck, hes saying its a toy truck, into his police radio.
netflix

With the long weekend coming up soon, sit back at home and just relax with some Netflix + chill scene. This guide will sort you out on what to watch  old or new; shows to binge on, best documentaries to educate yourself with and some movies which you should catch up on.

Stranger Things: This show has garnered a lot of attention and rightly so. The plot follows the disappearance of a young boy and a telekinetic girl who helps his friends in their search, while the boys older brother and the town police chief start their own investigations.The show is set in 1980s Indiana and pays an homage to 80s pop culture.

Brahman Naman: Watch Netflixs first original Indian movie, a film that is notorious underground for being a hilarious sex comedy, seen in the way of the likes of Animal House, American Pie and Superbad.

Stories by Rabindranath Tagore: Set in 1920 in Bengal, the show is a representation of the classic short stories by the literary legend and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, focusing on relationships which were colored by human shortcomings and idiosyncrasies. Anurag Basu made a comeback to television as a director of the series.

BoJack Horseman: Currently live on Netflix with the second season, BoJack Horseman is basically about a washed-up star of the 90s, living in Hollywood, complaining about everything and wearing colourful sweaters.

Cosmos  A Spacetime Odyssey: A follow-up to the 1980 television series Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, his series was developed to bring back the foundation of science to television. This documentary series explores how we discovered the laws of nature and found our coordinates in space and time.

Born into Brothels: Calcuttas Red Light Kids: The documentary is about the children of prostitutes in Sonagachi, Kolkatas red light district. The documentary has won a string of accolades including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2004.

Aziz Ansari  Buried Alive: The funny guy focuses his unique viewpoint on pending adulthood, babies, marriage and love in the modern era. It was shot at the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia in April 2013, as part of his 75-city Buried Alive world tour.

Story continues

Loins of Punjab: If you didnt catch this film in 2007, then watch it now. The hilarious movie is about a New Jersey town that catches the Bollywood fever when five Indian-Americans and one Jewish Indophile compete in an amateur Indian Idol-style singing contest. Prepare to be thoroughly entertained.

Finders Keepers: This stranger-than-fiction documentary is about a recovering addict and amputee who find himself in a battle to reclaim his mummified leg from Southern entrepreneur, who found it in a grill he bought at an auction.

Best of Enemies: The documentary film is about the 1968 televised debates between intellectuals Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley, Jr., and their aftermath. The film took five years to make because of struggles to secure funding, get interviews, and uncover archival footage.

By Saloni Dhruv
On June 17, 1972, police caught five men breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. So how did a third-rate burglary escalate into a near constitutional crisis?

ThompsonErvin

Today marks another important milestone in the Watergate saga: The 42nd anniversary of Richard Nixons resignation announcement on national television and radio on August 8, 1974. But the saga took more than two years to unfold.

After that fateful June event, growing press coverage of the developing scandal caught the nations attention, as President Nixons administration clashed with Congress over the details of an extensive cover-up related to the break-in.

In late July 1974, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in United States v. Nixon, that the president had to surrender tapes made within the White House to a special prosecutor. On August 9, 1974, President Nixon officially resigned his office, a day after his national speech, rather than face an impending impeachment proceeding in the House.

Nixons resignation and Gerald Fords ascension to the White House completed a complex constitutional drama that involved all three branches of government, along with key agencies like the CIA, FBI and Justice Department.

Here are a few interesting facts about the Watergate scandal as it developed.

1. A different kind of tape started off the scandals. The burglars used tape to hold open the latches on door locks at the DNC offices. A sharp-eyed security guard, Frank Wills, saw the tape and called the police.

2. Who made the famous third-rate burglary comment? That statement was made by press secretary Ron Zeigler at a press conference in Key Biscayne, Florida two days after the break-in. He also warned that certain elements may try to stretch this beyond what it is.

3. Bernstein and Woodward did the second story about the Watergate break-in. The first Washington Post story was filed by veteran police reporter Alfred E. Lewis on June 18, 1972. The first Bernstein and Woodward report came on June 19, 1972.

Story continues

4. Other newspapers played important roles in reporting Watergate. The Post had an undeniable critical role in breaking the scandal, especially with scoops from a source called Deep Throat, but the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and Newsday had scoops, too.

5. Robert Bork was a figure in the Saturday Night Massacre. The future Supreme Court nominee acted as solicitor general and fired special prosecutor Archibald Cox on October 20, 1973, after Attorney General Elliot L. Richardson quit after refusing to fire Cox, and Richardsons aide, William Ruckelshaus, was fired for not firing Richardson .

6. Who disclosed the secret taping system? Presidential aide Alexander Butterfield did publicly in the televised Watergate hearings in July 1973, but he privately told investigators the same details a few days prior to the TV appearance. Investigators received a suggestion from the Post about Butterfield in May 1973, after Woodward and Bernstein said they hadnt checked into Butterfields potential role in Watergate.

7. The Supreme Courts role in ending Watergate. On July 24, 1974, a unanimous Supreme Court ordered Nixon to surrender the White House tapes. The Court rejected Nixons claim to an absolute, unqualified Presidential privilege of immunity from judicial process under all circumstances.

8. The Houses role in ending Watergate. The House Judiciary committee drew up three impeachment articles on a Saturday night, July 27, 1974, in a process that started in February 1974. Nixon acknowledged in an August 5, 1974 statement about the Smoking Gun tape that he would most likely face a full House impeachment vote and a Senate trial.

9. The Smoking Gun tape as the coup de grace. The release of the Smoking Gun tape, among 64 recordings that Nixon was forced to surrender by the Supreme Court, ended the Watergate drama. The tape showed Nixon ordering a cover-up of the break-in right after it happened in June 1972.

10. The Justice Department pondered a Nixon indictment after his resignation. Justice Department memos show officials struggling with Article I, Section 3, Clause 7 of the Constitution. The clause says that a person removed from office by impeachment and conviction shall nevertheless be liable to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to the Law. But there wasnt a mention in the Constitution about a President who had resigned from office. Nixons pardon a month later ended that debate.

More Constitution Daily Watergate Stories

10 fascinating facts about Watergate four decades later

Watergates biggest mysteries remain unsolved

The legacy of Watergate: Five ways life changed after the scandal

The lesson of Watergate and Nixons resignation
The 10-year-old son of a Kansas lawmaker has died on the world's tallest water slide on Sunday.



Caleb Schwab, the 10-year-old son of Rep. Scott Schwab, died while on the 168-foot-tall Verruckt water slide at Kansas City's Schlitterbahn water park and resort during an event for elected officials, CNN reports.



"Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those who he came into contact with," the family said in a statement.



"As we try to mend our home with him no longer with us, we are comforted knowing he believed in his Savior, Jesus, and they are forever together now. We will see him another day."



The exact circumstances surrounding Caleb's death are unknown at this time. It is unclear whether he fell from the 17-story slide and police called his death an " apparent accident."



"We honestly don't know what's happened," Winter Prosapio, director of communications for Schlitterbahn, told reporters, according to The Kansas City Star. "That's why a full investigation is necessary a To be honest, this is not something we've experienced."





Today my good friends Scott and Michele Schwab lost their son Caleb in a tragic accident at Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark. a Rep. Kevin Yoder (@RepKevinYoder) August 8, 2016







Our deepest condolences to Rep. Scott Schwab and the many family and friends mourning a tragic loss. a KansasDems (@KansasDems) August 8, 2016





Many took to social media to send condolences the family's way, including Schwab's fellow state politicians.



"Our prayers are with the family of Rep. Scot Schwab today with the tragic and sudden loss of their young son," Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback tweeted.



Rep. Kevin Yoder wrote on Twitter: "Today my good friends Scott and Michele Schwab lost their son Caleb in a tragic accident at Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark."





Park-Goer Rides Verruckt at Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark



The Verruckt (German for "crazy" or "insane") was named the world's tallest water slide by Guinness World Records in 2014. Riders, required to be at least 54 inches tall go down the slide in multi-person rafts that hold up to 550 pounds, according to the Star.



Riders climb 264 stairs to the top  there are call boxes along the way for emergencies  and the rafts hit speeds of up to 70 mph, the newspaper reports.





8-Year-Old Found Unresponsive at Amusement Park Dies



Another state politician told reporters that her daughter rode on the slide just hours before the boy's death and "didn't experience any difficulties."



The park was closed on Monday, pending investigation.
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 Amkor Technology, Inc. AMKR 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 AMKRs status as a solid value stock below:



Price to Forward Sales for Amkor Technology



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 0.50, AMKR investors are paying 50 cents in stock price for each dollar of revenue generated by the company. Compare this to the industry average of 2.29, and it is safe to say that AMKR is undervalued compared to many of its peers on this important metric.



AMKOR TECH INC PS Ratio (TTM)

AMKOR TECH INC PS Ratio (TTM) | AMKOR TECH INC Quote

Price/Cash Flow for Amkor Technology Stock



An often overlooked ratio that can still be a great indicator of value is the price/cash flow metric. This reading is preferred by some since it avoids amortization and depreciation concerns and can give a more accurate picture of the financial health in a business.



The P/CF ratio for AMKR comes in at 2.93, and since investors are generally looking for a reading under 20 here, this is pretty good news. Meanwhile, we should also point out that the industry average for this metric is 7.20, so Amkor Technology has its peers beat in this regard too.



AMKR 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 AMKR stock have been raising their estimates for the company lately, meaning that the EPS picture is looking a bit more favorably for Amkor Technology now.



Over the past 60 days 1 earnings estimate has gone higher compared to no downward revisions for the full year, while we are also seeing 1 upward revision with no downward revisions for the next year time frame too. These revisions have helped to boost the consensus estimate as 60 days ago AMKR was expected to post earnings of 14 cents per share for the full year though today it looks to have EPS of 44 cents for the full year.



Bottom Line



For the reasons detailed above, investors shouldnt be surprised to read that we have AMKR as a stock with a Value Score of A and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). So if you are a value investor, definitely keep AMKR on your short list as this looks be a stock that is very well-positioned for gains in the near term.



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



AMKOR TECH INC (AMKR): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
Investors love familiarity. Its their money, which leads them to play it safe and scour the same homogeneous networks for deals, says Ross Baird, executive director of Village Capital, a nonprofit in Washington, D.C., that trains and funds startups with an altruistic bent, many of them led by women and minorities. Stats tell how rare those companies are: Of U.S. startups that landed an initial funding round between 2009 and 2014, only 15.5 percent had a female founder, according to CrunchBase. Only 1 percent of funded startups have a black founder, according to CB Insights. So, how to find a more open-minded investor? Baird says to consider these questions.

How do they usually find investments?

Beware those who say, We like introductions from people we know and trust. Youre better off with investors who, Baird says, offer more openings to connect -- say, an application process or direct contact information.

Are they open to hearing your story?

People make the mistake of pitching their product but not telling their story, Baird says. If youre an outsider, your own story can be an advantage. Send a note outlining your startup, the market and your personal history. Rather than asking for a pitch meeting, ask for their feedback. If theyre interested in helping or hearing more, theyll get back to you.

What excites them?

Look for interviews theyve done with the media. If they tend to highlight their investments market potential, rather than the founders and problems they solve, then you should move on. You want an investor who loves supporting people, no matter the category or market size.

What do you need to do to become investment-ready?

If an investor (or their website) doesnt offer this information early on, theres no harm in asking during a pre-meeting correspondence, Baird says. If someone has advice on how to grow your team or gain traction before they write a check, theyre more likely to root for you to get there.
This 41-year-old gymnast is giving us #LIFEGOALS

This 41-year-old gymnast is giving us #LIFEGOALS

You may not have heard of Uzbek gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, but thats about to change, because this 41-year-old athlete is currently competing in her 7th Olympic games. Thats right, SEVEN! YAS QUEEN!

Kate McKinnon raise the roof

Chusovitinas age is even more impressive when you consider that shes mostly competing against women more than half her age, like 19-year-old Simone Biles. Meaning Chusovitina was competing in her first Olympics five years before many of her current competitors were even born.

To put this into an even more jaw-dropping, fist-pumping perspective, the U.S. womens gymnastics team often jokes that Aly Raisman is the grandma of the team at a whopping 22-years-old.

Shocked face

Chusovitina had announced she was retiring from gymnastics after the London Olympics in 2012, but ultimately said, The next day I woke up, and I was lying down in my bed and thinking, I didnt accomplish everything I wanted to accomplish and I still feel I can do a little bit more. And thats why I started training for my next Olympics. Because I still feel I can do more.

And as if this all wasnt unbelievably inspiring enough, Chusovitina has also overcome some pretty harrowing personal struggles. Her son, Alisher, born in 1999, was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia in 2002, leading Chusovitina and her husband to move to Germany in search of the best care possible.

Alisher is now cancer-free, and Chusovitina chose to compete for Germany in the 2006 Olympics to thank the country for all it had done for her family.

Oh, and did we mention that Chusovitina is both a gold and silver medal winner? #freakinginspired

The post This 41-year-old gymnast is giving us #LIFEGOALS appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Negative publicity and threats to a public company's marketability normally decrease its stock value. But not with gun and ammunition stocks.

After violent episodes, these stocks usually spike.

Following the Orlando, Florida, massacre at Pulse nightclub, shares of both Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (SWHC) and Sturm, Ruger & Co (RGR) rose 10 percent. Ammunition maker Vista Outdoor (VSTO), the specialty chemical company Olin Corp. (OLN) that owns the Winchester gun brand, and sporting and hunting goods retailer Cabela's (CAB) rose as well.

[See: Car Companies and the Race to Profits.]

Sales also rise when a president starts talking about tighter gun control, which leads to more gun sales. After President Barack Obama spoke about tighter gun laws in 2015 following a year in which U.S. mass shootings claimed the lives of 475 people, a record-high 3.3 million people applied for gun background checks in December, with 2.5 million more in January and 2.6 in February, according to FBI reports.

Applications in past years were mostly fewer than 2 million per month. Some states allow applicants to buy more than one gun per application.

The formula. "Gun company stocks correlate negatively to good news and NRA Republicans in office," says Sander Read, CEO of Lyons Wealth Management in Orlando. "So I would say with a (Donald) Trump win: stock sell-off, and with a Hillary (Clinton) win: stock rally. Unfortunately, any time a terrorist or assault weapon violence occurs, stocks rally."

Experts predict at least a short-term rally in gun stocks if there is a Clinton victory.

"In the short term, gun and ammo manufacturers and retailers stand to benefit from tighter gun control laws," says Robert R. Johnson, president and CEO of The American College of Financial Services. "The mere mention of enacting any sort of gun control laws sends gun advocates to retailers selling guns and ammo. These individuals fear that they will be precluded from buying certain types of guns and ammunition once stricter laws are on the books."

Story continues

The irony is clear.

"A Clinton victory would likely lead to consideration of potential gun control legislation. Thus, even though the preferred candidate of the National Rifle Association is Donald Trump, at least in the short term, stockholders of gun and ammo firms may be silently rooting for a Clinton triumph," Johnson says.

[See: 10 Tips for Couples and Young Families to Build Wealth.]

The numbers. Whether for personal protection or the fun of shooting, it is estimated that there are 400 million guns in the U.S., and that number could increase to a half billion by the time the next president seeks re-election, according to National Review.

"Whenever there's an election, people run to the gun store before the Second Amendment is repealed. SWHC and RGR are the main beneficiaries. They sell guns and ammo but you'd better hope ammo sales don't skyrocket in a nation with 1.3 guns for every citizen," says Phil Davis, publisher of Philstockworld.com and director of PSW Investments. "SWHC is trading at about the all-time high and RGR a bit under theirs at $66 and both are fully valued at these levels."

The stocks. Like Davis, Johnson is also focusing on pure play gun and ammo manufacturers including Smith & Wesson and Sturm Ruger.

"Investors wishing to make a pure play in the market regarding potential gun control legislation would be wise to consider buying these equities," he says.

Another company that could surge is Olin, Johnson says.

"Olin is technically classified as a specialty chemicals company, but one of its three business segments is Winchester -- the iconic gun manufacturer. Twenty-five percent of Olin's sales in 2015 were in its Winchester segment," he says.

Two other firms that potentially could be affected by gun control legislation are broad sporting goods retailers Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) and Cabela's, he says. "However, gun and ammo sales are a small percentage of the sales of these firms."

The rally's prospects hinge on how long it would take to pass legislation and whether the new president would seek to limit all gun sales, or just assault weapons.

"Hillary is not anti-gun nor was (Vermont Sen. Bernie) Sanders," Davis says. "There simply is not a real push from the Democrats to stop anything but assault weapons, and they are a very, very small part of gun sales, so there's no material impact on the gun companies."

One in four adults own at least one firearm, according to a 2004 survey by Injury Prevention, and that number is believed to have grown.

"If they do act and tighter gun restrictions are enforced we have to see what those restrictions are before we can say for sure what the impact will be on gun/ammo companies," says Matthew Tuttle, chief executive of Tuttle Tactical Management in New York.

[Read: Nasdaq vs. NYSE: Why Companies Choose One Over the Other.]

"Conventional wisdom tells us tighter policies may adversely affect their sales and earnings because less people will be able to buy guns," he says. "In order to know for sure, we have to actually see what, if any, the policies are."





More From US News & World Report


If there is one trend that has taken celebrities by storm, it is the cold shoulder or the off-shoulder fashion. Every actress in Hollywood and Bollywood is baring her shoulder and rocking this trend. Back home, Deepika Padukone seems to be in love with cold-shoulder outfits, and has sported them again and again for her red carpet appearances in the last few months. Well, we are not complaining! Here are five times when Deepika slayed with her off-shoulder outfits.

Deepika attended a Tissot event recently wearing print-on-print by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz

In another event, Deepika rocked the all-white look in a Ronny Kobo off-shoulder dress



Deepika Padukone was the show-stopper for Manish Malhotras bridal collection at the Indian Couture Week 2016



Deepika defined boho-chic when she picked up this white, off-shoulder outfits for her media appearance in Spain for IIFA 2016



Deepika rocked a blue, strapless, bell-sleeved top by Cord during her press conference for Vogue Eyewear



Also read:

Deepika Padukone looks stunning in Hollywoods Next Generation video by Vanity Fair
5 Ways Lucille Ball was a trailblazing badass feminist

5 Ways Lucille Ball was a trailblazing badass feminist

It was a semi-tradition in my family: on days I stayed home sick from school, I watched I Love Lucy. Sometimes my mother would join me. No matter how poorly I felt, Lucille Ball could make me laugh.

lucytongue

What I didnt know then was that Lucille Ball was more than a brilliant comedienne. She was also a trailblazing feminist badass during a time when women werent allowed to be any of those things.

Five of the ways Lucille Ball was a woman before her time:

She was the first woman to run a production company.

Nowadays, female-led production companies are standard. But back in the 1950s, women were not considered entrepreneurs. Lucille Ball changed that when she and then-husband Desi Arnaz (known as Ricky Ricardo on I Love Lucy) founded Desilu Productions, which made shows such as I Love Lucy and Star Trek (!!!) possible.

But Lucy didnt quit there: after selling Desilu Productions, Ball established her own, new production company Lucille Ball Productions in 1968. She was officially the first woman to run a production company without a mans help.

grapes

She promoted the first biracial couple on television.

While Lucy and Rickys relationship on I Love Lucy is arguably the reigning relationship on the show, Lucy had to fight the network to land her husband the role of her husband.

CBS and its sponsor, Philip Morris cigarettes, were adamantly opposed to this, Kathleen Brady, author of Lucille: The Life of Lucille Ball, told NPR. They said that the American public would not accept Desi as the husband of a red-blooded American girl.

According to Brady, Lucy told CBS she wouldnt do the show without Arnaz, and they eventually gave in. Girl power!

lucyrickybed

She celebrated female friendships.

Nowadays, strong female friendships are everywhere: Leslie and Ann, Abbi and Ilana, and Taystee and Poussey, just to name a few. But back in the 1950s, Lucy and her BFF Ethel were constantly getting up to their own wacky adventures, without falling into Hollywoods more misogynistic tropes about female friendships.

Story continues

chocolate

I Love Lucys depiction of pregnancy was revolutionary.

Though AV Club points out that I Love Lucy was not the first television show to feature a pregnancy, it was one of the early ones, and it broke barriers with the overwhelming success of the storyline. However, although the public was clearly ready for a pregnancy storyline, Lucys pregnancy existed in a time with stringent moral standards for television. This meant Lucys character couldnt actually say the word pregnant because CBS deemed [it] too vulgar. Instead, Lucy had to say expecting or spectin. The episode title used the French word for it, enceinte. Even more ludicrously, executives reportedly called for a priest, minister and rabbi to approve the scripts before they gave permission for the storyline to air. Yikes!

littlericky

She wasnt always a proper lady.

Lucy had no qualms about showcasing her physical comedy skills on I Love Lucy and her other television endeavors. During a time where most housewives were depicted to be proper and demure June Cleavers, Lucy was consistently zany and loud, breaking expectations.

In fact, Lucille Ball made a career out of standing out: she dyed her hair red in order to stand out and break away from the typical Hollywood definition of beauty. You go, girl!

As Bitette notes:

The overtly funny Ball showed women that being assertive and made qualities often found to be unladylike acceptable for all.

drunklucy

Its clear that women of modern comedy owe Lucille Ball a huge note of thanks for breaking so many barriers! Thanks, Lucy!

The post 5 Ways Lucille Ball was a trailblazing badass feminist appeared first on HelloGiggles.
A group of 50 senior Republican national security officials signed a letter Monday warning that presidential candidate Donald Trump lacks the character, values and experience to be president.

Many of the group were aides and cabinet members during the George W. Bush administration, according to the New York Times. They warned that a Trump presidency could threaten American security.

From a foreign policy perspective, Donald Trump is not qualified to be President and Commander-in-Chief, the letter reads. Indeed, we are convinced that he would be a dangerous President and would put at risk our countrys national security and well-being.

He weakens U.S. moral authority as the leader of the free world, the letter continues. The group said that they would not vote for Trump, but did not expressly say they would vote for his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

Signees include former Pennsylvania Gov. and the first Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, former CIA and NSA director Michael Hayden, former Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff, former national intelligence director and Secretary of State John Negroponte, former deputy Secretary of State and William Howard Taft IV, the grandson of President William Howard Taft.

Since receiving the Republican nomination in July, Trump has garnered criticism from national security experts, including some who argue that he should not receive classified briefings.

Many of the the aides who signed the letter were among those responsible for crafting the invasion of Iraq, according to the Times, which Trump has described as a disaster.
Washington (AFP) - Fifty senior Republican national security officials have issued a stinging rejection of their partys White House nominee Donald Trump, warning if elected he would be the most reckless president in American history.

The group, some of whom had already announced they would not vote for Trump, included former homeland security chiefs, intelligence directors, senior presidential advisors and a former US trade representative. They served under Republican presidents from Richard Nixon to George W. Bush.

We are convinced that he (Trump) would be a dangerous president and would put at risk our countrys national security and well-being, they wrote in a statement published in The New York Times on Monday.

Their disavowal of the Republican presidential nominee was followed by another setback for Trump, when influential US Senator Susan Collins said Tuesday he was unworthy of Americas highest elective office and will not receive her support.

Donald Trump does not reflect historical Republican values nor the inclusive approach to governing that is critical to healing the divisions in our country, Collins wrote in an op-ed article appearing in Tuesdays Washington Post.

Trump has garnered disdain from a huge swath of Americas political, defense and security establishment for his unorthodox  some say downright dangerous  views, such as his professed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and suggestions he might be willing to accept Moscows annexation of Crimea.

Trump has also raised concerns over his recent war of words with the family of a fallen Muslim American soldier, his scant knowledge about global defense and security architecture, and his readiness to scuttle Americas central role in the NATO military alliance.

- Unfit for office -

Further to the shock and dismay of many in Americas political class, he has even questioned why the nation has bothered to develop nuclear weapons if it has no intention of putting them to use.

Story continues

While the US security experts did not say they would vote for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton  indeed they expressed doubts about her  they were clear in stating that none of us will vote for Donald Trump.

They essentially declared the brash billionaire unfit for office, echoing Clintons criticism by saying that Trump lacks the character, values, and experience to be president and displays alarming ignorance of basic facts of international politics.

The New York real estate mogul also has shown no willingness to learn about foreign affairs or national security threats, acts impetuously and lacks self control, the experts statement said.

He is unable or unwilling to separate truth from falsehood, the group wrote, saying Trump possesses a set of dangerous qualities that should disqualify him from the presidency.

- Trump responds -

We are convinced that in the Oval Office, he would be the most reckless president in American history.

They warned that the political neophytes erratic behavior has alarmed Americas closest allies, adding that he fails to recognize the indispensable nature of such diplomatic relationships.

The signatories included Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff, the first and second homeland security secretaries under president George W. Bush, former director of National Intelligence John Negroponte and Bush-era CIA director Michael Hayden.

Trump issued a sharply worded reprimand of the group, painting them as nothing more than the failed Washington elite looking to hold onto their power and saying they should be held accountable for making the world less safe.

These insiders  along with Hillary Clinton  are the owners of the disastrous decisions to invade Iraq, allow Americans to die in Benghazi, and they are the ones who allowed the rise of ISIS, Trump said, using an acronym for the Islamic State jihadists.

I offer a better vision for our country and our foreign policy  one that is not run by a ruling family dynasty.

The anti-Trump Republicans join members of the security establishment who have already come out against the nominee, including former CIA director Michael Morell, who on Friday accused Trump of being an unwitting agent of Russian strongman Putin and said he will vote for Clinton.

Collins, who represents the state of Maine in the US Senate, was no less scathing about Trump in her opinion piece  particularly with regard to his bullying of those less powerful and less prominent.

I have become increasingly dismayed by his constant stream of cruel comments and his inability to admit error or apologize, Collins wrote.

But it was his attacks directed at people who could not respond on an equal footing - either because they do not share his power or stature or because professional responsibility precluded them from engaging at such a level - that revealed Mr. Trump as unworthy of being our president.
Donald Trump

Fifty former top Republican national security officials have signed an open letter in The New York Times opposing Donald Trump's candidacy, warning that he would be "the most reckless president in American history."

Many of the officials served in the administration of former President George W. Bush, but some served other Republican administrations.

"From a foreign policy perspective, Donald Trump is not qualified to be president and commander-in-chief," the letter said. "Indeed, we are convinced that he would be a dangerous president and would put at risk our country's national security and well-being."

The letter called into question Trump's temperament as well as his knowledge of US foreign policy issues.

"Most fundamentally, Mr. Trump lacks the character, values, and experience to be president," the letter said. "He weakens US moral authority as the leader of the free world. He appears to lack basic knowledge about and belief in the US Constitution, US laws, and US institutions, including religious tolerance, freedom of the press, and an independent judiciary."

It continued: "In addition, Mr. Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he has little understanding of America's vital national security interests, its complex diplomatic challenges, its indispensable alliances, and the democratic values on which US foreign policy must be based."

The letter was signed by, among others, Michael Hayden, a former director of the CIA and the NSA; John Negroponte, a former director of national intelligence and deputy secretary of state; and Michael Chertoff, a former secretary of homeland security.

This isn't the first open letter from former national security officials who publicly oppose Trump, the Republican nominee for president. More than 100 Republican national security experts signed a similar letter in March.

The Times points out that some of the signatories on this letter refused to sign the first letter but changed their minds when they heard Trump jokingly invite Russian hackers to find Hillary Clinton's missing emails and suggested that he wouldn't help NATO allies in the event of a Russian attack if they didn't pay enough money for their own defense.

Story continues

A significant number of national security officials have come out against Trump's candidacy, but he has built his campaign on an antiestablishment image, pushing the message that America's foreign policy is broken and the country needs to rely on fresh thinking from outsiders.

NOW WATCH: OBAMA: Heres the best advice George W. Bush gave me





More From Business Insider


An 8-year-old California boy who loves to bake is cooking up big plans for his family, one confection at a time.



Fresno resident Jalen Bailey runs a home-based bakery, where he creates and sells cookies, bread, muffins and tarts in hopes of earning enough money to buy a house for himself and his mom, Sharhonda Mahan.



This summer, when other kids his age are in swimsuits at the pool, Bailey is wearing his apron, hard at work in the kitchen. Instead of running around a ball field, Bailey is running a hand mixer, whipping up fresh batches of yummy treats.



"I just love to bake," he tells PEOPLE. "It's fun!"



Especially when there is a goal to pursue.



"I want to buy a house with a pool and a big back yard and a kitchen so me and my momma can bake and make memories."



Bailey and his mom, a single parent, live in a small rental house. While still a pre-schooler, Bailey got started in baking by helping his mom during gift-giving season.



"I used to bake sweet potato pies to get extra money for the holidays," says Mahan, 30, a nanny. "He was always in the kitchen, asking if he could help."



"I didn't do it well at all," Bailey says. "It took me 10 minutes to cut one sweet potato."





8-Year-Old Boy Starts a Bakery to Buy a House for Himself and His Mom| Good Deeds, Real People Stories, Real Heroes

Eventually, though, Bailey got the knack not only for peeling, but also for cracking eggs, measuring ingredients, reading aloud the instructions to his mom, and running the mixer.



"It got to where he could make his first peanut butter cookies all by himself," Mahan says. "He said, 'Mom, I got this. I don't need any help.' "



Before long, Bailey was baking up a storm  and cooking up ideas.



A natural entrepreneur  both Bailey and Mahan had been running various side businesses, such as doing photography and making bracelets  the youngster thought he could make a go of his baking.



During one of the duo's weekly "pow-wow" meetings, where they discuss plans for the upcoming week, Bailey floated the idea of starting a home-based bakery.



"He was serious," Mahan says. "So we researched it. We figured out food safety, the type of license you need, and how to run a cottage food operation."



Bailey obtained a license from his city.



Mahan then sent her budding business kid to a workshop for mini-impresarios. There, he learned the finer points of sales, marketing, and how to reach a target audience.





8-Year-Old Boy Starts a Bakery to Buy a House for Himself and His Mom| Good Deeds, Real People Stories, Real Heroes

Now, the proprietor of Jalen's Bakery produces and sells goodies by the dozen.



His personal favorites?



"I love the peanut butter cookies," Bailey says.



When not in the kitchen, the young go-getter runs an annual back-to-school drive, compiling supplies for kids in homeless shelters. He also has a book club, where he and other kids take turns reading to one another.



"I love reading," Bailey says.



Strongly supporting Bailey is his dedicated mom, who previously homeschooled her bright son.



"I wanted to keep him ahead," Mahan says. "I wanted to give him the education I thought he needed. I knew I could do it if I were there."



With Bailey now in school while Mahan works to support them, the proud mom is thrilled to see the little bakery in progress.



"It's great to see that they're picking up what you're teaching them," Mahan says. "It's a great satisfaction knowing you helped them achieve what you want them to achieve."



Currently, Mahan takes orders from customers and delivers locally. The immediate next goal is to be able to ship orders to customers beyond Fresno.



In order to help Bailey take his bakery to the next level, Mahan started a GoFundMe campaign.



Says Bailey: "I just want to be succesful."


Innovation knows no bounds. We keep finding quicker and simpler ways to do all of our work. Bitcoin is one such invention which has made the task of making payments a moments affair. With this short guide on what bitcoins are and how they work to ensure that you know all about this creation with potential yet to be realised.



Image Courtesy: Coindesk

WHAT ARE THE BITCOINS ?

Bitcoin is a currency of the digital form which is managed electronically. It is controlled by nobody and is a peer-to-peer system where users can transact among themselves directly without any middlemen. Bitcoins can be thought of as virtual money or money for the internet. They are produced by people running computers worldwide, using a process called mining. Bitcoin is also an example of cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin has an open source code, that is, a transparent mathematical design which means that anyone can study it and become part of it. It is thus a global currency and has no borders to it. For a user, Bitcoin is an application that allows him/her to engage in transactions online by means of sending and receiving bitcoins. This is done with the help of an online bitcoin wallet.

All transactions of the Bitcoin network are verified and noted in a public ledger known as the blockchain. It is a decentralised system which means that there is no central administration. The users have the power of sending their bitcoins from their own bitcoin addresses. Processing of transactions can be done by anyone using specialized hardware. This service is known as mining and is rewarded with newly produced bitcoins.

Bitcoin provides both individuals and businesses with a number of advantages. It is easy to operate, military grade cryptography provides a high level of security, it can be operated from anywhere at any time, ensures fast international payments since no banks are involved, charges negligible fees, and protects your identity. In addition, it also provides for accounting transparency and may help to attract new customers since it is still emerging.

Story continues

HOW THEY ORIGINATED?

Bitcoin was created under an alias of Satoshi Nakamoto, whose invention was published on 31 October 2008 in a research paper Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash system and was launched in January 2009 with an open source code. Since then, a good number of developers started working on bitcoin resulting in its significant growth.





Image Courtesy: Coindesk







FIRST BITCOIN TRANSACTION

The first bitcoin transaction on record was made by a man in Florida who used 10,000 bitcoins to buy two pizzas from Papa Johns! With the growth of Bitcoin, Mt. Gox, the first bitcoin exchange, was established in 2010.

By 2013 many websites had begun to accept bitcoins such as WordPress, OKCupid, Foodler, Atomic Mall, TigerDirect, Overstock.com, Expedia, Newegg, Dell, and Microsoft. Wikileaks, The Internet Archive and a few non-profit organisations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation began to accept bitcoin donations.

October 2013 saw the installation of the first bitcoin ATM in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. More recently, there has been a notable growth in Bitcoin with large companies such as Wal-Mart, Microsoft, Dell, Newegg and Overstock accepting bitcoin.

WHERE CAN WE BUY BITCOINS?

Buying and selling of bitcoins are no different from the buying and selling of any other currency. There are two main sources of purchasing bitcoins. They can be bought either from exchanges or straightaway from people who are selling bitcoins.

Just like traditional exchanges, bitcoin exchanges match bids and ask prices from buyers and sellers respectively. This, in turn, helps to establish the market price of bitcoin. Other ways to get bitcoins would be to accept bitcoins as payments for your work or by mining of bitcoins, the latter of which is not recommended due to a high level of competition and little reward.

BITCOIN WALLET

Bitcoins can be paid for in different ways. Cash, credit/debit cards, wire transfers, or other cryptocurrencies can be used to pay for them depending on the terms of the bitcoin exchange. Bitcoins can be transferred among people simply by use of mobile applications and computer software called bitcoin wallets.

A bitcoin wallet is a virtual wallet used to keep track of a users bitcoins. There are four kinds of wallets

1. WEB WALLETS

Web wallets which are easier to use but less secure. Some examples areCoinbase, Coinjar, Coinpunk andCoinkite.

2. SOFTWARE WALLETS

Software wallets are run from the computer and are more secure. Some examples are BitcoinQT, Armoury andMultibit.

3. MOBILE PHONE WALLETS4. HARDWARE WALLETS

These are the most secure. Examples are Trevor and Bitsafe.

PURCHASING BITCOINS

Purchasing bitcoins is getting simpler day by day. Following are websites recommended for purchasing bitcoins.

LocalBitcoins  This fantastic service allows you to search for people in your community willing to sell bitcoins to you directly.

How To Buy Bitcoins  An international directory of bitcoin exchanges.

Expresscoin  Recommended for fast, simple service.

Coinbase  Bitcoin exchange. (Highly rated).

BitStamp  A multi-currency bitcoin exchange (Highly rated).

CoinJar  CoinJar allows direct bitcoin purchases on their site.

WHERE CAN WE SELL BITCOINS?

Bitcoin can be sold in person or it can be sold online. It is more commonly sold online. It is sold online in the following ways.

1. DIRECT TRADE

Coinbase and LocalBitcoins in the US and BitBargain and Bittylicious in the UK are recommended websites. Once youve posted your offer, buyers who are interested can interact with you on the website.

2. ONLINE EXCHANGE

Where you trade with an exchange. Exchanges hold all of the funds. After youve placed a sell order the exchange will complete the transaction when someone places a matching buy order and credit the currency to your account.

BitBargain, Bittylicious and Coinbase are again the recommended websites. The entire selling process might take some time and require some level of patience. A level of discretion and research is advised while trading bitcoin for fiat currencies on exchanges as an exchange facing liquidity issues might take some time to receive your funds.

3. NEW PEER-TO-PEER TRADING

New peer-to-peer trading marketplaces provide a platform for bitcoin owners to buy discounted goods with their bitcoins via people who want to purchase bitcoins with credit/debit cards. They act as facilitators in trade for people with complementary needs. Purse.io is an example of such a website.

Bitcoin can also be sold in person and is arguably the simplest way for exchanging bitcoins. All that is required is a QR code that is scanned from the other persons device to complete a transaction. However, it is always important to be cautious while trading bitcoins in person.

It is also possible to advertise yourself as a bitcoin seller in order to gain a larger audience. Websites such as LocalBitcoins allow users to rate each other. This helps to determine the reliability of a bitcoin trader. Bitcoin meetups take place time and time again around the world where people trade bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF BITCOINS?

Bitcoin has more to it than simply the exchange of money. It opens doors for a number of technological advancements many of which are being researched upon and explored. With features such as global accessibility, easier control against fraud, cost efficiency, processing of small payments and much more it could be said that Bitcoin may hold vast promises for the future. Bitcoin has enjoyed a considerable growth as a form of payment. It provides to merchants the incentive of lower fees than that charged by credit card processors.

Bitcoin, like any other coin, also has two sides to it. While it has huge potential for the future, it has not been free from criminal activity. Over the years there have been instances of theft, money laundering, use of black markets, fraud, and tax evasion. One notable instance has been of the slump of Mt. Gox in February 2014, formerly the largest bitcoin exchange due to theft. In response, legislative and law enforcement agencies have issued warnings on the use of virtual currencies.

While bitcoin is legal in most countries and is mostly unregulated, its use is restricted in a few countries. The future of bitcoin is still undetermined. No one can tell what will become of it. Arguably it could be said that the best of bitcoin is yet to be seen.

Have anything to add to this story? Feel free to add comments in the comment section below
On Aug 8, we issued an updated research report on the health insurer Aetna Inc. AET. Last week, the company announced impressive second-quarter results. It reported earnings of $2.21 per share, which easily surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.11 and grew 8% year over year.



The upside was primarily driven by higher fees and other revenue in Aetna's Health Care segment, and lower general and administrative expenses, partly offset by lower underwriting margins at Health Care.



Performance of Aetnas Government business continues to be strong, led primarily by the 2013 acquisition of Coventry. Revenues from this business have been consistently growing over the past several quarters.



Also, its international business offers diversification benefits. Recent cost reduction initiatives undertaken by the company have been paying off well, as witnessed by the adjusted expense ratio, which declined throughout the first half of 2016 on a year-over-year basis.

AETNA INC-NEW Price and Consensus

AETNA INC-NEW Price and Consensus | AETNA INC-NEW Quote

While most of the companys businesses are doing well, Aetna is in troubled waters with the regulators at the Department of Justice suing the company for its proposed merger with Humana Inc. HUM. The merger, which could have lifted the ranks of Aetna as a major Medicare provider, a market coveted by all the players in the industry, is now clouded with uncertainty. Aetna is, however, determined to brave the odds. The company is in the process of divesting Medicare Advantage plans that cover 290,000 people in 21 states to Molina Healthcare, Inc. MOH in an effort to win approval for the deal.



Another major concern voiced by the company during the latest earnings release was its disappointment with the public exchanges. Although earlier, the company had been sanguine about its business on public exchanges and had plans to expand its presence, Aetna is now evaluating the viability of these markets and may even decide to exit the loss generating ones. To this end, Aetna is now ceasing expansion of offerings in new states for 2017, thereby curtailing the sale of ACA plans on the public exchanges. Similarly, another major player in the same space, UnitedHealth Group Inc. UNH is disappointed with public exchanges and has announced its exit from several markets.



Aetna carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>



Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report



AETNA INC-NEW (AET): Free Stock Analysis Report



HUMANA INC NEW (HUM): Free Stock Analysis Report



MOLINA HLTHCR (MOH): Free Stock Analysis Report



UNITEDHEALTH GP (UNH): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Johannesburg (AFP) - The ruling African National Congress' historic losses in South Africa's local elections have called into question the leadership of President Jacob Zuma as head of the continent's most industrialised nation.

The ANC last week suffered what analysts called a "savage indictment", garnering less than 54 percent of ballots cast -- an eight-point drop from the last local poll in 2011 and its worst showing since the fall of white-minority rule in 1994.

Of the country's six most populous cities, the ANC won an outright majority in only one: Durban, Zuma's traditional stronghold.

But it suffered embarrassingly in the capital Pretoria where it came second to the main opposition Democratic Alliance, which also scored big in Nelson Mandela Bay, a southern municipality named after the country's iconic late leader.

The election was largely seen as a referendum on Zuma's rule, but it also highlighted the declining popularity of the party that led South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle.

And as Mandela's party reels from weak leadership and political divisions, some in the ANC admit that all is not well.

"There is something wrong on a national level that we are not paying attention to," the party's Secretary General Gwede Mantashe said at the weekend.

- 'Big trouble' -

Analysts say the party leadership has been stubborn in refusing to rein in its controversial president.

Zuma, who has three more years to serve out his term, has been dogged by scandal throughout his presidency.

Last month, South Africa's highest court ruled he pay back $500,000 of public funds spent upgrading his private Nkandla residence with facilities including a chicken coop and a swimming pool.

The ANC has staunchly defended him.

But after the poor showing at the polls, the party would be "much more open to a change of leadership than they would have a been one week ago," said Richard Calland, a political analyst at the University of Cape Town.

Story continues

"Urgent steps must be taken (to) tackle the elephant in the room. It is clear that President Jacob Zuma has become a huge liability," wrote columnist Onkgopotse Tabane in the Business Day newspaper on Monday.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa -- an anti-apartheid heavyweight -- is the presumed frontrunner to replace Zuma should he be forced out before the end of his term.

"Where we have shown areas of weakness, we are going to get better and improve -- that's who we are," the unionist-turned-businessman said last week as the poor results poured in.

Critics say urban and middle class voters have begun to tire of the continuous controversy surrounding 74-year-old Zuma, and warn of a serious backlash if the ANC fails to act fast.

"The ANC is in big trouble," analyst Koffi Kouakou told AFP.

"The only way to perhaps attempt to save the ANC is by having President Zuma resign and having the team that surrounds him cleaned up. If not, the ANC is in real big trouble in the long term."

But Zuma, who has thus far survived every curveball thrown his direction, may not be on his way out just yet.

"I don't think he is likely to go without a fight," said Calland.

"It's more likely he will survive until the end of next year," Calland said -- when the ANC may vote to recall him at its next national elective congress.

In the meantime at least two rival ANC camps will start wrangling to succeed Zuma -- one in support of Ramaphosa, and the other backing Zuma's ex-wife and outgoing chairwoman of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

In the meantime, "political uncertainty will drive continued policy confusion in the mining, energy, power, private security, and agriculture sectors, while frustrating cost-cutting measures," said EXX Africa.

A downgrade of South Africa's debt by at least one credit ratings agency to junk status "is almost inevitable this year," the intelligence company warned.
When you think of military weapons, you tend to imagine things such as bullets and bombs. The Air Force is experimenting with a new tool for its arsenal: a wand that zaps a concentrated beam of light and heat.

No, this isnt Harry Potter, and the enemies arent terrorists. The wand is called NatureZap, and it targets unwanted vegetationaka weeds. Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California is testing the device as a way to remove weeds without the use of toxic herbicides.

The electric device uses a combination of heat and high-energy blue light to kill the plants leaves and roots. Treated plants, according to manufacturer Global Neighbor, die in as little as three days. Weve had a pretty good success rate, said Jon Jackson, the companys president. We get about a 70 to 80 percent die-back without regrowth. He said NatureZap is particularly effective on ragweed, dandelions, and crabgrass. The light penetrates about two inches into the soil, so it only affects targeted weeds and not the good plants around them.

Global Neighbor has received two rounds of funding, totaling nearly $900,000, from the federal governments Small Business Innovation Research program to develop and test the NatureZap device.

Danny Reinke, principal scientist for the 412th Civil Engineering Group at Edwards Air Force Basewho developed the device with Global Neighbortold the Desert Wings newspaper that NatureZap may be useful in meeting the militarys requirements to reduce its use of toxic chemicals under the Sikes Act, which helps protect endangered species on Department of Defense property. Hes testing a battery-powered version of the device that reportedly can treat a softball fieldsize area between charges.

This is the second version of NatureZap. The company previously sold a similar device, also called NatureZap, that only used heat to kill roots.

Weve graduated since then, said Jackson. Even before we were with Edwards we spent a few years working with lasers and other things, trying to get ground penetration. The developers hit on the idea of light several years ago after they built a clear Plexiglas enclosure to see how their earlier device affected dandelion roots. It turns out thats a stupid idea because as soon as you expose a root to light it dies, Jackson said.

Story continues

RELATED: Weed Killer That Probably Causes Cancer Is Sprayed Near Schools

Global Neighbor has worked with Central State University professor Cadance Lowell to test various versions of the gadget. Lowell said NatureZap definitely kills some plants, apparently by disrupting chloroplasts, the plant cells where photosynthesis takes place. It may cause other stress damage on the cellular level, the nature of which is still being investigated. So far Lowells research, presented in February at the Weed Science Society of Americas annual meeting, has shown that NatureZap is at least as effective on ragweed as glyphosate, the primary ingredient in Monsantos Roundup. Deeper-rooted plants such as dandelions are harder to kill because the light cant penetrate the ground far enough. You need to hit it a couple of times, but eventually you will kill it, she said.

Experts have shown interest in the device. I think published studies would be the first step before any conclusions can be made about this technique, said Scott Hoffman Black, executive director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

If it truly works, I think it will be very successful because change cannot come quickly enough in the world of pest management, said Nathan Donley, a scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. Most weed-killing chemicals in use today have been around for more than 50 years. Innovation is nonexistent in this realm.

Donley expressed pleasant surprise when he learned that the Air Force was testing NatureZap. If the federal government can reduce its pesticide use, the money saved can be used to advance other conservation efforts, he said. Pesticides arent cheap, and a lot of costs of their use arent paid up front. Theyre externalized to the community in terms of increased health care costs or environmental restoration.

Jackson said thats why he wanted to develop NatureZap in the first place. Chemical applications have lasting damage, he said. Light and heat, on the other hand, can come and go with the press of a button, and that might have a lasting impact that wont leave a toxic legacy in its wake.

Sign the Petition: EPA Must Get Serious About Protecting Bees From Toxic Pesticides

Related stories on TakePart:





 Going to Pot

 Monsantos Superweeds Saga Is Only Getting Worse

 U.S. Changes Mind, Nixes Weed Killer Toxic to Monarch Butterflies

Original article from TakePart
Istanbul (AFP) - It is only a matter of time before rebels capture all of Aleppo, the head of Syria's main opposition coalition said Monday as fighters launched an offensive to take the divided second city in its entirety.

Syrian National Coalition chief Anas al-Abdeh, in an interview with AFP, also praised a new-found unity among opposition factions that has seen the Fateh al-Sham Front -- which used to have ties with Al-Qaeda -- join forces with other rebels in the battle for Aleppo.

Over the weekend, opposition fighters succeeded in ending a three-week government siege of Aleppo's rebel-held east -- a major blow to the government forces of President Bashar al-Assad.

"I think this possibly is one of the most important developments of the Syrian revolution in the last five and a half years," Abdeh said in an interview in Istanbul, where the National Coalition is based.

"I think it will pave the way for a proper political transition, something the international community is not taking sufficiently seriously."

Aleppo, once Syria's economic hub and one of the oldest cities in the Middle East, has been roughly divided between government forces in the west and rebel groups in the east since fighting there first broke out in 2012.

Asked if the rebels could now take all of Aleppo in what would be the biggest blow to Assad of the entire war, Abdeh said: "I think it is just a matter of time. It will happen."

He added: "We see very clearly the regime forces are not able to resist."

- 'No terror links' -

Abdeh said rebel forces had moved from a position of defence to attacking not just Syrian regime forces but their allies in Aleppo who he said included Iranian forces, Hezbollah and Iraqi militias.

"We are trying our best to push all these foreigners out of our land so our people live in peace and tranquility," said Abdeh.

He praised a new "political and military unity" among the rebels, saying this was "a key factor" behind the success of the opposition in Aleppo.

Story continues

"I think almost all the armed groups participated... and for the first time they showed a very professional level of coordination and work."

A major role in the fight for Aleppo has been played by the Fateh al-Sham Front, which changed its name from Al-Nusra Front after breaking off ties with Al-Qaeda late last month.

Abdeh defended the involvement of Fateh al-Sham but warned against focusing all attention on their participation due to their past links with Al-Qaeda.

"The good news is that all the groups participating do not have any links with terror organisations" such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State, he said.

"Detaching itself from Al-Qaeda... is one step in the right direction but we need more decisive steps in aligning themselves with the Syrian revolution."

He said Fateh Al-Sham were "playing a role like all other armed groups" in the fight for Aleppo.

"We need to be careful about over-focusing on them," he said, adding that Fateh al-Sham "maybe amount to 10 percent of the fighting force".

"The others are working in silence and we should give them credit for that," Abdeh told AFP.
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.
From Seventeen

DREAMS DO COME TRUE, YOU GUYS. Xavier University, a college in Ohio, is installing the first pizza ATM in North America, which dispenses warm pizza with the touch of a button.

Pizza ATMs have existed in Europe for 14 years, a spokesperson for the French pizza-vending machine company Paline told the Associated Press. The machine holds 70 pizzas at once. Customers can select one of the $10 pizzas using a touch screen; after the pizza is heated for several minutes inside the machine, it will be placed into a cardboard box and delivered.

North Americas first pizza ATM installed on college campus https://t.co/cgVSD0KRFD - Art Fridrich (@Ahighervision) August 5, 2016

If pizza from a giant robotic box sounds gross, let this woman from New York - arguably one of the greatest pizza cities in the world - tell you otherwise: Xavier's marketing director Jennifer Paiotti told WCPO-TV that the pizza is among the best she's ever had.

Xavier's pizza ATM opens on September 8, aka the same day I will arrive on campus with a stack of $10 bills and a raging appetite.
(Adds details)

Aug 8 (Reuters) - Allergan Plc reported weaker-than-expected quarterly revenue after its Alzheimer's drug, Namenda IR, lost patent exclusivity and the company cut its full-year revenue forecast.

Allergan, known as Actavis until it bought Botox-maker Allergan last year and took on its name, cut its forecast for adjusted full-year net revenue to $14.65 billion to $14.90 billion, from its prior estimate of $17 billion.

The company's quarterly net revenue rose marginally, to $3.68 billion from $3.63 billion a year earlier, but this was far below the average Wall Street estimate of $4.08 billion.

Dublin-based Allergan's net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders increased to $571.3 million, or $1.44 per share, for the second quarter ended June 30, from $312.7 million, or 80 cents per share, a year earlier.

Excluding special items, the company earned $3.35 per share, beating the average analysts' estimate by 1 cent, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Allergan's shares were down 0.7 percent in light premarket trading on Monday. Up to Friday's close of $253.85, the stock had fallen nearly 19 percent this year.

Pfizer Inc dropped plans to buy Allergan for $160 billion in April after the U.S. government cracked down on so-called inversion deals, in which companies move their domicile to countries that have a lower tax rate.

The combination would have been the biggest deal ever in the pharmaceutical industry.

Allergan said last week it would sell its Anda distribution business for $500 million to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd , a day after the Israeli drugmaker completed the $40.5 billion acquisition of Allergan's generic-drug portfolio.

(Reporting by Natalie Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Ted Kerr)
Aly Raismans parents watching the Olympics are all of us watching the Olympics

Aly Raismans parents watching the Olympics are all of us watching the Olympics

We cant even begin to imagine the pressures Olympians must face. But before we saw Aly Raismans parents at the Rio Olympics, itd never occurred to us to wonder about the Olympians parents, as well!

Watching their daughter do her gym routine, Alys parents are pretty darn squirmy (aka, nervous as all heck):

But can we blame them? Nope! Their child is performing at the Olympics. If I were an Olympians mother, Id straight pass out from nerves. At least they remain conscious.

Of course this isnt the first time Alys parents have reacted to her performance with their whole bodies. They were just as twitchy during the London Olympics:

Its a universal truth: Aly Raismans parents are all of us. Perhaps they need Leslie Jones there to cheer them up. Just check out Twitter to see:

I'd watch every Olympic sport if they'd cut to Aly Raisman's parents watching it too #Olympics  Gloria Fallon (@GloriaFallon123) August 8, 2016

Hey @NBC - Please never take the camera off Aly Raismans parents.  Motion to Strike (@MotionToStrike) August 8, 2016

Four years later, and still loving every second of footage of @Aly_Raisman's parents watching her compete. pic.twitter.com/Tt2Wm50GHp  abigail kaplan (@AbiKap12) August 8, 2016

my stress level on the first day of school: aly raisman's parents during her uneven bar routine  emma (@emmathehansen) August 8, 2016

aly raisman's parents are me watching anything scary: pic.twitter.com/1SM6u0ukfO  chelsea (@chelsea_kaye) August 8, 2016

Of course, Aly slayed her routine. So her parents will have plenty more opportunities to react to their daughter kicking butt!

The post Aly Raismans parents watching the Olympics are all of us watching the Olympics appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Theres an AMAZING new Harry Potter exhibition coming and it looks magical

Theres an AMAZING new Harry Potter exhibition coming and it looks magical

STOP EVERYTHING! Theres a new Harry Potter exhibition coming and it looks completely out of this world.

If the release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child AND Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them werent enough for one year, it seems that J.K. Rowling and those over at Pottermore are giving us Potter fans something else to celebrate.

As you might know, the 26 June 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the first book in the popular series, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone in the UK and Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone in the U.S.

Harry Potter Wand

Of course, were sure there will be celebrations all around the world to mark the coming of The Boy Who Lived, and well definitely be dusting off our copies of the books (dusting offlike theyre dusty), re-watching the film, and immersing ourselves in the Wizarding World of J.K. Rowling.

However, its been announced that Bloomsbury, the books publisher in the UK, will be celebrating two decades of Harry Potter with a string of events, one of them being a HUGE exhibition at Londons British Library that pays tribute to the magic of the series.

According to a release on Pottermore, the hub for all things HP, the exhibit will draw on the British Librarys own collections to showcase all sorts of thrilling treasures, exploring the history of magic all over the world and displays of wizarding books. It will also feature previously unseen material from Bloomsburys and J.K. Rowlings archives, as well as a number of other sources.

Oh. M. GEE! This sounds MAJORLY exciting.

Harry Potter Book Covers

Speaking about the celebrations, Bloomsbury Childrens Publishing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Rebecca McNally, said, The British Library is a magical place for book lovers. They are the perfect partners for a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition exploring a once-in-a-lifetime cultural phenomenon, a thrilling celebration of magic and imagination with Harry Potter at its heart.

Story continues

Thats not all, however, as Bloomsbury will also be releasing Hogwarts house-themed special editions of the first book in the series, featuring the crest and colors of either Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin.

Hogwarts Houses

We REALLY hope that the books publisher in the U.S., Scholastics, will also do something cool to celebrate the anniversary of the first book. Its such a big literary event and were sure they will.

For those of you wanting to travel to the UK to visit the exhibition, it starts on 20 October 2017. That might give you enough time to try and bag yourself tickets to The Cursed Child, too!

The post Theres an AMAZING new Harry Potter exhibition coming and it looks magical appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Tokyo (AFP) - Japan's fair trade watchdog raided the offices of Amazon Japan over allegations that it improperly pressured retailers that sold products on its site, local media said Monday.

The Japanese unit of the US-based internet retailer forced conditions such as requiring retailers to sell products below the price they advertised on rival sites, the Nikkei business daily said.

Japan's Fair Trade Commission declined to confirm the report, but added that it was "not incorrect".

Amazon Japan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Last year, the European Union's antitrust watchdog opened a formal investigation into Amazon's ebook distribution.

The case centred on clauses Amazon had with publishers which may shield the company from competitors, including an obligation to be informed of more favourable terms being offered by rivals.
By Thomas Wilson

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Fair Trade Commission has raided the offices of Amazon.com Inc's (AMZN.O) local unit on suspicion of pressuring retailers to offer products at lower prices than on rival sites, the Nikkei business daily said on Monday.

The paper, which cited unidentified sources with knowledge of the case, did not say when the raid took place.

A Japan Fair Trade Commission spokesman said he could not confirm the report but added: "I won't say the contents are incorrect."

An Amazon Japan spokeswoman declined to comment.

Amazon Japan's website booked net sales of $8.3 billion last year, equivalent to 7.7 percent of Amazon.com's worldwide net sales. By comparison, main rival Rakuten Inc (4755.T) recorded e-commerce revenue in Japan of 263.9 billion yen ($2.9 billion) in the same period.

Amazon's practices toward retailers and e-commerce partners have also come under scrutiny in Europe.

Germany's Federal Cartel Office began an investigation in November into Apple Inc (AAPL.O) and Amazon after complaints that publishers were being forced to accept "unreasonable conditions" for the marketing of audiobooks.

And the European Union last year opened an antitrust investigation into Amazon's e-book business, examining whether clauses in contracts prevented publishers from offering more favorable deals to Amazon's competitors.

Apple and Audible, Amazon's audiobook business, declined at the time to comment on the German investigation.

On the E.U. probe, Amazon said it was confident its agreements with publishers were legal and in the best interests of readers.

Britain's Office of Fair Trading and Germany's Federal Cartel Office probed Amazon's conditions for third-party sellers trading on its "Marketplace" platform between 2012 and 2013.

Both bodies closed their investigations after the company altered policies that banned traders from selling products offered on Amazon more cheaply elsewhere.

(Reporting by Thomas Wilson; Editing by Stephen Coates and Edwina Gibbs)
Amazon.com, Inc. AMZN has made a big move toward establishing its own global logistics and transportation network. The company recently showcased its first cargo plane Amazon One at the Seafair Air Show in Seattle.

This Boeing 767-300 is the first of the fleet of 40 freight jets that the company plans to fly over the next two years.

The company has been developing a complex network of fulfillment, logistics and delivery systems and the recent move appears to be a part of this endeavor. Building its own in-house shipping and logistics service will help Amazon to address increasing delivery demands and improve delivery speeds as its Prime business.

Earlier this year, the company partnered with Air Transport Services Group, Inc. ATSG and Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. AAWW. As part of the deals, Amazon will lease 20 freight jets each from Air Transport Services and Atlas Air Worldwide.

This isn't the first time Amazon has done something that shows its growing interest in shipping and logistics. In Jan 2015, Amazon China obtained an ocean-shipping license from the U. S. Federal Maritime Commission and registered itself as an ocean freight forwarder. It has also been developing its own local delivery service in some markets.

AMAZON.COM INC Price

AMAZON.COM INC Price | AMAZON.COM INC Quote

It appears that while Amazon may not immediately do away with traditional shippers like FedEx Corporation FDX and United Parcel Service, Inc. it is certainly going to build alternatives/supplements by developing its own global logistics.

"Creating an air transportation network is expanding our capacity to ensure great delivery speeds for our Prime members for years to come," Amazon's vice president of worldwide operations Dave Clark said in a statement.

At present, Amazon is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock.

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



AMAZON.COM INC (AMZN): Free Stock Analysis Report



FEDEX CORP (FDX): Free Stock Analysis Report



ATLAS AIR WORLD (AAWW): Free Stock Analysis Report



AIR TRANSPT SVC (ATSG): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
A year after Amazon Studios chief Roy Price failed to charm television critics during his awkward debut in front of the press, he was back on the hot seat for another session that did little to help make sense of the e-commerce giant's Hollywood ambitions.

Amazon left just 15 minutes of Q&A with Price at the end of its daylong panel on Sunday during the Television Critics Association's summer press tour, and the press was hungry for him to explain the streamer's programming decisions. But while Price extolled the value of Amazon's pilot process, he offered up few concrete examples of the way in which it has influenced a greenlight decision. He was similarly evasive about how much programming he envisions for the fledgling service or how large a budget he has to spend on originals.

Almost any appearance in front of the press would have been better for Price than his first turn in the TCA hot seat last summer, in which he forced to address (or in many cases, decline to address) potential controversies over new shows from Woody Allen and the vocal trio of former Top Gear hosts. This time, Price was saved from some of those tougher questions.

Amazon even slyly addressed last year's criticism with a video that rolled before Price's appearance that teased the upcoming The Grand Tour with former Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May in which an unidentified man dressed in a lion suit expressed worry that the audience would be critical of the new series.

And Price appeared to find his stride partway through the session when he began to extol the precision of the Amazon Fire Stick's voice recognition software. "It always knows what I'm saying," he said. "It's unbelievable."

But for all the critical and awards success of Transparent, Amazon hasn't figured out its messaging, even as Hollywood has finally come to grips with the increasingly important role of streaming thanks to the dominance of Netflix. That much was clear during the session, during which Price fielded several questions about how Amazon does business, what exactly he's looking for and, even, how to watch his shows. Here are the highlights:

Story continues

Viewer Opinions Still Matter

When Amazon first began releasing programming, it stood out for its unusual pilot process, in which it released the pilots for free and considered the feedback before making its greenlight decisions. But as the streamer has matured, it has begun giving full-season orders to some projects that get to bypass the pilot process (like David E. Kelley's Goliath). But when asked about the value of that viewer feedback, Price said it was still important. "You can take the audience feedback, which has a lot of dimensions, then you have the critics and our own observation," he said. "Put that all into the mixer and figure it out. It is helpful." But he cautioned that the data wasn't the only factor that went into the decision-making process, adding "you have to not get lost in the weeds of the data."

Long-Term Plans

Price was asked specifically if he hoped his scripted originals would have multiple-season runs and noted that was "definitely a goal." The executive stressed that it was helpful to have previous seasons of a series available to benefit viewers who may come in during a second season. "As we mature as a service, we'll be glad to have more long-running shows," he said. As part of that, Price declined to provide a Netflix-like dollar figure for Amazon Studios' spending on originals. Weeks after Amazon CFO Brian Olsavsky said Amazon would double its content spending in the second half of 2016 compared with the same period last year, Price would only say it was on an "upwards trajectory." "The programming is expanding versus previous years," he said, stressing that spending was double in the second half of 2015 vs. the same period in 2014.

Empty House

Price confirmed that Alpha House - whose second season was released Oct. 24, 2014 - was indeed canceled. While he did his best to avoid calling the show outright canceled, the exec stressed it wasn't a "current" show for the streaming service but he would remain open to doing more episodes down the line. As for Amazon Studios' latest pilot crop, the streamer picked up The Last Tycoon to series and has passed on fellow pilot The Interestings. Meanwhile, Whit Stillman's The Cosmopolitans "could still happen," he said, adding that Stillman was working on new scripts following the release of Amazon's Love & Friendship.

Ratings Remain Under Wraps

Lately, several outfits have been hot on the trail of Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hulu in an effort to out the streaming services' extremely private viewership numbers. Among the companies that have received the most attention for doing so recently: Symphony Advanced Media and Nielsen. Symphony's publicized numbers led to Netflix content chief Ted Sarandos calling them "remarkably inaccurate." Well, Price, too, has seen the numbers - and he's not impressed. "I saw one article about that and the numbers were definitely incorrect. I can confirm that," he told a small group of reporters after his executive session. But were the stats really that off? "They were definitely off," added the exec, whose company has yet to disclose just how many people subscribe to its Prime membership plans. "And it's not like they were off by, like, five people, so."

Mum on Working with Woody

When one reporter brought up Allen - whose new show, Crisis in Six Scenes, was previewed earlier in the day with two short teasers - in a small scrum after Price's 15 minutes in front of the press, the exec smiled and responded cryptically, "I look forward to your reaction. See it in the fall." Another reporter then pressed him on the process of working with Allen on the series, which he confirmed will be six episodes of continuous story. "My reflection is that it comes on in September. Check it out, see what you think," he said, keeping quiet on the specifics of working with the controversial filmmaker. He did, however, add that the door is open to Allen should he want to do more of the series. "That's something we have to figure out with Woody. We'll see how he feels and what he wants to do. He's busy because he does a movie a year, so it's hard," the exec acknowledged. But is Amazon game for more? Yes, according to Price: "I would do it."
By Hamid Shalizi KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan authorities are searching for an Australian and an American who were kidnapped by gunmen in the capital, Kabul, officials said on Monday. The pair, believed to be affiliated with a Kabul university, was taken by four or five gunmen from a nearby road late on Sunday, said an official with the Ministry of Interior who spoke on condition of anonymity. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the abduction. The Australian Embassy in Kabul confirmed one of its citizens had apparently been abducted but said it would not comment further due to privacy and safety considerations. "We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation, including the serious threat of kidnapping," Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement. The U.S. State Department said in a statement it was aware of reports an American had been kidnapped but had no other information to offer. Kidnapping is a major problem in Afghanistan with Afghans the most affected, although a number of foreigners have also been abducted in recent years. An Indian aid worker was abducted in Kabul in June and released the following month. At least two other foreigners, from Germany and the Netherlands, were taken from the same neighborhood in separate incidents last year. Those two foreigners, both of them women, were eventually released unharmed, with police saying the kidnappings were most likely motivated by money. In June, police began advising foreigners living in the capital that they should travel with guards or avoid leaving their homes. (Additional reporting by Tom Westbrook in SYDNEY and Lesley Wroughton in WASHINGTON; Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Paul Tait, Robert Birsel)
Kabul (AFP) - Gunmen wearing police uniforms kidnapped an American and an Australian in the heart of Kabul, officials said Monday, the latest in a series of abductions of foreigners in the conflict-torn country.

The two professors at the American University of Afghanistan were seized from their vehicle on Sunday evening, as the kidnappers smashed the passenger window and hauled them away at gunpoint.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the abductions, which come three days after a group of foreign tourists were ambushed by the Taliban in western Herat province, underscoring the growing insecurity in Afghanistan.

"Two foreign professors, one American and the other Australian, were abducted at gunpoint from Dar-ul-Aman road in the centre of Kabul city," interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told AFP.

"Indications are that they were kidnapped by a criminal group."

The driver and a guard inside the vehicle, both unharmed, have been held for questioning, another security official told AFP.

Four gunmen wearing police uniforms were involved in the abduction, according to a Western official in Kabul.

The Afghan capital is infested with organised criminal gangs who stage kidnappings for ransom, often targeting foreigners and wealthy Afghans, and sometimes handing them over to insurgent groups.

The US State Department said it was aware of reports of the kidnapping of an American but declined to comment further.

The Australian government confirmed the "apparent kidnapping" of one its citizens, citing its embassy in Kabul, but also refused to elaborate due to security considerations.

"We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation, including the serious threat of kidnapping," the government said in a statement.

- Growing insecurity -

This appeared to be the first reported abduction related to a private university in Afghanistan.

Story continues

The elite American University of Afghanistan, which opened in 2006 and enrols more than 1,700 students, was not immediately reachable for comment. It has attracted a number of visiting faculty members from Western countries.

The abductions highlight the growing dangers faced by foreigners in Afghanistan.

Foreign tourists, including British, American and German nationals, came under Taliban fire on Thursday in a volatile district of Herat, leaving some of them wounded. They were safely evacuated to Kabul and were flown out of the country.

Aid workers in particular have increasingly been casualties of a surge in militant violence in recent years.

Judith D'Souza, a 40-year-old Indian employee of the Aga Khan Foundation, a prominent NGO that has long worked in Afghanistan, was rescued last month after she was abducted near her residence in the heart of Kabul on the night of June 9.

D'Souza's abduction came after Katherine Jane Wilson, a well-known Australian NGO worker, was kidnapped on April 28 in the city of Jalalabad, close to the border with Pakistan.

Wilson, said to be aged 60, ran an organisation known as Zardozi, which promotes the work of Afghan artisans, particularly women.

The United States in May warned its citizens in Afghanistan of a "very high" kidnapping risk after an American narrowly escaped abduction in the heart of Kabul.

In April last year the bullet-riddled bodies of five Afghan workers for Save the Children were found after they were abducted by gunmen in the strife-torn southern province of Uruzgan.
Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad is making quite the impression during her first day of competition in Rio: Not only did she win her first event, but she received a celebratory tweet from Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Clinton's shout-out called attention to the fact that "Muhammad became the first American Muslim athlete to compete while wearing a hijab."

A hijab is a scarf covering the head and chest worn by many Muslim women. The garment has broader societal connotations in the Muslim religion and has been the object of bans and legal restrictions in several European countries, including France and Belgium.

Muhammad also engaged with Republican nominee Donald Trump last week during an interview with CNN in which she called his political rhetoric "dangerous" and rebuffed his proposal to ban Muslims from entering the U.S.

"When these types of comments are made, no one thinks about how they really affect people. I'm African American. I don't have another home to go to," Muhammad said.

Muhammad defeated Ukraine's Elena Kravatska in women's individual sabre in the round of 32 before losing to Cecilia Berder of France in the round of 16.

Muhammad went to Duke University, where she was a three-time All American. She was the 2005 Junior Olympic champion and also serves on the U.S. Department of State's Empowering Women and Girls Through Sport program.

In Rio, Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad became the first American Muslim athlete to compete while wearing a hijab. pic.twitter.com/OrRSHnH2Ra

- Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 8, 2016
American treasure Leslie Jones is on her way to Rio RIGHT NOW to cover the Olympics

American treasure Leslie Jones is on her way to Rio RIGHT NOW to cover the Olympics

Good news, if you can believe it: The Olympics are about to get 10,000% better.

How and why? Beautiful Leslie Jones is on her way there right this second, and if you hadnt noticed, everything she touches turns to gold. Now shes actually going to be dealing with gold, as in gold medals, and this is the best thing to happen to the Olympics since all those very attractive swimmers started popping up in our social media feeds.

If you were at all paying attention to social media over the weekend, and of course the Olympics, you must have noticed that Jones USA!! chant was BY FAR, the loudest. She wasnt just cheering to cheer, she straight up loves the Olympics, and basically live-tweeted the entire thing for our watching/viewing/Twitter pleasure.

Since all of her 140 character tweets earned gold in our hearts, soon NBC (who broadcasts the Olympicsand also a little show called Saturday Night Live) had taken notice, and plans were being made to get Jones to Rio. But would she go? Would she actually drop everything to fly to Brazil to make AMERICA PROUD?

Yes.

Earlier today she tweeted that YES, shes going to Rio to work as one of NBCs commentators.

RIO BOUND BABY USA! USA!! pic.twitter.com/Gkaxr2UOPl  Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) August 8, 2016

You guys I'm gonna show y'all everything lmao!! Good and bad!! Hopefully it's all good! SO EXCITED!! USA!USA!!  Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) August 8, 2016

Know what we need right now? A Time-Turner. So we can go back in time to the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, and make sure that Jones is there for that, too. Can you even IMAGINE her during the Parade of Nations?

Story continues

According to her subsequent tweets, shes packing for Rio right now, and will soon be on her way. Shes expected to arrive by Friday, which is yes a long time away. At least in the meantime weve got her tweets.

I would be so scared!! pic.twitter.com/bXFW63prZp  Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) August 8, 2016

The post American treasure Leslie Jones is on her way to Rio RIGHT NOW to cover the Olympics appeared first on HelloGiggles.
On Return to Amish, Esther really wanted to get her ears pierced so she turned to an unlikely source -- her mom, Mary. "The Amish do not allow ear piercing," said Mary, "Ear piercings is one of the worldly things, and the Amish try and stay away from too much of the beautiful things." Even though pierced ears are against her culture's belief Mary decided to not only give her daughter her blessing, she even did the piercing herself. Armed with a needle, thread, and some rubbing alcohol Mary set to threading the sterile needle through her daughter's ears right then and there. This had been the way Mary had her own ears pierced, though she didn't really say how that played into her current belief system. After seeing how happy her daughter was with the pierced ears, Mary reflected on their conservative religious beliefs saying, "Piercing Esther's ears made me wonder if it wouldn't be nice to find a church that would be more allowing of things, because some things are nice to have."
(Reuters) - Anbang Insurance Group Co [ANBANG.UL] is not considering an offer for InterContinental Hotels Group Plc (IHG.L), Chris Winans, a representative for the Chinese company said on Sunday, rejecting a media report that a takeover bid was in the works.

The Sunday Times reported that Anbang has held talks with bankers about an offer to buy the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotel chains owner. (http://bit.ly/2bcIFiq)

Anbang is said to be in the early stages of considering an offer for InterContinental, and has not yet made any formal approach, The Times said.

InterContinental could not be immediately reached for a comment outside regular business hours. Winans made no further comment.

Anbang dropped its pursuit of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc (HOT.N) in March, ending a bidding war with Marriott International Inc (MAR.O).

(Reporting by Mike Stone in New York and Rama Venkat Raman in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Crosby)
By Asli Kandemir and Daren Butler ISTANBUL (Reuters) - After years of being gradually eclipsed as President Tayyip Erdogan forges a "new Turkey" with Islam firmly at its heart, the secular republic's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk has, for now at least, made a comeback in the wake of a failed coup. At a rally of more than a million people in Istanbul on Sunday, Erdogan drew a parallel between the spirit of the young officer who founded modern Turkey in 1923 and the civilians who took to the streets on July 15 to try to stop rogue soldiers in tanks and helicopters from seizing power. "The belief that helped war veteran Mustafa Kemal start and win the war of independence was running through all Turkey's cities on July 15," Erdogan told the Istanbul rally, portraits of himself and Ataturk blowing in the breeze on either side of the huge stage. [nL8N1AO0B4] From a leader bent on raising a "pious generation", it seemed a major gesture of conciliation, an attempt to bridge a deep divide in Turkish society reaching back to 1923, when Ataturk forged the secular republic from the ruins of an Ottoman theocracy and banished Islam from public life. Since the failed coup, Ataturk's portrait has been hung from the headquarters of the ruling AK Party, founded by Erdogan and rooted in political Islam, and its leaders have repeatedly invoked him - a revered figure for the country's secularists - as a symbol of unity. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition CHP, the party of Ataturk, told Sunday's rally a "door of compromise" had been opened in the nation of almost 80 million and that a new Turkey had been ushered in in the wake of the coup. But for all the euphoria, sustaining such a spirit of cooperation would mean overcoming deep division over the direction of a nation with a secular constitution but overwhelmingly Muslim population. "This is a limited consensus. It's a very basic agreement that democracy is better than a military junta and that we all want justice. Nobody expects anyone to forget where they stood on July 14," said a senior government official. Engin Altay, a senior CHP lawmaker, said the AK Party appeared to be invoking Ataturk to try to quell an atmosphere of "pessimism and panic" after the coup attempt and said it was an open question whether the spirit of unity would last. "It depends on whether, after emerging from this trauma, the AK Party can adopt a compromise policy without becoming drunk on, or poisoned by, power. If it fails to do so and says 'we got power from the people and will do whatever we say', they will again slam the state against the wall," he told Reuters. "MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE" Erdogan has cautiously pushed a conservative Islamist agenda since the AKP came to power in 2002. Opponents see in his promotion of religious education, tighter laws on alcohol, and strictures on daily life an attempt to undermine the country's secular foundations. Ataturk's presence has gradually been felt less, having for decades loomed large, his piercing blue eyes staring from posters, his statue in pride of place in schools, public buildings and town squares. The CHP was in uproar in 2013 over the removal of his silhouette and the Turkish Republic abbreviation from state medals and some public buildings. But the coup bid, which Erdogan says was staged by the followers of U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, has provided a common enemy. Secularists loathe Gulen's religious movement, whose members have assumed prominent positions in the state bureaucracy, and are pleased to see it under attack. More than 60,000 people in the military, judiciary, civil service and education have been detained, suspended or placed under investigation over alleged links to Gulen since the coup. The government may be forced as a result to work more with its secularist opponents, commonly known as Kemalists, as it replaces purged officials, particularly in the military, which for decades saw itself as the guardian of the secular order. "This requires the government to recalibrate its relations with Kemalism ... which it has demonized throughout its 14-year rule," said Gonul Tol, director of the Washington-based Middle East Institute's Center for Turkish Studies. "The military will have to accept working under an Islamist government while the government will have to respect the Kemalist core of the military," she said. "But I don't think this marriage of convenience will last. Once the government has enough loyal personnel ... the Kemalists will be discarded." HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY A return to the founding principles of the modern republic could help ease divisions in a country that has become increasingly polarized in recent years. But in Erdogan's references to Ataturk, some see political opportunism rather than a sincere attempt to bridge an ideological rift. "The switch is the result of strategic necessity rather than personal choice," said Deniz Ulke Aribogan, international relations professor at Istanbul University. "This brutal coup attempt created an opportunity for Erdogan to become the president of the whole country ... We have to wait and see what comes next," she said. Erdogan's core supporters see him as the champion of the pious Anatolian masses, a strongman restoring religion to the centre of public life after decades of rule by what they see as Western-facing Kemalist elites. He has been careful in his choice of words, referring to Ataturk simply as Mustafa Kemal, his name as a military officer when he led the Turkish National Movement to victory in the war of independence after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire. Ataturk, "Father of the Turks", was bestowed on him a decade later, after he introduced reforms replacing Arabic with Latin script and promoting Western dress and women's rights. Some in conservative religious circles have already questioned the references to him, criticizing what they say legitimizes a secularist ideology they battled for decades. "All they've done is feed the idea that the ideology of Ataturk is the only foundation for legitimacy in politics and that other movements are illegitimate," wrote columnist Hakan Albayrak in the conservative Karar newspaper, criticizing those who hung Ataturk's image on the AKP building. Parts of the crowd booed as Kilicdaroglu spoke at Sunday's rally, dismissing his call that politics should now be kept out of the mosques, as well as the courthouses and barracks. His presence on the stage alongside Erdogan would have been unthinkable three weeks ago. It could yet cost the CHP some supporters, who remain suspicious of Erdogan's motivation. "I don't find this situation sincere at all. They can't even say the word Ataturk. For now, it suits them. If it suited them, tomorrow they would start insulting him," said Burcu Ural, a cafe owner in Istanbul's bohemian Beyoglu district. (Additional reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Nick Tattersall and Peter Graff)
Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f169799%2f9bc0f3e3d651464192795d8dcc90a25e

In response to a damning report by ABC's Four Corners exposing horrific circumstances and live-baiting practices in greyhound racing, a surge in greyhound adoptions has spread across the nation, and the obligatory adoption Instagram accounts have appeared with them.

SEE ALSO: Sweet puppy turns vicious when human flips him off

The Four Corner's expose of illegal live baiting (animals being used as bait) in greyhound racing has lead to mass reforms in the industry, with some states moving to ban greyhound racing all together.

In an exemplary show of love and care for the cool canines, greyhound adoption has risen, with the northern state of Queensland reporting a 300 percent rise in adoptions.

Most states have their own adoption association, such as The Greyhound Adoption Program Queensland, with a central mission to "find suitable, loving, long term homes for racing greyhounds whose careers have come to an end."

The Australians who've recently adopted the adorable, lanky dogs have taken to Instagram to document the heartwarming transition from racing dog to family pet and chill best friend.

If you're interested in adopting a former racing dog for your very own, depending on which state you're in, there is a donation fee of AU $300 (US $228) which includes de-sexing, vaccinations, worming and a warm coat (for fashion reasons, obviously.)
By Matt Siegel SYDNEY (Reuters) - A member of an Australian anti-immigration group accused of planning an attack may face additional charges in what the government said was the first time federal terrorism laws had been used to target such right-wing groups. Phillip Galea, 31, has been charged with acts done in preparation for a terrorist act and collecting or making documents likely to facilitate a terrorist act, after being arrested in Melbourne on Saturday. Victoria state Assistant Commissioner Ross Guenther told reporters that he or his associates may face additional charges. Galea will return to court on Tuesday for his next hearing. "That's always a possibility given that we're in an early part of the investigation," Guenther said on Monday. Australia, a staunch U.S. ally, has been on heightened alert for attacks by home-grown Islamist radicals since 2014 and authorities say they have thwarted a number of plots. But far-right activist groups and political parties opposed to Islam and Asian immigration are on the rise in Australia. One Nation, a political party headed by right-wing firebrand Pauline Hanson, secured four senate seats and king-maker status in national elections held last month by running on a protectionist, anti-Islam platform. Justice Minister Michael Keenan said that the charges showed that Australia's tough new counter-terrorism laws, which some Muslim leaders have said unfairly subjected them to racial profiling, were unbiased. "This is the first time in the history of Australia that we have used Commonwealth terrorism laws to charge someone who is alleged to have been a right-wing extremist," Keenan told reporters in Perth. Galea was a fixture at rallies held by the far-right True Blue Crew, which has previously been involved in violent clashes with pro-immigration groups, group co-founder Kane Miller told Reuters. Miller on Monday distanced himself and the organization from Galea, whom he said had never openly discussed any alleged plot. The group does not condone violence, Miller said. "I'm not going to lie, I did know him and he did attend our events," Miller said. "All lives are precious. Muslim lives over in Saudi Arabia, although I don't agree with them, are precious." Galea denied the charges against him during an appearance before a judge in Melbourne on Saturday and said they were part of a conspiracy against the so-called "patriot" movement. He could not immediately be reached for comment. (Reporting by Matt Siegel; Editing by Ed Davies)
josh and shamir 2

When Josh Reich arrived in Pittsburgh from Australia in summer 2004 to start grad school, his first order of business was finding an apartment and setting up utilities. But he quickly discovered one major problem: He didn't know how to write a check.

Stumped by the phrase "Pay to the order of" and unable to Google it, Reich was forced to sheepishly knock on his neighbor's door to ask how to fill out the check so he could set up electricity service.

That experience, he says, began "an adversarial relationship" with American banking.

Reich was stunned by how difficult it was to transfer money, the number of fees that quickly began to add up, and the fact that he constantly had to keep an eye on his accounts. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University with an MBA in finance, economics, and accounting, Reich went on to work for a hedge fund.

But his problems continued.

"Any nanosecond of the day, I could tell what was going on with billions of dollars of other people's money, yet when I came home and tried to figure out what was going on with my household finances, it was really hard," Reich told Business Insider. "I knew it wasn't because I didn't know what I was doing."

Reich and Shamir Karkal, a fellow CMU graduate, decided to start their own banking platform. They quit their jobs and began building Simple out of Reich's basement in Brooklyn at a time when there was little to no trust in the banking system: It was 2009, the peak of the financial crisis.

In the midst of Occupy Wall Street, Reich and Karkal devised a plan for how to fix some of the problems people were protesting about. Then they began to shop around their idea to the venture-capital community.

"I remember speaking with a certain VC who will remain nameless," Reich said. "He told me, 'Well, I've got a Wells Fargo account and if I need a check, I just call up the bank and they come bring it to my office.' And I said, 'No, sir. You have a Wells Fargo account with like eight digits in it. You're a very wealthy gentleman. They will do that for you  they don't do that for average people.'"

Story continues

'We're well able to punch above our weight class'

SimplePeopleSmiling

Now, Simple is approaching its seventh birthday and was acquired in February 2014 by financial-services corporation BBVA. Simple is about to build a new, 50,000-square-foot office building in its home city of Portland, Oregon, next door to Simple's existing headquarters.

According to Reich, the company is just trying to avoid having to hold meetings in the bathroom or broom closets.

"Over the last six months, we've grown 43%," he said. "If we were a traditional bank, we would have needed 945 branches to support the growth that we've had. We have 320 people and we're well able to punch above our weight class."



The company focuses on a combination of encouraging saving while tracking spending, all on a minimalist mobile platform. There are no physical bank branches  instead, Simple uses fee-free ATMs inside places like CVS, 7-Eleven, and Walgreens. The company makes money splitting interest margins with its partner bank and splitting the service fee on debit-card purchases. Reich says there are no overdraft fees, late fees, or any other more traditional banking fees.

So will Simple actually replace traditional banking? Will users switch their money over to a mobile platform with no brick-and-mortar branches? Can a 7-year-old startup compete with the likes of Wells Fargo and Chase Bank?

Reich is confident: "If you build a process people like, people will use it."

NOW WATCH: An Israeli startup invented a compost bin that converts kitchen waste to cooking fuel





More From Business Insider


Australias awe-inspiring Red Centre has been depicted in stunning timelapse video, captured from October 30 to July 31. Photographer Kartikeya Sharma spent 10 months filming Australias unique landscape for his project, The Ancients.

Sharma describes his project as a saga depicting the spiritual communion of the oldest of land and the ethereals above in Red Central Australia. It tells the story of the great spiritual landscape experiencing different seasons across the year.

The video shows lightning and thunderstorms passing above Uluru, Mount Conner engulfed by sandstorms and picturesque sunsets over Kata Tjuta. Credit: YouTube/Kartikeya Sharma
Photo: Peter Dench/Getty Images.

Muslim women should be banned from wearing the veil in public buildings, shopping centres and on public transport, according to Lisa Duffy, a candidate hoping to become Ukip's next leader.

Duffy, the party's former director, believes her plans would promote integration. She described the veil as "a symbol of aggressive separatism that can only foster extremism" and said it is often "forced on women by men who view them as their property", The Guardian reported.

She stopped short of calling for a complete ban, but said under her leadership Ukip would back a "show your face in public" policy.

"On our public transport networks, in public buildings, banks, stores and shopping precincts  all those places where teenagers are told to take their hoodies down and where motorcyclists are expected to remove their helmets  it is only reasonable to expect everyone to show their faces," she said.

She added there should be "one law for all, rather than making an exception for a community because we are frightened of causing offence," and that it shouldn't be considered Islamophobic to ask a woman to remove her veil in public.

Duffy tried to present her proposal as beneficial for Muslim women in Britain. She said: I have a positive vision for British Islam where girls can grow up with equal rights to men and be given the rights of self-determination the rest of us take for granted."

Muslim women in France have been banned from wearing the full-face veil in public spaces since 2011 and those who do so risk fines. However, Muslim women have criticised the law, calling it a violation of their freedom of religion and expression.

Duffy previously called for Islamic faith schools to be shut down and for a "complete and comprehensive ban" on sharia courts in the UK.

However, a rival candidate in the race to become Ukip leader, MEP Bill Etheridge, hinted that Duffy's focus on Islam was an example of "chasing the bigot vote", and that the party shouldn't focus on small issues like Islam which makes us look small-minded".

Story continues

There are six candidates in the running to lead Ukip, after Nigel Farage resigned (again) last month. The winner will be announced at the party's annual conference on 15th of September.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

I Have A Lot Of Problems With Donald Trump  & His Parenting Is A Big One

President Obama Writes Essay On Why Men Need To Be Feminists

What Trump's Really Saying About Muslim Women
DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh has expelled a senior North Korean diplomat after accusing him of smuggling almost half a million dollars worth of banned cigarettes and electronic goods, a government minister said on Monday. Han Son Ik, first secretary of the North Korean embassy in Dhaka, is the country's second senior diplomat to have been expelled from Bangladesh in as many years for allegedly bringing contraband into the country. "The Bangladesh government has asked the North Korean embassy to expel the concerned diplomat without delay," said Mohammad Shahriar Alam, the junior minister for external affairs. Calls to the North Korean embassy went unanswered. Customs officials seized the smuggled goods valued at 447,000, Moinul Islam Khan, head of intelligence at Bangladesh customs, told Reuters. Bangladesh expelled a previous North Korean first secretary in March last year after he was caught smuggling 27 kg (60 lb) of gold - worth $1.4 million - into the country, officials said at the time. North Korea is under tight international sanctions that restrict its ability to move money through conventional means. (Reporting By Serajul Quadir; Editing by Tommy Wilkes, Robert Birsel)
Bangladesh police have raided the office of a news website and detained three journalists over a report on rumours the prime minister's son had died, an official said Monday, days after the country blocked dozens of news sites.

Police conducted a five-hour search of the popular news portal banglamail24.com's Dhaka office on Sunday evening, hours after the story appeared, and detained the executive editor and two other journalists.

The portal reported rumours published on a Facebook page that Sajeeb Wazed Joy had died in a plane crash, but it made clear that they were false.

"We have picked them up for questioning about the news they have published," said Mufti Mahmud Khan, spokesman for the elite Rapid Action Battalion, which carried out the raid on the office.

"After the questioning ends, we will be able to tell you more about it."

Phones at the banglamail24 office went unanswered on Monday morning and the website had not been updated.

The raid came days after the government sparked accusations of censorship when it shut down 32 online news services, citing "objectionable contents".

The government has also banned live television coverage of Islamist extremist attacks in the wake of last month's deadly assault on a cafe in which 22 people were killed, including 18 foreigners.

Prime Minister Hasina publicly criticised the coverage of the attack and told private broadcasters to be more responsible.
OTTAWA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The Bank of Canada wants the country's banks to start a fund that would invest in small- and medium-sized businesses in Canada to help foster better global expansion for domestic firms, according to a report from the Globe and Mail.

The plan would see banks and potentially pension funds and insurers put money into a private sector fund of at least C$1 billion ($767.99 million) that would make debt and equity investments of C$2 million to C$20 million in Canadian companies, the newspaper reported on Monday.

The initiative is still at an early stage, according to the report, which cited a briefing on the fund prepared by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz and CIBC Chief Executive Victor Dodig are both proponents of the fund, the Globe said.

The Bank of Canada said it does not comment on commercial decisions of financial institutions.

The fund is modeled on a similar bank and government sponsored fund in Britain, the Business Growth Fund, that was launched in 2011. The fund is backed by five major British banks and has up to 2.5 billion pounds ($3.28 billion) with which to make equity investments in small and medium firms. ($1 = 1.3021 Canadian dollars) ($1 = 0.7618 pounds) (Reporting by Leah Schnurr; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
(Yahoo News Photo Illustration/Photos: AP/Getty)

BAGHDAD  In the startling heat of the tarmac, the backwash from the helicopter blades still feels like a dragons breath, and the unmistakable smell  of burning trash, automobile exhaust and something exotic carried on the scirocco wind  brings back distant memories. From a helicopter, the bright ribbon of the Euphrates and the ochre sprawl of Baghdad still look the same under a dirty sky. Inside the Green Zone, there are the familiar landmarks  Saddam Husseins arch of crossed swords, the blue eggshell memorial to the Iran-Iraq War, and the Iraq government building that was partially destroyed by the United States more than a decade ago, and is once again serving as a U.S. wartime command center.

A generation of U.S. military officers that came of age during two previous Iraq wars is returning for what they hope will be a decisive third campaign, this time against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or Daesh, in the Arabic acronym. Baghdad must have seemed eerily familiar to Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, when he recently landed here to assess preparations for the crucial upcoming battle for Mosul, Iraqs second-largest city. As a colonel, he ably led the 5th Marine Regiment during the 2003 invasion, earning his nickname of Fighting Joe Dunford. All these years later, Dunford and other senior U.S. military commanders are back, hoping for a lasting victory against tyranny and terror in this beleaguered nation.

The current moment feels most like 2007-2010, when U.S. forces nearly achieved their goals of securing Baghdad and destroying al-Qaida in Iraq. Today, Dunford and his commanders are field-testing a hybrid style of operations. U.S. airpower, intelligence gathering and logistics expertise will support local forces on the ground, including the Iraqi army and police, Kurdish Peshmerga troops and Shiite and Sunni militias called Popular Mobilization forces. Thats a slower and less certain approach than using American ground forces directly, but neither Iraq nor Washington has much appetite for a major U.S. deployment.

Sometime in the next four to eight months, the viability of that strategy will be tested in the battle to liberate Mosul  and, hopefully, to destroy ISIS as an existential military threat and allow the Iraqi government to stand on its own and defend its territory.

When people ask me when the Battle of Mosul is going to start, I tell them its already started, said Dunford, speaking to a small group of reporters who accompanied him to Iraq. Iraqi armored forces recently captured a key airbase and staging area just 35 miles south of the city, for instance, while Kurdish Peshmerga forces have advanced their front lines to roughly the same distance from the north and east. We are gradually tightening the noose around Mosul, and the effects of our isolating the city are already starting to tell in terms of limiting the enemys ability to move forces and leaders in and out. That has allowed us to accelerate operations that target their leadership and resources, Dunford said.

A Kurdish fighter aims an anti-tank missile toward an ISIS position as a bulldozer builds berms and trenches on the new frontline on November 15, 2015, near Sinjar, Iraq. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Indeed, Joint Special Operations Commands targeted killing operations by drones and commando raids have already methodically eliminated more than 120 high-value ISIS leaders, and a relentless U.S.-led bombing campaign continues to sap the will of the rank-and-file to continue fighting. Without getting ahead of the commanders that are going to fight this battle, its already clear that Daesh forces are less disciplined, and their willingness to hold ground and stay and fight to the end has significantly eroded, said Dunford. He said allied forces were reaching out to leaders among the more than two million civilians inside Mosul, in hopes of winning their cooperation during the battle to come. The Iraqi leadership knows they have to prepare humanitarian assistance and basic services for the internally displaced people were likely to see in the aftermath of the Mosul operation. Thats part of the many political and military considerations we are working through in preparation for what were calling the day after Mosul.

Few officers are more familiar with the lessons learned from the United States long, often bitter experience in Iraq than Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, head of the anti-ISIS campaign as commander of the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF)  Operation Inherent Resolve. As a colonel and brigade commander in the restive Anbar capital of Ramadi in 2006, MacFarland was an early practitioner of the counterinsurgency tactics of clear, hold and build. The unusually close partnership that he formed with tribal Sheikh Abdul Sattar Abu Risha blossomed into the Sunni tribal uprising against al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI) that became known as the Anbar Awakening. The Awakening movement was instrumental in originally driving AQI out of its strongholds in Anbar, but the terrorists exacted their revenge by assassinating Sheikh Abu Risha in 2007.

Unfortunately, another Anbar Awakening is probably not possible today, because a lot of Sunni sheikhs and tribesmen have recently ended up like my friend Sheikh Abu Risha. They have just been ground down by ISIS to the point where 500 members of a single tribe were murdered a while back, said MacFarland, a tall, lanky officer who stopped outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on a recent evening to talk with reporters. MacFarland has been forced to rely more heavily on the painstaking process of training, equipping and assisting Iraqi Security Forces, which now include a 6,000-man Sunni Popular Mobilization group, and roughly 17,000 Sunnis in Iraqi police uniforms. In all, the United States and its allies have now trained 27,000 Iraqi troops, including 8,700 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.

Early on, a lot of people were putting pressure on me to go faster with our Train and Assist Program, because they didnt think we were making enough progress, but I held back and let the Iraqis go at their own pace, said MacFarland. In a recent operation that involved Iraqi armor units maneuvering roughly 100 kilometers, he noted, U.S. advisers thought it would take one day. Instead, it took Iraqi forces 29 days. Well, thats OK, he said. It really doesnt matter to me if it takes a day or a month, as long as they get it done.

Kurdish fighters are seen during a Bundeswehr training session in 2016 in Munster, Germany. (Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

U.S. patience began paying off last December, when a force of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Sunni tribal fighters, backed by U.S. airpower, recaptured the provincial capital of Ramadi from ISIS after a tough, three-month siege that destroyed much of the city. In June came the capture of Fallujah, a battle that showed both the promise and the perils of this style of hybrid operations involving proxy forces. In the battle of Fallujah, ISIS fighters were relatively quickly routed, and U.S. surveillance aircraft spotted a large ISIS convoy trying to escape up the Euphrates River Valley in the dead of night. Caught in the open, the convoy was destroyed by U.S. aircraft with an estimated death toll of 500 ISIS fighters, an operation that one U.S. intelligence officer in Baghdad called a mini-Highway of Death, a reference to the U.S. destruction of Republican Guard convoys fleeing Kuwait in the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

According to Human Rights Watch, however, Shiite-dominated Popular Mobilization forces and some Federal Police units involved in the battle of Fallujah committed atrocities against Sunni civilians, including torture and executions. After the fall of Fallujah, there were reports of nearly a thousand atrocities, most committed by Shiite militias. Given the potential for even worse human rights violations in Mosul due to its much greater size, there is pressure on the Iraqi government to keep Popular Mobilization forces away from civilian populations, especially civilians of a different ethnic faction.

After Iraqi security forces recaptured the lynchpin Anbar cities of Ramadi and Fallujah, and pushed ISIS fighters back up the Euphrates River Valley towards the Syrian border, all eyes have now turned north to what one U.S. intelligence officer in Baghdad called the big dog in this show. Mosul is one of the twin pillars of the ISIS caliphate, along with the Syrian city of Raqqa. A decisive victory there will break the groups grip on population centers in Iraq, and likely send its fighters fleeing back across the border to Syria.

U.S. commanders in Iraq were especially heartened by a recent operation by the Iraqi 15th and 9th Armored Divisions, which captured the strategic airbase and logistics hub dubbed Q-West near the northern city of al-Qayyarah, just 35 miles south of Mosul. During the operation, the Iraqi army units successfully crossed the Tigris River with U.S.-supplied combat bridging equipment. The successful bridging operation was the first of its kind by an Arab army since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. It has given Iraqi Security Forces freedom of movement across the Tigris that is now denied ISIS commanders, who must use vulnerable boats; more than 100 have been destroyed from the air. The operation to capture Q-West also cut off a group of more than a thousand ISIS fighters north of the city of Baji, who cannot be reinforced or easily withdraw into Mosul. After the Iraqi armored forces completed their occupation of Q-West, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a statement calling for the people of Mosul and the surrounding Nineveh province to prepare for the liberation of their cities.

Were now in a refit and consolidate phase, where the Iraqi forces are building their combat power at Q-West in anticipation of the final push to Mosul, said a U.S. officer in Baghdad, who noted that CJTF-Inherent Resolve has hired private contractors to move much of the Iraqi materiel and equipment north, to compensate for a noted lack of logistical capability on the part of the Iraqis. The ISF is not an expeditionary army, so the farther it travels from Baghdad, the harder it is for them. In the meantime, the U.S. continues to shape the battle space around Mosul by hitting ISIS targets every day. We have plenty of targets to bomb while the Iraqis pause to gather their forces and equipment.

U.S. officials concede that the Battle of Mosul will force the Iraqis to confront a number of difficult issues, starting with the composition of a siege force that is expected to number between 20,000 and 30,000 troops, including roughly 5,000 Peshmerga. Following a decision by the Obama administration earlier this year to relax restrictions, U.S. combat advise and assist teams will operate at the brigade level, closer to the frontlines and more effective in helping coordinate operations and call in U.S. airpower.

The Iraqi government in Baghdad and Kurdish officials in Irbil are in frequent communication to coordinate the upcoming Mosul offensive. U.S. officers have advised the Iraqis to assign each assault force a different sector, so the Kurds logically advance from the north, the ISF from the south, and Shiite and Sunni Popular Mobilization groups approach from different right and left sectors. The trick is getting all these people that dont really like each other to play nice and take Mosul together, said a U.S. officer.

Iraqi Kurdish forces attend a flag-raising ceremony at a post office destroyed by an airstrike on Sinjar, Iraq. (John Moore/Getty Images)

U.S. officials promise to use their considerable leverage to ensure there is no repeat of the atrocities in Fallujah. Its fair to say that the militias remain an issue that has to be addressed, and the Iraqis are grinding through it, said Dunford, who met with Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi and Kurdish President Masoud Barzani during his recent visit. After Fallujah, we know what is not acceptable. So Im comfortable everyone understands that issue must be resolved, and there will be consequences if it isnt. For the operation to be successful, the people of Mosul need to feel they are being liberated by a capable force that will respect them.

The Battle of Mosul is also bound to highlight the contentious issue of internal disputed borders between largely independent Kurdistan and Iraq proper. Kurdish leaders argue they should be able to keep all the territory Peshmerga forces have seized and defended since the ISIS invasion of 2014, a position the Iraqi government has rejected. The Shiite-dominated Baghdad government has also been slow to extend services to recaptured Sunni territory, outreach that many experts see as critical to denying Sunni ISIS sympathetic backers. The recapture of Mosul and expulsion of ISIS from Iraqi territory will also raise the question of what becomes of the Popular Mobilization militias, many with close ties to Iran. There are still a lot of disagreements to resolve, but in truth, nothing in Iraq ever gets decided until the 12th hour, said a U.S. official in Baghdad.

Perhaps the greatest unknown surrounding the upcoming Battle of Mosul is what becomes of ISIS once it loses its last major grip on Iraqi territory, and how that impacts the U.S. military presence. If bitter history is any guide, ISIS will follow the path of its predecessor al-Qaida in Iraq, morphing into a terrorist insurgency that hides in the shadows and torments the country with frequent terrorist spectaculars designed to kill the maximum number of civilians and discredit the Baghdad government. Even without controlling territory in Iraq, ISIS fighters are likely to find sanctuary in the ungoverned wilds of eastern Syria for years to come. Experience suggests the Iraqis will need a U.S. military presence to cope with that terrorist threat.

If someone asked my advice, I would say that the U.S. military needs to be in Iraq not for the Iraqis, but for Americans, said Lt. Gen. MacFarland. We had all but destroyed al-Qaida in Iraq before we left, and it grew into ISIS like a weed. And weve discovered with ISIS that if were not around to help manage that threat, and cut it down to size, pretty soon the entire region will be overrun with weeds. And before long, the weeds will start sprouting in Europe and the United States. Weve already seen that happen.

Army Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, the top U.S. commander in Baghdad, speaks to reporters in Baghdad on May 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Robert Burns)

James Kitfield is a senior fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress.
London (AFP) - Police in Northern Ireland appealed for calm Monday after a prominent paramilitary was shot dead in Belfast, escalating fears of an internecine turf war in Protestant working-class communities.

John Boreland, 46, a leading member of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), was shot at close range several times outside his home on Sunday evening, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.

He had been warned by police about his safety within the past few months, the force said, adding that he was believed to have been killed with a shotgun.

Boreland, who had served time in jail for extortion, intimidation and firearms offences, was shot in the thigh two years ago as part of a long-running feud over who would control the local branch of the organisation.

The UDA and other so-called loyalist groups are opposed to Northern Ireland leaving the United Kingdom and joining the Republic of Ireland.

Based in Protestant, working-class communities, they fought republican paramilitary groups such as the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the three decades of violence in the province known as The Troubles.

The UDA and the rival Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) officially ended their activities in the wake of the peace process, but authorities say they remain active in drug running, extortion and violence.

Periodically, feuding gangs -a even those in the same organisation -- clash over territorial control, and violence has broken out recently between the UDA and UVF.

Detective Chief Inspector Justyn Galloway said police were pursuing several lines of enquiry for what he described as a "brutal and senseless killing".

"Tensions within loyalist paramilitarism and criminality are among those lines of enquiry but they are not the only ones. Our early assessment is that this was not a sectarian attack," he said in a statement.

Local police Superintendent Paula Hilman added: "We already have a significant policing operation in place across north Belfast, so I am appealing for people to be calm and not take the law into their own hands."

Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster, leader of the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party, said she was "shocked and disgusted" at the murder.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, of the republican Sinn Fein party, said it was "shameful".




Few sequences in cinema history are as well-known, respected and thrilling as the chariot race in William Wylers 1959 epic Ben-Hur, which at the time of its release was the most expensive movie ever produced by Hollywood. Now, 57 years after that classics debut, its story  itself a remake of a 1925 silent film, based on Lew Wallaces 1880 book  will again hit the screen courtesy of Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter director Timur Bekmambetov. We have an exclusive look at its own horse-drawn centerpiece above.

In the clip, Jack Hustons heroic Ben-Hur faces off against his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbel)  who betrayed him and cast him into slavery  in a brutal Roman chariot race. Its the signature moment of all Ben-Hur versions, and here, director Bekmambetov has put an emphasis on practical stunt work for the scene. Its scary, he said in a previously-released featurette. Theres no brakes, theres no air bags. Its like todays NASCAR. Thats in keeping with its predecessor, which featured stars Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd actually doing most of their own chariot-driving, and which over the decades has been the subject of rumors about injuries and fatalities during the shooting of their showdown. (In fact, the only person hurt during Wylers legendary race was Hestons stunt double, who needed four chin stitches after a dangerous accident.)

Co-starring Morgan Freeman and Rodrigo Santoro, the new Ben-Hur roars into theaters on Aug. 19.
On Thursday, August 11th, NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) will release its second quarter earnings results. The company is currently a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and shares of NVDA are up just over 77% year-to-date.

Join David Bartosiak at 1pm this Thursday on YouTube. Dave will look into NVIDIA Corp.s past earnings, look at what is currently going on with the company, and gives us his thoughts on their upcoming earnings announcement.

Furthermore, Dave will look into some potential options trades for investors looking to make a play on NVIDIA Corp. ahead of earnings.

NVIDIA Corporation in Focus

NVIDIA Corporation designs, develops, and markets a top-to-bottom family of award-winning 3D graphics processors, graphics processing units and related software that set the standard for performance, quality and features for every type of desktop personal computer user, from professional workstations to low-cost computers. NVIDIA Corp.s 3D graphic processors are used in a variety of applications, including games, the Internet and industrial design.

NVIDIA Corp. is coming off of an earnings beat of 25.81% in its most recent quarter, as it posted an EPS figure that was $0.08 higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company has been on a roll in terms of beating on earnings estimates, as it has done so in each of the last 4 quarters. NVDA has posted an average earnings surprise of 57.89% in that time period.

NVIDIA CORP Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

NVIDIA CORP Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | NVIDIA CORP Quote

Heading into this earnings report, our Most Accurate Estimate for NVDA is $0.37, which is directly in-line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This translates into an earnings surprise prediction of 0%, but with its top Zacks Rank and strong history of beating earnings estimates, another surprise could be in the cards.

NVIDIA Corporations innovative product pipeline and strength in gaming and high-end notebook GPUs bode well for the company. The companys focus on GRID platforms can drive GPU adoption in data centers, giving it an advantage over its competitors. NVIDIAs GRID enterprise virtual graphics, which improve visual effects in games, could be a major catalyst for future revenue and margin growth. Also, its estimated that worldwide PC gaming is growing at a CAGR of 10%, which could also be a major tailwind for the company.

Story continues

Subscribe to our channel to be notified of future live streams and make sure to check out our other videos for more stock information.

Dave Bartosiak is the editor of the Momentum Trader and Home Run Investor service. He has over a decade of experience in the financial services industry. He has traded forex, futures, stocks, and options. Mr. Bartosiak is a frequent guest on popular business news TV channels such as Bloomberg TV. Hes also the host of a light-hearted, Millennial-minded series of videos called Trending Stocks.

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.



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



NVIDIA CORP (NVDA): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
By Lawrence Delevingne NEW YORK (Reuters) - Billionaire hedge fund manager Seth Klarman said on Wednesday he would work to get Hillary Clinton elected president of the United States because he finds recent comments by Donald Trump "shockingly unacceptable." "His words and actions over the last several days are so shockingly unacceptable in our diverse and democratic society that it is simply unthinkable that Donald Trump could become our president," Klarman said of the Republican presidential nominee. The president and chief executive of The Baupost Group told Reuters in an emailed statement that Trump's suggestion "that the election will be rigged is particularly dangerous." "I will continue to find ways to support Hillary Clinton and defeat Donald Trump, he said. On Monday, Trump told a town hall event in Columbus, Ohio, that he thought the November election might be "rigged." Trump's attacks on the Muslim parents of a decorated American soldier, Captain Humayun Khan, who was killed in Iraq, have drawn sharp rebukes since Khizr Khan and Ghazala Khan appeared at last week's Democratic convention. Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Klarman, whose Boston-based investment firm manages $29 billion, is registered as an independent voter. But a review of filings showed that his political giving has largely benefited Republicans over the years, including donations this election cycle to political action committees that supported primary candidates Jeb Bush, Chris Christie and Marco Rubio. He has also given to the campaigns of Democrats, including now-U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Mark Warner, according to the filings. He contributed $4,600 to Hillary Clinton's 2007 presidential race, while also giving to the campaigns of Republicans John McCain and Rudy Giuliani. In June, Klarman gave $5,400 to Clinton's campaign. "He is completely unqualified for the highest office in the land," Klarman said in his statement, without specifying how he would further support Clinton. (Reporting by Lawrence Delevingne; Editing by Toni Reinhold)
Remicade, Enbrel, and Humira can help relieve rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease, but these biologic drugs can easily cost thousands of dollars a month out of pocket. Less-expensive versions of these, known as biosimilars, could be an option, and three could be headed to the market soon: A Remicade biosimilar was approved in April, and a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee recommended approving biosimilars of both Enbrel and Humira in July.

But some patient and physician groups have questioned whether biosimilars are as safe and effective as their brand-name counterparts. Thats because biologics contain proteins and often other compounds that cant be replicated exactly, which means that a biosimilar is a close match but not identical to a biologic.

A new analysis published August 2 by the Annals of Internal Medicine should help put some of those concerns to rest.

The study, by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore and Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, found that biosimilars have the same safety and effectiveness as their corresponding brand-name biologic. Thats important for you, because biosimilars are expected to cost up to 40 percent less than brand-name counterparts, a savings projected to amount to billions of dollars over the next several years, according to separate analyses by the RAND Corporation and Express Scripts.

To find out how biosimilars stacked up to the brand-name drugs, the new study looked at 19 clinical trials and other studies that were used to get biosimilar versions of Remicade, Enbrel, and Humira approved in the U.S., Europe, and other countries. Almost all of the participants in the studies, which looked at adverse effects, effectiveness, and how the medications are absorbed and metabolized in the body, were healthy volunteers or people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Our results suggest that, for this important class of drugs, the biosimilar versions appear to have the same safety and efficacy profiles as their branded counterparts, says Caleb Alexander, M.D., an author of the study and a co-director of the Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Story continues

This is great news for patients, because these products will force prices down on this common and costly used class of biologic therapies, and ultimately save patients, insurers, and the health system billions of dollars, Alexander adds.

It could be a while before biosimilars become available. That's because the manufacturers of the original, brand-name biologics are challenging the biosmiliar manufacturers' patents in court, delaying the launch of the less-expensive biosimilars.

That's what's happening with the biosimilar, Inflectra, the generic version of Remicade. It was approved in the U.S. in April, but its launch is delayed due to an ongoing patent challenge.

The FDA hasnt yet approved the biosimilars of Enbrel and Humira, but both are already embroiled in patent challenges by the brand manufacturers.

More on Biologics

Editor's Note: These materials were made possible by a grant from the state Attorney General Consumer and Prescriber Education Grant Program, which is funded by a multistate settlement of consumer fraud claims regarding the marketing of the prescription drug Neurontin (gabapentin).





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.
By Gul Yousafzai QUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) - A suicide bomber in Pakistan killed at least 70 people and wounded more than 100 on Monday in an attack on mourners gathered at a hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta, and Islamic State claimed responsibility. The bomber struck as a crowd of mostly lawyers and journalists crammed into the emergency department to accompany the body of a prominent lawyer who had been shot and killed in the city earlier in the day, Faridullah, a reporter who was among the wounded, told Reuters. Abdul Rehman Miankhel, a senior official at the government-run Civil Hospital, where the explosion occurred, told reporters that at least 70 people had been killed, with more than 112 wounded. "There are many wounded, so the death toll could rise," said Rehmat Saleh Baloch, the provincial health minister. Islamic State's Amaq news agency reported the Middle East-based movement was behind the atrocity. If true, it would mark an alarming development for Pakistan, long plagued by Islamist militant violence but most of it locally-based. "A martyr from the Islamic State detonated his explosive belt at a gathering of justice ministry employees and Pakistani policemen in the city of Quetta," Amaq said. Jamaat-ur-Ahrar, a faction of the Islamist militant Pakistani Taliban group, earlier said it carried out the attack, although the group is believed to have claimed responsibility for bombings in the past that it was not involved in. "The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ur-Ahrar (TTP-JA) takes responsibility for this attack, and pledges to continue carrying out such attacks," said spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan in a statement. Only last week, Jamaat was added to the United States' list of global terrorists, triggering sanctions. U.S. CONDEMNATION The White House condemned the attack. "We remain resolute in joining with the people of Pakistan in confronting terrorism in Pakistan and across the region," it said in a statement. Television footage showed scenes of chaos at the hospital in Quetta, with panicked people fleeing through debris as smoke filled the corridors. Bodies lay strewn across a hospital courtyard shortly after the blast and pools of blood collected as emergency rescuers rushed to identify survivors. The motive behind the attack was unclear, but several lawyers have been targeted during a recent spate of killings in Quetta, the provincial capital of Baluchistan, which has a history of militant and separatist violence. The latest victim, Bilal Anwar Kasi, was shot and killed while on his way to the city's main court complex, senior police official Nadeem Shah told Reuters. He was the president of Baluchistan Bar Association. The subsequent suicide attack appeared to target his mourners, said Anwar ul Haq Kakar, a spokesman for the Baluchistan government. "It seems it was a pre-planned attack," he said. Ali Zafar, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan, told reporters in the eastern city of Lahore, "We (lawyers) have been targeted because we always raise our voice for people's rights and for democracy ... Lawyers will not just protest this attack but also prepare a long-term plan of action." Police cordoned off the hospital following the blast, with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif paying visits to the wounded on Monday evening. In January, a suicide bomber killed 15 people outside a polio eradication center in an attack claimed by both the Pakistani Taliban and Jundullah, an Islamist militant group that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State in the Middle East. Monday's attack was the deadliest in Pakistan since an Easter Day bombing ripped through a Lahore park, killing at least 72 people. Jamaat-ur-Ahrar also claimed responsibility for the bombing. Quetta has long been regarded as a base for the Afghan Taliban, whose leadership has regularly held meetings there in the past. In May, Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed by a U.S. drone strike while traveling to Quetta from the Pakistan-Iran border. (Additional reporting by Mehreen Zahra-Malik in Islamabad and Ruthy Munoz in Washington; Writing by Asad Hashim; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Steve Orlofsky)
(Recast, adds Meirelles comments and context)

BRASILIA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The Brazilian government will make changes to a controversial bill that limits the spending of cash-strapped states, Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles said on Monday, in a last-minute effort to fast-track the approval of austerity measures.

Meirelles said the government will remove from the bill on state debts measures that would limit their expenditures on state employees. Their current expenditures will be addressed in separate legislation that will re-work the country's fiscal responsibility law.

He said the government will keep the bill currently before Congress that gives Brazilian states substantial relief on their debts in exchange for a ceiling on spending and a 2-year ban on wage increases for public servants. The government is pushing for that bill to be voted on this week after several delays.

Interim President Michel Temer has struggled to approve the state debt bill in Congress as he faces resistance from governors that want to relax some austerity obligations.

Some analysts accuse Meirelles of bowing to governors' pressure and diluting the original bill that aims to rebalance the finances of states struggling to honor their debts and payrolls.

(Reporting by Alonso Soto; Editing by Paul Simao, Bernard Orr)
(Repeats for wider distribution)

By Ana Mano

SAO PAULO, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Insurers who sell policies limiting executives' liability from lawsuits have seen a surge in business thanks to a sprawling Brazilian corruption probe involving state-controlled Petroleo Brasileiro SA and a rash of corporate bankruptcies.

The country's so-called Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance market has more than doubled in value since 2011 based on the volumes of premiums paid, rising to 370 million reais ($114 million) last year, according to data from industry regulator Susep, the most recent available.

Such policies, which cover claims against senior executives for the decisions and actions they take as part of their management duties, typically cover legal bills arising from a criminal investigation. However, if the defendant is convicted and criminal intent is proven, then the insurer may demand repayment of those costs, says Juliana Casiradzi, D&O manager at Marsh.

Together with the sweeping Petrobras probe, a severe recession has contributed to a surge in claims to about 47 percent of premiums by 2015, Susep data show, up from just 9 percent in 2011. Typically, bankruptcies trigger tax, labor and environmental liabilities against companies and their executives.

But even the higher rate of claims is considered relatively healthy for the industry as it lags the overall claims to premiums ratio of 65 to 70 percent for the domestic market, said Flavio Faggion, owner of Siscorp, a Sao Paulo-based insurance market analysis firm.

Yet the spike in claims did catch some insurers by surprise.

For example, Zurich AG's local unit saw claims exceed premiums by 53 percent in 2015, according to Susep. Zurich declined to comment on the data.

Some insurers trying to manage soaring claims have resorted to barring firms with severe financial woes or links to corruption probes, said Marsh's Casiradzi, adding that companies with extensive government contracts were seen as particularly hard to insure.

Story continues

Premiums have also soared, with some clients paying up to 50 percent more to renew their annual policies, she said.

GOV'T CONTRACTS A DANGER SIGN

But the market, which remains underpenetrated by global standards, is expected to expand at an annual rate of at least 15 percent, Fator Corretora's D&O manager Luis Rosanelli said.

D&O premiums represent 0.2 percent of Brazil's $58 billion insurance market whereas in the United States and Europe penetration is between 1 and 3 percent, said Alvaro Igrejas, corporate risk director at broker Willis Towers Watson PLC .

A large number of privately owned and family businesses lack coverage, and certain big companies, including state-run power generator Furnas Centrais Eletricas SA, only bought their first D&O policy a year ago, Rosanelli explained.

Beneficiaries may include Chubb Ltd, which grabbed about 55 percent of Brazilian D&O premiums last year after buying Itau Unibanco's large corporate risk portfolio in 2014. Smaller players such as France's Axa and U.S.-based Travelers Cos also stand to gain. While in 2015 Axa paid no claims, Travelers' kept claims below 8 percent. Both declined to comment.

BLOCKED ACCOUNT

Even excluding the vast Petrobras bribery and corruption probe, D&O is virtually indispensable amid Brazil's labyrinthine+ labor, tax, regulatory and environmental-laws.

Former TIM Participacoes CEO Mario Cesar de Araujo said legal cases stemming from his job with the company six years ago still haunt him, with judges regularly blocking access to his bank account.

"I never suffered any personal loss but it is an inconvenience," Araujo told Reuters, adding that he had had cash blocked from a personal account, though all such funds were eventually unfrozen.

Often used as a bargaining chip when executive compensation is being negotiated, D&O policies are widely used in the Brazilian market, says Guilherme Petreche, associate director at Page Executive, the global headhunting firm.

Multinationals also occasionally buy local D&O policies for their executives to insulate them from domestic legal claims.

However, given higher premiums, a recent study by headhunting firm Page Executive with 1,000 top ranking executives in Brazilian companies showed a 3 percent drop in executives covered by a D&O policy in 2015. ($1 = 3.1887 Brazilian reais) (Reporting by Ana Mano; Editing by Christian Plumb, Bernard Orr)
BRASILIA (Reuters) - A Brazilian priest mentioned in the Catholic clergy sex abuse film "Spotlight" was found dead in a prison cell after he was arrested again for suspected pedophilia, authorities said on Monday. Father Bonifacio Buzzi, 57, hanged himself with a sheet in a jail in the state of Minas Gerais where he was taken after his arrest on Friday, the state government said in a statement. A decade ago Buzzi was convicted of abusing a 10-year-old boy in Mariana, Minas Gerais and jailed from 2007 to 2015. He was arrested last week following criminal complaints that he had molested two boys aged 9 and 13. Buzzi was cited among the pedophilia cases listed at the end of "Spotlight," the Oscar-winning 2015 film based on the Boston Globe newspaper's investigation of sexual abuses by Catholic priests and efforts by the Boston Archdiocese to cover them up. Allegations against Buzzi first emerged in the 1990s in his home state of Santa Catarina. In 1995 he was convicted of molesting two boys in his parish near Mariana after their parents accused him of performing oral sex on their children. Buzzi got a reduced sentence and the Catholic Church obtained a court order allowing him to serve it out at the home of the local archbishop. (Reporting by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Paul Simao)
(Recasts first paragraph, adds stock price, analyst comment)

SAO PAULO, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Brazil's JBS SA, the world's largest meatpacker, said on Monday it has begun to seek bondholders' consent for its planned global reorganization plan intended to make it a global food player, and the company's shares rose in trading in Sao Paulo.

Shares in JBS were up 4 percent in early afternoon trading, their largest rise this month, as investors saw progress in the reorganization.

Under the plan, a new Ireland-based company, JBS Foods International, will group the company's operations and those of Brazil-based food processor Seara Alimentos.

JBS filed a request with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday for an ordinary share offering of up to $3 billion by the new Ireland-based company, JBS Foods International. Shareholders of JBS SA in Brazil and holders of JBS SA's American Depositary Shares will automatically receive the new shares, according to the filing.

In a note to clients, Grupo BTG Pactual said the steps the company has taken indicate that the reorganization is underway, and poised to unlock value. "We continue seeing massive benefits for the stock from a valuation standpoint," said analysts Thiago Duarte and Vito Ferreira in a note sent to clients on Monday.

The analysts forecast the stock can rise 44 percent, with a $16 target price.

According to the Monday securities filing, JBS USA Lux SA and JBS SA are asking bondholders of notes due in 2020 to 2025 to consent to the global reorganization proposed by JBS in May. The company will group international operations outside Brazil.

Bondholders are being asked to consent because some of the subsidiaries whose revenue guarantees the bonds will have new minority shareholders, one source with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Bondholders who agree to the reorganization from Monday through Aug. 16 will receive a $1.25 payment for each $1,000 in principal value of the notes, JBS said.

(Reporting by Tatiana Bautzer and Paula Laier; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Will Dunham)
(Removes extraneous word from headline tag; no changes to text) By Brenda Goh RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 8 (Reuters) - A Chinese state newspaper described Australia as "uncivilized" and "Britain's offshore prison" as it rushed to the defence of champion swimmer Sun Yang, who was labelled a drugs cheat by Australian rival and gold medallist Mack Horton. The row, which started at the Rio Games with a friendly splash in training between the two arch rivals, is turning into a battle of national media commentators and underlines how the issue of doping has become a defining issue for these Olympics. The Global Times, an influential tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party's People's Daily, said Horton had shown a lack of respect to Sun and "cynical smugness" after beating the Chinese swimmer in the men's 400 metres freestyle final. Sun, who finished second, was revealed two years ago to have secretly served a three-month suspension for using a banned stimulant. He said at the time the stimulant was in medication to treat a heart issue and did not enhance his performance. Horton first described Sun as a "drug cheat" in an interview with Australian media on Saturday, hours ahead of the final, and has since stuck by his words, including at a post-race news conference while seated right next to Sun. "It's not a big deal to us. In many serious essays written by Westerners, Australia is mentioned as a country at the fringes of civilization," the Global Times said in a commentary. "In some cases, they refer to the country's early history as Britain's offshore prison," it added, referring to Australia's past as a British penal colony. "This suggests that no one should be surprised at uncivilized acts emanating from the country. We should think the same way," it said. Horton told the Sydney Morning Herald that he had made his comments to unsettle Sun, who was the London 2012 defending champion, but that the description was accurate. Furious Chinese fans have bombarded Horton's Facebook and Instagram accounts, demanding he apologise. Chinese state newspaper China Daily said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was looking into Horton's comments, but an IOC spokesman said it had no plans to investigate. "People say many things in competition,. At the moment we had no complaints from anyone for any leads to follow up on," the spokesman said. Australia's Daily Telegraph defended Horton in a Sunday editorial, saying he should rejoice in the rage of Chinese fans "who don't seem to accept that their hero has a documented involvement with illegal drugs". The Global Times said that Australia should feel embarrassed with Horton's remarks: "If Horton won the competition by disrupting his rival in an immoral way, his win is disgraceful, and not in line with the spirit of the Olympics." The online row has also been felt elsewhere. A man named Mark Horton from Watford, England, tweeted that he had received more than 200,000 mentions and online abuse after being mistaken for the Australian swimmer on Twitter. (Additional reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Mark Bendeich)
Pennsylvania bride Jeni Stepien, who lost her father a decade ago, was walked down the aisle by the man who received his heart in a transplant.

Arthur Thomas was given Michael Stepiens heart in 2006 after he was murdered in Swissvale during a robbery, reports the Huffington Post. I was on deaths door when he was murdered and I needed a heart or I was going to be dying in the next few days, Thomas told KDKA.

After the transplant Thomas kept in touch with the Stepien family, but he only met Jeni on Aug. 5 after she wrote to ask him to walk her down the aisle as her father could not be there. When my fiance proposed, one of the first things I thought of was but who will walk me down the aisle? I could think of nobody more meaningful than Tom, Stepien told the Post. My fiance suggested I write him a letter; that way Tom would feel in no way obligated or pressured by my request.

I was just so thankful that my dad could be here with us today in spirit and a piece of his physical being as well. That was really special for us, the bride told KDCA, saying her special day would not have been possible without Thomas.
Brie Larson is moving to the directors chair.

The actress, who won the Oscar this year for her performance in Room, is set to make her directorial debut with the independent quirky comedy Unicorn Store.

Larson will also star in the movie and produce it with David Bernad and Ruben Fleischer via their banner The District. Also producing are Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis and Terry Dougas via their company Rhea Films. Hercules Film Fund is financing.

Based on an original screenplay by Samantha McIntyre, the story tells of a woman named Kit, who, after moving back in with her parents, receives a mysterious invitation to a store that will test her ideas of what it really means to grow up.

The project was at one point to have been directed by Miguel Arteta and to have starred Rebel Wilson but timing never worked. Bernad and Fleischer continued to develop the project and brought it to Larson before she won her Academy Award. Larson is not coming into the project green; she previously co-wrote and co-directed the short film, The Arm, which won the jury prize at Sundance in 2012.

The next step was to secure financing.

Hercules Film Fund, which co-financed the upcoming Tom Cruise movie Mena as well as Maika Monroes Tau that is currently filming, was set up to bring European investors such as Kasidokostas-Latsis to Hollywood. Kassidokostas-Latsis and Dougas established 1821 Media and produced Paul Weitz acclaimed dramedy Grandma for Sony Classics, scoring Lily Tomlin a Golden Globe nomination, and Gavin O'Connors Jane Got a Gun, the Western that starred Natalie Portman.

The deals are freshly inked and the filmmaking team is now prepping for an October production start. WME Global is repping the project and handling sales.

Jean-Luc DeFanti is exec producing Unicorn Store as is Anne Woodward.

Larson is the newest member of the Marvel Studios family, having become attached to star in companys first female-centric film project, the high-profile Captain Marvel movie.

Story continues

She next stars in Legendarys big-budget creature feature Kong: Skull Island, which impressed the Comic-Con crowd with its footage, and reteams with her Short Term 12 director Daniel Destin Cretton for Lionsgates coming-of-age drama The Glass Castle. She also leads the cast of Free Fire, Ben Wheatleys crime thriller being released by A24.

Larson is repped by WME, Authentic Talent and Literary Management and attorney Robert Offer.

Read more: Comic-Con: Brie Larson Confirmed to Play Captain Marvel

Related video:
By Jemima Kelly and Huw Jones

LONDON (Reuters) - Six weeks after Britain's vote to leave the European Union threw London's future as a leading global fintech hub into doubt, there are tentative signs the country's reputation for innovation in financial services will survive.

From high in a skyscraper in Canary Wharf to Victorian warehouses around "Silicon Roundabout", some of the startups Britain has fostered to make its vital finance sector more efficient are less anxious than they were about the decision.

"The first week was sad, people were confused and did not understand the reality of it all," said 28-year-old Daumantas Dvilinskas, who heads one of dozens of fintech firms crammed into three floors of the Wharf's One Canada Square tower.

The start-ups in the "Level 39" Canary Wharf hub worried the surprise June 23 vote to leave the EU would cost Britain access to Europe's single market, shrinking their talent pool, putting off foreign investors and damaging the country's fintech status.

Access to the single market remains key, and uncertain, since the government has yet to clarify what sort of agreement it will seek with the EU in talks that could take years.

That has put many businesses into a holding pattern and made some, including in fintech, consider leaving Britain.

But a series of startups in fintech, which owes much of its success to the global financial crisis of 2008-09, when people lost faith in banks and other financial institutions and sought alternatives, are already showing their adaptive mettle.

Fintech, or financial technology, aims to "disrupt" mainstream banking and payments by offering cheaper and easier-to-use Internet or smartphone based services like payment Apps and peer-to-peer lending platforms or digital currencies like bitcoin.

Several firms have closed funding rounds since the referendum, including online peer-to-peer lending platform MarketInvoice, based just off a traffic circle in London's Shoreditch district dubbed "Silicon Roundabout" in a downbeat British nod to California's "Silicon Valley".

Story continues

The company allows small firms to sell their invoices to investors and avoid a cash flow crunch from delayed payments.

"Following the result of the UK referendum, many might perceive investing in fintech as a risk," said Sylwester Janik, a senior partner at MCI Capital, a Polish venture capital firm that has invested 7.2 million pounds in MarketInvoice.

"We see an economic slowdown and a distracted banking sector as a potential opportunity to fuel growth of the platform."

STAYING PUT

Santander InnoVentures, the Spanish bank's London-based fintech venture capital fund, said last month it was doubling in size, to $200 million (153.40 million). Mariano Belinky, a managing partner, said the idea of fintech firms leaving London in the aftermath of Brexit was "not reality".

Lawrence Wintermeyer, CEO of fintech trade body Innovate Finance, agreed. "While people were in shock on (June) 24th, most fintechs are actually focused on the opportunity now," he said.

"They're very innovative entrepreneurs, so they'll work around Brexit. If institutions are disadvantaged by things, those generally create opportunities for start-ups."

He said it would be difficult to know whether funding had slowed down for the next couple of quarters but that he had heard of pre-referendum funding agreements with break clauses added in the case of a Brexit vote.

On the face of it, Dvilinskas' firm's business model has been rocked by the EU vote, but he has no plans to leave.

His company, transferGo, offers a cheap way for Eastern European workers in Britain to send money home via web browsers or smartphones; both immigration into Britain and its free access to other EU members financial markets are now in doubt.

Dvilinskas, who built his start-up from a single rented desk chair to a 15-person office in four years, said the loss of so called passporting rights for UK-based financial services to sell across Europe would be a "deal-breaker", but is planning for a future here.

"We have less risk tolerance and we are building up a contingency budget," he said.

COMPETING HUBS

Innovate Finance reckons 30 percent of the sector's 61,000 workers are from overseas, with most from the European Union.

But it found in a post-Brexit survey that access to foreign investment was the area start-ups see as most critical to Britain's fintech status, with passporting seen as less vital for fintech than for bigger institutions like banks.

Britain's fintech sector generated 6.6 billion pounds in revenue last year, global accountancy firm EY said in a report commissioned by the British government.

It ranks the UK, effectively London, as the number 1 global fintech hub, based on market size, investment, workforce, light-touch regulation and supportive government policy. Others put London at the top of a European ranking.

(For a graphic comparing Britain and other global fintech hubs, click: http://tmsnrt.rs/2b7yr2S )

Investment still lags far behind the United States, where venture capital firms are more established. But entrepreneurs say a key advantage of Britain is that, while the U.S. tech and finance hubs, Silicon Valley and New York, are on opposite sides of the country, pretty much everything is in London.

Closer to home, Berlin is snapping at London's heels for a share of its main market, Europe.

The German capital's economics minister Cornelia Yzer visited London last month, urging start-ups to move to the "boomtown" city, where a new start-up is created every 20 hours.

In the three weeks after the Brexit vote, 10 London fintech start-ups made enquiries about moving to Berlin, a business development group for the city said.

But as in the United States, Germany's financial hub, Frankfurt, is a long way from its tech centre, Berlin, 540 km (340 miles) in the German case. And, cosmopolitan as it may be, English is not the main language.

"There is no need to speak German," countered Yzer, adding that Germany's two biggest banks, Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank have operations in Berlin to combine the "fin" with the "tech".

Dvilinskas cited efforts by Britain's Financial Conduct Authority to help firms find their regulatory feet as another strong plus point for staying in the UK.

Eileen Burbidge, "fintech envoy" for Britain's finance ministry, says even limited access to the EU market would not be a "deal breaker" as firms could apply for licences.

But some fintech firms are already asking about possible licences in EU member Ireland just in case Britain won't have access to the single market, Dvilinskas said.

A delegation from Luxembourg's government has also visited Level 39 since the Brexit vote as fintech executives think hard about where to spend money in future.

Dvilinskas said many firms were keeping their options open. "A lot of people are hedging, such as not buying real estate here, with everything on hold until there is more information."

(Editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Nairobi (AFP) - A British aristocrat's son facing charges of trafficking $5.8 million worth of cocaine was awaiting a new ruling on his application for bail Monday, after prosecutors challenged his conditional release.

Jack Marrian, 31, was charged last Thursday after police in the eastern port city of Mombasa seized a 100-kilo (220 pound) stash of cocaine in a sugar consignment ordered by British firm ED&F Man.

Magistrate Derrick Kuto earlier said Marrian, a sugar trader who has lived in East Africa since early childhood, could leave jail if he posted a bond of 70 million shillings ($690,600) with two Kenyan sureties and surrendered his passport.

But Marrian will remain in custody ahead of a High Court hearing on Tuesday following a successful intervention by Kenya's Director of Public Prosecutions, who protested the decision given the severity of the charge.

The businessman could face a life sentence if convicted.

Dressed in a grey-blue suit and patterned tie, Marrian showed little emotion during the hearing, except to smile once at his parents across the packed courtroom.

Defence lawyer Sheetal Kapila told AFP he believed the case was driven by the authorities' desire "to stop Kenya being a transit point" for drugs, but in this case, "it's the wrong man who's been picked up."

"Unknown people have smuggled this drug into the consignment," Kapila said.

Mombasa on Africa's east coast has long been used as a hub for drugs bound for Asia and Europe.

- Life of privilege -

Marrian's case has caused a sensation in his native Britain, where the aristocratic background of his mother Lady Emma Clare Campbell of Cawdor and his attendance at top private schools, including the alma mater of Prince William's wife Catherine, have caught the eye of the press.

His family's relationship with Kenya dates back decades, his lawyer said, as Marrian's grandfather served as a minister in the colonial government just before independence in 1963.

Story continues

His father David Marrian said he had spoken with his son daily since his arrest.

"I have no doubt that Jack will be exonerated," he said.

His father confirmed the firms Marrian works for -- Kenya- and Uganda-based Mshale Commodities and London-based ED&F Man -- were backing him "100 percent".

In a statement released late Monday, a Mshale spokeswoman said it would continue to provide support "to ensure that justice is done based on facts and evidence; we are confident that Jack will be fully exonerated once the facts are presented."

Roy Francis Mwanthi, a Kenyan facing similar charges, was also due to have his bail reconsidered after initially being freed on a 60-million-shilling bond with two Kenyan sureties.

The trial is due to open on October 3.
The Buckle, Inc. BKE has been continuing with its sluggish comparable-store sales (comps) performance this year. Comps for the four-week period ended Jul 30, 2016, fell 10.9% year over year, continuing the trend of decline  10.6% in June, 11% in May, 13.2% in April, 11.8% in March, 8.9% in February and 11.3% in January.

This Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) company generated net sales of $66.5 million in July, down 9.8% year over year. We note that net sales decreased 10.1% in June, 10.4% in May, 12.3% in April, 11% in March, 7.7% in February and 10.1% in January.

BUCKLE INC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

BUCKLE INC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | BUCKLE INC Quote

Sales at the companys Men's category tumbled 5% year over year. This category contributed nearly 47.5% to Buckles July sales. Sales in the Womens category, which represented 52.5% of the companys monthly sales, declined 13% year over year. Buckle has not been able to turn the performance of its struggling Womens business around.

On a combined basis, accessory sales, which constituted nearly 10% of the companys July sales, dropped 7.5%, while footwear sales, which accounted for almost 5% of net sales, fell 8%.

Comps for the 13-week period ended Jul 30, 2016, went down 10.8%, while net sales over the same time frame fell 10.1% to $212.2 million from $236.1 million recorded in the year-ago period.

Comps for the 26-week period ended Jul 30, 2016, plunged 10.9%, while net sales over the same time frame declined 10.2% to $455.7 million from $507.4 million recorded in the year-ago period.

As of Aug 4, 2016, Buckle operated 470 retail stores across 44 states. The company opened three new outlets in July.

Apart from Buckle, Zumiez, Inc. ZUMZ and The Cato Corporation CATO recorded comps declines of 2.9% and 10%, respectively. On the other hand, L Brands, Inc. LB registered an increase of 2% in comps.

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



ZUMIEZ INC (ZUMZ): Free Stock Analysis Report



BUCKLE INC (BKE): Free Stock Analysis Report



L BRANDS INC (LB): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
Whopperito

Burger King is coming out with a hamburger-burrito hybrid called a Whopperito.

The Whopperito features the same beef that's used in the iconic Whopper sandwich but with different seasoning "to deliver an authentic Tex-Mex flavor," according to the company.

The beef is layered with chopped tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and pickles, topped with a creamy queso sauce and wrapped in a flour tortilla.

The new menu item is launching nationally August 15.

Burger King has wanted to take a stab at Tex-Mex food for a while, according to the company's president, Alex Macedo.

"We know Tex-Mex is growing a lot ... and there are not that many national chains that sell burritos," Macedo told Business Insider in an interview.

Burger King executives met with members of its corporate "innovation committee" earlier this year and asked them how they could get involved in the Tex-Mex category and "do it in the Burger King way."

A franchisee with Burger King locations in Ohio and Pennsylvania started experimenting with different ingredients and flavors at his restaurants and came up with the recipe for the Whopperito.

"He called and said, 'I think I'm onto something,'" Macedo said. "We took his idea and added what makes this unique  which is the sauce and mix of spices for the beef."

The company tested the Whopperito in the franchisee's restaurants in June and said it was a success.

Two months later, the company is launching it nationally, marking the company's fastest product launch from the test phase.

The Whopperito will cost $2.99 by itself and $4.99 as part of a combo meal.

The burger-burrito mashup comes on the heels of Burger King's debut of Mac n' Cheetos  a creamy mixture of macaroni and cheese deep fried into Cheeto-shaped sticks and covered with crispy Cheetos flavoring.

Burger King Mac n Cheetos 4

The Mac n' Cheetos sold out within a matter of weeks, but the Whopperito will be around for at least a couple months since all of the ingredients for the burrito are already found in Burger King's kitchens, according to Macedo.

Story continues

Burger King is rolling out the new menu items as consumers have been pulling back their spending on dining out.

Macedo said the new menu items aren't a direct response to those trends, however.

"We have a long-term strategy," he said.

The company has been looking for innovative new products that draw a lot of attention but also work well for the business.

"For us, a burrito works well because we get a vast majority of our sales through the drive-thru, and this is something that's portable," he said.

NOW WATCH: We tried Burger King's new Mac n' Cheetos  and they're an 'affront to nature'





More From Business Insider


MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines has begun preparations for the burial of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at a cemetery for national heroes, a decision that drew criticism from the vice president and could polarize the country. President Rodrigo Duterte said he was fulfilling a campaign promise to have Marcos, who ruled with an iron fist for two decades, interred at the heroes' cemetery as a former president and soldier. On Sunday, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana assigned armed forces chief of staff General Ricardo Visaya, to handle arrangements for the burial next month, in line with "the verbal order of the president to implement his campaign promise". "I am just implementing a presidential directive, whatever I think is immaterial," Lorenzana told reporters on Monday. "He deserved to be buried at the heroes' cemetery based on the criteria from the military regulations." Marcos was a soldier and guerrilla leader during World War Two when the former U.S. colony was occupied by Japanese forces. As a dictator in the 1970s and '80s, Marcos, his family and cronies amassed an estimated $10 billion in ill-gotten wealth and thousands of suspected communist rebels and political foes were killed. His wife, Imelda, denies amassing wealth illegally. Vice President Leni Robredo said she opposed Duterte's decision to transfer the strongman's remains from his home town of Batac in the northern Philippines to the cemetery. "Mr Marcos is no hero," she said in a statement. "How can we allow a hero's burial for a man who has plundered our country and was responsible for the death and disappearance of many Filipinos?" Robredo, a human rights advocate, defeated the dictator's son and namesake, Ferdinand Marcos, in a vote for the vice presidency in May. She said Duterte's decision would not bring unity but would "deepen the unhealed wounds" of Marcos' victims. Some Roman Catholic bishops and left-wing activists also opposed Marcos' burial. "It is a great insult," said one prominent bishop, Arturo Bastes. Duterte brushed off the criticism. "I see nothing wrong in having Marcos buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani," the president said in a speech to soldiers on Sunday, referring to the cemetery. Marcos was elected president in 1965 and re-elected four years later but imposed martial law a year before his second term ended. In 1986, he was ousted in a "people power" revolt and fled to Hawaii where he died three years later. His remains were returned in the early 1990s and have been kept in a family mausoleum. (Reporting by Manuel Mogato; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Aung San Suu Kyis administration, which took power at the end of March, is the first democratically elected government to run Burma in more than 50 years. There has been considerable criticism of the new government from pundits and in the media, and even in some political circles in the West. Among other things, commentators have criticized weaknesses in addressing the plight of oppressed Muslim communities in Rakhine State and what is seen as the governments non-transparent and non-consultative decision-making. But while many of the concerns are valid, there must be more understanding of the daunting challenges Burmas new democratic leadership is confronting. So far, they have made some missteps, but no huge mistakes.

The tasks facing the government are formidable. It must find ways of moving the peace process with the countrys many ethnic groups forward, addressing the plight of the Rohingya and other Muslim communities in Rakhine State, and continuing the delicate process of rebalancing Burmas external relations, particularly vis-a-vis China. The burden of leadership on all of these fronts will fall on Suu Kyis shoulders, since she has assumed simultaneously the positions of State Counsellor, Foreign Minister, and chair of various high-level committees. Success will depend not only on developing carefully thought-out policies and listening attentively to those affected, but also on her ability to delegate. These are the twin policy and personal challenges now facing Suu Kyi as Burmas de facto leader.

The general trajectory so far has been very positive. Burma has passed through a year of considerable uncertainty and change with no major political turmoil. The previous military-backed government went ahead with broadly credible elections, held with almost no violence, that delivered a resounding victory for Aung San Suu Kyi  a former political prisoner. This massive victory set the stage for the first orderly transfer of power via the ballot box since Burmas independence in 1948.

Story continues

Suu Kyi had made clear before the polls that she would be the key decision-maker in the new government, and so it has proved. Her close confidant, Htin Kyaw, was chosen as president, but Suu Kyi is the undisputed leader, with her new title of State Counsellor effectively circumventing the constitutional bar on her taking the presidency. Her administration has now managed to enter into an awkward cohabitation with the military  as dictated by the 2008 constitution  without significantly compromising on key principles or prompting any fundamental rifts with the armed forces. Navigating these difficult waters has been a key early success of the government, the military, and the country as a whole. But with its inexperienced team, and enormous challenges ahead, the government cannot be expected to enjoy success on all fronts. Expectations for quick progress  of the kind more appropriate to mature democracies  should be tempered.

The government has taken early steps to address Burmas authoritarian legacy, releasing political detainees and repealing or amending several oppressive laws  although there is much more to do. At the same time, it has made some initial missteps on the peace process and in addressing the discrimination against Muslim communities in Rakhine State.

Suu Kyis April 27 declaration that she would take personal charge of convening a new 21st Century Panglong peace conference, named for the pre-independence gathering hosted by her father, was made without consulting armed groups or ethnic political leaders. She is now pushing to move ahead with this conference by the end of August, before the necessary building blocks are in place. Understandably, ethnic leaders worried that the substance of the new initiative was unclear and that it was announced without any prior consultation. In a subsequent meeting, she moved to allay some of these concerns by clarifying that the conference would continue the previously-agreed peace process rather than setting a different direction. She also established clear consultation mechanisms. Ethnic leaders are now worried that she may stick to an unfeasibly tight deadline for the conference, eroding trust and buy-in from armed groups, with potentially damaging consequences.

There have been some missteps in other areas as well, again related to a lack of consultative decision-making. To address the longstanding communal tensions in Rakhine State, a Central Committee on Implementation of Peace, Stability and Development of Rakhine State was formed on May 31, chaired by Suu Kyi herself. The early focus of the committee has been on revamping a process to determine the citizenship status of the states Muslim population, most of whom have no citizenship documents and face pervasive discrimination, both by the government and by the states Buddhist Rakhine majority. Accordingly, this is one of the most difficult and contentious issues to be addressed.

The first steps have included rolling out a temporary identification document for Muslim residents, as well as attempts to sidestep the divisive issue of what the main Muslim minority group should be called. (They self-identify as Rohingya, but Rakhine nationalists insist they be called Bengali to suggest their Bangladeshi origins, despite the fact that many have lived in Burma for generations.)

A lack of trust rooted in years of discrimination by the central government against both Buddhists and Muslims in Rakhine State had meant that these initiatives have raised objections from both communities. In particular, there has been very strong reaction by Buddhist Rakhine nationalists to the governments preferred term, the Muslim community in Rakhine State, which may make it much harder to reach a future compromise on nomenclature. A lack of public information about the citizenship process has meant that it has seen low levels of interest in most places. In some cases it has faced outright resistance. Success in addressing the complex situation in Rakhine State will require a solid understanding of the nuances, together with a willingness to consult broadly to obtain buy-in (or at least reduce opposition) of hardliners in both Rakhine Buddhist and Rohingya Muslim communities.

Each of these missteps arises from a lack of sensitivity to some of the complex details at play, and a lack of consultation in advance of announcing important decisions or initiatives. Such mistakes are understandable, and can perhaps be attributed to Aung San Suu Kyis initial settling-in period. It is also possible that they reflect a deeper culture of non-consultative decision-making, which would be of concern; but it is too early to come to such a conclusion.

Another challenge is the governments relationship with the military. Both sides have a clear interest in working together. Suu Kyi cannot effectively govern the country without the militarys support, or at least its acquiescence. On the other hand, the military is reliant on Suu Kyi to achieve some key objectives  a better domestic and international reputation and improved military-to-military relations with the West. More fundamentally, the military is invested in the success of the transition: The current governments failure would be a failure for the transition process the military itself initiated.

Yet shared interests have not always translated into positive relations. The military was particularly upset with the bill that appointed Suu Kyi as State Counsellor, introduced only a few days after the transfer of power. On substance, they objected that the bill was anti-constitutional because it created a position that undermined the presidents authority and that it violated separation of powers by providing for a direct relationship with the parliament, a view shared by some ethnic and other opposition legislators. The military is particularly sensitive on constitutional matters, as the prerogatives it is granted were essential in giving it the confidence to hand over many other powers.

There have been recent positive steps in civil-military relations, including the commander-in-chiefs attendance for the first time of the annual Martyrs Day ceremony commemorating the assassination of Suu Kyis father. But such highly symbolic events should not be over-interpreted  there are still plenty of challenges ahead.

The international community can help Burmas new government navigate these difficult waters in several ways. It is rightly giving the government strong political backing, but it should not shy away from offering frank and honest advice. Financial and technical support is very much needed, although there is a significant risk that uncoordinated aid projects and overlapping and inconsistent technical assistance will overwhelm the governments capacity and potentially do harm; the beginnings of this were already visible over the last few years.

Donors also need to keep in mind that the state  and by extension the government  remains absent or contested in many conflict-affected areas. Assistance projects need to be carefully designed and closely monitored to reflect this. In expanding support to government, it is also vital that the West in particular explore appropriate avenues of military-to-military cooperation. This is for two reasons: In the first place, it is essential that the military see institutional benefits from its decision to give up a significant portion of its power. Furthermore, the socialization of a new generation of military officers with their peers in democratic countries can make a critical contribution to reform.

Burmas new government has come in for a lot of criticism  some of it deserved. But we must remember that Burma remains one of the most successful examples of democratic transitions in modern times. The government should be criticized if it fails to meet realistic expectations, but it is counterproductive to hold a country still emerging from decades of authoritarianism and civil war to impossibly high standards.

This article is based on a recent Crisis Group report assessing the state of Burmas transition.

In the photo, a boy carries the portrait of General Aung San, the late father of Aung San Suu Kyi, during a rally in central Mahabandoola Park in Rangoon on August 8 to mark the 28th anniversary of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising.

Photo credit: ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images
The dollhouse-sized replica of Insein Prison, Burmas most infamous correctional facility, is painted red and white and covered in paper labels: Main Gate, Hospital, Woman Ward.

Between the buildings there are little plastic bushes and palm trees. The circular shape of the sprawling complex looks like the real facility, which is still operational. Kyaw Soe Win, a genial, soft-spoken 48-year-old, stands over the model. This hall, I was here, he says, pointing to an annex where he was locked up for six years in the 1990s for distributing leaflets and communicating with exile groups.

Kyaw Soe Win is standing in the cluttered exhibition room at the offices of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) in Rangoon, Burmas biggest city. Insein prison lies a few townships to the west. The exhibit, which was set up in March, is small but leaves an impression. A royal blue prison uniform hangs on one wall. There are images of stress positions used by guards as a form of torture: the airplane, the motorcycle.

Since Kyaw Soe Win was released, the country, formally known as Myanmar, has transitioned from a military dictatorship to a fledgling democracy. The number of incarcerated political prisoners in Burmas jails has dwindled from a peak of about 2,000 in 2009 and 2010 to 82 in June this year, according to AAPP, an NGO that advocates for former political prisoners. And many former inmates are now members of parliament and senior officials in Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyis new government, which took power in April after dominating national elections in November. One of the governments first acts was releasing dozens of political detainees.

Although draconian laws still give authorities leverage to detain activists and journalists  some 170 people are awaiting trial on political charges  Burma is no longer a vast network of dungeons and prison camps.

Story continues

Read More: 5 Challenges Facing Burmas New Civilian Government

The modest exhibition at AAPPs Rangoon office is part of a growing push to openly commemorate the sacrifices of political prisoners in the country, and seek proper recognition for the suffering they endured. In scale, these efforts are nothing like the museums and memorials in Germany and Cambodia  marking the horrors of the Holocaust and Khmer Rouge regime respectively. Burmas memorials to its brutal past are much smaller, less funded and sometimes lonely projects, like the artist who last year exhibited plaster casts made from the hands of political prisoners.

Kyaw Soe Win feels that now is the time to push for reparations. We can do it in 2016, he says. During the military regime era we could not do it, if we did, we would be arrested.

In May, AAPP released the first comprehensive report detailing the difficulties former political prisoners have reintegrating back into society, including problems finding work, and a lack of care to help treat the effects of years mental and physical trauma. The group called on the government to firstly, make an official apology. Afterwards, a series of reparations should be enacted, they said, including financial compensation, vocational training and scholarships, removing criminal records so job seekers can look for employment without stigma, free health care for those who were tortured, restoring confiscated land and ensuring that former political prisoners can obtain essential documents such as passports and ID cards.

Since the military seized power in a coup in 1962  giving birth to a succession of authoritarian regimes  between 7,000 and 10,000 people have been thrown in jail for political offenses. And many were targeted simply for being affiliated with an illegal group, passing out fliers or demonstrating.

Kyaw Kyaw Lin, the 35-year-old secretary of the ruling National League for Democracys (NLD) eastern district in Rangoon, was freed in 2012, having served five years of a longer sentence for being a member of a blacklisted organization. He was arrested in 2007 after telling the BBC about monks gathering outside Suu Kyis residence when she was under house arrest. On a rainy evening in downtown Rangoon, he and three friends, all of whom had spent some time behind bars, are sitting in one of the citys cheap and plentiful beer stations. Cigarette smoke fills the air as glasses are refilled.

The group says they are thinking less about museums and more about practical matters, like finding steady work. No money! 53-year-old Lin Aung San shouts in English, holding up his fingers and rubbing them together. According to AAPP, 1 in 5 former political detainees is unemployed.

Read More: Aung San Suu Kyis World: Portraits of Burmese Dissidents and Activists

We want to make our life new again, Kyaw Kyaw Lin explains. Not one of them has a real job. Kyaw Kyaw Lins position with the NLD is not a salaried position. But more than financial compensation, they feel that their time behind bars has not been properly acknowledged, and that as a result, their day-to-day lives are a struggle for meaning.

We want official recognition [as political prisoners] by the parliament, says Ko Chan Thar, a 35-year-old former monk who was sentenced to 18 years in prison after taking part in the Saffron Revolution in 2007, when Burmas monks rose up against the military. With no job, he sells books provided by NGOs.

As political prisoners, our physical and mental needs were destroyed, he says, alluding to the wretched conditions endured on the inside, conditions that have caused lasting psychological problems, severed bonds between families, and triggered, in some cases, drug and alcohol abuse. Who will fulfill our mental needs?

AAPPs report documents the horrors many political detainees were forced to endure. Prisoners had little access to food, drinking water or medical care, and many languished for years in solitary confinement. Jailers reportedly used a creative set of stress positions and torture techniques: one involved repeatedly rolling an iron or bamboo rod on the victims shins until the skin peeled off. Some of those who had been in Insein prison told of being locked in cages used to house military dogs in the British colonial era.

Today, victims of the regime say they risk being overlooked in the name of national reconciliation. Sitting at the beer station, Kyaw Kyaw Lin says the NLDs lack of urgency on addressing the plight of political prisoners is understandable (an NLD spokesman declines to comment for this article and other senior officials could not be reached after repeated phone calls). The countrys constitution, drafted by the military in 2008, guarantees members of the armed forces 25% of seats in parliament and control of three key ministries including defense, home affairs and immigration. Suu Kyi has to be careful about dragging up too much of the past. She has said publicly that she doesnt want to seek revenge on the generals of the former regime, focusing instead on forgiveness and reconciliation. As de facto leader, Suu Kyi has other, more pressing issues at hand  rejuvenating a struggling peace process with ethnic rebel armies, fixing the countrys broken economy and rebuilding the countrys ailing health and education systems.

Near AAPPs office in Rangoon is the 88 Generation Memorial Hall, set up by activists and political prisoners who took part in student-led mass protests against the government on Aug. 8, 1988. Opened quietly around the anniversary of the uprising last year, the memorial is mostly a collection of photographs from the movement, which was crushed by the military on the streets of Rangoon. Its members were thrown in jail, forced into exile or, in Suu Kyis case, put under house arrest for a combined 15 years until 2010. The uprising, rather than the prison terms that were a result of it, is the focus here. The organizers sell plastered fists with the number 8 written in red across the knuckles.

Read More: Burmas Feared Ex-Spy Chief Finds a New Life as a Gallery Owner

Like the AAPP exhibition, the 88 Memorial Hall has an impermanent feel. Both buildings are rentals and located about an hours drive from the city center. It is difficult to imagine anyone visiting who isnt involved in activism, journalism or to specifically to meet with former political prisoners. On the entrance sign of the Memorial Hall, the word temporary is even written in parenthesis. Ant Bwel Kyaw, who was sentenced to 65 years for sending emails to foreign governments (he was later freed in an amnesty) says the photos on display are copies, as it still doesnt feel safe to put up the authentic images.

We didnt exhibit original versions for security reasons. The previous military regime can keep or destroy the original versions so were hiding those in a secure place, he says. Aung Maw, a former student activist who oversees the Memorial Hall, seems frustrated with its limitations. We couldnt even collect enough documents from the 1988 uprising. And also, this building is temporary; the contract will be over at the end of this year, he says.

Owners of the memorial hall  who are petitioning the new government to have it recognized as an official museum  received some good news in July when the NLDs new Culture Minister visited and vowed to support the creation of an official space with a proposal in parliament.

There are those who feel Insein prison could one day serve as a more permanent museum. Before that can become a reality, the prison  now synonymous with inhumane conditions and torture  would need to shutter. Close the prison first, Kyaw Soe Win says. Later, we will try.

 With reporting by Aung Naing Soe / Rangoon


Chipotle (NYSE:CMG) is making news once again, but this time its not for foodborne illnesses. The fast casual chain is expanding its educational opportunities for employees through a partnership with Guild Education, a press release said Monday.

Both full and part-time employees will be able to take advantage of online course offerings on top of Chipotles existing tuition reimbursement plan. Currently, Chipotle employees can receive tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 a year and an additional $5,815 in federal grants for those who qualify. One thing that were really big on with Chipotle is our people culture and we believe in investing in our employees, Gretchen Selfridge, Chipotles Restaurant Support Officer, and the chains top female executive tells FOXBusiness.com. According to Selfridge, currently 2% of employees take advantage of the tuition reimbursement plan and Chipotle has contributed $5 million in tuition reimbursement to about 1,600 employees.

Its always been a very high priority for us to have these employee programs and benefits that allow us to attract and retain the best people to work in our restaurants, says Chris Arnold, Chipotles communications director.

Under the new Guild partnership, employees can pay as little as $250 a year to go to college. Selfridge hopes that the expanded educational opportunities can boost employee participation by as much as 10%. Nearly half of the employees who take advantage of the tuition reimbursement are hourly employees and the majority are working crew and cashier positions. According to Selfridge, most employees are earning undergraduate degrees and many of them are first generation college students.

But can Chipotle afford the program after taking a tremendous loss from the 2015 E.coli outbreak? According to Arnold, the program wont come at a big cost to them. We view it far more as an investment than a cost, says Arnold. He and Selfridge also noted that the plan to expand educational opportunities was in motion well before the E.coli outbreak.

Story continues

Analysts from J.P. Morgan (NYSE:JPM) predicted that the outbreak would cost Chipotle three full years of earnings and Wedbush Securities predicts that the chain wont recover lost sales until 2018. The burrito chains worth has fallen from $22.4 billion in September 2015 to $11.72 billion in August 2016.

Related Articles
GENEVA (Reuters) - Four Burundian lawyers who gave information to the United Nations about alleged torture in their central African country face disbarment as retribution for their testimony, U.N. human rights experts said on Monday. The U.N. Committee against Torture (CAT) urged the Burundian government to provide "urgent reassurances" that no lawyer or activist would be punished for taking part in a special session of the panel in Geneva last month. The committee of 10 independent experts examined Burundi's record, voicing concern at allegations of killings and torture of opposition figures by the ruling CNDD-FDD party's youth wing Imbonerakure. The four lawyers - Armel Niyongere, Lambert Nigarura, Dieudonne Bashirahishize and Vital Nshimirimana - contributed to a report by Burundian NGOs for the July 28-28 review, a panel statement said. Three of the men attended the Geneva session. "On 29 July, a Burundian prosecutor asked the president of the Bujumbura Bar Council to strike the lawyers off, alleging that they had committed several offences, including involvement in an insurrectionist movement and an attempted coup," it said. CAT wrote the Burundian government noting that the prosecutor had sought sanctions against the lawyers, rather than an inquiry to establish the facts, which raises concerns with respect to presumption of innocence. A Burundian government delegation expected to take part in the second day of the CAT session then indicated it would stay away in protest at the NGOs' report, the panel said. In opening remarks to the panel quoted by a U.N. summary, Burundian Justice Minister Aimee Laurentine Kanyana said torture was prohibited in Burundi and perpetrators were tracked down, tried and punished in line with national law. New York-based group Human Rights Watch said it was clear the Burundian government preferred to "duck tough questions rather than engage with the U.N. on human rights, or take meaningful action to prevent torture". The U.N. panel asked Burundian authorities to address its concerns by Thursday, a day before its conclusions are issued. Burundi is mired in a year-long crisis in which more than 450 people have been killed since President Pierre Nkurunziza pursued and won a third term. Opponents said his move violated the constitution and a deal that ended a civil war in 2005. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Mark Heinrich)
By Dan Whitcomb LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - An epic wildfire that has killed one person and blackened about 60,000 acres along the California coast, forced authorities on Monday to shut down a portion of scenic Highway 1 near Carmel-by-the-Sea. The closure of the highway, which runs along much of the Pacific coastline and is famed for its dramatic ocean views, was prompted by an increase in fire and wind activity in the Big Sur area, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. The road was expected to be closed to traffic in both directions from 10 p.m. Pacific time on Monday (0500 GMT Tuesday) until at least 6 p.m. on Tuesday (0100 GMT Wednesday), depending on conditions, the department said. The so-called Soberanes Fire, which has destroyed 57 homes and 11 outbuildings, has been burning since July 22. A bulldozer operator died on July 26 when his tractor rolled over as he helped property owners battle the blaze, becoming the sixth wildfire fatality in California this year. Authorities have traced origins of the blaze to an illegal campfire left unattended in a state park about a mile from Highway 1. No arrests have so far been made. As of Monday, the more than 5,000 firefighters battling the flames had cut containment lines around 45 percent of its perimeter. Firefighters are making gradual but steady progress against the blaze as wildfire season in the western United States reaches its traditional peak, intensified by prolonged drought and extreme summer heat across the region. The conflagration near Big Sur is one of 35 major wildfires that have charred half a million acres in 12 states, mostly in the West, according to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. A blaze that erupted on Sunday in San Bernardino County, east of Los Angeles, had scorched some 4,500 acres of dry timber and brush within 24 hours and was only about 5 percent contained, officials said. That fire, called the Pilot Fire, had not destroyed any homes as of Monday afternoon but residents of about 25 homes along two major highways were ordered to evacuate. (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; editing by Grant McCool)
By Ethan Lou TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada has been seizing increasing amounts of undeclared or suspected criminal money from mainland Chinese travelers, border officials said, with the amount confiscated last year more than double that taken in 2013. Capital flight in various forms has been a growing concern for China, with factors ranging from the depreciation of the yuan to an anti-corruption campaign launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of 2012. Reuters obtained limited seizure figures from the Canada Border Services Agency under the country's access-to-information laws. The agency provided more comprehensive numbers in July. The data showed seizures from Chinese citizens dipped by about one-quarter from 2012 to 2013, when they were at C$5.5 million ($4.22 million). Seizures jumped to nearly C$11.5 million last year. At least C$6.5 million has been seized so far in 2016. By year end, that figure could eclipse 2015 levels, as the data consistently showed more seizures in the second half. According to the agency, suspected criminal proceeds and undeclared money over C$10,000 could be seized. The former is forfeit, while the latter can be returned on payment of a C$250-to-C$5,000 fine. The agency's numbers did not separate the two and did not indicate the exact origins of the seized money. Canadian border service spokeswoman Esme Bailey said it is not unusual for the amounts seized to vary from year to year, and the agency does not base enforcement on nationality. A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Canada, Yang Yundong, said his government always urges citizens to "learn in detail and comply with" Canadian law. He said China's own law enforcement does not tolerate illegally carrying money abroad. China said last year more than one-quarter of its 100 most-wanted corruption suspects had fled to Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police declined to comment on the number of Chinese corruption suspects in the country. Canada's Department of Justice said it does not track those numbers. In the United States, penalties for not declaring currency over $10,000 can include a fine of up to $500,000 and up to 10 years in prison. The value of U.S. seizures from Chinese citizens arriving by air, while roughly on par with Canada, consistently accounts for under 10 percent of the total, the U.S. border agency said. Such seizures from Canada's three largest airports alone make up more than one-quarter, according to the country's data. ($1 = 1.3021 Canadian dollars) (Addiitonal reporting by Elizabeth Dilts in New York and Julie Gordon in Vancouver; Editing by Jeffrey Hodgson and Sandra Maler)
Ontario palliative care doctors are warning about a move that the Ministry of Health quietly made last month. As of next January, the provincial government will no longer cover the cost of powerful narcotics (morphine 200 mg tablets; hydromorphone 24 mg and 30 mg capsules; fentanyl 75 mcg/hr and 100 mcg/hr patches; and meperidine Demerol- 50 mg tablets), even for those patients close to the end of their lives.

Apparently, this is a move aimed at reducing the misuse of opioid painkillers as an opioid consumption epidemics spreads across North America. And, to an uninformed reader, this plan could make sense. However, doctors have warned, it does not!

Related Link: Opioid Addiction: What To Do When A Loved One Is Hooked, According To Science

As explicated in a recent Vice article, the decision to no longer cover the cost of opioid painkillers will probably have little impact on street consumption, as diversion is not very common among patients in pain  they need every last bit of relief they can get... so why would they sell their stash?

In fact, much of the fentanyl seen in Canadas streets are bootleg versions of the original drug. Some believe these fakes come from China. No matter where they come from, restricting the sale of prescribed opioids does not seem like the answer to illegal dealings.

Related Link: Facebook Is Addictive, But Now It's Being Used To Treat Addicts

Consequently, Dr. Glen Maddison and other fellow palliative care physicians have already addressed the government to complain about this initiative. Terminal patients need pain relief, they explained, adding that this move could result in these patients spending roughly $75 per month in these meds.

Doctors Be Heard

It seems like doctors and specialists have been heard, though. In a recent email, the Ministry of Health told Vice that they want to make sure Ontario patients can continue to access appropriate pain care, and consideration will be given to using systems already in place.

Story continues

This means they're listening, Maddison said.

However, other doctors disagree. University of Torontos David Juurlink explained that patients receiving these extraordinarily high dosages (such as those being cut out by the government) are not benefiting from the drugs, which are doing them more harm than good. Typical dosages leave patients at "greater risk of dying from the meds than from anything else, he continued.

Nonetheless, there is something both Madisson and Juurlink agree on: the new policy wont do much to stop abuse and street use.

Whos Making Opiodis?

Some companies that make opioids include:

AbbVie Inc (NYSE: ABBV)

Purdue Pharma

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT)

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE)

Novartis AG (ADR) (NYSE: NVS)

Endo International plc - Ordinary Shares (NASDAQ: ENDP)

Insys Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: INSY)

Disclosure: Javier Hasse holds no interest in any of the securities or entities mentioned above.

See more from Benzinga

 2016 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
MONTREAL (Reuters) - A lion bit a Canadian zoo worker in the back on Monday as it was being prepared for exhibition and has been put in isolation until the zoo decides what to do with it, an official said. The worker at the Granby Zoo east of Montreal had a fracture, but was conscious and in stable condition in hospital, director general Paul Gosselin told reporters. Gosselin said the zoo keeper was bitten in the back. "At this point we don't have the exact diagnosis," he said. It was not immediately clear how the attack occurred, though Gosselin said the employee had been preparing the female lion for exhibition before the incident. The zoo worker is in her 20s and has been with the organization since 2011, Gosselin said. He said the zoo would be contacting experts in the United States before making a decision about what to do with the lion, which is one of three kept by the zoo. All three lions had been isolated and were made unavailable for public viewing after the attack. When asked whether the zoo considered killing the lion during the incident, Gosselin said that was not necessary as another employee was able to get it away from the victim by spraying it with a water hose. A zoo spokeswoman declined to identify the zoo keeper or the lion. Police said the investigation would be handled by Quebec's workplace safety board, which could not be immediately reached for comment. Two other attacks by animals drew public attention in recent months. In June, an alligator snatched away a 2-year-old boy in front of his family at Walt Disney World in Florida. The boy died. In May, a 3-year-old boy fell into an enclosure with a gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo. Zookeepers killed the gorilla to protect the child. (Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal; Writing and additional reporting by Ethan Lou in Toronto; Editing by Grant McCool)
Former Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson weighed in on Trumps speech laying out his economic plan in Detroit, Michigan.

I thought he did a masterful job, stayed on point, on topics, these are the things that really concern the American people. Those are the reasons that he has so much traction with so many across the country. And if he can stay with those issues I dont think Hillary has anything that even comes close to being on par with this, Carson told the FOX Business Networks Charles Payne.

Carson viewed the key to Americas early and fast economic rise was to avoid a tax and regulatory environment that discouraged success.

If we look back at America and you look at Americas heyday, how did we get to be the world economic power so quickly? From our beginnings it took us less than 100 years to the pinnacle nation in the world in terms of the economy because we allowed people to do things, we did not dis-incentivize them. And as a result of that our government did okay too because when the people are doing well they generate a lot of wealth and the government gets a percentage of that. Thats a model that works extremely well. 

On the other hand Carson raised concerns that policies focused on higher taxes and greater reliance on the government would impede economic growth.

It doesnt work so well with socialism where you spend everything you can get until you run out of other peoples money.

Carson then responded to politicians who focus on creating a divide between the rich and poor rather than supporting success through personal responsibility.

Just remember Sal Alinsky said, you must always keep class warfare on the front burner, because youre always going to have more poor people than rich people and if you can create that resentment you will create a voter base, so thats why they do it.

Carson then stressed the importance of education for Americans future and the future of the country as a whole.

Story continues

It doesnt matter what your background is, if you get a good education, you write your own ticket. And thats why it was emphasized so strongly by the founders of this nation who also said if we ever become uneducated and uninformed were going to change into something else because well be easy to manipulate. Well educated and informed people are very hard to manipulate.

Related Articles
It's getting tougher to be a CEO  if you don't work for one of the giant banks.

In a year when none of the CEOs of the biggest banks in America saw their overall compensation decline, pay for corporate CEOs overall shrank on a median basis, according to research from Mercer, a consulting firm based in New York. Mercer's data suggest that compensation for CEOs declined from a median of $10.6 million to $10.3 million last year. CEOs of smaller banks are among those that have seen declines. Cuts in incentive-based compensation was partially to cause for the decrease in pay, Mercer said.

Mike Mayo, banking analyst at brokerage and investment group CLSA, said it's a sign that on Wall Street, more than anywhere else, size matters.



"Size still drives bank CEO pay more than earnings, returns, or stock price, creating a reason for shareholders to protest, at least for those banks that do not earn their cost of capital," he said to CNBC.com.

The six biggest banks in the United States either declined to comment or did not respond to a CNBC request for comment.

And half of the CEOs of the biggest banks on Wall Street had a better year than many of the CEOs whose data Mercer crunched. Of the four biggest commercial banks in the United States, none reduced executive pay in 2015, bucking the trend Mercer highlighted.

At Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), CEO Brian Moynihan's pay rose by 23 percent in 2015, to $16 million, and at JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon took home $27 million in compensation last year, an increase of about 35 percent.

Citigroup (NYSE: C) CEO Michael Corbat saw his pay rise 27 percent in 2015, to $16.5 million  but that came in a year where the bank's profits more than doubled . Bank of America, Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase are three of the four biggest banks by market capitalization in the U.S.; Wells Fargo is the largest. At Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), CEO John Stumpf's pay was unchanged in 2015 compared to the prior year, in which he received $19.3 million.

Story continues

Some of the big Wall Street CEOs did see their compensation contract. At Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), CEO Lloyd Blankfein saw pay decline slightly, from $24 million to $23 million last year. At Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), CEO James Gorman's pay also declined nearly 7 percent, to $21 million. Investment banks are a fraction of the size of big consumer banks.

Big banks' shareholders approved CEO pay packages with overwhelming numbers , and in some cases voted against other measures to curb senior pay. For example, at Bank of America, Moynihan and other executives dependent on shareholder approval for compensation received a whopping 93 percent of votes cast favoring their pay.





More From CNBC


A few chemical companies are lined up to report their quarterly results on Aug 9. The chemical industry remains on a slow road to recovery amid a still challenging operating environment. Chemical makers are gaining from strategic measures including expansion into high-growth markets, aggressive cost management and productivity actions as well as acquisitions.



However, the industry faces certain roadblocks including a still weak agriculture market, weak demand in the energy space, Eurozones tepid recovery and slowdown in China.



As per the Zacks Industry classification, the chemical industry is grouped under the broader Basic Materials sector. Basic Materials is among the sectors that are expected to see double-digit year-over-year earnings decline in the second-quarter, as per the latest Earnings Preview report.



Based on the earnings scorecard as of Aug 5, 95% of the sector participants on the S&P 500 index have unveiled their quarterly numbers. Earnings for these companies are down 11.8% from the same period last year on 9.1% lower revenues. The sectors earnings are expected to drop 11.7% in the quarter, considering the companies that are yet to report. Revenues for the sector are likely to fall 7.6%.



Lets take a peek at four chemical companies that are scheduled to report their second-quarter results on Aug 9.



Univar Inc. UNVR, which will report before the bell, has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% as both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate stand at 18 cents. The company carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), which we caution against ahead of the earnings release. The company posted an average negative earnings surprise of 62.39% in the last four quarters.



Univar faces headwinds in the upstream oil and gas markets. Industrial demand is also anticipated to remain sluggish in the second quarter. The company is executing several cost saving programs, in an attempt to drive productivity and operational excellence and grow organically. (Read more: What's in the Cards for Univar this Earnings Season?)

Story continues

UNIVAR INC Price and EPS Surprise

UNIVAR INC Price and EPS Surprise | UNIVAR INC Quote

Daqo New Energy Corp. DQ will report ahead of the bell. It has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% as both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate stand at $1.26. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), but its 0.00% ESP makes surprise prediction difficult. The company beat estimates in the trailing four quarters with an average positive surprise of 237.29%.

DAQO NEW ENERGY Price and EPS Surprise

DAQO NEW ENERGY Price and EPS Surprise | DAQO NEW ENERGY Quote

AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. AGFS, which will report before the bell, has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% as both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate stand at a loss of 18 cents. The stock holds a Zacks Rank #3, but its 0.00% ESP makes surprise prediction difficult. The company posted an average positive earnings surprise of 20.84% in the last four quarters.

AGROFRESH SOL Price and EPS Surprise

AGROFRESH SOL Price and EPS Surprise | AGROFRESH SOL Quote

BioAmber Inc. BIOA will report after the bell. It has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% as both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate stand at a loss of 24 cents. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #3, but its 0.00% ESP makes surprise prediction difficult. BioAmber posted an average negative earnings surprise of 173.81% in the last four quarters.

BIOAMBER INC Price and EPS Surprise

BIOAMBER INC Price and EPS Surprise | BIOAMBER INC Quote

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



BIOAMBER INC (BIOA): Free Stock Analysis Report



DAQO NEW ENERGY (DQ): Free Stock Analysis Report



AGROFRESH SOL (AGFS): Free Stock Analysis Report



UNIVAR INC (UNVR): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
New York (AFP) - Chevron scored a win Monday in US appeals court, blocking enforcement of a $9.5 billion judgment in Ecuador against the US oil giant over pollution in the South American country.

A three-judge panel of the US appeals court in New York upheld a 2014 ruling by a US District Court that discarded the Ecuador ruling on pollution in the Amazon jungle on the grounds that it was fraudulently obtained.

The appeals court found "no basis for dismissal or reversal," it said. "The judgment of the district court is affirmed."

The case concerns long-running efforts by indigenous people of Ecuador's Lago Agrio region to win compensation for the mass dumping of oilfield waste between the 1970s and 1990s.

The environmental destruction allegedly was perpetrated by Texaco, which Chevron bought in 2001.

Ecuadoran courts ordered Chevron to pay $9.5 billion in compensation.

However, the US oil giant fought back hard, leading to a 2013 trial in New York that alleged widespread corruption in Ecuador's judicial system led by US attorney Steven Donziger, who has represented indigenous groups.

Following that trial, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled that lawyers for the Ecuadoran groups committed a host of corrupt actions, including ghost-writing the original judgment, submitting fraudulent evidence and bribery.

Chevron said it was pleased Kaplan's decision was upheld.

"This decision, which is consistent with the findings of numerous judicial officers in the United States and South America, leaves no doubt that the Ecuadorian judgment against Chevron is the illegitimate and unenforceable product of misconduct," Chevron general counsel R. Hewitt Pate said.

Representatives for indigenous groups criticized the latest ruling and said it would not deter efforts to bring Chevron to justice in Canada and other jurisdictions where they have sought to seize Chevron assets.

They said they were exploring "further review" of the matter.

"Never before has a US court allowed someone who lost a case in another country to come to the US to attack a foreign court's damages award," said Deepak Gupta, an attorney for Donziger.

"The decision hands well-heeled corporations a template for avoiding legal accountability anywhere in the world."
(Adds details from decision, background, case citation, byline)

By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Chevron Corp persuaded a federal appeals court on Monday to block enforcement in the United States of an $8.65 billion Ecuadorean pollution judgment that it said, and which the court agreed, was obtained through bribery and fraud.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan upheld a lower court ruling against the American lawyer Steven Donziger, who has spent more than two decades battling Chevron to hold it responsible for pollution in the Ecuadorean rain forest.

"Even innocent clients may not benefit from the fraud of their attorney," Circuit Judge Amalya Kearse wrote for a three-judge panel in a 127-page decision.

Monday's decision is unlikely to end the legal war against San Ramon, California-based Chevron, which has been waged in several countries and was documented in "Crude," a 2009 film.

"The decision hands well-heeled corporations a template for avoiding legal accountability anywhere in the world," Deepak Gupta, a lawyer for Donziger, said in a statement. "We will be exploring all available options for further review."

R. Hewitt Pate, Chevron's general counsel, said in a statement the decision "leaves no doubt that the Ecuadorean judgment against Chevron is the illegitimate and unenforceable product of misconduct."

Donziger and representatives of residents of Ecuador's Lago Agrio region have sought to force Chevron to pay for water and soil contamination caused from 1964 to 1992 by Texaco, which Chevron acquired in 2001.

While not disputing that pollution occurred, Chevron has said Donziger and his associates went too far, including by arranging the ghostwriting of a key environmental report and bribing the presiding judge in Ecuador.

The oil company has also said a 1998 agreement between Texaco and Ecuador absolved it of further liability.

In March 2014, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan barred enforcement of the 2011 judgment, citing the corruption used to obtain it.

Story continues

Kearse, in Monday's decision, said the record reveals "a parade of corrupt actions" by Donziger and his associates, including coercion and fraud, culminating in the bribe offer.

"Chevron's $8.646 billion judgment debt ... is clearly traceable to the Lago Agrio plaintiffs' legal team's corrupt conduct," Kearse wrote.

Donziger has also tried to enforce the judgment in Canada, Brazil and other countries where Chevron operates.

Karen Hinton, a spokeswoman for the Ecuadorean residents, in a statement said their lawyers may also appeal, and will continue litigation in Canada and other countries to seize Chevron assets.

The case is Chevron Corp v. Donziger et al, 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 14-0826.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
H-6 bomber China

Nearly a month after the Hague-based court invalidated China's vast territorial claims in the South China Sea, the Chinese announced they have been conducting aerial combat patrols in the region regardless.

China's air force sent several H-6 bombers and Su-30 fighter jets to inspect the airspace around the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal immediately after the ruling, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force said, according to state news agency Xinhua.

"The Air Force is organizing normalized South China Sea combat patrols, practicing tactics ... increasing response capabilities to all kinds of security threats and safeguarding national sovereignty, security and maritime interests," Shen said.

"Two days after the ruling, China began to air video of H6-K and fighter patrols undated. The recent reports are also undated. Are these patrols taking place now or did they occur before the ruling? My hunch is that the latter is true," Bonnie Glaser, director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Business Insider.

And while it's unclear if the patrols took place before or after the ruling, Beijing has maintained that the international court has no bearing on its rights in the South China Sea.

"China, rather than a full-throated verbal attack on the international court ruling, is gradually undermining its viability by one action after another," Robert Kaplan, senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security and author of "Asia's Cauldron," told Business Insider.

"This is the Chinese tactic. Unlike the Russians, they don't get too emotional, they just steadily wear away at the will of their adversaries," Kaplan added.

Last week, China's top court said there was a "clear legal basis for China to safeguard maritime order, marine safety and interests, and to exercise integrated management over the country's jurisdictional seas." The regulation states that those who engage in illegal hunting or fishing in China's waters will be pursued for criminal liability.

Story continues

"The Chinese court's ruling is China's way of saying that it has the right to continue to do what it wants in the South China Sea, despite the verdict from the international court in favor of the Philippines," Kaplan told Business Insider in a previous interview.

Reuters contributed to this report.

NOW WATCH: The US Navy just flexed its muscles in the world's most contested region





More From Business Insider


(Reuters) - China has warned Britain that bilateral ties stand at a "crucial historical juncture" over London's deferral of an 18 billion pound nuclear power project, the Financial Times reported on Monday. China's Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming wrote in the FT that he hoped London would keep its door open to China and that the British government would continue to support the nuclear project and come to a decision as soon as possible. Britain said last week it wanted closer ties with China, but resisted pressure from Beijing to sign off on a $24 billion nuclear power project that was delayed at the last minute by Prime Minister Theresa May. Any cancellation of the Hinkley deal would likely harm other planned Chinese investments in the UK, the FT reported, citing Chinese officials. Hinkley is seen as the front runner to closer Chinese nuclear involvement, paving the way for another project in Britain that would use Chinese nuclear technology. Under plans drawn up by former prime minister David Cameron, French utility EDF and Chinese partner China General Nuclear would fund the $24 billion cost of the project, while Britain committed to pay a minimum price for the power generated by the plant for 35 years. (Reporting by Rama Venkat Raman in Bengaluru; Editing by James Dalgleish)
Chinese appliance giant Midea said on Monday it had secured almost 95 percent of German robotics firm Kuka, in the face of European fears over losing control over the high-tech company.

The company already held 13.51 percent of Kuka -- a world-leading manufacturer of industrial robots -- before its June offer of 115 euros per share, which valued the firm at 4.6 billion euros ($5.1 billion).

Midea said in its Monday statement that 81.04 percent of shares were tendered by the end of an extended acceptance period at midnight on August 3, bringing its total to 94.55 percent.

The offer remains subject to regulatory approval.

Officials in Brussels and Berlin -- including German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel and European commissioner Guenther Oettinger -- have expressed concerns over German high-end intellectual property, technology, and know-how departing for China as Midea's offer progressed.

A growing list of German companies, such as Kion, Putzmeister and KraussMaffei have come under Chinese ownership in recent years.

But there is little ministers can do to stop the deal.

Midea, best known for air conditioners and washing machines, hopes to extend automation at its factories as it faces rising labour costs in China -- which also make Kuka's robots attractive to other manufacturers in the world's second-largest economy.

Kuka has had a factory of its own in China since 2013.

Midea signed a contract that guarantees jobs and plants in Germany until 2023 if the deal goes ahead.

But the powerful IG Metall trade union still pushed for significant stakes in the company to remain in German hands.

When technology firm Voith agreed to take up Midea's offer for its 25.1 percent stake in Kuka in early July, no competing German buyer came forward.

There was little change in Kuka's share price on the Frankfurt stock exchange by 0900 GMT on Monday, as investors had already assumed the takeover bid would succeed.
Frankfurt (AFP) - Chinese appliance giant Midea said on Monday it had secured almost 95 percent of German robotics firm Kuka, in the face of European fears over losing control over the high-tech company.

The company already held 13.51 percent of Kuka -- a world-leading manufacturer of industrial robots -- before its June offer of 115 euros per share, which valued the firm at 4.6 billion euros ($5.1 billion).

Midea said in its Monday statement that 81.04 percent of shares were tendered by the end of an extended acceptance period at midnight on August 3, bringing its total to 94.55 percent.

The offer remains subject to regulatory approval.

Officials in Brussels and Berlin -- including German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel and European commissioner Guenther Oettinger -- have expressed concerns over German high-end intellectual property, technology, and know-how departing for China as Midea's offer progressed.

A growing list of German companies, such as Kion, Putzmeister and KraussMaffei have come under Chinese ownership in recent years.

But there is little ministers can do to stop the deal.

Midea, best known for air conditioners and washing machines, hopes to extend automation at its factories as it faces rising labour costs in China -- which also make Kuka's robots attractive to other manufacturers in the world's second-largest economy.

Kuka has had a factory of its own in China since 2013.

Midea signed a contract that guarantees jobs and plants in Germany until 2023 if the deal goes ahead.

But the powerful IG Metall trade union still pushed for significant stakes in the company to remain in German hands.

When technology firm Voith agreed to take up Midea's offer for its 25.1 percent stake in Kuka in early July, no competing German buyer came forward.

There was little change in Kuka's share price on the Frankfurt stock exchange by 0900 GMT on Monday, as investors had already assumed the takeover bid would succeed.
By Brenda Goh RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Chinese web-users unleashed their fury on the social media accounts of Australian Olympic gold medallist Mack Horton, demanding he apologise for calling swimming rival Sun Yang a "drug cheat". The controversy clouded Horton's Saturday triumph in the 400 metres freestyle final over Sun, the London 2012 champion, with the latter suggesting Horton had made the remarks to affect him. Sun won the silver medal. "You have offended against the sensitive (feelings) of the Chinese people," said one of more than 300,000 comments left on Horton's latest Instagram post of him celebrating his win on the medal podium. "Apologise to Sun Yang!", said another on Horton's Facebook page that was peppered with insults, derogatory pictures, many of which carried the hashtag "#apologisetosunyang". Many of the comments recalled a 2013 incident when the Australian men's freestyle relay team were suspended for using a sedative banned by their national Olympic committee (AOC) in a bonding session before the London Games. The Chinese swimming team has also demanded an apology from Horton, state news agency Xinhua reported. "We have been noticing what has been said in the past two days by Horton, who launched a malicious personal attack (on Chinese swimmers)," it quoted Chinese swim team manager Xu Qi as saying. "We think his inappropriate words greatly hurt the feelings between Chinese and Australian swimmers. "It is proof of a lack of good manners and upbringing. We strongly demand an apology from this swimmer." The 20-year-old Australian had acknowledged after their final that there were tensions between him and Sun after a splashing incident during a recent practice. "I used the words 'drug cheat' because he tested positive," he said. A spokesman for the AOC said Horton was entitled to express his point of view. "He has spoken out in support of clean athletes. This is something he feels strongly about and good luck to him," the spokesman said in an email to Reuters. In 2014, it emerged that Sun had secretly served a three-month suspension after he tested positive for a banned stimulant. He said at the time the stimulant was in medication to treat a heart issue and did not enhance his performance. Sun, the first Chinese swimmer to win an Olympic gold medal, is very popular at home but has been the subject of multiple controversies. In 2013, he spent a week in jail for crashing a car when driving without a license. He gained widespread sympathy at home on Saturday after breaking down in tears following his loss. Chinese media carried pictures and videos of him crying and hugging a friend with the phrase "Sun Yang don't cry" trending across social media. (Reporting by Brenda Goh; Editing by Rex Gowar/Greg Stutchbury)
A 31-year-old Chinese tourist on vacation in Germany probably thought it was strange that when he tried to tell authorities about his wallet being stolen in the southwestern city of Heidelberg, they took away his passport, registered his fingerprints, gave him a medical exam, and then sent him to a migrant hostel in the city of Dulmen.



But without English or German, the man identified only as Mr. L was so thoroughly lost in translation that for nearly two weeks he stayed put in the building where German authorities housed refugees while they applied for asylum. It was there that he ate his daily meals and collected a stipend, while trying to explain to staff members that he had plans to keep traveling to Italy.

It turned out that Mr. Ls first mistake was misidentifying a town hall for a police station, where instead of signing a document about the theft, he signed an asylum application. From there, clearly not understanding where he was going, authorities put him on a bus that took him some 220 miles to Dulmen.

Christoph Schlutermann, a Red Cross worker who encountered the backpacker at the hostel, said the man seemed much more helpless than the other residents there to seek asylum. Fearing that he was not being understood, Schlutermann enlisted the help of workers at a local Chinese restaurant, who recommended he try using a translation app to figure out what the man was trying to say.

I spoke into the app in German and the phone translated it into Mandarin. But when I received his reply, I got the curious response I want to go walking in Italy, Schlutermann told German newspaper Dulmener Zeitung.

Schlutermann was also surprised that Mr. L kept asking for his passport back, when most refugees happily turn in their passports in hopes of being recognized for asylum. Eventually, with the help of a translator from the restaurant, the tourist was able to explain the mishap that landed him in the refugee center alongside asylum-seekers who had fled war zones to seek protection in Germany.

Story continues

It remains unclear why authorities jumped to the conclusion that he was seeking asylum, or willingly sent him to a center for asylum-seekers without properly verifying that was what he wanted to do. In an interview with German media on Monday, Schlutermann blamed the mishap on increased bureaucracy during the countrys refugee crisis, which saw more than 1 million asylum-seekers arrive in Germany in 2015.

It was an extraordinary moment for us all. He said Europe was not what he had expected, Schlutermann said. What would you expect if you had come to Europe as a tourist and spent 12 days sleeping on a camping bed in a refugee centre?

Photo credit: Lukas Barth/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
From ELLE

Leslie Jones is desperately trying to send Christian Siriano a bed.

It's a big-ticket registry item for anyone, especially someone who didn't attend the designer's wedding-last month Siriano and his longtime partner, music producer Brad Walsh, exchanged vows in front of a small group of family and friends that included Alicia Silverstone, Danielle Brooks, and Christina Hendricks-but Jones is feeling generous.

Ten days before he walked down the aisle, Siriano came to the Ghostbusters star's rescue when she tweeted that it was "funny how there are no designers wanting to help me with a premiere dress for a movie." For impact, the actress added a foreboding kicker: "That will change and I remember everything." Siriano responded to the message with just two emojis: the "here I am" five-finger salute and a friendly wave. The rest, as they say, is history. The same night that Jones strutted down a black-and-slime-green carpet in a custom scarlet column that highlighted her six-foot frame and exposed just the right amount of leg, the designer said "I do."

So anyway, yeah, the bed.

"I thought my mom would buy it for us!" Siriano says while happily pinging his address over to Jones. If Siriano's past relationships with his star clientele are any indication, the pair will continue to exchange messages (and gifts) for years to come. And from that specific relationship a wealth of future opportunities will likely spring forth. As she warned, Jones, who will re-team with 'busters babes Kristen Wiig and Kate McKinnon next month to promote Masterminds, remembers "everything."

Loyalty is a common theme among the Siriano fan club, a group of women with resumes as varied as their body types. Among his girl squad: Taylor Swift herself, who chose Siriano confections for both her "Wanderlust" and "Wildest Dreams" videos; Gabourey Sidibe; Juliette Lewis; Selma Blair; Zendaya; and Michelle Obama, who wore a cobalt, cap-sleeve Siriano number to deliver her indelible rally cry at last week's Democratic National Convention.

Story continues

"I can relate to Christian's story a lot, because I'm a Disney star."-Zendaya

"The reason why I love working with Christian is that he's always been one of the only high-end brands that actually wanted to work with me," says 19-year-old Disney-star-turned-megamuse Zendaya over the phone. "It took so long for people to even allow me to be in their stuff." It seems crazy that someone as prolific and statuesque as Zendaya-an avatar for millennials with both income and opinions to spare-ever had difficulty finding clothes to wear, but here we are. "I can relate to Christian's story a lot, because I'm a Disney star," she says. "He comes from a background that could easily discredit you for your talents and what you do. So you have to work extra hard. And you gotta go the extra mile."

A quick recap: After becoming the youngest person ever to take home top honors on Project Runway in 2008, a win that netted the 21-year-old a two-page spread in this magazine, a Saturn Astra, and $100,000 to start his own label, the former Alexander McQueen intern debuted his first full collection. Once best known for his pixie haircut and the two-word catchphrase-that-shall-not-be-mentioned, Siriano has since expanded his empire to include intimates, eyewear, handbags, bedding, and a fragrance for good measure. He has inked lucrative deals with everyone from pre-Rihanna Puma and Payless to Lane Bryant and Kleinfeld, presented at New York Fashion Week an astounding 19 times, and, in 2013, was inducted into the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America. "I will say that it's nice to do projects like Lane Bryant and Payless to help fund things," Siriano says in between fittings at his sun-drenched studio in New York's Garment District. "Even if editors didn't like something or didn't support it in the beginning, clearly it didn't affect me as much as it maybe would a younger designer." Regardless of the scope of Siriano's success, it wasn't always smooth sailing: "I didn't get into the CFDA my first time, which was really annoying," he says. "I tried again, but I told them why I didn't think it made sense that I didn't get in. I was very vocal, because you need to be."

Though his gowns sell for up to $7,500 at high-end retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Harvey Nichols and online at Bergdorf Goodman and Farfetch, Siriano is noticeably missing from many stockists who carry the similarly priced competition. And that absence may have as much to do with reputation as it does retail viability. "I think there is definitely a little bit of reality television stigma, and the idea of people who are given this kind of 'industry darling' label are people who have gotten the stamp of approval from the industry from the onset," says writer and inclusive fashion advocate Nicolette Mason, who first contacted the designer after seeing the unkind fallout surrounding a gown he'd designed for Mad Men star Christina Hendricks. The two have since become like family: Mason wore custom Siriano to her nuptials last summer and served as a groomslady in his ceremony last month. "It does start off as a different narrative," she says, "and I think it's one that can be kind of threatening to the fashion establishment."

As with any other privileged entity, capital-F Fashion certainly has been reluctant to change its governing belief structure, one that has stubbornly insisted that white models and size zeroes are more aspirational. "I always hear brands and designers rush to the defensive on that, like, 'It's so expensive to have multiple samples, and we can only afford to do this and that,'" Mason says. "It actually does become a choice, after a while, for a brand to not create other samples, because the press it's generating out of those opportunities and red carpet moments is so worth it." And though the inclusivity movement-the idea that any person, of any size or color, should be able to find clothes they love-is trending, few well-known brands actually take the steps required to augment the blueprint. "It can feel like a novelty," Mason says, "but when it's done well and when it's done consciously, it's just really smart business. It also happens to be the way the world is progressing."

It's only 10:15 A.M. and already the 4,500-square-foot, two-floor loft that serves as the brand's showroom, sales office, and atelier is buzzing with productivity. When Siriano's not sketching-which he does quickly to, say, reimagine the hood of a carrot-colored mini he's making for Solange Knowles-he's dispatching interns, cutting muslin, selecting textiles for a not-yet-designed pre-fall collection, and draping fabric onto mannequins modeled after his couture clients. Though he's almost a decade older than when he first bounced his way into our collective consciousness, the only signs of aging are a few sprigs of gray hair and a look in his eyes that suggests there isn't enough coffee in the world. Other than that, he's the same boundless ball of always-churning energy.

"He's fashion, but he's not fierce fashion."

Here's the only way I know how to describe the flurry of activity that occurs at the Christian Siriano studio: It's like the Andy-gets-chic montage in The Devil Wears Prada spliced with a Carrie Bradshaw outfit supercut. The showroom is exactly what you'd hope: a cornucopia of frothy Cinderella dresses, human-size orchids, and lacquered furniture. There is even a tower of pastel-hued macarons and a miniature Husky named Vida sniffing her way around the gown hems. Despite the bippity boppity boo of it all, Siriano is no cartoon birdie. Yes, he has the dizzyingly short attention span of your typical creative, but in every encounter with his staff, he is competent, kind, and, most remarkably, ego free. He's fashion-a Comme de Garcons T-shirt and Topman joggers speak volumes about his personal aesthetic-but he's not fierce fashion. Don't believe me? Take it from Juliette freaking Lewis: "Fashion's not my scene, and there are reasons for that, namely the level of pretentiousness and that it takes itself so seriously as an industry," she says when she calls from Canada, mid-tour, to gush about her friend. "But Christian just has this charm and humor and genuine kindness, with a lethal intelligence. He doesn't change to fit anyone's mold."

Back in the design studio, when I spot a mannequin whose broad shoulders and large bust belong to a famous actress, Siriano pauses. "Don't take a picture of that," he says, the wheels in his brain coming to their first screeching halt. "Actually, it's fine," he reconsiders. "I don't think she would care." It's a telling moment, because he's chosen to favor real-world transparency over fashion fiction. And though it feels like a small reveal-wait, bigger clothes require bigger mannequins?!!?-it's one he's been told could tarnish his brand. It can't. Based on the quantity of custom orders, the progress of which he and his team keep organized on a three-paneled corkboard, and the demand for Obama's $995 cap-sleeve dress alone, clearly his everyone-is-welcome business model is keeping the lights on. "It's interesting, because different retailers want the dress now," he says with a smile. "It's kind of great, because normally they have all the power. It's fun to be like, 'Oh, no. We're only selling it small and direct.'"

I ask Siriano whether he's irked that the same people who refused to pull from his collections, excluded him from their designer floors, and rejected him from their societies are celebrating his recent triumphs. "Sometimes people just need a reason to support. That's just how the world works," he says, somehow managing not to sound like he's completely full of it. And then his moss-green eyes narrow almost imperceptibly. "There are a few actual people I would probably never work with just because they were really unsupportive."

A poisoned arrow it's not, but for someone who has spent the past eight years hustling, citing "cash flow" problems despite being a household name, and finding his own uncharted path to success, the upswing obviously comes at a pivotal time. "I'm glad the company, not just me, we all got that moment," he says of seeing Michelle Obama make history in a garment that was handmade right here in the studio that bears his name. "I think we all needed something to actually make us think, What Christian is doing is something...whatever it is."

It's a curious use of a collective pronoun, sure, but when Christian Siriano goes home tonight to the bed that Leslie Jones bought him with money from an all-female Ghostbusters, odds are he won't be worrying about semantics.
The Islamic State group on Monday claimed it was behind a suicide bombing that tore through a Pakistani hospital, killing at least 70 people, the IS-linked Amaq news agency said.

"A martyrdom bomber of the Islamic State detonates his explosive belt on a group of personnel belonging to the Ministry of Justice and the Pakistani Police in the city of Quetta," Amaq said.

The bomber struck a crowd of some 200 people gathered at the Civil Hospital in the Balochistan provincial capital of Quetta after the fatal shooting of a senior local lawyer earlier in the day.
HOUSTON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Environmental groups in Colorado on Monday said they collected enough signatures to add proposed anti-fracking initiatives to a state ballot in November, as long as their petitions make it through a validation review by the Secretary of State's office.

One of the initiatives would strengthen the state's "setback" rules, requiring new oil and gas development facilities to be located at least 2,500 feet from occupied structures and areas of interest, such as parks. The second would transfer regulatory control of new oil and gas development to local governments.

Both needed 98,492 signatures to make the ballot.

"We made it over the hurdle of having the signatures needed to turn into the Secretary of State and now it's in their hands to go through the validation process," said Lisa Trope, an organizer with Food and Water Watch, one of the groups gathering the signatures.

The Secretary of State's office will review the petitions in the coming weeks to ensure no duplicate signatures or unregistered voters were included.

An issues committee for Coloradans Resisting Extreme Energy Development led the signature gathering process. A spokeswoman for that organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The initiatives come after the state's Supreme Court earlier this year struck down fracking bans approved by voters in the cities of Fort Collins and Longmont.

The proposed initiatives have drawn strong opposition from oil and gas companies, which in recent months have donated millions to Protect Colorado, an industry-backed coalition leading the fight against the initiatives.

Energy companies Anadarko Petroleum Corp and Noble Energy Inc in the past month each increased their contributions to the group by $2.5 million, bringing their total donations to $6.55 million and $5 million, respectively, according to the latest campaign finance filing.

Protect Colorado declined to provide a statement.

A study by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the state agency charged with promoting energy development, found that 90 percent of the states' available surface acreage would be unavailable for oil and gas development under the proposed setback rules.

(Reporting by Liz Hampton; Editing by Bernarrd Orr)
(Corrects spelling of "quandary" in headline. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.)

By Clyde Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Global producers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are facing a choice they probably didn't anticipate or want, but their response will likely shape the future of their industry.

The dilemma facing producers is how do they respond to the moves by buyers to effectively scrap the pricing model that has underpinned the development of LNG for the past five decades.

There appear to be increasing moves by major buyers, particularly in Asia, to end long-term, oil-linked price contracts that also feature restrictive destination clauses.

What buyers in countries like Japan, India and China have realised is that global oil companies have bet heavily on LNG and have built new plants in excess of even the most optimistic forecasts of likely demand for the next few years.

The buyers see this as an historic opportunity to not only lower their cost of supply, but also to introduce flexibility into a market that has largely been rigid and dominated by producers.

Japan, the world's top buyer of the super-chilled fuel, is investigating whether destination clauses in LNG contracts are uncompetitive, Bloomberg News reported on July 14, citing unidentified sources.

The investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission may be completed by the end of the year, the report said.

If the Japanese government does take action to end destination clauses, it would allow Japanese utilities to offload excess cargoes, given that many have likely overbought LNG, especially given the resurgence of coal-fired power and the possible restart of Japan's nuclear reactors.

India, the fourth-largest LNG importer in Asia, is already taking steps to re-negotiate LNG contracts, with major buyer GAIL India in talks with Russia's Gazprom to delay and re-work a 20-year contract due to start in the 2018-19 financial year, Reuters reported on July 25, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Story continues

India has also renegotiated a long-term supply deal with Qatar's Rasgas, nearly halving the price, and industry sources say the South Asian nation's biggest LNG importer, Petronet , is also seeking to renegotiate a costly import deal with ExxonMobil for supply from the Gorgon project in Australia. ExxonMobil holds a 25 percent stake in the Chevron-operated development.

Buyers in China, Asia's third-biggest LNG importer, are also seeking to renegotiate contracts in order to lower prices and boost flexibility.

DEATH OF THE HOLY TRINITY

The picture that emerges is that momentum is building to end what Deloittte oil and gas director Geoffrey Cann calls the "holy trinity" of the LNG industry, contracts that are long-term, indexed to crude oil prices and prevent re-selling by purchasers.

The question then becomes how do companies like Chevron and Royal Dutch Shell react to this changing circumstance and protect the tens of billions of dollars invested in building eight new projects in Australia, five in the United States and various others around the globe?

Up until now the companies have largely been focused on successfully building and commissioning the plants.

The eight new LNG projects in Australia were underpinned by long-term contracts, which gave their developers a certain comfort about the return on investment, even as spot Asian LNG (LNG-AS) prices collapsed by about 72 percent from their peak in February 2014 to $5.80 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) in the week to Aug. 5.

But these contracts are the ones now under threat, not only from buyer actions but also from U.S. LNG shipments, which are more generally flexible and priced off U.S. natural gas prices and not crude oil.

The companies can either fight against the changes and try to keep the existing pricing system intact, or they can embrace the changes and try other avenues to compensate for what will likely be lower prices in the short to medium term.

While producers will no doubt be tempted to try and keep what's left of their lucrative contracts, past history with other commodities would suggest this will largely be a futile and quite possibly self-defeating exercise.

Rather, they should concentrate on expanding the market for LNG as fast as they can in order to soak up the current excess supply.

Given that new LNG projects are finding it increasingly hard to get final investment approval because the current low prices cannot justify the massive up front costs, it would seem only a matter of time before the boot moves back to the feet of the producers.

Right now they have to suck up lower prices, largely because the industry as a whole has over-invested in recent years.

This is the price that companies pay for trying to build eight projects simultaneously in Australia, an exercise that merely served to push up costs while adding to the looming glut of the fuel.

But if the industry can weather low prices for the next few years, while at the same time boosting demand among new users, it will be handsomely rewarded for embracing flexibility now.

Assuming demand growth will eventually outrun available supply, producers will benefit from sharply rising prices as spot markets tighten.

Just as long-term contract prices haven't fallen as far as spot prices in the current downturn, it's unlikely they would rise as much once the cycle turns.

The problem for company executives, especially at publicly-traded energy majors, is that they seldom get enough time to implement a change in strategy, especially if it comes at the expense of short-term profits.

But if the LNG producers were able to invest in developing new markets, along trading hubs and storage facilities, it's likely a more liquid and sophisticated market would benefit them in the long term.

(Editing by Joseph Radford)
(Corrects spelling of "quandary" in headline. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.)

By Clyde Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Global producers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are facing a choice they probably didn't anticipate or want, but their response will likely shape the future of their industry.

The dilemma facing producers is how do they respond to the moves by buyers to effectively scrap the pricing model that has underpinned the development of LNG for the past five decades.

There appear to be increasing moves by major buyers, particularly in Asia, to end long-term, oil-linked price contracts that also feature restrictive destination clauses.

What buyers in countries like Japan, India and China have realised is that global oil companies have bet heavily on LNG and have built new plants in excess of even the most optimistic forecasts of likely demand for the next few years.

The buyers see this as an historic opportunity to not only lower their cost of supply, but also to introduce flexibility into a market that has largely been rigid and dominated by producers.

Japan, the world's top buyer of the super-chilled fuel, is investigating whether destination clauses in LNG contracts are uncompetitive, Bloomberg News reported on July 14, citing unidentified sources.

The investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission may be completed by the end of the year, the report said.

If the Japanese government does take action to end destination clauses, it would allow Japanese utilities to offload excess cargoes, given that many have likely overbought LNG, especially given the resurgence of coal-fired power and the possible restart of Japan's nuclear reactors.

India, the fourth-largest LNG importer in Asia, is already taking steps to re-negotiate LNG contracts, with major buyer GAIL India in talks with Russia's Gazprom to delay and re-work a 20-year contract due to start in the 2018-19 financial year, Reuters reported on July 25, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Story continues

India has also renegotiated a long-term supply deal with Qatar's Rasgas, nearly halving the price, and industry sources say the South Asian nation's biggest LNG importer, Petronet , is also seeking to renegotiate a costly import deal with ExxonMobil for supply from the Gorgon project in Australia. ExxonMobil holds a 25 percent stake in the Chevron-operated development.

Buyers in China, Asia's third-biggest LNG importer, are also seeking to renegotiate contracts in order to lower prices and boost flexibility.

DEATH OF THE HOLY TRINITY

The picture that emerges is that momentum is building to end what Deloittte oil and gas director Geoffrey Cann calls the "holy trinity" of the LNG industry, contracts that are long-term, indexed to crude oil prices and prevent re-selling by purchasers.

The question then becomes how do companies like Chevron and Royal Dutch Shell react to this changing circumstance and protect the tens of billions of dollars invested in building eight new projects in Australia, five in the United States and various others around the globe?

Up until now the companies have largely been focused on successfully building and commissioning the plants.

The eight new LNG projects in Australia were underpinned by long-term contracts, which gave their developers a certain comfort about the return on investment, even as spot Asian LNG (LNG-AS) prices collapsed by about 72 percent from their peak in February 2014 to $5.80 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) in the week to Aug. 5.

But these contracts are the ones now under threat, not only from buyer actions but also from U.S. LNG shipments, which are more generally flexible and priced off U.S. natural gas prices and not crude oil.

The companies can either fight against the changes and try to keep the existing pricing system intact, or they can embrace the changes and try other avenues to compensate for what will likely be lower prices in the short to medium term.

While producers will no doubt be tempted to try and keep what's left of their lucrative contracts, past history with other commodities would suggest this will largely be a futile and quite possibly self-defeating exercise.

Rather, they should concentrate on expanding the market for LNG as fast as they can in order to soak up the current excess supply.

Given that new LNG projects are finding it increasingly hard to get final investment approval because the current low prices cannot justify the massive up front costs, it would seem only a matter of time before the boot moves back to the feet of the producers.

Right now they have to suck up lower prices, largely because the industry as a whole has over-invested in recent years.

This is the price that companies pay for trying to build eight projects simultaneously in Australia, an exercise that merely served to push up costs while adding to the looming glut of the fuel.

But if the industry can weather low prices for the next few years, while at the same time boosting demand among new users, it will be handsomely rewarded for embracing flexibility now.

Assuming demand growth will eventually outrun available supply, producers will benefit from sharply rising prices as spot markets tighten.

Just as long-term contract prices haven't fallen as far as spot prices in the current downturn, it's unlikely they would rise as much once the cycle turns.

The problem for company executives, especially at publicly-traded energy majors, is that they seldom get enough time to implement a change in strategy, especially if it comes at the expense of short-term profits.

But if the LNG producers were able to invest in developing new markets, along trading hubs and storage facilities, it's likely a more liquid and sophisticated market would benefit them in the long term. (Editing by Joseph Radford)
Washington (AFP) - Tens of thousands of Delta Airlines passengers around the world were stranded Monday by a computer outage that the company said had grounded all its flights.

It blamed a power failure at its hub in Atlanta.

"Delta has experienced a computer outage that has affected flights scheduled for this morning," the company said in a statement.

"Flights awaiting departure are currently delayed. Flights enroute are operating normally," the Atlanta, Georgia-based US airline said.

Delta urged travellers to check the status of their flights "while the issue is being addressed."

Delta said in a later statement the breakdown was caused by a power outage in Atlanta that began at around 2:30 am (0830 GMT).

It said large-scale cancellations were expected Monday.

On Twitter, Delta representatives urged patience and apologized as they dealt with a flood of messages from concerned passengers.

"All our flights are grounded due to the outage," read one tweet.

"We're experiencing a systemwide issue," read another.

Lines of passengers were backing up at Delta ticket counters at US airports.

At Los Angeles, passengers on a flight to New York had to get off their plane and return to the terminal, NBC News reported, while some people slept near departure gates at Las Vegas.

A vast number of flight delays normally creates a cascading problem that affects airline traffic for days.

Computer outages halting flights are not uncommon. In May a glitch affecting Sweden's civil aviation authority radar site disrupted air traffic throughout that country and grounded flights to and from Stockholm for several hours.

In March, a computer system malfunction forced Japan's All Nippon Airways to cancel more than 100 domestic flights, affecting some 16,000 travellers.

And in mid-August 2015 a computer problem at a regional air traffic control center delayed hundreds of flights at busy US east coast airports -- including those in the Washington and New York areas -- for several hours.

A rival US airline, United, suffered computer glitches in May and July 2015 that temporarily grounded hundreds of flights and backed up thousands of passengers.
Three weeks of gay pride events in Amsterdam ends with a grand parade on a canal. Pop star and bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst let down her long, dark hair as dancers and other drag queens partied aboard the boat dubbed "Join Our Freedom". The Dutch police had their own float.. as well as the European Commission. The World Religion Boat urged people to "Coexist in Freedom". This year, EuroPride was held at the same time as Amsterdam's pride parade... and participants called for the protection of all LGBT rights.
KINSHASA (Reuters) - Rebel fighters killed at least eight civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo before fleeing when Congolese troops arrived, local sources said, in a region where a spike in ethnic violence has halted some aid deliveries. Hundreds of civilians have died over the past year in inter-communal violence and a series of massacres by armed groups in Congo's North Kivu province, which borders Rwanda and Uganda. Lawless eastern Congo is plagued by dozens of armed groups that prey on the local population and exploit mineral reserves. Millions died there between 1996 and 2003 as regional conflict caused hunger and disease. The recent increase in violence has prevented aid from reaching vulnerable populations. On Sunday, an ethnic Nande militia, the Mai-Mai Mazembe, killed at least seven civilians in the town of Kibirizi before the troops arrived, local activist Innocent Gasigwa said. Gasigwa said the attack appeared to be revenge against the Rwandophone community in Kibirizi. Rebels from the Rwandophone Hutu ethnic group were suspected of killing at least seven civilians last month in an attack targeting the town's Nande residents. He said an ethnic Hutu militia, the Nyatura, had also killed a man on Sunday in the nearby town of Nyanzale who was suspected of belonging to Mai-Mai Mazembe. Local army spokesman Captain Guillaume Djike said the attacks near Kibirizi and Nyanzale were both the work of the Nyatura and that they killed at least 11 people with firearms and machetes and burned down dozens of houses. (Reporting by Aaron Ross; Editing by Nellie Peyton and Janet Lawrence)
Corvette Z06

Ever since it was first introduced as a stylish roadster in the 1950s, the Chevrolet Corvette has used the same design: engine up front, drive wheels in the back, two seats and a lot of American spirit.

Through seven generations and a steady increase in horsepower and attitude, that formula has remained intact.

But it could now be about to change. Big time.

The Corvette C7 Stingray, especially in its Zo6 variation, is now a proper supercar. On the the racetrack, the Corvette Racing has racked up 100 victories in sports-car competition, getting everything is can out of that Chevy V8 up under the front hood.

But at places like the Daytona International Speedway and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Corvettes are finding themselves running alongside a pair of 21st-century supercars, the Le Mans-winning Ford GT and the new Ferrari 488 GTB. These are both mid-engine designs, with the powerplant located between the driver and the rear wheels. Both are also turbocharged  the Ford GT with an advanced six-cylinder engine, the Ferrari 488 with a V8  and crank out 600-ish horsepower, while the track Vette doesn't even make it to 500.

Ford GT Le Mans Car 68

For some time now, there have been rumors that Corvette's next generation will depart from decades of tradition and go mid-engine. Those rumors got a healthy does of credibility recently when the Detroit News got on the story.

It makes sense. I watched the Vettes in action on the track this season, beginning with victory at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, then on to total defeat at the hands of Ford and Ferrari at Le Mans (where Corvette was the defending champ in its sports-car class), then back to victory at a race at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut.

We've also driven every available version of the current-generation Corvette and have been hugely impressed. But we've also driven the 488 GTB, and we're looking forward to checking out the Le Mans-winning Ford GT.

Story continues

But the writing is on the wall. As good as the Z06 is, mid-engine layouts now rule the supercar world. The top of the genre is now occupied by Ferrari, Ford, McLaren, Lamborghini, and Audi  all with mid-engine machines.

And of course Corvette doesn't have to stop making the front-engine Vette. In fact, the speculation now is that the mid-engine Vette will be sort of a special edition.

If I were a betting man, I'd say that Corvette will have a car ready to race by next January, with a limited production version to follow in 2017. The full-on production car will hit in 2018 (even though the Detroit News says 2019).

Ferrari 488GTB 41

NOW WATCH: This is the best Ferrari ever built





More From Business Insider


Florida Governor Rick Scott announced on Monday that the states health department is investigating a possible case of a non-travel associated Zika infection in Palm Beach County. The person in question recently traveled to Miami-Dade County, where there is some local transmission of the virus. The agency is investigating where the individual may have been infected.

Currently there are at least 13 cases of locally-transmitted Zika in Florida according to the states health department. Health authorities believe local mosquitoes are still spreading the virus in a less than one-square mile area north of downtown Miami. You can see the region here. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised pregnant women not to travel to the area.

Governor Scott announced that the state will be distributing Zika toolkits to schools and teachers in local districts as well as public colleges and universities to educate people about the virus. Mosquito repellant will also be sent to schools. The health department is doing door-to-door outreach and is sampling the mosquitoes in the area as well as conducting mosquito control.

The virus is proven to cause the severe birth defect microcephaly, and has rapidly spread through the Americas. Most people who contract the virus do not show any symptoms. Those that do show signs of the disease may experience flu like symptoms and a rash.
Athens (AFP) - Police in Greece on Monday said 24 people had been arrested on suspicion of dodging the country's rigid capital controls through the use of wireless credit card terminals registered abroad.

"We have arrested 24 people representing companies that made use of these terminals," Emmanouil Ploumis, head of Greece's financial crimes police, told reporters.

Remote point-of-sale systems have become popular in Greece alongside a rise in credit card use after capital controls were imposed in June 2015 to avert a bank collapse.

But whereas most Greeks can only draw 840 euros ($932) from their bank accounts over a two-week period, the specific POS users had a ceiling of 15,000 euros a month, by virtue of being registered abroad.

The terminals were sold to Greek businesses by a company registered in Luxembourg, and were linked to two banks in Bulgaria and Malta, Ploumis said.

The police seized 164 terminals and are looking for over a thousand more.

The authorities are now trying to determine whether the POS system also enabled its operators to dodge Greek tax.
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Croatian army officer Josip Glasnovic won a tense shoot-off to secure men's trap gold at the Rio Olympics on Monday, then disclosed his winning secret - 'keep it simple'.

The 33-year-old from Zagreb, tied at 13-13 in the title match against Italian Giovannni Peliello, held his nerve to claim the sudden-death phase 4-3.

"I just focus on the target, keep it simple," he explained when asked how he kept his hands from trembling with tension.

"I shoot very well, very concentrated. I give all the best," he added.

Somerset farmer Edward Ling finished third for Britain, outpointing David Kostelecky of the Czech Republic 13/9 in the bronze medal match.

For 46-year-old Peliello this was his third silver medal finish after Beijing and Athens, not forgetting a bronze in Sydney.

The man who beat him four years ago, Giovanni Cernogoraz, failed to make it out of qualifying, finishing ninth with only the top six progressing.

The 2004 champion Alexey Alipov missed out by one spot but Beijing winner Kostelecky did squeak through in fifth place.

Peliello had topped the qualifying sheets.

Glasnovic cruised through the semi-finals to the gold medal match with a perfect 15 out of 15 score. Peliello only failed to hit the bright orange target once en route to the climax.

There, Glasnovic blinked first, missing his sixth effort, but then Peliello failed to connect with his next two shots.

With Glasnovic adding a second miss the two shooters were tied at 13-13, requiring a shoot-off to determine the outcome at the Deodoro range.

The winner said he was spurred on by the support he received from the stands.

Even though he once again missed out on the title Pellielo meanwhile was savouring silver.

"It's special because it arrives at 46 years old," he smiled.

On the shoot-out he reflected: "This is like the 'golden goal'. I missed only one target, so I got very close to it and things are like this."

Story continues

He added: "Each time that I go on a podium, it's very important and each time it is different than the previous one."

He refused to countenance hanging up his shotgun before another tilt at Olympic glory in four years time in Tokyo.

"If I am alive, I will go on. I will compete."

Third-placed Ling said he'd felt like "jelly" with nerves.

"But I'm really, really pleased with the outcome," he said, before mapping out his plans for the immediate future.

"It's just been nail-biting, it really has. It's a dream come true. I never thought this day would come.

"But now I'll go home, help on the farm, just do what I did."

Except this time, he has a bronze Olympic medal round his neck.
A cure for binge eating might finally be on the way because science

A cure for binge eating might finally be on the way because science

Today in *WOW* news, a new report from researchers at the USDA/ARS Childrens Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Childrens Hospital announced major progress toward finding a simpler cure for binge eating, the most common eating disorder in the U.S.

What is binge eating?

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, binge eating is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food. Though typically taken less seriously than other eating disorders like anorexia, it can be just as deadly and traumatizing, affecting 3.5% of women and 2% of men.

What you should know about the study

Currently, we treat binge eating disorders with cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and pharmacotherapy. This study sought a simpler treatment via the brain. The report, published in Biological Psychiatry, discussed how the scientists discovered that certain neural circuits (created when multiple neurons become interconnected) stopped binge eating in mice.

Human literature suggests that dysfunction of the serotonin system or dopamine system in the brain may be associated with developing binge-like eating behavior, said Dr. Yong Xu.

The results

According to the scientists, there is a receptor that plays a major role in inhibiting the disorder, and they are hopeful that this study will help decide whether or not a drug currently used to treat obesity could be repurposed for an effective cure.

The post A cure for binge eating might finally be on the way because science appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen spoke about the long-term terrorist threats that Singapore faces. (Photo:Nicholas Yong/Yahoo Singapore)



Singaporeans must be prepared for successive waves of terrorist threats, and the current wave inspired by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) may last two decades or more, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on the eve of the National Day Parade.

Ngs remarks came in the wake of a plot by six militants to fire a rocket at Marina Bay from the Indonesian island of Batam, which is about 25km from Singapore. Indonesian police arrested the militants in Batam on Friday (5 August) and uncovered a stash of bomb-making materials.

Speaking to reporters on Monday (8 August) during his visit to the National Stadium for the National Day Parade 2016 preparations, Ng said the terror cell uncovered in Batam had been linked to personalities within Katibah Nusantara, a Southeast Asian branch of ISIS.

Singapores authorities have received intelligence indicating that the plots and cells targeting the country have grown, Ng said, without elaborating.

That is why over the last few months, we have tried to convey to Singaporeans the need to be vigilant, Ng added.

Giving his overview of the evolution of the terrorism threats faced by Singapore, the minister noted that the first wave of terror threats came after 9/11 and was inspired by Al Qaeda. While the militant group has been weakened, there are still sleeper cells that can be reignited, reactivated given certain circumstances.

In the latest wave of terrorist threats, ISIS has shown that it is adept at using modern technology and social media to produce inspirational videos and material to radicalise people.

ISIS has also been able to inspire, radicalise, motivate lone wolves and even small wolf packs who have never been to Iraq and Syria, but nonetheless are willing to carry out attacks against their home countries.

Ng added that even if ISIS is weakened, another extremist group may come in and play the role of a new mother bee and assume the leadership. "It is for these reasons thatthe threat of terrorism is a long-term one. There will be successive waves. We have to understand this if we are to be able to respond.

Story continues

Stepped up security measures

Ng noted that during the National Day Parade and other high-key events, both the Home Team and the Singapore Armed Forces routinely step up security measures on land, sea and air.

For example, on National Day, the parade venue and the surrounding areas are designated as a Special Event Area every year. This gives security personnel special powers to search individuals, and even refuse entry to them, in certain exclusion zones.

Both the navy and the Police Coast Guard will increase the number of vessels out at sea patrolling the area, while the Maritime Port Authority establishes no-entry zones and no-anchoring zones in areas that have been identified as possible platforms to launch an attack.

Guarding against the unknown

Ng said that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has been preparing itself for unconventional threats such as terrorism since its transition into a 3G force.

For example, SAF carries out large-scale exercises such as the annual Exercise Northstar. It continues to monitor the tactics of terrorist groups, and plans for possible scenarios as well as known threats.

SAF is also preparing to carry out more exercises in urban settings, potentially in areas such as Marina Bay or Robinson Road. This is an area, the minister conceded, in which SAFs capabilities need to be beefed up.

We have to ask ourselves: if an attack gets through, how will Singapore and Singaporeans respond? Will we crumble? Or will we respond with resilience and robustness and say, lets get on with it, like other countries have done?"
IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 8, 2016 / Khang & Khang LLP (the "Firm") announces that a class action lawsuit was filed against Immunomedics Inc. ("Immunomedics" or the "Company") (IMMU). Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares between April 20, 2016 and June 2, 2016 inclusive (the "Class Period"), are encouraged to contact the Firm prior to the August 8, 2016, lead plaintiff motion deadline.

If you purchased shares of Immunomedics during the Class Period, please contact Joon M. Khang, Esquire, of Khang & Khang, 18101 Von Karman Avenue, 3rd Floor, Irvine, CA 92612, by telephone: (949) 419-3834, or by e-mail at joon@khanglaw.com.

There has been no class certification in this case. Until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. You may choose to take no action and remain a passive class member.

The complaint alleges that Immunomedics issued false and misleading statements to investors and/or failed to disclose: that the Company's abstract for antibody-drug IMMU-132 submitted to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for presentation at their 2016 Annual Meeting contained previously disclosed results from a mid-stage study; that Immunomedics misrepresented to ASCO that the abstract contained only updated and previously undisclosed data; and that as a result of the above, ASCO removed the IMMU-132 presentation from the 2016 ASCO Annual Meeting schedule. When this news was disclosed, shares of Immunomedics declined in value, causing investors harm.

If you wish to learn more about this lawsuit, or if you have any questions concerning this notice or your rights, please contact Joon M. Khang, a prominent litigator for almost two decades, by telephone: (949) 419-3834, or by e-mail at joon@khanglaw.com.

This press release may constitute Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions.

Contacts

Joon M. Khang, Esq.

Telephone: 949-419-3834

Facsimile: 949-225-4474

joon@khanglaw.com

SOURCE: Khang & Khang LLP
Deadly suicide bombing at hospital in Quetta, Pakistan Residents light candles to honour victims of the blast in Quetta during a candellight vigil in Peshawar, Pakistan August 8, 2016. (REUTERS/Fayaz Aziz)

A suicide bomber killed at least 63 people and wounded dozens in an attack that struck a gathering of Pakistani lawyers on the grounds of a government-run hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta on Monday, police and doctors said.

Witnesses described horrifying scenes of bodies being scattered about and the wounded screaming out and crying for help. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast.

Nearly 100 lawyers had come to the hospital in the heart of Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, after the body of their colleague, prominent attorney Bilal Kasi was brought there.

Kasi, the chief of the provinces bar association, was shot and killed by gunmen earlier on Monday as he was on his way to his office. The lawyers gathered at the Quetta Civil Hospital to express their grief as is common with public figures. Kasi was among the most outspoken lawyers in the province and was popular for campaigning for improvements in the lawyers community.

It was a suicide attack, said Zahoor Ahmed Afridi, a senior police officer. Afridi said the attacker hit shortly after Kasis body was brought in and that it seemed the two events were connected.

Abdul Rehman, the director at the Civil Hospital, said the bombing killed 63 people, mostly lawyers. He said they were also treating 92 wounded in the explosion. (AP)

See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Tumblr.
By Anjuli Davies

LONDON (Reuters) - PCP Capital Partners, the investment vehicle of dealmaker Amanda Staveley is looking at acquiring a strategic stake in a Greek bank and using it as a platform to invest up to $2 billion (1.53 billion) in non-performing loans in the sector, Staveley said on Monday.

PCP, backed by large sovereign investors, is close to acquiring a stake in small Greek lender Pancretan Cooperative Bank, she told Reuters.

The bank would then be used as a platform to invest up to $2 billion in non-performing loans in the Greek banking sector over a period of 12-18 months, she said.

"PCP has been impressed with the work the government has undertaken to ensure the climate for foreign direct investment is ripe," Staveley said in a telephone interview with Reuters.

"We believe there is significant potential in managing non-performing loans from recapitalised Greek banks."

Pancretan Cooperative Bank said in an emailed statement that up to now, it had not received a request for an expression of interest by PCP Capital Partners to participate in its capital.

Greek lenders successfully concluded a 5 billion euro (4.24 billion) recapitalisation last year. But they have been grappling with problem loan portfolios due to a deep recession in the crisis-hit country, making it hard for borrowers - including large businesses - to service their debts and forcing the banks to make sizeable provisions for impaired credit.

PCP's potential investment is the latest sign that international investors are starting to think that now is a good time to invest in Greece after years of economic turmoil.

In May, Greece's Alpha Bank (ACBr.AT) and Eurobank (EURBr.AT) said they would transfer some troubled credit in large Greek companies to a platform set up with U.S. private equity firm KKR (KKR.N), as part of efforts to better manage non-performing loans.

But IFR reported in July that some Greek banks were growing increasingly pessimistic about the prospects of selling large chunks of their 110 billion euro stockpile of bad loans following a series of lacklustre bids from international investors.

Story continues

Staveley's PCP, which in 2008 put together a syndicate of Abu Dhabi investors to invest 3.5 billion pounds in British Bank Barclays at the height of the financial crisis, set up a local office in Greece with around six people two months ago to scour the country for opportunities.

Around two years ago, PCP looked at acquiring a strategic stake in one of the major Greek banks but decided that the timing wasn't right.

Pancretan is a cooperative bank with a network of 54 branches countrywide and 391 employees, mostly concentrated on the island of Crete. About 85 percent of its loans are to small and medium-sized businesses.

Based on its 2015 balance sheet it had assets of 1.44 billion euros, deposits of 1.01 billion euros and loans of 1.65 billion euros. Its CET-1 capital ratio stood at 6.46 percent in June 2016.

The Wall Street Journal first reported news of PCP's possible investment.

(Additional reporting by George Georgiopoulos in Athens, editing by Adrian Croft and Louise Heavens)
Washington (AFP) - Delta Airlines grounded all its flights worldwide Monday because of a computer breakdown, but lifted the order hours later while warning of cancellations and delays.

The carrier blamed the computer problem on a power outage in its hub in Atlanta, Georgia.

The halt left tens of thousands of passengers around the world stranded, as they crowded ticket counters and lay on the ground in airports.

Flights will now resume on a limited basis, Delta said in a statement. But the ripple effect of the snafu will drag on.

Customers heading to the airport should expect delays and cancellations, the statement said.

While inquiries are high and wait times are long, our customer service agents are doing everything they can to assist, it added.

Delta said the power outage that caused the computer meltdown began at 2:30 am (0630 GMT).

Lines of passengers backed up at Delta ticket counters at US airports.

At Los Angeles, passengers on a flight to New York had to get off their plane and return to the terminal, NBC News reported, while some people slept near departure gates at Las Vegas.

A vast number of flight delays normally creates a cascading problem that affects airline traffic for days.

Computer outages halting flights are not uncommon.

In May, a glitch affecting Swedens civil aviation authority radar site disrupted air traffic throughout that country and grounded flights to and from Stockholm for several hours.

In March, a computer system malfunction forced Japans All Nippon Airways to cancel more than 100 domestic flights, affecting some 16,000 travellers.

And in mid-August 2015 a computer problem at a regional air traffic control center delayed hundreds of flights at busy US east coast airports  including those in the Washington and New York areas  for several hours.

A rival US airline, United, suffered computer glitches in May and July 2015 that temporarily grounded hundreds of flights and backed up thousands of passengers.
By Joseph Ax

NEWARK, N.J., Aug 8 (Reuters) - Nyasha Arthur was meant to be at work in Atlanta on Monday. Instead, she found herself stuck at New Jersey's Newark's airport with hundreds of other frustrated passengers after Delta Air Lines Inc computer systems were hit by a power outage.

"This is ridiculous," said the 39-year-old AT&T employee who had to use a vacation day after being stranded at Newark Liberty International Airport.

"I don't understand what is going on here. It's just a mess," she said as she stood in a long queue at Delta's check-in counter.

The power outage struck Delta's computers around 2:30 a.m. EDT (0630 GMT), forcing the cancellation of about 365 flights. The airline said flights began taking off again at about 8:40 a.m. EDT (1240 GMT).

Arthur complained about a lack of agents at the counter, where only three of more than a dozen desks were open. She flies between Atlanta and Newark a few times a year, and said she might have to reconsider her next visit after Monday's delays.

Many travelers vented their anger on social media, making #Delta a top trending topic.

Gloria Ojo, a buyer for a fashion company, was on her way to Montreal, Canada for business via New York City.

At the airport, she was told flight 3716 from Baltimore-Washington International Airport was delayed for 20 minutes. An hour later she learned it had been canceled. The 28-year-old said she had not heard anything from Delta since then.

"Utter confusion across the board," Ojo wrote in an online message. "I won't be flying with them again unless if I get an amazing voucher that can take me somewhere grand."

APOLOGIES AND SNACKS

In Minneapolis, Delta employees offered apologies along with snacks to passengers whose flights were grounded.

In Newark, airline workers pushed carts loaded with bags of chips and bottled water along a queue of passengers which snaked through Terminal B.

Near the end of the line, Daniel and Laura Merza and their two children still hoped to make it to Tampa, Florida, for a vacation. They were booked to fly via Detroit, but Laura Merza said she thought she saw her flight switched to Atlanta online before Delta's website stopped working for her.

Story continues

Both parents said the kids would find it tough if they ended up being stuck in Newark all day.

"They're going to be bored," Daniel Merza said.

"They'll fight," his wife lamented.

Other passengers were surprisingly sanguine about their predicament. Lynn Christensen, 53, and Karen Weber, 54, were returning to Minneapolis after visiting Newark where they saw Weber's son take his vows with the Franciscan friars.

"We're not trying to go to a meeting or anything," Weber said.

Christensen said she had tickets to the Minnesota Twins game against the Houston Astros on Monday evening, but that it was not a big deal if she missed it. Outages, she said, could happen to any airline.

(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Additional reporting by Gina Cherelus in New York and Arshad Mohammed in Minneapolis; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Richard Chang)
(Adds details from Atlanta's main airport)

By Joseph Ax

NEWARK, N.J., Aug 8 (Reuters) - Nyasha Arthur was meant to be at work in Atlanta on Monday. Instead, she found herself stuck at New Jersey's Newark airport with hundreds of other frustrated passengers after Delta Air Lines Inc computer systems were hit by a power outage.

"This is ridiculous," said the 39-year-old AT&T employee, who had to use a vacation day after being stranded at Newark Liberty International Airport.

"I don't understand what is going on here. It's just a mess," she said as she stood in a long queue at Delta's check-in counter.

The power outage struck Delta's computers around 2:30 a.m. EDT (0630 GMT), forcing the cancellation of about 365 flights. The airline said flights began taking off again at about 8:40 a.m. EDT (1240 GMT).

Arthur complained about a lack of agents at the counter, where only three of more than a dozen desks were open. She flies between Atlanta and Newark a few times a year, and said she might have to reconsider her next visit after Monday's delays.

Many travelers vented their anger on social media, making #Delta a top trending topic. Delta used its Twitter account to reply directly to many of those who complained.

After one traveler thanked the airline for helping him and his family get home, Delta tweeted that his message was greatly appreciated. "It's been a brutal start this morning," it added.

Gloria Ojo, a buyer for a fashion company, was on her way to Montreal, Canada for business via New York City.

At the airport, she was told flight 3716 from Baltimore-Washington International Airport was delayed for 20 minutes. An hour later she learned it had been canceled. The 28-year-old said she had not heard anything from Delta since then.

"Utter confusion across the board," Ojo wrote in an online message. "I won't be flying with them again unless if I get an amazing voucher that can take me somewhere grand."

APOLOGIES AND SNACKS

At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Delta's largest hub, the baggage claim area was eerily empty around 9:30 a.m. (1330 GMT) with virtually no flights arriving.

Story continues

Hundreds of people flying to Guatemala for a religious mission filled the waiting area, with several saying they had no idea if their flight would take off on time.

In Minneapolis, Delta employees offered snacks and drinks to passengers whose flights were grounded.

A similar scene unfolded in Newark, where apologetic airline workers pushed carts loaded with bags of chips and bottled water along a queue of passengers that snaked through Terminal B.

Near the end of the line, Daniel and Laura Merza and their two children still hoped to make it to Tampa, Florida, for a vacation. They were booked to fly via Detroit, but Laura Merza said she thought she saw her flight switched to Atlanta online before Delta's website stopped working for her.

Both parents said the kids would find it tough if they ended up being stuck in Newark all day.

"They're going to be bored," Daniel Merza said, to which his wife replied, "They'll fight."

Other passengers were surprisingly sanguine. Lynn Christensen, 53, and Karen Weber, 54, were returning to Minneapolis from Newark where they saw Weber's son take his vows with the Franciscan friars.

"We're not trying to go to a meeting or anything," Weber said.

Christensen said she generally flies Delta, partly out of loyalty. Her father spent 25 years working for Northwest Airlines, which merged with Delta in 2008.

"A system failure can happen to United, American, Spirit or Frontier," she said. "It can happen to anybody." (Reporting by Joseph Ax; Additional reporting by Gina Cherelus in New York, Arshad Mohammed in Minneapolis and Tami Chappell in Atlanta; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Richard Chang)
BERLIN (Reuters) - A widespread computer problem that hit Delta Air Lines <DAL.N> on Monday was caused by a power outage in Atlanta, the airline said in a statement.

The outage meant flights worldwide were being delayed and airport screens and Delta's website were not showing updated flight status information.

"A power outage in Atlanta, which began at 2:38 a.m. ET (0638 GMT), has impacted Delta computer systems and operations worldwide, resulting in flight delays and cancellations today," Delta said.

"Delta's information technology team is working to resolve the problem," it said.

(Reporting by Victoria Bryan; editing by Jason Neely)
New York (AFP) - DJ Khaled, the veteran US hip-hop producer whose career has seen a resurgence through Snapchat, has hit number one for the first time with a star-studded album.

"Major Key," the DJ's ninth studio album, debuted at number one on the US Billboard album chart for the week through Thursday with sales of 95,000 copies or the equivalent in downloads and streaming, tracking service Nielsen Music said.

The album features appearances from some of the top names in hip-hop including Jay Z, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj and J. Cole.

DJ Khaled, 40, has long worked with all-star rappers but his own brand quickly grew last year as he put out humorous videos on Snapchat, the social media platform known for temporary postings.

His Snapchat musings, which became the loose theme to his album, revolved around his "keys to success" in life, with his nuggets of wisdom ranging from eating breakfast to lathering his body with cocoa butter.

DJ Khaled appropriately celebrated his number-one album with a slew of social media postings late Sunday and Monday. In one video on Instagram, the portly DJ is seen walking topless around a luxurious home, declaring, "They tried to count me out. Now we count our blessings up."

Raised in Orlando to Palestinian immigrant parents, DJ Khaled -- whose real name is Khaled Mohamed Khaled -- is one of the most prominent Muslims in US music.

A fixture on the 1990s Miami club scene, DJ Khaled has occasionally spoken out on behalf of the Palestinian cause but his music is mostly apolitical.

DJ Khaled wrested the top spot on the album chart from one of his collaborators on "Major Key" -- Drake.

The Canadian rapper's "Views" slipped to number two after spending 12 non-consecutive weeks at number one, making it the top-selling album released in 2016 so far in the United States.
In his tart and devastating takedown of Donald Trump at the Democratic National Convention, Mike Bloomberg said: This isnt reality television  this is reality.

But actually, it isnt.

The election of 2016 is reality TV on a screen the size of a Montana sky, and if they gave out Emmys for Best Direction of a Political Series, Best Actor in an Unscripted Mega-Drama and Best Audience Manipulation, Trump would walk away with a fistful of statuettes.

Related: Is Trump Finished? Dont Bet on It

Everyone in America has a different and often changing-by-the-day opinion of Trump. Pick your persona: Hes a clown in bad makeup, a brilliant businessman with a tower on Fifth Avenue, a flimflam man who fleeces the naive, a tell-it-like-it-is patriot, a draft dodger who abuses Gold Star parents, a beloved dad with a gaggle of adoring kids, a crass misogynist, a candidate who speaks for his abandoned and fearful countrymen, an egomaniacal and dangerous fascist, a refreshing and honest voice vs. purveyors of stale Establishment pabulum and correctness, a hater of Mexicans and Muslims, a guy who believes in rules and just wants to keep our shores safe, a dunce who doesnt understand geopolitics or trade or economics, a tough dude who will stand up to China, bring back jobs and make other nations pay up if they want the U.S. to police the world.

The possible interpretations of Trump are endless. But who doesnt have one? The name Trump in Googles search box produces 492,000,000 results.

Folks, as the man who loves the podium might say, I must tell you, weve been played.

For over a year, the nation has been riveted  whether in anger, nodding agreement, horror or bemusement  on The Donald Show, the most successful, cant-look-away reality TV production in history.

The Kardashians for all their gender changes, naked selfies, contrived feuds and feverish pursuit of notoriety are pathetic amateurs compared with Trump.

He is a master at keeping all eyeballs glued upon him, and he does it with an instinctive feel for what makes emotion-churning political theater.

Story continues

Related: Why Are So Many Democrats Watching the Republican Debates?

It has been said that Trump the director has borrowed from World Wrestling productions with their bombast and caricatures. And its true that he loves to create battles with evil or wildly flawed opponents -- whether its pathological Ben Carson, lyin Ted Cruz, crooked Hillary Clinton or the diabolical media  and build sometimes fantastical story lines. But pro wrestling is highly scripted and fake-y.

The Donald Show is almost completely unscripted, usually non-linear and entirely real.

Trump almost effortlessly introduces new plot twists, shocking developments, fresh characters to love or hate, gasp-inducing moments and tune-in-tomorrow cliffhangers.

Until the recently deposed Roger Ailes, the canny architect of Fox News, surfaces someplace else, Trump can rightly claim the crown as king of political media.

And the network suits have celebrated his success.

Last February, CBS Chairman and CEO Les Moonves made the now notorious pronouncement about the Trump candidacy: "It may not be good for America, but it's damn good for CBS.

Related: Trump Really Did Energize the GOP Vote: Heres the Proof

But The Donald Show hasnt just driven ratings and revenue: It may have changed modern American politics.

For one thing, Trump has awakened the electorate, and he has been a one-man, bring-out-the-vote machine. In 2016 about 7 million more Americans voted in the GOP primaries than in 2012, for a total of 28.5 million (with 13.3 million of those votes for Trump).

More important, whatever you think of Trump, he has put professional politicians on notice that if they want to engage voters, they cant keep feeding them the same bromide-laced swill that the country has been forced to swallow for too many election years.

Thats the new reality.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Apart from his other shortcomings, Donald Trump is giving a sensible approach to U.S. foreign policy a bad name. In recent years, a number of scholars and policy analysts have labored to articulate and explain why the United States would be better off with a foreign policy that was less interventionist, less costly, less hypocritical, less beholden to special interests, and above all more successful than the strategy of liberal hegemony pursued by the past three U.S. administrations.

This more restrained approach seeks to advance the U.S. national interest first and foremost. In other words, it maintains that the first goal of U.S. foreign policy is to make Americans safer and more prosperous. This alternative grand strategy would eschew ambitious attempts to remake the world in Americas image and would press key U.S. allies to take more responsibility for their own defense. The United States would not disengage from the world or retreat to Fortress America, but it would be much more selective in its use of military power and focus primarily on preventing potentially dangerous concentrations of power from emerging in Europe, Asia, or the Persian Gulf.

Unfortunately, because these ideas overlap with some (but by no means all) of Trumps pronouncements on foreign policy, his increasingly incoherent, ignorant, and incompetent campaign threatens to tarnish this alternative in the minds of some observers. Assuming he loses  fingers crossed  the end result could perpetuate Americas present grand strategy despite its many shortcomings.

To give The Donald his due, he has thus far said three perfectly sensible and uncontroversial things about foreign policy. First, he has made it clear he believes the primary purpose of U.S. foreign policy is to advance U.S. interests. In other words, he thinks most states pursue their own interests first and foremost and the United States should do the same. Though most of the foreign-policy establishment claims to have loftier goals (i.e., spreading democracy, promoting human rights, halting proliferation, etc.), Trumps emphasis on U.S. interests is hardly beyond the pale.

Second, he believes many U.S. allies are wealthy countries free-riding on American protection and failing to bear their rightful share of collective security burdens. Hes correct, and plenty of other U.S. leaders  including President Barack Obama and former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates  have said exactly the same thing on numerous occasions.

Third, Trump is skeptical of ambitious efforts to nation build in far-flung corners of the world, and he now claims to be opposed to dumb wars. Its hard to argue with him on this point either, though lets not forget that he supported the Iraq War in 2003 (and then denied that he had done so). Moreover, he sometimes sounds like hed be willing to go to war at the drop of a hat. But a disinclination to enter more open-ended quagmires is hardly a controversial position at this point.

Reasonable people can disagree about these three assertions, but they are hardly bizarre or outside the boundaries of acceptable discussion. If Trump stuck with them and made them the centerpiece of his foreign-policy platform, the 2016 campaign might actually feature an instructive and long-overdue debate on the global role of the United States and the proper use of American power. Unfortunately, those three elements pretty much exhaust Trumps wisdom on foreign affairs, and the rest of his views are a farrago of ignorant, offensive, and toxic beliefs that have no business anywhere near the Oval Office.

For starters, Trumps views on international economics reflect a protectionist outlook that was discredited a couple of centuries ago. Tearing up the North American Free Trade Agreement or leaving the World Trade Organization would not restore American manufacturing or make the country great again; it would instead be a body blow to the United States and the world economy and could quite possibly trigger another global recession. Trump simply doesnt seem to understand that trade is not a zero-sum game where one state wins and the rest lose; its not like one of his shady business deals, which have lined his own pockets and left lots of unhappy customers feeling bilked. Furthermore, Trumps claim that he can single-handedly negotiate great deals to replace the existing global trading system just tells you that he doesnt know how such deals are actually negotiated or how that order works.

On top of that, Trumps thinly veiled racism and his penchant for insulting rivals are a recipe for diplomatic disaster. Seriously, how can someone who routinely demeans Hispanics and Muslims expect to conduct effective diplomacy with our neighbors in Latin America or with the entire Arab world? There is a good case for playing hardball with allies and adversaries alike  at least some of the time  but a more self-interested grand strategy will work better if the president isnt constantly offending everyone in sight. Other countries are already worried about American power and the ways it gets used (and abused); the last thing we need is an American equivalent of the impetuous and bombastic Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Moreover, the strategy of offshore balancing that I favor puts a premium on flexibility and on keeping ones options open. To do that successfully requires a cool head and a certain amount of discipline, because you never know when todays adversary becomes tomorrows ally and you dont want to burn bridges with potential partners unless you absolutely have to. Needless to say, coolness and discipline are qualities in which Trump is conspicuously lacking. As Winston Churchill said of John Foster Dulles, he is the only bull I know who carries his china closet with him.

Third, Trumps contempt for the U.S. military  as revealed in his feud with the family of a Muslim American soldier killed in action  is both disrespectful and divisive. I might be more sympathetic if Trump were criticizing a senior military leadership that seems to have forgotten how to win wars but instead Trump is picking a fight with the soldiers who have sacrificed mightily to carry out the missions they were assigned.

Fourth, Americans ought to look askance at Trumps fondness for foreign dictators, most notably Vladimir Putin. Im a realist, and I recognize that Washington has to do business with plenty of countries that dont share its particular political values, such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, China, Singapore, and many, many others. But Trumps open admiration for Putin  and, even worse, his invitation for a foreign government to illegally interfere in a U.S. election by hacking the Democrats computers  is almost too bizarre to believe. It suggests a man bereft of any genuine commitment to Americas own democratic principles.

If that were not enough, consider his views on nuclear weapons. Having previously expressed a rather cavalier view of nuclear proliferation, this week it was reported that Trump went further and repeatedly asked a foreign-policy advisor why the United States couldnt use a few nuclear weapons to solve pesky foreign-policy problems like the Islamic State. Reasonable people can disagree about the role nuclear weapons play in U.S. foreign and defense policy, but someone who thinks breaking the nuclear taboo or using them to deal with terrorism has no business being commander in chief.

Last but not least, there is the question of character. Has there ever been a presidential candidate as thin-skinned as The Donald and as incapable of controlling his own id and ego? I mean, the guy lets a crying baby get to him. And then theres his apparent disinterest in facts, evidence, the truth, etc. All politicians spin the truth in various ways, but Trumps willingness to just make stuff up and then deny it when challenged is unparalleled. And it was impossible to watch his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention without hearing faint echoes of the classic fascist appeal: Enemies are everywhere, the danger is growing, our political opponents have betrayed us, and I alone can save you.

In short, Trump is just about the worst salesman for an alternative foreign policy that one could possibly imagine. Its a pity, because a serious debate on U.S. grand strategy is badly needed and Trumps cartoonish approach to the subject makes it less likely that genuine alternatives will get a fair hearing.

So assuming Trump loses, are we stuck with the same strategy of liberal hegemony that has performed so poorly for the past 25 years? Hillary Clinton and her vast team of advisors are strongly committed to the familiar nostrums about Americas indispensable role, and her administration may keep trying to roll the stone uphill and remake the world in Americas image. Indeed, some insiders think shell be quick to abandon Obamas somewhat more cautious attitude and take a more interventionist approach to trouble spots like Syria.

Maybe, but Im not so sure. The days when the United States could manage most of the globe simultaneously are behind us; the federal budget will be tight no matter who wins; China is getting stronger and more ambitious; and the next president will have to make some hard choices and set priorities among Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and other global issues. You might also recall that former president and potential first gentleman Bill Clinton was exceedingly cautious about using military force  and especially U.S. ground troops  and he once told aide George Stephanopoulos that Americans are basically isolationist. That insight is even truer today: Because the United States presently faces no existential threats, public support for a costly foreign policy remains paper-thin. Clinton may try to run the world as her predecessors have, but shell have to try to do it on the cheap.

So even if Trump goes down in a resounding defeat and a President Hillary Clinton enters the Oval Office accompanied by a phalanx of liberal interventionists and unrepentant neoconservatives, I wouldnt be all that surprised if she behaves with more restraint than her hawkish past might suggest.

In any event, liberal hegemony isnt going to work any better for her than it did for her husband, for George W. Bush, or even for Barack Obama. Continued efforts to remake the world with American military power will continue to backfire, and the failures will force Americans to take a hard look at alternative grand strategies but hopefully without the disturbing distractions that Trump has provided. As Churchill also once said, the United States eventually does the right thing  after first trying all the alternatives.

Photo credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
(WASHINGTON)Donald Trump is trying to shift from a disastrous stretch of his presidential campaign to one focused on policy and party unity. But even as his allies speak of lessons the political newcomer has learned, two of his staunchest Republican critics warn that he could be heading for losses in a pair of battleground states.

Trump is set to deliver an economic speech on Monday to the prestigious Detroit Economic Club in his effort to step past his spats over the past 10 days with the Muslim-American parents of a slain Army captain and the leaders of a Republican Party he has promised to unite.

Mr. Trump on Monday will lay out a vision thats a growth economic plan that will focus on cutting taxes, cutting regulation, energy development and boosting middle-class wages, campaign chairman Paul Manafort said in remarks broadcast Sunday on Fox Business. When we do that, were comfortable that we can get the agenda and the narrative of the campaign back on where it belongs, which is comparing the tepid economy under Obama and Clinton, versus the kind of growth economy that Mr. Trump wants to build.

What came before Mondays speech, Manafort suggested, doesnt count in the race to Election Day on Nov. 8. Its a three-month campaign, he said.

Trump may have done irreversible damage in two critical states, Arizona and Ohio, with an approach to immigration reform that some say is divisive, two fellow Republicans say. Trump wants to build a wall between the United States and Mexico and now says he wants to suspend immigration from terror countries  though he has yet to say what those are.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who lost the Republican nomination to Trump, has not endorsed the billionaire and skipped the partys convention in Cleveland, said Trump faces a difficult climb in a state thats a must-win for Republican presidential candidates.

Story continues

Hes going to win parts of Ohio, where people are really hurting. There will be sections he will win because people are angry, frustrated and havent heard any answers, Kasich said on CNNs State of the Union. But I still think its difficult if you are dividing, to be able to win in Ohio. I think its really, really difficult.

In an interview on CBSs Face the Nation, Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said, Yes, it is possible that Democrat Hillary Clinton could beat Trump in his state, noting that Bill Clinton won Arizona in 1996 and that Hispanics represent about a third of the Arizona population.

You cant just throw platitudes out there about a wall or about Mexico paying for it and then be taken seriously here, Flake said.

Clinton is expected to deliver her own economic plan to the Detroit Economic Club on Thursday.

Thats who Republicans want to see Trump fighting  the former senator and secretary of state, not Republicans and others. Its a message furious senior members of the party carried to Trump privately and publicly in the days after Trump last week refused in a Washington Post interview to endorse the re-election bids of House Speaker Paul Ryan, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire. The trio had strongly disapproved of Trumps fight with Khizr and Ghazala Khan, Muslim-Americans whose son, Capt. Humayun Khan, was killed in Iraq in 2004.

On Friday at a Wisconsin rally not attended by Ryan or Gov. Scott Walker, Trump reversed course and endorsed all three lawmakers, saying, We have to unite.

If you look at the last few days, I think hes gotten the messages, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said on Fox News Sunday. Its very tricky if youve never run for public office, to jump from being a businessman to being one of the two leaders fighting for the presidency, and hes made some mistakes.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said on ABCs This Week that Trumps endorsements show he has the ability and the understanding to realize that there are going to be disagreements and youve got to be able to reach out to the entire party.
In an address that was disrupted numerous times by protesters, Republican nominee Donald Trump said he would cut taxes and reduce regulations on business in what was billed as a major economic policy speech.

Eschewing his usual approach of calling out protesters, Trump largely ignored them, except to note that protesters who supported Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders had more energy and spirit and to note that the protest was well-organized.

In the speech, Trump argued that Democratic policies had failed Detroit, contending that the country as a whole would similarly suffering under Hillary Clinton.

Read More: Transcript of Donald Trumps Economic Speech in Detroit

This is a city controlled by Democratic politicians at every level, and unless we change policies, we will not change results, he said.

Speaking at the Detroit Economic Club, Trump also said that he will be putting forward more detailed economic proposals in the coming weeks, including plans to cut regulations massively, end the estate tax, enact an across-the-board income tax reduction, reduce the number of tax brackets from seven to three and make the cost of childcare fully deductible.

For many American workers, their tax rate will be zero, he said. These reforms will offer the biggest tax revolution since the Reagan tax reform.

He also said he would cut regulations massively, enacting a temporary moratorium on any new agency regulations, overturn illegal and overreaching executive orders and ask every federal agency to prepare a list of all regulations they oversee which are not necessary, do not improve public safety and which needlessly kill jobs.

It is time to remove the anchor dragging us down, he said.
Seeking to rebound after one of the rockiest weeks of his campaign, Donald Trump on Monday turned his attention back to the economy, delivering a major policy address in which he cast himself as a change agent who could create new jobs and wealth for struggling Americans.

Speaking to the Detroit Economic Club, Trump cited the city of Detroit as a living, breathing example of what he called Hillary Clintons failed economic policies, arguing that she supports higher taxes and failed business regulations that drove the Motor City into a slump. He cast her as a stagnant candidate who would simply offer more of the same to Americans struggling to make ends meet.

She is the candidate of the past, Trump declared. Ours is the campaign of the future.

But Trumps effort to pivot to an issue that many polls suggest is a strength for him heading into Election Day was somewhat overshadowed by protesters who interrupted the GOP presidential nominee more than a dozen times during his roughly hour-long remarks.

A demonstrator is led away as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers an economic policy speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Detroit. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP)

Though Trump rallies are regularly interrupted by protests, his formal speeches, where access is more strictly controlled, rarely are. On Monday, Trump, who is known to verbally spar with protesters at his events, appeared irritated but was uncharacteristically reserved, ignoring them for much of the speech. All very well planned out, Trump finally said, when he was interrupted for the ninth time.

A few minutes later, as security escorted out protester No. 11, the GOP nominee offered a wry critique: The Bernie people had far more energy and spirit, he said, before quickly turning back to the speech.

The protests added a somewhat raucous atmosphere to a speech that merely reiterated many of Trumps previous policy proposals, including his pledge to tear up trade agreements including NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership in order to pursue his goal of putting America First. He also repeated his pledge to penalize companies to move their operations overseas and to crack down on countries that manipulate currency.

Story continues

Reading from a teleprompter, Trump offered some new details of what aides declared to be the framework of his economic vision for the country. Among other things, he promised to lower the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 15 percent. He vowed to eliminate the estate tax, calling it just plain wrong. And he promised to curb regulations on businesses, which he argued would encourage new investment. I am going to cut regulations massively, Trump promised.

In what could be an attempt to woo Republican lawmakers still wary of his campaign, Trump also aligned himself with a tax proposal pushed by House Republicans that would redesign income tax brackets and reduce some of the burden on the poor.

Donald Trump speaks to the Detroit Economic Club Monday. (Photo: Eric Thayer/Reuters)

We will work with House Republicans on this plan, using the same brackets they have proposed: 12, 25 and 33 percent, Trump declared. For many American workers, their tax rate will be zero.

That pledge appeared to contradict a tax plan Trump unveiled earlier in his campaign, in which he said he would cut the top tax rate from 39.6 percent to 25 percent.

But although Trumps speech had been billed as remarks that would more specifically outline his economic policies, the candidate was still vague on many issues, promising that he would unveil details in coming weeks.

Trump announced that if elected he would allow families to write off childcare expenses on their taxes but declined to offer more specifics. He said he was still working on the plan with his daughter, Ivanka, who referenced her fathers support on the issue in her speech at the Republican National Convention last month.

Perhaps more than anything, Trumps speech was an attempt to turn the page after days of turmoil, including controversy over his criticism of a family of a fallen Muslim soldier. Trumps remarks drew rebukes from many Republicans including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Sen. John McCain. In retaliation, Trump declined to endorse their reelection bids, before reversing himself later in the week. All of the drama, combined with the Democratic National Convention,

sent Trumps poll numbers plummeting, prompting handwringing from Republicans who were already reluctant to back his campaign.

A demonstrator is led away as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers an economic policy speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Detroit. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP)

While they reject the idea of a reboot, Trump aides are clearly trying to get back on more solid footing. The candidate is scheduled to go back to North Carolina Tuesday, a military-heavy battleground that will be a test of Trumps standing with veterans, before heading to Florida and Pennsylvania later this week.
By Manuel Mogato MANILA (Reuters) - Dozens of Philippine government and police officials turned themselves in on Monday, a day after President Rodrigo Duterte linked them to the drugs trade, stepping up a war on narcotics that has killed hundreds since he took office in June. More than 400 suspected drug dealers have been killed by police across the Philippines since Duterte took over, officials say. Broadcaster ABS-CNN put the number at over 800, though this includes executions by anonymous vigilantes. On Monday, 27 mayors and 31 police officers, including a colonel, went to the national police office in the capital, Manila, to clear their names, fearing the president's order to hunt them down if they failed to surrender within 24 hours. Several local officials reported to regional police offices to beat the deadline set by Duterte, who won the elections in May on a single platform of fighting crime and drugs. On Sunday, he identified about 160 officials in a name-and-shame campaign. "I want to change," a Cebu-based businessman tagged as a top-level drug trafficker told reporters after he met national police chief Ronald dela Rosa. Nicknamed "the punisher" and "Duterte Harry" for his brutal fight on crime, Duterte has hit back at activists incensed by the surge in the killings of suspected drug traffickers. Alarmed human rights groups have urged the United Nations to condemn the rise in extrajudicial killings. The Philippine Senate is to hold a legislative inquiry. Dela Rosa reprimanded the police officers on Duterte's list, threatening to kill them if they continued to protect drug traders and resell seized drugs. At one point, he challenged them to a fistfight. "I am mad with what is happening," Dela Rosa said in a speech to local officials and police. "I am ashamed. We should be the ones arresting these people, but we are protecting them. I will kill you if you will not change." All police officers linked to the drug trade were disarmed, investigated and could face criminal and administrative cases if there was strong evidence, said national police spokesman Dionardo Carlos. "They will be accorded due process," he added. Besides local officials and police officers, Duterte's list included two retired police generals, soldiers, paramilitary members, judges and a former lawmaker. In a letter, Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Monday told the president the court alone had the right to discipline judges. One judge named by Duterte died eight years ago and two others have already been removed. In his maiden speech to the Senate, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao supported Duterte's drug war and proposal to restore the death penalty for drug crimes, and advocated execution by hanging or by firing squad. (Reporting by Manuel Mogato; Editing by John Chalmers and Clarence Fernandez)
Drew Barrymore is living it up in Las Vegas.



Barrymore packed her bags and jetted to Sin City over the weekend, just days after her divorce from husband Will Kopelman was finalized. Using the hashtag "#Vegasbaby," she documented her getaway on social media.



"Is this bird going to Vegas? If so yay!!!" the actress, 41, captioned an Instagram photo while riding on a private plane with her "#besties."





Is this bird going to Vegas? If so yay!!!#Vegasbaby #besties #lifelongers #oldschool A photo posted by Drew Barrymore (@drewbarrymore) on Aug 6, 2016 at 11:29am PDT









Once they landed, Barrymore and her friends wasted no time and headed straight to Pole Position Raceway for some go-kart racing.



The actress shared a snap of herself donning a helmet as she posed in front of the racetrack. Barrymore dressed casually for the day, wearing a sushi-themed T-shirt and jeans.





#Vegasbaby A photo posted by Drew Barrymore (@drewbarrymore) on Aug 6, 2016 at 1:19pm PDT





Barrymore and her "crew" also enjoyed a meet-and-greet with David Copperfield at the MGM Grand Resort & Casino. The actress changed into a pair of distressed jeans and blue kimono for the outing, and flashed a big smile as she hugged Copperfield in the photo.



"Yes!" she captioned the photo.





RELATED: Drew's Changing Looks!





But it wouldn't be a trip without running into one of her fellow A-list pals. Later in the night, Barrymore got cozy with Jennifer Lopez, who is in Vegas for her All I Have show at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.



The actress gave her friend a sweet shout-out on Instagram, calling her an "#amazingmom" and writing, "#loveher."





#nofilter #goddess #vegasbaby #thishappened @jlo #allihave #amazingmom #loveher A photo posted by Drew Barrymore (@drewbarrymore) on Aug 6, 2016 at 11:58pm PDT





And while she certainly had an exciting night, Barrymore made sure to set aside some mellow pooltime. The actress shared a sunny selfie while she sat poolside with her friends.



"#sundays #poolside #vegasbaby #bestweeekend #withbestfriends," she captioned the photo of herself wearing sunglasses and a sun hat.





Story continues

#sundays #poolside #vegasbaby #bestweeekend #withbestfriends A photo posted by Drew Barrymore (@drewbarrymore) on Aug 7, 2016 at 1:13pm PDT







The beautiful @lonavigi and @debraferullomakeup #family #vegasbaby A photo posted by Drew Barrymore (@drewbarrymore) on Aug 7, 2016 at 2:17pm PDT





Barrymore and Kopelman's divorce was granted on Aug. 3.  marking the end of their four-year marriage.



The pair, who are parents to daughters Olive, 3, and Frankie, 2, reached a mutual agreement on the details of their split, as the divorce was marked as "uncontested" in court records.



The decision comes less than one month after Barrymore filed divorce papers.
The Q2 earnings season is almost approaching its end with 87.7% (as of Aug 5) of the S&P 500 members having already reported results. The Retail sector is the only one at this point that has a substantial number of reports still to come.

But how has this particular earnings season turned out to be? Though the Q2 growth pace pace has improved with companies reporting better results, still the quarter is on its way to be the fifth in a row to record an earnings decline for the S&P 500 index. So far, of the 433 S&P 500 companies that have reported as of Aug 5, 70.7% breezed past earnings expectations while 52.7% exceeded revenue estimates.

Results in the Technology and Medical sectors have been remarkably better than anticipated. These two sectors have also recorded the highest proportion of positive surprises.

Particularly, our Q2 scorecard for the Medical sector shows that 86.5% have reported results with a blended beat of 77.8% (the percentage of companies that have beaten both earnings per share as well as revenue estimates) with the sector posting 6.5% earnings growth on revenue growth of 9.9%.

Per our Earnings Trends report, Medical is one of the eight sectors expected to record earnings growth in Q2.

Among drug stocks lined up to report on Aug 9, lets take a look at three such companies.

What to Expect from these Drug Stocks?

Generic drug maker, Mylan N.V.s MYL performance has been impressive with the company beating earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters with an average positive surprise of 1.79%. Mylan currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Though the stocks Zacks Rank #3 increases the predictive power of the ESP, it also has an Earnings ESP of -1.74%, making a surprise prediction difficult this quarter. The company is scheduled to release Q2 results on Aug 9.

MYLAN NV Price and EPS Surprise

MYLAN NV Price and EPS Surprise | MYLAN NV Quote

The companys business segments  Generics and Specialty  should continue to perform well in Q2. While the Generics segment should benefit from new product launches, the Specialty segment should benefit from higher volumes of EpiPen. Late last week, Mylan announced the completion of the acquisition of the Swedish drug maker, Meda (read more: Mylan Q2 Earnings: Will the Stock Disappoint?).

Story continues

Oncology focused Incyte Corporation INCY is a biopharmaceutical company with a pretty good track record having surpassed expectations in three of the last four quarters with an average positive surprise of 101.83%. Headquartered in Wilmington, DE, Incyte has a favorable Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), but an ESP of 0.00% makes a surprise prediction uncertain this quarter. The companys only approved product, Jakafi, should continue to drive top-line growth in this quarter as well. Meanwhile, Incyte has a broad pipeline including both targeted and immune therapies. Update on the pipeline front will be another area of focus along with the performance of Jakafi. The company is scheduled to release Q2 results on Aug 9.

INCYTE CORP Price and EPS Surprise

INCYTE CORP Price and EPS Surprise | INCYTE CORP Quote

Copenhagen, Denmark-based Genmab A/S GNMSF is a biotechnology company focused on the development of differentiated antibody therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. The company has two approved antibodies in its portfolio  Arzerra (for the treatment of certain chronic lymphocytic leukemia indications) and Darzalex (for the treatment of heavily pre-treated or double refractory multiple myeloma). Genmab has a licensing agreement with Johnson & Johnson JNJs Janssen Biotech for Darzalex and Novartis AG NVS for Arzerra. Genmab also has a broad pipeline.

GENMAB A/S Price and EPS Surprise

GENMAB A/S Price and EPS Surprise | GENMAB A/S Quote

Last quarter, Genmab reported a positive earnings surprise of 88%. Genmab currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) and an ESP of 0.00%. As it is, we caution against Sell-rated stocks (#4 or #5) going into an earnings announcement. The company is expected to release Q2 results on Aug 9.

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



NOVARTIS AG-ADR (NVS): Free Stock Analysis Report



JOHNSON & JOHNS (JNJ): Free Stock Analysis Report



INCYTE CORP (INCY): Free Stock Analysis Report



GENMAB A/S (GNMSF): Free Stock Analysis Report



MYLAN NV (MYL): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
parkey

AROUND COVER32

Hall of Fame: Cancelling game was the right call

First & Ten: Ten NFL headlines for Monday

Fantasy Football: The Mike Wallace question

Power Rankings: Training Camp Edition

This preseason, there is going to be a fun kicking battle taking place. Eagles kickers Cody Parkey and Caleb Sturgis will be fighting for the kicking job. This battle might be more important than you think.

Right now, from what it looks like, Caleb Sturgis seems to be winning this battle and could be the Eagles kicker for the 2016-2017 season. Although Sturgis did set career highs in categories like field goal percentage (81.8%) and touchbacks (57.5%). Should Eagles fans be concerned about the kicking battle going on?

On one hand, you have Caleb Sturgis. Although he did set a career high in a few categories, man, was he painful to watch. Not only did he miss two extra points in two straight weeks, he missed quite a few kicks from inside the 40.

The two games I remember from him were against Washington and against the Miami Dolphins. In the Washington game, not only did he miss an extra point, but he missed a crucial field goal as well. The Eagles ended up losing by three points, and some of the blame was put on him.

On the other hand, you have Cody Parkey who seemed to be the favorite to win the kicking job back. However, he is getting outperformed by Sturgis, the inconsistent kicker. But lets say Parkey does win the kicking battle, it seems to be good because Sturgis is out of the scene and we have our pro bowl kicker right? Well not so much.

The fact that Parkey is losing the kicking battle right now scares me, maybe hes still a little rusty? Even if he does win the kicking battle, theres still the potential that Parkey re-injures himself and the Eagles having to either go find another kicker or resign Sturgis.

Parkey seems to be the obvious choice for winning the kicking battle, and I have a feeling that he will end up being the Eagles starting kicker. But the thought of Parkey struggling and potentially re-injuring himself doesnt sit well with me at all. Even if Sturgis wins the kicking job, Im willing to give him a second chance. Even with all the missed field goals and extra points he still was able to put up decent numbers and have clutch kicks to help the Eagles win a game or two.

So should Eagle fans worry about the position battle at kicker? In my opinion, yes I am a little bit worried and I feel like its okay to worry about it. But Im confident that both place kickers will perform well this preseason and make me a little less anxious when the Eagles are going out there to get 3 points.

The post The Eagles kicking competition might be more important than you think appeared first on Cover32.
It opened this past summer, but well argue that winternowis the right time to visit chef Gabriel Kreuthers eponymous new restaurant. Because, really, no one does cold-weather comfort food better than the Alsatians. And no chef in NYC does Alsatian cuisine better than Kreuther, a native of the French region that borders Germany and Switzerland.

You know Kreuther, even if his name itself rings only the faintest of bells. He reigned over the kitchen at The Modern for nearly a decade, earning it a Michelin star; he left in 2014 to focus on this, his own project, bringing with him much of what made The Modern successful (including many of the front-of-house and kitchen staff) and already earning a Michelin star for 2016 as well.

Kreuthers new culinary palace is a stunning space: elegant and light, all cream-colored leather and rough-hewn wood. But the main dining room with its long prix fixe and tasting menuslovely as it may beis best saved for power lunches and super-hot dates. For your new regular hang, head to the bar/lounge area. As at The Modern, its a more casual but still sophisticated space with its own, also more casual, menu, available a la carte. And, vitally, its only there that youll find some of the rustic-luxe Alsatian dishes that are each, individually, reason enough to visit.

Take, for instance, the Alsatian tartes flambees, one of Kreuthers signature dishes at The Modern. Here, there are four iterations, from classic (topped with smoked bacon, onion, creme fraiche, and fromage blanc) to a slightly ostentatious version with caviar and sea urchin. Then theres the sausages, again in four varieties, each with its own accompaniment: think duck sausage with shaved brussels sprouts, or country sausage with house-made sauerkraut. Many other items on the bar menu seem tailor-made for warming a hungry diner on cold winter daysits that time of year for the Alsatian country beer soup with ham hocks or the lentil stew with red wine-braised tripe, trust us.

Opening an eponymous restaurant is a fairly ballsy move. Few NYC chefs try it, and those that do have name recognizability along the lines of Daniel Boulud or Jean-Georges Vongerichten or Joel Robuchon (scratch that; it didnt turn out so well for that last one). But Kreuther is proving that hes got the chops in the kitchen, and the instincts to know exactly what NYC diners crave, to merit recognition right up there along with the culinary big boys.

More From Robbreport.com

10 Ways to Manage Stress like an Olympian



New Private-Jet Journeys Across the Globe



157-Year-Old Burgundian Wine Label Brings its First Overseas Venture to Oregon



A Watch Awash in Diamonds Is the Latest Beauty by Backes & Strauss



A Water Limo Concept That Every Superyacht Needs



Driving the 2017 Aston Martin DB11 in Siena, Italy


PARIS (Reuters) - The EDF board's lack of information about the UK government's request for more time to review the Hinkley Point nuclear project renders its go-ahead for the investment decision invalid, three EDF unions said on Monday.

EDF Chairman and Chief Executive Jean-Bernard Levy said in a letter to top executives last week that he knew the UK government wanted to take more time to review the Hinkley Point nuclear contract before the French utility's board voted to approve the investment, he said in a letter to top executives.

EDF's board narrowly approved the 18 billion pound project on July 28. But hours later the government of new British Prime Minister Theresa May, which was set to sign contracts the next day, said it wanted to give the plan further consideration and postponed its decision to early autumn.

In a joint statement, EDF's top unions CGT, CFE-CGC and FO - but not the moderate CFDT - said that certain board members were aware of crucial information about the Hinkley Point project, despite the fact that the UK government's wish to go fast had always been presented as justification for the urgency to sign.

"Our three unions denounce this information asymmetry. They therefore consider that the board's Hinkley Point decision, taken on the basis of incomplete information, is null and void," they said.

They also pointed at the "abnormal management of conflicts of interest in EDF's board". Some EDF board members also are on the boards of board companies that are EDF customers which may benefit from the Hinkley Point contract.

"Who can say that with a rigorous management of the conflicts of interest and real transparency of information, the board decision would not have been different," the unions said.

EDF declined to comment.

In a statement on Friday EDF said that when its board met, EDF and its chairman had no knowledge of the intention of the UK government to conduct a further review of Hinkley Point.

It said it only knew that a signing ceremony planned for the day after the vote would be postponed. This potential date of signature had not been confirmed, and therefore had not been communicated to the board or the market. There was therefore no requirement to communicate its postponement, EDF said.

Levy said on Friday that he would take legal action against the Sud Energie union for alleging he had lied to reporters by saying he had not known before the board meeting that Britain would conduct a fresh review.

(Reporting by Geert De Clercq, editing by Louise Heavens)
By Linda Sieg TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Emperor Akihito will make a rare video address to the nation on Monday in which the 82-year-old monarch is expected to outline his concerns that he cannot do his job fully but avoid saying outright that he wants to abdicate. Public broadcaster NHK reported last month that Akihito, who has had heart surgery and been treated for prostate cancer, wanted to step down in a few years - a move that would be unprecedented in modern Japan. Once considered divine, Japans emperor is defined in the constitution as a symbol of the unity of the people and has no political power. He is therefore unlikely to state outright that he wants to step down, which could be interpreted as interfering in politics. Akihito is said to feel strongly that an emperors full performance of his duties is integral to his constitutional role as a symbol of the peoples unity, according to monarchy experts. Opinion polls show the vast majority of ordinary Japanese sympathize with the emperors desire to retire, but legal changes would be needed to allow him to do so. The idea has sparked opposition from Prime Minister Shinzo Abes conservative base, who worry debate on the imperial familys future could widen to the topic of letting women inherit and pass on the throne, anathema to traditionalists. Akihito has been cutting back on official duties recently, his place taken by his heir, 56-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito. Naruhito has only one daughter. Since only males can inherit the Chrysanthemum Throne, the throne after Naruhito would pass to his brother, Prince Akishino, and then to nine-year-old nephew Hisahito. Others worry that devoting political energy to discussing abdication could sidetrack Abes push to revise the U.S.-drafted pacifist constitution, seen by many conservatives as a symbol of Japans humiliating defeat in World War Two. Akihito ascended the throne after the death of his father, Hirohito, in whose name Japan fought the war. He has sought to soothe the wounds of the conflict in Asia and tried to bring the monarchy closer to the people. The emperors recorded remarks will be aired at 3 p.m. (02:00 a.m. EDT), only the second time Akihito has addressed the public in such a fashion. The first was after a massive earthquake, deadly tsunami and nuclear disaster hit northeast Japan in March 2011. Abe is expected to issue a statement saying he takes the emperors remarks seriously, domestic media reported, in remarks carefully worded to avoid appearing to politicize the issue. (Editing by Lincoln Feast)
Audiences who thought they knew everything about O.J. Simpson and his trial for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman nevertheless found themselves transfixed when FX unspooled creator Ryan Murphy's limited series The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. As charismatic and controversial defense lawyer Johnnie Cochran, Courtney B. Vance had some of the heaviest lifting - a daunting challenge that he welcomed, he tells THR.

What were the first few days on set like with this impressive cast?

These were all very famous people [we were portraying], and we were all intimidated to varying degrees. Then you add to that the star power in the room. We were all a little nervous, and it happens in the beginning with anything, but because of the sheer amount of things that we had to do, it was good for us that we had to focus on a lot of verbiage. After the initial quick-cut scenes of the first two episodes, we hadn't gotten into the meat and potatoes of it. But in the third episode, it was on. It was like, OK, we got a three-page scene, we got a five-page scene, then we got a six-page scene. You had to really roll up your sleeves and get in it. Everyone knew when it was your day, and they'd kind of leave you alone because they knew you were getting yourself ready to get up there and do your thing.

Courtney B. Vance

What prepared you the most for playing Johnnie Cochran?

I think reading Jeffrey Toobin's book [The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson]. Jeffrey had his definite views about what O.J. did or not, and everybody I'm sure had their own opinions, but it mattered not to Johnnie. He was in defense mode, and his job was not to prove, it was just to poke holes - and that's what he did.

Did you have any idea The People v. O.J. Simpson would become this cultural phenomenon?

You never know. We knew what we had. We had become family very quickly, and everybody's birthday was celebrated with a cake in the middle of the shooting. We had contests. It just became fun. You just didn't want to leave even though we were dead-bone tired. We were family, and it showed on the screen.

Story continues

Read more: 'People v. O.J. Simpson' Director Reveals Why He Didn't "Talk to Anyone Living" Who Was Involved With the Case

How does the show reflect our lives right now, with the racial violence happening in the country?

I think there's so many positive and wonderful things about our technology and the advances that we've made, but 20, 30 years ago, my generation, we didn't have all the distractions. And our kids have grown up in this world. We can't slow down enough to catch up. The police [shoot two] black men, and then the next day, after Obama appeals for calm, a black man shoots the police. Now the potential conversation we could've had around the two black men that were killed has to be put on hold. It's madness.

Does this affect projects that you choose, knowing that you can impact people with your storytelling?

It doesn't happen often. It's lightning in a bottle, and when it happens, you can't do anything about it but just get on for the ride. You just have to let people enjoy, but at the same time, we know that there are larger issues involved in the telling of our story and hopefully, it's an opportunity for us to talk. That's all we can hope.

This story first appeared in a special Emmy issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
The Turkish government has arrested or detained tens of thousands of soldiers, police officers, academics, and journalists in the wake of last months failed coup attempt. Some supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have a new target: a prominent Washington think tank.

The Woodrow Wilson Center, a nonpartisan organization founded in 1968, is facing a wave of criticisms over its alleged  and wholly unproven  role in orchestrating last months failed putsch, which killed more than 200 people and injured more than 1,000. Erdogan retained power and has spent the past weeks carrying out purges of institutions across Turkish society.

The accusations against the Wilson Center, appearing on the front page of mainstream newspapers linked to Erdogan, prompted the think tank to take the unusual step of issuing a statement of concern about possible reprisals to researchers and scholars that attended a July conference in Turkey organized by the think tank. The conspiracy theories against the Wilson Center were sparked, in part, by the fact that its July 15-17 event occurred on the exact same weekend as the coup attempt.

The meeting, which took place on the island of Buyukada in Istanbul, was very much removed from the center of the crisis and had no connection to it, the Wilson Center said in an unsigned statement Friday. The discussion was an open exchange of views among seasoned foreign policy experts about Iran and its relations with its neighbors, said the group.

But the think tanks remarks do not appear to have lessened the proliferation of reports in Turkey blaming Henri Barkey, the director of the Wilson Centers Middle East program, for the botched coup. On Saturday, a front-page story in the pro-government newspaper Aksam featured photographs of Barkey and other academics who attended the Wilson Center event. It accused them of being CIA agents who helped orchestrate the coup.

Henri Barkey has been mercilessly hounded by the pro-Erdogan press, Steven Cook, a Turkey expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, told Foreign Policy. Turkish officials definitely need to do a better job [rebutting conspiracy theories], but they wont. They are enabling these kinds of allegations and have no real interest in pushing back.

Story continues

The Turkish Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment. The Wilson Center did not respond to a request for comment. Barkey declined to comment.

Participants of the workshop are said to be facing a barrage of scrutiny from the media and Turkish authorities. Mensur Akgun, a director at the Global Political Trends Center which joined the Wilson Center in organizing the event, was interrogated by Turkish authorities in recent days. A female academic who attended the event was relieved of her job as a professor, according to one attendee.

The story also purports to show a photograph of Scott Peterson, a journalist invited to attend the event who is affiliated with the Christian Science Monitor. But instead of displaying his photograph, it shows the image of a different Scott Peterson, the man convicted of murdering his pregnant wife Laci Peterson in 2002 and currently serving time in a California prison.

The only comedic part is they screwed up Scott Peterson, mistaking the CSM reporter for the murderer of Laci Peterson, said Aaron Stein, a Turkey scholar at the Atlantic Council.

Officially, the Turkish government blames Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric living in self-imposed exile in a compound in rural Pennsylvania, for carrying out the coup. But ever since the failed July 15 putsch, a range of U.S. actors have become the target of lurid conspiracy theories from Turkish news outlets like the pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper, which also accused the CIA and Gen. John Campbell, a former NATO commander in Afghanistan, of trying to overthrow Erdogan.

In its statement on Friday, the center warned that accusations against its scholars could hurt Turkeys international reputation.

Turkey has long been an attractive location for scholarly meetings, in part because of the quality and caliber of Turkeys academic and civil society institutions, and in part because of its natural beauty and convenient location, said the think tank. It would be a great loss to Turkeys international reputation and to its contribution to global democratic civil society were Turkeys own fine scholars to be excluded or at risk for participating in such valuable exchanges.
Pristina (AFP) - A panel of international judges Monday sentenced a former member of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian guerrilla group to eight years in prison for war crimes committed during the 1998-1999 conflict, a court statement said.

The court panel "found the accused Xhemshit Krasniqi guilty of committing the criminal offence of war crimes against the civilian population," the EU rule of law mission (EULEX) said in the statement.

Krasniqi was a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) that fought security forces loyal to the then Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic.

Krasniqi "was found guilty of arrest, illegal detention, violation of bodily integrity, health and torture of several witnesses and unknown civilians in the KLA camps" in Albania and Kosovo, EULEX said.

The war ended after a three-month long air campaign against Serbia by NATO and paved the way for Kosovo's independence a decade later.

Just months after Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008, the EU launched a large civilian mission to help the young country improve its rule of law.

EULEX's mostly European judges and prosecutors can take over court cases that the local judiciary cannot handle due to their sensitivity.
By Andrea Shalal and Thomas Escritt BERLIN/AMSTERDAM(Reuters) - A European counter-terrorism intelligence database designed to generate greater intelligence sharing among allies to avert deadly Islamist attacks has gone online after overcoming traditional reluctance by spy agencies to sharing information. European officials were spurred into setting up the project by the Paris attacks last November by Islamist militants which exposed intelligence gaps. A total of 130 people were killed in those attacks. Hosted by the Dutch intelligence service in the Hague, the database went live on July 1, the German Interior Ministry and the German domestic intelligence agency (BfV) said. "The intelligence database will make it much easier and quicker to share information about possible threats," said one intelligence official. The database enables European intelligence agencies to share real-time information about suspected Islamist militants collected by members of the Counter-Terrorism Group (CTG), which groups all 28 European Union countries, Switzerland and Norway. Its creation marks a step forward in the fight against Islamic State, which is focused increasingly on orchestrating large-scale and "lone wolf" attacks as it suffers setbacks and loses territory in Iraq and Syria. "We need a close exchange of information that is rapid and comprehensive, based on the relevant legal and privacy regulations," said one official at the German interior ministry. A refinement of earlier databases, the new system is designed to make it easier to cross-reference material provided by different countries security services, a Dutch security services official told Reuters. "If we see one of our targets traveling to Amsterdam, we haven't been checking until now if his brother or nephew is also traveling," the official said, giving an illustration of the way the new database worked. European police agencies have long shared information about potential criminals through Europol and Interpol, but spy agencies are generally reluctant to share intelligence data, except on a specific case-by-case or bilateral basis. Lack of cooperation was a focal point after the Paris attacks. Several of those involved in the attacks had been on the radar of authorities in other countries. Abdelhamid Abaaoud, suspected mastermind behind the Paris attacks, for instance, had mocked European frontier controls and boasted how easy it was for him to move between Syria to his Belgian homeland and the rest of Europe. In another case, the former French spy Claude Moniquet has been quoted as saying that France did not pass on information about Mehdi Nemmouche, a French-Algerian dual national, who shot four people at the Jewish Museum in Brussels in 2014. After Abdesalam's arrest, U.S. officials privately disparaged European intelligence-gathering and said they were working closely with European authorities to ensure they had the training needed to prevent another Paris-style attack. The Netherlands, which held the rotating EU presidency at the time, played a key role in setting up the database. Dutch officials urged global counter-terrorism officials to agree to greater sharing of banking details and key data about potential militants after missed signals in Paris. In the past, they said, countries often failed to share lists of suspects whose assets had been frozen, making it possible for someone blacklisted in one country to drive across the border and use their bank cards in a neighboring country. (Editing by Richard Balmforth)
"It's never too late to do the right thing"except sometimes it is?

Evan McMullin, a CIA veteran and the chief Republican policy director for the US House of Representatives, is running for president as independent, and as an alternative to Donald Trump, Buzzfeed and MNBCs Joe Scarborough report.

His slogan? Its never too late to do the right thing.

One big problem though: McMullin missed the deadline to get on the general election ballot in 26 states, and in some others, like California, he will have to collect tens of thousands of signatures in the next several days.

Multiple sources tell me the candidate is Evan McMullin. Wharton grad, CIA alum, Goldman Sachs, Republican Policy Director, US House  Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) August 8, 2016

McMullin is so little-known that until this morning, one of the first things that showed up when you searched for him online was his LinkedIn profile. His Wikipedia page was only created early today.

According to Buzzfeeds sources, McMullin should have some support from Republican donors. They also underscored his connection to Utah, where he attended Brigham Young University, and where Trump has little support. In order to be a viable presidential candidate, McMullin will also have to raise a lot of money in very little time.

McMullins LinkedIn page shows that McMullin served as a CIA agent for 11 years, starting in 1999. He had a stint as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs, a volunteer with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and once served as a deckhand on a fishing vessel: I mostly just did my best not to fall in as we sailed the Alaskan seas. According to Buzzfeed, he is unmarried.

Story continues

Even though he had just 135 followers this morning on Twitter, hes been a vocal anti-Trump critic on the platform.

Authoritarians like @realDonaldTrump use promises of law & order to justify infringing on civil rights as they consolidate control by force.  Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) July 22, 2016

Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the worlds most important and interesting news.

More stories from Quartz:
Evan McMullin (Photo: Chad Williams via evanmcmullin.com)

A former CIA case officer who has served as top policy aide to House Republicans is launching an independent campaign for the presidency on Monday with the backing of veteran GOP strategists and donors determined to block Donald Trump from getting anywhere near the White House.

Feeding off mounting discontent within GOP ranks over Trump, Evan McMullin  who is resigning today as chief policy director for the House Republican Conference  announced his campaign with an open Letter to America that took pointed shots at both the GOP nominee and Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Clinton, McMullin declared, is a corrupt career politician who has recklessly handled classified information and put American lives at risk, including those of my former colleagues.

But Trump is a real threat to the Republic, McMullin added, citing the moguls obvious personal instability. He continued: Putting him in command of our military and nuclear arsenal would be deeply irresponsible. His infatuation with strongmen and demagogues like Vladimir Putin is anathema to American values. We cannot and must not elect him.

Its never too late to do the right thing, and America deserves much better than either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton can offer us, McMullin, 40, said in his announcement statement. I humbly offer myself as a leader who can give millions of disaffected Americans a conservative choice for president. (A campaign website went live Monday morning.)

Although the candidacy of a political unknown with no experience in electoral politics seems improbable at best, strategists working with Better for America, a group dedicated to stopping Trump, told Yahoo News that they believed the McMullin campaign has a genuine chance to catch on. The group said he even has a plausible path to victory through a deadlocked race that would ultimately go to the House of Representatives to resolve if neither Trump nor Clinton gets the required 270 electoral votes.

Story continues

The goal is unequivocally to win, said Joel Searby, chief strategist for the McMullin campaign. Its clear that Donald Trump had a disastrous week and his support is waning, and we think its a great time for an alternative.

Backers of the effort, he said, include a group of GOP strategists and activists who have been searching for months to find an alternative to Trump, including John Kingston, a GOP donor who was close to Mitt Romney and has been spearheading the Better for America campaign.

The initial goal, Searby said, is to plant a flag in Utah, Colorado and other Rocky Mountain western states, where polls show discontent with Trump is high, and then start to target key swing states such as Virginia, Florida and Minnesota. Ballot access will be a problem, but not insurmountable, Searby said: The deadline for getting on the ballot has not passed in 15 states and in some cases only requires a minimal number of signatures. (Among them are Utah, which requires a mere 1,000 signatures on a petition, and Colorado, which requires as few as 275.) In other states, the pro-McMullin forces will seek to partner with parties already on the ballot such as the Reform Party. Finally, he said, the McMullin forces are planning to launch a constitutional challenge in the courts to gain ballot access in remaining states where the deadlines have passed.

All this requires convincing voters that McMullin represents a plausible alternative for conservatives who cant bring themselves to back Trump. He is widely known among House Republicans as thoughtful and knowledgeable, especially on national security issues, and has close relations with several GOP leaders, such as House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Ed Royce. He played a key role in formulating GOP efforts against President Obamas policy on Syria, including arranging to bring a key opponent to President Bashar Assads regime  who went under the code name of Caesar  to Washington to display photos of the Syrian governments brutal treatment of political dissidents. At least one House Republican, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, is expected to endorse McMullin shortly, and others, his backers say, are likely to follow with supportive words.

For 11 years, from 1999 until 2010, McMullin was an undercover operations officer for the National Clandestine Service at the CIA. He served across the globe, including in war-torn regions of Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

On LinkedIn, he summarized his responsibilities in his position as having managed clandestine operations related to counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, energy, political stability and counterintelligence, while serving mostly in hostile environments.

McMullin also worked as an investment associate for Goldman Sachs in the San Francisco Bay Area and briefly held positions as a volunteer refugee resettlement officer in Jordan with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and a deckhand for a commercial fishing vessel off the coasts of Alaska and Washington state.

The CIA veteran has a relatively small public profile and few followers on social media. Earlier this year, he delivered a Ted Talk called Why Saying Never Again to Genocide Is Not Enough at the London Business School.

He has been highly critical of Trump on Twitter, calling the real estate tycoon an authoritarian interested in trampling on civil rights in the pursuit of power.

Authoritarians like @realDonaldTrump use promises of law & order to justify infringing on civil rights as they consolidate control by force.  Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) July 22, 2016

McMullin also argued that Trumps refusal to release his tax returns could be a harbinger of things to come, namely a lack of transparency, under a potential Trump presidency.

Americans deserve to see @realDonaldTrump's tax returns immediately. If he won't be transparent on this, how could we trust his presidency?  Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) May 11, 2016

Opposing @realDonaldTrump is about putting principle over power, a virtue some in Washington are too quick to abandon. #NeverTrump  Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) May 7, 2016

Andrew Bahl contributed to this report.
By Kizito Makoye DAR ES SALAAM (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Ten years after losing their homes and grazing lands in a "brutal" eviction from a vast Tanzanian wetland, a group of more than 600 farmers have won their battle for compensation. The livestock keepers and their families were forcibly removed from their villages in the Ihefu Basin, in the country's southern highlands, under a government program to protect the wetlands that act as a natural buffer for the Great Ruaha River. The river, in the Mbeya region, is the country's major source of hydro-electricity. However seasonal drying of flows has slowed energy production and, in 2006, the government moved to expand the Ruaha National Park to protect water and local wetlands, reducing the area available for farming and grazing. According to Hellen-Kijo Bisimba, executive director of the Dar es Salaam-based Legal and Human Rights Centre, the eviction of local residents was conducted by heavily armed police, game wardens and anti-poaching unit officers, and resulted in both the loss of farmland and the death of livestock. Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said last week that compensation payments to the farmers formed part of his government's plan to resolve long-running land and water conflicts between the state and local communities. "I have directed respective regional authorities to conduct a thorough assessment and compensate all residents whose land had been reallocated for other purposes," he said, speaking at a meeting with the regional commissioners of Mbeya, Njombe and Iringa. "Land is the property of the state, and when the government acquires it for other purposes, it should not be cause for any disputes," he said. TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE? Tanzania National Parks Chief Conservationist Vitalis Urulea confirmed that an initial payment of 362 million Tanzanian shillings ($181,000) had been set aside for the villagers. Amos Makala, Mbeya regional commissioner, said all residents of Ihefu who lost land and property would be compensated fairly, with the amount paid to be based on the size of their loss. But community rights activists said the compensation fund is unlikely to be adequate, considering the suffering experienced by the villagers and the decade-long delay in securing justice. "I don't think this compensation means anything to these residents - most of them lost a large number of cattle, crops and even food stocks," said Andrea Ntelemo, a community leader in Mbarali District. Farming and livestock have been a major source of livelihood for residents of the sprawling wetlands for decades. However, drought has led to conflict between villagers who rely on local water for their animals and crops, and a government committed to guaranteeing national energy supplies. The Ruaha river contributes to electricity generation at the nearby Mtera and Kidatu hydropower facilities. Tanesco, the state-owned power utility, estimates that hydropower plants produce about 35 percent of the country's electricity needs, with gas and oil-fired plants making up most of the difference. HOUSES BURNED, LIVESTOCK LOST In 2011, a report submitted to the Tanzanian Human Rights Council on behalf of indigenous and herder communities documented the forceful eviction of "large numbers" of pastoralists and their livestock from the Usangu Plains over a number of years. It found that eight other villages in Mbarali District were subsumed and made part of the Ruaha National Park on environmental grounds, despite a lack of scientific evidence to justify the eviction. The local Sangu and Sukuma communities were first allowed to settle and graze animals on the Ihefu wetlands in the 1950s. According to a 2014 study by Iringa University, herders evicted from the area when the park was expanded were forced to find new and unfamiliar ways of earning a living, including horticulture and pig farming. The report found that the Ihefu evictions resulted in the loss of livelihoods, family breakups and food insecurity, as crops were destroyed and animals starved to death. Godfrey Massay, a land investment expert at Arusha-based charity Tanzania Natural Resource Forum, applauded the government move to compensate Ihefu villagers but said it was too late. The law stipulates landholders must be paid compensation within six months, he noted. "My biggest concern is that this compensation is not timely as required by the law," he said. Villagers, Massay added, are also often poorly reimbursed because the institutions acquiring land are the same ones responsible for valuation, surveying and compensation - a major conflict of interest. Residents who were evicted from Ihefu told the Thomson Reuters Foundation they were unsure about the compensation plan. "I think it would be wise for the government to allocate us with new land to go on with cattle-keeping instead of doing petty trade, something I am not used to," said Hamza Lutuli, a former resident of Ihefu who lost 78 cattle. Nimrod Lemweli, who also lived in Ihefu, said that 10 years after the evictions, a fair assessment of what was lost would be difficult. "What kind of evaluation are they going to carry out? If the houses were burned down and crops destroyed, how is it possible for them to fairly compensate us? I doubt it," he said. Nasoro Malyatabu, who now lives in the neighboring district of Chunya, said the government should also consider the emotional distress people suffered from what he described as a "brutal" eviction. "I want to be reunited with my own family - money will not buy me love," he said. (Reporting by Kizito Makoye, editing by Paola Totaro and Megan Rowling; 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)
Add veteran newswoman and former Good Morning America executive producer Shelley Ross to the list of women who have claimed they were sexually harassed by former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes.

In a lengthy essay for the Daily Beast posted Monday, Ross writes that Alies once proposed a "sexual alliance" with her. Ailes recently stepped down from Fox News, the network he founded, after being accused of sexual harassment by numerous women.

The Ross incident happened in the early 1980s when she was in talks to join NBC's The Tomorrow Show and met with Ailes, the show's executive producer, for lunch after accepting the job offer, she wrote.

"'When did you first discover you were sexy?' Roger began. My head suddenly dropped like a marionette and I could no longer make eye contact," Ross wrote. "I could only manage to stare at my feet as I answered, "'I am finding this conversation very embarrassing.'"

Ross said she hoped Ailes would pick up on her being uncomfortable, but he pressed on, she wrote.

"Roger was very persistent as he continued to explain how much he believed in loyalty and how much he believed the best expression of that loyalty comes in the form of a 'sexual alliance,'" Ross wrote. "This was not a romantic or flirtatious conversation. 'Predatory' is not quite accurate either. Roger expressed a true philosophical conviction that this would be mutually beneficial for us both, that he was looking for a partnership and it was somewhat special that he had chosen me."

After she once again spurned his advances, Ailes, Ross claims, "suggested I hold off with business affairs."

Ross went to the NBC lawyers and Ailes apologized, she said, writing of her next meeting with a groveling Ailes: "'Please forgive me, forgive me, this must be middle age craziness. I can't believe what I did, how I spoke to you. Please come to work for me and you can be assured there's one problem we'll never have. You still are the best candidate for the job,'" Ailes told Ross then, she claims. "We spoke at length and even though I knew he had three high-powered attorneys with a gun to his head, I believed he was genuinely sorry."

Story continues

Ross and AIles would go on to know each other for many years, she wrote.

"Roger cheered each of my promotions, then consoled me when I was pushed out of my executive suite at ABC News after 17 great years," Ross said. "During the summer of 2012, Roger phoned me to say he was recommending me for a big job - to run CNN. (The job went to Jeff Zucker, who then quickly took over the job of the man who hired him.) That same year, when Roger learned I was battling cancer, he sent me a giant basket from Rao's containing six pastas and six different sauces. He enclosed a personal note to my husband that if he (Roger) could figure out how to cook the contents of the package, so could David. We had not worked together in 31 years. It is difficult to reconcile the two Rogers."

Ross concluded her piece, in which she spoke about other times she was sexually harassed in the workplace throughout her career, not just by Ailes, by recommending what Fox News' next steps should be in this important matter.

"Fox News should take the lead in a kind of sexual harassment Truth and Reconciliation project. I'll help organize it," Ross wrote. "It would be offered as the one chance in a lifetime to let all victims at Fox News tell their stories, either in writing or on tape, without coming under attack. At the same time, it would give perpetrators and enablers an opportunity to confess and seek forgiveness without retribution."

Read more: Roger Ailes Resigns as Fox News Chief After Sexual Harassment Accusations
BELGRADE, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Dusan Vujovic, a former World Bank economist, will stay on as finance minister in Serbia's new government, a signal of Belgrade's commitment to reforms laid out in a 1.2 billion euro ($1.33 billion) loan deal with the IMF.

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic made clear that Vujovic, 65, would retain the finance portfolio in a list of 19 ministers submitted to parliament on Monday.

A former World Bank economist in Ukraine and at its headquarters in Washington, Vujovic was appointed finance minister in 2014 and has been involved in final negotiations on the 3-year loan deal with the International Monetary Fund.

Vucic and an alliance led by his Serbian Progressive Party won an April 24 election with 48.24 percent of the vote, securing a comfortable majority of 131 deputies in the Balkan republic's 250-seat parliament.

Although the result would allow his alliance to rule alone, Vucic wants a coalition partner to share responsibility for unpopular reforms, including a downsizing of the bloated public sector, and for negotiations on European Union membership.

Vucic called an early election to solidify his grip on power and secure a new four-year mandate to lead Serbia into the EU by 2020, as tentatively planned. He is due to present his programme to the parliament at a session on Tuesday.

($1 = 0.9021 euros) (Reporting by Ivana Sekularac; editing by Mark Heinrich)
Westeros is coming to a concert venue near you. In order to tide over fans before season seven of Game of Thrones premieres next summer, series composer Ramin Djawadi announced Monday that he is going on tour with a full orchestra, choir and high-tech visuals in tow across America. He will play the greatest hits from Game of Thrones accompanied by scenes from the show, with some footage shot exclusively for the tour.

The first concert, which Djawadi describes as an immersive visual experience, will be held on Feb. 15, 2017 in Kansas City, Mo., before stopping in cities like New York and Los Angeles. Tickets go on sale Aug. 13 on the Live Nation website. TIME spoke to Djawadi about the tour and how he dreams up the music that keeps bringing audiences to tears, from Daenerys victories to Hodors death.

Game of Thrones score has to elicit emotions (often of sadness or horror) from its audience. How do you think hearing the music in a stadium surrounded by fellow fans will affect concertgoers.



The idea behind this is to showcase how the music enhances those experiences for the audience. Theres some great, big exciting moments, like for example Mesa, which was when Daenerys frees all the slaves and people will remember that very uplifting moment, but then we will perform some of these heartbreaking moments with real musicians. Thats always very special too because when you see live musicians perform music they put their own emotion into it, and you see a violinist and how their body moves. I think thats so powerful.

True, like people were very uplifted at the end of season six when Daenerys set out on her ships to Westeros. There were no words in that scene, just the visual of her on that ship and the music. How do you bring the audience to that emotional place?

That was the first time in the history of the Game of Thrones score we used the piano. That really took people by surprise, and it was a pleasant surprise. There was really a lot of chatter about this particular piece of music. That was incredible to see.

Story continues

Another emotional musical moment for Thrones fans has been The Rains of Castamere in the Red Wedding episode. George R.R. Martin had actually written lyrics for that song in the book, and some fans had imagined their own versions when they were reading the novels. Did you you feel particular pressure to execute that song?

Youre right: the book people maybe already had a certain expectation of what the sound could be or what the music should be like. The Rains of Castamere, and then also theres another piece, The Bear and the Maiden Fair, both of those pieces had existing lyrics where I was sort of restricted. I had to find notes that fit to these preexisting lyrics. Its definitely a different approach of writing a melody.

For The Rains of Castamere, that was written before I had even started on the next season. That was something when [creators] David [Benioff] and Dan [Weiss] called me up in between seasons and said, Hey we have this song. Its going to play a very important role down the road, and we need a theme for this. Usually I write with the visuals onscreen, but I just wrote it with the lyrics and no visuals attached yet.

Do you have a favorite character to write music for?

Daenerys has had these big moments because the dragons are getting bigger and bigger and therefore her power is getting bigger and so she has these epic scenes. Her scenes definitely have been a lot of fun to write. I really enjoyed just using the big choir and full orchestra.

But it varies a lot. What I like about Game of Thrones is that theres such a wide range. We have everything from very small just solo instrument pieces, just the solo violin or solo cello and then we go all the way to these bigger action moments.

There are some really unique instruments and sounds in Thrones. How do you come up with them?

Whats so great with Game of Thrones is that there are so many characters and theyre so many locations and that its just very inspiring. The visuals when were north of the Wall, when were with Daenerys in more of a desert settingall that triggers for me to use certain instruments or to write in a certain way.

Whats exciting about this concert is that people will be able to see some of the instruments Ive been using on the show, some solo instruments like for example a duduk, which is like an Armenian woodwind instrument or a dulcimer. Theres all these instruments that people might have never seen. Some of them are so specific that you cant really use them on any other project but because its a fantasy world, but still very contemporary, musically we can create our own sound.

Whats been the emotionally hardest piece to write?

Its hard to say, but the Hodor scene comes to mind. Like I mentioned earlier, I have to watch it over and over and Im in my own world here so I get very emotional myself. That was very hard to write because I, just like many other people, like him so much, and here I am writing the sad music on top of it.

It can be a very dark show. As you said you watch these sad scenes over and over again. Can it take a toll?

Sometimes David and Dan will laugh because when I play a certain piece of music that are more happy theyll go, Ramin, wait. Did we hear a major chord there? Are we being happy? We laughed about that because youre right, it is so dark and theres so many people dying left and right.

Arya, for example has had, even though theres a lot of bad things that have happened in her life, but she has a couple of pieces that are very uplifting and were using the dulcimer for her. Its this hammered string instrument that has a center sound and its kind of a pingy sound. On the latest soundtrack its called Needle, and that for example is a very uplifting piece. There have been other very emotional moments like for Season 3 I believe when John and Ygritte end up on the wall and they kiss and for the first time they look over the wall.
When it comes to landing a job in the tech industry, 15-year-old Enrique Avina may have an edge on the competition. He spent the summer participating in a program for high schoolers at Facebook.

"You see all the tech companies on TV and on news stations, but it doesn't really become real until you see it in person and live it," he says. "That's kind of what happened in my experience."

The Facebook program, a partnership with nonprofit Foundation for a College Education, welcomes a small group of high schoolers living near the company's Menlo Park, California, headquarters for six weeks and is geared toward students from underprivileged backgrounds.

[Take five steps to find an internship during high school.]

Facebook is not the only big-name tech company with programs for teens -- similar opportunities exist at Google and Microsoft. These programs may be something for teens who are eligible to think about for next summer. Applications are typically available each winter.

Ashley Copenhaver, 18, who participated in Google's Computer Science Institute this summer, says the program increased her tech skills. "I didn't really have much computer science background before this, so this kind of provided me with a crash course in a bunch of different programming languages."

Juan Salazar, public policy manager at Facebook, says the company's program allows students to see what the technology industry looks like and that there are jobs for people other than engineers.

This year, students were matched with a mentor and worked on a team at Facebook that may or may not have been technologically focused, like communications or finance, though all students participated in a coding class.

In the coding class, Avina worked on creating a mobile app that makes grocery shopping easier, says the rising Woodside High School junior. He was interested in coding before the program, but says the experience has fueled his career plans. He wants to be a software developer.



Story continues

[Find out how Bill Nye the Science Guy suggests keeping teens interested in STEM.]

While the Facebook program is limited to students who live in the area, Salazar would recommend students nationwide to learn about the tech industry.

"The technology industry is really booming not only in Silicon Valley, here in California, but you are seeing it blossom in Boston, you are seeing it really come of age up in Seattle. Austin is another area," he says.

In the meantime, parents can help teens learn about careers in computer science and in other areas of the tech industry using the following teacher recommendations.

-- Complete online lessons: Students can complete interactive lessons through Code.org and the Khan Academy, says Steve Svetlik, a math and computer science teacher at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

That allows students to get exposure to computer science and develop computing skills valuable for all careers.

-- Learn about careers online: The Association for Computing Machinery's careers website is particularly good for learning about different computer science-related degrees and what careers they lead to, said Alfred Thompson II, a computer science teacher at Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua, New Hampshire, via email.

He also recommends videos on the topic from the University of Washington and the Bureau of Labor Statistics webpage on computer and information technology occupations.

-- Seek local opportunities: Internships for high schoolers with big-name companies can be competitive, said Thompson. Students could look for opportunities with smaller, local enterprises.

But students could still participate in programs held by top companies, he said. Both Apple and Microsoft offer programs in their retail stores, for instance.

Have something of interest to share? Send your news to us at highschoolnotes@usnews.com.

Alexandra Pannoni is an education Web producer at U.S. News. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at apannoni@usnews.com.
* Regional interior ministers complain about co-operation

* Facebook gave "round-the-clock" help following recent attacks

By Caroline Copley

BERLIN, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Facebook rejected on Monday claims made by Germany's state authorities that it was reluctant to co-operate with them on criminal investigations, saying many of the requests it received for user data were incorrectly formulated.

Several regional interior ministers have complained that the social media group is hesitant to respond to requests for data and have called on the Federal Justice Ministry to introduce new laws.

But Facebook said it had provided "round the clock assistance" to the authorities in Bavaria following a spate of violent attacks in Munich, Wuerzburg and Ansbach last month.

A spokeswoman for the Justice Ministry said it was examining whether there was a need to change the law or whether there was a problem with its implementation.

A recent spate of attacks in Germany has highlighted the importance security agencies give to working with social networks to uncover possible links to militant groups.

Police said the Ansbach bomber had six Facebook accounts including one held under a false identity. Traces of an online messaging conversation found on his phone also suggest he was influenced by an unknown person up until the time of the attack, Bavaria's interior minister said.

Germany's spy chief called on Monday for a more intensive exchange of information between social networks and security agencies in the fight against terrorism.

"Social networks are an important communication method for jihadists. Therefore closer co-operation between the security agencies and the operators of social networks is necessary," Hans-Georg Maassen, the head of the BfV domestic intelligence agency, told the Rheinische Post newspaper.

Facebook produced data for 42 percent of requests in Germany relating to criminal cases in the second half of 2015, compared with 54 percent in France and 82 percent in Britain. It said it rejected requests that were overly broad or vague.

Story continues

The company said it worked with law enforcement officials to help them use their systems, but said there were still a large number of officers that didn't know how to make a successful request.

"Along with our points of contact in Law Enforcement we work tirelessly to raise awareness of the correct procedures," a Facebook spokeswoman said.

A spokesman for the Interior Ministry said co-operation between Facebook and the BKA federal police agency and the BfV was good.

"Conversations are constructive and co-operation is also fruitful as far as we can see," he said, adding they were not in a position to judge how well Facebook worked with the state authorities.

(Reporting by Caroline Copley; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
By Caroline Copley

BERLIN (Reuters) - Facebook rejected on Monday claims made by Germany's state authorities that it was reluctant to co-operate with them on criminal investigations, saying many of the requests it received for user data were incorrectly formulated.

Several regional interior ministers have complained that the social media group is hesitant to respond to requests for data and have called on the Federal Justice Ministry to introduce new laws.

But Facebook said it had provided "round the clock assistance" to the authorities in Bavaria following a spate of violent attacks in Munich, Wuerzburg and Ansbach last month.

A spokeswoman for the Justice Ministry said it was examining whether there was a need to change the law or whether there was a problem with its implementation.

A recent spate of attacks in Germany has highlighted the importance security agencies give to working with social networks to uncover possible links to militant groups.

Police said the Ansbach bomber had six Facebook accounts including one held under a false identity. Traces of an online messaging conversation found on his phone also suggest he was influenced by an unknown person up until the time of the attack, Bavaria's interior minister said.

Germany's spy chief called on Monday for a more intensive exchange of information between social networks and security agencies in the fight against terrorism.

"Social networks are an important communication method for jihadists. Therefore closer co-operation between the security agencies and the operators of social networks is necessary," Hans-Georg Maassen, the head of the BfV domestic intelligence agency, told the Rheinische Post newspaper.

Facebook produced data for 42 percent of requests in Germany relating to criminal cases in the second half of 2015, compared with 54 percent in France and 82 percent in Britain. It said it rejected requests that were overly broad or vague.

The company said it worked with law enforcement officials to help them use their systems, but said there were still a large number of officers that didn't know how to make a successful request.

Story continues

"Along with our points of contact in Law Enforcement we work tirelessly to raise awareness of the correct procedures," a Facebook spokeswoman said.

A spokesman for the Interior Ministry said co-operation between Facebook and the BKA federal police agency and the BfV was good.

"Conversations are constructive and co-operation is also fruitful as far as we can see," he said, adding they were not in a position to judge how well Facebook worked with the state authorities.

(Reporting by Caroline Copley; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
On the last day of the Republican National Convention, Ivanka Trump argued during her speech that her father, presidential nominee Donald Trump, would support working mothers.

"As president, my father would change the labor laws that were put in place at a time when women were not a significant portion of the workforce," Ivanka, clad in one of her own designs, said. "He will focus on making quality childcare affordable and accessible for all."

She continued: "Policies that allow women with children to thrive should not be novelties. They should be the norm."

Read more: Ivanka Trump Wears Dress From Own Label to Introduce Dad Donald at RNC

But was Donald's oldest daughter getting ahead of herself when she addressed the crowd in Ohio?

The Washington Post reports that an anonymous fashion designer for the G-III Apparel Group (which licenses the Ivanka Trump line) claims that the company allows only 12 weeks of unpaid leave (a legal minimum under the The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 for businesses with at least 50 workers).

"It's hard enough emotionally to come back to work right after having a baby," the designer told the Post. "But to know you're returning to a company that doesn't value your choice to be a mother makes it harder."

In March, Ivanka told Business Insider that her company offers eight weeks of paid time off for new mothers, adding, "I think parental leave is enormously important - and it's a personal decision. Part of building a company whose goal is to empower women in all aspects of life is that I've given my team some leeway to determine what parental leave looks like for each of them individually."

The Ivanka Trump brand touts itself as "the ultimate destination for Women Who Work," with the accompanying hashtag #WomenWhoWork. She's even releasing a new book - titled Women Who Work: Rewriting the Rules for Success - that centers around that motto.

Story continues

G-III did not immediately respond to The Hollywood Reporter's request for comment.

Read more: Ivanka Trump's RNC Dress Isn't Available Yet
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a motion in opposition to Mark Boals lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order that would prevent the Oscar-winning screenwriter from having to turn over to a military court taped interviews he conducted with Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who faces an Army court martial for desertion.

The Army has notified Boal that it intends to subpoena the tapes, but the screenwriter filed suit in federal court last month saying that such a subpoena violates his right to gather and publish newsworthy material under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, the common law and state constitutional and statutory provisions.

The Justice Department, however, says that Boals objections should be heard by a military court and not by a federal judge. The relief that Boal seeks, the DOJ said in a motion filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, is not just extraordinaryit is also unprecedented. (Boal)asks this court to intercede in the process of an independent, coordinate court  a military court-martial  and to enjoin that court from issuing or enforcing a subpoena even before that court has had the opportunity to consider (his) objections to such process in the first instance.

RelatedMark Boal Decries Military Fishing Expedition In Bowe Bergdahl Case

The DOJ said that it is not aware of a court that has so intruded into court-martial proceedings before, and [Boal] identifies no reason why this court should be the first to do so now. It also said that there are numerous precedents that require the court to stay its hand so that Boal can present his objections to the court-martial. That court is obligated  just like federal and state courts  to protect individuals constitutional rights, and it was designed by Congress to do so.

Boal conducted 25 hours of taped interviews with Bergdahl after he was freed by the Taliban after five years of captivity. Boal, who won the screenwriting Oscar  and shared the Best Picture Oscar  for The Hurt Locker, says he would suffer irreparable injury to his career and reputation if hes forced to turn over confidential information he obtained during the interviews, parts of which aired on the Serial podcast, which is sponsored by WBEZ, the National Public Radio station in Chicago.

Story continues

Dozens of media organizations, including the Washington Post and all the major news networks, recently filed a motion with the court supporting Boals position.

Related stories

Anthony Mackie Reunites With 'Hurt Locker's Kathryn Bigelow & Mark Boal In Detroit Riots Pic

Media Groups Support Mark Boal's Refusal To Turn Over Bergdahl Tapes to Military Prosecutors

Mark Boal Decries Military "Fishing Expedition" In Bowe Bergdahl Case
By Mike Stone

Aug 7 (Reuters) - Fidelity National Information Services Inc's stock could climb up to 25 percent in the coming year as the U.S. financial services technology company grows its business and pays down debt, the weekly business newspaper Barron's reported.

The business has grown following the Jacksonville, Florida-based company's $5.1 billion acquisition of competitor SunGuard last year but labored under an increased debt burden, the business weekly said.

The newspaper said if Fidelity National followed through with its trend of debt repayment, it could shed $1.2 billion of its $11 billion plus debt load by the end of 2017 and lift shares.

Fidelity National had a market capitalization of $25.9 billion as of the end of trading on Friday.

Founded in 1968 as Systematics, Fidelity National provides financial technology services to facilitate payment processing and banking solutions. The company has more than 20,000 clients over 130 countries in a range of industries including banks, asset managers, traders, custodians, treasurers, third-party administrators and clearing agents according to its website.

(Reporting by Mike Stone in New York; Editing by Bill Trott)
The water crisis in Flint, Mich., that exposed an estimated 8,000 children to lead and other toxins could amount to almost $400 million in future costs to the city and thousands of cumulative years of poor health for those affected, according to a new estimate released Monday.

Peter Muennig, a professor of public health at Columbia University, calculates that the elevated blood lead levels found in more than 8,000 Flint children since 2014 will lead to $395 million in social costs based on the likelihood of lower IQ levels for those exposed, leading to lost economic productivity, reliance on welfare and costs to the criminal justice system. Muennig estimates those losses will amount to 18,000 fewer healthy years for those exposed.

Its a huge cost even if its spread over a large group of people, Muennig says.

Read more: The 5 Most Important Water Crisis Emails Released by Michigans Governor

Lead exposure in children ages five and under can cause severe neurological problems later in life and has been shown to decrease IQ rates and lead to a host of behavioral problems and an increase in criminal activity for those affected. The estimate, which is not part of a peer-reviewed paper but will appear in the Letters section of the August 2016 issue of the journal Health Affairs, is based on what Muennig calls a conservative estimate of $50,000 in lifetime economic losses for every exposed child.

In April 2014, Flint switched its water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River to save money but did not properly treat the water, which corroded the citys aging pipes and allowed lead to leach into the system. The city made the switch in an effort to save roughly $5 million.

Read more: Flints Water Crisis Explained in 3 GIFs

In an investigation into responsibility for the water crisis, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has filed criminal charges against nine city and state employees, including six current and former employees on July 29. Prosecutors say employees at the states Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Health and Human Services appeared to work in conjunction to cover up evidence that Flints water was not being treated with corrosion control and potential signs that residents were being exposed to lead. The attorney generals office, which also filed criminal charges against two companies in June that were contracted to advise the city on its water system, says additional charges are possible.

The water in Flint is still unsafe to drink without a filter.
By Julie Steenhuysen (Reuters) - Florida health officials are investigating a new non-travel- related case of Zika virus in Palm Beach County, but it is not yet clear whether the person contracted the virus from local mosquitoes or from a recent trip to Miami. Governor Rick Scott said in a statement on Monday that the infected person recently traveled to Miami-Dade County, which is experiencing an outbreak of Zika caused by local mosquito transmission. So far, 16 people have been infected in the Miami area. The Palm Beach case brings the state's tally to 17. An investigation was under way to determine how the person in Palm Beach County became infected. The governor said the state still believed active transmission of the virus were confined to a one-square-mile (260-hectare) area in Miami-Dade County that includes Miami's Wynwood district. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning pregnant women to avoid this area in Miami because Zika has been tied to birth defects, including microcephaly, which can case severe developmental problems. With the school year approaching, Scott said he had ordered the department of health to work with the state's department of education "to ensure students, parents, educators and district leaders have all the resources and guidance they need to combat the Zika virus." The continuing Zika outbreak was first detected last year in Brazil, where it has been linked to more than 1,700 cases of the microcephaly, and has since spread rapidly through the Americas. Its arrival in the continental United States has been widely anticipated. (Reporting by Colleen Jenkins; Editing by Bernard Orr and Jonathan Oatis)
Donald Trump touted lower taxes and he doubled down on renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement [NAFTA] as he unveiled his economic plan on Monday in Detroit.

Despite being the partys nominee, some members of the GOP still arent on board with Trumps stance on trade. However former Nucor CEO and a Trump campaign trade advisor, Dan DiMicco, said the plan is on point during an interview on the FOX Business Network.

His speech today was one that really put forward a vision for us becoming a more globally competitive country when it comes to doing business with the world, he said. And the four areas he highlightedall of them have equal importance. Taxes, trade, regulation and with respect to energy.

Previously, Trump announced a four-point plan regarding trade with China, calling the country a currency manipulator.

Weve been in a trade war with China for 20 years. Except, theres been an undeclared trade war where China has declared war on us and we have not responded. During that period of time our GDP has suffered, probably on average 2% less than it would have been. Weve not had the formation of 20 million jobs that wouldve happened. And the massive trade cheating has to stop, DiMicco said, adding, free trade only works if people play by the rules.

The former Nucor CEO said trade is one area that is most important to Trump, especially during his bid for the White House.

This is something hes passionate about and its not a Johnny come lately type of thing.

Related Articles
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 8, 2016 / Fountain Asset Corp. (FA.V) ("Fountain") announces that its client company, Advantagewon Inc. ("Advantagewon") has closed a $5 million credit facility with a Toronto based fund.

Advantagewon's financing portfolio has experienced monumental growth since inception. In January 2014 the company's portfolio sat at approximately $38k, and since then has grown at a 560% annual growth rate reaching a $3.3 Million portfolio as of June 2016. Further, the portfolio has grown from $2 Million at the end of 2015 to over $3.3 Million as of June 2016 - a 50% jump in just seven months, a growth pattern that is continuing to be realized as more auto service companies become aware of Advantagewon's financial services.

"Advantagewon offers financing through dealerships to repair consumer vehicles, the only available repair financing service that can be completed within seconds online without any credit check. Dealers are easily sold on offering the Advantagewon financing to their customers, as it allows them to keep the business they otherwise have to turn away," said Jason Ewart, CEO of Fountain. He added, "We are happy the closing of this $5 million credit facility which will continue to support the growth rate of Advantagewon through 2016 and into 2017.

Abou t Advantagewon Inc.

For further information, please contact the founder, Mark Wilson, at 1-866-964-7192 or visit Advantagewon's website at www.advantagewon.com.

About Fountain Asset Corp.

Fountain Asset Corp. is a merchant bank which provides equity financing, bridge loan services (asset back/collateralized financing) and strategic financial consulting services to companies across many industries such as oil & gas, mining, real estate, manufacturing, retail, financial services, technology and biotechnology. For further information, please contact Jason G. Ewart at (416) 488-7760 or visit Fountain Asset Corp.'s website at www.fountainassetcorp.com.

Story continues

Neither TSX Venture Exchange Inc. 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: Fountain Asset Corp.
George Bush is urging Republicans to vote for Donald Trump.

No, not that one. And not that one, either.

George P. Bush  the Texas land commissioner, eldest son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, nephew of former President George W. Bush and grandson of former President George H.W. Bush  is breaking with the rest of the Bush family in supporting the Republican presidential nominee.

From Team Bush, its a bitter pill to swallow, George P. Bush said at a meeting of Texas GOP activists over the weekend, the Texas Tribune reported. But you know what? You get back up and you help the man that won, and you make sure that we stop Hillary Clinton.

While short of a formal endorsement of Trump, the comments are the closest a Bush has come to issuing one.

I know a lot of us in this room had dogs in the fight in the primary, George P. Bush, who serves as the Texas GOPs victory chairman, told the audience. But you know what? Its time to put it aside.

George P. Bush (Photo: LM Otero/AP)

Jeb Bush, who dropped his bid for the Republican nomination in February, has been a vocal critic of Trump throughout the campaign. Last month, he predicted supporters of the real estate mogul will wind up feeling betrayed if Trump becomes president.

There isnt going to be a wall built, Jeb Bush said in a recent MSNBC interview. And Mexicos not going to pay for it. And theres not going to be a ban on Muslims.  People are going to be deeply frustrated, and the divides will grow in our country.

Sally Bradshaw, Jebs longtime adviser, announced last week that if the presidential race in Florida is close, shed vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton. Jebs brother Marvin said last month that hed vote for Libertarian Gary Johnson.

And none of the Bushes attended last months Republican National Convention in Cleveland. The absence of the two most recent GOP presidents was particularly striking.

George P. Bush became the fourth generation of Bushes to hold public office when he was elected land commissioner in 2014.

The 40-year-old lawyer and former high school teacher was the only Bush to win his first election.
From Esquire

Listen, we do not condone violence under any circumstances. But you have to admit this is great: last weekend, George Zimmerman was holding court in a restaurant in Sanford, Florida, called Gators Riverside, bragging about having killed Trayvon Martin - as one does if one is a monster - and got straight-up punched in the face for it. According to Orlando ABC affiliate WFTV:

Witnesses said they overheard Zimmerman say to someone, "I love your tattoos. My name is George Zimmerman, you know, that guy who killed Trayvon Martin?" A witness said Zimmerman also showed his identification card.

At least he led with a compliment. But apparently, a large man within earshot wasn't having it. An unnamed suspect approached Zimmerman's table and asked "You're bragging about that?" We do not yet know what transpired in the immediate aftermath, but we must picture Zimmerman saying something along the lines of "Yyeah II mean, see" before becoming the recipient of what we can only imagine was the most satisfying right hook in human history.

Zimmerman immediately called 911:

911 dispatcher: "What started the argument?" Zimmerman: "He recognized me. He told me he was going to kill me he told me he'd (expletive) shoot me and he punched me in the face." Dispatcher: "Is he still there?" Zimmerman: "Yup. He said he's going to kill me. You need to send like three or four cops."

[contentlinks align="left" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related Story" customtitles="George Zimmerman Postponed the Gun Auction" customimages="" content="article.44883"]

Imagine how upsetting that must have been for George Zimmerman! He's just there minding his own business, meaning nobody any particular harm, in a place where he had previously felt comfortable, and then someone just lashes out violently at him! Good thing Zimmerman can take the full support of the Sanford Police Department for granted! The chances of Zimmerman even briefly considering the irony is very, very close to zero.

Again, violence is never the answer. But your next drink and plate of fully-loaded potato skins is on us, Unnamed Suspect.
Berlin (AFP) - A hoped-for export bonanza has failed to materialise a year after a deal to lift international sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme, a German industry association told AFP Monday.

"Despite increased foreign trade, there is a certain disillusionment," Volker Treier, chief economist at the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), said.

German exports to Iran had increased 11 percent in the first four months of 2016 to 890 million euros ($985 million), and likely stood at over one billion euros in the first six months, Treier said.

That leaves a lot of ground to make up if firms are to match DIHK forecasts of 5.0 billion euros of exports annually within three years of the deal, mounting to 10 billion euros within five years.

"There is definitely headroom for expansion," Treier acknowledged, although he rejected any suggestion that German firms might be disappointed with performance so far.

Growth could be even more vigorous in the second half of the year, he went on.

In the long-negotiated deal struck last July, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China agreed to lift some economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for the Islamic republic curbing its nuclear programme.

German carmakers and machine-tool builders were among the firms most avid to leap into the new market, where their products had been sought-after rarities until the deal came into force in January.

"Of course the expectations were high that trade with Iran would return to where it was in the old days," Treier said, but "we're far removed from that".

With many Western banks still reluctant to issue loans for deals involving Iran -- fearing to fall foul of continuing US sanctions against Tehran's financial sector -- cash to fuel the business is hard to find, the DIHK said.

But some German household names are already making inroads into Iran's economy, with Daimler planning a factory to build Mercedes-Benz cars with two local partners, while Siemens has licensed gas turbines and power station generators to Iran's Mapna.
Frankfurt (AFP) - German industrial production rebounded in June, official data showed Monday, but analysts warned that the expansion won't redeem a sluggish second quarter for Europe's biggest economy.

Industrial output posted growth of 0.8 percent in June compared with the previous month, preliminary data adjusted for price, calendar and seasonal effects from the federal statistics office Destatis showed.

It was a slightly weaker performance than expected ahead of Friday's quarterly GDP growth announcement, as analysts surveyed by Factset had predicted 0.9 percent growth.

Growth in June meant a turnaround from May's unexpected 0.9 percent shrinkage, which Destatis on Monday revised down from the preliminary figure of 1.3 percent.

The latest release completes a picture of a 1.0 percent decline in production over the second quarter, the economy ministry said in a statement.

June's increase "comes too late to make a disappointing quarter for German industry a good one," economist Carsten Brzeski at ING Diba bank wrote.

But the figures "take away some fears of a hard landing of the German economy in the second quarter," he went on.

"GDP will post only a small gain at best" based on the production figures and other key indicators, Ralph Solveen of Commerzbank predicted.

Looking to individual sectors, manufacturing saw production growth of 1.5 percent while construction shrank by 0.5 percent.

Analysts noted that manufacturing growth in June was unsurprising, as May saw a large number of public holidays cut into output -- especially in the automotive sector.

Meanwhile, another weak showing for construction confirmed that slowing production over the second quarter was "largely traceable to delays due to bad weather in the construction sector," the economy ministry said in a statement.

Looking ahead, observers saw little prospect of a resurgent German economy over the second half of the year.

Story continues

June figures showed little impact from Britain's vote to leave the European Union on 23 June.

But Brexit-related uncertainty "should leave some marks on German industrial activity over the coming months," ING's Brzeski said.

The economy ministry predicted that "given the restrained development of new industrial orders, a moderate upwards trend is to be expected in the coming months."

Rather, "we should expect a sideways movement in industrial production," said Solveen at Commerzbank, "and therefore sluggish growth of the overall economy".
By Andrea Shalal COLOGNE, Germany (Reuters) - Germany and the Netherlands will in October test joint operations of their Patriot air and missile defense systems in what could be a model for multilateral deployments to Poland or the Baltic states in coming years, a top German general said. Brigadier General Michael Gschossmann said joint operations enabled by the new approach could help NATO reassure Baltic member states and Poland, which are clamoring for more defense after Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region. Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia say they fear Russian aggression should Moscow's relations with the U.S.-led Atlantic alliance deteriorate further. The Baltic states are linked to the rest of NATO only by a narrow strip of land running between Belarus, a staunch ally of Russia, and Kaliningrad, the heavily militarised Russian coastal enclave. The October test will validate a new joint concept of operations for air and missile defense developed by Germany and the Netherlands over the past year, the first of its kind in Europe, Gschossmann, commander of ground-based units for Germany's Air Force, told Reuters in an interview. More than 40 interceptors will be fired during an exercise at a NATO site in Crete in early October that will include 300 German and 100 Dutch soldiers, as well as 10 U.S. soldiers and a U.S. Aegis destroyer, according to German and U.S. officials. After the test, German and Dutch military officials plan to declare their Bi-national Air & Missile Defence Task Force ready for combat, and will offer it to NATO for future deployments. Baltic state officials welcomed U.S. deployment of a Patriot battery to eastern Europe during a series of exercises earlier this summer, but the symbolic value would be greater if the deployment involved more than one country, Gschossmann said. "REASSURANCE" "We could offer even more reassurance and send a political signal if we took a mixed task force with German, Dutch and U.S. Patriot systems - a purely defensive asset - and set it somewhere in Poland or the Baltic states." Dutch, German and U.S. Patriot missile systems were rolled out separately in Turkey for two years from January 2013, where they helped protect fellow alliance member Ankara's air space against the possibility of missile attacks from war-torn Syria. The new German-Dutch concept of operations uses the Surface to Air Missile Operations Centre, which was initially developed by Airbus Group SE for the German Air Force. The SAMOC system can now manage all air defense equipment operated by NATO members, although Soviet-style surface-to-air missile systems still used by Poland and other eastern European states as a legacy of their Communist past cannot be fully automated and requires a human in the loop. The German-Dutch air and missile defense cooperation, signed in January and known as Project APOLLO, is part of a broader series of steps that have closely bound the two countries' navies and ground forces together in recent years. Gschossman said Germany and the Netherlands also plan to jointly develop an air defense system operated directly by their armies to replace the Stinger guided missile, which must be phased out in the next decade. Dutch Defence Ministry spokesman Jeroen de Vries said the two countries were looking into integrating the Dutch and German Patriot missile systems. "The task force can be deployed within NATO as capacity to protect alliance territory," he said. (Additional reporting by Thomas Escritt; editing by Mark Heinrich)
Ankara (AFP) - A senior German diplomat, making the most high-profile visit to Ankara by a Berlin official since the failed July 15 coup, urged Turkey to respect international law as it deals with those responsible for the attempted putsch.

"If this attempt had succeeded, it would have been a disaster for Turkey, Germany and the region," Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Markus Ederer said after seeing the damage to parliament from bombs dropped by F-16 jets.

He offered Berlin's support in punishing putschists but stressed actions should be "within the rule of law".

"It is essential that these criminal investigations are conducted in accordance with international norms -- European Union, Council of Europe and OSCE standards," Ederer told a press briefing at the parliament building in Ankara.

Tensions between Berlin and Ankara worsened last month after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was blocked by a German court from delivering a speech from Turkey to a rally in Cologne.

Relations were already strained over the German parliament's decision in June to brand as genocide the World War I-era Armenian massacre by Ottoman forces.

During a huge rally on Sunday in Istanbul attended by more than a million people, Erdogan again attacked Berlin and warned "terrorists" would hit Germany.

"Germany did not allow the video call, where is the democracy? But they let those in Kandil (do it) via video," he said, referring to a PKK mountain stronghold.

"Whatever happens, tomorrow will not be as they await it. It will hit them like a boomerang. Let them feed those terrorists, they will hit them too."

Ankara has come under attack from its western allies who have expressed concern over the post-coup crackdown.

Over 60,000 people from the military, judiciary, civil service and education have been dismissed, detained or put under investigation for suspected links to US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen. Journalists have also been arrested.

Story continues

Gulen is accused by Turkey of "ordering" the July 15 putsch. Ankara also describes his movement as a terrorist organisation.

The cleric, in self-imposed exile since 1999, denies all claims and the movement insists it promotes moderate Islam and charity.

Germany is home to three million ethnic Turks, making up Turkey's largest diaspora.
A South Carolina girl has died after contracting a brain-eating amoeba while swimming in a river.

Hannah Collins, 11, was pronounced dead Friday, just three days after health authorities said a Naegleria fowleri infection  the second in the Carolinas this year  had been confirmed.

Read: 14-Year-Old Athlete Fights For His Life After Contracting Deadly Brain-Eating Amoeba From Lake

Officials didn't identify Hannah, but said they believed the patient had been exposed to the single-celled organism while swimming in the Edisto River in Charleston County on July 24.

Hannah's father told WCSC that he'd taken his family to the river for a day of swimming, where Hannah repeatedly jumped into the river from a rope swing.

Present in warm, fresh water, the amoeba can cause the unusually fatal amebic meningoencephalitis when it enters the body through the nose.

The father, Jeff Collins, was also tragically unable to be at Hannah's side in her final days after he said he was arrested and held behind bars for unpaid child support.

However, Collins was taken by jail personnel to the hospital on Thursday. She died the next night.

Read: From an Army Lieutenant to a Brain-Eating Amoeba Survivor: Compelling Backstories of Miss USA Contestants

"I was able to lay next to her," Collins said.

A judge has since allowed Collins' release following Hannah's death. He may now attend her funeral services.

Collins said his daughter lived with him part-time. While living with him in Colleton County, Collins said Hannah was named the Rice Festival Princess.

Earlier this summer, an Ohio teen died after authorities believe she was exposed to Naegleria fowleri while rafting in North Carolina with her church.

Watch: Baby Born with Brain Outside of Skull Gets Life-Changing Surgery

Related Articles:
Jake Peralta, meet Jess Day!

Brooklyn Nine-Nine and New Girl are staging an epic crossover event on Tuesday, Oct. 11 with back-to-back episodes starting at 8 p.m., it was announced at Fox's Television Critics Association press day on Monday.

RELATED: Prince Demanded Kardashians Be Cut From His 'New Girl' Episode

Details are scarce at the moment, but the Brooklyn Nine-Nine team will meet the New Girl crew in New York City for the back-to-back episodes.

"Brooklyn Nine-Nine crossing over with New Girl is very exciting, but -- and this is supposed to be a secret -- it's just the first step," said Dan Goor, co-creator and executive producer of Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

"We know we have big shoes to fill, and we look forward to disappointing everyone," joked Liz Meriwether, creator and executive producer of New Girl. "There's a 50 percent chance Alf will also be in both episodes. But there's also a 50 percent chance that is a lie."

RELATED: 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Star Melissa Fumero Welcomes Baby Boy

In the Brooklyn Nine-Nine season four premiere, airing Sept. 20, Jake (Andy Samberg) and Holt (Andre Braugher) are still in Florida under the Witness Protection Program, with only U.S. Marshall Karen Haas (guest star Maya Rudolph) as their only link to their regular lives.

On the New Girl season six premiere, also airing Sept. 20, Jess (Zooey Deschanel) faces Nick (Jake Johnson) for the first time after realizing she has feelings for him.

Are you excited about the New Girl-Brooklyn Nine-Nine crossover event? Tell us your thoughts by tweeting @etnow!

Related Articles
From Cosmopolitan

Not everyone was crazy about supermodel Gisele Bundchen's long-ass walk across the Olympic stadium during Rio's opening ceremony. In fact, some folks were downright annoyed.

Over at the New York Times, psychologist and feminist commentator Leticia Bahia was openly curious about why Gisele was the Brazilian chosen to strut her stuff to "The Girl from Ipanema."

"What does it say about a mixed-race country, boasting about its pride over miscegenation, to choose a supermodel who is white, ultra skinny, blond and blue-eyed to represent the women of Brazil?" Bahia said.

Lots of people shared similar sentiments on Twitter, calling the walk "dumb," "embarrassing," and "too long." Others questioned if she was the right person to rep Brazil on the world's stage.

Of course, since this is the Internet, for every hater, there was a celebrator:

But it looks like Gisele had the last laugh - girl enjoyed a legit dance party after her walk and partied the night away in Brazil.

Update 8/7, 10 a.m.: Gisele issued a response on her Instagram. In both Portuguese and English, the supermodel wrote, "It was very exciting to be part of this special moment. Everyone involved worked with dedication and passion to create a show that gave the world a glimpse of our history and Brazil's essence. It was beautifully presented. Our Brazilian community is hard working, cheerful, and welcoming.I believe that we showed the world the beauty of our diversity. #gratitude #riocidademaravilhosa#rio2016"

Update 8/8, 1:55 p.m.: Gisele's husband Tom Brady (who wasn't in attendance for her Opening Ceremony walk) posted a response to the controversy surrounding all this as well. He too chose to not mention that anyone had a problem with Gisele's performance and in English and Portuguese wrote: "Congratulations Brazil on the incredible opening ceremony of the Olympic Games! Gisele, words can't describe how proud I was to watch you represent your country. I love you."

Follow Laura on Twitter.
At todays TCA panel on Amazons new legal drama Goliath, series creators/executive producers David E. Kelley and Jonathan Shapiro had much to say about the decline of the American legal process: Twenty years ago, litigators were heroesnow its slumming, Kelley said, a former attorney. The theme (of the show) is like Bernie Sanders (says), the system is rigged Truth has no currency in law anymore.

Shapiro, a former federal prosecutor and law professor as well as a long time collaborator of The Practice and Boston Legal creator Kelley, said hes observing more attorneys struggling with depression and alcoholism than in his years in practice. He added that jury trials have declined in number. Nobodys talking about that It raises the question: Can a David [take on] a Goliath anymore?

The EPs  who appeared on the panel with cast members Billy Bob Thornton, William Hurt, Olivia Thirlby, Maria Bello and Tania Raymonde  were more enthusiastic about the creative process at Amazon.

Goliath went directly to series, rather than starting as part of Amazons Pilot Season, when pilots for potential news series are released free for viewers to rate as a determining factor in whether the show goes to series. However, the veteran producer said he would have been willing to follow this process: Sureat the end of the day youve got to bet on yourself, Kelley said. If you dont believe viewers will support your series, he added, you shouldnt be doing it in the first place.

The producers also said Amazon allows freedom to explore characters that are not either good or evil. Said Thornton of his character, described as a down and out lawyer seeking redemption: The thing that appeals to me is (this is) a guy whose sense of justice is not exactly whats legal, its whats fair you cant just make a guy (all) milk and cookies.

And who is the target audience for Goliath? Shapiro said Amazon wont tell us. But Kelley added that producers should not be leading with their market hats in trying to capture a particular demographic anyway. The story, he said, should represent a scream in your belly that must be written.

Story continues

Kelley said that, unlike the network TV model, the streaming process allows producers to tell the story without worrying about catching viewers up in each episode or writing around commercial breaks. When asked if he could ever go back to networks, he laughed and said: I dont think so.

Related stories

'Transparent' Season 3 Trailer: No More 'Moppa' For Maura

Amazon Trailers: New Series From David E. Kelley, Tig Notaro & 'Broadchurch' Alum

'Alpha House' Is Shuttered, Or Not, Amazon Exec Tells Frustrated TV Critics: TCA
By Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Fifty prominent Republican national security officials, including a former CIA director, on Monday called party nominee Donald Trump unqualified to lead the country and said he would be "the most reckless president in American history." The statement was the latest repudiation of Trump's candidacy by veteran Republican national security specialists, and was remarkable for the harshness of its language. "Mr. Trump lacks the character, values, and experience to be president. He weakens U.S. moral authority as the leader of the free world. He appears to lack basic knowledge about and belief in the U.S. Constitution, U.S. laws and U.S. institutions, including religious tolerance, freedom of the press, and an independent judiciary," the statement said. "None of us will vote for Donald Trump," said the statement, which noted that some signatories also have doubts about Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. "From a foreign policy perspective, Donald Trump is not qualified to be president and commander in chief," said the statement, which was first reported in the New York Times. "Indeed, we are convinced that he would be a dangerous president and would put at risk our country's national security and well-being." The signatories, some of whom worked for more than one Republican president, included former Central Intelligence Agency Director Michael Hayden, who also headed the National Security Agency; former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff; former Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte; and two former U.S. trade representatives, Carla Hills and Robert Zoelick. Other signatories included former senior State Department, Pentagon and National Security Council officials who helped plan and oversee the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. Trump has harshly criticized the Iraq operation, although when radio host Howard Stern asked him in 2002 if he favored invading Iraq, Trump said he guessed he did. The statement was organized by Philip Zelikow, who served as a top adviser to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Trump responded with a statement deriding the signatories as members of "the failed Washington elite" who "deserve the blame for making the world such a dangerous place." These insiders  along with Hillary Clinton  are the owners of the disastrous decisions to invade Iraq, allow Americans to die in Benghazi, and they are the ones who allowed the rise of ISIS," he continued, using an acronym for the Islamic State militant group. RESPONSE TO TRUMP'S REMARKS The statement did not cite specific comments by Trump, but it clearly was a response to a series of remarks he has made questioning the need for NATO, expressing admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling for a temporary ban on immigration by Muslims, and inviting Russia to hack Clinton's private email server - which he later said was a joke. Many of the signatories had declined to sign an open letter disputing Trump's national security qualifications that was published in March. The statement said many Americans are frustrated with the federal government's failure to solve domestic and international problems. "But Donald Trump is not the answer to Americas daunting challenges and to this crucial election," the statement said. "We are convinced that in the Oval Office, he would be the most reckless President in American history. Some Democratic foreign policy experts called the statement a reminder of the divisions the New York real estate developer's nomination has sown within the Republican Party. This letter is signed by those who remain in the internationalist wing of the party  many were former advisors to candidates who lost the primary fight to Trump," said Brian Katulis, a fellow at the Center for American Progress and a Clinton campaign adviser. Calling Trump unqualified to be commander in chief is tough, but also asserting that hes lacking in character and understanding of our basic values is really pretty amazing," said Tommy Vietor, a former National Security Council spokesman in Democratic President Barack Obama's administration. "That said, I think its unlikely to influence many voters, but it could give cover to Republican members of Congress and donors who want to cut the cord and move on from Trump. (For the complete statement go to: https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3007589/Nationalsecurityletter.pdf) (Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Additional reporting by Jim Oliphant; Editing by John Walcott and Jonathan Oatis)
(Corrects paragraphs 6 and 7 from an Aug. 4 story about the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 2015. The proposal initially aimed to reduce the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) penalty by 43 percent. In addition, a 15 percent reduction in the penalty would begin in 2018.)

By Mark Miller

CHICAGO, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Relief may soon be on the way for more than 2 million Americans who face big cuts in their Social Security benefits simply because they worked in government jobs that come with a pension.

The reductions stem from two little-understood rules, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Both are designed to prevent double-dipping from Social Security and public-sector pensions.

The cuts in benefits can be very sharp. Under the WEP, a worker retiring this year who might otherwise receive a $976 monthly Social Security benefit could see that chopped to $548, according to the Congressional Research Service. The GPO can result in even sharper cuts to spousal and survivor benefits.

"These are grossly unfair laws," says Jessica Klement, legislative director for the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, one group that has lobbied to get rid of WEP and GPO.

Legislation has been introduced in both chambers of Congress that would repeal both WEP and GPO, but the plan that seems to have traction takes an incremental approach and focuses on WEP only.

The Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 2015, sponsored by Representative Kevin Brady, a Texas Republican who chairs the powerful Ways and Means Committee, was initially estimated to reduce the WEP penalty by 43 percent.

Under a revised version that surfaced in July, a 15 percent reduction in the penalty would begin in 2018, and a 50 percent reduction in the WEP penalty would begin in 2027, according to estimates by the Social Security Actuary. Had the proposal been in effect this year, the proposal would have helped about 1.25 million beneficiaries.

Story continues

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association would prefer full repeal but supported the original version of Brady's bill. And the group is pushing back on the revisions.

"Full repeal is the holy grail," Klement said.

WEP affected 1.7 million beneficiaries at the end of 2015, according to the Social Security Administration, while GPO impacted about 652,000.

WHY WEP AND GPO?

Why would government workers be treated differently from everyone else? The answer begins with the way that Social Security benefits are distributed across wage-earners with varying incomes.

Social Security's benefit formula is progressive; workers with low average lifetime earnings get a higher benefit amount compared with their earnings than people who are better paid.

The formula does not distinguish between workers who had low wages and those who worked for part of their careers in jobs not covered by Social Security. Many federal and state jobs are outside the system because they are covered by government pension plans.

The WEP aims to eliminate the high benefit return these workers get on their Social Security income when they are not really low-income.

The impact of the WEP is reduced for workers who spend 21 to 29 years in Social Security-covered work, and it is eliminated entirely for those who spend 30 years or more in such jobs.

For federal employees, the WEP applies only to workers who started their federal employment before 1983, were covered by the Civil Service Retirement System and did not contribute to Social Security.

The provision does not apply to people covered by the newer Federal Employees Retirement System, which is a defined contribution plan. Those workers contribute to Social Security.

WEP and GPO make some sense to policy folks but look unfair to beneficiaries, who believe they are entitled to the full benefit earned in private-sector work - full stop.

Moreover, the cuts can come as a surprise when workers file for benefits. Until 2005, no law required employers to tell workers they were affected. Even now, they must only inform new workers of the possible impact on Social Security benefits earned in other jobs.

The annual statement of benefits issued by the Social Security Administration has included a description of the possible impact of WEP and GPO since 2007; for workers who are affected, the statement includes a link to an online tool to help them calculate the impact (http://bit.ly/2aTCFvG).

People who have worked only in jobs not covered by Social Security get a letter indicating that they are not eligible.

If you think your Social Security benefits might be affected by WEP or GPO, check out this page of resources on the topic from the Social Security Administration (http://bit.ly/2axfdBK).

(Editing by Lauren Young and Lisa Von Ahn)
Twisted Sisters Dee Snider welcomed a new granddaughter into the world over the weekend, but her birth was anything but normal.

Read: Babies as Young as 6 Months Old Learning Life Saving Skills With Simple Swimming Lessons

Parker Pryde Snider, the daughter of his son, singer-songwriter Jesse, was born on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles Sunday.

While driving to the hospital, Jesse took to Instagram to share the big news, saying, "my wife just had the baby in the car."

We had the baby in the CAR on the 405! No, joke. Easiest birth we've had. #itsagirl #ParkerPryde #BornOnThe405 A video posted by Jesse Blaze Snider (@snapjesse) on Aug 7, 2016 at 5:22pm PDT

Jesse, a singer / songwriter, and his wife, Patty, who have three other children, called this one their "easiest" birth. Patty was already breastfeeding their newborn as they were driving.

Dee Snider, who is currently on tour in Europe with Twisted Sister, told Inside Edition: "This kid knows how to make an entrance."

Watch: Kind Waiter Feeds Diner's Screaming Baby, Becomes Internet Sensation

Related Articles:
Grease Live and Hamilton director Thomas Kail is setting up shop at 20th Century Fox TV with a pod deal for his newly launched Old 320 Sycamore production banner.

The pact calls for Kails banner to develop TV projects for broadcast and cable. Kate Sullivan, an assistant director on Grease Live, has been tapped to serve as head of development for Old 320.

Kail is white-hot coming off the success of Grease Live, the musical that aired on Fox in January, and the Broadway sensation Hamilton, which earned him a Tony and a clutch of other legit kudos during the past year. And he earned an Emmy nom for his work on Grease: Live.

Working with Tommy on Grease: Live was an incredible experience, and we knew long before the credits rolled that night that we wanted a much more significant relationship with him, said Gary Newman and Dana Walden, Fox Television Group chairmen-CEOs. Anyone who has worked with Tommy knows just how remarkable and creative and visionary he is  hes quite literally a force of nature. He has access to a largely untapped talent pool through his years in the New York theater, and hes fantastically collaborative.

Grease: Live marked Foxs first foray into the live musical business that NBC revived three years ago starting with its Sound of Music Live production. Kails work on Grease Live with producer Marc Platt was hailed for its innovative touches and the inclusion of a live audience in key scenes staged in locations all over the Warner Bros. lot.

The focus of the pod deal with 20th TV is to find promising talent and projects for Kail to supervise.

Working on Grease: Live with the Fox team was one of the highlights of my career, I am proud of what we made  and how we made it, Kail said. Ive always been drawn to helping find and platform new voices, surprising characters and stories that are relevant to our times. Hopefully, through this deal, well be able to tell those stories in every possible form, from live events, to half-hour and hour scripted, and limited series.

Story continues

Kail previously worked with Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda on the Broadway tuner In the Heights. At present hes working on stagings for the Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago productions of Hamilton, and he will direct a new play, Tiny Beautiful Things, adapted by and starring Nia Vardalos this fall.

Related stories

Producer Marc Platt Sets First-Look Pact with 20th Century Fox TV

'Fresh Off the Boat' Showrunner Nahnatchka Khan Sets Pod Deal at 20th Century Fox TV

20th Century Fox TV Names Brandon Brito, Cheryl Dolins New Drama, Comedy Heads
20th Century Fox TV has signed deals with two of the key auspices behind Foxs well received and highly rated Grease: Live, director Thomas Kail and producer Marc Platt.

Thomas Kail, the Tony-winning director of Broadway smash Hamilton, has launched a production company, Old 320 Sycamore, which will be based at 20th TV with a pod deal for Kail to develop, supervise and potentially direct broadcast and cable projects. Under the pact, Kail has hired Kate Sullivan, his assistant director on Grease: Live, as Head of Development of his company.

Working with Tommy on Grease: Live was an incredible experience, and we knew long before the credits rolled that night that we wanted a much more significant relationship with him, said Gary Newman and Dana Walden, Chairmen and CEOs, Fox Television Group. He has access to a largely untapped talent pool through his years in the New York theater, and hes fantastically collaborative.

Added Kail, Ive always been drawn to helping find and platform new voices, surprising characters and stories that are relevant to our times. Hopefully, through this deal, well be able to tell those stories in every possible form, from live events, to half-hour and hour scripted, and limited series.

Kail is nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Directing For a Variety Special for Grease: Live, which received a total of 10 nominations, including Outstanding Special Class Program. Besides Hamilton, Kail directed Lin-Manuel Mirandas previous Best Musical winner, In The Heights, for which he also received a Tony nomination. This fall, he will direct the new play Tiny Beautiful Things, based on the book by Cheryl Strayed and adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos (who also stars).

Platt has signed a first-look deal with 20th TV.

Marc Platt is a powerhouse producer with an unparalleled track record of identifying and overseeing spectacular artists and marrying them with incredibly commercial ideas and properties, said Walden and Newman.

Story continues

An Academy Award-nominated producer (most recently for Bridge of Spies, directed by Steven Spielberg), Platt also produced Broadway blockbuster Wicked and is shepherding its upcoming feature film adaptation.

Related stories

'Empire' Team Talks Spinoff, Taye Diggs As Potential Cookie Love Interest In Season 3 - TCA

'The Exorcist' EPs On The Pressure Of Following Iconic 1973 Film - TCA

Tim Curry Recommends Fox's 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' Remake - TCA
Eric Martin

Eric Martin is still processing his big news.

The 29-year-old marketer from York, Pennsylvania just became a millionaire thanks to a smart investment in Jet.com, which Walmart is buying for more than $3 billion.

Early last year, Martin competed in Jet's "Insiders" referral program, ultimately spending about $18,000 to cinch himself the top prize of 100,000 shares of common stock.

Today, that investment paid off big-time. Although both Martin and Jet both declined to tell us how much he'll be making, Fusion reported when he first got his stake that it could be between $10 and $20 million.

"I'm really excited," Martin tells Business Insider. "I'm taking time to process it. I haven't really had a chance to really feel what it means yet. But I'm very, very happy."

Martin says that he has no big celebration plans today, besides perhaps buying some snow crab legs to eat with his family for dinner. He doesn't know yet what he'll do with the money long-term. either, but says he's already received a couple of texts joking that he'll need to get a new security system.

"I've told my wife in the past that someday we'll go to Thailand again, because she grew up there, so now that will definitely happen eventually," he says. "Our kids are one and three right now, so it's kind of awkward timing. Other than that, I'll have to think about it."

Martin also recently launched a startup called IdeaDash, which helps people crowdfund ideas that they personally don't want to work on. He's excited to keep hustling away on that.

"I feel so fortunate," he says. "It has really worked out."

NOW WATCH: 'Pokemon Go' just released an update that fixes its most annoying problems





More From Business Insider


These Hawaiian beauty secrets will seriously change your life

These Hawaiian beauty secrets will seriously change your life

Once upon a time, I spent six months living on the beautiful island of Oahu. My backyard was a bird sanctuary and I was only a 20-minute walk away from President Obamas favorite beach. I spent days jumping aquamarine waves, eating kale amongst wild chickens, and watching meteor showers on private beaches. The lifestyle looked good on memy complexion was brighter than a glow worm, my hair thick, full, and lush, and my skin soft, toned, and tan.

Credit rainbow magic or Aloha spirit, but theres definitely beauty wisdom to be gleaned from paradise. Here are four Hawaiian beauty tips that are sure to turn your beauty game upside-down (in a good way)!

Pineapple

Nikki Hartley, Kailua resident and creator of Mind Body Mana, swears by an old remedy from her aunt who lived on the island in the 1970s. My aunt and her friends would put raw pineapple on their face and let it sit for a bit, Hartley explains. She said it helped brighten their complexion and toned the skin. I looked up what would cause that and it seems pineapple really is high in vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acid. Who knew? It is worth mentioning that pineapple is acidic, so those with sensitive skin should be cautious. It might be safer to try a professional skincare product that has pineapple in its ingredients, like Kiehls Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub ($28).

Kukui nut oil

#mauimedical #noni #kukuioil #hawaii #kauai #organic #  A photo posted by @siliconvalleylifeblog on Apr 27, 2016 at 12:06am PDT

I also use Kukui nut oil to moisturize my legs after shaving, says Hartley. To me, it seems to have a longer-lasting moisturizing effect than regular lotion. It also seems to really help calm a mild sunburn if Ive been out at the beach all day. The oil has apparently been used for centuries by the Hawaiians. The nut was actually used to make the leis for the Alii and they used the oil to light lanterns, and protect the skin of the babies. Kukui nut oil, which you can pick up at Target for $19, might just be on its way to becoming the next coconut oildrugstore hair care brands OGX and Alba Botanica both have products dedicated to Kukui oil while Lupita Nyongo uses it in her skincare routine.

Story continues

Coconut Oil

It seems this will play a big part in my future #coconut #coconutoil #thebodycoach #joewicks #cooking #skincare #haircare #anythingcare A photo posted by Holly Barras (Proctor) (@hollybarras) on Aug 8, 2016 at 11:27am PDT

Weve all heard the benefits of coconut oil before, and for good reasonso many people swear by it. My Sunday Secret founder and Maui native Ohia MacDougall epitomizes what it means to be a modern day mermaid. Her top secret? You guessed it. I cant get enough coconut oil! Its a natural SPF, hydrator, hair mask, face mask, body oil. I could go on and on! And Maui Babe is one of my most favorite products ever.

The most important advice

For all the mermaids #mysundaysecret #mermaids #hairgrowth #spaday A photo posted by My Sunday Secret...shhh (@mysundaysecret) on Mar 17, 2015 at 8:46pm PDT

And the best beauty secret of all-time? Be happy and appreciate the simple things in life. Every day I go to the beach to see the sunrise or watch the sunset, says MacDougall. I cant help but feel so lucky and grateful. I believe this does show on the outside, too. Smile! Sounds like a tip we can all get behind.

The post These Hawaiian beauty secrets will seriously change your life appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Crowdfunding websites have helped raise money for countless of causes  but are you ready to help pay for someones breast implants?

The Doctors speak with Holly, a woman who used MyFreeImplants.com to help raise funds for her recent plastic surgery procedure. She explains that she found the site when she was researching breast augmentation discounts and came across the site. Like most crowdfunding websites, users create a profile, add photos and write a biography explaining their story and why they need help to pay for their implants.

But did Holly feel pressure to show the goods in order to get funded?

Watch: Breast Implants 101

Every lady is different and everyone has various comfort levels. So, there is a little bit of something for everyone on the website. I just talked about my life and my job, she explains.

ER physician Dr. Travis Stork raises an important question about those helping to fund the surgeries, asking Holly, Do the men that donate expect anything in return?

Its just to help someone feel better about themselves, Holly claims.

Watch: Should Women Get Breast Implants?

She goes on to say that the users on the breast implant website are not exactly who you might expect them to be.

There are female donors on the site, its not all men. There are couples. Husbands will get on the site to donate to their wives its for everyone, she continues.

Our guest co-hosts weigh in on the controversial site.

Im the mother of two teenage girls Im concerned about my teenage daughters and other teenage women, who may go on to a site like this and feel like have to send a naked picture or go beyond what they are comfortable with, just to get money for breast surgery, attorney and advocate Areva Martin says.

Watch: Implant Alternatives

Psychotherapist Dr. Mike Dow adds, I like the GoFundMe for stories for people who are really struggling and I dont know if this is the best charitable donation online.

Dr. Dow also cautions about the idea of plastic surgery being so readily available and without cost.

Story continues

We know in the general population about 2 percent have body dysmorphic disorder, but in people seeking plastic surgery, thats closer to 15 percent. If there is a free plastic surgery out there, is this the sign of something more serious going on? he wonders.

Dr. Stork says what many might be thinking when it comes to a website like this.

Watch: Maintaining Breast Implants

I cant get it out of the back of my head that the guys that are donating are creepy, he tells the panel.

Tells us your thoughts  creepy cause or creative crowdfunding?
From Popular Mechanics

Everyone loves Legos, even structural dynamics engineers who work on the Space Launch System, NASA's newest rocket that will hopefully send astronauts on the first mission to Mars.

"I see working with Lego as a fun embracement of the problem solving process," Nicholas Mastramico, an engineer at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, told Popular Mechanics in an email. "They are simple blocks and shapes, but if you use your imagination you can design almost anything with them... That's pure engineering-and with Lego you can do it at home on your kitchen table."

Photo credit: Lego Ideas/Nicholas Mastramico

Mastramico is currently working on structural analysis of the SLS that will use various sensors and equipment during a test fire to provide load-bearing data for the rocket. He also designed a scaled Lego model of the SLS in his free time, and now he's hoping that you will help him turn it into an official Lego set.

"Initially I simply wanted something for my own desk to inspire myself as I worked, but I've actually found it to be a great educational tool when talking to children about the SLS."

Mastramico's SLS Lego set is complete with an Orion spacecraft, a Mobile Launcher to stand the rocket up against, and a Crawler-Transporter to wheel the rocket around just like the real thing. There are also Legos to upgrade the rocket from the standard SLS Block 1 to the larger SLS Block 1B and Block 2, designed for heavy cargo payloads and sending astronauts out of Earth's orbit on the real rocket.

Photo credit: Nicholas Mastramico

To help make the SLS Lego set a reality, all you need to do is visit Mastramico's Lego Ideas page and vote for it-no donation required. After voting to make the biggest rocket in the world a Lego set (and why wouldn't you?), you can also enter a raffle for a chance to win the SLS set if and when it is produced.

Here's to a Mars mission, and a Lego model of the rocket on your desk when it happens.

You Might Also Like
From ELLE DECOR

From electronic diffusers to plug-in fresheners, there's no shortage of ways to make our homes smell good. Our living spaces can smell like anything we so desire, just about - from cinnamon spice to sea breeze (we're still figuring out what exactly that smells like - but we know it's good).

Although the technology to spread irresistible scent throughout our homes has advanced, we humans have always had a nose for a nicely scented space. In fact, it all started with Ancient Egypt, one of the world's oldest civilizations that's believed to have begun around 3000 B.C. (And you thought AirWick started the home scent revolution.)

Read on for a little Home Fragrance History 101. Trust us, you'll have a new-found appreciation for that Dyptique candle when you're done.

Ancient Egypt

You've probably heard a thing or two about Ancient Egypt's sacrificial ceremonies. Combine that messy ritual with the relentless desert sun, and you have a bit of a smelly situation on your hands.

Enter Egyptian perfume makers. Hieroglyphics show the very first perfumers were Egyptian priests who used aromatic resins to make the scent of sacrificial offerings a tad sweeter. This was partly because the ancients believed burning incense was a way of connecting earthlings with the gods, according to The Perfume Society.

Apparently, special Egyptians (read: priests and their Pharaohs) were buried with the fragrances, some of which still held their smell when they were discovered and opened by archaeologists in 1897.

According to The Perfume Society, many of the ingredients are still used to make scents today, such as jasmine, Frankincense resin and lotus.

Ancient China

Meanwhile, across the globe, the ancient Chinese were developing a close relationship with fragrance as well. The Chinese focused on burning incense and other fragrance in special places, and considered perfumes a method of disinfecting and eliminating disease from rooms, reports Bustle.

Story continues

Fragrant flowers and mandarin oranges were favorites among this group.

Ancient Greece

The empire of Ancient Greece took perhaps the simplest route of the ancients to freshen their rooms, scattering mint leaves on floors, according to Eater.

Talk about easy. Why didn't we think of that? (Oh, right. Sweeping.)

The Middle Ages

During this time, rose water was all the rage. Even though religious leaders gave a big "no" to secular use of perfume (they saw it as symbolizing a frivolity in the evil world), Crusaders returned from expeditions in the East, bringing rose water with them, according to the Societe Francaise des Parfumeurs. The people couldn't resist.

It was also during the 14th century that the first alcohol-based fragrance was created. Known as the Queen of Hungary's Water, the fragrance was made from rosemary and wine, according to the Societe Francaise des Parfumeurs.

At this time, fragrance was meant to be used more as aromatherapy than as, say, perfume, and was believed to ward off plague.

The Renaissance

Fragrance was important during this time since bathing was considered to be dangerous and unhealthy, according to Fragonard Parfumeur.

Cue strong scents such as amber, jasmine, musk and tuberose that were intended to mask persistent odors. Paris became the capital of perfumed products trading.

1700s

During the 18th century, the focus of scents turned to fresh, lighter flower fragrances. Many households during this time planted lilacs around windows and doors.

The flowers were particularly popular with American settlers who planted the aromatic plant by their farmhouse doors, reports Northern California's Colusa County Sun-Herald. Talk about picturesque.

1800s

At this time, air fresheners were sought to cover up the smells of garbage, spoiling food an temporary storage of human waste indoors (remember, flush toilets didn't exist just yet).

According to archives of the Patent Trader newspaper, aromatic wood or pastilles were burned in small ceramic containers as air freshener. It was also believed that lavender vapors could kill tuberculosis bacteria.

1943

In 1943, Air Wick was launched in the United States to offer home fragrance products specifically. Within ten years, the company expanded to Europe, Canada and Australia.

1954

The iconic Little Trees air freshener was created in 1954 by chemist Julius Samann, who had studied Alpine tree aromas in the forests of Canada.

According to The New York Times Magazine, Samann heard a milkman complain about the stench of spoiled milk, and filed a patent for "odor-destroying, air-perfuming substances."

1956

Shortly after Samann changed the course of car scents, Glade was created by the SC Johnson company to eliminate tobacco and cooking smells from the home.

According to the company, the first products available were Glade Aerosol Sprays and Glade Wick, both available in nature-themed fragrances: Blossom and Evergreen.

1969

As the 70s approached, a 16-year-old high school student created a candle for his mother, which would eventually lead to 575 retail stores worldwide called Yankee Candle.

Over the years, the company was able to capitalize on scented candles that reminded customers of times passed or certain seasonal memories.

"We've found that customers seek out scents that evoke special memories or set a mood in the home," says Hope Margala, Yankee Candle's CEO. "Food fragrances that incorporate cinnamon and clove fare well in the fall, pine fragrances during the holidays and fruits and florals in spring and summer."

1975

In 1975, SC Johnson eliminated chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from aerosol air fresheners, three years before it became a United States mandate to do so.

During this time, the market was shifting dramatically away from CFCs over concern about the chemicals harming the ozone layer.

1984

Air fragrances become increasingly creative and blended. The iconic Yankee Candle honeydew melon candle debuts.

1999

Voluspa is founded by Traci and Troy Arntsen with a focus that returned to aromatherapy and simple ingredients (more complex fragrances, however, were still popular for certain customers).

"We started our line on an aromatherapy basis, like lavender to help you relax or peppermint to help you wake up," says cofounder and creative director Traci Arntsen. "But while aromatherapy is now growing, there are probably some people who will never give up their yummy, complex blended fragrances."

When Voluspa was founded, citrus fragrances were more popular than floral scents.

"There was a really strong trend toward citrus and spicy fragrances," says Arnsten. "Red fruit and really tart citruses were permeating the market."

Early 2000s

The early 2000s put a notable emphasis on convenience, with new products from Glade including Glade PlugIns Scented Oil (2000), ExtraOutlet (2002) and Press 'n Fresh (2004).

2005

During this time, demand moved away from tart citrus fragrances and toward softer scents.

"From about 2005 to 2010, there was a movement toward sweet florals," says Arntsen. "White flowers became a strong trend, especially in the South."

2016

Customer demand continues to gravitate toward more "natural" scents, with Etsy reporting that in-demand scents include cedar and patchouli.

Now that's what we call coming full circle.

You Might Also Like
evan mcmullin

After months of fretting and attempting to persuade candidates to run, anti-Donald Trump Republicans finally have their candidate.

Former CIA operative and House Republican staffer Evan McMullin announced on Monday that he's mounting an independent bid for the presidency in response to what he characterizes as Trump's "personal instability" and "infatuation with strongmen."

Despite reports that some high-profile GOP donors are prepared to back his candidacy, McMullin's announcement was met with amusement and deep skepticism from many political operatives and observers. Many noted that not only does McMullin face steep institutional challenges, but he's relatively unknown even in Republican circles.

"I don't really know anything about McMullin other than his name, his prior job, and that he doesn't have much of a social-media footprint, though that right there means I know more about him than 99.999% of America," said Liz Mair, a Republican strategist who is backing Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson.

McMullin's greatest obstacle is obvious: At this point, it's impossible for him to get on the ballot in over two dozen states. And in a handful of states like California, McMullin would need tens or hundreds of thousands of signatures in just weeks in order to qualify, a virtually impossible task for a candidate without a national campaign organization.

Still, some observers noted on Monday that he may have some success in states like Utah, which has a low barrier to entry for candidates. A traditionally red state where Trump remains deeply unpopular, most recent polls show Clinton slightly leading the Republican presidential nominee.

Mair, a longtime Trump critic, acknowledged that there's an appetite among disenchanted Republicans for a more traditional conservative candidate with foreign-policy credentials.

Story continues

"I suspect ballot access will be a big challenge, as will the name ID point, but look, anyone who wants to deprive Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump of votes sounds like an upright, ethical person," Mair said. "I suspect he'll get some votes from more super-high-information, politically-connected, hawkish Republicans who would otherwise be voting for Hillary Clinton at this stage."

Here are the states McMullin can no longer qualify in for the ballot, according to Ballotpedia:

Arkansas

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Kansas

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Missouri

Nebraska

Nevada

New Jersey

North Carolina

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

South Dakota

Texas

Vermont

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

NOW WATCH: Trump was interrupted 14 times by protesters during his economic policy speech





More From Business Insider


With Suicide Squad opening last week (4 Aug) and the recent Justice League footage from Comic Con (not to mention Wonder Woman), DC fans everywhere must be excited that its finally time for their favourite characters to shine in the spotlight that Marvel has hogged for so long.



We already know Barry Allen/The Flash (Ezra Miller), Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher) will be joining up with Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck) and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), and quite possibly the other guy (spoiler warning, just in case you havent watched Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice).

But of course, the Justice League is home to many amazing characters, and everyone has his or her favourite character who isnt going to play a main role in the movie. Still, that doesnt mean that they cant be teased in one way or another. Here is a list of our favourites that we hope to see on the big screen.

Green Lantern (Hal Jordan version)

(Photo via The Wrap)

If youre familiar with TV network The CWs Arrow and The Flash, you may already know that the character of Hal Jordan has been teased several times.

If not, you may have remembered the role being played by Ryan Reynolds, who probably realised green wasnt his colour and didnt show off his not-as-powerful-as-Chris-Evans ass.

Long story short, Hal Jordan is a fighter pilot who comes into possession of a ring (that doesnt need to be destroyed to save the world). The ring gives him power as a member The Green Lantern Corp, a sorta galactic peacekeeping corp. Using willpower, he can create constructs, fly, and basically cost the film a fair bit for computer graphics.

Why hes needed: Marvel is pushing ahead with their galactic offerings in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Captain Marvel, not to mention the Thor movies and the hotly anticipated Avengers: Infinity War.

DC needs a bit of catch-up in this department to expand their universe beyond Earth, and The Green Lantern would be perfect for this role. Plus, hes an original member of the Justice League. And someone needs to redeem that role after Reynolds redeemed himself in Deadpool.

Story continues

Martian Manhunter

(Photo via ComicBook.com)

J'onn J'onzz is well-known to many DC fans, as well as those whove watched the Supergirl television series. Hes very obviously alien, has telepathic abilities, has most of Supermans powers, and can shapeshift. Basically, hes been termed the Swiss Army Knife of superheroes, and its hard not to see why.

Because of DCs somewhat messy continuity, the Martian Manhunters backstory differs slightly depending on which universe youre looking at. In a nutshell, he was born on Mars when Mars was still a thriving civilisation way ahead of Earth. Jonns race was destroyed, in some storylines, after a civil war between green-skinned and white-skinned Martians, leaving him as the last of his kind.

While on Earth, he often shapeshifts into a form that is said to be neither completely Martian nor human, but a compromise in between. He often finds work as a detective (a Manhunter was basically a Martian policeman), before joining up with the Justice League.

Why hes needed: there are several reasons why the Martian Manhunter would be great for DCs film universe, most notably because Superman is, well, Superman. And Superman may one day get too big for his own movie.

Think about how Marvel has moved towards introducing the less popular and prominent members of the Avengers in their own movies, while established ones like Iron Man start integrating into the universe as a whole.

Theres basically only that much of Superman we can take in a single sitting. Even the original Man of Steel 2 project was changed into the Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice that exists today.

Additionally, having the Martian Manhunter opens up other options for DC films, much like how Wonder Woman tells the backstory of Diana. Lets also not forget that, like the Green Lantern, the Manhunter is a founding member of the original Justice League.

The Green Arrow and the Black Canary

Stephen Amell as the Green Arrow on Arrow. (Photo via ET Online)

Oliver Queen and Laurel Lance will be familiar names to anyone who has spent enough time watching CWs Arrow series, and their inclusion in a film universe might be shaky because of their prominence on the TV screen, but that hasnt stopped a Barry Allen (played by Grant Gustin on TV) from appearing, of course.

The Green Arrow is a vigilante like Batman, relying on his skills and tech to combat his opponents, instead of any special superhuman powers.

The origin story for the Green Arrow is also somewhat similar to Batmans  Oliver Queen is a playboy billionaire who got stranded on a deserted island where he learnt survival skills that helped him to be the crime-fighter he is today.

Katie Cassidy as Laurel Lance/The Black Canary on Arrow. (Photo via TVLine)

Black Canarys is a little more complicated (thanks again to DCs changes), so her iconic Canary Cry, using sonic waves, is either a product of technology, a metahuman gene, or being cursed by a wizard (yes, really).

The two generally come as a pair (theyre usually lovers) and fight crime in Star City, but they have also themed up with the Justice League on many occasions.

Why theyre needed: having the Green Arrow around will definitely give Batfleck some solace at not being the only non-super-powered guy in the bunch, while the Black Canary would most definitely please those whod like to see more female superheroes on the big screen.

Besides, the Avengers have Hawkeye, who has never gotten his own movie either, so they could slot Oliver Queen in nicely without having to worry too much about fleshing out his backstory.

Or they could just grab Stephen Amell and Katie Cassidy (who play the Green Arrow and the Black Canary on TV) from the CW and bring them over to the movie universe.

Zatanna

(Photo via Comic Vine)

The DC film universe hasnt really ventured into the realm of the occult and magic yet, but fans of the Justice League will definitely recognise the name Zatanna.

One of the DC universes greatest magic-users, Zatanna isnt just a superhero mage, shes also a prominent stage performer.

She comes from a great lineage of magicians (in the DC universe anyway), which includes Leonardo da Vinci, and counts among them an ancestor from Atlantis (Aquamans home), which just basically means shes very powerful.

In addition to controlling all the elements, she can also move things with her mind, teleport and travel through dimensions. All that while looking cooler than the Four Horsemen from Now You See Me.

Why shes needed: Marvel is already touching upon magic with the introduction of Benedict Cumberbatchs Doctor Strange, and theyve explored other aspects of the occult in Netflixs Daredevil, which remains connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe despite the lack of cameos.

Sure, the upcoming Suicide Squad might add a bit of depth to that with the introduction of the Enchantress, but surely a full-fledged magic-using member of the Justice League would be much higher profile.

Additionally, shed probably be a better option than Doctor Fate (another sorcerer in the DC universe), even if it was just to avoid comparisons with Doctor Strange.

The Wonder Twins

Those of a certain generation will remember the Wonder Twins Zan and Jayna. Together with their space monkey, Gleek, they appeared on the Superfriends TV series in the 70s and 80s, along with famous names like Superman, Batman, Aquaman and Wonder Woman.



The twins have some interesting powers, with Jayna being able to transform into any animal (regardless of whether its an actual creature or a mythological ones), while Zan can become water in any form and also absorb the water in the surrounding area. Which basically means he can become a typhoon or a bucket of water.

To activate their powers, they need to touch each other and speak the magic phrase Wonder Twin powers activate. If they cant touch each other, no fancy transformation.

Why theyre needed: look, Marvel made an awesome movie with a talking raccoon and a tree-alien that says five words. Theres no better way to prove that DC is capable of catering to similar audiences than a pair of alien twins with a space monkey.

(Photo: Hanna-Barbera via Youtube)

Its understandable, of course, that this list wont please everyone. Theres always someone out there who likes another character or doesnt like one of those listed, or basically knows the DC universe better than we do.

However, it may seem a bit greedy to hope for a massive influx of Justice League characters at this stage of the DC film universes life.

Maybe one day well get to see Hawkgirl and Hawkman, Supergirl, Batgirl, Atom and Firestorm, among others, on the big screen. But for now, well just have to settle for Suicide Squad.
When I finally meet one of Indias most beloved politicians, I find hes not what I expected. This guy, lovingly selected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is respected by moderates and right-wingers and not despised by liberals. The 63-year-old is known for efficiency and being surprisingly with the times, displaying a Cory Bookeresque appeal with his social-media acumen. In his dimly lit office, reminiscent of the DMV, he claims, We shunned all the populism. But he seems, publicly, a man of the people.

He is not, however, a man of the press.

Distracted and slightly hard of hearing, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu seems irked about our interview. A top aide confirms hes not very keen on the media  even though he met his wife when she interviewed him as a reporter, she tells me over email. If I chalk his demeanor up to the workload of a politician whod rather make policy than schmooze, and ignore his gaze trained on the televisions behind me, I can give his successes some nods. Prabhu is a longtime politico admired by the business community, with a record of dealing efficiently with the environment, toilets, water shortages, heavy industry, energy and more. Hes been elected to parliament six times (four times to the lower house; twice to the upper) and served as cabinet minister nine  yes, nine  times. Hes a wonk too, currently pursuing two Ph.D. programs.

Gettyimages 464348932

A train departs from a station on the outskirts of New Delhi.

Source: Money Sharma/AFP/Getty Images

Overseeing Indias railways is more important than it sounds. The train system here is one of the most expansive in the world, older than Chinas or Japans. It was worth $22 billion in revenue in the 20142015 fiscal year, according to government figures. And Prabhu is essentially a CEO overseeing one of the top ten largest employers on the planet  up there with McDonalds and Wal-Mart. With former senior McKinsey partner Hanish Yadav at his side, hes tackling things like a private-sector shark.

Story continues

Prabhu, with a populist flair, has made a gleaming reputation replying asap. He calls in the troops and blasts his superhero tactics to 1.1 million followers.

One focus, Yadav tells me, is finding alternate sources of funding to make up for limited government  which has meant planning first-class trains for those whod pay more, for instance. And it means showing off efficiency  Yadav shares data demonstrating that project approvals that once took over two years to complete now happen in six months. Prabhu must also work with Indias polyglot hodgepodge of states; hes so far built partnerships regionally sans nepotism, says Anand Sharma, former chair professor of railway finance at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. Anant Swarup, one of Prabhus top aides, whos worked in the ministry for 22 years, calls him a clean minister; theres no hanky-panky. Proof? He cites the budgets, normally stacked with earmarks favoring a ministers home state: Looking at these budgets, you cant tell where hes from.

Then theres customer service, which anyone dealing with an Indian company can tell you is normally disastrous. Passengers can SMS a number to request cleanup at their seat or a toilet. And Prabhu himself, with a populist flair, has made a gleaming reputation on replying asap to ladies who are, say, getting harassed on a train, or boys who havent received their ordered food. In a flourish, he calls in the troops and Tweets his superhero tactics to 1.1 million followers.

Across his many lives, hes whipped up controversy. His 2016 budget drew criticism from the leftist Aam Aadmi Party (Common Mans Party) for prioritizing middle-class passengers. Plus, he inherited a backward ministry, technologically and financially, bemoans railway expert G. Raghuram, professor at Indian Institutes of Management, Ahmedabad. Raghuram references the tension between catering to passengers  who contributed under a third of the revenue last year, according to the budget  and the freight cargo. Public reputation depends on services, while freight makes money. They keep pricing themselves out, Raghuram adds.

Before politics, Prabhu was an accountant. The son of a businessman, he grew up in the Mumbai suburb of Khar and, he claims, was not a good student. He seems bewildered by my interest in his personal life, as though hes never been asked these questions by anyone, let alone a reporter. I nudge and learn that he used to, fittingly, cram for exams on the train into town, copping notes from a friend. He passed the tests; the friend failed. He managed and planned to head to the U.S. for an MBA when his accounting practice took off. Which adds to a narrative matching his partys message  India doesnt need the West to succeed. It can do it on its own!

Gettyimages 519300018

A view of Indias first semi-high-speed train, Gatimaan Express.

Source: Arun Sharma/Hindustan Times/Getty Images

Prabhus first stint in office lasted just 13 days. He was tapped by Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee, a member of Modis party with an affinity for penning nationalist poems who failed to mount a majority. The government ended in a fortnight. But those weeks pushed Prabhu, then a member of the Maharashtran pride party Shiv Sena (often accused of anti-Muslim sentiment), into the national spotlight. Then came the slew of cabinet appointments: environment and forests, chemicals and fertilizers, power, etc. Its been reported that Prabhu bickered with Sena colleagues, in part because he favored his time in Delhi over local meetings. Yadav writes OZY that Prabhu had a difference of opinion with the party during that time, which led to leadership requesting he step down. Months after Modis election, he made his egress from the Sainiks, joining the BJP ranks.

But its not Indias social identities motivating Prabhu. He dashes out of our meeting into the Parliament session, where hes hoping a certain vote will come up. One never knows in Indian politics; debates make Mr. Smiths American filibuster seem flimsy. The presiding officer is being chided by a Parliament member for calling someone a wrong name; someone else demands the proceedings take place in English rather than Hindi; the discourse descends into hysteria. Prabhu smirks, sitting near the back, apart from everyone else. The babbling goes on. He stands up. Nothings happening here. He bolts in a flash.

Related Articles
Chicago (AFP) - House Speaker Paul Ryan faces a Republican primary challenge Tuesday in his home state of Wisconsin  a race thrust into the national spotlight due to presidential hopeful Donald Trump's lukewarm, and belated, endorsement of the incumbent.

Ryan, the top elected Republican in the United States, has been elected nine times by constituents in his congressional district, so the race would usually garner little attention. With a roughly 80 percent approval rating, he is still expected to win.

But this time around, he faces an opponent who has openly supported Trump, and the Republican White House candidate -- with whom Ryan has sparred throughout the campaign -- only offered his support on Friday.

The movement against the 46-year-old Ryan has taken on the appearance of a revolt of sorts, in the midst of an anti-establishment wave that helped make Trump the party's presidential nominee.

Ryan's challenger, businessman Paul Nehlen, has managed to get outsized attention by staging protests near Ryan's home.

In one July 23 incident, Nehlen supporters and mothers whose children were killed by undocumented immigrants challenged Ryan's lack of full support for Trump's immigration agenda.

Ryan has criticized Trump's call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States.

Eleanor Powell, who teaches political science at the University of Wisconsin, cautioned that a "low-turnout, early August primary" was tough to predict.

Evidence of Trump's impact will come from who is inspired to show up at the polls and how those voters influence the outcome, she said.

"Certainly among local Republican elected officials, they've been pushing back pretty hard against some of Trump's comments," Powell said.

Trump touched off a firestorm last Tuesday when he refused to endorse Ryan for re-election. Instead, the brash billionaire also praised Nehlen.

Conservative figures Sarah Palin and Ann Coulter have offered Nehlen their support, with Coulter stumping for him in Wisconsin.

Story continues

Slipping in the polls and with many Republicans aghast at their nominee's rhetoric, Trump reversed course Friday and offered Ryan his endorsement during a campaign rally in Wisconsin.

But that may have been too late to reverse permanent damage to Trump's relationship with local Republicans in Wisconsin -- an important swing state, Powell said.

"The endorsement helps patch over the surface differences," she said.
From Cosmopolitan

Hoping to capitalize on the criticism battering Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton has begun portraying support for her candidacy as a patriotic duty of voters. She's broadening her message and appealing directly to Republicans to keep him out of the White House.

It's a twist for a Democratic presidential candidate who has some of the highest unpopularity ratings in history. But aides believe Trump's controversial campaign and the chaos it's caused within the Republican Party offers a unique opportunity.

In Ohio recently, Clinton urged Republicans "to pick country over party." She told several thousand at a union hall in Las Vegas on Thursday, "I want to be the president for all Americans. Democrats, Republicans independents. We're going to pull America together again."

Clinton had always planned to speak to a broader audience during the general election campaign, a standard move for presidential candidates after their party conventions. But the state of Trump's campaign and his decision to stick with his inflammatory primary message has prompted her to intensify her focus across party lines.

Democrats, including President Barack Obama, have begun arguing that Trump poses a unique danger to democracy. That's an argument they did not make against former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney or Arizona Sen. John McCain, the past two GOP presidential nominees.

As she's campaigned across the country this week, Clinton has framed the election as a choice between economic growth and "demagoguery" and "insults." And she's making a point of acknowledging the deep economic anxiety that helped fuel Trump's rise in the primary polls.

"I know people are angry and frustrated," she said in a speech on a factory floor in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. "I'm not going into this with some kind of rose-colored glasses."

A small team is working on Republican outreach at Clinton's campaign headquarters in Brooklyn, largely focused on fielding calls from Republicans interested in giving money and helping with fundraising. A more formal effort will launch soon, focusing on wooing uneasy GOP voters at the national and state level.

Story continues

This week, Clinton picked up the backing of Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO and Republican fundraiser Meg Whitman and New York Rep. Richard Hanna, the first Republican House member to back her. Clinton herself reached out to Whitman, her campaign said, and campaign chairman John Podesta is also involved in GOP outreach.

Whitman, a Republican, said she was not ready to back Clinton, but said she would not be supporting Trump. She said, "I knew him when I was governor. What's going on is who he is. He is not going to change behavior."

Republicans doubt the effort will gain traction. Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Iowa Republican Party, noted Clinton's high negatives, saying said he didn't think she had "a prayer with Republicans."

But some longtime GOP voters appear persuadable, such as Don Campbell, executive director of the National Electrical Contractors Association and a Republican who's backing Clinton.

"I've never seen anything like this in my life," said Campbell, who met Clinton when she toured a Las Vegas electric company Thursday. "It's because of what comes out of his mouth and there are a lot of people who are making the same decision."

Clinton's campaign doesn't anticipate a mass movement of what they call "common sense Republican" voters or elected officials to her candidacy, according to a pair of aides. They spoke on condition of anonymity, because they were not authorized to publicly discuss campaign strategy.

Rather, the target is moderates, particularly women, in the crucial swing counties surrounding cities such as Richmond, Virginia, Columbus, Ohio, and Philadelphia.

Jennifer Pierotti Lim, who heads a group called Republican Women for Hillary, said they have heard from nearly 100 women since the party conventions concluded. "I think Trump doubling down on these things gives people an extra push to come forward," she said.

The campaign feels bullish about its standing in the more diverse battleground states including Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Nevada and Virginia, the aides said. They believe the outreach also could help in whiter, Rust Belt states where the race appears close.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid predicted that Clinton would have opportunities to pick up support in some traditionally Republican states, including Arizona, Georgia, and possibly Utah. Clinton's campaign and her allies have paused some of their advertising in Virginia and Colorado, a sign of confidence in those key battleground states.

The outreach effort is not limited to her campaign: Allies at Priorities USA, a super PAC supporting her bid, have begun airing an ad in swing states featuring footage of Romney and other Republicans expressing their concerns about Trump's experience and temperament.

Trump is making no such effort to woo Democrats. The centerpieces of his performance at his rallies have largely remained identical to that of early this year, with little outreach to undecided voters or independents. Republican strategists say Trump's devotion to his message and penchant for controversy have affected his campaign's ability to effectively attack Clinton.

Associated Press writer Jonathan Lemire contributed to this report from Ashburn, Virginia.
Holland Taylor was proud to stand by her girlfriend Sarah Paulson at Saturday's 32nd Annual Television Critics Association Awards.

Paulson won for her role as Marcia Clark in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, and Taylor was her biggest cheerleader. "Individual Achievement in Drama #TCAAwards," the 73-year-old actress captioned a pic of Paulson with her award. "Such a joy to see her win! Superb performance!"

WATCH: Sarah Paulson Strips Down to Her Bra for Sultry Photoshoot, Reveals '80s TV Show Obsession

"Individual Achievement in Drama" #TCAAwards Such a joy to see her win! Superb performance! The People vs. OJ pic.twitter.com/ADsX650GRO  Holland Taylor (@HollandTaylor) August 7, 2016

The couple -- who went public with their relationship in December -- definitely won for best dressed at the awards ceremony. Paulson, 41, stepped out in a sheer, curve-hugging black dress, while Taylor chose a lovely white silk leopard print getup that perfectly complimented her girlfriend's ensemble.

Getty Images

These two are always supporting one another when it comes to their careers. In January, Paulson told ET that Taylor was a big fan of her role in American Crime Story. "Holland Taylor gave me a review. She seemed to think it was a thumbs up," she said. "She might be a bit biased."

WATCH: Sarah Paulson Calls Girlfriend Holland Taylor Her 'Favorite Actress' in Sweet Tweet

Story continues

In a recent interview with NOTOFU, Paulson also addressed the criticism she and Taylor have received for their 32-year age difference. "You should be able to love whomever you f**king well please," she exclaimed. "I believe that everyone should be allowed to speak their truth and just say what they want to say and show the world who they are."

WATCH: Sarah Paulson Says She's 'Absolutely' in Love With Holland Taylor, Talks Dating Older Women

Related Articles
Digital Broadcasting Corporation, Hong Kongs leading Internet broadcaster, is to cease transmissions and return its license to the government.

The company said that the sector had developed unsatisfactorily and that it had failed to attract enough advertising. But the closure will once again stoke the fires under Hong Kongs political cauldron.

It said on Monday that it will lay off 115 staff by Sept. 7, but said that it will remain on air until the government allows it to end transmissions.

The company which operates seven digital radio channels, has had a license since 2008 and took to the airwaves in 2011.

It went off air in 2012 after a dispute between founder Albert Cheng and its largest shareholder, the mainland Chinese businessman Bill Wong. Charges of political interference accounted for part of their falling out.

Broadcasting resumed in early 2013, but more recently DBC fired a quarter of its newsroom as a cost cutting measure.

It is the second digital broadcaster in Hong Kong to close down, leaving only two of four licensees still operating. Phoenix URadio was an earlier casualty.

Related stories

'Cold War 2' Claims Hong Kong Box Office Record

What Film Can Learn From Asia's Rising Art Fair Circuit

Hollywood Scores as Hong Kong Box Office Edges Higher in Year's First Half
From Cosmopolitan

One California woman is spending $20,000 a year to answer the question: What Would Barbie Do? (Probably get another degree and then open a pet psychology office, but whatever. This isn't about that.)

According to The Daily Mail, Carly Mersola, 25, spends $10,908 every six months to get her looks perfectly plastic - we're talking tanning, hair extensions, bleaching and lip injections. Next on the menu? Upping her 36 F cup boobs to a 36 G.

"I want to look as plastic as possible," the bartender from Marina Del Rey, Calif. told The Daily Mail. "It's all about being a living doll, expressing yourself and being happy."

"I love the attention, people looking at me thinking I look good."

Although she admits that looking exactly like Barbie might be unobtainable for her, she's still gonna try!

"For me it's the hour-glass figure, with a big bust, big hips and a little waist. I like wearing high-heels to make my legs look longer and have tanned skin. I like to stand out with my looks."

"I still want my boobs bigger, maybe a 36G."

As for what's next, Carly says she wants a Brazilian butt lift and Botox to smooth out her face. It's all in a day's - or year's! - worth for a human Barbie!

Follow Laura on Twitter.
By Laila Kearney

(Reuters) - The husband of a woman who was permanently disfigured when a group of teenagers dropped a rock onto her car from a Pennsylvania highway overpass has killed himself, medical examiner officials said on Monday.

Randy Budd, 55, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Uniontown, Ohio home late on Saturday, Harry Campbell, Stark County Coroner's chief investigator, said.

Budd had spoken with his brother by telephone several times on the night of his death, Campbell said. His brother, who found the body, was traveling to Budd's home at the time of the suicide, Campbell said.

Campbell declined to say what the conversation with Budd's brother was about. Budd had texted several other family members shortly before his death, Campbell said.

Budd had helped care for his wife, teacher Sharon Budd, since she was struck in the face by the large rock that smashed through her windshield in the July 11, 2014, attack as she and her family drove on Interstate 80 in Union County, Pennsylvania.

Since the rock attack, which crushed part of Sharon Budd's skull and caused her to lose the use of an eye, Budd had fought for legislation requiring fencing be installed on new overpasses.

"What a tragic loss," state Senator Gene Yaw, who introduced a protective fencing bill at Budd's urging, said in a statement. "My thoughts and prayers to Randy Budd's family and friends during this very difficult time."

Two hours before his body was discovered, Budd texted Yaw with the message, "Please get the fence issue settled," the Patriot-News reported.

Four men, who were in their late teens at the time of the incident, have been convicted in Sharon Budd's injury.

Dylan Lahr, of New Columbia, Pennsylvania, was the accused ringleader, was sentenced to 18 months to 20 years in prison.

Sentences for Keefer McGee, Brett Lahr and Tyler Porter ranged from 11 and a half months to four and a half years.

(Editing by Frank McGurty and Alan Crosby)
I was not forced to marry the woman who is now my wife, the mother of my children, on account of social norms, caste or community. Ours was a love marriage, and when I look back in hindsight, I do see how madly in love we were some five years ago. But all those emotions have since faded away. Though we stay together, in the same bedroom, under the same roof, we have gradually grown miles apart. She doesnt understand me anymore, nor I, her. She is clueless of the struggles I put up with outside the house, I am unmindful to her life inside. We talk less, we, as I believe, know each other lesser.

Who gets me more is my co-worker, Sheily. What Sheily and I share is purely emotional. The nine hours we spend together every day empower us to see through each other, when we stand opaque to our own partners.

If given an opportunity to travel back in time and undo my marriage so I could marry Sheily, will I? Hell  no. Will I ever cheat on my wife with Sheily? I cant even envision myself involving in such degeneracy. Yet, I cant wait for the weekend to get over and meet Sheily. I am in a fix  I am in an emotional affair, nothing will ever happen between Sheily and myself. But by encouraging this interest am I breaking my wifes trust? I dont condone this behavior, a part of me chastises me continually, but a part also plays the devils advocate  everyone deserves to be understood, spend a moment in respite. This respite, I get when I drink a cup of coffee with Sheily at the break out area, or when we work against the clock on a demanding project. When I trace back the origin of the fondness I have recently grown for this other woman, I find it stemming from my desperate need to be in the company of the woman I had once fallen in love with, with whom I had built dreams, who I eventually married. Because Sheily reminds me of my wife, what she used to be when we were in college.

Despite all these explanations, I suffer from an excruciating guilt. Many a times, I have attempted to put an end to it, I have considered changing jobs, moving to a different city, but none of these options stood ground. The problem is in my mind, and distancing myself from these tangible factors wont solve anything till my mind figures a way out of it.

Story continues

Kusum, lets go on a vacation. Its been a while we havent been on a trip all by ourselves. We havent spoken of anything but childrens education, installments and retirement plans since forever. I have too many leaves on my leave balance. I broached on the topic during dinner. I had sent the children to my in-laws. Kusum was staring at me, taken aback at my insanity. I continued with my insanity. You wanted to visit Greece for our honeymoon. But we couldnt afford it then. Now we can. Lets go.

Kusum smiled, not in pleasure but in sarcasm. You want to go on a trip now? Do you know the kids final exams are round the corner? What about the house? I cant put all the responsibilities on Shanti, by the time we are back all my crockeries will be in pieces. And your mother is scheduled for her eye surgery next month, I dont want your brother and his wife to tend to her and project it like I left her in times of need.

This calculative woman is certainly not the one I married, but does she deserve, even in oblivion, the emotional deceit I am subjecting her to everyday. Is emotional infidelity even a thing worth worrying about, or is it just a transient phenomenon that will pass by before I know. I sit at the dining table, perplexed, while Kusum makes herself comfortable on the couch, watching some saas-bahu drama.

(This story was shared with Avantika Debnath. If you have a story worth sharing, please send it to Avantika_debnath@yahoo.in)


By Martyn Herman RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Annemiek van Vleuten suffered three fractured vertebrae and a concussion after a horrifying high-speed crash in the Olympic women's road race on Sunday but the Dutch rider said she will be fine and was more disappointed at missing out on a medal. Television pictures showed Van Vleuten slamming into the road and a stone kerb after losing control of her bike when leading on the final descent towards Copacabana beach with around 15km of the race remaining. She was taken to hospital and put in intensive care, with some who saw the accident fearing the 33-year-old may have suffered more severe injuries. "I am now in the hospital with some injuries and fractures, but will be fine," Van Vleuten said on Twitter. "Most of all super disappointed after best race of my career." Other riders were quick to offer their support. Australian Gracie Elvin, who also rides for the Orica team along with Van Vleuten, said she could have been killed. "I'm still concerned right now but from what we've heard she's ok," Elvin said on Twitter. "She's super tough." It is not the first time Van Vleuten has suffered serious injuries after a crash. Last year she was left with three broken ribs, a broken collarbone and a collapsed lung following a training accident with a car in Italy. The Rio course, particularly the Vista Chinesa descent where Vincenzo Nibali crashed and broke both collarbones on Saturday, has come under fire. The sport's governing body (UCI) issued a statement saying Van Vleuten's was "in stable condition at the intensive care of a Rio de Janeiro hospital". The Dutch team's chief medical officer Cees Rein van den Hoogenband said: "Annemiek went through a total CT scan and is stable now. She suffers from a heavy concussion but there were no further abnormalities seen on the scan. "She will stay in intensive care for the next 24 hours. She is fully conscious and her reactions are adequate." Van Vleuten's compatriot Anna van der Breggen won the women's race. "Of course if you are riding out front, then maybe you take too much risk, I don't know," she said. "It's still a bike race and anything can happen, so maybe it's just bad luck that happened to her." On Saturday Nibali was also leading the men's race when he crashed on the same section of road. (Additional reporting by Mitch Phillips; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Industrial tool manufacturer Illinois Tool Works Inc. ITW recently announced an 18% increase in its quarterly dividend rate.



As revealed, Illinois Tool Works board of directors approved a dividend of 65 cents per share, above the previous quarterly rate of 55 cents per share. On an annualized basis, the dividend has increased to $2.60 from $2.20 per share.



Illinois Tool Works will pay the revised quarterly dividend on Oct 6, 2016 to shareholders of record on Sep 30.



Illinois Tool Works follows a consistent policy of rewarding its shareholders handsomely through dividend payments and share buybacks. In the first half of 2016, the company repurchased roughly $1 billion worth of shares and distributed dividends worth $398 million. For 2016, the company targets repurchasing shares worth $2 billion. We believe such disbursements reflect the companys strong cash position, with free cash flow conversion predicted to be greater than 100%.



In second-quarter 2016, Illinois Tool Works reported better-than-expected results, recording a positive earnings surprise of 4.3% and sales surprise of 0.9%. The results were primarily driven by organic growth initiatives, operating margin improvement and lower share count. For 2016, the company increased its earnings guidance to $5.50$5.70 per share from the previous projection of $5.40$5.60. Over the last 60 days, the Zacks Consensus for the stock has increased 2.2% to $5.63 per share for 2016 and 1.7% to $6.14 per share for 2017. These estimates reflect year-over-year growth of 9.7% for 2015 and 9.1% for 2016.

ILL TOOL WORKS Price and Consensus

ILL TOOL WORKS Price and Consensus | ILL TOOL WORKS Quote

With a market capitalization of nearly $42 billion, Illinois Tool Works presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Some better-ranked stocks in the machinery industry include Gorman-Rupp Co. GRC, Tennant Company TNC and Luxfer Holdings PLC LXFR. While both Gorman-Rupp and Tennant Company sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Luxfer Holdings carries the same Zacks Rank as Illinois Tool Works.



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



ILL TOOL WORKS (ITW): Free Stock Analysis Report



TENNANT CO (TNC): Free Stock Analysis Report



GORMAN RUPP CO (GRC): Free Stock Analysis Report



LUXFER HOLDINGS (LXFR): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
* Uber, Ola scrap over $12 bln India taxi market

* Uber to focus more on India after Didi China deal - sources

* Didi invested about $30 mln in Ola last year

* Uber hires more engineers, ex-Google exec for India dvlps

By Aditya Kalra and Aditi Shah

NEW DELHI, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Didi Chuxing's acquisition of Uber's China business last week reshapes the landscape in Asia's growing ride-hailing sector, and leaves India's Ola more vulnerable to attack by Uber in its $12 billion home market.

Four months ago, Ola executives met with Didi hoping the Chinese firm would invest fresh capital to help it fight Uber Technologies Inc which, with its deeper pockets, has made rapid inroads into India.

They were told Didi wanted first to sort out its own challenges in China, said a person with direct knowledge of Ola's plans. Didi and Uber have raised and spent billions of dollars in a discount slugfest to win drivers, passengers and market share in China.

Didi, now worth around $35 billion, last year invested about $30 million in Ola, which is also backed by Japan's SoftBank Group, and the two are allies in an anti-Uber group that also includes U.S.-based Lyft and Southeast Asia-focused Grab.

"This (Didi/Uber China) deal changes the dynamics of how they (Didi) will invest in India," said the person, who didn't want to be named because the discussions were private. If Didi invests more in Ola, it's effectively betting against Uber, its new partner in China, the person said.

It's not clear whether Didi would provide equity or debt to Ola, which has raised around $1.3 billion in funding and is valued at over $5 billion. SoftBank Capital, Ola's key investor, faces its own financial issues and is selling assets to raise cash and reduce debt, which may pose another fundraising challenge for Ola, which was aiming to raise another $1 billion this year.

Ola did not respond to an email request for comment. Didi said in an email that it will focus in the coming months on "ensuring smooth integration internally." It did not comment on its meeting with Ola. Didi has no immediate overseas investment plans, said a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

Story continues

The stakes are high in India, already one of the world's fastest growing taxi markets. Ola and Uber have burned through investors' money and clashed in legal battles over alleged dirty-tricks tactics and pricing.

After the Didi deal, Uber is even more focused on India, which it has previously called its No. 2 priority overseas market, doubling down on resources, staffing and technology deployed there, said two people familiar with Uber's plans, one of whom is based in the United States.

MISSION INDIA

Ola, founded by two graduates from India's premier technology institute, commands half of the country's taxi market as of end-June in terms of the number of cars registered on its platform, according to Counterpoint Research, with Uber on around 30 percent market share, and catching fast.

Uber has previously launched a bike taxi and autos service in India - a sign that it wants to localize transport options and a lesson from China where it focused on privately-owned cars in big cities, where car ownership has historically been low.

Uber declined to comment for this article.

In February, Uber opened an engineering centre in Bengaluru and has, according to LinkedIn, brought in ex-Google executive Apurva Dalal to lead its India product build. It has also hired more than three dozen engineers in India in six months and plans to add dozens more by the end of the year, said one of the people familiar with Uber's plans.

Two executives heading Uber's mapping efforts, Brian McClendon and Manik Gupta, visited India in June to work on making the Uber app more localised and boosting the mapping capabilities, the other, U.S.-based, individual said.

While Uber has pushed into cities and markets worldwide, Ola operates only in its home market. Ola is in 102 cities versus Uber's 27, according to Counterpoint, and offers a wider range of products - from auto rickshaws to shuttle buses, as well as taxi rides.

The Didi/Uber deal "will put Ola in a corner, and the pressure will rise," said Neil Shah, research director at Counterpoint. "The money Ola has will not last forever and it will require a lot of funding with Uber gaining financial strength."

(Reporting by Aditya Kalra and Aditi Shah, with additional reporting by Heather Somerville in San Francisco; Editing by Euan Rocha and Ian Geoghegan)
By Andrew R.C. Marshall TAMU, Myanmar (Reuters) - Five years ago, when cold pills first trickled across Myanmar's untamed border with India, many local officials were baffled. Where was this medicine going, and why were smugglers so interested in it? Today, the cross-border trickle has become a torrent and everyone knows why the Indian-made pills are so valuable: they are bound for secret laboratories in lawless eastern Myanmar that churn out most of mainland Southeast Asia's methamphetamine, or "meth". Cold pills contain pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient of meth, a highly addictive drug whose ever-soaring popularity is rattling governments across Asia. In recent months the Philippines has elected a president on a platform of harsh action against drug dealers, Indonesia has resumed executions of drug traffickers after a year-long hiatus and Thailand is wrestling with a soaring prison population. Myanmar's current boom in meth production would be impossible without a recent surge in pseudoephedrine smuggled from India's huge and ill-regulated pharmaceuticals sector, say police and narcotics experts. The uninterrupted flow of the drug is highlighting a disconnect between countries in tackling a meth epidemic that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) calls Asia's "number one drug threat". "It's big, big business," said Ye Htut, a former advisor to Myanmar's ex-President Thein Sein. He attributed a property boom in Kalay, the largest town in this otherwise impoverished region, to the profits made from smuggling pseudoephedrine. Meth is sold in pill form as "ya ba", a Thai name meaning "crazy medicine", or as a more potent, crystalline substance known as "crystal meth", "ice" or "shabu". Each Indian cold pill can make one "ya ba" and costs only a few cents to produce. By the time it has crossed the border and reached Mandalay - Myanmar's northern capital and a major smuggling hub - the pill's value has increased roughly tenfold. Across mainland Southeast Asia, the UNODC estimates the meth trade was worth about $15 billion in 2013. CROSS-BORDER ROUTE The rugged and ethnically diverse region straddling the Indian border ranks among Myanmar's poorest, with no industry and modest infrastructure. Its main road is a two-lane highway linked by rickety bridges and plied by ox carts. It is here that Myanmar police have been finding thousands of the cold pills, hidden in rice sacks, packed into truck chassis or spilling from the luggage of cross-border bus passengers. In one bust here in mid-June, police intercepted a car carrying more than 60 kg (130 lbs) of Indian pseudoephedrine - enough to make more than a million "ya ba" pills. Global demand for methamphetamine has created "new precursor chemical entrepreneurs in India", said the U.S. State Department in a 2015 report. Experts believe many criminals who once smuggled drugs now prefer precursors, which offer high profits but much lighter penalties. Myanmar police say China is also a major supplier of pseudoephedrine. But with tighter controls there, and with greater demand for the chemical as meth use booms, drug producers have increasingly turned to India. Pseudoephedrine is a controlled substance in India requiring all handlers to register with the authorities. In practice, the trade is poorly monitored, with Indian officials complaining of weak intelligence-sharing between government agencies and rare prosecutions of offenders. Raw pseudoephedrine is made in a handful of Indian factories, then moved through a network of wholesalers, drug makers, distributors and drugstores. It gets pilfered at every point along the way, say experts. In a statement to Reuters, India's Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) said seizures had dropped after the country's narcotics laws were changed in 2013 to define pseudoephedrine as controlled. And indeed, police in Kalay and Tamu, Myanmar's two main districts bordering India, seized only 400 kg of pseudoephedrine last year, down from more than 3.5 tons in 2013. But that may well be because smugglers have found novel ways to avoid detection. "It's highly likely that traffickers have just shifted approach," said Jeremy Douglas, the UNODC's Asia-Pacific head. Tamu district alone had more than 80 unofficial crossing points along its 125-km (80-mile) border with India, said Douglas, making it almost impossible to monitor. The Indian Embassy in Yangon did not respond to a request for comment on the problem. DRUG PROBLEM Already the world's second-largest producer, after Afghanistan, of opium and its derivative heroin, Myanmar is now also reporting record-breaking seizures of meth. In May, police intercepted a truck in northern Myanmar carrying 21 million ya ba pills worth an estimated $35 million. The booming drugs trade poses a challenge to the fledgling government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Rapid urbanization in the commercial capital Yangon is creating the kind of slums that have fueled the increase in meth abuse in countries such as Thailand and the Philippines. Health experts are braced for an explosion in domestic meth use. Meanwhile, police in Mandalay, a transit point between the western frontier with India and the rebel-dominated eastern borderlands, say they are still making record seizures of Indian-made pseudoephedrine. Greater regional integration, aided by Indian and Myanmar road-building programs, promised to boost both trade and trafficking, said the UNODC's Douglas. "India and Myanmar are cooperating to some extent but they're not doing a lot of joint operations or intelligence-sharing," he said. Myanmar police said most large drug and precursor shipments were smuggled through Moreh, the Indian border town opposite Tamu. They have arrested scores of couriers or "mules", but said they needed India's help to arrest the ringleaders. An Indian man suspected of arranging a large pseudoephedrine shipment in 2013 sought refuge on the other side of the border, said Tamu police chief Major Soe Naing. "Cooperation with India is quite weak so we haven't been able to catch him," he said. The NCB said Myanmar had not presented evidence that smuggling kingpins were hiding in India, or even that the pseudoephedrine it had seized was Indian-made. "It is coming from other countries too," said a top NCB official, who asked not to be named because he wasn't authorized to speak to journalists. (Additional reporting by Tommy Wilkes and Krista Mahr in New Delhi; Editing by Alex Richardson)
We believe that during the AprJun 16 quarter macro headwinds, including unfavorable foreign currency movements and weak economic conditions in some developed and developing nations, played spoilsport for many industrial stocks. However, the impacts of such adversities are believed to have ebbed compared with the previous quarter.



For the U.S.-based industrial products stocks, the economic conditions of the home-country as well as that of the foreign countries it serves are of utmost importance. In the U.S., one of the leading economic indicators for the industrial stocks - industrial production - fell roughly 1% year over year in the AprilJune quarter.



As of Aug 5, roughly 95.5% of industrial products stocks in the S&P 500 Group reported results, recording a 1.2% decline in earnings and 4.5% fall in revenue. Considering the prevalent headwinds, earnings for the industrial products stocks in the S&P 500 Group are predicted to decline 4.9%, while revenue will likely fall 5.6%.



Whats in Store for 4 Industrial Stocks, LABL, CDXS, ASCMA, HWCC, for AprJun 16 Quarter?



Below we discuss briefly the expectations from the upcoming results (AprilJune quarter) for four industrial stocks:



Multi-Color Corp. LABL: This industrial company is slated to release its first-quarter fiscal 2017 (ended Jun 2016) results on Aug 9, before the market opens. In the four trailing quarters, the company reported lower-than-expected results in three while recording better-than-expected results in one. Average earnings surprise was a negative 3.52%.

MULTI-COLOR Price and EPS Surprise

MULTI-COLOR Price and EPS Surprise | MULTI-COLOR Quote

Our proven model does not conclusively show that Multi-Color Corp. will be able to pull an earnings surprise. For a possible earnings beat, the company should have the right combination of two key ingredients  a positive Earnings ESP (the percentage difference between the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate) and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), #2 (Buy) or #3 (Hold). Currently, the company carries a Zacks Rank #3 and a 0.00% ESP. Over the last 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the stock remained unchanged at 89 cents per share.



Codexis, Inc. CDXS: This industrial company is slated to release its second-quarter 2016 results on Aug 9, after the market closes. In the four trailing quarters, the company reported better-than-expected results in two while recording in-line results in the rest. Average earnings surprise was a positive 69.55%.

Story continues

CODEXIS INC Price and EPS Surprise

CODEXIS INC Price and EPS Surprise | CODEXIS INC Quote

Our proven model does not conclusively show that it will beat earnings this quarter because it currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) and a +100% Earnings ESP. Over the last 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the stock has improved from loss per share of 3 cents to earnings of 3 cents per share.



Note that we caution against stocks with Zacks Rank #4 or #5 (Sell-rated stocks) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.



Ascent Capital Group, Inc. ASCMA: The industrial company is anticipated to release its second-quarter 2016 results on Aug 9, after the market closes. In the trailing four quarters, the company lagged estimates in two quarters, while recorded in-line results in one. Average earnings surprise was a negative 48.46%.

ASCENT CAP GRP Price and EPS Surprise

ASCENT CAP GRP Price and EPS Surprise | ASCENT CAP GRP Quote

Our proven model does not conclusively show that Ascent Capital Group will beat estimate this quarter because it currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 and a 0.00% Earnings ESP. Over the last 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the stock has remained stable at a loss of $1.43 per share.



Houston Wire & Cable Company HWCC: The industrial company is slated to release its second-quarter 2016 results on Aug 9, before the market opens. Over the four trailing quarters, the company reported lower-than-expected results in all quarters, with an average earnings surprise of a negative 57.50%.

HOUSTON WIRE&CB Price and EPS Surprise

HOUSTON WIRE&CB Price and EPS Surprise | HOUSTON WIRE&CB Quote

Our proven model does not conclusively show that Houston Wire & Cable Company will beat earnings this quarter because it currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 and a 0.00% Earnings ESP. Over the last 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the stock has remained stable at 1 cent per share for second-quarter 2016.



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



HOUSTON WIRE&CB (HWCC): Free Stock Analysis Report



MULTI-COLOR (LABL): Free Stock Analysis Report



CODEXIS INC (CDXS): Free Stock Analysis Report



ASCENT CAP GRP (ASCMA): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
Infiniti's new QX30 small crossover will go on sale soon for a hair under $31,000, a price that undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class with which it shares its powertrain and underpinnings.

For $30,945, the base QX30 includes the same 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gas engine, which powers the front wheels. From there, the QX30 lineup adds equipment as it gets more expensive. Only the two middle trim levels offer all-wheel drive, however.

CHECK OUT: Nissan Altima vs. Volkswagen Passat: Compare Cars

Here's a look at how the lineup will be priced when the QX30 arrives in dealers this September:

QX30: $30,945

QX30 Luxury: $33,595

QX30 Premium: $36,295

QX30 Sport: $39,495

Those prices are for front-wheel drive models. Adding all-wheel drive ups the price by $1,800 for the QX30 Luxury and $2,400 for the QX30 Premium, but it includes special exterior design touches and a slightly raised suspension.

DON'T MISS: 2017 Buick LaCrosse First Drive: Buick's Trendsetter

The QX30 Sport, as its name implies, includes more performance-oriented goodies like a lowered suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, and unique front and rear fascias.

By contrast, the least expensive GLA250 front-wheel drive model stickers at $33,775. Similarly, the competitive BMW X1 checks in at a much heftier $34,095 before any options are added.

Place an order for a QX30 through the automaker's QX30 Reservation Program available on its website before the model arrives in dealers and Infiniti will reward you with a GoPro camera, Bose wireless headphones, one night's stay in a Starwood hotel, or a Gilt.com gift card that includes a "specially curated culinary experience."

___________________________________________

Follow The Car Connection on Facebook and Twitter.




In an election year where both presidential candidates have had their trustworthiness and ability to handle sensitive information criticized, perhaps it is not surprising that the intelligence briefings presidential nominees receive have been hotly debated.

But experts are brushing off the criticism and focusing far beyond the briefings.



Nominees for president and vice president typically receive just one or two briefings, which provide threat overviews, in between their nominating convention and the general election, according to an intelligence official familiar with the matter. The official added that the candidates receive the briefings  organized and conducted by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence  due to their status as candidates, and do not require separate security clearances.

Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have had their ability to receive the briefings called into question. Clinton was investigated by the FBI for her handling of classified information, and at a press conference, Trump said she should not be able to receive the security briefings.



"I don't think that it's safe to have Hillary Clinton, in light of what just happened, and in light of what we just found out, I don't think it's safe to have Hillary Clinton be briefed on national security because the word will get out," Trump said.



Across the aisle, Democrat and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid told the Huffington Post that Trump should be given false information at his briefing. Trump has said he hopes Russia found emails deleted by Clinton off of her server.



"Fake it, pretend you're doing a briefing, but you can't give the guy any information," Reid told the website regarding Trump. "This guy, he's part of a foreign power."

However, Mike Leavitt, a former governor of Utah and the leader of Mitt Romney's 2012 transition team, said criticism that either candidate should not be trusted with the briefings ignored the will of voters.



Story continues

"Obviously, the president of the United States has to be trustworthy with highly classified information, because they are the person that has the mandate from the people to have all information," Leavitt said.



He added that while the briefings are important, a high priority for him was preparing to put a national security team in place ahead of what he hoped was a Romney victory.



"[The briefings are] a factor, but until a person becomes the president-elect they have no authority or no responsibility and therefore the briefing process on national security is not particularly intense," Leavitt said. "Transitions also begin to get people cleared to handle classified information that don't get [the information] until after the election, but they have to be cleared for it."



Other experts also echoed Leavitt's point that the status as a presidential nominee should be enough to qualify someone for the briefings, regardless of criticisms.



"They are the nominees of the parties and clearly the decision has been made that in that position they have a need to know certain information," said former Secret Service Director and Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection Ralph Basham.



Basham said he had contributed information to the briefing agencies during his time in government.



"All of the agencies, particularly law enforcement agencies, make contributions to the agencies that are responsible for gathering it, disseminating it," Basham said.



It is unclear exactly how many members of the campaigns receive the briefings; the presidential and vice presidential nominee receive the briefings without requiring separate security clearances, while aides must have clearance to accompany, according to an intelligence official.



Max Stier, president of the Partnership for Public Service  which runs the Center for Presidential Transition  said that the complexity and the importance of the transition process means it must begin now, particularly when it comes to national security.



"Whoever wins, we should want a president that's well-prepared to run our government," Stier said. "The briefings are a small piece of a larger action that's necessary here."



Martha Kumar, director of the White House Transition Project, said the purpose of the briefings is twofold: to provide the candidates with information for potential decision-making, and to acquaint them with the personnel and resources of the intelligence community.



According to a report put together by the White House Transition Project and Rice University's Baker Institute, similar briefings have been delivered to presidential candidates since 1952.



Kumar also sought to minimize concerns over briefings, and the ability of Clinton and Trump to receive them.



"These briefings are an important part of the election preparation, and the political parties have made their choices," she said. "The idea that the candidates are going to come and the intelligence community drops all of the pearls out of the treasure chest is not realistic, that doesn't happen."

As of Saturday, a source with knowledge of the situation said the Clinton campaign has not had a briefing yet.

Neither the Trump nor Clinton campaign returned CNBC's request for comment.



UPDATED: This story was updated to include comments from a source regarding the Clinton campaign's briefing status.





More From CNBC


Tehran (AFP) - Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, rumoured to be planning a political comeback, has asked Barack Obama to return $2 billion of assets frozen in the US in a letter made public Monday.

Ahmadinejad wrote that despite early promises by the US president to improve ties with Iran "the same hostile policies along with the same trend of enmity were pursued".

He specifically mentioned the $2 billion of Iranian foreign currency reserves seized from New York bank accounts earlier this year.

In April, the US Supreme Court confirmed an earlier ruling that the money should be used to compensate the families of victims of the 1983 bombing of a US Marines barracks in Lebanon and other incidents blamed on Iran.

Iran is appealing the decision at the International Court of Justice.

"I passionately advise you not to let the historical defamation and bitter incident be recorded under your name," Ahmadinejad wrote.

The letter comes as the controversial former president, who led the country from 2005 to 2013, is reportedly working towards a possible run in next year's presidential election.

He has made multiple public appearances around the country in recent weeks, although he has yet to formally announce he is running.

Ahmadinejad's inflammatory rhetoric -- particularly regarding Iran's nuclear programme and hostility towards Israel -- was blamed for deepening tensions with the West, but his populist approach and humble roots means he has retained popularity with poorer sections of Iranian society.

By the end of his term, Ahmadinejad had alienated even the conservative establishment and it remains to be seen whether he will be approved as a candidate by the powerful Guardian Council.

The council announced last month that the election will take place on May 19.

President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate who oversaw a deal with world powers to end sanctions in exchange for curbing Iran's nuclear programme, is expected to run for a second term, although he faces mounting pressure from conservatives who say the deal has brought few benefits to Iran.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  Iran executed a nuclear scientist convicted of spying for the United States, an official said Sunday, acknowledging for the first time that the nation secretly detained and tried a man who was once heralded as a hero.

Shahram Amiri defected to the U.S. at the height of Western efforts to thwart Irans nuclear program. When he returned in 2010, he was welcomed with flowers by government leaders and even went on the Iranian talk-show circuit. Then he mysteriously disappeared.

He was hanged the same week that Tehran executed a group of militants, a year after Iran agreed to a landmark accord to limit uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Amiri first vanished in 2009 while on a religious pilgrimage to Muslim holy sites in Saudi Arabia. A year later, he reappeared in a series of contradictory online videos filmed in the U.S. He then walked into the Iranian-interests section at the Pakistani Embassy in Washington and demanded to be sent home.

In interviews, he described being kidnapped and held against his will by Saudi and American spies. U.S. officials said he was to receive millions of dollars for his help in understanding Irans nuclear program.

Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejehi said Amiri had access to the countrys secret and classified information and had been linked to our hostile and No. 1 enemy, America, the Great Satan.

The spokesman told journalists that Amiri had been tried in a death-penalty case that was upheld by an appeals court. He did not explain why authorities never announced the conviction, though he said Amiri had access to lawyers.

News about Amiri, born in 1977, has been scant since his return to Iran. Last year, his father told the BBCs Farsi-language service that his son had been held at a secret site. Ejehi said Amiris family mistakenly believed he received a 10-year prison sentence.

Story continues

On Tuesday, Iran announced it had executed a number of criminals, describing them mainly as militants from the countrys Kurdish minority. Then an obituary notice for Amiri circulated in his hometown of Kermanshah, a city 500 kilometers (310 miles) southwest of Tehran, according to the Iranian pro-reform daily newspaper Shargh.

Manoto, a private satellite television channel based in London believed to be run by those who back Irans ousted shah, reported Saturday that Amiri had been executed. BBC Farsi also quoted Amiris mother saying her sons neck bore ligature marks suggesting he had been hanged by the state.

The Associated Press could not immediately reach Amiris family.

His disappearance came as Western countries stepped up their efforts to impede Irans nuclear program under the government of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The U.S. actively tried to recruit nuclear scientists to defect. Later, four Iranian nuclear scientists were assassinated between 2010 and 2012, and Iran blamed the slayings on Israel and the West.

The Stuxnet computer virus, widely believed to be a joint U.S.-Israeli creation, also disrupted thousands of centrifuges at a uranium enrichment facility in Iran at the same time.

In June 2010, a shaky online video emerged of Amiri saying he had been kidnapped by American and Saudi agents and was in Tucson, Arizona.

A short time later, he appeared in a professionally shot online video near a chess set, saying he wanted to earn a doctorate in America and return to Iran if an opportunity of safe travel presented itself. His wife and son remained behind in Iran.

I have not done any activity against my homeland, he said. But soon, another clip contradicted that, and he appeared at the Pakistani Embassy.

Hillary Clinton, who was then the secretary of state, stressed that Amiri had been in America of his own free will.

He is free to go, she said.

U.S. officials at the time told the AP that Amiri was paid $5 million to offer the CIA information about Irans nuclear program, though he left the country without the money. They said Amiri, who ran a radiation-detection program in Iran, traveled to the U.S. and stayed there for months by choice.

Analysts abroad suggested Iranian authorities may have threatened Amiris family back in Iran, forcing him to return.

On his return from the U.S., Amiri was greeted at airport by high-ranking government officials and was invited to TV talk shows where he explained how he bypassed a U.S. trap to get home. Many newspapers published accounts of his return on their front pages and some suggested a movie be made from his story.

He said Saudi and American officials had kidnapped him while he visited the Saudi holy city of Medina. He said Israeli agents were present at his interrogations and that that CIA officers offered him $50 million to remain in America.

I was under the harshest mental and physical torture, he said.

Amiris case indirectly found its way back into the spotlight in the U.S. last year with the release of State Department emails sent and received by Clinton, now the Democratic presidential candidate. The release of those emails came amid criticism of Clintons use of a private account and server that has persisted into her campaign against Republican candidate Donald Trump.

An email forwarded to Clinton by senior adviser Jake Sullivan on July 5, 2010  just 10 days before Amiri returned to Tehran  appears to reference the scientist.

We have a diplomatic, psychological issue, not a legal one. Our friend has to be given a way out, the email by Richard Morningstar, a former State Department special envoy for Eurasian energy, read. Our person wont be able to do anything anyway. If he has to leave, so be it.

Another email, sent by Sullivan on July 12, 2010, appears to obliquely refer to the scientist just hours before his appearance at the Pakistani Embassy became widely known.

The gentleman  has apparently gone to his countrys interests section because he is unhappy with how much time it has taken to facilitate his departure, Sullivan wrote. This could lead to problematic news stories in the next 24 hours.

___

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

___

Associated Press Writer Amir Vahdat contributed to this report.
Child of the Revolution

Born in Tehran in the aftermath of the Iranian revolution, Nazanin Boniadi was just 20 days old when her parents immigrated to London in 1980. They were forced to flee, she says. My parents didnt want to raise their daughter in a place that was growing increasingly oppressive towards women and girls. Boniadi channels her independent streak as Ben-Hurs Esther, the courageous wife of the titular Jerusalem prince Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston). She really is a moral compass in the film, the 37-year-old says. She pulls Judah through.

Night Nurse

After graduating with honors in biology from the University of California, Irvine, Boniadi swapped the security of a medical career for her dream of becoming an actor. Luckily, nine months after I made that decision, I got my SAG card, she says. She landed her first role as a nurse on the soap opera General Hospital: The Night Shift. Since then, shes played a seductive terrorist on Scandal, a clever CIA analyst on Homeland, and a charming girl next door on How I Met Your Mother. She prides herself on being able to move between genres and mediumsand hopes Hollywood will one day make it easier for other actors of color to do so. Im grateful for every Middle Eastern role Ive done, she says. But its very limiting when people only look at you for your skin color.

Old Soul

Ben-Hur fulfilled a lifetime wish for Boniadi, who has always wanted to make a film about the ancient world. It was on my bucket list to do a period piece set in that era, she says. I feel really connected to antiquity for some reason. An added bonus: picking up horseback-riding skills and a renewed appreciation for Roman cuisine. Says Boniadi, laughing, When we wrapped, I binged on all the wine and pasta and cappuccinos and gelato.

Change Agent

I entered the acting world at a time when there was a higher demand for Middle Eastern actors in the post-9/11 world, and yeah, the roles werent great, Boniadi says. Most parts were one-dimensional, or sinister, or both. But when that one interesting role did come along, I was ready to win it. Her latest victory? A starring role opposite Armie Hammer and Dev Patel in Hotel Mumbai, a dramatization of the 2008 terrorist attacks in India that killed 164 people. Ive hit my stride, she says.
By Ahmed Rasheed BAGHDAD (Reuters) - As Iraqi forces prepare to attack Islamic State in its de facto capital of Mosul, residents inside the city and others who have managed to escape expressed relief at the prospect their home could be liberated from the extremist group's harsh rule. But they also warned that if the assault is successful, the city's Sunni-majority population would refuse to return to what they called the repressive yoke imposed by the Shi'ite-led government in Baghdad in the past. The Iraqi army and its elite units that will lead the offensive are gradually taking up positions around the city 400 km (248 miles) north of Baghdad, from whose Grand Mosque in 2014 Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate spanning regions of Iraq and Syria. The offensive is slated for late September, said Hisham al-Hashimi, who works for the government as a consultant on IS affairs and is author of the book "The World of Daesh" (IS). Eight Mosulite men, contacted secretly by phone on the outskirts of the city, said signs of dissent are increasing ahead of the expected assault. They all spoke on condition of not being identified for fear of retribution. Walls have been daubed with the Arabic letter M, for "muqawama", or resistance, or two parallel stripes, one red and one black, representing the Iraqi flag, said a resident who spoke from one of the rare areas that still gets mobile telephone coverage. "These are acts of real bravery," he said. "If you're caught, you're dead." The Iraqi national flag was raised twice in public squares, once in June and again in July, infuriating the militants who tore them down the next morning, residents told Reuters, authenticating videos posted on Facebook pages. An unknown number of people were arrested after the July incident, among them former army officers, they said. With a population at one time as large as two million, Mosul is the largest urban center under the ultra-hardline militants' control. Its fall would mark their effective defeat in Iraq, according to Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Many IS leaders have fled Mosul for Syria with their families ahead of the planned offensive, Iraq's defense minister Khaled al-Obeidi said on July 30. As Iraqi forces tighten the noose, the militants have grown increasingly paranoid, residents said. The militants have always kept tight control on communication to preempt hostile propaganda and prevent informants from passing on information to the Iraqi forces or the U.S.-led anti-IS military coalition that is carrying out most of the airstrikes on their positions. They blocked mobile networks in 2014 and banned satellite TV earlier this year, allowing home internet access only through a server they controlled. As of a month ago they restricted internet access further to a handful of official Wifi centers manned by supervisors who monitor content over users' shoulders. At checkpoints set up by the IS "amniya", or security committee, people are asked if they have Facebook and must unlock their phones to prove that they do not. "Thank God I don't even know what Facebook is, but I was jailed for a week and paid a fine because they found dancing music saved on my mobile," said a taxi driver reached by phone. YOUNIS'S STORY Younis, a high school teacher of Arabic literature in his 40's, fled Mosul with his family in May. His biggest fear was that his son, just eight years old, was being indoctrinated into the group's extreme interpretation of Islam. "We escaped from Mosul and risked death for my sons sake; I wanted to rescue him from turning into a jihadist," he said, speaking in a flat in Baghdad, holding his boy in his arms. "How can I stay silent and Im seeing Daesh brainwashing my son and teaching him how to become a suicide bomber?" he said. He showed a photocopy of the cover of a fifth grader's textbook featuring a boy with an AK-47 machine gun on his shoulder. "I know its risky to keep this paper with me but I decided to hide it and show it to anybody who asks me how life was under Daesh," he added, puffing on a cigarette, which is banned by IS. He expressed frustration that his wife has continued to wear the full veil, or niqab, after moving to Baghdad. The niqab is compulsory under the IS in Mosul, even on store mannequins, and women are forbidden to walk outside without a male guardian. "Dont cover your face please for God's sake," he pleaded with his wife. "No need to be afraid anymore, youre a human being and not a slave." Younis said he paid a taxi driver $5,000 to help them flee Mosul via the Kurdish Peshmerga lines east of the city, taking advantage of the confusion that ensued after advances made by the Kurdish and Iraqi forces in May. The army progressed further in July, capturing the Qayyara airfield 60 km (35 miles) south of Mosul, which will serve as the main staging post for the expected offensive. Once the fighting intensifies, up to one million people could be driven from their homes in northern Iraq, "posing a massive humanitarian problem for the country", the International Committee of the Red Cross said last month. More than 3.4 million people have already been forced by conflict to leave their homes across Iraq, taking refuge in areas under control of the government or in the Kurdish region. IRAQI ARMY SUCCESSES The Peshmerga fighters have been deployed to the north and east of Mosul with their back to their Kurdish region that hosts a base of U.S.-led coalition troops assisting Iraqi forces. Local Sunni fighters will also join the offensive. The possible participation of Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias is stirring controversy, however. Mosul residents and politicians said they dread the participation of these militias, known as Popular Mobilization, or Hashid Shaabi in Arabic. They cite abuses in Sunni cities retaken from Islamic State, like the looting in Tikrit last year and reports of torture, revenge killings and kidnappings in Falluja, a historic jihadist stronghold near Baghdad. Although Sunnis are predominant in the northern and western provinces under militant control, Shi'ites are in the majority overall in Iraq. The Sunnis in Mosul were mostly indifferent to the IS offensive of 2014 and some even supported it if it would end the oppression of the security forces under former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, an ally of Iran. Maliki has since been succeeded by Abadi, another Shi'ite, who has taken a conciliatory approach toward the Sunnis and softened the alliance with Tehran. Abadi has yet to decide whether the Shi'ite militias will take part in the offensive. The former governor of Mosul, Atheel al-Nujaifi, a Sunni, told Reuters the local administration of the city should have more autonomy after the militants are dislodged. A police force reflective of the city's complex ethnic and religious make-up should be in charge of security, not the army, added Nujaifi, who leads a Sunni militia that plans to take part in the offensive on Mosul alongside the army. "The sweeping advance of Daesh in Mosul created a new reality," he said. Younis, the teacher, and Mosulites who still live in the city said even though IS rule was much worse than government rule under Maliki, the population won't accept to return to the previous situation. "Berlin after Hitler couldn't possibly be like before and so should Mosul be after Daesh," said Younis. "We need a new system to govern Mosul, we cannot suffer more ordeals." (Writing by Maher Chmaytelli; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel's defence ministry on Monday sought to "clarify" controversial comments it made last week criticising the Iran nuclear deal and likening it to the 1938 Munich agreement with Nazi Germany.

The defence ministry said in a statement on Monday: "Friday's statement was in no way intended to draw comparisons, historical or personal. We regret if it was interpreted otherwise."

"The difference in Israel's position on this matter (the nuclear deal) from that of our close ally, the United States, in no way detracts from our deep appreciation for the United States and for the President of the United States, for their tremendous contribution to Israel's national security."

On Thursday, US President Barack Obama defended the landmark nuclear deal which was signed in July 2015 between Tehran and six world powers led by Washington.

The next day, Israel's defence ministry, led by hardliner Avigdor Lieberman, slammed Obama for defending the accord with the Jewish state's arch-foe, comparing it to the deal that allowed Nazi Germany to annex parts of then Czechoslovakia.

Netanyahu the same day repeated his country's rejection of the nuclear deal but stressed that Israel and the United States remained great allies.

Israel's Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz on Sunday said that Tehran had so far respected the accord, even if it was a "bad deal".

The US and Israeli governments have for several months been negotiating the terms of a new 10-year defence aid pact to replace the current one, which expires in 2018 and is worth more than $3 billion (2.7 billion euros) per year.

The Netanyahu government wants the United States to increase the annual amount of military assistance it provides.

The nuclear deal, which came into force in January, saw Tehran accept curbs to its nuclear programme in exchange for a lifting of economic sanctions.
Thriving in spite of rising conservative pressures, Israeli cinema is back at Locarno festival with Israeli and Palestinian projects, a year after facing widespread threats of a cultural boycott, proving that it still boasts a liberal industry.

At Locarno, Israel is being showcased at the Match Me forum, along with Brazilian and Chilean producers. Its not surprising that one of the three producers chosen by Locarno to represent Israel is a Palestinian one: Baher Agbariya, the producer of Maha Hajs Personal Affairs which opened at Cannes Un Certain Regard. Whereas its TV landscape is vastly dominated by Israelis, its film industry owes its international profile and recognition in festivals to both Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers.

But amid the current turmoil shaking up the Arab world and tensions with Israels right-wing government, the relationship of Palestinian producers and directors with Israel is being put to test.

(Politically-speaking), weve been in a deadlock for a long time with Palestinians, and thats reflected in our relationship with filmmakers: There are ups and down, said Katriel Schory, the executive director of the Israel Film Fund, adding that Jerusalem film fest had even collaborated with Ramallah festival back in 2010  an initiative that is not concevable today.

Indeed, the Israeli film industry is currently at a crossroads, creating a volatile climate. The minister of culture and sports, Miri Regev, an outspoken right-wing conservative, has threatened to cut funding for films that are being critical of the state of Israel. Meanwhile, the national budget allocated to culture, including film, is being renegotiated next year for 2018-2022 which raises the stakes of current debates. The film sector is currently financed with an 18 million Euro envelope.

So far there has only been talks, no actions, said Schory at Jerusalem film festival in July. The exec, whos been heading the Israel Film Fund for 17 years, pointed the budget for culture could get cut by 10% to 15% at most.

Story continues

But the biggest blow carried by Regev was her decision to impose Palestinian movies that are supported by Israel to be credited as Israeli rather than Israeli-Palestinan pics. That policy was enacted following the scandal caused by Suha Arraf, a Palestinian director who refused to list her film Villa Touma  which was selected at Venice  as Israeli even though it had been partly financed by Israel.

Agbariya said the new rule was unfair to Palestinian directors, not only ethically-speaking but also because it makes it more difficult to have their movies travel in the Arab world. Apart from a few exceptions, like Personal Affairs (a Nazareth-set dramedy centering on a dysfunctional extended family) which was selected at Beirut Film Festival, movies that are partly financed by Israel are blacklisted in most of the Arab markets.

Yet, the support of the Israeli funds is a driving force behind the new generation of Palestinian filmmakers, Agbariya admitted. For the new generation, their only choice is to be supported by Israeli funds: The Arab world gives no money to young, unknown directors; they give money to big names, and they prefer not to help directors who have the Israeli citizenship, added Agbariya, who runs Majdan Films.

But the question is: Will Israel continue supporting Palestinian directors the same way in spite of political pressures?

While the Israel Film Fund and the Rabinovich Foundation are NGOs, they are financed by the government and Regev seeks to exert greater control over their editorial policies.

Even without an effective change in policy, Agbariya says he fears film funds increasingly have Regevs threats in mind when selecting projects.

Negev is succeeding: When funds read the scripts they think about her and they are being more and more cautious about financing radical films, said Agbariya, who nevertheless noted that Schory was one of the last standing gatekeepers of the industry who fights for the freedom of every filmmakers.

But even Schory acknowledges the looming threat. we may see more and more self-censorship. And whats dangerous is that its very difficult to detect, said Schory.

Meanwhile, it may not be a coincidence that Israeli funds are also encouraging filmmakers to tackle lighter stories and crowd-pleasing comedies that can click with local audiences, and not solely work at film festivals around the world. Israeli moviegoers are rarely fond of movies dealing with the conflict.

In spite of the turmoil, Locarno, like Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, Karlovy Vary and many other international festivals, are still celebrating Israeli films.

I think people are understanding that what happens in the Israeli film world is different from whats going on elsewhere, said Markus Duffner, project manager for Locarnos First Look and Match Me showcases, about the absence of controversy over Israel presence at the festival, compared with last years boycott calls.

As long as Israel will continue financing films that are satirical, entertaining, critical and engaging  regardless of their genre  we will be rooting for them at Locarno, added Duffner.

At Locarno, Agbariya is pitching Hajs follow up to Personal Affairs and Tawfik Abu Waels Wise Hassan, a drama about a man with big dreams who is tasked to kill a collaborator who lives in Tel Aviv and finds out his target is a transgender female who makes a living as a prostitute.

The other two producers  shortlisted by Israel Film Fund and Locarnos Match Me initiative  are Adar Shafran from Firma Films who is pitching Roi Werners romantic comedy Ger-Mania and Keren Michael at Dori Media Paran who is presenting Eran Kolirins dramedy Let it be Morning, Amikam Kovner and Assaf Snirs suspense drama Echoes, among other projects.

Related stories

Locarno Fest Announces Alliance for Development Platform Projects

Locarno: Director Pascale Breton Talks About 'Suite Armoricaine'

Locarno: Danish Director Bille August Talks 'Vivaldi' Pic In Early Stages At Alliance For Development Initiative
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan said on Monday he intended to ban radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir calling its ideology "identical" to that of the Islamic State group.

Erdan would be having talks over the next few days "in order to declare this group illegal," a police statement said.

Hizb-ut Tahrir (The Party of Freedom) "contests Israel's right to exist and supports the establishment in its place of an Islamic caliphate", the statement said.

"Hizb ut-Tahrir is mainly active in Jerusalem around the Temple Mount (the Al-Aqsa mosque compound) where this organisation's leaders spread their extremist message", it added.

"It is inconceivable that an organisation inciting violence and supporting terrorism and the ideology of Daesh (IS) can act in Israel," the statement quoted Erdan as saying.

Founded in Jordan in 1953, the group advocates the re-establishment of the caliphate across the Muslim world, and also regularly accuses the Palestinian Authority of colluding with Israel.

The Al-Aqsa mosque compound is one of the most potent symbols of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Clashes frequently erupt there between Israeli police and Palestinians who suspect Israel of seeking to change rules governing it.

It is the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina.

Jews call it Temple Mount and consider it their most sacred site as the location of the first and second temples, destroyed by the Babylonians and the Romans.

The compound is in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in 1967 and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.
ROME, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Italy's highest court on Monday gave a green light to a national referendum that Prime Minister Matteo Renzi says will guarantee political stability and on which he has staked his future.

The Court of Cassation ruled positively on the validity of the more than 500,000 signatures needed by law for a referendum to be held.

The government, which says the changes will bring about political stability, has 60 days to choose a date. It is expected to be held between October and December.

Both houses of parliament approved the proposed reforms, which will effectively abolish the Senate as an elected chamber, in April, but changes to Italy's 1948 republican constitution must be put to a popular referendum.

Renzi has said constitutional changes are the only way to strengthen political stability and end decades of revolving-door governments that have made it difficult to revive the country's debt-ridden economy. He has promised to resign if the referendum goes against him.

On Friday, credit ratings agency DBRS said it was placing Italy under review with negative implications because of political uncertainty around the referendum, pressure on banks, a fragile economic recovery and a less stable external environment. [IDn:L8N1AN0JN] (Reporting by Philip Pullella)
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- Niccolo Campriani saw his lead drop to less than a point heading into the finals.

One miscue or great shot by Ukraine's Serhiy Kulish and the gold that eluded the Italian four years ago would slip through his fingers again.

Campriani pulled it out by pulling off the two biggest shots of his career.

Campriani fired off two golden shots in the final round of the men's 10-meter air rifle Monday at the Rio Olympics, earning the gold medal that he missed in London.

''Today, I was trying to keep as many happy thoughts as possible. Fear is always around the corner,'' Campriani said.

Campriani tied the Olympic qualifying record in London four years ago, but felt the pressure of being the favorite, hitting the 9-ring twice late in the finals. He finished second to Romania's Alin George Moldoveanu.

Campriani still earned gold in 3-position rifle, but the air rifle loss stung.

At Rio, he qualified first with an average of 10.503 and opened the finals with a 10.7. He took the lead late in the elimination rounds and led Kulish by 0.4 points heading into the final two shots.

Campriani hit 10.6 on his first shot to Kulish's 10.4 and sealed gold with a 10.7 on his final shot. He had 206.1 points to finish 1.5 ahead of Kulish.

''For me, shooting in the finals is not about taking the best shot, but not making any big mistakes,'' Campriani said.

Kulish, who competed in three shooting events at London, edged Russia's Vladimir Maslennikov by 0.2 points in the penultimate round to reach the final, but could not catch Campriani thanks to a 9.8 on his final shot.

''It is actually a very strange feeling, but tomorrow I think that I will wake up and I will realize what has happened,'' Kulish said of winning a medal.

Maslennikov narrowly missed a shot at gold, but still went home with a medal at his first Olympics. His bronze made Russia the 13th nation to have 400 overall Olympic medals.

Campriani and the field took advantage after two of the world's top shooters failed to make it out of qualifying.

World No. 1 Cao Yifei of China had a poor final shot of qualifying to miss the final eight by one spot. Moldoveanu was nearly three points behind the lowest qualifying score and finished 19th.
J. Cole may be a hometown hero, thanks to his latest album 2014 Forest Hills Drive, but the rapper will be leaving his beloved North Carolina for Long Island, New York, this month to headline the Billboard Hot 100 Festival Aug. 20-21.

Billboard's Hot 100 Music Festival

In honor of Cole's upcoming performance at the festival, produced by Billboard in partnership with Live Nation, see the artist's biggest hits charting the Hot 100 to date. (Get tickets to the festival here.)

Billboard Hot 100 Fest 2016

5. "Can't Get Enough"

Peak Position: 52

Peak Date: 2/11/12

4. "No Role Modelz"

Peak Position: 36

Peak Date: 1/2/16

3. "Crooked Smile"

Peak Position: 27

Peak Date: 10/5/13

2. "Power Trip"

Peak Position: 19

Peak Date: 7/20/13

1. "Work Out"

Peak Position: 13

Peak Date: 1/28/12

J. Cole's top five Billboard Hot 100 hits chart is based on actual performance on the weekly Billboard Hot 100, through the Aug. 8, 2016, ranking. Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at No. 100 earning the least. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, certain eras are weighted to account for different chart turnover rates over various periods.
Japan's Emperor Akihito is set to make a rare address to the nation on Monday in remarks widely expected to signal that the 82-year old monarch wishes to abdicate -- something that hasn't happened in two centuries.

Speculation about the emperor's future emerged last month with reports he had told confidantes that advancing age was making it harder to perform his ceremonial duties and that he would like to step down in a few years.

After weeks of public denials the palace broke its silence on Friday, announcing that Akihito would make an address on Monday at 0600 GMT about his "feelings regarding his duties as a symbol" of the nation.

Previous emperors, including wartime sovereign Hirohito, were deemed semi-divine but in the aftermath of Japan's World War II defeat and occupation became constitutionally limited to "symbol of the state and of the unity of the people".

The address, reportedly to last about 10 minutes, marks only the second time for Akihito to speak directly to the nation, the first having been in the days after the March 2011 triple earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster as he sought to calm a nation undergoing its worst crisis since the war.

Akihito will reportedly speak obliquely about his wishes and is unlikely to utter the word abdication due to constraints on his involvement in politics.

But the government is expected to interpret them as meaning his wish is to step down, and then quickly embark on creating the necessary legal measures. Under current law there is no mechanism for the emperor to abdicate.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government will reportedly issue a statement after the emperor's speech to clarify its stance.

The origins of Japan's monarchy, said to be the world's oldest hereditary monarchy, are ancient and legend says it is an unbroken line going back some 2,600 years.

It is deeply ingrained in the nation's native Shinto religion and it comes with with numerous ritual duties, including planting rice in a field within the palace grounds.

Story continues

The speech comes during an annual time of sensitivity in Japan with August being a month of remembrance. Japan commemorated the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Saturday and does so again on Tuesday for Nagasaki.

And next Monday, Japan pauses to recall the 71st anniversary of its defeat in World War II, an annual event at which the emperor delivers a speech.

Akihito was 11 years old when the war ended and witnessed the destruction it brought to Japan.

He has keenly embraced the role of symbolic sovereign and is credited with making efforts to seek reconciliation both at home and abroad over the legacy of the war fought in his father's name.

He has ventured to a number of locales that saw intense fighting, including Okinawa at home and Saipan, Palau and the Philippines abroad, making sure to offer prayers for the souls of all the dead, not just Japanese.

Any move by Akihito to step down appears to have wide public support. A survey by Kyodo News last week showed that 85.7 percent of people surveyed were in favour of legal changes that would allow abdication.
By Kaori Kaneko TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan said on Monday it would respond firmly after Chinese government vessels intruded into what Japan considers its territorial waters near disputed islands in the East China Sea 14 times at the weekend. Ties between China and Japan, the world's second and third largest economies, have for years been plagued by a dispute over the islands that Japan controls, and the waters around them. The flurry of Chinese incursions into the waters follows a period of sustained pressure on China about its activities in the South China Sea, and a Chinese criticism of what it saw as Japanese interference in that dispute. Chinese activity near the disputed East China Sea islands, known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China, has heated up since Friday, Japanese officials said, prompting repeated Japanese protests, including three on Sunday alone. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Japan would urge China not to escalate the East China Sea dispute, while also responding firmly and calmly. Agencies including the coastguard would act closely together to deal with the situation, Suga said. A Japanese government source, who asked not to be identified, said Japan's coastguard had stepped up its patrols in the region at the weekend but declined to give further details. About 230 Chinese fishing vessels were in the area on Saturday, Japan's foreign ministry said. China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement on Saturday that China had indisputable sovereignty over the islands and nearby waters. In the South China Sea, Japan has no claims and China recently rejected warned Japan not to interfere. The United States, its Southeast Asian allies and Japan have questioned Chinese land reclamation on disputed islands in the South China Sea, especially after an international court last month rejected China's historic claims to most of that sea. China has refused to recognize the court ruling. Japan called on China to adhere to it, saying it was binding. China warned Japan not to interfere. The spike in tension over the East China Sea also follows a Chinese accusation that Japan's new defense minister, Tomomi Inada, had recklessly misrepresented history after she declined to say after her appointment last week if Japanese troops had massacred civilians in China during World War Two. The legacy of Japan's wartime occupation of parts of China is another thorn in relations between the neighbors. China, and other counties in Asia, in particular South Korea, feel that Japan has never properly atoned for its aggression before and during World War Two. Relations between South Korea and China have also been strained in recent days by a decision by South Korea and the United States to deploy an advanced anti-missile defense system, to guard against North Korean attacks, that China fears could be used against its military. South Korea's presidential office on Sunday rebuked China over its criticism of South Korea's decision to deploy the anti-missile defense, urging China instead to play a stronger role against North Korea's provocations. South Korea and the United States began discussions to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) unit in the South after the North's fourth nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch in defiance of U.N. sanctions. (Reporting by Kaori Kaneko, Nobuhiro Kubo, Tim Kelly and Kiyoshi Takenaka; writing by Linda Sieg; Editing by Paul Tait, Robert Birsel)
Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fstory%2fthumbnail%2f16935%2fjo

In case you weren't aware, the fall of local newspapers could essentially be the fall of news as we know it.

"The newspaper industry today is in big trouble," John Oliver firmly stated, and without newspapers around to cite, he explained that TV news would crumble, social media sites like Facebook and Twitter would be in chaos, and "stupid shows like Last Week Tonight" would be utterly screwed. But more importantly, without local journalistic watch dogs, local governments could fall into decrepit states of corruption.

Oliver dedicated the latest Last Week Tonight episode to discussing the somewhat confusing transition to "digital first" media and sharing his fears for journalists  both real and fictional  who aren't receiving proper pay.

"We've just grown accustomed to getting our news for free, and the longer we get something for free, the less willing we are to pay for it," Oliver said, calling us all out. "I'm talking to you, the person watching this segment on YouTube using the Wi-Fi from the coffee shop underneath your apartment...You're killing us!"

Grandfather and granddaughter perfect their 'Frozen' dance to 'Let It Go'

Cute kid is over your boring live TV segment

Kids hilariously recreate infamous 'Real Housewives' friendship contract scene

'Ancient Australia' is brought to life in jaw-dropping timelapse video
If youre caught up in Olympic fever, youre not the only one. John Oliver dedicated the first segment of his show to the Rio Games and NBCs coverage of them.

During the Parade of Nations  a hopeful, inspiring event showcasing the best of the global community  anchors Hoda Kotb, Meredith Vieira, and Matt Lauer decided to point out some pretty unfortunate things about several nations. Sample topics: Turkeys military coup, Frances terrorist attacks, and Nepals devastating earthquake. Noted Oliver, Its a good thing those anchors dont behave like that during the Macys [Thanksgiving] Day Parade. There goes Shrek, obviously jaundiced and beset by weight problems stemming from chronic diabetes. Heres Charlie Brown, clearly losing his battle with leukemia. And heres Snoopy, who, of course, is going to be put down later today.

When the coverage made light of the nation Djiboutis name, Oliver was clearly annoyed. I mean, Djibouti is a country with a rich cultural history and multiethnic population of over 850,000 people, but you are right, he said. It does also sound like a butt.

Today interviews Opening Ceremony star Pita Taufatofua, promptly covers him with oil:

Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram  or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Khail Anonymous, on Twitter.


Newspapers are in trouble, according to John Oliver on Last Week Tonight, and that is bad for society, bad for our culture and even bad for television news, which frequently quotes print journalism. Its pretty obvious without newspapers around to cite, TV news would just be Wolf Blitzer endlessly batting a ball of yarn around, said Oliver.

Oliver noted that even his show wouldnt be able to do half the work it does without print papers. Media is a food chain that would fall apart without local newspapers, said Oliver. Unfortunately, print journalism is no longer a money-making proposition and more papers are becoming digital first companies that focus on web news and social media, which he considers to be a loss.

To illustrate his point, Oliver conscripted an all-star cast for a movie called Stoplight  a retelling of the Oscar-winning film Spotlight, which focused on the Boston Globes expose of child abuse in the Catholic church, and re-imagined it in a digital-first future. In Stoplight, Rose Byrne, Jason Sudeikis and others play jaded journalists to Bobby Cannavales upstart reporter who pitches a story to his colleagues, only to have it shot down in favor of a story about a raccoon that looks like a cat. Or it might be a cat that looks like a raccoon. According to fictional reviews, Stoplight is depressingly accurate.
HBOs John Oliver examined the woeful state of modern American journalism on Sundays episode of Last Week Tonight, focusing on the suffering newspaper industry.

Oliver reiterated the importance of newspapers and how websites and cable news networks rely on the industry for a lot of their content, citing numerous examples including previous segments from his own show as well as others across broadcast TV.

Whenever this show is mistakenly called journalism, it is a slap in the face to the actual journalists we rely on, Oliver said before explaining how decreased circulation and ad revenue have taken a toll on the industry.

Also Read: John Oliver Details the Drawbacks of American Independence on July 4th (Video)

Oliver noted that the digital-first strategy of many modern newspaper companies has led to clickbait-style news and slipped in a few jabs at Las Vegas mogul Sheldon Adelson, now the owner of Vegas largest newspaper, as well as to Tribune Publishings new name, Tronc.

Tronc. They have chosen to call themselves tronc, Oliver said. The sound of a stack of print newspapers being thrown into a dumpster.

He also presented the clip from an updated version of Oscar winner Spotlight, starring Jason Sudeikis as an editor who cares mostly about cat videos rather than investigating institutional corruption. The supposed films title? Stoplight, of course.

Check out the video above.

17 Billionaires and Celebrities Who Could Run for President in 2020 (Photos)

President Gallery

Getty Images

Getty Images

Kanye West Getty Images

dwayne johnson the rock seven bucks youtube Brian Bowen Smith

GeorgeClooney Getty Images

Michael Bloomberg Getty Images

Jesse Ventura Getty Images

Getty Images

John Elway Getty Images

Getty Images

Tim McGraw Getty Images

YouTube

Ben Affleck on Real Time With Bill Maher HBO

Getty Images

Leonardo DiCaprio Oscars Revenant Best Actor Getty Images

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Getty Images

Getty Images

Story continues

Previous Slide Next Slide

1 of 18

Donald Trumps successful presidential campaign might motivate other billionaires and celebrities to run for office in 2020

Donald Trumps successful presidential campaign will probably motivate other billionaires and celebrities to run for office in 2020. From Mark Cuban offering to be Hillary Clintons running mate to Kanye West declaring early, here are 14 potential candidates.

View In Gallery

Related stories from TheWrap:

John Oliver Blasts Donald Trump as 'Sociopathic Narcissist' for Response to Khan Family (Video)

John Oliver Recruits Usher, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban to Sing 'Don't Use Our Songs' to Politicians (Video)

John Oliver Makes Official Endorsements for 2016 Election (Video)
julian assange

Getty Image

In recent months, the WikiLeaks Twitter feed has started to look more like the stream of an opposition research firm working mainly to undermine Hillary Clinton than the updates of a non-partisan platform for whistleblowers.

Clinton celebrates her role in killing #Libya's head of state which led to ISIS takeover https://t.co/E2oAtKJ4ei pic.twitter.com/6ESnLhsQtV  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) August 1, 2016

Does "Board after party" image illustrate HRC's poor WikiLeaks poll resultsentitled, uncool and unaware of it? pic.twitter.com/ht01ZlP8Z0  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 30, 2016

US poll: Who will you vote to become President?  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 29, 2016

Poll of polls: Trump now favored to win election after Democrats nominate Hillary Clinton #DNCLeak https://t.co/DOooNoC7hO #DNCinPHL  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 29, 2016

Audience at DNC turns on Bernie Sanders after he says "we must elect Hillary Clinton" following #DNCLeak https://t.co/yJszgko2XK #DNCinPHL  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 25, 2016

Hillary Clinton's showy rewarding of corruption by DWS is an ill wind for the corruption-overton-window of a future presidency.  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 24, 2016

Hillary Clinton has stolen our innovative WikiLeaks twitter logo design. Compare: @WikiLeaks vs @HillaryClinton pic.twitter.com/mifka4mXf4  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) April 12, 2015

This has puzzled some of the groups supporters, and led to speculation that the sites Australian founder, Julian Assange, had timed the release of emails hacked from the servers of the Democratic National Committee to drive a wedge between supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. The publication of emails that revealed an anti-Sanders agenda inside the Democratic party was certainly welcomed by the Republican nominee, Donald Trump.

Story continues

The Wikileaks e-mail release today was so bad to Sanders that it will make it impossible for him to support her, unless he is a fraud!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2016

But it should come as no surprise to anyone who looks back at the founding principles of WikiLeaks that Assange  who has clearly stated his distaste for the idea of the former secretary of state becoming president  would make aggressive use of leaked documents to try to undermine her.

As Raffi Khatchadourian explained in a New Yorker profile of the WikiLeaks founder in 2010, Assange, despite his claims to scientific journalism, emphasized to me that his mission is to expose injustice, not to provide an even-handed record of events. To Assange, Khatchadourian wrote, Leaks were an instrument of information warfare.

In other words, Assanges project has been from the start more like opposition research than dispassionate reporting. His goal is to find dirt in the servers of powerful individuals or organizations he sees as corrupt or dangerous, and bring them down by exposing it. As he memorably told Der Spiegel in 2010, I enjoy crushing bastards.

His recent focus on crushing Clinton but not Trump has led some to ask Assange if he is worried about helping to elect someone who might be even more hostile to him  let alone to the causes of justice and peace that have motivated Wikileaks previous disclosures. Asked recently by Amy Goodman of Democracy Now if he does prefer Trump over Clinton, Assange replied, Youre asking me, do I prefer cholera or gonorrhea?

Speaking to Bill Maher on Friday night from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he has been effectively confined for more than four years, Assange joked about hacking Trumps tax returns, but added, from the perspective of WikiLeaks trying to protect its sources, you have really two very bad presidential candidates.

In an address to the American Green Party convention on Saturday, Assange reiterated that both major party candidates for the presidency were horrific, but argued that it certainly doesnt make as much difference as people say, which of them gets elected. What is important, he said, is to build political pressure to discipline and hold to account and check the abuses of power during the next four years.

Standing ovation for Julian Assange of @wikileaks at the #GNCinHOU pic.twitter.com/duXmSrAFF3  Green Party of MN (@MnGreens) August 6, 2016

To better understand Assanges recent intervention in the U.S. election, it helps to look more closely at a sort of manifesto he wrote as he was creating WikiLeaks. The same month that WikiLeaks.org went live, in December of 2006, Assange posted an essay on his blog, Conspiracy as Governance, in which he explained his theory that authoritarian regimes  and western political parties  maintain power by conspiring to keep the public in the dark, through collaborative secrecy, working to the detriment of a population. In order for the people to regain control of the political system, Assange argued, it is necessary to find ways of throttling the conspiracy, like disrupting the ability of the conspirators to communicate secretly.

With that in mind, Assange wrote, let us consider two closely balanced and broadly conspiratorial power groupings, the US Democratic and Republican parties. He continued, Consider what would happen if one of these parties gave up their mobile phones, fax and email correspondence  let alone the computer systems which manage their subscribers, donors, budgets, polling, call centres and direct mail campaigns? They would immediately fall into an organisational stupor and lose to the other.

A decade later, by releasing thousands of unredacted emails and voice-mail messages hacked from the Democratic Party  in a database that makes it easy to search for the social security numbers of donors, as well as their passport and credit card details  Assange was finally able to put his theory into practice, by attempting to throttle one of the conspiratorial power groupings that selects candidates to run the U.S. government.

Assanges attack on the DNC certainly revealed hypocrisy within the party, and led to the resignations of four senior officials, but his decision to not redact personal information from those documents  or from a second cache of emails hacked from a Turkish political party  also led to criticism from some longtime supporters, including Edward Snowden, the NSA whistleblower.

Democratizing information has never been more vital, and @Wikileaks has helped. But their hostility to even modest curation is a mistake.  Edward Snowden (@Snowden) July 28, 2016

My colleague Glenn Greenwald also told Slate last week that he was troubled by the fact that WikiLeaks had abandoned its previous policy of redaction. There were tons of redactions when they were releasing Pentagon documents about the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, he noted. And they even wrote a letter to the State Department before they released the cables requesting the State Departments help in figuring out which information ought to be withheld.

Although Assange has spoken of the dumping of pristine, unedited documents as a philosophical principle  and his biographer Andrew OHagan reported that the collapse of his working relationship with the editors of the New York Times and the Guardian was partly fueled by disagreements about redaction  it seems possible that the intense pressure on the organization has also made it nearly impossible to carry out careful editing of every document it obtains. Assange continues to be confined to Ecuadors embassy in London  which has been described as illegal, arbitrary detention by a United Nations panel  and Sarah Harrison, his investigations editor, has chosen to live in exile in Berlin since helping Snowden get from Hong Kong to Russia, heeding legal advice that she could face prosecution if she tried to return to Britain.

Whatever the reason, it is difficult to see a public-interest argument for making public some of what was contained in the DNC files. One of the voice-mail recordings, for instance, was a conversation between a staffer and his young child during a visit to a zoo, which appears to have been left by accident, following a pocket-dial. The staffers phone number was made available, much to the delight of some Trump supporters.

The Wikileaks voicemail leaks are very damning now we have names and phone numbers and voices  Made In America (@dileximan) July 30, 2016

As the Turkish scholar Zeynep Tufekci explained in the Huffington Post, a trove of Turkish-language emails WikiLeaks released last month, inaccurately presented as private messages from members of Turkeys ruling party, the AKP, also included little of public interest but did reveal the private information of ordinary citizens.

To make matters worse, the WikiLeaks Twitter feed also shared a link to another cache of hacked Turkish documents that included home addresses or phone numbers for every female voter in 79 of Turkeys 81 provinces.

You know the safety, privacy and misrepresentation of millions of people in other countries MATTERS too? Maybe not to Wikileaks, but to us?  Zeynep Tufekci (@zeynep) August 1, 2016

Unfortunately, for believers in the WikiLeaks project, Assange has responded to criticism of his redaction-free document dumps by attacking even longtime supporters who have spoken out. The @wikiLeaks Twitter account the sites founder uses to annotate documents and rebut critics replied angrily to Snowdens message about the desirability of some sort of selective editing, accusing the NSA whistleblower whom Assange helped get asylum in Russia of angling for a pardon from Clinton.

@Snowden Opportunism won't earn you a pardon from Clinton & curation is not censorship of ruling party cash flows https://t.co/4FeygfPynk  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 28, 2016

WikiLeaks also suggested, wrongly, that Tufekci is an apologist for Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan  a leader she has, in fact, frequently criticized for his opposition to internet freedom.

I am  printing this one and putting in my wallet next time I'm in Turkey. "Hi, I'm an Erdogan apologist."  pic.twitter.com/mduPcb9qlV  Zeynep Tufekci (@zeynep) July 25, 2016

Of course, Assange is hardly alone in being quick to denounce his critics on Twitter, but the way in which he uses the @wikileaks account these days matters to the overall functioning of the organization because it is the only obvious way for outsiders to provide feedback on the annotation or analysis of the documents. Despite the sites name, WikiLeaks never developed into a Wikipedia-like website that welcomes, or facilitates crowd-sourced annotation and vetting of the documents it obtains. If you spot an error on Wikipedia, you can fix it, but WikiLeaks does not allow for that kind of collaborative fact-checking.

That the site was originally intended to function more like a crowd-sourced, wiki platform was suggested by the Wikipedia-like annotation that accompanied the very first document uploaded by WikiLeaks in 2006. (Although it was described as a leak, that document  an order from an Islamist rebel leader in Somalia that the sites editors could not verify as authentic  was not provided by a whistleblower, but stolen from Chinese hackers by a WikiLeaks activist who intercepted traffic flowing through a Tor network server he owned.)

Since the crowd-sourced aspect of WikiLeaks proved difficult to implement, and the site no longer relies mainly on collaborations with news organizations to vet and make sense of the vast troves of documents it obtains, Assange has, over time, taken on the role of the organizations main analyst. Before the advent of Twitter, analysis and annotation written by Assange and his volunteers filled a section of the WikiLeaks website. Lately, though, most of the interpretation of the documents has been done only in short bursts on the WikiLeaks Twitter feed, where the sites founder draws attention to items he thinks are important, and tries to provide some context and analysis.

The micro-blogging format has obvious limits, however, when it comes to making complex annotations. The generally hostile tone of the WikiLeaks Twitter feed in response to even well-intentioned efforts to fact-check the groups work has also severely hampered the projects ability to use crowd-sourcing to properly annotate and vet the documents it posts. (I know this from first-hand experience, having been denounced by @wikileaks last month for pointing to a factual error in one of the groups tweets about a DNC email.)

This criticism might seem like a narrow, technical objection  and it is certainly the case that journalists independently continue to help verify and interpret the most significant documents Assange publishes  but WikiLeaks lack of scrutiny of the documents it obtains, and its founders hostility to constructive criticism from outsiders, could be a significant problem if it is ever duped into publishing a forgery.

What if, as the cybersecurity consultant Matt Tait asked last month in relation to the DNC emails, a source  like, say, a hacker working for a Russian intelligence agency  provided WikiLeaks with a cache of documents that was tampered with in order to smear a political candidate?

In a post on the blog Lawfare, Tait explained that he had spent some time looking through the DNC files for any signs of a fake email planted among the genuine ones:

The metadata analysis I did on the leaked documents that day was almost by accident. I was actually looking for evidence of something much more frightening and which still keeps me up at night: What if the documents were mostly real, but had been surgically doctored? How effective would a carefully planted paragraph in an otherwise valid document be at derailing a campaign? How easily could Russia remove or sidestep an inconvenient DNC official with a single doctored paragraph showing proof of dishonest, unethical or illegal practices? And how little credibility would the sheepish official have in asserting that all of the rest of the emails are true, but just not the one paragraph or email that makes me look bad?

WikiLeaks is justly proud of its record to date of not being duped by forgers.

The materials that we release are pristine, Assange told Bill Maher on Friday. Were really good at this, we have a ten-year perfect record of having never got it wrong in relation to the integrity of what weve released.

Still, given that WikiLeaks is now unwilling or unable to closely scrutinize all of the documents it obtains, it is not hard to imagine a scenario where something like this could occur  and that possibility itself serves to diminish the groups credibility as a source of unvarnished truth.

Even so, for an organization so wounded by official persecution, it remains capable of inflicting remarkable damage. Although the DNC leaks have so far failed to derail Clintons campaign, Assange has hinted in recent interviews that he has more material on the candidate that he plans to release soon. While it is unclear why Assange would hold on to any secrets that might torpedo Clinton, if he has something like that, the fear of a WikiLeaks-powered October surprise must still haunt the dreams of her advisors.

Sign up for The Intercept Newsletter here.

The post What Julian Assanges War on Hillary Clinton Says About WikiLeaks appeared first on The Intercept.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that Franz Kafka's manuscripts are the property of the National Library of Israel, ending a lengthy legal battle, judicial sources said in Monday.

The nation's top court on Sunday rejected an appeal by the heirs of Max Brod, a friend of Kafka and the executor of his estate to whom he had willed his manuscripts after his death in 1924.

Kafka had instructed Brod to burn the manuscripts after his death but his friend did not honour that request and took them with him when he fled the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and emigrated to Palestine.

On his death in 1968, Brod bequeathed the papers to his secretary Esther Hoffe, with instructions to give them to the "Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the municipal library in Tel Aviv or another organisation in Israel or abroad."

But Hoffe, who died in 2007, instead kept them and shared them between her two daughters -- sparking multiple legal battles.

In the trial against Hoffe's heirs, which began in 2009, the state of Israel demanded they hand over all the documents, which included unpublished writings, arguing it was Brod's last will.

Hoffe's daughters refused, however, saying the papers -- estimated to be worth millions of dollars -- had been given to their mother by Brod and therefore she could dispose of them any way she wanted.

"Max Brod did not want his property to be sold at the best price, but for them to find an appropriate place in a literary and cultural institution," the Supreme Court said in its ruling.

Hoffe had during her lifetime sold the original manuscript of "The Trial" -- considered by some to be one of Kafka's best work -- for $2 million.

The Hoffe family kept the bulk of the collection locked away in bank safety deposit boxes in Israel and Switzerland and over the years sold some papers to collectors.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP)  The son of a Kansas state lawmaker died Sunday on a water slide that is billed as the worlds largest, according to officials and the boys family.

Authorities did not immediately identify the child who died at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas, but state Rep. Scott Schwab and his wife released a statement saying it was their son Caleb Thomas Schwab.

Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with, said the statement, which asked for privacy as the family grieves.

Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio said the child died on one of the parks main attractions, Verruckt, a 168-foot-tall water slide that has 264 stairs leading to the top. The slides name means insane in German.

Officials havent provided specific details about what led to Calebs death. Kansas City, Kansas, police spokesman Officer Cameron Morgan said he did not have any information, and Prosapio declined comment, saying more details would be released later.

The park will be closed Monday, Prosapio said. An investigation is ongoing.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time, Prosapio said in a statement. She told reporters at a news conference that the boys family had been at the park with him on Sunday.

Authorities initially said the victim was 12 years old, but Clint Sprague, a pastor who is acting as a spokesman for the family, said Caleb was 10.

Scott Schwab is a Republican from Olathe. He and his wife, Michele, have four sons, Sprague said.

Verruckt was certified as the worlds tallest water slide by Guinness World Records. Riders go down the slide in multi-person rafts and have to be at last 54 inches tall, according to the parks website.

The slides 2014 opening was delayed a few times, though the operators did not provide reasons for the delays. Two media sneak preview days in 2014 were canceled because of problems with a conveyor system that hauls 100-pound rafts to the top of the slide.

Story continues

Prosapio said in 2014 that park officials would not hesitate to delay operation again for however long it takes to make sure the slide is safe.

In a news article linked to the news release announcing a 2014 delay, Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry told USA Today that he and senior designer John Schooley had based their calculations when designing the slide on roller coasters, but that didnt translate well to a water slide like Verruckt.

In early tests, rafts carrying sandbags flew off the slide, prompting engineers to tear down half of the ride and reconfigure some angles at a cost of $1 million, Henry said.

A promotional video for a show about building the slide includes footage of two men riding a raft down a half-size test model and going slightly airborne as it crests the top of the first big hill.

Prosapio said at the news conference that the parks rides are inspected daily and inspected by an outside party before the start of each season.
On Sunday's Keeping Up With the Kardashians, the famous family was still partying it up in Havana, Cuba, but the festivities were not without some more drama.

Aside from Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom's ongoing relationship troubles, this week there was another family-splitting feud brewing between Kanye West and his sister-in-law, Kylie Jenner.

The 38-year-old rapper and fashion designer was fuming over Kylie's decision to book a modeling gig with Puma after having worked with Kanye on his Yeezy Boost sneaker line for Adidas. "Kanye had Kylie walk in his first two shows," Kim Kardashian explained in the episode. "He really believed in her as part of his brand."

WATCH: Kylie Jenner Signs With Puma Despite Kanye West Saying That Would '1000%' Never Happen

Kanye was clearly upset by the news, comparing it to agreeing to star in his own reality show without telling anyone on KUWTK.

"It's like if I made a show Sunday night, and didn't tell any of you all about it, but I did a couple shows with y'all [first]. So people saw me and were all, 'Ah, he's cool on camera.' And somebody offered me a deal, and I, like, did it and didn't tell none of y'all, and brought all my cool friends," Kanye vented.

"I don't agree with going against the family," Khloe agreed, placing some of the blame on the shoulders of their mother, Kris Jenner, who serves as Kylie's manager, explaining, "Mom and or Kylie should have presented it to Kanye first."

WATCH: Kim Kardashian Lectures Kylie Jenner About Being 'Professional' at Kanye's Fashion Show

Kim admitted to the cameras that she appreciates that it's her mom's job to find modeling deals for Kendall and Kylie, however "everything has to be really carefully played out and I feel like this was a conflict of interest."

When they returned to L.A., Kim confronted Kris about how the situation was handled, and chastised her for going behind Kanye's back.

Story continues

"Sometimes it's about a business decision," Kris said, arguing that she's responsible for getting the best deals for "each one of my clients."

"Sometimes, when you're dealing with family, it's not really about a business decision," Kim retorted.

WATCH: Kylie Jenner Reveals Mom Kris' Best Advice That 'Taught Us to Be Great Businesswomen'

According to Kim, Kanye had no idea that the deal had even been made until "the shoot was already happening," and that Kylie was the model Kanye truly wanted for his line.

"I am just trying to do the best job for everyone that I can," Kris said, before admitting, "Sometimes I get ahead of myself and forget to communicate the way I should."

While there was an amicable conclusion to Kim's beef with Kris, Kanye was much more vocal at the time.

In February, the business mogul took to Twitter to rail against Puma, writing in a series of posts, "1000% there will never be a Kylie Puma anything. That's on my family! 1000% Kylie is on Yeezy team!!! Puma we gone give you your measly million dollars back!!! Never try to divide the family!!!"

Puma we gone give you your measly million dollars back!!! Never try to divide the family!!!  KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 9, 2016

1000% there will never be a Kylie Puma anything. That's on my family! 1000% Kylie is on Yeezy team!!!  KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 9, 2016

Check out the video below to hear more about Kanye's fashion fallout with Kylie and Puma.

Related Articles
From left: Michael Consuelos, Kelly Ripa, Joaquin Consuelos, Mark Consuelos, and Lola Consuelos (Photo: Instagram)

Actor Mark Consuelos posted an Instagram photo yesterday with his wife, Kelly Ripa, and three random fans. Wait a minute  are those his children? Thats right! Little Michael, Lola, and Joaquin Consuelos arent so little anymore.

The Consuelos-Ripa clan shared a rare family photo Sunday as Kelly and Mark, both 45, prepare to send their eldest son, Michael, 19, off to college in New York.

The band is back together again Brunch with the Consuelos gang A photo posted by Mark Consuelos (@instasuelos) on Aug 7, 2016 at 6:12pm PDT

Kelly and Mark have always been proud parents, never hesitating to share tidbits of their childrens lives on social media.

Because yesterday was big bros graduation we are officially celebrating Lolas 15th birthday today. Happy birthday Lola! We love you so much! #quince A photo posted by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa) on Jun 17, 2016 at 9:23am PDT

Happy birthday to the baddest 13yr old I know. Love you Quino! A photo posted by Mark Consuelos (@instasuelos) on Feb 24, 2016 at 4:15am PST

The Graduate, his father, his brother, his grandfather. Congratulations HE! We are so proud. ???????? A photo posted by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa) on Jun 16, 2016 at 9:30am PDT

We are so proud, Kelly captioned this sweet Instagram shot taken at Michaels high school graduation.

But seeing the whole crew together at a Sunday brunch makes it apparent how much the Consuelos kids have grown up. Michael recently celebrated his 19th birthday on June 2, and with each year, HE  as Kelly calls Michael on Instagram  is looking more and more like his dad.

Happy bday to my eldest. Love you Michael. My mini me is now major me A photo posted by Mark Consuelos (@instasuelos) on Jun 2, 2016 at 6:20pm PDT

Happy Birthday to HE! The sweetest guy I know. I love you and am so proud of you! ???????? A photo posted by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa) on Jun 2, 2016 at 5:45am PDT

One of us won the island 10K and the other didnt die. A double win!!! ???????? A photo posted by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa) on Apr 2, 2016 at 12:23pm PDT

In addition to being a high school student, Lola, 15, has willingly taken on the role of Instagram curator for her old man. A few months ago, Lola C posted a throwback shot of the family that shows just how much she and her siblings have changed throughout the years.

Story continues

When SQUAD Rolls inLola C.. Is responsible for this pic. Says my feed needs better flow Lola C will be curating my Insta. Stay tuned A photo posted by Mark Consuelos (@instasuelos) on Mar 12, 2016 at 1:44pm PST

Nowadays, Lola isnt following two steps behind Dad; shes standing beside him on red carpets. Lola made her first major red carpet appearance last week at the premiere of her fathers latest film, Nine Lives.

But just when it seems like Lola has transformed into a fully fledged adult, she cant help but throw some playful teenage shade at Mark.

She told ET at the premiere that she recently had this heart-to-heart with her father: Im like, Youre actually kind of cool. I didnt think so at first  now I think youre cool. Because Dad is always Dad, no matter how old you are  or how famous he is.

SQUADID. A photo posted by Mark Consuelos (@instasuelos) on Mar 12, 2016 at 2:12pm PST

As for Kelly and Marks youngest, 13-year-old Joaquin keeps the family busy with his wrestling competitions.

Me and my 90lb grappler. Great weekend. #wildwoodnationalduals #edgewrestling photocred @kellyripa A photo posted by Mark Consuelos (@instasuelos) on Feb 6, 2016 at 12:37pm PST

The teenager attended a wrestling camp this past month, where Dad was able to pick up a few smooth moves as he dropped his son off.

I took Joaquin to wrestling camp earlier that week and I learned a move, the Russian, Mark told ET. Its two-on-one, arm with the head in, and dunk back, and it worked. He tried out some moves on his willing wife thankfully while they were in the pool.

Synchronized wrestling is going to be the hottest sport at this years Olympics. Participants must be over 45 and have protective eyewear. #rio here we come. @edge_hoboken A video posted by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa) on Jul 24, 2016 at 3:07pm PDT

The bicoastal family certainly has a full plate, bouncing back and forth between California and New York as Kelly prepares to unveil her new Live with Kelly co-host to replace Michael Strahan.

But even with all the craziness, a word of advice to Kelly and Mark: Try not to blink!

An actual family photo? With all of us in the picture? Thanks Vince Flores/Startraksphoto.com for capturing the unheard of. #walkoffame A photo posted by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa) on Oct 13, 2015 at 11:49am PDT

Because the Consuelos kids have grown up right before our eyes.

Thank you @instasuelos for being such an incredible dad. Then and now, our kids are so lucky! Happy Fathers Day! I love you. ???????????????????? A photo posted by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa) on Jun 21, 2015 at 4:29pm PDT

Joaquin The Teen Consuelos ! #13 HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the kid most likely to spark joy! Youve made all of our lives better. ???????????????????? (photo circa 2007) A photo posted by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa) on Feb 24, 2016 at 4:21am PST
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 8, 2016 / Klondike Gold Corp. (TSX.V: KG; FRA: LBDP) ("Klondike Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Property Acquisition Agreement with Gimlex Enterprises Ltd. ("Gimlex") for the purchase by Klondike Gold of a 100% interest in Gimlex's 1,125 mining claims covering 223 square kilometers located in the Dawson mining district, Yukon Territory. Gimlex Enterprises Ltd. is a privately owned Dawson area exploration and mining business operated by the Christie family since 1984.

Upon completion of this transaction, Klondike Gold will have effectively doubled its land position covering the prospective Klondike goldfields district with direct ownership of a total of 2,780 quartz claims forming one 50 km long district-scale continuous property covering 527 square kilometers area.

Peter Tallman states, "This acquisition consolidates ownership of the Klondike district into one contiguous district-spanning claim group for the first time. The claim package will allow systematic exploration, evaluation and ranking of targets across the district with geological understanding of variations and potential zonation. Klondike Gold believes there is significant potential for multiple discoveries and this consolidation will allow the greatest opportunity for testing the best possible targets. Historically a total of 20 million placer ounces of gold has been extracted from gravels derived from the bedrock of the Klondike district."

In return for the acquisition by Klondike Gold of a 100% interest in the Gimlex mining claims plus 24 years of exploration data, the terms of the Property Acquisition Agreement are as follows:

Payment of $500,000 in cash to Gimlex.

Issuance to Gimlex of 3,000,000 common shares without par value in the capital of Klondike Gold

Granting to Gimlex of a 2% net smelter returns royalty in respect of the Gimlex Property, of which Klondike Gold may purchase one-half of the NSR Royalty (being a 1% NSR Royalty) from Gimlex for cash in the amount of $1,500,000 at any time.

Gimlex shall have the right to nominate one individual for election to the board of directors of Klondike Gold for so long as Gimlex continues to own, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Klondike.

Story continues

Dr. James Christie, President of Gimlex states, "Gimlex has been exploring our Klondike quartz claims since 1992, and placer mining in the area since 1984. This opportunity will allow these quartz properties to be advanced to the next stage. Gimlex will become a significant shareholder of Klondike Gold and Tara Christie will be joining the Klondike Gold Board of Directors."

Peter Tallman states, "We welcome Tara Christie to our Board, and the Christie family as supportive and knowledgeable shareholders. The opportunity to draw upon their multi-generational experience in the Klondike district will be a strategic asset to help guide the next phases of exploration."

Merger and compilation of exploration data is in progress. A comprehensive work program and budget for district-wide exploration is being planned. Field examination of selected targets has begun.

A map of the combined quartz claim land position is shown HERE. The map shows the extent of Klondike Gold's claims, the location of the property on the outskirts of Dawson, the location of the Goldcorp haul road to its Coffee gold deposit through the center of Klondike Gold's property, and the location of the historic Klondike goldfields producing creeks.

The technical and scientific information contained within this news release has been reviewed and approved by Peter Tallman, P.Geo, President of Klondike Gold Corp., and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 policy.

ABOUT KLONDIKE GOLD CORP.

Klondike Gold Corp. is a Canadian exploration company with offices in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Dawson City, Yukon Territory. The company is focused on exploration and development of its Yukon gold projects, accessible by government maintained roads located on the outskirts of Dawson City, YT, covering a district-scale 527 square kilometers of hard rock and 20 square kilometers of placer claims including "McKinnon Creek" featured on the Discovery Channel show "Gold Rush".

On behalf of Klondike Gold Corp.

"Peter Tallman"

President and CEO

(604) 609-6110

E-mail: info@klondikegoldcorp.com

Website: www.klondikegoldcorp.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.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

"This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This information and statements address future activities, events, plans, developments and projections. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information and statements are frequently identified by words such as "may," "will," "should," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and similar terminology, and reflect assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis made by management of Klondike in light of its experience, current conditions, expectations of future developments and other factors which it believes to be reasonable and relevant. Forward-looking information and statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause Klondike's actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information and statements and accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed thereon.

Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary include but are not limited to the availability of financing; fluctuations in commodity prices; changes to and compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including environmental laws and obtaining requisite permits; political, economic and other risks; as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in our annual and quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis and in other filings made by us with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. Klondike disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements except as may be required."

SOURCE: Klondike Gold Corp.
With the peak summer vacation season in full swing, many travelers are clamoring for a sunny getaway. But with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautioning expectant women, those trying to get pregnant and their partners to avoid places affected by the mosquito-borne virus that's been associated with microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune condition, travelers are pivoting their plans, and for good reason. Beyond Brazil and a variety of popular Central and Southern American and Caribbean locales, cases of Zika have been reported in Florida and other U.S. destinations, prompting travelers to worry about much more than lathering on sunscreen and staying hydrated this season.

While there's no current vaccine available to prevent Zika, there are smart steps to mitigate your risks of contracting the virus and transmitting it to others. We spoke with medical experts about the threats travelers should consider before visiting a Zika-impacted locale. Here are their tips for staying healthy before, during and after your trip.

[See: 10 Things Every Traveler Must Know Before Going to Brazil This Summer.]

Research Where the Risks Are

Pregnant women and women who are trying to conceive should skip traveling to any of the more than 60 countries and territories affected by the virus, which include Central and South American countries and many Caribbean destinations, among other tropical areas. If you're expecting, don't travel to a place where Zika is actively being transmitted, cautions Dr. Catherine Y. Spong, acting director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Before you lock in your vacation plans, make sure to consult the CDC's Travelers' Health page to understand the conditions and current advisories associated with the specific destination you're planning to visit, she says.

"If a pregnant woman must travel to one of these [Zika-affected] areas, she should consult her doctor or other health care provider first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip," says Captain Martin Cetron, who leads the CDC's Division of Global Migration and Quarantine. Another way to reduce your chances of contracting the virus: Pick a high-altitude vacation destination, such as Mexico City, Quito, Ecuador or Innsbruck, Austria. The Zika-carrying mosquitoes cannot thrive in places at elevations above 6,500 feet, Cetron explains.

Story continues

It's also important to keep in mind that the virus is not only spread via mosquito bites, but also sexually. Additionally, it's possible to contract the virus and not experience any symptoms, Spong says. Only around 20 percent of people infected with Zika are symptomatic, with mild or severe effects, such as fever, rash, red eyes and joint pain. Men should be aware that they can infect a partner up to six months after contracting the virus, she adds. "Because Zika can also be transmitted sexually, pregnant women who have visited an area with Zika, or who have a sex partner who has, should use condoms every time during any kind of sex or avoid having sex during pregnancy," Cetron cautions. Women who have shown symptoms or been diagnosed with Zika should refrain from trying to conceive for at least eight weeks after possible exposure, Cetron says.

[Read: 10 Tips for Changing Your Tickets (or Postponing Your Trip).]

Take Precautions Before You Go and Protect Yourself During Your Trip

When preparing for a trip to a destination impacted by Zika, make sure you not only are stocked with the appropriate EPA-registered repellent, with ingredients such as picaridin, DEET or IR3535, but also plenty of mosquito netting. You should also choose accommodations with air-conditioning and closed or screened windows and doors. These mosquitoes are "aggressive daytime biters," cautions Dr. Phyllis Kozarsky, travelers' health consultant to the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine at the CDC and a professor at Emory University's School of Medicine. "You're not just protected by sitting under a mosquito net at night," she explains, reinforcing the importance of being diligent about using mosquito repellent often. She also advises emptying anything with standing water in it, like planters, both inside and outdoors. Dr. Rajiv Narula, medical director of International Travel Health Consultants, recommends keeping your room cool and dry and treating your clothes with a repellent like Insect Shield before your trip. He also recommends treating your mosquito net with spray as an extra precaution.

"Travelers to areas where Zika is being transmitted should consider packing insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, clothing and gear treated with permethrin [insect repellent], a bed net if mosquitoes will be able to get to where the traveler is sleeping and condoms, if they might have sex on their trip," Cetron advises. He also warns against using any insect repellent on children who are 2 months old or younger.

Protect Others When You Return

When you return from a Zika-affected destination, it's essential to take a few steps to prevent spreading the virus. Spray yourself with repellent for three weeks following possible exposure to prevent spreading Zika, Spong cautions. While you may not show any symptoms of the virus, if you've recently visited a Zika-impacted area, the CDC recommends that travelers use insect repellent to avoid transmitting the virus to non-carrying mosquitoes that could infect others in the U.S. And if you're at all symptomatic, see a health care provider, Kozansky cautions.

While it's unknown how long the virus can stay in your system, "in one well-documented case, sexual transmission is estimated to have occurred between 32 and 41 days after onset of the man's symptoms," Cetron explains. In fact, the Zika virus "has been found in semen at least 24 days after the onset of symptoms. RNA, or genetic material, from the virus has been found in semen up to 93 days after symptoms began, in vaginal fluid three days after symptom onset, and in cervical mucus up to 11 days after symptom onset," he says.

Consider the Potential and Still Unknown Long-Term Consequences

"The broad take is in many ways it's hard to completely quantify risks given that a lot of the information that we'd like to have we don't have," Spong explains. However, there are severe concerns about the longer-term developmental delay a woman can give her fetus and the rare but serious nervous system issues linked to Zika.

"We still don't know more than we know," Kozarsky says, pointing out that with constantly updated medical findings, "what is true today may not be true tomorrow." The potential neurological conditions and long-range impact for children with brain damage due to Zika is still closely studied, she says. "For babies born with microcephaly after being infected with the virus during pregnancy, problems can range from mild to severe and are often lifelong, including seizures, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, problems with movement and balance, feeding problems, hearing loss and vision problems," Cetron explains.

[See: 10 Common Pieces of Travel Advice You Should Never Follow.]

Conversely, the virus is typically mild and lasts for only several days to a week for adults and children, though a small percentage of people have contracted Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause paralysis, he adds. If you're infected, Cetron advises "getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids to prevent dehydration and taking medication such as acetaminophen to reduce fever and pain."

Liz Weiss is the Travel editor for Consumer Advice at U.S. News & World Report. You can follow her on Twitter, connect with her on LinkedIn, circle her on Google+ or email her at eweiss@usnews.com.
With the peak summer vacation season in full swing, many travelers are clamoring for a sunny getaway. But with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautioning expectant women, those trying to get pregnant and their partners to avoid places affected by the mosquito-borne virus that's been associated with microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune condition, travelers are pivoting their plans, and for good reason. Beyond Brazil and a variety of popular Central and Southern American and Caribbean locales, cases of Zika have been reported in Florida and other U.S. destinations, prompting travelers to worry about much more than lathering on sunscreen and staying hydrated this season.

While there's no current vaccine available to prevent Zika, there are smart steps to mitigate your risks of contracting the virus and transmitting it to others. We spoke with medical experts about the threats travelers should consider before visiting a Zika-impacted locale. Here are their tips for staying healthy before, during and after your trip.

[See: 10 Things Every Traveler Must Know Before Going to Brazil This Summer.]

Research Where the Risks Are

Pregnant women and women who are trying to conceive should skip traveling to any of the more than 60 countries and territories affected by the virus, which include Central and South American countries and many Caribbean destinations, among other tropical areas. If you're expecting, don't travel to a place where Zika is actively being transmitted, cautions Dr. Catherine Y. Spong, acting director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Before you lock in your vacation plans, make sure to consult the CDC's Travelers' Health page to understand the conditions and current advisories associated with the specific destination you're planning to visit, she says.

"If a pregnant woman must travel to one of these [Zika-affected] areas, she should consult her doctor or other health care provider first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip," says Captain Martin Cetron, who leads the CDC's Division of Global Migration and Quarantine. Another way to reduce your chances of contracting the virus: Pick a high-altitude vacation destination, such as Mexico City, Quito, Ecuador or Innsbruck, Austria. The Zika-carrying mosquitoes cannot thrive in places at elevations above 6,500 feet, Cetron explains.

Story continues

It's also important to keep in mind that the virus is not only spread via mosquito bites, but also sexually. Additionally, it's possible to contract the virus and not experience any symptoms, Spong says. Only around 20 percent of people infected with Zika are symptomatic, with mild or severe effects, such as fever, rash, red eyes and joint pain. Men should be aware that they can infect a partner up to six months after contracting the virus, she adds. "Because Zika can also be transmitted sexually, pregnant women who have visited an area with Zika, or who have a sex partner who has, should use condoms every time during any kind of sex or avoid having sex during pregnancy," Cetron cautions. Women who have shown symptoms or been diagnosed with Zika should refrain from trying to conceive for at least eight weeks after possible exposure, Cetron says.

[Read: 10 Tips for Changing Your Tickets (or Postponing Your Trip).]

Take Precautions Before You Go and Protect Yourself During Your Trip

When preparing for a trip to a destination impacted by Zika, make sure you not only are stocked with the appropriate EPA-registered repellent, with ingredients such as picaridin, DEET or IR3535, but also plenty of mosquito netting. You should also choose accommodations with air-conditioning and closed or screened windows and doors. These mosquitoes are "aggressive daytime biters," cautions Dr. Phyllis Kozarsky, travelers' health consultant to the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine at the CDC and a professor at Emory University's School of Medicine. "You're not just protected by sitting under a mosquito net at night," she explains, reinforcing the importance of being diligent about using mosquito repellent often. She also advises emptying anything with standing water in it, like planters, both inside and outdoors. Dr. Rajiv Narula, medical director of International Travel Health Consultants, recommends keeping your room cool and dry and treating your clothes with a repellent like Insect Shield before your trip. He also recommends treating your mosquito net with spray as an extra precaution.

"Travelers to areas where Zika is being transmitted should consider packing insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, clothing and gear treated with permethrin [insect repellent], a bed net if mosquitoes will be able to get to where the traveler is sleeping and condoms, if they might have sex on their trip," Cetron advises. He also warns against using any insect repellent on children who are 2 months old or younger.

Protect Others When You Return

When you return from a Zika-affected destination, it's essential to take a few steps to prevent spreading the virus. Spray yourself with repellent for three weeks following possible exposure to prevent spreading Zika, Spong cautions. While you may not show any symptoms of the virus, if you've recently visited a Zika-impacted area, the CDC recommends that travelers use insect repellent to avoid transmitting the virus to non-carrying mosquitoes that could infect others in the U.S. And if you're at all symptomatic, see a health care provider, Kozansky cautions.

While it's unknown how long the virus can stay in your system, "in one well-documented case, sexual transmission is estimated to have occurred between 32 and 41 days after onset of the man's symptoms," Cetron explains. In fact, the Zika virus "has been found in semen at least 24 days after the onset of symptoms. RNA, or genetic material, from the virus has been found in semen up to 93 days after symptoms began, in vaginal fluid three days after symptom onset, and in cervical mucus up to 11 days after symptom onset," he says.

Consider the Potential and Still Unknown Long-Term Consequences

"The broad take is in many ways it's hard to completely quantify risks given that a lot of the information that we'd like to have we don't have," Spong explains. However, there are severe concerns about the longer-term developmental delay a woman can give her fetus and the rare but serious nervous system issues linked to Zika.

"We still don't know more than we know," Kozarsky says, pointing out that with constantly updated medical findings, "what is true today may not be true tomorrow." The potential neurological conditions and long-range impact for children with brain damage due to Zika is still closely studied, she says. "For babies born with microcephaly after being infected with the virus during pregnancy, problems can range from mild to severe and are often lifelong, including seizures, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, problems with movement and balance, feeding problems, hearing loss and vision problems," Cetron explains.

[See: 10 Common Pieces of Travel Advice You Should Never Follow.]

Conversely, the virus is typically mild and lasts for only several days to a week for adults and children, though a small percentage of people have contracted Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause paralysis, he adds. If you're infected, Cetron advises "getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids to prevent dehydration and taking medication such as acetaminophen to reduce fever and pain."





More From US News & World Report


walmart made in the usa

Finance Insider is Business Insider's summary of the top stories of the past 24 hours.

To sign up, scroll to the bottom of this page and click "Get updates in your inbox," or click here.

Walmart is buying Jet.com in the largest e-commerce acquisition in history.

Walmart will pay about $3 billion in cash plus about $300 million of Walmart shares for the two-year-old e-commerce site. This chart shows why.

Elsewhere in deal news, Vail Resorts is buying Whistler Blackcomb in a $1.1 billion deal, and Dentsu has acquired US marketing agency Merkle in a deal worth more than $1 billion.

Meanwhile, there are more billionaires than ever before, and they're frightened. Barclays says there's nothing left to fight the coming economic storm. And copper is waving a red flag for China's economy.

One of the biggest warning signs of the financial crisis is flashing again  but this time is different.

On Wall Street, Deutsche Bank got fined for literally broadcasting confidential information over loudspeakers, and some of the biggest names in finance have their eye on your savings.

In politics, Hillary Clinton looks like she's about to crush Donald Trump  but it might not be so simple. Trump is in the middle of a speech on the economy, and you can get the key takeaways here.

Lastly, here are the 12 things every guy should keep at his desk.

Here are the top Wall Street headlines at midday:

Tesla will burn through $1.1 billion in cash this quarter  Tesla disclosed $1.1 billion in third-quarter cash requirements in payments and planned expenditures on Friday, about a third of the cash on hand mid-year, in a new sign of pressure on the electric vehicle maker.

Oil is leaping on reports OPEC is considering a production freeze  Prices of the major oil benchmarks are all higher on Monday following a report that the oil cartel OPEC may cap its production.

Hedge funds have done a terrible job at picking stocks this year  Hedge funds are not doing too hot in 2016.

Story continues

Nike and Adidas are getting out of the golf business at exactly the wrong time  Nike and Adidas are ditching their golf businesses, but it may be the wrong move.

'They are hurting right now': The oil patch and has been decimated  A global supply glut has pushed prices below $40 a barrel, and it's hurting a wide range of industries.

This little-known app could take on Facebook in a key market  Messaging could be the next big thing. If it is, Line is perfectly positioned to ride the trend to untold riches, as it has four or five times the number of monthly active users as Facebook in Japan, and is similarly popular in Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia.

The head of Bloomberg's $150 million VC fund explains the formula for finding a top AI startup  When Bloomberg first built the terminal system, back in the early 1980s, most of its customers  mainly finance professionals  didn't have computers on their desks.

The 20 most common hobbies of the richest people in the world  When billionaires have free time, they have the means for extravagant hobbies, whether it's collecting classic cars or jet-setting across the globe.





More From Business Insider


Seoul (AFP) - A group of South Korean opposition lawmakers defied President Park Geun-Hye and left for China on Monday to discuss the deployment of a US anti-missile system that has opened a damaging rift between Seoul and Beijing.

Park had urged the MPs to scrap their trip, arguing that it would boost China's opposition to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and deepen divisions in South Korea over the issue.

Seoul's decision to host a THAAD battery, to counter a growing threat from North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes, has been condemned by China as a threat to its own security interests and to regional stability.

The ongoing row is threatening to undo the substantial effort President Park has put into strengthening ties with China, which is not only South Korea's largest trade partner but also the key player in curbing North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Kim Young-Ho, one of the six lawmakers from the main opposition Minjoo Party travelling to Beijing, said their sole motivation was to calm the situation.

"We are visiting with the hope of offering at least a little warmth to the icy Seoul-Beijing ties," Kim was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency before leaving Seoul.

But Park insisted the visit would be counter-productive and suggested the MPs were being irresponsibly disloyal.

"On a matter of national security, there should be no division between the ruling and the opposition parties," she told a meeting of top aides Monday morning.

"Some politicians are making ridiculous claims that the deployment of THAAD will only offer good excuses for North Korea to stage more provocations -- an argument that is very similar to the North's own views," she said in comments published on her official website.

THAAD has been the subject of domestic protests in South Korea, particularly by those living in the rural county of Seongju where the first battery will be installed.

Story continues

Residents say the system's powerful radar poses health and environmental hazards and argue that its presence will make them a key military target.

Opposition parties have been less than supportive of the deployment, although outright criticism has largely been limited to left-leaning MPs and activists.

Responding to Park's criticisms, Kim said calling off the visit at this stage would make things worse.

"It would look like the president had blocked it," he told reporters.

On Sunday, Park's office had issued a statement that chided China for over-reacting to the THAAD deployment.

"We believe that China, before taking issue with our purely defensive move, should raise the issue more strongly with the North," the statement said, referring to a recent series of provocative North Korean missile tests.
KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 8, 2016 / Laguna Blends Inc. (CSE: LAG ) (OTC: LAGBF ) (Frankfurt: LB6A.F ) (the "Company" or "Laguna") is pleased to announce it has appointed Bryan Loree as Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and to the board of directors effective immediately. Mr. Loree has approximately ten years of experience providing chief financial officer, accounting, financing, and management services to numerous issuers on the TSX Venture Exchange, Canadian Securities Exchange, and private companies. Mr. Loree is a CPA, CMA and possesses a BA from Simon Fraser University.

Mr. Loree will replace Mr. Stuart Gray, who was acting Chief Financial Officer. In addition, Bryan Loree will replace Negar Adam as Corporate secretary and director.

Mr. Bryan Loree, CFO of Laguna Blends said, "It's a pleasure to have the opportunity to join the team at Laguna during this rapid growth phase of the Company. Laguna is operating in an exciting sector and I look forward to being involved in the future milestones of the Company."

Stuart Gray, CEO and founder of Laguna Blends Inc. said, "It's a pleasure to have Mr. Bryan Loree join our management team. His financial and accounting experience is impressive and will strengthen Laguna's ability to seek quality business opportunities, financings and increase sales to profitability."

About Laguna Blends Inc.

Laguna is a network marketing company that generates retail sales through independent affiliates. Affiliates utilize tools and technology that enable them to build an international business from their own home or anywhere else in the world. This technology replaces the need for expensive travel and hotel meetings.

The Company is currently focused on the nutritional health benefits derived from hemp. Laguna's first product category as an entry to market are functional beverage products that contain hemp and other efficacious ingredients. Laguna's initial products to market are the following:

Story continues

" Caffe " is an instant, "just add water" hot coffee beverage that is infused with both whey and hemp protein. With 2 grams of protein in every serving, Laguna's proprietary product packs a powerful protein punch. Caffe, contains Instant coffee, whey protein hydrolysate, hemp protein, natural flavors.





"Pro369" is a single serving, "on-the-go," plant based, instant, hemp protein that is served cold and comes in 4 delicious flavors. Pro369 is water soluble and can be directly mixed in water, added to milk, almond milk or coconut milk. Pro369 can also be blended in a shake or smoothie. Pro369 is also a source of Omegas, 3, 6 and 9 and contains ginseng.

Laguna Blends has been granted approval from Health Canada for four powdered Pro369 flavours: Chocolate Banana, Mixed Berry and Vanilla Caramel and Tropical Powder. Pro369 contains Hemp protein, natural flavors, stevia, and American ginseng.

The Minister of Health from Health Canada has granted Laguna a product license along with a Natural Product Number ("NPN") for all four of the Pro369 Flavours. They are all listed under the same NPN.

A source of protein that helps build and repair body tissues.

Source of amino acids involved in muscle protein synthesis.

Assists in the building of lean muscle.

An adaptogen to help maintain a healthy immune system.

Supportive therapy for the promotion of healthy glucose levels.

Hemp has long been recognized by the health and nutrition industry as a super food, cited in many publications as a balanced source of all ingredients required to achieve health and wellness.

HempOmega

HempOmega is an environmentally sustainable, vegetarian source of Omegas 3 and 6 that boasts a superior nutrient profile. A water soluble, homogenous, powdered ingredient, it can be easily integrated and/or manipulated, with no unpleasant taste or chemical contamination  opening up entirely new product formulation opportunities. Hemp Omega's greater ability to endure the digestive process delivers unmatched bioavailability, thereby maximizing its potential health benefits.

The Company sells its products through its independent affiliates in the USA and Canada.

HempOmega is a Trademark owned by Naturally Splendid Enterprises, Ltd. and is used under license by Laguna Blends Inc.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Stuart Gray"

Chief Executive Officer



CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS:

QualityStocks

Scottsdale, Arizona

www.QualityStocks.com

480.374.1336

Editor@QualityStocks.net

COMPANY:

Laguna Blends

ir@lagunablends.com

www.lagunablends.com

www.lagunaworld.com

Join Us On FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/LagunaBlends/

Twitter: @LagunaBlends

Forward-Looking Information:

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to statements regarding the Company's business, products and future the Company's business, its product offerings and plans for sales and marketing. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance and developments to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risks that the Company's products and plan will vary from those stated in this news release and the Company may not be able to carry out its business plans as expected. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation, and does not intend, to update any forward looking statements or forward-looking information in this news release. The statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release.

SOURCE: Laguna Blends Inc.
Evaluating whether to apply early decision to law schools is complicated. Advantages include giving your application a competitive edge and learning the admissions decision sooner.

Some of the drawbacks are an early application deadline, a required commitment to attend if accepted and potentially decreased ability to negotiate financial aid.

[Unravel the pros and cons of applying early decision to law school.]

Weighing the pros and cons of applying early decision can be difficult, particularly if you are concerned about how you'll pay for law school. An early or expedited decision is binding, which means you need to commit to the school before you find out whether you will receive any merit-based funding.

Many law schools even include a disclaimer on their website discouraging potential early decision applicants from committing if funding is paramount. If that's true for you, consider applying with the regular applicant pool instead.

[Discover what law schools don't tell parents about financial aid.]

Early decision applicants are still eligible for scholarships, but the binding nature of the admissions agreement makes financial negotiation difficult. To address this disadvantage, several law school programs have incorporated merit-based funding awards as part of the early decision process to entice top applicants to commit to their schools.

For example, Northwestern University's Pritzker School of Law award ed accepted early decision applicants a $150,000 merit scholarship divided over three years. At the University of Texas--Austin, nonresident early decision applicants receive resident tuition rates, plus an annual $1,000 stipend over three years, while residents receive an annual $10,000 stipend over three years.

The School of Law at Washington University in St. Louis gives early decision applicants a full tuition scholarship. The School of Law at Boston University offers two early decision options: Applicants accepted via the Distinguished Scholars Binding Early Decision program receive full tuition, while applicants accepted via the "BU-Bound" Binding Decision Program do not receive merit scholarships but are eligible for need-based scholarship aid.

Story continues

[Learn how to decode priority track and early decision in law school applications.]

Here are three factors to help you assess schools with combined early decision and funding options.

1. Keep competition in mind: Competition is higher when money is at stake. A commitment to attend in these situations may not give you a significant competitive edge.

For example, the Boston University Distinguished Scholar Binding Early Decision Program is much harder to get into than the "BU-Bound" Binding Decision Program.

2. Assess the strength of your application: If you have a competitive application, you may receive funding regardless of whether you apply early decision.

For example, the University of Texas--Austin was the top choice for one of the applicants I counseled. After evaluating his application, I advised against applying early decision because I was confident he would receive several appealing aid offers.

The applicant was accepted to the University of Texas--Austin and received more funding than he would have received had he applied early decision. Not only that, he was able to leverage scholarship awards from other programs to negotiate an even greater increase in funding.

3. Don't get discouraged: If you are deferred from early decision, don't be discouraged. Even if you are not accepted early decision, law school a dmissions committees will often place promising applications back into the regular applicant pool. When that happens, you are no longer bound to enroll if accepted.

Need help deciding whether to commit to law school? You can email me at lawadmissionslowdown@usnews.com.
I first met the journalist and author Ece Temelkuran in Istanbul's Cihangir  a district filled with coffee shops, trendy bars and boutiques. It is a far cry from the devastated city we have seen on TV screens in recent weeks. Here, over beers, she talked to me about her country's psyche almost as if the place were a person  a person conflicted in their politics, consumed by their religion and with deteriorating mental health.

This is, in a way, what Ece's new book does. Titled Turkey, The Insane and The Melancholy, it is a look at the country's history, using relics such as photos of politicians and nationalistic slogans as launching pads to ask, 'What does it mean to be Turkish anyway?' In doing so, the book tells a story that runs from the start of the Ottoman Empire through to the Gezi Park protests of 2013, where protesters staged a mass sit-in to demonstrate (mostly) against Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan 's authoritarian brand of leadership.

Since the events of Gezi  where more than 8,000 injuries were recorded  things have hardly calmed down in Turkey. In the last year alone, there have been 14 bombings in the country, which many view as the gateway between the Middle East and Europe. Some of these attacks are thought to have been engineered by ISIS, in a retaliation towards Turkey's alignment with allied forces fighting ISIS in Syria. Others have been attributed to the PKK, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, who have long been angered by Turkey's denial of rights to Kurdish citizens.

Then, less than a month ago, on the 15th of July, a military coup took place in Istanbul. Armed forces sieged broadcast buildings and took hostages. Erdogan, still President, managed to quash the uprising, with the number of people killed during the struggle reported at around 300. The subsequent fallout has been intense; Turks thought to be associated with suspected coup organiser, a Muslim cleric called Fethullah Gulen, have either been incarcerated, lost their jobs, or disappeared. Amnesty International have reported human rights breaches spanning torture to execution, which the government have denied.

Story continues

Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, Ece Temelkuran occupies a dubious position. A critic of both Erdogan and Gulen, she sits in neither one camp nor the other, but fears getting caught in the ongoing crossfire between the two parties. Below, she talked to Refinery29 from Istanbul about her opinions on the state of Turkey and how the rest of the world might try to make sense of last months uprising.

After the bombing at Ataturk Airport on the 29th of June you wrote an article for the New York Times about how people in Istanbul seemed to be indifferent. I was shocked. What has it been like after the coup?

The problem when answering this question is there is not only one Turkey in Turkey. If youre a person affiliated with the Fethullah Gulen movement [the people suspected of being behind the coup] you are living in a horror story, if you are a supporter of AKP [Erdogan's party] then you are celebrating on the streets. If you are a person who criticised them both, for instance like me, well, it feels like you're standing still, praying not to become a target for a stray bullet.

Right now feels like sitting and waiting for yet another delicate political climate to pass. In Turkey we've become masters at this  masters of adaptation. In order to keep their sanity, Turkish people have developed improved skills of indifference. You have to. Not only because of the frequent terror attacks of the last year but also the regular shifts in the political climate. Its like living in a bumper car.

I was surprised reading your book by just how many coups there have been in Turkey in the last century. Is there a sense in your country of history repeating itself?

Of course  its a vicious cycle of Revanchist politics in Turkey. The story from the very beginning has been one where whoever pulls the strings builds a system through which they can vanish their political rivals, and you end up with a polarised society; one's victory is another's tragedy. The repetition of this through history is stupefying. Its why I called my recent novel about the 1980 coup Cycle: Time of Mute Swans. The polarisation, the divisiveness of the political power, the complications of international politics were so similar then to today's situation.

I guess the international image of Turkey is getting a bit like its "one of those crazy countries where anything can happen." Thats the saddest thing about this repetition of history.

Photo: ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images.

Why do so many people think America/ the CIA is behind the recent coup?

Because the last one was supported by the U.S., for starters. We heard the voice of Paul Henze, the [former] CIA Turkey Chief of the time telling U.S. President Carter that "Our boys did it." For many people, it is hard to imagine that a NATO ally, with a delicate geography like Turkey, could manage a coup attempt on its own, so to speak. Mostly because it is a gigantic party of power games over here, with the Kurds, Russia and Syria all trying to get a foot in. Moreover, Fethullah Gulen, the man allegedly responsible for the coup attempt, is based in Pennsylvania.

In my opinion, it is first class political stupidity to think that the U.S. is the almighty evil power plotting coups here and there across the planet, but there are reasons for people to believe so. Or maybe it is useful popularism not to talk about the real reasons of such an incident. The U.S. is distant enough you see. Its easier to blame them than turn the lens onto the state of Turkey itself.

Young people and dissidents are planning their next move. Would you consider leaving Turkey before the political climate gets any worse?

The idea of leaving the country is spreading among those people who have the luxury to do such a thing and especially young people. It is not only because they are dissidents but when your main job becomes surviving physically and emotionally, one may start thinking about other options. Imagine bringing up your baby in a country where a bomb explodes here and there constantly.

A humongous motion of sweeping humans from South to North is taking place. First it was Iraq, then Syria and now it is probable that the people in Turkey will try to go North. It is as if history is the most careless and clumsy engineer in this region and it does not care for the people who really believed in their countries. I don't believe that the dream of Turkey being a secular, stable and democratic country within the Middle East is a lost cause, but I cannot help but see that the dream now requires more determination then ever.

Photo: ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images.

You have always been outspoken about the government  you have even been fired from publications for it. How do you protect yourself now?

Yes, it is true I lost my job as a journalist because of the critical articles I wrote. It was in 2012. I was in Tunisia writing my second novel already, Women Who Blow on Knots. The worst part wasn't getting fired, the worst thing was how the AKP trolls treated me afterwards. I cannot remember how many porno accounts they opened online in my name. But I have been outspoken not only about the government but also about the Gulen movement. Oh those articles they wrote in Gulen papers about me, saying that I should be imprisoned right away... it was magic that I survived it. Anyways, afterwards I decided to go back to literature and I did. I thought I had better things to do than getting into a fight with organised and mobilised ignorance. Now I mostly write articles in English, and only write literature in my mother tongue. I guess a woman should be like a phoenix in a part of the world where justice is so rare.

What are your hopes for Turkey in the coming weeks?

Maybe because of the things that I have been through I am not a big fan of the word hope. I am more into the word determination. My determination at the moment is to tell the story of Turkey from those people's point of view who have been dismissed. My mother was imprisoned when she was a Leftist student in the 1971 coup and my father, as a young lawyer, rescued her from the hands of generals. This is the family I was born into. These are decent people, and the story of people like them has not been told. These are people who believed that there could have been a Turkey without political Islam, one with equal and dignified citizens. They dreamed of a country that could break away from the vicious cycle I have been talking about. Generations paid for this dream like in Iran, Iraq, Syria or Lebanon or even in Afghanistan. It is almost like Persepolis  over and over again. My dream right now is just to tell this story.

@ETemelkuran

Turkey, The Insane and the Melancholy is now available on Zed Books.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

London Woman Dies In Drone Police Pursuit

Why The UK Black Lives Matter Movement Is Giving Me Hope

North And South Korea Gymnasts Pose For Selfie
A Taliban suicide bomb packed with ball bearings tore through a Pakistani hospital Monday and killed at least 70 people, as witnesses described tearful staff rushing towards the smoking blast site to help the wounded.

The bomber struck a crowd of some 200 people gathered at the Civil Hospital in the Balochistan provincial capital Quetta after the fatal shooting of a senior local lawyer earlier in the day. More than 100 were wounded, officials said.

Video footage showed bodies strewn on the ground, some still smoking, among pools of blood and shattered glass as shocked survivors cried and comforted one another.

Many of the victims were clad in the black suits and ties traditionally worn by Pakistani lawyers.

An AFP journalist was about 20 metres away when the bomb went off.

"There were huge black clouds and dirt," he said.

"I ran back to the place and saw dead bodies scattered everywhere and many injured people crying. There were pools and pools of blood around and pieces of human bodies and flesh."

Nurses and lawyers wept as medics from inside the hospital rushed out to help dozens of injured, he said.

"People were beating their heads, crying and mourning. They were in shock and grief."

Pervez Masi, who was injured by pieces of flying glass, said the blast was so powerful that "we didn't know what had happened".

"So many friends were martyred," he said. "Whoever is doing this is not human, he is a beast and has no humanity."

Police confirmed the attack was a suicide blast.

"The bomber had strapped some eight kilograms (18 pounds) of explosives packed with ball bearings and shrapnel on his body," bomb disposal unit chief Abdul Razzaq told AFP.

A faction of the Pakistani Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, claimed responsibility for the attack in an email to journalists.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has also said it was behind the deadliest attack in Pakistan so far this year, a bombing in a crowded Lahore park that killed 75 people on Easter Sunday.

Story continues

A spokesman vowed more attacks "until the imposition of an Islamic system in Pakistan".

"The death toll has risen to 70 and there are 112 injured," the head of the provincial health department, Dr Masood Nausherwani, told reporters.

Officials said mobile phone jammers had been activated around hospitals in the area -- a regular precaution after an attack -- making it hard to contact officers on the ground to get updated information.

- Crowd mourning lawyer's death -

The crowd, mainly lawyers and journalists, had gone to the hospital after the death of the president of the Balochistan Bar Association in a shooting earlier Monday, said provincial home secretary Akbar Harifal.

Bilal Anwar Kasi was targeted by two unidentified gunmen as he left his home for work.

Pakistan is grimly accustomed to atrocities after a nearly decade-long insurgency. But security had markedly improved in 2015, when the death toll from militant attacks fell to its lowest since 2007, when the TTP was formed.

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has major oil and gas resources but is afflicted by Islamist militancy, sectarian violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims and a separatist insurgency.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and ordered authorities to tighten security. He and the head of Pakistan's powerful military visited Quetta to express their condolences.

Facebook activated its safety check for Quetta in the wake of the attack.

Pakistani hospitals have been targeted by militants before.

In 2010 a bomb killed 13 people outside the casualty department of a hospital in Karachi, where victims of an earlier attack were being treated as anxious relatives gathered.
By Aaron Maasho ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - More than 90 people were shot dead by security forces in protests across Ethiopia's Oromiya and Amhara regions at the weekend, residents and opposition officials said on Monday. Unrest flared in Oromiya for several months until early this year over plans to allocate farmland surrounding the regional capital for development. Authorities scrapped the scheme in January, but protests flared again over the continued detention of opposition demonstrators. At the weekend, protesters chanted anti-government slogans and waved dissident flags. Some demanded the release of jailed opposition politicians. "So far, we have compiled a list of 33 protesters killed by armed security forces that included police and soldiers but I am very sure the list will grow," Mulatu Gemechu, deputy chairman of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress, said. The deaths were in at least 10 towns across Oromiya, he said, including Ambo, Dembi Dolo and Nekemt - areas that saw previous rounds of protest. "Twenty-six people have been injured, while several have been detained," Mulatu said, adding three members of his party were also being held. Government officials were not immediately available for comment. The state-owned Ethiopian News Agency said "illegal protests" by "anti-peace forces" had been brought under control. It did not mention casualties. DISPUTED TERRITORY Oromiya is the second region to be hit by unrest in the past few days. In Amhara, residents said police fired live bullets at demonstrators during protests over disputed territory that continued until early Monday in the city of Bahir Dar. "Soldiers fired live rounds at protesters. Hospitals have been filled by dead and wounded victims," one resident said, putting the number killed at 60. Tensions have been rumbling for two decades over the status of Wolkayt district, a stretch of land that protesters from Amhara say was illegally incorporated into the neighbouring Tigray region to the north. Nigusu Tilahun, spokesperson for the regional government, told state-affiliated news outlets that seven people died over the weekend. Amnesty International said the bloodshed in Bahir Dar may amount to "extrajudicial killings" and that at least 30 people were killed in one day. The United States said it was "deeply concerned" by the violence in both regions. "We reaffirm our call to respect the constitutionally enshrined rights of all citizens, including those with opposition views, to gather peacefully and to express their opinions," its embassy in Addis Ababa said in a statement. Any sign of unrest is closely watched in Ethiopia, a Western ally against Islamist militants in neighbouring Somalia and an economic power seen as a centre of relative stability in a fragile region. "Ethiopian forces have systematically used excessive force in their mistaken attempts to silence dissenting voices," Michelle Kagari, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes, said. (Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Editing by George Obulutsa and Janet Lawrence)
By Aaron Maasho ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - More than 90 people were shot dead by security forces in protests across Ethiopia's Oromiya and Amhara regions at the weekend, residents and opposition officials said on Monday. Unrest flared in Oromiya for several months until early this year over plans to allocate farmland surrounding the regional capital for development. Authorities scrapped the scheme in January, but protests flared again over the continued detention of opposition demonstrators. At the weekend, protesters chanted anti-government slogans and waved dissident flags. Some demanded the release of jailed opposition politicians. "So far, we have compiled a list of 33 protesters killed by armed security forces that included police and soldiers but I am very sure the list will grow," Mulatu Gemechu, deputy chairman of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress, said. The deaths were in at least 10 towns across Oromiya, he said, including Ambo, Dembi Dolo and Nekemt - areas that saw previous rounds of protest. "Twenty-six people have been injured, while several have been detained," Mulatu said, adding three members of his party were also being held. Government officials were not immediately available for comment. The state-owned Ethiopian News Agency said "illegal protests" by "anti-peace forces" had been brought under control. It did not mention casualties. DISPUTED TERRITORY Oromiya is the second region to be hit by unrest in the past few days. In Amhara, residents said police fired live bullets at demonstrators during protests over disputed territory that continued until early Monday in the city of Bahir Dar. "Soldiers fired live rounds at protesters. Hospitals have been filled by dead and wounded victims," one resident said, putting the number killed at 60. Tensions have been rumbling for two decades over the status of Wolkayt district, a stretch of land that protesters from Amhara say was illegally incorporated into the neighboring Tigray region to the north. Nigusu Tilahun, spokesperson for the regional government, told state-affiliated news outlets that seven people died over the weekend. Amnesty International said the bloodshed in Bahir Dar may amount to "extrajudicial killings" and that at least 30 people were killed in one day. The United States said it was "deeply concerned" by the violence in both regions. "We reaffirm our call to respect the constitutionally enshrined rights of all citizens, including those with opposition views, to gather peacefully and to express their opinions," its embassy in Addis Ababa said in a statement. Any sign of unrest is closely watched in Ethiopia, a Western ally against Islamist militants in neighboring Somalia and an economic power seen as a center of relative stability in a fragile region. "Ethiopian forces have systematically used excessive force in their mistaken attempts to silence dissenting voices," Michelle Kagari, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes, said. (Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Editing by George Obulutsa and Janet Lawrence)
Addis Ababa (AFP) - Several dozen people were killed in weekend clashes in Ethiopia between police and anti-government demonstrators, as the authorities brutally suppressed a new wave of unrest in two key regions.

Protests swept the vast state of Oromia and even reached the capital Addis Ababa, a rare event in a nation with a government considered among the most repressive in Africa.

"We have reports of between 48 to 50 protesters killed in Oromia. This death toll might be higher because there were a lot of wounded," said Merera Gudina, leader of the opposition Oromo People's Congress.

A diplomat confirmed that 49 people were killed across Oromia, which straddles central-western Ethiopia, and Amhara, in the north.

Amnesty International put the death toll at 97, with 67 killed in Oromia and 30 in Amhara on Saturday and Sunday.

The government, which has not given a death toll, said in a statement that "illegal" protests had been organised by "foreign enemies ... in partnership with local forces".

Among the towns worst hit by the violence was Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara region where at least 27 people died, while 15 were killed in Nekemte, western Ethiopia, the diplomat said.

Several thousand people had gathered in Bahir Dar on Sunday.

"They appear to be low level, quite disorganised protests scattered all around," the diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"The brutal response of the government risks provoking more anger and making it worse."

- Social media blocked -

The authorities have since Friday blocked access to social media, the activists' key channel for such rallying calls.

With at least 27 million people, Oromia is the most populous of the country's federal states and has its own language, Oromo, distinct from Ethiopia's official Amharic language.

Oromia has been regularly convulsed by protests since the end of last year.

The Amhara protests began more recently but have quickly attracted massive numbers of supporters, but in both regions the government is swift to blame foreign "terrorist groups", usually pointing the finger at neighbouring Eritrea.

Story continues

Unrest has also increased in recent weeks in Amhara after the attempted arrest of local leaders who opposed a government move to merge two neighbouring districts.

The vast majority of the country's almost 100 million people are either Amhara or Oromo.

Police were also out in force on Saturday when about 500 people gathered in Addis Ababa's main Meskel Square, shouting slogans such as "we want our freedom" and "free our political prisoners".

Although no one is thought to have been killed in the capital, security forces brutally broke up the rally.

- Discrimination claims -

The protesters have different grievances but are united by their disaffection with the country's leaders, who hail from the northern Tigray region and are regularly accused of discrimination against the rest.

Those in power are members of Meles Zenawi's ex-rebel group turned political party, the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Meles ruled with an iron fist after toppling dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991 until Hailemairam took over in 2012.

A previous wave of protests earlier this year was sparked by a since abandoned plan to expand the capital into outlying Oromia farmland, which was followed by a swift crackdown.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn had on Friday announced a ban on demonstrations which "threaten national unity" and called on police to use all means at their disposal to prevent them.

"The security forces' response was heavy-handed, but unsurprising. Ethiopian forces have systematically used excessive force in their mistaken attempts to silence dissenting voices," Amnesty regional director Michelle Kagari said in a statement.

"These crimes must be promptly, impartially and effectively investigated and all those suspected of criminal responsibility must be brought to justice in fair trials before ordinary civilian courts without recourse to death penalty."
Israel Opening Ceremony

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reportedly been forced to intervene in a dispute between the delegations of Israel and Lebanon at the Rio Olympics, according to the Jerusalem Post.

According to the report, the head of the Lebanese Olympic delegation, Salim al-Haj Nakoula, was "reprimanded" by the IOC for refusing to let members of the Israeli delegation board a bus the two groups were scheduled to share.

Al-Haj Nakoula called the incident a misunderstanding, according to the report.

The IOC committee warned the Lebanese delegation that they would not accept any more similar instances.

NOW WATCH: Heres a simple no-weights workout that could lead to real results





More From Business Insider


VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 8, 2016 / LED Medical Diagnostics Inc. ("LED Medical" or the "Company") (LEDIF) (LMD.V) (LME.F) announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016, reported in United States dollars and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The Company's results are presented in comparison to the second quarter ended June 30, 2015. All balances are expressed in United States dollars unless otherwise stated.

Financial Highlights

Net revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $3,661,490, which is an increase of 12% from the three months ended June 30, 2015. This revenue increase was largely due to timing of when imaging orders were received and could be shipped and by increased demand for VELscope and VELscope consumable sales.

The net loss before tax for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $1,082,831 compared to the net loss before taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2015 of $1,205,742. The decrease of operating loss is mainly attributable to higher revenue levels and lower operating expense than in 2015. These favorable profit items were partially offset by higher stock option expense, interest expense and the absence of gains on the fair value of Canadian warrants.

Cash flow used in operations was $1,505,387 during the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to cash flow used in operations of $3,086,535 during the six months ended June 30, 2015. There were no inflows from financing for the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to $2,241,516 of cash inflows from the financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

Cash and Net Working Capital deficit balances as of June 30, 2016 are $364,362 and $1,998,588 respectively. Net Working Capital is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities.

Financial Statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis

Please see the interim condensed financial statements and related Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for more details. The interim condensed financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and related MD&A have been reviewed and approved by the Company's Audit Committee and Board of Directors. The Company has prepared this truncated news release to alert investors to its results and that a more detailed explanation and analysis is readily available in the MD&A. These reports have been filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and also posted to www.ledmd.com.

Story continues

About LED Medical Diagnostics Inc.

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, LED Medical Diagnostics Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiaries LED Dental Inc. and LED Dental Ltd, provide dentists and oral health specialists with advanced diagnostic imaging products and software, in addition to the award-winning VELscope Vx tissue fluorescence visualization technology. Backed by an experienced leadership team and dedicated to a higher level of service and support, LED Dental is committed to providing dental practitioners with the best technology available by identifying and adding leading products to its growing portfolio.

The Company is currently listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V) under the symbol "LMD", the OTCQX under the symbol "LEDIF", as well as the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "LME". For more information, call 844.952.7327 or visit www.leddental.com/investor-relations.

Investor Relations:

Bristol Capital

Glen Akselrod

Phone: 905.326.1888 ext 10

Email: glen@bristolir.com

Media Contact:

LED Dental

Chris Koch

Phone: 678.293.9413

Email: chris.koch@leddental.com

Corporate Contact:

LED Medical

David Gane, CEO

Phone: 604-434-4614 x227

Email: david.gane@leddental.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 statements which, to the extent that they are not recitations of historical fact, may constitute forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements or information include statements regarding, but not limited to the Company's future growth strategy, its distribution strategy and product offerings, potential expansion of the Company's technology to other medical applications or markets, or the potential introduction of new technologies by the Company. Persons reading this press release are cautioned that such statements or information are only predictions, and that the Corporation's actual future results or performance may be materially different. Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to competition risks, distributor risks, product development risks such as regulatory, design, intellectual property and other factors described in the Corporation's reports filed on SEDAR including its Annual Information Form and financial report for the year ended December 31, 2015. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. All forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by this cautionary statement and there can be no assurance that actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: LED Medical Diagnostics Inc.
On August 8, 1974, Richard Nixon announced he would resign from office as a result of the Watergate scandal. But the effects of Watergate lingered on for years after the scandal.

nixonresignspeech

The investigation into the break-in by Nixon campaign workers in June 1972 at the Democratic campaign headquarters at Washingtons Watergate complex led directly to the White House, and by early August 1974, President Nixon faced near-certain impeachment, and a Senate trial, as the allegation unfolded.

Nixon resigned in a nationally televised speech and left Washington on August 9, 1974, as Gerald Ford became president. Over the years, the scandal has been replayed in various forms. But here are five significant trends that came out of a story that developed over two years and captivated the nation.

1. The Supreme Court remained supreme. It was a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court on July 24, 1974 that effectively ended the Nixon presidency by ordering the release of the Watergate smoking gun tape and other recordings. The Justices held that not even the president was above the law, and it didnt agree with Nixons claim of executive privilege. More importantly, the Court said, were the fundamental demands of due process of law in the fair administration of justice. The Courts curb on executive power remains crucial today.

2. The Church Committee. Concerns surfaced during the Watergate hearings about the FBI investigating American citizens and others for political purposes. The claims were accelerated by a post-Watergate story from the New York Times about CIA allegations about domestic spying. The Church Committee held hearings during the post-Watergate years about these and other secret activities. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 was an outgrowth of the committees investigations, and it created the special FISA court to authorize surveillance operations when driven by national security concerns.

3. An era of legal reform. The Watergate scandal shined a negative light on the legal profession. Many of the participants in the scandal were attorneys and almost 30 of them faced some type of legal proceeding. After Watergate, most law schools in the United States required courses about professional responsibility, and the American Bar Association rewrote its responsibility code.

Story continues

4. The era of celebrity journalists. The sudden fame of two little-known reporters, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, created what became known as the culture of celebrity journalists. James Fallows allegedly came up with the term in the 1980s about the growing pop-culture phenomenon of celebrity journalists who were bigger than the stories they covered. They are commonplace today in all forms of media.

5. A legacy of language. Words and sayings from Watergate are part of the common language of America, from President Nixons famous I am not a crook statement to President Fords declaration that our national nightmare is over. But nothing has been more prevalent that the use of suffix gate to indicate a scandal. The late William Safire, a former Nixon speechwriter, took to using gate to describe scandals. By one count, more than 200 scandals have had gate attached to them!

More Constitution Daily Watergate Stories

10 fascinating facts about Watergate four decades later

Watergates biggest mysteries remain unsolved

The legacy of Watergate: Five ways life changed after the scandal

The lesson of Watergate and Nixons resignation
Brady Ellison had fans of the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, doing a double take this weekend -- and it wasn't because of his impressive archery skills.

The 27-year-old athlete, along with Zach Garrett and Jake Kaminski from the U.S. team, earned a silver medal on Saturday upon competing in the men's team final match. The Twitterverse quickly took notice that Ellison looked strikingly similar to Leonardo DiCaprio.

EXCLUSIVE: Watch Adam Sandler Meet His Look-Alike Who Randomly Shares His Character's Name in The Do-Over

Getty Images

Getty Images

"Leo DiCaprio comes up just shy in his quest for gold," one meme caption quipped. "Credits his method acting in The Revenant for archery skills."

"Brady Ellison needs to look at the camera and say 'No more bath, Gilbert.' Just so we can determine he's really not Leonardo DiCaprio," another Twitter user joked when comparing the What's Eating Gilbert Grape star to the archer.

WATCH: These Bachelorette Celebrity Lookalikes Will Blow Your Mind!

Why does this archer look like Leonardo DiCaprio? pic.twitter.com/6wbMXKrujL  Adam (@adam_brassel) August 6, 2016

Brady Ellison needs to look at the camera and say "No more bath, Gilbert." just so we can determine he's really not Leonardo DiCaprio  David (@heffcomedy) August 7, 2016

#RioOlympics2016 It seems that Leonardo DiCaprio just won a silver medal in archery.  Ibrahim Banks (@TheShowOff85) August 6, 2016

Leo DiCaprio comes up just shy in his quest for gold. Credits his method acting in The Revenant for archery skills https://t.co/2hhjyzXXjy  Adam Lucas (@AdamLucasTV) August 6, 2016

Leo DiCaprio enjoying some time off from acting to play archery in the Rio Olympics pic.twitter.com/WHsTEyTpCS  tom mckenna (@tmckenna1) August 6, 2016

While Ellison, who is 14 years younger than DiCaprio, certainly resembles the A-list actor, their lives couldn't be more different. The three-time Olympian currently lives in Arizona with his wife, Toja Cerne, who is also an archer. DiCaprio, 41, has never been married and has most recently been spotted snuggling up to supermodel Nina Agdal.

Story continues

Ellison isn't the only look-alike to put DiCaprio fans into a frenzy. Last October, photos surfaced of 20-something Swedish bartender Konrad Annerud, who looked nearly identical to the actor during his Titanic days.

WATCH: Kim Kardashian Meets Her Look-Alike -- 'This Is Super Awkward'

See if you can tell them apart:

Related Articles
Tripoli (AFP) - Forces loyal to Libya's Government of National Accord said Monday they had seized a new sector near the Islamic State group's command centre in Sirte.

The pro-GNA forces have been engaged in a military operation since May 12 to retake the coastal city located 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli.

Sirte has been a stronghold of the jihadist group since June last year.

On Monday, the loyalists said they had seized an area of guest houses close to the Ouagadougou conference centre, the complex from the era of slain dictator Moamer Kadhafi where the jihadists have their headquarters.

The field hospital of the pro-GNA forces near Sirte posted on Facebook that four people among its ranks were killed and 32 wounded on Monday.

Pro-GNA forces entered Sirte in June, but their progress slowed as the jihadists hit back with sniper fire, suicide attacks and car bombings.

Since Thursday pro-government forces have been battling to reach the conference centre.

"Our forces have targeted Daesh snipers and their mines," the statement said, using an Arabic acronym for IS.

The guest houses are east of the Al-Dollar district, which the pro-GNA forces took last week and where VIP guests attending events at the Ouagadougou complex used to be accommodated.

On Sunday, the loyalist forces said they would soon begin a final assault to retake Sirte from IS.

The United States has since last Monday been carrying out air raids on IS positions in the city at the GNA's request.
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Libya's state oil company on Sunday called on rival armed factions to avoid damaging the oil terminal in Zueitina, following reports of possible clashes at the eastern port. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) said it was concerned by reports of "imminent conflict" between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) in the vicinity of Zueitina. The PFG signed a deal late last month with Libya's U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) to reopen Zueitina and two other ports that it has been blockading. The LNA opposes the GNA, and its chief of staff has threatened to target tankers that do not have the approval of a rival government based in eastern Libya. "I ask both sides to withhold from actions that could damage the infrastructure, including using the facilities as a physical shield," NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanalla said in a statement. "I also ask both sides to give NOC safe passage now, before any operation commences, to move the oil in storage at the port to a safe location." Petroleum Facilities Guard spokesman Ali al-Hassi said his force had received threats from the LNA, and that since the announcement that the ports would reopen, groups that Hassi called "rebel gangs" had been targeting Zueitina in a bid to take control of oil terminals and fields. LNA did not immediately provide a comment. Fighting, political disputes and militant attacks have reduced Libya's oil production to a fraction of the 1.6 million barrels per day the member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries was producing before the 2011 uprising against Muammar Gaddafi. (Reporting by Ayman al-Warfalli and Aidan Lewis; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Richard Chang)
From Town & Country

Lilly Pulitzer is remembering Raven Little-White-a 16-year-old who went missing in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina earlier this week-in the best way it knows how: with a custom print.

The teen, who slipped off the back of a boat and fell into the water, was known for her laugh, her cheerful personality, and her love of Lilly.

"She loved Lilly Pulitzer," a friend, Logan Jackson, said of Little-White, a sentiment that has been oft repeated in the days since her tragic death.

When Lilly Pulitzer heard Little-White's story, they were moved to create a memorial print for her.

"Celebrating the bright life of Raven White. The Print Studio was so touched by all of the messages from her friends and family about her love for Lilly," wrote the company in a post on their Facebook account. Little-White's name can be found in the print, in the flowers.

The print will be used in items donated by the company in her funeral tomorrow.
Theatrical largely did die, stated Toronto Fest artistic director Cameron Bailey, kicking off the Locarno 2016 edition of Step-In. Whether that is a problem or were just being nostalgic was one of the questions addressed by Step-In, Locarnos industry think tank for distribution, exhibition, and sales professionals of auteur cinema, which launched on Friday Aug. 5 with a panel featuring TIFF artistic director Cameron Bailey, Telefilm Canadas Carolle Brabant, Mongrel Media CEO Hussain Amarshi, and Emerging Pictures Ira Deutchman. Bailey discussed what trends in audience habits signify from a festival perspective, how TIFF is catering to the niche villages of interest now emerging, and to the increasing multiplicity of choice facing audiences. Following the session, Variety grabbed Bailey at Locarno.

In what ways is TIFF embracing the current changes taking place in the world and in the film industry?

Any significant festival that lasts has to change all the time. Recently, our changes have had to do with the rise of high-quality television and new technology. We now do VR and, over the last few years, have begun working with streaming services. The way films are made and where they are made also changes: This years Spotlight is on Lagos, Nigeria, which has had an enormous growth over the last twenty years. Change is a part of what we do, its just the nature of running a festival.

TIFF this year will exhibit 280 films. How do you ensure films reach their intended audiences, or villages of interest?

We have a version of a recommendation engine that you find in many online services. We recently announced the new Denis Villeneuve film, Arrival, so once a person buys a ticket to that, the system may recommend a film that it thinks is similar. Visitors can also search for films from certain regions, or films about certain issues  social change, or LGBT issues, as an example  and it gives you a list of films on that topic.

Story continues

During Fridays Step-In panel you stated, Theatrical largely did die, and suggested many people go to the movies not necessarily because they want to see that film but because they dont want to be left out of the conversation. Is the eventization of festivals a trend that cannot be stopped?

Its part of a natural process. Its so important not to assume that what we experienced in our youth was always the law of the world. Between the 1950s to 1980s. movie-going was a regular habit. Thats done. People now go to the cinema if they feel theres a film that dominates popular culture or if something speaks to them particularly. Today, though, we can see movies on our phone or at home with high quality. The desire to engage in visual stories has not changed, but it doesnt mean were all going to the movies every Friday.

And yet festivals are increasingly engaging new audiences. Come festival time, theyre saying, Yeah, I really want to see that new eight-hour Lav Diaz film.

It has to do with the context of the event of a festival, the sense of discovery people have. Its a privileged space that doesnt happen year-round. You put that Lav Diaz film the week after in the same theatre and people will not go in the same numbers. They go because theres an excitement and an urgency around seeing it at that particular moment. We try to cultivate that every year but we dont expect it will continue once the festival closes.

TIFF is one of a number of festivals starting in the next months. In this competitive festival season, how do you ensure the ecosystem lives?

Festivals are an increasingly significant part of how films that arent purely commercial survive in the world. We help to deliver audiences, media coverage, awareness. There are new festivals all the time, which are constantly rising and falling in significance, so if youre running a festival its your job to maintain its health but also that of the overall ecosystem. Theres naturally some competition, but it should never be a kind of scorched earth competition where anyones looking to destroy another festival. Thats not good for any of us.

The Magnificent Seven is TIFFs opening night film. Sequels and reboots are often criticised for destroying creativity in cinema. Whats the good side of a reboot?

Well, you know, James Joyce rebooted Homer! Theres a lot to be said for artists that will go to previous material and find new ways to express it. That can be done at a high level and in a crass, commercial way, too. Its all in the execution. Were glad to be opening with The Magnificent Seven; its using great source material but is a totally new film. Its about 2016; it speaks to our age right now, as Westerns always do. I have no objection to filmmakers working with previous material, its all about what they do with it.

Related stories

Locarno Film Review: 'Paula'

Locarno Film Review: 'The Last Family'

Films Boutique Acquires 'Heartstone,' 'Guilty Men' (EXCLUSIVE)
Roughly midway through Paula, Christian Schwochows lush, involving biopic of iconoclastic German painter Paula Modersohn-Becker, artistically inclined viewers will notice a brief character cameo by Camille Claudel  the ill-fated French sculptor who has received two major big-screen portraits of her own. Her fleeting appearance in the narrative may cue us to expect an equivalent tale of woe, yet while Paulas script repeatedly signposts its heroines untimely demise, its a film that daubs an unexpected range of tones, from the tragically romantic to the jauntily comic, onto the canvas with free abandon. Modersohn-Beckers naive expressionistic style wasnt subtle, so its apt enough that Paula often paints with a pretty broad brush; following its Locarno premiere, the attractive result should engage mainstream arthouse audiences at home (hitting German theaters just before Christmas) and abroad.

My life shall be a short, intense party, declares Paula (sparkily played by Carla Juri, seen most recently in the Sundance hit Morris From America) early on in proceedings, before announcing her ambition to leave the world with three good paintings and a child. Its not the only time the films screenplay, developed over a period of nearly 30 years by veteran German scribes Stefan Kolditz and Stephan Suschke, goes in for rather schematic foreshadowing  though it hardly needs to be said that Modersohn-Becker, the first female painter in history with a museum devoted exclusively to her work, had considerably more good work to her name when she died in 1907. Whirling and busy with incident, Paula certainly captures the intensity of her life, with its artistic escapes to Paris, flirtations with hedonism and belated sexual awakening; as parties go, however, it could still be rather a lonely one.

The opening stages of Paula promise a familiar enough tale of one plucky woman overcoming substantial adversity in an aggressively guarded mans world. Women will never produce anything creative apart from children, bleats Fritz Mackensen (Nicki von Tempelhoff), her condescending instructor at a Worpswede artists colony, correcting her unorthodox brush technique by forcibly guiding her hand. (Call it manspainting, if you will.) But while feminist resolve drives much of the storytelling, the films gender politics grow more complicated in its study of her rocky romance with fellow painter Otto Modersohn (a fine Albrecht Abraham Schuch), an ostensibly kind figure with limited understanding of his wifes gifts.

A widower whose superstitious fear of loss leads him to keep his marriage to Paula cruelly unconsummated for several years, Otto hovers on the brink of enlightenment, but remains susceptible to Mackensens chauvinistic bluster. He eventually agrees to fund his frustrated wifes studies at LEcole des Beaux-Arts in Paris  where sculptor Clara Westhoff (Roxane Duran) and poet Rainer Maria Rilke (Joel Basman) welcome her into the expat bohemian fold  though as she drifts further away from her marriage, her material demands on her husband increase. Neither the script nor Juris performance shy away from a certain hard-edged petulance in the character; however sympathetic her social circumstances, not every one of the films cards is stacked in her favor, as it evolves into an affectingly even-handed anatomy of a loving but dysfunctional marriage. (It should be noted that certain biographical and chronological details  particularly pertaining to Modersohns first marriage  have been slightly fudged here in the interest of romantic and dramatic tidiness.)

As is often the case with artist biopics, Paula has a slightly harder time dramatizing its subjects unusual creative process, often settling for familiar tics of fey, impulsive inspiration  Your emotions only express your lack of technique, chides Mackensen  and well-worn observations on the relationship between art, hardship and loneliness. The filmmakers and their mischievous leading lady are generally on surer footing with ecstasy than agony, anyway: A sustained sequence detailing Paulas sensual education at the hands of dreamy, guyliner-sporting Parisian painter Georges (Stanley Weber), tied into the creation of her famous nude self-portrait, is among the films loveliest.

Craft elements are all of a suitably high standard, even if the films ornate design elements seem inspired less by Paulas own bold, heavily stylized paintings than past depictions of its well-decorated period: Costume designer Frauke Firl has particular fun with the gaudy, bustling excesses of Art Nouveau-era Paris and the heavy tweedy dourness of what Paula comes to regard as Philistine Germany. Frank Lamms soft, burnished lensing doesnt shy away from rosy-gold filters toward the beginning  perhaps intentionally draping proceedings in the prettified 19th-century aesthetic Paula Modersohn-Becker labored so defiantly to escape.

Related stories

Locarno Film Review: 'The Last Family'

Films Boutique Acquires 'Heartstone,' 'Guilty Men' (EXCLUSIVE)

Locarno: Cameron Bailey on Audience Trends, Fest Competition, Value of Reboots
LOCARNO  Two of Brazils best-known international film figures, RT Features Rodrigo Teixeira and director Karim Ainouz, will re-team to make The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmao.

The touching tale of the life destinies of two sisters over three decades, from the late 1940s to the early 1970s, Euridice Gusmao is set up at Teixeiras Sao Paulo-based RT Features, a producer on James Schamus Indignation and Ira Sachs Little Men and a producer with Martin Scorsese on Josh and Benny Sadies upcoming Uncut Gems.

Ainouz, whose stock has consistently risen since his 2002 debut, Madame Sata, culminating in a 2014 Berlin competition berth for the well-received Futuro Beach, is currently penning the script with Brazilian screenwriter and stage director Murilo Hauser.

A first draft of The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmao should be ready by the end of September, with the aim of shooting in 2017, said Teixeira.

Ainouzs second movie at RT Features after 2011s Directors Fortnight entry Silver Cliff, The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmao adapts the debut novel of the same title by Martha Batalha. It turns on two sisters: Euridice, an introverted but talented young girl, and the more extrovert older sister Guida. Euridice finds strength in Guida to face the challenges and consequences of living in a paternalist society, a RT Features plot summary explains. But when Guida elopes with her boyfriend, Euridice, who wants to become a musician, is forced to fulfil her responsibilities as an only child and ideal wife, becoming locked into a loveless marriage.

The film looks likely to catch up with the two sisters in the early 1970s. Abandoned by her boyfriend, Guida has had to bring up their child on her own. Euridice never becomes a musician, but does manage to write small articles for a newspaper.

The book touched a nerve, said Ainouz. Given the importance of feminism, he added, I thought itd be very important to adapt something set in the past but relevant to us, tracing the past to our days.

Story continues

One key of the story is access to the labor market, denied to both sisters; another, how womens voices are constantly being challenged not only in the public arena but also the private space of the home, Ainouz said.

The Brazilian director  who cut his film teeth as a casting and editing assistant on Todd Hayness 1990 Sundance winner Poison, produced by Christine Vachon  said he would adapt Euridice Gusmao as a classic melodrama. Douglas Sirks Imitation of Life is one of my favourite films, he added.

After Futuro Beach, The Invisible Life returns Ainouz to the femme-centric focus of much of his work, whether his first documentary Seams, his first and second features Madame Sata and Love For Sale, The Silver Cliff or his HBO Latin America TV series, Alice.

The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmao is a critique of the way men treat women. Karim Ainouz is the perfect director to explore this social issue, creating a powerful melodrama, said Teixeira, a member of the main international competition jury at 2016s Locarno.

RT Features is looking to co-produce Euridice Gusmao out of Europe, said Teixeira.

Ainouz joins a dazzling generation of newer Brazilian talent at RT Features as it also pushes out into production with the U.S., France and Latin America. Having signed up to co-produce Chilean Dominga Sotomayors upcoming Late To Die Young, RT Features will world premiere in Locarnos Filmmakers of the Present competition this year El auge del humano (The Human Surge) It is produced by Argentinas Ruda Cine and Un Puma Cine, in co-production with RT Features and Portugals Bando a Parte. The Human Surge marks the first feature of Argentinas France-based Teddy Williams, best-known perhaps for the Cannes Cinefondation screened short Pude ver un puma, a mix of fantasy, commentary, sensations and allegory not entirely foreign to the vision of disaffected youth of The Human Surge.

RT Features is now in advanced post-production on The Friendly Animal, a restaurant-set Western of reportedly gathering primal brutality. The anticipated first feature of Gabriela Almeida Amaral, a co-writer on Walter Salles next movie and a woman director who likes to make Tarantino movies, according to Teixeira, The Friendly Animal will be presented to big early-year 2017 festivals, he added.

Aly Muritiba (To My Beloved) will go into production in the first semester on 2017 Blood-Drenched Beard, an adaptation of Daniel Galeras post-modern identity drama/mystery thriller.

Teixeira said RT Features would adapt Roberto Bolanos novel Distant Star, about a pilot in Augusto Pinochets post-1973 airforce.

RT Features has also boarded Call Me By Your Name, from Luca Guadagnino, now in post, which is also produced by Italys Frenesy Film Company, Frances La Cinefacture and Santa Monicas Waters End Productions, headed by Tom Dolby.

Teixeira added: We are closing other projects now, for next year, with the U.S. and Europe, talking to two great directors, to make independent films.

In all, RT Features will shoots two films in Brazil and four outside in 2016. The group of producers at RT Features are cinephiles. We are only based in Sao Paulo. We need to understand other film cultures but we can work all over the world on films while being in Brazil, Teixeira added.

Related stories

Locarno Film Review: 'Paula'

Locarno Film Review: 'The Last Family'

Films Boutique Acquires 'Heartstone,' 'Guilty Men' (EXCLUSIVE)
By Anuradha Nagaraj KALPAKKAM, India (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Inside her blue-walled house, E. Bhagyam sits with a faded wedding album and talks about how much she misses her husband, who works as a welder in the Gulf. Unaware of the recent problem of Indian migrant workers stranded in Saudi Arabia with no wages or food, she said the couple have a home loan to pay off, and she has to assume her husband is fine. "They went in a group so they must be safe," the 36-year-old mother of two said slowly. "Even if things are bad there, he won't tell me. He'll just say everything is okay and give me details of the money transfer every month." Like Bhagyam, in every other house in the fishing hamlet of Sadraskuppam near Kalpakkam town in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu, a wife waits anxiously for a call from the Gulf. There are more than 100 "women left behind", as they are known here, living lonely lives in the small hamlet, among an estimated 1 million such wives in Tamil Nadu. They are often depressed and always worried, found a February 2016 survey commissioned by the state government. Nearly 70 percent of the women reported feeling anxiety, fear and loneliness. Sixty percent considered the additional responsibilities they must bear in the absence of their husbands - such as caring for elderly parents or sorting out financial matters - a big drawback of the migration. The survey, which covered 20,000 households across 32 districts in the state, flagged health and children's education as the other main causes of concern. "Ironically, the women left behind are more qualified than the men and have higher standards of education," said Bernard D'Sami of the Chennai-based Loyola Institute of Social Science Training and Research, one of the survey partners. Most of them married while their husbands were on a short break from working abroad, and 90 percent of them have never traveled to their spouse's country of work, he added. SOS Government figures show there are an estimated 6 million Indian migrants in the six Gulf states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Oman. Over the years, the Indian government and non-governmental groups have received a steady stream of complaints from migrant workers, ranging from non-payment of wages to torture and abuse. In a high-profile case last month, workers sent an SOS to the Indian foreign ministry, stating the companies they worked for had shut up shop and had not paid them for months. India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on July 30 that thousands of Indian workers in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were facing a "food crisis" due to economic hardship. She appealed to an estimated 3 million Indians living in Saudi Arabia for help. One of India's two junior foreign ministers, V.K. Singh, also traveled to Saudi Arabia to assess the situation and organize the return of the 7,700 affected Indian workers living in 20 camps for migrant laborers. SOUL SISTERS Men have been migrating to work from Kalpakkam for years. The nuclear power industry operating in this coastal town does not give them jobs, neither do local builders, who prefer the cheaper migrant workforce from northern Indian states. "We know that life is not always comfortable in the Gulf but we keep going back because we have no choice," said S. Prabhu, a returnee migrant already looking for another job abroad. V. Kalaivani, 32, doesn't follow the news, and knows nothing about the crisis hitting Indian workers in the Gulf. "Over the many years my husband has traveled to Qatar and Saudi to work, I've got used to the idea," said the housewife with two daughters. "I guess we have been lucky so far." Bhagyam and Kalaivani don't remember the names of the companies their husbands work for. They don't know who interviewed them or how they got to their destination. A copy of their husband's passport is somewhere in a cupboard, they think. That is the biggest challenge, said J. Jeyanthi, coordinator of the non-profit Arunodaya Migrant Resource Centre. "The women are clueless and that often causes anxiety. The families need the money but the women pay a heavy price because they are alone, restricted by unwritten norms which include avoiding social gatherings like weddings." Even a small issue like who will drop the children at school if they miss the bus turns into a big deal when husbands are away, Kalaivani told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Most of us have parents and in-laws living a few houses away but it's not the same," she said. Many women say they do not sleep well at night. "We wait for our husbands to call," said Bhagyam. The phone usually rings way past midnight, when the men have finished their overtime. "In the day we are busy with housework. But at night, the loneliness is unbearable," she said. The women are now reaching out to one other, forming a collective under an initiative by the Arunodaya Migrant Resource Centre. From educating themselves on the perils of migration to sharing health concerns, they provide mutual support while their men are away. "They need each other because they are in the same situation," Jeyanthi said. "They don't open up immediately, but slowly they are voicing their worries. It's a start." (Reporting by Anuradha Nagaraj, Editing by Megan Rowling; 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)
Berlin (AFP) - A Chinese tourist got tangled up in the red tape of Germany's migrant influx by mistake and was stuck in a refugee home for nearly two weeks, the Red Cross said on Monday.

Officials thought the 31-year-old backpacker, who spoke neither German nor English, "needed help" after landing in Stuttgart airport in southwestern Germany on July 4, Christoph Schluetermann of the German Red Cross told AFP.

The man, who had lost his wallet, was taken to a reception centre in the nearby town of Heidelberg, where he unwittingly filled out an asylum request form, following the local authorities' instructions, Schluetermann said.

Then on July 6, he was transferred to a reception centre in the western city of Dortmund, where his passport was taken from him, and then to another shelter in Duelmen near the Dutch border.

"Machinery kicked into gear from which he couldn't immediately escape," Schluetermann told news agency DPA.

Public broadcaster WDR said the man complied with standard procedure for refugees including allowing his fingerprints to be taken, undergoing a medical examination and accepting pocket money.

But staff eventually noticed that the man was unusually well-dressed for an asylum seeker and when the likelihood of a mistake dawned on them, sought help at a local Chinese restaurant.

The owners suggested Schluetermann try using a Mandarin smartphone translation app and it soon became clear that the man didn't want asylum but to continue his European tour.

"I want to go walking in a foreign country," one of the translated messages said, WDR reported.

Twelve days into his stay in Germany, the man was able to set off for France and Italy.

Germany let in nearly 1.1 million migrants and refugees last year, posing an enormous challenge for its overstretched bureaucracy.

"It isn't how I imagined Europe," WDR cited the tourist as saying.
Photo: Courtesy of Doyin Richards.

Doyin Richards is a fatherhood author, public speaker, and founder of daddydoinwork.com. The views expressed here are his own.

A few years ago, I was thrust into the spotlight because a photo of me brushing my older daughter's hair while holding my younger daughter went viral. It sparked all sorts of controversy: Many praised me for being the kind of dad all men should be, others accused me of being a "deadbeat," and some wondered why a guy was getting attention for just doing what he's supposed to do as a dad.

The latter was my opinion on all of this. I didn't want the spotlight to only shine on me  so I used it to shine a light on all dads who step up for their kids. It was my way of saying, "Hey, I'm not the only guy doing this. There are millions of men just like me ."

But, as Donald Trump's campaign rolls on, and I read more and more of his own statements about how he's raised his kids, I can't help but wonder: Is he one of them?

Being a rich guy who believes your only fatherhood responsibility is providing money doesnt make you a great dad. It makes you a walking ATM.

First of all, call me crazy, but Im one of those people who believe America is already great. If you disagree with that, how far back do we have to go to make America great again, exactly? Back when Blacks were enslaved? When the Japanese were placed in internment camps? When women couldnt vote? When the LGBTQ community couldnt get legally married?

I could go on about the ridiculously long laundry list of reasons why I believe Trump is completely unfit to be the most powerful individual in America. But lets talk about an underreported topic.

Writing about men who raise children is my fast lane. Trump certainly has experience in the fatherhood department. He has five kids with three different women. And on a side note  could you imagine what it would be like if Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama had five kids with three different spouses? The narrative would be a lot different from the non-narrative Trump benefits from, but we wont go there.

Story continues

Richards and his kids on vacation. Photo: Courtesy of Doyin Richards.

As the dad guy in the room, I find myself picturing Trump as a father. On the surface, his four adult kids seem to be quite successful today, and they all publicly profess their love for their old man, so does any of it really matter?

Um, yeah. Hes in the running to be our president, and with that comes the understanding that millions of people will look up to him  including impressionable young men and women who will become parents someday.

So, how did Trump feel about fatherhood when his kids were babies?

Trump certainly has experience in the fatherhood department. He has five kids with three different women.

In various radio interviews uncovered from BuzzFeed starting in 2005, Trump equated men who change diapers and engage in hands-on parenting as acting like the wife. He also said that he just would supply funds while his third wife Melania did the rest.

During a recent Virginia rally, he lost his cool when a baby cried in the audience, and asked the mum to leave. Isnt the first lesson in Running For Office 101 to kiss and take photos with babies, not to throw them out of the building if they fuss when youre talking? Seriously, do you even do decent human, bro?

I hate to break it to you, but in the modern universe, dads change nappies; we style hair; we sing lullabies to our kids; we comfort our kids in the middle of the night; we know how to handle crying babies; we have tea parties with our daughters; and we do whatever the hell they need us to do.

Richards and his two daughters. Photo: Courtesy of Doyin Richards.

Being a rich guy who believes your only fatherhood responsibility is providing money doesnt make you a great dad. It makes you a walking ATM. And heres another thing  babies and toddlers dont give a damn about your funds. They only care about being loved, comforted, fed, and entertained. When they looked to you to do that, did you step up like a man should? Probably not, because in your prehistoric world, thats acting like the wife.

Im speaking for many men when I say that there is nothing manlier than being a great dad. Hell, you could watch The Godfather on repeat while drinking moonshine in a bathtub filled with gasoline and you wouldnt be more of a man than a dad who braids his daughters hair. In fact, if a man chooses to have children, it will be the most important job he will ever have  including being president of the United States. Just ask President Obama.

When its your time to die, what do you think your kids will say about you? Will they reflect on the times you took them to the playground? Helped them with homework? Or taught them how to ride a bike? Because when were on the other side of the grass, those bonding moments are things dads are remembered for  not our money or business acumen. And guess what? The only currency needed for those activities are love and time.

I have no clue what will happen in November, but I find myself wondering, I n what universe does it make sense to elect a man who has offended pretty much everyone under the sun  including men who take fatherhood seriously and the people who love them?

So, Mr. Trump, instead of worrying about fixing this great country, maybe you should start by trying to fix the broken man in your gold-plated mirror first.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Ban The Muslim Veil In Public, Says Ukip Leadership Candidate

President Obama Writes Essay On Why Men Need To Be Feminists

What Trump's Really Saying About Muslim Women
From Road & Track

In an effort to boost corporate fuel economy, most automakers have resorted to selling hybrids. But if you were afraid Lotus might soon become one of those automakers, the good news is, you have nothing to fear.

Speaking to Autoblog, Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales said the company had no intentions of building a hybrid. According to Gales, hybrids are too bulky, heavy, and complicated for Lotus to consider. And, at least at the moment, the company isn't concerned about fuel economy.

"When you have low mass it's easy to be efficient," said Gales.

Considering that an SUV may be on the way, it's a relief to hear that the company won't go so far as to offer a hybrid. But interestingly enough, Gales then added that an electric car isn't off the table. He also said it wouldn't happen any time soon, but at the very least, an electric Lotus would be interesting.

In a sense, we've already seen an electric Lotus since the Tesla Roadster was based on the Elise. It drove pretty well but was also plagued with problems. We're not sure whether Lotus build what amounts to a better Tesla Roadster or if it would develop a dedicated EV platform. But either way, we're intrigued.
Monday, August 8, 2016



Mergers and acquisitions are taking the early morning headlines to start the new trading week. Walmart WMT has closed its buyout of private e-commerce firm Jet.com for $3.3 billion in cash and WMT shares. South African retailer Steinhoff has announced it will purchase Mattress Firm MFRM for $3.8 billion. Shares of MFRM has shot up 114% in pre-market trading.



The Mattress Firm deal gives the South African holding firm access to the U.S. market, and it is paying a high premium for the privilege at $64 share. The buyout includes the purchase of some debt. Walmarts move helps give the U.S.s biggest retailer (not counting Amazon [AMZN]) a more robust presence in online sales. This buyout had been expected for awhile, and now the other shoe has finally dropped. Walmart is up slightly ahead of the bell.



Delta Air Lines DAL has experienced a massive computer system outage that has left customers stranded all around the world this morning. Though improvements appear to be forthcoming, already so many cancellations have occurred this morning that Delta has announced there will also be a refund program put into place for any customers whose flights have been cackled or significantly delayed. Delta shares have dropped a percentage point in the pre-market.



Index futures are again in positive territory ahead of todays market open, partly on strength in oil. Friday saw prices rise 2%, and both WTI and Brent indexes are showing oil prices north of $42 a barrel. As we saw when oil collapsed going back to last year, the effect this commodity has on any number of seemingly unrelated industries is staggering. Oil prices staying buoyed above $40 per barrel would indicate a bit of relief for the markets overall, even with the S&P 500 trading at record highs.



Q2 earnings season has begun to dwindle as August progresses, but we did see a top- and bottom-line beat from Tyson Foods TSN this morning. Earnings of $1.21 per share outperformed the Zacks consensus of $1.07, and the large-cap food company also topped expectations on the top line. Shares are up 3% ahead of the opening bell.



Mark Vickery

Senior Editor



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



DELTA AIR LINES (DAL): Free Stock Analysis Report



AMAZON.COM INC (AMZN): Free Stock Analysis Report



TYSON FOODS A (TSN): Free Stock Analysis Report



WAL-MART STORES (WMT): Free Stock Analysis Report



MATTRESS FIRM (MFRM): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research



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
In celebration of 40 years in the music industry, legendary music icon Marco Antonio Solis announced a special concert to take place at the Los Angeles Staples Center in October as a thank you to his fans.

In a span of four decades, the chart-topping artist -- this year's Billboard Latin Music Awards 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award winner -- has had 12 albums reach No. 1 on Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart, five Latin Grammys, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, among many other accomplishments.

"Only with such a loyal and special fan base, could a 40 year artistic career be possible. I'm eternally grateful," said Solis. He also talked to Billboard about his long trajectory, his biggest satisfactions and why he chose L.A. to host his special anniversary celebration.

Billboard Latin Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Marco Antonio Solis Reflects on His Best-Loved Songs

What has been a key in your career to be able to reach such an important milestone?

Discipline and the love with which I do what I do have been key. The love that I have for everything that I do has gotten me this far. It's all about discipline and love.

Looking back at all you have accomplished, what would you say is one of your biggest satisfactions?

The biggest satisfaction is to be here. To be able to celebrate 40 years in music and still wishing and wanting to continue this journey. I want to keep on creating, making music and songs for my audience.

Why did you choose Los Angeles for this special anniversary concert?

I picked Los Angeles because it was the first city to open many doors for me since the early stages of my career, even when I was with Los Bukis. The support of the fans has always been very strong in that city and it was the perfect platform when I began. Since then, I've had very loyal fans in LA from Los Bukis until now. I would say that it's one of the most important cities throughout my career.

How do you describe these 40 years in the industry.

Many beautiful moments, many lessons, growing and learning. I've had many satisfactions, much success and also failures, but at the end of the day it's been a wonderful adventure that I've enjoyed. Most importantly, being able to get to someone's heart is the most beautiful. It's hard to someone's heart but it's even more difficult to stay in their hearts and that is a privilege to me.
Cookie, doh!

Setting the stage for what could be the biggest diva face-off of the fall, Mariah Carey has signed on to guest star on Empire, Fox announced Monday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. And the pop superstar will not be playing herself.

RELATEDEmpire Casts Young Cookie and Lucious

Per the network, Carey will play Kitty, a mega-superstar who comes to Empire to collaborate with Jamal Lyon (Jussie Smollett) on an explosive new song. When the duet encounters obstacles, Kitty helps Jamal dig deep to overcome personal difficulties and reach a musical breakthrough.

Fingers crossed Careys Kitty will share at least one shade-throwing scene with Jamals mom, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) when her episode airs on Oct. 5.

RELATEDFall TV 2016: Your Handy Calendar of 90+ Season and Series Premiere Dates

Other Season 3 guest stars include the previously reported Taye Diggs and rapper French Montana.

Empire returns Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 9/8c on Fox.

Launch Gallery: 11 TV Characters Heading for a Hot Fall

Related stories

Prison Break Revival Video: Watch the Moment Sara Learns Michael Is Alive

Alex Rodriguez's Final MLB Game to Be Broadcast Nationally on Fox

Empire EP Confirms Taye Diggs' Arrival in Season 3 'Is All About Cookie'
Five days after telling TCA her experience on Foxs series American Idol was the most abusive ever, Fox announced Carey is returning to the network to guest star on Empire.

Empire hails from Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television, was created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, and executive-produced by Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Ilene Chaiken, Francie Calfo and Sanaa Hamri.

American Idol did not.

In return for agreeing to grace Empire, Fox called her Global Icon Mariah Carey in its announcement, and noted she is the best-selling female recording artist of all time. Carey will play Kitty, a mega-superstar who comes to Empire to collaborate with Jamal Lyon (Jussie Smollett) on an explosive new song. When the duet encounters obstacles, Kitty helps Jamal dig deep to overcome personal difficulties and reach a musical breakthrough.

Carey guests on October 5, joining previously announced Empire guest stars Taye Diggs, Sierra McClain, French Montana and Birdman. Empire returns September 21.

Not coincidentally, Carey is about to begin the second half of her Las Vegas residency, Mariah #1 to Infinity, at Caesars Palace later this month. She then heads to Latin America this fall with her Sweet Sweet Fantasy tour of Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Mexico.

Five days ago, Carey stopped by TCA to talk about her upcoming E! docuseries Mariahs World, her Sweet Sweet Fantasy concert tour and her personal life. Only one TV critic insisted on dragging the conversation back to her one season as judge on Foxs singing competition series, three years back. The mere mention of Idol set Carey off. Ugh! It was the most the most abusive experience! she groaned. By the way, youve just driven me to drink, she scolded the reporter, stopping the interview to have a splash of Veuve Clicquot. I need a festive moment, she said as she splashed, anxious E! execs waited, and reporters tweeted.



Story continues

Related stories

Mark Burnett's Fox Dating Reality Series 'Coupled' Canceled After One Season

'Empire' Team Talks Spinoff, Taye Diggs As Potential Cookie Love Interest In Season 3 - TCA

'Suicide Squad's Harley Quinn & Croc To Ultimately Make 'Gotham' Debut; Jada Pinkett Smith's Season 3 Presence
This story is part of a multipart series about under-the-radar campaign issues.

All it will take is a quick neighborhood stroll for the next resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to confront the United States stunningly inconsistent marijuana laws. The president cannot legally light up a joint at home, of course  its federal property, after all  yet a private party down the street would be chill, thanks to the District of Columbias legalization vote. But, even there, POTUS couldnt legally buy any weed. How far might he or she go to address it come 2017?

States and municipalities have enacted a mishmash of laws and regulations in recent years, from allowing full recreational use to allowing only possession of cannabis oil with a doctors approval. The Obama administration has de-emphasized marijuana enforcement, and a legal industry has started to flourish in some states. Thats been good news for one of those seeking the presidency this fall: Libertarian Gary Johnson, who was CEO of a marijuana business before launching a second run for president. An avid user  he says hell swear it off in the White House  Johnson counters Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump as the more pro-pot candidate.

But for marijuana to have a prominent place in a general election  an election that will likely rest on the economy and an uncertain world  would all but require Johnson to be a bigger presence. If he can clear the required 15 percent polling bar, he is expected to force the issue in the debates, though his campaign did not respond to OZYs requests for comment on the matter. But short of a debate moment or an interviewer looking for an unusual question, neither candidate will likely say the word marijuana again, says Allen St. Pierre, former executive director of the pro-legalization National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

This issue  full legalization  splits the generations. Larry Sabato, the head of the University of Virginia Center for Politics

Story continues

Gettyimages 580024626

Well, cannabis is a very big issue for some  including for supporters of former U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

Source: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images

Americas scattershot approach to this topic is part of a global debate about the drug. In Canada last year, Justin Trudeaus Liberal Party platform included a pledge to legalize marijuana. It was part of an ultimately successful generational contrast between the then-43-year-old candidate and the anti-pot incumbent, Stephen Harper. (Trudeaus win did not bring an immediate about-face, granted, though Canada could pass a legalization program next year despite being on shaky legal ground with multiple foreign drug treaties.) Meanwhile, several European and Latin American nations are embracing marijuana reform, which tends to enjoy public support. Uruguay President Jose Mujica legalized marijuana a couple of years ago and left office in 2015 with a high approval rating  about 70 percent.

But theres very little political upside for either Trump or Clinton to force the issue, says Larry Sabato, the head of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. This issue  full legalization  splits the generations, Sabato says. Older people, on the one hand, boast higher voting rates and are leery of legalization. Younger voters, meanwhile, form the hard core of campaign volunteers and are in favor. So, says Sabato, most candidates like to sidestep the issue by focusing on medical marijuana.

Clinton supports more research on medical pot and says she would reschedule marijuana from a Schedule 1 drug  with no medical use, on par with heroin and ecstasy  to Schedule 2. She would mostly follow the Obama administrations lead of not interfering with states and discouraging federal law enforcement for possession. Clinton has also said she would look at tweaks to the banking system so it supports marijuana businesses in legalization states, but she is not all-in on legalization without more study. Incidentally, she could get an electoral boost from marijuana referenda in Nevada (recreational) and Florida (medical), nudging Democratic-leaning younger voters to the polls. The doozie this year is California, as Americas most populous state votes on full legalization.

As in most things, Trump is harder to predict. He suggested legalizing all drugs in 1990. But when asked at the Conservative Political Action Conference last year about Colorados experiment with recreational marijuana, he criticized it  without saying hed halt it. If they vote for it, they vote for it, but theyve got a lot of problems going on right now in Colorado, some big problems, Trump said. But I think medical marijuana, 100 percent.

Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a lobby group that supports a middle road between incarceration and legalization, gave Clinton a B- and Trump a C+ in its report card on the Democratic and Republican fields late last year, with less permissive candidates getting higher marks.

Marijuana was discussed more during primary season, in part because there were more candidates and more opportunities for voters and media to press them about the topic. Bernie Sanders found ground to the left of Clinton with full-throated support of Californias legalization quest. A bolder pot endorsement from Clinton could help her bring more reluctant Sanders fans into the fold, without embracing some of his more aggressive economic policies. Trump, who has already sought Bernieites with an anti-trade pitch, could find similar fertile soil if he so chooses.

But full legalization remains a borderline political bet: While a record 61 percent of respondents to an AP-NORC Poll earlier this year said marijuana should be made legal, about one quarter of that group said it should be legal only with a doctors prescription.
VH1 is uniting two of the most unlikely dinner party guests for its newest unscripted show.

The Viacom-owned cable network has gone straight to series on Martha & Snoop's Dinner Party, a weekly series in which Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg throw a joint dinner party. The 10-episode series is set to debut in the fall.

Martha & Snoop's Dinner Party will feature the lifestyle expert and Emmy-winning TV host and rapper-producer Snoop Dogg throwing a weekly dinner party in which they invite celebrity friends over for what VH1 describes as a "half-baked evening of cocktails, cooking, conversation and fun where nothing is off limits."

Read more: VH1, Ice Cube Team for Hip-Hop Version of 'Hollywood Squares' (Exclusive)

The VH1 series marks the first joint collaboration for Stewart and Snoop Dogg. The duo most recently were on ABC's $100,000 Pyramid and have had previous shared appearances on Comedy Central's Justin Bieber roast as well as Stewart's talk show.

The series is created and exec produced by Stewart and Kim Miller Olko for Sequential Brands Group, Snoop Dogg and Ted Chung for Merry Jane and SallyAnn Salsano for 495 Productions (Jersey Shore). VH1's Nina L. Diaz, Trevor Rose, Paul Ricci, Fernando Mills and Paula Aranda will executive produce for the cabler.

"At our dinner party, we will exemplify America's fascination with food, entertaining and celebrity," Stewart said. "Martha & Snoop's Dinner Party will redesign the traditional food competition shows in a new, different and very funny way."

Added Snoop Dogg: "My homegirl, Martha, and I have a special bond that goes back. We're gonna be cooking, drinking and having a good time with our exclusive friends. Can't wait for you to see how we roll together!"

Martha & Snoop's Dinner Party marks the latest collaboration for Snoop Dogg with Viacom; he recently boarded VH1 corporate sibling MTV's scripted pot comedy Mary + Jane as an exec producer as well as recorded the theme song for the series, in which he'll also guest star.

Story continues

For Salsano, the series foray marks her latest series for Viacom following CMT's Party Down South, Spike's Tattoo Nightmares, MTV's Snooki & Jwoww, Jersey Shore, Disaster Date as well as VH1's Wedding Wars, Tool Academy and more.

"We're thrilled to partner with Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg, two of pop culture's biggest icons," VH1 and Logo president Chris McCarthy said. "Good parties are filled with fun, food and unexpected guests. Wait 'til you see what happens at Martha & Snoop's Dinner Party; it will be unforgettable."

The series comes as VH1 continues to undergo a programming refresh under McCarthy. The music-themed cable network's recent pickups include Hip-Hop Squares from exec producer Ice Cube; a late-night talk show hosted by Marc Lamont Hill as well as a talk show hosted by Amber Rose. VH1 has been doubling down on content of late, reviving America's Next Top Model and handing out a straight-to-series order based on Star Jones' saga at The View starring Vanessa Williams in addition to ordering the original film The Breaks as an ongoing scripted drama series.
McKee Homes Was Certified As A Great Workplace Today By The Independent Analysts At Great Place to Work

FAYETTEVILLE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / August 7, 2016 / McKee Homes earned this credential based on extensive ratings provided by its employees in anonymous surveys. A summary of these ratings can be found at http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/mckee-homes.

"McKee Homes' owners, Pat McKee and Julie Russo, have worked hard to create a culture that recognizes the individual and their family and helps to propel their employees to their fullest potential. We are proud of the culture they have fostered. We continue to work towards a rewarding and challenging environment for all of our employees. It is exciting to see it be recognized in this way!" said Ashley Tucker, Executive Assistant at McKee Homes.

"We applaud McKee Homes for seeking certification and releasing its employees' feedback," said Kim Peters, Vice President of Great Place to Work's Recognition Program. "These ratings measure its capacity to earn its own employees' trust and create a great workplace - critical metrics that anyone considering working for or doing business with McKee Homes should take into account as an indicator of high performance."

"According to our study, 84 percent of McKee Homes' employees say it is a great workplace," says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Great Place to Work's Senior Editor.

McKee Homes employees completed 38 surveys, resulting in a 90 percent confidence level and a margin of error of  0.00.

About McKee Homes, LLC:

Since its inception, McKee Homes has done more than build quality new homes at competitive prices. They give homebuyers the freedom to personalize their homes with custom options and special features to get the new home they truly desire. McKee Homes is one of the fastest growing new home builders in Eastern North Carolina with new homes located in some of the area's most desirable neighborhoods, offering comfort and convenience only a short drive from the Fort Bragg, Raleigh and Wilmington Metro Areas.

Story continues

About Great Place to Work:

Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, including Best Workplaces lists and workplace reviews, Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks, framework, and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures. In the United States, Great Place to Work produces the annual Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work For" list and a series of Great Place to Work Best Workplaces lists including lists for Millennials, Women, Diversity, Small and Medium Companies and over a half dozen different industry lists.

For more information, please visit http://www.mckeehomesnc.com/

Contact Info:

John Reeves

McKee Homes

101 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28301

910-475-7100

SOURCE: McKee Homes
There is little doubt that the expanded Medicaid program for low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act is proving to be far more costly than originally billed by the administration.

The latest Medicaid actuarial report issued late last month pegged the per enrollee cost for adults at $6,366 in 2015, up 49 percent from previous estimates. Over the coming decade, Medicaid outlays through this program will be nearly $250 billion higher than previous actuarial projections.

That trend could pose serious financial challenges for the federal government, which is currently footing the cost, and the more than 30 states that have opted into the program so far that eventually must pick up ten percent or more of the overall cost of the expanded health insurance.

Related: Governor Takes Aim at Kentuckys Medicaid Expansion Program

At the same time, the societal, public health and economic benefits of providing millions of previously uninsured low income adults with health care coverage are substantial, as a new Harvard University school of public health study clearly documents.

The study focused on Kentucky and Arkansas -- two of the states where Medicaid coverage was expanded under the Affordable Care Act during the past two years despite considerable political turbulence -- and Texas, where state officials rejected participation in the program. The Supreme Court left it up to the states to decide whether to take part in the program, and many states controlled by Republicans who oppose Obamacare have rejected the offer.

The study, published on Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine, concludes that low-income adults in Kentucky and Arkansas received far more primary and preventative care, made fewer visits to hospital emergency rooms, and in general experienced much improved health when compared to low-income adults living in Texas.

Medicaid Expansion

Source: FamiliesUSA.org

In targeting Kentucky and Arkansas for the study, the Harvard researchers chose two of the most controversial programs in the country.

Story continues

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin campaigned on a pledge to dismantle his states highly successful Medicaid expansion program, but backed down after taking office in January. Still, the Tea Party Republican is pressing for major changes that would toughen eligibility, slash benefits, impose new fees and force tens of thousands of people out of the program.

Related: Get Ready for Huge Obamacare Premium Hikes in 2017

Earlier this year, Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas pushed through legislation that scrapped a private option approach to Medicaid expansion, replacing it with an alternative called Arkansas Works. The new approach includes small premiums for people earning between 100 and 138 percent of the federal poverty level and an end to retroactive coverage.

Both Bevin and Hutchinson need waivers from the federal government to implement their new plans.

Harvard researchers interviewed about 9,000 low-income adults in the three states between late 2013 and the end of 2015. Among the studys most dramatic findings:

* The uninsured rate declined from 42 percent to 14 percent in Arkansas and from 40 percent to 9 percent in Kentucky, while the rate dropped far less in Texas, from 39 percent to 32 percent.

* There was a direct correlation between Medicaid expansion and access to primary care, reduced likelihood of emergency room visits, more affordable medication, and reduced out-of-pocket spending by people who are barely above the poverty level.

* Substantial numbers of adults in Kentucky and Arkansas took advantage of screening and treatment for diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Quality of care ratings improved dramatically while more and more adults reported improvement in their health.

The research team said it documented similar benefits for low-income adults in Kentucky and Arkansas, despite the fact that the two states adopted different approaches to providing expanded Medicaid coverage.

"What this means is that it doesn't matter so much how states expand coverage," Benjamin Sommers, assistant professor of health policy and economics at the Harvard Chan School of public health and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said in a statement. "What matters is whether they expand at all."

Related: More Bad News for the Remaining Obamacare Co-ops

Not surprisingly, earlier academic studies of the impact of expanded Medicaid showed increased affordability and access to health care, as low income adults who have struggled to get by without health insurance rushed to sign up for the new government coverage. Yet those earlier findings from 2014 and early 2015 showed expanded Medicaid coverage had relatively limited impact on utilization, preventative care and general health conditions, according to Sommers.

However, more recent data gathered by Harvard shows that many beneficiaries are more aggressively taking advantage of the health care coverage  a positive sign suggesting that the program is fostering a heathier and presumably more productive segment of society. As more people take advantage of expanded Medicaid, hospitals and state and local governments are under less pressure to provide costly emergency coverage. Moreover, healthier Americans have a better chance of finding and keeping jobs, rather than relying heavily on government social safety net programs like food stamps and unemployment checks.

"Health insurance matters to people's health," Sommers, the chief author of the new study, said in his statement. "Our study shows that with health insurance, whether it's Medicaid or private coverage, people can better afford their medical care, get more preventive care and chronic disease management, and ultimately achieve better overall health."

The study notes that the Obama administration has allowed demonstration waivers to push Medicaid toward an alternative health care model which stresses private insurance markets, premium assistance, market competition, individual choice and patient cost sharing to bring down overall costs. The push toward Medicaid premium assistance is especially important in attempting to encourage doctors to treat more Medicaid patients  and get more bang from the Medicaid buck.

Right now, Medicaid reimbursement rates are far below those of Medicare and employer provided insurance, and doctors often refuse to see Medicaid patients. But premium assistance is costly, and the Government Accountability Office has questioned whether such a waiver is budget neutral, which is a federal requirement.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, as well as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, all have refused to publicly support Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Now, there is dissention in the ranks of one of the GOPs most prominent families.

Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, the son of defeated Trump rival Jeb Bush, has broken with his family by publicly calling for Republicans to vote for their partys nominee. His rationale? Anyone, including the billionaire businessman who is now trailing in national and battleground state polls and is publicly opposed by many traditional Republicans, would be a better president than Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

I know a lot of us in this room had dogs in the fight of the primary, leading up to the race. But you know what? Its time to put it aside, he said Saturday, according to a Texas Tribune report. From Team Bush, its a bitter pill to swallow, but you know what? You get back up and you help the man that won, and you make sure that we stop Hillary Clinton.

Support for Trump from the Bush camp had previously been non-existent. Jeb said he will not vote for Trump and penned an op-ed arguing that Trump didnt reflect the principles or inclusive legacy of the Republican Party and that he hoped the mogul doesnt represent its future.

The two former Bush presidents have also stayed steered clear of the GOP nominee and skipped the Republican National Convention last month in Cleveland.

Its not clear how much Trump will value the new endorsement given the evident pleasure hes taken in previously attacking the Bush family. During the primary, he memorably derided Jeb Bush for being low energy, and he has blamed George W. Bush for failing to prevent the 9/11 attacks and launching the long war in Iraq.

Photo credit: ANDREW PATRON/Getty Images
(Makes changes throughout)

By Paul Kilby

NEW YORK, Aug 8 (IFR) - Mexico returned to the dollar market for the first time in eight months on Monday with a blowout US$2.76bn two-part bond that generated over US$10bn in demand.

Positive sentiment following Friday's payrolls number and a recovery in crude prices presented an opportunity for the oil exporter, as it sought to redeem about US$2.76bn in January 2017 bonds.

The deal - comprising a tap of the existing 4.125% 2026s and a new 2047 bond - proved a hit among accounts still on the hunt for yield despite heightened expectations that the Federal Reserve will hike rates again this year.

"There was a nice reaction to the payroll number," said a DCM banker. "It bumped up expectations about when the Fed might move but it doesn't change the path of rates."

Indeed a US$6.9bn book on the new US$2bn 30-year only underscored investors willingness to take on more duration, particularly through higher quality credit like Mexico (A3/BBB+/BBB+).

Such demand allowed leads to launch the US$2bn 30-year at a spread of 205bp, some 20bp inside initial price thoughts of 225bp area.

"Mexico remains a high quality story so you wouldn't expect them to offer a massive amount of concession," Sean Newman, a senior portfolio manager at Invesco, told IFR. "(But) we think it only makes sense at 210bp."

Leads BBVA, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse squeezed pricing 20bp before launching a US$760m tap of the 2026 at T+145bp after amassing a US$3.5bn order book.

At that level, Mexico offered a concession of flat to just 5bp over its curve, where bankers were spotting the bond pre-announcement at a Treasury spread of 140bp-145bp.

This comes on the back of substantial rally in Mexican sovereign bonds since January, when the country last tapped the dollar market with its first issue of the 2026.

Spreads on the 2026 hit a peak of around 259bp on February 11 at the height of the oil rout, only to narrow back to as tight as 138bp on Monday, near the all time low of 137.7bp seen on July 10, according to Thomson Reuters data.

(Reporting by Paul Kilby; Editing by Shankar Ramakrishnan)
LOCARNO  Michael Kochs feature debut Marija, a vision of just what an immigrant is prepared to do to see her dreams come true, belongs to a prominent strain of highly-researched fiction which make little concessions to its audience.

One of two Swiss international competition entries this year at Locarno, alongside Milagros Mumenthalers The Idea of a Lake migrant drama Marija portrays a young Ukrainian woman who cleans hotel rooms in Dortmund Nordstadt, a former blue-collar neighborhood in the Ruhr region (Germany), but doesnt abandon her dreams to have her own hair saloon. To achieve her goal, shes ready to pay any prize.

Produced by Cologne-based Pandora Film and HugoFilm, and co-produced with Zurichs Little Shark, Marija world sales are handled by Paris-based Luxbox. Real Fiction Filmverleih and Frenetic Films have picked rights for Germany and Switzerland respectively.

The whole film is told from Marijas perspective, often in sequence shots. With our visuals, weve tried to translate a sense of Marijas determination, her focus and inability to analyse her situation with any kind of distance, Koch told Variety.

Director-screenwriter Koch began his film career as an actor, co-starring in Swiss romantic comedy hit Ready, Steady, Charlie! A student at Colognes Academy of Media Arts (KHM), he directed several shorts and documentary We Are the Faithful, a Prix Canal Plus winner at Frances Clermont-Ferrand shorts festival in 2006. Kochs graduation short, Polar, took the German Short Film Prize in 2009.

Im interested in a cinema that shows and does not explain, that focuses on people and their often contradictory needs in a formally rigorous way, telling stories of people struggling with inner, hidden conflicts, he adds.

He mentions other Swiss helmers  Nicolas Steiner, Basil da Cunha, Matthias Gunter, Andy Herzog and Tobias Nolle  as examples of directors who formally and substantively are following new paths and do not chum up with the audience.

Story continues

Koch is now preparing his next project: As in Marija its also based on detailed documentary research. My films development work is always about finding and not inventing, he said.

Its subject? Again, I am focusing on a person who meshes very different and contradictory needs. It is a movie about love and death and life, set in the Swiss mountains.

Related stories

Locarno Film Review: 'Paula'

Locarno Film Review: 'The Last Family'

Films Boutique Acquires 'Heartstone,' 'Guilty Men' (EXCLUSIVE)
Caroline Malatesta embraces her husband and lawyer after winning a $16 million lawsuit over a traumatic birth experience that left her injured. (Photo: Courtesy Caroline Malatesta)

A woman who sued her hospital for offering her an opportunity to have a natural, personalized birth  but ended up being restrained by nurses during labor to the point of suffering intense physical and emotional injuries  has won a major victory: $16 million in damages.

It turned out the way I had hoped, and Im thrilled about that, especially since so many other women have told me my verdict was the validation they never received, plaintiff Caroline Malatesta, of Birmingham, Ala., tells Yahoo Beauty. At the same time, its bittersweet, because litigation is conflict. I wouldve much rather had the hospital work with me But my goal is to improve the care that other women receive. Her attorney, Rip Andrews, praised Malatestas bravery throughout the trial, telling Yahoo Beauty, Every now and then you have a client who makes you believe in what you do, and Caroline has done that for me.

Malatesta was 32 years old and halfway through her fourth pregnancy when she switched hospitals, lured from one that had taken a typically medicalized approach to her three previous births  requiring that she go through labor on her back and have epidurals and episiotomies  to Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham, which used a new marketing campaign that offered women autonomy, birthing tubs, and cushy suites, and promised to honor their birth plan.

Malatesta and her husband shortly after the birth of their son in 2012. (Photo: Courtesy of Caroline Malatesta)

But what Malatesta experienced on the night she gave birth to her son at Brookwood in 2012 could not have been further from the picture the hospital had laid out. Instead, she alleged in a lawsuit that went to trial on July 25, she was met with a staggering series of aggressive medical interventions  including being forced onto her back by nurses who held her sons crowning head inside her for six minutes as they waited for a doctor to arrive. It left the mother of four (ages 10, 9, 6, and 4) with a rare and debilitating nerve injury, pudendal neuralgia, which causes her severe and chronic pain to this day  not to mention lingering psychological trauma for both Malatesta and her husband, J.T., an attorney.

Story continues

Ive been left with a debilitating medical condition, my sex life is gone, I see a therapist, and Im on medications both for pain and to ward off panic attacks, Malatesta had told Yahoo in 2015, when she was in the midst of her lawsuit and eager to speak out about what she saw as the hospitals bait-and-switch approach to maternity care. It has turned our family life upside down.

The family received some hefty validation with the conclusion of the trial on the evening on Aug. 5. Thats when a Jefferson County Circuit Court jury awarded them $16 million in damages after finding that Brookwood Womens Center  which was called out in a recent local news story for handling other births in a similar fashion  violated the standard of care for labor and delivery and participated in reckless misrepresentation of fact.

The verdict (Photo: Facebook/Birth Monopoly)

A spokesperson for the hospital system, Brookwood Baptist Health, did not immediately respond to Yahoo Beautys request for comment. But the hospital did release the following statement to WBRC through spokesperson Kate Darden: We are disappointed in the outcome of the case. Brookwood Baptist Medical Center strives for excellence in patient care and satisfaction, and we respectfully disagree with the jurys verdict.

According to birthing rights advocates, the award to Malatesta has huge potential to be a game-changer in the world of maternity care  particularly in the context of what has been recently dubbed obstetric violence, which may entail anything from being condescended to during labor to being forced or coerced into medical interventions, such as cesarean sections and episiotomies.

The Malatesta family. (Photo: Courtesy Caroline Malatesta)

This verdict is important because it has the potential to make medical providers see hurting or forcing a woman in labor as a serious liability risk, Hermine Hayes-Klein, a lawyer with the advocacy organization Human Rights in Childbirth, tells Yahoo Beauty. And perceived risk of liability, rather than the well-being of the woman in labor, she notes, is sadly the most powerful incentive in cases like these. So this verdict actually has the ability to make a difference. Further, Hayes-Klein says, This jury made a loud statement that obstetric violence is a violation of a womans legal rights.

More and more women have been speaking out and taking various actions against such violations, including Kimberly Turbin of California, whose suit against her obstetrician for assault and battery after undergoing a forced episiotomy led her doctor to surrender his license in 2015, and New York and New Jersey women with ongoing suits against their obstetricians for allegedly bullying them into C-sections. Still, many women are afraid to share their birth stories. Thats because of what can be a standard reaction  Your baby is fine. Why are you complaining?

Cristen Pascucci, an advocate with Birth Monopoly and Improving Birth who was instrumental in these cases as well as Malatestas, has been dedicated to supporting women in the telling of their traumatic birth stories  most notably through the 2015 project Exposing the Silence. She spent two weeks in the courtroom with Malatesta during the recent trial and tells Yahoo Beauty that it was emotional and dramatic and heartbreaking to hear her testimony, and that the hospital just really didnt have a defense  other than trying to blame Caroline and coming up with reasons why she, rather than they, endangered her baby But it was so clear-cut.

Pascucci adds that, according to testimony at the trial, The marketing department at Brookwood was tasked with beating the other hospital in town  sell more deliveries, basically  and thats exactly what they did. Doctors and nurses testified, she says, that they werent really aware of the marketing campaign and what services were being marketed on their behalf.

With this verdict, she says, I really hope it makes hospitals sit up and pay attention.

As for Malatesta, who must continue to live with the injuries she suffered during her sons birth four years ago, she notes that she gained the courage to soldier on with her case from the many other women who came forward with their own horrific experiences. When my story received media attention, its like the floodgates opened, and so many women started contacting me with the same stories of their mistreatment and in so many ways telling me that my lawsuit was validation for what happened to them, she said as she got choked up in a Facebook live video with Birth Monopoly after the win. And thats what kept me going.

Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
(Repeats story that ran Sunday with no changes to text)

* Troubled Italian lender among Europe's top fee payers

* Proposed cap hike to cost 250 million euros in underwriting fees

* Bad loans sale and bridge financing to generate additional fees

* Banks want top jobs despite high risk

By Pamela Barbaglia and Anjuli Davies

LONDON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Italy's troubled lenders are offering lucrative opportunities for investment banks, with Monte dei Paschi di Siena set to pay some of the highest fees in Europe this year to arrange its high stakes rescue plan.

The emergency deal, orchestrated by Mediobanca and JPMorgan, to save the 544-year-old bank, will incur about 250 million euros ($278.43 million) in underwriting fees for a proposed 5 billion euro capital hike, according to three sources involved in the deal.

That comes on top of nearly 400 million euros the bank has paid in the past two years for other capital hikes.

There is no certainty the proposed rescue plan will proceed, but if it is carried out successfully, investment banks working with Monte dei Paschi will have generated a payday of close to 1 billion euros over the past three years, though the bank's market value currently stands at 747 million euros.

"The scale of fees that potentially are there in the Italian banking market - from restructurings and consolidation - are substantial," said Peter Hahn, professor of banking at the London Institute of Banking & Finance.

Monte dei Paschi emerged as the worst performer in European stress tests on July 29 and Italy's largest lender, UniCredit , was also among the banks which fared badly.

Monte dei Paschi's poor showing in the tests - which predicted its capital would be wiped out if there was a severe economic downturn - came despite it tapping investors for cash twice since 2014.

Last year the bank paid 130 million euros to a pool of banks for a 3 billion euro cash call. In 2014 it spent more than any other company in Europe on investment banking fees, paying advisers nearly $304 million for its 5 billion capital hike, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Story continues

By contrast Deutsche Bank paid about 119 million euros ($133.18 million) in 2014 to underwriters for its 8 billion euro capital hike, according to the prospectus for its rights issue.

A spokeswoman for Monte dei Paschi declined to comment for this story.

If successful, the bank's rescue plan will see even higher fees as it involves the creation of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to hoover up Monte dei Paschi's bad loans.

That part of the plan could net banks up to 300 million euros, sources said, pointing to the need for a 6 billion euro syndicated bridge loan to provide financing to the special purpose vehicle to begin buying up the debt.

A bridge loan - which Monte dei Paschi said in its turnaround plan is a possibility - is seen by sources as inevitable since the timetable to split the Tuscan lender into a good and bad bank and simultaneously raise cash is too tight.

Monte dei Paschi and its global coordinators JPMorgan and Mediobanca aim to carry out the cash call by the end of the year, most likely in November, the sources said.

JPMorgan and Mediobanca declined to comment for this article.

RISKY DEAL

The large bill reflects the risk that the deal will not happen because investors are reluctant to sign up to the capital increase due to Monte dei Paschi's history of failed turnaround plans, uncertain market conditions and fear of increased exposure to the euro zone's third largest economy.

"It is way more expensive than any other equity capital markets (ECM) deal in Europe because of the risk profile of the transaction," said a London-based analyst who stressed the "country risk" adds to the operational complexity of the transaction.

The bank has said it would plug capital shortfalls and restore its health by splitting into a good and bad bank. The plan envisages the sale of 9.2 billion euros in bad loans and a 5 billion-euro capital increase.

But none of the dozens of banks contacted by the troubled lender in recent weeks to form an underwriting consortium have made firm commitments to guarantee its proposed 5 billion euro cap hike, sources said.

Mediobanca Chief Executive Alberto Nagel said on Friday "this is a pre-underwriting agreement which by definition is not a hard underwriting and is not a commitment."

The lack of commitment means the plan can still fall apart.

Any failure of the world's oldest bank would damage the entire Italian banking system and could spark contagion across Europe so Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's government has pressured Italian and international investment banks to make the rescue work, sources said.

A spokesman for the Italian government, however, told Reuters he was not aware of any pressure on banks.

The government does not want to mount its own rescue because European rules say this would mean imposing losses on bondholders and depositors above 100,000 euros.

The absence of financial support from the government also pushes up the size of the fees. Freeman consulting estimates the fees will be between 2.5 and 4 percent of the overall equity raised compared to 0.5 to 1 percent if the government were to intervene.

Adding to the overall uncertainty in Italy is a referendum on constitutional reform that Renzi called for October. He has said he will stand down if he loses support - a gamble that could revive market turbulence in Italy just before the planned November cash call.

FIGHTING FOR BUSINESS

For large investment banks Monte dei Paschi is seen as a portal to other lucrative deals including the upcoming capital hike for UniCredit.

"Industries that restructure and reconfigure create lots of fees and it's important to be there," said Hahn.

Until June, UBS and Citigroup had acted as Monte dei Paschi's main advisors. For the past two years they have tried to find the bank a merger partner without success.

The Swiss bank, under its charismatic investment bank president Andrea Orcel, also acted as global coordinator for Monte dei Paschi's previous capital hikes in 2014 and 2015.

However JPMorgan, whose lending, trading and investing activities in Italy amounted to $6.8 billion in 2015, won government's support for its rescue plan in July, along with Mediobanca, after its chief executive Jamie Dimon met Renzi in Rome, sources said.

As a result, the U.S. bank - which has Italy's former finance minister Vittorio Grilli as chairman of its corporate and investment bank in Europe, the Middle East and Africa - will be one of the top earners in Monte dei Paschi's overhaul if the plan goes ahead, sources said.

It has offered to arrange a 6 billion euro syndicated bridge loan to help Monte dei Paschi gain breathing space to engineer the securitization of its bad loans while seeking to raise cash.

Banks which sign up to the loan will end up holding chunks of Monte dei Paschi's debt if they fail to find investors - a risk that JPMorgan boss Jamie Dimon says he is willing to take.

"If we could pull something like that off, that would be great for Italy," he said in a CNBC interview.

(Additional reporting by Silvia Aloisi and Giselda Vagnoni; Editing by Anna Willard)
Beirut (AFP) - Syria's brutal conflict has now claimed the lives of more than 290,000 people, a monitoring group said on Monday, giving its latest death toll for the devastating five-year war.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 292,817 people had been killed between March 2011 -- when the conflict erupted -- and the end of July.

The toll represents an increase of just over 10,000 people since the monitor gave its last account on May 26.

Among the dead are 84,472 civilians, including 14,711 children and 9,520 women, it said.

The Observatory also documented the deaths of 50,548 non-jihadist rebels and Kurdish militiamen.

Another 49,547 extremist militants including non-Syrians were killed.

A total of 104,656 pro-regime fighters were killed, among them 57,909 soldiers and 1,306 militants from the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, which is fighting on behalf of Damascus.

The monitor said that 3,594 of those killed have been unidentified.

The Britain-based Observatory depends on a network of sources inside Syria to gather its information on the conflict.

It estimates that thousands more people are missing or have disappeared into detention centres run by various armed groups.
This year, Boeing is celebrating its centennial anniversary. In the century since its founding, the Boeing Company has evolved into one of the titans of the aviation industry. The company is responsible for numerous game-changing innovations such as the 747 jumbo jet, the B52 heavy bomber, and 707 airliner.

From its first bi-plane to the composite-bodied 787 Dreamliner, Boeing's history is filled with countless significant moments. Here's a closer look at some of the milestones in Boeing's history.

BI Graphics_Boeing 100 year timeline

Will Fierman contributed to this post.

NOW WATCH: A self-made millionaire describes the financial mistakes to avoid if you want to get rich by 30





More From Business Insider


Maputo (AFP) - Mozambique's government and main opposition party Renamo renewed peace talks on Monday in the capital Maputo, even as skirmishes spread in the north.

Renamo, which waged a 16-year civil war that ended in 1992, has refused to accept the results of 2014 elections when it was beaten once more by the Frelimo party, in power since independence 40 years ago.

A commission was initially appointed in May to set up a face-to-face encounter between President Filipe Nyusi and Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama.

But both parties agreed in June to have international mediators -- including the European Union, the Catholic Church and South Africa -- attend peace talks instead, with the leaders set to meet only once all issues were settled.

"We have just emerged from a very successful meeting," former president of Botswana and co-chair of the mediators' group Quett Masire told the press on Monday evening.

Among the major issues Renamo wants resolved is the failure to include former rebel fighters in the regular army and police, a long-standing sticking point that harks back to the original 1992 peace agreement.

But even as negotiators laid the groundwork for peace on Monday, alleged Renamo gunmen attacked a northern village, burning down official buildings and destroying a health centre, state broadcaster Radio Mocambique reported.

"We haven't ceased fire, the military conflict continues," Dhlakama said in an interview published Monday by independent daily O Pais.

Dhlakama has been living in hiding since October 2015 after he escaped two attacks against his convoy.

He claims government troops are continuously attacking his stronghold in central Gorongosa in an attempt to lure him out or kill him.

The clashes have intensified in recent months following Dhlakama's declaration in December that he would take power in six of the country's 11 provinces which he claims he won in the 2014 elections.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mudslides triggered by intense rainfall in eastern Mexico killed 40 people at the weekend as saturated hillsides collapsed onto modest homes in the wake of now-dissipated Tropical Storm Earl. The death toll rose late on Sunday after state governors in the two most affected states confirmed two more deaths from a series of mudslides that struck hillside communities. The head of national emergency services previously put the death toll at 38, the vast majority of whom were found in Puebla state, while the remainder died in neighboring Veracruz. Rafael Morena Valle, governor of Puebla state, said canine units were searching for the missing, but the number of unaccounted for residents was unclear. Images of the damage from Earl, broadcast on Mexican television, showed massive mudslides burying entire hillsides, trees felled and buildings creaking under collapsed walls and roofs. On the Pacific coast, Mexico's Baja California peninsula braced for another major storm to strike as early as Monday. Tropical Storm Javier was generating maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour (80 kph) on Sunday night and was forecast to become a hurricane late Monday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in a statement. The center of the storm was expected to strike the southern tip of Baja, home to the beach resort of Los Cabos, by Monday night. At least 25 of the deaths in Puebla state were confirmed on Sunday near the town of Huauchinango in the rugged Sierra Norte de Puebla mountains, site of the worst destruction so far. Eleven people have died in Veracruz, buried in landslides after intense rainfall and flooding struck the Gulf coast state after Earl crossed the Yucatan peninsula. "We continue to monitor rivers that are above critical levels," Veracruz Governor Javier Duarte said in a post on Twitter on Sunday. Before striking Mexico, Earl battered Belize last Thursday, smashing car windows and punching holes in the roofs of Belize City's wooden houses. It also flooded parts of the coast. (Reporting by Adriana Barrera and David Alire Garcia; Editing by David Gregorio, Bill Trott and Paul Tait)
By Jon Herskovitz

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - The family of a Muslim boy, who was arrested last year after taking a homemade digital clock to a Dallas-area high school, sued the Texas school district and the city where he once lived on Monday, saying they violated the teenager's civil rights.

The suit, filed in federal court on behalf of Ahmed Mohamed by his father, claims the Irving Independent School District and the city west of Dallas had discriminated against the teen because of his religion, which it said was a factor in his arrest.

The school district in a statement denied violating the student's rights and said it could provide no further comment because the matter was in litigation.

The family has previously demanded $15 million from the city of Irving and the school district.

The 2015 arrest of Ahmed Mohamed, then a 14-year-old bespectacled ninth-grader who dabbled in robotics and attended high school in Irving, had ignited a social media firestorm.

Irving police accused him of making a hoax bomb.

"The only way to get justice is through money," Mohamed told a news conference in Texas on Monday.

After Mohamed was seen in a NASA T-shirt in handcuffs, the Twitter hashtag #IStandWithAhmed trended globally, and the teenager was praised by Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg, who said: "Having the skill and ambition to build something cool should lead to applause, not arrest.

A few months after the incident, Ahmed and his family moved to Qatar after the teen has accepted an offer from the Qatar Foundation to study at its Young Innovators Program. The announcement of the move came a few hours after Ahmed visited the White House for an astronomy night hosted by President Barack Obama.

The teen, a U.S. citizen, returned to the United States a few weeks ago for summer vacation and plans to return soon to Qatar to attend a private school after receiving death threats in the United States.

"I lost my home, I lost my creativity. I used to love building things but now I can't," he said at the news conference. "I've lost my security."

(Addtional reporting by Lisa Maria Garza in Dallas; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
Jonas Junius Namibia Boxer

Namibian boxer Jonas Junius has been arrested in Rio in connection with an attempted sexual assault of an Olympic Village housekeeper, according to Al Jazeera's Gabriel Elizondo.

Junius, 22, was Namibia's flag-bearer during the opening ceremony. Police reportedly told Elizondo that Junius allegedly tried to force himself on a housekeeper in the athlete village.

JUST IN: Jonas Junius, Olympic boxer from Namibia, arrested for attempted sex assault of a housekeeper in Olympic Village, police say  Gabriel Elizondo (@elizondogabriel) August 8, 2016

Junius, 22, was the flag bearer for Namibia at Opening Ceremonies. Police say he tried to force himself on a housekeeper.  Gabriel Elizondo (@elizondogabriel) August 8, 2016

Junius is expected to be transferred to Rio's Bangu prison later today.  Gabriel Elizondo (@elizondogabriel) August 8, 2016

He's the second Olympic boxer to be jailed in Rio for alleged rape or attempted rape of a housekeeper in Athletes Village.  Gabriel Elizondo (@elizondogabriel) August 8, 2016

As Elizondo notes, Junius is the second Olympic boxer to be arrested on allegations of sexual assault. Last week, Moroccan boxer Hassan Saada was arrested after an alleged sexual assault of two housekeepers in the Olympic Village.

NOW WATCH: These are the 3 oldest people to ever compete in the Olympics





More From Business Insider


DENVER  Violent altercations in prisons can be dangerous for inmates and prison staff alike. Now, a new small study suggests that showing nature documentaries to inmates may help to ease aggression in prisons.

The study took place in the Snake River Correctional Institution in Oregon, in a maximum-security unit housing 48 inmates. Over a year in which half of the inmates had an opportunity to watch nature videos projected in a recreation yard, those who saw the videos were involved in 26 percent fewer violent infractions than those who didn't.

"This is equivalent to 13 fewer violent incidents over the year," study researcher Patricia Hasbach, a clinical psychotherapist in a private practice, said at a presentation today (Aug. 5) here at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association. [Nature Photography: 101 Animal Shots You'll Go Wild Over]

Introducing nature

The reduction is important, Hasbach said, as most violent altercations end in injury for either inmates or staff. The researchers conducted their study in a cellblock that had two recreation yards  one for one side of cells, and one for another. The inmates on both sides were similar to each other (regarding demographics and time on the cell block, for instance), and the recreation yards were overseen by the same officers. This enabled the researchers to vary only whether the inmates had access to nature videos.

The videos showed everything from oceans to African savannas. Surveys revealed that 80 percent of the inmates who saw the videos said they felt calmer after viewing them, Hasbach reported. Seventy percent said they remembered the nature videos later, in times of stress, and were able to calm themselves down. The researchers could find no downsides of the videos  everyone surveyed disagreed, for example, that the videos made them more agitated.

In in-depth interviews, inmates spoke of the benefits of the nature imagery.

"I thought about what I would do if I could," one inmate told researchers of his time watching the videos. "I wonder if there were bears in those mountains. I wonder what I'll do when I'm out of here. I tell my kids we're going camping"

Story continues

Nature therapy

The precise type of imagery didn't seem to matter, as long as it was varied.

"Nothing in particular," one inmate said when asked his preferences. "Something other than four walls."

The researchers didn't test whether other types of videos would have had similar effects, Hasbach said, but previous research in health care settings has found nature videos to be more mentally beneficial than other content, such as daytime television, urban scenes and abstract art. Other psychological research has found that nature-based activities improve function in kids with attention deficit disorder and that outdoor activities boost self-esteem. Just the color green may boost mood and motivation during exercise.

Prison officials are now transferring the nature videos to other parts of the facility, Hasbach said, and a lower-security women's prison in Oregon is also starting the same program. Prisons in six other states have contacted the researchers for information on how to institute similar video programs in their own correctional facilities, she said.

Original article on Live Science.

Editor's Recommendations

Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Newspaper Association of America is upset that John Oliver didnt offer any ideas on how to fix its industry during a 20-minute monologue on Sundays episode of Last Week Tonight during which he bemoaned the state of modern American journalism.

NAA President and CEO David Chavern issued a statement saying that the HBO host should spend more time talking about what the future of news could be.

Other than encouraging people to pay for more news, he doesnt offer any answers. More particularly, he spends most of the piece making fun of publishers who are just trying to figure it out. Whatever you think of the name tronc and that companys announced growth strategy, at least they are trying new things and trying to figure out how to create great news journalism in the digital era. John Oliver doesnt seem to have any better ideas, Chavern wrote.

Also Read: John Oliver Mercilessly Mocks NBC's Olympics Coverage (Video)

Oliver mocked the tronc-ated name of Tribune Online Content before reiterating the importance of newspapers. He noted that websites and cable news networks rely on the industry for a lot of their content, citing numerous examples including previous segments from his own show as well as others across broadcast TV.

The fact is that we are in a transitional phase within the entire industry. People want, need and consume more hard news than they ever have. The core demand for the product isnt decreasing at all, and based upon that we will find our way to the far shore where the industry is thriving and growing once again, Chavern continued. But making fun of experiments and pining away for days when classified ads and near-monopolistic positions in local ad markets funded journalism is pointless and ultimately harmful.

During the bit, Oliver noted that the digital-first strategy of many modern newspaper companies has led to clickbait-style news, slipping in a few jabs at Las Vegas mogul Sheldon Adelson, who now owns the citys largest newspaper, as well as tronc.

Story continues

Also Read: John Oliver Skewers Struggling Newspaper Industry, Rips Tronc

Chavern ended his statement with a suggestion on how Oliver should spend his time going forward: I would just ask Mr. Oliver to spend more time talking about what the future of news could be, and less time poking fun at publishers who are trying to get there.

The NAA represents nearly 2,000 newspapers in America and Canada.

Check out the original Last Week Tonight segment below.

'Ballers' Stars Omar Miller and Troy Garity Exclusive StudioWrap Portraits (Photos)

Omar Miller and Troy Garity Ballers

Omar Miller and Troy Garity Ballers

Omar Miller and Troy Garity Ballers

Omar Miller and Troy Garity Ballers

Omar Miller and Troy Garity Ballers_3958

Previous Slide Next Slide

1 of 5

Stars of HBO series stop by TheWrap for an interview and photo session

Omar Miller and Troy Garity, "Ballers"

Photographed by Irvin Rivera

View In Gallery

Related stories from TheWrap:

John Oliver Skewers Struggling Newspaper Industry, Rips Tronc

John Oliver Blasts Donald Trump as 'Sociopathic Narcissist' for Response to Khan Family (Video)

John Oliver Makes Official Endorsements for 2016 Election (Video)
Managua (AFP) - Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, have the support of more than seven in 10 voters three months before presidential and legislative elections, a poll released Monday showed.

Ortega -- a former leftwing rebel who has led the Central American nation since 2007 with an authoritarian hand -- is running for a third consecutive term.

He has nominated Murillo, already chief government spokesperson and a colorful character many see as an eminence grise, as next vice president.

At this point, little seems to stand in their way of winning the November 6 election, to which Ortega has barred outside monitors.

The opposition is fragmented and weakened by a court ruling that changed the leadership of a key party and booted many of its deputies from parliament.

According to the poll carried out by the M&R firm between July 27 and August 1, Ortega has 79 percent backing in the electorate, and Murillo has 73 percent.

The survey questioned 2,000 likely voters, and has a margin of error of 2.2 percentage points.

Ortega's Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) party has 65 percent support, the poll showed.

Raul Obregon, a spokesman for M&R, told AFP that "the middle and upper class is where the biggest proportion of FSLN voters are."

The poorer segment of the population is struggling with high food prices, lack of water and unemployment.

But even within that demographic, Obregon said, there was solid Ortega support because of the perception that government social programs were tackling those problems.
MANILA (Reuters) - A Philippine lawmaker is seeking to permanently ban U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump from visiting the Southeast Asian nation after the billionaire called it one of the "terrorist nations." Trump has no major business in the Philippines, but developer Century Properties Group Inc is building a $150-million Trump Tower, a high-rise residential building under license from the American real estate mogul. In a bill filed in Manila's House of Representatives, Congressman Joey Salceda said, "There is no feasible basis or reasonable justification to the wholesale labeling of Filipinos as coming from a 'terrorist state' or that they will be a Trojan horse." Salceda was referring to Trump's comments at a rally on Thursday in Portland, Maine, in which he took another swipe at immigrants. "We are letting people come in from terrorist nations. That should not be allowed because you can't vet them. There's no way of vetting them, you have no idea who they are. This could be the great Trojan horse of all time," Trump said in a clip of his speech posted to YouTube. "An immigrant from Afghanistan who later applied for and received U.S. citizenship, an illegal permanent resident from the Philippines were convicted from plotting to join Al Qaeda and the Taliban in order to kill as many Americans as possible," Trump said. People of Philippine descent living in the United States number around 4 million, making up the second largest population of Asian Americans, Salceda said, citing data from the U.S. State Department. A former reality TV star, Trump has won support particularly from white blue-collar U.S. workers who feel neglected by the political establishment. Along with his proposed ban on Muslims, his plans have included building a wall along the Mexican border to keep out illegal immigrants. (Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Manolo Serapio Jr. and Clarence Fernandez)
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. NCLH is set to report second-quarter 2016 results, before the market opens on Aug 9.

Last quarter, the company posted a negative earnings surprise of 18.42%. Lets see how things are shaping up for this announcement.

Factors at Play this Quarter

Slow economic growth, terror attacks and the Brexit referendum are expected to take a toll on Norwegian Cruise Lines revenues. The travel industry has been grappling with demand-related issues for long. This has been affecting Norwegian Cruise Lines operations considerably. Moreover, the company faces stiff competition from the likes of Carnival Corporation CCL and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. RCL.

The company is however expected to gain from its authorization to operate in Cuba. Additionally, the company might see some improvement in second-quarter earnings on account of the busy summer holiday season in the U.S.

Earnings Whispers

Our proven model does not conclusively show that Norwegian Cruise Line is likely to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate 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 at least 3 (Hold) for this to happen. Unfortunately, this is not the case here, as elaborated below.

Zacks ESP: Norwegian Cruise Line has an Earnings ESP of -3.61%. This is because the Most Accurate estimate stands at 80 cents while the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at 83 cents.

Zacks Rank: Norwegian Cruise Line carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Note that Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or 5) should never be considered going into an earnings announcement, especially when the company is witnessing negative estimate revisions, as is the case with this company.

NORWEGIAN CRUIS Price and EPS Surprise

NORWEGIAN CRUIS Price and EPS Surprise | NORWEGIAN CRUIS Quote

A Stock to Consider

Here is a company you may want to consider as our model shows that it has the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.

Story continues

Star Bulk Carriers Corp. SBLK has an earnings ESP of +13.33% and a Zacks Rank #2. The companys second-quarter results are expected to release on Aug 29.

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



STAR BULK CARRS (SBLK): Free Stock Analysis Report



CARNIVAL CORP (CCL): Free Stock Analysis Report



ROYAL CARIBBEAN (RCL): Free Stock Analysis Report



NORWEGIAN CRUIS (NCLH): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
Oil prices jumped around 3% Monday on renewed speculation that OPEC would try to restrain oil output, which would help to ease oversupply worries that helped to push oil prices to their lowest point in the last three months just last week.

It was reported last week that OPEC countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador and Kuwait wanted to try again at jumpstarting cooperation between the 14-nation Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-members such as Russia.

A similar attempt at such a move was made in April, but failed after Saudi Arabia backed out of talks in Doha, Qatar, citing Irans refusal to join in such a production freeze. Qatars energy minister and OPEC President Mohammad bin Saleh al-Sada said in a statement that the producer group was in constant deliberations with all member states on ways and means to help restore stability and order to the oil market.

The energy minister of Russia, the worlds largest oil producer, said that crude prices were not at levels that warranted intervention, though he remained open to negotiations.

It would appear that OPEC calls for restraint would be inevitable, said Jim Ritterbusch of Ritterbusch & Associates, a Chicago-based oil markets consultancy. He cited concerns over rising U.S. oil rig counts and weakening energy demand as catalysts for such actions from OPEC.

Last week the U.S. oil rig count rose for the sixth week in a row, and in China, fuel exports rose 50% from a year earlier to a monthly record 4.57 million tones, adding to the already oversupplied global amount.

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
By Barani Krishnan NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices settled up nearly 3 percent on Monday amid renewed speculation that OPEC would try to restrain output, easing oversupply worries that pressured the market to three-month lows last week. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that OPEC countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador and Kuwait want to take another stab at cooperation between the 14-nation Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-members such as Russia. The last such initiative failed in April after Saudi Arabia backed out of talks in Doha, Qatar, citing Iran's refusal to join in a so-called production freeze. Qatar's Energy Minister and OPEC President Mohammad bin Saleh al-Sada hinted at overtures of cooperation in a statement on Monday. OPEC members are to have an informal meeting on the sidelines of the International Energy Forum, which groups producers and consumers, in Algeria from Sept. 26-28. The energy minister of Russia, the world's biggest oil producer, said crude prices were not at levels that warranted intervention, but he remained open to negotiations with OPEC. "It would appear that OPEC calls for restraint would be inevitable," said Jim Ritterbusch of Chicago-based oil markets consultancy Ritterbusch & Associates, citing concerns over rising numbers of U.S. oil rigs and weakening energy demand. The U.S. oil rig count rose last week for a sixth week in a row. In China, fuel exports increased more than 50 percent from a year earlier to a monthly record 4.57 million tonnes, adding to a global glut. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled up $1.22, or 2.9 percent, at $43.02 per barrel. WTI hit April lows beneath $40 a barrel last week. Brent crude rose $1.12, or 2.5 percent, to settle at$45.39. Some fund managers were pessimistic the OPEC-fueled rally would last. Crude prices rallied nearly 4 percent at the session peak only to pare gains towards the close. They gave up more gains in post-settlement trade after news that the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port will have an additional 2.5 million barrels in oil capacity by April 2017. "Until proven otherwise, this is still a correction in a bear market," said Matthew Tuttle, chief executive at Tuttle Tactical Management in Riverside, Connecticut. "You can have massive up moves like this, and if you can trade it, great. But if you're looking at another run up to $50 and beyond, I'm not ready to go there. I think we still see under $35 a barrel before we get to $50." Hedge funds cut their bullish exposure to Brent to the smallest level since January while paring positive bets on WTI to the least since February, data on Friday showed. Market intelligence firm Genscape reported a build of more than 307,000 barrels at the Cushing, Oklahoma delivery hub for WTI futures in the week to Aug. 5, traders said, even as analysts forecast a total U.S. crude inventory drop of 1 million barrels. (Additional reporting by Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Paul Simao)
Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f170557%2ff9b22afbed58451caa2ebbde7ea5fb77

Whether youre a world-class athlete competing in the Rio Olympics, or a desk-ridden journalist with terrible posture, back and neck pain can be real occupational hazards.

To treat their sore muscles, U.S. competitors like swimming legend Michael Phelps and gymnast Alex Naddour  and this slouching science reporter  have all turned to an ancient form of therapy called cupping.

The technique involves placing small glass cups on the skin, then pulling them from the body to relax the muscles and boost blood flow.

The suction cups leave behind circular bruises, like the ones Phelps sported Sunday night in the mens freestyle relay finals.

SEE ALSO: Michael Phelps' circular bruises are due to 'cupping therapy'

While cupping is a relatively common pain therapy treatment in Eastern cultures, its still a rare and little-studied practice in the United States.

Michael Phelps competes in the men's 200m butterfly at the Rio Olympics, Aug. 8, 2016.

Image: Getty Images

But with Olympians sporting their purple discs like gold medals, cupping could soon grab hold with athletes, desk jockeys and other Americans suffering bone, joint and muscle pain, said Dr. Charles Kim, a pain management and rehabilitation specialist at New York Universitys Langone Medical Center.

Perhaps something like this will open up the American public and maybe encourage further research and oversight of cupping as a potential treatment, which will help a lot of people with musculoskeletal pains specifically, he told Mashable.

So what is cupping?

Cupping comes in several bruise-inducing varieties. With dry cupping, therapists use cups that tug at, but dont break, the skin. They can use cups with mechanical devices, such as hand or electrical pumps, to create suction. Or they can use fire cups, which use their heat for suction.

In wet cupping, a therapist will first puncture the skin using what looks like a toothbrush with little spikes attached; the suction cups slowly fill with blood.

Story continues

The basic idea is that creating bruises will encourage the body to heal more quickly in those targeted areas. Dr. Kim said the process could be best described as a controlled injury.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, bodily ailments are said to be caused by poor energy flow, a condition called energy stagnation. Cupping stimulates that energy flow and helps the body heal itself.

Dr. Kim, who is also a certified acupuncturist, said he performs cupping to help relieve his patients' neck and back pain or chronic muscle spasms. Other practitioners may use it to treat fatigue or respiratory conditions, he said.

When done right, cupping is fairly painless and safe. The suction cups should feel like a gentle pull and nothing more.

Wet cupping is the riskiest approach because cutting the skin raises the risk of infections. Fire cupping could also potentially burn your skin.

A practitioner fixes a cup on a patient's back during a blood cupping session on March 18, 2013 in Singapore.

Image: Getty Images

In all cases, leaving the cups on for too long, say over several hours, can make the skin necrotic, or essentially dead, as Dr. Kim put it. This is more likely to happen with do-it-yourself cupping kits that people use on themselves.

What does the science say?

Not much. Given the Western worlds relative lack of interest and experience with cupping, few rigorous scientific studies exist on the techniques potential benefits, or how it actually affects the body.

Still, that lack of hard evidence isn't stopping more people  including myself  from trying cupping.

My acupuncturist recommended dry cupping as a way to treat back and neck pain and speed up my healing process after an injury last year.

With the spine worthy of a body twice my age, I somehow acquired a bulged neck disc, sending weird pain and tingling across my shoulders and arms.

Liquid and congealed blood are seen inside the cups during a blood cupping session on March 18, 2013 in Singapore.

Image: Getty Images

While physical therapy helped with long-term healing, acupuncture provided short-term relief. With cupping, which I did a few times last spring, my neck pain virtually vanished in the one or two days immediately after the procedure, although the relief wasn't permanent.

Maybe it was the placebo effect; maybe it really worked. Or maybe I just wanted Instagram-worthy bruises like Michael Phelps.

A 2014 study by the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine seemed to confirm my experience. It found that cupping therapy has a potential positive short-term effect on reducing the intensity of pain, compared with no treatment, heat therapy or conventional pain medications.

Separately, researchers worldwide have conducted at least 135 randomized controlled clinical trials on cupping from 1992 to 2010, according to a 2012 study published in the journal PLoS One.

In their analysis, the authors found that cupping therapy  combined with treatments such as acupuncture or medications  showed significant benefit over other treatments alone in effecting a cure for conditions such as shingles, acne, facial paralysis and age-related wear and tear of the spinal discs.

But the authors also found that of the 135 trials they reviewed, nearly 85 percent were at high risk of bias by the researchers, and many studies were of low methodological quality.

Despite the large number of studies on cupping therapy...there remains a lack of well-designed investigations, according to the PLoS One study.

The authors of the PLoS One study said that scientists should conduct higher quality trials with larger sample sizes in order to draw a definitive conclusion.

The American Cancer Society, citing the lack of concrete scientific data, said cuppings perceived benefits may be more due to the placebo effect: Patients think it will heal their pain, so they think they feel relief.

There is no scientific rationale for expecting any health benefit from cupping, Dr. Ted Gansler, strategic director of pathology research for the American Cancer Society, said in a statement to Mashable.

He also dismissed claims that cupping can cure cancer or shrink tumors. While serious side effects from cupping are unlikely, he said the most likely harm for people with cancer is that they might choose cupping instead of science-based treatments that are proven to help them live longer and relieve symptoms.

Dr. Kim defended cupping as a useful therapy technique for pain management.

Just because theres no scientific evidence that has shown whether or not it works doesnt mean that it doesnt work or not, he said, adding that he welcomed further research on cupping.

When it comes to treatments that are not very well-known or are outside the box, everyone says it doesnt work without really testing it, he said.
The offending hemline. (Photo: BBC)

A female journalist in a dress commentating on swimsuit clad male Olympic swimmers has found herself at the center of a controversy regarding her hemlines length.

@justinrose99 @markfosterswim @beckadlington @bbcsport extra guest for this evenings finals A photo posted by Helen Skelton (@helenskelton) on Aug 6, 2016 at 9:13pm PDT



Helen Skelton, far right, in the offending frock.

BBC Sport host Helen Skelton was on a panel with fellow presenters Mark Foster and Rebecca Adlington covering Saturday nights swimming races in Rio de Janeiro when eagle-eyed viewers took to social media to complain that the skirt on Skeltons navy blue Zeynep Kartal dress was too short, with some claiming that they could see her underwear.

The comments ranged from pearl-clutching outrage to full-on creepy remarks from people who apparently have never seen a pair of legs on a woman before.

Apparently her name is Helen Skelton and the rest of her clothes were lost at the airport #bbcolympics #Olympics  Harley Quimm (@multistar) August 6, 2016

Hiya @BBCSport what are the chances of moving that table so we can all see Helen Skeltons fanny? Cheers #bbcolympics #bbcrio2016  G (@Youdontknowme83) August 6, 2016

We are all waiting for Helen Skelton to swivel that chair round just a bit more arent we?#Olympics2016  Dave Cooper (@dcoops1989) August 6, 2016

Helen Skelton must be going clubbing after this with that dress on #Rio2016  Steven Ward (@WardyPne) August 7, 2016

But there were just as many people confused as to why her skirt was a big deal in the first place as there were critics and naysayers.

Story continues

Re: #HelenSkelton:

1. Brazil is boiling hot

2. Helen Skelton is awesome

Therefore

3. She can wear whatever the hell she likes. Grow up.  James Maguire (@maguirenumber6) August 7, 2016

Imagine phoning up and complaining about Helen Skelton wearing a short skirt when you are literally watching people in speedos  / (@KirbiJackson) August 7, 2016

@greg_jenner @mermhart ridiculous this is even news! @HelenSkelton is good at what she does so what the hell does it matter what she wears!  DiDi (@DianeBlackmore1) August 8, 2016

UK #media storm about @HelenSkeltons dress bizarre when she was surrounded by people in swimming costumes #Rio2016 https://t.co/2Aiig37DOq  Jimmy (@Jimbobarelli) August 8, 2016

Despite making the front pages of multiple newspapers, Skelton is apparently unfazed by peoples opinions on her skirt length, because after wearing a more demure dresses from Whistles on Sunday afternoon, she turned out that evening to fulfill her hosting duties in an orange dress from Edeline Lee with a hemline that was just as short as the one on her controversial navy blue number. The label shared an image of Skelton in the piece to its Instagram page, noting that the presenter was causing a Twitter furor over her amazing legs. As some people pointed out, Rio is hot, and considering the humidity, Skelton was likely just trying to wear something so she could be comfortable while doing her job.

Recently, Megyn Kelly faced similar Internet treatment at the Republican National Convention when she opted for an outfit with spaghetti straps. Fox News viewers expressed outrage over her exposed shoulders and seemed scandalized by the amount of skin she was showing off.

The consistently sexist commentary on womens appearances, outfits, and exposed epidermis raises the question: Why arent viewers similarly offended by Michael Phelpss small swim trunks?

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.
By Stephen Eisenhammer RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Brazilian gold medal hopes Agatha Bednarczuk and Barbara Seixas crushed Argentina in straight sets to qualify for the final 16, drawing on a lethal serve and the rapturous home crowd to seal an easy win. A huge spike from Seixas sent the sand swirling on the first point and set the tone for a 21-11, 21-17 victory in just 40 minutes. Argentina's Ana Gallay and Georgina Klug fought hard in the second set, taking the lead early on. But a thunderous serve from Seixas to level at 9-9 shifted the momentum back in favour of the Brazilians. Seixas followed up with a sequence of aces that brought the crowd to their feet. ''I am Brazilian, with much pride and much love,'' they sang in full voice, with many waving the green and yellow national flag. Another strong serve by Seixas finished the match. The Brazilian pair then waved kisses to the crowd before embracing fans in the front row and posing for selfies. ''We came into this game calmer... Barbara and I have played together for six years, there's great chemistry between us and we always know where the other is,'' Bednarczuk told Reuters after the match. ''We didn't want to give them a chance.'' (Reporting by Stephen Eisenhammer, editing by Neil Robinson)
- Chinese state-run media blasted Australian swimmer Mack Horton as immoral and his nation as a former "offshore prison" Monday, after he referred to homegrown star Sun Yang as a drugs cheat. Horton dethroned Sun as the 400 metres freestyle Olympic champion at the weekend, prompting the Chinese athlete to break down in tears. Sun is a popular hero in China, despite his repeated brushes with controversy which include serving a drugs suspension in secret in 2014. The Global Times newspaper said Australia should feel embarrassed by the swimmer's "disgraceful" victory. "In many serious essays written by Westerners, Australia is mentioned as a country at the fringes of civilisation," it went on, referencing its "early history as Britain's offshore prison".

AFP
(Adds comment from divers, further detail) By Joshua Schneyer RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 8 (Reuters) - China's Lin Yue and Chen Aisen won gold in men's 10 metre synchronized diving at the Rio Games on Monday, keeping alive the country's goal of a clean sweep in all eight events. The world champion Chinese duo were the favourites to win, but it was the first time they have dived together at an Olympics. Steele Johnson and David Boudia of the United States took the silver medal. Britain's Thomas Daley and Daniel Goodfellow won bronze, edging out a German duo on their last dive. Across six dives, China scored highest in every dive but one. "I won't say it was perfect, but we really did our best today," said Lin, 25, who also won a gold medal in the 10 metre synchronized event at the 2008 Beijing Games with another partner, Huo Liang. With Monday's performance, Lin became the first diver to win repeat Olympic gold medals in the event. The duo won by a wide margin, earning a final score of 496.98. The U.S. team ended with 457.11 points. Lin and Chen, who have picked up various world titles together, received several perfect 10s from judges on their fifth dive, a forward 4.5 somersault with a high degree of difficulty. It was China's fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in the event. Chinese divers are targeting a sweep of all eight gold medals at the Rio diving competition, after winning six of out the total at the London 2012 Olympics. Monday's victory by Lin and Chen followed a gold medal performance by China's women in the 3 metre synchronized event on Sunday. Britain's Daley, who got bronze, marveled at the Chinese team's consistency. "They are so technically efficient in what they do, it is amazing to watch," he said. U.S. diver Johnson broke into tears after he and Boudia nailed their final dive to win the silver. Johnson, 20, overcame a horrendous diving injury at age 12, when he hit his head on the platform during a reverse 3 1/2 somersault dive, ripping his scalp open and narrowly avoiding death. (Reporting by Joshua Schneyer; Editing by Ken Ferris and Bill Rigby)
By Chris Gallagher RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Local hero Rafaela Silva reached the women's judo semi-finals at the Rio Games on Monday with the roar of the crowd soaring to new heights as she stays on track for her first Olympic medal. In a dream match-up for Silva in the -57kg weight class, she overpowered Hungarian Hedvig Karakas, who beat her in London four years ago when she was disqualified for an illegal hold. The Carioca Arena 2 was rocking as the crowd went into a frenzy, stomping their feet and chanting "Rafa" as Silva tossed Karakas onto the tatami for the match-winning waza-ari. "We felt very excited, we were so happy because she was able to move on," said Eduardo Mecking, a 44-year-old engineer who cheered on Silva with his wife and two young boys. "We're hoping she wins the gold medal." Her next obstacle on the way to a medal - and possibly Brazil's first gold at their home Olympics - will be London silver medallist Corina Caprioriu of Romania later on Monday. A medal for Silva would mark a fairytale rise to the Olympic podium from a childhood in Rio's notorious Cidade de Deus favela, made famous in the film "City of God." Following early years of trouble that saw her getting into fights in the neighbourhood, Silva found some structure to her life through judo and went on to attend the Instituto Reacao, founded by Olympic bronze medallist Flavio Canto. The women's -57kg was among the toughest judo categories at Rio, featuring all four medal winners from the London Games. In a rematch of the semi-final four years ago, London gold medallist Kaori Matsumoto of Japan battled London bronze winner Automne Pavia deep into 'golden score' extra time, conquering her French opponent with a waza-ari throw at the 3:50 mark. World champion Matsumoto, who is nicknamed 'the beast', will face Mongolia's Sumiya Dorjsuren in the other semi-final. Pavia, whose country has yet to win a judo medal in Rio, will try for bronze through the repechage rounds. London bronze medallist Marti Malloy of the United States suffered a shock early exit in the round of 16. (Reporting by Chris Gallagher; editing by Ken Ferris)
By Amy Tennery Aug 8 (Reuters) - Britain's rowing team scored key victories during Monday's heats and repechage races - where first-round losers are given another chance to qualify - at Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, a day after windy conditions scuttled events. Britain secured a semi-final spot in the men's four, an event in which it snagged gold at the London 2012 Games, while the women's eight booked their berth to a finals showdown against a dominant United States crew. Women's eight rower Zoe de Toledo said her Britain crew demonstrated exceptional commitment in their path to Rio. "You can't underestimate the dedication and the sacrifice that goes into this kind of performance," de Toledo said on Monday. "That's what the Olympics are about." Britain was second in the points table in the World Rowing Cup series coming into the 2016 season, behind New Zealand, whose men's pair Eric Murray and Hamish Bond continued their seven-year unbeaten streak Saturday, winning their heat in the event. Britain's men's eight also won their heat on Monday, securing a spot in the final. British women's pair Helen Glover and Heather Stanning, meanwhile, paddled into a spot in the semi-finals, narrowly avoiding a break in their five-year unbeaten streak by mere fractions of a second against a surging Denmark. Monday's action unfolded after a rocky start this weekend to this year's Olympic rowing. Unruly winds on Saturday created challenging conditions for rowers, capsizing a Serbian boat, sparking anger among some competitors that the kick-off events were not postponed. Continued blustery conditions forced organizers to postpone Sunday's rowing races. (Reporting By Amy Tennery in Rio de Janeiro; Editing by Bill Rigby)
By Angus MacSwan RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The five-year unbeaten streak of Britain's all-conquering rowers Helen Glover and Heather Stanning nearly ended on Monday as a spirited Danish duo led them until the last five metres in the women's pair heat at the Olympic rowing regatta. The reigning Olympic and World champions were making a first appearance on the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon in Rio de Janeiro after the race was postponed on Sunday due to high winds. But Denmark's Hedvig Rasmussen and Anne Andersen took an early lead as they and the Britons pulled away from the pack. Just keeping ahead, they were almost in sight of a famous victory when Stanning and Glover pulled that extra bit harder. The Britons edged in front just as they passed a stand packed with cheering fans and draped with Union Jack flags. They finished on 7 minutes 5.05 seconds, just 0.23 seconds ahead of the Danes. Stanning and Glover have not lost on the international stage since 2011 and it is rare they do not lead from the start. "It wasn't the race we were expecting but it's the Olympics and everyone stepped up their game," Stanning said. "We won, that's all we need to do, we're in the semi-final. We just want to make sure we get there in good shape. "It's important to reach the final. It doesn't matter if we are unbeaten, though it's a nice statistic to have. "The Danes showed their speed today. They showed it in the past to about halfway, but they are doing it for the whole track now," said Stanning, who is a captain in the Royal Artillery and has served in Afghanistan. HARDER HEAT Glover said the pair had been working in training on the last 250 metres and it was good to put that to use. "It was a harder heat than we've had before but that's because they are faster too. We could row better but we weren't rowing badly." They said they had barely been aware of their rivals' lead. "The Danes were on the other side. It was all very calm. There was no sense of urgency, we were not frantic or anything," Stanning said. Andersen and Rasmussen, who still made the semi-final, said they too were unaware about how close they were to an upset. "I don't think we realised until the finish line. We were focused on our own rowing," Andersen said. They nonetheless looked thrilled to have been part of an incredible race. "It would have been nice," said Rasmussen. "I think every one would like to beat the British." New Zealand's Genevieve Behrent and Rebecca Scown, seen as the closest challengers to the Britons, fended off a strong South African effort to win the next heat and reach the semis. Americans Felice Mueller and Grace Luczak could also pose a threat to Stanning and Glover, who if they win gold again would join Romania's Georgeta Andrunache, Rodica Arba-Puscata and Susana Viorica as the only multiple gold medallists in the event. (Reporting by Angus MacSwan; edeiting by Ken Ferris)
(Adds quotes, details throughout) By Scott Malone RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Italy's Niccolo Campriani credited a lucky late shot for his gold in Monday's Olympic men's 10-metre air rifle after Serihy Kulish of Ukraine made his final shot poorly, widening what had been a razor-thin gap between the two. Kulish shot first and Campriani, a 28-year-old, three-time Olympian, paused for a breath before taking aim and firing his winning shot as the crowd cheered. It wasn't a shrewd tactical move, Campriani said. "That was one of the biggest mistakes I've ever done, to not take the shot at the first aiming," Campriani told reporters. "That was a mistake ... let's say there was also a little bit of luck." Campriani, who won silver at the 2012 London games, established an Olympic record of 630.2 in the qualifying round and his competition score of 206.1 also now qualifies as an Olympic record. There had not been a comparable previous record due to a rule change. Kulish, 23, was wide of the mark with his final shot, scoring a 204.6 in his second Olympic appearance and took silver. Russia's Vladimir Maslennikov, 21, took bronze on his Olympic debut with a score of 184.2. India's Abhinav Bindra, a 33-year-old who in 2008 became the only individual athlete from his nation to win gold, took fourth with 163.8 after losing a shoot-off with Kulish after the pair exited the seventh round tied. A huge, sometimes rowdy, crowd of Indian fans packed into the gallery to cheer Bindra on, proving somewhat of a distraction to his rivals. "It was just unfortunate. It wasn't Bindra's fault, it wasn't the Indian supporters fault, but the timing was exactly when I was supposed to pull the trigger," Campriani said. The noise of the crowd and music piped into the venue was one that Campriani said he had prepared for by recording the final of the women's rifle shooting on Saturday, and practicing along to that soundtrack. "You try to forecast as many things as possible," he said. "But you're not in control." (Reporting by Scott Malone; Editing by Clare Fallon, and Susanna Twidale)
* Horton attacked on social media for comments * Chinese swim team also seek apology * Australian Olympic Committee stand by swimmer (Updates with Chinese swimming team comment) By Brenda Goh RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Chinese web-users unleashed their fury on the social media accounts of Australian Olympic gold medallist Mack Horton, demanding he apologise for calling swimming rival Sun Yang a "drug cheat". The controversy clouded Horton's Saturday triumph in the 400 metres freestyle final over Sun, the London 2012 champion, with the latter suggesting Horton had made the remarks to affect him. Sun won the silver medal. "You have offended against the sensitive (feelings) of the Chinese people," said one of more than 300,000 comments left on Horton's latest Instagram post of him celebrating his win on the medal podium. "Apologise to Sun Yang!", said another on Horton's Facebook page that was peppered with insults, derogatory pictures, many of which carried the hashtag "#apologisetosunyang". Many of the comments recalled a 2013 incident when the Australian men's freestyle relay team were suspended for using a sedative banned by their national Olympic committee (AOC) in a bonding session before the London Games. The Chinese swimming team has also demanded an apology from Horton, state news agency Xinhua reported. "We have been noticing what has been said in the past two days by Horton, who launched a malicious personal attack (on Chinese swimmers)," it quoted Chinese swim team manager Xu Qi as saying. "We think his inappropriate words greatly hurt the feelings between Chinese and Australian swimmers. "It is proof of a lack of good manners and upbringing. We strongly demand an apology from this swimmer." The 20-year-old Australian had acknowledged after their final that there were tensions between him and Sun after a splashing incident during a recent practice. "I used the words 'drug cheat' because he tested positive," he said. A spokesman for the AOC said Horton was entitled to express his point of view. "He has spoken out in support of clean athletes. This is something he feels strongly about and good luck to him," the spokesman said in an email to Reuters. In 2014, it emerged that Sun had secretly served a three-month suspension after he tested positive for a banned stimulant. He said at the time the stimulant was in medication to treat a heart issue and did not enhance his performance. Sun, the first Chinese swimmer to win an Olympic gold medal, is very popular at home but has been the subject of multiple controversies. In 2013, he spent a week in jail for crashing a car when driving without a license. He gained widespread sympathy at home on Saturday after breaking down in tears following his loss. Chinese media carried pictures and videos of him crying and hugging a friend with the phrase "Sun Yang don't cry" trending across social media. (Reporting by Brenda Goh; Editing by Rex Gowar/Greg Stutchbury)
* Efimova qualifies second behind Lilly King of U.S. * World champion had ban lifted on eve of Games * Efimova: build-up to Olympics was "crazy" * King says "level playing field" would be better (Updates with evening semi-finals) By Mark Trevelyan RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Russia's Yulia Efimova, who won her appeal against a doping ban on the eve of the Rio Olympics, was jeered before and after her 100 metres breaststroke semi-final on Sunday but qualified in second place for Monday's final. Efimova, the world champion at the distance, clocked one minute 5.72 seconds in the semi-finals, two-hundredths of a second behind American Lilly King. Both improved on their times in the morning heats, when King had shaded the Russian by 0.01 seconds. In the first semi-final, Efimova was greeted with boos and klaxons before the start. Defending Olympic champion Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania reacted first from the starting block and led at half-way, with Efimova turning in fifth place. But the Russian moved up the field in the final 50 metres to win convincingly, and wagged one finger in the air as the crowd greeted her with more boos. King won the second semi-final ahead of China's Shi Jinglin, who qualified third-fastest for the final, with Meilutyte in fourth. Revelations of state-sponsored Russian doping overshadowed the build-up to the Olympics, and the country was banned on Sunday from the Paralympics that will follow. Efimova was one of a number of Russians who successfully appealed, arguing that after serving previous doping bans they should not be punished again by being excluded from Rio. The 24-year-old world champion only learned on Friday that she could compete, ending months of uncertainty. "I was crazy, like, last half-year, I just don't understand what's going on and everything. I'm just happy to be here and I'm ready to race," she said. Asked after the morning heats if it was fair she was competing, King said: "You know, I'm going to stay out of it, but a level playing field would be preferred." Meilutyte declined to comment on her rival's reinstatement. Efimova is also due to compete in the 200 breaststroke, in which she was world champion in 2013 and won a bronze medal at the London Olympics in 2012. Efimova was banned between October 2013 and February 2015 after testing positive for traces of the anabolic steroid DHEA. She was also briefly suspended after testing positive for meldonium this year, but cleared in July. (Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Ken Ferris and Alison Williams)
Evan McMullin is serious enough about running for president that hes left his day job.

A spokesman for House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Nate Hodson, confirmed in an email to TIME on Monday that as of Monday morning, McMullin no longer works there.

McMullin, who used to be the chief policy director there and is also a former employee of the CIA, is expected to announce an independent presidential bid, hoping to earn the votes of conservatives and Never Trump backers, as BuzzFeed reported Monday.

His Twitter and Instagram accounts confirm he plans on running because its never too late to do the right thing.

McMullin, who was born in Utah, graduated from Brigham Young University in 2001 with a degree in International Studies, then completed Mormon missionary work in Brazil, according to ABC News.

A poll from the Hinckley Institute and the Salt Lake Tribune in June showed Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton essentially tied in Utah, with unusually high support for Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson and a pool of undecided voters.
Donald Trump

Donald Trump is losing an important constituency to Hillary Clinton by huge margins  and it doesn't seem to be a matter of party affiliation.

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, trailed Clinton by 30 points among white women with a college degree in a Monmouth University poll released Monday. Trump had only 27% of the vote among that segment of the electorate, while Clinton, the Democratic nominee, had 57%.

While that might not look surprising on its face, Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee in 2012, won that voter group by 6 points.

Monmouth broke down the numbers:

"The main factor behind the current GOP nominee's underperformance among white voters is his lack of support among white women with a college degree. Trump holds sizable leads among white men without a college degree (31 points; 56% to 25%), white men with a college degree (11 points; 45% to 34%), and white women without a college degree (17 points; 49% to 32%).

"These point spreads are similar to how Romney did with these groups in 2012 when he won white men without a college degree by 31 points (64% to 33%), white men with a college degree by 21 points (59% to 38%), and white women without a college degree by 20 points (59% to 39%)."

"Among white women with a college degree, though, Trump is actually trailing Clinton by 30 points (27% to 57%). Romney narrowly won this group by 6 points in 2012 (52% to 46%)."

Clinton has had a fairly consistent lead over Trump in national polls. The Monmouth poll put Trump at 37% to Clinton's 50% in a four-way contest that includes Jill Stein, the Green Party nominee, and Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party nominee.

This is the first time this election cycle that Clinton has reached 50% support in a national poll against Trump.

The poll was conducted from August 4 through 7 with a margin of error of about plus or minus 3.5% and sample size of 803 people.

Story continues

And an anti-Trump Republican entered the race as an independent candidate on Monday in an attempt to siphon off conservative votes from Trump.

Trump saw a bump in the polls after the Republican National Convention in July, but Clinton erased his lead after the Democrats held their convention a week later.

NOW WATCH: Penn Jillette reveals what it was like to work with Donald Trump on 'Celebrity Apprentice'





More From Business Insider


From Seventeen

Dear Taylor,

You once said, "People haven't always been there for me, but music has." That quote has always been true for me when it comes to you and your music.

From listening to "Cold As You" through my first heartbreak to dancing around my room to "Shake It Off' after a bad day, I could always turn to one of your songs when there was no one else to talk to.

It doesn't stop with listening to your albums, either. I'm a full-time Swiftie. I've gone to three of your tours when you came to my state, Massachusetts. I even traveled to Florida all by myself to see the 1989 tour. I stood outside in the freezing cold for ten hours in New York to see you perform on New Year's Eve. And then I watched the 1989 World Tour movie about 1,000 times because it reminded me of how it felt standing in the crowd and taking in your amazing performance live. I have waaaaay more of your merchandise than one person needs.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Ashley Devine

Basically, for ten years, you've been my idol. You were someone I could turn to at my lowest moments. In my eyes, you could do no wrong.

In my eyes, you could do no wrong.

I've always wanted the best for you, so when you started dating Calvin Harris, I was totally on-board. I loved you two together and watched your relationship unfold for 15 months. I saw the romantic things you did for each other and how supportive you were. I remember your speech at the iHeartMusic Radio awards after you won Best Tour for 1989. You gave Calvin the most heartfelt shout-out.

"I had the most amazing person to come home to when the spotlight went out and when the crowds were all gone," you said. "I want to thank my boyfriend Adam for that." It was so #RelationshipGoals, I memorized it.

After watching you go through so many relationships and getting your heart broken over and over again, Calvin was like a breath of fresh air. I actually became a huge fan of him thanks to you. So when the news of your split first started to leak, I didn't believe it. When Calvin tweeted that it was true, I was devastated.

Story continues

But the one consolation in your breakup was that it seemed like you would continue on as friends: Calvin tweeted that despite the split, what remained between you was a huge amount of love and respect. You retweeted it. So even though you wouldn't be Tayvin anymore romantically, I was comforted knowing you'd still continue on as friends.

Sadly, that didn't happen.

In the past, whenever you broke up with a boyfriend or wrote a song about an ex, I was the first to defend you against haters calling you a "serial dater" or saying your songs calling out your exes were unfair. You were just like me - someone looking to find love and stumbling, getting your heart broken along the way. Why weren't you allowed to date, explore, and write about it without people bashing you? I would too if I was a lyrical genius.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Ashley Devine

But since your split from Calvin, I've been losing sight of the Taylor I've grown to know, admire, and defend at all costs.

After the news about your breakup was confirmed, I was surprised to see pictures of you making out with Tom Hiddleston on a Rhode Island beach splashed across every celebrity news website a little over a week later. It wasn't that you were moving on that was so shocking. It was the way you were doing it that felt different.

There were pictures of you with Tom in a handful of major cities in the span of just a few weeks. I couldn't understand how the girl who wrote and performed "I Know Places," a song highlighting the fact that you could hide your relationship from the public if you wanted to, was all of a sudden being photographed in intimate situations more frequently than ever before.

I couldn't help thinking that if you still respected and loved Calvin like you indicated on Twitter, then you would have been a little more discreet. If you knew places, you must have forgotten where they were.

If you knew places, you must have forgotten where they were.

This wasn't the behavior I was used to seeing from you, and watching my idol act in a way I didn't recognize felt as real as losing a friend. And it only got worse.

When rumors first spread that you co-wrote Calvin's hit song "This is What You Came For," I wondered if your own team had planted the story - a suspicion that felt confirmed when your PR team released a statement that you had been involved. The move felt shady: If you and Calvin had, in fact, agreed to keep your collaboration under wraps, it didn't seem right for your team to A) suddenly take credit without warning Calvin; and B) not refute the claims that his denial of it was the reason you split.

It felt like you were purposely trying to humiliate Calvin, someone you said you "respected," and using the press to do it. For the first time, I felt like you were being unfair to an ex.

But the nail in the coffin came when you insisted you didn't approve Kanye West's "Famous" lyrics.

When the song came out, I thought the lyrics were totally disrespectful. I cheered your brother Austin on when he threw his Yeezys in the trash on Instagram. I loved your Grammys speech calling Kanye out.

Then Kim leaked the tape and it proved you DID approve the lyrics. You pointed out in your response that Kanye left out "that b****" in the call, but that feels like a cop out. You approved the more offensive lyrics that he was being dragged for in the press and you didn't say a word.

I was flabbergasted. My literal reaction was: YIKES. What did you do, Taylor? Why did you lie? As much as I hated admitting it, that's what you did. You lied. This was more than a misunderstanding - this was you intentionally staying quiet when you could have spoken up. For the first time, I couldn't defend you.

It makes me cringe to say it, but I see why people I would have called haters six months ago said you were playing the victim. And that realization makes me so, I don't know... uncomfortable.

It makes me unsure about things I was so sure of before. Like, why were you so silent on social media accounts all the sudden? During your 1989 tour, you posted all the time, interacting with your fans. You even liked some of my posts on Tumblr (a Tayvin one, at that). Once your tour ended, you weren't nearly as engaging with your fans.

I don't know what to think anymore. Part of me wants to call you up (in my dreams, I have your phone number) and yell, "Dump your movie star boyfriend and start being you again!" But then I remember I want you to be happy, and if that's with Tom Hiddleston, then fine.

But still.

I want you to apologize for throwing Calvin under the bus in the press and trying to make him look bad. It wasn't cool. But you're an adult and you can take credit for whatever song you want without answering to me, I guess.

I wish you would own up and apologize for lying about approving those Kanye lyrics. It stings, because you know how it feels to be dragged through the press constantly. I never would have thought you'd let someone else go through it unjustly. But you did, and it seems like your image is more important to you than the truth sometimes. You make mistakes. Mistakes that I can't defend like I used to.

I know not all Swifties share my opinion, but as you said, "you don't get to control someone's emotional response" to watching their hero fall in front of their eyes.

'You don't get to control someone's emotional response' to watching their hero fall in front of their eyes.

I'm always going to love you, but you're not the relatable girl I used to know. We're growing apart, and that hurts.

With all that said, I still have your music. Like "Last Kiss," your song about having your last kiss with a boy you loved. It helped me through the tragic loss of the boy that I loved.

You may be changing, but you were just like me at one point. I know I can still turn to those songs you wrote when you were going through the good, the bad, and the ugly. That's the one thing that got me through this.

You were just like me at one point. I know I can still turn to those songs you wrote when you were through the good, the bad, and the ugly. That's the one thing that got me through this.

Love you Tay but get it together.

Your fan,

Ashley
At least 70 people died when a suicide bomb tore through a crowd of mourners gathered at a Pakistani hospital Monday, in an attack claimed by both the Taliban and Islamic State group.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called for security forces to "decimate" terrorists after the blast at the Civil Hospital in the Balochistan provincial capital Quetta, which also wounded more than 100 people.

Video footage showed bodies strewn on the ground among pools of blood and shattered glass as shocked survivors cried and tried to comfort one another.

The bomber struck a crowd of some 200 people that had gathered to mourn the death of a senior local lawyer who had been assassinated earlier in the day.

Many of the victims were clad in the black suits and ties traditionally worn by Pakistani lawyers.

An AFP journalist was about 20 metres (70 feet) away when the bomb went off.

"There were huge black clouds and dirt," he said. "I ran back to the place and saw dead bodies scattered everywhere and many injured people crying.

"There were pools and pools of blood around and pieces of human bodies and flesh."

Nurses and lawyers wept as medics from inside the hospital rushed out to help dozens of injured, he said.

Pervez Masi, who was injured by pieces of flying glass, said the blast was so powerful that "we didn't know what had happened".

"So many friends were martyred," he said. "Whoever is doing this is not human, he is a beast and has no humanity."

- IS, Taliban claim attack -

Bomb disposal unit chief Abdul Razzaq told AFP it was a suicide attack. "The bomber had strapped some eight kilograms (18 pounds) of explosives packed with ball bearings and shrapnel on his body," he said.

The head of the provincial health department, doctor Masood Nausherwani, gave a death toll of 70, with 112 injured.

A faction of the Pakistani Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, claimed responsibility for both the assassination of the lawyer and the blast at the hospital.

Story continues

A spokesman vowed it would carry out more attacks "until the imposition of an Islamic system in Pakistan".

Hours later, the Islamic State group also said it was behind the blast, which it claimed killed 200 people, the SITE monitoring agency reported.

Middle Eastern jihadist group IS has been scrabbling for purchase in Pakistan, largely due to competition from well established extremist groups such as the Taliban.

Sharif, who flew to Quetta just after the attack, said "all state security institutions must respond with full might to decimate these terrorists".

The bombing targeted a crowd made up mainly of lawyers and journalists who had gone to the hospital to mourn the president of the Balochistan Bar Association, who was shot dead on Monday.

Bilal Anwar Kasi was attacked by two unidentified gunmen as he left his home for work.

- 'Particularly appalling' -

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack, saying it was "particularly appalling" that it targeted mourners at a hospital.

France's President Francois Hollande denounced the "abominable act", while the European Union said there was "no justification for such acts of terrorism".

The US joined the chorus of condemnation, which the State Department said had targeted "two of the most important pillars of every democracy" -- the judiciary and the media.

Pakistan is grimly accustomed to atrocities after a nearly decade-long insurgency.

A military operation targeting insurgents was stepped up last year and saw the death toll from militant attacks fall to its lowest since the formation in 2007 of the umbrella Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

But analysts have warned the group is still able to carry out major attacks.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, part of the TTP, also said it was behind the deadliest attack in Pakistan so far this year, a bombing in a crowded Lahore park that killed 75 people on Easter Sunday.

The group has claimed responsibility for other suicide blasts, attacks on teams carrying out polio vaccinations and called for jihad in Myanmar.

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has major oil and gas resources, but is afflicted by Islamist militancy, sectarian violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims and a separatist insurgency.

Pakistani hospitals have been targeted by militants before, with a bomb killing 13 at a Karachi hospital in 2010.
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The Pakistani Taliban faction Jamaat-ur-Ahrar on Monday claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at a hospital in southwestern Pakistan that killed at least 70 people. "The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ur-Ahrar takes responsibility for this attack, and pledges to continue carrying out such attacks. We will release a video report on this soon," spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said in an email. The Islamist movement is the same that carried out the Easter Day bombing the eastern city of Lahore in March that killed 72 people, many of them children, in a crowded park. (Writing by Kay Johnson)
Islamabad (AFP) - With radio-like antennae meant to swivel and point at vehicles carrying bombs, "magic wand" explosive detectors proliferated throughout conflict zones in the 2000s until they were exposed as a global scam.

But in an astonishing security threat, more than 15,000 of a new variant of the handheld device have been made in Pakistan to guard high-value facilities such as airports and government installations, despite officials conceding they are effectively useless.

Many creators of the original devices are serving long prison sentences for fraud, including British businessman James McCormick. His ADE-651 became a mainstay of security forces in Iraq, where $85 million was spent on them, before they were officially banned last month.

"It serves a deterrence value only -- it's good for police and security personnel to have something in their hands," said a senior interior ministry official, who asked to remain anonymous.

Pressed on whether Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgents -- who have been waging an insurgency that has that claimed more than 60,000 lives in Pakistan since 2004 -- may by now be wise to the deception, he conceded: "Yes, they are savvy and they probably are aware by now."

His comments were backed by two more senior members of government, though neither was prepared to go formally on the record.

Official silence over the matter may be linked to the enormous sums of money involved in the business, observers say, while many bureaucrats fear for their jobs if they speak out.

"Powerful people make money through these scams and you cannot offend powerful people, even if it means endangering lives," said one former official at the interior ministry.

- Public security threat -

Pakistan initially imported foreign detector devices such as the ADE-651 and the German made Sniffex, according to a government source, but in 2009 Pakistan's Airport Security Force (ASF) took over making and selling the wands.

Story continues

More than 15,000 units have been sold within the country at a cost of 70,000 rupees ($700), according to an official, amounting to a total revenue of more than $10 million.

The ASF -- which declined multiple requests for comment -- is technically a civilian institution but is staffed by many serving senior officers deputed from the powerful military, which wields considerable influence over the country's defence and foreign policy.

The wands, named "Khoji" (finder), are used by security personnel to protect airports and government installations, and have also been widely sold to the private sector and deployed at malls, hotels and fast-food chains.

J Chacko, a London-based security analyst, said they were endangering lives.

"A false sense of complacency based on devices that do not work does represent a public security threat," he said.

- 'Snake oil ' -

The device claims an accuracy level of 90 percent, according to a copy of its user manual obtained by AFP, but uses the principles of radiesthesia, or dowsing, which experts consider junk science.

"Khoji is the first device of its kind that can detect explosives from distances of up to 100 metres (330 feet), even when the explosive is hidden behind walls or metal barriers such as buildings or vehicles," the manual boasts.

"It detects the interference by between the magnetic field of the earth, the explosive, the device itself and the human body, which allows the device to penetrate and locate even small amounts of explosive through concrete, soil, and metal barriers."

But Andrea Sella, a professor of chemistry at the University College London, dismissed the claims as "laughable".

"There is no physical basis for the operation of those devices," he told AFP. "It's pure snake oil, sold to desperate people who use them because something, even if useless, is better than nothing.

"There is no 'magnetic' signal that you might be able to pick up. The idea that you could do so through metal, especially steel in a car, is laughable."

His comments were backed by Pervez Hoodbhoy, a leading Pakistani physicist who trained at the US's MIT.

"It's a fraud. There's no way that explosives can be detected by electromagnetic means," he said.

Leading scientists are currently developing legitimate explosives-detectors based on sensors that "sniff" out explosive compounds such as triacetone triperoxide, but the work remains in its infancy.

A Western security consultant Afghanistan told AFP: "The only device that can currently detect such explosives is a dog."
Panama City (AFP) - Panama's image has been hurt by the sudden exit of US Nobel-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz as head of a government-appointed financial reform panel set up in the wake of the Panama Papers, one of its remaining members said Monday.

He "is doing damage at an international level to our country and its reputation," said Alberto Aleman, a former administrator of the Panama Canal who sits on the committee.

Stiglitz and Swiss anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth resigned from the seven-member panel on Friday, accusing the government of reneging on a guarantee to publicly release the body's final report and other acts that were together "tantamount to censorship."

"We were just shocked. How could you have a committee on transparency that itself was not going to be transparent?" Stiglitz told AFP.

Aleman, speaking to a news conference on Monday, said Stiglitz's comments "certainly affect the credibility" of Panama, which established the committee on April 29 to repair its tarnished image.

The Panama Papers scandal burst into the media earlier in April, based on a leak of millions of secret client documents from a Panama law firm's servers.

They detailed how wealthy foreigners used a Panama law firm to create or manage offshore entities to store assets. Some of the entities were linked to tax evasion, money laundering and organized crime.

Panama's government is fighting to avoid being put back on international black lists as a tax haven as a result. But it has thus far declined to sign up to automatic tax information exchanges urged by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

France has already slapped the country with a tax haven designation following the Panama Papers revelations.

Aleman said the remaining members of the panel -- comprising four Panamanians and a Costa Rican -- had wanted the final report, due early September, to go first to the Panamanian government for evaluation, but Stiglitz had insisted on it being made public at the same time.

Story continues

One of the Panamanians, Gisela Alvarez, a former minister, stressed that this was the first time Panama had undertaken a serious analysis of its financial system.

The departure of Stiglitz and Pieth "might close an opportunity for big changes," she said.

Panama's government, for its part, issued a statement after Stiglitz and Pieth's exit reaffirming its "firm and real commitment to transparency and international cooperation."
The Wisconsin businessman challenging House Speaker Paul Ryan for his congressional seat unleashed a litany of insults against his competition Monday, calling Ryan a soulless globalist who sold out to hedge fund managers and betrayed American workers.

Paul Nehlen, senior vice president of operations for Neptune-Benson, a water filtration company, is gunning for Ryans position as representative from Wisconsins First Congressional District in the Tuesday primary.

Nehlen spoke to Yahoo News Guest Anchor Stephanie Sy on Monday to discuss his steadfast support for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, and his disillusionment with Ryan, the highest-ranking elected official in the GOP.

Donald Trump is a leader. He is working on behalf of American workers  and hes unifying the party. You have to give the man credit, Nehlen told Sy. Hes unifying the party so that we can stop a Hillary Clinton, third-term [Obama] agenda, which by the way, Paul Ryan will rubber stamp just like he rubber stamped the two terms of Barack Obama.

Nehlens praise for Trump unifying the party is striking because Trump is having difficulty securing the endorsements of a number of high-profile Republican officials, including former presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, 2012 nominee Mitt Romney, and some sitting members of Congress.

As recently as last week, Trump pointedly refused to endorse Ryan and publicly praised Nehlen. Trump ultimately reversed himself Friday night and endorsed Ryan at a Green Bay, Wis., rally that neither Ryan nor Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker attended.

And the Republican-led Never Trump movement showed that it is still viable, with the announcement of former CIA agent Evan McMullins bid for the White House. McMullins backers explicitly framed his candidacy as a conservative alternative to Trump.

For Nehlen, however, this pushback against Trump demonstrated that Republican and Democrats are colluding to consolidate power, prepared to sell out their principles  and the American people  at a moments notice. He singled out Ryan as the leader of this UniParty and called him the most open-border, anti-worker, pro-Wall Street congressional representative from either major party.

Story continues

There are groups that call themselves Republicans and there are groups that call themselves Democrats, and they are really the UniParty, he told Sy. And Paul Ryan is the head of that UniParty. He is absolutely a soulless globalist, just like several other of these other people who have sold their soul to hedge fund managers who buy out American jobs and sell them overseas.

Echoing Trumps criticism of longtime Washington politicians, Nehlen said Ryan rubber stamps anything that comes across his desk that his campaign donors want.

Ryans campaign spokesman, Zack Roday, has previously defended the speaker from Nehlens attacks by noting his local support in the congressional district.

Paul Nehlen is challenging Paul Ryan for his seat in Congress representing Wisconsins first congressional district. (Photo: Scott Bauer/AP)

Paul Ryan has always been focused on Wisconsin, and it shows with the wide range of local support he has received, Roday told the Kenosha News on Wednesday of last week. His support comes from Wisconsinites. The same cannot be said of his opponent.

Like Trump, Nehlen has run into a bit of trouble surrounding the controversial statements he has made about Muslims on the campaign trail. He has said that every mosque in the U.S. should be monitored and that there should be a discussion about deporting Muslims who support Sharia.

What do you think should happen, for example, Sy asked, if someone says they believe in Sharia law?

I think there are tenets of Sharia law that are antithetical to the U.S. Constitution, Nehlen responded.

Sy said Sharia is a broad term that includes innocuous things such as praying or fasting. She asked if monitoring Muslims is not, in fact, antithetical to the U.S. Constitutions guarantee of religious freedom.

Now you can selectively parse it and say, Here are parts of religion that are about praying. You need to focus your attention on the parts about killing people. Thats the part we need to talk about, he replied.

Nehlen also said the U.S. needs an immigration policy that puts the nations interests first.

Its pretty simple. There should be zero illegal-alien crimes in this country because there should be zero illegal aliens in this country, he said. We are a nation of laws, and we expect safety and security. You should be able to bring your children up and take them outside and largely have no problem at all with their ability to thrive.

Despite Nehlens tough talk against Ryan, public polls suggest Ryans district sides with the incumbent. The Remington Research Group surveyed 1,157 likely 2016 primary voters last Wednesday and found that Ryan led Nehlen 80 percent to 14 percent (with 6 percent undecided).

When asked about this steep climb, Nehlen accused polling company of being totally absurd.

Weve knocked tens and tens and tens of thousands of doors here, Nehlen said. We are getting a message out and were getting responses that are completely antithetical to that poll, so we know real numbers. We know whats really happening here on the ground.

Reached for comment, a Ryan spokesman cited the speakers many endorsements from officials and conservative groups across Wisconsin, including all of the GOP state legislators and sheriffs in his congressional district, the National Rifle Association and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

The spokesman also rejected Nehlens depiction of Ryans positions on trade, border security and immigration. He said that Ryan has always been a conservative and that his voting record reflects that.

On border security, Ryan is not for open borders, period, he said in an email to Yahoo News. Ryan has voted for funding to build a border fence, hire 1,080 more border patrol agents and require the DHS to control our borders and mandate that security fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border be constructed.
Comedians Paul Scheer and June Diane Raphael are new parents yet again after welcoming their second child, a son, last week.

"We are so excited to welcome our new baby. He's available for all endorsements and sponsorships," the couple joked in a statement released to People.

The League star shared the news to Instagram on Thursday, writing, "We did it...again. Actually @junediane did pretty much all of it but I did the coffee runs. So that counts."

PHOTOS: The Most Adorable Celebrity Dads

Scheer and Raphael, star of Netflix's Grace & Frankie, tied the knot in 2009 and welcomed their first son, Gus, in May 2014.

In July, the cute couple, who co-host the popular movie podcast How Did This Get Made, were spotted on the Ghostbusters red carpet, where Raphael showed off her sizeable baby bump.

Sheer later shared a red carpet pic to Instagram, writing in the caption, "Ghostbusters was Great. Plus It was our new baby's first PG-13 movie!"

WATCH: They're Having a Baby! Hollywood's Best Celeb Pregnancy Announcements

Congrats to the happy couple!

Check out the video below for a look at a few other celebs who are expecting later this year.

Related Articles
LONDON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The average pay of bosses in Britain's FTSE 100 rose more than 10 percent in 2015 to an average of 5.5 million pounds, according to a survey that is likely to reinforce a drive by Prime Minister Theresa May to curb excessive pay.

Britain's new prime minister has denounced as irrational and unhealthy the yawning gap between the amounts paid to bosses and those paid to the average worker, vowing to better align incentives with the long-term interests of companies.

A survey by the High Pay Centre said the average FTSE 100 chief executive's pay package hit 5.48 million pounds ($7.15 million) in 2015, up from 4.96 million pounds in 2014, meaning CEOs now earn 140 times more than their employees on average.

The survey said FTSE CEO pay had now risen by 33 percent since 2010.

"There is apparently no end yet in sight to the rise and rise of FTSE 100 CEO pay packages," director Stefan Stern said.

"The High Pay Centre was delighted by Theresa May's recent intervention on this issue. There now seems to be political will and momentum behind attempts to reform top pay."

The country has seen a resurgence in investor activism in the last year, with several FTSE 100 bosses criticised at annual general meetings for taking ever larger pay deals at a time of weak economic growth.

May, who became prime minister in July, used a speech before she took office to set out her plans for the economy, arguing that it did not work for everyone in society and needed to be reformed.

Her proposals included making shareholder votes on corporate pay binding. She also said she wanted to see more transparency around bonus targets and the publication of the ratio between a CEO's pay and that of the average company worker.

According to the survey, the three highest paid bosses in the blue-chip index were WPP's Martin Sorrell, Tony Pidgeley at housebuilder Berkeley and Rakesh Kapoor at Reckitt Benckiser.

The 70 million-pound pay package awarded to Sorrell was one of the biggest payouts in British history.

Story continues

A third of investors refused to back the deal while Sorrell, one of the best known businessmen in Britain who built the advertising group from scratch, said all his wealth and interests were tied up in the future of the company.

The High Pay Centre is an independent think tank that monitors executive pay and campaigns to reduce the income gap.

($1 = 0.7669 pounds) (Reporting by Kate Holton; editing by Giles Elgood)
The idea that the person you love is betraying your trust and engaging in intimate rendezvous with someone else is emotionally devastating. It's only natural to look for patterns and warning signs to avoid being cheated on.

Now, a new report suggests that people are twice as likely to cheat at the "danger age" of 39, and are also more likely to have affairs during the last years of other decades  for example, at age 29 or 49  than at other times. The findings come from research done by the U.K.-based website IllicitEncounters.com, and were first reported by The Sun .

Do other studies of infidelity back up this claim?

There is some research to suggest that, in general, people behave differently when they approach a new decade in their age. In 2014, researchers Adam L. Alter and Hal E. Hershfield at New York University and the University of California, Los Angeles, respectively, performed six studies to investigate the behaviors of adults during their "9-ending ages" (ages 29, 39, 49, etc.), including their propensity for extramarital affairs. The researchers obtained data from an online dating site similar to Illicit Encounters, where users are already in supposedly monogamous relationships. [I Don't: 5 Myths About Marriage]

Alter and Hershfield calculated the total number of male users on the site (8,077,820) and compared that to the number of 9-ender male users (952,176). They found there were 18 percent more 9-enders registered than there would be if the site's users represented a completely random sample of ages.

Across the six studies, Alter and Hershfield also found that 9-enders reported being particularly preoccupied with aging, and were more likely to wonder whether their lives were meaningful.

This could lead to a rise in behaviors that "suggest a search for, or a crisis of meaning," such as an affair, the researchers said.

In general, infidelity is difficult to study because it's challenging for researchers to find willing participants and to gather accurate reports, and cheating itself is defined inconsistently across relationships, said Christin Munsch, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Connecticut, who was not affiliated with the Illicit Encounters research but does study infidelity.

Story continues

The Illicit Encounters' research may not be unbiased: the company is financially backing the study, methods were not vetted by outside experts, and it was not peer-reviewed.

Munsch said that the findings of the Illicit Encounters study could just suggest that people looking to have affairs might not be honest about their age in their profiles. [How Do I Love Thee? Experts Count 8 Ways]

However, in their research, Alter and Hershfield looked at how people on dating sites might approach lying about their age. They asked users to imagine they were trying to fool a potential date into believing they were as young as possible while remaining within the bounds of plausibility. Their data suggested that the most frequent responses were ages ending in 5.

While these aren't definitive findings, they suggest that a lying 30-year-old is more likely to say they're 25 than 29.

In her own research, Munsch looked at data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY97), an anonymous, nationally representative survey of people born between 1980 and 1984 that was conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor. She compared people's marital status with their responses to questions about whether they had multiple sex partners in the past year, and whether they had had sex with a stranger. Anyone who was married and answered yes to these questions was coded as unfaithful.

She found that for both men and women, being economically dependent (making less money than your spouse) was correlated to increased rates of cheating.

"The less money you make relative to your spouse, the more likely you are to cheat. We compare ourselves: you don't want to see yourself coming out on the losing end," Munsch told Live Science.

In 2012, Munsch reviewed the literature for trends surrounding infidelity. With regards to age, she found that as people get older they are more likely to cheat, and that may be because there are simply more opportunities to be unfaithful.

Munsch said that for men, being economically dependent may be worse because they may feel expected by society to be breadwinners. Cheating can be a way for men to simultaneously bolster their masculinity and get back at their breadwinner wives. [Busted! 6 Gender Myths in the Bedroom & Beyond]

According to Munsch, the recipe for avoiding an affair is pretty simple.

"From a sociological perspective, one of the biggest predictors of infidelity is opportunity. If I'm trying to lose weight, I don't keep cookies in the house. The same principle applies here. If you're looking for a 'magic bullet, don't be in the situation" where cheating could happen.

And although it's tempting try to analyze data to predict who will cheat, putting the results in perspective is important, she said.For example, her research showed that the likelihood of infidelity jumps from around 5 percent for men whose wives make equal financial contributions to 15 percent for men who are economically dependent on their wives.

"That's three times more likely. But 85 percent of men [who are dependent on their wives] aren't cheating," she said.

Ultimately, many variables factor into infidelity. Munsch said that there are certain psychological traits that are correlated to cheating, such as extreme risk-taking behavior or low morality, and that people's environment also plays a role. If a person with certain traits gets placed in a situation of high opportunity, that can be a good indicator that infidelity will take place.

But by the same token, a person with all the necessary predispositions can be put in an ideal circumstance to cheat and still not do it.

Munsch said that the "9-ending ages" theory is "certainly plausible," but that predicting any complex human behavior remains an inexact science.

Original article on Live Science.

Editor's Recommendations

Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Michael Phelps, who worked late to bag his 19th Olympic gold medal, was back at it on Monday, securing his semi-final berth in the 200m butterfly in Rio de Janeiro.

The 31-year-old superstar admitted he wasn't at his perkiest after helping the United States to a scintillating 4x100m freestyle relay win shortly before midnight on Sunday.

"I probably got to sleep at 3:00 am and was on an 11:00 am bus, so quick turnarounds," Phelps said. "But the good thing is we have a long time between the prelims and finals, so we are able to rest. Hopefully I'll get home and get a quick nap in and be ready for tonight."

Phelps, who set the 200m fly world record in 2009 but surrendered the Olympic crown to Chad le Clos in 2012, clocked 1min 55.73 -- fifth-fastest time of the heats which were led by Tamas Kenderesi in 1:54.73. Kenderesi's fellow Hungarian Laszlo Cseh was second-fastest in 1:55.14, with le Clos third-quickest in 1:55.57.

Katie Ledecky and Sarah Sjostrom also had a quick turnaround as they tackled the 200m freestyle heats after world record-setting wins on Sunday night.

"It was pretty hard coming off of last night," said Ledecky, who was accepting her 400m freestyle gold as the clock struck midnight.

"Just got a couple hours of sleep, but I think that was probably going to be my hardest swim of the week so I'm glad it's over with."

As usual, Ledecky didn't make it look hard, winning her heat in 1:55.01 to lead the way into the semi-finals ahead of Australia's Emma McKeon (1:55.80) and Sjostrom -- who became the first Swedish woman to win an Olympic swimming gold when she lowered her own world record in the 100m butterfly on Sunday.

- Edgy over Efimova -

World record-holder Federica Pellegrini of Italy, the two-time 200m free world champion, produced the fifth-fastest time of the morning of 1:56.37, ahead of China's Shen Duo.

"I'm going step by step towards the final," Pellegrini said, "but I think it's going to be the fastest 200m in history. We have never seen heats as quick as this."

Story continues

Hungary's Katinka Hosszu, with a world record and gold medal under her belt in the 400m individual medley, opened her bid for a medley double with an Olympic record of 2:07.45 in the 200m IM heats.

Hosszu's "Iron Lady" reputation will be tested Monday night as she swims the medley semi-finals slightly more than an hour after going for gold in the 100m backstroke final -- in which Australia's world champion Emily Seebohm will be out to improve on the silver she claimed in London.

Other finals on Monday include what promises to be a men's 200m freestyle thriller, with world record-holder Paul Biedermann of Germany, world champion James Guy of Britain and China's Sun Yang among the contenders.

There's an extra edge to the women's 100m breaststroke final as American Lilly King, a first-time Olympian who topped the semi-final times, and defending champion Ruta Meilutyte take on Russian Yulia Efimova -- who was cleared to compete in Rio after a convoluted doping case.

Efimova was banned, reinstated, banned and reinstated again this year as governing body FINA and Olympic officials wrestled first with her positive test for recently banned meldonium -- which came after an earlier suspension -- and then with the fallout of revelations of state-sponsored doping in Russia.

She was showered with boos in the heats and semi-finals, and King admitted taking her on added spice to the final.

"I'm up for the challenge," King said.
By Faith Hung and Neil Jerome Morales MANILA/TAIPEI (Reuters) - A Philippine bank used by cyber criminals to channel $81 million stolen from the Bangladesh central bank won support from a top shareholder on Monday after being penalised by its regulator. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC) was fined a record one billion pesos ($21 million) by the Philippine central bank on Friday after hackers who tried to steal nearly $1 billion from Bangladesh Bank's account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in February succeeded in transferring $81 million to four accounts at RCBC in Manila. Only about $18 million of the missing money has been recovered. RCBC, which said the penalty would not affect its operations, won strong backing from Cathay Life Insurance Co Ltd, a unit of Taiwan's Cathay Financial Holding Co Ltd. Cathay Life is RCBC's biggest shareholder after majority owner Yuchengco Group. "What's happening to RCBC is unfortunate," Cathay Financial spokesman Daniel Teng told Reuters. "We will do our best to support RCBC's management team to meet requests from the BSP (central bank) or even beyond its expectations." The World Bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC), which owned around 8 percent of RCBC as of April, said it was aware of the sanctions imposed by the central bank of the Philippines and remained "fully committed to cooperating with authorities". IFC declined to comment on whether it would reconsider its stake in the bank. In April, Cathay Life and the Yuchengco family's holding group, Pan Malayan Management and Investment Corp, announced that they had raised their holding in RCBC even as its shares fell amid an investigation over the heist. Bangladesh Bank has held RCBC responsible for letting the stolen money leave its systems despite red flags, but the Manila bank has said the money transfers were done based on authenticated transfer instructions over international payments network SWIFT. Authorities in the Philippines are still working on the case, though most of the money that was laundered through Manila casinos remains missing. ($1 = 46.9380 Philippine pesos) (Reporting by Faith Hung and Neil Jerome Morales; Writing by Krishna N. Das; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell and Adrian Croft)
Lawmakers in the United Kingdom and Mexico have already debated banning Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump from entering their countries. Now add the Philippines to the list of countries where elected officials are trying to block the real estate mogul from visiting.

Congressman Joey Salceda filed the bill in Manilas House of Representatives on Monday in response to Trumps comments at a campaign rally in Portland, Maine last week, when the candidate used the Philippines as an example of terrorist nations, countries from where immigrants could come to the United States to attack civilians.

Theres no way of vetting them, you have no idea who they are. This could be the great Trojan horse of all time, Trump said. An immigrant from Afghanistan who later applied for and received U.S. citizenship [and] an illegal permanent resident from the Philippines were convicted [of] plotting to join Al Qaeda and the Taliban in order to kill as many Americans as possible.

Congressman Joey Salceda said Trump has no feasible basis or reasonable justification to the wholesale labeling of Filipinos as coming from a terrorist state or that they will be a Trojan horse.

There are close to 4 million Americans of Filipino descent living in the United States, making it the second largest Asian-American community in the country after Chinese.

Salceda said that Trumps stature as the official Republican candidate make his remarks even more offensive, thus aggravating the shame of Filipino immigrants.

This comes from a long line of pronouncements where he has demonstrated an unrepentantly negative, dysfunctionally nativist, aggressively adversarial attitude towards immigrants in the U.S.A, he said.
Philippine activists and a historical body on Monday criticised President Rodrigo Duterte's plan to give late dictator Ferdinand Marcos a hero's burial, saying the ex-leader lied about his military record.

Duterte said Sunday he would fulfil his campaign promise to bury Marcos at the national "Heroes' Cemetery", a contentious issue because of widespread corruption and rights abuses under the late dictator.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines released a study over the weekend questioning Duterte's stand that Marcos was qualified for a hero's burial because he was a soldier during World War II.

"Marcos lied about receiving US medals... (his) military record is fraught with myths, factual inconsistencies," the agency said.

"A doubtful record does not serve as sound, unassailable basis of historical recognition of any sort, let alone burial in a site intended, as its name suggests, for heroes."

Marcos was toppled in a military-backed popular revolt in 1986 and died in exile in Hawaii in 1989.

But his family has insisted on a hero's burial even though previous presidents refused this. In the meantime, they have kept his preserved body on display in their home town in the northern province of Ilocos Norte.

Marcos was elected president in 1965 and declared martial law in 1972, allowing him to rule as a dictator while he, his family and allies enriched themselves through massive corruption as his troops suppressed dissent.

Anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International in 2004 named Marcos the second most corrupt leader of all time.

Despite his proclaimed stance against corruption, Duterte has heaped praise on Marcos as the Philippines' "best president". He maintains close ties with the Marcos family, who supported his presidential campaign.

Duterte boasts that his father served in the Marcos administration and that he voted for Marcos.

Duterte's defence secretary ordered the military on Sunday to start preparing for the burial.

Story continues

But activists urged the president to reconsider.

"We call on President Duterte not to give a platform for the Marcoses to whitewash the crimes they committed. This man does not deserve any form of honour," said Tinay Palabay, secretary general of rights group Karapatan.

Former lawmaker Satur Ocampo, tortured and imprisoned during martial law, said a hero's burial for Marcos would not bring national closure as Duterte promised.

"Disunity will continue ... Duterte should not aggravate the injustice done to martial law victims."

Marcos' son and political heir, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, thanked Duterte for granting the family's longstanding wish.

"Our campaign has always been towards achieving unity to move the country forward. And it is this kind of pronouncement that we hope could end the decades of divisiveness," Marcos Jnr said on his Facebook page.
Global Vision Holdings Inc. Sees an Increase in Acquiring Profitable and Environmentally Responsible Companies, for the Years to Come, with Prasangi Munindradasa as the Companys New Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions

IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 8, 2016 / Global Vision Holdings Inc. (GVHIB) announced today that Prasangi Munindradasa, former Consultant of IT Consulting Division at Apple Inc., joined the company as its new Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions.

Munindradasa holds a degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in International Business, Marketing Management, and Technology Operations Management where she focused largely on financial analysis, market research, and operational development. Furthermore, she completed her Six Sigma Green Belt and Lean Six Sigma Certificate at Villanova University. Munindradasa worked extensively at Gexpro, part of Rexel a leading electrical distributor. During her time with Gexpro, Munindradasa was instrumental in securing contractual bids such as the $238 million LAX Terminal 6 renovation/modernization project and $560 million Children's Hospital of Orange County Tower construction. In addition, she identified and implemented opportunities to improve logistical processes for the company. Moreover, Munindradasa's involvement at Apple Inc. as an IT Consultant supported the corporation's research and development for technological advancement. In addition, she aided in the training and growth of the IT Consulting Division's support team for businesses that utilize Apple products.

As the Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions of the parent company, Munindradasa looks forward to assess lucrative companies for strategic acquisitions and manage each business venture. In addition, Munindradasa will oversee Global Vision Holdings Inc.'s subsidiary companies Mamma's Best, Grocers Direct, and The Place Media. Global Vision Holdings Inc. is confident that Munindradasa's experience will yield more profitable acquisitions and investments for the foreseeable future.

Places Magazine has reached new heights by focusing heavily on mobile and media aspects of the industrythe only travel magazine to have released a smartphone app for the Apple Store that correlates with our print publication. Places Magazine continues to be the largest travel magazine being distributed in-room hotels within Southern California; on a monthly basis, it reaches roughly 1.5 million readers. Munindradasa's experience in IT consulting will keep the magazine at the forefront of the industries technological advancements.

Mamma's Best is recognized nationwide for producing high quality organic sauces, marinades, soups, and spreads for industry's leading health stores -- such as Sprouts, Whole Foods, and Mother's markets. Chief Executive Officer Glen Carnes states, "her background in marketing and operations will further the success of Mama's Best in the industry."

Global Vision Holdings Inc. trusts that Munindradasa's extensive professional and academic background will increase the company's competitive edge. Her vision is aligned with Global Vision Holdings Inc.'s central goals of expanding and diversifying profits. Chairman and CEO Carnes states, "Coupled with her experience and knowledge in Six Sigma, I am confident that she will assist in increasing shareholder value by identifying profitable companies to partner with or acquire." Continue to look forward to upcoming announcements of business ventures that are underway.

About Global Vision Holdings Inc.

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Global Vision Holdings Inc. is a diversified financial investment company that evaluates acquisition and investment opportunities. The company has a focus on businesses that are profitable, growing, and environmentally responsible. Global Vision Holdings Inc. uses a superior team of financial research experts and in-house environmentally responsible analysis to make recommendations for strategic acquisitions. For more information, please visit our website at www.globalvisionholdings.net.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially. These risks include: changes in business or other market conditions; the challenge of managing asset/liability levels; the difficulty of keeping expense growth at modest levels while increasing revenues; unforeseen challenges with respect to product development and the timing thereof; integration efforts relating to our acquisition activities; uncertainties regarding financing efforts which may be undertaken by the Company; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including but not limited to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent year ended. Pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements contained within this news release.

Contact Information:

Glen Carnes

Chairman and CEO

Global Vision Holdings, Inc.

714-348-0605

glen.carnes@globalvisionholdings.net

SOURCE: Global Vision Holdings Inc.
From Harper's BAZAAR

First Lady Michelle Obama is great at a lot of things-being active, female empowerment, carpool karaoke and, apparently, hosting killer birthday parties. In honor of her husband Barack Obama's 55th birthday yesterday, FLOTUS is throwing the president a celebration at the White House tonight with a star-studded guest list.

Expected attendees include: Beyonce, Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar, Jason Wu, Usher, Sarah Jessica Parker, Stevie Wonder, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Magic Johnson and Alonzo Mourning.

The roster, though impressive, comes as no surprise. Beyonce and Jay Z are known to be friends with the Obamas and have several White House visits under their belt, including this year's Easter Egg Roll with their daughter Blue Ivy and performances at both of President Obama's inaugurations. Lamar is the President's favorite rapper; Wu designed both of FLOTUS' inauguration gowns; and Wonder, Hudson and Usher have performed at various POTUS-hosted events too.

Hillary Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi and Attorney General Loretta Lynch will reportedly be in attendance, as well. The party's full guest list and performances will be kept top-secret, and the fete itself will be private-meaning social media will be banned at the event.

After being treated to her own memorable 50th birthday two years ago-featuring a performance by Beyonce and a serenade from John Legend-Michelle is now taking her turn at planning. Here's hoping for more moments like these tonight:

Photo credit: Getty

Photo credit: Getty

Photo credit: Getty

Photo credit: Getty

Photo credit: Getty

[h/t Page Six]
Grease: Live producer Marc Platt has set a first-look deal with 20th Century Fox TV.

The deal calls for the veteran film and stage producer to develop live-action events and scripted projects for the studio. Platt is coming off the success of Grease: Live, the live musical that aired on Fox in January.

Marc Platt is a powerhouse producer with an unparalleled track record of identifying and overseeing spectacular artists and marrying them with incredibly commercial ideas and properties, said Fox Television Group chairmen-CEOs Dana Walden and Gary Newman.  Grease: Live brought together some of the most inspired people from the worlds of theater, live events and television production, and Marc was quite literally the guiding hand of the show.

Platts long list of credits includes the Broadway smash Wicked  which is being adapted as a film at long last for 2019 release  and Bridge of Spies, an Oscar nominee this year. His other film credits include Silence of the Lambs, Into the Woods, Legally Blonde, Drive, As Good as it Gets and Philadelphia.

I loved the Grease: Live experience with the Fox team and Im looking forward to continue working with Dana and Gary and everyone on future projects, Platt said.

Related stories

'Grease Live' Director Thomas Kail Sets Pod Deal at 20th Century Fox TV

'Fresh Off the Boat' Showrunner Nahnatchka Khan Sets Pod Deal at 20th Century Fox TV

20th Century Fox TV Names Brandon Brito, Cheryl Dolins New Drama, Comedy Heads
By Nate Raymond

NEW YORK, Aug 8 (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors on Monday sought to brand a former Wall Street investment banker as a liar after he took the stand in his own defense to deny engaging in a years-long insider trading scheme with his father.

In her closing argument, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah McCallum urged a federal jury in Manhattan to reject a "web of lies" conveyed during testimony by Sean Stewart, an ex-banker at Perella Weinberg Partners and JPMorgan Chase & Co.

While Stewart, 35, had testified that he never intended to help his father profit through insider trading, McCallum said evidence, ranging from emails to trading records, and the testimony of a cooperating witness showed his testimony was "ridiculous."

"This is no place for stories," she said. "It is a place for evidence."

Martin Cohen, Stewart's lawyer, sought to show his client's story was supported by evidence.

While Stewart may have in violation of his employers' policies by speaking with his family about confidential matters at his work, Cohen said, he never did so intending to help his father, Robert Stewart, to illegally trade on the information.

Cohen said that Robert Stewart, who was struggling financially, betrayed his son to profit on shares of companies mentioned in conversation and that Sean Stewart expected him to treat the information as confidential.

"Sean Stewart is absolutely innocent," Cohen said. "He never tipped his father."

The trial is the first insider trading case for prosecutors under Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara to reach a jury since a U.S. appeals court curtailed their ability to pursue such charges.

Bharara, who attended parts of Monday's proceedings, has overseen prosecutions of 107 people for insider trading since 2009. But a 2014 appellate ruling narrowed the scope of insider trading laws, resulting in charges being dropped or dismissed against 14 people.

Stewart was charged in May 2015 and accused of providing his father information about five mergers that JPMorgan and Perella were advising from 2011 to 2014 so the elder Stewart could trade before news of the deals was announced.

Story continues

Prosecutors said Robert Stewart, 61, in several instances had two work associates, including Richard Cunniffe, 62, conduct trades for him in exchange for a cut of the profits. The trading resulted in $1.4 million in illicit gains, McCallum said.

Both Robert Stewart and Cunniffe, who testified at trial and who secretly recorded the elder Stewart discussing the scheme, have pleaded guilty.

The case is U.S. v. Stewart, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 15-cr-00287.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; Editing by Dan Grebler)
Istanbul (AFP) - Sometimes even good friends can have a bad falling out.

Ankara's downing of a Russian war plane over the Syrian border last November prompted rapid retaliation from Moscow and a bitter war of words between presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan from which there appeared no going back.

But just half a year on Russia has accepted Ankara's expressions of regret over the incident and Erdogan will meet Putin in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday for their first summit since the crisis erupted, in the hope of reviving the relationship.

Ankara was also gladdened by Moscow's response to the July 15 failed coup in Turkey. Putin was one of the first foreign leaders to phone Erdogan offering support and, unsurprisingly, sharing none of the scruples of EU leaders about the ensuing crackdown.

"The Russian response stood in stark contrast to those of Turkey's Western allies," said Jeffrey Mankoff of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Relations between Turkey and Russia -- two powers vying for influence in the strategic Black Sea region and Middle East -- have never been straightforward and their predecessor Ottoman and Russian empires fought three centuries of war.

Yet before the plane crisis, Moscow and Ankara managed to prevent disputes on Syria and Ukraine harming strategic cooperation on issues like the TurkStream gas pipeline to Europe and a Russian-built nuclear power station in Turkey.

The alliance was built on a macho friendship between Putin and Erdogan, two combative leaders in their early 60s credited with restoring confidence to their nations in the wake of financial crises but also criticised for clamping down on human rights.

With Erdogan making it bluntly clear he feels let down by the United States and the European Union after the coup, there is the prospect of a new era in Turkey-Russia ties.

"While Turkish-Russian ties are subject to their own uncertainties, this deterioration of relations with Western powers could accelerate a Turkish-Russian rapprochement," said analysts from the European Council on Foreign Relations.

Story continues

- 'Restore relations' -

Turkey will want to reverse the damage sustained by sanctions imposed by Russia which took a heavy toll on agriculture and construction with trade falling 43 percent to $6.1 billion in January-May this year.

Turkey's tourism industry was worst hit, with Russian arrivals down 93 percent in June compared to the same period in 2015.

Meanwhile the TurkStream pipeline, that was to have pumped 31.5 billion cubic metres of gas a year, and the Akkuyu nuclear power station should now be back on the agenda.

Intriguingly, Turkish officials have said the pilots of the Turkish planes that shot down the Russian jet on November 24 have been detained over the failed coup, raising the prospect that Ankara could link the downing to the same conspiracy.

In a sign of goodwill ahead of the visit, Turkey's communications authorities unblocked access to the websites of the Russian state-controlled news provider Sputnik which had been restricted since April.

Separately, Turkish media quoted Erdogan as telling Russian state news agency TASS he hoped the trip would open a "new page" in ties.

- 'Pragmatic not personal' -

But after such a bitter dispute -- which led Putin to declare that Erdogan had left modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk "turning in his grave" -- it will take a lot for the two post imperial strongmen to get back to business as usual.

Some analysts contend that Moscow has the upper hand in the relationship with energy-poor Turkey, which still imports over half its natural gas needs from Russia.

Russia, which is the strongest ally of Erdogan's foe President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, transformed the balance of the Syrian civil war last September when it intervened militarily to Turkey's consternation.

When the jet crisis reached it peak, Moscow also brandished its support for a Syrian Kurdish militia which Ankara accuses of being a terror group, sparking fears Russia could even arm Kurdish militants fighting Turkey.

"The only person that Erdogan fears is Vladimir Putin," argued Steven Cook of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Mankoff said the tension between Turkey and the West creates for Moscow a "prime opportunity to pull Ankara closer".

It may be that ties improve steadily but without the fireworks seen when the relationship was at its peak in late 2014 when Putin suddenly announced the TurkStream project as one of the first visitors to Erdogan's new presidential palace.

"What we are going to see is a longer-lasting but more pragmatic type of relationship built not on a personal friendship or ideology but on common material interests," said Alexander Baunov, a senior associate at the Carnegie Moscow Center.
The British returned Hong Kong to China in 1997 under a one country, two systems formula, designed to retain the citys freedoms and way of life within an authoritarian state  crucial to its status as a global hub of finance, trade and services.

In recent years, however, many Hong Kong citizens have grown to believe that Beijing has not kept its promise of a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong and is aggressively interfering in local affairs. They cite, among other instances: attempts to impose mainland security laws and national education, which Hong Kong parents and teachers regard as Chinese Communist Party propaganda; restricting the citys head of government, known as the Chief Executive (CE), to only candidates vetted by Beijing and chosen by a small electoral college; the prosecution of Hong Kong booksellers of anti-China books  one of whom was likely renditioned from Hong Kong, thereby violating its constitution, the Basic Law; the new pledge of loyalty to Chinese sovereignty for the Sept. 4 elections for the legislature, which caused six candidates to be barred and sparked criticism of political censorship. The upshot: a fragmented society with frequent protests against Beijing, and an ever-widening gap of trust between Hong Kong and the mainland. Even a nascent independence movement has sprung up.

Many in Hong Kong say that the best person to heal the rift is Tsang Yok-sing, 69, outgoing president of the legislature. Though Tsang, a self-professed leftist, is a founder of the pro-Beijing political party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, he is acceptable to a broad spectrum of democracy activists as a moderate politician who understands different points of view. On July 29 Tsang announced that he is willing to run as the next CE, to be selected in March 2017. (The current CE, Leung Chun-ying, can stand again but is deeply unpopular and seen by many citizens as overly subservient to Beijing.)

Story continues

TIMEs Zoher Abdoolcarim, Liam Fitzpatrick and Nash Jenkins talked with Tsang on Aug. 3 about Hong Kongs difficult relationship with Beijing, what he would do about it, and how he sees himself. Excerpts:

Is the election loyalty pledge part of a pattern of interference by Beijing to the point that one country, two systems is dead or dying? Is Beijing losing Hong Kong? Is Beijing killing Hong Kong?

Hong Kong and Beijing relations are caught in a vicious cycle. You refer to a number of incidents that happened after the handover. The net effect, or the combined result, of all these incidents, [is that they have] all worked to deepen the mutual mistrust, suspicion, between Hong Kong people and the central government. You ask: Is Beijing losing Hong Kong? Perhaps the Chinese leadership is asking the same question: Are we losing Hong Kong? Hong Kong people should know that they have the obligation to make their own law [for] national security; its their constitutional obligation. Whats wrong with national education? The younger generation in Hong Kong should learn more about their own country. Hong Kong schools should build a stronger sense of national identity among the younger generation. And then this constitutional-reform package  the Chinese leaders would think right from the first day: We told Hong Kong people, yes, the ultimate goal is universal suffrage for picking the Chief Executive after nomination by a nomination committee. The nomination committee has always been there in the Basic Law. So it is not the Beijing leaders who are breaking the promises. Its the Hong Kong people.

But isnt there a material difference between enacting national-security legislation on behalf of a sovereign power that is a democracy, and enacting national-security legislation on behalf of a sovereign power that is a one-party state?

The Chinese leadership knew that Hong Kong people would be very sensitive about bringing the national [security] law to Hong Kong. That is why Beijing said, you should legislate your own, make a law that is acceptable to the Hong Kong public. But then Hong Kong people said, No, we are not going to do it. This is one of the contradictions in one country, two systems  the two systems are different. The core values. We know that. But you have your obligations  you cant break away from China. Looking back over the past 19 years, there are fundamental conflicts in this whole idea of one country, two systems that we can only resolve by building up goodwill, understanding and a willingness to compromise. Unfortunately, things have happened that have pulled the two sides apart. [Hong Kong people have become] even more open, more and more liberal, even democratic. On the other hand, the Chinese government believed that after Hong Kongs return to China, Hong Kong people would become more and more patriotic. It hasnt turned out to be the case. This is our problem.

The spread of the independence movement  who is responsible? Beijing? The Hong Kong government? The current Chief Executive? How did we come to this?

We are witnessing a new political era in Hong Kong. Up to the very recent past, the Hong Kong political arena was dominated by people of my generation. All of us went through all the different stages running up to the handover and after the handover. We sat in on British talks. We took part in the Basic Law drafting and consultation exercise. We put forth our own ideas. Despite what happened [at Tiananmen] on June 4, 1989, despite the misgivings many people had then about the sincerity of the Chinese Communist Party in allowing Hong Kong to keep our own system, the transition went more smoothly than most people expected. The Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong was set up and all of us, even though we have different views about the Basic Law and about the final goal of universal suffrage in Hong Kong, we believe that upholding this one country two systems was the best way for Hong Kong.

Our generation understood that the British gave Hong Kong people a very high degree of freedom  we had a lot of freedom, but very little democracy. We were not electing our own government then. But it was a colonial government. So what would you expect other than a governor sent over from London? The younger generation, they have grown up in a place belonging to themselves. And they have been promised democracy, and promises about making Hong Kong a better place to live in. Giving the younger generation a brighter future. Improving peoples livelihood, and so on. They expect the government and the various political parties to deliver what they promise. And they have good reasons not to be satisfied with what they are getting. The Hong Kong public wants more freedom, more assurance of one country, two systems. [But] the Chinese go, You give Hong Kong people a free hand, whats going to happen? We dont know; things will go out of control. So they try to do something to prevent Hong Kong getting out of control. And then their so-called interference is felt even stronger by Hong Kong people.

Is one party guiltier than another?

Both sides underestimated the difficulties. But if we want to ask which side is more responsible, then it is always the government side  the central government  because they have the power. It is the central government that formulates and modifies policies and implements those policies. In the first few years, [then Chinese leader] Jiang Zemin said on many occasions that the central government would never interfere in Hong Kong affairs. He said on many occasions that the central government had a lot of confidence in Hong Kong people looking after their own affairs. And then came this [national-security] legislation and a big [protest] march [on July 1, 2003]. That was the first turning point. That was a wake-up call to the central government: we cant keep our hands off, we have to monitor the situation in Hong Kong closely and do whatever we should do when it is necessary. There was a very obvious change in the way the central government looked at Hong Kong.

What about those advocating self-determination?

We should draw a line between that and independence. Many Hong Kong people would understand that  self-determination  as giving more say to Hong Kong as to how one country, two systems can move forward. Chinas sovereignty over Hong Kong is not negotiable. If we accept the fact that Hong Kong must remain an inseparable part of China, then we can ask for more participation by Hong Kong people in this debate about our future.

If you were Chief Executive or had a senior role to play in the next administration, what would you do differently?

My view is very simple: political problems should be settled in a political way. We need political maneuvers, political operations, political skills. The Chief Executive and senior government officials should try to rebuild a constructive, working relationship with the various political parties, especially with the opposition parties.

The word that comes up about you  from people from both sides of the political aisle and people outside of politics  is fair.

You must be talking to English-speaking people. When I go in the streets, yes, I get very friendly approaches. At the same time, from time to time, someone will walk up to me and say, Look, Tsang, you have messed up. Ive gotten very severe criticism from those who are supposed to be in my camp, the pro-Establishment camp, saying: Dont be so weak, you are too weak [against] the democrats. We cannot allow ourselves to be so polarized, to be in two mutually exclusive camps.

Are you the person to bridge that gap between the camps, and to bridge the gap between Hong Kong and Beijing?

The gap cannot be bridged by one person. We all should change our mind-set. We must stop regarding one another as our enemies. If the central government and the Hong Kong government continue to believe that the only way for us to succeed in maintaining the prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, is to crush the democrats, is to destroy them, or if the democrats  or at least most of them  continue to believe that their archenemy in fighting for democracy in Hong Kong is the central government or the CCP, that they must fight against the central government, fight against the CCP  then we have no hope of making one country, two systems succeed.

So we need a healing figure.

Yes. The candidates in the next Chief Executive election must answer this question: How do you look at this divided society, polarized society  and how are you going to change that? If it is [just] the current Chief Executive [C.Y. Leung] running for a second term, we can hardly expect a comprehensive, in-depth debate. It would be very unfair to say that he has never had the interest of Hong Kong people at heart. [But] if C.Y. were going to rule Hong Kong for another term, he wouldnt change the ways he has acted, especially his relations with the various political groups.

Are you optimistic about Hong Kongs future?

In these 19 years since the handover, things have not gone in the way that many of us hoped they would. [But] I would say optimistic in the sense that I still believe both the central government and most Hong Kong people still want to make one country, two systems successful. Up till now I dont see any indication at all that the central government is prepared to abandon this and say its not working, that were going to change the system in Hong Kong. [Otherwise], Hong Kong would simply become another Chinese city like Guangzhou and Shanghai.

A lot of people feel theres already direct rule by Beijing in Hong Kong.

Thats unfair. Despite the surge in young followers of independence, most Hong Kong people understand that going independent, that getting away from China, is no way out for us. So we do have common ground  Hong Kong people and the central government. However, perhaps Beijing and Hong Kong people have rather different ideas about what a successful two systems arrangement should look like. I have friends from Beijing  Chinese officials  to them, keeping the Hong Kong system simply means [that] the stock exchange goes on working, people go to dinner parties, to the balls, and the horses keep racing  the Hong Kong style of life. But one very important part of our system is what you call the core values  If you try to take away the core values, change these values, then the system no longer exists. We have to make the central government officials understand this.

When you say you talk to your friends on the mainland  do they get it?

I believe they understand what Im talking about, but whether they agree or not  Im not sure. When we talk about the core values  [its] Hong Kong people living here in safety and comfort, never having to fear that anything would happen to them which would not happen in the system they believe in. For example, the government putting itself above the law. Or people being persecuted without committing any illegal act. All the freedoms we have enjoyed. Rule of law, including the independent judiciary. And respect for the individual  any lawful citizen can lead a decent life.

Do you consider yourself first a Hong Kong person? A Chinese person? An international person?

Im Chinese first of all. Cant get away from it. But I admit, when Im traveling in other parts of the world, when people ask me my nationality, I will always say Chinese, but I will always complement that with from Hong Kong. And people will say, Hong Kong Chinese very good, Taiwanese Chinese very good, mainland Chinese no good. It is a sad fact for us. But that is the perception. How can you blame Hong Kong people, especially the young generation, for trying to distance themselves from mainland Chinese when this is the case?
Has the Republican Party engaged in a coordinated attack on democracy, by restricting voting rules, opening the campaign-money spigot, blocking progressive local laws and consumer protections, engaging in partisan gerrymandering, and stacking the courts with judges to give their repressive program a green light?

Thats the provocative thesis of Zachary Roths engaging and very readable book, The Great Suppression: Voting Rights, Corporate Cash, and the Conservative Assault on Democracy. But Roths argument is overwrought, painting the picture of a vast right-wing conspiracy with too broad of a brush, and failing to distinguish between normal political competition and political chicanery.

Dont get me wrong. Theres been plenty of chicanery around the issue of voter fraud by the charlatan members of the fraudulent-fraud squad, who have ginned up false reports of voter fraud to claim Democrats are stealing elections. As Roth demonstrates, Donald Trumps ranting about people voting 10 times echoes earlier Republican statements, such as then-Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCains statement during the 2008 campaign that the voter registration group ACORN is now on the verge of maybe perpetrating one of the greatest frauds in voter history in this country, maybe destroying the fabric of democracy.

And it goes even deeper. Roth notes what Ive termed the new conservative assault on early voting which is based on an ideological view among some conservatives that voting should be harder, not easier, in order to weed out people who are not educated or invested enough to deserve to cast a ballot.

Recommended: 15 Years After 9/11, Is America Any Safer?

But this recognition of an ideological disagreement shows that much of what Roth describes in the book as part of a coordinated attack on democracy is not quite so nefarious. If conservatives genuinely believe their arguments then it is less a conspiracy than it is a disagreement about what is best for the United States and how to best protect the rights in the Constitution.

Story continues

This point is most evident in Roths discussion of campaign finance. Roth tells the story of the fight over campaign-finance rules, emphasizing the challenge to post-Watergate rules passed by Congress that culminated in the Supreme Courts 1976 decision in Buckley v. Valeo. In Rosss reading, it was just Republicans who were fighting for the right to spend unlimited money in politics. Totally absent from his version of the story is the left-leaning American Civil Liberties Union, which was a leader in arguing against these laws out of fears that limiting campaign money would lead to government censorship.

Roth tells the story as though only Republicans draw district lines for self-interest and it is never Democrats.

The ACLUs role was pivotal, but it doesnt fit into Roths narrative that this is all about Republicans trying to assault democracy. It is only in recent years that campaign finance has become a partisan issue. Remember where John McCain, author of the McCain-Feingold bill, used to be on this issue?

And even when the issue is naked political partisanship leading to gerrymandering legislative districts, Roth tells the story as though only Republicans draw district lines for self-interest and it is never Democrats. In fact, when it comes to drawing districts for partisan advantage, both parties do it. This is not false equivalency; it is a fact.

Recommended: Why Would Hillary Clinton Want an Endorsement From Henry Kissinger?

Why have many Democratic leaders gotten on message to fight partisan gerrymandering? It is not necessarily because that is what they believe is best, but because Republicans control more state legislatures and can engage in more gerrymandering, entrenching themselves and producing Republican control of both state houses and the U.S. House of Representatives. If the tables were turned, I expect wed see the opposite positions taken by the parties. Its why Republicans supported the use of nonpartisan redistricting commissions in California (where Democrats controlled the process) but not in Texas (where Republicans still do) or Arizona (where Republicans used to control the process).

Of course, many Republicans fight for less environmental protection, no federal minimum wage, a lifetime ban on felons voting, and courts with Republican-appointed judges who uphold their legislative agendas and constitutional vision. That doesnt mean they are rigging democracy any more than Democrats are rigging things when they fight for more environmental protection, higher minimum wages, reinstatement of felon voting rights after they complete their sentences, and courts with Democratic-appointed judges who uphold their legislative agendas and constitutional vision.

Its a mistake to read all Republican efforts to enact their vision into law as assaults on democracy. Some may be, like the ridiculous efforts to make it harder to register and to vote. But legitimate disagreement on policy and ideology does not a conspiracy make.

Recommended: The Narcissist

Democrats can and should fight the Republicans over their ideas, and call them out when they seek to limit access to the ballot. Roths book tells compelling stories about disturbing conservative agendas that every progressive should know, and that not only will make those on the left mad but hopefully mobilized into political action.

But labeling every Republican belief and ideological position an assault on democracy will cause further deterioration in Americans faith in the democratic process.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
By Aaron Ross KINSHASA (Reuters) - In 1991, then Congolese President Mobutu Sese Seko made his long-time nemesis Etienne Tshisekedi prime minister, hoping to neutralise opposition to a dictatorship beset by economic and political crises. But Tshisekedi's irascibility meant he couldn't resist taking a swipe at his foe: at his swearing-in ceremony, he omitted a reference to Mobutu as "guarantor of the nation" from the oath of office, and was fired five days later. Twenty-five years on and the 83-year-old is the mainstay of Democratic Republic of Congo's opposition, and once again a thorn in the side of power, following a triumphant return to Kinshasa late last month. After two years spent abroad for unspecified medical treatment, Tshisekedi instantly reinvigorated a moribund opposition campaign demanding President Joseph Kabila step down when his mandate expires in December. Anti-Kabila demonstrations in Kinshasa over the last two years had failed to mobilise more than a few thousand people, yet many tens of thousands lined the streets for Tshisekedi's homecoming and again for a speech last Sunday. "That's Tshisekedi's trademark," said Albert Moleka, his chief of staff from 2011 to 2014. "He has always held the crowds in his thrall." His return already appears to have had an effect on the balance of power; perhaps mindful of his popularity, the government has desisted from cracking down on demonstrations by force - both of the mass gatherings he attended last week passed off peacefully without any intervention from security forces. By contrast, rallies organised by less prominent opposition leaders over the past two years have regularly been dispersed by police firing teargas and arresting activists. The government said security forces intervened because the demonstrations were a threat to public order and constituted an incitement to revolt. Opposition politicians say they were a peaceful form of democratic protest. RISK OF CONFLICT In power since his father was assassinated in 2001, Kabila beat Tshisekedi in a 2011 election that international observers said was marred by fraud - a charge denied by the government. Term limits bar Kabila from contesting polls that are scheduled for Nov. 27 but are now almost certain to be delayed. The government says logistical and budgetary constraints make it unrealistic to hold the election on time; Kabila's opponents accuse him of delaying to cling to power. If the opposition agrees to the president's call for a "national dialogue" on a new timetable for elections, the reappearance of Tshisekedi and the popular support he commands could increase the pressure on Kabila to make concessions, say political analysts. The spokesman for Tshisekedi's UDPS party, Bruno Tshibala, said Tshisekedi hoped that dialogue could ensure orderly, peaceful elections by the end of the year. Government spokesman Lambert Mende said insisting on elections this year was irresponsible as the country's voter rolls currently exclude millions of eligible voters. The government says Kabila will remain in power until a new president is elected, but opposition politicians want him to leave at the end of his term - regardless of election timing - and be replaced by the head of the Senate. Short of that, they want Kabila to set a firm date for his departure. A failure of the opposing sides to reach an agreement on the timing of elections and Kabila's departure risks a resurgence of the unrest and armed conflict that has sporadically plagued Congo - Africa's biggest copper producer - since Mobutu was overthrown two decades ago. 'THE SPHINX' At a rally in Kinshasa last Sunday, Tshisekedi told tens of thousands of protesters from dozens of opposition parties that a failure by the president to hold the election this year would be treason. Yet the opposition leader, known as "the Sphinx" among his allies for his enigmatic persona, has at times sent conflicting signals to Kabila's camp about the proposed national dialogue. He seemed to be open to the idea while abroad, angering hardliners in the UDPS. His negotiators met Kabila's representatives for two rounds of talks last summer, in Spain and Italy, to discuss the format of the dialogue. Last month, though, Tshisekedi demanded that the African Union-appointed mediator for the dialogue, former Togolese Prime Minister Edem Kodjo, resign, alleging pro-Kabila bias. Kodjo denied this. Jason Stearns, director of the Congo Research Group at New York University, said Tshisekedi's return put a lot of pressure on Kabila. "The big question now is whether the opposition intends to use this mobilisation as leverage in negotiations," he said, or to "press Kabila to step down immediately." The spokesman for the ruling coalition, Andre Alain Atundu, said Kabila retained the support of most Congolese people and that the dialogue would go ahead with or without Tshisekedi. Despite widespread poverty and discontent, Kabila has stayed on top, with critics saying he has used his control of state institutions to undercut political rivals and stifle dissent. The other leading opposition figure, multi-millionaire businessman Moise Katumbi, 51, is seen by many opponents as best placed to challenge Kabila because of his youth and wealth. But he has been sidelined by a conviction in absentia for fraud, which he says is politically motivated. Tshisekedi's health may yet prove the biggest stumbling block. He barely appeared in public while in Europe and looked frail on Sunday though he managed to speak for half an hour, his delivery slow but firm. Tshibala, the UDPS spokesman, said Tshisekedi had no plans to leave the country. (Editing by Tim Cocks and Pravin Char)
When El Bulli in Spain closed in 2012, many saw it as a death knell for modernist cuisine (FKA molecular gastronomy). The restaurants chef, Ferran Adria, had become world-famous for pushing food to its limits, using chemistry-set items like agar, sodium alginate, and centrifuges to bend and tweak the worlds greatest ingredients. It was groundbreakingand reportedly lost the restaurant a million dollars a month.

Meanwhile, lesser chefs across the United States were creating messy, crude riffs on Adrias work. Youd show up to a neighborhood bistro and be served a plate of foam for dinner. Youd eat it, mildly amused, then leave to go get some real food elsewhere. Molecular gastronomy became the culinary scenes longest curse word.

Then last year, New Yorks WD-50 closed, bringing the modernist apocalypse closer to American hearts. Chef Wylie Dufresne was our Adria: modern foods modern man. If his internationally renowned restaurant couldnt make it, then molecular gastronomy must truly, surely be dead.

Wrong.

In fact, it seems to have simply lost favor among underequipped chefs, which probably saved it as a genre. Done right, modernist cuisine is a precise balance between the hearth and the laboratory, between roasted meat and edible bubble baths. Dufresne has opened Alder in NYC, and some of the countrys best are still making scientific magic in their kitchens. Here are a few of our favorites.

Chef Jose Andres cooked under Adria, and is often credited with bringing his magic stateside. A meal at the 12-seat Minibar is a three-hour, 20-some-course feast of the imagination, whether it includes a rubber duckie made of dried apple meringue filled with foie gras ice cream, or noodles filled with pistou via syringe. There will be fogs and vapors and spheres. Chefs in the open kitchen play with their toys for your amusement and education. At the end of your mealwhich can reach $600 per person with wine pairingsdessert is served in the adjacent, glammy little Barmini. The receipt comes in a Russian nesting doll. Its like having tapas on Mars.

Story continues

Minibar

Grant Achatz is the U.S. face of molecular gastronomy, getting his start under Thomas Keller at the French Laundry and then reaching international acclaim with his Chicago restaurant Alinea. Located in the Fulton River District, Achatzs other restaurant, Next, is unique in that its tasting menus have various themes, such as Paris, 1906, Childhood, or simply Chinese. And you cant reserve a table: You buy nonrefundable season tickets. (Single-meal tickets, fiercely fought over, are available each day on the restaurants Facebook page). At Nexts recent Tapas menu, octopus tentacles rose out of a bowl through a foam made from the cooking liquid, like a monster emerging. There were patatas bravas with the fried chives and bravas sauce in spheres. Pork belly was served on charred oak with powdered alcohol so that it looked like a campfire. Alinea took the peoples choice in the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants awards a few weeks ago; Achatzs reputation is secured.

ALSO IN CHICAGO: Alinea, Schwa, Moto, Grace, Graham Elliot, El Ideas

Wylie Dufresneonce an understudy of Jean-Georges Vongerichtenopened WD-50 in New York in 2003. His creations were mind-blowing right out of the gate: pizza served as tiny rocks, pickled beef tongue with fried mayonnaise, bearnaise ice cream, you name it. But as happens so frequently in NYC, WD-50s building was sold for redevelopment and the restaurant closed. Thank god Dufresne had an ace in the hole with his more casual, small-plate bar food joint, Alder. His pigs in a blanket are sweet Chinese sausage wrapped in compressed hot-dog buns, deep-fried with mustard and duck sauce. Cocktails shine here, too, like Daves Scrip PadOld Overholt rye and Ramazzotti amaro with smoked maple syrup and yuzu. Its the E = mc2 of bar food.

ALSO IN NEW YORK: Eleven Madison Park, Chefs Table at Brooklyn Fare, Atera

New Orleans is a food city steeped in history thanks to restaurants like Antoines and Arnauds. At Square Root, chef-owner Phillip Lopez takes his classical training under John Besh and Michel Richard into the future. There are only 16 stools at the bar. How about a muffuletta with a bun made of savory meringue, Calabrian chile-spiced pork salumi, wild-boar mortadella, and Tuscan olive salad? Or menudo with lime cells made with liquid nitrogen so they pop in every bite? Well try it all.

Chef-owner Dominique Crenn opened her restaurant as an ode to her father, a French politician and artist. No surprise, then, that her dishes qualify as art as well: Moss-covered branches will arrive at your table dangling with chewy carrot jerky, while apple cider is served in a sphere of white cocoa butter with creme de cassis. The tasting menu, which Crenn calls poetic culinarian, is 18 coursesand well concede that with her two Michelin stars, she can call it whatever she likes.

ALSO IN SAN FRANCISCO: Coi, Benu

More From Robbreport.com

Are Autonomous Helicopters the Future of Commuting?



This Is the 959 That Porsche Would Have Built



Seouls Booming, Ultramodern Cityscape Makes Dubai Look Quaint



The Ultimate New Zealand Adventure



Explora Valle Sagrado Is Your Luxury Travel Portal to the Secrets of Peru



John Varvatos Opens NYC Store with a Photographic Celebration of the City


Beirut (AFP) - Human Rights Watch Monday denounced Iran's hanging of 20 Sunni prisoners in one of its biggest mass executions in years as a "shameful low point in its human rights record".

Shiite-majority Iran last week said it had hanged 20 "terrorist" Sunni prisoners on Tuesday convicted of carrying out a string of attacks against civilians and religious leaders in the country's western Kurdish region.

"Iran's mass execution of prisoners on August 2 at Rajai Shahr prison is a shameful low point in its human rights record," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW.

"With at least 230 executions since January 1, Iran is yet again the regional leader in executions but a laggard in implementing the so far illusory penal code reforms meant to bridge the gap with international standards," she said.

The New York-based rights group said "two lawyers who represented some of the men told (it) that their clients did not get a fair trial and that their due process rights had been violated".

It said rights groups believed the 20 were among 33 Sunni men, including possibly a minor, arrested in 2009 and 2010 and convicted of "enmity against God".

HRW said that recent changes to Iran's penal code required the judiciary to review and annul death sentences of people on that charge "if they had not personally used weapons in committing the crime".

Iran regularly hangs large-scale drug traffickers. Murder, rape, armed robbery and adultery are also capital offences in the Islamic republic.

Those charged with "spreading corruption on Earth" and "enmity against God" can also be sentenced to death under Islamic sharia law, which has been in force in Iran since the 1979 revolution.

According to rights group Amnesty International, Iran was one of the world's top executioners in 2015 when it put 977 people to death, mostly on drug trafficking charges.

Story continues

Amnesty does not include secretive China in its figures, but the number of executions in Iran exceeded both neighbouring Pakistan and regional rival Saudi Arabia.

Last week's execution, which was also criticised by the European Union and France, came as the EU had reportedly proposed talks with Iran on human rights.

Mohammad Javad Larijani, secretary general of Iran's High Council for Human Rights, said on Wednesday that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and top EU diplomat Federica Mogherini had already held preliminary discussions on the issue.

Larijani said Tehran was ready to discuss human rights but that "Westerners should not put themselves forward as role models".

Over two days in 2009, Iran hanged 44 convicted drug traffickers in one of the country's largest mass executions.

In 2013, it hanged 16 Sunnis in the eastern province of Zahedan, eight of whom were members of Sunni militant group Jundallah which waged a deadly insurgency in southeastern Iran for almost a decade.
(Refiling to remove extraneous letters in front of headline)

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Malaysia's Employees Provident Fund (EPF) said on Monday it expects to allocate up to 30 billion ringgit ($7.43 billion) to its Islamic fund in 2018.

Earlier, the retirement savings fund announced that it will allocate 100 billion ringgit in 2017 for the fund, which opened for registrations on Monday and will be launched in January.

The 2017 allocation is equivalent to about 15 percent of the EPF's total investments of 681.71 billion ringgit as of March 2016.

The additional 20 billion ringgit to 30 billion ringgit will be subject to market supply of shariah investment products during 2018, a spokesman told Reuters.

($1 = 4.0350 ringgit) (Reporting by Liz Lee; Editing by Richard Borsuk)
Former Good Morning America executive producer Shelley Ross is the latest woman to accuse ex-Fox News boss Roger Ailes of sexual harassment, saying he once told her the best form of loyalty is a sexual alliance.

Ross wrote a first-person account of the treatment she received from Ailes for The Daily Beast, in which she detailed being recruited to New York in 1981 to work for Ailes when he was in charge of NBCs The Tomorrow Show.

When did you first discover you were sexy? Ailes once asked, according to Ross. She denied his advances, but said he was very persistent and believed the best expression of that loyalty comes in the form of a sexual alliance.'

Also Read: Roger Ailes Spent Fox Money to Wage Secret Campaigns Against Foes

This was not a romantic or flirtatious conversation. Predatory is not quite accurate either. Roger expressed a true philosophical conviction that this would be mutually beneficial for us both, that he was looking for a partnership and it was somewhat special that he had chosen me. So perhaps cultish needs to be in the mix, Ross wrote. Whatever it was, I now suspect that this is the job I turned down a decade before Laurie Luhn came along.

Luhn is a former Fox News booker who recently told New York magazine that she endured over 20 years of psychological torture and sexual harassment from Ailes. Ross detailed a back-and-fourth conversation with Ailes about how their sexual alliance would work.

Id never date a boss, and besides, we hardly know each other. We dont know if wed even like each other outside of the work environment, Ross wrote that she told Ailes.

Also Read: Former Fox News Booker Says Roger Ailes Caused 20 Years of 'Psychological Torture'

Oh, if its time you need, just say so, he replied, according to Ross.

This unnerved me greatly. Why couldnt I deflect this? I took a Valium and crumpled under the covers. I had already laid the groundwork to sublet my L.A. apartment, arrange for someone to look after my car, and worst of all, I had announced to my friends and family I was moving to New York, Ross wrote. I felt truly vulnerable for the first time.

Story continues

After Ross complained and Ailes received a lecture from NBC lawyers, he said he was single and thought being unmarried made it OK. Ailes then flew her back to New York and continued to recruit her for the job. The two spoke, and Ross believed Ailes was genuinely sorry for his sexual advances.

So back to Rogers expression sexual alliance. I hope this is not the phrase thats pulled into the headlines just because it sounds creepy enough to go viral. Theres a lot more to this story and a lot more to Roger Ailes  who cannot be painted with one simple brushstroke, Ross wrote.

Also Read: Roger Ailes' $500,000 Donation to Senior Citizen Center Rejected by 400 Angry Residents

She said sexual harassment has many faces, genders and legions of enablers.

You cant just have one villain, not even Roger Ailes. For 30 years I have witnessed a pervasive culture populated by more than a few morally repugnant executives and those who kept their jobs by not making waves around them, Ross wrote.

Ross said, Fox News should take the lead in a kind of sexual harassment Truth and Reconciliation project and offered to help organize it.

Read Ross entire Daily Beast post here.

Roger Ailes' Career Evolution: From 'The Mike Douglas Show' to Fox News (Photos)

Roger Ailes Fox News

Ohio University Ohio University

Westinghouse Broadcasting Company

daytime emmy awards logo 618







Simon and Schuster

Ailes Productions

America's Talking

News Corp Chairman Rupert Murdoch Getty Images

steve doocy gretchen carlson Getty Images

Getty Images

Previous Slide Next Slide

1 of 13

Having begun as a producer on a daytime show, the Ohio native went on to become the cable news network boss before being hit with sexual harassment allegations

The television executive has evolved from producing a talk-variety show to running one of the biggest satellite news television channel in the U.S.

View In Gallery

Related stories from TheWrap:

Roger Ailes Spent Fox Money to Wage Secret Campaigns Against Foes

Fox News Drops Roger Ailes Name From Apprentice Program

Roger Ailes' $500,000 Donation to Senior Citizen Center Rejected by 400 Angry Residents
BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia, which treads a delicate line between U.S.-led NATO and traditional ally Russia, is to hold joint air force exercises with Russia this year, the defense ministry said on Monday. Russia's ally, Belarus, will join units from the Serbian and Russian air forces in the first exercise called "Slav Brotherhood 2016" to be held in autumn, the ministry said in a written statement. "It represents the continuation of the cooperation between the two air forces that began in 2014 with a joint military exercise," it said. Another similar exercise would be held just between Serbia and Russia later. The Balkan state is performing a delicate balancing act between its European aspirations, partnership with NATO and its centuries-old religious, ethnic and political alliance with Russia. Though Serbia aspires to join the European Union and has taken part in partnership programs with NATO, it is not actively pursuing membership of the U.S.-led alliance which remains unpopular among Serbs because of its 1999 bombing campaign to drive Serbian forces out of Kosovo. Serbia shares Slavic and Orthodox Christian traditions with Russia and depends on it for energy. The warm relationship has been nurtured by Russia which prevented Kosovo from becoming a member of the United Nations, at Belgrade's request. (Reporting by Ivana Sekularac; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
A lot of people can agree that roller-coaster rides are really fun. Waiting for hours in the sweltering heat while waiting for some teenager to load you into a rickety cart isnt ideal, but the thrill of the drop keeps people coming back.

Of course, roller-coaster rides are a little less fun on the stock market. Ideally, the stocks in our portfolio would consistently climb upwards. Sometimes, however, we run into a stock that tests our resilience with its insistent need to go up and down.

Crazy Fluctuation

Last week, the market found its latest roller-coaster stock: SAExploration Holdings SAEX. Based in Calgary, Alberta, SAExploration is an oilfield services company that offers seismic data acquisition and logistical support for the energy industry in complex environments throughout the world.

SAExploration currently employs more than 2,000 workers in ten countries around the globe. The company provides 2D, 3D, and 4D seismic data services, as well as surveying, program design, data acquisition, process, camp services, catering, environmental assessment, and community relations.

Investors probably first noticed SAEX last week when the stock popped over 400% during midday trading Thursday. Shares closed at $9.20 on Wednesday afternoon, and by Thursday at 1 p.m., the stock was trading at $47 per share. SAEX would eventually peak at $50.47 per share on Friday morning.

As I described earlier, however, SAEX is the latest roller-coaster stock. Investors that held shares of the company over the weekend woke up today to find that SAExploration dropped significantly. In morning trading Monday, shares of SAEX fell over 45% to $18.05.

Worth Buying Still?

If you got in and cashed out for a nice profit last week, congratulations. However, there are plenty of investors left wondering whether this roller-coaster has another hill or not. Some thrill rides hook you with one big drop, while others seem to last forever.

First we need to look at what made the stock pop in the first place. Investors last week were reacting to SAExplorations latest earnings report. The company reported earnings of $1.97 per share on revenue of $57 million. While both of those figures were down from the comparable quarter, investors were more excited about a couple of other key figures in the report.

Story continues

SAExploration saw sales from projects increase 1.6% to $49.2 million, and gross margin also grew to 36% from 31.4% in the same quarter last year. The company also reported that it had successfully completed a restructuring and recapitalization of its balance sheet. SAExploration said that it successfully streamlined its product platform and secured funds necessary to recapitalize and meet its needs until certain tax credits kick in.

These transactions provide SAE with enhanced liquidity, financial flexibility and a realigned balance sheet, which will make us even more competitive in the current environment and position us for long-term growth and continued success, said CEO Jeff Hastings.

SAExploration has also seen some activity from activist firms, with BlueMountain Capital disclosing a 26% stake in the company on Monday. Oftentimes, announcements like this precede additional news, but its unclear what BlueMontain has planned for SAExploration as of right now.

Bottom Line

At the end of the day, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding SAExploration. Not only is the broader energy sector extremely volatile right now, but shares of SAEX have proven to be unpredictable over the past week or so.

If you enjoy roller-coasters, perhaps SAEX is worth the ride, and a refined and rebalanced financial situation certainly is a good sign for the company. However, there isnt a ton of certainty surrounding the future of the stock, and many investors will feel inclined to avoid it for now.

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



SAEXPLORATN HLD (SAEX): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
After Consumer Reports published its findings July 8 showing that the Galaxy S7 Active smartphone failed a water-resistance test, Samsung, the device's manufacturer, promised to replace phones with water damage within the standard one-year warranty, and said it fixed the problem within a week of our report.

However, when asked recently by Consumer Reports, neither Samsung nor AT&T appeared willing to replace a faulty phone if it suffers water damage after the standard one-year warranty expires. They also won't disclose any identifying information, including serial numbers, that would allow consumers to distinguish between the flawed and fixed phones.

Whats more, salespeople at some AT&T stores, where the S7 Active is exclusively sold, seem to have little information about the initial water-resistance issue or what recourse consumers have, according to a spot survey by Consumer Reports secret shoppers.

Until we have assurances from AT&T and Samsung that all the S7 Active phones in their current inventory are models that have been fixed, Consumer Reports cannot reliably purchase one of the new phones and test it to see if the problem has been addressed. We buy all products we test, and do not accept free samples from manufacturers to ensure we are testing the same models consumers buy in stores.



The S7 Active would've been a recommended phone from Consumer Reports had it not failed our water-resistance test.

Little Knowledge

We visited a total of five AT&T stores in four statesNew York, Michigan, Texas, and Floridato inquire about the phone's water-resistance woes and the suggested remedies. In fact, three of the five salespeople our secret shoppers approached said they didn't know about any issue with the phone's water resistance.

Although the sample size is small, it indicates that consumers may experience inconsistent and conflicting information about how to seek restitution if they have a phone with water damage.



A clerk in Troy, Mich., for instance, questioned the veracity of Consumer Reports' tests, even though Samsung had confirmed in mid-July that some Galaxy S7 Active phones produced up to the date of our testing had failed to meet the advertised water-resistance standard because of a manufacturing issue.

Story continues

Samsung says the phone follows an engineering standard called IP68 that covers both dust- and water-resistance, and that the phone is designed to survive immersion in five feet of water for 30 minutes. Thats the spec we used in testing the Galaxy S7 Active.

Meantime, a clerk in Midlothian, Texas, did not know about the problem on the Active, and tried to sell us an AT&T protection plan to safeguard the phone from the potential leaks when we asked about the water-resistance issues.

AT&T declined to comment specifically on how its stores are handling questions about the S7 Active's water resistance. But Emily J. Edmonds, the company's director of global media relations, said in an emailed statement, "New Galaxy S7 active devices have been shipping to AT&T stores. As previously stated by Samsung, the production issue has been resolved and we have received very few customer inquiries. Any owner with water damage will receive a replacement under the standard limited warranty."

When our shoppers asked the AT&T clerks for guidance on what to do if their water-resistant phones failed to survive a bout with water, they were told to raise the issue with Samsung. This is despite the fact that Samsung told us that consumers could take the issue up with either it or the retailer where the phone was purchased. AT&T also has a page on its website about exchanging a water-damaged S7 Active.

"The guarantee is through Samsung, just contact them if you have a problem," said the salesperson in Michigan.

According to the salesperson in Mount Dora, Fla., who was also unaware of any issues, our buyer had only 14 days from the time of purchase to return the phone to AT&T if there were any defects.

When Consumer Reports followed up on its initial request to Samsung, a spokesman said, "At this point all we have to say is that the production issue has been resolved and we have received very few customer inquiries. Any owner with water damage will receive a replacement under the standard limited warranty."





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.
DUBAI (Reuters) - A Saudi-led coalition air strike killed nine civilians outside the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Sunday night, residents said, as forces loyal to the exiled government stepped up an offensive in the area. The strike hit Odhar village in the Nehm area, which has been at the center of renewed fighting between supporters of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's government and Iran-allied Houthi forces. U.N.-backed peace talks to end Yemen's conflict broke down over the weekend, and pro-government forces said they had begun an offensive to retake Sanaa. Two residents of the Nehm area reached by telephone said four people returning from a market were killed when their vehicle was hit as it passed a grocery store. Five people in the store also died in the air strike, they said. Saba, the state news agency run by the dominant Houthi movement, said 12 people died including six members of the same family, and that some bodies were burnt beyond recognition. The agency said 17 others were wounded. A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition referred inquiries to the Yemeni government. A government military spokesman said he was checking the report. At least 6,400 people have been killed in Yemen's 16-month war, half of them civilians, according to the United Nations. The Saudi-led alliance has said it wants to avoid civilian casualties, and an internal investigation published last week largely exonerated eight mass-casualty strikes, citing the presence of Houthi fighters. Comments to Reuters from rights groups and witnesses at the time of the attacks suggested they had together killed hundreds of civilians. (Reporting By Abeer Abu-Omar and Mohammed Ghobari; Writing by Noah Browning; Editing by Sami Aboudi and John Stonestreet)
The gradual improvement in the economy and the job market is hurting demand for higher education and thereby enrolment trends of for-profit schools. However, education companies are deploying strategies to attract students. These initiatives are focused on improving the affordability of the programs, upgrading the programs regularly, and ensuring that the students complete their graduation. Companies are reaching out to students with new campuses and online programs to enhance accessibility. However, there is still an unwillingness among the student community to enroll in academic programs and take loans to fund them.

According to our Earnings Preview report, 86.6% of the companies in the S&P 500 index have already reported their second-quarter results. Of these, 70.7% have surpassed earnings estimates and 52.7% beat revenue expectations.

Among the education companies that reported last week, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. UTI reported an operating loss with revenues declining 3.3% due to weak enrolment trends. However, its loss per share was narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This automotive technician training company once again cut its outlook for enrolments and sales. Grand Canyon Education, Inc. LOPE reported better results, delivering a positive earnings surprise. Its sales increased 9.5% while operating income rose 5.9%.

Two more companies from the education sector are set to report their quarterly results on Aug 9. Let's see how things are shaping up for their respective announcements.

K12, Inc. (LRN)

K12, Inc. posted a positive surprise of 19.35% in the last reported quarter. The company has beaten estimates in two of the past four quarters, resulting in an average positive surprise of 23.36%.

K12 INC Price and EPS Surprise

K12 INC Price and EPS Surprise | K12 INC Quote

The company has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fourth-quarter of fiscal 2016 is pegged at 13 cents.

Story continues

American Public Education, Inc. APEI

American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) is an online provider of higher education, focused primarily on serving the military and public service communities.

Last quarter, American Public delivered a positive earnings surprise of 42.22%. The company surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters with an average positive surprise of 20.58%.

AMER PUB EDUCAT Price and EPS Surprise

AMER PUB EDUCAT Price and EPS Surprise | AMER PUB EDUCAT Quote

The company has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is pegged at 39 cents per share.

Dont miss out on our full earnings release articles for these school stocks, as the actual results might hold some surprises!

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



AMER PUB EDUCAT (APEI): Free Stock Analysis Report



SNYDERS-LANCE (LNCE): Free Stock Analysis Report



UNIVL TECH INST (UTI): Free Stock Analysis Report



GRAND CANYON ED (LOPE): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
blue fire tornado

Engineers have discovered a brand-new, bright-blue fire tornado that behaves unlike any flame ever created.

When a fire burns yellow, it's unclean. The warm colors are signs of an incomplete combustion reaction coughing up soot, smoke, and other emissions. When a flame glows blue, it's a sign of a more complete, near-perfect burn with far fewer emissions. But that kind of burn is rare.

blue violet fire tornado

A new kind of whirling flame that's small, blue, and transparent  like a ghost top  offers a new way to achieve such a clean burn.

Researchers had never created anything quite like this blue-and-violet fire tornado before. But now that they know how to light one, it presents some exciting opportunities.

In a paper describing the phenomenon, University of Maryland engineers suggest that a version of the blue whirl might be a cleaner way to burn off oil spills in the ocean.

Here's what we know about how the spinning fire works:

Engineers squirt a liquid fuel, n-heptane, onto a pool of water in a round glass tank. Then they light it.

The fire sucks oxygen from the air, and slits in the side of the tank make the wind rush in at an angle that gets the fire spinning. Now they have a regular fire tornado.

To tame the yellow fire tornado, the engineers injected a slow, steady stream of fuel into it from below. Centered on that trickle of extra heptane, the flame shrunk and assumed its blue top shape.

You can see it happen here:

Once the injected fuel was cut off, the flame died out.

The researchers do not yet fully understand the fluid dynamics of the new blue whirl, but they write that it's easy enough to create and maintain for extended periods. In the paper, they say they kept one blue whirl going for eight minutes before shutting off the fuel source.

It's just a lab experiment so far, but the prospect of a cleaner way to burn off oil on water's surface is pretty exciting. And it doesn't hurt that it's so pretty, too.

NOW WATCH: What would happen to the Earth if the moon exploded





More From Business Insider


A public health official holds up three Triatoma dimidiatas, a type of bloodsucking insect that spreads Chagas disease, in San Pedro Sula March 18, 2008 REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

Diseases you've never heard of affect millions of people around the world.

These so-called neglected tropical diseases are mostly parasitic infections that have very few treatments and affect some of the hardest-hit communities.

But, there might be a glimmer of hope. Researchers at the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation said in a letter published Monday in Nature that they have identified a new drug that could treat three of these debilitating diseases.

For now, the treatment has only been tested in mice, but ideally it could make a dent in the combined 20 million people affected by the diseases every year.

Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and sleeping sickness lead to 500,000 deaths a year. They're all fairly similar diseases: Chagas disease is a parasitic infection that comes from the kissing bug that got its name for biting people on the face; leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection spread by sand flies that leads to skin sores; sleeping sickness (or trypanosomiasis) is a parasitic infection that's spread by the tsetse fly, which at first can lead to headaches, fever, joint pain, and itchiness, but later can lead to some serious neurological problems.

So, the scientists figured out a compound, which they dubbed GNF6702, that might be able to treat all three.

Starting out with leishmaniasis, they found that the drug worked better in mice than miltefosine, the treatment that's currently used to treat leishmaniasis. They made it work in mice, which is a good first step.

After that, they pitted it against the main drug for Chagas disease, benznidazole , which is being developed by KaloBios after then-CEO Martin Shkreli acquired the rights to the drug. They found that the new compound did just as well as benznidazole at making the mice parasite-free.

For sleeping sickness, the new drug did a better job of clearing out the parasite in mice than the existing treatment.

Story continues

Finding one drug that could treat all three could be a major move in getting the treatment advanced into later trials that could one day change the way we treat these neglected diseases. The researchers noted, "There are only scarce resources for drug development in these diseases, and identification of a common target and chemical scaffold with potential across multiple indications provides new hope for improved treatment options for some of the worlds poorest people."

NOW WATCH: Humans are finally starting to understand the octopus, and its mind-boggling





More From Business Insider


By Justin George Varghese

Aug 8 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stocks rose on Monday,

with Thailand outperforming other markets in the region, after

strong U.S. jobs data raised the possibility of a rate hike by

the Federal Reserve this year.

Thailand's stock market index rose to its highest

since April 2015 after Thais voted in a referendum to accept a

new military-backed constitution that would pave the way for an

election next year.

The vote should reduce political uncertainty in Southeast

Asia's second-largest economy and encourage incoming foreign

fund flows, analysts said.

The index closed 1.6 percent higher and posted its fourth

session of gains, led by telecom services and financials.

Shares of Kasikornbank rose 5 percent, while

convenience store chain CP All advanced 2.4 percent.

Asian shares rose, with MSCI's broadest index of

Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan hitting its

highest since Aug. 11 last year, as investors' hunt for yield

gathered momentum against a backdrop of a recovering U.S.

economy and ultra-easy easy global monetary policy conditions.

Singapore shares surged as much as 2 percent in their

biggest intraday percentage rally since June 30, with financial

and consumer services stocks driving the gains. They closed 1.5

percent higher.

DBS Group Holdings Ltd rose 1.4 percent, while

Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd gained 3.4 percent.

The Jakarta Composite Index rose 0.7 percent and

the Philippine index gained 0.3 percent, with both

markets helped by gains in financials.

Vietnam shares rose 0.3 percent, led by utility

stocks Petrovietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation and Pha

Lai Thermal Power Joint Stock Company.

For Asian Companies click;

STOCK MARKETS

Change on 1000 GMT

Market Current Previous close Pct Move

Singapore 2870.78 2828.17 1.51

Bangkok 1542.26 1518.69 1.55

Manila 7993.58 7970.35 0.29

Jakarta 5458.979 5420.246 0.71

Kuala Lumpur 1672.68 1664.04 0.52

Ho Chi Minh 629.46 627.39 0.33

Change so far this year

Market Current End prev yr Pct Move

Singapore 2870.78 2882.73 -0.41

Story continues

Bangkok 1542.26 1288.02 19.74

Manila 7993.58 6952.08 14.98

Jakarta 5458.979 4593.008 18.85

Kuala Lumpur 1672.68 1692.51 -1.17

Ho Chi Minh 629.46 579.03 8.71

(Reporting by Justin George Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by

Subhranshu Sahu)
Sean Penn will receive the second annual Peace and Justice Award at the eighth annual Artists for Peace and Justice benefit on September 11 during the Toronto Film Festival. Crash Oscar winner and APJ founder Paul Haggis will host the event along with Maria Bello, Maxwell, Pascal Raffy and George Stroumboulopoulos.

The APJ is a nonprofit organization that encourages peace and social justice and addresses issues of poverty around the world with an immediate focus on supporting the poorest communities in Haiti through programs in education, healthcare and dignity through the arts. Penn is being recognized for his longstanding commitment and dedication to supporting communities in Haiti and promoting the ideals of peace and social justice around the world.

Penns humanitarian work found him in New Orleans in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and later in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. In January 2010, the two-time Oscar winner established the J/P Haitian Relief Organization, which continues to support vulnerable communities to rebuild their lives in healthier and safer neighborhoods through access to quality education, health services, improved housing and infrastructure and livelihoods.

Funds raised by APJ during the past eighth year have supported the development of Port-au-Princes first free public high school, the Academy for Peace and Justice. Serving more than 2,800 students, the school recently celebrated its inaugural graduating class.

Related stories

Toronto's Midnight Madness To Open With Ben Wheatley's 'Free Fire' - Full List

Toronto Sets Documentary Program With Leonardo DiCaprio, Fisher Stevens, Errol Morris & Netflix Pics

Toronto Film Fest Canadian Lineup Includes Xavier Dolan, Kim Nguyen, Deepa Mehta
Arcade Fire headlined Ontario's WayHome Festival on July 23rd, and although the concert took place in Canada, the Montreal band still used the occasion to cover Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." Video of that performance recently emerged, with Win Butler and company stripping down the track to serve as an intro for their own "Keep the Car Running."

While it's unclear why Arcade Fire elected to play the unpatriotic 1984 single, it's worth noting that the performance came two days after Donald Trump's doom-and-gloom speech after accepting the GOP's nomination at the Republican National Convention.



Arcade Fire previously covered the Springsteen classic in January 2009 at a concert to reward Democratic Party staffers to celebrate Barack Obama's presidential win. Two years earlier, in October 2007, the band performed Nebraska's "State Trooper" alongside the E Street rocker himself during a Springsteen concert in Ottawa, which Arcade Fire and Springsteen followed up by playing "Keep the Car Running."

Related
With talent, fame, gorgeous looks and a record-breaking social media presence, youd assume that Selena Gomez has a list of suitors a mile long. But youd be mistaken  sort of.



Her love life has been the subject of constant global scrutiny since her on-again-off-again relationship with Justin Bieber ended for good in 2015. Now Gomez is unloading about the trials and tribulations of dating while famous for her cover story in Septembers issue of Vogue Australia.



For a while my private life was the most talked about thing, she says. Nobody really knows everything and they can only assume. You want to do what you love but all this other stuff overshadows it so it makes it a little harder for people to take me seriously.



Recently the 24-year-old star has thrown herself into her work. Shes currently in the midst of her world-wide Revival tour, for which shell be traveling until December. I figured its just temporary, she says of the work load. I feel like that fortunately and unfortunately its where my life is at the moment and I have to accept it.





@vogueaustralia in @louisvuitton @nicolasghesquiere A photo posted by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Aug 6, 2016 at 9:53pm PDT





While shes open to the possibility of dating, shes fearful that the resulting media whirlwind would scare people off. I think people would think its kind of dumb [to date me], Gomez admits. Nobody would want to throw themselves into that situation where it was so heightened publicly. Like, why would they?



While some dudes make moves, its usually not welcome. The guys that do have the confidence to hit on me are not necessarily my type, but they think they are because Im a pop star, I sing songs, do movies, I like to feel sexy and confident on stage, she says. Id be so stoked with a writer or producer or actor who is low-key, but those kind of guys are terrified of me!





My first @vogueaustralia cover came out -thank you so much! So grateful A photo posted by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Aug 6, 2016 at 9:53pm PDT





Gomez appears to be in a reflective mood these days. At the end of July she leveled with her fans mid-concert in Jakarta. Just before performing her hit single Kill Em with Kindness to end the show, Gomez said to the crowd, The next song, before I go home, is a song thats so important to me, because I get really frustrated. I get stupid sometimes. I say things that I dont mean, or that come out wrong, just because I care so badly.



But the thing is, at the end of the day, no war in anger was ever won, she continued, quoting her song. I do know that deep down in my heart, that I have to believe that we can love each other and always be kind, no matter what it takes in us. I believe that we can do that, no matter what.



Gomez continues her tour this week in Australia.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 8, 2016 / Levi & Korsinsky announces it has commenced an investigation of Janus Capital Group Inc. (JNS) concerning possible breaches of Delaware law by the board of directors of the company. To obtain additional information, go to: http://zlk.9nl.com/janus-capital-jns or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@zlk.com or by telephone at (212) 363-7500, toll-free: (877) 363-5972.

Levi & Korsinsky is a national firm with offices in New York, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, and Washington D.C. The firm's attorneys have extensive expertise and experience representing investors in securities litigation involving financial fraud, and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Levi & Korsinsky, LLP

Eduard Korsinsky, Esq.

30 Broad Street - 24th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Tel: (212) 363-7500

Toll Free: (877) 363-5972

Fax: (212) 363-7171

www.zlk.com

SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Sia will headline an upcoming free concert in Cleveland in an effort to raise awareness and support for abortion rights.

The Sept. 10 concert, to be held at Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center, is one of a series of events that will take place simultaneously in Atlanta, Chicago, Miami and Philadelphia. The anchor event in Cleveland will be hosted by Comedy Central's Jessica Williams and feature musical performances by Sia and Latin artist Natalia Lafourcade, as well as a comedy set from Ghostbusters and Saturday Night Live star Leslie Jones.

Maddie Ziegler to Join Sia's Nostalgic For The Present Tour

The events are being organized by the the All Access Coalition, which comprises the ACLU, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, The Center for Reproductive Rights, NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, Whole Woman's Health and others.

"All Access is such an inclusive group that I'm proud to be a part of this," Sia said in a statement. "We all need to stand together and be a part of creating the future we hope to see. There is so much support out there for an inclusive, equitable society that it's time we showed our collective power."

Sia No. 1 on Hot 100, The Chainsmokers & Halsey Debut in Top 10

Outside of Cleveland, more than 30 smaller events will be held around the country, ranging from dance parties to slam poetry contests. The events in Miami, Chicago, Atlanta and Philadelphia will be announced later this summer.

Tickets to All Access events are free and available at allaccess2016.com.
Singapores first vending machine cafe opened at Block 320C Anchorvale Drive on Sunday (August 7). (Photo by: JR Vending) Singapores first vending machine cafe opened at Block 320C Anchorvale Drive on Sunday (August 7). (Photo by: JR Vending)

If youre a big fan of the vending machine culture in Japan, then youre in for a treat as the first ever vending machine cafe has now opened at an HDB estate in Sengkang.

Launched on Sunday (7 Aug), VendCafe is located at Block 320 Anchorvale Drive and offers 30 hot meal choices in bento-style containers, priced between S$3.50 and S$5.

The first residential VendCafe is a complete dining experience where technology and food meet the demands of our consumers urban lifestyles, offering the ultimate convenience of wholesome quality food 24/7, said JR Food Group CEO Jocelyn Chng.

JR Group owns 100 Chef-in-Box hot vending machines that have been placed at hospitals, army camps and universities, among others, across Singapore.



JR Groups first 24-hour cafeteria also offers salads, sandwiches, snacks and beverages, and is also unmanned.

The cashier-less cafe requires customers to pay for their meals via other cash and cashless options, such as through NETS FlashPay.

The cafeteria also does not require any staff as the food is prepared at a central kitchen. Here is a look at the new VendCafe.


Photo by Reuters

A 72-year-old Singaporean woman was nearly scammed out of S$200,000 if it had not been for the actions of two Maybank staff.



Police said in a statement on Monday, 08 August, that two Maybank employees at the Peoples Park Centre branch had alerted them of suspected cheating.



The banks staff, Doreen Ong and Christine Ting, had suspected something was amiss when the victim requested to transfer the large sum of money to a local bank account in order to help a friend facing a foreign immigration issue.



Officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and Central Division discovered that the victim been in touch with an unknown suspect through Facebook and Whatsapp over the past five years, and had previously already transferred funds amounting to S$75,000 on two separate occasions.



Police say they have managed to convince the victim that the request for monetary assistance was a scam, and the victim has stopped making any further transfers.

Police investigations are still ongoing.
Action, reaction. So, how is Beijing taking the recent ruling by an international court rejecting its claims to virtually the entirety of the South China Sea? Not so well.

Over the past week, all three Chinese naval fleets have taken to the sea to practice for a sudden, cruel, and short conflict, FPs Keith Johnson reports. And Chinas Defense Minister has called for a peoples war at sea to push back against threats to Chinese claims. More ominously, perhaps, Johnson writes, China has also changed its laws to arrest and jail anyone caught fishing in waters Beijing considers its own, even though many of those waters are precisely the bits that are disputed among Chinas neighbors in the South China Sea. Beijing also recently began flying bomber and fighter aircraft near disputed islands in the South China Sea.

Also, heres a piece by FP contributor Robert Foyle Hunwick on how the Peoples Liberation Army rebuilt itself  and its reputation among the Chinese people  after 1989s bloody crackdown Beijings Tiananmen Square.

Tokyo calling. While the PLA might be popular at home, Chinas neighbors still arent so sure. On Sunday, Japan filed a protest with Beijing over recently discovered radar equipment China secretly installed in a gas exploration platform close to disputed waters in the East China Sea. Japan is concerned that the radar could be a signal that China will begin using gas exploration platforms as military outposts. The protest came on the same day an armada of 13 Chinese Coast Guard ships sailed into waters just outside what Japan considers its territorial waters in the East China Sea.

And thenOn Monday, the USS Benfold, a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer, docked at the northern Chinese port of Qingdao, becoming the first visit by an American warship since Beijings claims to the South China Sea were whacked in July.

Valley moves. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has invested lots of intellectual capital in trying to woo Silicon Valley firms to start doing business with the Pentagon. But Beijing is putting actual money on the table. Chinese investment in tech firms in the Valley, topped $6 billion by the end of the first half of 2016, with more than half of that spending taking place in the past 18 months, according to the Rhodium Group research firm.

Story continues

How time flies. Monday marks the two-year anniversary of the U.S.-led bombing campaign in Iraq and Syria targeting the Islamic State, the latest iteration of Washingtons post-9/11 wars. Since Friday, Aug. 8, 2014, U.S. and coalition warplanes have conducted over 14,000 strikes on 26,000 targets at a cost of over $8.5 billion to U.S. taxpayers. The vast majority of the strikes  almost 11,000  have been launched by American planes. But U.S. officials say that since the start of the campaign, the militant group has lost 47 percent of the territory it previously controlled in Iraq, and its fighting strength has been reduced to 18,000 to 22,000 fighters, a decrease from the estimated 33,000 militants it had in 2014.

Taliban and ISIS vs. Kabul. Elements of the Taliban are forging local ceasefire agreements with Islamic State fighters in eastern Afghanistan, but officials insist that the two groups  which until recently were fighting one another  arent collaborating in any real way. The upshot is that Islamic State has been able to focus on fighting U.S.- backed Afghan forces in Nangarhar province while shifting north into Kunar province, establishing a new foothold in the country. Spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Brig. Gen. Charles Cleveland, emailed SitRep Monday to say we have not seen evidence of an overall cease fire between the Taliban and [ISIS], but there may be some examples of local, temporary cease fires between smaller elements based on tactical considerations.

In related news, U.S. military officials tell SitRep that an American soldier is safe and accounted for after the Amaq news agency, the Islamic States de facto online propaganda mouthpiece, released pictures over the weekend showing American weapons and equipment it claimed to have captured along with the identity cards of an American soldier, Spc. Ryan Jay Larson. No word yet on how he lost his gear.

Trumped. Despite the many missteps  fighting with the parents of a fallen soldier, joking about having always wanted a Purple Heart, allegations of draft-dodging during Vietnam  Donald Trumps support among many veterans looks secure. FPs Molly OToole headed to a Virginia rally held by Trumps VP Mike Pence last week, reporting that in interviews with veterans and active-duty service members, most took offense or adamantly disagreed with many of Trumps comments, and his criticisms of allies, yet many told Foreign Policy they will still support him in November essentially no matter what he says, either backing him specifically for his irreverent tone  or simply because they have no other alternative to Clinton.

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

Linked up

ISIS suicide bombers attacked a base used by U.S.-backed rebel fighters on Sunday near the Syrian-Iraqi border, leaving several dead before blowing themselves up. It was the same base Russian warplanes recently hit with cluster munitions.

Despite a spate of recent American airstrikes on ISIS positions in the militant-held city of Sirte, ISIS fighters are proving tough to fully push out of the city.

Suicide bomber kills at least 45 at Pakistan hospital.

North Korea

Despite being desperately poor, North Koreas economy is doing okby North Korean standards. Reuters reports that Kim Jong Uns policy of turning a blind eye to the Norths semi-regulated markets popping up around the Stalinist country has helped the countrys economy limp along despite sanctions. The wire service crunched the numbers on prices of basic staples like rice, meat, and diesel  supplied by the North Korean defector-run Daily NK news outlet  and found that theyve been fairly constant in 2016.

Syria

A coalition of Syrian rebels have broken the siege of Aleppo, creating a route into the besieged city by taking an artillery school held by Assad regime troops and allied militias. The Guardian reports that rebel groups temporarily set aside rounds of infighting to marshal resources for the push to retake the city, which Syrian military forces, backed by Russian airpower and Iranian support on the ground, had managed to encircle. Some analysts, however, fear that Western and particularly American abstention from the attempt to break the siege has handed a political victory to the Nusra Front, al Qaedas one-time (ahem) franchise in Syria which participated in the fighting.

Israel

Remember when Israeli fighter jets and Patriot missiles chased (and missed) a drone that flew into Israeli airspace from Syria? Theres a small asterisk on the story  the drone was Russian, not an Iranian-made unmanned vehicle flown by Hezbollah, as many suspected at the time. The Times of Israel reports that Russia copped to owning the transgressing robot, explaining that it strayed into Israeli airspace as a result of human error. Israel has tried to work closely with Russia in order to deconflict air operations since Russia deployed forces to the country in September 2015.

Afghanistan

The Taliban has a new special operations unit and its starting to worry Afghan officials in Helmand province. The AP says authorities in Helmand have been noticing commando-like troops appearing among the ranks of the insurgent group as it takes more territory in the province. The Taliban tells the wire service that it has, in fact, created a 300-strong special operations unit called Sara Khitta or Danger Group in the Pashto language. Afghan officials say the commando troops first achieved success in Sangin, prompting the expansion of the unit.

Nuclear espionage

Over the weekend, Iranian authorities executed Shahram Amiri, an Iranian nuclear scientist and CIA asset who defected to the United States only to re-defect back home again. The New York Times reports that the CIA ran Amiri as an agent in Iran, later relocating him to the United States amid fears Iranian authorities would soon discover his secret work. Amiri, however, missed his family posted a YouTube video claiming to have been kidnapped by the CIA. He returned to Iran and disappeared shortly thereafter.

Bots o war

The White House has released its 18 page guide spelling out the administrations dos and donts for drone strikes, the Los Angeles Times reports. The administration released its drone playbook in response to a court order won by the American Civil Liberties Union, which sued to get the document released. The document spells out how a person can be targeted for a drone strike, including the evidentiary standards for inclusion on the hit list. Officials must have near certainty that civilians will not be harmed in a strike and an assurance that targeted individuals could not be captured by other means.

Photo Credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images
VH1 is uniting two of the most unlikely dinner party guests for its newest unscripted show.

The Viacom-owned cable network has gone straight to series on Martha & Snoop's Dinner Party, a weekly series in which Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg throw a joint dinner party. The series is set to debut in the fall.

Martha & Snoop's Dinner Party will feature the lifestyle exert and Emmy-winning TV host and rapper-producer Snoop Dogg throwing a weekly dinner party in which they invite celebrity friends over for what VH1 describes as a "half-baked evening of cocktails, cooking, conversation and fun where nothing is off limits."

Snoop Dogg to Guest Star in MTV's Pot Comedy 'Mary + Jane'

The VH1 series marks the first joint collaboration for Stewart and Snoop Dogg. The duo most recently were on ABC's $100,000 Pyramid and have had previous shared appearances on Comedy Central's Justin Bieber roast as well as Stewart's talk show.

The series is created and exec produced by Stewart and Kim Miller Olko for Sequential Brands Group, Snoop Dogg and Ted Chung for Merry Jane and SallyAnn Salsano for 495 Productions (Jersey Shore). VH1's Nina L. Diaz, Trevor Rose, Paul Ricci, Fernando Mills and Paula Aranda will executive produce for the cabler.

"At our dinner party, we will exemplify America's fascination with food, entertaining and celebrity," Stewart said. "Martha & Snoop's Dinner Party will redesign the traditional food competition shows in a new, different and very funny way."

Added Snoop Dogg: "My homegirl, Martha, and I have a special bond that goes back. We're gonna be cooking, drinking and having a good time with our exclusive friends. Can't wait for you to see how we roll together!"

Snoop Dogg Taps Wiz Khalifa, Too $hort, Swizz Beatz & More for 'Coolaid' Album

Martha & Snoop's Dinner Party marks the latest collaboration for Snoop Dogg with Viacom; he recently boarded VH1 corporate sibling MTV's scripted pot comedy Mary + Jane as an exec producer as well as recorded the theme song for the series, in which he'll also guest star.

Story continues

For Salsano, the series foray marks her latest series for Viacom following CMT's Party Down South, Spike'sTattoo Nightmares, MTV's Snooki & Jwoww, Jersey Shore, Disaster Date as well as VH1's Wedding Wars, Tool Academy and more.

"We're thrilled to partner with Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg, two of pop culture's biggest icons," VH1 and Logo president Chris McCarthy said. "Good parties are filled with fun, food and unexpected guests. Wait 'til you see what happens at Martha & Snoop's Dinner Party; it will be unforgettable."

The series comes as VH1 continues to undergo a programming refresh under McCarthy. The music-themed cable network's recent pickups include Hip-Hop Squares from exec producer Ice Cube; a late-night talk show hosted by Marc Lamont Hill as well as a talk show hosted by Amber Rose. VH1 has been doubling down on content of late, reviving America's Next Top Model and handing out a straight-to-series order based on Star Jones' saga at The View starring Vanessa Williams in addition to ordering the original film The Breaks as an ongoing scripted drama series.
By Dan Whitcomb (Reuters) - The social costs stemming from dangerous levels of lead in the drinking water of Flint, Michigan, such as the effect on children's health, amount to $395 million, according to an analysis by a professor at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The total takes into account some 8,000 children believed exposed to lead poisoning in Flint since April 2014, when the financially struggling city, under the control of a state-appointed emergency manager, switched its water source from Detroit's municipal system to the Flint River to save money. The river water was more corrosive than the Detroit system's and caused more lead to leach from Flint's aging pipes. Lead can be toxic and children are especially vulnerable. The city switched back last October. The crisis has prompted lawsuits by parents in Flint, which has a population of about 100,000, who say their children have shown dangerously high levels of lead in their blood. The study calculated the lifetime economic losses expected to be suffered for every exposed child. The U.S. lead health standard has been lowered repeatedly since the 1960s, but according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention no safe level has been identified. "We should never ignore the human costs of lead poisoning, study author Peter Muennig, an associate professor at the university, said in a statement released with his analysis, published in a letter to the journal Health Affairs. "Even relatively low levels of exposure may rob children of IQ points and predispose them to violent behavior later in life," Muennig said. Overall societal costs of all low-level lead exposures in the United States - measured as lost economic productivity, welfare use and criminal justice system costs - was over $4.5 billion last year, according to the study. In July six state employees in Michigan were criminally charged in connection with the case. Some critics have called for high-ranking state officials, including Governor Rick Snyder, to be charged. Snyder said in April he believed he had not done anything criminally wrong. (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Leslie Adler)
A Texas motorist said she was so terrified of a police officer during a routine traffic stop that she called 911 on him.

Read: Chicago Police Release Body Cam Footage of Unarmed Teen Being Shot By Cops

Earledreka White was pulled over in March in downtown Houston after she allegedly crossed a solid line. The 28-year-old claims she did not. Video of the incident has recently surfaced.

She says she got out of the car because her license was in her purse in the trunk. The police officer ordered her to get back in the vehicle.

She says that after so many deadly confrontations between police officers and African Americans in recent months, she was terrified.

"He got out of the car with handcuffs out, using very vulgar language. I didnt feel safe, that is why I called 911," White told Inside Edition.

She called 911 to report the traffic stop and told the dispatcher: I would like another officer to come out here. My heart is racing. I'm really afraid. I'm calling to report harassment by a police officer."

White told Inside Edition: "What you cannot hear in the background of the 911 call is him yelling and screaming at me to get off the phone."

That's when the officer, Gentian Luca, moved in and tried to handcuff her. She screamed: "This man is twisting my arm. Get off me, please!"

The officer struggled to overpower the woman. When he finally subdued her, she was charged with resisting arrest.

White spent two days in jail. She called it a "horrible experience," adding: "I wouldn't want criminals to go through what I went through."

The police officer in White's case has been cleared of any wrongdoing, with his bosses saying he did everything reasonable within the law.

Luca was not disciplined and not put on leave during the investigation. He currently remains on duty.

Read: Driver Pulls Over Trooper For Speeding, Gets An Apology: 'I Was Dumbfounded'

The social worker has pleaded not guilty.

Story continues

"I will never say that I did everything right [in the traffic stop]. I feel as though I acted as a human being would," she told Inside Edition.

Security expert Steve Kardian viewed the footage and told Inside Edition: "Listen to what the police officer says. If you get the ticket, take the ticket. If you got it right, go to the supervisor or go to court."

Watch: 'Black Lives Matter' Chant Erupts as 9 Moms Who Lost Children to Police and Gun Violence Speak at DNC

Related Articles:
Mogadishu (AFP) - Somalia will hold a delayed presidential vote on October 30 with parliamentary polls starting next month, an official statement sent to AFP Monday said, in what international backers hope will signal a long-awaited return to stability.

The UN-sponsored Somalia Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT) met with the leaders of the country's regional governments along with the president to decide on the electoral calendar, it said in the statement.

The FIEIT said parliamentary voting will be held from September 24 to October 10.

"The election for the speaker will be held on 25th October and the presidential elections will be held on 30th October 2016," the statement said.

The list of the candidates for the presidency is yet to be published officially but the sitting president Hassan Sheik Mohamud is starting his campaigns to win a second term.

Mohamud's current mandate expires on September 10 but the regional governments have agreed to extend his term up to the October 30 vote.

But Somalia's vote will be a "limited franchise election" rather than the one-person-one-vote election promised in Somalia's constitution, though more inclusive than the last polls in 2012.

Clan elders will select parliamentarians while each of Somalia's federal states will choose representatives to a new upper house. The two houses of parliament will vote for a president.

The vote will involve up to 14,000 delegates chosen by clan elders and organised into six US-style "electoral colleges" to choose 275 MPs, 30 percent of whom will be women.

Somalia sank into a devastating civil war in 1991 when warlords ousted president Mohamed Siad Barre, plunging the country into years of chaos.

As the country prepares for elections, the security situation remains troubled, largely due to the Shebab, radical Islamists linked to Al-Qaeda who are fighting to overthrow the government.
verruckt

The 12-year-old son of Kansas Representative Scott Schwab died while riding the world's tallest water slide over the weekend.

Caleb Thomas Schwab was visiting Schlitterbahn waterpark in Kansas City on Sunday, which is home to Verruckt (German word for "insane"), the world's tallest waterslide.

Police said in a brief statement officers were working "an apparent accident death investigation" at the water park, but gave no further details.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time," Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio said in a statement. She added the park would be closed on Monday and the ride would undergo a full investigation.

"As we try and mend our home with him no longer with us, we are comforted knowing he believed in his savior, Jesus, and they are forever together now. We will see him another day," Representative Schwab said in a statement.

Verruckt, which is taller than Niagara Falls, was opened in July 2014 after three postponements due to rider safety tests.

Park visitors first climb the 264 stairs before sliding down Verruckt's 168 foot tower in a 3 person raft. The ride, which simulates a water coaster, drops the riders nearly 17 stories for approximately 15 to 20 seconds, before propelling them back up another five stories.

According to Verruckt's ride requirements, each raft must have at least 2 riders at least 54 inches tall and with a combined weight between 400 and 550 pounds.

Reuters contributed to this report.

NOW WATCH: We tried the longest, fastest tunnel slide in the worldhere's what it's like





More From Business Insider


Jason Sudeikis couldnt make it to Mondays Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour, but his animated Zorn character did.

In a hilarious (obviously) pre-recorded video message a few minutes into the freshman Fox shows panel, the Son of Zorn warrior popped up from a coffee house via Facetime. After figuring out his smartphones complicated camera, Zorn attacked some one-and-done ABC dramas. He used jokes, though, not his giant sword.

Got ourselves a roomful of television critics, Zorn began his address to the media members in attendance. Sure, I defend Zepheria, but you guys and gals defend the American public from accidentally tuning in to a dumpster fire like Blood & Oil or Wicked City. Who are the real heroes?

Also Read: 'The Simpsons' to Air First One Hour Episode in 2017

At the tail-end of the panel  which also included live humans  Zorn executive producer Sally Bradford McKenna explained how writers chose the specific defunct ABC series for their punchline.

Low-hanging fruit, she summed up.

Agreed.

'Walking Dead' Season 7 Images Promise Plenty of Negan (Photos)

the walking dead jeffrey dean morgan negan Gene Page/AMC

walking dead season 7 jeffrey dean morgan negan Gene Page/AMC

walking dead season 7 ezekiel kahry payton Gene Page/AMC

walking dead season 7 carol melissa mcbride Gene Page/AMC

walking dead season 7 morgan lennie james Gene Page/AMC

walking dead season 7 jesus tom payne Gene Page/AMC

walking dead season 7 negan jeffrey dean morgan Gene Page/AMC

walking dead season 7 walkers Gene Page/AMC

Story continues

Previous Slide Next Slide

1 of 8

AMCs megahit zombie apocalypse series returns on Oct. 23

Season 7 of "The Walking Dead" is right around the corner, and these first look photos tease plenty of action to come.

View In Gallery

Related stories from TheWrap:

'Sleepy Hollow': How Fox Plans to Retool the Show After Killing Off Abbie Mills

'The X-Files': Fox Boss Explains Why Season 10 Was Challenged

Amy Schumer to Lend Voice Across Fox's Entire Sunday Lineup

Fox Plots 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine,' 'New Girl' Crossover
By Thomas Wilson, Mari Saito, Minami Funakoshi and Ami Miyazaki WARABI, Japan (Reuters) - Mazlum Balibay paves Japans roads, digs its sewers and lays its water pipes  all for a country that doesnt want him. Balibay, 24, is a Kurdish asylum seeker who fled to Japan more than eight years ago after he said his family was persecuted by Turkish security forces who tortured his father. He has since been on provisional release from immigration detention, which means he is barred from working while the immigration authorities consider his application for asylum and could be detained again at any time. But the ban hasnt stopped Balibay from providing the muscle on a slew of public works projects funded by a government that refers to people like him as undesirable. Japan bans us from working, but everyone knows that without foreigners this countrys in trouble, said Balibay. Construction jobs wont get done. There arent enough workers and young Japanese cant do these jobs. The government knows that better than anyone. Two of Balibays brothers have also worked without permits on government projects around Tokyo, laying asphalt and digging sewers. Reuters also spoke to more than 30 Kurds on provisional release who are working illegally on private sector projects, mainly in demolition. Japans deep reluctance to take in migrant workers is now clashing with the reality of a shrinking population and the nations worst labor shortage in more than two decades. In a country that jealously guards its cultural uniformity, politicians are loath to consider lowering the barriers to immigration even as the proportion of retirees grows and the working-age population declines. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters at the United Nations in September that Japan should address its demographic problems by putting women and the elderly to work before considering immigration. Masahiko Shibayama, a lawmaker and special adviser to Abe, told Reuters that theres an allergy toward the word immigration in Japan. People are worried about public security. They worry that foreign workers would eat up Japanese jobs, he said. But the combination of strict immigration laws and a shrinking work pool has spawned a black market in labor, especially in the construction sector where Balibay and his brothers work. In manufacturing, it has also created a growing dependence on asylum seekers: Reuters reported last year how the maker of Subaru cars was enjoying a boom driven in part by its reliance on cheap laborers from Asia and Africa who were seeking refugee status in Japan. [nL1N10800E] [nL4N16F2JM] Japanese business leaders want the government to rethink its immigration policy. Of 259 major Japanese companies that responded to a Reuters poll in October, 76 percent said they support opening up the country to blue-collar migrants. With work getting underway for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, demand for labor is set to jump further, according to Hitoshi Ito, an executive at Kajima Corp., Japans second largest construction firm by sales. Thats why the industry desperately wants foreign workers, he said. AN AGONIZING CHOICE Balibay is part of a community of some 1,200 Kurds who live in Warabi and Kawaguchi, drab blue-collar suburbs north of Tokyo where cast iron foundries dot the streets and gang-related crime is prevalent. The area has been dubbed Warabistan by locals because of the high number of Kurdish immigrants living there, nearly all of whom are asylum seekers. They inhabit a legal twilight zone, locked in lengthy struggles with an immigration system that recognized just 27 people as refugees last year. As of December, Japan had 13,831 asylum applications under review. That is small by the standards of Europe, where there were more than a million asylum applications pending at the end of April, as refugees sought haven from troubled lands such as Syria and Eritrea. But its a record number for insular Japan. According to the latest available data, at the end of 2015 there were 4,701 people on provisional release in Japan. Of those, community groups estimate about 400 are Kurds living in the Warabi area. Justice Minister Mitsuhide Iwaki, who last week stepped down as part of a cabinet reshuffle, declined to answer questions about Reuters findings that asylum seekers on provisional release are working on government projects. Naoaki Torisu, a Justice Ministry official overseeing work permits for foreigners, told Reuters: Regardless of whether its a public works project or not, its undesirable for people on provisional release to take part in prohibited activities. We want them to stop doing that. Most Kurds on provisional release work without contracts, are paid in cash and can be laid off without warning. They dont have national health insurance, often leaving them with an agonizing choice when they or family members fall ill  go into debt or forego medical treatment. Balibay is the main breadwinner in an extended family that includes his mother, two of his four brothers, a sister and her husband, and their infant son. He earns about $2,500 a month  not enough to cover the familys expenses. The family says its unpaid medical bills amount to several thousand dollars. Last year, Balibays seven-year-old brother Deniz was hospitalized with pneumonia. That cost $5,500. 'I STILL DREAM ABOUT IT' Balibay was in his early teens when he first picked up a shovel on a building site. I wanted to go to school, but we didnt have the money, he said, speaking in fluent Japanese. Id be standing in a ditch and see the kids going to school. I thought it would be great to have money, to be able to have fun like them. He traces his familys decision to leave Turkey to his fathers arrest in 1999 on charges of aiding members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), including transferring funds collected in Japan to the group. (Turkey, the European Union and the United States consider the PKK to be a terrorist organization.) Court documents reviewed by Reuters show that Mustafa Balibay and five other Kurdish men arrested along with him were acquitted in 2000. When I was seven, soldiers tortured my father before my eyes, Mazlum told a refugee adjudicator last March, according to interview transcripts. I still dream about it. That experience ultimately led his family to seek refuge in Japan. Over several years, Balibays parents and five of his siblings left Turkey. A Japanese psychiatrist diagnosed Mustafa Balibay in 2008 with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression caused by torture, according to a medical opinion submitted as part of Mustafas asylum application. For years, he took anti-depressants, sedatives and painkillers. The walls inside the familys apartment are pockmarked from where Mustafa lashed out during his frequent nightmares. His mental state deteriorated last year as violence flared between Turkish security forces and the PKK in Turkeys southeast. On December 27, Mustafa went to a park near his home, tied a rope around his neck and hanged himself from a tree. Hed been ill for a long time and his condition suddenly got worse, said Balibay, his voice trailing off. I was at work and got a call. They said a man had found him. Turkeys Interior Ministry and Gendarmerie did not respond to questions from Reuters about Mustafa Balibays case. ELECTION BRAWL The familys asylum claims have all been rejected, and their time in Japan has been peppered with legal battles against deportation orders and detention. Balibay has submitted four asylum applications, including one in August last year. According to Japanese law, asylum seekers cant be deported while their claims are pending. Immigration activists say Japan has never granted refugee status to a Turkish Kurd. Government officials would not say if any of the 3,463 Turkish nationals who have applied for asylum since 2008 had been granted refugee status. The absence of a work permit hasnt stopped Balibay, two of his brothers and a cousin from working on taxpayer funded projects in the past few years. Balibay flicks through photos on his mobile phone, stopping at images of a road project he worked on last year in Warabi. Interviews with the Balibays and a review of their payslips show they worked for a company that was contracted to carry out road building, sewage works and demolition by local governments, including Kawaguchi city and Saitama prefecture. The Balibays asked that the name of the company not be made public. Almost all of Warabis Kurds are from villages around Gaziantep, an industrial city in southern Turkey. Starting in the 1990s, they entered Japan on tourist visas, fleeing poverty and violent clashes between the Turkish state and the PKK. Like Balibay, who has the word Kurdistan tattooed on the inside of his right wrist, many Kurds still harbor strong ties to their homeland. Every year in March, the community gathers under cherry trees in a Kawaguchi park to celebrate Newroz, the Kurdish new year. And while they may be far from the conflict between Turkey and Kurdish militants, which resumed last year after the collapse of a ceasefire that lasted two-and-a-half years, the bitter emotions have been imported to the streets of Tokyo. Last October, Balibay and two of his brothers were injured in a brawl with a group of Turkish migrants that erupted outside the Turkish embassy as Kurds and Turks waited to vote in the countrys parliamentary elections. Balibay suffered a broken nose and cracked ribs. That added more than $2,000 to his medical debts, he said. Asked how asylum seekers on provisional release, who are barred from working, are supposed to pay for food and shelter, Japanese government officials say that friends, relatives or NGOs should help out. But once out of detention, the reality is that migrants are left largely to fend for themselves. Thats why people like Balibay look for work even at the risk it will land them back behind bars. Unlike many officials, Kawaguchi mayor Nobuo Okunoki isnt willing to play policeman. Im not going to tell these people they cant work. Everyone needs to live and they have families to support, he said. People on provisional release cannot legally rent apartments, open bank accounts or sign up for mobile phone contracts in their names. They navigate this phantom status by borrowing the names and personal details of relatives and friends with residency permits. NIGHTLY ESCAPE They also need official permission to leave their prefecture. The Japanese authorities granted that approval when they needed the Kurds help after the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the countrys northeast on March 11, 2011. A group of Kurdish men, some on provisional release, who volunteered to help with disaster relief were given official clearance to make the journey to the worst-hit areas, according to the Japan Association for Refugees. The Kurdish volunteers  many with construction and demolition experience  headed to Rikuzentakata, one of the hardest-hit areas. The coastal village was swallowed by a 15-meter wave that killed 1,700 people and swept away thousands of buildings. The volunteers, who were housed in tents, cleared rubble from roads and rice fields, and cleaned up damaged homes, according to the refugee association, which organized the volunteer trips after being inundated with offers of help from asylum seekers. I didnt go there to get anything, said Mahmut Colak, a Kurdish asylum seeker on provisional release. I just felt sorry for the people in Rikuzentakata. I knew immigration wouldnt give me a visa. Akinobu Kinoshita, who runs Tokyo-based International Construction Consulting, says there are several dozen Kurdish asylum seekers working on private demolition jobs across the capital that are being run by his company. Most have six-month renewable work permits, but Reuters spoke to several who are on provisional release. Kinoshita said he allows them to work out of compassion because they need to make a living. If workers are caught on his building sites without permits, Kinoshita faces a fine that could run to nearly $30,000 and a maximum jail sentence of three years. The Japanese government said it did not have data on how many employers had been punished for using illegal labor. Desperate to attract Japanese workers to building sites, the labor ministry has partnered with construction firms to set up a promotional website aimed at persuading young Japanese to work in the industry. The website shows a group of smiling young women in hardhats under a headline that reads: Women who work in the construction industry are COOL. Officials at the ministry concede that the outreach has done little to make the industry more attractive. And with Abe struggling to boost the economy, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party published a proposal on its website in May to establish a system for attracting foreign workers to sectors including nursing and agriculture. But the party gave few details and buried the proposal deep in its manifesto. The Justice Ministrys Torisu said there were no plans to change the system of provisional release. People being on provisional release doesnt change our stance that they should go home, he said. Nearly a decade after arriving in Japan, Balibay has little hope he will ever be recognized as a refugee by his adopted country. After 10-hour days on construction sites, he escapes into a world far away, spending his nights watching YouTube videos of young Kurdish men like himself fighting Islamic State in Syria. "I cant think about tomorrow, he says. (Additional reporting by Melih Aslan in Istanbul. Editing by Peter Hirschberg.)
Sri Lanka's police sought spiritual help from Buddhist clergy Monday to bless an accident-prone highway in a country that has some of the world's most dangerous roads.

Police at Mawathagama, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) north-east of Colombo, directed three saffron-robed monks to bless a spot where there had been five fatal accidents in a month, a police official said.

"Traffic constables sat by the roadside while monks chanted sacred texts to bless a dangerous double bend," the official told AFP confirming reports of the unusual traffic management effort.

Sri Lanka's police deal with about seven road fatalities each day.

The official, who declined to be named, said it was the first time that a Buddhist "pirith" (chanting of Buddha's teachings) blessing had been used to tackle the growing problem of reckless driving in the Buddhist majority country.

Sri Lanka's new police chief, Pujith Jayasundara, has said that he secured the top job in April thanks to the recital of "pirith" on 35 consecutive occasions in his quest to become the Inspector-General.

The monk who led Monday's blessing on the main Kandy - Kurunegala highway, Hunupola Saranapala, told Lankadeepa.lk website that he believed their effort could reduce the number of accidents.

"The power of pirith can minimise accidents," the monk said.
Thirty years ago, director Rob Reiners coming-of-age classic Stand by Me hit theaters and got the eponymous Ben E. King song stuck in everyones head for the rest of time. Richard Dreyfuss narrates this film adaptation of Stephen Kings novella The Body looking back on the summer when he and his best friends set off to look for the body of a fellow 12-year-old who had reportedly been struck by a train.

During this adventure, sweet, smart Gordie (Wil Wheaton), take-charge Chris (River Phoenix), feisty Teddy (Corey Feldman) and fat Vern (Jerry OConnell)  as TIMEs movie critic Richard Corliss described the characters in his 1986 original review  grew close as they shared hopes, fears, and disgusting campfire stories, like the one about a pie-eating-contest-turned-barf-o-rama.

Corliss started out his critique by emphasizing that the film was fun for all ages and would later (in a 1987 review of Reiners next classic The Princess Bride) reference Stand by Mes script as something teen boys could quote to impress girls with their sensitivity. But, at the same time, his original critique points out one aspect of the film that works against its yuppie winsomeness tone:

But Stand by Me is a shuck. It trumpets its sensitivity while reveling in coarseness. And at its climax it suggests that manhood can be found through the barrel of a gun. Maybe this is how Rambo discovered puberty. Maybe real kids should be discouraged from following his example.

Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter

Some of the actors would later experience a profound loss of innocence in the public realm, one that stands in stark contrast to the films innocent tone.

In 1993, after Phoenix died of an overdose at age 23, Corliss would write that perhaps the actor had thought his name guaranteed immortality. A river runs forever; a phoenix rises from its own ashes and that his death sent a sick seismic thrill through Generation X. Later, Feldmans 2013 memoir claimed that he and fellow child star Corey Haim were the victims of sexual abuse while working as young stars in Hollywood.

As for their co-stars, OConnell would transform from a chubby little kid into an actor whom director Reiner described to TIME in 2010 as a stud. Wheaton would become a hit in the sci-fi world and a Comic Con celebrity, between roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation and The Big Bang Theory. And the film itself has stood the test of time as well: the new hit sci-fi show on Netflix Stranger Things riffs on the iconic scene of the boys walking on the train tracks.
All the candidates who appeared for the UPSC IAS preliminary examination on August 7 can now check the paper analysis here.

By India Today Web Desk: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) successfully conducted the preliminary examination on August 7.

As per reports, this year over 11.36 lakhs aspirants from across the nation appeared for the prelims examination.

From Chandigarh and Ludhiana alone, 52,000 candidates appeared for the prelims exam at 127 centres.

The examination was conducted in two phases. The first phase started from 9.30 am and continued till 11.30 am while the second phase commenced on 2.30 pm and continued till 4.30 pm.

advertisement

After seeing the question paper, it has been noticed that, this year too, there was focus on multiple questions.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Kanchan Garg, a UPSC aspirant said, "The paper was very easy and direct."

While explaining about the question paper, Kanchan said, "Around 70 per cent questions were from current affairs, three to four questions from polity, five to six questions from history and two to four questions from geography subject."

More on paper analysis:

As per Chanakya Academy's AK Mishra, majority of the questions were from current and contemporary development

There were not many questions from History and Geography subjects

Like in history and culture section, more questions (overall 16) were asked on the Indian culture than on the modern India

In particular, there were a lot of questions from Climatology and government programmes and schemes

Overall, this year questions were on current affairs, system and governance, law, social and economic law and there changes.

As per official schedule, the main examination will be conducted on December 3, 2016.



Read: UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination, 2016: E-Summon letter released

Read :UPSC Combined Medical Examination 2016: E-Summon letter released at upsc.gov.in

Read: UPSC issues special advertisement: Hiring begins for Dental Surgeon posts

For more updates on education news, follow India Today Education or you can write to us at education.intoday@gmail.com



--- ENDS ---
supernova exploding star illustration nasa

A little under three million years ago, a massive star exploded in our galaxy about 300 light years away.

This supernova was so close to our planet that, depending on where it went off, our evolutionary ancestors might have seen it as a bright light in the sky.

As our solar system traveled through radioactive specks of stardust left over from the explosion, some of the dust broke through our atmosphere and rained down on our planet.

Now a recent find from deep within our still-vast ocean is helping us piece together details of a cosmic event that may have changed our planet millions of years ago.

Supernova junk in the ocean

In 2004, scientists found some of this supernova debris in oceanic crust from the Pacific Ocean. But until now, scientists had a tough time pinpointing exactly how long ago the supernova ejected its insides into space. Thats because the type of ocean crust they found the debris in grows extremely slowly  about 1 millimeter every million years.

In a new study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), scientists were able to figure out how long ago the star exploded and how much time our solar system spent traveling through its stellar guts. Not only was the length of time our solar system spent in the stars remains surprising, it also coincides with an extinction event in Earths oceans, as well as a period of global cooling.

Crystal-making bacteria

Screen Shot 2016 08 08 at 3.19.09 PM

To get these results, the scientists used a different type of ocean sediment from the Pacific Ocean that grows at a rate of 10-20 meters every million years. They were searching for atoms of a radioactive isotope of iron called iron-60. Iron-60 is not produced on Earth, and can only be produced in these massive, exploding stars. In fact, this supernova debris is the first place in the history of our species that weve even seen it.

So what was it that preserved this 2.6 million-year-old radioactive isotope?

Story continues

According to Shawn Bishop, a physicist at the Technical University of Munich in Germany and coauthor of the study, its all thanks to a family of bacteria that lives in the ocean sediments. These bacteria grow dozens of tiny crystals of magnetite, composed of iron and oxygen, in their cells. These crystals, Bishop said, are actually tiny bar magnets. They get their iron from nanosized rust particles falling into the surface of the ocean from our atmosphere.

Although the bacteria are long dead and their cells have since been dissolved, the crystals, called magnetofossils because theyre magnetic, remain.

Much of the supernova material coming into our atmosphere would have been a fine radioactive dust, which would have oxidized and turned to rust-like particles as it rained down on the ocean and settled into the sediments.

The idea that stardust is found on our planet in crystals of magnetite made by bacteria that live in the ocean sediment is to my mind extremely cool, Bishop told Business Insider.

Dancing in stardust for a million years

Using a technique that allowed them to count the atoms of iron-60 in the crystals, the scientists were able to figure out that the supernova went off about 2.6 million years ago, and our solar system twirled through its guts for 800,000 years.

This was surprising to the scientists because when a supernova explodes, the material, or ejecta, that escapes the gravitational well of the star travels between about 3,000 and 6,000 miles per second. And yet somehow it took nearly a million years to pass through our solar system.

Theres a mystery there, Bishop said. Can the ejecta from a supernova explosion be spread out in time? This is something that needs to be explained and understood.

'Our universe is not a friendly place to live'

One interesting aspect about this result is that the time our planet spent inside the supernova material coincides with well-established extinction in Earths oceans of things like marine mollusks, snails, as well as a period of global cooling.

Our universe is not a friendly place to live, Bishop said. We think it is, but as soon as you leave the confines of our planet, the universe is extremely hostile to life. There are explosions going on everywhere and if this one had been within [30 light years] or less, we might not be here discussing it.

NOW WATCH: This is what a supernova looks like





More From Business Insider


This article was updated on Tuesday, August 9 to reflect updates from Delta.

On Tuesday, Delta (DAL) was still struggling to recover from a power outage that hit its Atlanta headquarters disrupted the airlines computer system early Monday. Delta canceled an additional 300 flights this morning; 1,000 flights were canceled Monday.

The outage occurred at 2:30 a.m. ET on Monday, causing delays on all flights that were awaiting departure. Delta got the systems back up and running by 8:40 a.m., but the damage was already done. As of noon on Monday, Delta operated only 1,590 flights of the nearly 6,000 flights scheduled for the day.

The delays are widespread, but the lack of updated communication seems to be a place where the airline needs improvement. There may also be some lag time in the display of accurate flight status on Delta.com, Fly Delta App, and from Delta representatives on the phone and in the airport, the airline wrote in a press release.

Stranded travelers took to Twitter, with many using the hashtag #DeltaDown to air their frustrations.

I'm thinking about settling down and starting a new life in the delta line at the Milwaukee airport. #DeltaDown  Theo Bean (@theobean_racing) August 8, 2016

If you're having a bad Monday just think You could be flying @Delta #DeltaDown  Taylor Mason (@taylomason) August 8, 2016

@Delta amazing that you don't have a back up plan for the system glitch. Guess I'll just sit here and wait #deltadown  Brian Wilson (@bmwcuse) August 8, 2016

While its clear that thousands of travelers are having a horrible case of the Mondays, there is one small silver lining  a refund. The airline is offering a waiver to passengers flying on Aug. 8 and Aug. 9. So if your flight was canceled or significantly delayed, it is free to rebook your flight or you can ask for your money back. The change fee is typically $200 for domestic flights. If you decide to rebook, your tickets must be reissued on or before Aug. 21, and rebooked travel must begin no later than Aug. 21.

Story continues

Should the rescheduled flight occur after Aug. 21, the change fee will be waived, but a difference in fare may apply.

On Tuesday, Delta announced that they would provide $200 travel vouchers to any customer who experienced a delay of greater than three hours or a canceled flight as a result of the outage. Passengers who have provided their email address will be contacted and sent their voucher in seven to 10 business days. Customers who have not been contacted can complete a Customer Care form to receive their voucher. All travel must be booked by Aug. 8, 2017.

If this outage sounds like a freak accident, think again. Two other major airlines have had recent computer glitches causing major delays. On July 22, Southwest canceled more than 1,100 flights after the carriers website was knocked offline. And in September 2015, American Airlines had a widespread outage that caused delays for flights in Dallas, Chicago and Miami.

As for Delta, travelers should expect setbacks while traveling this week. Customers heading to the airport should expect delays and cancellations, the airline said on its website. While inquiries are high and wait times are long, our customer service agents are doing everything they can to assist.

Brittany Jones-Cooper is a writer for Yahoo Finance.

Read more:

16 states with tax-free weekends for back-to-school shopping

Low on cash? Now there is layaway for airline tickets

American Airlines new awards chart could cost you miles
Summer

Summer vacations are ending sooner than ever for many students and teachers across the nation.

In public schools in Atlanta, Georgia, most students began school on August 3. In Washington, DC, many start on Monday. And in Los Angeles, many start on August 16.

The same is true for numerous other school districts that begin their semesters weeks before Labor Day.

The changes have been made with students in mind.

"It's a new experience, but we are excited because it gives kids more time to engage with the content," Catrina Brown, an English teacher in DC, told The Washington Post.

In Washington, the move was made to avoid the "summer brain drain," the period during which students backslide on the mastery of content they had learned the year before, according to The Post.

In Los Angeles, the earlier start helped with the flow of the school year.

"I'd say people feel that it's a better way to lay out the school year," Laurie Baccus, an assistant superintendent at Whittier School District, told the Southern California public radio station KPCC.

The August start allows classrooms to finish the semester before winter break, as well as gives students more time to study for state exams.

Pushing up the school year comes with some drawbacks, though, especially in districts that have extremely warm summer temperatures.

"We've had days in the past couple of weeks that have been up to 117, 118," Joan Boiko, a spokesperson for the Palm Springs school district, told KPCC.

Boiko noted that the start time increases the district's electric bill by $6,500 per day in August.

NOW WATCH: This Excel trick will save you time and impress your boss





More From Business Insider


Penny Oleksiak, Sarah Sjostrom and Dana Vollmer pose after their race. (Getty)

RIO DE JANEIRO  Dana Vollmer capped her remarkable post-childbirth comeback Sunday night by earning a bronze medal  her second medal in as many nights.

The 28-year-old mother of a 17-month-old son finished third in the 100-meter butterfly, behind silver-medalist Penny Oleksiak of Canada, and heavy favorite Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden, who broke her own world record in the event with a time of 55:48. Oleksiak reached the wall just before Vollmer to finish second.

Vollmer was the defending Olympic champion in the event, but for quite some time after the 2012 London Games was devoted to motherhood.

[Related: Katie Ledecky shatters 400 freestyle world record, nabs first U.S. swimming gold]

It was only after she launched her post-partum comeback in April 2015  well after, given the struggles at first  that another Olympic experience seemed at all possible. But Vollmer bounced back quickly, and by 2016 she had re-established herself among the vanguard of American butterfliers. She finished second at the Olympic trials to Kelsi Worrell to punch her ticket to Rio.

Now Vollmer has more hardware to show for it, pairing this bronze medal with a silver medal earned on the 400 freestyle relay Saturday night.

Worrell did not qualify for the eight-woman final, one of the bigger American disappointments of the early going at Olympic Aquatics Stadium.

Sjostrom showed she is primed for a big meet and will be a threat in several freestyle events, including a potential battle with American star Katie Ledecky in the 200 freestyle.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Swedish rights group Ship to Gaza said Monday it will ask Israeli authorities to repair a blockade-busting ship they impounded in 2012, after Israel's Supreme Court ordered its release.

Ship to Gaza spokesman Dror Feiler told AFP that the Finnish-flagged Estelle was in Israel's northern port of Haifa, still afloat but unfit to put to sea.

"Last time we had a person who checked the boat, it was maybe one year or nine months ago, the condition of the boat was not good, to put it mildly," he said in English by phone from his home in Sweden.

"It's in salt water and we don't know the condition of the engine, we don't know the condition of the sails," he said. "We will demand that the boat will be put into seaworthy condition so we can sail."

Israeli-born activist Feiler was one of 11 Swedish nationals on the vessel when the Israeli navy commandeered it in 2012 as it neared the coast of the blockaded Gaza Strip.

He had previously renounced his Israeli citizenship and held Swedish nationality.

The Swedes, along with activists from Norway, Canada, Spain, Italy, Greece and Finland, were arrested and later deported.

In its ruling on Sunday the Supreme Court said the state impounded the ship illegally and awarded its owners legal costs of 40,000 shekels ($10,500, 9,400 euros).

"In light of everything that was said in the ruling, the judges... ordered the release of the ship immediately," a justice ministry statement said.

Feiler said Ship to Gaza would now file a claim for damages.

"They kept the boat for four years and now the court is stipulating that it was illegal so we shall try to get economic compensation," he said. "It's much larger (than the court expenses)."

Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade since 2006. It was tightened in 2007 after the Islamist group Hamas seized control in Gaza.

The Estelle voyage was one of several unsuccessful attempts to breach the cordon since 2010, when Israeli commandos killed 10 Turkish activists in a raid on a flotilla seeking to run the blockade.
By Mark Trevelyan RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Russia's Yulia Efimova, who won her appeal against a doping ban on the eve of the Rio Olympics, was jeered before and after her 100 meters breaststroke semi-final on Sunday but qualified in second place for Monday's final. Efimova, the world champion at the distance, clocked one minute 5.72 seconds in the semi-finals, two-hundredths of a second behind American Lilly King. Both improved on their times in the morning heats, when King had shaded the Russian by 0.01 seconds. In the first semi-final, Efimova was greeted with boos and klaxons before the start. Defending Olympic champion Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania reacted first from the starting block and led at half-way, with Efimova turning in fifth place. But the Russian moved up the field in the final 50 meters to win convincingly, and wagged one finger in the air as the crowd greeted her with more boos. King won the second semi-final ahead of China's Shi Jinglin, who qualified third-fastest for the final, with Meilutyte in fourth. Revelations of state-sponsored Russian doping overshadowed the build-up to the Olympics, and the country was banned on Sunday from the Paralympics that will follow. Efimova was one of a number of Russians who successfully appealed, arguing that after serving previous doping bans they should not be punished again by being excluded from Rio. The 24-year-old world champion only learned on Friday that she could compete, ending months of uncertainty. "I was crazy, like, last half-year, I just don't understand what's going on and everything. I'm just happy to be here and I'm ready to race," she said. Asked after the morning heats if it was fair she was competing, King said: "You know, I'm going to stay out of it, but a level playing field would be preferred." Meilutyte declined to comment on her rival's reinstatement. Efimova is also due to compete in the 200 breaststroke, in which she was world champion in 2013 and won a bronze medal at the London Olympics in 2012. Efimova was banned between October 2013 and February 2015 after testing positive for traces of the anabolic steroid DHEA. She was also briefly suspended after testing positive for meldonium this year, but cleared in July. (Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Ken Ferris and Alison Williams)
By Mark Trevelyan RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Calming her nerves by reassuring herself that 'it's just a pool', hot favorite Sarah Sjostrom broke her own world record in the 100 meters butterfly on Sunday to become the first Swedish woman to win an Olympic swimming gold medal. Canada's 16-year-old Penny Oleksiak won silver and Dana Vollmer of the United States, the defending Olympic champion who became a mother last year, took bronze. Sjostrom, three times world champion in the event, set a time of 55.48 seconds to break her previous mark of 55.64, set in Russia a year ago. It was the first Olympic medal for the 22-year-old Swede, competing in her third Games. She will also race in the 50, 100 and 200 meters freestyle, but told reporters she knew the butterfly was her best chance. "The feeling is totally crazy. I didn't realize it was a world record," Sjostrom said. "I knew I was the big favorite. I was under pressure, so I tried to focus on no disasters. Before the start I said to myself: 'It's just a pool. It's nothing. I know what to do.'" The reigning world champion led at the turn and pulled away in the last 50 meters as the crowd cheered her on in anticipation of the record. Oleksiak put in a strong swim in lane two to snatch the silver ahead of Vollmer, breaking her own world junior record in the process. "It is super amazing," the Canadian said. "I still have a few more years left as a junior. Taking that time down is going to be fun." (Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Andrew Hay/Greg Stutchbury)
By PTI: Lucknow, Aug 8 (PTI) Three more persons, including the main accused in the Bulandshahr gangrape case, have been arrested, taking the total number of those nabbed in connection with the incident to six, a police official said tonight.

Declining to give details, he said that all the three accused were picked up by the police during raids.

advertisement

Among them was the main accused Salim Bawariya, he said, but did not disclose the place from where the arrests were made.

These arrests are in addition to three persons picked up earlier.

Director General of UP Police Javeed Ahmed had earlier said, "The names of other accused are almost clear and efforts are on to arrest them."

A group of dacoits had brutally raped the woman and her 13-year-old daughter at gunpoint after dragging them out of a car in Bulandshahr on NH-91 when they were travelling with their family from Noida to Shahjahanpur on July 29. PTI AVA SMI SMJ SC SMJ

--- ENDS ---
By Sebastien Malo NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said on Monday that 13 people including children had died in the bombing of a hospital in northwestern Syria, describing the weekend attack as an "outrage" which violated international law. MSF said the air strikes had destroyed most of the hospital which specialized in children's medicine and served some 70,000 people in the town of Meles in rebel-held Idlib province. Five children and two women were among nine patients who died, in addition to four hospital staff, said MSF. Another six employees were wounded. Over the weekend the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based body which monitors the war in Syria, put the death toll at 10. MSF, which supports the hospital, said the strikes wrecked medical devices, the operating theater, pediatric and intensive care units, ambulances and the facility's generator. The medical charity said two aerial strikes had hit the hospital directly and two hit the immediate vicinity. It could not identify who was behind the bombing. Syrian government and allied Russian military planes operate in Syria. The Syrian government has also accused rebels of hitting medical targets in the city of Aleppo. The attack on the Meles facility - the biggest referral hospital in the area - has left much of the neighboring population without access to healthcare, said Silvia Dallatomasina, a medical manager for MSF operations in northwestern Syria. Humanitarian groups have repeatedly called for a halt to strikes on medical facilities. "Bombing cannot be indiscriminate in areas in which there is a civilian population," Dallatomasina told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone. MSF said the hospital had provided emergency care or consultations for around 250 patients a day, many of them women and children. Nearly 1,000 people have been killed in attacks on health centers worldwide over the past two years, almost 40 percent of them in Syria, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in May. (Reporting by Sebastien Malo, Editing by Emma Batha. 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)
aleppo

A nearly monthlong government siege of Syria's largest city is on the verge of collapse after a week of heavy fighting in northern and eastern Aleppo led to the defeat of pro-regime forces by a coalition of Syrian opposition groups.

The siege has not been completely broken, and the situation remains unstable, said Syrian journalist Hadi Alabdallah, who was in Aleppo while the battle unfolded.

Fights are still erupting sporadically across the city, he said, and airstrikes continue to puncture any aura of calm.

But the Free Syrian Army, aided by a military alliance of several rebel brigades known as Jaysh al Fateh, or the Army of Conquest, has regained control over a significant portion of Aleppo, including a government supply line leading into the city from the south and a major regime artillery academy.

"There was initially significant resistance from the pro-regime forces," Alabdallah told Business Insider in an interview from Turkey, where he is receiving medical treatment for an injury he suffered while in Syria. Foreign fighters, including Iran-backed militias and Hezbollah, dominated the pro-regime forces, he said.

"But after parts of the frontline were recaptured by the rebels, the regime-allied forces deteriorated very quickly," Alabdallah said.

"It was very surprising, and much faster than anyone had expected," he added. "Officers from those [pro-regime] militias fled and left their soldiers out on the field, so they started to flee as well. That's why the artillery academy was so easy to overrun  it was captured within two hours."

'A much more cohesive operation'

Alabdallah's account lines up with what one alleged Hezbollah fighter said in a tape recorded during last week's heavy fighting, which was later leaked on social media.

The pro-regime fighters "all left us," the combatant said in the message, according to NOW Lebanon. "The Iranian, Afghans and Syrians  all of them left us. We are like dummies  we don't know anything. We are fighting alone."

Story continues

"I went to the academy in the afternoon  and only the Lebanese were still there," he added of the artillery academy rebels say they overran.

Syrian government officials denied reports that the artillery base had fallen to the rebels, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said parts of the base had indeed been taken by the rebel alliance.

rebels aleppo

The regime also claimed that insurgents had suffered heavy losses throughout the battles  a claim Alabdallah disputed.

"Given the scale of the battle and the gains made, the number of lost [rebel] fighters has been very limited," Alabdallah said. He estimated that the opposition was able to recapture 35 square kilometers, or roughly 21 miles, of territory, including strategic infrastructure, from pro-regime forces.

He cautioned, too, against characterizing the battle as an offensive launched and won by Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, an Islamist rebel brigade that until late last month was known as Jabhat al-Nusra, Al Qaeda's affiliate in Syria.

Aleppo

"There have been many different players all playing a critical role  the forces fighting the regime from inside Aleppo have been almost exclusively FSA," Alabdallah said, using an abbreviation for the Free Syrian Army. "When it comes to operations in southwest Aleppo, Ahrar al-Sham probably played a bigger role than Jabhat Fatah al-Sham."

Ahrar al-Sham is an Islamist rebel group characterized by Russia and the Syrian government as a terrorist organization. It is backed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Both Ahrar al Sham and Jabhat Fatah al-Sham are members of the broader Islamist rebel coalition Jaysh al Fateh.

Still, Alabdallah said, it remains difficult to say whether any of the rebel groups played an outsize role in the fight to break the siege.

"Jaysh al Fateh used to fight in a way where each group would take a different front, so that they were essentially divided on battlefield," Alabdallah said. "They would attack together but their resources would be divided. The policy now  in this battle at least  is that all the groups are intermixed in battle. It's a much more cohesive operation."

A military spokesman for Jaysh al Fateh, Abu Yusef al-Muhajer, told The Daily Beast that while the FSA "were with us everywhere in the battlefield," they were "not part of the operations room."

He noted that some FSA units within Jaysh al Fateh had received TOW anti-tank missiles from the CIA.

"The FSA worked hard and offered a lot," Muhajer said. "Apart from Fateh Army, the participation of other groups from Aleppo in this battle was between 0 percent and 5 percent.

'Swings of momentum'

As the strategic security firm The Soufan Group noted in its daily briefing Monday, the offensive to break the siege "was one of the largest coordinated rebel campaigns of the war to date." But the group cautioned against characterizing the rebel gains as any kind of a decisive blow to the regime.

"The rebel gains in Aleppo are undeniable and significant, and could possibly trigger some negotiated resolution to the civil war," the note read. "They could also lead to a period of increased fighting and suffering, followed by increased foreign support and swings of momentum, as has every other turning point up to now."

Alabdallah stressed that the cohesiveness of the operation did not necessarily indicate that the former Al Qaeda affiliate was winning over hearts and minds. The group still "differs too much ideologically" with the more mainstream groups, he said. Rather, Jabhat Fatah al-Sham is just one component of a much broader military alliance of groups that each brings its own strengths to the table.

"Some smaller groups might explore merging in with Jabhat Fatah al-Sham," Alabdallah said. "But I don't expect the dynamics to change that much  the ideological differences are still there."

aleppo

Both the regime-controlled pockets of Aleppo and those under rebel control reportedly received much-needed aid over the weekend and into Monday.

Syrian government forces said they had delivered food and fuel to neighborhoods under their control, while photos of an aid convoy carrying food into the rebel-held east from Idlib prompted civilians to take to the streets in celebration  even as the threat of intensified airstrikes loomed over them.

"The civilians are so happy," Alabdallah said. "They will continue to be bombed, and they will continue taking whatever precautions they need to avoid being killed in the airstrikes. But at least now they won't be starving."

NOW WATCH: The Air Force's A-10 Warthog targets ISIS fighters with this massive gatling gun





More From Business Insider


Updated on August 8 at 3:45 p.m. ET

NEWS BRIEF A suicide bomber in Quetta, Pakistan, killed at least 50 people on Monday in an attack on a hospital that targeted those mourning a prominent lawyer who was shot and killed earlier in the day.

SITE, the terrorism-monitoring group, said ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaq news agency. The claim cannot be independently confirmed, and earlier reports had said the Pakistani Taliban faction, Jamaat-ur-Ahrar, took responsibility. Death tolls vary, with some placing it at 53, and others at 63. The man the mourners had come to see at the Quetta Civil Hospital was attorney Bilal Kasi, who was shot Monday on his way to his work.

As Dawn, the Pakistani newspaper, reported:

Abdul Rehman, the director at the Civil Hospital, said the bombing killed 63 people, mostly lawyers. He said they were also treating 92 wounded in the explosion. According to senior police official Zahoor Ahmed Afridi, most of the dead were lawyers. Several lawyers including the former president of Balochistan Bar Association Baz Mohammad Kakar were reported injured.

Quetta is one of Pakistans largest cities; the southwestern Balochistan region, which shares a border with Iran and Afghanistan, has seen unrest for the past decade. Much of the violence there has been blamed on Taliban and al-Qaeda attacks on the minority Shia and Hazara communities. The region also is the scene of a separatist rebellion.

Recommended: 15 Years After 9/11, Is America Any Safer?

Pakistani lawyers said they will observe three days of mourning during which they will not appear in court. One local lawyer, who tweeted that his mentor was killed in the blast, raised concern that the loss of experience could also have larger ramifications on the area's legal system.

To put the magnitude of destruction into perspective, I got my law license back in 2010, joined Balochistan Bar last year in September...  Barkhurdar Khan (@BarkhurdarAchak) August 8, 2016

Batch are now in the top 100 practicing lawyers both in terms of standing and seniority. Let that sink in for a moment. All, I repeat ALL..  Barkhurdar Khan (@BarkhurdarAchak) August 8, 2016

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
N'Djamena (AFP) - Chad's President Idriss Deby is set to be sworn in Monday for a fifth term in power, facing persistent resistance from an opposition that alleges his re-election was a "political hold-up".

Heavily-armed security forces cracked down at the weekend, using tear gas to disperse opposition activists who rallied despite an official ban in the poor, landlocked nation.

One young protester was shot dead on Sunday, opposition and police sources said.

"We are in the right. It's the government that is acting illegally by preventing political parties from expressing themselves," Saleh Kebzabo, Deby's nearest rival in the April presidential vote, said Saturday.

Various groups have planned a day of "mourning" Monday, when Deby is to be inaugurated in the capital N'Djamena before about a dozen African heads of state and other guests such as French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

On Friday opposition activists announced they had filed a complaint in court alleging "high treason" against Deby, claiming "illegal taking of power by violence" and "misuse of public money".

Deby came to power in 1990 and was re-elected in a first round vote in April with 61.5 percent of ballots cast against 12.8 percent for Kebzabo, according to official results.

The opposition called Deby's re-election a "political hold-up", saying their own count showed no candidate won outright at the first stage.

The election campaign was marred by a clampdown on demonstrations by unions and rights groups demanding a change of leadership and democratic reforms. Arrests and disappearances of activists are common in the nation of 12 million.

The situation in the oil-producing semi-desert country, a key player in the fight against west African jihadist groups, has been tense in recent months.

The opposition has laid partial blame on France, Chad's former colonial ruler, claiming it has turned a blind eye to alleged human rights violations.

Story continues

Chad is an active ally of Western nations and its neighbours in the battle against the Nigeria-based Islamists of Boko Haram. N'Djamena is also the headquarters for France's Barkhane anti-jihadist force.

Despite the regime's strict security set-up, Chad has seen unusual social tension this year. The gang rape of a schoolgirl by the sons of senior officials triggered angry demonstrations around the country, which were severely dealt with by the authorities.

The government has also been weakened by a difficult economic situation linked to the collapse in the price of oil. Strikes by officials over late salary payments have been growing.
N'Djamena (AFP) - Chad's President Idriss Deby took the oath of office Monday for a fifth term in power, facing dogged resistance from an opposition that alleges his re-election was a "political hold-up".

With tensions high a day after the death of a protester during an opposition march, around a dozen African heads of state attended the swearing-in ceremony, including the presidents of Nigeria and Niger which, like Chad, are battling the Boko Haram jihadist group.

"I am the president of all Chadians," Deby said in his inauguration speech.

The 64-year-old veteran leader promised "a relentless battle against terrorism everywhere it threatens our interests and our security".

Other allies, including leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Mauritania, attended the ceremony which was held at a large hotel in the capital N'Djamena.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, defence minister of former colonial power France, also attended to the dismay of the opposition, which wants the international community to recognise the "dictatorial nature" of Deby's regime.

Deby, who first came to power in 1990, was re-elected in a first-round vote in April with around 60 percent of ballots cast, against almost 13 percent for opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo.

One young protester was shot dead on Sunday in a government crackdown, opposition and police sources said, with Kebzabo saying he had been hit by live bullets fired by security forces to disperse the protesters.

Kebzabo said he was "surprised and disappointed" by France's decision to send a high ranking representative.

He told AFP the opposition was Monday holding a general strike to create what it called a "dead city" in protest against Deby's return to power.

He also said he had received an order from the prosecutor to report to the police on Tuesday morning.

- 'We're in the right' -

Kebzabo had on Saturday declared: "We are in the right. It's the government that is acting illegally by preventing political parties from expressing themselves."

Story continues

Opposition activists have also announced the filing of a complaint in court alleging "high treason" by Deby, claiming "illegal taking of power by violence" and "misuse of public money".

The opposition called Deby's re-election a "political hold-up", saying its own count showed no candidate won outright in the first round.

The election campaign was marred by a clampdown on demonstrations by unions and rights groups demanding a change of leadership and democratic reforms.

Arrests and disappearances of activists are common in the nation of 12 million people.

The situation in the semi-desert country, a key player in the fight against west African jihadist groups, has been tense in recent months and as an oil producer its economy has suffered from the global fall in crude prices.

Deby in his speech Monday urged rural development rather than a reliance on oil. "Our good will never come from oil resources because their scarcity and volatility are more of a weakness than a reassurance," he said.

Chad is an active ally of Western nations and its neighbours in the battle against the Nigeria-based Islamist group Boko Haram, and N'Djamena is the headquarters for France's Barkhane anti-jihadist force.

The opposition has laid partial blame on France for the tensions in the country, claiming Paris has turned a blind eye to alleged human rights violations.

Despite the regime's strict security set-up, Chad has seen unusual social tension this year.

The gang rape of a schoolgirl by the sons of senior officials triggered angry demonstrations around the country, which were severely dealt with by the authorities.

And strikes by officials over late salary payments have been growing.
By PTI: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Aug 8 (PTI) Seven people, including a new-born baby, are feared killed when a private chopper today crashed in a forest area in Nepals Nuwakot district while it was flying the baby and her mother to Kathmandu for treatment.

The Fishtail Air helicopter lost contact with air traffic control tower shortly after it took off from Gorkha this afternoon.

advertisement

The chopper, which was flying the new-born for a treatment in Kathmandu with her mother, crashed at Bhatine Danda area in Nuwakot district, 150 km west of Kathmandu, officials said.

All seven people, including the pilot, on board the 9N-AKA helicopter are presumed dead, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Caan) said.

A Nepal Army team and other rescue officials have been deployed at the crash site, said Devendra KC, spokesperson of the Caan.

"Bad weather has been preventing the search operation," he said. PTI SBP PMS

--- ENDS ---
A referendum victory for Thailand's ruling generals over a new constitution is a "backwards" step for the country, the toppled ex-premier said Monday as the democracy movement reels from its first poll defeat in a decade.

The bitterly divided kingdom has been ruled by a junta for two years since Yingluck Shinawatra's government was booted from office.

The majority "yes" vote in support of the charter was the first test of public opinion since the 2014 coup, although independent campaigning and open debate was stifled ahead of the polls.

The draft was heavily criticised in the poll run-up for clauses that embed military power and straitjacket the role of elected officials.

But Sunday's vote lends legitimacy to a junta that says it alone can stabilise Thailand and detoxify politics after a decade of turmoil.

Unofficial results released by the Election Commission showed 61.4 percent of the country backed the document, with 38.6 percent voting "no".

At under 55 percent turnout was modest.

But it was enough to land a hammer blow on the nation's pro-democracy movement, which since 2006 has been winded by two coups, court rulings and a bloody military crackdown.

"With this new constitution in place, the country has moved backwards and away from the path towards democracy," Yingluck told AFP.

The vote was "not up to international standards because it was not free and fair," she added.

- Military ascendancy -

Sunday marked her family's first loss at the polls since a charter referendum in the wake of a 2006 coup that toppled Thaksin Shinawatra -- Yingluck's billionaire elder brother who sits at the crux of Thailand's political schism.

The Shinawatra clan have won all general elections since 2001, scooping up votes by promising greater wealth and opportunity to the nation's poor, especially in the long neglected north and northeast.

Yingluck's pro-democracy Puea Thai party had been widely assumed to still enjoy mass support and maintain the power to mobilise their voters.

Story continues

But initial results from the northeast showed only a narrow majority in support of the party position, with the "no" vote squeaking by with 51 percent.

Experts said the vote in part reflected the impact of the junta's ban on campaigning.

But it was a sign of a population wearied by a cycle of coups and bloody protests that have defined Thailand's "lost decade" of political conflict.

Anxiety over the ill health of 88-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej has compounded the crisis.

His reign has seen five tumultuous decades with powerful elites now jostling for position ahead of the eventual transition.

Democracy is on the back-burner throughout this period, according to Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a politics expert at Chulalongkorn University.

"There is an implicit understanding of the military being a midwife to a transition. This is why people cut them some slack," he said.

- Down, but not out -

The military says the new constitution will end endemic political corruption and pave the way for a general election next year.

"The government will act as quickly as we can (to organise a poll) as the prime minister does not want to prolong his time in power," deputy prime minister Wisanu Kruengam said Monday, referring to junta chief and premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha.

But critics warn the charter will introduce a tightly controlled partial democracy under the stewardship of the military and its royalist allies.

Once formally adopted, it will allow for a junta-appointed senate -- including six seats reserved for military commanders.

The upper house will keep elected lawmakers in check, while courts and other watchdog bodies will be given increased powers -- despite already being accused of political bias.

Another clause makes it easy to begin impeachment proceedings, while a new proportional representation voting system is likely to produce weak coalition governments.

That will likely chisel away at the Shinawatra's electoral success -- a grassroots base which is now under scrutiny following the referendum.

"It seems that right now people trust the military more than politicians," Thida Thavornseth, an advisor to the pro-democracy "Red Shirt" movement told AFP.

"We were almost a democratic country, but we can't keep power. This is a big blow, but we will never surrender."

In a statement on Monday the European Union said the referendum was marred by "serious limitations to fundamental freedoms, including restrictions on debate and campaigning".

The bloc called on the junta to lift restrictions "to allow for an open, inclusive and accountable political process".
Sinphet Kruaithong celebrates after becoming the first male Thai weightlifter to medal at the Olympics. (AFP)

The thrill of triumph for an Olympic bronze medal-winning Thai weightlifter was met with dire agony.

Sinphet Kruaithong became the first male Thai weightlifter to medal at the Olympics, capturing third place in the 56-kilogram division in Rio de Janeiro, and his hometown of Surin erupted in elation. But Sundays celebration turned to tragedy when his grandmother collapsed and died amid the hysteria.

The initial assumption is that she died from heart failure  but we have to wait for the hospitals result, Surin police officer Somwang Prangprakoan told AFP. Im not sure if she was too excited, or if maybe she was already ill.

Listed at 82 years old by the Bangkok Post and 84 by AFP, Subin Khongthap fainted at a live viewing party in Surins Chumphon Buri District. The Bangkok Post reported she did not witness her grandson win bronze, but regained consciousness before being rushed to the hospital, where she died an hour later.

I cheer him on, fight fight! Subin told the local media prior to the event, according to AFP. I miss my grandson and want him to be successful. He does this for the country to bring the gold medal back.

The 121-pound Sinphet lifted 289 kilograms (roughly 637 pounds) to finish third behind Chinas Long Qingquan and North Koreas Om Yun Chol. Sinphets mother, Chan Kruaithong, told Thai PBS the family will hold both a welcome ceremony for her son and a religious ceremony for his grandmother.
Years before Mike Tyson and Luis Suarez became famous by biting their opponents, a similar incident happened in the Olympic games.

The 1924 Olympics were held in Paris, France.

Roger Brousse was a 23-year- old local favourite who, before the tournament started, was touted as a potential medal winner.

On the other hand, there was Harry Mallin, a 32-year- old policeman from London. He had won the gold medal in the previous edition and there were very few rational supporters who thought that he wouldnt win that time around.

In the quarter-finals of the middleweight category, Brousse faced Mallin. There seemed to be no issue at all while the fight was going on. But as soon as it ended, Mallin rushed to the Belgian referee and showed him several well-defined teeth marks on his chest. The referee had a glance at those marks but chose to ignore Mallins plea. He awarded the bout to Brousse, 2-1.









Examination of Mallins chests were done. It conclusively proved that they were bitten and the bites were not soft ones. This time fingers were raised at Brousse. He didnt have much to say in his defense and more so because in the previous bout too he was accused to biting his opponent, Manolo Gallardo of Argentina.

Brousses supporters remained vocal and came up with an amusing excuse. They claimed he had an odd habit of snapping his jaw wherever he had landed a punch. As per this theory, what had happened was that Mallin had ducked one of Brousses punches and coming back up bumped his chest against Brousses open mouth.

The Jury listened carefully, thought even more carefully and ruled that Brousses bites were indeed unintentional. But they disqualified him anyway.

Mallin advanced to the semi-finals and eventually went on to win the gold medal. This was the only time Mallin was on the brink of losing a bout. In his entire career, he had never lost an amateur bout and had never turned professional.

Mallins victory- over his opponent and over injustice- made the British media ecstatic. The Daily Sketch wrote, It was found necessary to substitute for a mere boxer a man-eating expert named Brousse, whose passion for raw meat led him to attempt to bite off portions of his opponents anatomies.

Story continues

Another daily had this: Having got his teeth into a piece of Argentine meat during one of the earlier contests, Mr. Brousse decided to vary the menu by sampling some of the unroasted human beef of Old England.

The Brousse-Mallin affair is still regarded as one of the most infamous controversies in the history of the Olympic games.





Image courtesy: WM / PHOTOGRAPHY DAILY
From Esquire

I wasn't nervous when I typed out the Facebook status. I wasn't nervous when I hit the enter key, nor when I immediately began receiving calls and texts and comments. Honestly, I wasn't feeling much of anything because, with two close friends by my side, I'd consumed an entire bottle of red wine-okay, more like two. It was Christmas Eve, 2015, and with a brain humming on Cabernet, I'd just publically come out as non-binary.

When I was young, I often thought about what it would feel like to be a boy. Not with regard to how I would be treated by others. I simply wanted to have a male bodysome of the time, at least. And yet I truly appreciated aspects of the female body I had. For a kid in elementary school, this was very confusing-growing up is mystifying enough without the added puzzle of gender identity.

By the time I was around nine years old, I knew I wasn't exclusively attracted to boys. I didn't yet know the word "queer," let alone anything about gender identity-my Syracuse, New York elementary school wasn't exactly discussing gender normativity. And I wasn't daring enough to experiment with my gendered appearance-I've been laden with social anxiety my entire life, so standing out in a way that I knew could attract negative attention seemed counterintuitive at best and foolish at worst.

I only began investigating my curiosity when I got to college. After hours of combing through message boards and LGBTQ-centric sites, I realized that on top of being queer, I identified considerably with men. It had nothing to do sports, beer, or bro hugs. To be frank, I realized that, among other things, when I watched straight porn I saw myself from the male perspective.

Your brain can protect you from so much, even when what it's protecting you from is your own identity.

So I came halfway out of the closet, telling a few close friends, who were generally supportive albeit confused-they considered my love of makeup and fashion to be the antithesis of anything other than a cisgender female identity. I also discussed it my then-boyfriend, but while he tried to be supportive, my inner questioning intensified the already detrimental issues within our relationship, and we broke up.

Story continues

The only way I knew how to express my difficult-to-name identity-the only way I could think to do so-was to look more androgynous. I started shopping in the men's section of my favorite stores. I contemplated cutting all my long, blue hair off, but determined that my face would look too round (I later became a beauty editor, so the assessment was very on-brand).

I also bought a cheap binder to strap down my chest, though I only ever wore it in private. The first time I put it on, zipping myself into it felt excitingand then anticlimactic. I have 34E/F breasts that are beyond difficult to conceal. And even when I applied makeup in ways I felt made me look more masculine-again, privately-I would study myself in the mirror and simply feel disappointed. I felt like I didn't-I couldn't-fit the androgynous ideal that so often came up when I Googled "genderqueer" or "non-binary people." 22-year-old me didn't have the perspective to recognize that fitting into a specific standard shouldn't be intrinsic to one's identity.

So, as college came to a close, I went back into the closet. I opted out of my own evolution because I didn't feel adequate enough to continue. I've suffered from clinical depression, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder for most of my life, so transitional periods are always a bit tumultuous for me, and this was no different. I tossed away the binder and the men's clothes, I stopped attempting to contour my face in a masculine way, and I let my inclinations drift to the back of my mind. Your brain can protect you from so much, even when what it's protecting you from is your own identity.

Years later, once I had established myself in New York and found a community of friends who welcomed discussion on such issues, who asked preferred pronouns and respected all genders, I experienced an important self-discovery: I don't need to look a certain way to identify, and to feel, the way that I do. My identity and its expression are separate, and at times may even appear to contradict one another. Yes, I wear a lot of makeup, but beauty doesn't need to be ascribed to just one gender.

We're in the midst of a generational realization, a collective acceptance of gender's spectrum. While I love the progress made in pop culture and the beauty industries, and how at ease that has made me with my own identity, it's important to acknowledge that I have a significant amount of privilege. Not only do I look generally feminine, but I also am typically perceived as white (my father is Latino and my mother is Caucasian), so I don't face the types of discrimination queer, non-binary people-particularly folks of color-often do. Given the only recent visibility of non-binary identities, there isn't a ton of data on the subject. But in a 2008 survey by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality of 6,450 transgender and gender nonconforming people, twenty percent identified as "part time as one gender, part time as another" while thirteen percent identified as "a gender not listed here." (The rest either identified as male or as female.) The survey revealed key common experiences among gender nonconforming individuals, such as the finding that seventy percent had experienced harassment and discrimination at school.

I don't need to look a certain way to identify, and to feel, the way that I do.

I am overwhelmingly lucky and privileged not to have experienced harassment in the workplace, in school, or on public transit based on my gender identity. But there is such a long way to go before acceptance-and, if North Carolina's laws are any indication, even acknowledgment-of non-binary and trans people becomes the standard.

After months of soul-searching and friend-consulting on my long-suppressed feelings, I wrote a piece for one of my favorite feminist sites about how I had spent so much time censoring my queer and non-binary identity around straight acquaintances, coworkers, and even loved ones. When it was published, I was thrilled at the positive responses.

Lunchtime logic: "I publicly came out today, I deserve a cookie"



Jk I always deserve cookies pic.twitter.com/sBDxdWmwkc - Sam Escobar (@myhairisblue) December 4, 2015

I didn't post the article to my personal Facebook page-I wasn't ready to declare my identity to family or friends outside of New York. All I could imagine was a group of old friends from college, most of whom I've lost touch with, some of whom I dated at one point or another, mocking me. So I did what I often do when I get anxious: I planned.

I decided to write a long post on Facebook with a link to the article, rounded out with counterpoints to every critique I imagined someone could posit. I would call my parents beforehand and explain it to them-again, with answers to any hypothetical question. My instinct has always been to become defensive even prior to being criticized-a trait honed by years of anxiety and insecurities.

At the same time, I've also historically abandoned all those instincts and trusted my impulses when the mood is right and the wine glass is full. So it's no surprise that, on Christmas Eve, as I sat in my friend's apartment with her and, oddly enough, our mutual ex-boyfriend-a strange story for another day-I typed out the following: "I identify as queer and non-binary. I prefer they and them pronouns. This is me coming out." And then I pressed enter.

Almost immediately, friends from high school and college flooded my phone with kind words. My high-school ex called first, telling me how proud she was. My best friend since the eighth grade sent me dozens of heart emojis and supportive texts. Sure, I received a few sarcastic, even negative comments from people I went to college with-primarily male friends of an ex I no longer communicate with. But I knew that this was the best possible route I could've taken to be fully open. Like diving into a pool rather than toe-testing the waters, I felt relieved and refreshed all at once.

It wasn't without its pitfalls. The following day, I had a long talk with my mother, one of the most important people in my life. I'd always been nervous discussing my queerness with her for fear it would make her uncomfortable. She's not homophobic, but she worries that I'll be discriminated against by people who are, which translates to discomfort. Who knows how she'd take my non-binary identity?

Sure enough, while the Facebook status was the right route for me, it was overwhelming for her-a consequence I felt selfish for not having thought of. So I screenshot all of the wonderful comments I received on Twitter and Facebook and removed my original post. I initially felt defeated, but the positive feelings from the post and its responses were just as present post-deletion as prior-.

I'm still working on being upfront with people who don't know my gender identity-a tricky thing that comes with its own set of pros and cons. They may question why I don't shave my legs or ask for a deeper explanation when I tell them my preferred pronouns, occasionally with a hint of rudeness. "Are you planning on transitioning?" is one of my least favorite yet most frequently asked questions. And they may feel confused that I don't, say, look like Ruby Rose or another androgynous celebrity.

But rude strangers don't stare or take photos of me the way they sometimes shamelessly do to non-binary and trans people-in fact, most people would never realize I don't identify as female unless I explicitly explain it or if they follow me on social media. I am fortunate that, for the most part, I get to establish my identity on my own terms.

I do have plans to eventually look quite different than I currently do, but those are steps I'm going to take as steps, not gigantic leaps. Those closest to me are aware of these goals, but as much as diving headfirst worked for coming out, my gender expression is an entirely different ballgame.

Still, as corny and cliche as it sounds, I know that if and when I do, I'll be able to count on the support system I've built around me to accept me as I am.

Follow Sam on Instagram and Twitter.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Bryan Clauson wasn't a household name and he hadn't yet earned the fame or fortune enjoyed by auto racing's superstars.

Cut from the mold of the old-school drivers, Clauson would race anything, anywhere at any time. He was chasing the USAC's all-time wins mark - having racked up 112 already - and was well on his way to compete in 200 events this season alone. He was widely considered the best dirt-track racer in the nation.

The wildly popular Clauson died Sunday night from injuries suffered in a crash during a weekend race in Kansas, a stunning announcement that came Monday from officials at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

''Our Bryan fought to the end with the same desire that he demonstrated behind the wheel of all the various race cars he would park in victory lane,'' the Clauson family said in a statement released by the speedway. ''However, we were more proud of our Bryan that took a moment to make a young fan's day, or demonstrated his uncommon kindness and appreciation toward his friends, family and fans.''

Clauson was leading Saturday night's race at the Belleville Midget Nationals when he crashed while passing lapped traffic; his car rolled and was hit by another competitor. He was airlifted to a hospital in Nebraska, where he died surrounded by his family.

USAC President and CEO Kevin Miller called it ''one of the darkest days in the 60-year history of the United States Auto Club.''

''Not only have we lost one of our greatest USAC champions, we've lost a true ambassador for all motorsports,'' he said.

Fellow driver Kyle Larson said on Twitter that he was glad to become ''close friends and competitors with Bryan. He was a guy who pushed me to become a better racer and person.'' Danica Patrick called Clauson ''one of the good ones ... kind, funny, and a damn good driver.''

Miller said Clauson's 112 victories are ''behind a very, very short list of USAC Hall of Famers'' that include Rich Vogler, A.J. Foyt, Sleepy Tripp and Mel Kintz.

Story continues

He was on pace to compete in 200 races this year, earning 27 victories in 116 starts, and leading three laps of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29 - hours before winning a sprint car race 50 miles away in Kokomo in what he called an ''Indiana Double.''

In a post for ''The Drivers Project ,'' Clauson detailed his Indy 500 experience and acknowledged he was ''still pretty raw in these cars so to be out there and mix it up all day was great.'' He also said Kokomo is where he grew up racing sprint cars and said it was important to celebrate there with loved ones.

The racing community has had several drivers die in crashes in recent years. In 2013, Jason Leffler died following a crash at a New Jersey sprint car race. The following year, Formula One driver Jules Bianchi suffered head injuries in the Japanese Grand Prix that ultimately cost him his life. A year ago, Justin Wilson was killed when he was struck in the head by a piece of debris during an IndyCar race at Pocono.

Clauson himself was involved in a crash just 24 hours before the fatal wreck. After Friday night's crash, he went on Twitter to express his appreciation after the ''tough hit'' for his safety equipment, his chassis manufacturer and his team for getting his car ready to race again.

A four-time USAC national champion, Clauson was a three-time winner and the defending champion at Belleville.

''Bryan Clauson combined his passion and enthusiasm for grassroots racing with a God-given talent that made him the favorite to win every time he got in a midget or sprint car,'' IMS president Doug Boles said Monday. ''He possessed a humility and character out of the race car that made him a person that fellow competitors and fans alike enjoyed being around.''

Clauson was a California native who earned a USAC-IndyCar scholarship for winning the 2010 USAC national driver's title, giving him six Indy Lights starts in 2011 in a car shared with current IndyCar Series rookie Conor Daly at Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Clauson also raced eight times in USAC's national series, with his best finish, third, coming in Iowa in 2011.

He won the scholarship award again in 2012, allowing him to make his Indianapolis 500 debut with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing. He returned to the Indy 500 in 2015 with KVSH/Jonathan Byrd's Racing, and this year led his first career laps driving for Dale Coyne.

Clauson was a development driver for Chip Ganassi in NASCAR, where he competed in 26 races over the 2007 and 2008 seasons. He also spent several seasons driving for Tony Stewart's sprint car team.

''I don't care what happened, no matter how bad his day was, he always found a way to smile with it,'' Stewart said after Sunday's NASCAR race. ''It sucks when it's anybody in racing, it's hard when you lose them, but it's even worse when they're somebody as close to you as Bryan was.''

Clauson is survived by his parents, Tim and Di, sister Taylor and fiancee, Lauren Stewart. Funeral arrangements were pending. A memorial service in his honor will take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at a date to be announced.

---

Online:

USAC tribute to Clauson: https://twitter.com/USACNation/status/762640588411854848
The UK Manufacturing Production, Industrial Production, and Goods Trade Balance will be released Tuesday morning at 4:30 a.m ET, providing a GPB/USD trade opportunity as early as 11 p.m. ET Monday evening. Previous market moves in reaction to this news have been around 35 pips.

The opportunity provides an opportunity to use an Iron Condor strategy with two Nadex GBP/USD spreads expiring at 7:00 a.m. ET. One could buy one spread below the market with the ceiling where the market is trading at the time, and sell one spread above the market with the floor where the market is trading at the time. Each spread should have a profit potential of $17 or more for a combined profit potential of $35. The desired outcome for this strategy is for the market to settle between the two spreads for max profit.

Settling between the two spreads is possible since the market tends to react to the news, make a move up or down, and pull back. The closer the market pulls back to where it was at the time of entry between the two spreads, the higher the profit will be at settlement.

There should also be stops set up in the event the market takes off and doesnt pull back. To determine where to place the stops, just double the profit potential of the Iron Condor. For this example, the combined profit potential is $35, so the stop would be 70. Stops should be placed 70 pips above and below from where the market is at entry.

For this Iron Condor, simply find GBP/USD spreads expiring at the designated time, with approximately $17 in the reward column, verify the ceiling and floor parameters, open a ticket, confirm maximum profit potential, and enter the trade. Set the stops up directly after placing the trade. For a glimpse of the Apex spread scanner layout, see below screenshot.

To view a larger image click HERE.

gbp_usd_0.png

Free day trading education and free access to the spread scanner can be found at Apex Investing.

See more from Benzinga

 2016 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
By India Today Web Desk: When Air India launched its direct flight from Delhi to San Francisco (SFO) in December last year, globetrotters from both parts of the world welcomed it with much warmth. The result was an enormous response--the tri-weekly has been constantly getting high occupancy, in spite of its premium pricing as compared to other competitors including Gulf, European, southeast Asian and American airlines.

advertisement

Owing to this success, Air India has decided to make the Delhi-SFO flight a direct one from this winter. With a flight duration of 17 hours, it is one of the longest non-stop international flights.

Also read: Air India to start flights between Ahmedabad and Newark via London from August 15



The return economy fare on the Delhi-SFO flight this summer was between Rs 87,000 and Rs 96,000 for a person. Although this is a lot more in comparison to other airlines whose fares start at Rs 60,000, but the primary reason why Air India is charging this premium is its flight's duration, which is 15 hours lesser than the other ones.

Also read: Travel hacks: 7 ways to survive a long-haul flight



Although Air India's daily flights from Delhi to San Francisco is a great news for Indian travellers, this will reportedly delay the launch of the airline's Delhi-Washington flight, which was also slated for a winter launch.

The other popular international flights operated by Air India from India to the US include the flights from Delhi and Mumbai to New York JFK and Newark (EWR).



--- ENDS ---
Last week, a passenger riding the U.K. train service TransPennine Express tweeted the train company with a complaint about a fellow passenger  who just so happened to be a male wearing a dress.

Guy on the seat opposite me is wearing stockings and a dress, wrote user Gary Cocker in a tweet that has now been deleted (in addition to his entire Twitter account). What is that all about??

Not missing a beat, the train company clapped back with this:

@gaz_cocks Probably something to do with it being the 21st century now. As long as they have a ticket, everyone is welcome on our trains ^ZS  TPE Customer Assist (@TPEassist) August 4, 2016

Since the tweet, which was posted on Aug. 4, people have been praising the company for their response.

Taking things even further, many men started posting photos of themselves wearing dresses.

@TPEassist should I bring my alter-ego out of retirement and book on as Davy GaGa? Tickets please @Gaz_Cocks! pic.twitter.com/9I05heIedq  Dave Lewarne (@DaveLewarne) August 5, 2016

@TPEassist @Gaz_Cocks casually throwing in this pic of me looking hotter than any girl youve slept with ???????? pic.twitter.com/fNDI45xjUG  Martyn (@martynhett) August 4, 2016

@TPEassist @Gaz_Cocks Whats it all about? Its all about kicking ass and ignoring what anyone else thinks  pic.twitter.com/0ad5RxmcTL  Michael Clark (@MPClarkMusic) August 5, 2016

Say it with me now

BURN!

What do you think of the companys tweet? Let us know by tweeting @YahooStyleCA.
Were getting a first look at Season 3 of Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning Amazon series Transparent.

It picks up with the Pfefferman family continuing on their disparate journeys of self-discovery and Maura considering gender confirmation surgery. Maura also reveals she would no longer like to be called Moppa but Momma.

During the shows panel Sunday at TCA, writers and producers talked about the upcoming Season 3 and that there would be a flashback episode in which we see Maura as a 12-year-old girl.

RelatedTransparent Season 3 Will Feature 12-Year-Old Maura In Flashback Scene  TCA

Written, directed and executive produced by Jill Soloway, Transparent is a novelistic half-hour series that explores family, identity, sex and love. Jeffrey Tambor stars as Maura Pfefferman, Judith Light as Shelly Pfefferman, Gaby Hoffmann as Ali Pfefferman, Amy Landecker as Sarah Pfefferman and Jay Duplass as Josh Pfefferman.

Season 3 premieres September 23 on Amazon.

Check out the trailer above.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDk4Aupwe1A&w=970&h=546]

Related stories

Amazon Trailers: New Series From David E. Kelley, Tig Notaro & 'Broadchurch' Alum

David E. Kelley On Switch To Digital And If He Would Ever Return To Broadcast - TCA

'Alpha House' Is Shuttered, Or Not, Amazon Exec Tells Frustrated TV Critics: TCA
Donald Trump has an opportunity to get his campaign back on track when he outlines his economic plan on Monday, following a bruising week, former GOP presidential candidate Steve Forbes said Monday.

Recent polls show Hillary Clinton leads Trump nationally and in some key battleground states following Trump's public dispute with the Muslim parents of a U.S. Army captain killed in action in Iraq.

Trump also clashed with his party's establishment, by refusing endorse Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan and Sen. John McCain. He relented on Friday during a campaign stop in Wisconsin, endorsing Ryan and McCain, as well as New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, in their primary battles.

"If you saw him on Friday making that endorsement announcement, that was a chagrined man who finally realized his campaign's in trouble. If he doesn't change it, it's over," Forbes told CNBC's "Squawk Box."

Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes, said Trump's speech on Monday will come down to drawing a distinction between his tax-cutting initiatives and Clinton's plan to raise taxes.

"This gets to the whole heart of the campaign. It's third term [Obama administration] versus temperament. If it's about third term, he wins. If it's about temperament, she wins," he said.

Trump is expected to announce he would make child-care costs fully deductible. He is also expected to reiterate his support for cutting the corporate tax rate to 15 percent, rescinding estate taxes, and putting a moratorium on new regulations.

A Trump policy adviser told CNBC's John Harwood the speech would be a "vision proposal" and that details would come later.

On Monday, Trump economic adviser Dan Dimicco said the speech will focus on four main areas  taxation, regulatory reform, trade and energy. He said it will include new details.

"I think you're going to find out that it's a little bit more than just a straight visionary speech, but certainly it will be wrapped up in an overall vision of economic growth, and economic growth that's more than twice what we've been experiencing since 2009," Dimicco told "Squawk Box."

Story continues

Tax policy analysts have awaited more detail on Trump's plan. An analysis earlier this year by the Tax Foundation found his initial proposal could result in a $10 trillion budget shortfall over 10 years.

Ahead of Monday's speech, a Trump tax adviser told USA Today the campaign had reduced the cost of the tax proposals to about a third of the $10 trillion estimate.

Forbes said people would ultimately focus on whether Trump's plan will stimulate growth, provide relief and pad Americans' paychecks.

Despite attempts to appeal to Republicans, Clinton has not yielded on her "left-wing, far Bernie Sanders-like economic program," according to Forbes.

"She wants increases on income taxes, estate taxes, business taxes, gun taxes, soda taxes  every kind of tax," he said.

According to Clinton's campaign page, she would impose a "fair share surcharge" on multimillionaires and billionaires. She would also raise the top estate tax rate to 45 percent and lower the exemption threshold to $3.5 million. She has pledged tax relief for working families.

A study from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center found that Clinton's plan would raise taxes on the top 1 percent by an average of $78,000 per person while keeping taxes for the rest of Americans largely the same. Clinton has not committed to a gun tax, but has said the policy could help defray the medical and law enforcement costs of gun violence. Earlier this year, she endorsed a Philadelphia proposal to impose a tax on sugary drinks.

 CNBC's Robert Frank contributed to this story.



Correction: This story was revised to correct the military branch in which Humayan Khan served. He was in the U.S. Army.





More From CNBC


By Emily Stephenson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will propose allowing parents to deduct spending on childcare from their income taxes in a speech on Monday meant to challenge the economic policies of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, a campaign aide said. The aide, who asked not to be identified, said on Sunday in outlining the plan: We dont want it to be an economic disadvantage to have children. The aide said the campaign would have a more detailed childcare plan in the future. A wealthy businessman seeking his first public office, Trump seeks to counter Clinton's argument he is out of touch with the problems of working families. He will also say that, unlike Clinton, his business policies would encourage companies to remain in the United States, a concern of blue-collar workers he has tried to court, the aide said. In his speech, to business leaders of the Detroit Economic Club, Trump will also propose stronger protections for American intellectual property and a temporary moratorium on new regulations, the aide said. Seeking to move beyond a week of discord, Trump will outline plans for trade, taxes, regulation and energy policy. His plans include proposing a 15 percent corporate tax rate, an idea that is on his website. The current federal rate is 35 percent. Senior aides and supporters said in television appearances on Sunday that Trump wanted to put behind him his disputes of last week with Republican Party leaders and the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in Iraq. With the economy a major issue, Clinton on Thursday lays out a plan of her own for the "biggest investment in good-paying jobs since World War Two," her campaign said. A Democrat like President Barack Obama, Clinton will be buoyed by figures released on Friday showing U.S. employment rose more than expected for a second month in a row in July and wages picked up, bolstering expectations of faster economic growth. Clinton has pledged that no family should pay more than 10 percent of its income on childcare. She has called for a tax cut to help middle-class parents cope with rising childcare costs and an expansion of a federally funded program that provides education and health services to low-income families with young children. In a phone call lasting little more than an hour on Sunday and run by some of Trump's most senior aides, members of his newly announced economic advisory group shared their views on policy, said banker Stephen Calk, one of the members who took part. The Clinton campaign has criticized Trump over the advisory group, announced on Friday, for including no women and relying on members who come from hedge funds and investment banking, a make-up at odds somewhat with Trump's populist message. Calk, chief executive of Federal Savings Bank and National Bancorp Holdings, said Trump had asked advisory group members to nominate women and minorities who could be added to the group. He said there were some "big, recognizable" names on the call who would be announced soon as joining the team but did not elaborate. A new Washington Post-ABC News opinion poll on Sunday showed Trump trailing Clinton by 8 percentage points after her party's convention in Philadelphia. A Reuters/Ipsos poll out on Friday showed the race closer three months ahead of the Nov. 8 presidential election. (Reporting by Emily Stephenson; Additional reporting by Mike Stone in New York; Editing by Howard Goller)
Donald Trumps comments about Minnesota Somalis have drawn outrage among Muslim Americans in two states with large refugee populations.

At a rally in Maine last week, the Republican nominee quoted a 2015 Washington Times article about Minnesotas resettlement of Somali refugees, saying the state has become a rich pool of potential recruiting targets for ISIS and other Islamic terror groups.

Since 2014, there have been at least nine Minnesota men arrested for allegedly plotting to join ISIS in Syria. In June, three  Guled Omar, 21, and Mohamed Farah and Abdirahman Daud, both 22  were found guilty by a federal jury. Six others had already pleaded guilty to the terror charges.

Its happening, Trump said. Its happening. You see it and you read about it. You see it. And you can be smart, and you can be cunning and tough, or you can be very, very dumb and not want to see whats going on, folks.

Minnesotas Somali community  a population estimated to be at more than 70,000  was quick to condemn Trumps comments.

Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim to be elected to the U.S. Congress, called Trumps comments nonsense.

Hey, @realDonaldTrump. I want to talk to you about the nonsense you said about my state and my constituents. https://t.co/kj3BPYazgK  Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) August 5, 2016

Immigrant communities built this country. They make America great, no matter what demagogues like @realDonaldTrump say.  Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) August 5, 2016

Immigrant communities aren't causing "tremendous problems", @realDonaldTrump. They're assets to Minnesota & we're better because of them.  Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) August 5, 2016

Trump is scheduled to visit the North Star State later this month.

Story continues

.@realDonaldTrump should visit the Somali-Americans in MN. He'd find a welcoming, thriving community. They could teach him a thing or two.  Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) August 5, 2016

Donald Trumps message has always been about using isolated incidents and terrorist attacks across the world to push his politics of fear, Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Minnesota, said in a statement. This community is thriving, and his remarks are really unfair.

I never thought hed go there and blatantly call Somali-Americans a danger, Mohamoud Ibrahim, a student at Inver Hills Community College, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It hurts listening to that.

Ibrahim enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 2014. I want to serve my country, go to school and help out my family, he said. I am no danger to the community.

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges slammed Trump too.

Donald Trump, do *not* go after Minnesota and our Somali population. Just dont, Hodges wrote in a Facebook post. You dont have a fraction of the drive, purpose, community-mindedness, strength, courage, and value of our Somali community. Minneapolis and Minnesota would be a lesser place without our Somali neighbors. Is there poverty? Do they face challenges? Yes  many communities do  but theirs are multiplied by the kind of Islamophobia and racism you have made the hallmark of your campaign.

You invite the crowd to take a look at whats happening in Germany, Hodges continued. Indeed, I would exhort the American people to do the same, but to take a look at what was happening in Germany in the 1930s. Given who you are and the bile you vomit day after day it is a much more apt and useful reference point for where you want to take America.

Abdi Warsame, the only Muslim on the Minneapolis City Council, told the Star Tribune that Trumps proposed ban on all Muslims entering the United States has led to an uptick in hate mail sent to his office.

That is the environment we find ourselves in, Warsame said. Its frustrating.

In Maine, Trumps comments drew similar outrage.

Mr. Trumps statements disparaging immigrants who have come to this country legally are particularly unhelpful, Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, said during a demonstration outside Portland City Hall. Maine has benefited from people from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and, increasingly, Africa  including our friends from Somalia.

At his rally, Trump suggested the resettlement of 12,000 Somali refugees in Maine has led to an uptick in crime.

Weve just seen many, many crimes getting worse all the time, and as Maine knows  a major destination for Somali refugees  right, am I right? Trump said.

Wrong, local officials say.

The Somalis have not caused any increase in crime, Brian OMalley, Lewistons acting police chief, told the Boston Globe. Theyre integrated here in our city. The Somalis come here because they want somewhere safe and good schools to raise their kids, and thats what Lewiston has.

We have no problems here, Lewiston Mayor Robert Macdonald said of the citys estimated 7,000 Somalis. Were a very safe community. We all get along, and thats it.
Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump on Monday laid out his plan to lower taxes, freeze financial regulations and trigger an energy revival which he said would spur economic growth and "open a new chapter in American prosperity."

It was a broad-brush outline with some meaty specifics, aimed in part at reviving the Republican presidential nominee's flagging campaign after a series of missteps in recent weeks that sent him careening off message.

Here are highlights of the Trump economic plan.

- Lower taxes -

The lynchpin of Trump's plan is the slashing of various taxes on American individuals and corporations, a proposal he said would lead to the biggest tax reform since president Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.

He would sharply reduce corporate tax to 15 percent from the current 35 percent, and set a 10 percent tax on what he described as trillions of dollars that US businesses have "now parked overseas" but want to repatriate into the country.

Personal income tax rates would be compressed from seven brackets to just three, with today's highest rate of 39.6 percent shrinking to 33 percent.

He would also abolish the estate tax, and said he would allow parents to "fully deduct" the cost of childcare spending from their taxes.

- Moratorium on regulations -

Trump would immediately slap a moratorium on all federal agency regulations that he believes are needlessly killing jobs. He said he would "cut regulations massively."

Already on the chopping block would be the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan, which forces investment in renewable energy at the expense of coal and natural gas, and the Interior Department's moratorium on coal mining permits.

He would also repeal President Barack Obama's landmark health care law.

- Trade reform -

Trump is opposed to the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership backed by Obama and Republican congressional leaders. It was signed by his administration and 11 other nations in 2015, but hit a snag in Congress.

Story continues

He wants to abolish the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico that was signed into law in 1994, describing it as a pact that has "shipped your jobs to Mexico and other countries."

Trump reiterated his support for strengthened protections against currency manipulation that allow other countries to "cheat by unfairly subsidizing their goods."

China, warned Trump, "is responsible for nearly half of our entire trade deficit." He said he would go after Beijing for its "rampant" theft of intellectual property, its dumping of Chinese products on the US market and currency manipulation.

- Energy revival -

Trump called for an "energy revolution," starting with cancellation of Obama's climate plan and the Paris Climate Agreement, and a halt of US payments to United Nations global warming programs.

He would also expand offshore drilling, increase natural gas production, and reverse what he called Obama's "war on coal" that led to the loss of thousands of energy industry jobs.

He would call on Canadian firm TransCanada to renew its permit application for building Keystone XL, the crude oil pipeline between Canada and US oil refineries rejected by the Obama administration last year.
By PTI: Chandigarh, Aug 8 (PTI) Delegations of BJP and RSS today met Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here and expressed concern over "deteriorating" law and order in the state in the wake of the attack on Sangh leader Jagdish Gagneja.

Badal assured the delegations the peace and communal harmony would remain the top priority of the government.

advertisement

He reiterated his governments resolve to continue policy of "zero tolerance" against attempt to disturb peace and communal harmony in Punjab.

RSS (Punjab) Vice President, Jagdish Gagneja was attacked in Jalandhar on Saturday night and he is admitted in a hospital.

The BJP delegation led by state party chief and Union minister Vijay Sampla sought speedy arrest of accused.

"We expressed concern over the law and order in the state during our meeting. We said appropriate steps need to be taken to prevent such incidents in future," he said.

Punjab DGP Suresh Arora was also present during the meet.

The Chief Minister asked the state police chief to ensure the highest degree of vigil against elements with nefarious designs to divide the society on sectarian or communal lines in the wake of coming Assembly elections.

"There was never a time that any RSS leader was attacked in the state and it has now happened. Therefore, we fear such incidents can reoccur in future. We need to be alert and steps need to be taken to contain anti-social elements," said Sampla.

A delegation of senior RSS leaders also demanded speedy investigation into the incident.

RSS leaders conveyed displeasure over "deteriorating" law and order situation in the state.

Whether it was the attack on Shakha in Ludhiana or the day-light murder of Mata Chand Kaur or incidents of kidnapping and snatching, the common man is feeling insecure, it said.

"We cannot let go waste the sacrifices made by Swayamsewaks for peace and communal harmony in Punjab. Ensure rule of law," the delegation said. MORE PTI CHS TIR RG TIR

--- ENDS ---
Donald Trump, in a speech this morning before the Detroit Economic Club, will detail a number of policies that appear designed to place his otherwise undisciplined presidential campaign squarely in the mainstream of Republican orthodoxy on issues like the estate tax, corporate taxation, government regulation and more.

Details of the speech were leaked to Bloomberg Politics, which published a summary on Monday.

According to that report, Trump will call for a temporary moratorium on all new financial services regulations and other regulatory relief for small businesses. He will advocate slashing the corporate tax rate by more than half, from the current to rate of 35 percent to 15 percent. He will also call for the repeal of the estate tax  named the death tax by Republican opponents  which currently hits a small percentage of high-value inheritances.

Related: After Clinton Admits She Short-Circuited, Trump Compares Her to a Broken Robot

However, the former reality television star will retain some of his proposals that cut against the grain of typical GOP stances.

As he has in the past, Trump will call for the elimination of the carried interest loophole in the tax code, which allows investment managers to treat fee income as at lower-taxed capital gains income. He will also restate his opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership and international trade deals in general. Trump has regularly railed against the huge multilateral agreement among Pacific nations, calling for the US to strike bilateral trade agreements on a country-by-country basis.

Trump will also make a populist pitch to families  especially women  by making childcare payments fully tax deductible. A spokesperson for the Trump campaign told The Hill, Were going to help working parents by making childcare payments fully tax deductible. Thats new policy.

In a nod to his audience, Trump will attack the Obama administration and his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, for policies that he says have been particularly harmful to the city of Detroit. Thats a bit of a gamble, because while Detroit is unquestionably still on an economic stretcher, there is presumably a large reservoir of goodwill for the Obama administration because of its controversial decision to bail out large automakers during the Great Recession.

Story continues

Related: Why Trump Could Be a Problem for Republicans Long After Hes Gone

The speech is part of a larger effort by the Trump campaign to right a ship that has gone badly off-course in the past few weeks. Trump has committed so many unforced errors recently, including his inexplicable fight with the parents of a dead US soldier, his initial refusal to endorse major Republicans running for reelection, and his insistence on a scheme to rig the federal election that it led to talk of an intervention by senior GOP figures.

The speech also comes as both national and battleground state polls have begun trending badly against the GOP nominee. Recent polling shows Clinton surging to a seven percent point national lead, according to the Real Clear Politics polling average. And surveys have also suggested that she is well ahead of Trump in the battleground state of Virginia and that traditional GOP strongholds like Georgia and Arizona, which havent voted for a Democratic president since the 1990s, might be in play come November.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Donald Trump has vowed to resuscitate the U.S. coal industry and unlock the energy sector's potential by paring back restrictions and ending the nation's commitments to international efforts to battle climate change.

"A Trump administration will end this war on the American worker and unleash an energy revolution that will bring vast new wealth to our country," Trump said Monday during a speech outlining his economic policy .



But the campaign's proposals and promises say little about the fundamental market forces that have sent oil prices spiraling in the last two years and reduced U.S. dependence on coal for its electricity needs.

For example, Trump's campaign says he would "save the coal industry and other industries threatened by Hillary Clinton 's extremist agenda."



But the coal industry actually needs to be saved from another threat: natural gas. More specifically, it needs to be rescued from the natural gas boom made possible by horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing  "fracking"  the process of freeing oil and gas from underground shale rock formations by pummeling them with a mix of water, minerals, and chemicals.

The Energy Information Administration forecasts that 2016 will be the first year that cheaper natural gas-fired power generation will exceed coal generation in the United States. EIA says the demise of coal  and rise of natural gas  is "mainly a market-driven response to lower natural gas prices that have made natural gas generation more economically attractive."

The EIA does, however, ascribe part of the effect of coal-fired power plant retirements to the EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards regulations.

Trump also says he would "lift restrictions on American energy, which will increase GDP annually by $100 billion, create 500,000 new jobs and increase wages by over $30 billion over the next seven years."

Those figures, he said in his speech in Detroit, come from the Energy Research Institute, a nonprofit affiliated with the Koch Brothers, GOP backers whose Koch Industries are heavily invested in the energy industry, according to SourceWatch.

Story continues

"The Obama-Clinton administration has blocked and destroyed millions of jobs through their anti-energy regulations while raising the price of electricity for both families and businesses," Trump said Monday.



Electricity prices have increased by a little more than 1 cent per kilowatt hour during President Barack Obama's tenure through 2015, according to the Energy Information Administration. Costs are flat for industrial consumers, and up by less than 1 cent per kilowatt hour for commercial users.

Further, employment growth in the U.S. energy patch grew steadily during the shale oil and gas revolution, despite regulations on the industry. Total U.S. employment in the oil and gas extraction, drilling and support services sectors amounted to over 644,000 jobs at the end of 2014, more than doubling over a 10-year period, according to CNBC analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Since the oil price downturn began in the second half of 2014, more than 291,500 energy jobs have been lost worldwide, estimates recruitment agency Airswift.

Goldman Sachs estimates that U.S. drillers will need to hire 80,000 to 100,000 workers by the end of 2018 to operate the rigs the bank forecasts will be operating at that time. But recruiters warn that many of those oil workers have left the industry for good , and with U.S. unemployment hovering at 4.9 percent, it could be hard to draw them back.

Few analysts see oil prices returning to their highs above $100, and some make the point that more oil production would actually make matters worse for U.S. drillers in the medium term. John Kilduff, founding partner at energy hedge fund Again Capital, told CNBC the Obama administration may have done drillers a favor by holding back some drilling on federal land.



"Clinton not only embraces President Obama's job-killing energy restrictions, but wants to expand them, including going after oil and natural gas production that employs some 10 million Americans," Trump said.

Clinton indeed aims to reduce U.S. oil consumption by a third by 2027 by adopting cleaner fuels and making vehicles, ships and boilers more efficient. However, she has called natural gas a "bridge" to cleaner fuels and as secretary of state, advocated exporting U.S. fracking capability overseas to help reduce Europe's dependence on Russian natural gas.

As for his claim that the oil and gas production employs 10 million Americans, that figure is roughly 10 times the number of workers employed in the oil and gas extraction, drilling and support services sectors, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

In any case, it would appear that saving the coal industry and putting oil and gas workers back to work are irreconcilable projects, since gains by natural gas cut into coal's share of the market.

Trump also said he would invite TransCanada (Toronto Stock Exchange: TRP-CA) to renew its permit application for the Keystone XL Pipeline, a project that has divided Republicans, who generally support it, and Democrats, who typically oppose it.

Despite falling oil prices, TransCanada says on its website it "remains committed to building the Keystone XL Pipeline." After Obama denied the project a permit, TransCanada challenged the decision under NAFTA rules.

But as far back as 2014, experts were saying the math no longer makes sense for the project, which would carry heavy oil extracted from sand in Alberta, Canada, to Nebraska and then onto the Gulf Coast. That's because such crude oil is some of the most expensive to produce, and in an era of low oil prices, its breakeven is far above the cost it now can fetch.





More From CNBC


Donald Trump reads the polls closelyhes been talking about them for the last 14 monthsand he can tell theyre not good right now. I dont know why were not leading by a lot, he lamented in Florida last week. Maybe crowds dont make the difference.

Its not just that crowds dont say much on their own. Its also whos in the crowds. In particular, the Republican presidential nominee can see that while he does well among white working-class men, hes weak in many other demographics. Thats a useful way to think about his major economics speech, which he delivered at lunchtime Monday at the Detroit Economic Club. (Weirdly enough, thats also the site Jeb Bush chose for a major economic address last year; Emily Badger notes how the right likes to use Detroit as a backdrop and shorthand for all that they feel ails the American economy.)

The economic platform that Trump proposed amounts to an awkward shotgun marriage of the economic populism that has been his trademark since he entered the race, some of which runs directly counter to conservative economic orthodoxy, and a few well-worn conservative proposals on taxes and regulations. With several policies, Trump seems to be trying to reach more affluent, college-educated whites, and especially women, with whom he is weak, but also to reassure and woo wealthy members of the donor class.

Recommended: Trump Denies Calling For the Assassination of Hillary Clinton

As usual, Trump argued against free-trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, promised new tariffs, and vowed to repeal the Dodd-Frank financial-reform act. Trump also claimed that although Clinton has announced she opposed the TPP, she will back it once in officea claim bolstered by comments from Clinton ally Terry McAuliffe. While calling for the repeal of climate-change regulations imposed by the Obama administration, he also complained that trade deals were unfair because, he said incorrectly, China does not have environmental regulations.

Story continues

But theres quite a bit of new material in the speech as well. Among the most interesting bits is his proposal to make the average cost of child care fully tax deductible. Thats an idea that outflanks Democrat Hillary Clinton from the left, offering a more generous proposal than her own, which is to cap child-care costs at 10 percent of family income. During a speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland last month, Trumps daughter Ivanka mentioned a list of policieslike paid family leave, equal pay, and affordable child carethat raised eyebrows, both because they fit more with the Democratic platform and because Donald Trump had not previously discussed them. On Monday, Trump specifically credited her for helping inspire the idea.

A child-care deduction seems aimed at women, and particularly more affluent ones, who have voted Republican but have abandoned Trump more or less en masse. Most lower-earning Americans take a standard deduction; its wealthier ones who are more likely to itemize. If Trump were trying to help mostly the working class, he would be better served to propose a tax credit, rather than a deduction. The Associated Press notes that 40 percent of Americans dont even owe income tax at the end of the year. Details of the plan werent immediately available, although one aide told the AP that it would include an income-cap on eligibility.

Recommended: 15 Years After 9/11, Is America Any Safer?

In another populist-themed move, Trump called for the elimination of the carried-interest loophole, in which high earners are able to treat income as capital gains for tax purposes. (As Alec McGillis points out, this is often called the hedge-fund loophole, though other sectors like private equity use it more.) In demanding that the loophole be closed, Trump joins Hillary Clinton, who also wants it closed.

But much the rest of Trumps speech was targeted not at the average American but at corporations and high earners, with many of the ideas borrowed from the standard Republican playbook of supply-side economics. (Trump specifically positioned himself as continuing Ronald Reagans legacy.) For example, he proposes eliminating the estate tax, which would not help many blue-collar workers, though it might benefit Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany, and Barron.

On the tax front, Trump would reduce the number of income-tax brackets from seven to three. He previously proposed brackets of 0, 10, 20, and 25 percent, but now says he will follow Speaker Paul Ryans scheme of 12, 25, and 33 percent. He would also slash the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 15 percent. These, too, fit with standard conservative proposals to cut taxes, especially for higher earners, and to stimulate business by reducing taxes. (Curiously, a tax plan that was posted on Trumps website as recently as Sunday has since been removed.)

Recommended: The Narcissist

Likewise, Trump promised to cut down on regulation, a proposal that straddles income levels, because its designed to appeal to both middle-class business owners and to major corporations. In an unwritten aside in his speech, Trump asserted, nonsensically, You cannot ever start a small business under the tremendous regulatory burden you have today. In particular, he said he would impose a moratorium on any new financial regulations until the economy reaches some unstated level of improvement. The mechanics of such a moratorium are a little murky. As the conservative law professor Jonathan Adler points out, it would probably bump up against statutory deadlines instituted by Congress. Its also somewhat at odds with his charge that Clinton is owned by Wall Street. Clinton has proposed stricter regulation of the financial sector.

Although Trump has been described as the candidate of the white working class, Nate Silver points out that he also does very well with more affluent white voters, especially males. Pushing forward with these more traditional right-wing proposals could help firm up support among any of these voters who might be wavering on Trump after his atrocious last 10 days. They might also go some way to bringing wealthy donors into the Trump tent. Although he reported a larger-than-expected fundraising haul in July, Trump continues to struggle with larger donors and bundlers.

Trumps economic proposals face a familiar challenge of Republican economic proposals: They are conservative in popular political parlance, but theyre not necessarily fiscally prudent. In a December analysis of Trumps economic proposals up to that point, the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center found that he would reduce federal revenue by $9.5 trillion over a decade. The plan would improve incentives to work, save, and invest, the center reported. However, unless it is accompanied by very large spending cuts, it could increase the national debt by nearly 80 percent of gross domestic product by 2036, offsetting some or all of the incentive effects of the tax cuts. He has promised to do all this without touching entitlementsa break with previous Republican candidates, and one that has broadened his appeal. Add in elements like a child-care deduction and the revenue problem only gets trickieralthough more detailed plans will be needed to gauge the impact of his revised proposals.

Covering child care edges into the territory staked out by the so-called reformicons, conservatives who have tried to push the GOP to focus more on helping the middle class and working class through targeted tax breaks. But the broad tax cuts Trump wants at the top dont match, and the staunchly anti-Trump (and reformicon-friendly) conservative journalist Ross Douthat tweeted that its increasingly clear that Trumpian economic policy will have the worst populist ideas and the worst elite-conservative ideas.

Figuring out how to square his economic populism with a passel of proposals calibrated to help the wealthiest Americans is a challenge that Trump hasnt quite mastered yet. Meanwhile, his standard doom-and-gloom read on the American situation sits uneasily with the realities of the U.S. economy. Although any analyst would say that the U.S. recovery from the 2008 recession has been slow, more recent statistics paint a rosier picture. Last Fridays jobs report was the second month of large employment gains, and the hires came with quickening wage growth, as well. (On Monday, Trump called the unemployment rate one of the biggest hoaxes in modern politics; while some economists argue that the standard rate doesnt tell the whole story, Trumps suggestion that the real rate could be as high as 42 percent has been thoroughly debunked.) An improving economy tends to be a decisive factor in helping the incumbent party hold the White Housejust another one of the many political obstacles facing Donald Trump.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Tunis (AFP) - Tunisia will not be able to hold local elections in March 2017, electoral commission chief Chafik Sarsar said late Monday.

"Let's forget (that date), we aren't talking about it any more," Sarsar told private radio station Express FM.

No official date had yet been set, but officials had said they were likely to be held either on March 12, 19 or 26.

Sarsar explained that in order for a new date to be agreed, a new electoral law must be passed.

"When will (the law) be passed? We don't know," said the official, adding that the path towards local elections was "blocked" -- particularly now that parliament is in summer recess.

"A great majority of politicians don't think the local elections are important, they don't consider them to be a priority, and they would like them to be postponed," Sarsar said.

"Some parties would like them to be held as late as possible because they aren't ready for them."

Despite a popular revolt that removed longtime strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011, Tunisians have not yet had a chance to vote for local representatives.

After the revolt, local governments were disbanded and replaced with special delegations that were meant to be temporary.

"It is necessary" to hold local elections, Sarsar said, "because Tunisian citizens need to have efficient, legitimate local governments."

The revolution that began in Tunisia spread to many parts of the Arab world, with mass protests in Egypt, Libya, Syria and Yemen.

In every country except Tunisia the revolution was followed by violent turmoil or, as in Syria's case, a devastating civil war.

While Tunisia is regarded as a beacon of the Arab Spring, it still faces many challenges, with the transition to democracy struggling at times through chaotic moments.

The economy is at pains to recover and there are fears that widespread joblessness will cause social unrest.

Story continues

A jihadist threat has also emerged, with militant groups carrying out several attacks.

Prime Minister-designate Youssef Chahed began talks last week aimed at creating a unity government to tackle the challenges.

If his cabinet wins the backing of parliament, the 40-year-old Chahed will become the North African country's youngest premier since it won independence from France in 1956.

He will also be Tunisia's seventh prime minister in less than six years.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said in an interview with Russia's TASS news agency published on Monday he wanted to reset relations with Russia from a clean slate and restart cooperation in a range of sectors. Erdogan was speaking on the eve of a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg intended to end a period of high tension after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border last November. Russia imposed trade sanctions on Turkey and the number of Russian tourists visiting the country fell by 87 percent in the first half of 2016. As Turkey's relations with Europe and the United States are strained by the fallout from its failed coup, Erdogan may be hoping his trip to Russia will give the West pause for thought. Erdogan, in his TASS interview, repeatedly referred to Putin as "dear" or "respected" Vladimir and called him a friend. "This visit strikes me as a new milepost in our bilateral relations, starting again from a clean slate," Erdogan told TASS. "A new page will be opened in Russo-Tukish ties. This new page will include military, economic and cultural cooperation." (Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Lidia Kelly)
By Rishika Sadam (Reuters) - Twilio Inc, a developer-focused messaging and voice services provider, posted a bigger-than-expected 70 percent jump in quarterly revenue and forecast current-quarter revenue above analysts' estimates due to strong demand. Twilio's shares were up 1.1 percent in extended trading on Monday after the company also posted a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss in its first report since going public in June. "We expect to add new customers in the coming quarters. As our customers are growing their businesses and they have more end-users to communicate with ... that also grows Twilio's opportunity and revenue," Chief Executive Jeff Lawson told Reuters. Twilio's software is used by large companies such as Netflix Inc, WhatsApp and Uber, allowing them to speak with and text customers without exchanging contact information. The company said it added New York Times Co and Salesforce.com Inc to its customer list in the second quarter, while its active customer accounts rose 45 percent to 30,780 as of June 30. That helped Twilio's total revenue soar to $64.51 million from $37.95 million a year earlier and easily beat analysts average estimate of $58.22 million, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Some analysts had expresses concern about the concentration of revenue coming from key clients. WhatsApp accounted for about 15 percent of Twilio's revenue in the first quarter. Twilio third-quarter revenue forecast of between $63 million and $65 million was also higher than analysts estimates of $60.55 million. San Francisco-based Twilio's net loss attributable to common shareholders widened to $10.99 million in the second quarter from $9.58 million a year earlier. On a per share basis, its loss fell to 45 cents per share from 52 cents due a rise in the count of its outstanding shares. Excluding items, it lost 8 cents per share, less than analysts' estimates of 14 cents. Twilio's IPO on June 23 was the first offering in 2016 from a technology "unicorn", private companies valued at more than $1 billion. The stock had nearly tripled from its IPO price of $15 through Monday's close of $42.50. They rose to $43 in after-hours trading on Monday. (Reporting by Rishika Sadam in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza)
Zika protection is about to take a fashionable turn.

Maternova, a virtual marketplace specializing in a range of products for pregnant women and infants, is producing a clothing line of jumpsuits, maxi skirts, and scarves laced with insect repellent that aims to help moms-to-be protect themselves from the virus. Pregnant women in the Americas are especially vulnerable, as Zika can cause microcephaly, a neurological birth defect that results in shrunken heads among newborns.

Its going to be something thats very wearable, said Allyson Cote, cofounder of Maternova, which is partnering with Brazilian designers to create styles for women in the U.S. and South America. When people see someone wearing it, theyre not going to say, Oh, theyre wearing protective apparel, because its not going to look like that. Its going to look like great clothing.

The Maternova team piloted the apparel idea at a Zika design challenge in May, earning a prize of $25,000 Canadian dollars from Grand Challenges Canada to get the ball rolling. As of press time, the group has also raised $6,400 on the crowdfunding site Republic to further fund the project.

RELATED: Is the Zika Virus (or Something Worse) Killing Nicaraguas Monkeys?

Cote and cofounder Meg Wirth chose to pursue clothing because of its universal nature. Many women in lower-resource areas spend a lot of time in and around water for a variety of reasons, where mosquitos are most concentrated, according to a blog post on the business site. Clothing goes wherever women go to keep them protected.

The textile is free of permethrinan insecticide the EPA is still studying as a possible carcinogenand instead laced with a safe insect repellent designed to protect the wearer from more than 40 types of insects. While Cote and Wirth wont reveal the name of the pesticide because its a trade secret, the brand has been used in Europe for 30 years, Wirth said. The repellent wont last permanently in the clothes, but the founders estimate protection should stand up to at least 50 washes.

Story continues

In terms of the longevity of the clothing, there is nothing on the market that lasts continuously, explained Elizabeth Bailey, a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital who also confirmed the unnamed pesticide was approved for use in the U.S. Fifty washes is actually quite good when you compare it to skin repellent that washes off after each use. This is especially true when you think about maternity wear, which only has a short life span anyway.

RELATED: Climate Change Could Tell Us Where the Zika Virus Will Spread Next

An initial batch of T-shirts has been distributed, but more products are in the works, and the full clothing collection is slated to debut in late October. Internal market research conducted by Maternova indicated that while fashionable clothing was important to consumers, one group especially cared about being able to wear the insect-repelling fabric on the job, according to Wirth.

One of the things weve already been asked for is health worker uniforms, which could be scrubs, a basic T-shirt or collared shirt, and pants, Wirth told TakePart. The things that were most interested in are everyday items that women could wear. Were looking at leggings, long shirts, or tunics.

Zika has been especially problematic in South American countries that cant afford to deal with the problem. In Brazil, where 16 million people live in poverty, purchasing preventive products can be out of reach for some families. While the lines price range hasnt been determined yet, the Maternova team is choosing to provide some clinics with free clothing and offering others subsidized prices that U.S. buyers will help pay for.

Wirth acknowledged some of the limitations and questions about manufacturing of the apparel. While the fabric has been tested for efficacy, the designers arent sure how much clothing buyers will have to wear and whether theyll like the styles available.

Clothing is very personal and very cultural, and we are aware that a lot of different users in different settings need to be asked for input, she said. How can we be sure not to displace local tailors and clothing manufacturers but rather, work with them?

Take the Pledge: Spread the Word About Malaria and the Plant That Could Save Lives

Related stories on TakePart:





 See the Clothing That Shows How Bad Smog Is in Your Neighborhood

 Zika Threatens Puerto Ricos Blood Supplyand Its Economy

 See Refugees React to a Coat That Is Also a Tent

Original article from TakePart
Two border guards and a suspected rebel were killed on Monday in a gunbattle in Indian-administered Kashmir, the Indian army said.

The shootout took place near the de facto border with Pakistan, although it was not immediately clear whether the dead fighter had crossed into India from there.

India regularly accuses Pakistan of arming and sending rebels across the border known as the Line of Control to launch attacks on its forces -- allegations which Islamabad denies.

"Two BSF (Border Security Force) soldiers were martyred and a terrorist was killed in the gunbattle," army spokesman N.N. Joshi told AFP.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the two won independence from British rule in 1947.

Several rebel groups have for decades been fighting an estimated 500,000 Indian soldiers deployed in the restive territory, demanding either independence for the region or its merger with Pakistan.

Tens of thousands have died in the fighting since 1989 when the armed rebellion against Indian rule over the Himalayan territory began.

Large parts of the restive territory including Srinagar have been under a strict curfew for the past month following widespread anti-India protests, sparked by the killing of a popular young rebel leader in a gunfight with government forces.

At least 55 civilians and two police have been killed in the latest unrest, the worst since 2010, and nearly 5,000 protesters and bystanders have been injured.
Baghdad (AFP) - The first strikes of a US-led campaign against the Islamic State group were launched in Iraq two years ago on Monday, with coalition operations later expanding to Syria.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014 and seized significant territory in northern and eastern Syria amid the chaos of that country's civil war, declaring a cross-border "caliphate".

In Syria, coalition-backed Kurdish and Arab anti-IS forces defeated the jihadists in the city of Kobane, recaptured the city of Tal Abyad and the town of Manbij and have pledged to retake Raqa, the jihadists' de facto Syrian capital.

Iraqi forces have retaken the cities of Tikrit, Ramadi and Fallujah and have now set their sights on ousting IS from Nineveh province and its capital Mosul, the country's second city.

In addition to air strikes, the coalition has provided advice, training and other assistance to anti-IS forces in both countries.

Meeting in Washington last month, top diplomatic and military officials from coalition countries discussed plans that Pentagon chief Ashton Carter said would deliver a "lasting defeat" to IS.

Here are some key figures from the coalition on operations against IS:

14,301: The total number of strikes carried out by the coalition from the beginning of the campaign to August 6. A total of 9,514 of the strikes were in Iraq and 4,787 in Syria. Coalition strikes have played a major role in Iraqi advances and have assisted anti-IS forces in Syria.

19,000-25,000: IS fighters estimated to be operating in Iraq and Syria. This compares to an estimated 20,000 to 31,500 in 2014.

55: The number of civilians the United States has confirmed were killed in coalition strikes in Iraq and Syria as of July 28. Twenty-nine civilians have been confirmed as injured. Some observers believe civilian casualties have been significantly higher.

5: The number of "combat-related deaths" of international coalition military personnel. Two Americans died of wounds sustained in firefights with IS, while rocket fire left a third dead. IS also burned a Jordanian pilot to death in a cage in Syria, while Iraqi Kurdish forces mistakenly killed a Canadian.

Story continues

47: The percentage of territory IS has lost in Iraq, according to US Special Envoy Brett McGurk. The jihadists are thought to have lost around 20 percent of territory they once held in Syria.

6,500: The approximate number of coalition forces deployed in support of operations against IS. Most are in Iraq, but some have also been sent to Syria. Some have directly fought IS militants, but most are in training or advisory roles.

13: Coalition countries carrying out strikes against IS in Iraq, Syria or both. They are: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

7.7 billion: The total cost in dollars of US operations against IS from the start of strikes to May 31 this year.
Bangladesh daily claims it has exclusive photographs that confirm the involvement of two rescued hostages Hasnat Karim and Tahmid Hasib Khan in the deadly militant attack at a popular Dhaka bakery.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: New evidence has surfaced in the Dhaka cafe attack that puts the role of Bangladeshi university teacher Hasnat Karim and Tahmid Hasib Khan, a student of Canada's Toronto University, under the scanner.

Bangladesh daily Jugantor has alleged that both Karim and Khan are associates of the Gulshan cafe attackers. The paper claimed that Hasnat Karim was the main handler of the young attackers.

advertisement

Jugantor said it had photographs that nailed the role of the duo in the brazen terror attack that left 29 people dead.

MONITORED ATTACKERS

Karim, the daily claimed, led and monitored the activities of the Holey Artisan Bakery attackers. He is also alleged to have maintained communications with some domestic and international associates during the attack. Karim, who is a Bangladeshi-British national, was strangely calm during the deadly attack. He even completed his dinner with his family members inside the hotel.

Canadian immigrant Tahmid Khan is alleged to have been involved along with Karim. In fact, it was alleged that Tahmid also joined the killing spree, taking up arms himself.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE

The daily claimed that photographs and Karim's mobile phone's forensic report proved the involvement of the two. The day after the attack, Hasnat Karim, Tahmid Khan and "militant" Rohan Imtiaz were photographed meeting on the roof of the hotel.

In one of the photographs, Imitiaz was seen carrying a modern firearm hanging from his neck, military style. Khan and Hasnat were photographed speaking to him, and Khan was also carrying a firearm.

After analysing this group photo, the police investigated further and confirmed their connection.

The photographs have been shown to higher government officials, and their instructions are awaited for further legal action.

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY ON MOBILE

Jugantor insisted that there is no doubt about Hasnat's connection to the terror strike. The attack was carried out at 8.46 pm, and at 8.57 pm, the mobile phone of Hasnat Karim showed suspicious activity. Hasnat was reportedly busy gathering news about the attack while it was happening. He was also keeping an eye on the activities of law enforcers outside the hotel after the attack, and updating the militants accordingly, the paper claimed.

During the attack, Hasnat used instant messaging app Wickr which allows end-to-end encrypted and content-expiring messages, to exchange information with the militants. The app is said to have been used by the militants to send and receive information about the different points of attack. Hasnat's mobile had also been used to send photos of dead foreigners to the Middle East based Jihadist news outlet AMAQ and Israeli terrorism analyst Rita Katz's web portal.

advertisement

(ALL PHOTOS FROM JUGANTOR)



ALSO READ: Indian girl among 20 killed in Dhaka attack, ISIS terrorists identified: Latest updates



--- ENDS ---
(Adds further breakdown of the sources of bitcoins in the auction)

By Nate Raymond

NEW YORK, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. government said on Monday it plans to auction over 2,700 bitcoins that were forfeited during several cases, several of which stemmed from investigations of the online black market known as Silk Road.

The U.S. Marshals Service said that the online auction would be held on Aug. 22, and that potential bidders must register by Aug. 18. The bitcoin are worth about $1.6 million, according to the Bitstamp exchange.

The auction is the latest by the Marshals Service of the digital currency. It completed four prior auctions from June 2014 to November 2015 of bitcoins seized during the prosecution of Ross Ulbricht, who authorities say ran Silk Road.

His case is one of nine criminal, civil or administrative matters from which the Marshals Service said the 2,719 bitcoins had been forfeited and are subject to the latest auction.

Ulbricht, 32, was sentenced in May 2015 to life in prison after being convicted for orchestrating a scheme that enabled more than $200 million of anonymous online drug sales through Silk Road using bitcoin. He is appealing.

Only about 2.8 bitcoins in the latest auction came from Ulbricht's case, the Marshals Service said.

The bulk of the bitcoins in the auction, 1,294, came from a civil forfeiture case related to a Silk Road drug dealer, Matthew Gillum, who was sentenced in 2015 to nine years in prison, the Marshals Service said.

It said another 65 bitcoins came from the case of Carl Force, a former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent who was sentenced in October to 78 months in prison for stealing bitcoins during the Silk Road investigation.

The agency said another 664 bitcoins came from the case of Sean Roberson, a Florida man who prosecutors said created an online shop for selling counterfeit credit and debit cards. He was sentenced in November 2015 to 78 months in prison.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Frances Kerry)
Amy always knew she was a girl trapped in a boys body, as she always knew she would serve in the army. She grew up in a religious family in Israel and attended a school that prepared students to enter the air force. But after coming out to her family, whose reactions ranged from fear to denial and rejection, she wasnt sure if and how the military would accept her.

Amy, who preferred not to use her real name for this story, decided not to go into the air force, which she felt might be too macho and less welcoming to a transgender woman. Instead she enlisted in Caracal, a co-ed combat unit, which is tasked with patrolling Israels border with Egypt. To Amys surprise, the army was more than just accepting.

They were empowering, she says of her fellow soldiers and commanders. The girls and guys in my platoon were so sweet and supportive, and all the staff tried to make it as smooth as possible. I didnt even notice.

From the start, they treated her as her preferred gender, addressing her in female pronouns, giving her a female uniform, and allowing her to keep her long wavy hair (male soldiers must keep their hair short). Amy was permitted to sleep in the womens sleeping quarters, and received permission to shower separately. The army also pays for her hormone treatments, just as they cover the medical needs of any soldier.

On June 30, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that it was lifting its ban on transgender soldiers, five years after repealing the Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy which barred gay and lesbian troops from serving openly. The U.S. militarys new transgender policy took effect immediately, but for now, it only applies to trans men and women who are already serving. For the first time, they will be able to do so openly, without fear of being discharged on the grounds of being transgender.

There are no precise figures on the number of transgender people in the U.S. military, but RAND Corporation researchers estimate there are 1,300 to 6,600 transgender service members in active duty  out of 1.3 million total  and between 800 to 4,000 in the selected reserves. The Department of Defense worked with RAND, a public policy research organization, to evaluate the implications of integrating trans soldiers. Its studies of foreign militaries found that such integration had no negative impact on battle readiness or unit cohesion. In fact, the report found, the policies had benefits for all service members by creating a more inclusive and diverse force.

Story continues

Although the policy change took effect this month, it will take about a year for the military to implement it fully, said Department of Defense spokesman Eric Pahon.

As America begins to put its new policy into practice, it is taking notes from the 18 other countries that already allow transgender men and women to serve their country. Israel is one of them, says Pahon.

The two forces face different challenges; Israel has a conscript army, in which every man and woman is expected to serve a period of time in the military, while the U.S. has a volunteer army. But many of the issues are similar.

These include, How to handle some of the shower situations, and what to do about sleeping arrangements, says Pahon. Weve got a lot of training to do for troops already in the military.

While the Israeli army has never explicitly forbidden trans men and women from serving, any conscript who said they were transgender would normally be exempted from service on health or mental health grounds. In recent years, the Israeli army has been more keen to encourage more people to serve, regardless of their orientation.

This change has not been smooth for everyone. The day Guy Tiram joined the army was one of the worst days of his life. Raised as a girl named Sahar, Guy came out as a lesbian at the age of 14, and then as transgender right after high school. When his mother found out, she told him not to come home. At one point, Guy tried to commit suicide. After swallowing more than 100 pills, his younger brother called an ambulance, and Guy woke up in a hospital several hours later.

Like Amy, Guy also knew he wanted to be a combat soldier. When Guy entered the enlistment office on his drafting day, the officers saw a man, so they shaved his head and handed him a male uniform. He found an area to the side where he could change in private, but soon a commander came in and took him out of the mens changing area. She gave him a female uniform and shoved him into the girls changing area.

She was laughing hysterically, recalls Guy, now 22. I was crying. All the girls started screaming at me to get out of their changing room. I went outside, sat on a bench and cried. So the army did what seemed right to them. They sent an officer to come yell at me.

For the rest of his service, Guy experienced similar degrading treatment. Like Amy, he served in the co-ed Caracal unit, but was forced to sleep in the female dorms, and to shower with the girls. His morale was so low that he kept getting into trouble with his commanders. He lasted six months before he gave up on the army, rather than serving the full two years required of women or the three years required of men. Quitting the Israeli army can be extremely difficult, if not impossible. For Guy, it took weeks.

After he left, all Guy could think was, What have I done? I wanted to be here, he says. But Im glad I got out because if I hadnt, they would say, OK, we have a transgender person here. Were probably doing everything OK.

Apart from not being able to stand the army anymore, Guy also wanted his departure to show the army their treatment of trans soldiers was unacceptable. Although he didnt realise it, Guys experience was a turning point for the army.

Several months after he left the army and started working with underprivileged members of society as an alternative to army service, Guy met Liam Rubin. Liam was also a transgender man, and was at the time serving in Caracal. When Liam realized who he was speaking to, he said, Youre Guy Tiram! as if he was meeting a star.

Guy left a very big impact in what he did, says Liam, who just completed his army service in March. After he left, I was accepted much better.

Liam, who came out during his army service, changing his name from Linoy, represents a kind of middle ground between the experiences of Amy and Guy.

In Feb. 2016, the army changed its Womens Affairs Department  created in 2000- into the Gender Affairs Department. Soldiers and commanders now have people they can turn to at any hour with any question, wether its concerning themselves, a fellow soldier, or a soldier under their command.

If youre a commander in the field, youre not necessarily going to know how to treat a transgender soldier, says Lt. Col. Limor Shabtai, the IDFs Deputy Head of Gender Affairs. Most of the commanders are just afraid of the issue because they know nothing about it. Once we give them educational tools to help them integrate them, things are going much better.

Guidance for commanders, Shabtai explains, includes helping them decide where a transgender soldier should sleep and shower, whether to address him as male or female, what uniform to give him, and what kind of medical assistance hell be receiving for his transition.

All of this has given the commanders a sense of how to deal with the issue, says Shabtai, adding that troops serving alongside a transgender soldier also receive sensitivity training.

Lieutenant Shachar, who cant divulge his full name nor his role in the army due to the sensitivity of his job, came out as transgender when he was 16. His friends and family were extremely supportive, but in the army, he only came out to his fellow soldiers at the end of his commanders course, two years after beginning his army service. Until then, he was addressed as a woman, slept in the female sleeping quarters, and refrained from taking hormones. He was the first transgender person to become an officer. Shachar often assists the Gender Affairs office, which refers transgender recruits to talk to him about their concerns surrounding their army service.

While the army is happy to fund hormone treatment for its soldiers, it is reluctant to allow surgery.When Liam decided to go through hormone therapy, his commander told him that he wouldnt be able to continue onto the commanders course he was supposed to begin. He chose hormone therapy over becoming a commander. While the army provided his hormone treatments, they did not cover the surgery to remove his breasts, which cost around $7,000. Liam now runs a transgender awareness organization with Guy, whose terrible experience in the army prompted much of the progress thats been made. Transgender soldiers who desire surgery must go through a sex change commission, and could wait a year or two.

Most of the time the people who had a harder time, it was that their commanders or doctors just didnt know how to address the issue, so they didnt get their rights or the right treatments, says Lt. Shachar. He said this is a problem they are actively addressing. We can already see the fruits of that labor, he says, but, not everything is perfect.

The Israeli armys transgender soldiers are now helping new transgender recruits fit in. In November 2015, Liam was asked to go to the base where he had done basic training. New soldiers were coming to Caracal, and they wanted his help to make sure she was integrated into the army properly.

There was a trans girl on the bus, and they treated her from the start as a woman. I was shocked, he says. I saw her name on the list, and noticed that theyd written her preferred female name next to her original name. The girl he had been called to help was Amy.

Shes the only one to start as openly trans and end as openly trans, says Liam. Its like a revolution.
By Gram Slattery BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Argentina and other large nations to ratify the Paris climate accord at a Buenos Aires conference on Monday, and Argentina's foreign minister said she hoped the country would do so by the end of the year. In December 2015, some 195 countries reached an agreement in Paris that obligates states to take concrete measures to curb emissions that contribute to climate change. But the pact will not go into force until it is ratified by 55 countries representing 55 percent of global greenhouse emissions. As of now, only 22 countries have done so, many of them small, vulnerable island nations that account for a negligible percentage of emissions. Ban urged China and the United States, the world's top two greenhouse gas emitters, to ratify the deal, and also pushed Argentina, Latin America's third largest economy, to do the same. "When we add up the two countries' greenhouse gas emissions, it comes to almost 40 percent" of global emissions, Ban said of the United States and China. "So 55 percent may not be difficult to achieve, and I urge Argentina to ratify as soon as possible." In response, Argentina's foreign minister, Susana Malcorra, who is running to replace Ban as U.N. secretary-general, said the accord has already been approved by one chamber of Congress and she hopes Argentina will have it ratified by the next major U.N. climate summit in December. At the event in Buenos Aires, Ban also thanked Argentina for a recent commitment to take in 3,000 refugees from various war-torn locations. "This kind of solidarity, sign of humanity, should be emulated by many people around the world," Ban said. (Reporting by Gram Slattery; Editing by Leslie Adler)
MONROVIA, Liberia  In June, the U.N. Mission in Liberia, known by its acronym UNMIL, wound up 13 years of peacekeeping. The mission played a crucial role in ending a 14-year civil war that destroyed this West African nation, spilled into neighboring Sierra Leone, and left as many as 300,000 people dead in the two countries between 1989 and 2003. UNMIL helped guarantee the 2003 peace agreement that saw the three main factions lay down their arms and sent warlord-turned-President Charles Taylor into exile in Nigeria.

But in the years since the 2003 peace deal, UNMIL has left its own trail of destruction. The second-biggest mission in the world at the time it was deployed, UNMIL was a massive force responsible for all aspects of security in Liberia. Its budget dwarfed the spending of the Liberian government for its first five years. (For the 2004-2005 fiscal year, for example, UNMILs budget was roughly $760 million compared with the Liberian governments budget of $61 million.) Not surprisingly, the U.N. mission distorted the economy, crowded out the private sector, and in some cases hampered the recovery of whole industries after the war.



Few aspects of Liberian society have suffered more under UNMIL than the media, which is critical for any young democracy but all the more so for one emerging from civil war. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.N. mission itself, and other donors have spent more than $10 million since 2003 to develop a robust independent media market capable of holding Liberias leaders accountable  only to watch UNMIL turn around and build a media behemoth that monopolized the countrys talent, resources, and audience, making it impossible for smaller outlets to compete. UNMIL Radio, the U.N. missions flagship media outfit, has a budget of $1.4 million this year  more than the annual revenue of the countrys commercial media combined. We are not aware of a media market in any other democratic country where one player so dominates all others in terms of revenue and resources.

Story continues

And theres a massive misrepresentation at the heart of UNMIL Radios presence in Liberia. Although it now masquerades as an independent media outlet, operating in the same radio space as other news providers and delivering a product that looks like that of other news providers, the U.N. shows little interest or aptitude for the hard, dirty work of independent journalism. It claims to set a standard for journalism in the country but then fails to deliver on the industrys most important responsibility  holding leaders, not just Liberias but the U.N.s own, to account.

To be sure, UNMIL Radio was born of an admirable goal: to bring reliable information to a public that had been fed little besides propaganda from all sides during the war. UNMIL built a station and a much needed network of transmitters, reaching 95 percent of Liberians, many of whom previously had no access to media of any kind. But as the postwar recovery gathered steam and threats to peace diminished, UNMIL Radio didnt scale back its operation to make room for local media outlets. With its slick, expensive production and talented cast of reporters and broadcasters, it continues to attract by far the largest audience of any outlet in Liberia.

UNMIL Radio has single-handedly gutted the local market of its most talented reporters, significantly weakening the industrys ability to serve its critical watchdog function. Take for example Sonnie Morris, a reporter at the local Sky FM station who in 2010 broke a major story on the devastating toll of teen and child prostitution. (Morris found that U.N. peacekeepers were the main clients of these prostitutes.) The story convulsed the country for months, prompted a U.N. investigation, and forced President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to launch a series of initiatives to tackle the problem.

But instead of going on to do more groundbreaking work at Sky FM or another leading local outlet, Morris was snapped up by UNMIL Radio almost immediately  at 16 times her Sky FM salary. She was hired not as a journalist but as a public information officer, an important distinction that UNMIL Radio does not explain to its listeners. Morris has since gone on to a job with Internews, a nonprofit media development organization. But nothing she has done at either organization has rivaled the impact of her Sky FM report.

Morriss story is sadly typical in Liberia. Dozens of talented journalists have ridden success at private media outlets into plush but irrelevant postings at UNMIL Radio. (Some, like Mabel Dahn, who was doing groundbreaking work on a radio program for ex-combatants hosted by Talking Drum Studio, a local production house supported by the U.S.-based nonprofit Search for Common Ground, have even abandoned journalism to become U.N. drivers because the pay is so much better.)

According to UNMIL spokesman Russell Geekie, the station prides itself on covering all issues in an unsensational and objective manner to defuse confrontation and encourage discourse. But in practice, that means it avoids asking tough questions of a government that is plagued by incompetence and graft and barely mentions allegations of corruption even when they dominate the headlines of the independent media. Part of UNMIL Radios caution no doubt stems from the U.N. missions need for the Liberian governments consent to remain in the country; individual employees may also fear expulsion from Liberia if they dig too deeply into issues the government would prefer not to address.

When it comes to sensitive cultural issues, UNMIL Radio has been equally timid. In 2012, reporters at New Narratives, a local production house, went undercover as members of a traditional society to expose the practice of female genital cutting on girls as young as 8. (As many as two-thirds of women here have endured female genital cutting.) When the story was published in Front Page Africa, our newspaper and website, it sparked a national debate on the previously taboo subject and paved the way for the introduction in the legislature of several bills to ban the practice.

But the pushback from conservative quarters was fierce, and one of the reporters, Mae Azango, was forced into hiding because of death threats. We had offered the original story on female genital cutting to UNMIL Radio to run as an exclusive. It turned the story down. It was only three weeks after Azango had been forced into hiding  and after a massive international outcry prompted members of government to defend her publicly  that UNMIL Radio devoted airtime to the story.

The U.N. has undercut the development of independent media in more insidious ways, too. UNMIL, as well as other U.N. agencies like the U.N. Development Programme, handles transportation costs  paid out in cash  for journalists who cover its press conferences. According to Geekie, the UNMIL spokesman, the U.N. is simply trying to help poor journalists get around, but the payments are usually many times the real cost of transportation, and theyre understood by most journalists to be payment for coverage  in reality, bribes. Media bosses know about these payments, so they pay reporters less than they otherwise might. And since the U.N. sets the standard for other international agencies and nonprofits, many organizations also hand out cash at press conferences  a practice that encourages journalists to write biased articles and undermines the independent business model of all media here.

One area where the U.N. could have played a positive role in the development of Liberias domestic media market was in much needed advertising revenue. An organization with that kind of cash could have been a game-changer in helping finance independent journalism. But the U.N. rarely advertises, and, when it does, it can take months to process payments. As a result, commercial media outlets with immediate cash-flow needs do not see UNMIL as a reliable partner.

None of this should have been news to UNMIL leadership. For years, local media bosses have been telling U.N. officials in Liberia that its time to shut down UNMIL Radio or confine its reach to the parts of the country that are underserved by other media outlets. The message apparently has not reached the U.N. headquarters in New York. Andrei Shkourko, the head of the Liberia desk at the U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York, seemed shocked to hear that there was any discontent. We heard everyone loves UNMIL Radio, he told us.

Geekie says he has arranged several meetings between local media and the top U.N. representatives here in the last two years and that no one has raised the issue, a claim that was contradicted by several local media bosses who spoke on the condition of anonymity. On at least one visit to the country in 2012, the U.N. Peacebuilding Commission, which advises the Security Council on operations in post-conflict countries, met with representatives of UNMIL Radio and the nonprofit IREX, which headed USAIDs $5 million media development program, as well as with officials from Liberias Ministry of Information. The commission did not meet with any local media representatives during the trip.

In December, the U.N. Security Council will decide whether to completely withdraw UNMIL (along with its peacekeepers), alter it, or establish a new mission. The future of UNMIL Radio will be decided then, too. We hope the members of the Security Council will take into consideration the damage caused by UNMIL Radio and develop a smarter strategy that supports, rather than tramples, independent media in Liberia.

Image credit: ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images
By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council must not allow civilians on both sides of the Syrian city of Aleppo to be cut off from humanitarian aid, the United States said on Monday as Russia accused Washington of politicizing a humanitarian issue. Insurgents effectively broke a month-long government siege of eastern, opposition-held Aleppo on Saturday, severing the primary government supply corridor and raising the prospect that government-held western Aleppo might become besieged. The United States, Britain, France, New Zealand and Ukraine organized an informal Security Council meeting on Aleppo on Monday with briefings by a "White Helmet" rescue worker and two U.S.-based doctors from the Syrian American Medical Society who recently returned from Aleppo. "If the fighting continues it is conceivable that civilians on both sides of Aleppo could be cut off from the basic assistance they need. We cannot allow this to happen," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said. Citing U.N. figures, Power said Syrian government forces were to blame for nearly 80 percent of the besieged areas throughout Syria. Aleppo, Syria's biggest city before the outbreak of the conflict five years ago, has been divided between government forces and rebels since the summer of 2012. "We once again urge Russia to stop facilitating these sieges and to use its influence to press the regime to end its sieges across Syria once and for all," she said. The United Nations aid chief has called for weekly 48-hour humanitarian pauses in fighting to deliver aid to Aleppo. Russian Deputy U.N. Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov accused the United States and its western colleagues of politicizing a humanitarian issue, urging them to "admit that the main cause of all of the humanitarian problems in Syria is not the counter-terrorist actions by the legitimate government of Syria. "The propaganda and the emotional rhetoric, the unfounded accusations, the information campaign, means that we cannot move toward a political settlement in Syria," Safronkov said. He said the first step toward ending the five-year conflict should be a pooling of efforts to combat terrorism and then a renewal of Syrian peace talks. A crackdown by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on pro-democracy protesters five years ago sparked a civil war, and Islamic State militants have used the chaos to seize territory in Syria and Iraq. The United States and allies began bombing Islamic State militants in Syria nearly two years ago, while Russia began air strikes in support of Assad a year ago. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Dan Grebler)
London (AFP) - British company bosses won pay hikes of ten percent last year, creating a growing wages gap as workers faced restraint, a study showed Monday.

The average pay package of a FTSE 100 chief executive rose to 5.48 million ($7.12 million, 6.46 million euros) in 2015, from 4.96 million in 2014, according to research from the High Pay Centre.

The think-tank, which analysed the annual reports of Britain's top 100 companies, added that chief executives were paid 140 times more than their employees on average.

There is apparently no end yet in sight to the rise and rise of FTSE 100 CEO pay packages," said Stefan Stern, director of the High Pay Centre.

"In spite of the occasional flurry from more active shareholders, boards continue to award ever larger amounts of pay to their most senior executives."

The think-tank added that the top ten highest paid FTSE 100 chief executives were all men.

The best paid boss in 2015 was Martin Sorrell, head of advertising giant WPP, whose package soared 64 percent to more than 70 million last year.
The United States womens gymnastics team entered the 2016 Olympics as big favorites, and overachieved in the first day of competition, even by the teams own lofty standards.

Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas earned the top three spots in qualifications on Sunday, and no other country was close to topping USAs score of 185.238. China finished second, nearly 10 points behind at 175.279.

[Related: French gymnast Samir Ait Said speaks from hospital bed after gruesome injury]

Only eight countries advance to compete in the team competition on Tuesday:

United States  185.238 China  175.279 Russia  174.620 Great Britain  174.064 Brazil  174.054 Germany  173.263 Japan  172.564 Netherlands  171.929

Biles, Raisman and Douglas were the only three gymnasts to post an all-around score over 60. But because each country can send just two gymnasts to the all-around competition, Douglas was left on the outside looking in and wont have a chance to defend the gold medal she won in London four years ago.

Simone Biles is on track for a record five gold medals (Getty)

Still, Biles is the favorite to win after posting a score of 62.366 on Friday, well ahead of Raismans 60.607 and the 60.131 tallied by Douglas. Altogether, 24 will compete in the all-around competition, including 22 that finished behind Douglas.

Rounding out the top 10 in the all-around on Sunday are two gymnasts from Russia and one each from Brazil, China, Netherlands, Japan and Canada:

Simone Biles (USA): 62.366 Aly Raisman (USA): 60.607 Gabrielle Douglas (USA): 60.131 [Wont compete in all-around] Rebeca Andrade (Brazil): 58.732 Seda Tutkhalian (Russia): 58.207 Aliya Mustafina (Russia): 58.098 Yan Wang (China): 57.599 Eythora Thorsdottir (Netherlands): 57.566 Mai Murakami (Japan): 57.265 Isabela Onyshko (Canada): 57.232

Biles day was so good that she finished as the leader in the balance beam, vault and floor routine, in addition to her all-around lead. The uneven bars is the only event which Biles didnt earn the top spot in and wont compete in next week.

If she can win gold in the balance beam, vault, floor routine and all-around, Biles could be the first womens gymnast to ever win five gold medals. A tall task, but one that doesnt look out of Biles reach so long as the United States is able to keep its dominant form and earn the team gold.
DENVER  More than 100 million American adults are single, and science knows almost nothing about them, said one psychology researcher.

The science of singles is sorely lacking, said Bella DePaulo, author of "Singled Out: How Singles Are Stereotyped, Stigmatized and Ignored, and Still Live Happily Ever After" (St. Martin's Griffin, 2007). All those studies finding that married people are happier and healthier? They suffer from the fatal flaw of comparing two groups that may have been quite different before the decision on whether to tie the knot, he said. And they put singles at an unfair disadvantage by lumping in never-married people with people made single by divorce and widowhood.

"There are so many false beliefs out there about single people and single life," DePaulo told Live Science ahead of a talk today (Aug. 5) at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in Denver. And those false beliefs are "sometimes presented as being based in research." [I Don't: 5 Myths About Marriage]

Singlehood in America

There are around 107 million single people over the age of 18 in the United States, including 93 million who aren't cohabitating, DePaulo said. About 63 percent of those people have never been married before. The never-married group is rising no matter how you slice it: A 2014 Pew Research Center study, for example, found that about 20 percent of adults over the age of 25 had never been married as of 2012, compared with only 9 percent in the same demographic in 1960. With marriage increasingly occurring later in life, people are spending more of their young adulthood single. U.S. Census data shows that the median age of first-time marriage is 29 for men and 27 for women. In 1960, the average woman was hitched by 20 and the average man by 23.

The cultural focus, DePaulo said, is still firmly on getting married. Everything from romantic comedies to government benefits urge walking the aisle. But economic opportunities for women and increased focus on forging individual paths to happiness means that there are more opportunities to stay single as a matter of choice, she said.

Story continues

"We have to make space for the possibility that for some people, single life is their best life," she said.

The science of being single

This assertion seems to fly in the face of the bulk of the available psychology literature. Marriage, and long-term cohabitation, are associated with health benefits like survival after heart surgery and lower levels of stress and depression.

The problem is that studies that compare married and nonmarried people can't randomly assign people to get hitched or stay single; it's entirely possible that the sort of person who gets married is just different from the sort of person who doesn't. Another problem, DePaulo said, is that studies usually compare currently married people to currently single people. But those currently single people could have been previously married and divorced or widowed. Someone who is widowed might be very different from someone who is divorce, and both might be quite different from those who had never married. Nevertheless, the research lumps all these groups into the umbrella as "single."

A few studies that follow the same people over time find that when people go from unmarried to married or cohabitating, they see a slight uptick in happiness  but this honeymoon effect soon fades. These people may also get a health boost, possibly linked to marriage benefits like getting on a spouse's health care plan, a 2012 study found. That same study also found, however, that singles who get married lose contact with outside family and friends, an insularity effect seen in multiple studies, DePaulo said. In contrast, single people keep up more diverse social ties, she said. [7 Things That Will Make You Happy]

"It seems to be the single people who, in important ways, are holding us together," she said. Singles also volunteer more, and single children are more likely than married children to take care of their aging parents, she said.

DePaulo is now interested in studying the "single at heart," a group of people who are happily and voluntarily single. She's developing a psychological scale to identify people who feel this way. Preliminary research suggests that there are some serious benefits to singlehood. For example, people who score high on the desire to spend time alone are less likely to be neurotic and more likely to be open-minded than are people who prefer to be surrounded with others. Single people also develop a diverse portfolio of skills  they can't depend on a partner to do the taxes or cook dinner  which may give them a sense of mastery over life, DePaulo said.

"What I think we really need to do is find out much more about what's important to single people, what their lives are like, what they value  and that gives us a much fuller and fairer picture of the different ways of living a life," she said.

Original article on Live Science.

Editor's Recommendations

Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
By Rohini Swamy: Bulldozers on Monday continued to raze several houses that were built on storm water drains in Bengaluru leaving the residents distraught.

Residents in Nyanappanahalli area of Bengaluru are struggling to restore normalcy after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered demolition of houses built on storm water drains on August 3.

Ramesh V, who works as a bank manager in Bengaluru, on Sunday rushed home from Chennai to watch his house crumble down. He had been assigned the site under A Khata. However, when the bulldozers arrived, the officials claimed that his house was built on one of the storm water drains and was mercilessly brought it down to rubble.



"We were told that the house was clear. We gave up part of our property to build the storm water drain. I have lost everything. They did not even tell us they were going to demolish our house," Ramesh said.

advertisement

The house was built on a site that had been cleared by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Ramesh showed the documents saying that the banks had given him a loan to build the house the banks. One would hope that the bank will whet the documents before clearing the plan.

However a year ago, the officials of the BBMP landed at Ramesh's doorstep to tell him that they have to claim a part of their compound for the storm water drain and after that their land is safe.

"We will continue this drive as there are many illegal dwellings along storm water drains. This is for the benefit of the city," said Sunil Kumar from the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force.

Ramesh and other residents whose houses have been demolished are hoping that the government will give them a compensation.



Also Read

Municipal Corporation to demolish 19 properties encroaching drains in Bengaluru



--- ENDS ---
a-10 f-16 elephant walk warthog south korea

The US Air Force has presented several plans for replacing the beloved A-10 Warthog  a close air-support attack plane  over the years, but its latest plan takes the cake as the most absurd.

As it stands, the Air Force wants to buy or develop not one, but two new airframes to eventually phase out the A-10.

First, it'd pick out a plane, likely an existing one, called the OA-X (Observation, Attack, Experimental), which would likely be an existing plane with a low operating cost. Propeller-driven planes like the Beechcraft AT-6, already in use as a training plane for the Air Force, or Embraer A-29 Super Tucano, which the US recently gave to Afghanistan for counterinsurgency missions, are possible options.

The OA-X would fly with A-10s in low-threat airspaces to support the tank-buster, but this option appears to make little sense.

A subsonic, propeller-driven plane can perform essential close air-support duties in much the same way a World War II-era platform could, but it's a sitting duck for the kind of man-portable, shoulder-launched air-defense systems becoming increasingly prominent in today's battle spaces.

MANPADS

Next, the Air Force would look to field an A-X2 to finally replace the Warthog. The idea behind this jet would be to preserve the A-10's CAS capabilities while increasing survivability in medium-threat-level environments.

So while an update on the 40-year-old A-10 seems to make sense, the funding for it doesn't.

The Air Force expects a "bow-wave" of costs in the mid-2020s, when modernization costs are looming and can't be put off any further. This includes procuring F-35s, developing the B-21, procuring KC-46 tankers, and even possibly embarking on the quest to build a sixth-generation air-dominance platform.

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James seemed puzzled by the proposed plan to replace the A-10, saying in an interview with Defense News that "everything has a price tag ... If something goes in, something else has to fall out."

Story continues

Air Combat Command chief Gen. Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, told Defense News his doubts that the proposed replacements would be a good use of limited public funds.

"If you look at the things within the combat Air Force portfolio that I'm responsible for in modernization and taking care of those systems, I don't know where the money would come from," Carlisle said. "And if we got extra money, in my opinion, there's other things that I would do first to increase our combat capability before we go to that platform."

Boneyard Graveyard Air Force

Also, Carlisle doubted the need for a plane to operate in low-threat or "permissive" airspaces, as they are fast disappearing.

"Given the evolving threat environment, I sometimes wonder what permissive in the future is going to look like and if there's going to be any such thing, with the proliferation of potential adversaries out there," he said.

"The idea of a low-end CAS platform, I'm working my way through whether that's a viable plan or not given what I think the threat is going to continue to evolve to, to include terrorists and their ability to get their hands on, potentially, weapons from a variety of sources," he said.

Further, the Air Force's proposal seems to run contrary to other proposals to replace the A-10 in the past. For a while, Air Force officials said that the F-35 would take over for the A-10, and though the F-35 just reached operational capability, it was not mentioned as part of the newest proposal.

A10 Aircraft Iraq 2003

Air Force Gen. Mark Welsh told the Senate Armed Services Committee that other legacy fighters, the F-16 and F-15, could fly the A-10's missions in Iraq and Syria until the F-35 was available, but that idea was also mysteriously absent from the Air Force's two-new-plane proposal.

The Air Force, expecting huge costs in the near future, is wise to try to slash costs, so retiring an airplane and all the associated infrastructure makes an attractive target, but the A-10 represents just 2% of the Air Force's budget, and has unique capabilities that no other aircraft in the fleet can hope to match.

NOW WATCH: The Air Force's A-10 Warthog targets ISIS fighters with this massive gatling gun





More From Business Insider


United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The United States has asked the UN Security Council to send a 4,000-strong regional force to South Sudan's capital of Juba and to impose an arms embargo if the government blocks the deployment.

A draft resolution presented to the council would establish the regional protection force and authorize it to "use all necessary means" to provide security in Juba and deter attacks against UN bases, according to the text obtained by AFP on Monday.

Under the proposed measure, the council would vote on imposing an arms embargo on South Sudan if UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reports that there are "impediments" to the deployment.

Ban would provide a detailed report within 14 days of the adoption of the resolution, according to the draft.

The regional force would come under the command of the UN mission known as UNMISS, which has faced criticism for failing to protect tens of thousands of civilians sheltering in its bases.

The draft resolution would task the new force with protecting the airport, ensuring free movement in Juba and authorize it to "promptly and effectively" deter any attacks against UN personnel or premises.

It urges countries in the region to contribute troops to ensure that the new force can be on the ground "as soon as possible," according to the draft text.

A vote on the measure could take place this week.

Juba was rocked by several days of heavy fighting in early July between the government forces of President Salva Kiir and those loyal to ex-rebel chief Riek Machar, the latest upsurge in two and a half years of war.

Nearly 300 people died in the violence and two Chinese peacekeepers were killed in an attack on a UN base, where thousands of civilians rushed for safety.

Ban had called for an arms embargo and targeted sanctions following the flareup in violence. Late last month, he told the council that South Sudan remained "on the brink of an abyss."

African leaders last month approved a plan to dispatch a regional force to South Sudan and on Friday, the East African bloc IGAD said it had secured agreement from the government in Juba for the deployment.

The draft resolution would also extend the mandate of UNMISS until December 15, 2016.
Manbij (Syria) (AFP) - US-backed fighters savouring a momentous victory confidently roam the shattered streets of Manbij in Syria as they hunt down the last remaining Islamic State group jihadists holed up there.

The Arab-Kurdish alliance known as the Syrian Democratic Forces expelled IS from the town at the weekend after more than two months of ferocious fighting.

AFP correspondents were the first foreign media to enter the former jihadist bastion on Sunday, alongside SDF fighters eager to announce its "liberation".

"Daesh is finished. The town will be liberated in the coming hours," SDF fighter Ibrahim al-Hussein says, using the Arabic acronym for the group.

He is flanked by ruined residential and commercial apartment blocks that saw some of the most intense street battles.

Apart from the green camouflage of SDF fighters, the streets of Manbij are colourless -- grey dust, charcoal cement blocks and burnt metal strewn everywhere.

Rifles slung comfortably over their shoulders, the SDF fighters are clearly proud of their triumph in what was once a major transit point along IS's supply route from the Turkish border down to its bastion of Raqa.

With air support from the US-led coalition, the SDF began its assault on Manbij on May 31, surging into the town itself three weeks later.

- Holed up jihadists -

But the offensive was slowed by a massive jihadist fightback using suicide attackers and car bombs, before a major push last week saw the SDF seize 90 percent of the town.

According to the United Nations, more than 78,000 people have been displaced since the attack began.

Now, the SDF is preparing to clear the "security quarter", a central district where the last pocket of jihadists is thought to be.

The alliance estimates that some 130 jihadists are still in the area.

"We are very close to the security quarter. Just 75 metres (yards) and we will storm it," fighter Abu Ammar tells AFP.

But he also warns that "Daesh is using every malicious tactic in the book, from booby-trapped cars to human shields".

Story continues

Fayyad al-Ghanem heads the Raqa Falcons Brigade, an Arab contingent of the SDF.

His hand on the walkie-talkie at his hip, Ghanem says that storming the centre "has been delayed because we are trying to protect civilians and get them out... without causing them any harm".

"Daesh is now resorting to burning their homes and planting explosives to slow our offensive," he says.

In Manbij on Monday, Arab fighters in the SDF said they would allow the last remaining IS men to leave if the jihadists freed residents in the security quarter.

The alliance says it is helping fearful civilians still trapped there to get out.

- 'Don't be late' -

"Thank God, we left the neighbourhood safely thanks to the SDF," one young man in a white shirt says, holding his disabled brother's hand tightly.

"What did this young boy do to deserve seeing all these clashes and being banned from leaving?" he asks.

Mohammad Benshi, in his 40s, waits just outside the security quarter with members of his family for a signal from nearby SDF fighters that it is safe to proceed.

"Daesh had banned us from leaving without their orders," but SDF fighters on the edges of the district helped them to escape, he says.

Not everyone was so lucky, Benshi says: "One woman was killed by a sniper when she tried to leave her home."

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 433 civilians were killed in the fight for Manbij.

Another 973 IS jihadists and 281 SDF fighters also died.

"IS planted many mines in the town to hinder our advance -- you have to follow us so you don't set any of them off," one SDF fighter tells AFP's correspondent.

The remaining jihadists were also burning tyres to cover Manbij in black smoke and try to block the view of US-led coalition warplanes circling above.

Speaking into his walkie-talkie, one SDF fighter calls "for a car to extract four of our colleagues who've been wounded by Daesh snipers."

"Don't be late," he says. "We're waiting for you."
Washington (AFP) - The United States expressed concern Monday after Thailand approved a new military-backed constitution in a victory for the country's ruling generals.

The bitterly divided kingdom has been ruled by a junta for two years since its elected government was booted from office.

Sunday's majority "yes" vote in support of the charter was the first test of public opinion since the 2014 coup, although independent campaigning and open debate was stifled ahead of the polls.

US State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said the United States remains "concerned that the drafting process for the constitution was not inclusive, that open debate was not permitted in the run up to its adoption."

"We urge Thai authorities to proceed with next steps to return Thailand to elected civilian-led government as soon as possible," she said.

Washington and Bangkok maintain a military alliance leftover from the Vietnam and Cold War periods, but relations have grown tense since the coup two years ago.

Since then the United States has started looking to strengthen ties elsewhere in Southeast Asia like Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Washington regularly calls on Thailand to organize new legislative elections and reestablish democratic institutions.

"We strongly urge the government to lift restrictions on civil liberties, including freedom of expression, the right to peaceful assembly," Trudeau said. "Then Thai people can engage in an open unimpeded dialogue about the country's political future."
Val Kolton was born in Chicago on April 8 at 8 am. He was 8 pounds and 8 ounces. He's always had a thing with 8s. If his life were a movie, you might say that was some kind of foreshadowing.

"This is a really historic date for us," Kolton says. Fast forward through his existence, and he's gone from tech-geek to dance music DJ to business owner. He founded V-Moda headphones after a particularly-inspiring trip to Ibiza, opened up shop in his Los Angeles home working alongside his mom, his dad, and his brother.

SXSW Preview: New Film Looks at the 808 Drum Machine -- 'The Rock Guitar of Hip-Hop'

In its 12-year run, V-Moda has built a reputation as one of the most reliable and highest quality designer headphone on the market. Kolton is proud to say it's the brand of choice for most top 100 DJs, but today, on August 8, or as he calls it, "808 Day," his company is getting an even bigger endorsement.

The Roland Corporation, a company best known for creating the iconic synthesizers, drum machines, and midi languages that have formed the backbone of everything from house music to techno, hip-hop and more, just acquired 70 percent of and became the majority stakeholder in Kolton's idealistic headphone brand. It's Roland's belief that V-Moda is the best headphone on the market for the sounds they've created, and they want Kolton on board to help direct the next evolution of Roland products.

"Most headphone brands say 'oh yeah, this musician endorses our product but the musician is probably deaf," Kolton says. "We're working with the engineers that actually made the sounds that are in the artists' and procurers' music."

[[{"fid":"623192","view_mode":"media_original","type":"media","attributes":{"height":1024,"width":1548,"class":"media-element file-media-original"}}]]

Story continues

Courtesy Photo

Kolton maintains power over the lesser 30 percent and will keep his position as CEO and head developer at V-Moda. He's also taking on an executive role at Roland.

"I'd talked to some venture capitalist, but I always really hated them," he laughs. "It seemed like they just wanted to twist our brand, crunch us into numbers, and throw us into some big machine. That wasn't my vision. I wanted to create something that would go down in history and really create products that would be in a museum one day. I wasn't even thinking about changing genres of music, but at the time, I wanted to change the whole way manufacturing was done, and personalization, and really create a product that was for the people."

Splice Introduces Rent-to-Own Payment Plans for Plugins

V-Moda experiments with everything from crowd-sourcing to 3D printing to provide customers with top-quality customization. Kolton works with a design team in Milan to ensure cutting-edge style, and his musical, technologically-driven mind has always been about sound quality first. That's what brought Roland to his doorstep, and now, working alongside those Japanese engineers will only guarantee an even more solid product in years to come.

"They're the artists behind the artists," Kolton says. "I feel like this partnership can change the path of the creation, performance, and playback of music, and that's why we're really exited that we can join forces and accomplish more together than we can alone."

Inside Splice Sounds: How Sample Store Fosters Innovative Artist-to-Artist Content

Today's announcement on 808 Day is just the beginning. V-Moda and Roland have already been working on beautiful, 3D printed bluetooth speakers, next gen headphones, and other cool playback products, but it's the upcoming innovation in sound production for which Kolton is most hyped. The magical stuff they showed him after their initial meeting two years ago, the stuff Kolton says will create the genres of the future, that stuff will come out a month an a day from now on Sept. 9, or as Roland sees it, "909 Day."

"(Roland) created acid house, techno, house music - some say they created hip hop," Kolton says. "What's next for Roland to create? It's going to be really fascinating."
Whistler Blackcomb

The mountain resort operator Vail Resorts is buying Canada's Whistler Blackcomb in a deal worth about 1.4 billion Canadian dollars ($1.1 billion).

Vail will acquire 100% of Whistler Blackcomb's stock, paying shareholders 17.50 Canadian dollars in cash and 0.0975 of Vail Resorts common stock, with a total value of about 36 Canadian dollars per share.

"This relationship will bring greater resources to support our current operations and our ambitious growth plans, including the Renaissance project, the most exciting and transformative investment in Whistler Blackcomb's history," Dave Brownlie, Whistler Blackcomb's CEO, said in a statement.

He will continue to lead Whistler Blackcomb as chief operating officer.

Greenhill & Co. advised Whistler Blackcomb on the deal, which is expected to close this fall.

Whistler, which is about 75 miles from Vancouver, was the location of the Nordic events during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

NOW WATCH: No one wants to buy this bizarre house in a wealthy San Francisco suburb





More From Business Insider


By India Today Web Desk: It's every girl's dream to be walked down the aisle by their father, but for Jeni Stepien this dream turned into dust when her father was murdered 10 years ago.

In 2006, her father was shot and killed in a robbery. After his death, Jenni and her mother decided to donate his organs to someone who needed it desperately. Her father's heart was transplanted to a man named Arthur Thomas who had been waiting 16 years for a donor and was at the verge of meeting his maker.

advertisement

Jeni wrote him a letter to ask if he would walk her down the aisle at the St Anselm Church in Swissvale. After Thomas got a go-ahead from his daughter, he packed his bags to meet his organ donor's daughter.

Photo:Facebook/Jeni Lynne



The family kept in touch through phone and letters for ten long years, but never met him personally. Thomas showed up for one of Jenni's most important stages in life. He flew all the way from New Jersey to meet the family.

And Jeni was walked down the aisle to the man of her dreams, and she knew that a part of her father was with her.

Local media KDKA-TV quoted Jeni, who was overtaken with emotions saying, 'It's just like having my dad here and better because we get to share this story with people and other people see that organ donors do matter'.

--- ENDS ---
(Reuters) - Canadian drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc (VRX.TO) on Monday named a new general counsel and announced the departure of its public relations head.

Valeant, which has been under scrutiny for its business and accounting practices, appointed Christina Ackermann as executive vice president and general counsel.

Ackermann, who has served in various legal roles at Novartis AG (NOVN.S), will replace Robert Chai-Onn.

Valeant also said Laurie Little, who has headed the company's investor and public relations functions for nine years, will leave in the coming months.

Last year, Valeant's top investor William Ackman faulted the company for a weak response to fraud allegations and underinvesting in its public relations. (http://reut.rs/2aLKeps)

Valeant on Monday named Scott Hirsch as senior vice president, business strategy and communications.

Hirsh joins the company from Citadel Investment Group, where he oversaw equity investments and risk management decisions within the health care sector at Surveyor Capital.

(Reporting by Amrutha Penumudi in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)
Veteran TV producer Shelley Ross is the latest woman in the industry to accuse former Fox News chairman-CEO Roger Ailes of sexual harassment.

Ross wrote in a 3,500-word essay for the Daily Beast that Ailes proposed a sexual alliance after hiring her as a segment producer on NBCs Tomorrow Show in 1981.

When did you first discover you were sexy?' Ross recalls Ailes asking during lunch the day after accepting the job offer. My head suddenly dropped like a marionette and I could no longer make eye contact. I could only manage to stare at my feet as I answered, I am finding this conversation very embarrassing,' Ross writes.

Ailes, who was executive producer of the late-night show at the time, then stressed the importance of loyalty and allegedly insisted that the best expression of that loyalty comes in the form of a sexual alliance.'

Ailes apologized and blamed the harassment on middle age craziness' after three NBC lawyers intervened following yet another uncomfortable conversation with the exec, according to Ross.

He tried to make amends 30 years later.

During the summer of 2012, Roger phoned me to say he was recommending me for a big job  to run CNN. (The job went to Jeff Zucker who then quickly took over the job of the man who hired him.) That same year, when Roger learned I was battling cancer, he sent me a giant basket from Raos containing six pastas and six different sauces, she wrote.

Ross, who served as executive producer of CBS Early Show and ABCs Good Morning America, stressed that Ailes is one of many execs who abuse their positions of power.

My point: You cant just have one villain, not even Roger Ailes, she writes. For 30 years I have witnessed a pervasive culture populated by more than a few morally repugnant executives and those who kept their jobs by not making waves around them.

Her solution is akin to the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commissions, which allowed apartheid victims to speak publicly about their experiences, and encouraged perpetrators to give testimony.

Story continues

Fox News should take the lead in a kind of sexual harassment Truth and Reconciliation project, Ross writes. Ill help organize it.

Ailes resigned from the network last month after 20 years as the head of the news operation, following sexual harassment allegations from a slew of women (some dating as far back as the 1960s), triggered by a lawsuit filed by ex-Fox and Friends host Gretchen Carlson.

Related stories

Roger Ailes Used Fox News Funds to Fight Personal Battles (Report)

HLN's Robin Meade on Roger Ailes Sexual Harassment Claims: 'It Was Eye Opening'

Ex-Fox News Employee Says Roger Ailes Sexually Harassed Her for Over 20 Years
Pham Duyen Quyen was found guilty and sentenced to 24 years in jail. (Yahoo photo: Safhras Khan)

A Vietnamese woman found with two bundles containing more than 249.9 g of methamphetamine at Singapores Changi Airport in 2013 was sentenced to 24 years jail on Monday (8 August).

Pham Duyen Quyen claimed trial but was found guilty by the High Court for importing a Class A drug without authorisation. The 25-year-old woman, who was represented by counsel Anand Nalachandran, looked calm when she was sentenced.

Court papers showed that Pham was on transit in Singapore from New Delhi on 23 August 2013. She was supposed to make her way to Laos but was caught by Singapore authorities.

While in Changi Airport Terminal 3, Pham had left her luggage unattended. A Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officer on duty spotted the luggage.

The luggage was traced to Pham, who was waiting for her connection flight at Terminal 2. It was not revealed why she did not take the luggage with her.

X-ray examination of the luggage aroused the suspicions of CNB officers. Upon further inspection, they found two bundles sandwiched between two wooden planks. They inspected the bundles and found white crystalline substances, which were later tested to be methamphetamine.

When questioned if she knew about the bundle, Pham shook her head. She was promptly arrested and brought back to CNB for investigations.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Wong Woon Kwong pointed out to Justice Lee Seiu Kin that methamphetamine had replaced heroin as the most abused drug in Singapore.

Noting that Pham had chosen to claim trial, DPP Wong urged Justice Lee to sentence Pham to 24 years in jail for her offence and an additional 12 months in jail in lieu of caning.

Phams counsel argued that his client was facing a minimum mandatory jail term of 20 years, which, according to him, was a long time.



Urging the judge to impose the minimum sentence, Anand said that there was also no evidence to show that Pham was supposed to receive a payment and that it was her first offence.
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Workers downed tools Monday at three South African power stations with more set to follow as a wage strike began at state-run utility Eskom, but the company said its operations had not yet been impacted and branded the stoppage illegal. Paris Mashego, NUM's energy sector coordinator, told Reuters that wage talks with the utility were in deadlock over the weekend. Eskom provides almost all the power to Africa's most industrialised economy but it was not immediately clear what impact the strike may have on its ability to keep the lights on. An Eskom spokesman said operations had not yet been impacted and reiterated the utility's view that its members are prohibited by law from striking. "Across all of our 27 power stations everything is operating as normal at this stage," spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said. "And no one from Eskom is allowed to go on strike because we are defined as essential service providers. Technically anyone who is not at work today will have to explain themselves to their bosses," he said. He added that Eskom did not feel that negotiations had collapsed. The utility is offering pay hikes of 7 to 9 percent while NUM is looking for increases ranging from 12 to 13 percent. Phasiwe also said NUM members early on Monday morning had blocked roads leading to the Arnot power station east of Johannesburg but police had been called in and the roads were now clear. NUM has around 15,000 members at Eskom, close to a third of its workforce. The stoppage coincides with a wage strike by around 15,000 workers in the petrochemical industry that has led to some shortages and was entering its second week on Monday. (Reporting by Ed Stoddard; Editing by James Macharia)
By Nandita Bose

(Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc, vying to better challenge Amazon.com Inc , will pay about $3 billion for internet retailer Jet.com and its innovative pricing software in the largest-ever deal for an e-commerce startup.

The deal disclosed on Monday follows a five-year e-commerce acquisition spree in which Wal-Mart, the world's biggest traditional retailer, has already bought 15 startups, seeking the talent and technology to make it a dominant player online and narrow the massive gap with market leader Amazon.

Wal-Mart's online division has underperformed against Amazon, posting its slowest growth in a year in the first quarter as it struggled to gain traction with consumers, especially millennials.

Jet.com was launched by internet entrepreneur Marc Lore in July 2015 and includes software that can offer a customer lower prices as they add items to their shopping cart. Wal-Mart has said it would integrate that software into its main website while keeping Jet.com as a separate entity.

"One of the things we really like (about Jet) is that the customer is even more in-charge of the price that they pay," Chief Executive Doug McMillon said on a media call.

McMillon said Wal-Mart will take time in getting the technology and design components from Jet and that they will grow both brands separately in the short-term.

"Over time, piece-by-piece, we will end up running a business that is simpler and not completely independent."

McMillon said Lore would run its new U.S. e-commerce business. Lore had cofounded Quidsi, the owner of sites like Diapers.com and Soap.com, which was sold to Amazon.

"Marc's e-commerce experience and success are obviously attractive," McMillon said.

Wal-Mart's current head of global e-commerce Neil Ashe will leave the company at the end of the fiscal year.

The decision to run Jet as an independent website is a good step because it can stay focused on growth, but the price Wal-Mart paid is high, UBS retail analyst Michael Lasser said in a note to clients.

Story continues

Wal-Mart said it would pay around $3 billion in cash and $300 million in shares for Jet, with some of that paid over time. Given Jet's revenue of about $500 million, the cash purchase price represents six times Jet's revenue, according to analysts.

Moody's retail analyst Charlie O'Shea said the acquisition gives Wal-Mart a leg-up on competitors in the race to be the No. 2 online retailer, citing the size of Jet.com's online offerings and number of customers. Wal-Mart said Jet has added nearly 400,000 new shoppers monthly.

"The impact on Amazon will be fairly benign. However, this acquisition, in tandem with its joint-venture in China with JD.com, demonstrates that Walmart is attacking online retail with significant zeal," he said.

In June, Wal-Mart said it sold its Chinese online grocery store in return for a stake in JD.com Inc, China's 2 e-commerce firm.

BILLIONS SPENT ON ONLINE EFFORTS

Wal-Mart's first-quarter online sales grew 7 percent, a weaker rate than any of the four quarters just before that. In 2015, Wal-Mart's online sales rose 12.3 percent to $13.7 billion, compared with a 16 percent jump to $92.4 billion for Amazon.com.

Wal-Mart has not said what it spent on acquisitions, but prior to the Jet.com deal it disclosed a total of $3.1 billion for e-commerce and digital projects, such as its platform and new warehouses, in the four fiscal years to January 2017.

The deal should give Wal-Mart the scale to bolster its online presence, broaden its assortment of goods and offer the lowest prices at the same time, analysts said.

Wal-Mart noted Jet has offered 12 million items in its first year of operation.

Wal-Mart has said previously it wants to expand its online selection from around 10 million items to the tens of millions over the next few years. Rival Amazon has more than 200 million items for sale online.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose in Chicago, Additional reporting by Sruthi Ramakrishnan and Gayathree Ganesan in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Jeffrey Hodgson)
Donald Trump is expected to detail his plan to cut taxes for working families and businesses on Monday in Detroit. His speech at the Detroit Economic Club will begin at noon EST.

The Republican presidential nominee is expected to propose income and corporate tax cuts. He is also likely to attack the government for over-regulating businesses. Trumps proposed tax cuts are projected to cost $11 trillion over ten years.

Trumps speech is an attempt to reset his campaign after more than a week of missteps. The billionaires feud with Khizr Khan, whose son was killed in Iraq 12 years ago by a suicide bomber, drew derision from many Republicans. And Trumps refusal to endorse House Speaker Paul Ryan in his primary further angered the establishment. New polls show Hillary Clinton rocketing past Trump in several key swing states, leading him by double digits in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.

Read More: Meet Donald Trumps Economic Advisors
Editors Note: This story first ran on the 40th anniversary of the Watergate break-in in 2012 and it is updated in some locations.

The 44th anniversary of the Watergate break-in is this year, but its two biggest mysteries remain unsolved, despite multiple theories from people close to the story.

For years, there were questions that nagged investigators, historians and conspiracy theorists: Who was Deep Throat, the source used by the Washington Post?; Did President Richard Nixon personally authorize the break-in?; and Why did the break-in happen to begin with?

The disclosure by the late Mark Felt that he was Deep Throat solved one part of the mystery (for most people).

What remains are the final two mysteries, which are intertwined and still actively debated.

One fact is beyond debate: On June 17, 1972, five men connected to the Nixon re-election campaign were caught by Washington metropolitan police burglarizing the headquarters of the rival Democratic National Committee, and the office of its chairman, Lawrence OBrien.

In the two years of media coverage after the break-in until Nixons resignation, little attention was given to the reason for the break-in and if Nixon ordered it directly.

On the tapes made in the White House at the time, Nixon denied knowing about the break-in ahead of time, and his political and legal troubles were related to covering up his campaigns connection to the crime  and not the break-in. In recent years, the topics have spawned multiple theories, from ideas that Nixon was clueless about the crime or he directly ordered it, to suggestions that the burglars were looking for information related to Howard Hughes, Fidel Castro, call girls, kickbacks, and skullduggery by the Democrats themselves.

Typical of the speculation was an April 2012 article by Ron Rosenbaum in Slate.com, which adhered to the theory that Nixon ordered the burglary to dig up the goods on a connection between Howard Hughes and OBrien, the DNC chair who once worked for Hughes and that connection could embarrass Nixon. (A quick Google search shows Rosenbaum stating the same theories in 1999.) Rosenbaum also calls out Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in his Slate story, asking them to solve the two mysteries in their upcoming documentary with Robert Redford.

Story continues

On the other end of the spectrum was John Dean, the lawyer who turned from Nixons White House counsel to the star witness against Nixons administration. Dean wasnt a Nixon fan, but in 2009, he told Keith Olbermann that Nixon operatives were looking for information about illegal activity by the Democrats in Miami. Dean didnt know if Nixon ordered the break-in at the Watergate.

Also, several men on the break-in team were Cuban emigres and they claimed they were told by GOP operatives the Democrats had some connection to money coming from Fidel Castro, and the mission was to find evidence to support that theory.

Whats for sure is that no clear smoking gun tape exists that explains the motives for the break-in or Nixons direct role.

In their first joint byline in the Washington Post in 36 years, Woodward and Bernstein in 2012 discussed the Watergate break-ins historical impact.

At its most virulent, Watergate was a brazen and daring assault, led by Nixon himself, against the heart of American democracy: the Constitution, our system of free elections, the rule of law, the authors wrote. But the op-ed story didnt discuss the direct motive for the Watergate break-in.

Typical of the mythology about the incident was a widely cited story by the New York Times J. Anthony Lucas in 1987, where he confronts three key Watergate players at a Hofstra symposium. In Lucass story, Bob Haldeman said he doesnt know why the Watergate burglary was done, then Jeb Magruder said the break-in was a fishing expedition about alleged payments from Howard Hughes to Nixons friend, Bebe Rebozo. Lucas then bumped into Charles Colson, who quipped that the burglars were looking for info on Hughes and Rebozo, but the break-in was done on the behalf of Hughes, and not Nixon.

Scott Bomboy is the editor in chief of the National Constitution Center.

More Constitution Daily Watergate Stories

10 fascinating facts about Watergate four decades later

Watergates biggest mysteries remain unsolved

The legacy of Watergate: Five ways life changed after the scandal

The lesson of Watergate and Nixons resignation
Woman dies after being set ablaze inside a car by husband in Chennai. Nagarajan reportedly left his wife and two children to die inside the car.

By Pramod Madhav: In brazen incident of marital discord, a 28-year-old woman was set ablaze inside a car by her husband in Saidapet at Chennai. The deceased identified as Prema Nagarajan had an argument with her husband Nagarajan on their way to Teynampet.



The couple was accompanied by their two kids and was travelling in a Maruti Swift. Due to some reason the couple got into a bitter argument. In a fit of rage, Prema poured a bottle of petrol on herself. Police said that the bottle of petrol was kept inside the car for emergency by Nagarajan who is a driver.

advertisement

Watch the video her:





Prema allegedly gave a dying declaration that as she poured petrol over herself to threaten Nagarajan but to her awe he lit a match stick and set her ablaze inside the car. Police sources said that Nagarjan left Prema and their children inside the car to die.

The car in which Prema was set ablaze by her husband.

VICTIM SAVED KIDS

Shocked by what Nagaraj did, Prema threw her two kids out of the car but couldn't move herself to safety. Prema suffered severe burn injuries before someone could come to help.

She was rushed to Kilpauk Medical College but succumbed to her injuries around 6pm on Sunday. Her four year old son Thisanth Raj is in a critical condition as well.

Based on Prema's complaint, Nagaraj was arrested and booked under charges of murder by Saidapet Police.



Watch the video here:

Also read:

Chennai: Man kills family, stays with the bodies for two days





--- ENDS ---
(Reuters) - West Ham United have signed left-back Arthur Masuaku from Olympiakos Piraeus on a four-year contract, the Premier League side confirmed on Monday. The 22-year-old won the Greek Superleague last season, his second successive title since moving to Olympiakos from Valenciennes in 2014. The Lille-born defender, who moves for an undisclosed fee, has represented France at youth level and described moving to West Ham as an "honour". "For me, the Premier League is the biggest league in the world," Masuaku told the West Ham website. "When I was 18, my target was to come here. "To be able to play with players like Dimitri Payet, I was thinking on the way here, it's going to be crazy." (Reporting by Ed Dove; editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
Photo courtesy of Michelle Persad/The Coveteur.

What began as a website that played to our voyeuristic side, letting us peek into the designer-laden digs of tastemakers, The Coveteur has evolved into a more varied chronicle of all things behind-the-scenes. From lifestyle to fashion to culture, this site examines the creative process, inspiration, and influence of the individuals who are defining our times.

Weve tasked HuffPost Style editor Michelle Persad to try out everything from Kardashian-esque hair extensions to skipping shampoo to test-driving Beyonces 22 Days Vegan program. Now, weve asked her to ditch her minimal beauty routine of only two products and take on the eight-step Korean beauty routine for an entire month  here goes nothing, right? Read on for what Persad has to say about the regimen.



When it comes to skin care, I like to think of myself as somewhat of a minimalist (read: Im very lazy). My nightly regimen consists of a cleanser and then a face cream. I never use toner, I stopped using eye cream a year ago, I dont own exfoliator, and my foray into face masks ended when I stopped having slumber parties. So when The Coveteur asked me to swap out my skin-care routine and use Korean beauty products for a month, I laughed.

Related: The Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne

Related: Heres Your Dream Sephora Starter-Kit



But, then I met with Alicia Yoon, founder of Korean beauty e-commerce site Peach and Lily, and her perfect, glowy skin convinced me to ditch my two-product bedtime routine in exchange for her eight-plus product regimen. Yoon, who graduated from Harvard Business School, is a skin-care expert who frequently travels to Korea, where she interviews top dermatologists and aestheticians and stays up to speed on the latest beauty advancements in Asia.

Yoons perfect, glowy skin convinced me to ditch my two-product bedtime routine in exchange for her eight-plus product regimen, beginning with this cleansing gel.



Story continues

Cremorlab Hydro Plus Snow Falls Melting Cream, $42, available at Peach and Lily.

After cleansing, I applied a cleansing mousse, intended to remove skin impurities.

Related: The Craziest Beauty Routines Of The Rich & Famous



Shangpree S-Energy Facial Mousse Cleanser, $35, available at Peach and Lily.

The toner, which was third in line, I used to balance the pH of my skin.

Be The Skin Be The Skin Botanical Nutrition Power Toner, $29, available at Urban Outfitters.

Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like



I followed up with a water-based formula to hydrate and repair my skin.



Cremorlab Aqua Essence Water Fluid, $40, available at Peach and Lily.

After that I applied three drops of another serum (this one with peptides) to smooth fine lines.



Mizon Peptide 500 Ampoule, $29.99, available at eBay.

Related: What No One Tells You About Going Platinum Blonde



Next, I mixed yet another serum with an argan oil to hydrate my thirsty skin with lipids.



Be The Skin Botanical Nutrition Power Serum, $45, available at Zey Tavias Shop.

Until I started this skin-care routine, I would blindly try products that I thought might work for my skin. But, having an expert tell me what I needed and why made me completely rethink how I go about taking care of my face.



Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body



Aromatica Organic Argan Oil, $26, available at Aromatica.

After the serum-argan oil combo, I applied an eye cream to brighten my undereyes.

Cremorlab Shadow-Off Eye Cream, $48, available at Peach and Lily.

Finally, I finished with another cream, which was supposed to seal in all of the other products I had just put on my face.

If it was the morning, I would have added an SPF, and a couple of times a week I would also pepper in an exfoliator, a sleeping mask, undereye masks, face masks, and a blackhead remover.



Cremorlab T.e.n. Cremor Cleansing Gel Oil, $32, available at Peach and Lily.



Photo courtesy of Michelle Persad/The Coveteur.



But, did it work? Am I now evangelical about Korean skin-care products? Without sounding like I totally drank the Kool-Aid: Yes. My skin is glowing  its so much softer and smoother than it ever was, and it never feels dry or irritated, ever.



In case youre curious about what this skin-care conversion wouldve cost me, heres the breakdown: I was spending $170 every three months with my two-product regimen; the Korean skin-care routine wouldve cost me about $662 every three months.



Will I continue to use eight or more products twice a day? Probably not. I dont think Ill ever go back to my old ways, but I plan on streamlining the routine Yoon gave me to make it more realistic for my busy life (and, lets face it, my budget).

By: The Coveteur.
Constitution Daily Supreme Court correspondent Lyle Denniston looks at two recent developments in the legal debate over President Obamas stalled immigration policies.

The Obama administrations two levels of defense of its broad new immigration policy  one, a continued attempt to put the policy into effect, the other, a move to head off a federal judges ethical complaints against federal lawyers in the case  are moving along even in the slow court days of summer.

The policy seeking to put off deportation of close to five million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. has never gone into effect because of lower court orders stalling it. On June 23, the Supreme Court left those orders in effect, splitting 4-to-4. That was not a decision for or against the policy, just a divided response to the question of enforcement while the courts weigh its legality.

Meanwhile, the Texas federal trial judge who originally blocked the policy  U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen of Brownsville  has been overseeing filings in response to his broad sanctions order in May against the Justice Department for what he found to be ethical lapses by two Department attorneys as the case unfolded in his court  charges that the administration strongly denies.

Last week, new developments occurred on both fronts.

The Supreme Courts docket showed that its clerk had formally sent on to the Justices the Obama administrations request to reconsider the immigration policy itself, by agreeing to a rehearing of the case  to be held when there is a ninth Justice on the bench. Under normal summer scheduling, the Court could issue an order on that request later this month. (The case is United States v. Texas, docket 15-674.)

There is no duty for the Justices to act by then, and there appears to be a fair prospect that they wont. Last term, when it had a rehearing request in another controversy that had ended with a 4-to-4 tie  on union fees charged to non-member workers in public sector jobs  the Court took that off of its schedule for discussion nine times before finally simply denying it, without comment or noted dissent.

Story continues

Under the Courts rules, a rehearing on a decided case almost never will be granted unless the Justices first ask the other side in a case to respond. There is no indication that they have yet done so in the immigration case.

The challenge of 26 states to the deferred deportation policy has never actually gone through a full trial, and Judge Hanen, presiding over the case, has put everything on hold on the case itself while he pursues his ethics punishment order. He had been scheduled to hold a conference with lawyers on the ethics issue on August 22, but on Friday, without giving an explanation, he put off that session until August 31.

The Justice Department has filed a 51-page document being kept under seal because it deals with specific performances and assignments of government attorneys. The document is in response to the judges order in July that it provide any information it wished that bears upon what kind of punishment might ultimately be imposed for the claimed ethical lapses. His May sanctions order itself is on hold for the time being.

Meanwhile, Judge Hanen has had before him since mid-June a formal request by the Justice Department to vacate his May ethical sanctions order. The Department has argued, over the protests of lawyers for the challenging states, that the set-aside of that order is necessary to protect Judge Hanens continued authority to deal with the ethical question before appeals from the May order are moved on up to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

If those appeals proceed, the Department has contended, that probably would interrupt the trial judges jurisdiction to proceed. This part of the controversy involves very complex issues of federal court rules dealing with jurisdiction, and the two sides are deeply divided on it.

It seems likely that the complexity of that question, as well as the length of the Departments new ethical arguments and evidence, could explain the judges order to delay the status conference until the end of the month. There also could be scheduling conflicts.

In any event, the administration policy itself remains essentially in a legal limbo  neither finally judged to be legal or not, but still not in force. It could be that time will run out on the Obama administration  the Presidents term ends on January 20, 2017  before there is a final word on it in the courts.

And, in the meantime, that policy remains a deeply controversial subject in this years presidential election campaign.

Legendary journalist Lyle Denniston is Constitution Dailys Supreme Court correspondent. Denniston has written for us as a contributor since June 2011. Denniston has covered the Supreme Court since 1958. His work also appears on lyldenlawnews.com, where this post first appeared.

Recent Stories on Constitution Daily

A brief history of pocket constitutions and their meaning

Women, the White House and presidential campaigns

Constitution Check: Does the First Amendment protect a wedding cake as an art form?
It happens every August.



In one of the largest annual gatherings of reality stars, alumni of Survivor, The Bachelor, Big Brother and other shows head to Florida to participate in Hearts of Reality. During the three-day event, the reality stars raise funds for Give Kids the World, a children's charity that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.



The weekend has become one of the most sought-after events for reality stars, including several who do no other charity events.



"As a dad, it's really important to me to come to this event," Survivor winner Rob Mariano tells PEOPLE. "Give Kids the World is a refuge for families who are going through the worst thing imaginable: having a sick child."







"This is a way for us all to get together and have fun, but also to raise a lot of money for a very worthy cause," he says. "I try to make it a priority."





Why Are 100 Reality Stars Heading to Orlando This Week?| TV News

A Busy Weekend





It'll be a busy three days for the stars. On Thursday, Aug. 11, they'll attend a kickoff VIP party  sponsored by PEOPLE  where they'll mingle with guests and sponsors.



On Friday, they'll go to Give Kids the World, where they'll have a "Pirates and Princesses Party," at Give Kids the World, where they'll meet the children and their families. (Last year, former Bachelor Juan Pablo Galavis went all out, dressing in full pirate swag.)



Keeping with the pirate theme, the stars will head to Pirates Dinner Adventure, where they'll watch a show with fans and other members of the public.



On Saturday, they'll have an autograph signing in Celebration, Florida. (Last year, hundreds of people waited in line to meet their favorite reality stars.) The weekend is capped off by an '80s-themed party that night.





A Greater Purpose

Going into its 6th year, Hearts of Reality continues to top itself in charitable giving. Last year, the event raised more than $160,000 that went directly to Give Kids the World. (In contrast, the event raised $40,000 in 2012, when the above video was made.)



"These reality stars are not only able to bring an incredible amount of awareness to the organization, but also raise a considerable amount of money," organizer Mike Nunez tells PEOPLE. "Even more families with children facing life threatening illnesses will get to experience all that Give Kids The World has to offer."



"This is the only charity event I do," adds three-time Big Brother contestant Janelle Pierzina. "Sure, we have a lot of fun seeing people and catching up, but at the end of the day, we know that it's about more than that. This really is to help sick kids."
lethal weapon

The producers behind Fox's television reboot of the "Lethal Weapon" film series found that Mel Gibson is a tough act to follow.

Early in the adaptation process, writer and executive producer Matt Miller got the blessing from the director of the "Lethal Weapon" films, Richard Donner, though he had one caveat.

"If you dont have the right guys, you're screwed," Donner said, as Miller recounted during the Television Critics Association press tour in Beverly Hills on Monday.

Miller understood what Donner was saying. Whoever they cast would have to make viewers forget about the film's stars Danny Glover and Mel Gibson.

"Two guys played these roles really, really famously," Miller said.

Comedian and actor Damon Wayans came on very early in the process as veteran cop Roger Murtaugh. But it took much longer to find someone who could step into the shoes of Gibson's character, Martin Riggs. Wayans read with a lot of actors, the producer said.

"It was hard to find Riggs," Miller explained. "And the thing was, every actor who came in, whether they knew it or not, they were sort of doing a Mel Gibson impression, and that was never going to work."

lethal weapon fox

But then they auditioned Clayne Crawford. The producers found him while he was shooting an independent movie, but some TV viewers will recognize him from Sundance TV's "Rectify." In comparision to Gibson, he played the character in a less crazy and unhinged manner.

That style fits the rebooted role. When the pilot introduces Martin Riggs in Texas, he's about to experience the biggest loss of his life. Months later, he moves to Los Angeles for a fresh start and gets paired with seasoned cop Roger Murtaugh.

Crawford, who lives on a farm in Alabama, admitted he had some reservations about taking the part and said he literally went to the top of a mountain to make the decision to leave his farm far away from Hollywood for the job.

Story continues

But after what it took to find Crawford, Miller was sure about recruiting the actor for "Lethal Weapon."

"Let's take him away from happiness and bring him to LA," the producer joked.

Miller said of the casting of his stars: "I'm most proud of that part of that. You watch Damon and Clayne and they're amazing together."

Crawford admitted the show is fun to shoot, but there's still some trepidation.

"Its scary going to work every day," he said. "I dont know how were going to maintain this."

NOW WATCH: The star of Super Size Me explains the key strategy that has made him go on to be a huge TV success





More From Business Insider


Sun Yang is the golden boy of the Chinese Olympic swim team. He was the first Chinese to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming, holds the 1,500-meter freestyle world record, and is expected to win medals for three different swimming races this year at Rio. One of the most popular athletes in China, he has more than 28 million followers on Weibo, Chinas Twitter-like microblogging platform. So when Sun lost Aug. 6ths 400-meter freestyle race by a fraction of a second to Australian Mack Horton  who had referred to Sun as a drug cheat before the race and used the term again in a press conference afterwards  a wave of rage coursed through Chinese media and social media. Its just the latest example of Chinas extraordinary national sensitivity to perceived humiliation at the hands of foreign nations  and of the ability of its online population to mobilize across the global web.

Sun, to be fair, cuts a particularly sympathetic figure. He burst into tears after his loss, and fans immediately jumped to Suns defense. His most recent post  Regret, gratitude, I will keep working hard, written on Aug. 7 after he had lost to Horton  was retweeted a whopping 1.3 million times. But what seemed to mobilize so many Chinese netizens was the issue of respect. Sun framed it in these terms in the post-race press conference, when he stated that every athlete deserves to be respected. One Weibo user wrote, Horton is wrong. He didnt respect the facts. Sun is representing China in the Olympics. Horton calling Sun a drug cheat is to a degree being disrespectful to China. The state owned news agency Xinhua said Horton again and again made up unfounded accusations to provoke and humiliate [Sun]. It was, Xinhua added, not the first time Chinese athletes were being suspected for no good reason.

Sun was indeed banned from competing for three months in 2014 after testing positive for a banned substance. But the athlete has argued that it was medication for a chronic heart condition. One Weibo fan wrote a long article explaining Suns chronic heart disease and how he was prescribed a drug without knowing that it had trimetazidine, the banned ingredient. More than 100,000 users reposted this article to show that Sun was not a drug cheat but a victim. The most upvoted comment under the article read, Horton, you can win the gold medal todaythank your mother for giving you a healthy heart, so you dont have risk your life to swim, so you dont have to feel uncomfortable when you train. Another user wrote, there is a scientific explanation for why he [Horton] swims so fast. Its because hes light, he has no brain.

Story continues

Major newspapers in China also chimed in. While Sun has yet to personally demand an apology from Horton, China Swimming Association and state broadcaster China Central Television both protested to the Australian Swim Team and the organizing committee. State backed newspapers like Global Times, Xinhua and Peoples Daily described Hortons comment as silly, evil, gross, and ignorant.

Outside the swimming pool, Chinese media seized on other signs of disrespect. The organising committee used Chinese flags with incorrectly oriented stars on the first day of the Olympics. An Australian television station cut to commercial during the march of Chinese athletes at the opening ceremony and later used Chiles national flag next to Chinas name when showing a chart of medal predictions.

A brief history lesson helps explain the strong reactions that such seemingly minor incidents can provoke. Many Chinese believe that their country suffered greatly at the hands of foreign powers in the 19th and 20th centuries, in what is known in China as the century of humiliation. When Mao Zedong announced the founding of the Peoples Republic in 1949, he famously declared that the Chinese people have stood up. In 1992, China introduced what the government termed patriotic education into the national school curricula, which emphasized foreign, and especially Western, transgressions against China. Chinese President Xi Jinpings slogan, the Chinese dream, refers to the rejuvenation of the nation, and a return to the place of honor it once commanded on the world stage. When Chinese witness even small slights such as a stray comment or a misplaced flag, it reminds them of Chinas former weakness, and how foreign countries once took advantage of it.

For many, venting in Chinese on domestic social media platforms hasnt been enough. In what is now becoming a familiar phenomenon, some circumvented Chinese internet controls to open Twitter accounts in order to defend Sun and criticize Horton. One English-language hashtag on Twitter called upon Horton to apologize to Sun. One Twitter user, who opened her account in August and had posted 37 Tweets, all related to Sun and Horton, wrote in a popular post, Sun Yang is not a drug cheat. Dont judge people without knowing the truth. Others flooded Hortons social media accounts with demands he apologize.

This isnt the first time Chinese web users have climbed the Great Firewall to make their discontent known to foreign entities. In January 2016, mainland Chinese netizens organized a campaign to protest the election of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, leaving tens of thousands comments on her Facebook page decrying Taiwan independence. And after a white passenger reportedly called a Chinese woman Chinese pig on a Virgin Atlantic flight in March 2016, netizens went on the companys Facebook page and left thousands of comments demanding an apology.

To be sure, not all netizens stand on Suns side. Wang Sicong, son of renowned Chinese real estate tycoon Wang Jianlin, wrote on Weibo, Holding down ones head and forcing them to apologize; it only works in China. (Wang may have been referring to a recent spate of apparently forced confessions aired on Chinese national television.) The scion also reposted an article noting that Sun called the Japanese national anthem unpleasant in 2014, showing that Sun had himself been disrespectful of other countries.

But this is not really about Sun. Chinese web users, taught a painful national narrative from a young age, are particularly sensitive to anything that seems to impinge on their countrys honor. We are not fighting about who should get the gold medal, as one Weibo user put it. We just want to win respect in the worlds greatest competition.

MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images
From Popular Mechanics

A bag carried to the moon aboard the Apollo 11 spacecraft and used for the first sample of lunar material is at the center a legal fight after the government mistakenly sold it during the criminal case against the former director of the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center.

The white bag-which was flown to the moon on Apollo 11 in June 1969 and has lunar material embedded in its fabric-is "a rare artifact, if not a national treasure," the government said.

The dispute is the latest legal twist in the case of Max Ary, the founder and longtime director of the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson who was convicted in November 2005 for stealing and selling museum artifacts.

At issue in his prosecution were hundreds of missing space artifacts and memorabilia. Some were on loan from NASA to the Cosmosphere. The lunar bag was discovered in 2003 during the execution of a search warrant in a box located in Ary's garage.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office asked a federal judge to set aside the final forfeiture order and rescind the bag's sale, saying that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was not properly notified of its forfeiture because the bag was misidentified.

The bag was sold at a government auction on Feb. 15, 2015 for $995 to Nancy Carlson in Inverness, Illinois. NASA learned the Apollo 11 bag had been sold without notice or permission when Carlson sent it to NASA at the Johnson Space Center in Houston for authentication. Carlson separately sued NASA in June in a federal court in Illinois, seeking the return of the bag.

Federal prosecutors want the federal judge in Kansas who handled Ary's criminal case and subsequent forfeiture to rescind the sale and refund Carlson her money.

Apparently, two lunar bags were confused as one and the same after inventory identification numbers of them were combined on spreadsheets, the government said.

The other bag was an Apollo 17 lunar sample bag that was flown to the lunar surface aboard the Lunar Module Challenger. That bag was sold by Ary at a 2001 auction for $24,150, and it was later recovered by the government during its investigation.

Story continues

Ary, who was president and CEO of the Cosmosphere from 1976 to 2002, was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $132,274 in restitution. He has since been released from prison after serving about 70 percent of his sentence.

He has always maintained his innocence, saying he accidentally mixed museum artifacts with ones he collected and sold privately from his home.

You Might Also Like
The unidentified man sits on the truck's bumper, blocking its licence plate. Source: YouTube screenshot

By India Today Web Desk: You must've heard the idiom 'to throw someone under the bus', but have you ever come across 'to body-check the licence plate'? Look's like a man in China is trying to bring that phrase into fashion, quite literally.

A CCTV footage caught a driver in Yulin City's Shaanxi Province driving his truck with an unidentified man hanging off the bumper. By the looks of it, this was an attempt to hide the vehicle's licence plate.

advertisement

But the plan didn't quite work out, as authorities identified the driver from a CCTV clip taken at a checkpoint he had passed earlier, reports a local news channel.

The identity of the bumper-rider, however, still remains a mystery, thanks to the fact he had his back to the camera.

Reports say the driver was fined 200 yuan (around Rs 2000) and subjected to a deduction of 12 points from his driver's licence, which means he would have to go back to driving school.

Hopefully, he learn better this time.

Read more:

Watch: This CCTV footage of 2 men robbing a woman in Amritsar will scare you

CCTV catches woman run over boyfriend upon learning he is HIV positive

CCTV shows abduction of minor girl in Delhi before she was raped

Watch: CCTV footage of Delhi hit-and-run accident



Watch the hilarious CCTV footage here (but kindly do not be inspired by the plan):

--- ENDS ---
[Warning: This story contains spoilers for Suicide Squad.]

Despite poor reviews, Suicide Squad actually has a lot of good in it.

Unfortunately, its pair of chief villains are not among those good parts - with Enchantress (Cara Delevingne) and her brother Incubus (Alain Chanoine) continuing a frustrating trend in superhero cinema, which has produced plenty of memorable heroes, but severely lacks in the bad guy department.

Many viewers agree that the first act of Suicide Squad - which focuses on the back stories of bad guys like Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and Deadshot (Will Smith) - moves along at a nice clip, and is actually a lot of fun. The problems arise when the team is dispatched to put a lid on the evil plot from Enchantress and her brother. They are ancient beings from another dimension, who have a vague plot to destroy the world by building a doomsday machine, which manifests as pretty lights in the sky (a familiar trope for anyone who has seen Ghostbusters or The Avengers).

It all builds to an end fight, which is among the least compelling in the past decade of comic book movies. (Its not the worst. This is the worst.) At no time do you really believe the team will fail (or really care if they will succeed or not). You also dont get a sense of what these two villains are all about  other than they are evil and magic-y? And want to destroy the world? And they really like to make zombie armies out of asphalt or something?

Having a villain commanding a faceless army of goons makes sense for a PG-13 teamup movie. You dont want audiences feeling bad that your protagonists are killing hundreds of actual humans. But it also lowers the stakes significantly. People loved The Avengers (2012) - but to this day mock the faceless Chitauri alien army. By the time Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) came around, having the Avengers fight yet another faceless army of drones (this time, they were literally drones), audiences reacted poorly.

Story continues

Ditto with doomsday plots. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) is among the most beloved MCU movies, but Ronan (Lee Pace) and his plan to destroy Xandar is the common complaint fans throw at the film. The same goes for Thor: Dark World (2013). At no point do you particularly care if forgettable villain Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) succeeds in destroying the universe (or whatever he was planning on doing). The villain Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac) in this summers X-Men: Apocalypse was highly anticipated, but many fans were left confused by his plan to wipe the Earth clean and only leave the strongest. And dont get me started on Doomsday in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016).

Villains work best when they test the hero in a personal way. Heath Ledgers Joker in The Dark Knight (2008) is the greatest foil to a superhero ever committed to screen. Loki (Tom Hiddleston), the arrogant and ambitious trickster brother of Thor (Chris Hemsworth), remains the only Marvel Studios villain people rave about. Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014) and the tragic and personal relationship between Cap (Chris Evans) and the brainwashed Bucky/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) helped make it one of the MCUs most acclaimed films. Things get even more personal with Captain America: Civil War, with the chief villain Zemo (Daniel Bruhl) never doing physical battle with the heroes, but instead forcing them to fight each other. Even Zod (Michael Shannon) in Man of Steel (2013) manages to have a real, personal reason for doing what hes doing - his doomsday machine is the only way to bring back his species, whose protection he is genetically programmed to ensure.

Read more: Never Mind Suicide Squad, Here Are The Worst 20 Superhero Movies Ever (According to Critics)

Though Suicide Squad fell flat on the villain front, it did introduce a number of intriguing bad guys (namely, Jared Letos The Joker) who have potential to be the antagonist in future films. Perhaps all of them will even go up against The Justice League on the big screen someday.

Its actually the MCU that has potentially the biggest villain hurtle coming up, with fans already growing fatigued over the build up to Thanos (Josh Brolin), who first appeared onscreen in 2012 - six years before hell finally become the big bad of Avengers: Infinity War. Even Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi has tapped into fan frustration over the passive Thanos, noting in a Thor mockumentary at this years San Diego Comic-Con that the villain doesnt like standing up.

Its going to be a challenge to bring depth to a guy whose goal (at least in the comics) is to become a god and destroy half the life in the universe, but when Thanos does finally stand up, lets hope he lives up to the hype. (Note to Marvel: ask Jim Starlins advice on how to make that happen.)
From Cosmopolitan

A longtime inmate who was recently released from prison pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to robbing a bank in Wyoming and asked a judge to impose the maximum sentence, saying going back to prison would be like going home.

Just a week after the robbery, Linda P. Thompson, 59, waived her right to a grand jury proceeding and entered the plea to a bank robbery charge.

Thompson said she had already spent about 18 years in prison for various crimes.

"Prison is home to me so I'm just going back home," she said. She added later, "I'd like as much time as possible."

Thompson pleaded guilty as part of a plea bargain that did not contain a recommended sentence. A bank robbery conviction generally carries a maximum 20 years in prison, though the term can be lengthened when previous convictions are considered.

Thompson's attorney, David Weiss, said outside court that it's unusual to represent a defendant who wants to go back to prison and "exceptional" to have one who wants so much prison time.

He described Thompson as competent and intelligent and an advocate for transgender prison inmates. She was featured a decade ago in a documentary film titled Cruel and Unusual that examined the lives of transgender prisoners.

Thompson was arrested July 27 after a U.S. Bank branch in Cheyenne was robbed by a woman who tossed the money into the air outside and offered some to passersby. She then sat down and waited for police to arrive.

Thompson told U.S. District Judge Nancy Freudenthal that she was released June 21 from Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, Oregon, where she said she had served six years after a robbery conviction.

Thompson said she protested her release from the prison but her request to stay was denied.

She said she "hopped" a freight train headed for Wyoming, where her plan to stay ended when she was assaulted in a park on July 24 and decided she was better off in prison.

Story continues

"The easiest way to get there is rob a bank," Thompson said.

Thompson was polite while speaking to the judge and joked with her attorney. She interrupted the hearing once to ask permission to sit down because of back pain.

Freudenthal set sentencing for Oct. 12 after a pre-sentence investigation is completed.
The remains of women and a child have been discovered at a burial mound at Cahokia, considered North America's first city, which previously was thought to hold only men, researchers say.

A closer look at a grave at Cahokia, located in Illinois near St. Louis, Missouri, has revealed that a blanket of beads is intertwined around a man and a woman of high status.

"In re-examining the beaded burial, we discovered that the central burial included females," study co-author Kristin Hedman, a physical anthropologist with the Illinois State Archaeological Survey (ISAS), said in a statement. "This was unexpected." [Cahokia to Area 51: The 10 Strangest Places on Earth]

Archaeologist Melvin Fowler, who died in 2008, discovered the enormous burial ground in 1967 during the excavation of an unusual mound with a ridgetop. The site, now called Mound 72, contained five mass graves, each holding 20 to more than 50 bodies. There were dozens of other bodies buried by themselves or in groups at the site, bringing the total count to 270, Fowler found.

Scientists dated the burials to between A.D. 1000 and A.D. 1200, during the rise and peak of Cahokia's power and influence, the researchers said. Some of the bodies were placed on cedar piles, indicating that they were high-status individuals, according to the researchers.

"Mound 72 burials are some of the most significant burials ever excavated in North America from this time period," said study co-author and ISAS Director Thomas Emerson.

Grave problems

Several analyses of the burials haven't held up, however. Mound 72 holds two central bodies that are placed top of each other. These bodies are separated and surrounded by a blanket of beads, and several other bodies from the same time period surround them.

Fowler and other archaeologists thought that these bodies were two high-status men who were surrounded by servants. Moreover, the beads look like a beaded cape or blanket that was originally shaped like a bird, they said.

Story continues

The bird motif is usually related to warriors and supernatural beings in Native American cultures, so Fowler suggested that the two central males represented mythical warrior chiefs, the researchers said.

Once this interpretation was made public, many experts viewed Cahokia as "a male-dominated hierarchy," Emerson said.

A fresh look

When Emerson and his colleagues re-examined the evidence  including the archaeologists' maps, notes and reports  they came to a conclusion different from Fowler's. For instance, the early archaeologists said there were only six bodies associated with the beaded burial, but the new team found 12.

Moreover, a skeletal analysis revealed that the high-status pair weren't two men, but a man and a woman. The bodies near the power couple are also male-female pairs, and one individual was a child, the researchers said.

"The fact that these high-status burials included women changes the meaning of the beaded burial feature," Emerson said. "Now, we realize we don't have a system in which males are these dominant figures and females are playing bit parts. And so, what we have at Cahokia is very much a nobility. It's not a male nobility. It's males and females, and their relationships are very important." [The 7 Most Mysterious Archaeological Finds on Earth]

The new discoveries are consistent with other Cahokia findings, Emerson said.

"For me, having dug temples at Cahokia and analyzed a lot of that material, the symbolism is all about life renewal, fertility, agriculture," he said. "Most of the stone figurines found there are female. The symbols showing up on the pots have to do with water and the underworld. And so now, Mound 72 fits into a more consistent story with what we know about the rest of the symbolism and religion at Cahokia."

Not a warrior culture

It's unlikely that the beaded blanket symbolizes some type of warrior message, Emerson said. Instead, an analysis of the burial mound suggests that the Cahokia honored both men and women, he said.

"When the Spanish and the French came into the Southeast as early as the 1500s, they identified these kinds of societies in which both males and females have rank," he said. "Really, the division here is not gender; it's class."

"People who saw the warrior symbolism in the beaded burial were actually looking at societies hundreds of years later in the Southeast, where warrior symbolism dominated, and projecting it back to Cahokia and saying: 'Well, that's what this must be,'" Emerson said. "And we're saying, 'No, it's not.'"

The study was published in the July issue of the journal American Antiquity.

Original article on Live Science.

Editor's Recommendations

Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 8 (PTI) A clash broke out between members of ABVP and a group of Delhi University teachers when they were protesting at Daulat Ram college demanding better infrastructre and facilities.

According to Delhi University Teachers Association, members of BJPs student wing ABVP led by Satender Awana, president of DUs student union, allegedly attacked the teachers and started abusing them, a charge denied by Awana.

advertisement

The two groups have also filed police complaints of verbal abuse and misbehaviour against each other.

"The two groups were protesting at the VC office when they had a verbal argument. Local police was present there and controlled the situation.

ABVP in its complaint has alleged that some of people present in the protest raised anti-India slogans with regard to Kashmir while DUTA alleged that ABVP members called them Naxals," a senior police official said.

"Awana jumped the gate and started shouting that the teachers are supporters of Kanhaiya, shout pro-Pakistan slogans and support Azadi in Kashmir. When the teachers protested his allegations he started catching them by their collar and repeated the absurd statements," a DUTA statement said.

"Awana also abused DUTA president Nandita Narain with extremely objectionable language and called her a Naxal. We want an exemplary action be taken by university authorities to prevent further recurrence of such acts of violence and lumpenism," it added.

Awana dismissed the allegations as baseless and claimed they protesting along with students to highlight the problems at Daulat Ram College.

"At VC office, the DUTA came suddenly and started saying that we are politicising the issue. There were people among them who were also present in the JNU videos but the moment I pointed at them, they escaped in the crowd. Some raised anti-national slogans," he claimed.

Police officials said cross complaints have been recieved and the matter is being looked into. PTI GJS VIT BSA RG BSA

--- ENDS ---
Montreal (AFP) - Organizers of the World Social Forum are hoping to bridge what they described Monday as a north-south divide in tending to the world's social ills.

Speaking ahead of the annual summit's kick-off in Montreal, WSF spokesman Raphael Canet told a press conference: "We must overcome the divide between north and south... Social inequalities know no boundaries."

Regardless of whether countries are in the wealthier northern hemisphere or the poorer southern hemisphere, all face similar social problems, he said. Some are global in scale, such as tax cheating and environmental degradation.

Born out of violent protests as a counterweight to its capitalist rival, the World Economic Forum, the WSF provides a space for decentralized debate and an exchange of ideas, as well as the coordination of global campaigns.

Its 12th edition is being held in a Group of Seven industrialized nation  Canada  for the first time to symbolize that poor and rich nations suffer the same plights.

"The problems that we face in the third world are the same as in industrialized countries, for example, climate change," WSF co-founder Chico Whitaker said.

The summit will host talks on topics including fighting tax evasion, climate change, the plight of refugees and struggles against racism, xenophobia, patriarchy and fundamentalism.

Representatives from 5,000 civil society groups will take part in workshops, debates and performances across Montreal from Tuesday through Sunday.

Some 80 university professors, leftist politicians, trade unionists and anti-globalization activists are scheduled to speak. They include Canadian activist Naomi Klein, Bolivian Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera and French philosopher Edgar Morin.

However, organizers are expecting only half the number of delegates from previous years, as several invitees could not afford the travel and accommodations, even with subsidies.

More than 230 guests were also denied entry into Canada.




Via Getty Image / Twitter

In case you missed it, current Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor had some less than kind words about WWE Superstars during a conference call promoting his upcoming rematch against Nate Diaz at UFC 202.

Since its pretty clear that calling a bunch of people you dont know p***ies, MCGregor took it on himself to issue anapology of sorts:

I didn't mean no disrespect to the @wwe fans. What I meant to say was that I'd slap the head off your entire roster. And twice on Sunday's.  Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 7, 2016

I dont know who Sunday is, but he should probably ask their permission first. At least Roman Reigns has the wherewithal to realize when he f*cks up:

Your the size of my leg. Shut up. https://t.co/fBVEdf8hE1  Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) August 7, 2016

You're* sorry grammar geeks, Smh.  Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) August 7, 2016



Smh indeed!

Other Superstars took to Twitter to respond to McGregors tweet:

Hey @TheNotoriousMMA, cool name by the way. U think u could slap my head off? Come try me! I'd mop ur sorry ass! @WWE  Curtis Axel (@RealCurtisAxel) August 7, 2016

Would you prefer to find us individually or have us all line up at once? I know your time is valuable, sir. https://t.co/XPnKhWAlza  ShinigamE (@WWEBigE) August 7, 2016

Yikes, looks like @TheNotoriousMMA could really use a bowl of Booty O's right about now. Someone hook him uphttps://t.co/aLuSQvt7P2  Kofi Kingston (@TrueKofi) August 7, 2016

I think McGregor could do well in the featherweight divisionif the WWE had one. https://t.co/90XGpSICS9  AJStyles.Org (@AJStylesOrg) August 7, 2016

Sorry pal no disrespect to u, but my fights are legit, unlike the fixed fights u have in @UFC. Ill embarrass u. https://t.co/X5WCyeHYbf  Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) August 7, 2016

Anyone can fight with their fists, try fighting with fashion!Walk off! Reply 1 for yes, 2 for no or ? For maybe https://t.co/whwuzsmzFA  Prince Pretty (@MmmGorgeous) August 7, 2016

I would pay good $$ to see @RealKurtAngle STRETCH THE PISS outta @TheNotoriousMMA and make him tap. #itstrue https://t.co/Uvo8H34nHy  Bubba Ray Dudley (@BubbaRayDudley) August 7, 2016

Kurt Angle also threw himself into the mix:

Story continues

@TheNotoriousMMA @WWE very funny little guy. Why don't you get your head out of Dana White's ass  Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) August 7, 2016

Natalya and Rusevwell, you tried.

So much talk for a guy who fights 15 min matches twice a year Good for you Conor McGaiver.  Rusev MACHKA (@RusevBUL) August 7, 2016

He's a smart businessman. Very smart. Just like my cat.  https://t.co/4IVjbI8Yko  Nattie (@NatbyNature) August 7, 2016



Sheamus wasnt giving any benefit of the doubt to his fellow countryman:

Never show a Jack Russell a mirror. It thinks it's a majestic Irish Wolfhound. Really, just an annoying wee yapper trying to sell tickets.  Sheamus (@WWESheamus) August 7, 2016

Ric Flair had the most to say, calling out McGregor for sh*tting on the very people who inspired his brash attitude:

Coming from a guy who built a career copying my persona, I expected the type of class we get from Ronda or Anderson. pic.twitter.com/iVoC0Xva5g  Ric Flair (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 7, 2016

After Diaz finishes you again, I dare you to try guys like Dolph, Brock, or Fit. Oh you're welcome for your gimmick pic.twitter.com/0qziVjlMav  Ric Flair (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 7, 2016

If anyone doubts whether or not Doloh could tie Conor in a knot, do yourself a favor and Google his accomplishments pic.twitter.com/h7mitMeBXn  Ric Flair (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 7, 2016

Of course, the best response came from the person we know McGregor wouldt want to mess with. In this case, pick on someone your own size is terrible, terrible advice:

Whether this is all some elaborate trash-talking scheme to do the cross-promoting the Irishman was initially asked about, were sure theres no shortage of people in the WWE locker room who are pumped to see McGregor get his ass turfed all over again on August 20th.
Fox wants more The X-Files  in every sense of the word.

Immediately following Mondays Fox executive session at the Television Critics Association summer press tour, Dana Walden  Chairman and CEO of the Fox Television Group  told reporters that a potential 11th season would likely exceed Season 10s relatively short six-episode run.

RELATEDThe X-Files Update: Significant Talks Underway With David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson for Season 11

We would have liked to have done more [episodes] in the first place, said Walden. It was really the limitations of David and Gillian and Chris schedules. Gillian lives in the UK, David lives in New York and California, and we do the show in Vancouver. Chris lives up north. So it was just trying to coordinate a time where they all carve out a period to be in Vancouver.

RELATEDX-Files: 7 Tweaks That MUST Be Made in Season 11 (Paging Vince Gilligan)

This time around, the network and studio have longer to plan for another season. Were in conversations that intentionally we could do more, she said. I dont imagine it being a full season of The X-Files, but I would be really happy if we were able to get eight to 10 episodes.

Related stories

Prison Break Revival Video: Watch the Moment Sara Learns Michael Is Alive

Alex Rodriguez's Final MLB Game to Be Broadcast Nationally on Fox

Empire EP Confirms Taye Diggs' Arrival in Season 3 'Is All About Cookie'
San Francisco (AFP) - Yahoo on Monday launched a website for watching Hulu television shows in the United States.

The alliance appeared to be part of a move by Hulu to shut its free streaming television service supported by advertising and focus on subscriptions.

Yahoo View was described as an extension of the struggling internet pioneer's partnership with Hulu and promised recent episodes of ABC, NBC, and Fox television shows along with films, anime, and Korean drama.

The website will also feature a social component for viewers.

"Yahoo View is our first step towards creating a powerful community TV-watching experience, but it's really only the beginning," said Yahoo vice president of lifestyles product Jess Lee.

Time Warner recently bought a stake Hulu, which launched a decade ago with backing by NBC Universal; 21st Century Fox and The Walt Disney Company.

"Video is an important part of Yahoo's strategy," said Yahoo vice president and head of media partnerships Phil Lynch.

Versions of Yahoo View tailored for smartphones and tablets would be released soon, according to the company.

Yahoo last month sealed a deal to sell its core business to telecom giant Verizon for $4.8 billion, ending a two-decade run as an independent company for the internet pioneer.

The agreement announced by the two companies after months of negotiations comes following a years-long decline for the iconic firm that introduced many people around the world to the internet.

Verizon chief executive Lowell McAdam said Yahoo would be integrated into its recently acquired AOL unit to create "a top global mobile media company, and help accelerate our revenue stream in digital advertising."

The acquisition, expected to close in early 2017, pending shareholder and regulatory approval, will exclude Yahoo's cash, certain patent holdings, and its big share in China's Alibaba Group and stake in Yahoo Japan.
For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  August 08, 2016 - Stocks in this weeks article include: Dean Foods Company (DF), Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. (CPS), Boise Cascade Company (BCC), United States Steel Corp. ( X) and AECOM Technology Corp. (ACM).

Screen of the Week of Zacks Investment Research:

Recent Broker Rating Upgrades Make These 5 Stocks Lucrative

The sole aim of stock investors is to generate handsome returns from their portfolio as they put their hard earned money into it. However, with stocks flooding the market, it is by no means an easy task to arrive at a winning portfolio.

Moreover, the same basket of stocks is not always likely to be the winner given the ever-changing global environment. For example, in a regime of extremely low oil prices, it might be a winning strategy to add airline stocks to ones portfolio, but the same stocks might not be prudent choices when oil prices surge. To insulate ones portfolio from surrounding uncertainties, maintaining a well-diversified portfolio (selecting stocks from different industries) is a tried and tested strategy culminating in handsome returns.

In view of the above commentary, it is clear that investors need to indulge in thorough research on minute details like the long-term prospect of a stock before owning it. However, given the constraints that individual investors face, the task is best left to experts  brokers/analysts  on the subject.

Why Pay Heed to Broker Advice?

The opinion of brokers acts as a valuable guide for investors while deciding their course of action (buy, sell or hold) on a particular stock. Broker ratings do not come from the blue and are backed by sound logic. In fact, they have a lot more information on a company and its prospects than individual investors as they not only scrutinize the publicly available financial documents, but also attend company conference calls and other presentations. Given their expertise, it is prudent for investors to pay heed to broker advice while formulating their investment strategy for generating handsome returns.

Story continues

Direction of Earnings Estimates: An Invaluable Guide

Since brokers follow the stocks in their coverage minutely, they revise their earnings estimates after carefully examining the pros and cons of an event for the concerned company. In fact, a rating upgrade or downgrade by brokers has the potential to immediately influence the price of the stock.

Since brokers arrive at their recommendation on a stock after thoroughly analyzing the nitty-gritties associated with the company, it is natural that if investors see them improving their recommendation on a particular stock, they are inclined to believe that there is a solid reason/logic behind it. In fact, a rating upgrade generally leads to stock price appreciation. Similarly, the price of a stock may plummet following a rating downgrade.

Estimates can move north for a number of reasons  favorable earnings performance, a bullish guidance, product launch or any favorable macro scenario.

Revenue Performance- Not to be Ignored

According to many market watchers, a revenue beat is more creditable for a company than a mere earnings outperformance, especially in an environment of revenue weakness due to macroeconomic headwinds like a strong dollar. To take care of the top line, we have considered the price/sales ratio for screening stocks.

Screening Criteria

# (Up- Down Rating)/ Total (4 weeks) =Top #75: This gives the list of top 75 companies that have witnessed net upgrades over the last 4 weeks.

% change in Q (1) est. (4 weeks) = Top #10: This gives the top 10 stocks that have witnessed earnings estimate revisions over the past 4 weeks for the upcoming quarter.

To ensure that the strategy is a full-proof and winning one, we have added the following screening parameters:

Price-to-Sales = Bot%10: The lower the ratio the better, companies meeting this criteria are in bottom 10% of our universe of over 7,700 stocks with respect to this ratio.

Price greater than 5: A stock trading below $5 will not likely create significant interest for most investors.

Average Daily Volume greater than 100,000 shares over the last 20 trading days: Volume has to be significant to ensure that these are easily traded.

Market value ($ mil) = Top #3000: This gives us stocks that are the top 3000 if one judges by market capitalization.

Com/ADR/Canadian= Com: This takes out the ADR and Canadian stocks.

Here are five of the 10 stocks that made it through the screen:

Dean Foods Company (DF), based in Dallas, TX, is a leading processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products in the U.S. as well as a leading manufacturer of various specialty food products. The company has an impressive track with respect to earnings, having surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters by an average of 17.8%.

Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc . (CPS), based in Novi, MI, operates as a supplier of systems and components for the automotive industry. Its products include sealing and trim, fuel and brake delivery, fluid transfer, thermal and emissions and anti-vibration systems. The company has an impressive record with respect to earnings, having surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters by an average of 51.2%.

Boise Cascade Company (BCC), based in Boise, ID, operates as a wood products manufacturer and building materials distributor. The company has an impressive track with respect to earnings, having surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters by an average in excess of 100%.

Pittsburgh, PA-based United States Steel Corp. (X) is a leading steel manufacturer in the U.S. It produces and sells steel mill products  including flat-rolled and tubular products  in North America and Europe. For 2016, the companys earnings per share are projected to grow at 75.80%, much higher than the industry average of 5.8%.

AECOM Technology Corp. (ACM) is a leading solutions provider for supporting professional, technical and management solutions for diverse industries across end markets like transportation, facilities, government as well as those in environmental, energy and water businesses. The company has a healthy projected EPS growth rate (over the next 35 years) of 10.8%.

You can get the rest of the stocks on this list by signing up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your own trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and test them first before taking the investment plunge.

The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.

Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today .

Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks portfolios and strategies are available at: https://www.zacks.com/performance.

Zacks Restaurant Recommendations: In addition to dining at these special places, you can feast on their stock shares. A Zacks Special Report spotlights 5 recent IPOs to watch plus 2 stocks that offer immediate promise in a booming sector. Download it free 

Sign up now for your free trial today and start picking better stocks immediately. And with the backtesting feature, you can test your ideas to see how you can improve your trading in both up markets and down markets. Dont wait for the market to get better before you decide to do better. Start learning how to be a better trader today: https://at.zacks.com/?id=111

Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

About Screen of the Week

Zacks.com created the first and best screening system on the web earning the distinction as the "#1 site for screening stocks" by Money Magazine. But powerful screening tools is just the start. That is why Zacks created the Screen of the Week to highlight profitable stock picking strategies that investors can actively use. Each week, Zacks Profit from the Pros free email newsletter shares a new screening strategy. Learn more about it here https://at.zacks.com/?id=112

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978. The later formation of the Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock picking system; continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Click here for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros.

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

Contact: Jim Giaquinto

Company: Zacks.com

Phone: 312-265-9268

Email: pr@zacks.com

Visit: https://www.zacks.com/performance

Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer .

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.



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



DEAN FOODS CO (DF): Free Stock Analysis Report



COOPER-STANDARD (CPS): Free Stock Analysis Report



UTD STATES STL (X): Free Stock Analysis Report



BOISE CASCADE (BCC): Free Stock Analysis Report



AECOM TECH CORP (ACM): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  August 08, 2016 - Stocks in this weeks article include: Nu Skin Enterprises Inc. (NUS), Papa John's International Inc. (PZZA), Steel Dynamics Inc. (STLD), Masco Corporation ( MAS) and MB Financial Inc. (MBFI).

Screen of the Week of Zacks Investment Research:

5 Dividend Growth Stocks to Play It Safe

With 2016 being dominated by volatility, its not surprising that dividend investing has emerged as one of the most popular investing strategies. Dividends are major sources of consistent income for investors when returns from price movements of stocks are at risk.

Benefit of Dividend Growth



There are multiple styles of dividend investing out of which dividend growth is the most appealing. Stocks with dividend growth generally outperform their peers and generate increased profits year after year. Thus, the dividend growth strategy has an edge over the steady dividend strategy. By investing in stocks with dividend growth, investors can enjoy rising current income while awaiting capital appreciation.



Dividend growth stocks also provide some margin of safety, which enables investors to withstand shocks. In fact, stocks that have a strong history of dividend growth as opposed to those that have high yields form a healthy portfolio.



Moreover, these stocks often have superior fundamentals compared to other dividend paying stocks. This is because dividend growth is often an outcome of a sustainable business model, a long track record of profitability, rising cash flows, good liquidity, a strong balance sheet and some value characteristics.



Here are the screening parameters that could result in a winning dividend growth portfolio:



5-Year Historical Dividend Growth greater than zero: This selects stocks with a solid dividend growth history.



Most Recent Payout Ratio less than M-Industry: This is the measure of dividend payments as a percentage of earnings. A relatively low payout ratio indicates the companys ability to increase dividend even during tough times.



5-Year Historical Sales Growth greater than zero: This selects stocks with a strong record of revenue growth.



5-Year Historical EPS Growth greater than zero: This shortlists stocks with a solid earnings growth history.

Story continues

Next 35 Year EPS Growth Rate greater than zero: This represents the rate at which a companys earnings are expected to grow. Improving earnings should help companies sustain dividend payments.



52-Week Price Change greater than S&P 500 (Median): This ensures that the stock appreciated more than the S&P 500 over the past one year.



Zacks Rank Less than or Equal to 2: Stocks having a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) generally perform better than their peers in all types of market environment.



VGM Style Score of B or better: This is simply a weighted combination of Value, Growth and Momentum.



Market Capitalization greater than $2 billion: We have eliminated small-cap stocks to ensure better flexibility and tradability.



Here are 5 of the 15 stocks that fit the bill:



Nu Skin Enterprises Inc. (NUS) offers a comprehensive line of premium-quality beauty and wellness products in more than 50 markets globally. Its earnings are expected to grow at a rate of 6.2% over the next 5 years. This Zacks Rank #2 company has a VGM Style Score of B.



Papa John's International Inc. (PZZA) is the worlds third-largest pizza delivery company. The stock has a Zacks Rank #2 and a VGM Style Score of B. It also has an average four-quarter EPS surprise of 7.8%.



Steel Dynamics Inc. (STLD) is one of the largest steel producers and metals recyclers in the U.S. Its earnings are expected to grow at a rate of 30% over the next five years, much above the industry average of 8.9%. The stock has a Zacks Rank #2 and a VGM Style Score of A.



Masco Corporation (MAS) is a leading manufacturers of branded home improvement and building products globally. The stock has delivered a positive average earnings surprise of 14.7% over the past four quarters. It has a Zacks Rank #2 and a VGM Style Score of A.



MB Financial Inc. (MBFI) is a holding company for MB Financial Bank, N.A. with assets of approximately $15.6 billion. Its earnings are expected to grow at a rate of 10.5% over the next five years. The stock has a Zacks Rank #2 and a VGM Style Score of A.



You can get the rest of the stocks on this list by signing up now for your two-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your own trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and test them first before taking the investment plunge.



The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.



Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today .



Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.



Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks portfolios and strategies are available at:

https://www.zacks.com/performance .

Zacks Restaurant Recommendations: In addition to dining at these special places, you can feast on their stock shares. A Zacks Special Report spotlights 5 recent IPOs to watch plus 2 stocks that offer immediate promise in a booming sector. Download it free 

Sign up now for your free trial today and start picking better stocks immediately. And with the backtesting feature, you can test your ideas to see how you can improve your trading in both up markets and down markets. Dont wait for the market to get better before you decide to do better. Start learning how to be a better trader today: https://at.zacks.com/?id=111

Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

About Screen of the Week

Zacks.com created the first and best screening system on the web earning the distinction as the "#1 site for screening stocks" by Money Magazine. But powerful screening tools is just the start. That is why Zacks created the Screen of the Week to highlight profitable stock picking strategies that investors can actively use. Each week, Zacks Profit from the Pros free email newsletter shares a new screening strategy. Learn more about it here https://at.zacks.com/?id=112

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978. The later formation of the Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock picking system; continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Click here for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros.

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

Contact: Jim Giaquinto

Company: Zacks.com

Phone: 312-265-9268

Email: pr@zacks.com

Visit: https://www.zacks.com/performance

Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer .

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.



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



NU SKIN ENTERP (NUS): Free Stock Analysis Report



PAPA JOHNS INTL (PZZA): Free Stock Analysis Report



STEEL DYNAMICS (STLD): Free Stock Analysis Report



MASCO (MAS): Free Stock Analysis Report



MB FINANCL INC (MBFI): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
WELLINGTON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - New Zealand farm company Landcorp said on Monday it would ban its farmers from using palm kernel expeller, a feed supplement used for cows that environmentalists have linked to rainforest destruction.

The state-owned company, which runs 140 farms, said it would end the use of the feed, dubbed PKE for short, by June 2017 to meet shifting consumer expectations on how food was produced.

Environmentalists say the product - what's left of the palm kernel once the oil has been extracted - contributes to the profitability of the palm industry, which is under attack over deforestation, choking fires and habitat destruction in Southeast Asia.

"Landcorp wants our partners and customers to know they can trust that we farm sustainably and care for the environment," said Landcorp chief executive Steven Carden in a statement.

New Zealand, which prides itself on its green image, has become a top buyer of PKE, a dry, gritty meal, to help it ramp up dairy production.

New Zealand buys around a quarter of global PKE, according to environmental lobby group Greenpeace which has campaigned vehemently against the use of the feed.

"It's not a good look for Kiwi farms to be linked to the destruction of the world's last remaining rainforests," Greenpeace forests campaigner Grant Rosoman said in a written statement.

Rosoman welcomed Landcorp's move and called on New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra to follow suit. Fonterra did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Last year Fonterra called on its 10,500 farmer shareholders to limit the use of palm kernel to 3 kg per animal per day. The company said its PKE supplier Wilmar already had a no-deforestation policy, but that it wanted its protect the premium commanded by dairy products from purely grass-fed animals. (Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Richard Pullin)
By PTI: Mumbai, Aug 8 (PTI) Turkey today sought shutting down of institutions in Mumbai linked to the Fethullah "terror" network, which it had claimed was behind last months attempted coup in that country.

"We have requested Indian and Maharashtra government that all institutions in Mumbai and elsewhere, connected with this network be closed," Turkey Consul General Erdal Sabri Ergen told reporters here.

advertisement

"Everything connected with this network should be closed. They should be put under microscope. This is an illegal netwrok with a sinister design in mind," he said.

"The institutions connected with the network are (there) in Mumbai. Our Ambassador has informed Indian authorities. We believe the Indian authorities already had that information," he said, when asked if Indian authorities were informed of Fethullahs Mumbai connection with last months coup bid in Turkey.

"Our communication with Maharashtra government is in parallel to what our Ambassador is doing in Delhi," he said.

"We have given a lot of documents and provided evidence. There are several such institutions in Mumbai and elsewhere in India, he said.

"What clerics (in these institutions) provided was not positive message but a sinister message. The organisation network is damaging to Turkey," he said.

This isnt a terror organisation in classical sense, he said.

"The coup attempt was foiled by people of Turkey, who stood before tanks, which is a victory for democracy and media," he said.

"There will be consequences for Fethullah terror organisation which has network in many countries including India. This organisations leader is sitting in Pennsylvania.

"For legal reasons, I can specify only general information and cant take names. I cannot name individuals or institutions for legal reasons," he added. PTI VT NM BSA

--- ENDS ---
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's Federal Anti-Monopoly Service said on Monday it had opened a case into price-fixing allegations concerning Apple iPhones. "The Anti-Monopoly Service sees signs of price fixing violations in the Russian Federation at Apple iPhone resellers, which resulted in the same prices for these smartphones," it said in a statement. A representative for Apple in Russia was not immediately available for comment. The anti-monopoly body said it had opened its case after an appeal from a citizen with information that identical prices had been set for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models, which appeared in Russia in October 2015, at 16 major resellers. It said that an investigation had showed that resellers had set identical prices and kept them at that level for a certain time period, including for other models. MTS, one of the resellers mentioned in the anti-monopoly service's statement, declined a request for comment. Euroset, another firm mentioned, denied it had coordinated prices with anyone. (Reporting by Alexander Winning, Lidia Kelly and Anastasia Lyrchikova; Editing by Andrew Osborn and Louise Heavens)
This week on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kim, Kanye, Khloe, Kourtney, and others headed to Cuba to smoke cigars, eat rice and beans, and take selfies. The group made the trip back in May, and at the time, many people were up in arms about the Kardashians visit to the Caribbean island. One person in particular was Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the representative for Floridas 27th Congressional District and the first Cuban-born U.S. congresswoman. Ros-Lehtinen said the Kardashians were exploiting Cuba and even tweeted comments such as, Kardashians in Cuba: havent the Cuban people suffered enough? The congresswoman said she was concerned that celebrities like the Kardashians are glamorizing Cuba without showing the real problems that the Cuban people have faced over the last 50 years.

Despite all the drama, the Kardashians enjoyed their trip, even though they couldnt use their cellphones. They spent the majority of the trip eating, but the gang did go out for some salsa dancing, even though Kim hates dancing.



Keeping Up With the Kardashians airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. on E!.

Check out the bad blood between Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift over Kanye.

Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Cynthia LuCiette, on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.


Every decade has its defining teenage love story. In the 50s, it was Tony and Maria. In the 80s, it was Kevin and Winnie. In the 2000s, it was Spencer and Heidi. For those us of lucky enough to come of age in the 90s, the teen romance that consumed our so-called lives was Jordan and Angela. The central couple on Winnie Holzmans short-lived but beloved high school drama My So-Called Life, these two embodied everything that was so thrilling  and maddening about high school relationships, whether it was holding hands in the hallway, scribbling mash notes in your Trapper Keeper, or pretending the other person didnt exist so your friends wouldnt make fun of you.

Related: TV Series We Dont Want to See Revived

The story of Angela Chase (future Emmy winner Claire Danes) and Jordan Catalano (future Oscar winner Jared Leto) rang so true that during the shows solitary season on the air, you could see the same narrative playing out in high schools around the country, as it continues to today. My So-Called Life was about so much more than teen romance, of course, tackling such important subjects as underage drinking, illiteracy, and coming out during its 19-episode run. But if you simply want to relive the saga of Angela and Jordan, here are the five must-watch episodes in chronological order.

1. Dancing in the Dark

The pilot episode introduces us to Angela and Jordan, but its the sophomore hour that really brings them together for an extended period of screen time. Credit goes to Angelas buddy Rayanne (A.J. Langer), who nudges Jordan to sell her pal a fake ID with the ulterior motive of proximity breeding passion. And Catalano does try to push their encounter in a more romantic direction, albeit in the least appealing way possible  by shoving his mouth onto hers. Sure, Angela has fantasized about locking lips with the object of her affection, but the reality of it, sadly, sucks.

2. Why Jordan Cant Read

Five episodes after their first attempt at getting to know each other went south, Angela has a close encounter with the real Jordan when she pieces together something that he has been keeping from the world: Hes functionally illiterate. That discovery puts a human face on her dream boyfriend, hinting at vulnerabilities he keeps hidden. Meanwhile, Jordan appears to have had Angela on his mind as well, based on the lyrics for his self-penned song Red. Too bad he really isnt that deep: Red is an ode to his automobile, not his S.O. in waiting.

Story continues

3. Self-Esteem

Sure, theyve had their false starts, but Self-Esteem finds Jordan and Angela in the full throes of a real relationship. Well, real to them at least. Like too many status-obsessed teenage dudes, Catalano is having trouble making the romance official. Its only when Angela makes it clear she is ready to walk away that the wheels start turning in Jordans mind. The timely classroom intervention of a Shakespearean sonnet further spurs him to action, and by the end of the episode, these two are doing the hands in the hallway walk.

4. Pressure

Well, that was fast! After a lone episode in Coupledom, Angela and Jordan are already en route to Splitsville. The root cause is sex  as in, he wants to have it and shes not ready. Rather than really listen to Angela, Jordan accuses her of being the abnormal one, and once you lob that verbal grenade, good luck picking up the pieces.

5. In Dreams Begin Responsibilities

There are love letters and then there is The Letter, the paragraph-long note that Jordan wrote for Angela via actual author (and Angelas not-so-secret admirer) Brian Krakow (Devon Gummersall). Despite its overwrought, student-poetry level of emotive phrases, it sets Angela on the path toward a series-ending reconciliation with Jordan. Well forever think of her sitting in the front seat of Catalanos car, as we mentally scream at her for not choosing Krakow instead.

Watch episodes of My So-Called Life and hundreds of other shows for free on Yahoo View.
By PTI: Colombo, Aug 8 (PTI) Chief Minister of Sri Lankas Tamil- dominated northern province C V Wigneswaran has asked the community to "insist" on the federal solution to resolve the countrys decades-long ethnic conflict.

Addressing the Tamil Peoples Council in Jaffna yesterday, Wigneswaran said the Tamils must insist on a federal structure under the new Constitution with the re-merger of the northern and eastern provinces to form a single Tamil-speaking province.

advertisement

His comments came in the backdrop of the current move to adopt a new Constitution for the country replacing the existing one formulated in 1978.

Calling for the merger of the north and east, Wigneswaran said it is necessary to keep the culture and integrity of the Tamil-speaking people against encroachments by the majority Sinhalese.

The Sinhala-majority dominated government at the Centre must not use the Muslim issues in the north and east in order not to grant a federal structure with the merger of the two provinces, he said.

Within the united north and east, the Tamil-speaking Muslims could have separate autonomous unit, he said.

Wigneswaran also called for action to set up the accountability for the warcrimes before the government formulates a new Constitution.

The Sinhala majority is averse to setting up a federal structure fearing it would lead to the creation of a separate Tamil state in the two provinces if granted.

The government, which had set in a process of public views on the form of the new draft constitution, has the task of convincing the Sinhala majority that the new Constitution would not pave way for any ethnic divisions of the country.

Wigneswaran said the government could not decide on the draft by merely giving into majority concerns as regards political freedoms of the Tamils. PTI CORR AJR SAI MVV

--- ENDS ---
Raju Jogi dived into a rapid flowing stream to save the cow. While the cow was eventually saved, Jogi was washed away.

By India Today Web Desk: A man died in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh while trying to save a cow from being swept away in a fast-flowing river in spate, police said today.

Some people were trying to save a cow on Sunday from being swept away in a river in Bamhori village in Raisen, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Silwani TS Thakur told news agency IANS.

advertisement

DETAILS OF THE CASE



That is when Raju Jogi, 35, dived into the rapid flowing stream to save the cow, he said.

"While the cow was eventually saved, Jogi was washed away. His body was later found one and a half kilometres from the village," Thakur said.

Raisen was in news last week too when a truck driver and his cleaner jumped into the river fearing they may be assaulted after their vehicle accidentally killed three cows in Sultanpur, the Indian Express reported.

The driver, Manubhai, did not survive and was found dead on Saturday.

Also read:

Karnataka: Cow vigilantes assault truck driver

Holy cow! Man thrashed, paraded naked by gau rakshaks in Karnataka for stealing calf



--- ENDS ---
Does 'gau mata' really want to be protected? Find out what the chilled out cud chewing creature's perspective is.

By India Today Web Desk: Amid the ongoing word-war about cow vigilantism, we bring to you a perspective that probably nobody considered even though they are the subject matter.

Yes, the gau mata perspective.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the rising cow vigilantism and called for punishment for fake cow protectors, Vishwa Hindu Parishad was quick to come up with a backlash.

advertisement

Sunil Parashar, VHP's vice president in Uttar Pradesh, displayed his anger and said that PM Modi has hurt gau rakshaks and he will have to pay for it in the next Lok Sabha elections.

Also read: PM Modi criticises cow vigilantes, asks states to take action against them



"I would like to tell all countrymen that they beware of these fake cow protectors," Modi said. He had said that these fake cow protectors were "dividing the nation and should be isolated and punished".

But between this mayhem, cows, ever-chilling and cud chewing creatures, have have their own demands and problems to cater.

Cows Of Benaras , a parody page, brings fun stories from everyday lives of the holy and sacred creatures.



So here is what the cows are moo-ing about:



1. Friend-zone problems on Friendship's Day

"She hasn't wished me a Happy Friendship Day yet. Maybe that's because we aren't 'Just friends'. We are way more! That makes sense, right? She doesn't want to friendzone her cowrush, duh! But what if I am not friend enough to her? Should I wish her first? This is so hard, man. Let me sleep this out."







Also read: 5 parody pages of Humans of New York you must follow!

2. Challenging Cowlympics

"We are sending our cowtingent to the Rio Cowlympics too. All those fortune-telling octopuses and parrots can rate us as clear underdogs, but cows we are, and like cows shall we fight. Watch us win some moodels, human!"





3. Trying their hooves on Prismoo

"Why moo when you can prismoo?"





Also read: Cows give us milk, not votes: Lalu on PM's belated condemnation of cow vigilantes



4. They don't care about Pocowmon

"What do you mean you want to click me? I have had enough of your human shit. This is deja moo. You are here to get that stupid Pocowmon too."



5. Moo-di-Cowjriwal power-play

"They built this house right in the middle of my way to the toilet. I don't know what this Cowjriwal's poster is meant to suggest. Should I do a dharna or take a U-turn?"

advertisement







Also read: PM to cow vigilantes: Attack me if you dare, leave Dalits alone

--- ENDS ---
NIA investigation shows that a new terror outfit was being planned by D-company and the conspiracy was hatched in Karachi and South Africa.

By Arvind Ojha: D-company was trying to trigger communal violence by killing Hindu-leaders and throwing alcohol bottles at churches in India, reveals chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the murder case of two BJP leaders in Bharuch in Gujarat in 2015. Investigation also revealed that international terror module was trying to lure their recruits by offering handsome money and jobs in foreign countries.

advertisement

NIA investigation shows that a new terror outfit was being planned by D-company and the conspiracy was hatched in Karachi and South Africa. They had asked its recruits in India to throw petrol bombs and indulge in arson in churches. The entire motive to kill Hindu leaders and attack churches was to create communal tension. The central agency mentioned in the chargesheet against ten accused which was accessed by Aaj Tak.

Former BJP president of Bharuch and senior RSS member Shirish Bangali and general secretary of Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha Pragnesh Mistry were shot dead in the district by two unidentified gunmen on November 2, 2015.

D-COMPANY

NIA Chargesheet mentions that the conspiracy was to kill Hindu leaders allegedly involved in the 2002 Gujarat riots and who were perceived to be anti-Muslim. The accused youths were lured with money and promise of foreign jobs and some of them were asked to kill Hindus in the name of Islam while others were asked to extort money using the name of 'D gang'.

The D-Company, through Javed Chikna planned to target Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal leaders who were active in the Gujarat riots of 2002 and who are generally vocal and perceived to be anti-Muslims.

"As part of the plan, Javed Chikna (based in Pakistan) and another senior member of D-Company (based in South Africa) Zahid Miyan alias Jao contacted several of their men including Chikna's brother Abid Patel and Yunus (also called Manjrao) and asked them to prepare a list of such leaders," NIA mentioned.

A total of 12 accused were arrested in connection with the case and were booked under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, IPC, Arms Act the Gujarat Police Act.

The accused are: Abid Patel (brother of Dawood's close aide Javed Patel alias Chikna who is based in Pakistan), Saiyed Imran, Zuheb Ansari, Inayat Patel, Mohmad Yunus, Haider Ali, Nissarbhai Sheikh, Mohsin Khan Pathan, Mohmed Altaf Shaikh and Abdul Salim Ghanchi.

Mail Today had earlier reported that ISI has started using the D-Company's men across the country to set up terror modules. ISI is once again seeking the help of underworld to strike violence in the country.

advertisement

TARGETS

Funds are being transferred from abroad and local men are picked up by the underworld to target prominent people and places, which eventually can trigger communal violence across the nation.

A senior officer said, men of the D-gang have an easy access to local logistics. They have reportedly made a hit list of political leaders and prominent people.

The underworld, according to security agencies, is also trying to trigger communal clashes by using the Babri and Godhra slogans.



Watch the video here:



ALSO READ:



At SAARC meet today, Rajnath to raise Dawood, terror with Pakistan

Drop plans to catch Dawood, instead book preacher Zakir Naik: Shiv Sena to BJP



--- ENDS ---
Four students from Hyderabad University who were suspended with the late Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula have written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to take action his ministers who discriminate against Dalits.

By Ashish Pandey: Four students from Hyderabad University who were suspended in January have written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he spoke about discrimination against Dalits in Hyderabad on Sunday.

In the letter, university students Dontha Prashanth, Vijay Pedapudi and Seshaiah Chemudugunta, who were suspended with Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula who committed suicide, recalled the whole episode that led to his death.

advertisement

They wrote, "Rohith Vemula was forced to commit suicide due to constant humiliation and harassment by Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) workers, BJP workers and the men who did their bidding in the University, namely Vice Chancellor Podile Apparao, Chief Proctor Alok Pandey and certain politically motivated members of the executive council."

They said that Modi's statement on Sunday, "Shoot me but not my Dalit brothers and sisters", was ironic and dishonest.

The students belonging to Ambedkar Student Association said that Modi hailed Rohith in his speech, despite his party members calling him anti-national, only because of public pressure.

They also pointed out that cabinet ministers Sushma Swaraj and Thawar Chand Gehlot raised questions about Rohith's caste and Union Minister VK Singh called him and all other students associated with the Ambedkar Student Association anti-national.

The letter also mentions that BR Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar was not allowed to enter the university campus when the students organised a function on Ambedkar's 125th anniversary. They asked why no action was taken against accused P Apparao.

"What action was taken after a committee appointed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development brought out the institutional lapses that led to Rohith's suicide? Why did you not speak, Mr Prime Minister, when Smriti Irani spoke utter lies in Parliament? What happened to the Judicial Commission appointed by HRD Ministry which was supposed to submit its report by August 1, 2016?" the students asked.

The student suggested that PM Modi should be acting against his own party colleagues and cadets instead of delivering speeches.

Also Read

Full text: Smriti Irani's explosive speech in Lok Sabha on Rohith Vemula and JNU row

What happened at Hyderabad Central University that led to Rohith Vemula's suicide?





--- ENDS ---
By Tanseem Haider: Delhi Police busted two inter-state drug dealers Sonu Banjara and Dinesh Chandel from Neemach in Madhya Pradesh.

TIP OFF

The inter-state crime branch acting on a tip off discovered that Sonu who supplies Opium in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab would soon arrive at Guru Teg Bahadur Memorial in Delhi. A trap was set and Sonu was arrested. The police also recovered 3 kg of high quality opium from him.

advertisement

INSIDE CHITTORGARH JAIL

During interrogation, the accused revealed he supplied the contraband on the pretext of Mangi Lal, a resident of Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh. It was revealed that Mangi Lal controls the racket from inside Chittorgarh Jail as he has also been arrested previously in a similar case.



COURIER, SUPPLIER ARRESTED

Sonu informed that he acts as a courier and supplies opium in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan. He further added that he received the said contraband from a farmer Dinesh Chandal, a resident of Manasa at Neemach. He was directed by Mangi Lal to collect the opium from Dinesh and was later instructed to supply the contraband in Delhi. Sonu is now in police custody and his supplier Dinesh Chandal was also arrested in Neemach, Madhya Pradesh.

Also Read: AAP fighting drugs in Punjab, expelled MP wants to legalise opium sale

Also Read: 2.700 Kg of opium worth 10 lakh seized, four held



--- ENDS ---
Congress today created uproar in the Lok Sabha, saying that the PM should "not shed crocodile tears" but "act".

By PTI: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed those indulging in atrocities on Dalits, Congress today created uproar in the Lok Sabha, saying he should "not shed crocodile tears" but "act".

Congress members demanded that the Prime Minister should speak on the issue in the House rather than "tweet". They staged a walkout later.

Soon after the Zero Hour, Congress members stormed the Well of the House when Speaker Sumitra Mahajan did not immediately allow party leader Mallikarjun Karge to raise the issue.

advertisement

THE RUCKUS



The Speaker said she would allow Kharge to speak but only after she finishes with the Zero Hour list as she has not got any notice. She repeatdely appealed to the Congress members to go back to their seats.

"I will allow him to speak. I have never said no to it, but let me be done with the (Zero Hour) list. There are many smaller parties here and it will be an injustice to the members," she said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh as also the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar were seen gestering to Kharge suggesting that a way could be found out through informal talks.

Congress members were unrelenting and demanded that the Prime Minister come to the House and speak on the issue.

"He (the PM) should not shed crocodile tears. He should not tweet, but act (against those perpetrating atrocities on Dalits)," the Congress MPs chanted.

Congress members were in no mood to relent and staged a walkout.

In an outreach to Dalits against the backdrop of the Una flogging incident, Modi, at an event in Telangana, yesterday decried the attempts to politicise the issue of atrocities on Dalits and said he is ready to get "shot and attacked" in place of his Dalit "brothers".

--- ENDS ---
The gangsters were gunned down in a joint operation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Counter Intelligence Cell of the Telangana Police.

By India Today Web Desk: Two gangsters were killed in an encounter on the outskirts of Hyderabad today.

The gangsters were gunned down in a joint operation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Counter Intelligence Cell of the Telangana Police.

The encounter took place at Millennium Township area in Shadnagar in Mahabubnagar district, about 50 kms from Hyderabad. The area has now been evacuated.

advertisement

Gangster Nayeem, involved in killing some top former Maoists, was hiding in the house in Millennium Township.



The operation began Monday morning when police were conducting searches in the town. Armed policemen surrounded the house, following a tip-off about presence of the gangster.



Heavy security has been deployed in and around Hyderabad following the encounter.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Telangana yesterday to address a public meeting.



Watch the video here:



Also read:

Chhattisgarh: Three Naxals killed in encounter in Dantewada



--- ENDS ---
By PTI: From Aditi Khanna

London, Aug 8 (PTI) Schools in England ban as many as 20 children a day over racially abusing classmates, an analysis released here today has found.

The analysis of new data by the UK?s New Schools Network (NSN), a charity which advises groups opening new schools, found that in total there were 4,000 cases of racist abuse in England?s schools which were serious enough to warrant a fixed or "permanent exclusion" in the 2014-15 academic year.

advertisement

Since 2008-9, there have been more than 27,000 exclusions for racist abuse.

A tenth of the exclusions occurred in primary schools and the remainder in secondary schools.

"The analysis comes as New Schools Network has successfully argued for a new category of social need to be part of the free school application criteria. This means that free school proposals will now be considered for approval if there is a proven ?social need? for the new school.

"One of the benefits of this new category is that proposals can now be brought forward with the explicit intention of creating more integrated schools in areas where existing schools are often divided on racial lines," NSN said in a statement.

Free schoolsin England are independent non-profit-making academies which are funded by the state but not controlled by a local authority.

"The addition of a social need category in the criteria opens the door further for schools, charities and other community organisations to come forward with ideas to create schools designed to build community cohesion," NSNs Sarah Pearson explained.

"We are in discussion with a number of groups who have particular interest in community integration, and we anticipate that more will now follow in their footsteps," she said.

Racist abuse in schools is defined as derogatory racist statements, racist bullying, graffiti, taunting and harassment or swearing that can be attributed to racist characteristics.

Many of the incidents in schools were recorded in northern, midlands and coastal towns of England with Richmond Upon Thames in south-west London leading the table.

Islington in north London was another region flagged up in NSNs top 10 most problematic areas in terms of such cases. PTI AK NSA

--- ENDS ---
Prakash Ambedkar said an intelligence report, which says none of the Dalits would vote for BJP in the next election, prompted Modi to say something in favour of the Dalit community.

By Virendrasingh Ghunawat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had no idea that his pro-Dalit speech delivered in Hyderabad would invite backlash. On Sunday, the PM came down heavily on self-styled "cow protectors" for spreading communal hatred in the country. Modi said, "If you have to attack, attack me but stop attacking my Dalit brothers and sisters". His remarks invited sharp reactions from Dalit leaders.

advertisement

In an exclusive interview to Indiatoday.in, Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dalit icon Dr B R Ambedkar and leader of Bharipa Bahujan Mahasang (BBM), defined Modi as a "pathetic" and "helpless" prime minister of the country.

Here are the excerpts of the interview.

Indiatoday.in: Mr Ambedkar, how would you react to PM Modi's statement against 'Gau-Rakshaks'?

Prakash Ambedkar: To me, when I heard him making this statement, Modi is a lachaar (helpless) PM. He is helpless and bowing down before the 'Gau-Rakshaks' (cow vigilantes) - a private army established by Hindu Sangathan and headed by Pravin Togadia. For me, it did not sound like a PM speaking. PM has the authority and the power, but at none of the places it seems that he exercised his power.

The PM bowed down in front of the 'Gau-Rakshaks ' and said "you don't kill them, but kill me". The people of this country have not made Modi - the Prime Minister to get himself killed, but to maintain law and order. But it seems, he is telling 'Gau-Rakshaks' to support him. It seems, the PM is pushing the RSS agenda forward.

Indiatoday.in: But don't you agree that PM spoke in favour of the Dalit community?

Prakash Ambedkar: Speaking is one thing and speaking as PM another. Both are different. The prime minister speaks with authority and speaks with power. The people in the country would need law and order to be maintained by the Central government, and not the private army. It shows, the PM is allowing these private armies to run the country. The people of the country have got the wrong message that he is not going to stop them.

Indiatoday.in: Who are responsible for present atrocities on Dalits? Are you blaming Hindu organisations linked with BJP and RSS?

Prakash Ambedkar: Today, one cannot differentiate between Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, RSS and BJP. They are all same. Since 1947, this is the same organisation which has been saying that it would not believe the Indian Constitution, law of the land and establish its own system of governance. If this is what the PM wishes for, then the message is loud and clear that he would like to abide with this principle and would like to have private armies to control law and order in this country.

Indiatoday.in: From your perspective, why PM Modi would do that? How he would benefit out of it?

advertisement

Prakash Ambedkar: Thankfully, this issue has united the Dalits. What we would use to see earlier that Chamaars were not meeting Valmikis and Valmikis were not sitting with any other community. That line has been wiped out. They are now merged together. They have made a social group saying we are Dalits and nothing less. I guess the report, which PM Modi has received from the intelligence agencies, is saying that none of the Dalits would vote for him in the next election. This has prompted Modi to speak something which now did not make any sense to Dalits.

ALSO READ:

Prime Minister Modi's emotional speech gets mixed reactions



--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Mumbai, Aug 8 (PTI) The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today conducted a raid on a factory which was engaged in manufacturing duplicates of popular soap brands in suburban Ghatkopar here, officials said.

"FDA has received information about manufacturing of fake products of top soap brands in a city suburb. We conducted a raid and arrested several people involved in this illegal activities," FDA joint commissioner Harish Baijal told reporters.

advertisement

The FDA officials also found 1,600 boxes and stickers of several well known soap brands.

It has also sent the samples of soaps to forensic laboratory for testing. PTI AP NRB BSA BAS

--- ENDS ---
Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre is now set to promote various Indian tourism destinations globally to attract more footfall in the years to come.

By Soudhriti Bhabani: Buoyed by its unprecedented performance in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) travel and tourism competitiveness index, the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre is now set to promote various Indian tourism destinations globally to attract more footfall in the years to come.

INDIA'S RANKING AT WEF



India climbs up 13 ranks in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) travel and tourism competitiveness index, moving from 65th position in 2013 to 52nd position in 2015.

advertisement

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi being the key ambassador of India's tourism promotion initiatives, the ministry has planned three back-to-back international summits to woo foreign visitors in India.

These three events would be held between August and October, 2016 highlighting India's rich cultural heritage and varied religions that can attract foreigners to know more about the Asian subcontinent.

According to the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) sources, these three big standalone events on tourism are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) tourism summits which will be held between August 31 and September 1 at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.

Another programme, Incredible India investors' summit, will be organised in the national Capital between September 21 and September 23, 2016. The event is aimed at welcoming big and medium investors into India's tourism sector for necessary value-addition and service sector development pertaining to the tourism sector boom.

"International Buddhist Conclave at Varanasi is the third event that is going to be organised in the first week of October this year. The programme is targeted to highlight all Buddhist circuits across India that can attract a large number of foreign tourist footfalls every year," the official said.

STEPS PLANNED BY GOVERNMENT



Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma had said last month that Narendra Modi was the "best face" to promote 'Incredible India' campaign and therefore, the ministry did not need any Bollywood face for the campaign to attract tourists from overseas. Sharma had also said the perception about India also underwent a change significantly in the last two years with PM Modi visiting a host of countries during the period. The minister said India witnessed a jump in the tourists' inflow from the nations where PM Modi had toured after assuming office in 2014.

As per statistics given by the MoT, during 2015, the number of foreign tourist visits (FTVs) to the states and Union territories (UTs) was 23.3 million compared to 22.3 million in 2014, registering a growth of 4.4 percent over 2014.

The top ten states in terms of number of FTVs (in millions) during 2015 were Tamil Nadu (4.68 million), Maharashtra (4.41 million), Uttar Pradesh (3.1 million), Delhi (2.38 million), West Bengal (1.49 million), Rajasthan (1.48 million), Kerala (0.98 million), Bihar (0.92 million), Karnataka (0.64 million) and Goa (0.54 million).

advertisement

The contribution of top 10 states was about 88.4 per cent to the total number of FTVs in the country during 2015. While the top four states retained their previous rankings, West Bengal improved by one rank to leave Rajasthan at sixth rank.

Similarly, during 2015, the number of domestic tourist visits to the states and UTs was 1,432 million compared to 1,282.8 million in 2014, registering a growth of 11.63 per cent over 2014. The contribution of top 10 states was about 83.62 per cent to the total number of domestic tourist visits during 2015.

Apart from encouraging foreign tourist arrivals with the introduction of e-Tourist visa for 150 countries, facilitating foreign tourists through the launch of 24x7 toll-free, multilingual helpline service, the Centre also took initiative to set up a medical and wellness tourism board so that foreign tourists get better access to India healthcare.

"Promoting India as the land of Buddha through a biennial International Buddhist conclave is another key move by the MoT.

advertisement

The ministry is now making prominent Buddhist sites, including Sarnath, more attractive and informative through sound and light shows and illumination of monuments," an official said.

Under the Buddhist circuit theme, the MoT has already sanctioned projects like construction of cultural centre at Bodhgaya, Bihar for Rs 33.17 crore in 2014-15 and development of Buddhist Circuit in Sanchi-Satna-Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar in Madhya Pradesh for Rs 74.94 crore in 2016-17.

ALSO READ:



Kerala Tourism is going to be the next big thing in Incredible India; this is why



--- ENDS ---
"This is not a victory of a particular party. It's a victory of high democratic principles, victory of all political parties," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Lok Sabha.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today struck a reconciliatory note with the opposition parties as the Parliament passed the historic Goods and Services Bill with the Lok Sabha adopting the legislation, which was last week passed by the Rajya Sabha.

The bill was passed by two-third majority, with 443 members voting in its favour and none against in the final vote in Lok Sabha amid AIADMK members staging a walkout from the Lower House.

advertisement

Speaking in Lok Sabha, Modi thanked the opposition and said that the Goods and Services Tax Bill (GST) was "a very big and important step" towards getting the country rid of "tax terrorism".

Participating in the debate in the Lok Sabha on the amendments to the GST Bill, Modi said that passage of the legislation will send the message that "consumer is the king".

Modi started his speech by paying tributes to freedom fighters on the eve of the anniversary of the Quit India movement.

GST, first conceptualised 16 years ago, now a reality as Rajya Sabha passes historic bill



"As we remember them (the freedom fighters), the two houses of parliament, the parliamentarians collectively are taking a very big and important step towards getting rid of tax terrorism," Modi said.

#GST Constitutional Amendment Bill (122nd): Rajya Sabha amendments put to vote in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/1KRRugeQU6 ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

"GST means 'Great Step towards transformation', 'Great Step towards transparency' of India. I had called Sonia Gandhiji and Manmohan Singhji to talk about GSTBill. We have always tried to discuss this with everyone. Lok tantra is not just a game of mandate, it is also a journey of forming consensus. This is not a victory of a particular party. It's a victory of high democratic principles,victory of all political parties," he said.

How GST impacts common man: Here's what you need to know



The Rajya Sabha last week unanimously passed the Constitution amendment bill to pave the way for the introduction of a pan-India Goods and Services Tax regime.

The government had moved amendments to the bill earlier passed by the Lok Sabha to accommodate concerns of opposition parties.

Why did you oppose GST as Gujarat CM, Kharge asks Modi

Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge bluntly asked BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on why their party had opposed the GST Bill when the UPA was in power, with Modi, then Gujarat CM, terming it "anti-states".

"We are getting all the blame, a perception has gone we (Congress) stalled the GST. Actually it is you all (BJP) who opposed it," Kharge said in the Lok Sabha while participating in the debate over GST bill.

advertisement

He said the issues raised by Congress should have been addressed earlier.

Pointing towards Prime Minister Modi, Kharge said as Gujarat chief minister, Modi himself had opposed the GST.

"You ruled there for 13 years. If you had agreed about the merits of GST earlier, it would have been implemented long back and the country would have benefited long back," he said.

(With inputs from IANS)

Also Read:

What is the GST bill? Here's all you need to know about India's biggest tax reform



GST passed in Rajya Sabha, expect cheaper goods but costlier services

Watch the video here



--- ENDS ---
By PTI: husband, son

Chennai, Aug 8 (PTI) The Madras High Court today disposed of the anticipatory bail petitions of the husband and the son of expelled AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP Sasikala Pushpa after the the Tamil Nadu government submitted that police had not filed a case as claimed by the petitioners.

When the advance bail petitions came up before Justice S Vaidyanathan for hearing, Additional Advocate General Mani Shanker said that there no such case had been filed by police at Anna Nagar here.

advertisement

Apprehending arrest, Lingeswara Thilagam, the husband of the Rajya Sabha MP and their son L Pradeep Raja had filed advance bail petitions before the high court.

They had claimed that police had registered a case under various IPC sections against them.

Justice Vaidyanathan disposed of the petition after recording the statement of AAG that no case is pending before the police as claimed by the petitioners.

On August 1, Sasikala Pushpa was expelled from AIADMK by party supremo Jayalalithaa for bringing disrepute to the party, days after she reportedly got into a scuffle with a DMK MP Tiruchi Siva at the Delhi airport. PTI CORR VGN APR SC TRK

--- ENDS ---
By India Today Web Desk: The Pakistan government has yet again encouraged the terror chief to stoke the ongoing Kashmir unrest. Global terrorist and head of Hizbul Mujahideen, Syed Salahuddin, has threatened a nuclear war on India over the Kashmir issue.



Salahuddin, who tops the most wanted list of NIA, said that Pakistan is duty, morally, politically and constitutionally bound to provide support to the ongoing freedom struggle in Kashmir.

advertisement

Salahuddin, who is currently in Pakistan, said that if Pakistan supports Kashmir's struggle for self determination then there is a great chance of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan.

NO OPTION EXCEPT ARMED JIHAD

"I can predict a fourth war with certainty because Kashmiris are no longer willing to compromise, come what may," said Salahuddin.

He added that regardless of the support from the world or UN, Kashmiris have pledged to fight till the last drop of their blood.

According to Salahuddin, Kashmiris reached the conclusion as they did not have any second option except armed jihad.



MODI GOVT LEAVES NO HOPE

Commenting on the Modi government he said, "Centre is not giving any hope. What remains with Kashmir's suppressed people is target-oriented armed struggle."

The terror chief went on to say that if the present crisis is ignored or Pakistan's efforts aren't fruitful and India does not stop atrocities, a big incident can occur.

"Our base camp in liberated Azad Kashmir, and the Kashmiris from this side will announce the trampling of the bloody Line of Control. After that there will be no bloody line, no ceasefire line, no international rules and no consideration for the United Nations observers. Bleeding Kashmiris will come from that side, these Kashmiris will go from this side, and God willing a decision will take place on the bloody line," said the terror supremo.



"God willing, all this is present. But there will be a new dimension now, which will prove very dangerous for India, God willing," Salahuddin said.



Watch the video here:



Also read:

Kashmir unrest: Centre likely to hold talks with all stakeholders



--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 8 (PTI) Following reports that a school in Allahabad had refused to allow recital of the national anthem by students and staff members on Independence Day, the Centre today said it has taken a serious view of the incident and emphasised that the anthem is "above all".

Speaking to reporters, Minister of State for HRD Mahendra Nath Pandey said the HRD ministry had taken serious note of the issue.

advertisement

He said it would be examined if the school comes under the ambit of the HRD ministry and if so action will be taken against it.

The national anthem is above all, the minister emphasised.

Earlier there have been reports that the school disallowed the national anthem claiming that its words violated the tenets of Islam, following which eight teachers, including the principal, quit in protest. PTI ADS BSA RG BSA

--- ENDS ---
Various Gau Raksha groups may have turned into mafias running protection rackets for cattle transporters in Punjab, the nerve centre of cow vigilantism, a week-long India Today investigation has revealed.

One of the carcasses. (TV grab))

By Vishwas Kumar, Harish Sharma: Various Gau Raksha groups may have turned into mafias running protection rackets for cattle transporters in Punjab, the nerve centre of cow vigilantism, a week-long India Today investigation has revealed.

After local traders complained to India Today about bribes they have to pay these thugs, a special investigation team of its reporters went undercover as truckers to probe the accusations.

advertisement

They met several leaders of cow vigilante gangs, which have been striking cattle freight with increasing force and speed in Punjab, a hotbed of self-styled Gau Raksha squads.

A powerful and unbearable stench filled the air at Rajasthan's biggest cow shelter.

In Hoshiarpur, India Today's reporters visited a key member of the Bajrang Dal, Sher-e-Punjab Singh Arora.

The man, in his early 40s, claimed he led a well-oiled cow protection racket across the state.

"How can I lie to you? There have been many fights. We have damaged and burned down many vehicles. We even filed cases (against cattle transporters). There's nothing to be ambiguous about. We have done many things," he told reporters posing as Delhi-based truckers seeking a safe passage for their livestock freight through Punjab.

Arora insisted he had between 5,000 and 10,000 men operating under his command in one district alone.

As Gau Rakshaks, the vigilantes have spread across various parts of the country, he said.

"My job, my responsibility is for Punjab," Arora remarked.

He quoted a bill of Rs 15,000-Rs 20,000 for promising protection to each cattle truck passing through the state.

"Between 15 and 20," he said.

"Between 15,000 and 20,000 per truck?" asked the reporter to double-check the figure he quoted.

"I am giving you an idea. It's not a fixed figure. I won't confirm. It may come down...," Arora replied.

He then explained he'd be sharing the bribes with others participating in his syndicate.

"Whatever is the setting. I'll keep Rs 5,000 per vehicle with myself. Then I'll let you know whether it's 10,000 or 15,000. I'll tell you clearly," the Bajrang Dal member continued.

He also admitted his criminal system exercised a no-holds-barred approach on its save-the-cow plank.

Initially, Arora promised his cover to fictitious cow vans for few districts in the state.

But as discussions with the SIT progressed, he offered full protection from vigilantes for all of Punjab.

"I'll have you cross the entire state of Punjab. After Ambala, it's my responsibility to have you (your livestock trucks) travel safely across Pathankot. I won't be responsible beyond Pathankot," Arora said.

advertisement

But soon, he indicated the racket had its tentacles stretched across various states.

WATCH: Where are the cow protectors as carcasses of 100 cows rot in Rajasthan?





SIMILAR CASE IN JAMMU

Arora assured undercover reporters of a similar bulwark in Jammu when they requested security for their transport beyond Punjab.

"I'll have to speak with (our people) in Jammu... That's a Hindu belt. Okay, I'll arrange in whatever way it's possible," he said.

Vigilantism in the name of cow protection has left legitimate traders of livestock deeply distressed in Punjab.

"We have been paying Gau Rakshaks for a long time. We are not allowed to pass from Punjab till we pay the money," alleged Amarjit Singh, a cow trader in the state. "We usually pay Rs 200 per cow and Rs 2,000 per truck (to the vigilantes). The administration should take firm steps to stop this extortion."

Punjab's dairy business has also taken the brunt of the Gau Raksha vigilantism.

Cows bear the brunt of the pestering dispute between the shelter employees and the government in Jaipur.

"Our business has been ruined by the Gau Rakshaks. We are incurring losses to the tune of crores. They demand Rs 200 per cow (being transported through Punjab)," said Daljit Singh, president of the Progressive Dairy Farming Association in Jagraon.

advertisement

India Today also investigated methods cow vigilantes deployed for their unlawful activities.

Surender Singh Minhans, chair of Punjab's Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Surakasha Samiti, told the undercover reporters that his gang used violent - and sometimes disgusting tactics - on their targets.

"We would just beat them (cow transporters) up... We would urinate on them," he said.

His gang, he admitted, had forced people to leave cattle business, using fear as its weapon. "They (cow transporters) get scared. Some of them promise to give up the cow trade. Some of them have already done that," he claimed.

Vigilantes of Minhans' group stayed connected through WhatsApp group messaging to track, trap and attack suspect trucks, he said.

A senior leader of a Hindutva outfit in Punjab, Satish Mahajan, told the SIT that members of his Shiv Sena Hindustan carried swords and trishuls when they confronted cattle lorries.

Protected by Punjab's police himself, Shiv Sena's state unit leader Harvinder Soni showed the India Today team a video of vigilantes in Rajpura canning the foot soles of suspected cow traffickers.

advertisement

"Why are they being hit on the soles?" asked the reporter.

"It's very painful on the feet but leaves no proof for anyone to build a police case," Soni claimed.

Soni recounted how he had badly assaulted a truck cleaner and then tricked him to escape.

"It's true we beat him badly. It was dark. His face was full of blood," he said, recalling the vigilante attack he led.

After realising he might get implicated in a police case, Soni took advantage of the darkness and made his victim flee the scene.

"Then I cooked up this scheme. In a changed voice, I shouted 'why are you beating him'. I gave him my handkerchief and told him to run away," Soni said.

Last week, India Today broadcast its special report on Gau Rakshaks prowling highways and streets of Punjab for what they call is their mission to capture cow traffickers.

Armed and combative, they defended their aggression as sacred.

A day after the expose was aired, prime minister Narendra Modi denounced their vigilantism.

"It angers me to see that people with vested interest are using cow vigilantism to promote their own agenda. They do this to mask their bad deeds," he told a town-hall meeting in Delhi on Saturday.





ALSO READ:

Holy cow! Man thrashed, paraded naked by gau rakshaks in Karnataka for stealing calf

WATCH: 4 youths stripped, tied and hit with belts by Sena leader-led cow vigilantes



Two 'beef transporters' forced to eat cow dung by Haryana's Gau Rakshak Dal

Muslim women beaten over suspicion of carrying beef in Madhya Pradesh

Gujarat Dalits continue to protest, refuse to pick cattle carcasses from roads



--- ENDS ---
Nearly 70 per cent of the women reported feeling anxiety, fear and loneliness.

By Reuters: Inside her blue-walled house, E Bhagyam sits with a faded wedding album and talks about how much she misses her husband, who works as a welder in the Gulf.

Unaware of the recent problem of Indian migrant workers stranded in Saudi Arabia with no wages or food, she said the couple have a home loan to pay off, and she has to assume her husband is fine.

advertisement

"They went in a group so they must be safe," the 36-year-old mother of two said slowly. "Even if things are bad there, he won't tell me. He'll just say everything is okay and give me details of the money transfer every month."

Like Bhagyam, in every other house in the fishing hamlet of Sadraskuppam near Kalpakkam town in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu, a wife waits anxiously for a call from the Gulf.

"WOMEN LEFT BEHIND"



There are more than 100 "women left behind", as they are known here, living lonely lives in the small hamlet, among an estimated 1 million such wives in Tamil Nadu.

They are often depressed and always worried, found a February 2016 survey commissioned by the state government.

Nearly 70 per cent of the women reported feeling anxiety, fear and loneliness.

Sixty per cent considered the additional responsibilities they must bear in the absence of their husbands - such as caring for elderly parents or sorting out financial matters - a big drawback of the migration.

The survey, which covered 20,000 households across 32 districts in the state, flagged health and children's education as the other main causes of concern.

"Ironically, the women left behind are more qualified than the men and have higher standards of education," said Bernard D'Sami of the Chennai-based Loyola Institute of Social Science Training and Research, one of the survey partners.

Most of them married while their husbands were on a short break from working abroad, and 90 percent of them have never travelled to their spouse's country of work, he added.

SOS

Government figures show there are an estimated 6 million Indian migrants in the six Gulf states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Over the years, the Indian government and non-governmental groups have received a steady stream of complaints from migrant workers, ranging from non-payment of wages to torture and abuse.

In a high-profile case last month, workers sent an SOS to the Indian foreign ministry, stating the companies they worked for had shut up shop and had not paid them for months.

advertisement

India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on July 30 that thousands of Indian workers in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were facing a "food crisis" due to economic hardship. She appealed to an estimated 3 million Indians living in Saudi Arabia for help.

One of India's two junior foreign ministers, V.K. Singh, also travelled to Saudi Arabia to assess the situation and organise the return of the 7,700 affected Indian workers living in 20 camps for migrant labourers.

SOUL SISTERS

Men have been migrating to work from Kalpakkam for years. The nuclear power industry operating in this coastal town does not give them jobs, neither do local builders, who prefer the cheaper migrant workforce from northern Indian states.

"We know that life is not always comfortable in the Gulf but we keep going back because we have no choice," said S. Prabhu, a returnee migrant already looking for another job abroad.

V Kalaivani, 32, doesn't follow the news, and knows nothing about the crisis hitting Indian workers in the Gulf.

"Over the many years my husband has travelled to Qatar and Saudi to work, I've got used to the idea," said the housewife with two daughters. "I guess we have been lucky so far."

advertisement

Bhagyam and Kalaivani don't remember the names of the companies their husbands work for. They don't know who interviewed them or how they got to their destination. A copy of their husband's passport is somewhere in a cupboard, they think.

That is the biggest challenge, said J. Jeyanthi, coordinator of the non-profit Arunodaya Migrant Resource Centre.

"The women are clueless and that often causes anxiety. The families need the money but the women pay a heavy price because they are alone, restricted by unwritten norms which include avoiding social gatherings like weddings."

Even a small issue like who will drop the children at school if they miss the bus turns into a big deal when husbands are away, Kalaivani told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"Most of us have parents and in-laws living a few houses away but it's not the same," she said.

Many women say they do not sleep well at night.

"We wait for our husbands to call," said Bhagyam. The phone usually rings way past midnight, when the men have finished their overtime. "In the day we are busy with housework. But at night, the loneliness is unbearable," she said.

advertisement

The women are now reaching out to one other, forming a collective under an initiative by the Arunodaya Migrant Resource Centre.

From educating themselves on the perils of migration to sharing health concerns, they provide mutual support while their men are away.

"They need each other because they are in the same situation," Jeyanthi said. "They don't open up immediately, but slowly they are voicing their worries. It's a start."

--- ENDS ---
Intel officials said earlier, Faizal restricted his hacking efforts to defacing random websites and teasing Indian techies, but has now stepped up to target websites of the Indian government and critical institution such as banks.

By Shashank Shekhar: Pro-Pakistan hacker Afzal Faizal who breached the firewalls of more than a thousand Indian websites in the last two years has come under the scanner of Indian security agencies, five days after he claimed to have got access to the e-payment system of a nationalized bank.

Intel officials said earlier, Faizal restricted his hacking efforts to defacing random websites and teasing Indian techies, but has now stepped up to target websites of the Indian government and critical institution such as banks.

advertisement

WAGING A CYBER WAR

Cyber security experts went into tizzy when on August 2, Faizal claimed to have got access to E-payment gateway of nationalized bank. Officials, however, claim that no financial loss or data leak took place. After the defacement, he also challenged Indian hackers to secure the Indian cyber space as he may target more such critical websites in the future.

Similarly, in June this year, he had hacked the websites of the Indian Embassy in up to seven countries and defaced them with pro-Pakistan messages as a warning to India.

The hacked websites had an image of a person in a red and black hooded jacket, with a message: "Intruder Here. You got hacked". This included websites of Indian embassies in Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Bucharest (Romania), Athens (Greece), Ankara (Turkey), Mexico City, Sao Paolo and Pretoria. The hackers also left a message on the front page of the website that read, "Hey Indian Government, Don't Mess with Us."

"Faizal and other members of Pro-Pakistan hacking community have carried out some serious attacks recently. They have hacked several government websites in north-eastern and southern states. They have also made a breakthrough in web security system of banks and educational institutions. They are mocking Indian web security at a time when country is pushing for digital India," a senior officer of central security agency told Mail Today.

He explained that all such attempts are being seriously monitored and as most of these hackers are based out of India. He added that they are being tracked and monitored online. Experts believe that Faizal was also tracked in Dubai recently and may be routing his attacks from South-Asian countries, including Indonesia.

VULNERABILITIES NOT BEEN PATCHED YET

Earlier, Pakistani hackers used to carry mass defacement but now they are more focused on targeting government websites. Even state police websites are being defaced by Pakistani hackers where they post anti-India comments with an image of the Pakistan flag.

However, Indian hackers have taken on the mantle for retaliation and claim a similar large scale attacked will be launched against Pakistan. "He has created nuisance in Indian cyber world and we will destroy their web space," said a hacker, requesting anonymity.

advertisement

"We had tracked Faizal and even got his accounts blocked in past but now we are working on getting access to their critical establishment and will expose their security by hacking their bank accounts and websites on August 15 and celebrate our Independence Day," the hacker told Mail Today.

Cyber security experts say that attacks coming from Pakistan are alarming, but believe that it is the handiwork of young techies. "These are nationalistic hacker groups and they flaunt each successful hack. But, the damage they could create should not be ignored. Each attack on government websites or banks should be treated seriously, which unfortunately is not being done at the moment.

Indian hackers have informed about several vulnerabilities in Indian banks, which have not been patched yet," Kislay Chaudhary, a cyber security analyst and CEO of Indian Cyber Army said.

Another cyber crime expert, Deep Shankar believes that recent hack attempts are just warm up before Independence Day. "India and Pakistan's Independence Days, which fall on August 15 and August 14 respectively, has seen mass defacement the past few years. My analysis shows that Faizal is still carrying out random attack and they are not targeted," he said.



advertisement

ALSO READ:



Army's cyber warriors battle Pakistani, Chinese hacker groups

Hacker group Anonymous hacks South African arms procurement agency, leaks crucial data



--- ENDS ---
By PTI: people of J&K

New Delhi, Aug 8 (PTI) Facing a month-long turbulence and violence in the state, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open a dialogue process with the people of the state.

Talking to reporters after a two-hour meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Mehbooba also hinted at resuming a dialogue with Pakistan on Kashmir issue saying the state could act as a "bridge" between the two nations.

advertisement

"I believe there is a need to heal the wounds of people, to initiate dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. These are our own people. If process of dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir can improve the situation in valley, we should do it," she said and adding, her state could become a bridge between India and Pakistan.

"There is a need to apply balm to the wounds of Kashmiri people," she said.

Mehbooba, who has been facing difficulties in restoring normalcy in the Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8, said only the process of dialogue with the people of Kashmir can help improve the situation.

The Chief Minister said during the one month of unrest, which started after the killing of Wani, 55 people lost their lives and referred the deceased as "our own boys".

"People will keep dying if we dont take initiative to bring normalcy. We want peace. There is an opportunity for dialogue and we should avail it," she said.

"We have seen agitations in the past like in 2008 (Amarnath land row) and 2010 (over fake encounters by army). Our children have been killed. Our families have suffered. I dont wish to see any more killing.

"Our Prime Minister has a huge mandate in the present Lok Sabha and he should seize the opportunity created by the unrest to win the hearts of the people and solve their problems, the way former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee did," she said.

"I am hopeful that the Prime Minister will take this as an opportunity to initiate dialogue with people to address their problems. There is a need to take the same initiative of winning hearts of people, which was taken during Vajpayee ji?s tenure," she said after the meeting which was also attended by National Security Advisor A K Doval and other senior officials of Home, Defence and Finance Ministries.

The meeting took place on a day when month-long curfew in Kashmir echoed in Parliament with Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad raising the matter during Zero Hour and demanding a statement from the Prime Minister about the steps being taken by the government for restoring normalcy.

advertisement

"In such circumstances, we want to awaken the government ... We feel the government and the Prime Minister are watching the situation deteriorate like a silent spectator," he said, adding he wanted to know why Modi has not spoken on the grave situation in Kashmir so far. PTI ACB SKL SK

--- ENDS ---
Amiri, a university researcher working for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, disappeared during a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in 2009, and later surfaced in the United States. But he returned to Iran in 2010 and received a hero's welcome before being arrested.

By Reuters: Iran has executed an Iranian nuclear scientist detained in 2010 when he returned home from the United States, after a court convicted him of spying for Washington, a spokesman for the judiciary said on Sunday.

"Through his connection with the United States, (Shahram) Amiri gave vital information about the country to the enemy," Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei told a weekly news conference, state news agency IRNA reported.

advertisement

Mohseni Ejei said a court had sentenced Amiri to death and the sentence had been upheld by Iran's Supreme court, IRNA said.

WHO WAS AMIRI



Amiri, a university researcher working for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, disappeared during a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in 2009, and later surfaced in the United States. But he returned to Iran in 2010 and received a hero's welcome before being arrested.

A US official said in 2010 that Washington had received "useful information" from Amiri.

DETAILS OF THE CASE

Iran had accused the CIA of kidnapping Amiri. US officials said Amiri had been free to come and go as he pleased, and that he may have returned because of pressures on his family in Iran.

Amiri had denied this, saying "my family had no problems". In a video aired by Iranian state TV in 2010, Amiri said he had fled from US agents.

Iran, the United States and five other world powers reached a landmark deal last year, under which Iran agreed to limit its nuclear programme in such a way as to ensure it cannot develop nuclear weapons in exchange for a lifting of economic sanctions.

--- ENDS ---
Motorbike ambulances have come as a respite for pregnant women in Bastar. These makeshift ambulances ensure patients reach hospitals on time.

By Sunil Namdeo: While cities are thriving on a wave of development, several villages in Chhattisgarh continue to grapple with lack of basic infrastructure, including poor pot-holed roads. However, an innovative form of transport has touched many lives in this remote region.

Medical emergencies have become an ordeal for the residents of Narayanpur due to lack of roads. A locally assembled contraption built using motorcycles - referred to as motorbike ambulances -- has turned saviour for villages like Narayanpur that lie deep into the interiors of dense Naxalite-dominated forests in Bastar.

advertisement

The unique motorbike ambulances have become a boon for many families as they traverse dusty tracks and end up saving many lives. The vehicles ensure villagers reach primary health centres on time and their innovative sidecars have proved to be really beneficial to pregnant women.

People like Ajay Trakeroo have won admiration of the villagers because of their fine driving skills on these rugged motorbike ambulances.



VEHICLE HAS EMERGENCY MEDICINE

The mini ambulance has been made deftly to meet emergency needs. A side-carriage covered by a sheet of cloth is attached to the motorbike. Interestingly, the makeshift ambulance also has a siren. They also have emergency medicine supply with a robust first-aid kit.

"These ambulances have been mobilised with the support of the social welfare organisations like UNCIEF and social workers. Motorbike ambulances can go to remote villages in the interiors of the forests here," said Trakeroo.

These ambulances are made at a cost of Rs 1.70 lakh and use fuel worth Rs 15,000 every month, he said.

"My family was distraught as they stood helpless while I was in labour and writhing in pain. Ours is a poor village and nobody owns a car. It was at this time that a motorbike ambulance came to our aid. They took me to a primary health centre where I gave birth to a healthy girl," said Suman a villager.

NO DOCTORS DUE TO NAXAL THREAT

Suman added that due to the looming threat of Naxals, no doctors were willing to come to the village. She said that although the routes were uneven, these ambulance drivers are skilled and ensure the patients do not face the slightest discomfort.

The success story of these makeshift ambulances has even prompted the National Institute of Technology, Raipur to offer its expertise to upgrade them. Doctors have unanimously lauded the efficiency of these vehicles.

"The government should make special efforts to increase the number of these vehicles as they are helping families that stay in inaccessible locations. Places that do not have basic health facilities have more such vehicles. Including an oxygen cylinder and blankets can be helpful," said Dr Anup Verma.

advertisement

Verma added that the driver should have basic knowledge about first aid since there is no room for an attendant.

"This is a very brave and admirable effort. Helping mothers and children is a service to nation. Government should intervene and enhance such services. More people should come forward take part in such initiatives," said Bastar Resident Medical Officer Dr Jawat Naqvi



Also read:

Working women create unemployment: Chhattisgarh class 10 textbook







--- ENDS ---
By India Today Web Desk: From hitting Gay Pride walks in pink shirts to strip-teasing for charity events, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been one of the oh-so-hot world leaders for quite some time now. This weekend, he reminded the world that by photobombing a wedding picture with no shirt on.

Oh yes, you read that right.

The young prime minister was caught on camera as he accidentally crashed a beach wedding in Tofino, British Columbia, over the weekend. Trudeau was actually surfing in the area where the ceremony was taking place.

advertisement

It just so happened that he decided to head down the beach right about the time the bride made an entrance. While he tried his best to cause the least distraction and let the bride relish her walk down the aisle, it was certainly hard to miss Trudeau sans shirt.

Hence, as the wedding photographer clicked away the beaming bride, a shirtless Trudeau came into frame, smiling away.

"Justin was quickly leaving the beach at the same time the bride appeared and started coming down the stairs," writes photographer Marnie Recker who took the pictures. "It was her moment and he respectfully stood aside and witnessed her walk down the aisle to her husband-to-be."





While some people criticised Trudeau for "stealing the show" from the bride and groom, about whom the photographs should've been, Recker defended him saying, "Justin is not a politician in this photo. He is a human being that is able to celebrate and empathize with others."

"Fate gave him no choice and he did the only thing he could do but stand there and allow her to pass," she said. "He is looking at the camera in some of the photos because I was looking at him and smiling, sharing in the humour of the moment."

Attention-stealer or not, Trudeau definitely made our day with that photobombing session. Plus, the newly-weds (congratulations to them, by the way) now have an amazing story to tell the grand kids.

Can you spot Trudeau at the back? Source: Marnie Recker Photography

Trudeau steps aside to let the bride walk down. Source: Marnie Recker Photography

--- ENDS ---
The incident took place on Sunday evening near Kumta town when hundreds of people, including activists of the Hindu Jagaran Vedike, stopped a truck that was transporting two cows and a calf.

By Mail Today: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over fake 'cow vigilantes', activists of a Hindu group attacked a truck driver who was transporting cattle in the communally sensitive Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka.

HINDU JAGARAN VEDIKE ACTIVISTS ASSAULT DRIVER

According to eye-witnesses, the incident took place on Sunday evening near Kumta town when hundreds of people, including activists of the Hindu Jagaran Vedike, stopped a truck that was transporting two cows and a calf. They allegedly assaulted the driver Nagabhushan Hegde (40) even after he told them that he was transporting the cattle as per instructions of their owner Subraya Madiwalar of Uttara Kannada district.

advertisement

POLICE ARREST DRIVER

However, the police, who arrived on the spot, maintained that Hegde was merely heckled and not assaulted. On the basis of a complaint from the activists, the police arrested the driver.

Social activists have demanded an impartial inquiry into the incident alleging that the police went by the version of the Hindu Jagaran Vedike.

Also read:

Holy cow! Man thrashed, paraded naked by gau rakshaks in Karnataka for stealing calf



--- ENDS ---
Villagers in Karnataka's Yadgir district worship and play with scorpions on the auspicious occasion of Naga Panchami. Interestingly no cases of scorpion stings have been ever reported from here.

By Rohini Swamy: Villagers from the Yadgir district in Karnataka have been stung by scorpion love! Every year during Naga Panchami, the people of Kandkoor village, some 20 kms from Yadgir worship the idol of a scorpion. They don't stop just there, they let scorpions crawl on their bodies.

On the auspicious day of Naga Panchami when most people in the country worship the snake God, the villagers of Kandkoor worship the scorpion Goddess Kondammai.



DEVOTEES TREK TO REACH TEMPLE

advertisement

People begin trekking in the afternoon to reach the scorpion temple where they offer prayers to the Goddess. Singing folk songs along the way they make their way up the hill called the 'Chellina Betta' or the hill of scorpions. You can actually see the young and old heading towards the temple. But the sight at the temple is mind boggling.

A devotee wears scorpions around her neck.

Milk is offered to the Scorpion goddess and also to the idol of a snake. Apart from this devotees also offer sarees, coconuts and oil while praying for good health and prosperity. Once done children and elders start catching live scorpions which are found crawling near the temple and start playing with them. Children play with these scorpions and even place them on their faces, tongues and shoulders.



SCORPION FLOCK TEMPLE ON NAGA PANCHAMI

What is interesting is that thousands of scorpions come to the temple only on Naga Panchami day. They are not found in any other day near this temple. After a few hours, the live scorpions are collected by the villagers and offered to the Goddess by pouring them over the idol.

Interestingly, there have been no cases of people being stung by these scorpions. The villagers believe that it instills more faith among those who come all the way from nearby districts and the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to be a part of this religious ceremony.

Also read:

Nag Panchami: PETA calls for snake-free celebrations





--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Patna, Aug 8 (PTI) A five-year-old girl who was abducted from Bihars Katihar district last week was today recovered from neighbouring Nepal.

Sparsh Agarwal was recovered today from Sunsari district of Nepal, Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Sunil Kumar told reporters.

He said the state police headquarters thanked the Nepal police for the safe recovery of the abducted minor on the basis of inputs provided to them.

advertisement

The minor girl, daughter of a businessman, was kidnapped from Kurshaila locality of Katihar district while coming back home from school on August 3.

Asked about the arrest of kidnappers, Kumar said hands of a previous driver of the school bus identified as Mithun Paswan have been established in the case and efforts were on to nab him and his associates.

To a question regarding involvement of Sanjay Yadav, son of a former MP Naresh Yadav, the ADG did not give a categorical answer and merely said a few names have surfaced in the course of probe and more evidence is being collected against them in the case. PTI ANW SNS SUS ASV

--- ENDS ---
King Salman issued directives to Ministry of Labour and Social Development to coordinate with Finance Ministry to take adequate steps for the welfare of the workers, many of whom have not been paid salaries since December of last year.

By Smita Sharma: After strong intervention of New Delhi in the case of nearly ten thousand Indians who lost their jobs and were in dire conditions in Saudi Arab, the kingdom is now actively addressing grievances of all expatriate communities, including Indians impacted adversely by the decline in its economy.

On Sunday, King Salman -the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques , issued directives to Ministry of Labour and Social Development to coordinate with Finance Ministry to take adequate steps for the welfare of the workers, many of whom have not been paid salaries since December of last year. The two ministries have been asked to ensure contracting companies are not paid the government dues,unless they settle the pending salaries of their employees in accordance with the official Wage Protection Program.

advertisement

SAUDI ARAB ACCOUNT FUND

An amount of SR(Saudi Riyal) 100 million will be deposited in the Saudi Arab Fund account for necessary expenditure to be incurred upon workers of all nationalities who have faced much physical and psychological hardships over the last few months. The Finance Ministry has been asked to deduct the amount spent by the government to address grievances, from the accounts of companies who have not followed the law.

Following External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's recent directive to provide ration to thousands of starving Indians in Saudi as well as resolve their issues, Indian Envoy Ahmad Javed met with the kingdom's Deputy Minister of Interior .Subsequently Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh visited the Indian camps in Jeddah and also met the Labour Minister in Riyadh. Meanwhile another junior minister M J Akbar worked the phones with his counterparts in Saudi and Kuwait.



SETTLE WORKERS WAGES CLAIMS

India was assured by Saudi Arab that it would provide exit visas and facilitate tickets of retrenched workers wanting to return ,help with transfer options to other companies for those wanting to stay back, settle pending wages and also work towards better health and hygiene conditions in camps where the workers are housed.

King Salman's Sunday directives included authorising the labour ministry to contract housing and accommodation facilities to professional agencies to improve living conditions of workers. The labour minister has also been asked to get legal consulting agencies on board to help settle the workers' wages claims in court.

According to the king's directive, the cost of these services for the distressed workers is to be deducted from the employers' receivables from the government.



FACILITATE FINAL EXIT VISAS

For those wanting to leave the kingdom, the Passport Department in coordination with the Foreign and other relevant agencies, has been asked to facilitate final exit visas .

The Labour ministry has clarified that in cases where workers have not been paid their dues for three consecutive months, they will be allowed as per existing regulations to seek transfer to another company without needing a mandatory consent of the defaulting employer.

advertisement

Sharp decline in oil revenues have triggered an economic downfall in the kingdom which saw a nearly 5 per cent steady GDP for the past decade. But in 2016 the GDP is likely to fall to 2 per cent. The financial crisis impacted not just section of Indians, who form the largest expatriate community, but also other nationalities including from Phillipines and Pakistan. However, the Indian government stepped into the crisis with greater speed and weight and also leveraged the goodwill generated by recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi as well as the region.

PVT SECTOR CO WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE

Nearly 30 lakh Indians live in Saudi, sending home high remittances. In 2015 alone, Indians in KSA remitted nearly 10.1 billion dollars home. But hundreds of Indian workers were laid off by Saudi infrastructure company, Saudi Oger Ltd in Jeddah that precipitated the crisis.

With regards to Saudi Oger's distressed workers,local media quoted the Labour Minister Al-Haqabani as saying, "We again reiterate that this is an individual case mishandled by one company and does not reflect a general image of the labor sector in the kingdom. It is a private sector company, which failed to abide by the labor regulations and will be held accountable for its violations of the workers' rights."

advertisement

Also Read: King of Saudi Arabia assisting stranded Indian workers: Sushma Swaraj



--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 8 (PTI) India will take up the issue of international labour mobility particularly of professional workers, besides raising the topic of climate change at the G20 forum, Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya said today.

He also sought to allay fears on Indias growth front, saying it is growing at around 7.5 per cent as compared to Chinas 6 per cent.

advertisement

Panagariya is Indias Sherpa for the forum.

"...G20 agenda is very wide-ranging... In the area of growth, one of the things I would emphasise that dont be so pessimistic, at least India is growing at 7.5 per cent. China, though its growth reduced at 6 per cent, is still USD 10 trillion economy, so 6 per cent growth means USD 600 billion," Panagariya said.

"We are also pushing the issue of climate change. I would also like to emphasise on the international mobility particularly of professional workers," he said on the sidelines of an event organised by industry body CII.

China is the Chair of the G20, which is a grouping of the developed and developing nations, and deliberates on important issues concerning the world.

The G20 Hangzhou Summit in 2016 will be held on 4-5 September with a theme Towards an Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected and Inclusive World Economy.

Talking about the governments 15-year vision document beginning 2017-18 fiscal, which will replace the Nehruvian five-year planning system followed over six decades, Panagariya said, "Niti Aayog has started work on the document. We have larger number of consultations."

"Various chapters have to be assigned to advisors. There is some urgency to proceed, at the same time we do not want to compromise on the quality of document," Panagariya added.

Asked whether there is any probability that the government will merge the rail budget with the general budget, he said," Its a possibility next year."

Recently, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had written a letter to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley seeking an end to the age-old practice of presenting a separate budget for railways by merging it with the general Budget.

Speaking at the event, Panagariya, who was Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), noted that Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is the most important scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We cant become developed nation without becoming a clean nation," he added.

Panagariya further said that India has a lot to do on the jobs front as more than 90 per cent of the countrys workforce is in informal sector and not well paid.

advertisement

The Niti Aayog Vice Chairman said the country needs to take up all aspects of human and social development. PTI BKS MKJ

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Rameswaram (TN), Aug 7 (PTI) Hundreds of fishermen from this island were today forced to return without catch after Sri Lankan Naval personnel allegedly snapped the fishing nets of ten mechanised boats near Katchatheevu.

The fishermen had put out to sea in 641 mechanised boats yesterday and were fishing near Katchatheevu in the Palk Strait when Sri Lankan Naval men rounded up ten boats last night, Rameswaram Fishermen Association President P Sesuraja told reporters here.

advertisement

The Lankan Naval personnel cut the fishing nets of the ten boats and asked them to go back, following which all the boats returned to the shores this morning, he said. PTI Cor VS BSA MVV

--- ENDS ---
By Hardeep Dugal: Shocking and Distressing. Two words that come to your mind as soon as you see the latest Hollywood video that has gone viral. A video that shows actor Lindsay Lohan being violently attacked by her billionaire Russian fiance Egor Tarabasov. Here is the sequence of the events in the video. Egor throws his phone out of his vehicle. Lohan runs to get it.

advertisement

That's when Egor comes from behind, grabs Lohan's arm and twists it behind her back till he gets his phone back. An upsetting set of visuals against the scenic backdrop of Mykonos Island in Greece. Unfortunately, it was a romantic getaway to celebrate Lohan's birthday that had turned bitter.

Source: DigitalSpy

And now the actor has revealed that this was not the first time she was subjected to physical assault. LiLo broke her silence on her troubled relationship for the first time in an interview with The Mail where she repeatedly broke down. In the interview, Lohan categorically mentions that 'No woman can be hit and stay with that person if the person isn't prepared to say sorry.'

And just weeks before the current video went viral, another video of a similar incident had emerged and taken Hollywood by storm. A physical altercation between the couple in the balcony of their London home had deteriorated to an extent where cops had to intervene. That's when Lohan first accused her fiance of trying to strangulate and kill her.

And if that wasn't enough, Lohan has also accused her 7 year junior fiance of infidelity in the past. While she continues to wear her engagement ring, Lohan has admitted that she isn't sure if she can work things out. Meanwhile her Russian tycoon fiance has not moved an inch to apologise. Clearly, the romance is over and the 'mean' writing is on the wall.



--- ENDS ---
By Maha Siddiqui: Lashing out at the Prime Minister for his belated response to Dalit atrocities, BSP supremo Mayawati said "he was sleeping like Kumbhkaran for two years when Muslims and Dalits were being targeted by vigilante groups under the pretexts of being gau rakshaks." She claimed his statements in Delhi and Hyderabad were politically motivated ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. She also said Dalits do not expect any sympathy from BJP. They want strict action against the criminals.

advertisement

The Congress staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha over the issue of atrocities against Dalits. They demanded a discussion that has so far been not been admitted by the Speaker. The Congress said that Prime Minister should speak on the floor of the House when Parliament is on rather than shedding "crocodile tears" outside.

Leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha Mallikarajun Kharge said that "action not words were needed." He also continued to press for a discussion in the House on the matter.

The Opposition believes the PM has been forced to react as the BJP fears a fallout of the Una Dalit flogging incident on UP elections. With close to 21% Uttar Pradesh has a sizeable Dalit population and the BJP can't be seen as being anti-Dalit ahead of the crucial state elections. Just as Modi issued a warning to gau rakshaks, the RSS issued a statement backing the PM but its affiliates VHP and Hindu Mahasabha were clearly upset at the reprimand, with many self-appointed gau rakshaks vowing to carry on their work as usual.

--- ENDS ---
Adya, a class VII student at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Janakpuri, Delhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to find her father who has been missing since 2004 from Indian Air Force's Pathankot base.

By India Today Web Desk: Her weary eyes demand only one answer to a question that even the top-most authorities have failed to answer since 2004. Adya, 12, lives in Delhi's Uttam Nagar with her mother. She was not even born when her father Sanjay Kumar Jha, who served as a flight engineer stationed at Indian Air Force's Pathankot base, went missing in November, 2004.

advertisement

Adya, a class VII student at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Janakpuri, keeps on asking her mother and grandmother about her father, whom she has never met. The girl's repeated queries are answered with nothing but silence.

"Don't worry, your papa will be back one day," Adya's grandmother tells her as tears roll down her wrinkled face every time the girl enquires about her father.

TURNING TO THE PM

Adya watches news on TV. She has seen reports about Prime Minister Narendra Modi responding to letters from kids from across the country. Now, she has pinned her hopes on the prime minister to help find her missing father. She has written to PM Modi requesting him to trace his dad.

6-year-old Pune girl with hole in heart gets free surgery after heartbreaking letter to PM

"Modi uncle, I don't know why my mom has tears in her eyes whenever she applies sindoor (vermillion). I have never seen my dadi smiling. Dadaji seems to be lost in some thoughts, talks little. Have seen my uncle and nanaji writing letters to various authorities enquiring about any information about my father. So, now I have decided to write to you. Modi uncle, I also want to play with my father just like my friend Rani. I will give this letter to my uncle to send it to you," Adya's letter concludes, leaving behind numerous unanswered questions.

WHAT HAPPENED TO ADYA'S FATHER?

Adya's father Sanjay Kumar Jha joined Indian Air Force in 1997. In 2004, he was posted at the Pathankot air base as a flight engineer working for the 125 Helicopter Squadron.

Jha mysteriously went missing from the air base on November 12, 2004. No one has seen him since then. A court of enquiry was ordered into the matter but nothing much was revealed. In fact, the air force declared Jha absconding in its report.

However, the Jha family challenged the IAF decision in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2008. The court rejected the previous two court of enquiries and ordered a third one while declaring Jha 'missing'.

advertisement

'HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR HIM FOR 12 YEARS'

Adya mother Mamta Jha has requested the government to order a CBI probe into the disappearance of her husband 12 years ago.

WATCH: PM Modi helps a kid with hearing difficulties in Varanasi



"I have waiting for my husband since last 12 years. I have no idea where he is. What happened to him. I request the government to please find my husband, direct the CBI to look into the matter," Jha told Dainik Jagran.

"After running from pillar to post, the government started the family pension that we deserve. However, the amount is too meagre to stay in a city like Delhi. With a family pension of Rs 7,875... I have to manage my daughter's studies, pay rent etc. Don't know how long I will be able to manage all this," she said.

Also Read:

Pune girl, who wrote to PM about her heart ailment, attends Smart City Mission programme



8-year-old Bengaluru boy writes a letter to PM Narendra Modi, gets a response



--- ENDS ---
Prime Minister's Office today took the first step to encourage the culture of transparency by making public the salaries of officials and staff members.

By Manjeet Negi: In what is being called a pro-active bid to encourage a culture of transparency, the Prime Minister's Office has made public the salaries of officials and staff members under the Right to Information Act.

Newly appointed secretary to the Prime Minister Bhaskar Khulbe is the highest paid bureaucrat in the PMO with a salary of Rs 2,01,450 per month.

advertisement

Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Nripendra Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to Prime Minister P K Mishra and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval get lower salaries as they have retired from service. They draw a fixed salary of Rs 1,62,500 and get pension for their services to the country.

The PMO's website also states that there are 80 multi-tasking staff members (earlier known as peons) and 25 drivers in Modi's office.

The information has been provided by the PMO as Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to encourage a culture of proactive disclosure of information for transparency.



Also Read

FROM THE MAGAZINE: India's top babus face new Modi test





--- ENDS ---
Speaking to India Today, Haji Israr Saifi said that Hindu outfits in the country have been spreading communal terror in the name of 'Gau-raksha' since the Modi government came to power.

By Siraj Qureshi: Uttar Pradesh Minister of State Haji Israr Saifi has said that although Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now differentiated between real 'Gau-sevaks' and the fake ones, this revelation has come too late for Akhlaq and other Muslims killed in the name of 'Gau-Raksha'.

In a meeting with India Today, Saifi said that the Hindu outfits in the country have been spreading communal terror since the day Modi government formed, especially in the name of 'Gau-raksha', when most of the cows are dying from consuming polythene.

advertisement

COW PROTECTION VS LEATHER SHOES

The Samajwadi Party minister said that Hindu organizations should tell everyone what animal's skin is their shoes made of. He said that the Hindu organizations raise the voice about protection of cows and wear shoes made of cow and buffalo skins. If they are really so bent on protecting cows, they should first stop wearing leather shoes. He said that the atrocities being meted out to the Dalits are all a conspiracy of the RSS and BJP.

He said that the Samajwadi Party will again form the government in UP in 2017, as the Akhilesh government has been working hard to develop the state and the results have started showing now for the first time in decades.

GAU-RAKSHAKS SPREADING COMMUNALISM

On this occasion, local SP leader Haji Imran Khan said that that 80 per cent of the 'Gau-Rakshaks' are fake and spreading communalism in the guise of protecting cows. Such people are engaged in all sorts of illegal activities and getting protection from prosecution by hiding behind the banners of Hindu outfits. He said that real 'Gau-Rakshaks' should pledge not to use polythene and also prevent the use of polyethene by others.

He said that as the UP elections are closing in, the PM is trying to promote himself as an icon of Hindu-Muslim harmony by exposing communal elements within his party, but the BJP will still not be successful in its nefarious designs and the Akhilesh Yadav government will return to power after 2017 elections.

GAU-RAKSHA: LICENSE TO KILL MUSLIMS

Bhartiya Muslim Vikas Parishad president Sami Aghai said that Akhlaq was brutally murdered in UP, In Bihar, innocents were beaten up and killed, The Gujarat incident in before everyone. It is clear that the term 'Gau-Raksha' has become a license to kill for communal Hindus against Muslims. In the light of these circumstances, PM Modi's statement has been welcomed by Muslims all over the country, although how much the Hindu outfits will really comply to Modi's instructions, is yet to be seen.

ALSO READ:

Mayawati calls PM 'Kumbhkaran' on his belated warning to cow protection vigilantes



--- ENDS ---
By India Today Web Desk: Sania Mirza-Prarthana Thombare crash out of women's doubles in Rio

Sania and Prarthana gave a good account of themselves before going down 6-7 (6), 7-5, 5-7 to Shuai Peng and Shuai Zhang of China in two hours and 44 minutes.

Assam attack: Security forces arrest NDFB-S terrorist



Two days after the gruesome attack on civilians in Kokrajhar district of Assam, security forces today arrested a terrorist belonging to the insurgent outfit NDFB-S in connection with the incident.

advertisement

Charleroi machete attack appears to be terrorist incident, says Belgian PM

A machete attack in Charleroi in which two police officers were wounded before the attacker was fatally shot appeared to be was a terrorist incident, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel told a local broadcaster.

Vishwaroopam 2: Is Kamal Haasan facing hassle from producer over film release?

Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan, who suffered the fracture after he fell from office in Chennai, has finally been discharged from the hospital after undergoing two surgeries.



--- ENDS ---
By India Today Web Desk: Hizbul chief Salahudeen rakes up Kashmir again, threatens nuke war between India, Pak



Salahudeen, who tops the most wanted list of NIA, said that Pakistan is duty, morally, politically and constitutionally bound to provide support to the ongoing freedom struggle in Kashmir.



Mudslides triggered by storm claim 38 lives in eastern Mexico

advertisement

Mudslides triggered by intense rainfall in eastern Mexico killed 38 people during the weekend as saturated hillsides collapsed onto modest homes in the wake of now-dissipated Tropical Storm Earl.

Rio 2016: Gymnast Dipa Karmakar enters Vault final to create history

Gymnast Dipa Karmakar on Monday became the first Indian in 52 years to reach individual vault finals at the Rio Olympics.

Mirzya actor Saiyami Kher: Alia Bhatt's range of work blows me away

The actor will be making her debut opposite Harshvardhan Kapoor in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Mirzya.











--- ENDS ---
The Mumbai police, a month after the Maharashtra government ordered an enquiry against Zakir Naik, submitted its report on him on Monday.

By Vidya : A month after the Maharashtra Chief Minister ordered probe against Islamic televangelist Zakir Naik, the Mumbai Police has finally submitted the report.

A senior officer confirmed that the report was submitted on Monday.

The report, which was to be submitted after viewing hundreds of hours of nails speeches, got delayed after the Mumbai police decided to wait for the report of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

advertisement

The ATS, in a joint operation with Kerala Police, had arrested an employee of Naik's organisation, on allegation of radicalising the youth of Kerala to join ISIS.

Mumbai Police's current report, submitted to the government, includes this aspect as well.

ENQUIRY ORDERED AFTER PRESSURE

The enquiry was ordered by the Mahrashtra government after mounting pressure that accused Naik of making inflammatory speeches. Naik was accused of inspuring a Bangladeshi terrorist in the Dhaka attack that had taken place in June.

The Bangladesh government too had asked India to look into the matter.

It is important to note that Naik was not questioned for this enquiry report though he was in Saudi Arabia when the controversy arose and had addressed a press conference there via skype.

He had denied all allegations of inspiring terrorists saying that he had millions of followers and none of them were terrorists. Naik is not scheduled to return India until next year.

Also Read:

India Today Investigation: Zakir Naik's converts were paid to change beliefs, say aides

Zakir Naik to India Today: I back Modi's quest to improve relations between Hindus, Muslims

Zakir Naik issues Rs 500 crore defamation notice to Arnab Goswami

Bangladesh government orders closure of Zakir Naik's 'Peace Schools'



--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Srinagar, Aug 8 (PTI) National Conference today took out a rally here protesting the governments handling of the situation in the Kashmir Valley and demanding that the use of pellet guns by security forces as a crowd control measure be stopped immediately.

"They are using bullets and pellets, inflicting atrocities on the people, resorting to mass arrests and crackdowns. It is the second month of curfew, crackdowns and bandhs which have caused a lot of problems for the people. We demand that the government stop all this," NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, who led the march from the partys headquarter at Nawa-i-Subh to Civil Secretariat, told reporters.

advertisement

However, the protesters, including party leaders and legislators, were stopped by police near the Zero Bridge, following which they staged a sit-in there.

Sagar said it was "shameful" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not even make a mention of the unrest in Kashmir in his radio programme "Mann Ki Baat".

"Those asserting Kashmir as their integral part fall silent when it comes to pain and misery of the people here," he said.

"When we met the (Union) Home Minister, he assured us that the (use of) pellet guns and excessive force will be stopped immediately, but nothing has been done in this regard yet.

"Around 450 people were injured on Friday due to pellet gun firing. Yesterday also, around 100 people were injured and 1500 arrested. We are protesting against this," the NC leader said. PTI SSB MIJ GVS DV GVS

--- ENDS ---
By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: Four days after Rajnath Singh's visit to Islamabad, Pakistan yet again provoked India. Pakistan's Border Action Team (BAT) attacked Border Security Force (BSF) post in Machil Sector.

At around 5.45 am BAT team comprising Pakistan Army and LET terrorist launched an attack at Bhuriwala post. Taking cover under a thick blanket of fog, a team of four terrorist and personnel came close to LoC in a bid to launch an offensive and infiltrate deeper.

advertisement

In the operation which lasted two hours, two Jawans of BSF were killed and one injured. Two Indian Army jawans were also also injured. One suspected

Lashkar terrorist was also killed in fire. An AK 47 was too recovered from the spot. The three Pakistani companions of the slain terrorist fled towards Pakistan post across the LOC.

HEAVY EXCHANGE OF FIRE

"There was heavy exchange of fire. We suspect that the killed terrorist was not alone. Since there was thick fog, we cannot be sure that if this was indeed a BAT operation," said a senior officer while speaking to India Today.

BSF which is deployed along international border with Pakistan is also deployed on few locations at LoC.

Security has been beefed at Roshi post in Machil area of Kupwara sector in Kashmir.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had gone Pakistan on August 4 to attend SAARC meet on internal security, where he said no country should patronize terrorist.



--- ENDS ---
By Anil Kumar, Anil Kumar: Pakistan foreign office spokesperson today hit out at US deputy spokesperson's remark on selective action to tackle terrorism. Nafees Zakaria, Pakistan Foreign Minister spokesperson stated, "We have taken a serious note of the remarks made by the US deputy spokesperson, which are self-contradictory and oblivious of the fact that Pakistan has taken concrete measures to counter terrorism in a phase-wise manner keeping in view Pakistan's national security concerns."

advertisement

Pakistan foreign office spokesperson's reaction comes 3 days after US deputy spokesperson spoke out on Pakistan's selective handling of terrorism. Mark Toner's statement came right after Union Home minister Rajnath Singh's departure to New Delhi after the SAARC summit, which was highlighted for the cold shoulder given by the neighbouring countries.

Earlier on Thursday, in response to a media question, US deputy spokesperson Mark Toner sent a strong message to Pakistan, "Pakistan is selective in targeting terrorists and does not go after those threatening its neighbours. Pakistan should act against terror groups targeting its neighbours and not just the ones that pose a threat to it."

Toner said in his daily briefing "Weve been very clear with the highest levels of the government of Pakistan that they must target all militant groups, and that includes those that target Pakistans neighbours, and they must also close all safe havens."

He criticised Pakistan's selective action on terrorism, "Theyre going after groups, but selectively. We need to see them go after all groups, and as I just said, even those groups that might not threaten Pakistan itself but threaten its neighbours."

RAJNATH'S PAKISTAN VISIT



When asked about Rajnath Singh's meeting in Islamabad, Toner said, "We encourage this kind of regional dialogue regarding counter terrorism efforts. We advocate for closer cooperation, certainly, between India and Pakistan to deal with terrorist threats in both their countries. Terrorism is obviously a reality in both countries, and they need to in order to effectively confront it, they need to work together. And thats something weve long encouraged. So its important that these have...this forum...to talk about it in a candid way.

"Im not going to get into the specifics of the back-and-forth except to say that we obviously believe that Pakistan needs to do all it can to confront all terrorists operating on its soil. Weve seen it make progress; we want to see more progress on its part," he added.

Clearly, according to Toner, Pakistan is not listening because at least three terrorists wanted by India - Dawood Ibrahim, Hafiz Saeed and Lakhvi, among others are proved to be on Pakistan soil, but no action has been taken.



--- ENDS ---

advertisement
After authoring four short books and acquiring four master's degree, teaching is a passion for this 57-year-old man. But here's why he had to become an auto-rickshaw driver.

By India Today Web Desk: A Pakistani man with four master's degrees has made peace with his profession of driving an auto-rickshaw but he blames rampant corruption and nepotism in the country.

Muhammad Saleem, 57, attended school till class 8th but continued to study as a private candidate. He completed his BA and B.Ed from Islamia University, Bahawalpur (IUB) in 1986 and 1990 respectively.

advertisement

He went on to pursue a master's degree in history and Pakistan studies (1999) and English language in 2001 from IUB. Soon, due to lack of teachers and relevant books in his hometown Khanpur, Punjab, he came to Lahore.

It was in Lahore that he got the much needed support from a Punjab University professor who helped him complete his M.Ed thesis on 'A study of students' failure at secondary school level in Khanpur', reported Dawn.

After failing to get a job according to his qualifications near his hometown, he decided to shift to Lahore in 2014.

"With every passing day it was becoming hard to make both ends meet in Khanpur where I was employed as a senior vernacular teacher at a government school," he said.

He quit a government teaching job in Khanpur because he felt he was "over-qualified" for it.

With his wife and 10 children, he came to Lahore and opened an academy at a rented house but the venture did not prosper. Saleem visited public and private educational institutions looking for work but did not get any response.

To save his family from starving, he chose to be an auto-rickshaw driver.

"My three sons refused to continue studies after class eight. They ask me whether four masters degrees helped me get a reasonable job," Saleem said.



His sons think that mastering any skill is better than getting degrees. His eldest son became a salesman at a shoe shop, the younger one started going to a glassware outlet and the youngest went to an automobile tool workshop.

For Saleem, teaching is a passion and driving an auto-rickshaw his profession.

He has authored four short books on the basics of English language but could get only his first book published. While teaching in Khanpur, he realized that students, even at the graduation level, had no understanding of tenses, parts of speech, active and passive voice.

Despite having his work display in some bookshops in Urdu Bazaar, not a single copy was sold. So he took the matter in his hands and came up with the idea of attaching a banner on his rickshaw.

advertisement

Now he sells 8-20 copies a day and plans to fund publication of his second book from the earnings of this book.

Saleem does not blame the Pakistani government for his suffering. He blames the corrupt people who get better grades in exams through unfair means and take jobs using their connections.

The 57-year-old is content being an auto-rickshaw driver and is also working on his future goals.



--- ENDS ---
The use of pharmaceuticals as sedatives is more common amongst youngsters and college students.

By Ilma Hasan: Delhi government is taking action and putting stricter measures in place for rising pharmaceutical drug abuse in the city.

Delhi has approximately 6000 chemist stores, and the government has banned 15 stores for selling medicines without prescriptions in the past year.

Prescription drug abuse is at an all time high, with Narcotics Control Burea's 2015 report stating that abuse has assumed "serious proportions" and the problem being more serious in Northeast and Northwest regions in India.

advertisement

CHEAP AND EASY SOLUTION FOR YOUNGSTERS



The use of pharmaceuticals as sedatives is more common amongst youngsters and college students. These cheap and easily available medicines are bought by students over the counter.

"It's so easy to buy drugs without any prescriptions, there are no checks or questions asked", said a 24 year old drug user from Mumbai.

A chemist store owner in Delhi, Naveen said, "Youngsters come to use asking for sleeping pills, ibuprofen and even syringes. If we refuse, they get aggressive and pick a fight"

MEDICINES SOLD WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION



Common medicines that are abused include aspirin, Disprin, ibuprofen, cough syrups and some other sedatives. As per rules, these medicines cannot be sold without prescriptions, but that has not been a deterrent till now.

Kailash Gupta, President of All India Chemists and Distribution Federation said, "We try to keep continuous checks and balances, but its tough to keep a control on such things. New websites selling medicines online have also added to the problem"

ALSO READ:

For Delhi kids, drug abuse starts with glue, paints, whiteners!



--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Ahmedabad, Aug 8 (PTI) A PIL seeking a CBI probe into the flogging of Dalit youths at Una in Gir Somnath district last month was filed before the Gujarat High Court today.

The PIL, filed by Ratna Vora, an advocate associated with NGO Ambedkar Karwan, is likely to come up for hearing on Wednesday.

Demanding investigation by the central agency, the petitioner contended that current probe into the incident by CID may remain "inconclusive" like in the Thangadh case wherein three Dalit youths were allegedly killed in firing by police in 2012 in Surendranagar district.

advertisement

The PIL stated that CID had submitted a closure report in the Thangadh case saying no offence was made out against anyone. Police have not yet filed any charge sheet in the case.

In the Una incident, some Dalit youths were beaten up allegedly by cow vigilantes for skinning a dead cow on July 11. The incident was captured on mobile and the video went viral, triggering violent backlash by Dalits in Gujarat besides a huge outrage across the country.

Police have arrested over 30 people in connection with the assault on Dalits. PTI KA PD NSK ZMN BAS

--- ENDS ---
Originally from Sweden, Maria Pettersson began posting pictures soon after shifting to Italy so her family and friends could get a glimpse into her life.

Maria's life is one big postcard, or so it seems. Picture courtesy: Instagram/ Pilotmaria

By India Today Web Desk: After becoming a pilot at the age of 25, Maria Pettersson decided to document her life in a series of pictures that mirror her life in the cockpit and outside it--and boy what a great decision it was!

From selfies captured right before takeoffs or pictures of her breaking into random yoga poses at picturesque locales around the globe--Maria's personal Instagram account is one big, envy inducing goldmine.



advertisement

With over 2,38,000 followers on Instagram, Maria's pictures have--understandably--made her a favourite among those who take the slightest interest in travel, yoga or well, planes.

Also Read: India's oldest yoga teacher performs age-defying yoga poses

A commercial pilot with Ryanair, Maria, 32 originally hails from Gothenburg, Sweden but is currently based in Palermo, Sicily. This very shift from her hometown to Italy is what led her to actively post pictures through her Instagram account as a means of connecting with her family and friends back in Sweden.

See some of her pictures, right here.



A bad attitude is like a flat tire, if you don't change it you will never go anywhere?? Good vibes only A photo posted by Maria (@pilotmaria) on Jun 27, 2016 at 6:11am PDT

Been getting a lot of questions where to get this bikini, so thought I answer with a post to answer you all ??? It's from H&M @hm Bought it earlier this summer so they might still have it in some stores. Good vibes only ?Have a great Saturday night ???? A photo posted by Maria (@pilotmaria) on Aug 6, 2016 at 1:25pm PDT

Breath in, breath out and leave whatever was yesterday where it belongs, behind. Photo credit to @kanhede thank you for your patience with me ?????? A photo posted by Maria (@pilotmaria) on Jun 22, 2016 at 1:53am PDT

--- ENDS ---
Prime Minister Modi came in for scathing criticism from the Opposition for his 'silence' on Kashmir issue.

By Maha Siddiqui: Even as the government reportedly started 'back channel discussions' with 'all stakeholders' on Kashmir in Patnitop, PM Narendra Modi came in for scathing criticism from the Opposition for his 'silence' on the matter.

Leader of the Opposition and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the "crown of the country is burning" but there is not enough concern shown by the government. He said the people of the state want to listen to the PM and summed up the sentiments of the Kashmiris in an urdu couplet "Hum ko unse hai wafa ki umeed, jo nahi jante wafa kya hai." (We expect loyalty from those who do not know what loyalty is).

advertisement

MODI IS INTENTIONALLY CHOOSING TO STAY MUM: OPPOSITION



CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury came down hard on the government saying, "PM Modi's silence is more eloquent than words," clearly indicating that the Opposition believes the Prime Minister is intentionally choosing to stay mum. He claimed that the Left had demanded an all-party meeting on the issue 30 days ago but there has been no attempt by the government to organise one. He said the atmosphere in Kashmir was emotionally surcharged and their "silence is deepening the alienation."

DEMANDS OF CONGRESS



The Congress made two demands, one of an immediate all-party meeting on the issue and an all-party delegation visiting Kashmir like on earlier occasions to douse the fire.



Samajwadi Party's Neeraj Shekhar pointed out how many sections did not meet Home Minister Rajnath Singh on his visit to Srinagar and said that had an all-party delegation accompanied him maybe the uncomfortable situation would not have arisen.

The Opposition expressed extreme anguish at the turbulence that cost 60 lives, has left 8,000 including over 3,000 security personnel injured and has witnessed 1,000 incidents of firing in a month's time. Many said that 30 days of curfew has never before been heard of in any other part of the country and that it had brought normal life in the Valley to a grinding halt.



Even though Minister of State of Parliamentary Affairs, MA Naqvi spoke on part of the government saying their committment to the Kashmiris should not be suspected, the House pressed for a full-fledged discussion on the issue tomorrow.

ALSO READ | Kashmir unrest: Youths raise pro-Pakistan slogans in the Valley



--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Guwahati, Aug 8 (PTI) Investigation is on into the Kokrajhar attack to ascertain if any other force besides NDFB(S) was behind it, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.

Replying during a Zero Hour motion raised by AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam, Sonowal said available information and evidences have revealed that NDFB(S) was behind the brutal killings.

"On this matter, investigation is going on. This is to bring to light involvement of any other force behind this incident," Sonowal said, adding one ultra was killed in retaliatory action by police and security forces.

advertisement

"Police have recovered one AK-56 rifle, one grenade, lots of bullets of AK-series and one mobile phone from the site ... During investigation, numbers in the mobile and other sources have revealed that NDFB(S) was behind this (the attack)," Sonowal said.

Security forces have launched massive operation to nab the remaining attackers who fled after the incident, the chief minister said, adding 14 civilians were killed and 19 were injured in the attack.

Also 11 shops were gutted in the attack and the government has provided Rs 18.1 lakh from Chief Ministers Relief Fund as compensation to them.

The government also provided Rs 5 lakh each ex-gratia to families of killed, Rs one lakh each to seriously injured and Rs 20,000 each to simply injured persons, the chief minister said.

Appreciating the Opposition and ruling alliance members for visiting the site and giving moral courage to the victims, he said no one should play politics over such an incident as it is an attack on Assam irrespective of caste, creed, religion and community.

"This is a very sensitive issue and we all have to fight together against terrorism. This is a crisis. If we can stand up with determination, then we can win over this," the Chief Minister said.

Earlier, a noisy scene was created when Congress MLAs demanded a discussion over the issue saying they would support the government in its effort to curb terrorism. PTI TR KK DV

--- ENDS ---
A bomb blast at a hospital killed at least 93 people and injured over 120 in Quetta.

By India Today Web Desk: At least 93 people were killed and over 120 injured in a bomb explosion at a civil hospital in Quetta, the capital of the violence-wracked southwestern Pakistani province of Balochistan, on Monday. ISIS-Khorasan has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Soon after the explosion, Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif issued a statement expressing his "deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives" in the attack.

advertisement

He instructed local authorities in Balochistan province to maintain utmost vigilance and beef up security. Sharif also asked health workers to provide the best treatment possible to those wounded in the attack.

Sharif added that "no one will be allowed to disturb the peace," which "countless sacrifices" by the "security forces, police and the people of Baluchistan" have worked so hard to restore.

WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED



The explosion occurred as mourners gathered to accompany the body of Bilal Anwar Kasi, a prominent lawyer, who was shot and killed in the provincial capital, an eyewitness said.

Senior police official Zahoor Ahmed says also that dozens have been injured in the explosion.









--- ENDS ---
ISIS-Khorasan has claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Pakistan's Quetta province, which killed at least 93 people.

By India Today Web Desk: A gruesome terror attack claimed at least 93 lives and left over 120 wounded in Pakistan's Quetta, Balochistan, yesterday. It was a bomb blast that turned a hospital's emergency ward into a massacre site.

Scores of people, mostly lawyers and journalists, were present at the hospital at the time to accompany the body of a prominent lawyer, Bilal Anwar Kasi, who had been shot dead.

advertisement

The ISIS-Khorasan has come forward to claim responsibility for the attack.

Also read: 93 killed, over 120 injured in bomb attack at hospital in Pakistan's Quetta





Who are the ISIS-Khorasan?

Also known as Wilayah Khorasan, ISIS-Khorasan is a branch of the militant group, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Khorasan is actually a historical term that was used in early Islamic times to refer to the region lying in the east of Persia. It has a comparatively vague geographical outline and possibly covered the Central Asian regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of India, etc.









How did ISIS-Khorasan come into being?

In January 2015, the ISIS announced that it had expanded its group to 'Khorasan province'.

ISIS spokesperson Abu Muhammad al Adnani made the anouncement in a nearly 7-minute-long audio taped speech, which was published on the ISIS's Al Furqan media outlet on January 26, 2015.

In the speech, former Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Hafiz Saeed Khan was declared as the governor, and former Guantanamo detainee and former Taliban commander in southern Afghanistan, Abdul Rauf Khadim, as the deputy governor.

Also read: Hafiz Saeed overseeing attacks by ISIS fighters in Afghanistan: Voice of America



This announcement had closely followed the event of a group of former Pakistani Taliban (TTP) members pledged their allegiance to the ISIS.



Online magazine The Long War Journal in 2015 had described IS-Khorasan as "not the strongest jihadist organization in its home turf".

"The Taliban, al Qaeda and their allies have a much firmer foothold in South Asia," explained The Long War Journal. "And the Khorasan province's leaders include jihadists who lost internal power struggles in their previous organizations, paving the way for the Islamic State to garner their allegiance."

Barely four months prior to the announcement of ISIS-Khorasan's establishment, the Al-Qaeda had declared having successfully formed a new branch in the Indian subcontinent in 2014.

advertisement



Historical significance

Another The Long War Journal article from 2012 says, "Jihadists consider the Khorasan to be the area where they will inflict the first defeat against their enemies in the Islamic version of Armageddon. The final battle is to take place in the Levant - Israel, Syria, and Lebanon."

A BBC report from January 2015 says Khorasan is "a word that carried mythical overtones for some Muslims after an ancient prophecy that black flags would once again fly in Khorasan before the end of the world."

Also read: Yet another youth from Kerala goes missing, ISIS link suspected









Since its inception

The ISIS-Khorasan is said to have "actively recruited" former members of the Taliban. This led to a clash breaking out between the two militant groups in Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan.

By the end of June 2015, the ISIS succeeded in taking over several districts in Nangarhar from the Taliban for the first time.

Also read: Suspected ISIS recruiter of Indian youths arrested in Kuwait, NIA to interrogate



advertisement

In August 2015, Afghanistan-based militant group Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) pledged allegiance to Islamic State and became a part of the ISIS-Khorasan.

The group, however, is said to have lost power in much of the territories in Nangarhar by 2016.

The latest terror attack in Pakistan's Quetta province could be could be counted as one of ISIS-Khorasan's biggest terror attacks.

--- ENDS ---
Currently , Renault exports vehicles to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Brazil from India.

Renault India has exported 441 units so far in the April-June period this fiscal, as against just 56 units exported in the same period last fiscal.

By India Today Web Desk: Renault is looking to enhance exports from India to neighbouring countries and Africa as it seeks to make the country a manufacturing hub.

ALSO READ: Renault to launch Kwid with 1-litre engine this month

"Last month we started exporting Duster and Kwid to Sri Lanka. This month we will be entering Nepal while we also prepare to enter Bhutan," Sumit Sawhney, country CEO and managing director, Renault India Operations, told PTI.

advertisement

Not only the neighbouring countries, Renault will be looking to tap opportunities in Africa as well.

"We are working on strategy for exports to South Africa, hopefully, it will be finalised soon. Besides, we are looking at other countries in Africa," Sawhney said.

ALSO READ: Renault launches Lodgy World Edition in India; priced at Rs 10.40 lakh

Even to Brazil, where the company's small car Kwid will be manufactured and sold, Renault will be looking to export components.

"Certain sets of components will be supplied from here in India," he said.

As per SIAM data, Renault India has exported 441 units so far in the April-June period this fiscal, as against just 56 units exported in the same period last fiscal.

ALSO READ: Renault to produce Kwid, Captur SUV in Brazil

Keeping in view the increased demand for Kwid in the domestic market and plans for exports, Renault India has also increased production of the small car.

"We have started the third shift at our Chennai plant. We are producing about 9,000-9,500 units of the Kwid now," Sawhney said.

In the domestic market, Renault India's cumulative sales in the January-July period stood at 73,863 units as against 25,032 in the corresponding period last year, a growth of 195 per cent.

ALSO READ: Renault Kwid receives 1.5 lakh orders since launch in India

(With agency inputs)



--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Kulkarni

Mumbai, Aug 8 (PTI) It is the collective responsibility of the governments of South Asian countries to make the forthcoming SAARC Summit in Islamabad during November a success, Observer Research Foundation chairman Sudheendra Kulkarni said here today.

"The responsibility of the governments of India and Pakistan is far greater. Therefore, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif should resume bilateral dialogue without any further delay and create a positive atmosphere in the run-up to the SAARC Summit. Failure to do so could result in the Summit becoming a fiasco," Kulkarni said.

advertisement

Social organisations, NGOs and like-minded individuals have come together to conduct a Pre-Independence Day Peace Meeting for communal harmony, service to humanity, India- Pakistan peace and SAARC solidarity here on August 13, he said.

The meeting will be attended by representatives of organisations including the Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal, Pakistan-India People?s Forum for Peace and Democracy, All India Memon Jamat Federation, Save Our Land, Muslim Intellectuals? Forum, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, All India Milli Council and Vidyarthi Bharati, Sadbhavana Sangh.

The meeting is part of the Gandhi-Edhi Campaign, which seeks to spread the message Serve Humanity: Promote Indo-Pak Peace that was dear to two of the greatest stalwarts from either side of the border, Mahatma Gandhi and Abdul Sattar Edhi.

"Both India and Pakistan, along with other SAARC nations, should begin cooperation in combating the common enemy of terrorism and religious extremism. Pakistan should stop making a differentiation between bad terrorists and good terrorists," he said.

The bomb blast at a hospital in Quetta this morning, in which nearly 50 people were killed, is a grim reminder that Pakistan is also a victim of terrorism, Kulkarni told reporters. PTI VT NRB MNG BAS

--- ENDS ---
By India Today Web Desk: Sanjay Dutt went on a rant, once upon a time. And he did it before a camera which was recording. And he did it to sell something in a commercial. In 2008, the Khalnayak actor went on an epic rant about 'Mardangiri' - a movement to reclaim the stereotypical attributes of being a 'manly' man.

Watch the WTF commercial here:

advertisement

So, he goes on to criticise men who wear pink/floral shirts, having long hair, riding scooties instead of bikes. The low point of the commercial is when he says how men drink 'silly pink cocktails and sissy beers' and that they should in fact drink strong soda (read: strong beer, since alcohol can't be advertised in India).

The Munnabhai actor is known to be Bollywood's original macho-man of the 80s and the 90s, but this is just plain uncool. The fact that he would stoop this low to make money as a brand ambassador is just sad. Or maybe he genuinely believes all that in real life which is even more ridiculous. That's because he's done everything, which he says in the Ad is not 'manly'.

There are pictures all over the Internet, in which everyone can see he has had long hair, waxed his chest. Sanjay Dutt, we thought you were Munnabhai at one point, thank you for clearing all doubts with this one commercial.



He's now getting trolled on Twitter -







--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Jeddah, Aug 8 (PTI) Saudi Arabias King Salman has ordered authorities to address "once and for all" the grievances of distressed foreign workers, especially Indians and the Filipinos, stranded in the Kingdom after not being paid for months.

The King, in a series of directives yesterday, ordered the Minister of Labour and Social Development to take necessary measures, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, to oblige companies who have contracts with the government to pay the salaries of their employees in accordance with the governments Wage Protection Programme that ensures workers salaries are fully paid.

advertisement

According to Saudi Press Agency, the directive is for the government not to release what it owes those companies unless the Labour Ministry confirms that the companies have paid on time what they owe their employees.

The King[s directives comes amid increasing complaints by workers that they have not been paid their salaries for months.

Construction giant Saudi Oger has been the subject of complaints by thousands of its workers for not paying their salaries for the past nine months.

In one of his directives on Sunday, King Salman authorised the Labour Minister to also immediately address the housing and accommodation services of the distressed workers by contracting with companies that provide such services.

India and the Philippines as well as their communities in the kingdom have rallied behind their compatriots at Saudi Oger by providing them food.

Indian minister of state for external affairs VK Singh also visited Saudi Arabia to resolve the issue.

Currently, a total of 7,700 affected Indian workers are living in 20 camps and the embassy is in the process of collecting information about others residing in different parts of Saudi Arabia.

The King also commissioned the labour minister to coordinate with the Saudi Arabian airlines to transport foreign workers who wish to return to their countries and to charge the cost to their employers.

The Labour Minister is also authorised to contract with legal consultancy agencies to pursue the financial claims of the workers in local courts.

In the case of workers in distress who wish to leave the Kingdom, the King directed the Passport Department to facilitate issuance of final exit visas in coordination with the Foreign Ministry and relevant agencies.

An amount of SR100 million is to be deposited in the Saudi Arab Fund account for use to fulfil the Kings orders.

"King Salman also directed Labour Minister to coordinate with the minister of culture and information to highlight the kingdoms efforts aimed at ending the suffering of the distressed workers especially the Indian and the Filipino workers and to ensure that this case was a mere individual mishap by one company and the number of affected workers is insignificant compared with the millions of other expiates who are working in the private sectors in KSA," SPA said. PTI NSA

--- ENDS ---

advertisement
By PTI: Allahabad, Aug 8 (PTI) Police has arrested the manager of a school here who refused to allow recital of national anthem on Independence Day, while authorities today began proceedings for sealing the school, which was allegedly running illegally, and stepped up security due to tension in the area.

Zia-ul Haq, manager of MA Convent School in Baghara locality, was booked under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act and arrested, officials said.

advertisement

A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to look into how the school was allowed to run for two decades without any clearance from authorities and the allegation against the manager, they said.

BJP had demanded action against the school while local units of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Hindu Yuva Vahini had on Sunday threatened to launch an agitation if the school was not shut down within 72 hours.

"Orders for sealing the school have been issued.

"The education department has been requested to arrange shifting of nearly 300 students enrolled there to some other school so that their studies do not suffer," officiating District Magistrate of Allahabad Andra Vamsee said.

An FIR was filed by the education department in the matter which came to light when eight of the schools teachers, including its principal, resigned last week after they were denied permission to hold recital of the national anthem during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

Haq had defended the move, claiming that the phrase Bharat Bhagya Vidhata in the national anthems opening stanza violated the basic tenets of Islam.

The DM said, "A magisterial probe has also been ordered to look into how the school was allowed to run for two decades without any clearance from authorities. Education department officials say that recently they had even sent a notice asking them to shut down the school which was being run illegally".

"Moreover, the schools manager has reportedly said that he has never allowed recital of the national anthem ever since the school started.

"The investigation will also cover this issue and it would be probed as to whether there had been complaints in the past against the school on this count and if so what action was taken," he said.

Vamsee said that the manager was arrested when it was observed that "the controversy was creating some tension".

It could have resulted in animosity between members of different communities, he added.

Meanwhile, police and Provincial Armed Constabulary have been deployed in the vicinity of the school to prevent any untoward incident in the area, Additional SP (City) Rajesh Yadav said. PTI NAC RT

--- ENDS ---

advertisement
Nayeemuddin alias Nayeem, a former member of banned People's War Group, was wanted in over 100 criminal cases including 20 of crime like murder and attempt to murder.

By Ashish Pandey: In an early morning operation, the Telangana counter intelligence team gunned down a Maoist-turned-gangster near Hyderabad.

The man identified as Nayeemuddin alias Nayeem was wanted in over 100 criminal cases including 20 of crime like murder and attempt to murder.

A former Maoist, Nayeemuddin was also involved in the broad day light killing of IPS officer KS Vyas at LB Stadium in Hyderabad.

advertisement

Nayeemuddin and his associate, were killed in an exchange of fire with the police in Shadnagar Town, on Banglore highway about 50 km from Hyderabad.

COPS KILLED NAYEEMUDDIN AFTER SPECIFIC TIP-OFF

Top police officials told India Today that the local police and anti terror unit had received specific tip off about the movement of some unidentified persons.

Later, it was established thar the suspects were sheltered in a house in Millenium Township in Shadnagar town, of Mehboobnagar dist.

Based on the inputs the police team raided the place. Witnessing the movement of the police, Nayeemuddin reportedly began shooting from his personal weapon and the terror suspect died in retaliatory fire.

Mehboobnagar SP Rema Rajeshwari, who was on the spot of encounter, told India Today, "We had received the input. Based on it the operation was launched. The suspect fired on the approaching police party and during in retaliatory fire he got killed. One AK 47 and a Pistol has been found. Further investigation is on."

MOST WANTED NAYEEMUDDIN KILLED SEVRAL PEOPLE

Nayeemuddin, who was earlier a member of banned People's War Group, later surrendered in front of the police. But soon after his surrender, he formed a gang and committed various crimes in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. After the bifurcation of the state, he was active in parts of Telangana. He is an accused in the killing of IPS officer Vyas, surrendered Maoist leader Sambasivudu and Konapuri Ramulu, civil liberties leader Purshottam and balladeer Belli Lalitha.

SOHRABUDDIN ENCOUNTER: THE NAYEEMUDDIN CONNECTION

It was actually Nayeemuddin who had reportedly, tipped-off the police about Sohrabuddin and his wife's whereabouts who were later killed in an encounter by Gujarat Police.



ALSO READ:

Assam attack: Security forces arrest NDFB-S terrorist



--- ENDS ---
Shaheer Sheikh's new house is as good-looking as the actor himself.

By India Today Web Desk: Television actor Shaheer Sheikh, who currently stars in Sony's Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi, shot to fame with the Star Plus show Mahabharat, thanks to his convincing portrayal of Arjun. Apart from his astounding success, Shaheer now has a new reason to celebrate. Confused? Well, the talented actor has recently bought a house, and it looks super fabulous.

advertisement

Everyone wants to own a cool-looking house, and the good-looking actor has finally ticked 'that' off his bucket list.

Also read:Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi: We don't really understand Ishwari's obsession with her son Dev



The actor, who prefers to keep a low profile, couldn't help sharing pictures of his dream house with his fans on the social media. Shaheer posted a number of pictures of his swanky abode on his Twitter handle.

The white-themed house is quite something. The actor even possesses a rather pretty-looking swing. And yeah, there is an open kitchen as well.

Have a look at the pictures yourselves and let us know what you think of his beautiful house.

Looks like the actor is a Minion fan. Picture courtesy: Twitter/Shaheer_S Looks like the actor is a Minion fan. Picture courtesy: Twitter/Shaheer_S

The house has a jazzy bathroom. Picture courtesy: Twitter/Shaheer_S

Who wouldn't love sleeping all day long if their bedroom looked this good? Picture courtesy: Twitter/Shaheer_S

How many of you want to live here? All of you, okay. Picture courtesy: Twitter/Shaheer_S

This house has everything. A pretty-looking swing, too. Picture courtesy: Twitter/Shaheer_S

Congratulations on the new house, Shaheer!



--- ENDS ---
Over the years, many people have lost lives while skydiving and paragliding. Some have been lucky and gotten away with broken bones.

By Vishakha Saxena: A 53-year old Malleswara Rao fell to his death from a height of 60 feet on Sunday, in a shocking parasailing accident in Coimbatore.

According to reports, Rao's hip harness malfunctioned, after which he held on to the parachute for nearly a minute before the fatal fall. Officials investigating the accident revealed that the club that conducted the activity had not obtained permission from the Airport Authority of India and also didn't consider the windy climate.

advertisement

Skydiving "is a risky sport, with risks that can be easily mitigated. You're jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, and falling. You're depending upon your equipment and training to deploy your parachute at an appropriate time so that your descent is controllable, and at a survivable rate. That isn't terribly hard to do," writes skydiver David Phillips on a Quora thread.

For many people though, air adventures have not always ended well. Over the years, many people have lost lives while skydiving and paragliding. Some have been luckier and gotten away with broken bones and some others have even been rescued mid-air.

Take a look at some bizarre incidents:



1. Mid-air collision

In 1969, two men died in a skydiving exercise gone awry in New Jersey. Kay Komae and John McGuire jumped off an aircraft at 7000 feet with two others with the intention of linking up and then riding their chutes to the ground, but they ended up colliding at about 160 kmph.

After the jump, McGuire's chute opened and decelerated him while Komae was still in free fall, causing Komae to slam into him. "The collision sent Komae spinning away to plummet 3,000 feet to his death. His skull was fractured and he died at the scene. McGuire apparently knocked unconscious by the impact, made a hard landing under his chute," read a report in the Reading Eagle.

The article in Reading Eagle. (via news.google.com/newspapers)

Various cases of collisions between two skydivers have been reported in recent years as well.

2. The big jump

In July this year, Damien Leroy, a professional American kiteboarder and paraglider, took a leap of faith from 150 feet after his glider malfunctioned. Though his decision to jump has been debated, LeRoy miraculously survived with fractured back, femur, pelvis and three ribs and a punctured lung.

"After coming out of a maneuver, my steering lines became twisted, and I could no longer control my glider. Since it looked like I was going into the water, I decided to unfasten myself from the harness. Unfortunately, as soon I was out of the harness, the glider started turning towards the beach. I wasnt sure if I would even hit the water if I jumped, but I knew there was a chance that my glider could hit someone if I let go. Instead, I opted to hang on until I was past the beach and over the road. Once clear of the road, my options were limited and the longer I waited, the more speed I gained. When I saw an opportunity, right or wrong, I jumped, putting myself in Gods hands," LeRoy explained on Facebook.

advertisement

3. 15 broken bones and perfect landing

61-year-old John Milner had just taken off when his paraglider failed and crashed into a 300-foot-high sea cliff in England's Devon in February this year. His wife watched in horror, assuming the worst and not knowing that despite breaking 15 bones Milner was in full control.

The crash broke seven ribs and two vertebrae, cracked Milner's shoulder blade and shattered his pelvis in five places, but the former army officer not only regained control but also managed a smooth landing on the beach.

"I remember thinking as I flew down that this had better be the best landing of my life. Actually it was," Milner told The Telegraph.

4. Rescue attempt gone horribly wrong

Back in 2013, a newly-wed Indian woman died in a horrifying parasailing accident off the coast of Pattaya.

advertisement

Due to bad, 36-year-old Shilpi Agarwal and her parasail fell into the water. Her speedboat driver turned the boat around in an effort to save her, but caused the parachute lines to come in contact with the outboard motor. This pulled Agarwal head-firt into the rotating blades of the speedboat's outboard motor.

According to a report by Daily Bhaskar, she was unrecognisable after the horrible accident but was identified by her husband.

5. Deadly winds

In 2007, a sudden gust of wind proved deadly for a 10-year-old British boy parasailing with his family in Dubai. Shortly after he took off, the wind suddenly increased from 22 kmph to 93 kmph, violently swaying young Tony Loyden's parasail.

His assistant boat driver started to bring the parasail down and it was 10 to 20 metres from the boat, when the rope suddenly snapped and blew Loyden onto the roof of a mosque, said a Telegraph report. Suffering severe head injuries, he died later in hospital.

6. Plane crash

In 2005, cinematographer Albert "Gus" Wing III, an avid skydiver struck the wing of the plane he had jumped from, shortly after opening his parachute. Both his legs were severed at the knees in the accident that occurred over an airport in central Florida.

advertisement

He was taken to a hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries. Fourteen other skydivers were in the air at the time of the accident, according to an AP report.

7. The forgotten parachute

In 1988, 35-year-old Ivan Lester McGuire fell 10,500 feet to his death apparently after he forgot to wear a parachute in the excitement to film other sky divers. "It kind of appears he reached for his parachute and didn't have one," an officer told the Orlando Observer.

McGuire was a veteran of more than 800 jumps and wanted to be the best sky-diving photographer in the country. He had jumped two times previously, that very day. He was filming an instructor and a first-time student as they skydived from above 10,500 feet. He was carrying a heavy VHS deck and recording equipment in a backpack, at the time of the accident.

McGuire allegedly forgot the parachute on his second jump of the day as well. This was the footage he shot (The camera recorded the initial plummets, but cut out before the actual impact):

8. Goodbye, prosthetic leg

A disabled municipal road worker's prosthetic limb fell off midair while he was skydiving near New York. "I looked down, and it was gone. I have no idea when it came off," 47-year-old Scott Listemann told Daily News in 2008.

"How many people do you know who lost the same leg twice?" said Scott Listemann with a chuckle. He even posted "lost" signs near the spot where he was skydiving, but the $12,000 leg was never found.

--- ENDS ---
Both the Union ministers, Smriti Irani and Rajiv Pratap Rudy were in Varanasi on Sunday when the country was celebrating the national Handloom Day.

Textiles Minister Smriti Zubin Irani and Skill Development Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy present the Sant Kabir Award to a weaver on the National Handloom Day in Varanasi on Sunday.

By Kumar Vikram: Two ministries of the Narendra Modi government have joined hands to bring a new paradigm shift to the ailing handloom sector. Now, the traditional arts of weaving and spinning will be added with modern training and skills with a view to transform the lives of weavers and spinners.

With the key objective of enhancing the earnings of handloom weavers, the ministry of textiles and the ministry of skill development have chalked out a strategy for promoting production and marketing of highvalue and high-quality handloom products.

advertisement

The two ministries announced their partnership in the PM's constituency Varanasi - the place which has long been identified for its famous 'banarasi sari' - a product of handloom.

A senior Skill Development Ministry official said, "The partnership assures that the two ministries will collaborate and cooperative jointly, to undertake various skill development and entrepreneurship development programmes for handloom weavers through knowledge sharing, resource optimisation and synergy of institutions."

IRANI & RUDY PARTNERSHIP



Both the Union ministers, Smriti Irani and Rajiv Pratap Rudy were in Varanasi on Sunday when the country was celebrating the national Handloom Day.

Rudy agreed that spinning, dyeing, designing, weaving - all these are traditional skills which are there from decades - have never been realised formally. We must revive interest in these skills and make them viable, paying and valued, added the minister.

"Whether it is learning the art to weave, to use technology to increase weaving production or to connect loom craftsmen to the market - everything needs learning of a new skill or upgrading what the industry currently has, said the minister.

Officials said all this training will bring about entrepreneurial and managerial capability and skills of IT and financial planning which will change the way how young loom craftsperson organise their traditional skills into aspiring businesses.

A senior Skill Development Ministry official said most of the people in this sector are selfemployed and they require a more holistic approach that is not limited to just training but helping build an ecosystem where training is one of the aspects among others, such as developing markets, products and means of financing these enterprises to improve productivity.

Leading fashion designers like Anita Dongre, Samant Chauhan, Sanjay Garg, Shruti Sancheti, Rina Dhaka, Tarun Tahiliani and Rajesh Pratap Singh also joined hands to promote the handloom industry in Varanasi on Sunday.

Presently, 28 weavers' service centre (WSCs) across the country are providing technical assistance to weavers by carrying out design development and research and development in handloom machineries and equipment including processing.

WSCs are the nodal agency for carrying out skill upgradation training in the areas of weaving, designing, dyeing, printing, managerial functions and use of technology in handiworks.

advertisement

ALSO READ:

Smriti Irani to launch Selfie with Handloom campaign to boost textile industry





--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 8 (PTI) State governments have waived off stamp duty for companies which have been re-allocated coal blocks in order to start mining operations at the earliest, Coal Minister Piyush Goyal said in the Rajya Sabha today. In September 2014, the Supreme Court had cancelled the allocation of the 214 coal blocks. Later, NDA government auctioned the mines at a higher price. But the new owners did not start the production as the lease deed could not be executed because of higher stamp duty and registration fee. "Since the mines were redistributed, there was a question if a stamp duty would apply on it or not. Both the Centre and the state governments discussed this issue. ... After careful deliberations, the states have decided to waive off stamp duty so that mining operations start early," Goyal said during the Question Hour in the Upper House. "The question of any loss of revenue on account of registration and stamp duty to the state does not arise as the state governments earn revenue on coal removed or consumed by coal companies in the form of royalty/dead rent etc," he said. On delay in mining operations pointed out by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, the Minister said, "Many coal mines have not opened mainly due to court cases. We cannot interfere in court matters. Wherever court cases are not there, mining has started more or less." He added that there are 2-3 places, where states have to give mining leases. "We are in touch with them for that." To Singhs suggestion for setting up a coordination committee to resolve the issues related to coal, Goyal said, "There is already a central coordination-cum-empowered committee (CCEC) under the Mines Department to address the problems." The CCECs last meeting was held on August 5 and this committee discusses about the mining activity. "As such, there is no need for constitution of a separate independent forum," he said. The Minister further said a coal project monitoring portal has been put in place. "We monitor it regularly. Coal allottees register complaints on portal. Coal Secretary and chief secretaries of all states discuss and resolve their grievances," he said. He added that there was no proposal to repeal the Coal Bearing (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957. The land under the said Act is acquired by complying with all the provisions of the Act. MORE PTI LUX AKK

--- ENDS ---

advertisement
By PTI: Balachaur (Pb), Aug 6 (PTI) Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today demanded a probe by central agencies into the source of funding of Aam Aadmi Party as he accused it of "hobnobbing with radical elements".

Interacting with reporters here on the sidelines of the second day of his Sangat Darshan, Badal slammed AAP for its alleged links and hobnobbing with radical elements.

advertisement

"Its source of funding need to be probed by the central government," he said, adding that AAP - a "rabidly anti-Punjab party" - would meet the same fate as Peoples Party of Punjab (PPP) met in the last assembly polls.

Badal castigated AAP saying the party was a "conglomerate of outsiders" who neither had any understanding of the culture and the traditions in Punjab nor any connect with its roots.

He said AAP is plagued "bitter internal feuds" and therefore cannot compete with the SAD-BJP alliance.

Badal also slammed Congress and termed it a party without any progress-centric agenda.

"PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh cannot list even a single developmental work he has done as chief minister," he said, adding "Congress is no match for SAD-BJP either."

Earlier, addressing the people, the deputy chief minister reaffirmed that the SAD-BJP government would never deviate from the commitment it made to the people of Punjab to ensure continuous ascendancy of state on economic, social and other parameters of development.

Badal said it was only the SAD-BJP government under the leadership of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal which worked for the development of the state and initiated measures aimed at welfare of all the sections of the society.

He assured that the Kandi canal would be completed soon at a cost of Rs 540.24 crore and announced that Rs 50 crore would be spent on ensuring water supply for Balachaur region.

Badal disbursed grants amounting to Rs 22 crore during his two-day Sangat Darshan programme. PTI COR CHS ABH SMN ABH

--- ENDS ---
Three to four prominent Trinamool Congress leaders of North 24 Parganas are fighting against each other over their share of wealth earned from the syndicate business in West Bengal.

By Romita Datta: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has warned her warring party leaders to either stop fighting or be prepared to be shown the door.

According to a Trinamool Congress veteran, who is also a Cabinet minister, if she practices what she's preaching, there will be only a handful people staying behind.

Last Saturday, Banerjee held a closed-door meeting with senior Trinamool Congress leaders and cautioned leaders of North 24 Parganas and Salt Lake to stop factional feuds and leash in the goons and muscle-men, who are running syndicate business under their patronage.

advertisement

WHAT IS SYNDICATE BUSINESS?



Syndicate is a term loosely applied to a group of people, who under the aegis of political patronage, supply inferior building material to people constructing houses, flats, shops and factory units. People into real estate business are forced to buy the material at an exorbitant rate. Such is the political clout of the political cadres that prominent Trinamool Congress leaders such as Sabyasachi Dutta, who is also the mayor of Bidhannagar (Salt Lake) made it clear that political parties are heavily dependent on the syndicate groups for bearing the expenses of the party and conducting election.

Differences and rivalry over share of booty earned from the syndicate business have pitched three to four prominent Trinamool Congress leaders of North 24 Parganas against one another.



MAMATA EYES PANCHAYAT POLLS 2018

Mamata has sounded out that such bickering will queer the pitches of panchayat election, scheduled in 2018. She has asked her party leaders to iron out all differences before the panchayat polls so that the party wins all the panchayat seats.

Controlling panchayat is the basis of controlling rural economy and rural administration. A lot of fund gets utilised via the panchayats and so having panchayats under the political control is imperative.

Meanwhile, Banerjee has cautioned her brigade that anybody found to be involved in extortion or illegal way of accumulation of wealth will not be spared.

Banerjee has already swung into action by arresting some of Trinamool Congress men allegedly found to be extorting money and unleashing terror in the area.

In her second term in office the chief minister is coming across as a no-nonsense, firm and able administrator, who has given the police a free hand to pick up criminals, irrespective of their political affiliations.

ALSO READ:

Mamata Banerjee quietly giving shape to federal front?

Ukraine govt to confer honourary doctorate degree on Mamata Banerjee



--- ENDS ---
A 'tantrik' in Patna is thrashing people for a cure as many claim that a ghost has taken lives of four patients in a Patna hospital.

By India Today Web Desk:



Patna's premiere medical institution -- PMCH -- has been taken over by a ghost. Rubbish, you say? At least four children of hospital employees have died at the campus under mysterious circumstances in the last one year. All the deaths took place between 12pm-4pm. The fear of the supernatural has gripped the residential block of the hospital.

advertisement

The fear is so strong that parents don't let their kids go out in the afternoon, and rather than going to a doctor for a cure, they have started taking help of 'tantrik' (occultist).

According to a report in Dainik Bhaskar, since the last year, four children have mysteriously died which has spread the fear of a ghost in the hospital campus.

Also Read: Ghost-buster Gaurav Tiwari found dead under mysterious circumstances





GHOST CITY ATROCITY

On Sunday, two girls Radha and Gudiya started to feel a little uneasy and their parents immediately thought it was the ghost that has taken over their kids.

They took them to the 'tantrik' who started treating the kids using his occult measures. Soon, the little girls started shaking their heads violently and some sort of black liquid started coming out of their mouths as people watched there in horror.

In a similar case last week, a boy named Rohan went to the washroom in his school, he came out dead. No one knows what caused his death.



MISBELIEF

When asked about the recent incidents, Patna Medical College's superintendent Dr Lakhindra Prasad expressed shock over Rohan's mysterious death. Prasad was astonished to know that people were actually not seeing doctors but were rather going to a 'tantrik' even when they are residing in the hospital premises.

Prasad said that people are being misled by somebody and he will personally talk to them to not believe in any such rumours.

--- ENDS ---
Akihito the Japanese emperor in a rare public address indicated his wish to abdicate over concerns about his age and ability.

By AP: The Japanese emperor, Akihito, in a rare address to the public, signalled on Monday his apparent wish to abdicate by expressing concern about his ability to carry out his duties fully.

"When I consider my age of over 80, as well as my gradually deteriorating physical condition despite being luckily healthy at this moment, I am concerned about being able to fulfill by duties as a symbol with the utmost efforts, as I have done so far," he said in a 10-minute pre-recorded speech broadcast on national television.

advertisement

It may be the closet he could come to saying he wants to step down, given restrictions on what he can say as a symbolic monarch with no political power. As expected, he avoided using the word "abdication," which could have violated those restrictions.

Age Factor

The 82-year-old monarch spoke publicly after recent media reports that he may want to abdicate. If he does, it isn't expected to happen immediately, as legal changes would be needed to allow him to do so.

Akihito suggested in his speech a need to consider how to make the succession process smoother.

Akihito has reportedly told palace officials and his family that he doesn't wish to cling to his title if his responsibilities have to be severely reduced, and his two sons have accepted the idea.



Also read:

Emperor Akihito's visit to India not aimed at containing China, say Japanese officials



--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Srinagar, Aug 8 (PTI) Three BSF personnel, including an officer, and a militant were killed today in an operation in Macchil sector near the Line of Control in Kashmir, officials said here.

Security forces launched the operation in Macchil sector in north Kashmirs Kupwara district following information about presence of militants in the area, an Army official said.

advertisement

One militant and two BSF jawans were killed while five other security force personnel were injured in the initial firefight between the two sides, the official said.

Among the injured personnel -- three BSF jawans and two Army soldiers -- condition of one BSF jawan was critical.

The injured BSF jawan later succumbed to injuries, a police official said.

He said the slain BSF personnel were identified as sub Inspector Mohinder Yadav, Head Constable C P Singh and Constable Babu Shaan.

The operation was in progress when reports last came in, he added. PTI MIJ DV

--- ENDS ---
Planning a trip is one of the most complex things to do. Follow these five simple tricks to plan the perfect getaway.

By Samonway Duttagupta: We all go through this. Planning a weekend getaway is not always as simple as it seems to be. Especially when you are looking to go to an offbeat location. I have often come across people around me, including my colleagues, friends, and family who come to me for suggestions. All I do is sit for a while, speak to them, understand the kind of holiday they need and suggest the destinations accordingly.

advertisement

Well, I wasn't really born a traveller. I have tried, tested and failed several times before becoming the "expert" some of my friends like to call me. What I have really learnt is that Internet can be only useful for planning a trip only if you know how to use it properly. Otherwise, most of us ending up settling for a destination which isn't quite as exciting as anticipated and booking an accommodation that doesn't really match up to our needs.

Keeping the same in mind, here are a few simple tricks that can help you plan the perfect weekend getaway.

Decide what you need: It's not as simple as it seems. While planning a trip, most of us make the mistake of starting the other way round--we first search the Web on "offbeat weekend destinations" or "best weekend destinations near Delhi" and then try to decide where to go and the kind of holiday we want.

Doesn't that sound confusing already? Then imagine how badly it messes up your plan. The right way is to first decide the kind of holiday you want your upcoming trip to be. Ask yourself whether you want a leisure holiday, an adventure trip, a wildlife safari, or a resort based vacation. If you are going with a group, this becomes more important, because a lot of trips get cancelled due to the eclectic tastes of certain individuals in the group. Hence, the best way forward is to know what you want first and then go on to the next step.

Also read: 5 reasons why you should travel solo



Decide the terrain: Seems too much to consider while planning a weekend getaway? But trust me, this will only make things a lot more simpler than you can imagine. Keep track of the weather conditions in different parts of the country and based on that, decide the kind of terrain you want to be in--mountains, sea beach, forest, or city. For instance, if it's the monsoons and you still want to travel to the mountains, you should know about the hill stations that are safe to visit during the rainy season.

advertisement

My advice is, choose the terrain that will keep you safe and at the same time, ensure you an enriching travel experience.

Check how many days you have: This is very important. You need to know how many days you really have. Always choose a destination based on the number of days you have. For instance, just because you have three days and a monsoon sale giving you access to cheaper airfares, doesn't really mean you can travel to some destination in the south while you actually stay in Delhi.

Instead, choose a place whose travel time suits the number of days you have in hand. It's better to consider the time taken by road and rail before considering a flight. You never know when unexpected weather conditions or some unforeseen event delays your return journey from the place. Besides, the more time you have at the destination, the more you can experience as a traveller.

Also read: 5 ways to crack the best travel deal for an upcoming long weekend



Choose the destination: Here comes the trickiest part. Forget there's something called Google. Seek the traditional way. Start with the basics. For this again, you need to keep a track of the weather conditions--you don't really want to ruin your holiday by remaining stuck in a traffic jam for hours just because a landslide has blocked the way up to your favourite hill station, for instance.

advertisement

When you know the kind of terrain you wish to visit and you are updated regarding the weather conditions, all you would need is a map. No kidding, having a printed map of the country really helps--I can bet every avid traveller you know has it. Look at the map and decide which direction you want to head to. Firstly, it will give you shortlist the nearby destinations and secondly, it will help you locate the state you want to head to. And if you are someone who loves to go offbeat, nothing works better. You can pick a name that's unheard of and at the same time not too far and then research on the same.

When you are done choosing the destination, do grab a map of the state you are heading to. This might save you from getting lost at a place. After all, GPS and data signals can't be relied upon.

Also read: Follow these simple tricks to cure your travel hangover



advertisement

Use the Internet: This is the last step, really. After you know where to go, you can use the Web to do more research on the place. Find out about the best mode of transportation, read blog posts and articles that act as detailed guides to the destination, and find out which are the best places to stay and eat.

And when you are done with all that, use your bandwidth to make all the related bookings online. After all, online bookings have made it really convenient for travellers--no need to carry clumsy paper print-outs.

Plan it smart and travel far! You are welcome.

The writer tweets at @SamonwayDg



--- ENDS ---
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned countries that the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) poses a serious threat to all nations.

Schools linked to Fethullah Gullen operate in US, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. (ANI photo)

By Indo-Asian News Service, India Today Web Desk: In aftermath of a coup attempt in Turkey, the country's Consul General Erdal Sabri Ergen has alleged that there are various institutions in Mumbai and other parts in India that are connected to Fethullah Gullen network.

In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ergen also asked India to shut down such institutions.

advertisement

ALSO READ | Who is Fethullah Gulen, the cleric being blamed for Turkey coup attempt

The Turkish government has blamed Gullen for the July 15 failed coup attempt which left 239 people dead and nearly 2,200 injured. Gulen is also accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through infiltrations into the country's the military, police, and judiciary.

However, the Pennsylvania-based religious leader has rejected allegation levelled against him by Turkey.

Schools linked to Gullen operate in US, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned countries that the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) poses a serious threat to all nations in which it has established itself.

Fethullah terror org has network worldwide including India. They provide money&support to overall orgs: Erdal Ergen pic.twitter.com/4XGb6wMbtJ&; ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

GULEN WILL BE BROUGHT TO TURKEY: TURKISH PM

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told a rally of more than a million people in Istanbul on Sunday that US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen would be brought to Turkey and pay the price for the coup attempt.

"Let all of you know, the leader of this terrorist group will come to Turkey and pay for what he did," Yildirim said.

But he said the authorities would not be motivated by revenge and would act within the rule of law as they track down those responsible for the July 15 attempted putsch.



WOULD APPROVE DEATH PENALTY IF PARLIAMENT VOTES: ERDOGAN

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan too told the rally in Istanbul on Sunday that he would approve the death penalty if parliament voted for it, following last month's failed coup.

In a speech to the "Democracy and Martyrs' Rally", also broadcast live on public screens across the country, Erdogan said the network of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who he blames for the coup attempt three weeks ago, must be destroyed within the framework of the law.



ALSO READ:



Turkey coup 'conspirator' has network in India: Turkish Ambassador

Turkey coup attempt: Exiled Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen denies any involvement



--- ENDS ---

advertisement
Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala said that UDF is upset and astonished with Mani's decision to break his party's 34-year-old tie with the UDF.

By Revathi Rajeevan: In an attempt to clear the air around the speculations regarding Kerala Congress (M)'s exit from the Congress-led UDF, Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala today said that the Front was always open to dialogues. He said that UDF is upset and astonished with Mani's decision to break his party's 34-year-old tie with the UDF.

"KERALA CONG (M) INTEGRAL PART OF UDF"

advertisement

"Kerala Congress (M) has been an integral part of UDF. There was no provocation from the UDF for Mani to leave," said Chennithala after a meeting of the Front in Thiruvananthapuram.

KC (M) currently has six MLAs and was the third largest party in the UDF. KM Mani, Finance Minister in the previous UDF government announced on Sunday that his party is leaving UDF and would sit as a separate block in the Assembly.

ALWAYS FACED INSULTS: MANI

"We always faced insults," Mani said while announcing the decision.

Mani, who faced allegations in the bar bribery scam, stepped down as the Finance Minister in November 2015.

"I, as a Minister, cannot tell Vigilance to not enquire against Mani. I did not interfere in their investigation," said Chennithala, who was the Minister for Home and Vigilance in the previous UDF government.

"It is during the same government that Mani got a clean chit from the Vigilance. His decision to leave wasn't right. We are yet to decide whether to have further discussions with Mani," Chennithala added.

KC (M) "will maintain equal distance from all Fronts" even as its ties with the UDF will remain at the local self government level.

--- ENDS ---
A six-year-old girl was forced to marry a 55-year-old in exchange for a goat and some food. The girl's family was apparently more desperate for food.

By India Today Web Desk: A six-year-old girl was forced to marry 55-year-old Syed Abdolkarim in exchange for a goat in Afghanistan.

Both the man who married the child and the girl's father were arrested after a relative raised voice against the marriage.

Gharibgol, the girl, was taken to a relative's house in Firozkoh in Ghor province after the wedding and she was introduced as the man's daughter.

advertisement

However, the relative insisted that the man was "undressing her at night".

Gharibgol's father is said to have received rice, tea, sugar and cooking oil for his daughter. Her family was apparently desperate for food and selling a child felt like a good way to easy the burden on family.

Also read: Afghanistan: 60-year-old cleric arrested for marrying six-year-old girl



The girl's father also claimed that Abdolkarim had sworn not to engage in any sexual activity with the girl until she turned 18. In Afghanistan, legal age for women to marry is 16, while for men, it is 18.

Gharibgol is currently living with her mother. A local women's rights bureau in Ghor province said that it will file for divorce and ensure the father is stripped off his parental rights, said a report.

In a similar incident, a 60-year-old Afghan cleric was recently arrested for allegedly kidnapping a six-year-old girl and marrying her. However, he claimed that the girl was given to him as a "religious offering" from her parents.



You can watch the video here:

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Rio de Janeiro, Aug 7 (PTI) Indian womens archery team today made it to the quarter-finals of the recurve event after beating Colombia 5-3 at the Olympic Games, here today. Indian women archers would feel relieved especially Deepika Kumari and Laishram Bombayla Devi, who were a part of the team that lost to Denmark in the opening round at the 2012 London Games. Indian women will face Russian Federation in the quarterfinal. The trio of Deepika, Laxmirani Majhi and Bombayla were not at their best but managed to prevail over an even more erratic Colombian team. The two teams were on even keel at 3-3 after first three sets and the turning point came in the final set. Needing 28 points with final three arrows to beat Indias set score of 52, Colombian archer Caroline Aguirre committed a harakiri as she lost control and the misdirected arrow fetched her only 3 points, much to the relief of the Indian camp. The Indians won the set by 52-44, thereby getting the crucial two points for winning the set and taking an unassailable 5-3 lead. However, it wasnt a great performance from the Indian girls as they could hit the perfect 10 only twice -- Bombayla in the first set and Deepika in the 3rd set. Deepika, Indias biggest hope in archery, was not in her elements as she started off poorly hitting a 7 with the final arrow of the first set, which India managed to pip the opposition by a point. The Jharkhand girl performed no better in the second set hitting a couple of 7s but somewhat found form in the last two sets, where she hit a 10 along with three arrows which fetched her 9 points each. Bombayla was the most consistent with a single 8 pointer, five shots of 9 points each and a perfect 10. PTI KHS CM KHS

--- ENDS ---

advertisement
By India Today Web Desk: Ever since its launch, Zindagi channel has always surprised its viewers. And now it is all set to telecast a brand new show, Meri Beti, which deals with a mother-daughter relationship, but with a twist.

Also read:Saba Qamar, who's making her Bollywood debut opposite Irrfan, will be seen in this new show



advertisement

The show's plot revolves around a complicated relationship between a mother and her daughter who are forced apart due to some unforeseen circumstances. The show stars Sabreen Hisbani, Sameena Peerzada, and Arij Fatyma in pivotal roles.

Meri Beti's story is about a single, divorced mother, Saba, who lives with her mother and her daughter, Iraj. Saba leads an independent life, but Saba's mother is not happy and wants her to get married again. Saba ultimately gives her assent to the marriage, but her mother tells her that she can't take Iraj along with her to her new home. Saba's mother lies about Iraj's identity to her (Saba's) in-laws, and tells them that Iraj is Saba's younger sister. Meanwhile, Saba's mother decides to bring up Iraj as her own daughter.

Now, it is left to be seen whether Iraj will ever reunite with Saba, and discover the truth about her identity.

To know more about the show, tune in to Zindagi on August 8 at 9:50 pm.



--- ENDS ---
























































































TO BE HOPEFUL in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our livesIf we remember those times and placeswhere people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we dont have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.

--Howard Zinn



I refuse to accept despair as the final response to the ambiguities of history. I refuse to accept the idea that the "isness" of man's present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal "oughtness" that forever confronts him.

--Martin Luther King Jr.

True religion consisted in an inward life, wherein the heart does love and reverence God the Creator, and learns to exercise true justice and goodness...I found no narrowness respecting sects and opinions, but believed that sincere, upright-hearted people, in every society, who truly love God, were accepted of him.

--John Woolman



Love each other as I have loved you.. I call you friends because I have made known to you everything I heard from my Father.

--Jesus in John 15: 12-15



...Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.



You have answered right, said Jesus, do this and life is yours...



Who is my neighbor?



Jesus replied with the Parable of the Good Samaritan [heretic, outsider, enemy].

--from Luke 10:27-37

Religion has been emphatically embodied, not in speculative theories, but in practical righteousness, in active virtues, in reverence to God, in benevolence to man- the latter being the only sure test of the former.

--Thomas M'Clintock



...It is safer to approach God through the Holy Spirit than through the door of theology. We can identify the Holy Spirit whenever it makes its presence felt. Whenever we see someone who is loving, compassionate, mindful, caring, and understanding, we know that the Holy Spirit is there.

--Thich Nhat Hanh


[August 08, 2016] Sterlite Tech Redefines Data Network Deployment Standards - Launches Sterlite Tech Academy

PUNE, India, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- - Sterlite Tech Academy Aims to Create a Certified Talent Pool of Smart Network Professionals - Sterlite Tech Academy Will Ensure High-rate of Reliability and Standardisation of Optical Fibre Network Deployment Practices and Processes, in Line With Global Best Practices Sterlite Technologies Ltd., [BSE: 532374, NSE: STRTECH], which designs, builds and manages data networks for telecoms globally, announced the launch of Sterlite Tech Academy today. Sterlite Tech Academy aims at creating a skilled talent pool of Smart Network professionals in India to enable the creation of smart data networks for Digital India, Smart Cities and 4G rollout. With rising data demand, a robust mobile backhaul network is very critical. In India, less than 20% of mobile tower sites have a robust fibre backbone as compared to 70-80% in the developed countries. Given the importance of this infrastructure, multiple Telcos are investing in fiberisation of backhaul networks. However, these network deployments are currently non-standardised and implemented through untrained resources. These result in poor deployment quality, very low reliability, low lifetime and high operating expenses. To bring about a transformation in the creation of smarter networks, which have at least twice the lifetime of the current fibre networks, Sterlite Tech has launched Sterlite Tech Academy that brings together its strong expertise in optical fibre network designing, building and management through global best practices and state-of-the-art research. Highlighting the role Sterlite Tech Academy will play in broadband deployment, Dr. Anand Agarwal, CEO, Sterlite Technologies, said, "Our close association with telecom operators has enabled us to understand their challenges for network deployment. For India to progress to a nowledge-based society, it is imperative that broadband penetration improves. A big challenge to this is the lack of skilled work force in creation of data infrastructure. This is acting as a roadblock for many mission critical projects in both, public and private sectors. We are happy to launch our Sterlite Tech Academy, through which the industry can now look forward to gaining trained and certified professionals for their broadband infrastructure and fibre deployment projects."



Sterlite Tech Academy will enable the entire value chain involved in broadband network deployment to solve challenges of low lifetime and low reliability of currently deployed networks. This will help bring true broadband experience to India and transform everyday lives of the citizens through high-speed internet.

Sterlite Tech has strong expertise in managing very large-scale broadband network deployments in urban and rural areas through projects such as BharatNet, Network for Spectrum, Smart Cities, FTTH, 4G, among others. All the learning and global standards have been leveraged while structuring the curriculum. Sterlite Tech Academy comprises some of the best minds in the country. This will provide the requisite impetus for productive and quality output that will eventually set the benchmark in the industry for optical fibre deployment. Sterlite Tech Academy will impart extensive hands-on training and classroom sessions designed for the entire value chain in optical fibre cable deployment. The course modules are designed considering global best practices while customising for local market needs and Indian ecosystem. The courses are held in a lab setting based on the latest optical fibre technologies that enable individuals to deliver a perfect blend of quality and speed in deployment. The training programme is followed by rigorous assessments and certifications. For details, write to [email protected] About Sterlite Technologies: Sterlite Technologies Limited designs, builds and manages smarter networks. Sterlite Tech is a pure play telecom focussed business that develops & delivers optical communication products, network & system integration services and software solutions for telecoms globally. Sterlite Tech is among the leaders in all its business areas and has operations on a global scale with manufacturing presence in India, China and Brazil. Sterlite Tech aims to transform everyday living by delivering smarter networks. Sterlite Tech is India's only fully integrated provider of optical fibre preforms, optical fibres and cables. With a strong portfolio of over 125 patents, Sterlite Tech is home to India's only Centre of Excellence for broadband research. Projects undertaken by the company include intrusion-proof secure network for the Armed Forces, rural broadband for BharatNet, Smart Cities' development, and establishing high-speed Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) networks. For more details, visit http://www.sterlitetech.com. Media Contact:

Corporate Communications

Sumedha Mahorey

+91-9820192152, +91-022-30450404

[email protected]

Sterlite Technologies Ltd.

Sterlite Tech Academy

Niharika Jajoria

+91-20-30514269

[email protected]

Sterlite Technologies Ltd.





[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] DressLily Partners with New Designers to Bring the Latest Fashions at Affordable Costs

SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- For years customers have been craving for the latest fashions at affordable price, DressLily has heard the cries and is ready to serve. DressLily is the leading international online clothing store. The company works with an extensive design team to find and bring the latest fashion trends to every day customers. DressLily is constantly adding new products and currently sells over 1,000 varieties of clothing and accessories. On top of prices and quality products, DressLily provides industry leading customer support. DressLily is unlike other businesses that promise to give you the cheapest prices. The company prides itself in providing high quality clothing and this can often be more expensive, on the other hand DressLily has extensive relationships with all production sites and is able to get near wholesale prices. In essence it is more expensive than most low quality brands, but cheaper tan luxury brands that sell similar quality products.



There is a product for everyone at DressLily, however the site predominantly serves young adult females. Products range from women and men's apparel, jewelry and watches, shoes, bags, fashion accessories, and even products for home. Security is one of the most important features for DressLily, client information is extremely important and not something the company allows to be kept in the open. DressLily has worked to secure the website with the latest encryption technology. Any information passed through our servers will be kept private and confidential. Passwords will never be seen by any employee and we have signed agreements with all payment process services to ensure that nothing is ever to be leaked.

Customers who choose to put their money into DressLily products will be rewarded with the guarantee of on time delivery and that most products will be sent out within 3 days of the order. In the event a customer is unhappy with a product they have a 30-day risk free period to return or exchange the product. Customers can also get in contact with DressLily for any reason by heading over to the website. Online chat support is always available and willing to help or take any feedback. Please take your time now to head over to DressLily and check out our products for yourself! If you would like to know more about similar programs, please visit Rosewholesale and Twinkledeals.





[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] HostReview Ranks Infinitely Virtual Among Top 10 Virtual Private Server Hosting Providers

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) provider Infinitely Virtual announced today that HostReview has ranked the company one of the "Top 10 Hosts" in the Best VPS Hosting category for August (http://www.hostreview.com/awards/monthly/vps-hosting/2016/August). The publication's staff closely monitors a variety of factors to determine the companies that it recommends to its readers. The Top 10 Web Hosting Awards are based on the overall product offering, value, customer service and users' reviews of the selected companies. "Infinitely Virtual is in the Top 10 lists this month because of both recent developments at the company and its well-earned reputation for quality," the publication noted. Since 1998, HostReview has been a premier resource for the web hosting industry. The website offers a comprehensive company directory and regularly updated sections with news and articles. Earlier this year, HostReview ranked Infinitely Virtual 6th among the various players in the cloud hoting space for 2016, in its Best Cloud Computing Providers Awards (http://www.hostreview.com/awards/2015/cloud-service). The company finished ahead of Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google.



"This is a ringing endorsement of both our IaaS model and our ongoing commitment to providing our VPS customers with superlative service," said Adam Stern, founder and CEO, Infinitely Virtual. "In every solution we offer, we think of the real-world issues that confront small and midsize businesses as they migrate to and operate in the cloud. In our view, this partnership orientation lies behind our success in the market." The company's Virtual Dedicated Servers, which rely on Infinitely Virtual's unique server hosting technology, offer the best of VPS and dedicated server hosting. Each virtual dedicated server behaves just like a dedicated server, typically at a dramatic discount over competing solutions.

For additional information on the company, 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, Infinitely Virtual 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] Logo- http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/396125LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hostreview-ranks-infinitely-virtual-among-top-10-virtual-private-server-hosting-providers-300310068.html SOURCE Infinitely Virtual

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] New GoHawaii App Offers Travel, Safety Advice for Enjoying the Hawaiian Islands

HONOLULU, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fun and vital travel information about the Hawaiian Islands is now a lot easier to find for visitors always on the go with the launch of the new GoHawaii mobile app. Created by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), tourism agency for the State of Hawaii, the GoHawaii app is a one-stop mobile reference guide for travelers wanting fast, accurate and trustworthy information while exploring all that Hawaii offers. Randy Baldemor, HTA chief operating officer, noted the travel destination app is the first one produced by the State of Hawaii. "The GoHawaii app is a fun way to learn about Hawaii while having travel and safety information that people need to know about and have access to at all times." The GoHawaii app offers valuable travel tips for each of the ix major Hawaiian Islands: Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and the Island of Hawaii. App users will discover useful information to help them enjoy Hawaii's wide variety of sites, activities, special events and cultural festivals statewide. A listing of essential Hawaii websites and phone numbers is also provided to direct travelers to other reliable sources for information and assistance.



Helping visitors experience Hawaii safely is a significant aspect of the GoHawaii app, which contains important advice for ocean activities, hiking and weather conditions on each island. "Visitors are outdoors all the time in Hawaii. This app helps keep them safe while they enjoy the beauty of our Islands," said Baldemor. A special app feature is the "Locomoji"  Hawaii-inspired emojis that can be shared with family and friends. Locomojis include images of an ukulele, aloha shirt, erupting volcano, shave ice, and Spam musubi, among many others.

The GoHawaii app is free and may be downloaded in the Google Play Store and Apple iTunes Store. It is offered in English, German, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Searider Productions, a career development program in arts and communication at Waianae High School on Oahu, created a video about the new app. To see the video, click here. The Hawaii Tourism Authority is responsible for strategically managing the State of Hawaii's marketing initiatives to support tourism. Follow updates about HTA on Facebook, Twitter (@HawaiiHTA) and its YouTube Channel. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160806/396183LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-gohawaii-app-offers-travel-safety-advice-for-enjoying-the-hawaiian-islands-300310216.html SOURCE Hawaii Tourism Authority

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
anterior

El Ministerio de Defensa de Israel se disculpa por haber comparado el acuerdo de Iran con el de Munich en la era nazi
EFFINGHAM -- Catherine Bailey, marketing and adult programming coordinator for Effingham Public Library, is the recipient of the 2016 Illinois Library Association Deborah Dowley Preiser Marketing Award.

According to a press release, the award recognizes a library employee who has performed excellent work in public relations and programming over a period of several years. The award will be presented by ILA and the Oak Park Public Library.

Bailey is being recognized for her ability to produce programming to engage the librarys existing patron-base, and create marketing to reach new groups of people. This is strongly on display in her work developing the Find yourself @ Effingham Public Library, their current promotional materials theme. It was designed to show the diversity of people using the library, and to promote the new library building location, which opened in the fall of 2015.

The campaign and building attracted not just already loyal patrons but high numbers of new library users. On the programming side, Effingham Public Librarys Adult Services Manager Johnna Schultz says that Baileys drive to further meet our patrons needs has led her to focus on providing adult programming that inspires discussion and connection.

The Deborah Dowley Preiser Marketing Award will be presented at the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference Awards Luncheon on Oct. 18 at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

For more information, contact the Illinois Library Association at 312-644-1896 or at ila@ila.org.
Duplicate bridge results announced

CHARLESTON -- The results of the duplicate bridge game held on Aug. 1 are:

1 Grant Sterling - Rich Brummer

2 Jalee Cox - Bill Morgan

2B Eric Bizzell - Ann Lang

The next game will be held at 6:45 p.m. today at the First Christian Church in Charleston.

Dance night scheduled in Montrose

MONTROSE -- The Bugger Boys will perform from 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday at the Grove Township Community Center, located at 5251 East 1800th Ave.

Free will donations will be accepted. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Kim Will, event coordinator, Grove Township Community Center, at 217-663-2505 or at grovetownshipcommunitycenter@gmail.com.

'Whats the Deal with Brexit?' educational program set

EFFINGHAM -- Effingham Public Library is hosting a Whats the Deal with  Brexit? at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Workman Room. Presenter Catherine Bailey, a British expatriate, has followed events that have developed since the vote and will share how the results from these changes will affect Great Britain as well the rest of the world.

Registration is required for the event. Register online at EffinghamLibrary.org or call the library at 217-342-2464 x1 or email info@effinghamlibrary.org.

Kiwanis Car Wash fundraiser to be held

CHARLESTON -- The Charleston Kiwanis Club will be hosting their second annual wash from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday at Advance Auto Parts, 440 W. Lincoln Ave.

A portion of the car wash proceeds will be donated to Mid-Illinois Big Brothers, Big Sisters and used to fund local service projects.

Back-to-school rummage scheduled

KANSAS -- Kansas United Methodist Free Back to School Rummage will be held at starting at 7 a.m. Saturday in Kansas Township Park, Front Street.

The sale will include clothing and household goods. All items are free. For questions, contact Susie Arwine at 217-948-5164 or email susiearwine@gmail.com.
Monday, August 08, 2016 PNM Gets Blackeye Over Blackout, Plus: NM Is Not Alone; Over Exuberant Tax Cutting In Energy States Hit Budgets Hard One of the largest



PNM customers, hungry for information and in some cases fearful over the mass outage, waited and waited for the electric company to acknowledge the outage and provide relevant information. And they waited some more.



It was at least 45 minutes before PNM came with a brief Tweet explaining that a lightning strike at a power transfer station on the city's west side plunged the state's largest metro area into darkness as well as portions of Santa Fe. To add insult to injury the PNM website that is supposed to have outage info had apparently crashed.



(One person died in a traffic accident in Santa Fe believed to be related to the power failure).



It was a rare misstep for PNM which has ably served the state for decades and in past crises has responded more than adequately. But not this time. In this age of terrorist threats and a nervous public, the appropriate authorities--the state PRC, the FERC and the Legislature should be asking questions as to why a company that spends millions on PR and advertising could not properly inform the public when it was most in need of information.



Just as important, why did a lightning strike at a lone transfer station expose nearly the entire electric grid in the state's largest metro to collapse? Where's the back-up?



PNM is currently asking the state PRC for



PNM has a black eye after this blackout.



BOOM TO BUST



You're not alone, New Mexico. The oil boom caused a lot of other states to slash taxes dramatically and now that the crash has come like us they are going broke.



Under Gov. Big Bill New Mexico phased in cuts to the states top personal income tax rate, costing an estimated $500 million in revenue per year. In 2013, under Gov. Martinez, lawmakers took an axe to the state corpate tax which the Legislative Finance Committee reports is costing us more than expected. No wonder we have a budget shortfall for the current and past fiscal year estimated at upwards of $600 million.



Here's the company



--Most energy-reliant states celebrated boom times with ill-advised tax cuts and corporate giveaways. The most egregious example is Alaskas elimination of its personal income tax some 35 years ago. With near complete reliance on the energy sector, Alaska has no personal income tax or state sales tax to turn to in times of crisis.



--Louisianas decision to eliminate the Stelly Plan in 2008. . . significantly reduced tax rates for the wealthy. This politically charged policy change cost the state an estimated $800 million a year.



--North Dakota lawmakers slashed income tax rates for years, pushing to lower or even eliminate them as energy prices slumped. 2015 legislation alone reduced both individual and corporate income taxes across the board by 10 percent and 5 percent, respectively.



--Oklahomas shortfall was driven in large part by generous tax breaks and unaffordable, repeated cuts to the states income tax over the past decade. The most recent income tax rate reduction had the poorest timing of all, triggered this January despite an official revenue failure. Today this series of cuts comes with an annual price tag in excess of $1 billion in lost revenue.



A special session of the Legislature here is expected after final budget numbers are reviewed Augut 24. What's the way out, at least for now? The proposal to draw down the $224 tobacco settlement fund to plug a budget hole from last year of at least $159 million makes sense.



For the shortfall forecast the budget year that began July 1st, a repealable gas tax and a freeze on the corporate tax cuts would fit the bill. Lawmakers can also raise more revenue by suspending some of the myriad tax exemptions for a year, but good luck with that.



As for kicking a $500 million budget can into the January session, that isn't going to cut it.



What about those personal income tax cuts that have middle and low income families essentially paying the same rate as upper income earners? That is going to have wait for a new governor. Even under the threat of fiscal suffocation the current governor refuses to come up for air.



This is the home of New Mexico politics.







Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.



( c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2016 One of the largest power blackouts to strike the ABQ metro area in recent history also caused an information blackout Sunday night.PNM customers, hungry for information and in some cases fearful over the mass outage, waited and waited for the electric company to acknowledge the outage and provide relevant information. And they waited some more.It was at least 45 minutes before PNM came with a brief Tweet explaining that a lightning strike at a power transfer station on the city's west side plunged the state's largest metro area into darkness as well as portions of Santa Fe. To add insult to injury the PNM website that is supposed to have outage info had apparently crashed.(One person died in a traffic accident in Santa Fe believed to be related to the power failure).It was a rare misstep for PNM which has ably served the state for decades and in past crises has responded more than adequately. But not this time. In this age of terrorist threats and a nervous public, the appropriate authorities--the state PRC, the FERC and the Legislature should be asking questions as to why a company that spends millions on PR and advertising could not properly inform the public when it was most in need of information.Just as important, why did a lightning strike at a lone transfer station expose nearly the entire electric grid in the state's largest metro to collapse? Where's the back-up?PNM is currently asking the state PRC for a whopping 16 percent increase in its electric rates, saying it needs to cover its investment expenses. Understood. But Sunday night raised serious questions about what kind of return on investment we are currently getting.PNM has a black eye after this blackout.You're not alone, New Mexico. The oil boom caused a lot of other states to slash taxes dramatically and now that the crash has come like us they are going broke.Under Gov. Big Bill New Mexico phased in cuts to the states top personal income tax rate, costing an estimated $500 million in revenue per year. In 2013, under Gov. Martinez, lawmakers took an axe to the state corpate tax which the Legislative Finance Committee reports is costing us more than expected. No wonder we have a budget shortfall for the current and past fiscal year estimated at upwards of $600 million.Here's the company we're keeping --A special session of the Legislature here is expected after final budget numbers are reviewed Augut 24. What's the way out, at least for now? The proposal to draw down the $224 tobacco settlement fund to plug a budget hole from last year of at least $159 million makes sense.For the shortfall forecast the budget year that began July 1st, a repealable gas tax and a freeze on the corporate tax cuts would fit the bill. Lawmakers can also raise more revenue by suspending some of the myriad tax exemptions for a year, but good luck with that.As for kicking a $500 million budget can into the January session, that isn't going to cut it.What about those personal income tax cuts that have middle and low income families essentially paying the same rate as upper income earners? That is going to have wait for a new governor. Even under the threat of fiscal suffocation the current governor refuses to come up for air.This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com)
Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, the largest girl-serving organization in the state, is proud to announce the election of three new members to their board of directors.

Libby Davis, Omaha, is the deputy chief of police for the Omaha Police Department. She commands the Police Services Bureau, which is responsible for fiscal affairs, human resources, information technology, forensic investigations, air support, the SWAT team, the bomb squad and more. Davis holds a doctorate in industrial & organizational psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She previously served on the boards of Youth Emergency Services and Child Saving Institute.

Ashley Eisert, Papillion, currently works for Kraft Heinz as a driver & ambassador for their famous Wienermobile. A Girl Scout for more than 16 years, Eisert earned the Gold Award and spent six years as the co-leader of a Bellevue Girl Scout Troop. She has performed numerous community service hours to better the lives of others and make the world a better place. She recently earned a bachelors degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where she held officer positions for several organizations.

Sandra Washington, Lincoln, was a Girl Scout from second grade through high school, and an active adult volunteer. She earned the Girl Scout First Class (now known as Gold Award). Besides her recent election to the board of Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, Washington is also a board member for the Nebraska Trails Foundation and the National Park Conservation Association-Midwest Regional Advisory Council. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Washington attended Ohio State University. She is a retired associate regional director for the National Park Service.

We are the Girl Scouts. We provide the opportunity for every girl to be someone amazing and we believe that girls together can change the world. Visit GirlScoutsNebraska.org.
The award is a major achievement for the company because currently there are only nine employers in the state of Nebraska who participate in the SHARP program and T.O. Haas Tire holds the largest number of awards with a total of 14 SHARP certified locations in the state of Nebraska and four more in Kansas and Iowa. "This certification is very important because of what it says about our commitment to the safety of our employees and customers," said George Hoellen, T.O. Haas Tire president. "In order to stay in the program, we have to be recertified periodically and the bottom line is that each and every day we want employees to go home to their families safe and healthy."
Two auditors for an international accounting company tried to get the Securities and Exchange Commission to overturn the suspensions they got for professional misconduct related to work they did for Lincoln's TierOne Bank before it collapsed in 2010.

Instead, a divided Securities and Exchange Commission ruled last week that the two men who worked for KPMG deserved harsher sentences.

The commission voted 2-1 to bar John J. Aesoph, a KPMG partner from Omaha, from working with SEC-regulated companies for three years, and Darren M. Bennett, a senior manager from Elkhorn, for two years.

In 2014, an SEC judge recommended bans of one year for Aesoph and six months for Bennett. The two filed an appeal of those suspensions within weeks of the judge's decision, but oral arguments were not held until last month.

The proposed suspensions were based on their work on the year-end 2008 audit of TierOne, which SEC administrative law judge Carol Fox Foelak called "a single instance of highly unreasonable conduct."

The SEC had charged the two auditors with professional misconduct, alleging that they failed to appropriately scrutinize management's estimates of TierOne's allowance for loan and lease losses.

The SEC had originally sought a three-year suspension for Aesoph and two years for Bennett.

In Friday's order, the SEC said the two committed "egregious violations of multiple auditing standards," and it called their methods in conducting the TierOne audit "highly unreasonable."

The commission also said the auditors failed to acknowledge any wrongdoing or provide any assurances that they would not commit future violations.

"Taken together, these facts lead us to conclude that there is a risk that respondents will commit future violations," the commission said.

Not only did the SEC extend the period during which the two auditors cannot work with publicly traded companies, but by barring them rather than suspending them, it made it harder for them to resume such work.

Aesoph and Bennett will have to apply to be reinstated. Under the previous suspension order, they would have been reinstated automatically.

Aesoph and Bennet still could appeal their penalties through the federal court system. Lawyers for the two could not be reached for comment.

The SEC's full ruling is available here: https://www.sec.gov/litigation/opinions/2016/34-78490.pdf
Lincoln will be at the center of the climate change universe for the next couple of weeks.

A crew from NASA's Atmospheric Carbon and Transport-America campaign arrived at the Lincoln Airport last week and will use it as a base for flights to measure the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Two planes are based here -- a B-200 Super King Air and a C-130H.

Ken Davis, a principal investigator on the project, said Lincoln was chosen as a flight base for a couple of reasons.

One, the Upper Midwest's agricultural operations are a rich source of carbon dioxide and methane, the two gases the project is measuring.

Two, "We are here because of the weather."

Davis, who is a professor of meteorology at Penn State, said the fact that many of the storms that sweep across the Midwest and into the East originate on the east side of the Rocky Mountains helps show how greenhouse gases move across the atmosphere.

Lincoln was chosen for at least one practical reason, too: It had a hangar available for the dates the NASA team plans to fly its missions.

Davis said the team will be here through the end of next week and then plans to come back four more times over the next two years. Its next scheduled visit is in February.

It plans to fly two missions during summer months and one each in fall, winter and spring.

The campaign started its flights last month in Virginia and also will fly out of Shreveport, Louisiana.

The purpose is to gather data to help understand the sources of carbon dioxide and methane and how they cycle into and out of the atmosphere.

Davis said year-round monitoring is done with satellites and some ground-based equipment mounted on telecommunications towers around the country.

Both of those methods have limitations, though. Tall towers are scarce, so they don't provide good measurement coverage. Satellites provide better coverage, but they can't sample continuously in any one location or see through clouds.

The ability of the ACT-America campaign to help bridge the spatial scales between satellite and ground observations, as well as to look in detail about how weather patterns contribute to changes in the distributions of carbon dioxide and methane makes it a unique addition to the global effort to understand the sources and sinks of greenhouse gases, Michael Freilich, director of the Earth Science Division at NASA, said in a news release.

To learn more , see act-america.larc.nasa.gov.
Lincoln police have arrested four more people they say were involved in a cocaine operation here.

Between April and August, undercover officers bought cocaine 13 times from a man who said his supplier was Lance Allen, 38, according to court documents.

Over a four-month period, the man, who has not been arrested, delivered a total of 149.9 grams of cocaine to the officer for $7,770. Nine times, he and the officer went to Allens home at 846 Lamont Drive to get the drugs, documents say.

On Thursday, police executed a search warrant at the Lamont Drive address and at an apartment at 7110 Van Dorn St., another address where police said drug activity took place, documents say.

Police found nearly 9 ounces of cocaine in the apartment. No one was home when police arrived, documents say.

Ciara Dykes, 20, and Allens 14-year-old son were at the Lamont Drive address during the search. Officers arrested her on suspicion of possession with intent to deliver cocaine and took Allen's son into protective custody, according to court documents.

Officers found a loaded silver Ruger .357-caliber revolver and bullets inside a safe in a closet of the Lamont Drive home, and they found more than $10,000 hidden throughout the residence.

Police arrested Allen on several felony charges Thursday, and while he was in jail, he called Roaul Brown, 45, and asked him to get items including money and drugs police had already found from the house and then told him to "get away from there," court documents say. Allen also told Brown to call and warn his girlfriend, Desiree Blanchard, 35, the documents say.

Investigators got information that Allen also used two other addresses to store and sell cocaine -- 8301 Sunridge Road and 3101 N. 58th St., documents say.

Officers went to the North 58th Street address about midnight Saturday. By that time, Lance Allen had been released from jail after paying $20,000 of his $200,000 bond. Officers saw him, Brown and Lawrence Allen leave the house and arrested them at a nearby gas station, documents say.

Lance Allen had $2,312 on him, Lawrence Allen had $1,827 and Brown $195. Police seized the money, which is believed to have been obtained through selling narcotics, documents say.

In the house, officers found a stolen North American Arms .22-caliber magnum revolver, a Ruger Mayodan AR-556 rifle, a loaded magazine, numerous boxes of ammunition, 1.9 grams of cocaine and $4,189, documents say. The revolver was reported stolen in December after a break-in at AAA Pawn, 1400 South St.

In an apartment at 8301 Sunridge Road, officers found 7.4 grams of cocaine in Blanchard's bedroom and paraphernalia.

Lance Allen, a convicted felon, was charged Friday with delivering a controlled substance, delivering a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of money while violating state statute and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He also was cited Saturday with delivering a controlled substance and possession of money while violating a state statute.

Blanchard, Lawrence Allen, Brown and Brooke Kimball were arrested on suspicion of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine. Lawrence Allen and Brown also were cited for possession of money while violating state law, and Brown was cited with possession of a firearm during the commission of a drug violation and possession of a stolen firearm.
Patients of Lexington Dr. Joseph Miller know better than to seek opioids from him.

In his 32 years of private practice as a family physician, he turns rarely to the potent painkillers to treat people with non-terminal, chronic pain.

So Miller welcomes a new Nebraska Medicaid restriction that takes effect on Oct. 1, capping how many short-acting opiates can be prescribed to any one person per month at 150 pills -- the equivalent of five a day.

In my own personal feeling, he said, this is probably long overdue.

Miller said he would be shocked if any patient at his Plum Creek Medical Group clinic received as many as 75 short-acting opiates in a month.

But thats not true everywhere.

Statewide, there are 1,328 doctors prescribing more than 150 short-acting opiates for non-terminal illnesses to 1,712 different Nebraskans, according to the most recent quarterly survey of Medicaid prescriptions by the state Department of Health and Human Services.

And setting a cap at 150 pills was among the most controversial of several Nebraska initiatives aimed at reducing opioid abuse.

In general, the states medical community welcomes the coming restrictions as tools to reduce abuse. But they differ on the approach amid the prosaic realities of treating chronic pain.

State health officials set the cap at 150 as a compromise -- low enough to bring patients down to safer prescribing levels, state officials said, but not so low it pushes people toward heroin.

Lincoln pain specialist Dr. John Massey is one who believes 150 is still too high.

"From my opinion, it's too much," said Massey, of the Nebraska Spine and Pain Center.

Under the new five-a-day cap, "every four hours (a patient) reaches for a bottle when you could probably do something better," he said.

On the other hand, Dr. Robert Wergin of Milford says weaning patients who take more than 150 pills a month down to something below the cap has not been easy.

One of his pain patients, a man who must chop wood to heat his home, had been taking 240 short-acting pills a month, Wergin said.

In other states, Wergin said, setting opioid limits too low has resulted in addicted patients going outside the medical system to find street heroin.

"They're just exchanging one problem for another," he said.

Both Wergin and Massey admit the complexities of tackling America's opioid problem. They recognize the value of opioids when used properly as well as the need for alternative pain treatments.

Patients, however, often dont welcome alternatives.

"Its always scary for them to look at another alternative, said Dr. Christine Jeffrey of Methodist Physicians Clinic in Omaha. "Theyre doing OK so, 'Why would I want to change?'

This year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued physicians the following guidelines for treating chronic pain.

* Because of their addictive nature, prescribe opioids as a last resort.

* Look first to physical therapy, massage or other alternatives.

* Look next to prescribing anti-inflammatory drugs.

* If opioids are necessary, start with lower doses.

Initially, the low cost of opioids combined with the ease of taking them promoted their proliferation.

Alternatives come with greater costs and hassles. In rural parts of the state, especially, access can be problematic.

Miller, of Lexington, said many of the patients he treats must travel up to 60 miles to see a physical therapist, which at the very least makes it a hassle. Many also have little money.

Massage may alleviate some pain and make lingering pain tolerable, but most health insurance plans don't cover it, Jeffrey said.

Solving America's pain pill problem will take more than just a change in how doctors treat pain, added Jeffrey, who leads the Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians.

It will require insurers to help make alternative treatment accessible and affordable for patients, she said.

For their part, state Medicaid officials plan to add peer support to the roster of available treatments for those with substance use disorder.

DHHS's Medicaid division is also starting to partner with the public health and behavioral health divisions to expand medication-assisted treatment as well as the provider base for addiction treatment services.

On Jan. 1, the state's comprehensive prescription drug monitoring program launches, giving prescribers and pharmacists a real-time look at the controlled substances a patient is receiving.

Lawmakers this year fixed a loophole in the system that allowed patients to opt out, so state health officials expect they'll be better able to stop what's known as "doctor shopping."

But doctors and pharmacists worry about how well the system will function and whether it will be interoperable among Nebraska and bordering states.

"Here in Omaha," Jeffrey said, "we have a lot of patients who either live in Iowa or could go to Iowa for their medication.

State health officials say the long-term goal of the program is to make it interoperable, but it won't have that functionality by Jan. 1, a spokeswoman said.

In the short term, the program can provide state officials and the medical community with the best look yet at the scope of the state's opioid problem, said Nebraska Pharmacists Association Executive Director Joni Cover.

"We're going to see people that need help."
LOUP CITY  A former Loup City teacher accused of placing spy cameras in a girls locker room has made a plea deal on three counts and awaits a judge's decision on a fourth.

On Thursday Anthony Rahe, 25, pleaded no contest to felony unlawful intrusion, misdemeanor unlawful intrusion and felony possession of a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct. A brief, nonjury trial was held on a fourth charge: felony manufacture of visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct. The judge's decision won't come until after closing arguments or briefs are submitted.

Prosecutors dismissed or amended the original 15 counts against Rahe in return for his pleas.

District officials say a student reported finding the camera at Loup City Public School on Oct. 8. Investigators have said school security camera footage implicated Rahe.
A longtime University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor wanted for sexually assaulting a child in California was arrested in Gage County last week.

Gage County Sheriffs deputies arrested Ken Hubbard around 10 p.m. on Tuesday on a felony warrant from Contra Costa County for sexual assault of a child, the sheriff's office said in a news release.

Hubbard, who retired as a professor at UNL in June 2015, was arrested at his home in Cortland. He is being held in the Gage County jail, awaiting extradition.

He faces three felony counts of lewd acts on a child.

Hubbard joined UNL in 1981 and was granted emeritus status after retiring as professor of applied climate science in the School of Natural Resources. A UNL spokesman on Sunday said Hubbard has not taught classes at UNL since retiring last year.

A former director of the High Plains Regional Climate Center at UNL, Hubbard was sued by an employee who argued she was paid thousands less than men in comparable positions and was treated differently when it came to her desire to begin a Ph.D. program.

The University of Nebraska agreed to pay $25,000 in a settlement with Christy Carlson in 2011. That came after a jury initially awarded Carlson $280,000 and a judge ordered a new trial.
WASHINGTON -- All Americans should be alarmed by Donald Trump confidant Roger Stone's suggestion that Trump claim Hillary Clinton is trying to steal the election.

Asserting that there is already "widespread voter fraud," Stone said Trump should say that "if there's voter fraud, this election will be illegitimate  we will have a constitutional crisis, widespread civil disobedience, and the government will no longer be the government." In an interview with the conservative outlet Breitbart, Stone continued: "I think he's got to put them on notice that their inauguration will be a rhetorical, and when I mean civil disobedience, not violence, but it will be a bloodbath."

A bloodbath. Rhetorically speaking, of course.

If you have any doubt that Stone has Trump's ear, two days later Trump said, "I'm afraid the election is going to be rigged," and he went on to warn of voter fraud.

Some are comforted to know this election ends in three months. But a Trump loss in November -- which seems increasingly likely -- could be only slightly less destructive than a Trump victory. At best, his followers would regard the Clinton administration as illegitimate from Day One and use whatever legal means they can to prevent government from functioning. At worst, they will conclude that their white-male dominated America is lost forever -- and take extra-legal measures to protect themselves.

Americans take for granted peaceful transfers of power. But if the losing side declares the government illegitimate and talks of bloodbaths, something else could occur.

Sixteen years ago, after the contentious 2000 recount, Al Gore gave a gracious concession speech that invoked Stephen Douglas' words to Abraham Lincoln: "Partisan feeling must yield to patriotism. I'm with you, Mr. President, and God bless you."

"This is America. Just as we fight hard when the stakes are high, we close ranks and come together when the contest is done," Gore said. "We will stand together behind our new president."

Can anybody imagine Trump saying those words after a Hillary Clinton victory?

Trump's supporters are primed to suspect conspiracy -- all the more so now that they see Trump sinking in the polls. At a Trump rally in Virginia this week, after Trump told the crowd, "We're running against a rigged system," the Trump backers I sampled at random all thought the election could be stolen.

Dawn Quires told me that FBI director James Comey didn't recommend charges against Clinton because he "doesn't want to get shot in the back like others." James Scarborough said court defeats for voter-ID laws were evidence of a rigged election. And Connie Jagger reasoned that a Trump defeat would necessarily mean a stolen election because Trump's crowds are bigger than Clinton's.

This fallacy -- that the winner is determined by crowd size rather than the 125 million ballots cast -- makes Trump backers think a legitimate Clinton victory is impossible. "Trump in trouble? 10,000 people in Jacksonville!!!!" somebody named Eric Swenson emailed me Thursday. "Pathetic media, corrupt to the core."

Mix that paranoia with the propensity for violence seen at Trump events, and you can see where this could go after Nov. 8.

At a Trump rally in Pennsylvania this week, a video posted by PennLive shows Trump supporters shoving, throwing to the ground and bloodying the nose of a demonstrator.

Slate's Ben Mathis-Lilley has a tally of 20 violent incidents at Trump events by Trump supporters, and protesters, including protesters hit with pepper spray by Trump backers, and instances of demonstrators being sucker-punched, shoved and choked.

Trump has encouraged such activity by offering to pay the legal fees of the violent, by likening demonstrators to terrorists, by suggesting a demonstrator "should have been roughed up" and saying "knock the crap out of them" and "I'd like to punch him in the face," among other things.

Trump has identified Clinton as a criminal and the devil. Would his most ardent backers just possibly assume he would favor violence against a government run by such a person?

The rage will only increase if Trump continues to sink in the polls and -- as is his pattern when in trouble -- he continues to get more and more outrageous. "I worry that all he knows how to do is double down," Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, a Republican critic of Trump, told me this week. "They're out of options."

Not entirely out of options. There's still the rhetorical bloodbath. Or worse.
Don Walton Political reporter/columnist Don Walton covers politics and the Legislature along with writing a weekly column. Follow Don Walton Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

That's the way it ought to be.

Chuck Hagel and Bob Kerrey, a Republican and a Democrat, neither placing his party above his country.

They were wounded on the battlefield in Vietnam serving their country. They worked together when they were in the Senate. Party did not divide them then and it does not divide them today.

They were not an automatic vote for their party or their party's president when they were in the Senate. Neither is an automatic voter for their party today.

Last week's sitdown interview in Lincoln with Kerrey and Hagel produced lots of thoughtful consideration about this year's presidential race and the challenges facing our divided country today.

And there were some personal notes.

Neither man is currently planning to write another book, although an inside look at Hagel's tenure as secretary of defense would be a fascinating read.

Both men are engaged in multiple activities, income-producing and service-oriented. Neither has abandoned the full-throttle pace that has defined their lives.

Hagel probably summed it up best for both men when he described his own activities and pursuits.

"I'm doing things I want to do with people I want to do them with," Hagel said.

* * *

Brad Ashford says the next Congress should "come together and pass serious immigration reform."

"We must eliminate scare tactics, secure our country's borders and bring millions of hard-working immigrants out of the shadows and into this country's sunlight of success," Ashford said in written remarks prepared for delivery to last week's federal legislative summit at the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum.

It's time to "ensure that immigrants who have not committed a crime work toward legal status by paying back taxes, learning English and undergoing a background check," the Democratic congressman stated.

"Immigration reform would serve as a boon to the business community by expanding and clearly defining our legal workforce," he said.

But immigration reform needs to include doubling the size of the border patrol, investing in modern surveillance technology and enacting the so-called "Sarah's Law" so that illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes are not released while in custody.

* * *

Members of the congressional delegation celebrated the Pentagon's commitment to repair Offutt Air Force Base's deteriorating runway along with the Veterans Administration's approval of a public-private partnership arrangement to build a state-of-the-art veterans medical clinic in Omaha.

A pair of big wins for Omaha and the state.

And the congressional delegation.

Legislation has been introduced to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to enter into a public-private partnership agreement to plan, design and build new medical facilities for use by the VA while allowing the VA to accept private donations, which currently are prohibited.

Ashford said Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald, who visited Omaha last week, was so impressed with the local initiative that he's tempted to move more VA responsibilities to Nebraska.

"You know how to do things," McDonald said.

Now, we'll see if Congress knows how to do things by approving and implementing the agreement.

Finishing up

* Gov. Pete Ricketts stole the headlines from the congressional delegation at last week's summit sponsored by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce along with its Omaha and state partners with his remarks pointing toward new business investment and job creation tax incentives.

* The annual Chamber event bringing Omaha and Lincoln business and civic leaders together halfway between the two cities remains a highly symbolic reminder of the way the two cities can reach out to one another, come halfway and work cooperatively.

* Amanda Renteria, national political director of the Clinton campaign, said during an interview in Omaha last week that the campaign hopes to register three million additional voters before the November election.

* It's looking like the new New York Yankees now.
UNION GROVE  It was in a well-designed, well-built, half-century-old brick building that Sandy Moyer fell in love with teaching.

In 1970, Moyer was in the final graduating class of the Racine-Kenosha Teachers College, a sturdy two-story structure located at the busy intersection of highways 11 and 45 in Union Grove.

The school was wonderful, recalled Moyer, who lives in Yorkville. It was one big happy family. You went there and you found out right away if you wanted to be a teacher or not.

Moyer did want to teach. Two years after graduating from the school, Moyer was hired to teach third grade at Raymond School. She retired 31 happy years later.

This all happened because of the opportunities a small teachers college gave us, she said.

The building that housed that small teachers college, at one time the largest teacher college in the state, is still standing and marks the 100th anniversary of its founding this year.

The History Seekers of the Union Grove Area, organized in 2012 to collect and maintain local history, will honor the centennial with an open house at the former school from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20.

Its unusual for a building like this to still be upright, said Marge Martin, facilitator of the History Seekers. Its a beautiful building. It has great architecture and it survived a fire. Almost everyone who grew up around here remembers it and has a story about it.

How it all began

The schools story begins in November 1915, when the Racine County Board selected Union Grove to be the location for a school to train teachers.

In 1917, Kenosha County joined Racine to make the endeavor a joint effort called the Racine-Kenosha County Joint Training School for Teachers.

It still amazes me that this project had two governments working together to get something done, Martin said.

In March 1918, the schools board purchased 1.5 acres of land at the southeast corner of Highways 11 and 45. Architects and contractors were hired and the project cost just under $43,000.

The cornerstone was laid on Sept. 4, 1918, and the building was completed by the end of the year. A womens dormitory was built in 1921 and named after William W. Storms, a Racine attorney and a board member for the school.

By 1945, the school was one of 21 teachers colleges in the state and the only one in southeastern Wisconsin. By 1965, it was the largest teacher-training school in the state.

Moyer remembered paying $50 a semester for tuition and her classmates practicing their teaching techniques on local students on the third floor of the building. It was very hands-on, she said. Even though you were older, looking at a bunch of little faces could be intimidating.

In 1971, the Wisconsin Legislature required all new teachers to have a four-year degree, which meant closing the states two-year teacher colleges.

Once closed, the Racine-Kenosha building was used by Racine County for special education purposes. Storms Hall was sold to a private party in the early 1990s. The building was used for several years as an antique mall and then as a private residence. Eventually it was demolished to make room for a McDonalds restaurant.

In 2004, the Village of Union Grove acquired the instructional building and converted it into a joint municipal building with the Town of Yorkville.

I was thrilled when Union Grove and Yorkville decided to use it, said Martin, whose family history in Union Grove dates back to 1857. Its part of our history. It hasnt been torn down and its not empty. It should be celebrated.
RACINE COUNTY  Despite two recent federal court rulings and a shift to a new agency overseeing Wisconsin elections, officials say much will stay the same for voters heading to the polls for Tuesdays primary.

Of particular note: Residents still have to show photo identification to vote.

There are no changes to Wisconsins election laws for Tuesdays primary, Michael Haas, interim administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, said in a statement Thursday. You will need to show an acceptable photo ID to vote.

However, the state is prepared to implement court-ordered changes ahead of the Nov. 8 presidential election, pending appeals of recent federal court decisions, according to a news release.

A July 29 court ruling struck down parts of the state voter ID law and restrictions on early and weekend voting, though it kept the identification requirement intact. A separate ruling allowed people without a valid photo ID to sign an affidavit at a polling place to vote.

The effects of those rulings will shake out after Tuesdays primary. Haas urged anyone with questions to visit the states voter ID website, bringit.wi.gov, or call 1-866-868-3947.

Anyone without an acceptable photo ID must be offered a provisional ballot and the opportunity to submit a photo ID within three days after the election, according to the release.

Residents who need to register to vote can do so at the polls if they have a proof-of-residence document with a current address.

One party only

Residents should also know they can only vote for candidates of one party in Tuesdays primary, officials said.

Ballots with votes for candidates in more than one party will be rejected. Residents who make a mistake can ask for a new ballot, up to a total of three, according to the news release.

Haas also noted the party preference section at the top of the ballot has caused some confusion.

If you select a party preference, it ensures that your votes are counted for that partys candidates if you accidentally vote for a candidate in another party, he said.

Officials also said voters are asked not to wear political clothing or paraphernalia to the polling place. Voters may be asked to leaving polling places if election inspectors determine they are electioneering or creating a disturbance.

The commission has projected voter turnout Tuesday at only 16 percent, far lower than the 70 percent typically seen during presidential elections.

Primary races in Racine County include Republican and Democratic contests for the 1st Congressional District seat and the 83rd state Assembly District, which includes the village and town of Waterford.

Residents can find voter information, such as their polling place, at myvote.wi.gov.
RACINE  Paul Ryan and Paul Nehlen wrapped up the run-up to Tuesdays Republican congressional primary on far different notes.

The House speaker held two town halls with workers on Monday afternoon, including an event in Racine with employees at A&E Tools, 5501 21st St. There, he hit familiar themes, pushing for an overhaul of the tax code, deregulation and fair trade agreements. The other town hall meeting took place in Pleasant Prairie.

Nehlen, Ryans challenger, released a web video to supporters Monday morning in which he painted the primary in life-or-death terms, saying a vote for him would help prevent deaths caused by illegal immigrants. He also held a news conference in front of Ryans Janesville congressional office.

It was the last day in a primary that received a jolt last week thanks to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who praised Nehlen and initially refused to back Ryan before eventually endorsing him on Friday. The nine-term Ryan is a heavy favorite to win Tuesdays contest.

The congressional district includes all of Racine County. Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Final push

The primary didnt come up during Ryans 30-minute town hall with A&E employees, which included a large state and national media contingent. But some of the campaign issues, including trade and manufacturing, did.

Ryan reiterated that he does not support, in its current form, the Trans Pacific Partnership, the proposed trade pact with 12 Pacific Rim countries, though Nehlen has frequently linked Ryan with TPP.

But Ryan expressed support for trade agreements in general, saying: if youre standing still on trade doing nothing, youre falling behind.

Thats what Donald Trump says is right, which is we want good trade agreements. We dont want bad ones, we want good ones, Ryan said.

Nehlen, a Delavan resident and the senior vice president of operations for Neptune Benson, a water filtration and disinfection company, hit Ryan on immigration in his 6-minute video, linking the speaker to violence by illegal immigrants, as he has done throughout the campaign.

One vote for Nehlen would stop amnesty, TPP and rule by corporations, Nehlen said in the video.

Rarely before in history have a people been given such an opportunity to affect profound change as Wisconsin voters have in this open primary, Nehlen said.

The GOP primary winner faces Tom Breu, a former plumbing engineer from Janesville, or Ryan Solen, an information security analyst from Mount Pleasant, who are competing in the Democratic primary.
An analysis touted by Democrat presidential nominee Hillary Clinton says her economic blueprint would create 187,000 jobs in Wisconsin during her first term, compared to 61,000 jobs lost in the state under a competing plan from Republican nominee Donald Trump.

It came as part of Clinton's rebuttal to a speech by Trump in Detroit, trumpeting his jobs plan.

Surrogates for Clinton, in a conference call with Wisconsin reporters, also blasted Trump for making some of his products, such as clothes and furniture, overseas. They called that a contradiction to Trump's vow to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.

"In all his businesses, when given the option, he sent jobs overseas," said Neera Tanden, an economic advisor to Clinton.

Participants in the call included Tanden and two Wisconsin business people: Kyle Weatherly, an investor and former president of Solaris, a suburban Milwaukee medical device maker; and Milwaukee-area venture capitalist John Miller.

The analysis cited by Clinton was conducted by Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, who advised Democratic President Barack Obama and the 2008 presidential campaign of Republican John McCain. It says the Clinton plan would create 10.4 million jobs over the next four years. A Zandi analysis of Trump's plan says it would cost the country 3.4 million jobs during the same period.

Trump's jobs proposal calls for massive tax cuts on individuals and corporations, a moratorium on new federal regulations on businesses and a trade plan that would threaten China and other trade partners with tariffs if they don't renegotiate trade guidelines with the U.S. It also would roll back restrictions on certain forms of energy, such as coal, and repeal Obama's health care law.

Clinton proposes a different course. Her 100-day jobs plan would boost spending on infrastructure, including broadband internet, schools, freight transport and airports. It calls for a vast expansion of clean energy production in the U.S., especially solar power. And it would target companies that outsource jobs by forcing them to pay back tax breaks they previously received or pay an "exit tax" before taking jobs overseas.
Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain.

Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred.

For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here.
Abducted Indian girl rescued from Morang

An Indian girl abducted from Bihar was rescued from Pathari in Morang district and two of her abductors were arrested on Monday morning.
After Olis ouster, eyes now trained on Delhi-UML relations

The ouster of the KP Sharma Oli government in Kathmandu triggered a flurry of celebratory headlines in Indian newspapers.
All systems go for farm modernisation project

All the procedures for implementing the Rs130-billion Prime Minister Agriculture Modernisation Project, which envisages adopting modern farm techniques to boost productivity, have been completed, the Ministry of Agricu-ltural Development said.
Gun missing from NA Far Western Division

A Short Machine Gun (SMG) and its two loaded magazines have gone missing from Nepal Armys Far Western Infantry Division in Dipayal.
How Palpa is making great strides to keep kids in school

The District Education Office has reported a significant progress in school enrolment in Palpa district in the current academic session with only 604 students left out of the mainstream of education.
Hulas new electric car model put to road test

Hulas Motors, a subsidiary of Golchha Organisation, has started field testing of its new electric car model named Da Vinci.
Impeachment motion irrelevant

Lawmakers have urged stakeholders to stop propagating misleading information about the impeachment proposal against Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) chief Lokman Singh Karki.
In the fast lane

The streets of Kathmandu are crammed with sheer numbers of cars, motorbikes and scooters honking away at each other.
Japan's Emperor Akihito hints at abdication

Japan's Emperor Akihito has said he fears age and deteriorating health mean he is finding it difficult to continue in his role.
Lets act together

As India moves up the value chain, some of its industries can be shifted to Nepal
Morcha for giving martyr status to Indian national killed in protest

The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, an alliance of seven Madhes-based parties, has demanded a martyr status to an Indian national killed in the Madhes Andolan like all other who died during the five-month protest against the government last year.
Muslim brothers build Hindu temple

In a rare example of religious harmony, two Muslim brothers have constructed a Hindu temple in Birgunj-26, Parsa.
NPC Vice-chair Yubaraj Khatiwada resigns

National Planning Commission Vice-chairman Yubaraj Khatiwada has resigned from his post after the change in government leadership.
NSU conclave begins after a decade

Despite some complications in selecting representatives from some districts, the Nepal Student Union inaugurated its 11th General Convention amid a ceremony in the Capital on Sunday.
Parties now see victims as main stakeholders in settling war-era cases

The formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in 2015, eight years after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), marked an important milestone in Nepals peace process.
Prithvi Man Shrestha is a political reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering the governance-related issues including corruption and irregularities in the government machinery. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2009, he worked at nepalnews.com and Rising Nepal primarily covering the issues of political and economic affairs for three years.
SC rejects writ against proposal of public importance against CIAA Chief Karki

The Supreme Court has rejected the registration of a writ petition being filed against the proposal of public importance against Chief of the Commission of Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
Two more docs held for fake certificates

Police have arrested two doctors on charge of possessing fake higher secondary credentials from Kathmandu Valley on Sunday.
Two right-wing parties to unite to revive Hindu state

After months-long negotiations, two right-wing forcesRastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal and the RPPare set to become one after the latter agreed to its abandoned agenda of reinstating Nepal as a Hindu state.
Unilever workers end 28-day strike

Workers at Unilever Nepals Hetauda factory ended their 28-day strike on Sunday after reaching a three-point agreement with the management.
US Ambassador calls on PM Dahal

US Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday.
Workshop on flower arrangement begins

Zonta Club of Kathmandu, Nepal chapter of the Zonta International Club, launched a flower-arranging workshop in the Capital on Sunday.
Yes, its hard to to tell when one enters the city limits

Yes, they will make the city more inviting

Maybe ... does it really matter?

No, the signs in place are fine

No, it would be a waste of taxpayer dollars

Vote

View Results
Welcome! You have come to the right place. Khmerization is a home to the Cambodian daily news, which is updated twice daily. Please take a tour and enjoy yourself. Thank you.

To contact Khmerization please send an email to:
Recent economic reports show Indianas economy is continuing to grow stronger. The Hoosier state has added over 36,000 private-sector jobs in the last year, 148,000 new jobs since January 2013, and our labor force participation is at its highest point since 2009.

Over the past few months, there have been numerous announcements of companies relocating to and expanding in areas across the state, creating more jobs for Hoosiers.

In fact, CNBC recently ranked Indiana first in the nation for the lowest cost of doing business and first in the nation for infrastructure, citing businesses ability to get their products to the market.

Below you will find a list of numerous jobs announcements since May 1.

In Batesville, up to 72 new, high-wage jobs will be created by 2019 with Crum Truckings plans to expand operations.

In Bristol, up to 147 new jobs will be created by 2019 with Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services plans to expand operations.

In Brownsburg, up to 15 new jobs will be created by 2018 with Weston Foods $1.6 million expansion plan.

In Carmel, 24 high-wage jobs will be created as a result of Determine Inc.s decision to relocate its headquarters from San Mateo, California.

In Evansville, up to 135 new, high-tech jobs will be created as a result of Shield Global Partners decision to invest $4.15 million to expand their headquarters.

In Fort Wayne, up to 64 new jobs will be created by the end of 2019 following Transpoint Intermodal LLCs groundbreaking on a new $13.5 million cargo transfer facility.

In Fremont, up to 38 new jobs will be created by 2019 with Cardinal IGs plans to expand its operations, investing $2.3 million into Indiana operations.

In Fremont, up to 30 new jobs will be created by 2019 with Cold Heading Companys plans to double the size of its manufacturing facilities.

In Hobart, up to 22 new jobs will be created by 2018 following NB Coatings groundbreaking on its new northwest Indiana facility.

In Indianapolis, up to 77 new, high-wage jobs will be created over the next few years with Brite Systems and Site Strategics plans to expand their operations.

In Indianapolis, up to 65 new jobs will be created by 2019 with Merchandise Warehouses plans to expand its operations.

In Indianapolis, up to 272 new jobs will be created by 2021 with Octiv Inc.s $3.2 million expansion plan.

In Indianapolis, 160 new, high-wage jobs will be created over the next few years with PactSafes and WDD Softwares plans to expand their operations.

In Indianapolis, up to 800 new jobs will be created by 2021 with Salesforces plans to significantly expand operations in the city, investing more than $40 million over the next 10 years.

In Indianapolis, up to 278 new jobs will be created by 2018 following Sallie Maes ribbon cutting on its recent expansion.

In Indianapolis, up to 111 new jobs will be created by 2020 with Sigstrs plans to expand its operations, investing $1.4 million to double its downtown footprint.

In Indianapolis, up to 140 new jobs will be created by 2019 following Torchlites plans to expand its operations.

In Indianapolis, up to 30 new, high-wage jobs will be created by 2020 following Walker Informations plans to expand its operations and construct a new headquarters facility.

In Merrillville, up to 100 new jobs will be created by Polycon Industries plan to invest $15 million to construct and equip a 150,000-square-foot addition to their facility.

In Milan, up to 15 new jobs will be created by 2020 with Pike Lumber Companys decision to invest $3.4 million to construct a new addition to their existing manufacturing facility.

In Princeton, up to 160 new jobs will be created with Toyota Boshoku Indianas plans to expand its production operations.

In Richmond, up to 165 new jobs will be created with Blue Buffalo Pet Products plans to establish a new manufacturing facility for its wholly-owned subsidiary Heartland Pet Food.

In Shelbyville, up to 70 new jobs will be created by 2021 with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporations plans to establish operations.

In Shelbyville, up to 150 new jobs will be created by 2018 with Ryobi Limiteds plans to expand operations.

In Valparaiso, up to 20 new jobs will be created following AMKUS Rescue Systems relocation from Downers Grove, Illinois.

In Westfield and Carmel, 125 new, high-wage jobs will be created over the next few years with DuraMark Technologies and Lumavates plans to expand their operations.

In Warsaw, up to 50 new jobs will be created by the end of 2016 with Winona PVD Coatings LLCs plans to expand operations.
ALBION  The Bosch Community Fund recently awarded more than $50,000 in grants to three local school districts.

The grants will help increase students access to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and environmental sustainability programs and activities.

Ive seen firsthand the positive impact Bosch Community Fund grants have on the children in our schools, Michael Sagan, plant manager at Boschs Albion facility, said in a news release.

During visits to several schools, the students demonstrated projects theyve created thanks to support from the funds grants. It was wonderful to see how excited, proud and knowledgeable they were about their projects. The grants have definitely enhanced the students focus and excitement in STEM-related courses.

The grants support the following programs:

Central Noble Community School Corp.

 STEM lab/maker space: This $6,500 grant supports a maker space laboratory at Wolf Lake Elementary School. The lab is a collaborative workspace used by small groups as well as entire classrooms for making, learning, exploring and sharing STEM concepts.

Teachers facilitate the learning process while students take the lead in finding their own solutions to real-world problems through activities that draw upon their natural desire to explore and discover.

 Apple Academy Training: A $5,995 grant is providing support to send staff members who are responsible for professional development activities within the schools to the Apple Foundations Trainer Academy. Participating staff members will enhance their abilities to provide professional development training in Apple OS X and related Apple creativity apps used within the schools.

 Vernier equipment: A $4,022 grant is going toward the purchase of Vernier sensors, LabQuest mini hardware and Logger Pro 3 software for Central Noble Jr./Sr. High School. This equipment will increase the accuracy of lab work performed in science classrooms, allowing for real-time graph analysis, and will enhance the dynamics of learning through advanced, technological hands-on applications.

East Noble School Corp.

 LittleBits: This $4,999 grant is aiding in the purchase of LittleBits electronics for education for Avilla Elementary School. LittleBits, a platform for easy-to-use electronic building blocks that empower invention, will be used by students in first, fourth and sixth grades. The school plans to eventually incorporate LittleBits activities into other grades and after-school programs.

 Lego Mindstorms: A $4,496 grant is providing funds to expand South Side Elementary Schools Lego STEM program, which was established in 2015 with support from a Bosch Community Fund grant. With this grant, fifth-grade students take the knowledge and skills gained from Lego Education WeDo activities completed in fourth grade and apply them to the Mindstorms kit in which they build and program robots.

 Water quality atudy: For the second year, the Bosch Community Fun supports the East Noble Middle School water quality project. Thanks to the $4,000 grant, participating students develop science skills by performing a variety of water quality tests to discover the physical and chemical properties of area lake water and then use research and problem-solving skills to develop recommendations to reduce water pollution.

 Project Lead the Way: A $3,500 grant is assisting in the implementation of Project Lead the Way at Rome City Elementary School. With the activity, students learn problem-solving strategies, critical and creative thinking as well as how to communicate and collaborate. The project and problem-based curriculum focuses on computer science, engineering and biomedical science.

West Noble School Corp.

 iPad technology: A $5,500 grant is aiding in the purchase of iPads for West Noble Primary School. This technology allows teachers to deliver individual instruction needed by each student. The iPads will be used in several capacities, including small groups, work stations and guided reading.

 Outdoor classroom: A $5,500 grant is supporting an outdoor classroom at West Noble Elementary School. The outdoor classroom originated from a student effort to collect plastic lids to be recycled to create a couple of benches and grew into a community-wide effort. To date, students have collected more than 7,600 pounds of recyclable plastic to fund their project.

 3-D printing lab: A $5,494 grant is contributing to the purchase of equipment, materials and software needed to start a 3-D printing course at West Noble Middle School. Having this 3-D printing capability gives 60-100 students annually an opportunity to integrate math, art and technical skills in a collaborative setting. The 3-D printing course is part of an integrated approach in teaching students art and industrial technology.

Through the generous support of the Bosch grants, East Noble students have the opportunity to engage in science and technology lessons that stretch students critical thinking and stimulates natural curiosity and innovation, East Noble Superintendent Ann Linson said in the news release. Our teachers truly appreciate Boschs support of education and Noble County youth.

Since 2012, the Bosch Community Fund has provided $204,698 in grants to organizations in Noble County.
No

Yes, a light case

Yes, two or more light cases

One serious case

Two or more serious bouts

Vote

View Results
Luther (7-3) built a lead in its Division 6 first-round game at third-seeded Markesan on Friday and held on to beat the Hornets 26-14 for their first playoff win since becoming a member of the WIAA.
Construction workers digging in downtown Galesville made an unusual and potentially explosive discovery Saturday afternoon: A live artillery round more than a century old.

The workers were digging at 16827 S. Main St. in the Trempealeau County city when they uncovered what appeared to be an artillery round, and immediately notified authorities, according to the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department.

The area was cordoned off and residents within the area were asked to leave as a precaution. the 934th Airlift Wing EOD from Minneapolis was called in, and using xrays determined the round to be a 75mm American-made artillery round from 1907.

The round was still live but significantly deteriorated; it was excavated, taken to a remote, and safely detonated. The surrounding area was searched for additional rounds, but none were found, the department said.

It wasn't known where the round came from.

The Galesville police and fire departments assisted at the scene.
The corn is tall and tasseling and the soybeans are healthy and full of blossoms from Superior to Kenosha. If you were wondering what the perfect growing season looks and feels like in Wisconsin, this year has been it.

So far.

This is the year of all years, I guess, said Stan McGraw, an agronomist with VitaPlus, a Madison-based livestock feed company. We all strive to have crops look like this. It appears that Mother Nature worked with us and we have some great crops coming.

Ag specialists are crediting an early start to the growing season followed by timely rains, seasonal temperatures, and low insect counts and little disease for why the condition of Wisconsins corn and soybean crops have been the nations best through the end of July.

The states two most important crops ranked No. 1 among the nations corn and soybean-growing states for having the highest percentage in excellent condition, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. As of last Sunday, 39 percent of the states corn was in excellent condition, which was 13 percentage points higher than second-place Illinois.

Thirty-five percent of its soybeans rated excellent, which was 9 percent higher than second-place Tennessee.

Wisconsin also leads the country for the highest percentage of corn and soybeans in either good or excellent condition, the NASS data show. The only other time a state led in both those categories by itself at the end of July was in 2011, also by Wisconsin. Corn and soybean yields that year ended up ranking, at the time, second all-time among state harvests.

Farmers are anticipating stronger yields this year. We wont know until its all in the bin ... but right now its looking really good, said Mark Mayer, UW-Extensions Green County ag agent.

Also, the states oats, potatoes and winter wheat crops are much stronger this year than they were in 2011, so farmers are anticipating records in a variety of crops barring any major changes in the weather pattern over the next two-plus months. Theres an abundance of everything, said Jeff Grindle, of Single Oak Farms in the town of Primrose.

Theres one big downside: An anticipation of record corn and soybean yields has led to the bottom dropping out of future prices.

The corn future price for delivery in December dropped to $3.34 last Monday after reaching $4.48 in June. The soybean future price for delivery in November dropped to $9.65 after reaching $11.86 in June.

The growers are still very upbeat about their crops, McGraw said. They always want to make money at the end of the year, but their job is, and their heart and soul goes to, growing great and healthy crops. They want to walk in their fields and feel good about what they did.

Neither the outgoing El Nino  a weather pattern led by a warming of the ocean surface temperatures in parts of the Pacific Ocean  or the anticipated La Nina  a cooling of ocean surface temperatures in parts of the Pacific Ocean  have had any influence on Wisconsin weather this summer, according to Chris Kucharik, an agronomy professor at UW-Madisons Nelson Institute Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment.

Instead, Kucharik credited a neutral weather pattern. Theres a lot of randomness to weather year to year, he said. The bad ones are the ones that get a lot of attention because they make good news stories. But on the flip side we do have some good weather once in awhile for the crops.

The last two neutral weather seasons were 2013 and 2014, and they provided mixed results for farmers. In 2013, a wet planting season got crops off to a late start and the average corn yield was 145 bushels per acre, which was then fifth best on record, according to NASS data.

The soybean yield (39 bushels per acre) ranks sixth worst over the past 20 years. In 2014, crops rebounded from wet weather in June and the corn yield (156) was then-second best on record and the soybean yield (44) tied for fifth best on record.

Its a much different story this year. Precipitation for the year through July 27 in Madison was 20.23 inches, or just .18 inches above normal, according to Justin Schultz, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Despite that good news, the south-central district where Madison resides is still the driest in the state, according to NASS data. That helps explain why the data show the state among the nations best in moisture levels in its topsoil and subsoil.

But the timing of the precipitation has been key, too. It was 1.33 inches below normal around Madison in May, which allowed farmers to complete their planting season ahead of time. It was just below an inch above normal in June and just over an inch above normal in July, which gave the soil abundant moisture levels that fueled the crops growth.

Also, temperatures have not been extreme with the exception of the third week in July when heat indices went above 100 degrees in some places. It was getting dry and we were getting hot temperatures and then we got 4 inches of rain  right during pollination, said the UW-Extensions Mayer.

Not only did it help the corn, it also helped the soybeans which pollinate in much of August in this area.

Pollination is key for the full development of the crops and yield. That set everything up for a crucial time right now, Kucharik said.

The three-month forecast by the National Weather Service is calling for more of the same  confidence is high for warmer temperatures than normal and equal chances for rain, Schultz said.

Of course, one bad thunderstorm with large hail can wipe out a portion of one the states crops or hot and dry weather can shut down a growing season, too. You have to remember that there is still one-third of the growing season left so anything can happen. But things are looking good at this point, Kucharik said.

The states record average corn yield (164 bushels per acre) was set last year and the soybean yield (49.5 bushels per acre) was second-best all time when much of the growing season was influenced by a strong El Nino weather pattern that began in March and was strongest late in the year, according to data from NASS and the National Weather Service.

The only other strong El Nino over the past 20 years was in 1997-98 and each year set record yields for corn and soybeans, according to combined data from NASS and the National Weather Service.

Prior to this year, there have been four times over the last 20 years when El Nino influenced weather early in the year before fading and three of them (1998, 2005 and 2010) led to then-record yields for corn and soybeans.

The states current record soybean yield (50.5) and second-best corn yield (162) were set in 2010 while the 2005 corn yield (148) ranks sixth all-time and 1998 soybean yield ranks fourth all-time, according to the combined data.

On the flip side, the 2003 soybean yield (28) is the worst of the past 20 years and the 2003 corn yield (129) is fifth worst.
An alarming number of people continue to have concerns about vaccines due to unfounded or disproven fears. Those who are not accepting of vaccines cite worries about autism, ingredients in vaccines and fears that children will suffer complications, among other concerns. Parents should rest assured that all of these concerns have been closely analyzed and studied at length to ensure the safety of these life-saving inoculations.

Vaccines are arguably the most important medical advance humanity has ever employed in preventing the spread of disease. In the United States, vaccines have greatly reduced the toll disease has taken on the public. In 1900, smallpox killed 894. In 1920, measles killed 7,575 and diphtheria killed 13,170. In 1922, pertussis killed 5,099. In the early 1950s, polio killed 1,879 and caused 16,316 cases of paralytic polio annually. I could go on and on, but the story is the same. Vaccines are the most effective weapon we have ever had to protect our children from death and disability, and they have reduced the incidence of these (and other) diseases to incredibly low or non-existent levels. We even have a vaccine against the human papillomavirus that can be given to adolescents to prevent cancer; this virus is responsible for nearly 30,000 cases of cancer in the United States every year. What better gift can you give to your child than to ensure that they are protected against the illnesses and cancers that we have the ability to prevent?

Some opponents of vaccines claim that evidence of the alleged harm of vaccines was covered up in a 2002 study and later revealed in an analysis by a man named Brian Hooker. The claim is that the study showed an increased risk of autism in a subgroup of African-American boys that they correlated to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. However, many have looked at this analysis and find many flaws. Truly understanding the issue involves a thorough understanding on epidemiology and the proper use of various statistical analytical methods and their limits.

Suffice it to say, Hooker used and limited his data set to a very small number of individuals in order to find a subgroup where the rate of autism was higher (likely by chance alone), and used a statistical method that is prone to false positives. Looking at this study shows that there was not an increased risk of autism in the other children studied, and there is no plausible mechanism whereby African-American boys would have an increased risk compared to their peers. Further, many other studies have been completed looking at autism and links to vaccines, and they have all come up negative. This information strongly points to Hookers findings as nothing more than noise, characteristic of the typical statistical anomalies that one can find in a data set when one twists it to fit a predetermined goal.

Dr. Andrew Wakefield has been involved with spreading the misinformation related to the alleged conspiracy and cover-up that Hookers paper claimed to uncover. Some may remember Wakefield as the person best known for his fraudulent 1998 research paper that claimed to show a link between autism; a tribunal subsequently proved dozens of charges against him, including fraud and unethical behavior, and he was later barred from practicing medicine in the United Kingdom. He now lives in the United States, where he has worked for various practices and foundations, profiting off of the falsehood that he popularized.

The other claim is that the rate of autism has increased in recent years and that this increase is due to vaccines. An analysis by Dr. Steven Novella, a neurologist at Yale, indicates that the increase in the diagnosis of autism can be linked to diagnostic substitution, greater surveillance and acceptance, and the broadening of diagnostic criteria. The diagnosis of autism is now considered a spectrum disorder, with a wider range of symptom severity, and it is applied to far more individuals than it ever was in the past. Genetic links also have been found, which cast serious doubt on any supposed environmental causes. Further, there is no particular reason to blame the increase on vaccines, the increase is just a correlation, not evidence of causation. One could just as easily claim that autism is caused by consumption of organic foods or the rise in global temperatures, since these have also increased in recent decades.

One must take care to get information from a reliable source when it comes to making health care decisions. The health of our children is too important to make decisions based on online blog authors and celebrities opinions. While I do believe that many of those who advocate against vaccines feel that they are doing the right thing and preventing harm to children, unfortunately they have been misinformed and are usually lacking the expertise to analyze relevant studies. Seek your information from those who have made it their lifes work to maximize health and wellness and to prevent the spread of disease; ask your pediatrician and check the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety.
The national debate over trade has now reached dairy farms throughout Wisconsin. Some have discussed the impacts via anti-trade rhetoric, including in the column Trade deal poses threat to dairy farmers (July 20 Tribune). However, looking closer at these impacts reveals that trade has been positive for dairy farmers in Wisconsin and across the United States.

Dairy is an outsized driver of Wisconsins rural economy, making up about half the $88 billion in agriculture-related sales that it generates. And this states dairy farmers are very good at what we do, which is producing milk. We supply a diverse manufacturing capacity, which in turn sells made-in-Wisconsin products across the United States, and more and more abroad. Today, dairy exports account for roughly a days worth of milk a week produced by Wisconsin dairies.

Dairy markets go up and down, and its true that exports have been slightly down recently. But the long-term trend is undeniable. Not too many years ago, dairy exports were close to zero. By 2014, exports brought close to $1 billion to Wisconsin alone, more than triple the total of just five years earlier.

It is likewise undeniable that trade agreements have been key factors in rising dairy exports. Despite allegations to the contrary, both the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Korea Free Trade Agreement have been pluses for Wisconsins dairy farmers. As of the end of last year, dairy exports to Mexico and Korea had grown by 409 percent and 39 percent, respectively, since the years in which those two agreements were implemented. Mexico alone accounts for more than $1 billion in U.S. dairy exports, a significant amount of which is cheese.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership will continue that trend, tapping into additional foreign markets and making sales to those countries less susceptible to sudden regulatory barriers. The partnership will also help battle a European-led campaign in many countries to block American sales of some cheeses, such as Parmesan and feta, claiming that only Europe can make these products via the geographical indicators.

As for fears that the trade deal will increase imports of milk protein concentrate, displacing domestic milk, milk protein concentrate from New Zealand already enters the U.S. without any limits. On the other hand, the U.S. faces significant import pressures from New Zealand on butter and cheese. And there, the partnership will uphold our tariffs to keep imports relatively in check by preventing countries like New Zealand from sending significant new influxes of products here.

Congressional leaders from Wisconsin  on both sides of the aisle  were instrumental in ensuring that the Trans-Pacific Partnership resulted in a deal that dairy farmers could get behind. Is the agreement perfect? No. For starters, there still are questions about how the agreement will work in practice. Exports have become a key factor in the health of Wisconsin dairy farms, and if the partnership works as envisioned, it will continue opening up new markets for Wisconsin farmers and make it easier to do business across a growing region of the world.
The Onalaska School Nutrition Department announced its policy for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program or milk for split-session students served under the Special Milk Program. Each school office and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

Application forms are available to parents or guardians at all schools in the Onalaska School District. To apply for free or reduced price meals, households must fill out the application and return it to the school (unless notified at the start of the school year that children are eligible through direct certification).

Additional copies are available at the office in each school. The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by agency or other program officials. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

To obtain free or reduced-price meals or free milk for children in a household where one or more household members receive FoodShare, FDPIR or Wisconsin Works (W-2) cash benefits, list the household member and the FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 case number, list the names of all school children, sign the application, and return it to the school office.

For the school officials to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals of households not receiving FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 cash benefits, the household must provide the following information requested on the application: names of all household members and the adult signing the application form must also list the last four digits of his or her Social Security Number or mark the box to the right of Check if no SSN. Also, the income received by each household member must be provided by amount and source (wages, welfare, child support, etc.).

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal, Melissa Tillman will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he/she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. If the parent/guardian wishes to make a formal appeal, he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to: Dr. Fran Finco, Superintendent, 1821 Main Street, Onalaska, WI 54650 or finfr@onalaskaschools.com or 608-781-9700.

If a hearing is needed to appeal the decision, the policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes, the family should contact the school. Such changes may make the household eligible for reduced-price meals or free meals or free milk if the household income falls at or below the levels shown above, and they may reapply at that time.

Children formally placed in foster care are also eligible for free meal benefits. Foster children may be certified as eligible without a household application.

Households with foster children and non-foster children may choose to include the foster child as a household member, as well as any personal income available to the foster child, on the same application that includes their non-foster children.
Crowds at the Wisconsin State Fair were recently entertained by Union Mills 4-H of Holmen. Representing La Crosse County, the groups musical theme was entitled, True Colors and featured several soloists.

In 4-H, together we learn, grow, accept our differences and celebrate our true colors, said Audrey Ottenberg, club president.

As the group performed Orange Colored Sky, Red High Heels, Devil with a Blue Dress and other colorful numbers, Ottenberg created an on-stage painting celebrating colorful diversity.

This years competition group consisted of 13 members, ages six through 19. The musical was awarded 97 out of a possible 100 points. With this years performance, Adam Carty of Holmen completed his 4-H career. He summed it up by saying, What a great last year. 4-H has always been a place where I can let loose, perform and spend time with others. Its been a great experience and I wouldnt trade it for the world.

Union Mills 4-H Club consists of about 60 members from the Holmen and Onalaska area. The club meets monthly with an emphasis on project work, service learning and community service. To learn more, go to the Union Mills 4-H Club Facebook page.
Blog Archive Oct 27 (4) Oct 26 (3) Oct 25 (3) Oct 24 (3) Oct 23 (3) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (3) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (3) Oct 18 (3) Oct 17 (4) Oct 16 (4) Oct 15 (2) Oct 14 (3) Oct 13 (3) Oct 12 (4) Oct 11 (3) Oct 10 (3) Oct 09 (3) Oct 08 (3) Oct 07 (3) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (3) Oct 04 (3) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (4) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (4) Sep 29 (3) Sep 28 (3) Sep 27 (4) Sep 26 (3) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (5) Sep 23 (3) Sep 22 (3) Sep 21 (3) Sep 20 (4) Sep 19 (3) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (3) Sep 16 (3) Sep 15 (3) Sep 14 (4) Sep 13 (3) Sep 12 (4) Sep 11 (4) Sep 10 (2) Sep 09 (4) Sep 08 (4) Sep 07 (4) Sep 06 (3) Sep 05 (3) Sep 04 (3) Sep 03 (4) Sep 02 (3) Sep 01 (4) Aug 31 (4) Aug 30 (4) Aug 29 (4) Aug 28 (4) Aug 27 (4) Aug 26 (3) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (3) Aug 23 (3) Aug 22 (3) Aug 21 (3) Aug 20 (3) Aug 19 (3) Aug 18 (3) Aug 17 (4) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (4) Aug 13 (3) Aug 12 (3) Aug 11 (3) Aug 10 (3) Aug 09 (3) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (4) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (3) Aug 03 (4) Aug 02 (3) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (4) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (4) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (5) Jul 25 (3) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (3) Jul 19 (5) Jul 18 (2) Jul 17 (3) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (3) Jul 12 (3) Jul 11 (3) Jul 10 (3) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (4) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (3) Jul 05 (3) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (5) Jul 02 (2) Jul 01 (3) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (3) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (3) Jun 22 (3) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (4) Jun 17 (2) Jun 16 (3) Jun 15 (3) Jun 14 (4) Jun 13 (5) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (4) Jun 07 (5) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (3) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (4) Jun 02 (4) Jun 01 (3) May 31 (3) May 30 (3) May 29 (3) May 28 (3) May 27 (1) May 26 (4) May 25 (2) May 24 (3) May 23 (4) May 22 (3) May 21 (3) May 20 (3) May 19 (5) May 18 (4) May 17 (4) May 16 (3) May 15 (3) May 14 (3) May 13 (4) May 12 (3) May 11 (3) May 10 (3) May 09 (4) May 08 (2) May 07 (3) May 06 (4) May 05 (4) May 04 (4) May 03 (3) May 02 (4) May 01 (1) Apr 30 (5) Apr 29 (4) Apr 28 (4) Apr 27 (4) Apr 26 (4) Apr 25 (3) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (3) Apr 22 (4) Apr 21 (3) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (4) Apr 18 (4) Apr 17 (3) Apr 16 (4) Apr 15 (5) Apr 14 (3) Apr 13 (4) Apr 12 (3) Apr 11 (5) Apr 10 (3) Apr 09 (3) Apr 08 (4) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (4) Apr 05 (6) Apr 04 (4) Apr 03 (3) Apr 02 (3) Apr 01 (3) Mar 31 (3) Mar 30 (4) Mar 29 (3) Mar 28 (4) Mar 27 (3) Mar 26 (4) Mar 25 (5) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (3) Mar 22 (3) Mar 21 (5) Mar 20 (3) Mar 19 (3) Mar 18 (3) Mar 17 (4) Mar 16 (3) Mar 15 (4) Mar 14 (4) Mar 13 (3) Mar 12 (3) Mar 11 (4) Mar 10 (4) Mar 09 (4) Mar 08 (6) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (5) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (5) Mar 03 (3) Mar 02 (4) Mar 01 (4) Feb 28 (3) Feb 27 (4) Feb 26 (4) Feb 25 (5) Feb 24 (6) Feb 23 (3) Feb 22 (7) Feb 21 (6) Feb 20 (6) Feb 19 (3) Feb 18 (5) Feb 17 (5) Feb 16 (3) Feb 15 (3) Feb 14 (5) Feb 13 (3) Feb 12 (5) Feb 11 (3) Feb 10 (4) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (3) Feb 06 (3) Feb 05 (3) Feb 04 (3) Feb 03 (5) Feb 02 (3) Feb 01 (4) Jan 31 (3) Jan 30 (3) Jan 29 (4) Jan 28 (4) Jan 27 (3) Jan 26 (6) Jan 25 (3) Jan 24 (6) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (5) Jan 21 (4) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (3) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (3) Jan 16 (3) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (4) Jan 12 (3) Jan 11 (3) Jan 10 (3) Jan 09 (3) Jan 08 (4) Jan 07 (3) Jan 06 (4) Jan 05 (5) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (3) Jan 01 (4) Dec 31 (4) Dec 30 (3) Dec 29 (3) Dec 28 (3) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (4) Dec 23 (3) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (5) Dec 20 (2) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (4) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (5) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (3) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (5) Dec 05 (4) Dec 04 (3) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (3) Nov 30 (3) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (3) Nov 26 (4) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (3) Nov 23 (3) Nov 22 (3) Nov 21 (3) Nov 20 (3) Nov 19 (4) Nov 18 (3) Nov 17 (3) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (2) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (4) Nov 12 (5) Nov 11 (4) Nov 10 (3) Nov 09 (3) Nov 08 (4) Nov 07 (3) Nov 06 (3) Nov 05 (3) Nov 04 (3) Nov 03 (3) Nov 02 (3) Nov 01 (4) Oct 31 (4) Oct 30 (4) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (3) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (3) Oct 25 (5) Oct 24 (2) Oct 23 (3) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (3) Oct 20 (4) Oct 19 (3) Oct 18 (5) Oct 17 (2) Oct 16 (3) Oct 15 (4) Oct 14 (4) Oct 13 (3) Oct 12 (3) Oct 11 (3) Oct 10 (4) Oct 09 (3) Oct 08 (4) Oct 07 (3) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (5) Oct 04 (3) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (3) Oct 01 (4) Sep 30 (4) Sep 29 (5) Sep 28 (5) Sep 27 (2) Sep 26 (3) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (3) Sep 23 (4) Sep 22 (4) Sep 21 (5) Sep 20 (3) Sep 19 (3) Sep 18 (4) Sep 17 (4) Sep 16 (5) Sep 15 (4) Sep 14 (5) Sep 13 (5) Sep 12 (4) Sep 11 (3) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (4) Sep 08 (3) Sep 07 (4) Sep 06 (5) Sep 05 (4) Sep 04 (3) Sep 03 (3) Sep 02 (3) Sep 01 (3) Aug 31 (4) Aug 30 (3) Aug 29 (4) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (3) Aug 26 (6) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (4) Aug 23 (3) Aug 22 (3) Aug 21 (3) Aug 20 (5) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (5) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (4) Aug 13 (3) Aug 12 (3) Aug 11 (3) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (4) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (3) Aug 06 (3) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (2) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (4) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (4) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (5) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (3) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (3) Jul 17 (3) Jul 16 (3) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (5) Jul 12 (5) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (3) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (4) Jul 05 (3) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (3) Jul 02 (5) Jul 01 (3) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (5) Jun 28 (2) Jun 27 (3) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (3) Jun 24 (3) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (3) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (3) Jun 16 (3) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (5) Jun 13 (3) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (3) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (5) Jun 07 (3) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (3) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (3) Jun 01 (3) May 31 (4) May 30 (3) May 29 (4) May 28 (4) May 27 (3) May 26 (5) May 25 (4) May 24 (4) May 23 (4) May 22 (3) May 21 (5) May 20 (4) May 19 (3) May 18 (3) May 17 (4) May 16 (3) May 15 (6) May 14 (3) May 13 (3) May 12 (5) May 11 (4) May 10 (3) May 09 (3) May 08 (3) May 07 (4) May 06 (3) May 05 (4) May 04 (4) May 03 (3) May 02 (3) May 01 (3) Apr 30 (4) Apr 29 (3) Apr 28 (3) Apr 27 (5) Apr 26 (4) Apr 25 (3) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (4) Apr 22 (3) Apr 21 (5) Apr 20 (6) Apr 19 (5) Apr 18 (5) Apr 17 (4) Apr 16 (5) Apr 15 (6) Apr 14 (3) Apr 13 (3) Apr 12 (5) Apr 11 (4) Apr 10 (4) Apr 09 (5) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (4) Apr 05 (4) Apr 04 (4) Apr 03 (3) Apr 02 (6) Apr 01 (4) Mar 31 (4) Mar 30 (4) Mar 29 (4) Mar 28 (3) Mar 27 (3) Mar 26 (5) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (5) Mar 22 (5) Mar 21 (5) Mar 20 (6) Mar 19 (6) Mar 18 (4) Mar 17 (4) Mar 16 (5) Mar 15 (3) Mar 14 (7) Mar 13 (5) Mar 12 (8) Mar 11 (6) Mar 10 (4) Mar 09 (6) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (3) Mar 06 (5) Mar 05 (5) Mar 04 (5) Mar 03 (7) Mar 02 (4) Mar 01 (5) Feb 28 (3) Feb 27 (5) Feb 26 (6) Feb 25 (7) Feb 24 (4) Feb 23 (4) Feb 22 (7) Feb 21 (4) Feb 20 (3) Feb 19 (6) Feb 18 (5) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (4) Feb 15 (6) Feb 14 (6) Feb 13 (6) Feb 12 (4) Feb 11 (5) Feb 10 (4) Feb 09 (3) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (4) Feb 06 (7) Feb 05 (7) Feb 04 (7) Feb 03 (9) Feb 02 (7) Feb 01 (9) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (6) Jan 29 (5) Jan 28 (6) Jan 27 (6) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (6) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (6) Jan 21 (6) Jan 20 (8) Jan 19 (4) Jan 18 (9) Jan 17 (5) Jan 16 (5) Jan 15 (6) Jan 14 (7) Jan 13 (7) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (7) Jan 10 (8) Jan 09 (7) Jan 08 (8) Jan 07 (11) Jan 06 (9) Jan 05 (5) Jan 04 (7) Jan 03 (6) Jan 02 (8) Jan 01 (8) Dec 31 (6) Dec 30 (6) Dec 29 (4) Dec 28 (7) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (5) Dec 25 (5) Dec 24 (5) Dec 23 (7) Dec 22 (5) Dec 21 (5) Dec 20 (5) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (6) Dec 17 (6) Dec 16 (4) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (5) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (5) Dec 11 (4) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (5) Dec 08 (6) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (5) Dec 04 (5) Dec 03 (6) Dec 02 (4) Dec 01 (5) Nov 30 (4) Nov 29 (6) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (4) Nov 26 (4) Nov 25 (4) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (5) Nov 22 (7) Nov 21 (5) Nov 20 (6) Nov 19 (4) Nov 18 (3) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (5) Nov 15 (4) Nov 14 (5) Nov 13 (6) Nov 12 (6) Nov 11 (6) Nov 10 (8) Nov 09 (8) Nov 08 (7) Nov 07 (5) Nov 06 (5) Nov 05 (4) Nov 04 (6) Nov 03 (5) Nov 02 (3) Nov 01 (5) Oct 31 (4) Oct 30 (3) Oct 29 (5) Oct 28 (5) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (6) Oct 25 (6) Oct 24 (2) Oct 23 (3) Oct 22 (5) Oct 21 (4) Oct 20 (6) Oct 19 (3) Oct 18 (4) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (5) Oct 15 (2) Oct 14 (5) Oct 13 (2) Oct 12 (3) Oct 11 (7) Oct 10 (3) Oct 09 (3) Oct 08 (2) Oct 07 (7) Oct 06 (2) Oct 05 (6) Oct 04 (5) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (8) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (6) Sep 29 (3) Sep 28 (6) Sep 27 (4) Sep 26 (4) Sep 25 (4) Sep 24 (1) Sep 23 (5) Sep 22 (3) Sep 21 (2) Sep 20 (5) Sep 19 (3) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (3) Sep 15 (4) Sep 14 (4) Sep 13 (4) Sep 12 (3) Sep 11 (3) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (4) Sep 07 (4) Sep 06 (4) Sep 05 (5) Sep 04 (2) Sep 03 (4) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (3) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (3) Aug 29 (2) Aug 28 (4) Aug 27 (4) Aug 26 (4) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (3) Aug 23 (2) Aug 22 (3) Aug 21 (4) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (3) Aug 16 (4) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (5) Aug 12 (5) Aug 11 (3) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (3) Aug 08 (4) Aug 07 (3) Aug 06 (3) Aug 05 (3) Aug 04 (4) Aug 03 (4) Aug 02 (4) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (4) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (4) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (3) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (5) Jul 19 (4) Jul 18 (4) Jul 17 (3) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (3) Jul 11 (3) Jul 10 (3) Jul 09 (4) Jul 08 (4) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (3) Jul 05 (5) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (4) Jul 01 (4) Jun 30 (3) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (3) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (5) Jun 22 (5) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (4) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (6) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (5) Jun 07 (3) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (5) Jun 04 (5) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (5) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (3) May 30 (5) May 29 (3) May 28 (4) May 27 (5) May 26 (7) May 25 (4) May 24 (4) May 23 (4) May 22 (6) May 21 (4) May 20 (3) May 19 (5) May 18 (4) May 17 (4) May 16 (5) May 15 (4) May 14 (4) May 13 (5) May 12 (4) May 11 (5) May 10 (6) May 09 (7) May 08 (3) May 07 (6) May 06 (4) May 05 (6) May 04 (6) May 03 (4) May 02 (4) May 01 (4) Apr 30 (4) Apr 29 (3) Apr 28 (4) Apr 27 (4) Apr 26 (3) Apr 25 (6) Apr 24 (4) Apr 23 (5) Apr 22 (5) Apr 21 (7) Apr 20 (6) Apr 19 (5) Apr 18 (5) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (4) Apr 15 (6) Apr 14 (5) Apr 13 (5) Apr 12 (5) Apr 11 (4) Apr 10 (6) Apr 09 (7) Apr 08 (7) Apr 07 (4) Apr 06 (7) Apr 05 (6) Apr 04 (5) Apr 03 (6) Apr 02 (5) Apr 01 (6) Mar 31 (4) Mar 30 (5) Mar 29 (5) Mar 28 (5) Mar 27 (6) Mar 26 (6) Mar 25 (7) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (4) Mar 22 (5) Mar 21 (5) Mar 20 (5) Mar 19 (4) Mar 18 (4) Mar 17 (4) Mar 16 (3) Mar 15 (4) Mar 14 (5) Mar 13 (5) Mar 12 (5) Mar 11 (5) Mar 10 (5) Mar 09 (5) Mar 08 (4) Mar 07 (4) Mar 06 (5) Mar 05 (6) Mar 04 (6) Mar 03 (5) Mar 02 (4) Mar 01 (3) Feb 29 (4) Feb 28 (4) Feb 27 (5) Feb 26 (5) Feb 25 (4) Feb 24 (5) Feb 23 (4) Feb 22 (5) Feb 21 (3) Feb 20 (4) Feb 19 (2) Feb 18 (5) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (4) Feb 15 (4) Feb 14 (4) Feb 13 (6) Feb 12 (5) Feb 11 (3) Feb 10 (5) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (5) Feb 06 (5) Feb 05 (5) Feb 04 (4) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (3) Feb 01 (2) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (3) Jan 28 (5) Jan 27 (6) Jan 26 (4) Jan 25 (3) Jan 24 (4) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (3) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (4) Jan 18 (3) Jan 17 (3) Jan 16 (3) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (3) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (3) Jan 09 (4) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (5) Jan 06 (3) Jan 05 (5) Jan 04 (3) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (1) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (3) Dec 30 (5) Dec 29 (4) Dec 28 (4) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (3) Dec 25 (3) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (3) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (4) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (5) Dec 15 (5) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (3) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (3) Dec 07 (3) Dec 06 (5) Dec 05 (3) Dec 04 (3) Dec 03 (3) Dec 02 (4) Dec 01 (5) Nov 30 (3) Nov 29 (4) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (5) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (5) Nov 24 (3) Nov 23 (3) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (3) Nov 20 (3) Nov 19 (3) Nov 18 (3) Nov 17 (4) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (4) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (5) Nov 12 (4) Nov 11 (5) Nov 10 (2) Nov 09 (3) Nov 08 (3) Nov 07 (3) Nov 06 (1) Nov 05 (4) Nov 04 (3) Nov 03 (3) Nov 02 (3) Nov 01 (4) Oct 31 (3) Oct 30 (3) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (3) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (3) Oct 25 (3) Oct 24 (3) Oct 23 (4) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (3) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (3) Oct 18 (3) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (4) Oct 15 (4) Oct 14 (3) Oct 13 (4) Oct 12 (4) Oct 11 (4) Oct 10 (3) Oct 09 (3) Oct 08 (3) Oct 07 (4) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (3) Oct 04 (4) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (3) Oct 01 (4) Sep 30 (3) Sep 29 (4) Sep 28 (3) Sep 27 (4) Sep 26 (3) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (3) Sep 23 (3) Sep 22 (3) Sep 21 (5) Sep 20 (3) Sep 19 (3) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (3) Sep 16 (4) Sep 15 (5) Sep 14 (3) Sep 13 (5) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (5) Sep 10 (5) Sep 09 (4) Sep 08 (3) Sep 07 (3) Sep 06 (3) Sep 05 (5) Sep 04 (3) Sep 03 (4) Sep 02 (3) Sep 01 (4) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (3) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (4) Aug 26 (3) Aug 25 (4) Aug 24 (3) Aug 23 (4) Aug 22 (3) Aug 21 (3) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (3) Aug 17 (3) Aug 16 (4) Aug 15 (3) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (3) Aug 12 (4) Aug 11 (3) Aug 10 (3) Aug 09 (3) Aug 08 (4) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (3) Aug 05 (5) Aug 04 (3) Aug 03 (4) Aug 02 (3) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (4) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (3) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (3) Jul 20 (3) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (3) Jul 17 (3) Jul 16 (3) Jul 15 (4) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (3) Jul 12 (3) Jul 11 (3) Jul 10 (4) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (3) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (4) Jul 05 (3) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (3) Jul 01 (5) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (1) Jun 26 (5) Jun 25 (5) Jun 24 (4) Jun 23 (4) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (5) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (3) Jun 16 (3) Jun 15 (3) Jun 14 (3) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (3) Jun 11 (4) Jun 10 (3) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (3) Jun 07 (3) Jun 06 (4) Jun 05 (3) Jun 04 (4) Jun 03 (4) Jun 02 (3) Jun 01 (4) May 31 (3) May 30 (3) May 29 (3) May 28 (4) May 27 (6) May 26 (3) May 25 (3) May 24 (3) May 23 (3) May 22 (5) May 21 (3) May 20 (3) May 19 (3) May 18 (4) May 17 (3) May 16 (3) May 15 (4) May 14 (4) May 13 (4) May 12 (5) May 11 (2) May 10 (3) May 09 (3) May 08 (3) May 07 (3) May 06 (3) May 05 (4) May 04 (3) May 03 (3) May 02 (4) May 01 (5) Apr 30 (4) Apr 29 (4) Apr 28 (4) Apr 27 (3) Apr 26 (5) Apr 25 (3) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (5) Apr 22 (3) Apr 21 (4) Apr 20 (1) Apr 19 (3) Apr 18 (4) Apr 17 (3) Apr 16 (4) Apr 15 (3) Apr 14 (3) Apr 13 (3) Apr 12 (4) Apr 11 (5) Apr 10 (4) Apr 09 (3) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (2) Apr 06 (3) Apr 05 (5) Apr 04 (3) Apr 03 (4) Apr 02 (3) Apr 01 (7) Mar 31 (2) Mar 30 (2) Mar 29 (1) Mar 28 (6) Mar 27 (3) Mar 26 (4) Mar 25 (4) Mar 24 (6) Mar 23 (3) Mar 22 (5) Mar 21 (4) Mar 20 (3) Mar 19 (3) Mar 18 (5) Mar 17 (3) Mar 16 (3) Mar 15 (4) Mar 14 (4) Mar 13 (6) Mar 12 (7) Mar 11 (4) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (4) Mar 08 (3) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (3) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (3) Mar 03 (3) Mar 02 (4) Mar 01 (4) Feb 28 (5) Feb 27 (5) Feb 26 (4) Feb 25 (4) Feb 24 (3) Feb 23 (3) Feb 22 (5) Feb 21 (5) Feb 20 (5) Feb 19 (4) Feb 18 (3) Feb 17 (3) Feb 16 (4) Feb 15 (3) Feb 14 (6) Feb 13 (4) Feb 12 (3) Feb 11 (6) Feb 10 (5) Feb 09 (3) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (6) Feb 06 (3) Feb 05 (6) Feb 04 (5) Feb 03 (3) Feb 02 (3) Feb 01 (4) Jan 31 (4) Jan 30 (6) Jan 29 (3) Jan 28 (4) Jan 27 (5) Jan 26 (4) Jan 25 (6) Jan 24 (3) Jan 23 (3) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (4) Jan 19 (3) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (3) Jan 16 (3) Jan 15 (4) Jan 14 (4) Jan 13 (4) Jan 12 (3) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (5) Jan 09 (3) Jan 08 (4) Jan 07 (4) Jan 06 (3) Jan 05 (3) Jan 04 (3) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (3) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (5) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (3) Dec 28 (5) Dec 27 (3) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (5) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (4) Dec 22 (7) Dec 21 (4) Dec 20 (5) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (6) Dec 17 (5) Dec 16 (3) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (7) Dec 10 (7) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (3) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (4) Dec 05 (4) Dec 04 (4) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (5) Nov 30 (3) Nov 29 (5) Nov 28 (4) Nov 27 (5) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (4) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (3) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (5) Nov 20 (3) Nov 19 (5) Nov 18 (3) Nov 17 (4) Nov 16 (5) Nov 15 (3) Nov 14 (4) Nov 13 (5) Nov 12 (7) Nov 11 (4) Nov 10 (6) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 (4) Nov 07 (4) Nov 06 (3) Nov 05 (4) Nov 04 (4) Nov 03 (3) Nov 02 (4) Nov 01 (4) Oct 31 (3) Oct 30 (4) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (4) Oct 27 (4) Oct 26 (4) Oct 25 (4) Oct 24 (5) Oct 23 (4) Oct 22 (4) Oct 21 (3) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (4) Oct 18 (3) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (4) Oct 15 (4) Oct 14 (4) Oct 13 (4) Oct 12 (5) Oct 11 (3) Oct 10 (5) Oct 09 (5) Oct 08 (5) Oct 07 (6) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (3) Oct 04 (5) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (4) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (4) Sep 29 (4) Sep 28 (5) Sep 27 (5) Sep 26 (5) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (5) Sep 23 (5) Sep 22 (3) Sep 21 (4) Sep 20 (4) Sep 19 (3) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (4) Sep 16 (4) Sep 15 (3) Sep 14 (4) Sep 13 (4) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (4) Sep 10 (3) Sep 09 (4) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (4) Sep 06 (4) Sep 05 (5) Sep 04 (4) Sep 03 (3) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (3) Aug 31 (5) Aug 30 (4) Aug 29 (6) Aug 28 (6) Aug 27 (6) Aug 26 (5) Aug 25 (4) Aug 24 (4) Aug 23 (7) Aug 22 (4) Aug 21 (6) Aug 20 (3) Aug 19 (7) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (3) Aug 16 (4) Aug 15 (3) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (6) Aug 12 (6) Aug 11 (4) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (3) Aug 08 (5) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (3) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (4) Aug 03 (6) Aug 02 (3) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (3) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (5) Jul 28 (5) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (6) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (3) Jul 23 (6) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (5) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (3) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (6) Jul 15 (4) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (4) Jul 11 (3) Jul 10 (5) Jul 09 (4) Jul 08 (3) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (3) Jul 05 (3) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (3) Jul 02 (4) Jul 01 (4) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (3) Jun 19 (4) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (4) Jun 13 (3) Jun 12 (5) Jun 11 (5) Jun 10 (6) Jun 09 (5) Jun 08 (4) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (4) Jun 05 (3) Jun 04 (5) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (3) Jun 01 (4) May 31 (4) May 30 (3) May 29 (3) May 28 (5) May 27 (3) May 26 (4) May 25 (3) May 24 (6) May 23 (4) May 22 (5) May 21 (5) May 20 (4) May 19 (5) May 18 (6) May 17 (6) May 16 (4) May 15 (4) May 14 (5) May 13 (4) May 12 (3) May 11 (4) May 10 (5) May 09 (2) May 08 (4) May 07 (4) May 06 (4) May 05 (4) May 04 (4) May 03 (3) May 02 (3) May 01 (4) Apr 30 (4) Apr 29 (6) Apr 28 (6) Apr 27 (5) Apr 26 (5) Apr 25 (4) Apr 24 (6) Apr 23 (6) Apr 22 (5) Apr 21 (6) Apr 20 (4) Apr 19 (4) Apr 18 (4) Apr 17 (7) Apr 16 (5) Apr 15 (4) Apr 14 (8) Apr 13 (5) Apr 12 (3) Apr 11 (3) Apr 10 (4) Apr 09 (6) Apr 08 (6) Apr 07 (5) Apr 06 (4) Apr 05 (3) Apr 04 (4) Apr 03 (6) Apr 02 (6) Apr 01 (3) Mar 31 (7) Mar 30 (6) Mar 29 (8) Mar 28 (5) Mar 27 (6) Mar 26 (8) Mar 25 (5) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (8) Mar 22 (5) Mar 21 (6) Mar 20 (5) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (4) Mar 17 (4) Mar 16 (5) Mar 15 (6) Mar 14 (5) Mar 13 (6) Mar 12 (4) Mar 11 (4) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (7) Mar 08 (4) Mar 07 (4) Mar 06 (4) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (4) Mar 03 (6) Mar 02 (3) Mar 01 (5) Feb 28 (7) Feb 27 (6) Feb 26 (8) Feb 25 (5) Feb 24 (8) Feb 23 (7) Feb 22 (8) Feb 21 (7) Feb 20 (7) Feb 19 (7) Feb 18 (5) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (6) Feb 15 (6) Feb 14 (5) Feb 13 (5) Feb 12 (7) Feb 11 (6) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (6) Feb 07 (5) Feb 06 (5) Feb 05 (4) Feb 04 (4) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (5) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (3) Jan 29 (6) Jan 28 (4) Jan 27 (3) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (4) Jan 24 (4) Jan 23 (5) Jan 22 (7) Jan 21 (6) Jan 20 (6) Jan 19 (3) Jan 18 (6) Jan 17 (5) Jan 16 (7) Jan 15 (4) Jan 14 (7) Jan 13 (5) Jan 12 (7) Jan 11 (5) Jan 10 (4) Jan 09 (4) Jan 08 (7) Jan 07 (3) Jan 06 (5) Jan 05 (5) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (4) Jan 02 (3) Jan 01 (6) Dec 31 (5) Dec 30 (3) Dec 29 (4) Dec 28 (7) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (6) Dec 24 (5) Dec 23 (5) Dec 22 (5) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (4) Dec 17 (6) Dec 16 (5) Dec 15 (4) Dec 14 (5) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (5) Dec 11 (7) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (3) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (6) Dec 06 (4) Dec 05 (4) Dec 04 (7) Dec 03 (6) Dec 02 (4) Dec 01 (4) Nov 30 (6) Nov 29 (4) Nov 28 (4) Nov 27 (7) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (5) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (4) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (7) Nov 20 (5) Nov 19 (4) Nov 18 (5) Nov 17 (6) Nov 16 (7) Nov 15 (5) Nov 14 (5) Nov 13 (5) Nov 12 (4) Nov 11 (7) Nov 10 (6) Nov 09 (7) Nov 08 (4) Nov 07 (9) Nov 06 (7) Nov 05 (7) Nov 04 (7) Nov 03 (5) Nov 02 (6) Nov 01 (6) Oct 31 (7) Oct 30 (6) Oct 29 (7) Oct 28 (4) Oct 27 (7) Oct 26 (4) Oct 25 (3) Oct 24 (6) Oct 23 (10) Oct 22 (6) Oct 21 (5) Oct 20 (5) Oct 19 (5) Oct 18 (4) Oct 17 (6) Oct 16 (5) Oct 15 (6) Oct 14 (7) Oct 13 (3) Oct 12 (5) Oct 11 (5) Oct 10 (6) Oct 09 (8) Oct 08 (6) Oct 07 (5) Oct 06 (4) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (3) Oct 03 (4) Oct 02 (5) Oct 01 (5) Sep 30 (6) Sep 29 (5) Sep 28 (5) Sep 27 (6) Sep 26 (7) Sep 25 (6) Sep 24 (6) Sep 23 (6) Sep 22 (7) Sep 21 (5) Sep 20 (8) Sep 19 (6) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (5) Sep 15 (5) Sep 14 (7) Sep 13 (5) Sep 12 (7) Sep 11 (5) Sep 10 (7) Sep 09 (7) Sep 08 (7) Sep 07 (6) Sep 06 (5) Sep 05 (3) Sep 04 (6) Sep 03 (7) Sep 02 (6) Sep 01 (6) Aug 31 (5) Aug 30 (5) Aug 29 (4) Aug 28 (5) Aug 27 (5) Aug 26 (3) Aug 25 (8) Aug 24 (5) Aug 23 (6) Aug 22 (7) Aug 21 (7) Aug 20 (6) Aug 19 (7) Aug 18 (5) Aug 17 (4) Aug 16 (6) Aug 15 (6) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (7) Aug 12 (6) Aug 11 (5) Aug 10 (6) Aug 09 (6) Aug 08 (5) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (4) Aug 05 (5) Aug 04 (6) Aug 03 (6) Aug 02 (5) Aug 01 (5) Jul 31 (7) Jul 30 (7) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (7) Jul 27 (6) Jul 26 (4) Jul 25 (3) Jul 24 (5) Jul 23 (4) Jul 22 (4) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (5) Jul 18 (5) Jul 17 (5) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (5) Jul 12 (6) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (4) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (4) Jul 07 (7) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (6) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (5) Jul 02 (4) Jul 01 (4) Jun 30 (3) Jun 29 (5) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (3) Jun 23 (4) Jun 22 (3) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (5) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (4) Jun 17 (5) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (7) Jun 13 (5) Jun 12 (5) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (6) Jun 09 (4) Jun 08 (6) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (5) Jun 05 (4) Jun 04 (5) Jun 03 (5) Jun 02 (5) Jun 01 (5) May 31 (4) May 30 (5) May 29 (5) May 28 (5) May 27 (8) May 26 (7) May 25 (7) May 24 (5) May 23 (2) May 22 (5) May 21 (4) May 20 (5) May 19 (5) May 18 (5) May 17 (5) May 16 (7) May 15 (7) May 14 (7) May 13 (5) May 12 (6) May 11 (8) May 10 (4) May 09 (6) May 08 (10) May 07 (8) May 06 (5) May 05 (6) May 04 (7) May 03 (7) May 02 (8) May 01 (6) Apr 30 (6) Apr 29 (6) Apr 28 (9) Apr 27 (6) Apr 26 (5) Apr 25 (8) Apr 24 (7) Apr 23 (8) Apr 22 (6) Apr 21 (5) Apr 20 (10) Apr 19 (7) Apr 18 (7) Apr 17 (8) Apr 16 (5) Apr 15 (6) Apr 14 (9) Apr 13 (11) Apr 12 (8) Apr 11 (5) Apr 10 (10) Apr 09 (7) Apr 08 (5) Apr 07 (9) Apr 06 (10) Apr 05 (5) Apr 04 (5) Apr 03 (7) Apr 02 (6) Apr 01 (5) Mar 31 (3) Mar 30 (3) Mar 29 (1) Mar 28 (5) Mar 27 (7) Mar 26 (8) Mar 25 (4) Mar 24 (8) Mar 23 (5) Mar 22 (4) Mar 21 (5) Mar 20 (7) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (8) Mar 17 (8) Mar 16 (3) Mar 15 (6) Mar 14 (9) Mar 13 (6) Mar 12 (6) Mar 11 (7) Mar 10 (6) Mar 09 (8) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (9) Mar 04 (7) Mar 03 (6) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (7) Feb 28 (8) Feb 27 (7) Feb 26 (4) Feb 25 (9) Feb 24 (6) Feb 23 (6) Feb 22 (7) Feb 21 (3) Feb 20 (6) Feb 19 (5) Feb 18 (5) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (4) Feb 15 (5) Feb 14 (8) Feb 13 (6) Feb 12 (4) Feb 11 (5) Feb 10 (6) Feb 09 (7) Feb 08 (6) Feb 07 (6) Feb 06 (6) Feb 05 (5) Feb 04 (5) Feb 03 (10) Feb 02 (9) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (8) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (9) Jan 28 (6) Jan 27 (5) Jan 26 (6) Jan 25 (7) Jan 24 (6) Jan 23 (6) Jan 22 (5) Jan 21 (7) Jan 20 (8) Jan 19 (5) Jan 18 (5) Jan 17 (5) Jan 16 (5) Jan 15 (5) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (5) Jan 12 (6) Jan 11 (5) Jan 10 (5) Jan 09 (4) Jan 08 (3) Jan 07 (5) Jan 06 (5) Jan 05 (6) Jan 04 (5) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (3) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (3) Dec 30 (3) Dec 29 (3) Dec 28 (4) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (5) Dec 25 (6) Dec 24 (7) Dec 23 (7) Dec 22 (4) Dec 21 (5) Dec 20 (6) Dec 19 (10) Dec 18 (9) Dec 17 (10) Dec 16 (8) Dec 15 (4) Dec 14 (6) Dec 13 (10) Dec 12 (6) Dec 11 (5) Dec 10 (6) Dec 09 (5) Dec 08 (8) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (6) Dec 04 (7) Dec 03 (7) Dec 02 (6) Dec 01 (9) Nov 30 (5) Nov 29 (9) Nov 28 (7) Nov 27 (6) Nov 26 (7) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (4) Nov 22 (7) Nov 21 (7) Nov 20 (4) Nov 19 (8) Nov 18 (12) Nov 17 (8) Nov 16 (6) Nov 15 (4) Nov 14 (11) Nov 13 (11) Nov 12 (9) Nov 11 (6) Nov 10 (9) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (7) Nov 07 (7) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (8) Nov 04 (6) Nov 03 (4) Nov 02 (7) Nov 01 (5) Oct 31 (7) Oct 30 (6) Oct 29 (7) Oct 28 (4) Oct 27 (7) Oct 26 (4) Oct 25 (7) Oct 24 (4) Oct 23 (7) Oct 22 (7) Oct 21 (6) Oct 20 (8) Oct 19 (7) Oct 18 (6) Oct 17 (6) Oct 16 (8) Oct 15 (5) Oct 14 (6) Oct 13 (7) Oct 12 (5) Oct 11 (5) Oct 10 (8) Oct 09 (8) Oct 08 (7) Oct 07 (7) Oct 06 (7) Oct 05 (8) Oct 04 (6) Oct 03 (8) Oct 02 (3) Oct 01 (6) Sep 30 (10) Sep 29 (7) Sep 28 (10) Sep 27 (10) Sep 26 (11) Sep 25 (5) Sep 24 (6) Sep 23 (5) Sep 22 (5) Sep 21 (8) Sep 20 (8) Sep 19 (6) Sep 18 (6) Sep 17 (7) Sep 16 (5) Sep 15 (6) Sep 14 (5) Sep 13 (6) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (10) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (3) Sep 08 (8) Sep 07 (4) Sep 06 (7) Sep 05 (8) Sep 04 (7) Sep 03 (6) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (3) Aug 31 (6) Aug 30 (3) Aug 29 (4) Aug 28 (5) Aug 27 (6) Aug 26 (5) Aug 25 (9) Aug 24 (7) Aug 23 (8) Aug 22 (5) Aug 21 (9) Aug 20 (8) Aug 19 (7) Aug 18 (6) Aug 17 (5) Aug 16 (8) Aug 15 (6) Aug 14 (5) Aug 13 (6) Aug 12 (5) Aug 11 (7) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (9) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (5) Aug 06 (5) Aug 05 (6) Aug 04 (6) Aug 03 (7) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (6) Jul 30 (7) Jul 29 (8) Jul 28 (8) Jul 27 (6) Jul 26 (9) Jul 25 (9) Jul 24 (7) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (7) Jul 21 (9) Jul 20 (6) Jul 19 (9) Jul 18 (7) Jul 17 (2) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (7) Jul 14 (7) Jul 13 (8) Jul 12 (4) Jul 11 (4) Jul 10 (7) Jul 09 (6) Jul 08 (6) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (4) Jul 05 (6) Jul 04 (8) Jul 03 (3) Jul 02 (7) Jul 01 (6) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (6) Jun 28 (5) Jun 27 (6) Jun 26 (6) Jun 25 (7) Jun 24 (4) Jun 23 (5) Jun 22 (7) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (6) Jun 19 (4) Jun 18 (6) Jun 17 (5) Jun 16 (6) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (5) Jun 13 (7) Jun 12 (8) Jun 11 (5) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (7) Jun 08 (6) Jun 07 (5) Jun 06 (7) Jun 05 (5) Jun 04 (6) Jun 03 (5) Jun 02 (8) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (7) May 30 (4) May 29 (5) May 28 (1) May 27 (5) May 26 (8) May 25 (5) May 24 (8) May 23 (8) May 22 (7) May 21 (5) May 20 (6) May 19 (9) May 18 (5) May 17 (9) May 16 (7) May 15 (5) May 14 (11) May 13 (6) May 12 (13) May 11 (5) May 10 (7) May 09 (6) May 08 (8) May 07 (9) May 06 (6) May 05 (5) May 04 (2) May 03 (6) May 02 (7) May 01 (4) Apr 30 (5) Apr 29 (7) Apr 28 (6) Apr 27 (6) Apr 26 (10) Apr 25 (7) Apr 24 (5) Apr 23 (4) Apr 22 (7) Apr 21 (3) Apr 20 (6) Apr 19 (6) Apr 18 (3) Apr 17 (10) Apr 16 (6) Apr 15 (6) Apr 14 (5) Apr 13 (4) Apr 12 (5) Apr 11 (10) Apr 10 (6) Apr 09 (6) Apr 08 (10) Apr 07 (6) Apr 06 (6) Apr 05 (5) Apr 04 (4) Apr 03 (5) Apr 02 (5) Apr 01 (6) Mar 31 (5) Mar 30 (9) Mar 29 (8) Mar 28 (8) Mar 27 (7) Mar 26 (9) Mar 25 (11) Mar 24 (10) Mar 23 (6) Mar 22 (8) Mar 21 (3) Mar 20 (6) Mar 19 (2) Mar 18 (9) Mar 17 (7) Mar 16 (6) Mar 15 (10) Mar 14 (6) Mar 13 (6) Mar 12 (10) Mar 11 (7) Mar 10 (8) Mar 09 (6) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (6) Mar 06 (7) Mar 05 (6) Mar 04 (10) Mar 03 (2) Mar 02 (8) Mar 01 (9) Feb 29 (11) Feb 28 (8) Feb 27 (6) Feb 26 (8) Feb 25 (8) Feb 24 (9) Feb 23 (12) Feb 22 (10) Feb 21 (11) Feb 20 (6) Feb 19 (5) Feb 18 (9) Feb 17 (9) Feb 16 (10) Feb 15 (8) Feb 14 (9) Feb 13 (8) Feb 12 (8) Feb 11 (7) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (7) Feb 08 (9) Feb 07 (7) Feb 06 (10) Feb 05 (10) Feb 04 (6) Feb 03 (8) Feb 02 (7) Feb 01 (6) Jan 31 (10) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (6) Jan 28 (9) Jan 27 (7) Jan 26 (8) Jan 25 (8) Jan 24 (7) Jan 23 (6) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (6) Jan 20 (10) Jan 19 (8) Jan 18 (6) Jan 17 (7) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (8) Jan 13 (8) Jan 12 (6) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (6) Jan 09 (8) Jan 08 (4) Jan 07 (5) Jan 06 (6) Jan 05 (9) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (7) Jan 02 (6) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (6) Dec 30 (9) Dec 29 (6) Dec 28 (2) Dec 27 (8) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (6) Dec 24 (5) Dec 23 (6) Dec 22 (8) Dec 21 (8) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (8) Dec 18 (6) Dec 17 (8) Dec 16 (7) Dec 15 (9) Dec 14 (7) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (4) Dec 11 (5) Dec 10 (6) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (4) Dec 05 (5) Dec 04 (4) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (7) Dec 01 (7) Nov 30 (5) Nov 29 (5) Nov 28 (6) Nov 27 (3) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (5) Nov 24 (8) Nov 23 (2) Nov 22 (6) Nov 21 (5) Nov 20 (5) Nov 19 (4) Nov 18 (4) Nov 17 (4) Nov 16 (6) Nov 15 (5) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (6) Nov 12 (5) Nov 11 (4) Nov 10 (4) Nov 09 (2) Nov 08 (5) Nov 07 (4) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (5) Nov 04 (6) Nov 03 (6) Nov 02 (5) Nov 01 (5) Oct 31 (6) Oct 30 (6) Oct 29 (5) Oct 28 (5) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (5) Oct 25 (8) Oct 24 (7) Oct 23 (4) Oct 22 (7) Oct 21 (5) Oct 20 (5) Oct 19 (5) Oct 18 (6) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (2) Oct 15 (2) Oct 14 (2) Oct 13 (6) Oct 12 (9) Oct 11 (3) Oct 10 (6) Oct 09 (4) Oct 08 (5) Oct 07 (6) Oct 06 (6) Oct 05 (7) Oct 04 (5) Oct 03 (4) Oct 02 (5) Oct 01 (8) Sep 30 (3) Sep 29 (6) Sep 28 (6) Sep 27 (9) Sep 26 (4) Sep 25 (4) Sep 24 (5) Sep 23 (3) Sep 22 (6) Sep 21 (4) Sep 20 (4) Sep 19 (5) Sep 18 (7) Sep 17 (6) Sep 16 (7) Sep 15 (4) Sep 14 (8) Sep 13 (3) Sep 12 (7) Sep 11 (8) Sep 10 (5) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (8) Sep 07 (5) Sep 06 (6) Sep 05 (4) Sep 04 (7) Sep 03 (5) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (4) Aug 31 (5) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (5) Aug 28 (5) Aug 27 (4) Aug 26 (3) Aug 25 (7) Aug 24 (6) Aug 23 (6) Aug 22 (6) Aug 21 (5) Aug 20 (5) Aug 19 (5) Aug 18 (5) Aug 17 (5) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (7) Aug 14 (8) Aug 13 (8) Aug 12 (4) Aug 11 (6) Aug 10 (5) Aug 09 (4) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (6) Aug 06 (7) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (4) Aug 03 (6) Aug 02 (6) Aug 01 (6) Jul 31 (4) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (6) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (5) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (4) Jul 22 (5) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (2) Jul 19 (4) Jul 18 (7) Jul 17 (8) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (5) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (5) Jul 12 (4) Jul 11 (7) Jul 10 (5) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (4) Jul 05 (6) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (10) Jul 02 (4) Jul 01 (2) Jun 30 (3) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (3) Jun 26 (6) Jun 25 (3) Jun 24 (3) Jun 23 (3) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (3) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (3) Jun 14 (4) Jun 13 (3) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (2) Jun 10 (2) Jun 09 (2) Jun 08 (3) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (1) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (2) Jun 02 (2) Jun 01 (2) May 31 (2) May 30 (3) May 29 (3) May 28 (5) May 27 (1) May 26 (1) May 25 (2) May 24 (2) May 23 (1) May 22 (2) May 21 (2) May 20 (3) May 19 (3) May 18 (2) May 17 (2) May 16 (2) May 15 (3) May 14 (2) May 13 (2) May 12 (2) May 11 (3) May 10 (3) May 09 (2) May 08 (3) May 07 (2) May 06 (2) May 05 (2) May 04 (2) May 03 (3) May 02 (2) May 01 (2) Apr 30 (1) Apr 29 (2) Apr 28 (3) Apr 27 (2) Apr 26 (2) Apr 25 (2) Apr 24 (2) Apr 23 (3) Apr 22 (4) Apr 21 (4) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (3) Apr 18 (2) Apr 17 (2) Apr 16 (2) Apr 15 (2) Apr 14 (2) Apr 13 (2) Apr 12 (2) Apr 11 (3) Apr 10 (3) Apr 09 (2) Apr 08 (2) Apr 07 (2) Apr 06 (2) Apr 05 (3) Apr 04 (2) Apr 03 (2) Apr 02 (2) Apr 01 (2) Mar 31 (1) Mar 30 (1) Mar 29 (2) Mar 28 (2) Mar 27 (2) Mar 26 (3) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (2) Mar 23 (2) Mar 22 (1) Mar 21 (1) Mar 20 (2) Mar 19 (2) Mar 18 (2) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (4) Mar 15 (2) Mar 14 (2) Mar 13 (2) Mar 12 (2) Mar 11 (3) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (3) Mar 08 (2) Mar 07 (1) Mar 06 (2) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (3) Mar 03 (8) Mar 02 (2) Mar 01 (1) Feb 28 (2) Feb 27 (4) Feb 26 (1) Feb 25 (1) Feb 24 (2) Feb 23 (2) Feb 22 (4) Feb 21 (2) Feb 20 (2) Feb 19 (2) Feb 18 (2) Feb 17 (2) Feb 16 (2) Feb 15 (1) Feb 14 (1) Feb 13 (1) Feb 12 (2) Feb 11 (1) Feb 10 (2) Feb 09 (1) Feb 08 (1) Feb 07 (1) Feb 06 (1) Feb 05 (5) Feb 03 (1) Feb 02 (1) Feb 01 (1) Jan 31 (4) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (4) Jan 28 (2) Jan 27 (5) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (5) Jan 24 (3) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (4) Jan 18 (3) Jan 17 (2) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (5) Jan 13 (5) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (3) Jan 09 (5) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (4) Jan 06 (3) Jan 05 (4) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (6) Jan 02 (3) Jan 01 (4) Dec 31 (4) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (5) Dec 28 (5) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (1) Dec 23 (4) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (5) Dec 20 (5) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (4) Dec 17 (5) Dec 16 (4) Dec 15 (6) Dec 14 (4) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (5) Dec 11 (5) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (5) Dec 08 (4) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (5) Dec 05 (4) Dec 04 (4) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (3) Nov 30 (4) Nov 29 (4) Nov 28 (5) Nov 27 (4) Nov 26 (4) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (5) Nov 23 (4) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (4) Nov 20 (4) Nov 19 (5) Nov 18 (4) Nov 17 (4) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (5) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (4) Nov 12 (4) Nov 11 (4) Nov 10 (3) Nov 09 (3) Nov 08 (3) Nov 07 (4) Nov 06 (4) Nov 05 (4) Nov 04 (3) Nov 03 (2) Nov 02 (3) Nov 01 (4) Oct 31 (3) Oct 30 (4) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (4) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (3) Oct 25 (3) Oct 24 (3) Oct 23 (3) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (3) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (3) Oct 18 (3) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (4) Oct 15 (5) Oct 14 (3) Oct 13 (6) Oct 12 (4) Oct 11 (4) Oct 10 (3) Oct 09 (3) Oct 08 (3) Oct 07 (3) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (3) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (3) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (3) Sep 29 (3) Sep 28 (3) Sep 27 (3) Sep 26 (5) Sep 25 (5) Sep 24 (4) Sep 23 (5) Sep 22 (4) Sep 21 (4) Sep 20 (5) Sep 19 (4) Sep 18 (5) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (4) Sep 15 (5) Sep 14 (4) Sep 13 (3) Sep 12 (6) Sep 11 (6) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (4) Sep 08 (3) Sep 07 (3) Sep 06 (3) Sep 05 (4) Sep 04 (4) Sep 03 (3) Sep 02 (3) Sep 01 (4) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (3) Aug 29 (4) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (4) Aug 26 (3) Aug 25 (4) Aug 24 (4) Aug 23 (3) Aug 22 (3) Aug 21 (3) Aug 20 (5) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (3) Aug 17 (3) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (5) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (3) Aug 12 (4) Aug 11 (3) Aug 10 (3) Aug 09 (4) Aug 08 (2) Aug 07 (2) Aug 06 (2) Aug 05 (2) Aug 04 (2) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (4) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (2) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (6) Jul 24 (3) Jul 23 (4) Jul 22 (4) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (4) Jul 18 (4) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (5) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (4) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (5) Jul 09 (2) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (2) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (5) Jul 01 (3) Jun 30 (2) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (5) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (3) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (2) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (1) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (2) Jun 13 (5) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (2) Jun 09 (2) Jun 08 (2) Jun 07 (2) Jun 06 (2) Jun 05 (2) Jun 04 (2) Jun 03 (2) Jun 02 (4) Jun 01 (3) May 31 (4) May 30 (5) May 29 (3) May 28 (3) May 27 (3) May 26 (4) May 25 (4) May 24 (2) May 23 (4) May 22 (4) May 21 (5) May 20 (6) May 19 (4) May 18 (3) May 17 (4) May 16 (5) May 15 (6) May 14 (4) May 13 (9) May 12 (4) May 11 (5) May 10 (5) May 09 (4) May 08 (3) May 07 (5) May 06 (3) May 05 (4) May 04 (5) May 03 (1) May 02 (5) May 01 (7) Apr 30 (4) Apr 29 (5) Apr 28 (4) Apr 27 (1) Apr 26 (4) Apr 25 (4) Apr 24 (4) Apr 23 (4) Apr 22 (3) Apr 21 (4) Apr 20 (4) Apr 19 (3) Apr 18 (4) Apr 17 (3) Apr 16 (4) Apr 15 (3) Apr 14 (4) Apr 13 (3) Apr 12 (5) Apr 11 (6) Apr 10 (1) Apr 09 (4) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (4) Apr 05 (5) Apr 04 (1) Apr 03 (3) Apr 02 (4) Apr 01 (3) Mar 31 (1) Mar 30 (3) Mar 29 (4) Mar 28 (3) Mar 27 (4) Mar 26 (2) Mar 25 (4) Mar 24 (6) Mar 23 (5) Mar 22 (5) Mar 21 (4) Mar 20 (6) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (4) Mar 17 (4) Mar 16 (4) Mar 15 (4) Mar 14 (3) Mar 13 (4) Mar 12 (4) Mar 11 (5) Mar 10 (4) Mar 09 (5) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (3) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (3) Mar 03 (3) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (4) Feb 28 (2) Feb 27 (3) Feb 26 (3) Feb 25 (3) Feb 24 (4) Feb 23 (4) Feb 22 (3) Feb 21 (4) Feb 20 (4) Feb 19 (3) Feb 18 (3) Feb 17 (3) Feb 16 (5) Feb 15 (4) Feb 14 (3) Feb 13 (4) Feb 12 (3) Feb 11 (3) Feb 10 (4) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (3) Feb 07 (4) Feb 06 (3) Feb 05 (3) Feb 04 (3) Feb 03 (5) Feb 02 (4) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (3) Jan 30 (3) Jan 29 (4) Jan 28 (3) Jan 27 (2) Jan 26 (4) Jan 25 (3) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (3) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (4) Jan 13 (3) Jan 12 (6) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (4) Jan 09 (3) Jan 08 (4) Jan 07 (3) Jan 06 (4) Jan 05 (3) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (5) Jan 02 (4) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (2) Dec 30 (2) Dec 29 (2) Dec 28 (3) Dec 27 (3) Dec 26 (2) Dec 25 (2) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (3) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (5) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (3) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (2) Dec 11 (6) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (6) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (3) Dec 05 (3) Dec 04 (4) Dec 03 (3) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (4) Nov 30 (2) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (2) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (5) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (6) Nov 22 (5) Nov 21 (4) Nov 20 (2) Nov 19 (5) Nov 18 (7) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (4) Nov 15 (6) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (4) Nov 11 (3) Nov 10 (3) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 (3) Nov 07 (2) Nov 06 (2) Nov 05 (2) Nov 04 (4) Nov 03 (4) Nov 02 (4) Nov 01 (2) Oct 31 (3) Oct 30 (4) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (2) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (3) Oct 25 (2) Oct 24 (2) Oct 23 (2) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (2) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (3) Oct 18 (2) Oct 17 (2) Oct 16 (2) Oct 15 (2) Oct 14 (4) Oct 13 (2) Oct 12 (3) Oct 11 (2) Oct 10 (2) Oct 09 (4) Oct 08 (4) Oct 07 (4) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (5) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (6) Oct 01 (6) Sep 30 (5) Sep 29 (3) Sep 28 (3) Sep 27 (7) Sep 26 (4) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (5) Sep 23 (8) Sep 22 (3) Sep 21 (3) Sep 20 (6) Sep 19 (3) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (7) Sep 15 (3) Sep 14 (4) Sep 13 (3) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (5) Sep 10 (5) Sep 09 (7) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (2) Sep 06 (7) Sep 05 (4) Sep 04 (4) Sep 03 (2) Sep 02 (2) Sep 01 (2) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (3) Aug 29 (3) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (3) Aug 26 (4) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (3) Aug 23 (3) Aug 22 (4) Aug 21 (4) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (3) Aug 17 (2) Aug 16 (2) Aug 15 (5) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (5) Aug 12 (10) Aug 11 (5) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (5) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (6) Aug 05 (5) Aug 04 (5) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (5) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (5) Jul 30 (4) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (5) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (5) Jul 23 (5) Jul 22 (7) Jul 21 (5) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (5) Jul 18 (6) Jul 17 (5) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (6) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (3) Jul 12 (2) Jul 11 (2) Jul 10 (2) Jul 09 (2) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (2) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (3) Jul 02 (2) Jul 01 (8) Jun 30 (6) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (6) Jun 27 (6) Jun 26 (6) Jun 25 (6) Jun 24 (6) Jun 23 (4) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (5) Jun 18 (8) Jun 17 (6) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (5) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (6) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (5) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (3) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (3) Jun 01 (4) May 31 (2) May 30 (2) May 29 (2) May 28 (2) May 27 (4) May 26 (4) May 25 (3) May 24 (2) May 23 (2) May 22 (3) May 21 (5) May 20 (4) May 19 (2) May 18 (3) May 17 (3) May 16 (3) May 15 (4) May 14 (5) May 13 (3) May 12 (4) May 11 (3) May 10 (4) May 09 (4) May 08 (4) May 07 (3) May 06 (2) May 05 (3) May 04 (4) May 03 (2) May 02 (3) May 01 (3) Apr 30 (3) Apr 29 (4) Apr 28 (2) Apr 27 (3) Apr 26 (4) Apr 25 (2) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (2) Apr 22 (2) Apr 21 (4) Apr 20 (4) Apr 19 (5) Apr 18 (7) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (10) Apr 15 (5) Apr 14 (3) Apr 13 (4) Apr 12 (5) Apr 11 (4) Apr 10 (4) Apr 09 (7) Apr 08 (4) Apr 07 (7) Apr 06 (4) Apr 05 (7) Apr 04 (5) Apr 03 (4) Apr 02 (5) Apr 01 (5) Mar 31 (5) Mar 30 (5) Mar 29 (7) Mar 28 (6) Mar 27 (5) Mar 26 (5) Mar 25 (6) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (5) Mar 22 (5) Mar 21 (4) Mar 20 (3) Mar 19 (6) Mar 18 (6) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (4) Mar 15 (5) Mar 14 (4) Mar 13 (5) Mar 12 (5) Mar 11 (4) Mar 10 (4) Mar 09 (2) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (4) Mar 06 (3) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (6) Mar 03 (4) Mar 02 (4) Mar 01 (5) Feb 28 (6) Feb 27 (4) Feb 26 (4) Feb 25 (6) Feb 24 (2) Feb 23 (3) Feb 22 (4) Feb 21 (6) Feb 20 (2) Feb 19 (6) Feb 18 (4) Feb 17 (2) Feb 16 (3) Feb 15 (6) Feb 14 (6) Feb 13 (6) Feb 12 (9) Feb 11 (5) Feb 10 (3) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (7) Feb 06 (3) Feb 05 (4) Feb 04 (5) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (3) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (4) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (3) Jan 28 (2) Jan 27 (2) Jan 26 (3) Jan 25 (4) Jan 24 (4) Jan 23 (2) Jan 22 (2) Jan 21 (5) Jan 20 (4) Jan 19 (5) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (4) Jan 16 (3) Jan 15 (4) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (3) Jan 12 (3) Jan 11 (2) Jan 10 (8) Jan 09 (6) Jan 08 (2) Jan 07 (2) Jan 06 (3) Jan 05 (2) Jan 04 (2) Jan 03 (2) Jan 02 (2) Jan 01 (2) Dec 31 (2) Dec 30 (3) Dec 29 (3) Dec 28 (3) Dec 27 (2) Dec 26 (2) Dec 25 (2) Dec 24 (2) Dec 23 (2) Dec 22 (2) Dec 21 (2) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (2) Dec 18 (3) Dec 17 (2) Dec 16 (2) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (2) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (3) Dec 10 (5) Dec 09 (3) Dec 08 (3) Dec 07 (2) Dec 06 (3) Dec 05 (3) Dec 04 (5) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (3) Nov 30 (4) Nov 29 (4) Nov 28 (2) Nov 27 (2) Nov 26 (2) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (2) Nov 23 (2) Nov 22 (2) Nov 21 (2) Nov 20 (3) Nov 19 (3) Nov 18 (2) Nov 17 (2) Nov 16 (5) Nov 15 (5) Nov 14 (4) Nov 13 (2) Nov 12 (2) Nov 11 (2) Nov 10 (2) Nov 09 (2) Nov 08 (2) Nov 07 (3) Nov 06 (6) Nov 05 (4) Nov 04 (5) Nov 03 (5) Nov 02 (3) Nov 01 (5) Oct 31 (7) Oct 30 (5) Oct 29 (4) Oct 28 (3) Oct 27 (2) Oct 26 (4) Oct 25 (4) Oct 24 (4) Oct 23 (4) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (2) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (2) Oct 18 (2) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (5) Oct 15 (4) Oct 14 (2) Oct 13 (2) Oct 12 (4) Oct 11 (5) Oct 10 (4) Oct 09 (3) Oct 08 (3) Oct 07 (3) Oct 06 (2) Oct 05 (5) Oct 04 (5) Oct 03 (4) Oct 02 (4) Oct 01 (5) Sep 30 (2) Sep 29 (2) Sep 28 (3) Sep 27 (6) Sep 26 (2) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (3) Sep 23 (2) Sep 22 (2) Sep 21 (2) Sep 20 (2) Sep 19 (3) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (3) Sep 16 (2) Sep 15 (4) Sep 14 (3) Sep 13 (5) Sep 12 (4) Sep 11 (6) Sep 10 (2) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (5) Sep 06 (4) Sep 05 (4) Sep 04 (3) Sep 03 (2) Sep 02 (3) Sep 01 (3) Aug 31 (2) Aug 30 (2) Aug 29 (3) Aug 28 (6) Aug 27 (3) Aug 26 (2) Aug 25 (2) Aug 24 (3) Aug 23 (2) Aug 22 (3) Aug 21 (5) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (3) Aug 18 (2) Aug 17 (5) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (5) Aug 13 (2) Aug 12 (2) Aug 11 (2) Aug 10 (2) Aug 09 (2) Aug 08 (5) Aug 07 (5) Aug 06 (6) Aug 05 (2) Aug 04 (5) Aug 03 (2) Aug 02 (3) Aug 01 (2) Jul 31 (4) Jul 30 (2) Jul 29 (2) Jul 28 (2) Jul 27 (2) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (2) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (2) Jul 21 (3) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (2) Jul 18 (3) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (2) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (2) Jul 12 (3) Jul 11 (2) Jul 10 (2) Jul 09 (2) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (2) Jul 06 (2) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (2) Jul 03 (2) Jul 02 (2) Jul 01 (3) Jun 30 (3) Jun 29 (7) Jun 28 (3) Jun 27 (2) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (1) Jun 24 (2) Jun 23 (3) Jun 22 (5) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (2) Jun 19 (2) Jun 18 (2) Jun 17 (2) Jun 16 (2) Jun 15 (2) Jun 14 (2) Jun 13 (3) Jun 12 (3) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (2) Jun 09 (4) Jun 08 (2) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (5) Jun 05 (3) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (2) Jun 02 (2) Jun 01 (4) May 31 (2) May 30 (3) May 29 (3) May 28 (3) May 27 (2) May 26 (2) May 25 (2) May 24 (2) May 23 (2) May 22 (3) May 21 (3) May 20 (2) May 19 (2) May 18 (4) May 17 (7) May 16 (2) May 15 (2) May 14 (4) May 13 (3) May 12 (4) May 11 (4) May 10 (4) May 09 (3) May 08 (2) May 07 (2) May 06 (2) May 05 (1) May 04 (2) May 03 (4) May 02 (3) May 01 (4) Apr 30 (1) Apr 29 (3) Apr 28 (2) Apr 27 (3) Apr 26 (2) Apr 25 (2) Apr 24 (4) Apr 23 (2) Apr 22 (2) Apr 21 (2) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (3) Apr 18 (4) Apr 17 (5) Apr 16 (4) Apr 15 (4) Apr 14 (3) Apr 13 (3) Apr 12 (3) Apr 11 (3) Apr 10 (4) Apr 09 (4) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (2) Apr 06 (3) Apr 05 (3) Apr 04 (1) Apr 03 (1) Apr 02 (1) Apr 01 (2) Mar 31 (2) Mar 30 (3) Mar 29 (2) Mar 28 (3) Mar 27 (3) Mar 26 (3) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (2) Mar 23 (3) Mar 22 (3) Mar 21 (4) Mar 20 (2) Mar 19 (3) Mar 18 (1) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (2) Mar 15 (1) Mar 14 (3) Mar 13 (1) Mar 12 (2) Mar 11 (1) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (2) Mar 08 (1) Mar 07 (1) Mar 04 (2) Mar 02 (2) Feb 28 (1) Feb 24 (1) Dec 31 (4) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (4) Dec 28 (5) Dec 27 (3) Dec 26 (3) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (3) Dec 22 (4) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (3) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (3) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (3) Dec 10 (3) Dec 09 (3) Dec 08 (3) Dec 07 (3) Dec 06 (3) Dec 05 (3) Dec 04 (3) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (3) Nov 30 (3) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (3) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (3) Nov 23 (3) Nov 22 (3) Nov 21 (3) Nov 20 (3) Nov 19 (3) Nov 18 (3) Nov 17 (3) Nov 16 (2) Nov 15 (3) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (4) Nov 11 (3) Nov 10 (4) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 (4) Nov 07 (3) Nov 06 (3) Nov 05 (5) Nov 04 (4) Nov 03 (3) Nov 02 (4) Nov 01 (4) Oct 31 (4) Oct 30 (3) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (2) Oct 27 (4) Oct 26 (4) Oct 25 (4) Oct 24 (3) Oct 23 (3) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (4) Oct 20 (4) Oct 19 (3) Oct 18 (4) Oct 17 (4) Oct 16 (3) Oct 15 (3) Oct 14 (3) Oct 13 (3) Oct 12 (3) Oct 11 (3) Oct 10 (4) Oct 09 (3) Oct 08 (3) Oct 07 (4) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (3) Oct 03 (4) Oct 02 (5) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (4) Sep 29 (3) Sep 28 (3) Sep 27 (4) Sep 26 (3) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (3) Sep 23 (3) Sep 22 (3) Sep 21 (3) Sep 20 (3) Sep 19 (4) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (3) Sep 16 (4) Sep 15 (3) Sep 14 (3) Sep 13 (3) Sep 12 (4) Sep 11 (4) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (4) Sep 08 (4) Sep 07 (3) Sep 06 (3) Sep 05 (3) Sep 04 (3) Sep 03 (3) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (3) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (4) Aug 29 (3) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (3) Aug 26 (3) Aug 25 (4) Aug 24 (4) Aug 23 (5) Aug 22 (3) Aug 21 (3) Aug 20 (3) Aug 19 (3) Aug 18 (3) Aug 17 (3) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (3) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (3) Aug 12 (3) Aug 11 (4) Aug 10 (5) Aug 09 (3) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (5) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (3) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (3) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (3) Jul 30 (4) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (5) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (3) Jul 24 (3) Jul 23 (4) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (3) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (4) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (5) Jul 11 (4) Jul 10 (4) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (3) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (3) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (3) Jul 01 (6) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (3) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (4) Jun 25 (5) Jun 24 (4) Jun 23 (3) Jun 22 (5) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (4) Jun 18 (5) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (3) Jun 13 (3) Jun 12 (3) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (5) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (4) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (5) Jun 05 (4) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (4) Jun 02 (5) Jun 01 (3) May 31 (4) May 30 (3) May 29 (3) May 28 (3) May 27 (3) May 26 (4) May 25 (4) May 24 (4) May 23 (4) May 22 (3) May 21 (3) May 20 (4) May 19 (3) May 18 (3) May 17 (4) May 16 (3) May 15 (4) May 14 (3) May 13 (4) May 12 (1) May 11 (3) May 10 (3) May 09 (3) May 08 (3) May 07 (4) May 06 (3) May 05 (4) May 04 (4) May 03 (3) May 02 (3) May 01 (6) Apr 30 (3) Apr 29 (3) Apr 28 (3) Apr 27 (5) Apr 26 (3) Apr 25 (3) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (3) Apr 22 (3) Apr 21 (3) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (3) Apr 18 (3) Apr 17 (4) Apr 16 (3) Apr 15 (4) Apr 14 (3) Apr 13 (3) Apr 12 (3) Apr 11 (3) Apr 10 (3) Apr 09 (3) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (3) Apr 05 (3) Apr 04 (3) Apr 03 (3) Apr 02 (3) Apr 01 (3) Mar 31 (3) Mar 30 (3) Mar 29 (3) Mar 28 (4) Mar 27 (3) Mar 26 (3) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (3) Mar 23 (3) Mar 22 (3) Mar 21 (3) Mar 20 (3) Mar 19 (3) Mar 18 (3) Mar 17 (3) Mar 16 (4) Mar 15 (3) Mar 14 (3) Mar 13 (3) Mar 12 (4) Mar 11 (3) Mar 10 (4) Mar 09 (4) Mar 08 (3) Mar 07 (3) Mar 06 (4) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (3) Mar 03 (3) Mar 02 (3) Mar 01 (3) Feb 28 (3) Feb 27 (3) Feb 26 (3) Feb 25 (3) Feb 24 (2) Feb 23 (3) Feb 22 (3) Feb 21 (3) Feb 20 (3) Feb 19 (3) Feb 18 (3) Feb 17 (3) Feb 16 (3) Feb 15 (3) Feb 14 (3) Feb 13 (3) Feb 12 (3) Feb 11 (4) Feb 10 (3) Feb 09 (3) Feb 08 (3) Feb 07 (4) Feb 06 (3) Feb 05 (3) Feb 04 (4) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (4) Feb 01 (4) Jan 31 (3) Jan 30 (3) Jan 29 (3) Jan 28 (5) Jan 27 (4) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (5) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (3) Jan 21 (4) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (5) Jan 18 (5) Jan 17 (4) Jan 16 (3) Jan 15 (4) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (5) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (4) Jan 09 (3) Jan 08 (3) Jan 07 (3) Jan 06 (3) Jan 05 (3) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (3) Jan 01 (4) Dec 31 (3) Dec 30 (3) Dec 29 (3) Dec 28 (3) Dec 27 (3) Dec 26 (3) Dec 25 (3) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (4) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (3) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (4) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (4) Dec 10 (3) Dec 09 (3) Dec 08 (3) Dec 07 (3) Dec 06 (4) Dec 05 (3) Dec 04 (3) Dec 03 (3) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (3) Nov 30 (3) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (3) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (6) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (5) Nov 20 (4) Nov 19 (4) Nov 18 (4) Nov 17 (4) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (2) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (2) Nov 11 (3) Nov 10 (2) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 (5) Nov 07 (3) Nov 06 (2) Nov 05 (2) Nov 04 (3) Nov 03 (2) Nov 02 (4) Nov 01 (4) Oct 31 (2) Oct 30 (6) Oct 29 (5) Oct 28 (3) Oct 27 (5) Oct 26 (3) Oct 25 (4) Oct 24 (3) Oct 23 (4) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (5) Oct 20 (4) Oct 19 (4) Oct 18 (4) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (2) Oct 15 (3) Oct 14 (3) Oct 13 (2) Oct 12 (2) Oct 11 (2) Oct 10 (3) Oct 09 (4) Oct 08 (2) Oct 07 (2) Oct 06 (2) Oct 05 (3) Oct 04 (2) Oct 03 (4) Oct 02 (3) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (3) Sep 29 (4) Sep 28 (3) Sep 27 (2) Sep 26 (2) Sep 25 (2) Sep 24 (1) Sep 23 (1) Sep 22 (2) Sep 21 (2) Sep 20 (1) Sep 19 (1) Sep 18 (1) Sep 17 (2) Sep 16 (1) Sep 15 (2) Sep 14 (2) Sep 13 (1) Sep 12 (1) Sep 11 (2) Sep 10 (2) Sep 09 (1) Sep 08 (1) Sep 07 (2) Sep 06 (1) Sep 05 (1) Sep 04 (2) Sep 03 (1) Sep 02 (1) Sep 01 (1) Aug 31 (2) Aug 30 (1) Aug 29 (1) Aug 28 (1) Aug 27 (1) Aug 26 (1) Aug 25 (1) Aug 24 (1) Aug 23 (2) Aug 22 (1) Aug 21 (1) Aug 20 (2) Aug 19 (1) Aug 18 (1) Aug 17 (2) Aug 16 (2) Aug 15 (1) Aug 14 (1) Aug 12 (1) Aug 09 (1) Aug 08 (1) Aug 07 (1) Aug 05 (1) Aug 04 (1) Jul 31 (1) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (5) Jul 28 (2) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (3) Jul 24 (3) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (4) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (4) Jul 11 (3) Jul 10 (4) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (4) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (4) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (5) Jul 01 (3) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (6) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (4) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (4) Jun 23 (4) Jun 22 (6) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (3) Jun 19 (6) Jun 18 (5) Jun 17 (5) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (4) Jun 13 (5) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (3) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (4) Jun 04 (5) Jun 03 (5) Jun 02 (4) Jun 01 (5) May 31 (4) May 30 (4) May 29 (4) May 28 (5) May 27 (5) May 26 (5) May 25 (4) May 24 (5) May 23 (4) May 22 (4) May 21 (3) May 20 (6) May 19 (4) May 18 (4) May 17 (4) May 16 (5) May 15 (3) May 14 (3) May 13 (4) May 12 (3) May 11 (3) May 10 (3) May 09 (3) May 08 (3) May 07 (3) May 06 (3) May 05 (3) May 04 (3) May 03 (3) May 02 (3) May 01 (4) Apr 30 (4) Apr 29 (6) Apr 28 (3) Apr 27 (3) Apr 26 (3) Apr 25 (4) Apr 24 (4) Apr 23 (3) Apr 22 (3) Apr 21 (4) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (3) Apr 18 (3) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (3) Apr 15 (4) Apr 14 (3) Apr 13 (6) Apr 12 (4) Apr 11 (4) Apr 10 (5) Apr 09 (7) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (4) Apr 06 (4) Apr 05 (4) Apr 04 (6) Apr 03 (4) Apr 02 (4) Apr 01 (3) Mar 31 (4) Mar 30 (5) Mar 29 (5) Mar 28 (6) Mar 27 (5) Mar 26 (5) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (4) Mar 23 (3) Mar 22 (3) Mar 21 (5) Mar 20 (3) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (4) Mar 17 (5) Mar 16 (5) Mar 15 (3) Mar 14 (6) Mar 13 (4) Mar 12 (4) Mar 11 (5) Mar 10 (4) Mar 09 (7) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (4) Mar 03 (4) Mar 02 (6) Mar 01 (4) Feb 28 (4) Feb 27 (4) Feb 26 (5) Feb 25 (4) Feb 24 (5) Feb 23 (5) Feb 22 (6) Feb 21 (6) Feb 20 (3) Feb 19 (6) Feb 18 (7) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (5) Feb 15 (7) Feb 14 (5) Feb 13 (5) Feb 12 (6) Feb 11 (8) Feb 10 (4) Feb 09 (6) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (3) Feb 06 (6) Feb 05 (3) Feb 04 (6) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (3) Feb 01 (4) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (6) Jan 28 (3) Jan 27 (6) Jan 26 (6) Jan 25 (4) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (5) Jan 22 (5) Jan 21 (5) Jan 20 (5) Jan 19 (5) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (5) Jan 13 (3) Jan 12 (4) Jan 11 (5) Jan 10 (3) Jan 09 (6) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (4) Jan 06 (5) Jan 05 (6) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (2) Jan 01 (4) Dec 31 (3) Dec 30 (3) Dec 29 (5) Dec 28 (3) Dec 27 (3) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (4) Dec 22 (5) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (7) Dec 17 (5) Dec 16 (5) Dec 15 (5) Dec 14 (5) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (6) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (3) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (3) Dec 05 (4) Dec 04 (5) Dec 03 (5) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (6) Nov 30 (5) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (4) Nov 27 (4) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (5) Nov 24 (3) Nov 23 (4) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (4) Nov 20 (5) Nov 19 (5) Nov 18 (4) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (4) Nov 14 (4) Nov 13 (4) Nov 12 (4) Nov 11 (3) Nov 10 (4) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 (3) Nov 07 (5) Nov 06 (4) Nov 05 (4) Nov 04 (5) Nov 03 (4) Nov 02 (3) Nov 01 (4) Oct 31 (3) Oct 30 (5) Oct 29 (4) Oct 28 (5) Oct 27 (5) Oct 26 (4) Oct 25 (3) Oct 24 (3) Oct 23 (5) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (4) Oct 20 (2) Oct 19 (4) Oct 18 (2) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (4) Oct 15 (5) Oct 14 (4) Oct 13 (3) Oct 12 (4) Oct 11 (4) Oct 10 (2) Oct 09 (5) Oct 08 (3) Oct 07 (3) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (5) Oct 04 (3) Oct 03 (6) Oct 02 (4) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (5) Sep 29 (3) Sep 28 (6) Sep 27 (4) Sep 26 (4) Sep 25 (5) Sep 24 (3) Sep 23 (3) Sep 22 (4) Sep 21 (4) Sep 20 (2) Sep 19 (4) Sep 18 (4) Sep 17 (4) Sep 16 (4) Sep 15 (5) Sep 14 (5) Sep 13 (4) Sep 12 (4) Sep 11 (5) Sep 10 (3) Sep 09 (3) Sep 08 (3) Sep 07 (3) Sep 06 (3) Sep 05 (6) Sep 04 (5) Sep 03 (4) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (4) Aug 31 (4) Aug 30 (4) Aug 29 (2) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (2) Aug 26 (3) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (4) Aug 23 (4) Aug 22 (2) Aug 21 (5) Aug 20 (3) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (3) Aug 16 (2) Aug 15 (3) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (4) Aug 12 (3) Aug 11 (4) Aug 10 (3) Aug 09 (3) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (6) Aug 06 (3) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (5) Aug 03 (4) Aug 02 (3) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (3) Jul 30 (4) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (4) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (3) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (2) Jul 20 (3) Jul 19 (4) Jul 18 (3) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (3) Jul 15 (5) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (5) Jul 11 (4) Jul 10 (4) Jul 09 (8) Jul 08 (6) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (3) Jul 05 (3) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (3) Jul 02 (4) Jul 01 (5) Jun 30 (3) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (3) Jun 27 (3) Jun 26 (4) Jun 25 (3) Jun 24 (3) Jun 23 (3) Jun 22 (2) Jun 21 (1) Jun 20 (2) Jun 19 (2) Jun 18 (4) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (3) Jun 15 (7) Jun 14 (3) Jun 13 (3) Jun 12 (5) Jun 11 (4) Jun 10 (3) Jun 09 (4) Jun 08 (3) Jun 07 (5) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (4) Jun 04 (4) Jun 03 (4) Jun 02 (3) Jun 01 (4) May 31 (3) May 30 (3) May 29 (3) May 28 (3) May 27 (3) May 26 (3) May 25 (4) May 24 (2) May 23 (4) May 22 (3) May 21 (2) May 20 (3) May 19 (2) May 18 (4) May 17 (4) May 16 (3) May 15 (2) May 14 (6) May 13 (4) May 12 (2) May 11 (3) May 10 (2) May 09 (3) May 08 (4) May 07 (4) May 06 (3) May 05 (3) May 04 (4) May 03 (3) May 02 (4) May 01 (3) Apr 30 (2) Apr 29 (5) Apr 28 (2) Apr 27 (2) Apr 26 (3) Apr 25 (3) Apr 24 (4) Apr 23 (4) Apr 22 (2) Apr 21 (3) Apr 20 (2) Apr 19 (3) Apr 18 (5) Apr 17 (4) Apr 16 (3) Apr 15 (2) Apr 14 (4) Apr 13 (5) Apr 12 (3) Apr 11 (3) Apr 10 (5) Apr 09 (4) Apr 08 (4) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (4) Apr 05 (4) Apr 04 (4) Apr 03 (4) Apr 02 (5) Apr 01 (6) Mar 31 (2) Mar 30 (5) Mar 29 (4) Mar 28 (4) Mar 27 (3) Mar 26 (4) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (3) Mar 22 (4) Mar 21 (3) Mar 20 (3) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (3) Mar 17 (5) Mar 16 (2) Mar 15 (4) Mar 14 (4) Mar 13 (2) Mar 12 (4) Mar 11 (5) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (4) Mar 08 (4) Mar 07 (4) Mar 06 (5) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (4) Mar 03 (3) Mar 02 (4) Mar 01 (5) Feb 28 (4) Feb 27 (5) Feb 26 (6) Feb 25 (4) Feb 24 (5) Feb 23 (5) Feb 22 (4) Feb 21 (6) Feb 20 (6) Feb 19 (4) Feb 18 (4) Feb 17 (2) Feb 16 (4) Feb 15 (3) Feb 14 (4) Feb 13 (5) Feb 12 (4) Feb 11 (3) Feb 10 (4) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (3) Feb 07 (2) Feb 06 (3) Feb 05 (3) Feb 04 (4) Feb 03 (3) Feb 02 (3) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (3) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (3) Jan 28 (5) Jan 27 (3) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (3) Jan 24 (4) Jan 23 (2) Jan 22 (3) Jan 21 (4) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (4) Jan 18 (3) Jan 17 (3) Jan 16 (2) Jan 15 (2) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (2) Jan 12 (3) Jan 11 (3) Jan 10 (2) Jan 09 (4) Jan 08 (2) Jan 07 (2) Jan 06 (2) Jan 05 (3) Jan 04 (3) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (3) Jan 01 (1) Dec 31 (2) Dec 30 (2) Dec 29 (2) Dec 28 (2) Dec 27 (2) Dec 26 (2) Dec 25 (1) Dec 24 (2) Dec 23 (4) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (2) Dec 20 (1) Dec 19 (2) Dec 18 (3) Dec 17 (2) Dec 16 (2) Dec 15 (4) Dec 14 (2) Dec 13 (1) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (2) Dec 10 (2) Dec 09 (2) Dec 08 (3) Dec 07 (2) Dec 06 (1) Dec 05 (2) Dec 04 (1) Dec 03 (2) Dec 02 (2) Dec 01 (2) Nov 30 (2) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (2) Nov 27 (2) Nov 26 (1) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (1) Nov 23 (3) Nov 22 (1) Nov 21 (3) Nov 20 (2) Nov 18 (2) Nov 17 (1) Nov 16 (1) Nov 15 (1) Nov 14 (1) Nov 13 (2) Nov 12 (3) Nov 11 (2) Nov 10 (2) Nov 09 (1) Nov 08 (2) Nov 07 (1) Nov 06 (2) Nov 05 (2) Nov 04 (1) Nov 03 (1) Nov 02 (3) Nov 01 (2) Oct 31 (2) Oct 30 (2) Oct 29 (4) Oct 28 (2) Oct 27 (4) Oct 26 (2) Oct 25 (2) Oct 24 (4) Oct 23 (2) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (3) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (1) Oct 18 (3) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (2) Oct 15 (1) Oct 14 (2) Oct 13 (3) Oct 12 (2) Oct 10 (2) Oct 09 (3) Oct 08 (3) Oct 07 (3) Oct 06 (2) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (1) Oct 03 (2) Oct 02 (3) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (1) Sep 29 (2) Sep 28 (1) Sep 27 (3) Sep 26 (3) Sep 25 (2) Sep 24 (1) Sep 23 (2) Sep 22 (3) Sep 21 (1) Sep 20 (1) Sep 19 (2) Sep 17 (2) Sep 16 (2) Sep 15 (1) Sep 14 (1) Sep 13 (1) Sep 12 (3) Sep 11 (1) Sep 10 (2) Sep 09 (2) Sep 08 (2) Sep 07 (1) Sep 06 (1) Sep 05 (3) Sep 04 (2) Sep 03 (1) Sep 02 (1) Sep 01 (2) Aug 31 (2) Aug 30 (1) Aug 29 (2) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (2) Aug 26 (1) Aug 25 (1) Aug 24 (2) Aug 23 (2) Aug 22 (1) Aug 21 (1) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (1) Aug 18 (1) Aug 17 (2) Aug 16 (1) Aug 15 (2) Aug 14 (1) Aug 13 (1) Aug 12 (3) Aug 11 (2) Aug 10 (2) Aug 09 (1) Aug 08 (2) Aug 07 (1) Aug 06 (1) Aug 05 (1) Aug 04 (1) Aug 03 (2) Aug 01 (1) Jul 31 (2) Jul 30 (1) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (2) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (1) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (2) Jul 23 (2) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (1) Jul 20 (3) Jul 19 (2) Jul 18 (2) Jul 16 (3) Jul 15 (1) Jul 13 (2) Jul 12 (1) Jul 11 (2) Jul 09 (5) Jul 08 (1) Jul 07 (1) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (1) Jul 03 (2) Jul 01 (1) Jun 30 (1) Jun 29 (2) Jun 28 (2) Jun 27 (2) Jun 25 (2) Jun 24 (1) Jun 23 (2) Jun 22 (2) Jun 20 (1) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (1) Jun 15 (1) Jun 14 (3) Jun 12 (1) Jun 11 (1) Jun 08 (1) Jun 07 (1) Jun 05 (1) Jun 04 (1) Jun 03 (1) Jun 01 (1) May 31 (1) May 27 (2) May 25 (2) May 24 (1) May 23 (2) May 22 (1) May 21 (1) May 20 (2) May 19 (1) May 18 (1) May 17 (2) May 14 (1) May 13 (1) May 11 (2) May 10 (2) May 09 (1) May 07 (2) May 06 (1) May 05 (1) May 04 (1) May 03 (3) May 02 (1) May 01 (1) Apr 29 (1) Apr 28 (1) Apr 27 (1) Apr 25 (2) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (1) Apr 22 (2) Apr 21 (2) Apr 20 (1) Apr 19 (2) Apr 17 (1) Apr 15 (1) Apr 13 (1) Apr 10 (2) Apr 08 (1) Apr 07 (1) Apr 06 (3) Apr 05 (3) Apr 03 (1) Apr 02 (1) Apr 01 (2) Mar 31 (2) Mar 30 (1) Mar 29 (1) Mar 28 (1) Mar 25 (1) Mar 24 (1) Mar 22 (2) Mar 21 (1) Mar 20 (1) Mar 18 (1) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (1) Mar 14 (2) Mar 13 (4) Mar 12 (1) Mar 11 (1) Mar 10 (1) Mar 06 (4) Mar 05 (1) Mar 04 (1) Mar 03 (2) Mar 02 (2) Mar 01 (2) Feb 28 (2) Feb 27 (1) Feb 26 (1) Feb 25 (1) Feb 23 (2) Feb 19 (2) Feb 13 (1) Feb 12 (1) Feb 02 (1) Jan 31 (1) Jan 22 (1) Jan 18 (1) Jan 16 (1) Jan 09 (1) Jan 01 (1) Dec 20 (2) Dec 15 (1) Dec 13 (1) Dec 11 (1) Nov 30 (1) Nov 27 (1) Nov 20 (1) Nov 11 (1) Nov 10 (1) Oct 23 (1) Oct 20 (1) Oct 01 (1) Sep 30 (1) Sep 29 (1) Sep 24 (2) Sep 15 (1) Sep 13 (1) Sep 12 (1) Sep 08 (1) Sep 02 (2) Aug 31 (1) Aug 28 (1) Aug 27 (2) Aug 24 (1) Aug 21 (1) Aug 20 (1) Aug 18 (3) Aug 16 (1) Aug 15 (1) Aug 14 (1) Aug 11 (1) Aug 08 (1) Aug 07 (1) Aug 03 (1) Jul 27 (1) Jul 26 (1) Jul 24 (1) Jul 22 (1) Jul 21 (1) Jul 19 (1) Jul 15 (1) Jul 14 (1) Jul 13 (3) Jul 10 (1) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (1) Jul 06 (1) Jul 03 (1) Jul 01 (1) Jun 28 (1) Jun 24 (2) Jun 20 (1) Jun 19 (1) Jun 18 (1) Jun 15 (1) Jun 14 (2) Jun 11 (1) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (1) Jun 07 (1) Jun 06 (1) Jun 04 (2) Jun 03 (1) Jun 02 (2) Jun 01 (1) May 31 (3) May 30 (1) May 29 (1) May 28 (2) May 26 (1) May 25 (1) May 18 (1) May 17 (1) May 15 (1) May 09 (1) May 07 (2) May 02 (1) May 01 (1) Apr 30 (1) Apr 27 (1) Apr 26 (2) Apr 23 (1) Apr 22 (1) Apr 19 (1) Apr 18 (1) Apr 12 (1) Apr 11 (1) Apr 09 (1) Apr 07 (1) Apr 05 (1) Apr 01 (1) Mar 30 (1) Mar 27 (1) Mar 25 (1) Mar 22 (2) Mar 19 (1) Mar 18 (1) Mar 16 (1) Mar 15 (2) Mar 13 (1) Mar 12 (1) Mar 11 (1) Mar 10 (1)
4 Research scientist Sung-Jin Park displays a tissue-engineered robot on a piece of glass in a laboratory at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusettes. The stingray-shaped robot, capable of paddling in water after exposure to blue light, has a gold skeleton, silicone fins and the heart muscle cells of a rat.


From Washington, this is VOA News.

Im Michael Brown reporting.

U.S. President Barack Obama says the fight to defeat the Islamic State has to be waged beyond the battlefield. Mr. Obama briefed reporters on the campaign against the militant group after meeting with his top military and national security advisors.

ISIL (The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) has not had a major, successful offensive operation in either Syria or Iraq in a full year. Even ISILs leaders know they are going to keep losing. In their message to followers, they are increasingly acknowledging that they may lose Mosul and Raqqa, and ISIL is right. They will lose them.

Mr. Obama's meeting came as the U.S. launches more air strikes in and around an Islamic State stronghold in Libya.

The U.S. military says the operation in Libya will probably last weeks, rather than months.

Gunmen fired on a busy marketplace in northeastern India Friday, killing at least 12 people. Officials say 15 others were wounded in the attack in the Assam area. Authorities say one gunman was killed, and security forces are searching for other suspects.

U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen is denouncing the arrest warrant issued by Turkey, accusing him of masterminding the failed coup in Turkey last month.

Gulen said, in a statement, the arrest warrant from the Turkish court changes nothing about his status or views.

The Turkish government has said Gulen, a former ally of President Erdogan, orchestrated the coup by renegade officers in the military and has called on the U.S. to extradite him to Turkey. Ankara, however, has not filed a formal extradition paper.

And, people in Russia are welcoming news that dozens of the countrys athletes will be allowed to participate in this summers Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee reached the decision to admit more than 270 Russian athletes amid a scandal involving state-sponsored doping by Russia.

This is VOA News.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.


Last week Iran executed a nuclear scientist on charges of spying for the United States, an official said Sunday.

Officials admitted for the first time that Shahram Amiri had been secretly detained and tried. A judicial spokesman said a court sentenced Amiri to death. Irans Supreme Court upheld the sentence.

The spokesman said, Amiri gave vital information about the country to the enemy, according to Irans official news agency IRNA.

The spokesman did not say why officials had not announced the sentence earlier, according to AP news agency.

Iran hanged Amiri during the same week it executed a number of militants.

Shahram Amiri, 38, was a university researcher who worked for Irans Atomic Energy Organization. He is said to have left Iran for Saudi Arabia in 2009 to visit Muslim holy places. However, he disappeared and went to the United States.

While in the U.S., Amiri appeared in several videos. The AP news agency reported that the videos gave contradictory information about why he was in America.

In one video, Amiri said that he had been kidnapped and that Saudi and U.S. intelligence agents held him against his will. In another, he said he wanted to study in America and return to Iran if the opportunity of safe travel became available. His wife and son remained in Iran.

U.S. officials said they paid Amiri $5 million to leave Iran and provide information about its nuclear program. At the time, Western countries were increasing efforts to limit Irans nuclear program under then-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

In 2010, Amiri reportedly went to the Pakistani Embassy in Washington and asked to be returned to Iran. He returned later that year.

At first, Iranian officials welcomed him. AP reports that he appeared on Iranian TV as a hero.

But then he disappeared.

The judiciary spokesman said Amiris family mistakenly believed that he was serving a 10-year prison sentence. Last week, news of his death reportedly appeared in a newspaper in his hometown.

U.S.-Iran relations

For years, Iran has stated that its nuclear activities were not aimed at developing nuclear weapons. However, the U.S. says uranium particles found during an investigation last year at an Iranian military base probably came from Irans secret nuclear weapons program.

The execution of Amiri takes place one year after the United States and five world powers reached a nuclear agreement with Iran. The deal requires Iran to limit its nuclear development capabilities. In exchange, western countries lifted strong economic restrictions on Iran.

Im Mario Ritter.

This report is based on a report by Wayne Lee for VOA News and AP materials. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

vital  adj. very important,

contradictory  adj. to present statements that do not agree with previously stated comments


Japanese Emperor Akihito made a rare televised speech to his nation Monday. He told Japanese citizens that he is getting too old and weak to carry out his duties.

The media has reported that the 82-year-olds health is failing. In recent years, doctors have operated on his heart, and treated him for cancer and bronchitis.

Emperor Akihito expressed concern that poor health will make it difficult for him to meet his responsibilities.

When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being, as I have done until now," the emperor said.

A 1947 law permits a new emperor to take power only when the one in power dies. Emperor Akihito did not ask Parliament to change the law, however.

Hosaka Yuji is a Japan expert at Sejong University in Seoul, South Korea. He said the emperor's speech was an appeal for the understanding of the Japanese people. Yuji said, His message did not have any political impact nor diplomatic impact."

Public opinion studies in Japan show that 80 to 90 percent of people support changing the law so that the emperor can surrender his rule.

But some more traditional members of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition have shown resistance to a discussion of the issue. Some experts suggest the officials fear that considering such a change might lead to similar action on proposals they strongly oppose. These include a proposal that women be permitted to inherit the title of empress.

Prime Minister Abe expressed sympathy for the emperors position.

"Considering the emperor's age and burden on his duties, I think about his mental fatigue. I think we should carefully think what is possible according to his message," Abe said.

Symbol of unity

Born in 1933, Akihito became emperor in 1989 after the death of his father, Hirohito.

Hirohito was considered a god by his people until Japan's defeat in World War II.

The occupying American forces took away the emperor's powers. They defined his new role as a symbol of the state and of the unity of the people.

Akihito is a popular ruler, seen as more approachable than his father was. He married a commoner, the Empress Michiko.

The emperor does not take positions in Japanese politics. However, some recent statements by Emperor Akihito have seemed critical of Abes ruling coalition.

For example, Abe and his supporters have tried to downplay the Japanese militarys reported war crimes. Yet, last year, during the 70th anniversary of the end of the war, Akihito questioned some Japanese actions during the war.

The emperor also has strongly defended Japans pacifist constitution. Abe supports an expansion of military power.

Crown Prince Naruhito

Akihitos son and heir, 56-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito, has already taken control of some of his fathers official duties.

The crown prince is expected to support his fathers positions in political policies.

I'm Caty Weaver.

Brian Padden reported this story for VOANews.com. Mehrnoush Karimian-Ainsworth adapted the report for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story



declining v. to become worse in condition or quality

symbol  n. an action, object, event, person, etc., that expresses or represents a particular idea or quality

impact  n. a powerful or major influence or effect

inherit  v. to receive (money, property, etc.) from someone when that person dies

role  n. the part that someone has in a family, society, or other group

approachable  adj. easy to talk to or deal with

commoner  n. a person who is not a member of the nobility

downplay  v. to make (something) seem smaller or less important

pacifist  n. someone who believes that war and violence are wrong and who refuses to participate in or support a war



We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.
From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report.

United Nations officials say they have recently seen an increase in the production of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) in Southeast Asia. ATS drugs  such as Ecstasy or methamphetamines  are on the rise in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Officials are concerned because the area has long been known as a center for heroin trafficking. But unlike heroin, which is grown from plants, ATS drugs can be very easy and inexpensive to make. They can also be highly addictive.

How much drugs are we talking about?

In 2015, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported seizures of about 27,000 kilograms of methamphetamine chunks and 286 million methamphetamine pills in the area. Seizures of chemicals needed to produce such drugs are also increasing.

Methamphetamine has many street names, or nicknames. It is often known as crystal meth or simply meth. In some parts of Asia it is called ice.

Australia and New Zealand

Jeremy Douglas is a representative for the Asia area of the UNODC. He says Asian criminal organizations are starting to produce high purity crystal meth to sell in Australia and New Zealand. The organizations are targeting those countries because many people there have high incomes and use drugs.

Douglas says officials are "seizing large amounts of crystal meth at Australia's borders, airports and ports.

In an interview with a VOA reporter in Bangkok, Douglas warned that the amount of ATS drugs across Asia is a big, big concern. He added that currently Asia is being flooded with the highly addictive crystal meth.

International task forces to combat drug trafficking

Since late 2015, Australia's Federal Police have signed agreements with China and Thailand to combat drug trafficking into Australia. These cooperative agreements are often called task forces.

Australias Federal Police chief commissioner Andrew Colvin said the task force agreements are very important. He adds that bringing security to these Asian areas is in the best interest of Australias domestic health.



Colvin said the new task force with Thailand will focus on human trafficking, money laundering, counter-narcotics in particular."



Thai narcotics officials and the UNODC say Australia's operational experience in fighting drug smuggling can benefit its neighbors in the Association of South East Asian Nations.

Officials point out that increased trade and looser border restrictions under the ASEAN Economic Community create opportunities for organized crime to move drugs and drug-making chemicals more easily across borders.



UNODC's Douglas agrees that Australian law enforcement could play a larger role in supporting the area's efforts to fight drug trafficking. He said U.N. support can help overcome any political difficulties that may happen.



He says that the agreement between Thailand and Australia is great. He says the UNODC encourages that kind of agreement. But for this to work, he adds, this effort needs to involve many, many countries at one time.

Im Anna Matteo.

Ron Corben wrote this article for VOA News from Bangkok, Thailand. Anna Matteo adapted it for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.

__________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

amphetamine  n. a drug that causes the nervous system to become more active so that a person feels more energy and mental excitement

stimulant  n. something (such as a drug) that makes you more active or gives you more energy

street name  n. an informal term for something, especially an illegal drug

purity  n. the quality or state of being pure

flood - v. to fill abundantly or excessively <flood the market>

task force  n. a group of people who deal with a specific problem

counter-narcotics  prefix as a reaction against

smuggling  v. to move (someone or something) from one country into another illegally and secretly
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Back to school in Pinellas County Wednesday will mean both students and teachers seeing some new faces.



At Melrose Elementary, it means a new principal at one of the worst-rated schools in the district.

Melrose Elementary currently F-rated

New principal Nikita Reed hopes to turn things around

Back to School 2016



Nikita Reed, the new principal at Melrose Elementary School in St. Petersburg, is on a mission to move the F-rated Pinellas County school forward.



"I believe I was called for Melrose Elementary," said Reed. "I am committed to turning the school around and its going to take all of us."



To this new leader, turning the school around means creating a positive climate in the school. According to Reed, that starts with teaching the children to have pride in themselves.



To that end, students at Melrose will now be referred to as "scholars." Reed believes a new name will help lead to a new mindset.



"I just want them to understand schools about teaching and learning, learning and teaching and that their voices will be heard because they have something to say," said Reed.



The new principal went on to say she hopes setting teachers and students up for success speaks volumes.



"Empowering my teachers to have powerful learning lessons that the scholars will want to come back to school the next day also again," said Reed. "Building those positive relationships is very important."



Reed also recognizes the power in connecting with parents.



The new principal says parents should look for take-home folders every Wednesday. Moms and dads can also plan for parent meetings every evening the third Thursday of each month.



"I understand the importance of going above and beyond," said Reed. "I have no problem going to a parent's home. I went to many homes this summer."



Reed acknowledges the many challenges that lay ahead this school year. But after working with scholars over the summer, Reed says she's already seeing signs of some change.



"I saw that hope in their eyes," said Reed.
Sana Amin Sheikh, a TV actress who plays an important role in Colors' Krishnadasi faced the ire of her fans when she played a Hindu woman on screen, and wore a mangalsutra, and sindoor.

Shockingly, her fans thought she wasn't a "real muslim". Enraged with this reception, Sheikh took to Facebook to clarify:

She made some valid points. "Is this only a Hindu thing?" "Does it make me less of a Muslim?" "Will Allah put me in dozzak because i wore sindoor? And will u go to jannat inspite of the fact that u wasted your time on facebook?"

The kind of comments she received were, "personally any Muslim actor should respect their religion" and "[sic] U r Muslim and still put sindor".

Looks like her now viral post has aptly shut down trolls.
Ajay Devgn's Shivaay has arguably been one of the most awaited trailers of this year.

After watching the three minutes, 50 secs long trailer (a film in itself, and also one of the longest trailers in a while) you can definitely be sure of one thing: This is Ajay Devgn's Argo; his flagship; his directorial baby. There was never any doubt that Devgn was a game-changer, but this trailer definitely slots him right back there.

The first few seconds of Shivaay trailer will have you intrigued. You see beautiful landscapes and mountains of Bulgaria (in the film, maybe not for real), and Devgn scaling and jumping through them with ease.

He plays a mountaineer, an everyday man, who eventually takes the form of Shiva  the destroyer to protect innocent lives and his family.

The trailer doesn't particularly have a story, just glimpses into the film, with many allusions to Shiva. The voiceover through the film is also a Shiva mantra.

Even though the film seems to be seeped in Hindi mythology, atleast with the first glance, the story seems to be about how a common man rises up to the challenge (and how) when the time is right.

What you get in the Shivaay trailer is beautiful cinematography, which constantly moves between snowy mountains and the urban city of Bulgaria.

We still don't know anything about the antagonist, except a sneaky back shot in the trailer. It would be nice to have a face to the reason behind Devgn's magically mythological transformation. Is it a one-man show? Yes, but no one's complaining when it looks this good.

Shivaay is slated to release this Diwali, 28 October, alongside Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, and for those of you who thought there was a clear winner between Devgn and Johar's films, think again. The Shivaay trailer has definitely raised some eyebrows.

Watch the Shivaay trailer here:


New Delhi - The government is considering a proposal to relax the visa regime of the country to promote trade in services, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.

Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha she said, a liberalised visa regime helps in promotion of trade in services in different modes of supply, particularly Mode 2 which includes tourism, medical value travel and education services.

"A proposal to further liberalise the visa policy is under consideration in Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with all stakeholders," Sitharaman said.

She said her ministry advocates for a liberal regime and adequate safeguards and works with the Home Ministry which deals with the subject.

The services sector has emerged as a prominent sector in India in terms of its contribution to national and state income, trade flows and FDI inflows. It contributes about 60 percent to the country's GDP.

The sector also contributes around 28 per cent to job creation. Its contribution to total trade is 25 percent, around 35 percent to exports and 20 per cent to imports.

Replying to a separate question, she said India's cotton imports during October 2015 - June 2016 dipped to 8.03 lakh bales from 8.75 lakh bales in the same period previous year.

To another question, she said India and the European Union Broad-based Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) negotiations started in 2007 and 16 rounds of negotiations have been held so far.

Recently, three meeting of India-EU BTIA negotiations have been held - two were held on January 18 and July 15 here and one in Brussels on February 22.

India is committed to an early and balanced outcome of the pact, she said.
New Delhi - India exported meat and meat products worth $568 million during April-May of this fiscal, Parliament was informed on Monday.

The main export destinations include Vietnam, Egypt, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

India mainly exports processed meat and meat of buffalo, sheep and goat.

In quantity terms, the overseas shipments stood at 1,92,748 tonnes in the first two months of this fiscal, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

She also said "representations are being received from time to time from some religious/social organisations demanding ban on export of meat and its products".

At present, there is no proposal to lift the ban on export of beef, she added.

Replying to a separate question, she said during April-May of 2016-17, services exports from India stood at $26.37 billion. It was $154.31 billion in 2015-16.

The minister said initiatives announced by the government like Services Exports from India Scheme are expected to enhance the exports.
Allahabad: Police has arrested the manager of a school who refused to allow recital of national anthem on Independence Day, while authorities on Monday began proceedings for sealing the school, which was allegedly running illegally, and stepped up security due to tension in the area.

Zia-ul Haq, manager of MA Convent School in Baghara locality, was booked under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act and arrested, officials said.

A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to look into how the school was allowed to run for two decades without any clearance from authorities and the allegation against the manager, they said.

BJP had demanded action against the school while local units of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Hindu Yuva Vahini had on Sunday threatened to launch an agitation if the school was not shut down within 72 hours.

"Orders for sealing the school have been issued. The education department has been requested to arrange shifting of nearly 300 students enrolled there to some other school so that their studies do not suffer," officiating District Magistrate of Allahabad Andra Vamsee said.

An FIR was filed by the education department in the matter which came to light when eight of the school's

teachers, including its principal, resigned last week after they were denied permission to hold recital of the national anthem during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

Haq had defended the move, claiming that the phrase 'Bharat Bhagya Vidhata' in the national anthem's opening stanza violated the basic tenets of Islam.

The DM said, "A magisterial probe has also been ordered to look into how the school was allowed to run for two decades without any clearance from authorities. Education department officials say that recently they had even sent a notice asking them to shut down the school which was being run illegally".

"Moreover, the school's manager has reportedly said that he has never allowed recital of the national anthem ever since the school started.

"The investigation will also cover this issue and it would be probed as to whether there had been complaints in the past against the school on this count and if so what action was taken," he said.

Vamsee said that the manager was arrested when it was observed that "the controversy was creating some tension". It could have resulted in animosity between members of different communities, he added.

Meanwhile, police and Provincial Armed Constabulary have been deployed in the vicinity of the school to prevent any untoward incident in the area, Additional SP (City) Rajesh Yadav said.
In the early part of his tenure as Gujarat chief minister, one of the few things which Narendra Modi did to earn credibility as an administrator and restore normalcy in an otherwise highly vitiated communal atmosphere was to make sure that there was total peace during two social-religious celebrations: Bakri-Id and Rath Yatra.

It didnt matter to him whether the radical fringe drew their strength from organs of VHP or they acted on their own. They had to be contained and were contained. Once that was done effectively, year after year the two social celebrations of two different communities continued joyfully.

After two years in office as Prime Minister, the challenge came from broadly the same quarters: Hindutva fringe anti-socials. This time around the scale was bigger, a north-India spread, with potential to create far bigger social tension than India had seen in the recent past  targeted not just against the Muslims but also the Dalits. To cover their criminal tracks, these criminals would flaunt Hindutva credentials and claim to be voters and supporters of Modi.

The Prime Ministers silence (till two days back) on the issue was questioned, and rightly so. The situation was getting alarming by the day.

The PM had to react, make his government and partys position clear, and send a message to all concerned that this had to stop and criminals donning the guise of social servants will be dealt with strongly. He had to be seen as acting tough. Else, it would derail his governments political, social and administrative agenda. It had already derailed his conscious and consistent Dalit outreach program and was costing his government and the BJP heavily.

It was no mere coincidence that immediately after Modi came down heavily on anti-socials-turned-self-styled-Gaurakshaks for the second time on Sunday evening, the RSS second in command Bhaiyaji Joshi issued a statement. He broadly reiterated what the Prime Minister had said. Both talked tough and asked state governments to take severe action against criminals who masqueraded as cow protectors.

The coordination between the two on the subject had to be reflected. They had collectively realised that this was the need of the hour for them. After Modis statement in New Delhi and Hyderabad, critics and political rivals pointed fingers, asking, 'What about the RSS?' After all, these goons flaunted a somewhat pervert Hindutva philosophy to carry on their task. The BJP and the RSS had to distance themselves from these anti-socials.

Cow protection (gauraksha) had acquired a negative connotation and the RSS had to make its stand clear, lest the controversy impacted it and its organs genuine activities in cow protection. Joshis statement had a twofold aim to clear the RSS' position and to appease Dalits in order to contain possibility of escalation of social conflict. RSS appeals to all citizens that they should not link these condemnable efforts of a few opportunists with those devoted to the pious work of serving and protecting cows and expose themWe also request the state governments to take strict action against such elements and not let the good work of gau raksha and gau sewa get hampered, he said.

His statement, Hit me, shoot me but spare my Dalit brethrens was to given an emotive, even rhetorical pitch to the issue. After all, the issue was as much social and political as it was administrative. A rising mobilisation of the Dalit community and a slow build up of anger against BJP had the potential to unseat BJP in future elections. Modi had to do damage control. His party leaders are now confident that the erosion of faith of Dalits in BJP dispensation has been effectively halted and in due course further action on the subject by states would restore that confidence.

These incidents had muddied BJPs campaign among Dalits in Uttar Pradesh, which goes to the polls next year. Amit Shah had to cancel his public rally in Agra, which was specially aimed at catering to the marginalised sections of society. There was also a great deal of resentment among schedule caste MPs and other leaders from the community.

Inclusion of Dalits in the larger Hindutava fold has for long been part of RSS philosophy of social engineering. Dalits were at the forefront even in Gujarat riots. That was the reason why the BJP had experimented with Bangaru Laxman as party president. Its a different matter though that he couldnt survive for long on the top post, thanks to a Tehelka sting.

By picking up the issue twice in two days, in two public programmes and expressing his outrage on both occasions, he underlined his concerns. Its true that law and order is a state subject and action has to be taken by the state government but as it has been seen in several cases, till the PM speaks on an issue, there is a certain confusion even among the BJP-ruled states as to how far they should go and what kind of action they should take. Thats the problem of a highly-centralised BJP dispensation, both as a party and as a government.

Take for instance the Punjab governments decision to file FIRs against gaurakshaks only on Monday even though everyone knew about their anti-social acts and the thugs had showed off their actions to TV cameras. Armed with lathis, rods and swords, they didn't even pretend to be social service activists. The state administration acted only after the PM issued a clarion call against these thugs by calling them "nakli (fake)" gaurakshaks. And that is not healthy for the nation at large and the Indian federal structure.
Founded in 1999 by renowned hypnotherapist Jayant Balaji Athavale, Hindu radical organisation Sanathan Sanstha is in the eye of a storm for its alleged links to the murder of left-liberal thinker Govind Pansare in Kolhapur in February 2015. The group first experienced controversy after the 2009 Madgaon blasts. That apart, the killings of two other prominent liberal thinkers Narendra Dabholkar and MM Kalburgi have also raised fingers against the Goa-based organisation. Dabholkar was murdered on 20 August, 2013, in Pune. Kalburgi, a Kannada writer, was shot dead on 30 August, 2015, in Dharwad district in Karnataka. All along, the Sanstha has denied the allegations as baseless and has claimed that the charges are framed to defame the organisation which is into spiritual service.

In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Abhay Vartak, senior functionary and spokesperson of the Sanathan Sanstha, explained the group's view on various critical issues, including the allegations against the outfit. Vartak said that the Narendra Modi government is yet to take concrete steps to fulfil the 'just' demands of Hindus on a host of issues including the Ram Janmabhoomi issue, displacement of Kashmiri Hindus, a Common Civil Code, a law to ban cow slaughter and religious conversion etc. "More than the Hindu organisations like ours being unfairly treated, we need to ascertain whether the government is impartial and listens to the issues raised by Hindus," said Vartak.

Here are some edited excerpts from the interview:

In the recent past, there have been controversies surrounding Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. There have been calls to ban the organisation. How do you respond?

There is a saying that goes, "Call the dog mad and shoot him!". The calls that you mention are very much in line with this saying. In the Madgaon bomb blast case of 2009, six seekers of the Sanatan Sanstha were arrested; however, all of them were acquitted by the court. Merely 15 minutes after the Madgaon bomb blast, the then home minister of the Congress-led government had accused Sanatan Sanstha of being involved in the blast. In such cases, the permission of the district collector is required to file an FIR; however, permission was instead taken from the Union home ministry headed by P Chidambaram. In its verdict, the honourable court had stated, 'The veracity of the FIR is seriously in doubt'. The court had further added that 'facts stated in the FIR appear to be manipulated with an intention to rope in the Sanatan Sanstha in the offence'.

'History repeats,' they say. Even now, they are unable to find the true culprits; and hence, Samir Gaikwad has been arrested. This attitude of the police has devastated the lives of many Hindus. A few minutes after the murder of Dabholkar, the then chief minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chauhan straight away said, "There is a hand of tje Nathuram Godse ideology in the murder" and mind you, the investigation had not even begun. Thereafter, the Sansthas ashrams were repeatedly raided, hundreds of seekers subjected to inquiry, many were simply picked up by the cops. We have been targeted even after being found innocent. There was so much mudslinging from 15 to 30 September that year about Samir Gaikwad. What is the result? Today, the police has no evidence to run that court case.

The same thing is seen happening in the case of recently-arrested Virendrasingh Tawde. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is seen presenting less concrete evidence to the court and more verbal evidence in front of the media. In fact, the court has reprimanded the agency in very strong words for this CBI-sponsored media trial. There have been repeated allegations about the Sansthas role in the murders of liberal thinkers  Pansare, Dabholkar and Kalburgi. All these allegations are baseless. After Dabholkar was murdered, we wrote to the police and informed them about the likely possibilities. We repeatedly informed them that there could be various reasons for the murder such as large-scale misappropriation of the funds in Dabholkars trust, Naxalite links, the receipt of huge amounts from overseas as funds for the trust etc. In fact, we had even filed suits against him in the democratic manner about maligning Sanatan Sanstha. Had he been alive, he would be behind the bars by now as a result of those court cases.

A similar thing happened in case of Pansare. He was at the forefront of the agitation for abolition of toll in Kolhapur, he had handled various such issues through the medium of the labour unions. We had written to the police that there could be other reasons behind his murder and they should be investigated; sadly, in both the cases, the police overlooked what Sanatan Sanstha was saying and instead, began the investigation in the directions suggested by the politicians as revenge. Kalburgi himself had generated an array of enemies. He, by his highly controversial and demeaning statements, had hurt the Lingayat sect in particular and Hindus in general, no end. He had made many statements such as "Even if I urinate on Shiva Pindi, God can do me no harm". As a result there were sourt cases filed against him at many places. There were agitations staged by the Lingayats against him.

What is your view on the new term gaining popularity in discussions: Hindu terror?

First and foremost there is nothing as saffron terrorism or Hindu terror. It was all a political conspiracy. This is amply clear from the statement made by the chief secretary in the office of the then home minister P Chidambaram. The Congress was simply unable to control the continuously growing jihadi terrorism; hence, it tried to mislead society by creating the bogey of saffron terrorism and thereby, balance jihadi terrorism. The thought of safeguarding the minority votebank was also behind the creation of this bogey. The words 'Hindu' and 'terrorism' can never dwell together. Attacking others for spreading the rule (kingdom) or for religion is not at all the attitude of Hindus. 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (The entire earth is one family) is the teaching of Hindu dharma. Such fabricated charges were made knowingly against the tolerant to the core Hindus and not a single charge was proved. When Islamic terrorism is playing havoc all over the world and the majority of assassinations of Muslims have been because of jihadi terrorism, will anyone dare use the term 'jihadi terrorism' or 'Muslim terrorism' ?

How is Hinduism positioned today in the new world order?

Hindu dharma is anadi (without origin) and anant (eternal). It is nityanutan (always new) and hence, it will never be outdated. With the passage of time, there could be changes in the methods of worship and abiding by dharma; however, the principle in Sanatan Dharma is un-transformable. There are as many temperaments as there are people and corresponding numbers of paths of 'spiritual practice'. This is an all-encompassing principle in Hindu dharma. It is because of this ideology that people of different faiths such as Jews, Parsis, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists etc, have been accommodated in Hindu culture. This broad-mindedness, the all-encompassing nature, guidance on attaining moksha (final liberation) and not heaven are a few things that exemplify the uniqueness of Hindu dharma. And so, irrespective of the progress made by the world, Hindu dharma continues to remain the supreme dharma to grace mankind and will remain so in the future. Taking into account the violence in the Arab world, increasing depression and immorality among Europeans and Americans, many are today attracted to Hinduism. Please note that only Hinduism will be the support of the world in times to come.

Of late, there have been increasing instances of spotting Islamic State-linked operatives in India. How serious is the issue in your view?

This is a very serious problem. The Islamic State wants to transform the entire world into an Islamic State. They want to categorise non-Muslims as kafirs and kill them. The IS has already declared that its next target is India. The news of hundreds of youths from India having gone to Iraq to enrol themselves in the IS has already appeared in newspapers. Not just that, they intend to conquer the entire India by 2022 and rename it 'Khorasan' and this goal of the IS is being displayed along with the map on websites. An organisation that was limited to Iraq till a few months back has spread its wings and is being deeply rooted in many a countries. Thinking only about India, statistics published last year show that 25,000 individual had shown their willingness to participate in the war for the Islamic State, of which 3,000 individuals have applied for visas to go to Iraq.

In the past year, over 50 Muslim youths have been arrested for their being in contact with the IS. Anti-national acts of shouting slogans in support of IS, waving its flag etc are occurring in states such as Kerala and West Bengal. In Kashmir, youths leaving mosque after Friday prayers changint slogans in support of the IS and waving their flag is a common occurrence. What does this signify? Things do not end here. Individuals like the Owaisis publicly agree to represent the followers of the IS in court cases free of cost. It is a misfortune for India and a gross failure of democracy that such an individual has been elected as a Member of Parliament. It is very clear that if stringent action is not taken against the members of this organisation, then there is going to be an anarchy-like situation in times to come. The fear is that if these fanatics step into tolerant India, they, with the help of their local followers, will categorise the Hindus as kafirs and slit their throats! It is time Hindus decide how are they going to face this threat.

Recently, the Ulema council had passed a resolution against the IS in which they had denounced the terrorist organisation. This is a positive aspect. Many Hindu organisations have united and started a movement called India against Islamic State. Every day, their website gives news about the danger posed by the IS and the awakening about this threat. According to me, this movement is a ray of hope.

Do the Muslim community and its religious leaders pose any threat to the secular fabric of the country and its idea of religious pluralism?

Talking without evidence about whether or not there is a threat, will be improper on my part; however, there are a whole lot of incidents occurring almost every day that put a question mark on their intent. Here are a few examples: Leaders such as Akbaruddin Owaisi, Abu Azmi and Azam Khan have made these highly provocative statements  'Set aside the police for 15 minutes, we will finish off 100 crore Hindus', 'Should Aurangabad be named Sambhajinagar, there will be massive bloodshed', 'Kargil war was not won by Hindu soldiers, but by the Muslim soldiers' respectively. Then, 50,000 Muslims gathered in Azad Maidan in Mumbai to protest the injustice meted out to the Muslims in Myanmar and resorted to rioting, in which they damaged vehicles of the police and journalists. Not even public transport buses were spared. Then, one lakh Muslims gathered in Malda in West Bengal and burned a police outpost. Such behaviour by these people has definitely endangered the secular fabric of the nation and the religious unity. It is time patriotic Muslims come forward and oppose this menace.

What is your opinion about Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who allegedly inspired the IS terrorists?

Zakir Naik is a preacher of Wahhabiism. This sect advocates being a staunch follower of Islam. This is not a question of merely propagation for becoming a staunch follower of Islam. Naik resorts to practices such as spreading hatred about other religions and hurting their religious sentiments. While comparing Hindu dharma and Islam, he misguides people by misquoting some of the shlokas in the Vedas and Puranas and thereby, instigating them to convert to Islam. During the Ganesh Chaturthi festival of 2011, he had made highly provocative statements that hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus such as Prove that Ganapati is a God and I shall partake of His prasad, How can a God that beheads his own son  who cannot look after himself, look after your wellbeing?

In 2012, we had filed many police complaints against him in this regard. They also include four FIRs filed in Mumbai, Solapur, Sawantwadi and Akola. He was forced to cancel his programmes in Mumbai. Since Peace TV  owned by him  is involved in anti-national broadcasts, it has been banned by the Government of India; however, the programmes are being broadcast regularly in Muslim-dominated areas. We have also brought this aspect to the notice of the government. The Congress had conveniently turned a blind eye towards the issue. Even now, the process of taking action against Naik has started in India only after Bangladesh filed a report on him. The danger this man brings can be understood from the few examples given below.

Sahil Sheikh involved in the chain explosions of 2006, Najibullah Zazi  the mastermind of the terrorist attack on New York in 2009, recently-arrested Ibrahim Yazdani  the head of the IS in Bhagyanagar (Hyderabad) were all influenced by the speeches of Naik. Kafil Ahmed, who conducted a terrorist attack on Glasgow airport in Scotland, had in fact attended a 10-day-camp by Naik. Christian-majority nations such as England and Canada have banned entry to Naik on account of his involvement in terrorist activities and supporting Osama Bin Laden. He has also been banned from delivering speeches in Muslim nations like Malaysia. Naiks Islamic Research Foundation has been termed a sister organisation on the website of the terrorist organisation Jamat-ul-Dawa. All these are very serious matters and extremely dangerous for the security of the nation. Naik, who on the pretext of being an ambassador of peace, is trying to bring about the silence of a cemetery, should be immediately imprisoned.

How do you evaluate the Narendra Modi governments approach to Hindu organisations?

Ever since 2013, when Narendra Modi was declared the prime ministerial candidate, all Hindus hoped that Modi, who is staunchly patriotic and who does not shy away from calling himself a Hindu, would solve their problems. Whatever claims the BJP might be making about getting votes of all Indian citizens, it remains an open secret that a majority of Hindus voted for the BJP during the last Parliamentary elections. Since assuming power, Modi has been working relentlessly, has been making sincere efforts for the progress of the nation. We do not have an iota of a doubt about his efforts in this regard; however, the Modi government has yet not taken any concrete steps to fulfil the just demands of Hindus.

The government has taken step to purify the Holy Ganga, however, the governments stance on a whole lot of dharma-related issues such as Ram Janmabhoomi issue, displacement of the Kashmiri Hindus, Common Civil Code, a law to ban cow slaughter, law to ban conversion, cracking down on the menace of infiltration from Bangladesh, love jihad, the takeover of the temples by the government etc is not clear. Even today, Kashmir is far from peaceful; the state of Hindus from Kerala and Bengal is dreadful, Asaram Bapu and Sadhvi Pragya Singh are imprisoned; clouds of a ban are still hovering on a patriotic organisation such as Sanatan Sanstha. There are organisations that have taken up the above mentioned issues individually/collectively; however, the sad part is that due to the governments indifference to these issues, the organisations have no one to fall back on (for support).

Do you have a feeling that Hindu organisations, like that of yours, are being unfairly treated?

More than the Hindu organisations like ours being unfairly treated, we need to ascertain if the government is impartial and listens to the issues raised by Hindus with the same intensity as it listens to the issues raised by the atheists, rationalists etc. We have stopped keeping a count of fabricated allegations made against the Sanatan Sanstha and mind you, not one, even as an exception has been proved. On the other hand, the family members of Dabholkar and Pansare are pressuring the government no end with an attitude, It's almost as if "never mind if the real culprits are not found, implicate Sanatan Sanstha". They have been meeting the Maharashtra chief minister on numerous occasions and he is listening to them and giving them promises and to an extent, is also acting accordingly.

Conversely, Sanatan Sanstha has sought an appointment with the chief minister on a number of occasions, and yet, he has not complied even once. Mind you, we are not demanding the release of our seekers who have been arrested. In fact, we are asking the government to commence the trial against them and punish them if found guilty; at the same time however, if they are innocent, why do injustice to them ? To date, Sanatans seekers have been accused first and then acquitted. All that we expect from this pro-Hindu government is that they also give time to listen to the woes of devout Hindu organisations.

What is the biggest challenge the Sangh Parivar is facing at this stage?

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is a very big organisation. They have lakhs of Swayamsevaks. We have no doubt that they are competent enough to handle the issues and challenges they are facing today. The spread of the social service performed by Sangh Parivar is vast. Fundamentally, the RSS was founded with the far-sighted aim of uniting Hindus and establishing the Hindu nation. Even today, there is a mention of the Hindu nation in the RSS prayer. We think that re-establishing the Hindu nation as described in the RSS prayer is a big challenge for the Sangh Parivar. Taking into consideration vices such as corruption, immorality, greediness etc seen among RSS-groomed politicians  meaning the BJP  we think that transforming the existing situation and producing ideal rulers is a very big challenge that the RSS is facing.
O vekkhe pandat gyani dhyani daya dharam te bande

Raam naam japde te khaande gaushala de chande,

Koi main jhooth bolyan, koi main kufar tolyan,

Koi na ji koi na ji koi na (We have seen many pandits, learned men and pious people who claim to be religious and compassionate.

They chant the name of Rama and embezzle the funds of Gaushalas.

Am I speaking an untruth? Am I being blasphemous?

Oh no, not at all.) (Lyrics from a song in the 1956 Raj Kapoor film Jagte Raho)

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at those who indulged in criminal activities in the night and donned the robes of gau rakshaks (protectors of cows) in the day, his speech raised more questions than it sought to answer:

Was he speaking the full truth, half-truth or untruth?

Was he really expressing himself against the spread of unbridled cow vigilantism that India has witnessed ever since his government came to power two years ago or was it a strategic statement to make the best of a bad situation?

Why did he take nearly a year to speak out against the terror that has been unleashed by violent vigilante groups in many states including Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana, where his party rules?

What kind of semiotics was he indulging in by making a rhetorical statement that those who were attacking the Dalits should shoot him instead?

Did he choose to break his studied silence because of the intense Dalit reaction seen in a mammoth rally in Ahmedabad, the nascent alliance that emerged between the Dalits and the Muslims, and the international medias unusually critical response against the Hindutva brigades shenanigans?

On 3 August, The New York Times editorially commented on the lawless cow vigilantism whose anti-Dalit face revealed itself fully in the incident at Una and noted that the gang stripped the Dalits to the waist, chained them to a car, and beat them for hours while the police and others looked on, thus clearly implying that the state administration was complicit in the crime. It also reminded its readers that Modi himself has exploited the cow slaughter issue at rallies and listed the murder of Mohammed Akhlaq in Dadri, lynching of two cattle traders in Jharkhand, the suicide of Rohit Vemula, and the provocative statements of BJP legislators and other leaders. The leading American daily also pointedly questioned Modis shameful silence.

Within a few days of the publication of the New York Times editorial, Modi broke his silence. Yet his words failed to soothe tempers and convince people of his sincerity as they rang hollow. The prime minister very cleverly distinguished between the rogue gau rakshaks and the real gau sevaks and gau bhakts. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad correctly interpreted his speech when Hukum Singh Savla, in-charge of its gau raksha cell, said that it did not apply to the VHPs cow protection activities as the organisation has been in this business since the time when Modi was not even in the BJP. In his view, the prime minister criticised only those who were indulging in criminal acts.

It seems that the chain of events in Gujarat that resulted in an unprecedented situation of Dalits refusing to skin the dead cows and other animals, and the unity they forged with Muslims forced Modi to change track. In any case, there was no problem so long as the cow vigilantes were targeting the Muslims as was the case with Akhlaq in Dadri and cattle traders in Jharkhand. However, when the scope of these violent attacks widened and Dalits started being attacked, the situation underwent a fundamental change. News of Dalits toying with the idea of en masse conversion to Islam also rocked the boat, especially in view of the impending Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat.

One speech by Modi is not going to make people forget that prominent leaders of his own party like Sangeet Som, T Raja Singh, Giriraj Kishore, Yogi Adityanath and others have been at the forefront of attacking Muslims and Dalits. RSS student wing ABVP has specialised in filing FIRs against its leftist, Muslim and Dalit rivals on college and university campuses. Even in Dadri, local BJP leader Sanjay Rana, whose son happens to one of the accused in the killing of Akhlaq, led those who filed an FIR against Akhlaq's family.

Manjari Katju in her definite study Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics draws attention to the fact that the three symbols of Bharatmata (portrayed as a Hindu goddess---often as an incarnation of Durga/Kali, the symbol of shakti or power), Gangamata and to some extent Gaumata, were used extensively by the VHP during its Ekatmata Yatras in the 1980s. Bharatmata, Gangamata and Gaumata became the three mother symbols on which the VHP organised its mass campaign. It used these symbols as symbols of Hindu unity, in other words, national unity. It is not without significance that the when Bharat Dharma Mahamandal met for the first time at Hardwar in 1887, the British authorities looked at it as another manifestation of the cow protection movement. The first petition regarding this demand was submitted to the colonial administration by the Gaurakshini Sabha of Nagpur, the city that later became the birthplace of the RSS.

The cow protection movement of 1966 cannot be de-linked from the electoral successes of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the political ancestor of the BJP, in 1967 state Assembly elections. However, cow vigilantism has spread its tentacles much wider than just those states in which the BJP is in power or where the ruling party has its own reasons to look the other way as is the case in Uttar Pradesh.

What Modi has said is too little and too late.

One is not sure if it can really apply ointment on the wounds of the Dalits and assuage their deeply-felt hurt. Cow protection is an integral part of the RSS strategic programme and vigilantism has always been its preferred method, be it Valentines Day or love jihad or ghar wapsi.
As unrelenting tension escalates across Jammu and Kashmir, Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahudeen on Monday threatened to wage a nuclear war against India over the Kashmir issue. Asserting that a 'fourth war' is imminent with India, Salahudeen, in a statement, said:

Pak is duty, morally, politically, constitutionally bound to provide substantial support to ongoing freedom struggle in Kashmir: SSalahudeen  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

Quoting the Hizbul chief in a series of tweet, ANI reported that Salahudeen said that Kashmiris are no longer willing to compromise and added that it does not matter whether Pakistan, the world or even the United Nation supports 'it', Kashmiris have pledged to fight till the last drop of their blood.

"Our base camp in liberated Azad Kashmir, and the Kashmiris from this side will announce the trampling of the bloody Line of Control. After that there will be no bloody line, no ceasefire line, no international rules and no consideration for the United Nations observers. Bleeding Kashmiris will come from that side, these Kashmiris will go from this side, and God willing a decision will take place on the bloody line," said Salahudeen.

"If Pakistan provides (this) support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between two powers (India and Pakistan). I can predict a fourth war with certainty because Kashmiris are no longer willing to compromise, come what may. Whether world or Pak supports or not; UN performs duty or not, Kashmiris have pledged to fight up to last drop of their blood," Salahudeen said in a statement.

Kashmiris have reached this conclusion that they have no second option except armed jihad: Sayeed Salahudeen pic.twitter.com/OAoceIGY7n  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

Whether world or Pak supports or not; UN performs duty or not, Kashmiris have pledged to fight up to last drop of their blood: SSalahudeen  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

And if Pak provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between two powers: Sayeed Salahudeen pic.twitter.com/hidotgYDOJ  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

I can predict a 4th war with certainty because Kashmiris are no longer willing to compromise, come what may: Sayeed Salahudeen  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

Dubbing the crisis in Kashmir as a armed struggle, the Hizbul chief said that the Narendra Modi government is giving no leeway and what remains with Kashmir's 'suppressed' people is a target-oriented armed struggle.

"God willing, all this is present. But there will be a new dimension now, which will prove very dangerous for India, God willing."

Issuing an impending threat of an attack, Salahudeen said that if the international players ignore this warning or Pakistan's efforts are not fruitful and India does not stop atrocities, "a big incident can occur."

Meanwhile, reacting to Salahudeen's threat, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said that the Hizbul chief has no authority to speak on Kashmir.

Who is he & who has given him the right to speak about Kashmir? Dhamki se kuch nahin hoga: Venkaiah Naidu on terror leader Sayeed Salahudeen  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

Earlier in August, Salahudeen had accused Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh of being a "killer of Kashmiris" and had urged Islamabad to recall its envoy from India over the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. The Hizbul leader, who also happens to be the chief of United Jihad Council, had seconded Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed's call for a countrywide protest in Pakistan by JuD against Rajnath's last week visit to Islamabad. Rajnath Singh was in Pakistan on 3 August to attend the Saarc home ministerial conference.

"The rulers should give up hypocrisy and the Pakistan government should either plead the case of Kashmiris or make friends with India," Salahudeen had said.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi came down heavily on cow vigilantes on Saturday, Punjab police on Sunday filed an FIR against Gau Raksha Dal chief Satish Kumar, reported The Tribune.

#FLASH Patiala Police lodged an FIR against Gau Raksha Dal Chief Satish Kumar (in matter of a social media video), confirms SSP (Patiala)  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

Satish Kumar was booked in connection with a video, which was doing the rounds on social media, showing organisation members thrashing people in the name of 'cow protection', reported The Indian Express. Kumar is yet to be arrested. A case under Sections 382 (having made preparation for causing death), 384 (committing extortion), 341 (wrongfully restraining any person), including Sections 148 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code was registered, police said.

Punjab DGP Suresh Arora was quoted by The Tribune as saying that nobody will be allowed to carry unlawful activities under the pretext of being gau rakshaks and that they have registered a couple of cases. The report added that self-styled cow protection groups were harassing truck operators by dragging them out of their vehicles and beating them up with rods and sticks, apart from torching their trucks.

Kumar has reportedly boasted of saving more than 2.5 lakh cows and registering over 2,000 FIRs against "cow butchers".

Modi's silence was broken after the Dalit community in Gujarat protested against the brutal assault on youngsters in Una for skinning a cow carcass. According to The Indian Express, 31 gau rakshaks have been taken into custody in Gujarat following the incident.

A case was registered under IPC Section 153 A against Telangana BJP MLA Raja Singh for his remarks defending the attacks on Dalits in Una. Section 153 A concerns promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.

On 26 July, 2016, in Mandsaur, after two Muslim women were beaten up on the suspicion of carrying beef, which later turned out to be calf meat, the suspects were arrested under Sections 341, 323 and 34 of the IPC, which pertain to punishment for wrongful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt and acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention respectively.

On 10 June, 2016, after 30-40 members of Bajrang Dal brutally attacked a Dalit family in Koppa, Karnataka, for allegedly possessing beef, local police filed a case against the attackers under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015. This was after Dalit rights groups insisted that action be taken against the Bajrang Dal members.

In another incident in June this year, Gau Raksha Dal volunteers, who force-fed two beef transporters a concoction of cow dung, urine and milk, were booked under Section 295 A of the IPC for intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.

Mustain Abbas, a 27-year-old father of four, who was travelling back home after buying bulls from Haryana was allegedly fired upon by Gau Raksha Dal members. No arrests have been made so far in the case and the CBI, on 9 May, ordered a probe into his murder.

In March this year, after two Muslim cattle traders were found hanged to death in Jharkhand, five people were arrested under the charge of murder, while the police suspect it to be connected with cattle loot.

At Khirkiya railway station in the Harda district of Madhya Pradesh, a Muslim couple, were attacked by a cow protection group over allegations that they were carrying beef. The police have registered a case against two Gau Raksha Samiti activists for voluntarily causing hurt and criminal intimidation, and arrested them.

Last year, over rumours that his family had been storing and consuming beef, Mohammad Akhlaq was lynched in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, by a right-wing Hindu mob. On 15 July, 2016, the police lodged an FIR against the deceased Mohammad Akhlaq and six family members under the cow slaughter act. A total of 19 persons were accused in the case. Of these, one was given a clean chit by police and let off. Sixteen accused are still lodged in jail.

Immediately after the attack, Dadri police named 10 people as accused, with over a hundred unnamed assailants. Police registered FIR under IPC section 147 (punishment for rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 458 (house-trespass or house-breaking) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace).

Teenager Zahid Rasool Bhat died in an arson attack at Udhampur in October 2015 after he was found to be travelling in a truck that was transporting cattle. In another unrelated incident in October 2015, a 20-year-old from Saharanpur was allegedly killed by villagers who believed he was involved in cattle smuggling. The police then filed a case under Section 302 of the IPC against unknown persons.

A Gau Sewa Commission was set up in January 2015 in Punjab, where deputy commissioners' offices issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for permits to transport cattle. Earlier, only one document from the Animal Husbandry Department was enough. The three-step process has reportedly hurt businesses according to traders, and has meanwhile allowed gau rakshaks to thrive. Mukul Kesavan argues that the "root of the problem" is the commission.

The commission made a no-objection certificate from a deputy commissioner mandatory for those wishing to transport cattle, another layer of sarkari paper that has proved remarkably hard to get. Not only does this lead, inevitably, to bribery and rent-seeking, it creates a circumstance where Gau Raksha Dals and Shiv Sainiks prey on trucks and force cattle traders to pay them off. These vigilantes are now confident enough to charge trucker unions nearly four lakhs for a licence that allows their trucks free passage for six months.

Taking a leaf out of Punjab government's book, the Haryana Gau Sewa Ayog has sent a proposal to the Haryana government to impose a five percent 'cow cess' on movie tickets and an extra fee, while booking banquet halls for functions. The commission also proposed the idea of levying Re 1 on each bag of wheat, paddy and other crops bought from the state market. Further, the Manohar Lal Khattar government is also thinking of constituting a 'Gau Rakshak Task Force' on the pattern of Home Guards to ensure strict enforcement of the stringent cow protection law in the state.
One of the key reasons why Muslim societies are in ferment concerns a theological tradition practiced by Islamic clerics to declare other Muslims as munafiqeen (hypocrites), kafir (infidels), or simply insufficient Muslims.

On 5 August, the Mumbai-based Urdu daily Roznama Inquilab published a report on its frontpage raising alarm that Qadianis have been included in the 2011 census report as Muslims. Ahmadi Muslims are pejoratively dismissed as Qadianis because their spiritual leader Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) was born in Qadian, in present-day Indian Punjab.

The Urdu daily, popular among the Muslims of Maharashtra, wrote: "With regard to the 2011 census, this sensational revelation has emerged that in this report Qadianis have been registered as Muslims." It noted that "only Sunnis, Shias, Bohras and Agha Khanis were considered different sects of Muslims" previously.

The 2011 census was held when Narendra Modi was not the prime minister. However, another Urdu daily, Roznama Urdu Times on 5 August, published a front-page report insinuating conspiracy by Modi in favour of Ahmadi Muslims. Its report was titled: "Qadianis accepted as a sect of Islam by the Modi government."

The report observed: "Let it be clear that Qadianis are considered expelled from Islam by all the schools of thought of Islam. The Modi government had been hesitating till last year from accepting Qadianis as a sect of Islam Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised the moderation and peacefulness of Qadianis."

Ahmadi Muslims are incorrectly accused by the dominant Islamic sects of not believing that Muhammad was the last prophet. Such accusations are part of a continuous theological search for pure Islam.

This search for pure Muslims meant that the so-called secular Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto enacted a law in 1974 under which Ahmadi Muslims were declared non-Muslims. This was the first time in history that lawmakers were given power to decide who was a Muslim. Ahmadi Muslims are forbidden in Pakistan from calling themselves Muslims and their places of worship as mosques, or from greeting others by the words Assalam-o-Alaikum (peace be upon you) and so on. They are persecuted in everyday life in many countries, including Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.

It is correct to say that Ahmadi Muslims are the most persecuted sect of Islam in present times. The Indian state too is part of this persecution. For example, the Ahmadi Muslims organised an exhibition on the Quran's translations in 53 languages in New Delhi in September 2011. Imam Bukhari of Delhi's Jama Masjid led a violent protest against the exhibition, which was shut down because the Indian state, instead of offering security to the organisers, surrendered before the Bukhari-led goons. Such surrenders by the Indian state encourage Islamist forces, threatening our democratic values of free speech, right to peaceful assembly and pluralism.

In its report, the Roznama Urdu Times quoted Islamic cleric Maulana Moeen Ashraf as saying that it is "excess by the government" to consider Ahmadis as Muslims. The report also quoted Maulana Mehmood Daryabadi, general secretary of the Ulema Council, as saying that description of Ahmadis as Muslims in the 2011 census report was "an interference in the matters of Muslims" and "the Indian government does not have the right to decide how many sects are among Muslims". This position is in contrast with this reality: every Islamic cleric thinks he has the absolute right to interfere in every Muslim's religious matters.

The crux of the problem is this: in their search for pure Islam, most Muslim sects consider others as non-Muslims or insufficient Muslims. For example, Ahmed Raza Khan (1856-1921), founder of the so-called peaceful Barelvi school of Sunni Islam, declared Shias as non-Muslims. Even now, Barelvi organisations in many countries, notably South Africa, openly declare Shias as infidels. Pakistani-Canadian cleric Tahirul Qadri, who famously wrote a fatwa (Islamic decree) against jihadist organisations, has described Shias as infidels. Much like them, the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) do not consider Shias as Muslims, thereby killing them systematically.

Much before the Islamic State was born, an IS-like force of pious Muslims known as Kharijites emerged during the rule of Islam's fourth caliph Hazrat Ali. Like the IS, the Kharijites massacred Muslims in thousands by declaring them apostates, expelled from Islam. This search for pure Islam is rooted in the era of Prophet Muhammad, who demolished Masjid-e-Zarrar, a mosque, because it was built by Muslims, who were deemed as munafiqeen. "He is not a Muslim", is a sentence commonly used against some Muslims by others who consider themselves as more pious  a line of thinking that is the foundation of jihadism in everyday life and must be curbed for the sake of co-existence between all sects of Islam and with non-Muslims.

Next: AMU's minority mindset births intellectual separatism, Indian state cannot fund it

The author is the director of South Asia Studies Project at the Middle East Media Research Institute, Washington DC. He tweets @tufailelif
For the past 16 years, Irom Sharmila, the 'Iron Lady of Manipur' has been a symbol of self-sacrifice. She has been on a hunger strike to protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (1958). However, ever since she announced on 26 July that she will break her fast on 9 August, Sharmila has come under severe scrutiny and criticism from many quarters. Sharmila has also expressed her desire to get married and announced that she would join electoral politics to continue the fight to get AFSPA repealed. While many have urged the civil rights activist to continue her fast, some radical groups have even threatened her with dire consequences if she ends her fast.

Right to life

Right to life or desire to live is the most basic of human rights. Irom Sharmila started her hunger strike after Assam Rifles personnel allegedly shot dead 10 civilians. Since then she has mostly been in custody (getting released and re-arrested every year on the charge of attempt to suicide) in a hospital being force-fed through a tube inserted into her nose. All these years, Sharmila's face with a tube hanging down her nose became Manipur's symbol of resistance against the brazen Army brutality even as the Indian state continues to ignore human rights violations. Now that she wants to lead a 'normal life' and get married (in all likelihood to Goan-born British national Desmond Coutinho), those very people for whom she stood up are ready to sacrifice her on the altar of tolerance. Even her brother has expressed disappointment over her decision.

"I am not happy to know that she has decided to end her fast. What upsets me more is that she did not consult me or her mother before taking this important decision. My mother always told her to fight till the end - till the demand to repeal AFSPA is met," Sharmila's elder brother Irom Singhajit was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

He, however, said "as a human being, she has every right to marry anyone".

If this is not patriarchy, then what is?

While her decision should have ideally been a cause of celebration, the activist today finds herself flooded with 'requests' to continue her fast.

In an open letter to her, Namoijam Oken and Khetri Laba, leaders of the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) a Meitei insurgent outfit, and the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), an ultra-leftist group, urged their elder sister not to end the fast. They even warned that some former insurgents, who were elected to the Manipur Assembly, had been assassinated.

Honour and patriarchy

Patriarchy, after all, is all about moral authority, social privilege and control of property.

Many feel "outsider" Coutinho may have "influenced" her decision to end the fast. Some even have expressed apprehensions that Coutinho is a state agent trying to divert her democratic struggle.

In fact, when the news of Sharmila's "relationship" with Coutinho first appeared in national media in 2011, civil society bodies in Manipur termed it "an insult to all Manipuri people".

The Telegraph newspaper, in its 5 September, 2011 edition, had quoted Sharmila as having said that "she was in love with Coutinho but her supporters were against the relationship".

Copies of the daily were burnt and the newspaper was banned in Manipur by civil society organisations under the aegis of Apunba Lup. They alleged that "there was a conspiracy by the national daily to sabotage the movement of Sharmila who is demanding the repeal of AFSPA".

Even if we assume that Coutinho is trying to "mislead" her, marriage and freedom to choose a life partner is a basic human right and it doesn't necessarily mean she will forget her cause.

Don't make her a martyr

Sharmila and her cause has always been in the news. Had it not been for Irom Sharmila's sacrifice, Manipur and the plight of its people would have never drawn national and international attention (and support). Yet today she stands alone. When she decided to start her hunger strike, Sharmila never forced anyone else to join her. It has been 'solely' her decision to sacrifice the prime of her life for her people. It has indeed been a battle in isolation. Then why is the decision to end her fast not left to her alone? Why are all those radical groups and their representatives not ready to take the baton from her and continue the fast on her behalf? Choosing life over death (the 16-year-long strike is after all at the cost of her health) doesn't necessarily mean giving up. Irom Sharmila doesn't just belong to Manipur, but represents the indomitable human spirit of resilience against injustice and human rights violation. Hopefully, her critics too would realise this and support her in keeping her fight alive.
Srinagar: Two BSF personnel and a militant were killed on Monday in an operation in Macchil sector near the Line of Control in Kashmir.

Security forces launched an operation in Macchil sector in north Kashmir's Kupwara district following information about presence of militants in the area, an Army official said. He said one militant was killed in the operation that was going on till reports last came in.

Two BSF personnel were also killed in the operation, he said, adding further details of the incident are awaited.
About 15 years ago, a senior journalist had asked me to lunch at his home. Also present was a leading light in the then government. The host asked me to tell his other guest what I thought would happen if the Hurriyat Conference was offered power along with maximum autonomy for the state.

I tried to avoid the question, but our host insisted. Finally, I said they would accept power and then say, 'give us azadi.' My host was livid. Neither men had expected this response. So I explained what to me is quite obvious. The Hurriyat leaders cannot accept a deal that the National Conference has sought several times  and had got around 1952.

People will question them about why they got so many young people killed in a struggle if they only wanted power for themselves. People will hurl shoes, I said, playing down what might actually be hurled at them  their relatives, and their homes.

Looking back, there was still a sliver of hope then that negotiations with the Hurriyat could yield something with which India could move forward to a presumptive solution on Kashmir. That sliver has narrowed considerably since then.

The best period for a resolution of the Kashmir issue was between 2003 and 2006. During that period, a process begun by Prime Minister Vajpayee had almost reached fruition - albeit much scaled down from Vajpayees initial ambitious plan, which was modelled on the European Union. The scaled down model is generally called 'the four-point plan' or 'the Musharraf Plan.'

The politicians generally counted under the rubric of the Hurriyat were on board, except for Syed Ali Shah Geelani. That was a significant omission. For, of all the various putative 'separatist leaders,' he has had the maximum salience since around then.

Geelanis hold on the public mind too has dipped since 2008. More Salafist figures such as Masarat Alam, Ashiq Hussain alias Qasim Faktoo, Asiya Andrabi and Mushtaq Veeri have played more significant roles since, albeit more covertly. Over the past month, activists of the Jamaat-e-Islami have played a key role. At this point, most other separatist leaders have very little influence over the ongoing agitations.

Limited leverage

Pakistan has been trying hard for at least a year now to push the prominent faces of the Kashmiri movement, Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar and Yasin Malik, onto a common platform. They have succeeded over the past few weeks. Together, the three present a convincing image of a united movement.

However, even they know that their influence over the generation of teenagers that has is at the fore on the streets is very limited. The Mirwaiz said so last autumn. Another prominent Hurriyat said off the record last week that the boys in the street mobs would 'burn our houses faster than mainstream politicians' houses.'

The ground has slipped much farther under their feet than it already had in 2010, when they did engage with covert talks while P Chidambaram was the Union home minister. Nothing came of those talks.

Of course, one must nevertheless welcome renewed willingness for talks - particularly from a bunch so filled with hubris as Indias current rulers. However, one must also be aware of the dangers and pitfalls. The list of leaders who have paid with their lives in Kashmir is long and not forgotten. It includes Mirwaiz Farooq, Dr Ahad Guroo, Professor Wani, Qazi Nissar, Abdul Ghani Lone and Abdul Majid Dar.

The long-time freedom activist and Hurriyat leader Fazl Haq Qureshi is still ailing after being shot and badly injured. Former Hurriyat chairman Abdul Ghani Bhats brother was shot dead; Bhat knows it was a warning to him.

No plan

One should be aware that these various Hurriyat leaders are not only in no position to compromise (for fear of their lives) over 'azadi,' they have never worked out the broad outlines, leave alone the details of what they stand for.

'The right to self-determination' is the most they have ever agreed upon among themselves. The direction in which that right should lead is a matter they have never discussed in the Executive or other decision-making bodies of the Hurriyat Conference since that body was formed in 1993.

Their meeting with Vajpayee was at best a photo-op. When Vajpayee then asked them to continue the dialogue with Home Minister LK Advani, they were asked for a paper which the government could consider. They were flummoxed. So they got in touch with the London-based Jamaat ideologue Ghulam Nabi Fai.

That they often do not know how to argue or defend what Fai writes for them was demonstrated recently. When Mirwaiz Umar addressed the conference of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), he looked cursorily over the long full text and read a truncated version.

When the full text went up on the OIC website, telephone lines started buzzing in New Delhi, Srinagar and elsewhere. The result: the Mirwaizs passport was withdrawn over something he probably had not even noticed.

Despite all these factors, initiating talks with whomever they can in an effort to cool tempers in Kashmir is worth trying - even if turns out to be no more than a photo-op.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi on Monday to discuss the unrest in Kashmir. The protests, which began after Hizbul Mujahideen chief Burhan Wani was killed on 8 July, continue unabated and led to the deaths of 55 people.

According to Times Now, NSA Ajit Doval was also present at the meeting. The ministers discussed the law and order situation in Kashmir, socio-economic issues and the use of pellet guns and how it can be reduced. Muftis government in Kashmir is a coalition between the BJP and her party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

"The situation in Jammu Kashmir has been bad for the past one month. I am hopeful that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take this opportunity to try to heal the wounds of the Kashmir people. There will be a chance to continue the dialogue that was begun during the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee," said Mehbooba at the end of the meeting. "We want peace in Jammu and Kashmir and I am hopeful that the Centre will extend the hand of friendship to the Kashmiris. Jammu and Kashmir can become a bridge between India and Pakistan instead of a site of fights."

In the last month, the state government has come under severe criticism for using pellet guns to quell protesters, as the pellets are leaving hundreds of youngsters blind. Mufti was also slammed for trying to gag the local media and for being unable to bring peace to the state quickly.

Muftis political rival, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said Mehboobas trip to Delhi shows that she has finally given up the "business as usual act" and called the meeting an intervention.

The amazing thing is that it's taken 31 days & more than 50 deaths to finally "disturb" the Chief Minister.  Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) August 8, 2016

HM, RM, NSA & MoS PMO in the meeting. Sounds like the J&K CM has been summoned for a full fledged intervention.  Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) August 8, 2016

Security forces killed Wani, the poster boy of Hizbul Mujahideen, in an encounter at Kokernag area, 83 kms from Srinagar, along with two of his local accomplices, on 8 July. Burhan, who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, is believed to have taken up the gun to avenge his elder brother's humiliation by the security forces who made him do squats after picking him up for no crime.

Innumerable images of Burhan and posts extolling him were uploaded on social networking sites such as Facebook which the security agencies had got removed but that did not erase his popularity.

On 28 July, Mehbooba reiterated the security forces claim that they were unaware of Wani's presence at the scene of the 8 July encounter. "How can one know everything about every encounter?" Mehbooba asked. "As far as I know, what I heard from the police and the army, who said they only knew that there were three militants inside the house but did not know who they were," she said.

The chief minister told reporters that had the security forces known about Wani's presence inside the house in Kokernag area of South Kashmir's Anantnag district, it would have been possible to keep the situation "from turning to what it is today."

"I feel if they knew, perhaps we would not have such a situation when the overall situation in the state was improving, so it could have been a chance," she said.

With inputs from PTI
Srinagar: National Conference on Monday took out a rally protesting the government's handling of the situation in the Kashmir Valley and demanding that the use of pellet guns by security forces as a crowd control measure be stopped immediately.

"They are using bullets and pellets, inflicting atrocities on the people, resorting to mass arrests and crackdowns. It is the second month of curfew, crackdowns and bandhs which have caused a lot of problems for the people. We demand that the government stop all this," NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, who led the march from the party's headquarter at Nawa-i-Subh to Civil Secretariat, told reporters.

However, the protesters, including party leaders and legislators, were stopped by police near the Zero Bridge, following which they staged a sit-in there. Sagar said it was "shameful" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not even make a mention of the unrest in Kashmir in his radio programme "Mann Ki Baat".

"Those asserting Kashmir as their integral part fall silent when it comes to pain and misery of the people here," he said. "When we met the (Union) Home Minister, he assured us that the (use of) pellet guns and excessive force will be stopped immediately, but nothing has been done in this regard yet.

"Around 450 people were injured on Friday due to pellet gun firing. On Sunday also, around 100 people were injured and 1500 arrested. We are protesting against this," the NC leader said.
(L-R) 50 Cent, Omari Hardwick; ABC/Fred Lee50 Cent had a war of words over the weekend with the executive producer/show runner of Power, Courtney Kemp Agboh, who apparently didn't give the rapper the heads up that his manhood was going shown in Sunday's night episode.

The rapper/actor took to social media to his express his irritation, dramatically calling out his Powerpartner for sneaking in the uncensored shot of his privates. In a series of posts that were deleted and captured by Shaderoom.com, 50 tells the Kemp, "Don't kiss my cheek, kiss my a**. This is not funny. Tell the people from STARZ stop calling my phone, you call now. I don't give a f*** if you on a place b****."

50 explains that he's not just upset about his penis being shown, but annoyed that his aunt won't be able to watch the show. "So now my auntie G can't watch POWER because of my d*** is debuting tonight. SMH you motherf******, I wish somebody say some stupid s*** right now, I am KANAN motherf****** try me," he wrote in an Instagram post that was captured by Shaderoom.com.

Kemp, who was clearly not intimated by Fif's antics, responded and reminded 50 of the full-frontal waiver he signed. "Ghost must die and@50cent must lie because you knew what we were shooting during 404. ...you signed the waiver like everybody else," she wrote in an Instagram post. She then followed up with a photo of her executive producer credit on a big screen writing, I'll just leave that there.@50cent."

50 Cent did not respond to her posts.

Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.




Jhilmil Dasgupta, mother of teenager Aabesh Dasgupta who was stabbed at author Amit Chaudhuri's house party and later succumbed to his injuries on 23 July, has refuted Kolkata Police's claims that it was an accidental death, insisting that her son was murdered, reported The Indian Express.

Grief has not taken over completely. I have to fight for my child. I am all Aabesh has, Jhilmil told The Indian Express, convinced that her son was murdered.

Earlier, the Dasgupta family, which has been claiming it to be a "pre-planned murder", had met Chief Minister Banerjee and requested her to ensure that the investigation was not influenced, reported IANS .

IANS quoted Rimjhim as saying, "We told her (Banerjee) that there are still many unanswered questions, many loose ends. She gave a patient hearing to all our apprehensions and assured the truth will be unravelled. The Chief Minister said whatever the police have said needs to be proved. She assured us that everything will be done to ensure justice."

Aabesh, 17, was found lying in a pool of blood on the ground floor car park of well known writer Amit Chaudhuri's apartment complex in south Kolkata's Ballygunge, where he had gone to attend a birthday party on 23 July.

A blood soaked neck of a broken bottle was recovered from the spot.

While the family has been claiming that Aabesh was murdered; the police, citing circumstantial evidence, had ruled out any foul play or conspiracy and suggested the death could be accidental.

Based on CCTV footage, the police had claimed that Aabesh tried to jump a ramp in the parking lot while holding an alcohol bottle in his hand.

While jumping, he tripped and fell on the broken bottle and suffered an injury to the armpit, resulting in profuse bleeding which ultimately caused his death.

Police, however, claimed their findings were still inconclusive.

Besides arresting three people for selling liquor to minors, the police had interrogated the teenagers accompanying Aabesh on the fateful day as also writer Chaudhuri.

With inputs from IANS
New Delhi: Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday bluntly asked BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on why their party had opposed the GST Bill when the UPA was in power, with Modi, then Gujarat Chief Minister, terming it "anti-states".

"We are getting all the blame, a perception has gone we (Congress) stalled the GST. Actually it is you all (BJP) who opposed it," Kharge said in the Lok Sabha while participating in the GST bill.

He said the issues raised by Congress should have been addressed earlier.

Pointing towards Prime Minister Modi, who was present in the house, Kharge said as Gujarat chief minister, Modi himself had opposed the GST.

"You ruled there for 13 years. If you had agreed about the merits of GST earlier, it would have been implemented long back and the country would have benefited long back," he said.

"So please stop blaming us... that Congress has stalled GST," he said.

Kharge also said the government should not try to push the GST bill as a money bill.

Earlier, another Congress member Deepender Singh Hooda also said the GST bill should not be considered as a money bill.

Kharge's remark that all BJP leaders insist on describing the central government as "Modi Sarkar" and "not BJP Sarkar" drew laughter even from the Prime Minister.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi was also present in the house.
Notorious Maoist renegade Mohammed Nayeemuddin, who was killed in an encounter with the Telangana police early on Monday morning, was a larger-than-life figure, almost to the point of being romanticised. He belonged to that era of anti-Naxal operations, where the police allegedly used surrendered Naxals to neutralise the top guns in the Naxal outfit. If tales circulated about Nayeem are to be believed, he was a willing shoulder for the police to fire from, especially if Maoist sympathisers were the target.

Nayeem had blood on his hands. The most sensational of his killings, while he was still one among the outlaws, was the killing of Andhra Pradesh IPS officer KS Vyas in 1993, just after he had finished his morning jog at Lal Bahadur stadium in the heart of Hyderabad. Vyas had established Greyhounds, the elite anti-Naxal commando force of Andhra Pradesh in 1986.

Twenty-three years later, the Greyhounds has avenged its founder's murder.

In the late 90s, Nayeem exited the People's War, as the Naxal outfit was called prior to their merger with the MCC in 2004, following differences with the leadership. He made a dramatic escape during a hearing from a Hyderabad court in 2007 and has never been officially seen since then. At that time, the grapevine suggested that people in high places helped him escape. The suspicion was that he knew too much about some powerful people and it was not safe to keep him in the public domain.

Soon stories of how he was being used by the cops to eliminate Maoist sympathisers and civil liberties activists started floating around. The responsibility for many of these hits was claimed by vague letterhead outfits like Nallamalla Cobras, Kakatiya Cobras and Green Tigers. Civil rights activists believed that these were fronts of Nayeem, to help the black sheep within the police force suppress the Maoist movement.

It is also a fact that civil rights groups, who often protested against fake encounters, feared Nayeem. Celebrated human rights activist, the late K Balagopal had called Nayeem the ``most feared of the counter-insurgents, with a gang of 50 men with him''.

Realising that life with the alleged blessings of some part of the official machinery was good, Nayeem expanded his area of operations to settling land disputes through use of muscle power, extortions, providing hired killers and indulging in extra-judicial killings. Most believed one telephone call from him was enough to get his way. Human rights activists alleged that the alleged police protection had only emboldened Nayeem to be more brazen with using his private militia. There were over 100 cases of land grabbing and extortions filed against him and another 20 cases relating to murder.

Nayeem's name was always mentioned whenever a high-profile hit took place in united Andhra Pradesh. Like that of former Naxalite Sambasivudu who had joined the Telangana Rashtra Samiti in 2011. He is also believed to have passed on information about Sohrabuddin Shaikh's movement that led to his encounter by the Gujarat police.

In fact, the Gujarat CID suspected that Nayeem was the person who had persuaded Sohrabuddin and his wife Kauser Bi to come to Hyderabad in November 2005. His name was also mentioned in connection with the assassination of former Gujarat home minister Haren Pandya.

So the question that is being asked is what led to Nayeem's killing on Monday morning?

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Nayeem had tried an extortion bid with someone very powerful and close to the current dispensation and it was ordered that Telangana could do without such a nuisance. The official theory, however, is that the police on the lookout for Nayeem had credible information that he was visiting Millenium Township in Shadnagar (48 km from Hyderabad) and the Greyhounds commandos and Telangana police moved in for the kill.

For Telangana, that has almost wiped out the Maoist menace from its territory, the killing of Nayeem is a reminder of those bloody days when the state and the Naxals were often locked in eyeball-to-eyeball conflict. When the tag of 'Naxal' was a convenient fig leaf for criminals to carry out their activities.

Spending most of his life 'underground', Nayeem carried many secrets. And dead men tell no tales.
New Delhi: Condemning the attacks on Dalits, RSS on Monday termed as "inhuman" the violence and asked state governments to take action against elements trying to "disturb communal harmony and trust".

VHP, an RSS affiliate, however, vowed to continue its work related to protection of cow, saying they have been doing it for a long time and will continue the work.

"We appeal to all the sections of the society to remain aware of elements who want to disturb the environment of communal harmony and trust. We expect the administration to take speedy action against such individuals and groups who break the law," RSS general secretary Bhaiyaji Joshi, second in chain of command after its Sar Sanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, said in a statement.

Significantly, RSS had also issued a statement on Sunday denouncing the attacks on Dalits.

He said taking law in one's own hands to harass Dalits was not only illegal but also inhuman.

While declining to comment on the attacks on Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes, VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain said there was a lot of controversy over it.

"We will not like to comment on the issue. However, cow protection has been going on since long. We will continue to work for it," Jain said.

The comments by RSS and VHP came in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly rebuking perpetrators of violence on Dalits in the name of cow protection, telling them, "if you have to shoot, shoot me" but stop attacking "my Dalit brethers".

Facing increasingly bruising opposition assault on his government and BJP over attacks on Dalits and on the issue of cow vigilantes, Modi had yesterday lashed out at "fake cow protectors", denouncing them for the second day running for trying to create "tension and conflict" in the society and asking the states to take stringent action against them.

Joshi said that several political parties and leaders of various castes are trying to create a situation of uncertainty through half baked information which is not conducive to harmony.

RSS also would like to appeal to political parties and various heads that there is a need to normalise the situation of uncertainty through public cooperation, Joshi said.

"By sympathising with the victims, there is a need to think that such incidents do not take place," Joshi said in the statement.

However, Modi faced flak from some Hindutva groups with the chief of a right wing organisation sending him a legal notice and alleging that his comments will encourage cow smugglers.

"Modi said over 70-80 percent of those working to protect cows are anti-social elements. I have asked him to clarify what evidence he has to back his statement. His comments are a big setback to cow protectors as they will be now seen as a villain by the society," Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha president Swamy Chakrapani said.

"Cow smugglers will receive a boost and attack cow protectors more aggressively now," he added.

Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha president Chandra Prakash Kaushik demanded that the prime minister withdraw his comments as they have hurt the Hindu community.

Modi had yesterday lashed out at "fake cow protectors", denouncing them for the second day running for trying to create "tension and conflict" in the society and asking the states to take stringent action against them.

In Meerut, Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha activists accused the BJP of "betraying" the trust of the Hindus and conducted a special 'havan' for Modi's "good sense".

National vice-president of the outfit Ashoke Sharma was critical of Modi for describing cow vigilante groups as "anti-socials" and "militants".

He added that the 'havan' was conducted at the Hindu Mahasabha office at Sharda Road so that the prime minister started thinking about the "Hindu cause" again.

He alleged that due to these "dubious" activities of the BJP, India could not become a "Hindu nation".

Talking to reporters in Nagpur, RSS ideologue and former spokesperson MG Vaidya said the government should take a strict action against those who attack Dalits in the name of cow protection.

"When there is a law against cow slaughter and provision of punishment for such acts, the so-called cow protectors should inform the police instead of taking law into their own hands," he said. The RSS veteran said "such elements" are defaming Hindu religion.

He dismissed any association of the self-proclaimed cow vigilantes who target Dalits with Sangh Parivar. "The government should find out the credentials of such elements so that truth comes out before people," he added.
An encounter is underway since Monday morning between the police and terror suspects at Shadnagar in Telangana, reported CNN-News18.

#UPDATE | Police operation on to flush out terrorists at Shadnagar, Telangana. Encounter on since early this morning, reports @tweetsakshi  News18 (@CNNnews18) August 8, 2016

Police has converged in on the area to nab the terrorists. Most of the terrorists are unknown, reports said.

NDTV reported that one suspected terrorist has been killed in a joint encounter between National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Telangana police.

Heavy security forces have been deployed and one house has been surrounded on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Shadnagar is about 50 kilometres from Hyderabad. More details are awaited.
The Election Commission has urged the government to amend the electoral law to bar political

advertisements in newspapers 48 hours before the day of polling on the lines of the restriction on electronic media.

The move came as the poll panel had to use its constitutional powers to ban such newspaper advertisements on a case-by-case basis during the Bihar Assembly elections in October-November 2015.

In a meeting with legislative department of the Law Ministry in May, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and fellow Commissioners AK Joti and OP Rawat said print media should also be included in Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act so that campaign or political advertisements are barred from appearing 48 hours ahead of polling day.

As of now, political advertisements are barred in electronic media, including TV, radio and social media platforms.

During Bihar Assembly elections, the EC had used its constitutional powers under Article 324 to impose a ban on political advertisements in newspapers in various districts of the state. The EC had said the advertisements were divisive in nature. This proposal was first mooted by the Commission in April 2012 and has the backing of the Law Commission.

After banning the advertisements in Bihar, the EC had ensured that newspapers do not carry advertisements which are not certified by Media Certification and Monitoring Committees ahead of each phase of assembly polls in Assam and West Bengal held in April.

On 30 October last year, the Commission had clamped a ban on publication of two controversial advertisements printed by BJP in Bihar during Assembly polls.

One of the advertisements alleges that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar are "snatching the plate of Dalits" by planning to transfer the quota meant for Dalits and EBCs to minorities. Another dealt with 'vote ki kheti' or votebank politics. It alleged that some parties were "giving sanctuary" to terrorists to appease a particular community for votes.

Divisive and provocative political ads have been a point of concern across the globe too. While banning such divisive ads has what been practised in India, UK's parliament website had posted a petition after the Brexit referendum for "Making it illegal for any UK political figure to knowingly lie or mislead."

Although the petition required 1,00,000 signatures to be debated in the parliament, and that for some reason it did not reach that figure, the question arises is: Would regulating the 'truth' in political advertising work in a country like India?

With inputs from PTI
In an ironic turn of events, Irom Chanu Sharmila, of Manipur who is going to end her 16-year-long fast on Tuesday faces a diktat from insurgent groups on her decision to live, marry and contest elections.

Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup and the Kangleipak Communist Party  two insurgent groups in Manipur issued statements urging her to continue with her fast to demand the repealing of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (Afspa), after her 26 July announcement to call off her fast.

The Alliance for Socialist Unity of Kangleipak, another radical group even issued a diktat against her to not to marry an outsider. Irom Sharmila, who is in a relationship with a Goan-British man Desmond Coutinho is expected to get married to him. The radical group said in a statement that, although her boyfriend is an NRI, he is an Indian and because of the increasing number of marriages between Manipuris and 'Indians', the natives are facing identity crisis.

The group also warned her that some former revolutionary leaders who changed course to join electoral politics were assassinated.

Surprisingly, most civil society organistions that have been vocal against army atrocities in the state maintained a stoic silence on the infringement of Irom Sharmila's rights by insurgent groups.

In fact, a close associate of hers who has been supporting her in the struggle against Afspa, distances herself from Irom Sharmila by saying that the decision to end the fast, marry and contest election is a sort of betrayal.

Babloo Loitongbam, who leads an organistion named Human Rights Alert, says that everyone has the freedom to express his or her opinion including the fasting woman as well as the groups and people who are opposing her latest decision. But he adds that Irom Sharmila is not a person who will cow down to diktats. He welcomed Irom Sharmilas decisions, but declines to comment when asked whether he sees the diktat issued as an transgression of Sharmilas rights as an individual.

The Patriotic Peoples Front Assam, one of the few civil society organisations that has been supportive of her rights as an individual, expresses utter dismay at the diktat issued against her.

Nava Thakuria, of the PPFA says, It is ironic that few people have expressed support to Irom Sharmilas right to decide her own fate as an individual, when she risked her life for 16 long years to protect the human rights of the people of her state.

He also opines that she should be allowed to pursue her decisions freely without any pressure.

Sharmilas decision to end her fast should (must) be respected and nobody can come in the way of her new life, The Okram Ibobi Singh-led government in Imphal must ensure her protection in

the backdrop of the situation and the Manipuri civil society should come forward raising their voices loud and clear against those elements who dare to prevent an individual from fulfilling ones personal (legal) will.

Irom Sharmila, who is in judicial custody under the laws related to suicide is expecting to end her fast after completing the formalities in the court. She has been continuing her fast unto death from the year 2000, demanding that Afspa be repealed.
Hyderabad/Gajwel(Telangana): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday came down heavily on the perpetrators of violence on Dalits, telling them, "if you have to attack, attack me" but stop attacking "my Dalit bretheren".

Facing increasingly bruising opposition assault on him and BJP over attacks on Dalits and on the issue of cow vigilantes, Modi also lashed out at "fake cow protectors", denouncing them for the second day running for trying to create "tension and conflict" in the society and asking the states to take stringent action against them.

Making an emotional appeal at a meeting of BJP workers in Hyderabad, Modi asked people to protect and respect Dalits who have for long been neglected by the society.

Questioned repeatedly over his 'silence' on the sensitive issue of attacks on Dalits by alleged Hindu right-wingers, Modi said, "I would like to tell these people that if you have any problem, if you have attack, attack me. Stop attacking my Dalit brethren. If you have to shoot, shoot me, but not my Dalit brothers. This game should stop."

Modi's choice of Hyderabad to denounce the attacks on Dalits was significant as his government had come under opposition fire following the suicide by a Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula in the city which had triggered campus unrest in several parts of the country.

Modi said at times some incidents come to notice which give us "unbearable pain". "It should be our responsibility to save and respect them (Dalits)," he said without referring to any particular incident.

Modi asked what right the perpetrators had to exploit Dalits and said the unity in society should be our priority. "I know this problem is social. It is a result of sins which have crept into the society... But we need to take extra care and save society from such danger (of social strife)," he said. Modi said the society should not be allowed to be divided on the basis of caste, religion and social status.

Deprecating those who try to make political currency out of such issues, the Prime Minister said attempts to politicize those would only aggravate the problem. "Those who want to solve this social problem, I request them to leave politics that divides the society. Divisive politics will not do any good to the country," he said.

Earlier on Sunday, the prime minister took on cow vigilantes at a public meeting in Gajwel in Telangana after laying the foundation stones for a raft of development projects. "I want to tell everybody beware of these fake cow protectors. These handful of vigilantes have nothing to do with cow protection, but want to create 'tanaav' (tension) and 'takrav' (conflict) in the society," Modi said.

"In the name of cow protection, these fake cow protectors are trying to disturb the peace and harmony of the nation. I want the real cow protectors to expose them (fake ones) and the state governments should take stringent action against them," he added.

In his first public denouncement of cow vigilantes, some of whom flogged dalits in Gujarat for skinning a dead cow, Modi on Saturday said in Delhi he felt enraged at such "anti-social elements" who indulged in crimes by the night and masqueraded as cow protectors by the day.

As he denounced cow vigilantism, Modi also pitched for protection of the animal, held holy by Hindus. "Cow will never become a burden. Cow urine and dung are used in agriculture," he said, adding that cow should be linked to the country's economic development.

India is a land of diversity, he said, adding "protecting our country's unity and integrity is our primary responsibility. To fulfil it all countrymen should protect and serve cows (gau raksha and gau seva karein). Such service enhances national wealth.... it does not create problem for the nation".

"But fake (cow protectors) destroy society and country. We need to beware of these people. There is a need to punish these people. Then alone can we take the nation to great heights," the Prime Minister said.

Notwithstanding Modi's criticism of the vigilantes, the opposition termed it as "absolutely humbug", alleging that his ideological co-travellers were perpetrating "terror" in the name of cow protection.

Congress leader Manish Tewari questioned Modi's "silence" on the Dadri lynching incident last year and alleged that the PM was selective in his outreach.

"..why does he not prevail upon RSS to disband the VHP, why does he not take action against the office bearers of Bajrang Dal?



"Therefore it is his ideological co-travellers who have been perpetrating this spectre of uncertainty and terror in the name of cow lumpenism across the country, thereby whatever the Prime Minister says today is absolutely humbug and completely sanctimonious," Tewari said.

Echoing similar sentiments, JD(U) leader Pavan Verma said had the PM given a stern message earlier, the "menace" of gau rakshaks could have been prevented.

"If the Prime Minister had given the same message earlier, we would not have seen this menace of gau rakshaks spreading pan India. But he choose to keep silent although he tweets on any other subject under the sun. Breaking the silence is welcome, the only question is why so late," he said.

CPI leader D Raja also crticised the ruling dispensation stating there were issues on which people expect the PM to speak, including, increasing atrocities on dalits.

"Why has the PM not uttered a single word against the atrocities committed in his own state Gujarat?" he asked.

BJP, however, defended Modi's statement and said the opposition attack was a "classic book example of political bankruptcy".

"There cannot be more direct censure by the Prime Minister in expressing his displeasure to what anti-social elements are doing in the name of 'Gau Raksha'," BJP National Secretary Sidharth Nath Singh said.
New Delhi: Against the backdrop of daily protests by YSR Congress members in Lok Sabha over special status for Andhra Pradesh, Congress on Monday sought an assurance by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, which was rejected by the Speaker.

On the sixth consecutive day, members of YSR Congress trooped into the Well raising slogans demanding special category status for Andhra Pradesh following the carving out of Telangana state.

Holding placards, they defied the Speaker who continuously urged them to return to their seats and not display the banners.

As the House was taking up Question Hour, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the YSR Congress members are routinely raising the issue, thus disrupting the proceedings.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan agreed and said she too has been urging them to return to their seats as they are blocking the view of other members.

When Kharge said the Prime Minister should come to the House and assure the agitating members as his predecessor Manmohan Singh had assured special category status for Andhra Pradesh.

But the Speaker rejected the demand saying "every now and then" calling the Prime Minister was "not necessary" as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has already made a statement on the issue.

Since last Monday, YSR Congress members have been entering the Well daily with placards and raising slogans demanding special status for their state.

In the first two days, members of TDP, an ally of the ruling NDA too, were participating in the protest by holding placards and raising slogans from the aisles. But thereafter, they stopped participating in the protest.
New Delhi - Major tax reform -- GST bill -- will be taken up by Lok Sabha on Monday, with virtually all political parties backing this legislation.

GST, the biggest economic reform since 1991, is likely to sail through smoothly in the Lower House. It will replace a raft of different state and local taxes with a single unified value added tax system to turn the country into world's biggest single market.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to intervene during the debate on the Bill in Lok Sabha.

The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last year and now it has to go back to the Lower House for incorporating the amendments approved by Rajya Sabha.

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday said the party will support GST Constitutional Amendment Bill and has issued whip to all its MPs to be present in the House on Monday where it is scheduled to be taken up for passage.

Aiming for early implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), senior Union ministers have spoken to chief ministers of NDA-ruled states to ensure that the constitutional amendment is ratified by state assemblies at the earliest.

The chief ministers have assured that, if required, they will call a special session for the passage of the Bill in their state assemblies.

The GST Bill has to be ratified by at least 16 states in 30 days after it is passed by Parliament.

After facing fierce opposition over the Bill for almost a year, the government succeeded in bringing all major opposition parties, including Congress, on board and it was passed in the Upper House with an overwhelming majority on August 3.

The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014, that would lay the ground for roll out of GST regime, was passed by the opposition-dominated Upper House after the government moved four amendments.

Once implemented, GST will subsume various taxes, including excise, services tax, octroi and other levies, and the proceeds will be shared between the Centre and the states.

Under the new GST regime goods would be taxed at the point of consumption, instead of the goods being taxed multiple times at different rates.

The GST, which was first proposed a decade back, is seen as potentially transformative for India's economy, adding as much as 2 percentage points to the GDP while also improving the ease of doing business and encourage investment in manufacturing.

It is also expected to result in greater tax compliance, boosting government revenues.
Kerala Congress (M), the third largest ally of the Congress party in the state, has startled political circles by severing its three decade-old ties with the United Democratic Front (UDF).

The party with six legislators has decided to quit the Opposition, which is in tatters after the humiliating defeat in the Assembly elections held on 16 May this year, and act as an independent block in the state Assembly.

Party supremo and former finance minister KM Mani cited attempts by a section of the Congress leadership to malign the image of the party and its leaders as the major reason for the crucial decision, which was taken on the concluding day of the two-day party camp in Charalkunnu, Pathanamthitta district on Sunday.

He also alleged that this section had worked for defeating the party candidates in several constituencies, including Pala, where he won the election with a reduced margin. They had recruited special squads and flowed money to ensure the defeat of the party nominees, Mani said.

The foundation of a coalition is based on trust, mutual love and help. If they are missing, there is no point in continuing. We have been with the UDF for the last three decades. Now, the time has come to review our stand, Mani said.

The Congress and its other allies in the UDF do not view this as a convincing reason for quitting the coalition. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy wondered how the party could flow money to defeat KC(M) candidates when they did not have sufficient funds to meet the election expenses of their own candidates.

We had tried to address all the genuine concerns of the KC(M). I had gone to Manis residence at Palai and explained everything to him personally. We were ready to discuss all the grievances of the party and find solutions, but he was determined to leave the UDF, the senior leader said.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) vice-president VD Satheeshan, however, pointed out that the decision may be prompted after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's move to revive the probe into the bar bribery case in which Mani is involved.

Mani thinks that the LDF will let him off if he distances from the UDF. This is an abject surrender before the ruling front, Satheeshan said adding that it may not be possible for the LDF to bail him out easily since one of the main campaign themes of the LDF in the Assembly election was the bar bribery scam.

KC(M) had alleged a conspiracy behind the bribery charges levelled against him by bar owners that he had accepted bribe for re-opening the bars closed prior to the Lok Sabha election in 2014. The party had set up a committee to probe the alleged conspiracy but the report has not been made public so far.

Congress leaders also see a move to take the party to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party behind the decision to quit the UDF. They feel that Mani may switch over to the NDA if his son Jose K Mani is offered a berth in the Narendra Modi ministry.

There were reports that the MP had secret meetings with BJP president Amit Shah in this regard. Curiously, BJP state president, Kummanam Rajashekharan has not shut the option though the party had led a series of agitations against Mani in the bar bribery case.

We had launched agitations against Mani based on the conviction that he had received bribes. There is no change in our stand. However, we will wait for the KC(M) to clarify its future political course before considering an alliance with the party, the BJP chief said.

However, party spokesman VV Rajesh has no pretensions over the partys future plans. He said that the BJP will not lose any opportunity to expand the NDA and stake claim for power in the state.

The exit of KC(M) from the UDF shows that it is disintegrating. We feel there will be a time when the Congress may join hands with the CPM as in West Bengal, leaving the field open for a direct contest between the NDA and the LDF, Rajesh said adding that none was untouchable to the BJP.

Political observers view the KC(M) decision as part of a pressure politics. Jacob George, a senior journalist based at Thiruvananthapuram, feels that it may be aimed at increasing the partys bargaining power by the time elections will be held next.

A shrewd and experienced leader like Mani will not take a drastic step like this without eyeing something. He cannot survive in Kerala politics by standing alone. He is definitely eyeing a berth in the LDF or the NDA, says Jacob.

He feels that Mani may not even shy away from returning to the UDF if the party does not get entry either in LDF or NDA before the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. There is no need for the ruling front to accommodate Mani at present as they have sufficient strength in the Assembly.

Having led an aggressive campaign against the KC(M) leader in the bar bribery case, it will be suicidal for the LDF to join hands with the KC(M). Interestingly, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has already made it clear that there will not be any place for the KC(M) in the LDF.

Though BJP is ready to welcome Mani, Congress hopes that the party may not jump into the bandwagon as it will split the party. KPCC president V M Sudheeran says the people supporting the KC(M), especially the Christians, will not approve such an alliance as they want a strong democratic alliance to fight the communal politics of the BJP.

Mani has ruled out any alliance with either front. We cannot blame if LDF or NDA tries to woo the KC(M). But we will not align with anybody and remain as a strong Opposition maintaining equal distance from all existing coalitions, he said.
Auto refresh feeds

"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.
As Home Minister Rajnath Singhs speech at Saarc conference in Islamabad became a talking point on Wednesday, a different geopolitical narrative was unfolding in Chinas Xinjiang province.

Afghanistans Chief of General Staff General Qadam Shah Shahim, Chinas Chief of Joint Staff General Fang Fenghui, Tajikistan's Chief of General Staff Major General Emomali Sobirzoda and Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif met in Urumqi, Xinjiang to formally unveil their counter-terrorism alliance  Quadrilateral Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism in Counter Terrorism (QCCM).

All parties agreed that terrorism and extremism posed serious threat to the region and pledged to share intelligence, enhance counter-terrorism capabilities, and conduct joint training and counter-terrorism exercises for its armed forces.

China will spare no efforts to deepen regional counter-terrorism cooperation, maintain regional security and stability, and promote common prosperity and development of the four countries, declared General Fenghui, according to a statement released by the state-run China Military Online.

Symbolism and the Central Asian battlefield

Chinas choice of Urumqi in Xinjiang to kickstart a regional counter-terrorism initiative is hardly a coincidence. Islamic extremism in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region  the 2014 Urumqi attack being the most recent one among others  has been a major concern for China. The East Turkestan Independence Movement (ETIM) group, allied to Al-Qaeda and Taliban, has claimed numerous terror attacks in Xinjiang. Thus, the launch of a regional counter-terrorism alliance in Urumqi was an overt declaration of Beijings commitment to safeguard its tumultuous north western province.

For quite a long time, Beijing has managed to ruthlessly suppress the Islamic insurgency in its restive Uyghur dominated Xinjiang province with the help of its Central Asian client states. Chinas ever-deepening economic and military cooperation with the Central Asian nations, especially Tajikistan, is rooted in its fears that political instability and Islamic extremism in the region would spill over in Xinjiang.

Deepening its border-security cooperation with Beijing and Moscow in recent years, Dushanbe has vigorously crushed the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU)  the chief trouble maker in Central Asian countries.

Since last year, northern Afghanistans Kunduz province which borders Tajikistan has witnessed a steep escalation in violence. Northern Afghanistan, across Amu Darya, has also become a safe haven for Taliban, ETIM and IMU militants. The Afghan security forces and the Taliban militants are fighting tooth and nail in northern and north eastern Afghan provinces bordering Xinjiang.

Ever since the US-led Nato forces in Afghanistan concluded active combat operations, Kabul has been descending into violent abyss. Taliban has grown from strength to strength and it is demonstrated in its brutal attack against security forces and civilians in Afghanistan. According to a report in the state-run Voice of America, since the beginning of 2016, Afghanistan has ceded nearly five percent of its territory to the Taliban.

These developments have only served to reinforce Chinas fears. Also, China cannot afford any discrepancies on the ground as its ambitious multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC) project, which would connect Gwadar port in Pakistan, passing through occupied Kashmir, to Xinjiang, rolls out.

India out, Pakistan in; Is China serious about regional security?

Internationally, China has treaded cautiously on terrorism. Yet its record doesnt add-up with respect to South Asia. Pakistans continuous use of Islamic terrorism, which, in the long-run, has also been Islamabads undoing, in the region, especially against India and Afghanistan, has never stopped China from bestowing favours to its all-weather friend.

Pakistans fall from grace with the United States and the West is driving Islamabad into Beijings arms. The US has refused to pay $300 million  Islamabads share from the Coalition Support Fund  to Pakistan due its covert support to the Haqqani Network and Afghan Taliban.

For a long time Pakistan has been one of the epicentres of Islamic terrorism in the region. The killing of Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, 26/11 Mumbai attack, Pathankot air base attack, supporting Afghan Taliban, 2007 Lal Masjid siege that revealed Uyghur militants presence in Pakistans capital  everything points to Islamabads reluctance to mend ways. Even after the deadly 2014 Peshawar army school attack, UN designated terrorists such as Hafiz Saeed operate freely in Pakistan.

Pakistans inclusion in the China-led regional counter-terrorism alliance itself poses serious questions regarding the groups functionality. It is Beijings well-orchestrated move to project Pakistan as a responsible state even as Islamabad gets increasingly isolated on the global stage.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are at loggerheads over the former's support to the Afghan Taliban, Tajikistan is nothing more than Chinas B-team. China may well be able to exert pressure on Pakistan to act against Uyghur militants operating from its pours tribal safe havens but as Professor V Suryanarayan, former member of Indias National Security Advisory Board, points out Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has domestic compulsionsexpecting Pakistan to act against Islamic extremism is like asking for the impossible.

Chinas so called efforts to contain terrorism are narrowly aligned with its interests. If Beijing was really serious about security and stability in South Asia, it would not have excluded India  a country with considerable counter-terrorism experience and expertise thanks to its north western neighbour  from the grouping or blocked Indias bid in the United Nations to designate Masood Azar as a global terrorist.
PARIS The ruling Socialist Party of French President Francois Hollande said on Monday the Hinkley Point nuclear project in Britain is a risk to the survival of state-owned utility EDF and that all doubts about the project must be cleared up before it continues.

The party, which has traditionally been pro-nuclear, said in a statement on its website that the utility's decision to go ahead with the 18 billion pound ($23 billion) project was a cause for concern.

"The Socialist Party believes that a project that is so important that it could jeopardise the solidity and survival of the national energy company requires that all doubts and hesitations be cleared up before the project continues," the party said.

It added that it was convinced that the state would do all it can to achieve this aim.

A deeply divided EDF board approved the Hinkley Point project with a narrow 10-7 majority on July 28. Hours later, the British government  which had been expected to sign the contracts the next day - said it needed more time to consider the project and would decide in the autumn.

EDF's unions are all against the project and the company's finance director and one of its board members have resigned over it.

($1 = 0.7670 pounds)

(Reporting by Geert De Clercq; editing by Michel Rose)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Kathmandu: A helicopter carrying five people went missing in a mountainous region of Nepal on Monday while flying a sick woman to a hospital in Kathmandu, officials said.

Government official Khagendra Ghimire said villagers reported seeing smoke coming from an area northeast of the capital. Soldiers and police were traveling to the area to investigate.

The helicopter was sent to a village to evacuate an ill pregnant woman. Contact with the aircraft was lost when it was about 16 kilometres (10 miles) from Kathmandu.

All five occupants including the pilot are Nepalese nationals.
Tokyo: Japanese Emperor Akihito on Monday said that he is concerned his weakening health may make it hard to fulfill his duties, in a speech seen as signalling a possible future abdication.

"I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being as I have done until now," he said in an address to the nation. There are times when I feel various constraints such as in my physical fitness," the 82-year-old said.

Akihito spoke obliquely  never mentioning the word abdication  but the government is expected to interpret his comments as meaning his wish is to eventually step down. It can then begin creating the necessary legal mechanism which currently does not exist.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in a swift response to the emperor's speech, said the government would take the emperor's remarks "seriously". "Considering the emperor's duties, as well as his age and the burden (of the job), we have to firmly look at what we can do."

Speculation about the emperor's future emerged last month with reports he had told confidantes that advancing age was making it harder to perform his ceremonial duties and that he would like to step down in a few years.

The address marked only the second time for Akihito to speak directly to the nation. The first was in the days after the March 2011 triple earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster as he sought to calm a nation undergoing its worst crisis since the war.

Japan's imperial house is said to be the world's oldest hereditary monarchy, and according to legend stretches back some 2,600 years in an unbroken line.

Akihito has keenly embraced the role of symbol of the state imposed after the war. He is credited with seeking reconciliation both at home and abroad over the legacy of the war fought in his father's name. He has ventured to a number of locales that saw intense fighting, including Okinawa at home and Saipan, Palau and the Philippines abroad, making sure to offer prayers for the souls of all the dead and not just Japanese.

Any eventual move by Akihito to step down appears to have wide public support.

A survey by Kyodo News last week showed that 85.7 percent of people surveyed were in favour of legal changes that would allow abdication.

Read the the full speech here.
Mexico: Landslides triggered by tropical storm Earl's remnants have killed at least 38 people in Mexico, officials said on Sunday, as a new storm threatened the country's Pacific coast.

A total of 28 died in central Puebla state, at least 15 of them minors, as landslides buried several houses, the state government said.

The other 10 died in similar circumstances in the eastern state of Veracruz, its governor said.

In the town of Huauchinango, the amount of rain that normally falls in a month came pouring down in just 24 hours, the Puebla government said.

A hill crumbled and came sweeping down on an adjacent village, killing 11 people including eight minors, it said.

Several highways in Puebla were ripped up, two bridges collapsed and power was knocked out in several towns.

Governor Rafael Moreno Valle pledged to rebuild damaged structures and posted on Twitter photos of himself walking in mud and residents helping in clean up efforts.

Some 200 people were left homeless in Puebla by the torrential rains, while in Veracruz rivers swelled with rainwater and dozens of families were evacuated.

Earl swept in from the Caribbean at hurricane strength Wednesday, striking just south of Belize's capital. It hit Mexico as a storm on Thursday and eventually weakened to a tropical depression.

On Sunday, however, it was approaching Tropical Storm Javier that was sparking new warnings. It was expected to bring heavy rains and high winds to southwestern Mexico in the coming days, US weather forecasters said.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said Javier was about 250 miles (405 km) southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

"On the forecast track, the center of the tropical cyclone should pass near or over the southwest coast of Mexico later today, and approach the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula on Monday," the center said.

The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour (85 km/h) with higher gusts and was expected to dump four to six inches of rain in western Mexico, it said.

Another tropical storm, Ivette, also was swirling in the eastern Pacific, but it was far from land and expected to weaken later in the day, according to the NHC.
Karachi: At least 25 people were killed on Monday and 35 others injured when a bomb ripped through a hospital in Quetta in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province followed by gunfire.

The loud explosion was heard after president of Balochistan Bar Association (BA) Advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the provincial capital.

The bomb exploded as lawyers brought Balochistan Bar Association's President Bilal Kasi, who was gunned down to the hospital, according to police and rescue officials.

Lawyers and journalists had gathered at the emergency department where Bilal Kasi's body was brought, when the explosion occurred. Most of the injured are lawyers, eye witnesses were quoted as saying in the local media.

At least 25 people were killed and 35 injured in the blast, Geo News reported.

Police said unknown men also opened fire after the blast. Panic tore through the hospital after the incident and emergency has been declared at hospitals in Quetta.

A heavy contingent of Frontier Corps and police arrived and cordoned off the area. Unidentified armed men opened fire at Advocate Kasi's car near Quetta's Mengal Chowk on Manno Jan road, police officials told The Express Tribune. The former president was shifted to Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.

The provincial capital has been at the receiving end of several such acts of terror. In May, two persons were killed and five injured when an explosion occurred at the main entrance of Balochistan University.
Karachi: At least 53 people were killed on Monday when a powerful blast hit a hospital in Quetta in Pakistan when dozens of lawyers were entering it with the body of lawyer killed earlier, officials said.



Fifty others were injured on Monday when a bomb ripped through a hospital in Quetta in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province followed by gunfire. Most of those injured include lawyers.

The loud explosion was heard as lawyers brought the body of president of Balochistan Bar Association (BA) Advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was gunned down by unidentified assailants earlier in the provincial capital, to the hospital, according to police and rescue officials.

Lawyers and journalists had gathered at the emergency department where Kasi's body was brought, when the explosion occurred. Most of the injured are lawyers, eye witnesses were quoted as saying in the local media.

At least 40 people were killed and 50 others injured in the blast, The Express Tribune reported but did not attribute the toll to police or officials.

Aerial firing could still be heard near the hospital's emergency's ward, the paper said. Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said over 30 killed in the bombing.

"This was a security lapse and I am having this personally investigated," he said. Police said unknown men also opened fire after the blast.

Panic tore through the hospital after the incident and emergency has been declared at hospitals in Quetta. A heavy contingent of Frontier Corps and police arrived and cordoned off the area.

It is suspected that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber, Bugti told Dawn News.

Two unidentified men opened fire at Advocate Kasi's car near Quetta's Mengal Chowk on Manno Jan road as he left his home in the morning for work, police officials said. The former president was shifted to Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the blast or the earlier shooting.

The provincial capital bordering Iran and Afghanistan has been at the receiving end of several such acts of terror. In May, two persons were killed and five injured when an explosion occurred at the main entrance of Balochistan University.

With inputs from agencies
Islamabad: A powerful blast ripped through a crowd in a Quetta hospital on Monday killing 63 people, mainly lawyers, in one of the worst terror attacks in Pakistan this year, officials said.

Balochistan Health Minister Rehmat Baloch had earlier told ARY News that 93 people had died. But he clarified later that the death toll stood at 63 and that the others had been injured, many grievously.

Doctors warned that the death toll could rise.

The deafening blast, heard clearly on video, took place in the emergency ward of the Civil Hospital when nearly 100 lawyers had gathered to collect the body of a lawyer shot dead hours earlier.

Baloch said a suicide bomber carried out the carnage. A bomb disposal squad said the bomber had eight to 10 kg of explosives hidden in his vest, Xinhua news agency said. Police found the limbs of the bomber.

ARY News said the dead included 25 lawyers and two journalists, including Aaj TV cameraman Shehzad Khan, who could be heard clearly on the camera reciting the "Kalma" in a groaning voice as he died.

As Balochistan, Pakistan's biggest province by area, declared three days of mourning, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif flew to Quetta. Army chief Raheel Sharif visited the injured in the Civil Hospital.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri blamed the Indian intelligence agency RAW, saying it was responsible for incidents of terror in Quetta.

His comments came even before the police could say who was responsible for the horrific attack.

The lawyers were at the hospital in large numbers to collect the body of Bilal Anwar Kasi, the president of the Balochistan Bar Association who was killed earlier in the city.

Several lawyers, including Baz Mohammad Kakar, the former president of the Balochistan Bar Association, were injured, Dawn reported.

Gunfire erupted after the explosion.

A stampede broke out after the bombing, causing chaos at the hospital, media reports said. Smoke filled the corridors of the emergency ward while lawyers rushed into the hospital with stretchers to help the wounded.

Samaa TV said bodies were strewn on the floor, some still smoking, "amid pools of blood and shattered glass".

Shocked survivors wept and comforted one another. Many of the dead were dressed in black suits and ties.

Police surrounded the hospital and an emergency was declared in all Quetta hospitals.

"This was a security lapse and I am having this personally investigated," Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the killings and expressed his "deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives".

"No one will be allowed to disturb the peace in the province that has been restored thanks to the countless sacrifices by the security forces, police and the people of Balochistan," he said.

Former Chief Minister Abdul Malik called it the "blackest day" in the history of Balochistan.

It was the worst terrorist attack in Pakistan this year since the 27 March bombing at Gulshan-e-Iqbal park in Lahore that left 75 people dead.

Lawyers across Pakistan denounced the bloodbath in Quetta. Lawyers in Karachi boycotted the courts. The Bar Association of Pakistan called for a three-day mourning.

Lawyers have been frequently targeted in Balochistan.

One lawyer, Jahanzeb Alvi, was shot dead on August 3. Bilal Kasi, who himself was shot dead on Monday, had condemned Alvi's murder and announced a two-day boycott of courts.

The principal of University of Balochistan's law college, Barrister Amanullah Achakzai, was also shot dead in June.

Balochistan has experienced violence and targeted killings for more than a decade.

Balochistan is home to a low-level insurgency by Baloch separatists. Al Qaeda-linked and sectarian militants also operate in the region. Islamabad routinely blames New Delhi for the unrest in Balochistan.
Istanbul: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heads to Russia this week as part of efforts to rebuild ties shattered by Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane last year  just as Turkey's relations with traditional allies the United States and Europe show increasing strain amid Ankara's crackdown following a failed coup.

Tuesday's visit to St. Petersburg for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin will be Erdogan's first foreign trip since the abortive 15 July putsch, in which a group of renegade Turkish military officers attempted to seize power using fighter jets, helicopters and tanks in a night of violence that left more than 270 people dead.

Both Turkey and Russia, which once described themselves as strategic partners, have been hurt by their roughly seven-month rupture in relations: Russia's ban on the sale of package tours to Turkey and an agricultural import embargo dealt a painful blow to the Mediterranean country, while Moscow also paid a price as the spat shelved a much-touted Russian natural gas pipeline to Turkey and other lucrative projects.

So both Erdogan and Putin are interested in mending the rift and reviving economic and trade ties, a process that began in June following Ankara's apology for shooting down the Russian plane, which had been running bombing sorties in neighboring Syria.

"This will be a historic visit, a new beginning. In the talks with my friend Vladimir, I believe, a new page in our relations will be turned. Our countries have much to do together," Erdogan said in an interview with the Russian state news agency Tass.

However, some fundamental differences remain.

The Russian bomber's downing in November, which Putin described as a "treacherous stab in the back," came amid boiling tension over Syria, where Moscow and Ankara backed opposing sides in the conflict. Neither country has fundamentally altered its stance on Syria, and the issue could still prove a sticking point.

"This is an alliance of convenience, not a strategic relationship. It is more of a transactional relationship driven by converging interests and challenging circumstances," said Fadi Hakura, associate fellow at the Chatham House international affairs think tank in London.

"I would compare it to someone having a viral infection who immediately takes paracetamol to lower the temperature, which rapidly declines but precipitously starts fighting back up again," Hakura said. "What we have seen with Turkey in this rapid change, rapid swings in its relationship with Russia from breakdown to reconciliation, indicates that the relationship is still not healthy, despite appearances."

The visit comes as Turkey's relations with traditional allies falter over Ankara's post-coup crackdown, which has seen nearly 18,000 people detained or arrested and tens of thousands suspended or fired from their jobs on suspicion of being associated with the movement of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.

The government says Gulen, a former Erdogan ally living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania, orchestrated the coup, and has demanded his extradition. Washington has asked for evidence of the cleric's involvement and says the extradition process must be allowed to take its course. Gulen himself denies any involvement.

The issue has soured relations, with members of the government implying the US could have been behind the coup  leading American officials have publicly denied that.

Turkey has also blasted its European allies for expressing alarm over the scope of its crackdown. Ankara has complained the West has shown a lack of support for a democratically elected government which survived a violent attempt to overthrow it, and Turkish officials have publicly traded barbs with Germany, Austria and Italy as well as the European Union.

In contrast, the Kremlin was quick to voice support to Erdogan immediately after the failed coup and, unlike the EU, didn't voice concern about the ensuing crackdown  the stance reflecting Putin's intention to mend bilateral ties.

Ankara has also hinted its deal with the EU to stem the flow of Syrian refugees into Europe could break down unless the EU quickly implements part of the deal allowing visa-free travel for Turkish citizens.

Yet despite the rhetoric, Turkey's political leadership knows its interests lie more with the West than with Moscow, Hakura said.

"Russia cannot replace the United States and Nato and European Union or European partners .... in relation to Turkey's strategic interests," Hakura said. He noted three quarters of Turkey's direct foreign investment comes from Europe and its military is firmly rooted in Nato, whereas it has a limited economic and trade relationship with Russia focused primarily on natural gas and agriculture, as well as construction and low-tech manufacturing.

Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Friday that Putin and Erdogan's discussions would include the revival of projects such as the natural gas pipeline and Russia's contract to build Turkey's first nuclear power plant.

Ushakov told reporters the two weren't expected to sign any agreements, but he underlined the importance of the talks.

"This is the first meeting amid the long-term pause in all contacts, political, trade and economic and others, which is why it is important to hold a detailed conversation now, to see where we stand and plan the possible prospects of further cooperation," he said.

He noted the issue of compensation for the downed plane could also be discussed. Turkish officials have been skittish on the issue.

One lesson to take away from the improving ties, Hakura said, was that Turkey reacted better to tough responses.

"Erdogan reacts more positively to robust and muscular diplomacy rather than to diplomatic niceties," Hakura said. "And that is I think the abiding lesson to Europe and the United States."
Quetta: A Taliban suicide bomb packed with ball bearings tore through a Pakistani hospital Monday and killed at least 70 people, as witnesses described tearful staff rushing towards the smoking blast site to help the wounded.

The bomber struck a crowd of some 200 people gathered at the Civil Hospital in the Balochistan provincial capital Quetta after the fatal shooting of a senior local lawyer earlier in the day.

More than 100 were wounded, officials said.

Video footage showed bodies strewn on the ground, some still smoking, among pools of blood and shattered glass as shocked survivors cried and comforted one another.

Many of the victims were clad in the black suits and ties traditionally worn by Pakistani lawyers.

An AFP journalist was about 20 metres away when the bomb went off.

"There were huge black clouds and dirt," he said.

"I ran back to the place and saw dead bodies scattered everywhere and many injured people crying. There were pools and pools of blood around and pieces of human bodies and flesh."

Nurses and lawyers wept as medics from inside the hospital rushed out to help dozens of injured, he said.

"People were beating their heads, crying and mourning. They were in shock and grief."

Pervez Masi, who was injured by pieces of flying glass, said the blast was so powerful that "we didn't know what had happened".

"So many friends were martyred," he said. "Whoever is doing this is not human, he is a beast and has no humanity."

Police confirmed the attack was a suicide blast.

"The bomber had strapped some eight kilograms (18 pounds) of explosives packed with ball bearings and shrapnel on his body," bomb disposal unit chief Abdul Razzaq told AFP.

A faction of the Pakistani Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, claimed responsibility for the blast and target killing of the lawyer, with a spokesman vowing more attacks "until the imposition of an Islamic system in Pakistan".

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has also said it was behind the deadliest attack in Pakistan so far this year, a bombing in a crowded Lahore park that killed 75 people on Easter Sunday.

"The death toll has risen to 70 and there are 112 injured," the head of the provincial health department, Dr Masood Nausherwani, told reporters Monday.

Officials said mobile phone jammers had been activated around hospitals in the area  a regular precaution after an attack making it hard to contact officers on the ground to get updated information.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who flew to Quetta from the capital, Islamabad, just after the attack, said: "All state security institutions must respond with full might to decimate these terrorists."

He condemned the attack and ordered authorities to tighten security.

Crowd mourning lawyer's death

The crowd, mainly lawyers and journalists, had gone to the hospital after the death of the president of the Balochistan Bar Association in a shooting earlier Monday, said provincial home secretary Akbar Harifal.

Bilal Anwar Kasi was targeted by two unidentified gunmen as he left his home for work.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the "terrorist bombing" at a hospital in Pakistan on Monday, saying it was "particularly appalling" that the suicide attack targeted a group of mourners.

"The targeting of mourners at a civilian hospital makes the attack particularly appalling," said Ban's spokesman Farhan Haq.

Ban urged the Pakistani government to do its utmost to bring those behind the attack to justice.

Pakistan is grimly accustomed to atrocities after a nearly decade-long insurgency.

A military operation targeting insurgents was stepped up in 2015 and saw the death toll from militant attacks fall to its lowest since the formation in 2007 of the umbrella Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), of which Jamaat-ul-Ahrar is a part.

But analysts have warned the group is still able to carry out major attacks.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has also claimed responsibility for other suicide blasts, attacks on teams carrying out polio vaccinations, and called for jihad in Myanmar.

The faction taunted Sharif over Twitter after the Easter blast.

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has major oil and gas resources, but is afflicted by Islamist militancy, sectarian violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims and a separatist insurgency.

The European Union condemned Monday's attack, saying in a statement that there was "no justification for such acts of terrorism".

Pakistani hospitals have been targeted by militants before, with a bomb killing 13 at a Karachi hospital in 2010.
WASHINGTON Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump will call for a top income tax rate of 33 percent, rather than the 25 percent he previously had proposed, CNBC reported on Monday, citing remarks by an informal Trump adviser.

In a tweet and posting on its website, CNBC said Larry Kudlow, a contributor at the cable outlet who is helping to shape Trump's tax plan, made the remarks.





(Reporting by Timothy Ahmann; Editing by Eric Walsh)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
BUENOS AIRES U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Argentina and other large nations to ratify the Paris climate accord at a Buenos Aires conference on Monday, and Argentina's foreign minister said she hoped the country would do so by the end of the year.

In December 2015, some 195 countries reached an agreement in Paris that obligates states to take concrete measures to curb emissions that contribute to climate change. But the pact will not go into force until it is ratified by 55 countries representing 55 percent of global greenhouse emissions.

As of now, only 22 countries have done so, many of them small, vulnerable island nations that account for a negligible percentage of emissions.

Ban urged China and the United States, the world's top two greenhouse gas emitters, to ratify the deal, and also pushed Argentina, Latin America's third largest economy, to do the same.

"When we add up the two countries' greenhouse gas emissions, it comes to almost 40 percent" of global emissions, Ban said of the United States and China.

"So 55 percent may not be difficult to achieve, and I urge Argentina to ratify as soon as possible."

In response, Argentina's foreign minister, Susana Malcorra, who is running to replace Ban as U.N. secretary-general, said the accord has already been approved by one chamber of Congress and she hopes Argentina will have it ratified by the next major U.N. climate summit in December.

At the event in Buenos Aires, Ban also thanked Argentina for a recent commitment to take in 3,000 refugees from various war-torn locations.

"This kind of solidarity, sign of humanity, should be emulated by many people around the world," Ban said.

(Reporting by Gram Slattery; Editing by Leslie Adler)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
UNITED NATIONS The United Nations Security Council must not allow civilians on both sides of the Syrian city of Aleppo to be cut off from humanitarian aid, the United States said on Monday as Russia accused Washington of politicizing a humanitarian issue.

Insurgents effectively broke a month-long government siege of eastern, opposition-held Aleppo on Saturday, severing the primary government supply corridor and raising the prospect that government-held western Aleppo might become besieged.

The United States, Britain, France, New Zealand and Ukraine organised an informal Security Council meeting on Aleppo on Monday with briefings by a "White Helmet" rescue worker and two U.S.-based doctors from the Syrian American Medical Society who recently returned from Aleppo.

"If the fighting continues it is conceivable that civilians on both sides of Aleppo could be cut off from the basic assistance they need. We cannot allow this to happen," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said.

Citing U.N. figures, Power said Syrian government forces were to blame for nearly 80 percent of the besieged areas throughout Syria. Aleppo, Syria's biggest city before the outbreak of the conflict five years ago, has been divided between government forces and rebels since the summer of 2012.

"We once again urge Russia to stop facilitating these sieges and to use its influence to press the regime to end its sieges across Syria once and for all," she said.

The United Nations aid chief has called for weekly 48-hour humanitarian pauses in fighting to deliver aid to Aleppo.

Russian Deputy U.N. Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov accused the United States and its western colleagues of politicizing a humanitarian issue, urging them to "admit that the main cause of all of the humanitarian problems in Syria is not the counter-terrorist actions by the legitimate government of Syria.

"The propaganda and the emotional rhetoric, the unfounded accusations, the information campaign, means that we cannot move towards a political settlement in Syria," Safronkov said.

He said the first step towards ending the five-year conflict should be a pooling of efforts to combat terrorism and then a renewal of Syrian peace talks.

A crackdown by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on pro-democracy protesters five years ago sparked a civil war, and Islamic State militants have used the chaos to seize territory in Syria and Iraq.

The United States and allies began bombing Islamic State militants in Syria nearly two years ago, while Russia began air strikes in support of Assad a year ago.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Dan Grebler)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Sixty three people were killed Monday when a powerful explosion ripped through a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan, officials said, as witnesses described tearful staff rushing towards the smoking blast site to help dozens of wounded.

The explosion in the Balochistan provincial capital came as up to 200 people gathered at the Civil Hospital after the fatal shooting of a senior local lawyer.
First opening in the 1940, the Admiral hotel reintroduced itself to downtown Mobile as a part of the Hilton Curio brand of boutique hotels in 2015. Shedding its existence as a Radisson property and stepping into a new chapter meant embracing a connection to the past and making strides toward the future.

Under the leadership of General Manager Joe Langford, the new Admiral dons a retro art-deco attitude with touches of nautical style, inspired by namesake Confederate naval hero, Admiral Raphael Semmes.

One idea credited to Langford, the idea to harvest honey in-house, may not have any historical significance in a space with many links to the past. But one thing it does have, is legs. And wings, for that matter.

Read the full article at AL.com
GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here.
Corn prices continued their slow slide this week, falling under $3.20 per bushel for the first time in almost two years.

Field surveys suggest corn plants weathered the heat dome that plagued the Midwest recently; current ratings suggest that this crop could be one of the healthiest and largest on record.

The U.S.Department of Agriculture will update its prognosis of the crop size Friday, which could put an end to the recent bearishness if it shows a pick up in demand or a threat to yields. Without a boost from the USDA, however, the large corn supply could continue dragging prices lower.

If prices fall toward $3.00 a bushel, those farmers who havent already presold grain or protected their crop prices will feel financial pain as prices drop below the cost of production.

Hiring lifts stock markets

The U.S. jobs market continues to improve, according to U.S. government data released Friday morning. A whopping 255,000 new jobs were added in July, which has helped to keep the unemployment rate under 5 percent, all while workers incomes are rising modestly. These factors indicate a healthy economy, which is boosting demand for stock market futures.

The S&P 500 futures market, the broadest indicator of stock market strength, hit an all-time high on Friday morning.

Cotton reigns supreme

Cotton prices topped a two-year high this week, fetching nearly 78 cents per pound. Prices have been rising as foreign buyers, especially China, have been snapping up U.S. supply. China is the worlds largest consumer of cotton and is reportedly in need of high-quality supplies, like that grown in the U.S.

Prices are also rallying on concerns about dry weather in Texas, where almost half of U.S. cotton is grown.

While cotton is primarily grown only in the southernmost states, there is some grown in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee. Those farmers who planted cotton instead of soybeans or other crops this year are being rewarded by high prices for the Fabric of our Lives, which traded Friday for 76 cents per pound.
OLYMPIA, Wash.  State wildlife managers are planning to kill some wolves in a northeastern Washington pack after its members killed at least four cattle this year.

Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Jim Unsworth authorized killing a portion of the Profanity Peak pack in Ferry County after investigators on Wednesday confirmed a calf had been killed by a wolf. There are at least 11 wolves in the pack.

The department says preventative measures  such as removing carcasses or increasing human presence  have not stopped livestock from being attacked, and such attacks will continue if the animals arent removed.

The agency says it is following guidelines developed with an advisory group on when to remove wolves, including that there be at least four livestock attacks in a year.

Its the third time the department will remove wolves since the predators began recolonizing Washington about a decade ago. There are now 19 wolf packs, all of them east of the Cascades.

Im disappointed there was another depredation, but happy to see the department is ready to step in, said Washington Cattlemens Association Executive Vice President Jack Field.

Agents shot one wolf in northeastern Washingtons Huckleberry pack in 2014 and seven wolves from the Wedge pack in 2012. In those cases, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Wildlife Services assisted the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. Since then, a federal judge has ruled the federal agency cant help Washington lethally remove wolves without doing a more thorough study of the environmental impacts.

Several conservation groups objected to the decision, saying in a joint news release they do not want to see wolves killed in remote, roadless areas.

We appreciate the agencys use of nonlethal measures to try to prevent losses of both livestock and wolves, and are glad to hear the ranchers in question have been working cooperatively with the state, but we are deeply saddened that wolves are going to die, Amaroq Weiss, of the Center for Biological Diversity, said in the news release. We are not part of the advisory group but have made clear to the group that we dont support the killing of the publics wildlife on public lands.
BROOKINGS, S.D.  Swaths of Midwestern wildflowers planted by well-meaning governments and nonprofits to attract bees may be inadvertently harming them.

Thats the surprising finding of a new scientific study that concludes a bee-killing pesticide carried by wind or water from nearby farms is landing on the wildflowers, putting pollinators at risk.

Scientists spent two years examining wildflower plots planted around Brookings. Testing for the presence of clothianidin, a neonicotinoid insecticide commonly used in corn growing, they consistently found the insecticide on the wildflowers  even in those planted on organic farms where no pesticides are used.

I was actually really surprised because we were using organic sites as control sites. We certainly werent expecting to see any there, said entomologist Chrissy Mogren. Organic growers have to have a 30-foot buffer between their field and other conventional fields to help mitigate that. We can only assume that its probably drifting in.

Bees pollinate most of the fruits and vegetables we eat, so the fragile health of bee colonies has been a major concern. Honey bees have been dying this decade at a rate experts call unsustainable. Last year Minnesota beekeepers reported losing half of their bee colonies.

Experts say bees are in trouble for many reasons, including rapidly spreading diseases, not enough flowering plants on the landscape to provide adequate nutrition, and increasing use of insecticides on crops, which is why the South Dakota research is important.

Mogren, a Louisiana State University scientist who conducted the bee research while working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, also gathered data on the health of the bees feeding on the wildflower strips. She tested the pollen and nectar bees use for food and found very low levels of insecticide.

While it wasnt concentrated enough to kill the bees, researchers found it was potentially damaging to the creatures nutritional health. The more insecticide in the bee food, the less energy bees stored in the form of glycogen and lipids.

Glycogen provides short-term energy, like a candy bar after a workout. Lipids are like body fat, providing long term energy. Bees need adequate lipids to survive winter.

The work raises questions about efforts to plant more habitat for bees, study co-author Jonathan Lundgren said.

If those efforts are being compromised by some of these pesticides showing up where they dont belong, that has really important implications for how we can proceed forward, said Lundgren, a former USDA scientist who believes the department retaliated against him for his prior research on pollinators and insecticides.

Its not just plant it and see the benefits of it anymore, he added. Its how do we preserve those plantings from potential contamination.

Still, the researchers say the findings do not mean farmers should stop planting pollinator habitat.

Instead, they should look for ways to protect the wildflowers from insecticide exposure, Mogren said. She also noted that the findings that tie insecticide exposure to nutritional health dont necessarily prove insecticides are the cause and that more research is needed.
TWIN FALLS  The city of Twin Falls says overall property values have declined from last year. But the total taxable value of properties is up.

How can that be?

There's more to meets the eye when it comes to unpacking real estate, property values and taxes in Twin Falls this year. Changes to the the state's homeowner's exemption, shifts in the real estate market and new construction paint a muddy picture. But the takeaway for property owners: An overall drop in assessed value probably isnt going to reflect on the potential sales price. And real estate experts say it's still a seller's market with home values increasing and homes selling fast in key price ranges.

Overall, the taxable value of existing properties in Twin Falls is down from last year, according to the Twin Falls County Assessors Office, but after a boost in new construction, the total taxable value of city properties is up 2.2 percent to $2.3 billion.

Without new construction, all existing properties within the city of Twin Falls decreased by about $16.6 million, City Manager Travis Rothweiler reported to City Council on Aug. 1.

The decreased taxable value of existing property is a puzzle to explain given that market values are increasing. As Rothweiler notes, assessed value and market value dont necessarily correlate. Not only that, but taxable values tend to reflect backward, and an increased homeowner's exemption could have affected some properties.

Generally speaking, values are up, said County Assessor Gerald Gerry Bowden, who couldnt immediately comment on why assessed value on existing property was down.

But like Rothweiler, Bowden suspected some homes saw decreased taxable value due to a $5,000 increase in the homeowners exemption from last year.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported the median value of an owner-occupied home in Twin Falls was $144,000 in the 2016 fiscal year but $142,600 in the 2017 fiscal year.

Realtors, meanwhile, are telling another story on market price, Councilman Greg Lanting said during the Aug. 1 City Council meeting. From what hes heard, market values are going up and its a sellers market.

Rothweiler said the assessments reflect what values were 12 to 18 months ago, and might jump in a year or two to reflect todays market.

New construction

The city had $67.1 million in new construction for this fiscal year, resulting in a $50.5 million increase in the value of the city overall, according to the assessors office figures Rothweiler presented. This was much higher than the citys internal estimate of $40 million, based on building permits.

Rothweiler said with all the new construction activity in the last couple of years, he expects to see that reflected in the future because of a lag between the time construction starts and is finished. In 2011  the height of the recession here  the city saw $68 million in new construction due to projects finishing, which is still the largest on record, he said.

New construction in subsequent years were expecting to be equal with or be better than where were at right now, he said.

Housing market

Justin Winson, president of the Western Magic Valley Realtors, said lot values have doubled in some areas over 2006 prices.

They increased just from March of this year, he added.

In one subdivision this spring, homes were going for $250,000 to $280,000  but now are $330,000 to $350,000, he said.

Thats a considerable jump, Winson said.

Builder Brad Wills said he has to agree with the Realtors  values are not going down, and homes are selling for more.

As a buyer having gone out and looked, I can feel how the prices have gone up, Western Magic Valley Realtors Association Executive Nancy Glaesemann said. You can feel the competition.

According to Intermountain MLS, the median price of homes sold within the Twin Falls school district area was $143,250 in 2014. It rose to $149,250 last year. For the year-to-date through Aug. 3, the median price was $159,950.

The highest number of listings were for homes between $160,000 and $199,999 and those between $300,000 and $399,999.

The MLS also shows how long homes of certain prices ranges have been on the market this year. The average days on the market was 63  which Glaesemann said is fast given the average loan takes about 45 days to process.

Houses between $70,000 and $89,999 were listed for the shortest time this year, averaging 61 days. Not surprisingly, homes with a price tag of more than $500,000 were on the market the longest, 152 days.

Under $175,000 tends to be really hot, Winson said.

He believes there is a higher inventory of homes listed at more than $250,000, and the market there is sluggish.

In some areas, houses are selling so quickly the association has had trouble finding enough for its weekly home tour. One staff member said most everything in the southwest part of town is selling almost immediately.

Winson said the land value increases as more homes are constructed and lots developed.

If the new construction gets a little high, it seems to bring the price up with existing construction as well, he said.

The increase in prices result from higher costs to develop and purchase new construction, as the cost of materials to produce that same house go up, Winson said. What tends to negatively affect a value of an older home is the upkeep, he said.
TWIN FALLS  Hot, dry conditions and the increasing threat of wildfires, led officials to put new fire restrictions into effect Monday.

Restrictions are in effect for areas of Twin Falls, Cassia, Camas, Blaine and parts of Custer counties, the Sawtooth National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District announced. A map showing where restrictions are in effect is available at www.idahofireinfo.com.

Stage I restrictions prohibit fires, campfires or camp stoves in areas other than designated recreation sites with approved fire structures.

It also prohibits smoking in open areas, except when stopped in sites that are free of flammable materials with a radius of at least three feet of barren soil or in developed recreation sites.

Restrictions are in effect until further notice.

Exemptions include:

People with a written permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act.

People using fire solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. Such devices, including propane campfires, may be used only in an area cleared of flammable material.

Private landowners using charcoal (disposed of properly) or propane barbecues on their own land.

People conducting activities in designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.

The maximum penalty for violating a fire restriction order may differ depending on the agency.

For the U.S. Forest Service, the maximum penalty is $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for corporations and/or six months imprisonment.
CAREY  The Blaine County Fair starts Monday at the Blaine County Fairgrounds in Carey.

The fair runs through Aug. 13. The theme is Rough Hands, farmer tans, dirty boots, country roots.

Noelle Clark was the recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor that can be given to a 4-H volunteer. The award recognizes outstanding volunteer service to the county and district. Clark serves on the fair board and took the lead on the swine project this year.

The grand marshals are Peggy and Cyril Hill, longtime members of the Blaine County community. The Hills are active volunteers with the rodeo, riding club, school, FFA and 4-H.

Monday

1 to 8 p.m. Turn in record books/decorate 4-H building booths

7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Early entry for open exhibits  Blaine County Extension Office, 302 1st Ave South, Hailey

Tuesday

1 to 6 p.m. All open class exhibits to be entered Eldredge Building Fairgrounds in Carey

8:30 a.m. 4-H horse show

Wednesday

7 a.m. 4-H swine weigh-in

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All open class judging (Exhibit Building)

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4-H members decorate stalls

8:30 a.m. 4-H sheep weigh in

9 a.m. 4-H record book/project judging (4-H Building closed all day)

9:30 a.m. 4-H beef weigh-in

noon 4-H meeting and barbecue (4-H members and leaders only)

2 p.m. 4-H oral presentations

TBA Team roping

7 to 10 p.m. 4-H leader celebration  music and games by Charlie K-Free

Thursday

8:30 a.m. 4-H swine show

9 a.m. Exhibit Building open

11 a.m. Open class swine

1 p.m. 4-H rabbit show

2 p.m. Open class small animal/dog show

7 p.m. Funky rodeo

Friday

8:30 a.m. 4-H sheep show

9 a.m. Exhibit Building open

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open archery shoot

1 p.m. 4-H beef show

2 p.m. Chuck wagon dutch oven cook-off featuring world champion cook Pat McGinnis

4 p.m. 4-H archery shoot

5:30 p.m. Splash & Dash 5K Run/Walk  Registration begins at 5 p.m.

7 p.m. Kids rodeo

Saturday

9 a.m. Exhibit Building open

10 a.m. Obstacle course at Rodeo grounds

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Family Fun Day

9:30 a.m. 4-H leaders meeting

10:30 a.m. 4-H round robin

noon 4-H luncheon

1:30 p.m. Market animal sale

7 p.m. Fall rodeo

Sunday

2 to 4 p.m. Remove all exhibits from Fair Buildings
Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading.

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy
Egypts former leading mufti Ali Gomaa narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Cairo on Friday.

Armed men tried to kill Gomaa as he was entering a mosque in 6 October city on the outskirts of Cairo on Friday afternoon, where he was planned to preach, security forces and state television reported.

He escaped the attack unharmed but one of his bodyguards sustained a minor injury. His attackers reportedly ran away.

I took shelter behind the mosques wall, he said.

Gomaa is known as a staunch opponent of Islamists and supporter of Egyptian President Fattah al-Sisi who has been driving a crackdown on Islamists in the Sinai province and on the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

The attack against Gomaa took place just after Egyptian authorities announced the killing of IS leader in the Sinai.
Head of Libyan National Oil Company (NOC) Sunday called on Libyan National Army (LNA) and militia, Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) to avoid confrontation at Zueitina oil terminal as reports of clashes between the two camps emerge.

The LNA had protested late last month against the deal concluded between the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) and the PFG allowing the reopening of the three oil terminals in the eastern part of the country. The LNA also threatened to attack any oil tanker that enters the terminal waters.

Head of NOC Mustafa Sanalla expressed concerns after reports emerged that the two rival sides are edging towards clashes.

I ask both sides to withhold from actions that could damage the infrastructure, including using the facilities as a physical shield, he said in a statement.

I also ask both sides to give NOC safe passage now, before any operation commences, to move the oil in storage at the port to a safe location.

The NOC, which criticized the deal at the beginning, later on welcomed it after it received assurance from the GNA that no money was paid to the PFG leader Ibrahim Jadhran, whom it regards as a warlord.

The NOC in July reunited after two years of split. GNA rival in the East supported by the countrys legitimate parliament formed its own NOC while official headquarters remained in Tripoli.

The GNA is resolved to relaunch the countrys oil production in order to generate funds to support its projects. Libyas oil production has gone down from 1.6 million barrels per day in 2011 before the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi to one third of its output due to inter-Libyan fighting and insecurity posed by the Islamic States.
US-based internet giant, Google, is being scolded by pro-Palestine internet users after Palestine was removed from Google Maps and replaced by Israel.

An internet petition described the move as a grievous insult and questioned the companys role in the Israeli-Palestine conflict. Whether intentionally or otherwise, Google is making itself accomplice in the Israeli governments ethnic cleansing of Palestine, the petition reads.

Palestine is replaced by a blank map of Israel with the areas of Gaza, Judea and Samaria included in the map.

The Palestinian Journalists Forum said in a statement, the replacement is part of the Israeli scheme to establish its name as a legitimate state for generations to come and abolish Palestine once more. Google has not given any explanation and it is yet to rectify the changes but the statement from the Palestinian journalists claimed that the move is also designed to falsify history, geography as well as the Palestinian peoples right to their homeland, and a failed attempt to tamper with the memory of Palestinians and Arabs as well as the world.

The territory under the control of Israel has grown over the years since its creation as a homeland for the Jews while Palestine systemically continues to shrink. The total territory claimed by Israel is not recognized by the international community and its continuous occupation of Palestinian territories has been fueling the decades-long hostilities.
Focusing on precision health

In the past few years, the amount of available data about health care has exploded, said Minor. While researchers are learning to integrate this big data, putting it to work for individual patients, in real time, is a huge challenge. Our collaboration with Google will help us to meet this challenge.

This is the foundational work for bringing patient health information and other big data to the bedside.

Sam Schillace, vice president of engineering for industry solutions at Google Cloud Platform, said, Im excited because this agreement brings together expertise in three areas: data science, life science research and clinical care. The next decade of improvements in understanding and advancing health care is going to come from leaders in those three areas working together to build the next generation of platforms, tools and data.

Its all consistent with Stanford Medicines focus on precision health. You could imagine that, going forward, potentially every patient could be sequenced, said Michael Halaas, chief information officer for the School of Medicine. The technology challenge we need to solve is how to derive useful insights from data and apply it directly to the care of a patient in near real time and also make progress on research.

Halaas said the Stanford-Google agreement does more than provide Stanford with server space. Its not just stacks of servers, he said. It includes layers and layers of innovative technology. This agreement allows us to do the analytics in a way that is fast and secure.

Minor said, Well be working with Google to build innovative technology that will enable Stanford to lead in precision health, the goal of which is to anticipate and prevent disease in the healthy and precisely diagnose and treat disease in the ill.

Data as the engine that drives research

Large-scale patient data is already helping answer research questions at Stanford. For example, Ami Bhatt, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of medicine and of genetics, is exploring changes in patient microbiomes that can precede symptoms of a disease such as cancer.

Another study is looking at alarm data from patient hospital rooms. The de-identified, or anonymized, data has been accumulating at Stanfords adult and childrens hospitals for about 15 years, said Ashley, but until now no one has studied it. Hospitalized patients are typically hooked up to monitors that display their heart rate, blood-oxygen levels and other basic data, with alarms that go off if the measurements suggest something is wrong. The problem is that the alarms go off when nothing is wrong  sometimes when the patient just moves. Health-care providers often turn off the alarms so patients can rest and nurses can concentrate on people who need care. An artificial-intelligence approach in the works could use the alarm data to distinguish false alarms from real ones.

The analytics applications and virtual supercomputers available through Google Genomics could pave the way for other kinds of projects, as well. Working with Googles engineers, Stanford researchers could make advances in visual learning that might, for example, enable computers to distinguish malignant tumors from benign ones in medical images.

The Stanford-Google collaboration is a critical step on the path to precision health, Minor said. This is the foundational work for bringing patient health information and other big data to the bedside, he said.
We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message.
Some sixty years ago, in the mid 1950s, my father made his first trip to Sweden, accompanied by two pals from Oxford. One was called Richard, I forget the other's name. They were on their way to visit the beautiful girl from Sundsvall that my father had met the previous year in Eastbourne.Visiting Sweden was more of an adventure then than it is now. English was not yet so widely or fluently spoken. The minefield of Swedish formal manners was still very much alive.His friends' faith in my father's grasp of the Swedish language was soon shaken. At a restaurant, he confidently ordered what he believed was three steaks, but what they got instead was three plates of fried herrings ("stekt sill").At breakfast he went to fetch milk for their cups of tea. He correctly translated "mjolk" on the notice above the jug, but didn't realize that this was filmjolk, a soured milk most unsuitable for adding to tea. (On this occasion, his embarrassment was spared by a friendly waitress who stepped in after spotting what was going on.)Richard, somewhat unusually for those days, had Swedish relatives. The three students went to visit Richard's cousin (in Linkoping, my father thinks). She was a friendly, personable girl, but her husband's taciturnity was off-putting.But after dinner was over, this silent man unexpectedly produced a lute and burst into song. It was a summer evening. My father sat spellbound listening to the flow of folk-melodies. At that moment he fell in love with the whole country as well as the girl from Sundsvall.

Labels: My family history, Specimens of the literature of Sweden
A nonprofit group known as the Association of Montana Turf, Ornamental and Pest Professionals will hold its annual Summer Field Day at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

The event will include fertilizing and pruning trees and shrubs, along with removing any dead or dying trees or shrubs. A tree, donated by one of the AMTOPP members who is veteran, will be planted. An educational walkabout will take place after the work with a focus on information regarding the health of the landscape, insects and disease, and the proper way of planting new plants. The group will also offer suggestions for additional plants and their locations.

The public is welcome to watch and ask questions. If interested in participating in the work, contact the AMTOPP office at amtopp@amtopp.org or 406-204-0100 prior to the event so accommodations can be arranged.

***

The Montana Hope Project has scheduled a Show & Shine car show Saturday, Aug. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Dillards parking lot at Southgate Mall. There will be a DJ, many cars, and prizes for first-, second- and third-place winners. Every car will have a donation box associated with it, and winners will be determined based on the amount of money collected in each box.

All proceeds from the car show will be used to sponsor a family vacation to Bearlake, Utah, for a Big Sky High School student. If more money is raised, it will be used to sponsor additional children's wishes.

Contact Amanda at 406-552-5873 with questions.

***

The employees of Mineral Community Hospital are helping with back-to-school supplies by giving away notebooks, paper, pencils, erasers, crayons and other items for the students of Alberton, Superior and St. Regis. Stop by Tuesday, Aug. 16, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Specialty Clinic for the free supplies. BlueCross BlueShield of Montana will be there to answer questions about Medicaid expansion and Healthy Kids Montana, and can enroll interested people.

***

On Tuesday, Aug. 16, from 8 to 9 a.m., Volunteer Missoula has scheduled a professional breakfast for volunteers, volunteer management professionals and leaders in the nonprofit industry at Burns Street Bistro, located at 1500 Burns St., in Missoulas Westside neighborhood. There is a $5 suggested donation.

For one hour, participants will have the opportunity to gain insight into current and upcoming Volunteer Missoula initiatives, ask questions and give feedback about the organizations future plans, engage in networking exercises to help us start and continue conversations around volunteerism in Missoula, and enjoy a biscuit and gravy breakfast (veggie option available) with colleagues.

To learn more, visit volunteermissoula.org.

***

The annual Polson Skate Jam is scheduled Saturday, Aug. 20, from noon until dusk at the Polson Skatepark. The jam offers prizes, music, free food and water.

There is a $10 entry fee with competitions for all ages. All proceeds will go toward the skateparks expansion. For more information or to help sponsor the expansion, call Jesse Vargas at 406-858-0549 or visit polsonskatepark.com.
I served with U.S. Army Capt. Humayun Khan in Iraq. He was an officer in a mechanized infantry division, the First Infantry Division (aka the Big Red One), and was not in the infantry but rather an ordnance officer in another part of the unit meant for support personnel.

In 2004, the Third Brigade Combat Team of the division deployed to Baqubah, Iraq, and we took pride in our collective name, The Dukes of Diyala. It was, and still is, a restive province about an hour north of Baghdad with a population evenly divided among Sunni, Shia and Kurdish Iraqis. Khan, like the thousand or so rest of us, survived near daily mortar and rocket attacks, along with the occasional car bombing at the gates.

Like any of us, he pulled gate guard. One of my good friends was on duty that day. Normally on gate guard, the lower enlisted soldiers deal with the odds and ends while the officer-in-charge communicates or directs traffic. But not Khan. He approached a rapidly approaching car because it was out of the norm.

He took those steps forward; then the car exploded. It was one of the loudest sounds I have ever heard. Chunks of engine block flew over people walking to their duty stations on base.

Khan, a Muslim, took the brunt of that hit for everyone at the gate. The killer was a Muslim too. Pause to consider this very important moment  an American Muslim soldier protected his fellow Americans from the chaotic and indiscriminate deaths at the hands of a Muslim suicide bomber from another Arabic land. Khan stepped up when many of us would have stepped back.

There are people alive today who owe their lives to him. No one from the Dukes of Diyala has forgotten that.

Several days later was the memorial service and the brigade stood in formation. Khans commander called out his name, "Captain Khan, Captain Khan, Captain Humayun Khan" but no one answers, silence fills air, and it just chills your soul. Out front is his rifle, boots and name tag for all to see.

So when I heard his father speak all these years later, everything came back up. I thought it would end there. Who in their right mind would go up against all Khan did and demean the parents who raised him to act in such a noble way?

Yet here we are. This election cycle has been anything but normal and we are all expected to just adjust. But that is not the right formula. Some things are beyond the pale and demeaning the name of an American officer who gave his life to save countless others and the family who raised him are not the actions of a patriot. Over the past week, the Republican candidate for president has done just that. His surrogates have as well and said even worse things in some cases. Anyone who supports this candidacy lacks a moral center.

In Montana we have a congressman who has run his entire campaign on the idea that he is an valorous officer. As an elite Navy SEAL, Ryan Zinke has a taller order than most to stand up for the military and its members. As someone who used his rank and privilege to gain public office, he should be out there at the forefront to defend the service of anyone who took the pledge for their nation and their family of supporters.

Zinke did not actually call out the presidential candidate he has endorsed other than to say both the candidate and Hillary Clinton should apologize for offending the military and their families. I am not sure what the congressman is accusing Clinton of having done and he does not once mention the Khan name in relation to the Republican presidential candidate he endorsed and stood by in Billings.

Zinke writes about saving military lives when he has endorsed a candidate who wants to torture again, is easily prodded into taking overly aggressive actions, and has a national security team around him that spouts conspiracy theories. Congressman Zinkes preferred candidate would be a horrendous disaster for the military and this country.
The Roaring Lion fire, burning over 7,000 acres southwest of Hamilton, has already claimed one life and over 60 homes and structures. As fighters continue to battle the blaze, the destruction only underscores the importance of urgently passing forest reform legislation.

Each summer that passes without comprehensive forest management reform is another summer when Mother Nature takes the matter into her own hands, filling our skies with the smoke of catastrophic wildfires.

During a visit to the Roaring Lion fire camp, I was able to visit with many of the men and women battling the fire and speak to them about realities on the ground. Excessive accumulation of fuels from beetle kill and overcrowding of trees means that our forests burn very hot, very fast and are increasingly dangerous for firefighters. The Bitterroot National Forest spokesman said that he has never seen a fire take off and burn so quick, leaving the firefighters struggling to catch up to the blaze and contain it in time to stop the tragic loss of life and property. Cindy and I are praying for the men and women fighting fires across Montana and the safety of the communities under threat.

As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I see bipartisan consensus that the status quo for forest management is not sustainable. Ive been working toward reforms that reduce red tape, discourage obstructionist litigation and fund wildfire suppression in the same manner as other natural disasters. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are in final negotiations on legislation to achieve these goals and Im hopeful that we will be able to come to agreement this year.

The Roaring Lion fire, as well as fires burning in the Bitterroot and Lolo national forests, and surrounding Thompson Falls and Ennis, and others across Montana, are heartbreaking examples of the urgent need for common-sense restoration projects that reduce the risk and magnitude of wildfires. Many of the acres burning near Hamilton threaten communities and were slated for restoration beginning later this year. But while the Forest Service sought to swiftly implement the project using an expedited process established by Congress in 2014, it was slowed by objections and now faces litigation, which will delay it further.

Across Montana there are almost 5 million acres of national forest land that have been identified as in critical need of restoration and fire mitigation projects. Im working to provide the Forest Service with additional tools and flexibility so that it can carry out these projects faster and without the persistent threat of litigation. Doing so is vital to protecting watersheds, fish and wildlife habitat, clean air, our recreational and tourism economy and, most important, the safety of our communities.

Our national forests are one of our states valued treasures and a renewable resource that should thrive. We know that responsible and active management of our forests decreases the severity and destruction of wildfires. We must pass common-sense reforms now and not spend another summer wishing that we had.
Let us now praise Cass Chinske. When the environmental history of the Missoula Valley is written, Chinske's name will figure prominently.

Missoulians are proud and fond of the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness. They like to tell their out-of-town friends that you can practically take the city bus to the edge of the Rattlesnake Wilderness. Sixty thousand visitors annually enjoy the RNRAW.

In the mid-'70s of the last century, the Friends of the Rattlesnake were dreaming of getting what was then Montana Powers municipal water supply drainage into public ownership. The Forest Service was less than hopeful that Montana Power would give up the Rattlesnake and even less enthusiastic about taking over the administration of the area (the Forest Service is now a fine steward of the RNRAW).

But Chinske would not take no for an answer. He got together with then-Congressman Pat Williams, and they drew up the RNRAW bill. Pat Williams carried the bill in the House of Representatives. Then-Senator Max Baucus saw to the compensation for Montana Power and carried the bill in the Senate. On Oct. 19, 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed the RNRAW Act into law.

The Forest service should locate the highest unnamed mountain in the RNRAW and name it Chinske Peak.

Albert Borgmann,

Missoula
I would like to add my voice to all of those Montanans who support Denise Juneau in her run for Montanas single seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. I have met and spoken to Juneau several times during her tenure as Montanas Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Denise Juneau is a positive force for Montana and her unceasing support for Montanas children and the schools they attend has shown her commitment to our state. Juneau is now running for U.S. House of Representatives against the incumbent, Ryan Zinke.

While Zinke spares no effort to align himself with a far right agenda that will harm Montanans, Denise Juneau has a positive vision that opens a path for Montanas people to improve their lives and protect Montanas environment and natural beauty.

Zinke has jumped directly into the center of the Trump movement and he is clearly angling for a position in Trumps administration should he win the election. While Zinke has joined the ranks of Trump tools like Chris Christie and Mike Pence, Denise Juneau is building support within Montana for her campaign to win the election and truly represent all of us in Congress.

Denise Juneau, as Montanas Superintendent of Public Instruction, has proven she will spare no effort to support our children and the schools that are the heart of communities all around our state. Juneau will bring that same commitment and energy to Congress, where she will represent all the people of Montana, rural and urban, from all of the diverse populations and especially those who currently have no voice in Washington.

A vote for Denise Juneau is a positive vote for the future of Montana.

Dave Lyman,

Heron
Credit: Simon WhiteheadEric Clapton generally is rated among the top rock guitarists of all time, but Slowhand has a lesser-known talent as a fly fisherman. IceNews.is reports that the 70-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was fishing this past weekend while vacationing in Iceland when he landed the largest salmon caught all summer in the Vatnsdalsa River, which is famous for the size of the salmon that swim in its waters.

According to the website, Clapton spent more than a half hour trying to land the fish, which weighed 28 pounds and was 108 centimeters -- or about three-and-a-half feet -- long. Clapton's guide told Iceland's Morgunbladid newspaper that after the rocker hooked the salmon, he had to run about a kilometer down the river before finally bringing the fish ashore.

People were allowed to start flyfishing in the Vatnsdalsa River, located in northern Iceland, in 1936. In 1997, the association that regulates fishing in the river implemented a "catch and release" policy for all salmon caught there.

Clapton discussed his passion for fishing in Iceland several years ago in a video filmed for the Inspired by Iceland website. In the clip, he reveals that he began salmon fishing in the country in the early 2000s, and explains that he came to enjoy the unique landscape, the peaceful quality and the character of the people of northern Iceland.

"It's the thing I look forward to every year, in August we go out there and fish," Clapton reveals. "It's very safe and the people are honest, and so I kind of look forward to going there because I can forget everything."

Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
BUTTE - Speed may have been a factor in a rollover crash that killed a woman and her husband on Interstate 90 near Butte on Sunday, according to a Montana Highway Patrol trooper.

The 46-year-old man died at the scene, and a female passenger, 34, was taken to St. James Healthcare, where she was pronounced dead. Trooper Gail Keith Jr. said the womans injuries included severe head trauma.

The couple was not from Butte, said Butte-Silver Bow County Coroner Lee LaBreche. The victims' hometown and names were not released pending notification of family members.

The male driver was eastbound in a dark green 1999 Chevy Tahoe with Montana plates on I-90 one half mile north of the Continental Drive interchange about 8:40 a.m. when his SUV veered left toward the median, said Capt. Gary Becker, Highway Patrol District III commander.

The driver overcorrected, and the vehicle rolled multiple times down a steep embankment, crashing into a fence adjacent to an industrial area, the trooper said. The woman wore a seat belt; however, her husband did not.

The crash remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol.

Katie DeWeert, who lives in a nearby apartment complex, heard the crash and saw a big plume of dust and smoke. She said two semi-trailers went by the accident without stopping before emergency vehicles arrived.
The defense of national sovereignty, like its critique, leads to serious misunderstandings once one detaches it from the social class content of the strategy in which it is embedded. The leading social bloc in capitalist societies always conceives sovereignty as a necessary instrument for the promotion of its own interests based on both capitalist exploitation of labor and the consolidation of its international positions.

Today, in the globalized neoliberal system (which I prefer to call ordo-liberal, borrowing this excellent term from Bruno Odent) dominated by financialized monopolies of the imperialist triad (the United States, Europe, Japan), the political authorities in charge of the management of the system for the exclusive benefit of the monopolies in question conceive national sovereignty as an instrument enabling them to improve their competitive positions in the global system. The economic and social means of the state (submission of labor to employer demands, organization of unemployment and job insecurity, segmentation of the labor market) and policy interventions (including military interventions) are associated and combined in the pursuit of one sole objective: maximizing the volume of rent captured by their national monopolies.

The ordo-liberal ideological discourse claims to establish an order based solely on the generalized market, where mechanisms are supposed to be self-regulatory and productive of the social optimum (which is obviously false), provided that competition is free and transparent (what it never is and cannot be in the era of monopolies), as it claims that the state has no role to play beyond guaranteeing that the competition in question functions (which is contrary to facts: it requires the states active intervention in its favor; ordo-liberalism is a state policy). This narrative  expression of the ideology of the liberal virus  prevents all understanding of the actual functioning of the system as well as the functions that the state and national sovereignty fulfill in it. The United States sets an example of decided and continuous practical implementation of sovereignty understood in this bourgeois meaning, that is to say today in the service of the capital of financialized monopolies. The national right allows the United States to enjoy its affirmed and reconfirmed supremacy over international law. It was the same in the imperialist countries of Europe of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Did things change with the construction of the European Union? European discourse claims and legitimates submission of national sovereignty to European law, expressed through the decisions of Brussels and the European Central Bank, under the Maastricht and Lisbon treaties. The freedom of choice of voters is itself limited by the clear supranational requirements of ordo-liberalism. As Mrs. Merkel said: This choice must be compatible with market requirements; beyond them it loses its legitimacy. However, in counterpoint to this discourse, Germany in practice affirms, in policies that are implemented, the exercise of its national sovereignty and seeks to submit its European partners to respecting its demands. Germany has used European ordo-liberalism to establish its hegemony, particularly in the eurozone. Great Britain  by its Brexit choice  has in turn affirmed its decision to pursue the advantages of exercising its national sovereignty.

We can comprehend then that nationalist discourse and its endless eulogy of the virtues of national sovereignty, understood in this way (bourgeois-capitalist sovereignty) without mentioning the class content of the interests that it serves, has always been subject to reservations, to put it mildly, from currents of the left in the broad sense, that is to say, all those who have the desire to defend the interests of the working classes. However, let us be wary of reducing the defense of national sovereignty to the terms of bourgeois nationalism alone. This defense is as necessary to serve other social interests as those of the ruling capitalist bloc. It will be closely associated with the deployment of capitalist exit strategies and commitment to the long road to socialism. It is a prerequisite of possible progress in this direction. The reason is that the effective reconsideration of global (and European) ordo-liberalism will never be anything but the product of uneven advances from one country to another, from one moment to another. The global system (and the European subsystem) has never been transformed from above, by means of collective decisions of the international (or European) community. The developments of these systems have never been other than the product of changes imposed within the states that compose them and what results from those changes concerning the evolution of power relations between them. The framework defined by the (nation) state remains the one in which decisive struggles that transform the world unfold.

The peoples of the peripheries of the global system, polarized by nature, have a long experience of this positive nationalism, that is to say anti-imperialist (expressing the refusal of the imposed world order) and potentially anti-capitalist. I say only potentially because this nationalism may also be carrying the illusion of building a national capitalism managing to catch up with the national constructions of the dominant centers. The nationalism of the peoples of the peripheries is progressive only on this condition: that it be anti-imperialist, breaking with global ordo-liberalism. In counterpoint, a nationalism (while only apparent) that fits in with globalised ordo-liberalism, and therefore does not question the subordinate positions of the concerned nation in the system, becomes the instrument of the local dominant classes keen to participate in the exploitation of their people and possibly of weaker peripheral partners towards which it acts as a sub-imperialism.

Today, advances  audacious or limited  allowing us to exit ordo-liberalism are necessary and possible in all parts of the world, North and South. The crisis of capitalism created a breeding ground for the maturation of revolutionary conjunctures. I express this objective, necessary, and possible imperative in a short sentence: Exit the crisis of capitalism or exit capitalism in crisis? (the title of one of my recent books). Exiting the crisis is not our problem, it is that of the capitalist rulers. Whether they succeed (and in my opinion they are not engaged in the paths that would enable it) or not is not our problem. What have we to gain by partnering with our adversaries to revive broken-down ordo-liberalism? This crisis created opportunities for consistent advances, more or less bold, provided that the fighting movements adopt the strategies that aim at them. The affirmation of national sovereignty then becomes obligatory to enable those advances that are necessarily uneven from one country to another but are always in conflict with the logic of ordo-liberalism. The sovereign national project that is popular, social, and democratic proposed in this paper is designed with this in mind. The concept of sovereignty implemented here is not that of bourgeois-capitalist sovereignty; it differs from it and for this reason must be qualified as popular sovereignty.

The conflation of these two contradictory concepts, and from there the rapid rejection of any nationalism without more precision, destroys any possibility of exiting ordo-liberalism. Unfortunately in Europe  and beyond  the contemporary left engaged in struggles often practices this conflation.

Defending national sovereignty does not mean simply to want another, multipolar globalization (in counterpoint to the current model of globalization), based on the idea that the international order must be negotiated among sovereign national partners, equal in rights, and not unilaterally imposed by the powerful  the imperialist triad, the United States at the head  as it is in ordo-liberalism. Still we have to answer the question: a multipolar world to do what? Because it can be designed as still governed by the competition between systems accepting ordo-liberalism at home; or, in counterpoint, as an open framework giving margins of maneuver to peoples who want to exit this ordo-liberalism. We must therefore specify the nature of the objective pursued under the proposed multi-polar system. As always in history a national project can be hybrid, crossed with contradictions between trends engaged therein, some in favor of capitalist nation building and others who give themselves other goals, going further by their progressive social content. Chinas sovereign project provides a good example; semi-sovereign projects in India and Brazil (before the rightist coup) provide others.

The Stalled European Union

Although the collapse of the European project (and in particular the subsystem of the euro) has already been underway for years (Ref. Samir Amin, The Implosion of Contemporary Capitalism), Brexit obviously constitutes a major expression of it.

The European project was conceived from the outset in 1957 as an instrument implemented by the capitalist monopolies of the partners  France and Germany in particular  supported by the United States, to defuse the risk of radical or moderate socialist deviations. The Rome treaty, by setting in stone the sanctity of private property, outlawed any aspiration to socialism, as Giscard dEstaing said at the time. Subsequently and gradually this character was reinforced by the construction of Europe, a reinforced concrete one since the Maastricht and Lisbon treaties. The argument orchestrated by propaganda for the acceptance of the project was that it finally abolished the national sovereignties of the states of the Union, those sovereignties (in their bourgeois-imperialist form) that had been at the origin of the unprecedented massacres of the two great wars of the twentieth century. Therefore this project has received a favorable response from the younger generations, by dangling the promise of a democratic and pacifist European sovereignty taking the place of the war-mongering national sovereignties of the past. In fact the sovereignties of states were never abolished, but mobilized to make people accept ordo-liberalism, turned into the necessary framework to guarantee for the now financialized monopolies the monopoly of the economic, social, and political management of European societies; and that whatever the possible developments of opinions. The European project is based on an absolute denial of democracy (understood as the exercise of choice between alternative social projects) that goes well beyond the democratic deficit invoked against the Brussels bureaucracy. The evidence of it has been repeatedly given, and it has de facto annihilated the credibility of elections whose results are legitimate only insofar as they comply with the imperatives of ordo-liberalism.

Germany has been able, in the context of this European construction, to assert its hegemony. Thus German (bourgeois/capitalist) sovereignty was erected as a substitute for a nonexistent European sovereignty. The European partners are invited to align themselves with the demands of this sovereignty superior to that of others. Europe has become a German Europe, particularly in the eurozone where Berlin manages the finances with preferential benefit to the German Konzerns. Important politicians like Finance Minister Schauble indulge in a permanent blackmail and threaten the European partners with a German exit (Gexit) in case they call Berlins hegemony into question.

One must not hesitate to draw the conclusion from the obvious facts: the German model poisons Europe, Germany included. Ordo-liberalism is the source of the persistent stagnation of the continent, coupled with ongoing austerity policies. So ordo-liberalism is an irrational system seen from the perspective of protecting the interests of popular majorities in all EU countries, including Germany, as well as from the perspective of long-term defense of ecological conditions of reproduction of economic and social life. Furthermore ordo-liberalism leads to endless aggravation of inequality between partners; it is the origin of the trade surpluses of Germany and symmetrical deficits of others. But ordo-liberalism is a perfectly rational option from the viewpoint of financial monopolies, for which it ensures the continued growth of their monopoly rents. This system is not viable. Not because it faces the growing resistance of its victims (ineffective to date), but because of its own internal contradiction: the growth of the monopolies rent imposes stagnation and the ceaselessly aggravated deterioration of fragile partners (Greece and others).

The captain at the helm is leading the European ship straight towards visible reefs. Passengers implore him to change course  to no avail. The captain, protected by a praetorian guard (Brussels, ECB), remains invulnerable. All that remains for them to do is to launch lifeboats to the sea. It is certainly dangerous, but a lesser danger than the certain shipwreck in sight. The image will help us understand the nature of the two options between which the critics of the European system in place are hesitant to choose. Some argue that we must stay on board, making the European construction evolve in new directions, respecting the interests of popular majorities. They persist despite the repeated defeats of the struggles channeled into this strategy. Others call for leaving the ship, as evidenced by the choice of the English. Leaving Europe  but for what? Disinformation campaigns orchestrated by the media pundits in the service of ordo-liberalism contribute to the confusion of the issue. All possible forms of use of national sovereignty are amalgamated, all presented as demagogic, populist, unrealistic, chauvinistic, out-of-date, nauseating. The public is pummeled by the discourse on security and immigration, while the responsibilities of ordo-liberalism for worsening conditions of workers are left out of focus. Unfortunately whole segments of the left enter this manipulated game.

For my part, I say that there is nothing to expect from the European project, which cannot be transformed from within; we must deconstruct it to possibly rebuild it later on different foundations. Because they refuse to reach this conclusion, many of the movements in conflict with ordo-liberalism remain hesitant regarding the strategic objectives of their struggles: to leave Europe or remain in it (or in the euro)? In these circumstances the arguments raised by both sides are diverse in the extreme, often on trivial issues, sometimes about false issues orchestrated by the media (security, immigrants), resulting in nauseous choices, rarely about the real challenges. An exit from NATO for example is rarely invoked. Still the fact remains that the rising tide expressed in the rejection of Europe (like Brexit) reflects the destruction of illusions about the possibility of reform.

Nevertheless, the confusion frightens people. Great Britain certainly did not intend to exercise its sovereignty to embark on a path that deviates from ordo-liberalism. Rather, London wants to further open itself to the US (Great Britain does not retain the reluctance of some Europeans towards the transatlantic free trade agreement), the Commonwealth countries, and the emerging countries of the South, replacing the European priority. Nothing else  and certainly not a better social program. In addition, for the British, German hegemony is less acceptable than it appears to be for others, in France and Italy.

The European fascists proclaim their hostility to Europe and the euro. But we must know that their concept of sovereignty is that of the capitalist bourgeoisie; their project is the search for national competitiveness in the ordo-liberal system, accompanied by foul campaigns against immigrants. The fascists are never the defenders of democracy, not even an electoral democracy (except by opportunism), let alone a more advanced democracy. Faced with the challenge, the ruling class will not hesitate: it prefers the fascist exit from the crisis. It demonstrated this in Ukraine. The scarecrow of fascists rejection of Europe paralyzes the struggles waged against ordo-liberalism. The frequently invoked argument is: How can we make a common cause against Europe with the fascists? These confusions make us forget that the success of the fascists is precisely the product of the timidity of the radical left. If the latter had boldly defended a project of sovereignty, specifically its popular and democratic content, accompanied by the denunciation of the fascists bogus and demagogic project of sovereignty, it would have earned the votes that today go to the fascists. The defense of the illusion of a possible reform of Europe does not prevent its implosion. The European project unravels to the benefit of a reemergence of what sadly seems to resemble the Europe of the 1930s and 1940s: a German Europe  Britain and Russia outside of it, France hesitating between Vichy (in place today) and de Gaulle (still invisible), Spain and Italy sailing in the wake of London or Berlin, etc.

National Sovereignty Serving the Peoples

National sovereignty is the indispensable instrument of social advances and progress of democratization, in the North as in the South of the planet. These advances are controlled by a logic that lies beyond capitalism, from a perspective favorable to the emergence of a polycentric world and consolidation of internationalism of peoples.

In the Southern countries the sovereign national project must walk on two legs:

(i) Engage itself in the construction of a self-centered and integrated industrial system in which the different branches of production become suppliers and outlets of each other. Ordo-liberalism does not allow this construction. It indeed conceives competitiveness as that of each industrial establishment considered alone. The implementation of this principle then gives priority to exports and reduces the industries of the Southern countries to the status of subcontractors dominated by monopolies of the imperialist centers, which appropriate by this means a large part of the value created there and transform it into imperialist monopoly rent. In counterpoint the construction of an industrial system demands state planning and the national control of the currency, the tax system, and foreign trade.

(ii) Engage in an original way in renovation of peasant agriculture, based on the principle that agricultural land is a common good of the nation, managed in a way that secures access to land and the means of exploiting it to all peasant families. Projects must be designed on this basis for the growth of output per family/hectare, and priority industries put in place to allow this. The objective of this strategy is to ensure the nations food sovereignty and control migratory flows from the countryside to the cities, to adjust the pace to the growth of urban employment.

The articulation of advances on each of these two fields is the main focus of state policies that guarantee the consolidation of broad popular alliances of workers and peasants. This creates a favorable terrain for the advances of participatory democracy.

In the Northern countries popular sovereignty must also break with ordo-liberalism, implying here bold policies up to the nationalization of monopolies and the initiation of means of socialization of their management. This obviously implies the national control of the management of the currency, credit, taxation, and foreign trade.

The imperialist system in place implements a differentiated range of means by which it exercises dominion over the nations of the peripheries of the global system and their exploitation. In the advanced, industrializing countries of the South, segments of the outsourced global system, controlled by the capital of financialized monopolies of the imperialist triad (the United States, Western and Central Europe, Japan) and reduced to the status of subcontractors, offer major means by which a growing mass of the value generated in the dependent local economies is converted into imperialist monopoly rent. In many developing countries, the modes of exploitation also take the form of brutal plunder of natural resources (oil, minerals, agricultural land, water, and sunlight) on the one hand and the implementation of financial plunders which seize the national savings of the countries in question on the other hand. The coercion of ensuring that external debt service is prioritized is the means by which these plunders operate. The structural deficit of public finances in these countries creates an opportunity for imperialist monopolies to profitably invest their growing financial surpluses generated by the crisis of the globalised and financialized imperialist system, forcing developing countries into debt under unconscionable conditions. Financial plunder also has its destructive effects in the imperialist centers. The continued growth of the volume of public debt relative to GDP is actively sought and supported by national and international financial capital, whose profitable investment of surpluses is made possible by it. The public debt owed to the private financial market provides an opportunity to impose a drain on the incomes of workers, allowing the growth of the monopolies rent. That fuels the continued growth of inequality in the distribution of income and wealth. The official discourse that claims to implement policies to reduce the debt is completely false: their goal is actually to increase rather than reduce the debt.

Neoliberal globalization continues a massive attack against peasant agriculture in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Accepting this major component of globalization leads to the enormous pauperization, exclusion, and misery of hundreds of millions of people on three continents. It would actually stop any attempt of our societies to assert themselves in the global society of nations. Modern capitalist agriculture, represented by rich family farming and/or agribusiness companies, seeks to massively attack global peasant production. Capitalist agriculture governed by the principle of profitability of capital located in North America, Europe, the Southern Cone of Latin America, and Australia, employs only a few tens of millions of farmers, so that it has the highest global productivity; while peasant farming systems still employ nearly half of humanity  three billion people. What would happen if agriculture and food production were treated like any other form of capitalist production, subject to the rules of competition in a deregulated open market? Would these principles facilitate the acceleration of production? Indeed, one can imagine fifty million new additional modern farmers, producing what the current three billion farmers can offer on the market above and beyond their own (and low) subsistence. Conditions for success of such an alternative would require significant transfers of arable land to new farmers (lands taken from those currently employed by peasant societies), access to capital markets (to buy equipment), and access to consumer markets. These farmers would compete easily with the billions of existing farmers. And what would happen to them? Billions of noncompetitive producers would be eliminated in a short historical period of a few decades. The main argument for the legitimization of the competitive alternative is that this kind of development took place in Europe in the nineteenth century and contributed to the formation of rich industrial and then postindustrial urban societies able to feed the nations and even to export surplus food. Why not repeat this model in the countries of the third world today? No, because this argument ignores two key factors that today make it impossible to reproduce the model in third world countries. The first is that the European model developed for a century and a half with labor-intensive industrial technologies. Our contemporary technologies are much less labor-intensive. And therefore, if the newcomers of the third world are to be competitive in world markets for their industrial exports, they must adopt these technologies. The second is that in the process of this long transition Europe could make its surplus population massively emigrate to the Americas.

Can we imagine other alternatives based on access to land for all peasants? In this context it goes without saying that peasant agriculture must be maintained and simultaneously engaged in a process of change and continuous technological and social progress. And this at a pace that would allow a progressive transfer to non-agricultural employment as the system gradually develops. Such a strategic goal involves policies protecting peasant food production from the unequal competition of modernized national agriculture and international agribusiness. It challenges industrial and urban development models  which should be less based on exports and low wages (which in turn imply low food prices) and give more attention to the expansion of a socially balanced domestic market. In addition such a strategy would facilitate the comprehensive integration of policies that ensure national food sovereignty, an essential condition for a country to be an active member of the international community, strengthening its necessary margin of autonomy and capacity for negotiation.

Extra Readings

For brevity I have not addressed here any adjacent major issues: the emergence of capitalism of generalized monopolies, new generalized proletarianization, the militarization of globalization and conflicts over access to natural resources, financial globalization as the weak link of the system, reconstruction of solidarity among developing countries, the strategy of ongoing struggles, the requirements of anti-imperialist internationalism of peoples. I refer the reader to my book The Implosion of Contemporary Capitalism (Limplosion du capitalisme contemporain) and draw attention to the institutional structures that I have proposed to consolidate the popular content of the management of economic transition beyond capitalism (pages 123-128 of the aforementioned book).

Samir Amin is director of the Third World Forum in Dakar, Senegal. His numerous publications include The Liberal Virus, The World We Wish to See, The Law of Worldwide Value, The Implosion of Contemporary Capitalism, and Three Essays on Marxs Value Theory. His latest books from Monthly Review Press are The Reawakening of the Arab World: Challenge and Change in the Aftermath of the Arab Spring (2016) and Russia and the Long Transition from Capitalism to Socialism (2016). Translated by Jenny Bright and edited by Fausto Giudice and Yoshie Furuhashi (@yoshiefuruhashi | yoshie.furuhashi [at] gmail.com).




The territory appears to have better churches and educational facilities than one would at first expect, but still they are far removed from having as much as they need. Gambling is carried on publicly.

This 1888 description of Butte in the Salvation Armys newspaper, War Cry, came on the heels of the first two hallelujah lasses who arrived in Montana that year. Although the salvation in question often focused on gambling, alcohol, and other problems, the Army in Butte did a lot of work with children, both early on and well into the late 20th century.

The earliest listed barracks in Butte was at 224 E. Park in 1890 under the command of Captain Millie Pauline Lick (nee Lueck in Germany), a 20-year-old who lived at 405 E. Mercury (well east of the red-light district). She and her fellow Salvationists were arrested at least once for disturbing the peace with their marching bands and singing  but the complaint seems to have come from saloonkeepers who feared the Army would reduce their client base, and the case was dismissed. She met her husband-to-be, Kenneth MacInnis, in Butte, reportedly a drunk whom she rehabilitated. They left Butte but continued their ministry for decades.

The organization bounced all over Uptown, to 30 E. Granite (1895), 47 W. Park (1898), 236 S. Main (1900), and 11 N. Wyoming in 1903, when they also had a rescue house for women and children at 306 W. Broadway. In 1906 they occupied the sub-sidewalk office at the Hirbour Tower.

The main barracks moved to 107 E. Broadway in 1907, and the organization expanded with a Scandinavian branch at 107 W. Porphyry and a separate Swedish branch at 238 E. Park. A relief store was established in 1908 at 116-118 E. Broadway in a building where the Finlen parking lot is today.

When James Durand became head of the Montana-Wyoming-Idaho Division in 1909, its headquarters was in his home at 960 Lewisohn, but Adjutant J. Valentine Hawk was in charge of the local corps.

The Salvation Army built its own building at 121 E. Broadway in 1923, and it served as headquarters for both the Division and the Butte Corps. Mens social services were at 209 S. Main, the mens shelter was at 122 S. Montana, and the childrens day nursery was at 1128 California, previously officers quarters.

In 1910, the Army provided food and winter clothing for 250 children in Butte, and services were provided every night at 8 p.m. with a rousing free concert on Saturdays. Salvation Army nurses gave personal care to those in need, including a Chinese mother and baby. The 19-year-old mother, sold to her husband by her father in Spokane, was afraid to wash the child because of the cold, so a nurse visited her daily to bathe the baby and bring food.
The Big Hole River is once again suffering from dehydration and more closures are occurring on a daily basis. We have all been witnessing the effects of low-flow and higher temperatures on the river for the past 10 years. There have been many collaborative efforts among conservation groups, ranchers, sportsmen, and Montana FWP, that have kept the crisis from being much worse. However , it is time to develop a large-scale project to maintain healthy flows, especially during the late summer and early fall.

The logical solution is off-stream storage, both structural and non-structural, allowing us to hold onto some of the millions of gallons of water that leave the drainage every spring and end up in reservoirs hundreds of miles downstream. This isnt a new proposal. It was considered by the Legislature in 1983 to rebuild a dam at the Pattengail Creek site near Wise River. It was documented to be a safe site for a new dam, however the cost was not considered to balance out with the proposed need. Well, it is clear that conditions are much different today. Besides the increased frequency of low-water years, climate change is causing the snowpack to melt faster, and the water to leave sooner. Whats more, overall demand has increased and the tourism industry has skyrocketed to levels never heard of before. I suspect that the Legislature was a bit short-sighted in turning down the proposal in 1983 and would hope they will reconsider again, even with a higher price tag.

I still believe that the Pattengail site, south of Wise River, is the most promising location. Im sure we could construct a first-class, environmentally sensitive facility and it could be the centerpiece of a new recreation area. Another site could be considered on the Upper Big Hole, possibly Warm Springs Creek near Jackson. This would help bring new life to the upper river where grayling recovery efforts have been very helpful, however the low flow in late summer is still a detriment to a strong recovery.

Imagine how robust our brown and rainbow trout populations would become if they werent subjected to frequent low flow and high temperature conditions. It appears clear that the recent fungus infections that have adversely affected brown trout populations are most likely due to higher water temperatures during the fall, when the fish have increased stress due to spawning. No official counts have been made public, however my experience on the river this year revealed fewer mature brown trout, smaller fish in general, and catching rainbow trout was more common than in past years. From my perspective and possibly many other fishermen, I want those brown trout to have a chance to recover to previous levels.

The Big Hole is many things to many people but it wont be of much use to anyone unless we maintain adequate in-stream flows. Lets persuade our elected officials to champion a project that will benefit all of Southwestern Montana. Please contact the governor and key legislators about the need to reconsider building one or more off-stream water facilities in the Big Hole Watershed.

-- Dr. Paul Siddoway is a Butte physician, avid fly fisherman and adamant supporter of conservation measures on the Big Hole River.
Your editorial (Sunday, Aug. 7) reminds me of the Boy Scouts' law: you courageously published an editorial that loyally stands up for truth, the public's best interests, the safety of firefighters, our scientific institutions and our country -- in opposition to a junior senator's op-ed that stands only for very narrow corporate interests.

However, your conclusion needs to take one more helpful step. The editorial mildly concludes: "If Sen. Daines wishes to take action to reduce wildfires, he might start with attacking climate change instead of trees."

Yet, readers need to hear that climate change isn't going away, and if Congress doesn't pass legislation to cut emissions more efficiently than regulations, the problem can spin out of control. Readers should take note that many conservatives (such as the Niskanen Center), and major oil companies (such as Exxon) and environmentalists (for example, Bill McKibben) support Congressional enactment of carbon pricing. The WSJ's business editor called it our first best policy option, and economists call it the "pro-market" climate change strategy that is also pro-business because it provides valuable long term certainty about government policy.

Readers should please contact Citizens' Climate Lobby for more details about carbon pricing legislation. Thank you.

-- Rabbi Judy Weiss, Brookline, Massachusetts
WEST BRANCH, Iowa  New York Times best-selling author, Jonathan Eig, will speak at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum about his book, "Get Capone," at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20.

Drawing on recently discovered government documents, wiretap transcripts, and Al Capone's handwritten personal letters, Eig tells the dramatic story of the rise and fall of the nation's most infamous criminal in rich new detail.

From the moment he arrived in Chicago in 1920, Capone found himself in a world with limitless opportunity. Within a few years Capone controlled an illegal bootlegging business with annual revenue rivaling that of some of the nation's largest corporations. Along the way he corrupted the Chicago police force and local courts while becoming one of the world's first international celebrities. Legend credits Eliot Ness and his "Untouchables" with apprehending Capone, but Eig shows that this wasn't so. In Get Capone, the man known as "Scarface" emerges as a complex man, doomed as much by his ego as by his vicious criminality. This is the real Al Capone.

Jonathan Eig is the New York Times best-selling author of four books: Luckiest Man, Opening Day, Get Capone, and most recently, The Birth of the Pill. He is currently working on a biography of Muhammad Ali. He has appeared on NBC's Today Show, NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and two PBS documentaries made by Ken Burns. Jonathan lives in Chicago with his wife and children.

Currently on display at the Hoover Museum is the temporary exhibit, Ain't Misbehavin'? The World of the Gangster. The Jonathan Eig book talk is free with paid admission to the Museum. The Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and located 1/4 mile off Interstate 80, Exit 254 in West Branch, Iowa. Visit the website at www.hoover.archives.gov or call 319-643-5301 for more information.
WILTON, Iowa  Final preparations are underway to put a new radio site in place in Wilton to boost the signal to reach inside the Wilton's new elementary school.

The new site will go inside the bright yellow Wilton water tower; something that Muscatine County Emergency Management Director Matt Shook said will cut down costs while still correcting the signal issues.

This was already built for cell phone antennas, so this is the easiest and cheapest and best scenario as far as coverage goes, he said.

While updating Muscatine County's Radio system, Shook and Wilton police discovered radio signals could not penetrate the new Wilton elementary school building.

Chris Ball, Wilton city administrator, said the city had attempted to turn towers, and explored other options for increasing the radio coverage.

When they got the new elementary school built, we realized we didnt have any reception in the school. The city really felt that for the safety of the school that we needed to get something done. Matt looked around, this seemed like the most economical and best use, he said.

The danger, Ball said, of not having radio coverage, or, for the most part, cell phone coverage inside the school, is if any incident were to occur, police would not be able to communicate.

If theyre in there and cant communicate they would basically have to have someone relay messages, he said.

If an active shooter situation or another issue arose, relaying messages physically could cost precious minutes.

That would be disastrous if you couldnt communicate inside the building, because they wouldnt know where each other are, Ball said.

Because of the safety concerns, Ball said, allowing the county to use the water tower for the radio site was an easy decision for the city.

Whatever it takes as far as were concerned.

Shook said putting the radio site in the water tower will ultimately cut the cost in half, and will still not place the entire project, which included updating the entire Muscatine County radio system, over budget.

Because of the damp environment inside the water tower, a water-proof cabinet will be installed with its own heating and air conditioning to protect the electrical components.

The new site will expand coverage in the Durant and Stockton areas, as well as, in the future, allowing access to the new State of Iowa system. The site will also provide more coverage along Interstate 80 for Atalissa, Wilton and Durant fire and EMS, which is a primary response area.

This is the final link in the chain. It is going to really make the system pretty tremendous, Shook said.

The site is planned to be completed before school begins this fall.
WAPELLO, Iowa  Authorities located the body of a missing swimmer Sunday morning near Keithsburg, Illinois after a boater reported spotting a body in the Mississippi River.

According to a Facebook post on the Wapello Fire and Rescue unit's page, the call came in as rescue crews were about to expand the search area around 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

The still unidentified male victim went missing while swimming in the river north of Port Louisa at about 6 p.m. Friday. The victim was with a small group of people when he apparently ventured too far from shore disappearing under the surface of the water. The victim was not wearing a personal flotation device.

Rescue crews found the victim and removed the body.

Assisting in the search and recovery efforts were Wapello Fire and Rescue, Wapello Community Ambulance, Grandview Fire Department, Muscatine Search and Rescue, New Boston Fire Department, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Emergency K-9 Operations Search and Rescue, Louisa County Sheriff's Department, Louisa County Dispatch Center, Des Moines County Sheriff's Department, Des Moines County Medical Examiner's Office and the Mercer County, Illinois Dispatch Center.
MUSCATINE, Iowa Two new Muscatine Police officers were sworn in at the City Council meeting Thursday night.

Kimberly Halpain, 22, of Muscatine, and Kenneth Voorhees, 23, of Dubuque, took an oath to serve and protect the city of Muscatine.

Halpain, who moved to Muscatine from Moline, Illinois, when she was eight, said she has wanted to be a police officer since she was 12-years-old.

"I really can't imagine doing anything else, there's nothing else I really thought about doing career-wise. It's just the only thing I can imagine," she said.

She was home-schooled, and said that has helped her remain focused and driven.

"School was always a priority for me. I think education is very important, and I think that drive has carried over into my jobs," she said.

Halpain loves to help people, and that also influenced her decision.

"I love the public, I just like the idea of keeping people safe," she said.

Currently enrolled in the University of Phoenix online, Halpain has an associates degree with a concentration in criminal justice, and is currently earning a bachelor of science in criminal justice administration and a criminal justice management certificate.

"And of course there was the academy training," she said.

Voorhees grew up in Dubuque, and received a bachelors degree from the University of Northern Iowa in criminology.

"It was something that I've wanted to do for a while," he said.

He began as a business major his first semester in college at his parents' behest, but soon realized he "hated it."

"Then I took a criminal justice class, and the rest is history, I guess," Voorhees said.

Although his parents, he said, will always be concerned for his well-being, they want him to be happy.

"And my mom makes me text her every day when I'm done," he said.

Vorhees said he has been surprised by the amount of multi-tasking that is required of police officers on a daily basis.

"[It's surprising] how much you have to pay attention to: everything that's going on plus what you're focusing on," he said.

Halpain said she has enjoyed meeting Muscatine residents as a police officer, and has been surprised by how welcoming the public has been.

"In some parts of the country right now police officers are not welcome, people don't want to talk to them or see them, but here I've noticed that people are just so open to talking to us," she said.

Halpain said she looks forward to meeting new people, and the openness of Muscatine residents has made her even more excited to do so.

"With what's currently going on in the country today I feel that was such a welcome surprise for me, and I really enjoyed that."
MUSCATINE, Iowa  One local agency fears the future as problems with the now-privatized Medicaid system in Iowa continue, nearly four months after its implementation began.

Providers across the state are experiencing difficulties with reimbursement from managed care organizations that took over for the state-managed Medicaid system in April.

Senior Resources in Muscatine may have to take out many more loans in the near future to make up for the loss sustained

Todd Poci, Senior Resources executive director, said the difference was evident the minute the MCOs took over.

Immediately we noticed that were having billing issues, Poci said.

According to a report from the Iowa Department of Human Services compiled in July, one of the most common reasons a claim is rejected is necessary information is inaccurate or missing.

Poci said the majority of their claims have been rejected because of an incorrect NPI number, or national provider number, that is correct, but older. Although he has attempted to explain the problem, Poci said Amerigroup Iowa has been the biggest issue.

Amerigroup is not paying at all, we have called them several times for help, he said.

Although he has requested assistance, calls, he said, have not been returned from Amerigroup.

A big problem has been theres been extensive turnover with Amerigroup in particular, no calls returned, no emails returned, and sometimes we get referred to people who no longer work for the agency, Poci said.

The few times someone responds  its been palpable, they dont want to deal with us.

Amy McCoy, of the Iowa Department of Human Services, said those issues were to be expected with such a large change.

When you have a change of this magnitude you will have issues; providers who may be having trouble with system, McCoy said.

She said whenever DHS is notified of an issue they attempt to work with the providers one-on-one.

We do provider education and outreach, but if it 's something that's going to impact the way they're going to do business we do an escalated issue, go to rapid response teams. If it would be somehow be a system issue, the MCO would handle it, she said.

Poci said he and other providers were assured a smooth transition, but he fears for the future of many of the smaller providers who were already operating on a tight budget.

A place like us, we operate on a shoestring, he said.

Kathie Anderson-Noel, the case management coordinator assistant director with Muscatine County Community Services, works with individuals to help them decide on a service plan, and then continues to monitor services to make sure the provider and individual are doing what they are supposed to.

She will be working with AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa doing case management, and has been helping with Amerigroup and United Healthcare Plan of the River Valley case management during the transition period.

Anderson-Noel said the only issue she has encountered with Amerigroup were delays in payment, especially those who have private insurance in addition to Medicaid.

Some were paid just fine, others were rejected saying we have to bill private insurance, which doesnt pay case management, and then they dont pay until they get denials, she said.

United also caused some issues, paying 30 percent of the rate, and have since corrected the problem.

Anderson-Noel said she hopes the issues that have been faced will be solved over time.

I think the issues that weve had with Amerigroup and United were issues of the startup, in the future who knows, its hard to predict, Anderson-Noel said.

Poci, however, said is worried for the future of Senior Resources, which may not have that time to wait.

I feel that the only way we are going to avoid an absolute disaster in the community is if we all stand together and demand that the state pay their bills before they bankrupt long-standing social service agencies like Senior Resources.
Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi []
Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes []
Picketing action by striking workers at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has stretched into a sixth week.

Workers are demanding salary increases back-dated to 2015 and bonus pay from 2014.

Other demands include the reversal of human resource policies and restructuring that took place in the 2014/15 fiscal year.

Icasa said last month that it had previously decided on an agreement with the Communication Workers Union (CWU) on revised employment conditions, but workers said the union failed to represent their mandate.

The disgruntled workers then discontinued their CWU memberships, and they went on strike at the beginning of July this year without union representation.

The striking workers, though, signed up to the National Trade Union Congress of South Africa (NTUC) last week as the labour action dragged on.

The strike is going into its sixth week, but the negotiations are ongoing, Suzan Mashinini, organiser of the strike, told Fin24.

On Friday, we sat until 20:00 in the evening, and then we made our proposals. The management is now sitting today to discuss those proposals in a bid to resolve the strike, Mashinini said.

Six weeks of striking has taken its toll on the workers, especially as Icasa has a no work, no pay policy, said Mashinini.

The strike started out with 152 workers but on Monday it had between 110 and 120 workers, according to Mashinini.

You must see our faces; they are bruised. Weve got blemishes. Our hair is running out, Mashinini told Fin24.

The stress you can see  its showing, she said.

But Mashinini said the workers are hoping for positive developments after three meetings with management over their dispute.

We do not know what the outcome will be. But today, for us, it is a breakthrough. It will then determine whether we are on deadlock or not, depending on what they will bring from that meeting, Mashinini told Fin24.

Spokespeople from Icasa were not immediately available for comment.

Fin24

More on Icasa

Icasa strike continues

Striking Icasa workers: We arent budging

Icasa management drive BMW SUVs, and we dont get salary increases: Staff
TEHRAN, Iran  Iran executed a nuclear scientist convicted of spying for the United States, an official said Sunday, acknowledging for the first time that the nation secretly detained and tried a man who was once heralded as a hero.

Shahram Amiri defected to the U.S. at the height of Western efforts to thwart Irans nuclear program. When he returned in 2010, he was welcomed with flowers by government leaders and even went on the Iranian talk-show circuit. Then he mysteriously disappeared.

He was hanged the same week that Tehran executed a group of militants, a year after Iran agreed to a landmark accord to limit uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Amiri first vanished in 2009 while on a religious pilgrimage to Muslim holy sites in Saudi Arabia. A year later, he reappeared in a series of contradictory online videos filmed in the U.S. He then walked into the Iranian-interests section at the Pakistani Embassy in Washington and demanded to be sent home.

In interviews, he described being kidnapped and held against his will by Saudi and American spies. U.S. officials said he was to receive millions of dollars for his help in understanding Irans nuclear program.

Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejehi said Amiri had access to the countrys secret and classified information and had been linked to our hostile and No. 1 enemy, America, the Great Satan.

The spokesman told journalists that Amiri had been tried in a death-penalty case that was upheld by an appeals court. He did not explain why authorities never announced the conviction, though he said Amiri had access to lawyers.

News about Amiri, born in 1977, has been scant since his return to Iran. Last year, his father told the BBCs Farsi-language service that his son had been held at a secret site. Ejehi said Amiris family mistakenly believed he received a 10-year prison sentence.

On Tuesday, Iran announced it had executed a number of criminals, describing them mainly as militants from the countrys Kurdish minority. Then an obituary notice for Amiri circulated in his hometown of Kermanshah, a city some 310 miles southwest of Tehran, according to the Iranian pro-reform daily newspaper Shargh.

Manoto, a private satellite television channel based in London believed to be run by those who back Irans ousted shah, reported Saturday that Amiri had been executed. BBC Farsi also quoted Amiris mother saying her sons neck bore ligature marks suggesting he had been hanged by the state.

The Associated Press could not immediately reach Amiris family.

His disappearance came as Western countries stepped up their efforts to impede Irans nuclear program under the government of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The U.S. actively tried to recruit nuclear scientists to defect. Later, four Iranian nuclear scientists were assassinated between 2010 and 2012, and Iran blamed the slayings on Israel and the West.

The Stuxnet computer virus, widely believed to be a joint U.S.-Israeli creation, disrupted thousands of centrifuges at a uranium enrichment facility in Iran.

In June 2010, a shaky online video emerged of Amiri saying he had been kidnapped by American and Saudi agents and was in Tucson, Arizona.

A short time later, he appeared in a professionally shot online video near a chess set, saying he wanted to earn a doctorate in America and return to Iran if an opportunity of safe travel presented itself. His wife and son remained behind in Iran.

I have not done any activity against my homeland, he said. But soon, another clip contradicted that, and he appeared at the Pakistani Embassy.

Hillary Clinton, who was then the secretary of state, stressed that Amiri had been in America of his own free will.

He is free to go, she said.

U.S. officials at the time told the AP that Amiri was paid $5 million to offer the CIA information about Irans nuclear program, though he left the country without the money. They said Amiri, who ran a radiation-detection program in Iran, traveled to the U.S. and stayed there for months by choice.

Analysts abroad suggested Iranian authorities may have threatened Amiris family back in Iran, forcing him to return.

On his return from the U.S., Amiri was greeted at airport by high-ranking government officials and was invited to TV talk shows where he explained how he bypassed a U.S. trap to get home. Many newspapers published accounts of his return on their front pages and some suggested a movie be made from his story.

He said Saudi and American officials had kidnapped him while he visited the Saudi holy city of Medina. He also said Israeli agents were present at his interrogations and that that CIA officers offered him $50 million to remain in America.

I was under the harshest mental and physical torture, he said.

Amiris case indirectly found its way back into the spotlight in the U.S. last year with the release of State Department emails sent and received by Clinton, now the Democratic presidential candidate. The release of those emails came amid criticism of Clintons use of a private account and server that has persisted into her campaign against Republican candidate Donald Trump.

An email forwarded to Clinton by senior adviser Jake Sullivan on July 5, 2010  just nine days before Amiri returned to Tehran  appears to reference the scientist.

We have a diplomatic, psychological issue, not a legal one. Our friend has to be given a way out, the email by Richard Morningstar, a former State Department special envoy for Eurasian energy, read. Our person wont be able to do anything anyway. If he has to leave, so be it.

Another email, sent by Sullivan on July 12, 2010, appears to obliquely refer to the scientist just hours before his appearance at the Pakistani Embassy became widely known.

The gentleman ... has apparently gone to his countrys interests section because he is unhappy with how much time it has taken to facilitate his departure, Sullivan wrote. This could lead to problematic news stories in the next 24 hours.
If we go back a century to look at the Democratic Party platform of 1916, what is striking is not so much the differences but the similarities to that of 2016.

In 1916, the G.O.P. nominated Charles Evans Hughes, chief justice of the Supreme Court, to face incumbent Woodrow Wilson. The nation was uneasy. Manufacturing was booming, but the U.S. was still mostly an agricultural nation, and uncertainty sparked by the Panic of 1907 had not yet subsided. The public was fearful of a potential war with Germany and skirmishing with Mexico along the southern border.

Times may have changed, but the party platforms of 1916 and 2016 show that large chunks of ideology turn out to be the same.

The 1916 Democratic platform was sunny and upbeat, as the incumbent's platform always is. Nobody runs for re-election by pointing to misery and despair. And so the Democrats started out by pointing proudly to Wilson's achievements: "We challenge comparison of our record, our keeping of pledges and our constructive legislation, with those of any party of any time."

Then as now, the party called for regulation to battle unfairness in the economy. The platform trumpeted the passage of the Federal Reserve Act and the creation of the Federal Trade Commission. And then there was this: "We have adjusted the burdens of taxation so that swollen incomes bear their equitable share." (The top marginal rate was 7 percent.) Only Democrats could be trusted with an era that was bringing "economic changes more varied and far-reaching than the world has ever before experienced."

The 1916 platform had no equivalent to today's lengthy discussions about jobs, but nevertheless tilted in the same direction. Federal workers should receive "a living wage." The budget would be controlled by cutting "waste and duplication." The Democrats promised child labor laws and an agency devoted to worker safety. Prison reform and better roads and bridges, were all part of the agenda.

All of these positions could fit easily into the 2016 platform. This bit, however, sounds foreign: "We must now remove, as far as possible, every remaining element of unrest and uncertainty from the path of the business men of America, and secure for them a continued period of quiet, assured and confident prosperity." There is nothing similar today.

The identity politics that forms so substantial a part of the 2016 Democratic platform wasn't big in the early 20th century. Nevertheless, the great roiling crucible of American politics has always been race, and the Democrats found room to criticize "whoever by arousing prejudices of a racial, religious or other nature creates discord and strife among our people." We would err, however, should we read these words through 21st-century glasses. In the public language of the era, this was a careful sop to the "solid South" so crucial to Democratic electoral success. In the complex color politics of the day, a progressive could simultaneously oppose "stirring up race passion and prejudice" while insisting upon "white supremacy" based on "natural superiority" and refusing "to amalgamate with the negro." (These words are from a 1908 pamphlet by William Henry Fleming, a generally progressive Georgia Democrat.)

What about foreign policy? The Democrats were the free traders of the day (more or less), and trumpeted their support for the Revenue Act of 1913, which had lowered the tariff significantly in return for re-establishing the federal income tax. At that time the tariff was the federal government's principal source of revenue. The platform accepted the necessity but maintained that the level should be set with that purpose alone in mind, rather than "in accordance with the demands of selfish interests." What was the right figure? There the party preferred to kick the calculation over to "a non-partisan tariff commission."

As it is today, the public was fearful of foreign entanglements. The platform thus called for the use of the military principally to defend the country. The Democrats counseled neutrality in the European conflict that would become World War I, and intervention in Mexico "only as a last recourse." Still the party warned - in a veiled reference to Mexico - that there must be "strict accountability" for wrongs done to the persons or property of U.S. citizens abroad. But the emphasis in international affairs was on diplomacy and what we would today call multilateralism - very much in line with the Democrats of today.

The 1916 platform strongly endorsed American exceptionalism. "The supreme issue of this day in which the whole world faces the crisis of manifold change" was "the assertion and triumphant demonstration of the indivisibility and coherent strength of the nation." Although this language certainly has echoes in the 2016 platform's insistence that "we are stronger together," the party today deploys this language principally not as a tool for explaining why the U.S. is special but as a means for painting their opposition as divisive.

The 1916 election was close - far closer than the Democrats had anticipated. Wilson was re-elected, but had the Republicans won California, which Wilson carried by less than one half of one percentage point, the result would have been different. As it was, the Democrats prevailed because of that solid, racist Southern bloc.

Nowadays, we tend to ignore party platforms, except when we can score political points for our side. A hundred years ago, matters were quite different. Newspapers printed details on the front page. Did the platform make a difference? Given that the U.S. then was a nation of readers rather than viewers, there's a good chance that the answer is yes.
AMERICAN CANYON  American Canyon wants to redevelop, and in some cases simply develop, its Broadway corridor, the stretch of Highway 29 that cuts through the heart of town.

It has spent the past two years crafting a plan for this effort, a partial draft of which was reviewed recently by the City Council.

The workshop revealed many issues still to be addressed to make the Broadway District a thriving place to visit, if not live in.

Once the city has a fully fleshed-out plan that envisions how the east and west sides of 29 should look, a big challenge will be getting developers to take it seriously.

After all, the present state of the Broadway corridor demonstrates what can happen when a city doesnt persuade developers to invest in new commercial or residential space.

There are nearly 40 vacant lots along the highway today, and almost a dozen underdeveloped ones, according to the city. These parcels make up almost 30 percent of the districts 300 acres.

Community Development Director Brent Cooper said most of the vacant properties had a structure on them in the past.

These would have been large properties with a single-family home on a small part of the lot, said Cooper.

On July 26, councilmembers and developers expressed concern about the long-standing vacancies along 29.

Vincent Buzz Butler, the developer for the Napa Junction retail center featuring Wal-Mart, echoed Councilman Kenneth Learys worry that if the city doesnt implement its Broadway plan properly, the city will still be staring at these vacant lots another 40 to 50 years.

So how does American Canyon finally persuade people like Butler and others to put up shops or apartments in places that have been sprouting weeds?

One idea being bandied about at City Hall would add the necessary infrastructure (water, electrical, etc.) to these lots now to make them more attractive to companies shopping for a place to build.

This step would make the lots more enticing. But it could also be very expensive for the city.

Where does the money come from for this, asked Councilwoman Joan Bennett about financing the Broadway Specific Plan. If you dont have the money, you dont have the deed.

Councilman Mark Joseph, never one to shy away from controversial ideas, said the council should consider general obligation bonds, which could mean putting a measure on the ballot down the road.

I support going to the public for a bond to help get this ball rolling, said Joseph. Thats the way you get the money up front and make the improvements up front.

A bond may be the only way for the city to finance the infrastructure work, he said.

The cost of under-grounding the utilities alone will be in the millions, not the hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to Joseph, who was American Canyons city manager and Suisun Citys finance manager before joining the council.

The price tag for fully revitalizing the Broadway district could be more than $50 million, according to the city.

Other members of the council (minus Belia Ramos, who was absent) did not rush to endorse Josephs suggestion.

There are grants, too, that the city could explore, said Mayor Leon Garcia, who almost immediately admitted this option has its limits in terms of whats available to apply for and how much grants could cover.

Leary said floating a bond may work, and it may not. He said the city would need a backup plan if the bond idea doesnt fly with voters.

This plan is too important, Leary said.

Money aside, Leary brought up other concerns with revitalizing the Broadway corridor.

Executing the plan might demand a piecemeal approach, he said, to make sure new development actually occurs and in a way thats beneficial for the city.

After Cooper mentioned that zoning allows areas designated as commercial to also be used for housing, Leary warned that the city should not be too flexible with developers.

Allowing companies too much wiggle room along 29 might make things willy-nilly.

Things can be squishy, said Leary, and even if a developer has the bucks, the city shouldnt just let them go wherever they want.

Cooper said the Broadway Specific Plan, once completed, is intended to provide zoning that prevents incompatible uses locating next to each other. The plan will also require higher-quality architecture, trails, parks, interesting gathering places for residents and visitors and a blend of housing, retail, employment that responds to market demand and supports each other.

Although Leary wants American Canyon to fill up its many empty parcels, he doesnt want all the land to become occupied by businesses or housing.

He complained the plan lacked designated public areas, or recreational open space.

It needs grassy areas where people can go and relax if they want to, grab a sandwich and sit down on a bench, said Leary. Its all private space, no public space. Thats a concern of mine.

Cooper assured Leary and the council, saying: We still have a lot of work to do on the Specific Plan.

Still to come in the next draft will be an executive summary, a chapter on open space and recreation, and specificity on how to implement the plan.

Thats going to be a great conversation, said Cooper, adding that the next draft will likely be ready in October.
Now back at its traditional August time slot, the Napa Town & Country Fair opened Wednesday with five days of summer fun  everything from animals, crafts and jellies to daily musical acts, BMX freestyle gymnastics and a street drum corps.

The fair experimented the past two years with July dates, but has now returned to the second week in August  the week before schools reopen. And this is where were going to stay, said Joe Anderson, Napa Valley Expositions CEO.

With the new schedule, the Napa fair will now come on the heels of the Sonoma County Fair, which closed Sunday, Anderson said.

This allows Napa to attract a better selection of food and commercial vendors and a top-notch carnival from the neighboring festival, he said.

The fair continues to refine its operation in the wake of the 2014 earthquake that resulted in the loss of two exhibit halls and a food court, said Anderson.

All adult exhibits are now in Chardonnay Hall, junior exhibits in Zinfandel Hall, with commercial exhibits on display inside Riesling Hall and distributed around the grounds, he said.

This scattering puts them out among the people and adds energy to the fairgrounds, Anderson said.

The featured bands on the Plaza Stage are classic rockers America on Wednesday, R&B performers Morris Day & The Time on Thursday, country artist John Michael Montgomery on Friday, hit-making WAR on Saturday and salsa-Latino band Tierra on Sunday.

Featured acts on the Bandstand Stage include hypnotist Kellie Karl and a BMX freestyle team daily, a Rolling Stones tribute band on Wednesday, a Northern California cover band The Wiz Kid on Thursday, a Chicago tribute band on Friday, a Foreigner tribute band on Saturday and a new wave cover band, The Spazmatics, on Sunday.

Ticket prices are unchanged this year: adults, ages 13 to 59, $13; youth, ages 6-12 and seniors over 60, $10; children 5 and under, free.

On Wednesday, Seniors Day, people 60 and above are admitted for $8. On Thursday, Kids Day, children 12 and younger are admitted free all day.

Admission and carnival discounts remain available until 5 p.m. Tuesday. A carnival pass, which costs $32 to $35 during the fair, is only $20 until the end of the business day on Tuesday. Advance adult fair admissions are $10, advance seniors and juniors $7.

Discounted admissions are only available at the Expo office, 575 Third St., Napa, while discounted carnival wristbands can also be bought before 5 p.m. Tuesday at local McDonalds restaurants.
NATO is preparing a major boost to its ability to refuel aircraft in mid-air, with the signature of an agreement between the Netherlands and Luxembourg to acquire two Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (A330 MRTT) aircraft. The new tankers will be acquired on behalf of the participating nations and NATO. They can support NATO and European Union operations, as well as multinational and national ones.

Air-to-air refueling tankers are critical to long-distance deployments in support of other aircraft. NATOs air campaigns in Kosovo and Libya have identified air-to-air refueling as a critical shortfall in European military capabilities. Individual Allies, as well as NATO and the EU, have been working to address this shortfall.

The Airbus tankers will be able to refuel a wide range of aircraft such as NATO AWACS surveillance planes; F-35, F-16 and Rafale fighter aircraft; and C-17 transport planes. Refuelling can be performed at an altitude up to 35,000 ft while cruising at speeds between 180 knots and 325 knots. The planes will be equipped to perform a wide range of functions in addition to air-to-air refueling such as passenger transport, cargo movement and medical evacuation. Thanks to their flexibility, they will increase European capabilities in strategic passenger transport, cargo transport and medical emergency transport.

The first two aircraft will be assembled in Toulouse, France, and converted into tankers in Getafe, Spain. They will be delivered to NATO in 2020, and will be based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. More Allies are expected to join this initiative, thus enlarging the fleet in the years ahead.
Europe will ban sale of one type of car

European Commission head announces new aid and investments for Serbia

Biden calls Putin's rhetoric on nuclear weapons 'dangerous'

Lukashenko on Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict: What are you fighting for in these mountains, where not even goats walk?

Swedish authorities offer to create united northern army

Lukashenko: Conflict issue between Armenia and Azerbaijan must be resolved now - with Ilham Aliyev

Lukashenko about situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border: Where are we racing horses, where are we rushing to?

Lukashenko to Pashinyan: Sit down with Aliyev and make a decision, if you don't make it today, it will be worse

Bulgarian interim government urges to speed up transition to euro zone

IMF: China's sharp and uncharacteristic economic slowdown will stall growth in Asia by the end of 2023

Iran: Riots in country were planned by the intelligence services of the USA, England, Israel and the KSA

Steinmeier: Ukraine war caused 'epochal break' in Germany's relations with Russia

Gas prices in Europe remain high in coming years

Ararat Mirzoyan and Toivo Klaar stress importance of hosting EU civilian mission in Armenia

Armenia's ambassador-at-large: Daily false propaganda can't cover up Azerbaijani war crimes

Taiwan MFA outraged by Putin's speech on his status and Pelosi's visit

Armenia gives no response to peace treaty proposals, Bayramov says

Netanyahu expects return to power after 5th Israeli election in 4 years

Armenian gravestone found in Trabzon, Turkey neighborhood

Pashinyan: CSTO Secretary General's report mainly reflects existing realities

Azerbaijan talks possible deliveries of its gas to international Turkish hub

CSTO leaders to meet in late November: Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border will be discussed

Dollar, euro continue falling in Armenia

Pelosi's house attacked, her husband injured

Russias Putin to have private talks with Armenias Pashinyan, Azerbaijans Aliyev

Mher Grigoryan: CIS needs a new scientific and technical agreement

Pentagon strategy doesn't rule out use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear threats

French National Assembly plans to pass resolution proposing certain sanctions against Azerbaijan

Mher Grigoryan: There are no other corridors in the trilateral statement other than Lachin's

Konstantin Zatulin: Russia should have made maximum efforts so that there would be no war in Karabakh

The Hill: The American people deserve to know how the war in Ukraine will end

Sochi to host trilateral talks of Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders on October 31

Poland receives first Turkish drones

Hungarian government may extend price limits on fuel and some basic foodstuffs

Armenias Simonyan attends meeting of heads of EEU countries parliaments

Polish general appointed as head of EU mission to train Ukrainian troops

Russia MP: Karabakh status decision is in fact its Armenians safety guarantee

Zatulin: West seeks to push Russia out of negotiation process at any cost

Legislature head proposes to organize, under CIS auspices, return of Armenians detained in Azerbaijan

Iran prevents bomb explosion in Shiraz crowded street

Iraqi parliament expresses vote of confidence in new cabinet

France lawmakers visit Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan

Putin: Moscow is doing everything possible to normalize relations between Yerevan and Baku

Annual shopping festival kicks off in Dubai on December 15

Lazarevsky Club: Minute of silence held in memory of fallen Russian and Armenian soldiers

Bayramov and US Assistant Secretary of State discuss Yerevan-Baku relations

Expansion of cooperation with Interpol is important, Armenia PM says

Armenia defense minister briefs Austria envoy on situation due to recent Azerbaijan military aggression (PHOTOS)

Australia can't rule out energy price caps

Armenia parliament speaker: Use, threat of force undermine processes aimed at establishing peace

Garo Paylan is in Yerevan

Barack Obama tries to help Democrats win midterm elections

Azerbaijan president, Russia first deputy PM discuss North-South transport corridor project

PM Pashinyan receives France-Armenia friendship group delegation from French parliament

Taiwan urges China to start talking

Armen Grigoryan and Toivo Klaar discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiation process

Matviyenko: Russia will continue mediation for signing Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty

Politico: Scholz and Macron threaten U.S. trade retaliation

CIS premiers sign several agreements at Kazakhstan meeting

Konstantin Zatulin: Nagorno-Karabakh peoples right to self-determination must be respected

Armenia legislature head: Policy of threats, coercion is unacceptable to us

U.S. must strengthen its defense against growing threats from both China, Russia

Karabakh ex-President: Necessary to rule out mistakes, miscalculations which will have irreversible consequences

EU reaches agreement to ban new cars with internal combustion engine by 2035

Benny Gantz: Future of Israel and Turkey is promising

EU Special Representative for South Caucasus arrives in Armenia

Lazarevsky Club meeting underway in Yerevan, Moscow

Yellen sees no sign of recession in U.S. economy in near future

Cannes palm trees promenade named after Charles Aznavour

Pashinyan: Armenia agrees to work on basis of main principles proposed by Russia

CIS prime ministers meeting kicks off in Kazakhstan

Newspaper: Karabakh people to make appeal to Armenia authorities

Viking swords embedded in mound 1,200 years ago discovered in Sweden

Residents of Moldova asked not to go out into street in dark

Bloomberg reports fuel shortages in some parts of Europe

British schoolboy writes book that became bestseller

Lebanon, Israel sign deal on maritime border demarcation

Spanish prime minister twice mistakes Kenya for Senegal during his speech

Peskov: CSTO meeting to be held before Armenia-Azerbaijan-Russia summit

Putin says he is ready to negotiate with Ukraine

Putin compares Indian Prime Minister Modi to icebreaker

Putin warns Seoul about risk of ruining relations with Russia by supplying weapons to Ukraine

Interpol Secretary General visits Armenia

Putin: Russia will not abandon the historical legacy of the USSR and the Russian Tsarist Empire

Putin sees no point in nuclear strike on Ukraine

Olaf Scholz says solution can be found to curb speculative spikes in gas prices

Putin calls Russians and Ukrainians one people who find themselves in different states

Putin: We proposed Armenia give 5 districts

Putin: Washington version provides for recognition of Azerbaijan's sovereignty over whole Karabakh

Putin calls Erdogan consistent and reliable partner, although not easy one

Italy plans to double national gas production to 6 billion cubic meters a year

Putin: The West, as a minority, has no right to impose values on the world

Putin: As long as nuclear weapons exist, there is always a danger of their use

Putin outraged by US assassination of General Soleimani: What is this all about?

FM Abdollahian: Iran will not allow its interests to become plaything of terrorists

Mirzoyan and Lavrov discuss preparations for CSTO Collective Security Council

Putin proposes to discuss changing structure of UN and UN Security Council

Pashinyan's wife accompanied in Tavush by mothers of servicemen who died in first and last days of war

Shell reports almost $9.5 billion in profits

Putin calls on West not to shift blame on intrigues of Kremlin
ABC News(WASHINGTON)  Evan McMullin, a former CIA counterterrorism officer, will run for president as a third-party conservative alternative to Donald Trump, GOP operatives working to back the candidate told ABC News Monday.



The group, Better for America, a 501(c)(4) organization that cannot officially endorse or back McMillan's bid, has been working for months on trying to select a candidate and get on ballots throughout the country. In some states, like Texas, they will likely have to sue to get on the ballot.



It's an extreme uphill climb, but they are confident McMullin, 40, can act as a disruptor who they hope can peel off some red states in a race where some Republicans are still resistant to Donald Trump.



McMullins candidacy, backed by some Republicans, shows how the Never Trump movement is still working to upend Trump even with less than three months left until the general election. McMullin may be a long shot, but will have a legitimate organization behind him.



McMullin, who had recently been chief policy director of the House Republican Conference, will file Monday and in a statement told ABC News exclusively:



In a year where Americans have lost faith in the candidates of both major parties, its time for a generation of new leadership to step up. Its never too late to do the right thing, and America deserves much better than either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton can offer us. I humbly offer myself as a leader who can give millions of disaffected Americans a conservative choice for President.



The group says prominent Republicans will back McMullin, who has some well-known GOP operatives working behind the effort, including Republican consultant Rick Wilson and Florida-based pollster and operative Joel Searby. Better for America has been funded in part by John Kingston, a Boston-based conservative donor who bundled for Mitt Romney.



McMullin was born in Provo, Utah, and earned a bachelors degree in international law and diplomacy from Brigham Young University and a masters of business administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.



McMullin served as a Mormon missionary in Brazil and volunteer refugee resettlement officer in Amman, Jordan, on behalf of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. On Sept. 11, 2001, he was in training at CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia. He completed his training and volunteered for overseas service in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, spearheading counterterrorism and intelligence operations in some of the most dangerous nations, according to the group.



Once he left the CIA in 2011, McMullin went to work for Goldman Sachs in the San Francisco Bay Area and in 2013 became a senior adviser on national security issues for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and later the chief policy director of the House Republican Conference.



Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Mutant mosquitoes could soon be released in Florida after the the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Friday that Oxitec can conduct field trials of the companys genetically engineered mosquitoes in the Florida Keys.





The FDA concluded that a field trial conducted in Key Haven, Florida would will not have significant impacts on the environment.





Oxitecs self-limiting mosquitoes have been genetically engineered so that their offspring die before reaching adulthood. Male Oxitec mosquitoes, which do not bite or spread disease, are released to mate with wild female Aedes aegypti so that their offspring die, reducing the population. Efficacy trials in Brazil, Panama, and the Cayman Islands have tested this approach, and in each of these trials the population of Aedes aegypti was reduced by more than 90%.





(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});





Weve been developing this approach for many years, and from these results we are convinced that our solution is both highly effective and has sound environmental credentials, Oxitecs Chief Executive Officer Hadyn Parry said. Were delighted with the announcement today that the FDA, after their extensive review of our dossier and thousands of public comments for a trial in the Florida Keys, have published their final view that this will not have a significant impact on the environment. We are now looking forward to working with the community in the Florida Keys moving forward.





The purpose of the proposed trial is to determine the efficacy of Oxitecs self-limiting mosquitoes for the control of the local population of Aedes aegypti in Key Haven, Monroe County, Florida.





However, the green light from the FDA does not mean that Oxitecs GE mosquitos are approved for commercial use. Oxitec would still be responsible for ensuring all other local, state, and federal requirements are met before conducting the proposed field trial, and, together with its local partner, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, to determine whether and when to begin the proposed field trial in Key Haven, Florida.





Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are the species that are primarily responsible for the spread of the Zika virus. The species can also transmit dengue fever, Chikungunya virus, West Nile virus, and Yellow Fever.
The museum as classroom African art curator Amanda Hellman hopes the newly redesigned African galleries will encourage students and professors to curate a section of objects and get them thinking about this continent through different lenses. We have a really valuable asset at Emory with a great African studies program. Thinking about it through this visual lens, we can pull items out of storage so we can conceptualize them differently and think about the continent differently, she says. For example, Hellman has worked with Susan Gagliardi, assistant professor of art history, helping find objects that fit the theme and structure of Gagliardis classes. I try to point them in the direction of newer pieces so research can be done on them, Hellman says. The museum is an ideal resource for Emory's emphasis on teaching students to work with and understand primary evidence, she notes. That lends itself so well to working in the museum," Hellman explains. "These are all primary resources. We want to get students and professors involved. The Omeka content management system allows students, professors and museum staff to curate online exhibits and makes the museum's collections more accessible, she notes. Over 1,000 high resolution images of works of art in the Carlos Museum's collections are available online and can be accessed with an Emory user ID and password.

A pair of rare southern African cattle horns carved with scenes from a historic colonial war, a beaded bowl figure used by Cameroon royalty to hold kola nuts for their guests, and the Nigerian shrine figure Mami Wata who giveth or taketh away, depending on her mood, are among the objects on display in the Michael C. Carlos Museums newly redesigned African galleries.

The museum reopened the galleries Aug. 6, redesigned for visitors to view and enjoy more of the museums collection of art from that continent. The year-long renovation began after the Carlos Museum's major exhibit on the impact of African cultural astronomy, "African Cosmos: Stellar Arts," closed last summer.

The new space focuses on flexibility, enabling the staff to refresh the objects on exhibit and show more of the collection over time. Less than five percent of the museums African collection can be displayed at any one time.

I think we opened up the space, which I hope will make it easier for groups to tour the gallery, says Amanda Hellman, curator of African art, referencing the space on the museum's third level.

She created groupings around six different themes to "help visitors think about specific aspects of African art.

When visitors walk up the stairs from the Egyptian galleries, they see the objects for the theme of Personal Use and Adornment. Other themes include Masks and Movement; Materiality; Christian, Islamic and Hindu Traditions; Power Figures; and Colonialism in Africa.

Using technology to add context

Every section will have an iPad to add additional context to the displays, Hellman says.

"Though the information will be basic at first, we will continue to add interviews, videos of performances, photographs, conservation efforts," she explains.

Hellmans favorite section among the iPads information groupings is conservation. It shows the way issues are diagnosed and treated, and how we find out what materials make up, for example, Mami Watas coating, such as egg yolk and kaolin," she notes.

The conservation sections information about how the objects were used and different details to consider can prompt you to look more closely at the object, seeing things you didnt see before," she says.

A connections section on the iPad will be able to link an object to temporary exhibitions that come to the museum and to programs and projects that are happening across campus and around the world, Hellman notes.

For example, with Mami Wata, there could be links to other figures in the collection related to female effigies or to new developments such as research turning up a new Mami Wata or new knowledge related to her.

The iPads will be mounted on tablet stands made from Iroko, a hardwood from West Africa, designed and produced in-house by our senior preparator Caleb Plattner, Hellman says.

"I think he did a wonderful job. [The tablet design] ties into the gallery well. We added that detail elsewhere, she says, pointing to an Iroko molding running along the divider between the floor and the exhibition area for the objects.

I think one of the ways the iPad will be useful is we will be able to show different sides and aspects of [an object] in detail, Hellman says.

As an example, she stands before those cattle horns on display, a set from Nguni cattle covered with scrimshaw-inscribed scenes of the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879. Hellman points out a man on a unicycle, a scene with a snake sent by the Zulu warriors over to the British soldiers, and the dozens and dozens of soldiers carved into this extraordinary piece.

These horns remain on the original 19th century mount. I think they are beautiful, just the detail, just the amount of scenes and characters, she says. However the horns prove to be very challenging when it comes to displaying them.

Moving to the 19th-century blue beaded bowl figure, Hellman describes the object as "one of the finest pieces in our collection."

"It comes from Cameroon and would have been a part of a royal court. It actually came directly to Georgia with a missionary who was given it as payment for helping build a new roof on the Kom palace," she explains. "It will always be on display.

Among several new pieces in the redesigned galleries is a mask from Malawi purchased in June 2015.

Pointing to the puppet of a colonial figure, Hellman says, He was in the previous installation but I feel like hes really come to life in this display.

I worked with our great design team to create a fresh and contemporary gallery where visitors encounter amazing works of art and enrich their experience with a depth of information.

Museum admission is free for Emory faculty, staff and students. Visit the carlos.emory.edu for open hours and information on programs and other exhibitions.
23:39

Notwithstanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's criticism of the cow vigilante groups, the cow protection cell in West Bengal, which is conducting a census of the animal in the state, today said it would continue with

the exercise.

"Whatever the prime minister has said is right, nobody has the right to attack anyone in the name of cow protection. There are incidents of Dalits being attacked in the name of cow protection. This is wrong. This should not have happened. But our cow census has nothing to do with attack on Dalits, so it will continue," sadi state president of cow protection cell Subrata Gupta.

"This cow census will continue for the sake of mankind and the country. Cow is treated as a mother in Hindu religion and everybody has the right to protect and have concern about his/her mother," he said.

In his first public denouncement of cow vigilantes, some of whom flogged Dalits in his home state Gujarat, Modi last week said he felt enraged at such "anti-social elements" who indulged in crimes by the night and masqueraded as cow protectors by the day.

"We will come out with the report on September 15. We are being helped by BJP, RSS, VHP, Shiv Sena and other Hindutva groups and organisations. We are facing a lot of threats and resistance while conducting this exercise, but we are committed towards the cause and will continue with it. Cow needs to be protected for the sake of environment, ecology and for the country," Gupta said.
The requested page is currently unavailable on this server.

Back to [RTHK News Homepage]
Grace Everitt is helping University of Florida engineering students participate in SpaceXs Hyperloop competition. She isnt doing it for course credit or because it will look good on her resume.

She believes shes a part of something special.

Said Everitt: Its human history in the making.

Everitt, who received a bachelors degree in marketing (Magna Cum Laude) from Warrington at Saturdays Commencement, serves as the Marketing, Public Relations and Sponsorship Lead for Gatorloop, UFs entry in Hyperloop. Out of a field of more than 1,500 teams worldwide, Gatorloop is one of only 29 entrants to advance to the final round.

Hyperloop is the brainchild of SpaceX and Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, whose vision is to build a high-speed, ground transportation system run almost entirely on solar power. Passengers and cargo would travel in pods at transonic velocities. The speeds are so great it would, for example, reduce a six-hour drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles to 30 minutes.

Since Everitt took over Gatorloops fundraising duties, donations have quintupled and have reached $6,000-plus. But costs to purchase parts and manufacture the pod are steep, so Everitts new goal is to raise $20,000 before the competition scheduled for January 2017.

Relying on the tactics she learned in Sales Management, Everitt sought out smaller donations from a large pool of supporters to give an immediate boost to the fund. But with the competition a few months away and approximately $14,000 still to be raised, Everitt is shifting her focus to the corporate sector in hopes of attaining larger-size gifts.

This has been a great opportunity to flex my skills, and practically apply what Ive learned, Everitt said.

Everitts enthusiasm for Gatorloop and space transport and exploration is palpable. While some may view ideas like Hyperloop as lofty and unattainable, Everitt said these types of projects are closer to becoming reality than most might think. She also has an affinity for Musk, not only for his grandiose vision but because he comes from the South African province of Transvaal, where Everitts family has roots.

When you go see a movie like The Martian with Matt Damon, thats not fantasy, Everitt said. Were definitely moving in a direction where thats a real possibility.

Everitt said her work with the Gatorloop team has impacted her career aspirations as well.

I always assumed that there wasnt room for me in the space exploration industry because I wasnt a STEM person, but thats simply not true, and I want to share this awareness with other business students who also might have varied interests, Everitt said.
Brook, who is currently dating martial arts expert Jeremy Parisi, said that Cipriani is "drama", reports mirror.co.uk.

"He is drama, drama, drama. If it's not women, it's getting arrested. The guy's a car crash," Brook told Weekend Magazine.

Kelly, 36 -- who has dated a series of actors and sportsmen, including Jason Statham, Billy Zane, David McIntosh, Thom Evans and Danny Cipriani -- described her 18-month romance with Parisi as the most normal relationship she has ever had.

--IANS ank/nn/

( 104 Words)

2016-08-08-05:24:01 (IANS)
Cadet Dilawar Ahlawat had suffered a deep cut onboard the bulk carrier, but the merchant ship was unable to shift the patient via port tugs as those were being used for the transloading operations at the sandheads anchorage, off the Haldia port.

The coast guard maritime rescue coordinating centre at Haldia received an SOS from the master of the bulk carrier, and its district headquarters deployed its high speed interceptor boat, C 418, commanded by Deputy Commandant P Modak at day break to evacuate the injured cadet.

Successful mid sea transfer of the injured cadet was carried out and subsequently he has been transferred to Kolkata for further medical treatment, the spokesperson said.

The entire operation was conducted by the operations department of Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (North East).

--IANS ssp/vd

( 167 Words)

2016-08-08-19:52:01 (IANS)
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, which was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday will be tabled in the Lok Sabha today, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cracking whip on its MPs to be present in the House to ensure its smooth passage. The Constitution Amendment Bill is expected to sail through the Lok Sabha, where the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has a commanding majority. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to join the MPs at the Lower House, where the NDA will navigate the Bill. The Rajya Sabha had passed the Bill with some amendments , which are needed to be again approved by the Lok Sabha. In the meantime, the Congress has also issued a similar whip. After its passage in the Lok Sabha, the Bill will go to the state assemblies for ratification. The Bill needs ratification by half of the assemblies to become a law. After the amendments are carried out, Parliament will pass the GST and Integrated GST Bills and the assemblies will pass state GST Bill for the roll out of the tax reform in the country. The chief ministers have assured that if required they would call a special session for the passage of the Bill in their state assemblies. The GST is aimed at bringing uniform tax regime in the country by subsuming state levies. Under it, a single rate of GST will replace various taxes to ensure seamless transfer of goods and services. (ANI)
Police have registered a case under various Sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against six dalit juveniles, including a girl, in the 10-12 age group for allegedly assaulting six caste Hindu students at Ulaipatti village near Usilampatti in the district. According to police, the six dalit juveniles picked up a quarrel with the caste Hindu students over a petty issue on whose school is better and bigger, on Friday evening. In the ensuing clash, it was alleged the Dalit juveniles assaulted the six caste Hindu students, pelted stones, abused them, inflicted cut injuries, poured cow dung and molested them by touching them inappropriately. The affected students went to their respective homes and narrated the incident to their parents. All of them were admitted to the government hospital for treatment. On a complaint from one of the victims, the M.Kallupatti police have registered a case under Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and the POCSO Act, 2012. A senior police officer said here today that no one was arrested, since the investigation is underway. Necessary action would be taken only after the final report was submitted by the Kallupatti police and if required, the accused juveniles will be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, he added. Meanwhile, the District Child Protection Officer M.Viviliyaraja said the police have filed the First Information Report (FIR) without consulting him. He said a team from his office is probing the incident and would send its report to the government. Baskara Marutham, the advocate for accused Dalit juveniles claimed that police have filed cases under stringent sections against them and would face the cases legally. The Dalit juveniles denied assaulting the caste Hindu students, he said. UNI GSM CS 1133 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-876941.Xml
As many as 32 volunteers of the Human Rights and Consumer Protection Society(HRCPS) including its leader Muruganandam were arrested when they attempted to organise an agitation in front of the office of the Tirupathi Devasthanam here today. According to police, the volunteers condemned the action of Andhra Pradesh police for arresting few Tamils earlier. The volunteers led by Muruganandam, took out a procession and as they reached the J N street where the Tirupathi Devasthanam office is situated,they were stopped by the police and arrested. It may be noted that the Andhra Pradesh police recently arrested a few people from Tamil Nadu on charges that they entered the state to fell trees.UNI PAB CS 1258 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-877067.Xml
Talking to reporters here, BJP leader P Raghunath said anti-social elements attacked office of the Corporation 69 ward member Navya Haridas last night.

LED TV and furniture were destroyed in the attack.

Stating many offices of the party were attacked by these elements in the past too, he said police remained mute spectators despite registering complaint on the attack on its Karaparamba office eight months ago.

The attacks were the results of growing popularity of the party in the state, he claimed, adding that the party would conduct mass congregation to expose these elements in different parts of the district.UNI PCH CS 1251

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0328-877055.Xml
They said, the cylinder exploded with a bang this early morning thus creating panic in the area.

"Besides family members of the landlords, some of the members of those living in rented accommodation in the same house, also got injured as the explosion was very powerful,'' they added.

Injured were rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu.

"Their conditions are so far stable,'' police added.

However, a case has been registered and investigation started.UNI VBH PS JW1241

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0421-877023.Xml
Thanks to the unrelenting and assiduous efforts of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, a total of 2,481 Tamil Nadu fishermen and their 357 fishing boats have been released from Sri Lankan Jails in the last five years and repatriated back to the state, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar told the State Assembly today. Moving the demand for grants for his department, the Minister reeled out statistics and said in 2011, 222 fishermen and 40 boats were released, 219 fishermen and 39 boats in 2012, 645 fishermen and 119 boats in 2013, 787 fishermen and 158 boats in 2014, 378 fishermen and one boat in 2015 and 230 fishermen this year. ''With the unrelenting and assiduous efforts of the Chief Minister, since May 2011, 2,481 fishermen and their 357 fishing boats have been released from the Sri Lankan jails and repatriated back to Tamil Nadu'', he added. Asserting that the Tamil Nadu government accords top priority for the safety and security of fishermen, who eke out their livelihood by fishing in their traditional fishing waters, Mr Jayakumar said ''the Chief Minister is determined that the traditional fishing rights of our fishermen, which have been continuously enjoyed by them since time immemorial, are well protected''. He said the right of life, livelihood and the right to carry on fishing in the traditional waters of Palk Bay were continuously infringed upon by Sri Lankan Navy's recurrent unabated apprehension, attack and harassment of innocent fishermen. ''With a deep sense of concern on the repeated incidents of attack, harassment and apprehension of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Lankan Navy and their prolonged incarceration in Sri Lankan jails, Ms Jayalalithaa has written as many as 102 letters bringing these incidents to the notice of the Prime Minister'', Mr Jayakumar said. He said the Chief Minister has constantly demanded the Indian government to decisively use all available diplomatic channels to securethe immediate release of apprehended fishermen and also to prevent recurrence of such incidents. He also said the state government was making all efforts to secure the release of 102 fishing boats impounded by the Sri Lankan government as on date. Recalling the three rounds of talks held between the fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, the Minister said the state government was committed to continue the bilateral fishermen level talks to keep the channel of communication open between the fishermen communities of both the countries.UNI GV CS 1353 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-877178.Xml
The first consignment of Maruti cars will be transported from Varanasi to Kolkata on August 12 on a pilot basis, the Rajya Sabha was informed today. Announcing that he would inaugurate the service in Varanasi on Friday next, Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and M/s Maruti Suzuki Ltd for transportation of these cars through inland waterways. ''The requirement of logistic support for rolling in/rolling out (Ro-Ro) of cars from vessels to the shore and vice versa has been done on a trial run in Kolkata,'' he told Majeed Memon of the NCP during Question Hour. Describing inland water transport (IWT) as ''cost effective, fuel efficient, environment friendly and safe mode of transport especially for hazardous goods and large dimensional cargo, the Minister said as per a RITES report, ''one litre of fuel moves 24 tonnes-km on road, 95 tonnes-km on rail and 215 ronne-km on IWT.'' The significant cost saving shows that the promotion of IWT would have positive impact on the logistical cost, he said, pointing out that phase-wise development of multimodal IWT terminal at Varanasi has commenced.MORE UNI SD SW/AE 1442 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0005-877250.Xml
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today assured Parliament that stringent action will be taken against the perpetrators of the August 5 Kokrajhar militant attack that left 14 people dead and injured 19 others. Making a suo motu statement in both the Houses, he announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of victims. A sum of Rs one lakh each will be provided to those seriously injured while Rs 20,000 for other injured. Expressing deep anguish, he said the state government has launched a massive hunt to nab the militants involved in the attack. Giving details of the attack, Mr Singh said terrorists in the Army fatigues started firing in the the market area at around 1130 hrs on August 5, set afire some houses and shops, fire spread further following bursting of a gas cylinder. The security forces retaliated to firing and neutralised one of the assailants, he said. In all 14 people, one woman, one child were killed and 19 injured. Mr Singh said security forces have recovered one AK-56 assault rifle, one magazine and ammunition from the site. Exact number of terrorists involved in the incident and identification of their outfit is yet to be known so far, he said. "I have already spoken to the state government and central paramilitary forces deployed there to nab the perpetrators of the attack and ensure stringent punishment to them," Mr Singh said. Seeking clarifications, Mr Ram Gopal Yadav of the SP asked what actions were being taken to strengthen the intelligence network in the state. Mr Sukhendu Sekhar Roy of the AITC wanted to know whether failure of intelligence led to the attack. Mr D Raja of the CPI asked what was being done to ensure coordination between state and central intelligent agencies. Ms Jharna Das Baidya of the CPI(M) wondered as to how lethal weapons like AK-47 were being smuggled in the state. More UNI MK AE/SW 1427 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0090-877168.Xml
Raising the matter during Zero Hour, Pratap Singh Bajwa of the Congress said three people from Ludhiana had gone to work for an oil company in Libya but they were not given salary. Besides, their passport had also been seized.

He said the Indian Mission in Libya should play a pro-active role.

Mr Bajwa said the Prime Minister should also send a Parliamentary delegation to Iraq so that information, regarding Indians working there could be found.

Another Congress member Ambika Soni said two years ago, 39 Indians were reported missing but the government had said they were all safe. Till date, there was no information about them.

Naresh Gujral of the Akali Dal also raised concern over the missing Indians in Libya and Iraq.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said regarding the Saudi Arabia incident Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh had gone to the country and the government was making all efforts to provide relief to them.UNI RBE SW/AE 1501

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0427-877264.Xml
Nineteen days after the AN-32 aircraftof the Indian Air Force (IAF), with 29 defence personnel on board when missing, 'Sagar Nidh'i, the ocean research vessel of National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) joined thesearch operations today. The aircraft on a routine trip to Port Blair took off at 0830 hrsfrom the Air Force Station Tambaram here. Exactly 16 minutes later, the aircraft went missing about 150 nautical miles offChennai, after rapidly losing altitude from the height of 23,00 ft. Source said, 'Sagar Nidhi', was supposed to join the searchoperations for profiling the under seabed last month, but itsarrival from Mauritius was delayed due to rough sea conditions. The vessel arrived from Mauritius last night and the searchoperations at the rescue location area began this morning. The vessel was expected to profile the sea bed to theextent of 10,000 sqkm area from the location where it wentoff the radar. The search will be carried to a depth of about 3500 m. ''It will scan the seabed with its multi-beam echo sounder and profiler to look for any debris of the AN 32,' the sources added. It may be noted that all efforts to locate the missing aircraft using US satellite and Russian specialised deep-sea rescue ship did not yield any positive result and the 'Sagar Nidhi' offers a ray of hope to find any debris with a sub-bottom profiler to map the seabed. ''Though the device can detect objects in the water up to a depth of 6000 m with the acoustic waves, sources said the deeper the search was carried out, the lower the resolution of mapping will become.' It may be recalled soon affer the aircraft went missing onJuly 22, the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and the IAF launcheda multi-pronged search operations, code named 'Operation Talaash' involving ships, aircrafts and helicopters A total of 18 ships, 13 aircraft and four helicopters wereinvolved in the search operations on the sea surface level. All the merchant ships passing by the zone of search operation were also alerted to look out for any survivors or the debris. Several governmental agencies, including satellite imageries from ISRO, NIOT and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (NCOIS), also coordinated in the search operations. The aid of the Geological Survey of India was also sought, butno traces of debris or any clues could be found. The oceanographic research vessel Samudra Ratnakar wasalso expected to join in the sub-surface search along with INS Nirupak, which has an underwater vehicle and camera on it. UNI GV 1535 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-877372.Xml
The Women's Wing of the Indian National League Party (INLP) today observed a day-long fast to condemn the alleged ill-treatment being meted out to M Raja Hussain, an alleged Al-Umma operative, who has been in prison for close to two decades in connectionwith some bomb blast cases. The agitation was led by INLP State President 'Tada' J Abdul Raheem and State Women's Wing leader Arifa Razack. More than 100 INLP activists, including several women, participatedin the fast organised to condemn the prison officials for the alleged ill-treatment metd out to Raja Hussain. Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Raheem claimed that Raja Hussain,who was shifted from Chennai Puzhal Central Prison to Cuddalore Prison, was forced to remain in solitary confinement. He also alleged that the prison authrorities were frequently shifting the muslim prisoners from one jail to other, thereby preventing them from meeting their family members. Mr Raheem said like this, Raja Hussain was shifted from Chennai toCuddalore prison, forced in solitary confinement and was also not allowed to participate in joint prayers, a right enshrined in the IndianConstituions. ''Ill-treating Raja Hussain, who had twice suffered heart attacks andunderwent treatment in hospital, should be condemned'', he said and demanded that he should be shifted to Madurai prison to enable his family members to meet him.UNI GV 1540 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-877377.Xml
Gujarat based India's largest integrated textile and branded apparel player, Arvind Limited today announced its entry into worsted fabric market with the launch of its premium worsted suiting brand Primante, which is a combination of Australian Merino wool and Italian design.Addressing a press conference here, Executive Director of the company Kunal Lalbhai said that it aims to capture 20 percent of 2000 crore worsted suit market in the country in five years. He said, "In the first year of its foray into this segment 200 exclusive business outlets and 200 direct to retail outlets will be set up. In a reply to a question, why the company is making a foray into worsted fabric at a time when giants like Raymond were reportedly facing difficulty in it, he said, "Company is going to deal with the premium market only which was seeing a robust growth of 9 to 11 per cent. We are not going to touch the mass market at all which is facing problems. We are for the premium segment of worsted fabric costing upward of Rs 2000 per meter. The premium segment of the Indian market is thriving and even big Italian players were doing well here." Mr Kunal Lalbhai said suiting design industry was not concerned about the intellectual property rights as fashion is game of rapid change. UNI XC ADP AE 1736 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0429-877615.Xml
On a tip-off, security forces raided the house at Millennium colony in Shadnagar late last night and on seeing force, one of Nayeemuddin's gang members opened fire at the police.

The operation was carried out by the state's 'naxal greyhounds' along with the Nalgonda special police force.

Nayeemuddin was shot dead in cross fire, according to police here.MORE UNI KNR AKC RJ 1703

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0432-877515.Xml
Documentaries, short, experimental and military films section would also form part of the five-day event, organised by the Federation of Film Societies of India, Kerala, Vice President Chelavur Venu and Secretary V K Joseph told reporters here today.

Besides, international package and musical video sections would also be part of the fete, they said.

Organised with support from Kochin Binale Foundation, the event offered Rs 50,000 for best documentary, best short film and Rs 25,000 for best military and experimental film as John Abraham awards, they said.

Regional Council of the Federation, which met here yesterday decided to form campus film societies in schools and colleges in the state with cooperation of students and teachers and backed by library council, youth organisations and other cultural outfits, they added.UNI PCH RJ 1715

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0432-877613.Xml
Sleuths of Delhi Police have solved a double murder case within 24 hours with the arrest of two people in Haryana.Police said the accused have been identified as Amit Kumar alias Mita and Sumit Sharma. Both of them belong to Haryana. On August 6, information was received at Police Station Ranhola regarding one person lying injured at the roof of a house at Vikash Nagar in New Delhi. On reaching the spot, it was found that one male body (around 40 years ) with a crushed head, identified as Rajesh Kumar, was lying on the roof and one female body, identified as Sunita, also with its crushed head and slit throat, was also lying on the bed in the house. During investigation, it was found that Sunita was having disturbed relationship with her younger son-in-law Kaptan alias Lala and his brother Amit Kumar. The accused Amit Kumar along with his associate Sumit Sharma were arrested from Haryana. On sustained interrogation, Amit disclosed that his brother's mother-in-law was addicted to alcohol and also had illicit relations with the deceased Rajesh and few other persons. Police said she also had made a police complaint against him. The illicit relations came to notice of the relatives and they talked about it. He asked Sunita to mend her ways, but all in vain. Kumar further disclosed that she did not send her daughter Jyoti with his elder brother Kaptan Singh and also threatened them that she will get a criminal case registered against him and other family members. He further disclosed that he, along with his friend Sumit Sharma, hatched a conspiracy to eliminate her. Later, they killed Sunita and Rajesh in her house. After investigation and massive raids, the accused were arrested from Sonipat, Haryana.Further investigation is on. UNI SM RSA RJ 1948 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0271-878027.Xml
Reacting to the allegations of union Home Minister Rajnath Singh about Uttar Pradesh being turned into `prashan' (question) Pradesh, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said that Uttar Pradesh has been in the forefront in giving solution to problems and thus state should be known as the state that solves problems of people."Has any state built such a long expressway like we are building between Agra and Lucknow in such a short time? Land acquisition was done peacefully and there is no protest, not even murmur of it. Milk production has increased from 6 lakh liter to 10 lakh liter and metro has come to Lucknow in record time. We have provided drought relief in a record time. Can any state match these achievements of ours," Mr Yadav said after cabinet meeting held here. In the BJP state working committee meeting in Jhansi, Mr Singh had called Uttar Pradesh as Prashan (question) Pradesh for its persistent failure to improve governance and law and order. He had said that people ask why there is anarchy in UP, why crime against women is so high, why corruption has been institutionalized in this state, why policemen are being killed by criminals and why Uttar Pradesh has failed to progress. There are so many questions but this government has no answer thus giving this state a new name of Prashan Pradesh. Chief Minister defended his government saying people have seen previous governments too and they can compare performance of Samajwadi Party Government with other governments. "We would have done better had we received good support from the Union Government. I have written letters to all the MPs from UP to raise the issues concerning UP in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. MPs should ask Union Government as why funds for NHAI are being stalled and why Narendra Modi government has not released funds meant for drought relief," he said showing a book which gives details about non-co-oporation from the BJP government at the centre. When asked about BJP's demand to set up task force to protect cows Yadav said that BJP is the only party which drama on the name of Gau Raksha. "It is a point to ponder as why issue of gau raksha is raised only in BJP ruled states. We are committed to protect cows. The state has stringent law to deal with perpetrators of crime. There is no need to have a separate force in the state," he said. The Chief Minister said that his government has taken a series of decisions for the welfare of people because we are committed to extend benefits to the masses. He talked at length about the skill development mission his government has launched. "This will benefit both urban and rural people," he said.UNI MB CJ RJ 1828 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-877809.Xml
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh here today to discuss the deteriorating situation in the state. A top official in Home Minister's office said Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was also present in the meeting. Ms Mufti who left for New Delhi this afternoon to meet the Home Minister, briefed the situation to him for an immediate solution to the unrest in the Valley. Earlier in the morning, she talked to the Home Minister on phone. Opposition parties have criticised the BJP on the issue and asked the government to initiate a political process to normalise the situation in Kashmir. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said independent India had never seen imposition of curfew for such a long period in any area. He also wanted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the entire country was eager to know what his government was doing on the issue. UNI XC RSA RJ 1814 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0432-877727.Xml
The Supreme Court today decided to hear on August 29 an interim bail plea filed by Vikas Yadav, who is serving a 25-year rigorous jail sentence for the 2002 murder of Nitish Katara.Senior lawyer, U R Lalit, appearing for Vikas, the son of former Uttar Pradesh politician, D P Yadav, told the Apex Court division bench, that the application for interim bail of his client has been moved as he has already undergone over 14 years of jail sentence.After hearing this from Lalit, the bench, headed by Justice Dipak Misra and also comprising Justice C Nagappan, said the appeal against the Delhi High Court order awarding 25 years jail term to him without any remission may be listed for August 29. The Delhi High Court had on February 6 rejected the plea for death sentence and had enhanced the life imprisonment of Vikas Yadav and his cousin Vishal to 25 years in jail without any remission in the honour killing of Nitish.Yadavs' associate, Sukhdev Yadav was also awarded an enhanced life sentence of 20 years without remission by the court which held that the crime fell in "rarest of rare category", but saved them from the gallows after noting that the possibility of their reformation and rehabilitation is not "unforeseeable foreclosed." Nitish, a business executive, was a friend of Vikas Yadav's sister. He was abducted from a marriage party in Ghaziabad on the intervening night of February 16-17, 2002, and was later killed by the Yadav brothers.According to the prosecution, Nitish, was believed to be in a relationship with Bharti Yadav, the sister of Vikas and the daughter of DP Yadav. The Yadavs' did not like their sister's relationship with Nitish that's why they killed Nitish. The Yadav brothers were convicted in 2008 for the kidnap and murder by a trial court which was subsequently upheld by the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court also. The Delhi High Court in February had rejected a plea for the death penalty to Vikas and his cousin Vishal. But the court, however, enhanced their jail sentence from life imprisonment to 25 years in jail without remission for the murder charges and five more years for destruction of evidence.The HC also imposed a penalty of Rs 50 lakh each on Vikas and Vishal for the murder charges and Rs 4 lakh each for abduction and destruction of evidence charges.UNI XC RP1815 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0432-877767.Xml
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government over the death of a rice mill owner due to alleged police torture in Rampur district. Taking cognizance of the issue, the commission said it has learnt that Jalal Ahmed, owner of a rice mill, died due to alleged physical torture by police in Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh, when they were refused bribe of Rs 1 lakh. According to the commission, the police had entered the mill premises alleging that illegal activities were being run from there and demanded bribe of Rs 1 lakh from the owner, which was refused by him. "Thereafter, allegedly, the policemen started beating Jalal Ahmed with rifle butts, fists and boots. The victim started bleeding and fell down. After the policemen left, he was taken to the District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead," said a statement from the commission. The Commission observed that the incident if true is very inhuman and highlights abuse of power by police officials. They could have taken lawful action against any alleged illegal activity, instead of using excessive force as mentioned in the news report. "The commission has issued a notice to the DGP, Government of Uttar Pradesh, calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks," said the statement from the commission. --IANS rup/rn ( 238 Words) 2016-08-08-21:16:03 (IANS)
Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave today said that global market-based measures in international civil aviation sector must follow the principles of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). Mr Dave was speaking at a meeting with the President of the Council of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, to discuss the global market-based measures in ICAO in the context of emissions from the civil aviation sector. He said the interests of poor, developing countries should be taken on board in the development of the global market-based measures, a statement said here today. Moreover, in view of the universal consensus achieved under the Paris Agreement, all measures to address the greenhouse gases must follow the mandate and framework emanating from it. The ICAO president lauded India's constructive role during CoP-21 at Paris and also appreciated the ambition displayed in India's climate actions under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Those present at the meeting were Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ajay Narayan Jha and senior officers of MoEFCC, Ministry of External Affairs and Regional Director, ICAO, Arun Mishra. UNI RBE CJ RSA 2226 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-878381.Xml
Apex Chambers of India today welcomed the passage of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill in Parliament. The Rajya Sabha had passed the bill last week whereas the Lok Sabha passed it today. In its reaction Harshavardhan Neotia, President, Federation of Indian Chambers Of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) said, "The approval of the Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha today marks crossing of another milestone in the journey towards introduction of a Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in the country."Mr. Neotia said that Industry eagerly looks forward to the implementation of this uniform and simplified tax regime. It is expected that the GST will lead to easy tax compliance and improve India's competitiveness in the global arena. "Implementation of GST will be a big incentive for bringing new investments into India and eventually will foster the growth of the Indian economy. FICCI would be privileged to work with and support the Central and State Governments in enabling a timely and hassle-free roll out of GST in India", added Mr Neotia.ASSOCHAM termed this as a real Big Bang. In its reaction the chamber said that it's a historic day for the Indian Parliament which has approved the GST Constitutional Amendment Bill, paving way for the biggest ever tax reforms the country has taken up. "This is the real Big Bang reform. What else is it?" said ASSOCHAM Secretary General Mr D S Rawat, expressing the confidence that the run-up to the real implementation would be smooth. GST reflects national aspiration for a growing economy which can get rid of the systemic inefficiencies and get results for the people.The Chamber said it would actively participate in the outreach programme for preparing the Indian industry for the roll out of the GST from April 2017. "Just as it is challenge for the government , GST implementation would also be a big task for the industry and trade in terms aligning their systems with the new taxation rules, combining different rules, tax rules into a single paradigm."The CII also welcomed the passing of the Constitution (One Hundred Twenty Second Amendment) Bill 2014 related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by the Lower House.Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII said, "With Both Houses passing the Constitutional Amendment Bill, the road is now clear for the next stage passage by atleast half of State assemblies, before it is assented by the President. We look forward to the positive movement and with the passage of the Bill, it is expected that implementation of GST with effect from 1 April 2017 will become a reality." 'This is indeed the biggest reform in the field of taxes in the country. The sincere determination and the persistent efforts of the government in consensus building and gaining support of almost all political parties in reaching an agreement is indeed commendable', said Mr Banerjee.UNI ADP RSA 2112 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0429-878241.Xml
Deputy Police Superintendent Dilnawaz Ahmad said here that four motorcycle borne criminals opened fire on a businessman Binod Sevaika while he was returning home from his business establishment.

"Mr Sevaika had been admitted to private nursing home where his condition was stated to be critical", Mr Ahmad said, adding that raids were being carried out to nab the criminals.UNI XC KKS RD CJ RSA 2231

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-878343.Xml
According to security officials, the soldiers clashed with a group of masked assailants when they launched an armed attack. No group has so far claimed the attack, Xinhua news agency reported.

The armed attack was later repelled and several of the assailants were injured.

The army reinforcements came from the neighbouring Aden to launch anti-terror offensive and fight terrorists in Lahj, an official said.

In Aden, Yemeni-Saudi military preparations were ongoing for a new anti-terror offensive to flush out al-Qaeda terrorists from Abyan province and southern areas around, said government officials.

--IANS ask/ahm/

( 136 Words)

2016-08-08-04:04:01 (IANS)
A United Nations peacekeeper was killed and four others wounded today when their vehicle hit a mine in Mali's restive north, the UN mission (MINUSMA) said.The attack on the vehicle, which was escorting a logistical convoy, occurred about 7 miles south of Aguelhoc in the region of Kidal, where several Islamist militant groups groups are active, the mission said in a statement.All five peacekeepers were from Chad, a mission spokesman said.About two hours later, another mine exploded near a UN peacekeeping vehicle two km east of the mission base in Kidal but only caused material damage, the MINUSMA statement added.Mali's government has not had a military presence in Kidal since clashes between the army and Tuareg rebels killed 50 soldiers there in 2014, leaving a heavy security burden on UN troops.Mali has become the deadliest place to serve for UN peacekeepers. The United Nations says more than 100 peacekeepers have been killed since MINUSMA deployed in July 2013. The UN Security Council voted in June to increase the contingent by 2,500 troops, taking the total number of uniformed personnel to more than 15,000.In May, five Chadian peacekeepers were killed in an ambush near Kidal. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) also claimed responsibility for an attack that month that killed a Chinese peacekeeper and three civilians.Islamist militant groups, some with links to al Qaeda, hijacked a Tuareg uprising in 2012 and seized northern Mali until a French-led intervention drove them back a year later.But the region has remained plagued by violence despite a peace accord signed last year between Tuareg fighters and the government. Two days of fighting last month between Tuareg rebels and pro-government militia killed up to 20 people last month.REUTERS SDR 0050 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0431-876711.Xml
Seeking to move beyond a week of discord, US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will today outline plans for trade, taxes and regulation and contrast his ideas for economic growth with those of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.Senior aides and supporters said the New York businessman, making his first run at public office, wanted to put behind him his disputes with Republican Party leaders and the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in Iraq."He is very focused. He knows what he needs to do," Paul Manafort, Trump's campaign manager, told Fox News yesterday. "I am confident that he's going to start doing it."With the economy a major issue, Trump speaks today to business leaders of the Detroit Economic Club. On Thursday in Michigan, Clinton lays out a plan for the "biggest investment in good-paying jobs since World War Two," her campaign said.Clinton, a Democrat like President Barack Obama, will be buoyed in part by figures released on Friday showing US employment rose more than expected for the second month in a row in July and wages picked up, bolstering expectations of faster economic growth.In a phone call lasting little more than an hour yesterday and run by some of Trump's most senior aides, members of his newly announced economic advisory group shared their views on policy, said banker Stephen Calk, one of the members who took part.The economic advisory group includes no women and many of the members come from hedge funds and investment banking, a make-up at odds somewhat with Trump's populist message.'BIG, RECOGNIZABLE' NAMESCalk, chief executive of Federal Savings Bank and National Bancorp Holdings, said Trump had asked advisory group members to nominate women and minorities who could be added to the group. He said there were some "big, recognizable" names on the call who would be announced soon as joining the team but did not elaborate.Investor Wilbur Ross, also part of the group, said earlier the group was a combination of "academics and people who work in the real economy and focus on economic issues every day.""The idea is to illustrate how tax policy, trade policy, immigration policy, regulatory policy all fit into the mission," said Professor Peter Navarro of the University of California, Irvine, business school, who is also on the advisory group.Calk described Trump's vision for taxes as the biggest tax revolution since President Ronald Reagan in 1986. He said the plan was to lower the corporate tax burden and encourage US companies with operations abroad to repatriate profits at a more digestible tax rate. The current rate is 35 per cent.A new Washington Post-ABC News opinion poll yesterday showed Trump trailing Clinton by 8 percentage points after her party's convention in Philadelphia. A Reuters/Ipsos poll out on Friday showed the race closer three months ahead of the November 8 presidential election.Leaders of Trump's Republican Party last week distanced themselves from his spat with Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the American Muslim Gold Star parents who criticized Trump at last month's Democratic National Convention.Republicans were incensed when he initially refused to endorse US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and two Republican US senators in their re-election bids. Late on Friday, Trump said he supported all three.'I'LL TAKE THE WEEK' -GINGRICHFormer US House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich, who had been on Trump's short list of potential vice presidential running mates, said last week in a Fox Business Network interview that some of Trump's recent actions had been "just very self-destructive" and that the candidate was "not yet performing at the level that you need to."But in a Fox News interview yesterday, Gingrich said that while Trump had made mistakes, he thought Clinton's errors around a private email server she used while President Barack Obama's secretary of state were worse.On Friday, Clinton said she had "short-circuited" when she characterized FBI Director James Comey as having said she had been truthful about her email server. Comey had contradicted several statements Clinton had made about the server."I'll take the week. I think she managed to trump Trump in terms of mistakes," Gingrich said.US Senator Tim Kaine, Clinton's vice presidential running mate, defended her email answers on NBC's "Meet the Press.""She made a mistake, and she said over and over again, 'I made a mistake, and I've learned from it, and I'm going to fix it, and I apologize for it,'" Kaine said. REUTERS SDR 0425 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0431-876749.Xml
The United States proposed that the United Nations Security Council authorize a 4,000-strong force to ensure peace in South Sudan's capital Juba and threaten to impose an arms embargo if the transitional government does not cooperate.It circulated a draft resolution to the 15-member council, seen by Reuters, that would approve a regional protection force "to use all necessary means, including undertaking robust and active steps and engaging in direct operations where necessary," to secure Juba and protect the airport and other key facilities.The protection force would be part of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, which has been on the ground since the country gained independence from Sudan in 2011. The protection force chief would report to the UNMISS commander.The council will vote on whether to impose an arms embargo if UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reports within a month of adoption of the draft resolution that South Sudan's transitional government is obstructing deployment of the protection force.Heavy fighting involving tanks and helicopters erupted in Juba for several days last month between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and those backing former Vice President Riek Machar, raising fears of a return to full-scale civil war in the world's newest nation.Hundreds of people were killed and the United Nations said government soldiers and security forces executed civilians and gang-raped women and girls during and after the outbreak of fighting. South Sudan rejected the accusations.East African bloc IGAD said on Friday that South Sudan had agreed to the deployment of a regional force, which has been a key demand of Machar, who left Juba in the wake of the violence. Kiir has since appointed a new vice president.The draft resolution "urges member states in the region to expedite contributions of rapidly deployable troops to ensure the full deployment of the Regional Protection Force as soon as possible."The draft text would extend the mandate for UNMISS until December 15. The Security Council needs to adopt the draft by Friday, when the current UNMISS mandate expires.South Sudan descended into civil war after Kiir first dismissed Machar as his deputy. They signed a peace deal in August 2015, but implementation was slow.The Security Council has threatened for some 18 months to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan. The United States has overcome an initial reluctance, while Russia and China, who have been opposed to an arms embargo on the oil producing country, have signaled they now are willing to consider it. REUTERS SDR 0447 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0431-876752.Xml
Indonesian authorities said on Monday that several suspected radicals arrested on Batam island last week were part of a group that has "dozens of members" and has been active for two years.Anti-terror forces arrested six men on Friday on suspicion of planning a rocket attack on neighboring Singapore.National police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar said the group mostly recruited members online and was taking instructions from Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian who has joined Islamic State in Syria."The GRD group has been in operation for two year and has dozens of members," Amar told reporters at a press conference in Jakarta, referring to the group named after its leader Gigih Rahmat Dewa.Anti-terror personnel rounded up the six men after tracking them for months on social media. One of the suspects was later released, Amar said today.Police also seized bomb-making materials, guns, and arrows from suspects' homes. But, police said, there were no sign that the rocket attack was anything more than a plan."There was no specific timeframe for them to attack Singapore, but that was their target," Amar said.REUTERS PS PR1352 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-877152.Xml
Seven persons, including a new-born baby, were killed in a helicopter crash at Bhetini in Nuwakot district of Nepal today. Brigadier General Tara Bahadur Karki of Nepal Army said that the wreckage of the chopper, which was airlifting the new-born for treatment in Kathmandu with her mother, was found at Chucche cliff of Bhetini. A rescue team of Nepal Army's Shreenath Battalion has reached the crash site, Brig Karki said. The 9N-AKA helicopter lost contact with air traffic control tower shortly after it took off from Gorkha this afternoon.UNI XC SHK RP1730 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0430-877655.Xml
As Iraqi forces prepare to attack Islamic State in its de facto capital of Mosul, residents inside the city and others who have managed to escape expressed relief at the prospect their home could be liberated from the extremist group's harsh rule.But they also warned that if the assault is successful, the city's Sunni-majority population would refuse to return to what they called the repressive yoke imposed by the Shi'ite-led government in Baghdad in the past.The Iraqi army and its elite units that will lead the offensive are gradually taking up positions around the city 400 km north of Baghdad, from whose Grand Mosque in 2014 Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate spanning regions of Iraq and Syria.The offensive is slated for late September, said Hisham al-Hashimi, who works for the government as a consultant on IS affairs and is author of the book "The World of Daesh" (IS).Eight Mosulite men, contacted secretly by phone on the outskirts of the city, said signs of dissent are increasing ahead of the expected assault. They all spoke on condition of not being identified for fear of retribution.Walls have been daubed with the Arabic letter M, for "muqawama", or resistance, or two parallel stripes, one red and one black, representing the Iraqi flag, said a resident who spoke from one of the rare areas that still gets mobile telephone coverage."These are acts of real bravery," he said. "If you're caught, you're dead."The Iraqi national flag was raised twice in public squares, once in June and again in July, infuriating the militants who tore them down the next morning, residents told Reuters, authenticating videos posted on Facebook pages.An unknown number of people were arrested after the July incident, among them former army officers, they said.With a population at one time as large as two million, Mosul is the largest urban center under the ultra-hardline militants' control. Its fall would mark their effective defeat in Iraq, according to Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.Many IS leaders have fled Mosul for Syria with their families ahead of the planned offensive, Iraq's defense minister Khaled al-Obeidi said on July 30.As Iraqi forces tighten the noose, the militants have grown increasingly paranoid, residents said.The militants have always kept tight control on communication to preempt hostile propaganda and prevent informants from passing on information to the Iraqi forces or the US-led anti-IS military coalition that is carrying out most of the airstrikes on their positions.They blocked mobile networks in 2014 and banned satellite TV earlier this year, allowing home internet access only through a server they controlled.As of a month ago they restricted internet access further to a handful of official Wifi centers manned by supervisors who monitor content over users' shoulders.At checkpoints set up by the IS "amniya", or security committee, people are asked if they have Facebook and must unlock their phones to prove that they do not."Thank God I don't even know what Facebook is, but I was jailed for a week and paid a fine because they found dancing music saved on my mobile," said a taxi driver reached by phone.YOUNIS'S STORYYounis, a high school teacher of Arabic literature in his 40's, fled Mosul with his family in May. His biggest fear was that his son, just eight years old, was being indoctrinated into the group's extreme interpretation of Islam."We escaped from Mosul and risked death for my son's sake; I wanted to rescue him from turning into a jihadist," he said, speaking in a flat in Baghdad, holding his boy in his arms."How can I stay silent and I'm seeing Daesh brainwashing my son and teaching him how to become a suicide bomber?" he said.He showed a photocopy of the cover of a fifth grader's textbook featuring a boy with an AK-47 machine gun on his shoulder."I know it's risky to keep this paper with me but I decided to hide it and show it to anybody who asks me how life was under Daesh," he added, puffing on a cigarette, which is banned by IS.He expressed frustration that his wife has continued to wear the full veil, or niqab, after moving to Baghdad. The niqab is compulsory under the IS in Mosul, even on store mannequins, and women are forbidden to walk outside without a male guardian."Don't cover your face please for God's sake," he pleaded with his wife. "No need to be afraid anymore, you're a human being and not a slave."Younis said he paid a taxi driver 5,000 dollar to help them flee Mosul via the Kurdish Peshmerga lines east of the city, taking advantage of the confusion that ensued after advances made by the Kurdish and Iraqi forces in May.The army progressed further in July, capturing the Qayyara airfield 60 km south of Mosul, which will serve as the main staging post for the expected offensive.Once the fighting intensifies, up to one million people could be driven from their homes in northern Iraq, "posing a massive humanitarian problem for the country", the International Committee of the Red Cross said last month.More than 3.4 million people have already been forced by conflict to leave their homes across Iraq, taking refuge in areas under control of the government or in the Kurdish region.IRAQI ARMY SUCCESSESThe Peshmerga fighters have been deployed to the north and east of Mosul with their back to their Kurdish region that hosts a base of US-led coalition troops assisting Iraqi forces. Local Sunni fighters will also join the offensive.The possible participation of Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias is stirring controversy, however.Mosul residents and politicians said they dread the participation of these militias, known as Popular Mobilization, or Hashid Shaabi in Arabic.They cite abuses in Sunni cities retaken from Islamic State, like the looting in Tikrit last year and reports of torture, revenge killings and kidnappings in Falluja, a historic jihadist stronghold near Baghdad.Although Sunnis are predominant in the northern and western provinces under militant control, Shi'ites are in the majority overall in Iraq.The Sunnis in Mosul were mostly indifferent to the IS offensive of 2014 and some even supported it if it would end the oppression of the security forces under former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, an ally of Iran.Maliki has since been succeeded by Abadi, another Shi'ite, who has taken a conciliatory approach toward the Sunnis and softened the alliance with Tehran.Abadi has yet to decide whether the Shi'ite militias will take part in the offensive.The former governor of Mosul, Atheel al-Nujaifi, a Sunni, told Reuters the local administration of the city should have more autonomy after the militants are dislodged.A police force reflective of the city's complex ethnic and religious make-up should be in charge of security, not the army, added Nujaifi, who leads a Sunni militia that plans to take part in the offensive on Mosul alongside the army."The sweeping advance of Daesh in Mosul created a new reality," he said.Younis, the teacher, and Mosulites who still live in the city said even though IS rule was much worse than government rule under Maliki, the population won't accept to return to the previous situation."Berlin after Hitler couldn't possibly be like before and so should Mosul be after Daesh," said Younis. "We need a new system to govern Mosul, we cannot suffer more ordeals." REUTERS AKC BD1901 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-877934.Xml
A European counter-terrorism intelligence database designed to generate greater intelligence sharing among allies to avert deadly Islamist attacks has gone online after overcoming traditional reluctance by spy agencies to sharing information.European officials were spurred into setting up the project by the Paris attacks last November by Islamist militants which exposed intelligence gaps. A total of 130 people were killed in those attacks.Hosted by the Dutch intelligence service in the Hague, the database went live on July 1, the German Interior Ministry and the German domestic intelligence agency (BfV) said."The intelligence database will make it much easier and quicker to share information about possible threats," said one intelligence official.The database enables European intelligence agencies to share real-time information about suspected Islamist militants collected by members of the Counter-Terrorism Group (CTG), which groups all 28 European Union countries, Switzerland and Norway.Its creation marks a step forward in the fight against Islamic State, which is focused increasingly on orchestrating large-scale and "lone wolf" attacks as it suffers setbacks and loses territory in Iraq and Syria."We need a close exchange of information that is rapid and comprehensive, based on the relevant legal and privacy regulations," said one official at the German interior ministry.A refinement of earlier databases, the new system is designed to make it easier to cross-reference material provided by different countries' security services, a Dutch security services official told Reuters."If we see one of our targets travelling to Amsterdam, we haven't been checking until now if his brother or nephew is also travelling," the official said, giving an illustration of the way the new database worked.European police agencies have long shared information about potential criminals through Europol and Interpol, but spy agencies are generally reluctant to share intelligence data, except on a specific case-by-case or bilateral basis.Lack of cooperation was a focal point after the Paris attacks. Several of those involved in the attacks had been on the radar of authorities in other countries.Abdelhamid Abaaoud, suspected mastermind behind the Paris attacks, for instance, had mocked European frontier controls and boasted how easy it was for him to move between Syria to his Belgian homeland and the rest of Europe.In another case, the former French spy Claude Moniquet has been quoted as saying that France did not pass on information about Mehdi Nemmouche, a French-Algerian dual national, who shot four people at the Jewish Museum in Brussels in 2014.After Abdesalam's arrest, U.S. officials privately disparaged European intelligence-gathering and said they were working closely with European authorities to ensure they had the training needed to prevent another Paris-style attack.The Netherlands, which held the rotating EU presidency at the time, played a key role in setting up the database. Dutch officials urged global counter-terrorism officials to agree to greater sharing of banking details and key data about potential militants after missed signals in Paris.In the past, they said, countries often failed to share lists of suspects whose assets had been frozen, making it possible for someone blacklisted in one country to drive across the border and use their bank cards in a neighbouring country.REUTERS CJ RAI2119 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-878305.Xml
MANILA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday said he was asking former President Fidel Ramos to help start talks with China over disputes in the South China Sea.

The president, during a testimonial dinner hosted by the San Beda College, reiterated that war was not an option and he wanted to pursue peaceful solutions to the maritime disputes with China like bilateral talks.

He said he would still consult Ramos about it and eventually asked him to "go to China to start the talks."

The announcement came after an arbitral tribunal in The Hague issued an award Tuesday on an arbitration case unilaterally initiated by the Philippines against China regarding their disputes in the South China Sea.

Dismissing the ruling "null and void with no binding force," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it will not accept any proposition or action based on the award.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said China will continue to endeavor to peacefully resolve disputes in the South China Sea with parties directly concerned through negotiation and consultation on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with international law.

Ramos, who was the Philippine president from 1992 to 1998, acknowledged Duterte's decision, but did not say if he would accept the president's request.

Duterte earned his law degree from San Beda while Ramos is an honorary alumus of the San Beda College of Law.

Earlier in the day, Duterte was reportedly ready to start direct talks with China on the South China Sea disputes.

"(Duterte said) we'll start the bilateral talks," Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno told reporters, saying the president made the remarks during a cabinet meeting shortly after the ad hoc tribunal's award on Tuesday.

He added that the president had said the country should avoid "taunting and flaunting" the decision if it favors the Philippines.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II also confirmed that the president during the cabinet meeting mentioned about talking to China.

He said it was mentioned when the cabinet was talking about the different responses and options that the Philippines might do following the award.
A man from Seongju county holds a banner to protest against the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), during a rally in Seoul, capital of South Korea, on July 21, 2016. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

AUSTIN, the United States, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system will have wide ramifications for East Asia and is not a constructive step for regional peace, a U.S. defense and foreign policy expert said.

"South Korea and the U.S. ought to be aware that this decision can have an impact that does not benefit the overall security and the overall peaceful nature of the East Asian system," Ted Carpenter, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a U.S. think tank, told Xinhua in an interview.

In July, Seoul and Washington announced an agreement to install one THAAD battery in South Korea by the end of next year, claiming that it was aimed to deter ballistic missiles from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

China and Russia have expressed strong opposition to the THAAD deployment on the Korean Peninsula as the system far exceeds South Korea's actual defense needs and would directly threaten the strategic security of the two countries.

Carpenter said although the deployment of the THAAD system is primarily aimed at deterring the DPRK and its irresponsible behavior, for some U.S. strategists, a secondary effect is to have a deterrent on China.

"China has every reason to regard that as a hostile act. It is not something that is going to improve bilateral relations between the U.S. and China," he said.

The U.S. expert said China's suspicions about the THAAD system are understandable, as it can have an effect on the Chinese deterrent.

If China sees that the THAAD system can impact Chinese security in an adverse way, Beijing will be suspicious of the deployment and wonder whether the system is directed at China and not simply a deterrent to the DPRK, Carpenter said.

"The U.S. can offer assurances that it is not (directed at China). But again, assurances only go so far when there are facts on the ground," he said.

The decision to deploy THAAD is also another part of the U.S. effort to broaden its bilateral alliance system in East Asia, a move Carpenter believes could be aimed at containing China and also has broader intention beyond that.

"There is no question that the U.S. is encouraging greater integration of its alliances and greater cooperation among its various allies in the region," Carpenter said.

However, he said that South Korea, which desires a cooperative relationship with China, is unlikely to want to become "a cat's paw for the U.S. against China."

"That really does not benefit South Korea in any meaningful way," Carpenter said. "I think if the U.S. is hoping to integrate South Korea into that kind of alliance system, Washington is likely to be disappointed."

Related:

S. Korea can review shift in THAAD site inside designated area: president

SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye said on Thursday that a shift in the designated area within Seongju county where the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) will be deployed can be reviewed.

Park held a meeting in the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae with first-term lawmakers of the ruling Saenuri Party who were elected in the April general elections from South Gyeongsang province where the Seongju county is located. Full story

DPRK slams S. Korean president for justifying THAAD deployment

PYONGYANG, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday slammed South Korean President Park Geun-hye for her remarks on the North's nuclear and missile threats to justify her government's deal with Washington to introduce a missile shield.

Her remarks, made on Tuesday, were "a last-ditch effort to divert to the DPRK the accusation and denunciation focused on her by people from all walks of life in South Korea and the world for her moves for deploying THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense)," said a spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea. Full story

China Voice: ROK should rethink THAAD deployment

BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- With the Republic of Korea (ROK) continuing to stress the need to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system on its territory, Seoul has been tied to Washington's chariot.
ARUSHA, Tanzania, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian police are investigating the causes of recent three school fires in the northern region.

The Tanzania Police Force in Arusha Region is busy gathering evidence to reveal the real causes of the school fires.

In the past one week, three secondary schools in the region went up in flames, with studies being temporarily suspended.

A dormitory in Nanja Secondary School in Monduli District was the first to bear the brunt of the fire followed by Lowassa Secondary School in Makuyuni section of Monduli District.

Before the dust settled on the bizarre incidents, Longido Secondary School in Longido District became the latest school to be embroiled in the blaze.

District Commissioner Daniel Chongolo Longido said that arsonists were behind the mystery fires.

"That was an act of sabotage, you cannot rule it out when all evidence is there in the naked eye," he said.

Chongolo said it was up to the police force to speed up investigations over the matter to ensure that the arsonists were brought to book.

Arusha Regional Police Commander Yusuph Ilembo said the force was still investigating the causes of the fires.

"We are still piecing together evidence to comprehend the causes and the motives of such mystery fires," the police chief said.
by Alessandra Cardone

ROME, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Scholars and economists from global think tanks expect the G20 summit in September to be "ambitious" on key challenges weighing on global economy, an Italian economist said.

Hundreds of Chinese and international experts attended the Think 20 (T20) Summit, which was held in Beijing on July 29-30, a preparatory meeting for the G20 summit.

They delivered a proposal document named "Policy Recommendations to the G20" for the G20 summit to be held in Hangzhou, China, in September.

"First of all, we stressed the need to continue the constructive dialogue to understand how to better face the current global political and economic uncertainty," Andrea Goldstein, managing director of Bologna-based think-tank Nomisma, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Besides an economic outlook and an analysis of current major risks, the document comprised key recommendations on how to enhance economic growth potential, improve global governance, and further promote global trade and cooperation on investment and development.

"We expressed appreciation for the role China is playing, and the expectations have risen around issues crucially relevant such as development and innovation," the economist said.

"A second key point in our document was a call for the G20 to be ambitious in some fields, for example in so-called development finance, especially in the view of trying to achieve the commitments made at the Paris climate conference (COP21)."

Economists and scholars would also expect G20 leaders to be more courageous on global trade, which has been showing a slowdown in latest years, the expert added.

"Global trade growth rate is currently lower than global gross domestic product (GDP) growth," he said. They urged strong initiatives in the investment field.

The upcoming G20 summit will gather leaders from of the world's main developed and developing economies. As such, their leaders will indeed be expected to offer answers to the challenging economic environment, he said.

The first two would about slow global GDP growth, whose is expected to fall below its long-term average, and the trade slowdown, according to the analyst.

"These issues will require global actors to discuss new measures to foster a sustained growth, for example through a new plan of investments."

Protectionist tensions would be another priority. In the context of global economic slowdown, worrying signals of stronger pressure to close trade borders would in fact emerge, the expert said.

Certain steps were already taken by the G20 trade ministers, who met in Shanghai in early July and agreed to cut the costs of trade, boost financing, and increase policy coordination.

"Finally, a fourth challenge is linked to the global sustainable development agenda," the Italian economist pointed out.

He noted this would be the first G20 summit after two crucial agreements: the global climate deal reached at the Paris climate conference in Dec. 2015, and the approval of UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development last year.

"It will be the first opportunity for world leaders to reflect all together on how to achieve such goals, how to finance them, and how to help poor countries to fulfill these commitments," he said.
BAKU, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of Iran and Azerbaijan discussed ways to boost trade here on Sunday before a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who arrived here on Sunday, talked with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on ways to bolster cooperation in commerce, industry, energy and transportation, the official AZERTAC news agency reported.

The two sides signed six bilateral documents including an intergovernmental protocol of intent on cooperation on the North-South international transport corridor project.

"The crucial goal of Iran and Azerbaijan is to develop a free trade," Rouhani said at a joint press conference with Aliyev.

"Iran is negotiating with the Eurasian Economic Union on custom tariffs, and is interested in reaching similar agreements with Azerbaijan in this regard as well," he said.

He underlined cooperation in the banking sector, saying that "We try to enhance banking ties to a level which lead to the development of mutual trade and economic relations in all fields."

The two countries were developing cooperation in investment, industry, technology, car manufacturing and pharmaceutical fields, he said.

The Azerbaijani president said that his country made important steps to accelerate the construction of the North-South transport corridor, noting that by the end of this year Azerbaijan will construct the railway line to the border with Iran.

"Today we have signed a memorandum to speed up the construction of the transport corridor. The Azerbaijani side wishes to take part in the financing of this project," Aliyev said.

"This issue will also be discussed tomorrow at the trilateral meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran," he added.

Putin, in an interview with AZERTAC news agency on Friday, has said "Our talks will focus on a flagship project -- the International North-South Transport Corridor."

The transport corridor, with a total length of 7,200 km, aims to provide the best possible opportunities for transporting transit cargo from India, Iran and the Gulf States to Azerbaijan, Russia and further to northern and western Europe, said Putin.

The tripartite meeting scheduled for Monday is expected to focus on trade, energy, communications, transportation, environment as well as on the situation in Syria and on the threat of the Islamic State terror group.

During his two-day visit to Baku, Rouhani will hold separate meeting with Putin to exchange views on issues of mutual interest, local media reported.
MEXICO CITY, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of G20 countries are expected to seek to foster innovation in industry when they meet at a summit in Septembr in China, yet they will have to ensure current jobs are maintained, Mexican economist Jorge Sanchez Tello has said.

The use of high technology would favor economic development by boosting efficiency and productivity, the researcher from the Financial Studies Foundation at the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico told Xinhua in an interview.

However, he warned that innovation risks having a negative impact if countries do not create conditions for workers who risk being replaced to find other jobs.

"The impact of innovation on the replacement of the workforce is a very important topic. Robots are replacing people in ever more industries, especially manufacturing," said Sanchez Tello.

He believed that alongside innovation, the G20 countries will have to discuss ways of improving education, creating new jobs and boosting the training of the workforce.

The researcher said he saw China as having a particular interest in discussing innovation during the summit, given that the positives and negatives of technology are a focal point for relations between developed and emerging countries.

"We are about to reach a new industrial revolution where robots will virtually replace much of the workforce," said Sanchez Tello.

This will only be exacerbated, he noted, by growing discontent with free markets, as exemplified by Brexit and U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's anti-trade rhetoric.

Sanchez Tello said the "rise in protectionism is not the fault of globalization but a consequence of increasing financial volatility. All these points will be part of a great debate the G20 will have on the impact that globalization is having on workers and on companies."

China, who currently holds the rotating presidency of the G20, has said that the summit will seek to foster better global innovation, economic governance and increased international investments.

That China is organizing this summit, to be held in the city of Hangzhou on Sept. 4-5, serves as a recognition of its momentum as a pillar of the global economy, he said.

"While China still has a long way to go, the U.S. and China are the two pillars of support of the world economy. It is only natural, and actually happens quite late, for China to host the G20," he said.
LA PAZ, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia's low revenue in exports of natural gas will not impact the country's growth, which is expected to stand at 5 percent this year, Bolivian Minister of Economy and Public Finance Luis Arce has said.

The strength of Bolivia's domestic economy would make 2016 a stable year for the South American country, despite drops in oil and mineral prices over the past couple of years, Arce told a press conference on Saturday.

The low prices of oil have cut into Bolivia's revenue, as well as in natural gas exports to Argentina and Brazil.

However, Arce said the worst was over and that if prices continued to fall, they would do so by a far smaller margin and could be absorbed by the country's public finances.

Bolivia's Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy Luis Alberto Sanchez also said the country had worked out its revenue for 2016 on the basis of low oil prices at 45 U.S. dollars a barrel.

On Sunday, West Texas Intermediate crude traded at 41.8 dollars a barrel, while Brent crude stood at 44.27 dollars.

Earlier this week, Bolivian President Evo Morales predicted that the country would receive 2.6 billion U.S. dollars in oil revenue this year, based on the 45 dollar price.

This would mark a significant drop from 2014, when the country brought in 5.4 billion dollars from crude, and from 2015, when revenue stood at 3.4 billion dollars.

However, Arce pointed out that, despite the continued drop in mineral prices since 2012, in oil prices since 2014, and prolonged drought, Bolivia continued to lead the region in economic growth.

"This is due to the change in model that took place in 2006. As part of the nationalization of hydrocarbons, the state has generated more revenue, which has allowed the transformation of Bolivian economy to be more diversified," he said.

"We will be champions for the third time this year, with a third consecutive gold medal for economic growth," Arce said.
LONDON, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Residents in British areas affected by shale-gas extraction sites will share the proceeds, Prime Minister Theresa May announced Sunday.

May has rewritten plans for the Shale Wealth Fund to enable money from so-called racking sites to go into the hands of local people.

The government didn't say how much the bounty would be worth, but some national newspapers reported Sunday householders could receive up to 17,000 U.S. dollars.

There were media speculations that May's bonanza scheme could prove controversial, with environmental critics arguing it would be a "bribe" and could undermine local democracy if local politicians opposing fracking find themselves under pressure from householders keen to get their share of the money.

Communities across the country are divided over shale gas extraction, with many people against the process of extracting gas from underground.

The prime minister in a statement issued by 10 Downing Street said options to share proceeds of shale should include money paid directly to residents. Until now proposals for sharing money from the wealth fund only include money for community trusts or local councils.

May has pledged to make the principle of direct benefit to households a blueprint for other schemes.

The statement added: "The Shale Wealth Fund, due to be formally consulted upon this week, was previously expected to share proceeds from shale revenues only with community trusts and local authorities. The consultation has been changed by the new Prime Minister to include the option of money being paid directly to local residents in host areas."

Plans for the fund were first announced in last year's autumn statement by former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne. May's new government has changed the consultation to ensure a greater focus on control for local communities, including insisting on proposals to transfer funds directly to households rather than local authorities.

Communities could receive up to 10 percent of tax revenues derived from shale exploration in their areas to spend on priorities, such as local infrastructure and skills training. The new fund could deliver around 13 million U.S. dollars for each eligible community.

The government says it will also be looking at whether this approach to the Shale Wealth Fund can be a model for other community benefit schemes with the aim of putting more control and more resource in the hands of local households.

A study by the British Geological Survey has estimated a total shale gas resource across the north of England of 37 trillion cubic meters. Currently the annual gas consumption in Britain is around 0.07 trillion cubic meters.
DAMASCUS, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Jaish al-Fateh rebel group announced Sunday that their next target is to capture the entire city of Aleppo, a day after they scored some victory against the government forces of President Bashar al-Assad.

In a statement, Jaish al-Fateh, or the Army of Conquest, boasted what they called the victory they made against the government forces, when they managed to storm some military installations on Saturday in the southern countryside of Aleppo.

The group also claimed that they had broken the three-week-long siege by the government forces on rebel-held areas in the eastern part of Aleppo city.

"Since the Assad army besieged hundreds of thousands of civilians in Aleppo, the people there cried out for help from the mujahideen, and your brothers in the Jaish al-Fateh answered their calls," said a statement released by the group.

It said that the group had galvanized all support and fighters and carried out an "epic" battle to lift the siege on Aleppo.

"The Assad regime didn't expect that the siege on Aleppo will be broken in six days only... and we in Jaish al-Fateh say... that we have broken the siege on Aleppo," it said.

It added that "we declare the beginning of a new phase to liberate Aleppo, and we will multiply the numbers of our fighters to be ready for the upcoming battle."

The group tried to pacify the people in government-controlled areas, saying they will not hurt anyone who didn't support the regime.

It also urged the Syrian soldiers to defect from the Syrian army, saying "the repentance door is opened, but not for long."

Jaish al-Fateh, an alliance of several rebel factions, was formed in March 2015 under the supervision and coordination of Saudi cleric Abdullah al-Muhaysini.

Some of its factions are active in the provinces of Hama and Latakia. The group seized most of Idlib province in northwestern Syria last year and it is actively supported by Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Earlier in the day, Syrian army warplanes carried out several airstrikes against rebel posts they had captured a day earlier in southern Aleppo.

The airstrikes targeted the rebels' artillery and armament bases in the southwest of Aleppo, a military source told Xinhua.

The rebels were believed to have taken control over parts of the strategic al-Ramuseh town, enabling them to fashion a military passageway into eastern Aleppo.

However, through controlling this strategic part of al-Ramuseh, the government-controlled western part of Aleppo was placed under siege, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The UK-based watchdog group said grocery prices in western Aleppo have increased fourfold since the rebels captured parts of al-Ramuseh just the day before.

It said, however, that the route opened by the rebels into eastern Aleppo is not safe.

Nonetheless, the military source told Xinhua that the government is still in control of a route into districts of western Aleppo, adding that the rebels' route into eastern Aleppo is quite narrow.

The situation in Aleppo flared up last month, when government forces unleashed an offensive in the north of Aleppo, severing the Castello road which is the last rebel-controlled supply route into eastern Aleppo.

The offensive triggered a violent retaliation from the rebels, who subsequently unleashed at least seven attacks against government posts in southern Aleppo in an effort to end the siege.

Meanwhile, Syria's national television station said the army is determined to drive out the rebels from the bases they stormed into on Saturday.

The pan-Arab al-Mayadeen television station also reported heavy airstrikes on Sunday, adding that over 800 rebels were killed during the three-day battle at military colleges in Aleppo.

Aleppo is strategic for all warring parties, due to its key location beside the Turkish border, and as Syria's industrial capital.

Further complicating the situation is the large presence of rebel groups, each supported by a foreign country, mainly a Gulf state.

The United States has also identified "moderate" rebels located in Aleppo.

The battle of Aleppo is a rather decisive one, as observers declared that whoever controls Aleppo will gain the upper hand in any potential settlement in Syria.
VIENNA, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Austria's Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said he doesn't favor the "new chapters" of EU-Turkey negotiation in an interview with the Austrian newspaper Kurier.

"I have a seat and vote in the (EU) foreign ministers' council, there it is about whether new negotiating chapters with Turkey is to be open. And I'm against it," Kurz said in the interview.

The Austrian foreign minister means he might veto the unanimous agreement required by the council, according to the report.

Turkish accession to the EU has been a topic for years with little progress made.

Kurz said the requirement for accession talks has not been met and the criteria for visa liberalization would not be fulfilled by Turkey.

According to a deal reached with EU earlier this year, Turkey would stop illegal migration to Europe through its corridor, in return for EU's financial aid.
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, suggest brains that continue to perform well in old age, against odds that they are slower and less accurate in short-term memory compared to those of younger people, do so by rallying more of the brain to complete mental tasks.

"We think this pattern of increased connectivity between frontal regions and other modules in the brain reflects a more integrated network architecture that is key for successful performance of executive control tasks in aging," said UC Berkeley graduate student Courtney Gallen, who worked with her colleagues on a study published in the August issue of the journal Neurobiology of Aging.

Under the direction of her thesis adviser Mark D' Esposito, a UC Berkeley professor of psychology, the researchers compared 18 adults in their 20s to 38 healthy people age 60 and older.

They found that the older study subjects showed larger changes than younger subjects in the organization of brain networks between a task-free state and performing a task, and that those who did not exhibit this adaptation in brain signaling were less adept in performing tasks.

"Executive control" functions are thought to underlie humans' ability to flexibly change thinking and behaviors and to solve problems.

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to track communication within specific brain sub-networks - called modules - and connections made across different modules, the researchers also found that the structural integrity of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), which anatomically connects frontal and posterior brain regions important for short-term memory, was associated with older subjects' likelihood of exhibiting the transition to the more interconnected communication between brain regions that in turn was linked to better performance of tasks.

With focus was on the frontal cortex, which is critical for executive functions, and its connections to other parts of the brain during fMRI scanning, the researchers asked participants to perform four different tasks in two-minute trials, with five trials assigned to each participant for each task.

Images of faces and scenes, each selected from a set of 10, were flashed before the subjects sequentially, with each displayed for six-tenths of a second, followed by a pause of varying length before the next was displayed.

The easiest task required participants to press a button to categorize a displayed image as either a scene or a face, and the most difficult task was to recall both the previous face and previous scene.

Compared to a task-free "resting state," older adults performing tasks of any difficulty recruited additional between-module connections. In contrast, younger adults recruited additional between-module connections only for the most difficult task.

Most previous research in which researchers looked at age-related changes in brain function due to specific cognitive demands focused on activation of individual brain regions rather than taking a network approach, Gallen said in a news release from UC Berkeley.

Earlier studies showed that frontal activity in the brain increases in older adults compared to younger adults during less-demanding cognitive tasks.

"Our new results further support the idea of compensatory recruitment and suggest a large-scale network-level mechanism by which the aging brain reorganizes to support executive control processing," she said.
YANGON, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw had toured three flood-ravaged areas in Magway region, the country's central part, to comfort the flood victims there, official report said Monday.

The three areas are Minbu, Pwintphyu and Pakokku where rescue and relief operations are still underway.

Meeting with the flood victims on Sunday, U Htin Kyaw highlighted the joint efforts made by the government, the army, the police force, local residents and civil society in helping the victims in the difficult time.

He pledged the government's continued assistance to the plight of the victims.

Incessant rain has been battling the Magway region for two months, prompting the evacuation of over 30,000 households from 360 villages in 15 townships to monasteries and schools in safer villages.

However, the number of flood victims continued to rise in lower part of Myanmar despite the closure of some relief camps in the upper part of the country, according to the Department of Relief and Resettlement.

Statistics show that the total number of such victims in seven regions and states has hit over 336,000.

In Kachin, Sagaing and Magway states and regions, there saw slight drop of water level with some relief camps being closed, allowing the flood victims to start to return homes .

The Ayeyawaddy region was worst hit by flood this year.

Triggered by continued torrential rain since early last month, flooding also swept across western Rakhine state affecting Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships and impacting about local 10,000 people.
MELBOURNE, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- A covert study of Australian drinking habits in pubs and bars has resulted in renewed calls for tougher restrictions on the sale of alcohol.

The study, undertaken by Melbourne's LaTrobe and Deakin Universities, found that the rate of intoxication in Melbourne venues grows dramatically every hour after midnight.

Undercover researchers observed patrons at 62 bars looking for signs of intoxication such as slurred speech, aggression, stumbling and bumping into people or furniture.

The study found that the time of night and the age of drinkers were the two biggest predictors of a commotion occurring.

Crowded venues and the number of male patrons in a venue were the other significant factors in predicting trouble.

Professor Peter Miller, the co-author of the study from Deakin University, said the study corroborated existing evidence supporting a change to liquor licensing laws.

"It quantified things like an 11 percent increase in intoxication for every hour after midnight,"Miller told News Limited on Monday.

"That sort of (data) gives us real insights into why restricted trading hours work."

Introduced in Sydney in February 2014, the licensing law changes, dubbed "lockout laws," included 1.30 a.m. lockouts for pubs and clubs, bans on liquor "shots" after midnight and"last drinks" for all venues at 3 a.m..

Miller said the new laws, which have been linked to a dramatic decrease of life-threatening alcohol-related injuries presented at Sydney hospitals since 2014, have been"hugely successful."

Marlene Kairouz, Victorian Minister for Liquor and Gaming Regulation, said that vigilance in ensuring current licensing laws would eliminate the need for lockout laws.

"Lockouts would be disastrous for the fabric of our city's social and cultural identity,"Kairouz said on Monday.

"We are getting on with making vibrant Melbourne a 24-hour city. We have ... inspectors on the beat making sure licensees are doing the right thing."

The study said that for every percentage point increase in the number of male patrons at a venue, intoxication levels went up by 5 percent and crowding resulted in a 39 percent increase in drunkenness.
Photo taken on Nov. 27, 2015 shows the business dictricts of Shanghai. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's slowing economy has worried many global investors, but a columnist from Forbes magazine attempts to dissipate the unwanted fears with a quite different interpretation.

Despite the "accepted, indisputable fact" that China's GDP growth rate has fallen to a level unseen since the 1990s, Wade Shepard questioned the established media narrative that puts too much emphasis on the slowdown.

"Is China's economic growth stagnating as much as it may at first seem?" Shepard asked, arguing that the importance of the year-on-year GDP growth rate, a common metric to gauge macroeconomic movement, is overrated for China.

He cited the opinion of Matthews Asia investment strategist Andy Rothman, who referred to GDP growth as "the least important Chinese statistic."

IMF's projection of China's GDP growth as cited by Forbes contributor Wade Shepard in an opinion piece published on Aug. 5, 2016.

A much more important fact is that the size of China's GDP gets larger every year. "So one percentage point of GDP growth in 2016 requires more economic output than one percentage point of GDP growth did in 2015 -- and one percent growth 10 or 15 years ago is but a fraction of what one percent growth requires today," he said.

In Rothman's analysis, the base effect is worth noting: the size of the incremental expansion of the Chinese economy in the first half of 2016, when the growth rate was 6.7 percent, was roughly the same as the addition to the economy five years ago, when the GDP growth rate was 10.1 percent (in local currency terms, at constant 2010 prices).

Similarly, Richard Brubaker of the China-Europe International Business School in Shanghai said a superficial understanding of China's GDP growth is inappropriate.

"The thing about economic growth is that they're doing six and a half percent and everybody is like 'Oh, that's so slow,' but consider the fact that they've doubled the size of the economy in the past 15 years."

"It's still going the same speed, the only thing is that there is more mass, but the numbers are just as large as they ever were," he said.

While China's nominal GDP was 2.7 trillion U.S. dollars in 2006, 10 years later it's approaching 11 trillion dollars. China's economy is still growing fast, and last year alone, it grew by more than the total economy of Sweden, the columnist noted.

"The bottom line is that China' s year-on-year GDP growth rate is still 6.7 percent. No matter how you frame it, 6.7 percent of the world's second-largest economy in yearly growth is still rampant."
CANBERRA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The arrest of a right-wing extremist in Melbourne over the weekend was an Australian first under new Commonwealth laws, the minister assisting the prime minister on counter terrorism has said Monday.

Speaking to the media, Michael Keenan said Phillip Galea, 31, was the first right-wing extremist to be arrested on terror charges after police and specialists stormed his home on Saturday.

Galea has been affiliated to anti-immigration movements such as Reclaim Australia and the True Blue Crew, two right-wing groups against Islamic immigration and the building of mosques in Australia.

Keenan, also Australia's justice minister, said regardless of race, gender or political views, those who pose a risk to fellow Australians will be weeded out by police and counter-terrorism experts.

"We will take action against anybody with violent, extremist views who pose a threat to the security of Australians. We police the laws regardless of people's background, regardless of people's ideology," Keenan told the press.

He confirmed that Galea was the first right-wing extremist to be arrested under new Australian laws.

"What we do know is that this particular individual has strong links to right wing extremist organisations," Keenan said.

"He has been charged with acts in relation to the preparation of a terrorist act."

"This is the first time we've used Commonwealth anti-terrorism laws in relation to an alleged right wing extremist."

Meanwhile, Keenan added that Australia's terror threat level remains at "probable" in the wake of a number of terror attacks throughout Europe, and said Australian authorities had foiled nine possible attacks in recent months.

"The terror threat level is probable. It's the highest it has ever been. Australia is not immune from terror, but authorities have disrupted nine attacks (in recent times). It's testament to the resources and powers we have given to our world class intelligence agencies," Keenan told the press.

Keenan will head to Indonesia later on Monday to meet with regional and international Counter Terrorism Ministers to discuss the terror climate for the first time since the spate of recent terror attacks throughout Europe.
KANDAL, Cambodia, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Work on the 7th Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge across Tonle Bassac River here in southern Cambodia is nearing completion after a 28-month construction.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Bu Jianguo jointly cast concrete to connect the main span of the bridge on Monday.

The 415-meter-by-13.5-meter bridge is situated in Koh Thom district of Kandal province, about 60 kilometers south of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.

Hun Sen said the project will be completed by the end of 2016 when the engineers pave tar and install bridge rails.

"This bridge is essential to ease difficulty in travel and goods transport and to reduce poverty for residents along both sides of the river," he said during the ceremony.

According to the prime minister, it is the 7th bridge that has been constructed in Cambodia under China's soft loan.

"Through Ambassador Bu, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the government and people of China for having provided grant aid and concessional loans to Cambodia for socio-economic development,"he said."I hope that the Cambodia-China relationship will be as solid as the concrete bridge."

Bu said that China will continue to help Cambodia build more roads and bridges, saying that transport infrastructures are crucial to boosting economic growth and to reducing poverty.

The bridge has been built by the China Road and Bridge Corporation under the China's concessional loan of 19.4 million U.S. dollars.
by Wang Haiqing

BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos on Monday starts a trip to China, after months of tension between the two countries as a result of Manila's headstrong arbitration quest on the South China Sea. Ramos' visit brings a whiff of hope that the two countries will return to bilateral negotiations over the issue.

Ramos is probably the best choice for the job of breaking ice since he is a revered statesman widely respected in his own country and in Asia. His long history of friendly exchanges with China also gives him a unique advantage in helping revive chilly bilateral ties.

China has long insisted that the South China Sea disputes be resolved via bilateral talks and that parties involved refrain from moves that could further complicate the issue.

However, the Aquino administration, in disregard of regional consensus and his country's previous agreements with China, pushed for an ill-founded arbitration case with regard to its disputes with China over the South China Sea.

The lengthy process, which culminated in an absurd ruling by an international tribunal on July 12, severely damaged not only the relations between China and the Philippines, but also the prospects of lasting peace in the vast body of waters surrounded by a number of Asian countries.

So it is really a relief that President Rodrigo Duterte, who was recently sworn in, chose to distance himself from the arbitration case and showed a series of positive gestures toward China.

That said, it is still worth mentioning that the Manila-initiated arbitration case is nothing more than an abuse of international law and the deeply biased ruling on the case should have no place whatsoever in future bilateral talks over the South China Sea issue between China and the Philippines.

Ramos' visit, which represents the first concrete step on the Philippine side to engage in bilateral talks with China on the South China Sea, could open a new chapter in settling disputes.

But a return to the normal track of settlement depends largely on the sincerity of the Philippines. Decision makers in Manila should know that the fragile relations with Beijing could hardly take another hit.
DHAKA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's anti-crime elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested nine foreign nationals and a Bangladeshi in counterfeit money scheme.

A RAB official who did not like to be named told Xinhua Monday they were arresred along with huge amount of counterfeit notes and fake currency-making materials from capital Dhaka's Bashundhara residential area on Sunday night.

He said the arresrees include two females and one of them is a Bangladeshi.
ISLAMABAD, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 30 people were killed and 50 others injured when a blast hit a hospital in Pakistan's southwest Quetta city on Monday morning, local Urdu media reported.

Dunya News said that the blast happened at about 9:50 a.m. local time when people were gathering to collect the body of a local law association chairman in the civil hospital of Quetta, the capital city of the country's southwest Balochistan province.

Hospital sources said that the killed people included two journalists including a local TV channel's cameraman while the injured included journalists, lawyers and hospital staff.

The slain lawyer Bilal Kasi was on his way to office when some unknown gunmen opened fire on his car in Manno Jan Road of Quetta.

The gunmen fled the scene after the attack.

Provincial health minister Rahmat Baloch said that the death toll is feared to rise further as 20 among the injured people are said to be in critical condition.

He said that the lawyers, who were gathering in the hospital to protest against the killing of their slain president, were target of the explosion.

Baloch said that some of the injured have been shifted to Bolan Hospital Quetta as the Civil Hospital ran out of beds and other services to accommodate the victims.

He said that a state of emergency has been declared in all hospital of the city to ensure the best possible medical treatment to the injured people.

Bomb disposal squad said that the blast might be carried out by a suicide bomber as they have found limbs from the blast site, but more investigations are being made to confirm the nature of the explosion.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

A heavy contingent of police and paramilitary troops rushed to the site and cordoned it off for investigations.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast and vowed to root out militancy from the country.

Chief Minister Balochistan Sanaullah Zehri condemned the blast and sought report from the concerned authorities.

Following the attack, the lawyers in the province boycotted court procedures.

The explosion caused a chain reaction from the circles of lawyers from the country.

Lawyers in Balochistan and the country's southern port city of Karachi boycotted court proceedings.

The Pakistan Bar Association condemned the attack and announced a three-day mourning.
by Xinhua writer Luo Jun

BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The South Korean government is either making a historic misjudgment, or is using it as a weak excuse to state that the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system could pit Beijing against Pyongyang.

Instead, the decision to deploy the anti-missile system will bring catastrophe to the Korean Peninsula and destroy the hard-won political mutual trust and economic ties between Seoul and its neighbors in Northeast Asia.

Trying to defend an unpopular decision to install the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in Seongju county, southeast of Seoul, a South Korean government spokesman on Sunday called China's criticism unreasonable and shifted the blame to the "nuclear and missile threats" from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

However, Pyongyang's proposals for a halt of military and nuclear activities on both sides have repeatedly met cold rejection from Washington and Seoul, which have stuck to frequent military exercises and flown nuclear-capable B-52 bombers over the Korean Peninsula, in a clear show of hostility against Pyongyang.

Such measures were against the DPRK only. Now with the decision to deploy THAAD, which can snoop vast territories in China and Russia, the United States and South Korea have alienated China and Russia with severe threats to their national security.

It is unmistakably a strategic misjudgment for Seoul to violate the core interests of its two strong neighbors, at the cost of its own security, and only in the interests of American hegemony.

The THAAD deployment is based on shaky grounds as it is incapable of intercepting Pyongyang's short-range missiles, nor can it shield South Korea's most populated city, Seoul, which is far away from Seongju county.

However, the THAAD radar system's strong spying capability means that its location will be among the first targets to be wiped out in case of conflict.

By allowing the United States to deploy THAAD on its soil, the South Korean government has brought more danger than security to its people, and shut the door to peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.

Now facing common threat to their national security imposed by Washington and Seoul, China and Russia, along with other regional countries, will have little choice but come closely together to address the issue.

Some analysts have pointed out that the only beneficiary of turmoil in Northeast Asia is the United States, as it relies on the "necessity" of its military presence in the region to remain a hegemonic global power.

If Seoul and Pyongyang gradually eased tension, Washington's military presence in South Korea would be hard to justify. That is why Washington has often discouraged Seoul from talks with Pyongyang and insisted on war drills.

South Korea needs to draw lessons from the disastrous results of conflicts in the Middle East and correct its strategic mistake of inviting THAAD, before it makes itself a powder keg in Northeast Asia.

The future of the Korean Peninsula lies in the constructive exchanges and common development of regional countries, with a goal of gradual reconciliation between Seoul and Pyongyang. Deploying THAAD is clearly a move toward the opposite direction.
BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The central government will allocate more funds to the basic living allowance it gives to orphans and children living with HIV/AIDS, the Ministry of Finance said Monday.

It will channel 700 million yuan (105.1 million U.S. dollars) more into the allowance fund this year, according to a statement on the ministry's website.

Coupled with the 1.24 billion yuan already extended, the central government has allocated 1.94 billion yuan this year.

Orphans and children living with HIV/AIDS in China's less developed western regions receive 400 yuan each month, while those in central areas and eastern provinces get 300 yuan and 200 yuan every month.

China has more than 500,000 orphans and children living with HIV/AIDS.
GUIYANG, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Following the implementation in January of harsher rules regarding the acceptance of bribes and gifts, provincial governments are abolishing systems that have been misused by officials to hide their ill-gotten gains.

Starting from August, Guizhou government joined at least three other provinces to cancel a special bank account for officials to deposit bribe payments that they had accepted, said Huang Wensheng, deputy secretary of the Guizhou provincial discipline inspection committee.

The accounts have been misused, however, with many officials using the service to hide their wealth and only depositing their dirty money once they are under the radar of graft investigators.

The first "Clean Governance Accounts," were established in the 1990s as part of efforts to reduce corruption while protecting the privacy of officials. Over a dozen Chinese provincial-level governments have established such accounts. The provinces of Sichuan, Gansu and the Inner Mongolia region have recently eliminated such accounts.

Usually, the accounts are managed by the local discipline inspection authorities and banks. The names of the depositor and the sum are not disclosed and the money is turned over to the local treasury.

Zhuang Deshui, a professor at Peking University, explained that the accounts were designed to be an outlet to express a desire to be clean and show remorse.

"However, some officials have misused the service over the years," said Huang.

"Many officials use the account as an umbrella or safe haven. For example, some corrupt officials only deposit bribe money when they face investigation," he said.

Hong Jinzhou, former mayor of Kaili City in Guizhou, stood trial for accepting bribes last year. He was found to have accepted bribes on more than 380 occasions and had attempted to cover up his misdeeds by periodically depositing funds, amounting over 55 million yuan (8.3 million U.S. dollars), in the clean governance fund.

"Many people have used the accounts to obstruct investigations," said Tang Yonghu, a discipline official in Tongren City, Guizhou.

"These accounts have created more problems than they have solved," he said.

The cancellation of the accounts marks an even harsher crackdown on corruption and is in line with Party regulations.

Starting from January this year, a revised regulation issued by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has banned officials from accepting gifts, money or gift cards.

According to the Guizhou regulation, officials must resolutely turn down any kind of money that may obstruct their line of duty.

If accepting the bribe is unavoidable, then it must be returned as soon as possible and the deadline is one month, it said.

If all means of returning are exhausted, the money must be deposited with the discipline inspection authority along with the real names of those involved, according to the regulation.

Under strict requirement of Party governance from the CPC Central Committee, policies such as the accounts became too soft, vague and therefore need to be done with, said Huang.




MACAO, Aug. 8, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on Aug. 8, 2016 shows the bus crash site in Macao, south China. At least 29 tourists from the Chinese mainland were injured and three seriously on Monday when a tour bus crashed into a building in Macao, police said. (Xinhua)

MACAO, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 29 tourists from the Chinese mainland were injured and three seriously on Monday when a tour bus crashed into a building in Macao, police said.
WELLINGTON, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Hong Kong woman was jailed Monday for smuggling 1 million NZ dollars (713,100 U.S. dollars) worth of methamphetamine hidden in pork cans into New Zealand.

Sui Man "Christine" Ip was sentenced at the Auckland High Court to nine years and three months in jail for importing the drug, said a statement from the New Zealand Customs service.

She would have to serve at least half her jail-term before facing deportation.

Ip arrived in New Zealand on Jan. 20 and moved into an Auckland home the same day.

Two weeks later, a package of assorted food items mailed from Hong Kong was x-rayed and Customs found three cans labeled "stewed pork ribs" were actually filled with a total of just over 1 kilogram of methamphetamine.

Customs investigators linked the package to Ip, and she was arrested at Auckland International Airport in early March as she tried to leave the country.

Customs investigations manager Maurice O'Brien said it was not uncommon for offenders to come into the country solely to "catch" and redeliver drugs.

"Customs is well aware of the tricks criminals use and has systems in place to catch them - however the drugs are canned," O'Brien said in the statement.

"We work closely with our border partners in Hong Kong to tackle shipments at the supplier end, and this is very successful."

Earlier this month Customs said a Hong Kong man could face life in a New Zealand prison after officers seized drugs worth 20 million NZ dollars (14.26 million U.S. dollars) being smuggled in sets of spatulas.

Customs officers intercepted an air cargo shipment from Hong Kong of 80 boxes of 24-piece spatula sets at the end of July, and each set came with a 250-gram methamphetamine packet hidden under the box, totaling about 20 kilograms.
SEOUL, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye appears perplexed at six first-term lawmakers of the main opposition Minju Party who left for China as they are against the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

The six anti-THAAD lawmakers reportedly left for Beijing on Monday morning to exchange opinions with Chinese experts about the THAAD deployment in South Korea. During the three-day stay, they are set to hold a meeting with South Koreans living in China and South Korean correspondence there.

The lawmakers were scheduled to meet South Korean ambassador to China Kim Jang-soo right after arriving in Beijing, but the meeting was reportedly canceled as President Park criticized their visit to China.

During her meeting with senior presidential secretaries on Monday, Park denounced their visit as it split public opinion further over the THAAD deployment. Park said she is ready to receive any criticism as she believes THAAD is aimed at protecting South Koreans from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK)s nuclear and missile threats.

Her comments were based on a wrong belief that THAAD can be a cure-all. Seoul and Washington agreed early last month to install one THAAD battery, composed of six mobile launchers, 48 interceptors and an X-band radar and a fire control system, by the end of next year.

The THAAD battery is incapable of fending off all DPRK's missiles targeting South Korea, while excluding Seoul and its adjacent metropolitan areas from the protection coverage as the battery is to be installed in Seongju county, some 250 km southeast of the capital city. THAAD interceptors have a maximum range of 200 km.

It is absurd to claim that the THAAD battery is aimed at defending from the DPRKs nuclear and missile threats as South Koreas most populous regions are excluded from protection. Rather, it indicates South Korea joining the U.S. Pivot-to-Asia strategy to supervise and check China and Russia.

THAAD in South Korea triggered strong oppositions from China and Russia as the X-band radar can peer into Chinese and Russian territories. Seoul claims it will adopt the radar with a detectable range of 600-800 km, but it can be converted at any time into the radar spotting at least 2,000 km.

As the THAAD battery is to be operated by U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), South Koreas military will have no right to intervene in the U.S. operations and will never know what is happening inside the U.S. missile base.

The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Sunday that China should pose a problem on the DPRK more strongly for its nuclear development, seeking to shift responsibility for the DPRKs nuclear program to China. Seoul has claimed that if the Korean peninsula is denuclearized, the THAAD battery will not deployed in its territory.

Such claim is ridiculous as the DPRKs nuclear development came amid hard-line policies from the United States and South Korea. As Seouls former unification minister said in a recent interview with Xinhua, the only way to denuclearize the peninsula is to hold peace talks between the U.S. and the two Koreas and change the armistice treaty after the 1950-53 Korean War into a peace treaty.

Jeong Se Hyun, who served as unification minister for two and a half years from 2002, said South Koreas super hard-line policy toward the DPRK led Seoul to be caught in a snare laid by the U.S., which he said means the U.S. military strategy in East Asia to check and pressure China and Russia together with South Korea and Japan.

President Parks office asked the anti-THAAD lawmakers to call off their visit to China. If the visit was cancelled, it would have caused more serious troubles as it means President Park blocking a try from the political circle to find a breakthrough in the THAAD issue.

Calls to review the THAAD deployment decision are running higher in the political circle. Shim Sang-jung, chief of the minor Justice Party, said on Monday that Seouls diplomacy completely got lost, criticizing the government regarding those against THAAD as pro-DPRK followers or betrayers.

Floor leader Park Ji-won of the Peoples Party, which exercises a casting vote between the ruling and the main opposition parties, said the presidential office must not ruin diplomatic relations between South Korea and China, calling for the Cheong Wa Dae to consider what is in Seouls national interests.
People watch Japanese Emperor Akihito delivering a video message at a store in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 8, 2016. Japanese Emperor Akihito delivered a video message to the public Monday afternoon, hinting at his wish to abdicate though not directly referring to it. (Xinhua/Hua Yi)

TOKYO, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Emperor Akihito delivered a video message to the public Monday afternoon, hinting at his wish to abdicate though not directly referring to it.

In his 10-minute video message, broadcast at 3 p.m. on Monday, the 82-year-old emperor expressed worries that his old age and deteriorating physical strength may hinder him from fully carrying out his duties.

"When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being as I have done until now," the emperor said.

He also said it could be hard to cope with the situation just by cutting duties. "In coping with the aging of the Emperor, I think it is not possible to continue reducing perpetually the Emperor's acts in matters of state and his duties as the symbol of the State," he said.

"When the Emperor has ill health and his condition becomes serious, I am concerned that, as we have seen in the past, society comes to a standstill and people's lives are impacted in various ways," said the emperor, who underwent surgery in 2003 to remove prostate cancer and had heart bypass surgery in 2012.

Referring to demise of an emperor, he said, "The practice in the Imperial Family has been that the death of the Emperor called for events of heavy mourning, continuing every day for two months, followed by funeral events which continue for one year."

"These various events occur simultaneously with events related to the new era, placing a very heavy strain on those involved in the events, in particular, the family left behind," he said.

"It occurs to me from time to time to wonder whether it is possible to prevent such a situation," said the emperor.

The 10-minute video message came amid growing speculation on the emperor's abdication after local media reported last month that the 82-year-old emperor wishes to hand over the throne to his 56-year-old son Crown Prince Naruhito.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe released comments following the emperor's message, saying that he will take into serious consideration the emperor's condition concerning his advanced age and official duties, and see what could be done.

"On the nature of the emperor's official duties, in view of his age and the state of the burden his duties place upon him, I think we must give thought to the strain on the emperor and thoroughly consider what we can do," Abe said.

"While, being in the position of the Emperor, I must refrain from making any specific comments on the existing Imperial system, I would like to tell you what I, as an individual, have been thinking about," said the emperor.

According to local media, if the emperor is to abdicate, the Imperial House Law might need revision, as the law, enacted in 1947 to rule for imperial affairs, does not include any provision for a reigning emperor to abdicate.

The process of revising the law, involving deliberations by an expert panel to the government, might require years, said earlier reports.

Japan's constitution stipulates that the emperor shall not have powers related to government. If the emperor expresses publicly that he wants to abdicate, such remarks could be taken as political, said local media.

The emperor's statement is expected to stimulate debate on necessary legal changes to enable him to hand over the throne to the crown prince, said Kyodo News.

According to a nationwide survey by Kyodo News earlier this month, 85.7 percent of the 1,008 respondents said abdication should be legalized as an option for the emperor and his successors by revising the Imperial House Law.

This is the emperor's second video message, following the first released after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.

Emperor Akihito was enthroned at the age of 55 upon the death of his 87-year-old father Emperor Hirohito in 1989.
HARBIN, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- An international port trade expo opened on Monday in Suifenhe City along China's border with Russia in the northeast province of Heilongjiang.

The expo, hosted by the China Chamber of International Commerce, drew over 400 companies from China and six other countries including Russia and the Republic of Korea.

Li Haitao, vice governor of Heilongjiang, said the Suifenhe port trade expo will promote trade and cooperation between China, Russia and other northeast Asian countries.

Suifenhe is a major port along the Sino-Russian border. In April, a key development and opening-up zone was established in the Suifenhe-Dongning area.

Customs statistics show more than 6.8 billion yuan (about one billion U.S. dollars) worth of cargo passed through Suifenhe from January to June, accounting for 24 percent of Heilongjiang's total trade volume. Enditem
TIRANA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Albanian police have detained 14 Syrian migrants, who were trying to travel from Greece to Germany via the country, the Albanian Daily News newspaper reported on Monday.

Police said they caught the group of Syrian citizens -- seven males and seven females, in Muriqan near the northern Albanian border with Montenegro.

The migrants said they were immigrants in Greece and illegally entered the Albanian territory in trying to proceed to Germany.

Their final destination was Germany and if they made it there, they were going to pay 1,150 euros (1,275 U.S. dollars) to two human traffickers whom they did not know.

Experts of the Albanian police department against illegal trafficking are trying to track down the two traffickers.
People transfer the body of a victim from the blast site in Quetta, southwestern Pakistan, on Aug. 8, 2016. At least 53 people were killed and 56 others injured in a suicide blast inside the emergency ward of a hospital in Pakistan's southwest Quetta city on Monday morning, local Urdu media and officials said. (Xinhua/Irfan)

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 53 people were killed and 56 others injured in a suicide blast inside the emergency ward of a hospital in Pakistan's southwest Quetta city on Monday morning, local Urdu media and officials said.

Geo News said that a total of 37 bodies were shifted to the mortuary of the Civil Hospital, 15 in military hospital and one in Bolan Medical Complex of the city.

A bomb disposal squad said the blast was carried out by a suicide bomber who was carrying an estimated eight to 10 kg of explosive materials in his vest.

The squad said they have found limbs of the bomber, which will be sifted for lab test to help further investigations.

Sanaullah Zehri, Chief Minister Balochistan with Quetta as the capital city, said the blast happened when a large number of lawyers and journalists were gathering in the Civil Hospital to collect body of a local law association chairman.

He said most of the injured people included lawyers while the dead also included several lawyers and two journalists.

He said militancy has seeped into the province like cancer and the terrorists are getting foreign funding to deteriorate law and order situation in the province.

He announced three-day mourning in the province.

The slain lawyer Bilal Kasi was president of Balochistan Bar Association who got killed when some unknown gunmen opened fire on his vehicle when he was on his way to office at Manno Jan area of Quetta.

The gunmen fled the scene after the attack.

Rahmat Baloch, provincial health minister said that the emergency ward of the civil hospital was completely destroyed in the blast.

He said a state of emergency has been declared in all hospitals of the city to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured people.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

A heavy contingent of police and paramilitary troops rushed to the blast site and cordoned it off for investigations.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast and vowed to root out militancy from the country.

The explosion caused a chain reaction from the circles of lawyers from the country.

Lawyers in Balochistan and the country's southern port city of Karachi boycotted court proceedings.

The Pakistan Bar Association condemned the attack and announced a three-day mourning.
KATHMANDU, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Ninety percent of Nepal's mobile set imports took place from China in the last fiscal year 2015-16 that concluded in mid-July, Nepal's Department of Customs (DoC) said.

Nepal imported 4,477,162 handsets from China against the total import of 5,005,499, according to DoC. This means around 90 percent of the handsets were imported from the northern neighbour of the Himalayan country.

Nepalese customs officials and mobile dealers said that as most of the mobile sets of global brands are manufactured in China and shipped globally, China has emerged as the largest supplier to Nepal.

In value, Nepal spent 169 million U.S. dollars to import the mobile sets, of which mobiles worth 129 million U.S. dollars were imported from China.

After China, Vietnam became the second largest supplier to Nepal with Nepal importing a total of 434,645 handsets from Vietnam whereas India came third with the supply of 90,030 mobile sets in the last fiscal year.

Sishir Dhungana, director general of DoC told Xinhua that as most of global mobile brands manufacture their products in China, Nepal received largest number of them from the northern neighbour.

"From Apple to Samsung and Indian brands like Karabonn and Micromax are also manufactured in China," said Dhungana.

Importers also make similar statements. Sirish Murarka, director of Pashupati Trade Link, the authorized distributor of Micromax mobile in Nepal, told Xinhua that their 80 percent of sets are imported from China despite being an Indian brand.

"We import mobile sets from both China and India, but the supply from China is bigger in quantity now," he said.
ABIDJAN, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cote d'Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara on Sunday led the nation in marking the country's 56th independence anniversary.

The event was marked with 38 army units and special forces marching in their uniforms in front of the presidential palace in Abidjan.

Others in the parade included the national police, the Republican Guard and the international forces in Cote d'Ivoire such as the UN peacekeepers, French troops as well as a special battalion of the Cameroonian forces.

After the military parade, the festivities were followed by an award ceremony during which 22 individuals were honored with the Cote d'Ivoire Order of Merit.

Those honored included ministers, senior public administrators, university professors as well as artists.

In his traditional message that is delivered on the eve of the celebrations, Ouattara hailed the economic revival witnessed in Cote d'Ivoire, noting that the "country had achieved an economic miracle."

Cote d'Ivoire's economic performance has been impressive over the past four years with a robust GDP growth which resulted in a decline in poverty.

The country's GDP grew at the rate of 8.4 percent in 2015 and it is projected to reach 8.5 percent in 2016.

On the political front, Ouattara announced the creation of a post of vice-president to "guarantee peace and stability" in Cote d'Ivoire.

A former French colony, Cote d'Ivoire got its independence on Aug. 7, 1960.
QINGDAO, Aug. 8, 2016 (Xinhua) -- A truck transfers containers at Qingdao port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 8, 2016. China's exports in yuan-denominated terms rose 2.9 percent year on year in July, an improvement from June's 1.3-percent increase. (Xinhua/Yu Fangping)

BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's exports climbed at a faster pace in July, while a decline in imports accelerated, in a sign of continued weakness in the world's second-largest economy.

Exports in yuan-denominated terms rose 2.9 percent year on year in July, an improvement from June's 1.3-percent increase. Imports fell 5.7 percent, accelerating from a decline of 2.3 percent in June, according to figures from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) on Monday.

This led to a monthly trade surplus of 342.8 billion yuan (51.5 billion U.S. dollars), up 34 percent from one year earlier.

In U.S. dollar-terms, China's exports contracted 4.4 percent year on year in July, a slight improvement over June's 4.8-percent contraction. Imports were down 12.5 percent, accelerating from June's decline of 8.4 percent.

CICC analyst Liu Liu said a 6-percent depreciation of the yuan against a basket of currencies over the past year has boosted exports to some extent, but there is still significant uncertainty about external demand.

Export growth may stay low in the second half of the year, Liu said.

The accelerating fall in imports came amid weak commodity prices and higher comparative base from last year, but it also suggested domestic economic activity remained weak, said Jiang Chao, an analyst with Haitong Securities. Jiang expected the exchange rate of the yuan to remain stable in short term.

Foreign trade in the first seven months was 3 percent lower than a year before, with exports down 1.6 percent and imports down 4.8 percent.

Trade surplus for the first seven months widened 8.7 percent from one year earlier to 1.99 trillion yuan.

The GAC expects pressure on exports to start to ease in October.

China's economy held steady at 6.7 percent in the second quarter of the year, the lowest quarterly level since the dark days of the global financial crisis in early 2009 but still within the government's target range of 6.5-7 percent for 2016.

Stubbornly soft global demand and overcapacity have weighed on China's manufacturing sector, turning it from a drive to drag of growth. Policy makers have been trying to encourage innovation and push forward supply-side reform to sustain economic growth.

Factory activity surveys released last week showed both export and domestic orders cooled in July, as widespread flooding in some regions disrupted business.

The purchasing managers' index (PMI) came in at 49.9 in July, slightly lower than June's 50. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction.

China's iron ore imports rose 8.1 percent by volume in the first seven months, while that of crude oil and coal surged 12.1 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively.

Foreign trade with the European Union, China's biggest trade partner, climbed 1.8 percent year on year in the first seven months, GAC data showed.

In the same period, foreign trade with the United States, China's second-biggest trade partner, fell 4.8 percent and with ASEAN, its third-largest trade partner, declined 2.2 percent.
MACAO, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 32 tourists from the Chinese mainland were injured, three seriously, on Monday when a tour bus crashed into a building in Macao, and the driver was arrested for suspected dangerous driving, the special administrative region's authorities said.

Macao Health Bureau said 32 people were injured, three of whom were in serious condition. A 46-year-old woman sustained skull fracture and was still unconscious after surgery. Eleven injured tourists have been treated and discharged from the hospital.

According to Macao Public Security Police Force (PSPF), the accident happened when the bus stopped downslope in a street close to the Ruins of St. Paul, one of Macao's famous tourist attractions. A white van rear-ended the bus and the bus driver got off to check the situation.

The bus suddenly moved down through the slope without the driver and crashed into a clinic beside the road. Both bus and the clinic were severely damaged.

PSPF Acting Deputy Commissioner Wong Chi Fai said the initial investigation report showed that the driver failed to pull the handbrake before getting off the bus. The driver is a Macao citizen and was arrested for suspected dangerous driving.

According to Macao's tourism authorities, the injured are all from a 44-membered tourist group organized in Shenzhen, southern China's Guangdong province. With a one-day itinerary in Macao, the group had arrived in the morning and planned to leave Macao this afternoon.

According to the tourist member list, some of the members were from Guizhou, Guangdong, Shaanxi, Hunan and Chongqing.

Tourism authorities are keeping touch with the involved tourist agencies and help the families come to visit the injured.

Macao's Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau Director Li Canfeng said the building where the clinic located was severely damaged. Currently six households in that building have moved into an emergency facility.

Macao SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On visited the injured tourists in Kiang Wu Hospital on Monday afternoon. He said the SAR government will spare no effort to treat the injured and help their families come to Macao to visit them.
People transfer an injured man from the blast site in Quetta, Pakistan, on Aug. 8, 2016. At least 93 people were killed and 56 others injured in a suicide blast inside the emergency ward of a hospital in Pakistan's southwest Quetta city on Monday morning, local media and officials said. (Xinhua/Asad)

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 93 people were killed and 56 others injured in a suicide blast inside the emergency ward of a hospital in Pakistan's southwest Quetta city on Monday morning, local media and officials said.

Local Urdu TV channel ARY News said the dead included 25 lawyers and two journalists while there was a large number of lawyers and some journalists in over 50 injured people who have been shifted to various hospitals in Quetta, the capital city of the country's southwest Balochistan province.

Rehmat Baloch, the health minister of Balochistan, confirmed the suicide blast left 93 people killed and scores others injured.

He said a state of emergency has been declared in all hospitals of the city to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.

A bomb disposal squad said the blast was carried out by a suicide bomber who was hiding an estimated eight to 10 kg of explosive materials in his vest.

The squad said they have found limbs of the bomber, which will be sifted for lab test to help further investigations.

Sanaullah Zehri, Chief Minister Balochistan, said the blast happened when a large number of lawyers and journalists were gathering in the Civil Hospital Quetta to collect body of the president of Balochistan Bar Association who was killed in a separate attack.

The president, Bilal Kasi, was killed when some unknown gunmen attacked his vehicle in Manno Jan area of Quetta.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

A heavy contingent of police and paramilitary troops rushed to the blast site and cordoned it off for investigations.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast and vowed to root out militancy from the country.

The country's Army Chief Raheel Sharif arrived at Quetta to ask after the health of the injured people.

The Balochistan government announced a three-day mourning and the national flag will fly on half-mast during the mourning days in the province.

The explosion caused a chain reaction from the circles of lawyers in the country.

Lawyers in Balochistan and the country's southern port city of Karachi boycotted court proceedings.

The Pakistan Bar Association condemned the attack and announced a three-day mourning.
BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese households in July had more confidence in their finances and the country's economy, according to a wealth climate index released by the Bank of Communications (BOCOM) Monday.

The bimonthly Climate Index of China's Wealth rose to 137 in July from 133 in May. Readings above 100 indicate growth in wealth, while readings below 100 represent deterioration.

The survey solicits the opinions of well-off Chinese households on three indices: the economy, income and investment.

BOCOM attributes the greater optimism to a steady economy and stability in job and financial markets.

Among all regions, the wealth climate index for households in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen posted the biggest increases, supported by growth in high-tech industries and the property market.

The three sub-indices all increased, with the one for the economy climbing to 129 from 120 in May, extending its rising streak since the beginning of the year.

The sub-index for income growth rose to 152 from 147, while that for investment willingness rose to 127 from 125.

The report surveyed nearly 1,850 families with annual after-tax incomes above 100,000 yuan (around 15,750 U.S. dollars) in five major metropolises, including Beijing and Shanghai, as well those with incomes over 80,000 yuan in another 21 major cities.

China's economy grew 6.7 percent year on year in the second quarter of 2016, slightly faster than expectations.

Industrial output grew 6.2 percent year on year in June, increasing from 6 percent in May. The official unemployment rate in 31 major cities remained stable at around 5 percent in May.
Photo taken on Aug. 8, 2016 shows the site of a Fishtail Air helicopter crash in Madanpur area of Nuwakot district, Nepal. All seven on board including a newly-born baby were killed in a Fishtail Air Helicopter crash in Madanpur area of Nuwakot District of central Nepal on Monday, a Home Ministry spokesman confirmed. (Xinhua/Hari Sapkota)

KATHMANDU, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- All seven on board including a newly-born baby were killed in a Fishtail Air Helicopter crash in Madanpur area of Nuwakot District of Central Nepal on Monday, a Home Ministry spokesman confirmed.

"Five adults, a captain and a new born are found dead in the crash site," Yadav Koirala told Xinhua.

Police have been deployed in the crash site, which is some 45 kilometers from the capital city Kathmandu.

Captain Ranjan Limbu was piloting the helicopter, which was bringing a patient to the capital from Gorkha district of Western Nepal.
MOSCOW, August 8 (Xinhua) -- Four more settlements in Syria have joined the ceasefire over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of the inhabited areas signing the truce agreements to 360, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a document Sunday.

According to the document, negotiations on joining ceasefire regime have been continued with field commanders of armed oppisition detachments in the provinces of Rif-Dimashq, Daraa and Homs.

While noting the ceasefire has been observed in most provinces of Syria, the Russian center for reconciliation of opposing sides in Syria also registered eight violations of the ceasefire regime in Syria, including six in the Damascus province and one in the Latakia province over the last 24 hours.

"Groupings of al-Nusra and IS international terrorist organizations do not stop making attempts to break the ceasefire regime," the document said.

The ceasefire regime in Syria brokered by the United States and Russia came into force on Feb. 27, and was supported by the Syrian government as well as dozens of opposition groups.
BANGKOK, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's military leaders held an unscheduled meeting with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday, following Sunday's referendum which secured public consent to a new constitution.

Army chief Gen Theerachai Nakwanit, navy chief Adm Na Areenit, air force chief ACM Trithod Sonjang and supreme commander Gen Sommai Kaotheera met with the premier at Government House to hold talks for about one hour, said a government official. Prayut is also head of the National Council for Peace and Order.

Topics of the discussion were not available, but were believed to involve the results of the nationwide referendum on the charter which saw 15.5 million voters approve it, compared to 9.7 million others who disapproved it.

The military leaders will reconvene and join a weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the official said.

Prayut had earlier assured that he would pursue the "roadmap" designed by the National Council for Peace and Order, so that the next general election will be held some time next year.

Organic laws under the new charter and pertaining to an electoral mode are yet to be made by the Constitution Drafting Committee in a four-month time, following Sunday's referendum.
RAMALLAH, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- A senior Palestinian official said Monday that Israel is seeking to "propose an interception" to the French initiative to hold an international peace conference by trying to normalize with Arab states.

Ahmad Majdalani, member of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee, told Xinhua that "Israel rejects the formula of a peace conference to evade international obligations towards the peace process."

It's trying to "present an alternative regional project through normalizing with the Arabs and then withdrawing from the Palestinian territories rather than normalizing after reaching peace, according to an Arab peace initiative," he added.

Majdalani stressed that the Palestinians reject any Israeli proposal for regional negotiations as an alternative to the international conference, saying this means that "it does not want genuine peace or normalisation with the Arabs."

He noted that efforts to hold a ministerial conference on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings next September are underway.

This meeting is aimed at preparing for the upcoming Paris peace conference, he added.

Meanwhile, Majdalani denied what he called an "Egyptian initiative" to resume peace talks between Palestine and Israel at the moment.

"This was invented by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because he is looking for an alternative to the French initiative," he said.

Paris hosted an international ministerial meeting on June 3, which was attended by the foreign ministers of 25 countries, including four Arab countries, which debated the revival of the stalled peace process between Israel and Palestine.

A final joint statement of the meeting said that participants agreed on providing meaningful incentives to the parties to make peace."

The direct negotiations between the two sides should be based on existing UN. Security Council resolutions, it added.

The peace talks between Israel and Palestine have been stalled since April 2014 after nine months without achieving tangible results.
KINSHASA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- An international support group over the weekend expressed support for the African Union (AU) facilitator for inclusive political dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Edem Kodjo.

Members of the International Support Group for the AU Facilitator met in DR Congo capital, Kinshasa, between Aug. 2 to 5 to help revive the dialogue process within the shortest time possible.

"Members of the group met with Kodjo on Aug. 4. The meeting hailed the efforts made by the facilitator and support deployed by respective organizations to contribute to the creation of ideal conditions to launch dialogue," a statement released over the weekend said.

The group further congratulated the facilitator for postponing the start of the preparatory committee meeting, initially set for July 30, to address concerns raised by Congolese opposition leaders.

The group equally met with different categories of Congolese actors and urged them not to spare any effort to push for the start of dialogue.

It urged all Congolese actors to cooperate with the facilitator to ensure the inclusive national dialogue is successful.

Last month, the Congolese opposition issued a statement rejecting Kodjo, accusing him of not addressing their concerns before the start of the dialogue.

President Joseph Kabila convened the political dialogue between all Congolese political and social actors to ensure the forthcoming general elections were held peacefully.

The third meeting of the International Support Group was attended by Said Djinnit, the special envoy of the UN secretary general in the Great Lakes, Maman Sidikou, the special representative of the UN secretary general in DR Congo, Koen Vervaeke and the European Union director for Africa.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of the African Union, the International Organization of the Francophonie, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and Southern Africa Development Community.
NAY PYI TAW, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi met Monday with Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the pair had discussions on some issues related to domestic affairs, according to an announcement of the State Counselor's office.

Their meeting focused on ceasefire in the country's northern Kachin state and Shan state, national reconciliation and domestic peace, rule of law and stability.

Moreover, they touched on the holding of the upcoming 21st Century Panglong Ethnic Conference.

Meanwhile, the state counselor on Monday announced August 31 for holding the 21st Century Panglong Ethnic Conference in Nay Pyi Taw.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he speaks during a ceremony at the Peres Center for Peace in Jaffa, Israel, July 21, 2016. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

RAMALLAH, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- A senior Palestinian official said Monday that Israel is seeking to "propose an interception" to the French initiative to hold an international peace conference by trying to normalize with Arab states.

Ahmad Majdalani, member of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee, told Xinhua that "Israel rejects the formula of a peace conference to evade international obligations towards the peace process."

It's trying to "present an alternative regional project through normalizing with the Arabs and then withdrawing from the Palestinian territories rather than normalizing after reaching peace, according to an Arab peace initiative," he added.

Majdalani stressed that the Palestinians reject any Israeli proposal for regional negotiations as an alternative to the international conference, saying this means that "it does not want genuine peace or normalisation with the Arabs."

He noted that efforts to hold a ministerial conference on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings next September are underway.

This meeting is aimed at preparing for the upcoming Paris peace conference, he added.

Meanwhile, Majdalani denied what he called an "Egyptian initiative" to resume peace talks between Palestine and Israel at the moment.

"This was invented by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because he is looking for an alternative to the French initiative," he said.

Paris hosted an international ministerial meeting on June 3, which was attended by the foreign ministers of 25 countries, including four Arab countries, which debated the revival of the stalled peace process between Israel and Palestine.

A final joint statement of the meeting said that participants agreed on providing meaningful incentives to the parties to make peace."

The direct negotiations between the two sides should be based on existing UN. Security Council resolutions, it added.

The peace talks between Israel and Palestine have been stalled since April 2014 after nine months without achieving tangible results.
NAIROBI, Aug 8 (Xinhua) -- Experts from the East Africa's bloc kicked off a meeting in Nairobi on Monday to develop a regional strategy on preventing and countering violent extremism.

The experts at the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) meeting admitted that threat of violent extremism continues to undermine security and development worldwide and in the Horn and Eastern Africa region specifically.

"Recognizing that an effective regional strategy should be based on an in-depth analysis of the actors, drivers and responses to violent extremism in each of the countries, we are developing this strategy through a thorough and inclusive consultative process," Dr Simon Nyambura, Head of CVE and Counter Terrorism at the IGAD Security Sector Program (ISSP) said.

Nyambura added that national consultations will also take place in the other IGAD member states (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda) as well as Tanzania with the support of the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

He said the national consultation process will inform and feed into the development of the regional counter violent extremism (CVE) strategy.

The consultation brought together senior officials from the government, civil society and faith-based organizations, international development partner and United Nations agencies.

According to Nyambura, such a strategy must be based on national experiences of the countries in the region, drawing from comparative cases and lessons from other regions and international strategies and plans in which Africa has been involved in crafting, including the UN Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism.

The region has become a major breeding ground for violent extremists, but it has not developed a common strategy to respond to violent extremism yet.

Responses remain fragmented and largely ad hoc and there is a need for a regional strategy to guide efforts to address the "complex web of interrelated drivers of radicalization" that can lead to violent extremism.
NAY PYI TAW, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar will start holding the 21st Century Panglong Ethnic Conference in Nay Pyi Taw on Aug. 31, announced Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi Monday at a meeting of the Committee for Holding the Panglong Conference.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also chairperson of the committee, called for coordination and cooperation on the part of the government to successfully hold the conference, saying that the Panglong Conference is the first step towards a robust Union.

The announcement came more than a week after the end of a five-day Ethnic Armed Organizations'(EAOs) Plenary Meeting in Maijayang in Kachin state, controlled by the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

That meeting, held from July 26 to 30, was attended by 17 organizations from 21 ethnic armed groups with the absence of four non-ceasefire signatories such as the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) - NSCN (K).

However, those non-ceasefire signatory armed groups have not yet decided whether they will join the conference or not, but said that negotiation on the peace process will continue with the government.

Aung San Suu Kyi who is also chairperson of the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC), has outlined the policy guidelines for the peace process which includes allowing non-signatories to NCA to join the Panglong Conference, relaxation of restrictions on inviting political parties that do not hold a parliamentary seat to the conference and functions of the NRPC in dealing with international donors and their assistance to the peace process.

The former Myanmar government and eight ethnic armed groups out of 15 signed the NCA on Oct. 15, 2015 and there remains seven other armed groups who have yet to sign the accord.
MANILA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday that peace talks with the rebels can proceed even without its exiled leader Jose Maria Sison, reiterating his ultimatum for the rebels to stop using landmines in attacking government troops or he would be forced to scrap the peace negotiations.

In a speech before soldiers in Samar province, Duterte lamented the dilly-dallying of communist rebels in responding to the government-initiated peace talks.

Duterte said he is getting exasperated by the rebels' indecision. However, he said "still I would insist that we talk with or without Sison or with or without the politburo."

To the communist rebels, Duterte said, "We want peace but if I hear another landmine explosion then (we bid the peace talks) goodbye. I will order the peace panel to return to the Philippines. Don't waste your money there and talk nonsense."

"I am not warning you. I'm not giving an ultimatum even. I'm just saying that if another landmine explodes which is prohibited by the Geneva Convention I will forego with the peace talks and forget about it," he warned.

The government and the communist rebels are scheduled to hold talks in Oslo, Norway on Aug. 20 to Aug. 27, in a fresh attempt to revive stalled talks to end decades-old communist insurgency.

But even before the formal talks resume, Duterte and Sison have engaged in off-and-on word war that started when Duterte lifted a unilateral ceasefire when the rebels failed to reciprocate.

In his speech speed in Samar Monday, Duterte also bared that he plans to fly to Jolo, the largest of the Sulu islands in the Mindanao region, "within the next few days" to meet up with Nur Misuari of the Moro National Liberation Front(MNLF) or his emissary.

"I would just like to talk to everybody. I'm ready to talk to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the MNLF. I would like talks to begin because the government panel is ready," Duterte said.

The government and MILF representatives have already agreed to meet in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Aug. 13 and Aug. 14, according to the government.

The Philippine military said the New Peoples' Army, the Communist Party of the Philippines" armed wing, has an estimated 4,000 members. They have been fighting the government since 1969 in one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies.

Since 1986, the government has been attempting to forge peace talks with the communist rebels but the on-and-off talks have faltered many times since. Sison, 77, has been living in Europe since the first peace talks collapsed in 1987.

Duterte has been going around military camps to explain his peace policy and meet face-to-face with the soldiers on the ground.
DALIAN, Aug.8 (Xinhua) -- China's first refrigerated-container train left for Moscow from northeast China's Dalian on Monday, marking the opening of a new transport link between the two countries.

The new refrigerated-freight line is 8,600 km long, with trains taking about 10 days to reach Moscow. The train is carrying products worth 150,000 U.S.dollars, including pears from Hebei, pomelos from Guangdong and garlic from Shandong.

After crossing the border, goods will switch to a Russian freight train in Baikal, Siberia.

The new transport link will shorten the journey time by 60 percent as the old route used sea and rail travel.

China's refrigerated-product exports to Russia have been on the rise.
ANKARA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Turkey has lifted its ban on the Russian news website Sputnik, after months of keeping it blocked, state-run Anadolu Agency reported Monday.

The Turkish government had blocked access to Sputnik on April 14, citing "legal consideration" of a law regarding crimes committed through online broadcasts. It is now no problem for checking Sputnik news website in Turkey.

"Our website is unblocked in Turkey. Starting 10 a.m. Moscow time we began to receive messages from users that the website is accessible again. We started checking this information and it is actually working," Sputnik quoted the editor-in-chief of its Turkish version Mahir Boztepe as saying.

The ban was lifted amid the normalization of relations between Russia and Turkey, which became strained when Turkey downed a Russian warplane along the Syrian border on Nov. 24, 2015. The incident was followed by a spat of words from both sides harming diplomatic ties and economic sanctions.

The eight-month-long period of icy relations began to thaw in late June when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin to express his deep sorrow over the jet incident.

As another step toward mending ties between the countries, Russia recently officially removed all economic and touristic sanctions which had been put against Turkey.

Putin and Erdogan were scheduled to meet on Aug. 9 in St. Petersburg for the first time since the normalization process began, also marking the Turkish president's first foreign visit since the failed coup attempt on July 15.
BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- China has expressed concern over South Africa's probe into steel products, according to an official statement on Monday .

The South African government notified the World Trade Organization that it had initiated an investigation over imports of cold rolled steel sheets at the end of last month.

"The move has caused concern over bilateral trade from Chinese government and businesses," China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said in an online statement.

China is closely watching the case as it is the second trade remedy measure for steel products launched by South Africa on behalf of the South African Customs Union in four months. Less than a year ago, South Africa had increased tariffs on steel products, the MOC said.

"China hopes South Africa will conduct a fair and transparent investigation in accordance with WTO rules and protect the defense rights of Chinese enterprises," the MOC said.

It also called for dialogue and cooperation between the steel industry and enterprises of the two sides to seek a proper solution.
Turkish President Erdogan will meet Putin in Saint Petersburg on August 8, 2016 for their first summit since the crisis erupted, in the hope of reviving the relationship. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

ANKARA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Turkey has lifted its ban on the Russian news website Sputnik, after months of keeping it blocked, state-run Anadolu Agency reported Monday.

The Turkish government had blocked access to Sputnik on April 14, citing "legal consideration" of a law regarding crimes committed through online broadcasts. It is now no problem for checking Sputnik news website in Turkey.

"Our website is unblocked in Turkey. Starting 10 a.m. Moscow time we began to receive messages from users that the website is accessible again. We started checking this information and it is actually working," Sputnik quoted the editor-in-chief of its Turkish version Mahir Boztepe as saying.

The ban was lifted amid the normalization of relations between Russia and Turkey, which became strained when Turkey downed a Russian warplane along the Syrian border on Nov. 24, 2015. The incident was followed by a spat of words from both sides harming diplomatic ties and economic sanctions.

The eight-month-long period of icy relations began to thaw in late June when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin to express his deep sorrow over the jet incident.

As another step toward mending ties between the countries, Russia recently officially removed all economic and touristic sanctions which had been put against Turkey.

Putin and Erdogan were scheduled to meet on Aug. 9 in St. Petersburg for the first time since the normalization process began, also marking the Turkish president's first foreign visit since the failed coup attempt on July 15.
Houthi followers shout slogans during a demonstration against Saudi-led airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen July 18, 2016. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

SANAA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Saudi-led coalition airstrikes killed a five-member family near a public market in Yemen's capital Sanaa, as battles between the government and Houthi rebels intensified, officials and residents said on Monday.

"A husband, his wife and their three children were killed when an airstrike at the dawn destroyed their house near Nehem central market," a local official told Xinhua.

The central market and most of the villages and mountains around Nehem, some 50 km northeast of Sanaa, are still under control of Shiite Houthi fighters and their ally forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Yemeni government army backed by warplanes from the Saudi-led military coalition have been fighting Houthis and Saleh's forces since the beginning of this year in Nehem, aiming to gain ground to force an opening access to the capital.

Government officials said that Saudi-led warplanes also launched 20 airstrikes on Monday morning on Frija military base in Arhab district, where forces loyal to former President are stationing in.

Residents said huge explosions were triggered after the series of airstrikes this morning on the military base.

Arhab district, about 25 km north of Sanaa international airport, is considered the nearest northern gate to the capital.

However, the rebel Houthis and Saleh's forces have been tightening force around the security belt of Sanaa outskirts and enhancing security inside the capital since they seized it in 2014 and drove government into exile.

Residents reported airstrikes and artillery fighting around the clock in Nehem since UN-brokered peace talks in Kuwait collapsed three days ago.

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, UN envoy to Yemeni peace talks, said the talks would be resumed within a month in another country.

Local officials estimated at least 80 fighters from both warring rival forces have been killed in the battlefields in Nehem since Saturday.

The battles have forced thousands of villagers to flee their homes and farms to Sanaa and other secure regions.

Fighting backed by Saudi airstrikes also raged in Yemeni town of Haradh and Red Sea port city of Medi on the southwestern border with Saudi Arabia.

Pro-government media claimed that loyal forces have killed 50 Houthi rebels, while Houthi media reported the killings of 52 troops since Saturday.

Residents in the capital reported non-stop flying of Saudi-led coalition warplanes, but said no airstrike on targets in Sanaa yet took place.

Saudi Arabia-led Arab military coalition intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015, but failed to restore exiled government to Houthi-held capital.

Houthi group and Saleh's party on Saturday formed a ruling political council to unilaterally run the country from Sanaa.

The decision was carried out at the last day of UN-sponsored failed peace talks.

Houthi and Saleh refused to obey UN Security Resolution 2216 to hand over the capital and army weapons to the exiled government.

The war has killed over 6,400 people, mostly civilians, and displaced more than two million others.
ANKARA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. citizen has been detained for trying to enter Turkey illegally from Syria, the governor of the southern province of Hatay was quoted by Anadolu Agency on Monday.

U.S. Journalist Snell Lindsteyler who was detained in Hatay's Altinozu district near the Syrian border, was taken into custody on the grounds that she crossed Syria illegally from Turkey and then tried to re-enter Turkey, Governor Ercan Topaca said .

He said U.S. helicopters were seen flying over the border to pick up the journalist before she was detained by Turkish authorities.

Meanwhile, a female intelligence agent from the United States has been rescued by Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) soldiers after a two-day operation on the Syrian border, Turkish daily Hurriyet reported on Sunday.

Drones and helicopters participated in the operation to rescue the agent, who had been wounded in Syria.

Two U.S. helicopters landed in a village in the Yayladagi district of the southern province of Hatay on Friday, prompting locals to call officials and report the landing.

According to the daily, the U.S. agent, whose name was not revealed as she was on a confidential operation, was assigned to a task in Syria and wounded on Aug. 3, after which she called for evacuation.

She was initially told to approach the Turkish border, as U.S. officials contacted the Turkish General Staff to coordinate throughout the rescue operation.

U.S. officials asked for permission to fly high-definition cameras and two drones carrying "Hellfire" rockets as a precaution against possible Syrian troops in the region near the agent and the Turkish army immediately gave permission.

Two U.S. drones scanned the area for two days, as two U.S. helicopters were on standby on the Turkish side of the border. However, the agent and U.S. officials were unable to meet, despite all efforts, according to the report.

As the search was ongoing, Turkish border soldiers noticed mobility in the region. The soldiers then realized that there was a person near the border and gave a warning, prompting a wounded woman, who turned out to be the sought U.S. agent, to shout that she was "a friend," while holding her hands up.

She was taken to an army border post by the Turkish soldiers and the situation was reported to the prosecutor's office.

The wounded agent was delivered to U.S. officials and then taken to the Incirlik Air Base, used by U.S. forces in the fight against the Islamic State (IS), in the southern province of Adana.
BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- A total of 40 suspects, 35 from the Chinese mainland and five from Taiwan, were brought back to China from Kenya in police custody on Monday, the Ministry of Public Security said.

Allegedly involved in 60-plus fraud cases worth 4 million yuan (600,000 U.S. dollars), they belonged to one of two groups arrested by Kenyan police on Nov. 29, 2014, the ministry said in a statement released Monday.

Another 36 suspects in the other group were repatriated in April and have been formally arrested. They allegedly swindled more than 26 million yuan out of mainland residents by pretending to be members of Beijing and Shanghai police.

The two groups were believed to have colluded in fraud activities and mainland police hope to find out all the facts now that they have all suspects in custody.

The mainland police have kept their Taiwan counterparts informed of all developments.
People transfer an injured man from the blast site in Quetta, Pakistan, on Aug. 8, 2016. (Xinhua/Asad)

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 70 people were killed and 112 others injured in a suicide blast inside the emergency ward of Civil Hospital in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city on Monday, hospital sources said.

Abdul Rehman, Medical Superintendent (M.S.) Civil Hospital, said the injured people are being treated in three hospitals of Quetta including Civil Hospital, Combined Military Hospital and Bolan medical complex, however, he did not mention the condition of the wounded people.

Previously at least three local TV channels quoted Rehmat Baloch, the health minister of Balochistan province with Quetta as capital city, as saying that the death toll of the blast has risen to 93, as the situation was not clear at that time.

Local media reported that the dead include 25 lawyers and two journalists while there was a large number of lawyers and some journalists in the wounded victims.

Lt. Gen. Asim Bajwa, the Director General (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani army's media wing, said in a tweet that army will help shifting of seriously injured patients to the hospitals in Karachi, the capital city of neighboring Sindh province.

The M.S. Civil Hospital said 26 of the injured people will be airlifted to hospitals in Karachi.

Local media reported that the army has provided a C-130 to the provincial government to be used as an air ambulance.

Bomb disposal squad said the blast was carried out by a suicide bomber who was hiding an estimated eight to 10 kg of explosive materials in his vest.

The squad said they have found limbs of the bomber, which will be sifted for lab test to help further investigations.

Sanaullah Zehri, Chief Minister of Balochistan, said the blast happened when a large number of lawyers and journalists were gathering in the Civil Hospital Quetta to collect body of the president of Balochistan Bar Association who was killed in a separate attack.

The president Bilal Kasi was killed when some unknown gunmen attacked his vehicle in Manno Jan area of Quetta.

The gunmen fled the scene after the attack.

Media reports said a Taliban-linked group has claimed responsibility.

A heavy contingent of police and paramilitary troops rushed to the blast site and cordoned it off for investigations.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast and vowed to root out militancy from the country.

He cancelled his activities in Islamabad and arrived Quetta to visit the injured people.

The PM called a high level meeting to discuss the security situation in the province.

The country's army Chief Raheel Sharif arrived Quetta to ask after the health of the injured people.

The ISPR said the army chief will hold meeting with military and civil leadership about the security situation.

The Balochistan government announced a three-day mourning and the national flag will fly on half-mast during the mourning days in the province.

The government of the country's eastern Punjab province announced one day mourning to show solidarity with the blast victims.

The explosion caused a chain reaction from the circles of lawyers in the country.

Lawyers in Balochistan and the country's southern port city of Karachi boycotted court proceedings.

The Pakistan Bar Association condemned the attack and announced a three-day mourning.
by Naim-Ul-Karim

DHAKA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi government has relied on a Chinese engineering giant to carry out detailed engineering design for a four-lane expansion of a national highway which is assumed to be one of the major transport corridors linking capital Dhaka to its south and west as well as linking Bangladesh with its three neighbors.

Chinese firm Henan Provincial Communications Planning, Survey, and Design Institute (HPCPSDI) Company Limited, which since its establishment in 1964 had undertaken highway survey and design for over 10,000 km, including the Sections of Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway and Lianyungang-Huoerguosi Expressway in Henan Province, Monday signed an agreement in this connection with the implementing agency of the Bangladeshi government's highway expansion project.

Special Works Organization of Bangladesh Army is the implementing agency of the Bangladesh government project which involves upgrading of 55 km of highway that connects the country's largest Padma bridge and lies to the southwest of capital Dhaka.

Officials said the upgrading will convert the existing two lane road to a four lane access controlled express way including the two service roads of the highway.

After construction of over 3-billion-U.S. dollar Padma bridge and its approaches, according to a project paper, it will be one of Bangladesh's major transport corridors linking capital Dhaka to the country's south and west as well as linking Bangladesh with India, Nepal and Bhutan.

The significance of the route will increase as a result of agreements signed under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation or SAARC, it said.

The state-run Chinese company as a consultant will be responsible for the detailed designs of elevated inter changes and overpasses and under passes at important intersections in these road sections including culverts and all other relevant road structures.

In line with the agreement signed here on Monday, officials said the Chinese company will have to submit a detailed design by January next year.

In this connection, Colonel Iftekhar Anis, director of the highway expansion project, and Wang Shijie, vice president of HPCPSDI, signed an agreement on behalf of their respective organizations here on Monday.

In December last year, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the main works of the country's biggest Padma Bridge project by unveiling its foundation plaque.

Prior to the inauguration of the main bridge's construction works, she unveiled the plaque of the river training works, the second most costly component of the 3-billion-U.S. dollar project conducted by one of the largest international companies, Sinohydro Corporation Limited.

Hasina said the bridge will shorten travel time between capital Dhaka and the country's southern region, boosting entire trade and economic activities.

It would also help Bangladesh to be connected with the proposed Asian Highway and Trans-Asian Railway.

"Neighboring countries could use our seaports as the bridge will pave the way for better regional connectivity."

Experts say the bridge when it comes into operation in 2018 will ease pressure on the country's premier seaport in Chittagong, 242 km southeast of capital Dhaka, as it will bolster the second largest Mongla seaport in Bagerhat district, 178 km southwest of the capital city.

In June 2014, the Bangladeshi government awarded China Major Bridge Engineering Company Limited a 1.55-billion-U.S. dollar contract to build core structure of the Padma Bridge project which is to be completed in four years.

The 25-meter-wide and 10-km-long bridge will be built over Padma River, one of the three major rivers in Bangladesh.

About 6.15 km of the bridge is being built over the river while the remaining part on both banks.

Apart from connecting nearly 30 million people in Bangladesh's southwest region to the rest of the country, the bridge will enhance regional trade and collaboration along the Asian highway No. 1 and the Trans-Asian railway network.

The bridge is among the six projects that are under direct supervision of the Fast Track Project Monitoring Committee headed by Hasina.
BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- A training course for senior foreign police officers on UN peacekeeping missions started in Beijing on Monday.

It is the first time China's Ministry of Public Security and the UN have cooperated in this way. The course focuses on passing on China's practical experience.

The trainees include 17 senior officers from Angola, Djibouti, Kenya, Liberia, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Four Chinese peacekeeping police representatives will also attend the course.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced measures to back UN peacekeeping missions on Sept. 28, 2015. Addressing a peacekeeping summit in the UN headquarters, Xi declared China will help train 2,000 foreign peacekeepers in the next five years.

Since 2000, China has dispatched more than 2,400 police peacekeepers to nine peace-keeping mission areas, including Timor-Leste, Liberia and Haiti. At present, 174 Chinese police are still in Liberia, South Sudan and Cyprus.
Visitors watch the robot welding system during the Aluminium China 2016 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) in Shanghai, east China, July 12, 2016. The Aluminium China 2016 started at the SNIEC on Tuesday, attracting more than 400 enterprises in aluminium industry from over 30 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

MEXICO CITY, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of G20 countries are expected to seek to foster innovation in industry when they meet at a summit in Septembr in China, yet they will have to ensure current jobs are maintained, Mexican economist Jorge Sanchez Tello has said.

The use of high technology would favor economic development by boosting efficiency and productivity, the researcher from the Financial Studies Foundation at the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico told Xinhua in an interview.

However, he warned that innovation risks having a negative impact if countries do not create conditions for workers who risk being replaced to find other jobs.

"The impact of innovation on the replacement of the workforce is a very important topic. Robots are replacing people in ever more industries, especially manufacturing," said Sanchez Tello.

He believed that alongside innovation, the G20 countries will have to discuss ways of improving education, creating new jobs and boosting the training of the workforce.

The researcher said he saw China as having a particular interest in discussing innovation during the summit, given that the positives and negatives of technology are a focal point for relations between developed and emerging countries.

"We are about to reach a new industrial revolution where robots will virtually replace much of the workforce," said Sanchez Tello.

A polishing robot works at site in a robot experience center in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

This will only be exacerbated, he noted, by growing discontent with free markets, as exemplified by Brexit and U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's anti-trade rhetoric.

Sanchez Tello said the "rise in protectionism is not the fault of globalization but a consequence of increasing financial volatility. All these points will be part of a great debate the G20 will have on the impact that globalization is having on workers and on companies."

China, who currently holds the rotating presidency of the G20, has said that the summit will seek to foster better global innovation, economic governance and increased international investments.

That China is organizing this summit, to be held in the city of Hangzhou on Sept. 4-5, serves as a recognition of its momentum as a pillar of the global economy, he said.

"While China still has a long way to go, the U.S. and China are the two pillars of support of the world economy. It is only natural, and actually happens quite late, for China to host the G20," he said.
by Xinhua Writer Chen Shilei

BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese home appliance maker Midea Group's bid for German robot maker Kuka AG has clearly demonstrated the spirit of win-win cooperation while dispelling "suspicions" surrounding Chinese investments.

Despite initial objections from some German policymakers and industry bigwigs, Midea finally secured 94.55 percent of Kuka's share, according to an announcement made by Midea on Monday. The deal, pending regulatory approval, demonstrated the Chinese company's sincerity and firm belief in win-win results.

The merger is a win-win because it is expected to help Midea develop automation to improve production efficiency and quality while assisting Kuka in gaining access to the vast Chinese market.

It serves as a vivid example of the alignment between China's "Made in China 2025" blueprint and Germany's "Industry 4.0."

However, Midea's bid has initially been met with opposition and suspicion.

Although Berlin has reiterated that it will not intervene in the commercial deal, local media reported that some European Union (EU) and German officials opposed it out of concern that Midea could "steal" German technology and deal a blow to Germany's industrial digitization drive.

Minority shareholders in Kuka also reportedly voiced concerns that Midea's "control" over Kuka could let the latter lose its independence in corporate management.

The concerns over intellectual property are not justified because intellectual property is not something one can just take and export, but rather something that essentially requires the assistance and cooperation of the people involved.

Midea has demonstrated great sincerity and made the utmost efforts in acquiring Kuka. It has pledged that Kuka will operate independently and keep all the jobs for its employees to 2023, which is in the best interest of the German company.

In many other similar cases, Chinese investors have allowed great independence for the management of acquired German companies.

Take the Putzmeister-Sany case, for instance. In 2012, Sany Heavy Industry, China's largest construction equipment group, acquired Putzmeister, a German concrete pump maker, at a price of about 4 billion U.S. dollars. Workers at Putzmeister protested outside the factory over concerns that they would lose their jobs.

But four years later, Putzmeister's headcount has been stable, and the stability is expected to continue until 2020. Meanwhile, sales of the company increased by nearly one third, and the established image of Putzmeister and its good relations it has with business partners have remained unchanged.

In contrast to those who work for German companies purchased by investors from other countries, many workers at Putzmeister are now grateful to have been able to keep their jobs.

Therefore, the internationalization of Chinese enterprises along with the growing Chinese economy should not be politicized, and there is no need to regard Chinese investment with suspicion.

An increasing number of Chinese companies have been successful in overseas mergers and acquisitions, because they focus not only on short-term financial benefits, but also on long-term strategic goals and gaining a strong foothold in the international market.

As long as policymakers and industry bigwigs are supportive and open-minded, overseas mergers and acquisitions, conducted legally and in line with market principles and international practices, can yield win-win outcomes and contribute to social and economic development.
TAIPEI, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan's exports totalled 24.1 billion U.S. dollars in July, up 1.2 percent from the same month last year, bringing an end to 17 consecutive months of contraction, the island's finance authority said Monday.

The growth was mainly due to shipments of electronic products.

Eports of mineral products, which posted a smaller decline in the month, also contributed to the reading.

The exports to Chinese mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region amounted to 9.6 billion U.S. dollars, up 3.4 percent.

Taiwan authorities forecast that the exports will increase in the last two quarters in the year, but exports for the entire year could still post negative growth compared with last year, due to the sustained decline in the 17 months before the recording month.

Additionally, the island's imports in July dropped 0.2 percent from a year earlier to 20.5 billion U.S. dollars, resulting in a trade surplus of 3.6 billion U.S. dollars for the month. Enditem
ISLAMABAD, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- A splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing in Quetta that killed nearly 70 people and injured around 100 on Monday.

"We claim the responsibility for the Quetta martyrdom attack," the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (TTP JA)said.

"The TTP JA first targeted Bilal Anwar Kasi, president of the local lawyers association, and then a bomber struck the protesting lawyers and the gov't officials," the TTP JA spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said in a statement sent to the local media. He warned of more such attacks.

TTP JA is a splinter group mainly comprised of the Taliban militants from Mohmand tribal region that border Afghanistan.

The group is considered more hardliner within the Taliban and routinely claims responsibility for attacks in the country.

Meanwhile, Minister for State for Interior, Baleegh ur Rehman, told the National Assembly on Monday evening that 69 people were confirmed dead and 108 others were injured.
BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- China expects knowledge-intensive services to contribute 20 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020, up from 15.6 percent in 2015, according to the country's five-year plan for science and technology progress by 2020.

The State Council plan, published on Monday, lists targets for science and technology from 2016 to 2020 as well as government action to help realize the targets.

Total factor productivity, of which technology is a sub-set, aims to account for 60 percent of growth in 2020, up from 55.3 percent last year.

The number of patent applications in 2020 is expected to be double that of 2015, according to the plan.

By 2020, out of every 10,000 workers, 60 will be engaged in research and development, up from 48.5 in 2015, the plan said.

Priorities for the government over the next five years include directing resources to strategic areas, fostering creativity, creating a favorable policy environment and removing barriers to innovation.

The country will spend more resources in research areas key to its national strength and security, including computer chip, integrated circuit equipment, broadband mobile telecommunication, digital machinery, nuclear power, genetic modification, water pollution control, new medicines, manned space programs and lunar exploration.

China also hopes to make breakthroughs in areas such as deep-sea exploration, quantum computing and brain science. Agriculture, computing, green energy, biology and environmental protection will also receive more attention. The government promises greater support for basic research, science labs and international research.

China will take an active part in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project and the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) telescope project, according to the plan.

The plan lists measures to improve legislation on research and development, streamline fund raising and raise the efficiency of governance.

The government will encourage enterprises to invest more in R&D and offer preferential policies to knowledge-intensive startups while pushing universities and research institutes to improve efficiency.

China will also expand cooperation in science and technological development with other countries, especially those along the Belt and Road.

The government will encourage joint research projects between Chinese and foreign institutes and enterprises to attract more high-level foreign experts to work in China.
AMMAN, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences said on Monday that it will provide Jordan with 20 million U.S. dollars to support the educational sector in the country, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

At a meeting in Amman with Jordan's Education Minister Mohammad Dhneibat, the director general of the foundation Adan Shehab said the supports seek to advance the Jordanian educational sector and reduce challenges and burdens on Jordan amidst hosting a large number of Syrian refugees.

The support is part of Kuwait's commitment at the donor countries conference held in London earlier this year to help Jordan cope with the consequences of hosting 1.3 million Syrian refugees.

The Jordanian official said the government will open more schools soon for the teaching of Syrian children upon receiving the grant from Kuwait.

He said there are some 145,000 Syrian students at public schools in Jordan.

Discussions also covered challenges Jordan is facing in various areas amidst the ongoing crisis in Syria.
GUANGZHOU, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The higher people's court of south China's Guangdong Province on Monday established a bankruptcy division to deal with "zombie companies".

"Zombie companies" are economically inviable businesses, usually in industries with severe overcapacity, kept alive only with support from the government and banks.

The division will focus on bankruptcy and compulsory liquidation cases, offering guidance to other courts in the province and exploring ways to regroup or close down "zombie companies".

At the end of 2015, China's Central Economic Work Conference emphasized the importance of supply-side reform and the clearance of "zombie companies" as a way to cut overcapacity.

Tan Ling, deputy head of the court, said the new division enables better implementation of the Bankruptcy Law and appropriate treatment of different cases.

Guangdong has set a target of closing or regrouping of all its zombie companies within three years.

Li Cheng, director of Guangdong state-owned assets supervision and administration commission, said a total of 3,385 companies in the province were identified as "zombies", 2,333 of which are marked for closure.
Syrian refugees stand at the Zaatari refugee camp, located close to the northern Jordanian city of Mafraq near the border with Syria, on July 14, 2016. (AFP/Xinhua)

AMMAN, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences said on Monday that it will provide Jordan with 20 million U.S. dollars to support the educational sector in the country, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

At a meeting in Amman with Jordan's Education Minister Mohammad Dhneibat, the director general of the foundation Adan Shehab said the supports seek to advance the Jordanian educational sector and reduce challenges and burdens on Jordan amidst hosting a large number of Syrian refugees.

The support is part of Kuwait's commitment at the donor countries conference held in London earlier this year to help Jordan cope with the consequences of hosting 1.3 million Syrian refugees.

The Jordanian official said the government will open more schools soon for the teaching of Syrian children upon receiving the grant from Kuwait.

He said there are some 145,000 Syrian students at public schools in Jordan.

Discussions also covered challenges Jordan is facing in various areas amidst the ongoing crisis in Syria.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (L,center) and Pakistan's army Chief Raheel Sharif (R,center) visit a man who was injured in the hospital bomb blast at an army hospital in southwest Pakistan's Quetta, on Aug. 8, 2016. At least 70 people were killed and 112 others injured in a suicide blast inside the emergency ward of Civil Hospital in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city on Monday, hospital sources said. (Xinhua/Asad)

by Muhammad Tahir

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Terrorists massacred civilians in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Monday in an apparent sheer frustration after many of them have either been killed or expelled from their bases in the country's lawless tribal regions as the result of military operations.

Officials confirmed that majority of those killed in the attack outside one of the main hospitals in Quetta, the provincial capital, were civilians, including lawyers, who gathered to protest against the killing of their local president, Bilal Anwar Kasi.

Kasi was shot dead in a separate terrorist attack minutes before the bombers hit the gathering of the lawyers.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ul-Ahrar group claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing in Quetta that killed nearly 70 people and injured around 100, the group spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan said in a statement.

Lawmakers are calling for better coordination among all security agencies and the unity of political forces to defeat the terrorists.

Ghalib Khan, a member of the National Assembly from South Waziristan tribal region, says all political parties and segment of the society should set aside their differences to defeat those who are attacking people in hospital.

"The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has done a lot to deal with the terrorism and violent extremism. Now we all should forge unity to counter the remaining threat," the lawmaker told Xinhua in Islamabad late on Monday.

Although the militant groups have been deprived of their sanctuaries in their former strongholds and the security situation across the country has substantially improved, the terrorist attack in Quetta shows that they still have networks to plan and execute attacks in public places and to find soft targets.

Like others, members of the TTP Jamaat-ul-Ahrar were also previously working from the North Waziristan tribal region but security officials say all the militants currently "operate from the Afghan side of the border."

The terrorist attack in Quetta has highlighted the vulnerability of the different communities including who the terrorist mindset also considers as their genuine target because of their profession.

The Taliban and other militants have their own interpretation to consider lawyers as part of what they think as secular system. Majority in Pakistan reject this approach.

Whatever the mentality of the militants might have been, protection of the people is the main responsibility of the state institutions.

This situation emerges as a new major challenge for the government and its security and agencies to improve its intelligence and monitoring system to thwart such plan before they are implemented.

Another lawmaker, Mussarat Ahmed Zeb, says the terrorist acts to target even hospital underlines the need for thorough review of the policies.

"Time is ripe to go after the sleeping cells of the terrorists who have no care for the defenseless people," Zeb told Xinhua on Monday shortly after the massacre in Quetta.

The security forces had conducted some raids on suspected hideouts of the militants in parts of the country who had escaped from the tribal regions.

There is a need to keep on continuing these operations and the focus should be shifted to cities where the militants take advantage to mingle with the local population.

It is a test case for the security agencies how to unearth and go after those who shelter and facilitate the terrorists in urban areas.

There is a need of special attention to the security of Balochistan as the province is important due to its strategic location and abundance in natural resources.

The inimical forces are using terrorists to destabilize the province. This threat requires an effective government response and backing of the entire nation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) meets with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Aug. 8, 2016. Putin arrived here on Monday for a trilateral meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on issues of common interests. (Xinhua/AZERTAC)

BAKU, Aug. 8 (Xinhua)-- Russia and Azerbaijan will consider measures to boost trade cooperation hit by crises in the global economy and falling oil prices, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during talks with Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Monday.

According to Russian President, various reasons, including global economic crisis, a drop in prices on traditional export commodity and problems with exchange rate fluctuations affected trade between the two countries.

"About 600 Russian companies are currently operating in Azerbaijan and Russia's direct investments stand at about 1.5 billion U.S. dollars," he said adding that bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia has acquired the character of strategic cooperation, which is vital for the diversification of relations.

President Putin said Russia and Azerbaijan have promising joint projects not only in energy, but also in other areas, such as mechanical engineering and high technologies.

"We also continue cooperation in the Caspian Sea region, including military cooperation," he added.

The Russian president arrived in Baku on Monday for a trilateral meeting with Azerbaijani and Iranian presidents.

The meeting is expected to focus on trade, energy, communications, transportation, environment as well as on the situation in Syria and on the threat of the Daesh terrorist group outlawed in Russia. The sides will reportedly exchange views on the ways to bolster military-technical cooperation.

The meeting is expected to result in the signing of a joint declaration.
LONDON, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The British Library announced Monday that it will hold a new exhibition about the magic of Harry Potter in autumn 2017, marking the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

From medieval descriptions of dragons and griffins, to the origins of the philosopher's stone, the exhibition will take readers on a journey to the heart of the Harry Potter stories, said the library in a statement.

The exhibition will showcase an extraordinary range of wizarding books, manuscripts and objects, and combine centuries-old British Library treasures with original material from Bloomsbury's and J.K. Rowling's archives.

"We at the British Library are thrilled to be working with J.K. Rowling and with Bloomsbury to mark the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter, and to inspire fans with the magic of our own British Library collections,"said Jamie Andrews, head of Culture and Learning at the British Library.

Rebecca McNally, publishing director and editor-in-chief of Bloomsbury Children's Books, spoke of her excitement for the new event.

"The British Library is a magical place for book lovers," Rebecca said. "They are the perfect partners for a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition exploring a once-in-a-lifetime cultural phenomenon, a thrilling celebration of magic and imagination with Harry Potter at its heart."

The exhibition will open on Oct. 20, 2017, and run until Feb. 28, 2018. Enditem
FREETOWN, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has pledged 20 million U.S. dollars to help the Sierra Leone Ministry of Agriculture to enhance agricultural development in the country.

IFAD President Kanayo F. Nwanze who was on a two days fact finding tour to Sierra Leone made the disclosure at a press conference before he left over the weekend.

He told newsmen that they are working with the government to "develop a new program to support the country's agricultural productivity".

To ensure this, he pointed out that the citizens should form the habit of eating locally grown food. "Grow what you eat, buy and eat local to contribute to the development of your economy", he went on.

Nwanze noted that Sierra Leone has all it takes to attain food self sufficiency with the country enjoying abundant rain, a young and vibrant population with intellect together with a good leadership.

He said IFAD projects in the country have benefited over half a million households and that the partnership between Sierra Leone and the fund has been significantly strengthened since the commencement of the first project in Sierra Leone in 1980.

He disclosed that his fund's main business in the country is to invest "in rural people including women, children and men to get them out of poverty and so eradicating hunger in the rural areas of developing countries like Sierra Leone". Enditem
BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Born in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Maruyama Iwao was just 11 years old when he was repatriated to his native country, Japan in 1946.

Now 81, Maruyama's story has been made into the documentary, "Travel With Me: A Journey of Gratitude Over 70 Years," which is set to be screened in China Tuesday.

The film tells the story of Maruyama's recent bicycle trip, where he retraced the journey he made from from Harbin to Huludao, Liaoning Province, 70 year ago.

"Along the way I was touched by the helpfulness of Chinese people, just like in the old days," Maruyama said.

Tian Yuhong, vice head of China Radio International, which produced the documentary, said that they would like the film to make people reflect on history, enhance Sino-Japanese relations, and call for the respect of peace and life.

During the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japanese aggression that ended in 1945, more than 35 million Chinese people were killed or injured.

More than one million Japanese people were sent back home between 1946 and 1948.

"At that time, China was in the heat of civil war," Maruyama said. "To ensure our safety, many Chinese people protected us along the way. Japan committed such a crime but we were ultimately forgiven. Were we on the Chinese side, I am not sure if the Japanese would have done the same."

Maruyama hadn't thought of retracing his journey in China until 2011 when he was working as a volunteer, following the massive earthquake in Japan.

He met another man who planned to travel in China by bike and decided to join him. The plan sounded crazy to many.

"I was 77 years old, and Japan and China were not on good terms due to the Diaoyu Islands dispute," he said.

But he could not be dissuaded.

In 2012, they rode about 300 km from Shanghai to Nanjing, eastern China.

Inspired by the trip, Maruyama had an even bolder plan.

"I was helped by so many Chinese people," he said.

"Should I die before saying thanks to them? It would have been a great regret to me."

The journey from Harbin to Huludao was three times longer than his previous bicycle trip. It was easy to think that a man of his age simply wouldn't be able to do it.

"The first time around, I could only ride 15 km without stopping," he said. This time, he could ride for as long as 100 kilometers each time.

In Harbin, he returned to the streets where he played as a child. He fondly remembers a man called Mr. Lin. In the winter of 1945, the coal and grain in Maruyama's home had all been used up. They were desperate, but Lin gave them a helping hand so that his family didn't starve or suffer from the cold.

"I never did have a chance to thank him," Maruyama said. Lin died some years ago.

However, he did manage to find another old neighbor, Mr. Zhu. When finally shaking his hand, Maruyama was full of emotion.

"If we ever did anything that hurt you, I apologize," Maruyama said.

"Forget about it. Let's cherish the days we have now," Zhu replied.

Another beautiful moment is when Maruyama met a boy wearing a simple garland of willow twigs on his head.

"With my awkward Chinese, I said 'that is pretty,' and he just gave it to me there and then," Maruyama said.

In return, the old man offered the boy the towel he was wearing on his head.

"But he wouldn't accept it. Maybe because he was not as bald as me and didn't need it!" Maruyama said, smiling.

He also talked about a young mother who gave up her seat for him on the subway, and the customs officer at the airport customs who let him bring through two bottles of wine, even though his luggage was overweight.

"Chinese people are just as friendly as they were 70 years ago," he said.

The documentary will be available online at CCTV, Letv, Xinhuanet, and people.com.

At the end of the film, Maruyama visited a monument near the port of Huludao, which marked the site of Japanese people's departure 70 years ago. He made a paper plane, threw it and watched it gently glide into the distance.

"May the friendship between our two countries never die," he said. Enditem
NAIROBI, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- More than one hundred Kenyan youth drawn from mid-level colleges and universities are the latest beneficiaries of a railway technology course sponsored by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

The youth were on Monday awarded certificates after completing the four month course that covered basic locomotive and rolling stock engineering, telecommunications control and transport management.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for the trainees, Kenyan minister for transport and infrastructure, James Macharia said the east African nation will strengthen partnership with China to help improve railway technology.

"Skills transfer is a key component of the engineering, procurement and construction contract that we signed with CRBC at commencement of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project," Macharia said.

He commended the Chinese construction firm for sponsoring crash courses for Kenyan youth to enhance their capacity to operate and manage the railway that will be completed mid next year.

The CRBC sponsored railway technology course for Kenyan youth was conducted by tutors from China's Southwest Jiaotong University.

The construction firm will offer a five month internship to the trainees who will be placed at different sections of the SGR project to familiarize them with practical elements of railway transport.

Macharia hailed a partnership between CRBC and Kenyan training institutions to help bridge a yawning skills gap in railway operation and maintenance.

He noted that Kenya is well positioned to become a regional hub for railway transport thanks to strategic collaboration with China to modernize infrastructure and create a critical pool of trained personnel.

The transport minister added that completion of SGR project will hasten Kenya's industrialization process, boost cross border trade alongside skills transfer.

Sino-Kenya collaboration in infrastructure development and technology transfer has entered a critical milestone thanks to sincere commitment from top leadership in the two bilateral allies.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Liu Xianfa said Beijing will support modernization of Kenya's infrastructure and training for the youth to accelerate the country's socio-economic transformation. Enditem
Chinese actors and actresses perform during the opening ceremony of the 10th China International Folk Art Festival in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province, Aug. 8, 2016. Artists from 13 countries and regions took part in the festival. (Xinhua/Wu Gang)

XINING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Artists from 13 countries have gathered in northwest China's Qinghai Province, as the 10th China International Folk Art Festival was kicked off in the provincial capital of Xining on Monday.

The event, scheduled to last till Aug. 13, is jointly hosted by China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) and the Qinghai provincial government.

Shi Honggang, chair of Xining art theater, said the festival will not only broaden the horizons of the audience in Qinghai, but raise the profile of Qinghai's art.

David Mclaughlin, art director of Ireland Titanic dance theater company, said it is the first time for the company's original dance drama Titanic to be performed in China. The development of art is dependent on the inheritance, exchange and innovation of art lovers, he said.

Launched in 1990 with the approval of the State Council, the festival has been held triennially by CFLAC and a domestic city.
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned the terrorist attack at a hospital in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city, calling the attack "particularly appalling."

Earlier on Monday, at least 70 people were killed and 112 others injured in a suicide blast inside the emergency ward of the Civil Hospital in Quetta.

The blast happened when a large number of lawyers were gathered to collect the body of a murdered colleague, the president of Balochistan Bar Association Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was killed in a separate attack.

"The targeting of mourners at a civilian hospital makes the attack particularly appalling," UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told a daily briefing.

"The Secretary-General urges the Government to do its utmost to ensure safety of the population and bring to justice the perpetrators of today's attack," Haq added.

Pakistani Taliban faction has claimed responsibility for the terrorist bombing.
by Anthi Pazianou

LESVOS, Greece, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Two Afghan refugees got married in a wedding ceremony on the Greek island of Lesvos over the weekend.

Zahra Mohammadi, 24, and Ehsan Gholami, 27 met on Lesvos in January at a party mainly for Afghans. Since early 2015, the bulk of the more than one million Europe-bound refugees and immigrants have landed in the Greek island.

"We decided to get married and start our common life here," a happy Gholami told Xinhua on Saturday at the wedding ceremony.

A religious ceremony was held via Skype, according to the best man. "The couple was connected to a mufti in Afghanistan via skype and read the sacred speech," he said.

After the ceremony, there was a big celebration at a local hotel, which was attended by fellow refugees and Greek volunteers."There will be a civil marriage too," said the best man.

It was the second marriage between refugees on Lesvos since April when two refugees respectively from Turkey and Syria got married at a refugee camp.

"Everybody -- from the DJ to the hotel, the catering and the two refugee organizations -- helped to throw a big party in Greek way as the couple asked for," said Elpida Koumarela, a volunteer who helped organizing the wedding party.

"We wish a beautiful life to the newlyweds and we are happy that they will stay on our island," said Koumarela.

Arrived at Lesvos for the first time 10 years ago as a minor, Gholami said he knows the island very well. He reached Lesvos shores by boat and was transferred to a hostel on Crete island.

"My parents were killed in the war when I was 12 years old. I took my brother and travelled to Iran. My uncle was there," Gholami said.

Five years later his brother left Iran and went to Australia, while Gholami stayed on Crete. He took Greek lessons, went to Athens, and came back to Lesvos in 2012.

Completing his school on Lesvos, Gholami now works as a translator at "Meta-action", a non-governmental organization for refugees. His dream is to study sociology at the University of the Aegean.

The bride Mohammadi came with her mother to Lesvos by boat in November 2015, the year that Lesvos accepted large number of refugees.

"I don't want to recall my journey. I only want to remember the good people I found here," she told Xinhua.

Mohammadi went to a group of volunteers on Lesvos and learned to knit woolen caps and pullovers for the refugees.

Olga Pliakatou, Mohammadi's friend in the knitting group, said the friends were very happy about Zahra.

"We couldn't imagine that this girl who came with her mother to Lesvos and was frequently crying, would finally find such luck and happiness," said Pliakatou.

The new couple is worried about the current refugee situation.

"Thousands of refugees and immigrants are trapped in Greece after EU(European Union) countries shut down their borders. The EU-Turkey refugee deal is really bad for people living in camps under inappropriate conditions," said Mohammadi.

Local police said 964 Afghans are among the 3,645 refugees and immigrants remaining at Lesvos.

As of August 3, 90,082 migrants arrived at Lesvos in 2016, according to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR.

In January and February, there were 42,601 and 31,416 arrivals respectively to the island, while in March and April, the number dropped to 14,155 and 1,766, respectively.

The average number of daily arrivals in July was 36, in June was 15, while in May and April it was 17 and 59, respectively. Enditem
GAZA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Jihad (Holy War) in the Gaza Strip announced on Monday that it will boycott the municipal elections scheduled to be held in October in the Palestinian territories.

The pro-Iran and the less influential Palestinian group said in an emailed press statement that joining the Palestinian municipal elections is not the real Palestinian priority.

"The municipal elections are important, but it can never be the introduction or the mean to get out from the current Palestinian impasse that is getting deeper day after day," said the group.

The Palestinian factions, including the Islamic Hamas movement and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah Party as well as five left-wing parties, agreed to hold the municipal elections in early October.

Last municipal elections were held in the Palestinian territories in 2005.

The municipal elections were held in the West Bank only in 2010 after Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, refused to join it.

"Instead of holding the municipal elections, the internal split has to end and the Palestinians should focus more on fighting the occupation (Israel) in Jerusalem and in the West Bank," said the Islamic Jihad.

The Islamic Jihad is the second Islamic faction in the Palestinian territories after Hamas. The military group has been always boycotting the Palestinian elections, mainly the presidential and the legislative elections. Enditem
File photo taken on May 24, 2016 shows an aerial view of expressways linking Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport at night in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. Hangzhou is the host city for the 2016 G20 summit on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5. With one month to go, Hangzhou looks forward to G20. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

by Maria Elena Spagnolo

ROME, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's role in promoting global economic growth is vital, an Italian economic expert told Xinhua in context of the forthcoming G20 summit to be held in Hangzhou, China.

The summit, from September 4 to 5, is the first ever to be hosted in China.

According to Alessia Amighini, adjoint professor of International Economics at the Catholic University of Milan, the Chinese presidency of G20 meetings has been very active in preparing the G20 summit.

"China organized a lot of meetings, cooperated with its successor the German presidency. G20 is a very important forum because it brings together G8 countries and the most important emerging countries," she said.

G20 is also a simple forum without heavy bureaucracy which aids discussions, added Amighini, who is also an assistant professor of Economics at the University of Eastern Piedmont and senior associate at the Institute for International Political Studies.

Amighini stressed the Chinese economy plays a very important role in current complex economic environment. "China's growth helps other countries' growth. For instance, Germany sells part of its production to the Chinese market. This helps also the European economy because everything in this world is interconnected," she said.

The academic believes that to boost growth, countries should enact measures on the demand and supply side both.

"On the demand side, it would be important to boost consumer confidence. It is important to increase salaries but this is difficult due to stationary productivity," she added.

On the supply side, it is important to remove existing obstacles to international trade in some countries, she said. "It is important to facilitate exchanges, reduce trade costs and to improve logistic infrastructure. It is also very important to reduce protectionism," Amighini added.

In late July, Amighini attended the Think 20 Summit, a preparatory meeting for the G20, where experts contributed ideas on how to build new global relationships.

Related:

Spotlight: G20 nations to revive global economic recovery via pro-growth strategies, innovation

BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Less than one month before the kickoff of a Group of 20 (G20) summit, G20 countries are envisioning global economic recovery through pro-growth strategies and innovation.

Since China took over the G20 presidency on Dec. 1, 2015, the country has hosted a series of high-level meetings to set the stage for the summit, which is scheduled for Sept. 4-5 in Hangzhou, the capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province. Full story

Spotlight: World expects G20 summit to revive economic growth, eye China's leadership

HANGZHOU, China, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- As the Group of 20 (G20) summit is a month away, people worldwide are expecting leaders to promote global economic recovery and enhance the role of emerging economies, especially China, the second-largest economy and chair of the G20 this year.

"For us Europe, the urgent priority is to get through the economic crisis," said Melinda Brindicci, an employee in tourism industry from Rome, Italy. "Employment problem of Italy and other European countries, especially related to young people, awaits to be solved." Full story

Commentary: Current world calls for G20 to play bigger role

BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Against the backdrop of weak global economic recovery and uncertain political situation, countries in the world look forward to the Group of 20 (G20) playing a bigger role in global governance and economic growth. Full story

Xinhua Insight: One month to go, Hangzhou looks forward to G20

HANGZHOU, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) - Hangzhou resident Yang Chizhen does not speak a word of English, but has decided to spend the next month picking up some simple English phrases.
JUBA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Ousted South Sudan's first Vice President Riek Machar will only return to his position on the discretion of his replacement Taban Deng Gai, an official said on Monday.

President Salva Kiir's spokesman, Ateny Wek Ateny whose government had rejected foreign troops in the country told Xinhua in an interview in Juba, that there is no law compelling inaugurated first Vice President Deng to vacate for Machar.

"They (regional countries) are urging him (Machar) to return to Juba. The matter lies with Deng, there is no law compelling him to do so. The IGAD has allowed the current setting and it is a matter of Deng to decide if to step down and go back as minister," Ateny said.

This came after Juba last week agreed to allow in foreign troops as part of the African Standby force agreed upon by the African Union (AU), UN and intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

It further encourages Machar to rejoin the peace process and for President Kiir and people to embrace a return to the spirit of long lasting peace in their country.

During the recent IGAD summit in Ethiopia, South Sudan agreed to the deployment of protection forces in Juba.

Newly-appointed VP, Deng who led South Sudan government delegation to the summit known as IGAD-Plus, emerged to say that he was ready to step down from his position and give it to Riek Machar once he returns to Juba.

IGAD Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim said the Heads of State of member states have directed the chiefs of staff to go to Juba and discuss the modalities of deployment of the protection force with the government of South Sudan.

"The government of South Sudan has accepted with no condition the deployment of protection force," he said.

Deng replaced Machar in the wake of renewed violent fighting in the capital Juba on July 8-11, which led to the latter and rebel troops to flee Juba and left about 300 people killed and 60,000 others seeking refuge in neighboring countries.

The supporters of Deng cited failure to communicate with their elusive leader to replace him but it remains to be seen if the seeming ambitious Deng will relinquish the seat.

Since Machar fled the capital, the SPLM/A-IO has split into two factions, one that comprises of senior party officials that fronted Deng as Machar's alternative and the armed wing that insist on Machar being the legitimate leader.

However, Machar spokesman James Gatdet Dak said his boss remains the legitimate leader of the armed opposition recognized by the peace agreement.

"Riek Machar remains the legitimate first vice president of South Sudan. Whoever sneaked in the office illegally in violation of the August 2015 peace agreement should step down. All the SPLA-IO ministers illegally replaced will be reinstated under their legitimate leader," Gatdet said.

South Sudan has faced ongoing challenges since a political face-off between the two leaders erupted into full blown conflict in December 2013.

The crisis has produced one of the world's worst displacement situations with immense suffering for civilians. Despite the August 2015 peace agreement that formally ended the war, conflict and instability have also spread to previously unaffected areas in the Greater Equatoria and Greater Bahr-El-Ghazal regions of South Sudan.

This past month, deadly clashes in Wau resulted in the deaths of more than 40 people, while up to 35,000 fled their homes. Enditem
LUSAKA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's Constitutional Court on Monday ordered ministers and their deputies to vacate their offices, saying they are in office illegally following the dissolution of parliament.

Ministers and their deputies had remained in office following the dissolution of parliament in May this year, a move that caused consternation among stakeholders.

The Law Association of Zambia, an association representing lawyers, decided to take the matter to the Constitutional Court for determination after President Edgar Lungu's government maintained that the ministers will not leave their offices as they will have to hand over to the new government after the Aug. 11 general elections.

But in its landmark ruling, the Constitutional Court ruled that the ministers and their deputies were in office illegally and has since asked them to leave their offices.

The court ruled that the ministers' mandate ended on the day parliament was dissolved because they were appointed from parliament.

"The ministers ought not to have continued in office in the absence of the required provision that allowed them. It is contrary to the spirit of the constitution. We do order that they should forthwith vacate office," Judge Chomba, who sat with other judges, said.

The court has also ordered them to pay back all the salaries and allowances they have been illegally accruing since May 12 when the parliament was dissolved.

The court has, however, allowed the vice-president to continue in office so that there was no vacuum in the governance of the country. Enditem
JERUSALEM, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli defense ministry on Monday backtracked on a controversial statement it made on Friday, comparing the nuclear deal with Iran to a 1938 agreement between European powers and Nazi Germany.

"The statement from Friday was not meant to draw a direct parallel between the two deals (the Iran deal and the 1938 Munich agreement), not historically or personally," a statement by the defense ministry read on Monday.

"We are sorry if it was interpreted differently," the ministry added.

It also said that Israel will continue to "work closely with full cooperation with the U.S., in mutual respect and deep appreciation," but insisted Israel is still worried about Iran's statements against Israel, as well as its actions.

Israel has been the main opponent to the deal reached between the P5+1 countries (the U.S., Britain, Russia, China, Germany and France) and Iran last July, aimed at curbing the latter's nuclear ambitions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran poses an "existential threat" to Israel.

The statement on Friday was issued following comments made by U.S. President Barack Obama the previous day. He lauded the efficacy of the Iran nuclear deal, adding that Israeli defense officials believe the deal to be successful.

The Israeli ministry said Friday that Israel's defense establishment "believes that agreements are valuable only if they are based on reality," then went on to charge that the "Munich agreement did not prevent the World War II and the Holocaust."

It said the 1938 agreement "failed to do so" because it was based on the wrong assumption that "Nazi Germany could be a partner to any agreement."

Israeli media reported on Saturday that Netanyahu was not told in advance about Friday's statement. According to the reports, the Israeli prime minister called U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro later on Friday to smooth tensions.

He had also issued a statement of his own on Friday afternoon, saying Israel's stance on the Iran deal might not have changed, yet emphasizing how important the relationship between the two countries is to Israel.

Hawkish Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who assumed his role in the government in recent months, has been a vocal opponent to the Iran nuclear deal.

He himself compared it in the past to the 1938 Munich agreement last year once the deal was signed, saying it is a result of "total capitulation to unrestrained terrorism and violence in the international arena."

This exchange is taking place as Israeli and the U.S. defense officials are working to finalize a 10-year military aid package, estimated to be worth around 40 billion U.S. dollars.

Israel and the U.S. are close allies and cooperate closely on security-related matters, with Israel being the greatest benefactor of U.S. defense aid.

Relations turned sour on the diplomatic level in recent years, amid clashes between Obama and Netanyahu, mainly over the Iran nuclear deal, but also over Israel's ongoing conflict with the Palestinians.
File photo taken on May 24, 2016 shows a music fountain in West Lake in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. Hangzhou is the host city for the 2016 G20 summit on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5. With one month to go, Hangzhou looks forward to G20. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

ROME, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's role in promoting global economic growth is vital, an Italian economic expert told Xinhua in context of the forthcoming G20 summit to be held in Hangzhou, China.

The summit, from September 4 to 5, is the first ever to be hosted in China.

According to Alessia Amighini, adjoint professor of International Economics at the Catholic University of Milan, the Chinese presidency of G20 meetings has been very active in preparing the G20 summit.

"China organized a lot of meetings, cooperated with its successor the German presidency. G20 is a very important forum because it brings together G8 countries and the most important emerging countries," she said.

G20 is also a simple forum without heavy bureaucracy which aids discussions, added Amighini, who is also an assistant professor of Economics at the University of Eastern Piedmont and senior associate at the Institute for International Political Studies.

Amighini stressed the Chinese economy plays a very important role in current complex economic environment. "China's growth helps other countries' growth. For instance, Germany sells part of its production to the Chinese market. This helps also the European economy because everything in this world is interconnected," she said.

The academic believes that to boost growth, countries should enact measures on the demand and supply side both.

"On the demand side, it would be important to boost consumer confidence. It is important to increase salaries but this is difficult due to stationary productivity," she added.

On the supply side, it is important to remove existing obstacles to international trade in some countries, she said. "It is important to facilitate exchanges, reduce trade costs and to improve logistic infrastructure. It is also very important to reduce protectionism," Amighini added.

In late July, Amighini attended the Think 20 Summit, a preparatory meeting for the G20, where experts contributed ideas on how to build new global relationships.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (L), Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (C) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a trilateral meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8, 2016. The meeting is expected to focus on trade, energy, communications, transportation, environment as well as the Syrian situation and the Islamic State threat to Russia. (Xinhua/AZERTAC)

BAKU, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran have pledged to counter the growing global threat of terrorism in a joint declaration of a trilateral summit here in Baku on Monday.

The parties expressed their willingness to combat terrorism, extremism, transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking in arms, drugs and their precursors, as well as human trafficking and crimes in the sphere of information and communication technologies.

They have also recognized that "the unresolved conflicts in the region are a major obstacle to regional cooperation", and underlined the importance of their settlement "on the basis of principles and norms of international law."

"The parties will continue the comprehensive development of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, and to deepen and broaden the political dialogue at various levels across the entire spectrum of issues of mutual interest," the document says.

Putin, Aliyev and Rouhani also agreed to deepen cooperation in various sectors of the economy "on the basis of equality and mutual benefit."

The three presidents also pledged to take effective measures to develop transportation and communication infrastructure in order to expand the opportunities for passenger and cargo transportation via the North-South corridor.

Baku on Monday hosted a trilateral summit of presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran. The summit was proposed by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for talks about the issues of common interests.
AMMAN, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Monday condemned a terrorist attack in Pakistan's Quetta city which killed dozens of innocent civilians, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

Jordan's Minister of Stare for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani said Jordan strongly condemned the attack, which he labeled as cowardly and heinous.

The minister voiced Jordan's support for Pakistan in its efforts to fight terrorism and extremism.

The official called for increased and intensified international efforts to combat terrorism that targets civilians everywhere.

He also voiced solidarity with the Pakistani people.

At least 70 people were killed and 112 others injured when a bomb went off inside the emergency ward of a hospital in Pakistan's Quetta city on Monday morning, local Urdu media and officials said.

Sanaullah Zehri, Chief Minister Balochistan with Quetta as capital city, said the blast happened when a large number of lawyers and journalists were gathering in the civil hospital to collect body of a local law association chairman.

Three-day mourning was announced in the province. Bomb disposal squad said that eight to 10 kg of explosives were used in the blast. Enditem
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The United States condemns "in the strongest terms" the horrific suicide attack in a hospital in Pakistan, the White House said Monday.

At least 70 people were killed and 112 others injured in a suicide blast inside the emergency ward of Civil Hospital in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city on Monday.

"That this attack occurred at a hospital and appeared to target a gathering of lawyers mourning the death of a respected colleague makes it all the more heinous," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement.

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (TTP JA), a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack.

The United States is committed to its continuing counterterrorism partnership with Pakistan, and remains resolute in joining with the people of Pakistan in confronting terrorism in Pakistan and across the region, Earnest said. Enditem
RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's Ye Shiwen qualified for the women's 200m individual medley semifinals, clocking in 2:10.56, and Michael Phelps of the United States made the semifinal of the men's 200m butterfly at the Rio Olympics here on Monday.

Ye finished her heat first in 2 minutes 10.56 seconds, ranking seventh to make the semifinals.

"I'm satisfied as it couldn't be worse than my 400m individual medley. I'll try my best, hoping to do better in the semifinal," Ye added.

Katinka Hosszu of Hungary ranked first by timing in 2 minutes 7.45 seconds, while China's Zhou Min failed to make the semifinal.

The semifinals were slated at the Olympic Aquatics stadium on Monday night with the final scheduled for Tuesday.

In the women's 200m freestyle, Shen Duo and Ai Yanhan, both of China, made the semifinals, while Kathleen Ledecky of the United States finished fastest, at 1 minute 55.01 seconds.

Tamas Kenderesi and Laszlo Cseh from Hungary scored the fastest timing in the men's 200m butterfly, clocking in 1:54.73 and 1:55.14 respectively. Michael Phelps of the United States, who just got his 19th Olympic gold medal Sunday in the men's 4x100 freestyle relay, timed in 1:55.73 for the semifinal.

China's Li Zhuhao finished 16th for the last spot of the semifinals, clocking in 1:56.72, just 0.01 second faster than the 17th swimmer Jan Switkowski of Poland.
BUJUMBURA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Traders and growers of fruit and vegetable crops in Cibitoke province, 70km northwest of the Burundian capital Bujumbura, are complaining about the ban on export of food items to Rwanda.

In Cibitoke, the measure taken by the Burundian government last week, affects sellers and growers of several fruit and vegetable crops, including tomatoes, onions and eggplants

"I grow and sell tomatoes, onions and other vegetables in Rwanda. My tomatoes are getting rotten in fields because we are not allowed to sell any food items in Rwanda," said Generose Nisabwe.

"The government (of Burundi) should suspend this measure because most of people living near the border with Rwanda sell their food products in Rwanda," added Nisabwe.

A grower of eggplants indicated that prices have fallen badly.

"A bag of eggplants that was purchased at 12,000 Burundi francs (7.13 U.S. dollars) is now purchased only at 2,000. As the new school year is starting next month, we will not be able to send our children to school because we will not be able to buy school uniforms, school materials and school fees," said Raphael Berahino.

They indicated that they had sought loans to grow fruits and vegetables, and complained that they will not be able to reimburse loans.

On Thursday last week, the Burundian government decided to restrict traffic on the border between Burundi and Rwanda.

Burundian Police Spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye said the ban on exporting food items was "just an implementation" of a measure taken by the Burundian government to protect the national food production".

The measure also restricts the traffic of travelers between the two countries.

Witnesses told Xinhua that passenger buses are not allowed to cross the common border between Burundi and Rwanda.

Relations between Burundi and Rwanda have deteriorated after Burundi accused Rwanda of hosting and supporting perpetrators of the May 13, 2015 coup plot against Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza. Rwanda says Nkurunziza's bid for a third term violates the 2000 Arusha Agreement and the Burundian constitution. Enditem
OSLO, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- A new research in Norway has shown that even microscopic amounts of oil spill can create malformations and reduce the growth of polar cod, news agency NTB reported on Monday.

In an experiment made by researchers at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 12,000 eggs from polar cod were exposed to tiny, but realistic amounts of raw oil. Although the oil spills did not kill them, the test has shown that the larvae grew smaller and with malformation.

"The levels that were used in the experiments were so low that it was not be possible to measure them in the laboratory. However, the fact that such small amounts give so clear results is in itself both sensational and important," associate professor Jasmine Nahrgang told the university's online newspaper.

The polar cod, which is a key species in the Artic ecosystem and an important food source for seals, whales and seabirds, spawns in winter under the ice and it takes a long time until the free-floating eggs hatch. That is why the polar cod is vulnerable to oil spills in icy waters.

"We know that the eggs of polar cod will naturally flow around in the surface and under the ice and this is the area that will probably be mostly affected by the oil. The study is therefore not only of ecological, but also of environmental significance and it points to the contexts that we were not aware of until now," Nahrgang said.

The results of the experiment, which were published in the magazine Environmental Pollution, show that even small oil spill in the Artic can be of a very big significance and can have dramatic consequences for the whole system, she said.

The environmental organization Greenpeace believes that the study is one more argument against allowing oil exploration in these areas in the first place and encourages all oil companies to return the permits they have received.

"Prevalence of polar cod has already shrunk a lot due to the climate changes. There is no reason to expose this species for any further threats through oil industry," Truls Gulowsen, general manager of Greenpeace Norway, told NTB.
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said on Monday that it was concerned about the reported increase in sexual violence in South Sudan, calling for stronger support for women and girls to protect their safety, health and rights.

As fighting continued in South Sudan, women and girls faced increased risk of sexual violence, including being attacked while they sought firewood and food, Farhan Haq, the deputy UN spokesman told reporters here.

Also, they resorted to desperate measures, such as survival sex, to feed themselves and their families, Haq said.

Sexual violence and rape were plaguing Juba, the capital of South Sudan, following the latest outbreak of violence, with at least 120 cases reported since fighting restarted on July 7, the United Nations said late last month.

The UNFPA was working to scale up efforts to meet the immediate needs of survivors, including post-rape care, and to reduce the risk of sexual violence.

The UNFPA estimated that 300,000 people in Juba required life-saving services within the next three months for sexual and reproductive health, including safe birth, and to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

Urgent action was needed to protect the health of mothers and newborns, given that 3,000 births were expected in Juba in the next three months, the UN agency said.

In addition, about 600 pregnant women were likely to face pregnancy complications that needed comprehensive emergency obstetric care and quality health services to save their lives.

Even before the recent fighting, the situation was dire in South Sudan, which has one of the highest maternal and infant death rates in the world.

Due to lack of required infrastructure and capacity, only 11 percent of births were attended by skilled workers, the UNFPA said, adding that it was working with partners to provide life-saving midwifery services throughout the war-torn country.

Another UNFPA priority was the delivery of much-needed reproductive health supplies and equipment, it said.

The UN agency was providing a steady supply of emergency reproductive health kits to protect the right to sexual and reproductive health services across the country.

More than 50 service providers have been trained to manage rape and provide psychological first aid to survivors in some 15 facilities nationwide.

The UNFPA plans to expand this life-saving service to 24 health facilities over the next year. The UN agency and its partners were also scaling up community mobilization to encourage sexual violence survivors to seek timely support.

Out of UNFPA's 2016 humanitarian appeal of 13.3 million U.S. dollars to serve 3.9 million people in South Sudan, only 3.9 million dollars had been received.

A minimum of 996,000 dollars was urgently needed for Juba in the next three months to fund reproductive health supplies, ambulance support, dignity kits with hygiene and safety items, tents for women's safe spaces, and training for medical volunteers, it added.
Photo taken on Aug. 7, 2016 shows Namibian boxers Mathias Hamunyela (L2), Jonas Junius (L3) and their coaching staff pose for a picture at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Namibia's flag bearer at the 2016 Olympic Games, Jonas Junius, has been arrested for alleged sexual harassment at the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Namibia Press Agency reported. (Xinhua/Nampa)

WINDHOEK, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's flag bearer at the 2016 Olympic Games, Junius Jonas, has been arrested for alleged sexual harassment at the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Namibia Press Agency reported.

Jonas is now in police custody, pending an investigation.

Namibian Chef de Mission, Jesse Schickerling, confirmed Jonas's arrest to a Namibian journalist covering the event in Rio.

He said they are busy engaging their lawyers and the International Olympic Committee to find a solution.

Jonas was scheduled to fight on Thursday in the men's light welterweight.

Jonas is the second Olympic boxer to be jailed for alleged rape or attempted rape of a housekeeper in the athletes village.

Last week, Moroccan boxer Hassan Saada was arrested for an alleged sexual assault against two housekeepers in the Olympic Village.
BAKU, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin called Monday on Azerbaijan and Iran to enhance cooperation to combat the growing threat of terrorism in the region.

He made this remarks during a trilateral summit of leaders of the three countries in Baku for talks on issues of common interests.

Putin stressed the need for the three countries to step up information-sharing on the activities of terrorist organizations.

"It is necessary for more efficient efforts to prevent the transit of militants, weapons, drugs through the territories of our countries," he said.

Putin called for closer cooperation on solving problems that pose regional threats, such as zones of instability, hot conflicts, and growing threat of terrorism, especially by the Islamic State.

Last week, in an interview with official Azerbaijani news agency AZERTAC, Putin said that "Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan are certainly disturbed by the two major hotbeds of instability -- Afghanistan and the Middle East, in the immediate vicinity of their boundaries."

"The threat of international terrorism and cross-border crime, the flow of drugs, arms smuggling, and movement of militants are coming from these regions," he said.
BAGHDAD, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces on Monday clashed with the Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq, while the Iraqi defense minister escaped unharmed a mortar and gunfire attack by the extremist militants on his convoy near the city of Mosul, a security source and the defense minister office said.

During the day, the IS militants in the militant-seized town of Qayyara, some 50 km south of Mosul, fired mortar rounds and opened fire from machine guns on the convoy of the Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi while traveling on a nearby road leading to Nineveh Liberation Operations Command in Makhmour military base in southeast of Mosul, Obeidi's office said in a statement posted on the minister's official page of Facebook.

Obeidi's guards engaged in heavy fighting with the IS militants before they continue traveling to the Operations Command, which is tasked with liberating Iraq's last major IS stronghold in Mosul, the statement said.

Obeidi arrived at Makhmour base and held a meeting with military commanders to discuss the troops' advance to liberate Mosul, some 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, according to the statement.

Last month, security forces freed several villages close to the town of Qayyara after recapturing a strategic airbase, considered a significant victory, as the airbase is crucial for both the troops and aircrafts in their attacks against the IS as they free the northern city of Mosul, 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

The troops' advance into Qayyara is part of a major offensive operation aiming to free areas in southern Mosul, including Qayyara, and to surround Mosul from the south and east before advancing into the city and flushing the IS militants out of it.

In Iraq's western province of Anbar, the security forces and allied paramilitary units of Sunni tribes repelled an IS attack on the newly-freed al-Walid crossing point on the border with Syria, leaving at least five extremist militants killed, a provincial security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Six days ago, the troops backed by the U.S.-led coalition aircraft launched an operation and freed al-Walid crossing point and surrounding desert area near the border with Syria and raised the Iraqi flag on the government buildings.

Also in the province, an IS sniper shot dead Major Abdul Amir al-Zirgani, leader of rapid reaction regiment, in Jazirat al-Khaldiyah area in northwest of the city of Fallujah, some 50 km west of Baghdad, the source said.

Government troops and allied militias have been fighting for months to reclaim key cities and towns from the IS militants in the province of Anbar, including Ramadi and Fallujah, as militants attempted to approach Baghdad after seizing most of the province.

Iraq has witnessed worsening violence since the IS took control of parts of its northern and western regions in June 2014.

Many blame the current chronic instability, cycle of violence and the rise of extremist groups, such as the IS, on the U.S. that invaded and occupied Iraq in March 2003, under the pretext of seeking to destroy weapons of mass destruction in the country.

The war led to the ouster and eventual execution of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, but no such weapons have been found.
ACCRA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Ghana's ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) declared here on Monday it was positive about winning the general elections in December.

Ahead of the campaign launch Sunday, Campaign Communications Coordinator, Joyce Bawa-Mogtari, told the media that President John Dramani Mahama was ready for victory 2016.

"We have the full complement of all our parliamentary candidates for all the 275 constituencies," Mogtari, who is also a Deputy Transport Minister, stated.

She said the ruling party believed it had the best candidate and the party had put its best foot forward in the electioneering campaign to ensure victory.

"We also expect that Ghanaians will agree with us, and we are convinced that His Excellency John Dramani Mahama indeed deserves a second four-year term."

Both the NDC and largest opposition party, New Patriotic Party (NPP), have been playing the dodgy game, with each other in revealing the key issues they would be campaigning on, while neither party intends to release its manifesto, four months to the elections on Dec, 7.

NDC's official launch is slated on Sunday in Cape Coast, 144 km west of the capital. Enditem
PARIS, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- A teenage girl who allegedly had expressed readiness to commit terrorist attack in France was arrested by police in Paris suburbs, BFMTV news channel reported Monday.

The 16-year-old girl, with suspected links with criminals related to terrorist networks, was charged of incitement of terrorist acts by using online means of communication, the report said.

She was arrested Thursday last week in Melun, Paris suburbs after she posted on Telgram messaging service "numerous propaganda messages of the Islamic State, echoing calls for attack," BFMTV reported, citing a source close to the investigation.

The girl who was increasingly radicalized also expressed her intention to take action, according to the report.

Last month, Adel Kermiche and Abdel Malik Petitjean, slaughtered an elderly priest in a church northern France. Investigation showed the two teenagers had met via Telegram a few days before the attack. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
Silver medallist Italy's Giovanni Pellielo (L), gold medallist Croatia's Josip Glasnovic (C) and bronze medallist Britain's Edward Ling pose on the podium during the awarding ceremony for men's trap of shooting at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug. 8, 2016. (Xinhua/Han Yuqing)

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Josip Glasnovic from Croatia claimed victory of men' s trap at the Rio Olympic Shooting Center on Monday.

A shoot-off was needed in the gold medal match as the 33-year-old Croatian veteran beat Italian talent Giovanni Pellielo 4-3.

Edward Ling from Britain finished with the bronze.

It was the first Olympic gold medal in Glasnovic' s career.

"I shot very well, very concentrated. I gave all the best," he said.

"It' s special because it arrives at 46 years old," said Pellielo.

"If I am alive, I will go on. I will compete." Glasnovic said.
Donald Trump takes the stage on the last day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, the United States, July 21, 2016. New York billionaire Donald Trump officially accepted the presidential nomination of the U.S. Republican Party Thursday night on the final day of the Republican National Convention. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Monday outlined the details of what he called "America First" economic plan to rebuild momentum of his campaign, as protesters repeatedly interrupted him.

During an hour-long speech at the Detroit Economic Club, Trump blamed Hillary Clinton, his Democratic rival, for America's economic woes and announced new proposals of tax breaks and cutting regulations to stimulate the sluggish growth, trying to refocus his campaign on the economy.

But his speech was interrupted more than 10 times by a series of shouting protesters, who were escorted out of the hall by security officials.

A highlight of Trump's economic proposals laid out on Monday was "an across-the-board income tax reduction," proposing reducing the current number of federal income tax brackets from seven to three.

"We will work with House Republicans on this plan using the same brackets they have proposed, 12 percent, 25 percent, and 33 percent. For many American workers, their tax rate will be zero," Trump said, adding that it would be "the biggest tax revolution since the Reagan Tax Reform" in 1980s. The current top individual tax rate is 39.6 percent.

Trump also vowed to reduce corporate tax rate to 15 percent from 35 percent and make all child-care expenses tax free, emphasizing that all policies should be geared toward "keeping jobs and wealth inside of the United States."

He said he would "bring back trillions of dollars from American businesses that are now parked overseas" with applying a 10-percent tax, and reinvested the money in states like Michigan that had serious problems.

The Republican presidential nominee also called for a temporary moratorium on new agency regulations and would seek to roll back regulations that reduce employment.

"I will ask each and every federal agency to prepare a list of all of the regulations they impose on Americans which are not necessary, do not improve public safety, and which needlessly kill many, many jobs. Those regulations will be eliminated quickly," he said.

Continuing his anti-trade rhetoric on the campaign trail, Trump promised to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and other trade deals, to strengthen trade enforcement and apply tariffs to other trading partners.

But U.S. business leaders and economists have warned that Trump's proposed high tariffs on other countries could drag the U.S. economy into a prolonged recession and cause heavy job losses that would fall hardest on low- and middle-income workers.

"Several nonpartisan research organizations have warned that these tariffs would cause the loss of up to 4 million American jobs and impose a regressive consumption tax on the typical American family of more than 2000 U.S. dollars annually," Thomas Donohue, president and chief executive of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said in a commentary on Monday.

"Trade opposition may be politically convenient in this campaign, but it's bad policy for our country," he said, warning that retreating on trade would undermine U.S. economic growth, endanger American jobs and harm U.S. global leadership.

Trump's economic speech comes at a critical time when polls show him falling behind Clinton widely after a disastrous week that includes days of his dispute with parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in the Iraq war.

It also comes after Trump's announcement of a 13-men economic advisory council last week, which includes real estate developers, hedge fund managers, bankers, and major donors for his campaign.

"Donald Trump's plan is just a repackaging of trickle-down economics and it doesn't help our economy or the vast majority of Americans," Clinton said on Monday via its official Twitter account. She will give her economic speech in Michigan on Thursday.
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Monday condemned "in the strongest terms" terrorist attacks on UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, while calling on the Malian government to swiftly investigate these attacks.

On Sunday, an improvised explosive device attacked the peacekeeping mission, known as MINUSMA, in south of Aguelhok, a town in the Kidal Region of eastern Mali, following a similar attack on Friday. These attacks have killed one peacekeeper and injured six others in total.

The 15-nation Council underlined that "attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law," said a press statement issued here.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSMA and the French forces that support it," said the statement.

MINUSMA has become a frequent target of terrorist attacks in Mali. So far, the mission has lost more than 60 lives, making it the UN's deadliest active mission. In May alone, a series of attacks directed against the mission killed 12 peacekeepers and injured many more.

In late June, the UN Security Council decided to increase the force level of MINUSMA to counter grave security situation provoked by armed groups in the country.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the council also authorized MINUSMA to take all necessary means to carry out its mandate of supporting the implementation of Mali's peace agreement in a more proactive and robust manner.
KHARTOUM, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The opposition Sudan Call Alliance on Monday signed in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa an African Union (AU)-proposed road-map, ending months of controversy over the deal.

Last March, the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan (AUHIP) proposed a road-map agreement for the Sudanese rivals aiming at ending the war in Sudan.

The Sudanese government unilaterally signed the road-map agreement, but the Sudan Call, an alliance bringing together Sudanese armed groups and opposition parties, then refused to sign the deal.

The signing of the deal by the opposition opens a window of hope for the possibility of reaching a comprehensive political settlement that ends the Sudanese issues, particularly at Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions.

Representatives of the Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector and the leader of the Sudanese opposition National Umma Party signed the document of the deal in the presence of AU representatives.

To this end, Sudanese Media Center (SMC) quoted Mahmoud Kan, chairman of the AU liaison office in Khartoum, as saying that "the signing of the road-map by the Sudanese opposition and the armed movements in Addis Ababa today is an important and historic step that is likely to contribute to achieving comprehensive peace and push the wheel of development and stability in the country."

"Sincerity of intentions and integrity are the first guarantor for the success of the process which in turn will lead to speeding up cessation of hostilities and cease-fire once and for all the war-affected areas in Sudan," Kan said.

Meanwhile, optimism prevails the Sudanese political circles as the signing of the road-map by the opposition and armed groups is expected to contribute to finding a suitable platform for a serious dialogue to reach peace agreements regarding the Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas.

Head of the Sudanese government negotiating delegation Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid on Monday vowed to enter into serious negotiations with the Sudan Call alliance after the signing of the document.

Speaking to reporters in Khartoum shortly before the delegation left to Addis Ababa earlier on the day, Hamid said that "the government delegation will directly embark on meetings with the opposition alliance immediately after the signing of the road-map."

He expressed hope that the other parties would maintain the same political will with which the government delegation would enter the negotiations.

In the meantime, Bishara Juma Arur, member of the government delegation, said in a statement that the session, which will be convened on Tuesday between the government delegation and the opposition alliance, will discuss the preliminary arrangements stipulated in the road-map related to cessation of hostilities, a permanent cease-fire and speeding up delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Ahmed Bilal Osman, spokesman of Sudan's Higher Coordination Committee of the National Dialogue (7+7 mechanism), was quoted by Ashorooq net as saying that "Sudan Call forces' signing of the road-map in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa will open the door widely for reaching a national vision agreed upon by all parties."

Al-Saddiq al-Mahdi, leader of the Sudanese opposition National Umma Party, for his part, expressed in a statement his optimism over the signing of the African proposed road-map.

He described the signing of the road-map as a "national event" that all the Sudanese people are waiting for to achieve stability in the country.

The AU-proposed road-map stipulates arrangements related to cease-fire at South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur regions, entering a peace process and involving the armed movements in the national dialogue currently convened in Khartoum.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (L), Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (C) and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a group photo during a trilateral meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8, 2016. The meeting is expected to focus on trade, energy, communications, transportation, environment as well as the Syrian situation and the Islamic State threat to Russia. (Xinhua/AZERTAC)



BAKU, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- A final declaration of Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran summit reflected the whole range of cooperation opportunities offered by the new format, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said here on Monday.

He made the remarks during a joint press conference with Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Baku.

According to Lavrov, the final document of the summit has covered "both political and economic issues with a focus on transport and energy."

Lavrov said the three leaders agreed to establish a tripartite mechanism for cooperation at the ministerial level and relevant ministries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani have pledged to counter the growing global threat of terrorism in a joint declaration of a trilateral summit here on Monday.

The three leaders expressed their willingness to combat terrorism, extremism, transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking in arms, drugs and their precursors, as well as human trafficking and crimes in the sphere of information and communication technologies.

They have also recognized that "the unresolved conflicts in the region are a major obstacle to regional cooperation," and underlined the importance of their settlement "on the basis of principles and norms of international law."

"The parties will continue the comprehensive development of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, and to deepen and broaden the political dialogue at various levels across the entire spectrum of issues of mutual interest," the document said.

Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran also agreed to deepen cooperation in various sectors of the economy "on the basis of equality and mutual benefit."

The three presidents also pledged to take effective measures to develop transportation and communication infrastructure in order to expand the opportunities for passenger and cargo transportation via the North-South corridor.

"The parties stressed the importance of an early agreement on the Caspian Sea Convention, and the Foreign Ministers were instructed to intensify the preparation for the Fifth Caspian summit. The new format will have a positive impact on regional processes," Lavrov pointed out, adding that Russia accepted the invitation to attend the next trilateral summit in Iran.

Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the heads of the three countries agreed to foster cooperation in the areas of security, energy, transit and other areas.
DAMASCUS, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- A decisive battle in the northern province of Aleppo is looming on the horizon, as the Syrian army and the rebels are preparing and receiving reinforcements for the imminent showdown.

Just a couple of days ago, the Jaish al-Fateh rebel group succeeded to drive out the Syrian army from key military bases in the southern countryside of Aleppo, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor group said on Monday.

The rebel group had claimed to have broken the siege of the Syrian army on rebel-held areas in the eastern part of Aleppo city after six days of strenuous attacks.

They captured the areas of the military colleges and the roundabout of the southern town of al-Ramuseh, which enabled them to open a narrow route into eastern Aleppo.

It turns the table against the government forces, and closes off the road to the government-controlled western part of Aleppo.

However, the government says the rebel group has failed to open their desired route into Aleppo.

The Observatory said the passage the rebels had opened was insecure for civilians to leave or enter the rebel-held areas inside Aleppo under the heavy airstrikes by the Syrian and Russian air forces.

Battles in Aleppo flared last month, when the Syrian army backed by the Lebanese Hezbollah group and Russian airstrikes made sweeping progress in the northern countryside of Aleppo, severing the last supply route for the rebels in eastern Aleppo.

The move, while fully secured a siege, has triggered a violent response from the rebels, who launched attacks and endless mortar and rocket shelling on the government-controlled western part of Aleppo city.

The Observatory said the prices of all goods have increased fourfold just the day after the rebels closed off al-Ramuseh.

Meanwhile, the military forces were reportedly opened another route into western Aleppo from the northern countryside, namely the Castello road, the same road the government severed toward eastern Aleppo.

With the blow the Syrian forces received in southern Aleppo, state news agency SANA said the all of the routes into Aleppo are exposed to the Syrian military fire, meaning that the rebels will not fully use the road they had opened.

It added that trucks carrying big loads of fuel and all food necessities entered western Aleppo on Monday.

Jaish al-Fateh announced Monday that the next phase of battles in Aleppo will be a wide-scale offensive to "liberate the entire city" from the government forces.

"We will multiply the numbers of our fighters to be ready for the upcoming battle," the group said in a statement.

The Observatory said the group received reinforcements of fighters on Monday, as the pro-government al-Watan newspaper said that the Syrian army and its allies also received the needed military aid for restoring positions they had lost.

The army is said to impose "an iron grip" around the areas infiltrated by the rebels to prevent them from expanding toward the city.

Jaish al-Fateh, an alliance of several rebel factions, was formed in March 2015 under the supervision and coordination of Saudi cleric Abdullah al-Muhaysini.

Some of its factions are active in the provinces of Hama and Latakia. The group seized most of Idlib province in northwestern Syria last year and it is actively supported by Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Military experts said that the group received military aid from Turkey, which explains the sudden rise up and success they had achieved in southern Aleppo.

Aleppo is strategic for all warring parties due to its key location beside the Turkish border and as Syria's industrial capital.

The large presence of rebel groups, supported by foreign countries, further complicated the situation, while the U.S. has also identified "moderate" rebels located in Aleppo.

The battle of Aleppo is decisive, as observers declared that whoever controls Aleppo will gain the upper hand in any potential settlement in Syria.
Man dead in Santa Cruz shootout

According to reports, Gerard Julien, 21, from Sam Boucaud, Santa Cruz was liming with a group of friends at about 11.30 pm when they were approached by another group.

There was a confrontation between the two groups when shots were heard. Police said three men from the second group fled the scene.

The wounded men were rushed to the Portof- Spain General Hospital but Julien died on arrival.
Store manager gang raped and robbed

The burglars then escaped in the victims Hyundai vehicle. According to reports the woman was asleep at her Edinburgh home when she was alerted to a crashing sound emanating from her front door. When she attempted to enquire she was accosted by four men with bandanas over their faces and hoods over their heads. The frightened woman told police that she was gang-raped by the four men who later began removing electronic items and other valuables from her home.

The men then demanded the keys to the womans vehicle which was parked outside her home and placed the stolen items into the vehicle.

The victim was threatened further violence if she alerted the police however, she managed to compose herself following the ordeal and alerted the Chaguanas police. An All Points Bulletin was sent out in an effort to apprehend the suspects but they managed to escape.

The victim was taken to a District Medial Officer where she was treated and is expected to undergo counselling. Police believe there are a group of persons operating within the Edinburgh area who are targeting persons living alone or persons whose homes are easily accessible.

Officers yesterday advised that persons living alone especially women should ensure that their premises are properly secured and that they report any disturbances or suspicious activities to the police.

Neighbours of the woman yesterday remained traumatised over the incident claiming that within recent times they have seen strange persons lurking around the area in the day and night and the angry residents demanded that Central Division step up patrols in their district and also implement a static patrol in the area.
Israel Khan: Stop the self-hatred and hatred for others

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery and unite as one people to realise and achieve true freedom,Khan said last week at the authoritys Emancipation Day celebrations at City Hall, Port-of- Spain.

This self-hatred and hatred for others must stop, Khan emphasised.

In his very spirited address, Khan reminded nationals that although there were no longer white slave masters, metaphorically the impoverished members of both the African and East Indian Diaspora are fighting each other for the scraps falling from massa table.

That massa day is not done in Trinidad and Tobago  that the new slave masters are the jacket and tie Afro and Indo Saxons who continue to divide the ordinary impoverished dispossessed people of Trinidad and Tobago and they assist in the exploitation of the poor and dispossessed by the parasitic oligarchy, he noted.

The senior attorney again reminded that the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago affirmed that the nation of Trinidad and Tobago was founded upon principles that respect the principle of social justice.

Therefore the operation of the economic system should result in the material resources of the country being so distributed as to sub serve the common good, that there should be adequate means of livelihood for all, that labour should not be exploited or forced by economic necessity to operate in inhumane conditions but that there should be opportunity for advancement on the basis of recognition of merit, ability and integrity, he said.

Khan again used the opportunity to call on the Leader of the Opposition, Kamla Persad-Bissessar S.C. to apologise to Prime Minister Dr.

Keith Rowley for allegations made on the campaign trail, as well as the prime minister for alleged derogatory statements made about his predecessor also in the run up to the general elections.

The political leaders must lead by example so that the masses can emulate and follow, Khan said, who further said Sat Maharaj, head of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha should apologise to Archbishop Harris.

And as I am at it, Sat should apologise for his recent outburst of referring to deceased Prime Ministry Patrick Manning as a racist, Khan said.

We must emancipate ourselves from mental slavery and force those political parties to reflect the face of Trinidad and Tobago  a rainbow people. Not only the political parties vying for political control of government must evolve into multi-racial parties; but the membership of the armed forces in Trinidad and Tobago must reflect the rainbow face of our country. And we must also look into the student population at the Faculty of Medicine at UWI.

Where are the African students? he asked.
MP: When will North Oropouche Government school be reopened?

She said she based this observation on the cries of parents in the North Oropouche district whom she said have been waiting 11 months for the North Oropouche Government School to be reopened.

The school has been closed for close to one year.

She said at a meeting with stakeholders in September, Minister of Education Anthony Garcia gave a commitment that the school will be reopened in six weeks.

The Minister boldly stated in Parliament that all schools were reopened in Trinidad after the Easter vacation.

Apparently, North Oropouche is not in Trinidad, as this school remained unopened to date. The parents are asking for the Minister of Education to give them the assurance that the North Oropouche Government School will be opened for the new September 2016 school term, Newallo-Hosein said in a statement yesterday.

She also expressed concern about the completion of the form six block at the SWAHA Hindu College as well as the installation of the lift at the said school for the physically challenged students.

What assurances can be given by the Minister of Education and the Educational Facilities Company Limited (EFCL) that all remedial works are carried out in time for the opening of school in September? she asked.

As this PNM government continues to remain in vacation mode, it is unfortunate that the children are left to suffer.

Unlike the former Peoples Partnership government - education was a top priority.

Lets hope that the people of North Oropouche is not penalised like the people of Biche who suffered when the Biche Secondary School remained closed under the PNM and was only opened under the Kamla Persad-Bissessar led administration, she said.

Concerns about Reforestation workers On another issue, Newallo-Hosein also expressed concern about the plight of persons employed with the Reforestation Programme which falls under the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries in receiving their salaries.

For the past three (3) fortnights, close to 100 workers have not been paid their wages; and there seems to be no one who can assist them in resolving this matter.

As the M.P. for Cumuto/ Manzanilla, I am calling on the Minister of Agriculture Clarence Rambharat to inform the workers when they will be paid wages due to them. I am also calling on the Minister of Labour and Micro-Enterprises Jennifer Baptiste- Primus to step up to the plate and ensure that the labour laws in Trinidad and Tobago are not violated by the PNM government that she is a part of, she said.

Newallo-Hosein said a number of employees of the programme visited her constituency office seeking assistance in obtaining hampers to feed their families.
What you need to know about the Octagon Art Festival on Sunday in Ames

news
Milestone: ISIS struggling to find new recruits in the heart of its caliphate

(NationalSecurity.news) Exactly two years since ISIS invaded the Yezidi and Christian homelands of Iraq, the terrorist control of territory shrinks daily, and ISIS authorities admitted they are struggling to find able-bodied men to defend the city of Mosul.

ISIS has lost 25,000 men in just the two years since it invaded Iraq in June of 2014. The milestone was reached on June 27, according to Col. Christopher Garver, the spokesman for the anti-ISIS Coalition.

Meanwhile, military observers are unsure how many terrorists are ready to make a last-ditch stand in the city where the Caliphate was declared. By some estimates, the number of ISIS soldiers in the earlier battle for the city of Fallujah exceeded 5,000  and most of these were killed or captured.

Mr. Atheel Nujaifi, the former governor of Nineveh Province, estimates that ISIS has up to 10,000 fighters in Mosul. This group would include scores or hundreds of foreign fighters who were pulled out of battlegrounds in Shirkat and Kirkuk where ISIS was losing territory, according to Mr. Ali Sada, editor of Daesh Daily, a war report digest. But there are signs that ISIS troop strength is much lower than many realize.

On Tuesday Mr. Saeed Sorachi, a press spokesman for the Nineveh PUK, a political party in the Kurdish Regional Government, said ISIS issued orders during recent days to the government employees in Mosul to report for duty at battlefield sectors around the city. He said ISIS officials acknowledge that the reinforcements are needed due to high casualties.

Mr. Nujaifi, who is also a leader of a Sunni Arab defense force, said in a text to AMI Newswire that the report by Mr. Sorachi is true, but that Daesh couldnt get supporters to cooperate.

There are tens of thousands of government employees trapped in Mosul, said Mr. Sada. We dont think that Daesh could force all of them to join its ranks. However, we think that Daesh is copying Saddams so-called Popular Army experience, where civilians, especially government employees, were forced to the battlefield; otherwise they would lose their jobs.

Mr. Nujaifi commented on this in a text: Those employees who do not comply are not particularly worried about losing their jobs, he explained, because most of them dont get real salaries now.

This is not unusual, since soldiers in ISIS units, as well as the Peshmerga soldiers who oppose them just a few kilometers away, have gone for three and four months without wage payments. Both sides in this conflict heavily depend on oil revenues to fund the war, and low oil prices for two years have starved all armies for hard cash.

As the noose tightens around Mosul, the citys 1.5 million residents are facing higher prices and shortages of food, medicine and fuel, according to Mr. Sada, who surveys all Iraqi media on a daily basis.

It is significant that many of the mosques in Mosul are closed now, said Mr. Sada. Daesh [another term for ISIS] has a shortage of clerics to hold worship services and to oversee the worshippers who do come for Friday prayers. Some of the clerics have been assigned to military duty and many others have been ambushed by unknown groups of armed men in Mosul over the last few months. In addition, the coalition air strikes have targeted the religious police and the Sharia court judges.

Mr. Sada referenced a Nineva Police commander who said that on Monday Coalition warplanes targeted the office of ISIS religious police, the hisbah, killing 12 terrorists.

The Iraqi army during the last week has been pushing terrorists out of the villages surrounding the military airbase near Qayara, a strategic ISIS-held city 40 miles south of Mosul, while a flurry of air strikes has been taking a toll of terrorists units throughout the region.

On Tuesday the U.S.-led Coalition said it conducted three airstrikes Mosul; two in Qayara, 40 miles south of Mosul; and two in Sinjar mountain area, according to the U.S. Operation, code-named Inherent Resolve. The Coalition says it conducted 10 airstrikes on ISIS targets Aug. 1, which included three near Qayar; two in Mosul; one in the mountains of Tal Afar 40 miles west of Mosul; and four in Iraqs Anbar Province west of Baghdad.

On Tuesday alone, upwards of 90 ISIS terrorists were killed, many in attacks on ISIS boats on the Tigris River and in the cities and towns 40 miles south of Mosul, according to Sada.

Eyewitnesses say Daesh suffered a bad night after heavy Coalition airstrikes on its locations in Mosul city. Sources say more than 20 Daeshlocations were destroyed by extensive airstrikes, forcing Daesh terrorists to flee, Sada said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi has promised to liberate Mosul before the end of the year. All observers agree that the challenge to the invaders is to reclaim the sprawling city, home to ancient structures, museums and universities, without reducing it to ruins. Former governor Nujaifi and some military experts in the United States have argued for a Sunni-Arab liberation approach that would utilize an underground resistance force already active behind the ISIS barricades.

Douglas Burton is a former U.S. State Department official in Kirkuk, Iraq and writes news and commentary from Washington, D.C. queries to [email protected].

More:

NationalSecurity.news is part of USA Features Media.

Submit a correction >>
PM launches Mission Bhagiratha; lays Foundation Stone of key development projects in Telangana

Telangana, Mon, 08 Aug 2016 NI Wire

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today launched Mission Bhagiratha at Komatibanda Village, Gajwel, in Medak District of Telangana. The scheme has been launched by the State Government with an objective to provide safe drinking water to all.

The Prime Minister unveiled plaques to lay Foundation Stones for important development projects. These included the 1600 MW Thermal Power station of NTPC at Ramagundam; revival of a Fertilizer Plant at Ramagundam; Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences, Warangal; and Manoharabad-Kothapalli Railway line. He also dedicated to the nation the 1200 MW Thermal Power Station of Singareni Collieries at Jaipur, in Adilabad district.

Addressing a large public meeting, the Prime Minister appreciated the State Government for the steps taken over the last two years to fulfil the aspirations of the people. Noting the importance of cooperative federalism for the countrys development, the Prime Minister said the Centre and States are now working together for this objective.

Complimenting the State Government for the launch of Mission Bhagiratha to provide drinking water to the people of the State, the Prime Minister said that whenever the State Chief Minister Shri K. Chandrasekar Rao has met him, he has spoken about the State's development and water related issues. The Prime Minister spoke of the importance of water and the need for all citizens to conserve it.

In the context of the foundation stone for the new railway line, the Prime Minister said a long pending demand of the people would now be fulfilled. He said the fertilizer plant would help the farmers of the State. He spoke of power sector reforms, irrigation, and how economic progress is being linked to rail connectivity.

The Prime Minister asked people to beware of fake cow vigilantes, and urged State Governments to take action against them.

Source: PIB
O.P Jindal Global University Celebrates 5th Convocation Addresses at Arun Jaitley

New Delhi, Mon, 08 Aug 2016 NI Wire

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Addresses Students, Faculty and Parents at the 5th Convocation and Founder's Day Celebrations

317 students awarded degrees on successful completion of graduate and post graduate courses

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson and Managing Director, Biocon Limited graces the occasion

Chancellor Naveen Jindal announces launch of the Jindal School of Journalism & Communication next year

FM lauds JGU's contribution in promoting excellence in higher education in India

New Delhi, August 7, 2016: The state of the art, multi-disciplinary O. P. Jindal Global University held its 5th annual convocation today at the Siri Fort auditorium in Delhi. It was a spectacular event with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley addressing a gathering of over 1500 students, parents, and faculty members. The presence of Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson and Managing Director, Biocon was a source of inspiration for graduating students who looked upon at her as a role model and felt inspired by her achievements.

Paying tribute to Shri O.P. Jindal Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley said, he was a visionary and realised early that businesses do not shape nations but policies and legislation do and thus deviated from the conventional course and built a political identity for himself, he has left a great legacy and Naveen by established this University is writing fresh history.

Speaking of India's demographic dividend, the FM said, In most developed countries population is reducing but in India the population is yet not stabilised. With global integration we will need more hands and minds, HR becomes a very important economic resource and to train manpower institutions of excellence are required. Jindal University I have no doubt is going to be one such institution.

Speaking of building institutions of excellence Mr. Jaitey said, India needs to choose 20 institutions and upgrade them to become global institutions and JGU has to strive to be amongst the top 10 which make it to the world rankings.

His advice to the graduating batch was to pursue excellence and think outside the box as the world has started respecting excellence much more than ever before, the space for excellence at the top is always vacant, mediocrity is part of the crowd at the bottom. He further highlighted that the market which is willing to absorb fresh graduates is large and global, thus Jindal students were blessed to have been taught by global faculty and have acquired global perspectives.

Speaking of the opportunity that India has he said, The whole world is in slow down mode but India is defying that trend for the first time in history we are coming out better than the world, this is great opportunity for graduates as there is a vacant fast track and you all have to strive to occupy that position. 

Sharing her thoughts on the occasion, Ms. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon Limited,emphasized that students need to get passionately involved in converting challenges into opportunities and helping in alleviating human suffering while creating wealth and prosperity for all. Always remember that perseverance' is the key to success and failure' is temporary but giving up' is permanent, she said.

Mr. Naveen Jindal, Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University expressed his thanks to the FM and Ms. Shaw for gracing the occasion. Congratulating the graduating students, Mr. Jindal said, We have come a long way since 2009, when it all started. Today, JGU is being accepted as an exceptional private university in India that has produced high quality research. He stressed the fact that quality higher education contributes to the economic growth and human development of a nation. He pointed out that when a nation substantially increases the number of students in its universities, it is more likely to see a surge in its economic growth and impacts social development. At JGU, we are striving to develop world class research and teaching that is socially beneficial and globally relevant, he said.

He announced that the university proposes to establish the Jindal School of Journalism & Communication from the next academic year. Our strategic goal is for some schools of JGU to break into the top 200 of the world universities in the next 5 to 10 years, added Mr. Jindal.

In his address, Professor (Dr.) C Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O. P. Jindal Global University lamented the lack of incentives to promote research excellence in Indian universities causing the country to lag behind universities in the developed world. He pointed out that a very small number of Indian universities have pursued internationalisation as a core strategy to promote deep institutional partnerships with universities across the world, and reap the benefits of international collaborations for teaching, research and the student experience.

He underscored JGU's commitment to promoting the role of women faculty. 47 percent of our faculty members across the five schools are women, with 38 percent of JGU's leadership positions tenured by our women faculty members.

Speaking on internationalisation Professor Kumar said, We are proud that more than 80 percent of our faculty members have international qualifications from the leading universities of the world and nearly 20 percent of our full-time faculty members are international. This is significant given that we are a very young university.

Highlighting the universities accomplishments Professor Kumar said In March this year, JGU was awarded the highest rating, A' grade, in the first cycle of accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. JGU is the first and only private university in Haryana to receive the A' grade. However, we are conscious not to rest on our laurels.

Prof. Kumar further lauded the achievement of the students. It is a proud moment for the University to see our students graduating and preparing themselves to make a mark in the professional world.

The convocation was a grand and gracious affair with the presence of a host of luminaries. It was well attended by students and faculty from all five schools of the University. The sense of pride and jubilation among the graduating students, their faculty members and parents was palpable.
Scholarship Scheme for J&K Students a big draw this year, Prakash Javadekar

New Delhi, Mon, 08 Aug 2016 NI Wire

Rs 75 Crore worth scholarships awarded this year

The special scholarship scheme for students of Jammu and Kashmir to pursue higher education outside the state has received tremendous response this year because of awareness workshops had been organized in Kupwara, Anantnag, Srinagar, Pulwama, Jammu, Doda, Rajouri, Kathua, Kargil and Leh in the month of May this year.

Because of the transparency brought in by the Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the scheme and conduct of these 10 awareness workshops, the special scholarship scheme for J&K students has been a big draw this year More than 5000 students of Jammu and Kashmir had applied for this scholarship, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said. Overall Rs 75 crore worth scholarships have been given this year under this scheme, he added.

Earlier the quota for J&K Students in Engineering Colleges was limited to only 250, but this year 1430 students were granted admission in various reputed Engineering colleges. This was due to the enhancement, for the first time, of the supernumerary quota in various Engineering branches from 2 to 10, i.e. quota of 10 seats for Jammu and Kashmir students in each Engineering college over and above the sanctioned strength. This year, Hotel Management and Nursing were also included under this special scholarship scheme. While 15 students were admitted to reputed hotel management Institutes, 284 students secured admission in various reputed nursing colleges. Besides this 177 students of Jammu and Kashmir got admission in Medical colleges on their own merit. In General stream 1014 students got admission. Overall total scholarships awarded to students of Jammu and Kashmir this year is 3584 of which 1329 students were from Kashmir Valley, 26 from Ladakh and 2255 from Jammu.

Under this special scholarship scheme, up to Rs 1.25 lakh Tuition Fee is borne by the Central Government besides up to Rs 1 lakh is paid to students for meeting Hostel and food charges. For General courses a Tuition Fee of up to Rs 30,000 is paid by the Central Government along with up to Rs 1 lakh towards Hostel and food charges.

The Tuition fee is transferred to institutes directly so that when the student approaches college for admission, the college will not insist on depositing academic fees. The hostel and food allowances of Rs 1 lakh is transferred to the account of student in 2 installments through DBT.

Centralised counseling for allotment of supernumerary seats was conducted between July 26 and August 3, 2016 at Srinagar and Jammu simultaneously. To avail of this scholarship scheme, student of Jammu and Kashmir must have passed Class XII from Jammu and Kashmir and his or her family income must be less than Rs 6 lakhs per annum.

In the academic year of 2014-15, MHRD introduced a transparent system to streamline the process of scholarship application and disbursement. With the use of technology, transparency and accountability of the process has been brought in. Students are required to upload their documents on the website http://aicte-jk-scholarship.in/ for processing their scholarship claim.

Source: PIB
Delhi BJP to request Lt. Governor to order CBI Probe into ruining of D.T.C. by Kejriwal Govt.

New Delhi, Mon, 08 Aug 2016 NI Wire

Kejriwal Government's Mal Intentions have Brought D.T.C. to a Collapse Point with a Loss of Over 3 Crores Per Day Even as Govt. Continues to Fool The People with Promises of New Buses its Framed Tenders Ensure That City Moves Towards Privatisation of Public Transport

No Work On PASSENGER INFORMATION SYSTEM Makes Amply Clear That Kejriwal Govt. Is In No Mood To Run Public Transport Henceforth - Satish Upadhyay

Like the Aam Aadmi Clinics this Aam Aadmi Bus Sewa too is a political gimmick.

New Delhi, 7th August. Delhi BJP President Sh. Satish Upadhyay has said that Arvind Kejriwal Government has on one hand fooled the people of Delhi with repeated announcements of expanding Delhi Transport Corporation network and on the other hand it has ruined D.T.C. affairs to an extent so as to make D.T.C. a fit case for winding up.

Shri Upadhyay has said that thrice we have heard Delhi Government announcing addition to the fleet of D.T.C. but not a single bus has been added and now we hear a new gimmick in the name of Aam Aadmi Bus Sewa.

We wish to ask Delhi Government where are the buses for this new sewa, all that would be done is that some buses from the existing routes will be withdrawn and deployed on the new routes. Like the Aam Aadmi Clinics this Aam Aadmi Bus Sewa too is a political gimmick.

Sh. Upadhyay said Kejriwal Government's systematic manipulations to throttle D.T.C. are with intent to hand over Delhi's public transport system to private operators and this needs to be probed.

Sh. Upadhyay has said be it in his election manifesto or in his first budget CM Kejriwal promised to run 10000 D.T.C. buses on Delhi roads but 17 months later we find not a single new bus has been added to D.T.C.'s fleet on road. Despite tall claims of bringing additional buses truth is that around 1000 D.T.C. buses have gone off road during Kejriwal's regime and today D.T.C. is incurring a loss of over Rs. 3 Crores Per Day.

Shri Upadhyay said When CM Kejriwal came to power D.T.C. suffered average operational loss of Rs. 40 per km but today it has risen to Rs. 65 per km.

D.T.C. is suffering a heavy trip loss due to operation on non profitable Inter State Routes and breakdowns of its buses. It is believed the breakdowns are manipulated ones and D.T.C. withdrew itself from several profitable city routes handing them over to Cluster Operators. Till January 2015 D.T.C.'s average monthly breakdowns stood at 600 but by the end of 2015 they rose to 800 a month.

Delhi Government's mishandling of public transport policy has resulted in even Private Cluster Service Operators running away. Over 250 Orange Cluster Buses too have gone off Delhi roads now.

Kejriwal Government has made repeated announcements of bringing additional buses, dreams of bringing thousands of buses have been sold but in truth Government has no intent to bring new buses as it actually wants to hand over the public transport system to private operators.

The conditions imposed in tenders brought thrice since Kejriwal Government came to power have ensured none of the eligible companies participate in the bids. It is believed that these tenders have been wrongly framed so as to achieve the ultimate goal of handing over road transport to private operators and the haste shown in bringing in App Based Premium Bus Service is one of the many conclusive evidence of Kejriwal Governments mal-intention.

Even C.A.G. in its reports has castigated Delhi Government & D.T.C. Management for turning the biggest CNG public carrier into a white elephant.

No effort to start work on a long announced GPRS managed Passenger Information System through D.I.M.T.S. by Kejriwal Government is a ultimate indicator of the fact that the CM & his Government have no intent to run the public transport system of the city or to upgrade it.

Similarly, the dreams sold of bringing bus marshals & wi-fi in D.T.C. buses too have not been implemented.

D.T.C. employees too have their problems and grievances and strangely Kejriwal Government is ignoring them too.

It appears Kejriwal Government intends to ruin & windup D.T.C. BJP leaders will soon meet the Lt. Governor and request him to order a C.B.I. inquiry into the criminal mismanagement & manipulation of D.T.C. affairs by Kejriwal Government leading to extraordinary heavy losses during last 17 months. The haste with which Kejriwal Government tried to introduce an unregulated App based Premium Bus Service too should be a part of C.B.I. inquest.

Shri Upadhyay said that Kejriwal Government constantly abuses & curses the Central Government but fails to take any inspiration from the Centre which has worked hard to turn the loss making national air carrier Air India into a profitable venture and curbed the operational losses of the largest public sector undertaking Indian Railways to the minimum.
A Moroccan Human rights NGO, the Association for Human Rights Defense (ADDH,) has sued lawmaker Amina Maelainine from the ruling Justice and Development Party (PJD) for terrorism apology.

The lawmaker had openly endorsed extremist comments made by member of her partys youth league, Omar Senhaji, reports say.

Omar Senhaji had raised an uproar after he indicated that critics of the ruling PJD should be beheaded.

Maelainine replied to Senhajis critics that his comments were not extremist and that he was entitled to freedom of speech. Lawyer Lahbib Haji who lodged the complaint was quoted by local daily Assabah as saying that the lawmakers comments equate to terrorism apology.

Maelainine may be summoned by the judicial arm of Moroccos domestic intelligence service, BCIJ also known as Moroccos FBI, reports say.

Senhaji has been questioned by the BCIJ for his comments.
Algeria is Moroccos first customer and supplier in Africa, despite the stalemate in political and diplomatic ties between the Maghrebs two populous countries, which remain at loggerheads concerning a range of regional issues.

A study issued by the OCP Policy Center, a policy oriented think tank based in Rabat, surprisingly showed that Algeria is Moroccos first trading partner in Africa in the last decade, which witnessed a substantial increase in the Kingdoms investments in the continent.

In 2014, 40.4% of Moroccos exports to Africa went to Algeria, followed by Mauritania with 18.2%. Senegal came third (14.5%) and Cote dIvoire 4th (13.9%).

Algeria is also Moroccos first African supplier ensuring 63.1% of Moroccos African imports followed by Egypt with 26% and Tunisia (9.8%).

Moroccos trade with Africa jumped from one billion dollars in 2004 to 4.4 billion dollars in 2014. More remains to be done to further boost trade with the continent, which only represents 6.5% of Moroccos foreign trade.

Moroccos exports to Africa include notably agri-food products, fertilizers, and cars while its imports are dominated by hydrocarbons.
Morocco has reinforced security measures on its eastern borders following the US air strikes against ISIS in Libya.

Boosting security measures aims at thwarting any infiltration attempts by ISIS militants who are enduring setbacks due to the advance of forces loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Sirte, local Moroccan news outlets reported.

Other North African states are also bolstering security measures as the terrorist organization is losing ground in its strongholds in Libya propelling a displacement of Jihadists through the porous western Libyan borders.

Forces loyal to the GNA have tightened their grip on Sirte pushing ISIS fighters to seek other sanctuaries. The campaign also led to a drop of ISIS fighters from an estimated 4000 to 1000, the Associated Press said.

Countries of the Maghreb are expected to witness a return of their nationals fighting alongside IS in Libya, the UN warned last July.

Outside Iraq and Syria, IS branch in Libya is alarmingly the most dangerous taking advantage of the porous borders between Libya and its neighbors where different terrorist organizations enjoy free movement and engage in different sorts of trafficking.
Algeria is reinforcing its land forces with the acquisition of 67 T-90 tanks from its traditional arms supplier, Russia, a purchase that many observers see as a response to the Moroccan order of 200 US Abrams tanks.

Part of a 200 T-90 order concluded in 2014, the delivery of the 67 tanks took place in July, a Russian military industry source told TASS news agency.

This new Russian arms delivery shows that Algerian military remains ground forces heavy as it continues to maintain large pools of armored systems.

Algeria struck a deal with Russia in 2015 to buy 12 Su-32 jets as well as Mi-28NE attack helicopters and Il-76MD-90A transportation aircraft. The cost of the contract was about 500 to 600 million dollars, prompting speculation that the deal is likely to cover Moscows air campaign expenses in Syria.

Algeria remains the first importer of arms in Africa, followed by Morocco. Algerias arms purchases account for 30% of the volume of purchases in Africa in 2015, while Moroccos account for 26%. The two countries bought more than half of the weapons sold to the continent.
Shahram Amiri, with his son and other family members upon returning to Iran in 2010. Photo: Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images

An Iranian nuclear scientist, who the Iranian judiciary claims gave crucial intelligence to the U.S., has been executed, The Guardian reports. The body of 38-year-old scientist Shahram Amiri was returned to his family this weekend, and from the marks on his neck, it was clear that he had been hanged, a fate later confirmed by Iranian authorities. Amiris death ends a sad and mysterious spy-drama that started around the time the U.S. and its Western allies began intensifying their covert efforts to curb Irans nuclear program. In 2009, Amiri, an expert in radioactive isotopes, disappeared during a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, leading to Iranian accusations that he had been kidnapped by the West. Months later, Amiri reappeared in the U.S. following an apparent defection facilitated by the CIA, but things only got weirder from there.

Once in America, Amiri published a series of mysterious and contradictory online videos. In the first video, recorded with a shaky webcam and released on Iranian state television, Amiri said that he had been kidnapped in Medina, Saudi Arabia, by the CIA and Saudi intelligence and was being held captive in the U.S. In a second video, well-produced with Amiri sitting next to a chess set, he explained that he was fine and free, and pursuing a graduate degree in America. That video was published on YouTube. In a third video, released on Iranian TV again, Amiri was back to insisting he was in the U.S. against his will, and said he was being hunted by the CIA.

Then, to everyones shock, Amiri arrived at the Iranian interest section at the Pakistani embassy in Washington, D.C., and asked officials there if he could go home.

The New York Times David Sanger, who has reported extensively on Amiris story over the years, tries to construct a final picture of what happened to this unlikely spy, noting that he appears to have begun passing along intelligence for the U.S. while he was still in Iran, and was of particular interest to the CIA because, as a specialist in measuring radiation, he had been to many of Irans sensitive nuclear sites:



By 2009, the C.I.A. had apparently decided that the chances he would be detected were rising, and offered to get him out of the country. The agency promised him $5 million and a new identity. Mr. Amiri believed his estranged wife would never leave Iran, and he decided to go alone, without his son.



After he was interviewed in Washington, he ended up near Tucson, under the agencys national resettlement program, which provides cover and protection for cooperative foreign spies. But he immediately missed his young son, and began calling home. Iranian intelligence agencies pressured his family, and by one account threatened to harm his son.

Indeed, threatening family members who are still inside Iran is a tactic regularly used by elements of the Iranian regime when they want to intimidate Iranians living abroad. Sanger also reports that the first online video Amiri made was done at the request of the Iranian intelligence agents. The second video, in which Amiri declares he is free and pursuing a graduate degree, was produced by the CIA. And that video was a lie too, as Sanger notes that behind the scenes, Mr. Amiri was telling his handlers that he had made a mistake by defecting, and only wanted to return to see his son.

The CIA warned Amiri that he might be imprisoned or executed, like Soviet defectors had been during the Cold War, but the agencys resettlement program has clear rules that if a defector wants to return home, there is no legal basis for the United States to force him to stay. Amiri thus arranged to go home, but in another twist, when he arrived in Tehran, he was given a heros welcome at the airport, greeted by his family and flowers and subsequently celebrated as a kind of double agent, appearing on television to explain how he was drugged, captured, interrogated, and psychologically tortured by Saudi, American, and Israeli agents, plus how he turned down an enormous sum of money hed been offered to remain in the U.S. There was even talk of a movie being made about his escape.



However, whether he realized it was happening or not, Amiri was also now a political pawn for two world powers. As Amiri was returning to Iran and complaining about his captivity, U.S. officials were telling the American press that Amiri had been paid and offered residence in the U.S. in exchange for information about Irans nuclear program, and then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton went so far as to publicly acknowledge that Amiri had been in the country, but had been so of his own free will and had been free to leave if he wished. Back in Iran, it seems unlikely that intelligence officials believed the story they and Amiri were selling, and if they did, they eventually changed their minds. So Amiri simply disappeared again, this time into an Iranian prison, where he was probably tortured before being subsequently tried and convicted for treason, all in secret.



It was originally rumored that Amiri had been sentenced to ten years in prison and five years in exile over the alleged spying  not given a death sentence  but the never-transparent Iranian judiciary said on Sunday that Amiri had, in fact, been sentenced to die, and that sentence had now finally been carried out after it had been upheld following an appeal. Sundays announcement was actually the first official confirmation of anything regarding Amiris fate since he disappeared following his return to Iran; his family had only been able to visit him, early on, a handful of times.

If Amiris sentence was changed, one contributing factor could be that he was mentioned in emails released last year by the State Department as a result of the investigation into Hillary Clintons use of a private email server while she was secretary of State. Said one of those emails apparently referring to Amiri, sent to Clinton from a senior aide:

Our friend has to be given a way out. We should recognise his concerns and frame it in terms of a misunderstanding with no malevolent intent and that we will make sure there is no recurrence. Our person wont be able to do anything anyway. If he has to leave, so be it.

One Iran scholar who spoke with The Guardian, Dina Esfandiary, believes that Amiris name coming up in the emails probably led to the change in his situation. In the Iranian judiciarys mind, its a necessary signal to the U.S. that Iran is aware of their activities in Iran and that this is what is done to those who help the enemy, she said, adding that, Its a textbook spying case. Republican senator Tom Cotton went even further in an interview on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday, suggesting that Clintons reckless and careless use of the private server, and the fact that her emails were eventually made public, put Amiri at risk. However, since Amiris likely involvement with the U.S. was well reported back in 2010, and Clinton had already talked about him publicly at that time, its unclear why references to him in the released emails would cause Iran to suddenly reevaluate what they surely already knew.

Indeed, as Esfandiary also suggests, another possible reason for the sudden execution of Amiri is that the Iranian hard-liners who control the countrys judiciary and intelligence services are taking a pre-election-year shot at President Rouhani and the wisdom of the trademark nuclear deal his reformist administration worked out with the West  a deal the hard-liners vehemently opposed. Such machinations often intensify in Iran as presidential elections get closer and various internal elements of the government struggle for leverage  and Iranian politics is always more complicated and multifaceted than it is usually portrayed from afar.

As Amiris tragic and mysterious story demonstrates, so is international espionage.
Photo: Congressional Quarterly/CQ-Roll Call

One of the many bizarre aspects of the 2016 campaign is that its turned Ted Cruz into one of the more relatable and even likable Republican leaders. For instance, the day after he was booed at the Republican National Convention for refusing to endorse Donald Trump, the Texas senator offered a very understandable explanation: I am not in the habit of supporting someone who attacks my wife and attacks my father.



The same cannot be said for George P. Bush. Over the weekend, the Texas land commissioner declared its time for Republicans to put aside their differences and support Donald Trump. From Team Bush, its a bitter pill to swallow, but you know what? You get back up and you help the man that won, and you make sure that we stop Hillary Clinton, Bush said at an event for state Republican activists.



The Bush family has a proud history of not enthusiastically supporting each others presidential ambitions; Barbara Bush famously said, Weve had enough Bushes, though she eventually backed Jebs campaign.

As youll recall, Trump didnt just beat George P. Bushs dad in a primary. In addition to humiliating Jeb with the label low energy, he said President George W. Bush lied about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, tweeted an offensive remark about Columba (George P.s mother), and then refused to apologize to her. The Bush family dislikes Trump so much that the last two Republican presidents dont plan to endorse him and didnt attend the Republican National Convention. Plus, the endorsement comes as other Republicans are distancing themselves from Trump for reasons that have nothing to do with him insulting a family member.



So why back Trump now? Probably because the younger Bush is facing political pressure to support the nominee. As the state GOPs victory chairman, George P. Bush is tasked with leading the campaign to annihilate the Democrats up-and-down the ballot this November. And it seems someone feels we havent had enough Bushes in politics.


Evan McMullin. Photo: Evan_McMullin/Twitter

Back in May, anti-Trump Republicans announced that they had convinced one of the top ten bloggers at National Review to launch an independent presidential bid. But in roughly the time it took for journalists to Google David French, the conservative writer withdrew his name from consideration.

Months later, the #NeverTrump forces have found a new, less glamorous standard-bearer. Evan McMullin  a former CIA officer and current chief policy director for the House Republican conference  will launch a presidential campaign Monday, BuzzFeed News reports.

McMullin has never held elected office and boasts a public profile that makes David French look like Kim Kardashian: Prior to his presidential announcement, McMullin had 135 followers on Twitter. His highest-profile public appearance, per BuzzFeed, was a TEDx Talk about genocide that he delivered at London Business School in April.

McMullins soapbox may be small, but he has stood atop it condemning Donald Trumps authoritarianism for several months.

Opposing @realDonaldTrump is about putting principle over power, a virtue some in Washington are too quick to abandon. #NeverTrump  Evan McMullin (@EvanMcMullin) May 7, 2016

Authoritarians like @realDonaldTrump use promises of law & order to justify infringing on civil rights as they consolidate control by force.  Evan McMullin (@EvanMcMullin) July 22, 2016

The single, 40-year-old CIA veteran will likely have a hard time getting his name on the ballot in most states. But BuzzFeeds reporting suggests that McMullin may focus his campaign on upsetting Trump in Utah, where the GOP nominee is polling far below precedent. McMullin is a Brigham Young University alum who doesnt like demonizing religious minorities  qualities he hopes will endear him to the Beehive States heavily Mormon electorate.
Before, and after.

A Staten Island Trump supporters gigantic red, white, and blue T lawn ornament went up in flames early Sunday morning.

The incident occurred shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday on a New York island that Donald Trump won with an astounding 80 percent of the vote. The homeowner, Sam Pirozzolo, said his neighbors knocked on his door to alert him that the 12-by-8-foot foam sign was ablaze. The FDNY put out the flames, which, thankfully, did not damage Pirozzolos home. The NYPD is investigating the crime as an arson; the sign appears to have been doused in gasoline.

Neighbors...spotted the fire, and rang my doorbell, saying Your Ts on fire' https://t.co/tp0mvSgwi8 pic.twitter.com/MpnEZhhMsI  New York Post (@nypost) August 8, 2016

Pirozzolo said two smaller pro-Trump signs disappeared from his property last week, too. I assume it was committed by a pro-Hillary supporter, Pirozzolo told the Staten Island Advance. I hope that this incident [the fire] is elevated from an arson to a hate crime, because thats how I see it since it was done on my private property.

Giant Trump sign on Staten Island lawn torched over night. Created for homeowner by local artist. pic.twitter.com/XKfOxgELrD  Mary DiBiase Blaich (@blaich_mary) August 7, 2016

A single white star on the left arm and two red and white stripes near the base were all that remained of the T sign, reports the New York Post. Pirozzolo and the artist who created the sign  Sam LoBaido, also of Staten Island  plan to rebuild a new sign to replace the one destroyed. Im gonna build it bigger and better than before. Its going to be yuuuge, Lobaido told the Post.

Pirozzolo is not backing down, saying the new sign is going to be huge, huge. We will be erecting a new pro-first amendment right-to-back-the-candidate-of- our-choice statue, he told the Advance, vowing installation as early as Tuesday with a press conference and possibly a Staten Island militia to stand guard.
Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

So what was Donald Trump thinking in beginning and sustaining an attack on the Gold Star parents of a Muslim-American service member who died heroically in Iraq? In doing so, he managed to deepen public attention to one of the Democratic Conventions most compelling moments, and reinforce Hillary Clintons argument that Trump is no true patriot.



At the time I cynically figured that Trumps supporters would back him in any dispute with Muslims, regardless of the circumstances. But according to the ABC/Washington Post poll released over the weekend, not much of anybody backed Trump against the Khans. 



Among all registered voters, 74 percent disapproved of the way Trump has handled this, with 56 percent disapproving strongly; only 13 percent approved. The numbers for self-identified independents are very similar. Even among Republicans, the disapproval/approval ratio is 59/23. Another demographic of interest is white evangelical Protestants, who disapproved by 63/20, with 32 disapproving strongly.



In an analysis of the ABC/WaPo survey, the Posts Scott Clement looks through the findings and sees little evidence that the Khan incident is affecting Trumps overall standing. And even if hes wrong about that, we should all remember that a similarly ugly stretch of inscrutable and bigoted behavior by Trump, towards Judge Gonzalo Curiel, was widely condemned but did not keep the mogul from drawing even with Clinton in polls shortly thereafter. The scary thought is that voters have already factored in an assumption that Trump has nasty views about Muslims and immigrants and those people generally that they say they do not share  but are open to voting for him anyway.


New York Magazines August 8-21, 2016 issue cover. Photo: Norman Jean Roy for New York Magazine

Im so sick of people shaming women for being sensitive or vulnerable. Its so bizarre to me, Winona Ryder tells Heather Havrilesky, the Cuts Ask Polly columnist, in the fall fashion issue, about the press and its tendency to pathologize female emotions. Havrilesky, writing her first cover story for New York Magazine, says she could have happily talked to Ryder for many hours: She was so nice and so smart. And very able to analyze different cultural oddities. We had a great conversation.

Ryder, who stars in Netflixs Stranger Things, posed for the cover of New Yorks fall fashion issue, which was shot by Norman Jean Roy and styled by Victoria Bartlett. On photographing Ryder, and creating the cover image, photography director Jody Quon says, We wanted to make classic portraits to elegantly capture the essence of the woman that has been so embedded in our collective memory. Quon says she felt Norman Jean Roys purist approach to portraiture would be a good fit for the shoot, as well as his ability to engage with his subject, and gradually bring out their character during the dance that unfolds between photographer and his subject.


Vivienne Westwood opens in New York next month.

First Look

Next month, punk icon Vivienne Westwood will open her largest store to date, and her only one in New York, in a three-floor prewar townhouse (14 E. 55th St.).

First floor

Seating area: Couch upholstered in Westwoods signature squiggles print.

Second floor

Womens accessories: Green houndstooth bags ($465) and suede pointy-toe oxfords ($815).

Vivienne Westwood collection: Red one-button miniskirts ($440) and fuzzy sweaters ($1,870).

Womens couture: Plaid two-tone blazers ($5,435) and Sexercise T-shirts ($430) by Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood.

Basement

Mens runway: Bold print button-downs ($710) and asymmetrical blazers ($1,510).

Mens accessories: Knit beanies ($190) and red leather boots ($1,140).

Mens casual: Plaid pants ($345) and ribbed white mock-neck shirts ($105).

2x2: Beyond-the-Swan Pool Floats

Upgrade your vacation rental.

Reasonable

Snacks: Pepper, $10 at urbanoutfitters.com.

Pets: Swimline giant parrot, $33 at amazon.com.

Splurgy

Snacks: Funboy giant cherry, $80 at amazon.com.

Pets: Oversize lily frog, $150 at frontgate.com.

IRL

Mike Arnot opens a brick-and-mortar for his mens-accessories start-up Owen & Fred (230 Mulberry St.).

The thing about mens accessories is, men dont think they need them until they see them. When they pass our Hex brass cardholder ($35) on a neatly organized desk next to a concrete valet tray ($54), itll be the first time they ever think about a holder for business cards. Weve always been focused on travel, so in November were going to set up a flight simulator with real pedals and a yoke to steer, and were bringing in a 747 pilot to help people get off the ground. That might also remind guys they could use our leather passport wallet ($79).

Ask a Shop Clerk

Marc Tanjeloffs Astro West (102 W. 79th St.) houses the latest in hard-to-find fossils, minerals, and meteorites.

Whats your rarest find?

I have a T. rex femur thats tremendous, almost three and a half feet tall ($120,000). Theres also a barrel of small geodes ($25) you can put in our geode-cracking machine to find out whats inside. It could be anything from quartz to amethyst to calcite. Kids love it.

Three in One

The VNYL (100 Third Ave.) is a four-floor 70s-inspired bar, restaurant, and record store opening in mid-August.

Illustration: Jason Lee

1. Listen: Actor-musician Adrian Grenier curates the storefront record store with Whitney Houstons Whitney Houston ($18).

2. Drink: Long Island Iced Teas ($15) on tap; table service where a private mixologist crafts a range of cocktails based on your bottle choice (from $300).

3. Eat: Large, medium, and small plates of candied-bacon quinoa sushi ($14) and salmon poke bowls with cucumber-seaweed salad ($22) imitate the three sizes of vinyl records.

Top Five

Design power couple Mark and Kristen Zeff pair Congolese bracelets with 19th-century cutlery boxes at their Dumbo boutique, Blackbarn (20 John St.).

This antique box ($125) was probably used for cutlery in the 19th century. We found it in London, restored it, and now it would be perfect for a guys watch collection.



















We searched every pottery place in Fez for these oil jars (from $135) because I fell in love with the Fez green. Its such an unusual, specific color.

These chairs ($755) are made in Spain and have such a wonderfully strong and healthy leather. Theyre not supposed to be precious; you could scratch them, they should be worn.

These Congolese bracelets ($85) are more objects than bracelets because theyre too heavy to wear. We have one on the bureau in our bedroom. You could also buy several and put them in a bowl.

We found the people in Bali who make these tribal necklaces ($325) and started working with them. Now they make these specifically for us. Theyre for decoration, but Ive seen someone wear one.

*This article appears in the August 8, 2016 issue of New York Magazine.
Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

A jury found that a manager at a Chipotle in Washington, D.C., discriminated against a pregnant employee.

At the D.C. Chipotle location, things took a turn for the worse for Doris Garcia Hernandez after she informed her manager about her pregnancy, according to the Washington Business Journal.

Thats when the manager, only referred to as David in the suit, asked that Hernandez announce to her co-workers when she needed to use the restroom or take a break. Her manager would then have to approve those breaks. Meanwhile, the same kind of requirements didnt apply to other employees, according to the suit.

Hernandez also repeatedly asked her manager to leave work early so she could see her prenatal doctor. When those requests were all denied, she went ahead with her appointment.

The following day she was fired in front of her co-workers.

That kind of treatment amounts to workplace harassment and discrimination, which is barred under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

The jury in the case awarded Hernandez with $550,000 in compensation and damages.
Gurbaksh Chahal. Photo: Jason LaVeris/Getty Images

In 2013, tech mogul Gurbaksh Chahal was caught on surveillance video kicking his then-girlfriend 117 times in 30 minutes. He also smothered her with a pillow for 20 seconds, and a San Francisco police officer told the San Francisco Chronicle: She stated that he said, Im going to kill you four times. She stated she was in fear for her life.

Chahal was reportedly charged with 45 felony counts of domestic violence for the attack, but after a judge ruled the video was inadmissible in a court of law because it had been seized without a warrant, all 45 charges were dropped. Instead, Chahal plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges, was given three months of probation, and was fined $500. But now, three years later, that video might finally put Chahal in prison.

Although it was previously barred from the courtroom, a judge ruled that the video could be used in a second case in which Chahal allegedly assaulted another woman in Las Vegas just five months later. In that case, the video was used to prove Chahal was a repeat offender  coupled with the second womans 911 call, the evidence was enough to convince the judge that Chahal had violated his probation.

In a separate wrongful-termination lawsuit filed by one of Chahals former employees, Yousef Khraibut, Khraibut describes how Chahal, fueled by a toxic cocktail of prescription drugs, party drugs, alcohol, and sycophants, subjected his associates and  employees to daily abuse, humiliation, racist taunts, extortionate manipulation, tales of revenge, and threats of violence.

According to the suit, he was concerned with hiring women, but only women who fit his standards. In one instance, Chahal researched a young, attractive female sales manager applicant by finding online photographs of her wearing a bikini, and then showing them to other male employees, including Khraibut, seeking their opinion on her breasts, the suit reads. When Khraibut protested via Skype chat that it wasnt right to be checking out a prospective hires bikini pictures, Chahal responded, Research bro. Everything is online. I do this on every candidate.

The suit goes on, Chahal frequently referred to women in the workplace in both vulgar and derogatory terms. For example, during the hiring process, Chahal would refer to allowing an attractive woman to proceed in the interview process, as a pussy pass.

Domestic Abuser Gurbaksh Chahal Could Go to Jail
Trump is not the first candidate to cry illegitimacy. Photo: Albin Lohr-Jones/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

In the first week of August, just as Hillary Clinton began to pull ahead significantly in the polls, Donald Trump prophylactically claimed that the only way he will lose in November is if Clinton cheats her way to victory. Im telling you, November 8, wed better be careful, because that election is going to be rigged, Trump said. The next day he dug in further, suggesting that without stricter voter-ID laws, people are going to walk in, they are going to vote ten times maybe.

This idea of the system being rigged in Clintons favor echoes recent rhetoric from the left. Some Bernie Sanders supporters spent portions of the Democratic convention accusing Clinton of having rigged the primaries  a notion that was quickly picked up by the right: Do you think the general election could be rigged? Fox News Sean Hannity asked in a tweet. But it was Trumps friend and sometime adviser Roger Stone who really bellied up to the bar, telling Milo Yiannopoulos that this election will be illegitimate  We will have a constitutional crisis, widespread civil disobedience, and the government will no longer be the government  It will be a bloodbath.

While the blaming of an anticipated loss on voter fraud is certainly not exclusive to this election cycle  Google Diebold and 2004  the language used by Trump and his allies, the language of delegitimization, is especially telling, and potentially powerful, in a race against the first woman ever nominated for the presidency. It channels a conviction that has deep roots in our culture: A woman could never really win, not over a man. Her purported victory must, on some level, be inauthentic  whether because she cheated or because she shouldnt have been allowed to compete in the first place.

Not coincidentally, this was also the argument used in many attempts to delegitimize the presidency of our first black commander-in-chief. The birther movement  led in part by Trump  questioned Barack Obamas claim to the highest office in the land by suggesting that he was foreign-born, his very citizenship illegitimate. Even after Obama produced his birth certificate, questions about how real his electoral victory was persisted. In the brief period of Election Night 2012 in which it appeared that Obama might have won the electoral college but lost the popular vote, Trump tweeted furiously that his victory was false: He lost the popular vote by a lot and won the election. We should have a revolution in this country!; The phoney electoral college made a laughing stock out of our nation. The loser one! [sic]; This election is a total sham and a travesty 

Now, surely Trump presents a particularly acute case of White Male Authority Dysfunction, but in his impulse to cry illegitimacy when faced with potential insurrection by a woman or a person of color, Trump is not un-American. In fact, it is a response that runs throughout our history.

Salamishah Tillet, professor of English and Africana studies at the University of Pennsylvania, argues that one of the first acts of delegitimization was a change in birthright laws designed to ensure that babies born to enslaved women and their owners could not be legitimized through their white fathers. In 1662, Virginia declared, in an inversion of European laws long based on patrilineal succession, that all children borne in this country shall be held bond or free only according to the condition of the mother. Black citizenship, Tillet says, is always something that has to be proven again and again and again, a reality made clear by the birther movement, which persists to this day.

Demanding proof of legitimacy is also central to the increased voting restrictions designed to throw voters of color off the rolls. A recent New York Times piece included the report that in Sparta, Georgia, the majority-white Board of Elections was systematically questioning the registrations of more than 180 black  citizens  a fifth of the citys registered voters  by dispatching deputies with summonses commanding them to appear in person to prove their residence or lose their voting rights. Its no accident that these voters made up Obamas base and are the ones most likely to vote for Clinton.

This disqualification of African-American civic legitimacy is linked to the history of American womens precarious hold on rights to full civic participation. Linda Kerber, historian at the University of Iowa, argues that this too goes back to the founding of the country. When the framers make the nation in the name of free white men, she said, you always need an other. You need boundaries. So the boundaries become Native Americans, who are dehumanized as savages; slaves, who are chattel; and women. Two hundred and forty years later, she says, you still cant have a black man legitimately presiding over you, and you certainly cant have a woman directing you into battle.

Womens attempts to assert political authority were regularly regarded as unnatural and therefore illegitimate. Kerber cites Elihu Root, secretary of War under Theodore Roosevelt and winner of the 1912 Nobel Peace Prize, who said that womens suffrage would be an injury to the state, and to every man and woman in the state  Woman in strife becomes hard, harsh, unlovable, repulsive  Does this sound familiar?

Even after women won the vote, they were barred from serving on juries in many states, in part because the notion that women might be in a position of power over men  deciding their guilt or innocence, determining their sentences  was a perversion of the natural order. The argument was: Could you imagine women on a jury sending a man to the electric chair? says Kerber. (This was also the strain of argument deployed by some white suffragists after the suffrage and abolition movements were split by the enfranchisement of black men but not women of any color: Think of Patrick and Sambo and Hans and Yung Tung who do not know the difference between a monarchy and a republic  making laws for [white women], Elizabeth Cady Stanton famously said.)

This line of thinking is so pervasive that it even crops up among some on the left who likely consider themselves feminists. I dont cut the Bernie people any slack for what theyre saying about it not being fair, Kerber says, noting that undergirding it is the conviction that its not right, its not natural, that this woman could beat him. Its deeply rooted in assumptions that go back as far as the founding.

Its true that the major hit on Hillary Clinton has long been that she is untrustworthy, which makes it a short step to suggesting that her electoral victories are fraudulent. Surely some of this stems from a reputation and history particular to her. But it seems unlikely that Clinton is, by political standards, uniquely dishonest; former New York Times editor Jill Abramson has written of how her many journalistic investigations into Clintonian malfeasance revealed that Clinton was fundamentally honest and trustworthy. The fact that she can be so seamlessly rendered synonymous with all things untrue, says Tillet, is at least in part because religious narratives tell us that women are inherently untrustworthy  The idea of woman as a liar and as evil goes back to the Bible.

But the delegitimization of Clinton may also just be a primal, psychological reaction to the fear of being bested by someone who has been historically considered inferior, an attempt to restore the natural order  or at least rationalize its temporary upheaval. Kerber pointed me to a recent piece in The New York Times Magazine, a profile of 19-year-old swimmer Katie Ledecky, that includes paragraphs on the experiences of the men Ledecky has swum against in practices. They speak of being broken by her, the victory of woman over man still an anomaly we associate with physical destruction. No wonder a presidential candidate currently polling below a female opponent is talking about how it is impossible for her to beat him fair and square. As one 17-year-old male swimmer said simply, Im not gonna lie, it can be annoying when she beats you  Youre just not used to getting beat by a girl.

*This article appears in the August 8, 2016 issue of New York Magazine.
Tama Janowitz. Photo: Courtesy of the author

Wear jeans and hiking shoes or paddock boots as we will be with the horses and berry picking, the writer Tama Janowitz texts me at 9 a.m. on a Saturday, planning an idyllic day in upstate New York.

When she picks me up two days later in her Subaru Outback at a bus stop on the Cornell University campus, its raining. Her famous mound of curly hair is now platinum blonde  she started bleaching it when she went gray  and shes wearing a gray T-shirt and jeans and black mud-covered boots topped off with fuchsia lipstick. A fanny pack filled with packs of Nicorette, treats for her quarter horse, Fox, and an iPhone sits around her waist. Shes the youngest looking 59-year-old I have ever seen.

Janowitz moved to Ithaca in 2011 to care for her mother, the late poet Phyllis Janowitz, and then, in 2013, she moved farther into the country, to a tiny town called Burdett where she bought an 1850s farmhouse surrounded on three sides by Finger Lakes National Forest. Her latest book, Scream: A Memoir of Glamour and Dysfunction, delves into her country life, relationship with her eccentric father  she calls him lascivious  who lives on western Massachusetts swampland, an adolescent year spent in Israel, a disastrous summer guest-editing at Mademoiselle a la Sylvia Plath. It feels a long way from the more familiar vision of Janowitz of 30 years ago who posed on the cover of New York Magazine in an evening dress in a meat locker next to her apartment in the Meatpacking District, back when it was a grimy, working neighborhood. She was fresh off the success of her book Slaves of New York, a collection of interconnected short stories about New York City strivers. There are artists and designers and prostitutes, sex and drugs, apartment woes. Its a portrait of downtown Manhattan that is so faded as to be almost unrecognizable. Perhaps thats the key to its cult appeal. Still, plenty of sentiments still ring true, including the books most famous exchange: Are you sure therere no available men in New York? a friend asks her girlfriend. Therere women, says the narrator. Therere hundreds of women. They are out on the prowl.

One of that books themes is also creative success  or lack thereof. Its something she still thinks about, quite a bit. None of the several novels shes written since have topped Slaves, either in critical reception or sales. You know how New York is, she says. You get a success, and even before youre even allowed to have the success they chop you down and say, Well, who does she think she is? she says. You know, New York is vicious to its successes. It feels a little like Tama Janowitz has become a grown-up version of a Slaves character, exiled to the country. After all, now that Janowitzs mother has died and her daughter Willow is in college in Vermont, she could move back to the city, but she has zero intention of ever returning. (She lived in the West Village and Prospect Heights for nearly 40 years.) I have nothing there. I stopped being interested in going out to the latest restaurants. I hated going to gallery openings. Maybe once in a while Id enjoy the ballet or the opera. I mean, I wasnt using the city anymore. I just would stay in the apartment trying to write.

Her poodle Zizou Zidane jumps back and forth between the backseat and my lap. At one point she owned eight of them, with names like Gertrude Stein and Candy Darling. I think it was just a midlife crisis, she says.

We pull up to a liquor store and convenience store on the outskirts of Ithaca. Theres a shop where you can get a sandwich, and Ill get my case of cheap wine, she says. I get Pinot Grigio in summer. The big bottles, and I put a lot of ice in it.

Back in the car, fortified with sandwiches and salad and wine, we wind through country roads for about half an hour toward Newell Farm, where she boards her horse. The two of us sit on a bench overlooking a pond and eat lunch while Zizou wades into the muddy water. The farm is a great, great comfort to me, Janowitz says. She took up riding as a distraction. I was thinking Ive got to do something that I want to do. I had absolutely no sense of balance but I just stuck with it. I was so upset over my mother and my life, and you just block it out and go with this animal, connected to it.

There is a kind of highly Instagrammable upstate life where creative folk move to Hudson or Phoenicia to tend to their lilac bushes and sourdough starter. Janowitzs country life does not follow that model. She writes about going to a county fair and meeting men who had the bleak haunted look of men who had never eaten anything outside of the hamburger, mayonnaise, and Dorito food categories  They could have been twenty-five or seventy-five  but they all looked seventy-five. But she also writes that they were more interesting to her than anyone she had met in the city. She ended up falling in love with her contractor, John. I ask if theyre still seeing each other. Yeah. No, she replies. Either way, she IS living in a double-wide trailer he owns. She cant deal with living in either one of the homes she owns in Burdett  they remind her too much of her mother.

We walk up a hill to greet her horse, out grazing. Theres a bubble around your horse, and when youre connected to your horse, you have to choose the size of that bubble, she explains. Now you can see, shes right up in my face, nudging me for cookies. But youre not really supposed to let the horse do that. Youre supposed to be intimate and in control and keep the horse back at a distance.

What started as horse talk ends up looping back around to her relationships with men. Basically, I have a very big bubble. I need tons of time alone. Her marriage to the gallerist (and former agent for the Andy Warhol Foundation) Tim Hunt was that of two people who needed a lot of space. His bubble was too big and my bubble was big, so it was like, were not even together. Theyre separated but not divorced.

John has just the right size bubble. I was just happy to make him dinner and hang out and watch TV every night, she says. Hes described in Scream in an almost fetishistic way as a blue-collar mans man. It was pretty exotic to me, Janowitz says. Were you exotic to him? I ask. Not so much.

We take Fox to an arena to groom her. A sign is hung over us that reads, The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horses ears. I tell her about how it seems fashionable these days to envy the seedier but creative New York of the 70s and 80s. The cover of Slaves of New York shows up frequently on Instagram and Tumblr, a dog-eared copy held up by, say, a girl with long black nails, captioned something like mandatory reading for all my artist squad. But the only social media Janowitz is on is Facebook, so she misses out on most of it.

Her memoir has chapters on Andy Warhol, whom she was close to at the end of his life, and Lou Reed and Studio 54. I ask her if she gets tired of talking about that era. I dont mind talking about it. I just cant even remember anything  I keep finding pictures of me with Madonna and were sitting next to each other in some booth in some club or something, but I dont really remember, she says. The book is oddly without many details of past decades even if she seems to have had a Zelig-like ability to be everywhere and to have met everyone. The Sex Pistols and Keith Haring, Joan Rivers and Nancy Reagan, the Mudd Club and Maxs Kansas City all get the briefest of cameos but her general depiction of 1970s and 80s New York is hazy.

The so-called Literary Brat Pack of her and Bret Easton Ellis and Jay McInerney gets two paragraphs in her book. I knew each of my two packmates a bit is as personal as it gets. It was just a made-up thing, she says to me of their cohort. It just meant that every time one of them was mentioned I was mentioned and vice versa. It just happened that here were three books in approximately the same time frame published that young people were running out to buy, not because they were assigned to it as a college class, and not because it was beach reading or Stephen King  it was because they actually wanted to actually read a book. That was pretty thrilling.

In her late-80s heyday Janowitz appeared on David Letterman and posed for ads for Amaretto liqueur and Roses Lime Juice, citing George Plimpton as a precedent. I needed the money and besides, I was not gonna sit in my apartment 24 hours a day trying to write. Jay called me a whore for doing ads. (In 1998, McInerney told Publishers Weekly, I still think the idea of a writer doing an ad is appalling. I was offered a Dewars profile and a Gap ad, and I didnt do things like that because the day you take money to be an actor, then youre a whore. Tama was embracing this celebrity culture in ways that pointed at the dangers of it all.) She made the most of her moment, doing everything one should when theyre experiencing New York literary notoriety: parties at the Dakota, cushy magazine assignments to write about reindeer or mushroom foraging. I looked upon any invitation to do anything as an opportunity to do something I would never have known about otherwise, she writes in Scream.

She would be the first to tell you it doesnt last forever. I wish the books had been more popular, she says. Her follow-up to Slaves, 1988s A Cannibal in Manhattan, wasnt a hit, and she had trouble finding a publisher for her most recent book, 2010s They Is Us, a dystopian fable, which was ultimately just published in the U.K . She has a new agent and has already finished a draft of a new novel. Im waiting to hear back from my agent, whether he thinks its salvageable, she says cheerfully. Its the first time shes written a fiction draft without her mothers input.

We drive to a farm that advertises you-pick raspberries and start filling up our cartons even though its raining. The thing is, if youre a writer, you have to keep the skin removed to be able to connect with words and feelings and thoughts and get them down on the page as honestly as possible, and then you have no skin left, and youre just one big open wound, so you take it much harder than if I was running around all day doing something else with a protective shell over myself, she says. I dont have a shell.

Shes ready to leave upstate New York for wider spaces. Im hoping to move to a ranch in the West, maybe somebody would have a little bungalow I could live in for a few months, see if I like the area, she says, inspecting a raspberry. Its time for me to move on.
Im so sick of people shaming women for being sensitive or vulnerable. Its so bizarre to me. Winona Ryder is talking about the press and its tendency to pathologize female emotions, but she could also be talking about her lead role in Netflixs Stranger Things playing a frantic mother whose child has mysteriously disappeared. The supernatural, Spielbergian 80s-era drama, created by newcomers Matt and Ross Duffer, has attracted an enthusiastic and vocal viewership, but Ryder seems almost confused by some of the questions shes been asked while promoting the show. They use the word passion. Did you feel passionate about it? Is it a passion project? 

This isnt the only time Ill be treated to her strangely charming I just got here from another planet tone. Ryder seems more comfortable with discussions that exist one meta-level up, analyzing the perplexing ways of the press  even as we sit for two hours talking at the white-hot center of celebrity-interview cliches, the lounge of the Chateau Marmont, where several different waiters hover over our table, more attentive and slow to exit than nurses in a nicu ward.

Im getting asked a lot, You dont have kids, so how do you know how to act like a mother? I know nothing could compare, and I havent had that experience, but when my niece was born, I felt like I would jump in front of a car and die for this little person I didnt even know yet. Ryder pauses, then returns to talking about her character, Joyce Byers, a store clerk with a deadbeat ex whos unraveling from frustration and grief. I actually felt tremendous compassion for her. I feel like she was one of these people that had dreams [for her life]. But she had kids. And it made me think of all the women that I know who have kids, who when they talk about [anything negative about their lives as mothers], they always say, But I love my kids, I wouldnt trade them for the world. Like they feel guilty for even hinting that theyd want something outside of kids! Its a weird thing.

Photograph by Norman Jean Roy

Ryder is dressed exactly the way I remember lots of brainy-but-cool girls dressing in the late 80s (possibly in an effort to look just like Winona Ryder): white T-shirt with an abstract design on it, red cardigan, tangled jeweled necklaces, old jeans, maroon mens shoes. This is the Gen-X-star-who-hangs-with-indie-film-and-rock-gods uniform, but somehow, on Ryder, it doesnt look dated. At 44, she can say weird and like and stare into the middle distance with those big brown eyes straight out of a Keane painting and sound just like an appealing hybrid of enthusiastic teenager and world-weary adult.

But then Ryders odd blend of innocence and sarcasm has always been central to her appeal among Gen-Xers. She was Americas original Manic Pixie Dream Girl, one far more brooding than the smoother, more cheerful Natalie Portman version of Zach Braffs fever dreams. From her first appearance at age 14 as a tomboy in the film Lucas to her unforgettable eye roll in Heathers, Ryder seemed to give shape to all the strengths and flaws of an entire generation. She was hip and alternative well before those words became just another way to sell cola and all-wheel-drive hatchbacks, which was also well before most high-school kids understood that they had fashion choices beyond bright-colored clothing and hair permed to look like Jennifer Greys in Dirty Dancing. While most of our so-called style icons were parading around in sequined blouses and tying scrunchies into their Sun-In-ravaged hair, Ryder dyed her hair dark brown and wore red lipstick and mens suit jackets. She name-dropped authors and favored vintage gowns and dated Johnny Depp, for Chrissake, whod just been crowned the boy king of the realm. But she also had a self-conscious, almost apologetic way of holding herself, like she wasnt entirely comfortable in her own skin.

In rewatching Ryders most notable films from the late 80s and early 90s, her self-aware, jittery demeanor reveals itself as a big part of what made her so transfixing. Young Gen-Xers were nothing if not overly self-conscious and awkward, and Ryder personified that romantic unease. In her most memorable roles  in Beetlejuice, Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, Reality Bites  her characters are contradictions, open but self-protective, emotional but cynical, naive but edging toward ennui. In Reality Bites in particular, a film awash in Gen-X cliches (some accurate, some cartoonish), Ryder toggles between knowing sophistication and childlike goofiness. One minute shes rolling her eyes, the next shes aw-shucks-ing along to Ethan Hawkes scatted monologues about the virtues of slacker idealism.

In one memorable scene, Ryders character asks Hawkes for a definition of irony, and he replies, Its when the actual meaning is the complete opposite from the literal meaning. It makes perfect sense that irony would be the reigning principle of Ryders rise to fame. Born in Minnesota and raised in part on a commune in California, she developed an interest in acting after watching old films her mother would play in the familys barn, a quirky pursuit that landed her at the center of the most scrutinized, unique-snowflake-melting industry on the planet. Her parents moved to Petaluma, California, when she was 11, and even while they supported her desire to become an actress, they did their best to shield her from Hollywoods influence (They had the whole Judy Garland thing stuck in their minds, she says). But she still had to contend with what she calls Petalumas hicks who were also stoners, who didnt think she was all that. I did Beetlejuice, and it was a big movie, but it didnt help my high-school experience. In fact it made it worse. I was a freak and a witch.

But what about Heathers? Ryder was 17 when that movie came out. Even Heathers, which was, like, not a hit at all  I mean over the years it became one, but no. That was the first time I was even described in the script as attractive in any way  

Photograph by Norman Jean Roy

You are very attractive, our waiter interrupts. (Side note: How do you get a job at the Chateau Marmont if youre this guy?) Ryder quickly blurts out a surprised Thank you! and keeps talking.

The most obvious way that a lifetime of scrutiny reveals itself in Ryder: She doesnt finish many of her sentences. This trait has been cast as spacey, but it appears to me that Ryder has a very expansive way of thinking where several paths open up at once and she cant decide which one to take. She learned long ago that there were a million things she shouldnt say  and relearned this more recently when she was promoting the indie film Experimenter last year: I talked about all this stuff, Stanley Milgram and the banality of evil, and they didnt print a word of it. It was all just Rise to fame! Fall! Scandal! Johnny Depp!  Its not surprising, then, that Ryder might decide against saying most of the things she thinks to say. But as a result, talking to her can feel like watching someone try to drive when every single road has been closed. Whats fascinating is not that she stops in the middle of the road but that she keeps trying to get somewhere at all. Somehow she never comes across as closed or unfriendly or robotic in the slightest.

I wish I could unknow this, but there is a perception of me that Im supersensitive and fragile. And I am supersensitive, and I dont think that thats a bad thing. To do what I do, I have to remain open. She says that sensitive is so often used as a bad word  a euphemism for weak or crazy. Theres a line in the show where someone says [of her Stranger Things character], Shes had anxiety problems in the past. A lot of people have picked up on that, like, Oh, you know, shes crazy. And Im like, Okay, wait a second, shes struggling. Two kids, deadbeat dad, working her ass off. Who wouldnt be anxious?

Even that word, anxious. Its a bad word. And so like all of these words  its kind of what I tried to do with Girl, Interrupted, and why I was so invested in that book and trying to get it made [as a movie]. My whole point was, this happens to every girl, almost. Yet in trying to remove the stigma our culture places on common emotional challenges by talking about them, Ryder only stigmatized herself more. I remember I did Diane Sawyer, and I talked about my experiences with anxiety and depression when I was that age. And I think by doing that, maybe coupled with my physical size, theres this crazy thing. And Ive realized recently its literally impossible to try to change that story.

Photograph by Norman Jean Roy

Whats remarkable about that Diane Sawyer interview, which took place in 1999, is how completely ordinary the feelings of depression and loneliness Ryder describes are. Its a sign of how dramatically our cultural discussion about emotional experiences has shifted that such mundane revelations could ever be treated as shocking. Toward the end of the interview, Ryder tells Sawyer she feels ashamed that she couldve ever felt depressed, given all of her advantages. One of my worst fears is being a self-indulgent person, she explains, addressing the widely held misconception that somehow money and fame equal happiness. But even these days, when women who talk openly about their struggles still work very hard to project that flavor of sunny, upbeat optimism our culture prefers, Ryder offers us a helpful reminder that feeling conflicted, confused, or just ambivalent is a feature of being alive and not a bug. Emotional intensity, contradiction  these arent signs of instability or immaturity; theyre the sophisticated processing of an intelligent, mature adult. In this way, Ryder may just present a powerful talisman of complexity to a culture that embraces knee-jerk optimism, an inadequate guard against darkness or self-doubt.

Ive always been super-private and protective of certain experiences and certain friends, she says. I dont regret opening up about what I went through [with depression], because, it sounds really cliche, but I have had women come up to me and say, It meant so much to me. It means so much when you realize that someone was having a really hard time and feeling shame and was trying to hide this whole thing  And even the whole, like, sensitive, fragile thing. I do have those qualities, and I just dont think theres anything wrong with them. There were times when I let it feel too overwhelming and almost, like, shamed, but I had to just get over that.

She says that taking a break from Hollywood helped. I did get a chance to explore during my hiatus. I was really lucky, because when all youve done is this one thing, you become sort of insecure because this town can be isolating and you dont feel like youre capable of doing other things. She says she got really into constitutional law for a while and really into linguistics and etymology for a while. Even when she wasnt on the publics radar, anonymity was never easy. In the old days, she says, you could ride the subway and maybe occasionally someone happened to have a camera with them. These days, people are shooting footage of you everywhere you go, and if they ask and you say no  Ive been called a cunt to my face by someone who was just saying they were a fan. I was with my parents having dinner. It was actually kind of upsetting, because it upset my parents, and then I got upset. You know that scene in The King of Comedy where Jerry Lewis is at a pay phone? Will you sign the thing, will you sign the thing? I hope you get cancer!

Im not on social media. I dont actually know how to use it. And I hear that awful people could then  I say that, and it makes me sound too sensitive. Thats when I remember that Ryder hit her peak of popularity at a time when people couldnt come at you on the internet. I guess you wouldnt even know how it feels to confront a whole mob of haters, I told her. I mean, unless you had a stalker. Now Im the one trailing off. Of course Winona Ryder, of all people, had more than one stalker. But she takes it in stride. Yeah. I did. I had a few. One was really nice. He kept showing up as an extra on movies, and you dont know. You have to be careful. So I told the director, because he was kinda creepy. And I got this letter in my trailer the next day that was like, I was just trying to get work as an extra! Just so you know, Im not even obsessed with you anymore, Im obsessed with Alyssa Milano now! So he kind of left me for Alyssa Milano.

Photograph by Norman Jean Roy

Somehow Ryder has maintained a sense of humor about herself. But between the steady flow of references (Philip Roth, Veep, Marsha Mason movies, Bastard Out of Carolina, Oliver Wendell Holmes) and the wide-eyed mannerisms, she seems like someone who spends a lot of time in her own head. I have that weird archivist geneslashhoarder gene where I keep everything, like every journal. And I think, Do I even want this to exist? But it is sort of interesting to go back and read them. And then all my books  That sounds a little solitary, I tell her. Yeah. Its a struggle because it can get  I can overdo it. Between books and then great shows and nowadays you can watch films instantly  I just discovered that same-day-release thing. But Ive always been that way. Both of my parents are kind of like that, I dont know. Ive always been very nocturnal.

So this is how we might picture Winona Ryder, after all these years: the former cool girl in repose, grown into a comfortably complicated adult, not in search of a comeback so much as another great book to read. That doesnt mean her life is simple or easy, of course. Its almost like that Twilight Zone episode where that guy says, I just want to be left alone so I can read my books,  she says with a smile. And then he ends up being sent to a planet where its just him and his books, and hes so happy, and then his glasses fall off and they break.

Styling By Victoria Bartlett at Management Artists Organization; Makeup by Gianpaolo Ceciliato for Marc Jacobs Beauty at Bergdorf Goodman; Hair by Holly Mills for Tim Howard Management; nails by Casey Herman for Dior Vernis at The Wall Group.

*This article appears in the August 8, 2016 issue of New York Magazine.
(TRIGGER WARNING: Death wish, disturbing imagery & comments)



What caused the media to misread Normani's comments and fans to unleash this barrage of abominable, vile and deplorable behaviour to her? Was it really just because she called Camila cute and quirky?

She has decided to not be involved with the girls anymore, she's the one acting like she is so miserable because she knows her fans and the general public are buying it. She clearly is doing that to get attention and so her guillible fans (camilizers and the mamba gang) victimize her and protect her no matter what. The girls are nice to her. They include her in their social media accounts. They make the effort to reach for her for more interactions in concerts.

When it comes to Camila, not only did she not mention the other girls (at all), but she took the time to thank her manager. Not the group manager, her solo manager.

"if Lauren called C quirky and cute y'all would be having orgasms over camren being real"

- X

let's be clear here: the assholes attacking her are not 5H fans. 90% of them are Camila's and Camren's fans.

In a recent interview with Galore Magazine, when asked to describe her fellow bandamtes,(Lauren, Dinah and Ally also described Camila as "cute" and "quirky" in the past. Camila calls herself that).. Normani gave an answer she felt, an honest answer. She was incredibly respectful to Camila, unlike Camila's fans are to her. Or Camila is to Fifth Harmony as a brand, as a group.Somehow this time,Hollywire also came out to Normani adressed the situation in a letter she posted on Twitter stating that. Somehow, some people (including ontd members) saw the letter as a way for Normani to get some attention (Because I guess a black women trying to adress a situation that's been blown out of proportion cannot be honnest?Camila posted veryNormani has to endure because of her fans,. It's a pretty good indication that. Not like she would care, she still follows some of them.She's been- She's constantlybyand- She, in the past,, so it's not surprising that her fans are using racial slurs to attack her.- She had the audacity to- She's beenAs a result,sources (most of the tweets are now deleted): me, 1
Why isn't he dead yet?

Reply

Thread

Link

She's a little old for him.



And doesn't Rihanna have that same tattoo?

Reply

Thread

Link

A ton of people copied that tattoo from her.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link





oh gurl...

Reply

Thread

Link

fucking revolting

Reply

Thread

Link

this is disgusting.

Reply

Thread

Link









Edited at 2016-08-08 02:59 pm (UTC) so since he doesn't have a tag I had to google if this was posted yet and his ONTD posts are astounding

Reply

Thread

Link

lmao truly the gift that keeps giving tbh

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

lmao

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

cackling

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

omg

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

we are a beacon of light in a dark, dark world

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

omg I can't, complete trash

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

lmao

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

HOW are all these about the same person omg

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Lmaooooo that's golden

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Just like his showers.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

LOL these are probably the most generous headlines this disgusting pedo has here.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

LMAO.



That HuffPost post was hilarious af.





Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

lmao amazing

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Gross af.

Reply

Thread

Link

they met when Halle Calhoun went to one of his concerts with her mom



S T O P

Reply

Thread

Link

Idk whether to laugh or cry

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

why not both?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

what the fuck

Reply

Thread

Link

r. kelly disgusting as usual.

Reply

Thread

Link

Is this even a surprise?

Reply

Thread

Link

really? most of the guys i encounter think this way so im shocked when theres a decent guy who shows even a little empathy

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

I've had similar problems with guys I'm close to in my family. So disillusioning/disgusting.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

ew, that sucks. my brother is rather respectful of women, so I have some hope there's others out there lol. of course he's not completely immune to ignorance, but when I tell him something he actually listens, doesn't scoff at me for being a "feminist" or something.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

so.... he and his friend would be fine with you, your mother, or any other female friend and family member being raped?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I empathise with you so, so much because my brother and his friends are the exact same way. And it's so frustrating to see because we come from an extended family that is matriarchal and full of examples of different women who all deserve respect one way or another... but society at large and asshole friends just turned him somewhere along the way.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I wouldnt be shocked if this girl were actually 17 or something. Was he ever charged with statutory rape at some point?

Reply

Thread

Link
India imported 461,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil from Iran in Julya 110 percent increase over the same period in 2015 and an increase of 21 percent over June imports, according to a Reuters report.

India needs oil to cater to its ever-increasing demand for gasoline and diesel for its booming vehicle sales, whereas, Iran is scrambling to increase its exports and recapture its lost market share post-sanctions.

Its a perfect match benefiting both parties.

India and Iran bypassed the need to settle in U.S. dollars. During sanctions, India paid for the imports from Iran in Rupees, which was used by Iran to purchase Indian goods, benefiting both nations.

Iran has prioritized expanding relations with those states that stood by its side when it was under sanctions, Tehran-based political analyst Mostafa Khoshcheshm said on Iranian state television in May, reports Bloomberg.

Since the lifting of the sanctions, Iran has regained 80 percent of its market share lost during the sanction years. Iran exported 2.31 million bpd of oil in June 2016, which is close to its pre-sanction levels, and a 100 percent increase from December 2015, just before sanctions were lifted.

Iran has also laid out plans to increase its crude oil supply in the future. It has set an ambitious target to export 5.8 million barrels of crude and condensates by 2021.

We are not very far away from our pre-sanctions peak and we will soon attain that share, said Mohsen Ghamsari, NIOCs director of international affairs in an interview in Tehran. Our exports peak is above 4 million barrels a day, and we have plans for that and are waiting for the right conditions.

Much to Irans delight, India is in the midst of a growth spurt, with Indians oil demand increasing 7.8 percent YoY in Q2 2016the fastest growth since 2007, according to the oil ministrys Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell.

The International Energy Agency expects India to be the fastest-growing crude consumer in the world through 2040, with demand growth of 6 million barrels set to overtake the Chinese demand of 4.6 million barrels.

India currently imports 79 percent of its crude requirements, which is likely to surge to 90 percent in the next two decades, according to an India Tech-PwC report. Related: Post Coup: Gazprom Still Eager To Complete Turkish Stream

In order to improve its oil security, India plans to build its Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to hold 40 million barrels of oil in the first stage, which is equal to 10 days of its daily crude oil import of 4 million bpd.

Though the program is dwarfed by the massive 150 days of reserves held by the U.S. and 60 days of SPR held by China, reports suggest that India will eventually increase its SPR to 90 days.

"The new storage facilities could stimulate an increase in crude oil production from countries such as Iran which are ready to add new oil to an already over supplied market," said Luigi Bruzzone of shipping brokerage Banchero Costa (Bancosta).

India and Iran are also collaborating on a number of projects that are mutually beneficial to both nations. The Chabahar Port Project agreement is one such important project.

"This is a cornerstone project and will expand India's strategic partnership with Iran beyond a buyer-seller relationship, said Sumitha Narayanan Kutty, associate research fellow with the South Asia Programme at the Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

As the two nations continue to work with each other, we are likely to see higher Iranian exports to India in the future.

By Rakesh Upadhyay for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
China has become the usual suspect when it comes to commodity prices. Whether its crude oil or copper, LNG or gold, China is almost invariably the first place everyone looks for an explanation as to why prices are up or down. Now Asias largest economy is on its way to swing the international gas market, and swing it big.

According to CNPC, the state-owned oil and gas giant, natural gas imports could jump to as much as 270 billion cubic meters annually by 2030. To put this in perspective, gas imports in 2015 totaled 53 billion cubic meters, with total consumption that year reaching 200 billion cubic meters.

The increase will come largely thanks to a general shift toward cleaner energy sources as China seeks to clean up its image as one of the biggest polluters in the world. The shift is also part of a government strategy to move away from heavy industry to services as a growth driver.

The news, though just an estimate, as noted by CNPCs head of the International Department Li Yueqiang, could be the best news for the global gas industry in a while. With a saturated market and prices at multi-year lows, things recently have been as gloomy for the gas business as it has been for oil. A fourfold rise in imports in 14 years is not a chance to be missed by gas producers. But then again, not every prospective exporter to China is equal.

Gazprom is perhaps best placed for the moment. The Russian company is already working, in partnership with CNPC, on the Power of Siberia pipeline that will have an annual capacity of 38 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Naturally, Gazprom is working to make sure there is demand for this gas, with its latest move in this respect a memorandum of understanding with CNPC for the construction of gas-fired power plants. Related: The Rumors Are Back! Oil Rallies On OPEC Chatter

Russia as a whole is also better placed than potential competitors for the moment. Last year, CNPCs deputy director-general told media that China could import as much as 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually by 2020. The figure includes both pipeline gas and LNG.

LNG is where Russian suppliers may face stiff competition from major producers such as Australia. The Asian LNG market is depressed due to oversupply, but with China undertaking to cut harmful emissions by, among other measures, increasing the share of gas in its energy mix to 60 percent, things are set to change.

There is also another factor that could neutralize the significance of CNPCs estimates, and thats local production. China has huge shale gas resources, and local energy majors are paying growing attention to the development of these resources. Sinopec, for one, plans to increase its local gas production twofold by 2020.

It doesnt become clear from the CNPC estimate whether this looming increase in local production has been fully factored into the calculation of the import figures, and it could make a huge difference. In any case, one thing is certain: China will become a major market swinger when it comes to natural gas.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
An arbitration court has ordered Israeli-held Trans-Asiatic Oil (TAO) to pay US$1.2 billion to Iran for oil that the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) had delivered to Israel before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the online edition of Israels Haaretz reported on Monday.

Lausanne-based Swiss Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Iran in the case which Israel had appealed.

In May 2015, Israel said it was refusing to comply with an order by a Swiss court that it pay US$1.1 billion to NIOC. The complex dispute stems from 1968, when Shah Reza Pahlavi ruled Iran. The Eilat Ashkelon Pipeline Co. (EAPC) was created as a joint venture between TAO and the NIOC to supply Iranian oil to Europe.

After the Islamic Revolution of 1979, however, Iran and Israel severed diplomatic ties. Iran has pursued arbitration to force Israel to pay up. The combined sum in dispute in the courts is estimated at around US$7 billion.

According to Mondays online edition of Haaretz which quotes Global Arbitration Review, NIOC had been removed from the sanctions list against Iran and therefore, there is no legal obstacle for Iran to receive its payment.

Iran has won two arbitrations demanding that Israel pay for the oil supplied to it, with the primary bone of contention over revenues of the partnership still awaiting ruling.

Irans crude output hit a five-year high in June 2016 as the country is eager to reclaim its number-two OPEC exporter spot after Saudi Arabia.

And last month, NIOC director of international affairs, Mohsen Ghamsari, told Bloomberg that Iran had regained 80 percent of the market share it had before the oil sanctions were tightened in 2012. Iran is currently pumping 3.8 million barrels a day, of which it exports 2 million barrels, the manager noted. The country wants to raise its daily output to 4 million bpd by the end of this year and to pump 5.8 million bpd in crude and condensates combined by 2021.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC) has announced that the country has deployed its first Euro 4-compliant gas oil shipment to global markets.

Mahmoud Taherizadeh, Director of the Mahshahr region for NIOPDC stated: In the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year, about 184 million liters of diesel fuel with Euro 4 standards have been exported from Mahshahr oil terminal In addition to diesel oil, approximately 960 million liters of mazut were also deployed to world markets over the span of four months.

He said that for the same period last year, mazut shipments totaled 472 million leaders. Taherizadeh said that since no oil gas cargo had been shipped from Mahshahr terminal in the prior year, this is the first time in the current year that exports of Euro 4-compliant diesel oil have been shipped from the terminal.

Taherizadeh said that the Mahshahr terminal has become a major corridor for petroleum exports, and that diesel and mazut exports are expected to continue to grow. In the current Iranian year, which begins on 20 March, the country has exported an average of 9 to 9.5 million liters of gas oil per day. Those numbers show an increase of two times the amount from the same period in the previous year.

India is one of Irans oil customers. Last month, the country imported 461,000 barrels of oil per day from Iran, which was up 110 percent from July of last year, and 21 percent increase from June. Vehicle sales in India remain on the rise, increasing the countrys demand for oil.

Iran continues to strive to recover from losses incurred during the nuclear sanctions. While the sanctions were in place, India paid for Iranian imports in rupees, which Iran then used in turn to make purchases from India.

Lincoln Brown for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Iranian authorities have confirmed the execution of nuclear scientist Shahram Amiri, who was accused of treason and divulging sensitive information about the countrys nuclear program to U.S. intelligence agencies.

Amiri disappeared during a haj in 2009, resurfacing later in the US. Initially he said he was kidnapped and forced into talking about Irans nuclear program, which Tehran has always insisted has only one goal: power generation. Later, Amiri offered up a contradictory statement, saying he was comfortable in the US.

U.S. government officials in 2010 told the Wall Street Journal that Amiri was offered US$5 million in exchange for information about the nuclear program that led to the imposition of severe economic sanctions on Iran that were only removed early this year.

Amiri was warned by U.S. officials that should he return to Iran, he might be executed, but nevertheless, he did return in July 2010, after Tehran complained to Washington that the scientist was being held there against his will. Although he was welcomed as a hero, he was later taken in for questioning and eventually convicted of treason.

Its worth noting that on his return to Iran, Amiri claimed he was a low-ranking researcher in Irans nuclear program, and had no access to confidential information. U.S. government officials, however, countered his words, saying that he did provide them with such information.

Iran agreed to curb its nuclear power activities late last year in exchange for the lifting of sanctions that had seen its economy crumble. The curbing includes suspension of all work on heavy water-related projects and limitation of uranium enrichment, according to the World Nuclear Association. At the moment, there is one nuclear reactor functioning in the country, and there are plans to build two more. Irans nuclear program dates back to the late 1950s, but was abandoned for a long time after the Islamic Revolution from the late 70s. Work on uranium enrichment was secret for a long time and when it came to light, it sparked international worry that Tehran was aiming to become the next nuclear power in the Middle East, which led to the sanctions.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Operation Dignity, a Libyan militia, has attacked the Zueitina oil terminal near Benghazi, local media report. The attack, which took place on Friday, was repelled by Petroleum Facilities Guard forces, which are another militia operating in the country.

The attack, according to reports, was led by Muftah Shagloof, who was appointed by Operation Dignitys chief General Khalifa Haftar as head of the Petroleum Facilities Guard. Depending on sources, the Operation Dignity move is seen either as an attack on oil facilities or as an attempt to secure their reopening as agreed by the other chief of the PFG, Ibrahim Jahdran, and the Presidential Council.

The agreement followed years of PFG-led blockades of Libyas four major oil export terminals, which have a combined capacity of 860,000 bpd. The Guard and the UN-backed government of the country reached an agreement in mid-July to reopen the ports, but this deal was met with opposition from none other than the National Oil Corporation, which said the deal was a mistake, rewarding Jahdran for the blockades of the ports.

In a letter to the UN envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler, as well as other officials, including NOCs chairman Mustafa Sanalla, said that now other militant groups will use the agreement between PFG and the government to start blockading ports as well, as a means of getting money.



Related: Six Weeks In A Row  Rising Rig Count Pushes Oil Down

Operation Dignity was set up in 2014 by General Khalifa Haftar, who proclaimed himself the leader of the Libyan National Army, as an instrument to remove terrorism and extremism from Libya.

This latest incident indicates that the likelihood of Libyas oil output rising by 600,000 bpd, as the NOC said last week, is still far from a certainty. The market then reacted immediately to the news, with crude sliding further down. This week, however, RBCs head of energy research Helima Croft told CNBC the danger of Libya ramping up its production in any significant way was a red herring and the country is more likely to remain a distressed state, in no position to increase its oil production and exports.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
At least ten Angolan soldiers were killed during the last clash with the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) in the oil-rich Cabinda enclave, according to information from the separatist guerillas.

Nearly forty combatants have died in a flare-up of violence after exiled FLEC founder Nzita Tiago passed away on 3 June at the age of 88.

According to a FLEC statement, the confrontation took place last Friday and Saturday in the Cabinda area where the rebels have sought independence from Angola.

The rebels previously claimed to have slain twenty-six soldiers during battles from 29 July to the 31 July. Following those incidents, the FLEC warned foreign workers to leave Cabinda since their lives were in danger. The guerillas reiterated those demands in a communique issued on Monday when they urged relocation of Chinese workers whose presence allegedly constitutes a provocation.

The Angolan government has thus far failed to comment on the latest combats between the military and the FLEC. Despite the uptick in violence in the latest two months, Cabinda state Governor Aldina Matilde Barros Da Lomba recently stated that there is no armed conflict or war in the region.



The plummeting price of oil has led to a bust for an Angolan country that earns approximately 45 percent of its gross domestic product from gas and oil. Angolas economic crisis resulting from plummeting revenue has exacerbated the stark wealth gap in the nation and led to strong cutbacks in basic social services.

The Angolan economy is expected to continue facing obstacles and a bleak year ahead, based on a pessimistic analysis by Platts in July.

By Erwin Cifuentes for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
When Ramon Escobars father emigrated from Bolivia to the United States in the '70s, he brought very few items with him. He did, however, manage to pack a couple of bottles of singani, considered the national liquor of Bolivia.

Escobars father later met and married his mother, from Lodi, in Columbia County, and they moved to Milwaukee, where there were a plethora of blue collar jobs at the time. Escobar grew up on 54th and Vliet Streets, and occasionally traveled to Bolivia with his parents to visit family.

Whenever they visited Bolivia, Escobars father picked up a couple bottles of singani to share with friends back home. During visits when he was older, Escobar went out drinking singani with his cousins in Bolivian bars.

"The funniest thing in the world to them was to get their gringo cousin lit up on the local hooch," says Escobar.

For Escobar, singani became a symbol of his Bolivian heritage and his love for the country, which is one of the poorest in the Western Hemisphere.

Singani is a grape-based libation that is closer to brandy than to wine and can be consumed alone or mixed into a cocktail. It is unique in the spirits world because it is produced solely in the Bolivian Andes Mountains and in vineyards located at elevations of 5,250 feet or higher. According to Escobar, because the grapevines must thrive in a closer-to-the-sun environment where the atmosphere is thin, the green grapes grow a protective skin. All of this contributes to the intense flavor of the finished product.

"Singani was always a part of my family growing up," says Escobar. "It was always near and dear to my heart."

Escobar continued his fathers tradition of sharing singani with friends who would always inquire why such a delicious drink was not available in the United States. While receiving his masters degree at Columbia University, Escobar  who had already earned a bachelors degree in business from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee  started to receive investment offers from friends.

"Two friends told me, in a very short period of time, that if I started a singani business they would invest," says Escobar "After the second person said this to me, I started to inquire with people in the industry. And then they started offering me money, too."

Escobar, who also works for the U.S. State Department and is currently on a one-year fellowship at Georgetown University, decided to form a company in 2013 that would represent  not own  one of the distilleries in Bolivia. Escobar chose the centuries-old Rujero distillery and signed a 10-year exclusivity agreement to introduce the product to the United States market.

Under the company name Chufly Imports, Escobar serves as a marketing, public relations specialist, interpreter (Escobar is fluent in English, Spanish and French) and cultural liaison for Rujero, as well as Aranjuez, a Bolivian wine distiller.

"Rujero truly appreciates the tradition of singani," says Escobar. "Everything they use is made in Bolivia, from the stills to the bottles. I wanted to introduce to the United States the very best Bolivia has to offer and I know with Rujero I am doing that."

Initially, Escobar  who lives in Washington, D.C.  brought singani into bars and liquor stores in eastern cities. Last year, because he often visits family in Wisconsin, he decided to try the Midwest market and, to his surprise, the product is doing extremely well here after a much shorter amount of time on the shelf.

Rujero singani is available in Milwaukee at Amilinda, Discount Liquor, Plum Lounge, Rays Wine & Spirits, Rumpus Room and The Outsider.

"Wisconsinites really appreciate a quality spirit," says Escobar. "Its remarkable singani had not been discovered sooner."
In todays kitchens, youll find a vast array of cookware, from enameled pots and pans to bakeware made from aluminum and silicone. Much of the equipment used by chefs and home cooks has been mass produced by machines in China and shipped halfway across the world.

But things werent always this way. During the mid-19th century, skillets were hand-poured from locally mined iron. Sauce pots were forged from copper. And pottery was hand-formed from naturally occurring clay.

And thanks to Sara Dahmen, Port Washington-based craftswoman and owner of Housekeeper Crockery, some of those hand-crafted items  including tin-lined copper cookware and cast iron seasoned over an open flame  are being returned to the kitchens of Wisconsin.

Interestingly, it all began with a novel.

Falling in love with history

In 2014, Dahmen published her first book, "Doctor Kinney's Housekeeper," a historical novel set in the 1880s that traces the experience of a widowed woman who makes her living as a housekeeper. The book earned the Grand Prize 2015 Laramie Award for Western, Pioneer and Civil War Fiction. But  maybe more significantly  it inspired Dahmen to fuel a growing curiosity about old-school workmanship.

"The novel revolves around a widowed woman named Jane," Dahmen explains, "And because her livelihood is based around domesticity and work in the kitchen, I found myself delving into the history of the kitchen tools she would have been using."

Dahmens research led her to a realization: So much of the high quality cookware, including the tall copper pots and cast iron that was used in the nineteenth century, was largely absent from the modern kitchen.

"Cookware in the 1800s was handmade, and it was made to last for centuries," she says. "The mentality today is that we go to Walmart and spend $5 on something, and then we replace it when its broken. We dont know the provenance of it, how it was made, who made it. And we have nothing to pass along to our children."

She also realized that a good deal of the high quality copper cookware available on the market was no longer manufactured in the U.S.

"Copperware hasnt been made in large quantities in the U.S. for at least 50 years," she says. "Most of whats on the market is coming from France, Italy, China and India. The realization sparked something in me, and I began to wonder if I could create a business bringing back some of these beautiful handcrafted items that Id fallen in love with."

From there, she started making phone calls.

"I knew I wanted to support small family businesses," she says. "And I wanted to find ways to create items that are of the same quality that would have been in our grandmother and great grandmothers kitchen."

Bit by bit, she connected the dots, reaching out to countless small Wisconsin and Midwest-based businesses. She located a foundry in Kaukauna that she could work with to pour cast iron, which would be hand-sanded, seasoned over live fire and rubbed with food grade flaxseed oil.

She connected with Rowe Pottery of Cambridge  a group of potters who shed contract to make old school bowls, spoon rests and crocks  and contracted Whetstone Woodenware in Indiana to chat with them about creating reproduction woodware.

After first searching up and down the eastern seaboard, she even found a rivet-maker in Markesan who could manufacture rivets for her tall copper cookware. From there, she worked with each business to coordinate the design and manufacturing for her line of custom historically-inspired products.

"Starting this business, and creating these items, stems from a desire not only to have things that are local, handmade and built to last, but also the simplicity in the design. For me, I like looking at something and knowing it was made by a modern machine, but that it looks like it was made 100 years ago."

Total immersion

Interestingly, as Dahmen moved the business forward, she found herself even more connected to the world of historical reproduction.

During her research, she discovered Bob Bartelme, a master tinsmith from West Bend. Intrigued by his work, she paid a visit to his shop, where he recreates historically accurate reproductions of historical tin and copper cookware, army mess kits, kettles  generally anything that can be used in a kitchen and beyond.

"I thought, This is ridiculously cool," says Dahmen. "It was this big tin shop in this converted garage. Its like stepping back in time, but with modern efficiencies. There were tools on the walls from the 17 and 1800s. And there were tools he uses that date back to the 1700s. And it was just so cool that he was carrying on those traditions."

Dahmen found herself enrapt by the idea of learning this swiftly disappearing trade. So she asked Bartelme if he would consider taking her on as an apprentice. Bartelme agreed.

"Beyond the saving of a craft, its just really great to be close to it, to be hands on," says Dahmen. "The tactileness of working with the metal and creating things, its so great. Even better, theres real value in understanding how things are put together. It feeds the research and my understanding of how things were built."

Shes also been able to immerse herself in both the artistry  and the science  behind some of the worlds most beautiful kitchenware. Take copper, for example.

The allure of copper

Currently, Housekeeper Crockery carries two types of tall copper pots, under the name House Copper pots, available in two and three quart sizes (priced at $325-400 each, with lids available for an additional $150). In the photo below, you can see a Housekeeper Crockery House Copper pot, alongside a reproduction similar to those used in the early 1800s.

They are beautiful. And yes, they carry a somewhat weighty price tag. But Dahmen underscores the fact that the practicality of the cookware goes well beyond its reputation as something fancy or beautiful.

"There are huge misconceptions out there about copper cookware," she says, "... that its not thick enough or that it needs to be paired with stainless steel to be useful. And thats simply not true. On the scale of conductivity for metal, the higher the number the faster and better it conducts heat. Pure unalloyed copper comes in at 385 while stainless steel is a 12 or 14. When you cook with copper, its like painting with your food. You have complete control of your heat. And you dont need as much energy because it conducts so well."

Because it conducts heat so well, copper uses far less energy than other materials to attain the same results. Add that to the fact that copper is a renewable resource thats 100 percent recyclable, and youre looking at a cookware option thats the greenest of green.

And if youre looking to save money buy purchasing stainless steel lined copper cookware, think again.

"First, youre negating the reason why youre cooking with copper. The stainless steel takes so much longer to heat up, and the mechanics simply dont work," she says. "And because of the temperature differential between the metals, eventually the stainless steel warps. And then youre looking at replacing your pot."

As a result, Dahmens pans are lined with tin.

"If youve cooked with stainless steel, you know that things stick to it," says Dahmen. "But tin is nonstick. Its like an all-natural teflon. Beyond that, theres an actual molecular bond between tin and copper. Theyre both non-ferrous metals, so they form a bond thats permanent. They conduct heat together. They wont pop apart. And as a result, the pans will last forever."

As for the price point, Dahmen admits that copper is an investment.

"The nice thing is, you just need a handful of really great cookware in a functional kitchen," she says. "And when you know that it will last, that can literally be passed on for generations, youre actually saving money in the long run."

Housekeeper Crockery products can be found online at housekeepercrockery.com, as well as at Blue Heron Artisan's Marketplace in Port Washington and Rustic Palate in Cedarburg.
For Donna Jones, the memories are still fresh. Two years ago this week, she was one of hundreds of workers at the Cargill Inc. beef slaughterhouse in the Menomonee Valley herded into a large break room and told their services would no longer be needed.

"We were shocked. One day we had a job, and the next we didnt."

Jones worked 35-40 hours a week as a bagger on the kill floor at the slaughterhouse, at 1915 W. Canal St., for three years. Like most of the employees  some of whom had been there for decades  she had no inkling that her job had run its course. More than 600 jobs would eventually be lost.

Like Jones, Beatriz Hernandez, who worked for 11 years in Cargills parts department, remembers the intense emotions she and others felt after losing their jobs.

"We didnt know what to do with ourselves," Hernandez recalled. "Now what, we were all asking."

Cargills former beef slaughterhouse facility, 1915 W. Canal St., was purchased in 2015 by the Potawatomi Tribe, but it remains closed.

Jones and Hernandez were among 438 displaced Cargill workers seeking out services through the Hire Center at Employ Milwaukee. According to Julie Cayo, director of policy and fund development for Employ Milwaukee, 2338 N. 27th St., services include help applying for unemployment, remedial math and reading, transportation, childcare assistance, resume writing, job training and job search. The program is still providing services to 37 former Cargill workers, Cayo added.

Jones earned her high school equivalency diploma at Employ Milwaukee, and is preparing to enter her second semester at MATC, where shes working toward an associates degree in early childhood education. When shes not taking classes at MATC, Jones spends 10 hours a week at the Hire Center, receiving help in math.

Hernandez also went back to school, completing an office technical assistance program at MATC. She then was offered a four-month internship as an office technical assistant for Employ Milwaukee. Upon completion, she got a full-time job.

"I experienced the program from both sides, first coming here needing the help and now Im able to help others," Hernandez said.

Because of the cattle shortage that led to the closure of Cargills slaughterhouse, Employ Milwaukee was able to file a petition on behalf of former workers with the U.S. Department of Labors Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, which allowed workers to continue receiving benefits and other training for two years after their unemployment benefits ran out. Recipients also can file for an extension after that time period.

Ricardo Ybarra, director of adult services at Employ Milwaukee, had recently started his job when he was called upon to help hundreds of former Cargill workers in August 2014. Though it isnt the largest group of displaced workers hes served during his tenure, Ybarra said Cargill presented several unique challenges, many related to the diversity of its workforce.

"There were Spanish speaking, Somali, Burmese, and within the Burmese there were subgroups, and there were Arabic speakers as well," Ybarra said.

Maung Pa Aye, a displaced Cargill worker, now works as a resource room specialist for Employ Milwaukee.

The organization was able to provide services to workers in their native tongues, according to Ybarra. Originally from Burma, Maung Pa Aye, operated a cutting saw on the kill floor at Cargill for six years, and then was hired by Employ Milwaukee to work with displaced Burmese workers and others. First an outreach worker and then a resource room specialist, he created a Burmese forklift certification training program for former Cargill workers. CNining was also offered in Spanish.

Aye also earned his high school equivalency diploma and is now taking online courses in graphic design. He said that while he and others have gained sound training for new careers through Employ Milwaukee and TAA, not all the former workers have taken advantage of the opportunity. According to Aye and Jones, some displaced workers found factory jobs in the meat and other industries, while others are waiting for their benefits to end before they look for another job.

"The majority of us did what we had to do to take advantage of the opportunity to gain an education," Jones said.

Despite the slaughterhouse closure in 2014, Cargill is still active. According to spokesman Michael Martin, the Cargill company has approximately 1,000 workers in the Milwaukee area, including 500 at the Butler ground beef facility, 220 at the Milwaukee ground beef facility and 250 at a recently acquired cocoa and chocolate facility, formerly the Ambrosia chocolate plant. NNS reported in Sept. 2014 that 50 laid-off Cargill workers were hired at other Cargill facilities, of 300 who applied.

Cargill no longer tracks the former workers, said Martin, though the company did conduct a series of job fairs and provide other support for the displaced workers in the months following the plant closure.

The Forest County Potawatomi Tribe purchased the shuttered Cargill slaughterhouse and another Cargill property last year for $6.3 million. Both of the properties sit adjacent to the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, 1721 W. Canal St. According to Potawatomi spokesman Ryan Amundson, the tribe is still deliberating about the best use for the building that housed the slaughterhouse. Federal laws prohibit the property from being used for gaming.

For Jones, the closure of Cargills beef slaughterhouse remains a bittersweet memory. While she acknowledges that without the educational training shes received as a result of the closure shed be further from realizing her goal of opening a daycare center, she misses the camaraderie at Cargill.

"All of us there, we were like a family. We talk about how much we miss each other all the time," Jones said.


Rwandan Children

(Image by configmanager) Details DMCA



Records declassified in 2004 reveal a deliberate U.S. refusal to identify the mass killings as "genocide" since that would have triggered an automatic "duty to prevent" under the Genocide Convention. Clinton had no intent to stop it. Tutsi commander Paul Kagame, who attended the U.S. Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, leading an invasion secretly supported by U.S.-supplied weapons and Special Forces, was Clinton's proxy warrior paving the road for U.S. economic exploitation, especially North American mining interests associated with Clinton and "friends of Bill."

Regional chaos ensued with Tutsi reprisals and subsequent ethnic cleansing of Hutus from not only Rwanda but several neighboring countries, supported by U.S. Mobile Training Teams in Uganda. Once in control of Rwanda, Clinton's proxy genocidaire Kagame repeatedly invaded neighboring Zaire leading to the First Congolese War in 1996 and the Second Congolese War in 1998. This continued for years throughout the Clinton administration and beyond. By 2013 the bloody scramble for Africa's immense mineral resources propelled into motion by the king and queen of chaos had consumed over 7 million lives in Rwanda and the DRC since 1994.

Hillary was fully involved, visiting Uganda in March 1997, for which occasion the U.S. Embassy pressured Kampala's government-owned New Vision newspaper to censor their story about a local U.S. spy station that might displease her by publicly exposing U.S. government complicity in the conflict raging across its western border. Her "goodwill tour of Africa" was just two months before French-backed Mobutu fell to U.S.-backed Kabila in the DRC and the official national language was changed from French to English, as U.S.-backed Kagame had earlier declared in Rwanda. This marked not the end of violence but the transfer of African hegemony between Western powers while millions of indigenous Africans remained traumatized, grieving and suffering refugees, largely locked out of the bounty produced by their own natural resources.

Rather than evoking normal horror, the wholesale bloodshed seems to have whetted Hillary's appetite. She displayed no normal reactions. The ordinary responses to horror involve shock, empathy with the victims, actions to end the cause, and efforts to alleviate the suffering. Knowing that she and her husband contributed to the horror, normal responses would include guilt, remorse and guilt-reducing mechanisms such as restorative actions. But Hillary has displayed no normal responses. For a psychologist, this has important diagnostic implications, strongly suggesting a psychopathic personality disorder.

In a likely unconscious self-image projection three years earlier, Hillary described gang "super-predators" with "no conscience, no empathy" whom society must "bring to heel." And a decade and a half later after Muammar Qaddafi's sodomy-by-bayonet murder, Hillary triumphantly and chillingly declared with visible satisfaction, ominously paraphrasing Julius Caesar, that "We came, we saw, he died!" It doesn't require an advanced psychology degree to recognize her as a psychologically abnormal and very dangerous woman who should never be allowed the keys to the Oval Office and Pentagon, not to mention the U.S. Treasury.

Hillary has pushed two presidents - husband Bill and Obama, both of whom were reportedly reluctant - and vigorously supported a third - Bush 43 - into illegal, unjustified and disastrous military attacks against Serbia, Iraq, Libya and, using proxy forces, Syria. Tufts University history professor Gary Leupp marvels at Hillary's unaccountable political insulation despite her relentless warmongering, and historian/journalist Webster Tarpley describes her as "The International Neocon Warmonger" in consistent support of corporate interests and war - the state-sponsored mass murder of other people's loved ones.

We of course don't see these actions on Hillary's job application, so voters will be well advised to check her many unlisted references. I believe it is our duty as American citizens to all those potential victims who have no vote to reject her application.

(Article changed on August 8, 2016 at 22:41)

(Article changed on August 9, 2016 at 00:22)


Birth of a New Day

(Image by Liamfm .) Details DMCA



The Bulletin was first published in 1945 by scientists who had helped develop the atomic bomb. In 1947 The Bulletin began using the image of a Doomsday Clock to symbolize how close nuclear weapons technology had brought us to the destruction of civilization. They have since included the threat from human-induced global warming. The only other years the clock was this close to midnight were in 1949 when the Soviets acquired their atomic bomb, in 1953 when the U.S. and USSR acquired the hydrogen bomb, and in 1984 when cold-war tensions were at their peak.

The start of the Doomsday Clock signaled a new era in human history: one in which humans had acquired the power to destroy their planet but lacked the wisdom and institutions that would make its use unlikely. That's why the clock was set from the start at the final minutes of the last hour, and since then never earlier than 17 minutes before midnight. What now alarms the Bulletin's panel of scientific experts (including 16 Nobel Laureates ) is a combination of rising tensions among nuclear powers and the inadequate international response to accelerating climate change.

Climate Change

Seashore flooding and increasing weather extremes make it hard to ignore the threat from climate change. According to the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society's annual State of the Climate report, in 2015 greenhouse gases, global land and sea surface temperatures and global sea levels were the highest on record.

The latest international attempt to address global warming was the Paris Agreement signed on Earth Day by the leaders of 175 nations. Unfortunately, as the New York Times points out, the agreement will not have the legal force of a treaty because it would "be dead on arrival on Capitol Hill without the required two-thirds majority vote in the Republican-controlled Senate." Of all the major political parties in the democratic world, only the GOP rejects climate science.

Republicans have nominated for President a climate-change denier who has shown himself to be a narcissistic man-child. They also want him to be commander-in-chief of U.S. nuclear forces. The GOP is a major threat to human survival.

Nuclear War

On August 6, 1945 the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. It instantly killed 70,000 people, and 140,000 more died from radiation effects. The city of 310,000 was obliterated. A second atomic bomb on August 9 caused similar devastation in Nagasaki. The first bomb had an explosive power of 15 kilotons (=15,000 tons of TNT), while the second was 22 kilotons. The estimated total destructive force of the current nuclear arsenal is 570,000 kilotons (570 megatons) for the U.S. and 660+ megatons for Russia, equal to 38,000 and 44,000 Hiroshimas respectively.

According to the Arms Control Association, the world's nuclear powers now possess a total of 15,300 nuclear warheads, 90% of which are held by the U.S. and Russia. About a third of these are retired and await dismantlement. Each nation has about 4500 warheads stockpiled for potential use. Russia has 1648 warheads deployed on ballistic missiles or heavy bombers, while the U.S. has 1538. Each side maintains a "nuclear triad" consisting of land-based ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and strategic bombers.

It's a terrible irony that we nearly ended the threat of a nuclear doomsday 30 years ago at the 1986 Reykjavk summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. Both offered to completely eliminate their nuclear arsenals, and then backed off. The obstacle was Reagan's refusal to limit the development of his so-called Star Wars anti-ballistic missile system even though the elimination of the missiles would make the system unnecessary.

The kind of irrationality that led to the failure of the Reykjavk summit is now at work in U.S. foreign policy toward Russia. The immediate background of the current threat is the American-sponsored expansion of NATO to the borders of Russia, incorporating many former Warsaw Pact countries. NATO even announced that Ukraine, despite its deep historic and economic ties with Russia, would be considered for membership.

As Noam Chomsky put it recently: "One can imagine how the United States would react if the Warsaw Pact were still alive, most of Latin America had joined, and now Mexico and Canada were applying for membership."

In 2013 the U.S. supported a coup that ousted the democratically elected Ukrainian President Yanukovych, replacing him with a Western-leaning regime. This was the last straw for Russian President Putin. He responded by annexing Crimea, an ethnically Russian part of Ukraine that included port facilities for the Russian Black Sea fleet. He also supported a separatist insurrection in Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine that continues today.

The American narrative from politicians and the mainstream media is that Russia is an aggressor that needs to be contained by economic sanctions and military threats. NATO is moving military forces close to the border with Russia, and Russia is responding with its own troop movements. There is a growing acceptance of a New Cold War.

Instead of urgently pushing for nuclear arms reduction, President Obama (winner of the Nobel Peace Prize) has committed to a trillion-dollar renewal program for the U.S. nuclear triad. It envisions weapons and delivery systems that "move toward the small, the stealthy and the precise" ( NYT , 1/11/16). The Russians have noticed, and are scrambling to catch up. The Doomsday Clock is ticking.


Gestation Crate

(Image by mercyforanimals) Details DMCA



You as I --have probably started an observation with -- if I live to be a hundred years old...and then we voice our lament. Well, if I live to be a hundred years old -- I will never ever understand how anyone can defend the cruelty of pig gestation crates. And yet Phil Borgic is one such owner who justifies the use of these gestation crates for his 6,000 animal breeding operation which produces 160,000 pigs per year. For me- that means that 6,000 pigs are suffering right now, and this is only one pig operation- albeit a very large one in Illinois.

This week Paul Shapiro, vice president of the HSUS, sent us his weekly update on animal issues. One of them was this article re Borgic's pig operation which was written by David Jackson and Gary Marx of the Chicago Tribune. I've read about this torture for years and you may have too, but here again I was reminded of this cruelty and what in essence it means to be a gestation crate pig. Per the reporters:

"For almost her entire life, iron bars will hold this mother pig on the slotted concrete floor of Borgic's 6,000 animal breeding operation as she produces litter after litter. She can step a few inches forward or backward but not turn around. Her heaving belly, swaying head and dark-rimmed eyes are the only parts she seems free to move."

Torture-plain and simple. Even people who committed murder and other heinous crimes have a better life in our prison system then these mother pigs who have committed no crimes at all but who are incarcerated for their whole natural lives in metal prisons in order to satisfy people's desire for their flesh.

Next Page 1 | 2 | 3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Reprinted from WSWS



White House releases "guidance" for targeted killings

Late Friday evening, the Obama administration released a previously secret policy document that gives general instructions to those engaged in preparing, approving and carrying out the drone-missile assassinations that have become the hallmark of Obama's eight years in the White House.

The document, a President Policy Guidance, or PPG, was made public, albeit with extensive redactions, as the result of a protracted legal battle by the American Civil Liberties Union. Federal Judge Colleen McMahon ordered the Justice Department to release the document no later than Friday, August 5. The ACLU posted the PPG on its website the next morning.

The 18-page document makes clear that what has taken place since Obama entered the White House is the routinization and bureaucratization of state killings. Literally any individual on the planet could be targeted for assassination by a Hellfire missile fired from a US Reaper drone.

Derek Chollet, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs from 2012 to 2015, described the atmosphere inside the Obama administration in an interview last month with the Washington Post. "[T]he use of military power -- the United States killing people overseas -- occurs so frequently now that it just kind of washes over the debate," he said. "It has become almost too easy. No one even notices it any more. It's just a constant."

While US citizens and resident aliens ("US persons" in the language of the PPG) require specific approval by the president -- unlike citizens of foreign countries, where only notice to the president is required, but not his approval in advance -- there is no geographical restriction whatsoever. Nothing stops the CIA from proposing, and the president from approving, the drone missile assassination of someone within the borders of the United States.

And even the restrictions that are supposedly imposed by the document are subject to waiver at the president's discretion. The document declares, in one of its most important passages:

"Nothing in this PPG shall be construed to prevent the President from exercising his constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive, as well as his statutory authority, to consider a lawful proposal from operating agencies that he authorize direct action that would fall outside of the policy guidance contained herein, including a proposal that he authorize lethal force against an individual who poses a continuing, imminent threat to another country's persons."

In other words, the document spells out what the president requires his subordinates to do in order to receive his approval, while reserving the right of the "Commander in Chief" to do anything he wants.

The document is filled with bureaucratic jargon reassuring the officials involved that their actions are in compliance with the law, that lawyers for the "nominating agencies" -- the agencies drawing up the death lists -- will review each candidate and provide assurances that their targeting is "lawful." Moreover, assassination strikes will be authorized only if there is "near certainty" that there will not be civilian casualties.

The only "certainty," however, is that the guidance document has been drawn up to create a paper trail exonerating the decision-makers against future prosecution at a war crimes tribunal. These officials will argue that they were assured no civilians would be killed. In turn, lower-level officials have been told what type of assurances they must provide in order to have their "nominations" to the death lists approved.

A footnote on the second page explains, "This PPG does not address otherwise lawful and properly authorized activities that may have lethal effects, which are incidental to the primary purpose of the operation." In other words, unintended deaths, what was termed "collateral damage" during the Vietnam War, are simply not an issue. This is nothing but a blank check for killing civilians on a mass scale, as long as the deaths are explained as "incidental" to the main operation.

The PPG spells out a complex approval process. It starts with the "nominating agency," usually the CIA or Pentagon, with recommendations approved by the CIA director or secretary of defense, then reviewed by the staff of the National Security Council, which works at the direction of the president, and finally signed off on by the "deputies committee," a group consisting of the No. 2 officials of the Pentagon, CIA, State Department and other national security agencies, and then the "principals committee," which brings together the senior officials of the same agencies. In the event of inter-agency disputes, or if the target is a "US person," the final decision is reserved to the president.

The role of the NSC in this process is particularly important. This body has quadrupled in size under the Bush and Obama administrations, as day-to-day direction of national security policy has been concentrated in the White House. Besides giving the president and his closest aides a direct line to the military-intelligence apparatus, the NSC insulates the drone assassination program from outside scrutiny.

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).


The Reporter in Me

(Image by Marcello Rollando) Details DMCA



One major change, however: those who decide what is seen and heard by, We the People, have evolved from local newspaper publishers to Wall Street titans, and their moneyed, and not so silent partners, framing both content and presentation.

Who do you think chooses what we see, hear and read?

Do you believe Dick Morris, Megyn Kelly and Rush Limbaugh answers would differ from Arianna Huffington, Rob Kall, Joy Reid, Chuck Todd and Chris Matthews?

Noticed the universal deaf ear media pros employ when anyone from a POTUS wannabe to a multi-million-dollar coincidence explanation, challenging the 2016 reality show of, if it bleeds ratings it's headlined with the efficiency of a Rachel Maddow research team?

In my forty plus year career in media and arts, I've worn several hats, but as a director, talk show host and radio news producer, I, like most, attempt to inhale the hourly avalanche of information from a millennium of sources, then choose not only what is aired, posted, shared and published, but guests, questions, even use of adjectives, adverbs -- everything from pre to post production.

I host two radio talk shows, one with a Conservative audience and one with Liberal listeners -- believing not only in the necessity for, but the pragmatism of, United We Stand.

To the degree we talk, listen, comment and relate to differing POVs, we survive and thrive as an informed, multi-cultural, society. Nonetheless, whether media pro or political junkie, what we read, watch and write is testimony to our upbringing, values, education, experiences and even geography -- determining our politics.

Most Americans probably neither answer polls nor indulge in radical extremism. Our collective communication comfort zone probably hovers within 20% of either Left of Center (championing the equality and justice for all, including women and minorities) and Right of Center (championing less leveling the playing field through government regulations) -- deserting the Center for Moderates and Independents if they so choose -- and there's the rub.

Arguably, our national derision and conflict resonate from the degree we immortalize the lie we and media professionals tell ourselves: that somehow it is solely the subject -- the politics of weather, the shame of corporations, institutions and individuals profiting from mass incarceration, the denial of full citizenship rights for those who have paid their debt to society or the shooting of people who look like the Rev. Dr. William Barber and sound like Khizr Khan -- that dictates what leads our 24/7 news cycle -- and not an addicted audience craving another hit, nor performers chasing the redundant ambulance for a ratings high.

We deserve better, to do better and vote to be better than those, who, since The New Deal, have been festering to shatter their shadowy shield and like a mushroom cloud, rupture unity, to extinguish the promise of peace and light of human decency.

From Nixon and Reagan, to CIA GHW Bush locked and loaded by Bush/Cheney Open Carry militias -- perpetuated, un-aborted, in Koch-heads Mitch McConnell & Paul Ryan -- is the birther of narcissistic, misogynistic, racist products, worshipped on the tea stained altar of projecting one's sins onto those far less treasonous.

Reason is our best defense against cliches, political ads, media hype and mob-rule making choices for us. Our power remains: only we get to choose what we think, and how our vote reflects who we choose to be.
Jerry Kann has made his living in New York City since the late 1980s in a variety of odd jobs--proofreader, copywriter, messenger, secretary--all while pursuing the very challenging avocation of independent politics. For years Kann's primary goal as an activist has been to help establish a new, independent political party of working people. Kann joined Labor Party Advocates in 1994 and was active in the Labor Party until 2000. A registered but dissatisfied Democrat during the 1980s and '90s, Kann joined the Green Party in 2000 to volunteer for Ralph Nader's first full-out campaign for President. He worked as an independent contractor for Nader's 2004 campaign and volunteered for Nader in 2008. He was also a Nader delegate to the Green Party national convention in Milwaukee in 2004. As secretary and later as treasurer of the Green Party Office in Manhattan from 2002 to 2006, Kann worked with a very fine group of Green activists trying to build the Green Party in New York City. Running as a Green in three campaigns for New York City Council in his home district of Astoria, Queens, Kann won 20 percent of the vote in 2003 on contributions of about $2500 (compared to the incumbent's $200,000). With an endorsement statement from Ralph Nader, Kann faced the same incumbent in 2005. In that campaign, Kann drew fire from both major parties, as his opponent ran on both Democratic and Republican ballot lines. An early member of Greens for Democracy and Independence (under the leadership of Peter Camejo of California), Kann and others tried for several years to convince their fellow Green Party members to declare full independence from the Democratic Party. After a long fight on basic questions of the Greens' identity and long-term goals, Kann finally quit the Green Party in June 2009 and registered as a Populist, running again for City Council in 2009 and 2013. During 2011 and 2012, Kann had an especially hard time finding anyone willing to publish an article (or even a letter) about his formal complaint against Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The complaint built a very solid case demonstrating that the mayor violated campaign finance law in his 2009 re-election campaign. Kann remains ready, willing, and able to debate the essential question of independence and the urgent need for a new, militant, major political party in all public forums.
Would you like to know how many people have visited this page? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

CorpWatch: Non-profit investigative research and journalism to expose corporate malfeasance and to advocate for multinational corporate accountability and transparency. We work to foster global justice, independent media activism and democratic control over corporations.

Our guiding vision is to promote human, environmental, social and worker rights at the local, national and global levels by making corporate practices more transparent and holding corporations accountable for their actions.

As independent investigative researchers and journalists, we provide critical information to foster a more informed public and an effective democracy.



We believe the actions, decisions, and policies undertaken and pursued by private corporations have very real impact on public life  from individuals to communities around the world. Yet few mechanisms currently exist to hold them accountable for those actions. As a result, it falls to the public sphere to protect the public interest.

In many cases, corporate power and influence eclipses even the democratic

political process itself as they exert disproportional influence on public policy they deem detrimental to their narrow self-interests. In less developed nations, they usurp authority altogether, often purchasing government complicity for unfair practices at the expense of economic, environmental, human, labor and social rights.



Yet despite the very public impact of their actions and decisions, corporations remain bound to be accountable solely to their own private financial considerations and the interests of their shareholders. They have little incentive, nor requirement, for public transparency regarding their decisions and practices, let alone concrete accountability for their ultimate impact.


By Kathryn Hickok

Your average high school students may not be able to explain a fictional companys dividends to a lecture hall full of adults from the business world. But after five days at Young Entrepreneurs Business Week, they could.

YEBW is a nonprofit annual summer camp founded in 2005 by young Oregon entrepreneurs Nick and Maurissa Fisher, hosted on the campuses of the University of Portland, Oregon State University, and University of Oregon. From 75 students on one campus during its first year, YEBW has grown to more than 400 participants on three campuses in 2016.

YEBWs founders shared a concern that young people of all educational and economic backgrounds often leave high school with no practical business knowledge, hindering their ability to innovate, create, and produce the kinds of goods and services key to Oregon communities growth and success. They sought to fill the gap by drawing together curriculum developers, business professionals, educators, and successful youth-focused program leaders to launch an innovative educational program for high school students.

Participants spend one week on the UP, OSU, or UO campus and are exposed to a challenging curriculum designed to teach students that business can be fun and exciting, not to mention understandable and interesting. Students leave the camp possessing relevant, basic financial and business skills to apply to whatever goals they set for themselves. YEBW board chair Jeff Gaus says, For some, YEBW is that lightbulb moment when they realize who they are and what they want to do in life.

During the program, students are divided into student-led companies, guided by volunteers from the business community who share their knowledge and expertise throughout the week. The curriculum provides students with the financial literacy, business fundamentals, and confidence they need to be self-sufficient and successful.

During the first-year program, Business Week, students form mock companies where they create management teams, develop mission statements, invent a product, and conduct actual operation of their own business by competing in business simulations. Designed to broaden the practical skill sets of each student, the program incorporates professional speakers and other interactive learning exercises like mock interviews and networking events.

For returning students, Investing Week gives students the opportunity to learn about basic investment vehicles, the principles of evaluating a potential investment, and understanding the personal and business effects of the financial market system. Entrepreneur Week provides the chance to learn what it is like to start and run a business. Students prepare a full business plan, run an on-campus business as a team, and present their individual work to a panel of judges acting as potential company investors.

Its not all head knowledge, either. YEBW fosters professional interpersonal skills. Students learn the art of the handshake, eye contact, introductions, proper business and evening attire, and table manners, so they can navigate job interviews and networking events with confidence.

Young Entrepreneurs Business Week teaches teens that there is a business side to every occupation. Likewise, every Oregon occupation would benefit from having more business-savvy graduates of YEBW. The young people who attend the first-year program mostly come with no prior business knowledge or experience, but they leave with well-earned confidence in their abilities and potential as tomorrows successful professional adults. A nonprofit program like YEBW, spearheaded by enthusiastic young business leaders, is truly a bright light for the future of the entrepreneurial spirit in Oregon.

Kathryn Hickok is Publications Director and Director of the Childrens Scholarship Fund-Portland program at Cascade Policy Institute, Oregons free market public policy research organization.
By John A. Charles, Jr.

On July 27 the Oregon Department of State Lands announced the fair market value of 82,450 acres of Common School Trust Lands within the Elliott State Forest as $220.8 million. The number was picked by Roger Lord of the consulting firm Mason, Bruce & Girard after analyzing three different professional appraisals. Proceeds from the land transfer will go to the Common School Fund and be invested for the long-term benefit of public school students.

At a public meeting held in Salem, the Director of the Department, Jim Paul, reiterated that anyone hoping to acquire the 82,450 acres must offer exactly $220.8 million. Any offer above that will be considered outside the protocol and deemed non-responsive. This announcement was the latest step in the Land Boards plan to dispose of the Elliott property in a non-competitive bid process.

The Land Board has invented a fair market value of the Elliott timberland without allowing a market to actually function. The price investors are willing to pay might be higher than $220.8 million, or even multiples of that number. Unfortunately, well never know because the Land Board is refusing to take competitive bids. Clearly, this is a breach of fiduciary trust. Public school students, teachers, and parents deserve to get top dollar in this once-in-a-lifetime sale of a public asset.

John A. Charles, Jr. is President and CEO of Cascade Policy Institute, Oregons free market public policy research organization.
PTI would mobilise masses to protect their rights: Imran Khan

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Sunday that his party would mobilise the masses to protect their rights if the national institutions fail to do so.



Addressing a rally in Peshawar that marked commencement of his partys accountability movement, the PTI chairman warned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that the match was about to begin and it would not stop until the corrupt leaders are held accountable. He said the accountability movement had been launched to hold the institutions accountable that considered themselves above accountability and those who plundered the national assets.



Khan said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was adept in imposition of taxes on the marginalised section of the society and exempting the upper class of the country from taxes. He said that rich people of the country were getting richer and the poor were getting poorer due to absence of any mechanism for accountability in the country. He said the PTI would continue to mobilise the people to protest rallies as well as sit-ins until Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is held accountable. This is just the beginning, this is just a trailer, the match is about to begin and it will not end till the accountability of all corrupt leaders of the country for good, Khan announced during his address to the rally.



The PTI chairman said that poor people were languishing in jails on false charges, while the rich and the powerful were investing taxpayers money in real estate businesses abroad. He said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had been supporting and protecting criminals and corrupt people since its inception. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and other senior ministers of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) were multiplying their foreign assets with the support of the NAB. He said that a few families were in control of all the national wealth and they were using it for the welfare of their own families, but at the cost of national institutions. The institutions of Pakistan are not protecting your money and your interests, so you have to do it yourself. Institutions like the NAB, which are meant to hold the corrupt accountable, are protecting the corrupt like Nawaz Sharif and his cronies, he said.



Khan said that corruption affected the ordinary people of Pakistan the most and made the poor the poorer. He said that national wealth was not spent properly on education and health institutions; it was embezzled in the name of mega projects. Remember that this movement is the movement of every Pakistani who wants to free this country from the cancer of corruption. Do join us and do your share to this fight for a corruption-free Pakistan, he said. He praised the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for participating in the rally in such a hot and humid weather. He said the PTI would file another reference against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who allegedly transferred national wealth abroad. He called upon the parliamentarians to question the prime minister about the sources of his income. He said the prime minister considered himself to be above the law.



PTI senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and party lawmakers accompanied Khan on the container where he stood to address the rally. Rallies from Malakand, Dir, Karak, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan also reached Peshawar to join the main rally, which was set to march towards Attock.



PTI workers set up welcome camps on the routes of the rally to motivate the participants. Khan spoke to people at different points.
From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As...
Meteorologist Paul Douglas writes about Minnesota weather daily, trying to go beyond the "highs" and "lows" of the weather story to discuss current trends and some of the how's and why's of meteorology. Rarely is our weather dull - every day is a new forecast challenge. Why is the weather doing what it's doing? Is climate change a real concern, and if so, how will my family be affected? Climate is flavoring all weather now, and I'll include links to timely stories that resonate with me.
The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,




Vistas de pagina en total

Precio del Brent To get the BRENT oil price, please enable Javascript.

Precio del WTI To get the oil price, please enable Javascript.

Precio del Oro To get the gold price, please enable Javascript.

Dolar USA Vs Euro

Archivo del blog

























PROHIBIDO OLVIDAR



OTAN = Asesinos



OTAN = NATO = Muerte



Mas temprano que tarde los derrotaremos



Hipocresia 3.0



El principe Carlos habla sobre el alto costo de la vida Es un chiste?



Las verdades son simples



Opinar es un peligro



Ejemplo de dignidad



El Nuevo Orden Mundial



Historica foto para el record Guinness







Se pegaron un tiro en el pie



Si palabras



Ya no enganan a nadie



No hacen falta palabras







Lo volvio a hacer



Capitalismo=embuste



Historico Bitcoin



La bateria mas grande de Holanda



El futuro es solar



Nec plus ultra, nec variatur



Fisica y culturalmente



Jamas nos callaran



Sin ellas, no seremos



Deja vu



Nada que celebrar



Hasta cuando?



Colombia Hoy



Para nunca olvidar



'Parasite' painted on a statue of Queen, Elizabeth in Kent, England



Sin palabras



La UE le apunta a la paz



Cada vez mas solo



LULA y su Pueblo



Bye Bye



Homenaje al genial Quino



Fueron ellos



Una imagen que resume



Tan bajo ha caido que se deja tocar el trasero?



Porky y el Nene (archiconocido narcotraficante)



Ladrones al poder



Asi mira el perrito a su amo



Crazy



Clamor popular



La nueva inquisicion



Bolivia



Chile Hoy



Eso es todo amigos!



Piensalo!



Pinerachet



No More Trump



Adios Macri, hasta nunca



La Marioneta se desinfla



Asi o mas cinico



Almugre



Mexico en 1794



Mas arrastrado imposible



Hasta cuando!



La pura verdad



Solidaridad con Palestina



Serie Capitalismo



Espejismos de la clase trabajadora



Asi es!



Comerciantes o delincuentes



No pasaran!



Asi es la vida



USA HOY



01/01/1959



La avaricia no tiene limites



AYUDA HUMANITARIA?



Chile Hoy



Asi son las cosas



Mapa Electoral de Venezuela



Patagonia argentina?



Un aniversario mas del mayor genocidio de la Humanidad



Retrato del franquismo en Espana



Visca Catalunya!



El Chulo de Madrid



Cuando la policia se roba la democracia



Una imagen dice mas que mil palabras



La purita verdad



Asi gobierna la maldita burguesia



Mi pobre clase media



Como Chavez nadie



Comparte La Colmena via twitter Twittear

Programa de la MUD



Asi o mas clarito



Por que Trump no ataco Corea del Norte?



Hace 15 anos Por que la OEA no se pronuncio?



Una verguenza nacional



La luz que nos guia



La Union Europea Premio Nobel de la Paz?



Feudalismo ayer y hoy



Obama, el mentiroso



Curiosa coincidencia



Un mundo de cerdos



No es extrano?



La Marioneta



Los ricos protestan, los pobres celebran



MARICORI Y OBAMA



Cuantas muertes este ano?



USA TODAY



USA HOY 6



USA HOY 5



USA HOY 4



USA HOY 3



USA HOY 2



USA HOY (1)



Insaciable



Cronologia de un agresor



Guarimbear en USA



Mexico hoy



Bolivar y Chavez



Primero Amargado



Dios los cria y ellos se juntan



USA hoy (III)



USA hoy (II)



USA hoy



Mexico hoy



Mexico hoy



Mexico hoy



Obama



La verdad sea dicha



Los ricos



Que no nos vea Obama



Pobre Obama



SOS PALESTINA



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



VICMAN



Archivo del blog Archivo del blog marzo (4) abril (9) mayo (8) junio (10) julio (11) agosto (10) septiembre (17) octubre (11) noviembre (15) diciembre (10) enero (9) febrero (10) marzo (8) abril (5) mayo (6) junio (8) julio (13) agosto (10) septiembre (7) octubre (12) noviembre (8) diciembre (15) enero (17) febrero (11) marzo (11) abril (12) junio (6) julio (11) agosto (15) septiembre (5) octubre (15) noviembre (14) diciembre (11) enero (13) febrero (9) marzo (10) abril (8) mayo (7) junio (12) julio (12) agosto (8) septiembre (8) octubre (4) diciembre (8) enero (35) febrero (20) marzo (29) abril (19) mayo (21) junio (27) julio (21) agosto (28) septiembre (40) octubre (47) noviembre (21) diciembre (34) enero (62) febrero (81) marzo (117) abril (141) mayo (114) junio (111) julio (126) agosto (98) septiembre (160) octubre (234) noviembre (493) diciembre (319) enero (219) febrero (267) marzo (230) abril (291) mayo (347) junio (223) julio (179) agosto (191) septiembre (239) octubre (350) noviembre (406) diciembre (353) enero (284) febrero (202) marzo (274) abril (250) mayo (232) junio (251) julio (188) agosto (249) septiembre (230) octubre (178) noviembre (141) diciembre (164) enero (187) febrero (147) marzo (211) abril (190) mayo (199) junio (164) julio (162) agosto (174) septiembre (182) octubre (225) noviembre (114) diciembre (132) enero (223) febrero (147) marzo (133) abril (108) mayo (387) junio (465) julio (785) agosto (748) septiembre (485) octubre (681) noviembre (754) diciembre (805) enero (708) febrero (896) marzo (735) abril (831) mayo (723) junio (555) julio (658) agosto (619) septiembre (457) octubre (455) noviembre (295) diciembre (269) enero (534) febrero (556) marzo (205) abril (119) mayo (194) junio (255) julio (294) agosto (182) septiembre (207) octubre (340) noviembre (351) diciembre (281) enero (114) febrero (128) marzo (216) abril (195) mayo (116) junio (141) julio (182) agosto (181) septiembre (50) octubre (72) noviembre (104) diciembre (88) enero (168) febrero (102) marzo (151) abril (207) mayo (43) junio (72) julio (35) agosto (146) septiembre (54) octubre (46) noviembre (48) diciembre (57) enero (133) febrero (218) marzo (196) abril (177) mayo (156) junio (158) julio (264) agosto (456) septiembre (524) octubre (428)

Chavez Cuanto te queremos!



Por culpa de Chavez



Cerveza Polar







Algun dia Colombia volvera a la ideologia de Bolivar







Translate













LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares?



























Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano...



Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos:



Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias.



Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera.



No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje.



En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio.



Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida.



Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella.



Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal.



Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista.



Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen.



Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che?



Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio.



Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora.



Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo.



Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo.



Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania.



No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar.



Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga.





Alguna duda?



Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino



Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia.



OZ1



OZ2



OZ3



OZ4



Homenaje a Jason Galarraga



La Victoria de Samotracia



Odalisca



Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008



























La Sierra Nevada de Merida



Nuestro precioso Churum Meru



Homenaje a Picasso



Autoretrato



Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola?

La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.

Mi profesion?

Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.

Sal en la Coca Cola?

A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.

De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:

Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto

Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)

azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)

Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas

Mucha Cafeina

Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio

Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe

Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion

El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.

Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.

Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.

En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).

Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.

La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.

Bebidas Light?

Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el

Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.



Publicado por loretahur



En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur

MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina:

1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias.

2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina.

3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard.

4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos.

5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla.

6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos.

Ahora... sobre la margarina:

1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) .

2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias.

3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno).

4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer.

5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna.

6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo.

7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina.

Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas:

* No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo).

* No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!!



No a la guerra, Si a la Paz



Misterios de la ciencia...



Los costos de la guerra



medicos y capitalismo...



Capitalismo...



medicos (2)



Quien educa a nuestros hijos?



Los Medios...



Sin Palabras...



Chistes feministas

- Cual es el problema, Eva?

- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz...

- Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.

- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...

- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.

- Que es un hombre?

- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.

- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.

- Cual es el truco?.

- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.

- Cual?

- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.





Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Ellas...



Ellas (2)...



Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1

Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije:

-Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro.

Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria.

Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre?

-Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa!



VENGANZA NUMERO 2

Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris.

A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita:

- Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!!

Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta.

La mujer paso quince dias en Francia.

El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla.

Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es:

- Y amor me trajiste mi francesita??

- Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina.



VENGANZA NUMERO 3

El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion.

- No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo.

- Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz.

Te quiero confesar algo.

- Esta bien, esta bien. Habla!

- He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga.

- Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!!



machismo y cibernetica



Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston.

-Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide.

-Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!.



.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti.

Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos.

Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco.

Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas



Gol !!!!



Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso!



Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy!


This photograph shows an ambling Iceland pony during World Championship. Credit: Monika Reissmann

Horses have held an important place in human history since ancient times. So-called ambling horses are particularly prized for their ability to travel in a way that's comfortable for riders, with a smooth, four-beat rhythm. Earlier studies traced that easy gait to a single typo in a gene involved in coordinated limb movement. Now, researchers who have genetically examined historic horse remains say that gaitedness in horses made its first appearance in Medieval England around 850 AD and rapidly spread from there.

The findings are reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on August 8.

"We detected the origin of ambling horses in medieval England," says Arne Ludwig of the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin, Germany. "Vikings took these horses and brought them to Iceland and bred them there. Later, ambling horses were distributed from England or Iceland all around the world."

Ancient DNA offers a window into the past. In the new study, the researchers assembled DNA samples, including 90 horses going back to pre-domestic times, before 3500 BC, through to the Middle Ages. They examined the DNA in search of that earlier identified "gait keeper" variant in a gene known as DMRT3.

The researchers detected the tell-tale genetic change in two English horses from 850 to 900 AD and in ten out of 13 individuals from Iceland dating to the ninth to eleventh century. The gait keeper variant was absent in all of the horse remains from mainland Europe.

Ludwig and colleagues say that the discovery that ambling horses were present in Iceland so long ago strongly suggests that Norse people from Denmark and South Sweden took them from the British Isles to Iceland.

"Considering the high frequency of the ambling allele in early Icelandic horses, we believe that Norse settlers selected for this comfortable mode of horse riding soon after arrival," the researchers write. "The absence of the allele in samples from continental Europe (including Scandinavia) at this time implies that ambling horses may have spread from Iceland and maybe also the British Isles across the continent at a later date."

Ludwig says that they were a bit surprised that the gait keeper variant didn't arise sooner, mainly because the trait now occurs so widely in horses all around the world. But, he notes, with strong selection in the course of breeding domesticated animals, "everything can happen very fast."

There are still many open questions about how human preferences changed over time and how those shifts influenced horses. The researchers say they are also interested in how those past events continue to influence domesticated animals and animal breeding today.

Explore further Horse gaits controlled by genetic mutation spread by humans, new study reveals
Massive composite stromatolites from Carbla Province. Credit: Erica Suosaari

Could there be a way to find bacterial structures on another planet? And if so, how important might these bacteria be in making a planet life-friendly? These are some of the questions that could be answered through studies on stromatolites, which are mounds of calcium-carbonate rock that are built up through lime-secreting cyanobacteria (bacteria that use photosynthesis for energy).

The research into the life-giving potential of these "living fossils" is based on small microbes in Australia, but the results could help us identify fossil evidence of life on other planets, in particular Mars, said Erica Suosaari, a science fellow for Bush Heritage Australia, a non-profit conservation and land management organization. Suosaari is based at Hamelin Station Reserve, Western Australia, a 500,000 acre property that borders one of the world's most diverse and abundant examples of marine stromatolites, the Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve.

"Looking for evidence of life in the rocks is like finding a needle in the haystack," wrote Suosaari in an e-mail. "If stromatolites have definitive bio-signaturessuch as self organized morphologies that are indicative of life processesthen it may be possible to look for that 'signature' in rocks on the surface of other planets and significantly reduce the size of that haystack."

A paper based on Suosaari's research at Hamelin Pool entitled "New multi-scale perspectives on the stromatolites of Shark Bay, Western Australia," was published in the journal Scientific Reports earlier this year.

Bands of seif stromatolites at low tide located in Booldah Province on the southwestern margin of Hamelin Pool. Credit: Pamela Reid

Funding for the collaborative research was provided by a consortium of oil companies (Chevron, Shell, Repsol and BP) who are interested in modern microbial carbonate environments to develop models for subsurface reservoirs and source rocks. Additional support for genomics analyses was provided by the Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology element of the NASA Astrobiology Program.

Learning more about ancient structures

On Earth, microbial communities responsible for creating stromatolites were essential in making the planet life-friendly. These stromatolite-forming cyanobacteria were the first living organisms to generate energy from the Sun using photosynthesis while creating oxygen as a byproduct. Over billions of years, cyanobacteria have changed Earth's atmosphere from 1 percent oxygen to more than 20 percent oxygen, a composition that has allowed complex life evolve.

Suosaari's research zeroes in on the stromatolites of Hamelin Pool, the most abundant and diverse modern assemblage of these microbial structures, which dominate nearly the entire 135 km of the coastline. Previous research into stromatolites identified them by the types of microbial mats colonizing the surface of the structure, a direct response of where the stromatolite resides in the tidal zone. Each lamination recorded in the stromatolite is thereby a record of a former surface mat. Her team instead classified stromatolites by their shape, revealing that certain shapes prefer to cluster in certain areas of the pool. Their investigation also showed that modern stromatolites have more in common with ancient stromatolites than previously thought.

Composite stromatolites from Carbla Province. Credit: Pamela Reid

"Modern marine stromatolites are often regarded as poor analogs of ancient stromatolites as a result of their grainy internal textures, which contrast with the fine grained nature of most ancient stromatolites," Suosaari said.

By contrast, her team found out that in Hamelin Pool, the microbial communities commonly produce a fine-grained limestone known as micrite (microcrystalline calcite) creating stromatolite structures that are similar to the ancient stromatolites seen in the fossil record.

Furthermore, the stromatolite types in Hamelin Pool are dominated by a coccoid cyanobacterium that traces its lineage back 2 billion years to an ancient form of this cyanobacteria, called Eoentophysalis. This provides yet another similarity back to ancient times, Suosaari said. This means that standing along the shorelines of Hamelin Pool and gazing out onto the stromatolites, we are essentially looking through a window to early Earth at microbes of the same ancient lineage, pumping out oxygen and continuing to undertake processes that have been happening for billenia. There is not another place on the planet where this can be observed at such a scale.

Elongate nested stromatolites colonized by pustular mat in the Spaven Province on the western margin of Hamelin Pool. Credit: Pamela Reid

Applications for Mars

The stromatolites studied were in a small region of Australia, but Suosaari said that as a whole, similar microbial communities could potentially be exported to other placessuch as Marsto make other locations in the Solar System more life-friendly to humans.

Suosaari said she thought of stromatolites when reading about SpaceX founder Elon Musk's plans to bring life to the planet Mars. She suggested that because these stromatolite-building microbial communities produce oxygen, they could potentially make the Red Planet more life-friendly.

"Obviously with Elon Musk's plans, we don't have billions of years to shape the atmosphere if he is planning to move life there in the coming years, and Mars has less than 1 percent of the atmosphere of Earth," she acknowledged. "But I begin to think about photosynthesizing microbial mats and how they have prevailed for billions of years; it's a kind of resilience and longevity that our species hasn't yet achieved. Perhaps we should look to these microbial communities to generate oxygen on the Red Planet at a small scale."

Explore further Unlocking the secrets of Shark Bay's stromatolites

More information: E. P. Suosaari et al. New multi-scale perspectives on the stromatolites of Shark Bay, Western Australia, Scientific Reports (2016). Journal information: Scientific Reports E. P. Suosaari et al. New multi-scale perspectives on the stromatolites of Shark Bay, Western Australia,(2016). DOI: 10.1038/srep20557

This story is republished courtesy of NASA's Astrobiology Magazine. Explore the Earth and beyond at www.astrobio.net .
Adult Dosima attached to a piece of flotsam. Credit: Ingo Grunwald

Barnacles exude an adhesive with exceptional bonding properties. In a project supported by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, biologists from Vienna have investigated this substance which has enormous medical and engineering potential and have thereby gained many new insights.

It was a typical case of serendipity. Strolling along a beach on the Danish North Sea coast during his holidays and looking at the flotsam beneath his feet, a German scientist from the Fraunhofer Institute discovered "buoy barnacles", marine crustaceans with long, multi-articulated legs. These creatures adhered so firmly to bits of plastic, metal and other items that he found it impossible to detach them. His curiosity thus aroused, the biologist and expert for adhesives took an interest in the stalked barnacle "Dosima fascicularis" and decided to examine both the structure and the chemical composition and mechanical properties of the adhesive produced by this crustacean which had received little attention hitherto. This goal was achieved in a co-operative project between German and Austrian scientists together with colleagues from Ireland.

Hydrogel with float function

Morphology, particularly research regarding structures, is the specialty of the biologist Waltraud Klepal. Supported by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, Klepal and her team laid bare the structures of the buoy barnacle down to the level of individual cells at the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna. The PhD student Vanessa Zheden studied ultra-thin sections of "Dosima", their thickness at nanometre scale, under an electron microscope. Only a few centimetres in diameter, the creature was also scanned in a computer tomograph in order to identify the position of the glands, discharge channels and pores, which create and secrete the biological super glue, conventionally known as "cement". The researchers from Vienna were rewarded with interesting discoveries. In its structure and volume, the cement is clearly different from that of all other known species. The buoy barnacle produces relatively large quantities of a foam-like hydrogel. Unlike its relatives, it uses the substance for two things: as an adhesive and as a float or buoy. This gives the sessile creature a degree of mobility and enables it to migrate to new habitats.

Cross section of a cement float containing a piece of algae (dark spot) to which the barnacle attached itself. Credit: Vanessa Zheden

Tough shell, soft core

"The float is created when, in its larva stage, "Dosima" attaches itself to a small piece of seaweed, for instance, which it envelops with cement as an adult", explains principal investigator Waltraud Klepal. The float can be up to three centimetres in diameter, its size adapting to the barnacle. The adhesive is first discharged via pores on the antennae and, later, on the stalk of the animal which floats in the water head down. This process creates a "sphere" of concentric layers with elastic bubbles on the inside, as the researchers were able to show using scanning electron microscopy. As "Dosima" grows, new pores keep opening on the soft, flexible stalk, so as not to be "suffocated" by the cement.  This relocation of pores had been unknown to the scientists before. Another novel insight relates to the way each individual gland cell forms a discharge channel. "Individual components and organelles in the cell die off to make room for the duct through which the secretion is discharged", Klepal notes. In order to survive in a wet environment and in the open sea, the outermost layer of the sphere hardens into something like an antibacterial bark.

Possible applications

Serendipity thus put researchers on the track of a substance that has many more useful properties than hitherto assumed and is a unique natural adhesive. Not only does the cement secreted by "Dosima" have extremely good bonding properties, it is also elastic and acts like a shock absorber due to its porous structure. All of this makes the material a promising candidate for medicine and engineering applications, wherever a waterproof, shock-absorbing substance is needed. "In medicine, a porous structure provides a favourable scaffold for cell growth", Klepal says in explaining possible applications. "In orthopaedics it might be used as a cushioning material, for instance as a vertebral disc." The material is also ideal because it contains no toxins, as the Vienna team was able to demonstrate in initial cell culture experiments.

Explore further Marine pest provides advances in maritime anti-fouling and biomedicine

More information: Vanessa Zheden, Janek Von Byern, Alexandra Kerbl, Nikolaus Leisch, Yannick Staedler, Ingo Grunwald, Anne Marie Power & Waltraud Klepal: Morphology of the Cement Apparatus and the Cement of the Buoy Barnacle Dosima fascicularis, in: The Biological Bulletin, 2012. Vanessa Zheden, Janek Von Byern, Alexandra Kerbl, Nikolaus Leisch, Yannick Staedler, Ingo Grunwald, Anne Marie Power & Waltraud Klepal: Morphology of the Cement Apparatus and the Cement of the Buoy Barnacle Dosima fascicularis, in:, 2012. www.biolbull.org/content/223/2/192.short Vanessa Zheden, Waltraud Klepal, Janek von Byern, Fabian Robert Bogner, Karsten Thiel, Thomas Kowalik & Ingo Grunwald: Biochemical analyses of the cement float of the goose barnacle Dosima fascicularis  a preliminary study, in: Biofouling, 2014. www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10  08927014.2014.954557 Vanessa Zheden, Waltraud Klepal, Stanislav N. Gorb, Alexander Kovalev: Mechanical properties of the cement of the stalked barnacle Dosima fascicularis, in: Interface Focus, 2014. rsfs.royalsocietypublishing.or  content/5/1/20140049 Vanessa Zheden, Alexander Kovalev, Stanislav N. Gorb, Waltraud Klepal: Characterization of cement float buoyancy in the stalked barnacle Dosima fascicularis, in: Interface Focus, 2014. rsfs.royalsocietypublishing.or  t/5/1/20140060.short
SayVU strives to minimize the response time of emergency services and other authorities, and make sure the user gets assistance as quickly as possible. The company was also just awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S.-Israeli BIRD Foundation for a project funded by Israel's Public Security Ministry and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Credit: SayVU

A new app, SayVU, conceived as a graduate student project at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, is being deployed at the 2016 Rio Olympics. International Security & Defense Systems (ISDS), the security integrator for the Olympics, selected SayVU as one of the Israeli technologies being used to protect attendees.

SayVU, now available on the Android platform, enables a user to send a distress signal to an emergency hotline even if a phone is locked and without having to access the application. The message can be sent in a number of ways; shaking the device, tapping the camera button, or simply speaking into the phone.

"SayVU strives to minimize the response time of emergency services and other authorities, and make sure the user gets assistance as quickly as possible," according to SayVU Chief Executive Officer Amotz Koskas. We have established a hotline center at the 2016 Rio Olympics, which help emergency and law enforcement agencies respond to alerts and ensure the safety of Olympics attendees."

SayVU also includes the option for automatically turning on the phone's microphone. It sends the recorded voice, GPS and other locating information to an emergency hotline. The app uses patent pending machine learning techniques to determine the user's patterns and checks when it senses abnormalities. If there is no reply, the app automatically sends out a distress message.

In addition to SayVU's life-saving security benefits, the technology provides real-time event and emergency reporting to emergency medical services (EMS) and law enforcement agencies as well as threat management, regional threat mapping and trend prediction.

The technology was conceived and developed in the wake of the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli youths in 2014. One of them managed to call and report the kidnapping but the police did not immediately respond because they thought it was a prank call. Koskas, at the time an MBA student at BGU's Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management, wondered if there was a technological means to prevent similar instances in the future.

A year later, Koskas won the joint Google and BGU competition "Students Thinking Innovation in the Public Sector" in collaboration with "Digital Israel" and the staff of the "Accessible Government" initiative to promote innovation in the public sector through information and communication technologies. The new technology attempted to meet two main needs: to give citizens the tools to send out a distress message and location quickly in an emergency, and to enable the authorities to get a clear, real-time situation report.

Recently, the company ran a pilot with kindergartens in Ofakim, Israel. It was deemed a success when a pedophile was caught by a teacher who used the app. As a result, the Ofakim municipality decided to use the app for all educational institutions, social workers and the municipal hotline, with other municipalities following suit.

SayVU has embarked on a $2 million round of funding. The company is developing strategic partnerships in the U.S., China, Europe and Africa.

The company was also just awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S.-Israeli BIRD Foundation for a project funded by Israel's Public Security Ministry and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The goal is to provide orientation within buildings and non-failure communications under extreme conditions to first responders such as police, firefighters, and emergency medicine personnel.

Explore further Study examines use of drones to aid emergency responders in mass casualty events
Credit: lolloj

Imagine you woke up to discover a massive cyber attack on your country. All government data has been destroyed, taking out healthcare records, birth certificates, social care records and so much more. The transport system isn't working, traffic lights are blank, immigration is in chaos and all tax records have disappeared. The internet has been reduced to an error message and daily life as you know it has halted.

This might sound fanciful but don't be so sure. When countries declare war on one another in future, this sort of disaster might be the opportunity the enemy is looking for. The internet has brought us many great things but it has made us more vulnerable. Protecting against such futuristic violence is one of the key challenges of the 21st century.

Strategists know that the most fragile part of internet infrastructure is the energy supply. The starting point in serious cyber warfare may well be to trip the power stations which power the data centres involved with the core routing elements of the network.

Back-up generators and uninterruptible power supplies might offer protection, but they don't always work and can potentially be hacked. In any case, backup power is usually designed to shut off after a few hours. That is enough time to correct a normal fault, but cyber attacks might require backup for days or even weeks.

William Cohen, the former US secretary of defence, recently predicted such a major outage would cause large-scale economic damage and civil unrest throughout a country. In a war situation, this could be enough to bring about defeat. Janet Napolitano, a former secretary at the US Department of Homeland Security, believes the American system is not well enough protected to avoid this.

Denial of service

An attack on the national grid could involve what is called a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack. These use multiple computers to flood a system with information from many sources at the same time. This could make it easier for hackers to neutralise the backup power and tripping the system.

DDoS attacks are also a major threat in their own right. They could overload the main network gateways of a country and cause major outages. Such attacks are commonplace against the private sector, particularly finance companies. Akamai Technologies, which controls 30% of internet traffic, recently said these are the most worrying kind of attack and becoming ever more sophisticated.

Akamai recently monitored a sustained attack against a media outlet of 363 gigabits per second (Gbps)  a scale which few companies, let alone a nation, could cope with for long. Networks specialist Verisign reports a shocking 111% increase in DDoS attacks per year, almost half of them over 10 Gbps in scale  much more powerful than previously. The top sources are Vietnam, Brazil and Colombia.

Most DDoS attacks swamp an internal network with traffic via the DNS and NTP servers that provide most core services within the network. Without DNS the internet wouldn't work, but it is weak from a security point of view. Specialists have been trying to come up with a solution, but building security into these servers to recognise DDoS attacks appears to mean re-engineering the entire internet.

Credit: Verisign

How to react

If a country's grid were taken down by an attack for any length of time, the ensuing chaos would potentially be enough to win a war outright. If instead its online infrastructure were substantially compromised by a DDoS attack, the response would probably go like this:

Phase one: Takeover of network: the country's security operations centre would need to take control of internet traffic to stop its citizens from crashing the internal infrastructure. We possibly saw this in the failed Turkish coup a few weeks ago, where YouTube and social media went completely offline inside the country.

Phase two: Analysis of attack: security analysts would be trying to figure out how to cope with the attack without affecting the internal operation of the network.

Phase three: Observation and large-scale control: the authorities would be faced with countless alerts about system crashes and problems. The challenge would be to ensure only key alerts reached the analysts trying to overcome the problems before the infrastructure collapsed. A key focus would be ensuring military, transport, energy, health and law enforcement systems were given the highest priority, along with financial systems.

Phase four: Observation and fine control: by this stage there would be some stability and the attention could turn to lesser but important alerts regarding things like financial and commercial interests.

Phase five: Coping and restoring: this would be about restoring normality and trying to recover damaged systems. The challenge would be to reach this phase as quickly as possible with the least sustained damage.

State of play

If even the security-heavy US is concerned about its grid, the same is likely to be true of most countries. I suspect many countries are not well drilled to cope with sustained DDoS, especially given the fundamental weaknesses in DNS servers. Small countries are particularly at risk because they often depend on infrastructure that reaches a central point in a larger country nearby.

The UK, it should be said, is probably better placed than some countries to survive cyber warfare. It enjoys an independent grid and GCHQ and the National Crime Agency have helped to encourage some of the best private sector security operations centres in the world. Many countries could probably learn a great deal from it. Estonia, whose infrastructure was disabled for several days in 2007 following a cyber attack, is now looking at moving copies of government data to the UK for protection.

Given the current level of international tension and the potential damage from a major cyber attack, this is an area that all countries need to take very seriously. Better to do it now rather than waiting until one country pays the price. For better and worse, the world has never been so connected.

Explore further Sweden military servers hacked, used in 2013 attack on US banks

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.


Ralf Jungmann is extending the capabilities of light microscopy to gain deeper insights into the nanoworld of the cell. Credit: Joerg Koch

Conversations with physicist Ralf Jungmann demand a great deal of concentration. He takes one at a sizzling pace through a world that is inconceivably minute, a world which, according to the laws of optics, is not directly accessible to even the best light microscopes. It is also the microcosmos in which biological processes are at home. Its denizens are the metabolites and macromolecules whose interactions determine the course and the limits of our lives  and we still know very little about it.

But Ralf Jungmann's ambition is to bring every molecular machine in the cell within the purview of light microscopy, a task that inevitably leads him to the frontiers of the physically feasible. Together with his 11-member team, Jungmann, who has just been appointed to a professorship at LMU, is developing a so-called super-resolution microscope for biomedical applications, which is designed to image cellular structures with the aid of DNA-based labeling techniques. The project has received funding from highly selective grant programs run by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the European Research Council (ERC).

The field of super-resolution microscopy has become quite crowded in recent years, and a great deal has been achieved that seemed impossible not so long ago. Jungmann (35) reels off the acronyms of the new techniques that have emerged, from STED, STORM and PALM microscopy to the fascinating Lattice Light Sheet microscope, which scans cells systematically level by level. As the listener wonders how these various approaches differ, Jungmann remarks with a laugh: "In principle, they are all very similar to one another." In moments like this, one realizes that this off-handed familiarity is the product of hard work and hard thinking  given that one is dealing with methods that lie on the very edge of current technology. Less than 2 years ago, in 2014, physicist Stefan Hell in Gottingen shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry with the Americans Eric Betzig and William E. Moerner. All three had found ways to bypass the classical diffraction limit and enhance the level of resolution of optical microscopy by up to 10-fold. Since then, they have extended the limit still further, into the nanometer region.

The art of creating patterns

"My goal is to boost the resolution of fluorescence microscopy by combining it with tools from the world of DNA nanotechnology, such as DNA origami, to prepare highly specific fluorescent probes," Jungmann explains. By this means, one can attain a level of resolution which permits one to visualize structures at the molecular level. 'DNA origami' is another term that keeps turning up in the nanosciences. By analogy to the Japanese word it borrows, it refers to the art of creating patterns and three-dimensional structures  not from a sheet of paper but a set of DNA strands.

To understand complex biological systems, one must be able to explore the nanoworld. However, conventional light microscopes cannot penetrate into this realm, because the law of optical diffraction restricts resolution to structures with dimensions of around 200 nanometers (nm). This precludes subcellular localization of the proteins that provide the catalysts, receptors and structural scaffolds essential for cell function, as many proteins are only a few nm across. "I want to develop technologies that will help us to solve biological problems," Jungmann says. "My aim is to visualize at the highest possible resolution hundreds  no, thousands  of the components in cells, whether proteins, genes or RNA molecules. And I want to make the technique so simple that a normal laboratory anywhere in the world can use it."

Those are lofty goals, but Jungmann has made considerable progress towards realizing them. As a student and post-doc, he received several awards and fellowships, from the German Academic Exchange Service and the Humboldt Foundation. He developed an interest in the nanoworld while writing his Diploma thesis (on the effects of strain on the fine structure of human bone) at the University of California in Santa Barbara, when he came across a paper by the American researcher Paul Rothemund. The study described how DNA strands with defined sequences could be used to self-assemble into nanometer-sized patterns and figures, including the iconic smiley. "I found it absolutely fascinating." Jungmann returned to Germany and joined the DNA Nanotechnology Laboratory led by Friedrich Simmel, Professor of Bioelectronics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). "We pioneered the technique of DNA origami in Germany," he says. Jungmann soon realized that tools from the world of origami could be utilized for microscopy. With his newly acquired expertise, he returned to the US to join Harvard.

Molecular breadboards

DNA origami provides a method for building nanostructures that can serve as docking stations  rather like the holes in an electronics breadboard  for molecules such as fluorescent agents that be visualized by microscopy. Jungmann is now focusing on the development of new fluorescent tags, whose emission characteristics can be tightly controlled and differentiated  all in the service of increasing optical resolution. "The decision to come back to Munich and specifically to LMU was an easy one," he says. "Universities and Max Planck Institutes (MPIs) offer ideal conditions for research." His CV reads like a model of careful planning, and it tells a success story. He is co-founder of a company in the US, and holds a dozen patents  an impressive record for a 35-year-old. "It looks like plain sailing in retrospect, but in fact much depended on incidental encounters and decisions based on instinct." But then, following one's instincts in choosing labs where one can learn something new, and recognizing trends that promise to become "rocket science" or simply offer a stimulating environment for teamwork is itself a kind of plan.

Jungmann currently heads an Emmy Noether Junior Research Group in the Faculty of Physics at LMU, and the MPI for Biochemistry in Martinsried. He recently won one of the highly endowed Starting Grants awarded by the ERC, and a grant of a million euros from the Max Planck Foundation. A visit to his lab at the MPI suggests that this money is being well spent. Here one finds the light microscope with the highest resolution  5 nm  currently attainable anywhere in the world. It is basically a classical fluorescence microscope, but with innovative modifications designed and built by Jungmann's group. Laser, mirrors, objectives and cameras come from commercial sources, but his coworkers are responsible for the overall conception of the instrument. This is one reason why interdisciplinary collaboration in well integrated teams is so important. "We can move faster because communication is simpler and coordination easier  and we make fewer mistakes because we have experts for all the details," Jungmann explains. Factors such as these help to explain how one can make such rapid progress: Ideas are freely exchanged and can be speedily assessed and implemented. Jungmann belongs to a new generation of researchers in Germany who have learned to work as members of networks. These transparent and cooperative structures have replaced the hierarchically organized and inward-looking systems of yesteryear.

Jungmann learned how productive this approach can be when he joined the laboratory led by William Shih and Peng Yin at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard Medical School in Boston. The Institute employs specialists in all relevant disciplines, from mechanical engineers to biologists and computer scientists. And this is the model he himself sets for his doctoral and Master's students. For example, he spent 30,000 euros on a simpler version of his record-breaking microscope solely for their use  designed by one of his PhD students. "It gets down to 20 nm," he says. "Not bad for a do-it-yourself job."

After going through the Harvard mill

Three of his doctoral students did their Master's under his supervision when he was still at Harvard. That extends their network of international contacts, "and having successfully gone through the Harvard mill is a recommendation in itself," he adds. These graduate students now form the experienced core of his team, something even the best group-leader can't do without. It also means that ideas for projects are never in short supply. Jungmann has high hopes for his DNA barcodes, which can be targeted to a plethora of specific proteins and RNA sequences, serving as unambiguous markers for each. These markers are equipped with photoswitchable dyes which, depending on their precise structure, blink on and off for shorter or longer periods, and with tunable intensities. "Our method is simpler than all other modes of super-resolution microscopy," Jungmann asserts  and he is thinking here not only of imaging individual cells but also cell collectives in tissues. In fact, it is possible to observe and analyze hundreds of cells at a time using short, dye-labeled DNA strands as highly specific beacons.

The funds made available by the Emmy Noether Program and the ERC Starting Grant, together worth some 3.5 million euros, provide him with the scope to pursue his dream for the next several years. In addition, LMU now offers ERC Starting Grantees tenure-track professorships (W2) and Jungmann is among the first to profit from the scheme. On August 1st he became Professor for Molecular Imaging and Bionanotechnology. "That gives me a degree of security, though it does not guarantee that I will later obtain an academic chair," he says. His work will be reviewed in 5 years' time. "And that is of course a further incentive for me," he adds  with a grin.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the American Authors Association

Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the Military Writers Society of America.
SUNY Adirondack student government organization has invited Democratic congressional candidate Mike Derrick to participate in a 21st Congressional District debate the group hopes to organize this fall, said Drew Prestridge, campaign manager for Derrick.

A date has not yet been set.

"There has been one interest from SUNY Adirondack, the students that are there have made a request to host a debate. So I am following up with them to see if we can nail that down, because we would definitely love to participate," Prestridge said in a telephone interview on Monday.

Prestridge said he is not aware of any discussions so far between various campaigns about debates.

"We don't have anything on the books yet," he said.

Derrick, a retired Army colonel from Peru, in Clinton County, is running in the 21st Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, and Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello, a bread company owner and political activist from Hudson Falls.
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik's campaign, on Friday, objected to Democratic challenger Mike Derrick continuing to erroneously say she voted in support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Derrick in an interview with Alan Chartock broadcast Wednesday on WAMC public radio said, "She (Stefanik) has voted for the TPP, for example, which is going to drain jobs from the North Country and prevent us from bringing new jobs in."

In fact, the House has not voted on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a proposed trade agreement between the United States and 11 other countries.

Derrick has said that, in his opinion, Stefanik has, in essence, voted for TPP because she voted in favor of Trade Promotion Authority, better known as Fast Track, a mechanism that expedites the process for congressional approval of trade agreements.

A vote for Trade Promotion Authority does not obligate a House member to vote in support of the trade agreement.

Derrick, a retired Army colonel from Peru, in Clinton County, is running against Stefanik, R-Willsboro, and Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello,
Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein is expected to return to the area in September to campaign with local Green Party candidates, Green Party congressional candidate Matt Funiciello said Monday.

Stein, a physician from Massachusetts, previously campaigned in Fort Edward and Glens Falls in June.

Funiciello said consumer rights activist and former Green Party and independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader also is expected to campaign with him in September, most likely separately from Stein.

Funiciello, a bread company owner and political activist from Hudson Falls, is running in the 21st Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, and Democrat Mike Derrick, a retired Army colonel from Peru, in Clinton County.

Click here to read about Stein's June visit.

Click here to read about when Nader campaigned with Funiciello in 2014.
I've been pondering the Donald Trump phenomenon -- specifically, this question: How can people I know and like, who seem reasonably smart and sensible, intend to vote for a presidential candidate I consider unfit for the office? This goes beyond a difference in political philosophy. I didn't like the positions of George W. Bush, Mitt Romney, George H.W. Bush or Ronald Reagan, but I believed they were fit for the office, and our country would not be endangered if they took office.

I've decided it's not about Trump, nor, despite what a lot of people say, is it primarily about Hillary Clinton. It's about a rejection of our politics, as it has developed, as a partnership between powerful politicians, corporate representatives and bankers -- a partnership that acts with impunity and almost always in its own interest. It's about the growing recognition in this country that the system is rigged against everyone but the people at the top, and any consideration you receive from the system is determined by how close you are to that top.

I watched "The Big Short" recently, and that excellent exposition of the financial crash of 2008 revealed, above all, how unfair our society is. We send people to prison and ruin their lives for taking drugs, but we did not send to prison or even prosecute the people who knowingly ruined our economy, destroying people financially, throwing hundreds of thousands out of work and causing the country to lose hundreds of billions of dollars.

Then there is the Iraq war, which has caused so much misery, the deaths and maimings of tens of thousands of our people, all for nothing. It's understandable if this useless war has led to widespread cynicism.

So the rebellion against establishment politics makes sense, and we saw that in the rallying to Bernie Sanders, too.

But boy, is Donald Trump the wrong vessel into which to pour all our disaffection and hope for something better.

It doesn't help that Hillary is the quintessential establishment candidate -- the wife of a former president, former secretary of state, former senator, lifetime political activist and buddy of top bankers and corporate titans.

So I understand and sympathize with the desire to finally say no to all that.

Still, we cannot put into the powerful office of president someone who is manifestly incompetent and unreliable. It's a reckless act, and if we do it, we will deserve the whirlwind we will reap.
JOHNSBURG  The third time was not a charm for a Johnsburg man who found himself facing a felony marijuana charge recently for the third time since 2008.

Kevin R. Kinnarney, 56, of Oven Mountain Road, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of marijuana, a felony, in an indictment handed up last week in Warren County Court.

The charge alleges he had more than 2 pounds of marijuana in a pickup truck he was driving in Johnsburg on June 14.

He was stopped by officers from the Warren County Sheriffs Office and a search yielded shrink-wrapped packages of marijuana in boxes.

Warren County sheriffs Sgt. Peter Difiore, head of the agencys Narcotics Enforcement Unit, said Kinnarney was the focus of a Sheriffs Office investigation into marijuana activity when he was stopped. Court records show he consented to a search of the truck.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge during arraignment before Warren County Judge John Hall. His lawyer, Joseph Brennan, could not be reached for comment Monday.

Kinnarney was also arrested on felony and misdemeanor marijuana possession charges in January 2015 in connection with the seizure of eight mature marijuana plants from his property in August 2014. The felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor and dismissed because of procedural issues during trial.

That bust was his second since 2008, when Kinnarney was charged with felony marijuana possession after 57 plants were seized from two properties he owned, but what became of those charges could not be determined.

Authorities have had issues proving felony charges in cases where only marijuana plants are seized because of laws that require live plants be dried to the state that they are used by consumers, and more than a pound of dried marijuana is needed to support felony charges.
FORT EDWARD  A Kingsbury man who sold heroin during a police investigation earlier this year was sentenced Friday to 3 years in state prison.

Kenneth R. Bennett Jr., 26, of Route 196, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony, for an April heroin sale in Washington County. He was arrested in April as well.

Washington County Judge Kelly McKeighan sentenced Bennett to 3 years in prison to be followed by 2 years on parole.
MALTA  A Malta man died Monday morning when a car he was driving crashed into a wooded area off Van Aernem Road, police said.

Edwin K. Lansing, 70, was pronounced dead after the 11:25 a.m. crash near his home on Van Aernem road, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office.

Two children, ages 7 and 9, in the Volkswagen sedan were taken to Albany Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.

Lansing was driving south when the car went off the road for an unknown reason, police said. The Sheriff's Office investigation was continuing.
QUEENSBURY  Tri-County United Way on Monday announced the hiring of Duane Vaughn as executive director.

Vaughn, a resident of Fort Ann, has been executive director of WAIT House, a shelter for homeless youths and mothers in Glens Falls, for nearly 14 years.

I dont consider it a huge career change because they are both organizations that work for the betterment of the community, which is where I wanted to stay, Vaughn said, in a telephone interview on Monday.

He begins work at Tri-County United Way on Sept. 6.

He succeeds Barbara Sweet, who resigned July 1 after heading the charitable agency for nine years.

Jean Lapper, a United Way volunteer, has been serving as interim executive director and consultant.

Tri-County United Way is confident Vaughn will continue a tradition of generating community support, said Tom Lyons, chairman of Tri-County United Way board of directors.

He is a well-respected community leader who is primed to further our long-standing mission to support our member agencies in helping those who need it most, Lyons said. He has the right balance of commitment to mission and entrepreneurial spirit modern not-for-profits require.

Vaughn was co-founder and a past chairman of the Adirondack Non-Profit Business Council of Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Tri-County United Way raises funds and coordinates projects for charitable organizations in Warren, Washington and northern Saratoga counties.

The agency operates the Retired Senior Volunteer, Red Bookshelf, Stuff a Bus and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs.

Offices are at 696 Upper Glen St., on the second floor above Glens Falls National Bank, in Queensbury.

Vaughn said over the next few days he will be discussing with the WAIT House board of directors a process for hiring a new executive director.

Theres a lot of capable people in this community and a lot of people that want to do great things, he said. I have no doubt that somebody is going to be able to come in and will be able to move this (WAIT House) agency forward.
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
Despite progressive provisions on gender equality in Tanzanias land laws, women have little representation in land allocation decisions, including meetings of village councils and village assemblies. Mainstreaming gender in local regulations can help to address this problem.

The Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA), in partnership with the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Lawyers Environmental Action Team (LEAT), developed model by-laws to improve womens participation in local-level decision-making on village land management. This initiative took place in Kidugalo and Vilabwa, two villages in the Kisarawe district. The model by-laws were developed through a bottom-up, participatory process, and include explicit provisions to promote meaningful participation by women in village-level decision making.

This report outlines the processes followed to develop the by-laws, the results so far, lessons learned and prospects for scaling up.

This project has been produced under IIEDs Legal tools for citizen empowerment project.
The Reverend Emmanuel Ahia Klotey, Deputy Executive Director of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), said the situation where chiefs, land owners and farmers had kept releasing lands and cutting down farms to give way to gold mining could have serious consequences for the cocoa industry, GNA reported on Monday.

Rev Ahia Klotey made the comments at the annual conference of the Kookoo Pa Farmers Association held in Nyinahin in the Atwima-Mponua District under the theme Increasing sustainable cocoa production in Ghana  the role of the youth.

According to him, efforts at attaining production targets would elude the nation if the situation went on unchecked.

In March 2016, the Chair of the Supreme Consultative Council (SCC) of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Alhaji Idriss Alhassan, called for measures to check the destruction of cocoa farms by illegal miners in cocoa growing areas.

Read more







He said large cocoa farms are being destroyed in search for gold, calling on the government to stop granting a licence to small-scale miners operating in cocoa growing areas.

In 2015, Ghana imported 15,500 tonnes of cocoa beans from neighbouring Ivory Coast in the 2014/2015 crop season, according to the finance minister, Seth Terkper.

Arable lands in Ghana are owned by chiefs and family heads, therefore the government has minimum say in how lands are used.

The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) and industry had forecast cocoa output in Ghana and Ivory Coast to decline sharply.

We do not expect the mid-crop harvest to be as high as last year in Ivory Coast when it was 514,000 tonnes, said Jean-Marc Anga, Executive Director of inter-governmental body ICCO, said. In Ghana, its a similar situation.
The EPA is a trade deal between Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the EU which enjoin member states to open up 70 percent of their markets to European goods over a period.

ECOWAS countries will, in turn, have one hundred percent access to the European Market except for rice and sugar.

He said: "This new agreement will provide a long-term predictable framework to help increase trade and investment. It is a win/win deal for Ghana and the European Union. Ghanaian exporting companies will preserve the duty-free preferences on the European market that today make them competitive.

"This means no quotas and no duties on all Ghanaian exports to the European market. This will protect thousands of jobs in Ghana, mainly in the agricultural sector.

"It will also encourage new investment to create more jobs in the future. In recent years Ghana has shown that it is competitive in the EU market. As Ghana moves to consolidate its status as a middle-income country, Europe will continue to partner it on its journey to create prosperity and sustainable development.

"This agreement is a stepping stone to new and dynamic relations between Ghana and the European Union."

Meanwhile, a programmes officer with the Third World Network Africa, Sylvester Bagoroo has slammed the decision by parliament to approve the EPA, saying it contained "dangerous clauses" which he expected parliament to debate on for months to get the best deal for Ghana.

READ MORE: Thousands of industrial jobs for the chop if Ghana signs EPA
A programmes officer with the Third World Network Africa, Sylvester Bagoroo said the EPA contained "dangerous clauses" which he expected parliament to debate on for months to get the best deal for Ghana.

He said: "We at Third World Network Africa we are disappointed with what parliament as an institution has done. This is an agreement that was negotiated for over a decade because there were a lot of dangerous clauses in that agreement. We were expecting parliament to debate it at committee level for months.

READ MORE

However, in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM Monday, Mrs Tetteh said the EPA had gone through public discussions for "virtually the last 10 years."

According to her, the EPA is not "new to parliament and out public discourse."
KKD was officially charge with raping a 19-year-old girl in the bathroom of a suite at the African Regent Hotel in December 2014. However, he was later acquitted and discharged. The Attorney General's department failed to prosecute him because the victim and her family were unwilling to testify in the case.

Speaking in an interview with Deloris Frimpong-Manso on the The Delay Show on Viasat 1, KKD said KOD asked him not to reveal his name as part of the rape scandal that hit him in December 2014.

KOD was there, he had knelt down begging meand I want to make this public today that those whom he (KOD) mentioned their names, they should also come out to deny what he was lying.

KKD revealed how KOD had said he had been warned to stay away from him (KKD) because some people were working to tarnish his image. Kwasi, two elderly men told me that some people are plotting evil against you, so I (KOD) should distance myself and that if I dont, they will include me.

The broadcaster seemed to indicate that his relationship with KOD has gone sour when he used a song by highlife legend, Nana Ampadu to describe what he felt about KODs betrayal. He told the host of the show that the truth is only one, and that he will not call her to demand that the interview be edited. Why did KOD even beg me? he asked.

Despite the new turn of events KKD was present at the funeral of KODs dad and indicated that he is ready to support his friend and brother whenever need be but he has also learnt a huge lesson from the incident.

When his (KODs) father died, I went to the funeral because he is a family member; he is son of an Adansi. Tradition demands that I cant abandon or neglect him. As for the funeral, Ill attend; if theres any bad news, Ill be there to support; but Ive learnt to be careful about some people. Not him (KOD) per se, but humans, KKD noted.
This will be a new and entirely different venture for the musician who has garnered a massive following over the years for his hit songs and controversial pronouncements.

In a post on Facebook, Shatta shared images of the eponymous product fully branded which looks ready to hit the local market with the accompanying caption Who is ready for my shatta bitters".

Shatta Wale is however not the first Ghanaian celebrity who is using his popularity to create a franchise as other celebrities including Sarkodie, Stephen Appiah, R2Bees, John Dumelo and others all have other successful business aside showbiz.
Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected!
The court which was presided over by Frank Yao Gbeddy ordered the return of the stolen fuel. The court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest Felix who is currently on the run.

According to the prosecutor, ASP Richmond Akwasi Yeboah, the complainant in the case who is the Site Manager in charge of fuel for the Agyapado Construction Company Limited at Klo-Begoro near Oterkporlu in the Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region lodged a complaint about the missing diesel.

He said Saba, 25, and Kofi Mensah, 35, were both excavator drivers with the company while Narh, 25, and the fourth and fifth accused, only named as Felix and Kwabla were okada operators a security guard for the company respectively.

ASP Richard Akwasi Yeboah added that Saba and Mensah conspired to syphon diesel from Mensahs excavator to sell on February 24, 2016, at about 1:00 p.m.

He said around 1:30 a.m. the same day, Saba dispatched Mensah to the companys site and informed the others about the plan to steal the diesel.

According to the prosecutor, Felix joined them on his motorbike which was parked at a spot close to the companys premises. Kwabla, who was on duty at the time of the operation, assisted Mensah, Narh and Felix to syphon the diesel valued at GH425.38 from Isaacs excavator into five jerrycans.

He said the accused persons carried their booty through the bush to where they had parked the motorbikes and were about to move away when the witness in the case arrest them upon seeing them.

He said in the process, Felix escaped, leaving behind his motorbike whereas Isaac and Narh were arrested and handed over to the police.
"It is important to note that investors have not rejected the bond and that the exercise has not yet been scrapped," Terkper said in a newspaper interview. "The current position is that there is a pause in 'pricing; the bond because of the government's stance that it will not refinance at any price."

On Thursday, August 7, Bloomberg reported that investors have ditched Ghana's fifth Eurobond over fears government may not be able to prudently manage the economy ahead of a crucial election on December 7.

An emerging-markets economist at Standard Life Investments Ltd. in London,Nicolas Jaquier, told Bloomberg "the timing of the new issue was a bit puzzling, coming to issue a bond just before some of the pending issues with the IMF were being ironed out. Thats what kept many investors away.

Jacquier said investors staying way is not "an entire surprise."

However, Terkper told the state-run Daily Graphic Newspaper that a similar strategy was adopted in 2015 when the price on the international market was not conducive.

Explaining why government took the decision not to issue the bond, Terkper said:

"One of the reasons is that Ghana has already refinanced approximately US$216 million of the original value of US$750 million from the proceeds of the 2013 bond issue.

"We have also utilised funds from the Sinking Fund established in 2014 to buy back or redeem US$33 million of the outstanding bonds in 2016, hence the balance of the bond is US$500 million, he explained.

Terkper further noted that unfavourable rates being offered reflected conditions beyond Ghana's economic performance.

The Minority spokesperson on Finance in Parliament, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, has said the investors ditching the bond shows a lack of confidence in the Ghanaian economy.
Licensed upstream companies paid $465,920 in 2015 compared to about $907,501 in 2014, representing 49% drop, according to the Ghana Revenue Authority and Bank of Ghana 2016 report.

The Public Interest and Accountability Committee was established by an act of parliament to serve as a supervisory body for revenues generated in the oil and gas exploration sector.

Meanwhile, the Africa Centre for Energy Policy has predicted an increase in government debts, as government would look to borrowing as a way to plug the revenue generation gap.

According to the Head of Policy at the Africa Centre for Energy Policy, Dr. Ishmael Ackah, oil companies who have acquired licenses for operations but are not engaging in any meaningful commercial exploration activities must be checked, as they are causing financial loss to the state.
The amount, which is to be credited to the hospital by Monday, August 8, 2016, is to pay off some of its debts.

The Minister for Health, Hon Alex Segbefia made this known when he paid a working visit to the hospital on Thursday.

READ ALSO:

This was after several failed attempts by the management of the facility to get the government to meet its budgetary obligation for more than three years.

Speaking to Pulse.com.gh, Emmanuel Febiri, a nurse and member of the Public Affairs directorate at the hospital said that the facility has owed its suppliers since 2013.

We are actually owing suppliers since 2013 to the tune of 4.1 million. So now, they have stopped supplying the hospital in terms of detergents, gloves, nothing at all to run the hospital.

So basically the whole month of July, we have been depending on donations from corporate bodies and individuals, and now what they gave us, it can actually last till the end of the week, he explained.
The AMVCAs were created to celebrate the contribution of African filmmakers, actors and technicians in the success of the continents film and television industry and with the success of the previous four editions, preparations are in top gear for the 2017 edition. Entries for the AMVCAs opened on the 1st of August and close on the 15th of October, 2016.

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Director for M-Net West Africa, said: We are pleased to announce the call to entry for the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. The African movie and television industry is brimming with exciting talent, and at Africa Magic we contribute to the industry by not only giving these talents the platform to showcase their skills and passion, but by celebrating their achievements whilst also encouraging them to continue honing their craft.

At the fifth edition of the AMVCAs, a number of awards in different categories will be presented ranging from acting and directing to scriptwriting and cinematography. Other categories will include editing, soundtrack, make-up, sound, and lighting amongst others. For 2017 there are 27 categories in all, with 16 open to viewers and 11 decided by the AMVCA panel of judges.

The General Manager, Multichoice Ghana, Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, called on Ghanaian film/movie producers whose movies were completed during the qualifying period to submit entries for Africas most prestigious movie awards. Adding that the Ghana Movie industry has come of age and is time to make a strong statement to the world by showcasing our content at the AMVCA.

Films, made-for-television movies or television series previously entered into or nominated for an award, or awarded a prize in another film and television competition are eligible to be entered for the 2017 AMVCAs, and all films, made-for-television movies or television series are eligible for entry to the AMVCA if they are broadcast or publicly screened during the period of October 1st, 2015 to September 30th, 2016.

Please see entry guidelines below:

ENTRY GUILDLINES:

STEP 1

Prepare a 2 to 3 minute long showreel for your online submission.

STEP 2

Log on to www. africamagic.tv and navigate to the submission page.

Step 3

Fill out the submission forms and upload the clip. A unique reference number will be allocated to each completed online submission

Depending on their location, participants should send their entries to either of the following addresses, quoting their unique reference number:

Attention: Hadizat Ibrahim (Nigeria)

MSS Local Productions

4 industrial street, off town planning way, Illupeju, Lagos.

Attention: Neo Phele (South Africa)

Magic Center

137 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg, 2123, South Africa.

Attention: Margaret Mathore (Kenya)

2nd floor, M-Net Offices

Local Production studio, Jamhuri Grounds off Ngong Road, Nairobi, Kenya.
This is contrary to assertions made by the Alumni of the SMC in their reaction to a report by Ghanaian academics from the Valdosta University in Georgia U.S.A which identified SMC as one of the unaccredited tertiary institutions from which some prominent Ghanaians have acquired doctorate degrees.

Here is an excerpt of the response of the alumni of the Swiss Management Centre as published by Graphic.com.gh on Saturday, August 6, 2016:

"We want to put on record that the said publication is false, mischievous and highly defamatory. We hereby put on record that the school has an international accreditation, the ACBSP Accreditation. ACBSP is a globally recognized Accreditation for Business Schools and Programs.

The authors of the article make a claim that SMCU is not accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Council however they did not avert their mind to the fact that SAC does not monitor or accredit any private schools.

The SAC had no option for accreditation through to 2015. There is a new law that currently makes this option available in theory since 2015, but the standards are impossible to be met by the private institutions. Legally, private institutions are able to operate still in Switzerland.

Apart from the international accreditation, the School is accredited by National Accreditation Board of Ghana as a foreign University since 2012.

NAB has renewed SMC University's institutional Registration for another 3 years; August 2015 - July 2018. NAB recognized SMCU, along with many other national accreditation Boards like France, US, Canada, Brazil, China (as representative examples in each of the countries).

The alumni of SMC, in their response to the report titled The Accreditation Challenges in Transnational Educational Ecology: The Ghanaian Experience An Investigative Report, claimed that the SMC has been accredited by the National Accreditations Board(NAB).

SMC Not Found On National Accreditations Board's List Accredited Institutions"

However, Pulse.com.ghs checks on the National Accreditations Boards website revealed that SMC is not part of the NABs list of accredited distance learning institutions, or recognised foreign institutions operating in Ghana.

Executive Secretary of the National Accreditations Board, Kwame Dattey revealed to Pulse.com.gh, that the Swiss Management Centre is not accredited by the Board, as the Board does not accredit foreign institutions who wish to operate in Ghana, instead registers them.

When asked if registration is equal to accreditation, Mr Dattey said the preferred word is Registration and not accreditation, adding that the registration is done after the accreditations of the institutions are checked and authenticated.

We have what we call registration for foreign Universities who want to operate in Ghana. What we normally do is to check what program they are going to run and whether they are accredited or not.

Pulse.com.gh then asked, explicitly, what the status of the Swiss Management Centre was. Mr Dattey said, the Centre is currently not registered under the National Accreditations Board, as the Centres registration expired in 2015.

Initially, when they came here, we had information from the Swiss Embassy that the school is recognised and is registered with the European accrediting body which is common to all the European countries, and they were accredited with it until 2015. It was based on these that we registered them in 2008.

However, SMCs registration with the NAB elapsed in 2015, and was not accredited in its home-country, Switzerland, neither did it have the required European accreditations. Based on these deficiencies, the National Accreditation Board has revoked the registration of the centre and asked them not to admit any new students.

SMCs registration was due for renewal last academic year. We asked them whether they were still accredited or not; that is if they were still accredited by their European body and whether they are accredited by their home country, Switzerland or not. We found out that those accreditations had expired and they did not renew them. Based on that the Board wrote to the school that they would have to obtain accreditation from their native Switzerland before the registration is renewed, Mr Dattey said.

SMC's Registration Not Extended to 2018

The Executive Secretary of the National Accreditations Board also addressed the claim that SMCs registration had been extended to 2018, again refuting the claim.

It is not true. What we did was to give them three years for the students already enrolled in the institution to complete. That is not a renewal of the schools registration.

ACBSP Does Not Accredit Institutions

Again, the Alumni of SMC claim that the institution is still accredited by ACBSP. However, ACBSP have clearly stated on their official website (link: http://www.acbsp.org/?page=membership_list), as a caveat to employers and students, that they do not accredit institutions, and therefore raises doubts as to how SMC is legitimately authenticated by ACBSP.

This ignites the belief that the National Accreditation Board should have determined the authenticity of SMC on its own merit as an institution and should not have registered it in 2008 based on an alleged ACBSP accreditation.

Here is an excerpt of Dr Dotse and Dr. Tsikatas report on SMC and evidence backing the assertion that ACBSP accreditation does not authenticate SMC:

A letter was sent to the NAB and its Executive Secretary by Dr A. Kobla Dotse, based on this observation. In his response, the Executive Secretary of the NAB, Mr Kwame Dattey, indicated that the NABs accreditation granted to the SMC is based on SMCs accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), an accrediting body under the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in the United States (see appendix for communication). Second, the information from the NAB triggered a further search on the link between the SMC, the ACBSP, the CHEA, and the OPE. The following facts were unravelled:

2. According to the ACBSP itself, it does not accredit the institution, only the business programs at the institution (ACBSP, 2016, June 10).

3. The ACBSP provides caveats to students. According to the ACBSP, most businesses and universities reviewing transcripts and accepting degrees for employment or advanced degrees base their decisions on the existence of action by a local, regional or national authority regarding the institution and the authority to grant degrees (ACBSP, 2016, June 10).

4. Specifically, the ACBSP points out that for institutions located within the US, regional accreditation of the institution is required for membership accreditation eligibility (so, instead of the NAB evaluating the SMC on its merit to determine the fit of the content of its P a g e 27 | 56 programs to local needs, it based its decision on that of the ACBSP which is not even recognized by the US Department of Education as one of its accrediting agencies. What is clear is that since the SMC may not operate in the US, the ACBSP does not really matter.

The investigative report by Dr. Dotse and Dr. Tsikata mentioned Dr. Goski Alabi and a host of lecturers from the University of Professional Studies, Accra, as well as Dr. John Gatsi of the University of Cape Coast, as influential individuals who have allegedly acquired doctorate degrees from the Swiss Management Centre. Does that mean their degrees are illegitimate?

The Executive Secretary of the National Accreditations Board says no. The degrees acquired from SMC in Ghana over the period in which they were legitimately registered with the National Accreditations Board are valid.
The outspoken academician who made his research known at the Pearson Olae lectures organised by old boys of Prempeh College revealed that, one out of four government appointees were from the Presidents native land.

According to him, this was an unacceptable style of governance and did not unify the country.

One of the things going on which is totally unacceptable is about why one out of every four public sector appointment comes from the Presidents area of origin.

Read more:NPP calls for probe in to Akua Donkor car gift saga

Prof Adei told the gathering in Accra: That is totally unacceptable because we are a unified country, we are a country whereby if you take any major group, whether Gas, Ashantis or Ewes you can form a cabinet from it.

On the issue of Free SHS scheme currently being undertaken by the Mahama administration, Prof Adei said it was a good initiative but must be reconsidered for the communities to benefit fully from the scheme.
Prof Adei who was speaking at a Pearson Olae lectures organised by old boys of Prempeh College revealed that one out of four government appointees were from the Presidents native land. He indicated that this was from a research he conducted.

But in a response to him, Dr Apaak challenged the outspoken academician to make his research public.

Speaking on Accra-based Class FM, Dr Apaak questioned what Prof Adei meant when he said the presidents place of origin.

READ ALSO: Mahama nominates Emmanuel Bombande as Deputy Foreign Minister

He denied the claims by the for GIMPA Rector that President Mahama has appointed government officials from his place of origin. He argued that the over 4,000 government appointees hail from different parts of the country.

If
The two were also given another 28 years sentencing with three others for another charge of conspiracy.

The other three Gilbert Osabutey a supervisor at Koala, Michael Edor Ahiataku aka Old soldier, and Frederick Sedro Kwame both private security men were accused of coming together to plan the robbery.

Passing his judgment the judge indicated that the prosecution in the case put out overwhelming evidence the five people connived to carry out the attack.

The victim, Lydia Horsu testifying in the case during the trial said on the day of the incident she went to the Osu Branch of Koala, and later continued to the Cantonments branch. At the Osu Branch, the victim said she did not see Osabutey in the shop. However, she met Osabutey in front of the shop when she was leaving.

The victim said while she was heading to the Airport Branch, on reaching the US Embassy area, a motorbike with two persons on board crossed her.

According to the victim, Obaliko and Quarcoe who were on the motorbike, instructed her to give her bag to them.

The victim said when she declined; Obaliko struggled with her over her bag while he held a gun in his other hand. Ms Horsu said her bag contained documents from the Shop.

The accused persons, Osabutey, Michael Edor Ahiataku aka Old soldier, a private security man, and Frederick Sedro Kwame, were charged with conspiracy to rob, having pleaded not guilty.

Obaliko and Quarcoe sustained injuries during the robbery incident, and they were subsequently admitted to the police hospital.

Appearing before the Court, Obaliko and Quarcoe pleaded guilty to the charges of robbery.

However, the Court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh, after listening to their explanation entered a plea of not guilty on their behalf.

Chief Superintendent of Police Mr Duuti Tuaruka said the complainant in the case was Lydia Horsu, a Marketing Administrator with the Shopping Centre, who went round daily to collect the previous days sales to the head office.

On January 6, 2016, Osabutey, Ahiataku and Kwame hatched a plan to rob the Shopping Centre and sought the assistance of the two others, now at large, who also recruited Obaliko and Quarcoe to carry out the plan.

The Prosecution said on January 8, this year, around 2000hrs, all the accused persons met at the Koala Shopping Centre at Cantonments and Osabutey, who was a supervisor at the Cantonments Branch, briefed them about the movement of the complainant.

The prosecutor said the accused persons agreed to rob the complainant the following day. On January 9, at about 0800hrs, the complainant went to the Koala Shopping Centre, Cantonments, but she decided to pick the Companys invoice and voucher to audit them and left for the head office at the Airport.

On seeing the complainant leave the office, Osabutey alerted the accused persons through phone calls and Obaliko and Quarcoe boarded a BMW motor bike and moved closer to the Koala head office. Obaliko and Quarcoe trailed the complainant to a point near the American Embassy at Cantonments.

The Prosecution said Obaliko who was then the pillion rider alighted, drew out a pistol at the complainant and ordered her to surrender her handbag to him.

Chief Supt Tuaruka said Ms Horsu refused to comply and raised the alarm.

He said this infuriated Obaliko who pushed the complainant down and shot her twice in her thigh and calf and after which he (Obaliko) and Quarcoe sped off.
The Executive Director of ACEPA, Dr. Rasheed Draman believes parliaments handling of the nomination of the deputy minister-designate was a joke.

I wish to sincerely state that I am really sorry for everything that has happened. Let me use this opportunity to render an unqualified apology to the Chief Justice who is my mother and the entire Judiciary, judges, Parliament, good people of Ghana and my constituents, he told Accra-based Citi FM.

His apology came on the back of a directive by the Speaker of Parliament for deliberations over his nomination to be put on hold until he apologised for the comments he made.

But the Executive Director of ACEP said: Parliament has no business approving the appointment of this gentleman."

Our members of Parliament should go back and search their conscience and think carefully about this because the comments that are attributed to him are very dangerous comments. I think the apology doesnt matter. The person that is being appointed has to demonstrate a high level of accountability in terms of action. It is just a joke, he told Accra-based Citi FM.

Meanwhile, the President of policy think-tank, IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe has demanded the incarceration of the deputy Local Government Ministerial nominee John Oti Bless.
According to him, pastors across the country will use effective prayers to deal with such politicians.

READ ALSO:

He said Ghana is endowed with so many resources and should therefore not be tagged as poor.

In a sermon themed: The Year of the Lords Favour, the Moderator said: Ghana is not poor, look; God has endowed Ghana with all that we need. The material wealth, solid wealthcocoa, gold, tell me any country in the world that has been called a Gold Coast before and then the liquid wealth of this world has been given to us, they call it black gold (oil). Why should we discover oil and things rather should go worse? My friends, it is time we have to wake up as a country.

When you talk, what they say is well do to you same as we did to the Supreme Court Judges. Eii, you are playing with Supreme Court Judgesthen youll go to where you never wanted to. Amazingly its not only the Supreme Court Judges they said they will kill, they also mentioned three ministers (Pastors). But the Judges have put them in prison, what about the pastors? You see Pastors well keep quietwhere this rich man went (parable in the Bible, Lazarus and the rich,) that is where they will go.
NPP-Canada expects the Mahama Administration to take urgent steps to douse the unnecessary man-hours being spent on the Montie Gang of 4 (includes Deputy Minister nominee Mr. Oti Bless). Even before the sentencing of the Montie-3, an inordinate amount of time had been spent by the nation discussing the Montie-3. Any serious Administration would have taken steps to re-align (an increasingly favorite word of the President) the energies of the Ghanaian people into more productive and worthwhile pursuits.The Montie-4 matter itself will not have seen the light of day if the Mahama Administration in whose interest the Station/Program was serving had cautioned against the intemperate language that was being used routinely. President Mahama had occasion to draw attention to an anonymous UK-based Auntie Bea whose intemperate language surfaced on Whatsup. How could President Mahama have failed to draw attention to the intemperate language being aired on Montie FM on an almost daily basis in Ghana?How can a nation like Ghana be expected to develop appreciably if indecision or inertia on the part of the President causes so much man-hours to go down the drain?Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease, is already the leading cause of death in Ghana. Around one-quarter of children who die before their fifth birthday in Ghana are killed by malaria. The least said about the economic burden of malaria, the better. To add to the unfortunate malaria scourge is the specter of ZIKA.According to the US Center for Diseases Control (CDC), :Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. These mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters. They can also bite at night.Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects.There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika.Presently, a widespread outbreak of Zika is ongoing, primarily in the Americas causing the US to issue an unprecedented travel ban to an area within the US, specifically within Miami.President Mahama could use the power of his Office to channel the energies of the Ghanaian people away from discussing Montie-4 to discussing Zika. With the prevalence of mosquitoes in Ghana, the effects of the Zika virus on our shores would be nothing short of catastrophic. How can President Mahama achieve this objective? NPP-Canada hereby suggests the following:President Mahama should immediately withdraw the nomination of Mr. Oti Bless, the fourth member of the Montie Gang of 4.President Mahama should announce to the Ghanaian people as soon as possible that he will not undermine the authority of the Supreme Court of Ghana through a precipitous pardon of the Montie 3.President Mahama should use the Montie Gang of 4 saga as a pivot to caution all and sundry against unsavoury, politically-inspired discourse in the commercial media  both print and electronic.The President should plan on outlining his Administrations efforts at ensuring that the Zika virus does not land on the shores of Ghana, and indeed in the West African sub-region (through sub-regional concerted efforts).The Mahama Administration should reinvigorate its campaign at ridding our town and cities of filth.Mr. President, we trust that you will take the above suggestions in good faith, decide quickly, and act accordingly.  NPP Canada
The outspoken politician stated on radio that President John Mahama had presented to her a mansion, located at Sakumono in Accra.

She said President Mahama gave her the two vehicles after the flagbearer of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, took his Tundra vehicle from her.

She said the cars were brand new that she picked from the store.

But according to the Communications Director of the NPP, Nana Akomea, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has been petitioned to investigate a the case.

NPP calls for probe in to Akua Donkor car gift saga

He said President John Mahama has abused incumbency.

Speaking to Accra-based Kasapa FM on August 8, 2016, he said President Mahama is embezzling taxpayers money through numerous supposed job creation avenues, which do not benefit the youth of the country.

He indicated that, it will do President John Mahama a lot of good if he comes out to defend himself.

Akua Donkors revelation about the goodies that the president had presented to her is said to have angered several members of the NDC, who claim that the party had abandoned them after their efforts that helped the party to win the 2012 polls.
The exercise which began on Monday, July 18 was meant to offer prospective voters the chance to check whether their voting details on the register are correct and their fingerprint verified to avoid any inconvenience during the general elections.

But some exhibition centers visited by Pulse.com.gh in Accra recorded low turn-out of eligible voters to validate their records.

Speaking to Pulse.com.gh, the Director of Communications at the Electoral Commission Eric Kofi Dzakpasu said even though the EC is yet to compile data from the exercise, observation from the various centers show that the exercise ended on a slow note.

We are in the process of retrieving the materials, and then gathering data and statistics which we can use to engage ourselves in any meaningful discussion. But if observation and reports from local correspondence of the media are anything to go by, we can all say that the exercise started on a slow note in terms of patronage and it continued consistently and has come to an end on such a note, he said.
Niger Delta Voice reports that Ezurum who claimed to have graduated from the Nnamdi Azikwe University (NAU ), Anambra State, in 2011 with registration number 39017, was the one procured fake papers for Okonkwo, provided the hideouts where she took her victims to as well as acting as her solicitor.

According to the police, three young baby factory victims,Chinyere Ude, 19, Happiness Igwe, 20 and Esther Frank, 17, who were in different stages of pregnancy, were rescued from one of the hideouts.

The girls disclosed to the police that they were brought to the hideout by Okonkwo who claimed to have worked at Chinonso Hospital, Nkpor in Anambra, for the purpose of selling their babies after delivery.

Acting on a tip off, operatives of the Special Anti- Kidnapping Squad (SAKS), of the State Command, raided the hideout on Okpanam Road in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state, and effected the arrest of the suspects as well as rescuing the girls.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Zanna Ibrahim, while parading the suspects alongside the pregnant girls, said they were arrested after an intensive surveillance by his men.
The disturbing incident was said to have happened in Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was posted online as the naked girl who has been identified as Uzoamaka Chukwu, a Junior Secondary School Two (JSS 2) student and an orphan, who was tortured by her guardian on the trumped up charges of having sex with a boyfriend.

The viral video drew the anger of Nigerians including the lawmaker representing the constituency, Hon. Linus Abaa Okorie, who took up the case and vowed to unravel the brains behind such a dastardly act. He stated that those behind the inhuman acts on the girl are actually local politicians in the area, including two serving police officers who supervised the beating.

Child Rights Activist also played a key role by setting up a social media platform tagged #justice4uzoamaka, to make sure the girl gets justice from the people who tormented her in such a manner.

Today, Uzoamaka has come out of the incidence with a new story as her education is guaranteed while the goodwill that has ben following her is quite unprecedented.

Hon. Okorie who has not rested since the issue came to light, visited the girl at the rehabilitation center she was taken to and promised to sponsor her education to the highest level, while also calling the Acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Peace Ibekwe Abdallah, to make sure that the culprits are brought to book.

Hon. Okorie has also vowed to make sure the case is not swept under the carpet.

This is what Hon. Okorie posted on his Facebook page:

"Earlier today, I met one on one with Uzoamaka Chukwu, the unfortunate 15-year-old JSS 2 student from Uburu in Ohaozara LGA of my constituency who was recently made "popular" by unknown persons who brutalized and dehumanized her through torture and defilement of her humanity.

I met her on the invitation of her family who seek inquest into her sickening ordeal and also justice for her. I also insisted on hearing directly from her on the circumstances of her torture and public defilement.

For if I must speak about it, I should do so on the strength of first hand information and a conviction that she is truly a victim.

Her story is heartrending and painful. And truly she is a victim of inhumanity and highhandedness of misplaced power/authority.

First, she is a 15 year old minor and wait for it ...an ORPHAN! Her father died while she was only 4 in 2004 and her mother painfully followed suit two years later in 2006 when she was barely 6 year old.

So she had no father to catch her in the immoral circumstance that was earlier reported. That story is on all scores a fabrication to deceive the public into antagonizing her to cover the tracks of her aggressors.

Two, her family is too poor to own that 'rich' apartment where she was tortured, molested and traumatized or the cars in the foreground of the premises. Indeed, she claims to know the owner of the house who she reports is the leader and mastermind of her unfortunate ordeal.

She remembers and positively identified more than four persons who participated in that show of inhumanity on her. More disturbing of her revelations is the fact that TWO SERVING POLICEMEN were actively involved in this inhuman and illegal act of primitivity, along with a key political leader of her immediate environment.

These two categories of public officers are those to whom one would have expected her to run if confronted with the circumstance as she suffered in their hands.

While condemning the grievous and indecent dehumanization that was the torture and public unclading of Uzoamaka, one is more particularly alarmed by the mindless act of video recording the entire nauseating scene and posting online of such vile and murderous product by the same perpetrators.

Finally, I refuse to pronounce anyone guilty in this most inhuman criminality pending thorough investigation by security agencies, I however condemn it in the most strongest of terms.

I wish to assure the family who has approached me as their representative, and all well meaning persons, to assist them in ensuring that proper investigation is conducted into this matter to unravel the truth and to pursue justice for little Uzoamaka that I shall commit every energy available to me to ensure that this matter is not swept under any carpet and that no other child is made to suffer such indignity and inhumanity on any account.

I invite all men and women of good will to support this cause. I am convinced that this is well within the mandate I bear and that I enjoy your support in this regard."

"Finally, I appeal to the Inspector-General of Police as well as the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State, Compol Peace Ibekwe Abdalla, to ensure that proper investigation is urgently conducted into this matter in order to bring all culprits to swift justice.

I am going to remain vigilant on this matter and appeal to everyone else to do the same. This is about the humanity in us. It's not about Uzoamaka or whoever is involved in this debacle."
Report says that the pair, who visited the country using a business visa had been engaging in the illicit business six months before they were arrested.

According to a report by India Mail, the men were caught during a raid exercise to rid the city of illegal immigrants.

ALSO READ: Six Nigerians deported following completion of jail term

The reports reads, "The incident took place while the police were on the raid to rid the state of illegal immigrants."

"They came across Kenneth whose visa had expired since March and was illegally staying in the country."

"They were caught by the bangaluru police while selling cocaine to college students in the region."

The Nigerians were found in possession of Rs 5.5 lakh worth of cocaine, equivalent to $9,040.
The Chronicle reports that Mandiwanza was disgraced, given the beating of his life and handcuffed after he was caught with the 19-year-old woman identified as Medline Makonese.

It was learnt that Mandiwanza had enticed the woman who is also a police Constable working directly under him, to a house in Hwiru in Mpandawana and had sex with her.

Sergeant Mandiwanza was allegedly trailed by other officers after someone tipped Makonse's husband, by a group of police officers to the house and when he was nabbed, he was frog marched to the station in the disgraceful state.

Makonse's husband, Constable Brian Chikono, however said he is not allowed to talk about the incident by his superiors, only saying he has left the matter to God to judge.
Punch reports that Olabinwonu, an administrative officer of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Igbogbo, Ikorodu area of the state, was looking for a buyer for a Nissan Sentra, 2015 model, after the number plate was changed, and placed on an online shopping platform, where it was advertised for sale.

On seeing the advert, police investigators who had been informed of the missing car, called the contact on the website to indicate interest and the man, who took custody of the vehicle, was traced and arrested in the Lekki area of the state.

The suspect however, denied ownership of the car and led the detectives to Olabinwonus residence, only to realise that he had packed out of the house with his family after sensing danger.

But he was tracked to a church in the area and was arrested. During further investigation, it was realised that the vehicle belonged to a bank and had been snatched at gun point when some robbers attacked a hotel in the Iju-Ishaga area where the manager of the bank lodged.

In his statement to the police, Olabinwonu said the car was given to him by a friend he identified as Ahmed Abbey, who asked him to find a buyer for it and when he consulted his pastor, he was assured that nothing would go wrong and he could go ahead with the sale.

I met Abbey at Dammy Jay Hotel, Ikorodu. He came to my table, bought drinks for everyone and we became friends. While I was going home, he gave me N2,000.

I saw Abbey later that week to ask if he could help me with some money because I had no job. He asked if I could help his sister, who was travelling overseas, to sell her car.

I consulted my pastor and he told me to collect the car from him. I took the car from him, but after about three weeks and I couldnt get a buyer, he took the car from me.

Some weeks later, I saw him with the car and he challenged me that I didnt want to sell the car. After a while, we agreed that I should try again."

"I consulted my pastor again for him to pray about it. This time, my pastor introduced me to someone in Lekki, who had a car park at a very conspicuous place, where we could put the car for sale. The car was there when I learnt that it was stolen at gunpoint.
He has filed many court processes in the past few years demanding 40 per cent of the amount involved. He relied on a purported court injunction granted him in the last 14 years. Over the period of 10 years, the matter had gone through processes.

At a point, he did not even have licence to operate in the US. His filings have been of concern to the US and the Federal Government. We are looking at the possibility of concluding the process at a Court of Appeal in the US, he added.

Malami also said that Switzerland is preparing to return $132million also looted by Abacha.
This is contained in a statement by Mr Salihu Isah, his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity in Abuja on Sunday.

Malami, also Minister of Justice, said this at a meeting with an Italian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Paolo Silveri.

He said that reduction in the incidents of human trafficking and other similar crimes could be achieved through effective cooperation.

According to him, the agreements between Nigeria and Italy are ready for execution.

The minister said that the agreements were in the areas of mutual legal assistance, transfer of prisoners and extradition agreements.

He, therefore, urged the delegation to identify the right timeline and venue for the execution of the said agreements.

Malami applauded the Italian Government's support to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in particular and Nigeria in general.

He solicited further assistance to strengthen the skills and capacity of the agencys personnel.

Responding, Silveri said the delegation was perfectly aware of the nexus between criminality, human trafficking and migration.

Silveri added that they were seeking collaboration with the Federal Government to cement existing political and economic relationships..
Na'Abba made the call while answering questions from Energy Correspondents, at a workshop organised by Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) in Kano.

"This stealing of funds cannot be possible without active connivance with some members of the executive arm," he said.

On calls for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara to resign, Na'Abba said that the call was "unwarranted'' as there was no formal indictment of the speaker.

"According to my understanding, where the issue being referred to as padding comes into play, is a situation where some members go behind and add items of expenditure to what has already been agreed upon.

"For either stealing the funds or doing whatever they feel like doing with it.

"So far, accusations are being traded amongst members of the house, but no investigation has been conducted.

"On the call for the resignation of the Speaker, the question is, what has the Speaker done to warrant his resignation?"

He called for full investigation to ascertain the level of involvement of members of the House mentioned in the allegation before calling on anyone to resign.

"I expect that for 16 years of return to democracy, Nigerians would have understood the responsibilities of the National Assembly.

"For some weeks now, there has been controversy over what is called padding.

"As far as I am concerned, the National Assembly has the responsibility to pass the budget, approve it and allow the executive arm to execute it.''

On whether padding constituted an offence, Na'Abba said, "It all depends on what angle you look at it, I just told you that the responsibility of appropriation belongs to the national assembly.

"If padding is seen as an offence, then it is when some members of the national assembly decide to add items of expenditure through the back door after the bill has been passed by the two legislative arms.

"It therefore behoves on Nigerians to decide who represent them in the national assembly.
Buratai had come under fire for acquiring two properties in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

While speaking with journalists at the weekend in Abuja, Osuagwu said the common trend among Nigerians had been to follow the band wagon effect and give opinions even on issues they had no facts about.

He said Buratai had been declared guilty even before investigation and trial, adding that the army chief had done no wrong by acquiring properties in Dubai.

Osuagwu criticised Nigerians who had dragged the federal government into the issue, saying their actions constituted a distraction to the anti corruption fight.

He challenged critics to provide proof of the allegations and allow the court to decide the matter.

According to him, the said property in Dubai purchased by Buratais wife a couple of years ago was N48 million only which is even less than what is used by private businessmen and other Nigerians to buy a three bedroom flat in high-brow areas in Abuja.
Abusidiqu was said to have been arrested by the EFCC operatives in the early hours of Monday.

Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the spokesman for the anti-graft agency confirmed the arrest, saying the blogger was arrested for cyber stalking.

The EFCC today arrested Mr. Abubakar Sidiq Usman, a blogger, for offences bordering on cyber stalking," Uwujaren said in a statement.

The suspect who is the publisher of Abusidiqu.com was picked up at his Kubwa, Abuja home in the early hours of Monday August 8, 2016 by operatives of the EFCC and is currently being questioned over the alleged offence which contravenes sections of the Cyber Crime Act.

The suspect has already been offered administrative bail and would be released to his elected sureties, Uwujaren said.

The blogger, according to Punch, had published an article titled, EFCC boss, Magu, commences total war with core EFCC staff on August 2, 2016, wherein he accused the agency's boss of bullying staff.
The Deputy Senate President made the comments on Sunday, August 7, 2016, during a meeting with the Enugu State Economic Advisory Committee, a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu said.

According to the statement, Ekweremadu said:

I am indeed humbled by your solidarity. As they say, the true test of a man is not where he stands in the time of comfort; it is where he stands when there is a crisis.

Many people may not take this step of faith because of the situation we found ourselves in the country. Some may be afraid of their liberty and afraid of any reprisal. But you have stepped out to come and show solidarity and ask questions in a matter concerning one of your sons.

Let me start by reinstating my innocence; that I committed no offence or forged any documents. None of the accused persons, to the best of my knowledge, committed any offence, let alone forged any document. Let me also say that no senator accused me, the President of the Senate or the other people of committing any offence. No senator or bureaucrat accused us of forging any document.
The former President, who was named among many others, as an NDA sponsor, said the claim is malicious.

This is following President Muhammadu Buhari's meeting with his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, on August 3, 2016,

GEJ also said he will issue an official statement to clear himself from the allegation levelled against him by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA).

Some of those mentioned as sponsors of the NDA, include: Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state, Raymond Dokpesi, the founder of African Independent Television (AIT), Ex militant Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo),the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Kingsley Kuku, Kimi Angozi, Patrick Akpobolokemi, Olisa Metuh, and a host of others.

The Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) is a break-away faction of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

Former President Goodluck Jonathan is currently in Zambia to monitor the countrys upcoming elections.
The ex-president also denied reports that he was a sponsor of newly formed militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

The statement reads:

For the avoidance of doubt, we are fully convinced that such an idiotic claim is too cheap a narrative, a facile contrivance so badly concocted that any discerning mind would easily see through its disingenuous and duplicitous nature.

We are also not bothered by this baseless accusation, contented that we are not the only ones conversant with Jonathans widely-acknowledged sincere disposition to peace, non-violence and better human community.

We are, however, seized by the feeling of deja vu occasioned by the resurrection of one dim character masquerading as Cynthia White, who had in the past served as the spokesperson for a notorious group that had all along shown its hand to be going after the life of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Nigerians could recall that in 2007 when Jonathan emerged as the running mate to the late President Umaru YarAdua in the Peoples Democratic Party during that years presidential election, this very group invaded Yenagoa with hundreds of militants in an effort to assassinate him. Jonathan was only saved then by the spirited efforts of the combined forces of determined security men, who gallantly repelled the attack.

Let us also not forget that members of this same group later invaded and bombed Jonathans compound in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, on a night he was scheduled to attend to an important matter in his country home. He was only saved by the grace of God, who in His infinite mercy created intervening factors that prevented Jonathan from sleeping in his country home that night.

Do we need to remind anybody that the so-called Cynthia White is the self-declared spokesperson MEND, a violent and murderous underground group led by one Henry Okah, which has not hidden its intention to destroy the former President?

The unfortunate event of 1st October 2010 in Abuja at the Eagle Square during the Independence Day celebrations for that year, being presided over by the former President, bears out this conviction.

It would be recalled that after an attempt to bomb the venue, with the mind of assassinating Jonathan and possibly other high profile local and international dignitaries in attendance, was thwarted by tight security deployment, the terrorists detonated their bombs in other parts of Abuja, resulting in the death of many innocent Nigerians.

It is no secret that following that incident, Okah, the leader of MEND was arrested, tried, convicted and jailed in South Africa over terrorism charges by the security authorities of that country. He remains in a South African prison till date while his associates in Nigeria are still being held in Kuje prison, Abuja.

We, therefore, have no doubt in our mind that MEND, as a group contracted to go after Jonathan with the mind of assassinating him, is yet to abandon this criminal and ignominious craving. It is in this light that we view the purported statement issued by Cynthia White as not only a sadistic continuation of this sick desire, but also a futile attempt to instigate the Federal Government to needlessly go after the former President.

Those who have been following the unsavoury developments in some parts of the country since the last general elections, especially the ones that held in the South-South states, would have noticed that the nefarious MEND, their pay masters and other unscrupulous elements in the region, have been striving fruitlessly to exploit the ensuing confusion, by surreptitiously working for the fulfilment of its yet-to-be declared political agenda. It is our considered view that the statement in question is an off-shoot of that ignoble plan; this time plotting to rubbish and torpedo the ongoing peace efforts in the region.

While we believe that God Almighty would continue to protect the former President against the evil machinations of these undesirable elements, we wish to also point out that Jonathan is prepared to do anything within the limit of our laws to ensure that he enjoys a well-deserved peaceful post-presidential life without any hindrance.

We are not under any illusion that more accusations and allegations of this nature would not be hurled Jonathans way in the future, especially as his enemies appear to have perfected the act of throwing mud each time his profile gains added impetus and acclaim. But we are very positive that he can never be fazed by such negative energy. Like the eagle, Dr. Ebele Goodluck Jonathan will continue to soar over his traducers.

The allegation against Jonathan was made by a supposed faction of NDA, Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA).
The claim was made by a supposed faction of NDA, known as Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA).

The group named former president, Goodluck Jonathan as one the sponsors of NDA.

Ayiris comments were contained in a statement released on Sunday, August 7, 2016.

The statement reads:

The revelation by the splinter group of Niger Delta Avengers about the sponsors of Niger Delta Avengers has vindicated my earlier position that some corrupt politicians running away from justice are the brains behind the criminal group.

Nigerians should not take the report by Sahara Reporters with a pinch of salt and President Muhammadu Buhari should ensure that the fresh revelation is properly investigated with a view to bringing all those behind the economic and political sabotage to book.

I say so emphatically because these failed and corrupt politicians are determined to bring down the economy of Nigeria and rubbish the President Buharis administration before gullible Nigerians.

Also named as alleged sponsors of the group were former Akwa Ibom Governor, Godswill Akpabio, DAAR Communications boss, Raymond Dokpesi and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government recently announced that its school feeding programme would begin in September with an estimated 5.5 million school pupils benefitting.

The lawmakers, who made the commendation in interviews with NAN in Lagos, said the programme would begin at the most trying time for many families.

Mr Segun Olulade, representing Epe Constituency II at the Lagos State House Assembly, said: ``School feeding is commendable; it is a programme that all Nigerians have been waiting for.

"It is a dividend of democracy of our party (All Progressives Congress),

"It is a rare opportunity for school children to feed healthily and it will make this government popular.

"I believe that if not for the economic situation that the party met when it came into power, some of these programmes would have started perhaps last year.

"It is a plus for President Muhammadu Buhari to kick-start it this year considering the economic situation in Nigeria today when many families cannot boast of the three square meals.

Olulade, Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, added that feeding pupils in school once in a day would go a long way towards alleviating the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.

Contributing, Nurudeen Solaja-Saka, representing Ikorodu Constituency II at the Assembly, expressed joy with the implementation, saying it was in fulfillment of the governing APCs electoral promise.

"It is a very important policy and it is in line with APC's campaign promises. If students are provided with one free meal in schools, it will ginger them to learn more.

"Many students leave their homes in the morning without food and without hope of getting anything to eat while in school.

"There is a limit to what such students can assimilate in the class."

Solaja-Saka, the Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology said: ``The programme will popularise this government.

He stressed the need for the programme to cut across party affiliations, saying that all Nigerian pupils should benefit from it.

Also, Mr Olayiwola Olawale (APC-Mushin II), commended Buhari for making good his electoral promise, saying that the electorate had long been expecting its take off.

Olawale, who is Chairman, House Committee on Home Affairs, said: "It is a welcome development. We have been expecting this. Buhari is matching his words with actions.

"It is part of the governments social responsibility.

"Such a policy will help to advance education. Nigerians should be optimistic. The programme is laudable.

In his submission, Mr Setonji David (APC-Badagry II) said that the programme would further boost the reputation of APC as the governing party.

David, the Chairman, House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, said: "I think the timing is good, the programme is commencing at the beginning of a new academic session.
The State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, made this known in a statement released in Ilorin on Sunday.

Banu added that the government had so far disbursed the sum of N430, 388, 359.24 as subventions to the seven State-owned tertiary institutions in 2016.

He explained that the government had reviewed the subventions accruing to the institutions by deploying mechanisms to block loopholes and wastages in the system.

The commissioner said that an outstanding balance of N86, 996,421.7 would be released in August.

The institutions include the Kwara State University (KWASU); Kwara State Colleges of Education in Ilorin in Oro and Lafiagi, Kwara State College of Arabic & Islamic Legal Studies.

Banu said that after the review, it became obvious to the government that the internal revenue generated by some of the affected institutions were enough to meet their financial obligations.

He stated that this necessitated the need for the State government to cut or stop the annual subventions that were, hitherto, being collected by the institutions.

Banu added that government had stopped subventions to Kwara State Polytechnic and the Kwara State College of Health Technology, Offa, as their IGR is enough to guarantee smooth running of the schools.

He called on the management of all the state-owned institutions to be more innovative and resourceful in generating revenue for their schools, adding that the situation where governments subventions are spent only on recurrent expenditure was not sustainable.
A group of militants under the aegis of Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA), alleged that some prominent Nigerians were sponsors of the NDA.

The RNDA spokesperson, undefinedRaymond Dokpesi,Godswill Akpabio, Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, and many others.

According to Daily Post, Dokpesi said he had no connection with the militant group that has been linked with the destruction of offshore facilities belonging to oil companies in the Niger Delta region.

The AIT Boss also said I dont know who is giving that report; I dont have any idea; I have never met any Avenger in my life I have no connection, association and I dont know who they are. I have been committed to strengthening the unity and stability of the country.

I dont k know anything pertaining to any Avenger, I dont know anything about any militant group. I have no connection, no association with any militant group, either on earth or anywhere in the world.

The Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) is a break-away factionof the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).
Akpabio said It is a fabrication from the pit of hell from those who are profiteering from the crisis in the Niger Delta and would wish no end to it.

Akpabio also warned that the issues in the oil rich region should not be politicised by anybody.

The Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) named Akpabio, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Raymond Dokpesi,Olisa Metuh and many others, as sponsors of the NDA.

A statement issued by Akpabios Special Assistant on Media, Anietie Ekong, said For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that Senator Akpabio has no link with the Niger Delta Avengers or any other militant group for that matter.

Contrarily, the position of Senator Akpabio as a foremost advocate of dialogue in resolving the Niger Delta crisis is well known. He is of the strong belief that blowing up pipelines and causing further environmental pollution of the Niger Delta is not in the interest of the region as it would take over 100 years to remediate the effects of such environmental degradation.

Neither does he believe that economic sabotage at a time of economic recession that the nation is presently passing through can be an answer to the Niger Delta problem.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and the African Independent Television (AIT) boss, Raymond Dokpesi have also denied allegations that they are sponsors of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).
According to The Cable, the Corporation lost N26.505 billion in June but paid N55.96 billion into the federation account, while its refining capacity fell to a new low.

As contained in the NNPC's June financial statement, it lost N4.69 billion to the unimpressive refineries.

In the month in question, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries produced at 24.4 percent and 11.8 percent capacity, while Kaduna refinery did not produce anything.

The report said: A deficit of N26.51 billion as against trading surplus of N274million reported in May, 2016. This trading surplus does not represent net profit as there are other expenses that should ordinarily have been captured.

The deficit in the month of June 2016 was majorly due to decrease in revenue generation as a result of decline in PPMC petroleum products sales by 13.30% or N14.9billion and increase in products distribution costs.

Also June 2016 operations witnessed the major impact of incessant vandalism, during the month more than 261 vandalized points were recorded.

In NPDC a substantial portion of crude oil sales for the month estimated to be in excess of the deficit could not be realized due to Force Majeure declared by SPDC as a result of vandalized 48-inch Forcados export line.

The Corporation blamed its poor performance on the Niger Delta Avengers and other militants who have continued to destroy oil installations in the region and beyond.

Poor performance is attributable to upsurge in attack and sabotage of oil facilities in the Niger Delta.

At Forcados Terminal alone about 380,000bopd were shut in since February 2016 following Force majeure declared by SPDC. A number of crude oil Liftings were deferred until the repair is completed.

Other major terminal affected by the renewed spate of vandalism includes Bonny, Usan and Que Ibo terminals. Total export crude Oil & Gas receipt for the period of July 2015  June 2016 stood at $3.42Billion, the report said.

ALSO READ: Niger Delta Avengers deny separation reports
For today, August 8 2016:

THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER

Army confirms killing of 11 soldiers, seven civilians

The Nigerian Army has officially confirmed the killing of 11 of its personnel, including a lieutenant while one officer is still missing after last Thursdays bloody clash between the Kpaidna community in Bosso Local Council of Niger State and soldiers from 31 Field Artillery Brigade, Minna. READ MORE

Increase in customs duty threatens three million jobs

Loss of about three million jobs is real as governments implementation of the 43 per cent increase in customs duty in the country takes its toll.

14 airlines close shop in Nigeria amid forex hike

No fewer than 14 airlines have withdrawn their services from the country due to low patronage on account of the economic recession.

THE VANGUARD NEWSPAPER

Budget padding: An opportunity for change?

QUARRELS in the legislative chamber are neither new nor strange. They are universal phenomena. They range from hot exchanges of words to fisticuffs.

Militants set up 7 camps along Lagos, Ogun creeks

LAGOS  The unmasking of the criminal gang that abducted the traditional ruler of Iba in Lagos State, Oba Goriola Oseni, three weeks ago, has also exposed how the gangs have cordoned off riverine areas of Lagos and Ogun states with seven camps manned by 800 members, all registered.

Budget padding: Buhari wont shield Dogara, others from trial  Presidency

ABUJA As investigation into allegations that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and four other principal officers injected projects worth N281 billion into the 2016 budget continues, indications have emerged that President Muhammadu Buhari is unwilling to assist the suspects from being prosecuted.

THE PUNCH NEWSPAPER

Jonathan alleges assassination plot, says Okah after his life

Jonathan said a list, which named him and other South-South leaders as Niger Delta Avengers sponsors, was another attempt by a group, Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, to eliminate him. READ MORE

PDP chair: Bode George, Agbaje divide governors

Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party are said to be sharply divided on whether to support Chief Bode George or Mr. Jimi Agbaje for the position of the national chairman of the party, investigations by our correspondent have revealed. READ MORE

Govs close to Dogara blocking me from meeting Buhari Jibrin

A former Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, on Sunday said two state governors and three former members of the House of Representatives were blocking him from meeting President Muhammadu Buhari. READ MORE

THE NATION NEWSPAPER

MEND chieftains out to kill me, says Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is still plotting to assassinate him, just as he denied being a sponsor of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA). READ MORE

$321m Abacha loot: Govt sends plans to Switzerland

In line with Switzerlands request, the Federal Government has submitted five proposals on how it will spend the $132million Abacha loot if returned. READ MORE

Wike, IYC disown Niger Delta Avengers

Who are the sponsors of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) militants blowing up oil installations and facilities in Niger Delta? The sponsors identities remained shrouded in secrecy yesterday as those linked to the group denied having anything to do with it.

THE BUSINESS DAY NEWSPAPER

CBN transparency initiatives in FX market may be at risk

The failure of the corp orates to meet the August 1 deadline for the execution of all FX trade with authorised dealers on the FMDQ Thomson Reuters fx trading system may be hindering the much needed transparency efforts initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the fx market, Businessday can authoritatively disclosed.

FG shuts down collapsing Ijora-Apapa Bridge as Julius Berger effects repair

The Federal Government has said access to Apapa, Nigeria's premier port city, through the ijora-Apapa bridge will henceforth be restricted, as the bridge which has failed at a critical spot will be shut down temporarily beginning from last Sunday (yesterday).

$10m power plant in Banana Island idles away as residents union, IPP owners tango
The movie is currently being shot in Benin City, Edo State.

Disclosed is also set to star the likes of Joy Helen, Lizzy Gold Onuwaje , Sylvester Madu and Nosa Rex.

Its yet to be disclosed when the movie will be released.

This is not the first time Jegede has played a lead role in one of Imasuens films. Earlier this year, she played a role in the directors romantic comedy titled ATM (Authentic Tentative Marriage). The film features Francis Odega and social media comedian and Nigerian culture enthusiast Oyinbo Princess whose real name is Claire Edun.

In ATM, Jegede plays the role of the girlfriend of Ekubos character who is an ambitious man in search of a better life. He then comes up with a plan for him to marry a British woman and use that opportunity to create a new life for them abroad.

Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen is a Nollywood producer and director. Last year the filmmaker celebrated his 20th anniversary in the industry.

He has directed several popular Nigerian films including: A Private Storm, Games Men Play, Bent Arrows, Invasion 1897 and Victims.

ALSO READ: 5 films directed by Lancelot Imasuen
Mairiga who described President Buhari as a "total failure" said "from the look of things President Buhari has betrayed the confidence of the Nigerian masses who voted for him massively into power."

Mairiga who lamented the increasing cost of commodities said most Nigerian families go to bed hungry even as others have fled their homes.

He stated that those around the president (including his ministers) had refused to tell him the truth and advise on the reality on ground.

He advised the president to stop deceiving Nigerians that the nation had no money even as the federal and state governments continue to enjoy boost in their monthly allocations.

Mairiga urged the federal government to urgently open all the closed borders with other countries to allow food into the country.
Clark, who was speaking on Channel Television on Sunday, August 7, disclosed that almost two trillion naira has been allocated to constituency projects of the National Assembly between 1999 and 2016, alleging that the monies were diverted.

I have observed and I have done a research. Since 1999 up to date, almost two trillion Naira of Nigerian money has passed through budget for 16 years based on projects allotted to National Assembly members for their constituencies," Clark said.

I have also observed that 80 per cent of these projects were never carried out.

Who approved the project to be done? Who paid out to contractors and which contractors handled it? he questioned," he added.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to probe how the funds allocated to constituency projects in the past years were spent.

The lawyer advised the President to set a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to carry out the investigations, so that monies for constituency projects can better be utilised in the future.

On the budget padding scandal rocking the House of Representatives, Clark said budget padding could occur in the beginning, middle or at the end of the budget process, stressing that padding creates an offence when other things are added after the appropriation committee had agreed on all insertions.

The beginning also contains the padding. The end is when after having been passed as the budget, the monies meant for members of the National Assembly, who have inserted in the budget constituency claims, will now ask the executives to now execute the constituency projects, he said.

It is not criminal yet but it is an unlawful act because it is punishable under the rules of the House.

It is an infringement of the rules of the National Assembly to make insertions on a document after the committee has passed it, Clark noted.
Jibrin said After three days of careful observation and receiving information from Nigerians, I discovered a grand plan by two governors and three former House members to provide a soft landing for Dogara and 12 others, give them time to clean up the mess on their desk, destroy whatever evidence in their possession and reach, spread money across members to buy signature of vote of confidence.

He also claims that Dogara collects N25m every month from the House coffers for his personal use.

Premium Times reports that Jibrin also said We may never have this kind of opportunity to deal decisively with corruption in the House. We may never! If you observe carefully, you will notice attempts last week to wickedly drag the Senate, DSS, SGF and others into this matter. This is all orchestrated by the group of two governors, three former members and Speaker Dogara and his corrupt cabal.

Nobody is in a better position than me to know who the culprits are. The next time you see them in your offices trying to blackmail you that these allegations will bring down the whole country, report them to the police immediately. These allegations are on Speaker Dogara and 12 others and will not in anyway bring down the House, the Senate or the executive arm of government as they are claiming in their widely spread propaganda.

President Buhari held a meeting with House Speaker, Yakubu Dogara at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on August 5, 2016 to reportedly discuss the budget padding scandal.
Jibrin accused the Reps Speaker, Yakubu Dogara of taking N25m monthly from the coffers of the House for his personal use.

He said Let me make further revelations here. In addition to the allegations I already made, the anti-corruption agencies should ask Speaker Dogara why on earth he collects 25million naira every month just to spend it the way he wants.

The former chairman also said They should also ask him to provide proof of how he is funding his farm in Nasarawa State which was just few hectares six months ago and now miraculously expands to about 100 hectares with new buildings and state-of-the-art equipment worth millions as well as the mansion he has suddenly built in Wuse II within six months.

Jibrin also vowed not to withdraw the corruption charges which he levelled against Dogara.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara said he committed no crime, adding that budget padding is not an offence.
The party had refrained Jibrin from further making public statements on the budget padding allegations he levelled against the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and 11 others.

But Jibrin had on Sunday, August 7, levelled fresh allegations against the Speaker.

It is now obvious how disrespectful, mannerless and desperate Hon. Jibrin could be even to the leaders of our party, including the national deputy chairman north, national secretary, national treasurer and others who have been working to ensure that peace return to the house, he said.

But if Hon. Jibrin does not have respect for Speaker Dogara as a person, it is expected of him to respect the office of the speaker, the number four citizen of our party and the country.

Jubrin should also be told that he has shown clearly shown disrespect for President Muhammadu Buhari who is the leader of our party by this singular act.

It is high time Hon. Jibrin kept quiet and stopped this public show of shame before his excesses will be made known to Nigerians and the whole world.

His continued show of shame does not only stop at him but has great negative impact on the party, its members and the President Muhammadu Buharis government," Frank said.
The Edo PDP also criticized Oshiomhole for claiming to help the councils save the funds in question.

The opposition partys comments were made by State Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih during a press briefing in Okada.

We can confirm that the reason why he has refused to conduct elections to fill the vacant positions of chairmen and councillors is to enable him squander allocations due the local governments in the name of saving it for them, Orbih said according to The Nation.

The truth is that rather than supporting the local government councils, Oshiomhole has impoverished them by not only denying them their full allocations as and when due, but also by denying them their share of state IGR, he added.

Meanwhile, the PDP governorship candidate in Edo, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has condemned Oshiomhole for disrespecting elders in the state.

Ize-Iyamu spoke specifically about Oshiomholes comments against the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion who the PDP candidate claims helped the governor into power.
The Board chose Gana to lead a newly set-up 18-man committee to calm the storm currently rocking the party ahead of its August 17 National Convention scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The BoT chairman, Senator Walid Jubrin, who inaugurated the committee, said the insinuation that the party is dead is a figment of some people's imagination.

He urged the committee, which was mandated to submit its report within seven days, to explore avenues of reaching out to all affected members and to adhere to the party's constitutional provisions.

Jubrin said: "We decided to set up a special committee with a view to resolving the problem.

''With the calibre of the people we have chosen to represent the BoT, I am very optimistic that the end of this conflict has come and that we shall all come out smiling very soon, before our convention.

"We want us to agree that this our party will rely on its constitution and if we do, we must also agree that this party is supreme, this party is above everyone.

"It is above individuals and therefore we must all put our hands on deck to ensure that we resolve this matter politically.

"BoT is the conscience of this party and I think God will not forgive us if we sit down and do nothing; with court cases all over the place, about 15 of them.

Speaking on behalf of the members of the committee, Gana said not all political matters should be resolved in the courts.
Jibrin also said that the would not allow any person to buy his way into office.

This party is not for sale. This party must be a party of very conscious people. We are telling every delegate to reject anybody that comes with money, he said.

This party will not want somebody that will come and buy his way into office. The BoT will no longer accept any leadership to be forced on the party.

We have been playing, the party is supreme, the party is above all of us. If you read our constitution it solves all these problems but today we are facing a myriad of court cases.

We are, however, looking at reconciliation chaired by Prof. Jerry Gana so we can look into the arguments and by Gods grace, before the convention, settle these matters.

We do hope that justice will be done and people will come to their senses. Weve passed the era of impunity, selfishness and will go by fairness and justice, he added.

The PDP has been in crisis mode since May 21 when attempts to remove chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff failed.
The ex-EFCC boss made the revelation during a recent interview with Punch. Excerpts below:

You recently returned to the All Progressives Congress, a political party you participated in founding. Why did you leave in the first place?

I joined politics during the 2010/ 2011 elections. By 2014, we were actively engaged; we almost succeeded in setting up the All Progressives Congress. At that time, I decided to go back home and start my politics at the local level in Adamawa State.

Like they say, all politics is local and it makes sense for you to concentrate at the local level for you to see how you will build your political career. I paid more attention to that. In 2014, a lot of people moved into the APC after it was formed. Some of us who formed the party, opened the gates for others to come in.

In Adamawa State, PDP members moved into APC and I dont need to mention names; they were well known then. Even at the time of setting up the party executives at the ward, local government and the state levels, those who were in the PDP in Adamawa, especially members of the state House of Assembly, played significant roles.

They were the ones that, more or less, brought (together) all the officials at the ward, local government and state levels. The same set of people turned against the then APC government headed by Governor (Murtala) Nyako who also moved (from PDP to APC). His movement was genuine unlike so many others.

They all turned against Nyako. Those who set up the party structure, especially members of the state Assembly and some godfathers, ganged up and removed Nyako.

Those of us who were the original members of the APC did not like it and we fought in the best way we could without success. We knew that we were heading for trouble; we knew it was the beginning of crisis for the party in the state.

Later, the same people who took over the APC from us divided themselves into two dominant political parties in the state. One group took over the PDP, while another took over the APC. It was funny and sad. At that time, I felt a lot more comfortable running away from those who were in charge because of what they did. It caused a lot of confusion for me as an individual I must admit.

Were there conditions attached to your defection to the Peoples Democratic Party as of the time you did? If so, what were they?

No. If there were to be conditions. I should be the one giving the conditions instead, because I was invited to join the party. As of that time, those who invited me meant well for the state and also meant well for the country. They felt I could help in doing things correctly.

As of that time, the decisions I made were in the best interest of my state, my family and my country. There was no other way, especially when a governor was just removed and there was so much confusion.

It is not like everybody in PDP is bad just as it is not everybody in the APC that is good. Everywhere you have a combination of good and bad people. If that is the case, sometimes you look at those you can do business with. Nobody gave me conditions.

Are there conditions attached to your return to the APC?

One of the reasons I returned was that things have changed fundamentally. Those things that happened in Adamawa have been reversed. We are going through a healing process and the original people who are the progressives are coming back together and some important steps have been taken.

For example, the recent court ruling which declared the removal of Nyako as wrong and illegal, is a good thing for me personally and for all of us who stood against his impeachment then.
This kind of job comes with challenges and worries, that can inspire fear in even the bravest of hearts.

Obama, who is only a man, has revealed how he coped and survived his two-time tenure.

Speaking with Washington National Cathedral magazine in 2012, he attributed his success to his faith in God.

"First and foremost, my Christian faith gives me a perspective and security that I don't think I would have otherwise: That I am loved. That, at the end of the day, God is in controland my main responsibility is to love God with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and to love my neighbor as myself. Now, I don't always live up to that standard, but it is a standard I am always pursuing.

My faith is also a great source of comfort to me. I've said before that my faith has grown as president. This office tends to make a person pray more; and as President Lincoln once said, 'I have been driven to my knees many times by the overwhelming conviction that I had no place else to go', he added.

He also revealed his go-to Bible verses, in times of trouble, and whenever, he simply needs encouragement.

"I do have a few favorites. Isaiah 40:31 has been a great source of encouragement in my life, and I quote from it often. Psalm 46 is also important to me", he stated.

Psalm 46 starts with, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."

It ends with, verse 11, which says, "The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

Isaiah 40:31 says, "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
In a blog post, titled: 'Must You Marry?', the Veteran musician said the pastor 'missyarned' for saying, "Marry a warrior, if a girl cannot pray for one hour, dont marry her. Dont marry a girl who is lazy, who cannot cook. She needs to know how to do chores and cook because you cannot afford to eat out at all times."

This received a lot of backlash from the Pastor's supporters.

Charly Boy has responded to this criticism with a new article, called A Country of Religious Mugus.

In this post, he questions Nigerians, who follow their pastor, without asking questions, and church leaders, who take advantage of these 'religious mumus.'

"Call me names, think what you may of brand CharlyBoy, Na for your pocket. I no send you. I will always say what I want to say, how I want to say it regardless of the many fake people I offend. Gbam!

There is so much hypocrisy/fakeness going on in this goddamn country its incredible. I was so tickled by some peoples comments, when I penned down my personal opinion on Pastor Adebayos yarns as to what constitutes a good wife/husband."

ALSO READ: Kemi Olunloyo calls Pastor Adeboye a dumbass and lunatic over marriage advice

"Aside the mass unemployment, ignorance and poverty abound, Naija I believe is the Genesis of this Pentecostal influence across Africa. I know that many would do anything to run away from the excruciating poverty my people are witnessing even if they have to speak in tongues and most Pastors are happily taking advantage of the situation. Der is God o!!

A lot of us been brainwashed on how to worship God as some churches now come up with different gimmicks. It is not surprising to see people attend church rituals involving frantic falls, as if grasped by epileptic seizures, forming attack by the spirits. Yes, most of these dramatics are paid for, like the nollywood actor who claimed that the devil exited his body through his foot. Now, some parents are praying for their sick children at home instead of seeking medical attention; of chaining children to enable the pastor cast out demons. Many women are caught having sex with pastors in bending corners, and found spending more time catering for their pastors. How about husbands who have lost their wives totally to Randy and horny perverted pastors. Yes, what about the ones who cant hold down a marriage, when me wey dem talk say I dey craze, don collect 39 yrs for one woman hand. Kai. The list goes on.

I am not suggesting that all Men of God are tinted, but out of a hundred you may not find 4 that live what they preach, the rest are taking advantage of our religious ignorance. Would it surprise you if I tell you that I have read the bible page to page over 20times. So I know more than I make out. I know that true men of God do not misquote the bible, its only demons who misquote or misapply the bible in the same way. I know that God cannot punish us if we dont pay thyte to our church because It is the goodness of our hearts that interests God more than physical and financial disposition. I know that true men of God can not promise us happiness and prosperity all of that is a fortune-tellers lie, there is nothing in the bible about any medium that God uses to deliver such blessing. When I was growing up, men of God were renowned for their simple lifestyles. They endured the hardships the natives suffered in a bid to impart in them the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the word of God. The legacy of these humble men has since been overtaken by conmen to get rich from donations and wayo tactics as they mesmerise and swindle unsuspecting religious Mugus.

Fake Christians should go and read Matthew 21: 22 which says And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive . This, like many other similar verses in the New Testament, clearly explains that a man must have no latent doubt in his heart but must have absolute trust in the power and good will of God. Meaning therefore that it is not the Pastors prayer that sets one free from spiritual bondages, but first and foremost ones faith in Jesus Christ. Nowhere is it stated in the Bible that, prayers and miracles must be done in exchange for money, biko, because salvation is for free and for everyone. Our mumu never do?

It is unfortunate that while some churches minister to the spiritual, educational and economic needs of people, others use the same gospel fraudulently/intelligently to acquire wealth out of the destitution of the poor. Even more annoying are those who have the answers under their very noses, but who driven by these manipulations still abide blindly to such fake doctrines. At the end of the day, I know that how a man chooses to worship his God is up to him. Worshippers are not forced to be followers in any of these churches; they follow some of these useless men of God on their own accord, thereby making the pastors wealth acquisition fairly legal. However, Christians should always have this in the back of their minds. False christians and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive. Are you a learner? Look that your pastor well well o. Man of God my Ass. End time tins."
According to Commissioner for Education of the state, Professor Halamatu Saadiyya Idris, the parents of each girl will receive N20, 000 as part of the programme which is aimed at increasing girls' participation and access to quality basic education in Katsina.

Professor Idris expressed her belief that the programme would build on the on-going government expenditures and commitments towards improving education service delivery among others.

Governor of Katsina state, Governor Aminu Bello Masari, while flagging off the disbursement of the scholarship, also advocated for law against withdrawal of children from school after enrolment.

He pointed out that traditional rulers in the state would be empowered to ensure compliance with the law and also assured that the envisaged amendment of the state primary education law would provide adequate protection to pupils.

According to him, the review of the law had become necessary following the report of UNICEF which revealed sexual harassment in some schools across the state.
Hundreds of civilians have died over the past year in inter-communal violence and a series of massacres by armed groups in Congo's North Kivu province, which borders Rwanda and Uganda.

Lawless eastern Congo is plagued by dozens of armed groups that prey on the local population and exploit mineral reserves. Millions died there between 1996 and 2003 as regional conflict caused hunger and disease. The recent increase in violence has prevented aid from reaching vulnerable populations.

Gasigwa said the attack appeared to be revenge against the Rwandophone community in Kibirizi. Rebels from the Rwandophone Hutu ethnic group were suspected of killing at least seven civilians last month in an attack targeting the town's Nande residents.

He said an ethnic Hutu militia, the Nyatura, had also killed a man on Sunday in the nearby town of Nyanzale who was suspected of belonging to Mai-Mai Mazembe.
But Tshisekedi's irascibility meant he couldn't resist taking a swipe at his foe: at his swearing-in ceremony, he omitted a reference to Mobutu as "guarantor of the nation" from the oath of office, and was fired five days later.

Twenty-five years on and the 83-year-old is the mainstay of Democratic Republic of Congo's opposition, and once again a thorn in the side of power, following a triumphant return to Kinshasa late last month.

After two years spent abroad for unspecified medical treatment, Tshisekedi instantly reinvigorated a moribund opposition campaign demanding President Joseph Kabila step down when his mandate expires in December.

Anti-Kabila demonstrations in Kinshasa over the last two years had failed to mobilise more than a few thousand people, yet many tens of thousands lined the streets for Tshisekedi's homecoming and again for a speech last Sunday.

"That's Tshisekedi's trademark," said Albert Moleka, his chief of staff from 2011 to 2014. "He has always held the crowds in his thrall."

His return already appears to have had an effect on the balance of power; perhaps mindful of his popularity, the government has desisted from cracking down on demonstrations by force - both of the mass gatherings he attended last week passed off peacefully without any intervention from security forces.

By contrast, rallies organised by less prominent opposition leaders over the past two years have regularly been dispersed by police firing teargas and arresting activists.

The government said security forces intervened because the demonstrations were a threat to public order and constituted an incitement to revolt. Opposition politicians say they were a peaceful form of democratic protest.

RISK OF CONFLICT

In power since his father was assassinated in 2001, Kabila beat Tshisekedi in a 2011 election that international observers said was marred by fraud - a charge denied by the government.

Term limits bar Kabila from contesting polls that are scheduled for Nov. 27 but are now almost certain to be delayed. The government says logistical and budgetary constraints make it unrealistic to hold the election on time; Kabila's opponents accuse him of delaying to cling to power.

If the opposition agrees to the president's call for a "national dialogue" on a new timetable for elections, the reappearance of Tshisekedi and the popular support he commands could increase the pressure on Kabila to make concessions, say political analysts.

The spokesman for Tshisekedi's UDPS party, Bruno Tshibala, said Tshisekedi hoped that dialogue could ensure orderly, peaceful elections by the end of the year.

Government spokesman Lambert Mende said insisting on elections this year was irresponsible as the country's voter rolls currently exclude millions of eligible voters.

The government says Kabila will remain in power until a new president is elected, but opposition politicians want him to leave at the end of his term - regardless of election timing - and be replaced by the head of the Senate. Short of that, they want Kabila to set a firm date for his departure.

A failure of the opposing sides to reach an agreement on the timing of elections and Kabila's departure risks a resurgence of the unrest and armed conflict that has sporadically plagued Congo - Africa's biggest copper producer - since Mobutu was overthrown two decades ago.

'THE SPHINX'

At a rally in Kinshasa last Sunday, Tshisekedi told tens of thousands of protesters from dozens of opposition parties that a failure by the president to hold the election this year would be treason.

Yet the opposition leader, known as "the Sphinx" among his allies for his enigmatic persona, has at times sent conflicting signals to Kabila's camp about the proposed national dialogue.

He seemed to be open to the idea while abroad, angering hardliners in the UDPS. His negotiators met Kabila's representatives for two rounds of talks last summer, in Spain and Italy, to discuss the format of the dialogue.

Last month, though, Tshisekedi demanded that the African Union-appointed mediator for the dialogue, former Togolese Prime Minister Edem Kodjo, resign, alleging pro-Kabila bias. Kodjo denied this.

Jason Stearns, director of the Congo Research Group at New York University, said Tshisekedi's return put a lot of pressure on Kabila.

"The big question now is whether the opposition intends to use this mobilisation as leverage in negotiations," he said, or to "press Kabila to step down immediately."

The spokesman for the ruling coalition, Andre Alain Atundu, said Kabila retained the support of most Congolese people and that the dialogue would go ahead with or without Tshisekedi.

Despite widespread poverty and discontent, Kabila has stayed on top, with critics saying he has used his control of state institutions to undercut political rivals and stifle dissent.

The other leading opposition figure, multi-millionaire businessman Moise Katumbi, 51, is seen by many opponents as best placed to challenge Kabila because of his youth and wealth. But he has been sidelined by a conviction in absentia for fraud, which he says is politically motivated.

Tshisekedi's health may yet prove the biggest stumbling block. He barely appeared in public while in Europe and looked frail on Sunday though he managed to speak for half an hour, his delivery slow but firm.
It said on Monday, August 8, in Addis Ababa that government had earlier said only seven people had been killed, all of them in Bahir Dar, the capital of the north-western region of Amhara, as protesters clashed with police.

Amnesty, however, said that police had shot 30 people dead in the city.

It said that in addition, 67 people were killed in clashes in Oromia, Ethiopia's largest region covering part of the south and west.

The rights group said that the demonstrators in Amhara and Oromia accused the government of rights abuses and marginalisation of ethnic communities.

It said that government has again blocked the internet for the second time in two months, allegedly to curb calls for protests.

The Human Rights Watch said that Oromia had previously seen months of protests against plans to extend the boundary of Addis Ababa amid concern that it could lead to farmers being displaced.

The protests had led to security forces killing more than 400 people then, according the Amnesty International.

It said further that the boundary plan was abandoned, but resentment still festers among the Oromo community, which feels excluded from political and economic power.

ALSO READ: At least 33 protesters killed in Ethiopia protest - opposition

The watch noted that in Amhara, the protests focused on federal boundaries drawn two decades ago that, according to local critics, cut off many ethnic Amharas from the region.

Amnesty expressed concern that the hundreds of people who had been arrested could be tortured.

The Oromo are Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, constituting more than 30 per cent of the population of 100 million, while the Amhara are the second-largest group.

------------------------------------------------
It circulated a draft resolution to the 15-member council, seen by Reuters, that would approve a regional protection force "to use all necessary means, including undertaking robust and active steps and engaging in direct operations where necessary," to secure Juba and protect the airport and other key facilities.

The protection force would be part of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, which has been on the ground since the country gained independence from Sudan in 2011. The protection force chief would report to the UNMISS commander.

The council will vote on whether to impose an arms embargo if U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reports within a month of adoption of the draft resolution that South Sudan's transitional government is obstructing deployment of the protection force.

Heavy fighting involving tanks and helicopters erupted in Juba for several days last month between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and those backing former Vice President Riek Machar, raising fears of a return to full-scale civil war in the world's newest nation.

Hundreds of people were killed and the United Nations said government soldiers and security forces executed civilians and gang-raped women and girls during and after the outbreak of fighting. South Sudan rejected the accusations.

East African bloc IGAD said on Friday that South Sudan had agreed to the deployment of a regional force, which has been a key demand of Machar, who left Juba in the wake of the violence. Kiir has since appointed a new vice president.

The draft resolution "urges member states in the region to expedite contributions of rapidly deployable troops to ensure the full deployment of the Regional Protection Force as soon as possible."

The draft text would extend the mandate for UNMISS until Dec. 15. The Security Council needs to adopt the draft by Friday, when the current UNMISS mandate expires.

South Sudan descended into civil war after Kiir first dismissed Machar as his deputy. They signed a peace deal in August 2015, but implementation was slow.
Kenya's actions are just the latest in a recent spate of deportations of Taiwanese to China, with Taipei accusing Beijing of "abducting" citizens from countries that do not recognise the island's government.

A Kenyan court on Friday acquitted 35 Chinese and five Taiwanese held in custody since December 2014 for allegedly running a cybercrime cell from an upmarket Nairobi suburb on the grounds that the prosecution had failed to prove their involvement.

The group was accused of being involved in running an unlicensed telecommunication system and was engaged in organised crime -- charges they had denied.

Kenya deported dozens of Taiwanese in April also accused of fraud, after they had been cleared of charges.

Observers read the deportation cases as a Chinese bid to pressurise Taiwan's new Beijing-sceptic leader Tsai Ing-wen -- who took office in May.

The five Taiwanese were deported to China in a flight that took off from Kenya around midnight Sunday, despite the court's decision for them to be returned to Taiwan, according to officials in Taipei.

"We express strong protest to the Kenyan government... We regret that Kenyan authorities bowed to pressure from China to forcefully deport five suspects from our country to China," the foreign ministry said.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), its top China policy-making body, said it lodged a protest with Beijing over the latest round of deportations.

"The Chinese side ignored our repeated calls not to deport our people to China and seriously hurt the feelings of Taiwanese people," it said in a statement.

MAC said it will continue to negotiate with China to secure the suspects' return to Taiwan to stand trial.

The president's spokesman Alex Huang also voiced concerns over the deportations, saying it "violated human rights and international precedent".

The deportations fly in the face of condemnation from rights groups, with Amnesty International saying last week the Taiwanese face potential "human rights violations" if sent to the mainland.

Taipei has also protested the recent deportations of Taiwanese fraud suspects from Malaysia and Cambodia to China.

Relations between Taiwan and China have grown increasingly frosty since Tsai and her the Democratic Progressive Party came to power.
MUSCATINE  CBI Bank & Trust of Muscatine has completed its purchase of the downtown Davenport office of MidWestOne Bank, CBI announced Monday.

The transaction, announced in May, closed on Friday. The office, located at 101 W. 2nd St., was MidWestOne's sole Quad-City location.

Back in May, CBI said the agreement with MidWestOne included all the accounts of the office consisting of $12 million in deposits and $33 million in loans. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

All the accounts were converted to CBI's data processing system over the weekend. Former MidWestOne customers now can bank at any of CBI's nine locations, and existing CBI customers now can use the new Davenport office.

"The transaction has gone very smoothly," said Bob Howard, CBI's president and CEO. "We're very pleased to have Market President Patrick Van Nevel and the Davenport staff join our banking family, and we're looking forward to the opportunity to serve our new clients."

The purchase marks the bank's expansion into the metro Quad-Cities. With the deal, MidWestOne is exiting the market, where it has had a presence since 2006. MidWestOne President and CEO Charlie Funk previously said the bank has tried over the years to "grow to a sustainable level in the Quad-Cities."

"Even though this is our first location in the Quad-Cities, we already have a number of commercial and mortgage loan customers in the area," said Greg Kistler, president and CEO of Central Banchares Inc., CBI's parent company. "We're excited by the opportunity to build on this strong base as well."

Central Banchares is a privately held parent company with $850 million in assets. It also owns F&M Bank, headquartered in Galesburg, Illinois. Together, CBI and F&M Bank serve 41,000 households and businesses and operate 14 banking centers. The locations include, in Iowa, Muscatine, Davenport, Wilton, Washington, Coralville and Kalona; and in Illinois, Galesburg, Peoria, Brimfield and Buffalo Prairie.
Police are investigating an overnight shooting in downtown Rock Island that left one man injured.

Rock Island police confirmed they responded to a shots-fired call at 3:14 a.m. Sunday at 16 Street between 1st and 2nd avenue, just east of the Centennial Bridge.

Less than 10 minutes later, the gunshot victim, who authorities did not identify, arrived at Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport, police confirmed.

Davenport Police Sgt. Eric Court said officers responded to the hospital at 3:22 a.m.

No further information is available at this time.

This is the second shooting incident to occur in Rock Island in three days. Rock Island police found two injured men early Thursday morning in a vehicle that crashed at 38th Street and 11th Avenue.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Rock Island Police Department at 309-732-2677.

 Jack Cullen
The city of Rock Island's recent consideration of selling the Hauberg mansion was a wake-up call that its parks department budget is not keeping up with maintenance expenses and that changes are needed for sustainability.

The department reasoned that selling Hauberg would eliminate expenses down the road, generate revenue and put an architectural gem in the hands of responsible caretakers, while maintaining a degree of public access.

The public did not agree, and the city decided against the sale.

But the problem remains: There is a roughly $400,000 shortfall between the amount the department receives in taxes for maintenance and the amount that is required, said John Gripp, who took over as parks director in May after 16 years as the superintendent of recreation and assistant director.

For the past several years, that gap has been made up by an allocation from the city's general fund, but that cannot continue, he said.

Gripp is committed to bridging the shortfall and has developed a multi-pronged approach, including budget-cutting, establishing a "three tier" rating of parks in which the top-tier sites would get the highest level of maintenance and finding and working with "friends" groups to pick up some park maintenance work and possibly raise support funds. Last would be consideration of selling unused parks for some kind of development, while requiring a park component in the deal.

It's this last possibility that has some residents worried and skeptical. They are concerned about what parks might be declared "surplus."

That is one of the reasons the department has scheduled a series of three public meetings, beginning Wednesday. Gripp wants to lay out his ideas, address unfounded rumors and fears and solicit opinions from residents.

The meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Rock Island Fitness and Activity Center, 4303 24th St.

"Our goal is not to slash and burn our parks," Gripp said. "Our goal is to become more fiscally sound and strengthen the parks that get the most use. It's not all doom and gloom. I don't want people to be alarmed."

Here are points Gripp will address.

 In the time he has been director, Gripp has carved out a savings of $295,000 in salaries and benefits through a departmental reorganization that resulted in the net reduction of three full-time positions. This was achieved through retirement and promotion; no one lost their job, he said.

 Creating a three-tier park system in which those parks with the highest level of attendance and revenue-generation would get the highest level of maintenance, such as Schwiebert Riverfront, Lincoln and Longview.

"It just makes sense to focus what money we do have on parks of high use," he said. "We value all our parks, it just has to do with usage."

In creating the tiers  he's not finished yet  he is using information collected during an evaluation of parks done by a Colorado-based consultant. The work included community meetings, an online survey, meeting with staff and an inventory of all parks and facilities.

Tier two parks, such as Douglas, Ben Williamson and Webber, are those that would benefit from a "friends" organization or support group to help out, either with hands-on maintenance or raising money for improvements or both.

Gripp said the department already is "turning over as many stones as we can" to find groups to help. Members of the Backwater Gamblers  a nonprofit water ski show team that is the primary user of Ben Williamson Park  already have agreed to pay a contractor to mow the park, he said.

Douglas has an active "friends" group that is working to improve the fields, and Gripp hopes there will be money in the city's 2017 capital improvement projects budget to upgrade lighting and install a lighted walking path and small playground.

Gripp said he hasn't yet identified the tier three parks, but they are those that get little to no attendance. If he cannot find a support group, the parks department, in conjunction with the city's community and economic development department, may look for developers who might want to build a residential or commercial project on the land. A park component would be required as part of the deal, Gripp said.

Before that would happen, a property would have to be declared "surplus" and then offered for sale.

"There may be one or two that we have to let go, but no one's going to them anyway," Gripp said.

 Not letting maintenance slide. In recent months, the former fire station next to Douglas Park has been the subject of discussion because the historic structure has become deteriorated to the point that some question whether it is worth saving.

"People ask, 'How could you let that happen?'" Gripp said. "How it happens is delayed maintenance. We don't want to get to the point of failure."
Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Attorneys should not use cases to violate country's laws, or will be penalized in any country, a leading China studies expert said on Friday.

"Lawyers have lost their status by stirring up social activism," Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, told China Daily, adding that when these activities violate the country's laws, the government will act against them, regardless of their status, he said.

Zheng's comments come after Zhou Shifeng, a lawyer formerly managing the Fengrui Law Firm, was convicted of subverting state power and sentenced to seven years in prison on Thursday.

According to a statement from Tianjin No 2 Intermediate People's Court, Zhou, 52, had long been influenced by anti-China forces and was plotting to overturn the country's political system, especially after 2011, when he met Hu Shigen, the leader of an illegal organization.

Zhou used his law firm as a platform to manipulate public opinion by encouraging like-minded attorneys and residents to make noise over sensitive issues, the verdict said.

"Lawyers could take part in political activities, as they do in the US or elsewhere, but they should not change the cases to political affairs, especially those affairs that violate laws," Zheng said.

Zheng said these lawyers were not carrying out activities for the country and the society, but were doing them out of private interests.

Zhou said activities such as disrupting judicial orders caught the interests of some overseas forces.

"They've been actively wooing me, and want to use us to challenge court hearings and China's entire judicial system, making trouble for the Chinese government," he confessed, adding that these outside forces want to overturn the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

When foreign influences were behind the activities attacking a country's political and judicial system, causing chaos and social instability, any country would not sit idly, Zheng said. The US and Singapore will not do so either.

Foreign media and governments have double standards on Zhou's case, Zheng said. They do not allow these kinds of activities to happen in their countries, but they support such ones to overturn the ruling of Communist Party of China.

Zheng warned those who want to change China's political system of color revolutions. "What the consequence of color revolutions will be? Look at what happened in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia."

Zheng said that what happened in those regions did not really represent people's interests, but the opposite.

Chinese government held a public trial on Zhou's case, which shows the country's progress in the rule of law governance, Zheng said.

Zheng also suggested that China should mull and improve regulations for judicial system.

"China's some regulations are too abstract, macroscopic and nonspecific," Zheng said, adding that "China should define what is rule of law and establish its own discourse.

In Singapore and Western countries, associations of lawyers have detailed regulations to ban lawyers to take illegal ways to achieve their purposes.

Learning from previous lessons, he suggested that China needs to know how to improve its governance under the guidance of rule of law, how to make people understand rule of law, and most importantly, how to educate lawyers and judges of rule of law.

"If lawyers and judges, who should know law best, do not understand the spirit of law and abide by law, the whole society will not obey laws and lead to a chaotic state," Zheng said.

Lawyers have their advantages in interpreting laws and should play a positive role in achieving the rule of law, he said.

"Zhou and other lawyers know law but still break it," Zheng said, adding that they can only attract people knowing little of law and discontent with the government and society, but can't confuse those who have basic law knowledge.

Western countries take several centuries to establish rule of law and China has started to do it for decades. "Rome is not built in one day, and so is rule of law, Zheng said.
The above organizations are recognized by Queens Crap as being beneficial to the city as a whole, by fighting to preserve the history and character of our neighborhoods. They are not connected to this website and the opinions presented here do not necessarily represent the positions of these organizations.The comments left by posters to this site do not necessarily represent the views of the blogger or webmaster.Street or satellite shots used here are from Google Maps or Windows Live Local
We got some rain!

With three little showers earlier in the week and a gully washer on Thursday the total amount in the rain gauge was an inch and .80 hundredths. Olson Creek that runs in front of our house has been dry all summer and it is now full and running down into the South Grand River!

Reub and I celebrated our 52nd wedding anniversary by working all day in the 103 degree heat.

A thunder storm rolled in that evening while Bev Heier, Linda Mohagen and I were at the EMT meeting in Buffalo. The local fire departments were busy fighting lightning caused fires at Dave Niemis north of Buffalo, another one north of us at Roger Rosenows, one down near Castlerock, another one somewhere south of Buffalo, and a bale on fire at Will Larsons. The little shower we got that evening probably helped put some of the fires out.

Taz and the cowboys he travels with were at the rodeo in Cheyenne Monday and Tuesday so Jessika Floyd and Amanda drove to Cheyenne to watch their husbands. The girls stuck around to watch Taz and Chason compete in the Days of 76 rodeo in Deadwood on Wednesday. Casey and Missy went down to watch the rodeo in Deadwood Wednesday and brought Tazs horse trailer home while the cowboys pulled out for the rodeos in Lewistown, Helena, and Plentywood, Mont., and New Town, N.D.

Casey took Reubs pickup up to Reeder Tuesday to get new tires at Northern Auto and then did a parts run to Hettinger.

Trig and Reub spent Tuesday and Wednesday building stuff at our east place. Tuesday evening we went to hear the Ambassadors at Slim Buttes Lutheran. The Ambassadors are a musical group from the AFLC Bible School in Plymouth, Minn. Henry and Linda Mohagens granddaughter Rachel sang with the quartet and is an extremely talented pianist for the group. She used every key on the piano as she pounded out some beautiful melodies.

David Burell, the founder of the Great Western Cattle Trail Association, called me from Bandera, Texas to see if we would set up a regional meeting of people from North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming at the High Plains Western Heritage Center in Spearfish to revitalize GWCTA chapters in these states.

We have an active GWCTA chapter in South Dakota and I spent a lot of time on the telephone the last couple weeks having some fascinating conversations with ranchers, cowboys, historians, museum curators, tourism departments, and interested parties from North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming. If youre interested in this, come to the meeting Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the High Plains Western Heritage Center in Spearfish and youll meet a lot of very interesting folks.

Reub took his side-by-side to Isabel to get it worked on Thursday, but he had to wait until that hard rain ended before he could get to the other place to hook up the flatbed to haul it down there because he didnt want to tear up the muddy road to Glendo.

It didnt rain as much over east, but we sure havent had to worry about getting stuck for a long time.

Casey and Trig went up to the Hackamore to practice Friday evening and they said that Clint and Kelli Dolls new house is coming along well. Rick Thompson called from the state fair in North Dakota to visit about the regional GWCTA meeting and I visited with Deadwood Mayor Chuck Turbiville, Sen. Ogden Driskill and some of the Driskill relatives about it that afternoon.

Leah Marty was on call at West River Health Saturday so Sam Marty rode down to Spearfish with me for the memorial service for our neighbor, Wynn VanDenBerg.

We stopped to visit with Sams mother Helen Marty and his sister Liz May before we all went to the church.

His cousin Ruthann Sprague brought her mother Maxine Marty to the service, but Ruthanns husband Dale couldnt come because he was in the hospital from a horse wreck that left him with a busted pelvis, five busted ribs and a punctured lung. We visited with a lot of friends and neighbors we dont get to see very often. Its too bad that we got together because of the death of a fine young man like Wynn.

This weekend was the Ranchers Camp meeting southeast of Meadow.

We had lunch in Bison with my sister Judy Amor and some of our White family relatives from Michigan on Sunday and then went to Ranchers Camp to hear Pastor Michael Brandt give the evening message after the potluck supper. Casey took Sterling Lee, Karli Verhulst, Kiley Schuchard, Trig, and a lot of horses to the Rodeo Bible Camp at Kadoka Monday morning where Pastor Brandt is the guest speaker again this year. The kids really enjoy him and Michael gets a kick out of them too. Taz came home for a couple days to help Reub before he goes back on the rodeo circuit.

Ill leave you with this advice from an old rancher:

* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.

* Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance.

* The best sermons are lived, not preached.

* Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.

* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

* Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.

* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

* The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.

* Always drink upstream from the herd.

* If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
NEWELL | Randy and Nora Boesem of Newell are the new owners of Tri-County Lockers.

On Monday, Aug. 1, former owner Mark Jarnecke gave the keys to the business to the Boesems.

Jarnecke said he put the business up for sale several years ago but has not had viable interest until recently. The Boesems have lived in Newell for several years and their children have attended the Newell School.

Randy had worked for North Antelope Rochelle Mine in eastern Wyoming for nine years, but in the recent wave of coal mining layoffs, he was one of the unlucky ones who lost his job.

"When the locker plant was first for sale Randy asked me if he could try to buy it and I said 'no,' as we needed his income and benefits (from the mine)," Nora said.

So, it was back to the mine and being away from his family for large chunks of time. Then came the drop in coal prices and the layoffs.

"When that happened he asked again about buying the locker," said his wife. "As soon as he mentioned this all my anxiety was gone and I realized this was God's plan for our family. We took every dime we had from retirement and savings to go to the bank. It was just enough to do this. Sometimes I am scared for the future but I know that God has a plan that will help our children have a future."

Boesem said she and her husband had worked for years to build something that would enable their children to have a future. The couple started fostering almost 16 years ago and to date have fostered over 100 kids, most with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or medically fragile children. They have adopted 12 children.

So it is interesting that they would take on a business with the scope and reach of Tri-County Lockers. The Jarnecks built the business for many years and have a wide spread clientele. The business employs a fairly large staff, which the Boesems say will be maintained.

Nora Boesem has a busy career as a Family Pathways Counselor at Behavior Management Systems and also is well-known as a speaker about FASD. She and her husband started a non-profit in 2007 called Roots to Wings to help educate and support those who are dealing with FASD. So it is a little surprising that they would want to begin anew with this new adventure.

"Randy grew up in a small town in Manitoba where he apprenticed in a custom butcher shop from the time he was 16 and continued to train there until he was 28," Nora said. "He loves to make sausage and jerky. He hopes to expand those lines in the store. We also hope to increase the wild game."

She said since her husband can be reached by cell at 431-8491 to go into the store to unload at pretty much any time that is something they are looking into.

"We have launched a social media campaign to begin offering specials and draw in more business," she shared. "We hope to continue to serve all the local producers and help them to find outlets for sales. We hope to have many satisfied customers and see downtown Newell businesses expand."

The main focus for the couple is providing somewhere that their physically and mentally challenged children can work and thrive. They hope to provide work for their adult children as they grow the business so that it employs all the incredible works that there are in the local area.

As for their children, the couple knows they will need others to guide them in the work field and they hope that their current staff will remain with them to help with that process.

"This community has some amazing people who have kept the locker going all these years and will continue to help it grow," she said.

The locker has had a more than 100-year history. A two-story building built in 1911 which housed the Christianson Hardware store went through many changes to become what it is today, the home of Tri-County Lockers previously owned by Toni and Mark Jarnecke.

The building, which is at the corner for Fisk Avenue and Third Street was built and owned by Herbert Christianson along with his grown sons as a furniture Store, Mortuary and Second Hand Store. It had apartments on the second level.

In 1946 Harry Townsend purchased the building and removed the apartments and remodeled it into a locker and cold storage business. C. E. Lewis and daughters owned it from 1947 to 1954.

In 1956 P. L. and Mary Ellen Edwards purchased the business and operated it for the next twenty years. Mary Ellen operated a Beauty Salon in the front section and a part of the sign advertising her business was used to reinforce the north wall of that area of the store. The sign is still visible from inside the building.

In 1975 Mark and Carl Jarnecke purchased the business until Mark and his wife Toni became the sole owners. An extensive remodeling was done to bring the building up to date to USDA Grade A standards.

Jarnecke seemed to be content to hand over the keys to the couple on Monday morning in a small ceremony on the sidewalk in front of the building. Keeping the heritage of more than 100 years alive will now be the task of the Boesems.

The business is open the regular hours the community has come to expect but they have added a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TricountyMeat/home where specials and info about the business will be posted. The couple is in the process of setting up a website which will be located at http://www.tricountymeatlocker.com/. Stop in, check them out and say hi. And maybe buy some jerky or order some meat.
PIERRE | Despite a rash of armed robberies at casinos in Rapid City and elsewhere in South Dakota this year, the state Lottery Commission last week decided to go slowly in terms of studying casino safety or recommending possible improvements.

At its meeting last week, the commission instructed its staff to hold off from embarking on a proposed $80,000 security study for video lottery establishments.

Robyn Seibel, the video lottery security director, told the commission the proposed study would a review security of various-sized casinos and looks for ways to share best practices.

A consultant planned to sample 50 establishments covering the various business types that host video lottery, according to Seibel.

The purpose was to identify security gaps and opportunities for improvements. The review was to cover the physical situations as well as management practices and internal security controls.

Seibel said the study was prompted by thefts and robberies at casinos. The total cost would be about $80,000 start to finish, she said.

Nobody has done anything like this before. This would be pretty ground-breaking if we move forward with this, she said.

Seibel said video lottery establishments suffered 14 robberies and five burglaries in 2015, mostly in November and December and mostly in Rapid City; businesses in Sioux Falls and North Sioux City were also hit.

The objections raised Thursday about going forward with the study came from commission chairman Chuck Turbiville of Deadwood and member Bob Hartford of Pierre. Their concerns focused mainly on the possible financial impacts of new security requirements on businesses that have just a few machines.

The South Dakota Lotterys executive director, Norm Lingle, suggested that his staff take the coming weeks and return with a revised recommendation at the commissions next meeting Sept. 15.

Turbiville commented that he is somewhat hesitant about going forward with another $80,000 study.

There are now 1,331 licensed video lottery establishments in South Dakota. The terminals are privately owned and maintained. State government takes 50 percent of the net machine income, which is from the money players lose.

The study proposal was for a one-year contract through June 2017 with Gaming Laboratories International. The New Jersey-based company has been part of South Dakotas consultants for the video lottery system since its start in the late 1980s.

Turbiville said he was at the Rapid City police meeting about the robberies there. He said he isnt sure what the study would deter.

I personally think a lot of these robberies are the result of drug addiction, Turbiville said.

He explained his hesitancy. Here again, does one size fit all? he said. I dont know what to expect.

Turbiville asked Lingle and deputy director Clark Hepper if the staff could bring general recommendations instead.

Hartford said he agreed with some of Turbivilles concerns. He recalled meeting with legislators in some districts last winter and concluded some business people might stop offering video lottery if there are too many regulations.

There are huge differences between a Crown Casino in Sioux Falls and the gas station in Blunt, Hartford said. He questioned how the 50-establishment sample would be chosen. What happens in Ipswich and Blunt? Thats my concern, Hartford said.

Seibel, flanked by Hepper, responded that it is a good idea to have a contrast between the highly populated locations.

Theres been some that have been hit multiple times. Whats going on in those places? Seibel said. Making those places safer is the ultimate goal.

Lingle offered to delay the contract until the next meeting, discuss the scope with GLI and perhaps make it less expensive while still achieving some of the safety objectives.

Commissioner Brent Dykstra of Fort Pierre asked whether there will be recommendations or requirements.

Hepper said the RFP refers to best practices and the industry doesnt want legislative requirements to result from the study.

Turbiville recommended the commission follow Lingles offer and see if there are approaches that dont burden smaller casinos.

I think its something we need to work with, Turbiville said. Maybe a smaller study. Maybe an in-house study. Whatever you would recommend, Turbiville said.

Dykstra said he wants to hear from the establishment owners and managers. I think thats important. Part of that discussion should include the establishments for sure, Dykstra said.

James Maida, the founder of GLI, was in audience.

We think one size never fits all. Youre as different as every other state, he said.

Maida said the idea for forming GLI came in 1988 during a South Dakota Lottery meeting at its first headquarters in the St. Charles Hotel building.

South Dakota was our first client, he said. Today the company has 1,000 personnel and 20 offices worldwide.

You are the blueprint for every video lottery that came after you, he said.
There simply would not be a modern Sturgis rally if competitive cycle races had not caught hold in western South Dakota more than 75 years ago.

The Black Hills area has a storied history of racing, both by combustion engine, but also by beast. And when viewed through the prism of history, the growth of the Sturgis cycle rally in many ways mirrored the growth and changes that happened in America during that time frame.

When Sturgis and Fort Meade were both established in 1878, the Victorian Era of America, horse racing was active between the soldiers from the post and the citizens of Sturgis. During the remainder of the 19th Century, the citizens of Sturgis had built their own little "Coney Island" along the Bear Butte Creek, just east of town.

A complex of amusements and diversions had sprung up clustered around the Yahr horse track. This was a measured half-mile race track. Like Coney Island, horse racing was the main draw at this park, and around it grew secondary activities that included for Sturgis, bowling alleys, a steam powered merry-go-round and a covered roller rink which doubled as a sturdy dance hall. Refreshments were mostly provided by locals. What a grand future this must have presented for Sturgis at the turn of the century.

But, early in the 20th century, a good-size flood along the Bear Butte changed that future. The flood had damaged only part of the race track, but more costly to the endeavor, it completely washed away the horse stables which supported the track.

Then, in the early 1900s, while horse racing was still king, World War I arrived, and so did the horsepower of combustion engines. The brand new Sturgis horse track of 1911 was considered by some already obsolete by 1920. While most half-mile tracks across America remained dedicated to horses, the track in Sturgis was modified in 1921 by having the corners "banked" to facilitate motorized racing and was paid for by local military veterans, a group who would have already seen this "motorized" future. The Victorian track in Sturgis took on a new modern life. The Roaring Twenties echoed across the area as automobiles raced for glory on the newly banked Sturgis half-mile dirt track. Times were good for the track.

In 1936, a small motorcycle club in Sturgis was formed, dedicated simply to riding and racing. They started by cleaning up the fairgrounds and began staging motorcycle "Field Days" using the old track. They had great fun doing it. But, in 1937 they took the event more seriously. They still did all of the trick events normally done during a motorcycle Field Day, but also successfully added "speed racing" on the half-mile track to their event, which gained the notice of both the local merchants and the greater racing community. After some encouragement, agreements were made setting up 1938 to be the "birth year" of the rally. Racing events were held during August and the town of Sturgis staged fair like events downtown in support.

During the next rally in 1939, motorcycle tours through the Black Hills to and from the still incomplete Mount Rushmore were added to the Rally & Races. The Sturgis rally had its true winning combo. Yet, right away the Rally & Races needed to survive another major historic event. The World would again start to tear itself apart just a month after the Sturgis rally of 1939. While America avoided direct combat for the first two years, the 1940 and 1941 Sturgis motorcycle rallies were successfully held. But, the same men and women who witnessed the 1940 and 1941 Sturgis rally were mostly serving all over the globe by August 1942. The Rally & Races was suspended for that year, and for 1943, 1944 and 1945.

In August 1946, motorcycle racing successfully returned to the Sturgis half-mile track, and by 1947 the rally was reborn when the city of Sturgis rejoined the event. As America changed in the early 1970s, the Sturgis Rally & Races were changing too. It was a clear history of steady growth from 1938 when a humble 200 were in attendance, right up to 1989 when 70,000 people came to the Sturgis Rally & Races that August.

When the rally's organizers planned for 1990 and what would be celebrated as the 50th Sturgis motorcycle rally, they aimed for the stars. They set their goal and plans for a huge jump in attendance up to 100,000 attendees. But, then 300,000 people showed up and a new era was born. The Sturgis rally had become a living legend.

By 2000, the 60th Sturgis motorcycle rally had 600,000 people show up. In 2015, almost three-quarters of a million people from all over the globe came to the party called the 75th Sturgis rally.

These are truly incredible numbers for an event that started with only 9 racers and a high school band. They came together to entertain 200 fans on a hot August day back in 1938, in a small Dakota town called Sturgis  and changed American motorcycle history forever.
Russian court upholds detention of mayor charged with bribery

ST. PETERSBURG, August 8 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov)  The Chelyabinsk Regional Court has dismissed an appeal filed by lawyers of Vyacheslav Istomin, mayor of town of Kopeisk in the Chelyabinsk Region, against his detention in bribery case, RAPSI learnt in the courts press office on Monday.

Defense asked the court to release Istomin on a 3 million ruble bail ($45,800) or place him under house arrest.

Istomin was arrested on July 25. According to the local Investigative Committee Directorate, mayor of Kopeysk received large-scale bribes, estimated at 2 million rubles ($30,300) in total for abusing his power.

On July 26, Istomin was detained until September 25.
Convicted Vostochny Cosmodrome contractor's ex-head fined for overdue salaries

ST. PETERSBURG, August 8 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov)  A court in Vladivostok has sentenced Igor Nesterenko, ex-General Director of TMK (Pacific Bridge Building Company), a former contractor in the Vostochny Cosmodrome project, to a 130,000 ruble fine (about $2,000) for non-payment of salaries to workers, RAPSI learnt in the Investigative Committees Investigation Directorate in the Primorsky Territory on Monday.

According to case materials, since December 2014 Nesterenko failed to pay the salaries of 730 corporate employees. Although he supposedly could have paid the workers scheduled salaries, he instructed his managers to spend the available cash on other corporate projects, according to the case files. The wage arrears exceeded 19 million rubles ($290,000) when the case against Nesterenko was opened.

In April, Nesterenko was found guilty of embezzling about 104.5 million rubles ($1.6 million) and sentenced to 3 years and 3 months in prison. Additionally, he was fined 900,000 rubles ($13,700).

The construction of the space center, due to become Russia's main launch site, began in 2012. The facility is planned to be completed in 2016.
Russian Justice Ministry seeks liquidation of political party Volya

MOSCOW, August 8 (RAPSI, Oleg Sivozhelezov)  Russias Justice Ministry has lodged an application with the Supreme Court seeking liquidation of the political party Volya allowed by the Central Election Commission to participate in the upcoming elections for the State Duma, RAPSI learnt in the court on Monday.

The ministry demands to shut down the party because of allegedly extremist activity, according to the party representatives. The lawsuit will be considered on August 9.

Legislative elections will be held in Russia on September 18, 2016.

In April, a court in Samara arrested the party leader Svetlana Lada-Rus (Peunova) in absentia on suspicion of fraud. Lada-Rus was put on the international wanted list.

Investigators claim that Lada-Rus along with her unidentified accomplices falsely acquired the right of control of non-residential properties of others.
Embezzlement case against Russian tycoon Polonsky returned to prosecutors

MOSCOW, August 8 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko)  The Presnensky District Court of Moscow on Tuesday returned a case against Russian businessman Sergei Polonsky, who stands charged with embezzling 2.6 billion rubles ($41.2 million), and his alleged accomplices to prosecutors for tightening indictment, RAPSI reported from the courtroom.

Such decision was adopted in order to classify the defendants actions as a more serious crime, the courts spokesperson Anastasia Pylina told RAPSI.

The Prosecutor Generals Office will appeal the ruling.

According to investigators, Polonsky, aided by Alexander Paperno, Head of the Mirax Group Finance Department and Alexei Pronyakin, CEO of Avanta company, have defrauded participants of shared construction apartment projects of 2.6 billion rubles ($41.2 million), thus committing a serious crime.

Polonsky, who is the founder of Potok (formerly Mirax Group), a diversified corporation that has been involved in several large development projects, is deemed to cause damages in amount of 2.4 billion rubles (around $38 million) with regard to Kutuzov Mile and 256 million rubles (around $4 million) with regard to Rublyovskaya Riviera development projects.

Other projects Polonsky has been involved in include Federation Tower in the Moscow International Business Center, office buildings Mirax Plaza, Poklonnaya 11 and Admiral, condominium developments Mirax Park, Golden Keys 1 and 2, and the Well House.

In May 2015, the Cambodian authorities, where Polonsky had been avoiding Russian prosecution, extradited him to Russia.

If convicted, Polonsky could face up to ten years in prison. Polonsky has pleaded not guilty.

On Monday, the businessmans detention was extended until October 21.
BILLINGS - The West got a little wilder recently when a wagon train tried to cross the Crow Reservation and instead became entangled in a long-simmering tribal dispute.

Like a scene out of the 1800s, the wagon train was reportedly stopped for five hours on July 24 by a group of Crow tribal members after trying to cross a contested route southwest of Billings known as the Pryor Gap Road.

Duncan Vezain, the organizer of the trip and a Bridger saddle maker and horse trainer, said he called the tribe about a month in advance of the two-day trip between Bridger and Pryor and talked to a member of the Crow Tribes Fish and Game office, Marlin Notafraid, to pay for a recreation permit to use the Pryor Gap Road.

Vezain said he paid Notafraid $400 for permission for his group of 45 riders.

The route has been closed to public travel since 2002 following a dispute between the Plain Bull family, which owns land along the route, and the Crow Tribe.

Standoff

The dispute started when the wagon train got to within about three miles of the travelers final destination and was blocked by a group of tribal members and their vehicles. More tribal members arrived later and circled behind the wagon train blocking any retreat, Vezain said. The Plain Bull family requested a $500 trespass fee for the wagon train to continue on.

It was straight-up a hostage situation, Vezain said. They offered to let one guy go through to get to a cash machine if we didnt have enough money. One family wanted to leave, and they wouldnt let them.

Terry Jean Plain Bull denied that the group was held hostage but said they were blocked from leaving.

Vezains wife, Bonnie, said she was very concerned because the hot day was taking a toll on her children, older riders and the horses.

It was a pretty concerning situation and kind of suspicious, she said.

Disputed

Plain Bull said the Crow Tribe and Notafraid had no right issuing a permit to the wagon train without first seeking permission from the Plain Bull family.

They trespassed on allotees land, she said, using the term for landowners within the reservation.

The groups were in a standoff while they waited for Notafraid to arrive and settle the situation, since both sides thought they were in the right. When Notafraid did finally arrive, Plain Bull and Vezain said he was dishonest about what had transpired.

Notafraid said he believed then and now that the recreation permit he issued the wagon train was valid on reservation and allotees land and that the Plain Bulls were in the wrong. He also said there would be no refund of the access fee the wagon train members paid since it was still valid to travel on other tribal lands.

The Plain Bull family sees the issue differently.

They put those people in a spot because they already knew the road was closed to nontribal members, Plain Bull said. Marlin said the BIA had opened the roads, which is a lie.

Flash point

With the disagreement simmering under the hot sun of a July afternoon, tempers on both sides flared.

This confrontation almost went hostile, said Elias Goes Ahead, who owns land farther down the road.

Guns were open on both sides, he said. The next time it might get into a bloody shootout.

Plain Bull said some members of the wagon train were drinking alcohol, littered, were disrespectful and tried to intimidate her family and friends, even threatening to cut the barbed wire fence so they could continue on.

Wagon train members accused the tribal members of being disrespectful.

Resolved

Reservation resident Cary White Buffalo Lance said the dispute is one of many that has pitted reservation residents against each other, the tribal government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Theres this kind of war between everybody, Lance said. Its something that needs to be addressed by the tribe.

He said the wagon train dispute is also keeping alive the animosity and racism that needs to go away between tribal and nontribal members.

The wagon train was finally allowed to proceed after paying the Plain Bull family a $500 cash trespass fee.

Vezain said one of his riders telephoned the Bridger Police Department, which called the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which dispatched an officer to Pryor Gap. Those interviewed for this story said the officer did not get involved in the dispute. The Crow Police chief said he was gone when the dispute arose and the BIA district officer was not available for comment. A message left for the Washington, D.C. BIA representative was not returned by press time.

The BIA let them rob us, Vezain said. There was no due process.

Despite the long delay and additional cost, Vezain said he was pleased to have reached his objective of crossing the historic stage and railroad route thats now closed to public travel.

I achieved my goal, he said. It cost me a little extra money, but Ive been wanting to go through the Gap for eight years, ever since he started leading his annual wagon train trips.

I bet its been a century since a wagon train has been held up by hostile Indians.
America must return to conservative principles of less government,reduced taxes, less spending and a balanced budget! Cut,cap and balance!
KATHMANDU, Aug 8: US Ambassador to Nepal, Alaina B. Teplitz, has called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday.

During the meeting held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar, they discussed on various issues including Nepal-US relation, constitution implementation and latest political development.

On the occasion, Ambassador Teplitz wished Prime Minister Dahal for his successful term and also expressed sorrow over the murder of Nepalis in Kabul.

She also enquired about the Nepal's peace, constitution and contemporary politics, stated a press release issued by PM Dahal's Secretariat.

PM Dahal thanked the US Ambassador, US Government and people of America for the positive support. RSS
West Coast doom bringers CASTLE unleashed their anticipated Welcome To The Graveyard full-length via Van Records. In celebration of its release, today Decibel Magazine offers up the record in its consuming entirety.





Reflects guitarist Mat Davis, "We're extremely proud to finally stream Welcome To The Graveyard. We set out on a left hand path from the beginning with this beast of an album, right up until the final nails were put in its coffin. We looked to make this album work as a whole, with a stripped down rock element that hearkened back to our debut In Witch Order and infusing that with bursts of orchestrated melody. It's our favorite record to date because it combines all the different elements of CASTLE and lets them shine equally; epic heavy metal, doom, '70s rock, and [bassist/vocalist] Liz [Blackwell]'s vocals are more soulfully evil than ever before which adds to the haunted ride."





RIGHT HERE . Hear Welcome To The Graveyard now at Decibel





THIS LOCATION Welcome To The Graveyard was captured by Billy Anderson (Sleep, Neurosis, Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth, Eyehategod, Ommadon et al) at Type Foundry Studios in Portland, Oregon this past Winter and finds CASTLE merging their crushing, doom-powered riffing with soaring 1970s rock. Preorders for Welcome To The Graveyard are currently available at





CASTLE is currently road-bound on a massive North American live takeover. The mammoth trek, which commenced on June 15th, included a three-week run of tour dates surrounding their recent appearance at the Maryland Doom Fest followed by a month-long headlining tour, set to begin July 17th and run through August 20th. From there, CASTLE will take a week-long pause before taking to the streets yet again for a month's worth of Canadian dates through September 29th. Don't miss them!





HERE In the meantime, check out Part I of the band's ongoing Roadside Graveyards Tour Diary at Cvlt Nation





CASTLE:





8/08/2016 Riffhouse Pub - Chesapeake, VA





8/09/2016 Pilot Light - Knoxville, TN





8/10/2016 The End - Nashville, TN





8/11/2016 Vino's - Little Rock, AR





8/12/2016 The Grotto - Ft. Worth, TX





8/13/2016 The Lost Well - Austin, TX





8/14/2016 The Elbow Room - Wichita, KS





8/15/2016 The Blue Note - Oklahoma City, OK





8/16/2016 The Underground - Santa Fe, NM





8/17/2016 The Launchpad - Albuquerque, NM





8/18/2016 Flycatcher - Tucson, AZ





8/19/2016 The Merrow - San Diego, CA





8/20/2016 The Complex - Los Angeles, CA





8/27/2016 Doom Over T.O. Fest - Toronto, ON





9/07/2016 Katacombes - Montreal, PQ





9/08/2016 Envol at Macadam Fest - Quebec City, PQ





9/09/2016 Panic Room - St. John, NB





9/10/2016 Gus Pub - Halifax, NS





9/11/2016 Baba's - Charlottetown, PEI





9/12/2016 Capitol Complex - Fredericton, NB





9/13/2016 Ti-Petac - Trois Rivieres, PQ





9/14/2016 House Of Targ - Ottawa, ON





9/16/2016 Black Pirates Pub - Thunder Bay, ON





9/17/2016 King's Hotel - Winnipeg, MB





9/18/2016 TBA - Saskatoon, SK





9/19/2016 Starlite Room - Edmonton, AB





9/20/2016 Fernando's - Kelowna, BC





9/21/2016 The Office Pub - Kamloops, BC





9/22/2016 Funky Winkerbeans - Vancouver, BC





9/23/2016 Logans Pub - Victoria, BC





9/24/2016 Palomino - Calgary, AB





9/26/2016 The Club - Regina, SK





9/28/2016 New American - Sault Ste. Marie, ON





9/29/2016 Call The Office - London, ON





10/07/2016 Old Grave Fest - Bucharest, RO





10/16/2016 Desertfest Belgium - Antwerp, BE





# w/ Disenchanter





* w/ Brimstone Coven





^ w/ Blizaro









In a recent review of CASTLE's stunning Welcome To The Graveyard, Slug Magazine notes, "Welcome To The Graveyard is evocative of the heavy music I grew up on. 'Black Widow' is almost as if Lemmy's wraith returned to Motorhead for one last reunion track, epitomized through a youthful throat. Often, a doom metal group attempts to reach back into the Book Of The Dead and revive a slice of the style only to sound like a hopeless knock-off. CASTLE exemplify our generation's appreciation for the metal genre's foundation while providing a multitude of unique and eclectic intricacies that make their sound distinctive." In a 4.5/5 rating, Metal Riot names Welcome To The Graveyard, "a must own heavy metal purchase for 2016," furthering, "Through constant touring and refining of their bluesy witchy minimalist but raw powered thrash these champs of heavy metal bang for your buck have only gotten better with each release." Angry Metal Guy points out, "If you haven't caught onto CASTLE yet, you're not taking a thing about your career as a metal fan seriously... Hear this, feel the power. and glory and put on the vest!" Offers Pure Grain Audio, "Welcome To The Graveyard is oozing with '70s rock tones with a sprinkle of '80s NWOBHM riffing. Comprised of eight spooky and boogielicious tracks, this album has enough variety to keep even the most stoned fan aurally stimulated." Adds The Obelisk of their recent performance at the Maryland Doomfest, "They're the kind of band who could make you believe in heavy metal... their righteously individualized blend of thrash, traditional metal, doom, heavy rock 'n' roll, etc., speaks to some mystical bygone era when metal was about not compromising, putting a fist in the air against expectation and going on tour forever. CASTLE were so deep into what they were doing that I think they could've been anywhere and it would've been the same, that trance taking hold early on as they locked in and holding sway for the duration of their set, which seemed short when it was over."




WARNING for European visitors European Union laws require you to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require you to obtain consent.

As a courtesy, we have added a notice on your blog to explain Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies.
SNAPSHOT Despite being close neighbours historically, the longstanding territorial dispute over parts of the South China Sea has stirred up an anti-China sentiment in Vietnam. Vietnams potentially strong defence collaboration with India and Russia, coupled with US lifting of the arms embargo, is set to enhance the countrys defence capabilities greatly.

China is Vietnams largest trading partner, and the communist parties that lead both countries have historically been close. But the two neighbours are also locked in long-standing territorial disputes over parts of the South China Sea. Anti-China sentiment is strong among the Vietnamese population, and Beijings increasingly assertive actions in the South China Sea in recent years have sparked public anger and protests. In 2014, at least three Chinese nationals were killed when rioting broke out in Vietnam after Beijing sent an oil rig into contested waters. This February and April, the deployment of long-range HQ-9 SAMs (200 km) and 16 J-11Bs to Woody Island in the South China Sea has also evoked a diplomatic protest from Vietnam. Today, Sino-Vietnamese relations are again hitting a low point, particularly due to the South China Sea dispute. Meanwhile, Vietnams external threat has always been China. The first recorded Chinese invasion of Vietnam was back in the second century BC, when Emperor Qin Shi Huang expanded his newly united China into the reaches of northern Vietnam. This state of affairs, with the Chinese more or less exercising suzerainty over a Vietnamese client kingdom, lasted until 1884 when the French became the new colonial masters in Southeast Asia. In 1978, Vietnam, tiring of the instability caused on the Vietnamese/Cambodian border by the Khmer Rouge government in power since 1975, launched an offensive into Cambodia and took Phnom Penh. Deng Xiaoping, Chinas diminutive leader, had good reason by late 1978 to view Vietnams victory in the American War (1959-75) as a threat to Chinas security. Vietnam had clearly chosen the Soviet Union  Chinas main enemy  as its patron, was actively oppressing Vietnams Chinese minority, had committed violent border provocations, and in November had invaded Cambodia to eradicate Chinas Khmer Rouge clients. In 1979, 10 years after Ho Chi Minhs own life had come to an end, his suspicion was tested, with 2,00,000 soldiers of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) along with 400 tanks amassed on Vietnams northern border ready to invade. A further million mobilised, and Deng personally seeking Jimmy Carters assurance that the United States would not interfere in the forthcoming war, there was every indication that Beijing had far more ambitious goals in mind, most probably complete invasion and occupation of Vietnam. However, fully aware of Vietnams combat-experienced modern air defence system, which shot down 10,000 American aircraft (helicopters and jets), the PLA kept its aircraft grounded.

Therefore, on 17 February 1979, the Peoples Republic of China invaded Vietnam in an effort to punish Hanoi for its actions in Cambodia, and for its association with the Soviet Union. The PLAs military objective was to concentrate its troops against the regional capital of Long Son, a strategic point controlling access to the Red River Delta and Hanoi. Within a few days, the Vietnamese were surrounded, and on 2 March, the PLA closed in for the kill. During the three days of ruthless house-to-house fighting, the Chinese wiped out the Vietnamese Elite Gold Star Division and reduced Long Son to rubble. On 5 March, the capture of the high ground south of the city opened up the vital Red River Delta to invasion. Surprisingly, Beijing then announced that enough punishment had been administered and ordered a withdrawal that was completed in 10 days. The seizure of Lang Son, the PLA was poised to move into the militarily more hospitable terrain of the Red River Delta, and thence to Hanoi. The war made clear that their Soviet patron would not fight to defend them. The USSRs only contribution to the conflict was a supply airlift. Deng had bluffed and called, and the Soviets folded. However, another of Deng Xiaopings strategic objective remained unfulfilled when Vietnam announced that they would not remove any forces from Cambodia. Obviously, the PLA accomplished its mission, but the Vietnamese had taught the Chinese a lesson on the battlefield, which resulted in 7,000 PLA personnel killed in action. In one example of the deadliness of Vietnamese Guerrilla tactics, a Vietnamese female sniper killed eight PLA tank commanders. When the commanders outraged crewmen caught her, they pinned her to the ground and crushed her beneath the treads of their tanks. The lessons of the war allowed Deng to sweep out the ossified Maoist old guard and embark on the modernisation and professionalisation of the PLA. The result today is technologically advanced, operationally sound and strategically sophisticated Chinese armed forces to match the countrys emergence as an economic giant. Talking about their naval battles, Chinese navy completely outperformed Vietnamese in the Battle of Paracels, 1974, which allowed complete annexation of Paracels by the Chinese. The two navies once again fought in the Battle of Spratlys, 1988; history repeated itself when Chinese navy once again defeated Vietnamese, eventually giving them the control of seven reefs. Role of India in modernising Vietnams military India entered the fraught region of the South China Sea via Vietnam. It signed an agreement with Vietnam in October 2011 to expand and promote oil exploration in the South China Sea and then reconfirmed its decision to carry on as planned despite a Chinese challenge to the legality of Indian presence. Beijing told New Delhi that its permission was needed for Indias state-owned oil and gas firm to explore for energy in two Vietnamese blocks in those waters. But Vietnam quickly cited the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to claim its sovereign rights over the two blocks in question. India immediately decided to support Hanois claims. More than 70 billion worth of Indian trade is routed through the South China Sea, and India has also rights to two oil drilling blocks off the Vietnam coast. Therefore, two nations have continued to cooperate on hydrocarbon exploration in the South China Sea, despite Beijings warnings. Defence collaboration between India and Vietnam has intensified since Hanoi first demonstrated interest in the Brahmos. Amid concerns about Chinese behaviour in the South China Sea, Vietnam is seeking to bolster its defences to deter the Peoples Liberation Army-Navy. A year ago, Vietnamese Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh was in New Delhi to sign agreements on defence cooperation and a Joint Vision Statement outlining a road map for increased defence collaboration. During a visit by former Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in 2014, New Delhi agreed to supply Vietnam with four maritime patrol vessels. Meanwhile, Indian Navy vessels continue to make regular port calls at Vietnams Cam Ranh Bay. Vietnam is increasingly at the centre of Indias Act East policy, which seeks to enlarge New Delhis footprint in East and Southeast Asia. India, on its part, is also setting up a satellite tracking and imaging centre in southern Vietnam that will give Hanoi access to pictures from Indian earth observation satellites that cover the region, including China and the South China Sea. India will expand its military footprint in Vietnam, by expanding an existing programme to upgrade all existing Soviet-era military equipment used by Vietnamese, which includes thermal sights and fire control systems for armoured vehicles, T-54 and T-55, and upgrade of M-17/MI-8 helicopters, besides additional shipbuilding and missiles. In the past, India supplied spare parts to Vietnam for its Soviet-origin warships and overhauled MIG-21 fighter jets besides training its Navy to operate the Kilo-class submarines it imported from Russia. Furthermore, New Delhi will be helping Vietnam in the westernisation of two of its Petya-class frigates for an anti-submarine role. India has already given a credit line of $100 million to Vietnam, which is being utilised for procurement of off-shore patrol boats for its border guards. Though Indias ties with Vietnam have been growing over the last few years, the sale of Brahmos would be seen as a step too far that would antagonise China.
As Lima Film Festivals 20th edition kicks into high gear this week, its been refreshing to see that most of the Peruvian films both in and out of competition are all pretty solid; its a sign that local cinema is steadily improving. For proof, you need look no further than La Luz en el Cerro (The Light On The Hill), an old-fashioned thriller, the likes of which Peru very rarely sees; its a promising first feature from director Ricardo Velarde.

Jeff (Manuel Gold) and Chino (Emilram Cossio) are two young coroners working the morgue at a remote town in the Andes, with nothing much to do other than smoke and blast some extreme metal on the radio. Their boring routine is cut short when the corpse of a local farmer is dropped onto their lap. Further investigation leads them to a tapado, a local urban legend about buried Inca gold, which pretty soon everyone is trying to get their hands on, from a crazy old man wandering around with a metal detector, to a corrupt landowner and his femme fatale girlfriend.

Velarde does a great job in subverting expectations; this might feel at first like a CSI-style murder mystery, but the crime is actually secondary to a story about how greed and envy can bring out the worst in people, even our two supposed heroes, who waste no time in dropping the nice guy act and joining the dark side. The only exception is Padilla, a hardass cop who gets caught up in the whole mess, the one decent person trying to do the right thing; veteran actor Ramon Garcia is a standout, playing with equal parts intensity and humanity.

Shot on celluloid, an increasingly rare occurrence for local films now that everyone has switched to digital, the format is quickly apparent and gives the movie an entirely different, darker feel. This isolated backwater becomes ominous and creepy, which is fitting once everyone starts revealing secrets. Velardes old school sensibilities serve him well, leading to an unpredictable, tense climax which holds your attention.

Heavily indebted to local folklore and urban legends, La Luz en el Cerro is a solid and well-made genre exercise with a clear Peruvian flavor, a morality play about how things can go wrong once people give in to their worst instincts and self-interest. It will be headed to the Montreal Film Festival later this month, so hopefully more people get to see it; a local release date is still pending.

The Lima Film Festival runs from 5-13 August.
After waiting what seems like an eternity, Death Waltz Recording Company has finally confirmed the release date for one of the most anticipated soundtrack reissues of late, Twin Peaks. Created by Mark Frost and David Lynch, the show launched in April 1990 to favorable critical response, however, due to network interference that forced the creators to show their hand earlier than they had planned, as well as numerous timeslot changes, viewership grew erratic and the show was canceled after its second season.

More than 25 years have passed since Twin Peaks' series finale aired on June 10, 1991, and in that time the show has grown to become a cult phenomenon. Twin Peaks has been remastered and released on Blu-ray, fan art and crafts are littered across Etsy and eBay, themed dance parties and bingo events are held almost weekly across the country, and news of the series return on Showtime in 2017 whipped up further interest. Meanwhile, the Twin Peaks Festival just wrapped up its 25th edition in North Bend, Washington last month. Coupled with news of this vinyl release, it's officially never been a better time to be a Twin Peaks fan.

The show's composer, Angelo Badalamenti, began his collaborative relationship with David Lynch on his fourth feature, Blue Velvet, and it became a partnership that would produce the most fruitful work of Badalamenti's career. As his second collaboration with Lynch, the score for Twin Peaks serves as the backbone for the series. A combination of organs, reverbed guitar, and synth evokes the blend of picturesque Americana and mystery that hurdles each episode towards its grizzly conclusion. In fact, it is one of the composer's personal favorites; he says, "I'm glad that after 25 years, Death Waltz Recording Company has rereleased the original soundtrack for Twin Peaks for a new audience to enjoy. This is my defining work as a composer and I'm happy it will get a fresh listen."

With director-approved artwork by Sam Smith, a layout by Jay Shaw, and accompanying liner notes from Badalamenti all housed in heavy-duty gatefold sleeve with 180g 'damn fine coffee color' vinyl, the release is shaping up to satisfy the now overdue expectations. Fans will want to keep an eye out on the Mondotees.com website on August 10, when the record is set to be released, which will be followed by an additional worldwide rollout to stores beginning in September. Until then, remember, "The Owls Are Not What They Seem."

(See pictures in the photo gallery below.)



Track listing:

Side 1

Twin Peaks Theme

Laura Palmer's Theme

Audrey's Dance

The Nightingale

Freshly Squeezed

Side 2

The Bookhouse Boys

Into The Night

Night Life In Twin Peaks

Dance Of The Dream Man

Love Theme From Twin Peaks

Falling


The talented couple behind the soon-to-be-renamed Bar Tartine are already plotting a second project, even though the deal to buy Bar Tartine from the Tartine Bakery folks still hasn't been fully finalized. As they just revealed to Eater, chefs Nick Balla and Cortney Burns are testing out dishes for a new spot heavier on the Japanese influence, to be called Motze, beginning next week, on Monday August 15, and will be following suit with Motze "pop-ups" every Monday thereon.

Balla's previous gig, prior to taking the reins at Bar Tartine in 2011, was as executive chef at Nombe in the Mission, and prior to that he worked at O Izakaya, learning Japanese techniques in both places that informed some of his cooking at Bar Tartine  in particular his broths. Burns recently took a research trip to Japan to learn about fermented rice, and both chefs share a passion for the humble and homemade elements in global cuisine, and the ways in which regional cuisines have mixed and mingled over time. The eclectic menu at Bar Tartine has reflected that, beginning five years ago with more clear nods to Balla's Hungarian roots, but evolving now to include signatures like a chopped salad with housemade feta cheese, and beef tartare with green horseradish.

Likewise, Balla says not to expect Motze to be strictly, or in any way traditionally, Japanese. "We never want our food to be pigeonholed and Motze wont be any different," Balla tells SFist. "Japanese flavors and cooking techniques will be the starting point, but well continue to draw from and be inspired by other culinary traditions. We won't be holding back on spice and flavor  this is the stuff we would want to be eating on our day off from work."

Soon, Bar Tartine will become Crescent, with the kitchen and menu staying the same, and Balla and Burns will be on the hunt for a space to open Motze  which is named for an ancient Chinese philosopher, also spelled Mozi, who per Wikipedia rejected the fatalism of Confucianism and "emphasized self-reflection and authenticity rather than obedience to ritual."

In the meantime, you can make reservations for one of the Monday prix fixe dinners, which will be $58 per person, and will include "Dishes like black koji and flax seed crackers with salmon roe; fat dumplings with egg and shiso; poached chicken with tomato chili paste; and eggplant with rye shoyu, nepitella (a mint-like herb), and avocado; and sesame candy with bee pollen."

Previously: Bar Tartine Becomes Crescent Under Ownership of Co-Chefs Nick Balla And Cortney Burns

Trailer: Crafted, A New Documentary Short By Morgan Spurlock Featuring Bar Tartine
At least 19 people fell so ill they had to be hospitalized Saturday, after consuming candy at a Mission District quinceanera party that authorities believe contained edible cannabis.

According to the San Francisco Fire Department, crews were called to the Women's Building, located at 3543 18th Street between Valencia and Guerrero Streets, at around 10:22 p.m. Saturday after guests at the quinceanera began to get sick, SFFD spokesperson Jonathan Baxter says.

Raul Hernandez, a Women's Building security guard who spoke to ABC 7 says that the first victim to report symptoms was a 61-year-old man.

"I see this gentleman sitting down and I walk over to him and ask him what's going on in Spanish and he says, 'I feel pain.' And I asked the wife, 'what did he eat?' But he responded and he said, 'I ate a candy.'"

Speaking with NBC Bay Area, Hernandez says that after that, "It was just one after another and another...A gentleman was holding his chest. The young lady, she couldnt talk and was gasping for air."

The victims, Baxter says, experienced symptoms including heart palpitations, shortness of breath, vomiting, a swollen tongue and a rash. A witness told NBC Bay Area that "those who got sick had a foamy-type substance coming from their mouth."

Baxter tells Bay City News that the common denominator between the victims appears to be that they all ate "a gummy candy left out at the party" that "did not have any labels or markings that investigators could use to trace where it came from."

In a text conversation with the Ex, Department of Public Health spokesperson Rachael Kagan said We are interviewing people who were sickened to learn more about what happened, and will be "testing food consumed at the party to determine what made people sick."

On Monday morning, the DPH sent a media alert saying that "the candy that sickened 19 people at a Quinceanera in the Mission District on Saturday night is suspected to be edible marijuana."

"Final lab results on the gummy ring candies themselves are not yet available, but the lab work of 12 hospitalized patients was positive for THC, (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana."

If these candies are confirmed as edible marijuana, then this event is a strong warning about the dangers of edibles, which can be very potent and hard to control dosage in the best circumstances, Dr. Tomas Aragon, Health Officer for the City and County of San Francisco, says.

A situation like this, where they were consumed by unsuspecting people, and many children, is greatly concerning.

According to the DPH, all of the 19 patients taken to hospitals Saturday night had been discharged by Monday morning. "Of the patients that were evaluated, 10 were male and 9 were female. Thirteen of the patients were 18 or younger, ranging in age from 6 to 18. The patients were taken to several San Francisco hospitals, including Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, UCSF Medical Center and UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, California Pacific Medical Center and St. Lukes Campus."

The SF office of the California Poison Control Center has been collecting information on patient lab results, according to the DPH, and is working with SF General to test the suspect candies.

"At this time," DPH spokesperson Rachael Kagan says, "we do not know when those results will be available."



The party was catered by a company in Oakland, Kagan says, "and the Alameda County Department of Public Health has been informed and will investigate."

The question remains, where did the candies come from? said Aragon. We are working with the catering company and our colleagues in Alameda to find out.

"Could this have been a willful act to harm people at this party? We dont know but were investigating that," San Francisco Police Department Sergeant Michael Andraychak told NBC.

"So far, however, weve found nothing to indicate that this was an intentional act."

Anyone who attended the Quinceanera and may have taken some of the gummy rings is urged to discard them immediately, Aragon says.

If they are sickened, they should report to the California Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) for advice. If they are feeling severely ill, they should call 911.
In response to deaths like those of 41-year-old Heather Miller and 26-year-old Kate Slattery, two cyclists killed on the same night in June in separate hit-and-run incidents, as well as 24 others this year alone, the Mayor's office unveiled 57 high-priority projects as part of the city's Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic deaths by 2024. However, that list of "new" projects wasn't so new, consisting instead of repurposed existing projects, some delayed, in a purely political maneuver the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition pointed to as disingenuous. More recently, the Mayor released a plan this month about which the Bike Coalition was more optimistic. But coalition communications director Chris Cassidy drew a line between theory and practice: "It's important to realize that, while this is a substantial commitment by City leaders, nothing has changed on the ground yet," he said. "There is a culture of plodding and delays when it comes to improving San Francisco's streets, and we'll be watching closely to see that these deadlines are met."

That culture, or a perception of it, has one rogue "transit agency" proposing and enacting its own reforms: Mostly instituting mock-protected bike lines with cones and then tweeting about it. KQED has the story of the San Francisco Transformation agency, or the SFMTrA, a guerrilla organization based on similar groups in other cities like New York and Seattle. Theres a psychological effect of the orange cone on the automobile driver, and we wanted to bring that to the street, an anonymous activist member told KQED. We want the city to have more urgency protecting bikers and pedestrians in San Francisco.

Because that activist group isn't exactly street-legal, it claims no leader, and exists as a loose affiliation of like-minded activists. To get involved, the group is willing to accept donations, or concerned citizens can use mapping software ZeeMaps to "Post locations where you would like to see a simple transformation to make a street more pedestrian or cyclist friendly." Like so:

It just took a few minutes to relocate these cones and create a pedestrian path around this blocked sidewalk. pic.twitter.com/4YibDdXNWn  SF Transformation (@SFMTrA) August 4, 2016

We hear the calls for better bikeways and we couldnt agree more, a spokesperson from SFMTA (yes, the real one) tells KQED while also emphasizing that only his transportation agency and its contractors may legally set up traffic cones.

Previously: Mayor Ed Lee Unveils Plan To Make Streets Safer For Bicyclists
LOS ANGELES | Those shirtless scenes on television arent a walk in the park, says Quantico star Graham Rogers.

Usually you know youre going to have one the night before you shoot, he says. And I stress. To be safe, I might stay away from the pasta or squeeze in an extra workout.

Because the action shows cast features a lot of fit young actors, theres pressure to make sure they look like they belong in the FBI. When you read, Caleb definitely has his shirt on and hes wearing a blanket, you know theres trouble, Rogers says with a smile.

Luckily during the first season, Rogers didnt get any of those directives. Clues to his character, in fact, were in short supply. Because producers wanted to keep the plot twists secret, actors didnt know what might happen until they got each script. Anybody could be gone at any time, he says.

While that uneasiness might have heightened the tension, it did make it difficult for Rogers, star Priyanka Chopra and others to craft character arcs.

In film, you know where you start and where you end, Rogers says. In television, its the writer crafting the character arc, rather than the actor.

In the ABC dramas first season, Rogers Caleb Haas flunked out of the FBI academy as an agent, was brought back as an analyst, then reinstated as a trainee. He had family ties, too, and personal relationships that didnt always head where viewers thought theyd go. In the second season, its anyones guess where hell wind up.

Im such a terrible person to interview because its all, I dont know, he says. Fortunately, they put out such great scripts its clear within that script what the parameters are.

To look like FBI trainees, he and the other actors went through flight and gun training, talked with real agents and got in shape.

I would be the worst FBI agent in the world, the 25-year-old Pennsylvania native admits. I dont even tie my shoes  I make them so I can slip them on. I dont have the organizational skills or the drive.

Add in the secretive nature of agents and, well, Rogers figures hes sunk: I like to talk.

Appearing in such films as Love and Mercy, Crazy Kind of Love and Careful What You Wish For, he was a regular on Revolution and Resident Advisors before landing in Quantico, a series thats unlike much of his previous work.

The biggest adjustment: All those action sequences between flashbacks and plot twists.

Theyre like a dance, Rogers says. Theyre choreographed so youre not hitting anybody for real. Im not a good dancer  you have to have all the beats and moves down to do it  but Im learning.

In time, he says, those action scenes become second nature because you get in touch with your body and breathing.

Theres a lot of running, Rogers says, but were not the ones working the hardest. Somebody has to hold a 60-pound Steadicam and follow us. Theyre in really good shape.

The actors, meanwhile, have become so close, theyre not quite sure how to deal with a characters quick exit.

Theyre some of the most beautiful, good human beings on the face of the Earth, Rogers says. Theyre gorgeous inside and out. If I knew thats what Id find at the FBI, maybe Id sign up.

New episodes of Quantico return to ABC in September.
SIOUX CITY | Donald Trump's "no nonsense" approach to politics is refreshing, his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, told an audience in Sioux City Monday.

Pence made no direct mention of the recent controversies that have dogged Trump's campaign in the last week and contributed to a sharp drop in his standing in the polls against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Hes a doer in a game usually reserved for talkers and when Donald Trump does the talking, he doesnt go tip-toeing around a thousand rules of political correctness, Pence said. He just says it like it is.

Pence campaigned in Siouxland for the first time since being picked for the VP spot in July. During his nearly hour-long speech Monday, he divided his time between extolling Trump's virtues and blasting Clinton, a former secretary of state, U.S. senator and first lady.

As I look at what shes planning, I want to say from my heart, for the sake of our security, the sake of our prosperity, for the sake of preserving standards for integrity, lets decide Hillary Clinton will never be elected president of the United States of America, he said, drawing applause.

Iowa 4th District Rep. Steve King, who introduced Pence to the crowd of more than 200 people Monday, endorsed Trump for the first time. In the run-up to the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1, King, R-Kiron, was a vocal supporter of Ted Cruz and served as the Texas senator's national campaign co-chair. For months after Cruz dropped out of the race in April, King was tepid in his support for Trump, who came in second in Iowa.

"I'm walking into the polls and I'm voting for Donald Trump and Mike Pence for our new administration," said King, who praised Pence for his performance during the years they served together in the House.

Pence, a favorite of social conservatives, is expected to help shore up support for Trump in Republican strongholds of Northwest Iowa. After leaving Sioux City, he spoke at a rally in Council Bluffs.

The western Iowa stops were Pence's first campaigning solo in the state, a key battleground in this fall's election. Last week, he appeared with Trump in central and eastern Iowa.

During Monday's rally in Sioux City, Pence said a Trump administration would end negotiations with terrorists and threats to the U.S. that have increased in frequency under the Obama administration.

When Donald Trump is leader of the free world, America wont be paying ransom to terrorists, terrorists and their sponsors will be paying a price for threatening, for detaining, for fighting the people of the United States, Pence said.

Pence referred to last week's disclosure that the U.S. government flew $400 million in cash to Iran in January. The payment was made the same week that Iran released four captured U.S. sailors. President Obama denied that it was a ransom payment for the Americans, but was instead settlement of a decades-old dispute over a failed military equipment deal dating to the 1970s, before the Islamic revolution in 1979.

The Indiana governor also highlighted the major economic policy speech Trump delivered earlier in the day in Detroit.

Trump, a billionaire businessman, promised deep tax cuts to jolt middle class workers back to prosperity. He revamped his previous proposal, unveiled during the GOP primary, by increasing the amount that the highest individual income earners would pay.

Pence said Trumps proposal reflects his attention to and care for the average citizen.

Donald Trump gets it, he told the audience at the Sioux City Convention Center. He understands the aspirations and frustrations of the American people more than any other American leader in my lifetime since Ronald Reagan.
SIOUX CITY | A Sioux City man was placed on probation Monday for his role in a January home invasion.

Deloyd Fields, 38, pleaded guilty in June in Woodbury County District Court to second-degree burglary, which was reduced from first-degree burglary as part of a plea agreement.

Following the terms of the plea agreement, District Judge Jeffrey Neary suspended a 10-year prison sentence and placed Fields on probation for two years. Charges of first-degree robbery, second-degree theft and unlawful possession of a prescription drug were dismissed.

According to court documents, Fields and Tykell Robinson forced their way into a home in the 4300 block of Springfield Street on Jan. 25, threatened the occupants and took an AR-15 rifle, ammunition and electronics.

Robinson, 19, of Sioux City, has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial. A third man, Keegan Ingram, was initially charged, but his case was later dismissed.
In a July 26 Letter headlined "'Radical political correctness' runs rampant," the writer argued that Rep. Steve King has courageously attacked political correctness, this time defending the unique contributions of Western civilization. Though several commentators and citizens have denounced Rep. King for comments with racist implications, the July 26 Letter writer argued that this is simply character assassination by selected attention to a portion of King's recent TV comments.

Representative King regularly attends swearing-in ceremonies for new citizens who immigrate from all over the world, hardly the practice of a racist. But when someone suggested that old white people might not dominate a future RNC, Rep. King argued that of all subgroups none have contributed more to modern civilization than those of the Christian communities of Western Europe, Eastern Europe and the U.S. Representative King strongly implies that this Christian West represents modern liberty through the progress of capitalism, industry and democracy. Several historians have argued broadly in similar ways. Yet these accompany poverty, environmental costs and economic dislocations we still struggle to treat. This West has also figured out how to kill others on a unmatched scale.
Andrei Baluas Vladimirovich, 50, has been working for the past 15 years as a tourist guide on the Sino-Russian border, often between the cities of Khabarovsk and Fuyuan, which face each other across the Heilongjiang River. Recently, Vladimirovich, a resident of Khabarovski, spoke to China Daily about his life and changes in cross-border tourism.

How often do you cross the Heilongjiang River?

Every day there are six boats traveling between Khabarovsk and Fuyuan. Each boat can carry 45 passengers, and every week I bring 150 to 200 tourists to China. During the busy season, I come here once a day. But now, because of much lower exchange rates of rubles against the yuan and rising prices, the number of tourists has dropped.

Who are the Russian tourists you bring to China? What kind of Chinese commodities do they like? After so many years, what has happened to the spending habits of Russian tourists?

Most are young people but some are retirees. In the past, after returning to Russia, they sold the goods they bought in China, including clothes, shoes, hats, underwear, swimsuits and mink coats. Now, because of higher costs, they can't make a profit from buying and selling. So most of the goods they buy are for personal consumption, like jeans, T-shirts and daily necessities. Some Russians order furniture made in Guangzhou, and ship their purchases through Suifenhe.

What kind of Chinese food do they like?

For me, I like all kinds of Chinese food. Russian tourists like Chinese tea, fruit, Snow and Harbin brand beers, and Ant wine.

Besides shopping, what do Russian tourists like to do? Which scenic spots do they like in Fuyuan?

They like Chinese traditional massage, and they like to see Chinese dentists because of their low prices and efficiency. They like to visit Dongming Temple and enjoy the lotus flowers in Fuyuan.

What do you do when the Heilongjiang River freezes in winter?

In winter, my main task is to rest. Sometimes I can help others repair electrical appliances.

What about your family?

My wife helps me with the tour business, like taking bookings and organizing trips. My son is a computer engineer.

What about your income?

I earn 15 yuan ($2.25) from each tourist, or 2,000 to 3,000 yuan per week. Not much.

Why is there a Taobao.com logo on your business card?

I help Russians buy Chinese goods from Taobao and ask the sellers to deliver them to a fixed address in Fuyuan. Then I carry them back to Khabarovsk. Many Russian people like buying goods on Taobao.
Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading.

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy
Are you worried about cybercrime against your business? The increasing reliance on technology can certainly make running a business easier. But it also opens up the possibility for hackers to access and potentially steal your important data. More and more, small businesses are seeing news reports of cybercrimes and online security threats. And those threats can be enough to intimidate even the most seasoned entrepreneurs.

But you dont have to accept that fate for your small business. There are plenty of things you can do to protect your data and improve your businesss online security. In fact, we recently collected more than 75 tips from members of our small business community about cyber security and how to best protect your business online. And now, were sharing those tips with you, in the form of a free ebook.

In the book, titled Tips to Protect Your Business From Cybercrime, sponsored by Microsoft, you can find tips for protecting your website from online attacks, securing your financial information and creating good habits for you and your team to keep your online assets safe for years to come.

Download it Now!

CyberCrime Security Tips from Business Experts

With the insights from all these cybercrime security tips shared by experts in our community, the prospect of keeping your business secure and protected online should seem a bit less daunting. You just need a little planning and time spent on security, and youll see that your business data can be protected from the clutches of cyber criminals. If you want to get a taste of what you can find in the free ebook, here are just a few of the more than 75 tips our experts offer.

Back Up Your Database

Robert Brady of Righteous Marketing shared, If using WordPress, regularly back up your database, keep themes, plugins and WordPress up-to-date  and consider hiring a security service to monitor your install for malicious code. It seems like a pain but its nowhere near as painful as fixing a hacked server.

Log Out Manually

Dr. Emad Rahim of Bellevue University said, Small business owners should always manually log out of their banking and money transferring websites, which includes shopping cart services and PayPal. It is also important to avoid using the auto save feature for their username and passwords. Combining these practices with updated security software will help to reduce cybercrime attacks.

Educate Your Employees

Tom Gazaway of LenCred said, Educate your employees and team. Theres lots of great technology out there to protect businesses but its the end users who normally create the issues. Educate them so the problems dont come from within your organization.

Explore the Two-Step Verification Process

Martin Lindeskog shared, Explore the two-step verification process for social media sites like LinkedIn, and email services. It could take some time to get used to it, but it is good to be on the safe side. You have to have your mobile phone with you, when you use the two-step verification login process.

Assess Website and App Performance

And Pierre DeBois of Zimana said, Many times analytics is used with marketing, but many of the tools were meant to assess website and app performance, which can also aid in preventing hacks. Owners should use a web proxy like Charles or Fiddler to confirm how website or app elements are loaded into the browser. Hack attempts usually impact site or app performance, slowing down elements.

Bonus Tip

One bonus tip: Keep an analytic report filtered to the IP addresses of store locations and branch offices. Doing so can help sort traffic that is not regular, and highlight traffic from potential fraud sources.

Thanks to everyone who participated and provided cybercrime security tips. Dont forget to download the free ebook on cybercrime here.
Whether youre a compulsive snacker, a lunch at your desker, or an Ive not even got the time to eater, we all need to start taking more lunch breaks.

In the UK alone, only 29 percent of employees get a full hour lunch break. Two thirds say they cant even take 20 minutes.

So why do people not take lunch? Partly, its more difficult now our days revolve around technology, and particularly when so much of what we do is taken up with emails. It means our working day tends to be less blocked out, and finding time when you could always be going through your emails is more difficult.

Whats more, it can be indicative of a damaging culture, where people are rewarded for appearing to work hard over and above actual productivity, or are inherently overloaded with work to the point where there is not enough hours in the day to complete their tasks.

Whether youre a culprit yourself, or a manager who doesnt see this as a problem, its important to understand why this practice is damaging your productivity and your business. Its time to start shunning lunch at your desk, get out of the office and actually take a break.

Youre Much More Likely to, Well, Actually Eat

People powering through the mid-afternoon without so much as a morsel crossing their lips because they are too busy are kidding themselves. When our blood glucose levels run low as a result of not eating, our brain doesnt get the energy it needs to stay alert and remain concentrated and alert.

Of course, what you eat matters too, as slow releasing energy foods and generally healthier options have proven to benefit productivity. If we eat foods that release energy to our body and brain slowly throughout the rest of the day, we avoid the peaks and troughs that come with certain carbohydrates and fatty foods.

However, the key is that by making a conscious decision to take lunch, we tend to plan it early. This prevents us from making split-second  and usually unhealthy  decisions at the height of our hunger.

Top tip for managers: Encourage healthy snacking or grazing in the workplace. Set up a healthy tuck shop so people can make a selection and have the bag on their desk. Grazing like this prevents our glucose levels from bottoming out to begin with, and having the food in our line of sight makes being healthy the easy option.

Benefits of Taking a Lunch Break

Youll Prevent Fatigue

The figures are pretty clear on this one. The most productive people take regular breaks. Our concentration is improved even by stopping for just 20 minutes. People who take better breaks, by breaking earlier and completing activities they liked, were found to have a decrease in headaches, eyestrain and lower back pain throughout the day.

The idea that the amount of hours you put in equates to the work that you get out is finally starting to die out. Were realizing that working smart, and not hard, is the answer to a productive workforce. Dont get left behind!

Top tip for managers: Dont ask your employees to take business lunches, and try to avoid enforcing any sort of strict rules on what people do during their lunch time. Not only has it been proven that employees who choose what to do are more productive, but allowing people to get a proper break from everything work-related is crucial to them resting and coming back to their desks more refreshed.

Getting on with Your Co-Workers is More Important than Ever

Theres no doubt that business is changing. There are new ways to communicate with people coming into force every day, both outwardly and internally. No company is truly under one roof anymore and the process of delivering a product with a unified strategy has become increasingly complex.

What does all this mean? It means that our ability to collaborate is more important than ever, as we face new challenges about how we pull together a more disparate workforce in a world where its increasingly important to have a unified message across everything you do.

And lunch? Well, true collaboration comes from developing personal relationships, and, as well as a time to unwind, lunch is a brilliant way for people to connect outside of the usual structures of work. If you actively encourage cross-hierarchical eating, you better understand the people you work with at all levels.

After all, whether personal or professional, understanding sits at the heart of getting the most out of any relationship.

Top tip for managers: Throw away your tiny tables! Populate your break space with large, round tables to encourage open discussion and facilitate conversation between people that wouldnt communicate otherwise.

It Contributes to Other Productive Techniques

With increased connectivity, and more and more collaborative working, our productivity isnt as good as it can be. One reason why its far more difficult to lay out your day and plan appropriate timings is due to us having to work increasingly reactively.

By taking lunch, youre actually giving a definitive break to your day, and something to work your tasks around. You can target completing certain tasks before and after lunch for example.

If youve got nothing to work towards, its going to be much more difficult to break your day into these sort of productive, manageable chunks.

Top tip for managers: Enforcing change should start with you. Cultures of not taking breaks often come from being concerned that youre being judged against the people who manage you. Take a lunch break yourself, it can be a great way to get to know your employees on a more personal level.

A Change of Scenery Does Wonders for Your Work Habits

Regardless of whether your job requires you to make quick decisions, be highly creative or be completely focused at all times, moving into a new space is hugely beneficial to how well you do that when you return.

Repetition can keep us in a rut, and stop us from seeing things objectively. In fact, its actually the process of being away and then coming back to our desks that facilitates a new outlook when we do return.

If you can, find a park or a natural spot, as studies suggest that being around nature can seriously boost productivity, due to links between natural environments and memory retention.

Top tip for managers: Encourage people to take time out of the office on their breaks, and make sure that you take the time to explain to staff why. Its often as much about explaining the reasons behind your ideas as forcibly facilitating that culture.

Its Not All About Eating

The great thing about working somewhere that respects your need for a lunch break is that it also creates time for other things that can vastly increase your ability to be productive.

For starters, any exercise that you do during the day has been proven to increase your mood and confidence, while reducing stress. Even if youre just squeezing in a yoga session or taking a brisk walk, it turns out the afternoon is the best time for your body to exercise anyway.

Youll come back feeling refreshed and will have been able to get a real break from your work day as your mind is on other things. Feeling a bit sleepy? A lunchtime nap might not only help solve your fatigue but send your productivity through the roof.

Top tip for managers: Consider starting employee wellness programs, or free gym memberships, to encourage healthy living in the office. This isnt just about the benefits you reap from having an engaged, well-looked after workforce  youll get a more productive staff as a result.

Republished by permission. Original here.
If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

Sage Group, a multinational provider of cloud accounting and payroll software, used its Sage Summit 2016 conference held July, 26-28 in Chicago, IL to announce the release of several of its latest cloud-based products, including two aimed specifically at small businesses: Sage Live for Accountants and Sage One Partner Edition. The two flagship products are part of the companys integrated cloud-based accounting and practice management solutions.

The Latest Sage Cloud Solutions

Sage Live for Accountants

According to the accounting software giant, Sage Live for Accountants provides a single real-time source of information on your business to enable firms to boost productivity and improve performance. The software application thats developed in partnership with Salesforce is a next generation cloud accounting solution available in the U.S now. It will launch in Canada in September 2016.

The next generation of accountants are digital natives who expect insights and information in a real-time, on-demand and always-on environment, said Jennifer Warawa, executive vice president of product marketing for Sage. Sage Live for Accountants enables accountants to have an instant, end-to-end view of their business.

Key features and benefits of Sage Live for Accountants highlighted in the announcement include:

Reduction of time spent on low-value processes and tasks,

Improvement of tracking, analysis and management of financial performance and workflow through one integrated solution,

Redefining of the way accountants work through mobility and enhanced collaboration.

With Sage Live, you can look ahead with one source of info, controlling your business from the palm of your hand. It will connect with thousands of apps  making Sage Live fit exactly to the needs of each company, Santiago Solanas, global chief marketing officer (CMO) at Sage is quoted as saying on the products landing page.

Sage One Partner Edition for Entrepreneurs

Sage One Partner Edition for sole-traders, entrepreneurs and small businesses, on the other hand, allows you to work closely with your clients, managing their accounts and payroll your way. The company says the new solution makes it easy for entrepreneurs and accountants to onboard unlimited clients to the Sage One platform, manage their billing and then work together with them online in real-time, providing additional services as they grow.

Some of the headline features of Sage One Partner Edition mentioned include:

The ability to onboard hundreds of clients quickly and easily to Sage One,

The ability to view critical practice and individual client data at the touch of a button, in real time,

The creation of different levels of access to client information for practice colleagues, and

The ability to prepare accounts and tax returns in minutes.

Providing an easy-to-integrate and scalable solution enables our partners to digitize their services, embrace the cloud and improve collaboration with their clients and colleagues, said Matthew Forrest, vice president of product marketing for Sage One, in a press release. The introduction of this new solution enables us to continue to be the partner of choice for accountants across North America and the globe.

Sage One Partner Edition will launch in the U.S. and Canada in 2017.

New Cloud Solutions for Small Businesses in Canada

These two products that appear to be direct rivals of Quickbooks accounting software were not the only developments announced at the Sage event. Sage also announced an all-new version of Sage One for Canadian entrepreneurs. Sage One Canada Edition is touted as a simple and powerful solution for entrepreneurs who want to spend more time on their business and less time on administration.

The cloud accounting and payroll software firm headquartered in Newcastle, United Kingdom, also announced that Sage Live (launched in the U.S. in July 2015) is now available for small to midsized businesses and entrepreneurs in Canada.
In 2009, Shahram Amiri, an Iranian nuclear scientist, traveled to Saudi Arabia, ostensibly to visit Muslim holy sites located in the Kingdom. Once there, he disappeared only to reappear later in some peculiar online rants, claiming to be residing in Virginia and alternatively, in Arizona, and expressing a desire to return to Iran.Amiri, who conducted nuclear research at the military affiliated Malek Ashtar University of Technology and worked for Irans Atomic Energy Organization, was said to possess a treasure trove of classified information on Irans illicit nuclear program. On his YouTube channel, he alleged that he was kidnapped by CIA and Saudi intelligence and was offered large sums of money in exchange for information on Irans nuclear program.For reasons known only to Amiri, and which will undoubtedly be the subject of much speculation, Amiri arrived at the Iranian interest section of the Pakistani embassy in Washington and two weeks later, returned to Iran. Approximately one year had elapsed from the time of his defection until his return to Iran.Some have speculated that he feared for his familys well-being and returned to spare them harassment by the Iranian authorities or perhaps he was genuinely homesick and thought the Iranians would buy his story of a CIA orchestrated kidnapping. Whatever the case, On August 3, 2016 Amiri was executed by the Mullahs in their favorite method of execution  hanging.Amiri undoubtedly provided the administration with vital intelligence on Irans rogue nuclear program and that clearly did not sit well with Iranian officials. Upon his return, Amiri repeated the allegation of being kidnapped in Saudi Arabia in a joint CIA/Saudi operation. While the Iranians initially welcomed him, likely for public consumption, he was soon transformed into a treasonous enemy of the state and imprisoned and almost certainly tortured while undergoing grueling interrogation.The Iranians could not be 100 percent certain of Amiris story. Iran is a nation built upon conspiracy theories and fantasy and in their view, the possibility of a CIA/Saudi operation to kidnap a nuclear scientist didnt seem far-fetched and in fact, could have been plausible.But then came the Clinton email dump which may have spelt doom for Amiri. Two emails in particular, which were made public and which were undoubtedly read by the Iranians shed light on the voluntary nature of Amiris defection and attempts by the U.S. to address his concerns and facilitate his return to Iran.The first email, sent to Clinton on July 5, 2010, and processed through her home-brewed bathroom server, was authored by Richard Morningstar, acting special envoy of the U.S. secretary for Eurasian energy. This email implied that Amiri needed a cover story to return to Iran and that the U.S. should make an effort to address his concerns. He writes, "Per the subject we discussed, we have a diplomatic, 'psychological' issue, not a legal issue," and notes further that Our friend has to be given a way out. We should recognize his concerns and frame it in terms of a misunderstanding with no malevolent intent and that we will make sure there is no recurrence. Our person won't be able to do anything anyway. If he has to leave, so be it.The second email was sent to Clinton by her senior foreign policy adviser, Jake Sullivan. In the email, which was sent on July 12, 2010, Sullivan writes, The gentleman you have talked to Bill Burns about has apparently gone to his country's interests [sic] section because he is unhappy with how much time it has taken to facilitate his departure. This could lead to problematic news stories in the next 24 hours. Will keep you posted.Sullivan was referencing Amiris earlier contact with Irans interest section in the Pakistani embassy. It also implies that the U.S. was attempting to facilitate his return to Iran. If this was in fact a kidnapping as alleged by Amiri, why then would the U.S. facilitate his return to an enemy country?And why would it need to address his concerns? Kidnappers do not normally carry out their victims wishes when their victims ask to be returned. That would defeat the entire purpose of kidnapping.The Iranians are no fools. They probably suspected that Amiri voluntarily defected all along and the kidnapping element was nothing but a cover story. But the emails confirmed their suspicions and Amiri then paid for his decision with his life. If that was indeed the case, Hillary Clinton, through gross negligence and dereliction of duty, may have sealed Amiris gruesome fate.
Over the past several months, there have been numerous events which have occurred throughout the United States which have reflected negatively on law enforcement. In several of these cases the initial negative press proved not to be a true account of the events that took place. Unfortunately, the follow-up stories for these events, once they have been fully investigated, don't seem to make the main stream media as the initial story did.With the recent events unraveling throughout our nation, it has undoubtedly taken a toll on the men and women of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office. Though the daily duties of law enforcement nationwide has not changed, the thoughts that may go through his or her mind every day when they put that uniform on to walk out the door to begin their tour of duty have changed. Law enforcement officers may wonder why they signed up for this job because they may not feel appreciated. Others may change the way they approach a certain situation and their officer safety skills are significantly heightened. These issues have caused one of the most stressful jobs in society to be even more cumbersome. Police officers are forced to make split second decisions some of which could be lifesaving. These decisions will ultimately affect them and others the rest of their lives and will be reviewed for countless hours before they are adjudicated.Part of the mission of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) deputies is to provide exceptional law enforcement services to the citizens of Calvert County. Throughout these troubling times, CCSO deputies have continued to do their jobs effectively and efficiently. We have taken steps internally to ensure the safety of CCSO deputies is on the fore front. The citizens of Calvert County have undoubtedly done their part for CCSO deputies by showing their gratitude and appreciation in countless ways. Numerous incidents of positive citizen interactions with CCSO deputies are discussed daily throughout the CCSO. The cards and letters that pour into the CCSO are posted conspicuously for deputies to view. CCSO deputies are extremely fortunate to have the community trust and to be able to share in the positive relationships that we have with the majority of the citizens we serve.Sheriff Mike Evans
(EDGE) New York City Police are investigating the weekend stabbing of a 28-year-old gay man as a possible anti-gay hate crime.

According to AM New York, the crime happened after 7 p.m. on Saturday when the victim was coming home from Staten Island on a northbound No. 1 train.

Related: Gay YouTuber Faked Hate Crime, Police Say



The New York Post reports that the assailant started yelling anti-gay slurs at the victim who was traveling with his boyfriend and sister. As the train pulled into the 110th street stop in Morningside Heights, the attacker yelled "you faggot" and stabbed the victim in the left side of the chest before fleeing the train.



AMNY reports that the victim was taken to Mount Sinai St. Luke's hospital with at least three puncture wounds, about an inch apiece.



Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime.
Driving through Salt Lake City, Utah, visitors and residents alike will now see 20 blocks of road named after LGBT icon and activist, Harvey Milk.

The initiative was spearheaded by Equality Utah and the street was renamed in May.

We were looking at the landscape of our city, said Troy Williams, executive director of Equality Utah. We had Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, we had Cesar Chavez and Rosa Parks, and we thought Harvey needs to be here as well. He needs to take his place alongside these civil rights icons.

Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in San Francisco -- he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1978. Later that year, he was killed by a former board member who went on a shooting rampage in City Hall. Prior to his term, he was dubbed the Mayor of Castro Street, the citys gayborhood, for his activism and refusal to live as anyone but his authentic self.

Famously, Milk said, If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.

Related: U.S. Navy to Name Ship After Harvey Milk

The project started nearly two years ago when Equality Utah approached then-Mayor Ralph Becker about renaming 900 South to Harvey Milk Boulevard in honor of the LGBT civil rights hero. He was in full support of the initiative, Williams said, as well as Councilman Stan Penfold, the citys first openly gay council member. During the next election cycle, Derek Kitchen, who was the plaintiff in the fight for marriage equality in Utah, joined the council and was also in support. In January, Mayor Jackie Biskupski, who is openly gay, took office.

Really, the only troubles Equality Utah faced was the run-of-the-mill red tape of renaming a street. A few people voiced their opposition, stating that Harvey Milk wasnt from Utah and it didnt make sense to name a street after him. Williams countered that King, Chavez, and Parks are also not from the state, but their presence is important in the city.

When the council approved the measure, Equality Utah got to work and was able to raise $8,000 in about a week. With that, they were able to replace all the street signs and host a block party to celebrate. At the party, more than 2,000 people attended with speeches from the NAACP, the Utah Council of La Raza, and a performance by the Neon Trees front man Tyler Glenn, who calls Salt Lake City home and is a gay Mormon.

Equality Utah chose 900 South, which runs through the heart of Salt Lake City, because of its prominence and the fact that it runs through a large LGBT neighborhood. There, many businesses are owned by LGBT people, and the area is flourishing. Heading west on the boulevard is an up-and-coming neighborhood, which Williams hopes will grow as time passes.

Related: Levi's teams up with Harvey Milk Foundation on ad campaign

Recently, the Homeless Youth Resource Center opened near 900 South and 400 West -- with roughly 40 percent of homeless youth identifying as LGBT, it was even more reason to choose the road to be named in Milks honor.

What we hope is that it becomes that beacon to young LGBT youth and to also marginalized teens and  that they begin to sort of learn about Harvey and know about his history and know about their history and that that gives them hope for the future, Williams said.

For many people, Salt Lake Citys LGBT influence comes as a shock -- the city is the capital of one of the most conservative states in the nation, but now is one of a handful of cities to have a street named after Harvey Milk. According to a Gallup Poll conducted last year, the city ranks seventh in the nation for its LGBT population.

We are gayer than Los Angeles and we are gayer than Manhattan. We have a history of elected LGBT friendly mayors and council folks and this is a really progressive town. We love to deny stereotypes, Williams said.
NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 5 August 2016. NASA

Two NASA astronauts are readying their spacesuits and gear ahead of an Aug. 19 spacewalk. More life science, including heart and DNA research, continued Friday. Finally, tiny internal satellites were tested before next weeks student competition.

Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer Kate Rubins inspected the spacesuits they will wear in two weeks during a 6.5 hour spacewalk. The duo will complete the installation of an International Docking Adapter to the Harmony module. The first of two new adapters will allow Commercial Crew vehicles being developed by Boeing and SpaceX to dock in the future.

Rubins continued more work on the Heart Cells experiment today while Takuya Onishi, from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, tended to the Mouse Epigenetics hardware. Cosmonaut Anatoly Ivanishin joined Williams during the morning collecting and stowing biological samples for the Fluid Shifts study.

Next week, high school students will compete for the best algorithm to control self-contained, bowling ball-sized satellites inside the station. The algorithms control the tiny satellites and test mission and research functions to advance future space missions. Cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka tested the satellites inside the Destiny lab module today for the SPHERES Zero Robotics competition.

On-Orbit Status Report

Vascular Echo Resting Ultrasound Scan and Blood Pressure Operations: With support from the Vascular Echo ground team, the crew installed the Ultrasound 2 probe and ECG Cable, configured the Ultrasound 2 software and the VOX before attaching the ECG Electrodes, marking the arteries, and performing the ultrasound scans. The crew also performed 3 consecutive blood pressure measurements using the Cardiolab (CDL) Holter Arterial Blood Pressure (BP) Unit. This Canadian Space Agency (CSA) investigation examines changes in blood vessels and the heart while the crew members are in space, and then follow their recovery on return to Earth. The results could provide insight into potential countermeasures to help maintain crew member health, and quality of life for everyone.

Fluid Shifts: Crewmembers configured the Refrigerated Centrifuge for sample load operations, conducted body (blood, urine, and saliva) sample collections and stowed the samples within MELFI (Minus Eighty-degree Freezer for ISS). The crew also collected a galley water sample and stowed it in MELFI prior to ingestion of a tracer solution from the Tracer Syringe. Fluid Shifts is a joint USOS -Russian experiment that measures how much fluid shifts from the lower body to the upper body, in or out of cells and blood vessels, and determines the impact these shifts have on fluid pressure in the head, changes in vision and eye structures.

Heart Cells Media Change Operations: The crew changed the media in the Multiwell BioCell for Heart Cells in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) work volume to provide nutrients to the Heart Cells and encourage continued cell health. The investigation studies the human heart, specifically how heart muscle tissue contracts, grows and changes (gene expression) in microgravity and how those changes vary among subjects. Understanding how heart muscle cells, or cardiomyocytes, change in space improves efforts for studying disease, screening drugs and conducting cell replacement therapy for future space missions.

Mouse Epigenetics Cage Unit Maintenance: The crew completed maintenance on the Mouse Epigenetics Habitat Cage Units by transferring the mice from one habitat cage unit to another and refilling the cage units with water. The Mouse Epigenetics investigation studies altered gene expression patterns in the organs of male mice that spend one month in space, and also examines changes in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of their offspring. Results from the investigation identify genetic alterations that happen after exposure to the microgravity environment of space.

Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) Zero Robotics Dry Run: The Russian crew set up the SPHERES hardware and executed a dry run for the Zero Robotics competition scheduled next week. The SPHERES Zero Robotics investigation establishes an opportunity for high school students to design research for the ISS. As part of a competition, students write algorithms for the SPHERES satellites to accomplish tasks relevant to future space missions. The algorithms are tested by the SPHERES team and the best designs are selected for the competition to operate the SPHERES satellites on board the ISS.

Skin-B Operations: A crewmember performed Corneometer, Tewameter and Visioscan measurements on the forearm. The Corneometer measures the hydration level of the stratus coreum (outer layer of the skin), the Tewameter measures the skin barrier function, and the Visioscan measures the skin surface topography. Skin B is a European Space Agency (ESA) investigation that aims to improve the understanding of skin aging, which is greatly accelerated in space. The data will also be used to verify the results from previous testing for the SkinCare investigation on the ISS.

Fine Motor Skills: The Fine Motor Skills investigation activities for today were postponed till tomorrow to allow the crew time today to perform troubleshooting of the Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator II (MERLIN) 3, which is not cooling properly.

Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator II (MERLIN) 3 troubleshooting: MERLIN 3 failed to keep its temperature control operating last week. Today, the crew executed reboot and recovery steps to attempt recovery of the unit. When MERLIN 3 remained unresponsive, the unit was declared failed and it will be returned on SpaceX-9 for refurbishment and return to ISS.

Space Headaches: The crew completed the European Space Agency (ESA) Space Headaches questionnaire to provide information that may help in the development of methods to alleviate associated symptoms and improvement in the well-being and performance of crew members in space. Headaches during space flight can negatively affect mental and physical capacities of crew members which can influence performance during a space mission.

Habitability Human Factors Directed Observations: The crew recorded and submitted a walk-through video documenting observations of life onboard ISS, providing insight related to human factors and habitability. The Habitability investigation collects observations about the relationship between crew members and their environment on the ISS. Observations can help spacecraft designers understand how much habitable volume is required, and whether a missions duration impacts how much space crew members need.

European Crew Personal Active Dosimeter (EuCPAD) Mobile Unit Check-out and De-installation: The crew completed closeout activities and de-installed the mobile units that were installed and activated last week. The EuCPAD is an active device worn by crewmembers in orbit to measure radiation exposure. This device, coupled with other dosimeters in the European Space Agencys (ESA) Columbus Laboratory, provides radiation dosage information that can be used to support risk assessment and dose management. The future goal is to enable the verification of radiation monitoring systems for future medical monitoring of crew members in space.

NanoRacks External Platform (NREP) Operations: Following yesterdays installation of the NanoRacks-Gumstix experiment onto NREP, and the installation of NREP on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (JEM A/L) slide table, today NREP was deployed from the JEM A/L, installed on the JEM Exposed Facility (JEF), and activated. NREP then connected to the External Wireless Communication (EWC) for communicating wirelessly to ISS data handling system. This represents the first usage of the EWC since its initial activation in May. The NanoRacks External Platform represents the first external commercial research capability for the testing of scientific investigations, sensors, and electronic components in space. The NanoRacks-Evaluation of Gumstix Performance in Low-Earth Orbit (NanoRacks-Gumstix) investigation tests small computers called Gumstix modules which are based on open-source software as an alternative off-the-shelf option for use in space. The investigation studies whether the Gumstix microprocessors can withstand the radiation environment on board the ISS.

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations: The crew continued preparation for the EVA planned for August 19 by performing the following:

Cooling loop maintenance on EMUs 3003 and 3008 including ionic and particulate filtration (scrubbing) and biocidal maintenance (iodination). A water sample was taken from the loops for subsequent conductivity testing.

Continued tool gather and config.

Inspected EMU sublimator for water leakage using water test strips.

Todays Planned Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

FLUID SHIFTS. Saliva Test, Subject

FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion

FLUID SHIFTS. Urine Collection, Subject

FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion

FLUID SHIFTS. Basic blood collection

FLUID SHIFTS Blood Collection

FLUID SHIFTS Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration

FLUID SHIFTS. Galley Water Collection and Tracer Ingestion Ops, Subject

Morning Inspection. SM ??? (Caution & Warning Panel) Test

FLUID SHIFTS. Centrifuge Spin Conclusion

FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion

IMS Tagup (S-band)

USND2 Unit Activation

Fine Motor Skills (FINEMOTR) Test

VECHO. Ultrasound Scan

Photo of Wide-band Communication System (???) MDM location / r/g 2999

CASKAD. Manual Mixing in Bioreactor / r/g 2888

HRTCEL Equipment Gathering

Acoustic Dosimeter Stow

Audit of cables behind SM panels 228 and 229? r/g 2998

SKNB Preparation and hardware gathering

FLUID SHIFTS. Urine Collection, Subject

FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion

HABIT Questionnaire Completion

SEISMOPROGNOZ. Downlink data from Control and Data Acquisition Module (????) HDD (start) r/g 2224

Laptop and ELC4 ER1 racks reconfiguration

FLUID SHIFTS Blood Collection

FLUID SHIFTS. 3-Hour Blood Collection, Subject

FLUID SHIFTS Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration

FLUID SHIFTS. 3-hour Saliva Collection, Subject

FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion

MOUSE Hardware Setup

HRTCEL. Heart Cell Media Change

FLUID SHIFTS. Centrifuge Spin Conclusion

FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion

XF305 Camcorder Settings Adjustment

Collecting SM and FGB Air Samples Using ??-1? Sampler / Pressure Control & Atmosphere Monitoring System r/g 2994

MOUSE. Mouse Transportation Cage Unit Changeout

Start EMU cooling loop scrub

Tightening QD Screw Clamps between SM Aft and Progress 432

FLUID SHIFTS. 5-hour Saliva Collection, Subject

FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion

JEMAL Slide Table extension

FLUID SHIFTS. Urine Collection End, Subject

VECHO. BP Measurement

FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion

JEM Airlock Releasing Capture Mechanism

SEISMOPROGNOZ. Download data from Control and Data Acquisition Module (????) HDD (end) and start backup r/g 2224

Initiate EMU Cooling Loop Scrub Part 1

SPHERES. Camera setup in the Work Area

EUCPAD Removal and Relocation of Dosimeter Module

Dust Filter Cartridge Replacement in SM

Progress 433 (DC1) Transfers and IMS Ops / Progress 433 Transfer Ops + r/g 2834, 2835, 2929, 2961

EMU Cooling Loop Maintenance, Deconfiguration

JEMAL Slide Table Retraction

Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA), Inspection of Sublimator Flange

Biological Research in Canisters Natural Products (BRICNP). Canister Transfer

NREP. Photography

Biological Research in Canisters Natural Products (BRICNP). Photo Documentation

EVA Tool Config

Food Frequency Questionnaire

FLUID SHIFTS. Urine Collection Container, disposal and installation

SPHERES. Camera adjustment and Zero Robotics dry run test

EMU Water Refill

IMS Delta File Prep

EMU-LVCG Water Charge

SM Ventilation Subsystem Preventive Maintenance. Group ?1

Start EMU cooling loop scrub

MERLIN Troubleshooting

??? Maintenance

EVA Hardware Transfer to Airlock

Space Headaches (SHD) Weekly Questionnaire

Psychological Evaluation Program (WinSCAT)

SPHERES. Hardware power off, battery replacement, and stowage

Laptop and ELC4 ER4 racks reconfiguration

Completed Task List Items

None

Ground Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

Heart Cells ops

Fluid Shifts ops

EMU prep support

JEMAL/NREP ops

Nominal ground commanding.

Three-Day Look Ahead:

Saturday, 08/06: Crew off duty, housekeeping, Fluid Shifts, Mouse cage maintenance

Sunday, 08/07: Crew off duty

Monday, 08/07: Fluid Shifts, Tonometry exams, EVA DOUG/procedure review, Mouse cage maintenance

QUICK ISS Status  Environmental Control Group:

Component  Status

Elektron  On

Vozdukh  Manual

[???] 1  SM Air Conditioner System (SKV1)  Off

[???] 2  SM Air Conditioner System (SKV2)  On

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab  Standby

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3  Operate

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab  Idle

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3  Operate

Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA)  Process

Urine Processing Assembly (UPA)  Standby

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab  Off

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3  Full Up
NASA FISO Presentation: Large Supersonic Ballutes - Testing and Applications. NASA JPL

Now available is the June 29, 2016 NASA Future In-Space Operations (FISO) telecon material. The speakers were Erich Bandeau and Ian Clark of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) who discussed Large Supersonic Ballutes: Testing and Applications.

Erich Brandeau is a Mechanical Engineer in the Entry, Descent, and Landing and Formulation group at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He worked on NASAs Low Density Supersonic Decelerator team since joining JPL in 2012 and was part of the team conducting Supersonic Flight Dynamics Tests. He holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Ian Clark is a Systems Engineer at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a specialist in the area of Planetary Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL), and is the Principal Investigator of NASAs Low- Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) Project. Dr. Clark is the recipient of a number of awards including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the JPL Lew Allen Award, and the JPL Explorer Award. He holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he also previously served as a Visiting Assistant Professor and managed the EDL research group.

Listen to podcast of Large Supersonic Ballutes  Testing and Applications telecon:

 Download the MP3 File.

 Download the presentation (PDF).
KHARTOUM (Sputnik)  There is no full-fledged military agreement between the two countries, however, the desire to cooperate, particularly by police and security forces, exists, the ambassador stressed.

"The number of employees of Sudanese police and security officers of various ranks who received training in Turkey has reached 1,800," Aydin said, adding that some of the training courses, attended by the Sudanese colleagues, "were related to the technique of the fight against terrorism."

The ambassador noted that the countries jointly combat the radicalization of the youth and attempts to join the Daesh extremist organization.
On August 1, the United States began a new airstrike campaign at the request of, and in coordination with, the GNA aimed at fighting Daesh militants.

The campaign, called Operation Odyssey Lightning, will allow the GNA to make a strategic advance against the terror groups positions in Sirte, according to the US Defense Department.

Daesh, outlawed in Russia and many countries around the world, gained a presence in Libya in the turmoil following the 2011 overthrow of leader Muammar Gaddafi. Libya has been mired in a civil war since 2014.
The Russian-Turkish rapprochement process came on the backdrop of Ankara's deteriorating relations with the West. In late spring, the European Union postponed the accession talks with Ankara and the visa-free regime, promised to Turks in March for country's commitment to help Brussels with migrants.

After the failed military coup on July 15 things got even worse; the EU leaders daily expressed concerns about the mass detentions of Turks allegedly involved in the coup attempt and worries regarding Erdogan's pledge to reinstate death penalty. Turkish president, in his turn, almost daily hit back, slamming the EU for its lack of support for his government during the coup and criticizing the United States for unwillingness to extradite US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused in Ankara of being a coup leader.

In contrast, Vladimir Putin gave his support to Turkey over the July 15 coup attempt and said he stood by the elected government, offering his condolences to the victims of armed coup attempt.

"Sure that Turkish leaderships reconciliatory move towards Russia is partly motivated by the recently worsening relations of Turkey with the West," Kerim Has admitted.

"Turkey had in fact made the first move towards rapprochement before the coup attempt through a letter from President Erdogan to President Putin at the end of June in which he expressed regret for the November incident. However, it seems clear that the tensions with the United States and other western countries since July 15 have reinforced Ankaras interest in repairing the relationship with Moscow," Bulent Aliriza agreed.

Both countries have had geopolitical turbulence in the past years with Russia being engaged in conflict with the West over Ukraine and future of the Syrian regime and Turkey's relations with the EU being strained over the refugee crisis while also having differences over the Syrian future with regional powers, Tamas Csiki reminded.

"The relative isolation of the two powers became complementary after shooting down the Russian aircraft and temporarily narrowing Turkish room for strategic maneuvering even more. After consolidating his power following the coup attempt of July 15, President Erdogan needs both to break out of partial isolation and to show a successful step in foreign policy, a sign of control and strength," the Hungarian experts said.

Ismail Togrul, on the contrary, said that prior motivation for the improvement of relations with Russia lies in the recent change of the government and thus the change in approaches towards Russia and nor somehow linked with Ankara's deteriorated relations with the West.

"I don't think that that Turkey is improving its relations with Russia in opposition to the US or the EU. Turkey enjoys serious friendly relations with the US, though currently there is a crisis. Turkey is a NATO member and a candidate for the EU membership. It is impossible to cut off everything at once and go to the other side. Crises happen, they are to be solved," the expert concluded.

Another motivation that accelerated the pace of the normalization process steps towards Russia, in experts opinions, lies in economic sphere with sanctions damaging both sides though to different extents.
During the Qing Dynasty, taking Chinese herbal medicine was popular in Beijing. According to historical records, during the scorching summer, some people preferred to drink ice water, some boiled perilla leaves, and liquorice as summer soup to keep off the heat. Ancient people also loved to make lotus seed soup in summer which was said to have the benefit of strengthening the body.

Bed-mat for summer

Ancient people wove vines, reeds, or bamboo into bed-mats for summer which are cool to sleep on.

Porcelain pillow

The surface of a porcelain pillow is a layer of glaze, which feels pleasantly cool. It is said that the Emperor Qianlong in Qing Dynasty liked his porcelain pillow a lot.

Dragon fur curtain

The dragon fur curtain was used during ancient times to block the hot waves in the summer, and keep interiors pleasantly cool. It was not really made of dragon fur, since there are no such creatures as dragons, so some say it was made of the skin of large boas. Surrounded by large and cold boa skins, the place would feel like an air-conditioned room. However, the skin was precious and difficult to obtain, so only the royal court was able to use it.

Bamboo lady
The US military spokesman Commander Ron Flesvig claimed that the serviceman had lost his belongings after a military operation, highlighting that he "has been accounted for and remains in a duty status within his unit."

"SPC Larson was attached to a unit conducting a partnered (operation) with Afghan Forces," Flesvig said in a statement. "The loss of personal identification is unfortunate."

The US forces have been taking part in a renewed Afghani-led offensive in Nangarhar that was launched on July 23, shortly after deadly explosion in Kabul killed 80 and injured over 200 civilians.

Intensified fighting has resulted in dozens of militant casualties since then. Afghan forces have also killed senior Daesh militant Saeed Emarati, according to TOLOnews.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  According to the Daily Pakistan newspaper, the explosion reportedly took place shortly after the body of slain former Balochistan Bar Association (BBA) President Bilal Anwar Kasi was brought to the hospital. Several of the victims are reported to be his colleagues and journalists.

The majority of victims are lawyers, who arrived at the hospital, where the body of their colleague was delivered, according to the media outlet.

Attacks against health workers are common in Pakistan. In January, an explosion outside a polio vaccination center in Quetta killed over a dozen of people.
More than 40 Indian citizens from Kerala attended the classes of a Daesh recruiter in the Indian state of Kerala, before 21 of them suddenly disappeared to allegedly go fight for the terrorist group

The stunning information was revealed by Yasmin Ahmed, the second wife of suspected mastermind recruiter Abdul Rashid, after she was arrested at while trying leave India for Afghanistan.

Names and identities of the suspects were quickly registered by the Kerala Special Investigation Team (SIT).
TOKYO (Sputnik)  Earlier in the day, Emperor Akihito, 82, expressed concern that it might become increasingly difficult for him to fulfill the role of a monarch as a symbol of the nation and unity of the Japanese people. Akihito did not explicitly say he wanted to abdicate, as Japan's constitution bans the monarch from delivering political statements.

"Given the age of the Emperor and his current responsibilities for participation in public events, we need to think about the emperor's concern and carefully examine what can be done," Abe said in a televised address, broadcast by NHK.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Journalist for The Guardian Australia Paul Farrell is suing the government to get full access to the files about several turnback operations in 2013 and 2014 in a freedom of information case.

Regrettably when these documents were furnished to the respondent, the markings were on the second set were incomplete, Justin Davidson from the Australian Government Solicitor agency told the court, as quoted by the Guardian newspaper.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Turkey requested India to close all institutions connected to the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO) following military coup attempt, Turkey's Consul General Erdal Sabri Ergen said Monday.

"We have requested Indian and Maharashtra government that all institutions in Mumbai and elsewhere, connected with this network be closed," Ergen told journalists as quoted by PTI news agency.

He added that Ankara provided New Delhi with many evidence proving that FETO is "an illegal network with a sinister design in mind."
New Delhi (Sputnik)  Heavy flood waters have submerged villages in India's eastern State of Bihar, forcing people to take shelter on roofs and embankments. Surrounded by flood water, survivors have had no choice but to eat rats and other small animals for their survival.

The whole village has been submerged due to the flood water. All our food grains have either washed away or they are not fit for consumption. We have no option but to eat rats, Sagar Mahto, a resident of Banahi village in the Saharsa district told Sputnik.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Australia sends refugees, who come to the country to seek asylum, to offshore detention camps on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island and Nauru in the South Pacific while their application is being processed by Canberra. Australia's policy in regard to migrants, applying for asylum in the country, has been repeatedly criticized by rights groups for disregarding their human rights.

"It is the view of the Refugee Council of Australia that those on Nauru who are fairly assessed and proven to be refugees, should be immediately resettled here in Australia," OConnor said.

Last week, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, whose representatives visited the Nauru processing center in July, published a report, where they documented how some 1,200 asylum-seekers, forcibly transferred to the island from Australia, are subjected to inhuman living conditions and denial of medical care while authorities of both countries ignore the violations.
TOKYO (Sputnik)  Last month, Seoul and Washington agreed to place Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems in the South with a stated goal of countering Pyongyang.

"North Korea's foreign ministry recently handed out the guidelines to embassies and consulates overseas, in which it defined the THAAD issue asa threat to the North East Asian region's security," a source in the know told the Yonhap news agency.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The US Navy has been conducting exercises in the region to reinforce freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, where Beijing claims sovereignty. Chinas territorial claims to the Spratly Islands, also known as the Nansha Islands run counter to those of the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam.

"Momsen's presence here [in Subic Bay] sends a powerful message to the world about our commitment to the stability of the region," Momsen executive office Cmdr. Elaine Brunelle stated. "We are skilled professionals committed to enhancing maritime security through bilateral cooperation with our partners throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific."

While in port, the Momsen crew is expected to conduct ship repairs and participate in community outreach events.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The lives of seven Mi-17 helicopter crew members, including a Russian national, who have been taken hostage by Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, are not under threat, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday.

"There is no threat to the lives of hostages, talks on their release have been scheduled," the ministry said in a statement.

According to the statement, Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is "personally supervising the release of hostages," has asked Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani and Commander of NATO 'Resolute Support' Mission in Afghanistan Gen. John Nicholson to provide assistance in release negotiations.
Taloraya believes "if this trip of MPs is not another slap in her face, then it is at least its indication that the she is being less respected than before."

Chinese political expert Wang Junsheng supports this point of view, saying that the upcoming trip reflects severe differences existing in South Korean political circles and society with regard to THAAD deployment on South Korean territory.

"The upcoming trip of six deputies is driven by the desire to improve the China-South Korea relations, which are at a crossroads because of the announced US plans to deploy THAAD systems. However, under these conditions, contacts at the highest governmental level between China and South Korea are unlikely. The (upcoming) visit of the opposition shows that they hope to understand the way China is planning to develop bilateral relations after this step, as well as reflects a desire to maintain a dialogue with China," Junsheng stated.
According to reports, her husband, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was not aware of the visit.

"This is my first step to create a world of love and harmony," she wrote Sunday on her Facebook page, adding that Prime Minister Abe was not aware of her trip in advance and that she was "ready to face criticism."
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  According to Inspector-General Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani, cited by Aljazeera media outlet, the arrests were made in an attempt to end protests, which lasted for almost a month and injured over 55 civilians.

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were patrolling streets and enforced a curfew, extended in most areas of Kashmir. Shops and schools were closed due to a security lockdown and anti-India strikes, the media outlet added.

The region of Kashmir has been disputed by India and Pakistan since the dissolution of British India and the establishment of the two states in 1947. Some local residents, especially those residing in the Kashmir Valley, call for greater autonomy or even independence from India.
On Monday, Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga accused Beijing of 14 violations throughout the past weekend of what Tokyo considers its sovereign territory, vowing a firm, but calm response to the Chinese side.

Suga said that Japans Coast Guard will work with other national agencies to respond to developments. The Japanese Defense Minister, Tomomi Inada, also added that air raids over Chinese vessels will be conducted.
Total bilateral trade volume for the period between January and July reached $37.4 billion, which is 0.9 percent less than last year. At the same time, China's exports to Russia grew by 7.7 percent, while imports from Russia fell by 8.8 percent, according to the Customs.

Last year, trade volume between China and Russia has decreased by 28.6 percent and amounted to $68.06 billion.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Moscow, however, is ready to discuss the issue if the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) raises it, according to the minister.

"We have always been ready for negotiations. Therefore, if such a need arises, and countries, particularly OPEC, will be discussing this issue, we will be ready as well," Novak told reporters.
HANGZHOU (Sputnik)  Alibaba, China's biggest e-commerce group, plans to expand its business in Russia, Director General for Alibaba Russia Mark Zavadsky said on Monday.

"Of course, we are planning to expand our presence in Russia, on different directions. First, we are planning to work much more with local Russian companies," Zavadsky told reporters.

He recalled that in June, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) head of Alibaba Group Jack Ma outlined the strategy of the company's development in Russia. The strategy includes three phases, the first one is goods shipment from China to Russia.
BEIJING (Sputnik)  Moscow has approached Beijing with a proposal to invest in shipbuilding in Russias Far East, Russian Ambassador to China Andrei Denisov told Sputnik.

"We are proposing our Chinese colleagues to contribute to the development of our shipbuilding in the [Russian] Far East. We are interested in attracting Chinese partners," he said.

According to the diplomat, it is premature to talk about any specific projects yet.
BAKU (Sputnik)  Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran could discuss new projects in the Caspian Sea, including in the energy and transport sectors, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday.

"There may be new projects in the Caspian Sea, and in a broader context, meaning transportation, energy and the diversification of our trilateral trade and economic relations," Putin said at a meeting with his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev.
QUITO (Sputnik)  The trade relations between Ecuador and Russia are expanding despite lack of large investments, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa told Sputnik, calling for joint funding of bilateral projects.

"The Russian market has become one of the largest non-oil markets for the country [Ecuador], especially regarding bananas and flowers. We have a positive trade balance with Russian. We import raw agricultural materials and some other goods from Russia," Correa said, adding that there are no large Russian investments to Ecuador.

He stressed the need to develop bilateral ties in the field of funding of various projects.
BAKU (Sputnik)  Baku is currently hosting a trilateral summit involving Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. According to a draft declaration which should be approved by the leaders of the three countries, the sides have agreed to intensify cooperation to ensure the sustainable functioning of both global and regional gas markets, among other measures.

"Zanganeh said that Iran attaches great importance to broadening ties with its neighbors, including Azerbaijan, which includes strengthening economic relations and energy cooperation," SOCAR said in a statement after Zanganeh's meeting with the company's president, Rovnag Abdullayev, on the sidelines of the summit.

The sides have also discussed opportunities for cooperation and areas of mutual interest, according to the statement.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  In a message on Facebook, Rutte said he had discussed the relations with the United Kingdom and Netherlands in a phone conversation with new UK leader Theresa May. According to Rutte, the relations between the two countries "are good and should remain good" despite the Brexit decision.

"Secondly, the Brexit vote will also affect the future cooperation between the European countries on the continent. There can be no business as usual," Rutte said in the message.

The Dutch prime minister urged the remaining EU member states to consider the direction of the blocs development after Brexit.
BAKU (Sputnik)  Earlier in the day, Putin had talks with Aliyev in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku.

"It is about time for us [Russia, Azerbaijan] to talk about this [bilateral trade] and try to find ways of tackling these issues [of decreasing volume]," Putin said.
BAKU (Sputnik)  Russia is ready to discuss mutually beneficial pipeline infrastructure use with Iran and Azerbaijan in the Caspian Sea, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the first trilateral summit Monday.

"Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan can discuss the implementation of new energy and transport projects in the Caspian Sea We really have something to talk about in this format. There may be new projects in the Caspian Sea, and in a broader context, I mean transportation, energy, and the diversification of trade and economic relations," Putin said.

"Implementing oil and gas exploration and development projects, primarily in the Caspian region, are seen as priorities. We are ready to discuss mutually beneficial plans for the shared use of pipeline infrastructure to transport raw materials," he added.
BAKU (Sputnik)  Baku proposes to establish an energy corridor between Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran ensuring entrance to the new markets, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said Monday.

"Azerbaijan has already turned from a country importing electricity to the country exporting it. The export potential is growing. I am confident that together we can fulfill the establishment of a reliable energy corridor. This corridor can provide the energy exchange between the three countries and entry to the new markets," Aliyev said at the trilateral meeting between presidents of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia.
BAKU (Sputnik)  Head of Russia's Rostec corporation, Sergei Chemezov, said in July that Russia was planning to complete the deliveries of the S-300 air defense systems to Iran by the end of 2016.

The $800-million Moscow-Tehran contract to deliver Russian S-300 systems to Iran was signed in 2007. It was suspended after the adoption of UN Security Council sanctions on Iran in mid-2010.

In 2011, Iran sued Russia in the Geneva Arbitration Court after Moscow suspended the contract in 2010, citing a UN Security Council resolution that placed an arms embargo on Tehran.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Azerbaijan is interested in purchasing Russian MC-21 passenger jets, the first contract to purchase 10 planes may be signed in 2017, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Monday.

"Azerbaijan is interested in purchasing Russian MC-21 planes, and after the first flight of the plane, we expect that it will happen at the end of this year or at the beginning of 2017, in February, we aim to sign the contract for at least 10 MC-21s," Rogozin told journalists.

The MC-21 is a twin-engine short-and mid-range airliner with a capacity of 150-212 passengers. The presentation of the aircraft took place earlier in June in the Russian city of Irkutsk.
"Airbus Group has been informed by the SFO that it has opened a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud , bribery and corruption in the civil aviation business of Airbus Group relating to irregularities concerning third party consultants," the planemaker said in a statement issued on Sunday.

Earlier this year, Britain halted export credits to Airbus, due to errors in declarations on the cooperation with third party consultants during jet sale negotiations. Germany and France have also suspended the issue of export credits to the company.
Residents in the municipality of Norrtalje, north of Stockholm, have been encouraged to allow freshly arrived immigrants to live in their country homes in winter, Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet wrote.

"Does your country house stand empty in winter?" Norrtalje authorities asked the residents in targeted mailing. The idea behind the controversial campaign is to try and match up home owners with homeless immigrants in order to target the acute housing shortage.

Ali Rashidi, head of social services at Norrtalje Municipality, said that municipality in some cases may step in and ensure rents will be paid in full.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  UK Officers of Border Force, police and the National Crime Agency have been empowered to join the fight against modern slavery at sea through the amendments to the Modern Slavery Act 2015, UK government said in a statement Monday.

"Thousands of law enforcement officers across the United Kingdom will be empowered to join the fight against modern slavery at sea using new powers in the Modern Slavery Act which come into force today [8 August 2016]," the statement read.

The freshly granted powers include the authority "to board and search vessels, seize evidence and arrest offenders, where it is suspected that modern slavery is taking place to intercept vessels with reasonable grounds, arrest offenders and rescue victims from ships in UK waters."
Millions of kroner have been channeled by the Swedish Left to the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) and other Palestinian extreme left-wing groups, an investigation by the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet has revealed.

Founded in 1968 as a secular Marxist-Leninist organization, the DFLP featured in the US State Department's list of terrorist groups until 1999 and is still recognized as an extremist group by many countries. During the 70s, it carried out terrorist attacks against civilians. The most infamous one occurred in 1974, when armed members of the organization stormed an elementary school in northern Israel, killing children with grenades and automatic weapons. When the dust settled, a total of 25 hostages dead in Ma'alot; 22 of them were children.

Unsurprisingly, the extreme left group still maintains an active militant wing. Although the DFLP has thankfully stopped murdering schoolchildren, is has not renounced deadly violence. In the 2000s, its members carried out attacks against Israeli military targets, in which soldiers were killed. The group's paramilitary wing is reported to have fighters based in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Turkey's long-stalled EU application is thought to still be some way off becoming a reality, however Kurz said he would reject the opening of further negotiating chapters that could potentially see Turkey move a step closer to joining the bloc.

"I have a say in the matter on the [European] Council of Foreign Ministers, where it will be decided if a new chapter will be opened with Turkey, and I am opposed to it," he told the Kurier daily newspaper.

8m-Austria`s FM Seb.Kurz has a vote in 500m-EU and oppose to 80m-Turkey EU membership.  erdeman (@scutarian) August 8, 2016

EU rules state that decisions taken by the council must be agreed upon unanimously.
According to Akerhielm, the idea is to help as many people as possible to partake in the Bible's message. At the same time, he rejected claims that the "Bible bombing" may be regarded as a provocation, stating that the praxis of Bible dissemination is nothing new.

"Personally, I came to think of how Christian organizations smuggled Bibles into the Soviet Union back in the 80s," Akerhielm said.

At the same time, Akerhielm was careful to point out that the spread of Bibles was only one of the many ways Livets Ord utilized its aid.

"Above all, we work with humanitarian assistance. We have education and food projects, as well as many others across the Middle East," Akerhielm said.

Livets Ord, literally Word of Life, was founded in the 1980s and is one of Sweden's largest free churches within the Swedish Word of Faith movement. Headquartered in Uppsala, Livets Ord runs subdivisions in Gothenburg and Jonkoping, which are expected to have circa 3,300 members. Previously, Livets Ord was often accused of sectarianism as well as donations promoting Israeli settlements on Israeli-occupied territories.
BAKU (Sputnik)  Russia will seek to ensure that Azerbaijan and Armenia find a compromise and a mutually acceptable solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday.

"I know this is a thorny issue for both Azerbaijan and Armenia. We will strive to achieve one thing, we will strive to ensure that Armenia and Azerbaijan find a compromise solution that is acceptable for both sides," Putin said at a meeting with his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been engaged in a dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh since 1988, when the autonomous region left the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic and proclaimed independence after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The secession triggered a war that lasted until a Russia-brokered ceasefire was signed in 1994.
Following an increase in online abuse and death threats, a number of politicians have installed CCTV equipment, panic alarms and new locks to combat the increased security threat.

Among those MPs taking extra safety precautions was Labour politician Jess Phillips, who changed the locks on the front door of her house after receiving numerous threats and a mock picture of her dying.

Locksmith spending 6hrs to make my home safe.Think abt how my kids feel next time you mock up a picture of me dying pic.twitter.com/zJYOS3cqWA  Jess Phillips MP (@jessphillips) July 28, 2016

Meanwhile in March, an Iraqi man was accused of threatening to kill staff in the office of MP Paula Sherriff and other college students if he didn't receive a British passport. While the man successfully argued against the accusations, he did plead guilty to affray over the incident.

The threats have also turned into attacks, with Labour MP Angela Eagle, who was previously in the running for the party's leadership, being forced to cancel constituency surgeries after her office was vandalized.

Past few weeks: Orlando, Jo Cox, EU ref,  crash, PM quits, Boris, Labour crisis, Nice attack, Saudi attack, Baghdad attack. Now #turkey  Matt Parratt (@mattdougparratt) July 15, 2016

The attack was also accompanied by a series of threats after Eagle announced she was challenging Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour party leadership.

Fears Over Rise in Xenophobia

The increase in security claims comes amid a concerning time for British MPs, with Britain's turbulent political scene leading to an increase in racist and xenophobic abuse within certain parts of the country.

Following an increase in attacks, the UK Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called for swift government action to combat such attacks and threats.

Looks like #Brexit has become a vote for xenophobia and bigotry. Terrible for the UK from a social point of view. Hate crime will increase.  Subhash Pais (@Subhash_ati9) June 26, 2016

"The government must take swift and decisive action to tackle racist and anti-immigrant sentiments and incidents. While statements condemning hate crime are welcome, statements alone are not sufficient," the union said.
This includes personal data of those who are suspected of a crime or of planning terrorist attacks, German weekly newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported on Sunday. The authorities are outraged by the fact that Facebook management ignores an average of two thirds of such requests.

It is estimated that over the past three years, German police, prosecutors and security services have sent Facebook more than ten data disclosure requests per day.

Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann required bringing in the binding directive for social networks, according to which one of the "authorized personnel" must respond to the authorities' requests. In addition, the provision of the credentials or user information should be completed in as short a period as possible, Herrmann said.
MOSCOW (Sputnik), Alexander Mosesov  On Saturday, a man screaming "Allahu Akbar" injured two policewomen with a machete near a police station in Charleroi, motivated by a Daesh call to attack citizens of countries participating in the international coalition against the terrorist group. The perpetrator was shot by a third police officer and died later in hospital.

"We should answer [IS] ideology by ideology and [IS] education by education. We need to emphasize the good way of the religion, which is to build peace. Islamic State exploits the verses of Koran in a wrong way and we need to tackle this. If we manage to have a coordinated action at all levels  authorities, associations, leagues of imams, mosques and representatives of other religions, as we are all members of the [Belgian] society  we will succeed," Karim Chemlal said.

Belgium raised its terror alert to the highest level following the March terrorist attacks on Brussels' main international airport and on a subway station that killed 35 people and injured over 300. On March 24, two days after a series of deadly blasts, the Belgian crisis center lowered the national terrorist threat alert level from the fourth to the third level.
In total, around 15,000 mines are expected to be still lurking in Norwegian waters. Up to 7,000 of them are believed to be left in the waters off Norway's shores north of Bod. Remarkably, the minefields were laid by both the Allies and the Axis powers.

"There are really a lot of explosives left behind, so we need a comprehensive plan to remove them, and here is where the NATO force will step in, Are lberg, the commander and liaison officer in Norway's Armed Forces, told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.

According to Are lberg, the places that are earmarked for investigation have earlier been mentioned in historical accounts of WW2, captain's logs or witness reports.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  He stressed that forced relocation contradicts human rights.

"Nobody wanting to willingly settle in Poland will be deprived of the right to access the Polish asylum granting procedure. At the same time, the Polish authorities will not consent to resettling people forcibly into the country," Szczerski said, as quoted by polish media.

Poland has repeatedly criticized the new EU system of relocating refugees from the bloc's frontier states across other European countries under the mandatory quota system.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On Saturday, a man screaming "Allahu Akbar" injured two policewomen with a machete near a police station. Local media reported that one of the officers had sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized, while the other was slightly wounded. The police said there was no threat to the lives of the officers.

"No, the security measures did not change in Belgium after the attack in Charleroi," Ramacker said, asked whether Belgium was strengthening security measures after the offensive.

Belgium raised its terror alert to the highest level following the March terrorist attacks on Brussels' main international airport and on a subway station that killed 35 people and injured over 300. On March 24, two days after a series of deadly blasts, the Belgian crisis center lowered the national terrorist threat alert level from the fourth to the third level.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Braunschweig District Court said in a statement it had registered 170 lawsuits from mostly private investors against Volkswagen after it admitted last September it had cheated in gas emissions tests. One complaint was signed by 277 investors from Germany and abroad.

"Under the upcoming procedure, the Higher Regional Court of Braunschweig will choose the main plaintiff from the plaintiffs who filed complaints with the District Court," the courts statement read.
"In geostrategic terms, each large-scale energy project involves those who benefit from its implementation, and those who lose. With Turkish Stream, it is the same way. There are countries which would gain many benefits from this project, but there are also those states which are unwilling to implement it due to the fact that it can reduce the possibility of the diversification of energy supplies. And that's fine. It is normal economic competition. But it is important that all parties react to this competition in a constructive way," Sensoy stated.

On August 8, Erdogan announced that there are no obstacles to the implementation of the project.

"We are ready to immediately take steps towards the realization of this project, discuss it and make a corresponding decision. There are no obstacles to that," Turkey's President said.

However, Sensoy believes that Turkish Stream is unlikely to be implemented this year.

"I think that the active phase of the pipeline construction will be in 2017-2018," the expert said.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Reportedly police raided the girl's house, yet found neither arms nor explosives.

"Extremely radicalized" girl posted Daesh appeals in a Telegram chat propagating radical Islamism and expressed her resolve to commit a terrorist attack, a source familiar with the case was cited by BFMTV broadcaster as saying.

The prosecutor's office in Paris opened judicial inquiry into the case, the news outlet added.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Aly Kebe was accused of "involvement in a radical movement" and "activities of terrorist character that in case of his staying would have posed particularly serious threat to public security."

France has been on high security alert since last Novembers attacks in Paris, which killed 130 people. The state of emergency was extended for six months in July after a truck attack in Nice claimed 84 lives.

The Interior Ministry has vowed to utilize all legal means at its disposal to fight terrorism. It said it had expelled 82 people since 2012. French media reported that the Mauritanian was the third migrant to have been deported from France in a week.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The 31-year-old arrived in the German city of Heidelberg in July, planning to go to Italy and France, but was robbed, filled in wrong paperwork and ended up in an asylum center in Duelmen, according to Duelmener Zeitung.

Christoph Schluetermann, from the German Red Cross, told the newspaper that once the asylum procedure was set in motion it was impossible to stop. The man, who spoke neither German nor English, underwent a health check, had his fingerprints scanned and the foreign passport taken away.

Officials gave him some money, food and shelter, where he spent almost two weeks before Schluetermann became suspicious. Translation from Mandarin, offered by a mobile app, confirmed that the Chinese had landed in the asylum home by mistake.
MEXICO (Sputnik)  According to the police, cited by Mexican SDPnoticias newspaper, unknown gunmen broke into a nightclub on Monday night and opened fire on the visitors of the club. The attack claimed lives of five men, injuring another two women.

According to another version, the gunmen were chasing males, trying to hide inside the nightclub.

The Guerrero state has one of Mexico's highest crime rates. Forty three students disappeared in Mexicos Guerrero state in September, 2014. They were abducted and killed after participating in a protest against discriminatory hiring and funding practices in the city of Iguala.
"The opposite is the case. The time that has elapsed since the deal was signed proved all our worries that, regrettably, we were justified before the deal was made," said Hanegbi, a minister who works in the Office of the Prime Minister and who formerly chaired the Knessets Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees.

Last summer, the deal between Iran and leading world powers led Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman to compare the deal to the 1938 Munich Agreement calling it a "total capitulation to unrestrained terrorism and violence in the international arena."

One year later, Libermans Defense Ministry employed identical rhetoric in rebuking Obamas claim that Israel feels safer in the wake of the nuclear arrangement with Iran.

"The Munich Agreement didnt prevent the Second World War and the Holocaust precisely because its basis, according to which Nazi Germany could be a partner for some sort of agreement, was flawed, and because the leaders of the world ignored the explicit statements of Hitler and the rest of Nazi Germanys leaders," the ministry said.
Tensions between Ankara and the Kurds escalated in July 2015 as fighting between the PKK, the Kurdish pro-independence organization considered to be terrorist by Ankara, and the Turkish army resumed. Ankara has imposed several round-the-clock curfews in Kurdish-populated towns, preventing civilians from fleeing the regions where the military operations are taking place.

According to Turkish officials, over 5,000 Kurdish fighters have been killed in the campaign since mid-December, a figure that pro-Kurdish officials contend includes hundreds of civilians.
BAKU (Sputnik)  Russia has been sending tonns of humanitarian aid to Aleppo and helped open several humanitarian corriders for civilians to be able to flee the city and the fighting.

"Of course, we need to create conditions for normal life in Aleppo. All the residents of Aleppo and Syria are tired of this situation. We are ready to assist the Russian side in creating normal living conditions in Aleppo and Syria. We are ready to cooperate with the Russian side," Rahimpur told RIA Novosti.
"The countries that have provided military support to Turkey attempted to stage a coup. We have not provided any military support or been involved in the coup," Rahimpur told RIA Novosti.

He noted, however, that Iran was not in possession of decisive evidence that specifically the United States had been involved in the failed overthrow. "Many people are talking about this, but we don't have certain information yet."
A command post and a large militant field camp have been destroyed near As Sukhnah, while terrorists near Palmyra and Arak sustained losses in manpower, arms depots, armored and all-terrain vehicles with mounted guns, as well as command posts, the ministry added.

It was noted that the bombers returned safely and landed on their airfields following the concentrated attack.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On Sunday, the Iranian Supreme Court confirmed execution of nuclear physicist Amiri for revealing top secrets to the United States.

"You mentioned the Iranian scientist that was recently executed. Of course, I'm not going to comment on what he may or may not have done for the United States government. But in the e-mails that were on Hillary Clinton's private server, there were conversations among her senior advisers about this gentleman. That goes to show just how reckless and careless her decision was to put that kind of highly classified information a private server," Cotton told the CBS News broadcaster in an interview released on Monday.

Amiri went missing at the beginning of 2009 in Saudi Arabia during a pilgrimage. According to the Iranian authorities, the scientist was allegedly kidnapped by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The US-led coalition against Daesh destroyed more than 80 oil tankers during its airstrikes in Syria on Sunday, the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said in a press release.

"Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed 83 ISIL [Daesh] oil tankers," the release said on Monday.

Five other coalition airstrikes in Syria were waged near the towns of Manbij and Mara, destroying eight fighting positions, and a Daesh mortar system, the release added.
ALEPPO (Sputnik)  Intense fighting between the Syrian government forces and terrorists has been reported Sunday. A local militia source tallied the number of terrorists killed in Aleppo over the past 10 days at 2,000.

"Syrian aircraft destroyed a convoy of fighters who were moving along different roads from Idlib to southwestern Aleppo. The aviation is now bombing terrorist pockets near the logistics academy and the Ramouse neighborhood. Several of the terrorists firing positions have also been destroyed," the source said.
DUBAI (Sputnik)  The Yemeni government will not make any concessions to the Houthi rebels, the country's prime minister, Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr, said Monday.

"Neither Houthi, nor Saleh [former president] supporters will get any concessions from the lawful Yemeni government because the people of Yemen will not support this, because [the] Yemeni people know that there will be no peace without the surrender of arms to the government," bin Daghr told Sky News Arabia in an interview.

He stressed that the peace process depends on the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2216, which stipulates that the rebels should pull back and surrender their arms.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Last week, Tehran announced the execution of 20 people considered members of alleged terror group Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad. The identities of those executed have so far been withheld by the authorities, making it impossible to independently verify their allegiance to any terror group.

"Irans mass execution of prisoners on August 2 at Rajai Shahr prison is a shameful low point in its human rights record," Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch (HRW), said in a statement on the watchdogs website.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Last week, Tehran announced the execution of 20 people considered members of alleged terror group Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad. The identities of those executed have so far been withheld by the authorities, making it impossible to independently verify their allegiance to any terror group.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will show no tolerance in dealing with terrorism and will not sacrifice its major divine, ethical and legal values for some wrong and unfounded remarks and reactions by so-called advocates of human rights," Larijani said in a meeting of Judiciary officials as quoted by the Tasnim news agency.

Human Rights Watch described the execution as a "shameful low point" in its history of human rights violations.
The strikes come after intense fighting between the Syrian government forces and terrorists was reported in the Idlib and Aleppo provinces on Sunday.

"We repeat our urgent call to all those with influence on the conduct of the war in Syria, including the four out of five permanent members of the UN Security Council that are participants in the war, to urgently affect change to stop hospitals being hit in the course of the fightingwe need to see an immediate end to attacks on hospitals," Silvia Dallatomasina, the MSF medical manager in northwestern Syria, was quoted as saying in the statement.

On Friday, a part of a maternity hospital, also in Idlib, was destroyed in an airstrike.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the government forces fighting several opposition factions and militant organizations. The crisis has caused a humanitarian disaster, forcing millions of people to flee their country.
UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik)  Russias proposal to open humanitarian corridors from the eastern areas of the divided Syrian city to let around 250,00 of trapped civilians flee hostilities was met with skepticism from the West.

"Today, several of my good colleagues from Europe again said that Russia must do this and that," Vladimir Safronkov told the UN Security Council at an informal meeting. "What do you have to offer? We offered humanitarian corridors, which you declined. What is this policy of inertia?"

According to Safronkov, some 400 civilians and 90 militants used the safe passage routes to leave the battle zone.
"SPC Larson was attached to a unit conducting a partnered [operation] with Afghan Forces," said commander Ron Flesvig, a military spokesperson. "The soldier's ID and some of the equipment were left behind after the [operation]. The loss of personal identification is unfortunate."

Daesh did not reveal how they came into possession of the weapons and other materials, but it is thought that they were acquired during heavy fighting between the extremists and Afghan and US forces in Nangarhar in late July. Five Americans were wounded in that conflict, but Larson was not one of them. The Pentagon claims the soldier currently remains on active duty, and left his ID behind.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  US citizens should be aware that they could be detained for up to 30 days under the current state of emergency in Turkey, the US Embassy in Ankara said in a routine travel message.

"The first decree issued by the government of Turkey under the state of emergency increases legal detention periods without charge from a maximum of four days to a maximum of 30 days," the Embassy stated on Monday. "If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the US Embassy or Consulate immediately."

The Turkish government imposed a three-month state of emergency following a failed military coup in the country on July 15.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Admiral Nakhimov is currently being refitted at the Sevmash shipbuilding company in the city of Severodvinsk, with the works planned to finish in 2018. Earlier, the Russian Navy said the battlecruiser would join the Northern Fleet by 2020.

"The United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation is creating a new management information system for the Project 1144 Orlan heavy nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov as part of the works on refitting and upgrading the military ship," Khozin told RIA Novosti.

The new system is set to increase the comfort of the crew's work, boost the speed of decision-making and information transfers as well as improve the management efficiency of the ship, he added, noting that the vessel is currently fitted with a reference system that possesses a limited number of parameters.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The 2016 International Army Games (IAG) will serve to strengthen relations with Russia and facilitate the exchange of experience between the countries' troops, the military commander of the Iranian delegation to the Elbrus Ring competition, Gen. Nuzar Nemati, said on Monday.

"We expect that this competition will strengthen relations between Russia and Iran, and the exchange of experience will continue," Nemati told reporters.

Russia, China, Iran and Kazakhstan are taking part in the 10-day Elbrus Ring contest, which started on August 1. The competition consists of 14 special tasks, including climbing the 18,510-foot high Elbrus Mountain.
In the context of "pivot to Asia", the US has intensified its efforts to unite its allies in Asia in order to forge an Asian version of NATO.

Compared to the impact of NATO's eastward expansion on Russia, the "pivot to Asia" strategy will create more strategic pressures on China. Though China and Russia don't want a confrontation with the US and will not forge a formal alliance, they have been forced to stand closer to cope with the strategic squeeze applied by the US and its allies.

China's top strategic priority is to ease the huge security pressures and meet the challenges created by the US' strategic shift to the Asia-Pacific. Since the Asia-Pacific is a region the US will pay special attention to, it is expected to focus its energy and resources on it to check China's rise after putting continuous pressure on Russia.

To deal with the US' strategic squeeze, China and Russia should intensify their cooperation in Northeast Asia, a region easier for them to work together compared with areas like the South China Sea. As a start, they should take necessary measures to counter the threat posed by THAAD's deployment in the ROK because the Washington-Seoul move will break the delicate strategic balance on the Korean Peninsula.

Moreover, while reiterating its strong resistance to THAAD, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea should abandon its nuclear program and stop testing missiles in order to prevent the US and the ROK from using those as an excuse to expedite the deployment of THAAD.

The author is an assistant research fellow at the National Institute of International Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

(China Daily)
"This port visit is a tremendous opportunity to build relationships between sailors based on shared interests and perspectives," Benfold Commander Justin Harts said.

Maritime relations between the United States and China have faced challenges in recent years, as Washington has carried out a series of freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, where Beijing claims sovereignty.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Earlier, social media picked up on Snowden's Friday Tweet containing a cryptic 64-character code, prompting speculation on whether he is dead or disappeared with the code being triggered after he failed to log in after a certain period of time. On Sunday, journalist and Snowden's close associate Glenn Greenwald said in his Twitter that the whistleblower is fine. Snowden's original message appears to have been deleted from his Twitter account.

"Again, we are seeing certain speculations about Edward Snowden. Of course, there probably are people interested in speculating on this matter who have been doing this for the last several years. I can authoritatively say that he is alive and well, he is living in Russia and is busy with his favorite work, and the appearance of certain codes in his Twitter does not mean that he is in danger of some sort. This is an attribute of his work and there is nothing bad about it," Kucherena told RIA Novosti.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  A US serviceman, whose weapons and an identification card were demonstrated by Daesh militants over the weekend, was not captured and is accounted for, a Pentagon official told Sputnik on Monday.

"We can confirm that the soldier in question is with his unit and is not captured despite having lost his ID card and possibly some of his equipment during recent operations," the official stated.

Daesh terrorists showed pictures of two ID cards belonging to American army specialist Ryan Jay Larson, along with US weapons and radio equipment.
BAKU - Leaders of Iran and Azerbaijan discussed ways to boost trade in Baku on Sunday before a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who arrived on Sunday, talked with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on ways to bolster cooperation in commerce, industry, energy and transportation, the official AZERTAC news agency reported.

The two sides signed six bilateral documents including an intergovernmental protocol of intent on cooperation on the North-South international transport corridor project.

"The crucial goal of Iran and Azerbaijan is to develop a free trade," Rouhani said at a joint press conference with Aliyev.

"Iran is negotiating with the Eurasian Economic Union on custom tariffs, and is interested in reaching similar agreements with Azerbaijan in this regard as well," he said.

He underlined cooperation in the banking sector, saying that "We try to enhance banking ties to a level which lead to the development of mutual trade and economic relations in all fields."

The two countries were developing cooperation in investment, industry, technology, car manufacturing and pharmaceutical fields, he said.

The Azerbaijani president said that his country made important steps to accelerate the construction of the North-South transport corridor, noting that by the end of this year Azerbaijan will construct the railway line to the border with Iran.

"Today we have signed a memorandum to speed up the construction of the transport corridor. The Azerbaijani side wishes to take part in the financing of this project," Aliyev said.

"This issue will also be discussed tomorrow at the trilateral meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran," he added.

Putin, in an interview with AZERTAC news agency on Friday, has said "Our talks will focus on a flagship project -- the International North-South Transport Corridor."

The transport corridor, with a total length of 7,200 km, aims to provide the best possible opportunities for transporting transit cargo from India, Iran and the Gulf States to Azerbaijan, Russia and further to northern and western Europe, said Putin.

The tripartite meeting scheduled for Monday is expected to focus on trade, energy, communications, transportation, environment as well as on the situation in Syria and on the threat of the Islamic State terror group.

During his two-day visit to Baku, Rouhani will hold separate meeting with Putin to exchange views on issues of mutual interest, local media reported.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia's St. Petersburg-based Malakhit design bureau said Monday it had signed a contract with the Defense Ministry to design a fifth-generation multi-purpose nuclear-powered submarine with construction to start sometime after 2020.

"A contract has been signed with the Defense Ministry on the development of a new-generation [nuclear] vessel. It is realistic to say that the construction may start after 2020," Malakhit's General Director Vladimir Dorofeev said in an interview with the Echo Moskvy radio.
BELGRADE (Sputnik)  Serbia is getting ready for two upcoming joint military drills with Russia and Belarus: Slavic Brotherhood and Bars, a spokesperson for the Serbian Defense Ministry said Monday.

"Slavic Brotherhood-2016 drills will take place on the Serbian territory between September and October 2016. The drills will be held by three parties with the participation of representatives of Russian, Belarus and Serbian armed forces," the spokesperson told RIA Novosti.

The parties will agree on the exercise's details, including the date, the number of the participants and venue, at a conference in late August.
In the wake of the failed attempt to overthrow the Erdogan government on July 15 and the ensuing purge that has led to over 18,000 military servicemen and judges being rounded up and imprisoned on charges of treason, yet another Turkish leader has stepped forward calling on the country to step back from its alliance with NATO forces who top Erdogan regime officials accuse of being complicit in the botched coup.

The Deputy Chairman of Turkeys Center-Left Republican Peoples Party has called for the immediate eviction of all foreign aircraft, tools and materials from the country and said that Incirlik Air Base should be shuttered.

"Incirlik Air Base has added nothing but instability and fragmentation to Turkey and the region," said Havutca. The lawmaker went on to say that the NATO base failed to stand by the Turkish people at a time when their blood was being spilled and the nation was in tears.
This process, according to Kumbaroglu, will become "increasingly more active," but although there is competition between Russian and US gas exporters for the European energy market, it is an indirect one. US LNG exports will mostly flow to Western Europe, while Southeastern Europe will still rely on the Russian gas, he added.

The analyst also said that the Turkish Stream will not compete with the TANAP initiative. The Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline that will stretch from Azerbaijan through Georgia and Turkey to Europe is expected to be completed in 2018. Both projects, Kumbaroglu said, will "complement each other."

The analyst also mentioned that security risks linked to the Turkish Stream initiative are minimal.

"The pipeline will run across the Black Sea to the Turkish village of Kykoy. It will then reach the Greek border. The pipeline will be located in the safest regions in Turkey. Pipelines that pass through Iran or Iraq, for instance, are significantly more prone to risks considering regional instability," he said. "In the Turkish Stream's case this issue I think is out of the question."
Turkish President Erdogan has not only eliminated tensions with Moscow, but also reconciled with Israel and Iran, the newspaper wrote. Iran remains a key Russian partner in helping Syria's President Assad defeat Islamist militants.

"The surprising harmony between Shiite Iran and Sunni Turkey has a comprehensible reason: For both the Islamic State is a threat that needs to be eliminated, and the Russian Air Force is particularly active in this direction," the newspaper wrote.

Whether the newly established friendships persist after a potential victory over the internationally-condemned terrorist group Daesh remains to be seen. However, they would certainly lead to a new political order in the Middle East and threaten Western dominance.

"The political order in the Middle East that changed over a short period of time demonstrates the weakness of Western foreign and defense policy," the newspaper wrote. "In the Middle East, the West is about to lose Turkey as its outpost. It has also made its ally Israel angry and is being scolded by Iran as a Satan, although the nuclear agreement should actually have started a new era [in their relations]," the article concluded.
KHARTOUM (Sputnik)  Turkey and a number of European countries are discussing ways to ease US economic sanctions against Sudan in order to open the country for investment, Turkish Ambassador to Sudan Cemalettin Aydin told Sputnik Monday.

"One of the reasons behind the lack of Turkish investments in Sudan is linked to the difficulties caused by the US embargo. We are talking with a range of European countries, also suffering from this, about convincing the United States to ease the pressure on Sudan," Aydin said.
"The West, particularly the United States, is concerned about improving ties between Moscow and Ankara," he said.

This is what makes Erdogan's visit to Russia so important. The meeting, Karakus noted, should be viewed as a "barrier" that will prevent Washington and its allies from carrying out their Greater Middle East initiative. "Russian-Turkish cooperation and joint activities will also help to resolve problems in Syria," he added.

US journalist Mike Whitney shared these sentiments, saying that Turkey's new foreign policy that has aligned the country with Russia, Iran and Syria will undermine Washington's efforts aimed at "[controlling] the flow of energy from Qatar to Europe" and "[redrawing] the map of the Middle East," as well as the country's pivot to Asia.

"That strategy will either be decimated or suffer a severe setback," he wrote for CounterPunch.

This could be the reason why Washington has tried to weather the storm by sending high-ranking US officials to Turkey. General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has already visited Ankara while Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Joe Biden are expected to go to Turkey this month.

"No effort will be spared to bring Erdogan back into the fold," Whitney observed, adding that this charm offensive will likely fail.
"The United States stands with the government and people of Pakistan, and is committed to supporting them in the fight against terrorism," Hale stated. "We support Pakistan's efforts to bring to justice those behind the attack."

The US ambassador also offered condolences to the victims of the attack and their families.
According to the politician, this initiative is a very important positive step, especially on the eve of the Turkish leader's visit to Russia.

"As a representative of the party and as a citizen, I consider this kind of media censorship and ban of informational sources unacceptable," the politician told Sputnik. "I believe that lifting the ban on the website before the visit of Mr. Erdogan to Russia is a gesture of goodwill. This decision was not made by chance. This is a positive step that demonstrates a serious intention to open a new page in Turkish-Russian relations," he added.

The website of Sputnik's Turkish bureau was blocked on April 14 by Turkey's Department of Telecommunications and Communication (TIB). The former chief editor of Sputnik's Turkish bureau, Tural Kerimov, was denied entry to Turkey, and stripped of his accreditation and residence permit in the country.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The United States should return $2 billion in Iranian assets frozen by the US high court, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a letter to US President Barack Obama released on Monday.

"It is the clear expectation of the Iranian nation that the particular case of property seizurebe quickly fixed by your excellency," the letter said. "I passionately advise you not to let the historical defamation and bitter incident be recorded under your name."
BAKU (Sputnik)  Putin was speaking in Azeri capital Baku where he met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Azerbaijan's Ilham Aliyev. The Russian leader last met with Rouhani when he visited Iran in November 2015 for the first time in eight years.

"Since then, weve come a long way in developing our bilateral relations. Our friendship is growing stronger and becoming more comprehensive. This is true for our economic ties and political contacts across all spheres, as well as for humanitarian cooperation," Putin said at a meeting with Rouhani in Baku.
America's new approach to dealing with the Syrian crisis, according to Bash, will involve a more vigorous campaign against Daesh as well as efforts to force Assad out. Yet this strategy will not necessarily lead to a peaceful and prosperous Syria. In fact, it will most likely fuel the sectarian violence that has already claimed more than 280,000 lives and left millions displaced.

Russia has repeatedly warned that a regime change in Syria will only help religious fundamentalist groups that are trying to overthrow Assad and establish Sharia Law in the war-torn country. Leupp echoed these sentiments.

"The weakening of central state power encouraged by the US since [2011] has allowed these groups to seize territory and advance their positions, while the reclamation of state authority when it's happened has set back the bad guys. Or at least the worst guys," he noted.

Hardliners in the US have been deaf to these concerns. Earlier this year, a group of State Department employees signed a letter calling for a limited use of force to encourage Assad to resign. "Meanwhile the recent statement from the Center for a New Security headed by key Clinton aide and likely future Secretary of Defense Michele Flournoy similarly promotes regime change," Leupp added.

The professor further said that Hillary Clinton appears to have not drawn any conclusions from the 2011 NATO-led intervention in Libya that plunged the country into chaos.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  He added that two countries are actively cooperating on various international platforms, stressing that trilateral meetings between Baku, Moscow and Tehran will help to develop regional trade and security.

"I would like to highlight the Russian role in the resolution of the Armenian-Azeri Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I thank you [President Putin] for you personal active participation in the process," Aliyev said at the meeting with Putin.

On Sunday, Aliyev held a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani in Baku. The meeting took place ahead of Monday's Russian-Iranian-Azerbaijani summit.
BAKU (Sputnik)  The leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran have adopted a joint declaration following a trilateral summit in the Azeri capital, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported on Monday.

A draft declaration obtained by Sputnik earlier highlighted the need to jointly fight terrorism, as well as boost business, energy, transportation and other ties through establishing respective working groups.

Moscow views the first of its kind trilateral summit as essential in light of the similar economic, security and counterterrorism issues the three countries face, according to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The explosion ripped through the hospital in the restive Balochistan province as the body of recently-killed Bilal Anwar Kasi, the president of the Balochistan Bar Association (BBA), was being brought in. The majority of mourners were reportedly lawyers and journalists.

"We decisively condemn this cynical, inhumane crime Id like to reiterate that the Russian side is ready to bolster cooperation with Pakistani partners in the fight against terrorism," Putin said.
The two countries' leaders are certain to agree on highly important decisions relating to security, stability and prosperity of the Eurasian region in the future Conkar said, adding that such moves are necessitated by geopolitical realities.

"I therefore think that tomorrow's meeting of our countries' presidents will become a historic one. I am certain that decisions to be taken by president Erdogan and president Putin, as well as their implementation, will lay a solid foundation for a stable development of Turkey, Russia, the region and the whole world," he said.

Ankara and Moscow ended seven months of strained relations in late June when Erdogan wrote a letter to Putin, apologizing for the downing of the Russian Su-24 attack aircraft by a Turkish jet in November 2015 over Syria and extending his condolences to the family of the pilot killed in the incident.
BAKU (Sputnik)  The three leaders, Putin, Iran's Hassan Rouhani and Azeri Ilham Aliyev met in the Azerbaijan's capital of Baku earlier in the day.

"Today we are opening, of course, a new page in the relations, giving a start to cooperation in a trilateral format. In our view, the demand for this format is obvious  all the three countries are united by a willingness to coordinate the approaches on a wide range of regional and global issues, by a desire to further strengthen multifaceted practical cooperation in the trade and economic spheres," Putin said at the trilateral meeting.

The Russian president said that the countries were facing similar problems and challenges, such as the ongoing global economic crisis. According to him, Azerbaijan and Iran are good neighbors and important partners for Russia.
BAKU (Sputnik)  Earlier in the day, the three leaders met in the Azerbaijan capital of Baku. According to a draft declaration which should be approved by the leaders of the three countries, the sides have agreed to intensify cooperation to ensure the sustainable functioning of both global and regional gas markets, among other measures.

"This is a historic date. I am grateful to Presidents Putin, Rouhani. Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran met in April. Our countries are cooperating successfully, supporting each other," Aliyev said.

According to Aliyev, a trilateral summit will increase the countries' economic standards. He also added that the sides would participate in joint investment projects.
Earlier, Russian officials stated that Moscow hopes for Turkey to assume a more constructive stance on the Syrian crisis at the upcoming meeting.

"Of course, the Syrian crisis will be discussed in great detail, and we hope that the Turkish position will have a more constructive character in the given context," Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said.

Ankara and Moscow ended seven months of strained relations in late June when Erdogan wrote a letter to Putin, apologizing for the downing of a Russian Su-24 attack aircraft by a Turkish jet in November 2015 over Syria and extending his condolences to the family of the pilot killed in the incident.

"Due to the polar positions of the countries, the crisis lasted for 7 month until finally they came to the decision to normalize relations. Both countries need each other, after all. Russia plays crucial role in the Turkish energy sector. Russia provides 55 percent of the gas for Turkish industry. Turkish companies have been active in the Russian construction sector since the 1980s. They have invested more than 60 billion in the Russian housing construction market. Besides, Russia is a huge market for Turkish textile products and petrochemicals," the expert said.

Thus, during the upcoming meeting, the countries intend to discuss such subjects as the Syrian crisis, the normalization of Russian-Turkish relations, Ankara's payment of compensation to the family of the slain Russian pilot, as well as economic cooperation. The parties may also discuss the Turkish Stream project, the implementation of which was suspended because of the crisis in relations between the two countries.
On this episode of "By Any Means Necessary" host Eugene Puryear is joined by Marybeth Onyeukwu, organizer and author to talk about the role of immigration politics in the presidential election. As well as Perry Redd, advocate for the formerly incarcerated to discuss President Obama's commutation of sentences for hundreds of non-violent drug offenders. Eugene is also joined by Tawanda Jones, the brother of Tyrone West, who was murdered by Baltimore police in 2013 about the ongoing struggle for justice for her brother and other victims of police violence.
In a stinging rebuke, the court found the statute's provisions were enacted by state Republicans with "racially discriminatory intent" that "target(ed) African-Americans with almost surgical precision." Days later, on August 3, as anticipated, North Carolina filed a Motion with the 4th Circuit Court of Appeal seeking a stay of the court's injunction that bars enforcement of its "omnibus" election law, pending a petition for a writ of certiorari (essentially, a request for a hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court). The principal basis for NC's request was based upon what is known as the "Purcell principle"  the Supreme Court's recently-adopted general notion that changes in election laws, for good or ill, should not be ordered too close to an election due to the risk of chaos and uncertainty the late changes may cause at the polls.

The next day, on August 4, the same unanimous 4th Circuit panel summarily denied the NC's request for a stay, noting that, during oral arguments "the State assured us it would be able to comply with any order we issued by late July." Indeed, a stay, the 3-judge panel noted, would actually violate the Purcell principle because the "State has already notified its voters that it will not ask them to show ID (when voting at the polling place) and that early voting will begin on October 20."

"Finally," the 4th Circuit panel observed, "the balance of equities heavily weighs against recalling the mandate or granting a stay. Voters disenfranchised by a law enacted with discriminatory intent suffer irreparable harm far greater than any potential harm to the State."
I came to the head of Istra district with three business plans and promised to run the project. A year later I was able to receive municipal land for 49 years. Conditions for rent are just great  only 8,000 rubles (123 USD) per year, explained the farmer.

Oleg Sirota sold everything he owned to start his business, raising 12 million rubles total. However, this large sum of money only lasted him a year.

In any startup, you come across a situation when funds run out. So I opened pre-orders for cheese and in the end collected 8 million, on which I was able to complete the project, said Oleg.

Two problems at the creamery

Yet Oleg does not own a cowshed and has to order milk from other farmers. Finding high quality milk in Russia has proved to be a hard task for him.
SIMFEROPOL (Sputnik)  Russia's historical southern region of Crimea rejoined the country after a 2014 referendum, when over 96 percent of the region's population voted for reunification.

"Our delegation and our people would like to strengthen friendship and establish economic relations between Jordan and Crimea," Dabbah said at the meeting with the Crimean authorities, adding that the delegation is particularly interested in the cooperation in the fields of tourism and education.

Head of Russias Republic of Crimea Sergei Aksenov said in turn that Jordan would find trustworthy partners in the republic.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Lockheed Martin has just signed a contract with the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for a miniature infrared satellite to provide scientists with advanced imaging of the Moon, the company announced in a press release on Monday.

"SkyFires lunar flyby will pioneer brand new infrared technology, enabling scientists to fill strategic gaps in lunar knowledge that have implications for future human space exploration," SkyFire project manager John Ringelberg said.

The SkyFire 6U CubeSat, a small, lightweight imaging satellite, is set to be deployed in 2018 along with 12 other CubeSats on the Orion Exploration Mission-1.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  His remarks came ahead of the 2016 International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples to be celebrated on August 9.

"Together, by building bridges and strengthening partnerships, guaranteeing equal access to education and most importantly, by empowering indigenous and tribal peoples through decent work, we can surmount the challenges ahead," Guy Ryder said in a statement.

An important factor in the employment of indigenous peoples is sustainable environment and protection of their habitat, according to the ILO director-general.
MADRID (Sputnik)  According to the Center of Sociological Research's (CIS) first poll since the parliamentary elections held on June 26, which was carried out on July 1-11 in 50 provinces among 2,500 adults, if new national elections were held today, the PP would get 32.5 percent, which would represent a 9.4 point lead over its next rival the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE).

The party Podemos is losing popularity, with only 19.6 percent ready to give their vote to it now against 21.1 percent in June. The party Citizens would receive 12 percent. The Republican Left of Catalonia finished fifth with 2.9 percent.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  An F/A-18 Super Hornet jet, carrying two MK-82 bombs, successfully tested the new bomb technology by hitting the targets at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, California.

"Dual Mode Plus benefits from the reliability and affordability of the Paveway II Plus Laser Guided Bomb [LGB] system," Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Precision Guided Systems Director Joe Serra stated in the release.

Serra noted that the new technology benefits from integrating the Global Positioning System and Inertial Guidance System all-weather moving target capability.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  President Barack Obamas policies have massively increased poverty in the United States, forcing almost 12 million more people to obtain food stamps, and leaving more than 90 million adults without jobs, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Monday.

"Nearly 12 million people have been added to the food stamps [program] since President Obama took office," Trump stated in a speech to the Detroit Economic Club. "We have the lowest labor force participation rates in four decades. There are now 93.4 million Americans outside of the labor force. It was 80.4 million when Obama took office."

Trump noted that the US home ownership was currently at its lowest rate in 51 years, and the latest economic growth rate of 1.2 percent under Obama was the weakest since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Ahmed Mohamed, better known as the clock boy, made international headlines September 2015 after he was arrested and charged with having a fake bomb. The teen explained that it was a homemade clock he had brought in to impress his teacher at his school in Irving.

Following the storys speedy viral flight, the teen was invited to the White House, met US President Barack Obama and, later, visited with the president of his home country of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, who is a wanted war criminal accused of orchestrating a genocide during the Darfur conflict, beginning in 2003.

The teen and his family visited in spite of the charges against Sudans president, stating that it would be rude not to accept.
It seems unlikely that the resolution will pass. Banning a potential head of state could have dramatic consequences, and a similar effort to bar the billionaire from entering the United Kingdom has gained little traction.

Still, Trumps comments, were he elected, could potentially affect the roughly 4,000,000 people of Filipino descent currently living in the United States, as well.

The inclusion of the Philippines on Trumps list of terrorist nations is noteworthy given that it seems to go beyond the candidates proposed Muslim ban. According to the CIAs World Factbook, over 90% of the countrys population is Christian, and most are practicing Roman Catholics. Only 5% consider themselves to be Muslims.

Its possible, given the candidates consistent propensity for speaking off the cuff, that Trump confused the Philippines with nearby Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim country.
The incident took place outside a Sanders rally on Wilshire Boulevard on March 23. Anni Ma was initially dressed in a skirt, and masking tape covering her nippples which read free the nipple and feel the Bern, but problems arose when she opted to remove the tape.

"Plaintiff Ma removed the masking tape covering her nipples and areolas thereby legally going natural. Plaintiff Ma was attired in such a manner that she was not in violation of any law, Mas lawsuit states.

Ma claims that officers Weston and Bermudez grabbed her and pushed her up against a pole, saying she must put the tape over her nipples or she would be arrested."
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The Florida Department of Health (DOH) found a new case of non-travel related Zika virus infection in an individual in Palm Beach County, Florida, Governor Rick Scott said on Monday.

"Today, DOH has announced they are investigating one new individual with non-travel related Zika in Palm Beach County," Scott stated.

A statement released by Scott indicated that the person had recently traveled to Miami-Dade County, and the Department of Health is working to determine the source of the infection.
Denver Police have said in the past that such an effort would be too expensive and labor intensive to be effective. Activists disagree. Lisa Calderone, co-chair of the Denver chapter of the Colorado Latino Forum said, "If DPD was willing to collect demographic data all along, why was there a litany of voices from community groups, legislators, the Denver auditor and independent monitor all pushing for them to collect it? Because DPD refused to collect it."

Stephanie OMalley, executive director of Denvers safety department, formerly considered this form of data collection unfeasible, but has since changed her mind. "There has been outreach from members of the community to collaborate with us on the collection of data concerning law enforcement contacts and we are not adverse to having that happen," she said in a statement. "We will explore ways to meet expectations while considering the impact of acquiring personal information from residents during their interactions with police officers."
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Parents of two victims of the 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya filed a wrongful death suit against Hillary Clinton for alleged negligence when she was US secretary of state, media reported.

"Parents of two US foreign service workers killed in Benghazi file wrongful death suit vs. Hillary Clinton," NBC news, citing court documents, said in a Twitter post on Monday.

The parents also sued Clinton for defamation, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress, the post stated.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Responder rescue ship will patrol the central Mediterranean route from Africa to Italy, accounting for most deaths of migrants trying to reach Europe by sea, the Red Cross said in a press release. The Italian Red Cross (CRI), the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) will partner for the mission.

"Too many, far too many children, women and men are drowning in the Mediterranean as they try to reach Europe in search of safety and dignity," IFRC Secretary General Elhadj As Sy said as quoted in the press release. "This is unacceptable, and we must stop it. This vessel is a buoy of hope that will save lives and alleviate human suffering."

The European Union is currently struggling to manage an enormous refugee crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflict-torn countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The majority of them try to reach relatively stable EU states by sea. More than 3,770 deaths of migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea were recorded in 2015, according to the IOM.
Shamkhani told Tasnim news agency that the US payment was part of a settlement on a decades-old arms deal between the countries that was suspended due the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran received $400 million in frozen assets and expects $1.3 more in accumulated interest.

Irans top national security official said the announcement that Iran had fulfilled its commitment under the nuclear pact as millions in cash were reportedly flown by an unmarked cargo plane to Tehran was a mere coincidence.
BAKU (Sputnik)  His comment at a meeting with Azeri and Iranian presidents came after a suicide bombing killed at least 70 people at a hospital in southwestern Pakistan on the border with Iran.

"We cannot but feel concerned about the presence of two major hotspots  in Afghanistan and in the Middle East  close to the Russian, Azeri and Iranian borders. They pose a threat of international terrorism and cross-border crime, mostly related to a rise in drug trafficking, arms smuggling and flows of militants," Putin said.

The Russian leader urged Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Azerbaijan's Ilham Aliyev to work closer together to address this challenge. Earlier today, Rouhani also called for further integration between the three neighbor nations to counter regional threats.
BAKU (Sputnik)  Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev called on Monday for the enhancing of joint efforts in coordination of fight against terrorism.

"Risks and threats of international terrorism are growing. Only by cooperation we can defeat global terrorism. We are calling for international cooperation in fight against terrorism," Aliyev said at the trilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

The three leaders met in the Azerbaijan capital of Baku earlier in the day.
Last year Russia announced that it would lend to Egypt an R-32 missile warship that was formerly part of Russia's Black Sea fleet. The vessel participated in a ceremony marking the opening of a new expanded section of the Suez Canal. Following the ceremony, the ship returned to Russia, where Egyptian sailors and engineers were trained to operate the ship.

The vessel, now renamed Ahmed Fadel, has returned to the Egyptian navy base in Alexandria. At a flag-raising ceremony attended by the Russian military there on Thursday, the commander of the Leningrad Naval Base, Rear Admiral Igor Smolyak, said that Egyptian-Russian military relations are "strong and extending over a long period of time."

According to the Egyptian Ministry of Defense, the 57-meter corvette displaces 550 tons and has a top speed of 38 knots. It is armed with AK-630 30-mm close-in weapons systems, an AK-176 76-mm main gun, and supersonic Moskit (SS-N-22 Sunburn) anti-ship missiles. The Sunburn is the world's fastest anti-ship missile and reaches the speed of Mach 2.2 at low altitudes, and Mach 3 at high altitudes.
It was announced last month that Rob Cook would be taking over the reins at Ontario Racing as the organizations executive director. Now that he has acclimatized himself to his surroundings, Cook has introduced himself to the industry and has conveyed what he has learned so far.

Cook has penned his first blog entry for OR, which kicks off by saying, With two weeks under my belt at Ontario Racing, I wanted to share what Ive learned so far.

The blog entry appears below in its entirety.

Rob's Blog - e1

With two weeks under my belt at Ontario Racing, I wanted to share what Ive learned so far.

First, as I continue to meet professionals in this industry, my key takeaway has been that this is a group of passionate and hardworking individuals, dedicated horse racing and to the future of the sport in Ontario.

I share your commitment and your concerns, but am optimistic that there is a path forward. As I work with our partners in government, at the AGCO and at OLG, and at tracks and within horsepersons associations, to build that future  I have also learned how the current circumstances came to be. Knowing where we have been is integral to shaping where we will go.

Twenty years ago, the government of the day designed the pari-mutuel tax reduction program (PMTR) that returned 6.5 per cent of pari-mutuel tax to the industry under a memorandum of understanding. You know where the story goes next: five years ago, the government cancelled another program that provided support to the industry  the Slots at Racetracks Program (SARP), and the subsequent reinvestment of public funding through the Horse Racing Partnership Program (HRPP).

These changes have brought with them a need for horse racing to assume a senior role both in directing and administering a multi-faceted racing program and in designing a long term funding arrangement with government.

As is often the case, change was a long time coming but very quick in implementation. Last fall the government began preparing to dissolve the Ontario Racing Commission and transition administration to OLG and regulation to AGCO.

Why Ontario Racing? We are not the ORC, and we are not OHRIA. Our goal is to have Ontario Racing fully in place as the recognized industry association on January 1, 2017. Until that time, Ontario Racing has and will continued to benefit from OHRIAs expertise. Governance and industry representation is critical for Ontario Racing - now, and in the future.

Until this point, OR has been more engaged with partners like OLG, AGCO and government, than we have with the industry. That will change. The primary purpose of Ontario Racing is to provide the industry a voice for leadership in shaping their future. As we move forward, build capacity and establish governance structures, we will have the skills and tools we need to effectively listen to industry participants and provide that leadership.

Our task is to transition from viewing horse racing participants as stakeholders, as within the ORC model, to serving them as shareholders.

Ontario Racing is a step forward in the horse racing industrys ability to direct its future. While there have been growing pains, the effort will be worthwhile. Getting Ontario Racing off the ground has required partnership with the government and, more importantly, the patience and trust of everyone in horse racing.

I thank you for your patience, and I restate my commitment to continuing to communicate with you as this process unfolds.

Best,

Rob Cook

(Courtesy: Ontario Racing)
Skeptics Accuse Producer of Film that 'Destroys Atheism' of Faking Interviews



LOS ANGELES, Aug. 8, 2016 / LOS ANGELES, Aug. 8, 2016 / Standard Newswire / -- Ray Comfort, whose movies have been seen by millions, is no stranger to controversy. His latest film, which shows a number of atheists changing their minds about God after being asked one scientific question, has skeptics doubting the veracity of the interviews.

Comfort, producer of "The Atheist Delusion," says it's understandable that atheists doubt the film offers scientific evidence for the existence of God that would convince their fellow nonbelievers. "They justifiably feel threatened. For an atheist, proof that God exists sounds too bad to be true. But it is true; these are all genuine interviews with self-professed atheists. They are asked one specific question in the movie, and you get to see a number of what were once adamant atheists change their minds. In this case, seeing is believing."

Comfort says he is fully aware that his ministry's credibility is on the line with such a bold claim. "But," he says, "the proof is in the pudding." Atheists who commented on the trailer of 'The Atheist Delusion' don't think so:

"I'm sorry, I'm a performer, I spend a lot of my time judging believability, and it's just so obvious that the majority of these people were paid."

"These 'atheists' are most definitely paid actorsIt's just shameless..."

"The 'one question' that destroys atheism doesn't exist.It's a lie, because Ray Comfort is a liar."

"I think Ray Comfort isa cowarda despicable liar and a dishonest charlatan."

In contrast, Comfort says, those who have viewed the movie think differently, after seeing the evidence:

"Amazing movie. I haven't wept like that since my conversion."

"AMAZING and extremely well done."

"Wow, Wow and Wow! A must watch. Powerful."

"Very moving. Brought me to tears. LOVE all the changed minds and hearts. PTL!"

Thousands have already downloaded the one-hour film to view it in advance of its official release and to help fund future projects. It will be available for free viewing on YouTube in early October. The trailer can be seen at AtheistMovie.com

Comfort added, "In the past, most of what I have said to atheists has been like water off a duck's back. This movie rips the feathers off the duck."
By: Daisy Handfield

DOMINICANS in the Turks and Caicos Islands attended a farewell ceremony for murder victim, Sonrineida Moreno Arias, whose corpse was returned to the Dominican Republic on Tuesday for burial.





The ceremony was held at Our Lady of Divine Providence Catholic church in Providenciales on Sunday (July 29), with the casket present.





The body of the 26-year-old was initially scheduled to be returned on Sunday, but due to bad weather, it could not be sent until Tuesday.





She was accompanied by her uncle and a cousin, who both live in Providenciales.





Dominican consul, Edwin Hernandez, said he along with the Dominicans United Committee, will continue to follow-up on the investigations into her death.





"We are letting the police do their jobs, but at the same time, we are constantly following up on their progress."





Moreno Arias was the second Dominican to be murdered in the Turks and Caicos Islands, in the space of three months.





The body of 27-year-old Yuneiry Veras was discovered on April 23 at about 1.04pm on Saturday (April 23), in Pirates Cove, on Tom Lightbournes Drive, in the north-western area of

Providenciales.





The last time she was seen was around 4 am that morning, before she was picked up from her Robinson Street residence by an unknown driver.





She reportedly left work at the Shadow Bar around 3 am Sunday morning and was dropped off at her home by a co-worker.





Police are seeking public assistance to find the person or people who may be responsible for her murder.





Anyone with information about this murder or other crimes can contact Chalk Sound PoliceStation on 339-5901.





To remain anonymous, the public can call Crime Stoppers on 1-800 8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc.




By: Daisy Handfield

YOUNG Turks and Caicos Islanders between the ages of 18 and 32, now have the opportunity to join the British Armed Forces.





This opportunity was announced by childrens rights activist, Patricia Duff, at the Edward Gartland Youth Centre, in Providenciales, last week.





She said that there was no gender discrimination, and it did not matter whether or not individuals have faced any problems with the law, in the past.





When speaking of the opportunity, Duff first made reference to a young man that approached her last year, seeking working opportunities, but lacking any qualifications.





She said that the young man asked her if there was any way that she could help him get to the United Kingdom, to get more of an education, and then seek employment.





Duff said that this encouraged her to look into the Royal Air Force (RAF), and see what opportunities were available for Turks and Caicos Islanders, in the United Kingdom.





"They [RAF] have said that if enough people show interest, they will send out a team to recruit for the British Army, the Royal Navy, and the Air Force.





"The wonderful thing is that there are so many jobs available.





"Depending on your qualifications; if you have none, or if you have lots, and what your interests are





"They [RAF] will slip you into doing whatever you are good at, or what you could be good at, and they train you.





"If you go in as one thing, you can go in and train, and go higher and higher up the ladder, Duff said.





"Once 50 or more people show interest in the initiative, delegates from the RAF will pay a visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), and continue on from there."





She set up a website, so that individuals could apply online.





Interested people could log on to: www.Turksandcaicos-islands.net/jobs, and fill out the required form.





Or, call Patricia Duff on 649- 244- 6838, or 649- 941-8499.





Duff is expecting positive feedback from the community, and looks forward to many islanders taking advantage of what she considers to be a life-changing opportunity.





The Former Premier disagrees

Shortly after the news broke out, Former Premier of the TCI, Michael Misick, issued a statement opposing the idea of locals joining the British Armed Forces.





Misick said the TCI was in need of border defense, and that all efforts should be on establishing a TCI defense force, where young men and women could serve with honour, and defend the land that they love.





He said: "The audacity of the British Armed Forces to attempt to recruit young Turks and Caicos Islanders is mind-boggling.





"The recent registration drive is a stark reminder that we are still under the curtains of a colonial power, whose ultimate goal is to drain every resource from us to bolster their failing nation.





"Britain is a colonial power and a colonial power that has to be seen for what it is.





"The UK never supported our efforts to establish a Turks and Caicos Olympic team, but they had no issues taking our best athlete to be a part of theirs.





Misick said that racism in the British army is serious and that it was no secret.





"Just last year, a British Veteran was heckled at the Remembrance Day celebration because, while he is a British citizen, he is originally from South Africa.





"This man, who served in the British army for seven and a half years, did two tours of duty in Afghanistan and lost his hearing on the battlefield, has a fractured spine and lost 11 of his colleagues in the war, but he was mocked at the remembrance day ceremony simply because he stood to attention to pay respect to his fallen comrades.





"Imagine after all the years of service, after carrying the bodies of his friends and fighting to the death to defend Great Britain this man was mocked, and ridiculed because of his skin colour and guess what, he is not even a very dark skinned man, Misick said.





The former Premier asked parents to not allow their children to be sacrificed, for a cause that was not their own.





He said: "We have our own issue in the TCI and cannot afford to lose any more good people.





"In this small nation where everyone is family, we should never have to line the streets of the airport to see the bodies of our beloved hauled from the cargo hold of a British jet while the British Generals sit at home and enjoy Sunday tea.





"Our nation is our pride and our people are our nation.





"Let us hold fast to our goals and stay focused on our dreams.




BY OLIVIA ROSE

THE NATIONAL Security Council (NSC) has recommended to Cabinet a request for a proposal to install the first phase of closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) in Providenciales and Grand Turk.





This comes against the backdrop of the Government efforts to install (CCTV) cameras on every street, as part of its plans to curb the countrys escalating crime.





The Governor, Premier, Police Commissioner, Minister for Border Control and Attorney General (AG) held their fifth meeting of the National Security Council on Tuesday 26 July.





At that meeting they noted the value of systems in other jurisdictions, and proposed that a steering group be formed as soon as possible, chaired by the Director of the Premiers Office, to take forward proposals, including considering possible private sector collaboration.





They also noted that it would be necessary for the AG to consider the need for some data protection legislation.





The Council also discussed the radar detection centre, and the need to collaborate with the Police Force, especially after the acquisition of new high-speed vessels, and possibly drones, for the protection of TCIs borders.





The Council agreed to recommend to Cabinet that in order to ensure an effective detection unit, members of the existing team should be transferred to the Police staff under the direction of the Commissioner, once the appropriate administrative steps have been taken.





Only recently, Friday July 15, Premier Rufus Ewing met with members of the CCTV committee to discuss the progress of the CCTV program.





At the meeting a report on the advancement of the program was presented to the Premier by the committee.





Following the presentation of the report, Premier Ewing made a Government commitment to phase one of the project, which includes the installation of over 100 IP based cameras and real-time video monitoring system.





Phase one of the installation process is expected to be completed by November 2016.





Phase two will commence thereafter to include additional cameras on Providenciales and Grand Turk and the incorporation of the adopt a camera initiative in partnership with the private sector.





Calls for the installation of CCTV cameras resurfaced after the gruesome discovery of the decaying and partly burnt body of Dominican National Sorineida Moreno-Arias, who had gone missing for days and was seemingly murdered.





Her death sparked massive outrage in the Dominican community and among political leaders as well.





To this end, Former Premier Michael Micisk called on the Premier to fast-track the CCTV program in an effort to protect the citizens.





He said: "I am calling on Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing and his government to urgently provide funds for the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) throughout the islands in order to protect our citizens, residents and tourists alike.





Also weighing in on the dire need for the installation of this crime fighting mechanism, Leader of the Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA), Oswald Skippings, bashed the Government for what he called a lack of positive administrative influence.





He said this lack of administrative authority is demonstrated by the fact that its Commissioner reportedly refused public funding in anticipation of the hoteliers providing such funding for CCTVs.








BY OLIVIA ROSE

THE PROGRESSIVE Democratic Alliance (PDA) says the Government is not doing enough to protect the Turks and Caicos Islands borders, and by extension its people.





In a strongly worded letter to the media, leader of the PDA Oswald Skippings, called out the Government for their passivity in addressing the age-old issue of illegal immigrants entering the country via sloops.





He said: "Yet another go-fast boat, loaded with illegal immigrants and possibly guns, ammunition and drugs, has successfully evaded the coastal radar system and safely landed in Providenciales. It is little wonder that we know not who and how many are in our country and what they are doing here.





"The fact that our Premier and his defunct administration is not only too passive in this matter but rather seemingly compliant, is an indictment on the ability of this PNP administration to govern.





"This Government needs to wake up to the realities and responsibilities of real twenty first century governance.





Skippings said that while the Premier found it necessary to hold talks with the Haitian authorities about tourism between the two countries, the real conversation should have been about immigration.





"We have been the greatest neighbor and the best friend to the Haitian government and its people and we continue to welcome them, embrace them, make them a part of us and we continue to offer them thousands of jobs annually by issuing work permits.





"Moreover, we look forward to a strengthening of relationship with those who have become Turks and Caicos Islanders in an effort to unify this country as one people.





"The time has come when the Haitian authorities should recognize our outstretched hand of assistance in providing jobs for thousands of their people and facilitating the remittances of tens of millions of dollars annually from the Turks and Caicos to the Haitian economy.





"In recognition and appreciation, the Haitian government has an obligation to protect those gestures made by the Turks and Caicos Government and its people and take steps to stem the flow of illegal immigrants to our shores.





The PDA Leader noted that there needs to be urgent formal talks between both governments and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) needs to be drafted, signed and honored by both governments in the interest of both countries and their peoples.





Skippings vehemently noted that the PNP government had fallen down on the job on both fronts.





"There should have already been new boats provided for the marine branch, which were already budgeted for and should have been here from the first quarter of the financial year.





He said : " Drones should have already been in place to provide better and more flexible surveillance of our coast; stiffer fines should have already been legislated for human traffickers and those who harbor illegals, and our security forces should have been involved in the management of the detention center to avoid the frequent escapes into our communities where there is already too many illegals; not to mention the fact that the British government should be made to honor its constitutional obligations of providing internal and external security for these islands.





"The money spent on repatriation of illegals could be better spent on much needed jobs and scholarships for our youths.





Skippings emphasized that it is high time that the Turks and Caicos people elect a government that is prepared and capable of operating like mature, authoritative, respected statesmen, protecting our countrys interest and deserving respect.





"The PDA is that government in waiting.




IN ITS now reclaimed and freshly painted headquarters, Progressive House, last Saturday (August 30) the Progressive National Party introduced all of their candidates vying for public office in the next elections.





The incumbent party is the first of all of three parties contesting this election to so far announce their full slate of candidates.





Resplendent in their yellow and black, the candidates introduced themselves to the small gathering of invited guests and the gathered press.

The PNP is alive and well all of the candidates chanted as they officially urged voters to vote for them, while those who currently hold office boasted of the many accomplishments they have brought to their various constituencies.





The candidates are - George Lightbourne for Grand Turk North; Arthur Lightbourne for Grand Turk South; Mark FulFord for North and Middle Caicos; Ruth Blackman for South Caicos; Akierra Missick for Leeward and Long Bay; Ricardo Donhue Gardiner an at large candidate; Porsha Stubbs-Smith for the Bight; Amanda Missick for Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill; Claudine Pratt-Ewing for Blue Hills; Rachel Taylor for Five Cays; Dameko Deen for Wheeland, Sheba Wilson running at large, Reverend John Malcom also running at large, Charles Washington Misick an at large candidate and the Premier, Dr Rufus Ewing the fifth at large candidate.





While introducing himself, Minister of Labour and Immigration DonHue Gardiner was quick to point out that his stepping aside from representing North and Middle Caicos in no way takes away from his commitment to the two islands.





Rather, he said, it opens up the opportunity for the injection of new and young blood into the political life of the country.





Minister of Finance, Washington Misick made an appeal to the younger voters, urging: "I want you to be very very careful in this upcoming elections when people come to you and ask you to support them. I want you to ask them why should I support you, what is your motive because anger, revenge and entitlement are not good political advices.





The minister and former Chief Minister also commended the leadership of Dr Ewing over these past few years.





"There are some young people and some not so young people who have a problem or who confuse leadership with populism.





"Leadership is about doing unpopular things that benefit everybody in the long run. Leadership is about controlling the pressure, everybody wants pressure to be released. No one wants to live in a situation where there is pressure, but sometimes as a leader you have difficult decisions to make, you have to control that pressure until it could be released, Misick advised.





He stated that the only way forward for the country now is up, as his PNP government has built a firm foundation.





Misick also recounted the TCIs financial upward mobility over the past few years and its booming tourism industry as hallmarks of the PNP Government, pointing out that the best is yet to come.





In his remarks the Premier asked the voters to do as they did in 2012 and return the PNP to government if they want to see progress continue.





"You as the voters of the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2012 entrusted us with your confidence to face the challenges that this nation had, head on. You trusted us to lead this nation and to lead this nation with determination into prosperity this season (four years) that you have entrusted us is now drawing to a close and a new season lies ahead, Ewing said, while urging the voters to make "the right choice again.





While the country has indeed rebounded financially under the current administration, gaining international recognition for its recovery, there have been cries  from the opposition and other people society  that there has been little to no trickle-down effect these past three and a half years.





The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) and the Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA) headed by former Chief Minister Oswald Skippings have pounced on the seeming lack of any trickle-down to the people of the country these few years, with many of their campaign talking points attacking the Government for having hundreds of millions in its coffers even as the poor man suffers.





A date for the next general election is yet to be announced.




As part of its commitment to support and guide the Political Parties and Independent Candidates in their preparations for the upcoming General Elections and thereafter, especially in relation to their obligations under the Political Activities Ordinance, the Integrity Commission has completed arrangements to meet with the Leaders and Executive of the Political Parties as well as the prospective Independent Candidates for briefing sessions during the week commencing 15 August, 2016. {{more}





These meetings will provide opportunity for the Commission to engage closely with the political party officials and the independent candidates separately, in an informal and interactive setting, at which the Commission will explain and provide guidance to the parties and independent candidates as to their respective obligations under the Political Activities Ordinance. These briefing sessions will cover important areas such as registration, recording of donations and campaign expenditure, guidance notes on loans, dormant companies, notice of contracts with TCIG and filing of returns. Packages containing information brochures and relevant forms will also be provided at these meetings.





The Meetings are scheduled as follows:





* Meeting with Independent Candidates is on Wednesday 17 August, 2016 at 5pm;

* Meeting with Political Party Leaders and Executives is on Friday 19 August, 2016 at 5pm





The venue for these meetings will be the Blue Haven Resort Conference Room, Providenciales





The Commission is therefore inviting the political party Leaders and their Executives as well as prospective Independent Candidates to these meetings on their respective dates. In preparation for these meetings, the Commission is also requesting all potential Independent Candidates to contact the Commission latest by 4 pm on Friday 12 August 2016 to confirm their attendance at the briefing sessions.





The Director of the Commission, Eugene Otuonye, Q.C. commented:"These meetings are part of the ongoing public education engagements with the political parties and candidates in the run up to and after the general elections. The meetings are crucial to fostering understanding and to secure the commitment of the Parties and Candidates to transparency and integrity in the electoral process




DIRECTOR of Tourism Ralph Higgs is resigning from the Board, effective September 30 of this year.





The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board made the announcement On Wednesday, stating that after 20 years of employment with the Government agency, Higgs has tenured his resignation as Director of Tourism, effective September 30, 2016.





According to a release from the Board| "Under Higgs directorship, the Turks and Caicos Islands received numerous accolades from the likes of TripAdvisor, CNN, Conde Nast, Forbes, and the World Travel Awards.





"The destination also experienced a steady increase in tourist arrivals annually.





In 2014, Higgs became the first winner of the Caribbean Travel Awards Tourism Director of the Year for taking the Turks and Caicos Tourism brand to new heights, helping to lead the destination to the best year-over-year improvement in tourist arrivals of any destination in the Caribbean.





"During his tenure at the Tourist Board, Ralph Higgs steered the organization through several metamorphoses, including over staffing to understaffing, and over funding to insufficient budgets.





"However, the Tourist Board and the destination reinvented itself through a new marketing approach which sought the greatest return on investment and greater cooperation and collaboration with private sector partners.





"The fundamentals of TCI Tourism are strong. Our natural sites and attractions, while some may need a little attention, are in pristine condition. Our room inventory is first class.





"Other offerings including culinary and our weekly cultural extravaganza (Fish Fry) are the envy of the region. We have never had more flights from international and regional gateways as we do now, and traveling between our Sister Islands has never been easier. Certainly our people have never been more embracing of our visitors and our tourism sector, Higgs said.





"This is a good time for TCI Tourism and the future holds as much promise as we may wish to extract from it. I am pleased and honored immensely to have led our Tourist Board and our country's tourism through some of its lowest and highest periods to date.





"I would like to sincerely thank the hardworking and dedicated staff of the Tourist Board, successive governments, successive Boards of Directors and the people of the Turks and Caicos for the opportunity to serve.





"I shall be around Gods willing, accessible and remain ready to assist where needed, added Higgs.





"Chairman of the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, Don Gardiner, commended Higgs tenure as Director of Tourism, "The blocks Ralph laid and the challenges overcame in developing, building, and marketing the Turks and Caicos Islands as a world class destination is now the envy of many in the region.





"Gardiner lamented that"Ralphs contribution as an ambassador has no doubt left an indelible impression on us all.





"His leadership, experience and sound judgment will be an asset to whomever and wherever his next journey takes him.





"The Board of Directors and Staff of the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the many years of dedication, hard work and professional service Higgs has given to the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board and the tourism industry at large."




BY OLIVIA ROSE

THE MINISTRY of Education is forging more meaningful relationships with overseas territories in an effort to further enhance the local education system.





This comes as the Ministry hosted several education officials from Anguilla from June 20 for a two day seminar.





The Anguilla delegation included Mrs.Chanelle E.Petty Barrett, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Education, Sports, Culture, Health and Social Development and Mr. Daren E. Webster, Facilities Manager with the Ministry responsible for Infrastructure in Anguilla.





Their meeting with Education officials in the Turks and Caicos Islands was centered on developing a stronger medium to exchange information, ideas and best practices between ministries.





The meeting came as a result of an earlier visit made by the Minister of Education, Youth, Sport and Library Services, Akierra Missick and Permanent Secretary Mrs. Cherylann Jones to Anguilla at the invitation of Anguillan officials.





According to a Ministry release:"The purpose of the visit was a review of their progress regarding library services, special needs education and the developments associated with their Community College and its expansion.





Following the Minister Missick`s visit to Anguilla she in turn invited Anguillan Education officials to the Turks and Caicos Islands where they conducted a visit to the the newly built Long Bay High School, alongside other new builds including the proposed Early Childhood Education classrooms at the Ona Glinton Primary School.





The Anguillan officials were pleased with the reception from local education officials and members of the Public Works team who accompanied them, as they discussed issues related to the planning and development of the new schools.





Commenting on their visit Education Minister Missick said: I am committed to building partnerships among and between our colleagues from the other overseas territories.





"Both the Permanent Secretary and I were happy to participate in the exchange with Anguillan officials.





She noted further: The experience allowed for the sharing of information and opened the doorway for further collaboration between areas such as the Community College. We were happy to share our experience with the Long Bay High School and other projects and will look for other opportunities for collaboration.












Aditya Madanapalle

Access to a high speed and dependable internet connection is a persistent demand from Indian citizens. The challenge here is to give access to education, healthcare and banking services to the underserved. Trai has been taking a number of steps to improve the situation, but this is a continuous process that starts with the rollout of 4G for mobile devices, and goes on to terrestrial wi-fi systems, backhaul networks using microwave transmission, Internet of Things and smart cities. Quality of service and coverage are major concerns when it comes to telephony. Last mile connectivity, regulations for cloud services and connection quality are issues for wired broadband services. Here is a round up of all of its ongoing efforts.

Differential pricing and Net Neutrality

Differential pricing has been a touchy topic between Trai and service providers. Trai banned differential pricing after a controversy erupted over zero rated schemes by Airtel and Facebook. While zero rated schemes violate the principles of net neutrality, they do give access to the most used services and web sites to the underserved, for free. Telecom service providers threatened to go to court to overrule the ban. After banning differential pricing, Trai issued a consultation paper to exploit the benefits of free internet, but exploring ways and means to allow more people to get connected without compromising on the principles of Net Neutrality.

Consumer Watchdog and hacktivism campaign organisers Savetheinternet.in launched a new campaign that suggested some ways in which free internet could be provided without compromising the net neutrality principles. These include tiered pricing with a free tier for low speed connectivity, providing data to consumers in exchange for watching commercials and freemium subscriptions where a limited amount of data usage is initially given away for free.

Industry bodies claim the ban hurts innovation and competition. The stance of the Industry is that apps and services should be allowed to decide on free data and how that data is going to be used. In EU, telecom operators claim that net neutrality regulations are holding back the roll out of 5G.

Regulatory tweaks to make internet cheaper

Trai pulled an ace out of its sleeve when it analysed usage patterns of new internet users and found that the low period of validity for mobile internet plans contributed to the cost of internet being prohibitive. It has issued a consultation paper with a simple tweak that would potentially allow the retention of new internet users on mobile, post an initial trial period. The problem was that new users had low internet usage, and the internet packs were valid only for 90 days.

The entire quoata of the data allocated for use over these 90 days was not getting used up, which made access to internet costly for these users. It also meant that new internet users would not continue to use the internet after the initial trial period. Now, Trai plans to extend the validity of internet packs to an entire year, which would allow more new internet users to enjoy surfing at lower prices.

My Speed App

Trai launched the My Speed application on the Play store, and the MySeva store to measure and collect wireless and wired broadband speeds from across the nation. This is a crowdsourced method of collecting network performance information. The application is very simple, and without any settings. Users can log their speedtests with Trai directly through the application, but these are not in themselves, considered complaints over the quality of service. No personally identifiable information is collected by the application.

Quality of Service

Following consumer complaints of call drops, Trai has issued a consultation paper aiming to tighten the call drop benchmark, which is currently at 2%. Trai initially wanted to impose a penalty on telecom servicec providers over call drops. Telecom service providers claimed that such a penalty would put undue pressure on the sector. The Superme Court ruled that the call drop penality would be axed. This ruling stood to benefit the telecom service providers.

Trai has been conducting surprise quality of service drive by tests across the nation, and is regularly publishing these results. These results have details on the agency conducting the tests as the range of the tests. Voice quality, mobility, dropped call rates, connection rates, and accessibility results across providers over multiple technologies are being made transparently available to everyone. So far, Trai has conducted tests in Thiruvananthapuram, Ranchi, Darjeeling, Sikkim, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

The telecom service providers have all the information needed on which tower gets how much traffic, and where call drops are more likely to happen. The Airtel Open network looks like an initiative to make this information transparently available to it's consumers.

One of the problems that cause the call drop issue is the random takedown of towers across the country over radiation fears. These towers are dismantled, covered up, or the electricity supply discontinued. These towers are expensive investment for service providers, and can take more than a year to be replaced. There are no current guidelines to regulate deployment of infrastructure in dense urban areas. Coverage in malls, hospitals and stadium is set to improve with this consultation paper.

In building access

Currently there are no regulations to cover in building access to telecom service providers to deploy infrastructure. The problem is that builders may collude with telecom operators to install only one kind of network at a particular building. This can be a mall, a commercial complex or a stadium. Access to competing providers can be artificially restricted.

Additionally, without a set of regulations to specify how much the owners of the building should be charging the telecom service providers for deploying infrastructure on their properties, the service providers are charged arbitrarily, and at times held for ransom with unrealistic prices. This was one of the major roadblocks identified by Telecom service providers, and Trai's consultation paper to regulate in building access to telecom service providers is a good step towards solving this problem.

Regulation of Cloud Services

Trai wants to make sure that consumers can move their personal data from one cloud service provider to another. There are regulations planned for retaining data on the servers after consumers have discontinued the service. Trai also wants to be able to monitor the quality of service offered by these cloud services. For protection of national interests, Trai wants to be able to access the information stored on these cloud services easily.

The protocols, guidelines and standards to be followed by the implementation of cloud services are the issues raised by the consultation. This is important for the Government as it moves to an e-governance platform, and starts offering an increasing number of services to the citizens of India.

Replace PCOs with Wi-Fi hotspots

A public Wi-Fi consultation is a measure to ease consumption of an increasing number of data on mobile devices through telecom service providers. At a grassroot level, Trai wants to replace public call offices with small businesses hosting public Wi-Fi hotspots. This is a move meant to benefit local shopkeepers and unemployed youth. When implemented, this would significantly reduce the load and revenues of telecom service providers, and free up spectrum space for other uses. This could expose consumers to significant risks if they are not careful, as open Wi-Fi networks are particularly susceptible to malicious attacks, including interception of data and man in the middle attacks.

Public W-Fi hotspots is a necessary step in the evolution of the internet. This will allow for a whole range of applications and services, including internet of things, smart cities, collection of big data, connected cars and pave the way for 5G rollout. Trai is a little late in its willingness to think about this, there have been public Wi-Fi networks in other countries active for over six years now.

Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting

Trai wants to replace the ancient analog terrestrial broadcasting stations with more modern digital terrestrial transmission. This will allow for a number of innovative new uses, especially beneficial to remote rural areas. The signals are less susceptible to interference. The energy requirements for digital transmission is lower. It will allow for broadcasts to mobile devices and devices in moving vehicles. The most significant aspect is that digital terrestrial broadcasting is much more effecient when it comes to spectrum use as compared to analog transmission. This means that the unused spectrum can be repurposed for other uses.

The Consultation Process

Trai works primarily by issuing consultation papers to receive responses from all interested stakeholders. These consultation papers typically list out challenges to broadband connectivity, and how the problem has been approached in different nations around the world. There are a list of questions posed to interested stakeholders. Stakeholders, including internet service providers, telecom service providers, associations of service providers, consumer watchdogs and cable providers respond to the consultation papers with suggestions.

Often these responses highlight problems that lead to new consultation papers. For example, a consultation paper on the quality of service noting call drops being an issue, gets a response from an association of telecom service providers over the difficulty of installing infrastructure in urban areas. This leads Trai to issue a fresh consultation paper on regularising installation of infrastructure in dense urban areas.

At times there is a pre-consultation paper as well. The time given to respond to consultation papers is typically extended by a fortnight to a month.

Time extended for responses

The entire consultation process is drawn out, where there is discussion on new and innovative ideas, but typically it takes a long time for consumers to see any tangible changes. The consultation papers on in building access, public Wi-Fi networks, Telecom consumer protection regulations, cloud computing, digital terrestrial transmission, internet telephony, infrastructure sharing in broadcast TV, Net Neutrality and Free Data have all extended the amount of time the issue remains open for consultation, and is actively seeking responses from stakeholders.
hidden

The Obama administration is preparing to elevate the stature of the Pentagons Cyber Command, signaling more emphasis on developing cyber weapons to deter attacks, punish intruders into U.S. networks and tackle adversaries such as Islamic State, current and former officials told Reuters. Under the plan being considered at the White House, the officials said, U.S. Cyber Command would become what the military calls a "unified command" equal to combat branches of the military such as the Central and Pacific Commands.

Cyber Command would be separated from the National Security Agency, a spy agObabency responsible for electronic eavesdropping, the officials said. That would give Cyber Command leaders a larger voice in arguing for the use of both offensive and defensive cyber tools in future conflicts. Both organizations are based at Fort Meade, Maryland, about 30 miles north of Washington, and led by the same officer, Navy Adm. Michael S. Rogers.

A former senior intelligence official with knowledge of the plan said it reflects the growing role that cyber operations play in modern warfare, and the different missions of the Cyber Command and the NSA. The official spoke on condition of anonymity. A Cyber Command spokesman declined comment on the plan, and the NSA did not respond to requests for comment. Established in 2010, Cyber Command is now subordinate to the U.S. Strategic Command, which oversees military space operations, nuclear weapons and missile defense.

U.S. officials cautioned that details of the plan, including some aspects of Cyber Command's new status, are still being debated. It was unclear when the matter will be presented to President Barack Obama for final approval, but the former senior intelligence official said it was unlikely anyone would stand in the way. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the administration was "constantly reviewing if we have the appropriate organizational structures in place to counter evolving threats, in cyber space or elsewhere."

"While we have no changes to this structure to announce, the relationship between NSA and Cyber Command is critical to safeguarding our nations security," the official said. The Pentagon acknowledged earlier this year that it has conducted cyber attacks against Islamic State, although the details are highly classified. "We are dropping cyberbombs. We have never done that before," Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work said in April.

The Washington Post reported last month that Pentagon leaders had been frustrated with the slow pace of Cyber Command's electronic offensive against Islamic State, militants who control parts of Iraq and Syria and have sympathizers and supporters worldwide. In response, Rogers created Joint Task Force Ares to develop new digital weapons against Islamic State and coordinate with the Central Command, which is responsible for combat operations in the Middle East and South Asia.

The new task force has "the specific mission to accomplish cyberspace objectives in support of counter-ISIL operations," a Cyber Command statement said. Task Force Ares, it said, "comprises operations and intelligence professionals from each of the military services." James Lewis, a cyber security expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the plan that will be presented to Obama highlights how Cyber Command, reliant on the NSA in its early years, is developing its own work force and digital tools.

"It reflects the maturing of Cyber Command and its own capabilities," Lewis said. Defense Secretary Ash Carter hinted at the higher status for Cyber Command in an April speech in Washington, in which he said the Pentagon is planning $35 billion in cyber spending over the next five years. "Adapting to new functions will include changes in how we manage ourselves in cyberspace," Carter said.

NSA's primary mission is to intercept and decode adversaries' phone calls, emails and other communications. The agency was criticized for over-reach after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden revealed some of its surveillance programs. NSA's focus is gathering intelligence, officials said, often favoring the monitoring of an enemy's cyber activities. Cyber Command's mission is geared more to shutting down cyber attacks - and, if ordered, counter attacking.

The NSA director has been a senior military officer since the agency's founding in 1952. Under the plan, future directors would be civilians, an arrangement meant to underscore that NSA is not subordinate to Cyber Command.

Reuters
Naina Khedekar

Aligning with India'sDigital India plans, Google had announced its Android Skilling initiative. While the National Skill Development Corporation has extended its hands to Google, there are others too such as Udacity.

Udacity offers online courses to students and professionals to get the most in-demand skills. The skill-targeted programs called as Nanodegrees are formed by industry including Google. Vardhan Koshal, Country Manager, India Udacity tells us that the courses or rather nanodegree programs have been built carefully in a way that students and working professionals will feel that the expert is personally teaching them. These programs are at helping set the right learning goals, bite-sized video lectures covering single concept for 1- 3 minutes, offering student feedback and constant mentoring and support from experts.

Talking about Sundar Pichai's dream of 20 lakh Android skilled workforce in India, Koshal adds that the ambitious goal is achieveable in three years given Google's track record. "It (Google) has developed multiple courses and Nanodegrees along with Udacity, and 2 of them are in Android, The Android Developer Nanodegree and The Android Basics Nanodegree for beginners. Google, along with us, also launched an Android Associate Certification recently in order to standardise the Android development skills," he explains.

During the Android Skilling program, Ceaser Sengupta, Vice President of product management at Google had said, India is expected to have the largest developer population globally, overtaking the US by 2018, with four million developers. By building a world class curriculum and making it easily accessible to millions of students and developers in India, we want to contribute to the Skill India initiative and help make India the global leader in mobile app development.

Another interesting aspect is self-driving car courses at Udacity. The number of companies investing in self-driving cars has only fueled the need for engineers with relevant skills. A self-driving car requires an interdisciplinary set of skills, he explains listing these:

Computer vision - through cameras, lasers and other sensors.

Machine learning - training the computer to make driving decisions.

Robotics - using a computer to control the car.

"Currently, there is no place in the world where a student can learn these skills at a professional level from proven experts. At Udacity our founder Sebastian Thrun, the pioneer of self-driving cars at Google, has personally designed the program. Just like all our Nanodegrees, it has the highest quality available anywhere in the world. More than 15000 students have already requested us for enrollment - even before the launch," he explains.
hidden

Fifteen years after it was born, a dozen years after it became popular and roughly a decade after it began drawing serious attention in India, campaigners building the world's most ambitious and freely sharable online Wikipedia are still wondering how to really take it forward in this part of the globe. With Wikipedias in 23 Indian languages in various stages of take-off, Indians contributing to the English and a handful of other global wikipedias, and tech skills propelling the sixth most-popular site of the planet forward, the South Asian face of the Wikipedia is increasingly growing apparent. India too finds the English Wikipedia, with its 5.2 million articles, an important source of information.

India too finds the English Wikipedia, with its 5.2 million articles, an important source of information. But life is not easy -- as it might seem from the outside -- in this supposedly self-governing wiki-world. One session here, held at the second major meet in half a decade called Wikiconference India 2016 (the first was held in Mumbai in November 2011), focussed on 'Wither Wikimedia movement in India?' Straddling typically Indian argumentativeness, some strong views and differences of approach, the movement clearly needs to navigate cultural and other differences. Contrary to expectations, Indians have been quite generous with online volunteer time. Active participants, even if limited in number, have helped to build many Wikipedias, in both English and Indian languages, in India and its neighbourhood.

Straddling typically Indian argumentativeness, some strong views and differences of approach, the movement clearly needs to navigate cultural and other differences. Contrary to expectations, Indians have been quite generous with online volunteer time. Active participants, even if limited in number, have helped to build many Wikipedias, in both English and Indian languages, in India and its neighbourhood. This is apart from their help at the technical level, which has also proved helpful to the global Wikipedia movement.

This is apart from their help at the technical level, which has also proved helpful to the global Wikipedia movement. Not all language groups within India have been as successful. Some have done well while others have lagged behind. Wikimedia India chapter President Yohann Varun Thomas told IANS: "The Bengali Wikipedia is the most active, and over 12 years old. Hindi is not active offline. Tamil and Malayalam are doing well though." Punjabi

Punjabi wikipedians took it on themselves to host this year's national event - which also saw some South Asian participation from countries other than India - though they are a younger group themselves. At least four diverse and disparate groups have been roped in to build the Wikipedia movement in India -- techies, language enthusiasts wanting to protect and support their own (and sometimes endangered) languages at any cost, Wikipedians convinced about the overall goal of building sharable knowledge, and NGOs or funded not-for-profit organisations as well. Sometimes, this can be an uneasy mix.India alone now has 23 different regional language

India alone now has 23 different regional language wikipedias. Some groups of language speakers are as big as large-sized modern European countries but otherwise fail to get the global attention deserved probably because of their lack of buying power. Self-governing wikipedia communities suit their needs, and these can also decide policies locally. "Wikis are self-governing," Asaf Bartov of the Emerging Wikimedia Communities said here. He was referring to the nature of influential but collaboratively-build websites created more by chance than by grand design. "However, the rest of the world is not a wiki," he added, pointing to the very real challenges faced by the movement.

"However, the rest of the world is not a wiki," he added, pointing to the very real challenges faced by the movement. In Chandigarh, and its twin city of Mohali, the tensions that surfaced included the tug-of-war between the volunteer-depending approach and an NGO-supported one. Gender divides was another issue discussed here.Smaller languages find it hard to local volunteers who have enough of tech as well as language skills to build their communities. And just as misuse of the media can happen, here

Smaller languages find it hard to local volunteers who have enough of tech as well as language skills to build their communities. And just as misuse of the media can happen, here too at least one social media representative of a local college mentioned how his article on the Wikipedia was deleted on 'technical' grounds. But he was approached by someone who offered to upload it at a price. Growing expectations also flow from the Wikipedia's increased involvement in 'emerging' countries like India. Noted Indian ecologist, academic and writer Madhav Gadgil, also

Noted Indian ecologist, academic and writer Madhav Gadgil, also founder of the Centre for Ecological Sciences in Bengaluru, published an online article under the rhetorical title: "Why aren't Indians using Wikipedia to hold the government to account?" Gadgil argued: "Wikipedia operates on the understanding that lay people may make mistakes but these can be eliminated by ensuring open scrutiny and giving full scope for additions, deletions and corrections."Wikipedia recognises the importance of India's growing online population to its goals of creating "

Wikipedia recognises the importance of India's growing online population to its goals of creating "a world in which every single human can share in the sum of all human knowledge". To make the site even more effective in, and relevant to, India, it needs stronger and active participation from Indians. How exactly to get there is anybody's guess.

IANS
Internet and technology conglomerate LeEco announced that its Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jia Yueting has become the Chairman of the Board and the Nominating Committee of the leading smartphone maker Coolpad on August 5th. This is after LeEco turned into the largest shareholder of Coolpad on June 17th, with a total of 28.9 percent stake of Coolpad.

With strong technology capacity and wide user base from Coolpad, LeEco is set to further revolutionize the smartphone market with its unique ecosystem business model, where multiple products and services ranging from smartphone to electric car are interconnected.

On Monday (August 8th), Coolpads stock price spiked over 20% compared with that of August 5th, thanks to the news.

LeEco+Coolpad is expected be the black horse of the saturated global smartphone market this year with an estimated sales of 50 to 60 million units, becoming one of the top four players in the industry in China among companies such as Huawei, OPPO and Xiaomi. It plans to become the NO.1 smartphone supplier in 2017 with an annual sales of 100 million handsets.

Both brands have strong presence in India where Coolpad is already a household name in smartphone and LeEco is welcomed for its smartphone and smart TV products as well as its heavy investments in the country.

This move came after LeEco bought 11 percent share of Coolpad with HK$1.047 billion (US$135 million) in June this year in addition to a HK$2.74 billion (US$353 million) purchase of 17.9 percent shares last June. With a total of 28.9 percent stake in Coolpad, LeEco has become the sole controlling shareholder of the company.

Mr. Jia said LeEco and Coolpad will adopt a dual-brand strategy, where the two brands co-exist and target at different market segments. The two will also collaborate extensively in resources sharing, business development as well as technology research. The dual-brand strategy will be applicable to LeEco and VIZIO as well for the development of TV ecosystem, following the US$2 billion acquisition of the pioneering American TV manufacturer on July 26th.

Coolpads technologies and patents will speed up LeEcos global expansion while LeEcos ecosystem of platform, content, hardware and application will be available to existing Coolpad users that are as many as 100 million.

Since its entrance into smartphone market last April, LeEco redefined the industry with its ecosystem business model that incorporate multiple devices, rich content library and varied internet services. It has sold more than 2.3 million units of Superphones in China this June, increased by 0.3 million from the previous month. It has also sold 700,000 units after its expansion to the Indian market six months ago, achieving multiple records in the industry in India.

Mr. Jia took over after the stepping down of Guo Deying, the founder of Coolpad who led the company to become a leading smartphone brand. Coolpad was once the No.2 in market share in China and has built a strong arsenal of technologies and patents.

The first product of the collaboration will be a new handset designed for the youth generation and will be announced on August 16th in Beijing.

@Technuter.com News Service
For the upcoming Independence Day Sale on Flipkart, LeEco has lined up irresistible offers on its Superphones Le 2, Le Max2 and Le 1s Eco. Consumers can now get a chance to own their favourite LeEco next-generation Superphones availing an enticing, No Cost EMI offer valid on all Credit Cards. This translates into 0% interest, 0% down payment & 0% processing fee. Users will also get amazing exchange and cashback offers that will make the second generation Superphones by LeEco highly accessible and easy to own.

This Independence Day, LeEco is packing extraordinary offers to rewards its consumers for their continued support to the brand. All these offers will be valid on Flipkart from August 10th  12th.

Model Offer 1 Offer 2 Offer 3 Offer 4 Le2

(Rose Gold + Gray) No Cost EMI on all Credit Cards (6,9,12 months) Rs.500 gift voucher Rs.1500 Extra on Exchange 10% cashback on HDFC Credit Cards Le Max2 No Cost EMI on all Credit Cards (6,9,12 months) Rs.2000 Extra on Exchange Free CDLA Earphones 10% cashback on HDFC Credit Cards Le 1s Eco Rs.500 Off Rs.1000 Extra on Exchange 10% cashback on HDFC Credit Cards NA

Offers on Le 2 & Le Max2  Users looking at getting their hands on Le 2 and Le Max2, can purchase it using any of their credit cards on an EMI for a period of 6, 9 or 12 months without having to pay any interest or processing fee! Users can also exchange their old smartphones and avail an additional discount of Rs 1500 and Rs 2000, when purchasing Le 2 and Le Max2.

To top it all, a 10% cashback offer on HDFC Credit Cards is also applicable on the purchase of both the Superphones. While buyers of Le Max2 will get free CDLA earphones to enhance the audio experience on their Superphone, Le 2 buyers will benefit from a gift voucher worth Rs 500.

Offers on Le 1s Eco  Users can exchange their old smartphones and avail an additional discount of Rs 1000 to buy Le 1s Eco, LeEcos first, Made for India Superphone. Additionally, users can also avail a discount of Rs 500 and 10% cashback offer on HDFC Credit Cards.

Le 2 is powered by Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 and has combination of 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM. It comes with a 5.5-inch In-Cell display screen which is usually featured with overpriced phones.

Le Max2 on the other hand, is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and features the high performance combination of 4GB RAM + 32GB. It flaunts a 21MP rear camera and comes with blazingly fast focusing speed thanks to PDAF technology and 8MP front camera.

Le 1s Eco comes with a sleek and sturdy exterior and is powered by 1.85GHz Octa-core MediaTek Helio X10 (ARM Cortex-A53, 64-bit) processor. It flaunts top-notch features, in addition to its content proposition.

@Technuter.com News Service
About Me Common Ills We do not open attachments. Stop e-mailing them. Threats and abusive e-mail are not covered by any privacy rule. This isn't to the reporters at a certain paper (keep 'em coming, they are funny). This is for the likes of failed comics who think they can threaten via e-mails and then whine, "E-mails are supposed to be private." E-mail threats will be turned over to the FBI and they will be noted here with the names and anything I feel like quoting. This also applies to anyone writing to complain about a friend of mine. That's not why the public account exists. View my complete profile

Blog Archive
Businesses demand post-terror attack Gulshan eviction drive stopped

A call has been made to suspend the eviction drive in Gulshan, claiming that it has put in greater trouble the businesses that have been reeling under by the terror attack on a cafe. FBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmad expressed the concern of traders at a roundtable discussion of several business bodies in Dhaka on Sunday. The top trade body has promised to resolve problems created by commercial establishments in residential areas. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon suggested the businesses to discuss the measures with the government. Capital Dhakas development agency RAJUK has strengthened the eviction drive against commercial entities in residential areas after the killings of 22 persons, mostly foreigners, in a siege at a cafe in Gulshan on July 1. Many hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners are also being evicted in the crackdown. The Hotel, Guesthouse and Restaurant Owners Association of Bangladesh and the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) organised the roundtable at FBCCIs conference room in Motijheel. The tourism-related businesses said in the programme that the foreigners will face a crisis of places to stay if the hotels and motels are evicted, which in turn will hit the economy. They demanded a suspension of the eviction drive in residential areas like Gulshan and Banani. TOAB President Taufiq Uddin Ahmed presided over the discussion. Its Director Taufiq Rahman, the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Hossain Khaled and the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Syed Nasim Manzur were among the attendees. FBCCI chief Ahmad placed a declaration and a charter of demand before the government. He said a highly powerful committee led by the FBCCI will be formed to resolve permanently and peacefully the problems created by the eviction drive. Ahmad said the solution will be acceptable to all and the guidelines and laws will be amended, if they need be, changed to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders. Minister Menon said the drive was not something new that started following the militant attack. The Cabinet made the decision one and a half years ago. The issue was supposed to be settled one step at a time, he said. He claimed many of the discussants had taken part in a meeting on the matter. If these were done before, there would not be a sudden panic over the eviction, Menon said. The minister said there was still scope for discussion on the issue. I believe it will be possible if you bring the issue up for discussion. There will surely be a solution if you speak to the authorities by forming a committee, he added. Menon also said he will hold a meeting with the tourism stakeholders to find ways to overcome the negative impacts of the recent terror attacks on the sector. Bangladesh Tourism Board CEO Akhtaruzzaman Khan Kabir, Citizens for Good Governance (SHUJAN) Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar, the Centre for Policy Dialogue Researcher Moazzem Hossain, among others, spoke at the programme.--bdnews24.com
Jhuna Chowdhury, Ahsan Habib Nasim in Anyorokom Somapti

Sheikh Arif Bulbon :

One is acting under the banner of theatre group, Natya Kendra, while another is working with Subachan Natya Sangsad. They are Jhuna Chowdhury and Ahsan Habib Nasim.

Though both of them are engaged with acting in TV plays but they are still active in theatre plays. They had experience to work together in TV plays earlier.

These two actors again worked together in a TV play titled Anyorokom Somapti. Directed by Taju Kamrul story of the play was written by Fazlul Karim.

Jhuna and Nasim acted in two lead roles in the play. Shooting of the play was done at Pubail in Gazipur recently.

While talking about the play Jhuna Chowdhury told this correspondent, Taju Kamrul is a good director. He knows very well how to give direction. I have enjoyed a lot to work under his direction. There is some twisting in the story of the play. I believe after good editing and selecting good background music it will become a nice play.

Ahsan Habib Nasim shared his feelings by this way, We always get Jhuna Bhai in all movements of the Federation.Not only this he is also available in different programmes of our group. In fact, we have elder brother-younger brother relationship. We obviously take part in rehearsal for two to three times before taking part in shooting of any play because both of us came from theatre groups. Under this process any work becomes perfect which does not follow by present time's actors. We have liked the play. I believe viewers will enjoy watching the play.

Director Taju Kamrul informed that the play will be aired on Bangladesh Television soon. Besides Jhuna and Nasim, Tutul, Tariq Swapan, Tomal, Shampa, ABM Mamun, among others, also acted in different roles in the play.

It is noted that Jhuna Chowdhury acted first movie was Zahirul Haque's Yeh Korey Biye. Later he acted in several other movies like Nodir Naam Modhumoti, Brihonnola, Rupkothar Golpo, Laalchar, etc.

Meanwhile, Jhuna Chowdhury acted and Mostofa Monon directed a serial Palki is being aired on Dipto TV now.

On the other hand, this week Nasim has started shooting of Saiful Islam Mannus new serial titled Tumi Ami Bhishon Eka.


Bleak future

Flood cripples children's education

NEITHER BOOKS NOR KHATAS: They managed to turn up at their school inundated by flood. This photo was taken from Shariakandi of Bogra on Monday.

Staff Reporter :Hundreds of primary schools have either been damaged or washed away by flood waters in the past few weeks in the northern region of the country. Many other schools still remain submerged. Apart from being inundated or damaged by the flood, many schools in 18 districts had to suspend classes due to dwindling attendance of students as many of them along with their family members have taken refuge in the flood shelters elsewhere. Each year disaster leaves a major impact on future of young children and the education systems as a whole. Educational inequities are made worse because of schools being damaged or destroyed due to poor site selection, design, or construction. However, many school buildings are used as evacuation centres during floods. In Tangail, 436 educational institutes had been shut down. The parents are worried about their examination preparation. Tangail district education office sources said, 147 institutes in 8 upazilas had to shut down. Of them, 64 in Nagorwpur, 22 in Bhuiyanpur, 22 in Sadar, 4 in Basail, one in Shakhipur, 4 in Mirzapur, 12 in Delduyar and 16 in Kalihati. Tangail district higher education officer Shafiullah said, 147 high schools, madrasas and colleges had suspended their activities in the flood prone areas. The list has been sent to Education Ministry, they said. District primary education office sources said, 289 primary schools had to shut down as the flood water submerged the complex. Of them, 65 in Tangail Sadar, 51 in Delduwar, 54 in Bhuiyanpur, 16 I Nagorpur, 26 in Kalihati, 8 in Mirzapur and 2 in Gopalpur. The worst affected district is Kurigram where around 43,000 students of 248 primary schools are badly affected as their dwellings and schools have been inundated by the flood waters, according to District Primary Education Office (DPEO) sources,In Bogra, at least 83 primary schools, 10 high schools and one madrasa have been affected by the floods this year and a number of institutions in char (shoal) areas have been washed away.Students hit hard by the floods this year are the ones living on the chars of the Jamuna and the Teesta rivers where levels of water have been above the danger mark for nearly two weeks. Jamalpur district education officer said the floods have damaged over 400 educational institutions in the district.Nearly 2,500 flood-affected students on different chars (shoals) of the Teesta river under Dimla upazila run the risk of dropping out as their schools and houses have been washed away by the river. The Flood Information Centre has confirmed that eight educational institutions-six government primary schools, one high school and one kindergarten-have been severely damaged by the flood or engulfed by the river.The affected primary schools are Char Kharibari Modhya Government Primary School, Char Kharibari Babupara Government Primary School, Tapur Char Government Primary School, Tepa Kharibari Government Primary School-2, Purbo Kharibari Government Primary School and Hydarpara Government Primary School.The damaged high school is Tepa Kharibari High School while the kindergarten is Ekotar Bazar Kindergarten.Moreover, in many cases, books and other stationery belonging to a large number of these students had been lost or damaged.The government will provide new books to the students whose books had been lost or damaged due to the flood, assured education officers of the affected districts, said primary education officer of Bogra.When asked how teachers in these schools would compensate for the lost hours in lesson time, he said makeup classes will be arranged in schools in the affected areas. The makeup classes will start if the flood waters recede in the next two to three days. If necessary, the classes will be taken during the weekly or public holidays, he added.
Suicide bomber kills 70 at Pakistan hospital

Lawyers and local media personnel carry a bed to move the body of a news cameraman after the explosion.

Reuters, Quetta :A suicide bomber in Pakistan killed at least 70 people and wounded more than a hundred on Monday in an attack on mourners gathered at a hospital in Quetta, according to officials in the southwestern province of Baluchistan.The bomber struck as a crowd of mostly lawyers and journalists crammed into the emergency department to accompany the body of a prominent lawyer who had been shot and killed in the city earlier in the day, Faridullah, a reporter who was among the wounded, told Reuters.Abdul Rehman Miankhel, a senior official at the government-run Civil Hospital, where the explosion occurred, told reporters that at least 70 people had been killed, with more than 112 wounded, as the casualty toll spiked from initial estimates. "There are many wounded, so the death toll could rise," said Rehmat Saleh Baloch, the provincial health minister.Jamaat-ur-Ahrar, a faction of the Islamist militant Pakistani Taliban group, claimed responsibility for the attack in an email. It was not immediately clear if the group had carried out the bombing, as it is believed to have claimed responsibility for attacks in the past that it was not involved in."The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ur-Ahrar (TTP-JA) takes responsibility for this attack, and pledges to continue carrying out such attacks," said spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan in the statement.Only last week, Jamaat was added to the United States' list of global terrorists, triggering sanctions.Television footage showed scenes of chaos at the hospital in Quetta, with panicked people fleeing through debris as smoke filled the hospital corridors.Bodies lay strewn across a hospital courtyard shortly after the blast and pools of blood collected as emergency rescuers rushed to identify survivors. The motive behind the attack was unclear, but several lawyers have been targeted during a recent spate of killings in Quetta, the provincial capital of Baluchistan which has a history of militant and separatist violence. The latest victim, Bilal Anwar Kasi, was shot and killed while on his way to the city's main court complex, senior police official Nadeem Shah told Reuters. He was the president of Baluchistan Bar Association. The subsequent suicide attack appeared to target his mourners, Anwar ul Haq Kakar, a spokesman for the Baluchistan government, said. "It seems it was a pre-planned attack," he said.Ali Zafar, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan, told reporters in the eastern city of Lahore: "We (lawyers) have been targeted because we always raise our voice for people's rights and for democracy...Lawyers will not just protest this attack but also prepare a long-term plan of action."Police cordoned off the hospital following the blast, with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif paying visits to the wounded on Monday evening.In January, a suicide bomber killed 15 people outside a polio eradication centre in an attack claimed by both the Pakistani Taliban and Jundullah, another Islamist militant group that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State in the Middle East. Monday's attack was the worst in Pakistan since an Easter Day bombing ripped through a Lahore park, killing at least 72 people. Jamaat-ur-Ahrar also claimed responsibility for that atrocity.Quetta has long been regarded as a base for the Afghan Taliban, whose leadership has regularly held meetings there in the past. In May, Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed by a U.S. drone strike while traveling to Quetta from the Pakistan-Iran border.
Evan Independent candidate as alternative to Trump

Former CIA agent Evan McMullin is set to announce his independent presidential bid as an alternative to Republican nominee Donald Trump, US media reports. Mr McMullin, the chief policy director of the House Republican Conference, is backed by an anti-Trump group.

He is likely to face challenges in appearing on some state ballots just three months before Election Day. The 40-year-old Mormon has never held elected office. Mr McMullin is an outspoken critic of Mr Trump on social media, calling the businessman an "authoritarian". In a Facebook post, Mr McMullin condemned Mr Trump's anti-Muslim rhetoric, saying "attacking them as a group makes America weaker, not stronger".

Image copyright Twitter

The group Better for America had been reportedly searching for an independent presidential candidate to put up against Mr Trump. Mr McMullin, who is expected to file his candidacy paperwork on Monday, released a statement to ABC News.

"It's never too late to do the right thing, and America deserves much better than either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton can offer us. I humbly offer myself as a leader who can give millions of disaffected Americans a conservative choice for President," Mr McMullin said.

MSNBC host Joe Scarborough first announced the independent bid on Twitter, adding that the candidate would have support from major Republican party donors. The Utah native graduated from Brigham Young University and has a master's of business administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, according to his LinkedIn page.

He also served as a Mormon missionary in Brazil. Mr McMullin left the CIA in 2010 after 11 years before working for Goldman Sachs. He became a senior adviser on national security for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in 2013 and subsequently the chief policy director of the House Republican Conference.
19 cops among 25 held by ACC on graft charges

The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday arrested 25 graft suspects, including 19 cops, from different parts of the country in separate graft cases.

ACC deputy assistant director Md Abul Kalam Azad of its Pabna district office arrested 19 cops, who joined the police service showing fake freedom fighter certificates, from Chadakhar, Pabna, ACC public relations officer Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya told UNB. All the detainees were earlier attached to Rajarbagh Police Lines in the capital. On November 6, 2014, a case was filed against them with Sirajganj Police Station in this regard. According to the case statement, the detainees in collusion with others joined the trainee recruit constable post of Bangladesh Police in the freedom fighters quota, but they showed fake certificates of freedom fighters.

ACC deputy assistant director Mustafa Burhan Uddin of its Tangail district office detained Abdul Quader Miah and Shukkur Mamur from Kunabari of Tangail for allegedly grabbing 450 decimals of land by preparing fake land documents.

ACC deputy director Abul Kalam Azad of its Comilla district office arrested accountant of Burichang upazila Mukhlesur Rahman and accountant of Comilla Sadar South upazila Billal Hossain Patwari for allegedly plundering Tk 16 crore of pensioners deposited at Brahmanbaria branch of Sonali Bank. On October 12, 2015, the ACC filed a case against 22 people, including a number of bank officials, in connection with the graft allegation. Besides, the ACC investigation officers detained two graft suspects from Mymensingh and Pabna in two cases.
BERC also against gas price hike

Disagreeing with the nearly doubled (95 percent) on average gas price proposal by Titas Gas Transmission and

Distribution Company, a technical evaluation committee (TEC) of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has failed to find grounds for raising the price at all - as the company is on course for surplus revenue to the tune of Tk 359.63 crore at the currently prevailing price. The TEC placed its findings yesterday on the second day of a public hearing arranged by the BERC at the TCB Auditorium in the city. Taking part in the public hearing, different consumer groups including Consumers Association of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), and the Bangladesh CNG Association opposed Titas's price proposal, contending it would be totally illegal and unfair to raise the gas price at this point, when the company is making huge profits. Titas officials argued the price hike was needed to meet future expenses. They said it was also needed to pay advance income tax (AIT) to National Board of Revenue. Without the price hike, it would not be possible to pay this tax, according to Titas officials.

Their statement caused a heated debate over the proposed gas price hike. As per the BERC law, the three-member commission headed by its chairman will make its own evaluation and announce the final decision after completion of the hearing. The Titas gas officials said they placed the proposal to the BERC as per the instruction of the government.

Opposing this statement, CAB Advisor Prof Shamsul Alam said that according to the existing law, Titas Gas is a service providing company which belongs to the citizens of the country. "Titas Gas cannot propose hiking prices unless it incurs losses in its business," he said. "But the company is making huge profit of over Tk 359 crore. In such a situation, the BERC should not allow Titas Gas to raise the price."

BTMA president Tapan Chowdhury said that if the gas price is raised it will be detrimental to the export-oriented industries as they will face tough global competition.

As per the proposal, household gas price will be hiked by the highest 140 percent, where gas price will be raised to Tk 16.80 per unit from Tk 7. The cost of single burner oven will to go up to Tk 1100 from the existing Tk 600 while the double burner will be Tk 1200 from the existing Tk 650 per month.

The proposed hikes are 83 and 85 percent respectively for single and double burner ovens.

The compressed natural gas (CNG) gas price has been proposed to be raised by 83 percent to Tk 49.50 pere unit from the exiting Tk 27. In this case, the consumer will have to pay Tk 57.50 for per unit CNG in place of the current price of Tk 35 per unit. The power plants' gas price has been proposed at Tk 4.60 per unit (per cubic metre), up from Tk 2.82 with a 63 percent hike.

The gas price for industries was proposed to be Tk 10.95 per unit instead of Tk 6.78 with 62 percent hike in price. Commercial establishments' gas price was sought to be raised by 72 percent to Tk 19.50 percent from the existing Tk 11.36 per unit. For captive power plants, the gas price was proposed to be raised by 130 percent to Tk 19.26 from the current rate of Tk 8.36 per unit. The price for fertilizer factories was proposed to be set at Tk 4.41 per unit from Tk 2.82, a 71 percent hike.
For spreading rumour

Online staffers held, accreditation cancelled

Staff Reporter :

The Rapid Action Battalion [RAB] detained the Editor of 'banglamail24.com', a Dhaka-based online newspaper, and two other staffers on charges of spreading rumours.

Members of RAB raided the online portal's office in the wee hours of Monday and picked up its acting Editor Shahadat Ullah Khan, Executive Editor Maksudul Alam and Staff Reporter Pranta Palash.

RAB also seized a computer and locked the door of the office at Scout Bhaban in the city's Kakrail area.

According to the RAB, they were arrested for allegedly spreading rumours. "They have been brought in on allegations of spreading rumours. Whether we let them go or show them arrested will depend on information found from them," Khandaker Golam Sarwar, Commanding Officer of RAB-3, said.

A reporter of banglamail24.com requesting not to be named said that the online media had ran a story based on a report published by an ordinary portal named 'Todaynews71'.

It said the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son had died in a plane crash. The portal also ran an Awami League leader's comment.

It was learnt that the banglamail24.com was requested by an official of the PM's Press Wing to withdraw the news, but the authorities decided not to do so.

Meanwhile, the government yesterday cancelled accreditation cards of nine journalists including the Editor of banglamail24.com.

In an order, the Press Information Department [PID] cancelled all the permanent and temporary accreditation cards.

Azim Group's chairman Fazlul Azim owns the online portal. He was a former MP of Hatiya. He was expelled from BNP during 1/11. The banglanews24.com was formally inaugurated on January 26, 2013.
High-level delegation to visit Manila by September

A high-level government delegation, headed by the Finance Minister, will visit Philippines next month with a view to expediting the recovery of Bangladesh Bank's (BB) $81 million stolen fund from the country. Unknown cyber criminals tried to steal nearly $1.0 billion from BB's reserve account held with the New York Fed in February, and succeeded in transferring $81 million to four private accounts at Manila's Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC). "The delegation which will also comprise the BB governor, will visit Manila by the end of September to track progress of returning the fund," a senior BB official told The New Nation yesterday, on condition of anonymity.

During their visit to Manila, they will meet high-ups of the Philippines government, seeking their help in this regard.

"We are confident of recovering the total amount as we have already secured a positive commitment from the Philippines President in this regard," said the BB official.

He further said that the Finance Minister and the governor will also meet the Philippines President seeking his cooperation in the recovery of the money.

A BB team recently visited Manila to recover the $81 million stolen fund said it was close to getting back $15 million of the money frozen by the Philippines government.

"We are in the final stages of recovering the $15 million, but for the rest we hope a (Philippines) senate hearing on the issue resumes so that we can get to know more details about the case," John Gomes, Bangladesh's Ambassador to the Philippines told Media on Friday.

The Bangladesh envoy in Manila also said that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has given a commitment that $81 million stolen by cyber criminals from the account of BB in New York Fed and funneled through bank accounts in Manila would be returned. John Gomes helped the BB team during their visit to Manila ended on Friday. The BB delegation consists of Debaprosad Debnath and Abdul Rab and its lawyer Ajmalul Hossain met the officials of Philippines Department of Justice (DoJ), the central bank and anti-money-laundering council in Manila. The government earlier formed a high-powered taskforce to expedite recover of BB's $81 million heist fund from the Philippines.

At the same time, it is also pursuing the issue evolving the diplomatic channels.
Govt to monitor foreign, dual citizens activities

Staff Reporter :

A parliamentary standing committee has recommended to the government to monitor foreign nationals and dual citizens activities.

The parliamentary standing committee on private members' bills and resolutions proposed it at a meeting held in the Parliament on Monday.

President of the committee, Jillul Hakim presided over the meeting, while Nur-e-Alam Chowdhury, BA Mozammel Haque, Mohammad Abdul Munim Chowdhury, Sanjida Khanam and Israfil Alam took part in the meeting.

The body discussed about the 'foreigners registration bill-2015,' which was submitted in the Parilament by Israfil Alam on November 18, last year.

The bill proposed to form a cell under Home Ministry to keep information about the foreigners' arrivals and departure. It also proposed to make compulsory to keep registration form along with visa form for the foreigners who want to visit Bangladesh. Israfil Alam told the journalists after the meeting that, the committee recommended not to raise the bill in the Parliament during its session. But, the watchdog highly recommended the Foreign Ministry and Home Ministry to monitoring the activities of foreigners, as it is very important for the country.

Meeting sources said, Bangladesh-born Canadian citizen Hasnat Karim and Canada expatriat Tahmid Hasib Khan were suspected masterminds in the recent Gulshan attack. For this reason the issue become a very important to the body.


UZ-level body to monitor militancy planned

M M Jasim :

The anti-militancy monitoring committee will be formed at every upazila-level with a view to discoursing the students to involve in militancy and terrorism, the Education Ministry sources said.

The committee will work at every educational institutions under the leadership of upazila nirbahi officer (UNO). Upazila chairman will be the adviser of the committee while upazila education officer will supervise the committee as Member Secretary.

The influential and respected persons of the upazila will be made members of the committee.

The Education Ministry may send letters to all upazilas to start the function of the committees.

Earlier, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said, teachers and parents should give their efforts in unison to keep students away from getting involved with militancy.

"We shall have to unite for combating militancy. We cannot remain silent when militancy has already gripped our schools, colleges, universities and madrasas," said the minister.

The ministry sources said that the committee members would monitor the overall activities of the school, college and madrasa. They will take immediate steps if anyone tries to promote the ideas, which will be against the independence, sovereignty, constitution and state. The committee will not allow the teaching of extra books in the classes.

An Assistant Secretary level official of the ministry wishing anonymity told The New Nation that a meeting was held on Sunday in this regard. The minister asked the officials of the ministry to prepare the notice for sending all the upazilas to form the committee as early as possible.

Meanwhile, the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) has formed a three-member committee to monitor all public and private colleges and universities across the country whether there is any militant activity.

Dr Md Akhter Hossain, convener of the UGC will lead the committee. The two others are UGC members Jesmine Parveen and Md Shaheed Siraj.
HC wants to know about 23-yr delay in disposing murder case

UNB, Dhaka :The High Court (HC) on Monday asked a lower court of Chittagong to explain why the trial proceedings of a murder case filed with Swandip Police Station was yet to be disposed 23 years after being filed.A two-member HC bench comprising Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice JBM Hassan passed the order after the hearing of a revision bail petition filed by an accused in the case. Judge of Additional Session Judge Court-4 of Chittagong has been asked to give explanation to HC in two weeks for the delay in the trial proceedings of the murder case. The court also directed to dispose the case proceedings in the next three months and asked to take action against the Investigation Officer (IO) of the case if he/she fails to produce any witness.According to the case proceedings, a group of miscreants killed one Abbas Uddin, a resident of Swandip upazila on August 6, 1993. On the following day, a case was filed with Swandip Police Station in connection with the incident. On October 19 of that year, police submitted a chargesheet against six people including one Fayezuddin Ahmed alias Foyez Choukidar.However, the trial proceedings of the case were started on 1999, six years after the incident took place.On May 11, 2016, police arrested Foyezuddin in connection with Abbas Uddin killing case.Later, he filed a bail petition with a lower court. However, the court rejected his petition.Following this, Foyezuddin filed a revision bail petition with the HC, taking the case under the limelight of the HC. After studying the case record, the HC also issued a rule asking the lower court concerned why Foyezuddin should not be granted bail in the case. M Anwarul Islam stood for the accused while Deputy Attorney General (AG) Sheikh AKM Maniruzzaman Kabir and Assistant AG M Shahidul Islam Khan argued for the state.
`Extremely risky nation` status for development: But govt don`t see this way

THE London-based Civil Unrest Index (CUI) rated Bangladesh at sixth place in the top 'extremely risky countries' in the world in terms of businessmen fear about doing business. The low ranking for Bangladesh came less than a year after yet another such low ranking in terms of 'ease of doing business' when the World Bank puts it at 174 position - two notches below from previous rating. It mainly blamed stalled regulatory reforms and bureaucratic hassles impeding business. What is most striking now is that Bangladesh is increasingly becoming a hotspot; as highly susceptible to political unrest and violence and a rising militancy adding to business risks to new investments and running existing businesses. Since 2013 the spate of violence is only spreading in Bangladesh threatening social peace. Militants killing of bloggers, free-thinkers, teachers, clergymen, members of religious minorities and foreigners prominently featured Bangladesh in global media headlines almost routinely. The biggest blow came recently when militants killed 22 people including 18 foreigners at a Gulshan Cafe followed by yet another attack at Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoregonj; that also saw killing of 4 including two policemen. The world again came to know about militants attack when police in the capital's Kalyanpur area killed nine suspected militants few days back in preemptive shootouts. It has spread more fear among local and foreign people doing business here and planning expansion of new business adding to their risks factors. We also must say that the police actions that create panic and kill people in open shootouts should be restraint because it is putting wrong signals that business environment is lacking in this country. The prevalence of the rule of law is most important to give people confidence, including business confidence. Unfortunately, our policy advisers to the government see everywhere development and growth. Foreign experts worry about the chaotic situation developing in our country. Terrorism arises for nothing, and terrorism is not a safe situation for the economy. But there are some in the government, who will not hear others, but think terrorism has made the government's position secure. The people are kept disturbed about the fear of terrorism. The truth is corruption and mismanagement are pervasive in the country. The people have all the restrictions as introduced by police as a way of fighting terrorism. But the fact is that there are some extremely disappointed sections among our people, owing to the government's discriminations and divisive policy. In the absence of political leadership, the need of political solution goes unheeded.
Wikimedia

For months, contenders vying for Louisiana's open U.S. Senate seat largely played nice, at least publicly. But with the Nov. 8 election only three months away, the attacks have started and appear likely to escalate as candidates try to stand out in the 24-person race.

The front-runner, Republican Treasurer John Kennedy, took direct hits this week, mainly from GOP U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, but also from Democratic candidate Josh Pellerin, an oil and gas businessman.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawyer Caroline Fayard is describing herself as the strongest opponent to white supremacist David Duke, a Republican who jumped into the race only hours before the signup closed. The campaign for the leading Democratic candidate, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, reacted by accusing Fayard of using Duke to seek attention for her candidacy.

The Senate seat is open because Republican David Vitter isn't seeking re-election.

Boustany's campaign has been hammering Kennedy in the last few days, accusing the treasurer of supporting a $1 billion tax hike on the oil and gas industry, one of Louisiana's largest business sectors.

The Lafayette congressman cites a wide-ranging report from the legislative auditor that identified inefficiencies in state government. Kennedy forwarded the report to Gov. John Bel Edwards in February, suggesting it could help shrink state spending. Among the items in the report is an estimate that Louisiana lost more than $1 billion in taxes through a tax break for horizontal drilling of oil and gas wells.

The Boustany campaign says that amounts to Kennedy "advocating a $1.1 billion tax hike on the oil & gas industry at a time when working families in the energy industry are being laid off across the state of Louisiana."

The treasurer said he's never supported doing away with the horizontal drilling tax break and just because he forwarded the report doesn't mean he endorsed every item contained in its pages. Kennedy said anybody who's followed his political talking points for years knows he's repeatedly urged lawmakers and the governor to cut spending, not to raise taxes.

"When you're leading (in polls), people make up stuff about you. It's unfortunate, but it's happened," Kennedy said.

Pellerin also took aim at Kennedy, in a forum and a campaign email. He described the treasurer as a career politician who helped create the state's financial problems during former Gov. Bobby Jindal's tenure. He didn't mention, however, that Kennedy regularly  and publicly  clashed with the Jindal administration over its spending and budgeting tactics.

Since his surprise entrance into the race, former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke has been criticized by all the major candidates running for Senate. Duke has replied with widespread hits of his own to GOP and Democratic opponents alike.

Fayard is touting her attacks from Duke, making them a centerpiece of her talking points. In a Facebook post, Duke linked Fayard to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and called them both "white leftist, extremely wealthy 'melting pot' pushers."

Fayard launched a radio ad this week that declares she is the "only one person in the race who's the direct opposite of David Duke." At a forum, she called Duke's criticism a "badge of honor."

Campbell's campaign says Fayard is seizing on Duke to try to draw attention to a struggling campaign.

"Ms. Fayard is desperately trying to grab free press by escalating a fight with David Duke to cover up the fact that she's been MIA for every fight that has mattered for our people," Campbell spokeswoman Mary-Patricia Wray said in a statement.
If you have enjoyed these perambulations of a pensioner, why not support my charity.
Paris, TX (75460)

Today

Periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 56F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch..

Tonight

Periods of rain. Low 54F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Translate From English To German The software can take your word, excel, powerpoint, pdf,. In a few short steps we make it easy to translate your document: Paste or type german and instantly get german to english translation online. Google's service, offered free of charge, instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between english and over 100 other languages. Conjugation for german verbs, pronunciation.

Harley Davidson Farmington Nm Located in northwest new mexico, four corners. The initial investigation indicated a 1990 harley davidson motorcycle, driven by ronald martinez (59) of farmington, nm, was traveling north in the left.

The Lakes At Town Center Let us show you around, give us a call and schedule a tour today! Australia, new zealand, papua new guinea. Know someone looking for a new home for them and.

300Sl For Sale 121 great deals out of 2,208 listings starting at $2,295. (1954 to 1957) cmb $1,535,056. Beautiful 1990 red mercedes 300sl roadster always garaged, tan interior with matching leather seats, <90000.

Rims For Dodge Charger 2013 20 inch rim fits dodge challenger hellcat replica wheel dg15 20x9 gloss black. 20 inch 2013 2014 dodge challenger charger oem black chrome wheel rim. Buy in monthly payments with affirm on orders over $50. Great savings & free delivery / collection on many items Pay later or over time with affirm.

Henry J Car For Sale Learn more about all original 1951 henry j deluxe on bring a trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Hibbing mn cars and trucks for sale.

Action Rent To Own Review action rent to own loans & apply online. 2111 w 3500 s west valley city, ut 84119. Find out what works well at action rent to own from the.

Gma Book Club Picoult and boylans novel, published tuesday by ballantine,. Get your order fast and stress free with free curbside pickup. It is a story that captures the heartbreak and betrayals that.

Ritz Carlton Seattle Our hotel is also near iconic local attractions,. Rising above portland's modern skyline with stunning views in every direction, the residences stand. A luxury and business hotel soaring high above downtown jakarta. we are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen. the company announced today a newly designed logo and brand voice. Johnson headquartersbethesda, maryland  u.s.

Apartments For Rent In Wooster Ohio This is a list of all of the rental listings in wooster oh. View 0 photo of this $575, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom home at 5011 settlers trce apt 5,..

Barrett Jackson Results Like other websites, our website uses cookies to enable us to analyse how our visitors use our website. Welcome to coffee walk ep. Las vegas, nevada and houston, texas. 1966.

Rent A Rolls Royce Under the hood of rolls royce cullinan. Our supercar fleet includes the rolls royce wraith and the rolls royce ghost for hire. Rolls royce ghost series 1. The rolls royce.

Toyota Rent A Car Pickup location * dropoff location * * pickup date * * pickup time * * dropoff date * * dropoff time * * driver age * rate code * coupon code. And canada but are prohibited from going to mexico. We personalize solutions based on your requirements and create a. Jim norton toyota located in tulsa can assist you with all. We have our courtesy buses between the airport and poplar office.

Pet Lodge Chow Hound Made out of tough galvanized steel, the magnetized door stays shut until your dog nudges it. Chow hound automatic dog feeders are manufactured from tough galvanized. Skip to main content.

Houses For Rent In Selma Ca Browse the best 0 verified houses for rent in selma, ca! Use our detailed filters to find the perfect place, then get in touch with the landlord. House includes three.

Houses For Rent In Weatherford Ok 823 n illinois st, weatherford, ok 73096. Search houses for rent in weatherford, ok. Located on 1.46 acres, this offers a 4500 sq. View apartments for rent in weatherford, ok..

Craigslist Create Account Craigslist create account will sometimes glitch and take you a long time to try different solutions. This article will teach you how to do it in only a few minutes. Then click the my account link at the top left corner of the website. How to submit a free craigslist post. Make a new post from the account homepage.

Great Clips Clifton Park And because we're open evenings. Great clips clifton park offers affordable haircuts for men, women, and kids. Research formal hairstyles, barber shops, and the best hair salons in the clifton,.

Home Depot Trailers 5X8 Check out my retired home depot rental trailer. This is a 5x8 trailer with a solid metal floor and a ramp gate. Elite trailers offers a full line of utility.
The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now.

Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market.

In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender.

India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex.

Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted.

But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted?

Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner.

If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems.

I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now.

I want more variation in masturbation

I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own.

If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end.

What is sex toys for Indian?

Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation.

It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms.

They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable.

Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner.

The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner.

It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past.

In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping.

Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order.

In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing.

Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome.

Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own.

But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance.

More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around.

Sextoy situation in India

Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years.

In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India.

Mumbai

Kolkata

Bangalore

Delhi

Chennai

Hyderabad

These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India.

In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well.

If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too.

If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it.

What are Sextoys for beginner?

Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms.

Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy.

I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion.

I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy.

If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma.

Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it.

Advantages of using sextoy for Indians

There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians

You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways.

Can have stimulating sex

Can develop new sexual zones

If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern.

However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways.

You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation.

Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever.

There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure.

This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it.

When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems.

It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms).

For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles

[Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou...

Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India.

Sextoy for beginner men in India

So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners.

For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men!

The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men

Masturbator

Cock rings

Love Doll

Sex Lubricants

Toys for the prostate

Lets check each one in detail.

Masturbator

The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products.

It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands.

Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands.

They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.)

Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much.

Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! !

Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa   SEXToys India PR  (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018

Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood.

If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here

Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ...

[For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien...

Cock Ring

A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis.

It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow.

It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber.

In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection.

Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction.

It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it.

Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time.

Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function.

Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy.

You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect.

[Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat...

Love Doll

Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex.

There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women.

Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price.

The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true.

You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste.

There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice.

You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls.

If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here

Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to...

Sex lubricants

Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules.

It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution.

Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse.

There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent.

Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent.

If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here.

What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many...

Toys for the Prostate

Another sextoy for men is prostate toys.

The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line.

Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men.

Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm.

You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus.

By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms.

Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.)

The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation.

Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure.

sextoy for beinner women in India

The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy.

The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy.

Vibrator.

Dildo

Electric Masserger

Lets check out what each one is in detail.

If you want to check out womens toys, click here.

[BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm...

Vibrators

A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator.

Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy.

It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy.

Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women.

For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators.

Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex.

Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself.

This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual.

Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men.

When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons.

Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most...

Dildo

A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis.

It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass.

A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it.

They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well.

It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device.

A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo.

Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands.

For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis.

This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one.

To learn more about dildo, please click here.

What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th...

Electric Masserger

A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores.

It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low.

Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels.

Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation.

It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure.

For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm.

It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out.

If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager?

To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here.

What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th...

How to choose a sextoy for Indian

Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one.

Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points:  Does the size fit you (the partner)?

Does the size fit you (your partner)?

Is the environment able to produce sound without problems?

Price range

First of all, the choice of size is quite important.

Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women.

For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage.

Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems.

Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise.

If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level.

Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it.

Finally, there is the price range.

The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest.

Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy.

Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy?

I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance.

For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics.

If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out.

How to buy sextoys in India

The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping.

For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below.

Sextoy is one of them.

Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping.

SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India.

They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry.

Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card.

To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy.

ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal.

Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on.

Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture.

Cautions for Indians using sextoy

When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind

Keep sex toys clean

Watch out for electrical leakage

Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy

As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone.

Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there.

It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case.

In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness.

Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful.

If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it.

You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly.

Summary

What did you think?

In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India.

The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future.

As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values.

However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health.

If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try?

Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women.

I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it.
Its hard to miss Grammers Market when driving through Alto Pass. For one thing, as the stores Facebook page proudly proclaims, its the only business in town with a flying pig painted on the side of the building. For another, the town doesnt have many businesses to begin with.

With a population that hovers right around the 400 mark, Alto Pass looks as though it fell out of another century. Its historic buildings house a smattering of locally owned shops, including Grammers.

The old-fashioned general store offers a variety of goods, from locally produced jam to flying hog sandwiches  and a smile for everyone who comes in, owner Jackie Grammer said.

She and her employees make a point to help the elderly, personally dropping off milk and bread for older customers. And she likes to keep an eye on the kids who play in the playground in the center of the village while shes at work. Sometimes when she heads home for the day, she tells the kids to head home, too.

People know they can always call here if they need help, she said.

Grammer, who spent 28 years working at SIU and returned to her hometown of Alto Pass in 1999, said that this sense of togetherness is what inspired her to set up shop.

This is why I came back to Alto Pass and bought this business: because I wanted to get back to where people were real people.  Theres a love in little towns you dont get it big towns. People care about each other, Grammer said.

A mixed blessing

Its hard to overstate the impact corporate retailers have had on small-town life. Over the past five decades, big box stores have utterly transformed the retail landscape  and the landscape itself. In most of Southern Illinois, past glories and modern conveniences coexist paradoxically: ornate old buildings stand proud against the ever-encroaching swell of strip malls and splashy corporate logos.

As of 2016, Walmart operates 5,280 stores in the United States and employs 1.5 million people across the country.

Of course, its a mixed blessing, said Terry Clark, dean of the SIU College of Business and a professor of marketing.

On the plus side, he said, big box stores like Walmart make it possible for low-income families to buy goods and services they wouldnt otherwise be able to afford.

The negative side is that everything that makes a town charming, like mom and pop stores  the mom and pop stores cant survive against Walmart, or the local pharmacy cant survive against Walgreens, and so on, Clark said.

A symbiotic relationship

Small villages like Alto Pass have suffered an economic decline, because people go to larger hubs like Carbondale or Marion to shop for basic necessities. But theres a silver lining, Clark says.

Russian-born American economic historian Alexander Gerschenkron explores the concept in his essay Economic Backwardness in Historical Perspective.

(The essay) at face value seemed to be an analysis of poverty, but he identifies some positive aspects of backwardness, which give backward economies an advantage, Clark said.

As long as a small, economically underdeveloped town is close to a larger city, its quaintness attains value in the regional market, Clark says.

Makanda, an artists community nestled in the Shawnee National Forest, is another place that has experienced this phenomenon.

The boardwalk in Makanda couldnt support itself just on the people who live there, Clark said. But the fact that theres economic neglect as Carbondale grew  if that economic neglect doesnt go too far, as it did in Cairo, it actually becomes attractive.  And if you live in Makanda, you dont shop in Makanda, you cant. You come to Carbondale. So this kind of symbiotic relationship develops.

The villages layout largely precludes development, says Mayor Tina Shingleton.

If youre looking at downtown, its in a floodplain  theres not really any place to put a business. Thats why were limited where were at, where the village is, for anything like that, she said.

People like (Makanda) as a tourist destination because its just a funky little place in the middle of nowhere, said Nina Kovar, owner of Visions Art Gallery on the Makanda boardwalk. They find it a little gem in the forest. There are businesses that have been here for years and years, and you dont get just run-of-the-mill stuff here.

A section of Makandas boardwalk has been up for sale since November. The building houses three apartments upstairs and has space for five shops in the downstairs.

Dave Dardis, who owns the Rainmaker art studio on the boardwalk, says he doesnt worry about a corporate business buying the space.

I dont see why they would want to come down here, Dardis said. Its made for craftsmen. You cant charge that much for rent. These are old buildings, you dont know when the big leak is going to hit the second floor and come right through.

The cost of quaintness

In most places in America, quaintness inevitably comes with a high price tag.

Whats interesting is that if you go to very wealthy towns, like Ojai, California  I was there recently  they have no big box stores whatsoever, Clark said. Its filled with charming little boutique-y stores, and theyre great, and everybody likes to go there and walk the streets. However, guess who cant live there? People with lower incomes cant afford to live there. Its the wealthy, paradoxically, who can afford the charming stuff, and who want to  with (city) codes, and so on  want to preserve that quaintness that we all love.

In other words, only affluent, larger cities can afford both quaintness and easy access to outlets that sell basic necessities.

Cobden, another small town comprised almost exclusively of local businesses, recently brought in a Dollar General store, a decision that was met with opposition from some residents.

As much as I hate to say it, it changes the dynamic when I can go buy a pencil without having to leave town, said Ray Hogan, owner of The Old Feed Store, a concert venue in Cobden.

Donna Grammer, a customer representative at the Farmers State Bank in Alto Pass, says she wouldnt mind seeing some more development.

Wed welcome new businesses. Wed love to have a gas station. Right now we have to go all the way to Cobden  thats a 10-mile round trip, she said.

Even though they lack some amenities, Southern Illinois small villages have begun to appeal to one group of people in particular: retirees.

Theyre becoming now attractive retirement communities for SIU people, because the housing is affordable, its developed into a fun place to live, Clark said.

We dont need to bring in anything like a chain, because we are the exact opposite of that," Kovar said, speaking of Makanda. "Thats why people like us. They come down here because they can get different stuff that they cant get anywhere else. I would say that this place doesnt fall into the classification of average.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
By Azernews

By Nigar Abbasova

Income of Russian companies from the investments made in Azerbaijan has already amounted to $2 billion, Azerbaijan's Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev said, while addressing the enlarged session of the Russian-Azerbaijani and Azerbaijani-Russian business councils.

Investments of Russia in Azerbaijan worth billions of dollars. Some $325 million of the total volume of investments was made in the non-oil sector of economy while investments made in the oil sector of the country totaled $2.8 biillion. Income of Russian companies has already amounted to $2 billion, he said.

He said that bilateral relations between the two countries are developing steadily in all directions underlining the spheres of economy and mutual investments.

Azerbaijan-Russia relations are developing successfully  our countries are strategic partners, noted the minister.

Mustafayev also mentioned that Azerbaijan is aimed at increasing export and investments to Russia.

Mutual investments and the trade turnover are growing year by year and it pleases us, but our potential is much greater, he added.

He also underlined that Azerbaijan is currently engaged in the development of non-oil sector and attraction of foreign investments to the country. "Russian market is of great importance for us, therefore, we should increase export potential of the country and stimulate export to Russia."

Highlighting the cooperation between Azerbaijan state energy giant SOCAR and Russian Gazprombank the minister said that the Russian company has issued a credit for the construction of plants SOCAR Polymer and petrochemical complex.

Minister also mentioned that the two countries are also involved in the creation of P-Pharm Company on the production of medicines.

Petr Fradkov, chairman of the Russian-Azerbaijani business council, in turn said that the council is planning to initiate implementation of about 5 join projects in 2016. He mentioned that the council has a preliminary plan of activities for the remaining part of 2016, regardless the fact that it was established in May, 2016. He also mentioned that the Russian export center has so far rendered its support for the implementation of 10 projects worth over $380 million.

Alexey Ulyukaev, Russias Minister of Economic Development and Trade said that the physical volume of export of Azerbaijani goods to Russia increased significantly in 2016.

Trade between our countries experiences a number of difficulties due to the fluctuation of exchange rates and decrease in energy prices. But along with this it should be noted that the physical volume of export of Azerbaijani goods to Russia, in particular of crop production, has grown. We attach great importance to the expansion of economic cooperation with Azerbaijan, he said.

Russian-Azerbaijani partnership is regarded as an important factor of regional stability.

Azerbaijan ranks fifth in Russia's foreign trade with the CIS countries (following Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan). At the same time, Russia is also considered to be a leading importer of Azerbaijani goods. Some 600 Russian companies are operating in Azerbaijan.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia totaled $739.8 million in January-May 2016, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee. Overall volume of Russian investments in the country amounts to $3 billion.

Some 170 agreements, with 50 being in the sphere of economy have been so far concluded between the two countries.

The country is in the first place among importers from Azerbaijan with a share of 18.3 percent ($609.6 million), while in the list of exporters Russia ranks the 8th with the amount of $130.2 million (with specific weight of 4.27 percent).
By Azernews

By Amina Nazarli

The 8th International Music Festival, gifting unforgettable seven days of mesmerizing music festive, came to an end in one of the beautiful corners of Azerbaijan -- Gabala on August 5.

This musical event has long gone beyond the boundaries of Azerbaijan to gain an international recognition.

Music has the power to fascinate people of different nationalities, languages, and religions. The way, how wonderful Azerbaijani music takes the soul, demonstrates to the world the cultural wealth of the nation. The same was experienced this time as well. Enchanting with its picturesque nature, ancient Gabala again reunited music lovers.

Until recently, few people knew about the existence of Gabala and now the 2,500-year-old ancient city is the center of attention of music enthusiasts. Within a few days Gabala turned into a musical capital of Azerbaijan. It has been eight years since the city hosts an international music festival.

The closing ceremony saw performance of Ukrainian Chamber Orchestra Kyiv virtuosi.

The concert featured works by Rossini, Mascagni, Shilkloper, Leoncavallo, Mozart and Bizet. The festival ended with the performance of the Mardan aria from opera "Motherland" by great Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev and Hajiyev as well as "Azerbaijan" composition by Muslim Magomayev.

Sharing his impression on the music event Director of Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Murad Adigozalzade, said that Gabala International Music Festival is a cultural event of great importance in promoting the national music in the world.

This year, the program was very eventful. Every day there were two concerts presenting different pieces of music, he told Azertac.

The musician noted that politics, sports, economy and culture play the main role in shaping the image of Azerbaijan. From this point of view holding such a grand musical festival outside the capital, in the resort area is an important event.

Around the world, large cities are gradually losing the status of the festival capitals, and this place is occupied by picturesque small town where art and nature very successfully compliments with each other. Gabala International Music Festival, held for the past eight years, is a clear proof of that. Here only musical rhythms disturb the silence of the majestic mountains, surrounded by thick forests. In the days of the Gabala festival classical music lovers had the opportunity to listen to the outstanding works by world-renowned musicians. On the daily concerts, excellent performance of the famous works by great composers gave the audience some unforgettable milestones. I am confident that the upcoming festival will continue this success," Adigozlazade said.

The 4th International Competition of Young Pianists, held as part of the 8th International Music Festival also announced its winners.

Azerbaijan`s Vurgun Vekilov and Russian Anna Kavalerova became winners of the competition. Azerbaijani pianists Tofig Shikhiyev and Russian Yevgeniya Antonova shared the second place. No one won the third place. Rashid Behbudov and Atabala Manafzade were awarded certificates for distinguished performance.

All winners were awarded certificates and prize money.

Headed by Oksana Yablonskaya, the jury panel of the contest consisted of Farkhad Badalbeyli, Murad Ad?gozalzade, Irina Starodub, Valida Suk and Maryam Maleki.

World-renowned pianist Oksana Yablonskaya, shared her impressions about the piano competition. I`m very happy that we have so many young talents at this contest. They show off their skills together with celebrated pianists, she added.

An honorary academician of the UN International Art Academy and US Julianne Music Academy professor, Yablonskaya also hailed excellent organization of the Gabala festival.



Music lovers show great interest in this festival. My performance together with Ukrainian Kyiv virtuosi chamber orchestra was given a standing ovation from the audience, she told Azertac, adding that the Azerbaijani people have very beautiful music and great composers.

With its greatness the festival won the deep respect of foreign and local musicians. From July 30 to August 5, prominent musicians, art ensembles, soloists and conductors from Azerbaijan, Austria, Bulgaria, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, the U.S., Italy, France, Spain, Israel, Lithuania and Cuba demonstrated their skills to the audience.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has praised Azerbaijan and Russia for their positive approach with relation to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Zarif made the remarks while in Baku, accompanying Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on a two-day official visit.

Under the sanctions, Irans relations with neighbors were affected less than with others. However, with the onset of the nuclear talks, Irans neighbors also took a more active approach to Iran, Zarif told Trend on August 7.

The JCPOA was implemented on January 16 followed by a nuclear deal last year curbing Iran's nuclear program in return for the removal of international sanctions.

Of those neighbors which expanded their relations with Iran more than any other, Azerbaijan and Russia are notable, he said.

Our relations with these two countries grew by degrees both during the nuclear talks and after the JCPOA, Zarif said.

The two countries heads have exchanged many visits in the past three years and tomorrow the three countries will hold their first [trilateral] meeting, Zarif noted.

Iran's President Rouhani, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russia's President Vladimir Putin are to meet on Aug. 8 in Baku.

Zarif went on to say that thanks to the JCPOA, now the three counties can enjoy a great extent of cooperation, while under the sanctions there were many problems for Iran especially for cooperation in energy and transit sectors.

Azerbaijan and Iran cooperate in a major international North-South transportation corridor project. The corridor is meant to connect Northern Europe to South-East Asia. It will serve as a link connecting the railways of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia.

Ealier in the day, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told Rouhani, We attach great importance to your visit. I am confident that this visit will be very successful and will give a new impetus to the development of our relations.

A ceremony of signing several documents was held after the expanded meeting with Aliyev and Rouhani on the same day. The MoUs specified cooperation in industry, banking, transport, science, tourism, culture, etc. Tehran and Baku signed 11 MoUs upon Aliyevs visit to Tehran February 23.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has said that his trilateral meeting with Iranian and Russian counterparts in Baku is a historic event.

Today, Baku is hosting the trilateral meeting of Iranian, Russian and Azerbaijani presidents for the first time in the history, said President Aliyev addressing the event. This is a historic event. A new cooperation format between the three countries is being created today.

President Aliyev expressed gratitude to his Russian and Iranian counterparts, Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani, for accepting his invitation to participate in the summit.

I should mention that the foreign ministers of the three countries met in Baku in April 2016 at Azerbaijans initiative, said the president. I am confident that todays summit will give a new momentum to the regional cooperation.

Our peoples, who have been living side by side throughout centuries, are bound by common history and geography, said President Aliyev.

Azerbaijan has close friendship relations both with Iran and Russia. These relations have even more developed in recent years and have reached the strategic partnership level, said the president.

Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan successfully cooperate within international organizations and our countries always support each other in the UN and other international organizations, said President Aliyev.

He noted that Azerbaijan successfully cooperates with Iran within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Economic Cooperation Organization and with Russia in OSCE, CIS, Council of Europe and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization.

The three countries always support each other in these organizations. Azerbaijan has opposed the international sanctions imposed on Iran and Russia and has repeatedly expressed its position openly, said the president.

Azerbaijan pursues independent policy and this policy is based on international law, justice and national interests of our country, said President Aliyev. Close relations with our neighbors fully meet our national interests.
Please note that the poems and essays on this site are copyright and may not be reproduced without the author's permission.






Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec), Abu Dhabis strategic business enabling asset, contributed Dh1.32 billion ($353.82 million) directly and indirectly to the economy during the first half of this year, the company said.



The results demonstrate strong operating performance and continued growth, it said.



Adnec drew more than 812,000 visitors to its conferences and exhibitions at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and Al Ain Convention Centre in H1 2016.



With this achievement, Adnec's total direct and indirect economic impact has reached more than Dh23 billion, while its exhibition venues have welcomed over 12.5 million visitors since establishment in 2005, it said.



In H1 2016, Adnec hosted some 34 exhibitions, as well as 124 conferences and events, creating more than 7,000 job opportunities in supporting sectors of business tourism. Adnec has also succeeded in winning eight major international conference bids in H1 2016.



Noura Mohammed Al Kaabi, chairwoman of Adnec and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, said: Adnec continues to help drive the ongoing diversification and growth of the Abu Dhabi economy, as a key catalyst for realising the Abu Dhabi Plan and Economic Vision 2030. Our impressive above-target results in terms of performance and footfall for the first six months of this year is a testament of our sustained commitment.



Abu Dhabi is steadily and surely gaining a prominent position as a leading city for business tourism in the region. This is a result of the continuous and immeasurable support from our wise government, that focuses on innovation, leadership in social and economic sectors, and the empowerment of Emirati talent.



She added: We are extremely proud of the talented UAE national workforce at Adnec that is managing the companys events and programmes locally and internationally. Emiratisation at Adnec has increased to 56 per cent of total staff compared to 52 per cent in the same period in 2015 - with Emiratis occupying 86 per cent of senior management positions. Emirati women have also played an important role in driving the companys success and represent 40 per cent of the total national workforce. We are also delighted to be a preferred employer of choice for talented minds from across the globe with more than 18 diverse nationalities working together in harmony.



It is vital for the future competiveness of Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE that we continue to provide an attractive environment for exhibitions, conferences and sectors to come to Abu Dhabi and experience what we have to offer in terms of business tourism. We will continue to work hard to deliver further growth. Our commitment is evident in the Groups dynamic transition plans that serve as a blueprint for excellence and the fact that some of the worlds largest and most prestigious organisations are increasingly choosing to use our venues.



Additionally, ExCeL London also continued to develop in cooperation with its strategic partners in H1 2016 - hosting 64 exhibitions, 125 conferences and events, and drawing 1.47 million visitors to date.



Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, acting group CEO of Adnec, said: We are pleased to have achieved such significant growth and success in H1 2016 that can be attributed to the performance of Adnecs network of conference and exhibition centres in the UAE and the UK. We are now in a position to leverage the strengths of both destinations and their position as two prominent business and technology focused hubs to drive the further growth of the group as a whole.



He added: Al Ain Convention Centre has successfully attracted a number of major events and conferences in H1 2016 and footfall exceeded the expected target by 6 per cent. At the same time, Adnec continued its major efficiency and rationalisation programme, which delivered savings on direct and fixed costs well below the estimated budget. Moreover, services provided to exhibitors and event organisers exceeded expectations and led to the Groups hotels witnessing strong performance in the first half of 2016.



We are confident about our prospects in the second half of 2016 with the overall economic outlook remaining highly positive. As our strategic priority for the next six months, we aim to invest further in the development of our facilities and services to remain competitive, while ensuring that our venues are capable of meeting the evolving requirements of the industry.



Al Dhaheri also pointed out: The conferences and exhibitions sector is growing but faces increasing competition around the world. This means we have to remain ahead of the competition in order to achieve our ultimate goals. I am confident that Adnec is well-prepared for the future and will remain a venue of choice across our international network for the worlds leading organisations. - TradeArabia News Service




The Sohar Refinery Improvement Project (SRIP), with a capital expenditure of $2.7 billion, is scheduled for commissioning towards the end of 2016, a top official was quoted as saying by the Times of Oman.



SRIP will enhance capacity by 70 per cent to meet the growing requirement of petroleum products in the country as well as supply additional volumes to aromatics and polypropylene plants, said Musab Al Mahruqi, chief executive officer of state-owned Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic).



With SRIP, Sohar Refinery will add 82,000 barrels per day (bpd) to its existing capacity of 116,000 bpd  taking the total capacity to 198,000 bpd, he said.



This indicates a 70 per cent growth in fuel production  141 per cent for diesel, 34 per cent for gasoline, 98 per cent for kerosene/jet fuel, 93 per cent for LPG, 159 per cent for naphtha and 56 per cent for propylene, he added.



Meanwhile, another major venture - Muscat Sohar Product Pipeline (MSPP) project - will entail a pipeline connection between Mina Al Fahal Refinery, Sohar Refinery with an intermediate terminal at Al Jifnain, as well as the pipeline connection from Al Jifnain to the new Muscat International Airport.



Al Mahruqi said that Liwa Plastic Industries Complex (LPIC) is one of the biggest among the three major projects being executed by Orpic over the next four years.



LPIC includes a steam cracker and its associated downstream units to utilise the refinery light ends and the C2+ from Omans natural gas in order to produce an additional 1.2 million tonnes of polymers annually as well as motor gasoline (MTBE), the Times of Oman report said.



The project, which will have a capital expenditure of $6.5 billion, is in the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) phase and is scheduled for commissioning in 2020, it added.
Qatar-based Quality Group International has signed a contract with Global Real Estate Company to launch a new 160,000 sq ft shopping mall in Wakrah City, a report said.



The mall project in Wakrah has undertaken extensive market research to better understand the needs and preferences of customers, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Abdurrahman Al Thani, owner of Global Real Estate Company, was quoted as saying in The Peninsula report.



So, we have taken a strategic approach to hand over the project to a leading retailer in Qatar. We hope that Quality Group can provide the best shopping and leisure experience to the multi-community in Qatar, especially in Wakrah and Wukair areas, and we are delighted to be signing this new collaboration.



The mall will have a full-fledged supermarket and department store spread on two floors, with parking facility in the basement and on the ground floor, the report said.



Work on the project is expected to be completed by mid- 2017, according to the report.




Iranian and Azerbaijani officials recently broke ground for a joint venture car manufacturing project in Azerbaijans Neftchala Industrial Region, said a report.



The production capacity of the plant, jointly run by Iran Khodro and Euro Car of Azerbaijan Republic Company, is expected to be 10,000 sedan cars per year and it will create 300 jobs, added the Iran Daily News report, citing IRNA.



Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammadreza Nematzadeh and Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Republic and co-chairman of Azerbaijani joint economic commission Shahin Mustafayev attended the ceremony.



Mustafayev said that an investment of $15 million will be made in the auto-manufacturing plant of which 25 per cent will be borne by Iran Khodro Company.



The plant will be commissioned in 2018, added the report.
India-based Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL), a leading steel manufacturer, has dispatched the first lot of rail to Iran from its Raigarh facility, said a report.



JSPL won a contract to supply 150,000 tonnes of rails to Iran for developing rail infrastructure, added the Iran Daily News report.



Of the total figure, 130,000 tonnes would be normal rail and 20,000 tonnes specialised head hardened rail that is produced in the country only by the JSPL, it said.



In the first lot, 1,700 tonnes of 18-m normal rail has been dispatched to the Gangavaram port in Andhra Pradesh for shipping, added the report.


Trend Micro, a global leader in security software and solutions, recently partnered with Interpol in the arrest of the head of an international criminal network suspected of stealing more than $60 million through business email compromise (BEC) scams and CEO fraud.



The arrest is the result of a joint operation by Interpol and the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crime Commission utilizing Trend Micro research to identify and arrest the culprit.



Trend Micro is a strong proponent of public-private partnerships in the constant battle against cybercriminals, said Raimund Genes, chief technology officer for Trend Micro.



We have a collective adversary in those who mean to do harm via technology, and we at Trend Micro do all we can to support law enforcement in apprehending and prosecuting these attackers. This is another milestone for the cybersecurity community working together.



The Nigerian national is believed to be the leader of a 40-person network across Nigeria, Malaysia and South Africa that provides malware and carries out attacks. He is also suspected of colluding with money launderers in China, Europe and the US who provided illicit bank account details in which stolen money was housed.



Arrests like this are made possible by partnerships between members of the security community which come together with the common goal of making the internet a safer place, said Noboru Nakatani, executive director of the Interpol Global Complex for Innovation. BEC scams are particularly difficult to combat due to their complexity, which is why public-private sector cooperation is essential.



Trend Micro is a strategic partner supporting Interpol and its member countries with knowledge, resources and strategies to fight global cybercrime through its Global Complex for Innovation in Singapore.  TradeArabia News Service
Splash, a leading high-street fashion retailer in the Middle East has announced Bollywood superstars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif as brand ambassadors.



The mega stars known for their acting finesse and their on-trend sartorial choices with a massive fan following will be seen representing the brand Splash through a series of brand campaigns across the Middle East.



Splash is well known for its trendy and fashionable collections with a broad appeal, its innovative events and campaigns while Salman is known for creating everlasting fashion moments and Katrina, as an aspirational youth icon thus making the three individual brands an instant fit.



I have now been working with Splash in the Middle East for the past three years both in the capacity of a brand ambassador and with my brand Being Human for which Splash is the exclusive retail partner, said Khan.



It has been an exciting & fruitful journey. Each season the brand ups its fashion quotient while still keeping the Arab & Asian consumer at heart which I most relate to. I look forward to this renewed journey and wish we continue to add many more fashionable moments in the life of our valued fans & customers.



"As a brand to me Splash embodies effortless style & great fashion which is what I associate with personally, said Kaif.



I am very happy to represent the brand as an ambassador for the Middle East, a region that has given me and my movies so much love and support. We are in the process of shooting this amazing, high-fashion campaign and I can't wait for you to see what's in store this season."



Raza Beig, director- Landmark Group and CEO- Splash & ICONIC, said: Born and bred in the Middle East we at Splash understand the fashion sensibilities of the Arab consumer and to represent this fashion we have brought together mega stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.



This is Splash's second stint with Salman post a 6 month gap in which we received multiple requests from his Arab and Asian fans to bring the association back. Katrina was an obvious choice given her global appeal, her talent and impeccable style. Both together appeal to all generations and it is this love for them that we aim to capitalise on in their very first joint brand endorsement, Beig added.



The campaign will go Live on September 1 across all communication platforms and a brand TVC which will highlight product and the fashion relationship between the actors and the brand. All content related to the endorsement will first be released on the Splash social media platforms so stay tuned to www.splashfashions.com or catch us on Facebook at Splash Fashions.  TradeArabia News Service
Arabian Automobiles Company, the exclusive dealer for Infiniti in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, has welcomed the dynamic Infiniti Q30 across its centres.



The Infiniti Q30 is a new segment for Infiniti as it ventures into the fast growing segment of premium compact hatch vehicles. The design philosophy with this model represents an important step towards the growth of the brand in this segment, the company said.



Salah Yamout, director of sales and marketing at Arabian Automobiles Company, said: Arabian Automobiles Company is delighted to be a part of Infinitis entry into the premium compact segment. The Infiniti Q30 represents a new era for the brand, with innovation, cutting-edge technology and a dynamic body shape packaged into an all-new drivers experience. We are extremely pleased to be bringing the stylish Q30 to our customers and convert new buyers into Q30 enthusiasts.



Design

The Q30 revamps Infinitis signature design elements into modernised, dynamic shapes. The double-arch grille with 3D mesh, for example, has grown from the Q50, with fluid movement into the headlamps. The bold curves coupled with the lines on the bonnet, make their way over the fenders and across the body line into the shoulder of the car.



The signature C-pillar arcs forward in a dynamic crescent shape that emphasises motion, even when stationary. The contrast of the long roof-line, develop an image of a shooting brake in silhouette, and elevated stance to add focus on the visual appeal of the car. The balance of sculptural shapes moving past one another creates a harmonious design that can be appreciated at a glance.



The Q30 Premium includes LED front fog lamps, body-coloured and heated door mirrors, as well as chrome dual rectangular exhaust finishers. 18-inch alloy wheels add to the Premium grades striking appearance.



Technology

On the technology front, the Q30s Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, Intelligent Parking Assist, Forward Collision Warning with Forward Emergency Braking and Blind Sport Warning are just a few more feathers in the cap of technological advancements for the Infiniti premium compact segment, it said.



The Intelligent Parking Assist is designed to work in the three most common parking situations, tight parallel parking, 90 degrees backing-in and heading in parking. Using 12 sensors in the front and rear, the system automatically steers the vehicle into place with the additional help or audio and visual warnings whilst the driver controls the brake and accelerator.



Performance

In terms of performance, the Infiniti Q30 is available with 1.6L or 2.0L Turbo variants in a 2WD configuration. The 2.0L Turbo will also be offered with an optional AWD drivetrain. The 2.0L Turbo engine delivers 208hp and 350Nm torque. When equipped with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the highest-performing engine in the range is capable of powering the Infiniti Q30 from 0-to-100kph in 7.3 seconds.



Prices start at Dh109,800 ($29,885).


Siemens has received orders from customers in Great Britain and the US for a total of nine compact steam turbines. The turbines are to be manufactured at Siemens' production site in Frankenthal, Germany, the company said in a statement.

Three SST-040 turbines have been ordered by the Dutch energy provider Kara Energy Systems for biomass power plants in Great Britain, while the US-based company Airclean Energy in Seattle, Washington, has placed an order for six SST-110 compact steam turbines.

"These new orders underscore the growing demand for small units to serve distributed energy-producing solutions," emphasises Volker Neumann, Siemens' location manager at the Frankenthal plant. "With both these orders, we are contributing to sustainable energy supply in Great Britain and the US."

The three SST-040 turbines, designed to deliver an electrical generating capacity of 300 and 420 kilowatts (kW), will be deployed in three biomass power plants in Great Britain. These power plants are scheduled to begin operation between November 2016 and February 2017. Siemens has already received three identical orders from Kara over the course of the past twelve months.

This marks the first time that Siemens is supplying an SST-040 with an output higher than 300 kW. The unit is based on the technology of the existing SST-040 turbine, but expanded due to growing customer demand for turbines with outputs over 300 kW. This technical advancement enables the SST-040 to now achieve electrical generating capacities of up to 750 kW. The turbine, gearing, electrical generator and all related equipment units are installed on a common base frame. Weighing some 4,500 kg, this virtually maintenance-free machine is a lightweight among steam turbines. Thanks to the compact design, the unit requires just a very small foundation.

The US company Airclean Energy is integrating the six compact SST-110 steam turbines into complete facilities. The turbines with an output of 3 megawatts each will be deployed in process steam systems at industrial facilities in the Midwestern U.S. They will replace steam pressure reducing valve (PRV) stations, optimising the efficiency of the steam cycle. This type of retrofit is subsidized by many utilities in a number of US states.

Pressure reducing valve stations are used to reduce boiler steam pressure to the pressure needed by the system. Different systems within an industrial facility have different operating pressure demands. When steam pressure is reduced through a valve, significant energy is lost. Airclean Energy is recovering this lost energy by reducing the steam pressure through the Siemens turbine and running a generator that will offset electrical energy consumption at the facility. The benefit of the SST-110 is its ability to reduce pressure to two different pressure levels at once, satisfying multiple consumers through one turbine. Many industrial facilities run at two different pressure levels, making this turbine an ideal choice for industry. TradeArabia News Service
Britain's Serious Fraud Office has launched a formal investigation into suspected fraud, bribery and corruption in connection with commercial plane sales by Airbus, parent company Airbus Group said on Sunday.



A UK government agency this year suspended the issue of export credits to Airbus, citing discrepancies in declarations by the plane maker on the use of third-party intermediaries during jet sale negotiations.



The agency, UK Export Finance, had said it was referring the discrepancies to the SFO, which would decide whether to launch a criminal investigation.



"Airbus Group has been informed by the SFO that it has opened a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption in the civil aviation business of Airbus Group relating to irregularities concerning third party consultants," the company said in a statement.



"Airbus Group continues to cooperate with the SFO."



French and German agencies have also halted export credits to the plane maker, which support deliveries to airlines with limited access to commercial funds.  Reuters
Istanbul, already one of the most fascinating and rewarding cities in the world, is also a long-time favourite destination for GCC travellers, one of the citys leading hoteliers has revealed.



With a flying distance of less than four hours non-stop and due to its Muslim-friendly, culturally-familiar environment, the city is expected to have an increasing number of the Gulfs elite visiting the stylish Nisantas neighbourhood during the forthcoming Eid Al Adha break,it said.



With the start of autumn in September, it is the ideal time to discover a city full of beauty and rich in heritage, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Complementing this, the city is filled with world-class retail options, art galleries, excellent dining, exciting nightlife and luxury accommodation options.



Istanbul is one of the worlds greatest cities and GCC travellers continue to adore this fascinating city. We expect to see greater numbers at Eid breaks. The Gulfs affluent travellers prefer to base themselves in the chic Nisantas neighbourhood, with its premium shopping and dining offerings, while desiring discreet, luxurious, personalised services and design-led accommodation, which is where The St. Regis Istanbul is uniquely positioned to meet their needs, said Rui Reis, general manager, The St. Regis Istanbul, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.



Nestled in the sophisticated Nisantas neighbourhood, The St. Regis Istanbul prides itself on its prestigious address, surrounded by chic designer boutiques, art galleries and the shimmering Bosphorus close by. The residential hotel sits atop Macka Park and boasts breath taking, floor-to-ceiling views of the Bosphorus from the 118 guestrooms and suites, including the worlds second Bentley Suite.



Designed by award-winning Turkish architect Emre Arolat, The St. Regis Istanbul is a modern interpretation of Istanbuls glamorous Art Deco era with a variety of contemporary art installations.



Following in the tradition of the St. Regis brands legendary New York hotel, The St. Regis Istanbul features the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels including the signature St. Regis Butler Service, bespoke guest experiences and luxury accommodations tailored to global travellers. Trained in the British tradition, the butlers provide unparalleled attention and unobtrusive service while anticipating guest needs and customising each guests stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences.



Families can have a truly remarkable dining experience at the citys famous dining hotspot Spago by Wolfgang Puck, located on the hotels rooftop with stunning views of the vibrant city. The St. Regis Brasserie offers street-side action, with an indoor show kitchen and bustling outdoor terrace reminiscent of a Parisian cafe. For unprecedented relaxation, the prestigious Iridium Spa presents restorative therapies and three treatment pools, whereas the state-of-the-art Exercise Room acts as an energizing all-hours escape.



The citys true luxury address also offers a tailored shopping retreat, in collaboration with premium department store Harvey Nichols. The personalised styling services provide guests with exclusive previews of the latest collection in the stores personal shopping lounge or at the hotel, and exclusive access to over 450 brands in Harvey Nichols and Brandroom, as well as in privileged luxury boutiques located at the hotel itself. The hotel can provide transportation by chauffeured Bentley, making it the ultimate trip for GCC tastes.



The St. Regis Istanbul has extended a privileged package for Eid Al Adha, offering a journey to discover the finest address in Istanbul. The bespoke experience includes daily breakfast, an upgrade in the room category upon availability, early check-in and late check-out and a food and beverage credit worth $100 which can be used at the St. Regis Brasserie, a classic Parisian brassiere and Wolfgang Pucks iconic Spago.



The exclusive package is available between September 8 and 18 for a minimum stay of three nights, with a starting rate of 280 ($310.3) + VAT per night. - TradeArabia News Service
Following the deployment of a third daily A380 to Manchester, Emirates has announced an 11 per cent capacity increase on the route.



As of January 1, 2017, the replacement of the Boeing 777-300ER will mean that all Emirates flights to Manchester will be operated by the iconic double decker aircraft. The airline also unveiled plans to swap its current A380 service at Birmingham from the morning to the afternoon departure slot, in order to offer customers even more connections beyond Dubai to other Emirates A380 destinations  ensuring a seamless A380 to A380 experience.



Thanks to the new aircraft deployment, Emirates will offer 2,198 additional weekly seats on the route, enabling further business and leisure travel between Dubai and Manchester. The airline also expects to break the symbolic mark of one million passengers carried on the route for this financial year, attesting to the growing demand in the market. With a total of 517 seats in a three-class cabin configuration, the aircraft features 14 private suites in First Class, 76 flat-bed seats in Business Class and 427 spacious seats in Economy Class.



Manchester has been an important destination for Emirates over the last 25 years and the second route launched into the UK after London Gatwick. With 21 weekly flights, Emirates enables convenient and seamless connections to popular destinations such as Bangkok, Perth, Singapore, Mumbai and across Emirates global network of over 150 destinations. Flight EK21 will depart from Dubai at 0300hrs and arrive in Manchester at 0700hrs. The return flight EK22 will depart from Manchester at 0845, with a 1945hrs arrival time in Dubai. - TradeArabia News Service
Emirates Grand Hotel, a luxury property in Dubai, UAE, presents new dining opportunities with business lunch offerings for guests.



Guests can spoil themselves in the middle of the busy weekdays and savour a variety of flavours with the signature business lunch at Panorama restaurant on the 43rd floor of the Emirates Grand Hotel. Meet with business partners, team or client during the working day while enjoying fine cuisine prepared by the hotels specialty chef. This limited period lunch offer combines culinary art, splendid views, great value and service  all that make business lunch at Panorama restaurant a truly memorable experience.



With panoramic view overlooking the Arabian Sea and citys skyline, guests can enjoy the business lunch at Panorama restaurant for only Dh59 ($16) per person and served from Monday to Thursday at 12:30pm to 3:30pm until 31st August 2016.



For more information or to make a reservation, please call the restaurant reservation +971 4 323 0000 or visit the hotels website at www.emiratesgrandhotel.com. - TradeArabia News Service
Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi, a leading four-star hotel in the UAE capital, has welcomed Elias El Bahri as its new director of sales and marketing.



The Lebanese national will now oversee the sales and marketing department at the 203-room hotel in Abu Dhabi. Previously, El Bahri handled the sales and events departments at the Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites on Yas Island for over five years, and brings over 12 years of hospitality industry experience to his new role.



El Bahris career launched at the Phoenicia InterContinental Hotel in Lebanon, with successive posts at the Sheraton Beirut and Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri Abu Dhabi.



Im very excited to have Elias join our dynamic team said Robert Clark, general manager at Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi, with his expertise, market knowledge and great commercial background; I am confident that Elias is ready to take on the new challenge and bring in outstanding results." - TradeArabia News Service
ISIS Plundered, Destroyed Ancient Assyrian City in Syria

Pits dug in Tel Ajaja show where ISIS looked for archaeological artifacts. ( Ayham al-Mohammad) Syria's ancient cultural heritage is disappearing: Tel Ajaja and its irreplaceable Assyrian artifacts are the latest victims of the more than five-year civil war. The full extent of the damage done during ISIS' two-year control of the area is now clear, say archaeologists: some 40 percent of the 4000-year-old city known to history as Shadikanni was destroyed, the Gulf News reported. The terrorist movement even systemically uncovered areas not yet excavated, finding irreplaceable artifacts that they either destroyed, or may have "saved" for sale on the black market, Syrian archaeologists told the website. Tel Ajaja, located in the north-eastern province Hasakeh, was one of the main cities of the Assyrian Empire, which flourished in the first millennium BCE. Other casualties of war All of human history has passed through the Levant. Yet not all of the damage to the region's heritage has been wreaked by the Islamic State. Much of the birthplace of modern civilization and its archaeological clues lie in regions wracked by war. Syria, one of the world's richest archaeological areas, has been in the front line since civil war erupted in 2011. Ancient ruins of cities and fortresses from Assyrian, Greek, Roman and Byzantine eras are used as cannon mounts and weapon depots.
CHEYENNE  Wyoming Democratic Party leaders say theyre creating a new caucus within the party to increase participation in the party and be more inclusive.

Dubbed the progressive caucus, the developing group will function as a focus group through which members can have a voice with party leaders, Wyoming Democratic Party Chair Ana Cuprill said.

As were trying to grow the party and be more inclusive  folks want to participate in less traditional ways, she said. This gives them an opportunity to be more active in that manner.

The caucus is open to any Democrat or independent voter and is still in the process of being organized, and it will serve as a voice for the progressive wing of the party.

This is an opportunity to get all these people who are excited and engaged about politics ... involved in a meaningful way, said Jon Gardzelewski of Laramie, who is helping organize the group.

Gardzelewski was a supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders for president and was a Sanders delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

Hes also the new national committeeman, a leadership position in the state Democratic party that also serves as a superdelegate on the national level.

The position took effect following the national convention last month.

Gardzelewski said the caucus is open to anyone interested and will be organized at the county and state levels.

The announcement of the caucus comes after a somewhat controversial county and state caucus process earlier this year.

Although Sanders took the majority of the vote, 55.7 percent, at Wyomings county caucuses in April, he tied Hillary Clinton for pledged delegates.

Then, with Wyomings four superdelegates committed to Clinton, Sanders ended up with seven Wyoming delegates to Clintons 11.

Although the delegate distribution process was approved by the state party in 2015, some Sanders supporters were angered that he could win the popular vote but come away with fewer delegates.

That caucus process was one of the sparks behind the creation of the new caucus.

As a party, we are committed to the thousands of Wyoming voters who have been impassioned by Sen. Sanders message, Cuprill said in a press release. This caucus provides a great opportunity for us to reach out to those voters across the state.

Cuprill also said the state party is planning changes to the delegate system but that will depend, in part, on future decisions by the national Democratic party during the next few years.

In addition, talk continues among both Democrats and Republicans regarding switching Wyoming from a caucus state to a primary election state.

The party is currently collecting contact information for people interested in the caucus, as well as information about what those people would like to see come from the caucus.

The form to submit such information is available through the Wyoming Democrats webpage at www.wyodems.org.
At least nine people died in crashes on Wyoming highways during the past week, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Five of the eight people who died were not wearing seat belts.

Idaho resident Marvin Updike, 67, was found dead Friday, four days after he crashed north of Sheridan. He was spotted by a small airplane, as the wreckage was not visible from the interstate.

Authorities estimated the crash occurred around 6 a.m. on Aug. 1. Updike was driving a Dodge Nitro and towing a utility trailer on Interstate 90 when the SUV drove through the median and across the oncoming lanes. Then, according to a report, he continued into a ditch, rolled down a steep embankment and landed in a ravine.

He was not wearing a seat belt.

Later in the week, Wyoming resident Daniel Sutherland sustained fatal injuries Wednesday in a crash south of Ranchester.

On Thursday, a crash killed three passengers east of Evanston  Wyoming resident Kari Koritnik, as well as a 25-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman from Nevada.

The driver, 37-year-old Joseph Campbell, was driving on Interstate 80 when his Chevy SUV collided with the trailer of truck parked at a pull-off area. The three passengers who were killed were not wearing seat belts. Campbell was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Salt Lake City, along with another passenger who remains is in critical condition. A California resident who was in the sleeper berth of the truck was not injured.

Over the weekend, a crash east of Rock Springs resulted in the death of a woman with a listed address of Boulder, Colorado. On Saturday, a crash north of Alpine resulted in the deaths of Wyoming resident Jay Lish and Virginia resident Cole Eck.

In addition, a motorcyclist died Friday night in Casper following a wreck on East Second Street, according to the city police department. That victims name has not been released.

Investigations for each crash are ongoing.

According to the highway patrol, there have been 63 highway deaths in Wyoming in 2016, compared with 92 fatalities in the same span last year.

Sgt. David Wagener of the WHP said last month that reduced traffic as well as more troopers patrolling the roads might be behind the large decrease.

But in the end, he said, it comes down to drivers making the correct decisions.

Single-vehicle rollovers have historically been the most common fatal wreck in Wyoming, according to Wagener. And there are ways to prevent them.

Its as simple as taking three seconds to put the seat belt on thats already in the car, Wagener said last month. Its not an additional expense. It comes with the car that youre in.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has made his first public appearance since being hospitalized last month with severe burns.

Abbott attended the groundbreaking Monday afternoon of a nearly $900 million new harbor bridge in Corpus Christi. The project will eventually replace the aging hat-shaped bridge that's a signature landmark of the coastal city.

Abbott sustained extensive second- and third-degree burns on his lower legs and feet after being scalded July 7 while vacationing in Wyoming. His office won't say exactly how he was burned.

Abbott missed the Republican National Convention and underwent treatment at San Antonio's Brooke Army Medical Center.

He was scalded the same day a sniper killed five Dallas police officers. Abbott held a news conference the next day but didn't disclose at the time he was injured.
Yellowstone National Park officials have implemented a fire ban due to hot, dry weather and wildfire activity in the region.

The restrictions went into effect at noon Monday, according to a news release from the park.

Campfires must be contained to fire rings in campgrounds and picnic areas. Fires are not allowed at backcountry campsites. Smoking is permitted only in vehicles, paved or gravel parking areas and sidewalks, developed campgrounds and other designated areas. Vegetation and flammable materials must be cleared within 3 feet of portable stoves.

On Sunday, a wildfire burning in the Yellowstone backcountry was mapped at about 915 acres. The Fawn Fire was started by lightning on Friday. No significant growth had been reported as of Monday afternoon.

The Hornady Fire was reported Sunday and has burned about one acre. A three-person park service fire crew is assigned to the fire.

There have been 10 fires in the park this year, according to the release. Four were human-caused, and the others were started by lightning.
MANILA, Philippines  Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte publicly linked more than 150 judges, mayors, lawmakers, police and military personnel to illegal drugs Sunday, ordering them to surrender for investigation as he ratcheted up his bloody war against what he calls a "pandemic."

Duterte promptly relieved members of the military and police he named from their current posts and ordered government security personnel to be withdrawn from politicians he identified in a nationally televised speech. He also ordered gun licenses of those named revoked.

"All military and police who are attached to these people, I'm giving you 24 hours to report to your mother unit or I will whack you. I'll dismiss you from the service," Duterte said in the speech at a military camp in southern Davao city.

He said that the list of politicians, judges and law enforcers given to him by the military and police might or might not be true, but that he had a duty to disclose to the public how the drug problem had become so pervasive.

"There is no due process in my mouth," Duterte said. "You can't stop me and I'm not afraid even if you say that I can end up in jail."

The list of names, which Duterte said included some friends, has been validated by authorities but did not contain details of the officials' alleged involvement to the drug trade or offer any evidence. Some names were incomplete, while others had no rank or government position.

They included eight judges, one of whom was reported to have been killed by a gunman in 2008, as well as five retired and current generals. The rest were mostly town mayors and police officers. One retired general, Vicente Loot, has been previously named in public by Duterte and has denied any wrongdoing.

"It's a pandemic," said Duterte, a former mayor of Davao, where he built a reputation for his crime-busting style that allegedly involved extrajudicial killings.

Duterte's latest salvo ups the ante in his war on drugs, which has already left more than 400 suspected dealers and pushers dead and more than 4,400 arrested in more than a month since he took office. Nearly 600,000 people have surrendered to authorities, hoping to avoid getting killed.

The crackdown has been one of the biggest and bloodiest in the Philippines' recent history and has alarmed human rights groups and the dominant Roman Catholic Church. But Duterte has dismissed their concerns and has openly threatened to kill crime suspects, assuring law enforcers that he would defend them if they face lawsuits while battling criminality.

Church leader Archbishop Socrates Villegas issued a statement, read in churches Sunday in his northern district, expressing deep concerns over the killings of drugs suspects and lamenting a lack of widespread outrage over the deaths.
BANGKOK  Thai voters on Sunday overwhelmingly approved a new junta-backed constitution that lays the foundation for a civilian government influenced by the military and controlled by appointed  rather than elected  officials.

Although near-final results showed that more than 60 percent of voters in a referendum called by the military government approved of the constitution, the vote is likely to be met by some skepticism, with the junta imposing severe restrictions on public discussion of the charter.

Ahead of the referendum, the junta  led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a retired army general who has severely curtailed dissent since coming to power in a 2014 coup  banned political rallies and open discussion about the constitution, and criticism of the draft was made punishable by 10 years in jail. Critics say the restrictions ensured that most people were unaware of the pitfalls of the charter, and were probably anxious to get the long-drawn process over with so they could move on.

The yes vote adds that touch of legitimacy to the coup makers, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, an associate professor at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies of Kyoto University in Japan, told The Associated Press.

It gives them the green light for the next few steps they want to take. They will say the opposition cannot say anything now, said Pavin, who is Thai and a vocal critic of the junta.

Prayuths office, however, said in a statement late Sunday that the referendum was conducted with a high degree of transparency and openness on part of the government.

Despite the curbs on civil liberties, Prayuths rule has brought a measure of stability and ended the frequent street violence and divisive politics that had frayed Thailands social fabric for years. That veneer of stability could help explain the yes vote for the new constitution.

There was also the allure of new elections that Prayuth has promised to hold in 2017, after the approval of the new constitution, although he had said he would call the vote even if the referendum was defeated.

The charter speaks to a lot of worries and concerns that a majority of Thai people have, Gothom Areeya, a professor at Thailands Mahidol University, told the AP. Many Thais want to see an end to corruption and the return of peace and development. Even though experts like me may criticize it a lot, our message just didnt reach a lot of the people.

With 91 percent of the ballots counted, 62 percent of the voters said they approved of the constitution, while 38 percent rejected it, Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn told reporters.

Only about 55 percent of Thailands roughly 50 million registered voters cast ballots in the referendum.
LAS VEGAS  Its a paradox in American politics: Many Hispanic families have an immense personal stake in what happens on Election Day, but despite numbers that should mean political power, Hispanics often cant vote, arent registered to vote, or sit it out.

Enter Donald Trump, and the question that could make or break the election in key states. By inflaming the anti-immigrant sentiments of white, working-class men, has the Republican nominee jolted awake another group  27.3 million eligible Hispanic voters?

A lot of times you hear this rap about how politics doesnt affect their life, says Yvanna Cancela, political director of Las Vegas largely immigrant Culinary Union. But that changes when its personal, and theres nothing more personal than Donald Trump talking about deporting 11 million immigrants.

Hispanics now represent the nations largest ethnic community with some 55 million people. More than one-third of them are U.S.-born, and the others immigrants who are citizens, legal residents or here illegally.

A cornerstone of Trumps platform is building a wall along the Southwest border  and forcing Mexico to pay for it by threatening to cut off remittances those living in the U.S. send to relatives. He questioned the impartiality of an Indiana-born federal judge hearing a lawsuit against him because of the judges Mexican ancestry. Hes complained Mexico has sent rapists and criminals illegally to the U.S.

Now some Republicans worry Trump is creating more people like John Herrera, 38, who signed up to vote in June in Las Vegas.

Ive never really voted until now, only because of Trump being against Hispanic people, he said. I didnt think my vote would count before but now I want to make a difference.

Republicans blame a 1994 ballot measure targeting illegal immigrants in California for alienating that states growing Hispanic population and turning it solidly Democratic.

With Trump saying the things hes saying, we might see this same thing again, says Jody Agius Vallejo, a University of Southern California sociologist. Only this time, it would be nationally.

There is reason, though, to be skeptical. Overall, the Hispanic voting record is not good.

The first obstacle is that more than half of the nations Hispanics cannot vote because they are either under age 18 or not citizens. Relatively few of the Hispanics who are eligible to vote actually register and then cast ballots. Their turnout rate in the 2012 was lower than that of blacks and whites.

In Texas, where 39 percent of the population is Hispanic, Democrats have been shut out of statewide elections for decades. During 2014s elections, fewer than 2.3 million Texas Hispanics reported being registered to vote, or about 46 percent of the nearly 4.9 million who were eligible.

Weve been spending our money wrong, concedes Crystal Zermeno, director of special projects for the Democratic field organization Texas Organizing Project.

For the past 15 to 20 years, weve been focusing on moving swing white voters. If you talk to Hispanic voters, they say, No one has asked me to vote. 

There are success stories. In Nevada, Latinos have demonstrated the power they wield when they either turn out or stay home. In the 2014 midterms, for example, Hispanic turnout plummeted, and Republicans swept every statewide office and won control of both houses of the Legislature for the first time since 1929. But in 2008, 2010 and 2012 they helped deliver the state for Democrats.

When you have the resources put in, you see turnout that favors the Democrats, says David Damore, a political science professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

This year resources are flowing.

In June, two days after graduating from high school, Fabiola Vejar stood outside a Latin grocery store on a sweltering afternoon quizzing a parade of customers in Spanish: Are you registered to vote? Most shook their heads no. Vejar followed up: Are you eligible? Again, most responded in the negative. One man laughed and bellowed: Soy Mexicano! Im Mexican!

Vejar cannot vote. Now 18, she came from Mexico with her mother when she was 2 years old.

So she volunteers with Mi Familia Vota, encouraging others to be heard at the ballot box.

I dont have that voice, she says, but theres other people ... who feel the way I do. They should vote.
PHOENIX  Arizona could do something in November it hasnt done in 20 years if Donald Trump doesnt change his tone and tenor, the states junior U.S. senator said Sunday: Support the Democrat presidential nominee.

Jeff Flake said the Republican presidential candidates statements about Mexicans and immigration are only part of the reason voters here could choose Hillary Clinton over his partys nominee. He said Trump needs to walk back his comments about the family of a Muslim solider who was killed in Iraq and needs to recognize that international trade agreements are important for U.S. interests.

What happens to Trump in Arizona wont affect Flake who is not up for re-election this year. But it could have an effect on seatmate John McCain who, while repeatedly criticizing Trump for his comments, has insisted he is supporting the partys nominee.

Not Flake.

Interviewed Sunday on Face the Nation, Flake said he met privately last week with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Flakes running mate, who was in Arizona for political rallies in Tucson and Phoenix. Flake said Pence, who served with Flake in the House for 12 years, attempted to convince him to come around.

The pitch?

Well, that Donald Trump was a different guy in private than he is shown in public, Flake said.

Mike is a good guy and I hope that he has influence on Donald Trump, the senator continued. But the assurances, Flake said, were not enough.

If you could govern in private I guess it would be OK, he said. But you cant.

So Flake is watching the public Trump.

I have yet to see Donald Trump change the positions he needs to change, and, particularly, change the tone and tenor of the debate sufficient to win the election in November.

It starts, Flake said, with statements Trump made right out of the gate ... about those crossing the border being rapists and what-not.

That just doesnt sit well, he said. And then to refer to a judge born in Indiana (who is handling a case against Trump) as a Mexican in a pejorative way, you cant expect to win Arizona when you make statements like that and you offend a large and growing demographic needlessly.

Flake pointed out that Bill Clinton won what has been a traditionally Republican state in 1996 besting Bob Dole.

So, yes, it is possible, he said.

Flake pointed out Hispanics make up about a third of the population. And even with Hispanics having generally lower turnout than other groups, it is growing.

What the poll also shows is theres an increased urgency among Hispanics to vote, he said. And if they do, it will be a changed ballgame here.

Its not just Arizona that Trump is in danger of losing.

Hes only received about 14 million votes in the primary so far, Flake said, saying it will take about 65 million votes to win in November.

Youve got to take more responsible positions with regard to policy, he said, as well as the tone of the campaign.

And if none of us on the Republican side are pushing back and saying that needs to change, then I dont believe he will change, Flake explained. And he has to change if hes going to win that election and were going to get the policies we need in the White House.

Flake made a special push for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Trump is opposed; Clinton started in support but now has reversed her stance.

Weve got to trade if we want economic growth, he said. And then theres the question of our own national interest.

We want Southeast Asian countries in particular to be in our trade orbit, not just Chinas, Flake said.
Seven could be showcasing more of New Zealand in its local dramas.

TV Tonight understands Wanted will be filming part of its second season in the land of the long white cloud.

Producer, co-creator and star Rebecca Gibney is currently in NZ adding picturesque shots to Instagram (below) -a spot of location hunting perhaps? Seven declined to confirm specific details for the next season.

The series, produced by Matchbox Pictures in conjunction with R & R Productions, begins principal photography in late September.

We are beyond excited with the commissioning of the second series of Wanted. Geri (Hakewill, co-star) and I get on like a house on fire so we cant wait to return to life on the run. Shes the perfect partner in crime, she said.

Sevens Head of Drama, Julie McGauran, said: We are delighted to announce the second season of Wanted. Clearly, audiences fell in love with the humour, warmth and sense of adventure that is the heart of the series.

Matchbox Pictures Managing Director, Chris Oliver-Taylor, added: Matchbox is thrilled to be working with R & R and Channel Seven as we continue the journey of Chelsea and Lola into a second season, helping bring to life Rebeccas and Richards amazing characters and story.

Gibneys former Packed to the Rafters co-star Erik Thomson returns in NZ-filmed 800 Words on Tuesday August 23rd.
Help India!

By Badre Alam and Sanjay Kumar for Twocircles.net

The Una incident has once again exposed the hypocrisy of the so-called Gujarat model as championed by Hindutva brigades and some sections of corporate-owned media houses, a plank on which Modi was voted to power in 2014 general election. It has to be underlined here that the same BJP regime had earlier engineered communal riots against Muslims, which led to the killings of nearly 2,000 Muslims. In other words, one could argue that contrary to the ethos of Indias secular and democratic constitution, in the case of Gujarat both Dalits and religious minorities, especially Indian Muslims, have been widely victimised by political regime led by BJP- RSS combine.

Support TwoCircles



The recent caste-based atrocities against Dalits have clearly indicated that Hinduvta politics is not only communal but also casteist in nature. To put it differently, Gujarat (Una) incident against Dalits have clearly shown that cow is not associated with Hindu society as whole but only used by upper caste Brahminical Hindutva forces as Sacred symbols (Gau Mata) to maintain cultural hegemony in the public sphere.

Caste and communal violence

Caste-based atrocities against the Dalits and communal attacks on religious minorities, including curtailment of freedom of speech have continued unabated since BJP-led government came at the centre-stage of Indian politics. For instance, incidents such as Akhlaq killing, Muzaffarnagar riots, Kairana communal incident, Rohit Vemulas tragic suicide, and consequent attack on public universities, crack down on student activism etc. have rightly indicated and exposed the tall claim of Modi government like Sabka sath Sabka Vikas and appeasement of none and development of all during his electoral campaign.

Take a look at the trends of caste-based discrimination and atrocities encountered by Indias Dalits in everyday lived experiences, particularly in BJP-ruled state, such as Gujarat, MP, Haryana, Rajashan, etc. compiled by government bodies and civil society groups.

A report compiled by the National Commission for Schedule Castes has rightly documented that BJP- ruled states such as Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan have reported the highest rates of crimes against Scheduled Castes in 2015. The data shows an almost 40% increase in incidence of crime against Dalits across India between 2011- 2014. In 2015, Gujarat reported the highest crime rate against Dalits (163.3%, 6,655 cases). Chhattisgarh came second (91.9%, 3,008 cases), followed by Rajasthan (58.5%, 7,144 cases).

It is unfortunate to note that the current Modi regime have launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, even as a majority of Dalit community is compelled to do inhuman practices such as manual scavenging despite the ban by the apex court. In this regards, a law has been also passed in 2003. However, manual scavenging is still continues unabated. And Census 2011 has estimated that nearly 8 lakh people were involved in it. According to Safai Karmachari Andolan over 1,300 manual scavengers died at work in 2014. It is interesting to highlights, what Modi have also said regarding manual scavenging in his book.

One could argue that recent rise of Hindutva politics is accompanied with increasing trend of caste and communal violence in the public domain. Therefore, it could be argued that BJP- agenda of Social harmony (Samajic Samrasta) and other tall claims such as inclusive development as mentioned in his election Manifesto (2014) is nothing more than tapping into Dalits votes.

Una incident and Dalit assertion

Historically speaking, the cow protection movement led by Arya Samaj and the Sanatan Dharma Sabha were attempts to establish an ideological hegemony among the pluralists Hindu folk culture. RSS and BJP have had always try to historically build false Hindu identify and project Hindu caste- ridden society as homogenous community. However, it is sociologically relevant to point out that Dalits and Adivasis have had different ways of social and religious practices, mode of worship, food habits, which are completely different from upper caste Hindu religious rituals and norms. As earlier pointed out, Cow as religious symbols has always been used by communal forces to unit Hindu caste society and polarize community on lines of religion and faith to create external enemy by putting Indian Muslims as an other. While doing so, BJP-RSS combine have always tried to make political gains.

Besides, more recent (ongoing) case of caste atrocities against Dalit took place in Gujarat, which was ruled by present BJP nearly 15 year. To be very short, on July 12 four young Dalit man were beaten and publicly humiliated by group of Cow vigilantes in the village of Una, Gujarat because they were found skinning the animal. Apart from crime against Dalits, religious minorities especially, Indian Muslims have been also targeted by the Hindutva brigades in various part of the country. In the name of protecting cow, communal outfits have been regularly targeting religious minority groups and even beaten up to death. Dadri, Akhlaque lynching could be case in point. Even more recently, in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh, two Muslims Women have been beaten up brutally by Gau Rakshak dal a Vigilante groups associated with communal outfits.

However, it is ironical to note that Modi government have celebrated Dr. Ambedkars 125th anniversary with much pomp and show but at the ground level nothing has been done to bring out change in socio-economic life of Dalit community as above facts clearly point out.

The suicide of Rohith Vemula and the Una incident have also prepared ground for a new Dalit movement and united all depressed and marginalised class across state.

The Dalit Asmita yatra which began from Ambedkar chowk in Ahmadabad district is a step towards Dalit liberation and freedom from caste discrimination. Scholars have argued that violence, humiliation and caste discrimination have grown after the rise of radical Dalit assertion with demand of implementation of reservation, land rights, and share in resources. To put in this way, Vemulas and Una caste uprising, are not confined as legal battle but have more radical potential to annihilate the caste and old century practices of social slavery .

However, the so-called mainstream political parties, and their mass organization have seems to be reluctant to support ongoing resistance against the caste and communal violence. In both movements, the oppressed and exploited masses such as social and religious minorities have came out on street as one force. In the case of Una incident this could be easily noticed when Dalits and minorities jointly organized the protest march and stand against the caste and communal violence.

In the given political and social context, it is the right moment and great opportunity for progressive political forces to capitalize this revolutionary situation and transform into political struggle for building truly democratic and secular, caste-free society as envisioned by Dr Ambedkar and other Dalit-Bhujan thinkers. While doing so, it would be possible to defeat Hindutva politics in the long run.

Badre Alam is a Ph.D Research Scholar at Political Science Department, University of Delhi. Sanjay Kumar is Ph.D Research Scholar at Academy International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
Help India!

By A Mirsab, TwoCircles.net,

There is a famous story that many might have already heard. It is an excellent parable for the Indian Muslims irrespective of their affiliation with different political or social parties, different Islamic groups, different Madhahabs and or their different interpretation of Islam. I would repeat the story here as there are some very important lessons that can be learned from it. The story goes like this:

Support TwoCircles



There were four Cows. One of them was white and the other three were black. They used to live in a dangerous area surrounded by wolves. The way they protected themselves was that they were always together.

But the three black cows had a meeting one day. And they said, this white cow is giving us away. When we try to hide at night, because we are black no one can see us, but the enemy is able to see the white cow, so why dont we just let her go. So now from that day on, the three black cows would be on one side and the poor white cow is alone.

The wolf was very intelligent. He was able to detect the disunity that was amongst these cows. So he made his move and he attacked the white cow, and while he was devouring her flesh, the three black cows were doing nothing. But the following night, the wolf attacked the three black cows, why? Because now there was one cow short. So they were not as strong as they were the day before. Now the wolf attacked them and was able to snatch away one of the black cows. And there left two cows. So the following night, it was an even easier thing for the wolf because only two are left, so he ate one of them. And then on the final night there was only one cow left. So the wolf pounced at the cow and grabbed her by the neck, and while he did that and the cow was pronouncing her last words, she made a very important statement, a statement that is a great lesson that Indian Muslims can learn from. This black cow said, while she was dying, I was eaten, the day the white cow was eaten; I died when I allowed the wolf to eat the white cow.

This shows the consequences of having disunity. When these cows didnt stick together, when they allowed the enemy to snatch one of them away, this is what happened to them, they were all defeated.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had given an analogy of the Ummah (nation), Numan bin Bashir reported Allahs Messenger (pbuh) as saying: The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever. [Sahih Muslim, Book 032, Number 6258]

The above story gives lesson in the light of above hadith that Muslims should be united for their needs irrespective of their differences. If they are only concerned about their individual needs and safety or at the most concerned for their direct family, then there is something wrong. You are not really part of the body that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) referred to. Muslims should be the one body; it doesnt matter if they are split into different groups, or if they belong to different Madhahabs, as long as they are Muslim.

But Indian Muslims look at it as only me and my group as Muslim. Why? Because he doesnt follow my Jamaat, hes not following my way. He does not offer prayer in our mosque; his way of offering prayer is different from ours. Nonetheless, they do talk about importance of having Unity today considering the growing hatred between different communities in the country and due to their legitimate demands being ignored by subsequent governments.

But their definition of Unity is different. They presume Unity in terms of having one group, to abandon all the different Jamaats, to get rid of all the different Madhahabs and all just to be the copies of each other. This is how they perceive Unity to be for the Muslims, which is an impossible thing to have.

Conversely, what Unity means in reality is that even though your approach to Islamic work might be different, the Madhhab that you follow might be different; however, you are there to help each other in your need that is Unity. You could have different approaches to work; you could be doing different things, because we need different things today to uplift the community. We have a shortcoming and deficiency in each and every area, therefore we need Muslims to fill those posts, and therefore our approach would be different.

There are many things for which Indian Muslims can come together for a common interest, support each other and convert it into a mass movement. These movements should be issue based and then it would become easy to get support from other communities too. No big thing can be achieved without converting your demands into a movement. For example, barring violence in their movements, the unity amongst Patidar and Jat community compelled Gujarat and Haryana governments to provide reservation to their community in the respective states.

These communities had no recommendation from any committee for reservation but they could get it only because of their strong unity. On the other hand, the scene is different with Muslim community. They have many recommendations from various committees for reservation but they are yet to get it on record not because of the lack of governments interest, a reason cited by Muslims but actually they could not get it because of the disunity amongst themselves in compelling government for its implementation.

BJP leader Dayashankar Singh was expelled from party for using a foul language against Mayawati and was finally arrested because Dalits united to protest against him, took to the streets and displayed communitys anger with the strength. On the contrary, nothing happened to Yogi Adityanath for his urging to fellow Hindu Vahini people to rape buried Muslim woman. He went scot free because Muslims did not express anger against Adityanath with their strength on the streets but remained silent.

So the bad condition of Muslim community in India is primarily not because of the biased governments but because of the lack of cooperation of Muslims amongst themselves. They have restricted the meaning of word we to themselves or at the most to their own group having members with similar ideology and approach in following Islam.

Muslims do come on to the streets but their protests too are group specific and hence exhibit poor strength during protests. Inversely, more people were seen in the funeral of Yakub Memon than in any legitimate protests undertaken by Muslims. Never did it occur that different groups came together in protest to raise their common demands.

Similar is an example of Muslims thrashing by cow vigilantes. They dont come to the street to protest when their fellow people are beaten up by cow protection groups. Muslims are the prime target of these cow vigilantes but never did they get united to protest these cruel and illegal acts of extremists. On the opposite, the news of Dalits beating came to the fore for the first time and Dalits united to turn it into a nation-wide movement.

So, the issues are numerous that are of common interest to Indian Muslims that they can get resolved by coming close to each other, by making a common platform and by putting on display their power of unity. But for that what they need to understand is the practical meaning of Unity  how to leave apart the differences and resonate their demands in a one voice. The ground reality, however, is that out of their differences they dont support each other and instead of coming together either they sit back or join the opposite party assuming that will earn them favor.

Recent example is the Barelvi jamaat in India that has come out denouncing Dr Zakir Naik and joining the vilification campaign against him, demanding his arrest and ban over his organization IRF. This was the great opportunity that Muslims lost to unite considering the unfair attack and an apparent attempt to curtail freedom of expression and freedom to preach religion that is enshrined in the Indian constitution. However, Barelvi leaders considered it an opportunity to demonstrate to the country that even though they are Muslims but they are not united in defending fellow Muslim out of internal differences and thereby sought favor of those who are attacking Dr Naik without any evidence.

This is something that the black cows had thought by abandoning white cow that by doing this, they are securing themselves. They thought they would be safe if they handed over white cow. This white cow was out spoken, it was causing a lot of trouble, it was accused of being a terrorist, so let him go, let him be prosecuted even though it is unjustified, let him go to jail because if he goes then we are safe. But the thing is they dont realize that it will come to you next. You will be next in line.

This explains how Indian Muslims can lose their interests and belongings if they continue to practice disunity. So, O Indian Muslims, if you want to protect your interests, if you want to protect yourself, if you dont want to be ultimately eaten up by the wolves, then you need to stop that right now, unite with your fellow Muslims or it would be too late.
A cashless society will not happen despite predictions by economist and journalists.

In the near future some countries could legislate to ban the use of coins and notes. This will be a drastic move. Indeed, people in the United States would argue that it is a protected right in the Constitution if it passed both governmental houses there.

A shop would be stupid to put this sign out

A myth is promulgated throughout the world that Singapore is a cashless society. This certainly isn't true. Ninety per cent of consumers in Singapore prefer to use cash rather than electronic payment. Just why there is a push to get rid of cash is a mystery. One can understand governments wanting to keep all transactions visible - it will stop tax evasion. However, there would be no benefit for people generally to use cards and transfers to buy everything.





Economists and journalists have got the future totally wrong. How could cash be abandoned when it has almost universal appeal? It just will not happen. A government that forced it upon its people would lose office at the next general election, unless it is a dictatorship.





Culture has inertia. Values do not change overnight. Card payments are increasing, but it is like asking an Englishman to give up his fatty fried breakfast - there would be major resistance! Like driverless cars and delivery by drones, it is fairytale stuff.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH).

Patients with new-onset iNPH were prospectively evaluated for LUTS via detailed history and physical, and administration of questionnaires from the International Consultation on Incontinence to assess incontinence (ICIq-UI), overactive bladder (ICIq-OAB), and quality of life (ICIq-LUTqol), as well as the American Urological Association Symptom Score bother scale. All patients with moderate-to-severe LUTS were offered urodynamic testing. Sub-analysis was performed based on gender, medical comorbidities, and age.

Fifty-five consecutive patients with iNPH completed the initial evaluation and surveys. Total urinary incontinence score was mild to moderate (8.71  0.64: 0-21 scale) with 90.9% experiencing leakage and 74.5% reporting urge incontinence. The most common OAB symptom was nocturia (2.2  0.14: 0-4 scale) with urge incontinence the most bothersome (3.71  0.44: 0-10 scale). Quality-of-life impact was moderate (4.47  0.4: 0-10 scale) and American Urological Association Symptom Score bother scale was 2.89  0.22 (0-6 scale). Urodynamics testing revealed 100% detrusor overactivity and mean bladder capacity of 200 mL. Several differences were identified based on gender, medical comorbidities, and age.

Patients with iNPH present with mild-moderate incontinence of which nocturia is the most common symptom, urge incontinence the most bothersome, with 100% of patients having detrusor overactivity. Younger patients experienced greater bother related to LUTS. To our knowledge, this is the only prospective evaluation of urinary symptoms in patients with new-onset iNPH.

Neurourology and urodynamics. 2016 Aug 04 [Epub ahead of print]

Sarah C Krzastek, William M Bruch, Samuel P Robinson, Harold F Young, Adam P Klausner

Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia., Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia., Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia., Department of Neurosurgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia., Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.

PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27490149
China slams Japanese defense minister's remarks Updated: 2016-08-05 19:21 By Mo Jingxi(chinadaily.com.cn)

China expressed its strong indignation over Japanese defense minister's remarks on the Nanking Massacre on Friday, urging Tokyo to face up to history and not challenge the world order.

Tomomi Inada, who was appointed as the defense minister on Wednesday, denied the existence of killing competition during the tragedy that left an estimated 300,000 people dead in an interview with local media on Thursday.

By ignoring history and fact, Inada was simply trying to whitewash Japan's history of aggression, challenge the world order and call back the spirit of militarism, the defense ministry said in a written statement on Friday.

More than seven decades ago, the Japanese troops carried out the massacre in Nanjing during World War II, and even used people for killing competitions.

"The evidence is ironclad and undeniable," the ministry said.

"Taking the history as a mirror and one would know the future," it added, noting that facing up to the history is the basis for solving historical issues, and manipulating the history would only repeat the same mistake.

If history is denied, there will be no future for the China-Japan relationship, it said.
Russian tour guide connects with China on the border Updated: 2016-08-08 08:04 By TIAN XUEFEI(China Daily)

Andrei Baluas Vladimirovich, 50, has been working for the past 15 years as a tourist guide on the Sino-Russian border, often between the cities of Khabarovsk and Fuyuan, which face each other across the Heilongjiang River. Recently, Vladimirovich, a resident of Khabarovski, spoke to China Daily about his life and changes in cross-border tourism.

How often do you cross the Heilongjiang River?

Every day there are six boats traveling between Khabarovsk and Fuyuan. Each boat can carry 45 passengers, and every week I bring 150 to 200 tourists to China. During the busy season, I come here once a day. But now, because of much lower exchange rates of rubles against the yuan and rising prices, the number of tourists has dropped.

Who are the Russian tourists you bring to China? What kind of Chinese commodities do they like? After so many years, what has happened to the spending habits of Russian tourists?

Most are young people but some are retirees. In the past, after returning to Russia, they sold the goods they bought in China, including clothes, shoes, hats, underwear, swimsuits and mink coats. Now, because of higher costs, they can't make a profit from buying and selling. So most of the goods they buy are for personal consumption, like jeans, T-shirts and daily necessities. Some Russians order furniture made in Guangzhou, and ship their purchases through Suifenhe.

What kind of Chinese food do they like?

For me, I like all kinds of Chinese food. Russian tourists like Chinese tea, fruit, Snow and Harbin brand beers, and Ant wine.

Besides shopping, what do Russian tourists like to do? Which scenic spots do they like in Fuyuan?

They like Chinese traditional massage, and they like to see Chinese dentists because of their low prices and efficiency. They like to visit Dongming Temple and enjoy the lotus flowers in Fuyuan.

What do you do when the Heilongjiang River freezes in winter?

In winter, my main task is to rest. Sometimes I can help others repair electrical appliances.

What about your family?

My wife helps me with the tour business, like taking bookings and organizing trips. My son is a computer engineer.

What about your income?

I earn 15 yuan ($2.25) from each tourist, or 2,000 to 3,000 yuan per week. Not much.

Why is there a Taobao.com logo on your business card?

I help Russians buy Chinese goods from Taobao and ask the sellers to deliver them to a fixed address in Fuyuan. Then I carry them back to Khabarovsk. Many Russian people like buying goods on Taobao.
Long March a historically important milestone for China: former US National Security Adviser Updated: 2016-08-08 13:33 (CCTV)

Zbigniew Brzezinski in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) on July 8, 2016. (Click here to view the video)

The Long March of the Red Army in 1934 is a great statement of the determination of the Chinese people fighting for a change and a historically important milestone, said former US National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, as China is marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Long March this year.

Brzezinski retraced part of the route of the Long March with his family when visiting China in July 1981, and said it made his China visit worthwhile and interesting.

"When I received the invitation, for myself and for my family to be the guests of the Chinese government, specifically from Deng Xiaoping, I asked myself what can I do to make it the most worthwhile and interesting, not just for myself but particularly for my children. Then I read somewhere about the Long March in general, and more specifically about the battle for the Luding Bridge over the river. So I said well how about that? That's how the choice was made," recalled Brzezinski during an interview on July 8.

He added that the geographical setting and physical manifestation particularly in the battle to seize the Luding Bridge was very impressive.

"It was staggeringly impressive in terms of its geographical setting, in terms of its physical manifestation -- very high, very deep gorge with the water underneath, just chains to walk across, with planks connected to the two sides, and presumably somebody from the other sides shooting, so that was very dramatic," said Brzezinski.

Dr. Brzezinski, currently counselor with the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS), said that the Long March was a historically important milestone for China.

"It gave the Chinese Communist Party a more nationally militant profile, in other words, not just a political movement, but a national movement, and also a militant movement, capable of engaging in a prolonged struggle, physical struggle, armed struggle. Symbolically, of course, it remains and was then already, a great great statement of the determination of the people fighting for a change and winning, so it was a historically important milestone," he added.

The two-year-long Long March, which started in October 1934, was a famous military maneuver carried out by the Chinese Red Army led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) to combat the Kuomintang Regime. It was a forced expedition that eventually laid an important foundation for the Communist victory in the civil war.
Subversion of State: 'There's no place for outlaws' Updated: 2016-08-08 08:46 By Xinhua in Tianjin(China Daily USA)

Four people were convicted of subverting State power and were sentenced by a court in Tianjin in a series of trials last week.

Of the four, Hu Shigen, leader of an illegal church, got the longest prison term of 7.5 years. At 61, he was the oldest defendant and had engaged in anti-State activities since the 1990s.

Zhou Shifeng, a lawyer who formerly managed the Fengrui Law Firm in Beijing, was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Zhai Yanmin, an unemployed resident of Beijing, was sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for four years.

And entrepreneur Gou Hongguo received a suspended three-year sentence.

Zhai and Gou may not be jailed if they do not reoffend during the probation period.

All the defendants confessed to the charges against them and expressed remorse. None chose to appeal.

The four met to "establish a systematic ideology, method and steps" to subvert State power, according to court statements.

Hu was the mastermind, spreading subversive ideas and plans and training agents such as Gou. Zhou ran the law firm as a front to carry out subversive activities with Hu and others. And Zhai was the "enforcer", instructed by Hu to organize paid petitioners for illegal protests, according to the statements.

Chen Yaodong, deputy director of the Law School of Nankai University, who observed proceedings, came to the conclusion that the trials were "open and fair" and that China's judiciary handled these sensitive cases with order.

"There's no place for outlaws in our country under the rule of law, and any activities to subvert State power via violence, peaceful evolution or street politics will be punished by law," he said.

Hu is a native of Nanchang, Jiangxi province. He was a teacher at a Beijing university before engaging in subversive activities. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 1994 for "counterrevolutionary" crimes. He returned to his subversive ways not long after he was released in 2008, the court found.

Hu spread the idea of "pushing down the wall", a metaphor for overturning China's existing system.

'Spiritual leader'

"Hu Shigen is our spiritual leader," Zhai Yanmin said in his testimony, adding that Hu had greatly influenced his ideas and concepts.

According to the testimony of witnesses, Hu had engaged in "brainwashing" through missionary activities. He was eager to make a fuss over sensitive legal cases, often through conflicts raised by paid petitioners.

Hu misled petitioners into believing that "it is an honor to be detained", and promised them financial compensation if they were, according to the evidence.

A witness surnamed Liu said Hu regarded petitioners as a force to subvert State power, as they "are bold enough and readily stirred up" and "obey his orders".

Gou Hongguo said petitioners have one thing in common - a grudge against government - therefore, if organized, they can be a powerful force against the government.

The Qing'an incident is one example of Hu's "pushing down the wall." In May 2015, police officer Li Lebin shot and killed Xu Chunhe at Qing'an County Railway Station in Heilongjiang province, after Xu attacked Li despite multiple warnings. CCTV cameras and follow-up investigations confirmed that Li had acted within the law.

But Hu instructed Zhai to organize protests at the railway station and in front of county government buildings, to influence online opinion and misrepresent the incident as police brutality.

"I just wanted to smear the judicial organs, police and government," Hu said in his confession.

Hu also put forward the idea of three factors - stronger citizen power, an internal split within the ruling bloc and the interference of international society - and five plans for peaceful transformation.

"I instilled these ideas into others with the aim of achieving a color revolution," Hu said.

Lawyer's role

Zhou, 51, is originally from Anyang city, Henan province. He was director of the Fengrui Law Firm, which was suspended in 2015 after a police investigation into several of its employees.

Zhou confessed he was dissatisfied with the current judicial system and the government. He said he had long been influenced by anti-China forces and gradually established ideas to overturn the country's political system.

Since 2011, Zhou used the law firm as a front for his subversive agenda, the court said. He recruited like-minded lawyers and other staff, and together they discredited judicial organs, attacked the judicial system and promoted anti-government sentiment by interfering in and inflating the importance of sensitive cases.

According to a prosecution witness who once worked at the law firm, Zhou recruited two key administrative assistants - surnamed Wu and Liu - neither of whom were lawyers. Liu's duty was to analyze sensitive cases and identify loopholes, while Wu was responsible for promoting them.

Zhou used the pair to distort facts, cause confusion and social instability and to attack the country's judicial system, the court found.

In March 2015, while a local court in Hebei province was hearing an extortion case taken on by Zhou's firm, Zhou instructed lawyers to take pictures of prosecutors and judges and post them online and to fabricate rumors about their moral character.

Lyu Hongbing, deputy director of the All China Lawyers Association, who was present at court last week, noted that the cases serve as a lesson for all lawyers.

"Revere the law, stick to the facts and protect you clients' legitimate interests," Lyu said.

The activities of the group received foreign support over the years, investigations found.

In March and April 2014, Gou was sent by Hu to attend a program abroad that trained participants in the theories and techniques useful in subverting a government.

"Some separatists seeking Tibet and Xinjiang independence also took part in this leader camp to learn anti-China theories and skills to confront the government and law enforcement agencies," Hu confessed.

Gou said: "I found the program was actually a gathering of members from all anti-China groups. Hu himself could not leave the country, so he planned to make me his agent in civil movements abroad and a right-hand man in domestic operations. Once the movement picks up at home, I could organize people through what I learned in the program."

Sponsored by foreign organizations, Wang Yu, a lawyer working for Zhou, also went to training programs in Britain, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong, together with her husband, Bao Longjun.

"They contacted me and offered me a free chance to learn about the judicial system and humanitarian programs in the West. During these visits, I was instilled with Western ideology and also learned how to use encryption software and software for bypassing the internet firewall," said Wang, who was investigated in a separate case.

Financial assistance

Foreign organizations offered financial assistance. According to Li Heping, another lawyer close to Zhou, he had received funds from a foreign foundation since 2013 for a three-year project.

According to Li's assistant, surnamed Gao, the project trained a selected group of lawyers and paid petitioners to organize protests and manipulate public opinion.

Training programs or operations were approved by the foundation, and all the costs were covered, Gao said.

The protest organized by Wu in front of a provincial-level court of Jiangxi last year was sponsored by the foundation, he said.

Foreign organizations wanted "to use us to challenge China's judicial system and cause trouble for the Chinese government. Their ultimate goal is to overthrow the rule of the Communist Party of China," Zhou said.



Gou Hongguo, who was convicted of subverting State power, is tried at the Tianjin No 2 Intermediate People's Court on Friday. He received a suspended three-year sentence. Wang Ye / Xinhua

(China Daily USA 08/08/2016 page3)
What is the cause of Trump's popularity? Updated: 2016-08-08 08:47 By Aamir Khan(China Daily USA)

Ever since Donald Trump declared himself as a Republican presidential candidate, he has been subjected to fierce, even vitriolic critique. He has been seen as a misogynist, isolationist, xenophobic, anti-Muslim and a neophyte in understanding the complexities of economics. And yet he has beaten the odds to become the Republican presidential nominee. We may not like him, but we cannot escape asking ourselves: How did he do it?

To find the answer, we should examine the roots of his popularity without evaluating which part of his still-evolving farrago is fact or myth. I will specifically examine his views on foreign policy, international trade and internal security and argue Trump has ingeniously targeted two major American segments that will matter in the elections.

In his seminal foreign policy speech of April 27, Trump claimed the United States no longer had a clear understanding of its policy goals. The US has gone from committing mistakes in Iraq to Egypt to Libya, to President Barack Obama's line in the sand in Syria. Israel has been snubbed. Iran was allowed to cut a favorable deal. And the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has become more aggressive. All this has allowed the US' allies to perceive its weakness and thus not pay their dues.

In international trade, Trump has threatened a 35 percent tariff on goods imported from Mexico and a 45 percent tariff on imports from China. Whether or not these threats will (or can) be actualized, given the extraordinary cost of these measures that will be borne by the US economy, is irrelevant for now. We need to understand why the above pronouncements appeal to the American electorate.

To begin with, his strong defense of Israel is in line with past pre-election statements of major candidates and is a hygiene factor. His references to mistakes in Iraq, Egypt, Libya and Syria bring under one umbrella the Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Obama eras, even though he only names the latter. These references are also in sync with recent polls that suggest growing voter apathy toward the US' global wars.

Further, the American voter has been buffeted by the double whammy of the global financial crisis that refuses to go away and automation-driven technology that now threatens to take away even more jobs. The essential part of Trump's speeches is, the US is being taken advantage of by both its security and economic partners. This is music to voters' ears. So are his denunciations of North American Free Trade Agreement ("complete disaster") and Trans-Pacific Partnership ("rape of our country").

Which segment does Trump's focus on Islamic radicalism and Mexican "criminals" appeal to? This is more complex. As one writer put it colorfully, US society can be visualized as divided into erstwhile feudal landowners, white slave-drivers and slaves. It is the figurative dclass white slave-drivers who are rebelling against the Democrats and who find the anti-Muslim and anti-Mexican focus gratifying. That this segment has been shaken by a black president adds piquancy to their protest.

Will Trump's popularity extend to the wider electorate? This will of course depend on many factors. It is possible that Trump may finally trip on some egregiously inadvisable remark such his recent rhetorical attack on Khizr and Ghazala Khan, parents of an Army captain who was killed by a suicide bomber in Baghdad in 2004. There are some 3.3 million Muslims in the US, many of whom have been offended by him.

Trump needs to extend his vote-bank to Mexicans and women as well. The US establishment's isolationist perception of Trump's views on foreign policy could eventually cause serious problems for him.

What is clear, though, is that Democrat Hillary Clinton will need all her strengths and his foibles to beat the feisty Trump in the forthcoming presidential elections.

The author is a former Lecturer in Marketing at Cranfield University.

(China Daily USA 08/08/2016 page12)
Picking up steam in New York Updated: 2016-08-08 07:56 By Zhang Min in Tianjin and Zhao Yanrong in Beijing(China Daily USA)

Baozi is set to be the new fashion on US streets that already savor jianbing

First, it was the Chinese crepe or jianbing. Years back, the Manhattan Island simply fell in love with China's popular street food that originated in Tianjin. Now, another Tianjin fast food item, baozi, or the Chinese steamed stuffed bun, aims to sweep New York off its feet.

Zhang Pengyi, general manager of Tianjin Yi Chi Future Food Technology Co Ltd, recently completed the registration of his bun company in New York. "What's going to be the new street fashion in the world's financial nerve-center? Everyone eating Chinese baozi," he said.

Zhang Pengyi, general manager of Yi Chi Future Food Technology Co Ltd, is holding his Entity Information issued by the New York State government. The certificate allows start of business operations. Provided to China Daily Workers make steamed stuffed buns at Yi Chi Future Food Technology Co Ltd in Binhai New Area of Tianjin. Provided to China Daily

The 30-year-old from Tianjin plans to open his first international restaurant in Manhattan with an area of 100 square meters and 70 seats before Christmas. The shop will be decorated in a minimalist way but brightly, with Chinese cultural elements. For instance, the bamboo steamers will be used not only for cooking but interior decoration, Zhang said.

"Besides the Chinese traditional fillings, such as pork and mushroom, we will produce more local flavors such as cheese fillings and sweet puree fillings to meet local New Yorkers' tastes," said Zhang, who will name the newly designed food "Fancy Buns".

In his new shop, there will be a glass-walled, see-through kitchen, where customers can observe the process of bun-making.

"We will provide food, and we will also give a taste of Chinese culture. We will show American consumers how to make steamed stuffed buns, and help them understand Chinese food culture," he said.

Zhang said he will visit Manhattan later this month to confirm the site of his first American restaurant. He once considered a site close to China Town but now prefers to locate the restaurant in the middle town or upper town.

"Overseas Chinese may bring a stable income to my business, but they are not my only target customers. We want to sell Fancy Buns to local communities as well," he said.

His buns will be on sale also via mobile food stalls that roam New York streets. In order to deliver the Chinese food quickly, as well as to guarantee the original flavors, Zhang's team developed a technology that can freeze uncooked buns but keep the yeast vibrant for steaming later.

"We are evolving a standard to ensure the buns bought from different shops or vending trucks taste the same. Even the manufacturing process will be standardized so that cooks' individual touch is minimized," said Zhang.

In order to arrive at a potentially successful standard, Zhang's team has already used more than 20 tons of flour for tests.

Twelve years ago, having failed to find a place on several universities, Zhang started his own business. He set up the Yi Chi chain two years ago. In Tianjin alone, it has four shops and one community catering center.

China's Internet Plus strategy has since helped Zhang sell his steamed buns in more than 30 cities nationwide.

Last year, Zhang met his schoolmate Wang Haixiang who is working with Morgan Stanley in New York. The two young men later agreed to found a food business.

But that was easier said than done. Back then, Zhang saw himself as an entrepreneur running a small business in China. Typically, such entrepreneurs would not dream of making overseas investments. But Zhang did.

However, the duo's application to open a Chinese food shop in New York ran into some bureaucratic hurdles. "We had to file our papers with many government agencies and banks. The procedures were quite complicated," he said.

Finally, in late July, the New York State government issued the necessary approvals and licenses.

When Zhang's Fancy Buns finally roll out, they will follow in the footsteps of "Tom's BaoBao", a Chinese food chain in New York that sells Hangzhou-styled baozi. It opened its first store in early July at Harvard Square targeting local citizens and students.

Contact the writer at zhaoyanrong@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 08/08/2016 page14)
What is the cause of Trump's popularity? Updated: 2016-08-08 08:04 By Aamir Khan(China Daily)

LI MIN/CHINA DAILY

Ever since Donald Trump declared himself as a Republican presidential candidate, he has been subjected to fierce, even vitriolic critique. He has been seen as a misogynist, isolationist, xenophobic, anti-Muslim and a neophyte in understanding the complexities of economics. And yet he has beaten the odds to become the Republican presidential nominee. We may not like him, but we cannot escape asking ourselves: How did he do it?

To find the answer, we should examine the roots of his popularity without evaluating which part of his still-evolving farrago is fact or myth. I will specifically examine his views on foreign policy, international trade and internal security and argue Trump has ingeniously targeted two major American segments that will matter in the elections.

In his seminal foreign policy speech of April 27, Trump claimed the United States no longer had a clear understanding of its policy goals. The US has gone from committing mistakes in Iraq to Egypt to Libya, to President Barack Obama's line in the sand in Syria. Israel has been snubbed. Iran was allowed to cut a favorable deal. And the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has become more aggressive. All this has allowed the US' allies to perceive its weakness and thus not pay their dues.

In international trade, Trump has threatened a 35 percent tariff on goods imported from Mexico and a 45 percent tariff on imports from China. Whether or not these threats will (or can) be actualized, given the extraordinary cost of these measures that will be borne by the US economy, is irrelevant for now. We need to understand why the above pronouncements appeal to the American electorate.
US sends over 1,000 spies to protect Rio Olympics

Updated: 2016-08-07 11:39

(Xinhua)

The Olympic flame burns in Maracana Stadium during the opening ceremony at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug 5, 2016. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]

WASHINGTON - The United States has assigned more than 1,000 spies to protect the Rio Olympics, US media reported.

According to an NBC News review of a highly classified report on US intelligence efforts, hundreds of analysts, law enforcement and special operations personnel, along with more than a dozen Navy and Marine Corps commandos, are currently working with the Brazilian Federal Police and the Brazilian Navy in Rio de Janeiro.

The report said that the operation involves all 17 US intelligence agencies, undertaking various jobs such as vetting athletes and security and police personnel, monitoring terrorists' social media accounts and helping secure computer networks.

"US intelligence agencies are working closely with Brazilian intelligence officials to support their efforts to identify and disrupt potential threats to the Olympic Games in Rio," Richard Kolko, a spokesman for US National Intelligence Director James Clapper, told NBC News.

Fifty-one countries are supplying intelligence to the Brazilian counter-terrorism effort for the Summer Olympic Games and the US operation is the biggest among the foreign contributors, according to NBC.

Security has been a major concern over the Rio Olympics. Earlier this month, authorities arrested over a dozen people who allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State militant group.

On Saturday, a suspicious package was detonated at the Olympic cycle road race venue. Officials later confirmed that there was no impact to the race.
Junta-backed Thai draft constitution overwhelmingly approved in referendum Updated: 2016-08-08 09:13 (Xinhua)

Staff members count ballot at a polling station after Thailand's constitutional referendum ends in downtown Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug. 7, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

BANGKOK - The majority of voters across Thailand approved a junta-backed new draft constitution and an additional question in Sunday's referendum, paving the way for the formation of a civilian government supported by the military.

The voter turnout in the referendum reached over 50 percent, according to Thai officials.

With 91 percent of the ballots counted, 62 percent of voters across the country approved the 2016 draft constitution, while about 38 percent voted against it, Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, chairman of the Election Commission, told reporters.

Nearly 58 percent had voted in favor of the additional question while 42 percent countered it, he added.

"The gap is wide enough not to change the result," said Srisutthiyakorn.

Around 50.5 million Thais out of the total population of 65 million are eligible to vote in this referendum on two questions on their ballots, the first one on their opinion on the constitution, and the second on whether they wanted 250 senators picked by the current junta, or the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), to have power to elect a prime minister along with 500 elected members of House of Representatives.

The 105-page draft constitution consists of 16 charters and the Transitory Provisions, or 279 sections. Though it contains strong provisions on healthcare and education, people have different opinions regarding its contents about the national assembly, the election of a new prime minister, the constitutional court, and anti-corruption mechanism.

The draft constitution was always said to be an anti-corruption basic law by its supporters as it bans any political corruption and bestows great power upon a nine-member National Counter-Corruption Commission.

However, its mechanism to combat corruption attacks both the Pheu Thai Party and prominent figures from the Democrat Party.
College to help train pilots, staff from China Updated: 2016-08-08 11:06 By Paul Welitzkin in New York(China Daily USA)

A Tennessee college will partner with a new school in China to help the country meet the demand for aviation professionals.

Sidney McPhee, president of Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), opened negotiations with Jiangsu Aviation Technical College in Jiangsu province after a visit to the fledgling school last month.

"Our aviation/aerospace program is arguably one of the best in the US," McPhee said in an interview. "We look forward to working with Jiangsu Aviation Technical College to help China train its next generation of pilots, air traffic controllers and aircraft mechanics."

China's central government is expected to open the general aviation space to private enterprise, which will create a demand for aerospace facilities and trained personnel. Jiangsu officials anticipate as many as 500 airports will be built in the next five years and more than 3,000 within 10 years.

Brian Foley, an aviation industry consultant in the US, said many have predicted explosive aviation growth in the mainland for 30 years. "Given the reality of the worldwide economy, it will realistically be a more moderate growth than some are predicting. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing since in the long run moderate growth will be more sustainable than overheated growth," he wrote in an email.

Officials from the newly created Jiangsu Aviation Technical College in Zhenjiang, East China's Jiangsu province, show Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney McPhee a Boeing 737 cabin simulator during a tour in July. The simulator will be used for student training when the institution opens this fall. Provided To China Daily

Foley said China will require more professionals trained in aviation specialties. "Personnel must increase in proportion to the growing fleet of aircraft. As an example there is a current need for experienced mechanics, pilots and skilled factory technicians that will continue for years," he added.

MTSU offers bachelor's and master's degrees in aviation/aerospace studies that have about 600-800 students. "We are preparing to graduate our first class in a new program for unmanned aerial systems (drones)," McPhee said.

Jiangsu Aviation Technical College will open this fall with an enrollment of 600 students and six aerospace degree programs. The central government built the campus to handle many times that initial enrollment in a large area located in an aerospace research park.

McPhee said the partnership will include a combination of reciprocal exchanges for students, faculty and administrators between the two schools. He toured several of the new college's facilities, including a Boeing 737 cabin simulator that will be used to train students on passenger safety and service.

MTSU has exchange programs with other Chinese colleges. McPhee said about 200 Chinese students are studying on the MTSU campus.

Middle Tennessee State University is in Murfreesboro, about 34 miles south of Nashville, the state capital. The school has an enrollment of about 23,000 students.

Jiangsu is a coastal Chinese province north of Shanghai with a population of nearly 80 million.

paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com
Tuition fraud spread 'rapidly' Updated: 2016-08-08 11:06 By Linda Deng in Seattle(China Daily USA)

A University of Washington police commander said it's been decades since he's seen a fraud case like the one that has victimized Chinese overseas students "spread so rapidly".

"In the past 21 years, we have never seen a fraud case like this that can take off and spread so rapidly. Now we want to make sure we got the initial reports from all the victims and we have all the information needed," Commander Craig Wilson of the university police (UWPD) said at a press conference on Aug 5 on the Seattle campus.

More than 90 Chinese students are believed to have been defrauded out of approximately $1 million in tuition, said police, who expect more reports from potential victims.

No arrests have been made in the case, but reports have cited student allegations are that the alleged ringleader is a fellow Chinese student. The Seattle Times reported that the university has contacted the US Federal Bureau of Investigation in the matter.

"Students were being told if they paid 100 percent of their tuition, that they will get reimbursed 5 percent," Wilson said. "So they would only need to pay 95 percent of it," KOMO news reported.

UW police Lieutenant Doug Schulz told The Seattle Times that students were asked to provide their university ID and password for their student accounts through WeChat, a popular Chinese messaging app. The alleged scammers apparently used stolen credit card numbers to pay the $11,340 tuition, and then students would receive a confirmation from the university that it had been paid, because the scammers processed it through their university accounts, the newspaper reported.

Justin Su, a UW student from Hebei province in North China, said he received a WeChat message a while back mentioning a 5 percent discount. He said he was interested because he thought it would be a good way to save some money.

"Five percent may not sound like much, but compared to over $10,000 in tuition we paid, it is already good enough," he said.

The W statue at the entrance of the University of Washington in Seattle. Provided to china Daily

"Living in a foreign country alone is already not easy for us," said Su, adding that the possibility that it was another Chinese student behind the scam made him feel "even worse".

Reports say the student who originally promoted the tuition break on the Chinese social media site WeChat has been prominent in the Husky Help Organization. Husky Help is the largest non-profit organization of Chinese students at the school. It is a nonprofit, registered student organization at the university, established by several UW Chinese international students in 2013.

The organization is dedicated to helping international students, especially those from China, adjust to campus life at UW and is popular with Chinese students.

More than 30 students said to be victims of the scam attended the press conference.

The fraud started to unravel last month when a New York detective contacted the university about stolen credit-card numbers being used to pay UW summer tuition.

lindadeng@chinadailyusa.com
Republican Evan McMullin is throwing his hat in the presidential ring as a conservative alternative to Donald Trump. McMullin was previously a CIA operative and the chief policy director of the House Republican Conference. He is running as an independent.

The Olympics began this weekend in Rio, Brazil. Our favorite Olympian is fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first female Muslim Olympian on the US team. She told the BBC "If I can be a source of inspiration to not just Muslim youth, but to other kids who have been told they don't belong because they were different... if I can encourage women to be active, then that is a positive thing."

Another Olympics first: two male Olympic torch-bearers shared a kiss as they passed the torch in the streets of Rio. Also, Laerte Coutinho became the first openly transgender Olympic torch-bearer. I'm not crying, you're crying.

A suicide bombing in Quetta, Pakistan killed more than 60 people on Monday. The bomb was set off in the emergency ward of a hospital, killing mostly lawyers, journalists, and civilians. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

50 protesters were shot and killed by security forces in the Oromia region of Ethiopia over the weekend. These protests came after government attempts to commandeer public land. The state-owned Ethiopian News Agency said that "illegal protests" had been quelled, but mentioned no casualties.
As Tisha b'Av approaches, I've been thinking about  / anavah, humility. About this quality, my friend and colleague Rabbi Barry Block writes:

The Mussar Institutes recommended daily affirmation for  (anavah  humility) is, No more than my place, no less than my space. The second half of the phrase suggests that one who is too humble isnt humble at all. Now thats a  (chiddush, a new insight), particularly important for rabbis.

(That's from his essay Mussar for rabbis: humility.)

Humility and Tisha b'Av are often linked because of a story about how excess humility led to the destruction of the second Temple. (Rabbi Barry cites it in his essay.) In a nutshell, it goes like this: in 70 CE, the Romans -- in partnership with a Jewish collaborator -- sent to the priests an animal they had intentionally blemished, making it ritually unfit for sacrifice.

This put the priests in an impossible bind: either they could reject the Romans' sacrifice (thereby incurring Roman wrath), or they could sacrifice the blemished animal (thereby going against God), or they could kill the collaborator who had brought them the animal (thereby unjustly taking a life, and giving the impression that the punishment for presenting an unfit animal for sacrifice was the death penalty.)

They asked Rabbi Zecharia ben Avkulus to decide which of these bad choices was least bad, and he declined to rule. He was paralyzed, and therefore he chose inaction. (He may not have seen it as a choice, but it was -- opting for inaction is itself an action.) His people needed him to occupy the space of leadership and responsibility, to make the call about how to proceed, and he didn't, or he couldn't. The choice before him was a terrible one, but in declining to choose, he made the situation far worse. His reluctance to occupy the space of leadership led to the destruction of the Temple, our place of connection with God.

Lately I've been wearing a wristband emblazoned with words from Rabbi Simcha Bunim. The story goes that he carried two slips of paper in his pockets at all times, and on those papers were the words    (for my sake was the world created) and    (I am but dust and ashes). Each of these is a necessary reminder, and each serves as a corrective to the other. When I'm feeling small or low or insignificant, I need to be reminded that all of creation came into being precisely in order that I might exist here and now. And when I'm feeling haughty or prideful, I need to be reminded that I am temporary and will die.

When I glance down, I never know which of the two phrases I'm going to see. But of the two phrases, I think the one I most often need to see is "For my sake was the world created." Many women struggle with the unconscious internalized sense that we are "supposed" to be quiet, or deferential, or to pursue peace with others even when the peacemaking comes at the expense of our own voice, our own truth, our own strength. (Men struggle with this too, of course, but this tends to systemically afflict women. See 9 non-threatening leadership strategies for women -- behind the humor, the ugly truths are all too real.)

Holding oneself back in order to please others (or in order to not risk offending others, which is a variation on the same theme) isn't humility. It's taking up (in R' Alan Morinis' words) "less than my space," and that's not a character strength, it's a character flaw. That's the sin of R' Zecharia ben Avkulus, which our sages teach led to the destruction of the place our people held most dear. Keeping silent in the face of injustice or untruth isn't a virtue, and it's often driven by the kind of fear I spoke about from the bimah on Shabbat. We diminish ourselves when we let fear rule us, and self-diminishing isn't humility and isn't healthy.

As Tisha b'Av approaches, what would it look like to relinquish the false humility of excess silence? To practice making difficult choices, and speaking difficult truths, and taking responsibility for one's power and one's ability to create change, even when so doing feels risky because of how others might respond? To take up exactly as much space as God intends each of us to inhabit -- knowing that we are dust and ashes, and also that we are reflections of the Infinite, precious and holy, entitled to enough room to stand in, entitled to enough air to breathe, obligated by virtue of our agency to work toward building a better world?
Please turn JavaScript on and reload the page.

Loading...

Checking your browser before accessing the website.

This process is automatic. Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly.

Please wait a few seconds.
HCM CITY  The fish sauce market is witnessing increasingly fierce competition between many famous brand names that use both industrial and traditional methods like Unilever, Masan Consumer, Phu Quoc, and Phan Thiet.

Seasoning is an essential item on a normal Vietnamese familys dining table, and with demand for it increasing by the day, the industry is growing at an 25-32 per cent a year, according to Nielsen Vietnam.

Among seasonings, fish sauce is considered to have the greatest potential with consumption increasing year after year: 15,434 tonnes in 2005, 75,000 tonnes in 2016 and an expected 98,770 tonnes in 2022.

According to a study by Kantar World panel, 95 per cent of Vietnamese families use fish sauce in their meals and per capita consumption is around 4 litres a year.

Not surprisingly, more and more players have been entering the market.

The competition first intensified when two major brands, Unilevers Phu Quoc-Knorr and Masan Consumers Chinsu, made an entry.

Until then most of the sauces in the market were made in the traditional method and on a small scale.

In 2002 Knorr, a German brand owned by the Anglo-Dutch company Unilever, built a bottling plant on Phu Quoc Island and has since been selling Phu Quoc fish sauce made by local producers and bottled on the island under its own Knorr brand.

The brands entry into the market was backed by a marketing campaign with slick television advertisements inviting Vietnamese consumers to "taste the legend."

Unilever was the pioneer in making fish sauce in an industrial production line.

In 2007 Masan Consumer began to sell bottled fish sauce products, soon overtaking Knorr Phu Quoc to reach the No.1 position, and the battle of the fish sauces began in earnest.

Masan built a series of large modern fish sauce plants in Binh Duong and Nghe An and a cellar for giant wooden barrels containing fermenting anchovies.

It has one of the largest fish sauce production plants on Phu Quoc Island and a giant cellar with hundreds of barrels that is now being made even bigger.

Masasns Chinsu and Nam Ngu fish sauces, made on an industrial scale, have rapidly become popular and now account for a nearly 70 per cent market share, also thanks to the companys big advertising budgets and low prices.

Masan has been followed into the market by many other brands also producing industrially.

In 2009 the Ngoc Nghia Group, a company that manufactured packaging for food products, decided to enter the fish sauce industry by buying a stake in the Hong Phu Food Joint Stock Company and beginning to produce the Kabin and Thai Long brands of sauce.

Not wanting to be left out, noodles and vermicelli giant Acecook entered the market in early 2010 with its e Nhat brand of fish sauce.

The rapid development of industrially produced fish sauces was mostly at the expense of traditionally made products.

According to Euromonitor data, Viet Nams fish sauce market was worth VN11.3 trillion (US$502.22 million) in 2015, of which industrial production accounted for 76 per cent.

Many of the traditional producers have reverted to selling their pure fish sauce to industrial producers, who then make and sell products under their own brands.

Le Cam Thuy, deputy director of Cam Van Fish Sauce based in Nha Trang, said the reason the fish sauce market is enticing to investors is the high potential profitability.

If produced industrially, one litre of pure fish sauce can be made into several litres with an aromatic flavour that consumers will like.

Yet, not all entrants have actually managed invested to make profits.

Ngoc Nghia Company, for instance, has spent considerably on marketing to promote its products and has a 3 per cent share of the market. But it also has accumulated losses of nearly VN800 billion ($35.55 million).

In spite of having a massive distribution network and a famous brand name, Acecook was unable to sustain its fish sauce business, and in 2013 had to sell e Nhat to Nam Phuong Viet Nam Company, which renamed it Barona.

Difference

The question is, why have industrially produced fish sauces taken over from traditional ones though the latter has been successful for centuries?

Many analysts attribute this to consumerschanging tastes.

To answer this question in detail, however, we must know what is the industrial fish sauce and what is traditional fish sauce.

Many people think traditional fish sauce or fish sauce is made using only fresh fish (mainly anchovy) mixed with salt and put in a traditional wooden barrel, while its industrial cousin has additives.

But Pham Ngoc Dung, former chairman of the HCM City Fish Sauce Producers Club, who has 38 yearsexperience in the industry, said there are no pure fish sauces sold in the market now though many companies claim so.

Firstly, the price of pure fish sauce is so high that not many consumers can afford them: one tonne of fish can give a maximum of 200 litres of pure fish sauce.

Thus, the price of pure fish sauce is five to seven times higher than one processed with additives, and the income of most consumers is still very modest, he said.

Secondly, most fish sauce firms now, including Phu Quoc, Phan Thiet and Nha Trang, have to use additives to make their products palatable since pure fish sauce is often very rough and salty.

All fish sauces are produced with fish, salt and additives, but some are produced in traditional conditions and others in modern industrial conditions, he said.

But producers must know what chemicals can be used and how much to ensure not only good taste but also consumershealth, he said.

Nowadays people pay a lot of attention to eating healthily and are focused on food safety, he said.

Bui Huy Nhich, head of Masan Fish Sauce Laboratory, said, To make good fish sauce, it is very important to have fresh fish, mainly anchovies, since they often give high acidamin.

The fish for production at Masan is caught from the sea near the barrel house. To ensure freshness, the fish is salted immediately after being caught.

Before being put into barrels, fresh anchovies must pass through some rigorous checks for other fish, salinity, freshness and dryness to ensure top quality.

The salt used for aromatising the fish is also very important. Masan often uses salt from Ba-Ria-Vung Tau Province since it does not have acridity of calcium, bitterness of potassium or hotness of magnesium.

Invest in technology

It is thanks to such rigorous screening, a taste that is not as salty as pure fish sauce and lower prices than Knorr, Hong Hanh, Hung Thinh and Hanh Phuc that Masan has quickly conquered the market despite entering later than many others.

Le Thi Nga of the company said, "Masan built the cellar for producing pure fish sauce in 2008, and it can contain 448 barrels with a combined capacity of 10,000 tonnes of fish.

"This capacity allows it to supply 15 per cent of the pure fish sauce required for processing Chinsu and Nam Ngu fish sauces sold in the market.

"The remainder is bought from major fish sauce production establishments nationwide such as Phu Quoc, Kien Giang, Nha Trang, and Phan Thiet, and that accounts for 60 per cent of their output.

"All pure fish sauce Masan buys from other manufacturers is carefully checked with modern equipment before being used for processing for bottled fish sauce."

Faced with the rapid growth in popularity of industrially produced fish sauces, traditional manufacturers have also increased investment in production technologies to improve the quality and polish the image of their products.

Lien Thanh Fish Sauce Company, which is more than 100 years old, has spent a considerable amount to modernize its production lines, rebuild distribution networks and improve packaging.

Vo Van ai, chairman of Dien Chau Van Phan Fisheries Company, said, Knowing that many people still prefer pure fish sauces, we continue to produce them.

However, we combine traditional and advanced methods to produce our fish sauce to ensure quality but also reduce labour and operation costs, making it affordable for many consumers.

The result is that we are able to achieve annual growth of 20-25 per cent, and produce 1.5 million litres now.

Bui Thi Sach, chairwoman of Thanh Phat Fisheries Joint Stock Company, which produces the Nam Phan brand of fish sauce, said, To ensure product quality, we check four samples of our fish sauce every three months and spend millions to examine each sample.

Le Quoc An, director of Ca Na Nol Fish Sauce Company, said that in addition to regularly improving product quality his company now has to spend double on better packaging to make the companys products more eye-catching and replacing plastic bottles with glass bottles to protect the aroma.

As a result, sales are grown by around 20 per cent a year, he added.  VNS
The Hai Phong Port City management authority and Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority (HEZA) has announced a detailed master plan making Cat Hai Island a smart island.  Photo anhp.vn

HA NOI  The Hai Phong Port City management authority and Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority (HEZA) has announced a detailed master plan making Cat Hai Island a smart island.

According to the plan released on Friday, the total area will be 5,007ha, comprising 2,650ha of Cat Hai Island, with the remaining 2,357ha being earmarked for the Hai Phong international gateway port and a non-tariff area.

A representative of Nikken Sekkei Civil Engineering Company, the consultancy contractor, said a part of the inh Vu-Cat Hai Economic Zone would become an industrial city, with large logistics systems playing an important role in boosting northern logistics development, and maximising the advantages of the Lach Huyen international gateway port.

The planning of Cat Hai Island is based on the triple bottom line principle, ensuring a balance between society, economy and the environment, leading towards sustainable development, he said.

The land for industrial production will cover 28 per cent of Cat Hai Islands total area. The remaining area will be used for logistics development, spread along Tan Vu-Lach Huyen highway and port area, as well as social building, such as hospitals, schools, parks and resort.

Activities on the island will aim to save energy, conserve the ecosystem and maintain systemic circulation. The island will also be a comfortable living space, suitable for relaxation. The traditional fishing village will continue to be maintained and developed.

Nikken Sekkei aims to provide a comfortable life to the residents, while ensuring an eco-friendly work environment.

The infrastructure system, particularly of transport, will be built simultaneously to ensure the best connections between Tan Vu-Lach Huyen Highway and Lach Huyen Port, along with rebuilding of the road and bridge connecting Quang Ninh-Lach Huyen, and a rail system linking Lach Huyen Port to inh Vu station, connected with the national railway network.

The plan will be implemented in four phases, from 2017 to 2030 and after 2030.

Cat Hai Island has great potential to attract investors. In addition, the island is part of the economic coastal zone, making it very appealing to investors, o Trung Thoai, head of HEZA, said.

Thoai said the city has attracted more than US$2 billion in foreign direct investment so far this year. There will be two major investment projects in the inh Vu-Cat Hai economic zone, with a total investment of more than $1 billion.

He expected the announcement of the detailed Cat Hai Island master plan to be a highlight, helping the city, particularly Cat Hai, to further attract investors.

One of the most successful investors is the Rent A Port Group, the developer of inh Vu Industrial Zone (DVIZ). At the end of 2015, the group decided to expand and invest in three more IZs, covering a combined area of 2,000ha.

The work includes expansion of the inh Vu IZ, and building of the 650ha Deep C IZ, 500ha Deep C III IZ in Cat Hai Island and Tien Phong IZ in Quang Ninh Province.

Total investment in the projects will be about $800 million. The Deep C III IZ is in the stage of finalising a legal setup for detailed planning and site clearance.

The large project is for the city and country too, focusing on the most important region of the inh Vu - Cat Hai Economic Zone. This project is expected to be a breakthrough for the development of the inh Vu - Cat Hai Economic Zone in the future.  VNS
HA NOI  Ten enterprises have received approval from and have signed co-operation agreements with the northern Ha Nam Provinces Peoples Committee to invest VN17 trillion (US$758.9 million) there.

Notably, a $300-million LED (light emitting diode) component production project in the ong Van 1 Industrial Zone, in which the Korea Seoul Semiconductor has invested, is one of the planned projects.

The province also signed a socio-economic development co-operation agreement for the 2016-2020 period with the Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV).

Under the agreement, BIDV pledged to give VN20 trillion ($893 million) to fund key projects in the province such as for developing infrastructure facilities of local industrial zones (IZs) and to support investors in the IZs, especially those from Japan, South Korea and Chinese Taipei.

To realise the agreement, the BIDVs branch in Ha Nam and the local government signed four memoranda of understanding on providing funds amounting to nearly VN4 trillion ($178.6 million).

These were the outcomes of the conference held to promote investment in the locality on Saturday, which was attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and more than 400 representatives of international and domestic businesses.

This was the largest-ever conference held in the province to invite domestic and foreign investment in three sectors: industry, advanced technological applications in agriculture, and trade-services-tourism.

At the meeting, Vu ai Thang, vice chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee said that the local authorities determined to improve the business environment by making 10 commitments, such as to supply enough electricity, streamline administrative procedures so as to grant investment certificates within three days and provide land free of charge to enterprises to build houses for workers.

They also promised to establish hotlines to provincial Party Committee Secretary and the Peoples Committee Chairman to receive information and complaints from enterprises.

Addressing the event, PM Phuc said he appreciated the provincial leaders 10 commitments, and asked the local authorities to promote the new way of thinking in economic and administrative management, establish more mechanisms to enhance dialogue with businesses and to increase businesses access to information.

The PM said the province should pay attention to protecting the environment and promoting the development of other sectors, such as tourism, services, education and training, besides healthcare.

The prime minister said the Government would continue to create a favourable business climate to make Viet Nam one of the top investment destinations in the ASEAN.

Ha Nam is among the 15 top destinations for investors in the country. As of June this year, the province was home to nearly 600 valid investment projects, worth more than $4.95 billion.

In 2015, the locality ranked 31st in the provincial competitiveness index (PCI), up from 45th in 2014.  VNS
HCM CITY Nong Son District in the central province of Quang Nam plans to set up an elephant conservation centre to protect the remaining small wild population in the province as well as other endangered species, conservationists said.

Nong Son is one of 15 areas in the country that still have populations of wild elephants, Cao Chi Cong, deputy general director of the Viet Nam Administration of Forestry, said.

A 17,500-hectare forest area in Que Lam and Phuoc Ninh communes ranks fourth in Viet Nam in terms of its elephant population, Cong told a conference held on Wednesday (August 3) in Quang Nam Province.

Based on the evidence of footprints, scientists estimate that six to 10 elephants are living in the area.

In early July locals in Que Lam Commune found six elephants wading through a stream in Cam La village, including a male animal with 30-cm long tusks.

In June the Quang Nam Province Peoples Committee had submitted a proposal to the Viet Nam Forest Administration for establishing a elephant conservation site in Nong Son.

The project aims to help conserve the wild population and reduce human-elephant conflicts.

In the middle of this month the forest resources and environment centre would do a survey of bio-diversity and elephant habitats for establishing the conservation site by the end of this year, Vu Tien ien, the centres director, said.

A herd of wild elephants in ak Lak Province. Photo tintaynguyen.com

Nguyen Chi Tung, deputy chairman of the Nong Son District Peoples Committee, said setting up a conservation centre which can also be used to promote eco-tourism is an urgent task.

However, Nguyen Viet Trai, director of Mai Linh Tourism Joint Stock Company, rejected this, saying it is not feasible to develop tourism at an elephant conservation centre.

Nguyen Vu Linh, deputy director of the Viet Nam Administration of Forestrys Environment Conservation Department, said the wild elephant population is declining in Viet Nam due to loss of habitat and poaching.

In natural forests, there is not enough food for them to survive and so they have to move to the surrounding cultivated areas to forage for food, sparking off conflicts with humans, he said.

It is important to set aside a forest area that is large enough for wild elephants to live and find food to avoid human-elephant conflicts.

Cong said the number of wild elephants in the country has fallen to 100.

The country already has three elephant conservation sites in Nghe An, ak Lak and ong Nai, he said.  VNS
A market located at the junction of highways 62 and N2 in Thanh Hoa Towship of the southern province of Long An has long been known as a market for wild birds.  Photo tinmientay.net

LONG AN  A market located at the junction of highways 62 and N2 in Thanh Hoa Towship of the southern province of Long An has long been known as a market for wild birds.

The Thanh Hoa Market used to sell agricultural and forest products, but has become the biggest bird market in the southwestern region, with 22 stalls selling from dozens to hundreds of birds caught in the wild.

The birds are sold at prices ranging from hundreds to millions of ong per kilo.

The provincial authority has urged the township to shut down the market and called on people not to buy the wild birds to avoid risks of disease. But all the efforts have failed so far.

Most of the birds sold in the market are popular and not rare species forbidden for trade, Le Huu Loi, deputy head of the provincial forest rangers department told the Phap Luat Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh (HCM City Law) Newspaper.

We have often asked to list some storks and birds in the red book register of endangered species to protect them well. But so far, we have not got any response, Loi said.

This year rangers have caught and fined eight people selling wild protected birds, he said.

Selling birds in the market has threatened not only the quantity of wild birds, but also the bio-diversification of the Lang Sen Wetlands Reserve, Dr Duong Van Ni, a wetland expert from Can Tho University, told the Lao ong (Labour) Newspaper.

The Lang Sen Wetlands Reserve in the Mekong Delta province of Long An has been recognized as Viet Nams 7th and the worlds 2,227th site of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.With a total area of 5,030ha, the Lang Sen Wetland Reserve has a diverse ecosystem thanks to the geomorphological conditions in the area.

The swamps, mangrove forests, rice fields, seasonally waterlogged grasslands in Lang Sen together are an ideal habitat for 156 species of flora and 149 species of fauna, mainly birds and fish, including many endangered species.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam and Thailand issued a set of commemorative stamps in Ha Noi and Bangkok last week to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic relations, which began on August 6, 1976.

The stamp set, which consists of two pieces, features the traditional puppetry of Viet Nam and Thailand.

The first tells the legend of Hoan Kiem Lake where Le Loi returned his magic sword to the Golden Turle after his forces defeated the Ming Chinese army in 1428. The second features Thailands folk puppet play, Hun Krabrok, by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The set, designed by painters Nguyen Du from Viet Nam and Pisit Prasitthanadoon from Thailand, will be on sale until June 30, 2018.

The joint stamp issue will help strengthen mutual understanding between the two peoples and foster postal collaboration between the two countries, said Deputy Minister of Information and Telecommunication Nguyen Minh Hong at the issuing event.

The Vietnam Post Corporation also took the occasion to launch the ASEAN Stamp, a mobile application presenting postage stamps of ASEAN member states which can be scanned with augmented reality technology to display related content, allowing the public and stamp collectors to learn about the cultural and historical values of those stamps.VNS
QUETTA  At least 40 people were killed and dozens wounded when a bomb ripped through a crowd of mourners Monday at a hospital in southwest Pakistan, officials said, with fears the toll will rise.

The blast in the Balochistan provincial capital Quetta came after mourners including journalists and lawyers had gathered at the hospital following the fatal shooting of a senior local lawyer.

Video footage showed bodies strewn on the ground, some still smoking, among pools of blood and shattered glass as shocked survivors cried and comforted one another.

Many of the dead appeared to be wearing black suits and ties. A large burn mark against white brick appeared to indicate where the bomb went off.

Officials were cautious about the death toll, saying mobile phone jammers had been activated around hospitals in the area so they were unable to contact officers on the ground.

The last information we had was 40 dead but it may increase, said Saleh Baloch, health minister for Balochistan, in a figure confirmed by an AFP reporter at the scene.

There were around 40 people injured when we were shifting them to hospitals. But now mobile jammers have been activated and so we dont have updated information, he said.

The military has also been deployed in and around the citys hospitals, he said.

The toll makes the attack the second deadliest in Pakistan this year so far, after a bombing in a crowded park in Lahore over Easter killed 75. Several lawyers and some journalists had gathered at the hospital after the death of the president of the Balochistan Bar Association in a shooting earlier Monday, Akbar Harifal, provincial home secretary, said.

The lawyer, Bilal Anwar Kasi, was targeted by two unidentified gunmen as he left his home in the morning for work.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for either the blast or the shooting. Facebook activated its safety check for Quetta in the wake of the attack.

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has major oil and gas resources but is afflicted by Islamist militancy, sectarian violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims and a separatist insurgency.AFP
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has urged the northern province of Ha Nam to promote hi-tech agriculture and accelerate the building of new-style rural areas.  VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has urged the northern province of Ha Nam to promote hi-tech agriculture and accelerate the building of new-style rural areas.

At a meeting with Ha Nams key leaders on Saturday, the Government leader commended the province for recording one of the highest growth rates among localities in the Red River Delta and for effective investment attraction.

Ha Nam should optimise its geographical location as a gateway to the capital city to spur its development, he said, asking the provincial leaders to pay more heed to local planning.

The PM reminded the province that sustainable development should be paired with environmental protection, suggesting Ha Nam increase its investments in tourism services to conserve the ecological system.

For their part, the provincial leaders proposed the Government and the PM create mechanisms to help universities and central-level hospitals in Hanoi relocate to or build branches in Ha Nam.

They asked the Government to support Ha Nam in attracting projects in processing, manufacturing and high-tech and create optimal conditions for the locality to access financial resources of the State budget, Government bonds and ODA loans.

Earlier, PM Phuc visited a 20ha farm run by An Phu Hung Company, one of the typical high-tech farming models in Ha Nam that produces organic vegetables using Japanese technologies.

He also toured construction sites of branches of the Bach Mai Hospital and the Viet uc Friendship Hospital, which have been built to ease overloading at their existing facilities in the capital city.

The leaders suggested Ha Nam encourage private investment in the satellite hospitals and service supply to big hospitals in the province.  VNS
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers speech at a meeting with authority leaders and local people of Thai Binh Province yesterday.  VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday urged the northern province of Thai Binh to boost the application of scientific technology in agriculture and pay attention to social economic development ensuring environmental protection.

PM Phuc made his request at a meeting with authority leaders and local people of Thai Binh Province, once known as a granary of the Red River Delta and where a new-style rural development has been recognised as a key target for development.

He chose Binh inh Commune, Kien Xuong District as his first arrival to witness and study the current rural areas development programme.

The commune was among the first eight localities of the province to reach the standard and finished its new-style rural development after just three years of implementation.

As one of its successes, the commune mobilised a total of VN74 billion (US$3.3 million) for rural infrastructure construction and after five years of implementation of new-style rural development, its local income per capita has now reached VN31 million ($1,390) per year, an increase of VN7.7 million ($314)compared to that of 2010.

Prime Minister Phuc praised Binh inh, saying that unity and consensus were among the key factors of the commune in agriculture and new-style rural development.

However, the Prime Minister pointed out that despite success, the communes target of ensuring good living conditions for only two thirds of the total population was proof that the commune should pay more concern to their development plan.

A report revealed the remaining one third of the population was still working in different areas but not in agriculture, such as in industrial zones outside the province.

Prime Minister Phuc recommended a boost in the application of scientific technology, a reform in agriculture production and a change in cultivation structure from one major crop into more supplementary crops.

Also yesterday, as part of his visit to Thai Binh Province, the PM visited a concrete factory in Kien Xuong District and inspected the Tra Ly dyke system in Vu ong Commune.

Earlier during his trip to Ha Nam on Saturday, the Government leader commended the northern province for recording one of the highest growth rates among localities in the Red River Delta and for effective investment attraction.

He said Ha Nam should optimise its geographical location as a gateway to the capital city to spur its development and pay more heed to local planning.

The PM reminded the province that sustainable development should be paired with environmental protection, suggesting Ha Nam increase its investments in tourism services to conserve the ecological system.

For their part, the provincial leaders proposed the Government and the PM create mechanisms to help universities and central-level hospitals in Hanoi relocate to or build branches in Ha Nam.

They asked the Government to support Ha Nam in attracting projects in processing, manufacturing and high-tech and create optimal conditions for the locality to access financial resources of the State budget, Government bonds and ODA loans. VNS
Freshmen to universities with financial autonomy have called on the universities to publicise tuition fees so that they and their families can manage the sum actively.  Photo zing.vn

HA NOI  Freshmen to universities with financial autonomy have called on the universities to publicise tuition fees so that they and their families can manage the sum actively.

A local newspaper on Friday reported that some universities forget to publicise tuition fees, which made students and their families confused and worried about transparency at the universities.

Tran Thu Hien, from Ha Nois Soc Son District, said on the Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper her daughter was enrolled in Electric Power University but her family was not sure about the tuition fees there.

Some volunteer students told me about it when we arrived at the university for the first time, she said.

Another mother Tran Thi Ngoan from northern Hung Yen Province was astonished when hearing about the tuition fee of VN13 million (US$584) per year, and that it will possibly increase yearly at the Viet Nam University of Commerce where her son would study.

We do farming. The tuition fee will add a financial burden we have to manage, she said.

In the middle of last month, second-year students at the National Economics University were shocked when the university announced a 30 per cent increase in tuition fees in the coming academic year.

The universitys vice principal Pham Hong Chuong said that the university that has been granted autonomy can adjust tuition fees to balance its funding and spending.

He admitted that tuition fee information was posted on its news board, but not yet on its website.

A Government resolution in 2014 allows 14 public universities nationwide to join a pilot autonomy programme until 2017 including Electric Power University, Ha Noi University, HCM City Economic University, the Foreign Trade University and the National Economics University.

Universities with autonomy, for example, have the right to use tuition fees as well as funds from enterprises and the Government without asking permission from the Ministry of Education and Training.

The universities also have the right to make decisions on human resources and organisational structure. They were allowed to collect higher tuition fees than tertiary institutions without autonomy.

The newspaper reported that few universities posted tuition fee information online or in brochures despite the fact that students are encouraged to apply for university courses online.  VNS
Several recently discovered cases of fraud related to weights-and-measures equipment at petrol stations and jewellery shops have sounded the alarm over increasing and more sophisticated trade frauds.  Photo vnexpress.net

HA NOI  Several recently discovered cases of fraud related to weights-and-measures equipment at petrol stations and jewellery shops have sounded the alarm over increasing and more sophisticated trade frauds, the Ministry of Science and Technology reported.

The Ministrys inspectors found violations at 400 of 1,700 jewellery shops they examined, mainly relating to scales.

These shop owners have pocketed tens of billions of ong from consumers, seriously violating consumer rights, an official of the Market Watch Department was quoted as saying by Tin Tuc (News) newspaper. Nguyen Nam Hai, deputy head of the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality said the violations were mainly related to using substandard scales.

In addition, the Ministry of Industry and Trades Market Watch Department reported 66 cases of petrol fraud in the first six months of 2016.

During a May crackdown carried out by the ministrys Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality, inspectors caught red-handed staff of two petrol stations - in Tran Khat Chan Street and Gia Lam Districts Yen Vien Commune in Ha Noi - using remote electronic chips to rig the display of fuel prices and quantities to cheat customers.

In Tay Ninh and ak Lak provinces, inspectors also found petrol stations where employees controlled a remote chip, enabling them to sell less gas than the quantity displayed on the pump screen and pocket a certain amount of money for every sale.

In HCM City, inspectors discovered several jewellery shops using non-standard scales.

However, penalizing businesses for these violations was challenging due to the overlapping legal regulation.

An official of ong Thap Provinces Standards, Metrology and Quality Department said punishment for petrol fraud was regulated by two different Government decrees and was not unified.

Punishment for fraud in the jewellery business was not sufficiently detailed. Nguyen Quang Tien of Quang Ninh Provinces Standards, Metrology and Quality Department admitted that inspectors only examined and discovered violations but were not authorized to sanction violators.

Tran Minh Dung, chief of inspectors at the Ministry of Science and Technology, said unskilled staff and lack of advanced equipment at province-level standards have also restricted inspection ability.  VNS
KHANH HOA  The provincial peoples committee of the south-central Khanh Hoa Province recently approved a revision of the transport plan of Nha Trang City to create more space for car parks.

At present, the city has about 2 hectares for parking vehicles, located in Tran Phu, Pham Van ong, Tue Tinh and Tran Quang Khai streets, and a car park near Ma Vong Intersection.

As per the calculation of the Khanh Hoa Department of Transport, about 10ha will be required by the year 2020 for parking vehicles.

Thus, the revision of the transport plan of the city was necessary to avoid traffic congestion in the city centre, Nguyen Van Dan, deputy head of the department, said.

Under the revision, Nha Trang City will have car parks outside the city centre to limit 16-seater cars to the downtown area.

The car park near Cam Ranh International Airport will be expanded to cover 6.4ha.

The provincial peoples committee also approved a project to use the land around the August 19 Stadium to build a car park, Dan said.  VNS
LONDON  Britains Serious Fraud Office said on Sunday it had opened a criminal probe into Airbus Group, investigating allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption.

"These allegations relate to irregularities concerning third party consultants," the SFO said in a statement.

The authority said it opened the investigation in July and asked anyone with relevant information to come forward.

A spokesperson for the SFO said additional details of the probe would not be made public until charges were brought or the investigation is dropped.

European planemaker Airbus said it was aware of the probe and the aviation firm was working with investigators.

"Airbus Group has been informed by the SFO that it has opened a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption in the civil aviation business of Airbus Group relating to irregularities concerning third party consultants," the company said in a statement.

"Airbus Group continues to cooperate with the SFO," the statement concluded.

The company was informed on Friday that the authority had launched an investigation, an Airbus spokesman said.

"We ourselves detected this issue and self-disclosed it to the authorities.

"This is as an effort of our enhanced anti-corruption (policy). Management has taken robust action and is determined to resolve this issue in cooperation with the authorities," spokesman Jeremy Greaves said.  AFP
Ahmedabad-headquartered Group has acquired Melgain brand from Hyderabad based Issar Pharma for an undisclosed sum that would marketed in India by Liva Healthcare, a speciality division of the Group catering to the dermatological segment.
Heartbreaking family update after mother-of-six was killed in horror crash Hannah Fraser's father and stepmother are trying to make it from the United Kingdom to Australia in time for their daughter's funeral.

Firefighter unions latest message to Andrews Government More than a hundred fire trucks in Victoria will carry pointed messages about the Andrews Government as part of a union campaign in the lead up to next month's state election.

Family of Aboriginal teen who died in apparent suicide after sexual abuse back calls for inquiry Police believe 15-year-old Layla Leering took her own life after being raped in the Northern Territory community of Bulla in 2015.

Duttons declaration to voters amid Labors big mess The Opposition Leader said the Prime Minister "might write me off" but he believes Australians will vote the Coalition back into power in 2025 to clean up "the big mess" Labor will leave behind.
WATERLOO  The Grainger Foundation, an independent, private foundation located in Lake Forest, Ill., has donated $3,000 to Quakerdale in support of its Mobile Camp Program.

The grant will be used to help children ages 6 through 11 have a summer camp experience in their own neighborhood right here in Waterloo, said Robert Talbot, Quakerdale executive director.

Mobile camps serve more than 350 children each summer across Iowa in seven different locations. Quakerdale has been hosting free camps for children since 2009.

This donation was recommended by Tim Cuvelier, director of national contact centers, in W.W. Grainger Inc.s Waterloo location. Grainger has been a part of the Cedar Valley business community for 25 years as the leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair, and operating products.
WEST DES MOINES  Hy-Vee Inc. has promoted Parkersburg native Jeremy Gosch to the title of executive vice president. He joins only seven others selected to help guide the regional supermarket chain.

Gosch, formerly senior vice president and chief merchandising officer, was named executive vice president strategy and chief merchandising officer. Gosch will officially be named a permanent member on Hy-Vees board of directors at the companys annual stockholders meeting in December.

Gosch began his career with Hy-Vee in 1995 as a part-time clerk at the Coralville store. He served in a number of store-level positions, including second assistant manager, manager of general merchandise and manager of perishables before being named store director in 2000 at the Eldora Hy-Vee.

He also served as a Hy-Vee store director in Sioux City and Winona, Minn. In 2012, Gosch was promoted to assistant vice president of operations for Hy-Vees northeast district. In 2014, he was promoted to vice president of general merchandise and health and beauty care. The next year, Gosch was named senior vice president of merchandising. Chief merchandising officer was added to his title in early 2016.

Gosch graduated from Aplington-Parkersburg Community High School and received a degree in finance from the University of Iowa.
CEDAR FALLS  A Cedar Falls man has agreed to pay at least $789,138 in cleanup costs after pleading guilty to allegations he stored toxic waste at his closed electroplating company, according to court records.

In addition to the costs, Richard Delp, 62, also agreed to pay a $100 special assessment and faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 per day of the violation, according to court records and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Iowa, which prosecuted the case.

Delp pleaded guilty to one count of storing hazardous waste without a permit on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids.

Delp was the owner of Cedar Valley Electroplating at 5611 Westminster Drive, and the business plated steel parts with zinc between 2004 and 2011. Authorities allege he stored hazardous waste at the site without the required permits and continued despite warnings from Environmental Protection Agency officials in 2005 and 2010.

The chemicals were left in the building when the operation closed in September 2011, court record state, and EPA officials searched the property in February 2012 and found hundreds of gallons of chromium, zinc, ferris sulfate, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and other substances. The EPA undertook a $789,138 cleanup in October 2012.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Delp in May 2016. Sentencing will be at a later date, Delp remains free until then.
WATERLOO  Roxanne went rogue on the final day of Iowa Irish Fest, biting and forcing Deb Meier to chase her around Lincoln Park and lock her in a crate.

Shes just a 3-year-old, Meier said. Shes still learning self control.

Roxanne was one of several border collies participating in a sheep herding demonstration put on Sunday by Leaning Tree Cattle Dogs and Border Collies, based in Alden. The event, new to the festival this year, drew a large group of spectators.

While Meiers partner, Wayne Bamber, noted Roxanne was still young and making mistakes, he said the black-and-white dog was coming off a hard day of working cattle and had qualified for the National Cattle Dog Finals next month.

Bamber instead called on 10-year-old Jake, a more mature border collie nearing retirement, to treat the crowd to an expert display of sheep herding.

Led by commands of away to me and come by, Jake maneuvered a small herd of lambs around a fenced portion of the park, chasing down those straying from the pack.

It took a little scolding, but Jake eventually executed a perfect shed by splitting the herd into two even groups, winning a round of applause and a well-deserved dip in a tub of water.

These dogs are used all over the world, Meier said. They were originally developed a couple centuries ago specifically to work sheep.

But we dont want a dog that chases sheep, she added. Chasing sheep is a matter of self control and it will scare the sheep.

Iowa Irish Fest appeared to rack up record attendance for its 10th anniversary, thanks to great weather, the return of musical favorites and a number of new events, said festival chairman Chad Shipman.

We dont have the official (crowd) number yet but it does look like we had an increase, Shipman said. We had more people in the park on Friday by 5 oclock than weve ever seen before.

Sundays events kicked off with a mass led by Father Tom McDermott of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, who marked the occasion by wearing a kilt beneath his robe. Many showed up for a traditional Irish breakfast at Jamesons Public House.

Theresa Lukes, of Cedar Falls, went for a traditional Irish drink at the fourth-annual whiskey tasting event in the Elks Club.

I just went to mass and now I have five shots of whiskey sitting in front of me, said Lukes, who declined to answer a phone call from her mother. I came to mass first though, so I started my day off proper.

Lukes said she enjoyed the whiskey and Guinness during a trip to Ireland four years ago, so she jumped at the chance to learn more about the drink during Irish Fest.

Joe Diachino, who chairs the whiskey tasting, said some folks had to be turned away from the event during heavily attended Saturday sessions.

Jim Johnson moderated the tasting, which involved shots of two Irish whiskeys, a Kentucky bourbon, a Canadian whisky  Canucks drop the e  and a Scotch. The Laphroaig single-malt Scotch was the bad boy of the group, Johnson said.

This is the earth talking to you here, he said. This is Mother Earth in a glass.

Attendees of the whiskey tasting sessions tend to loosen up quickly, said Johnson, who introduced each shot with a story about its style and history.

It starts out very stoic and people are looking straight ahead, he said. By the third drink Im having to talk over them.

While Johnson admitted he was a whiskey salesman and not a cork dork who specializes in how best to savor the spirit, he said the tasters should simply decide do I like it or do I not?
WATERLOO  Allen College, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, is poised to offer a master of science in nursing with a specialty in leadership in health information technology.

The Iowa Board of Nursing voted on June 21 to approve Allen Colleges request to offer the program which will admit its first students in January 2017. The 35-semester-hour program will include 16 semester hours of health informatics technology coursework offered by the University of Minnesota and 19 semester hours of nursing courses taught by Allen College faculty.

Graduates of the program will receive an MSN degree from Allen College and a post-baccalaureate certificate from the University of Minnesota. Students can complete the program in about 32 months of part-time study.

All courses will be delivered online, with students needing to travel to the Allen campus twice for a one-day orientation and a graduate project presentation. Graduates of the program who meet eligibility criteria can be certified in informatics nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

For more information go to allencollege.edu or call 226-2000.
DES MOINES  Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said Monday he supports the Iowa State Fairs weapons ban, but he declined to say whether he would approve changes to state law that would permit certified residents to carry weapons during the fair.

The issue was raised Monday during Branstads weekly news conference at the Iowa Capitol. On Friday, a rules committee of state legislators discussed the State Fair policy that prohibits people from carrying weapons on the grounds during the fair.

Branstad said he supports the fair policy because he thinks the fairgrounds are safe because of the heavy presence of Iowa State Patrol officers.

But Branstad demurred when asked if he would oppose legislation that would permit fairgoers to carry weapons.

I support the right to carry, but I think the fairgrounds is a little different situation because we have such phenomenal coverage from the highway patrol at the fair, Branstad said. So, its not like other places where you have nobody with a firearm to protect somebody against a violent act. We have excellent security, and I think the patrol does a great job. And because of that, I think thats the reason why you really dont need to have your own firearm for your protection at the fair.

The legislative rules committee is unlikely to change the policy, said the committees vice chair, Rep. Dawn Pettengill, R-Mount Auburn, who added the discussion to Fridays meeting agenda. She said any changes likely will have to be made through changes to state law, which would require action by the Iowa Legislature and governor.

Richard Rogers, a board member for the Iowa Firearms Coalition, said after Fridays hearing the organization will press state lawmakers for changes in state law to allow permitted individuals to carry weapons during the fair.

Branstad did not say Monday whether he would approve such a proposal.

I understand that there may be issues come before the Legislature on that, he said. Im just going to say that Ive gone to the state fair for decades and decades, and I just want to compliment the fair board and the Department of Public Safety, our state troopers. They do a phenomenal job.
WATERLOO -- A Waterloo man who was struck by a pickup truck on Sunday has been flown to an Iowa City Hospital for treatment.

Steven Ray Ambrose, 64, suffered a fractured skull in the collision at East Seventh and Sycamore streets. Paramedics with Waterloo Fire Rescue took him to UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital, and he was later flown by helicopter to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. His condition wasn't available.

Ambrose was east walking on Sycamore Street and crossing the apartment complex driveway at East Seventh at about 4:40 p.m. Sunday when a westbound Chevrolet C-1500 pickup driven by Susan Roberts, 46, of Indiana, turned left into the driveway from Sycamore and struck Ambrose, according to the accident report.

Roberts was cited for failure to maintain a proper lookout, according to the report.
WATERLOO  The Volunteer Center of Cedar Falls is looking for help with the following:

Cedar Valley Friends of the Family is looking for a volunteer to provide general office support. This opportunity will provide the volunteer with substantial skills and experience in nonprofit development and management as well as additional experience working in a professional environment. Duties include: data entry, donation reception, maintenance of office space, and performance of other duties as assigned.

Pro-environment NextGen Climate Iowa seeks volunteers to help register voters, make phone calls, plan events, and be volunteer coordinators in various shifts daily.

Iowa Court Appointed Special Advocates program is seeking long-term volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children involved in the juvenile court system. Requirements include care and concern for children in the system as well as completion of a 30-hour training program.

The Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau is always seeking friendly and helpful volunteers for the Waterloo Regional Airport Visitor Center. Volunteers will greet visitors, share information and answer questions. Materials and training provided.

For more information, call the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at 272-2087, or go to www.vccv.org.
A divided Congress  obsessed with assessing blame rather than solving problems  went on a seven-week recess in late June after failing to fund legislation to combat the Zika virus, the mosquito bite that causes babies to be born with malformed heads and damaged brains.

The $1.1 billion legislation stalled because Democrats objected to poison pill provisions inserted by Senate and House Republicans in a conference committee that would have:

Cut $540 million in Obamacare financing.

Restricted the role of Planned Parenthood in providing contraceptive services related to fighting the virus.

Eliminated a House provision banning the Confederate battle flag from flying at federal cemeteries.

The impasse didnt advance a solution, but produced a great campaign slogan, seemingly the political end game for both parties.

The Democrats are more focused on protecting the mosquito than they are protecting people, said Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo.

Then the Zika virus became a reality on the U.S. mainland last week  an unprecedented health threat, according to Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Florida officials confirmed local mosquitoes had caused 14 Zika cases 12 men and two women  in the same Miami neighborhood dating back to mid-June despite intense mosquito-control efforts.

Previously, the CDC reported the overwhelming majority of the 1,600 U.S. Zika cases involved people traveling abroad or through sexual transmission upon arrival. Thousands of cases  a silent epidemic  were reported in Puerto Rico, a U.S. commonwealth.

The Zika virus, transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, can result in microcephaly, a rare and incurable condition that causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads and damaged brains if miscarriages dont result.

Five infants were born in the U.S. with microcephaly caused by Zika, including one recently in Florida.

Zika also can cause Guillain-Barre immune disorder, a temporary weakness or even paralysis in the extremities.

Zikas symptoms are mild  fever, joint pain and red eyes  affecting only one of five people infected. Detection requires a blood sample at an advanced lab. The virus does not linger in the body for more than few days.

Pregnant women now are been urged to take precautions, including those who have visited the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area since June 15. The CDC has issued travel warnings to that area.

Politicians are pointing fingers but could have taken action to hasten preparedness, although even the best efforts would not have eradicated the threat overnight.

In February, at the behest of the CDC, the Obama administration requested $1.9 billion to fight Zika, which had quickly displaced the Ebola virus as the globes latest plague. The World Health Organization had declared Ebola, which killed 11,300 people in West Africa, as dormant two weeks earlier.

Brazil had become the epicenter for Zika, which was spreading explosively, according to WHO, in tropical areas of Latin and South America and the Caribbean, and would affect 24 countries and four million people this year.

In the United States, the Aedes aegypti mostly lives in warm, humid climates such as Florida, Texas and the Gulf Coast, but has not made its way to Iowa. The Aedes albopictusis, which can possibly transmit the virus, is listed as uncommon by the Iowa Department of Public Healths Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology.

The funding battle following the Obama request followed expected party lines with budget-conscious Republicans wanting the remaining $600 million in Ebola funding redirected and other money found from federal programs.

In May, Obama administration approved redirecting the Ebola money, although concerns lingered the disease had not disappeared. In fact, Zika was first reported in Uganda in 1947, then appeared in Micronesia in the Pacific in 2007, eventually involving 30,000 cases in Polynesia.

After the Senate approved $1.1 billion, the House countered with $622 million by cutting federal programs, which Democrats opposed. The Senate version prevailed with Democratic support  until the Republican-controlled conference committee inserted the poison pills.

Meanwhile, the CDC is scrounging for funds wherever it can find them, including malaria research. When Congress returns from vacation, a budget impasse is expected, resulting in a continuing resolution. So no new funding is likely, despite CDC pleas.

There is no margin for error, the CDCs Frieden said. If we start seeing babies with microcephaly seven, eight or nine months from now in Miami that will be unacceptable.

We would echo the statement by Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine, at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, that Congress refusal to approve funding is outrageous.

Let the voters decide in November if Obamacare and Planned Parenthood are worthy of continued funding. The Confederate flag? Really? That battle was lost long ago.

Its time to address the real threats we face now.
By Os Hillman Aug. 07, 2020 | 10:29 PM | PADUCAH

You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it. Joshua 7:13bThe first battle for the people of Israel traveling from Egypt was at Jericho, once they crossed the Jordan River. God had given them a great victory at Jericho, and Joshua was now ready to move to their next battle at Ai. After they spied out the enemy camp, they determined they needed only a few thousand men to gain victory.They went up against Ai only to fail miserably. They lost 32 men in a battle that should have been an easy victory, but instead they were forced to retreat. Joshua was devastated. Ah, Sovereign Lord, why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? (Joshua 7:7a) In this case, the people fell short because they failed to uphold the standard God had set for them. God had told them not to take any plunder from their first battle. However, Achan hid some forbidden treasures, and God was now judging the entire nation for one mans sin.Whenever we act without Gods complete blessing on our activity, we can expect God to thwart our plans. Gods word to Joshua was that he could not stand against his enemies as long as there was disobedience among his troops.Whenever we launch a business endeavor, we should make sure there are no unclean things in our dealings that would allow us to be vulnerable to a failed effort: unpaid vendors, disgruntled employees who were not treated fairly, lawsuits, dishonesty. Many of these things can hinder God from blessing our enterprises. These things can remove the shield of protection from our workplace, which God wants to bless, but cannot because He is committed to upholding righteousness. His name is blemished when unrighteousness is allowed to permeate our lives.Is the Lord able to bless your enterprises today? If not, you may need to go back and clean up a few things before He can do so. Take whatever steps are needed to ensure the blessing of God today.

On the Net:
By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 07, 2016 | 09:01 AM | MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY

A Ballard County man faces charges after a one-vehicle wreck Saturday night in McCracken County.

The McCracken County Sheriff's Office says the crash happened at approximately 10:15 pm in the 2100 block of McKendree Church Road. Deputies said 36-year-old Jason Burgess of Kevil was traveling south when his truck left the road and struck a utility pole.

Burgess was extricated from the truck by mechanical means and transported to Lourdes Hospital for treatment of his injuries.



According to police, Burgess had taken the truck from a friend without permission.

Burgess was cited to court for several offenses due to being admitted to the hospital. He's charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs/alcohol with aggravating circumstances, two counts of criminal mischief and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
past daily news Sep 13 (1) Sep 09 (15) Sep 06 (12) Sep 04 (10) Sep 03 (10) Aug 31 (17) Aug 29 (14) Aug 26 (13) Aug 22 (11) Aug 21 (12) Aug 19 (21) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (10) Aug 10 (10) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (10) Aug 06 (10) Aug 05 (8) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (14) Jul 29 (1) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (5) Jul 24 (10) Jul 22 (11) Jul 19 (16) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (10) Jul 15 (13) Jul 12 (7) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (8) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (8) Jul 04 (11) Jul 03 (8) Jul 02 (7) Jul 01 (5) Jun 30 (8) Jun 28 (7) Jun 27 (8) Jun 26 (7) Jun 25 (8) Jun 24 (6) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (9) Jun 20 (5) Jun 19 (9) Jun 18 (8) Jun 15 (9) Jun 13 (13) Jun 11 (11) Jun 09 (19) Jun 06 (10) Jun 04 (10) Jun 03 (8) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (5) May 30 (5) May 29 (6) May 28 (7) May 27 (7) May 26 (6) May 25 (4) May 23 (6) May 22 (6) May 21 (4) May 20 (7) May 19 (9) May 18 (4) May 17 (6) May 16 (5) May 15 (7) May 14 (3) May 13 (3) May 12 (9) May 10 (3) May 09 (7) May 08 (4) May 07 (3) May 06 (5) May 05 (8) May 03 (9) May 02 (1) May 01 (5) Apr 30 (8) Apr 29 (5) Apr 28 (4) Apr 27 (7) Apr 26 (12) Apr 25 (4) Apr 24 (8) Apr 23 (7) Apr 22 (5) Apr 21 (3) Apr 20 (1) Apr 19 (5) Apr 18 (3) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (6) Apr 15 (5) Apr 14 (2) Apr 13 (4) Apr 12 (2) Apr 11 (4) Apr 10 (3) Apr 09 (3) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (5) Apr 06 (3) Apr 05 (10) Apr 04 (2) Apr 03 (3) Apr 02 (9) Apr 01 (7) Mar 31 (10) Mar 30 (6) Mar 29 (7) Mar 28 (5) Mar 27 (3) Mar 26 (10) Mar 25 (4) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (10) Mar 22 (6) Mar 21 (5) Mar 20 (11) Mar 19 (8) Mar 18 (5) Mar 17 (4) Mar 16 (11) Mar 15 (10) Mar 14 (7) Mar 13 (7) Mar 12 (5) Mar 11 (3) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (5) Mar 08 (6) Mar 07 (8) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (12) Mar 04 (6) Mar 03 (8) Mar 02 (6) Mar 01 (8) Feb 28 (7) Feb 27 (5) Feb 26 (6) Feb 25 (7) Feb 24 (3) Feb 23 (6) Feb 22 (4) Feb 21 (3) Feb 20 (1) Feb 19 (6) Feb 18 (4) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (2) Feb 15 (5) Feb 14 (3) Feb 13 (6) Feb 12 (6) Feb 11 (4) Feb 10 (6) Feb 09 (6) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (6) Feb 06 (4) Feb 05 (2) Feb 04 (3) Feb 03 (5) Feb 02 (1) Feb 01 (4) Jan 31 (8) Jan 30 (2) Jan 29 (4) Jan 28 (1) Jan 27 (4) Jan 26 (7) Jan 25 (4) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (2) Jan 20 (2) Jan 19 (3) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (2) Jan 16 (7) Jan 15 (6) Jan 14 (4) Jan 13 (6) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (5) Jan 09 (4) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (4) Jan 05 (5) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (2) Jan 01 (1) Dec 31 (5) Dec 29 (4) Dec 28 (5) Dec 26 (3) Dec 25 (2) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (2) Dec 22 (4) Dec 21 (4) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (2) Dec 17 (1) Dec 16 (4) Dec 15 (2) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (7) Dec 12 (5) Dec 11 (4) Dec 10 (3) Dec 09 (2) Dec 08 (2) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (4) Dec 05 (1) Dec 04 (5) Dec 03 (3) Dec 02 (5) Dec 01 (6) Nov 30 (5) Nov 29 (10) Nov 28 (6) Nov 27 (2) Nov 26 (3) Nov 24 (2) Nov 23 (5) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (3) Nov 20 (6) Nov 19 (2) Nov 18 (5) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (2) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (2) Nov 11 (4) Nov 10 (5) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 (5) Nov 07 (5) Nov 06 (5) Nov 05 (4) Nov 04 (5) Nov 02 (4) Nov 01 (4) Oct 31 (9) Oct 30 (9) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (2) Oct 27 (6) Oct 26 (6) Oct 25 (6) Oct 24 (3) Oct 23 (6) Oct 22 (4) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (5) Oct 17 (5) Oct 16 (4) Oct 15 (5) Oct 14 (2) Oct 13 (4) Oct 12 (7) Oct 11 (5) Oct 10 (4) Oct 09 (5) Oct 08 (10) Oct 07 (1) Oct 06 (10) Oct 05 (6) Oct 04 (8) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (4) Oct 01 (6) Sep 30 (5) Sep 29 (1) Sep 28 (6) Sep 27 (6) Sep 26 (5) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (6) Sep 23 (5) Sep 22 (7) Sep 21 (6) Sep 20 (6) Sep 19 (5) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (5) Sep 15 (5) Sep 14 (6) Sep 13 (4) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (7) Sep 10 (6) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (3) Sep 07 (4) Sep 06 (8) Sep 05 (6) Sep 04 (7) Sep 03 (3) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (5) Aug 31 (8) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (6) Aug 28 (6) Aug 27 (1) Aug 26 (4) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (7) Aug 23 (4) Aug 22 (4) Aug 21 (4) Aug 20 (7) Aug 18 (5) Aug 17 (8) Aug 16 (8) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (5) Aug 12 (4) Aug 11 (2) Aug 10 (5) Aug 09 (4) Aug 08 (8) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (3) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (4) Aug 03 (10) Aug 02 (9) Aug 01 (8) Jul 31 (1) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (2) Jul 28 (11) Jul 27 (10) Jul 26 (10) Jul 25 (7) Jul 24 (5) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (2) Jul 21 (7) Jul 20 (10) Jul 19 (8) Jul 18 (7) Jul 17 (1) Jul 16 (10) Jul 14 (7) Jul 13 (6) Jul 12 (11) Jul 11 (7) Jul 10 (5) Jul 09 (6) Jul 08 (5) Jul 07 (8) Jul 06 (4) Jul 05 (6) Jul 04 (6) Jul 03 (7) Jul 02 (6) Jul 01 (2) Jun 30 (7) Jun 29 (7) Jun 28 (5) Jun 27 (8) Jun 26 (5) Jun 25 (6) Jun 23 (4) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (8) Jun 18 (2) Jun 17 (3) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (3) Jun 14 (7) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (7) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (2) Jun 09 (8) Jun 08 (8) Jun 07 (8) Jun 06 (10) Jun 05 (14) Jun 04 (6) Jun 03 (6) Jun 02 (8) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (7) May 30 (2) May 29 (7) May 28 (7) May 27 (2) May 26 (4) May 25 (5) May 24 (4) May 23 (5) May 22 (5) May 21 (5) May 20 (3) May 19 (10) May 18 (6) May 17 (3) May 16 (6) May 15 (2) May 14 (3) May 13 (5) May 11 (1) May 10 (5) May 09 (3) May 08 (4) May 07 (2) May 06 (4) May 05 (6) May 04 (5) May 03 (5) May 02 (1) May 01 (6) Apr 30 (6) Apr 29 (7) Apr 28 (8) Apr 27 (9) Apr 26 (14) Apr 25 (6) Apr 24 (6) Apr 23 (7) Apr 22 (1) Apr 21 (8) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (6) Apr 18 (4) Apr 17 (7) Apr 16 (1) Apr 15 (8) Apr 14 (1) Apr 13 (7) Apr 12 (10) Apr 11 (7) Apr 10 (2) Apr 09 (2) Apr 08 (4) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (6) Apr 05 (6) Apr 04 (9) Apr 03 (4) Apr 02 (5) Apr 01 (2) Mar 31 (5) Mar 30 (4) Mar 29 (8) Mar 28 (5) Mar 27 (9) Mar 26 (4) Mar 25 (5) Mar 24 (11) Mar 23 (10) Mar 22 (9) Mar 21 (10) Mar 20 (11) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (7) Mar 17 (3) Mar 16 (7) Mar 15 (6) Mar 14 (6) Mar 13 (9) Mar 12 (6) Mar 11 (3) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (5) Mar 08 (6) Mar 07 (13) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (7) Mar 03 (4) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (6) Feb 28 (6) Feb 27 (4) Feb 26 (5) Feb 25 (6) Feb 24 (6) Feb 23 (9) Feb 22 (6) Feb 21 (7) Feb 20 (8) Feb 19 (6) Feb 18 (3) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (6) Feb 15 (5) Feb 14 (7) Feb 13 (5) Feb 12 (3) Feb 11 (4) Feb 10 (5) Feb 09 (9) Feb 08 (8) Feb 07 (7) Feb 06 (10) Feb 05 (7) Feb 04 (2) Feb 03 (8) Feb 02 (7) Feb 01 (5) Jan 31 (4) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (7) Jan 28 (3) Jan 27 (7) Jan 26 (8) Jan 25 (6) Jan 24 (6) Jan 23 (5) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (6) Jan 20 (8) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (8) Jan 17 (12) Jan 16 (5) Jan 15 (4) Jan 14 (8) Jan 12 (6) Jan 11 (6) Jan 10 (7) Jan 09 (4) Jan 08 (6) Jan 07 (4) Jan 06 (6) Jan 05 (9) Jan 04 (9) Jan 03 (4) Jan 02 (6) Jan 01 (8) Dec 31 (2) Dec 30 (1) Dec 29 (5) Dec 28 (4) Dec 27 (8) Dec 26 (4) Dec 24 (5) Dec 23 (7) Dec 22 (12) Dec 21 (4) Dec 20 (7) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (5) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (1) Dec 15 (7) Dec 14 (10) Dec 13 (7) Dec 12 (12) Dec 10 (3) Dec 09 (6) Dec 08 (7) Dec 07 (12) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (13) Dec 04 (6) Dec 02 (8) Dec 01 (8) Nov 30 (6) Nov 29 (7) Nov 28 (7) Nov 27 (4) Nov 26 (8) Nov 24 (2) Nov 23 (5) Nov 22 (11) Nov 21 (7) Nov 20 (3) Nov 19 (10) Nov 18 (7) Nov 17 (6) Nov 16 (11) Nov 15 (10) Nov 14 (7) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (5) Nov 11 (12) Nov 10 (4) Nov 09 (14) Nov 08 (10) Nov 07 (11) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (5) Nov 04 (11) Nov 03 (9) Nov 02 (10) Nov 01 (8) Oct 31 (12) Oct 30 (5) Oct 29 (5) Oct 28 (5) Oct 27 (11) Oct 26 (13) Oct 25 (9) Oct 24 (10) Oct 23 (8) Oct 22 (5) Oct 21 (11) Oct 20 (8) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (5) Oct 17 (5) Oct 16 (6) Oct 15 (4) Oct 14 (9) Oct 13 (10) Oct 12 (11) Oct 11 (9) Oct 10 (10) Oct 09 (7) Oct 08 (5) Oct 07 (10) Oct 06 (9) Oct 05 (14) Oct 04 (9) Oct 03 (12) Oct 02 (4) Oct 01 (9) Sep 30 (5) Sep 29 (7) Sep 28 (13) Sep 27 (10) Sep 26 (11) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (9) Sep 23 (7) Sep 22 (10) Sep 21 (12) Sep 20 (12) Sep 19 (4) Sep 18 (5) Sep 17 (7) Sep 16 (11) Sep 15 (8) Sep 14 (5) Sep 13 (8) Sep 12 (8) Sep 11 (6) Sep 10 (10) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (9) Sep 07 (8) Sep 06 (11) Sep 05 (2) Sep 04 (8) Sep 03 (2) Sep 02 (6) Sep 01 (9) Aug 31 (9) Aug 30 (7) Aug 29 (9) Aug 28 (4) Aug 27 (8) Aug 26 (6) Aug 25 (5) Aug 24 (8) Aug 23 (4) Aug 22 (5) Aug 21 (2) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (6) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (4) Aug 16 (6) Aug 15 (3) Aug 14 (4) Aug 13 (7) Aug 12 (6) Aug 11 (3) Aug 10 (5) Aug 09 (8) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (7) Aug 06 (7) Aug 05 (7) Aug 04 (7) Aug 03 (11) Aug 02 (6) Aug 01 (9) Jul 31 (11) Jul 28 (7) Jul 27 (11) Jul 26 (5) Jul 25 (5) Jul 24 (1) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (2) Jul 20 (9) Jul 19 (8) Jul 18 (6) Jul 17 (7) Jul 15 (4) Jul 14 (2) Jul 13 (6) Jul 12 (10) Jul 11 (11) Jul 10 (2) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (5) Jul 07 (5) Jul 06 (6) Jul 05 (3) Jul 04 (6) Jul 03 (5) Jul 02 (3) Jun 30 (8) Jun 29 (5) Jun 28 (6) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (4) Jun 25 (1) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (11) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (5) Jun 19 (7) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (7) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (6) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (6) Jun 10 (6) Jun 09 (8) Jun 08 (6) Jun 07 (8) Jun 06 (7) Jun 05 (5) Jun 04 (7) Jun 03 (1) Jun 02 (9) Jun 01 (5) May 31 (8) May 30 (7) May 29 (5) May 28 (5) May 27 (4) May 26 (4) May 25 (4) May 24 (3) May 23 (5) May 22 (2) May 21 (3) May 20 (7) May 19 (11) May 18 (1) May 17 (7) May 16 (3) May 15 (4) May 14 (3) May 13 (4) May 12 (4) May 11 (11) May 10 (2) May 09 (6) May 08 (6) May 07 (2) May 06 (3) May 05 (4) May 04 (5) May 03 (8) May 02 (4) May 01 (4) Apr 30 (6) Apr 29 (13) Apr 28 (5) Apr 27 (7) Apr 26 (5) Apr 25 (5) Apr 24 (2) Apr 23 (7) Apr 22 (9) Apr 21 (11) Apr 20 (2) Apr 19 (2) Apr 18 (5) Apr 17 (5) Apr 16 (6) Apr 14 (5) Apr 13 (2) Apr 12 (9) Apr 11 (10) Apr 10 (6) Apr 09 (5) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (10) Apr 06 (7) Apr 05 (7) Apr 04 (7) Apr 03 (9) Mar 31 (12) Mar 30 (9) Mar 29 (7) Mar 28 (4) Mar 27 (3) Mar 26 (6) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (8) Mar 23 (7) Mar 22 (4) Mar 21 (10) Mar 20 (6) Mar 19 (6) Mar 17 (7) Mar 16 (11) Mar 15 (6) Mar 14 (9) Mar 13 (4) Mar 12 (6) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (9) Mar 08 (10) Mar 07 (4) Mar 06 (5) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (2) Mar 03 (4) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (5) Feb 28 (3) Feb 27 (8) Feb 26 (9) Feb 24 (11) Feb 23 (8) Feb 22 (9) Feb 21 (8) Feb 20 (7) Feb 19 (4) Feb 18 (9) Feb 17 (6) Feb 16 (5) Feb 15 (7) Feb 14 (11) Feb 13 (2) Feb 12 (5) Feb 11 (5) Feb 10 (3) Feb 09 (10) Feb 08 (9) Feb 07 (9) Feb 06 (2) Feb 05 (9) Feb 03 (7) Feb 02 (5) Feb 01 (7) Jan 31 (4) Jan 30 (5) Jan 29 (6) Jan 28 (5) Jan 27 (2) Jan 26 (7) Jan 25 (7) Jan 24 (8) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (14) Jan 20 (8) Jan 19 (10) Jan 18 (11) Jan 17 (9) Jan 16 (5) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (9) Jan 13 (6) Jan 12 (7) Jan 11 (7) Jan 10 (2) Jan 09 (7) Jan 08 (6) Jan 07 (10) Jan 06 (8) Jan 05 (7) Jan 04 (9) Jan 03 (8) Jan 02 (5) Jan 01 (14) Dec 30 (13) Dec 29 (13) Dec 28 (9) Dec 27 (5) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (7) Dec 24 (4) Dec 23 (5) Dec 22 (4) Dec 21 (8) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (8) Dec 18 (9) Dec 16 (8) Dec 15 (5) Dec 14 (5) Dec 13 (8) Dec 12 (4) Dec 11 (17) Dec 09 (8) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (10) Dec 06 (12) Dec 05 (6) Dec 04 (8) Dec 02 (6) Dec 01 (7) Nov 30 (9) Nov 29 (6) Nov 28 (11) Nov 27 (6) Nov 26 (15) Nov 24 (7) Nov 23 (15) Nov 22 (9) Nov 21 (6) Nov 20 (11) Nov 18 (11) Nov 17 (13) Nov 16 (8) Nov 15 (13) Nov 14 (7) Nov 13 (7) Nov 12 (3) Nov 11 (13) Nov 10 (13) Nov 09 (6) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (6) Nov 06 (4) Nov 05 (12) Nov 04 (8) Nov 03 (9) Nov 02 (8) Nov 01 (6) Oct 31 (10) Oct 30 (8) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (8) Oct 27 (15) Oct 26 (10) Oct 25 (10) Oct 24 (13) Oct 23 (9) Oct 21 (8) Oct 20 (13) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (11) Oct 17 (8) Oct 16 (14) Oct 14 (9) Oct 13 (11) Oct 12 (9) Oct 11 (13) Oct 10 (7) Oct 09 (15) Oct 07 (7) Oct 06 (11) Oct 05 (18) Oct 04 (14) Oct 03 (1) Oct 02 (10) Sep 30 (11) Sep 29 (11) Sep 28 (11) Sep 27 (15) Sep 26 (7) Sep 24 (9) Sep 23 (11) Sep 22 (7) Sep 21 (17) Sep 20 (20) Sep 19 (4) Sep 18 (11) Sep 16 (10) Sep 15 (12) Sep 14 (9) Sep 13 (12) Sep 12 (14) Sep 11 (4) Sep 10 (8) Sep 09 (9) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (13) Sep 06 (15) Sep 05 (8) Sep 04 (11) Sep 03 (10) Sep 02 (12) Sep 01 (12) Aug 31 (14) Aug 30 (14) Aug 29 (8) Aug 28 (8) Aug 27 (9) Aug 26 (12) Aug 25 (6) Aug 24 (8) Aug 23 (12) Aug 22 (6) Aug 21 (5) Aug 20 (6) Aug 19 (9) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (7) Aug 16 (11) Aug 15 (2) Aug 14 (12) Aug 12 (15) Aug 11 (11) Aug 10 (6) Aug 09 (7) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (5) Aug 05 (7) Aug 04 (7) Aug 03 (4) Aug 02 (5) Aug 01 (5) Jul 31 (7) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (9) Jul 28 (8) Jul 27 (8) Jul 26 (7) Jul 25 (6) Jul 23 (8) Jul 22 (6) Jul 21 (5) Jul 20 (9) Jul 19 (5) Jul 18 (15) Jul 15 (14) Jul 14 (5) Jul 13 (6) Jul 12 (12) Jul 11 (8) Jul 10 (3) Jul 09 (11) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (7) Jul 06 (10) Jul 05 (4) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (5) Jul 02 (7) Jul 01 (8) Jun 30 (7) Jun 29 (10) Jun 28 (8) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (5) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (2) Jun 23 (11) Jun 22 (5) Jun 21 (7) Jun 20 (3) Jun 19 (7) Jun 18 (10) Jun 17 (11) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (7) Jun 13 (14) Jun 11 (6) Jun 10 (8) Jun 09 (9) Jun 08 (11) Jun 07 (14) Jun 06 (16) Jun 03 (8) Jun 02 (12) Jun 01 (5) May 31 (7) May 30 (15) May 28 (7) May 27 (5) May 26 (21) May 25 (14) May 24 (10) May 23 (7) May 22 (8) May 21 (11) May 20 (5) May 19 (4) May 18 (10) May 17 (11) May 16 (5) May 15 (6) May 14 (7) May 13 (12) May 12 (10) May 11 (7) May 10 (13) May 09 (4) May 08 (7) May 07 (3) May 06 (6) May 05 (9) May 04 (14) May 03 (7) May 02 (10) May 01 (10) Apr 30 (6) Apr 29 (9) Apr 28 (5) Apr 27 (9) Apr 26 (8) Apr 25 (8) Apr 24 (6) Apr 23 (14) Apr 22 (16) Apr 21 (11) Apr 20 (7) Apr 19 (16) Apr 18 (8) Apr 17 (7) Apr 16 (10) Apr 15 (8) Apr 14 (5) Apr 13 (11) Apr 12 (10) Apr 11 (8) Apr 10 (12) Apr 09 (5) Apr 08 (13) Apr 07 (9) Apr 06 (11) Apr 05 (15) Apr 04 (7) Apr 03 (15) Apr 02 (5) Apr 01 (11) Mar 31 (12) Mar 30 (10) Mar 29 (8) Mar 28 (7) Mar 27 (12) Mar 26 (8) Mar 25 (8) Mar 24 (7) Mar 23 (15) Mar 22 (17) Mar 21 (9) Mar 20 (8) Mar 19 (4) Mar 18 (16) Mar 17 (8) Mar 16 (19) Mar 15 (13) Mar 14 (7) Mar 13 (20) Mar 11 (5) Mar 10 (11) Mar 09 (13) Mar 08 (13) Mar 07 (7) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (9) Mar 04 (10) Mar 03 (16) Mar 02 (16) Mar 01 (13) Feb 29 (8) Feb 28 (6) Feb 27 (16) Feb 26 (10) Feb 25 (6) Feb 24 (12) Feb 23 (14) Feb 22 (9) Feb 21 (11) Feb 20 (8) Feb 19 (12) Feb 18 (12) Feb 17 (11) Feb 16 (8) Feb 15 (9) Feb 14 (7) Feb 13 (10) Feb 12 (11) Feb 11 (13) Feb 10 (5) Feb 09 (6) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (9) Feb 06 (13) Feb 05 (10) Feb 04 (11) Feb 03 (7) Feb 02 (19) Jan 31 (21) Jan 29 (11) Jan 28 (10) Jan 27 (13) Jan 26 (7) Jan 25 (5) Jan 24 (2) Jan 23 (8) Jan 22 (13) Jan 21 (11) Jan 20 (9) Jan 19 (13) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (11) Jan 15 (7) Jan 14 (13) Jan 13 (9) Jan 12 (9) Jan 11 (5) Jan 10 (8) Jan 09 (7) Jan 08 (7) Jan 07 (6) Jan 06 (11) Jan 05 (7) Jan 04 (7) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (8) Jan 01 (5) Dec 31 (10) Dec 30 (9) Dec 29 (7) Dec 28 (9) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (1) Dec 25 (5) Dec 24 (6) Dec 23 (6) Dec 22 (7) Dec 21 (6) Dec 20 (7) Dec 19 (13) Dec 18 (16) Dec 17 (10) Dec 16 (13) Dec 15 (11) Dec 14 (8) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (9) Dec 11 (10) Dec 10 (12) Dec 09 (10) Dec 08 (13) Dec 07 (7) Dec 06 (12) Dec 05 (8) Dec 04 (11) Dec 03 (12) Dec 02 (16) Dec 01 (14) Nov 30 (10) Nov 29 (11) Nov 28 (15) Nov 27 (16) Nov 26 (11) Nov 25 (9) Nov 24 (13) Nov 23 (10) Nov 22 (1) Nov 21 (7) Nov 20 (12) Nov 19 (10) Nov 18 (11) Nov 17 (11) Nov 16 (10) Nov 15 (3) Nov 14 (10) Nov 13 (14) Nov 12 (8) Nov 11 (13) Nov 10 (10) Nov 09 (6) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (11) Nov 06 (12) Nov 05 (17) Nov 04 (12) Nov 03 (11) Nov 02 (5) Nov 01 (12) Oct 31 (11) Oct 30 (11) Oct 29 (10) Oct 28 (18) Oct 27 (16) Oct 26 (11) Oct 25 (9) Oct 24 (12) Oct 23 (11) Oct 22 (14) Oct 21 (12) Oct 20 (17) Oct 19 (12) Oct 18 (13) Oct 17 (15) Oct 16 (14) Oct 15 (10) Oct 14 (16) Oct 13 (12) Oct 12 (13) Oct 11 (8) Oct 10 (12) Oct 09 (21) Oct 08 (22) Oct 07 (19) Oct 06 (18) Oct 05 (6) Oct 04 (17) Oct 03 (13) Oct 02 (14) Oct 01 (13) Sep 30 (14) Sep 29 (15) Sep 28 (12) Sep 27 (11) Sep 26 (15) Sep 25 (13) Sep 24 (9) Sep 23 (10) Sep 22 (12) Sep 21 (8) Sep 20 (4) Sep 19 (12) Sep 18 (12) Sep 17 (16) Sep 16 (21) Sep 15 (14) Sep 14 (7) Sep 13 (5) Sep 12 (10) Sep 11 (16) Sep 10 (7) Sep 09 (8) Sep 08 (10) Sep 07 (7) Sep 06 (5) Sep 05 (8) Sep 04 (9) Sep 03 (8) Sep 02 (11) Sep 01 (10) Aug 31 (4) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (1) Aug 28 (10) Aug 27 (8) Aug 26 (8) Aug 25 (14) Aug 24 (4) Aug 23 (3) Aug 22 (5) Aug 21 (13) Aug 20 (9) Aug 19 (13) Aug 18 (3) Aug 17 (3) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (6) Aug 14 (8) Aug 13 (7) Aug 12 (12) Aug 11 (9) Aug 10 (8) Aug 09 (14) Aug 08 (6) Aug 07 (1) Aug 06 (4) Aug 05 (8) Aug 04 (6) Aug 03 (6) Aug 02 (2) Aug 01 (6) Jul 31 (6) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (6) Jul 28 (8) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (6) Jul 23 (5) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (7) Jul 20 (5) Jul 18 (6) Jul 17 (5) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (9) Jul 14 (2) Jul 13 (8) Jul 12 (1) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (8) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (3) Jul 07 (13) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (5) Jul 03 (6) Jul 02 (6) Jul 01 (7) Jun 30 (7) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (1) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (7) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (6) Jun 23 (9) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (3) Jun 19 (4) Jun 18 (7) Jun 17 (7) Jun 16 (7) Jun 15 (11) Jun 12 (6) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (10) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (3) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (2) Jun 05 (9) Jun 04 (8) Jun 03 (9) Jun 02 (6) Jun 01 (4) May 30 (7) May 29 (9) May 28 (13) May 26 (8) May 25 (5) May 24 (2) May 23 (8) May 22 (9) May 21 (7) May 20 (4) May 19 (6) May 18 (7) May 17 (8) May 15 (9) May 14 (5) May 13 (8) May 12 (6) May 11 (6) May 09 (7) May 08 (6) May 07 (11) May 06 (7) May 05 (4) May 04 (11) May 03 (5) May 02 (4) May 01 (9) Apr 30 (6) Apr 29 (4) Apr 28 (9) Apr 27 (4) Apr 26 (3) Apr 25 (5) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (10) Apr 22 (8) Apr 21 (9) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (4) Apr 18 (8) Apr 17 (7) Apr 16 (4) Apr 15 (6) Apr 14 (8) Apr 13 (3) Apr 12 (6) Apr 10 (2) Apr 09 (4) Apr 08 (5) Apr 07 (5) Apr 06 (2) Apr 05 (2) Apr 04 (5) Apr 03 (7) Apr 02 (7) Apr 01 (12) Mar 31 (12) Mar 30 (3) Mar 29 (1) Mar 28 (2) Mar 27 (6) Mar 26 (2) Mar 25 (5) Mar 24 (4) Mar 23 (7) Mar 22 (4) Mar 21 (6) Mar 20 (9) Mar 19 (9) Mar 18 (8) Mar 17 (9) Mar 16 (7) Mar 15 (11) Mar 13 (5) Mar 12 (12) Mar 11 (9) Mar 10 (12) Mar 09 (4) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (5) Mar 05 (5) Mar 04 (6) Mar 03 (11) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (8) Feb 27 (9) Feb 26 (9) Feb 25 (8) Feb 24 (6) Feb 23 (4) Feb 22 (3) Feb 21 (6) Feb 20 (3) Feb 19 (10) Feb 18 (9) Feb 17 (7) Feb 16 (5) Feb 15 (2) Feb 14 (8) Feb 13 (12) Feb 12 (8) Feb 11 (10) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (6) Feb 08 (3) Feb 07 (2) Feb 06 (7) Feb 05 (4) Feb 04 (11) Feb 03 (5) Feb 02 (7) Feb 01 (4) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (8) Jan 29 (12) Jan 28 (6) Jan 27 (8) Jan 26 (13) Jan 24 (8) Jan 23 (12) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (10) Jan 20 (8) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (9) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (11) Jan 14 (4) Jan 13 (6) Jan 12 (7) Jan 11 (6) Jan 10 (2) Jan 09 (6) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (6) Jan 06 (4) Jan 05 (4) Jan 04 (3) Jan 03 (6) Jan 02 (2) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (6) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (6) Dec 28 (4) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (2) Dec 25 (3) Dec 24 (5) Dec 23 (7) Dec 22 (5) Dec 21 (4) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (5) Dec 18 (8) Dec 17 (5) Dec 16 (9) Dec 15 (7) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (10) Dec 12 (10) Dec 11 (9) Dec 10 (10) Dec 09 (11) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (9) Dec 04 (3) Dec 03 (8) Dec 02 (10) Dec 01 (6) Nov 30 (1) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (9) Nov 27 (3) Nov 26 (7) Nov 25 (12) Nov 24 (3) Nov 23 (8) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (3) Nov 20 (12) Nov 19 (6) Nov 18 (10) Nov 17 (12) Nov 16 (5) Nov 15 (5) Nov 14 (12) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (7) Nov 11 (8) Nov 10 (7) Nov 09 (6) Nov 08 (5) Nov 07 (5) Nov 06 (6) Nov 05 (12) Nov 04 (9) Nov 03 (6) Nov 02 (14) Nov 01 (3) Oct 31 (6) Oct 30 (7) Oct 29 (9) Oct 28 (9) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (6) Oct 25 (9) Oct 24 (8) Oct 23 (4) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (4) Oct 20 (2) Oct 19 (11) Oct 17 (6) Oct 16 (7) Oct 15 (7) Oct 14 (8) Oct 13 (5) Oct 12 (8) Oct 11 (6) Oct 10 (5) Oct 09 (11) Oct 08 (10) Oct 07 (8) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (7) Oct 04 (8) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (10) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (7) Sep 29 (6) Sep 28 (5) Sep 27 (8) Sep 26 (11) Sep 25 (11) Sep 24 (15) Sep 23 (8) Sep 22 (9) Sep 21 (4) Sep 20 (8) Sep 19 (9) Sep 18 (10) Sep 17 (10) Sep 16 (5) Sep 15 (5) Sep 14 (7) Sep 13 (5) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (8) Sep 10 (6) Sep 09 (7) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (2) Sep 06 (4) Sep 05 (7) Sep 04 (11) Sep 03 (7) Sep 02 (7) Sep 01 (2) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (1) Aug 29 (10) Aug 28 (5) Aug 27 (4) Aug 26 (10) Aug 25 (6) Aug 24 (9) Aug 22 (11) Aug 21 (8) Aug 20 (12) Aug 19 (8) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (4) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (6) Aug 14 (4) Aug 13 (7) Aug 12 (8) Aug 11 (7) Aug 10 (12) Aug 08 (5) Aug 07 (6) Aug 06 (6) Aug 05 (8) Aug 04 (5) Aug 03 (4) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (6) Jul 30 (12) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (5) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (7) Jul 24 (8) Jul 23 (8) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (8) Jul 20 (6) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (8) Jul 17 (2) Jul 16 (7) Jul 15 (6) Jul 14 (9) Jul 13 (10) Jul 11 (9) Jul 10 (8) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (7) Jul 07 (7) Jul 06 (7) Jul 05 (10) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (6) Jul 02 (6) Jul 01 (8) Jun 30 (5) Jun 29 (6) Jun 28 (1) Jun 27 (15) Jun 26 (10) Jun 25 (9) Jun 24 (16) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (12) Jun 20 (6) Jun 19 (8) Jun 18 (10) Jun 17 (6) Jun 16 (7) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (5) Jun 13 (13) Jun 12 (7) Jun 11 (14) Jun 10 (3) Jun 09 (2) Jun 08 (2) Jun 07 (7) Jun 06 (16) Jun 05 (7) Jun 04 (18) Jun 03 (12) Jun 02 (8) May 31 (3) May 30 (6) May 29 (6) May 28 (7) May 27 (4) May 26 (4) May 25 (6) May 23 (4) May 22 (8) May 21 (5) May 20 (6) May 19 (2) May 18 (9) May 17 (1) May 16 (5) May 15 (5) May 14 (7) May 13 (7) May 12 (7) May 11 (4) May 10 (4) May 09 (5) May 08 (10) May 07 (4) May 06 (13) May 05 (4) May 04 (10) May 02 (2) May 01 (5) Apr 30 (9) Apr 29 (6) Apr 28 (3) Apr 27 (4) Apr 26 (9) Apr 25 (9) Apr 24 (7) Apr 23 (11) Apr 22 (7) Apr 21 (3) Apr 20 (10) Apr 19 (6) Apr 18 (5) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (6) Apr 15 (7) Apr 14 (11) Apr 13 (4) Apr 12 (5) Apr 11 (9) Apr 10 (4) Apr 09 (6) Apr 08 (6) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (6) Apr 05 (10) Apr 03 (9) Apr 02 (9) Apr 01 (12) Mar 31 (4) Mar 30 (9) Mar 29 (10) Mar 28 (7) Mar 27 (8) Mar 26 (8) Mar 25 (15) Mar 24 (11) Mar 23 (8) Mar 22 (7) Mar 21 (14) Mar 20 (6) Mar 19 (11) Mar 18 (11) Mar 17 (12) Mar 16 (8) Mar 15 (8) Mar 14 (13) Mar 13 (8) Mar 12 (10) Mar 11 (8) Mar 10 (7) Mar 09 (3) Mar 08 (12) Mar 07 (15) Mar 06 (16) Mar 05 (9) Mar 04 (6) Mar 03 (12) Mar 02 (20) Feb 28 (11) Feb 27 (8) Feb 26 (11) Feb 25 (6) Feb 24 (14) Feb 23 (5) Feb 22 (6) Feb 21 (8) Feb 20 (11) Feb 19 (7) Feb 18 (4) Feb 17 (8) Feb 16 (11) Feb 15 (3) Feb 14 (10) Feb 13 (4) Feb 12 (10) Feb 11 (7) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (6) Feb 07 (5) Feb 06 (4) Feb 05 (10) Feb 04 (5) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (4) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (3) Jan 30 (5) Jan 29 (2) Jan 28 (6) Jan 27 (3) Jan 26 (2) Jan 25 (5) Jan 24 (7) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (5) Jan 20 (5) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (7) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (5) Jan 13 (4) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (3) Jan 10 (5) Jan 09 (6) Jan 08 (6) Jan 07 (3) Jan 06 (1) Jan 05 (4) Jan 04 (5) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (6) Jan 01 (2) Dec 31 (6) Dec 30 (1) Dec 29 (5) Dec 27 (1) Dec 26 (2) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (8) Dec 23 (2) Dec 22 (1) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (8) Dec 18 (3) Dec 17 (4) Dec 16 (3) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (4) Dec 11 (4) Dec 10 (7) Dec 09 (5) Dec 08 (2) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (10) Dec 04 (9) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (2) Dec 01 (8) Nov 29 (5) Nov 28 (7) Nov 27 (5) Nov 26 (9) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (5) Nov 23 (6) Nov 22 (5) Nov 21 (12) Nov 20 (12) Nov 19 (10) Nov 18 (4) Nov 17 (3) Nov 16 (8) Nov 15 (7) Nov 14 (7) Nov 13 (6) Nov 12 (12) Nov 11 (6) Nov 10 (3) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 (10) Nov 07 (5) Nov 06 (5) Nov 05 (9) Nov 04 (4) Nov 03 (4) Nov 02 (3) Nov 01 (3) Oct 31 (10) Oct 30 (4) Oct 29 (11) Oct 28 (3) Oct 27 (7) Oct 26 (7) Oct 25 (6) Oct 24 (7) Oct 23 (11) Oct 22 (2) Oct 21 (7) Oct 20 (4) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (7) Oct 17 (5) Oct 16 (8) Oct 15 (5) Oct 14 (5) Oct 13 (3) Oct 12 (7) Oct 11 (20) Oct 10 (2) Oct 09 (4) Oct 08 (21) Oct 07 (20) Oct 06 (34) Oct 04 (24) Oct 03 (21) Oct 02 (3) Oct 01 (7) Sep 30 (3) Sep 29 (5) Sep 28 (6) Sep 27 (5) Sep 26 (6) Sep 25 (5) Sep 24 (2) Sep 23 (8) Sep 22 (4) Sep 21 (3) Sep 20 (9) Sep 19 (11) Sep 18 (5) Sep 17 (7) Sep 16 (6) Sep 15 (3) Sep 14 (7) Sep 13 (8) Sep 12 (11) Sep 11 (7) Sep 10 (6) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (3) Sep 07 (6) Sep 06 (10) Sep 05 (7) Sep 04 (7) Sep 03 (5) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (8) Aug 31 (5) Aug 30 (7) Aug 29 (10) Aug 28 (7) Aug 27 (6) Aug 26 (6) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (8) Aug 23 (6) Aug 22 (6) Aug 21 (8) Aug 20 (8) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (2) Aug 17 (5) Aug 16 (7) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (4) Aug 12 (6) Aug 11 (6) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (8) Aug 08 (6) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (6) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (12) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (4) Aug 01 (10) Jul 31 (3) Jul 30 (7) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (6) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (5) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (7) Jul 23 (10) Jul 22 (8) Jul 21 (5) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (7) Jul 18 (9) Jul 17 (10) Jul 16 (11) Jul 15 (5) Jul 13 (5) Jul 12 (9) Jul 11 (11) Jul 10 (12) Jul 09 (6) Jul 08 (5) Jul 07 (8) Jul 06 (9) Jul 05 (10) Jul 04 (8) Jul 03 (10) Jul 02 (12) Jul 01 (8) Jun 30 (5) Jun 29 (6) Jun 28 (23) Jun 27 (18) Jun 26 (12) Jun 25 (14) Jun 24 (15) Jun 23 (11) Jun 22 (11) Jun 21 (15) Jun 20 (9) Jun 19 (8) Jun 18 (11) Jun 17 (7) Jun 16 (6) Jun 15 (6) Jun 14 (6) Jun 13 (5) Jun 12 (6) Jun 11 (9) Jun 10 (10) Jun 09 (9) Jun 08 (6) Jun 07 (2) Jun 06 (6) Jun 05 (4) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (4) Jun 02 (3) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (3) May 30 (5) May 29 (8) May 28 (7) May 27 (2) May 26 (2) May 25 (8) May 24 (7) May 23 (6) May 22 (9) May 21 (6) May 20 (5) May 19 (6) May 18 (9) May 17 (10) May 16 (11) May 15 (5) May 14 (11) May 13 (6) May 12 (7) May 11 (7) May 10 (5) May 09 (3) May 08 (10) May 07 (8) May 06 (11) May 05 (5) May 04 (9) May 03 (3) May 02 (2) May 01 (5) Apr 30 (5) Apr 29 (8) Apr 28 (6) Apr 27 (4) Apr 26 (9) Apr 25 (11) Apr 24 (4) Apr 23 (11) Apr 22 (7) Apr 21 (5) Apr 20 (7) Apr 19 (10) Apr 18 (8) Apr 17 (10) Apr 16 (8) Apr 15 (4) Apr 14 (5) Apr 13 (7) Apr 12 (11) Apr 11 (6) Apr 10 (7) Apr 09 (6) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (9) Apr 05 (10) Apr 04 (7) Apr 03 (2) Apr 02 (6) Apr 01 (4) Mar 31 (3) Mar 30 (4) Mar 29 (3) Mar 28 (5) Mar 27 (10) Mar 26 (5) Mar 25 (4) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (7) Mar 22 (6) Mar 21 (9) Mar 20 (5) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (9) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (8) Mar 15 (10) Mar 14 (9) Mar 13 (10) Mar 12 (10) Mar 11 (2) Mar 10 (1) Mar 09 (6) Mar 08 (4) Mar 07 (4) Mar 06 (3) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (7) Mar 03 (6) Mar 02 (8) Mar 01 (9) Feb 28 (6) Feb 27 (3) Feb 26 (8) Feb 25 (7) Feb 24 (3) Feb 23 (4) Feb 22 (4) Feb 21 (7) Feb 20 (4) Feb 19 (4) Feb 18 (2) Feb 17 (1) Feb 16 (6) Feb 15 (6) Feb 14 (5) Feb 13 (4) Feb 12 (7) Feb 11 (2) Feb 10 (2) Feb 09 (5) Feb 08 (5) Feb 07 (9) Feb 06 (4) Feb 05 (9) Feb 04 (3) Feb 03 (3) Feb 02 (10) Feb 01 (9) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (8) Jan 29 (5) Jan 28 (3) Jan 27 (4) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (6) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (7) Jan 18 (3) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (8) Jan 15 (7) Jan 14 (9) Jan 13 (1) Jan 12 (7) Jan 11 (1) Jan 10 (3) Jan 09 (3) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (4) Jan 06 (2) Jan 05 (3) Jan 04 (5) Jan 03 (4) Jan 02 (4) Jan 01 (4) Dec 31 (3) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (5) Dec 28 (8) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (2) Dec 24 (4) Dec 23 (4) Dec 22 (7) Dec 21 (5) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (6) Dec 17 (4) Dec 16 (5) Dec 15 (5) Dec 14 (8) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (6) Dec 11 (8) Dec 10 (5) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (4) Dec 07 (7) Dec 06 (7) Dec 05 (6) Dec 04 (6) Dec 03 (7) Dec 02 (1) Dec 01 (6) Nov 30 (2) Nov 29 (8) Nov 28 (16) Nov 27 (7) Nov 26 (5) Nov 25 (2) Nov 24 (6) Nov 23 (5) Nov 22 (5) Nov 21 (5) Nov 20 (15) Nov 19 (8) Nov 18 (2) Nov 17 (3) Nov 16 (5) Nov 15 (7) Nov 14 (6) Nov 13 (9) Nov 12 (7) Nov 11 (8) Nov 10 (3) Nov 09 (5) Nov 08 (8) Nov 07 (9) Nov 06 (9) Nov 05 (1) Nov 04 (4) Nov 03 (8) Nov 02 (6) Nov 01 (3) Oct 31 (6) Oct 30 (7) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (3) Oct 27 (4) Oct 26 (4) Oct 25 (8) Oct 24 (4) Oct 23 (1) Oct 22 (6) Oct 21 (1) Oct 20 (8) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (10) Oct 17 (6) Oct 16 (15) Oct 15 (4) Oct 14 (5) Oct 13 (3) Oct 12 (9) Oct 11 (7) Oct 10 (1) Oct 09 (5) Oct 08 (7) Oct 07 (3) Oct 06 (8) Oct 05 (5) Oct 04 (3) Oct 03 (7) Oct 02 (6) Oct 01 (6) Sep 30 (8) Sep 29 (6) Sep 28 (13) Sep 27 (10) Sep 26 (8) Sep 25 (8) Sep 24 (8) Sep 23 (3) Sep 22 (7) Sep 21 (9) Sep 20 (7) Sep 19 (8) Sep 18 (4) Sep 17 (3) Sep 16 (4) Sep 15 (8) Sep 14 (5) Sep 13 (7) Sep 12 (7) Sep 11 (9) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (10) Sep 08 (4) Sep 07 (12) Sep 06 (13) Sep 05 (15) Sep 04 (5) Sep 03 (4) Sep 02 (6) Sep 01 (9) Aug 31 (7) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (8) Aug 28 (11) Aug 27 (2) Aug 26 (6) Aug 25 (15) Aug 24 (6) Aug 23 (8) Aug 22 (5) Aug 21 (6) Aug 20 (7) Aug 19 (2) Aug 18 (5) Aug 17 (5) Aug 16 (11) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (9) Aug 12 (4) Aug 11 (5) Aug 10 (6) Aug 09 (5) Aug 08 (7) Aug 07 (9) Aug 06 (4) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (4) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (9) Aug 01 (10) Jul 31 (11) Jul 30 (4) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (11) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (7) Jul 25 (7) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (8) Jul 22 (5) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (10) Jul 19 (6) Jul 18 (9) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (7) Jul 15 (6) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (7) Jul 12 (8) Jul 11 (6) Jul 10 (14) Jul 09 (6) Jul 08 (5) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (9) Jul 05 (8) Jul 04 (5) Jul 03 (8) Jul 02 (5) Jul 01 (5) Jun 30 (6) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (3) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (8) Jun 25 (3) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (14) Jun 22 (11) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (8) Jun 19 (7) Jun 18 (4) Jun 17 (3) Jun 16 (12) Jun 15 (12) Jun 14 (10) Jun 13 (10) Jun 12 (9) Jun 11 (6) Jun 10 (12) Jun 09 (4) Jun 08 (3) Jun 07 (12) Jun 06 (6) Jun 05 (7) Jun 04 (6) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (4) Jun 01 (8) May 31 (4) May 30 (3) May 29 (8) May 28 (7) May 27 (4) May 26 (3) May 25 (5) May 24 (9) May 23 (16) May 22 (12) May 21 (11) May 20 (7) May 19 (10) May 18 (8) May 17 (8) May 16 (10) May 15 (8) May 14 (5) May 13 (1) May 12 (6) May 11 (9) May 10 (9) May 09 (10) May 08 (9) May 07 (6) May 06 (5) May 05 (7) May 04 (10) May 03 (7) May 02 (9) May 01 (10) Apr 30 (4) Apr 29 (9) Apr 28 (12) Apr 27 (9) Apr 26 (4) Apr 25 (5) Apr 24 (9) Apr 23 (4) Apr 22 (7) Apr 21 (8) Apr 20 (9) Apr 19 (6) Apr 18 (4) Apr 17 (2) Apr 16 (4) Apr 15 (10) Apr 14 (7) Apr 13 (5) Apr 12 (7) Apr 11 (7) Apr 10 (7) Apr 09 (6) Apr 08 (7) Apr 07 (10) Apr 06 (8) Apr 05 (8) Apr 04 (9) Apr 03 (6) Apr 02 (4) Apr 01 (4) Mar 31 (11) Mar 30 (12) Mar 29 (16) Mar 28 (8) Mar 27 (10) Mar 26 (12) Mar 25 (6) Mar 24 (9) Mar 23 (3) Mar 22 (12) Mar 21 (12) Mar 20 (14) Mar 19 (8) Mar 18 (7) Mar 17 (8) Mar 16 (4) Mar 15 (10) Mar 14 (9) Mar 13 (9) Mar 12 (6) Mar 11 (5) Mar 10 (13) Mar 09 (8) Mar 08 (10) Mar 07 (12) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (2) Mar 03 (3) Mar 02 (12) Mar 01 (8) Feb 29 (11) Feb 28 (5) Feb 27 (3) Feb 26 (13) Feb 25 (10) Feb 24 (13) Feb 23 (10) Feb 22 (9) Feb 21 (18) Feb 20 (6) Feb 19 (7) Feb 18 (9) Feb 17 (5) Feb 16 (9) Feb 15 (7) Feb 14 (6) Feb 13 (5) Feb 12 (6) Feb 11 (4) Feb 10 (8) Feb 09 (5) Feb 08 (8) Feb 07 (10) Feb 06 (7) Feb 05 (7) Feb 04 (5) Feb 03 (11) Feb 02 (4) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (12) Jan 30 (7) Jan 29 (7) Jan 28 (7) Jan 27 (12) Jan 26 (7) Jan 25 (11) Jan 24 (4) Jan 23 (6) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (12) Jan 20 (11) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (6) Jan 17 (11) Jan 16 (9) Jan 15 (4) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (6) Jan 12 (9) Jan 11 (9) Jan 10 (10) Jan 09 (5) Jan 08 (10) Jan 07 (5) Jan 06 (6) Jan 05 (8) Jan 04 (5) Jan 03 (8) Jan 02 (7) Jan 01 (7) Dec 31 (10) Dec 30 (11) Dec 29 (6) Dec 28 (5) Dec 27 (10) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (5) Dec 24 (7) Dec 23 (2) Dec 22 (9) Dec 21 (8) Dec 20 (8) Dec 19 (5) Dec 18 (1) Dec 17 (5) Dec 16 (6) Dec 15 (5) Dec 14 (13) Dec 13 (8) Dec 12 (7) Dec 11 (9) Dec 10 (12) Dec 09 (7) Dec 08 (11) Dec 07 (9) Dec 06 (11) Dec 05 (10) Dec 04 (6) Dec 03 (8) Dec 02 (6) Dec 01 (14) Nov 30 (7) Nov 29 (8) Nov 28 (8) Nov 27 (6) Nov 26 (9) Nov 25 (10) Nov 24 (12) Nov 23 (10) Nov 22 (10) Nov 21 (10) Nov 20 (4) Nov 19 (4) Nov 18 (8) Nov 17 (9) Nov 16 (9) Nov 15 (12) Nov 14 (6) Nov 13 (9) Nov 12 (3) Nov 11 (9) Nov 10 (10) Nov 09 (10) Nov 08 (7) Nov 07 (8) Nov 06 (10) Nov 05 (8) Nov 04 (7) Nov 03 (10) Nov 02 (11) Nov 01 (10) Oct 31 (5) Oct 30 (8) Oct 29 (8) Oct 28 (8) Oct 27 (11) Oct 26 (6) Oct 25 (9) Oct 24 (10) Oct 23 (5) Oct 22 (14) Oct 21 (10) Oct 20 (8) Oct 19 (11) Oct 18 (13) Oct 17 (7) Oct 16 (6) Oct 15 (9) Oct 14 (7) Oct 13 (12) Oct 12 (13) Oct 11 (9) Oct 10 (8) Oct 09 (9) Oct 08 (7) Oct 07 (12) Oct 06 (8) Oct 05 (13) Oct 04 (11) Oct 03 (7) Oct 02 (5) Oct 01 (14) Sep 30 (12) Sep 29 (12) Sep 28 (11) Sep 27 (11) Sep 26 (7) Sep 25 (10) Sep 24 (3) Sep 23 (7) Sep 22 (8) Sep 21 (8) Sep 20 (8) Sep 19 (7) Sep 18 (5) Sep 17 (14) Sep 16 (7) Sep 15 (11) Sep 14 (13) Sep 13 (11) Sep 12 (9) Sep 11 (5) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (13) Sep 08 (11) Sep 07 (11) Sep 06 (16) Sep 05 (1) Sep 04 (10) Sep 03 (8) Sep 02 (8) Sep 01 (7) Aug 31 (1) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (2) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (6) Aug 26 (8) Aug 25 (5) Aug 24 (5) Aug 23 (6) Aug 22 (7) Aug 21 (6) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (9) Aug 18 (7) Aug 17 (7) Aug 16 (10) Aug 15 (2) Aug 14 (5) Aug 13 (5) Aug 12 (10) Aug 11 (5) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (8) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (5) Aug 06 (12) Aug 05 (5) Aug 04 (7) Aug 03 (6) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (14) Jul 31 (7) Jul 30 (7) Jul 29 (13) Jul 28 (10) Jul 27 (6) Jul 26 (7) Jul 25 (7) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (12) Jul 22 (14) Jul 21 (6) Jul 20 (9) Jul 19 (12) Jul 18 (9) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (6) Jul 15 (8) Jul 14 (15) Jul 13 (8) Jul 12 (10) Jul 11 (6) Jul 10 (6) Jul 09 (6) Jul 08 (6) Jul 07 (9) Jul 06 (15) Jul 05 (6) Jul 04 (10) Jul 03 (6) Jul 02 (6) Jul 01 (11) Jun 30 (7) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (8) Jun 27 (8) Jun 26 (5) Jun 25 (11) Jun 24 (9) Jun 23 (10) Jun 22 (8) Jun 21 (8) Jun 20 (6) Jun 19 (5) Jun 18 (15) Jun 17 (8) Jun 16 (13) Jun 15 (15) Jun 14 (11) Jun 13 (6) Jun 12 (15) Jun 11 (7) Jun 10 (7) Jun 09 (18) Jun 08 (20) Jun 07 (17) Jun 06 (9) Jun 05 (9) Jun 04 (12) Jun 03 (13) Jun 02 (14) Jun 01 (8) May 31 (13) May 30 (8) May 29 (6) May 28 (8) May 27 (17) May 26 (8) May 25 (13) May 24 (12) May 23 (9) May 22 (4) May 21 (4) May 20 (11) May 19 (14) May 18 (6) May 17 (10) May 16 (4) May 15 (5) May 14 (28) May 12 (9) May 11 (17) May 10 (15) May 09 (12) May 08 (5) May 07 (4) May 06 (10) May 05 (8) May 04 (10) May 03 (5) May 02 (6) May 01 (8) Apr 30 (8) Apr 29 (12) Apr 28 (6) Apr 27 (11) Apr 26 (12) Apr 25 (6) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (5) Apr 22 (10) Apr 21 (19) Apr 20 (13) Apr 19 (11) Apr 18 (11) Apr 17 (5) Apr 16 (12) Apr 15 (11) Apr 14 (17) Apr 13 (6) Apr 12 (16) Apr 11 (10) Apr 10 (1) Apr 09 (18) Apr 08 (14) Apr 07 (6) Apr 06 (10) Apr 05 (21) Apr 04 (12) Apr 03 (4) Apr 02 (13) Apr 01 (8) Mar 31 (10) Mar 30 (11) Mar 29 (10) Mar 28 (8) Mar 27 (6) Mar 26 (12) Mar 25 (15) Mar 24 (10) Mar 23 (12) Mar 22 (12) Mar 21 (8) Mar 20 (4) Mar 19 (11) Mar 18 (7) Mar 17 (7) Mar 16 (9) Mar 15 (10) Mar 14 (4) Mar 13 (2) Mar 12 (14) Mar 11 (13) Mar 10 (7) Mar 09 (9) Mar 08 (17) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (7) Mar 05 (13) Mar 04 (10) Mar 03 (14) Mar 02 (12) Mar 01 (18) Feb 28 (8) Feb 27 (2) Feb 26 (9) Feb 25 (13) Feb 24 (17) Feb 23 (13) Feb 22 (12) Feb 21 (11) Feb 20 (11) Feb 19 (16) Feb 18 (17) Feb 17 (15) Feb 16 (15) Feb 15 (15) Feb 14 (10) Feb 13 (8) Feb 12 (10) Feb 11 (15) Feb 10 (11) Feb 09 (13) Feb 08 (10) Feb 07 (9) Feb 06 (6) Feb 05 (15) Feb 04 (15) Feb 03 (11) Feb 02 (14) Feb 01 (15) Jan 31 (11) Jan 30 (9) Jan 29 (19) Jan 28 (9) Jan 27 (9) Jan 26 (16) Jan 25 (19) Jan 24 (17) Jan 23 (8) Jan 22 (15) Jan 21 (9) Jan 20 (11) Jan 19 (7) Jan 18 (9) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (7) Jan 15 (12) Jan 14 (9) Jan 13 (14) Jan 12 (11) Jan 11 (13) Jan 10 (8) Jan 09 (8) Jan 08 (20) Jan 07 (11) Jan 06 (11) Jan 05 (8) Jan 04 (14) Jan 03 (6) Jan 02 (7) Jan 01 (7) Dec 31 (14) Dec 30 (15) Dec 29 (7) Dec 28 (10) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (3) Dec 25 (11) Dec 24 (9) Dec 23 (9) Dec 22 (15) Dec 21 (12) Dec 20 (11) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (16) Dec 17 (6) Dec 16 (12) Dec 15 (14) Dec 14 (11) Dec 13 (10) Dec 12 (6) Dec 11 (10) Dec 10 (17) Dec 09 (11) Dec 08 (12) Dec 07 (16) Dec 06 (11) Dec 05 (5) Dec 04 (12) Dec 03 (15) Dec 02 (15) Dec 01 (12) Nov 30 (16) Nov 29 (7) Nov 28 (11) Nov 27 (13) Nov 26 (13) Nov 25 (16) Nov 24 (15) Nov 23 (10) Nov 22 (10) Nov 21 (4) Nov 20 (8) Nov 19 (9) Nov 18 (16) Nov 17 (11) Nov 16 (11) Nov 15 (10) Nov 14 (9) Nov 13 (6) Nov 12 (10) Nov 11 (12) Nov 10 (15) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (10) Nov 07 (6) Nov 06 (7) Nov 05 (12) Nov 04 (14) Nov 03 (10) Nov 02 (13) Nov 01 (9) Oct 31 (9) Oct 30 (11) Oct 29 (18) Oct 28 (13) Oct 27 (23) Oct 26 (12) Oct 25 (14) Oct 24 (20) Oct 22 (18) Oct 21 (18) Oct 20 (19) Oct 19 (12) Oct 18 (11) Oct 17 (5) Oct 16 (18) Oct 15 (8) Oct 14 (11) Oct 13 (9) Oct 12 (13) Oct 11 (6) Oct 10 (7) Oct 09 (27) Oct 08 (14) Oct 07 (10) Oct 06 (9) Oct 05 (7) Oct 04 (10) Oct 03 (6) Oct 02 (9) Oct 01 (13) Sep 30 (12) Sep 29 (13) Sep 28 (8) Sep 27 (9) Sep 26 (8) Sep 25 (14) Sep 24 (4) Sep 23 (14) Sep 22 (20) Sep 21 (11) Sep 20 (6) Sep 19 (9) Sep 18 (14) Sep 17 (8) Sep 16 (17) Sep 15 (6) Sep 14 (11) Sep 13 (9) Sep 12 (4) Sep 11 (7) Sep 10 (14) Sep 09 (12) Sep 08 (17) Sep 07 (12) Sep 06 (13) Sep 05 (9) Sep 04 (20) Sep 03 (16) Sep 02 (16) Sep 01 (10) Aug 31 (13) Aug 30 (4) Aug 29 (9) Aug 28 (6) Aug 27 (8) Aug 26 (11) Aug 25 (10) Aug 24 (14) Aug 23 (12) Aug 22 (13) Aug 21 (10) Aug 20 (13) Aug 19 (15) Aug 18 (8) Aug 17 (10) Aug 16 (8) Aug 15 (3) Aug 14 (11) Aug 13 (12) Aug 12 (15) Aug 11 (10) Aug 10 (17) Aug 09 (6) Aug 08 (13) Aug 07 (11) Aug 06 (13) Aug 05 (11) Aug 04 (11) Aug 03 (10) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (6) Jul 31 (10) Jul 30 (21) Jul 29 (14) Jul 28 (13) Jul 27 (16) Jul 26 (10) Jul 25 (15) Jul 24 (17) Jul 23 (15) Jul 22 (15) Jul 21 (19) Jul 20 (17) Jul 19 (9) Jul 18 (7) Jul 17 (26) Jul 16 (18) Jul 15 (20) Jul 14 (16) Jul 13 (19) Jul 12 (11) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (13) Jul 09 (11) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (12) Jul 06 (16) Jul 05 (9) Jul 04 (5) Jul 03 (15) Jul 02 (11) Jul 01 (14) Jun 30 (13) Jun 29 (19) Jun 28 (8) Jun 27 (9) Jun 26 (16) Jun 25 (22) Jun 24 (17) Jun 23 (11) Jun 22 (15) Jun 21 (14) Jun 20 (8) Jun 19 (17) Jun 18 (10) Jun 17 (10) Jun 16 (17) Jun 15 (13) Jun 14 (14) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (13) Jun 11 (15) Jun 10 (25) Jun 09 (10) Jun 08 (23) Jun 07 (14) Jun 06 (20) Jun 05 (10) Jun 04 (11) Jun 03 (12) Jun 02 (21) Jun 01 (14) May 31 (10) May 30 (14) May 29 (8) May 28 (23) May 27 (20) May 26 (16) May 25 (13) May 24 (12) May 23 (10) May 22 (18) May 21 (14) May 20 (12) May 19 (18) May 18 (14) May 17 (13) May 16 (4) May 15 (7) May 14 (16) May 13 (13) May 12 (8) May 11 (18) May 10 (8) May 09 (7) May 08 (13) May 07 (11) May 06 (15) May 05 (18) May 04 (17) May 03 (7) May 02 (5) May 01 (11) Apr 30 (19) Apr 29 (21) Apr 28 (18) Apr 27 (16) Apr 26 (8) Apr 25 (11) Apr 24 (9) Apr 23 (20) Apr 22 (23) Apr 21 (5) Apr 20 (16) Apr 19 (13) Apr 18 (6) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (16) Apr 15 (18) Apr 14 (13) Apr 13 (14) Apr 12 (9) Apr 11 (3) Apr 10 (16) Apr 09 (14) Apr 08 (12) Apr 07 (18) Apr 06 (7) Apr 05 (11) Apr 04 (9) Apr 03 (19) Apr 02 (17) Apr 01 (16) Mar 31 (16) Mar 30 (22) Mar 29 (16) Mar 28 (16) Mar 27 (19) Mar 26 (31) Mar 25 (25) Mar 24 (26) Mar 23 (27) Mar 22 (22) Mar 21 (22) Mar 20 (13) Mar 19 (21) Mar 18 (20) Mar 17 (24) Mar 16 (18) Mar 15 (9) Mar 14 (9) Mar 13 (29) Mar 12 (15) Mar 11 (11) Mar 10 (11) Mar 09 (20) Mar 08 (12) Mar 07 (6) Mar 06 (21) Mar 05 (22) Mar 04 (19) Mar 03 (9) Mar 02 (20) Mar 01 (11) Feb 28 (11) Feb 27 (27) Feb 26 (15) Feb 25 (18) Feb 24 (17) Feb 23 (19) Feb 22 (24) Feb 21 (10) Feb 20 (14) Feb 19 (25) Feb 18 (16) Feb 17 (19) Feb 16 (23) Feb 15 (8) Feb 14 (11) Feb 13 (25) Feb 12 (16) Feb 11 (12) Feb 10 (18) Feb 09 (12) Feb 08 (14) Feb 07 (8) Feb 06 (27) Feb 05 (28) Feb 04 (24) Feb 03 (17) Feb 02 (20) Feb 01 (23) Jan 31 (16) Jan 30 (20) Jan 29 (26) Jan 28 (17) Jan 27 (21) Jan 26 (24) Jan 25 (16) Jan 24 (14) Jan 23 (16) Jan 22 (17) Jan 21 (19) Jan 20 (21) Jan 19 (17) Jan 18 (13) Jan 17 (14) Jan 16 (10) Jan 15 (21) Jan 14 (16) Jan 13 (19) Jan 12 (30) Jan 11 (14) Jan 10 (11) Jan 09 (8) Jan 08 (23) Jan 07 (13) Jan 06 (21) Jan 05 (15) Jan 04 (18) Jan 03 (9) Jan 02 (12) Jan 01 (15) Dec 31 (18) Dec 30 (7) Dec 29 (13) Dec 28 (11) Dec 27 (8) Dec 26 (6) Dec 25 (8) Dec 24 (28) Dec 23 (12) Dec 22 (12) Dec 21 (17) Dec 20 (19) Dec 19 (19) Dec 18 (22) Dec 17 (24) Dec 16 (17) Dec 15 (29) Dec 14 (22) Dec 13 (12) Dec 12 (22) Dec 11 (24) Dec 10 (25) Dec 09 (18) Dec 08 (15) Dec 07 (21) Dec 06 (24) Dec 05 (30) Dec 04 (28) Dec 03 (26) Dec 02 (22) Dec 01 (33) Nov 30 (23) Nov 29 (9) Nov 28 (18) Nov 27 (25) Nov 26 (17) Nov 25 (23) Nov 24 (27) Nov 23 (12) Nov 22 (10) Nov 21 (15) Nov 20 (23) Nov 19 (23) Nov 18 (24) Nov 17 (21) Nov 16 (20) Nov 15 (13) Nov 14 (15) Nov 13 (27) Nov 12 (23) Nov 11 (19) Nov 10 (21) Nov 09 (13) Nov 08 (16) Nov 07 (16) Nov 06 (32) Nov 05 (24) Nov 04 (20) Nov 03 (29) Nov 02 (12) Nov 01 (15) Oct 31 (20) Oct 30 (22) Oct 29 (27) Oct 28 (20) Oct 27 (23) Oct 26 (21) Oct 25 (15) Oct 24 (23) Oct 23 (26) Oct 22 (27) Oct 21 (28) Oct 20 (24) Oct 19 (13) Oct 18 (9) Oct 17 (30) Oct 16 (8) Oct 15 (20) Oct 14 (14) Oct 13 (17) Oct 12 (16) Oct 11 (8) Oct 10 (19) Oct 09 (22) Oct 08 (16) Oct 07 (18) Oct 06 (23) Oct 05 (7) Oct 04 (15) Oct 03 (21) Oct 02 (17) Oct 01 (22) Sep 30 (25) Sep 29 (20) Sep 28 (17) Sep 27 (13) Sep 26 (20) Sep 25 (15) Sep 24 (24) Sep 23 (23) Sep 22 (18) Sep 21 (20) Sep 20 (11) Sep 19 (24) Sep 18 (25) Sep 17 (25) Sep 16 (19) Sep 15 (21) Sep 14 (15) Sep 13 (10) Sep 12 (23) Sep 11 (23) Sep 10 (25) Sep 09 (25) Sep 08 (17) Sep 07 (3) Sep 06 (17) Sep 05 (14) Sep 04 (24) Sep 03 (16) Sep 02 (11) Sep 01 (19) Aug 31 (20) Aug 30 (11) Aug 29 (24) Aug 28 (24) Aug 27 (16) Aug 26 (26) Aug 25 (21) Aug 24 (15) Aug 23 (19) Aug 22 (15) Aug 21 (25) Aug 20 (27) Aug 19 (19) Aug 18 (24) Aug 17 (14) Aug 16 (10) Aug 15 (15) Aug 14 (16) Aug 13 (21) Aug 12 (30) Aug 11 (19) Aug 10 (8) Aug 09 (12) Aug 08 (17) Aug 07 (21) Aug 06 (26) Aug 05 (23) Aug 04 (21) Aug 03 (12) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (19) Jul 31 (21) Jul 30 (25) Jul 29 (29) Jul 28 (23) Jul 27 (17) Jul 26 (11) Jul 25 (21) Jul 24 (14) Jul 23 (15) Jul 22 (19) Jul 21 (15) Jul 20 (9) Jul 19 (10) Jul 18 (15) Jul 17 (22) Jul 16 (18) Jul 15 (21) Jul 14 (20) Jul 13 (7) Jul 12 (9) Jul 11 (29) Jul 10 (19) Jul 09 (17) Jul 08 (26) Jul 07 (21) Jul 06 (18) Jul 05 (14) Jul 04 (20) Jul 03 (17) Jul 02 (24) Jul 01 (23) Jun 30 (23) Jun 29 (18) Jun 28 (16) Jun 27 (16) Jun 26 (17) Jun 25 (23) Jun 24 (32) Jun 23 (29) Jun 22 (8) Jun 21 (17) Jun 20 (25) Jun 19 (28) Jun 18 (19) Jun 17 (25) Jun 16 (23) Jun 15 (9) Jun 14 (11) Jun 13 (14) Jun 12 (22) Jun 11 (19) Jun 10 (17) Jun 09 (15) Jun 08 (16) Jun 07 (7) Jun 06 (29) Jun 05 (27) Jun 04 (24) Jun 03 (22) Jun 02 (22) Jun 01 (13) May 31 (9) May 30 (26) May 29 (19) May 28 (15) May 27 (15) May 26 (23) May 25 (13) May 24 (12) May 23 (24) May 22 (13) May 21 (21) May 20 (18) May 19 (16) May 18 (7) May 17 (12) May 16 (25) May 15 (24) May 14 (23) May 13 (19) May 12 (17) May 11 (8) May 10 (6) May 09 (14) May 08 (21) May 07 (26) May 06 (14) May 05 (14) May 04 (3) May 03 (3) May 02 (24) May 01 (13) Apr 30 (15) Apr 29 (24) Apr 28 (24) Apr 27 (11) Apr 26 (8) Apr 25 (13) Apr 24 (27) Apr 23 (15) Apr 22 (21) Apr 21 (19) Apr 20 (17) Apr 19 (8) Apr 18 (20) Apr 17 (27) Apr 16 (27) Apr 15 (21) Apr 14 (8) Apr 13 (8) Apr 12 (7) Apr 11 (7) Apr 10 (22) Apr 09 (15) Apr 08 (15) Apr 07 (17) Apr 06 (14) Apr 05 (5) Apr 04 (12) Apr 03 (19) Apr 02 (17) Apr 01 (19) Mar 31 (25) Mar 30 (13) Mar 29 (9) Mar 28 (16) Mar 27 (23) Mar 26 (22) Mar 25 (17) Mar 24 (25) Mar 23 (16) Mar 22 (13) Mar 21 (24) Mar 20 (27) Mar 19 (20) Mar 18 (24) Mar 17 (17) Mar 16 (11) Mar 15 (6) Mar 14 (20) Mar 13 (28) Mar 12 (30) Mar 11 (20) Mar 10 (21) Mar 09 (12) Mar 08 (8) Mar 07 (17) Mar 06 (20) Mar 05 (19) Mar 04 (15) Mar 03 (17) Mar 02 (8) Mar 01 (12) Feb 28 (16) Feb 27 (17) Feb 26 (8) Feb 25 (23) Feb 24 (15) Feb 23 (8) Feb 22 (10) Feb 21 (24) Feb 20 (14) Feb 19 (24) Feb 18 (19) Feb 17 (27) Feb 16 (13) Feb 15 (11) Feb 14 (15) Feb 13 (13) Feb 12 (13) Feb 11 (21) Feb 10 (16) Feb 09 (15) Feb 08 (10) Feb 07 (17) Feb 06 (21) Feb 05 (17) Feb 04 (14) Feb 03 (23) Feb 02 (5) Feb 01 (8) Jan 31 (17) Jan 30 (22) Jan 29 (23) Jan 28 (10) Jan 27 (24) Jan 26 (12) Jan 25 (9) Jan 24 (12) Jan 23 (19) Jan 22 (19) Jan 21 (14) Jan 20 (21) Jan 19 (12) Jan 18 (8) Jan 17 (20) Jan 16 (14) Jan 15 (23) Jan 14 (8) Jan 13 (20) Jan 12 (9) Jan 11 (7) Jan 10 (18) Jan 09 (11) Jan 08 (18) Jan 07 (13) Jan 06 (12) Jan 05 (12) Jan 04 (11) Jan 03 (10) Jan 02 (9) Jan 01 (9) Dec 31 (12) Dec 30 (11) Dec 29 (6) Dec 28 (9) Dec 27 (13) Dec 26 (15) Dec 25 (8) Dec 24 (6) Dec 23 (8) Dec 22 (5) Dec 21 (6) Dec 20 (14) Dec 19 (17) Dec 18 (14) Dec 17 (14) Dec 16 (13) Dec 15 (9) Dec 14 (9) Dec 13 (11) Dec 12 (16) Dec 11 (18) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (24) Dec 08 (11) Dec 07 (19) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (26) Dec 04 (15) Dec 03 (20) Dec 02 (17) Dec 01 (11) Nov 30 (10) Nov 29 (18) Nov 28 (21) Nov 27 (10) Nov 26 (22) Nov 25 (16) Nov 24 (12) Nov 23 (8) Nov 22 (18) Nov 21 (9) Nov 20 (17) Nov 19 (16) Nov 18 (16) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (9) Nov 15 (21) Nov 14 (17) Nov 13 (20) Nov 12 (16) Nov 11 (13) Nov 10 (9) Nov 09 (10) Nov 08 (16) Nov 07 (15) Nov 06 (18) Nov 05 (19) Nov 04 (16) Nov 03 (11) Nov 02 (5) Nov 01 (17) Oct 31 (17) Oct 30 (21) Oct 29 (9) Oct 28 (16) Oct 27 (6) Oct 26 (6) Oct 25 (16) Oct 24 (18) Oct 23 (14) Oct 22 (17) Oct 21 (10) Oct 20 (6) Oct 19 (8) Oct 18 (11) Oct 17 (12) Oct 16 (14) Oct 15 (19) Oct 14 (15) Oct 13 (11) Oct 12 (9) Oct 11 (10) Oct 10 (23) Oct 09 (13) Oct 08 (15) Oct 07 (20) Oct 06 (13) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (16) Oct 03 (17) Oct 02 (17) Oct 01 (20) Sep 30 (17) Sep 29 (9) Sep 28 (8) Sep 27 (14) Sep 26 (20) Sep 25 (19) Sep 24 (13) Sep 23 (11) Sep 22 (9) Sep 21 (5) Sep 20 (8) Sep 19 (21) Sep 18 (12) Sep 17 (20) Sep 16 (16) Sep 15 (10) Sep 14 (6) Sep 13 (18) Sep 12 (14) Sep 11 (24) Sep 10 (17) Sep 09 (16) Sep 08 (16) Sep 07 (10) Sep 06 (20) Sep 05 (13) Sep 04 (23) Sep 03 (14) Sep 02 (12) Sep 01 (11) Aug 31 (11) Aug 30 (13) Aug 29 (18) Aug 28 (14) Aug 27 (21) Aug 26 (10) Aug 25 (8) Aug 24 (10) Aug 23 (17) Aug 22 (15) Aug 21 (14) Aug 20 (20) Aug 19 (20) Aug 18 (7) Aug 17 (9) Aug 16 (11) Aug 15 (12) Aug 14 (14) Aug 13 (19) Aug 12 (14) Aug 11 (6) Aug 10 (12) Aug 09 (7) Aug 08 (18) Aug 07 (16) Aug 06 (16) Aug 05 (20) Aug 04 (12) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (12) Aug 01 (14) Jul 31 (16) Jul 30 (16) Jul 29 (11) Jul 28 (8) Jul 27 (9) Jul 26 (17) Jul 25 (20) Jul 24 (17) Jul 23 (11) Jul 22 (18) Jul 21 (7) Jul 20 (10) Jul 19 (14) Jul 18 (11) Jul 17 (15) Jul 16 (12) Jul 15 (10) Jul 14 (8) Jul 13 (8) Jul 12 (17) Jul 11 (18) Jul 10 (16) Jul 09 (13) Jul 08 (10) Jul 07 (12) Jul 06 (8) Jul 05 (16) Jul 04 (14) Jul 03 (17) Jul 02 (13) Jul 01 (16) Jun 30 (19) Jun 29 (7) Jun 28 (19) Jun 27 (21) Jun 26 (27) Jun 25 (23) Jun 24 (23) Jun 23 (12) Jun 22 (9) Jun 21 (18) Jun 20 (15) Jun 19 (24) Jun 18 (21) Jun 17 (13) Jun 16 (9) Jun 15 (9) Jun 14 (18) Jun 13 (24) Jun 12 (18) Jun 11 (23) Jun 10 (25) Jun 09 (24) Jun 08 (27) Jun 07 (5) Jun 06 (25) Jun 05 (30) Jun 04 (23) Jun 03 (22) Jun 02 (16) Jun 01 (17) May 31 (18) May 30 (19) May 29 (17) May 28 (23) May 27 (15) May 26 (10) May 25 (19) May 24 (16) May 23 (16) May 22 (27) May 21 (20) May 20 (26) May 19 (6) May 18 (8) May 17 (20) May 16 (8) May 15 (18) May 14 (5) May 13 (21) May 12 (9) May 11 (8) May 10 (12) May 09 (18) May 08 (11) May 07 (27) May 06 (12) May 05 (16) May 04 (19) May 03 (14) May 02 (18) May 01 (18) Apr 30 (25) Apr 29 (27) Apr 28 (11) Apr 27 (10) Apr 26 (18) Apr 25 (10) Apr 24 (29) Apr 23 (29) Apr 22 (14) Apr 21 (15) Apr 20 (20) Apr 19 (22) Apr 18 (16) Apr 17 (32) Apr 16 (12) Apr 15 (21) Apr 14 (21) Apr 13 (15) Apr 12 (13) Apr 11 (14) Apr 10 (16) Apr 09 (20) Apr 08 (36) Apr 07 (22) Apr 06 (11) Apr 05 (28) Apr 04 (20) Apr 03 (29) Apr 02 (32) Apr 01 (18) Mar 31 (12) Mar 30 (9) Mar 29 (15) Mar 28 (22) Mar 27 (24) Mar 26 (17) Mar 25 (17) Mar 24 (13) Mar 23 (5) Mar 22 (12) Mar 21 (15) Mar 20 (18) Mar 19 (19) Mar 18 (16) Mar 17 (10) Mar 16 (6) Mar 15 (18) Mar 14 (24) Mar 13 (18) Mar 12 (18) Mar 11 (17) Mar 10 (13) Mar 09 (12) Mar 08 (18) Mar 07 (25) Mar 06 (16) Mar 05 (16) Mar 04 (22) Mar 03 (17) Mar 02 (6) Mar 01 (23) Feb 29 (19) Feb 28 (25) Feb 27 (26) Feb 26 (23) Feb 25 (12) Feb 24 (13) Feb 23 (15) Feb 22 (26) Feb 21 (31) Feb 20 (12) Feb 19 (21) Feb 18 (15) Feb 17 (10) Feb 16 (15) Feb 15 (19) Feb 14 (15) Feb 13 (25) Feb 12 (20) Feb 11 (9) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (28) Feb 08 (20) Feb 07 (22) Feb 06 (20) Feb 05 (19) Feb 04 (14) Feb 03 (16) Feb 02 (28) Feb 01 (37) Jan 31 (27) Jan 30 (31) Jan 29 (18) Jan 28 (14) Jan 27 (10) Jan 26 (18) Jan 25 (26) Jan 24 (34) Jan 23 (21) Jan 22 (21) Jan 21 (18) Jan 20 (18) Jan 19 (18) Jan 18 (26) Jan 17 (24) Jan 16 (23) Jan 15 (30) Jan 14 (20) Jan 13 (18) Jan 12 (24) Jan 11 (11) Jan 10 (23) Jan 09 (22) Jan 08 (17) Jan 07 (17) Jan 06 (9) Jan 05 (18) Jan 04 (15) Jan 03 (19) Jan 02 (14) Jan 01 (6) Dec 31 (12) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (15) Dec 28 (11) Dec 27 (7) Dec 26 (10) Dec 25 (16) Dec 24 (13) Dec 23 (16) Dec 22 (11) Dec 21 (26) Dec 20 (28) Dec 19 (14) Dec 18 (25) Dec 17 (23) Dec 16 (19) Dec 15 (22) Dec 14 (38) Dec 13 (26) Dec 12 (25) Dec 11 (27) Dec 10 (31) Dec 09 (15) Dec 08 (30) Dec 07 (31) Dec 06 (27) Dec 05 (38) Dec 04 (25) Dec 03 (27) Dec 02 (15) Dec 01 (36) Nov 30 (23) Nov 29 (17) Nov 28 (23) Nov 27 (13) Nov 26 (16) Nov 25 (14) Nov 24 (18) Nov 23 (21) Nov 22 (21) Nov 21 (24) Nov 20 (20) Nov 19 (23) Nov 18 (17) Nov 17 (17) Nov 16 (34) Nov 15 (25) Nov 14 (17) Nov 13 (21) Nov 12 (18) Nov 11 (9) Nov 10 (15) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (12) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (4) Oct 29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1)
Nicht Ihr Computer? Dann konnen Sie fur die Anmeldung ein Fenster zum privaten Surfen offnen. Weitere Informationen
Aug 8, 2016 | By Benedict

German car manufacturer BMW has used 3D printing to restore Elvis Presleys BMW 507 racecar, after it was discovered in a pumpkin factory. Additive manufacturing technology was used to recreate the window winders and door handles of the classic vehicle.

Love me, printer, love me sweet: when Elvis Presley purchased his BMW 507 chassis number 70079 in 1958, the King probably never anticipated it being restored and showcased almost 60 years laternot least with something called a 3D printer. That, however, is exactly what has happened. Two years ago, BMW Group Classic purchased the iconic vehicle from owner Jack Castor, who had been storing it inof all placesa pumpkin factory.

Restoration of the BMW racecar, which was shown off at the Frankfurt Motor Show and used for media drives back in its heyday, took about two years. During that time, BMW engineers gave the vehicle a brand new engine and a handful of original parts, used old-fashioned paint application methods, and even used 3D printers to create new window wipers and door handles.

The cars decorated history goes back even beyond Elvis. Celebrated German driver Hans Stuck raced the vehicle for a few months in the 1950s, after which it was passed onto a BMW dealership in Frankfurt. Elvis, stationed in Germany as a soldier in 1958, saw the car at the dealership in and snapped it without hesitation.

Before Elvis bought the legendary 507, the car was white as a feather. The King, however, had it painted red forlegend has itreasons more pragmatic than aesthetic: according to Elvis historians, female fans would write their phone numbers on the white car wherever he went; by painting it red, the King would never need to fix it up.

When Elvis returned to the U.S. in 1960, he sold the car to a buyer for a $4,500, after which the new owner replaced the cars BMW 3.2-liter V8 engine with a Chevy V8. The car was later acquired by Castor, who kept it in storage in Alabama until BMW finally took it home in 2014. Until 2006, Castor had been unsure as to whether the vehicle really belonged to Elvis. However, after inviting an expert from Bimmer magazine to check it out, the cars serial number confirmed what the collector had hoped: the red roadster was indeed the Kings.

Castor sadly passed away before restoration of the vehicle was complete, but would surely have been delighted with the result. Using special acid and alkaline baths, BMW has returned the vehicle to its original Feather White, in accordance with Castors wishes. During its 1955 to 1959 production run, BMW built just 254 of the now-legendary 507s, which can now fetch up to $2.5 million if in good condition. This 507 will soon begin a lengthy tour circuit starting with Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, part of Monterey Car Week.

Restoration of the Elvis 507 does not represent BMWs first foray into 3D printing with cars. In July, the company outlined plans to expand its planar 3D printing operations in order to create series parts, while the German luxury car specialist was also one of the big names attached to HPs big Jet Fusion 3D printer release in May. BMW has not yet revealed what kind of components it will create using the HP 3D printer, but has promised that the machine will be used for end-use parts as well as rapid prototyping.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

Maybe you also like:












Aug 8, 2016 | By Benedict

On July 28, the UK government changed the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 by extending the copyright for a deceased furniture designers work from 25 years to 70 years. Rick Falkvinge, founder of the first Pirate Party, has condemned the move as an attack on the 3D printing industry.

3D printed furniture by Philippe Starck

In a world of online shopping, international trade, and 3D printing technology, the market for unofficial replicas of design classics has never been bigger. Many manufacturers make a great deal of money by offering low-cost, unofficial replicas of iconic furniture designs, usually taking advantage of expired copyrights. That industry has, however, been dealt a blow by the UK government, which has changed the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 by extending the copyright for a deceased designers work from 25 years to 75 years. The changes, first posited by former business secretary Vince Cable, were devised to offer protection to British designers and to put furniture copyright laws on a similar footing to those governing literature and music.

Reactions to the change in law, which could explicitly affect the 3D printing industry, have been mixed. The Guardians Rebecca Smithers covered the story at the end of July and was largely sympathetic to the changes, referring to common furniture replicas as low-cost knock-offs. Others, however, have been more critical of the change in law and the knock-on effects it could have. Rick Falkvinge, Head of Privacy at Private Internet Access and founder of the first Pirate Party, published his own article yesterday which criticized the changes for offering an unnecessarily long protection period to designers while presenting large obstacles for the maker-oriented future of manufacturing.

Rick Falkvinge

Parties on both sides of the debate are treating the legal changes as significant, but who and what will be affected? The new 70-year copyright period will apply to works of artistic craftsmanship, i.e. chairs, tables, and clocks which have distinctive design elements beyond their mere functionality. In her article for The Guardian, Smithers highlighted certain mid-century iconic designs such as Charles Eames chairs, Eileen Gray tables, and Arco lampsitems whose 25-year copyright period had expired, but which will become re-protected when the changes take effect at the end of January. Copies of such items, usually made in Chinese factories, currently sell online for a fraction of the cost of an authentic version, but these items will become prohibited.

Most people agree that there are valid arguments for and against copyright laws such as those imposed by the UK, but Falkvinge has flat-out condemned the changes, considering them a breach of manufacturing freedom. So who is right? Did the UK have good reason to extend its copyright period for furniture designs, or has it unfairly jeopardized a large section of the industry by doing so? Falkvinge, writing for Private Internet Access, takes two main lines of attack, one concerning questioning the intention of the changes; the other criticizing its technical implications.

The obvious first argument is that the very existence of exclusive rights are justified by allegedly incentivizing the design process, Falkvinge writes. You come up with something good, you get a monopoly on exploiting it commercially for 25 years. Therefore, extending the monopoly term retroactively makes no sense at allsomebody is not going to change their minds 25 years ago because of changes to law today.

Falkvinges argument seems solid until you consider the (non-existent) subject of its attack. The first obvious argument he attempts to criticize was not, in actual fact, ever offered by the UK as a reason for the changes in lawthe new 70-year copyright period is intended to protect designers, past, present, and future, and has not been explicitly implemented to offer any kind of incentive or financial safety net to budding British furniture designers.

The other area of concern for Falkvinge concerns the nature of the copyright law, which the writer sees as a direct assault on the 3D printing revolution. This is because it would, theoretically, prevent a person from building their own replica items of furniture, with a 3D printer or other tools, even for personal use. Moving furniture design from a design patent to copyright law means that people can and will indeed be prosecuted for manufacturing their own furniture using their own tools, Falkvinge warns.

Furniture by Charles and Ray Eames / Image: Observer

While the changes to copyright law would indeed prevent such unauthorized copying, is this really as much of a restriction on our freedoms as Falkvinge suggests? 3D printers have, of course, enabled many independent manufacturers to create 3D printed copies of iconic designs, furniture or otherwise, and expired copyrights enable those makers to make profits by selling their copied items. In one sense, it is easy to root for the independent makers over the monopolizing retailers who own the copyrights to the deceased designers works and who sell authentic versions for much higher prices. On the other hand, however, should we not be encouraging the maker community to create new and exciting designs, given the limitless possibilities afforded by CAD software and 3D printing technology?

Experts anticipate that the new legislation could have a big effect on online retailers selling copies of furniture designs, with the changes due to kick in at the end of January 2017. It is not yet certain whether the laws will affect the 3D printing industry as negatively as Falkvinge anticipates, but one would hope that the maker community could overcome such a setback by continuing to innovate rather than replicate.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

Maybe you also like:












Aug 8, 2016 | By Tess

The stories we write about from the Enable Community Foundation and the e-NABLE volunteer maker community are some of our favorite, as they consistently showcase the good that can be achieved with 3D printing technologies as well as the sheer generosity of the global maker community. And while each individual story warms our hearts, the Enable Community Foundations most recent endeavour is certainly one for the books. In partnership with Autodesk and New York based 3D printing hub Voodoo Manufacturing, the ECF has successfully completed the 3D printing and assembly of 750 prosthetic hands for children in need. The amazing project also marks the worlds first global hand-drive for 3D printed assistive devices.

According to the Amputee Coalition, nearly 2 million people in the United States suffer from limb loss, and nearly 185,000 amputations occur on a yearly basis. Considering how expensive traditional prosthetics can cost to manufacture, and how long they can even take to make, this means that many people do not get the treatments or assistive devices they need to live their lives normally. This is where the Enable Community Foundation has intervened. In an effort to make prosthetics and assistive devices more accessible to children, the ECF has brought together a network of volunteer makers who help to design, test, and print 3D printed hand prosthetics.

For their most recent undertaking, the ECF enlisted the help of Voodoo Manufacturing, who helped to 3D print over 22,000 individual parts for hand prosthetics at their Brooklyn based 3D printing factory. The parts were then shipped to 28 different Autodesk offices around the world, where employees volunteered their time and experience to help assemble 750 3D printed prosthetic hands destined for children around the world with upper-limb disabilities or amputations.

The inspiring initiative was part of Autodesks own Global Month of Impact, through which Autodesk employees from offices around the globe have helped to realize volunteer projects in the areas of healthcare, environment, children, and education. For the ECF 3D printed hand-drive project, Autodesk employees gave a combined 6,000 hours of work to assemble the 3D printed hands, which each took about 10 hours to print.

Voodoo Manufacturing, which has a factory equipped with 130 3D printers, has worked with the e-NABLE foundation before in the manufacturing of 150 3D printed prosthetic hands. At the time of the donation, in December 2015, the 150 hands marked the largest donation received by e-NABLE. Autodesk, known for its 3D design and CAD software, has also been a long-time collaborator with the ECF and e-NABLE and has initiated its own 3D printed prosthetic projects.

If you are inspired by the ECF, Voodoo Manufacturing, and Autodesks collaborative effort to create 750 3D printed prosthetic hands for children, be sure to check out some other inspiring stories by the e-NABLE organization, like fourth grader Peyton Andrys story, or Zizis story. If you want to get involved in the making of 3D printed assistive devices you should also check out e-NABLEs most recent design challenge, Within Reach which was launched in collaboration with Pinshape and is running until September.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

Maybe you also like:









mick wrote at 8/8/2016 8:01:54 PM:Yes I happy for the people in need, Truly! But it will not change my mind on autodesk and how they have hurt the CAD industry over the years. The bad products, monopolizing software, suppressing technology and Not having a clue of there customer needs. To thank autodesk is like thanking a drug lord for building a playground for there community. If you want to be a good corporate citizen then start with your product, customers and employees.RobinLeech wrote at 8/8/2016 6:52:24 PM:What I always find sad about these stories is that rather than making an affordable product that saves a few million people lots of money, and taking the profit and helping those in need, they just help a few people in extreme need. If they did like the Raspberry PI and brought such prosthetics to market, they could afford to donate much more to those in need. But somehow rather than helping everyone, they leave most people to pay exorbitant costs they can't afford, and most of those in need, still in need. They could even take profits and set up a charity like the Red Cross of prosthetics. But they'd rather give a man a fish than teach him to fish.RobinLeech wrote at 8/8/2016 6:52:10 PM:What I always find sad about these stories is that rather than making an affordable product that saves a few million people lots of money, and taking the profit and helping those in need, they just help a few people in extreme need. If they did like the Raspberry PI and brought such prosthetics to market, they could afford to donate much more to those in need. But somehow rather than helping everyone, they leave most people to pay exorbitant costs they can't afford, and most of those in need, still in need. They could even take profits and set up a charity like the Red Cross of prosthetics. BBut they'd rather give a man a fish than teach him to fish.




Aug 8, 2016 | By Alec

The Dutch city of Utrecht is already well known in 3D bioprinting circles, largely thanks to the fantastic efforts of the University Medical Center Utrechts Tissue Factory. This research lab, run by Jos Malda, recently even completed a test with a 3D bioprinted rabbit shoulder implant. But Utrecht could become a full-fledged medical 3D printing HQ in the near future, as the UMC Utrecht, the Hogeschool Utrecht and the ProtoSpace Foundation have just joined forces in Utrecht3DMedical. Through this collaborative enterprise, they are aiming to push the boundaries of 3D bioprinting and even realize 3D printed organs.

This new research lab has just moved into a small laboratory on the edge of the city, but is scheduled to open a major lab in the heart of the Utrecht Science Park later this year. Its the first independent 3D printing lab in the Netherlands that has been completely dedicated to 3D bioprinting, and Utrecht3DMedical is ambitious.

Specifically, they will be working to combine artificial materials and biomedical materials such as collagen and gelatin to build new implantable organs. The advantage of 3D bioprinting is that you can make a new knee to fit perfectly  without waiting for a donor, said one researcher. A skull transplant that took place in the UMC Utrecht two years ago is a good example. A young woman was given a new, custom-fitting carbon fiber skull  the first time such a surgery was performed.

But in a growing market for 3D printing, it became necessary to bundle forces. While the popularity of 3D printing is growing, the medical sector is hardly using it. All individual parties have extensive experience with this technology, but we can really achieve things and realize international shifts by working together, argued Faculty of Nature and Engineering director Do Blankenstijn of the Hogeschool Utrecht.

Whats more, they feel that their collaboration will allow them to optimally benefit from existing innovations within the 3D printing industry. They are seeing that the efficiency of medical 3D printing is increasing, especially when it comes to converting scans to printable files and working with patient-specific models, aides and implants. The need for multiple CT-scans is decreasing, while 3D printed surgical models are helping doctors realistically prepare for surgeries  drastically reducing the invasiveness of many procedures. The time is thus right for the next step.

The Hogeschool Utrecht, a technical college, will be focusing on the engineering portion of 3D printing, while the UMC Utrecht provides the biomedical expertise. ProtoSpace, meanwhile, has extensive experience with various 3D printing technologies  starting out with regular 3D printed vases when founded, before moving on to prosthesis prototype development.

So when can 3D printed organs be expected? That, unfortunately, can take years to decades to realize  depending on technological innovations and financial means. The difficulty is in building organs from unnatural materials that are still accepted by the human body. While 3D printing synthetic material is easy, the same process kills the living cells, researcher Joost Sluijter says. The new lab is currently in talks with industry partners to develop a series of business cases to attract more investors. If successful, Utrecht could become a major 3D bioprinting hub in the near future.

Posted in 3D Printing Technology

Maybe you also like:












Aug 8, 2016 | By Benedict

German startup Additive Works is developing a simulation-based preprocessing software for metal additive manufacturing. The Amphyon software package, currently in beta, uses a four-step approach which enables manufacturers to predict and avoid potential deformations in their printed parts.

As the metal additive manufacturing industry expands its collective wealth of knowledge and experience, users of SLM 3D printers are becoming less likely to create faulty printed parts. While a complete amateur might make the mistake of printing an unsupported or weak structure which exhibits radical contortions before it has even left the print bed, most makers now know a few things about stress points, deformations, and how to avoid bad prints. Despite these advancements, problems still persist even for the most advanced users of laser-based 3D printers. Problems such as residual stresses, deformations, and insufficient part density can occur frequently and, due to various design, material, and hardware factors, can often be hard to predict.

Additive Works, an additive manufacturing startup based in the German city of Bremen and founded by staff at the University of Bremen, is currently developing software which it claims could eliminate many of the common problems associated with metal 3D printing. Cracks, poor surface quality, and insufficient densities could all be wiped out, the startup claims, with the use of Amphyon, its AM preprocessing software which is currently available to beta testers. The secret to Additive Works potentially print-saving software is something the company calls the ASAP Principle, a four-step procedure designed to iron out any faults in a 3D design before printing takes place. The four stages of the ASAP Principle are as follows:

Assessment

The first stage of the ASAP Principle is a CAD-based assessment of a part, in which the software calculates expected distortion tendencies, post-processing requirements, support volume, and build time for all possible orientations of the selected part. This stage of the procedure allows manufacturers to assess design and cost feasibility prior to developing a part further, while also allowing for manual or automatic reorientation of a part based on user preferences and the calculated process efforts.

Simulation

The second step of the ASAP Principle is a quick simulation of the stresses and distortions present in the 3D modelboth those that would occur during printing and those that would become manifest after removing the part from the build plate. A custom-made solver, tailored for additive manufacturing and GPU parallelization, enables high performance and accuracy. The results of the simulation can then be used to offset part distortion by generating a pre-deformed 3D model, resulting in a less deviated final print.

Adaptation

The third stage of the ASAP Principle involves a process of adaptation. Users can conduct a quick geometry analysis using the softwares Sinter Guard module, which enables local adaptation of process parameters. This module can be used to avoid overheating problems during printing and to safeguard against the unwanted adhesion of extra metal powder particles. Additionally, the softwares Stress Guard module can be used to align simulation-informed vectors in a way which reduces stresses and deformations during printing, the consequence being a reduction of printing distortion and an increase in part stability.

3D Printing

The final stage of the ASAP Principle is the printing process itself. Once the assessment, simulation, and adaptation stages are complete, the user can 3D print a metal part with greater stability and fewer distortions.

Since April 2016, Additive Works has been enlisting beta testers to try out its new 3D printing preprocessing software. Beta testing will continue until January 2017, after which a final version of Amphyon will be released. In the meantime, users can still apply to join the beta community.

At present, Amphyons modules can be accessed through a specially designed, user-friendly GUI. However, Additive Works is currently in talks with a number of 3D printing software developers about the possibility of incorporating Amphyon modules, in plug-in form, into existing software suites. Additive Works believes that this collaborative approach will help to bring its preprocessing solution to a greater number of users in a shorter space of timein other words, get ready to use Amphyon ASAP.

Posted in 3D Software

Maybe you also like:












by Paul Braterman

Michael Gove (remember him?), when England's Secretary of State for Education, told teachers

What [students] need is a rooting in the basic scientific principles, Newton's Laws of thermodynamics and Boyle's law.

Never have I seen so many major errors expressed in Newton via Wikipedia in so few words. But the wise learn from everyone, [1] so let us see what we can learn here from Gove.

From the top: Newton's laws. Gove most probably meant Newton's Laws of Motion, but he may also have been thinking of Newton's Law (note singular) of Gravity. It was by combining all four of these that Newton explained the hitherto mysterious phenomena of lunar and planetary motion, and related these to the motion of falling bodies on Earth; an intellectual achievement not equalled until Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.

Above, L, Isaac Newton, 1689. Below, R, Michael Gove, 2013

In Newton's physics, the laws of motion are three in number:

1) If no force is acting on it, a body will carry on moving at the same speed in a straight line.

2) If a force is acting on it, the body will undergo acceleration, according to the equation

Force = mass x acceleration

3) Action and reaction are equal and opposite

So what does all this mean? In particular, what do scientists mean by acceleration? Acceleration is rate of change of velocity. Velocity is not quite the same thing as speed; it is speed in a particular direction. So the First Law just says that if there's no force, there'll be no acceleration, no change in velocity, and the body will carry on moving in the same direction at the same speed. And, very importantly, if a body changes direction, that is a kind of acceleration, even if it keeps on going at the same speed. For example, if something is going round in circles, there must be a force (sometimes, confusingly, called centrifugal force) that keeps it accelerating inwards, and stops it from going straight off at a tangent.

Then what about the heavenly bodies, which travel in curves, pretty close to circles although Kepler's more accurate measurement had already shown by Newton's time that the curves are actually ellipses? The moon, for example. The moon goes round the Earth, without flying off at a tangent. So the Earth must be exerting a force on the moon.

Left, Solar system (schematic, not to scale), showing orbits of inner planets

And finally, the Third Law. If the Earth is tugging on the moon, then the moon is tugging equally hard on the Earth. We say that the moon goes round the Earth, but it is more accurate to say that Earth and moon both rotate around their common centre of gravity.

All of this describes the motion of single bodies. Thermodynamics, as we shall see, only comes into play when we have very large numbers of separate objects.

The other thing that Gove might have meant is Newton's Inverse Square Law of gravity, which tells us just how fast gravity decreases with distance. If, for instance, we could move the Earth to twice its present distance from the Sun, the Sun's gravitational pull on it would drop to a quarter of its present value.

Now here is the really beautiful bit. We can measure (Galileo already had measured) how fast falling bodies here on Earth accelerate under gravity. Knowing how far we are from the centre of the Earth, and how far away the moon is, we can work out from the Inverse Square Law how strong the Earth's gravity is at that distance, and then, from Newton's Second Law, how fast the moon ought to be accelerating towards the Earth. And when we do this calculation, we find that this exactly matches the amount of acceleration needed to hold the moon in its orbit going round the Earth once every lunar month. Any decent present-day physics student should be able to do this calculation in minutes. For Newton to do it for the first time involved some rather more impressive intellectual feats, such as clarifying the concepts of force, speed, velocity and acceleration, formulating the laws I've referred to, and inventing calculus.

But what about the laws of thermodynamics? These weren't discovered until the 19th century, the century of the steam engine. People usually talk about the three laws of thermodynamics, although there is actually another one called the Zeroth Law, because people only really noticed they had been assuming it long after they had formulated the others. (This very boring law says that if two things are in thermal equilibrium with a third thing, they must be in thermal equilibrium with each other. Otherwise, we could transform heat into work by making it go round in circles.)

The First Law of Thermodynamics is, simply, the conservation of energy. That's all kinds of energy added up together, including for example heat energy, light energy, electrical energy, and the kinetic energy that things have because they're moving. [2] One very important example of the conservation of energy is what happens inside a heat engine, be it an old-fashioned steam engine, an internal combustion engine, or the turbine of a nuclear power station. Here, heat is converted into other forms of energy, such as mechanical or electrical. This is all far beyond anything Newton could have imagined. Newton wrote in terms of force, rather than energy, and he had been dead for over a century before people realized that the different forms of energy include heat.

Above, L, the rotor of a turbine is a device for converting heat energy into electrical energy, in accord with the First Law. But the Second Law (see below) places a limit on how efficiently we can do this. Below, R, dye becoming more, not less, spread out over time, in accord with the Second Law

There are many ways of expressing the Second Law, usually involving rather technical language, but the basic idea is always the same; things tend to get more spread out over time, and won't get less spread out unless you do some work to make them. (One common formulation is that things tend to get more disordered over time, but I don't like that one, because I'm not quite sure how you define the amount of disorder, whereas there are exact mathematical methods for describing how spread out things are.)

For example, let a drop of food dye fall into a glass full of water. Wait, and you will see the dye spread through the water. Keep on waiting, and you will never see it separating out again as a separate drop. You can force it to, if you can make a very fine filter that lets the water through while retaining the dye, but it always takes work to do this. To be precise, you would be working against osmotic pressure, something your kidneys are doing all the time as they concentrate your urine.[3]

This sounds a long way from steam engines, but it isn't. Usable energy (electrical or kinetic, say) is much less spread out than heat energy, and so the Second Law limits how efficiently heat can ever be converted into more useful forms.

The Second Law also involves a radical, and very surprising, departure from Newton's scheme of things. Newton's world is timeless. Things happen over time, but you would see the same kinds of things if you ran the video backwards. We can use Newton's physics to describe the motion of planets, but it could equally well describe these motions if they were all exactly reversed.

Now we have a paradox. Every single event taking place in the dye/water mixture can be described in terms of interactions between particles, and every such interaction can, as in Newton's physics, be equally well described going forwards or backwards. To use the technical term, each individual interaction is reversible. But the overall process is irreversible; you can't go back again. You cannot unscramble eggs. Why not?

In the end, it comes down to statistics. There are more ways of being spread out than there are of being restricted. There are more ways of moving dye molecules from high to low concentration regions than there are of moving them back again, simply because there are more dye molecules in the former than there are in the latter. There is an excellent video illustration of this effect, using sheep, by the Princeton-based educator Aatish Bhatia.

The Third Law is more complicated, and was not formulated until the early 20th century. It enables us to compare the spread-out-ness of heat energy in different chemical substances, and hence to predict which way chemical reactions tend to go. We can excuse Gove for not knowing about the Third Law, but the first two, as C. P. Snow pointed out a generation ago, should be part of the furniture of any educated mind.

R, a fluyt, typical ocean-going vesselof Newton's time. Below, L, the Great Western, first trans-Atlantic steamship, designed by Isidore Kingdom Brunel, on its maiden voyage

So if you don't immediately realize that Newton's laws and the laws of thermodynamics belong to different stages of technology, the age of sail as opposed to the age of steam, and to different levels of scientific understanding, the individual and macroscopic as opposed to the statistical and submicroscopic, then you don't know what you're talking about. Neither the science, nor its social and economic context.

That's bad enough. But the kind of ignorance involved in describing Boyle's Law as a basic scientific principle is even more damaging.

(Disclosure: I taught Boyle's Law for over 40 years, and it gets three index entries in my book, From Stars to Stalagmites.)

Bottom line: Boyle's Law is not basic. It is a secondary consequence of the Kinetic Theory of Gases, which is basic. The difference is enormous, and matters. Anyone who thinks that Boyle's Law is a principle doesn't know what a principle is. (So a leading Westminster politician doesn't know what a principle is? That figures.)

Mathematically, the Law is simply stated, which may be why Mr Gove thinks it is basic: volume is inversely proportional to pressure, which gives you a nice simple equation, as in the graph on the right:

P x V = a constant

that even a Cabinet Minister can understand. But on its own, it is of no educational value whatsoever. It only acquires value if you put it in its context, but this appeal to context implies a perspective on education beyond his comprehension.

Now to what is basic; the fundamental processes that make gases behave as Boyle discovered. His Law states that if you double the pressure on a sample of gas, you will halve the volume. He thought this was because the molecules of gas repel each other, so it takes more pressure to push them closer together, and Newton even put this idea on a mathematical footing, by suggesting an inverse square law for repulsion, rather like his Inverse Square Law for gravitational attraction. They were wrong.

The Law is now explained using the Kinetic Theory of Gases. This describes a gas as shown on the left; as a whole lot of molecules, of such small volume compared to their container that we can think of them as points, each wandering around doing their own thing, and, from time to time, bouncing off the walls. It is the impact of these bounces that gives rise to pressure. If you push the same number of molecules (at the same temperature) into half the volume, each area of wall will get twice as many bounces per second, and so will experience twice the pressure. Pressure x volume remains constant; hence Boyle's Law.

Actually, Boyle's Law isn't even true. Simple kinetic theory neglects the fact that gas molecules attract each other a little, making the pressure less than what the theory tells you it ought to be. And if we compress the gas into a very small volume, we can no longer ignore the volume taken up by the actual molecules themselves.

So what does teaching Boyle's Law achieve? Firstly, a bit of elementary algebra that gives clear answers, and that can be used to bully students if, as so often happens, they meet it in science before they have been adequately prepared in their maths classes. This, I suspect, is the aspect that Gove finds particularly appealing. Secondly, some rather nice experiments involving balancing weights on top of sealed-off syringes. Thirdly, insight into how to use a mathematical model and, at a more advanced level, how to allow for the fact that real gases do not exactly meet its assumptions. Fourthly, a good example of how the practice of science depends on the technology of the society that produces it. In this case, seventeenth century improvements in glassmaking made it possible to construct tubes of uniform cross-section, which are needed to compare volumes of gas accurately. Fifthly  but that's enough to be going on with. Further elaboration would, ironically, lead us on to introductory thermodynamics. Ironically, given the interview that started this discussion. The one thing it does not achieve is the inculcation of a fundamental principle.

There are mistakes like thinking that Shakespeare, not Marlowe, wrote Edward II. There are mistakes like thinking that Shakespeare wrote War and Peace. And finally, there are mistakes like thinking that Shakespeare wrote War and Peace, that this is basic to our understanding of literature, and that English teachers need to make sure that their pupils know this. Then Education Secretary Gove's remarks about science teaching fall into this last category. Such ignorance of basic science (and education) at the highest levels of government is laughable. But it is not funny.

1] Ben Zoma, Mishnah Chapters of the Fathers, 4a. Chapters of the Fathers may also be interpreted to mean Fundamental Principles.

2] It is often said that Einstein's famous equation,

E = mc2

means that we can turn mass into energy. That puts it back to front. The equation is really telling us that energy itself has mass.

3] There are lots of situations (steam condensing to make water, living things growing, or indeed urine becoming more concentrated in the kidney) where a system becomes less spread out, but this change is always accompanied by something in the surrounds, usually heat energy, becoming more spread out to compensate.

Newton as painted by Godfrey Keller, via Wikipedia. Gove image via Daily Telegraph (Gove connoisseurs may find the link amusing. Solar system image from NASA. Steam turbine blade Siemens via Wikipedia. Dye diffusing in water from Royal Society of Chemistry. Fluyt imge from Pirate King website. Great Western on maiden voyage, 1938, by unknown artist, via Wikipedia. Boyle's Law curve from Krishnavedala repllot of Boyle's own data, via Wikipedia. Kinetic theory image via Chinese University of Hong Kong


PLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)
by Sue Hubbard

Wonderful scribble-scrabbles

England, for the Victorians, was a very different place to the irreligious, multi-cultural country we have become. Then we believed ourselves to be a great' Empire that would, forever rule the waves'. It was a society where the majority still believed that God created the world in seven days, yet one in the midst of huge technological change where rural communities were leaving the land to work in Blake's dark satanic mills', powered by new-fangled machines that threatened their traditional way of life. Steam, speed and noise came to represent modernity. It was a time of social rigidity as well as social upheaval, where the rich man sat back comfortably in his castle, while the poor man doffed his cap obsequiously at the gate. Fuelled by privilege, hypocrisy and secrets  as was evident in the treatment of women and children and its hidden sexual practices  Victorian society had not yet seen Europe torn apart by two World Wars. Yet death was an ever-present threat. It hovered over childbirth and the lives of infants who might, at any moment, be snatched away by infectious disease. That the Victorians were obsessed with death is, therefore, hardly surprising.

It's against this backdrop, along with the loosening of the bonds of the Anglican Church, the shifts in intellectual thought and the new range of scientific innovations that spiritualism took hold. Seances and mediums became popular as a way of making contact with the departed. It would be easy for us to mock spiritualism as a bit of irrational 19th century jiggery-pokery conducted by the unscrupulous, in darkened rooms swirling with miasmas, in order to extract money from the naive and malleable. But its popularity was more significant than that. The 19th century developed an especial interest in animal magnetism, in madness and criminality, as well in an attempt to discern where the real self resided, exemplified in Robert Louis Stevenson's celebrated novel, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The studies of Frederic W.H. Myers (1843-1901), the Cambridge scholar who founded the Society for Psychical Research were, in many ways, precursors to Freud's later investigations into the unconscious. In his posthumously published Human Personality and the Survival of Bodily Death, Myers discussed ideas of creative genius with special reference to automatic drawing, which, he suggested, sprung from the subliminal' as opposed to the supraliminal' of normal consciousness. Spiritual mediums used trance and automatism to tap into this psychic reservoir. According to Myer artistic inspiration came from a subliminal uprush' when combined with a supraliminal stream of thought'  an idea that would later be developed in the language of James Joyce and the art of Surrealists such as Andre Breton.

It is this milieu that produced Georgiana Houghton (1814-1884), a single woman from a respectable middle-class family who created some of the most extraordinary art of the mid-19th century, a body of rich, abstract, symbolic works that have largely been forgotten today which, in her own words, were without parallel in the world.

Born on 20th April 1814 in Las Palmas, on the Island of Grand Canary, the seventh child of George and Mary Houghton, her merchant father was to lose most of his money in a series of misconceived commercial ventures. Georgiana trained as an artist but gave up art after the death of her beloved younger sister, Zilla Rosalia, which followed only a few years after the loss of her nine year old brother, Cecil Angelo. It was during this period of grieving that she met a neighbour, one Mrs Marshall, a well-known medium, and attended her first seance. The experience was a revelation and Houghton spent three months training' as a medium. Soon she was practicing table-tipping' and began to make a series of small free-hand images of spiritual' flowers and fruit, led by a diverse range of spirit guides'. The first of these was a deaf and dumb artist called Henry Lenny. Later her guides would become more exalted and include Titian and Correggio. Whilst her early work has something of the feeling of Victorian botanical paintings the content is never realistic but always imagined. For Houghton all the colours and shapes had a symbolic meaning, one easily understood by spiritual beings but that for dwellers upon earth required interpreting.

Houghton soon became part of an inner circle of influential spiritual practitioners. Those who became involved ranged from dabblers to those exploring spiritualism's scientific significance. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was an aficionado and Queen Victoria was said to have tried to contact her dead husband Albert through a medium. For many female mediumship was seen as springing from the fevered imagination of an unstable mind, whilst for others it was a sign of female intellectual independence. Spiritualism appealed to suffragettes and bohemians alike, including Dante Gabriel Rossetti and J.M. Whistler. Like many 19th century mediums Houghton was keen to show that the practice was compatible with her Christian beliefs, which were influenced by the Swedish visionary Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) who claimed to be able to see the spiritual world directly.

After beginning, in 1862, her Sunday evening pen and ink drawings under the direction of her spirit guides, she went on to produce a series of richly patterned compositions in watercolour and gouache that the Daily News was to liken to tangled threads of coloured wool. Having no real art historical context her work was little understood. Yet her mesmerising lines, bold colours and fluid forms, always produced with the aid of a spirit guide, are extraordinary precursors to the abstract art produced in the 20th century by artists such as Kandinsky. The back of many of these works are covered with complex drawings and closely written notations that explain their spiritual provenance and echo the otherworldliness of William Blake's visions. Houghton was to remain single all her life and, it might be suggested, in Freudian terms, that her work was produced as a result of sexual repression or hysteria, not dissimilar to the organismic' ecstatic visions experienced female Catholic saints.

In 1871 Houghton organised a large exhibition of 155 of her sprit works. This was received with a mixture of bafflement and hilarity and nearly broke her financially. Though there were those who had a more appreciative insight into what she did. The writer Margaret Oliphant described them as wonderful scribble-scrabbles, while a member of the art group set up by Houghton, entitled Sisters in Art', described her work as some of the most delicate, beautiful drawings ever done by a woman's hand.

Until this current exhibition at the Courtauld she'd largely been forgotten, her work not seen in this country for 150 years. Today less than fifty of works are known and the majority of these  for no documented reason  have ended up in the collection of the Victorian Spiritualists' Union in Melbourne, Australia. An album, with a few further examples, is held by the College of Psychic Studies in London and a single drawing is part of the ABCD collection, a private art brut' collection based in Paris, with a further three in private hands.

Although the Christian context in which she made her work is of much less relevance to us today, her fluid forms and mesmerising colours have close connections with the way 20th century artists developed the language of abstraction and also reverberate in the work of contemporary women artists such as Susan Hiller and Chiara Fumai. Georgiana Houghton's work is unlike anything normally associated with female Victorian art. These rich spiritual visualisations not only reveal something of the Victorian mind but show a radical spirit way ahead of her time. This is a very welcome exhibition, one that will bring this extraordinary aartist to a wider public.

www.suehubbard.com

Credits:

Georgiana Houghton (1814-1884)

The Flower and Fruit of Henry Lenny

August 28th 1861

Watercolour on paper, 51 x 42 cm

Victorian Spiritualists' Union, Melbourne, Australia

Georgiana Houghton (1814-1884)

Glory be to God c.1868

Watercolour on paper, 49 x 55 cm

Victorian Spiritualists' Union, Melbourne, Australia

Georgiana Houghton (1814-1884)

The Eye of the Lord (reverse) c.1864

Victorian Spiritualists' Union, Melbourne, Australia

(The inscription names Titian as Houghton's spirit guide)

Portrait of Georgiana Houghton (1814-1884)

Courtesy of the College of Psychic Studies,London
by Katalin Balog

This is the second of a series of four essays on understanding the mind. You can read part 1 here.



The mind's relation to the physical world is a hard thing to understand. The difficulty comes in no small part from the fact that there are two, radically different ways of going about it: one is to look within, to understand oneself (and by extension, others) as a subject, a self; the other, to look out, at the world so to speak. The first method is subjective, humanistic, and is essentially tied to a particular point of view. I can sense my frustration trying to come up with the right phrase. I know what that kind of thing feels like. I think I understand what it feels like for you as well, but only because of the familiarity with my own case. The second method is objective, it is based on observation of body, behavior and brain, and it is accessible to anyone, irrespective of their personal idiosyncrasies or their point of view. Its best embodiment is the scientific method. How the subjective fits in with the objective is one of the most vexing questions both in philosophy and life.

In the first part of this series of essays, I have looked at how a subjective, humanistic understanding of the mind comes under pressure from science. In the present essay and the next I look at the flip side of these hostilities: the pushback in some quarters of the humanist camp against science and objectivity. In the last, I will look at the prospects of a peaceful coexistence between the two sides.

I. Two worlds

The first major clash between the subjective and the objective approach didn't revolve around the mind directly; it concerned the world. In the 17th and 18th century, Galileo and Newton brought about a monumental change in the way we understand the physical world. According to the new physics, all physical change can be explained completely in terms of certain quantified properties of matter in motion  properties such as size, shape and velocity. The fact that these features were quantifiable allowed for a mathematical formulation of the laws of nature. The view of the physical world that emerged is mechanistic; in an only slightly misleading metaphor, it implies that the physical world is a vast machine, its movements and changes described by precise law. This is a shocking view, come to think of it.

Add to it the ideal of a unified system of all the sciences, first proposed during the Enlightenment and getting a precise formulation by the logical positivists and their successors in the 20th century. The idea is that the right explanations of planetary motion, or chemical bonds or biological processes must not be logically incompatible with physics, or even just independent of it. If this is right, we can reasonably conclude that the world is altogether just that: the vast machine of matter and fields in motion fundamental physics says it is. Whatever exists: planets and stars, galaxies and black holes, volcanoes and trees, animals, humans, everything  it is all ultimately grounded in the entities, properties and laws of basic physics. As it turns out, these basic constituents, as posited by both general relativity and quantum mechanics  the two most important current physical theories are often quite strange and incomprehensible from the point of view of ordinary experience. Even physicists and philosophers struggle to say what exactly the world's fundamental structure is supposed to be, according to these theories.

Perhaps the most widely known affronts to our prescientific understanding of the world and our place in it came in the 19th century with Darwinism and the 20th century, with modern cosmology, with Darwinism erasing much of our special status in the hierarchy of things by showing that we are continuous with an unbroken chain of life that started at least 3.5 billion years ago, and cosmology by relegating us, from our lofty position at the center of the universe, to a place of almost unimaginable insignificance in the cosmic scale of things. In The First Three Minutes, physicist Steven Weinberg offers this observation:

It is almost irresistible for humans to believe that we have some special relation to the universe, that human life is not just a more-or-less farcical outcome of a chain of accidents reaching back to the first three minutes, but that we were somehow built in from the beginning. It is hard to realize that this all [i.e., life on Earth] is just a tiny part of an overwhelmingly hostile universe. It is even harder to realize that this present universe has evolved from an unspeakably unfamiliar early condition, and faces a future extinction of endless cold or intolerable heat.The more the universe seems comprehensible, the more it also seems pointless.

The scientific revolution caused immense upheaval in our world view in a relatively short period of time. As late as in, say, Shakespeare's time, people in Europe knew nothing of the laws of mechanics; galaxies and black holes, space-time and relativity were undreamt of. Electricity was not understood; disease was attributed to the wrong causes; and no one even knew the extent of the Earth. People believed in God, and many also believed in witchcraft, fairies, spirits, astrology, magic, alchemy and the rest. Mystery and uncertainty was our condition. But these same people had a highly sophisticated literary culture and art. And they had a view of the world that was alive, poignant and teaming with all sorts of significance.

Until recently almost everyone, even educated people believed in an invisible world; a spiritual backdrop to the visible one that enlivens it and is in mutual interaction with it. Such an outlook is as much part of Plato's philosophy as of theistic religions, of myth, folklore, superstition. Experience of nature, art, ritual or ordinary existence brought intimations of the invisible world; people sought to get in touch with it through intuition, imagination, contemplation and attention to subtle feeling. Some hoped to hone the forces of the invisible world for the purpose of self-transformation. Many believed they can prevail over presumed laws of science. It is this enchanted universe alive with God, spirits, fairies, Chi, strange forces and unlimited possibilities that got shattered by Newton's great achievement. Not that Newton was fully cognizant of his own message; he himself was an avid alchemist. It is people that came after him who in time brought his discoveries to their proper conclusion.

The image of the world as alive with secret meaning is a projection of our experience of it. But experience is not the best guide to the truth about nature, science is. We had to be weaned of our pre-scientific view; but it didn't happen without a fight. William Blake, in his alternative creation myth Book of Urizen portrays a creator who makes a book of laws  simple, universal directives to guide both nature and the human will  only to bring ruin on himself and the world. Blake found the physics of Newton abhorrent. As W.H. Auden put it in a letter, Blake broke off relations in a curse, with the Newtonian Universe. He felt that the world as a single all-encompassing system was too stifling, too oppressive, an obstacle to the imagination, to creativity, and feeling. His romantic rebellion rejected the world of science for intuition, passion, and communion with nature, all of which, he felt, had no place in the world science describes.

But Newtonian physics not only purged spirits, and occult forces; the physical world it describes also, in a certain sense, lacks sensory qualities. Our ordinary sense of the world is teeming with sensory detail, most of which appears to be a feature of the world. The green of trembling leaves on sun dappled trees, the dispiriting artificiality of the plastic environment in a hospital, the sound of waves lapping on the shore, the garbage truck tearing up the night, it all seems to be out there in the world. Pace Berkeley, it would still be there even if none of us were around. But this ordinary sense of the world is hard to reconcile with a Newtonian universe, since the only quantities figuring in its laws are mass, extension, velocity; nowhere do the laws mention colors or sounds (matters in this regard are not improved in modern physics). Locke, a contemporary and friend of Newton, famously distinguished between primary qualities, those that really exist in the objects, and secondary qualities, which are merely the ability of primary qualities to cause sensations in us. As he puts it in Book II of An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689):

The particular Bulk, Number, Figure, and Motion of the parts of Fire, or Snow, are really in them whether any ones Senses perceive them or no: and therefore they may be called real Qualities, because they really exist in those Bodies. But Light, Heat, Whiteness, or Coldness, are no more really in them, than Sickness or Pain is in Manna. Take away the Sensation of them; let not the Eyes see Light, or Colours, nor the Ears hear Sounds; let the Palate not Taste, nor the Nose Smell, and all Colours, Tastes, Odors, and Sounds, as they are such particular Ideas, vanish and cease, and are reduced to their Causes, i.e., Bulk, Figure, and Motion of Parts.

Nor can the scientific world view appear to account for our sense that the present is special, that time is flowing. There is no room in fundamental physics for privileged moments or the movement of time. There are only moments of time, one after another.

So the universe that once appeared teaming with purpose and feeling, where nymphs and fauns roamed, where the stars and the planets were distant forces intimately involved with us, has been gradually emptied out, not only of its spirits, but also of its colors and sounds, the special glow of the present moment, and of almost every solid feature we imagined physical things to have. At the same time, all that has been purged from the world around us has been, as C.S. Lewis observes, transferred to the subjective side of the account: classified as our sensations, thoughts, images or emotions. The Subject becomes gorged, inflated, at the expense of the Object.

This is the world view the scientific revolution has ushered in. We have lost the sense that we live in a familiar world where our place as the pinnacle of creation goes uncontested; where the vast spaces that exist sing and shine with the presence of something still greater and more awesome than ourselves, where meaning abounds, where we find ourselves home. Instead, the world turned out to be unimaginably vast, perhaps infinite, and most of it is cold, empty and black. Our view of the world is not a reflection of Reality: it is in large part a matter of a projection from our own minds, contingent on our particular cognitive make-up, on the particular creatures we are. Actually, the world is nothing like we thought it was. To some, it definitely seems like a worse place.

What does this all mean? One reaction is to rebel against science, like Blake did. Whether or not Blake actually thought Newton was wrong, he used poetic imagination as his bludgeon to beat back what he thought was the stifling advance of scientific thought. Many others, especially in the literary tradition, followed in his footsteps. Postmodernism has even gone a step further: it has asserted that there is no truth, only interpretations, and one interpretation is no better than another, science included. But one needs to be careful. It is possible to see the point of the humanistic rebellion; without going against science, going against reason altogether.

II. Moods and the ways of experiencing the world

This much the anti-science rebels have to concede: there is no way to roll back time and unlearn what we know about the universe. It is what it is as people like to say; and we have to learn to live with it. The heart of the problem with the scientific outlook is its engorgement of the subject. All meaning and value that was previously located in the world now finds its ground in individual subjectivity. Nothing in the scientific world view can ground value; valuing is something we do. But this has always been the case. There is a sense in which science has not really emptied out the world of meaning, it just brought home to us our real situation. Nevertheless, there are real trade-offs. It is not implausible to think that living by the scientific world view does in fact makes life in some respects less meaningful, less fulfilling, fills one with less wonder, gratitude, or joy. This can be explored without being forced to deny the beauty and magnificence of science and the amazing rewards of technology.

Heidegger, for example, points at the role moods play in life. Moods are part of our basic, subjective take on the world. They color and influence our understanding of what the world is like  as Wittgenstein points out in the Tractatus: the world of the happy is quite different from the world of the unhappy. Moods play a big part in attaching meaning and value to our life. But here is the issue. Moods appear to be not about the subject, but about the world. But the scientific view encourages us to discount them and downplay their importance. It leaves no room for moods to contribute to our understanding the world; but the subjective way of understanding is grounded in moods. This presents a difficulty. It is hard to be committed to finding meaning in the world if one views it as the imposition of one's own individual subjectivity on an otherwise meaningless universe. As Rick says in Casablanca, it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Human beings find it easier to pledge allegiance to something bigger than their own consciousness, such as Reality or God; something that really exists out there and is not of one's own invention.

This is why Heidegger thinks a that meaningful life is only possible if we respond to a disclosure of meaning in our experience. This is not to imply the existence of objective meaning in the world; rather, it is to point to the difficulty and pointlessness of trying to impose our own meanings on the world. Responding to disclosure involves receptivity, openness, subjectivity. By this openness we can still live meaningful lives in the disenchanted world of science.

But the point remains, as Max Weber puts it in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, that

our times are characterized by rationalization and intellectualization, and, above all, by the disenchantment of the world.' Precisely the ultimateand most sublime values have retreated from public life either into the transcendental realm of mystic life or into the brotherliness of direct andpersonal human relations.

Breaking through to the other side has become an individual quest through drugs, contemplation, love, art or poetry. There are still attempts at collective disclosure  rock music, religious ritual; on the dark side, mass hysteria. But all of this is a bit of an uphill battle. Our individual enchantments perhaps lack the firm conviction of earlier times. It is like trying to be religious or spiritual without a belief in God or a higher reality. Not impossible, but something may be missing.
by Katrin Trustedt

The assumed Islamist terror attack in Munich two weeks ago that was part of a series leading to claims that terrorism has now reached Germany turned out to be something else: the shooter actually targeted immigrants', and carried out his attack on the fifth anniversary of the 2011 Norway attacks conducted by his hero Anders Breivik, the far-right terrorist and self-declared fascist. Because the shooter had Iranian parents, people jumped to conclusions, but then became increasingly confused  not only as to whether to call this act an act of terrorism or a killing spree, but also whether to link it to an Islamist, or rather, a right-wing ideology. What makes the reaction to this particular shooting interesting is the incapacity of getting the story straight. While the drive to create a narrative with a clear distinction between some kind of us' and some kind of them' was obvious enough in the shooting, the specific contents of that opposition confused the attempts to make it fit an expected pattern.

The recent obsession of certain right-wing intellectuals in Germany with the idea of thumos is an interesting example where the position of a we' standing up against a them' seems more important than the actual content of that opposition, and the position, moreover, turns out to be somehow informed by what it opposes. While these intellectuals rally to reaffirm a thumos which is supposed to mean something like wrath or rage and connotes an invigorating vitality, one cannot help but suspect that such thumos is exactly what its advocates see in the Muslims they work so hard to distinguish themselves from. Many former workers who now favor the Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) do have legitimate anger, since the social democratic parties  like their equivalents in other European countries  have been neglecting them. Marc Jongen, one of the AfD's chief ideologues, on the other hand, philosophizes and elevates (or rather diverts) this anger into a value in and of itself, without the burden of actual issues. The anger, now thumos, is nobilitated as a philosophically deep temper with an ancient Greek term. Thumos should not be appeased  with, say, political interventions that actually solve a problem  but rather fueled and raised to a permanent level of tenseness. Jongen, formerly an assistant to German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk, claims to speak for the bourgeois AfD supporters with a higher education who actually make up the majority of AfD voters.

The apparent lack of a certain level of thumos, of an inner force that Western Culture exhibits, became a subject, interestingly enough, in the context of the so-called refugee crisis. Faced with an imaginative horde' of eager young Muslim men overrunning' this country, apparently Western civilization started worrying about their state of thumos tenseness. Those cultivating these worries probably felt confirmed by representatives of the German economy insisting these highly motivated refugees eager to work are not only welcome here but actually much needed. This also goes for the demographic development, as Germany is a quickly aging population that does not produce enough offspring. It was against such a background that the thumos discourse evolved.

The strange logic of such discourses setting out to reclaim something they fear in the imagined other is captured quite nicely in the French novel Submission by Michel Houellebecq (January 2015). The protagonist is an underachieving middle-aged academic in France of 2022, who watches the news about the far right clashing with the Muslim Brotherhood, while his microwave can't even generate the heat to warm up his fast food. Europe  that is the story this image is supposed to convey  is in decay. The decadent West has lost its juice and has nothing exciting to offer, so right-wing ideology steps in, only to be then replaced in turn by Islam. The Muslim character of the novel used to be associated with an existing European neo-fascist movement adequately called Le Bloc identitaire and defined by its fear of the Great Replacement. He then converts to a caricature of Islam  formerly the object of the movement's fear  that eventually takes the whole of France in a sweep and offers itself as the better, stronger, in a word: a more thumotic culture. The promise of conversion the novel offers in some kind of satirical utopia, unfortunately, is meant only for men. The difference Islam has to offer is not least the sexual difference.

In Germany the novel generated much interest, becoming a bestseller and producing many stage performances. The interest also speaks to the recent discourse on thumos or rather on the lack thereof and the specific position it claims vis a vis its supposed other. To blame for the lack of thumos and the decay of Western Culture are, according to these discourses, multiculturalism and feminism, with their advancement of political correctness, gender equality and what not. Anders Breivik takes up a good part of his unbearable manifesto' blaming feminism for creating a European cultural suicide'. Much of it was copy pasted from Political Correctness: A Short History of an Ideology by the Free Congress Foundation. Political correctness is here taken to mean losing one's natural' and given' position, like the entitlement, for instance, to call the current PC generation a pussy generation, associating  naturally  pussy' with weakness, and balls' with strength (despite the fact that pussies' actually give birth to human beings while balls' appear to be rather fragile and sensitive  so much for the naturalism').

When Breivik and others consider themselves knights dedicated to stemming the tide of Muslims immigrating into Europe, this seems not bound to specific contents like Christian commitments. Rather, it seems to be about a position that is informed by the projection it is posited against. (In letters sent to Norwegian newspaper Dagen, Breivik said that there are few things in the world more pathetic than the Jesus-figure and his message. Similar arguments can be found in Submission: Jesus had been hanging out with women too much, where Islam, on the other hand, is about men.) The German AfD avoids such obvious inversions, but their positive point of reference is also not a specific, debatable content or commitment, but rather Western or German culture as such that needs to be protected and restored. Culture seems to function as an empty term here, a placeholder for any kind of identity that can be raised and held up in the face of an imagined antagonist that is secretly envied for its projected strength. The emptiness in content is filled with natural' surrogates: the reaffirmation of family, clear gender hierarchies and the idea of a thumos, a mysterious life power we have to re-instigate.

The supposed loss of thumos seems to be the loss of a supposedly natural and given position. Calls for its reinvigoration react to the slowly transpiring suspicion that the position of the Westerner' with all his entitlements and prerogatives, political might and economic power may after all not be a natural' one. We cannot just not know that the smartphones we use daily are not a natural given, but based on a capitalistic global economy involving unacceptable conditions for workers in the Congo and elsewhere. And that these forces, together with the very selective political and military engagements of the West, have in fact created the conditions for people having to leave their homes. These are issues we should be addressing instead of reproducing old Orientalisms to cover up the fact that we don't have a natural right to our expected way of living and that there is no such thing in society as a natural position.'
Business roundup: Dunn Bros. to open in November, E Glass's big pitch

In business news, an Aberdeen entrepreneur is making a nationwide pitch, car wash coverts to Tunnel of Terror, Dunn Brothers to open in November.
Medibio Ltd (ASX:MEB), is a medical technology company that has developed an objective test to assist in the diagnosis of depression, chronic stress and other mental health disorders. Based on research conducted over 15 years at the University of Western Australia, this test utilizes patented (and patent pending) circadian heart rate variability and cloud based proprietary algorithms delivering a quantifiable measure to assist in clinical diagnosis. Medibio's depression diagnostic is being validated in clinical studies undertaken by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and The University of Ottawa, among others. The clinical trials will support Medibio's application to become the first FDA approved, objective, and evidence based approach to the diagnosis of mental health disorders. Medibio's technology also provides an objective method for the assessment of stress and mental wellbeing that can be translated to the workplace stress/wellbeing market, wearable technology, and App market. Located in Melbourne, VIC, Medibio is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Australian Securities and Frankfurt Stock Exchange cross listed iSignthis Ltd (ASX:ISX) (FRA:TA8), the global leader in RegTech for identity verification and transactional banking/payments, is pleased to announce that it has completed integration of its services to Australian Securities and Investment Commission regulated OTCapital (www.OTCapital.com).


Company Secretary Appointment/Resignation

Perth, Aug 8, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Goldphyre Resources ( ASX:GPH ) is pleased to advise the appointment of Ms. Leigh-Ayn Absolom as Company Secretary.



Leigh-Ayn is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Secretary with 16 years' experience in auditing, accounting and company secretarial roles within public practice and the resources industry. She commenced her career with Deloitte, originally in South Africa and then Australia, before moving into the mining sector with Murchison Metals Ltd. Leigh-Ayn has held positions as Group Financial Controller and Company Secretary with uranium development company Bannerman Resources Limited, and Manager - Corporate with nickel explorer Resource Mining Corporation Limited.



Leigh-Ayn is an Associate Member of the Governance Institute of Australia and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.



Resignation of Company Secretary



The appointment follows the resignation of Mr. John Ribbons as Company Secretary. John has played a key role in the Company's successful corporate management since listing, and has been a professional and supportive advisor to the board. The directors thank John for his valued contribution and wish him every future success.



About Australian Potash Ltd





Australian Potash Limited (ASX:APC) is an ASX-listed Sulphate of Potash (SOP) developer. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Lake Wells Potash Project located approximately 500kms northeast of Kalgoorlie, in Western Australia's Eastern Goldfields.

Following the release of a Scoping Study in 2017, APC has been conducting a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) into the development of the Lake Wells Potash Project. The Company is aiming to release the findings of the DFS in H2 2019.

The Lake Wells Potash Project is a palaeochannel brine hosted sulphate of potash project. Palaeochannel bore fields supply large volumes of brine to many existing mining operations throughout Western Australia, and this technique is a well understood and proven method for extracting brine. APC will use this technically low-risk and commonly used brine extraction model to further develop a bore-field into the palaeochannel hosting the Lake Wells SOP resource.

A Scoping Study on the Lake Wells Potash Project was completed and released on 23 March 2017. The Scoping Study exceeded expectations and confirmed that the Project's economic and technical aspects are all exceptionally strong, and highlights APC's potential to become a significant long-life, low capital and high margin sulphate of potash (SOP) producer.
In spring 1953, Robert Foster, M.D., left the Army after years of service in Europe. He drove from his hometown in Louisiana to start his civilian career in California.

Wearied after many hours at the wheel, he stopped at a motel outside Phoenix. Oh, my goodness, the proprietor said. We forgot to turn off the vacancy sign. At the next motel, the owner told the doctor they had just rented their last room.

There was yet a third motel at that highway intersection. Dr. Foster presented himself at the front desk. The woman there said she would check if anything was available. She disappeared into the back office. Through a glass pane, Dr. Foster could see her talking at length with a man, apparently her husband. Finally, the husband emerged to say, Were from Illinois. We dont share the opinion of the people in this area. But, if we take you in, the rest of the motel owners will ostracize us. We just cant do it. Im sorry.

As youve guessed, Dr. Foster was African-American and, for the motel-keepers of greater Phoenix, that counted for more than his medical degree and military service. I have the story from Isabel Wilkersons superb The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of Americas Great Migration. It has an eventual happy ending. Dr. Foster established a successful medical practice in Los Angeles, becoming Ray Charles personal physician. Their doctor-patient relationship was immortalized in the last verse of the R&B classic Hide nor Hair, in which Charles jokingly accuses Dr. Foster of running away with his woman.

During the years of Jim Crow, an entrepreneur named Victor H. Green published an annually updated directory called The Negro Travelers Green Book (or variations on that title). Organized by state and town, it listed places where black motorists could spend the night or grab a bite to eat. The 1953 edition, now available online, offered black visitors to Albuquerque their choice of two rooming houses and one restaurant, Aunt Brendas on Arno Street.

Most of us react to such stories with deep dismay mixed with relief that its not that way any more. But not everyone feels that way. In June, USA Today reported that Airbnb had terminated a North Carolina host who used the N-word on the companys messaging system to explain to a black businesswoman why he wouldnt rent to her. That now-ex-host was doing his single-handed best to bring Jim Crow back.

I had my first experience with Airbnb this spring and it was a good one. I was able to rent a one-bedroom apartment near the shore in beautiful Port Townsend, Wash., for the price of a modest motel room. But booking on Airbnb was nothing like making a reservation with a hotel chain or Travelocity. I submitted a request, along with my photograph, asking whether the unit was available on the days of my choice. My would-be hosts then had the opportunity to accept me or not. At the end of my stay, I had the odd experience of reading my hosts review of my guestship, but only after I had first posted my review of their hospitality. Airbnb is an online reputation bank.

Since Airbnb hosts are inviting strangers onto their properties and often into their homes, it makes sense that they should reserve the power to say no. And the advance sending of photographs makes sense, too, because it gives homeowners assurance that theyre opening the door to the right person.

But a team of Harvard Business School researchers found that the system of offer and acceptance also provides an opportunity for racial discrimination. They prepared twenty user profiles, identical but for the names assigned to them. Some names were distinctively African-American while others were distinctively white. Using the profile, they made preliminary inquiries into the availability of 6,400 listings in four cities. They found that African-American guests received a positive response roughly 42 percent of the time, compared to roughly 50 percent for white guests. And that was without photographs.

Airbnb itself claims to have more than 2 million hosts worldwide. The website AirDNA estimates a quarter of those are in the United States. The difference between 50 percent and 42 percent when multiplied by half a million makes for a lot of hosts who keep forgetting to turn off their vacancy signs. It may be that the North Carolinian ex-host was unusual only in his candor.

Airbnb itself has a strong policy against discrimination (and it bears repeating that it banned that North Carolina host). But the essence of its business model is that it doesnt own the units whose rental it facilitates. It doesnt tell its hosts how to run their businesses. That leaves a lot of room for less outspoken bigotry.

Its not clear what, if any, federal anti-discrimination laws apply to short-term rentals. The 1964 Civil Rights Act outlaws discrimination in public accommodations, but specifically excludes from its reach any establishment located in a building which contains not more than five rooms for rent or hire and which is actually occupied by the proprietor of such establishment as his residence. Back in 1964, that described an old-fashioned rooming house. Today, its the classic Airbnb setup. The Fair Housing Act also prohibits discrimination, but it applies only to dwellings, a vaguely defined term that implies a stay measured in weeks rather than days. Consequently, most short-term rentals seemingly slide right through the net of federal anti-discrimination laws. That leaves only state and local laws, which arent sufficiently organized even to qualify as a patchwork.

Can an online Green Book guide to Airbnb hosts be far behind?

Joel Jacobsen is an author and has recently retired from a 29-year legal career. If there are topics you would like to see covered in future columns, please write him at legal.column.tips@gmail.com
Working from a less than 5,000-square-foot warehouse was a fine start for New Mexico Pinon Coffees roasting business.

But the family-owned business outgrew the space at 4431 Anaheim NE.

With big-name customers, such as Costco and Trader Joes, knocking on the door, the homegrown Albuquerque company, which roasted 1 million pounds of coffee last year, has set up shop in a 13,000-square-foot space at the Comanche Business Park.

Our customer list is simply growing, said Allen Bassett, the company president. In the past few years, it became obvious we needed more storage for bags and unroasted beans, so we started looking for a new space.

Bassett, who runs the business with his brother Kevin, declined to comment on revenue, but said 70 percent of New Mexico Pinon Coffee, which comes in 29 flavors, is shipped out of state. The company has self-funded major tenant improvements, and purchased a new roaster and packaging machine to keep up with demand.

In the meantime, the business will continue to utilize the Anaheim space as a storage facility and will expand its cafe brand this summer by opening its first drive-through location. The company will take over a former Arbys near 4th and Montano NW. A complete gutting and remodel is underway, with an anticipated opening of the Pinon Coffee House later this month.

NMB&T renews lease

New Mexico Bank & Trust will continue to be headquartered in a multiple-floor, 23,000-plus-square-foot space at 320 Gold SW in Downtown Albuquerque, according to landlord Gemini Rosemont.

The lease agreement also includes a prominent ground floor bank branch, the drive-thru banking location and building signage. Terms of the transaction were not released.

New Mexico Bank & Trust has been a long-term tenant, signing the initial lease in 1999, said Joe Farr, senior vice president of asset management for Gemini Rosemont. Their lease renewal is a vote of confidence, not only for the positive relationship weve developed over the years, but also for their satisfaction in our building management style.

New Mexico Bank & Trust is a community bank with assets of more than $1.1 billion, and 17 offices in Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Espanola, Tierra Amarilla, Clovis and Portales.

NMB&Ts lease negotiation was handled by in-house representation.

Other tenants at the building include EA Engineering, Science and Technology Inc., Conklin, Woodcock & Ziegler, P.C., and Gemini Rosemonts regional office, among others.

Nows the time to sell

Albuquerque-area home prices increased nearly 3 percent in June compared with June 2015, according to a new report by CoreLogic.

Albuquerques home-price appreciation of 2.9 percent was not as good as the nationwide year-over-year average, which was 5.7 percent. Albuquerque metro-area home prices, including distressed sales, increased by 0.2 percent in June 2016 compared with the previous month.

Statewide, New Mexico registered a 2.3 increase from the previous year. Other realtor associations have also recently reported an upward trend in prices.

The states with the largest increases year-over-year were Oregon and Washington, where prices rose 10.9 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, home prices fell by 1.7 percent in Connecticut and by 0.8 percent in New Jersey from June 2015.

For metro areas, Denver saw the largest home-price appreciation, at 10.2 percent.

Mortgage rates dipped in June to their lowest level in more than three years, supporting home purchases, said Frank Nothhaft, chief economist for CoreLogic.

Steve Sinovic is the real estate reporter for the Albuquerque Journal. News items can be sent to him at ssinovic@abqjournal.com. Or call 505-823-3919.
NEW YORK  A new law that requires food makers to label the packaging of any products that contain genetically modified ingredients has small and medium-sized manufacturers facing some big decisions.

Should they try to provide the information on the label itself or invest in the technology to add scannable codes? Should they change their ingredients to steer clear of such products and is it worth getting certified as being GMO-free? These are tough questions for companies that may not have financial cushions like bigger businesses to absorb the cost of such changes, which can run into the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars.

The law, which President Barack Obama signed recently, requires food manufacturers and producers to disclose whether products contain GMO components, also known as genetically engineered ingredients. Companies can embed the information in a QR code, the square found on some packaging that is read with a smartphone camera.

GMOs have been the subject of much debate. The government and many scientists say theyre safe, but opponents believe they can be toxic and cause allergies. Although GMOs have become a staple in many processed food products over the past two decades, many Americans may not realize how widespread they are.

Ellia Kassoff, CEO of Leaf Brands, which makes Hydrox cookies and various candies, is concerned about how the public will react to labels that say its food has GMOs  although the bulk of the nations corn and soybean crops are now genetically modified.

It does create this negative feeling with the customer and I dont know if the majority of customers in the U.S. fully understand the benefits or non-benefits of GMOs, says Kassoff, whose company is based in Newport Beach, Calif.

But many consumers dont read labels that already display nutritional information like calories, fat and carbohydrates, and they might not read or understand labels that mention GMOs, says Alexander Chernev, a marketing professor at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management.

People dont know if its good or bad, he says. In the short term, its not very likely to change behavior by itself.

A look at the issues surrounding GMOs that small and medium-sized companies face:

A quick primer

A GMO is a plant or animal whose genes have been altered to change how they act or react to the environment. Corn, for example, has been genetically modified to make it resistant to insects and to herbicides used to kill weeds. The Agriculture Department estimates that about 90 percent of the U.S. corn crop is modified against herbicides and about 80 percent is modified against insects.

According to the government, the majority of plants with GMOs are used to make ingredients like corn starch and syrup, and corn, canola and soybean oils, and beet sugar. Theyre also used as livestock feed.

The Food and Drug Administration, which regulates food made from GMOs, has declared them safe and the nonprofit National Academy of Sciences, in a review of almost 900 scientific studies and reports released this year, found no substantiated evidence of a difference in risks to human health between current commercially available genetically engineered (GE) crops and conventionally bred crops.

But many groups that oppose GMOs point to studies in the U.S. and other countries that have said food with GMOs can cause some types of cancer or other illnesses. The European Union, relying on such studies, requires GMO foods to be labeled.

The Non-GMO Project, an organization that advocates for the production of more non-GMO food, has said that determining the safety of GMO foods requires studies spanning generations.

How much to disclose, and where?

Before the law can take effect, the Agriculture Department must write regulations spelling out what food companies will be required to do to comply. The USDA has two years to do that.

Kassoff isnt sure how Leaf will label its packages, simply because the government hasnt specified whats needed. Depending on the requirements and the size of the package  Leafs products include small packets of candies  it might not be possible to fit everything in without using the QR code.

Soylent, a protein-and-carbohydrate drink maker whose website says its proudly made with GMOs, favors labels that give details on how GMOs are used so consumers can be well informed about what theyre eating.

Simply saying on the label Made with genetically engineered ingredients is probably not enough, says Samy Hamdouche, the Los Angeles-based companys vice president of research.

Go non-GMO?

Some companies have decided to stop using GMO ingredients rather than risk doubts in consumers minds. Others are going further, seeking a certification from the Non-GMO Project that their food is made completely without GMOs and getting to use a logo on their packages.

Our consumers are the types that value certification of non-GMOs to reassure them theyre getting the highest quality ingredients, says Jonathan Davis, a senior vice president of Los Angeles-based bread maker La Brea Bakery. The company has always sought non-GMO ingredients, he says, and it plans to be completely non-GMO by the end of this year.

But some companies may not be able to afford to phase out GMO ingredients because the supply of non-GMO versions is limited.

In some cases, its hard to acquire non-GMO ingredients and sell a product at a price where consumers will buy it, Kassoff says. If Hydrox cookies were reformulated to be GMO-free, he says, a package would cost 50 cents more than Oreos, the cookies biggest competitor.

Kars Nuts has Non-GMO Project certification for its Second Nature line of snack mixes, but some of the ingredients in its Kars line do contain GMOs, says Nick Nicolay, the companys president. Finding replacements would drive up his costs.

Its a little unrealistic for us at this time, says Nicolay, whose company is located in Madison Heights, Mich. However, the company says going completely non-GMO is something it will consider in the future.

Deep River Snacks doesnt use GMO ingredients and almost all its products have been certified by the Non-GMO Project. Founder Jim Goldberg says the Deep River, Conn., company is still trying to get certification for two potato chip flavors and one tortilla chip flavor that are dairy; that takes verification from its suppliers that the cows whose milk is used werent given feed with GMOs.

Goldberg thinks labeling is a good idea. This is about consumers wanting to know what theyre eating, he says.
HOUSTON  WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange spoke via video chat to members of the Green Party during their national convention in Houston, criticizing the federal government and corporate America.

The Houston Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/2b3NE62 ) Assange spoke for about 20 minutes on Saturday.

In his speech, Assange accused Google of controlling communication and criticized President Barack Obama for cracking down on federal employees who leak classified information.

Assange told the crowd that Jill Stein, who was nominated on Saturday to be the Green Partys presidential nominee, could win the election this fall. National surveys have Stein polling at 3 to 6 percent.

Assange spoke from Ecuadorean embassy in London, where he has been living since 2012. He is wanted for questioning by Swedish police over rape allegations. He has denied all the accusations.

___

Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com
WASHINGTON  As secretary of state, Hillary Clinton basked in a diplomatic Moscow Spring, seizing on Vladimir Putins break from the presidency to help seal a nuclear arms-control treaty and secure Russias acquiescence to a NATO-led military intervention in Libya. When Putin returned to the top job, things changed.

Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, has vowed to stand up to Putin if elected, drawing on her four years of ups and downs as the public face of President Barack Obamas first-term reset with Russia. By comparison, her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, has rung alarm bells in Washington and Europe with his overtures to the authoritarian Russian leader.

But Clintons wrangles with Russia led to mixed results. Her fortunes dipped dramatically after Putin replaced Dmitry Medvedev as president in May 2012.

Just weeks later, Russia outmaneuvered her in negotiations over a complicated Syria peace plan, dealing her what was arguably her worst diplomatic defeat. While Clinton hailed it as a triumph, the war only escalated. And while her aides still insist she came out on top, the blueprint effectively gave Syrias Moscow-backed president, Bashar Assad, a veto over any transition government, hampering all mediation efforts still.

There is no doubt that when Putin came back in and said he was going to be president, that did change the relationship, Clinton said in a Democratic debate last year. We have to stand up to his bullying and specifically, in Syria it is important.

Clintons history with Russia is significant given the surprising role Russia has played in the U.S. presidential campaign.

Clinton and her supporters say she would be far tougher on Moscow than Trump, whose unusual foreign policy statements include musings about NATOs relevance and suggestions that he could accept Russias annexation of Ukraines Crimea region. Russias reported hacking of Democratic Party email accounts also has led to charges that Putins intelligence services are meddling in the election, and Trump aided that perception by publicly encouraging Russia to find and release more of her emails.

Clintons first encounters in Russian diplomacy began on much more hopeful note. Meeting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in 2009, Clinton initiated the effort to repair years of bitter relations, punctuated by a Russian war with neighboring Georgia a year earlier. Offering a large red reset button, Clinton outlined a broad agenda of cooperation.

The new policy paid dividends.

With Putin focused on domestic matters during a four-year stint as prime minister, Medvedev opened up a new corridor for U.S. forces and materiel heading to Afghanistan as part of the U.S. surge in the war. After missile defense concessions by Obama, the two nations sealed their most ambitious arms control pact in a generation. Washington and Moscow united on new Iran sanctions. Years of trade negotiations culminated in Russias entry into the World Trade Organization.

But it was perhaps Clintons unlikeliest diplomatic breakthrough that began the downward spiral: Libya. Even before Putins first two terms as president, Russia had always opposed U.N. Security Council action that might lead to a leadership change.

As Americas European allies sought a military intervention against Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, Clinton played the role of skeptic, refusing to jump aboard. When she finally did, it proved critical in persuading Russia to abstain. The rebels overthrew Gadhafi five months later.

It was the first time that Putin publicly criticized Medvedev, said Michael McFaul, Obamas main Russia adviser at the time and later U.S. ambassador in Moscow. When things went poorly and not according to plan as we had promised, I think that was the beginning of the end for the reset.

Relations soured further by the end of the year as Putin won a new, six-year presidential term. Evidence of election fraud led to the largest protests since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Clinton issued a sharply worded statement; Putin accused Clinton of sending the signal to undermine his country.

If Libya destroyed trust, McFaul said the demonstrations were the resets body blow.

Putin got paranoid, he said, and believed we were behind them, really believed it. We never gained traction after that.

Returning as president in May 2012, Putin was immediately confronted with Syrias Libya-like escalation from Arab Spring protests to full-scale civil war. He played his cards differently than Medvedev, hinting to Obama that he could drop his support for the Syrian leader while shielding Assad from any U.N. pressure or foreign action that might chase him from power.

Putin claimed that he had no particular love for Assad, Clinton wrote in her memoir Hard Choices, recalling a meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents in June 2012. He also professed to have no real leverage with Damascus.

Seeking Russias cooperation, Obama and Clinton avoided any talk that might threaten Russian equities in Syria, including a large naval base there. Their message was clear: The U.S. wouldnt try to pull a future post-Assad government out of Moscows orbit.

It didnt matter. When the U.N. proposed a peace plan that involved ushering Assad out of power and included penalties for noncompliance, the Russians balked. Faced with stalemate, the U.S. and Russia arrived at a formula for a new government comprised of individuals chosen by the mutual consent of Assad and the opposition.

Although Clinton claimed credit for the June 30, 2012, compromise in Geneva, it appeared to be Russias objective all along.

There was no way Assad would pass such a test, Clinton said. The opposition would never consent to him.

Russia didnt read the deal that way. Neither did Assad. And Assad is still president.

Putin doesnt do favors, said Stephen Sestanovich, a Russia specialist at the Council on Foreign Relations and a senior diplomat under Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. If we had had a robust policy in Syria and said, This is what were going to do; what are you going to do?  thats one thing. But we didnt. We asked for help and the chances of that working were zero.

The Geneva deal has had long-term repercussions. The U.S. and Russia both say it must be the basis of any settlement to the five-year civil war. But their interpretations still differ, contributing to a standstill that keeps Assad in power.

At the time Clinton negotiated the Geneva deal, some 8,000 people had been killed in Syria. Since then, the death toll has risen to perhaps 500,000, with millions of refugees and the Islamic State group emerging.

I doubt they could have gotten more out of Russia, said Robert Ford, who was U.S. ambassador to Syria at the time and is now a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute.

Clintons deal could have proved viable, if backed up by American military pressure, he said. But Obama didnt see it that way. The tactics were not in sync with the strategy, Ford said.

Frederic Hof, a senior member of Clintons delegation to the talks, called the document a roadmap to peaceful regime change. But others in the U.S. government were unwilling to do anything to realize the plan, he said, adding: This is why Syria continues to hemorrhage internally and externally.

Clinton, in any case, was mistaken if she believed Obama was prepared to act militarily in Syria.

With her plan doomed to fail otherwise, she joined Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and CIA Director David Petraeus later that year in urging Obama to authorize military support for vetted, moderate rebels and U.S. enforcement of a no-fly zone over opposition-held areas of the country.

Obama refused.

Clinton has acknowledged her frustration with an increasingly hostile Russia on Syria and other matters as her time in office wound down.

In her final months, Russia ordered the end of all U.S. Agency for International Development programs in the country. It approved a new law constraining the work of Russian and foreign non-governmental organizations. It banned U.S. adoptions of Russian children.

In December 2012, Clinton accused Putin of trying to re-Sovietize its region. And just before leaving, she wrote a memo to Obama urging him to finally suspend a reset that ended once and for all with Russias military incursions in Ukraine and annexation of Crimea in 2014  well after Clinton had left government.

Strength and resolve were the only language Putin would understand, Clinton wrote in her book, published shortly afterward.

It was a lesson she could say she learned firsthand.
Most complex systems  like airplanes, for example  have built-in redundancies. So in order for a catastrophic failure to occur  such as falling from the sky  there generally have to be several things going wrong. Usually all at once.

The state budget is a complex system, too. Sadly, its plunging toward disaster. In order to fix it we need to look at all the things that are going wrong.

Most news outlets and the pundits they quote have only been focusing on one problem: low oil and gas prices. If were going to be successful in fixing this thing before it crashes and burns, we need to look at the other failing pieces. Namely, that the state hasnt been collecting enough money to cover all of our important expenses like education, health care and public safety.

Weve been passing big tax cuts since 2003. Income tax cuts have been thrown at profitable corporations and the people earning the most money. These tax cuts were supposed to create jobs. They didnt.

Back in 2003, before the recession, this wasnt so much of a problem. Oil and gas prices were steady and the economy was strong. Today, however, New Mexicos economic recovery barely crawls along, were still waiting on those promised jobs to materialize, and bargain-basement oil and gas prices dont look like theyre going back up any time soon.

Its time to take a second look at all those tax cuts.

Lets start with the personal income tax rate cut for those at the very top of the scale. Since 2003, the wealthiest New Mexicans have seen their income tax rate cut almost in half.

And then theres the very generous deduction for capital gains income. Capital gains is the money that people make on the stock market and in real estate deals. People with capital gains income get to deduct half of that income for tax purposes. When was the last time you got to subtract half of every paycheck from your income tax bill?

So theres problem number one: People who make the most money pay the same income tax rate as everyone except for the very, very poor, and us working stiffs are paying taxes on virtually all of our hard-earned wages, while half of the profits made from Wall Street and real estate deals are not taxed.

It gets worse. When we include all the other state and local taxes, we find that the New Mexicans who are making the least amount of money are paying the highest share of their income in these taxes.

New Mexicans who make less than $17,000 a year are paying more than 10 percent of their income in state and local taxes, while those who make more than $330,000 are paying less than 5 percent. When you make $17,000 a year, 10 percent is a lot of money.

Problem number two is that our sweet tax deals for the rich havent led to masses of millionaires moving into New Mexico. So we gave away all that money  and it amounts to about $500 million a year  and didnt get anything for it.

Problem number three is the corporate income tax cuts. Corporations like tax cuts. Theyll take whatever tax cuts states want to give out. But research shows that tax cuts alone are not enough to convince corporations to set up shop in a state. There are just too many other things corporations need in order to make a profit.

Among these are a skilled, well-educated workforce, infrastructure like highways and rail lines to move their goods, and customers.

Remember the complex system of the airplane? Corporations are complex systems, as well, and trying to lure them with just tax cuts is like checking the electronics on the plane but forgetting to fill the gas tank.

Were in this mess because we cut taxes in the hopes that it would bring wealthy people and profitable corporations to New Mexico, which would create jobs. We lost that bet.

We cant control gas and oil prices, but we can control other sources of revenue by changing who pays and how much. Its time to end the failed strategy of tax breaks for the rich and profitable, and adopt a strategy that will provide sufficient revenue for what does matter  a world-class education system, excellent health care, good infrastructure and safe communities.

Bill Jordan is senior policy adviser and government relations officer for N.M. Voices for Children.
The recent Democratic National Committee email hacks confirmed what many people suspected: the DNC establishment rigged the primary system to favor Hillary Clinton and harm Bernie Sanders.

Conveniently absent from most reporting is the serious story of widespread collusion between media and the DNC, as we see how various journalists and news organizations bend and mold coverage to benefit Democrats and their causes.

These emails uncovered mainstream journalists submitting articles to the DNC for pre-approval before publication and the DNC providing pre-scripted questions for interviews of Democrats, especially the Clintons. They also revealed the DNC submitting fake news stories about Trump to a compliant media.

Media consumers have learned to read between the lines, to wade through the partisanship, to dig deep for the actual news. Thus, most non-Democrats have resigned ourselves to an endless barrage of DNC propaganda masquerading as news stories and fake outrage over every utterance of Trump, most recently regarding the Khans DNC appearance.

In these news stories and media sound bites, Trumps remarks are usually taken out of context.

I listened to his full remarks regarding the Khans, and Trump spoke highly of the sons sacrifice. The latest manufactured controversy involves his brief remarks about the public silence and traditional Muslim dress of the mother, which he rightly noted is an outward sign of compliance with Sharia law  probably an inappropriate and irrelevant comment under the circumstances, but an observation made by most people watching the convention as the Khans stood at the podium.

Why the breathless outrage over this statement of the obvious?

Trump questioned the fathers going after him so venomously in his DNC speech, because two minutes were spent talking about his son, then four minutes criticizing Trump. As Trump pointed out, he has been on record as opposing the Iraq war, whereas Hillary, when she was in the U.S. Senate, voted in favor of the war.

Trump is a longtime advocate for veterans causes, while Clinton is part of a political establishment neglectful of the pressing needs of our veterans.

Khans harsh criticism was focused on Trumps opposition to unfettered immigration from terrorist-prone Muslim countries, as if our country has no constitutional or statutory right to defend its borders and control immigration based on all sorts of criteria. What goes unreported in the mainstream media is the allegation that Khan is an immigration lawyer specializing in pay to play visas for wealthy foreign investors. Trump is proposing changes to our much-abused visa system that would hurt Khans bottom line.

How differently have politicians and the mainstream media treated another Gold Star Parent, Patricia Smith, whose son also died defending his country, and who spoke at the Republican National Convention about how Hillary Clinton lied to her about how her son died in Benghazi.

These same media and politicians, so enamored of Khans appearance at the DNC, criticized Trump for even allowing Patricia Smith to speak at the RNC (Its pandering!), and many, including Clinton, went so far as to question the truthfulness of her testimony.

The appalling lack of respect for these other Gold Star Parents goes largely ignored, and sometimes abetted, by most media outlets.

What is true is this: No Gold Star Parents can blame Donald Trump for the death of their child in service to their country. If blame is to be cast on a candidate, it more rightly falls upon his opponent, who voted for the Iraq war, and who, as Secretary of State, bears much responsibility for what happened in Benghazi and the misinformation campaign that followed.

Political campaigns are a rough-and-tumble business, and Trump has in him a bit of the New York street fighter, so wed better get used to this: Until the November election, every Trump remark will be taken out of context and treated with hysterical indignation in hopes that we voters will get our minds right and vote for the candidate with the D after her name.

As the candidate with the R after his name might say, Not gonna happen.
Well, its been long enough since Colorado became one of the first two states to approve recreational marijuana legalization in November 2012. The rumor was that New Mexico was taking a wait and see stance before embarking on its own legalization.

But now the stats are everywhere: Colorado is ranked as one of the fastest growing economies in our nation.

The unemployment rate is at its lowest since 2008, well below the national average. Incarceration rates have dropped through the floor.

Dispensaries are popping up everywhere, contributing to other businesses like security, marketing, web hosting, etc.,. This means that demand for commercial space is high and business is good. It also demonstrates that legalizing pot has had a ripple effect on Colorados businesses.

The good has outweighed the bad in spectacular ways in most all aspects of Colorados legalization.

In the beginning, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper was openly opposed to marijuana legalization, much like our New Mexico governor and legislature.

Hickenloopers change of heart is a result of the remarkable early success of legalized marijuana since weed dispensaries first opened in Colorado in January 2014. The state has not devolved into the lawless hellscape that some observers predicted.

Quite the opposite, in fact: Hickenlooper said the rate of marijuana usage has remained flat, arrests have gone down and Colorado is on pace to generate about $100 million dollars in tax revenue this fiscal year.

The number of citations and arrests for marijuana have also declined since legalization.

According to a study released by the Drug Policy Alliance in March, the number of marijuana-related charges declined 80 percent from 2010 to 2014. Hickenlooper suggested drug dealers seem to be leaving town.

I think that was another worry, that there would be crime-ridden streets and everything would be incredibly dangerous, Andrew Freedman, the director of the governors Office of Marijuana Coordination said. Were not seeing any of that.  What we have seen is it hasnt been the catastrophe some people feared that it would be.

As the states first marijuana czar, Freedman is responsible for managing Colorados marijuana tax revenue and helping to devise legislation to regulate the industry. He is also tasked with keeping close track of data related to legalized weed. Freedman cautions against drawing robust conclusions, but he noted a number of positive early signs.

For one, usage numbers have not climbed dramatically. According to data provided by Freedmans office, approximately 10 percent of adults 26 and older reported smoking marijuana in 2013, prior to the beginning of recreational sales. Thats compared to 13.6 percent of adults who reported being regular users in 2014.

In 2013, 19.7 percent of high schoolers were regular users, a rate that was comparable to years before legalization.

That shows were at the same place in terms of adult use post-legalization as we were pre-legalization, Freedman said. We are seeing that as a continual good sign from the market. Freedman and other people deeply involved in the day-to-day oversight of the new market say it functions pretty smoothly. But they emphasize the broader question of whether or not legalization ends up a success will probably take five or 10 years to answer fully.

Its no secret that New Mexicos economy could use some help. Every day, I hear about the economic tsunami facing our state.

Come on New Mexico. We cant wait five to 10 years to answer fully the marijuana question. Oil and gas sales are down but marijuana is a growing industry. It is pollution free, it is medicinal and has helped and eased peoples lives so much. It should be legalized now.

It is estimated that the average yearly trade in marijuana is $113 billion, a part of which Colorado is reaping greatly.

What are you waiting for New Mexico?
WASHINGTON  Anyone with confidence in the American people (and I have quite a lot of it) had to believe that Donald Trumps unpreparedness, instability and just plain meanness would catch up with him eventually. This, as the polls show, is what happened over the past week or so. Simply by revealing who he really is, Trump sent millions of voters fleeing him in disgust.

But understanding what still attracts many voters to Trump is important, not only to those who want to prevent Trump from staging a comeback, but also to anyone who wants to make our democracy thrive in the long run. Those of us who are horrified by Trumps hideous lack of empathy need empathy ourselves.

Its certainly true that Trump appeals to racists and nativists. He is, first and foremost, the product of a Republican Party that has exploited extremism since President Obama took office. GOP leaders should be called to account whenever they try to prettify Trump by ignoring his assaults on Mexican Americans and Muslims or a checkered business record that belies his pretensions of being a friend to the working class.

Nonetheless, to ignore the real pain experienced by Trump voters is an even bigger mistake. As a practical matter, we will not ease the divisions in our country his candidacy has underscored if we do not deal with the legitimate grievances of his supporters. As a moral matter, writing off Trump voters as unenlightened and backward-looking is to engage in the very same kind of bigoted behavior that we condemn in other spheres.

Lets begin by disentangling the causes of both Trumpism and the related rise of far-right parties in Europe.

In a timely paper that will be presented at next months American Political Science Association meeting, Trump, Brexit, and the Rise of Populism, Ronald F. Inglehart of the University of Michigan and Pippa Norris of Harvards Kennedy School of Government argue that, while there is undeniably an economic element in the ascendancy of the extreme right in the West, the key cause is an angry and resentful counter-revolutionary backlash to cultural changes since the 1970s.

They highlight the role of anti-immigrant attitudes, mistrust of global and national governance, as well as support for authoritarian values. Voters for the European far right look like Trump backers: the older generation, men, the less educated, the religious, and ethnic majorities.

So, yes, the new right-wing populism may not be primarily about inequality. But Inglehart and Norris are careful to note that structural changes in the workforce and globalized markets may heighten economic insecurity and sharpen the negative reaction of cultural traditionalists.

And on the ground, says Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., the sense of disrespect felt by people who have lost work to new machines, technology and, in some cases, globalization is palpable. Esty, whose district includes ailing industrial cities, has been warning Democrats for months about Trumps appeal to displaced workers.

Esty said of Trump: I find him loathsome, but what he has tapped into is real.

Fred Yang, a Democratic pollster, pointed to NBC News/Wall Street Journal surveys showing that voters who say the Great Recession is still having an impact on them are more likely than other voters to support Trump.

And Eric Hauser, strategic adviser at the AFL-CIO, said that both parties need to face the obvious: that there is a lot of rage in this country.

People have been angry for more than a generation about their difficulty in moving ahead despite their best efforts, he said.

Hillary Clintons campaign is clearly aware of the fury, and she regularly declares that creating good-paying jobs and raising incomes is the defining challenge of our times. Her endorsement of progressive economic proposals reflects an attempt not simply to draw in Bernie Sanders supporters, but also to speak to at least some of Trumps sympathizers.

If the country is lucky, Trump will continue to do an excellent job of defeating himself. His racism and sexism are leading non-white voters and women to form a durable front of opposition. But his voters should not be demeaned or ignored, and his rise should shatter the complacency of the comfortable.

Copyright, Washington Post Writers Group
The Obama administration may not think the U.S. public is very bright, but certainly Americans are smart enough to see through the flimsy explanations given for secretly sending an unmarked cargo plane carrying a pallet with $400 million in foreign currency to Iran on the same day the rogue nation was to release some Americans and others it essentially was holding hostage.

Coincidence or ransom? Looks a lot like ransom. And money laundering.

A Wednesday Wall Street Journal story brought the mid-January delivery of $400 million to Iran back into the limelight. The money and prisoner exchange had been announced on Jan. 17, a Sunday. But the news was likely overshadowed by the announcement the same weekend that economic sanctions against Iran were lifted as part of the U.S.-Iran nuclear pact the administration had negotiated without congressional approval.

The administration says the U.S. was returning $400 million the Iranian government paid in 1979 for military equipment that was never delivered after the Shah was overthrown, the U.S. Embassy was raided and Americans were held hostage for several months.

In January, the U.S. Justice Department objected to sending the cash to Iran, according to the Wall Street Journals follow-up story, but the State Department overruled the objections.

Republicans, as they did in January, expressed outrage: Whatever the administration may claim, it is clear that this payment was a ransom for Americans held hostage in Iran, said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

President Obama on Thursday denied that was the case or that the agreement was a secret: We do not pay ransom. We didnt here, and we wont in the future.

But at least one hostage freed in January was reported Friday as saying that an Iranian intelligence officer told him, We are waiting for another plane and if that plane takes off then we are going to let you go.

And delivering a stack of foreign currency in an unmarked plane smacks of the way crime syndicates, drug lords and ransom victims might do business.

Why foreign cash and not American dollars or, better, a wire transaction? Because that would have been illegal, according to the Wall Street Journal report.

The United States has a long-standing policy of not negotiating with kidnappers or terrorists or paying ransom for the release of Americans. Doing so endangers all Americans traveling abroad. And Iran is already holding more Americans today.

Incredible coincidence or ransom, this strange exchange sent the wrong message to our enemies. And leaves American credibility in tatters.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
LAS CRUCES  For the 11th consecutive year, staff members at Memorial Medical Center will donate hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies to Las Cruces Public Schools as a way to help support economically disadvantaged students as they prepare for the 2016-17 school year, said LCPS Lead Social Worker Yoli Silva.

MMC employees will present the backpacks to LCPS staff at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8, at MMC, 2450 S. Telshor Blvd. Once collected, the donations will be distributed through the LCPS Project Link Homeless Education program to economically disadvantaged students throughout the school district.

The backpacks are filled with pens, pencils, notebooks, paper, rulers, glue, scissors and other supplies from the LCPS school supplies list. The backpacks are labeled according to grade and will be distributed to students at all LCPS schools, Silva said.

It is a great donation that helps many of our students and their families start the school on a positive note, said Silva.

In the past 11 years, MMC has donated more than 3,500 backpacks filled with school supplies which are collectively valued at more than $70,000. Information: Silva, 575-527-5913.



2016 the Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, N.M.)

Visit the Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, N.M.) at www.lcsun-news.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

_____
WICHITA FALLS, Texas  A 48-year-old North Texas man who pleaded guilty last month to sexually assaulting a 5-year-old girl has been sentenced to three life prison terms.

State District Judge Charles Barnard told Donald Ray Shivers, of Iowa Park, at his sentencing Friday in Wichita Falls that he was taking away Shivers freedom because Shivers had taken away his victims innocence. The sentences must be served consecutively.

Court documents reviewed by the Wichita Falls Times Record News (http://bit.ly/2aQJtLf ) show the girl reported the assaults to her mother years later when she was 8. Investigators said the girl provided details of abuse that only the victim would know.

Trial testimony showed the now 10-year-old suffers from depression and adjustment and post-traumatic stress disorders.

Shivers had a previous record of theft, burglary and drug use.

___

Information from: Wichita Falls Times Record News, http://www.timesrecordnews.com
WASHINGTON  The White House has released a version of President Barack Obamas 3-year-old guidance on the use of lethal force against terrorists overseas, laying out what it says are safeguards to minimize civilian deaths and errant strikes while preserving the capability to take quick action with drone attacks and other means.

The presidential policy guidance stipulates that the U.S., when operating outside areas of active hostilities, will only take direct action when there is near certainty that the terrorist target is present and that noncombatants wont be killed or injured. Lethal force can also be undertaken only against a lawful target that poses a continuing, imminent threat to Americans.

The principles, released with redactions, provide more detail on the conditions for drone strikes and other direct action than the White House revealed earlier when it summarized the document in a fact sheet in 2013. Obama or his aides have spoken previously, though, about the near certainty standard at the heart of the guidance  a standard that hasnt silenced criticism over civilian deaths from drones.

Ned Price, spokesman for the White Houses National Security Council, said in a statement Saturday that the policy standards offer protections for civilians that exceed the requirements of the law of armed conflict.

As the president has said, near certainty is the highest standard we can set,' Price said. The U.S. takes feasible precautions to minimize the risk of civilian casualties even when the U.S. is not operating in conditions covered by the guidance, he added, or when we act quickly to defend U.S. or partner forces from imminent attack.

The American Civil Liberties Union had sued for disclosure of the guidance under the Freedom of Information Act and welcomed the development. The release will inform an ongoing debate about the lawfulness and wisdom of the governments counterterrorism policies, said Jameel Jaffer, ACLU deputy legal director.

But Jaffer said questions remain about where the guidance applies, whether Obama has waived its requirements in particular instances, and how the relatively stringent standards can be reconciled with the accounts of eyewitnesses, journalists and human rights researchers who have documented large numbers of bystander casualties.

Among the conditions set out in the guidance: Approval from the president is required for a lethal strike against a U.S. citizen or when relevant officials in the administration disagree on whether a particular non-American nominated for a deadly attack should in fact be targeted. In cases where the officials are unanimous in favor of a lethal attack against a foreigner, the president needs to be notified but his approval is not required to proceed.

In July, the administration said it had killed up to 116 civilians in counterterrorism attacks in Pakistan, Yemen and other places where the U.S. is not engaged in active, on-the-ground warfare. It was the first such public assessment and a response to growing pressure for more information about lethal U.S. operations overseas. Human rights and other groups quickly complained that the administration undercounted civilian casualties.

The report by National Intelligence Director James Clapper said the U.S. conducted 473 counterterrorism strikes, including those by unmanned drones, between January 2009 and December 2015, killing 2,372 to 2,581 combatants in those years.

___

Associated Press writers Hope Yen and Josh Lederman contributed to this report.
PARIS  A fast-moving fire that appeared to be accidental swept through a birthday party in a basement bar in northwest France, killing at least 13 people and injuring six others, authorities said Saturday.

More than 80 firefighters battled the early Saturday blaze at the downtown Cuba Libre bar in the city of Rouen, Mayor Yvon Robert said, calling the fire very brief.

The birthday party was a moment of joy for those involved that  ended tragically, Robert said.

Vice prosecutor Laurent Labadie told The Associated Press that the first testimonies from survivors and the early police investigation indicated the fire was completely accidental.

There was no explosion, Labadie told the AP. Candles on a birthday cake started the fire after the person who carried it tripped on the stairs leading to the basement.

Labadie said its still unclear how many people were partying at the Cuba Libre club, adding that most of the dead were between 18 and 25 years old.

In a statement released by the French presidency, Francois Hollande expressed his solidarity with the victims families and vowed that the ongoing judicial investigation will shed light on the the causes of this dramatic accident.

Labadie said sound-insulating material on the basements walls quickly ignited and party guests had no time to escape from the basement.

At the scene of the fire, residents paid tribute to the victims by laying flowers. Images on French television from outside the bar showed a large ground-floor window broken open, burned red bar chairs and a tattered awning.

The fire  the deadliest in France since 2005  came as the country is on maximum terror alert after two deadly attacks last month and was also the second recent tragedy to hit Rouen, a city in Normandy. A priest was slain by two Islamic State extremists in his church outside Rouen on July 26 and his funeral was held Tuesday in Rouen Cathedral.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve gave an initial count of 13 dead and six injured in the fire, which started after midnight Friday. The prefecture, which runs the region, said one of the six was in a life-threatening condition.

Rouens archbishop Dominique Lebrun, who led the public service for the slain priest, celebrated a Mass on Saturday for the bar victims and their families, while Prime Minister Manuel Valls expressed his deepest sadness.

Young people, some of them very young, had their lives cut short, said French junior minister Clotilde Valter. These are extremely painful circumstances for everybody.

A bar owner identified as Bruno by French TV BFMTV who was close to the Cuba Libre when the fire broke out said customers were trapped inside because the fire moved too fast.

It happened in three seconds, he said. Some customers exited on their hands and knees. Some of them tried to use a fire extinguisher, but it was too late.

In addition to the slaying of the French priest, an IS extremist launched a Bastille Day attack on the famed promenade in Nice, killing 85 holiday revelers with a truck before being shot dead by police.
The newspaper delivery truck driver missing since Friday was found dead Monday morning in his truck. Officials said they believe Elmer Waite, 59, died of natural causes at the scene.

The vehicle was found about 9:30 a.m. between Taiban and Fort Sumner off of U.S. 60.

He apparently suffered a medical episode and crossed the opposite travel lane and crashed into a ravine on the south side of the road, Clovis Media Inc. Publisher Rob Langrell wrote in an email to newspaper staff.

No foul play is suspected. Please keep Elmers family in your prayers.

Waite worked for the Santa Fe New Mexican, which prints newspapers in Clovis, Portales, Fort Sumner and elsewhere.

He made his delivery of Clovis and Portales papers as usual and left Clovis about 3 a.m. Friday, but never arrived to make his delivery in Fort Sumner.

Kelly Cook may have been the last person to talk with Waite before he left Clovis.

Cook, who delivers papers for the Clovis News Journal, was waiting for Waites truck to be unloaded when they began to chat.

He basically gave me his whole life story, she said.

He was telling me hed served in the miltary and that he used to be a police officer. He talked about his wife (Mary) and said theyd been together for a long, long time and that she was the love of his life.

Cook said Waite showed no signs of illness in Clovis.

No, he was all moving around, real upbeat; he didnt even look tired or anything, she said.

Cook said their conversation ended memorably.

I was telling him that I have cancer and he was encouraging me to get the treatment I need, she said through tears.

I didnt really know him, but he was a really sweet guy. So we talked about that, then he gave me a hug and then he took off.

A GPS tracking device on Waites vehicle stopped working at 4:01 a.m. Friday near the area where the vehicle was found.

Langrell, Clovis News Journal Circulation Director Cindy Cole, De Baca County News owner Scot Stinnett and Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper staff were among individuals who spent hours combing the highway on Friday and Saturday, along with law enforcement, hoping to spot the delivery truck.

It wasnt immediately clear how the truck was found or by whom.

State Police Sgt. Chad Pierce said additional information would be provided later today.

Waite had been delivering Clovis and Portales newspapers from the print shop at Santa Fe for about three months.

 For the latest updates on this story, check the story on the the Clovis News Journal.
When it comes to broadband access, New Mexicos digital divide is more like a Grand Canyon-sized ravine, encouraging at least one Federal Communications Commission member to get some first-hand knowledge.

FCC commissioner Mignon Clyburn met Monday morning in Albuquerque with government officials and representatives from telephone companies and cooperatives around the state in a roundtable discussion about the problems faced in bridging New Mexicos digital divide. Clyburn planned to visit the Navajo Nationl Tuesday afternoon, accompanied by U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., who organized the roundtable with Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M.

Clyburn is traveling the country on a Connecting Communities Tour to learn first-hand about the opportunities and challenges in bringing more high-speed access to towns, villages and lower-income urban zones.

Clyburn told participants that more companies, agencies and officials must be at the table to attack broadband accessibility, including small rural cooperatives and local players.

Weve grown up with legacy providers, gotten used to them, and in some cases tailored our policies around them, Clyburn said. But we need to ask ourselves, who is in the best position to meet these challenges now? We need to look at who is in the most advantaged position to bring services and evaluate if resources are getting to them.

Thats particularly true in New Mexico, where lack of access is more severe than other places.

Nationwide, 34 million Americans still lack access to the FCCs minimum benchmark Internet speeds of 25 megabits per second for downloads and three Mbps for uploads, according to the FCCs latest broadband report released in January. About 40 percent of all people living in rural areas in the U.S. and on tribal lands dont have that level of access.

In New Mexico, its even worse, with 61 percent of rural residents and 80 percent of tribal residents lacking access to high-speed broadband.

That accentuates already critical problems in education, healthcare and economic development, Udall said.

Its tremendously important in New Mexico, because were more rural than other states, Udall told the Journal. We need to hook up more communities to provide modern-day telemedicine and to give our schools the access they need.

To do that, New Mexico doesnt just need more financial assistance, but more targeted efforts to get resources into communities to help them take advantage of broadband when it does become available, said Tom Phelps, CEO of ENMR Plateau Telecommunications in eastern New Mexico.

My company has provided broadband connections into schools, but its not a damn bit of good if theres a large fiber pipe going in and they cant take it from there into the classrooms, Phelps said. We need the last leg in place.

Clyburn agreed.

We dont want to build a bridge to nowhere, she said. We have to take care of that last half mile.

That includes lower-income communities in urban areas, Clyburn told the Journal.

In inner cities where we have connectivity, affordability can be difficult, she said. Build it and they will come doesnt work if people cant afford the equipment or monthly charges.

All participants said more collaborative efforts among local, state, and federal entities are critical to bridging the divide.

The state is in a precarious position because our land is divided with so many small communities and agencies doing things all over the state, said state Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Bernalillo. This roundtable helps get folks talking and looking for efficiencies by working together to get things done. We need to get two, three or even eight companies working together to make their dollars go further.
SANTA FE  The man who died in a traffic accident shortly after electrical power went out in Santa Fe Sunday evening has been identified as 39-year-old Jerry Hicks of Santa Fe.

According to an incident report from the Santa Fe Police Department, 23-year-old Megan Carrillos of Pecos was driving her silver SUV northeast on Cerrillos Road around 7:44 p.m. and hit Hicks from behind at the intersection of Cristos Road.

Dash-cam video shows Carrillos SUV run over Hicks and his motorcycle as Hicks was stopped at the intersection.

The traffic light at the intersection was out due to the power outage that hit most of the city around 7:40 p.m. Sunday and lasted until around 9:10 p.m. A police spokesman had said Sunday night that the traffic lights were flashing during the outage, but dash cam video shows that lights in both directions of Cerrillos were completely out.

Vehicles heading the same direction as Carrillos SUV can be seen traveling through the intersection before the crash.

It was unclear today if New Mexico has specific rules or traffic laws governing how motorists should approach an intersection when traffic lights are completely out. On-line resources show that in other states, drivers are told to approach such intersections as four-way stops or that basic right-of-way rules apply, meaning drivers should go through the intersection in the order in which they arrive, and that drivers should be prepared to stop.

But other issues include whether a motorist knows the power is out or assumes a traffic light isnt on for some other reason, such as road construction, or the driver isnt familiar enough with the intersection to know traffic signals should be working.

Carrillos has not been charged and alcohol is not believed to be a factor, but police say the investigation is ongoing. Hicks was transported to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center and died from his injuries.

A witness told police she saw the motorcycle move from the center lane to the left lane before approaching Cristos Road. She then saw a silver SUV go up like it ran something over, and saw the driver get out and begin to scream.
AUSTIN, Texas  Jeb Bushs son, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, is urging Republicans to support the man who beat his dad in a fiercely fought GOP primary.

Addressing a closed-door gathering of Texas Republican Party leaders on Saturday, Bush called for helping Donald Trump win in November.

From Team Bush, its a bitter pill to swallow. But you know what? You get back up and you help the man that won, and you make sure that we stop Hillary Clinton, Bush said in a video first posted online by the Texas Tribune.

Bush declined further comment Monday. He has not publicly endorsed Trump and skipped last months Republican National Convention. His father, uncle and grandfather  former presidents George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush  have also refused to back Trump.

The younger Bush is in a tight spot. He is a rising star among Republicans in Texas and beyond. Ignoring the GOP nominee could hurt his profile. Also, as chairman of the state partys victory committee, hes responsible for generating support for all Republicans.

But embracing Trump too much could be seen as betraying the rest of his family. In an interview with The Associated Press in May, Bush said he hadnt endorsed Trump because Ive got two boys that are 1 and 3  I want them to be able to look at the Oval Office and see the presidential seal and say, That is somebody who I look up to. And right now, Donald Trumps not satisfied that litmus test.

Jeb Bush, a former Florida governor, was an early favorite in the Republican presidential race, but saw his polling numbers plummet amid a barrage of attacks from Trump.

George P. Bush became the first member of his famous political family to win his first election in 2014, easily taking Texas land commissionership.
WASHINGTON  Desperate conservatives have circulated a petition calling for the Republican National Committee to host a special meeting where Donald Trump could be replaced as the partys presidential nominee.

Organizers  some of the same Republicans who tried to prevent Trump from winning the GOP nomination  acknowledge the effort is a long shot at best. But fearing an Election Day disaster, they have appealed to RNC members across the nation in recent days to intervene.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, Regina Thomson, executive director of a political action committee known as the GOP Accountability Project, wrote in an e-mail distributed to RNC members over the weekend and obtained by The Associated Press.

Donald J. Trump is a disaster, Thomson wrote, attaching a copy of the petition in the message. His post-convention behavior has been deplorable.

Trump has worried many leading Republicans in recent weeks with a string of controversies and fights, notably with the Muslim American parents of an Army captain killed in Iraq and prominent Republicans up for re-election. Trump reversed course and ended up endorsing House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire.

Still, Thomson and other anti-Trump Republicans are concerned.

Party rules allow RNC members to replace a presidential nominee in the event of death, declination, or otherwise  language Trump critics say allows for his replacement soon after he formally captured his partys presidential nomination at the national convention. To force a meeting to discuss Trumps ouster, however, organizers must submit signatures by at least 16 RNC members from 16 states.

Should they do so, GOP chairman Reince Priebus has 10 to 20 days to convene the full, 168-member Republican National Committee.

This is the same story over and over again, said RNC spokesman Sean Spicer, dismissing the latest effort. He suggested that the Trump rebels have a credibility problem after repeated failed attempts to block Trumps nomination at the convention.

Even after Trump ended his feud by endorsing Ryan last Friday night, a fresh wave of Republican operatives  and even a handful of elected officials  vowed to vote for someone else or even leave the GOP altogether.

Were concerned hes on a path to destruction and were trying to avert that, Thomson said in a Monday interview.

The Colorado Republican, the former state chairwoman for Texas Sen. Ted Cruzs presidential campaign, said she has received verbal commitments from party officials willing to sign the petition, but declined to say how many or who they are.

Several RNC members, reached by the AP on Monday, acknowledged deep frustration with Trumps candidacy, but said they would not sign the petition. None were willing to give their names for fear they would be associated with the move.

It is a difficult path but we are supportive of their efforts, said Republican operative Dane Waters, who led an anti-Trump effort at the convention. It is important that all options be considered and tried. Priebus should never have allowed this to happen.
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.
A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still gently allows you to grow, thus said William Shakespeare. Lets tweak it a little for the brands of today: A brand is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still gently allows itself to grow over you.

When Joyce Clyde Hall an American businessman, founder of Hallmark Cards, started Friendship Day in 1930, little did he know that his business strategy would create a marketing opportunity for so many brands. Right from FMCGs to media houses to e-commerce players  everyone has turned to Friendship Day as a lucrative marketing opportunity.

In keeping with the spirit of Friendship Day, Cadbury Dairy Milk spread the joy with new limited edition flavours  Cadbury Dairy Milk Honey Nut Crunch and Cadbury Dairy Milk Coffee Almond. The limited edition Cadbury Dairy Milk was supported by a 360-degree communication campaign that included a new TVC, as well as outdoor, print and digital campaigns targeting the brands core target audience  the youth. On the social media front, the brand leveraged this occasion to bind friends through a Twitter #Madfie contest, which went viral and grabbed eyeballs. Through its Twitter handle and Facebook page, the brand asked friends to get their crazy bunch together, take a mad selfie and post it on their Twitter handle using #Madfie. The chosen best #Madfie will be featured on Cadbury hoardings or cover page. On-ground activations at point of sale in select modern trade and traditional trade outlets also formed part of the campaign to drive awareness for the product.

Meanwhile, Vodafone recently launched Vodafone U to connect and engage with the youth in India. Vodafone U has introduced Million Fun Experiences; celebrating youth and friendship. Targeted at the socially active and increasingly demanding Indian youth, Vodafone U recently launched Back to Campus campaign across 200 colleges and 50 cities in India. The month-long campaign will be driven through campus engagements and social media.

Brands like Caprese, high-fashion woman accessories brand from the house of V.I.P. Industries, has launched a heart-warming digital campaign that cherishes the true spirit of friendship. Presenting the latest collection of Caprese crafted in chic designs, the campaign features four friends who are in different countries and are planning their reunion for Friendship Day.

Speaking about the marketing approach, Sudip Ghose, Vice President -Marketing, V.I.P Industries, said, We believe this campaign truly expresses the importance of best friends in todays era of fast-paced lifestyles, and how she makes time for best friends who always remain special throughout her life just like Caprese handbags. Caprese has an international high-fashion collection designed to provide chic handbags with fuss-free glam for every occasion; work, travel or just the everyday on-the- go self! Our campaign will be successful if we are able to help women find a high-fashion handbag suitable for every occasion in her life.

Witlinger Beer, with its adventurous flavour and zesty spices, offered to take consumers to a fun journey and create to memories with their friends and loved ones. The Witlinger came up with unique Beer Friends forever (BFF) at Flyp@MTV Cafe. The brand also hosted various activities around friendship and moments to create memories. The guests could participate in an online contest of sharing a picture of their friends and a beer with hashtag #BFF and tagging Witlinger and Flyp@MTV Cafe in their posts. The winners will get 30 per cent discount on all Witlinger brews and can grab exciting goodie bags.

Brands like Amkette and Logitech came up with gaming gadgets like GamePad Pro2 and Logitech Wheels and asked consumers to gift their friends a new gadget this Friendships Day and spend the entire day playing games with them, re-living the childhood memories and at the same time, creating new ones and turning Friendship Day into Gadget Day.

Back2basics farm, a unique Bengaluru-based farm-to-fork startup that supplies organic produce direct from its own farms, too, launched a unique campaign, which allows middle-aged individuals to gift each other a basket full of organic fruits, vegetables and greens, along with a note which wishes them to be healthy, all the year round.

Speaking about the campaign, advertising and marketing veteran, Srinivasan Madhusudhan, Chief Farmer, back2basics farm, commented, The campaign kicked off with celebrations around Friendship Day, whereby the company encouraged middle aged individuals to gift each other baskets containing organic fruits and vegetables. This unique first-of-its-kind Friendship Day campaign not only upheld the very essence of friendship, but also sought to promote a healthier livelihood amongst people who are in their middle ages.

Giftease.com, a leading gifting portal, decided to customise this day to extend the bond of love and friendship to the underprivileged ones. Giftease.com entered into a unique tie-up with NGO Hope for the Children Foundation. Ashish Chandani, Co-Founder & COO at Giftease.com, elaborated, Through Giftease.com, it is our attempt at recognising and celebrating relationships through the heartfelt gesture of gifting. We are delighted to be associated with Hope for the Children Foundation. Our basic attempt is to get a smile on the face of the underprivileged ones. We also had a variety of options at Giftease.com specifically for the day.

Meanwhile, this Friendship Day Comedy Central stirred up viewers memories with 12 hours of fun with the airing of F.R.I.E.N.D.S episodes. Vh1 brought the #Vh1Squad, where the best friends of the music industry collaborated and produced some favourite tracks.
GO Communications, Malaysia has formally entered into a strategic communications partnership with Regional Public Relations (RPR) in India. The enterprise will see active cross-national exchange of knowledge, resources and personnel between the two agencies and associates within the GO Group, Asias largest independent public relations, marketing and strategic communications network.

To date, the network, led by GO Communications, comprises over 15 affiliated agencies including those in Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan, China and Hong Kong. This new venture with the New Delhi-based agency will see the GO Group enlarge its Asian footprint.

These are truly exciting times for the GO Group. As Asia experiences a mushrooming economy especially India, we find more clients seeking cost-efficient solutions to effectively engage in marketing and PR across national borders. The development of the GO Group is an effective solution in this regard. What it has done is establish a synergic force between the regions top agencies, said Peter de Kretser, CEO of GO Communications and Director of the GO Group.

We warmly welcome our counterparts from the well-established RPR into the group. Not only is India the seventh largest economy in the world, but its young population has rendered a long term growth prospective with one of the fastest growing service industries globally, he added.

With expertise in strategic and traditional public relations and equal competency in new media and digital PR, RPR has accelerated its growth over the past seven years, being contracted by clients ranging from startups to multinational corporations who are leaders in their respective industries.

This is indeed a historic moment for us at RPR. It will definitely support the growth that weve been experiencing and will boost our foray into the international market, especially in the Asian region. Our team certainly looks forward to the mutual benefit of all agencies under the GO Network and forging strong ties with its members over the years to come, said Vivek Sood, Co-founder and Director of Regional PR.

An industry veteran himself, Sood carries with him more than 14 years of experience in managing a diverse portfolio of clients across the aviation, pharmaceutical, automobile, real estate, hospitality, political and education industries, among others.
During the first quarter ended June 30, 2016, Marico posted revenue of Rs 1,754 crore. India business (turnover of Rs 1,387 crore) volumes grew by 8 per cent, while the international business (turnover of Rs 367 crore) grew by 4 per cent in constant currency terms (volume growth of 8 per cent). The company posted an overall volume growth of 8 per cent for Q1 FY17. The value growth was flat in comparison to Q1 FY16, owing to price reductions in the Parachute Rigids portfolio in India aggregating 18 per cent consequent to commodity price deflation that commenced in H2 FY16 and continued in Q1 FY17.

Market share gains continue in more than 55 per cent of the portfolio on 12 months MAT basis, while holding the market share in Coconut Oil segment in India.

EBITDA at Rs 374 crore grew by 18 per cent, while EBITDA margins expanded sharply due to softer input costs at 21.3 per cent. The company has judiciously utilised the benefits of lower commodity prices in improving pricing competitiveness, advertising inputs behind core categories and new products, while also improving EBITDA margins. Over the medium term, operating margin of about 18-19 per cent is sustainable. Profit after Tax (PAT) for the quarter at Rs 268 crore grew by 17 per cent.

The India business achieved a turnover of Rs 1,387 crore during the quarter, a value decline of 1 per cent over the same period last year. The healthy volume growth of 8 per cent was backed by continued growth momentum in categories of Parachute Rigid coconut oil, Saffola edible oils and VAHO, while youth business came back on growth trajectory.

The operating margin during Q1FY17 was 25.4 per cent before corporate allocation as against 21.2 per cent for the same period last year. Higher operating margins can be attributed mainly to gross margin expansion led by softer inputs costs. In the near term, the EBITDA margins are likely to remain in higher band (> 20 per cent) on the back of lower commodity costs and deflation in sales value.

Parachutes rigid portfolio recorded a volume growth of 7 per cent for Q1 FY17 over Q1 FY16 amidst an aggressive deflationary environment. The company expects to deliver a volume growth of 5-7 per cent in the near term.

The Saffola refined edible oils franchise grew by 11 per cent in volume terms for the quarter. The company continued focus on the key task of driving relevance amongst the proactively health conscious consumers through key marketing inputs in Saffola Active and Saffola Tasty. The brand strengthened its leadership position in the super premium refined edible oils segment to 63 per cent during the 12 months ended June 2016.

Saffola Oats franchise continues to grow with a strong No. 2 position with a MAT value market share of 27 per cent. Focus on value added offerings in the oats segment led to a dominant 71 per cent value share in the flavoured oats market on a MAT basis. The franchise crossed Rs 100 crore of top line in FY16 and is well poised to cross Rs 200-crore landmark in the next 2-3 years, according to Marico.

Maricos hair oil brands grew by 9 per cent in volume terms during the quarter. The company further strengthened its market leadership by 147 bps to 32 per cent volume share (for 12 months ended June 2016) and with value share gain of 85 bps to 25 per cent for the same period. Nihar Shanti Amla continues to gain market share and achieved a volume market share of about 37 per cent for the 12 months ended June 2016 in the Amla hair oil category (MAT June 2015: 34 per cent).

The Youth brands portfolio grew by 15 per cent in value terms. Set Wet Gels, re-launched in Q4 FY15, continued to grow in double digits during the quarter, leading to increase in market shares by 1039 bps in last 12 months in the Gels segment.

The Refreshed Set Wet Deodorants portfolio with Ranveer Singh as its brand ambassador has begun to gain back volume and market share. The Q1 FY17 market share was 4 per cent, reflecting a continued strong trajectory of growth since re-launch (MAT share as on June-16 of 3 per cent).

The Livon Hair Gain franchise with a better product formulation and packaging grew in double digits. The brand communication showcasing real life consumer experiences and the anti-counterfeit measures adopted by the brand are starting to show results. The company has also refreshed Livon Serum with better formulation, refreshed packaging, celebrity brand ambassador, new communication campaign and low unit packs at Rs 5.

Maricos rural sales declined by 4 per cent due to higher exposure to the coconut oil portfolio. Urban sales remained flat in Q1 FY17. Sales in Modern Trade (9 per cent of the India turnover) continued the good run with growth of 14 per cent in Q1 FY17. CSD and Institutional sales (8 per cent of the India turnover) grew at 3 per cent in Q1FY17. The technology transformation in sales is on track and has started delivering results. A new initiative, Project Marval EDGE has been launched with the objective of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of trade and marketing spends. The company expects significant gains from this initiative.
F-35A combat readiness celebrated at Hill AFB

Hill AFB hosted a ceremony Aug. 5 in celebration of the recent announcement that the F-35A Lightning II aircraft is ready for combat.



Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the commander of Air Combat Command, declared that the fifth-generation fighter aircraft was combat ready Aug. 2.



During the ceremony, Carlisle lauded the aircrafts performance and praised Airmen for getting the aircraft to initial operational capability.



This celebration today is about our Airmen, Carlisle said. We are the greatest fighting force in the history of the world not because of technology, but because of our Airmen and what they do with the technology weve given them. Every adversary is going to fear us and theyre going to fear our airplane because of what our Airmen have done with the F-35.



The F-35A is the latest addition to ACCs fleet of deployable and fifth-generation aircraft. It provides air superiority, interdiction, suppression of enemy air defenses and close air support as well as command and control functions through fused sensors, and will provide pilots with situational awareness of the battlespace that will be more extensive than any single-seat platform in existence.



In her remarks, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James also credited the combination of Airmen and technology in getting the F-35A to IOC.



There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that by pairing air, space, and cyberspace technologies together, Americas Airmen and the F-35A will lead the joint force in assuming our nations advantage against any adversary in the future, especially in the event we get into a high-end fight with a foe that has anti-access aerial denial capabilities, James said. This aircraft could not have come any sooner.



Gen. David Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, gave a vivid description of the dynamic new capability that will benefit the joint warfighter. He used audience participation to get his message across to our adversaries.



I need you to imagine yourself in an enemy aircraft and your nations leadership has made the unwise decision to bet [against] the U.S. or our allies and partners, Goldfein instructed the mostly-Airmen audience seated in front of six F-35As outside the event hangar. Now slowly turn your head and look behind you at these magnificent machines and these magnificent Airmen. This is the picture you will likely see before you depart this planet. Actually, let me change that. Youll still depart the planet, but youll never see these.



The 34th Fighter Squadron of the 388th Fighter Wing, based at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the services first operational F-35A squadron, having met all the established criteria for Initial Operational Capability including a successful June deployment to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and a series of eight-aircraft sorties held in mid-July. Airmen from the 34th FS will fly and maintain the F-35A alongside Air Force Reservists from Hills 419th Fighter Wing.



The last time I stood here, I asked you to tighten your chin straps and get to work, said Col. David Lyons, 388th FW commander. I asked the men and women of the 388th Fighter Wing, the 419th Fighter Wing, the 75th Air Base Wing, the Ogden Air Logistics Complex, our enterprise partners, and the thousands of Airmen around our service to work daily on this program, to help deliver the future to the United States Air Force, to get this airplane in the fight. Today I want to say loud and clear to our Airmen for both our friends and our adversaries to hear: You delivered.



Those sentiments were echoed by Col. David Smith, 419th Fighter Wing commander.



This truly is a great time for our combat Air Force, Smith said. With the declaration of IOC, the future is now. Its arrived.


Tyndall Reserve Airmen reach rare F-22 milestone

Few people get to fly an Air Force fighter jet. Even fewer have flown the F-22 Raptor. And, even more rare are Reserve Airmen, Majors Bryan Dick and Robert Ice who have reached the 1,000-hour flying mark in the Raptor.



Flying 1,000 hours equates to a pilot sitting in a fighter jet for 41 days and 16 hours.



Fewer than 20 Air Force F-22 pilots have reached this milestone.



This is an interesting circumstance because 1,000-hour F-22 pilots are rare, said Lt. Col. Randy Cason, 44th Fighter Group commander. And we have two pilots.



Ice, a pilot with the 301st Fighter Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, reached the milestone while in Air Force Weapons School May 3.



My 1,000-hour flight was no different than any other, said Ice, who began flying the F-22 in 2008. But what was great was getting surprised on the ramp afterwards. I had no idea that anyone else knew. It was a great feeling to see how many people took time from their busy schedules to surprise and congratulate me.



Before flying the Raptor, Ice flew the F-15C Eagle for three years where he acquired 450 flying hours.



Most of the missions that F-15C and F-22 fly are similar, so the major difference lies in low observable qualities of the F-22, said Ice. Your capabilities are significantly increased when the adversary has a difficult time detecting you.



Dick, the 301 FS assistant director of operations, reached the mark two weeks earlier than Ice while flying the Trans-Atlantic route from Tyndall to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom.



The flight was the smoothest ocean crossing Ive ever experienced out of multiple trips across the Atlantic and the Pacific, he said. I was seven hours into my flight to the United Kingdom when I hit the 1,000-hour mark.



We had great jets and blue skies the entire way, Dick said of his nine-hour flight across the Atlantic.



Similar to Ice, Dick flew the F-15 for two-and-a-half years clocking 540 hours in the aircraft.



The Eagle will always be my first love, said Dick about flying the F-15C, which has been operational in the Air Force for more than four decades. It is and always will be an amazing air superiority fighter.



He continued, However, nothing comes close to the F-22 when it comes to its stealth, speed, maneuverability and lethality. The Raptor gives us back that edge and allows us to once again be unrivaled in the air superiority fight.



The 44th Fighter Group is a classic associate unit with the 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall.
















Descending the escalator at the Indianapolis International Airport, it was just a normal Thursday night for Chief Master Sgt. Robert Herman, 434th Air Refueling Wing command chief.He was going through the motions of Thursday nights before a unit training assembly, waiting for his baggage, when he saw out of the peripheral of his eye that a middle-aged woman had fallen unconscious. Surrounded by a group of people, with a tone of panic, he heard a woman say CPR.With more than 20 years experience being an active-duty, Reserve and civilian firefighter/paramedic, Herman knew time was running out for the woman named Sue.The situation changed immediately from a woman who was lying down and exchanging words, to a woman who had become a lifeless body on the floor, Herman said.Herman immediately stepped in and assisted another woman helping Sue, a nurse, with chest compressions.At this point, only a few moments had passed when police officer brought an AED over, he said. I stepped in, analyzed her heart rhythm [with an automated external defibrillator], delivered the first round of energy, started CPR, analyzed her heart and delivered a second round of energy. By the second shock she regained a palpable pulse.After Herman had utilized the AED, airport fire crews, including Senior Airman Todd Williams 434th Civil Engineer Squadron fire fighter, responded and assumed care of the woman, who had experienced a cardiac event. She had become their patient; Herman walked away from the event, only providing police officers with his contact information.I didnt hear much after that, Herman said. . . . Until a few weeks later when I received a call from Sue, thanking me for my actions.Herman said the woman he had saved called after completing rehab and was returning back to work. Thanking him for saving her life, he said he rarely knows what happens to patients after responding to emergencies, let alone receive a phone call.Nothing I did was at all heroic, he said. Everyone in the Air Force is required to take self-aid and buddy care. Everyone would have and so often do respond in the same way  this just happens to be my occupation.A fire apparatus engineer for the City of Omaha, Nebraska, Herman has learned to dissociate the emotional aspects of being a firefighter/paramedic. His ability to step in can be attributed to the many years of on-the-job experience and external Air Force training that has given him the ability to mentally take every emergency situation as a mental flow chart of if-then statements.It doesnt matter that Im a firefighter, Herman said. I responded in this situation because thats what we  as Airmen  are trained to do. Its service before self; its necessary.The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command . Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.Stay connected, visit Grissom on Facebook and Twitter
The new Blended Retirement System is a hot topic of conversation across the Defense Department, and most total force members have questions on how it will work and who is eligible.The online BRS leader course, released in June, is designed to educate leaders on the new retirement system. The training provides both military and civilian leaders of Airmen with a working knowledge of the BRS and the DOD plan to educate the force prior to implementation on Jan. 1, 2018.The course is available both online and through a mobile version for a smartphone or tablet via Joint Knowledge Online , course number P-US1330. The course is also available to those without a Common Access Card, to include family members, via an alternate website . The mobile version has a login option that provides a training certificate, which will be necessary for the required opt-in training next year, as well as a public access option for spouses and parents of current or prospective Airmen."The public access option of the JKO mobile app for smartphones also makes the BRS leader course an easily accessible pocket version of BRS for questions on the fly from Airmen seeking more knowledge," said Col. Brian Anderson, the military compensation policy chief at Headquarters Air Force. "Many leaders may not be eligible to opt-in to BRS themselves, but they will need to be knowledgeable about the new system in order to respond to questions from eligible service members."Leaders can download the app from their respective app store for free.The leader role is to provide information and access to education but not to provide specific financial advice. Leaders who take the course will gain an understanding of the new retirement system, educational opportunities that will be made available to Airmen and the available resources to answer questions."In the future, Airmen will be able to seek individual information and education from a personal financial expert at their Airman and Family Readiness Center before making a final decision," Anderson continued. "The Air Force has a plan to train personal financial managers and make them available to assist members and spouses on the financial aspects of the current and new retirement systems."According to Anderson, quality education and training are key to an Airman's ability to make an informed decision about retirement plans. Airmen will be encouraged to research their options during 2017 and may elect to opt-in to BRS on or after Jan. 1, 2018. Elections must be completed during 2018 and an online course, tailored to those who are eligible to opt-in, will be available soon.Stand-alone DVDs are also available for the BRS leader course for use at remote locations or locations with limited internet connectivity making it difficult to take the course online at JKO or Military OneSource. Ordering instructions were recently sent to all deployed locations by the Air Force Personnel Center.BRS information is available and continuously updated on myPers . Click "Retirement" from any military landing page. In addition, a live chat feature on BRS is available for Airmen. To chat live with a Total Force Service Center representative, go to the page and allow about 30 to 60 seconds to enable a representative to come online.For more information about Air Force personnel programs, go to the myPers website . Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one by following the instructions on the Air Force Retirees Services website
The Allahabad High Court has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file a report justifying why the Central Bureau of Investigation should not be asked to inquire into the rape of a 35-year-old woman and her 14-year-old daughter in Bulandshahr.



The court took suo moto cognizance of the case and gave the state government until August 10 to respond.

The woman and her teenage daughter were travelling with some others of their family from Noida to Shahjahanpur when a gang of bandits forced them off the NH-91 on the night of July 29 and into some fields nearby.

The Uttar Pradesh Police, which is under tremendous pressure to arrest those involved in the Bulandshahr gang-rape case, has picked up 11 suspected members of the Saleem Bawaria gang for questioning in connection with the horrific incident.

Those picked up by the police are believed to be closely associated with the kingpin of the Bawaria gang. Sources claim that these suspects were picked on the basis of information that they had been in Kithore area of Meerut before proceeding to Bulandshahr.

The arrested Bawaria gang members were under electronic surveillance for as long as five months for their alleged involvement in other crimes, said a senior police official.
The Union Finance Ministry has said it has started the process of examining the proposal from the Railway Ministry to merge the Rail Budget with the General Budget, 92 years after the separation took place.



We will look at his (Railway Minister Suresh Prabhus) proposal and examine it. It will have to be done in consultation with the Railway Ministry. That process has started, Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa said.

The Rail Budget has had a separate existence from the General budget since 1924 when the British spun it off for a better focus on Indias most important infrastructure network. The Railways then accounted for 70 per cent of the total budget.

The Rail Budget now is only 15 per cent, on an average, of the countrys budget.

Asked when a decision is likely, Lavasa said, We can reach a conclusion only after we have considered the pros and cons of his (Railway Ministers) proposal.

This (merger) is something that has been suggested even in the past. So, one will have to consider what was the view taken in the past and why that view was taken, he said.

The Indian Railways suffer from a huge revenue deficit, the burden of which after the merger will be transferred to the Ministry of Finance.

According to Prabhu, who suggested the merger of the two budgets in a recent letter to the Finance Ministry, the already stressed Railways were facing an additional burden this year of Rs 30,000 crore on account of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations.

The letter from Prabhu came after a committee headed by NITI Aayog member Bibek Debroy suggested the merger as part of restructuring of the Railways.

If the merger happens, the Railways will also get rid of the annual dividend it currently has to pay for Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) from the government.

Prabhu in the current Monsoon session of parliament had questioned the paying of the dividend to the Finance Ministry.
Former naxalite and gangster Nayeem and one of his accomplice was killed in a gunfight with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Shadnagar, 60 km from Hyderabad, on Monday morning.



The NIA personnel surrounded a house and exchanged gunfire before finally overcoming the militant. The officials forcibly vacated neighbours from the place. Grey Hounds police officials participated in the operation.

According to DGP Anurag Sharma, Nayeemuddins gang member opened fire on police officials late on Sunday night, after the cops had surrounded the house. The gang member was shot dead in cross fire.

Nayeemuddin was involved in extortion cases and was an accused in the murder of IPS officer NS Vyas, who was in charge of anti-naxal operations. A former member of the Peoples War Group, he was also involved in over 20 murder cases in the area.

Based on the information given by the extortion complainant, police began tracking the gang. They got an alert that the callers were moving in a particular car. Our teams identified the vehicle on Monday morning and spotted it near a house at Millennium township on Shadnagar outskirts, said Mahbubnagar SP Rema Rajeshwari.

On seeing the approaching police party, one of the persons travelling in the car opened fire at the police. Even as we returned fire, one person carrying a firearm got out of the vehicle and ran away. Another person too tried to flee but collapsed after we opened fire, she said.

Police officials had evacuated the millennium township late Sunday night before conducting the operation.

Police officials are yet to ascertain if all the suspects are members of Nayeemuddins group or if they belong to any terror outfit.

Two ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti MLAs had complained against Nayeemuddins extortion and land deals in Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda district to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. They had also complained that they had received veiled threats from Nayeemuddin not to intervene in his activities. Police provided bullet proof cars to the two MLAs.


After being on fast for the last 16 years demanding repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, Manipurs Iron Lady Irom Chanu Sharmila is all set to end her fast today. Sharmila will be produced before a judicial magistrate and the court will release her from judicial custody after she breaks her fast as she had announced a fortnight ago. Though, a large number of her supporters and women activists under the forum of Sharmila Kunba Lup will be meeting her as she starts her new journey. The family and her supporters, who have not been able to meet her since July 26 when she announced her decision to end her fast and enter politics to ensure that AFSPA is repealed through political means, have no idea where she is going to stay from now on.

For long 16 years, she was on a hunger strike. Her illusion gave her reply, which the peaceful protest is no longer going to work. If Sharmila has to bring change, she should enter politics. Her peaceful and painful act of protest and self-denial would push the state towards diminishing the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Manipur. Sharmila, who was 28 at the time of Malom Massacre, began to fast in protest. Her primary demand to the Indian government has been the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA). She began her fast in Malom on 5 November that year, and vowed not to eat, drink, comb her hair or look in a mirror until AFSPA was repealed.

Three days after Sharmila began her strike, she was arrested by the police and charged with an attempt to commit suicide, which was unlawful under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at that time, and was later transferred to judicial custody. Her health deteriorated rapidly, and nasogastric intubation was forced on her from 21 November in order to keep her alive while under arrest. Sharmila has been regularly released and re-arrested every year since her hunger strike began.

By 2004, Sharmila had become an icon of public resistance. Following her procedural release on 2 October 2006 Irom went to Raj Ghat, New Delhi. Later that evening, Sharmila headed towards Jantar Mantar for a protest demonstration where she was joined by students, human rights activists and other concerned citizens. Thirty women protested naked in support of Sharmila in front of the Assam Rifles headquarters. They held a banner saying Indian Army rape us and all of them were imprisoned for three months.

On 6 October, she was re-arrested by the Delhi police for attempting suicide and was taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where she wrote letters to the then Prime Minister, then President, and then Home Minister. At this time, she met and won the support of Nobel-laureate Shirin Ebadi, who promised her to take up her cause at the United Nations Human Rights Council. In 2011, she invited Anna Hazare to visit Manipur. Hazare sent two of his representatives to meet her but he was not presented there physically.

In October 2011, the Manipur Pradesh All India Trinamool Congress announced their support for Sharmila and called on party Chief Mamata Banerjee to help repeal the AFSPA. The Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist) (CPI ML) also stated its support for her and for repeal of AFSPA, calling for nationwide agitation. In November, at the end of the eleventh year of her fast, Sharmila again called on then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to repeal the law. On 3rd November, 100 women formed a human chain in Ambari to show support for Sharmila, while other civil society groups staged a 24-hour fast in a show of solidarity. She has only met her mother once since the start of the fast as seeing her mothers anguish may break her resolve. On March 28, 2016, she was released from judicial custody as a local court in Imphal rejected a charge against her. Her battle between court, jail and protest continued till today but now that has taken a new twist. Finally, she ended her fast for the cause and to contest Manipur election.

All these years, the issue she raised is quick to be forgotten by the media and the people of this country by and large with very few exceptions. I hope, she realizes her goals through the electoral process and improves the lives of Manipurs people.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com)
After the Delhi High Courts favourable verdict on his administrative powers, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on Monday sought all files pertaining to the AAP governments major decisions, a move that may further strain ties between the two sides.



The governor has asked files related to all major decisions taken by the AAP government.

The LGs letter comes just a few days after the Delhi High Court declared that Delhi continues to be a Union Territory under the Constitution with the LG as its administrative head. Not happy with the judgement, AAP government has moved the Supreme Court.

Sources say Mr Jung has called for all files related to decisions taken by AAP since it took charge in February last year, after winning the Delhi election.

He has reportedly also asked for files on the transfer and appointment of bureaucrats to be sent directly to him, and not Delhi ministers.

The court also ruled that the Lieutenant Governor is not obliged to act on the advice of the Delhi cabinet in taking important decisions as he is the administrative head of the capital. It struck down important inquiries that the Delhi government had announced over the past year, which had placed AAP on collision course with the BJP at the centre.

The AAP government contends that Delhi is a special case as it is both a Union Territory and has its own legislature also. People sent us to power to control corruption in power distribution companies, to check commission-system in transfer posting of officialsWithout any power, how can we meet the demand of people of Delhi, AAP minister Manish Sisodia had said in a press conference recently.

Claiming that the HC verdict poses a question on Democracy, he said When we the people chose a government, do they have any value? Do people have any right? Where the people of Delhi will go? When they have chosen their MLAs? Will they go to LG or Delhi government, he asked.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president Mayawati on Monday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modis statements on Dalit atrocity was notorious (shsraratpurn) and motivated by vote bank policy.

They were in slumber like Kumbhakarna, but now their eyes have opened, because there are assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and some other states and they knew it well that Dalits were not going to vote for them. Thus, the Prime Ministers statement was aimed at winning Dalit votes. The statements were notorious (shsraratpurn) and politically motivated, Mayawati told reporters outside Parliament.

We have been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Modi in Parliament against atrocities on Dalits across the country. But he could not muster his confidence to make a statement in the House, and thus, he made statements outside, said the BSP chief taking strong exception to the Prime Ministers statements at the TownHall meeting in Delhi and BJP workers meeting in Hyderabad.

Two years on, since this government came to power at the Centre; and for the past two years, first, people of the Muslim community were targeted in the name of cow protection, and now Dalits are being targeted. Dalits are being targeted one pretext or another, as the case of Rohith Vemula is before you. But the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central Government, especially Prime Minister Modi, remained silent for the past two years, she said criticising silence maintained by the Prime Minister after lynching of 52-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq Saifi in Uttar Pradeshs Dadari and suicide committed by research scholar Rohith Vemula on the Hyderabad University premises.

Asking Prime Minister Modi to act stringently against perpetrators of Dalit atrocities, Mayawati said, Dalits, who are subjected to atrocities across the country, dont need sympathies of the BJP, the Centre and the Prime Minister; they want strict action against people involved in their atrocities.

When asked about former BSP MLA Swami Prasad Maurya joining the BJP, she said she doesnt want to waste her time and energy by commenting on such people.

In an unusual expression of solidarity with the Dalit community that faced the wrath of so-called cow protectors in Gujarat recently, Prime Minister Modi on Sunday went hammer and thongs at them, saying if they want to shoot, they should shoot him, but not his Dalit brothers.

People who think they control Dalits could not digest the fact that Dalit people getting to know about the BJPs good work and that is why they are in tizzy. They are indulging in raising issues using Dalits. I want to tell those people that if they have any problem, they should attack me, but stop attacking my Dalit brothers. If you want to shoot, shoot me, but dont shoot my Dalit brothers, said the Prime Minister, while addressing a Bharatiya Janata Partys Karyakarta Maha Sammelanam here.

The Prime Minister further said, Politics of breaking the society is not good for the country and discrimination among human beings is not acceptable to us. Shanti, Ekta, Sadbhavana are central to the progress of the nation. We have to protect the marginalised and the Dalits. It is our duty.
A US navy guided missile destroyer arrived in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao on Monday in the first visit by an American warship to the country since Beijing responded angrily to an arbitration panels ruling that its expansive South China Sea maritime claims had no basis in law.



Arriving in the home port of Chinas northern fleet, the USS Benfold held a signals exercise with the Chinese Navy. Speaking briefly to media, Cmdr. Justin L Harts said the visit aimed to build relationships with counterparts from the Chinese Navy, but referred questions on tensions in the South China Sea to Pacific Command in Hawaii.

Admiral Scott Swift, the top US naval officer in Asia, plans to meet the media Tuesday in Qingdao.

China rejected last months ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration in a case initiated by the Philippines, and refused to take part in the arbitration. It has strongly criticized the US for encouraging its treaty partner in taking legal action and calling for Beijing to respect the ruling.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the US, Japan and Australia were fanning the flames of regional tensions after they released a joint statement urging China not to construct military outposts or reclaim land in the disputed waters.








Web Toolbar by Wibiya

Labrador Sea, NF  Greenpeaces icebreaker the MV Arctic Sunrise is now sailing north from St. Johns, Newfoundland, toward the Inuit community of Clyde River, Nunavut, with solar panels, scientists and Inuit allies on board.



Onboard guests include whale expert and bioaccoustician Dr. Lindy Weilgart, physics and energy professor Chris Williams, solar installer Duncan Martin, and three residents of Clyde River: mayor James Qillaq, former mayor Jerry Natanine, and Jerrys daughter Clara Natanine.



The Arctic Sunrise will be sailing through Baffin Bay and Davis Strait  a part of the Arctic Ocean at threat from a five-year seismic blasting project that was approved in June 2014 by the National Energy board without Inuit consent or adequate consultation: a clear violation of their rights as Indigenous Peoples.



For the first time, we have the opportunity to sail through the very region we have been fighting so hard to protect. Baffin Bay and Davis Strait are home to many marine mammals that are important for our culture, our way of life, and our ability to survive sustainably off the land and sea, said the former mayor of Clyde River, Jerry Natanine. If its not stopped, seismic blasting could very literally destroy our way of life.



Seismic blasting  a process of firing extremely loud sounds into the ocean in search for oil and gas  has been successfully stalled in the last two years as a result of a legal challenge launched by Clyde River, meaning bowheads, narwhals, belugas, and other marine mammals are safe for now.



Whales depend on sound for every aspect of their lives from communication to food finding, and navigation explained Dr. Lindy Weilgart, who has been supporting Clyde Rivers fight for the last two years. Seismic air guns are so loud they can permanently damage the hearing of marine mammals nearby, and at a greater distance can drastically reduce the area over which they can communicate.



The Arctic Sunrise is carrying solar panels that will be installed on Clyde Rivers community hall where the ship is expected to arrive on August 15. The ship will spend two weeks in town for the solar installation, skillshares on the sustainability of Inuit culture, and to document Clyde Rivers activism against seismic blasting.



The Inuit of Clyde River are courageously asserting their Indigenous rights and resisting oil development in the Canadian Arctic and we are honoured to support their opposition to seismic blasting and transition away from fossil fuels. This solar project is a landmark on Clyde Rivers path to energy independence and away from costly and polluting diesel fuel, said Greenpeace Arctic Campaigner Farrah Khan.



The community of Clyde River will face the National Energy Board and seismic testing proponents at the Supreme Court of Canada on November 30, in an attempt to overturn seismic exploration permits in the waters of Baffin Bay and Davis Strait.



By rejecting the climate change causing energy industry and embracing renewable energy, we are working hard to protect Inuit lands and waters, wildlife and people, present and future generations. We are sailing to our home, towards a future full of hope, added Natanine.



Upon arrival in Clyde River, the ship will be joined by actor, writer, and activist Emma Thompson and her daughter Gaia Wise, and YouTube science duo AsapSCIENCE.








Web Toolbar by Wibiya

Police are accused of racism following the death of Abdirahman Abdi on July 24th in Ottawa. The accusation gained momentum, with the African Canadian Legal Clinic, Somali Community and Social Justice Groups across Canada uniting to call for an investigation into police-related deaths. They further demand improvements in police training and regulation, to be made according to the findings of the probe.

There has been widespread blame for Abdi's death and Mayor Jim Watson has not gone unscathed. Among the accusations was an assertion by Yamikani Msosa, of the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa, that the Mayor's response implies the lives of black people in Ottawa are less valuable than others.

Margaret Parsons of the African Canadian Legal Clinic, said Mayor Watson was remiss in not meeting with the Somali Community. The mayor responded by confirming he has reached out to the Somali Community and has set future appointments with them. He added that there was enormous value in awaiting the outcome of the Special Unit's Investigation (SUI), before jumping to potentially incorrect conclusions.

Abdi (37) was arrested following multiple 911 calls from people in Bridgehead Coffee Shop. Owner Tracey Clark, told CBC Radio on Friday that the calls were motivated by the behavior of Mr. Abdi, and had nothing to do with his race.

Clark confirmed there had been previous incidents between the deceased and patrons of Bridgehead, that had led to interventions with Abdi. The incident highlights the fine line between upholding the law and protecting the rights of all citizens, at all times.

Policemen and women worldwide are called to a duty of honor, irrespective of the race and culture of those they encounter during the course of their duty. At best, the SUI will highlight areas where police could be trained and empowered to better perform their duties, especially where victims and suspects have special needs. At worst, it could expose a far darker truth in Margaret Parson's assertion that police saw Abdi's skin color before they saw his mental condition.








Web Toolbar by Wibiya

Firefighters have been battling a wildfire that reportedly emerged on Sunday in the San Bernardino National Forest provoking the evacuation of the dimly populated Summit Valley area east of the dam. The cause of fire is still under investigation. The fire is ablaze about 55 miles east of Los Angeles in an isolated area near Silverwood Lake, an area near the small mountain community of Crestline.

U.S. Forest Service spokesman Robert Taylor said that at around 20 miles per hours speed, the winds drove a large rising plume of smoke north toward the Mojave Desert.

Officials warn that the quality of air may get detrimental and may reach unhealthy levels in the areas affected by the large quantities of smoke. The fire reportedly spread to two miles within hours. More than 350 fire fighters have been assigned the case and several helicopters and air tankers took to duty.

Also in the previous months there have been wildfires in Los Angeles County and Lake Berryessa east of San Francisco.

The fires have destroyed film sets at Sable Ranch in Santa Clarita which has some of the greatest old western style buildings used for movies. A non-profit sanctuary was prompted to get their animals evacuated for the same reason. More than 400 animals which included Bengal Tigers and lions were forced to leave their natural reservoirs.

The biggest of these fires near the mountains in Big Sur has forced the people to leave their homes. About 1650 homes have been evacuated. Californias forestry department has said that a wild terrain fire 5 miles south of Garrapata State Park has forced the communities of Palo Colorado and Carmel Highlands to evacuate.

County fire Chief Daryl Osby said, For this time of year, it's the most extreme fire behaviour I've seen in my 32-year career."

U.S. Forest Service spokesman Nathan Judy said, "The fire's just doing what it wants right now. We have to stick back, let it do what it wants to and attack it where we can."








Web Toolbar by Wibiya

46 billion dollars China Pakistan Economic Corridor is considered to be a game changer in the region. Mostly is misunderstood by many as a simple road network between China and Pakistan; but it is far more than that. It is an economic boom for Pakistan, as Gwadar Sea Port is the core of complete project. Gwadar being on the prime trade route of the world would attract a lot of traffic and being a deep sea port increases its utility many folds.

CPEC has three extensions in Pakistan, termed as eastern, central and western route, incorporating all provinces of Pakistan. CPEC is not only a network of roads for transportation of trade goods from China to Gwadar but includes energy, industrial and educational projects in Pakistan as well. Along the route of CPEC all these projects are planned and will transform Pakistan into an economic hub.

India has strong reservation on the project as it cannot see Pakistan developing. In its recent move Indioa has offered Iran in extension of its Chahbahar Port which was the major port in the region before Gwadar. Iran is also not happy over Gwadar port as it has undermined the importance of Chahbahar port. Secondly India has reservation as CPEC is passing through the Gilgit and Baltistan province of Pakistan and India claims it as disputed territory. But the people of the area have strongly supported Pakistan and are part of Pakistan since inception.

United States of America is also of the view that CPEC will affect the strategic balance of the region. As China will get approach to warm waters from two sides and its trade and strategic depth will increase, this is not in favor of USA. USA is trying to launch India in the region as competitor of China and to keep a check on its growth. But China has categorically stated that it will continue the project in collaboration with Pakistan and any efforts to sabotage the project will be dealt severely.

Independent analysts state Indian and USA concerns baseless and support Pakistan and Chinas claim that it is a pure economic project. India and USA on the other hand are trying their best to curtail the expected effects of the project for both Pakistan and China.








Web Toolbar by Wibiya

It is not uncommon to hear adopted people express their longing to find the missing pieces of the life-puzzles Those who do not know the identities of their either of their biological parents, agree. It was no different for 41-year-old Canadian, Bernice Clarke.

Clarkes mother died last year, taking the secret identity of Bernices father to her grave. Bernice yearned for a connection with her father her whole life. Years of searching for clues in Iqaluit and on ancestry websites yielded no results until last year after her mothers death. Clarkes aunt provided clues as to the possible identity of her father, but soon DNA results broke Bernices heart, along with her dreams of ever finding her father.

A Montreal man, Guy Trinque, was on the same heart-wrenching journey to find his biological origins. Knowing he was adopted, his efforts to uncover his roots were ongoing on an ancestry website.

Imagine Clarks shock when she received word from the ancestry service that both she and Trinque were using, saying they had found her father! Clarke considers it a miracle that they were connected at all.

Their first telephone conversation presented some challenges as the line was bad and made it difficult for Clarke to understand Trinques French-Canadian accent. Despite this, Clarke told the media that she would always remember the call she had waited her entire life for.

The discovery of her father has brought healing to Clarke. Her father recounted the story of how he met her mother in 1974, when he was in Iqaluit on a work related stay, in a letter written to Bernice soon after they connected. In it, Trinque gave Clarke the most precious gift of all when he assured her that he would have chosen to be a part of her life, had he known of her birth.

In a world where happy endings seem few and far between, this story serves to encourage others on the same journey to preserver. It also acts as a reminder that withholding the truth can break the hearts of others.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2016  This is National Farmers Market Week (Aug. 7-13), a great time to visit a farmers market and celebrate your local farmers, ranchers and food producers.

And a farmers market shouldnt be hard to find in your neighborhood. Today there are more than 8,500 farmers markets in the U.S., up from just over 4,000 a decade ago, with some 150,000 farmers selling their production directly to consumers through these markets, via farm stands or through community support agriculture subscriptions. You can pinpoint a market near you through a national directory maintained by USDA.

CropLife America (CLA) joined in the celebration, pointing out that with less than 1 percent of the American population employed as growers these days, farmers markets help consumers better connect with the food they eat and give farmers the opportunity to talk about the technology and methods they use.

Consumers want to know how food is grown, and farmers have a lot to say  making farmers markets not only important but indispensable, said Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CLA. One-on-one dialogue between a farmer and a mother, a chef, or a teacher, for instance, helps consumers better understand todays agriculture, including how farmers protect their crops, Vroom said.

Like what you see here? Agri-Pulse subscribers get our Daily Harvest email and Daybreak audio Monday through Friday mornings, a 16-page newsletter on Wednesdays, and access to premium content on our ag and rural policy website. Sign up for your four-week free trial Agri-Pulse subscription.





The Farmers Market Coalition is also encouraging consumers to get out and shake the hand that feeds you.

The farmers, ranchers, and producers who make up Americas farmers markets are ambassadors of their regions; they provide the public with fresh, in season, and nutritious food, as well as serving as a window into the world of agriculture to their urban, suburban, and rural costumers, the coalition said in a release. We believe that the growth of farmers markets represents a new and a growing interest in American agriculture, as well as an understanding on the part of consumers that they are important participants in Americas farm economy.

#30

For more news, go to: www. Agri-Pulse.com
The new president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, assumed office on June 30, quickly ordering a renewed crackdown on illegal drugs and drug-related crimes. There have already been thousands of arrests, resulting in severely overcrowded prisons. In Manilas Quezon City jail, 3,800 inmates are now stuffed into a facility built 
Assyrians in Iraq Urge Government to Act Against ISIS, Two Years After Exodus

Two years after being forced from their homes by Islamic State, Christians in Iraq are urging their government to liberate the Nineveh Plain from militant control. More than 100 Chaldean, Syriac and Assyrian Christians gathered outside the Mar Yousef Church in Erbil on Sunday to call on authorities to act. Srud Sleman, a member of Kurdistan's Parliament, told NRT that more must be done "so that our people can go back [to Nineveh] as soon as possible". One displaced man told the news service that Christians were struggling with unemployment and lack of access to services. "Our psychological condition is poor," he said. Nearly 300,000 Christians have been forced from the Nineveh Plain since 2014, when ISIS overran the region. Overnight on August 7 of that year, up to a quarter of Iraq's Christians fled after militants seized Qaraqosh, the largest Christian town in the country. On Sunday, the second anniversary of the exodus, the European Syriac Union released a statement calling for immediate action and condemning the "massive genocidal destruction of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people and their millennial cultural, historical and religious heritage by demolishing churches, monasteries and historical sites". "There is historical and moral responsibility for Iraq, regional and international community and institutions namely United Nations to stand with the vulnerable groups, recognise genocides against them and support them by accelerating the liberation of Nineveh Plain and supporting safe zone, autonomy in the region which will open the way to self administration," the statement said. "In these turbulent times, Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people dispersed in different regions should stand with their brethren in the homeland in Iraq and Syria and raise their voices for the existential demands on the historical homeland of Bethnahrin."
July 27, 2016

Fiercely autonomous Algeria is on a mission to cement US ties as regional tensions rise and oil revenues crash.

The North African giant needs Washington's help to shore up a fledgling political settlement in war-torn Libya while preventing a simmering conflict in the Western Sahara from flaring up. At the same time, the country is working overtime to convince US companies of its potential as a stable, profitable destination for their investments.

What we are asking the United States is how to make sure that the American business community  American companies  do have their share of the opportunities offered by Algeria," Ambassador to Washington Madjid Bouguerra told Al-Monitor in a June interview at his Washington office. "The doors are open to them, in many sectors.

The ambassador, in post for 18 months, is intent on demystifying a country that still bears the scars of a brutal war of independence followed by an Islamist uprising in the 1990s. While US ties date back to the 1795 Treaty of Peace and Amity, they remain delicate due to Algeria's Cold War-era ties to Russia and lingering tensions with US ally Morocco.

Several bilateral mechanisms have been established in recent years to try to put the relationship on firmer footing. These include both strategic and military dialogues, as well as a trade forum.

Like many other countries across the region, Algeria has been walloped by the global oil glut. Trade between the two countries is down from $24 billion in 2012 to just $7 billion last year, Bougherra said, largely due to the United States increased self-sufficiency in oil and gas.

Economically we used to have much stronger relations when the United States was importing oil and gas from Algeria, he said. Unfortunately, thats not anymore the case since last year.

Algeria, like other resource-rich countries, hopes to create a post-oil economy for its large youth population, notably in the automative, agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors. Bougherra in particular hailed Algerias recent constitutional reforms.

Algeria is also making an impression on the regional stage, where it has long argued for local solutions and against foreign interference. Algiers was notably an early proponent for the creation of a Government of National Accord (GNA) in neighboring Libya, an idea now endorsed by the international community, including the United States.

It is our duty as partners and friends of Libya to help the GNA form a national army and a national security aparatus, Bouguerra said. And if other Libyan factions still wont get on board, he said, maybe its time for a little diplomatic pressure." He added, "Some are talking about sanctions. I dont know if thats going to work, but if that can help, why not?

{image1}

Even as a political settlement in Tripoli sparks hope for a resolution to the five-year-old conflict in Libya and a unified front against the Islamic State (IS), a much older conflict may reignite on Algerias western flank.

Western Sahara activists, many of whom live in Algerian refugee camps in Tindouf, are increasingly talking about picking up arms against Morocco as a 25-year United Nations initiative fails to deliver a promised referendum on independence for the contested territory.

Bougherra said he understands their frustration. He said the UN must reconstitute its Western Sahara mission expelled by Morocco in March if conflict is to be avoided.

The credibility of the Security Council is at stake, really. But also the future of the UN peace missions, he said. If Morocco can [kick out the UN] today, other countries will do it tomorrow.

To help get its point of view across on the Sahara, Algeria for the past decade has relied on US lobby shop Foley Hoag. The $420,000 annual contract for two lobbyists, however, is dwarfed by Morocco, which spends almost 10 times that amount to convince US policymakers that any alternative to its proposal for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty will only lead to chaos.

House appropriators this year included a Moroccan-backed proposal in their proposed foreign aid spending bill to pressure Algiers to allow a UN census of the Tindouf camps, prompting an angry response from Bouguerra. Senators have been far friendlier to Algiers: Their foreign aid bill makes no mention of a census, but rather awards Algeria $1.4 million in counterterrrorism training  $100,000 more than President Barack Obamas request  in recognition of the contributions of Algeria to countering extremism in the region.

Another persistent source of acrimony has been Algerias dismal standing in the State Departments annual Trafficking in Persons report. The latest report, released in late June, ranks Algeria in the bottom tier for the sixth year in a row, a public black eye that also makes the country ineligible for many forms of aid.

The government of Algeria does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, the 2016 report states. The government newly acknowledged the trafficking problem in Algeria and demonstrated new political will to address it. It formed an inter-ministerial anti-trafficking committee, which produced a national anti-trafficking action plan in December 2015; however, the government did not dedicate a budget to implement the plan during the reporting period.

Bouguerra said his oil-rich country doesnt seek out US assistance and downplayed the State Departments relatively tiny proposed aid package for fiscal year 2017  $2.3 million in security assistance, about the same as last year  as very symbolic. But the ranking clearly rankles.

Records show Foley Hoag has actively lobbied the State Departments human rights bureau, which helps put the rankings together. In December, the firm sat on a conference with Susan Coppedge less than two months into her tenure as the departments new ambassador-at-large to monitor and combat trafficking in persons.

Finally, Bouguerra concedes to being a little bit disappointed by the impression that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is subject to a constant deathwatch in foreign capitals.

The 79-year-old presidents re-election to a fourth five-year term in 2014 underscored Algerias political continuity, while focusing attention on succession issues, the Congressional Research Service wrote in a 2014 report to US lawmakers and their staffs. Algerias factionalized and opaque decision-making process often appears to inhibit a clear trajectory on political and economic reforms, as well as a more proactive Algerian foreign policy.

The ambassador insists that Bouteflika will stay in office through the end of his fourth term in 2019. He rejected rumors to the contrary as media fabrications in France, Algerias former colonial master.

People here need to be smarter than that and see that in Algeria, they have a man who is in command, Bouguerra said. The president for the past 15 years has built an Algeria that really will stand up by itself, not by the will of one man. At least in Algeria, nobody is afraid of what will come after 2019. It is a strong and reliable ally, really.
July 28, 2016

The United States is back in Libya to kill terrorists after deposing a dictator.

The lesson here, the countrys envoy to Washington warns, is that focusing on narrow goals will bring neither stability to the region nor security to the West.

We know that Daesh [Islamic State] is there because of the chaos, not the other way around, Charge daffaires Wafa Bugaighis told Al-Monitor in a late June interview at her Watergate office. You need to treat the cause. Otherwise, you will have terrorist groups multiplying by different names and agendas.

Bugaighis has been trumpeting that message to US decision-makers for the past year and a half, first as an employee of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives and now with the newly minted Government of National Accord (GNA). She took her post in December 2014, the same year her cousin, human rights activist Salwa Bugaighis, was murdered in her Benghazi home on the day of Libyas general elections.

Bugaighis is hopeful that the chaos since Moammar Gadhafis fall may finally be subsiding following the international recognition of the GNA earlier this year. Now unity is needed in Libya itself, where a number of warlords and politicians have so far refused to get on board.

"Libya needs a united government, but everybody's concerns and worries should be addressed, she said. Only through this can we reach real consensus and real accord."

In a sign that the Obama administration is optimistic, special envoy Jonathan Winer in June unveiled a $56 million plan to support a political transition over the coming months. Much of that money had been previously earmarked but could not be spent while the country was in chaos.

While Bugaighis wants Washington to keep the pressure on politicians to join the GNA, shes also here to explain the complicated dynamics on the ground that demand diplomatic finesse. She opposes sanctions against hold-outs, for example, out of concerns they could backfire in a country awash with weapons.

In Libya we have an issue that needs reconciliation and needs consensus and needs compromises, she told Al-Monitor. Sanctions are not effective at all in this matter, honestly.

Bugaighis preaches the same kind of strategic patience when it comes to dealing with the Islamic State, which established a stronghold in the central coastal town of Sirte in early 2015.

The Obama administration has launched several airstrikes against IS targets in Libya and has deployed small groups of special forces operatives to help take back Sirte. Government-backed forces launched an offensive in May and finished taking the city back in July.

Despite battleground successes, lawmakers on Capitol Hill remain critical of the US mission. Many Republicans have long accused the Obama administration  including Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, then the secretary of state  of helping depose Gadhafi in 2011 without a plan for the day after.

It still appears to me that we have a really light touch, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said at a June 15 hearing on US policy in Libya. It still doesnt appear to me that weve come together around [a policy] that has the sense of urgency or seriousness to it relative to the negativity that could occur if Libya fails.

But Bugaighis cautions against overestimating US influence.

Its complicated," she told Al-Monitor. "To just say there is a light touch, I dont know if thats accurate. I think the US administration has been very sensible about Libyan sensitivities.

{image1}

Top US officials have acknowledged the trade-offs between military strikes to eliminate immediate terrorist threats and the longer term work of helping rebuild Libya. The US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told Congress in February, faces a dilemma  in terms of a more robust military intervention in Libya, and the potential jeopardy that imposes to a very fragile evolving political process.

Bugaighis recalled that in the heady days after Gadhafi was deposed, the US-backed National Transitional Council had little interest in retaining a strong Western presence in a country scarred by colonialism.

In general, Libyans are sensitive to direct international interventions in anything, she said. "When the Americans or Europeans wanted to stay and do more, they were told Thank you so much, you helped us get rid of the dictator and now we can take care of our own issues."

"They left us alone for some time," she concedes, "and things got chaotic."

As rival factions took up arms, outside players backed opposing camps, making the situation worse. Now the world is firmly behind the GNA, says Bugaighis, who insists shes not worried about reports that Libyans such as anti-Islamist strongman Khalifa Hifter has been traveling to Egypt and Russia.

I think these visits are very good and very useful, because they get to express their concerns, they get to express their worries, they get to express what is needed for this political agreement to work from their point of view, she told Al-Monitor. This is also part of international diplomacy.

Bugaighis isnt as sanguine about the Libyan factions that continue to push their own agendas in Washington, however. Actors tied to Tripolis Islamist General National Congress (GNC) spent almost $2 million lobbying in 2014-15, Justice Department records show, while the rival Tobruk governments hawkish ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Aref Ali Nayed, spent almost $500,000. Further complicating matters, lobbyists for a GNC-linked company also started representing the Tobruk-based House of Representatives in July.

I feel the administration, the White House, the Congress are on board with the Libyan issues, Bugaighis said. So you can go and lobby as much as you want, but what you will achieve is probably nothing.

The embassys lobbying priorities include increased counterterrorism assistance, such as beefed-up information sharing, humanitarian aid, arms trade monitoring and border control. While Libya gets a bad rap as a source of instability in North Africa, Bugaighis points out that the countrys neighbors also have porous borders that help fuel the chaos in her country.

You need to get rid of all of these phenomenas to have a stable country, she said. You need to do it all as a package.

As for talk of lifting the international arms embargo on Libya and training and equiping a national military force, Bugaighis said the government isnt there yet.

There will be proper vetting for the national forces and [the GNA is] hoping for more reconciliation to unite the forces against [IS]. We dont see haste in this, she said.

She said Libya has learned the lessons of the failed attempt to create a General Purpose Force in 2013-14. Instead of sending recruits throughout Europe, she said, future training would have to be conducted inside Libya or in neighboring countries.

In a final nod to the long road ahead, Bugaighis acknowledged that the GNA isnt currently seeking to lift the freeze on Gadhafis assets in the United States. The Treasury Department froze almost $30 billion of the dictators money in US banks during the 2011 uprising, money that could provide a crucial lifeline amid crumbling oil revenues.

It doesnt mean we dont want it. But you dont want to spend it now, Bugaighis said. In transitional periods, sometimes its a safe measure to have it frozen.
July 29, 2016

Morocco has been pursuing an increasingly assertive US policy as it seeks to cement its control over its disputed southern half, with mixed results.

In March, Rabat defied Washington and the rest of the world when it ousted the UN mission tasked with resolving the decades-old conflict over the Western Sahara. Two months later, Moroccan officials upbraided US Ambassador Dwight Bush over an annual State Department report that accused the country of crushing Sahrawi independence activists.

With a small army of lobbing and PR firms in its corner, Morocco has simultaneously been working the halls of Congress to get lawmakers to embrace its de facto control over 85% of the territory. Moroccan largesse  some $3.7 million in 2015  has bought the services of one former US ambassador to Morocco (lobby shop CEO Edward Gabriel); one former assistant secretary of state (Roger Noriega); and two former members of Congress: Democrat Edolphus Towns of New York and Republican Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida.

Diaz-Balart also happens to be the brother of current Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., Moroccos main ally on the House panel that writes foreign aid bills. Recent victories on that front include a first-ever $1 million State Department grant for a governance program in Moroccan-administered Western Sahara and language in the pending spending bill that urges the State Department to back a census of Sahrawi refugees in Algeria amid reports of large-scale humanitarian aid embezzlement.

Morocco is an important ally in the region, and has worked hand in hand with the United States on a number of programs, reforms and economic agreements, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart told Al-Monitor in April. I am confident that this [$1 million grant] program will be another positive and successful partnership between our two nations.

Morocco also enjoys considerable support from the Obama administration.

The State Department has consistently praised the kingdoms antiterrorism efforts and counter-radicalization efforts, most recently in its 2015 Country Reports on Terrorism released in early June. And while the US mission to the UN voted in April to restore the MINURSO mission and renew it for another year, Ambassador Samantha Power also reiterated the administrations conditional support for Moroccos preferred solution to the conflict.

The policy of the United States regarding Western Sahara has not changed, Power said during the vote in April. We consider Moroccos autonomy plan serious, realistic and credible. It represents a potential approach that could satisfy the self-determination aspirations of the people of Western Sahara.

That same month, Morocco and the US government launched a $450 million Millennium Challenge Corporation grant to improve workforce training and land markets; the new grant comes on the heels of an initial $700 million development grant  the largest ever  that helped Morocco develop its fruit tree businesses, fisheries and artisan crafts. Morocco also remains the only country in Africa to have signed a Free Trade Agreement with the United States, back in 2004.

{image1}

Still, Rabats aggressive stance has produced some pushback.

In March, the congressional Tom Lantos commission hosted the first hearing in a decade on the human rights situation in the Western Sahara. The panel is co-chaired by Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa., who is also co-chair of the Western Sahara Caucus on Capitol Hill.

In the Senate, foreign aid appropriators broke with their House colleagues and made no mention of a Tindouf census in their spending bill for fiscal year 2017. And unlike last year, they propose treating the Western Sahara as distinct from Morocco when categorizing recipients of US aid.

And on the ground, Sahrawi activists are cautioning about the potential resumption of armed conflict after a 25-year truce has failed to achieve a promised vote on independence. The warning is echoed by Algeria, which spends $420,000 a year lobbying on the Western Sahara and other issues.

That amount is dwarfed by Moroccos own influence operation, which totaled no fewer than 10 lobbying and PR firms and subcontractors at last count. Chief among them is the nonprofit Moroccan American Center for Policy, whose executive director Jordan Paul was quick to point out that the human rights commissions namesake founder, the late Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., himself supported the Moroccan autonomy plan at a 2007 hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which he chaired at the time.

Moroccos already vast stable of hired guns grew even larger in April with the addition of leading international trade firm Sorini, Samet and Associates. The firm, which received $100,000 last year to lobby for the extension of certain benefits under the 2006 bilateral free trade agreement on behalf of a private-sector textile and clothing trade organization, is now also conducting the same work for the benefit of the embassy.

Some Moroccan observers have argued that Rabats lobbying juggernaut has produced little more than overhyped public relations events of doubtful diplomatic benefit.

Moroccan diplomats in Washington have been heavily inclined to build personal relationships with key political figures at the expense of expanding institutional bridges between the two countries strategic establishments, Washington-based freelance columnist Hassan Masiky recently wrote in the Morocco World News online news site. The personal approach creates temporary diplomatic victories that fail to withstand the rigors of political and legal scrutiny of the American system of government.

In fact, Moroccos Capitol Hill connections may even have backfired. After Congress forced the State Departments hand with its requirement to spend Moroccan aid money in the Western Sahara, the agency sought to clarify that the $1 million grant does not reflect a change in the Obama administrations policy of supporting a peaceful, sustainable and mutually agreed solution to the conflict.

"This program will address the legitimate needs of the people of the Western Sahara, Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs Julia Frifield wrote in a Dec. 23 letter to Rep. Joseph Pitts, R-Pa., the co-chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and the top Sahrawi advocate in Congress. It will seek to strengthen civil society organizations and local representative bodies to bolster the ability of citizens to play an active role in making decisions that affect their lives.

The Moroccan lobby insists, however, that Rabat is happy with the outcome.

In a joint statement after King Mohammed VIs 2013 visit to Washington, the king and President [Barack] Obama pledged a shared commitment to the improvement of the lives of the people of the Western Sahara, the MACPs Paul told Al-Monitor back in April. The State Department [grant] focuses on providing official US assistance to local Moroccan elected representatives and civil society and represents an opportunity for the US to address the presidents pledge.
July 29, 2016

For 25 years, Western Sahara activists have been patiently  and peacefully  waiting for the United Nations and the West to help secure their dreams of independence.

That may be about to change.

Following Morocco's expulsion of UN peacekeepers in March and the death of longtime Polisario Front leader Mohamed Abdelaziz at the end of May, the independence movement is warning that violence could once again flare up. Sahrawis since 1991 have put their faith in a UN mission to secure a vote on independence after 16 years of war, but patience is running out as the international community increasingly acquiesces to Rabat's de facto control over what some deem "the last colony in Africa."

"The [1991] cease-fire and the referendum were part of a package. If there is no referendum, there should be no cease-fire," Mouloud Said, the Polisario-backed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic's envoy to the United States, told Al-Monitor soon after Abdelaziz's funeral. "When it comes to hostilities, it's not in our hands. It's in the hands of the international community. If they fulfil their commitment, and they give a chance to the people of Western Sahara to choose freely their destiny, there'll be no fight. But if we see that the international community  or Morocco  is still intransigent  in that case, I think the resumption of hostilities will be the natural result."

Said has represented the Sahrawi Republic in Washington since 1989, save for a brief period from 2012 through 2015. The partially recognized state controls a thin strip of the disputed Western Sahara and has diplomatic relations with 40 nations, but not the United States.

Since 2008, the Sahrawis have also relied on the New York-based nonprofit advisory firm Independent Diplomat to help with diplomatic efforts at the UN Security Council. The firm reported scattered meetings with advisers to the US Mission to the UN in recent months, and helped organize a "discussion" with Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Salek on Oct. 8 at its headquarters in New York; the firm was paid about $20,000 last year.

{image1}

The Polisario gets an assist from its longtime ally Algeria, which spends $420,000 lobbying Washington every year, mostly on the Western Sahara issue. Those sums are dwarfed by Rabat, which spent almost 10 times as much last year to convince Congress and the Obama administration that its plans for an autonomous Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty make the most sense.

The past few months have been a decidedly mixed bag for the Sahrawis, with reversals at the UN and in Washington even as the world community continues to pay lip service to the notion of independence. MINURSOs name remains unchanged  the French acronym stands for United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara  but since 2003 reauthorizations have called instead for a mutually acceptable political solution.

Things got off to a rough start in March, when Rabat expelled UN peacekeepers after Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon decried Moroccos occupation of the Sahara. The UN Security Council reauthorized the mission for a year the following month, but without demanding that Morocco rescind the expulsions or immediately return the mission to full functionality.

The US House of Representatives for its part has sided squarely with Morocco for many years, with a few rare exceptions.

House appropriators released a draft spending bill in late June that calls for a census of Sahrawis in Algerias Tindouf refugee camps. The census is a longtime priority for Morocco, which argues that the Polisario  and its Algerian backers  inflate the refugee numbers both to get more international aid and to exaggerate the urgency of a referendum.

International pressure for a precise count has been steadily growing. European officials in particular have been increasingly vocal about the need for a census since the release last year of a blistering report by the EUs fraud watchdog accusing Algerian and Polisario officials of embezzling vast quantities of European humanitarian aid over many years.

The Senate bill, by contrast, makes no mention of a census. And unlike last years bill, it treats the Western Sahara as distinct from Morocco when categorizing recipients of US aid.

For the past two years, US lawmakers have used their power of the purse to demand that US foreign aid to Morocco be made available for projects in the Western Sahara, a de facto recognition of the legitimacy of Rabats rule over the phosphate-rich territory. The State Department on April 7 awarded a $1 million grant to the International Republican Institute to support participatory governance in the western 85% of the region that is under Moroccan control.

The grant has been criticized by some Sahrawi activists. But it also falls short of pro-Moroccan lawmakers push for greater US economic investment in the territory.

This sort of program is very welcome once we find a solution to the conflict. But this is not the right moment, Said told Al-Monitor. Its not a good idea because the real Sahrawi civil society is not going to be a part of it. They understand that this is a game by Moroccans to try to legitimize their occupation by getting the United States involved through what appears to be an innocent and genuine program  which is everything but genuine or innocent.

In announcing the grant, the State Department also made clear that the grant does not reflect a change in the Obama administrations policy of supporting a peaceful, sustainable and mutually agreed solution to the conflict. Those assurances were shared in a letter to veteran Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa., a longtime Sahrawi champion and co-chairman of both the Western Sahara congressional Caucus and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.

In March, the commission held its first hearing in a decade on the issue of Moroccos human-rights record in the Western Sahara. Morocco has also continued to come under criticism by the State Department for its treatment of independence advocates, infuriating Rabat.
July 13, 2016

Five years on, the Arab Spring has long since given way to a bitter season of chaos, radicalism and repression.

Only tiny Tunisia continues to buck the trend. And its counting on Congress and the Obama administrations help to live up to its billing as a role model for the rest of the Middle East.

After decades of dictatorship and several years of transition, Tunisians have won their freedom and democracy, Presidents Barack Obama and Beji Caid Essebsi declared in a joint op-ed during the Tunisian leaders visit to Washington last May. As Tunisians seek to build the Arab worlds newest democracy, they will continue to have a strong friend and partner in the worlds oldest democracy, the United States of America.

The bilateral relationship has certainly been on an upward swing. The pending aid request from the State Department stands at $140 million, on par with last years and up almost tenfold since 2009.

Arms sales are also flying high, with the United States expected to deliver the first eight of 12 Blackhawk helicopters (a $700 million deal) by the end of the year. Tunis is also set to receive 24 OH-58D Kiowa light attack choppers for free under the Pentagons Excess Defense Articles  supplemented by a $100 million sale of weapons and equipment.

The economic and military aid aims to help the cash-strapped country of 11 million people face an array of challenges.

The first is neighboring Libya. The countrys descent into civil war has destabilized the entire region, with the Islamic State (IS) and other militant groups using it as a base to radicalize young Tunisians and plan cross-border attacks.

It's chaos in Libya. People are crossing borders without any control, visiting 2015 Nobel Peace Prize co-winner Ouided Bouchamaoui told Al-Monitor during a whirlwind tour through Washington in March. And Tunisia is suffering because of this.

Bouchamaoui said peace in Libya would solve 80% of Tunisias problems. Until Libyan factions and the international community hammer out a resolution, she pointed out, vital investments in long-neglected regions simmering with discontent will have to be diverted to border security.

Tunisias ambassador to Washington, Faycal Gouia, applauds the increased counterterrorism cooperation with the United States. That includes last years recognition as a major non-NATO ally and the recent delivery of jeeps and small aircraft to patrol the Libyan border, as well as the February airstrike that killed Tunisian terrorist leader Noureddine Chouchane and dozens of his acolytes inside Libya.

Gouia said hes grateful for the proposed $20 million hike in economic aid over the State Departments fiscal year 2016 request. But he notes that it has come at the price of an equivalent reduction in security assistance.

Now were going to fight, so to speak, to try to shore up military aid because its very important, Gouia told Al-Monitor in a February interview at the embassy. Terrorism and challenges of all sorts that threaten Tunisias stability and security must be taken into account as we reinforce cooperation between our two countries.

Congress appears to have heard him loud and clear. The FY 2017 foreign aid bills pending in the House and Senate both exceed the State Department request by $20 million and $5 million, respectively.

The ambassador is also lobbying in favor of a free trade agreement with the United States, an idea thats been bouncing around for years. Reps. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., and David Schweikert, R-Ariz., have both introduced resolutions of support but havent gotten any traction in an election year marked by voter hostility toward trade. Schweikert is also the co-chairman of the Congressional Tunisia Caucus, along with Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla.

Tunisia views such a deal as a crucial tool to broadcast that the country is open for business despite lingering regional insecurity and the slow pace of economic reforms. Job creation is a top priority to prevent disaffected youths from joining terrorist groups, especially after a spate of attacks last year decimated the countrys vital tourism sector.

Recent US support includes last years launch of a Joint Economic Commission and up to $50 million worth of partnerships between the US governments development finance institution, OPIC (Overseas Private Investment Corporation), and three Tunisian banks  Amen Bank, Arab Tunisia Bank and Attijari Bank  to expand their Small and Medium Enterprise portfolios. The State Department is also funding a Tunisian-American Enterprise Fund, seeded with $60 million in US Agency for International Development funds  plus another $20 million in the pending budget request  to promote the expansion of the private sector.

While it hasnt hired any outside lobbyists, the embassy has benefited from an unsolicited and uncoordinated assist from Tunisias Ennahda party. The former Islamist party  it dropped the label at its May congress  hired global public relations firm Burson-Marsteller in 2014 to reassure skittish policymakers of its democratic credentials but has largely focused on promoting Tunisia as a whole.

Tunisia is an inspiration for the Arab world, and as Tunisias Islamic democrats, Ennahdha sees Islam and democracy as sharing the same values, external relations chief Rafik Abdessalem told Al-Monitor in an August 2015 interview. Our efforts to communicate with the West are rooted in the need to generate support from the international community to ensure that Tunisias democracy remains strong.

The country is also the darling of Washingtons pro-democracy community. In October, 114 Middle East experts and former lawmakers and government officials wrote to top appropriators to urge them to fully fund the Obama administrations request, which briefly was at risk of being shortchanged by the Senate.

The importance of Tunisias success cannot be overstated. For the United States, having a strategic ally in the Arab world that shares not only our strategic interests but also our democratic values is an extraordinarily important opportunity that should not be missed, they wrote. The international community and citizens of the region often fear a choice between violent extremism and repressive autocracy; a stable and prosperous democracy in Tunisia would provide the most powerful counterexample to this false dichotomy.

Their efforts  and Ambassador Gouias relentless lobbying  appear to have paid off. House appropriators in late June introduced draft legislation that would top Obamas aid request by $20 million.
July 27, 2016

Washington would like to formally register its disapproval of Cairos authoritarian backsliding, and now can we please get back to business as usual.

Despite a chorus of criticism from human rights groups, the Obama administration is showing no interest in paring back a $1.3 billion-a-year military aid package that forms the crux of the bilateral relationship. The State Departments request for fiscal year 2017 seeks the full amount, and the two countries late last year resumed joint production of M1A1 main battle tanks following the programs suspension after the military overthrew President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.

Even so, the State Department has remained publicly critical of Egypts record under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, denouncing a pattern of excessive use of force including unlawful killings and torture and mass arrests of political opponents in its latest annual human rights report. US Secretary of State John Kerry, a strong Sisi backer, also put the president on notice that repression will only fuel more terrorism during a bilateral strategic dialogue in Cairo last August.

The return of authoritarian rule that began with the militarys July 2013 takeover has left US policymakers in a quandary, the Congressional Research Service summarized in a Feb. 25 report to lawmakers and their staffs. President Obama and members of his administration continue to express the view that authoritarian governance and the denial of basic human and political rights create conditions conducive to the growth of violent extremism. On the other hand, maintaining a partnership with the government of Egypt is still viewed as important for goals of regional stability and security.

Congress has been equally schizophrenic.

Sharp differences remain between the House and the Senate  and within the House itself  among those who see Sisi as a useful, if autocratic, counterterrorism partner, and those who are appalled by his human rights record. However, neither chamber is questioning the $1.3 billion military package, which dates back to Egypts 1979 peace treaty with Israel.

That seems to suit Cairo just fine. Sisi has made no mystery of putting a premium on the bilateral military relationship as he pursues Islamists in the Sinai Peninsula while signing on to the global anti-Islamic State coalition.

The message has trickled down to Cairos multimillion-dollar operation in Washington, led by the Glover Park Group. The most recent lobbying disclosure from the firm, which was founded by four former Democratic officials who worked for former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore, shows that military-to-military relations dominated almost every conversation with officials during the second half of 2015.

{image1}

Egypt also benefits from Sisi's popularity with key players in the region, notably Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both of which have well-funded lobbying operations in Washington. The pro-Israel lobby has also fought proposed cuts to Egyptian aid in the past.

Lawmakers got the same message when visiting Cairo.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., returned from a visit in April vowing to keep the military aid flowing lest Egypt become a failed state. Senate foreign aid Appropriations Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., came back around the same time, determined to craft a massive economic "Marshall Plan" for the country and the surrounding region.

Despite that pledge, the purse-string holders in the Senate have taken a dimmer view than their House counterparts in the draft appropriations bills released this summer.

Senate appropriators recommend keeping in place a 15% withholding on military aid absent progress on human rights, such as the investigation and prosecution of extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances, to include the torture and murder of Italian doctoral student Giulio Regeni. The Senate bill would also cut the State Departments economic aid proposal for the upcoming fiscal year in half, to $75 million, while making clear that even that money can be reprogrammed for more deserving countries if Cairo is seen as prohibiting or otherwise interfering with US programs funded by those funds.

The Senate foreign aid Appropriations panel declared itself dismayed that many NGOs remain unregistered and are prevented from working in Egypt for the benefit of the Egyptian people, according to the report accompanying its FY 2017 spending proposal. The report quotes the State Department as saying that $1 billion in past years economic funding remains unspent because of obstacles raised by Cairo.

Many of the recent revelations on the difficulties US officials and their nonprofit partners are encountering on the ground originated with the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Middle East and North Africa panel Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., and Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., helped bring to light not only the economic funding pipeline blockage but also key deficiencies in the State Departments and the Defense Departments ability to track that military gear is used for the right purpose.

A blistering government watchdog report earlier this year shows an alarming and unacceptable amount of deficiencies in our end-use monitoring and human rights vetting programs in Egypt," Ros-Lehtinen said in a statement at the time.

Other committees have been more willing to look the other way.

The House panel on foreign aid in its FY 2017 proposal authorizes the full $150 million in economic assistance sought by the State Department. The panel also seeks to remove the existing 15% military aid withholding  a provision Kerry has waived in the past. And rather than find fault with Cairo, the spending bills accompanying report slams the Obama administration for seeking to terminate Egypts eligibility for a preferential practice known as cash-flow financing.

The House Judiciary panel also gave Cairo a boost this February when it passed legislation requesting that Kerry label Sisi's Muslim Brotherhood foes as terrorists. The bill, from Florida Republican Mario Diaz-Balart  also a key Egypt ally on the foreign aid panel  has gone nowhere since then, however, indicating a reluctance on the part of Republican leadership to disregard the State Department's warnings that painting political Islamists with a broad brush could backfire.
August 8, 2016

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Intellectuals and youth in the Gaza Strip are calling for the formation of youth electoral lists to run in the municipal elections slated for Oct. 8 in the West Bank and Gaza. The call is based on the need to involve the youth in decision-making operations as well as in community services.

Al-Monitor talked to Amjad Shawa, the director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network in Gaza, who stressed the need for young candidates to be part of electoral lists in order to allow Gaza youth to extensively participate in politics and community service.

He said, The political and social forces are required to bring about change by giving young people the opportunity to be part of the leadership and to play a role in society, which could end these young peoples desperation and frustration.

Shawa noted that the youth have been marginalized by the various political and societal forces and feel helpless. He called on mobilizing young people to allow them to assume influential positions by changing the social and legal system so as to allow them to form electoral lists.

Calling on the youth to form electoral lists and run in the elections is a message of protest against the status quo. This also aims to encourage youth to contribute to social and service life, he said.

Young writer and novelist Yusri al-Ghoul supports the idea of forming electoral lists of young candidates to run in the upcoming municipal elections, provided these candidates do not have any political affiliations and regardless of their social status.

He told Al-Monitor, All we got from political parties are more defeats on the service sector level and on the national level. Openness to the world and communication with the international community institutions and civil society organizations are crucial, in particular in light of the worlds reluctance to communicate and deal with existing institutions in Gaza.

Ghoul noted that the most important condition for the youth to obtain a large number of votes in the elections is to agree on a single list combining all young independent candidates.

He said, I hope one list will be formed in each governorate, composed of male and female candidates and irrespective of religion or ideology. This list may be able to get support if they have a strong team capable of launching strong electoral campaigns on social media.

Article 18 of the Palestinian local council elections' Law No. 10 of 2005 states that a candidate should be 25 years of age on election day; all Gaza residents who meet the voting and candidacy requirements, be it citizens or the 1948 refugees who constitute 67% of the population, are eligible to run for election.

These calls have encouraged many young people to consider running for office in the municipal elections. Journalist Najwa Aqtifan, 36, expressed interest in running as a candidate on one of the youth lists that will be formed at a later stage in Gaza City.

She told Al-Monitor she will run in the municipal elections since any Palestinian citizen is entitled to do so. She said, No local elections have been held since 2005. It is time to change some of the negative situations on the Palestinian arena, and we will start with the municipal elections. The fact that the youth are running in the elections is a victory, even if they do not get a high percentage of votes.

Immediately after deciding to run for office, Aqtifan started making contacts with a number of young people to form an independent list to represent the youth. She hopes the list, which is independent, can garner the support of all segments of Palestinian society.

We will not represent any political party. Our main objective is to help citizens and preserve their interests, since they deserve to have representatives that support their causes and provide for their needs, she said.

Hamid al-Halabi, 30, lives in Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza and has a master's degree in education and human rights. He decided to take part in the Jabaliya municipality elections to fight the marginalization the youth are experiencing.

He told Al-Monitor, The youth have the decisive vote in any election; this is a major point of strength. This pushed me  as an ambitious young man  to take part in this democratic process, and I hope to live up to the challenge.

Halabi said he started consultations with a large group of independent young Palestinians to form a large coalition across the Gaza Strip, including young candidates, both male and female, between the ages of 25 and 40.

Candidates will be chosen from among professionals with expertise in the social and services field, he said.

Rami Mohsen, 31, a lawyer and independent leader from Gaza City, believes the youth are able to serve their society since they have a lot of expertise and experience in the social and political fields.

He told Al-Monitor, We are seriously considering the idea of running in the elections [in several municipalities] in a list formed of young candidates in order to face the many challenges more realistically. These challenges include poverty, unemployment, marginalization, despair, frustration and immigration. Decision-makers often neglect these problems that exacerbate the situation.

He added, Victory depends on the masses and voters awareness, since they have to give confidence to the young candidates. We will surely encounter numerous challenges due to the sharp polarization of our society, but there is still hope for us, and we have a strong will. In all cases and regardless of the results that the list will obtain, we feel the youth have a real opportunity in these elections to stand out.

Mohsen said that until now it is not clear in which of the municipalities the youth will run in unified lists. We should take into consideration the regions where the youth can run in electoral lists and achieve good results, he said.

He added, We have to examine the specificities of each region. The aim behind our participation is to show that the youth are competent and are worthy of assuming municipal posts. We want to improve the prevailing perspective on the youth. It is too early to decide the regions where the youth lists will run in the elections, although there are some regions where we intend to field candidates.

It seems that the independent Palestinian youths in the Gaza Strip have made the decision to enter the upcoming municipal electoral race, but efforts are still scattered, which could affect their chances of success.
August 7, 2016

Baghdad  On July 31, violent clashes broke out between two factions of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) in al-Iskan, west of Baghdad, killing one and injuring 13 from both factions. The violence erupted after armed forces from a new militia called Jaish al-Moumal arrived in an area dominated by the Peace Brigades, which is affiliated with Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

I, Saad Swar, have not defected. Like my reference and leader [Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr, Muqtada al-Sadr's father], I was created to serve as a burning candle. So may the ignorant ones be quiet, Swar wrote on his Facebook page June 12 after announcing the formation of Jaish al-Moumal in Iraq and Syria.

Jaish al-Moumal is the latest faction to split from the ranks of the Sadrist movement.

Quick overview of the defections

Jaish al-Mahdi is considered the breeding ground of most factions and Shiite militias in Iraq. The most prominent of these defections is the League of the Righteous, led by Qais al-Khazali, followed by Sheikh Akram al-Kaabi, who defected and formed Hezbollah al-Nujaba; Sheikh Jalal al-Shahmani, who formed Kataeb al-Tayar al-Risali; Sheikh Aws al-Khafaji, who formed the Brigade of Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas; and Sheikh Abdul Zahra al-Sueiadi, who established the Revolutionist Hussein formation.

These new groups have in common that they are affiliated with velayat-e faqih and former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki; they all have a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on their websites and these factions leaders often visit Maliki, who provides support.

Defections occur as a result of internal differences between militias. Iran's influence in this regard is undeniable, too, as it does not want one faction or one party to control the Shiite scene in Iraq. This is how the League of the Righteous defected from Jaish al-Mahdi, Hezbollah al-Nujaba defected from the league, Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades defected from Iraqi Hezbollah and the Badr Brigades then defected from the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq. Every time a Shiite faction dominates the Shiite scene, a group defects from its ranks.

This is particularly true if the faction opposes Irans influence in Iraq. Accordingly, the formation of Jaish al-Moumal occurred as a reaction to Sadrs protest since last year against the Iranian-backed Iraqi government. In this context, defections come as an attempt to pressure Sadr into putting an end to his protest demanding reform and change.

Swar, leader of Jaish al-Moumal

Swar was a military leader in Jaish al-Mahdi, and like many leaders in this faction he was accused of carrying out sectarian operations. He was arrested and imprisoned by US forces for almost seven years before he had help breaking free in 2011 along with four other leaders from Jaish al-Mahdi. Swar then moved to Iran and Syria and when he came back in 2014, he was captured again but was able to escape to Syria.

While staying in Syria, Swar, along with other Sadrist leaders, formed the Brigade of Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas, the Rapid Reaction Force and al-Kafeel Brigades. Thus began the dispute between Sadr and Swar, as Sadr was against Iraqi Shiite militias being involved in the Syrian issue.

When the fight against the Islamic State began, Swar returned to Iraq and carried on with his duty as a military leader in the Peace Brigades, which is the new name for Jaish al-Mahdi. He fought alongside PMU factions in the battles to cleanse al-Karma, a town located between al-Shuala and Fallujah.

Reasons behind the defection

A leader from Jaish al-Moumal told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that Swars defection from the Sadrist movement came against the backdrop of promises to provide support and direct reinforcement to Swar by Maliki, made during meetings held in June and July. This information was reiterated by Sadrist leader Nasser Sueiadi, but Swar denied it, saying he met with Maliki to ask him to mediate to liberate a number of Sadrist supporters arrested after storming into the Green Zone.

A source close to Swar told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the defection was for reasons related to Swars engagement in the Syrian issue and in managing the protests calling for reform. In addition, the source explained that Swar felt marginalized within the Sadrist movement and the Peace Brigades.

Sheikh Hussein al-Shabani, a prominent figure in the Sadrist movement, emphasized this when he addressed Swar, saying, Everything you mentioned in your discourse in terms of suffering and being marginalized is not enough reason for your defection. You have quite the remarkable stances and your position in opposition to the defectors at first was brilliant.

Meanwhile, Sadr lamented Swars defection, saying that he did not expect Swar to do so. Jaish al-Moumals headquarters are in al-Shuala north of Baghdad and its military camp is located in Sabaa al-Bour, also north of Baghdad.

This new group said it is fighting in both Iraq and Syria and is fully prepared to participate in fighting in Yemen and Bahrain as well. It has openly declared that it is part of velayat-e faqih in Iran and follows Khamenei.
August 8, 2016

Jordan's pundits reacted swiftly to statements made by US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on July 26 that the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State (IS) is planning to open a new front in southern Syria in addition to its ongoing offensive in the north of the war-torn country. Most Jordanian analysts and political commentators warned against involving Jordan in military operations in southern Syria, the stability of which Amman considers as essential to its own national security. Speaking to US troops at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Carter was quoted as saying that the move will help Jordanian security and further split IS theaters of operation in Syria and Iraq. The government has not commented on Carter's statements.

Political commentator Maher Abu Tair wrote in Addustour daily July 31 that southern Syria could be the key to major changes in the political map of Syria, and that Jordan should be weary of the operation's ultimate consequences.

Retired Gen. Mamoun Abu Nuwar told Al-Rai daily July 30 that Jordan should insist on setting up a buffer zone along borders with Syria and not get involved in military operations in southern Syria, which will prove a failure.

Columnist Fahd Al-Khitan wrote in daily Al-Ghad Aug. 2 that it is in Jordan's interest to maintain the military status quo in southern Syria and concentrate on protecting its borders.

Jordan is part of the US-led coalition and has allowed French and Belgian fighter jets to use the kingdom's air bases to wage air attacks against IS targets in Syria. Reports spoke of the existence of a joint military command center in Amman (MOC), manned by Western and Arab military officials, to offer support to moderate Syrian rebels in southern Syria, including weapons and intelligence. But Jordan has consistently dismissed such reports. Jordan has never commented on a Saudi offer in February to send ground troops, under US command, into southern Syria.

But on Aug. 3, arabi21 website reported from Amman that the MOC remains active and that since Carter's statements it has been pushing small rebel groups in southern Syria to unite.

Southern Syria is close to Jordanian population centers in the north of the kingdom. The majority of the 1.3 million Syrians in Jordan today  600,000 of whom are registered as refugees  came from southern Syria. Jordan's borders with Syria, which have been closed following June's IS terrorist attack on a Jordanian border patrol that killed seven, are 375 kilometers (233 miles) long.

The planned US move to wage an offensive from the south is believed to be part of a US-Russian understanding to coordinate military attacks against IS and other radical groups, including Jabhat al-Nusra  which severed links July 29 with al-Qaeda and changed its name to Jabhat Fatah al-Sham. But a Russian diplomatic source in Amman, who requested anonymity, denied reports that such coordination exists or that a joint US-Russian operations room was to open in Amman. He told Al-Monitor that the views of the Pentagon and the US State Department on Syria are not always the same.

Carter's statements came a week after defense and foreign representatives from more than 30 countries met in Washington for two days to discuss the next steps to be taken in the fight to defeat IS. Jordan attended that meeting, but it is not clear if the proposal to open a new front in southern Syria was discussed then.

The United States has been concentrating its anti-IS operations in two areas; in Manbij by supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an Arab-Kurdish coalition, and in eastern Syria on the border with Iraq in Boukamal through the New Syrian Army (NSA). The proposed southern front will include Daraa and the Syrian Badia (desert), according to the director of the Middle East Center for Policies and Media, Amer Sabbayleh.

Sabbayleh told Al-Monitor, "The activation of the southern front indicates changing security realities both in Syria and Jordan." He said that Jordan must be involved in what appears to be US-Russian coordination and this requires an intelligence role in addition to a military one. "But at any rate, we have no interest in ordering our army to go into Syria. If we have back channel contacts with the Damascus regime then we have to make them public because Jordan's national security comes first," Sabbayleh added.

Southern Syria is contested by a number of groups, including IS, in addition to the Syrian regime forces. Jordan had tried before to coordinate with Russia on southern Syria for fear that airstrikes will result in more refugees heading to Jordan, but more importantly increase attempts by IS and Jabhat al-Nusra to target the kingdom.

On July 27, the London-based raialyoum website reported that Jabhat al-Nusra fighters had withdrawn from the Yarmouk River basin in southern Syria following Carter's statements and upon the advice of an Arab country, which it did not name, that had been briefed on US plans. Jabhat al-Nusra is believed to be a prime target of the US-Russian planned military offensive in the south.

Retired Gen. Mohammad Irdeisat told Al-Monitor that opening up the southern front will decrease security pressure on Jordan in anticipation of the liberation of both Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq, two IS-held cities. "Once IS is removed from there, it will seek new targets and Jordan will be one of them," he said.

But he added that Jordan's priority must be to protect its national security regardless of the objectives of the US-led coalition. "This is why we should push to create a buffer zone along our long borders with Syria and protect it from within our borders," Irdeisat said.

Since Carter made his statement, new details about the fate of southern Syria have not emerged. Events in the south have been overshadowed by the fall of Manbij and the intense fighting in Aleppo where rebels were able to break through a government siege; the siege, if successful, would mark a major turning point in the Syrian crisis. For now, at least, the southern front remains quiet.
August 8, 2016

According to Iranian media outlets, Irans former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has written President Barack Obama a letter.

The letter stated that despite Obamas campaign slogans promising change, the same hostile policies along with the same trend of enmity were pursued against Iran. One of the many instances of the continued hostility toward Iran, according to Ahmadinejad, was the Supreme Court ruling that blocked $2 billion of Irans assets in the United States and awarded it to victims of terrorism. Ahmadinejad wrote that this ruling was counter to legal principles and asked Obama that the seized property [be] released and returned.

Ahmadinejad concluded that his letter is by no means of political nature, but merely of standpoint of human rights and for protecting the inalienable rights of my nation.

The timing and focus of Ahmadinejads letter is perhaps revealing of the former presidents future intentions. While Ahmadinejad has been relatively quiet as a former president, he has been speaking at events and rallies across the country in recent months. Whether in Tehran or other provinces, Ahmadinejad still draws a large enough crowd to pack venues. It is no surprise then that some view the timing of the letter to be linked to speculation that Ahmadinejad intends to run for president again, hoping to deny President Hassan Rouhani a second term.

If Ahmadinejad does run for office, his opponents will certainly blame him for the seizure of $2 billion in the United States, a decision that was upheld by the US Supreme Court in April. It was under Ahmadinejads administration that the decision was made by the Central Bank of Iran to purchase American bonds, despite the objections of experts and analysts at the time, according to Irans Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri. Given that Iranian laws restrict electioneering to a few weeks before the election, Ahmadinejad wisely stressed that the letter was not political. Ahmadinejad is well-known for writing letters, and this likely will not be his last before the May 2017 election. Ahmadinejad wrote Obama in 2008 congratulating him on his victory. In 2010, Ahmadinejad told Iranian television that he had written Obama another letter. Ahmadinejad had also written an 18-page letter to former President George W. Bush offering solutions to resolving the differences between the two countries. Ahmadinejad had also once written a letter to Pope Benedict XVI.

It seems unlikely that Obama will intervene with a Supreme Court ruling and give Iran back $2 billion, especially after the January transfer of $400 million of Irans money back to the country, a case dating to before the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Critics accused Obama of giving back the money in exchange for Iranian-American prisoners held in Iran, calling it a ransom. The transfer took place as Iran and the United States implemented the nuclear deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had previously said that the negotiations over the nuclear deal and the release of prisoners were two separate negotiations and their timing was coincidental. The United States also released a number of Iranians who were held for sanctions violations.

Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani echoed the comments by Zarif Aug. 8. He said that the original money given to the United States for the sale of arms was suspended after the revolution. He added that Iran had attempted to retrieve the money on previous occasions as well.
August 5, 2016

ISTANBUL, Turkey  Shalal and Amer (pseudonyms of two Syrian men interviewed by Al-Monitor) never believed that the supermarket they worked in more than 10 years ago near al-Akram mosque in the Mezze district of Damascus would turn out to belong to the family of a man who, even after revealing his face for the first time, continues to make the headlines. The man is Abu Mohammed al-Golani.

When Golani, the emir of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (Conquest of Syria Front), formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, appeared on Al Jazeera on July 28 without his cloak, several stories about his origin emerged in Syria. While some believed he was from Deir ez-Zor, others said he was from Damascus. Still others said he was from Daraa. But when seeing his face, Shalal and Amer confirmed to Al-Monitor that Golanis real name was Ahmed Hussein al-Shara, who is originally from Daraa but lived in Damascus.

Shalal worked in 2003 and 2004 in a supermarket that belonged to the family of Shara, who later became known as Golani. Shalal and Amer are currently residing outside Syria.

According to Shalal, when Shara came back from jihad in Iraq in 2003, Shara (currently Golani) would go to the supermarket whenever his older brother Jamal, who ran the supermarket, was busy. Shara was always lonely and depressed. He did not seem cultured or into politics. When a Kurdish janitor would visit the supermarket and start a random conversation, Shara would not engage in the conversation.

Shalal said that judging by his looks, Shara seemed religious. He would wear a long shirt and roll its sleeves twice up with short pants. He had a light beard, Shalal added.

The ground-floor supermarket was very big  about four big rooms. About 20 people worked in it, knowing that it was located in a sensitive area in Damascus, where strict security measures were in force, as it was surrounded by embassies and houses of Syrian officers and artists. A young man who accompanied Golani on his journey to jihad in Iraq in 2003 also worked in this supermarket. We will refer to this young man as Hamad.

Shalal quoted Hamad as saying that Shara was kicked out of the University of Damascus when he was in his first year in the Department of Media. Golani had enrolled in the university before traveling to Iraq for jihad. Shalal and Amer said his dismissal from the university did not seem to have any relation with his ideology or trip to Iraq, but they could not confirm the real reasons behind the dismissal. He [Golani] was arrested with a group of people while in Iraq, and several months later, they were all handed over to the Syrian regime, Shalal quoted Hamad as saying.

Al-Monitor met with a person who worked with Jabhat al-Nusra for a certain period, but who distanced himself from the group three years ago. The person, who spoke to us on the condition anonymity, now lives outside the country. We will refer to him as Adnan. He met Golani in 2005 in al-Sabinah in Damascus three times.

Adnan told Al-Monitor that upon his return from Iraq to Syria, Golani  who was then known among Islamist groups as Abu Mohammed al-Darawi, as he was from Daraa  worked as a coordinator with a group in charge of smuggling mujahedeen coming to Syria. Golanis job was to send mujahedeen through Deir ez-Zor and Hasakah to Iraq and secure their housing and food services.

It should be noted that the Syrian regime had arrested people and incarcerated them in the Sednaya military prison, 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Damascus, on charges of joining the Jund al-Sham organization in 2005. The Syrian regime had facilitated the passage of mujahedeen from its territories to Iraq back in 2003, as the regime opposed the US invasion. Thus, the US put pressure on Iraq to confront the Syrian regime, accusing it of supporting terrorists. As a result, the Syrian regime arrested dozens of Islamists upon their return from Iraq.

Amer told Al-Monitor that in 2005 he ran into a former co-worker from the supermarket in Damascus, who told him that Golanis family had no news of him since 2004 and that his parents believed he was likely to be in Aleppo.

Shalal said that Hamad told him they went to Iraq with the help of Mahmoud Qul Aghassi, aka Abu al-Qaqaa, who emerged as an Islamist advocate and a preacher in Aleppo in 2001 and was reportedly in charge of sending mujahedeen to Iraq. Qaqaa was said to belong to Syrian intelligence and he was shot dead in 2007.

Shalal continued, quoting Hamad, We were around 60 people to meet in Damascus [and go to Iraq] during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, under the pretext of going to a trip to Iraq [to cover for their real purpose, which was jihad]. Our IDs were then collected and placed in an envelope, and the envelope was handed to a sheikh (who was referred to as Sheikh Abu al-Qaqaa). We then got on tourist buses heading to Abu Kamal in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor. There were people with us communicating with the Syrian security forces and border guards (known as al-Hajana), who opened the way for us to enter Iraq.

Adnan, the man who was close to Jabhat al-Nusra and who spoke to Al-Monitor, was detained in the Sednaya prison in Damascus from 2005 to 2011 on charges of belonging to Islamist groups. With the start of the Syrian revolution in 2011, he was released with his companions. Adnan said that Golani and his group were part of the Jund al-Sham cells in 2003, and he described Golani as a cultured and committed man, and he is good at a type of martial arts.

Adnan denied the regimes arrest of Golani in the Sednaya prison and said, There were men from Golanis group with us in prison, and they told us that Golani left Syria to Iraq in 2006.

He added that one of the members of Golanis group in prison was named Amer al-Msalima, who, under the Syrian revolution, formed the Islamic Muthanna Movement in Daraa and was killed in the fighting last year. Msalimas brother consequently took over the leadership of the movement.

According to Adnan, in late 2011, Golani founded with his companions in Syria a cell made up of six people: four Syrians and two men from Iraq. Golani and his companions who founded the cell later established Jabhat al-Nusra in Damascus in the presence of 33 people, and the groups first statement was issued mid-2012.

Shalal said that Golani would sometimes visit the mosque and that he would receive religious lessons in a school where one of the children of Sunni Muslim scholar Mohammad Said Ramadan al-Buti would give courses. Golanis family was on good terms with Butis family. And the family, according to Amer, is related to Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa.

According to Amer, Shara (Golani) has four brothers: Jamal al-Shara (who ran the supermarket), Ali al-Shara, who taught at the Faculty of Arts of Damascus University, a brother who was serving in the military service and another who lives in Saudi Arabia, both of whom Amer and Shalal know nothing about.

Amer denied that the photos leaked back in 2014 were of Golani, and said that the man who appeared on TV on July 28, 2016, as the leader of Jabhat al-Nusra is indeed Ahmed al-Shara.

*Disclaimer: The names in the article are pseudonyms used upon the request of the sources for security reasons.

Activist and journalist Azad Kalash contributed to the article.
August 8, 2016

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey  Since the July 15 coup attempt, Turkey has been busy seizing assets of the suspected instigators, members of the Fethullah Gulen movement. When that task is done, Turkey may then turn to Gulenist assets abroad. There are many who believe Turkey will target Gulenist activities and assets next door in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Yet the large presence of Gulenists there won't necessarily disrupt relations between Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Despite tensions between the two, Turkey remains a significant trading partner for the KRG.

In 1991, during the last days of the Gulf War, the United Nations Security Council declared a no-fly zone that left northern Iraq under Kurdish rule.

This was the onset of a new era. Although its status was undetermined, the region drew worldwide attention. Among those first interested was the Gulen movement, which was just making a name for itself in Turkey and the world. While the Kurds were just taking their first steps to control the region, the Gulen movement initiated assistance missions.

Jabbar Kadir, once an adviser to former KRG Prime Minister Barham Salih, thinks that the Gulenists used relief activities to enter the region. Other concrete Gulenist moves followed. The movement opened its first schools in the region in 1994.

After 2004, when Iraq adopted its first post-Saddam Hussein constitution, the KRG achieved its autonomous status. The Gulen movement stepped up its presence in the region by opening more schools, media organizations and commercial companies. By 2010, its presence in the KRG had peaked. The Kurdish capital of Erbil and the cities of Sulaimaniyah and Dahuk became centers of Gulenist operations. In addition to their commercial activities, Gulenists were paying particular attention to educational projects.

Companies with ties to the movement were awarded contracts to build ministerial compounds. They made a lot of money building shopping centers, hotels and schools. By 2016, Gulenists had 18 primary, middle and high schools and two universities in operation. People affiliated with the movement were also running hospitals, one radio station and an advertising agency.

Today, some 9,500 students are studying in primary, middle and high schools run by the movement, in addition to some 3,000 students in its universities. The children of many senior KRG officials and well-to-do families attend these institutions. Some observers interpreted the privileges granted to children of influential KRG officials as a scheme to penetrate the Kurdish administration.

There were reports that Gulenist school administrators were encouraging their graduates to seek employment in Asayis, the intelligence and law enforcement body of the KRG. Both the schools and the KRG have denied these allegations.

Aydin Selcen, who was the first Turkish consul to the KRG, said the movement had analyzed the conditions of the time when deciding to penetrate the region. Our common borders, [as well as the] rather desperate status of the Iraqi Kurds in all fields, allowed the movement to assess the time as conducive to its assimilation and missionary operations, Selcan wrote, answering Al-Monitors questions via email.

However, Selcen said he does not think the movement has reached the KRG administration and doesnt believe Gulenist activities will cause friction between Turkey and the KRG.

Gulenists did not infiltrate the KRG government or its leadership. But when I served there in 2010-2013, I knew that most notable families were sending their children to Gulen schools, he said. Today, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, one of two neighboring leaders Turkey has the best relations with, instantly reacted positively to Ankaras request to close down the Gulen schools. KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani cannot do the same  not because of political reasons, but because of local realities. I know that the movements presence in the KRG is strictly supervised by [Barzani] and is restricted to educational and health services. Given the multidimensional [nature] of Ankara-Erbil relations, I dont think there will be any friction between them.

Kadir said the true goal of Gulen activities that started with relief work and continued with education is certainly political.

At the beginning, educational institutions were charging minimal fees. But when their reputation grew, people started to prefer those schools despite higher fees. Their initial slogan was assisting our brothers in northern Iraq. It was only later we learned that their real goal was political. I spoke with my friends who sent their children to Gulen schools, and they tell me that within a year their children [became] like foreigners, Kadir told Al-Monitor.

This is their biggest success. They introduced Turkish Islamic culture. Most of their university graduates are working in state bodies. Some are taken to Turkey for further studies. Those who work with them here have to agree with their culture, traditions and norms. This is how they can become a voice in Kurdistan politics.

Will the presence of the movement have negative implications for Turkish-KRG relations? Like Selcen, Kadir doesnt think so.

Kadir said, If Turkey comes with a serious request, the Kurdish government cannot refuse it, especially in [Barzani's] Kurdistan Democratic Party area. I wouldnt know about the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan areas. They are mostly in the KDP area. There are 12,000-13,000 students in those schools, mostly children of senior officials and rich families. If they are under serious pressure, Gulenist officials will lower their profiles, the KDP will appoint [its] own people in their places and announce that they have made them Kurdish institutions. But that wont be a real change."

He added, "I dont anticipate a crisis with Turkey. The KDP and the KRG governments cannot take a stand against Turkey and [the ruling Justice and Development Party] because of economic realities. They wont risk their economic interests for the sake of the Gulen movement."

Kadir doesnt think the movement can influence the regional government. A foreign movement cannot penetrate a body that is controlled by local political parties and tribes. They can buy a few names, but they cannot penetrate it. Anyhow, I dont think Gulenists are interested in replicating what they did in Turkey in Kurdistan, he said.

Aware of Turkeys sensitivity to Gulenist activities, KRG spokesman Sefin Diyazi said the schools will be put under the direction of the Ministry of Education. He said, however, those schools may also be turned over to the private sector.

Dizayi said this move illustrates the importance the KRG attaches to good relations with Turkey. He noted the KRG did not wait for an official request from Turkey about these schools. We are always careful with our relations with Turkey, he said. "We have been following the developments since July 15 closely. Instability in Turkey can affect the entire region.
August 8, 2016

Turkeys matchmaking reality shows, which have long kept viewers glued to television screens and made celebrities out of their hosts, have led to 10,691 complaints in a year's time, spurring the Higher Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) into action. In June alone, the media watchdog slapped fines on the Star, Fox, Kanal D, ATV and Flash TV channels. It had earlier held a meeting with TV producers and managers and given them verbal warnings. The producers argued that the high number of complaints was because of the big audiences the shows attract.

The complaints have reached all the way to the offices of the presidency and the prime minister. Citizens began to lodge them not only through the RTUKs hotline, but also with parliaments Petition Commission. In response to an information request by the commission, the RTUK said it had issued 28 warnings and 40 fines involving seven programs.

The marriage shows, which viewers remain addicted to despite the avalanche of complaints, feature neither skimpily dressed, passionate young people like shows in Argentina nor foreign women hoping to tie the knot on 90-day visas as on TLC TV in the United States. They are still a further cry from TLCs Undressed in Britain, in which couples jump into bed soon after being introduced. Dating shows have been creating a stir around the world. Most recently, a show on Channel 4 in Britain demonstrated how far producers zeal for ratings can go. Naked Attraction, which made its debut last month, has contestants pick a date from a nude lineup.

In Turkey, the shows proceed in three stages: The couples are introduced to each other, then they get to know each other and then they meet privately. This may seem like ordinary dating, but the slang words and indecent language the contestants often use on air and the controversies that unfold behind the scenes attract both viewers and reactions. The bigger the sensation, the higher the rating. The examples are numerous.

One couple was said to have met on the show, but then they were discovered to have been former lovers. The Turkish contestants may not strip off or get into bed in front of the cameras, but allegations about what goes on off the air are no less salacious. One show, for instance, has sought to beat the competition with a claim that a bride-to-be had gotten pregnant, while in another, a groom-to-be admitted to having impregnated a woman who was not his fiancee. She stayed two weeks with me, he said. She is now seven months pregnant! One attempt to boost ratings included claims of an orgy. In another, a young woman wearing the hijab made headlines after using an unlikely argument to explain why she had hidden having previously been married. It was not a marriage in the real sense of the word, she said. I had vaginismus, so I dont count that marriage as a marriage.

In short, the ratings machine is driven mostly by sex, as in Europe and the United States, although in Turkey it is via context rather than visually. Other scandals have also contributed to fueling the machine. In one instance, a "marriage registrar" turned out to be a driver for the TV channel, and in another, a groom went into shock when the bride failed to turn up for their wedding. He later lodged a complaint with the prosecutors office for having been publicly humiliated.

In a scathing column, veteran columnist Emin Colasan wrote that much of what transpires on screen is a deception staged according to scripts. Some contestants, he said, stay on the shows for years and some have been transferred by rival channels. Summarizing how the shows unfold, he wrote, A suitor comes for a contestant. The two start to converse, and then the vileness begins. People in the studio quarrel with each other, trading punches and insults. The bigger the brawl the higher the rating.  The programs revenues are huge. They attract a lot of advertisements.  Anything is permissible to make money.  A man who got married in one of the shows killed his wife after a couple of months and is now in prison.

With more brawling meaning more money and higher ratings, the female hosts follow suit, accusing each other of jealousy, threats and stealing material. They are reportedly paid between 60,000 and 100,000 Turkish lira ($20,070-$33,450) per episode, which in itself indicates how important the programs are to the channels.

Colasan also wrote, The institution of marriage, a fundamental element of society, is openly ridiculed in these programs and exploited for the material gains of producers and hosts. He urged the RTUK to act.

RTUK member Suleyman Demirkan told Al-Monitor that the board would continue to penalize the shows if they refused to change. The RTUK warns and fines programs deemed to be improper. The fines are really heavy. With their unscrupulous and sexist nature, the programs have become [a tool] to make money and are eroding social values, he said.

Demirkan, who considers the matchmaking format altogether objectionable, added, Board members [selected by] the ruling party have seen the issue only in terms of morality. But general norms of morality are ambiguous concepts interpreted in various ways according to ones ideology. We are in favor of action based on more concrete, legal reasons, he said.

To see marriage as a commercial instrument and encourage lying as a basis on which the family institution is built is a problematic format that exploits peoples interests and feelings, said Demirkan. As board members, we favor different methods on how to confront this, but we all agree that these programs are harmful.

The RTUK lacks the authority to terminate programs, so it issues warnings and fines to discourage producers from taking certain actions. Thus, if producers can afford to pay the fines, there isn't much cause for them to change what they are doing.
August 8, 2016

Empowered to issue decrees with the "power of law" authorized by the state of emergency declared after the July 15 coup attempt, the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) government is frantically busy with changes that will radically affect the structure of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the civilian-military relations of the country. Judging from the pace and scope of the changes, this can well be characterized as "revolutionary civilian transformation." The profound changes that have been introduced to the TSK with the decree issued July 31 include that from now on deputy prime ministers and the ministers of justice, interior and foreign affairs will participate in the Supreme Military Council (SMC), which decides on promotions of generals and other important issues in regard to the TSK. The role of civilians in the SMC used to be restricted to the prime minister and minister of defense.

Air, land and naval force commands that were attached to the Chief of General Staff will henceforth report to the minister of defense. The president and prime minister now have the authority to giving orders directly to commanders without going through the once all-powerful Chief of General Staff. Powers of the minister of defense have been expanded, and he can now select his ministry staff himself instead of having to make do with the staff appointed by the military.

All military high schools that had long histories and cherished traditions under the TSK command and control have been closed, and the military academies that used to train officers will be closed in two years to carry out the necessary reforms. A national defense university will be established within the Ministry of Defense to meet the officer requirements of the TSK.

All factories, industrial facilities and shipyards that used to be under TSK control will now be part of the Ministry of Defense. All military hospitals and the Gulhane Military Medical Academy in Ankara that educates military doctors have been turned over to the Ministry of Health.

The gendarmerie command and coast guard command that used to be controlled by the TSK for their personnel, training and procurements are now fully part of the Ministry of Interior.

What are the ramifications of these reforms? Elected civilian officials have learned one major lesson. On the night of July 15, strategic decision-making mechanisms of the Chief of General Staff were seized for 10 hours by officers affiliated with the Fethullah Gulen Terror Organization (FETO). Around 11:30 p.m., a message sent from the office of the Chief of Staff declaring a nationwide martial law further complicated matters and caused serious incidents. Hence, elected politicians no longer want all powers to be in the hands of the Chief of General Staff. With a model that is described as divide, rule, encourage competition and command politicians want to diffuse the military power that used to be in the hands of soldiers. By placing the gendarmerie and coast guard commands in the hands of the minister of interior the intention is to set up a separate armed force under civilian control. But to attach the Chief of General Staff directly to the president as a symbolic coordinator without command powers needs a constitutional amendment  President Recep Tayyip Erdogan does not hide that he insists on this new arrangement.

According to officials close to the AKP, the Turkish military has lost its privileges and superiority over civilians since July 15. The coup attempt has revealed the weakness of the military and its inability to prevent infiltration by those connected to FETO.

Since it became obvious that the military could not develop its internal control mechanisms, it is now time to let the elected officials try their hands at the civilian control of the military.

Following the coup attempt, the elected officials enjoy unprecedented popular public support to put everything in order as they see fit.

But here we must dwell on a key issue: Although AKP circles treat the transition to civil authority and democratization as synonyms, they are not. This revolutionary transfer of power from the military to civilian elites is not yet a democratic process. The power that is transferred to the civilians has to be shared between the government, opposition parties, parliament and civil society, which also requires the governing body to be accountable and transparent. Turkey is not yet at that point.

There are three major risk areas that have to be kept in mind when promoting these reforms. First, there is currently no mechanism that could play the role of a mediator if problems arise between the presidency/government and the military. Parliamentary commissions to be set up could assume this function but at the moment the government is not willing to go in that direction nor does a capacity exist in the parliament that could provide advice in defense-security affairs.

Another potential risk is the possibility of the competition among different branch commands becoming a destructive element. It is highly likely that institutional conflicts that could arise out of that competition could severely undermine the combat effectiveness and productivity of the TSK. Beyond doubt, the concept of unity among branches will become a major point of debate.

Finally, the risk of militarizing civilian-military relations by excessive civilian control needs to be considered. For example, the increasing role of civilians in promotions and appointments of generals may lead to politicization and end the meritocracy that used to determine promotions and appointments in the TSK.

In a nutshell, on the night of July 15, the belief that in Turkey the military is superior, more rational and more patriotic to those elected has been severely crippled. Previously, the deeply rooted paradigm that counted on professionalism of the military in their relations with civilians offered ample autonomy and privileges to soldiers, without allowing civilians to intervene. Not anymore. With the new paradigm, elected officials and the public are trying to develop a mechanism of tight supervision of the military to erase the distinctions between the military and civilians.

Among those who favor democratic supervision of the military by civilians, there are those who insist that such a transformation must not affect the combat power and effectiveness of the TSK.

Of course the elected civilian rule has to be respected. We will see whether the TSK, the paramount actor of the security sector in Turkey, will emerge in a few years as a global success story similar to Turkish Airlines or end up yet another perennially mismanaged public corporation. One can only hope that the elected civilians are aware of the fact that it is very easy to raze old structures when it comes to institutional transformation of an army, but it is far more difficult to build something new.
August 7, 2016

For those in Tehran and Washington who have spent a generation trying to redefine the US-Iranian relationship, Jan. 16, 2016, was a day of victories that had long been elusive. In the morning, Iran was found to have complied fully with the terms of the historic Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, marking the deals Implementation Day, and as such, triggering the lifting of all nuclear-related sanctions. Almost immediately, four Iranian-Americans jailed in Tehrans Evin Prison were freed and hustled to Mehrabad Airport to catch a private plane bound for Germany. At the same time, an unmarked plane carrying $400 million in non-dollar currencies landed in Tehran, marking the successful settlement of a disputed US-Iranian arms sale dating back to 1979. Proponents of diplomacy saw the dramatic events as vindication of the notion that festering disputes between the two countries could be resolved through talks. Conservative skeptics of the nuclear deal in the United States and Iran, however, saw something very different  a hefty ransom paid to free the jailed American citizens.

Despite the fraught US-Iranian political relationship, legal settlements between the two countries historically have not been accompanied by the level of controversy surrounding this latest case. This has largely been due to the effective work of the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, set up at The Hague by the terms of the Algiers Accord that resolved the 1979-81 US Embassy hostage crisis. The tribunal consists of an equal number of Iranian, American and neutral arbitrators who have worked on some 4,700 claims since 1981. To date, the tribunal has ordered Iran to pay more than $2.5 billion to Americans for broken business relationships and facilitated the settlement of restitution payments to the victims of the US missile attack on an Iran Air plane in 1988. Its work has progressed quietly, largely without fanfare or controversy, and has resulted in the peaceful resolution of many disputes between the two former allies.

Private American claims against Iran have all now largely been resolved, and most of the remaining cases before the claims tribunal are Iranian claims against the US government. With about 14 controversial cases outstanding, each with an estimated time frame of five years to resolve, the United States faces the prospect of paying significant settlements to Iran for the next 70 years. Some of the remaining cases include explosive Iranian claims, such as accusations of covert CIA activities breaching the Algiers Accord, meaning the claims are likely to be even more politicized than the recent settlement of a relatively straightforward canceled arms deal.

Indeed, the ransom controversy may be just the beginning of a long period of outrage in the United States over pallets of cash regularly arriving in Tehran to settle the remaining cases at the claims tribunal. The arms sale settlement makes certain things clear: First, the resolution of valid legal claims between the United States and Iran will take an exceptionally long time to resolve through the tribunal system; second, each future settlement will be accompanied by dramatic cries of capitulation from one side and triumphalist declarations from the other; and third, each resulting controversy will be used to undermine any attempts at a political understanding between the two governments.

There is no doubt that the claims tribunal has been an effective mechanism for resolving significant legal disputes between two capitals that have kept each other at arms length for more than three decades. Yet, the slow resolution of its large caseload is also a threat to an evolving political relationship that today largely depends on the fragile willingness of both governments to quietly talk to each other.

Up to now, the tribunal has arguably been used as a crutch that allows the two governments to avoid direct interaction, a remnant of the days when it was unthinkable for Iranian and American officials to sit across from each other to negotiate anything. The nuclear deal shattered this taboo for both sides, and the ultimately successful negotiations were a testament to the ability of the United States and Iran to resolve their differences bilaterally. As such, a legal grand bargain that resolves all outstanding claims between the two governments and their citizens at one go may be an exceptionally complicated, but ultimately decisive and effective way to reset a relationship beset by many past grievances.

Of course, there has been no sign of willingness by either Tehran or Washington to expend the immense political capital needed to force such a dramatic end to their legal disputes. If anything, for those invested in the continued hostility between the two countries, these extended legal disputes are an important tool in preserving animosity, and each future settlement is seen as an opportunity to be used for political gain. The ransom controversy has thus proven that even well-intentioned attempts to resolve disputes between the two nations can be repackaged as a weapon against reconciliation if framed adeptly  a weapon that opponents of reconciliation will be loathe to relinquish any time soon.
TerminarchCover.jpg

Terminarch

(c/o Will Nevin)

It all began with a thought, back in 2001 when writer Jordan Hart was still in high school. As Hart figured, so many of the stories about man's attempts to create artificial life end with robots wiping out humanity, a final, logical consequence of creating a life form better in all ways -- save one.

"But the more I thought about it," Hart said in an email, "I realized there is really one area that a human is superior to a machine -- the creative arts. That felt like an interesting idea, a premise to a story that I would want to read.

"Though I didn't realize it at the time, that was the birth of 'Terminarch.'"

"Terminarch," Hart's prestige format one-shot from OSSM Comics available later this month, tells the story of Martin, a reprobate who flees law enforcement by escaping into the Maine wilderness for 30 years. When he surfaces from his isolation, he finds a world now dominated by androids that have killed all of humanity aside from a revered creative class of artists and musicians who are now worshipped.

Hart said that while Martin is challenged to be something better by this new world, when readers first meet him, his identifiable characteristics are mainly cowardice and general unlikability.

"Basically two traits you'd never want to associate with a main character," Hart said. "And actually, when my brother first read my script he said 'The whole time I was thinking I don't care what the hell happens to this jerk. Then the last three pages changed everything.'"

Martin's redemptive coda indeed comes at the last few moments of the "Terminarch" story, a decision Hart said owes to both the genre and the book's format.

"I'm a huge fan of science fiction short stories. A good number of which conclude in an ambiguous, you-decide-how-it-ends type of way. To me, 'Terminarch' is nothing more than an illustrated short sci-fi story. But I didn't want to leave the ending completely open."

So the story finishes when the protagonist, Martin, makes a 180-degree turn from when readers are introduced to him. There's still a lot of story left open for the reader to imagine, but on the last page of the book, they have the gratification of seeing the main character with a completely flipped perspective of things. That felt like a good place to end the tale."

Overall, "Terminarch" is an interesting little book, one that dives deep in the foibles of man generally and one man (Martin) specifically, while simultaneously asking what it truly means to be creative. For Hart, who grew up obsessed with comics ("Creating my own is just something I've needed to do since I was four years old," he says), the work is a marked change from his comedic writing in The Huffington Post and his book "Steel Rainbow: The Legendary Underground Guide to Becoming an '80s Rock Star."

"I wanted to try something completely different to keep growing as a writer. A post-apocalyptic story about robots and art history seemed so out of left field that I knew it was where I needed to go to really push myself.

"It's a lot different than everything I've done before, but hopefully, it maintains the same quality."

"Terminarch," created and written by Hart with art by Terry Huddleston, goes on sale Wednesday, August 31.

Something to look out for

Donald Trump. It's almost like I don't need a punchline, but writer Dan Taylor and Birmingham-area illustrator Chris Fason have done the hard(ish) work of making the GOP nominee even funnier and somehow more frightening with their upcoming one-shot "Donald of the Dead," a book that imagines Trump as the leader of a zombie horde.

"The idea started as a prose book that Dan had started called 'Trumpocalypse,'" Fason said in an email. "He created and then closed a Kickstarter after deciding that he didn't think it would do well. With a little encouragement from me and others, he went back to the writing board and pitched to me 'Donald of the Dead' as a short one-shot comic.

"I thought it would be fun to draw some zombies and poke fun at The Donald for a bit, so I was in."

Taylor and Faison's Kickstarter for "Donald of the Dead" was funded in less than 24 hours, but it's still running for another week or so. Fason said all additional money will go to a larger and better quality print run for the comic in October, and if that's not enough to encourage you to pitch in, if the project hits $3,000 (as of this writing, it has topped $2,600), Fason will design three more zombie Republican trading cards to go along with zombie Donald Trump, zombie Mike Pence and zombie Sarah Palin.

"For us, it's about the core project and not the extras, even though they are pretty cool," Fason said. "And, y'know, it'd be nice to actually pay ourselves a little scratch too."

Drawing Trump, Fason said, was something of a challenge, but having seen preview pages from "Donald of the Dead," I can say that he works perfectly as a "Cheeto-dusted bullfrog," as Fason described him.

"Also, baby hands," Fason said. "My 3-month-old son is the perfect hand model."

Donald of the Dead

This week in Bat books

While "Suicide Squad" is in theaters (and that bare statement of fact might be the nicest thing anyone has said about the movie), "Batman" and "Justice League" are leading the way for DC this week -- although the Caped Crusader's main title seems to be a bit behind.

BATMAN #4. DC. Written by Tom King. Art by David Finch, Matt Banning, Sandra Hope and Jordie Bellaire.

Crass. That's the one word I'd use to describe "Batman" #4, a well-meaning endeavor that comes off as exploitative and hollow and marks the low point of writer Tom King's first four issues on DC's marquee title. Sure, it burned me with the "Suicide Squad" reference that just happened to pop up this week, but what really got me was the speed at which DC is running toward its "Night of the Monster Men" crossover that will tie together "Batman," "Detective Comics" and "Nightwing" at the expense of telling a good story. The real shame here is that in rushing to get to the event, we've missed an opportunity to really know and understand our two new heroes, Gotham and Gotham Girl, which means that when one of them cracks (no big surprise there), it doesn't mean nearly what it should. King gets Batman -- I'm still confident in that much -- but this story is unfolding entirely too fast.

Generalized Unique Emoticon Scientific Score: -_________-, :-/, *grumble*

BATMAN #4. DC. Written by Tom King. Art by David Finch, Matt Banning, Sandra Hope and Jordie Bellaire.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #2. DC. Written by Bryan Hitch. Art by Tony Salvador Daniel, Sandu Florea and Tomeu Morey.

Three issues in (counting the Rebirth title), and "Justice League" is still frantically telling a story of an Earth beset by natural disasters, invading aliens and a force that seems to be able to possess ordinary individuals. It sounds like a mess, but really, the only sour notes were in Rebirth as it clumsily reintroduced the pre-New 52 Superman back into the Justice League -- since then, though, it's all been fun with a story that's both epic in scale and not rushed. (Ahem, "Batman.") This week, it got even better with the discovery that there are mysterious machines in the Earth's core that've been causing the massive earthquakes and tsunamis the League has been scrambling to deal with -- and just guess which hero Batman, cowl in hand, is dispatched to seek assistance from? The world might be coming apart (literally) but this is a strong setup moving forward.

GUESS: *winded*, :-O, (.V.)

JUSTICE LEAGUE #2. DC. Written by Bryan Hitch. Art by Tony Salvador Daniel, Sandu Florea and Tomeu Morey.

Dispatches from the battlefield: This week in Marvel's Civil War II

The war is mostly quiet this week, with an assortment of ongoing series tie-ins and a "Civil War II: Kingpin" miniseries that continues to deliver.

CIVIL WAR II: KINGPIN #4. Marvel. Written by Matthew Rosenberg. Art by Ricardo Lopez Ortiz.

Crime boss Kingpin has gamed the system with loyal henchman Janus, an Inhuman whose sole superpower seems to be the ability to avoid appearing on fellow Inhuman Ulysses' future-seeing radar. Thus Kingpin has an advantage: Where his competition is literally thwarted before it can begin by Captain Marvel and her allies, he can operate with impunity. But in #2, we see that it's still difficult for the don to rebuild his empire, and even worse, he's got a critical weak spot he has to protect at all cost. Writer Matthew Rosenberg's story continues to be great, and artist Ricardo Lopez Ortiz's aesthetic brings an indie feel to what would otherwise be just another (albeit quality) extension of Marvel's event.

GUESS: :-), C:-|, *fire emoji*

CIVIL WAR II: KINGPIN #4. Marvel. Written by Matthew Rosenberg. Art by Ricardo Lopez Ortiz.

Other new and notable books of the week

ANIMOSITY #1. AfterShock. Written by Marguerite Bennett. Art by Rafael de Latorre and Rob Schwager.

Jesse and Sandow are as ordinary as a girl and a bloodhound can be (so far as we know in this first issue) until, in one planetary moment that becomes known as the "Wake," animals across the globe begin to reason, talk and, in many cases, take revenge. While it's not a uniform revolt (many animals express devotion and even love toward humans), enough of our former friends turn, and it quickly becomes a fight for survival -- which takes us back to Jesse and Sandow, a dog and his girl. Alternately vulgar, violent and incredibly sweet, writer Marguerite Bennett has really done something with this series that could have easily been one-note and corny at the hands of a lesser writer. Instead, we have both the beginnings of a fascinating, multifaceted world in which animals finally have a voice and a grounded (inasmuch as a talking dog can be grounded) relationship that has the potential to give the story real emotional weight.

GUESS: *fire emoji*, :O), :'-)

ANIMOSITY #1. AfterShock. Written by Marguerite Bennett. Art by Rafael de Latorre and Rob Schwager.

Picks for next week

"All-Star Batman" #1, "Ringside" #6, "Flintstones" #2, "Civil War II: The Accused" #1
A Calhoun County man already serving time in a federal installation has been convicted of decade-old sex crimes.

Billy Wayne Cooper, 47, pleaded guilty to first degree rape, second degree rape and second degree attempted rape, according to a joint announcement by Attorney General Luther Strange and Calhoun County District Attorney Brian McVeigh.

Cooper was sentenced to 30 years for first-degree rape, 10 years for second-degree attempted rape and 20 years for second-degree rape.

Cooper, a former Calhoun County resident, was already serving time at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he is serving a 30-year sentence for sexual assaults committed against juvenile female family members at army installations in Washington state and Germany.

Prosecutors said Cooper was charged in Calhoun County with crimes against two young girls, aged between 12 and 16 years, and one who was less than 12 years old. The crimes occurred between 1999 and 2004 in multiple locations in Calhoun County.

"This man has a reprehensible pattern of preying upon young girls and committing heinous crimes against them," Strange said in a statement. "It is important that we have convicted him and added many years to his sentence to ensure that he stays in prison for a very long time."

The case was investigated by special agents of the Attorney General's investigations division and prosecuted by the Calhoun County District Attorney's Office, with Calhoun County Assistant District Attorney Jayme Amberson.
Nemak Alabama's Sylacauga plant is laying off 203 of its employees by October, according to the Daily Home.

The move is happening as one product produced there will be phased out, while production of another is being shifted to the company's Kentucky plant.

The plant makes cylinder heads and cylinder blocks. Approximately 15 salaried and 188 hourly employees will lose their jobs.

The company announced it is working to assisted the affected employees.
The Perdido Pass Fishing wall is opened and has been attracting anglers hoping to pull in a nice catch, and sightseers watching boats come and go in its first few weekends.

The improved area goes east from The Gulf restaurant to just short of the bridge on the east side. The old access area wrapped under the bridge and came out on the north side. The boardwalk in front of the wall holds more than 40 parking spots, palm trees and other landscaping. An Alabama fishing license is required to cast into the water.

The $275,000 project is really just an experiment for larger plans for a largely-overlooked area, a location long been a popular as a place to watch hurricanes and tropical systems slam into the wall. Now, it's another place fisherman can cast from.

"This is really nice and very needed in Orange Beach," said Phillip Waterman, who was sitting in a folding chair, a fishing pole in hand. "It's a fishing village but there's really not a lot of places to do something like this. I don't want to get on a charter boat so for me it was good for the city (Orange Beach) to do this."
A Jefferson County grand jury has indicted a 22-year-old man in a Mountain Brook DUI crash that took the life of an unborn baby.

The indictment against Irwin Francisco-Bartolo was issued on July 29, but made public today. The crash happened March 7 on U.S. 280 near Rocky Ridge Road.

Police said Francisco-Bartolo was traveling westbound on U.S. 280 in a 2004 Chevrolet Blazer that crossed the median and struck a Toyota Camry head on. The Camry driver, Tiffany Horton, was hospitalized with serious injuries at UAB Hospital. She was pregnant with her first child, who was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Authorities said Francisco-Bartolo was driving about 60 to 65 mph, and was under the influence of alcohol. Francisco-Bartolo was arrested two days later and has remained jailed since. He was indicted on charges of reckless manslaughter and first-degree assault.

Francisco-Bartolo's attorneys have previously said that "Mr. Francisco has not sought to make bond and is extremely distraught over the tragedy he caused when the vehicle he was driving struck that of the victims."

Francisco-Bartolo is charged under a section of Alabama Law that allows authorities to charge a suspect with the murder of another human being, including an unborn child. According to Alabama Code 13A-6-1, the term "person," when referring to the victim of a criminal homicide or assault, means a human being, including an unborn-child in utero at any stage of development, regardless of viability.

No trial date has been set.
Authorities today released the names of a man and woman found dead Sunday inside their western Birmingham home.

The Jefferson County Coroner's Office identified them as Dorian Trent Talley, 40, and Latrisa Dennella Conner, 44. Both lived at the home, authorities said.

Birmingham police responded just after 4:30 p.m. to the home at 3095 Wenonah Park Drive after someone reported hearing a gunshot come from within the home.

First responders had to make forced entry into the house. Talley and Conner were both dead inside. Birmingham homicide Lt. Scott Thurmond said Talley had a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police and coroner's officials today said they still don't know how Conner died. There were no obvious signs of trauma to her body. Investigators said they don't know how long Conner had been dead, but said it could have been as much as a day. Autopsies are set for today.

Police on the scene said the at the preliminary information indicated the situation was domestic in nature. Witnesses reported seeing Conner earlier in the day.

Thurmond said the deaths remain unclassified.
The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld the 2015 murder conviction against a 22-year-old man who killed a 17-year-old Tuscaloosa girl, Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange announced today.

Tresvon Tyrone Spencer was convicted last year in the 2013 shooting death of Angelica Golston, and the attempted murder of Demetria Aaron and Latrice Robinson. The shootings happened in an apartment near Stillman College during a Saturday-night game of dominoes. Spencer was 18 at the time, and witnesses said the shooting was unprovoked.

Evidence and trial testimony showed that on Jan. 12, 2013, police found Golston dead on a couch at the Creekwood Village Apartments. Robertson was also found lying on another couch near Golston with three gunshot wounds. Aaron was found sitting on the stairs outside of the apartment with one gunshot wound to her leg.

Strange said police matched shell casings found at the apartment with a gun retrieved from the dumpster of the apartment complex. Police also found a cell phone belonging to Spencer in the parking lot of the apartments, which contained a photograph of Spencer holding two guns, one of which appeared to be the same gun found in the dumpster.

The case was prosecuted at trial by Tuscaloosa County District Attorney Lyn Head's office. Spencer was sentenced to life in prison for the murder conviction, and 20 years in prison for each attempted-murder conviction. He subsequently sought to have his convictions reversed on appeal. His attorneys at trial claimed Spencer was under the influence of synthetic marijuana, or Spice, which affected his behavior.

The Attorney General's Criminal Appeals Section handled the case during the appeals process, arguing for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to affirm the convictions. The Court did so in a decision issued on Friday.
Hoover police have charged a man and woman in connection with the theft of more than $1,200 worth of jewelry and handbags at the Riverchase Galleria.

The theft happened on July 13 at Belk. The pair, police said, worked together to take various pieces of Bright jewelry and six Nine West purses. The items totaled $1,256.

As they were trying to leave the department store, the suspects got into a physical altercation with Loss Prevention employees, police said. They fled the scene in a white Dodge Charger.

Police on July 21 publicized surveillance photos. Investigators said numerous tips came in through Crime Stoppers and directly to police identifying the pair.

Betty Levy Alexander, 49, and Donald Ray Watts, 56, are now both charged with second-degree robbery. Watts was booked into the Jefferson County Jail July 31, and has since been released after posting $5,000 bond.

Alexander was arrested Aug. 2. She was released as well, after posting $15,000 bond. Both are now awaiting court dates.
Suspended Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore will go on trial next month on judicial ethics charges after the Alabama Court of the Judiciary late Monday issued an order that denied Moore's request to dismiss the charges.

The court, in a brief one-page order, also denied a motion by the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission that sought an order removing Moore from the bench without a trial.

The Alabama Court of the Judiciary (COJ) met Monday afternoon for a hearing to consider a motion by Moore to dismiss the judicial ethics charges against him regarding a same-sex marriage administrative order he issued to probate judges in January. The Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission also argued for its motion for the court to remove Moore from the bench now for issuing that order, despite federal and U.S. Supreme Court opinions and orders that says gay marriage is legal nationwide.

Before and after the hearing Moore supporters many carrying signs including "Judge Moore was Right" and gay rights groups that held signs such as "#NoMoore" exchanged words outside the Helflin-Torbert Judicial Building where the hearing was held in Montgomery.

Michael Joiner, chief judge of the court of the judiciary, had said at the end of the hearing that depending on how the COJ ruled on the motions, a full-fledged trial may be held on the charges Sept. 28. The attorneys for both the JIC and Moore told Joiner they don't see a trial going beyond a day.

Mat Staver, one of Moore's attorneys, told Joiner he didn't see a need for a trial. He said the COJ already has all the information it needs to issue a ruling based on the arguments Monday and the information the court already has received.

Joiner asked John Carroll, one of the prosecutors for the JIC, how the COJ could rule on their summary judgement and punish Moore without having a trial. Carroll said that the COJ would have to determine that there is clear and convincing evidence.

Before the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled, but after a federal judge had declared the state's marriage laws unconstitutional, Moore first sent a letter to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on Jan. 27 questioning the propriety of federal jurisdiction over the state's marriage laws, Carroll said. Moore also mentioned what the Bible says about marriage in that letter.

"The Chief Justice has abused his power to pursue his personal agenda," Carroll said.

Carroll said that he has known other state chief justices, including Howell Heflin, and all of them would have hated to have seen the decision the U.S. Supreme Court made in the Obergefell case declaring same-sex marriage legal in every state. "But not one of them would have done what the Chief Justice (Moore) did in this case," he said.

The charges center on Moore's Jan. 6 order that informed probate judges that an order issued in March 2015 by the Alabama Supreme Court telling them not to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples was still in place, despite the U.S. Supreme Court's and other federal courts' rulings in the months prior to that time stating that same-sex marriage is legal.

Staver told the court that nothing in Moore's January order, nor his other letters surrounding the gay marriage issue, urged probate judges to disobey the U.S. Supreme Court and federal court orders. He said that January order was only an attempt to update probate judges that the Alabama Supreme Court had never rescinded its March 2015 order.

"They are trying him on something that happened 13 years ago," Staver said, referring to Moore's first ouster from the bench in 2003 when he defied a court order to remove a Ten Commandments monument form the state court building. Moore was re-elected as the chief justice in 2012.

Carroll, however, said that Moore was not merely advising probate judges. "We can't allow the chief justice to pretend his way out of these charges," he said.

After the hearing Staver told a crowd of Moore supporters on the steps of the judicial building that the charges are "politically motivated." He questioned why the JIC wants to remove Moore from the bench while the JIC on Monday had agreed to only a six month suspension for Tallapoosa Probate Judge Leon Archer for sexting with a litigant.

Moore told the crowd that the Southern Poverty Law Center, which originally filed complaints about Moore's orders and public comments regarding gay marriage, "doesn't want anybody opposing the agenda of the homosexual movement."

Moore noted that Carroll - more than 30 years ago - had been legal director of the SPLC.

Moore denied telling probate judges to defy the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal orders. "There is nothing in that administrative order that says that."

Richard Cohen, president of the SPLC, however, sees it differently. "It's clear that Justice Moore has abused his power to push his personal agenda. He has absolutely suggested and told 68 probate judges to violate a federal court order. Now he is trying to save his skin by playing word games," he said.

"It is unseemly and it is dishonest. Alabama is a great state and deserves better than a chief justice who thinks he is the law unto himself," Cohen said. "We've said it many times, he acts as if he is the Ayatollah of Alabama. Instead he is an elected state judge required to follow the oath of his office, which makes federal law supreme, whether he likes it or not."
The Alabama Court of the Judiciary met Monday afternoon for a hearing to consider motions that could decide whether suspended Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore stays on the bench or is booted off for a second time in his career.

The Court of the Judiciary (COJ) heard arguments from Moore's lawyers and attorneys for the Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC), who are prosecuting Moore on ethics charges, regarding motions by both sides.

Moore is asking the court to dismiss the ethics charges filed against him. The JIC is asking the court to go ahead and decided now, rather than having a full-fledged trial later, to remove Moore from office for violation of canons of ethics.

AL.com will provide live updates from today's hearing:

Human Rights Campaign response to Roy Moore. Posted by John Archibald on Monday, August 8, 2016

Pastor is yelling after the HRC Alabama press conference, comparing homosexuality to pedophilia. #alpolitics  Brian Lyman (@lyman_brian) August 8, 2016

Eva Kendrick of HRC Alabama now speaking. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/p8bcitXMLe  Brian Lyman (@lyman_brian) August 8, 2016

LIVE VIDEO: Roy Moore's attorney speaking after his hearing: https://t.co/3zGix4efUY  AL.com (@aldotcom) August 8, 2016

2:47 p.m. The JIC is deciding whether to side with Moore's attorneys, who want the charges dismissed, or to move forward and remove him from office. AL.com's Kent Faulk said either decision come in a matter of days.

2:40 p.m. Moore is expected to speak to reporters. John Archibald will have a Facebook Live video.

That's it. Looks for all the world like we'll see a short, one-day trial for Moore in September.  John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) August 8, 2016

Seems to indicate the trial will be held in September.But not official yet.  John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) August 8, 2016

2:32 p.m. It appears no decision will be made about Moore's fate today.

2:27 p.m. More photos from protests outside the court:

Staver: jic wants to focus on Moore's 2003 removal because they can't back up current charges.  John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) August 8, 2016

2:22 p.m. From The Associated Press: "An attorney for Alabama's suspended chief justice, Roy Moore, has concluded his opening presentation before the Court of the Judiciary.

"He says Moore never told anyone to disobey the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage. And he says Moore has done nothing to warrant a misconduct conviction.

"Former federal magistrate John Carroll says this defense argument "defies common sense."

"Carroll is representing state judicial investigators who filed charges against Moore. He's recalled that Moore was removed from office in 2003 for defying a federal court order on the Ten Commandments, and he said Moore is again defying federal courts with his opposition to gay weddings."

Staver is back: Says jic is offensive when it says Moore equated judges to nazis.  John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) August 8, 2016

Carroll, we take no joy in the case we bring before this court, but must ask that Moore be removed.  WSFA 12 News (@wsfa12news) August 8, 2016

Carroll: Moore used his office to promote his private agenda. Which is not appropriate for the Chief Justice.  John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) August 8, 2016

Carroll says court needs to use reason and common sense. A federal court injunction has to be obeyed.  John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) August 8, 2016

John Carroll -- prosecuting Moore -- says this is not about merits of gay marriage, but about RM repeatedly ignoring law.  John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) August 8, 2016

Staver says charges against Moore are "completely rebutted" and JIC is wrong on the facts.  John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) August 8, 2016

1:53 p.m. Here is AL.com journalists Mike Cason and Julie Bennett's report on pre-hearing protests outside the court:

Staver says Moore was upfront with probate judges, saying he had no ability to advise (while saying abide by Alabama law)  John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) August 8, 2016

Staver: JIC wants you to think Moore ordered probate judges to disobey court, but Moore's action "did not change a thing."  John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) August 8, 2016

Mat Staver talks in large concepts that are hard to tweet. I apologize. He is arguing law and chronology.  John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) August 8, 2016

Roy Moore lawyer Matt Staver says there is no need for a trial. Ready to be decided.  John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) August 8, 2016

Judge Roy Moore gets a standing ovation from the gallery full of his supporters. #cbs42 pic.twitter.com/PeonLnrb9E  's Michael Oder (@TVsMichaelOder) August 8, 2016

1:31 p.m. The court is now in session.

I will be watching Roy Moore hearing from tweet-friendly overflow room filled with interested parties on both sides. pic.twitter.com/1Ydwt1u4MR  John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) August 8, 2016

Moore will now sit, defending himself in the very court room he usually is in charge of.  Alabama Politics (@AlabamaPolitics) August 8, 2016

1:15 p.m. Moore enters the court to applause, AL.com's Kent Faulk reports.

I'm inside the Alabama Supreme Court courtroom. I'll be limited to what I can post from inside. #cbs42 pic.twitter.com/hk961DYiLJ  's Michael Oder (@TVsMichaelOder) August 8, 2016

Moore hearing is expected to last about an hour.  Jon Paepcke (@JonWVTM13) August 8, 2016

Crowd us filling up inside the Alabama Supreme Court courtroom. #cbs42 pic.twitter.com/nbrgB7OKFV  's Michael Oder (@TVsMichaelOder) August 8, 2016

Drag queen Ambrosia Starling at state judicial building to oppose Roy Moore.#alpolitics pic.twitter.com/aUPsuu9yWY  Mike Cason (@MikeCasonAL) August 8, 2016

12:47 p.m. From The Associated Press: "A few dozen supporters of Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore have gathered outside the state's judicial building, hours before a hearing on misconduct charges that could lead to his removal from office.

"The demonstrators have set up a sound system to amplify Christian music across downtown Montgomery.

"Some are carrying signs saying "Judge Moore is Right" and "Sodomy Ruins Nations." One man is waving a Christian flag with a red cross on it."

Young says transgender started complaint " are we going to let them over turn the will of the voters of this state" pic.twitter.com/CBtEz5Hqho  Alan Collins (@fox6alancollins) August 8, 2016

Starting a press conference with former congressional candidate Dean Young. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/GSLdSeVXys  Brian Lyman (@lyman_brian) August 8, 2016

12:28 p.m. Moore's supporters and opponents are rallying outside of the court.

Roy Moore's hearing about to get underway. And it's about to get real. pic.twitter.com/9PSeeJB0ve  John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) August 8, 2016

Supporters of Roy Moore at state judicial building. Hearing at 1:30 today. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/xAYBgJ4Arp  Mike Cason (@MikeCasonAL) August 8, 2016

Original article continues below:

The hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Monday in the Alabama Supreme Court Courtroom on Dexter Avenue in Montgomery.

Gay rights advocates and counter protestors who support Moore are both expected to be outside the building before the hearing begins.

Possible outcome

The court could decide to grant summary judgment in favor of Moore and dismiss the charges against him. The JIC is also asking that the COJ grant its motion for summary judgment and remove Moore from the bench immediately.

But if the COJ denies Moore's motion to dismiss, the other and more likely scenario is that the COJ would then have a full-fledged trial, which the court tentatively set for Sept. 28. Michael Joiner, chief judge of the COJ, anticipating the possible need for a trial asked that the parties be prepared to hold a pre-trial hearing following Monday's arguments.

"While the Court will give full consideration to all issues raised in the summary-judgment motions, to avoid requiring the parties and counsel to reappear and the Court to reconvene on a later occasion, a pretrial hearing will be held at the conclusion of the oral arguments on August 8 in the event a hearing is required following the Court's disposition of the summary-judgment motions ," Joiner stated.

Six charges:

The JIC on May 6 filed six charges against Moore, all surrounding his Jan. 6 administrative order to state probate judges stating that an Alabama Supreme Court order telling them not to issue same-sex marriage licenses had not been rescinded despite the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that same-sex marriage was legal.

Among the charges, the JIC alleges Moore violated the canons of judicial ethics "by willfully issuing his administrative order of January 6, 2016 in which he directed or appeared to direct all Alabama probate judges to follow Alabama's marriage laws, completely disregarding a federal court injunction when he knew or should have known every Alabama probate judge was enjoined from using or any Alabama Supreme Court order to deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples."

The arguments

Mat Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel and one of Moore's attorneys, said last week that there is no foundation for the charges and the JIC is trying to interpret a judge's disputed ruling. "The JIC has no business getting involved in legal disputes," he said.

Moore made a true statement to probate judges in his order that the Alabama Supreme Court had not rescinded its order against the issuance of marriage licenses, Staver said. If Moore is removed for a "legal truism" then every judge in the state should be removed, he said.

Staver said he believes the issue should be decided - in Moore's favor - based on the arguments on Monday.

"There is no need for us to have a trial because it is a simple case that focuses on a 3-1/2 to 4 page (Jan. 6) order," Staver said. "There are no facts to uncover."

Moore stated in his order that he could not provide guidance to the probate judges because the matter was pending before the Alabama Supreme Court, Staver has stated.

The JIC, however, has stated in court filings that Moore's Jan. 6 order and his conduct surrounding it "has once again created an atmosphere in which Alabama's subordinate judges - and by extension, the public itself - have been encouraged to show disregard for a binding federal injunctions and clear federal law."

"It also represents a blatant abuse of his (Moore's) administrative authority, one which placed his impartiality into question on a matter pending before the entire Alabama Supreme Court," the JIC has stated. "These actions alone and taken in concert violate the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics."

The JIC also states that Moore has never expressed remorse for the impact of his actions on the state's judicial system, but rather has continued to engage in "systematic gamesmanship" to convince the COJ that he never advised defiance of the federal courts. "But Moore's attorney with Liberty Counsel, has mounted an aggressive public relations campaign about "standing up to the federal judiciary," the JIC has stated.

Players

John Carroll, professor and former dean of the Cumberland School of Law, Rosa Davis, an attorney for the JIC, and Ashby Pate, an attorney with the Birmingham firm of Lightfoot Franklin, are prosecuting the case for JIC against Moore.

Staver and Horatio G. Mihet , with the Florida-based Liberty Counsel, and Phillip L. Jauregui, with the Judicial Action Group, represent Moore.

The COJ which will decide the fate of Moore is made up of nine judges, lawyers and lay people. The Chief Judge is J. Michael Joiner, who is a judge on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. The others are: James W. Woodroof, Jr., circuit judge Limestone County; Laura Petro, circuit judge Jefferson County; Jeffrey T. Brock, district court judge in Conecuh County; W.N . Watson, a Fort Payne attorney; S. Dagnal Rowe, Sr., attorney in Huntsville; L. Gwaltney McCollum, Jr., of Jasper; Lucinda Samford Cannon, of Opelika; and Daryl O. Perkins, of Birmingham.

History

This isn't Moore's first time before the COJ.

In 2003 the COJ removed Moore, who at the time also was chief justice, from the bench for failing to heed a federal judge's order to remove the Ten Commandments monument from the Supreme Court building. Moore was re-elected as chief justice in 2012.

Side issues since the charges were brought

Besides the salvos of legal arguments between Moore and the JIC, there also have been a number of side issues, including:

Drag queen

After the charges were filed, Moore said Ambrosia Starling, "a professed transvestite" and "other gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals, as well as organizations that support their agenda," are behind the efforts to have him removed from office. Starling had spoken at an anti-Moore rally earlier in the year.

"Every bully always picks on the weakest kid in the room, and he thought that was going to be the drag queen," Starling has said. "A lot of people make that mistake."

Federal lawsuit

After the JIC filed the charges Moore filed a federal lawsuit challenging the provision in Alabama law that says judges are automatically suspended with pay while their charges are pending.

Moore challenged in the lawsuit the constitutionality of the automatic suspension. But on Thursday U.S. District Court Judge W. Harold Albritton in Montgomery dismissed the lawsuit. Albritton stated in his 19-page memorandum and opinion that a federal judge should not interfere in on-going state court proceedings.

JIC prosecutor

Liberty Counsel's Staver on May 26 called the hiring by JIC of former Cumberland School of Law Dean John Carroll as one of the prosecutors in the case a "brazen move" to prosecute "politically motivated" charges. He said that Carroll was once the legal director of the Southern Poverty Law Center (more than 30 years before), the same group that filed the complaints against Moore.

Carroll is a professor and former dean of the Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham. Carroll also served as interim director of the Alabama Ethics Commission prior to the current ethics commission director. Prior to coming to the law school, he served 14 years as a U.S. Magistrate Judge based in Montgomery. He also is a former professor at Mercer University. Before that, he was legal director of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Prior to his legal career Carroll served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam as a flight officer on over 200 combat missions.

Court of the Judiciary recusal

On July 20 John V. Denson, II, an Opelika attorney who is one of nine Court of the Judiciary judges, recused himself from the case to avoid the appearance of impropriety because he is the only member who also served on a previous case before the Court of the Judiciary when it removed Roy Moore the first time from his job as chief justice on Nov. 13, 2003.

W.N . Watson, a Fort Payne attorney, was appointed to replace Denson.

Alabama Supreme Court memos

Mike Joiner, a judge on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals and chief judge of the COJ, this week said that the JIC can't get un-redacted memos Moore had sent his fellow justices last fall in the lead-up to the Jan. 6 memo to probate judges that became the focus of the JIC's charges.

In a filing last week to the COJ Moore explained what was happening in the months before he issued his January order. He also included excerpts from the memos he had sent to fellow justices in September and October of last year urging them to act - one way or another - on whether they thought their previous orders telling probate judges not to issue marriage licenses (prior to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling) were still in place.

The JIC wanted to see un-redacted copies of the memos and Moore refused, saying the redacted portions were not relevant. Joiner agreed.
Supporters of suspended Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore and opponents of gay marriage rallied outside the state judicial building today.

The rally came in advance of today's hearing by the Alabama Court of the Judiciary on ethics charges against Moore.

A smaller group of Moore opponents also appeared on the steps of the judicial building.

Lynn Thompson of Trinity

Lynn Thompson, a stay-at-home mother from Trinity, near Decatur, came to Montgomery today to support Moore.

"Courts do not make the law, they issue opinions," Thompson said. "The law of Alabama is that marriage is between one man and one woman. Judge Moore is the last leader in our country that is actually taking a stand for what is right."

Jerry Frank of Moulton also stood outside the judicial building in support of Moore.

"The U.S. Supreme Court had no business making a ruling (on gay marriage) because there's no constitutional basis for a ruling," Frank said. "There is a constitutional statement in Alabama's Constitution that defines marriage. But there is no definition of marriage in the U.S. Constitution.

"So therefore, it seems to me that the U.S. Supreme Court had no business in making a ruling on such that is not even a part of the constitution.

Jerry Frank

"God's the one who defines marriage anyway. It isn't civil government at all that defines marriage."

The Judicial Inquiry Commission charged Moore with ethic violations in May.

Moore, a longtime opponent of gay marriage, issued an administrative order to the state's probate judges in January telling them that they had a duty enforce Alabama's ban on gay marriage.

That was about six months after the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that states had to permit gay marriage and recognize gay marriages performed in other states.

The Judicial Inquiry Commission issued six charges against Moore for violating judicial ethics, including that he failed to respect and comply with the law.

Moore's attorneys have called for the charges to be dismissed.

They argue, among other claims, that Moore did not instruct probate judges to defy federal court rulings.

They contend the chief justice was advising the probate judges that an Alabama Supreme Court ruling from last year, which ordered probate judges to enforce Alabama's marriage laws, remained in effect.

Michael Carpick of Hoover

Among the Moore opponents who came to Montgomery today was Michael Carpick Jr., 71, of Hoover.

Carpick said he served as an Air Force flight medic in Vietnam in 1965-66.

"I did not serve in the U.S. armed forces to promote, tolerate or stand with any form of bigotry, intolerance or hatred," Carpick said. "This country was not founded on hate. This country cannot survive on hate."

Ambrosia Starling, a drag queen from the Wiregrass who has attended rallies and spoken out against Moore before, was among the Moore opponents on hand today.

"I am here today wrapped up in more layers than anyone rightfully should be because this is the armor I wear to fight for our community and draw attention to our cause," he said.

"I'm also here to see us taking one more small step towards a country where everyone is truly treated equally and fairly."

Some of Moore's supporters indicated they did not think a man who dresses in women's clothes should be taken seriously.

"It's an offense to me that a man who is a pervert in a dress can have more effect on the law than a man like Judge Moore," Thompson said.

Ambrosia Starling

Starling was asked to respond to being called a "pervert."

"I'm assuming that she's obviously not a psychiatric professional," he said. "I don't have any opinion on her statement as to my mental health and stability. The only thing I can tell you is that obviously the judicial court of the inquiry didn't think I was crazy. And they didn't think that 60 other people were crazy, also."

Starling said he does not publicly give his real name because he lives near a Ku Klux Klan group.

Rev. James Henderson of Decatur, a Charismatic Espicopal Church minister who worked on Moore's campaigns for governor in 2006 and 2010, attended today's rally. Henderson said he had known Moore for 15 years.

Rev. James Henderson of Decatur

"We know he's a man not only of values but a man of compassion, but a man who will not compromise," Henderson said. "And I believe that's a key phrase -- to not compromise.

"Roy Moore is not about to be politically correct. He's not going to be influenced by people because of popularity.

"Every stand I've ever seen him take in these 15 years has been clearly based on God's word and God's law."

Sean Brinza of Charlotte, N.C., was in Montgomery today with a Christian ministry called Operation Save America.

"The law in Alabama is still that marriage is between one man and one woman," Brinza said. "God created us and he gets to define marriage anyways, but as far as the laws of the state of Alabama go, that's still the law.

Sean Brinza of Charlotte, N.C.

"Typically, nowadays for some reason, mainly due to lack of education, most people think that the federal government just decrees things, and the states enforce that. That's not the government that our founders founded."

State Auditor Jim Zeigler attended the rally in support of Moore.

Zeigler said he did not think Moore's administrative order to probate judges was in defiance of the federal courts.

"He told probate judges that the previous order remained in effect," Zeigler said. "That was true at that time."

Zeigler said he was also concerned that if Moore is removed from office, Gov. Robert Bentley could appoint his replacement.

The Judiciary Committee in the Alabama House of Representatives is investigation articles of impeachment against the governor.

If the House ultimately votes to impeach Bentley, the Senate would hold a trial on whether to remove him from office.

The chief justice would preside over the trial.

Zeigler said he would not want a chief justice appointed by Bentley to preside over an impeachment trial.

Bentley has said he has done nothing to warrant impeachment and expects to complete his term, which runs until January 2019.

Updated at 4:58 p.m. to add comment from State Auditor Jim Zeigler.
Authorities are searching for an inmate who they say failed to return to jail after he was released to attend a funeral.

Local news outlets report the Morgan County Sheriff's Department says 50-year-old Wendell Dewayne Thompson did not come back to the county jail after being released to family on Saturday.

WAAY-TV reports Thompson petitioned the court to attend the funeral of a family member and act as a pall bearer. He was last seen at the Sharpley Funeral Home in Decatur.

Authorities say Thompson was incarcerated for violation of drug court conditions.

A warrant for Thompson's arrest has been issued on an escape charge.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact authorities.
Sheriff Mike Blakely

Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely in his office in Athens, Ala. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@AL.com)

A months-long AL.com probe has found frustrated local law enforcement and corrections officials reeling from cuts in mental health funding.

By Lee Roop & Challen Stephens

People who set fires in cells. Take their clothes off in lobbies. Walk or run toward deputies carrying guns and knives. Try to break into sheriffs' homes at night.

Alabama sheriffs say they face a growing number of mentally ill residents and a shrinking state mental health system.

"Did I really comprehend the magnitude of it?" asks Sheriff Rick Singleton in Lauderdale County. "Probably not until I actually got into office and started dealing with it."

"The biggest problem is there are no beds, no place to put them when you get an involuntary commitment," Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely said. "We've had that at least three times this year."

The state has closed three psychiatric hospitals since 2012 for financial reasons, cutting the number of beds for patients from 740 to 268 -- a drop of 64 percent.

"Currently, those in need of mental health services only have three options we're aware of - inpatient care, outpatient care or care during incarceration," said Chief Deputy Randy Christian in Jefferson County.

Without available beds, sheriffs talk of searching for charges to find a way to house potentially dangerous individuals.

"We have to charge them with something on so many occasions," Blakely said. "We know we might be working a killing or something else if we don't go ahead and put 'em in jail. So, if we've got a misdemeanor we can charge them with ...."

"In Alabama, if you (want to) protect someone from themselves, you charge them with harassment and put them in jail," agreed Baldwin County Sheriff Huey "Hoss" Mack.

But jails are not hospitals, deputies aren't nurses and this temporary solution often creates new problems for all involved.

Ask any sheriff

In February, Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams became the latest sheriff to go public with a rant about the lack of mental health care in Alabama.

Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams.

Williams said his deputies took a man named Jimmy Cooper to a confinement facility in 2015 for being "a danger to himself or others."

That's the legal standard that allows an Alabama probate judge to order someone confined after a hearing, usually sought by relatives. Taking the person into custody is the job of the sheriffs' offices in Alabama's 67 counties.

Seven months after being committed to a mental hospital as a danger to himself or others, Cooper allegedly used a handgun to kill two people in downtown Hamilton. He was back in the community, where there wasn't mental health care for him, the sheriff said, and there were five other people in his jail at the same time that should have been hospitalized.

"Any sheriff in Alabama" could tell similar stories, said Williams during a press conference.

AL.com checked.

Two thirds lack services

A team of four reporters called every county in Alabama earlier this year to gauge the scope of the problem.

The first question was: "Do you have any inmates in jail right now who need mental health treatment?"

Sheriffs or chief deputies in 40 of 67 counties responded. And 70 percent answered that at that moment they were holding someone in need of mental health services.

"We have a young girl in (jail), who is 17 years old, for trying to burn her house down with her mom and daddy in it," Escambia County Sheriff Grover Smith said. "The county jail is not the best place for her, we'd all agree. We have no other options, and no one is seeing her or counseling her. We have a psychologist who comes in once a month and talks to her. But he's not here for treatment, but for prevention and making sure no one hurts themselves."

The second question was: "Have you had trouble finding services for at least one inmate with mental problems in the last year?"

This time, 65 percent said yes.

The last question was: "Is your department equipped to deal with people in mental health crisis?"

Answers varied, with larger departments more likely to report some training or some access to medical or psychiatric services. Still, more than half of the sheriff's departments said they were not equipped to deal with the with mentally ill individuals, despite the influx in county jails.

In the end, 55 percent said they were not equipped, 32.5 percent were prepared and 12.5 percent said it was a mix, meaning they could handle some situations and not others.

Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza said his department has a doctor and a medical assistant who can serve the county jail. But he said that's not typical. "I've heard some of the other sheriffs talk about how they really need help."

In the jails

Most shared stories.

"He was mentally ill and he wouldn't comply with anything," Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said of a recent case. "As the (cell) door came open, he assaulted a corrections officer. He wouldn't eat and wouldn't sleep. He was dealing with some paranoia - a very dangerous person. He had no family in the area. Eventually, he got some help and he's doing somewhat better now. It sticks out to me because his paranoia was just constant."

Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver, left, and Phil Campbell Mayor Jerry Mays days after a tornado hit Hackleburg and Phil Campbell in 2011. (Mike Oliver/moliver@al.com)

Often the deputies know the person is mentally ill and seek help. The FBI last summer was investigating the case of a man seriously injured by deputies in Madison County jail, a man who was restrained after tearing down the sprinkler system.

"We had an inmate who did over $1,000 to the jail," Sheriff Blake Dorning told the Madison County Commission in October of 2015. "When they tear these sprinkler systems off the jail, it costs us well over $1,000 to repair them. We have to have the sprinklers in the jail to meet fire codes for their safety. When the officers go to remove them, he has defecated in a carton that he was given milk in that morning and he throws it at them - throws it at them, throws it at them."

"The young men and women who work in the Madison County Jail face the most difficult circumstances that our society could only imagine because they don't know the facts of what goes on inside that facility."

Madison County and the man's attorney both agreed that he should be moved to a mental health facility. Attorney Bruce Gardner said his client was schizophrenic. Instead, due to the lack of beds, the county held him in solitary into 2016.

"I recall one individual we saw numerous times," Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said. "We were doing what we could to help this person, and we did get this person assistance, and he would get back on his meds. But then he would constantly get off his meds and back into trouble. There was nowhere else for this person to go. This individual, for lack of a better place to be, ended up in the jail a lot. He was found deceased out in the county simply because of the lack of resources, because there was nowhere for him to go."

Sheriff Smith in Escambia had this example.

Madison County Sheriff Blake Dorning tells his county commission about the problems mentally ill prisoners are causing in the county jail. (File)

"One lady has been in the jail 25 times and will go into the office and sit down in the lobby and take up residence," he said. "Sometimes she keeps her clothes on, and sometimes she takes them off. She obviously needs inpatient care. There is none available."

Closures

But a bed itself is not the solution. Psychiatric hospitals in Alabama once warehoused thousands of patients, until a federal lawsuit forced the state to improve treatment and transition to community-based care.

Hospitals downsized, and then closed. But sheriffs say the promised community-based care is inadequate. And what's more, due to long waiting lists, patients can cycle through treatment facilities quickly.

"A guy came in (and) he had not had his shot in 90 days," recalled Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin. "He thinks I'm a dragon sent from Satan himself. He goes to a medical ward in North Alabama. I ask the facility for an alert when he gets out.

"About two months later," Franklin said, "I wake up to somebody trying to tear down my door at 3 a.m. I went in the kitchen and saw him running away across a field. I told my wife, 'I have no doubt who that guy is.' I called the facility. He got out two days (earlier)."

"When he's on his meds," Franklin said in a common comment, "you couldn't tell which one of us was mentally ill."

The only facility in North Alabama has since closed.

Deadly force

Some times, sheriffs say, they use patience.

"About once a month, we have to deal with mental health issues," Marengo County Sheriff Ben Bates said. He tells a story of a mentally ill juvenile who threatened to kill himself.

"We couldn't lock him up. All I could do was take him to the emergency room and then back to jail where I had him lay down on the hallway next to my office. He wasn't charged with anything. More or less, I babysat him all night. The next day, we were able to find a place for him."

But often, sheriffs say, encounters become violent.

Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson's department has "had to use deadly force six times" and "four were severely mentally ill. One tried to set himself on fire, and he ultimately killed his girlfriend and her two small children. We ultimately shot and killed him. He shot one deputy in the leg."

"We've had several encounters where I've had officers shot and where I've had to use deadly force," said Blakely in Limestone County.

Not getting better

Sheriffs are frustrated at jails being used as the imperfect solution to a growing problem.

Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson, shown here making a speech to law enforcement academy graduates, says his department has had to use deadly force four times against mentally ill persons. (File)

"We live in an age where there seems to be an increase of mental illness or better medical technology for diagnosing mental illness," Walker County jail administrator Trent McClusky said. "Yet we receive less funding to treat that which we diagnose. So what's the point of diagnosing what we are not going to treat?"

"You have officers who are outnumbered, and yet they are dealing with every classification, from those who didn't pay fines and fees, to those who have committed horrendous violent crimes, to those who are mentally ill," McCluskey said. "You see the court system having to deal with this and, at the same time, the community is also facing an increase in transitional housing because of the closing of institutions."

He said: "And when you see that more lenient custodial level of living in transitional homes, you're going to see more violations of society's rules that are committed by those who are mentally ill."

"It's not going to get any better," predicted Singleton in Lauderdale County. "The state doesn't have any money. It's not just the mentally ill. Local detention centers are going to be faced with more and more challenges from having people incarcerated in our local jails."

Staff writers Amy Yurkanin, John Sharp and Paul Gattis contributed to this report.

Editor's note: This is the first report in an ongoing AL.com investigation into the mental health crisis in Alabama.
The investigation remains ongoing into the death of a two-star general found dead in his home on Redstone Arsenal just days before he was to take command of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command.

Maj. Gen. John Rossi, 55, was found dead July 31. Rossi was new to Huntsville, having moved to the city from Fort Sill, Oklahoma to replace Lt. Gen. David L. Mann as commanding general of USASMDC/ARSTRAT.

Rossi was scheduled to take command of the unit Aug. 2.

Chris Colster, a public affairs officer for the U.S. Army Garrison at Redstone Arsenal, told AL.com on Monday that a cause of death had not yet been released.

"We're still waiting on the investigation to work itself out," Colster said.

Rossi, a native of Long Island, New York, graduated from West Point in 1983 and was commissioned in the Army as an air defense artillery officer, KSWO-TV out of Lawton, Oklahoma, reported. He was a commander at every level, becoming commanding general of the U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill in 2014.

Prior to that assignment, according to Redstone Arsenal, Rossi served as the director of the Army Quadrennial Defense Review Office at the Pentagon.

Rossi leaves behind his wife, Liz, three children and a grandchild.
A Lawrence County man has pleaded guilty to charges that he broke the arm of his girlfriend's 9-month-old son while babysitting the boy in the summer of 2014.

Thomas Chad Borden, 31, of Trinity pleaded guilty last week to second-degree assault as part of a plea agreement. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, suspended, and placed on supervised probation for five years, according to court documents. He was also ordered to stay away from the victim, his mother and other members of his immediate family.

Borden was arrested in August 2014 for aggravated child abuse after reportedly grabbing the baby violently by the arm. He was watching the boy while his mother was working.

The Times-Daily reported in January 2015 that Borden denied the allegations against him, saying that he was bathing the baby when the infant began screaming for no reason. A family member of the child who was present told investigators the baby seemed fine before he started crying uncontrollably.
Two Alabama probate judges were disciplined by a judicial court Monday - one for sexting with a litigant and the other for ruling on matters in her father's estate.

The Alabama Court of the Judiciary approved a settlement suspending Tallapoosa County Probate Judge Leon Archer six months without pay for sexting with a litigant. And the court approved a settlement in which Greene County Probate Judge Earlean Isaac agreed to resign effective Aug. 6 and to never seek judicial office again. She was charged with ethical violations regarding her actions on issues involving distribution of money from her father's estate.

Both Archer and Isaac had worked out agreements with the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC) on what their discipline would be before the Court of the Judiciary. The JIC investigates and, if necessary, files charges against judges for ethics violations or misconduct on the bench. The JIC also acts as the prosecutor in the cases when heard by the Court of the Judiciary.

Both judges appeared before the Alabama Court of the Judiciary to approve the settlements on Monday.

Michael Joiner, chief of the Alabama Court of the Judiciary, told Archer that the nine-member court was not unanimous. He said that there was some sentiment he should not be allowed to serve in a judicial capacity.

Archer said after the hearing that "it was a stupid mistake" and apologized.

Charges against Archer and Isaac were officially entered last week against and both were automatically suspended with pay. The Court of the Judiciary then set expedited hearings on their cases.

Archer and Isaac were the 47th and 48th cases against judges brought by JIC to the Court of the Judiciary since the judicial discipline system was put in place more than 40 years ago.

Archer

Archer admitted to the JIC that among the sexually explicit photos he had exchanged with the woman on Facebook messaging were photos of his genitals, taken while at the county courthouse. Archer first admitted to the sexually explicit exchange earlier this year in an interview with the Alexander City Outlook.

The Alexander City Outlook reported that Judge Leon Archer apologized to the community and his family, saying he got caught up in the conversations.

All three of the charges against Archer involved alleged violations of the canons of judicial ethics, including that judges must: maintain high standards of conduct; avoid impropriety; maintain decorum; conduct themselves in a manner to promote public confidence in the judiciary; avoid bringing their office into disrepute.

Archer, who became a probate judge in 2012, was among dozens of judges across Alabama who were conflicted over granting marriages to gay couples. He previously served as a Shelby County commissioner and a Tallapoosa County commissioner.

Isaac

The judicial ethics charges against Isaac alleged she didn't disqualify herself from for acting on issues involving distribution of money from her father's estate in which she and her siblings were heirs.

The JIC leveled four charges against Isaac claiming she had violated a number of canons of judicial ethics.

The violations, according to JIC, included Isaac: entering into ex parte communications with others, including her siblings; obtaining waivers outside the court and outside the presence of all parties or their attorneys; notarizing documents she knew or should have known would be filed in a preceding before her; directing the estate's administratrix (her sister) as to who should be included as heirs; directing her attorney to request a class-action check be sent to the probate office; inserting her personal knowledge of facts and family history into the case; misusing her status as a judge to preempt tasks normally reserved for the personal representative of the state; and her comingled status as a party and judge, "abandoning her post as an impartial arbiter."

"Judge Isaac admitted to the commission that although she has served as Probate Judge of Greene County for 27 years, she was unaware of the requirements of the Canons which include her required disqualification in a probate proceeding concerning a member of her family or in which she had a person financial interest," according to the complaint.

Isaac's father, Robert Percy Williams, died in 2003 without a will. However, in 2013 he was awarded $62,500 (after taxes $50,000) as his share in a class-action racial discrimination lawsuit regarding the administration of a federal farm program. The heirs - Williams had 15 children including Judge Isaac -then began the process of probating the estate, according to the JIC complaint.

Judge Isaac was first elected probate judge in 1989 and in 2012 was re-elected to her fifth term, which expires in 2018, according to the JIC.

Isaac and her attorney declined to comment but said a statement will be released later.
Famous Louisiana clarinetist Pete Fountain died yesterday in New Orleans, CNN confirmed.

He was 86.

Gov. John Bel Edwards made a statement about the legendary musician: "Mr. Fountain and his clarinet filled our streets, homes and hearts with music and joy...Throughout his extensive career, Mr. Fountain was always a proud ambassador for the City of New Orleans. Although he will be greatly missed, his warm and cheery disposition will live on in the music he left behind."

Fountain was known for being one of the founders of New Orleans Jazz Fest, an annual festival showcasing artists and musicians from across the country. His last appearance at Jazz Fest was in 2013.

According to The New York Times, he played music in New Orleans for over 60 years. Fountain owned several clubs in the city throughout his career and played in multiple bands.

Fountain was a regular guest on shows with Johnny Carson and Lawrence Welk.

The Times said that Fountain began playing the clarinet at age 12, when a doctor told Fountain that a wind instrument would strengthen his weak lungs.

While funeral plans have not been announced, CNN reported that the musician's son-in-law said to expect a "traditional New Orleans second line."

A second line is a parade that is similar to the city's old jazz funerals and include bands that march though the streets.

Fountain and his wife, Beverly, were married for 64 years.

[CLICK HERE FOR MORE CELEBRITIES WE'VE LOST IN 2016]
An unreconstructed Bernie supporter I know has had it with "the smug self-righteous people" saying that anyone who doesn't vote for Hillary Clinton is helping Donald Trump.

She's having none of that.

"Do you even understand how electoral politics works?" she asked on Facebook. "What matters is your state. If you vote for a third party in W.Va. or Wyo. or New York or Maryland, IT DOESN'T MATTER. You're not costing or winning Hillary the election."

The Green Party candidate isn't going to win, she noted, and neither is the Libertarian, "but a vote for them tells the political establishment that they need to get their [bad word] together."

I'll get back to that notion of sending a message later.

Meanwhile, she's right on the basic point, which I wrote about the last time a presidential election was upon us. What I said then was that, for most people, their vote for commander in chief "basically won't count for squat."

It's still true. Most of us could write in Alfred E. Neuman, Caitlyn Jenner or Harambe the (late) gorilla for all the impact it would have. And it's not because the system is rigged, or that, as some would argue, there's no real difference between Hillary and the Donald.

There are many differences. Important differences.

But the framers of the Constitution gave us a system for electing a president that has an inherent flaw: The candidate with the most votes doesn't necessarily win. We need look back no further than 2000 to see proof of that.

It's all about electoral votes, which states award on a winner-take-all basis, with a couple of exceptions. If you went for the loser in your state, your vote is basically as worthless as that proverbial bucket of warm ... spit.

As it is, it's hard to argue that every vote is important when the truth is that only those in a few, closely contested states - pick your adjective: "swing," or "battleground" - really matter.

A Trump vote in New York is essentially worthless. A Hillary vote in Alabama is the same. That's why the Bernie supporter was arguing for a protest vote in only some states.

"If you're in Florida or Ohio or Pennsylvania or any other state where there's going to be an actual fight, then yeah, fight the idiot bigot," she wrote. Otherwise, send that message.

Well ...

The most successful third-party candidate in my lifetime was Ross Perot, the folksy banty rooster of a Texas billionaire who got 19 percent of the vote in 1992. In 1996, after having formed the Reform Party, he got 8 percent. Since then, both Perot and the party have slid into irrelevance.

Did Perot cost the first President Bush his chance at re-election? Dan Quayle thinks so. For that matter, did Ralph Nader, running for the Green Party, cost Al Gore the election in 2000 by taking votes from him in the mess of a state known as Florida? It's a disputed point, and Nader himself strongly says no. But then he would.

In any event, the message sent by the folks who vote third party is: Take that! So there's no monopoly on smugness.

Far worse than a protest vote, though, is a protest non-vote: sitting out the election altogether. Even if you're not willing to give either major presidential candidate your support, there are other races on the ballot. Every House district has a race going on, and 34 of the Senate seats are up.

Control of Congress is conceivably at stake, with the Senate certainly in play. If that's not enough to motivate you, that's your problem. But I trust you'll keep your mouth shut for the next two, or four, or six years. Because you don't deserve a voice.

Joe Rogers, a Mississippi native and a journalist for 40 years, lives in New Hyde Park, N.Y., and can be reached at jrogink@gmail.com and on Twitter @jrogink
Thailands third most-deadly infectious disease kills 40 percent of those infected, but very few have ever heard of it.

In response to concerns raised by our readers, we would like to clarify that melioidosis infections occur mainly as a result of exposure to contaminated soil and water. Wearing shoes and boiling water can greatly reduce the risk of infection. According to medical experts, person to person transmission is possible, but extremely rare.

Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand  By the time Bunsri Mamak, 50, arrived at Sappasit Prasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani city in Thailands northeast, he was delirious and a very sick man. He had spent several weeks visiting local clinics and hospitals trying to find out what was wrong with him when he first developed the symptoms  high fever and pain in his legs. The doctors he visited failed to diagnose his illness and provide the necessary treatment.

Ultimately, the district hospital advised him to visit the provincial hospital in the city, where he finally received a diagnosis  just in time to save his life.

He had spent 13 days in intensive care receiving intravenous antibiotics to treat the sepsis, the infection that had begun spreading through his blood. Afterwards, he was sent home to rest and complete a 20-week course of oral antibiotics.

Mamak was diagnosed with melioidosis, the little-known disease that is Thailands third most deadly infectious disease, after AIDS and tuberculosis. He was lucky to be alive.

A deadly disease

The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention classifies melioidosis as a microorganism that could be used as a bioterrorism agent, placing it in the same category as anthrax. Although it has never been used in bioterrorism, this classification gives insight into its dangers to humans.

Endemic to Thailands northeast, melioidosis is caused by a soil and water-dwelling bacteria, B pseudomallei, which is found around the world in tropical regions from East Asia to sub-Saharan Africa, as well as Latin America and the Middle East.

Every year, in the agriculturally intensive regions of Thailand, there are thousands of cases of melioidosis. Of those infected, approximately 40 percent die from the disease, even if they begin treatment. If the patient is not diagnosed and provided with effective antibiotics on time, the mortality rate is at a much higher 90 percent.

Quick diagnosis increases the chances of survival, but it is the difficulty in diagnosing it that causes so many problems, as symptoms vary largely from patient to patient.

The disease was first identified in 1911 in Yangon, but later gained attention, particularly from American doctors during the Vietnam War, when many wounded soldiers were infected through contact with the soil and water. The Americans had dubbed the disease the Vietnam Time Bomb because exposed soldiers often didnt develop symptoms until after they had arrived back home.

Mamak was lucky to be living near Ubon Ratchathani, which has a specialised laboratory and melioidosis clinic and the 1,000-bed Sappasit Prasong Provincial Hospital with doctors well-attuned to spotting the disease.

Known as the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), the lab was established through a long-time collaboration between Bangkoks Mahidol University and the United Kingdoms Oxford University and is funded by the Welcome Trust, which has been developing treatments and researching tropical infectious diseases since 1979. The research centre in Sappasit Prasong Hospital is at the forefront of field research into melioidosis.

Identifying and treating melioidosis

Dr Vipada Chaowagul is known as the Mother of Melioidosis among her colleagues. She has worked in the field for almost 40 years.

Although she is the deputy director of administration at another hospital in the city, she comes to Sappasit Prasong Hospital every Tuesday. The province has such a high number of cases that the hospital started a special weekly melioidosis clinic for patients to receive test results and check-ups.

By lunchtime, she has seen almost 30 patients. Between her visits, she tells of the challenges she has faced in her career of treating the disease. While the lab became proficient at diagnosing the disease, effective treatment techniques took longer to develop.

For five years, I had been working on melioidosis and was finding that most of the serious cases die because conventional treatment was not working, Dr Chaowagul tells Al Jazeera, adding that 95 percent of her patients were dying.

The cases would come in on one day, and we would know the result of the culture after they were already dead. Because they came and died in 24 hours.

A chance meeting with British doctor Nick White of Oxford University during a medical conference in a neighbouring province changed everything. She told him about the disease and that conventional treatments werent working. She also shared her desire to start a comparative study with a new antibiotic that had been shown to be successful.

Dr White offered to help and wrote a proposal to receive funding and samples of the antibiotic, and with this, Dr Chaowagul was able to start her research. The results were staggering, and the research halved the fatalities.

MORU, the melioidosis research laboratory, was set up at Sappasit Prasong Hospital not long after. It is now a leading unit worldwide in clinical melioidosis research holding the largest collection of bacterial isolates linked to a patient database in the world.

But as diagnosis and treatment techniques improved, the number of cases identified has increased.

Northeast Thailand now has more than 2,500 culture-confirmed cases of melioidosis per year. The 40 percent mortality figure makes the disease comparable to the number of Tuberculosis deaths and is much higher than those of malaria or dengue fever.

A personal battle

Gumphol Wongsuvan, 40, has worked in the research laboratories of MORU since graduating with a degree in public health from Mahidol University in Bangkok 13 years ago.

He sees a lot of cases of melioidosis, but in May 2016, the disease would come calling much closer to home. One day while at work, Wongsuvan received a call from his wife. His father, who had been diagnosed with leukaemia earlier that year, was running a very high fever. Wongsuvan immediately drove home and brought his father back to the hospital.

Because of his quick reaction and knowledge of the disease, within 7 hours of the onset of the fever, his father was on a course of antibiotics treatment for melioidosis, although the family was baffled as to how the already-sick man had contracted the disease.

There was one time when he went into the fields. He didnt go to work but just went for a walk. Simply that, says Wongsuvan.

Research conducted by MORU has shown that one of the reasons why melioidosis is so prolific in this province is because of the sheer concentration of that particular bacteria in the soil  on average, 10,000 bacterial cells that cause melioidosis are present in a gramme of soil.

Without the quick diagnosis, he believes his father would have died considering his body was already frail from the other illness.

Misdiagnosis and death

Misdiagnosis remains one of the biggest challenges facing those who are infected by the bacteria. Dr Direk Limmathurotsakul, the head of microbiology department at MORU Faculty of Tropical Medicine in Bangkok has been battling for 15 years to educate others about the incidence and mortality of melioidosis. He has been working for years to collect data and accurate figures on the disease.

Figures from research at Sappasit Prasong Hospital show that, in 2015, of the 378 melioidosis cases, 134 resulted in death.

Most of them die without knowing that they die of melioidosis. They die quickly, Dr Limmathurotsakul says.

But terrifyingly, he adds, many patients who were suspected of contracting melioidosis were immediately administered antibiotics, even before laboratory confirmation. Yet, they still died.

Official figures show very different numbers, however. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, the hospital figures revealed over 100 deaths per year, but government figures put the number of deaths at four, 11 and five, respectively.

The difference may seem shocking, but it is explained by data collection and records keeping methodologies. The Thai Ministry of Public Health simply records what is reported on a notifiable disease form submitted by the hospitals.

It has been found that fatal cases of melioidosis usually died very quickly, within one to three days following hospital admission, while it typically takes four to seven days for bacterial culture results to become available, explains Dr Limmathurotsakul.

This resulted in fatal cases of melioidosis not being reported by surveillance officers as part of the disease surveillance system maintained by the Ministry of Public Health.

This contributes to the problem, says Dr Limmathurotsakul, because it misrepresents the scale of the problem on an institutional level.

It is, therefore, important to educate and remind laboratory staff, clinicians, statisticians and epidemiologists to comply with the requirements of the existing surveillance system by including in their report every single case of melioidosis with B pseudomallei-positive cultures.

This initiative is being implemented by the collaboration between Thailand Melioidosis Network and the health ministry, according to Dr Limmathurotsakul.

The understated numbers show the discrepancy in treatment available in the country and represent a dangerous cycle of inaccuracy that leads to a further lack of awareness.

When public awareness is zero, do you think any doctor will write on the death certificate that you die of this disease? asks Dr Limmathurotsakul.

The tragedy is amplified, says Dr Limmathurotsakul, because local people could easily protect themselves by simply boiling water before drinking it and wearing rubber boots when they work in the fields, where most people still work bare-footed.

In a January 2016 report published in Nature magazine, a team of experts from around the world, including Dr Limmathurotsakul, collated global information about the disease.

The report estimates that melioidosis is severely underreported in the 45 countries in which it is known to be endemic. Furthermore, the report showed melioidosis is likely endemic in a further 34 countries that have never reported the disease. Using the data, they predicted that up to 165,000 cases could occur each year, with approximately 89,000 fatalities.

There is an urgency to implement prevention campaigns and raise awareness, says Dr Limmathurotsakul.

A vaccine could take 10 years to come and may not even come at all for 20 to 30 years. But should we wait and let 90,000 die each year while we wait?

To me, that seems unfair and difficult for me to accept. What we can do now we should do. We must give education, give them boots to wear and teach them to drink clean water.

For the last five years, Dr Limmathurotsakul and his team have been working alongside the health ministry in collecting data and addressing these issues.

From the start, we have been doing it with [the ministrys] system and trying very hard to identify what are the problems in their system and put the right data into their system rather than totally re-invent the wheel and just [say], This is the right data, believe us,' he explains.

At the end of this year, the public health ministry plans to release a report with an accurate data of deaths caused by melioidosis in Thailand. Everyone involved hopes that this report will reveal the true danger of this little-known disease, and the wheel of change will start turning.
The terrorist threat in the country has been greatly reduced, but it is not going away any time soon.

The terrorist attack that killed dozens of lawyers in the western Pakistani city of Quetta is a reminder that terrorists could be forced to evacuate one area but, given time, they will re-emerge from another to carry out a fresh campaign that could threaten the government where it is most vulnerable.

Since being driven out of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas last year by 170,000 soldiers, the Pakistan Taliban has proven resilient and resourceful.

Since then, its leaders and several thousand fighters relocated into eastern provinces of Afghanistan where neither the government nor the Afghan Taliban dominate.

It formed a tactical alliance with splinter factions, including the regional chapter of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS). Together, they have established bases of operation along the eastern and southern Afghan border with Pakistan.

Security challenges and economic opportunities

With increasing frequency this year, the Pakistan Taliban has carried out terrorist attacks in Quetta and other areas of the vast, thinly populated province of Balochistan, presenting a renewed security challenge for the government.

The province has been plagued by a low-intensity separatist insurgency by renegade Baloch tribal chiefs and nationalists for more than a decade.

Despite deep-seated public anger towards the federal government, the insurgency is gradually winding down.

The government hopes that Baloch bitterness will be addressed to some extent by a massive Chinese investment programme in Pakistani infrastructure centred around the Arabian Sea port of Gwadar.

A significant portion of the $46bn in planned investments over the next 10 years will take place along Balochistans lengthy border with Iran, from where China hopes to import oil and natural gas by pipeline.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a one-time opportunity for Pakistan to resolve its crippling power supply shortfalls, and for the first time to establish a nationwide network of logistical infrastructure.

In Pakistan, the authorities have adamantly denied that ISIL has made inroads, despite evidence that affiliated militant factions and online recruits have been involved in several major attacks. by

Assuming that the investments go ahead as planned, and taking into account the long-standing benchmark that every dollar spent on such infrastructure generates three times more peripheral activity, overall investment in Pakistan is set to practically double.

On the other hand, if security conditions and other factors were to stymie the programme, Pakistans economy would continue to lag behind the rest of Asia for the foreseeable future.

So much at stake for all

With so much at stake, the Pakistan Taliban and its ISIL allies have every reason to target Balochistan.

Every significant attack it stages in the region is a blow to Pakistans development and a disincentive for China, despite its deep-set desire to extend its infrastructure directly to the Indian Ocean.

China is already deeply concerned about the threat posed to it by ISIL, which has attracted ethnic Uighurs from the restive western province of Xinjiang, which borders Pakistans mountainous north.

Last week, it formed a regional counterterrorism alliance with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan to address those concerns.

OPINION: The China-Pakistan corridor  a fate-changer?

Iran is the terrorists other major target. For many years, Balochistan-based terrorist groups linked to al-Qaeda have targeted the Shia Muslim community, including busloads of pilgrims travelling overland through Balochistan to visit shrines in Iran.

Similarly, they have launched occasional attacks on Iranian border guards, prompting retaliatory fire.

In recent times, those groups have switched loyalty to ISIL, helping it to establish a network of small cells in Balochistan, where it plans to headquarter its regional chapter.

Clearly, ISIL has every intention of using it as a launchpad for more complex attacks on Iran. That has prompted Iran to seek the cooperation of the Pakistani authorities in preventing the spread of ISIL along its border.

Blame-shifting

In Pakistan, however, the authorities have adamantly denied that ISIL has made inroads, despite evidence that affiliated militant factions and online recruits have been involved in several major attacks, including a 2014 attempt to hijack a navy frigate and use it to attack US vessels.

Instead, government functionaries have claimed that Pakistans eternal adversary, India, is conniving with the Afghan intelligence service and Pakistani terrorists to undermine Pakistans security.

OPINION: The end of Pakistans double-games in Afghanistan

That narrative is as counterproductive as it is dubious. While Pakistans covert operatives have been at war with their Indian counterparts for the longest time and both sides have a history of using terrorist proxies, to say that Pakistani terrorists are pursuing Indias agenda is ridiculous.

No matter how much they hate the Pakistani government, all terrorist commanders started their career fighting Indian security forces in Kashmir and still view India as their ultimate enemy.

Such claims reek of blame-shifting and cause confusion that creates space for the terrorists to exploit.

When they are invariably exposed as false by a massive attack such as the one on Quetta, the public reacts with anger and fear. Their faith in the state is undermined and morale slumps, dragging the economy with it.

On the other hand, a discreetly worded acknowledgement of the situation would help galvanise public support for the governments counterterrorism efforts.

It is time for Pakistans government  in particular, its powerful military  to tell them the truth: The terrorist threat has been greatly reduced, but it is not going away any time soon.

Tom Hussain is a journalist and Pakistan affairs analyst based in Islamabad.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Security forces accused of shooting dead people in Oromia and Amhara regions in attempt to suppress wave of protests.

Scores of people were killed across Ethiopias Oromia and Amhara regions at the weekend as the security forces brutally suppressed a new wave of anti-government protests in two key regions.

An opposition leader told the AFP news agency that up to 50 people were killed, while Amnesty International said that more than 90 were killed.

The state-owned Ethiopian News Agency said illegal protests staged by anti-peace forces had been brought under control, but it did not mention casualties.

Police fired tear gas and blocked roads to several towns in the vast Oromia region as demonstrations erupted after a call from a spontaneous social media movement.

We have reports of between 48 to 50 protesters killed in Oromia. This death toll might be higher because there were a lot of wounded, Merera Gudina, leader of the opposition Oromo Peoples Congress, told AFP.

WATCH: Talk to Al Jazeera  Ethiopia is boiling

A diplomat confirmed that 49 people were killed. Among the towns worst hit by the violence were Nekemte, a town in western Ethiopia where 15 people were killed, the diplomat said, while 27 died in Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara region.

They appear to be low level, quite disorganised protests scattered all around, the diplomat told AFP. The brutal response of the government risks provoking more anger and making it worse.

Amnesty International put the death toll at 97, with 67 killed in Oromia and 30 in Amhara on Saturday and Sunday. The rights group said that the bloodshed in Bahir Dar may amount to extrajudicial killings.

Ethiopian forces have systematically used excessive force in their mistaken attempts to silence dissenting voices, Michelle Kagari, Amnesty Internationals deputy regional director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes, said.

Ethiopian authorities also imposed a blanket internet blockade over the weekend.

Lots of shooting

Oromia saw unrest for several months until early this year, sparked by plans to allocate farmland in the region, which surrounds the capital Addis Ababa, for development.

Authorities scrapped the land scheme in January, but protests have flared again over the continued detention of opposition demonstrators.

Hassen Hussein, an Oromo rights activist, told Al Jazeera he expected the protests to continue.

It appears that hell has broken loose in Oromia and Amhara, he said. The air is filled with death and mourning for so many people whose lives have been cut short by the security forces.

At the weekend, protesters chanted anti-government slogans and waved dissident flags. Some demanded the release of jailed opposition politicians.

READ MORE: The Ethiopia rising narrative and the Oromo protests

In the Amhara region, at least two people were killed in the ancient city of Gondar in clashes over the status of a disputed territory.

Tensions have been rumbling for two decades over Wolkayt district  a stretch of land that protesters from Amhara say was illegally incorporated into the neighbouring Tigray region to the north.

The demonstrators accused the government of rights abuses and marginalisation of ethnic communities.

The Oromo are Ethiopias largest ethnic group, making up more than 30 percent of the population of about 100 million. The Amhara are the second biggest group.

The opposition says that the government and the military are dominated by the Tigrayan ethnic group, who make up about 6 percent of the population.

In Addis Ababa many people were beaten, said a witness who did not want to be identified.

I saw others getting arrested. The government was out with guns in town. Theyre moving with so-called special forces. There was lots of shooting, he told the DPA news agency.
A North Korean diplomat has been asked to leave Bangladesh for allegedly smuggling more than a million cigarettes.

Bangladesh has ordered a North Korean diplomat to leave the country after he was caught smuggling in goods worth nearly half a million US dollars.

Han Son Ik, the first secretary of the North Korean embassy in the capital Dhaka, attempted to smuggle one million cigarettes as well as electronics in a shipping container, Bangladeshi officials said on Monday.

The diplomat declared that his cargo contained food and soft drinks. But when we opened the cargo, we found 1.6 million stalks of expensive cigarettes and electronics, Moinul Khan, head of intelligence at Bangladesh customs, told the AFP news agency.

Bangladeshs foreign minister Shahidul Haque confirmed the order had been made, but declined to provide a time for the diplomats departure.

Local media said he had been ordered to leave by Monday.

We have asked North Korea to take him back for violating diplomatic norms, Haque told AFP, without giving further details.

More incidents

A senior customs official told AFP the North Korean used his diplomatic immunity earlier this month to import the goods which were suspected destined for the black market.

At market prices these products are valued at 35 million ($430,000). We suspect that he brought the products to sell to local smuggling gangs, he said.

AFP was unable to immediately contact the North Korean embassy for comment.

In March last year, another North Korean diplomat was forced to apologise after he was caught at Dhaka airport trying to smuggle nearly 27 kilograms of gold, worth $1.7 million, into the country.

In 2012, customs authorities issued a fine of approximately $12,700 fine after seizing illegal wines from another North Korean envoy.

Last year, a North Korean restaurant in Dhaka was shut down after officials found it was selling wine and drugs without permission.
Indian forces arrest more than a thousand protesters as part of a security lockdown to stem anti-India demonstrations.

Government forces have arrested more than a thousand protesters in Indian-controlled Kashmir over the past two weeks in an attempt to stem anti-India demonstrations in the Himalayan region, a top policeman has said.

Inspector-General Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani said on Monday that the arrests were made in a bid to end a month of protests in which more than 55 civilians had been killed and thousands of others injured.

Kashmir has been under a security lockdown and curfew since the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8 sparked some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years.

Tens of thousands of people have defied the curfew and participated in street protests, often leading to clashes between rock-throwing residents and government forces firing live ammunition, shotgun pellets and tear gas.

On Monday, tens of thousands of troops patrolled streets ringed with barbed wire and enforced a curfew in most parts of Kashmir. Shops and schools were closed because of the security crackdown and a separatist-sponsored protest strike.

READ MORE: Amnesty: Stop using pellet guns on Kashmiri protesters

However, protests demanding the end of Indian rule over the region continued in several places, with reports of clashes between protesters and government forces in at least five locations. Seven civilians were reported injured.

Separatist politicians, who challenge Indias sovereignty over Kashmir, have called on residents to resist the crackdown and stage protests when troops raid neighborhoods to arrest young people.

Kashmir is divided between archrivals India and Pakistan, which have fought two wars over control of the region since British colonialists left the subcontinent in 1947.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training Kashmiri rebels who have been fighting for independence or for a merger with Pakistan since 1989. Pakistan denies the charge, saying it only provides moral and political support to Kashmiris.

More than 68,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since rebel groups began fighting Indian forces in 1989 and in a subsequent Indian military crackdown.

Meanwhile, in New Delhi, opposition politicians on Monday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modis silence over the situation in Kashmir and demanded that the government take political steps to defuse the crisis.

Politicians attacked the government over the firing of shotguns by soldiers at unarmed protesters. Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Congress Party leader in the upper house of Parliament, urged Modi to hold a meeting in which leaders of all political parties could discuss and offer ways to reach out to the people of Kashmir.

READ MORE: Two centuries of oppression in Kashmir

Troops have continued firing shotguns to disperse angry crowds despite warnings from Indias home ministry to minimise their use, and requests for a ban from local and international rights groups. The pellets have killed at least two men and left hundreds of civilians with serious eye injuries.

Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) denounced the use of shotguns and said people want to know the prime ministers views on the Kashmir crisis. The prime ministers silence is sending a message that this government does not care, Yechury said.

Meanwhile, an Indian army spokesman said that three border guards and a suspected rebel were killed on Monday in a gunbattle near the highly militarised Line of Control dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

Nitin N Joshi, a senior army officer, said it was not immediately clear if the suspected rebel had entered the Indian side of Kashmir from the Pakistani-controlled portion.
Mudslides triggered by intense rainfall in eastern Mexico killed 40 people at the weekend. Saturated hillsides collapsed on to houses in the states of Veracruz and Puebla.

The head of national emergency services reported that the vast majority of deaths were in Puebla State, while the remainder died in neighbouring Veracruz.

Rafael Moreno Valle, governor of Puebla State, said dog units were searching for the missing, but the number of residents as yet not accounted for was unclear.

Mudslides were reported in the settlements of Coscomatepec, Tequila and Huayacocotla, in a mountainous region of Veracruz State. According to the state government of Puebla, 13 houses were buried in the town of Huauchinango.

The rain was brought by the decaying Tropical Storm Earl. Before striking Mexico, Earl, then a hurricane, battered Belize. Thunderstorms within the circulation brought hail that smashed car windows and punched holes in the roofs of Belize Citys wooden houses.

Guatemala was next in line before eastern Mexico took its turn. Rainfall was reported at between 150mm in Xalapa, Veracruz, and a possible 380mm near Mexico City.

The geography of this part of Mexico makes it susceptible to channelled flash-flooding and rapid erosion. The suddenness of the rainfall on to sodden hillsides caused the many landslides.

Although Tropical Storm Earl is no more, Mexico is still under threat. More thunderstorms are likely, daily, over much of the country and another tropical storm is rolling up the west coast.

Tropical Storm Javier is forecast to cross the mouth of the Gulf of California and then follow the west coast of Baja California. Here too, the main risk is sudden heavy rain. However, Javier might briefly reach hurricane strength so wind damage is also a possibility.
Emperor Akihito said declining health may hinder ability to fulfill his duties, in sign of possible future abdication.

Japanese Emperor Akihito, 82, said in a rare video address to the public that he worried his age may make it difficult for him to fully carry out his duties.

In nationally televised remarks on Monday, Akihito also said there were limits to reducing the emperors duties as the symbol of the state, the status accorded to the monarch under Japans post-war constitution.

Public broadcaster NHK reported last month that Akihito, who has had heart surgery and been treated for prostate cancer, wanted to step down in a few years  a move that would be unprecedented in modern Japan.

AL JAZEERAS HARRY FAWCETT IN TOKYO: We dont expect the emperor to say in as many words: I express my wish to abdicate. If he were to do that, it would require a change in household law, or some kind of legal provision to be put in place to allow him to do that, and that could be seen in the very strict terms of the constitution as a political intervention by the emperor. That is something that isnt allowed to happen here in Japan, so what were expecting him to say instead is to signal something along the lines about how he feels about his current position and his ability to carry out his duties. It wouldnt be the first time  at the press conference for his 82nd birthday in December, he said that he wished to express his apologies to anyone who felt that he might have made some mistakes during recent public events, that he was feeling his age. Certainly, there has been a heavy trailing in recent weeks. I think that he does wish to abdicate and this very rare address would potentially allow Japanese bureaucrats to start moving, and make that possible. They would either have to redraft the imperial household law, which currently has no provision for abdication, or come up with a one-off law pertaining to this particular emperor and this particular moment. He is likely to be on the throne for several years yet while all of that takes place. I think he will be remembered as someone who very much wanted to promote the idea of peace, and making amends for Japans wartime behaviour. Also, he is someone who wanted to reconnect the monarchy with the Japanese people.

Once considered divine, the emperor is defined in the constitution as a symbol of the state and the unity of the people, and has no political power.

Akihito stopped short of saying outright that he wanted to abdicate, which could be interpreted as interfering in politics.

READ MORE: Tokyo elects first female city governor

When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being, as I have done until now, he said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said shortly after the pre-recorded address that he would take the emporers remarks seriously.

Akihito is said to feel strongly that an emperors full performance of his duties is integral to his constitutional role, experts say.

Opinion polls show the vast majority of ordinary Japanese sympathise with the emperors desire to retire, but this would need legal changes.

The idea has sparked opposition from Prime Minister Shinzo Abes conservative base, which worries that debate on the imperial familys future could widen to the topic of letting women inherit and pass on the throne, anathema to traditionalists.

Speculation about Akihitos future started last month with reports that he had told confidantes that his advancing age was making it harder to perform ceremonial duties and that he would like to step down in a few years.

Public support

The origins of Japans monarchy, said to be the worlds oldest hereditary monarchy, are ancient and legend says that it is an unbroken line going back some 2,600 years.

It is deeply ingrained in the nations native Shinto religion and it comes with numerous ritual duties, including planting rice in a field within the palace grounds.

The speech comes during an annual time of sensitivity with August being a month of remembrance. Japan commemorated the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Saturday and does so again on Tuesday for Nagasaki.

Counting the cost: Is the sun setting on Japans economic slump?

Next Monday, the country will mark the 71st anniversary of its defeat in World War II, an annual event at which the emperor delivers a speech.

Akihito was 11 years old when the war ended and witnessed the destruction it brought to Japan.

He has keenly embraced the role of symbolic sovereign and is credited with making efforts to seek reconciliation both at home and abroad over the legacy of the war fought in his fathers name.

He has visited places that saw some of the most intense fighting, including Okinawa at home and Saipan, Palau and the Philippines abroad, offering prayers for the souls of all the dead, not just Japanese.

Any move by Akihito to step down appears to have wide public support. A survey by Kyodo News last week showed that 85.7 percent of people surveyed were in favour of legal changes that would allow abdication.
Two thirds of Germans are in favour of halting aid to Turkey and more than half want to end refugee deal, survey says.

Most Germans think the European Union should scrap a landmark migration deal with Turkey and scupper negotiations on its accession to the bloc, according to a poll published on Sunday.

The deal, agreed by Ankara in exchange for the revival of financial aid, the promise of visa-free travel to much of the EU for Turkish citizens and accelerated EU membership talks, has sharply cut the number of refugees entering Europe via eastern routes.

Last year Germany took in around 1.1 million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond, far more than any other EU state, creating conditions that have led to a rise in social and political tensions in Europes powerhouse economy.



UN: EU-Turkey deal would violate law

But the Emnid survey for German weekly Bild am Sonntag showed 52 percent were in favour of the migration deal being terminated, compared with 35 percent who wanted it to continue.

More than two thirds of the 502 people surveyed on August 4 also wanted an immediate freeze of aid payments to Turkey, and 66 percent wanted the EU accession talks entirely broken off.

Under the migration pact, Ankara agreed to take back all migrants and refugees, including Syrians who cross by sea to Greece illegally.

The reciprocal visa-free access has been delayed due to a dispute over Turkish anti-terrorism legislation and concern in the West about the scale of Ankaras crackdown following a failed coup.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said last weekend that Ankara would back out of the refugee agreement with the EU if the bloc did not deliver visa-free travel.

German Chancellor Angela Merkels chief of staff, Peter Altmaier, said on Friday there was no Plan B for the migrant deal and told the Berliner Zeitung he was convinced it would remain in place.

On Friday, Germanys foreign minister resisted a push by Austria to halt the EU accession talks with Turkey on joining the EU, saying the bloc needed to think more broadly with how to frame its relationship with Ankara in troubled times.
Both groups claim responsibility for killing 70, including lawyers and journalists at the Civil Hospital emergency room.

A Pakistani Taliban faction and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have both claimed responsibility for a suicide attack at a hospital in Pakistans Quetta that killed at least 70 people.

Mondays attack targeted a group of mourning lawyers, who had gathered at the emergency department of the hospital to accompany the body of a murdered colleague.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ur-Ahrar takes responsibility for this attack, and pledges to continue carrying out such attacks. We will release a video report on this soon, the groups spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said in an email.

ISIL, which is also known as ISIS, also claimed responsibility for the attack.

A martyr from the Islamic State [of Iraq and the Levant] detonated his explosive belt at a gathering of justice ministry employees and Pakistani policemen in the city of Quetta, the armed groups Amaq website said.

The blast happened at the gate of the emergency room in the morning.

The lawyers were at the unit because earlier in the day armed men, who are still unidentified, had shot Bilal Anwar Kasi, reports said.

Kasi, who later died from his injuries, was the former president of the Balochistan Bar Association. He had been on his way to work when he was attacked.

Many of the dead appeared to be lawyers, wearing black suits and ties.

Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti said: The blast occurred after a number of lawyers and some journalists had gathered at the hospital following the death of Bilal Anwar Kasi, the president of the Balochistan Bar Association, in a separate shooting incident early this morning.

One cannot even imagine anyone stooping as low as to target a hospital Only those bereft of humanity can do that   Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 8, 2016

Several people were wounded as they rushed to leave the hospital.

Pakistani media said that journalists were among the victims, with at least two cameramen killed. One cameraman was named by local media as Aaj TVs Shehzad Khan.

The other was Mehmood Khan of Dawn News, who had in the past worked for Al Jazeera. His colleague Sumaira Jajja wrote on Twitter that Khan, a father of seven children, started out as a security guard before joining Dawn as an officer worker to then become a cameraman. He had planned to do a masters degree in journalism.

Condemnable cowardly terrorists strike Quetta targeting bar president then civil hospital. Even in war hospitals not delib targeted.  Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 8, 2016

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has oil and gas resources and is afflicted by fighting, violence between Sunni and Shia Muslims, and a separatist rebellion.

The attack took place at the main gate to the emergency area, said Al Jazeeras Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad.

Importantly, this happened after the president of the Quetta bar was gunned down, he said. There are big questions after this security lapse. There is a very heavy death toll and most killed today are people belonging to the legal fraternity.

Hyder said an attack took place at the same hospital in 2010.
US tells the UN to approve African troops who will protect the capitals airport and other key facilities.

The United States has recommended that the United Nations Security Council authorise a force of 4,000 peacekeepers for South Sudans capital Juba after a recent outbreak of violence.

The US circulated a draft resolution to the 15-member council, which was seen by the Reuters news agency on Sunday, that would approve a regional protection force to use all necessary means, including undertaking robust and active steps and engaging in direct operations where necessary, to secure the capital and protect the airport and other key facilities.

The draft resolution urges member states in the region to expedite contributions of rapidly deployable troops to ensure the full deployment of the Regional Protection Force as soon as possible.

On Friday, South Sudans government agreed to allow the deployment of a protection force drawn from the immediate region, according to East African economic bloc IGAD.

The protection force would be part of a UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, which has been on the ground since the country gained independence from Sudan in 2011.

The 12,000-strong peacekeeping mission has been criticised for failing to stop the latest bloodshed or fully protect civilians during the fighting.

Executions and rapes

Violence broke out in Juba last month between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those loyal to Riek Machar, his long-time rival, threatening to send the worlds youngest country back to all-out war.





Hundreds of people were killed and the UN said both sides had executed civilians and gang-raped women and girls during and after the outbreak of fighting.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al-Hussein said on Thursday that preliminary findings showed that the majority of crimes were carried out by troops loyal to President Kiir, who is from the Dinka ethnic group, against people of Nuer origin.

Of 217 cases of sexual violence in the capital, Juba, recorded by the UN between July 8 and 25, those most affected were displaced Nuer women and girls and those responsible seem to have been mostly SPLA [government troops], Zeid said.

South Sudan was founded with optimistic celebrations in the capital on July 9, 2011, after a referendum that passed with close to 100 percent of the vote.
After breaking government siege on rebel-held districts, Army of Conquest pushes to take second biggest city.

A Syrian rebel alliance has announced the start of a battle to recapture the whole of Aleppo, a day after it broke a government siege on the rebel-held half of the city.

The Army of Conquest, a coalition of rebel groups including Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (formerly the al-Nusra Front), said in a statement on Sunday that it would double the number of fighters for this next battle.

We announce the start of a new phase to liberate all of Aleppo, the group said. We will not rest until we raise the flag of the conquest over Aleppos citadel.

Footage obtained by Al Jazeera showed rebel fighters at government checkpoints on Saturday after breaking the month-long siege on the rebel-held eastern neighbourhoods of the city in a major setback for the forces of President Bashar al-Assad.

READ MORE: Chlorine gas dropped on Idlib town

A convoy of rebel pick-up trucks entered the citys opposition areas through a newly opened route on Sunday, bringing food aid for some of the 300,000 residents who had been trapped inside.

The breaking of the siege triggered celebrations in Aleppos eastern districts, but fierce fighting and continuous Russian and Syrian air strikes in and around the Ramosa district prevented safe passage for residents.

Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said it was one of the most significant defeats for the government since the conflict erupted in March 2011.

Fears grew on Sunday in the government-controlled western half of the city of food and fuel shortages as rebels attempted to surround it.

Large rebel operation

Rebels on Saturday pushed northeast into Ramosa where they linked up with fighters who had been inside the city.

After a large-scale military operation carried out in six stages, the Conquest Army managed to put an end to the siege, Al Jazeeras Amro Halabi, reporting from the rebel-held half of the city, said.





The first three stages included assaulting and seizing control of strategic positions from the regimes forces on the southern and western fronts of the city. The fourth stage saw the Conquest Armys fighters advancing in a ground operation into the city from the south, seizing the Ramosa neighborhood.

Ramosa is home to a large military complex, which contains a number of military colleges.

Jabhat Fatah al-Sham posted pictures on social media of rows of armoured vehicles, munitions, howitzer tanks, rockets and trucks now in rebel hands.

The rebel frontline was pushing northwest into western, government-held Aleppo, on the the edges of the Hamdaniya neighborhood and a housing project called the 3,000 project, according to rebels and the SOHR, which relies on a network of contacts in Syria to track the war.

The Assad Military Engineering Academy, another large government army complex, is located just north of Hamadiya.

The battle for Aleppo is decisive. Whoever wins the battle could perhaps win the war. For the rebels, keeping hold of Aleppo is leverage  its a bargaining chip that they could use to perhaps force the Syrian government back to the negotiating table in Geneva, Al Jazeeras Reza Sayah, reporting from Gaziantep on the Turkey-Syria border, said.

At the same time, if the government is able to take over Aleppo, they take away that bargaining chip. If they have control of the city, theres no longer incentive for them to go back to Geneva.

Government areas besieged

The rebel advance puts an estimated 1.2 million people in government-held districts under opposition siege, Rahman of the SOHR told the AFP news agency.

The western districts of Aleppo are now besieged. There are no safe routes for civilians in government-held districts to use to get into or out of the city, he said.

In rebel-held areas, the lack of a safe route out meant conditions for residents were unchanged.

READ MORE: Deaths as air strikes hit Idlib hospital

Three vans of vegetables crossed into east Aleppo, Rahman said, but this was a symbolic gesture and the corridor was too dangerous for civilians or significant supplies to pass.

The United Nations and aid groups said conditions in rebel-held districts were a cause for concern.

Most recently Im hearing that the markets are closed and its next to impossible to purchase food. The UN estimates that collectively all aid supplies in east Aleppo will only last about two more weeks, Christy Delafield, senior communications officer for Mercy Corps, which runs the largest non-governmental aid operation inside Syria, told the Reuters news agency.

The battle for Aleppo, Syrias second biggest city, has raged since mid-2012 and is among the fiercest in the multi-front war that has killed nearly 400,000 people, according to an estimate by the UNs chief mediator.
           2005     ..        
The Delegation of the European Union to Sudan announced the end of the assignment of H.E. Ambassador Tomas Ulicny, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Sudan. The European diplomat commenced his mission in February 2012. He orchestrated constructive and balanced improvements in the Euro-Sudanese relations and shaped new areas of cooperation. During his []http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Appa-sourceTheAfric...
The Secretary-General welcomes the communique of the Heads of State and Government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Plus countries. He commends the IGAD leaders for their decisive action and welcomes the Government of South Sudans acceptance of a regional protection force. He calls on all South Sudanese leaders to set aside their personal []http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Appa-sourceTheAfric...
WASHINGTON  Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump called for a temporary suspension of all new federal regulations during a speech Tuesday, but even if he wins the White House, stalling or rolling back financial rules may prove to be beyond his reach.

"Upon taking office, I will issue a temporary moratorium on new agency regulations," Trump said in prepared remarks at the Detroit Economic Club.

Trump cited some estimates that claim "overregulation is costing our economy as much as $2 trillion a year" and said his running mate, Mike Pence, "signed a similar order when he became governor of Indiana" that suspended new regulations.

He also said he would determine which regulations to do away with by asking "every federal agency to prepare a list of all of the regulations" that are "are not necessary, do not improve public safety, and which needlessly kill jobs."

Yet Trump's remarks were met with skepticism from financial industry observers, who suggested it either wasn't possible or wouldn't be helpful if it were.

"I don't think a full-on moratorium is even plausible," said Ian Katz, a policy analyst Capital Alpha Partners. "There are independent agencies that don't need to ask the president's permission to pass new regulations."

Mark Calabria, director of financial regulation studies at the Cato Institute and a former GOP Senate Banking aide, said it may also be too late to delay or revoke many Dodd-Frank Act regulations, as Trump has said he would do.

"Most of Dodd-Frank has been implemented or proposed, so the impact would be minor," Calabria said.

Katz said that as a practical matter, Trump was sending a "sweeping message that there has been too much regulation, and he's vehemently opposed to adding to the burden. He got that point across, but an actual moratorium isn't workable."

Still, some academics argued Trump's plan could have an impact. J.W. Verret, an associate law professor at George Mason University and senior scholar with the school's Mercatus Center, said Trump could use the Office of Management and Budget to slow down or block new regulations.

"The White House OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has authority to review regulations and impose a temporary moratorium," Verret said. "According to many legal scholars, including former Obama OIRA head Cass Sunstein, this includes authority over independent regulatory agencies."

But Isaac Boltanksy, a policy analyst at Compass Point Research & Trading, said Trump would have to approach the moratorium in a more roundabout fashion "through appointment and legislation to significantly alter the financial regulatory regime."

Trump's speech included few other details about how he would approach banking regulation, though he promised more specifics in the coming weeks. Thus far the candidate has said very little beyond a general pledge to repeal Dodd-Frank and crack down on the growth of regulations. Trump did appoint a new economic advisory council last week, which consisted of 13 men, including several bankers and hedge fund managers.

Calabria said Trump's comments are meant to send a signal to the GOP establishment that "he's with them on concern about Dodd-Frank" and to put rival Hillary Clinton in the position of defending the status quo.

During his speech, Trump also said he would "eliminate the carried interest deduction and other special interest loopholes that have been so good for Wall Street investors, and people like me, but unfair to American workers."

Boltansky said that, of Trump's economic proposals, "changing the treatment of carried interest for fund managers has the highest odds of passage given its support from both presidential candidates and a dwindling den of defenders on Capitol Hill."

Clinton is also to scheduled deliver remarks this week focused on economic policy.




Donald Trump has had an uphill battle since the day, over a year ago, when he announced his candidacy for the Republican Party presidential nomination. Against long odds and endless naysayers in the media and in his own party, he secured the party nomination for president and in the process received more primary votes than any other previous Republican candidate. Ever. Sharing votes with 16 other primary candidates.

Now that he has the GOP nomination, one would think his main opponent would be Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party. If only it were so. Mrs. Clinton is a flawed candidate, corrupt and dishonest, running as the third term of the disastrous Obama eight-year presidency. This should be a cakewalk for any Republican candidates regardless of their experience, temperament, personality, hairstyle or any other distinguishing factors.

But it is not. Not only is Trump running against the Democratic Party, but he is also running against virtually every major media outlet as well as his own Republican Party. Donald still has strong support from We the People, those viewed with disdain and contempt by both political parties, big media, Hollywood, academia and all the other self-appointed, know-it-alls. Will that be enough to win the election?

Media support for the Democrat candidate, no matter who that is, should be a foregone conclusion. The alphabet networks, cable news shows and major newspapers are nothing more than campaign arms of the DNC. The most recent example is Khizr Khan receiving 50 times more coverage than Benghazi mother Pat Smith on the three major networks, ABC, CBS, NBC. When George W Bush was running for president, Code Pink and Cindy Sheehan were constantly on the news, protesting the Iraq war and excoriating George W Bush. Then in 2008 with a new Democrat president, the war protests went into silent mode receiving no media coverage, having already served their purpose.

Whats new this election cycle is the number of prominent Republicans denouncing Trump or promising to actively support the candidacy of his Democrat opponent. Three well known George W Bush administration officials, Richard Armitage, Henry Paulson and Brent Scowcroft have said Im with her and will be supporting Hillary Clinton for president, rather than the nominee of their party. Meg Whitman, former Republican candidate for governor in California, also endorsed Clinton, promising to raise money and campaign on her behalf.

Correction: The Koch Brothers have not withdrawn support from Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson over his support for Trump as was asserted earlier, and Charles Koch has emphatically stated that he will not support Hillary Clinton. Our apology for the error.

What happened to party unity? Remember the pledge taken by all 17 GOP primary candidates to support the eventual nominee? Ted Cruz refused to endorse Trump over attacks on his family. If Teds skin is that thin, he should stay out of national politics. Just ask Mitt Romney about personal attacks.

Did senior Republicans such as Paul Ryan or John McCain endorse Donald Trump for president? Actually quite the opposite. In fact, Ryan indicated he would be willing to sue a President Trump if he tries to limit Muslim immigration into the US. Now the GOP is apoplectic over Donald Trump, Saying he was not yet ready to endorse House Speaker Paul Ryan or Sen. John McCain in their 2016 reelection bids. So Trump must support Ryan and McCain in their tough primaries but they have no similar obligation to support Trump in his tough presidential race? Huh? Does party unity only flow in one direction?

Dont forget the Romney and Bush families, also refusing to support the nominee of their party. How many Republicans wrote checks for and held their noses in support of members of those families when they ran for president?

The GOP, via its leaders and party elders, has clearly chosen sides in this current presidential campaign. And they are choosing the Democrat side by not supporting their nominee, or by endorsing and campaigning for his opponent. Where is the conscience Ted Cruz speaks of?

What happened to the Republican Party? The party of small government, law and order, American exceptionalism and a strong presence on the world stage? Running from Trump into Clintons camp means giving up on everything the GOP stands for. Or at least used to stand for.

It seems that the GOP establishment has far more in common with the Democratic Party than their own party. The Republican Party establishment has just endorsed cronyism, as demonstrated and mastered by the Clintons. As well as open borders, big government, political correctness and the steady decline of American greatness and culture.

The new and improved GOP endorses a candidate willing to sell anything and everything, including national security, to line her own wallet. A candidate with a resume of nothing except failures in foreign and domestic policy. One who will stack the Supreme Court with a bunch of Ruth Bader Ginsburgs eager to rewrite the Constitution without a First or Second Amendment. Stop Trump and get Hillary along with all of this and much more.

I am a life member of the Republican Party so Im stuck with that label. But locally I am registered as unaffiliated. My letters and emails from the GOP go into the trash. I and many others are left without a political party since the Republicans and Democrats are now one and the same. What difference at this point does it make? as someone prominent recently asked.

Frustrating but also illuminating as the mask is now off the GOP establishment, what they stand for and believe in. One party rule suits Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell just fine. They have more power and perks in the majority, but will still be well taken care of regardless of who runs Congress or sits in the White House. They make the rules, and the rules always favor the authors of those rules. They will have a front row seat at the trough of government largess. They will never struggle to pay their bills, get a job, afford health insurance or survive in crime-ridden neighborhoods.

The GOP has sold its soul, not for principles, morals or conscience, but for their own empowerment. Just as Bill and Hillary Clinton have done for decades. No wonder the two parties of today are such a good fit.

This is what Trump is paddling upstream against. All is not lost however. This weeks LA Times poll has Trump two points ahead of Clinton. Trump is filling stadiums. Clinton cant fill a gymnasium.

Still, it may not even be possible for a Trump to win running as a third party candidate, which is what he is given that both the Democrat and Republican parties are allied against him. In the UK, the Brexit vote was talked down by the establishment, the elites and the ruling class. The people responded by kicking the elites in the teeth. There is still hope the same happens here in the US in November.

Brian C Joondeph, MD, MPS, a Denver based retina surgeon, radio personality, and writer. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
I was thrilled to hear our Republican presidential nominee pronounce himself "the law and order candidate." Talking about crime is something I've been urging on the GOP for a very long time. What remains to be seen is whether Donald Trump will go from talking to thinking about crime, and thence to actually doing what is necessary to reach his stated goal: "The crime and violence that today afflicts our nation will soon  and I mean very soon  come to an end."

In American history, we find many cases where rampant lawlessness was abruptly squelched. Unfortunately, they all involve bloodshed. What is worse, they involve lawbreaking, because they all were wrought by vigilantes. Since it is highly unlikely that Trump actually contemplates lynch law, we could dismiss his "law and order" promise as just empty bombast. Or we could look for a lawful means by which the promise might be fulfilled.

We are beckoned there by the words of Theodore Roosevelt, who, in taking a stand against lynch law, held that "it certainly ought to be possible by the proper administration of the laws to secure swift vengeance upon the criminal." But whereas T.R. called for "the best and immediate efforts of all legislators, judges, and citizens" in devising rules for the prosecution of criminals that would "under no circumstances be perverted into permitting any mere technicality to avert or delay their punishment," the trend since his day has been in the opposite direction.

Only a decade after Roosevelt's call for a curb on justice-thwarting technicalities, the Supreme Court handed down something called "the exclusionary rule," by which relevant, trustworthy, and even conclusive evidence of a defendant's guilt must be withheld from the jury if it was obtained improperly. This legal innovation (which at first applied only to federal courts) was derided in 1926 by a disbelieving Benjamin Cardozo as meaning "the criminal is to go free because the constable has blundered."

Writing for the New York Court of Appeals, Cardozo rejected a bid to impose the exclusionary rule in his state, complaining that "the pettiest peace officer would have it in his power, through overzeal or indiscretion, to confer immunity upon an offender" for even the most villainous crimes.

"No doubt the protection of [New York's existing statute against unreasonable search and seizure] would be greater from the point of view of the individual whose privacy had been invaded if the government were required to ignore what it had learned through the invasion," Cardozo wrote. "The question is whether protection for the individual would not be gained at a disproportionate loss of protection for society." He concluded that New York's existing rule of evidence "strikes a balance between opposing interests. We must hold it to be the law until those organs of government by which a change of public policy is normally effected shall give notice to the courts that the change has come to pass."

Cardozo, alas, is another voice that went unheeded. Under Chief Justice Earl Warren, the magnification of technicalities went into overdrive. With Mapp v. Ohio (1961), the Warren Court extended the exclusionary rule to state prosecutions, and with Miranda v. Arizona (1966), it added to the right of a suspect to remain silent a right not to be questioned and a right to receive helpful legal advice from detectives whose true job is to solve crimes. Decided on a 5-4 vote and perhaps the most controversial ruling of Warren's tenure, Miranda provoked three bitter dissents, which make interesting reading for anyone of Roosevelt's or Cardozo's bent of mind.

And then there is the interdiction of the death penalty, a series of rulings starting with Trop v. Dulles (1954) that traduced the original meaning of the Eighth Amendment and has made the condign punishment of capital crimes virtually impossible.

There's no room in this article to thrash out the merits of those decisions. Small libraries have been written about them; readers who want to study the issue might start with Guilty: The Collapse of Criminal Justice by Judge Harold J. Rothwax and Death Penalties: The Supreme Court's Obstacle Course by Raoul Berger.

What can be said in a nutshell is that the rulings fly in the face of Roosevelt's call for "swift vengeance" upon violent criminals, they disregard Cardozo's concern that protection of the one be balanced against protection of the many, and they turn on its head Cardozo's understanding that the people's representatives are to "give notice to the courts" of a change in public policy, rather than the other way around.

What to do about it? Remember, it must be done quickly, or we make a liar out of the man who promised restoration of public safety "very soon." So forget what we've been doing since Warren's day, which is to try to appoint enough law-and-order justices to the Supreme Court to bring about a reversal in its policy. That doesn't work. As I wrote eight years ago, "in 2000, Miranda was reaffirmed, 7-2, in a ruling by William Rehnquist, a jurist chosen by President Nixon, who was elected in 1968 by voters outraged over the thing Miranda epitomizes: the Warren Court's criminals-first, victims-second inversion of law enforcement priorities."

A constitutional amendment is another matter. The 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, sailed through Congress and was ratified just three months later in 1971. An amendment dealing with law enforcement would be more controversial and would take a major effort to push through, but it can be done.

What arguments could be raised in favor of such a step? Try these three:

 For decades, some two thirds of Americans have told pollsters they favor the death penalty for murder. Yet it's capital punishment's opponents who get their way nearly all the time. In the past half-century, fewer than 1,500 murderers have been put to death in America; murderers, meanwhile, have killed more than 900,000 of us.

 How many of those 900,000 innocent lives were lost needlessly? How many could have been saved by a credible and effective deterrent? Studies have repeatedly shown that the death penalty can be such a deterrent when  and only when  it is actually enforced. Those studies have been rebutted but not refuted, and the stakes in the dispute are these: if the deniers of deterrence are mistaken, then their interference with capital punishment is itself a death sentence for future murder victims.

 Politicians have nonetheless maintained a mystifying silence on deterrence, and what little movement we see on capital punishment is away from its enforcement. Executions are becoming ever more rare; several Democrat-led states in recent years have abolished the death penalty; and, as the late Antonin Scalia warned last October, the Supreme Court is poised to strike it down nationwide. Justice Scalia's death makes that even more likely. Whether we do anything about it or not, this issue is coming to a head.

Finally, what words could a law-and-order amendment use? Three years ago, I suggested drawing them from the Father of the Constitution and author of the Bill of Rights, James Madison:

"I entirely concur in the propriety of resorting to the sense in which the Constitution was accepted and ratified by the nation. In that sense alone it is the legitimate Constitution. And if that be not the guide in expounding it, there can be no security for a consistent and stable, more than for a faithful, exercise of its powers." In conformity with Madison's principle, our amendment would read: "The sense in which this Constitution's eighth article of amendment was accepted and ratified by the nation shall be the guide in expounding it, precedents to the contrary notwithstanding."

In one stroke, this would demolish what Berger called "The Supreme Court's Obstacle Course" to death penalty enforcement, thereby clearing a path for Roosevelt's "swift vengeance." And, lest the justices seek to preserve that obstacle course by shifting its basis from the Eighth Amendment to the "due process" clause of the 14th, we could draw on Roosevelt and Cardozo by adding this:

So that the perpetrators of violent crimes may meet with swift and certain retribution, the courts' effort to protect them in their rights shall not be perverted into permitting any mere technicality to avert or delay their punishment. Rules governing law enforcement shall be so designed as to protect the individual without imposing a disproportionate loss of protection on society.

Call it the Madison-Roosevelt-Cardozo Amendment. Donald Trump may be fond of boasting, "I alone can fix it," but if he really wants to restore law and order, "and I mean very soon," he'll need all the help he can get.

Karl Spence is author of Yo! Liberals! You Call This Progress? His work has appeared in the Chattanooga Free Press, American Thinker, and National Review.
Today I received a fundraising letter from conservative comic writer P.J. O'Rourke. On the envelope, above a caricature of O'Rourke, is one of his more celebrated quotes: "Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys." Ha, ha.

The last I heard from O'Rourke was in May, when he proudly declared, "I endorse Hillary Clinton for president." He added, "Better the devil you know than the Lord of the Flies on his own 757. Flying to and fro in the earth, with gold-plated seatbelt buckles, talking nativist, isolationist, mercantilist, bigoted, rude and vulgar crap."

I opened the envelope today to discover who on the right would use a Hillary endorser to raise funds. It was the Cato Institute, a D.C.-based think-tank "dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace." Which of these principles, I wondered, would a Hillary presidency ensure? The answer, of course, is none. She is the teenage boy with whiskey and car keys, but worse: she is the teenage boy who leaves the scene after a fatal DUI and gets the old man to bribe the judge.

We know this about Hillary. We know too that her party is pulling her hard to the left. She will not surprise us. Unlike Trump, she will appoint a judiciary fully indifferent, if not hostile, to the Constitution Cato claims to cherish. "More than five million copies in print," the Cato website boasts of its pocket-sized Constitution, "this edition's influence has been observed far and wide."

Starting January 20, 2017, that Constitution could well have no influence at all. Cato will still hold symposiums on federal privatization and publish reports like "The Case against a Carbon Tax," but if Hillary is elected, no one in power will pay their efforts the least bit of attention. They will spin away on their tiny wheels with less consequence than the proverbial hamster. The hamster at least gets some exercise.

But never mind. Like the rest of the NeverTrump crowd, the Cato people will be smug about their irrelevancy. They will tweet each other, "When Trump implodes, we'll have nothing to be embarrassed about" and go to Georgetown cocktail parties with their heads held high. Sigh!

I expected more of O'Rourke in part because we share an ethnic heritage. Using a metaphor we both understand, he has emerged as a lace-curtain conservative, and I remain just a shanty one. What he seems not to understand, however, is that from the perspective of the people who run Washington, we're all just a bunch of Micks.

Liberal bloggers certainly seem to think so. Here is what they had to say about O'Rourke on just one site after an appearance on the Bill Maher show:

"Ironic for such a racist, O'Rourke was married to Amy Lumet, Lena Horne's granddaughter."

"The funny thing was PJ sounded just like the old farts he ragged on in the 60's & 70's. How ironic."

"He's an ugly, unfunny douchebag."

"He was rude, incoherent, nasty and lying."

"Unbelievably racist, misogynistic and homophobic."

I have been praying for the wisdom to understand the lace curtain, anti-Trump right  the Weekly Standard, National Review, Commentary, even The American Spectator. But it was not until I saw the Cato mailer that my overriding sentiment crystallized. These people are pathetic, deluded, fearful. They are frightened someone will think them vulgar or nutty or, God forbid, racist. They are the "pussies" Clint Eastwood warned us about.

Instead of advancing our embattled causes this past year, they devoted much of their time to writing gleeful Trump-bashing editorials. The common core of these editorials might be distilled as "How could you all be so stupid?" The "stupid" include not only those who supported Trump in the primary, but also those of us, like myself, who supported Trump after our candidates fell by the wayside.

Willfully oblivious of recent history, the lace-curtain crowd fail to see that if their chosen candidate had been nominated  say, Jeb Bush or Scott Walker or Marco Rubio  the media would have customized an attack strategy to take down that candidate just as savagely. Even if Carly Fiorina or Ben Carson were the nominee, the media would have somehow managed to portray either of them as "unbelievably racist, misogynistic and homophobic."

It is futile, P.J. No matter how you debase yourself, to the D.C. establishment, you will always be a Mick. The difference between you and me is that as a shanty conservative, I never have to apologize for what I am.
The Democrats' four-day coronation of Hillary Clinton has ended. It turns out that embracing the hate-filled racists of Black Lives Matter and indulging Barack Obama's fantasies about the sweetness of life under his benign, albeit lawless, reign have earned the pathologically truth-challenged candidate a substantial bounce in the polls. She couldn't have done it, however, without an assist from her obliging opponent.

Donald Trump has a knack for saying things that provide the Dems with a target-rich environment. He frames issues imprecisely, at least initially, gets bogged down in wild irrelevancies and ends up with his words twisted by spectacularly unscrupulous foes whose standard operating procedure seeks to blur important distinctions. Curiously, his most outrageous assertions often prove on analysis to be more right than wrong.

Let us take a close look one of the left's trademark bogus controversies:

At their convention, the Democrats trotted out the parents of a Muslim soldier killed in Iraq in 2004 to bash Trump's call for a temporary moratorium on immigration from areas infested with radical Islamists. What is the nexus between Trump's policy and the death of Humayun Khan? Why are the parents surfacing now to attack the character of the Republican nominee? Why are these obvious questions ignored?

Nobody disputes Khan's heroism or his honorable service to America. Not a hint of disrespect has been directed toward him or his family. On July 31, Trump tweeted: "Captain Khan, killed 12 years ago, was a hero, but this is about RADICAL ISLAMIC TERROR and the weakness of our 'leaders' to eradicate it."

A Muslim site reports that seven Muslims serving in the American military had been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq as of 2009. Their sacrifices demand full-throated praise from all patriotic Americans, but they represent less than one percent of all American battle deaths.

If Republicans were to borrow a page from the Democratic playbook, they would point out that Major Nidal Hasan murdered thirteen American soldiers in a paroxysm of what the Obama administration bizarrely called "workplace violence." No useful purpose is served by wondering what weird game is being played here. When jihadists in France sought out a kosher grocery, invaded it, and slaughtered Jews, Barack Obama called the incident "random violence."

Random.

Seriously.

Now, does the man whose heaven-storming intellect dwarfs the mediocre minds of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Madison know the meaning of the word "random"? If he does, why did he select it?

The simple fact is that Barack Obama is an extreme Islamophile. He is angered and frustrated by the existence of ISIS because the radical Islamists rampaging throughout the world do not conform to his conception of Islam as a warm puppy. Although he is quick to condemn the jihadists' perversion of the faith he admires so passionately, one thing he will never do is confront them on an intellectual level. The jihadists firmly believe that their pure, textually faithful interpretation of the Koran is greatly superior to the watered down versions favored by apologists for Western decadence. Jihadist clerics eagerly seek opportunities to debate those elusive "moderates," but the suspicion lurks that "moderates" are none too confident about their ability to prevail in a theological disputation. It must be admitted that those same moderates are not particularly eager to get killed.

Obama, then, can bray about the tiny minority of fanatics who seek to hijack the faith that enriched his youth, but he crashes headlong into the reality that radical Islam is not a tiny fringe of the Muslim world. Viewed as a historical force, it is large and growing.

Major Hasan's murders were acts of war  a jihadist carrying out his duty to smite infidels. A Republican behaving like a Democrat could maliciously inquire about the balance sheet and ask if more American troops would be alive if no Muslims served in the military. Naturally, the Democrats' media water carriers would excoriate anyone posing such a question. They would not actually deign to answer it.

Khizr Khan, the father of the slain hero, waved the Constitution and thundered that Donald Trump should read it. He neglected to show us the part where it is stated that Muslims have a right to move to America without stating a preference for American values. Trump's immigration policy toward Muslims is centered on the statistical truth that a large group of Syrian refugees will necessarily contain jihadists, whose purpose is to commit mayhem upon arriving here.

Nobody can estimate the percentage of terrorists in a population of mostly ordinary people. If there are ten thousand refugees and ten percent of them are ISIS infiltrators, a thousand murderous savages will have been unleashed to work unspeakable evil. If only one percent of the refugees are committed to violence against Americans, then there are a hundred fanatic killers diverting the strained resources of law enforcement agencies.

Setting aside the usual demagoguery from the usual demagogues, why is this issue something other than a matter of logic and common sense?

The question is not rhetorical. Democrats insist on framing an issue of national security as a bigoted attack on non-white non-Christians. That well never runs dry.

How infuriating is it to see Democrats fawning over Gold Star parents? The last parent of a soldier killed in action to be embraced by the left was the America-hating screech owl Cindy Sheehan. Maureen Dowd imbued Sheehan with "absolute moral authority." It developed that such authority derived entirely from Sheehan's hatred of George Bush, since the grieving parents of slain heroes who did not hate America had no such authority.

Veterans are simply not, and never will be, one of the special-interest groups Democrats pander to. Conditions in the VA are deplorable, and only Trump talks about fixing the problems. Troops in the field understand that Democrats never have their backs. Forced to toil under absurdly restrictive rules of engagement authored by liberal bureaucrats who harbor a visceral hatred of the military, many young men and women have lost their lives needlessly.

The Democrats' idea of a war hero is John Kerry, a man who entered the national consciousness by slandering the men who fought alongside him in Vietnam. He didn't care that many of the "Winter Soldiers" who produced the baseless smears he peddled were frauds who never wore a real uniform. He grasped his ticket to fame with both hands, then cynically appeared at the 2004 convention that nominated him to run for president as "Lt. Kerry reporting for duty." Vietnam vets tend to despise Kerry, but genuine war hero John McCain sided with his fellow member of the Millionaire Boys' Club over the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth  brave, honest men who exposed the nature of Kerry's shamefully abbreviated service. McCain received the appropriate award for his bipartisan spirit when he was predictably ripped to shreds in 2008 by a media totally in the tank for the anti-military radical Obama.

Yes, the Khans are the new rock stars of the left. They should savor their moment in the sun while pausing for sober reflection: the people praising them to the skies today are the same people who trashed war heroes George H.W. Bush and Bob Dole to support a draft-dodger.
Stop the presses. The #NeverTrump movement has found a sucker to run a hopelessly losing campaign for no reason whatsoever.

If that sounds harsh, it's meant to be.

The group Better for America is putting forward a former CIA counterterrorism officer, Evan McMullin, and are trying to pass him off as a legitimate presidential candidate.

Don't feel bad if you've never heard of this guy before. His major experience - chief policy director of the House Republican Conference. Prior to that, he belonged to the most secret federal agency in government.

After the election, he can go back to a well deserved anonymity.

ABC News:

In a year where Americans have lost faith in the candidates of both major parties, its time for a generation of new leadership to step up. Its never too late to do the right thing, and America deserves much better than either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton can offer us. I humbly offer myself as a leader who can give millions of disaffected Americans a conservative choice for President. The group says prominent Republicans will back McMullin, who has some well-known GOP operatives working behind the effort, including Republican consultant Rick Wilson and Florida-based pollster and operative Joel Searby. Better for America has been funded in part by John Kingston, a Boston-based conservative donor who bundled for Mitt Romney. McMullin was born in Provo, Utah, and earned a bachelors degree in international law and diplomacy from Brigham Young University and a masters of business administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. McMullin served as a Mormon missionary in Brazil and volunteer refugee resettlement officer in Amman, Jordan, on behalf of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. On Sept. 11, 2001, he was in training at CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia. He completed his training and volunteered for overseas service in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, spearheading counterterrorism and intelligence operations in some of the most dangerous nations, according to the group. Once he left the CIA in 2011, McMullin went to work for Goldman Sachs in the San Francisco Bay Area and in 2013 became a senior adviser on national security issues for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and later the chief policy director of the House Republican Conference.

McMullin's bigest problem - getting on the ballot in all 50 states. He's already missed the deadline for independent candidates in Texas, which was May 9. And some states have daunting numbers of petition signatures that he will probably fall short of.

Besides that, what has this guy got to offer that would cause millions of Republicans and Democrats to bolt their party and vote for him? He will likely be outspent by Clinton 100-1 and Trump by 35-1, making his candidacy worse than a vanity campaign. It will be designed to be a spoiler campaign, siphoning votes away from Trump.

So why are the #NeverTrumpers going to all this trouble? Why not just declare your support for Clinton and save us all a lot of time and effort? They actually believe they will be part of the effort to rebuild the GOP after what could be a disastrous election, so coming out for Hillary is not an option. In fact, they will be pariahs if their plan succeeds.

If McMullin gets more than 1% of the vote nationwide I will be shocked.
A former Deputy Director of the CIA made a startling claim on ABC's "This Week" yesterday.

Michael Morell, who penned an op ed in the NY Times claiming Donald Trump was an "unwitting agent" for Russia, said that there are no Iraqi refugees who turned out to be terrorists.

How soon they forget.

Daily Caller:

Morell bragged that the U.S. government has got some very effective, robust processes for vetting people and despite thousands of Iraqi refugees being resettled in America, he claimed, [n]ot a single one has ever turned out to be a terrorist because the vetting was so good. So I want the vetting to be solid, Morrell added. But, on January 29, 2013, a Department of Justice press release announced, Two Iraqi citizens living in Bowling Green, Ky., who admitted using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against U.S. soldiers in Iraq and who attempted to send weapons and money to Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) for the purpose of killing U.S. soldiers, were sentenced today to serve federal prison terms by Senior Judge Thomas B. Russell in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. Mohanad Shareef Hammadi, 25, a former resident of Iraq, was sentenced to life in federal prison, and Waad Ramadan Alwan, 31, a former resident of Iraq, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison, followed by a life term of supervised release, the DOJ statement added. Both defendants had pleaded guilty to federal terrorism charges. This Week host Martha Raddatz didnt even challenge Morell on his claim, even though ABC News reported an exclusive called US May Have Let Dozens of Terrorists Into Country As Refugees in November of 2013, which referred to the arrests of Alwan and Hammadi. The Iraqi had claimed to be a refugee who faced persecution back home  a story that shattered when the FBI found his fingerprints on a cordless phone base that U.S. soldiers dug up in a gravel pile south of Bayji, Iraq on Sept. 1, 2005, ABC News reported nearly three years ago. The phone base had been wired to unexploded bombs buried in a nearby road.

Don't you feel safer knowing this guy worked for the CIA?

Our world class vetting proceduers should have stopped these guys from entering the country. Instead, we welcomed them with open arms only to find out later their true allegiances. It's due to luck that we didn't suffer an attack at the hands of these terrorists.

It's a mystery why the administration continues to insist their vetting procedures are adequate. They are not. When you reduce the time period to vet the refugees from 18 to 3 months, some people are likely to fall through the cracks. It's a miracle we haven't been attacked yet but that will almost certainly change in the near future.
Israeli authorities are charging Mohammed El Halabi, chief executive of the charity World Vision, with diverting millions of dollars to Hamas.

Aid groups throughout the region are worried that funds raised from private citizens and donated by Western government may dry up as a result of the probe.

Washington Times:

Many Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank are bracing for the fallout as authorities prepare to lay out the case against Mohammed El Halabi, the chief executive of World Vision and one of the most prominent aid executives in the territory. If Israel has evidence to prove that El Halabi turned 60 percent of World Visions money into funding for Hamas, a cruel catastrophe will hit Palestinian society, said Bassam Eid, a human rights activist who has fallen out with local leaders for criticizing corruption within the Palestinian Authority. This will also prevent other [nongovernmental organizations] from working in the West Bank as well as in Gaza, he said. Mr. El Halabi, who has been detained since June, was officially charged Thursday at a court in Beersheba with organizing a five-year-long fraud operation that prosecutors say helped Islamist militant group Hamas build arms-smuggling tunnels, amass arms and other supplies, and stage terrorist attacks against Israelis. A dominant political force in the crowded Palestinian enclave, Hamas has long refused to recognize the existence of Israel and is considered a terrorist organization by Washington. Israels internal security agency known as Shabak, or Shin Bet, says most of World Visions resources in the Gaza Strip  some $7.2 million annually, largely from donors and governments in Western countries including the U.S., England and Australia  were transferred to Hamas to strengthen its terrorist arm. Specifically, the Shabak charge sheet says Mr. El Halabi established humanitarian projects and fictitious agricultural associations to serve as cover for the transfer of funds to Hamas. In one of the most stunning charges, prosecutors say the World Vision chief funded greenhouses to hide sites where tunnels were being dug. Those tunnels proved devastatingly effective in the clashes with Israeli forces two years ago.

El Halabi was groomed for the job since he was young, according to a rare statement from Israeli intelligence. He was indoctrinated and trained as a Hamas operative in the early 2000s.

Opponents of U.S. aid to the West Bank and Gaza  even when dispensed by private charities  have been warning about this for years. Ever since the Holy Land Foundation trial of nearly a decade ago showed links to charities in the Middle East, it's been assumed that some money given to charities in the U.S. found its way to Hamas to fund terrorism.

The HLF trial also demonstrated the sophistication and complexity of the networks used by charities to get money into the hands of the terrorists. So it's a good bet that there are other private organizations involved in helping Hamas launch attacks against Israeli civilians.

Direct aid to Hamas is illegal in the U.S. But the government donates to charities where some of that money almost certainly ends up funding Hamas. Until some kind of assurances can be given the American taxpayer that our government is not supporting terrorism against the Israelis, all aid should be stopped.
See also: Is Hillary constantly accompanied by a medic with an anti-seizure injection at the ready?

You can expect a fierce blowback of cries of sexism and more, just as soon as Team Hillary convenes in Brooklyn and decides on a strategy to combat escalating concerns about her health. In the wake of her troubling choice of the word short-circuit to explain a mental lapse (in other words, getting caught in a lie), broader questions of her health and stability are being voiced.

Stunning photographs of the 69-year-old apparently needing help to walk up a short set of stairs have set off a new round of concern. Patrick Howley of Breitbart writes:

Reuters and Getty photographs captured Hillary Clinton, 68, struggling to make it up the stairs, either as a result of her fragile body or perhaps because her well-documented brain injuries make it harder for her to transport herself through daily life activities. The photos gained wide circulation on the Internet Sunday. The photos were taken in February as Clinton was campaigning in South Carolina.

Of course, one pre-ordained line of rebuttal is sexism. ABC News pundit (and daughter of a Democrat political dynasty  both parents were Democrats in Congress) Cokie Roberts has already slammed Donald Trump as sexist for questioning Hilarys mental stability.

The following video, via InfoWars, is almost certainly unfair. Some footage appears slowed down, while other segments are looped for effect, it appears. Nonetheless, using a kitchen sink approach to highlighting Hillarys history of bizarre facial expressions (leaving out only the bug-eyes that have been part of her visage for decades), the video aggregates some very disturbing spects of Hillarys behavior in public that the media studiously avoid mention of.

At this point, it must be mentioned that the media concealed from the American public for years the fact that President Franklin D. Roosevelt was wheelchair-bound. Without question, they would happily perform the same service today for the Democrat hopeful. However, thanks to YouTube and the internet, news (and images) cannot be blockaded.
The #NeverTrump movement has seen a powerful defection in the person of George (aka Jorge) P. Bush, the articulate, handsome, half-Hispanic son of Jeb Bush. This is significant because there has been talk for years that George P. Bush was a likely presidential contender in the next generation of the Bush dynasty. A reconciliation between the perceived leading light of the next Bush generation and the Trump camp could foretell an eventual entente.

David Mark of CNN reports:

Jeb Bush is resolutely #NeverTrump but his son, George P. Bush, no longer is.

George P. Bush, the Texas land commissioner, is breaking with his father, a former Donald Trump Republican primary rival, to back the GOP nominee. George P. Bush's move comes after a nasty Republican primary battle in which Trump repeatedly mocked Jeb Bush, a former Florida governor, as "low energy," among other insults.

The Texas Tribune reported Sunday that at a Saturday gathering of Texas Republican activists Bush said it was time to unite behind Trump in his fall campaign against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

"From Team Bush, it's a bitter pill to swallow, but you know what? You get back up and you help the man that won, and you make sure that we stop Hillary Clinton," Bush said, according to video made by an audience member.
In what is being billed by the Trump campaign as a major economic speech, Donald Trump will call for, among other things, the elimination of the "death tax," a moratorium on financial regulations, and exempting child care expenses from taxes.

Bloomberg:

The Republican presidential nominees speech will focus on providing regulatory relief for small businesses, according to senior campaign aides familiar with its contents. More broadly, Trump will say he will not propose any new financial regulations until the economy shows significant growth, the aides said. Trump has previously said he would repeal and replace the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act. Trump will also propose a repeal of the estate tax, sometimes called the death tax. Under current law, the 40 percent tax applies only to estates larger than $5.45 million for individuals and $10.9 million for couples. For U.S. businesses, Trump will propose a tax rate of 15 percent and suggest strengthening intellectual-property protections. Hes expected to call for three income-tax brackets, down from the current seven. Hell call for the elimination of special tax treatment for carried-interest income at private-equity firms and other investment firmsthe latter of which is a proposal his Democratic rival also supports. Carried interest, which is a portion of investment gains paid to certain investment managers, is currently taxed like capital gainsat rates that can be as low as 23.8 percent. Trump proposes to tax them as ordinary income, but for members of partnerships, that could actually mean a rate cut to 15 percent. Trump will continue to stress his opposition to the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement backed by the Obama administration and many prominent Republicans in Congress, and he will reinforce his commitment to the coal industry, saying a federal moratorium on some coal-mining permits would be the focus of a targeted review in his administration. Other items on his energy agenda, he is expected to reiterate in the speech, include asking TransCanada to renew its Keystone pipeline permit application; rescinding the Climate Action Plan and waters of the U.S. rule; opening offshore drilling; and killing the Paris climate agreement.

All of these ideas have been proposed before. But Trump will almost certainly run into the same problem that business tax reformers, for example, have had to deal with; how to pay for the tax cuts. Closing loopholes is a common suggestion, but one company's loophole is another's lifeblood. Closing them has proven to be politically sticky.

There are already tax credits to help pay for childcare  $3,000 per child. Making all childcare expenses tax-exempt would triple that amount for most taxpayers  a very expensive proposition, especially since there apparently won't be any ideas coming from Trump on how to pay for it.

With the deficit already beginning to climb toward a trillion dollars again, there is an urgent need to concentrate on deficit reduction. But no politician running for president wants to get too far into how he would reduce the budget shortfall because it invariably involves pain for ordinary Americans. It's far easier to offer goodies than it is to deal with an intractable problem like the deficit.
There is no shortage of articles like this recent one expressing amazement at the leaked secret rider to the Iran nuclear deal that lets Iran operate advanced centrifuges in just ten years instead of the officially announced fifteen.

But what is behind those two numbers? Did the shortened period simply sugar-coat the deal for Iran, or is something much more fundamental going on here?

It is useful to recall the two tenets of Obama's approach to Iran as he came into the Oval Office. Firstly, as part of his general outreach to the Moslem world, Iran was to be brought out of the cold of international isolation  no more talk of "regime change." When mass protests against the regime erupted in Tehran, Obama was silent, prompting the protesters to demand an answer to "are you with us, or with ayatollahs?" Obama's silence gave the answer: he was with the ayatollahs.

And secondly, there was a question of Obama's policy toward Iran's nuclear ambitions. He (or was it Hillary?) slipped in the word "containment"  and the uproar followed, for containment implied letting Iran have the bomb, merely mitigating it by the threat of mutual destruction, per the Soviet containment model. Following that uproar, the word "containment" was explained away as a slip of the tongue, and the administration explained that it did not have containment policy, but only the prevention policy. Yet proponents of containment were many, lecturing around universities' campuses the gospel of Iran being a more natural geopolitical ally of America than Saudis and Israelis and declaiming their sleek slogan "better bomb than bombing."

How does the secretly agreed to ten- versus publicly declared fifteen-year deadline fit into this picture?

Let's think for a second. The deal gives Iran a legal and diplomatic cover against being bombed. Per the publicly declared deal, that protection runs for fifteen years. This impunity from being bombed presumably coincided with Iran's inability to build a bomb during the same fifteen years due to inspections. If it tried to build it later, the thinking goes, its attempts will be detected  and the bombing will still, at least in theory, stop the bomb.

And here comes the secretively agreed to limit, which stops Iran from getting the bomb for only ten years  while bombing of Iran is blocked by the main deal for fifteen years!

So that's the real deal: Iran gets five years to develop the bomb, so by the fifteenth year, bombing-allowed deadline, Iran already has the bomb. Too bad!

And so, Obama's dream of preventing the bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities triumphs in the end. The talk of his not having the policy of containment, but only that of prevention, was just talk.

The leaked rider to the deal gives us the x-ray view of Obama's thinking; it is not that he gave Iran an even better hand. It is that very deliberately, he chose containment over prevention, Iran bomb over bombing of Iran to prevent the bomb.

Iran's bomb is what Obama chose for his legacy.

That's the long and the short of it.

But let's not stop here. Since the deal Congress voted to uphold is not the actual deal Obama struck with Iran, shouldn't a new vote take place, a vote on the actual Obama's Iran deal  the deal that is aimed to give Iran the bomb?
Two inoffensive murals hanging in the lobby of Harvey Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout) are being removed because of a recommendation of the so-called Diversity Leadership Team.

One mural depicts a wooden fort, and the other depicts French trappers canoeing down a river with Indians. No violence, no depiction of white supremacy  about as inoffensive as you can find.

But the DLT claims that the murals may be psychologically devastating to American Indian students.

Daily Caller:

But now, after 80 years, the murals are abruptly being given the heave-ho after concerns were raised that the paintings are offensive. School chancellor Bob Meyer says some American Indian students have objected to what the paintings show. When they look at the art, to them it symbolizes an era of their history where land and possessions were taken away from them, and they feel bad when they look at them, Meyer told Wisconsin Public Radio. In addition, UW-Stouts Diversity Leadership Team complained about the murals to Meyer, arguing their presence helped to perpetuate racial stereotypes. The diversity teams arguments carried the day, and Meyer released a statement saying they were being taken down. Because of the risk the paintings could have a harmful effect on viewers, Meyer said they were only suitable for a controlled gallery space that could provide appropriate context for the viewer. But UW-Stout contains no such controlled galleries, so instead the paintings are being placed outside the public eye. One will go into a deans conference room, while another will be placed in Harvey Halls library. Meyer claims his decision is strictly business and isnt about trying to be politically correct.

Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.

I would like to point out that if the ancestors of the Native Americans objecting to these murals were as sensitive and so easily offended as the snowflakes at UW-Stout, they would have died out within 50 years of arriving here.

But that doesn't matter. The murals are history because the small number if Indians on campus could make them history. They had the power, so they came up with this incredibly lame reason that stretches reality and one's sanity to the absolute limit to exercise it.

The murals are being taken down not because they are historically inaccurate. They are being taken down because they are historically accurate, and in a center of learning like UW-Stout, we can't have depictions of facts if they roll against the dominant narrative that teaches the evil of white people and the nobility of the oppressed.
Smartwatches have been around for quite some time now, and despite the fact tons of companies already released such devices, theyre still kind of a niche product. Smartwatches are somewhat popular in the tech community, but regular people dont use them all that much, and quite a few of them still reach weird when they spot a smartwatch on someones hand. That might change in the coming years, of course, especially considering more and more companies look to join the smartwatch game.

Motorola, Huawei, Samsung, ASUS, LG and a number of other companies have already released at least one smartwatch, and it seems like both Meizu and Xiaomi will join them soon enough. Meizus smartwatch had surfaced a couple of times recently, and reports suggest that Xiaomi is going to launch their smartwatch really soon. In a report which surfaced at the beginning of June, an analyst suggested that such a watch will be announced soon, and since then, Xiaomi had added the smartwatch category to their website. Having that in mind, a China-based analyst, Pan Jiutang, just released some additional info regarding the companys smartwatch. The analyst said that the Xiaomi smartwatch will be quite affordable, he suggested that the watch will cost less than 1,000 Yuan ($150). He released this info via his official Weibo account, and he also suggested that the watch will be more affordable than what Garmin has to offer.

Unfortunately, Mr. Jiutang did not release any additional info, but judging by basically every piece of info weve seen recently, the Xiaomi smartwatch might be right around the corner, and will certainly arrive before the end of the year. We still do not know whether the watch will sport a circular or rectangular display, nor whether it will be a classy watch made out of metal, or a sporty smartwatch, but we do expect more info to surface soon. The companys smartwatch had been rumored for a long time now, and it seems like it might finally see the light of day. In any case, stay tuned to the site, well make sure to let you know when some additional info surfaces, as per usual.
The excitement of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is still high as countries and carriers wait for its arrival. It was less than a week ago that it was reported that Samsung Canada announced the Galaxy Note 7 would arrive in Canada on August 19 and cost CAD $549.99 on a two-year term or a whopping $1049.50 outright. There should be a choice of Blue Coral, Silver Titanium, and Black Onyx and with the device available at the Samsung Experience Stores and at least on Telus, Bell, and Koodo, so all colors or options should be accessible  but wait, there is an even bigger announcement.

It looks like Samsung will use Qualcomms 64-bit Snapdragon 820 in the Canadian variant of the Galaxy Note 7, rather than the Exynos 8890. This switch would be the exact opposite of how Samsung handled the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, which both came packing the 64-bit Exynos 8890 octa-core processor with a quad-core clocked at 1.6GHz and a quad-core clocked at 2.3GHz. They also used a Mali-T880 MP12 GPU for the graphics processing. In the past, only the US received the Snapdragon processors, but it looks like the Canadian Galaxy Note 7 will use the same 64-bit quad-core processor with dual-core running at 1.6GHz and a dual-core clocked at 2.15GHz. It will use the very popular Adreno 530 GPU to handle any graphics you can throw at it.

Why Samsung is doing this is unclear  but Samsung Canada did state that the Galaxy Note 7 devices going to Canada would be getting the Snapdragon 820. It might be to simplify shipments to North America, or it might be they want to make sure they have enough Exynos 8890 chips for the rest of the world. While most of Canada has switched to GSM, there are still a few CDMA networks in Canada.

Advertisement

The new Galaxy Note 7 is the best device Samsung has put out this year  it is basically a Galaxy S7 Edge stretched a little with its slightly larger 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED display with dual curves (not as large as the S7 Edge), always on display, and 515 pixels-per-inch (PPI.) The Galaxy Note 7 is also the first smartphone to use the new Gorilla Glass 5 as standard. In addition to the Snapdragon 820 CPU it will pack 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 64GB of the faster UFS 2.0 memory expandable via a microSD card. It uses the newer Type-C v3.1 reversible USB port for charging or data transfer. The Galaxy Note 7 will be the first commercially available smartphone with an iris scanner for added security, as well as a fingerprint sensor.
Just the other day, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) accused AT&T of overcharging a couple of school districts in Florida and suggested that the telecom company not just pay back the $63,760 worth of undeserved subsidies it got from the federal government, but also pony up an additional $106,425 as fines for failing to abide by the regulators E-Rate program, which entitles schools and libraries to receive subsidized telecommunication services. If that ruling by the Tom Wheeler-led FCC annoyed AT&T, the latest developments wont do anything to please the company bosses either. According to reports coming in today, AT&T has reached a settlement with the FCC for being alleged unwitting partners of at least two fraudulent third-party operators who charged AT&Ts wireline customers $9 a month for bogus directory assistance tools between January 1, 2012 and June 2015.

As part of the deal, AT&T has agreed to pay up $7.75 million in all, including fines and refunds. While $6.8 million out of that amount will go towards refunding the AT&T customers who were unfairly and illegally skimmed by the third-parties, the remaining $950,000 will go to the U.S. Treasury as fines for the companys obvious negligence in vetting the charges. Its worth noting here that AT&T has not been held directly complicit in any illegal or fraudulent activity in this scheme, which was unearthed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) while investigating large-scale money laundering by drug cartels and other organized crime gangs in the country. The two companies under investigation by the DEA are Discount Directories and Enhanced Telecommunications Services, both of which were fronts for alleged drug traffickers according to law enforcement officials, and were based out of Cleveland, Ohio.

Following the announcement of the deal between the federal regulator and telecom operator, the later released a statement, saying that it has always implemented strict requirements on third parties submitting charges for AT&T bills to ensure that all charges are authorized by our customers. As it turns out, whatever strict requirements the carrier may have implemented was obviously not enough to stop criminals from infiltrating the system to fund their nefarious activities. Whats alarming is that this isnt the first time that the company has been found to be illegally imposing extra charges on its customers on one pretext or another. A couple of years ago, the telecom operator had to pay $105 million to settle similar accusations of imposing unauthorized charges on its customers phone bills  a practice otherwise known as cramming.
The idea of modular smartphones took off this year, with both LG and Motorola being two of the main contenders dabbling with the concept. Several months ago LG presented the LG G5 with an interesting, but arguably inconvenient modular design, and more recently Motorola confidently joined the modular smartphone market with the new Moto Z series, which comes with interchangeable back panels / modules (or Moto Mods) that attach to the smartphone through magnetic connectors, and thus facilitating ease of use. The Moto Z series modular design not only allows for a variety of module types to expand the phones functionality but also permits Moto Z owners to easily customize their smartphones with interchangeable back covers called Moto Style Shells. At the moment the Style Shells are offered in six varieties, but apparently, Motorola will expand the range of Style Shells to encompass more materials and designs, as seen in the leaked image below.

At the moment, fans of the Motorola Moto Z and its modular design can choose from six Style Shell designs (Crimson Ballistic Nylon, Herringbone Nylon, Silver Oak, Washed Oak, Black Leather, and Charcoal Ash) available in three materials, namely Fabric, Leather, and Wood. These Style Shells can be easily attached to the smartphones back panel through the same magnetic connector used for all the other hot-swappable modules, and thus they allow users to switch to a different exterior design for their smartphones in just a few simple steps, without having to worry about turning off the phone or removing the battery. The good news is that, as expected, Motorola seems to be working on expanding the range of available Style Shells, and offer more designs for Moto Z owners who want to keep things fresh, or find the perfect look to define them. Judging by a recently leaked image passed along by TechDroider, Motorola will eventually release at least six new Style Shell designs with new textures of wood, cork, and even two variations of marble. According to the source, these new Moto Style Shells will be available through the Moto Maker Website very soon, but no concrete launch dates have been revealed.

Assuming that Motorola will indeed add these leaked Style Shells to its portfolio, Moto Z prospective buyers will eventually have at least twelve design variations to pick from. For smartphone owners who like to keep things fresh, the wide range of customization options alone might make the modular design worth their time.
The Samsung Gear IconX wireless earbuds have been introduced at the beginning of June in New York City, and more recently during the unveiling event of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, the same product was confirmed for a market release in the US and was set to hit the shelves on August 15. However, it now appears that the launch of the Samsung Gear IconX in the US has been delayed by nearly one week, as the earbuds are now expected to hit the market on the 19th of August.

While the Samsung Gear IconX has already been unveiled a couple of months ago, the product was also briefly presented during the recent Unpacked event where the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was introduced. The earbuds were supposed to go live on the 14th of August, but the Korean tech giant seems to have decided to match the launch of the IconX with that of the Galaxy Note 7. As a result, both products are now expected to hit the US market on the same day, on August 19. This is the same date when the Samsung Gear 360 VR will also become available to more consumers Stateside, making for a more complete Galaxy Note 7 package, at least for prospective buyers looking to acquire additional accessories along with the new phablet.

As for what makes the Samsung Gear IconX tick, the earbuds can connect wirelessly through Bluetooth 4.1 and benefit from a series of health sensors, including a heart rate monitor and an accelerometer. Each earbud is powered by a 47 mAh battery which should provide enough energy for 3.6 hours of usage on a single charge, and conveniently enough, the earbuds take advantage of enough on-board storage to accommodate up to 1,000 MP3 files, allowing users to listen to their favorite music without having to keep the earbuds connected to their smartphones. Lastly, while the launch of the Samsung Gear IconX in the US coincides with the market release of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, its worth noting that the earbuds are technically compatible with any smartphones running Android 4.4 KitKat or higher, as long as they have a minimum of 1.5 GB of RAM at their disposal. Last but not least, the product is available in three colors (white, black, and blue), and can be pre-ordered for the price of $199.
Samsung is the largest smartphone manufacturer in the world, which is something most of you are probably aware of. This company tends to experiment from time to time, they essentially release an odd smartphone to see how the market will react and see if it sticks, which was the case with the first Galaxy Note smartphone, for example. The 1st-gen Galaxy Note was a huge device back then, and not many people thought it will sell as well as it did, and the rest is history. Samsung had introduced the 6th-gen Galaxy Note handset quite recently, and this smartphone is actually expected to outsell its predecessor, and break some records along the way.

That being said, this is not the only example of Samsungs experimentation, of course. The company had started experimenting with curved displays back in 2014 when they released the Galaxy Note Edge phablet. This smartphone sported a curved display on its right side, and even though its sales numbers did not crush any records, this smartphone managed to intrigue quite a few people, and gave Samsung a perfect excuse to release the Galaxy S6 Edge handset in 2015. The Galaxy S6 Edge sported a curved display on both its left and right side, and the company managed to sell tons of units of this smartphone. The Galaxy S7 Edge is quite similar to its predecessor, and it seems like it will sell even better than the S6 Edge. Having that in mind, Samsung was bold enough to release the Galaxy Note 7 with the Dual Edge display as well, they did not opt to release a flat screen variant as a safety net, which was somewhat surprising.

Now, a new report has surfaced in Korea, and according to it, Samsung might be getting ready to ditch the flat screens in their Galaxy S lineup as well. Samsung has considered that it would make the edge display as the identity of the Galaxy S smartphone lineup, said the companys mobile chief, Dong-jin Koh. This does not exactly confirm that Samsung will do this, but it sure seems like the company is thinking about it. Samsungs curved display production lines are now fully capable of manufacturing enough such panels for the Galaxy S line as well, and we might not see a flat screen Galaxy S8 next year. Samsung is looking to differentiate, and even though the company opted to release the Galaxy S7 in both flat and curved variant, its successor might not get the regular model, and follow in Galaxy Note 7s footsteps. We do believe that this will also depend on how well the Galaxy Note 7 sells, but the sheer fact that the Galaxy S7 Edge was able to outsell the regular Galaxy S7 says a lot.
Virtual reality (VR) is definitely a thing these days. Both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AG) are on the rise, and both of those have a bright future it seems. Virtual reality managed to become quite popular in a short time span, and same can be said about augmented reality considering the fact that Pokemon GO blew up (in popularity) almost instantly, and thats only a small taste of what augmented reality is truly capable of. That being said, tons of companies have introduced their virtual reality headsets thus far, and Xiaomi is the last on that list, read on.

This company had introduced their first virtual reality headset, called Xiaomi Mi VR Play, a couple of days ago. Xiaomi had opted to wrap up their VR headset in a lycra fabric (nylon + spandex) material, which actually doubles as a bag, you can zip up this headset whenever you like and tuck it away. Now, Xiaomi did release a number of Xiaomi Mi VR Play renders the other day, but we havent really seen any proper hands-on images, until now. A set of hands-on images surfaced in China, and it certainly gives us a better look at the companys new VR headset. If you take a look at the gallery down below, youll get to see a couple of hands-on images. Now, this headset might look somewhat different than what were used to seeing, but as far as its function goes, its quite similar to other VR headsets out there. This headset is quite a bit more affordable than the competition, the headset will cost 49 Yuan ($7) in China, as soon as it becomes available, and that will happen really soon, Xiaomi is still beta testing this product, unfortunately.

Aside from the zipper design weve just talked about, its also worth mentioning that the Xiaomi Mi VR Play headset is quite light, and it can accommodate phones whose display size is somewhere between 4.7 and 5.7 inches. The Mi VR Play headset measures 201 x 107 x 91mm, and it weighs 208.7 grams. The anti-glare aspherical lenses Xiaomi opted to use here have a tolerance of just 0.01mm, which essentially means they should offer great clarity, though well have to get our hands on the review unit in order to make sure.
The Royal Anguilla Police Force has arrested and charged a 21 yr. old man from Cauls Bottom for Unlawful Sexual Intercourse and Indecent Assault.

The alleged offender who was taken before the Magistrates Court on Monday 8th August 2016 charged with both offences was granted bail in the sum of EC $60,000.00 with one surety.

His conditions of bail are that he is to report to the police every Monday between the hours of 6:00am and 6:00pm, surrender all travel documents and stay away from the virtual complainant and any of the witnesses in the matter.

He is due back in court on Tuesday 15th November, 2016 to answer to the charges.

The RAPF would like to remind the public that:

a) The defendant is entitled to a fair trial;

b) There is a presumption of innocence until proven guilty;

c) Nothing would be stated or published which would prejudice a fair trial taking place; and

d) Section 115(g) of the Criminal Code applies and which provides for an offence in respect of any person who, while a judicial proceeding is pending, makes use of any speech or writing misrepresenting such proceeding or capable of prejudicing any person in favor of or against any parties to such proceeding, or calculated to lower the authority of any person before whom the proceeding is to be held.
(ANSA) - Rome, August 8 - Italy's anti-trust authority has fined German automaker Volkswagen AG five million euros for "improper business practices" in selling vehicles after tampering with their diesel emission tests, sources said Monday.

The faulty cars in question were put on the market starting in 2009 with Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) EA189 EU 5, the authority said.

VW was in violation not only because it tampered with the emissions tests, but also because it duped consumers by falsely advertising its wares as being green and socially responsible.


- Tel Aviv - The Palestinian Journalists' Forum has denounced Google for deleting the name of Palestine from its maps and replacing it with Israel, according to a report on the Middle East Monitor (MEMO). In a statement the forum claimed the decision, dating to July 25, "is part of the Israeli scheme to establish its name as a legitimate state for generations to come and abolish Palestine once and for all". "The move is also designed to falsify history, geography as well as the Palestinian people's right to their homeland," the journalists wrote. A petition against the decision has collected 136,000 signatures. Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt are clearly marked on Google Maps, unlike the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, while Palestine is covered by a note from Wikipedia. Some media outlets have already complained to Google but have not received clarification.


- Ventimiglia - National Police Chief Franco Gabrielli said Monday "the only way to decompress the situation at Ventimiglia", where hundreds of asylum seekers have been turned back from the French border, is to "take them somewhere else". "The situation is serious but not tragic," he said. "I think the effort will last until the end of summer at least. As much as we offer lodging, these people want to cross the border.



But there is no willingness on the other side, so we must manage this stalled situation".



Gabrielli also dismissed the notion that No Border activists protesting the situation of the asylum seekers should be held responsible for a policeman's fatal heart attack while on the job at Ventimiglia.



"We're not angry at anybody," he said. "I certainly don't think one can seriously say our fellow officer's death is down to the No Border (group)". His comments came after Officer Diego Turra died of a heart attack last Saturday during a No Border protest in Ventimiglia, where the situation has deteriorated after a group of 300 migrants and asylum seekers forced a police cordon, jumped into the sea and swam to France on Friday. Some of the asylum seekers simply ran across the border, breaking through a French police cordon and onto the crowded beaches beyond. Many were eventually returned to Italy.



Also on Monday, Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said the Liguria coastal town near the French border "will not be our Calais" after recent tension over the build-up of migrants and refugees there. He was referring to the vast encampment known as 'The Jungle' that has built up near the northern French coastal town of Calais containing migrants aiming to travel to the UK. "The future of Europe is being played out (in) Ventimiglia, including at the Italian-French border post," Alfano said in an interview with La Repubblica newspaper.



"We are managing (the border) with maximum efficiency during what is a genuine emergency on the immigration front," he continued.



"We are saving Schengen and therefore the (European) Union," Alfano added in reference to the agreement allowing the free movement of people that underpins the bloc. "It must be clear to everyone: if Ventimiglia has not yet become an Italian Calais it is due to the fact that we have carried out railway inspections, and not just those, in order to reduce rather than increase the flows, while at the same time transferring migrants building up there to other centres," the minister said.
ROME - Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said Monday the Liguria coastal town of Ventimiglia near the French border "will not be our Calais" after recent tension over the build-up of migrants and refugees there. "The future of Europe is being played out on the Ventimiglia border, including at the Italian-French border post," Alfano said in an interview with La Repubblica newspaper after tension between local No Border activists and the Italian authorities culminated in the death by heart attack of a police officer during clashes on Saturday.



"And we are managing (the border) with maximum efficiency during what is a genuine emergency on the immigration front," he continued.



"We are saving Schengen and therefore the (European) Union," Alfano added in reference to the agreement allowing the free movement of people that underpins the bloc. "It must be clear to everyone: if Ventimiglia has not yet become an Italian Calais it is due to the fact that we have carried out railway inspections, and not just those, in order to reduce rather than increase the flows, while at the same time transferring migrants building up there to other centres," the minister said. He was referring to the vast encampment known as 'The Jungle' that has built up near the northern French coastal town of Calais containing migrants aiming to travel to the UK. The situation in Ventimiglia deteriorated after a group of 300 migrants and asylum seekers forced a police cordon, jumped into the sea and swam to France on Friday. Some of the asylum seekers simply ran across the border, breaking through a French police cordon and onto the crowded beaches beyond. Many were eventually returned to Italy.
BRUSSELS - Turkey's tourism industry has been badly hit by the fear of terrorism, the refugee crisis and tensions between Ankara and Moscow, according to official data published Monday.



Foreign arrivals in the first six months of 2016 fell by nearly 41 per cent compared to the same period last year, tourism ministry figures showed.



This translates into a 2,438,293 arrivals in the period January-June compared to 4,123,109 in the first half of 2015 and 4,335,075 in the first half of 2014. In Greece the situation is particularly acute on the islands closest to Turkey, with a drop in visitor numbers of over 60 per cent on Lesbos and Chios that host registration centres for asylum seekers and refugees. However, overall the country is expected to see a new record number of tourists this year.


According to the report, DXB handled a total of 40,506,456 passengers during the first half, up 5.8 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2015 when the airport welcomed 38,299,288 passengers. Owing to the impact of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan on travel patterns during an already traditionally slow month, traffic in June dipped 1 per cent to 5,857,503, compared to 5,914,671 recorded during June 2015.

In the first half of the year, the top five country destinations in terms of total passenger volumes were India (5,677,188), Saudi Arabia (3,213,868), the UK (2,850,437), Pakistan (2,134,012) and the US (1,626,032). Aircraft movements in the first half totalled 207,439, up 3.8 per cent compared to 199,820 recorded during the corresponding period last year. In June aircraft movements totalled 32,368, up 0.6 percent compared to 32,166 during June of last year.

During the first half of 2016, air cargo volumes rose 3.8 per cent to 1,282,025 tonnes compared to 1,233,378 tonnes during the same period in 2015. Dubai International handled 226,175 tonnes of freight in June compared to 217,896 tonnes during the same month last year, an increase of 3.9 per cent.

Weve had a record first half and the second half is underway with what could be a banner month thanks to the start of the holiday season in July and the week-long break for the Islamic festival of Eid Al Fitr, said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.

In July we have seen very high volumes, particularly in connecting traffic as vacationers increasingly choose Dubai as an intercontinental hub as well as being a popular destination in itself. We deployed additional staff at touchpoints across the airport and launched the Hangout@DXB campaign to reach out to travellers, keeping them informed of the latest DXB, and travel tips to make their journey easier," he added.

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: Despite the expected demand impact from Ramadan and the traditional decline in traffic during the hottest months in the UAE, Dubai International still managed to report over 40m passengers handled for the first half of 2016, almost 6% higher than a year ago.

Dubai International is well on the way to achieving another record breaking year and will cement its place as the world's busiest airport for yet another year and expand its lead over rivals.

The continued expansion of Emirates this year, upgrading capacity on key European routes with the A380 and relaunching other sectors like Conakry underscores the strength of its unique organic expansion strategy. At the other end of the market, flydubai has also stayed undeterred from its growth policy and demand growth in high yield markets like Saudi Arabia and Russia has allowed them to maintain preference for cost-conscious passengers.

Ahmad added: Cargo too has bucked the trend in Dubai - Emirates has been a major driving force in battling sea freight shipments thanks in large part to the success of its SkyCargo operations and the readily available capacity uplift via its massive fleet of 777-300ERs that has allowed it to compete more aggressively on price. Having said that, with global air cargo traffic still far off from sustaining a meaningful recovery, Dubai's favoured position and proximity to Jebel Ali's shipping network has allowed better overlap and connections for transhipments versus other international airports.

The second half of 2016 aims to help Dubai International maintain its strength as the favoured connection point for international traffic. Going forward, the emphasis on developing Al Maktoum International at a faster rate has to now be a priority given the swathe of demand and traffic coming into the city.
As of January 1, 2017, the replacement of the Boeing 777-300ER will mean that all Emirates flights to Manchester will be operated by the double decker aircraft. The airline also unveiled plans to swap its current A380 service at Birmingham from the morning to the afternoon departure slot.
Oman Air has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Ltd for the sale and leaseback of two new B737-800 aircraft.

The first of the two aircraft was delivered on 25th July and the second is expected to arrive at Muscat this month.

Under Oman Airs expansion programme, launched late 2014, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman is in the process of increasing its fleet size to 70 aircraft by 2020. At that point, Oman Airs fleet will comprise 45 narrow-body aircraft and 25 wide-body aircraft, which will fly to an anticipated 75 global destinations. Since October 2014, Oman Air has received 12 new B737s, of which seven are the -800 variant and five are -900 variant. Each is currently deployed on routes from Muscat to destinations in the GCC region, in the wider Middle East and on the South Asian sub-continent.

Abdulrahman Al-Busaidy, deputy CEO & chief commercial officer, of Oman Air, said: By expanding the size of our fleet, Oman Air is able to offer many more people the opportunity of experiencing our award-winning inflight products and services, as well as our exemplary on-time performance. Our B737 aircraft serve as the backbone of our fleet and we are extremely pleased to have agreed the sale and leaseback arrangement with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise.

On behalf of Oman Air, I would like to thank DAEs highly professional team of experts. We now look forward to welcoming our customers aboard these brand-new B737-800 airliners.

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Ltd is a globally recognized aerospace company headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Formed in 2006, DAE has grown rapidly since its inception and the company now holds an aircraft leasing portfolio of 76 aircraft worth approximately $4 billion.

Firoz Tarapore, chief executive officer of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise added: As a world leader in aircraft leasing, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise is delighted to have agreed this sale and leaseback agreement with Oman Air. The airline is expanding at an impressive rate and we look forward to working with Oman Air again, should future opportunities arise.
Nahcon director, Alhaji Mohammadu Goni, said that while Med-View Airline and MaxAir had been given the nod, DANA - Dornier Aviation Nigeria, TopBrass Aviation and Azman Air had not.

In fact, a delegation was send to appeal to the Saudi Arabian Authority to allow the three carriers to fly their route but they insisted that those airlines must acquire designation status because they only applied as charter flights, he told Nigeria's Daily Trust newspaper.

As per any Hajj agreement, Saudi Arabia has designated Flynas to operate its charter flights to Nigeria.

Copyright: Caledonian Aviation Partners
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Turkeys membership to the EU is out of question in the upcoming 20 years, Sigmar Gabriel, Vice Chancellor of Germany said.

In the same time, Sigmar Gabriel is against the opinions which are voiced over suspension of talks with Turkey over EU membership.

We have to leave all kinds of dialogue paths with Turkey open. However, I think that in the nearest future, in the upcoming 20 years Turkey has no chance of joining the EU, he said.

Gabriel noted that Turkey is very far away from EU standards.

Simar Gabriel added if Turkey introduces the death penalty talks will be suspended.

The introduction of death penalty will contradict the EU Fundamental Rights declaration. In that case talks on membership will have no sense, he said.
Government forces, aided by Moscow, have launched a massive bombing campaign. The rebels have reportedly broken the army siege of Damascus and launched a counteroffensive. Families in western districts of city race to purchase of water and food.

Aleppo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Syrian government forces have launched a massive campaign of air strikes against the rebels who, in recent days, have advanced in Aleppo. Damascus sources have posted footage of an air control center indicating "enemy targets" in the southwest sector of the second largest city in Syria.

Earlier the rebels broke the government army siege after weeks, which was later strongly denied by the government.

The Syrian air raid are also confirmed by local witnesses and media reports in the area and are concentrated in areas controlled by the rebels. Russian fighter jets have also taken part in the raids, although there is no official confirmation from Moscow.

Meanwhile, the coalition that is opposed to President Bashar al-Assad announced that it has doubled the number of combatants, in order to launch a new offensive and take complete control of Aleppo. The government deny these statements claiming that the rebels have not made any significant advance.

According to said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the London based Syrian Observatory on Human Rights, the rebel attack caused one of the worst setbacks for the government forces since the start of the conflict in March 2011. "Despite the more than 600 Russian air strikes - he adds  government troops have failed to keep their positions."

Official Syrian state media have repeatedly denied the breaking the siege by the rebels, while admitting that the regular army is now on the defensive. In addition, areas of Aleppo under the control of Damascus are beginning to lack food and basic necessities. In view of a possible siege, families in the western districts have rushed to stock up on supplies of food and water, while food prices have already registered staggering increases.

The city, formerly the economic and commercial heart of the country, is one of the war's most violent fronts with rebel forces battling to wrest parts of the city back from army control.

Even Pope Francis has appealed against this most recent escalation of violence. Speaking yesterday at the end of his Angelus reflection he condemned reports of civilian victims of war emerging from the conflict zone.

He stated that it is "unacceptable" that "so many helpless people - including many children - have to pay the price of conflict, the price of closed hearts and the powerful's lack of will for peace. Finally, he confirmed "the prayer and solidarity with our Syrian brothers and sisters, and we entrust them to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary."
The trade surplus is up, but imports plunge. Although the government targeted domestic demand, the latter dropped. By neglecting workers wages and rights, spending has been negatively affected. Brexit is set to reduce export prospects to the European Union.

Beijing (AsiaNews)  Chinas General Administration of Customs released data today indicating a drop in both exports and imports.

Despite a rise in the trade surplus, experts warn that this trend will impact domestic stability. Brexit and low domestic demand will also play a role.

According to official data, always viewed with some suspicion by international agencies, the nations trade surplus rose to US$ 52.3 billion from Junes US$ 48.1 billion, the best results this year.

This is due to imports, which decreased by 12.5 per cent in July, worse than analysts expected; by comparison, exports fell 4.4 per cent last month.

Exports to the United States, Chinas largest foreign market, fell 2 per cent in July, whilst those to the European Union, the second largest foreign market, fell by 3.2 per cent.

The trend in the EU market is expected to continue following Great Britains pullout of the European Union (Brexit).

Chinese imports from the United States dropped by 23.2 per cent.

Chinas total exports tumbled 7.4 per cent year-on-year in the first seven months of 2016. Imports are down 10.5 per cent.

Despite Beijing's efforts, domestic demand appears sluggish. The government has repeatedly said that "imbalances and uncertainties" in international markets can only be beaten by Chinas outstanding people Chinese. So far, this has not yet materialised.

Domestic and foreign experts note the futility" of focusing on domestic demand when both wages and workers rights are not protected by the government.

Always protecting investors and not workers may be useful for the party, but not for the economy, noted an economist with Morgan Stanley. But this does not help an economy that needs steady wages and rights for everyone. Without them, no one spends.
A crowd of a million people participate in government rally in favor "of martyrs and democracy". The President, in favor of the death penalty, wants to "free" the nation of Gulen supporters. His address a call to Turks to love one another "in the name of Allah". Tomorrow a meeting with Putin in Moscow to strengthen bilateral relations.

Istanbul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Turkish president says he is ready to reintroduce the death penalty if the public and Parliament want it. Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed his willingness to support a return to capital punishment in at a pro-government rally yesterday on the shores of the sea of Marmara, in the European part of Istanbul, in favor "of the martyrs and democracy" that saw an estimated one million turn out. It was the latest sign of Ankara's regained strength in tech wake of the failed army coup on the night between July 15 and July 16.

Addressing demonstrators, Erdogan also promised to free the nation from supporters of the spiritual leader Fethullah Gulen, in exile in the United States, whom he claims masterminded the coup; accusations that the same Gulen has always strongly rejected in recent weeks.

Referring to the death penalty, the President stated that "sovereignty belongs to the people" and "if the people take this decision, the parties will comply" with approval in Parliament. He recalled that the United States, Japan and China apply the death penalty and also Turkey is ready to reintroduce it, despite threats of a Europe ready to close the doors of the Union to Ankara.

The demonstration in Istanbul's Yenikapi district - a million present according to initial estimates, up to five for the government - was attended by the leaders of two of the three opposition parties. Representatives of the Kurdish movement, the great enemy of Turkish President, were not invited to the event.

The theme of the reintroduction of the death penalty is one of the most debated issues in recent weeks, along with the harsh government crackdown against those suspected of having aided or flanked the coup. In less than a month thousands of public employees have been laid off, as well as thousands of soldiers and hundreds of journalists, magistrates, judges and public school principals. At least 18 thousand people so far have been detained for questioning or arrested.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim stated that "we are not acting out of revenge" but "within the rule of law." He also assured that "Gulen will be brought back to Turkey and will pay for what he did."

The "pro democracy" demonstration yesterday was supposed to represent the pinnacle of the demonstrations of national unity and strength of the government, in response to the coup attempt which killed 270 people. "We will continue on the path of solidarity" claimed Erdogan, who did not fail to nod to the Islamic wing stressing that "we will not love each other because of rank or title, but because of Allah."

Meanwhile, at odds with the European Union and the United States, the Turkish government continues the policy of rapprochement with the Kremlin, after weeks of frosty relations following the shooting down of a Russian jet on the border with Syria. Tomorrow President Erdogan will meet Vladimir Putin, to establish a new atmosphere of cooperation between the two countries.

"This will be a historic visit, a new beginning," said Erdogan in an interview with the Russian news agency Tass. "At the talks with my friend Vladimir (Putin) - he added - I think it will open a new page in bilateral relations." On the agenda of international politics, the war in Syria, the energy issue and the fight against terrorism.
After Pope Francis spoke out on the issue, the international community releases its data. In Yemen 14 million men and women face an unprecedented food crisis; in Syria, 8.7 million (37 per cent of the population) need urgent food, nutrition and livelihoods assistance." Syrias wheat harvest has dropped by half as the countrys agriculture virtually collapses.

Rome (AsiaNews/Agencies)  More than 50 million people living in 17 conflict-ridden countries are in severe food insecurity, two UN agencies warned recently.

In Yemen, 14 million people (over half the population) and, in Syria, 8.7 million people (37 per cent of the population) need urgent food, nutrition and livelihoods assistance, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) warn.

The same goes for parts of north-eastern Nigeria, which has borne the brunt of an insurgency by Boko Haram Islamists since 2009, with an estimated half a million people facing a humanitarian catastrophe.

For countries at war, importing food and basic items is logistically difficult if not impossible and at prices out of the reach of most of the population which have lost their livelihoods.

Under such circumstances, it is hard to maintain local agricultural production, even traditional small-scale farms, which are the first to suffer from destruction and labour shortages.

In some parts of Syria, this year people who have been displaced from other regions are helping till the fields and take in the harvest.

The countrys poultry industry has also been destroyed, affecting the poorest section of the population, said Dominique Burgeon, head of the FAOs emergency unit.

The FAO estimates that only 1.9 million tonnes of wheat will be harvested this year in Syria, less than half of the 4 million tonnes it produced before the war.

The agricultural sector, on which four-fifths of the rural population depends, has virtually collapsed.

Syria has become the first nation to make a withdrawal at the worlds seed bank buried in a mountain on one Norways Svalbard islands in the Arctic Ocean to replace destroyed local seeds.

Burgeon warned that despite the best of intentions certain non-governmental organisations risked doing harm by importing seeds not appropriate for the local climate, which would set the country back years.

On 13 June, Pope Francis visited the WFP headquarters, stating that " In some cases, hunger itself is used as a weapon of war".

The pontiff complained about the difficulty of getting humanitarian aid to countries in conflict, whilst weapons "circulate with brazen and virtually absolute freedom in many parts of the world.
Energy Minister Youval Steinitz confirmed that there were no "significant violations," but insisted that it was "too early" to say whether the (very bad) deal would be "a success. Iran executed a scientist involved in the countrys atomic programme for treason.

Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Tehran has so far "respected" the terms of the controversial nuclear agreement, which was signed in July last year and came into force in January, but it is too early to know if it will have long-term benefits, said Israeli Energy Minister Youval Steinitz.

"It's a bad deal but it's an accomplished fact and during the first year we spotted no significant breach from the Iranians," said Youval Steinitz, who is close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "But it's still too early to conclude that this 12-year deal is a success," he told public radio.

After years of embargo, Iran has obtained a partial easing of Western economic sanctions in exchange for an agreement on its controversial atomic programme. For Tehran, the latter is for civilian purposes; for others, including Israel, it could lead to the bomb.

Despite the deal, the United States maintains a range of sanctions because of Irans ballistic missile programme, as well as for its military support for Mideast Shia movements.

Steinitz's comments come after US President Barack Obama defended the deal last week.

Israels hawkish government was quick to respond. Israel's Defense Ministry, led by hardliner Avigdor Lieberman, on Friday compared the deal with Iran to the 1938 Munich Agreement, which allowed Nazi Germany to annex parts of then Czechoslovakia.

Steinitz's statement yesterday highlights an ongoing power struggle among Israeli leaders, over domestic issues (including over the Palestinian issue) as well as foreign policy.

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities hanged Shahram Amiri, a scientist involved in Tehrans atomic programme, for treason.

On Sunday a spokesman for the Iranian judiciary said that "Through his connection with the United States, Amiri gave vital information about the country to the enemy.

Amiri disappeared in 2009 in Saudi Arabia during a pilgrimage to Makkah, only to reappear a year later in the United States. He claimed that he was abducted and interrogated by the CIA, the US intelligence service.

He returned to Iran in July 2010, a few months later he was sentenced to prison on charges of treason.

News of his execution emerged on Saturday, when Amiri's mother said the body had been handed over with rope marks around his neck.
by Bui Nguyen

The diocese has a high abortion rate, and was recently hit by a super typhoon. Caritas volunteers organised seminars and lectures to raise awareness among young people about the value of life and its protection. According to bishop, their work is very difficult, but they have achieved important results.

Phat Diem (AsiaNews)  Caritas Vietnam organised three days of seminars and lectures in the Diocese of Phat Diem in order to curb the high level of abortions and educate people to respect life.

From 2 to 4 August, the activities associated with the event involved young people from nine northern Vietnamese provinces in nine different projects. Caritas also took action to help flooded northern parishes deal with the effects of a super typhoon.

"The groups for the protection of life have held sessions and lectures to raise awareness among young people at risk, said Fr John o Van Khoa, head of Caritas Phat Diem. They organised catechism courses focused on marriage, counselling and assistance for girls and young women without a family."

Abortion is a rising problem in Vietnam, which ranks first in South-East Asia and fifth in the world for this practice. Each year more than 300,000 young people between 15 and 19 years have an abortion, often in clandestine manner.

The abortion rate among high school and university students can reach almost 70 per cent. In the capital Hanoi, the number is even greater and many girls and young women have several abortions, using it as a contraceptive method.

"In past years, we have had contacts with some government hospitals, and worked together with non-Catholic doctors who have supported us in our programmes, said Teresa, one of the volunteers.

We buried 12,000 fetuses, who were several weeks old, or even five or six months of life. Some children, she noted, "were aborted even at eight months of life."

Mgr Joseph Nguyen Nang, bishop of Phat Diem, attended the three-day Caritas event. He urged young people to remember Gods mercy and congratulated the volunteers.

"Even if your work is very difficult, you have achieved important results. Many children were born thanks to you. Others were buried respecting their dignity as human beings."

Meanwhile, a super typhoon recently hit the Diocese of Phat Diem destroying rice fields, fruit trees and homes. Mgr Joseph Nguyen Van Yen, vice president of the Caritas Episcopal Council, decided to donate funds to support the diocese.

Fr John o Van Khoa and Caritas staff visited some of the worst affected parishes to help families, Catholic and non-Catholics, overcome the emergency.

Fr John Bui Van Ke is parish priest at My Thuy and is responsible for 2,400 faithful. "All the parishioners live near a swollen river, he said, and the water is halfway up the houses".

The river is very polluted and people no longer have drinking water. Priests and the Caritas members have found entire families dead or orphaned children.

Fr Ke decided to make children his priority "so that they are ready to go to school next year and live in the parish."
About 61% of Thais voted yes to the Charter drawn up by the military. Turnout at 55%. Criticism of supression of no campaign in the weeks before the vote. From now on the Senate (appointed by the government) will elect the prime minister. Presence of independent observers during the vote prohibited.

Bangkok (AsiaNews / Agencies) - 50 million Thais voted yesterday to approve the draft constitution drawn up by the military junta. According to unofficial data, about 61% of eligible voters voted in favor of approval of the Charter which will replace that of 2014. The turnout was 55%, despite the massive campaign launched by the military to invite everyone to vote.

In addition to approving the Constitution, the referendum called for the acceptance of a measure enabling the Senate to join the lower house in the election of the prime minister. Even this measure was voted by a majority of "yes." The 250 members of the Senate are not elected by popular vote but appointed by the government.

Observers and activists criticized the junta for having suppressed the election campaign in favor of "no". In the days before vote the military arrested thousands of people and scattered the popular movement who opposed the new Constitution. The electoral commission banned the presence of independent observers during the counting of votes.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said that the next general elections will be held towards the end of 2017 (probably in October). The referendum victory has boosted the general's political popularity ahead of his candidacy in the next elections.

The military junta has ruled Thailand since May 2014, when it took power in a "white coup", which interrupted years of clashes between the "red shirts" - who support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, popular in the countryside and among the poorer classes - and the "yellow shirts", drawn from the urban class and the establishment.
by AA.VV.

The articles published last week, penned by Card. John Tong, on dialogue between China and the Holy See, and Card. Joseph Zen, expressing doubts and difficulties, have sparked debate in China and worldwide. AsiaNews asks for responses from its many sources in China, who express their concerns regarding overly politicized| bishops; an "imperial" ideology and Chinese government "oppression". The first of a three part series.

Rome (AsiaNews)  Figures among China's Catholics have expressed their appreciation for Card. John Tong Hon, who penned an article published last week, taking stock of the dialogue between China and the Holy See. At the same time, many express skepticism towards his optimistic outlook, fearing that this dialogue will lead to nothing, given the oppression of religions that the Chinese government has been signaling for some time now. Some express their skepticism especially regarding some bishops of the official Church, judged too close to the Party and not to the Church.

Others criticize the harsh words of Card. Joseph Zen, who in another article spoke with great fervour of his doubts regarding the Vatican's so-called Ostpolitik, but various interventions echo his concerns, which are those of a considerable part of the underground community, which is perceived "forgotten" by the Vatican. In his article, Card. Tong sets out to show that the Vatican has not forgotten the concerns of the underground community (recognition of unofficial bishops; release of those in prison) in its dialogue with China.

Below we publish some of the responses we have received here at AsiaNews. For security reasons we can only make generic references to the identity of the authors (as per their directions). They are part of both the official and underground communities (BC)

Anonymous 1

The Cardinal's [Tong] discourse is very positive. To solve China's problems must follow the method of Jesus. Blind opposition can only lead to violence! The Church is a witness of love in action. This brings fruits of peace, joy, love, a blessing for the Church and for China. I think this style is the most important if we want to see a future for China. And another thing: I want to have faith in church leaders and the Pope.

Fr. Joe (North China)

Every word that Cardinal [Tong] wrote is balanced .... He also outlined the current problems in the official Church. His article rejects Card. Zen's view. In the past he was very brave, but after Pope Francis appointed Card. Parolin to deal with China-Vatican relations, he became quite extreme ... For example, he has publicly called on pseudo-loyal faithful to live their faith in the underground, leaving the path marked out by Pope Francis! 

John Tong highlighted that in the past the official Church would have split from the Catholic Church if it were not for St. John Paul II, who recognized and accepted [the bishops] illegitimate as legitimate. I think Card. Tong wants to give to the Chinese Church some guidelines before any agreement between China and the Vatican is established.

Anonymous 2

I regret that Card. Tong is so super-optimistic. I see that he follows the current policy of the Holy See, but the Chinese Church is very secularized and is controlled by the government in many aspects. I am not so optimistic. Sure, it's good to work for dialogue and communication, and be patient until the end, but we must remember that there is a big problem between the Vatican and China. It is not just a cultural difference, which may be overcome through dialogue and mutual communication. It's more than that. The Vatican is dealing with a government that is hostile and constantly oppresses the Church. If the Vatican is trying to please the government in every way and is compromised too much, it will not come to anything. I think that the Vatican should be gentle, but firm and be able to say 'no' when asked to sacrifice some principles. In addition, the universal Church and the Vatican have to give assurances and encouragement to the underground Church because it is in a situation of uncertainty. This is very discouraging for them because they feel abandoned by the Holy See.

Fr. Vincent (Northeast China)

Generally speaking, I see nothing new [in Card. Tong's article] although it is no bad thing to believe and argue that Pope Francis certainly will sign a positive agreement for both parties, rather than an agreement to abandon a part of the brothers and sisters of the Church. But does the request that the Council of Chinese Bishops accept and integrate underground bishops really mean anything? How many of these pseudo-bishops have the opportunity to influence the decisions made regarding Church affairs? Their compromise [to the political system] can never be justified because they have forgotten human rights, they do not tell the truth, never demand social justice ... they only preach love. This style of compromise is the biggest concern for the Chinese Church, which could lose even its apparent integrity. Chinese society has become perhaps the most hypocritical and has lost its integrity. The last thing we want to see is the Vatican quietly swallow this rotten fruit in the name of agreement between China and the Holy See.

Fr. John (Central China)

If what they are doing will allow the Chinese Church and the Universal Church to come to a visible communion, it is only natural that people will expect this and be happy. The point is to know if the bishops appointed by the government will be faithful to the principles of the Catholic Church. Or continue to insist that politics is their first priority? All of this is worrisome. It is understandable that the Holy See hopes for a normalization of Sino-Vatican relations. But it is up to the Chinese government whether the wishes of the Holy See are met in full. The Chinese imperial culture is deeply rooted in politics. And the Catholic Church [in China] is very politicized. Even if China signed an agreement, I fear that the problems would remain.
Akihito speaks on state television, never utters the word "resignation" but says: "I am old and my tasks are heavy, I fear not being able to fulfill them well. The population supports him, but lawyers believe it would be "dangerous" to leave Chrysanthemum throne vacant.

Tokyo (AsiaNews) - The Japanese Emperor Akihito appeared this morning on state television, making a rare national address to announce his intention to abdicate from the Chrysanthemum throne. While never mentioning the word "resignation" or "abdication", the sovereign, who is a symbol of unity in Japan, has made it clear that he feels "very tired" and that fears of being unable to "fully fulfill the duties of my office."

His decision was expected, but the same has attracted a broad debate in the country: while the majority of the population supports him in his desire, jurists and political leaders fear that "in the long run it may cause the disintegration of the Imperial House ".

In the televised speech, which lasted about 10 minutes, Akihito said: "I passed 80 years of age and fortunately are now in good health. However, when I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being, as I have done until now, he said.

Akihito is 82 years old and the Chrysanthemum Throne is the oldest hereditary monarchy in the world. According to the traditional counting, the current Emperor occupies the 125th place in an unbroken dynastic line which, mythologically, it is traced to Emperor Jimmu in 660 BC. Mythology aside, the historical record attests to its existence since at least the fifth century AD.

The throne itself has an ancient tradition of abdication and emperors who continued to bring to bear their influence by the withdrawal as part of a system that was known as "insei" ( "Government in seclusion"). The last Tenno ( "Monarch") who has abdicated was Emperor Kokaku, in 1817. Even the grandfather of Akihito, Emperor Taisho, who suffered from severe neurological problems, never abdicated, but appointed his son, Hirohito (who only became Emperor at his father's death), in 1921. Since the end of World War II and with the launch of the new Japanese Constitution, the possibility of resigning was formally excluded.

The people seem to support the emperor. A survey conducted by the Kyodo news agency shows that 85.7 percent of the sample interviewed "would accept an abdication," while 10.8 percent believe the status quo should be maintained. 89.5 percent of the sample also argued that "the emperor in fact has too many official duties in light of his age".

Many lawyers and politicians, instead, consider the move to be "dangerous for the future of the imperial house". The law that regulates the House - explains the professor of Hidetsugu Yagi right - is "permanent and constitutional. If a paragraph on abdication were inserted , it would create confusion in the succession system, and in the imperial status. In the long term it would be a disaster".
Job seekers in Massachusetts will no longer have to disclose their salary history to prospective employers in order to be considered for a job, thanks to a new pay equity law signed this week. The law, which goes into effect in July 2018, makes it illegal for employers to ask job applicants what theyve earned in the past and makes Massachusetts the first state to ban the practice.

This step is a victory for job seekers, who have long been put at a disadvantage by employers who insist on knowing their past salary history. Employers commonly base salary offers on the information, which has meant that people who have been earning below-market wages are more likely to continue to be underpaid  which has historically been a particular issue for women, who are statistically likely to be paid less than their male counterparts for the same work.

The prohibition is designed to stop perpetuating pay inequality from employer to employer when employers offer to pay women applicants less than their male counterparts because the men were paid more at the last employer, says Amanda Marie Baer, an employment lawyer at Mirick, OConnell, DeMallie & Lougee, LLP in Massachusetts. For example, if a company is hiring two accountants, Pam and Paul, and knows their respective salary histories, it may be inclined to offer Pam $80,000 because she was paid $60,000 by her last employer, while offering Paul $90,000 because he was paid $70,000 by his last employer  resulting in a $10,000 pay gap. If the company does not know Pam and Pauls salary histories, it may offer an equal salary of $85,000 to both.

Companies that do this often assert that salary offers pegged to a candidates previous pay are generous increases, even when the offer ends up causing this kind of gender gap or results in below-market pay.

Of course, employers who ask about salary history often claim that knowing how much a candidate earned in the past helps them understand how other companies have valued that persons work. But employers should be able to determine a new hires value themselves, based on the persons experience, accomplishments, skills and track record, as well as the responsibilities theyll be assuming in the new role. Plenty of companies dont request salary history and still manage to figure out what a job or a new hire is worth to them. In fact, a company that doesnt know what a position is worth is a company that hasnt done sufficient planning and analysis before advertising a job opening.

But while this new law is great for job seekers in Massachusetts, what can you do if you live in any of the other 49 states and thus are still subject to intrusive questions about past earnings from employers?

The best thing that you can do when employers ask for your salary history to answer the question they should have asked  which is about what salary range youre seeking now. So for example, you might say, Im looking for $60,000 to $70,000. In many cases (more than you might expect!) the person youre talking to will accept this answer and move on with the conversation. But if the interviewer insists on learning what youve made previously, you can try being more direct about the fact that you dont care to share that private information. You can try saying, My previous employers have considered their salary structure confidential, but Im looking for a range of X to Y or Ive always kept that confidential, but Im seeking a range of X to Y. Some interviewers will accept that, and others wont. If they dont, at that point youll need to decide if youre willing to hold firm and risk shutting down the process or not.

And if you do get pressured into disclosing your salary history and you worry that it will be used to lowball you at the offer stage, keep in mind that you can contextualize the salary information for your interviewer. For example, you might note that your most current salary is under-market and is the primary reason that youre looking at other organizations and that you wouldnt consider changing jobs for less than a certain salary amount.

And meanwhile, keep an eye on Massachusetts law. It may be the first in a trend that could spread to your state.

I originally published this at U.S. News & World Report.
90-Year-Old Man Loses It When Sex Worker Rips Him Off

Trending News: 90-Yr-Old Gets Busted For Soliciting A Prostitute, Doesn't Care

Why Is This Important?

Because this might be taking enjoying your retirement a little too far.

Long Story Short

A police report on archive site The Smoking Gun has told the bizarre story of a 90-year-old man from Massachusetts who called the police to accuse a prostitute of stealing a necklace from him.

Long Story

As a police officer there must be some call-outs that leave you thinking youve been pranked on a hidden camera show.

One prime example, as published on The Smoking Gun, is the story of an officer who arrived at a house in West Dennis, Massachusetts to answer a call from 90-year-old man, Nicholas Salerno, who wanted to report a theft that had taken place.

But this wasnt a heart-breaking story of a poor, defenceless old man who was robbed, it was something altogether weirder.

The Smoking Gun

Salerno explained how a friend of his had told him a woman named Karen was offering $100 blowjobs, so he got her number and called her up to enquire after her professional services.

Karen turned up, did her job, received $100 and left, but Salerno complained that she had also taken a gold chain with her and said hed called the police because he wants it back.

When the officer informed Salerno that he would be charged with soliciting sex he is quoted as saying: I dont give a f*ck. Im 90 years old for Christs sake.

Amazingly after taking a description of Karen as "approximately fifty years old, heavy set, with brown hair" and her phone number, police were able to track down a Karen Proia, who seemingly doesnt even bother to use a fake name for her professional encounters.

According to Cosmo, both Salerno and Proia were arraigned in court, and both pled not guilty. Salerno's charges were dropped, but Proia faces a September 1 court date.

In the state of Massachusetts soliciting for sex carries a penalty of up to a year in prison and a fine of $500, so it had better have been some gold chain for Salerno to take such a risk.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question

If we won't charge a 90 year old for soliciting, why bother charging anyone?

Disrupt Your Feed

I suppose we all dream of still being active at the age of 90, but maybe not this active!

Drop This Fact

Howard Arthur Klein of Grand Rapids, Missouri was caught by a police sting last year at the age of 87 and accused of soliciting for sex, but he was given a "free pass" by prosecutors, as reported by Fox.
A Maine lawyer has been suspended from practicing law after he sent unwanted text messages, photographs and videos to a client.



In a decision penned by Maine Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Jeffrey L. Hjelm, attorney Paul L. Letourneau was handed down an interim suspension from the practice of law in Maine pending a final deposition of the disciplinary proceeding or until further order of the Court.



This is not the first time Letourneau has been suspended. In 2010, he was suspended for six months for failures in client communication, neglect of legal matters for nine clients, and failure to effectively manage his law practice.



Letourneau did not dispute that he sent unwanted text messages, photographs, and video images of a graphically sexual nature to a client whom he represented in several criminal cases.



After the suspended lawyers actions , his client went to a different lawyer who represented the client in some cases and also reported Letourneaus sexting to the Board of Overseers of the Bar.



I find that Attorney Letourneaus conduct, based on the present record, poses an ongoing threat to the administration of justice and therefore to the public, associate justice Hjelm wrote.



He added that Letourneaus conduct poses an ongoing risk of harm to his remaining clients, who will now get a receiver to protect their interests.



For his part, Letourneau argued that the suspension is not needed because he has executed a contract with the Maine Assistance Program, arranged for counseling with a psychologist, and withdrew his name from the Main Commission on Indigent Legal Services roster.



However, the judge said that there are still risks to the administration of justice, the public and his clients because the therapy has not even begun yet and that the lawyer only arranged for them after learning that regulators initiated a disciplinary proceeding against him.


Lawyers targeted in terror attack, 67 dead

At least 67 people have been killed in a terrorist attack by a group affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban which appears to have targeted lawyers.



A suicide bomber detonated a device packed with ball-bearings caused devastation at a hospital in the Pakistan city of Quetta as lawyers gathered to mourn the death of a colleague shot in another incident earlier in the day.



The victim of the fatal shooting was the president of the local bar association, Bilal Kas and lawyer Jameel Ahmed told The Guardian: I think the terrorists planned it so  they knew that lawyers would gather in large numbers at the hospital after the killing of Kasi, and so they sent a bomber to attack.



The latest attacks follow others targeting lawyers in the Balochistan region of Pakistan, which is near to the Afghanistan border.



Olswang revenues down 11 per cent

Revenue at global law firm Olswang saw an 11 per cent drop in 2015 while net income was down 8 per cent. The firms total revenue was 112.5 million (AU$191.5 million at current rates) while profit was 22.5 million (AU$38.3 million.)



The firm saw a number of departures last year following the exit of its CEO David Stewart towards the end of 2014; it also shut its Berlin office following an exodus of a team of 50 to Greenberg Traurig.



Olswang is believed to be courting various potential merger partners although no solid talks have been confirmed.



UK super-regulator to review rules on lawyers switching regulator

The regulator which oversees the UKs other legal regulators is to consider the impact of proposals which would allow law firms to switch regulator.



The idea has been mooted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority but the Law Society of England & Wales believes it could pose risks. Now the Legal Services Board has said it will look into the matter.



The Law Society's response to the SRA's consultation on switching regulators highlighted the disparity in client protections required by the different legal services regulators, and therefore the risk to vital client protections. We therefore welcome the LSB's research to examine these issues in depth, commented Law Society CEO Catherine Dixon.



The LSB will also be looking into a number of other concerns that we raised about the mechanics of switching regulators, such as the extent to which new regulators scrutinise an individual's or firm's regulatory history. We will be watching the progress of this review with great interest, she said.


An underfunded and overworked Missouri public defenders office has ordered the state governor to take on a case and represent a poor defendant.



In a strongly-worded letter, Michael Barrett, director of the Missouri State Public Defender (MSPD) system, delegated a case to Missouri Governor Jay Nixon who in the past has vetoed caseload caps and additional funding granted by the legislature.



Barrett cites a single line of Missouri state law to draft Nixon to taking his own case. Section 600.042.5 says [The director may] Delegate the legal representation of any person to any member of the state bar of Missouri.



According to The Washington Post, Nixon, who a former state attorney-general and is a member of the Missouri Bar, has been appointed to defend a man accused of assault.



Public defenders juggling up to more than 200 cases at a time

Given the extraordinary circumstances that compel me to entertain any and all avenues for relief, it strikes me that I should begin with the one attorney in the state who not only created this problem, but is in a unique position to address it, Barrett wrote in his letter.



According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the MSPD needed 270 more public defenders in order to handle the cases the system has, a 2014 study found. The Associated Press reported that public defence lawyers in the state have to juggle 125 to more than 200 cases at a time.



This enormous caseload may threaten the systems mandate to provide clients with effective representation, the Associated Press report said



A 2009 study by The Center for Justice, Law and Society at George Mason University found that the states public defenders office is confronting an overwhelming caseload crisis, one of the worst of its kind in the nation.



The study went on to say that the crisis is so serious that it has pushed the entire criminal justice system in Missouri in the brink of collapse.



A 2008 study by the National Legal Aid & Defender Association ranked Missouri 49th of 50 states in per-capita public defence spending  allotting $5.20 per capita compared to the national average of $11.86.



Frank letter

Barrett began by reminding Nixon that he vetoed a bill seven years ago which would have provided caseload caps to the MSPD. He said Nixon himself recognized the system was under significant stresses, vowed to work on a solution, but never did.



Instead, you have repeatedly cut funding for an indigent defence system that continues to rank 49th in the U.S., with a budget that the consumer price index indicates has less value now than it did in 2009. After cutting $3.47 million from public defence in 2015, you now cite fiscal discipline as reason to again restrict MSPDs budget, this time by 8.5%. However, and despite claims that revenues are considerably less than expected, you did not restrict a single dollar from your own budget, and the average withhold from 12 of you executive agencies does not even add up to one half of one percent (.47%), Barrett wrote.



Barrett then cites a 2015 US Department of Justice report that found poor black children are being systematically deprived of their rights in Missouri due in large part to the lack of public defenders.



Choosing the wake of that report to further debilitate the very organization that ensures an equal system of justice only adds to the escalating sentiment that the poor and disenfranchised do not receive a fair shake in Missouris criminal justice system, Barrett told Nixon.



Barrett and the Missouri Public Defense Commission also sued Nixon this July, arguing that withholding public funds from the MSPD when it has been provided by the state legislature is against state constitution.



As Director of the Public Defender System, I can only hire attorneys when I have the funding to do so. Because you have restricted that funding, MSPD must hold a significant number of vacant positions open to have the necessary funds to make it through the fiscal year, a task which is exacerbated by a 12% increase in cases over the year prior, Barrett goes on.



Barrett said that utilising Section 600.042.5 is now his only way to avoid closing one or more MSPD office, even though he opposes having to do this because, it is my sincere belief that it is wrong to reassign an obligation placed on the state by the 6th and 14th Amendments to private attorneys who have in no way contributed to the current crisis.



Therefore, pursuant to Section 600.042.5 and as Director of the Missouri State Public Defender System tasked with carrying out the States obligation to ensure that poor people who face incarceration are afforded competent counsel in their defence, I hereby appoint you, Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon, Bar No. 29603, to enter your appearance as counsel of record in the attached case, Barrett ordered the governor.



Appointment not legal

In response to Barrett appointing the governor to the case, Nixons chief spokesman, issued a statement saying that the move is illegal. He also maintained that the governor has always supported indigent criminal defendants having legal representation.



Heres the full statement, sent to local news station KSPR:



Gov. Nixon has always supported indigent criminal defendants having legal representation. That is why under his administration the state public defender has seen a 15 percent increase in funding at the same time that other state agencies have had to tighten their belts and full-time state employment has been reduced by 5,100. That being said, it is well established that the public defender does not have the legal authority to appoint private counsel.



Under Section 600.064 of Missouri law, only the circuit court can appoint a private attorney to represent an indigent criminal defendant. Section 600.042.5, the statute referenced by the public defender, authorizes the public defender to 'delegate' representation by contracting with private counsel, which requires the consent of the private attorney.
Same sex couples in Queensland may soon be legally allowed to adopt children with the Palaszczuk government looking to scrap remaining legal barriers.



Communities minister Shannon Fentiman said the proposed changes might be passed by the end of this year, [removing] this archaic chapter from our adoption laws.



According to a report by The Guardian, Fentiman said she was excited for a review of the act, saying she saw an overwhelming response from the Queensland community supporting same sex adoption.



The barriers only remain in Queensland and the Northern Territory.



Family lawyer Stephen Page acknowledged the work done on the reforms by the former Bligh Labor government, saying the move was a wonderful achievement.



You dont have to be in family law very long to realise that sexuality is not the important thing, its the quality of parenting, Page said.



Weve signed up to the international convention on the rights of the child and if were serious about that, the best interests of the child, we have to assess for each child who are the best carers and it shouldnt be based on sexuality.



Shelley Argent, national spokeswoman for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays welcomed the move, saying that extended family members, not just parents, will enjoy the official recognition of family ties.



What happens so often, people who are opposed to same-sex couples having children, they forget its not just the parents and the child, its grandparents and extended family, Argent said.



For us, thats extremely important to know that we now will officially have these children in our life.



The proposed changes will allow more information to be given to adoptees, making it easier for step parents to adopt and removing the offence for breaches of no contact provisions for adoptions before 1991.



A person faces up to two years jail if seeking contact with an adoptee or birth parent who has told the department of communities they dont want to be contacted, The Guardian reported.



[Its] about time that Queensland caught up with Australian states and territories, Fentiman said.
More than 70 students and lawyers from 12 top firms came together at Queensland University of Technology on the weekend for a 52-hour hackathon, pitching ideas with the potential to impact the legal field.In an event called Disrupting Law which was created by the QUT Starters and The Legal Forecast, students from diverse fields such as law, business, design and IT developed and pitched ideas with the help of lawyers from top firms.The student participants then presented their ideas to a Shark Tank style panel of entrepreneurs and legal professionals.The firm said it is proud to support The Legal Forecast, a nonprofit organisation founded by McCullough Robertson lawyer Tegun Middleton and clerk Milan Gandhi, in 2015.The organisation aims to encourages young lawyers to consider the role of innovation in improving the practice of law, the legal system and access to justice for everyday Australians, McCullough Robertson said.As a firm we have always been prepared to do things differently in order to create positive change. A big part of our ethos is our deep and hands on links to our community across a range of initiatives, particularly those that allow our people to make a real difference outside of work, said McCullough Robertson Innovation Chair Kristen Podagiel.
Immigration officials at international airports in Australia need to be vigilant as the country is still being targeted by people trying to enter the country to work illegally, it is claimed.According to officials from the Australian Border Force (ABF), it is important to interview people under suspicion to determine that they are who they say they are and have the necessary documentation to enter the country. Just a few days ago they stopped 44 Malaysian nationals attempting to enter Australia to work illegally. Twelve of the individuals arrived at Perth Airport on 30 July and another 32 arrived at Gold Coast Airport.Both groups arrived on flights from Kuala Lumpur and all 44 individuals were returned to Kuala Lumpur within 24 hours of their arrival.On arrival, the individuals were interviewed by ABF officers to determine their intentions while visiting Australia. During these interviews, ABF officers ascertained that the individuals intended to work illegally and were therefore detained and removed.Assistant Commissioner Strategic Border Command, Clive Murray, said the successful removals showed the dedication and vigilance of ABF officers in protecting Australia's interests at the border.'People who come here to work must do so in the appropriate way and they should be in no doubt that the Australian Border Force will diligently enforce our border laws,' he said.'These removals show that ABF officers take this responsibility very seriously and will continue to stop illegal workers from entering Australia,' he pointed out.'If you wish to come to Australia to work, you must apply through the appropriate avenues. If you fail to do so, you will be stopped and returned to your country of origin,' he added.He also pointed out that strong penalties may apply for people found to be facilitating the entry of illegal workers into Australia, including up to 10 years imprisonment.
Mathew, who assumed the top role in May 2015, will be replaced by Mahindra Reva COO Mahesh Babu.

Arvind Mathew, the chief executive officer of homegrown carmaker Mahindra & Mahindras electric vehicle subsidy Mahindra Reva, is set to step down from the top position.



Mathew will be replaced by Mahesh Babu, who has been the chief operating officer of the electric car company since January 2015. Babu was instrumental in developing the XUV500 and was its project head. Meanwhile, Mathew may take on a new role within the Mahindra Group.



Mathew had taken over from Reva founder, Chetan Maini on May 1, 2015, who had resigned from his post as the head of the electric car company. Currently, Maini has almost no active role in the company. In fact, he is more of an advisor to Anand Mahindra, chairman of the Mahindra Group.



A former managing director of Ford India, Mathew came to Mahindra with over two decades of experience with the US carmaker, where he was involved in the development of new vehicles and powertrain programme. Before joining Mahindra Reva, he held the position of CEO, Tata Advanced Materials Ltd.



Mahindra Reva, which recently branded itself as Mahindra Electric, is Indias only electric car company. Sales of electric vehicles grew 37.5 percent to 22,000 units in the year ending March 2016, up from 16,000 units in 2014-15, according to Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV). Of these, only 2,000 units were four-wheelers.



Mahindra Reva recently launched its zero-emissions sedan e-Verito in key cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Nagpur at a price of Rs 9.50 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
With Jeep to officially be introduced in our market on August 30, 2016 we take a look at some interesting facts about the Grand Cherokee SUV.

Fiat India has been mulling over bringing the Jeep brand to India for over three years now. The company, however, has been clear about the product line-up that'll be introduced here. It will comprise of the hardcore off-roader Wrangler Unlimited and the uptown Grand Cherokee. The latter will also be made available in a smoking hot SRT version apart from the standard diesel variant. So here are five little nuggets of information about the Cherokee:

Its a Merc underneath

This may come as a surprise, but the Grand Cherokee is underpinned by the platform that underpins the 2012 Mercedes ML-class, the car better known now as the GLE-class. This unibody platform, however, has been tailor-made for the Grand Cherokee and Jeep claims its structure is 146 percent more rigid than the previous-generation Grand Cherokee.

Powerful motors, impressive hardware

The 3.0-litre V6 diesel motor used in the Grand Cherokee is developed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies and Italian engine manufacturer VM Motori. This engine makes 243hp of maximum power and 570Nm of torque. Its one of the smoothest diesels around and it's barely audible in the cabin. But, if you like your SUV to bring with it some drama, then the SRT version will fit the bill. After all, it houses a massive 6.4-litre Hemi engine which churns out 475.8hp and 630Nm which can catapult this two-tonne monster from 0-100kph in just five seconds.

Genuine off-road ability

Unlike most other luxury SUV makers, Jeep hasnt gone soft with the Grand Cherokee. Theres a low-range transfer case and this car can genuinely surprise you with its off-road ability. Apart from the low-range box, there are five driving modes to choose from  Mud, Rock, Sand, Snow and Auto. Each of these modes will get the electronics to work hard providing optimum traction and engine response based on the situation.

One crore rupee question

With the cars being CBUs imported from USA plant expect prices to be on the higher side. The Grand Cherokee is likely to be priced in the region of Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1 crore, and thats quite a big ask. This also means that the SRT version could be priced around Rs 1.5 crore, which seems better considering the BMW X5 M costs Rs 1.62 crore before taxes in New Delhi. But, given the limited sales and service outlets of Jeep in India and the relative brand ignorance, it may prove tough for the brand to attract buyers to the showroom.

Update on its way

The Grand Cherokee will be updated again sometime this year. The changes are more likely to be cosmetic with a few additions to the equipment list. Being CBUs we are surely to get these examples eventually, but for now it will be the current versions that will be sold in India.


As previously announced, the Fisker Karma is reborn under the name of Karma Revero , and its makers now want to start selling them through a dedicated network of franchised dealers, which will span across the United States of America. The brand is controlled by the Chinese at Wanxiang Group, the same corporation that manages battery maker A123 The first ten dealers are supposed to be opened by the end of this year. Instead of regular dealerships, the company funded by Chinese investors will appeal for the concept of brand experience centers, which will let sales staff tell the story of the enterprise.Tesla applies this strategy with success, as it has a friendly retail experience. Tesla dealers are not franchised, but owned by the automaker, which will not be the case with Karma The automaker that used to be known as Fisker Automotive will open franchised dealerships in facilities that already sell high-end vehicles, like Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, and Rolls-Royce, Automotive News notes.The move has multiple purposes behind it, but a lower overall investment and access to a list of wealthy clients are the biggest advantages to the franchised dealerships shared with other brands.Jim Tailor, Karmas Chief Marketing Officer, has explained that the trained sales personnel in the franchised dealerships already understand high-end customers, so that the sale of new models from Karma will not be a challenge for them.Furthermore, the selected locations will also get business on the servicing side of the automotive industry, as they will also repair Fisker Karma models, not just the cars planned by Karma The first Karma dealership is scheduled to open in Orange County, California, on September 8, 2016. Expect the company to publish teaser images throughout August. We will post them as soon as they are online.We must note that the new model will not look significantly different from the existing Fisker Karma cars, but the badges and logos will not be kept. Furthermore, the new car will be more expensive than the Fisker Karma used to be, as it will be priced above $100,000.
Urmson was reportedly unhappy with the projects leadership, according to the New York Times. While this information has not been confirmed, as it came from two former Google employees that prefer to remain unnamed.The same sources claimed that Chris Urmson quarreled with Larry Page regarding the high-level hire and the new direction of the self-driving car project. All these details are focused on rumors that come from an unnamed source, which was not commented by Google representatives.Concerning the change in leadership, Google recently hired John Krafcik , former chief executive and president of Hyundai America, to lead the Google car project . The hire of Krafcik was supposed to help bring the self-driving car division to a more commercial vision, which would help Google make money from the deal.Chris Urmson joined the American company in 2009 to help create the project, which was started by Google to deal with matters like the autonomous car project He began his stint at the head of the Technology Department of the self-driving car project after Sebastian Thrun, the founder of the Google X laboratory, left the company in 2013. Thrun is a computer scientist educated at Stanford, and he was also the leader of the autonomous driving car team from Google before Urmson.As The New York Times notes, a spokesperson for Alphabet , the company that operated Google X laboratory, has already confirmed that Mr. Urmson was planning to leave the corporation.The company representative has described Chris Urmson as a vital force for the self-driving car project, and his work has propelled the team move from the research phase to a point where the technology is close to become a day-to-day reality.
The accomplishment has come after a $12 million investment in the citys wastewater plant. Automakers like Toyota and Mitsubishi, as well as the Kyushu University, were also involved in the research, engineering, development, and building work on the facilitys new feature.Even though the station is only operated for 12 hours a day, it makes enough hydrogen to fuel 65 Fuel Cell Vehicles each day. According to the Star Advertiser , the plant could produce enough hydrogen to fuel 600 vehicles each day, once it manages to use all the biogas it generates.The hydrogen obtained from this plant comes from biogas, a combination of methane and carbon dioxide. The latter elements originate from the breakdown of organic matter found in the sewage system. The technology is inherently renewable , and does not seem to depend on fossil fuels in any way, at least in the processing part.Japan is ahead of everyone else in the field of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, while Germany is coming in second from a significant distance. The Land of the Rising Sun already has two automakers that have revealed and launched (in some markets) production vehicles that operate on electric power obtained from hydrogen.The country has a reported 80 fuel stations for hydrogen vehicles, which is four times more than what the state of California has developed so far. Meanwhile, Germany is in the middle, with a reported 50 hydrogen fuel stations.However, one of Japans hydrogen fuel stations is powered by a citys sewage plant, an unmatched feat in the field of eco-friendly motoring. The same biogas could also be used in other countries to source methane, which can be utilized as fuel for both conventional vehicles that have been converted to run on it, as for home appliances.As Yoshikazu Tanaka, the chief engineer of the Toyota Mirai project has explained, sewage sludge is completely untapped today as a fuel source, which means that the technology is promising, and it has the possibility of bringing ultimate self-sustainability to communities.
Didi Chuxing has acquired all assets of Uber China. Photo courtesy of Uber.

Didi Chuxing, a China-based ride-sharing company, has announced a strategic agreement with Uber. In this agreement, Didi will acquire all assets of Uber China  including its business operations and data for operation within mainland China.

This transaction signals a new stage in the development of China's ride-share industry, according to the company.



In exchange for the Uber China assets, Uber will receive 5.89% of the combined company with preferred equity interest, which is equal to a 17.7% economic interest in Didi. In addition, Baidu and other Chinese shareholders will receive a 2.3% economic interest in Didi, according to the company.

Under the agreement, Didi will also obtain a minority equity interest in Uber. Cheng Wei, founder and chairman of Didi, will join the board of Uber. Travis Kalanick, founder of Uber, will join the board of Didi.



Additional terms were not disclosed. With this transaction, Didi becomes the only company with common investments from Tencent, Alibaba, and Baidu, according to the company.

Here are some more details under the agreement:

 Uber China will maintain independent branding and business operations to ensure stability and continuity of service for passengers and drivers.

 Didi will integrate the managerial and technological experience and expertise of the two teams.

 Didi will work with regulators, peers, and stakeholder groups to continue educating the market in support of the growth of China's mobile internet industry and the nation's economic development program.

 Didi will continue to work with global partners in connecting local resources to create the best possible cross-border ridesharing experience for their users.



"Didi Chuxing and Uber have learned a great deal from each other over the past two years in China's burgeoning new economy, said Cheng Wei, founder and CEO of Didi Chuxing. As a technology leader deeply rooted in China, Didi Chuxing is constantly pushing the frontier of innovation to redefine the future of human mobility. This agreement with Uber will set the mobile transportation industry on a healthier, more sustainable path of growth at a higher level. Didi Chuxing commits all our energy to work with regulators, users, and partners to meet the transportation, environmental, and employment challenges of our cities."
Peter Lubig Photo

The Coulson Air Tankers Martin Mars is back at its home base in British Columbia after being damaged in an accident at AirVenture 2016. CEO Wayne Coulson told AVweb the aircraft flew from Lake Winnebago to Port Alberni last Tuesday with temporary repairs to holes in the hull. The plane was immediately pulled to dry land on dollies after landing at its base on Sproat Lake, near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. We actually pulled one of the patches off on takeoff, said Coulson. The hull was punctured on an aborted takeoff (engine manifold pressure warning) after the aircraft had picked up more than 70,000 pounds of water in Lake Winnebago for its firefighting demonstration at AirVenture. The hull scraped the bottom of the shallow lake while the crew tried to taxi the aircraft back to the AirVenture seaplane base. Coulson said the ruptures are on the aircrafts keel and will be difficult to repair. There is no timeline on the repairs

The mishap marred an otherwise successful trip for the aircraft, which is the largest operational flying boat in the world. Coulson is trying to sell the plane, known as the Hawaii Mars, for $3 million because it no longer has the firefighting contracts needed to keep the airplane flying. He said the company got about 15 sales leads and is entertaining four from entities that intend to keep the historic aircraft flying. He said some of the interested parties also want Coulsons other flying boat, the Philippine Mars, which has been painted in U.S. Navy livery for a potential deal with the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. That deal has been tied up in government red tape on both sides of the border and the museum is also concerned that it doesnt have hangar space for the giant aircraft, Coulson said.
A change in tax law in 2005 has resulted in a loss of $1 billion to $2 billion to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, the Government Accountability Office said in a report released today. The amounts lost to the Trust Fund as revealed today by the GAO are simply staggering, said Andrew Priester, chairman for NATA. Consider how many new runways, instrument approaches, or additional air traffic control towers could have been built, had this money been available for its intended purpose.The 2005 law directs fuel taxes directly into the Highway Trust Fund, and then vendors of aviation fuel must file paperwork to ensure the funds are transferred to the airport and airway fund. However, the process for vendors to file the paperwork is time-consuming, the GAO found, and the refunds they can qualify for are too small to provide an incentive. As a result, the fund transfers arent being made.

The GAO said the tax law was changed to discourage the use of jet fuel for nonaviation purposes, but industry representatives say diversion has always been rare or nonexistent, since the higher cost of aviation fuel would negate any tax advantages. IRS officials told the GAO that since 2006, jet fuel diversion has virtually ceased. The GAO also found that engine technology improvements and fuel composition changes since 2007 limit incentives for jet-fuel diversion. The GAO didnt make any recommendations. NATA said Congress should repeal the 2005 provision that triggered the loss of aviation tax dollars.
8 August 2016 13:14 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills expressed his concern about reports that Armenian activists are being detained by police without any explanation. He made the statement on August 5 during a meeting with the Chairman of Helsinki Committee of Armenia, human rights defender Avetik Ishkhanyan.

In the early hours of August 4, following a rally, the police without explanation detained 25 activists, Mills said. Both the Helsinki Committee of Armenia and the U.S. Embassy are deeply concerned about credible allegations of use of disproportionate force by the police against activists and choosing as the target the journalists working there.

The Armenian government detains and arrests their citizens and opposition members mostly with no reason. I was detained without any grounds and then released because of lacking any argument for crime. We are subjected to political persecution, said Yeghishe Petrosyan, member of the Anti-Crisis Initiative Council. He believes that members of the Council were arrested for isolation and not letting people the right to freedom of speech: Our children were isolated and they take every effort to prevent organization of rallies and protests.

For the same reason, members of Hello Yerevan! fraction Armen Martirosyan, Hovsep Khurshudyan, and David Sanasaryan were also arrested by the Armenian Police.

Meanwhile, Armenians demand the resignation of the head of Yerevan Police.

Actions, which started on July 17 by Sasna Tsrer, became the reason for protests, demonstrations and processions in Yerevan and other cities of the country. In the course of these events, the police treated people illegally and rudely, forgetting about their responsibilities of maintaining law and order without violating and restricting the rights of citizens. That can be evidenced from many videos that appeared on the Internet. The fraction Hello Yerevan! condemned the actions of Armenian Police and demanded the resignation of the head of Police of Yerevan.

To support the armed group Sasna Tsrer and express demands against the government, this weekend Armenians held another rally on the Freedom square in Yerevan. Next rally was declared to be held in the evening of August 8, at 19:30. We will gather here again in the evening of August 8 and 9, said one of the speakers of the rally.

To date, 12 people affected by the events continue receiving treatment in hospitals of Yerevan.

On July 17, a group of armed men entered the territory of the Armenian police patrol department in the Erebuni district of Yerevan and took several people hostage. The attackers demanded the release of Armenian opposition figure Jirair Sefilyan, who was arrested nearly a month ago on charges of illegal possession of arms. They also demanded resignation of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

Following the long-lasting talks, the armed group on July 23 released all of the hostages. Nevertheless, they refused to lay arms down and surrender to the authorities. On July 27, the group took new hostages. They were four ambulance doctors who arrived at the police station to assist the wounded in the shootout between the police and Sasna Tsrer members. By July 31, they were also released, and the armed group surrendered. The two-week seizure took lives of two Armenian police officers.

From the first day of the seizure, Armenian people started their protest actions against authorities by gathering on Yerevans streets. Following the rally in Sari Tagh district of Yerevan, the police brutally dispersed the protesters and arrested 165 people. As a result, 73 citizens addressed medical institutions with injuries of varying degrees of severity. Currently, 15 of them still stay in hospitals.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 16:01 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

On Monday Baku will see the historical event in the region, as the heads of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran will hold a trilateral meeting for the first time in the Azerbaijani capital.



Holding a trilateral summit was suggested by President Ilham Aliyev during a telephone conversation with Putin in February, RIA Novosti reports.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that "this is the first trilateral meeting at the level of leaders" and "relevance of this format is quite obvious". He noted that the three countries "are faced with similar challenges" in the filed of economy and security, as well as counter terrorism.

A draft declaration of the meeting includes a wide range of discussions.

Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan have agreed to strengthen cooperation in various spheres of economy, energy and transport, according to a draft declaration obtained by RIA Novosti.

The parties intend to strengthen comprehensive cooperation in various sectors of the economy based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.



The parties reaffirm the importance of further strengthening regional and international cooperation in the field of protection and promotion of investment and underline the need to maintain a favorable environment, including the improvement of banking cooperation, which will facilitate the implementation of investment projects and attraction of new technologies, read the draft declaration the leaders of the three countries plan to approve following the summit in Baku.

It is also noted that in order to contribute to the economic growth of the region and international energy security, the parties intend to intensify cooperation in the field of energy and transport with the aim to develop regional and international energy and transport corridors.

The parties emphasize the need for contribution by Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia into the stable functioning of regional and international natural gas markets and advocate a better cooperation in this area, including through the transfer of technologies in the sphere of development of transportation and gas delivery, according to the document.

In this context, the three countries intend to continue strengthening cooperation and interaction both within the framework of international organizations and in bilateral, as well as trilateral formats, the document read.

Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan will take measures on the development of transportation infrastructure, including the North-South international transportation corridor.

The sides intend to support efforts to integrate regional transportation and communication opportunities aimed at creating an economically profitable and environmentally friendly transportation infrastructure, says the declaration that should be approved by the three countries leaders on the results of the summit.

The parties intend to take effective steps for the development of transportation and communication infrastructure in order to improve the existing passenger and goods transportation capacity along with the North-South international transportation corridor, according to the declaration.

It is also noted that Moscow, Tehran and Baku intend to further contribute to the implementation of new projects on the connection of railways as a part of the development and improvement of the North-South international transportation corridors efficiency.

The North-South transportation corridor is meant to connect Northern Europe to South-East Asia. It will serve as a link connecting the railways of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia.

At the initial stage, the North-South corridor will transport 5 million tons of cargo per year with further expansion of transportation to over 10 million tons.

Legal status of the Caspian Sea will be another important issue on the agenda, as the three countries recognize the importance of the early adoption of convention.

Considering the Caspian Sea as the sea of peace, friendship, security and cooperation, the parties recognize the importance of the early adoption of the convention on its legal status, according to the declaration, which must be approved by the leaders of the three countries following the summit in Baku.

According to a draft declaration, Moscow, Tehran and Baku have urged the international community to join efforts in the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.

The sides are determined to counter terrorism, extremism, cross-border crime, illegal arms trade, drug trafficking, human trafficking and crime in the sphere of ICT, according to the draft declaration.

The sides urge the international community to join efforts to effectively address these challenges and threats to international stability and security under the central coordinating role of the UN, read the declaration, which must be approved by the leaders of the three countries following the summit in Baku.

It is also noted that the parties strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, note the importance of bilateral and trilateral consultations to exchange views on the development of the situation and work out measures to effectively combat terrorism.

The parties recognize that unresolved conflicts in the region are a major obstacle to regional cooperation, and in this regard stress the importance of their early settlement through negotiations and based on principles and norms of international law, according to the draft declaration.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 15:55 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Income of Russian companies from the investments made in Azerbaijan has already amounted to $2 billion, Azerbaijan's Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev said, while addressing the enlarged session of the Russian-Azerbaijani and Azerbaijani-Russian business councils.

Investments of Russia in Azerbaijan worth billions of dollars. Some $325 million of the total volume of investments was made in the non-oil sector of economy while investments made in the oil sector of the country totaled $2.8 biillion. Income of Russian companies has already amounted to $2 billion, he said.

He said that bilateral relations between the two countries are developing steadily in all directions underlining the spheres of economy and mutual investments.

Azerbaijan-Russia relations are developing successfully  our countries are strategic partners, noted the minister.

Mustafayev also mentioned that Azerbaijan is aimed at increasing export and investments to Russia.

Mutual investments and the trade turnover are growing year by year and it pleases us, but our potential is much greater, he added.

He also underlined that Azerbaijan is currently engaged in the development of non-oil sector and attraction of foreign investments to the country. "Russian market is of great importance for us, therefore, we should increase export potential of the country and stimulate export to Russia."

Highlighting the cooperation between Azerbaijan state energy giant SOCAR and Russian Gazprombank the minister said that the Russian company has issued a credit for the construction of plants SOCAR Polymer and petrochemical complex.

Minister also mentioned that the two countries are also involved in the creation of P-Pharm Company on the production of medicines.

Petr Fradkov, chairman of the Russian-Azerbaijani business council, in turn said that the council is planning to initiate implementation of about 5 join projects in 2016. He mentioned that the council has a preliminary plan of activities for the remaining part of 2016, regardless the fact that it was established in May, 2016. He also mentioned that the Russian export center has so far rendered its support for the implementation of 10 projects worth over $380 million.

Alexey Ulyukaev, Russias Minister of Economic Development and Trade said that the physical volume of export of Azerbaijani goods to Russia increased significantly in 2016.

Trade between our countries experiences a number of difficulties due to the fluctuation of exchange rates and decrease in energy prices. But along with this it should be noted that the physical volume of export of Azerbaijani goods to Russia, in particular of crop production, has grown. We attach great importance to the expansion of economic cooperation with Azerbaijan, he said.

Russian-Azerbaijani partnership is regarded as an important factor of regional stability.

Azerbaijan ranks fifth in Russia's foreign trade with the CIS countries (following Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan). At the same time, Russia is also considered to be a leading importer of Azerbaijani goods. Some 600 Russian companies are operating in Azerbaijan.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia totaled $739.8 million in January-May 2016, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee. Overall volume of Russian investments in the country amounts to $3 billion.

Some 170 agreements, with 50 being in the sphere of economy have been so far concluded between the two countries.

The country is in the first place among importers from Azerbaijan with a share of 18.3 percent ($609.6 million), while in the list of exporters Russia ranks the 8th with the amount of $130.2 million (with specific weight of 4.27 percent).

--

Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 17:40 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia may strengthen their trilateral cooperation in fight against terrorism, said Mohsen Pak Aein, Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan. Highlighting the issue of stirring up of trilateral cooperation in the sphere of anti-terrorism, the ambassador mentioned that the three countries are highly interested in cooperation in this sphere.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the countries have very good prospects of activization of anti-terrorist and anti-drug cooperation in a trilateral format, Ria Novosti reported.

Putin talking to Azertag mentioned that the countries are certainly disturbed by the two major hotbeds of instability - Afghanistan and the Middle East, in the immediate vicinity of their boundaries. The threat of international terrorism and cross-border crime, the flow of drugs, arms smuggling, and movement of militants are coming from there.

The countries have also urged the international community to join efforts in the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, according to a draft declaration obtained by RIA Novosti.

The countries are determined to counter terrorism, extremism, cross-border crime, illegal arms trade, drug trafficking, human trafficking and crime in the sphere of ICT. It is also noted that the parties strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The parties recognize that unresolved conflicts in the region are a major obstacle to regional cooperation, and in this regard stress the importance of their early settlement through negotiations and based on principles and norms of international law, according to the draft declaration.

President of Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran will held a trilateral meeting in Baku on August 8.Holding the trilateral Baku summit was offered by Azerbaijani president in February during a phone conversation with the Russian president.

Yuriy Ushakov, assistant of the Russian president earlier mentioned that the meeting will be the first one held in trilateral format, therefore, the importance of the meeting is obvious. He mentioned that the countries face similar challenges in the spheres of economy, security and counter terrorism.

--

Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 12:44 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

The 8th International Music Festival, gifting unforgettable seven days of mesmerizing music festive, came to an end in one of the beautiful corners of Azerbaijan -- Gabala on August 5.

This musical event has long gone beyond the boundaries of Azerbaijan to gain an international recognition.

Music has the power to fascinate people of different nationalities, languages, and religions. The way, how wonderful Azerbaijani music takes the soul, demonstrates to the world the cultural wealth of the nation. The same was experienced this time as well. Enchanting with its picturesque nature, ancient Gabala again reunited music lovers.

Until recently, few people knew about the existence of Gabala and now the 2,500-year-old ancient city is the center of attention of music enthusiasts. Within a few days Gabala turned into a musical capital of Azerbaijan. It has been eight years since the city hosts an international music festival.

The closing ceremony saw performance of Ukrainian Chamber Orchestra Kyiv virtuosi.

The concert featured works by Rossini, Mascagni, Shilkloper, Leoncavallo, Mozart and Bizet. The festival ended with the performance of the Mardan aria from opera "Motherland" by great Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev and Hajiyev as well as "Azerbaijan" composition by Muslim Magomayev.

Sharing his impression on the music event Director of Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Murad Adigozalzade, said that Gabala International Music Festival is a cultural event of great importance in promoting the national music in the world.

This year, the program was very eventful. Every day there were two concerts presenting different pieces of music, he told Azertac.

The musician noted that politics, sports, economy and culture play the main role in shaping the image of Azerbaijan. From this point of view holding such a grand musical festival outside the capital, in the resort area is an important event.

Around the world, large cities are gradually losing the status of the festival capitals, and this place is occupied by picturesque small town where art and nature very successfully compliments with each other. Gabala International Music Festival, held for the past eight years, is a clear proof of that. Here only musical rhythms disturb the silence of the majestic mountains, surrounded by thick forests. In the days of the Gabala festival classical music lovers had the opportunity to listen to the outstanding works by world-renowned musicians. On the daily concerts, excellent performance of the famous works by great composers gave the audience some unforgettable milestones. I am confident that the upcoming festival will continue this success," Adigozlazade said.

The 4th International Competition of Young Pianists, held as part of the 8th International Music Festival also announced its winners.

Azerbaijan`s Vurgun Vekilov and Russian Anna Kavalerova became winners of the competition. Azerbaijani pianists Tofig Shikhiyev and Russian Yevgeniya Antonova shared the second place. No one won the third place. Rashid Behbudov and Atabala Manafzade were awarded certificates for distinguished performance.

All winners were awarded certificates and prize money.

Headed by Oksana Yablonskaya, the jury panel of the contest consisted of Farkhad Badalbeyli, Murad Adgozalzade, Irina Starodub, Valida Suk and Maryam Maleki.

World-renowned pianist Oksana Yablonskaya, shared her impressions about the piano competition. I`m very happy that we have so many young talents at this contest. They show off their skills together with celebrated pianists, she added.

An honorary academician of the UN International Art Academy and US Julianne Music Academy professor, Yablonskaya also hailed excellent organization of the Gabala festival.



Music lovers show great interest in this festival. My performance together with Ukrainian Kyiv virtuosi chamber orchestra was given a standing ovation from the audience, she told Azertac, adding that the Azerbaijani people have very beautiful music and great composers.

With its greatness the festival won the deep respect of foreign and local musicians. From July 30 to August 5, prominent musicians, art ensembles, soloists and conductors from Azerbaijan, Austria, Bulgaria, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, the U.S., Italy, France, Spain, Israel, Lithuania and Cuba demonstrated their skills to the audience.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 18:22 (UTC+04:00)

A grand demonstration of modern weaponry and technology, a show of the force and power of the national defence - the 2nd Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition, ADEX 2016, will be held from 27th to 30th September at Baku Expo Center.

The exhibition will provide a good opportunity to present the latest and unique developments of the defence industry to the professional community, and to exchange experiences. ADEX is also a unique dialogue platform for representatives of the defence authorities of various countries, inventors and experts. The exhibition is visited by tens of official delegations from near-and far-abroad countries. The most important aspect of the exhibition is support provided by the Azerbaijani leadership. In his appeal to the participants of ADEX 2014, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said: I believe that the fruitful meetings and business negotiations that will be held at this exhibition will contribute to the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation and will play a key role in turning the market of existing modern technologies into the arena of fair competition.

The initiator and organizer of the exhibition is the Ministry of Defence Industry of Azerbaijan Republic. The exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Caspian Event Organisers (CEO) is among the organizers of the ADEX exhibition.

The enormous interest manifested in the ADEX 2014 exhibition on the part of international delegations and companies once again confirms the high role and significance of Azerbaijan as an important strategic partner and as a symbol of trusting relationships in the region. At the request of the exhibitors in 2016, the organizers extended the work of the exhibition up to 4 days. To date, more than 150 companies have confirmed their participation in ADEX 2016. Israel, China, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey and France booked their exhibition area under the national stands. Among the companies to confirm their participation in the exhibition in 2016, are such companies as Aselsan, CETC, Damen, MBDA, Norinco, IAI, Roketsan, Rosoboronexport, Thales and others. The registration sponsor of Exhibition is the Undersecretary for Turkish Defense Industries.

Also, the organizers of the exhibition have received many requests from companies for participation on behalf of the world's manufacturers, who did not participate in the previous exhibition. Media representatives are greatly interested in the exhibition. The media support to the exhibition is provided by leading specialized magazines, websites and news agencies. General information partner is IHS Jane's Defence Weekly (UK), Official Online Show Daily is Army Recognition (Belgium). The media partner is the magazine Azeri Defence (Azerbaijan).

The domestic defence industry will be represented by a national pavilion of Azerbaijan, where the enterprises of the Ministry of Defence Industry of Azerbaijan will demonstrate different kinds of defence products and special-purpose weapons and ammunition.

In general, the demonstration of the achievements in the following areas is planned at the exhibition: air defence systems and facilities, equipment and armament of the Land Forces and the Air Forces, military aviation arms, property and special-purpose funds, information technologies, space technologies, administrative and technical support of the army.

A distinctive feature of this exhibition project is a full-scale demonstration in the framework of a unified concept of a rescue, protection and defence means, security technology systems, industrial and transportation security, protection of information and communication, a wide range of modern fire safety.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a comprehensive business program: seminars, presentations and numerous bilateral meetings with heads of industry ministries, manufacturers and customers. Thus, the exhibition will be an excellent platform to showcase the latest weapons and for the conclusion of new agreements in the field of international military-technical cooperation.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 13:47 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has praised Azerbaijan and Russia for their positive approach with relation to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).



Zarif made the remarks while in Baku, accompanying Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on a two-day official visit.



Under the sanctions, Irans relations with neighbors were affected less than with others. However, with the onset of the nuclear talks, Irans neighbors also took a more active approach to Iran, Zarif told Trend on August 7.



The JCPOA was implemented on January 16 followed by a nuclear deal last year curbing Iran's nuclear program in return for the removal of international sanctions.



Of those neighbors which expanded their relations with Iran more than any other, Azerbaijan and Russia are notable, he said.



Our relations with these two countries grew by degrees both during the nuclear talks and after the JCPOA, Zarif said.



The two countries heads have exchanged many visits in the past three years and tomorrow the three countries will hold their first [trilateral] meeting, Zarif noted.



Iran's President Rouhani, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russia's President Vladimir Putin are to meet on Aug. 8 in Baku.



Zarif went on to say that thanks to the JCPOA, now the three counties can enjoy a great extent of cooperation, while under the sanctions there were many problems for Iran especially for cooperation in energy and transit sectors.



Azerbaijan and Iran cooperate in a major international North-South transportation corridor project. The corridor is meant to connect Northern Europe to South-East Asia. It will serve as a link connecting the railways of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia.



Ealier in the day, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told Rouhani, We attach great importance to your visit. I am confident that this visit will be very successful and will give a new impetus to the development of our relations.



A ceremony of signing several documents was held after the expanded meeting with Aliyev and Rouhani on the same day. The MoUs specified cooperation in industry, banking, transport, science, tourism, culture, etc. Tehran and Baku signed 11 MoUs upon Aliyevs visit to Tehran February 23.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 12:55 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Iran has urged cooperation with Caspian Sea littoral states, Azerbaijan in particular, to fight the environmental damages that threaten the sea.

There have been four protocols to a convention that was signed in 2003 on protecting the environment, only one of which has been implemented. We hope that through cooperation with Azerbaijan, we will manage to carry out the rest, Irans vice president and Environment Department chief Masumeh Ebtekar told Trend August 8.

The most urgent need is to think something about the contamination of the water that is caused by oil explorations in the area. We should make due arrangements to create rapid response facilities to be used to contain pollutions upon maritime accidents, she said while in Baku accompanying President Hassan Rouhani on a two-day visit.

In this trip we insisted that the convention be activated and start operation as soon as possible.

The Caspian Sea is a closed body of water. It has had a rich variety of aquatic creatures, which is still partially the case, but it has been harmed greatly.

Ebtekar noted that since the two neighbor countries share large portions of the coastline, their environmental efforts will be vital to the Caspian Sea. In Iran some 10 million people live in the vicinity of the Caspian coastline. Baku also is situated by the sea. So, the two countries can do a lot together as regards the sea, she stated.

Rouhani arrived in Baku August 7 heading a large governmental body to discuss various fields of cooperation with Azerbaijan. The two countries on the first day of the visit signed several documents for cooperation in fields varying from industries to environment, banking, transport, etc.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 16:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The Republican Seismic Survey Center (RSSC) at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) will soon sign a contract with the Geological Survey of Germany on implementation of the zoning project of Baku and Absheron Peninsula. The RSSC made the statement to Trend on August 5.

A preliminary agreement on the project was achieved at the recent meeting of the parties in Baku.

The contract for the project will be signed in mid-September of the current year between the RSSC and the Geological Survey of Germany. Details will be published by the end of the same month, the Republican Seismic Survey Center said. The project will be carried out during two years.

It will involve the creation of a map of seismic zoning of earthquake-risk zones in Baku and on the Absheron Peninsula. Zoning includes mapping of areas where seismic activity and impact on the infrastructure of water and gas supply will be measured on a point scale.

Meanwhile, the Republican Seismic Survey Center updated the software of seismic stations installed throughout the territory of Azerbaijan. The hardware and software platforms for seismic equipment were delivered by an American company Kinemetrics.

The system uses the latest version of the environmental monitoring, Antelope 5.6. Currently, the staff of RSSC passes through training on the use of new software.

The number of current seismic stations operating in Azerbaijan is 35, and they are all connected to the satellite system. The hardware platform consists of servers Aspenmac which are used in processing of data about earthquakes and their archiving.

The telemetry stations allow to conduct seismological observations and record earthquakes at close and far distance, to collect and process data about strong earthquakes on the territory of Azerbaijan and in neighboring regions. Based on this data, experts create mapping of epicenters, graphs and maps of seismic activity.

Overall, the seismogenic zones with potential to produce dangerous force cover the whole country as the Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt passes through Azerbaijan. Therefore, the country is considered to be a seismically active region  a lot of earthquakes occur across Azerbaijan every year, while majority of them are not felt.

Most seismically active zones in Azerbaijan are located in the Caspian Sea, cities of Shamakhi and Ismayilli, along the southeastern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, and in the Talysh Mountains. Since the beginning of the year, 4,849 tremors were recorded in Azerbaijan, and 57 of them were felt.

The map of potential seismogenic zones of Azerbaijan was prepared earlier to detect the risky zones of the country. The document reflects the seismic zones of the southeastern slope of the Greater Caucasus, Shamakhi-Ismayilli zone, Ganjabasar, northwestern zones including Sheki, Zagatala, Balaken, the northern zone of Guba, Siyazan, Devechi, Talysh zone, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and Azerbaijani part of the Caspian Sea.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 14:57 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Voting bulletins have been pushed for printing in Azerbaijan in connection with the forthcoming constitutional referendum, which is scheduled for September 26.

Mazahir Panahov, chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) has recently got acquainted with the process of printing, which is currently implemented in the publishing house of the parliament [Milli Majlis]. Panahov mentioned that the CEC has already defined requirements that should be applied to the text, shape, quantity and the way of printing of bulletins. The committee took a decision to print 5.280,924 million bulletins. He also mentioned that the bulletins will be directed to the district electoral committees and further to divisional election committees.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan has also published a list of media outlets that will allocate free airtime and column space for campaigns on the eve of the nationwide vote.

The free airtime and column space will be provided for groups comprising 40,000 people or over to carry out campaigns for or against the amendments proposed to the Constitution. Campaigns will be provided by Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, the Azerbaijan newspaper, the Peoples Newspaper, and the Baku Worker newspaper. The outlets as well as other TV and radio broadcasting organizations or editorial boards of periodicals will be eligible to allocate paid airtime or column space for a campaign, should send a corresponding notification to the CEC. Moreover, they should provide information about the amount of payment later than 30 days after official announcement about the decision to hold the referendum. The Commission also plans to prepare and distribute special brochures among all participants of the referendum to enable them to get acquainted with the draft referendum act.

The commission has already approved planned schedule of its activities and events connected with the referendum. Expert panel as well as working group under the CEC will be established to investigate complaints connected with the violation of electoral rights.

Amendments are proposed to 29 articles of the Constitution.

The changes envisage extension of the presidential term from five to seven years, establishment of the first vice-president and vice-president positions in the country as well as abolishment of minimum age limit for presidential candidates, dissolution of parliament by the President.

Additionally, according to the proposed amendments, persons who have the right to participate in the parliamentary elections (at the age of 18) can be elected to the Parliament. Previously, the age limit for being nominated for the participation in parliamentary elections was 25 years.

The Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan approved the draft amendments to the Constitution at its meeting on July 25. The Court concluded that the changes proposed by President Ilham Aliyev are in line with the requirements of the Constitution of Azerbaijan and may be put up for a nationwide vote. President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on holding a referendum on amendments to the countrys constitution on September 26, 2016. Final results of the Referendum will be announced till October 21.

The last time changes to the Constitution were made seven years ago, following Constitutional referendum held in 2009.

--

Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 19:10 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Iran considers it necessary to expand energy cooperation with Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR, said the Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Namdar Zangeneh at a meeting with the President of SOCAR Rovnag Abdullayev in Baku on August 8.

Rovnag Abdullayev mentioned rapid and successful development of relations between the two countries, which even more accelerated after President Ilham Aliyev paid an official visit to Iran this February.

President of SOCAR also expressed confidence that the official visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Azerbaijan will mark a new stage in the development of bilateral relations. It was noted that relations between SOCAR and Iranian oil and gas companies recently became more intense.

Zangeneh, for his part, noted that Iran attaches great importance to expansion of relations with neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan. He then stressed the need of strengthening economic relations, particularly in the field of energy cooperation.

The sides further discussed issues of mutual interest and prospects of cooperation.

During the last visit of Ilham Aliyev to Tehran on February 23, officials of the two neighboring countries signed 11 documents on cooperation in transportation, cross-border transfers of electricity, health and medical sciences, customs regulations, and the trade of oil and natural gas.

Both countries will further implement already reached agreements in commerce, industry, energy, culture, banking, consular facilities and telecommunications, in particular, in railway transportation. The North-South transportation corridor, which will cross the countries, was designed to serve as a link for connecting the railways of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 12:15 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

An Iranian nuclear scientist has been executed for treason, the countrys Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said.

Shahram Amiri was executed for giving vital information to the US, Ejei said, Tasnim reported August 7.

Amiri disappeared in Saudi Arabia in 2009 and resurfaced a year later in the US, where he claimed to have been abducted and interrogated by the CIA.

After reappearing in the US in 2010, he said he had been kidnapped and put under intense psychological pressure to reveal sensitive information.

However US officials at the time said Amiri had defected of his own accord and provided useful information.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 11:33 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Turkeys post-coup attempt Democracy and Martyrs Rally will mark a fresh chapter in history, the leader of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said Sunday,Anadolu reported.

Devlet Bahceli praised the popular resistance to the July 15 attempted coup in his speech at Yenikapi Square in Istanbul.

I watch Turkey beaming with pride, there is faith here, will here, he said. A new voyage begins from Yenikapi.

He added: People stood tall, taught a lesson to the traitors and terrorists of the July 15 coup bid.

Bahceli, who controls the Turkish parliaments fourth party, said the attempted coup was a fresh attempt to invade, carry out a massacre and destroy Turkey.

He called the Fetullah Terrorist Organization, which is held responsible for the coup attempt, a cancer and called on Turks to unite against the coup plotters.

The leaders of two other political parties -- the Justice and Development (AK) Party and the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) -- are also due to address the crowd, as is President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 14:46 (UTC+04:00)

By Gunay Hasanova

Following the signed nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers, the Islamic Republic is back in the picture and it is a good opportunity to start a new page in relationship with Azerbaijan, said Nathalie Goulet, vice chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French Senate on August 7.



Goulet made the comments regarding the meeting of Azerbaijani and Iranian presidents in Baku on August 7.



Goulet also mentioned that Iran and Azerbaijan have a unique cultural proximity.



According to unofficial statistics, there are over 25 million Azerbaijanis living in Iran.



Goulet believes that topics of economic nature between Azerbaijan and Iran are important part of the cooperation between the neighboring states.



Azerbaijan and Iran cooperate in a major international North-South transportation corridor project. The corridor is meant to connect Northern Europe to South-East Asia. It will serve as a link connecting the railways of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia.

The future perspectives of North-South Transport Corridor will be discussed in the meeting as well. The route primarily involves moving freight from India, Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia via ship, rail and road. Development of the international transport corridor is expected to reduce transport costs and strengthen the trade relations between the countries.

At the initial stage, the North-South corridor will transport 5 million tons of cargo per year with further expansion of transportation to over 10 million tons.

In addition, the consequences of the meeting may positively affect the future status of the Caspian Sea.

"The two sides have reached some agreements regarding to joint activities in the Caspian Sea which can be an important step in the future of Tehran-Baku ties", said Rouhani after a meeting in Baku with President Aliyev on August 7.

Rouhani also said that he has held talks with Ilham Aliyev regarding the legal status of the Caspian Sea.

Goulet also believes that Iran may play a crucial part as a go-between in the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. Moreover, the French senator believes that Iran has to show that it doesn't have any intention to interfere in domestic policy of Azerbaijan.

Previously, President Rouhani stressed that Iran is against any change of political borders in the region.

The Iranian president further said that he has held talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart on the issue.

Iran believes that peace and stability should be established in the region, Rouhani said, adding all conflicts and problems between the countries should be settled through negotiations.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.



The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 14:15 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Vice General Manager for Asset Management for the Turkish Petkim petrochemical holding Ali Ekrem Aslan has resigned, Anadolu Agency reported on August 8.

Arslan started to work at Petkim petrochemical holding in 1993 and was appointed to the position of Vice General Manager on October 1, 2011. New appointment has not yet been made and the position remains vacant. The agency also reported that the resignation of Arslan is not related to the operation, which was carried out in Petkim against supporters of the Gulen movement.

Earlier, Vagif Aliyev, head of the board of directors of Petkim said that 27 people have been dismissed from various departments at Petkim petrochemical holding (SOCARs Turkish asset) since July 27. Moreover, former director general of Petkim petrochemical holding Sadeddin Korkut resigned and was later arrested on charges of being involved in Fethullah Gulens movement.

Among those who previously resigned are Omer Adsiz, director of public relations department at SOCAR Turkey, Ilgar Mehmetoglu, director of the companys human resources department, Cetin Korkut, director of the companys IT department, Fuat Ulagay, director of human resources department at Star refinery, Natig Damirov, assistant general manager for procurement.

Following the failed coup attempt in Turkey, the government of the country has started inspections in a number of companies operating in the country, including Petkim. The operation against supporters of Fethullah Gulen, started in Petkim on August, 2. The inspection was reported not to affect the work of the holding. Gulen, a preacher residing in the U.S. is accused of implementing the campaign to overthrow the government in Turkey.

Turkeys Energy Minister Berat Albayrak recently said that inspections conducted by the Turkish state agencies in various companies are not related to the activities of SOCAR in the country.

Azerbaijan state energy giant SOCAR began its activity in Turkey after privatization of Petkim Holding in 2008 and has been operating under brand name of SOCAR Turkey. The company was acquired by SOCAR as a result of a tender of privatization.

The shareholders are SOCAR Turkey Petrokimya A.S. - 51 percent, SOCAR Turkey Enerji A.S. - 5.3216 percent, while 43.6784 percent of shares are in free float on the stock exchange. The complex is engaged in the production of plastic packages, fabrics, detergents, and is considered to be the sole Turkish manufacturer of such products, a quarter of which is exported.

--

Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 16:26 (UTC+04:00)

By Gunay Hasanova

Early adoption of the Caspian status is expected to be one of top issues to be discussed at a trilateral meeting of leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran in Baku on August 8.

Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan recognize the importance of the early adoption of convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea, reported RIA Novosti citing a draft declaration to be adopted in Baku.

The Caspian Sea, the largest inland body of water in the world, is significant for geographical position. The countries surrounding it, the resources within the sea and its strategic location in the middle of the Eurasian continent are the main factors that give the sea its true geopolitical importance.

The Caspian Sea plays an important role in the transport corridors, along with being an important part of the international and regional projects.



During the Soviet Union, the Caspian Sea was practically an inland body of water within the boundaries of the USSR, and only on the south it washed the coast of Iran.

Determining the legal status of the Caspian Sea has become one of the problematic issues among the five littoral states such as Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan since demise of the Soviet Union.

The legal status have been remained unsolved during the past two decades, preventing development and exploitation of its disputable oil and gas fields and creating obstacles to the realization of major energy projects.

Considering the Caspian Sea as the sea of peace, friendship, security and cooperation, the parties recognize the importance of the early adoption of the convention on its legal status, according to the declaration, which must be approved by the leaders of the three countries following the summit in Baku.



Over the past three years, the connection between Iran and Azerbaijan are developing rapidly. The two countries have taken important steps for the development of bilateral cooperation, said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday, August 7 in the framework of the joint speech with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.



Exchanging views regarding the Caspian Sea, Rouhani said that Caspian Sea should be the space of peace and stability for the coastal states.
8 August 2016 17:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Gunay Hasanova

If the European Union (EU) doesnt cancel visa regime with Turkey in mid-October, Ankara wont be able to receive illegal migrants from the EU, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on August 8.

Erdogan said that the EU should keep its promise given to Ankara, TRT Haber news reported.

"Europe has never kept its promise. They still have not paid $3 billion allocated for maintenance of refugees. They cannot demand anything without fulfilling their promises," said Erdogan.

Speaking about the attempted military coup in Turkey, Erdogan noted that Ankara didnt receive the expected and necessary support from the West after the military coup attempt.

Turkish president added that the EU left Turkey alone with its problems.

The Heads of State and the EU Member States' governments agreed with Turkey upon a joint plan to combat the migration crisis in mid-March. The program is focusing on the return of illegal immigrants arriving from Greece to the territory of Turkey and accepting legal Syrian refugees in Turkey by the EU based principle of "one for one"

Currently, there are more than two million Syrian refugees in the territory of Turkey. Approximately 300,000 of them live in the camps and the rest are scattered over the Turkish provinces. Only Istanbul is host to 40,000 refugees from Syria.

Turkey has along waited for its EU membership, while each application to accede to the European Union was frustrating for the government. Turkey, holding a status of an associate member at the Economic Community -- the predecessor of the EU since 1963 -- made an official application for entry on April 14, 1987.

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. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246 people excluding the coup plotters and over 2,000 people were wounded.

Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 August 2016 18:40 (UTC+04:00)

By Gunay Hasanova

The first meeting between Turkey and Russia after the recent tension in the relations due to downed plane incident is in the center of international agenda with many milestones capable of colossal changes.

Presidents of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan and of Russia Vladimir Putin will discuss on August 9 a number of important economic and political issues, including the fight against terrorist organizations in Syria at the meeting, said the Presidential Administration of Turkey.

The presidents are expected to discuss the resumption of exports of Turkish products and the inadmissibility of re-export of the EU banned production through Turkey, RIA Novosti reported citing Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov .

Ushakov also mentioned that the Russian and Turkish presidents will discuss the issues of resumption of charter flights.

Now we are discussing the conditions of the launch of charter air travel. This will also be discussed at the level of heads of state. It is important to note that the Turkish side signed a written guarantee on fulfillment of Russian recommendations on enforcement of security measures regarding the arrival of Russian tourists to Turkish resorts.

"Increasing the number of flights to Turkey will largely depend on the adoption and implementation of recommendations to ensure security Russian tourists," said Ushakov.

Russian tourists travelling Turkey last month was down by more than 90 percent year on year, according to figures by Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Overall tourism in Turkey was down about 35 percent last month compared with the same period of last year, the ministry said.

Previously, Russia and Turkey held consultations regarding the visa-free regime with Turkey at the level of Foreign Ministries.

In addition, it is expected to discuss joint energy projects between Russia and Turkey, including the pipeline "Turkish Stream" and the construction of NPP "Akkuyu."

Earlier, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey told that Ankara could unfreeze the project of Russian gas pipeline "Turkish Stream".

Currently, this issue is under consideration, however, the exact timing of the defrosting of the project is still unknown, said the Presidential Administration.

The two leaders talked last at the summit of "Big Twenty" in Antalya last fall.

The relations began to recover after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a letter to his Russian counterpart, where he expressed condolences to the family of the deceased pilot of SU-24 and regret over the incident with the Russian aircraft.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High 78F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 48F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
Essex-based ADM Milling appears to have smashed the world record for the fastest time to turn wheat into 13 loaves of bread.

A seven-strong field to loaf team successfully completed the challenge in 12 minutes 42.32 seconds  beating the previous record of 16 minutes and 30.83 seconds.

The result is now pending authentication from the Guinness World Records.

British Bakers sales manager Sam White, who witnessed the event held in a field at Codhamhall in Brentwood, Essex this week, said: The team only had two attempts at the record. The first one failed as they did not mill enough flour to produce 13 loaves, which had to be edible, so everyone was on tenterhooks the second time around.

We were delighted when they beat the record. A huge cheer went up.

The event, attended by 50 baking industry representatives, was held in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

ADM partnered with the London hospitals childrens charity earlier this year and aims to raise100,000 to fund an enclosed isolation recovery bay in the hospitals new post-anaesthetic care unit, due to open in 2017.

VIDEO LINK: British Bakers Sam combines business with pleasure at ADMs world record field-to-loaf challenge
International coffee chain Starbucks has signed a deal with Connswater shopping centre in Belfast to open the first ever drive-thru store in Northern Ireland.

Construction work on the 3,300sq ft store in East Belfast Retail Park is due to start by the end of October and will be finished by the end of the year.

Laura McCarthy, asset manager for Killultagh Estates, which owns the shopping centre, said: The decision by Starbucks to choose Connswater as its first location in Northern Ireland for a drive-thru store demonstrates the confidence that retailers have in the scheme and its strategic location in East Belfast.

She added: We are also looking forward to the opening of Lidls new 23,000sq ft expanded store early in the New Year.

The proposed Starbucks store, still subject to planning permission, is part of a wider 200,000 investment in the area, with a landscaping project to improve access to the retail park as part of Belfast City Councils Greenway Project.

Starbucks announced in 2011 that it would open 200 drive-thrus in the UK over the next five years (source: Daily Telegraph). And a recent news report in the Aberdeen Evening Express claimed the coffee chain would be opening north-east Scotlands first drive-thru coffee shop towards the end of the year, creating 30 new jobs.

In February, Starbucks brought forward new plans to open a drive-thru cafe in Northfield on the southern outskirts of Birmingham.
U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross is in an Orlando hospital today preparing for heart surgery on Tuesday.

Rep. Ross undergoing heart procedure



Surgery is to repair birth defect



Ross expects no effects from surgery that would interrupt his running in November

Ross, 56, is having surgery to repair a birth defect that could have become life-threatening.



Ross, a Republican who represents the 15th congressional district (the northern parts of Hillsborough County and Polk County) said the planned procedure will correct a common bicuspid aortic valve birth defect.



The Senior Deputy Majority Whip, Ross released a statement before going into the hospital:



"Upon informing some of my family and friends of my scheduled surgery, many were surprised that as a lawyer and politician I even had a heart," Ross said in good spirits. "Fortunately, my doctors told me I have a good heart, and I just need a new valve and a little re-piping. I have been living with this very common defect since I was born, and I have still lived a healthy, normal and fulfilled life.



"This surgery is routine maintenance with a full recovery expected. I want to thank all of those who have sent their kind and encouraging words and prayers my way. It means the world to Cindy, my boys and me. I am already geared up and excited to get back to work and continue representing the great folks of Floridas 15th Congressional District."



Ross is running for a fourth two-year term in the Nov. 8 general election. He has no opponent in the Aug. 30 Republican primary.
A local organization took some Pasco County students on a shopping spree to buy clothes for the new school year.

Fraternal Order of Police Pasco Sheriff's Lodge 29 organized effort

Organization raised about $30,000 in four months

100 of neediest Pasco kids each had $300 to spend on clothes, shoes

The Fraternal Order of Police Pasco Sheriff's Lodge 29 raised about $30,000 in four months to take 100 of the neediest Pasco County kids shopping. Each child had $300 to spend at the Land O' Lakes Walmart on clothes, shoes, and toiletries.



The organization worked with the school district to identify which families could benefit the most from their help.



For one family in particular, the trip helped more than their wallets.



Rebekah and Greg Collins have four boys: Nathaniel Pepper, Andrew Pepper, David Collins, and Thomas Collins. Rebekah worried about paying for school supplies, let alone clothes.



"I had already been praying that God would supply, because I didn't even have money to get their notebooks, papers, and all that, let alone clothes," she said.



She got the call from River Ridge Middle School principal Marcy Lynn Hetzler-Nettles earlier this week, saying that her boys (three of which will attend River Ridge this year) will be part of the shopping spree.



"It's a blessing, it's an extreme blessing," Rebekah said. "I would not have been able to spend $50 per kid, so it's like Christmas in the middle of the year."



The act of kindness wasn't lost on the boys, who ranged from ages 8 to 14.



"It shows that there are actually people in this world that care," Nathaniel Pepper said.



"It's a whole lot of money for all four of us and it helps us really good because we need more clothes," Andrew Pepper said.

Brothers Thomas Collins (upper left), Nathaniel Pepper (upper right), Andrew Pepper (bottom left), and David Collins (bottom right) show off their favorite purchases of the day. (Amy Mariani, staff)



For Rebekah, seeing her boys shop for new clothes and feel excited for the new school year gave her some much-needed joy. She is still grieving the death of her nephew, Jacob Sayer, who drowned this past Memorial Day. She saw her nephew swim after a beach ball and never resurface.



She still can't sleep, she said, replaying what happened in her head. Today's shopping trip reminded her that there is still some good in this world.



"It's like sunshine in the rain," Rebekah said. "This is like the sun just shines through it, that beam that comes down and clears an area and makes this beautiful spot in all the darkness and gloom."
Time was when a child became a teenager they were sent out to prove themselves as a rite of passage into adulthood. Perhaps they hunted a tiger, or confronted a week alone in the jungle. Perhaps they go on a vision quest or are tattooed with dull needles.

In the United States, the rite of passage is just as daunting: Our teens apply for college.
More local school districts could decide this month to follow West Orange-Cove's plans to appeal its state education rating, as superintendents statewide protest the inclusion of this spring's flawed standardized tests in upcoming accountability ratings.

Education Commissioner Mike Morath decided to keep the STAAR test results as one of the factors in determining whether schools and districts meet state standards, despite letters from superintendents in Region 5 and across Texas asking that they be thrown out because of glitches in the tests' administration and scoring.

Those ratings will be made available to districts on Aug. 12, according to TEA spokeswoman DeEtta Culbertson, and will be publicly posted on the TEA website on Aug. 15. WOCCISD has "not received any type of official rating assignment from TEA," according to Director of Communications Lorraine Shannon but was able to predict ratings based on the STAAR scores, which have been released.

Shannon said the district used preliminary unofficial accountability ratings compiled by a another company using data from the state's testing vendor. The projections indicated a possible "improvement required" rating, which would be lower than the "met standard" rating that both West Orange-Stark High School and Middle School earned in 2015, she said.

"They're completely justified in appealing," said Region 5 Executive Director Danny Lovett. The district has traced the issue to a coding error on the cover pages of the high school end-of-course STAAR tests, which labeled them as West-Orange Stark Middle School tests instead.

Because of that, the passing rate, which is taken into account when TEA assigns the accountability ratings, was incorrect.

"There's no way that their middle or high school's ratings can be valid, there's no doubt that it makes the scores inaccurate," Lovett said.

According to Shannon, WOCCISD's projected rating is based on only 336 high school assessments, while more than twice that many were administered this spring.

Lovett said that "it was definitely a mistake on the part of the vendor, and then the school just didn't catch them also." The tests are pre-coded by ETS, the state's vendor, using information that is submitted to and checked by Region 5.

According to Culbertson, the TEA recognized that coding errors had been an issue and provided school districts with extended time to submit corrected information.

"On July 8, the commissioner notified the districts that due to the issues related to the 2015-16 testing cycle, districts would have an opportunity to fully verify the accuracy of their data used for 2016 state accountability," she said. Between July 11 and July 20, "results for students attributed to the wrong campus could be correctly attributed using a standard template provided by ETS."

However, "WOCCISD staff did not identify the cover page coding error in sufficient time to submit corrected information for accountability purposes," Shannon said.

The error will not impact individual students, including those who need to pass the high school STAAR assessments in order to graduate. "Students have already received their individual scores. District and school ratings will not impact those personal outcomes," Shannon said.

The ratings are used to classify schools and determine necessary corrections. The rating that WOCCISD anticipates receiving "automatically requires you to take certain actions that cost money, and you have to plan differently," Lovett said.

WOCCISD's coding errors were among many problems reported across the state with the spring administration of the test, many of which were attributed to ETS, which replaced Pearson as the state's testing vendor this year. On May 19, Region 5's superintendents followed the lead of those in Region 4 and sent a letter to Education Commissioner Mike Morath detailing issues in the spring STAAR administration and raising concerns about the validity of the scores and data.

"We want to join those who have spoken out about these concerns and confirm the belief that the data generated by this system is flawed and should not be used to assign accountability ratings for any students, any campuses, or any districts," the letter said.

The superintendents were especially concerned because there are only 81,000 students in the region, according to the letter, which could amplify the impact of reporting problems.

"This number may seem insignificant when compared to the more populous areas of the state, but the lack of size creates new challenges and concerns when applying the state accountability system," it said. They submitted comments on issues including a lack of large print and Braille materials, incorrectly delivered tests, lost online test responses and data inconsistencies. One superintendent noted in the document that "the ETS response to potential violations of test procedures was 'don't worry about it.'"

In a response sent to the superintendents on June 6, Morath wrote that TEA believed that the online testing isssues were "the only STAAR results for which we have evidence of any questioned reliability," and that the accountability system would be adjusted accordingly if TEA staff found additional issues in the data's integrity.

Lovett said that West Orange-Cove is currently the only district in the region that he knows is planning an appeal; however, TEA's appeal window is from Aug. 12 to Sept. 30, giving schools nearly two months to make that decision. The TEA also is not able to estimate how many appeals there might be until the window closes, Culbertson said.

A group of parents, including an Orangefield family, sued the agency in May claiming that the length of the tests exceeded what is allowed by legislative directives, and advocacy groups across the state are continuing to seek changes to the high-stakes tests, adding to the complaints over this year's administration concerns.

WOCCISD believes that the tests will be categorized correctly and the rating improved through the appeals process, Shannon said. If the appeal is successful, the rating would be modified in December. However, if the district does receive an "improvement required" rating next week, they will still be held to the same standards as other schools in that category, despite their appeal, according to Culbertson.

"Even if they are appealing, while the appeal is in process, they are required to begin work on any improvement plans/actions they need to take," she said.

DWallach@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/dwallach

LTeitz@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/LizTeitz
Surgical smoke creates a hazardous operating room for staff members and patients, as breathing in smoke presents serious health effects.

Ninety-five percent water vapor, surgical smoke also contains a 5 percent mixture of particulate matter, chemical material and biological material. This material mix is villainous, threatening numerous health consequences.

OR staff and patients can contract a variety of diseases from surgical smoke, such as asthma, bronchiolitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atherosclerosis, and thrombogenesis.

Surgical smoke is the result of energy's impact on tissue interacting with a variety of surgical instruments:

Electrical surgical unit: A device using high radiofrequency to cut and coagulate tissues.

A device using high radiofrequency to cut and coagulate tissues. Laser: A device using intense light to vaporize and destroy tissue.

A device using intense light to vaporize and destroy tissue. Ultrasonic scalpels: A device vibrating at ultrasonic frequency to cut and coagulate tissues and blood vessels.

A device vibrating at ultrasonic frequency to cut and coagulate tissues and blood vessels. Plasma knife: A device using a different wavelength of energy. Plasma is the fourth state of matter, and possesses a more controlled energy and stable wavelength causing less collateral damage to tissue.

A device using a different wavelength of energy. Plasma is the fourth state of matter, and possesses a more controlled energy and stable wavelength causing less collateral damage to tissue. Argon Beam: Similar to an electrical surgical unit, this device uses a stream of argon gas to deliver energy from the hand piece to the tissue, decreasing the depth of penetration to the tissue.

Physical hazard

Surgical smoke contains particulate matter ranging in size from 0.01 microns to more than 200 microns, with the average particle size checking in at 1.1 microns. The type of procedure determines the particle size.

A 0.3 micron-sized particle denotes a real hazard, explains Robert Scroggins, RN, Lancaster, N.Y.-based Buffalo Filter's Clinical Programs Manager. At that size, "those [particles] can get down into the alveoli of the lungs and completely bypass the body's natural defenses," Mr. Scroggins adds. Since the alveoli represent the end of the road for the body's defenses, the body uses a macrophage to engulf the material and digests it or squeezes it back into the blood stream.

"It's called lung-damaging dust and is very similar in action to black lung disease," says Mr. Scroggins. "It gets into your lungs and can't come out."

Chemical hazard

Of the 400 chemicals currently known to inhabit surgical smoke, 40 are considered hazardous. The chemicals can cause a variety of health issues, including carbon monoxide poisoning, methemoglobinemia, leukemia and other diseases.

The following are the seven worst offenders:

Benzene is a solvent derived from petroleum. The chemical is known to cause blood cancers. Hydrogen cyanide is a chemical warfare agent, and not much can defeat it. Toluene is paint thinner, and should only be used in well-ventilated areas. Formaldehyde is a chemical that preserves tissues in mortuaries and labs Perchloroethylene is dry-cleaning fluid and toxic. Ethyl Benzene is a chemical used to manufacture Styrofoam. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is a product of combustion

Surgical smokes' biological hazards include human papillomavirus, Hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency virus, blood fragments, human and viral DNA fragments as well as other viruses and bacteria. Mr. Scroggins indicates all of these have been recovered in surgical smoke.

Supportive studies

Although a hefty amount of information outlining surgical smoke hazards is publicly available, Mr. Scroggins recommends relying on peer-reviewed journals as sources.

In 2012, the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery published a study revealing a Great Britain plastic surgery center, daily surgical smoke intake in this facility was equivalent to smoking 27 to 30 cigarettes per day.

In 2013, the International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health published a study supporting the assertion of toxic chemicals existing in surgical smoke. The study found various toxic chemicals during laparoscopic surgeries, such as benzene, toluene, xylene and dioxins.

Additionally, many surgical smoke evacuation companies, such as Buffalo Filter, offer educational programs about the dangers of surgical smoke on their websites.

Evacuate the smoke

Even though respirators and masks may combat inhalation of some surgical smoke, surgical masks often don't fit tightly enough around one's face, so the person is still inhaling smoke around the mask. And, a surgical N-95 respirator requires surveillance and upkeep and is classified as particulate filters not chemical filters.

There is a better solution out there. Surgical smoke evacuators include pre-filter, ULPA (Ultra Low Penetrating Air filter), carbon and post-filter components to get the job done. The carbon filtration captures and adsorbs gasses and chemicals, while the pre-filter captures larger particles and tissue. The evacuators flow at up to 839 liters per minute compared to 85 liters per minute in small suction tools. "That's a big difference in air velocity and capture," says Mr. Scroggins.

Surgical smoke evacuators can capture particles as small as 0.1 microns at a 99.999 percent efficiency rate. "It's considered to be the best defense, given today's technology," says Mr. Scroggins.

Many facilities want a "one size fits all" surgical smoke accessory, but Joseph Lynch, Buffalo Filter's Vice President of Sales and Marketing, emphasizes different clinical specialties will require different surgical smoke management tactics.

After implementing surgical smoke management policies, the first noticeable difference will probably be the absence of the "hospital smell." Mr. Scroggins says staff members may also notice their eyes aren't itchy or watery anymore.

Integrating the technology

Even though all signs point to the damaging health effects of surgical smoke, Mr. Lynch says providers have learned to acclimate to the smoke's presence and thus, may not want to undergo change to eliminate it. But once an OR eliminates surgical smoke  as many restaurants have done with cigarette smoke due to state laws  the staff probably won't welcome it back, he adds.

Mr. Lynch also notes technology won't gain traction in the industry if it complicates surgeons' tasks, no matter the potential benefits it presents. Therefore, safety technology developers must take into account ergonomics, clinical efficacy, ease of use and cost aspects of their products.

"The progression of technology has to be centered not only on the clinical effectiveness of the device but also on the surgical teams' interaction with the device," explains Mr. Lynch. "Human factor engineering is equally important as the technical factors that drive the performance of the product."

Mr. Scroggins adds surgical smoke evacuation is just as crucial to OR safety as staff members wearing gloves, gowns and masks.

Immersed in the surgical smoke evacuation market, Buffalo Filter offers a full solution set of surgical smoke evacuation products, devoting a great deal of time to research and innovation in the space.



This article is sponsored by Buffalo Filter.

Pictured: Robert Scroggins and Joseph Lynch

Recent articles:

7 things for ASC leaders to know for Monday  Aug. 8, 2017

7 things to know about Josie Robertson Surgery Center's noteworthy design

Medical and orthodontics to account large market share of powder injection molding market by 2020: 4 takeaways
When a patient walks into a hospital, there's no guarantee that patient's medical records will be accessible to providers, or that the medical records are indeed the correct ones for that particular individual. St. Louis-based SSM Health is tackling that issue head on.

In May, SSM Health became the first system to implement Surescripts' National Record Locator Service across its enterprise, allowing providers to search for and access a patient's EHR, regardless of hospital or EHR vendor. The Surescripts network is comprised of physician offices, hospitals, pharmacists and health plans and holds information on 140 million patients and close to 2 billion interactions between those patients and their care providers.

While this tool helps identify patients, the implications of accurate patient matching run much deeper. It opens the door to discussions regarding interoperability, standards surrounding data sharing and patient privacy.

These ideas are all interrelated, and in a recent interview with Becker's Hospital Review, Richard Vaughn, MD, CMIO of SSM Health, spoke about the system's efforts to address all of these concerns.

Note: Interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Question: SSM Health is the first health system to adopt Surescripts' National Record Locator Service. What prompted SSM to consider and eventually adopt the service?

Dr. Richard Vaughn: We've been working with Surescripts for a while, and we knew this was coming online with them. We were excited because it was another way for us to find out where our patients have been and be able to get the information from that location. It's just another puzzle piece that drops in to build out the lifetime record of the patient.

Surescripts has a unique look at the marketplace. We really saw an advantage that we would get information we wouldn't normally get through our other connections like health information exchanges. If a patient goes somewhere where we don't have a connection through an HIE or don't have a direct connection to the organization, this is another way to make sure we get that information.

Q: What has changed in terms of your connectivity or access to patient information since adopting the NRLS?

RV: We are seeing places we haven't seen before, places we did not have a connection with. We're in four states, so in Missouri we're connected to the HIE, but everybody may not be connected to it. We're starting to see already information where patients have been that we would not normally get from querying the HIE or querying other Epic customers through Care Everywhere.

Q: How is SSM Health harnessing interoperability to advance patient care and produce the best outcomes?

RV: Our most complex patients are on a lot of different medications, they might see multiple different providers at different locations, and not all of them are at SSM Health. We'd love it if that were true, but it's not always possible. We don't do everything. Our patients often have long-term relationships with other organizations. That being said, we want to make sure we see all this information, and when we have the information, we make faster, better decisions. Sometimes we don't know where the patient has been. Knowing the specialists involved and the name and location of that specialist is very important for us to make sure we are sending information back to that individual and we're communicating effectively with the entire care team that includes not only SSM providers but also includes sources outside of SSM.

Q: When thinking of HIEs or other networks, I'm curious to hear your insight on why we need third-party platforms to exchange data. Isn't data exchange the goal of EHRs, where IT systems should just be able to send the information back and forth without having to overlay anything else on top of it?

RV: That's where we want to be. But look at something like Carequality. Carequality is an agreement among people, especially vendors, to use a set of standards and approaches to describe and communicate data, and to all agree on how that [sharing] will work. How can we get Cerner to talk to eClinicalWorks to talk to athenaCare and all these other EHRs that are out there that may have developed a different approach to describing data or storing data in their systems?

I look at Carequality more as a set of rules than a third party that's overlaying or interfering or somehow interposing themselves between two EHRs. They're setting the rules of the road and making sure all these networks that currently exist as well as the different vendors who have data in their systems are agreeing to how that information should be exchanged. They're paving the road. We all agree the road is going to be a certain dimension and a certain width so a certain size vehicle can go down that road.

It's great for the government to require that we exchange information, but we really like the idea that the private sector is coming together to figure out how to make that happen.

Note: Carequality is a collaborative of public and private organizations including vendors, health systems, payers and more that agree to common standards and specifications to support data sharing and interoperability SSM Health has access to the Carequality service and connections as an Epic customer, as Epic is a member of the collaborative..

Q: Would you say Carequality has been successful? Where is the group on its journey?

RV: It's still early on its journey, but we're very excited to see folks beginning to join. I think we'll see that continue to expand, partially because there's a lot of focus on interoperability today and people want to demonstrate that they're trying to cooperate and they are not in the business of holding onto patient data and making it difficult to exchange. Carequality is looking for a way to do it in a very efficient manner and not have to come up with five or six different ways to do it.

Q: What are the barriers preventing us from reaching that type of interoperability?

RV: We have lots of standards but not everyone implements the standards in the same exact way, which seems to be kind of an oxymoron. We have in healthcare some of the most extraordinarily complex data that you would ever want to look at. We unfairly get compared to more simple industries. When you think about banking, you're moving decimal points, and it's a pretty well-defined knowledge area. When you talk about healthcare and 500,000 different diagnoses and millions of different terms to describe things and seemingly endless numbers of lab tests and other types of testing, there are a lot of details around how you normalize the data.

We lack a single patient identifier, and there are people who are very vigorous in this debate on both sides on whether we should have one. I think it makes a lot of sense [to have a single patient identifier] as we have an aging population with lots of healthcare problems. We need an effective way to identify and be very confident that we're handling data from that patient.

If you don't have a national patient identifier, you have to rely on five or six pieces of data. We need standards, strong standards. Complicated data is always going to be with us.

Q: Has the issue of identifying patients increased with the proliferation of digital health? Or has it always been a problem and now we're just now trying to figure out a way to solve it?

RV: Maybe in the past we didn't have electronic exchange of data to a large extent. Folks had separate records that never needed to be mixed or never could be mixed. Now you can electronically collect all the information of where the patient has been in 10 different hospitals. It's more of an issue now because you are mixing more data from more locations. For the most part, that should be a good thing. But it does put a challenge on making sure each place identifies that patient in the exact same way.

Q: People float the idea of using Social Security numbers as patient identifiers, which is interesting given the concern of data breaches and privacy. A single patient identifier seems somewhat equivalent to SSNs, but customers give [SSNs] out fairly frequently.

RV: People are learning not to give out their SSNs. People are much more reluctant to share SSNs, or you're seeing websites just asking for a part of your SSN instead of the whole thing. This whole ID theft issue has made people think twice about sharing more details. However, as we've looked at our approach in the state of Missouri of having people opt into participating in an HIE, we've had an overwhelmingly high opt-in rate. People really do think carefully about the importance of sharing their medical information. They're like, "Yes, I want my doctor to see this information." There is a good level of trust based on that. We need strong advocacy, and it's going to take a good campaign for a while to turn the corner on the national patient identifier.

Q: What is your ideal vision of interoperability, and how close are we to that vision?

RV: I would love to see the term "interoperability" disappear from the lexicon because it's ubiquitous and nobody thinks about it anymore because it just happens.

How close are we? I've been more encouraged in the past couple years than I have been in the last 10. I see it as the constant pressure that we've seen from folks that are advocating for patients as well as the government saying it sees this as an issue and we really want you to share data. The willingness of the government to step back and let the private sector figure out how to get it done is a great approach. They're not trying to force a particular system or enforce a single EHR vendor on us, but they are looking to say you need to be able to exchange information, the information needs to be meaningful, and we're willing to let you show us that you can do this.

More articles on interoperability:

Small, rural hospitals lag in interoperability: 7 findings from the ONC

Out to create health IT's nervous system: Mana Health CEO Chris Bradley on the future of interoperability

ONC launches challenge seeking input on using blockchain in health IT
Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro, N.H., has named Jeremy Roberge president and CEO.

Here are five things to know about Mr. Roberge.

1. He became Huggins Hospital's permanent leader after serving in the interim role for the past eight months.

2. Since Mr. Roberge became the interim president and CEO, Huggins Hospital has made major strides toward finalizing an affiliation agreement with Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, N.H., and Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, N.H., according to the hospital.

3. Prior to serving as interim president and CEO, Mr. Roberge was CFO of Huggins Hospital.

4. Before Huggins Hospital, Mr. Roberge's career focused on financial and operational improvement in rural community hospitals and physician practices in Coos County in New Hampshire.

5. Mr. Roberge was also previously a member of the Army National Guard.

More articles on executive moves:

18 latest hospital, health system executive moves

Intralign Health appoints new CEO: 3 things to know

Sparrow names new controller
Though it may be tempting to delve into the psyche of the presidential candidates, Maria Oquendo, MD, president of the American Psychiatric Association, advised members Wednesday to resist the urge to do so.

"The unique atmosphere of this year's election cycle may lead some to want to psychoanalyze the candidates, but to do so would not only be unethical, it would be irresponsible," Dr. Oquendo wrote on the APA blog, reminding psychiatrists of a "large, very public ethical misstep" made by psychiatrists during a presidential election 52 years ago.

This misstep occurred during the 1964 presidential race involving Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater (R) and incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson (D). An article published by Fact magazine polled nearly 12,400 psychiatrists on the senator's psychological capability to be president, so he sued for libel. These actions led to the APA's "Goldwater Rule," which states that it is unethical for a psychiatrist to offer a professional opinion of a public figure without an examination and proper authorization.

Dr. Oquendo's Goldwater warning is likely aimed at any psychiatrists itching to comment on GOP candidate Donald Trump, as some psychologists and other mental health professionals have already done.

"We live in an age where information on a given individual is easier to access and more abundant than ever before, particularly if that person happens to be a public figure. With that in mind, I can understand the desire to get inside the mind of a Presidential candidate," Dr. Oquendo wrote. "Simply put, breaking the Goldwater Rule is irresponsible, potentially stigmatizing and definitely unethical."

More articles on leadership and management:

California accountable care network receives license, builds management team

Erlanger Health System CEO relieves stress by playing master chef

Quint Studer: 3 steps to get your professional development off the ground and running
The Affordable Care Act effectively stopped new physician-owned hospitals from forming, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.

Though some argue physician-owned hospitals create the perfect environment to accomplish the goals of the Triple Aim, skeptics argue that their architecture improperly incentivizes physicians to refer patients to their own facilities and cherry pick the healthiest patients.

For these reasons, the ACA included several restrictions on POHs. These included a restriction on Medicare or Medicaid patient referrals by physicians to any hospitals they have ownership share in, a restriction on increasing aggregate physician ownership of a POH and a restriction on increasing the number of POH operating rooms and beds.

To determine if the ACA was able to effectively curtail the formation and expansion of these hospitals, the researchers examined the behavior of 106 POHs based in Texas. The researchers noted POHs could get around the ACA restrictions if they stopped accepting Medicare or Medicaid and found new ways to increase profits through existing resources. To adjust for these potential moves, the researchers examined if the percentage of POHs that accept Medicare changed before and after the implementation of the ACA and if POHs restructured their assets to improve profitability.

However, the researchers found POHs need Medicare to remain viable. There was no evidence the hospitals studied stopped accepting Medicare to avoid the restrictions under the ACA, according to the report. New POHs with investor groups that did stop taking Medicare have been sold or declared bankruptcy, the authors noted.

"Given Medicare's importance to physician-owned hospitals' viability, the restrictions on the hospitals appear to have accomplished what their proponents intended: eliminating the formation of new physician-owned hospitals and severely curtailing expansion of existing ones," the authors wrote.

They did note, however, that POHs have been working in a post-ACA world to improve profits with existing assets, such as ordering more tests. "[T]hese results may also suggest a new trend in operations of physician-owned hospitals: excessive asset and employee churn, with potential negative impacts on healthcare quality," the authors wrote.

More articles on leadership and management:

California accountable care network receives license, builds management team

Erlanger Health System CEO relieves stress by playing master chef

Quint Studer: 3 steps to get your professional development off the ground and running
A clinic in Des Moines, Iowa, is testing a new model of care  one in which the payer employs the provider.

The CareMore clinic, owned by insurer Amerigroup, is designed to serve some of central Iowa's poorest populations, according to a report in The Des Moines Register.

Amerigroup is one of three companies hired by the state to run its Medicaid program. The other two companies, Amerihealth Caritas and UnitedHealthcare, plan to launch less extensive versions of what Amerigroup has done with the CareMore clinic, according to the report. Through the clinic, Amerigroup hires physicians, nurses and other professionals in an attempt to improve access for Medicaid patients.

Some are wary of the model, saying it could lead CareMore providers to limit healthcare services in order to save Amerigroup money, according to the report. However, patients and providers interviewed by The Des Moines Register said the clinic seems to have good motives. Plus, patients are free to go to other physicians outside of the clinic that accept Amerigroup's Medicaid plan, according to the report.

The CareMore clinic has been open since April and has served 400 patients, according to The Des Moines Register.

More articles on integration and physician issues:

Georgia's Coliseum Medical Center, Mercer University partner for residency program

UA College of Medicine in Phoenix under board of regents investigation

SK&A ranks top 25 integrated health systems in the nation
The following healthcare mergers, acquisitions and general partnerships took place or were announced in the past week.

1. Columbus Radiology to join Radiology Partners

El Segundo, Calif.-based Radiology Partners is set to acquire Columbus Radiology.

2. Trinity Health-New England affiliates with 5th hospital

Waterbury, Conn.-based Saint Mary's Health System will officially join Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health  New England.

3. Massachusetts General to expand into New Hampshire

Boston-based Massachusetts GeneralHospital  a branch of Partners HealthCare in Boston  looks to complete its acquisition of Dover, N.H.-based Wentworth-DouglassHospital.

4. Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, UCSF merge to expand pediatric care

Santa Rosa (Calif.) Memorial Hospital and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital will merge to expand pediatric care services in the area.

5. University of Michigan Health to join Together Health Network

Ascension Health and Trinity Health agreed to add the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, Mich., as an equity partner in their statewide clinically integrated network.

6. Our Lady of the Lake Regional buys majority interest in surgical hospital

Baton Rouge, La.-based Our Lady of the Lake RegionalMedicalCenter has acquired a majority share in Slidell, La.-based Southern Surgical Hospital.

7. Prospect finalizes $335M acquisition of 3 hospitals

State regulators are negotiating a consent agreement with Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings to close three deals to purchase healthcare facilities in Connecticut totaling $335 million.

8. Charlotte Hungerford, Hartford HealthCare boards agree to affiliate

Torringon, Conn.-based Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare have agreed to a formal affiliation.
As part of its $20 million investment in Mazor Robotics, Medtronic placed a purchase order for 15 Mazor X systems, which the company will launch later this year.

Here are seven things to know as the companies gear up for the launch of Mazor X, according to Med Device Online:

1. Mazor CEO Ori Hadomi told analysts the company will start educating Medtronic sales representatives on Mazor X at training centers by late August.

2. The the new technology's official launch is slated for North American Spine Society's annual meeting from Oct. 26 to Oct. 29 in Boston.

3. Until the meeting, Medtronic will focus on generating interest for the new system among surgeons.

4. Of the 15 Mazor X systems Medtronic ordered, five systems "will be placed in unspecified facilities while 10 will be installed in leading clinical centers," according to the report.

5. In the second phase of the agreement between Medtronic and Mazor, Medtronic will take over exclusive global sales and distribution rights for the Mazor X, specifically for the spine market. This phase will take place in 2018.

6. Mazor X expands on Mazor's robotic guidance technology to include analytical tools, multiple-source data, precision guidance, optical tracking, intra-op verification and connectivity technologies.

7. Thus far, surgeons have used the system in more than 130 cases.
Physician burnout is a pressing issue for healthcare organizations today as physicians are increasingly succumbing to the stress of their jobs.

A Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic survey in 2015 showed physicians reporting at least one burnout symptom increased from 46 percent in 2011 to 54 percent in 2014, according to a Star Tribune report.

Physician burnout includes emotional exhaustion and a lack of meaning in work. Common reasons for burnout include stress from adoption of new technology and declining reimbursements, according to the report.

Here are five points on how Minnesota hospitals are combating physician burnout:

1. Mayo Clinic established company-sponsored dinners, where physicians can meet and discuss their causes of burnout and ways to mitigate stress.

2. More than 1,000 physicians and research scientists at Mayo Clinic signed up for the dinner groups program since it launched last year, according to the report.

3. Buffalo (Minn.) Hospital officials launched programs to improve resiliency as well as training for physicians on how to handle stress.

4. Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis remodeled a part of its facility into a wellness center, which includes space for exercise and yoga.

5. The Minnesota Hospital Association is conducting its first statewide survey on healthcare provider burnout and plans to release the results in the next few months.
Tim McGuine, PhD, ATC, a sports medicine researcher at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, is conducting a state-wide study involving high school football players testing whether wearing ankle braces prevents injuries, according to a report from The Northwesterner.Mr. McGuine is studying players from 51 high schools where half the athletes will wear the ankle braces and the other half will not. Study participants will record all practices and games where they use the brace, as well as the amount of time the brace is used. Any injuries incurred will also be studied.Read the report from The Northwesterner about the study on ankle braces Read other coverage on sports medicine studies:
The First Minister has said she is sometimes frustrated by a "lack of ambition" for Northern Ireland and reiterated that she has no regrets over Brexit.

Arlene Foster said: "People should not talk this region down but instead should talk it up. I sometimes get frustrated by the lack of ambition for this place and I know when I speak to young people they have lots of ambition and creativity and I want to harness that and motivate them to stay in Northern Ireland and see their future here.

"I think there's been a lot of talk about the consequences of Brexit but reality the reality is slightly different - there are challenges - I'm not saying there aren't, but there are a lot of opportunities as well. I think what we need to do is be talking up Northern Ireland."

Despite the UK's economic instability, the First Minister said she had no regrets about the supporting Brexit.

"It was my seven and a half years as Economy Minister which convinced me that leaving was the right way to go," she said. "I saw the over regulation and I saw the way Europe dealt with the regions - it was inflexible. It wasn't creative. It wasn't innovative. And I think that this is a moment in time when we can grasp all that and do things differently."

Arlene Foster was speaking to Belfast Telegraph at a press conference announcing the creation of 300 jobs for the city by London firm Tullett Prebon.

Mrs Foster's DUP colleague, Economy Minister Simon Hamilton, will have the job of selling Northern Ireland to investors abroad. However, he said the referendum outcome did not make this any harder.

"None of the advantages which brought this investment here would be affected by Brexit and that will remain the case. Clearly by bringing corporation tax into the picture - the lower rate as well - we will have advantages on top of those that we already have around skills and our infrastructure," he said.

"I believe Northern Ireland is really well positioned and things have been starting to move and have been moving in the right direction for some time."
A thinktank is urging Chancellor Philip Hammond to cut stamp duty by half, after releasing research showing that Britain has the highest property taxes in the developed world.

The Taxpayers' Alliance said that "punitive" property taxes - including stamp duty, council tax and business rates - were a "massive burden" on all parts of the UK, and not just on London and the South East as is sometimes assumed.

But figures released by the group showed that more than half (59%) of the 10.9 billion stamp duty on property sales in 2014/15 was paid in London (4.3bn) and the South East (2.1bn), followed by the East of England (994m) and the South West (827m). By contrast, just 51m was paid in stamp duty in Northern Ireland, 142 million in the North East and 172 million in Wales.

The total 66.8 billion property tax bill in 2014/15 was made up of 28.1 billion in business rates, 27.8 billion in council tax and 10.9 billion in stamp duty, said the TPA in a report.

The national figure was up 1.8 billion (2.8%) on the previous year, with fastest rises in Scotland (4.6%), the East of England (3.7%) and the South East (3.6%).

As a share of regional GDP, property taxes hit hardest in the South West and East of England (4%), followed by Scotland (3.9%), Wales, the South East and the North East (all 3.8%).

On international measures - which also include stamp duty on shares and inheritance tax - the UK was the most heavily taxed of the OECD countries at 4.1% of GDP, followed by France (3.9%), Belgium (3.5%) and Canada (3.1%). Other members of the club of industrialised nations paid property taxes as low as 0.3% (Estonia) or 0.4% (Slovakia) of GDP.

The TPA said that rates of stamp duty should be immediately halved, with a view to eventually scrapping the tax , which is charged at 2% on sales of properties worth over 125,000, with higher rates of 5% for amounts over 250,000, 10% for amounts over 925,000 and 12% over 1.5 million.

Chief executive Jonathan Isaby said: "We often hear about the impact of high property taxes on the overheated London housing market, but the truth is that they are a massive burden in every region of the UK.

"High rates of stamp duty, business rates and council tax are a significant barrier to getting on the housing ladder or growing a business - and this is exacerbated by restrictive planning policies which mean firms can't expand and we are building nowhere near enough homes.

"The new Chancellor should immediately cut stamp duty in half with a view to abolishing it entirely, and politicians must also ease the planning rules so that we can finally start building the number of homes we need. Only then will home ownership become a more realistic proposition for millions of hard-pressed taxpayers."

A Government spokesman said: "This Government wants to help everyone who wishes to get on the property ladder, that's why we reformed stamp duty, cutting it for 98% of homes bought. We have also introduced a higher rate of stamp duty for second homes allowing us to double the affordable housing budget.

"In this year's Budget we cut business rates for all properties in England, with 600,000 small firms paying no rates so that the business rates burden will fall by 6.7 billion over the next five years.

"Council tax is expected to be lower in real terms in 2019-20 than it was in 2010-11 and councils will keep 100% of local taxes to spend on local government services by the end of this Parliament."
What advice would you give to your 25-year-old self? That has been the question Radio Ulster presenter Vinny Hurrell has been posing to some well-known figures on his Monday night show  and their responses have made for compelling listening. Here, we find out what former PUP politician, Dawn Purvis, and advertising agency boss David Lyle had to say.

Dawn Purvis (49) is a former leader of the PUP and ex-programme director of the Marie Stopes Clinic in Belfast. She is divorced with two grown-up sons and lives in the city. She says:

At 25, I was married with a baby and another one on the way; there's only 15 months between my sons. What I'd stress to my younger self is education, education, education - no matter how much you hate it, stick with it. It's your way to living a productive, independent life and making a contribution to society.

As a young girl, you have all these dreams and aspirations. Mine changed every week.

One week I wanted to be a ballerina, the next week, it was a nurse, and the next, something else. I've often heard young girls talking and somebody saying, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' The girl would say something like 'a solicitor' and the friend would say 'Ach, wise up - you couldn't get a job like that'. I've also heard parents saying things like that.

But you have to stick to it and believe you have the ability within you to change the world around you. It was only later in life that I realised that you can draw from your own strength within to make changes. We all have that gift.

That realisation came when my marriage broke up. I wasn't prepared to continue with the life I had been living. I wanted something better for myself and my children, and it was up to me to make that change. I was 27 by then and had been married for five years.

For a long time I was in a marriage I didn't want to be in. I worried about how I was going to survive financially outside of that - I was totally dependent on my husband. It was scary but you can do it. We all get by. Change is scary but it is necessary, to make things happen. You just have to take a leap of faith and do it. And take responsibility for your own actions.

You can't wait for someone to open doors for you; you have to do it yourself. I learned that when I joined the PUP and became actively involved in politics.

My home was hit by a bomb in the street in 1992, when my children were 17 months and two months old.

I thought, 'I don't want them growing up witnessing the violence I have and living with fear, and the mental map in your head of where you can go and where you cannot go, and thinking about people being different and being afraid of people that are different'.

I decided to play my part to make a difference to society. If I'd known that when I was younger, who knows? (I was 26 in 1992. I'm 50 this year - I can't wait!) I had experienced violence from a very early age, from when I was three. We lived in Donegall Pass in Belfast and the city centre was an economic target for car bombs and shootings. We lived with that; it becomes normal.

But when I was 26, it struck me that it was abnormal.

David Ervine was saying, 'This is an awful place and we need to do something to make it better', whereas previous politicians had said it's a lovely place if only the bad people would go away. Well, I thought, those bad people are my friends' fathers, brothers, cousins and uncles, and they're not going away.

And when that bomb hit my house, a BBC reporter came to interview us. The whole street was wrecked and my whole family lived there. She was looking for emotion and reaction, and she got it, but when she came to me, as part of a young married couple with two wee babies, and asked me how I felt, I said: "I don't feel anything."

She said: "What do you mean?" I said I felt no anger or blame towards the people who had done it because they probably were the same age as me and were living in the same conditions, and thought they were trying to achieve whatever on behalf of their communities.

I felt no ill-will towards them. I thought, like me, they were victims of circumstance.

We didn't ask to be born into this conflict. I looked at my two sons, who I love with all my heart, and I didn't want them to grow up with this. I needed to do something about it and I became actively involved with the community and helped set up mother and toddler groups and after-school clubs.

In the past I was very shy. I used to hide. I'd get very embarrassed and go red from the neck up. It's just the type I was; probably a confidence issue. But, after I got a job in the City Hospital when I was 18 - I could write a book on all the different jobs I've had throughout my life; I even used to clean toilets - any embarrassment went out the window.

Returning to education and becoming actively involved in politics helps take you out of yourself, too.

If I look back at my past, I don't regret anything.

Maybe there are some things I'd have done differently, but you make your choices at the time for what you think are the right reasons, and I like to think that's what I did.

I don't regret my marriage - without it I wouldn't have my two beautiful sons, whom I'm immensely proud of and love very much.

My advice to my 25 year-old? He's probably sick listening to me but I'm his mentor and guardian and I'm always here, any time, for my children.

They'll be embarrassed by this but I remember talking to them about the birds and the bees when they were eight and nine. The youngest had come home from school and discussing condoms at the kitchen table, doing his homework.

I thought, 'Now's the time for a little chat' and they both turned pale. I asked the youngest how he knew what a condom was and he said it was next to 'contraception' in the dictionary. I asked when he had heard about them and he said it was in the school playground.

So we had the chat and we update those conversations regularly and talk about relationships.

We have the rules at home when the boys are going out, the three Ps: no puke, no pregnancies and no police.

And the best advice I can give them and anyone else at 25 is education. It is so important."

David Lyle is chief executive of Lyle Baillie International, an award-winning advertising agency based in Belfast. A widower, he has three daughters. His son died in 2005, following an overdose. He says:

My first of four children was born when I was 25 and I got my first job in an advertising agency. Id been working on the accounts side of advertising since university. It was a big breakthrough  a very special year.

I was full of excitement; full of vision about the future, and I immersed myself in advertising very quickly and got some major accounts for Northern Ireland.

Having our eldest, Rachael, was a wonderful experience. I remember at night standing by her cot, full of awe at the sight of this little baby  it was a very spiritual experience.

What I didnt realise at the time was that I was being sucked into a world of stress which comes with the job, which, as the years went by, would intrude on family life. I would have liked to have spent more time with them.

I missed birthdays and various events because of some crisis with filming or whatever. On Rachaels 18th birthday I was stuck in Glasgow on an eight-day shoot while she was at the Culloden hotel with her friends.

We were filming the anti-terrorism Cats in the Cradle ad  I want to be like you, Dad  for the Northern Ireland Office. It was launched before the ceasefires. We knew it was going to dig deep into people, this relationship between father and son. The son did become like his dad and that led to tragedy.

But missing Rachaels birthday opened up a whole series of things I look back on with regret. I wish Id known about the work/life balance sooner. I learned through painful experience. Theres guilt there but, at the same time, the family accepted Dad does a crazy job, and we wrote and created some monumental TV ads.

Would I have changed anything? You still have to be prepared to do the 24/7 things but that needs to be balanced. If you work eight days on the run, you need to take some time off.

Im still deeply affected by the death of my son, Matthew, in 2005. I still miss him. I feel Matthews death contributed to my wife, Helen, contracting cancer and her death in 2009. She felt it was the shock of finding Matthew dead that led to her diagnosis, because she was a very fit and healthy woman.

Matthew was a recovering heroin addict. He injected a small amount of it with some sedatives and thats what killed him. Ive thought a lot about my helplessness in the case of Matthew, and my attempts to help him over the years. I spent a lot of time with him on his last day alive and had great conversations with him.

He had a desire to get fit again and to get a job, and he asked me to bring him to the bicycle repair shop. We talked about the things he hoped to do and, after he rode back home, he said, I cant go anywhere without dealers stopping me, saying they have drugs for me.

I should have spotted the signs then. The dealer we now know who sold him drugs that day, hes dead as well. I regret that but its about how you spiritually deal with something and work through it, and I have been fascinated to study the human brain ever since. Emotion drives everything.

We all try to alter our brain chemistry every day  I drink strong coffee every morning. There are many ways to do it, legally and illegally, and they are quite simply ways to alter our brain chemistry. I told Matthew all these things were dangerous and he said, You drink alcohol. You drink coffee. Whats the difference? Theyre all altering your brain chemistry.

After his death, I put out his own words about drugs and the effect they have and they are much more powerful than any official bodys. It says on his grave, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ. I take comfort and strength from that. There is nothing, no drugs or pharmaceuticals in the world, that can separate us.

I miss Matthew and Helen and their loss pains me in a profound way, but I have found a place in which I can handle the grief. As a family, we are full of thankfulness. My daughters remember all the happy, funny, hilarious times and we laugh about them, full of thankfulness and joy. They were two very precious people in our lives. Its important to be thankful, instead of asking, Why did God do this?
Northern Ireland's economy has suffered a decline following the Brexit result, the first major survey post-EU vote has shown.

The Brexit vote appears to have taken its toll on Northern Ireland, and the UK as a whole, after businesses here reported a decrease in activity in July - ending 14 months of expansion.

The latest Ulster Bank purchasing managers' index said July's figures "signalled that the month following the UK's vote to leave the EU saw declines in output and new orders in Northern Ireland".

While Northern Ireland took a post-Brexit hit, it contracted less than other parts of the UK.

Ulster Bank's chief economist Richard Ramsey said while Northern Ireland suffered, the figures showed it was "by no means alone" across the UK as a whole. And while it's "no doubt concerning" for Northern Ireland, "we shouldn't read too much into one month's survey", according to Mr Ramsey.

"After last week's UK PMI data showed falls in activity in each of the manufacturing, services and construction sectors in the month following the EU referendum, it is not a huge surprise to see the Northern Ireland private sector following suit and recording a return to contraction for the first time in 15 months," he said. "Output decreased on the back of a reduction in new orders, itself the first decline since April 2015."

London was worst-hit, while other areas, including the north and south-east of England, also suffered drops. A stark drop in the value of the pound also led to a sharp hike in business costs.

Of the four sectors surveyed, services was the worst performer, as activity decreased at the fastest pace since 2013. On the upside, job numbers continued to rise. But new business suffered its sharpest decline in more than three-and-a-half years.

"Some comfort can perhaps be drawn from the fact that the reductions in output and new orders in Northern Ireland were weaker than the UK average," Mr Ramsey said.

"Another positive aspect of the latest survey was that employment continued to rise, suggesting that firms may not be completely resigned to an extended downturn and hold out hopes that the drop in July will prove transitory."

He said the weakness of the pound "played a key role in certain aspects the economy during the month". And while that means import costs rising sharply, it also means companies saw improved exports. The construction sector contracted once again, but manufacturers were able to raise production on the back of new order growth and rising export demand.
Fr Edward Daly waves a white handkerchief as the body of Bloody Sunday victim Jackie Duddy is carried along Chamberlain Street, Derry

The retired Bishop of Derry Dr Edward Daly, described as the 'people's bishop' has died.

He passed away with his family and loved ones at his bedside.

Announcing the death Bishop Donal McKeown said: "Bishop Daly was born in Belleek, County Fermanagh, in the Diocese of Clogher, on 5 December 1933.

"After primary education in Belleek, he attended second level education in Saint Columbs College, Derry. From there, he was sent, as a student for the Diocese of Derry, to prepare for priesthood in the Pontifical Irish College, Rome.

Expand Close Pacemaker Press belfast 08-08-2016: The remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture By: Pacemaker. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Pacemaker Press belfast 08-08-2016: The remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture By: Pacemaker.

"Bishop Daly was ordained on 16 March 1957, a priest of the Diocese of Derry. His first appointment was as a Curate in Castlederg, Co Tyrone. In 1962, he was appointed as a Curate in Saint Eugenes Cathedral, Derry. In 1973, he was appointed Religious Advisor to RTE, Dublin.

"In 1974, he was ordained Bishop of Derry, where he served until serious illness compelled him to retire in 1994. In retirement, despite poor health, until earlier this year Bishop Daly continued to serve as a dedicated Chaplain to the Foyle Hospice, Derry, a ministry in which he touched the lives of so many people. He also served as Diocesan Archivist."

The clergyman continued: "Bishop Daly served, without any concern for himself, throughout the traumatic years of the Troubles, finding his ministry shaped by the experience of witnessing violence and its effects; through this dreadful period he always strove to preach the Gospel of the peace of Christ.

Expand Close Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness with Bishop Donal McKeown at St. Eugene's Cathedral where the remains of Bishop Edward Daly were brought on Monday evening. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 08.08.16 / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness with Bishop Donal McKeown at St. Eugene's Cathedral where the remains of Bishop Edward Daly were brought on Monday evening. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 08.08.16

"Bishop Daly provided an example of priestly ministry which was exemplary, inspired by service of God and the people he encountered.

"His ministry was characterised by his deep love of the people of this diocese, his dedicated visitation of parishes and his constant availability to others. The bishops, priests and people of the diocese were blessed to have such a dedicated and faithful priest among them.

"May Bishop Daly rest in peace."

Expand Close Pacemaker Press belfast 08-08-2016: The remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture By: Pacemaker. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Pacemaker Press belfast 08-08-2016: The remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture By: Pacemaker.

Funeral details will be announced later.

Deeply saddened at death of much loved former Bishop of Derry Edward Daly.Hard being Bishop at a time of war, pleased he lived to see Peace.  Martin McGuinness (@M_McGuinness_SF) August 8, 2016

Im sorry 2 hear of death of Bishop Edward Daly. A decent man.  Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) August 8, 2016

Tributes have been paid to Bishop Daly.

Expand Close Pacemaker Press belfast 08-08-2016: The remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture By: Pacemaker. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Pacemaker Press belfast 08-08-2016: The remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture By: Pacemaker.

SDLP Leader and Foyle MLA Colum Eastwood said: It is with the deepest of sadness that Derry learns of Bishop Dalys death this morning. It is difficult to fully express the huge sense of loss which the city of Derry is currently feeling. He was greatly loved and will be hugely missed.

Edward Daly was truly the peoples Bishop. There was nothing distant about him. He was part of the people and that is why they in turn welcomed him into their trust.

"Although a proud Fermanagh man, as a young priest he took this city to his heart and very quickly became Derrys most beloved blow-in.

Expand Close Bishop Donal McKeown with the remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Derry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 08.08.16 / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Bishop Donal McKeown with the remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Derry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 08.08.16

For many outside of Derry, their memory of Bishop Daly will always lie in the iconic image captured on Bloody Sunday. That singular moment captured the mans compassion and courage in the face of violence. It was and remains an image which told the story of his lifes work.

For the people of Derry though, Bishop Daly was iconic for so much more. Our memory will be of a man of many more images not just one.

"We were fortunate to have shared so many more moments with him, moments in which the true strength of his gentleness and care were revealed.

Expand Close Pacemaker Press Belfast 08-08-2016: A mural in the Bogside area of L'Derry depicting Bishop Daly waving the white handkerchief . Picture By: Pacemaker. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Pacemaker Press Belfast 08-08-2016: A mural in the Bogside area of L'Derry depicting Bishop Daly waving the white handkerchief . Picture By: Pacemaker.

As Bishop and later as Chaplain to the Foyle Hospice it was Bishop Dalys personal and pastoral tenderness which brought him into the hearts and homes of so many Derry families. It is those memories which are in the minds of Derrys people today.

The thoughts and prayers of the SDLP, the city of Derry and people right across the North are with his family and friends at this time.

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan said, Through turbulent, turgid times Bishop Daly provided signal witness against violence, division and despair.

We have all been blessed by his pastoral leadership which offered consolation, counsel, challenge and conciliation as they were needed.

"Through the worst of hurt he also offered national and international witness in respect of healing and the purpose of reconciliation.

Alliance Deputy Leader and MLA Naomi Long said: "I am very sad to learn of the passing of Bishop Emeritus Daly and would extend condolences to his family and friends on behalf of the Alliance Party.

Whilst many will immediately recall the iconic image of him assisting Jackie Duddy on Bloody Sunday, it was only one example of his courage in standing against violence from whatever source throughout the Troubles.

His work in the 1980s with Church of Ireland Bishop, James Mehaffey, bringing people in the dioceses together to stand against violence has left a lasting legacy in the city to this day, for which both men were recognised only a year ago.

His continued pastoral work in Foyle Hospice after his retirement is testament to his commitment to serving God and his people, and he will be hugely missed by all who knew him.

Bedside vigil

Relatives of the clergyman were last night gathered round his bedside as he was described as being gravely ill in Altnagelvin Hospital.

Catholic clergy had urged parishioners to pray for the 82-year-old, who is perhaps best-known outside the city for a famous image showing him carrying a makeshift white flag - a blood-soaked handkerchief - when as Father Daly he helped escort a dying teenager on Bloody Sunday.

Derry Diocese spokesman Fr Michael Canny told the Belfast Telegraph last night: "He is very, very ill in Altnagelvin Hospital and his family are keeping a day and night vigil at his bedside.

"We are asking for people of faith to keep him in their prayers. He has been in hospital for more than two weeks.

"He has been a priest since 1957. He has been poorly for slightly over two weeks. The family are there."

However, on Monday morning it was announced the priest had passed away.

Independent councillor Sean Carr knew Dr Daly well and was 13 on Bloody Sunday when the clergyman walked with a handkerchief along Chamberlain Street in 1972 with the dying Jackie Duddy (17).

Aged 39 at the time, the then Fr Daly, who was a priest at St Eugene's Cathedral, was nearby when Mr Duddy was shot. He gave the teenager the last rites.

Mr Carr still lives at Abbey Street, just 100 yards from where that image was captured on camera, and he said last night there was great sadness in the city and many people were praying for Bishop Daly.

Mr Carr did not actually see the handkerchief moment in 1972, but did witness tragedy that day as two people died in his home.

Mr Carr was the youngest witness at the much criticised Widgery Tribunal into the events of that day.

He told the Belfast Telegraph last night before his death that people were struggling to take it in that Dr Daly was gravely ill.

Mr Carr said: "He is a great man, very down-to-earth and when people used to call him Fr Daly instead of Bishop Daly he used to tell them not to worry.

"He is the 'people's bishop'.

"I know him from the days when he was a priest at St Eugene's Cathedral. He knew my father.

He added: "There are many sad homes in this city tonight and many prayers are being said for him."

Bishop Daly served as Bishop of Derry from 1974 until 1993 and has suffered from ill-health for several years.

He retired from his role as chaplain to the Foyle Hospice earlier this year.

Fr Canny said that after retiring the bishop "dedicated his life" to working with the hospice.

Fr Canny said that after the news emerged of Bishop Daly being seriously ill there were hundreds of comments on social media which "gave a flavour" of the high regard in which the prominent clergyman is held.

Bishop Daly, who was originally from Belleek in Co Fermanagh, was hugely respected in Londonderry and was awarded the Freedom of of the city along with Dr James Mehaffey, the Anglican bishop.

On Facebook, one person said: "One of my favourite people in all the world... So down to earth and humble and caring. A beautiful human being. God bless."

A second person said: "A true saint, he called to chat with my mum in the hospice every evening, regardless of religion.

Another user said: "Not of my persuasion, but remember this kindly man from my living days down Bishop Street. Hope the Lord is gracious.

"I'm really sad to hear this news."

"It amazed me how he knew almost everyone in Derry by name!", said another admirer.

Statement by Bishop Boyce

"It was with deep sadness that I heard this morning of the death of Bishop Edward Daly, Bishop Emeritus of Derry.

"Bishop Edward had retired, on account of ill health, before I came here as Bishop of Raphoe in 1995. Nevertheless I met him on various occasions, and found him to be a very kind and thoughtful person.

"His attention - at times heroic - to victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, for prisoners and their families, and for all who suffered in any way, was remarkable. Bishop Edward was a revered pastor and speaker whose words touched, and actions sustained, many people in Derry and across Ireland.

"Even in his years of retirement, Bishop Edward gave generous service to the diocese, both in its archives and in his role as the ever-popular and compassionate chaplain to the Foyle Hospice in Derry.

"May he now rest in the peace of his Lord and Master."
Fr Edward Daly waves a white handkerchief as the body of Bloody Sunday victim Jackie Duddy is carried along Chamberlain Street, Derry

The body of Bishop of Edward Daly, described as the 'people's bishop', has been brought to repose in St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry.

Bishop Daly passed away on Monday at Altnagelvin Hospital with his family and loved ones at his bedside.

Hundreds of people accompanied his remains from Bradley and McLaughlins Funeral Home in William Street to the cathedral. Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was among those in attendance.

Announcing the death earlier Bishop Donal McKeown said: "Bishop Daly was born in Belleek, County Fermanagh, in the Diocese of Clogher, on 5 December 1933.

Expand Close Pacemaker Press belfast 08-08-2016: The remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture By: Pacemaker. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Pacemaker Press belfast 08-08-2016: The remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture By: Pacemaker.

"After primary education in Belleek, he attended second level education in Saint Columbs College, Derry. From there, he was sent, as a student for the Diocese of Derry, to prepare for priesthood in the Pontifical Irish College, Rome.

"Bishop Daly was ordained on 16 March 1957, a priest of the Diocese of Derry. His first appointment was as a Curate in Castlederg, Co Tyrone. In 1962, he was appointed as a Curate in Saint Eugenes Cathedral, Derry. In 1973, he was appointed Religious Advisor to RTE, Dublin.

"In 1974, he was ordained Bishop of Derry, where he served until serious illness compelled him to retire in 1994. In retirement, despite poor health, until earlier this year Bishop Daly continued to serve as a dedicated Chaplain to the Foyle Hospice, Derry, a ministry in which he touched the lives of so many people. He also served as Diocesan Archivist."

Expand Close Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness with Bishop Donal McKeown at St. Eugene's Cathedral where the remains of Bishop Edward Daly were brought on Monday evening. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 08.08.16 / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness with Bishop Donal McKeown at St. Eugene's Cathedral where the remains of Bishop Edward Daly were brought on Monday evening. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 08.08.16

The clergyman continued: "Bishop Daly served, without any concern for himself, throughout the traumatic years of the Troubles, finding his ministry shaped by the experience of witnessing violence and its effects; through this dreadful period he always strove to preach the Gospel of the peace of Christ.

"Bishop Daly provided an example of priestly ministry which was exemplary, inspired by service of God and the people he encountered.

"His ministry was characterised by his deep love of the people of this diocese, his dedicated visitation of parishes and his constant availability to others. The bishops, priests and people of the diocese were blessed to have such a dedicated and faithful priest among them.

Expand Close Pacemaker Press belfast 08-08-2016: The remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture By: Pacemaker. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Pacemaker Press belfast 08-08-2016: The remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture By: Pacemaker.

"May Bishop Daly rest in peace."

Bishop Daly will repose in St Eugene's Cathedral until a Requiem Mass at 3.30pm on Thursday. He will be laid to rest immediately afterwards in the grounds of the cathedral.

Deeply saddened at death of much loved former Bishop of Derry Edward Daly.Hard being Bishop at a time of war, pleased he lived to see Peace.  Martin McGuinness (@M_McGuinness_SF) August 8, 2016

Im sorry 2 hear of death of Bishop Edward Daly. A decent man.  Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) August 8, 2016

Expand Close Pacemaker Press belfast 08-08-2016: The remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture By: Pacemaker. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Pacemaker Press belfast 08-08-2016: The remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture By: Pacemaker.

Tributes paid to Bishop Daly

SDLP leader and Foyle MLA Colum Eastwood said: It is with the deepest of sadness that Derry learns of Bishop Dalys death this morning. It is difficult to fully express the huge sense of loss which the city of Derry is currently feeling. He was greatly loved and will be hugely missed.

Edward Daly was truly the peoples Bishop. There was nothing distant about him. He was part of the people and that is why they in turn welcomed him into their trust.

"Although a proud Fermanagh man, as a young priest he took this city to his heart and very quickly became Derrys most beloved blow-in.

Expand Close Bishop Donal McKeown with the remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Derry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 08.08.16 / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Bishop Donal McKeown with the remains of the late Bishop Edward Daly which were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Derry on Monday evening, where they will remain until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 08.08.16

For many outside of Derry, their memory of Bishop Daly will always lie in the iconic image captured on Bloody Sunday. That singular moment captured the mans compassion and courage in the face of violence. It was and remains an image which told the story of his lifes work.

For the people of Derry though, Bishop Daly was iconic for so much more. Our memory will be of a man of many more images not just one.

"We were fortunate to have shared so many more moments with him, moments in which the true strength of his gentleness and care were revealed.

Expand Close Pacemaker Press Belfast 08-08-2016: A mural in the Bogside area of L'Derry depicting Bishop Daly waving the white handkerchief . Picture By: Pacemaker. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Pacemaker Press Belfast 08-08-2016: A mural in the Bogside area of L'Derry depicting Bishop Daly waving the white handkerchief . Picture By: Pacemaker.

As Bishop and later as Chaplain to the Foyle Hospice it was Bishop Dalys personal and pastoral tenderness which brought him into the hearts and homes of so many Derry families. It is those memories which are in the minds of Derrys people today.

The thoughts and prayers of the SDLP, the city of Derry and people right across the North are with his family and friends at this time.

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan said, Through turbulent, turgid times Bishop Daly provided signal witness against violence, division and despair.

We have all been blessed by his pastoral leadership which offered consolation, counsel, challenge and conciliation as they were needed.

"Through the worst of hurt he also offered national and international witness in respect of healing and the purpose of reconciliation.

Alliance Deputy Leader and MLA Naomi Long said: "I am very sad to learn of the passing of Bishop Emeritus Daly and would extend condolences to his family and friends on behalf of the Alliance Party.

Whilst many will immediately recall the iconic image of him assisting Jackie Duddy on Bloody Sunday, it was only one example of his courage in standing against violence from whatever source throughout the Troubles.

His work in the 1980s with Church of Ireland Bishop, James Mehaffey, bringing people in the dioceses together to stand against violence has left a lasting legacy in the city to this day, for which both men were recognised only a year ago.

His continued pastoral work in Foyle Hospice after his retirement is testament to his commitment to serving God and his people, and he will be hugely missed by all who knew him.

Bedside vigil

Relatives of the clergyman were last night gathered round his bedside as he was described as being gravely ill in Altnagelvin Hospital.

Catholic clergy had urged parishioners to pray for the 82-year-old, who is perhaps best-known outside the city for a famous image showing him carrying a makeshift white flag - a blood-soaked handkerchief - when as Father Daly he helped escort a dying teenager on Bloody Sunday.

Derry Diocese spokesman Fr Michael Canny told the Belfast Telegraph last night: "He is very, very ill in Altnagelvin Hospital and his family are keeping a day and night vigil at his bedside.

"We are asking for people of faith to keep him in their prayers. He has been in hospital for more than two weeks.

"He has been a priest since 1957. He has been poorly for slightly over two weeks. The family are there."

However, on Monday morning it was announced the priest had passed away.

Independent councillor Sean Carr knew Dr Daly well and was 13 on Bloody Sunday when the clergyman walked with a handkerchief along Chamberlain Street in 1972 with the dying Jackie Duddy (17).

Aged 39 at the time, the then Fr Daly, who was a priest at St Eugene's Cathedral, was nearby when Mr Duddy was shot. He gave the teenager the last rites.

Mr Carr still lives at Abbey Street, just 100 yards from where that image was captured on camera, and he said last night there was great sadness in the city and many people were praying for Bishop Daly.

Mr Carr did not actually see the handkerchief moment in 1972, but did witness tragedy that day as two people died in his home.

Mr Carr was the youngest witness at the much criticised Widgery Tribunal into the events of that day.

He told the Belfast Telegraph last night before his death that people were struggling to take it in that Dr Daly was gravely ill.

Mr Carr said: "He is a great man, very down-to-earth and when people used to call him Fr Daly instead of Bishop Daly he used to tell them not to worry.

"He is the 'people's bishop'.

"I know him from the days when he was a priest at St Eugene's Cathedral. He knew my father.

He added: "There are many sad homes in this city tonight and many prayers are being said for him."

Bishop Daly served as Bishop of Derry from 1974 until 1993 and has suffered from ill-health for several years.

He retired from his role as chaplain to the Foyle Hospice earlier this year.

Fr Canny said that after retiring the bishop "dedicated his life" to working with the hospice.

Fr Canny said that after the news emerged of Bishop Daly being seriously ill there were hundreds of comments on social media which "gave a flavour" of the high regard in which the prominent clergyman is held.

Bishop Daly, who was originally from Belleek in Co Fermanagh, was hugely respected in Londonderry and was awarded the Freedom of of the city along with Dr James Mehaffey, the Anglican bishop.

On Facebook, one person said: "One of my favourite people in all the world... So down to earth and humble and caring. A beautiful human being. God bless."

A second person said: "A true saint, he called to chat with my mum in the hospice every evening, regardless of religion.

Another user said: "Not of my persuasion, but remember this kindly man from my living days down Bishop Street. Hope the Lord is gracious.

"I'm really sad to hear this news."

"It amazed me how he knew almost everyone in Derry by name!", said another admirer.

Statement by Bishop Boyce

"It was with deep sadness that I heard this morning of the death of Bishop Edward Daly, Bishop Emeritus of Derry.

"Bishop Edward had retired, on account of ill health, before I came here as Bishop of Raphoe in 1995. Nevertheless I met him on various occasions, and found him to be a very kind and thoughtful person.

"His attention - at times heroic - to victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, for prisoners and their families, and for all who suffered in any way, was remarkable. Bishop Edward was a revered pastor and speaker whose words touched, and actions sustained, many people in Derry and across Ireland.

"Even in his years of retirement, Bishop Edward gave generous service to the diocese, both in its archives and in his role as the ever-popular and compassionate chaplain to the Foyle Hospice in Derry.

"May he now rest in the peace of his Lord and Master."
The unusual incident was one of hundreds involving remote control shop-bought drones across the UK last year

A drone has been used to film people taking money out of a Co Antrim cash machine as they entered their pin code, it has emerged.

The unusual incident was one of hundreds involving remote control shop-bought drones across the UK last year.

An investigation has found that the number of incidents reported to the police involving drones surged by 352% from 94 in 2014 to 425 in 2015.

The figures were obtained from Freedom of Information requests, with 21 of the UK's 45 police forces responding.

One remarkable incident recorded by the PSNI in June last year revealed a drone being used to film a cashpoint in Templepatrick as people entered their pin codes.

The witness told the police that when the drone was spotted it flew off and crashed into a taxi.

The police said a male suspect had been forced to pay compensation to the taxi driver, but officers had been unable to prove the footage was being taken with criminal intent.

Drones, quadcopters and multi-rotor helicopters already equipped with 360-degree 4K video cameras, more than twice the quality of HD, are currently available to buy without any registration or permit. Speeds range as high as 70mph for mass produced drones, while potential altitudes up to 10,000 feet make them a threat to aircraft flying in or out of airports.

The numbers also include reports of drones endangering commercial airliners, and being used by criminal gangs to transport drugs, often into prisons.

Sexual offences involving a drone were reported in both London and South Wales, with the Metropolitan Police referring to a case of "voyeurism" and the Welsh force revealing a drone had been used to record a woman undressed in her apartment.

There are also fears that drones could be used by paedophiles, with reports of drones flying over children's areas in Kingswinford, Dudley, and schools in Hemel Hempstead and Northumbria.

David Dunn, a professor at Birmingham University who has led research into UAVs, said there needed to be more regulation. "At the moment, you can buy one of these things in a supermarket without any safeguards. We are lacking accountability or a deterrence," he said.

"The police are being forced to use laws that were designed before the invention of drones fit in terms of personal safety and privacy, but actually what we need is a drone bill through the House of Commons to address the technological challenges."
Hitting out: Sammy Wilson has lambasted the Green Party over its attitude towards drilling

DUP MP Sammy Wilson has launched a new attack on "green Luddites" who want to take people back to travelling by horse and cart.

His fresh assault came after Prime Minister Theresa May suggested a payment for households of up to 10,000 if fracking for oil and gas was given the go-ahead in their areas.

Supporting the move, the former Stormont Environment Minister said it would "counter the influence of the green activists who descend on areas where projects are planned".

The Green Party said the comments were no surprise.

But Mr Wilson said the PM's promise to pay households up to 10,000 if fracking for gas and oil gets planning permission in their area "is a great boost to the exploration of gas and oil in the UK".

"Hopefully this policy announcement is the start of the Government showing a willingness to take on the green Luddites who, if they had their way, would take us back to travelling by horse and cart, lighting our homes with tallow candles and living in cold conditions because we couldn't burn coal, oil, gas or wood for fear of putting the world temperature up by half-a-degree in a century's time," he added.

"Or even worse, driving around in their fancy cars going home to their centrally heated homes but expecting the fuel to be extracted in other parts of the world by the exact same methods which they reject in the UK.

"The UK needs to exploit fully the natural resources available to it.

"The impetus which gas from fracking has given to the US economy should not be spurned in the UK and hopefully the incentives being promised to households in affected areas will counter the influence of the green activists who descend on areas where projects are planned claiming to be representative of local residents and then preventing firms from going about their legitimate businesses. The Government proposal will focus local residents on the personal losses which they face by the invasion of eco warriors.

"More importantly, it should help reduce the willingness to blindly follow the often ill-informed opposition which has delayed planning decisions and sometimes persuaded public representatives against their better judgment to oppose projects which bring wealth to an area and energy security to the nation."

Mr Wilson added that along with the promise to introduce new grammar schools, spend more money on infrastructure projects and ensure that growth affects all regions of the UK, it showed that Mrs May was "prepared to be bold to prepare the UK to be competitive in the future".

Green Party representative for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Tanya Jones said: "Of course the UK should be responsibly utilising our natural resources and this is why we advocate the development of safe, clean and renewable alternatives such as air, solar and tidal power.

"Effectively bribing local people to accept fracking, which is not an effective use of resources and threatens our health, our economy and our landscape, is entirely unacceptable.

"By following the evidence, people can make informed decisions as to what should be happening in their local environment.

"Mr Wilson's statement is disappointing, although unsurprising, and bordering on offensive. The disdain with which he dismisses those who see the bigger picture in terms of environmental sustainability and protecting our children's future is, sadly, plain to see."
The aftermath of a car bomb outside the base in 2010

MI5 director Andrew Parker is keen to get the trust of public

The MI5 Headquarters inside Palace barracks in Holywood, Co Down

As I sat at an arranged meeting point in a public car park I had the unnerving feeling I was being watched.

A middle-aged man smoking a cigarette walked slowly by, then stopped momentarily. I glanced at him suspiciously through the rear view mirror, certain he was spying on me.

Just then, precisely on time, a shiny black car with blacked out windows pulled up. Two casually dressed men in the front nodded a silent greeting and a door opened for me to climb in.

There were no introductions or names exchanged during the short drive to our destination - the Northern Ireland headquarters of MI5, based within Palace Barracks in Holywood.

Read More

It is inside this building that real life 'spooks' are working to foil terrorist atrocities.

This is where they seek to glean intelligence on dissident republican terrorists, where informants are identified for recruitment and spy operations are launched.

While television series such as Spooks have glamourised life in the secret services, I was soon to discover that, on the surface, the daily reality can be much less dramatic.

As we approached the entrance of Palace Barracks armed guards in black bulletproof jackets thoroughly checked my escorts' security clearance.

Two attempts have been made by dissident republicans to bomb the base in recent years. A car bomb exploded at the main gates of the barracks in 2010 and last year a device detonated inside a postal van at the base.

We drove through two security gates and onto the Army camp, where we followed a winding road past well-kept MoD accommodation, neat rows of Army houses and a group of soldiers.

The car came to a stop at the front of a small concrete building and I was asked to leave my phone and any recording devices in the vehicle.

Inside the clinically clean entrance hall an armed guard was waiting with a security pass and a digital code.

On the wall beside the door a digital sign flashed a warning in red letters that the security threat in Northern Ireland remained at "severe".

Beyond glass doors to my left were airport style X-ray machines, leading into a green carpeted, Portacabin-type room that could be divided in two by a white, sliding wall.

The only furniture was a computer, a desk, half-a-dozen green leather chairs, a small round coffee table and a wall clock.

This claustrophobic room is where last stage interviews are conducted for hopeful MI5 recruits who have already passed several tough assessments.

Surprisingly, we bypassed the X-ray machines. Nobody checked my handbag or searched me. I questioned this and was told: "We know you're not going to pull out a knife." This confirmed my suspicions that I had been thoroughly vetted well in advance of this visit.

We stepped outside and there, towering ahead of us, at the top of a flight of steps was the very building from where the fight against Northern Ireland-related terrorism is directed. Behind several storeys of red brick wall and green-tinged bullet and blast-proof windows lay the shadowy world of secrets and subterfuge.

The headquarters were built in 2007 when MI5 took the lead role for intelligence on Northern Ireland-related terrorism.

As the glass door was held open I stepped inside and became the first journalist to enter the building with permission to report from inside.

A row of bulletproof glass pods divided the entrance hall in two. The main part of the building cannot be accessed without going through one of the cylinder portals, which can only hold one person at a time.

Security passes had to be scanned and a code typed into a digital pad before the door of the pod opened.

I stepped inside and the pod door slid closed, holding me prisoner for a few seconds until another door opened and I could exit.

The portals were designed to contain an intruder in the unlikely event of an unauthorised entry. With the sweep of a security pass another large, sturdy door was opened and we stepped into the heart of the building - a startlingly bright and spacious atrium several storeys high.

Light bounced off glass panels, introducing daylight into the physical centre of an organisation that has been perceived for many years as "shadowy" and "dark".

A large, glass-panelled staircase rose from the centre of the atrium to the top level of the building.

The names of numerous departments I was never aware existed were signposted on a double lift.

We stayed on the ground floor, where one corner was furnished with green leather sofas, coffee tables and a newspaper stand. Nobody was there.

Alongside it was an empty canteen, with the counter shutters closed.

Behind a glass wall on the opposite side was a room called the Learning Centre, that looked like a small library, with books and manuscripts stacked neatly on bookshelves. It, too, was empty.

Apart from my escorts, the only other people I could see were two smartly dressed women in quiet discussion outside a closed room. I was told they were from one of the agency's many legal departments.

Everything was symmetrical and orderly. It was also strangely quiet. It had the feel of a modern lounge in an empty airport.

All doors within my vision were firmly shut, protecting the secrets and identities of the men and women commonly referred to as "the spooks".

While I had not known what to expect from the visit I was quite surprised and perhaps a little disappointed, at how normal everything seemed.

An intelligence officer I met during my visit, a woman in her 30s called Mel, described working for the agency as "not much different to any other job".

She handles agents - or 'informants' - for a living. The information she secures has helped to save many lives.

"It really isn't that different to any other job," she said.

"We have normal working hours and we don't take our work home."

Somehow I doubt it, although she did sound convincing. I was acutely aware that behind those shut doors the real action was taking place - the perceived boredom of the building belying its life and death importance.

Inside those closed rooms is where major stings were planned against terrorists like Terence and Gavin Coney, Sharon Rafferty and Sean Kelly, who were jailed in connection with a dissident republican training camp on the outskirts of Omagh.

Intelligence officers in those rooms would have spent months planning secret surveillance operations, the planting of listening devices and analysing information secured from their informants on the ground.

It would have been behind those doors that a covert operation was launched to foil an alleged dissident republican plot to target judges and police officers in Northern Ireland.

Seven men were arrested in 2014 after MI5 placed listening devices in a house in Newry as part of that operation.

By its nature, MI5 will always attract criticism because of a perceived lack of transparency and accountability.

The agency is keen to dispel this notion, while still maintaining the integrity of its processes.

"Misperceptions and misrepresentations of the past mean that trust is lower in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the UK," MI5 director general Andrew Parker said in a statement.

That is why it opened its doors to the Belfast Telegraph.

Mr Parker said: "We will be able to do our jobs better if we have the support of the whole community.

"So - while there are sometimes limits to what we can say about how we stop attacks, in order that we can keep doing it - I want people in Northern Ireland to see that we are a modern, inclusive organisation operating to the highest ethical standards within a clear legal framework, and subject to proper independent scrutiny."

As I left the 'ghost' base my transport and two escorts were waiting.

We travelled back to our earlier meeting point with barely a word spoken.

As we drove away in different directions, I still couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched.

Was I? I guess I'll never know.

Tomorrow: Which terror groups pose the biggest threat and an MI5 spy reveals how she recruits informants
Hundreds of republicans staged a protest at police lines after an anti-internment parade was barred from entering Belfast city centre yesterday.

Prominent Lurgan dissidents Colin Duffy and Christy Robinson - who is on bail after being charged in connection with the murder of prison officer Adrian Ismay - were among those who took part amid a large police presence.

Marchers and supporters at PSNI lines cheered as a speaker called for the release of two men convicted of the murder of PSNI Constable Stephen Carroll in 2009 - Brendan McConville and John Paul Wootton.

The Anti-Internment League had applied for the now annual march - which marks the anniversary of the introduction of detention without trial on August 5 1971 - to walk from Andersonstown in west Belfast to City Hall.

However, the march was barred from entering the city centre by the Parades Commission.

Participants walked until stopped by a solid line of police Land Rovers and riot squad officers at the junction of Divis Street and Barrack Street.

Three groups from the head of the parade turned their backs on officers and held up banners in support of imprisoned Palestinian hunger striker Bilal Kayed and the 'Craigavon Two' - McConville and Wootton.

Two republican bands played music loudly as they approached police lines and walked on the spot for a short time as onlookers jeered at officers and shouted "freedom to walk".

The crowd remained for half-an-hour listening to speeches.

Community activist Gerard Fitzpatrick claimed to the crowd that internment still existed today under a different guise.

He was speaking in support of Londonderry republican Tony Taylor, who is currently in Maghaberry Prison after his licence was revoked by former Secretary of State Theresa Villiers in March after he was deemed a "risk to the public".

A second speaker spoke in support of McConville and Wootton, claiming they had been wrongly convicted.

Following the speeches the parade participants and supporters dispersed peacefully.

Last year there was minor trouble in the Ardoyne area - nine police officers were slightly injured when at least half-a-dozen petrol bombs, bricks, bottles and other missiles were thrown, and four people were arrested.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said he was pleased that this year's parade had passed off peacefully and described the major security operation as "proportionate".

"As in previous years, the foremost consideration of my officers today was to keep people safe and ensure that the parade passed off peacefully and within the law, that the rights of all those involved were protected and that the Parades Commission determination was upheld," he said. "While an appropriate and proportionate policing operation was put in place for these reasons, once the parade had dispersed, the area quickly returned to normal and all roads were re-opened."
Police appealed for witnesses to the shooting in north Belfast to come forward

A man has been shot dead in north Belfast.

The shooting happened at around 9.50pm in the unionist Ballysillan area, police said.

It is understood the victim was a prominent loyalist.

The incident happened in Sunningdale Gardens.

Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster condemned the killing.

"Shocked and disgusted to hear of a murder in nth Belfast tonight," she tweeted.

"I urge everyone to work with the police as they investigate."

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness branded the shooting "shameless".

"There can be no justification for the murder of a well known Loyalist in N.Belfast tonight," he tweeted.

"This was shameful & I unreservedly condemn it."

Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire said on Twitter: "Concerned to hear of fatal shooting in N Belfast. No place for violence in communities. Urge anyone with info to contact PSNI."

Ulster Unionist member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Ross Hussey, said: "I am very saddened to hear of a fatal shooting in north Belfast. Murder is murder and cannot be justified. It must be condemned. I would urge anyone with information to contact the police so that those responsible can be brought to justice."
David McNarry plans to stand down as regional leader of Ukip next month, it can be revealed.

The veteran politician expects to be replaced after a new national leader is chosen to replace Nigel Farage.

He confirmed his plans as Ukip NI's regional secretary Alan Lewis defected to the Ulster Unionist Party, claiming that Ukip locally has lost direction. Mr Lewis has not responded to Mr McNarry's claim that he had agreed not to issue a press statement.

Mr McNarry's departure could plunge the party locally into further uncertainty after a period of turbulence and the party's failure to take a seat in the Assembly election in May.

Nonethless Mr McNarry, who stood down from his Strangford seat in the run-up to the election, said it was time for him to go.

It was Mr Farage who persuaded the former Ulster Unionist to head a Northern Ireland branch of the party - but Mr McNarry has now decided the time has come to quit.

"I have really enjoyed some quality time with my grandchildren over this summer," the former Strangford MLA told the Belfast Telegraph.

"We do have a somewhat complicated position in the party in that the various regional leaders are appointed by the party leader.

"I was appointed by Nigel Farage and I am very proud of that. I have relished building up the party from practically nothing in the province to the present membership of around 400."

Hustings events are planned for Northern Ireland in the race to choose a successor to Mr Farage, who resigned within a few days of the referendum vote for the UK to leave the EU.

All candidates are expected to attend the event at the Maldron Hotel in Belfast on August 18.

"I think it points to the fact that Ukip is a genuine and committed national party that an event involving all the candidates is being held in Northern Ireland," Mr McNarry said.

He had viewed Stephen Woolfe as afront-runner to succeed Mr Farage but the party's ruling national executive excluded him after he was late in handing in his nomination papers.

Woolfe's supporters claim he was the victim of a coup.
A plaque marking the spot where Irish Republicans leaders were cornered, in the 1916 Easter Rising, before giving themselves up to British army, at 16 Moore Street, Dublin

Campaigners opposed to redevelopment of the Moore Street battlefield site in Dublin have been accused of harassing workers and illegally entering the grounds.

Activists from Save Moore Street 2016 said repeated calls for an independent inspection of the preservation and construction works on the old terrace have been refused by Government officials.

A number of people from the group entered the site and recorded some of the work being carried out on where the 1916 Rising leaders held their last Council of War.

It said about 300 photos and videos were taken inside the buildings.

The group claimed a banner put up to commemorate the centenary of the rebellion had damaged external brick work.

But the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht said it had reported the campaigners to the gardai and accused them of breaking the law.

"The people concerned, who have not been identified, vacated the site after the intervention of gardai," a spokesman said.

Heather Humphreys, Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, said no reputable conservation professional qualified or able to offer any judgment on the works would have gone on to the site in the manner the protesters did.

The future of the National Monument on Moore St has been at the heart of increasingly bitter legal battles.

A large parcel of land next to it from the old Carlton cinema site fronting O'Connell Street to part of the old 1916 battlefield site behind the GPO was given the green light for a commercial development in 2007.

Only numbers 14-17 on the terrace were to be preserved under the original order but a High Court ruling in April stalled those plans and the initial construction work on the Government's proposals for a 1916 Commemorative Centre at No 16.

Current work must be restricted to protecting the structure.

A spokesperson for the Save Moore Street campaigners said: " This action was place as part of the continuing and escalating campaign for the creation of a revolutionary quarter in the Moore Street area to ensure recognition for those men and women and the values they stood up for in 1916 Easter Rising against the British Empire.

"No harm on the part of the campaigners came to this declared National Monument."

Ms Humphrey's department said the "necessary preservation" works by the High Court were disrupted by activists.

"Works being undertaken to the National Monument are mandated by the High Court and are being undertaken by Lissadell Construction - a specialist contractor of note and award in the conservation of historic buildings," it said in a statement.

"The works are being done under the supervision of the chief archaelogist of the National Monuments Service and her colleagues, who include conservation architects.

"Illegal entry onto the site, such as happened this morning, and the continuous harassment of the employees of Lissadell as they go about this necessary conservation work is, in fact, endangering the monument."
Delta Air Lines cancelled around 365 flights after its computer systems crashed worldwide, stranding thousands of passengers.

Limited flights have resumed but the airline said widespread delays are ongoing and there may be more cancellations.

A power outage at an Atlanta facility at around 2.30am local time initiated a cascading meltdown, according to the airline, which is also based in the city.

A spokesman for Georgia Power said the company believes a failure of Delta's own equipment caused the power outage as no other customers were affected.

Many passengers were left frustrated after receiving no notice of the global disruption, only discovering that they were stranded after making it through security and seeing other passengers sleeping on the floor.

It is unclear if the airline was even able to communicate due to its technical issues, and Delta said there may be a lag issuing accurate flight status on the company website because of the outage.

Flights that were already in the air when the outage occurred continued to their destinations, but those still on the ground remained there.

Airlines depend on huge, overlapping and complicated systems to operate flights, schedule crews and run ticketing, boarding, airport kiosks, websites and mobile phone apps. Even brief outages can snarl traffic and cause long delays.

That has afflicted airlines in the US and abroad.

Last month, Southwest Airlines cancelled more than 2,000 flights over several days after an outage that it blamed on a faulty network router.

United has suffered a series of notorious delays since it merged with Continental as the technological systems of the two airlines clashed.

Queues for British Airways at some airports have grown longer as the carrier updates its systems.

On Monday in Richmond, Virginia, Delta gate agents were writing out boarding passes by hand. In Tokyo, a dot-matrix printer was resurrected to keep track of passengers on a flight to Shanghai.

Technology that appeared to be working sometimes issued incorrect information. Flight-status systems, including airport screens, incorrectly showed flights on time.

"Not only are their flights delayed, but in the case of Delta the website and other places are all saying that the flights are on time because the airline has been so crippled from a technical standpoint," said Daniel Baker, CEO of tracking service FlightAware.com.

Delta issued an apology to customers and said teams were attempting to fix the problem as quickly as possible.

Many passengers, like Bryan Kopsick, 20, from Richmond, were shocked that computer glitches could cause such turmoil.

"It does feel like the old days," Mr Kopsick said. "Maybe they will let us smoke on the plane, and give us five-star meals in-flight too."

In Las Vegas, stranded passengers were sleeping on the floor, covered in red blankets. When boarding finally began for a Minneapolis flight - the first to take off - a Delta worker urged people to find other travellers who had wandered away from the gate area, or who might be sleeping off the delays.

Word of the extensive breakdown began to spread after the airline used a Twitter account to notify customers that its IT systems were down "everywhere". Technological issues extended even to the company's website.

Tanzie Bodeen, 22, a software company intern from Beaverton, Oregon, left home at 4am to catch a flight from Minneapolis and learned about the delays only when she reached the airport and saw media trucks.

Ms Bodeen said that passengers were taking the matter in their stride. "It doesn't seem really hostile yet," she said.

The company said travellers will be entitled to a refund if the flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, while those on some routes can also make a one-time change to the ticket free of charge.

AP
Recep Tayyip Erdogan has launched a sweeping crackdown on those he accuses of being involved in the July 15 attempted coup (AP)

The streets of Istanbul were overflowing with supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday night with more than a million people attending a rally in the wake of last months failed military coup.

Turkish government sources said five million people arrived to support the president, and the event was broadcast to thousands more at smaller rallies across the country.

Speaking to the crowd, Mr Erdogan lashed out at Fethullah Gulen, the former imam and founder of the Gulen movement, which Turkish authorities have blamed for the insurrection, and said he would approve the return of the death penalty in Turkey if that was what the people and parliament wanted.

If the nation makes such a decision [in support of death penalty], I believe political parties will abide by this decision, Erdogan said

As the sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation and as you request the death penalty [for the coup leaders], the authority which is going to decide on this issue is Turkeys National Assembly. If our parliament takes such a decision, the necessary step will be taken. I am expressing in advance, I will approve such a decision coming from the parliament.

He added: They say there is no death penalty in the EU... Well, the US has it, Japan has it, China has it, most of the world has it. So they are allowed to have it. We used to have it until 1984. Sovereignty belongs to the people, so if the people make this decision I am sure the political parties will comply.

Human rights groups have condemned any move Turkey makes in seeking to reinstate the death penalty.

The reintroduction of such legislation would also seriously damage any outside hope the country had of joining the EU.

Amnesty International said Mr Erdogans statements on the death penalty in the wake of the failed coup, in which at least 270 people died, are a significant concern.

The organisations deputy Europe director Fotis Filippou told the Independent: Amnesty International is alarmed by statements that the death penalty could be reinstated retrospectively as a punishment for those responsible for the coup attempt. Such a move would violate international human rights treaties to which Turkey is a party, as well as Turkeys own constitution.

He added: The appalling violence committed by those behind the 15 July failed coup led to the tragic loss of more than 200 lives and the Turkish government must bring all those responsible for these crimes to justice. However, this should be done through fair trials not subject to the death penalty.

Turkey abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 2004 and is one of 103 countries to have done so. Reintroducing this ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment would be a major setback for human rights.

Emma Sinclair-Webb, Human Rights Watch's Turkey director said: Bringing back the death penalty in Turkey would be a shocking backward step at a time when most of the world is on a trajectory towards total abolition of a form of punishment unique in its cruelty and finality.

Human Rights Watch opposes capital punishment in all cases. It is a punishment inevitably and universally plagued with arbitrariness, prejudice, and error. The death penalty is widely rejected by rights-respecting democracies around the world, including all 47 member countries of the Council of Europe.

Since the uprising, about 18,000 people have been detained or arrested, and tens of thousands of public sector workers have been fired or suspended.

The government has repeatedly blamed the Gulen movement for having a role in the coup, and at the rally, Turkeys prime minister, Binali Yildirim described Mr Gulen as the leader of a terrorist group, and said he would be brought to Turkey to pay for what he did.

Mr Gulen, a preacher and former imam, was a close ally of President Erdogan until 2013. The relationship turned sour after a corruption scandal implicated Mr Erdogan, who then accused Mr Gulen of being behind the corruption investigation.

He is now on Turkeys most-wanted terrorist list and the country has demanded his extradition from the United States where he is in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania.

The Gulen movement teaches a moderate Islam which believes in science, multi-party democracy and interfaith dialogue between the Abrahamic religions.

Independent
Shocking recent violence in France and Germany has reminded us how enduring a threat terrorism can be. Isis represents the most eye-catching current version of this phenomenon. But, as everyone reading this article knows so well, the history of politically motivated violence has very long historical roots and a wide geographical range.

From Belfast to Bogota, from the 19th-century anarchists to the Left-wing terrorism of the Baader-Meinhof Group, or the Red Brigades, from al-Qaida to the current attacks in Iraq and Syria and Western Europe, non-state terrorism has been with us for many decades and - as a form of resistance - it will outlive any of us.

Of course, each group and each conflict is ultimately unique. The goals of the Provisional IRA were profoundly different from those of al-Qaida, just as many of the methods used by Hamas, or the Tamil Tigers, differed greatly from those deployed by Jewish terrorists of the Irgun, or the Stern Gang.

So, we should not casually lump all such non-state actors together. Instead, in the end, we have to respect each particular context.

But uniqueness does not mean that there is no room for comparison, or even for echoes across cases. Every human being is unique. But to ignore the things that we all share as humans would be absurd.

So, too, with terrorism.

In that case, are there suggestive patterns across time and place which might allow us to put the current wave of attacks in perspective?

One of these might involve the crucial question of how far terrorism actually works.

Again and again, when we read the memoirs, or manifestos, or political arguments, of violent non-state actors, we find the claim that other methods had been tried and that only violence would offer the prospect of success. Basque activist and ETA member Yoyes put it crisply when she claimed that: "The only possibility we have of gaining our liberty is through violence."

But are such arguments justified by the actual historical record?

In terms of the highest level of terrorist success - namely, strategic victory - the record is not an encouraging one for non-state actors. The vast majority of terrorist organisations end their campaigns without having secured their primary, central goal.

There are exceptions. A case could be made, for example, that Jewish terrorism of the mid-20th century played a decisive role in generating the establishment of the state of Israel in the 1940s. But such outcomes are historically rather rare.

A second level at which terrorism might be said to work would be through partial strategic success and I think here that the record of achievement has been greater.

Emblematic would be the Cypriot organization EOKA, whose 1950s' campaign helped to bring about British withdrawal from Cyprus, but not their interwoven goal of unifying the island with Greece.

Closer to home, the IRA of the Irish War of Independence could claim to have helped push Britain towards granting a greater degree of independence to nationalist Ireland than would otherwise have been the case; but only part of the island gained separation from Britain in the 1920s and initially even that state was autonomous, rather than fully independent.

Partial strategic success could, however, also involve the achievement of secondary objectives. Sustaining your resistance into future generations, for example, might be considered a secondary goal for some groups, as would the gaining of revenge against opponents.

You might not gain your central political goal; but you might manage to impose violent revenge upon those against whom you fight.

From Israel-Palestine to the Northern Ireland Troubles and beyond to the current Isis crisis, such vengeful success has repeatedly been brought about - with the most cruel results for its victims.

Beyond strategic, or partial strategic, success, there exists a third layer of terrorist effectiveness which seems to me often to explain its ongoing appeal: for there could be tactical successes.

You might not achieve an independent Basque nation state (the goal which ETA long pursued), but you might have the capacity to bring off striking tactical operational successes, such as the killing in 1973 of the Spanish Prime Minister Luis Carrero Blanco.

Again, tactical success could involve the generation of publicity for your cause. The 1972 Munich Olympics attack did not bring about the destruction of Israel, or anything close to it. But it - and other operations - did have the tactical success of securing international publicity for the Palestinian cause.

So, too, tactical success could be evidenced in terms of interim concessions. You might gain ransom payments, or prisoner release in exchange for hostages whom you have taken prisoner; or you might get concessions in a peace process, which brings a conflict to an end.

And the final level of success historically involves what I would call the inherent rewards of terrorist violence.

This is not to suggest that people engage in such activity purely, or primarily, because it offers inherent goods. No serious organisation could properly be explained that way.

But the history of terrorism (from anarchists to the Baader-Meinhof Group to al-Qaida to Isis) does offer repeated examples of people experiencing the rewards of intense comradeship, the excitement and adventure of resistance, the sense of pride and defiance inherent in campaigns of violence, or the attractions of devoting oneself to a cherished cause in the ultimate manner.

For some, there have been financial rewards, too, as well as the appeal of fame, or prestige, or power within one's community.

Reflecting on these patterns of terrorist success can be an uncomfortable experience. If most terrorist campaigns end without achieving their central goals, then the violence suffered on all sides can seem even more futile and painful to consider.

And if some people (not most, I think, but certainly some) are motivated by the goals of revenge, or renown, then this brutal form of politics can seem a degraded one indeed.

Much of the understandable horror people have felt at Isis violence has, I think, derived from this fact: that some of those who carried out the killings have enjoyed a kind of fame, or - in their own eyes - redemption achieved through merciless brutality against the defenceless.

And in all of this we should above all think of the people on the receiving end of violence, whether it is the violence of states, or their non-state enemies.

The history of terrorism suggests that it is far more certain to generate human suffering than to bring about its central political objectives. And one repeated reason for terrorist organisations losing support and failing to achieve their main goals has, indeed, been that violence against civilians has tended to be counter-productive for them and to turn people away from their actual cause.

Dr Richard English is Wardlaw Professor of Politics and director of the Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St Andrews. His book, Does Terrorism Work? A History, is published by Oxford University Press
To get a FREE natural gas tumble dryer simply request a connection to the Phoenix Network this Summer!

Summer is here, but in Northern Ireland we can never be entirely sure of a good drying day'. Until now.

Phoenix Natural Gas has come to the rescue and now anybody who makes the switch to the Natural Gas Network can get a free Natural Gas Tumble Dryer system (worth 400) along with a free connection to the Natural Gas Network.

Gas prices have just decreased again for the third time, going down a massive 24% in the past twelve months and there has never been a better time to change.

Whether you are a new home owner or have just had a change in lifestyle, for example have started a family, or have retired or are thinking of embarking on home improvements, a natural gas tumble dryer is an ideal solution. These systems are up to 70% faster than the traditional electric tumble dryer and up to 50% cheaper to run and there is also less need for ironing.

If you have always aspired to have Natural Gas but for financial reasons feel that you cannot afford to change your entire heating system, it may be time to think again. Natural Gas tumble dryers are extremely reliable and over time they will more than pay for themselves with fuel savings.

So why should you consider switching to Natural Gas and availing of this free Natural Gas Tumble Dryer from Phoenix Natural Gas?

Here are 5 Top Reasons to make that change:

1. Youll Save Time  And Money

A Natural Gas Tumble Dryer will save you time, add convenience and protect your clothing when it comes to doing the washing, compared to an electric alternative. Most importantly, they are significantly cheaper to run  up to 60% - because theyre so much more energy efficient.

2. Your Clothes Will Look Better and Dry Faster

A Natural Gas Tumble Dryer will fluff and freshen your washing. It will also dry your fabrics more quickly and efficiently. There is a large load capacity of 7kg and the reverse tumble action prevents clothes from tangling and creasing and therefore saves time ironing.

3. It Has State-of-the-Art Controls

A Natural Gas Tumble Dryer offers touch controls, digital displays and microcomputer based temperature settings for sensitive fabrics. There are no hidden charges. Customers will just have to pay for the installation of the Tumble Dryer (typically costing around 250).

4. It Shuts-Off When Dry

The system has a moisture sensing programme to know when your fabrics are dry, which saves energy and dramatically reduces the risk of shrinkage. The drier automatically shuts off when the load is dry and the heat will disappear quickly, which reduces the amount of wrinkling.

5. Its Kinder to the Environment  And Your Clothes

Not only do Natural Gas Tumble Driers reduce carbon emissions and allow you to save money, a natural gas dryer is also kinder to your fabrics and offers A+ energy efficiency.

To get a FREE natural gas tumble dryer simply request a connection to the Phoenix Network this Summer.



Go to the Phoenix Natural Gas Facebook page for more details:
Updated at 8:29 a.m. ET on 2016-08-09

Bangladeshi officials said they arrested three journalists because their news website reported about the rumored death of the prime ministers son, even though the reporting debunked the rumor published by another site.

The Sunday night arrests of two editors and a reporter for banglamail24 came a few days after Bangladeshi telecommunication regulators blocked online access to 35 websites  including news sites aligned with the opposition  for allegedly making objectionable comments about the government.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) took the three into custody while raiding the Dhaka offices of banglamail24, and they would be produced before a court within the next 24 hours, RAB-3 commander Lt. Col. Khandker Golam Sarwar said Monday.

They were arrested for spreading the rumor about the death of the prime ministers son, Sarwar told BenarNews.

The three  Executive Editor Maksudul Alam, Editor Shahdat Ullah Khan and Pranta Palash, a reporter  could all be charged under section 57 of Bangladeshs Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act of 2006, Sarwar said.

Those tried and convicted under the clause can be sentenced to between seven and 14 years in prison.

Sarwar said authorities were also looking to implicate Fazlul Azim, the publisher of banglamail24, in the case. A former MP from the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Azim could not be reached for comment on Monday. His whereabouts were unknown.

The raid took place soon after banglamail24.com published an article about the rumored death of Sajeeb Wazed Joy in a plane crash. The rumor was first reported by a little-known website, todaynews71, which shared its report on Facebook. But in reporting about the rumor, banglamil24 made clear that it was false, Sarwar conceded.

They criticized the rumor, but  they also became part of spreading rumors on the death of the Honorable Prime Ministers son, who holds an important government post, the RAB commander said.

Very sad to see

Joy is the son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and serves as her adviser on information and communication technology. He is considered a potential successor.

In April, Bangladeshi police arrested Shafik Rehman, the editor of pro-opposition magazine Mouchake Dhil, on charges that he allegedly conspired with others to kidnap and kill, after Joy accused Rehman of being part of an assassination plot against him.

Hasinas government has been criticized over the case, and it has also drawn international criticism from free-speech advocacy groups for pursuing criminal defamation cases against other prominent Bangladeshi editors.

In the case of banglamail24, the PMs deputy press secretary, Ashraful Alam Khokon, told BenarNews that he had called the websites chief reporter on Sunday night to ask Banglamail24 to take down the story.

But they did not. I cannot say what happened next, Khokon said, adding, the news was completely against journalistic ethics and standards.

However, the president of a press association that is backed by the ruling Awami League party, criticized the arrests of the three journalists.

But this is very sad to see editor and journalists arrested under the ICT act. The government, on the one hand, has banned the arrests of journalists under the Penal Code, but they arrest journalists under the ICT act. This is contradictory. We have been fighting for a guarantee so that the section 57 of the ICT act is not applied to journalists, Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), told BenarNews on Monday.

Shut down

According to Shahjahan Mahmood, chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the agency that blocked domestic online access to 35 websites last week, all of the sites remained blocked on Monday. Many of these sites were accessible from abroad.

Both banglamail24 and todaynews71, whose internet addresses were not on a list of the 35 blocked sites, could not be accessed via computers in Bangladesh on Monday.

Government officials have yet to disclose whether these two sites have been blocked as well. Representatives of both websites could not be reached for comment.

On Monday, international press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued a statement demanding that the government lift the block on the dozens of websites, saying the block flouted basic freedoms enshrined in Bangladesh's constitution.

This wave of administrative blocking by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government represents a significant escalation in its policy of suppressing news reports and opinions critical of the government, said Benjamin Ismail, the head of RSF's Asia-Pacific desk.

Previously, the government seemed to think any reason  national security, public order, preventing the spread of hate messages or preventing messages that could incite violence  was legitimate. But now it no longer even bothers to explain its flagrant violations of freedom of information.
Malaysia has 244 ships and 5,000 officers in place to police its coastlines, but top officials say they are looking to deploy more personnel and assets at strategic locations to prevent Islamic State (IS) members from entering Malaysian territory.

Malaysias national police force already has beefed up its efforts to monitor the coastal and cross-border movements of Malaysian supporters of IS, who have traveled to Syria or Iraq to join the extremist group and who may be trying to return home and plot terrorist attacks, Police Inspector-General Khalid Abu Bakar told BenarNews.

The police and armed forces are conducting joint patrols between midnight and 6 a.m. along Malaysian beaches and borders, including surveillance in public areas to prevent any infiltration, Khalid said.

The director general of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said it has bolstered the presence of ships and officers working along Malaysias different coasts, but is seeking the governments permission to enhance coastal security in other ways.

We have also requested to the government that we would like to recruit the public, especially those with the experience at sea, including fishermen and students at universities, to be part of a special task force to be our eyes and ears in the sea, Adm. Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar told BenarNews.

As part of these plans, the MMEA is constructing two radar systems at Pulau Perak and Pulau Tengah, along Strait of Malacca, and will be stationing personnel at Batuan Tengah (Middle Rocks) along the Singapore Strait that lies between the Strait of Malacca in the west and the South China Sea in the east, he said.

The plans for increased security along the coasts and borders have taken on greater urgency in light of last weeks arrests in Indonesia of six suspected IS-linked militants who, according to police in that country, were planning to launch a cross-border rocket attack on Singapore from the nearby Indonesian island of Batam, Malaysian Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Sunday.

Hamidi then announced that the government had revoked the passports of 68 Malaysian citizens who had gone to the Middle East to join IS, including two families from the states of Selangor and Perak. Without passports, those who want to return to Malaysia will be classified as illegal and will be detained under the Immigration Act, he said.

Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, Malaysian police anti-terror chief, told BenarNews that the revocation was one of the measures to stop IS sympathizers from coming back to Malaysia and launching attacks on home soil.

He told BenarNews that 91 Malaysians, including children, are believed to have gone to Syria to fight alongside IS militants.

From the intelligence reports gathered, 61 are believed to be alive while 21 had been declared dead, he said adding that the status of the remaining Malaysians status could not be confirmed.

Since 2013 Malaysian authorities have arrested at least 222 suspected IS members and have warned that Malaysians returning from combat stints in Syria or Iraq could launch terrorist attacks at home. At least 72 alleged IS members have been charged in court.

In late June, Islamic State claimed its first terrorist attack in Malaysia when two motorcyclists threw a hand grenade outside a nightclub in Puchong, Selangor, injuring eight people.

Patrols began this year

Malaysia started the joint patrols in several public areas in February following a terrorist attack in Jakarta on Jan. 14, which was also claimed by IS, Khaled said.

Since then joint patrols at hot spots have increased to 100 to ensure that Malaysians feel safe, according to Malaysias police chief.

Meanwhile, Jakarta-based security analyst Sydney Jones suggested that Malaysia should pay closer attention to an internal terrorist threat instead of deploying forces to prevent militants from infiltrating its borders from the sea.

Malaysia has more immediate threats like the recruitment of members of its own security forces who have professional training, Jones told BenarNews.

No one from IS is going to launch a mad attack like the Sulu Sultan did in Lahad Datu in 2013, she added, referring to an armed incursion in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah mounted then by a band of southern Filipino followers of the self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu, the now late Jamalul Kiram III.

Hata Wahari in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report.
ein Google-Unternehmen

Google-Dienste anzubieten und zu betreiben

Ausfalle zu prufen und Manahmen gegen Spam, Betrug und Missbrauch zu ergreifen

Daten zu Zielgruppeninteraktionen und Websitestatistiken zu erheben. Mit den gewonnenen Informationen mochten wir verstehen, wie unsere Dienste verwendet werden, und die Qualitat dieser Dienste verbessern.

neue Dienste zu entwickeln und zu verbessern

Werbung auszuliefern und ihre Wirkung zu messen

personalisierte Inhalte anzuzeigen, abhangig von Ihren Einstellungen

personalisierte Werbung anzuzeigen, abhangig von Ihren Einstellungen

Wenn Sie Alle ablehnen auswahlen, verwenden wir Cookies nicht fur diese zusatzlichen Zwecke.

Nicht personalisierte Inhalte und Werbung werden u. a. von Inhalten, die Sie sich gerade ansehen, und Ihrem Standort beeinflusst (welche Werbung Sie sehen, basiert auf Ihrem ungefahren Standort). Personalisierte Inhalte und Werbung konnen auch Videoempfehlungen, eine individuelle YouTube-Startseite und individuelle Werbung enthalten, die auf fruheren Aktivitaten wie auf YouTube angesehenen Videos und Suchanfragen auf YouTube beruhen. Sofern relevant, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auerdem, um Inhalte und Werbung altersgerecht zu gestalten.

Wir verwenden Cookies und Daten, umWenn Sie Alle akzeptieren auswahlen, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auch, umWahlen Sie Weitere Optionen aus, um sich zusatzliche Informationen anzusehen, einschlielich Details zum Verwalten Ihrer Datenschutzeinstellungen. Sie konnen auch jederzeit g.co/privacytools besuchen.
You wont appreciate the fact that you took a deep breath an hour ago unless youre still breathing. A great meal you ate a month ago wont do you much good if you havent eaten since. Likewise, delighting in God through taking in his word isnt an annual, monthly, or even weekly event for the healthy Christian, but a daily rhythm.

Keeping Your Soul Alive

There is more to seminary, and the whole of the Christian life, than the necessity of pursuing daily soul survival in the Scriptures, but this need must not be overlooked. An otherwise impressive theology degree is utterly unimpressive if your soul has shriveled in the course of study.

As Christians, daily Bible intake is to our souls what breathing, eating, and drinking are to our physical bodies. As the incarnate Word himself says, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4). Our souls will die without the word of God....

Make Your Studies Devotional

First, seek to make your seminary studies devotional. Pray for Gods help before class, before studying, before writing a paper or taking a test, and during all these activities. Continually consecrate your studies to Jesus and ask him to freshly meet you in them, keep your spiritual blood flowing, and keep you soft to his grace.

It is important for every Christian, and perhaps especially for seminary students, to never come to the Scriptures with anything less than a devotional approach. Whatever the assignment, intentionally seek the growth and warming of your soul. Theres no spiritually neutral gear when handling the Bible. You dont need to learn the lesson far too many have experienced about trifling with holy thingsyou either survive or shrivel.

Keep Space for Daily Devotionals

Second, set aside at least a brief season daily to focus on feeding your soul. Find a good patch in the Scriptures (maybe through an annual Bible-reading plan), one youre not studying in preparation for a class, a test, or a sermon, and graze a while, just for your spiritual well-being. Crumbs from such a meal will inevitably bless those to whom you minister, but try not to make your future flock (or present ministry) your explicit focus in this feeding. The aim is the daily strengthening and sustaining of your soul.

An often-helpful reminder to seminary students is to not read merely for information. Such information, glorious as it is, wont keep your heart soft and your soul breathing. What we desperately need is spiritual sight of the living Christ. We need the person of Jesus himself, whom we find in and through the Scriptures. Our souls long for a living connection with the living God-man. We were made for this.

Therefore, be on the unashamed lookout for Jesus and his gospel, for soul-satisfaction that runs up verses and doctrines to a person, the God-man, rather than terminating on concepts and ideas. In an explicitly devotional time, set out to explicitly enjoy Jesus in the Scriptures as your great end, not as a means to anything else, whether it is a class assignment or ministering to others in some way.

Reading Scripture Through the Right Grid

John 5 shows the folly of fixing on the Scriptures while ignoring the God of grace. Jesus crossed paths with a troop who liked to think of themselves as soaked in the Scriptures, but they were getting them all wrong, taking them in through the wrong grid. What an epic tragedy: they had God himself in the flesh, standing in their very midst, and they missed him because their Bible reading was going awry with self at the center. Jesus says to them, You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life (John 5:3940).

The lesson for us is to never disconnect our searching of the Scriptures from a conscious awareness and pursuit of Jesus as our Savior, Lord, and Treasure. The gospel of Jesus is the core, culmination, and meaning of the Scriptures. No matter how passionate the study, regular Bible intake that is not in accord with the truth of the gospel is akin, at best, to zeal without knowledge (Rom. 10:2).

Displace the gospel from the center, and studiousness in the Scriptures soon becomes a massive self-salvation project.

Bible Intake and Preaching to Yourself

As you keep the gospel in view, dont miss this: God does not intend for the message of the gospel to be cut loose from the Scriptures. Regular Bible intakewhether its reviewing memorized Scripture passages, enjoying Bible-infused conversations with fellow believers, or receiving the public preaching of Gods wordserves to shape, strengthen, and sustain your daily preaching of the gospel to yourself. The Scriptures, rightly understood with Jesus at the center, nourish your heart and sharpen your mind, so that you are able to rehearse the truth of the gospel with texture, edge, and definition, with freshness and power.

The message of the gospel is not meant to be something you get, carve into canned lines, and tell yourself over and over for a lifetime as some sort of magic mantra to fight sin. God means for you to be regularly pushed and formed, hurt and healed, challenged and encouraged by passages youve never heard before, havent given enough attention to, or havent considered in a while. He means for you to understand even your best-known verses at new depth, and know the power of his grace more deeply, through new applications, as you encounter situations in life youve never faced before.

Taken from How to Stay Christian in Seminary, by David Mathis and Jonathan Parnell. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Il 60187, www.crossway.org.

Seminary can be thrilling, with the potential to inspire and equip church leaders for a lifetime of faithful ministry. But its not without its risks. For many who have ignored the perils, seminary has been crippling. But with an extra dose of intentionality, and Gods help, this season of preparation can invigorate your affections for Jesus. How to Stay Christian in Seminary takes a refreshingly honest look at the seminarians often-neglected devotional life, offering real-world advice for students eager to survive seminary with a flourishing faith.
As I said in a previous post, Im working my way through a series on the role of discernment when the church gathers together. (See the Introduction post here.) Ive also stated already that I believe that discernment is the work of those who are gifted at distinguishing between spirits, but it is also the work of those who are not gifted in that way. Similarly, I pointed out that discernment is part of the edifying process that occurs while the church gathers together.

For the last two posts in this series, I want to highlight a couple of examples of discernment that we find in Scripture. The first example is found in Acts 17:

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. (Acts 17:10-12 ESV)

In this case, the Bereans were not judging prophecy in the sense that we read about in 1 Corinthians 14. Instead, they were discerning the good news that Paul and Silas was proclaiming in the synagogue. The received the message that Paul and Silas spoke, then checked it against what they read in Scripture. Some of those who weighed this message believed, while, apparently, some did not believe.

If we remember that at this time the Jews in Berea would not have owned a personal copy of the Scriptures, we can get a better idea what was happening. Obviously, they would have had to gather together in order to examine Scripture and compare that to the message proclaimed by Paul and Silas.

Similarly, we should not forget that Luke tells us that this examination happened daily. This was not a once-per-week synagogue service, but a daily gathering in order to check the verity of the good news concerning Jesus Christ. (By the way, this kind of daily gathering is more in line with other historical accounts that shows the synagogue as more of a gathering for community and social activities.)

In a similar incident, when believers gathered together in Jerusalem and discussed whether or not it was valid to teach that Gentiles must be circumcised and keep the law in order to be saved (Acts 15:6-21), Luke lists several methods of discernment. James, for example, turns to Scripture, like the Bereans mentioned above. Luke writes:

After they finished speaking, James replied, Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, After this I will return,and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old. Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God (Acts 15:13-19 ESV)

James remarks that Simeons (Peters) experience matches up with what he had read in the Prophets (part of the Hebrew Scriptures).

Thus, in these two examples, we see people turning to Scripture to help them in discernment. (Of course, in both of those examples, the people were turning to the Old Testament Scriptures.) This does not mean, however, that Scripture always has all of the answers that we need in discernment. In the next post, we look at other examples where believers do not rely on Scripture to help them discern what God is telling them.

What are some of the benefits of using Scripture to help us discern what God is communicating with us? What are some dangers of using Scripture?


For Immediate Release, August 8, 2016 Contact: Dr. Emily Puckett, (914) 273-3078 ext. 44, emily.e.puckett@gmail.com

Noah Greenwald, Center for Biological Diversity, (503) 484-7495, ngreenwald@biologicaldiversity.org

Dr. Dylan C. Kesler, (573) 823-2921, keslerd@mac.com Study: Endangered Species Protection Taking Six Times Longer Than Law Allows Delays Raise Risk of Extinction, Lawsuits Hasten Process for Protections WASHINGTON A new study in the international scientific journal Biological Conservation finds that over the past 40 years, imperiled species have waited more than 12 years on average to receive protection under the Endangered Species Act, despite the fact that under the law, the process is supposed to take no more than two years. The study also found that vertebrate species move through the process faster than invertebrates or plants and that lawsuits filed by conservation groups and other interested parties targeted species stuck in the process and hastened protection. Our study found delays and biases in the process for protecting species under the Endangered Species Act that are of grave concern, said Dr. Emily Puckett, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral associate at Fordham University. Lack of funding and the shifting policies and priorities of different presidential administrations delay badly needed protections for endangered wildlife. The study analyzed the listing process for 1,338 species protected between 1973 and 2014 to determine how budget constraints, species taxonomy, lawsuits, whether protection was initiated by a petition from an outside party or governmental biologists, and presidential policy choices affected the length of time it took for each species to receive protection. It found that increased funding and lawsuits accelerated protection of species, but that policy choices and taxonomy had mixed impacts on the time required to gain protection. Presidential administration, in particular, had a major impact on listing of species, with only 62 species listed under the second Bush administration compared to 268 under the Obama administration and 522 under the Clinton administration. Vertebrates such as mammals and birds on average received protection in roughly half the time it took for plants and invertebrates, such as beetles and mussels, to receive protection. Delay in protection of species has real consequences, with at least 42 species having gone extinct waiting for protection. We will never again see these plants and animals. When it comes to saving endangered species, every year of delayed protections is a year that these animals and plants move closer to extinction, said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity and one of the authors of the study. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been taking six times longer than allowed by law. As shown by this study, dozens of species would have had to wait even longer were it not for petitions and lawsuits by concerned citizens. The study refutes unsupported assertions that litigation draws resources away from species conservation, concluding that active public involvement through petitions and litigation accelerated species through the listing process. The study recommends increased funding and better partnerships with nongovernmental organizations interested in biodiversity protection to address lengthy delays in protection. The Endangered Species Act is an incredibly powerful tool for protecting species, but it only works once species are listed as threatened or endangered, said Dr. Dylan Kesler, another coauthor of the study and a research associate with The Institute for Bird Populations. Our study highlights the need to greatly accelerate listing of endangered plants and animals, and the benefits that come from working with nongovernmental organizations. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.1 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.
Mewing is a TikTok trend that has blown up in the last few months. It is claimed that it can help shape your jawline as well as cure other ailments by actively pressing your tongue to the roof
The economy of Ghana is losing some GHC4.6 billion (US$2.6 billion, or 6.4% of GDP) a year to the effects of child undernutrition, according to a new study launched in the capital.

Image by 123RF

The Cost of Hunger in Africa: the Social and Economic Impact of Child Undernutrition on Ghanas Long-Term Development (COHA) shows vast amounts being lost through increased healthcare costs, additional burdens on the education system and lower productivity by its workforce.

The consequences of stunting (low height for age) are of particular concern. Stunting occurs when children miss out on critical nutrients -- including proteins, vitamins and minerals - while in the womb and in the first two years of life.

This is compounded by diseases and poor hygiene practices. People affected by stunting face lifelong consequences starting in childhood such as frequent illness, poor school performance, having to repeat classes or dropping out altogether, and low workplace productivity.

Among other findings, the COHA report reveals that:

 37% of the adult population in Ghana suffered from stunting as children.

 24% of all child mortality cases in Ghana are associated with undernutrition.

 Child mortality associated with undernutrition has reduced Ghanas workforce by 7.3%.

Ghana has made some progress in improving child nutrition over the past two decades, reducing chronic malnutrition or stunting from 23 to 19%. However, this study highlights the critical need for further progress.

Dr Margaret Agama Nyetei, the African Union Commissions head of health, nutrition and population division, said the issue was vital to the AUs vision and action plan for the next 50 years, known as Agenda 2063. At the African Union, we believe that the realisation of Agenda 2063 and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will not be possible without fully harnessing the potential of all sectors of the population and this includes our children, she said.

In the Northern Region of Ghana, 30% of children under five are stunted or chronically malnourished

The goal of eliminating stunting is key to achieving Zero Hunger, Sustainable Development Goal 2, said Thomas Yanga, director of the World Food Programme Africa Office. The losses to the economy can be averted through strategic interventions which ensure adequate nutrition for mothers and young children.

Stunting is not just a health issue, it needs to be addressed through a multi-sectoral approach and prioritised in all development programmes from community to national level.

Ensuring a generation free from malnutrition requires significant investments in nutrition strategies and interventions. There is therefore a need for Ghana to forge strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, particularly the private sector and non-state actors, to combat undernutrition holistically, said Professor Takyiwaa Manuh, director of the social development policy division at the Economic Commission for Africa.

In the Northern Region of Ghana, 30% of children under five are stunted or chronically malnourished. This not only affects their growth but also their educational development and economic potential, and consequently the future of the country, said Margot van der Velden, WFP deputy regional director for West and Central Africa.

The COHA report is led by the African Union Commission (AUC), in partnership with African governments, the New Partnership for Africas Development Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA); the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Studies have so far taken place in Egypt, Ethiopia, Swaziland, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Malawi and Rwanda, and are due to be carried out in Chad, Lesotho, Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritania.

The COHA National Implementation Team which was responsible for collecting, processing and presenting results from Ghana, was composed of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, UN Agencies, Civil Society Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations, international organisations concerned with the elimination of child stunting. The launch of the study was under the auspices of the National Development Planning Commission.

The Government of Ghana, the African Development Bank, the French Development Agency, the Office of the United Nations Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Rockefeller Foundation and WFP, all contributed financially to the study.
Last week, Jason Xenopoulos, CEO of Native VML, held his annual 'Cannes in a Can' presentation, which offered a condensed reflection on insights into global trends discussed at the week-long Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2016. The theme of his presentation was founded on what Xenopoulos deemed "deep and quite distressing contradictions" regarding Kevin Kelly's four mega trends for 2016, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, brand purpose and connection.

Xenopoulos introduced his theme with the following: There were contradictions between the creativity and idealism of the festival and the harsh reality of the real world; between the cutting-edge tech designed to enhance our connectivity and elevate us out of the world of poverty, hunger and disease, which contrasted against the fact that we are facing some of the biggest humanitarian crises of the modern age. But in amongst those contradictions, I think that one will also find the kernels of truth that will help to reconcile those contradictions and move towards a better world.

Jason Xenopoulos

Xenopoulos also talked about the fact that for years, Cannes has served as a celebration of creative work as well as one massive party, but this year things were different. Ive seen a real shift from the party culture to a learning culture and thats because the industry is changing so fast with new technologies coming on board, new media channels being invented and new ways of communicating and innovating every day that unless you stay abreast of what is happening, youre going to fall dangerously behind.

Kevin Kellys four mega trends for 2016

Xenopolous quoted many speakers from Cannes, but focused predominantly on the insights shared by Kevin Kelly, founder of Wired magazine.

Virtual reality (VR)

Kellys first mega trend was virtual reality and how it will change the world as we know it. Xenopoulos touched on the following key areas:

While VR has been discussed at Cannes before, this was the first time that VR work was awarded.



According to Kelly, VR will cause the internet to shift from a network of information to a network of experiences.



Quoting Clay Bavor, Xenopoulos said that in 10 years time, experiences will be so convincing that people wont always be able to tell the difference between virtual reality and actual reality.



Virtual reality will continue to change the world of film. Not only will there be a shift for viewers to actually experience and feel the first-person perspective, but filmmakers will take on several new roles. What is becoming clear is that traditional filmmakers may not be best placed to produce content in this environment, so architects or environmental designers might be better placed, or what is now being referred to as a predator, a hybrid producer, director, editor and actor - someone who can create a holistic experience, said Xenopoulos.



Social media will take on a new form. One of the biggest insights about VR for me is that it will be the future of social media. As Kevin Kelly says, We will spend a lot of time encountering other people in VR. It will become the most social form of social media. If you have experienced VR and felt the presence of another person in that environment, you start to understand just how intimate that actually is. Its no wonder that Facebook bought Oculus Rift and that they see VR as the future interface for their platform, said Xenopoulos.

The contradiction: While were creating these fantastic experiences in VR, we are facing some pretty dire things in actual reality, such as the refugee crisis, terrorism, Islamaphobia, domestic violence, poverty, hunger and all these social problems seem to be escalating and the world seems to increasingly be moving into an incredibly dark place. Yet we have the ability to create these fantastical virtual worlds.

2. Artificial intelligence (AI)

According to Xenopoulos, Kelly refers to AI as cognify or the process of making everything smarter.

The truth of the matter is that AI is already evident everywhere. Google has already taught an AI to play a game called Go, which is considered the most complex game mankind has ever created. There is AI in programmatic media buying and there is AI in every piece of image recognition software, said Xenopoulos.

Xenopoulos went on to highlight the following points:

According to Kelly, AI will be launching a second industrial revolution and the internet will distribute this artificial intelligence across the world.



It is predicted that the next 10,000 startups will come from things we already do (like driving cars), with an additional layer of AI. (i.e. Self-driving cars)



Our jobs will adapt as AI progresses. The kind of work happening at Google DeepMind is bringing about what might be called the age of the centaur. Think of the centaur as a kind of hybrid mashup between a human being and a machine: a human teamed with an AI. According to Kevin Kelly, in 20 years 50% of the current jobs will be gone, but AI and robotics will create new jobs for humans. However, in that time, your ability to function in the world and succeed will be on how well you can work with AIs and your ability to be a centaur, said Xenopoulos.

The contradiction: We have a world with artificial intelligence, but its also a world awash with natural stupidity. Its quite scary to imagine some of the worlds current most powerful leaders with this kind of technology in their hands.

Xenopoulos concluded this section with the following food for thought: A generation is defined by its shortcomings. Will the mistakes made by the AIs that we create become the defining factor of our generation in years to come?

3. Brand purpose

Xenopoulos expressed that this year the conversation around brand purpose at Cannes shifted from purpose in general to how to turn purpose into profit.

Quoting Madonna Badger, Xenopoulos said: We should all aim only to do work that makes a difference. The world doesnt need anything else from us.

Xenopoulos elaborated on the following:

Toms shoes, founded by marketer of the year, Blake Mycoskie, represents a new kind of conscious consumerism that connects the intersection between purpose and profit. Mycoskie said that he realised that you dont need to start an NGO to help people - you can do so by starting a business, too.



Unilever said brands with purpose in their portfolio experienced accelerated growth, growing up to 30% faster than any of their other brands. Explaining Unilevers stance, Xenopoulos said, Being a campaigning brand is good for business, because consumers are drawn to brands that have a point of view.



We have to put people ahead of our products and brands. At the end of the day, a business profitability is a direct result of the value they create for their customers, said Xenopoulos.

The contradiction: Conversation about purpose in any way to me is the third big contradiction, because we are talking about purpose at a festival that is designed specifically to drive sales. We live in a world that is overrun by rampant consumerism and this new-found focus on turning purpose into purchase is doing nothing to alleviate that. Jacqui Cooper says that the word purpose is like Tourettes in our industry. Every brand is doing something purposeful. But Will Smith says its impossible to fake that stuff. Its impossible to reverse-engineer your purpose. Your purpose is there when you start - if you do something for less than noble reasons, people will know about it.

4. Connection

The fourth trend related to the idea of connection and being connected. Quoting Mark DArcy, Xenopoulos said that connection is key to creativity. He elaborated on this point with the following: If clients want the best ideas, they need to make sure that theyve got all the best creative people working together on their brands, but in order to do so, you need the right structure and culture in order to foster collaboration. Collaboration doesnt just come from an intent to collaborate. Creative revolutions dont begin with better work, they begin with an organisational design shift. If you want to be truly innovative, you have to be collaborative.

The contradiction: This actually created the biggest contradiction of all, because midway through the week, British people voted to exit the European Union. That information hit Cannes like a tonne of bricks, because in many ways it represented everything that Cannes Lions was not about. It was a direct contradiction and contrast to all of the connectivity and teamwork that was constantly being discussed. You look at what happened and you start to ask yourself: Are all of these connections actually leading us to a point where we are less connected? Is all of this technology and virtuality in some way undermining our humanity?

The missing piece

Xenopoulos felt that while the work at Cannes this year was brilliant, it was missing heart and empathy. He drew parallels between this missing in the work to it also missing in the world today. The work was smart, creative and original, but it somehow didnt have the same emotional resonance that it had in previous years. I realised that its that lack of heart which is the reason for these contradictions and its that heart that could reconcile these contradictions. I realised in many ways that the heartlessness of the work was a reflection of the world - we live in heartless times. Donald Trump is a heartless candidate. Brexit was a heartless decision. Terrorism is a heartless act. Islamaphobia is a heartless response. And I realised that what we need more in the world right now, and in our work, is heart and empathy to try and reconcile some of those differences.

To elaborate on his point, Xenopolous concluded with the short film Dear Daddy, which he found to be the most emotive piece of work throughout Cannes. It doesnt rely on technology or clever devices. It relies on nothing but the power of human truth, he said. View the film below:
After the unveiling of phase one of the new intensive care unit (ICU) at the Red Cross Children's Hospital, Sea Harvest has announced that it will continue its Kids for Kids project which aims to raise funds for the completion of the intensive care facility. Sea Harvest's Kids for Kids project has donated a total of R1.6 million to the Children's Hospital Trust since 2010 with the support of its consumers.

The Red Cross Childrens Hospital unveiled phase one of its new intensive care unit.

The upgrades at the hospital over the last few years included a new surgical skills training centre, a general medical ward, a new medical imaging complex, and a child-safe research and educational centre. Sea Harvests sales and marketing director, Konrad Geldenhuys, says, Our biggest consumer group are moms shopping for their children. From the start, supporting this initiative was more of a heart decision than a business decision. We admire the hospitals legacy and the work that they do on a daily basis to save lives and make a difference in the lives of the families that have to endure the pain of seeing their child suffer.

A portion of the profits made from the sales of selected Sea Harvest products is donated to the Childrens Hospital Trust through the Kids for Kids project. During May this year, Sea Harvest handed over a cheque of R300,000 to the Trust. Sea Harvest has been a long-time supporter of the Childrens Hospital Trust and their commitment to the upgrade and expansion of the paediatrics ICU at the Red Cross Childrens Hospital has taken us that much closer to achieving this dream, expresses Louise Driver, CEO of the Childrens Hospital Trust.

The Red Cross Childrens Hospital was the first medical institution to offer critical care, specifically for children, and in recent years the hospital has been able to drop patient mortality rates from 15% to 5%. The change in rates is as a result of improvements in the type of care and quality of treatment provided. Speaking at the launch, a parent whose daughter had just come out of three weeks in ICU after being infected by a superbug, tried to explain the traumatic experience his family has endured. He expressed his gratefulness to the attentiveness of the hospital staff, the supportive environment and the quality of treatment his daughter received, without which he doubted whether she would still be alive. For Sea Harvest, it was extremely rewarding to hear what the money donation will be used for, ultimately making the lives of the patients and their families better.

Sea Harvest donates a portion of sales of every box of selected coated Sea Harvest products to the Children's Hospital Trust. Little ones can eat healthily and, at the same time, contribute to making a difference in the lives of young patients at the Red Cross War Memorial Childrens hospital, comments Geldenhuys. Consumers will have an opportunity to contribute to the upgrade of the hospital with their purchase of a Sea Harvest product between November 2016 and February 2017.
Directors of poultry group Sovereign Food Investments appeared to chicken out of answering questions about the identity of a partner in a lucrative factory shop joint venture.

Questions about the identity of the joint venture partner were raised four times during the annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday, but Sovereign directors not only appeared determined to ignore the inquiry, but offered no reasons why the information could not be provided.

Shareholder activist Chris Logan queried the companys annual financial statements reflecting the factory shop joint venture  in which Sovereign holds a 35% stake  as a related party transaction.

The venture, which Sovereign paid no money to participate in, received goods and services to the value of R58.6m in the year to end February. Although this is small compared with Sovereigns mainstay poultry business, the companys share of this ventures net income was R1.64m. The roughly 8% net margin achieved by the joint venture is considerably fatter than the margins managed by Sovereigns poultry production business.

Sovereign chief financial officer Grant Coley said the factory shop was a joint venture with one of the companys customers. "The customer has extensive retail experience, which we dont have, and thats why it was structured in that manner." The reason it was disclosed as a related party item was that Sovereign owned 35% of the joint venture.

Logan asked four times for the identity of the co-investing customer  each time prompting consultation among the Sovereign directors. Eventually, Sovereign chairman Tom Pritchard, who indicated that he had consulted with the companys legal representatives, snuffed out further inquiries. "We have answered your question. Can we move on?"

Sovereign shareholder Albie Cilliers reminded the meeting that at the 2015 AGM, former Sovereign chairman Charles Davies had promised more transparency and better engagement. "But things have gone from bad to worse. Why would a small shareholder want to buy into your company. You dont answer questions.... why dont you get your legal department to answer questions?"

Pritchard countered that Sovereign had communicated more with shareholders over the past year than ever before, judging by the number of Sens announcements issued. Cilliers suggested Sovereign engaged only with larger shareholders.

Marthinus Stander, CEO of Country Bird Holdings, which holds just over 25% of Sovereign, also had little luck in engaging directors. He asked for a view on trading in the next six to 12 months, but Sovereign CEO Chris Coombes said he could not make profit forecasts. Disclosure would be done in terms of JSE listing requirements.
Any business owner would love to have their business mentioned in the media. That is why many hire public relations agencies or have their own in-house PR professional. But if you need to do it yourself, here are six tips that are (almost) guaranteed to score you press coverage.

Pick your target

Target a specific publication or journalist with a corresponding area of interest. By appealing to a writers existing passion point, youre far likelier to get a foot in the door. If youre not sure where to start, head to Google  a simple topic search will quickly reveal the names of journalists who regularly cover it.

Dive a little deeper by trawling through their Twitter accounts, identifying views and areas of interest, and crafting your story to appeal to these.

Offer exclusives

By offering your story as an exclusive, you have a far greater chance of success. Rather than emailing your pitch, give the editor a call and ask for their input upfront, so that you can expertly craft your story in line with their suggestions. That way, youll ensure that when your story arrives in their inbox, theyre expecting it.

Work the calendar

It might feel contrived to use occasions like Valentines Day and Christmas to score coverage for your brand, but the reality is that journalists are hard pressed for seasonally-specific content over these periods.

For instance, if youre a property brand, you might want to consider an article focusing on tips for couples looking to buy their first home together.

Another way is to request a copy of your targeted publications editorial calendar, which will identify the topics to be covered over the course of the year. By writing a story specifically for a planned feature, you have a good chance of success.

Team effort

Whilst being credited as the sole purveyor of expert insight in an article is undoubtedly first prize for any business, the reality is that journalists prefer an unbiased story with multiple sources.

By pitching a story angle and offering up multiple spokespeople able to add further insight, you are making a journalists life easier by basically doing their job for them.

Yes, you might have to share the headlines with one of your rivals, but by positioning yourself as a collaborative force, youll better position your business to be seen by the right types of readers, and start establishing your brand as a go-to source of industry insight.

Curate local content

Journalists in Africa are starved of local statistics, having to rely heavily on facts & figures from abroad to substantiate their stories. As such, local research findings are highly sought after by media outlets, so if you can supply your own, youll be able to get positive media coverage. It will also help to establish you as a credible, well-respected industry leader.

Use the news in your favour

By keeping close tabs on current events and providing stories in line with a topic currently occupying the news agenda, youll be in a great position to score some high impact wins.

For instance, with the Rio 2016 Olympics around the corner, and you just so happen to be a security company, you can give safety tips to those attending the Summer Olympics. There youve got the perfect angle to hook your story on.
Tanzania is planning to invest at least $30bn in the construction of a gas processing plant in Lindi Region, the country's minister for energy and minerals, Professor Sospeter Muhongo, revealed.

Dar es Salaam  Dereje Belachew 123RF.com

The new plant will require approximately 200kms of gas pipes from the sea to the plant. According to the minister, upon completion of the project, the government will be able to process gas and thus boost the country's economy.

Since the discovery of natural gas in Tanzania, the economy has undergone tremendous growth, with 70% of power generation coming from gas, which is currently serving more than 30 industries in Dar es Salaam.

"I can tell you today that in the few coming years, Lindi and Mtwara will be the country's economic hub. All investors are eyeing the region because of gas and other resources," he said. "I am asking you to get ready for the economic revolution. You must be ready to exploit opportunities. This is your time. He said the project is likely to take up to 40 months.

In addition, a $1,9bn fertiliser factory is on the cards at Kilwa in Lindi Region, which will employ more than 5,000 people and produce at least 3,850 tonnes of fertiliser per day," Prof Muhongo reported. He said the project will be implemented through the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) by Minjingu Company and Germany, Pakistan and Denmark-based companies.

The project is also expected to increase earnings for the government through consumption of natural gas, while at the same time provide opportunities to improve such sectors as health, aviation, sea ports among others.
Tractor sales fell by 32.2% year-on-year (y/y) in July to 451 units after dropping by 12.2% in 2015 to 5,673 units, according to the South African Agricultural Machinery Association (Saama).

Johan Larson via 123RF

Tractor sales have been hurt this year due to uncertainty about crop yields and exchange rates, whether the weather had transitioned from a dry El Nino global cycle to a wet La Nina cycle, land restitution issues and farm worker shares in farms.

"Market sentiment still remains positive. However, with the maize harvesting having been delayed in some areas, farmers are still waiting to see what their crops will yield. The late rains, particularly in the east of the summer rainfall areas, will have helped a lot with winter wheat and the upcoming summer crops. Nevertheless, it is likely that the market will continue to be depressed for the next month or two. Thereafter, the market will be driven mainly by weather conditions as they develop in the summer cropping areas," the industry body said.

Sales are down 14.3% y/y in the first seven months of 2016. Current industry forecasts for the 2016 calendar year are that tractor sales will be between 15% and 20% down on last year.

Source: BDpro
NAIROBI, KENYA: Forty Chinese and Taiwanese nationals held in custody since December 2014 were acquitted of running a cybercrime cell from an upmarket Nairobi suburb on Friday and will be deported.

The 35 Chinese and five Taiwanese were accused of running a hacking operation and mysterious "command centre" from upmarket houses in the Kenyan capital, and were denied bail for 18 months on the grounds they were a flight risk.

But magistrate Joyce Gondani ruled the prosecution had failed to prove the group was involved in running an unlicenced telecommunication system and was engaged in organised crime, charges they had denied.

Police raided the properties after investigating a house fire apparently caused by a computer that left one Chinese national dead. Police found people living in "military-style dormitories."

Several mobile phones, laptops, routers were found in the house.

According to local police at the time, the group was "preparing to raid the country's communication systems" and had equipment capable of infiltrating bank accounts, Kenya's M-Pesa mobile banking system and ATM machines.

In April Kenya deported dozens of Taiwanese accused of fraud to China, where they were put on trial, causing a diplomatic spat between Beijing and Taipei.

Like most countries in the world, Kenya does not recognise Taiwan's claim to be a sovereign state separate from the People's Republic of China.

Source: AFP via I-Net Bridge
TOKYO, JAPAN: Japan's fair trade watchdog raided the offices of Amazon Japan over allegations that it improperly pressured retailers that sold products on its site, local media said on Monday, 8 August 2016.

 Kheng Guan Toh  123RF.com

The Japanese unit of the US-based internet retailer forced conditions such as requiring retailers to sell products below the price they advertised on rival sites, the Nikkei business daily said.

Japan's Fair Trade Commission declined to confirm the report, but added that it was "not incorrect".

Amazon Japan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Last year, the European Union's antitrust watchdog opened a formal investigation into Amazon's ebook distribution.

The case centred on clauses Amazon had with publishers which may shield the company from competitors, including an obligation to be informed of more favourable terms being offered by rivals.

Source: AFP via I-Net Bridge
Marriott International, Inc. has opened Kigali Marriott Hotel, located in the central business district of the Rwandan capital, representing its entry into Rwanda and Marriott Hotels' first property in southern Africa. The design of the Kigali Marriott Hotel is inspired by the lush hillsides, flowering trees, winding boulevards and bustling streets of this vibrant city that is one of the most attractive capital cities in Africa, as well as one of the cleanest and friendliest.

Alex Kyriakidis

Commenting on Marriotts latest opening in Africa, Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director, Marriott International Middle East and Africa, said, We are thrilled to be opening a Marriott Hotel in Rwanda and we believe the property will play a significant role in catering to the desires of business and leisure tourists alike. Marriott is committed to the Southern African market, and our rapid expansion demonstrates our belief in the continents booming economies. Moreover, our expansion is able to support the creation of job opportunities for local residents, and, in this case, contribute to Rwandas economic vision for developing as a travel destination.

Opening in the heart of the emerging Rwandan economy

Boasting beautiful views of the majestic Mt Kigali, only 20 minutes from Kigali International Airport, the 254-room hotel offers travelers a new perspective on this cosmopolitan location and its people. Its deluxe guest rooms and 25 suites are designed with a spacious and upgraded look with tailored solutions that are as inventive as the guest, including large 48-inch LCD TVs, high-speed internet and work surfaces, providing flexibility to freely move and use technology wherever the guest desires.

Travel expands the mind and it is an exciting time for our brand as we expand to new destinations around the world. We are delighted to be able to host travellers at this beautiful metropolis in southern Africa. We want our guests to experience forward-thinking, aesthetically pleasing spaces that help foster their inventive nature, said Matthew Carroll, vice president, Marriott Hotels. Marriott Hotels has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation in travel to create experiences that inspire and seamlessly match our guests best thinking.

Kigali Marriott Hotel all day dining restaurant

Located at Rwandas geographical heart, the rapidly growing city of Kigali is not only the national capital but also the countrys most important business center and main port of entry. In 1907, Kigali was a small colonial outpost with little link to the outside world. Today, Kigali has come of age as the capital of Rwanda. It is a city that has not just survived, but is now thriving and has grown into a modern metropolis - a heart of the emerging Rwandan economy and a pride of every Rwandan.

Kigali is blessed with a moderate high altitude climate that belies its tropical location, with the Kigali Marriott conveniently located within three hours drive of the main tourist sites within Rwanda. This sophisticated property offers guests an inspiring introduction to this land of a thousand hills and an ideal springboard from which to explore the country. Famous attractions nearby include The Presidential Palace, Museum of Natural History-Kandt House, Nyabugogo Market, Inema Arts Center and Kigali Genocide Memorial.

Restaurants, bars, and spa

In the hotel, four restaurants and three bars will be headlined by Ziko Grill: Offering great burgers and brochettes complemented by exceptional service, all enjoyed poolside.

 Soko showcases international cuisine, a dramatic all-day dining experience with live cooking stations for favourites from around the world such as Italian pasta and pizza, classic desserts and an extensive cheese selection.

 The Greatroom is an engaging and vibrant space that features flexible zones where guests can socialise, connect, relax, have a light meal or conduct a business meeting. It transitions from a coffee and pastry during the day to wines and cocktails and light tapas fare in the evening.

 Saray Spa, an extravagant spa which offers an extensive selection of latest therapy treatments to revitalise the senses. Recreational facilities include an expansive 450sqm swimming pool and state-of-the-art Fitness Centre.

The Greatroom

Job creation

Marriott has long been involved in corporate social responsibility projects worldwide that evolve around five pillars: Environment, Vitality of Children, Shelter and Food, Ready for Work, and Empowering Diversity. The latter two have been of particular priority to the hotel groups Middle East and Africa region, resulting in the company proactively seeking out commendable initiatives across the region that are both inspirational and results-oriented.

Since 2012, Marriott has collaborated with Akilah Institute for Women in Rwanda to offer young women aged 18 to 30 the opportunity to train and work at its Dubai and Doha properties. The opening of Kigali Marriott will see these remarkable students return to their native Rwanda as supervisors at the property.

Marriott plans to extend the training model currently utilised by the Akilah Institute for Women across other locations in Africa, in order to meet the needs of its growing portfolio of hotels in the region. In tangible terms, these planned hotels will create local jobs with career opportunities and the potential for growth.
Imperial Health Sciences, through its partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, has added the distribution of veterinary medicine to it's offering and is making significant inroads into this sector of the pharmaceutical distribution market, strengthening its reputation in the healthcare supply chain.

Dr. Ralf Patzelt, Head of Animal Health, South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa, and Lara Haigh, Managing Director, Imperial Health Sciences

Managing director Lara Haigh reveals that when Imperial secured a national distribution contract for Boehringer Ingelheim's pharmaceuticals, consumer healthcare commodities, and animal health products, it represented the organisation's first foray into the distribution of veterinary medicine. She notes that in addition to successfully diversifying into animal healthcare through its partnership, Imperial also succeeded in providing Boehringer Ingelheim with a smooth transition from its previous logistics service provider.

A smooth transition

The idea of transitioning to a new logistics service provider can be extremely daunting, because of the potential market disruption, the possible financial impact, the effect on customer service and even on the principals market share, Haigh notes. With a project management team focused purely on Boehringer Ingelheim, we developed a project plan and offered our client guidance and support to make the move as smooth and painless as possible.

The company also rose to the challenges posed by its move into animal healthcare. To ensure that all activity is tracked and service levels are met, we recognised the need to invest in human resources dedicated to the veterinary medicines side of Boehringer Ingelheims business. We aligned ourselves with regulations in the industry and dedicated personnel was trained by Boehringer Ingelheim. We upskilled our people to deal with a brand new sector and new channels of veterinary practices.

Just over a year since the inception of the partnership, Imperials relationship with Boehringer Ingelheim has gone from strength to strength. Imperial has become an extension of Boehringer Ingelheims supply chain, as opposed to merely a service provider, Haigh enthuses.

Making inroads into the animal healthcare market

The company has also increased its exposure in the animal health sector, having honed its expertise in this market through its work with Boehringer Ingelheim. We are aiming to make further inroads into this market, where we believe that a gap exists in the logistics and distribution solutions available for veterinary medicine, she concludes.

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

Image caption: Dr. Ralf Patzelt, Head of Animal Health, South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa and Lara Haigh, Managing Director, Imperial Health Sciences
Earlier this year, Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan highlighted that, on a national infrastructure level, the government will prioritise transport in South Africa, demonstrated by the fact that, over the next three years, transport and logistics will account for approximately R292-billion of the national budget. As a sector that affects nearly all the other sectors of the South African economy, it is central to the development of the country.

As Africas largest and busiest airport, with approximately 20 million passengers passing through this airport, O.R Tambo International Airport is at the heart of transport in South Africa. It is thus with great honour for the Standard Bank Top Women Awards to announce that Airports Company South Africas flagship airport, O.R. Tambo International, will be sponsoring the Top Gender Empowered Company in Transport and Logistics award. This category is relevant to all companies in the airlines and airports, rail, road and freight, shipping and ports, import and export, infrastructure and logistics industries.

The wheels of transformation and women empowerment are gradually in motion where we witness the appointment of women in strategic and influential positions. We acknowledge and appreciate women who soldier on and make a concerted and conscious effort to break barriers with the objective of ensuring female representation in key strategic roles. It encourages us to steadfastly challenge the status quo and paves the way for our girl children.  Bongiwe Pityi, General Manager: O.R. Tambo International Airport.

This year, Topco Media and the Standard Bank Top Women Awards will host some of the highest esteemed figures and companies in South African society, including Denel, ACSA and Schneider Electric to celebrate and recognise female leaders in business that will form a part of the 13-year legacy that is the Top Women Awards. This years event will take place on 18 August 2016, at the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.

The government has stated that the transport sector is a key contributor to South Africas competitiveness in global markets and is regarded as a crucial engine for economic growth and social development. It is for this very reason that Topco Media and the Standard Bank Top Women Awards are proud to celebrate the women and companies that are creating ripples of change in the transport sector.

Transport facilitates growth and development in the other sectors of the economy such as agriculture, mining and tourism. It is for this reason that the vision of the Department of Transport is to 'make transport the heartbeat of the economy.
The sixth Open Book Festival (7-11 September) has announced its full programme line up. The majority of events will take place in The Fugard Theatre, District Six Homecoming Centre and The Book Lounge in Cape Town.

Brought to you by the Book Lounge and The Fugard Theatre, the Festival presents more than one hundred events including panel discussions, workshops, masterclasses, readings, performances and more.

We look forward to a fantastic five days of interesting and entertaining events, says festival director Mervyn Sloman. We put an enormous amount of thought into curating the programme, but it is the immense generosity of the participating writers from South Africa and round the world and the engagement of audiences that makes the festival special. Events range from serious discussions about the state of the nation (with a particular focus on tertiary institutions), highlighting the generational divide in SA politics and looking at the future of journalism through to more lighthearted events designed to entertain (including our ever popular Writersports).

There are several events happening outside of the CBD in 2016 which have fed out of collaborations with new partners. Be sure to take note of On the Bus (Elsies River Library), Women and Urban Space (MoholoLivehouse) and Sigh the Beloved Country (Kwa Sec).

Check out the full programme via www.openbookfestival.co.za and visit the individual author pages on the website for a list of the events in which they are participating.

As in previous years, Open Book 2016 includes Poetica (a programme of poetry and spoken word events), Comics Fest (including the weekend Marketplace) and KidZone.

Join our partners Leopards Leap Wines this year for #WordsforWine. Bring a pre-loved or new book to exchange for a glass of Leopards Leap wine. Books will be donated the Open Book Library Project and other charities. Check the programme for times.

Most events on the programme are R45. Day passes (which provide access to six events per day) are R150 and festival passes (five-day passes) are R600. There are also a number of free events, but tickets must still be booked for these events to secure a place. Bookings are through Webtickets www.webtickets.co.za.
When Lewis Carroll wrote Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There in 1871 (a sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), he wrote of an alternative universe "where things are not as they should be".

Almost 150 years later, with the help of technology, we find ourselves in a different alternative universe: a hyper-visual realm, which we delve into multiple times throughout the day via our most intimate and constant companion  the smartphone.

Our visual social media platforms have changed the way we connect, interact and communicate, spawning not only a new emoji language, but pushing us closer  one transient snapchat at a time  to a parallel universe where virtual and augmented realities meet. Welcome to the metaverse. The technology is ready and forward-thinking brands are already experimenting. The race to grab your attention, visually  in unimaginable ways  has begun.

If your business is not speaking visually then consider this:

The tipping point of social media commerce has been reached. The see, click, buy mantra has become seamless, integrated, and more visually compelling.



Instagram has disrupted and transformed the mechanics and marketing of industries ranging from the art world to the modelling industry.



How the adoption of visual social media commerce by the travel and hospitality industries has led to groundbreaking, commercial uses of virtual reality.



eSports  where virtual gaming spills out into physical sports arenas, and drone racing using VR, has rapidly grown into new multimillion-dollar spectator sports.



How new area learning, 3D camera technology is about to revolutionise the architectural, real estate, interior design and home decor industries.



How virtual and augmented realities are already being used for common good, in the healthcare industry as well as for education.



Venture capitalists invested $1.7 billion in the 12 months leading to March 2016 in AR or VR start-ups, and $1.2 billion of that was in the first quarter of this year alone. Something big is happening.

Who is this presentation designed for?

Industries that already rely heavily on visual communication such as advertising, marketing and retail. The hyper-visual trends that Flux sees on the horizon are about to transform your game and change the rules of engagement.



Anyone who is in the business of communicating, whether it is to customers or internal corporate communication. There is a new visual language that will drive your message home more effectively.



Businesses who are feeling the waves of disruption and would like to alter the status quo and their standing within their industries. We are experiencing a visual revolution that will change the way we do business and engage with each other.

Arent you curious to find out how this new era of visual communication will impact your business and your clients?

The Flux mantra: Trends as a Business Strategy.

Book your seats now!

JHB

Time: 16h30 (Registration opens at 16h00)

Date: Wednesday, 10 August 2016

Address: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice, Whitley Street, Melrose Arch Precinct, Johannesburg

Cost: R350 per person

CT

Time: 16h30 (Registration opens at 16h00)

Date: Thursday, 18 August 2016

Address: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice, Cape Town

New Church & Victoria Street, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town

Cost: R350 per person

A student rate of R250 will be offered to students with a valid student card. All booking requests can be sent to Bethea Clayton at az.oc.sdnertxulf@detcennoc.




In this 'Year of Disruption', change is also being amplified by those brands that are disrupting the market. Interbrand has packaged this new generation of brands, these "upstarts and challengers", to the established market as "breakthrough brands".

Image by 123RF

We know of a few of these brands, but what we really need to know is what makes them challenge the status quo. Because they will most likely turn branding on its head.

According to Interbrand global CEO, Jez Frampton, writing the introduction to the report, the key characteristics that these brands share are: agility, flexibility, and adaptability.

I love how Frampton describes their restlessness and need to reinvent the status quo that births these brands: Breakthrough brands are built on that premise - often because the restlessness of their founders led them to a new breakthrough - and they demonstrate it daily. They build it into their very culture: rejecting bureaucracy, discovering and fostering new ideas, and accelerating decision-making so they can race to market. Breakthrough brands set the pace for the market - and for all other brands - particularly when they reflect the pace of people.

Dont we all feel like this? That we need brands to listen to us and create real-world, instant solutions to our needs  particularly understanding the frenetic change society is facing and the need to keep up with the times and the uncertainty it brings?

Basically, Frampton and his team say that these breakthrough brands understand all this and that our needs as consumers have shaped these brands. These breakthrough brands, say Interbrand, put people at the heart of their business.

Its all about people

Frampton describes it as such: They know that people hold brands to incredibly high expectations - theyre looking for better choices, richer experiences, meaningful narratives, one-on-one attention, new form factors, and personal progress and fulfilment. They understand how data and technology change the definition of service and connectivity and the demand from people for greater and more nuanced choices.

The core idea defining a breakthrough brand is that it is a great brand because it has purpose, not because of its business model or brilliant idea or logo  although those are all developed in tandem. Frampton says it all: its coded into breakthroughs DNA.

It may sound idealistic, but breakthrough brands are built on ideals from the start that align with their consumer values: The brand is the experience is the brand reports Interbrand.

Of course, theres that much used word authenticity and integrity that are implicit in the process. As are brilliant ideas; a people-centred business; and a focus that breeds excellence.

Dominik Prinz, Interbrand executive director, strategy, likens breakthrough brands to breaking the sonic barrier because of their exponential business growth, which shakes up the market.

Right now, the world is resonating with the sounds of trailblazing brands that have broken through: Airbnb turned the hotel category on its head; Tesla challenged decades of automotive conventions; the likes of Uber and Lyft have dared to reinvent personal transportation; Snapchat changed the way people connect socially; and Pokemon Go needed no more than a few weeks to engage millions of people and businesses around the world in a hunt for fictional cyber creatures.

The questions are: What separates the businesses that do break through the growth barrier from the ones that never reach it? And what is that powerful fuel that helps them accelerate fast enough to make it through?

Theres a formula

Prinz says there is a simple growth formula that applies to these brands:

A clear sense of purpose and relevant operating model + a powerful customer experience = Brand and business growth!

Prinz explains further: You need to be crystal clear on the meaningful impact you want to see in the world - and why. Whether it is the ambition to dramatically improve a product, a service, or an entire category, be relentless in defining the story that lives at the core of your business and brand - and message it over and over again, since it will become a filter people use to judge the authenticity of everything you do. Then you need a design and operating model that speaks to the people youd like to call your customers.

Ubers business is built on a technology platform that makes transportation easy and seamless. Warby Parker designed an initial operating model that substituted expensive retail locations with free product trials. Find out what the operating model is that allows you to scale, quickly. At the end of the day, the rate of growth youll reach will depend on the quality of the experience you provide. Its not news, but no less true today than it has been before, either. You have to make sure to invest in and focus on the experiences that truly matter to people and inspire them to engage over and over again.

Of course, Interbrand also took into account that 80-90% of startups fail, so why do these breakthrough brands succeed when others dont? You need to think like a breakthrough brand, says Interbrands Breakthrough Brand survey partner, Facebooks Judy Lee, head of brand and creativity, North America.

Mobile-first mindset: Breakthrough brands are built to be mobile right from the beginning (i.e., Uber, Lyft).

Having a bold vision: They have a singularity of vision and are purpose-led, giving them an advantage over companies that quantify success only in terms of market share or profits. Its not a PR ploy, but built into a companys DNA.

New marketing model: Their campaigns drive meaningful action and their advertising is carefully crafted to get the right message out and they do test, but turnaround is quicker as they dont have the distractions of traditional advertising silos. Other breakthrough brands expand the very notion of what marketing is. For breakthrough brands in the apparel category, anything that has to do with the brand - even the fulfilment and shipping of their physical product - is treated as marketing, explains Lee.

Connect the world: Breakthrough brands do not place geographical boundaries on their marketing, connecting to the world through the various platforms available, reaching audiences instantly.

Disrupt or destruct: Breakthrough brands and growth brands are redefining industries, often without massive capital investment. They are disruptors, creating new businesses from new ideas.

This quote from the Interbrand report says it all: Stories have always been at the heart of human connection. Todays brands need to connect with real people - not just demographic audiences - in order to grow at the speed of life. These breakthrough brands do more than treat stories as add-on content, they embody them - creating story-driven experiences with the customer at the centre. These are narratives that speak to actual individuals needs, interests, and (sometimes latent) desires, rather than simply telling people what they want to hear. By creating stories that come to life in the real world, these breakthrough brands are embedding themselves in customers evolving ecosystems."

*Read more: Interbrand identifies the global Breakthrough Brands disrupting markets, Bizcommunity.com, 5 August 2016.
SAN FRANCISCO: Apple and Microsoft on Friday appeared to be aiming in opposite directions with freshly unholstered gun emojis.

Image via Apple

A pistol character included among glyphs for messages sent using coming iOS 10 software powering Apple mobile devices looked like a toy instead of a real firearm.

New emojis teased by Apple in a blog post included women athletes, single parents, a rainbow flag, and a green water pistol. California-based Apple promised that more than 100 new or redesigned emoji characters will be available to iPhone and iPad users when iOS 10 software is released later this year.

Apple billed it as "an exciting update" with emojis that "reflect the diversity of people everywhere."

Apple did not respond to an AFP request for comment regarding the apparent decision to make a gun emoji that appeared less menacing than the real thing. It remained unclear whether Apple made the change in response to recent high-profile episodes of gun violence, as some theorize.

While the change was welcomed by groups devoted to preventing gun violence, it provoked online backlash by those unhappy with the move.

"I have never seen an emoji change so poorly received," Emojipedia.org founder Jeremy Burge said in a blog post.

"And this isn't even in the hands of most people yet."

Meanwhile, a Windows operating system update rolled out this week by Microsoft came with a pistol emoji changed from a cartoonish ray gun to a revolver. Microsoft said in a blog post that it had a team design new emojis from scratch for the major Windows 10 anniversary update.

"They needed to feel more human, more personal, more expressive,"

Microsoft said in the post devoted to the new array of 'glyphs' that have become a standard for mobile messaging.

"The effect is clear, and pretty striking."

A Microsoft spokesperson told AFP that the company's intent with every glyph is to "map to industry designs or our customers' expectations" regarding what emojis mean.

Apple's toy gun emoji, if it isn't changed before the official release of iOS 10, would break from more realistic looking glyphs offered by major messaging platforms.

Source: AFP
ABOU-AL-MATAMIR - Men and women harvest Merlot grapes under the scorching sun in one of Egypt's up-and-coming vineyards, as the Muslim-majority desert country strives to win over international wine connoisseurs.

Image by 123RF

"It's a great story, what we've done with Egyptian wine," said a proud Labib Kallas, as he inspected vines planted in reclaimed desert land north of Cairo on a hot day in July.

For decades a single Egyptian company produced wine that was derided by locals and expatriates alike, but today aficionados say the North African country offers a variety of good white wines. The vineyard that Kallas is visiting - which spans around 170 hectares (420 acres) some 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of the capital - is just one of several providing grapes to two companies now making wine in Egypt.

Since the early 2000s, Kouroum of the Nile - where Kallas heads production - and Domaine de Gianaclis have launched an ambitious quest: to revive the country's wine production by importing grape varieties from France, Italy and also Spain - Merlot, Syrah, Viognier and Vermentino.

Cairo's upscale restaurants and bars usually stock only Egyptian wine. In a somewhat conservative society that mostly views alcohol negatively, authorities impose a prohibitive custom tax of 3,000% on imported wine.

Originally practised in Egypt under the pharaohs, large-scale winemaking was resurrected under British colonialism, before the industry started declining after the army took over the country in a 1952 coup. Today a dozen wine varieties of reds, whites and roses are available on the market.

"We've planted a lot of vines. We pay a lot of attention to quality," said Sebastien Boudry, a French winemaker at Domaine de Gianaclis, near Abu al-Matamir, a village in the Nile Delta 170 kilometres northwest of Cairo. In 2002 the Heineken Group acquired Gianaclis, which had been nationalised in the 1960s.

The climate in Egypt is a challenge to winemakers. They must account for scorching temperatures and compensate for the almost total absence of rain using sophisticated irrigation systems. "When it's over 50 degrees, the vines cannot do much beyond surviving - let alone produce sugars or aromatic substances," said Boudry, who handles 230 hectares of vineyards.

The efforts appear to have been fruitful, with some local wines grabbing international awards. They are "qualitatively good, nice and fresh," said Jean-Baptiste Ancelot, founder of Wine Explorers, the world's first inventory of wine-producing countries.

"Not necessarily great wines, but wines of immediate pleasure," said Ancelot, who visited Gianaclis in 2014. "The whites are the most successful. You can find wines that are both fresh and very fruity - of the exotic fruit type: peach, pineapple, and a little passion fruit."

At Kouroum of the Nile - who say their grapes and wine are organic - the pride of the house is the white Beausoleil. It is the only variety made 100% from Egyptian grapes known as Banati, which in 2016 won a silver medal at the international wine contest in Brussels. The company produces more than two million litres annually: between 700,000 and 800,000 bottles for individuals, with the rest - more than two thirds - distributed in bags-in-boxes to Cairo hotels.

But with few tourists coming to Egypt over the past six years amid the bloody crackdown and jihadist attacks that followed the 2011 uprising, the wine industry is struggling to absorb these shocks.

"Tourism accounts for more than 70% of production. If the tourists do not return, we will have to look into exporting," said Shaker Nawal, marketing director at Kouroum of the Nile.

But it is difficult to imagine the niche industry competing with Western heavyweights - or even those in the region such as Lebanon, which produces more than eight million bottles a year and exports a third of its production.

"This will remain a curiosity wine," said Kallas, a Lebanese living in Egypt. "A Parisian who orders an Egyptian wine at a restaurant rather than French or Spanish wine must have a curious nature." But he thinks the company's wine can penetrate Asian markets.

As he sat enjoying an Egyptian Omar Khayyam rose with friends by the Nile, Dutch ambassador Gerard Steeghs was optimistic. When he first arrived in Egypt, he said he was told: "There is the 'headache wine' and there is the wine that is ok. But there is no good wine." Today "they still have the 'headache wine', but you also have really good wine," he said.

Source: AFP.
Almost 8% of the UK population are what Experian describes as prolific social media and mobile users. Yet, according to their research, despite their savviness, this section of the UKs population saw the biggest increase in ID theft, rising by 16.7% over the last year.

The reason this segment are targeted, says Experian, may be due to the fact they have more gadgets, spend more time online than most people and use digital services for a wide range of activities. Furthermore, they live in within dense populations in big cities.

In fact, research by UK fraud prevention service Cifas recently labeled social media as a prime place in which fraudsters trawl for information.

The likes of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other online platforms are much more than just social media sites  they are now a hunting ground for identity thieves, says Cifas CEO Simon Dukes, adding that, to a fraudster, the information we put online is a goldmine.

As well as those who are digitally active, identity theft was also on the rise among older and retired households, found Experian. Such households, preyed on perhaps due to their presumed lack of tech-savviness, were mostly targeted via email and telephone calls.

They tend to be less aware of the types of scams fraudsters undertake, who can be very manipulative and sound trustworthy on the phone, said Nick Mothershaw, a fraud expert from Experian. The sole rule is to never give out personal details, passwords or Pins to anyone, whether it is on the phone or by email.
Pastor Tuu Lwan from Sar Hmaw said it is unclear which group placed the mine that killed the men that were also from the same village in Mogaung Township. Both groups have issued warnings not to enter the nearby Sut Len Yang Village which has been designated as restricted since last year.

Its situated between the two armies so we dont know who set it (landmine). The Burma Army has said that it will fire at anyone who enters that area. The KIA also said no one should enter this area. Both armies are camped there.

According to unconfirmed reports, the names of the deceased men are Maung Chan Aye, age 22; Aung Min Wai, 20; and Maung Kyar Aung, 27. It is unsure whether or not they were Bamar or Shanni (Red Shan).

The deceased mens families and some villagers from Sar Hmaw Village have staged a protest accusing the KIA of planting the landmines and restricting the mobility of residents from accessing their farms, said village elder U Than Soe.

The Burma Army has encouraged some Shanni communities to form militias. Currently, in Hpakant and Tanai Townships Shanni militias are fighting with the Burma Army against the KIA.

Reporting by KNG

Translated by Thida Linn

Edited by BNI staff
The National Ethnic Youth Conference was held from July 27 to August 1 in Panglong, Lwelin Township in southern Shan State. A Burma ethnic youth alliance comprised of 26 ethnic groups has been formed, according to the statement issued after the conference.

At the conference a total of 768 people including youth delegates from various ethnic groups, scholars, panelists and observers attended. The alliance has been formed with 26 central executive committee members, 78 central committee members with three delegates each from the 26 ethnic groups and the seven working groups.

Khaing Lamin, secretary general of the newly formed alliance said. Our intention is to have more trust and love among ethnic youth to help build federalism, to solve the problems that have been happening in ethnic regions. We also want to help the peace process. The most important aim is to get youth included in the decision making process.

According to the youth alliance statement, seven committees were formed including the National Equality and Reformation of Constitution, Peace and National Reconciliation, Rule of Law and Human Rights, Anti-narcotic, Education, Health, Preservation of Literature, Culture, Natural Environment, Investment of Resources and Policy for ethnic affairs and youth.

Saw Gypsy, a delegate from the Karen youth said the formation of the youth alliance was I want all ethnic youth to participate. In building up our country, we are determined to participate in the government or administration to the best of our ability.

Issues discussed at the youth conference included; federalism and peace building. Position papers from the 26 ethnic groups were also read and problems and solutions were also discussed. The nationwide National Youth Conference was the first in Burma and resulted in the formation of All Burma Ethnic Youth Alliance.
She had on two occasions, when meeting with the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) signatory Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) in June and as well the non-signatory EAOs of United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) in July, reiterated her position to this line of thinking, which is worrying for the whole spectrum of politically aware ethnic nationalities and straight-thinking Bamar politicians.

What has she actually said on this issue? Let us have a close look at it.

According to the transcript published in SHAN on 4 August, on the occasion of the meeting between the UNFC and Aung San Suu Kyi, on 17 July in Rangoon, Suu Kyi elaborated on Panglong as follows:

(The question of) whether Panglong convention is to be based on the Panglong Agreement or the Panglong Spirit is too general and not exact. (If we) reread it, the main point is only concerned with the Kachin. In comparison to other ethnic nationalities, paragraph 5, 6 and 9 mentioned exactly only the Kachin. Paragraph 8 mentioned the Shan. In mentioning the Shan it was very general. For example, in paragraph 8: The arrangements accepted in this Agreement are without prejudice to the financial autonomy now vested in the Federated Shan States. Therefore, the word without prejudice could be interpreted in a lot of ways. So, even if we were to go according to the Panglong Agreement, we would be in a condition that we could do a lot of more or less adjustment. This couldnt be a problem for us, if we would like to achieve agreement. My mentioning of Panglong Spirit is meant to (emphasize) unity. But I said we must take (endorse) the spirit, for (in the agreement) only Shan, Kachin, Chin and Bamar were included. Mon, Kayah (Karenni) and a lot were not included. Thats why I said to base (the solution) on Panglong Spirit. It is impossible to base on Panglong Agreement, where only Kachin, Chin, Bamar and Shan (are involved). In addition, it is not meant to limit the rights of the ethnic nationalities by not saying (agreeing) accordingly to the Panglong Agreement, but expressively for it is too narrow. To build genuine federal union, we need a more wider scope.

Her argument is that because of the unity to strive together  Burma Proper, Federated Shan States, Kachin and Chin Hills  for independence, it was achieved and thus the spirit born at the Panglong town is more important than the agreement itself.

Another justification is that since the Karenni, Mon, Karen and Arakan among others were not represented, the agreement is narrow in scope and must be widened, implying that the treaty be cast aside and replace it with a new and more comprehensive one.

Earlier, while she was meeting with the 8 signatory EAOs in Naypyitaw, on 28 June, she literally said: Questions have been asked, if Panglong convention is meant to address the agreement or the spirit. First of all, it is not only the Panglong Agreement. I want to say it is not the main point. Because at that time, Panglong Agreement was signed due to the necessity to achieve independence. As all ethnic signatories know, only a few (ethnic nationalities) were included and the excluded ones could ask whether they are left abandoned, if we base (the federal union deliberations) only on the Panglong Agreement.

This argument has irked quite a lot of people and some even interpreted as a contradiction to her late father Aung San  Suu Kyis late father assassinated on the eve of independence in 1947 -, who was the main protagonist and representative of the Bamar interim government in the historical signing of Panglong Agreement in 1947.

Let us scrutinize these two said arguments of Suu Kyi on whether they are relevant and logical enough.

For the first one, the importance of the unity to achieve independence from the British is a valid argument. But it has to be taken into account with a pinch of salt, that a strong degree of doubtfulness were at all time present during the negotiations, and also the angst that the Bamar would just take over the mantle of the British and overwhelmed them as a new ruler, which has actually proven to be the case, judging from what had happened and has been happening, starting from the time of independence from the British until now.

The secession clause included in the 1947 Union of Burma constitution is a living evidence on how far had the Bamar representative Aung San had gone to woo the ethnic nationalities and alleviate their worries.

Thus the unity achieved in Panglong in 1947 is not a wholesale doubtfulness free unity that Suu Kyi likes to portray but realpolik at play and a calculated risk involved, from the part of the ethnic nationalities, which turned out to be a wrong decision.

As for the second argument that the other ethnic groups were not included and thus is not comprehensive enough is also not totally true. For Burma Proper or Ministerial Burma as it was then known and represented by Aung San as its interim government covered all the territories inhabited by Mon, Karen, Arakan and all the others, safe for the Karenni State that was then recognized as an independent political entity by the British. Thus in an official and legal sense, the portion of Burma Proper and all the ethnic groups inhabiting it were all represented by Aung San at the Panglong conference and the agreement signed thereafter.

Vice-President Naw Zipporah Sein, who represented the Karen National Union (KNU) at Mai Ja Yang EAOs Plenary Meeting from 26 to 30 July, in reply to the query from Karen Information Center (KIC) recently said that the party has agreed, together with all the other ethnic nationalities, regarding Panglong Handbook guidelines. She stressed: Panglong is directly concerned with large ethnic nationalities like Shan, Kachin and Chin. For the other ethnic nationalities, the Panglong Spirit of rights to self-determination, democracy and equality in building a federal union are included.

Further, she concluded that the points from the Panglong Agreement is identical with the formation of a federal union and thus, the KNU is in agreement with it.

Seen from this light, the possible argument that this agreement made in 1947 should be nullified and replace it with a new one is uncalled for and in no way a sound approach.

It is a treaty between ethnic groups and states and has to be treated as such. Downgrading and belittling the treaty wont do any good in trying to achieve national reconciliation.

The argument that out of the nine points in the treaty some of it consisted only the Kachin and Shan issues and were vaguely written is not a sound one, especially in view of disregarding the agreement altogether.

True, part of the agreement also mentioned the immediate remedy of the day, where the Kachin State formation and arrangement concerning Shan States financial matters were concerned. And fair enough to argue that it is not comprehensive enough, with a far-reaching solution effect that could remedy the woes of present political reality.

But the important point is the part of agreement on autonomy in internal administration, the financial autonomy, democracy and equality, which would lead to the creation of a federal union.

And what is essential is that the Panglong Agreement be treated as a treaty between ethnic groups and continue to build on the sound agreement made and not disregarding or belittling it.

Aung Htoo a renowned lawyer and a keen Burma watcher recently said: Firstly, there should be only one agreement in the structuring (building) of the union. For example, the 1945 United Nation Charter, 1291 Switzerlands Federal Charter and 1963 Malaysia Agreement, all until today have only one agreement.

He stressed that in building a society there should be only one solid treaty or agreement and wont be logical to draw up another new one. He also pointed out: If we were to draw up a new agreement in the second Panglong convention  meaning the 21st Century Panglong Agreement  , question will arise if we are going to disregard the first one  1947 Panglong Agreement.

His argument is that if the first Panglong Agreement is still valid, there is no need to hold second Panglong. For from the second Panglong convention  which normally must declare the invalidity of the Panglong Agreement first  another agreement would come into existence. And with the two available agreements, the question of which one is legally valid would also arise. In his opinion, second Panglong or 21st Century Panglong convention should not be convened. At least, his opinion is that the name Panglong should not be used, to avoid complication.

Whatever the case, regardless of differing opinion, the first agreement of 1947 in Panglong that has paved way for the 1947 Constitution, which in turn had created a new political entity, the Union of Burma in 1948, should be regarded as a non-alterable basic treaty between ethnic nationalities made on the eve of the British withdrawal from its colonies around the world. And any innovative renovation, based on the said Panglong Agreement, that would widen the scope of nation-building and participation that caters to the wish of all the people inhabiting the country, without losing its original goal should be encouraged, whether it uses the term of Panglong for the gathering or not.
The Most Extensive and Reliable Source of Information Related to the Mexican Drugs Cartels.



You will not find this level of coverage anywhere else, join us!





WARNING:

Posts may contain strong violent material, discretion is advised.





COMMENTS:

We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately.




Standard Chartered, a leading international lender has announced plans to step up investment and leverage its unique footprint and international banking expertise to drive Africas growth aspirations.

The London-listed banking group, which also has operations in Botswana recently launched a new brand campaign, Here for Africa, which it said reiterates its commitment to investing in Africas future, and continue to support key growth sectors across local economies which include infrastructure, telecommunications, transport, retail and trade. The bank is competing for the seemingly lucrative African banking space with other lenders such as South Africas Standard Bank, Atlas Maras African Banking Corporation and arch-rivals Barclays Bank, which also traces its origin in Britain. However, Standard Chartered said it is ready to fight for its market share and ultimately become the Number One bank to go to in the continent. The bank announced late last year that it has its heightened focus on Africa, seeking to grow its business across all markets, with a keen focus on Corporate and Commercial segments.

Speaking during the launch of the Africa-focused campaign in Ghana recently, Sunil Kaushal, the Regional CEO of Africa and Middle East said, Africa is an integral and a valuable economic partner region within our unique footprint across the region, Asia and the Middle East. This campaign is about our show of commitment and confidence in a continent that we have been in for over 150 years. The banking group, which operates 1200 branches across the globe, considers itself truly African in the sense that it has tailored its strategy to the Africas specific trends and business dynamics.





Currently, Standard Chartered supports over 1 million retail customers in Africa, and over 25,000 commercial, corporate and institutional clients. In November last year, the Bank committed $3 billion in strategic investments globally, over the next three years - a commitment which has already seen Africa benefiting with a multi-market upgrade of digital and mobile banking platforms. We believe in forging strong partnerships which deliver tangible value for all members of Africas economies, not just our clients. Our USD5 billion commitment to President Obamas Power Africa campaign, in partnership with African governments, continues to light, said Kaushal.

In Botswana, Standard Chartered Chief Executive, Moatlhodi Lekaukau said the groups aggressive campaign in the continent could not have come at a better time. Locally, his bank has done a lot to empower and service Batswana. As the country celebrates her Golden Jubilee, we are proud to have supported Botswanas economic development over the years. Being the oldest Bank in Botswana, Standard Chartered will in 2017 be celebrating 120 years of delivering tangible benefits to support local economic growth, said Lekaukau, a University of Cape Town educated accountant.

These benefits include development of human capital; roll-out of digital banking solutions to more than 100,000 retail customers; locally offering a diversified range of offshore Fixed Income securities from over 25 countries supported with a strong advisory expertise, as well as empowering local entrepreneurs by bridging the gap between large multinationals and local suppliers through our successful supply chain financing proposition.Standard Chartered is among the top four banks in Botswana and it is locally listed at Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE).

Standard Chartered operates in 38 African economies, 16 on a full-presence basis and 22 on a transactional basis. The Banks footprint of 180 branches and outlets now has an extended reach, thanks to the Banks continuous evolution of its digital platforms and mobile banking channels.
Bakgatla regent, Kgosi Bana Sekai has heaped praises on one of the tribesmen, Molemi Gare, describing him as a hero for standing up for the self-exiled Kgosi-kgolo Kgafela II.

Kgosi Sekai made the impromptu announcement on Sunday at the funeral of Molemis mother, 92-year old Malepe Lipsticks Gare, the first child of Leseba and Motlalepula Mmankgwana Gare of Mapotsane ward. Malepe succumbed to heart failure last week Monday at Deborah Retief Memorial Hospital. The funeral was conducted at her home in Lesetlheng la Mabodisa, otherwise commonly known as Dichibidung  because of its reddish soils.However, Kgosana Sebedi Mabodisa used the opportunity to beguile and then disabuse the lot of the mourners gathered of that erroneous sobriquet. The area, he explained, was an extension of Mabodisa ward, where people relocated when the main ward no longer had any carrying capacity for residential plots.

Except for her children, Maifale Thanki, Matlhodi Mmamoshibidu, Ramotsepane Joseph, Kgomotso Ntobi, Saleko and Ntutwane Jacob and their children - Malepe is survived by two of her younger siblings, sister Mmasentho Mooketsi and brother Sentshwe Bosane Gare. Her other siblings, Shakwe, Rauwane and Mmathari are no more.





Earlier in his eulogy before the funeral procession left for the Mabodisa cemeteries, where Malepes remains would be interred for eternity, Sekai paid homage to Malepes adroitness and industriousness, describing her as a woman of valour. In fact, Sekai was pleasantly surprised to learn that his mother, who was a good friend to Malepe, had been a year younger than Malepe.

Sekai told the mourners that he practically grew up in Mapotsane ward, where Malepes mother, Motlalepula, raised her grandchildren, among them Joseph Gare, Molemis elder brother and Sekais age-mate. In a fit of nostalgia, both Joseph and Sekai savoured the fond memories of a time past, when they would after every month wait in anticipation for a delivery truck that would drop boxes of dikwakwala  (morsels of leftovers usually comprising slices of bread or crumbs smeared with either jam, margarine or peanut butter and then preserved) - from their mothers who were working as maids in South Africa.

Those were the days, said Joseph Gare, when parents knew and understood the value of food and would not throw away leftovers, but instead preserved them for a rainy day. That rainy day was in fact, their children who were toiling back home in Bechaunaland!

When the mourners had returned from the gravesite, Kgosi Sekai, suddenly remembered that he hadnt mentioned Molemi Gare, whom he said has earned honour and name among the tribespeople through his heroic and valiant deeds to become a worthy member of Mangana regiment, to which Kgosi Kgolo Kgafela II belongs. Kgosi Sekai exalted Molemis exemplary bravery, which he has shown by loyally clinging to Kgafela II during his trials and tribulations.

When others were ashamed to be associated with Kgabo, this man, Molemi was too bold and raised his hand to be counted. He has been with Mangana regiment ensuring that all of Kgabos cares are provided for, I want to applaud you the people of Mapotsane ward for raising such a valiant soldier in your family, he said. In a separate interview Kgosi Sekai promised that Kgosi Kgolo Kgafela would be installing a Chief in Moruleng in September and thereafter consider returning home.

Agitated men, some of them members of various tribal regiments, expressed misgivings during the wake as they cooked the next days meals at the way things have turned out in Kgatleng since Kgafela went to South Africa. They cried that anarchy was getting entrenched, citing the recent national torch tour stopover in Mochudi, where they said organisers had surmounted the audacity to slaughter some cattle sourced from Masama Farm. Those cattle belong to baKgatla, the farm is baKgatlas national treasure, who are these people to eat them? asked an irate mourner whilst minding pots during the all-night vigil. We want Kgabo to come back to restore law and order, mused another.
Botswana will have deposited the instrument of the Marrakesh Treaty accession by the time it celebrates its 50th Anniversary, Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Advocate Sadique Kebonang has promised.

Speaking during the official opening of the regional workshop on opportunities and challenges in the implementation of the Beijing and Marrakesh treaties, Kebonang said the treaty comes at a time when Botswana has taken a number of deliberate policy decisions to intergrate and provide for people living with disabilities. There has been an establishment of Coordinating Office for People with Disability (CPWD) in the Office of the President.

The intention of placing this Unit at this level, is to develop and coordinate implementation of policies, strategies and programmes through mainstreaming them into the development agenda to empower people with disabilities, said Kebonang. He said Marrakesh Treaty is a vehicle to facilitate more achievement in terms of addressing issues affecting people with disabilities.





The Beijing and Marrakesh treaties are the most recently adopted treaties in the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in 2012 and 2013. The Beijing Treaty is on audio-visual performances whereas the Marrakesh Treaty is to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired and otherwise print disabled, he said.

He expressed gratitude for the contribution and support that WIPO and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) continue to extend to Botswana in the development and growth of Botswanas intellectual property system. He said the Marrakesh Treaty was an important tool that could assist governments in ensuring that fellow citizens living with blindness, visual impairment and print disabilities have equal and timeous access to information. Access to information and knowledge is a fundamental right to all and as such the visually impaired should also enjoy this right, he said, adding that this would help them deal with some of the social challenges they face.

Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) Copyright Administrator, Keitseng Monyatsi said the treaty would be of benefit to people with visual impairment or blindness as they are faced with challenges of delayed access to information due to the need to acquire authorisation to convert works into an accessible format. Modern technologies allow for works to be converted speedily and at affordable costs, but the need for authorisation prohibits or delays entities serving beneficiary persons from converting and availing personal copies to them, she said.
In the era of cheap money, diverging monetary and fiscal policies, investment has been robust while foreign direct investment has gravitated towards the highly developed countries rather than developing countries and transition economies.

2015 saw a recovery of FDI flow in the world, which shot to US$1.7 trillion, an increase of 38 percent. The positive outlook in 2015 was attributed largely to corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, which shot to US$721billion from US$432 billion in 2014. Most of the movement had little effect on actual corporate operations but on balance of payments, hence when discounted the global increase in FDI flows was at only 15 percent. In that year, greenfield investment, where a corporation builds its operations in a foreign country, was still high at US$766 billion.

It is regrettable that the movement here has the potential to contribute to productive investments, but most of the movement was for the purpose of tax evasion where reconfigurations of corporate giants was to transfer the tax domicile of a multi-national enterprise to jurisdictions that offer lower tax rates. In the year 2015, global FDI outflows constituted of 72 percent for the developed economies while the increase in the FDI outflows from these economies increased sharply by 33 percent to over US$1 trillion. The largest investing region by value in this year was Europe at US$576 billion in FDI outflows.





Despite transition and developing economies exhibiting a downward trend in outward FDI, the giant-in-the-east, China, did exceptionally well in that its outward FDI remained high at US$128 billion. Investment flows in offshore financial hubs remain robust. In this year, it had taken a nosedive to US$72 billion, comprising flows from multinational enterprises domiciled in developing and transition economies, often being from transit FDI. The main source of ache from this, is the disconnect between locations in which the income is generated and productive investment, which has often times resulted in fiscal losses. This then calls for increased integration in investment and tax policies at the international stage.

Buoyant cross-border mergers and acquisition sales were a big lift for developed economies as Europe saw an increase of US$504 billion, which is 29 percent of global inflows. The United Kingdom though, had a dip in inflow to US$40 billion while North America almost quadrupled to US$429 billion. The report further states that in the landlocked developing countries (LLDC), FDI flows continued on a downward trend falling to US$24.5 billion.

Will Africa ever enter the premier league of investment destinations? At the world economic forum, in May 2016, it was debated by leaders and academics alike how Africa rising is a phenomenon of the past. Issues that were debated on included among others, that the countries are still doing well except high growth commodity based economies which have taken a hit when the commodity price plummeted. Commodity prices were of recent dampened, with aggregate demand being persistently weak and growth being sluggish in commodity exporting countries. African investors were compelled to reduce their investments outside Africa because of weaker demand from main trading partners due to low commodity prices.

Intra-African trade has been noted to play an important role in attractiveness of Africa as a premier investment destination. There was a dismal performance for intra African trade at only 3.5 percent, but the gloomy result could turn around as it is projected that by the year 2022, intra African trade could be 22 percent of total trade. The dismal performance of intra African trade was, among others, because of heavy reliance on commodities in Africa.

The report estimates that FDI flows fell to US$54 billion comprising 7 percent fall from the previous year. North Africa was boosted by Egypt, which received increased inflows by 9 percent; West Africa fell by 18 percent to US$9.9 and East Africa by 2 percent. Southern Africa, conversely, was driven by Angola with intra company loans, which drove FDI flows to a record US$1.4 billion, an increase of 2 percent. According to United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, a continental free trade area (CFTA), would bring together trade blocs from around the continent, with a combined GDP of over US$2.5 trillion and a total population of a staggering 1 billion plus. This CFTA is expected to be in place by October 2017.

Coming closer to home, statistics show that in the Southern Africa region, FDI inflows favoured the developed and highly industrialised country, South Africa. 81 percent of all inward FDI went to the country while Botswana received a mere 7 percent. This certainly calls for a paradigm shift in the FDI policy in Botswana. Foreign direct investment: Inward flows and stock, annual, 2004-2014.
This week Botswana bids farewell to one of its stalwarts, the late Justice Elijah William Modale John Legwaila who helped shape Botswana in many respects. Writing about EWMJ as he was affectionately called in legal circles or Mokgalajwe as I called him ever since I got used to him, is not easy. The 1.8metre tall moustached Mathathane born rose from being a herd-boy in the dusty Bobirwa district to become one of the countrys greatest legal minds and civil servant of all times.

He simply rejoiced in serving others and ensuring improvement of their lives. He was a team player who gave credit to others other than to himself. He was punctual in whatever he engaged in and expected nothing less from others. In 1978 Malcolm S. Forbes published a collection of his own quotations called The Sayings of Chairman Malcolm one of which counsels; You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him. It appeared he had Legwaila in mind because clearly that described him throughout his life.

Although Humphreys statement was not directed to Legwaila, without doubt, Legwaila has demonstrated that through his illustrious civil service career of this country from being a teacher, state counsel, deputy attorney general, PSP, judge president of the court of the industrial court and justice of court of appeal, he would have passed the litmus test set by former American politician, Hubert H. Humphrey who served as the 38th Vice President of the United States. In his last speech Humphrey said the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped. 





That exactly suits Legwailas character. He was always ready to commend officers whom he felt deserved such complements. I have followed Legwailas career for many years, and what I learnt as described by civil servants and politicians alike, is that he was a modest person and believed in team work. When Legwaila retired as PSP, the then Vice President and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Lieutenant General Ian Khama was extensively quoted saying although Legwaila would never accept credit for his achievements and improvements made during his time as PSP - mainly because he was a modest person and believed in team work - he would be remembered for his fairness, patience and readiness to listen.

As secretary to the cabinet, Khama said Legwaila had also tendered advice and opinions that influenced the deliberations that took place in that forum. He said as PSP, Legwaila was never hesitant to admonish any supervisor, especially when he realised that the rights of other officers were being trampled upon. He was a humble person and treated all alike. It was not surprising that when he made his last speech as a civil servant, he said he was leaving a happy man because he was successful in his assignment. He attributed his success to the support from both his former principals - President Sir Ketumile Masire, Festus Mogae and VP Khama Ian Khama as well as the civil service at large. He left a word of advice for the civil servants which if the present cadres were to emulate, then Botswana would be a great place to live in. His advice 17 years ago was that, Civil servants should not get promoted and localise posts and sit down without striving to improve the workforce further.

He will be remembered amongst many things for introducing a performance based appraisal system for officers, which mproved service delivery in the public sector. So popular was the process that it got to be known as removal of Dead wood from the public service and earned him the nick name Raselepe. I knew and had interacted with Legwaila and his wife Marty for ages. I came closer to him in year the 2000. They were amongst the invited guests and parents who attended my wedding to Mmapula nee Mazebedi in October as they are related. Four months later, Marty Legwaila invited us to their residence together with two other newly married couples, their nephew GM Legwaila and Justice Oagile Key Dingake for a Valentine feast.

The speech was the shortest ever. My children we have called you to congratulate you for the decision you made. We knew today you were going to take your wives for a Valentine outing. So we decided to save your money. Lets enjoy the meals. Interestingly they had cooked for us a five course meal which was a mixture of traditional and modern dishes.The Valentine dinner invitation opened many doors for me. In attendance to our treat was Legwailas younger brother, Ambassador Joseph Legwaila then based in USA, but was on official visit. Being a journo, I seized the moment and ensured that I secure an interview with the man I have known since my childhood days through the schools current affairs programme, when we would be asked questions like, who is Botswanas ambassador to the UN?

Since that day Legwaila called me Mokhwenyana which in Martys language it means son in law. Legwaila played a great role in grooming, advancement and to some extent shaping me to become an award winning journalist as he never failed to either assist or constructively critique my work. As I got closer to him I realised that he had moments for everything, even to share his toughest moments as a young boy in Bobirwa and light moments abroad. One thing that he was crystal clear about is that you can take him out of his village as it happened during his studies that started at age 14 years, but no one could take Mathathane out of him.

He was a staunch member of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA), Trinity branch in Gaborone where he rose to the level of a Deacon. His contribution to UCCSA is immeasurable as he used to not only give legal advice, but contributed his resources even to the Mens fellowship of the church.

Elijah was born on 8 August, 1939. He attended primary school in Molaladau and Bobonong and South Africa. He later went to Moeng College and subsequently studied law at Roma in Lesotho and Edinburgh in Scotland. He was joined in holy matrimony to Marty Isabel (nee Makhubu). He is survived by his wife Marty, son Karabo, daughter Morongwa, daughter in law Cindy and two grand children, Elijah and Khaya. He will be laid to rest tomorrow (Saturday) in his home village, Mathathane. May his soul rest in peace
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is yet to finalise and decide on the reforms that were introduced by party Secretary General, Botsalo Ntuane.

Ntuane introduced the reforms during his campaign for the office in 2015 which he termed BDP Reform Agenda Conversation; 22 Discussion Points. Ntuane has been criticised within the party for failing to ensure that the reforms see the light of the day. He has however indicated that the reforms are not his but belong to democrats. No decision has been taken ever since the reforms were introduced.

This week Ntuane revealed that the reforms were part of the agenda during the partys special congress held in Mogoditshane recently. He said the reforms are a work in progress and there is engagement between the party leadership and experts who have been roped in to interrogate the reforms. In the reforms, the former Gaborone Bonnington South MP cautioned the party to understand that it would not rule forever but in his view, BDP can still retain office for two more terms (10 years) either on its own or in a coalition.





Should our tenure in power come to an end without having introduced key electoral reforms such as Proportional Representation and party funding, we will go the way of the dodo because the new rules will have no incentive to oblige us on, he said. He called for a strong activist Central Committee and this means recalibrating their relations with government and reclaiming the party authority over government.

Responding to a question about progress on the reforms, Ntuane stated that when party leader President Ian Khama briefed the congress he indicated that they are still working on the reforms. We are working with experts in different fields to advise accordingly. They would then produce a document that would be brought to the central committee for interrogation. There is a lot going on internally in this exercise. There has been an engagement between the experts and President Khama and different party committees where robust debates are undertaken on the reforms, revealed Ntuane who added that once the process is concluded the outcome would be shared with the party membership.

In the reforms Ntuane reiterated the need for the enactment of the law on declaration of assets and liabilities. This he said would demonstrate the BDPs commitment to good governance and zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of public office. Ntuane said the BDP had suffered a political backlash due to unfinished mega projects but no action was taken. He called for an activist Central Committee which must demand accountability and for heads to roll when wasteful expenditure occurs.
SABMiller Plc has suspended work on integrating the brewers operations with that of suitor Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, according to a person familiar with the matter, potentially throwing the industrys biggest deal ever into disarray.

SABMiller management sent the order to employees, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. Representatives for AB InBev and SABMiller declined to comment.The revelation came a day after AB InBev nudged its cash bid for the British brewer up to 79-billion ($103.6-billion) to account for the pounds plunge in the wake of the United Kingdoms vote last month to leave the European Union. That followed pressure from investors who said the deal was unacceptable because stockholders werent being treated equally. The acquisition is in the home stretch, receiving regulatory clearance from South Africa and the United States in recent weeks, and now risks becoming an unintended casualty of Brexit.

SABMillers board is still reviewing AB InBevs improved offer and has not decided to walk away from the deal, different people familiar with the matter said. Advisers to the two brewing companies are still working on the transaction, the people said. The development sent shares of Molson Coors Brewing Co. down as much as 8.9%. The U.S. brewer is set to acquire SABMillers stake in the MillerCoors brewing venture as part of the deal, which is still awaiting approval from Chinese regulators. SABMillers American depositary receipts fell 4.6%. The news came after European markets closed.





Under the new terms, SABMiller shareholders would receive 45 a share in cash, 1 more than the prior offer. The bidder also increased the amount of cash in a cash-and-stock alternative that it crafted for the two largest investors, Altria Group Inc. and Bevco Ltd. Another SABMiller holder, Aberdeen Asset Management, said the revised proposal undervalues the company and is unacceptable because stockholders are receiving different treatment. The value of the cash-and-stock option has soared from 39 when the deal was announced last year to about 50.

SABMiller said on Tuesday that its board would consult shareholders about AB InBevs new offer and make an announcement thereafter. Altria and Molson Coors declined to comment. The deal to merge SABMiller and AB InBev, called Megabrew by analysts, will create a behemoth controlling about half of the industrys profits. The combined company will have the No. 1 or No. 2 positions in almost all of the worlds biggest beer markets, and provide AB InBev with its first toehold in Africa, where about 65-million people are due to reach the legal drinking age by 2023.  Bloomberg
President Ian Khama is said to have rejected a proposal by Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Members of Parliament to have their salaries increased before they could support the Presidential retirement package Bill.

Information reaching this publication is that the president has told his party MPs to their faces that it would never happen. The BDP MPs had wanted to take advantage of the Bill to have their pensions and gratuities reviewed by way of increasing their monthly salaries. The Presidents (Gratuity, Pensions and Retirement Benefits) Bill was expected to be debated in the current Parliament session and possibly made to pass but due to this development it had to be delayed with the hope that the MPs would one day during their party caucus be able to convince the president.

Parliament will go for recess next week and the Bill will possibly only return next year during the winter session which is specifically for Bills unless there is an opportunity to squeeze it during the State of the Nation Address in November this year or during the Budget speech session in February next year.





The Bill, which opposition MPs have vowed to reject states among other things that the President shall upon the dissolution of Parliament, or immediately upon ceasing to hold office as such be entitled to receive a gratuity equal to 30 percent of his or her current monthly basic salary multiplied by the number of months completed by him or her as President. The President would also receive a tax free monthly pension equivalent to monthly basic salary attached to the office of President at the time that he or she ceases to hold office, or 80 percent of the incumbent Presidents salary, whichever is greater.

During BDP Parliamentary Caucus meeting last week Tuesday, the MPs confronted the President requesting that Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration be directed to draft a Bill that would increase the salaries together with those for Councillors and Dikgosi. The issue was supposed to be further discussed this week, however, Botswana Guardian can safely confirm that it was not discussed at the party caucus meeting, as Khama was not in attendance due to other official engagements.The MPs according to insiders tried to push Khama against the wall but the president wouldnt budge. He has told us that it would be impossible to grant what we wanted. He told us to our faces that if that is the case then we could also drop the Presidents retirement package Bill. We want to continue to engage him on the matter so the Bill might have to be moved to the next session while we dialogue with him, said a BDP MP who attended the meeting.

Another MP revealed that the President made it clear that he would not buy into the idea because there are no funds. He told us that it would be wrong to make increment for politicians while the public servants have for long not been given increment. As a straight talker he made it clear that if we want to ride on the Presidents Retirement Bill, it is better the Bill is scrapped off. He indicated that as for him, he is okay with the current arrangement for presidents vacating office and would not be held to ransom over the proposed Bill, said the MP who is also a Minister.

Government Chief Whip Liakat Kably said the Presidents Retirement Bill was discussed at the meeting but could not shed more light on the issue. Look at the caucus we discuss a lot of things that affect the party and the country because we are the government of the day. We discuss Parliament issues, that is questions, motions and Bills but it is not for media consumption, Kably said adding that if the party feels what was discussed should be shared with the media proper arrangement would be made for such to happen.

BDP Deputy Secretary General, Shaw Kgathi said as BDP MPs they are ready to debate the Bill once tabled in Parliament. He indicated that there is no way they would sabotage the Bill because according to their understanding the Bill allows the country to save a lot of money. The Presidents retirement package Bill is lined up for debate in Parliament. If you put value to it there would be much funds spending reduction.

It is also for the dignity of the presidents wives and families. Under the current arrangement when the president dies, the widow is vacated from the house because it is state property but if we build for them it is much better and goes a long way proving that we love and respect our presidents, stated Kgathi. Kgathi who is also the Minister of Defence Justice and Security said as to what transpired during the partys caucus meetings he would leave it to the media for their continued speculation. With what was discussed at the caucus I would let you carry on with what you have been reporting about the Bill.


The H-6 bomber. A file photo

BEIJING (PTI): China's long-range bombers and fighter jets have "inspected" the airspace over the disputed South China Sea islands in a fresh bid to assert its sovereignty over the area after an international tribunal last month struck down Beijing's claims.



Chinese Air Force aircraft, including several H-6 long bombers and Su-30 aircraft, have inspected the airspace around the Nansha (Spratly) and Huangyan (Scarborough Shoal) islands in the South China Sea, a Chinese air force spokesperson said.



The flight is part of actual combat training to improve the Air Force's response to security threats, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.



China began regular air patrols on July 18 after the international tribunal appointed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in response to a Philippines petition struck down China's claims over the South China Sea and upheld Manila's rights in the areas claimed by it.



China, which boycotted the tribunal, has rejected the verdict and initiated measures to assert control over the area.



Besides the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the area.



China also opposes US naval and air patrols over the area to assert freedom of navigation.



On August 3, China launched a website on the issue to highlight its case.



The website on the SCS is complete with historical maps to assert its claims.






NEW DELHI (PTI): Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba will this week leave on a five-day official tour to Indonesia to consolidate and explore new initiatives under India's 'Look East' policy.



During the visit from August 9-13, Adm. Lanba is scheduled to hold discussions with the Indonesian Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Forces, Chief of Indonesian Navy, besides other senior dignitaries and Naval officers.



India and Indonesia have been co-founders of the Non-Aligned Movement besides mutually beneficial collaboration in multilateral forums such as, ARF, ADMM+, G20 and WTO among others.



Defence co-operation between India and Indonesia is robust and has seen ascendancy through regular ships, aircraft and military delegation visits, training exchanges.



Both countries had also signed the Defence Cooperation Agreement in 2001.



Indonesia has adjoining Maritime Search and Rescue regions and Exclusive Economic Zones and share similar maritime challenges such as long coastline, extensive EEZ, coastal security, large coastal shipping and fishing fleet, wherein both navies have opportunities to learn from each other's experiences.



In addition, common ground exists for cooperation on a number of issues for both the navies, a statement by the Navy said.


Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 08/08/2016 (2272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With a newly hired general manager, smaller committees and a shift to community builds, Habitat for Humanitys Brandon chapter is going through some changes.

Margaret Schonewille is the new general manager of the chapter, which is under the umbrella of Habitat Manitoba.

I really feel that the community is excited to see the changes, and see the growth, Schonewille said. Even already for the houses that weve built, a number of businesses have come forward, and one is donating paint  another is going to donate the blinds. Theres room for everybody.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Margaret Schonewille, director of the Brandon chapter of Habitat for Humanity, helps run a fundraising barbecue at the monthly Cruisin the Dub event on Rosser Avenue on Thursday evening.

The Brandon chapter relaunched in 2013. Habitat for Humanity previously had a Brandon affiliate for many years, but was closed in 2012 after the organizations national office claimed it didnt meet operating standards. There are new standards in place and the Winnipeg office oversees the operation.

Not everyone is excited about the chapters changes, including longtime volunteer Glen Gatin, who says he was surprised and disappointed when he was told he was no longer welcome to volunteer with the organization.

Any time I asked a question I was stonewalled and blocked, and chastised for being a negative character on the whole scene, he said.

Gatin said he had questions about transparency, accountability and the way the chapter is moving.

I like the organization. Ive been committed to it for a long time, he said, adding he was involved in the previous affiliate as well. But its also public money, lots of taxpayer funded money thats going into this.

Habitat for Humanity Manitoba wouldnt comment specifically on Gatins complaints, but Steve Krahn, vice-president of regional development, said he wants people to know they are still using volunteers in very key positions.

In February, the local chapter held a key ceremony for a family at a home on Percy Street. The home was a partnership between Habitat and Assiniboine Community Colleges trades and technology department.

A second home is being worked on in partnership with ACC, and another as a partnership with Green Acres Hutterite Colony. These homes are expected to be turned over to the families later this year.

Schonewille said the local chapter is moving toward more traditional Habitat builds in the future, which will be on-site with community volunteers rather than the ready-to-move homes.

After we finish off house No. 3, from then on, it will be 100 per cent community-based, so were branching away from the RTM, she said, explaining that the cost of moving the homes to the site has added up significantly.

By next year there will be more focus on the community build, which Krahn says is also a way to connect with the public.

Thats also where people start to make emotional connections to what were doing, and to the  families that are ultimately purchasing these homes, is to have the public swinging a hammer alongside those families, he said.

The Brandon chapter has also dissolved its steering committee, which was put in place when the chapter was relaunched. Schonewille said the goal is to work in smaller groups to be more efficient and focused.

They can 100 per cent concentrate on their field or their interest, and then a couple times a year all of the groups will join together that way they put all their energies into the project that they have chosen that they want to do, she said.

In addition to the hiring of a general manager, Habitat also hired a Restore manager, Shane Rous, who will work closely with the volunteer committees that have been in place since 2013.

The chapter is on track to build several homes each year and having employees involved in the day-to-day operations takes the pressure off the volunteers and will complement their incredible efforts to serve more families, Krahn said.

 jaustin@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @jillianaustin
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 08/08/2016 (2272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Nick Ewasiuk has never been able to breathe so easily  or so hell say in two more weeks.

On July 28, Ewasiuk was flown to Edmonton from Winnipeg after sitting for three weeks on a full-double-lung transplant wait-list. The next day, he emerged from a seven-hour surgery with an incision that spans the width of his chest, but with a pair of lungs that will work at their full capacity.

His cystic fibrosis, with which he had been diagnosed at five years old, had worsened to a point that his lungs were functioning at 35 per cent prior to the operation.

Submitted Former Onanole resident Nick Ewasiuk recovers in hospital following a double lung transplant in Edmonton to ease his breathing difficulties caused by cystic fibrosis, which he was diagnosed with at the age of five.

Ill actually be able to take a full deep breath, which I find intriguing, Ewasiuk said Sunday.

Ewasiuk, who is originally from Onanole, began the transplant assessment process in January after he got sick and was forced to withdraw from school.

I had a Ill-never-get-that-bad kind of mindset. I always had in the back of my head, things will get better, things will get better, but after trying to go back to school and realizing I couldnt continue on with anything that Ive ever wanted to do with my life, it was either (the transplant) or nothing, Ewasiuk said.

Inspired by the professionals with whom he has become friends during his own hospital stays, the 28-year-old wants to pursue a career in the health field and has always dreamed of travelling.

However, the potential for a simple cold to become a chest infection or pneumonia in a matter of days has prevented him from doing either.

Ive had friends who passed away with CF, and they always seemed like they were so much worse than I was, so I didnt really see myself as being as sick as I was.

His winter hospitalization was a realization: I knew something had to change.

According to Cystic Fibrosis Canada and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 50 per cent of those who need but decline a lung transplant die within two or three years. For people like Ewasiuk, who has elected to become a recipient, the same risk drops to 22 per cent.

The time he has been given is invaluable but not indefinite.

Half of recipient donors with cystic fibrosis experience chronic rejection at the five-year mark, and close to 20 per cent will develop kidney failure, cancer or diabetes. They face a 51 per cent chance of seeing 10 years with their new lungs, but the time may not be easily won.

However, relying on the years hes not guaranteed has never suited Ewasiuk.

GoFundMe Nick Ewasiuks chest-length scar is the result of his recent double lung transplant surgery in Edmonton.

When I was diagnosed, I wasnt supposed to live past the age of 19, 20.

He said the transplant opens everything up, adding, Itll actually probably help me form better relationships in life, too, because I dont see myself as temporary.

The significance of the transplant is not lost on Ewasiuks mother, Tami Johnson, either.

I dont know if grateful is the right word. I mean, they lost their loved ones so that mine could live, and Im not sure how you feel or how youre supposed to feel about that.

Ewasiuk expects to return to Winnipeg to finish his recovery this week, although he wont return to work for four months. A GoFundMe page, found at gofundme.com/2hl10jw, has been set up to help with the financial consequences of this.

 aantonehyn@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @AAntoneshyn
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 08/08/2016 (2272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In what may be a bid to ameliorate the embarrassment of the Marc Nadon nomination  Nadons 2013 appointment to the Supreme Court was ruled unconstitutional  the Liberal government announced an overhaul to the way appointments are made to the Supreme Court of Canada. But its not really an overhaul as much as a tweak.

An op-ed written by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and published in the Globe and Mail last Tuesday said: The appointment of a Supreme Court justice is one of the most important decisions a prime minister makes. It is time we made that decision together.

Lets be clear. Canadians wont actually have a say in who gets to sit on Canadas highest court; this is not a process that will be done in consultation with the public. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Instead, a non-partisan advisory board made up of experts  members nominated by the legal community, as well as appointed by the government  will make the decision. Former Conservative prime minister Kim Campbell will chair the board, and it is expected to draw up a list of three to five names by September, with a new jurist named to replace retiring Justice Thomas Cromwell in the fall session of the Supreme Court. Throughout this process, the prime minister retains the power to appoint whomever he wants.

The government has committed to providing a question-and-answer session at which MPs and senators can speak to the nominee. This session will be chaired by a law professor, but dont expect much to come of that.

In 2006, when the Harper government held public hearings to recommend that Justice Marshall Rothstein replace former justice John Major, the MPs were given just four days to prepare, hardly enough time to ask tough questions of any nominee. In total, Rothstein faced 60 questions in two rounds of questioning in three hours. No written report was provided, and the prime minister announced the final decision a couple of days later.

Subsequent appointments made by Harper did not involve the same level of openness. At the time, Cromwells appointment was originally supposed to be subject to a public hearing, but that didnt happen because the prime minister called a snap election in 2008 and then prorogued Parliament in 2009, cutting short any opportunity for scrutiny.

Then there came the appointment of Marc Nadon. Harper, acting against expert advice, announced in September 2013 the Federal Court of Appeal judge would be his nominee. However, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled Nadon was not eligible for the position as his membership with the Quebec bar was not current, a requirement the government unilaterally attempted to change. The system worked in that it stopped this type of political manoeuvring.

It is the Nadon debacle that is likely behind the Liberal governments bid to talk about transparency and accountability in the appointment process, but for the most part, with Nadon the one exception, the process has been remarkably uncontroversial. As legal scholar Peter Hogg points out, Canadian governments tend to believe it is good politics to make good appointments.

In other words, if it aint broke, dont fix it.

 Winnipeg Free Press
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 08/08/2016 (2272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG  The closure of the Port of Churchill and the fate of Manitobas northern rail line is not an accident due to economic circumstance: it was the inevitable result of eliminating the single-desk monopoly of the Canadian Wheat Board.

There were ample warnings raised about what would happen if the Conservative government of Stephen Harper scrapped the wheat board. The threats to the northern rail line and the port were clear, and it wasnt just farmers and politicians raising red flags. The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce had concerns about the economic effect on Winnipeg  losses of more than 2,000 jobs.

There will be arguments the rail line and the port are failing because they were not economically viable. In fact, it is cheaper for farmers in the eastern Prairies who want to ship their grain to do so through Churchill. Grain companies ship through their own terminals in Vancouver and Thunder Bay, Ont., where they can make more money  and farmers make less.

The power relationship among producers, rail and grain companies is the same as it ever was, as is the basic geography. There are two major railways, four global grain companies and thousands of farmers. The reason for the wheat boards creation in the first place was so farmers could pool their bargaining power, and especially so that smaller players could compete on a global marketplace.

The board was a single entity looking out for farmers interests, and it had the power to do so in three basic ways.

First, it encouraged farmers to deliver a premium product, which established a global reputation of quality for Canadas wheat, meaning customers would pay a higher price. Second, it played a role in co-ordination and logistics, getting grain to port by rail. Finally, because it was a single desk representing all western Canadian farmers, it had the clout to overcome the bottlenecks individual farmers would face with railways and grain companies.

From 2007 to 2010, farmers earned from 90 per cent to 93 per cent of the world price at port. After the wheat board lost its single-desk power, producers share of the world price dropped.

Farmers in Manitobas Swan River Valley alone lost an estimated $50 million for the 2013-14 crop year.

Despite record high prices, railways were leaving a bumper crop sitting on the Prairies; even fines of $100,000 a day levied by the Conservative government couldnt persuade them to shift it.

To whom are farmers losing? For the most part, grain companies. The international grain market itself is different than most others: there are only four companies, mostly private and family-owned.

The loss of the wheat board appears to have been a multibillion-dollar transfer of income and wealth by the Conservative government to grain companies, and, to a smaller degree, railway shareholders. The losers are farmers and rural communities, and taxpayers, who have to now have to make up losses.

Grain farmers never voted to get rid of the wheat board single desk. There were issues in the 1990s, when people chafed under inflexible rules, which resulted in reforms. Its a myth anyone was ever arrested for selling wheat. Some farmers were jailed for taking their trucks out of customs impound. Try driving a seized vehicle from customs at the border today and see what happens.

Throughout their 10 years in power, the Conservatives tried to get rid of the board by putting their thumb on the scale, especially in wheat board elections. A review of the wheat board included the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, and excluded Manitoba. Board members who favoured the single desk were gagged by government; there were efforts to strip small farmers off the voters list; multiple ballots were sent out so some farmers could vote more than once; a referendum was held with three muddy options, and unlimited third-party spending was allowed.

Despite all this, farmers voted consistently to keep the wheat board until the Conservatives scrapped it after winning a majority in 2011. It was sold  perhaps given away; its not clear  to agrifood company Bunge Ltd. and Saudi Arabia in 2015.

The trouble for the Port of Churchill and the northern rail line, stalled grain shipments and billions in lost revenue for farmers are all clearly predicted results of scrapping the single desk. It is a crisis caused by government policy. It should go without saying it can be resolved by changing government policy. The question is how bad things have to get to generate a critical mass to create a consensus for change.

 Dougald Lamont is a communications consultant and a lecturer at the University of Winnipeg. He ran for the Manitoba Liberal leadership in 2013. His column was also published by the Winnipeg Free Press.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 08/08/2016 (2272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Sentence does not match the crime

Regarding the recent story Man Attacked Girlfriend. How does a fellow with an already criminal record, who brutally attacks his girlfriend, only get fined $500 and 15 months probation? Having read this article, this guy should be sent to jail, and pay the price behind bars for all the horrific things he did to her. Come on, you judges, get with it! Would that conviction be turned around if the victim was your daughter?

Trump just said what everyone was thinking

Preachers, priest and public speakers all over the country are silently agreeing with Donald Trump on the crying baby incident. However, only Trump would say get that baby out of here. Who is being up front and honest?

Help me park safer

I drive an average size sedan vehicle. Lately with the increasing number of large trucks and vans/SUVs, it is becoming more difficult to park and back out of parking spaces, especially in the citys larger commercial parking lots. On several occasions, I have come close to backing into a pedestrian or a moving vehicle behind me due to my limited visibility. I propose that larger commercial parking lots should designate special parking areas for these larger vehicles. Better visibility for the driver will go a long way to increase the safety of others.

Permit parking

Regarding the recent Sound Off comment Dont Be So Quick To Judge. The wording you sent in for permit courtesy regarding handicapped parking is correct and it also ends with: The permit is not to be used in a situation where you are dropped off at the door of an establishment. One can certainly read between the lines here  one would think it means you are dropping the handicapped person off and then leaving the area or does it mean at any time even waiting for them to return to the vehicle within five minutes or more? We take it as dropping them off and leaving the premises.

Shocked by BUSUs actions

I was shocked to read the paper the other day. Why would the Brandon University Students Union not allow Students for Life to be an active organization within the university? I am shocked by their actions. Students who support life should be encouraged, not oppressed.
A bike-to-work style scheme is being considered to fund home energy upgrades.

Interest free loans from employers of up to 30,000 could be used for boiler and other home heating improvements.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is looking at also using credit unions and power companies to fund the works.

The Irish Independent reports that one Cork-based company has already funded 180,000 to employees who will repay it over a year.
Update: 5.20am: The Funeral will take place on Thursday of the former Bishop of Derry, Edward Daly.

Dr Daly died aged 82 after a battle with cancer.

Dr Daly will be removed to St Eugene's Cathedral in Derry this evening, ahead of his funeral on Thursday.

Update: 12.50pm: The Minister for Foreign Affairs is leading tributes to the former Bishop of Derry Edward Daly.

Charlie Flanagan has described Bishop Daly as a man of peace who will be greatly missed by the people of Derry

The President Michael D.Higgins has said Edward Daly will be remembered 'for his peaceful, compassionate, humanitarian and courageous actions during Bloody Sunday'.

Earlier: Retired Catholic bishop, Edward Daly, who went to the aid of civil rights protesters gunned down by British soldiers during Bloody Sunday in the North has died, the Catholic Church said.

The 82-year-old famously waved a blood-stained white handkerchief as a symbol of ceasefire as he attempted to help a fatally injured demonstrator in Derry in January 1972.

British Paratroopers had opened fire and killed 13 people.

Fourteen were injured, and another was to die later.

Dr Daly had served in the city since 1962.

He was Bishop of Derry from 1974 until 1993, stepping aside after suffering a stroke. In recent years he has battled a long-term illness.

The clergyman was awarded the freedom of the city last year alongside his Church of Ireland counterpart and hailed the rich "tapestry of cultures" which made up his adopted home.

The cleric, from Belleek in Co Fermanagh, was a prolific writer and in latter years helped the dying in his role as chaplain at Foyle Hospice in Derry.

Bishop Donal McKeown, current Bishop of Derry, said: "It is with deepest regret that I announce the death, this morning, of Bishop Edward Daly, Bishop Emeritus of Derry."

He said his fellow clergyman provided an exemplary example of priestly ministry and held deep love for the people of his diocese.

"Bishop Daly served, without any concern for himself, throughout the traumatic years of the Troubles, finding his ministry shaped by the experience of witnessing violence and its effects; through this dreadful period he always strove to preach the Gospel of the peace of Christ."

He added: "The bishops, priests and people of the diocese were blessed to have such a dedicated and faithful priest among them.

"May Bishop Daly rest in peace."
Ian Bailey has said he does not subjectively believe he has any chance of a fair trial if he is extradited to France.

Speaking to Philip Boucher Hayes on RTE radio Mr Bailey said he intends to ask the Irish authorities to charge him for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, so he may have a fair trial.

In fact, despite the current media reports that state France is set to charge Mr Bailey with the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, he, or his legal team, have not been contacted by Irish or French authorities in relation to his supposed arrest.

He also said that he and his legal team were unaware of any new evidence that the French police may have.

Speaking about living under suspicion for the past 20 years, Mr Bailey said it has been a 20 year nightmare and complete torture.

Mr Boucher Hayes went through the arrest warrent that was previously issued to Mr Bailey who then explained each piece of evidence against him including, he claims, several pieces of fiction.

For example, the report states that he stopped outside Sophie du Plantier's house late on the night of the murder and said he had a premonition that something bad would happen in that house.

Mr Bailey said this was a fabrication of the truth, he said he had stopped outside the house, but did not know it was her house and could not even see the house in the dark.

Mr Bailey said he was naive and over honest with the authorities because he never considered himself to be a suspect.

The journalist went to say he is effectively a prisoner in Ireland as there is a live European arrest warrent open under his name, so if he leaves the country he is likely to be arrested.

Mr Bailey said he has total sympathy for the plight of the du Plantier family who he said have been given a false narrative.

They have been led to believe that I am somehow connected to Madame du Plantier and it is simply not the case.
The soft drinks industry has hit out at a possible sugar tax saying it will not have the expected health benefits.

The Irish Beverage Council say it would also increase the average annual grocery bill by 60.

The Government is considering a sugar tax in the budget as part of an effort to tackle obesity.

However the industry lobby group claim that there is no proof that the tax would reduce sugar consumption.

The IBC director Kevin McPartlan, however, said while he accepted industry had a crucial role to play in tackling the obesity problem, a sugar tax would not work.

We know from other countries that it doesnt reduce demand for the product. What it will do is encourage cross-border trade which will cost the industry sales and cost the exchequer in terms of Vat on those lost sales, he said.

The IBC says its members, which include industry heavyweights such as Britvic Ireland and Coca Cola Ireland and which between them directly employ 3,500 people, could lose 60m a year to cross-border buying.

In a submission to Mr Noonan, it says: It cannot safely be assumed that such losses will not threaten employment or potential future investment here.

It also says the resulting loss of Vat receipts to the exchequer would be 35m, and that the average households annual grocery bill would rise by 60.

It proposes instead that manufacturers be encouraged to continue their policy of reformulation.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) issued 12 Closure Orders and one Prohibition Order on food businesses in July.

They were for breaches of food safety legislation, and the Enforcement Orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE).

A Closure Order is served where there is deemed to be a grave and immediate danger to public health at or in the premises, or where an Improvement Order is not complied with.

It can lead to the immediate closure of all or part of the food premises, or all or some of its activities.

Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI said is of the utmost importance that consumers are confident at all times that the food they are purchasing and eating is safe.

She said: "There are simply no excuses for putting consumers health at risk through sub-standard food hygiene practices. The summer months are busy months for food businesses and systems must be put in place to cope with the increase in customers.

"We are re-emphasising to all food businesses that they must comply with food safety and hygiene laws at all times. It is essential that all food businesses have the appropriate food safety management systems and procedures in place and that all staff are fully trained to ensure these systems and procedures are adhered to all times."

Twelve Closure Orders were served on:

 Blueberries Pop Up (restaurant), No. 13 Lower Cork Street, Mitchelstown, Cork

 Fade Street Social (restaurant), 4-6 Fade Street, Dublin 2

 The Spice House (restaurant), 2 Church Street, Cavan

 Nite Star (take away), Main Street, Glenties, Donegal

 Majas Virtue (food stall), Trading at Farmleigh Estate, Phoenix Park, Castleknock, Dublin 15

 Chens Chinese Take Away, Parnell Street, Mountmellick, Laois

 Cashel Take Away Foodstall, Cashel, Achill, Mayo

 The Jolly Roger (public house) (closed activity - food production, handling and storage), Sherkin Island, Skibbereen, Cork

 Sandyford House (restaurant) (closed area: kitchen and food service areas only),Sandyford Village, Sandyford, Dublin 18

 Azeem Meat and Grocery (butcher), 2 Pound Street, Edgeworthstown, Longford

 Lucky Dragon (take away), 70 Fassaugh Avenue, Cabra, Dublin 7

 Craigs Fresh (wholesale), Drumnabratty, Raphoe, Donegal

One Prohibition Order was served on:

 Kearney's Restaurant, Main Street, Tallow, Waterford
At least 42 people were killed when a bomb exploded at the main gate of a government-run hospital in south-western Pakistan, police said.

Senior police official Zahoor Ahmed said dozens of other people were injured in the blast in the city of Quetta on Monday.

No-one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mr Afridi said the bomb went off shortly after the body of a prominent lawyer who was shot dead earlier in the day was taken to the hospital.

Sanaullah Zehri, the chief minister in Baluchistan province, of which Quetta is the capital, said it seemed to be a suicide attack but police are still investigating.

It was also unknown who was behind the killing of the lawyer, Bilal Kasi, who was gunned down on his way to court.

Pakistan's prime minister denounced the hospital bombing.

Nawaz Sharif issued a statement expressing his "deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives".

He instructed local authorities in Baluchistan province to maintain utmost vigilance and beef up security. He also asked health workers to provide the best treatment possible to those injured in the attack.

Mr Sharif added that "no-one will be allowed to disturb the peace" which "countless sacrifices" by the "security forces, police and the people of Baluchistan" have worked so hard to restore.
At least 30 people were killed when a bomb exploded at the main gate of a government-run hospital in south-western Pakistan, police said.

Senior police official Zahoor Ahmed said dozens of other people were injured in the blast in the city of Quetta on Monday.
A breakaway faction of the Taliban in Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack at a hospital in Quetta which killed at least 64 people.

In a statement, Ahsanullah Ahsan, spokesman for Jamaat-ul-Ahrar militant group, also said their men killed Bilal Kasi, the president of Baluchistan Bar Association.
The brother-in-law of one of the men who attacked the satirical Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris has been detained in Bulgaria.

Authorities say he is suspected of trying to join extremists in Syria.

Mourad Hamyd was initially suspected of a role in the January 2015 attack on the paper, but his high school classmates launched a successful social media campaign to clear his name - saying he was in class at the time.

"I am a student who lives peacefully with his parents," he said then.

The Paris prosecutor's office said that someone "close to Hamyd" flagged his probable trip to Syria, and he was detained near the border in late July.

Hamyd's sister was married to Cherif Kouachi, one of two brothers who carried out the deadly attack at the Charlie Hebdo offices.

"His behaviour was typical for a foreign fighter and that's how he was identified," Bulgarian Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova said.

She also confirmed that a European arrest warrant had been issued, saying that further details would be announced after a court hearing on Wednesday.
Pakistani militants have struck at the heart of the country's legal profession, killing a prominent lawyer and then bombing the hospital where dozens of others had gathered to mourn.

The twin attacks killed at least 70 people, most of them lawyers, authorities said.

A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban claimed the attacks in Quetta, the capital of restive Baluchistan province, which also wounded dozens of others.

In a statement, Ahsanullah Ahsan, spokesman for the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar militant group, said its fighters killed Bilal Kasi, the president of the Baluchistan Bar Association, then as dozens of lawyers gathered at the government-run Civil Hospital, a suicide bomber targeted the mourners.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has been behind several attacks in Pakistan in recent years, including a bombing on Easter Sunday in a park in the eastern city of Lahore that killed at least 70 people.

Witnesses described horrifying scenes of bodies scattered on the ground and the wounded screaming for help.

A senior police official said Mr Kasi was killed by gunmen as he was on his way to his office. He was among the most outspoken lawyers in Baluchistan and was popular for campaigning for improvements in the legal community.

"It was a suicide attack," said the police official, Zahoor Ahmed Afridi.

He said remains of the attacker had been found and authorities were trying to identify them.

More than 90 people were wounded in the explosion, according to Civil Hospital director Abdul Rehman. Two journalists working for Pakistani news channels were among those killed in the attack, according to Shahzada Zulfiqar, the president of the Quetta Press Club.

Ali Zafar, the head of the country's main lawyers' association, condemned the blast as "an attack on justice".

He said lawyers would observe three days of mourning and would not appear in court in solidarity with their colleagues and others killed in the attack.

Prime minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast and expressed his "deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives".

"No one will be allowed to disturb the peace in the province that has been restored thanks to the countless sacrifices by the security forces, police and the people of Baluchistan," he said in a statement.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif talks to a survivor of a bombing with Pakistani army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif, right, at a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016.

He urged local authorities to maintain vigilance and beef up security in Quetta.

The prime minister later travelled to Quetta to meet the wounded and assess the situation. At a high-level meeting of security officials he ordered stern action against terrorists.

"Terrorists are using innovating measures by hitting soft targets and one must respond in an advanced, co-ordinated way," he said in a statement.

Quetta and the rest of Baluchistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, have long been plagued by insurgency.

Several ethnic Baluch separatist groups operate in the resource-rich province, as well as al Qaida, the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups.

Lawyers have been targeted in the past by militants in various parts of Pakistan.

They are considered an important part of civil society and emerged as powerful actors in 2007, when then-president Pervez Musharraf fired the chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

Lawyers launched nationwide protests to pressure Mr Musharraf to reinstate Mr Chaudhry.

Later, political parties joined the campaign and Mr Musharraf was ultimately forced to resign in 2008 and Mr Chaudhry was reinstated.
A drunk driver who fell asleep in slow moving traffic with a loaded gun on his lap has pleaded guilty to firearms offences.

Nathan Gardier, who police said was intoxicated, woke up as two police officers removed the automatic handgun from his car in Willow Walk, east London, during the incident last week.
Turkey will continue fighting whatever powers seek to undermine the government, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Sunday as he addressed a massive flag-waving rally in Istanbul in the wake of the country's abortive July 15 coup.

The Yenikapi meeting area by the Marmara Sea waterfront on Istanbul's European side was transformed into a sea of red and white, the colours of Turkey's flag. No official crowd figure was provided, but Turkish media said millions attended. The event was so full that large crowds were turned away at the gates, spilling into surrounding streets.

"As a state and as a nation we need to analyse the July 15 coup attempt very well. We need to evaluate well not just those who engaged in this treachery, but the powers behind them, the motives that made them take action," Mr Erdogan told the cheering crowd.

He spoke from a 60-metre (200-foot) stage framed by two platforms and draped with massive national flags and banners depicting Mr Erdogan and Turkey's founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

The Democracy and Martyrs' Rally was billed as a cross-party event representing Turkish unity in the wake of the failed coup, in which a group of renegade military officers attempted to seize power with tanks, helicopters and fighter jets, leaving more than 270 people dead.

"We will continue on our road in solidarity. We will love each other not for rank or title, but for Allah," Mr Erdogan said.

Religious leaders and two of Turkey's three opposition parties attended the rally, sitting next to Mr Erdogan, who arrived on board a helicopter with his wife Emine. The pro-Kurdish People's Democracy Party, or HDP, was not invited.

"July 15 has opened the door for our reconciliation," said main opposition Republican People's Party chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

"There is now a new Turkey after July 15. If we can further this power, this culture of rapprochement, we will all be able to leave our children a great Turkey."

The government launched a sweeping crackdown in the coup's aftermath, targeting followers of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who it says orchestrated the putsch. Mr Gulen denies involvement.

Nearly 18,000 people have been detained or arrested, mostly from the military, and tens of thousands of people have been suspended or dismissed from jobs in the judiciary, media, education, health care, military and local government.

"July 15 showed our friends that this country isn't just strong against political, economic and diplomatic attacks, but against military sabotage as well. It showed that it will not fall, it will not be derailed," Mr Erdogan said.

"Those wringing their hands on that night hoping for Turkey to fall woke up the next day to realise their work was much harder than they thought."

The scope of the crackdown has alarmed European countries and rights groups, who have urged restraint. Mr Erdogan has lashed out at criticism, and complained of a lack of support from the West.

He has also demanded Mr Gulen's extradition from the US. Washington has said it would need evidence of the cleric's involvement, and says the extradition process must be allowed to take its course.

Mr Gulen's followers "are simply the visible tools of the threat against our country. We know that this game, this scenario is far beyond their league", Mr Erdogan said.

"Of course we have to uncover all members of this organisation and eradicate them within the framework of the law, but if we content ourselves with just that, then we as a state and a nation will leave weak our defence against similar viruses."

Mr Erdogan reiterated he would approve the reintroduction of capital punishment if parliament were to pass a bill to that effect. The death penalty was abolished in Turkey in 2004, 20 years after the last execution. European Union officials have said a reintroduction of capital punishment would put an end to Turkey's prospects of joining the bloc.

The event kicked off with a minute of silence for those killed while opposing the coup, followed by the Turkish national anthem and a recitation of prayers.

"I have never been in democracy rallies but I really wanted to come this one. Because I don't want to lose my country," said Sevda Bozkurt, a 44-year-old housewife who did not manage to get in.

"This is one of the biggest rallies. Turkey's three political parties gathered together, they become friends, they become brothers. Maybe there is hope for Turkey."

Construction cranes suspended giant Turkish flags beside the meeting area, while flag-draped boats and yachts zipped back and forth along the water.

The government has been encouraging nightly anti-coup rallies in all of the country's 81 provinces since July 15. Sunday's rally was to have been the last, but Mr Erdogan said the end would be on Wednesday. He did not elaborate.

The event was broadcast live on giant screens in all of Turkey's provinces, and crowds of thousands gathered to watch in the country's major cities.

"Today is a special day, which is making all of the gatherings held for 15, 24 days, more precious," said Mustafa Yavuz Aycil, a 44-year-old Istanbul resident attending the rally.

"I also had to be here today because as you see all of the crowd is showing its reaction to the coup."

Nearly 15,000 police were providing security at the event. Anti-aircraft batteries were also set up at the event grounds, while two helicopters circled overhead.

Thousands of buses and more than 200 boats were commissioned to bring people to the area, where they passed through one of 165 metal detectors before being given hats and flags. Those wounded during the attempted coup and the families of those who died were given special passes for a seated area.

An Ottoman marching band entertained the gathering crowd, with 240 members representing the number of those authorities say gave their lives fighting off the coup.
Namibia's flag bearer during the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics has been arrested in a sexual assault probe, four days after another Olympic boxer was accused of attacking two housekeepers in the Olympic Village.

Authorities said a housekeeper at the village told police she was assaulted by 22-year-old Jonas Junius, a boxer who competes in the light-middleweight division.
Police investigating the rape of a 14-year-old girl who was forced into bushes outside a supermarket are following a "definite line of inquiry".

The victim was going to collect her bicycle after visiting an Asda store in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, when she was attacked.

The man, who wore a white trilby-style hat, struck outside the town's Main Street Shopping Centre at about 8.15pm on Sunday.

Police Scotland said officers are following a "definite line of inquiry".

Detective Inspector Gillian Patrick, from Police Scotland, said: "This was a particularly traumatic experience for the young girl concerned, who had been out in the local area before being attacked.

"I would like to reassure the local community that we are continuing extensive inquiries into this incident.

"We know the man was in the shop prior to the incident taking place and I am appealing to anyone who may have been shopping around that time to think about whether they may have seen this man or noticed anything suspicious.

"If you have any information or knowledge about this crime, please talk to officers and pass it on - it could prove vital in helping us trace the man responsible for this attack."

The suspect is described as 20 to 30 and of medium build. He wore a grey zip top with white striped sleeves, grey jogging bottoms and grey trainers. He was carrying a black holdall.

Ms Patrick said: "I'm aware this incident will be of concern to people and I would like to confirm that additional patrols will be in the area to offer reassurance to local people and if anyone has any concerns, please speak to officers."
HAMBURG: The lowest price offered in the tender from Pakistan to purchase 500,000 tonnes of wheat which closed on...
SINGAPORE: Chinas crude oil imports in September rose from the previous month but stayed 2% below their level a...
ISLAMABAD: The number of cellular subscribers as well as teledensity declined for the second consecutive month in...
Jon Stanhope has pointed to Labor's 2014 trouncing in the Tasmanian election as a warning for the party in Canberra, saying ACT Labor cannot assume the inevitable protest vote will flow back its way.

Mr Stanhope, Canberra's longest serving chief minister, said Richard Farmer's emergence, the mood against Chief Minister Andrew Barr, and the "it's time" factor were a dangerous combination.

Former ACT Labor leader Jon Stanhope: No reason to assume Greens will benefit from a protest vote against Labor. Credit:Stuart Walmsley

The assumption that a protest vote would flow to the Greens, resulting in another Labor-Green coalition government was not well founded, he said.

The only other Labor-Green coalition government in Australian history was in Tasmania, and both parties had been comprehensively defeated in 2014, Labor losing three of its 10 seats and the Greens losing two of their five. The Liberals won 15 seats.
Lindt cafe gunman Man Haron Monis convinced his partner to murder his ex-wife after unsuccessfully trying to persuade the Rebels bikie gang to carry out a hit, prosecutors allege.

Sydney woman Amirah Droudis will stand trial before a judge alone in the NSW Supreme Court next week accused of the "brutal and ritualistic" murder of the 30-year-old woman.

Man Monis in Rebels bikie garb. Credit:Department of Justice

Senior Crown Prosecutor Mark Tedeschi QC told Justice Peter Johnson on Monday that Ms Droudis, whom Monis "married" in a religious ceremony, stabbed the woman to death inside a Werrington unit block, in the city's western suburbs, before dousing her body in petrol and setting it on fire.

The woman died footsteps away from the front door of the unit she believed to be Monis's home - but which the "incredibly secretive" Monis had in fact been subletting from a friend so as to conceal his real address from his ex-wife following their bitter divorce, Mr Tedeschi said.
Sydney is a patchwork of ethnicities. As one of the world's great multicultural cities, Smiths and Taylors rub shoulders with Nguyens, Chans, Patels, Singhs and Ahmeds.

New data provided to Fairfax Media from Sensis, the company that owns the White Pages, shows the rich variety of names that pepper our great city.

The most common surname is, as you might expect, Smith. Other Anglo-Celtic surnames such as Brown, Young, Williams make a strong showing, too.
A teenage boy has been taken to hospital after he was stabbed at a home in south-west Sydney on Sunday night.

Police were called to an apartment block on Wilga Street, Fairfield, at 11.15pm after reports of a fight.

They arrived to find the boy - who appeared to be in his mid teens - suffering multiple stab wounds to his torso. He was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a serious condition.

The teenager, whose identity is not known, was in a stable condition on Monday morning.


Editor's Note: After publication of this article, Dr Nikola Tomic was acquitted of all charges on 13 April 2018.





Nikola Tomic , charged with the sexual assault of a client, outside Campbelltown Local Court on Monday. Credit:Ben Rushton

A widow suffering from a major depressive disorder was in the middle of a session with her psychologist when he allegedly got up and locked the main door to his treating rooms.

After this, the woman alleges he threw two pillows on the floor of his Fairfield office and produced a condom.
Police hold grave concerns for a man who has been missing in dense bushland in the Hawkesbury area for more than 24 hours.

A search for Tiemuzhen Chalaer was suspended on Monday night, as temperatures were expected to dip to 4 degrees, and is due to resume at 9am on Tuesday.

Tiemuzhen Chalaer went missing in bushland in the Hawkesbury area on Sunday.

The 24-year-old went missing from a campsite party at Lower Portland, near Wheelbarrow Ridge Road track and Greens Road, on Sunday morning.

He was last seen between 6.30am and 9am, when police believe he walked into bushland near the campsite.
A 14-year-old boy was stabbed at least eight times before he was found bloodied and begging for help on a stranger's doorstep in Sydney's west.

The teen became the latest victim in a spate of almost a dozen stabbings across the city in three days that have targeted mostly teenagers.

Aidan Smith, centre, died after being stabbed at a party in Ryde on Sunday. Credit:Facebook

The brutal attack in Fairfield on Sunday night also came 24 hours after Thornleigh teen Aidan Smith was fatally stabbed at a house party in Sydney's north.

Detectives believe the violent confrontation that almost cost a Fairfield teenager his life may have started at the suburb's train station at about 11pm on Sunday.
A man has been charged after allegedly firing a weapon at police in Deception Bay on Sunday night.

Police were at the Grosvenor Terrace address just before 9pm looking for a wanted person when a shot was fired at police through a rear door.

Police said the man, 20, then fled from the address before police arrested him a short time later in a nearby park.

He was armed with a rifle at the time.
Police are still searching for a man who viciously attacked a 71-year-old man at Clontarf last week.

Police say the 71-year-old had been fishing at the Redcliffe peninsula beach when he was approached by a "large red dog" about 5pm.

A search rescue is underway for a man missing in waters at Kernell. Credit:Leigh Henningham

Fearing the dog was going to attack him, the man armed himself with a fork and used it to fend off the animal.

At this point, the dog's owner assaulted the man before running off.
A man who repeatedly raped, bashed and degraded a young woman over six weeks in a hotel room has had six years added to his prison term by Victoria's highest court.

Alfio Anthony Granata on Monday had his jail term increased to 23 years for keeping the woman as a sex slave in a room in the Rydges Bell City complex in Preston between November 2012 and Christmas Day of that year.

Granata, 49, was last year jailed for 17 years, and to serve 13 years before he became eligible for parole, but the Director of Public Prosecutions said the sentence was manifestly inadequate and took the case to the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal on Monday found that initial term "did not adequately reflect the horrific nature of these rapes" and that the sentence did not "adequately reflect the need to denounce and punish the objective gravity of the offending".

The finding by Court of Appeal Justices Robert Redlich Robert Osborn and Chris Maxwell means Granata must serve 17 years in jail before he is eligible for parole. He has already served more than 1200 days in custody.
A West Australian woman has been charged with sexually assaulting a nine-year-old boy.

Police claim the 27-year-old woman, from a south metropolitan suburb, sexually assaulted the boy who was known to her between October and November last year.

The Andrews government will unveil new laws that will include giving police fresh powers to search the homes of sex offenders.

She has been charged with one count of sexual penetration of a child under 13 years of age and one count of threats to injure, endanger or harm any person.

The woman was due to appear in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Terrorist attacks are taking their toll on France's tourism industry, with Paris bearing the brunt of a drop in visits by holidaymakers from outside Europe.

Overnight stays fell about 10 per cent on average for the year to July, with high-spending travellers from the US, Asia and the Persian Gulf states reacting strongly to the attacks, the Secretary of State for Tourism Matthias Fekl said in an interview published in the Journal du Dimanche on Sunday.

Luxury accommodation was the worst hit, with travellers from elsewhere in Europe not cancelling their plans, the minister said.

Tourism is big business for France, which has been hit hardest among European countries by Islamic State-inspired killings since the start of last year.
Demonstrators in Istanbul hold placards and a picture depicting "Killer Putin" during a protest against Russian military operations in Syria in October 2015. Credit:AP "I'm not confident that we can trust the Russians or Vladimir Putin," Obama said at a news conference on Thursday. "Whenever you are trying to broker any kind of deal with an individual like that or a country like that, you have got to go in there with some scepticism." At the same time, some military experts point out that Putin has saddled Russia with the burden of propping up a Syrian military that has had difficulty vanquishing the rebels on its own. A Russian army pilot poses on the cockpit of a Su-25 jet fighter. Russian airstrikes have proved crucial in turning the tide against Syrian rebels backed by the CIA. Credit:AP The Russian campaign began in September, after a months-long offensive by CIA-backed rebel groups won new territory in Idlib, Hama and Latakia provinces in northern Syria. One problem for Washington: Those groups sometimes fought alongside soldiers of the Nusra Front, which until recently was officially affiliated with al-Qaeda.

The offensive took Syrian troops by surprise, prompting concerns in Moscow and Damascus that Assad's government, long supported by the Russians, might be in trouble. Lieutenant-Colonel Fares al-Bayyoush of the Fursan al-Haq Brigade, a CIA-backed unit of the Free Syrian Army. Credit:Ruth Pollard Some of the rebel groups boasted at the time that powerful TOW anti-tank missiles provided by US and Saudi intelligence operatives were a key to their success. For several years, the CIA has joined with the spy services of several Arab nations to arm and train the rebels at bases in Jordan and Qatar, with the Saudis bankrolling much of the operation. A CIA spokesman declined to comment about any US assistance to Syrian rebels. Footage supplied by the Free Syrian Army's Fursan al-Haq Brigade shows US-supplied TOW anti-tank missiles being used near the Turkish border.

But Lieutenant-Colonel Fares al-Bayyoush, a former aviation engineer who heads the rebel group Fursan al-Haq (Knights of Truth), said during an interview in May 2015 that his group would receive new shipments of the anti-tank weapons as soon as the missiles were used. "We ask for ammunition and missiles, and we get more than we ask for," he said. Rebels who have enjoyed US backing say their supply of anti-tank weapons, crucial to countering Syrian government forces (pictured), have dried up. Yet the advance also created problems for the fractious assortment of rebel groups, as it allowed the Nusra Front to gain control over more areas of northern Syria. The Obama administration has officially forbidden any Nusra fighters to receive weapons or training. But the group has at times shown greater prowess against the Syrian government forces than the CIA's proxies. Moreover, they have shown that they can and will destroy or sideline CIA-backed rebels who do not agree to battlefield alliances. Moscow cited the battlefield successes of the Nusra Front to justify its military incursion into Syria as a campaign to fight terrorism - even if its primary goal was to shore up Assad's military against all insurgent groups, including the CIA-backed rebels.

Footage supplied by the Free Syrian Army's Fursan al-Haq Brigade shows the moment of a US-supplied TOW missile's impact. The Russians began a rapid military buildup in September, and launched an air campaign that targeted the Syrian rebel groups that posed the most direct threat to Assad's government, including some of the CIA-trained groups. By mid-October, Russia had escalated its airstrikes to nearly 90 on some days. About 600 Russian marines landed in Syria with the mission of protecting the main air base in Latakia; that ground force has grown to about 4000 throughout Syria, including several hundred special forces members. Major commitment: a satellite image shows Russian transport aircraft, helicopters, tanks, trucks and armoured personnel carriers at an air base in Latakia in Syria. Credit:AP It took some time for the Russian intervention to have a significant impact on the Syrian battlefield, prompting Obama to predict that Moscow might become bogged down in its own Middle East conflict.

"An attempt by Russia and Iran to prop up Assad and try to pacify the population is just going to get them stuck in a quagmire, and it won't work," Obama said at a news conference in October. "And they will be there for a while if they don't take a different course." The fall of the besieged city of Aleppo, held by rebels since 2012, would leave the Syrian regime in control of 40 per cent of Syria's land and 60 per cent of its population. Credit:Syrian Civil Defence via AP The CIA moved to counter the Russian intervention, funnelling several hundred additional TOW missiles to its proxies. One rebel commander, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of threats from more radical groups within the rebel coalition, said in October that his group could at that time get as many missiles as it wanted. "It's like a carte blanche," he said. "Just fill in the numbers." But Russian firepower eventually overwhelmed the rebel groups in the north. By early this year, attacks by Russian long-range bombers, fighter jets, attack helicopters and cruise missiles allowed the Syrian army to reverse many of the rebel gains - and seize areas near the Turkish border that many thought the government could never reclaim.

The flow of CIA arms continued, but the weapons proved too little in the face of the Russian offensive. Jeffrey White, a former Defence Intelligence Agency officer who now studies Syria at a pro-Israel think tank, the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the Russians had built a capable intelligence network in Syria, giving them a better understanding of the terrain and location of rebel forces. That has allowed Russian troops to call in precision airstrikes. The mismatch has been most acute in the last several months, with Syrian government forces, with Russian help, laying siege to the rebel-held parts of Aleppo. Losing their foothold in Aleppo, once Syria's largest city, would be a major blow to the rebels. Recent interviews with rebel commanders said the flow of foreign weapons needed to break the siege of the city had slowed. "We are using most of our weapons in the battle for Aleppo," said Mustafa al-Hussein, a member of Suqour al-Jabal, one of the CIA-backed groups. He said the flow of weapons to the group had diminished in the past three to four months.

"Now we fire them only when it is necessary and urgent," he said. Another commander, Major Mousa al-Khalad of Division 13, a CIA-backed rebel group operating in Idlib and Aleppo, said his group had received no missiles for two weeks. "We filed a request to get TOW missiles for the Aleppo front," he said, but the reply was that there were none in the warehouses. Turkish connection crucial Rebel leaders and military experts say that perhaps the most pressing danger is that supply routes from Turkey, which are essential to the CIA-backed rebels, could be severed.

"The US is doing just enough to placate its allies and partners and says it is doing something, but does not seek to do what it takes to change conditions on the battlefield," said Emile Hokayem, a Middle East analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies and an Assad critic. Putin has achieved many of his larger goals - to prop up Assad's government, retain access to the Russian naval base at Tartus on the Mediterranean Sea and use Syria as a proving ground for the most advanced Russian military technology. The joint siege of Aleppo got an unexpected boost last month when a failed coup in neighbouring Turkey accelerated a rapprochement between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Putin, who called Turkey's downing of a Russian fighter near the Syrian border last year a "stab in the back". With authorities in Ankara accusing the US of complicity in the attempted coup, the Turkish leader is turning to Putin to forge a new strategic partnership. The two leaders will meet in St Petersburg on Tuesday, a day after Putin holds talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Assad's other major benefactor. Key to the Turkish detente for Putin is getting Erdogan to curtail the flow of arms and men to militias fighting Assad, which he's been doing since the failed coup, according to Rami Abdurrahman of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Turkey has slowed weapons shipments from Arab countries for the Aleppo battle, while cutting its own flows significantly, he said.

"The Syrian regime wouldn't have been able to besiege Aleppo had it not been for the Turkish-Russian rapprochement," Abdurrahman said. "The military support is not what it used to be." Some military experts remain surprised that Putin took the risky step of fighting US-trained and equipped forces head on, but they also assess that his Syria gamble appears to be paying off. It is the type of Cold War-era battle that Obama, in October, insisted he did not want to enter. "We're not going to make Syria into a proxy war between the United States and Russia," he said. "This is not some superpower chessboard contest." The capture of Aleppo would give Assad control of more than 40 per cent of Syrian territory and 60 per cent of the population, leaving Islamic State with about 35 per cent of the country, mostly desert, according to observatory estimates. The Kurds have about 15 per cent of Syrian land, with the rest split between other groups.
Latest News Lendi Group settles $33.6 billion in FY22 Ambitious target of a deal a day for brokers

APRA announces new appointments The prudential regulator has a new chair, deputy chair, and members

The Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) has appointed recruitment agency De Jager Executive Search as it officially begins its search for a new CEO, following Siobhan Haydens resignation in June.



According to a statement from the MFAA, several firms were assessed and the board decided that De Jager was the best placed to meet the associations needs.



Applications are now open to MFAA employees, members and external candidates. De Jager will review all applications and provide a short list to the board for evaluation. Once the short list has been created, the board will initiate a comprehensive interview process.



Were committed to investing time and careful consideration into this appointment, to ensure we identify the right person for the job, said MFAA Chairman Cynthia Grisbrook.



The timing of this appointment does not affect the solid relationship that the MFAA has with ASIC, particularly with relation to the broker remuneration review. Brokers can be assured that a close involvement with ASIC as part of this review remains a top priority for the MFAA.


Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams

These Eyes will soon be roving.

Brooklyn-born pop punk outfit Big Eyes will head out of town to support its new album Stake My Claim, following a kick-off concert at Alphaville in Bushwick on Aug. 16. But its new record is a tribute to returning home to Brooklyn, inspired by a three-year exile in Seattle, says the bands founder and frontwoman.

Kait Eldridge, originally from Long Beach, Long Island, first moved to Brooklyn at age 19, chasing the rock n roll dream with two previous bands, Cheeky and Used Kids. When those bands broke up, she moved to Seattle, Washington, but found little inspiration in the overcast skies of the Pacific Northwest. Returning to Kings County in 2014 led to a creative re-awakening.

I had a bit of writers block, she said. Once I moved back to New York I took myself out of a bad living situation, stepped back, looked at everything, and wrote all those songs.

Several tracks on the new album, including Just Not Right and Leave This Town convey her frustration with her sojourn in Washington State.

A lot of it has to do with moving back home  I was frustrated with how my life was going, she said.

Now that she is back in the borough of Kings, Eldridge says that it feels more comfortable than the town she grew up.

Its my home at this point. I was in Long Beach earlier today, and even when I was a kid, I never felt like I belonged there  I was never into the beach, she said. But when I moved here I thought, These are my people. 

Other songs on Stake My Claim deal with Eldridge putting her foot down and owning up to her role as band leader after years of rotating band members, some who wrestled too much control, she said. For this tour, she has put together a four-piece lineup that she says is rock solid.

Big Eyes will play with Teen Vice and Pox at Alphaville before heading out on a two-week tour, visiting most of the Midwest and get as far west as Fargo, North Dakota.

Big Eyes at Alphaville [140 Wilson Ave. between Willoughby Avenue and Suydam Street in Bushwick, (347) 5085006, www.alpha ville brook lyn.com ]. Aug. 16 at 8 pm. $10 ($8 in advance).
Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams

It is a hostel takeover in Williamsburg.

A homeless shelter operator will turn a Varet Street hostel into a 140-bed refuge for men over the age of 55 by the end of the month, according to the city, leaving some neighbors uneasy that it will put local families and workers and in danger.

Im really concerned  I have two kids, we hang outside sometimes, said Vanessa Pacini, who runs a neighboring cafe, where she also lives with her husband and two kids. I have one worker, shes a girl, she closes the cafe at 9, 9:30  do I have to worry about her being out there at that time?

Provider Project Renewal will take over the New York Loft Hostel between Bogart and White streets  a popular lodging for travelling hipsters  to run the shelter, as first reported by Bushwick Daily.

The shelter will treat residents for medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse problems in-house, as well as providing job training, according to a Department of Homeless Services release. Refuge dwellers are expected to stay about nine months, and the organization will try to help them find permanent housing.

The outfit is putting some security measures in place, according to the city  residents will have a 10 pm curfew, eat all their meals at the facility, and no sex offenders will be allowed to stay there, the agency said.

Security guards will be on site around the clock, and will also patrol outside the facility when Williamsburg Charter High School a block away opens and closes, the city said

Project Renewal also intends to hire locals to fill 24 positions at the shelter, and will hold regular meetings with community members where they can air any concerns or issues they have, according to the release.

But some locals said communication hasnt been great so far  Pacini and others say they only heard about the shelter last week via word-of-mouth or through the Bushwick Daily post, though the department says it invited homeowners, community board members, and officials to a meeting about the plan on July 11.

Several neighbors said they nevertheless understand that the city needs to create new shelters and they have to go somewhere  one resident is even happy about the new facility, which she cautiously hopes could help stave off the areas rapid gentrification.

Initially, I thought it sucked, because they have a nice place there, but maybe that will keep things in check  so that it cant go too luxury,  photographer and four-year resident Eva Mueller said. So in a way I find it good this is happening because the area is changing a lot and getting expensive.

But it was unwelcome news for others  one longtime denizen believes the shelter tenants will bring crime back to an area that has been getting safer in recent years.

Its just going to bring us more problems, said the lifelong resident and 22-year homeowner who declined to give his name. They will be going around stealing packages and trying to break into cars, trying to steal from people near the [Morgan Avenue L train station].
Was there a murder 100 years ago at Yardley's Continental Tavern?

Frank Lyons began excavating the basement of the Continental Tavern in Yardley. He found a gun, bloody corset and part of a woman's purse.
latest news

October 3, 2022

Dee Gambit

Hundreds  if not thousands  of new and returning TV shows and movies are released every month  your options of what to watch are endless. Variety, they say is ...
Lawsuit seeks $5M in wages for Great Adventure hourly workers

The class action lawsuit says workers should be paid for time spent walking across Great Adventure amusement park in Jackson.
BLOOD RED RIVER

A Journey into the Heart of India's Development Conflict

Rohit Prasad

Hachette India

325 pages; Rs 399



There is a grand narrative about the way areas impacted by Maoist insurgency operate. Maoist rebels are painted as villains of the worst kind. The people sympathetic to them, either by choice or under compulsion, are considered anti-development. Government servants are seen as helpless spectators unable to do much to make some breakthrough. And corporate houses willing to invest are perceived as saviours because they want to use money to bring some development in such neglected regions. Any deviation from this narrative is seen as a betrayal of the cause of development.
HDFC Life and Max Life Insurance announced a swap ratio of 3:7 for their merger, expected to take place in 12 months.

In a three-stage deal, Max Life, the life insurance subsidiary of Max Financial Services, will merge with the parent. Shareholders of Max Life will get one share of Max Financial for every 4.98 shares held in Max Life.

The life insurance business will then merge with HDFC Life. The shareholders of Max Financial Services (after amalgamation with Max Life) will get 2.33 shares of HDFC Life for each share held in Max Financial Services.

Simultaneously, the residual business of Max Financial Services will get merged with Max India, another listed company of the Max group, which has market capitalisation of about Rs 3,500 crore as on Monday.

The valuation of the merged life insurance entity will be around Rs 65,000 crore, and will be called HDFC Life.

According to the agreed valuation and exchange ratio, relative valuation of HDFC Life and Max Life would be 69 per cent and 31 per cent, respectively, in the merged entity.

ALSO READ: We are open to more acquisitions: Amitabh Chaudhry



In June, Max Financial Services and Max Life, a joint venture between Max Financial Services and Japan-based Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, had agreed to merge with HDFC Life. Under this arrangement, Max Life was to merge with Max Financial Services as a precursor to the merger with HDFC Life.

Analjit Singh, founder and chairman emeritus, Max Group said the merger will create the largest private sector insurance company in the country with a combined market share of 10.8 per cent.

The product mix of HDFC Life and Max Life complement each other. The merged entity will also have a diversified distribution mix with the contribution (excluding group segment) based on FY16 new business premium being: Agency 19 per cent, bancassurance 64 per cent, direct (sales) 11 per cent, and others 5 per cent. On completion, HDFC Life is expected to have bancassurance partnerships with leading banks including HDFC Bank and Axis Bank, HDFC Life said.

As part of this deal, Singh and his family will receive a non-compete fee of Rs 501 crore, payable after the transaction is completed. Singh will not be able to start a life insurance business for four years. The promoters will also receive three equal installments totalling Rs 349 crore.

Deepak Parekh, chairman of Housing Development Finance Corporation, said he expected the deal to be completed in 12 months.

In a statement to the stock exchanges in June, Max Financial Services and HDFC said their respective boards had approved entering into a confidentiality, exclusivity and standstill agreement to evaluate a potential combination through a merger. Their joint venture partners, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance of Japan and Standard Life of the UK, have also approved the proposal.

Singh added Max Life could have consolidated and acquired a smaller company with less operating experience, meagre performance or traded up and merged with an iconic brand that has a substantially larger operation.

We always feel happy to be a smaller portion of a bigger play, because that is what is best for the stakeholders, said Singh.

After the merger, HDFC will hold 42.5 per cent in HDFC Life, Max Group will hold 6.5 per cent, Standard Life 24.1 per cent, Mitsui Sumitomo 7.8 per cent, and others including Axis Bank will hold 19.1 per cent. Hence, foreign shareholding will be 41.5 per cent.

The assets under management of the merged entity will be around Rs 1.1 lakh crore.

HDFC Life collected premiums of Rs 6,488 crore for financial year 2015-16 (FY16). Max Life, on the other hand, collected premiums of Rs 2,882 crore for FY16, and is among the top five private life insurance players.

Started in 2001, HDFC Life was the first private life insurance company to be granted a licence to operate in India.

HDFC Life posted a net profit of Rs 818 crore in FY16, registering a growth of 4.2 per cent over FY15. Its new business premiums grew 18.1 per cent to Rs 6,487 crore in FY16 from Rs 5,492 crore in FY15. HDFC Lifes total premiums collected grew 10 per cent to Rs 16,313 crore in FY16 from Rs 14,830 crore in FY15.

Max Lifes profit stood at Rs 439.1 crore for FY16. It collected Rs 2,881.93 crore of new premiums in FY16.
In an unprecedented move, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the lobby group of service providers, has accused the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) of discriminating against existing operators.
The Rs 6,200 crore consumer durable and mobile maker said that its sixth new facility at Noida will be ready by end of this fiscal or early next year. The new facility, which will be spread over in 20 acres, will cater to both domestic and export markets and to start with, it will produce TVs, mobile phones, chargers and others.

After announcing its national foray into the refrigerator segment and expanding the washing machines portfolio in Chennai today, Nidhi Markanday, director and business head-Consumer Durables & IT Peripherals, Technologies said that the new facility will have capacity to produce 35 million units per annum.
The first four months of the financial year pushed tractor volumes of market leader Mahindra & Mahindra by 20 per cent, due to bountiful rain and overall increase in rural incomes.
Naveen Jindal-controlled Ltd (JSPL) is likely to shortly finalise an agreement with its lenders for bringing Rs 7,200-7,500 crore loan out of its steel portfolio under the 5x25 scheme of the Reserve Bank of India.
Unlock 30+ premium stories daily hand-picked by our editors, across devices on browser and app.

Full access to our intuitive epaper - clip, save, share articles from any device; newspaper archives from 2006.

Curated newsletters on markets, personal finance, policy & politics, start-ups, technology, and more.

Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them.

26 years of website archives.
Barely nine months after launching first "NuPro" brand tur dal, Ltd (MASL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of auto major Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, has launched four new variants of pulses on Monday to strengthen its agri commodities business.
Ltd, which is engaged in cloud services and cyber security, has decided to sell its properties in Hyderabad in order to reduce its liabilities.The company informed BSE that its assets at Madhapur and Nanakramguda at Hyderabad, acquired through amalgamation of Visualsoft Technologies Limited in 2006, were allotted by TSIIC (previously APIIC), Hyderabad and registration formalities completed in 2015.Shareholder's approval through a postal ballot was obtained dated March 22, 2016, authorising the Board for the joint development / sale / transfer of immovable properties i.e. land and buildings at Hyderabad (including properties at Madhapur and Nanakramguda) and land at Vishakhapatnam.

The Board was also authorised to use, dispose or invest the sale proceeds for expansion of company's business and / or repayment of its debts.

The Company is in the process of setting up a large IT facility at its property at Nanakramguda (which was registered in the Company's favour in May 2015 by TSIIC through a conditional sale deed) with a new partner and is settling old building contractors and vendors through proceeds of Madhapur property and other cash accruals. The company sold the land at Vishakapatnam for a consideration of Rs 43.50 crore.

The entire proceeds of this sale are being utilised for repayment of its loans and debts.
Private equity (PE) investments into the automobile and components segments has seen a slow down during 2016 till date, with the comparable period of last year. The exit deals have also seen a decline in terms of total exit value, according to data available.
With the launch of a new fabric, Technosmart, manufacturer and retailer of suiting fabric Raymonds is eying a business of Rs 100 crore in the next one year. The company is also looking at a 10 per cent growth across India.

"Keeping in line with our numerous innovative products over the years, Technosmart is yet another offering from reaffirming brand's commitment to offer consumers the highest quality product across price points. We are looking for Rs 100 crore revenue form this new product," said Sudhanshu Pokhriyal, president-suiting, textile business, .
Transmission Limited picked up stake and announced partnership with Sharper Shape, Finland-based aerial solutions company, specialing in automated drone-based asset inspections. The deal was culminated during the Make in India conference in Mumbai in February this year by the Prime Minister of Finland Juha Sipila.
Synchrony Financial, a US-based consumer finance company, is planning to expand its operations in Hyderabad. The company has signed an agreement to lease more than 200,000 square feet office space in Knowledge City here.

The India operations offer a compelling value proposition by providing talent, expertise and technological capabilities to help Synchrony Financial's business grow, the company said.
Incumbent telecom operators are planning to take the sector regulator to court for coming out with regulations that they said were biased and were designed to benefit a new entrant. Highly placed sources in the industry said the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) was repeatedly coming out with consultation papers and regulations, which were aimed at favouring just one new player.
London listed metals and mining titan has revived the second stream operations at its alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in Odisha.

had idled this stream of the refinery as local bauxite sources had dried up. But, as the company looks to expand aluminium output, it has gone for a commensurate ramp up in alumina production.
Though a small company, Hyderabad-based Limited has emerged as a pioneer in the area of combat training simulator products, ranging from small arm training to the use of an unmanned areal vehicle, in India. The company owns 100 percent IPR of its entire range of 32 products. The first large size order worth of Rs 30-crore received last month from Egypt's Defence Ministry gives a first hint at its potential to tap the global market.
Travel portal MakeMyTrip, one of the oldest internet-led start-ups in India, is going after hotel market share as a route to profitability. It has even entered segments that were the territory of entities such as Oyo and Airbnb till recently. Although the international threat is limited in online travel, co-founder and chief executive Rajesh Magow tells Ajay Modi & Nivedita Mookerji in a candid conversation that it's a matter of time before a strong competitor could emerge. Edited excerpts:



was in the news for a dispute with the authorities over service tax. What's the status?



It was primarily because of lack of clarity on service tax. We were paying it as intermediaries or agents. They (the tax authorities) wanted us to pay service tax as if we were a hotel. We are neither an airline or a hotel. Their point was since we were collecting payments on hotels' behalf, we should pay to the government. We clarified that we had given it back to the hotels. We paid Rs 300 crore of service tax and were never a defaulter in our assessment. We also checked with 2,000 hotels which confirmed they were paying and so, there was no loss of revenue to the government. The authorities argued that small hotels were not payingEverybody has now figured out that the case has little basis. In the Bombay High Court, a positive judgement came out in a similar case involving Cleartrip. So, there's hope.
On Tuesday, completes a month of violent public protests that have roiled the valley after the Jammu & (J&K) police gunned down popular Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. There are increasingly strident questions about why Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent, even after 60 people have been killed and 3,000 injured, 300 of them seriously, mainly in firing by security forces.
Government might introduce the Maternity Benefit Bill, which seeks to increase maternity leave to 26 weeks from current 12 weeks in all establishments, including private sector, in Parliament on Tuesday.

The bill also provides 16 weeks leave for commissioning and adopting mothers and makes it mandatory to provide creche facility for establishment where the number of workers is 50 and above.

At present, the Maternity Benefit Act does not provide any maternity leave for commissioning or adopting mothers.

"The Maternity Benefit Bill seeks to revise maternity leave to 26 weeks (around six months) from the current 12 weeks (three months) for both government and private sector employees. It is likely to be introduced tomorrow," a source said.

Monsoon Session of Parliament is scheduled to end on August 12, 2016. Labour Ministry wants to push this pro-worker amendment bill.

The Maternity Benefit Bill would be the second bill to be introduced by the Labour Ministry in Parliament after Employees Compensation Bill, which was introduced in Lok Sabha last week.

Besides, the Labour Ministry has also got Child Labour Bill passed from both the houses during the current session of Parliament. The bill was pending since December 2012.

"Since this bill is not controversial and is in the interest of women workers, the MPs will support it. Its passage in current session is possible," the source said.

While there is already a provision of 26-week or 6-month maternity leave for the government employees, most private sector firms offer maximum three months of such leave. Besides, these benefits are not provided at all in many smaller establishments.

The bill may also have an enabling provisions to allow working mothers to exercise work-from-home option. However, this enabling provision will not be mandatory.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday tried to sell the goods and services tax (GST) as one that would help small businesses, spare the poor, generate additional jobs and help in regional development. Parliament cleared the Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, shifting the focus to states.

The government had moved six amendments, including scrapping of 1 per cent additional tax, to the Bill approved by Rajya Sabha.

Modi said the GST is a crucial step towards ending tax terrorism besides reducing corruption and black money.

Ahead of elections in five states to be held early next year, Modi, speaking in Lok Sabha, said the new indirect taxation will make consumer the king, and will benefit mainly those states that are considered backward and address the problem of imbalanced development. The new tax regime would also get rid of corruption as businesses would produce real bills as they would get input credit, he said.

The Opposition called for the inclusion of measures such as anti-profiteering in subsequent Bills, but Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said a decision on this could only be taken by the proposed GST Council.

There was also no unanimity between the treasury benches and the Congress about the cap of 18 per cent in the GST Bills. In fact, the Congress admitted that there are differences between the leadership of the party and states ruled by it.

Jaitley said the tax rate will be kept at the minimum workable rate as no state government can annoy its people by having a higher rate. He also clarified that a changed provision in the Bill that say unclaimed amount in the integrated GST will not be distributed among states was incorrectly worded in the official amendments and was corrected later. The clarification may soothe frayed nerves of states such as Kerala and West Bengal, which were agitated over this. The Opposition also could not get an assurance from the finance minister that the subsequent GST Bills would be finance Bills and not money Bills. He said he would go by provision of the Constitution as given in article 110 and 117.

The Lok Sabha had cleared the Constitution amendment Bill in May, 2015. The Rajya Sabha last week passed the amended version of that Bill and the lower house on Monday cleared those changes. Key changes also included full compensation to states for the five years of the GST roll-out.

All 443 members who were present, voted for the amendments with only the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam staging a walk out. The Bill now goes for Presidential reference after which it would go to states, at least half of which have to ratify. It will then go back to the President, who has to give his assent to make it a law.

The prime minister said the new tax system would also improve logistics and by subsuming Octroi into it, would get rid of long queues of trucks that are seen at states borders. Though manufacturing states will be hit, they will be compensated for any revenue loss for full five years, he said.

Modi said items consumed by the poor would be exempt from GST. Fifty-five per cent of the consumer price index would be out of GST, he added.

Modi later tweeted, our focus is economic and educational empowerment of the poor and mitigation of poverty. The Prime Minister said the GST will help reduce black money. GST will ensure optimal utilisation of man, machine, material, money and minute (time), which are key [for accelerating] economic growth.



Modi expressed happiness at the unprecedented consensus of parties that helped pass the Bill, noting that there had been a thorough churning of ideas. He exhorted states that they should ratify the Bill soon, as it would open door for GST Bills. This Bill is just an enabling provision, after which the GST Council will be set up. The council will prepare the subsequent Bills. The Centre hopes these Bills will be passed in the winter sessions of Parliament and respective state legislatures.

Jaitley countered the demand from the Congress that the GST rates be capped at 18 per cent, asking them to get feedback from the states ruled by the party. Jaitley said Kerala wanted 22 per cent GST rate and Institute of Public Finance and Policy recommended 24 per cent. There has to be convergence of views, he said. The decision on this will be taken by the GST Council. The finance minister also contested the Congress opinion that being an indirect tax, GST should be lowered. He said it sounds good in academics but 160 million of the 250 million households in the country have been exempted from income tax.

He also opposed the idea that the Centre should have one-fourth votes in the GST Council and states three-fourth. That way, quorum for the council would be had without the Centre, which is not in sync with the idea enshrined in the Constitution that India is a union of states.
The Government has again encouraged terror leader Syed Salahuddin, the head of the Hizbul Mujahideen, to threaten war against India over the Kashmir issue, and this time, Salahuddin has threatened a nuclear attack on India.

Speaking to reporters in Karachi Salahuddin said there is a great chance of a nuclear war taking place between India and over the Kashmir issue.

" is duty bound, morally bound, politically bound and constitutionally bound to provide concrete, substantial support to the ongoing freedom struggle on the territory of Kashmir. And, if Pakistan provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between the two powers," he added.

He said three wars have already been fought between the two countries over the Kashmir issue, adding that he can predict a fourth war with certainty because Kashmiris are no longer willing to compromise under any circumstances.

"Whether the world supports them or not; whether Pakistan stands by them or not; whether the United Nations performs its duty or not; they have taken a pledge to fight up to the last drop of their blood," he added.

Salahuddin warned that if the international community did not pay heed to the ongoing violence in Kashmir, Kashmiris from both sides of the divided Valley would be forced to take things into their own hands.

"If God forbid, the international community continues to cold shoulder and ignore this issue and Pakistan's efforts are not fruitful, and India does not stop its atrocities, a big incident can occur. Our base camp in liberated Azad Kashmir and the Kashmiris from this side will announce the trampling of the bloody Line (of Control)," he said.

Salahuddin further stated that there would be no ceasefire line, no international rules and no consideration for the United Nations observers.

"Bleeding Kashmiris will come from that side, these Kashmiris will go from this side, and God willing a decision will take place on the bloody line," he added.

He said the Kashmiri people have reached this conclusion that they have no second option except to go ahead with an armed struggle and an armed jihad.

"Neither is the international community doing its duty, nor are the international organisations trying to stand by their resolutions, nor is the Modi government ready to give any leeway. So, what remains with Kashmiri suppressed, bleeding people? Nothing less than target-oriented armed struggle. God willing, all this is already present there, but a new dimension will enter it now, which will prove very dangerous for India, god willing," Salahuddin said.

He asserted that the movement was now gaining strength every day and night.

"After the martyrdom of Burhan Muzaffar Wani, why did the entire state come out on to the streets against India? Actually Burhan is not the name of a person; it is the name of an ideology, a goal, the name of a dedication and a sentiment. At this point in time, the Indian troops are faced with Burhan in every street and lane. Every old person is Burhan, every child is Burhan, every young man is Burhan and every mother, daughter and sister is Burhan," he added.

Kashmir has been on the boil after security services on July 8 gunned down 22-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

Around 60 people have been killed and more than 5,000 wounded, including the security forces, since protests erupted in Kashmir after the killing of Wani.

Pakistan marked 'black day' earlier on July 20 to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people and condemn the violence.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on July 22 chaired a high-level meeting of the Security Council in Islamabad to discuss regional security and termed the ongoing situation in Kashmir a violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

The meeting resolved to approach the United Nations Human Rights Council on its own and also on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) contact group on Kashmir to request the body to send a fact-finding mission to Kashmir.
Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) has become a part of the worlds largest student-run cyber security challenge to be held simultaneously in Abu Dhabi and IIT-K campus in November 2016.
Urging the prime minister to break his silence on the deteriorating situation in Kashmir, the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, led by Congress, on Monday demanded initiation of a political process to defuse the crisis that has led to an unprecedented 30 days of curfew across the Valley.

The Opposition parties also demanded stopping the use of pellet guns on protesters, even as one member demanded withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts (AFPSA) from the Kashmir Valley and withdrawal of the dominating presence of the army from civilian areas.

Raising the issue in Zero Hour, after his notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business to discuss the issue was disallowed, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said no state in independent India has seen 30 days of continuous curfew that has paralysed the administration, shut down educational institutions and led to near zero attendance in government offices.

"In such circumstances, we want to awaken the government... We feel the government and the prime minister are watching the situation deteriorate like a silent spectator," he said, adding that he wanted to know why the prime minister has not spoken on the grave situation in Kashmir so far.

"Hindustan ka Taj jal raha hai, par uski garmi Delhi tak nahi pahuchti (India's crown is burning but the heat hasn't yet reached Delhi)," Azad said.

Over 8,000 people, including security personnel, have been injured, while 410 eye surgeries and 1,650 other surgeries are reported to have been done because of the use of pellet guns on protesters, he said.

Observing that 1,018 incidents have been reported, he said that over 1,000 youths are in prison. "Please do not consider this as a law and order issue," Azad told the government.

Citing social media comments on the prime minister not making any statement on the Kashmir unrest, he said that people are eager to listen to his views on the situation.

He asked the prime minister to call an all-party meeting where political leaders can offer solutions and express their sympathy with the people of Kashmir. This should be followed up with an all-party delegation visiting Kashmir to assuage the feelings in the Valley, the senior Congress leader added.

Expressing anguish and pain at the continuous 30-day curfew, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury said that there was nothing working in the Valley except armed forces.

"More than 1,000 incidents of firing have happened. More than 8,000 are injured and 60 dead," he said, describing the use of pellet guns and "inhuman" and "criminal".

Stating that even Israel does not use pellet guns against Palestinians, he said that the situation cannot be solved by law and order machinery.

"Our remaining silent is deepening the alienation of the Kashmiris," Yechury said, adding "we have heard the silence of the prime minister (on Kashmir). His silence is more eloquent than words."

The prime minister's silence is "sending a message that this government does not care", he said, adding that an all-party delegation's visit in 2010, when 120 people had died in stone pelting and retaliatory action by police, had helped assuage the feelings of the people there.

"Why can't we do this now," he asked and demanded that the prime minister should respond and start the process of dialogue.

Describing the situation in Kashmir as alarming, Communist Party of India leader D Raja said that to de-escalate the situation, the use of pellet guns should be stopped forthwith and AFPSA repealed.

Also, the "dreaded midnight knocks" should be stopped as well as the dominating presence of the army in civilian areas should be reduced and security forces withdrawn, he said.

"Government should initiate political process to win the minds of the people, win confidence of people," Raja said.

Samajwadi Party leader Neeraj Shekhar said that 60 youths have been killed in Kashmir, yet there was no statement from the home minister and prime minister on the issue.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, he said, went to Kashmir but could not meet everyone. He should have taken senior leaders of political parties on his visit.

Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav said that the silence of the government on the issue was painful and demanded that the prime minister make a statement.

"Is issue par bhayanak shanti hai (there is dreadful peace on the issue)," he said.

Stating that the government is committed to peace and tranquillity in Kashmir, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said there should be no doubts about the government's commitment towards the state.

The government, he said, was open to discussion on the Kashmir situation and it can be scheduled for Tuesday or on Wednesday.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said that since the House wants the discussion on Monday, "if possible, do it tomorrow."

"Government has admitted readiness for discussion," he told the members.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri will leave on Monday to attend the "International Meeting on Counter Terrorism" to be held at Bali, Indonesia on Wednesday.

The theme of this multilateral meeting on counter-terrorism will be countering cross-border movement of terrorism which is one of the biggest challenges faced today by countries regarding perpetrators, weapons, ideology and financing.

This is first of its kind meeting being hosted by Indonesia, which aims at strengthening the international cooperation network in addressing the growing threat of cross-border movement of terrorism from the aspects of actor, information and also financing.

Rijiju will also be meeting Indonesia Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Wiranto to discuss various issues of bilateral importance.
Punjab police has booked Chief Satish Kumar for allegedly assaulting some persons on pretext of cow protection, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the states to act against "fake" cow protectors.

The FIR was lodged on the basis of a video clip which appeared on social media, showing members brutally thrashing people, SSP Gurmeet Chauhan said on Monday.

A case under sections 382 (having made preparation for causing death), 384 (committing extortion), 341 (wrongfully restraining any person), along with sections 148 and 149, of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered, police said.

Kumar, who is yet to be arrested, said he has no information regarding the case.

He alleged that the Prime Minister's remarks against cow vigilantism were motivated by "votebank politics" due to upcoming elections in many states.

"The PM's statement is politically motivated. It is one-sided. If he had warned the butchers not to slaughter or smuggle cow, then his statement would have been justified.

"He is doing vote bank politics to get the butchers' vote," Kumar said.

He said the police were free to arrest him.

The Prime Minister's statement denunciating cow vigilantism came after a string of incidents of attacks on Dalits, including in Una, Gujarat where some youths were brutally assaulted for skinning a dead cow.
Hizbul Mujahideen Chief asked Pakistan to snap diplomatic ties with India if a "peaceful solution" to the ongoing violence in Kashmir is not reached.

At a press conference here on Sunday, Salahuddin said Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani's killing gave a "new meaning to the struggle" for Kashmir.

He asked Pakistan to "find a peaceful solution to the ongoing violence", Dawn newspaper reported.

"If a peaceful solution is not reached then Pakistan should consider cutting off diplomatic ties with India over the killing of Wani," the Hizbul Mujahideen supreme militant commander said.

Salahuddin said Pakistan was "morally bound" to help the Kashmiris.

Pointing out the United Nations Security Council resolution on Kashmir, he said there were so far "18 such resolutions tabled by the UN on Kashmir which have been ignored by the international community".

Salahuddin asked the international community to call back their ambassadors from India which he said is the "best solution at the moment".

He said Pakistan's policy towards Kashmir "remains inconsistent" which gave "strength" to the Indian troops in the Valley.

"Despite the indecisiveness on Pakistan's part, the Kashmiris were getting ready for a decisive moment to take matters in their own hands. With the increasing violence, many Kashmiris believe that armed resistance is the only way to move through the chaos,"he said.
Union Minister M on Monday, raked up an old BSP slogan, which targeted upper castes, to hit back at its chief Mayawati over her criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Dalit issue.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister said BJP did not need certificate from a leader who used the slogan 'tilak tarazu aur talwar, inko maro jute chaar', BSP's war cry to rally around Dalits which many alleged was an incitement to violence against upper castes.

The 'tilak' in Mayawati's slogan was construed as a reference to Brahmins, 'tarazu' to Vaishya or Bania community and 'talwar' to Kshatriyas or Rajputs.

"People who used such language are giving us sermons. God save India," he told a press conference.

He was asked about Mayawati's criticism of Modi following his strong denouncement of cow vigilantes for attacking Dalits. She called him 'Kumbhkarna', the mythical character of Ramayana who slept for six months at a stretch, and claimed he broke his silence due to the UP polls.

Naidu said when BJP was in the opposition, it was not allowed to raise state matters but now the opposition parties were claiming it (the assault on Dalits in states) is a issue.

He also targeted the opposition parties for criticising Modi despite his strong rebuke to the vigilantes.

"They will say why is PM silent? If he speaks in Hindi, they will say why in Hindi? If he speaks outside, they will say why not inside (Parliament)? If he speaks in the Lok Sabha, they will say why not in the Rajya Sabha? When he speaks, they will say he spoke very late.

"What is this? It is difficult to understand. Some people have this disease which should be cured," he said.

He hit out at the rival parties for picking out BJP-ruled states to highlight cases of atrocities against Dalits, saying it was a case of "selective pilgrimage". Such incidents, he said, have been happening long before Modi came to power.

He blamed a few wrong people for such crimes, saying even animals and trees are worshipped in India.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Monday allocated portfolios to his Council of Ministers and kept the key home department with himself as he took charge of his new job.

Rupani, who was sworn-in as the state Chief Minister on Sunday, after his predecessor Anandiben Patel resigned from the position, presided over the first Cabinet meeting.

He also had a lengthy discussion with his deputy Nitin Patel here.

Like Anandiben, Rupani has kept major portfolios with himself while Nitin Patel has been re-alloted the Finance department, which he used to handle under Narendra Modi-led government and was later taken from him by Anandiben Patel after the change of guard in 2014.

"Our Chief Minister Vijay Rupani held a detailed discussion with me and finalised the portfolios in consultation with our party leaders," said Patel.

Before taking charge, Rupani paid his respects to the statutes of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and B R Ambedkar.

Portfolios to be handled by Rupani include General Administration, Home, Administrative Reforms and Training, Planning, Industries, Mines and Minerals, Ports, Climate Change, Science and Technology and Information & Broadcasting.

Rupani will also look after the portfolios which are not allocated to any other minister, an official release said.

Nitin Patel has been given Finance, Urban Development and Urban Housing, Roads and Building, Capital Project, Narmada, Kalpsar and Petrochemicals.

Yesterday, eight cabinet and 16 state-ranked ministers took oath.

Senior cabinet minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama has been given charge of Revenue, Education (Primary, Secondary and Adult), Higher and Technical Education and Law and Parliamentary Affairs department.

Portfolios of Tourism, Tribal Welfare and Forests has been allocated to Ganpat Vasava.

BJP's Dalit face in the cabinet, Atmaram Parmar, has been given Social Justice and Empowerment department, which includes welfare of Scheduled Castes as well as OBCs. He was also given the portfolio of Women and Child Development department.

Newly inducted minister Chiman Saparaiya has been given Agriculture and Energy while Babu Bokhiria has been alloted Water Supply, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Cow protection, Civil Aviation and Salt Industry.

Dilip Thakor has been alloted Labour and Employment, Disaster Management and Pilgrimage Development.

Jayesh Radadiya, who is the youngest cabinet ranked minister, has been entrusted with portfolios of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Cottage Industry and Printing.

Among the 16 state-ranked ministers, Shanker Chaudhary has been given independent charge of Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education and Environment. He will also serve as MoS for Urban Development.

Pradipsinh Jadeja has been made MoS for Home and Energy departments.

He has also been given independent charge of Police Housing, Border Security, Civil Defence, Prisons, Prohibition and Excise, Law and Judiciary, Religious and Pilgrimage Places, Coordination of NGOs, Non-Resident Gujaratis and Protocol.

Jayantibhai Kavadiya has retained his earlier portfolios of Panchayats, Rural Development and Rural Housing.

MoS Nanu Vanani has been given independent charge of Water Resources, Primary and Secondary Education.

Parshottam Solanki has been given portfolio of Fisheries Department while MoS Jasa Barad has been given Water Supply, Civil Aviation and Salt Industry.

Bachu Khabad will handle Animal Husbandry and Cow Protection department while Jaydrathsinh Parmar has been alloted Road and Building and Higher and Technical Education.

Ishwar Patel has been alloted Cooperation while Vallabh Kakadiya has been given Road Transport as an independent charge.

Advocate-turned-politician from Vadodara, Rajendra Trivedi, has been given independent charge of Sports, Youth and Cultural Affairs Department. He was also given Pilgrimage Development department as MoS.

Keshaji Chauhan has been given the portfolio of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes(SEBC), also known as Other Backward Classes(OBCs) Welfare department.

Rohit Patel has been made MoS for Industries, Mines and Minerals and Finance department.

Vallabh Vaghasiya has been alloted Agriculture and Urban Housing Department while Shabdsharan Tadvi has been given the portfolio of Forest and Tribal Welfare department.

Nirmala Wadhwani, the only women in Rupani's Cabinet, has been made MoS for Women and Child Development department.
The passage of Constitution Amendment Bill on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday has once again rekindled the debate on definition of agriculturists as defined under the draft model law that was put in the public domain in June.
Bidding rounds for the country's biggest-ever spectrum auction will begin from September 29, in which mobile airwaves worth Rs 5.63 lakh crore at the base price value will be put up for sale.

"Large chunk of spectrum is being put for auction which address issue of fragmentation, improve quality of service and rules have been made bidder friendly," Telecom Secretary J S Deepak said while releasing Notice Inviting Application (NIA).

The government will put a total of 2,354.55 megahertz of mobile airwaves frequencies for auction all band -- 700 Mhz, 800 Mhz, 900 Mhz, 1800 Mhz, 2100 Mhz and 2300 Mhz. All the airwaves being put for auction can be used for high speed 4G services.

The total quantum of spectrum being put for auction includes about 197 Mhz of frequencies in 1800 Mhz band and 37.5 Mhz in 800 Mhz band (CDMA band).

The government expects to raise at least Rs 64,000 crore from the auction of about 2,354.55 Mhz of spectrum and Rs 98,995 crore from various levies and services in the telecom sector this financial year.

The government for the first time has promised to assign spectrum within 30 days of making upfront payment by successful bidders.

Telecom companies winning spectrum in 700, 800 and 900 Mhz band will have to pay at least 25% of the bid amount initially within 10 days the auction ends. Rest of the payment will have to be paid in 10 annual instalments after two years of moratorium.

For rest of the bands, at least 50% of payment will have to made.

The government has also reduced interest on instalments to 9.3% from about 10% earlier.

"With auction size of this magnitude and bidder friendly rule there is going to be immense interest from bidders. The amount of spectrum being put to auction is more than any previous auction. It will give them opportunity to bid and acquire chunk of spectrum which would enable to them to provide international quality services," Deepak said.

This is the first time airwaves in 700 Mhz band will be put up for auction. The airwaves in this band are considered premium among all, as cost of providing service in it is one-third cost of 3G service in 2100 Mhz band.

The 700 Mhz band alone has potential to fetch bids worth Rs 4 lakh crore if all spectrum in it gets sold at the base price.

The Department of Telecom will hold pre-bid conference on clarification over NIA on August 13.
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and the Manipur government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which seeks to provide improved hospitality and tourism services to their customers by making 'joint use of their capabilities and facilities'.

The MoU entails upon both the parties to identify areas of cooperation and draw up detailed plans for development of joint tourism products and opening and managing various catering and hospitality outlets, budget hotels and handicrafts shops at railway as well as non-railway locations.

The areas where the two signatories would leverage their joint strength also include involvement of Self Help Groups (SHGs), setting up of water vending machines, use of Rail Neer (IRCTC's packaged water) and development of lounges and greeting services for tourists.

In addition, the signatories would strive to market each other's products and services through both physical outlets and websites, thus improving the range of services to their own customers.

The MoU, signed late last week, was initialled by Chairman and Managing Director Dr A K Manocha and Secretary, Tourism, govt of Manipur, Ms Nidhi Mani Tripathi.

"Both parties are desirous of working together to provide improved hospitality and tourism services to their customers by making joint use of their capabilities and facilities," according to the MoU, which also envisages "development and promotion of any other products and services."

IRCTC, a 'mini ratna' PSU of the Ministry of Railways, handles catering and tourism activities over Indian Railway through its network of offices and associates/licensees.
Local value addition was a better way of reducing stockpiles of high-grade iron ore in Odisha and Jharkhand than removing the export duty, experts said.
Rio Tintos Bundar diamond mining project in Madhya Pradesh has hit a snag. The project, expected to mine 30.8 million carats of diamond, has been temporarily put on hold in its current shape for trespassing on an important habitat of the endangered tiger - a fact that the company denied in its filings before the government.
Hinting at increasing cost of power, the bidding round on Monday for supplying power to poll-bound Uttar Pradesh received bids quoting Rs 3.9-5.5 a unit. Against the tender requirement of 3,800 Mw, the state received bids of 6,652 Mw.
There are 24 completed dam / barrage projects over River Ganga. IIT Roorkee, in the year 2010 had conducted a study on "Assessment of cumulative Impact of Hydropower Projects in Alaknanda- Bhagirathi Basins" and Wildlife Institute of India (WIl) in the year 2012 had conducted a study on "Cumulative Impact Assessment of Hydropower project on terrestrial and aquatic ecology of Alaknanda Bhagirathi basins". .

.

As per the judgment of Supreme Court dated August 13, 2013, Ministry of Environment Forest, & Climate Change has taken up study through an Expert Body to ascertain impact on the flow of the river due to the construction of dams. Studies of six Hydro Electric Projects have been completed and report submitted to the Supreme Court. .

.

National Water Policy, 2012 lays emphasis on optimum use of water for domestic, agriculture, hydropower, thermal power, navigation, recreation etc. The policy further states that ecological needs of the river should be determined through scientific study and should accommodate developmental needs. .

.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today. .

.

Samir/jk
India has said that the global market-based measures in international civil aviation sector must follow the principles of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate, Shri Anil Madhav Dave said here today that the interests of poor, developing countries should be taken on board in the development of the global market-based measures. Moreover, in view of the universal consensus achieved under the Paris Agreement, all measures to address the greenhouse gases must follow the mandate and framework emanating from it. .

.

Shri Dave was speaking at a meeting with the President of the Council of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu,, to discuss the global market-based measures in ICAO in the context of emissions from the civil aviation sector. The ICAO President lauded Indias constructive role during CoP-21 at Paris. He also appreciated the ambition displayed in Indias climate actions under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. .

.

Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ajay Narayan Jha and senior officers of MoEFCC, Ministry of External Affairs and Regional Director, ICAO, Shri Arun Mishra were also present at the meeting. .

.
Apart from ongoing internal assessments, there are studies available which basically postulate on the possible implications of China being granted Market Economy Status(MES). .

.

The WTO did not distinguish between non-market economy and market economies before 1955, when the second paragraph of the addendum to article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) was introduced. The addendum acknowledges that non-market economy policies can introduce price distortions. These distortions can render price comparability between the normal value, determined as the domestic price of a certain good in the export country, and the export price of that same good applied by the exporters of that same country, impossible. The accurate comparability of these two values is fundamental for calculating the dumping margin and determining applicable dumping duties. The addendum therefore allows importing countries to take into account alternative methodologies if comparing of domestic prices of the exporting country is inappropriate. .

.

The addendum's alternative approach can be used by any importing country that can prove the exporting country complies with the definition of a Non-Market Economy under the addendum. .

.

The main implication of NME status in anti-dumping proceedings is the possibility to use other methodologies to determine the normal value of the good, instead of using domestic prices to compute the dumping margin. In general, NME methodologies to calculate normal value have proven to lead to higher anti-dumping duties. In view of these higher duties, and the fact that China faces the highest number of anti-dumping investigations, obtaining earlier recognition of Market Economy Status (MES) has been one of the country's major foreign policy objectives since 2003. .

.

India also has a large number of anti-dumping investigations against China. Out of the 131 measures in force, 87 measures are against China. In these investigations, in several cases, China has been considered a Non Market Economy (NME) on account of significant direct or indirect state control in the enterprise or in major operation, raw material and utility supplies, provision of land and transfer of erstwhile State controlled old plants and production units at nominal prices thereby affecting the cost and prices of the goods and services. Our investigating authorities treat certain Chinese industries, on a case to case basis, as operating under market conditions for the purpose of arriving at the normal values. If China is treated as having a Market Economy Status then the cost and prices of the Chinese Producers would have to be accepted across board, for determination of the normal values and dumping margins. .

.

Under Section 15 of the Chinese WTO Accession Protocol, China can be treated as a non-market economy (NME) in anti-dumping proceedings if Chinese firms cannot prove that they operate under market economy conditions. .

.

China has argued that, according to Section 15(d) of the WTO Accession Protocol, the Section 15 provision allowing for NME methodology expires after 11 December 2016, resulting in a legal obligation to grant MES to China after that date. This interpretation of the section remains highly controversial. .

.

Several countries have granted earlier recognition of MES to China, mainly as a condition for negotiating free trade agreements (FTA) with China. .

.

In addition to India, the main countries which still consider China an NME are the US, Canada, Japan and the European Union (EU). .

.

Government of India has been taking necessary action, as deemed fit, to address such issues concerning our industry and to provide support to the domestic industry in the form of legal assistance, appropriate intervention in the concerned international forum and other supporting activities. .

.

This information was given by the Commerce and Industry Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Lok Sabha today. .

.
A declaration was adopted at the Tenth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 15 to 19 December 2015. It comprises six Ministerial Decisions on agriculture, cotton and issues related to least-developed countries (LDCs). These cover an agricultural Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) for developing countries, public stockholding for food security purposes, a commitment to abolish export subsidies for farm exports and measures related to cotton. Decisions were also taken regarding preferential treatment to LDCs in the area of services and the criteria for determining whether exports from LDCs may benefit from trade preferences. .

.

The Ministerial Decision relating to Cotton does not prohibit subsidies to the cotton sector and India can continue to provide domestic support to cotton, as per the existing WTO rules and commitments. The Ministerial Decision relating to export competition stipulates that export subsidies to the cotton sector will be eliminated by developed countries immediately and by developing countries with effect from 1 January 2017. Presently export subsidies can be provided by only a few members, mainly developed countries, who had been giving such subsidies and had scheduled the same following the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations. India was not giving such subsidies and had not scheduled them and therefore, does not have such an entitlement. The elimination of export subsidies by developed countries will help the cotton industry in developing countries, including India, to become more competitive. .

.

A Ministerial Decision on Public Stockholding for Food Security Purposes was taken at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in December 2015. WTO Members decided to engage constructively to negotiate and make all concerted efforts to agree and adopt a permanent solution on the issue of public stockholding for food security purposes. As per the Bali Ministerial Decision of December 2013, Members had agreed to negotiate an agreement for a permanent solution on the issue of public stockholding for food security purposes for adoption by the 11thMinisterial Conference of the WTO.In order to achieve such a permanent solution, the negotiations on this subject are to be held in the WTOs Committee on Agriculture in Special Session, in dedicated sessions and in an accelerated time-frame, distinct from the agriculture negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda.India negotiated and secured a re-affirmative Ministerial Decision on Public Stockholding for Food Security Purposes honouring both the Bali Ministerial Decision of December 2013 and a WTO General Council Decision of November 2014. The decision commits Members to engage constructively in finding a permanent solution to this issue. .

.

India negotiated a Ministerial Decision which recognizes that developing countries will have the right to have recourse to an agricultural Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) as envisaged in the mandate of the Doha round of trade negotiations. Negotiations on the SSM will be held in dedicated sessions and the WTO General Council has to regularly review the progress. The SSM is intended to help developing countries protect their agriculture sector from the effects of import surges. .

.

This information was given by the Commerce and Industry Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Lok Sabha today. .

.
PM interacts with Village Pradhans from Varanasi Parliamentary Constituency

.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, welcomed Village Pradhans from the Varanasi Parliamentary Constituency at his residence in New Delhi, today. .

.

During the interaction, the Prime Minister encouraged the Pradhans to work towards total vaccination, zero school dropouts and Swacchta in their respective villages. .

.

The Prime Minister also urged the group to eliminate any discrimination between daughters and sons. The Group expressed their willingness to celebrate the birth of a girl child by planting a tree as a celebratory gesture. .

.

The Prime Minister also asked the Pradhans to share the experience of their visit to the Parliament and the Capital with the residents of Varanasi. .

.
will hurt growth in the UK, as well as in the European Union. The UK is a big market for goods and services from the EU area. A new report by consulting firm Deloitte analyses the likely impact of slowing growth and a weaker pound on Indian businesses. It also looks at four possible scenarios and what these mean for Indian companies. Key findings:



MACRO VIEW

Lower growth and a weaker currency are likely to impact businesses in India. Short-term impact adverse on several Indian businesses across sectors



For companies with manufacturing in the UK, access to a single market is important, as their products can get uncompetitive if they had to pay import duties



If the UK becomes a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), like Norway, it could be advantageous for India in terms of trade



The British government can also cut tariffs and boost trade. If the UK and India finalise a free trade agreement, it will boost trade



But India would not be able to use the UK as a gateway to the European Union as easily as before, and trade between India and the EU through the UK could be hampered

SECTORAL IMPACT

The UK and the EU account for 4% and 16% of India's automobiles exports. For companies manufacturing in the UK, access to the single market is important; products will get uncompetitive if they have to pay duties. In the near term, products become cheaper but profits will fetch lower amountsThe travel and tourism sector will be affected by the developments, as it is directly affected by currency fluctuations. Travel to the UK could get a boost, as the British economy gains competitiveness via a weaker currency. But, it also means fewer British tourists in India and lower spendingGarment exports accounted for a fifth of India's exports to the UK. Indian garment exporters have already witnessed a 5% drop in demand last year, and could see lower sales due to a slowdown in growthIndia's pharmaceutical sector has significant exposure to the UK and the EU, with exports of $0.46 billion to the UK and $1.51 billion to the EU. A drop in demand in the UK and the EU will impact profits and salesTrade in precious metals and stones between the UK and India amounted to about $2 billion in FY16. A weaker pound will make imports cheaperThere are four possible scenarios or terms on which the UK could engage with the EU; each of these will differently impact Indian businessesEEA, formed in 1994, serves as a bloc that gives non-members of the EU access to the single marketIndian businesses are expected to remain largely unaffectedDoes not come under EU but has a sequence of bilateral treaties governing their relationshipAccess to single market remains but with some restrictionsThe UK's relations with EU and rest of the world to be governed by WTO rulesIndia-EU trade through the UK could be hamperedSimilar to what Canada is negotiating with the UK - preferential access, with elimination of most trade tariffsIndia could still be able to use it as a gateway to the EU and India would be able to negotiate a separate trade deal with the UKSource: Deloitte report titled - Trigger for larger things to come?
China's imports and exports both slumped in July, with its purchases plummeting by 12.5 per cent, Customs said on Monday, in the latest poor figures from the world's second-largest .

Measured in US dollars, imports fell to $132.4 billion.

The drop was significantly larger than the 7.0 per cent median forecast in a survey of economists by Bloomberg News.

Exports also fell in dollar terms, dropping 4.4 per cent to $184.7 billion and also below expectations of a 3.5 per cent decline.

As the world's biggest trader in goods, is crucial to the global and its performance affects partners from Australia to Zambia, which have been battered by its slowing growth  while it faces headwinds itself in key developed markets.

The July figures were the fourth month in a row that exports declined in dollar terms.

Its imports have been shrinking since late 2014 with global commodity prices hammered as the country's once blistering expansion lost steam, slowed down by manufacturing overcapacity, a slowing property market and mounting debt.

July was the biggest monthly fall in imports since February, when they lost 13.8 per cent.

Total trade volume with the European Union, China's biggest trading partner, rose 1.8 per cent in the first seven months of the year, Customs said in a statement, and was up 0.8 per cent with Japan.

But it fell 4.8 per cent with the US, data showed.

China's Customs administration releases trade figures in the country's own yuan currency first, before later issuing a US dollar figure  which more clearly illustrates its impact on the rest of the world.

In yuan terms, exports rose 2.90 per cent year-on-year to 1.22 trillion yuan, with imports falling 5.70 per cent to 873 billion yuan.
In the primordial days of computing, IBM machines were so common inside corporations that there was a running joke in the industry: Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM.
rose in early trading on Monday, lifted by reports of renewed talks by some members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to restrain output.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $41.90 per barrel at 0411 GMT, up 10 cents from their last close. Brent futures were trading at $44.34 per barrel, up 7 cents.

The price rise came on the back of renewed calls by some OPEC members to freeze production in a bid to rein in output that has been consistently outpacing demand.

"OPEC members, including Venezuela, Ecuador and Kuwait, are said to be behind this latest reincarnation. But just like previous endeavours, it seems doomed to fail, given key OPEC members (think: Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran) persist in their battle for market share, ramping up exports apace," said Matt Smith of ClipperData in a note.

Yet in the absence of an agreement, a fight for market share via high output and price discounts is still weighing on .

Iraq has dropped the September official selling price for Basra Light crude to Asia by $1 to minus $2.30 a barrel against the average of Oman/Dubai quotes from the previous month, the State Oil Marketing Organization said on Monday, making it the latest exporter to drop its prices.

Meanwhile, oil drilling in the United States keeps increasing.

"Another increase in the rig count in the US also weighed on sentiment. The Baker Hughes data show rigs operating in the US are the highest since March (at 381)," ANZ bank said.

On the demand side, AB Bernstein said that oil demand growth had been strong in 2015 and the first half of this year at 2.0 and 1.5 per cent, respectively, but that the outlook was weakening.

"In July following the UK Brexit vote, the IMF ( Monetary Fund) downgraded global growth by 10 basis points (bp) in 2016 and 20 bp in 2017. This has negative implications for demand," the analysts said, adding that they expected oil demand growth to slow to around 1.1 per cent in the second half of 2016 and to below one per cent next year.

Such a slowdown would likely weigh on prices.

"If record to near-record demand this summer for gasoline and crude oil failed to eat into the supply glut, then what happens to the glut once demand drops off this fall by around 1 million barrels per day?" asked the US-based Schork Report in a note, adding that it was bearish in its WTI and Brent price outlook.
Turkish President said that he would approve the return of the death penalty if it was backed by Parliament and the public.

He made the remarks during the "Democracy and Martyrs' Rally" on Sunday evening in Istanbul against the July 15 failed coup attempt, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

"If Parliament accepts the reintroduction of death penalty, I will accept it," he told the crowd, adding that the death penalty exists in the US, Japan and "many other countries".

"If the people want death penalty, I think the political parties will also accept it," Hurriyet Daily News quoted the President as saying.

The death penalty existed in Turkey until 1984.

Erdogan also said the state would be cleansed of all supporters of the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen who is blamed by the Turkish government for the attempted uprising.

He has denied any involvement.

Religious figures and leaders of two of Turkey's three opposition parties attended the rally, the BBC reported.

The Kurdish party was not invited.

A total of 240 people were killed in events that led to the failed coup attempt, which triggered a government crackdown. Over 2,190 were injured.

About 18,000 alleged supporters of Gulen have been arrested or dismissed from government jobs.
A group of South Korean opposition lawmakers defied President Park Geun-Hye and left for China on Monday to discuss the deployment of a US anti-missile system that has opened a damaging rift between Seoul and Beijing.

Park had urged the MPs to scrap their trip, arguing that it would boost China's opposition to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system and deepen divisions in over the issue.

Seoul's decision to host a THAAD battery, to counter a growing threat from North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes, has been condemned by China as a threat to its own security interests and to regional stability.

The ongoing row is threatening to undo the substantial effort President Park has put into strengthening ties with China. It is not only South Korea's largest trade partner but also the key player in curbing North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Kim Young-Ho, one of the six lawmakers from the main opposition Minjoo Party travelling to Beijing, said their sole motivation was to calm the situation.

"We are visiting with the hope of offering at least a little warmth to the icy Seoul-Beijing ties," Kim was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency before leaving Seoul.

But Park insisted the visit would be counter-productive and suggested the MPs were being irresponsibly disloyal.

"On a matter of national security, there should be no division between the ruling and the opposition parties," she told a meeting of top aides Monday morning.

"Some politicians are making ridiculous claims that the deployment of THAAD will only offer good excuses for North Korea to stage more provocations, an argument that is very similar to the North's own views," she said in comments published on her official website.

THAAD has been the subject of domestic protests in South Korea, particularly by those living in the rural county of Seongju where the first battery will be installed.

Residents say the system's powerful radar poses health and environmental hazards and argue that its presence will make them a key military target.

Opposition parties have been less than supportive of the deployment, although outright criticism has largely been limited to left-leaning MPs and activists.

Responding to Park's criticisms, Kim said calling off the visit at this stage would make things worse.
was trading 5% lower at Rs 130 on the BSE as the bank's asset quality worsened in the April-June quarter (Q1FY17) with gross non-performing assets (NPAs) doubling to 10.16% from 5.53% in the year-ago period. It was 8.70% as on March 31, 2016.
The long-awaited GST constitutional amendment Bill passed and the market has moved up since. Raghuram Rajan chairs his last policy review at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday. That ends the series of major central bank meetings after Brexit. Meantime, first quarter results continue to come in.
Companies engaged in apple trading and in marketing of branded apples are preparing for a harder time, due to tepid arrivals in this season, after a record crop in 2015-16.
At least 63 people were killed and over 40 others injured in Monday's suicide bomb blast at the Quetta Civil Hospital.

The blast occurred as mourners gathered at the hospital following the shooting of president of Balochistan Bar Association Advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi by unidentified assailants in Quetta, reports the Express Tribune.

While a heavy contingent of Frontier Corps and police arrived and cordoned off the hospital following the blast.

Kasi was targeted by two unidentified gunmen who opened fire on his car near Quetta's Mengal Chowk and was shifted to Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.

The subsequent suicide attack appeared to target his mourners.

Anwar ul Haq Kakar, a spokesperson for the Balochistan government, said that it seems it was a pre-planned attack.

Following the blast, Army chief General Raheel Sharif also arrived at the Hospital Quetta and inquired after the injured victims of Quetta blast.

He also directed the authorities concerned to provide best medical care to those admitted at the hospital.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz has cancelled all prior commitments and has departed for Quetta, where he is set to visit the injured and also hold a meeting regarding the security situation in Quetta.
Punjab government has created history by conducting the dope test of 1.12 lakh male aspirants for the police constables. What is believed to be the biggest 'sample survey' of reality check on drug addiction in Punjab, almost 4.7 lakh aspirants for 6,252 jobs of constables will undergo dope test.

The results of first batch of 1.12-lakh young men of the state have come out, which put the addictive-drug users at 1.36% that is, 1,524 of the 1.12 lakh who underwent the test. The result has finally put to rest the startling figures of drug abuse in Punjab that have been making rounds in various news reports that more than 70% of youth in Punjab are hooked on to drugs.

"From a research point of view, this kind of sample is not available with any state in the country. By the end of the recruitment process, we will have data of almost 4 lakh men, the age group, districts where the numbers are highest, and the kind of drugs being consumed. If the Punjab Police permit us to use the data, we can conduct a seminal work on the problem of drug addiction in the state," said Dr Arvind Sharma, professor and head, department of psychiatry, BFUHS, Faridkot.

The police recruitment dope test, the first-of-its-kind in India has finally proved the point that the drug issue has been blown out of proportion. The results of dope test has shattered the negative perception that 70 % of Punjabi youth are drug addicts.

Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, has conducted the dope test being made mandatory by Punjab government for the recruitment to Police department. The researchers are upbeat about the sample size as nowhere in the country sample of this scale is available. At the end of recruitment drive, a data of more than four lakh young men will be available from the state.

Complete transparency is being maintained while conducting the dope test and anybody can visit any of centres where dope tests are being conducted.
Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "shoot me" statement in Hyderabad last evening, the Congress Party on Monday said this reflects the former's helplessness in controlling atrocities on Dalits and added he cannot solve their problems.

Mallikarjun Kharge, who is the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, demanded a statement from Prime Minister Modi and a discussion on the issue in Parliament.

"We have submitted a notice in 'Zero Hour', seeking Prime Minister Modi's clarification on atrocities against Dalits. We wanted a discussion under Rule 193 of the Business Advisory Committee on the issues in the Lok Sabha, but we were not allowed. Besides, they did not give us even two minutes to raise all these issues in the House that is why we staged a walkout," Kharge told reporters outside Parliament.

"The Prime Minister has become so weak that he is now asking perpetrators of Dalit atrocities to shoot him and attack him instead of controlling chief ministers of the BJP-ruled states, where such incidents are rampant. It is for the first time that a Prime Minister is saying that it is difficult to control this, and hence, shoot him. What message it sends? It sends the message that even the Prime Minister is helpless in solving this problem. Thus, we demand a statement from the Prime Minister and want a discussion on this issue in the House," he added.

"When Members of Parliament, who are elected by the people, raise some questions in the House, they must get their answers there only. You can say whatever you want to say outside Parliament, it's your right, but when a member raises a question in the House, replying to their questions is your duty," said the Congress leader taking a dig at the Prime Minister for making statements at the TownHall meeting in Delhi and BJP workers' meeting in Hyderabad, instead of making a statement in Parliament.

Kharge then went on to list cases of Dalit atrocities in various parts of the country, including Rohith Vemula, IIT Madras, Delta Meghwal, while demanding a statement regarding ending reservations for Dalits etc.

"The Prime Minister has so many powers, can't he stop atrocities on Dalits and Muslims. If the Prime Minister would have wanted, he could have changed things in moments, but instead of making a statement in Parliament, he chose to talk about it outside," he added.

"All these have a bad impact on the Dalit community, and what the Prime Minister is doing apart from shedding crocodile tears? If the Prime Minister, who represents 130 crores people, cannot protect the small and weaker Dalit community, what can he do," he sought to know.

When asked if it was a very calculated move by the Prime Minister in view of assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat and other states, Kharge said, "We don't want politics on the issue. But he is shedding crocodile tears and sympathising with the Dalits to show them that his government is their caretaker and concerned about them. But show-offs won't do anything; he will have to take concrete action. They have their governments at the Centre and in various states, and whenever their leaders speak in Parliament, they talk about the Modi government and not the BJP government. When Modi is everywhere, why he is not for the Dalits?"

Stating that people know whether his statement was directed at polls or he wanted to sympathise with the Dalit community, Kharge added that they would decide the future course of action on the issue after consultation with the party high command.

The Congress members earlier staged a walkout from the Parliament demanding discussion on the issue.
Dalit scholar Kancha Ilaiah today lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking a stand on the 'gau rakshak' forces but said that the latter must immediately sack Hyderabad University's vice-chancellor Appa Rao if he is really serious and ensure that the Rohith Vemula issue makes justice.

Ilaiah, however, said that the Prime Minister's statement has come too late as a large number of attacks on Dalits are happening in the country.

"Addressing a meeting in Telangana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a stand on the 'gau rakshak' forces and also the Dalit issue. He said if these people want to kill somebody then kill me, let them shoot me but not my Dalit brothers," Ilaiah told ANI.

"And this was the place where Rohith Vemula was killed and then Raja Singh has been creating problem around 'gau rakhshak' in this very state from his own party which has become a issue. So, I think if the Prime Minister is really serious, he has to immediately remove at least Mr. Appa Rao from his position and see that the Rohith Vemula issue makes justice," he added.

Ilaiah also demanded action against BJP MLA Raja Singh, who had defended the cow vigilantes with his assertion that those who consume cow meat are bringing "disgrace" to the entire community and should be "taught a lesson".

"His party has to immediately remove Raja Singh and since he told the Telangana Government that such people should be punished then they should arrest him. Now, whether Chandrashekhar Rao is really willing to listen to the Prime Minister or not that is really I think a test," Ilaiah said.

"This is a test for all over the country because there are certain organizations, the Hindutva organizations, which are opposing it. Now, that means there is a rift within that ideological camp. I think the entire nation must be very careful with the Sangh Parivar forces, which speak in double tongue," he added.

A case was earlier registered here against the BJP MLA for his remarks which allegedly defended the attacks on Dalits in Gujarat's Una and supported the cow vigilantes involved.

Prime Minister Modi yesterday issued a call to "stop attacking Dalits", saying "shoot me if you want, not Dalits", and asked the people to beware of "fake gau rakshaks" who "have a problem with the country's unity" and "only want to destroy society".

Urging the state governments to initiate strong against such fake 'gau rakshaks', Prime Minister Modi yesterday requested the true cow devotes to be aware so that some elements do not misuse their name.

"Politics of breaking the society is not good for the country and discrimination among human beings is not acceptable to us. Shanti, Ekta, Sadbhavana are central to the progress of the nation. We have to protect the marginalized and the Dalits. It is our duty," he said in Hyderabad.
Tibetan PM in-exile, Lobsang Sangay, has condemned China for the demolition of Larung Gar, one of Tibet's biggest Buddhist institutions at Sertar County in Eastern Tibet.

Sangay termed it as an "unfortunate" act by China, which is against the basic religious freedom.

Speaking to ANI here, Sangay said, "It is clearly a double standard by the Chinese Government, which says something and does something else. On the one hand, China says there is a religious freedom and showcase some kind of teachings by some Lama, while on the other hand, it destroys buildings where monks and nuns reside in Larung Gar complex."

"Larung Gar is one of the largest Buddhist complexes and to see the destruction of those buildings, where these monks and nuns and lay people, including Chinese displace reside, is very unfortunate and against the basic religious freedom that the Chinese government claims to protect and provide," he added.

As per reports, the Chinese authorities have demolished hundreds of structures in the last few days. They are reportedly demolishing about two hundred houses in a day.

The exile Tibetans have expressed their concern over it and urged the United Nations, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and other world organisations to intervene into the matter.
In the wake of the alleged molestation of a Burmese girl in Sitapuri locality of Delhi, Janata Dal (United) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad on Monday said the law and order situation in Delhi is only deteriorating, and thus, the Centre should consider Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party's demand of bringing the Delhi Police under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Government.

Recalling the 2012 gang-rape case in Delhi, Prasad said Delhi has learnt nothing and has been earning the reputation of "rape capital".

"To bring the law and order to the right path, I feel the demands made by the Delhi Government about the jurisdiction of police should be given a thought by the Centre, because the law and order in Delhi is only deteriorating," Prasad told ANI.

He also pointed out that the law and order situation in Delhi is questionable.

"All these show and prove that the maintenance of law and order situation by the Home Ministry under Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is questionable. The Delhi High Court has also termed the governance of Delhi as 'jungle raj'," he added.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police on Sunday claimed to have arrested three accused, including two juvenile, in connection with the molestation the 23-year-old Burmese girl.

Following the complaint by the accused, the Dabri Police Station registered a case against Praveen under sections 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 308(attempt to commit culpable homicide) and 354(assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian penal Code (IPC) on Saturday.

The main accused was produced before a Dwarka Court, which sent him to a 14-day judicial custody, while police have requested the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) to treat both the juveniles, who are above 16 years, as adults, citing their previous crime records.
Lashing out at Syed Salahuddin for threatening nuclear attack on India, Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said the Hizbul Mujahideen chief's assertion was aimed at gaining publicity and asked Pakistan to seriously ponder whether it was right to encourage such people.

"They keep talking bad just for publicity. Who is he and who has given him the right to speak about Kashmir? Is it correct to propagate such information? Pakistan must seriously think if encouraging such people is right. Nothing will happen with threat," Naidu told the media here.

Stating that three wars have already been fought between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, Salahuddin earlier threatened a nuclear attack on New Delhi.

"Pakistan is duty bound, morally bound, politically bound and constitutionally bound to provide concrete, substantial support to the ongoing freedom struggle on the territory of Kashmir. And if Pakistan provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between the two powers," Salahuddin told the media in Karachi.

He said that he can predict a fourth war with certainty because the Kashmiris are no longer willing to compromise under any circumstances.

The Hizbul Mujahideen chief further said the Kashmiri people have reached this conclusion that they have no second option except to go ahead with an armed struggle and an armed jihad.
Two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel sustained injuries after a low intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast took place near Kangpokpi town along Imphal - Dimapur road on NH-1 on Monday.

The blast took place at around 10: 45 a.m. The injured BSF personnel have been identified as Captain Anil Kumar and Captain Lalji Yadav. As reported, Captain Kumar has suffered a minor splinter injury on his hand whereas Captain Yadav has suffered an injury on his leg.

Both injured personnel of the 54 Battalion were provided medical aid.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has since assuming office never called a meeting either on the law and order situation or on the safety and security of women in the capital.

This was revealed in an RTI reply filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Harish Khurana, citing the response he received from the Chief Minister's office, Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.

The RTI filed by Khurana from the period of February 14, 2015, to June 9, 2016, seeking details of the meetings called by Kejriwal on the law and order and women security stated that no such details are available within the records of the Delhi Government.

Referring to the RTI response which he received from the respective offices after Kejriwal took charge as the Chief Minister of Delhi on February 14, 2015, Khurana claimed that Kejriwal never met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, or Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on this particular issue.

Escalating his attack on Kejriwal, Khurana said, "The RTI shows how serious Arvind Kejriwal is towards the law and order situation in Delhi and on the issue of women security in the capital."

Khurana said that Kejriwal always criticized the Central Government for not giving him power, but he never exercised the available constitutional powers vested with him.

In his RTI, Khurana sought details on whether the AAP Government had ever summoned Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma to discuss the law and order situation or women security.

The Chief Minister's office in its reply on July 6 said, "The information sought is not compiled and hence, not available on record."

Surprisingly, the Lieutenant Governor's office refused to provide any details of the meeting with Kejriwal on the issue of women security and law and order, saying: "The information sought attracts various provisions of exemptions from the disclosure of information under the RTI act."

However, the reply also says the RTI seeking the particular details has been sent to the concerned authorities' i.e the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Lieutenant Governor's Secretariat in Delhi and Delhi Police headquarter for further details.

The Delhi Police and law and order doesn't fall under the elected government in Delhi as it remains a Union Territory and has no say in the policing issues.

At several occasions, the Chief Minister has said that his government can't interfere in police issue as it is not under his ambit.

An RTI was also sent to the Police Headquarter seeking specific details as to when Kejriwal summoned or called the Delhi Police Commissioner to discuss the law and order or women security issue.

The response issued from the Delhi Police Headquarter said, "No such letter regarding calling of the Commissioner of Delhi Police by Delhi Chief Minister was received in the office of CP/Delhi during the period from Feb 14, 2015 to June 7, 2016. However if any letter/references issued from Delhi Chief Minister's office in connection regarding the women security and law and order situation in Delhi, the complete reference number and date of the same may be intimated to enable us for proper reply.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said investigations were on to identify militants and their group who were responsible for killing of innocent people in Assam's Kokrajhar district on August 5.

Making a suo motto statement in the Lok Sabha, Singh said 14 people were killed and 19 others injured in the incident.

The minister said the militants came in army fatigue and attacked a market place. He expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

Earlier, as soon as the House met for the day, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan led the House in condemning the incident.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal on Sunday warned that his government would take stern action against perpetrators of the August 5 killing. "We will take stern action against those extremists who committed this particular killing and will not spare anyone. We will fight them out together, because our government's policy is clear, there is 'zero tolerance' against terrorism," said Sonowal after chairing a high-level meeting.
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) of Bangladesh has confirmed the arrest of ten 10 people, including nine foreigners, from Bashundhara residential area of Dhaka for engaging in a fake currency racket operation.

According to the Daily Star, the ten persons were taken into custody on Sunday night.

The RAB was quoted, as saying in a statement that the foreign nationals were from France and Cameroon.
STC Group a corporate focused skill-development company with close to 14 years of experience in training and technology, has now becomes the funded training partner of National Skill Development Corporation of India.

The association aims at offering vocational training to 50, 000 candidates. Moreover, with this association, STC Skill aligned itself with Modi Government's Skill India scheme, wherein the Government proposes to train 10 million students by 2020.

"We see skills development as a bridge between education and industry jobs. This association with NSDC is another step towards the same. Furthermore, we are determined to continue providing our services and contributing to the vision of Skill India. STC Skills is committed to providing quality skill development to candidates, who will further boost the industry," said CEO STC Skills, Thirumal Raj.

With over 200 experienced faculties working with STC Skills imparting latest industry knowledge, the company intends to regularly update its curriculum.

The curriculums are specially designed to suit various needs of its audiences with diverse backgrounds. The company has a vision to be one of the leading providers of training services and play a key role in delivering skilled industry-ready workforce to the market.

Upholding the Indian Government's vision, the company is committed to create a 'skilled India' through an array of innovative workforce solutions.
Turkish Consul General Erdal Sabri Ergen on Monday issued a warning and said that the network of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen which was responsible for attempting the coup in Turkey was very much active in India, particularly in Mumbai and is under different guises.

Speaking to ANI here, Turkish Consul General Erdal Sabri Ergen said that his country's demand in terms of Gulen's 'terrorist' network was very simple and added all the institutions connected with this network are closed immediately.

"They provide finances, manpower to the overall network, which are in different countries and also in Turkey, having tried to take over the government of turkey. So basically they are financing illegal and illegitimate activity which is overthrowing the elected government of Turkey," he said.

Asserting that the organisation was active under different guises, he added that they are not openly active, but most definitely have its centres.

"Fethullah terror organisation has network worldwide, including in India. They provide money and support," he said.

Talking about Turkey's demand from the U.S. in terms of extraditing Gulen, Ergen said that his government wants the cleric to be transferred to them as quickly as possible so that he can face the charges against him.

"We have very basically demanded that he be extradited to Turkey to face the charges against him. He has denied it, but denial right now is not very believable because since the coup attempt, various people have tried to communicate with Gulen and we know various officers in the coup attempt are directly related to him. So whatever denial from his side is not credible and we want the U.S. to extradite Gulen to Turkey," the Consul General said.

Earlier, an Istanbul court had issued a warrant for Fethullah Gulen, the founder and leader of what Turkey calls the "Fethullahist Terror Organization," on charges of ordering the July 15 failed coup attempt in Turkey.

The ruling said Gulen organization, which infiltrated the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in major cities like Istanbul and Ankara, aimed to take over all the state's institutions and security bodies by changing the constitution.

It also clearly asserted that the organization, which aimed to become a large and effective political and economic power at the international level, carried out the coup attempt with a group of allegiant soldiers and meanwhile committed multiple crimes.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed the possible threat of more action on August 14 by the "Fethullahist Terrorist Organization," which, according to Erdogan, perpetrated the July 15 failed coup attempt.

Meanwhile, the Guardian has reported that lawyers representing the US-based Turkish cleric have said that they fear attacks against his life and suggested that multiple intelligence agencies - including American ones - have long been monitoring his electronic communications.

The Turkish Government has informally requested that Gulen be returned to Turkey, though the US cannot initiate extradition proceedings until formal charges were brought against the cleric.

Gulen has lived in rural Pennsylvania since 1999, but does not have US citizenship.

The Turkish officials have warned that a failure to extradite Gulen would have long-term consequences for Turkish-US diplomatic relations.
Tomorrow's India Global Summit, an initiative by the Global Social India Foundation, announced that the Embassy of India in the Republic of Korea has offered its support during the five-day event in Seoul from September 25-29.

"An initiative such as Tomorrow's India Global Summit will have value of all entities interested in enhancing the bilateral partnership," Indian Ambassador to Republic of Korea, Kumar Doraiswami, said.

"I appreciate the vision of promoting the bilateral and plurilateral business, cultural exchanges as well as information sharing, especially in terms of India-Korea partnership. I wish the organizers every success in convening the second edition," he added.

The other eminent bodies, including Accelerate Korea, Association of IIT Alumni Korea, will also be supporting the upcoming Tomorrow's India Global Summit.

Around 25 companies from Singapore in the field of design, creative media, financial services and smart cities will be participating at the summit.

"We are happy, that our global initiative has been appreciated and supported by Embassy of India in the Republic of Korea. We are also thankful to our other partners including Accelerate Korea and Association of IIT Alumni Korea (IITAK). We are obliged with this gesture," said H.P Singh, the founder and MD of Tomorrow's India Global Summit.

"Last year on the Independence day, our Prime Minister's Sh. Narendra Modi ji, introduced the Start-up India, Stand Up India' initiative. We are just taking that initiative to the next level globally. Tomorrow's India is a platform which offers expansion and investment opportunities for Indian start-up community, MSMEs and corporate businesses, it also helps students and educationists to learn, adapt and discover the global education system," he added.

The agenda for the summit includes panel discussions, sector specific company presentations, case study by various global conglomerates and networking dinners for the business delegates. For students, University visits will be organized on second and third day of the summit.

To create an aura of cross-exchange enactment, a cultural show OORJA has also been organized in form of a cultural fusion from India, Korea and Singapore.

Tomorrows India is a global initiative showcasing India's entrepreneurial strength and academic excellence within a cultural framework.

The program aims to bring an integrated approach, focused on developing international inter-country collaborations in the fields of business, culture, and education. It's a vision to create immense opportunities with economies around the world and identify emerging trends within India for the participating countries.

Ultimately, Tomorrow's India is the premier gateway to and for India through the exchange of knowledge and culture - a gateway that builds bridges across nations.

The program was launched by Global Social India Foundation (GSIF) on January 24, 2016, in Singapore and brought together experts from diverse sectors of the industry, registered group of entrepreneurs, head honchos and corporate gurus, turning successful in showcasing India's might - globally.
Two foreign national professors from the American University in Afghanistan have been kidnapped in Kabul, officials said.

According to the security officials, one has been identified as a U.S national and the other an Australian, reports Tolo News.

The incident took place in Darulaman area of Kabul close to the university on Sunday night after a number of unknown gunmen abducted the duo.

The security officials said efforts to free the hostages are underway.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.
Sales decline 90.72% to Rs 0.09 crore

Net profit of Amit Securities declined 33.33% to Rs 0.06 crore in the quarter ended June 2016 as against Rs 0.09 crore during the previous quarter ended June 2015. Sales declined 90.72% to Rs 0.09 crore in the quarter ended June 2016 as against Rs 0.97 crore during the previous quarter ended June 2015.0.090.9711.1113.400.060.130.060.130.060.09

Powered by Capital Market - Live News
On 13 August 2016

Amrapali Industries will hold a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company on 13 August 2016, to consider, approve & take on record the Un-Audited Financial Results of the Company for the quarter ended on 30 June 2016 as per Regulation 33 of the Listing Regulations.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News
Bharat Electronics lost 2.03% to Rs 1,233.05 at 9:24 IST on BSE after net profit fell 52.94% to Rs 36.09 crore on 18.1% decline in total income to Rs 1010.17 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015.

The result was announced after market hours on Friday, 5 August 2016.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 134.55 points or 0.48% at 28,212.90.

On BSE, so far 5,508 shares were traded in the counter as against average daily volume of 32,997 shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit a high of Rs 1,260 and a low of Rs 1,226.50 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 984.36 on 25 August 2015. The stock had hit a record high of Rs 1,416.70 on 4 January 2016.

The large-cap company has equity capital of Rs 240 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

Bharat Electronics' board approved the proposal for buyback of equity shares of the company for a total consideration not exceeding Rs 2171.15 crore at a buyback price of Rs 1,305 per share through a tender offer. The promoters of the company intimated their interest to participate in the proposed buyback.

Bharat Electronics was established at Bangalore, India, by the Government of India under the Ministry of Defence in 1954 to meet the specialised electronic needs of the Indian defence services. Over the years, it has grown into a multi-product, multi-technology, multi-unit company servicing the needs of customers in diverse fields in India and abroad.

The Government of India currently holds 75.02% stake in Bharat Electronics (as per the shareholding pattern as on 30 June 2016).

Powered by Capital Market - Live News
Britannia Industries rose 6.64% to Rs 3,073 at 12:03 IST on BSE after consolidated net profit rose 13.15% to Rs 219.13 on 9.73% increase in total income to Rs 2236.05 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015.

The result was announced during trading hours today, 8 August 2016.

Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was up 59.97 points, or 0.21%, to 28,138.32.

On BSE, so far 93,000 shares were traded in the counter, compared with average daily volume of 21,293 shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit a high of Rs 3,103.80 and a low of Rs 2,885.10 so far during the day. The stock hit a record high of Rs 3,435 on 13 August 2015. The stock hit a 52-week low of Rs 2,506.65 on 12 February 2016. The stock had underperformed the market over the past 30 days till 5 August 2016, rising 2.48% compared with 3.22% rise in the Sensex. The scrip had also underperformed the market in past one quarter, rising 2.39% as against Sensex's 11.30% rise.

The large-cap company has an equity capital of Rs 24 crore. Face value per share is Rs 2.

Britannia Industries said in a press release that consolidated profit from operations rose 11% to Rs 288 crore and net profit rose 13% to Rs 219 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. Consolidated revenue grew 8% for at Rs 2162 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015.

Commenting on the performance, Varun Berry, managing director, said that the category growths remained subdued during the quarter, however a good monsoon and impact of 7th pay commission would aid consumption and boost demand going forward. The deteriorating geopolitical situation and currency fluctuations in certain geographies like Middle East and Africa have also impacted the company's growths. The firm launched some delightful products like Good day Nuts cookies, NutriChoice Oat cookies & Biscotti during the quarter which bolstered growth. The company intends to drive consumer off take & strengthen its momentum through re-stage of its brands and plugging its product portfolio gaps going forward. Commodity prices have firmed up significantly over the last two quarters and the firm has initiated a combination of price increase & cost efficiency measures to address this. With a strengthened back end in terms of technologically superior factories and state-of-the-art R&D centre, the company is confident of delivering new products for consumers, he added.

Britannia Industries makes biscuits, bread, rusk, cakes and dairy products like cheese, butter and milk.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News
Credit Analysis and Research rose 8.3% to Rs 1,142 at 10:04 IST on BSE after net profit surged 41.1% to Rs 24.67 crore on 18% growth in total income from operations to Rs 57.15 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 123.99 points or 0.44% at 28,202.34.

On BSE, so far 16,000 shares were traded in the counter as against average daily volume of 7,432 shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit a high of Rs 1,149 and a low of Rs 1,069 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 1,473 on 7 August 2015. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 885 on 26 February 2016. The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 5 August 2016, advancing 7.38% compared with 3.36% rise in the Sensex. The scrip had, however, underperformed the market in past one quarter, gaining 7.16% as against Sensex's 11.15% rise.

The mid-cap company has equity capital of Rs 29.40 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

The company's EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization) margin jumped to 63.3% in Q1 June 2016 from 52.7% in Q1 June 2015. The result was announced after market hours on Friday, 5 August 2016.

CARE's MD & CEO D R Dogra said that the company has posted fairly good results in Q1 June 2016. The future course of the economy will guide the progress in the market which will have a bearing on the company's prospects, he said.

CARE's board of directors have appointed Rajesh Mokashi, Deputy Managing Director of the company as the Managing Director and CEO of the company with effect from 22 August 2016 for a period of five years subject to the approval of the shareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting.

The board has given its approval for setting up a wholly owned subsidiary company for carrying out advisory, research and training services subject to regulatory approvals.

CARE is a credit rating agency in India. CARE provides the entire spectrum of credit rating that helps the corporates to raise capital for their various requirements and assists the investors to form an informed investment decision based on the credit risk and their own risk-return expectations.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News
Max Financial Services and HDFC rose 0.91% to 1.05% at 12:16 IST on BSE after Max Financial Services said its board will consider a proposed scheme of arrangement amongst the company, Max Life Insurance Company and HDFC Life Insurance Company.

HDFC (up 1.05% at Rs 1,354.50) and Max Financial Services (up 0.91% at Rs 556) edged higher.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 83.66 points or 0.3% at 28,162.01.

Max Financial Services (MFSL) in its board meeting scheduled today, 8 August 2016, for the purpose of announcing Q1 June 2016 results, will also consider the proposed scheme of arrangement amongst the company, Max Life Insurance Company (MLIC) and HDFC Life Insurance Company (HDFC Life) and consequently, including Max India (formerly Taurus Ventures) as a party to such scheme for certain commercial reasons.

It may be recalled that MFSL's board in its meeting held on 17 June 2016, approved entering into a confidentiality, exclusivity and standstill agreement to evaluate a potential combination through a merger of MLIC and MFSL into HDFC Life by way of a scheme of arrangement.

HDFC Life is a partnership between HDFC, India's leading housing finance institution and Standard Life, a global long term investment savings player. Currently HDFC holds 62% and Standard Life (Mauritius Holdings) 2006 holds 35% of equity in HDFC Life, while the rest is held by others.

MLIC is a joint venture between MFSL and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (MSI), a Japan headquartered global leader in insurance. MFSL holds 68% equity in MLIC, while MSI holds 26%.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News
Hero MotoCorp and Idea Cellular are scheduled to announce Q1 June 2016 results today, 8 August 2016.

Asian Paints announced that it is proposing to increase its water based paint manufacturing capacity at its plant situated at Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu from 1.4 lakh kilolitres (KL) per annum to 2 lakh KL per annum, subject to necessary approvals. Further, the company is also proposing to alter its product mix to augment the manufacturing capacity of synthetic resins and emulsions at its manufacturing facilities at Ankaleshwar, Gujarat, by around 35,000 metric tonnes, subject to necessary approvals. The details of the capital expenditure for the aforementioned expansion would be intimated on receipt of necessary approvals from the regulatory authorities. None of the promoters, directors, key managerial personnel or their relatives are directly/indirectly interested in the aforesaid proposal. The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 5 August 2016.

Bharat Electronics' net profit fell 52.94% to Rs 36.09 crore on 18.1% decline in total income to Rs 1010.17 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. The result was announced after market hours on Friday, 5 August 2016.

Bharat Electronics' board approved the proposal for buyback of equity shares of the company for a total consideration not exceeding Rs 2171.15 crore at a buyback price of Rs 1,305 per share through a tender offer. The promoters of the company intimated their interest to participate in the proposed buyback.

Tata Coffee's consolidated net profit surged 135.57% to Rs 64.10 crore on 21.13% growth in total income from operations to Rs 426.15 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. The result was announced on Saturday, 6 August 2016.

Credit Analysis and Research's (CARE) net profit surged 41.1% to Rs 24.67 crore on 18% growth in total income from operations to Rs 57.15 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. The company's EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization) margin improved to 63.3% in Q1 June 2016 from 52.7% in Q1 June 2015. The result was announced after market hours on Friday, 5 August 2016.

CARE's MD & CEO D R Dogra said that the company has posted fairly good results in Q1 June 2016. The future course of the economy will guide the progress in the market which will have a bearing on the company's prospects, he said.

CARE's board of directors have appointed Rajesh Mokashi, Deputy Managing Director of the company as the Managing Director and CEO of the company with effect from 22 August 2016 for a period of five years subject to the approval of the shareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting.

The board has given its approval for setting up a wholly owned subsidiary company for carrying out advisory, research and training services subject to regulatory approvals.

Caplin Point Laboratories' consolidated net profit rose 27.2% to Rs 16.13 crore on 21.32% growth in income from operations to Rs 85.07 crore in the quarter ended 30 June 2016 over the quarter ended 30 June 2015. The result was announced after market hours on Friday, 5 August 2016.

Caplin Point Laboratories' board of directors approved for 5-for-1 stock split proposal.

Aegis Logistics' consolidated net profit rose 2.81% to Rs 25.97 crore on 1.45% decline in total income from operations to Rs 740.45 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. The result was announced after market hours on Friday, 5 August 2016.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News
Nominee Directors of ENI group step down with effect from 03 August 2016

Hindustan Oil Exploration Company announced that:

1. ENI group, through its group companies ENI Holdings (UK), Burren Shakti and Burren Energy India constituted the Promoter group and held 6,15,69,134 equity shares of the Company equivalent to 47.18% of the voting rights as on 31 December 2015;

2. Since then, the ENI group companies had divested its entire stake in the Company except for nominal shareholding of 5,745 shares held through Burren Energy India out of the total issued shares of 13,05,09,300.

3. The particulars of the above divestment/disposals have already been filed with the stock exchanges under the applicable SEBI Regulations.

In effect, the ENI group companies have divested all its holdings and is presently left with only a nominal shareholding. Subsequent to the disposal, the nominee directors of the ENI group companies have stepped down effective 3 August 2016, which has also been informed to the exchanges.

The Board of Directors would continue to govern the company in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News
Muthoot Finance rose 6.36% to Rs 374 at 13:45 IST on BSE, reversing early losses following the company's clarification that it does not expect any adverse findings against it by income tax department.

The company issued the clarification on Sunday, 7 August 2016.

Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was up 110.97 points, or 0.40%, to 28,189.32.

On BSE, so far 2.68 lakh shares were traded in the counter, compared with average daily volume of 1.17 lakh shares in the past one quarter. Trading was volatile on the counter. The stock rose 7.73% at the day's high of Rs 378.85 so far during the day. The stock fell 2.18% at the day's low of Rs 344 in early trade. The stock hit a 52-week high of Rs 395.80 on 1 August 2016. The stock hit a 52-week low of Rs 152 on 23 September 2015. The stock had outperformed the market over the past 30 days till 5 August 2016, rising 26.52% compared with 3.22% rise in the Sensex. The scrip had also outperformed the market in past one quarter, rising 82.58% as against Sensex's 11.30% rise.

The large-cap company has an equity capital of Rs 399.05 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

The officials of income tax department carried out a search at various premises of the company which commenced at 9:00 am on 5 August 2016 and continued till 7:00 am on 7 August 2016. The company said it cooperated with the investigation and has provided information and clarification sought by the officials. The firm said it is confident that the income tax department would have found during the search proceedings that books of accounts of the company have been maintained satisfactorily. The company clarified that it is not expecting any material adverse findings against the company by income tax department.

In a separate announcement on Saturday, 6 August 2016, Muthoot Finance said that it is the highest tax payer in Kerala. It paid Rs 524 crore during 2015-2016 as per audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2016.

Muthoot Finance's net profit rose 47.56% to Rs 270.27 crore on 13.85% increase in total income to Rs 1300.82 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015.

Muthoot Finance is the largest gold financing company in India in terms of loan portfolio.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News
CII welcomes the passing of the Constitution (One Hundred Twenty Second Amendment) Bill 2014 related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by the Rajya Sabha on 3 August 2016.

GST is India's most significant tax reform in decades. GST, when implemented, is expected to usher in a harmonised national market of goods and services and shall lead to a simplified, assesse-friendly tax administration system. Once implemented, it will subsume all of the country's central and state level duties and taxes, thus making the country a national market and contribute significantly to the growth of the economy, said Dr Naushad Forbes, President, CII.

The manufacturing sector in particular is expected to be a big beneficiary of GST as the economic system becomes more competitive. As GST will be aligned with an information technology platform, the tax payment system would also be streamlined.

Consequently, the supply chain would become faster, seamless and more efficient by allowing for uninterrupted movement of goods across the country.

CII anticipates that implementation of GST from 1 April 2017 would reduce transaction costs and boost GDP by 1.5 - 2% points.

While government has left no stone unturned to seek a consensus, the willingness and maturity of the key opposition party in terms of understanding the issues and straightening out the differences is indeed praiseworthy. Industry can now think of 'One India', which was truly pursued by almost all political parties in true letter and spirit. Both the ruling and opposition parties have set aside political bargaining and have joined hands at the moment to create history by ushering in a unified tax regime.

The amendments to the Bill by the government seek to accommodate some of the demands of the opposition as well as address the concerns of states, particularly with respect to revenue losses. CII welcomes the key amendments proposed by the government including deletion of the clause relating to levy of an additional 1% tax on supply of goods, full compensation for five years for any revenue losses arising from a transition to GST and setting up of Dispute Resolution Authority to be set up by GST Council among others.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News
Need for separate hill farming policy; focus on improving health infrastructure imperative

Uttarakhand has emerged on top by clocking highest compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.5 per cent and 12.3 per cent in industry and services sectors respectively during the decadal period between 2004-05 and 2014-15 among states across India and also much better than national average growth of about seven per cent, noted a just-concluded ASSOCHAM study.

Uttarakhand has registered remarkable economic growth and industrial development as the state has recorded CAGR of over 12 per cent during the aforementioned period, which is highest among major states in India, highlighted the ASSOCHAM study titled 'Uttarakhand on expressway to growth.'

Interestingly, Uttarakhand's contribution to India's economy has also marginally increased from just about 0.8 per cent in 2004-05 to 1.2 per cent 2013-14, noted the study prepared by the ASSOCHAM Economic Research Bureau (AERB).

The chamber's study was released at a press conference in Dehradun by Mr Babu Lal Jain, chairman, ASSOCHAM Uttarakhand Development Task Force and national secretary general, Mr D.S. Rawat.

Services sector which includes hospitality & tourism, hotels & restaurants, transport, storage, communication, banking and finance and other such activities accounted for 51 per cent share in gross state domestic product (GSDP) in 2014-15 thereby increasing from 49.5 per cent in 2004-05.

Uttarakhand holds significant potential for growth and expansion of services sector which can generate additional economic activity and employment in the state, suggested the ASSOCHAM study.

Tourism and hospitality being a major segment under services sector in Uttarakhand and also being mainstay of its economy, it is heartening to note that domestic and foreign tourists' arrival in the state has picked up after it was hit by massive floods and landslides in June 2013, mostly due to swift action by the state government, said Mr Jain.

While industrial sector accounted for about 39 per cent share in the GSDP in 2014-15 thereby increasing from 27 per cent a decade ago.

However it is noted that Uttarakhand's performance on agriculture and allied activities paints a grim picture as its share in the GSDP has declined sharply from over 22 per cent in 2004-05 to just over nine per cent in 2014-15.

Besides, the agriculture sector in Uttarakhand has recorded a poor CAGR of just about three per cent between 2004-05 and 2014-15 largely due to sandy soils that do not retain water for long which hits crop productivity.

Though it is important to note that state's agriculture and allied sector has registered a growth rate of over five per cent which is better than negative growth of 2.5 per cent recorded in the previous year.

It is mainly due to priority given to developing irrigation infrastructure in the state including the canal network and also lift canals, tube well, pump sets and others.

Considering that over 51 per cent of state's total workforce and about 67 per cent of total rural workers depend directly or indirectly on agriculture for their livelihood, Uttarakhand government should promote a separate policy for hill farming, suggested the ASSOCHAM study.

Apart from promotion of local and traditional hill crops, farmers need to be given adequate cover in terms of welfare schemes and adequate technical and financial support for water conservation should also be extended by the state administration, it said.

Significant developments in terms of infrastructure development be it increase in road density, fall in power deficit which has almost halved from about three per cent in 2012-13 to 1.7 per cent in 2015-16 and high literacy rate of about 80 per cent are certain other positives for Uttarakhand.

However Uttarakhand government needs to perk up infrastructure in the health sector to facilitate state inhabitants' access to health centres across the state.

Investment scenario in U'khand:

Uttarakhand's robust economic growth has encouraged investors to invest in the state as outstanding investments have increased to Rs 1.45 lakh crore as of 2015-16 registering year-on-year growth of about 24 per cent.

Electricity, infrastructure, construction and real estate are top three priority sectors for investors to invest in 2015-16 with a combined share of almost 97 per cent, noted the ASSOCHAM study.

Uttarakhand has also figured as the second best performing state in terms of project implementation. Projects with investment share of about 39 per cent were under implementation in various stages as of 2015-16 which shows faster implementation of projects and ease of doing business in the state.

State should provide investment facilitation policies like providing single window facilitation, ensuring long-term finance availability to investors especially in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to promote tourism, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, textiles and forest-based industries.

In its study, ASSOCHAM has suggested the Uttarakhand government to give special thrust on improving road network to propel industrial, economic and social development across the state.

Apart from this, the state should work on improving health infrastructure facilities through steps like standardising diagnostic procedures, building rural clinics, developing streamlined health systems, improving efficiency of state hospitals and clinics.

Promotion of food processing industries, bolstering sector-specific infrastructure like warehouses, cold storages and others to avoid spoilage of perishable products are other key suggestions by ASSOCHAM that are aimed at further improving industrial scenario in Uttarakhand.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News
Union Bank of India lost 5.03% to Rs 130.25 at 10:50 IST on BSE after net profit fell 67.9% to Rs 166.32 crore on 1.4% decline in total income to Rs 8916.51 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015.

The result was announced on Saturday, 6 August 2016.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 92.17 points or 0.33% at 28,170.52.

On BSE, so far 10.17 lakh shares were traded in the counter as against average daily volume of 6.88 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit a high of Rs 133.65 and a low of Rs 127.20 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 104.05 on 29 February 2016. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 222.45 on 18 August 2015. The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 5 August 2016, advancing 1.89% compared with 3.36% rise in the Sensex. The scrip had, however, outperformed the market in past one quarter, gaining 17.42% as against Sensex's 11.15% rise.

The mid-cap bank has equity capital of Rs 687.44 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

Union Bank of India's domestic net interest margin (NIM) stood at 2.36% in Q1 June 2016 compared with 2.46% in Q1 June 2015. Global NIM stood at 2.28% in Q1 June 2016 as against 2.39% in Q1 June 2015.

The bank's average current and savings account (CASA) ratio improved to 29.5% in Q1 June 2016 from 27% in Q1 June 2015 and 29.2% in Q4 March 2016.

Union Bank of India's gross non-performing assets (NPA) stood at Rs 27280.90 crore as on 30 June 2016 compared with Rs 24170.89 crore as on 31 March 2016 and Rs 14143.62 crore as on 30 June 2015. The ratio of gross NPA to gross advances stood at 10.16% as on 30 June 2016 as against 8.7% as on 31 March 2016 and 5.53% as on 30 June 2015. The ratio of net NPA to net advances stood at 6.16% as on 30 June 2016 compared with 5.25% as on 31 March 2016 and 3.08% as on 30 June 2015.

The bank's provisions and contingencies jumped 110.6% to Rs 1352.96 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015.

Provision coverage ratio stood at 50% as on 30 June 2016 as against 51% as on 31 March 2016 and 58% as on 30 June 2015.

Union Bank of India is one of largest state-owned banks in India. The Government of India (GoI) held 63.44% in Union Bank of India (as per the shareholding pattern as on 30 June 2016).

Powered by Capital Market - Live News
At least 10 people were killed and over 30 others injured on Monday in a blast that hit a hospital in Pakistan's Quetta city following the killing of an advocate earlier in the day, police said.

Former Balochistan Bar Association President Bilal Anwar Kasi was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the provincial capital earlier on Monday, Dawn online reported.

The explosion took place soon after lawyers arrived at the hospital when Kasi's body was brought in, police said.

TV reports showed people trying to exit the hospital.

Journalists present at the premises also came in the line of fire, Dawn online added.

An emergency has been declared in hospitals across Quetta.

"This was a security lapse and I am having this personally investigated," Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said.

He said it was too early to determine the nature of the blast, and added that the hospital had not received any threats in the past, Dawn online added.

--IANS

ksk/vt
At least 53 people were killed on Monday when a powerful blast hit a hospital in Quetta in Pakistan when dozens of lawyers were entering it with the body of lawyer killed earlier, officials said.

Around 30 people were also injured in the deafening explosion in the Civil Hospital. Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri blamed the Indian intelligence agency RAW for incidents of terrorism in Quetta.

The explosion occurred when lawyers and some journalists had gathered at the hospital with the body of Bilal Anwar Kasi, president of the Balochistan Bar Association who was shot dead earlier in the day, media reports said.

Zehri said it appeared to be a suicide attack but police said they were still investigating. His comments about the RAW link came even before the police could say who was responsible for the horrific attack.

Police officer Zahoor Ahmed Afridi said most of the dead were lawyers. Several lawyers, including Baz Mohammad Kakar, the former president of the Balochistan Bar Association, were injured, Dawn reported.

A stampede broke out after the bombing, causing chaos at the hospital, officials and witnesses said. No one claimed responsibility for the blast.

Gunfire was heard shortly after the explosion. Shahzad Khan, a cameraman with Aaj TV, was killed in the explosion while the cameraman for Dawn News was severely injured, Dawn said.

Police surrounded the hospital and cordoned off the area. An emergency was declared in Quetta hospitals as many of the injured were shifted to them.

"This was a security lapse and I am having this personally investigated," Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast and expressed his "deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives".

"No one will be allowed to disturb the peace in the province that has been restored thanks to the countless sacrifices by the security forces, police and the people of Balochistan," he said in a statement.

Former Chief Minister Abdul Malik called it the "blackest day" in the history of Balochistan.

Lawyers have been targeted several times in recent months in Balochistan.

A lawyer, Jahanzeb Alvi, was shot dead on August 3. Bilal Kasi, who himself was shot dead on Monday, had condemned Alvi's murder and announced a two-day boycott of courts.

The principal of University of Balochistan's law college, Barrister Amanullah Achakzai, was also shot dead by unknown assailants here in June.

Balochistan has experienced violence and targeted killings for more than a decade.

More than 1,400 incidents targeting Shia and Hazara community members have also taken place in the province during the past 15 years.

Pakistan's largest province by area, Balochistan is home to a low-level insurgency by Baloch separatists. Al Qaeda-linked and sectarian militants also operate in the region.

Balochistan shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran. Pakistani officials routinely accuse RAW of fomenting trouble in the province.

--IANS

mr-py/
Abhinav Bindra narrowly missed out on a medal after finishing fourth in the final of the men's 10 metre air rifle final at the Olympic Shooting Centre here on Monday.

Bindra started well, but a couple of wayward shots cost him dearly as he lost in the bronze medal play-off to finish fourth with a total score of 163.8 points.

Monday's disappointment will see the curtains come down on the glittering career of the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist -- India's only individual Olympic gold -- as he has earlier announced his plans of international retirement after the Rio Olympics.

Participating in his fifth Olympics, the 33-year-old got off to a good start with scores of 29.9 and 30.2 in the first two series placing him in the top three.

He fell to the fourth spot after a relatively poor 21.1 in the third series with a total score of 81.2. But luck favoured Bindra in the fourth series as he climbed to second with 21.5 as the other shooters in the top four also faltered.

However, Bindra seemed to let the pressure get to him as his performance started to go downhill from there. The former World Champion registered progressively poorer scores of 20.8, 20.2 in the next two series.

A brilliant series of high 10s saw him go up to second after 11 shots and third after 12.

He maintained the position till the 14th shot but a couple of poor shots saw him score 20.1 in what would eventually be his final series and tied at fourth with Ukranian Serhiy Kulish after the 16th shot.

In the shoot-off that followed, Bindra could manage only a 10.0 while the Ukranian shot a brilliant 10.5 to move ahead, thus relegating the Indian to the fourth place.

"I think I did my best but a medal was not to be. It was a tough field. Somebody had to finish fourth and I did. Well I think thats the way it is. I gave it all. It was good day a hard day. Could have been better with a medal," a dejected Bindra said later.

Earleir, Bindra finished seventh to qualify for the 10 metre air rifle quarter-finals while it was heartbreak for Gagan Narang, who finished a lowly 23rd in the qualification round.

Bindra shot a cumulative score of 625.7 to end at the seventh spot and book his berth in the last eight, the competitions for which will be held later in the day.

Bindra found himself at the 10th spot after scoring 104.3 at the end of the first series but dropped to 11th in the second with a cumulative score of 208.7.

Bindra picked pace in the third series to vault to the second position with a score of 314.6 but drastically dropped after sixth with some poor shots.

At the end of the fourth series, Bindra moved to fifth to be on course for qualification. However, the fifth round went horribly wrong for India's flag-bearer in the Rio opening ceremony, who slipped to 10th.

In the final series, he brought himself back in contention to sit at eighth after a 10.8 in his sixth shot to finally book his berth for the quarter-finals.

Also, trap shooters Manavjit Singh Sandhu and Kynan Chenai crashed out of the race to the semi-finals after finishing 16th and 19th later on Monday.

Sandhu, in his fourth Olympics, lost out after scoring a cumulative total of 115 while Chenai scored one less to be out of the fray on the second day of qualifications at the Olympic Shooting centre.

(Hardev Sanotra can be contacted at hardev.sanotra@ians.in)

--IANS

hs/sam/vm
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has slammed the "over-reporting and incorrect reporting" of crude oil production by the ONGC, and recommended that the company should not include items like condensate, basic sediment and water as crude oil production.

"The over-reporting and incorrect reporting of crude oil production has presented an inaccurate picture of performance of the company on crude oil production and has led to the company sharing an additional subsidy burden of Rs 18,787.43 crore from 2012 to 2015," said the CAG report tabled in Parliament on Monday.

It said the "measurement and metering system" for crude oil production in the state-run company also had "several infirmities".

The CAG report recommended that the company should report condensate as a "separate stream as opined by the international consultant".

The official auditor maintained that in western offshore for the ONGC operations, the reported production quantity measured at offshore platforms were higher than the actual sale quantity "with the bulk of differences in volume arising during transportation of crude oil in a closed pipeline".

The CAG added: "Reasons for the differences should have been investigated and corrective action should have been taken."

Moreover, the report said: "In onshore areas, it was noticed that to reconcile over-reported production, fictitious inflating of closing stock of crude oil, erroneous reporting of theft of crude oil and reporting non-existent pit oil as stock were adopted."

The CAG said: "The company should strictly adhere to prescribed schedules laid down for calibration of all crude oil measuring devices such as storage tanks and Mass Flow Meters, Turbine Meters, Auto Suppliers etc in both offshore and onshore assets to ensure accuracy of their measurement".

--IANS

nd/lok/dg
Rome, Aug 8 (IANS/AKI) Italy's top court on Monday approved a list of over 500,000 signatures required to hold a national referendum on political reforms the centre-left government says will guarantee stable executives.

"Now we can say that this is a referendum belonging to the Italians," tweeted premier Matteo Renzi, who has staked his future on its success.

The green light from Italy's Court of Cassation clears the way for the referendum, which is expected to be held this autumn.

Opposition lawmakers quickly urged Renzi's government to set a precise date for the vote after the top court's ruling. It has 60 days to do so.

"Renzi must stop leading Italian citizens a merry dance and immediately set the date on which they will vote in the constitutional referendum," the grassroots Five Star movement said in a statement .

"The government needs to set a date for the vote now," tweeted Renato Brunetta of the conservative Forza Italia party.

Italy's parliament has already approved the planned reforms under which the upper house Senate will be abolished as an elected chamber and replaced with regional councillors and mayors.

Critics claim the reforms weaken parliamentary democracy, reducing checks and balances on the executive guaranteed by Italy's post-war republican constitution.

Renzi has vowed to resign if Italians don't back the constitutional changes he claims are the only way to end decades of short-lived governments that have hampered efforts to revive the country's debt-laden economy.

--IANS/AKI

mr/
The Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha on Monday said that it would send legal notice to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comments against "Gau Rakshaks (cow protestors).

"We are sending a legal notice to the Prime Minister asking that on what grounds he declared 70-80 per cent Gau Rakshaks as anti-social elements," Swamy Chakrapani, a leader of Aakhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha told a TV news channel.

His remark came after Modi hit out against cow vigilantes in his interaction at Town Hall-style meeting here on Saturday and at a speech in Telangana on Sunday in both of which he asked states to probe the fake "gau rakshaks" and take strong action against them, saying they were destroying the country.

'Gau rakshaks' and many right-wing organisations across the country lashed out at Modi for his comments against cow vigilantism.

Chakrapani further said: "PM's remark (on Gau Rakshaks) are irresponsible and he should immediately resign. The BJP and RSS will have to pay the price for such statements in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections in 2017."

Lashing out at Modi, president Gau Rakshak Dal, Pawan Pandit said that whatever statements the PM had given in last two days over cow vigilante are "condemnable".

"PM Modi should apologise for his remarks over Gau Rakshaks and should also take his statements back," Pandit told a TV news channel.

--IANS

am/vd
A fifth of female sex workers live with violence, attacked four times a month, on average, according to an analysis of data on 109,366 such workers, gathered over six months to September 2015 by Swasti Health Resource Centre, a Bengaluru-based nonprofit, as part of its work under the Avahan initiative (Phase 3).

Those with more clients and income were more likely to be attacked, the data reveals, which in turn placed them at greater risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV-AIDS. This could be because they were less likely to get tested.

As many as 24,815 women, or 22.7 per cent, reported 92,838 bouts of sexual, emotional and physical violence against them in the six-month period of the survey, carried out in five states: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The most prevalent form of violence is physical with 39,832 incidents reported, followed by emotional (35,887) and sexual violence (17,119).

Violence increases risk of sexually transmitted infections

Violence inflicted on sex workers increases their risk of contracting STIs, including AIDS. While sexual violence has a more obvious connection to STIs, physical and emotional violence also play a major role in increasing their vulnerability.

Sex workers are among those most vulnerable to HIV infection, according to a 2005 World Health Organization (WHO) report.

While direct impact involves incidents of rape and forced sex, the indirect impact of violence manifests itself in the inability of sex workers to negotiate safer sex with clients, partners and other possible sexual partners.

In India, female sex workers have the third-highest HIV prevalence among key risk groups, according to the department of AIDS control's annual report, 2013-14.

Why timely diagnosis is important

Regular testing for STIs is important for sex workers and their children. But, as the Swasti study shows, violence impedes the chances that a sex worker will be tested for HIV.

While 95 per cent of women who had faced less than six incidents of sexual violence tested for STIs/HIV, 89.5 per cent of those who had faced more than six incidents did.

Women who faced lesser violence also tended to be tested as the norm requires -- two times a year.

Struggle for survival: More money, more violence, more infection

Poverty not only forces women into sex work; it also makes them vulnerable to violence. More money and more clients are correlated with more violence and STIs.

More than a quarter of sex workers are attacked by clients. On some occasions while a single client approaches a woman, upon arrival she is confronted with the prospect of engaging with many more.

In such cases, reluctant sex workers are often forced to have sex without their consent. Spouses or husbands and partners or boyfriends also inflict violence.

More than half of all sex workers, 55,930, operate from home, while 15,314, or 14 per cent, work from brothels or lodges; 4,741, or 4.3 per cent, from bars and the remaining 32,184, or 29.4 per cent, operate from locations that include streets and markets; some are devdasis (temple prostitutes). Those who work from brothels or lodges are at greatest risk of violence.

Sex work not a crime, so why do police and courts endanger the women?

Sex work in India is ambiguous legal territory. It is not a crime, but running brothels and soliciting clients are illegal under the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act (1956). The Act was established to curb trafficking and combat sexual exploitation for commercial purposes but police and courts increasingly interpret it in ways that lead to harassment, detention and arrest of sex-workers, endangering them further.

Most sex workers do not report violence; if they do, between a fourth to a fifth choose community organisations -- 81 per cent of sex workers surveyed were registered with such organisations -- data shows.

Social support is important for sex workers to "challenge power relationships and structural barriers that contribute to their vulnerability", said a 2012 report in the British Medical Journal. It cites the ongoing Avahan initiative, to explain how community organisations empower sex workers, reduce violence and address healthcare discrimination.

(08.08.2016 - In arrangement with IndiaSpend.org, a data-driven, non-profit, public interest journalism platform. Sumit Chaturvedi is an independent media consultant with the Swasti Health Resource Centre. The views expressed are those of IndiaSpend. The author can be contacted at respond@indiaspend.org)

--IANS/IndiaSpend

sumit/vm
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday pitched for peace talks to solve the problem and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step in to heal wounds of the people of the turmoil-hit state, battling a month of a violent unrest that has claimed over 55 lives.

Mehbooba Mufti arrived here on an unannounced trip and met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. She is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

Officials said the Chief Minister and the Home Minister discussed the month-long unrest in the Valley that has left more than 5,000 civilians and security forces personnel injured.

"I believe there is a need to heal wounds (of Kashmiris). If dialogue can do that, let us do it," she said, referring to a political initiative involving India, Pakistan and the people of the state, to end the dispute.

Mehbooba Mufti was speaking to reporters after her meeting with the Home Minister in the North Block here.

"The situation in Jammu and Kashmir has been bad for the past one month. I am hopeful that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take this opportunity to try to heal the wounds of the Kashmir people."

She said the central government must initiate the "peace process" that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had started to resolve the long-standing dispute.

"There will be a chance to continue the dialogue that was begun during the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

"We want peace in Jammu and Kashmir and I am hopeful that the Centre will extend the hand of friendship to the Kashmiris. Jammu and Kashmir can become a bridge between India and Pakistan."

Some 56 people have been killed and thousands injured in the weeks of turmoil, triggered by the July 8 killing of rebel commander Burhan Wani. Normal life in the Kashmir Valley has been completely thrown out of gears for the past one month due to a government-enforced curfew and separatist-called shutdown.

The curfew was imposed immediately after the death of the militant commander to prevent people from taking to the streets for pro-freedom demonstrations. But despite the restriction, people frequently come out on roads. Many of these protests have turned violent. Protesters throw stones at security forces who retaliate with bullets and pellet guns.

Opposition parties in New Delhi have criticised the Prime Minister's silence over the unrest in Kashmir.

Lawmakers in the Rajya Sabha demanded a discussion and also asked the government to call an all-party meeting on the issue.

"Today it's one month of curfew, everything has stopped. I don't think any state had curfew for 30 days after Independence. School, colleges are shut, there is almost nil attendance in secretariat," Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

"The government, and specially the Prime Minister, are mute spectators. India's crown is on fire but the heat is not reaching the government in Delhi."

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury said the the situation in Kashmir was worse than Israel-Palestine conflict.

"In such a situation how can we remain silent? Why are we using pellet guns? It's inhuman, it's criminal, even Israel does not use it against Palestinians," Yechury said.

Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav said that the government's "silence on this issue is hurting".

Following this, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government is ready to debate the issue. "We want peace in Kashmir... and people of Kashmir have repeatedly defeated powers that have tried to disrupt peace. We are ready to debate on the issue," Naqvi said.

--IANS

sar/dg
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has proposed to create 54 border outposts along the McMahon Line to further improve security in Arunachal Pradesh and along the India-China border, an official said on Monday.

On Sunday, ITBP Inspector-General Manoj Singh Rawat, who is in charge of the North East Frontier Headquarters, called on Chief Minister Pema Khandu and discussed ITBP's proposals to expand their establishment in the state in order to improve security in the state and at the border.

It also proposed a permanent stationing of one ITBP battalion at Hollongi area here in the mountainous state capital of Arunachal Pradesh.

The proposal is viewed as being essential to base the ITBP command in the state capital rather than in the faraway location in Meghalaya's capital Shillong and Assam's Tezpur for efficiency in command control.

The ITBP also informed the Chief Minister of its plan to open new sectors across the state in towns like Likabali, Pasighat and Aalo.

The ITBP officer announced that besides guarding the borders, the paramilitary force will also be deployed to guard all essential government installations, offices and institutions in the state.

Chief Minister Khandu has agreed to extend all possible cooperation to the paramilitary force in expanding its establishment in the state.

He appreciated the ITBP's role in maintaining peace and security in the state, and also lauded the humanitarian assistance extended by it during natural calamities.

Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,030-km unfenced border with China. The McMahon Line, a thick line drawn on the map of the British India that translates into an imaginary land border now known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC), separates India and China.
The Lok Sabha on Monday condoled the death of 13 people in the recent violence that took place in Kokrajhar, Assam.

As soon as the house assembled for the day to resume its session after the weekend break, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan read out a brief statement describing the actions of the wrongdoers as an act of "cowardice".

The house also stood in silence for a while as a mark of respect for the departed.

On August 5, in a worst terror attack in northeastern state of Assam since 2014, gunmen in military fatigues opened fire at a crowded market in Kokrajhar town on Friday, killing 13 civilians.

One of the attackers was also killed after an army patrol party fired back.

Authorities in the state have blamed the anti-talks faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) led by I.K. Songbijit, who carries a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, for the massacre.

--IANS

nd/ksk/vt
Maldives President Abdulla Yameen on Monday said he looked forward to working with Nepal's new Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" to further strengthen relations between the two nations.

Yameen, congratulating Prachanda, said his election reflected the confidence of the people of Nepal in him as a leader, Xinhua news agency reported.

"I am certain that under your able leadership, the people of Nepal would achieve greater success and prosperity," Yameen said.

Prachanda was sworn in as prime minister last week after former Premier K.P. Sharma Oli stepped down ahead of a no-confidence vote in parliament.

--IANS

sm/py/dg
Former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Arjun Munda's wife has refused to accept the Vice President's position in the Jharkhand unit of BJP.

After state BJP President Tala Marandi on Sunday nominated Meera Munda as Vice President, Meera on Monday sent a letter to him declining the offer.

She said in the letter: "Through newspapers I have come to know that I have been nominated as Vice President of the party. I shall not be able to give time for the said post. I am unable to join on the above."

There were other dissidents as well after the announcement of the state list. Some party leaders protested outside state BJP headquarter to oppose the appointment of Veer Vijay Pradhan as Yuva Morcha state president.

Marandi's announcement was incidentally delayed following his son's marriage. His son allegedly got married to a minor girl and is also facing allegation of sexual exploitation by a tribal girl.

--IANS

ns/in/dg
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday formally inaugurate the fortnight-long celebrations of India's 70th Independence Day from revolutionary Chandra Shekhar Azad's birthplace in Madhya Pradesh.

"The Prime Minister will visit Azad's native Bhavra village in Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh on August 9 and formally inaugurate the celebrations by paying homage to the freedom fighter," Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said on Monday.

"August 9 marks the 75th anniversary of the 'Quit India' movement. I will visit the August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai tomorrow (Tuesday), from where the movement was launched on this day," he said.

Naidu said all ministers "without exception" will visit the birthplaces of national icons and places associated with India's independence movement, such as Jallianwala Bagh (Punjab), Chauri Chaura (Uttar Pradesh), Cellular Jail (Andaman islands), Sabarmati Ashram and Dandi (both in Gujarat) etc.

He said the places each minister will visit have been finalised.

The government has planned an elaborate fortnight-long programme, being called '70 Saal Azadi -- Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani' (70 years of Independence -- Let's recall the sacrifices) to commemorate the country's 70th Independence Day.

Naidu said the 15-day event will showcase the plurality and diversity of India through various modes and platforms and incorporating the voices and sentiments of the people.

He requested all the political parties to participate in the programme.

On August 18, the Rakshabandhan day, all women Union ministers and BJP Mahila Morcha members would tie 'rakhis' on the wrists of soldiers deployed in border areas and other places, he said.

Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah will visit Kakori in Uttar Pradesh where the revolutionaries looted a train carrying government money on August 9, 1925.

--IANS

mak/tsb/vm
Almost 50 Filipino officials, including mayors and police officers, have surrendered in response to being called out by President Rodrigo Duterte as being connected to illegal drug trade.

Following the name-and-shame speech by President Duterte on Sunday, in which over 150 officials were called out by name for alleged links, 18 mayors and 31 police officials have turned themselves in, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Dionard Carlos told CNN on Monday.

Duterte had given those named 24 hours to surrender, a deadline which has now expired.

Carlos said more are expected to report in to the police later on Monday, CNN reported.

Duterte, who took office at the end of June, has been aggressively pursuing an anti-crime agenda -- with a special focus on ridding the country of illegal drugs.

CNN Philippines named Lorna Mupas, a judge, and former mayor Rasmyiah Macabago as among those who have surrendered.

While some are retired, many on his list were active officers, police said.

Duterte insisted those accused on Sunday have access to a fair trial.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer's "Kill List", regarded as one of the most accurate records of the killings of suspected drug dealers by police and vigilantes, recorded the deaths of 524 people suspected of drug crimes between June 30, the day Duterte assumed office, and August 4, CNN added.

--IANS

ksk/vt
Imagine a son sticking out his middle finger to his father in front of the whole world. Well, that is exactly what Canadian Olympic swimmer Santo Condorelli has been doing but only to "build confidence".

figures across the globe have fallen into routines, habits, and superstitions that they believe are necessary to psyche them up and Condorelli is no different. But what makes it interesting is he has been doing this since the age of eight and the ritual was suggested by none other than his father, Joseph.

Frustrated at getting beaten by older competitors, Joseph asked his child swimmer son to "give the finger and I will give it back to you" as a means to build confidence.

While the ritual has often landed Condorelli in trouble and he even has had to apologise in the past, that hasn't deterred the son-father duo from doing the ritual at the grand arena of the Rio Games.

-x-x-x-x-

Flaunting the 'rainbow' on his trunks

He is "different" and "takes pride in that difference". Tongan Olympic swimmer Amini Fonua enjoys being an out-and-out gay and has been proudly wearing that label on his swimsuit.

Competing at his second Olympics at Rio, Fonua has been sporting a swimsuit that has the words "gay" and "lesbian" printed on it.

Gifted by an organisation promoting LGBT, Fonua has been donning the trunks during practices and posted pictures with it on social networks.

"It's a gentle reminder to everybody that I am different and take pride in that difference," says the 26-year-old.

-x-x-x-x- The Olympic Nan

While champion British swimmer Adam Peaty is the toast of the nation after delivering the country's first gold at the Rio Games, in the virtual world, it is his grandmother Mavis Williams who is gathering accolades for posting a series of adorable tweets supporting her 21-year-old grandson.

Introduced to twitter at the ripe age of 74, Mavis has been gaining popularity on the micro-blogging site chronicling Adam Peaty's Olympic journey.

Describing herself as "Proud Nan to a World Champion Breaststroker", Marvis, who joined twitter only in April, has seen her followers swirl to over 3,000 since she started posting Peaty's every move in the build up to the Rio Games.

--IANS

and/ssp/vm
Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha on Monday demanded a discussion on the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, and also asked the government to call an all-party meeting on the issue.

"Today it's one month of curfew, everything has stopped. I don't think any state had curfew for 30 days after Independence. School, colleges are shut, there is almost nil attendance in Secretariat,' Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha.

"The government, and specially the Prime Minister, are mute spectators. India's crown is on fire but the heat is not reaching the government in Delhi," he said.

Azad accused the government of being silent on the issue.

"People are eager to hear what the Prime Minister has to say on Kashmir. This is not an ordinary situation. I urge the government to call an all-party meeting, and an all-party delegation should go to Kashmir," Azad said.

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury questioned the use of pellet guns against protesters in Kashmir.

"There has been curfew since 30 days. In such a situation how can we remain silent? Why are we using pellet guns? It's inhuman, it's criminal, even Israel does not use it against Palestinians," Yechury said.

He also slammed the government for remaining silent on the issue.

"By choosing to remain silent, the Prime Minister is sending a message that this government does not care," he said.

D. Raja of the Communist Party of India also said the use of pellet guns should be stopped.

Samajwadi Party member Neeraj Shekhar said: "The youths killed were Indians or not? There is no statement from the Prime Minister or Home Minister... What message are we sending?"

Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav added: "The government's silence on this issue is hurting."

Following this, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government is ready to debate the issue.

"We want peace in Kashmir... and people of Kashmir have repeatedly defeated powers that have tried to disrupt peace. We are ready to debate on the issue," Naqvi said.

--IANS

ao/rn/vt
Investigations are on to identify the militants responsible for killing 14 innocent persons in the crowded marketplace of Kokrajhar town of Assam on Friday, Home Minister told the Lok Sabha on Monday.

"One AK-47, two magazines and other explosives have been recovered from the extremists. The identity of the extremist organisation is yet to be known," said while making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha.

The minister said militants came in army uniform and attacked the marketplace.

"At least 14 people were killed, including eight Bodo people, a woman and a boy. Nineteen other people were seriously injured. The local police and security forces acted tough against the extremists and killed one of them, whose identity is yet to be ascertained," said.

He also offered condolences to the bereaved families.

The Home Minister said he has asked the state government to find out the details of the extremist group and act tough against them.

Earlier, the Lok Sabha condoled the deaths in Kokrajhar militant attack.

As soon as the house assembled for the day to resume its session after the weekend break, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan read out a brief statement describing the actions of the terrorists in Kokrajhar as an act of "cowardice".

The members stood in silence for a while as a mark of respect for the deceased.

In the worst terror attack in the northeastern state of Assam since 2014, gunmen in military fatigues opened fire on Friday at a crowded marketplace in Kokrajhar town, killing 14 civilians.

One of the attackers was also killed after an army patrol party fired back.

Authorities in the state have blamed the anti-talks faction of the Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) led by I K Songbijit, who carries a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, for the massacre.
The manager of a school in Allahabad has been arrested and slapped with a sedition case for banning the recital of the national anthem at the school function on August 15, the state police said on Monday.

The issue came to light after the school principal, along with seven other teachers quit in protest against the diktat, prompting the police to take action against the MA Convent School located in Boghara locality.

The district administration has also constituted a three-member team to probe the incident.

Officials said the school was not recognised by the state education department and was apparently being run illegally.

Teachers, who had quit their jobs alleged that school manager Zia-ul-Haq had stopped the singing of the national anthem "Jana Gana Mana..." calling it an "act against Islam".

They also said they had been forbidden for many years now to sing the national anthem. This time when they openly threatened to go public with the ban, they were asked to leave by the school administration.

The manager, however, justified the act and said some words in the national anthem were "objectionable" and against the "basic principles of Islam" which maintained that Allah was the only giver and the one who decides the destiny of its people.

--IANS

md/in/rn/vt
The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed, by voice vote, the Mental Health Care Bill, 2013 that seeks to provide better medical care to mentally-ill besides ensuring their basic rights.

The upper house discussed and debated the bill, which replaces the Mental Health Act, 1987, for over four hours before giving its nod to it. It was passed with a record 134 amendments.

Members, cutting across party lines, expressed concern over condition of mentally-ill people in the country and called for more doctors and facilities for their treatment.

Responding to their concerns, Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda told the house that the bill has been crafted carefully, so that once it is passed, it will have all good provisions for mentally-ill of the country.

"There is no doubt that there is a shortage of staff. We are lookin g into the issue and more and more doctors are being prepared," he said.

Nadda said that every person will have the right to access mental health care and treatment from services run or funded by the government.

"There have been special provisions for women and children in the bill. Women who are with children will not be separated from their children unless necessary," he said while responding to concerns of the members.

He said the bill will also secure rights of the mentally people as it will provide them right to mental health, right to community living, right to protection from cruel and inhuman treatment and right to information.

"With this bill, we will be able to empower the mentally ill people and safeguard their interests," he said.

Nadda also noted that mental illness has been defined in the bill.

"We all know that earlier a person would be admitted just by saying that he is not well, but not anymore," he said, adding that now mental illness is clearly defined and what treatment would the patient be given is also mentioned.

Psycho surgery, for which lots of apprehensions were expressed, will only be done only when needed, Nadada said, adding that its a "progressive bill".

The minister said that a mentally-ill person will have the right to make an advance directive that states how he wants to be treated for the illness during a mental health situation and who his nominated representative shall be.

--IANS

sk/vd
Indian trap shooters Manavjit Singh Sandhu and Kynan Chenai crashed out of the race to the semi-finals after finishing 16th and 19th at the Olympics here on Monday.

Sandhu, in his fourth Olympics, lost out after scoring a cumulative total of 115 while Chenai scored one less to be out of the fray on the second day of qualifications at the Olympic Shooting centre.

Earlier, on Sunday both Sandhu and Chenai kept their hopes alive by finishing 17th and 19th respectively on the first day of the competitions.

Sandhu, who shot a total score of 68 with his three rounds reading 23, 23 and 22 on Sunday, scored a perfect 25 in the fourth round. Starting the day at 17th, he made rapid strides to rise to seventh after the fourth round, raising hopes for a top eight finish.

Another round of 25 would have put him into a shoot-off, but a 22 in the final series of 25 shots in the five series qualification meant that he would have to be satisfied with a 16th position finish.

Meanwhile, Chenai, who started the day at 67 with his three rounds reading 22, 23 and 22, added another 24 and 23 to take his cumulative score to 114 on Monday.

Chenai got off to an impressive start with some good shots before slipping to 21st position in the final round before recovering somehow only to end up at 19th and bow out of the race.

Italian Giovanni Pellielo, who finished third on Sunday rose to atop the qualification table with a cumulative score of 122 while England's Edward Ling's finished second with 120. Croatia's Josip Glasnovic shot 120 to finish third.

The semi-finals will be played later on Monday.

--IANS

tri/vm
Two Border Security Force (BSF) troopers and a separatist guerrilla were killed on Monday in a gunfight near the Line of Control in Kupwara district, defence sources said here.

A defence officer told IANS: "Two BSF troopers were martyred in Machil sector of the LoC in Kupawara district in a gunfight with the terrorists. One terrorist has been killed in the ongoing operation so far."

--IANS

sq/kb/vt
India's archer Laxmirani Majhi bowed out of the women's individual event, beaten 101-108 by Slovakian Alexandra Longova at the Rio Olympics here on Monday.

Laxmirani trailed for the very beginning of the contest and lost three of the four rounds, eventually going down 25-27, 26-28, 26-26, 24-27.

She began the contest nervously and notched up only 25 points out of 30 in the first round, giving Longova advantage. The Slovakian scored 27 in the first round to take a two point lead.

The Slovakian steadily extended her advantage over the 27-year-old Indian as the match went on.

She scored 28 out of a possible 30 in the second round whereas Laxmirani managed only 26.

The Jharkhand-born West Bengal based archer managed to hold the gap in the third round where both the archers scored 26 each.

Laxmirani needed big scores in the fourth round to stretch the match to the fifth round.

But nerves got the better off her as she failed to hit the perfect core of 10 in any of her three shots, managing only 7,8 and 9 to post a low score of 24 out of 30.

That virtually sealed her fate. But still Longova showed no signs of complacency to score 27 with a perfect 10 in her first attempt of the round to finalise a comprehensive victory.

--IANS

sam/vm
I rubbed my eyes in disbelief the other morning when, on my way to work, I saw a group of well-dressed men and women standing resolutely in front of a nationalised bank branch across the street from where I live, with fists raised and chanting slogans. Some of the women had their sunglasses perched stylishly on their heads and were wearing kurtas and jeans, and held aloft big placards saying, "All India Bank Strike, Stop Banking Sector Reforms". I pinched myself to wake myself up. Had I, as I sometimes do, slipped into a reverie and conjured up an image of a bygone era, maybe the 1980s when at every other street corner and on every other day there would be a bank strike, at that time, against the introduction of computers. When I got to office, a little later, I checked with some of the folks in our accounts department about the bank strike - they were dismissive as if it was of no importance and confident that banks would resume their normal working that day or the next.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has twice in two days locked horns with gau rakshaks, or cow protectors. Even the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has echoed Modi in calling many of these self-proclaimed cow protectors as anti-social elements.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister on Monday met Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the situation in Kashmir while the opposition has demanded a discussion in parliament on the ongoing unrest in the valley.

The Chief Minister arrived in Delhi a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the Kashmir situation with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Rajnath Singh.

Opposition members, including Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, called for an all-party meeting on the situation in the valley, which has been on the boil for the past month  since the July 8 killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.

Earlier on Monday, opposition parties also condemned the "silence" of the central government on the situation in Kashmir.

The government, in response, said that it was ready to discuss the issue.

"We want peace in Kashmir... and people of Kashmir have repeatedly defeated powers that have tried to disrupt peace. We are ready to debate on the issue," MoS for Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

Over 55 people have been killed and over 5,000 people injured in clashes between the security forces and protesters in Kashmir Valley.
An Islamic extremist group says at least one of its fighters has been killed in clashes with Mali's army in the West African country.

The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadists' activity online, said today that the extremist group Ansar Dine had reported on its Twitter account that its fighters had engaged in two battles with the Malian army since yesterday.

Ansar Dine says its Macina Liberation Front battalion, with a stronghold in the Mopti region, ambushed Malian soldiers between Teninkou and Shari villages yesterday.

It said one fighter was killed after four hours of fighting with a convoy of soldiers today. It said several Malian soldiers had been killed and wounded.

The al-Qaida-linked group also claimed responsibility for an explosion in Kidal near the United Nations mission camp.

The UN reported yesterday that no one died in that attack, but equipment was damaged.
Three persons were killed in rain-related incidents in Rajasthan as heavy rainfall created flood-like situation in Bhilwara and Chittorgarh districts of the state.

As many as 16 people were airlifted by Indian Air Force and several others were shifted to safer places.

Nearly 40 school students were also rescued after their school bus fell into a swollen river in Bhilwara district.

Chittorgarh MP C P Joshi met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and apprised him of the situation and sought assistance and immediate relief works.

Heavy to extreme heavy rainfall occurred in Kota and Udaipur divisions while there was heavy rain sin Udaipur, Kota, Bikaner and Ajmer divisions since yesterday.

Four men, who had gone to offer prayers at a Shiv temple on the bank of a river, were airlifted by IAF as they got stranded as the temple was surrounded by heavy flow of water in Bhilwara since last night.

In Chittorgarh, 12 people were trapped in Gunjeli river and were airlifted, Secretary of the Disaster Management and Relife departemtn, Rohit Kumar said.

He informed that teams of NDRF have been deployed in Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Jhalawar districts to handle the situation arising out of the incessant rains.

Disaster Management and Relief minister Gulab Chand Kataria is monitoring the rescue and relief operation.

Normal life was badly affected in these districts where many villages and towns have been cut off by road from the district headquarters as rivers had swollen and the bridges and roads were inundated.

Teams of district administration and relief department are conducting the rescue and relief operation.

Incessantly rain continued to lash Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar and Kota districts of Hadouti region with the rivers and rivulets overflowing with water.

According to Kota barrage official, 12 gates of the barrage with 15 foots each were opened today and over 2.45 lakhs cusec water from the gates was released into the downstream of the river.

The district administration has also sounded alert in the downstream areas of Chambal River.

Chittorgarh has recorded a maximum of 23 cm rains till morning today while the measurement at Chambal in Kota, Gangrar and Begu (both in Chittorgarh) was 21 cm.

Many other places also recorded below 20 cms rains, according to Met department.

Dabok, Jaipur, Kota, Barmer, Ajmer, Jaisalmer, Sriganganagar and Pilani received 26.4, 23.1, 12.2, 10.3, 8.7, 8.2 cms, 4.8 cms and 3.1 (all in mm) rains till evening.

The weather conditions are likely to remain the same as the Met department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in the state during next 24 hours.
A police official says Kenya has deported 35 Chinese and five Taiwanese to China after they were acquitted on wire fraud charges.

Taiwan's envoy to Kenya, John Chen, had asked Kenya not to deport the five Taiwanese to China. Taiwan rejects China's claim to its territory and wanted its citizens returned there.

The senior police official said today that all were put on a flight headed for the southern city of Guangzhou on yesterday night.

The official insisted on anonymity because he was not authorized to share the information.

Forty-five other Taiwanese nationals arrested on similar charges were draped in black hoods and deported to China upon their acquittal in April, despite expressing fears about human rights violations there, according to rights group Amnesty International.
Four freedom fighters from Odisha were felicitated by the Chief Resident Commissioner of the state here today.

Bhabani Charan Pattanayak (Puri), Dolagobinda Pradhan (Cuttack), Rabindra Nath Ray (Jagatsinghpur) and Nilamani Samal (Jajpur) have been invited by President Pranab Mukherjee to the 'At Home' reception to be held on August 9 at the Rashtrapati Bhawan to commemorate the anniversary of the Quit India Movement, an official release said.

They shared their memories of Independence movement at the felicitation event.

The state government has extended all facilities for lodging and boarding of the freedom fighters in Odisha Niwas by declaring them as state guests.

They were extended a warm welcome by the office of the Chief Resident Commissioner on their arrival at Odisha Niwas yesterday and all arrangements have been made for their visit to Rashtrapati Bhawan tomorrow.
Four persons were killed and five others injured in separate road accidents in Himachal Pradesh, police said today.

An elderly couple was killed while their son injured when the car they were travelling in rolled down 100 metres into a gorge near Nauni Khud on Pathankot-Dalhousie road today, 50 km from Chamba district.

Naval Khanna, 65, and his wife Parveen Khanna, 63, from Amritsar, were returning after dropping their grandson at a school when they met with the accident. Their son Vineet Khanna, 40, was severely injured, police said.

In the second incident, a differently-abled man, Rohit Kumar, who was riding pillion on a motorcycle, was killed when the biker, Abhishek Chawla, lost control while overtaking a truck near Alfa hotel in Una district.

In the third incident, a car rolled down a slope near Ekantwari on Rampur Highway in which Deepak, 23, a resident of Ropar, died on the spot while another person Sunny was severely injured, Superintendent of Police (Shimla) D W Negi said, adding the accident occurred after the driver lost control.

The fourth incident was reported from Una where three persons were injured when the car they were travelling in collided with a truck at village Pandoga today.

Meanwhile in a separate incident, a 27-year-old woman allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself at her house in Rakkar Colony in Una.

Neetu had gone to sleep after dinner and did not open the door till late in the morning. When her parents peeped from the window, they found her hanging.

The body has been sent for autopsy, Superintendent of Police (Una) Anupam Sharma said.
At least 40 people were today killed and 50 others, mostly lawyers, injured when a bomb ripped through a hospital in Quetta in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province followed by gunfire.

The loud explosion was heard as lawyers brought the body of president of Balochistan Bar Association (BA) Advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was gunned down by unidentified assailants earlier in the provincial capital, to the hospital, according to police and rescue officials.

Lawyers and journalists had gathered at the emergency department where Kasi's body was brought, when the explosion occurred. Most of the injured are lawyers, eye witnesses were quoted as saying in the local media.

At least 40 people were killed and 50 others injured in the blast, The Express Tribune reported but did not attribute the toll to police or officials.

Aerial firing could still be heard near the hospital's emergency's ward, the paper said.

Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said over 30 killed in the bombing.

"This was a security lapse and I am having this personally investigated," he said.

Police said unknown men also opened fire after the blast.

Panic tore through the hospital after the incident and emergency has been declared at hospitals in Quetta.

A heavy contingent of Frontier Corps and police arrived and cordoned off the area.

It is suspected that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber, Bugti told DawnNews.

Two unidentified men opened fire at Advocate Kasi's car near Quetta's Mengal Chowk on Manno Jan road as he left his home in the morning for work, police officials said. The former president was shifted to Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the blast or the earlier shooting.

The provincial capital bordering Iran and Afghanistan has been at the receiving end of several such acts of terror. In May, two persons were killed and five injured when an explosion occurred at the main entrance of Balochistan University.
Members of Parliament should be allowed to utilise MPLAD Fund for repair and maintenance of community assets which is not permitted as of now as per the guidelines, INLD member Ram Kumar Kashyap said in Rajya Sabha today.

"...I want to draw the attention of the government towards MPLAD scheme...According to the guidelines (of the scheme), a Member of Parliament uses MPLAD Fund for building sustainable community assets. But there is no provision of using the MPLAD Fund for the repair of already built assets," Kashyap said in his maiden Zero Hour mention.

Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme envisages creating new assets and leaves their maintenance to the users, state governments, in this case.

Under the scheme, started in 1993, a Member of Parliament is allocated a sum of Rs five crore per year for the development of his/her area or constituency, the Member of Parliament said.

In the absence of funds for repair, after a lapse of five to six years these assets do not remain in a condition to be used, he added.

Citing an example, he said in Haryana the 'Choupals' built for SC and OBC community are in bad shape due to lack of maintenance.

"When a Member of Parliament goes for a round of his area/constituency, the general public requests the MP for the maintenance of these assets. We feel helpless," he said.

"...I request that the MPs should be allowed to use MPLAD Fund for renovation repair of these asssets for a fixed time so that these assets are in a condition to be used," he stressed.
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh today stormed into Sangat Mandi police station and warned officials against registering "fake" cases against Congress workers allegedly at the behest of the ruling Akalis.

During the 'Halke Vich Captain' programme, more than 4000 people submitted 2873 complaints among which over 60 per cent pertained to "fake FIRs", a party spokesman said.

Amarinder stormed into the police station after listening to the grievance of a local resident, Baldev Singh, about a land dispute case which had been registered at the Sangat Mandi police station for the last two years.

"Instead of registering his complaint and resolving the case, the Sangat Mandi Thana had registered a fake FIR against him at the station," Amarinder said.

He told Baldev to accompany him to the police station at immediately where he met the local SHO and DSP and raised the matter, who gave him the "assurance" that it will be resolved within 10 days, the spokesman said.

"Respect the uniform you are wearing and ensure that you resort to no injustice at the behest of the Akalis whose days are numbered now," Amarinder told police officials.

"I have nothing personal against you but if I find any of you harassing or victimising any of my party workers, it will be more than personal for me and I will neither forget nor forgive it," he said, adding, "all those police officials found guilty of having framed the Congress workers must be ready to go to jail along with their Akali mentors.
Shakespeare's Hamlet has inspired award-winning director Anjan Dutta to recreate the intense drama on celluloid, though with a contemporary spin.

Anjan's 'Hamlet', which is the second adaptation of the age-defying drama in recent times after 'Haider' by Vishal Bhardwaj, deals with socio-political crisis and violence against humanity.

"Shakespeare's Hamlet suffered from a basic crisis and I wanted to define and interpret that crisis in my own way," the director told PTI.

Actor Parambrata Chatterjee will portray Hamlet's character 'Hemanta'. Anjan said he himself would play the character if he were a little younger.

"Had I been a little younger, I would have done the role and my wish to portray Hamlet got shape through Param," he said.

Anjan said that his Hemanta couldn't care less about the situation around him, unlike his contemporaries who were largely insouciant about violence next door and busy with personal affairs.

"I had long been thinking I should not confine myself to Byomkesh exploits and urban relationship and musicals. I thought there is an imperative need to have a hard look at the present time through my protagonist's eyes," he said.

"Hamlet's character has many layers. Some put his crisis at sexual level, some talk about his anguish and hatred towards the stinking political situation in Denmark about 500 years back. But for me it is more of his angst towards the situation prevailing all over the world," Anjan said.

Parambrata said he had to cut himself off all other projects for one and a half months to study the character over and over again.

"Though I had read Hamlet during college days as a student of English literature, I needed time to grasp the contemporariness of his character," the ace actor said adding "it is an actor's dream to work in projects inspired by Chekov, Tagore and Shakespeare".

Jisshu Sengupta is playing Horatio's role while Saswata Chatterjee plays Cladius.

Hemanta after graduating from New York Film School returns to his home in Kolkata and gets the that his film producer father has commited suicide because his mother Gayatri is set to marry uncle Kalyan (Cladius), which triggers a series of murders and mysterious deaths.
In the second such complaint against the Isha Yoga centre here this month, a woman today alleged that her engineer son had been "brainwashed" by it to become a sanyasi and sought government help to rescue him.

In a petition to District Collector T N Hariharan, Tamil Selvi of Tuticorin claimed that her son Ramesh alias Balaguru was working as an engineer in Singapore and would attend yoga sessions there.

A few months ago, he returned from Singapore and straightaway went to the Isha Yoga Centre with his head tonsured and became a sanyasi, she alleged.

Her complaint comes close on the heels of a retired professor's allegation that his two daughters had been "brainwashed" by the centre and forced to become sanyasins.

Alleging that her son was "brainwashed" by the Isha Foundation which made him work as a slave parents and did not allow parents to visit him, Tamil Selvi requested the administration to take action against the Centre and rescue her son.

Some women rights activists also accompanied her to the collectorate, officials said.

Retired professor Kamaraj and his wife had last week alleged that their two daughters were brain washed and forced to tonsure their head to become sanyasins.

He has also filed a petition in Chief Minister's Cell to rescue the daughters.
Indian women archers disappointing show at the Rio Olympics continued as Laxmirani Majhi suffered a 1-7 thrashing at the hands of Slovakia's Alexandra Longova in the first round of the individual event here today.

Majhi was hardly a match to her much superior opponent and could not win a single set out of the four contested. She could only level the fourth set 26-26. The Slovakian won the first, second and third sets 27-25, 28-26 and 27-24.

The Indian had a total match point of 101, inclusive of one shot of 10 while her opponent scored 108 with the help of three 10s.

Majhi began poorly as she could not hit a 10 in the first two sets, which she lost. She could score a 10 in the third set that helped her tie the score 26-26.

But in the fourth set, Majhi again lost the plot as she shot a series of 7, 8 and 9, her worst of the day, to lose the set and the tie.

Majhi was part of the women's team that crashed out of the competition at the quarterfinal stage last night.

Her two team-mates Deepika Kumari and Bombayla Devi will commence their individual events on August 10 while their male counterpart Atanu Das takes the field tomorrow.
Mira Munda, wife of former chief minister Arjun Munda, today declined an offer to be vice-president of BJP's Jharkhand unit, citing busy personal schedule.

Informing the party's state unit President Tala Marandi that she could not give adequate time to such an important post, Munda affirmed her active participation in party work would continue, a press release said here.

Saying that she came to know about her nomination as the vice president through newspapers, Munda said she had to inform him through letter as her efforts to contact him over phone was not successful, the release said.
Ahead of Independence Day, the Indian Army has taken the initiative to celebrate it with the public by organising a 'Know your Army' exhibition in Kolkata.

The exhibitions will be conducted at Salt Lake on August 9 and 10, at Sur College, Dum Dum on August 12 and at Prinsep Ghat Memorial on August 13 and 14, a statement said.

It will include a performance by military bands and static display of military weapons and equipment.

The event which is aimed at motivating the youth in nation building will be open to all from 10 am to 4 pm.
Arunachal Pradesh Education Minister Honchun Ngandam today called upon people of the state to help shape up the state's education process by their own instead of only depending on department.

Addressing over 200 women of self-help groups of celebrating the World Indigenous People's Day, themed 'Indigenous people's right to education' as decided by UN at National Youth Project, Ngandam said all Indians are indigenous in their respective native place like the Arunachalees.

He exhorted the masses to rise above taboos and get educated and educating their children.

"Education is your birth right. It enlightens human beings with knowledge which alone can help to earn livelihood and lead a decent life besides learning how to preserve and protect the indigenous cultures and traditions", he said quoting Swami Vivekananda: "Education is manifestation of perfections already in men".

Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society (IFCS) President Dr Ligu Tacho speaking on the occasion said the theme is important for tribal state of Arunachal Pradesh and education should spread to remote and far-flung areas of the state.
The body of an assistant



sub-inspector (ASI) of police was found near Howrah-Mumbai railway track near Dharuadihi in Odisha's Sundargarh district, police said today.

ASI Dushmanta Bagh, who was posted at Dharuadihi, had reported at the police station yesterday morning and then had gone out. His body was found near the railway track a few hours later around noon, they said.

The body bore severe burn injuries on the right leg. Besides, blood was oozing out of his mouth and the face had become disfigured, police said adding it was spotted by a railway employee posted at Dharuadihi railway station who informed the police.

The case is being handled by Jharsuguda GRP as the body was found very close to the railway track, said Sundergarh superintendent of police Nikhil Kanodia.

Preliminary inquiry indicated that Bagh might have climbed the high tension over traction pole for which he had burn injuries in his right leg, he said.
government on Monday said it cannot stop rhino poaching alone and is considering to hand over the probe to Investigation Agency in order to break the international cartel.

Replying to a Zero Hour notice by AGP MLA Pabindra Deka, Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma said the state government is currently evaluating options to hand over the investigation to NIA.

"Our department or government cannot alone stop rhino poaching. I have taken poaching of rhinos very seriously and discussed it with my officials. I have informed this to the Chief Minister also," she said.

Brahma said five rhinos have been killed by poachers since the BJP-led government came to power in despite its best effort to prevent it.

"We have decided to hand over the probe of rhino poaching to NIA. We are discussing this with Home and Political Department. We are evaluating now whether NIA will accept our proposal and how they will proceed," she added.

If NIA accepts the state government's request to probe the poaching cases of the world famous one-horned rhinos, then it will lead to breaking of the international cartel, the Minister said.

The main reason of continuing rhino poaching is its horn. The price of a horn goes up to crores of rupees in international market for its medicinal value in cancer treatment.

BJP MLA Padma Hazarika pointed out that Nepal has been successful in stopping rhino poaching in recent years and suggested the state government to send representatives to the Himalayan nation to study their preventive measures.
Having failed to retrieve an elephant stranded in Bangladesh due to crowding by locals, Assam forest department officials have imparted training to their counterparts in Bangladesh on tranquilising the jumbo.

"Our veterinarian has given training to their (Bangaladesh) veterinarians on how to use the tranquilising gun. They will now tranquilise the elephant and put it under captivity temporarily. Later on we might try to bring it back," state Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Bikash Brahma told PTI.

A three-membered team of Assam forest department had gone to Bangladesh last week to bring back the elephant stranded in the neighbouring country after being washed away by the strong currents of Brahmaputra river.

"They failed to tranquilise it because it was in riverine area and lot of people crowded the place so it did not came out of the water. And if it comes out, then also there will be a chaos due to the presence of so many people," Brahma said.

The wild female elephant has been moving in the riverine areas of Bangladesh Kurigram and neighbouring districts ever since it was flown away across the border on June 27 from Assam's Dhubri district.

Having separated from its herd, the solitary jumbo is now under severe distress and causing damage to property and crops in Bangladesh.

The Assam team comprising Goalpara divisional forest officer Md Suleman Uddin Choudhury, retired conservator of forests Rithesh Ch Bhattacharjee and veterinary professor Dr K K Sarma are scheduled to return to India tomorrow.

Officials said they have not given up on the task of bringing the wild animal back in the jungles of Assam.
Assam Assembly today witnessed verbal exchanges between former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary over illegal immigrants issue with the latter claiming that Mahanta was asking questions without "trying to understand".

Mahanta, on his part, asked the Parliamentary Affairs minister to refrain from making such statements on such a serious issue.

The exchanges took place when the senior leader of the ruling BJP's ally AGP raised the issue of granting Indian citizenship to immigrants during the Question Hour.

Mahanta wanted to know Assam government's stand on the Centre's reported move to grant citizenship to religious minorities of Bangladesh and whether the state will raise its voice against any such "burden".

"There has been no written document by the Centre on this issue. So there is no question of any burden. If any such proposal comes in future, then we will discuss. So the question of informing the Centre does not arise now," Patowary replied.

On this, the former chief minister said the last census published data of religious minorities staying in the country and hence the question remains valid.

"There are 1.72 crore Hindus in Bangladesh at present. Will India ask Bangladesh to give security to them? Will the state government tell the Centre to implement the Assam Accord, because only this will solve the problem," he added.

Patowary countered by saying that even if India decides to tell Bangladesh to give security to minority Hindus there, it will actually depend on the neighbouring country to ensure their protection.

"The (bill to amend) Citizenship Act has been brought in Parliament, but it is not passed yet. So there is no point talking about it. Also the notification is about those people who come to India under religious persecution can apply for long-term visa or not," he added.

Patowary, who was once a minister in Mahanta's cabinet, further said the notification is for pan-India and there is no question of burdening Assam with minority immigrants.

(Reopens CES7)



Mahanta said, "Whatever you are talking is applicable for legal migrants and visitors. But no one comes in this way, all come illegally. What will happen to them and what is your step? According to us, Assam Accord is the only solution and so will the state government ask the Centre for its speedy implementation?"



Visibly annoyed Patowary again rose to reply to the senior leader of the alliance partner and criticised Mahanta for his repeated queries.

"Speaker sir, Mahanta himself was two-time CM. He knows everything and how Assam Accord is being implemented as he was one of the signatories. If he keeps asking questions despite knowing everything, what can I say? He is not trying to understand," the Minister said.

Though Mahanta and some members were seen laughing as Patowary made the observations, the former Chief Minister said, "I know everything and that is why I have asked.

"The illegal immigration problem is very serious and will Assam government tell the Centre about this? So stop making such statements," Mahanta said.

During the discussion, Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised during campaigning of last Lok Sabha polls that illegal immigrants problem would be solved if BJP came to power.

"Now BJP is in power in both Centre and State. So we request both the governments to solve the problem as soon as possible," he added.

Raising the 'D' Voter issue, BJP MLA Shiladitya Dev said usually Bengali speaking Hindus are harassed in the name of investigation and requested the government to take step in this direction.

Patowary said 'D' Voters were identified in the electoral rolls prepared by the Election Commission of India on the basis of proper verification regarding their citizenship of India in 1998.

"Later in 2011, the Gauhati High Court also made an order tthat those persons should also be identified as 'D' Voters against whom cases are pending in the Foreigner's Tribunals for determination of their citizenship of India till disposal of the case finally.

"Therefore, the question of harassment in the name of 'D' Voters is not correct.

Identification of 'D' Voters is done only as per laid down procedure," he added.

In a written reply to a query by Congress MLA Wazed Ali Choudhury, Patowary informed the house that there are a toatl of 1,36,448 'D' Voters in the state at present.
A national level athlete has been arrested by Crime Branch in connection with the escape of notorious gangster Jitender Gogi from Delhi Police custody in Bahadurgarh (Haryana) in July.

Acting on a tip off, Crime Branch team arrested Praveen Pandhi alias Lara, 22 from Narela on August 5. The accused belonged to Sonipat and is a gold medalist in the National 400 metre race in 2013, said Ravindra Yadav, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch).

Gogi had escaped from the custody of four personnel of 3rd Battalion of Delhi Armed Police while being taken to be produced in Narwana Court from Tihar Jail, on morning of July 30. Nearly 10 of his associates had freed him after intercepting the Haryayana Roadways bus in which he was being transported, throwing red chilli powder in the eyes of the cops.

Praveen told interrogators that he along with two other accused Deepak alias Boxer and Sanjay alias Falla had boarded the bus in which Gogi was being taken to Narwana by the escort party.

Another accused Rohit boarded the bus from Bahadurgarh and kept it's back door open through which their associates who were chasing the bus in two cars entered and escaped with Gogi throwing chilli powder in the eyes of the policemen and carrying their MP 5 gun, he told them.

He also named Gulshan, Mohit, Gummad, Deepak, Irfan and two others from Baraut in UP as the associates involved in escape of Gogi, said the officer.

Besides, Praveen and Deepak who have been caught by Crime Branch, one accused Mohit was also caught by north west police.

Deepak Pahal, who was a national level junior boxer, was arrested by Crime Branch from Gannour in Sonipat on August 2. A day ago, Mohit was arrested from Mukarba Chowk in north west Delhi.
Delegations of BJP and RSS today met Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here and expressed concern over "deteriorating" law and order in the state in the wake of the attack on Sangh leader Jagdish Gagneja.

Badal assured the delegations the peace and communal harmony would remain the top priority of the government.

He reiterated his government's resolve to continue policy of "zero tolerance" against attempt to disturb peace and communal harmony in Punjab.

RSS (Punjab) Vice President, Jagdish Gagneja was attacked in Jalandhar on Saturday night and he is admitted in a hospital.

The BJP delegation led by state party chief and Union minister Vijay Sampla sought speedy arrest of accused.

"We expressed concern over the law and order in the state during our meeting. We said appropriate steps need to be taken to prevent such incidents in future," he said.

Punjab DGP Suresh Arora was also present during the meet.

The Chief Minister asked the state police chief to ensure the highest degree of vigil against elements with nefarious designs to divide the society on sectarian or communal lines in the wake of coming Assembly elections.

"There was never a time that any RSS leader was attacked in the state and it has now happened. Therefore, we fear such incidents can reoccur in future. We need to be alert and steps need to be taken to contain anti-social elements," said Sampla.

A delegation of senior RSS leaders also demanded speedy investigation into the incident.

RSS leaders conveyed displeasure over "deteriorating" law and order situation in the state.

Whether it was the attack on Shakha in Ludhiana or the day-light murder of Mata Chand Kaur or incidents of kidnapping and snatching, the common man is feeling insecure, it said.

"We cannot let go waste the sacrifices made by Swayamsewaks for peace and communal harmony in Punjab. Ensure rule of law," the delegation said.

Both, the CM and his Deputy condemned the attack.

Meanwhile, a four-member Special Investigation Team headed by ADGP-cum-Director, Bureau of Investigation, Sahota has been set up to investigate the attack.

Deputy Chief Minister, who also heads the Home Department, said he is personally monitoring the law & order situation on a day to day basis.

"There will be no compromise on the issue of peace and communal harmony in Punjab. These are sacred ideals for us. Those who try to disrupt peace must prepare to pay an unbearable penalty for their actions," he said.

"The government cannot rule out the tendency in some quarters to be cynical in the use of unscrupulous means for cheap and petty political gains," the Chief Minister said.

He said the state has to guard against such attempts by "over-ambitious and frustrated elements" to to drive a wedge between brotherly communities and inflame passions for communalising the situation.

"Police and other wings of administration must be ready to respond to such challenges most sternly and expeditiously, with zero loss of time," he said and appealed people to "beware the vicious and divisive propaganda".

"The wheels of progress in the state are moving at an unprecedented speed. That is why the government's opponents are trying desperately to shift the agenda from development to other issues like violence and unrest," said Badal.

The Chief Minister said some cynical elements have been active in the state for sometime.

"These people have been found to be capable of denigrating sacred religious symbols and committing other outrageous acts to disturb peace in the state so that the agenda of progress and development is pushed on the back-burner. These tendencies and the dangers to the peace that they pose must be thwarted," he said.
An auto-rickshaw driver was arrested in connection with the alleged molestation of two women journalists of a leading English daily in Karol Bagh here, police said today.

Vishnu Dutt landed in the police net from North-East Delhi's Nand Nagri area after a complaint was filed at the Karol Bagh police station on August 6, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Parmaditya said.

The complainants, working with a leading English daily, were travelling in the vehicle when Dutt tried to assault and outrage their modesty on August 5. He abused them and tried to take a separate and deserted route when the duo raised an alarm. As some passersby intervened after hearing the girls' call for help, Dutt deboarded them near Hanuman Murti roundabout in Karol Bagh and fled.

An FIR under Sections 354 (molestation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the IPC was lodged.

During investigation, efforts were made to trace the auto- rickshaw at various TSR stands and also by tracking GPS system of the vehicle which was, however, not functioning.

Police found that the owner of the vehicle, Salim, had given it on rent to Dutt who was finally arrested from his house.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the attack on senior RSS leader Jagdish Gagneja could have been orchestrated by a "neighbouring country" to create law and order problems.

"Law and order problem could be created either by internal forces or by external forces. This (attack on Gagneja) appears to be a case of the second type where the hand of a neighbouring country could not be ruled out," he said after visiting the RSS leader who is still critical.

Instead of criticising one another, we should maintain unity and brotherhood, Badal said.

The Punjab Chief Minister also met members of Gagneja's family in the hospital and talked to the doctors about the RSS leader's condition.

Earlier, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also enquired about the health of Gajneja.

He said that ten special police teams had been formed to nab the criminals behind the attack.

Gagneja, the Vice President of RSS (Punjab), was shot at on Saturday by bike-borne persons at Jyoti Chowk area in Jalandhar when he had gone shopping with his wife, leaving him seriously injured. A four-member SIT has been formed to probe the attack.
Bangladesh has kicked out a North Korean diplomat after he was caught smuggling more than one million cigarettes as well as electronics into the country in a shipping container, Dhaka officials said today.

Han Son Ik, the first secretary of the North Korean embassy in Dhaka, has been ordered to leave the country after failing to declare the goods worth nearly half a million dollars to customs.

Bangladesh foreign secretary Shahidul Haque confirmed the order had been made to the North Koreans, but declined to give a timetable for his departure. Local media said he had been ordered to leave by today.

"We have asked North Korea to take him back for violating diplomatic norms," Haque, Bangladesh's top foreign bureaucrat, told AFP, declining to give details.

A senior customs official told AFP the North Korean used his diplomatic immunity earlier this month to import the goods which were suspected destined for the blackmarket.

"The diplomat declared that his cargo contained food and soft drinks. But when we opened the cargo, we found 1.6 million stalks of expensive cigarettes and electronics," Moinul Khan, head of intelligence at Bangladesh customs, told AFP.

"At market prices these products are valued at 35 million taka (USD 430,000). We suspect that he brought the products to sell to local smuggling gangs," he said.

AFP was unable to immediately contact the North Korean embassy for comment.

In March last year, another North Korean diplomat was forced to apologise after he was caught at Dhaka airport trying to smuggle nearly 27 kilogrammes (60 pounds) of gold, worth USD 1.7 million, into the country.

In 2012, customs authorities issued a 2.5-million taka fine after seizing illegal wines from another North Korean envoy.

Last year, a North Korean restaurant in Dhaka was shut down after officials found it was selling wine and drugs such as Viagra without permission.
Bangladesh police have raided the office of a website and detained three journalists for allegedly spreading rumours about the death of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son in a plane crash, days after the government shut down over 30 online portals in a crackdown on media.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel raided the office of banglamail24.Com last night and detained its editor Shahadat Ulla Khan, executive editor Maksudul Alam and reporter Pranta Palash. They also seized a computer from the office.

"We have detained the three to be questioned on allegations of spreading rumours...We are yet to decide if they will be freed or arrested," a RAB official told newsmen.

According to journalists of the online newspaper, the website ran a story published by an obscure portal called Todaynews71 claiming that the Premier's son was killed in a plane crash along with its own comments criticising the "baseless report".

They said the RAB men raided their office after they ignored a request by the Premier's office to retract the story from the site, which remained unupdated since their detention.

The raid came days after Sheikh Hasina government blocked over 32 websites, including some pro-opposition news portals, for carrying "objectionable contents".

The government also banned live television coverage of terror attacks following the last month's deadly assault on a cafe here in which 22 people were killed.
A section of officers of the public sector banks (PSBs) under AIBOC will hold a 'March-to- Parliament' protest tomorrow against a move to consolidate state-owned lenders and other "anti-worker" decisions of the government.

All India Bank Officers' Confederation General Secretary Harvinder Singh said AIBOC has called the protest on the same day (August 9) on which Gandhiji had launched Quit India movement in 1942 to oust the British from India, because it too wants to save the Indian economy from the clutches of capitalists and foreigners, while protecting PSBs.

More than 10,000 officers including from communication, power and other public sector entities will take part in the march, he said.

"We are opposing policies of the government that are leading to the foreign direct investment into critical sectors including banking. We want to oppose the privatisation. The government is not paying attention to our issues," Singh said.

The public sector banks are plagued with the rising non-performing assets (NPAs) problem and the government is not paying attention to correct that, he added.

Overall, the banking sector has stressed loans worth Rs 13 lakh crore of which the PSBs account for the major portion of Rs 10-11 lakh crore, Singh said.

"The federation has been demanding that government help recover the money, as the money belongs to the common man. The government is not paying attention to that. We are not even allowed to disclose the names of willful defaulters in the guise of secrecy. Rather, the PSBs are being maligned that they are not performing," he added.

AIBOC said the recently amended Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (Sarfaesi) Act, and the debt recovery tribunal (DRT) Act have flaws.

"The DRTs have become den of corruption. Cases remain pending for 10-15 years at the DRTs. We also want the government to allow the wilful defaulter cases to be tried as criminal offenses rather than civil," Singh said.

PSBs have transformed banking in the country during the last 50 years and have withstood various economic onslaughts and resisted the crisis without damage.

AIBOC is protesting against consolidation of PBU banks, increasing foreign capital leading to privatisation, grant of new bank licences among others.

Last month, PSU bank employees were on a one-day nationwide strike to protest against the government policies including merger of SBI's associates with the parent -- State Bank of India.
Star Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra's quest for a second Olympics medal met with a disappointing end as he lost a tense shoot-off in the men's 10m air rifle event on the third day of competitions at the Rio Games here today.

Bindra, the country's lone individual Olympic gold medallist, lost the shoot-off to Ukrainian Serhiy Kulish after both were tied for third place at 163.8 points following 16 shots.

Bindra, who was playing in his fifth and final Olympics, was deprived of a fairytale ending of his glorious career as he was the fifth shooter to be eliminated in the race for the podium.

"That's the way it is. Somebody had to be fourth and I am fourth. I did well. I gave it all and I am very very proud how I finished. It was a good day, a hard day. I put it all, gave what I had and ended up fourth in the world at the Olmpics to close my career. It could have been better with a medal, I came very very close. But I am very very happy," Bindra told reporters.

The 33-year-old Indian, who won a gold in 2008 Beijing Olympics in the same event, was at the second spot at one time but lost places later on. He was fourth at first elimination round but jumped to second after the second elimination round.

Bindra scored a fantastic 10.7 in his 11th shot to jump to second spot but slipped to third after the third elimination round.

Two mediocre shots took him to fourth spot after the fourth elimination round but he bounced back in the next round with scores of 10.6 and 10.2.

But that was not enough for Bindra to stay clear in the top three as he was tied at third spot with Kulish at 163.8 points.

Despite a strong backing of Indian supporters cheering him, Bindra just could not make it count in the shoot-off.

Italy's Niccolo Campriani, silver medalist in the London Games four years ago, won the gold while Kulish and Russian Vladimir Maslennikov took the silver and bronze respectively.

Earlier in the day, Bindra had qualified for the finals at seventh spot while London Olympics bronze-medallist Gagan Narang missed out after finishing at a lowly 23rd position.

Bindra had scored 625.7 to book a berth in the finals. This is the only event Bindra is competing in the ongoing Olympics.

Bindra joined Apurvi Chandela, Ayonika Paul, Kynan Chenai and Manavjit Singh Sandhu, who have already exited from the shooting range, while Narang has two more events -- 50m rifle prone and 50m three position left.

Jitu Rai, who had exited in the 10m air pistol along with Gurpreet Singh, will be fighting in the 50m pistol. Gurpreet will also be seen in action in the 25m rapid fire.

Having exited from 10m air pistol, Heena Sidhu will compete in the 25m pistol. There will also be hopes from Chain Singh (50m rifle prone and three positions) and Prakash Nanjappa (50m pistol).
Amid a row on cow vigilante groups, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday accused the BJP of creating differences in society in the name of and deviating from the discussion on development.

"BJP's attitude on the issue of cow is well known. Cows are owned by farmers in villages. You can find cows with us (Yadavs)...But tell me which person in BJP in a city owns a cow," he said after a Cabinet meeting here.

The Chief Minister charged that the saffron party was creating differences in the society in the name of and BJP's attempts were focused on how to deviate from a healthy discussion on development.

His comments come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at "fake cow protectors".

"I would like to tell all countrymen that they beware of these fake cow protectors. These handful of people must not be allowed to destroy your good work for their vested interest," Modi had said, while addressing a public meeting in Telangana on Sunday.
With an eye on the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, the BJP is planning to undertake a series of 'Parivartan Yatras' across all 403 assembly segments of the state.

The party will take out four such yatras from different parts of the state, each of which would cover at least 100 Vidhan Sabha segments, state general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak told reporters here.

The dates for the planned yatras are yet to be finalised, he added.

Pathak also elaborated on plans for the party's 'Tiranga Yatra' in the state that will be carried out as part of Independnce day celebrations.

"'Tiranga Yatra' will be taken out which will start from August 9 to August 23. It would be carried out in two phases. First from August 9 to August 14 and second one from August 16 to August 22," he said.

"Union ministers and senior party functionaries will participate in the yatra," he added.

BJP national president Amit Shah would attend yatra at Kakori in Lucknow on August 13.

"Prominent ministers, who will participate in yatra, include Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Uma Bharti, Ram Vilas Paswan, JP Nadda, Narendra Singh Tomar, Prakash Javadekar and Kiren Rijiju," Pathak said.

The BJP leader said demontrations will also be held over the Bulandshahr gangrape incident at all district headquarters on August 11.

Taking a dig at Akhilesh Yadav, who had written letters to MPs seeking support for development work, he said the Uttar Pradesh chief minister should first clarify that why the proposals being sent by the parliamentarians were pending.

"There are number of proposals related to development sent by MPs from UP, but no action has been taken so far. All the proposals are waiting approval. What is the reason behind delay should be clarified by the CM," he said.
Even though BJP ally Shiv Sena is supporting the GST Constitution Amendment Bill in Parliament, the Sena-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) wants the civic body to be kept out of the indirect tax ambit.

"Keeping in mind the fact that Mumbai is the country's financial capital, BMC's jurisdiction should be kept out of the GST ambit," said a statement issued by the civic body on the behalf of city Mayor and Sena politician, Snehal Ambekar.

Ambekar yesterday chaired a meeting of the Maharashtra Mayors' Council at her residence in Dadar in Central Mumbai.

The Council comprises 26 Mayors across the state.

The meeting was arranged by 'Akhil Bharatiya Sthanik Swarajya Sanstha' and was attended by 12 Mayors from across the state.

"With the funds collected through direct revenues and other taxes, BMC executes a number of infrastructural projects and schemes. (However), the GST will result in delays in getting grants from the concerned government, which will further delay these projects," the statement said.

Ambekar also appealed to Centre to assign more "administrative powers" to Mayors in Maharashtra.

"In so many other countries, the Mayor is vested with administrative and financial powers to execute the projects. However, here in Maharashtra there is no such power given to the Mayor," the statement added.
Syrian regime forces and rebel factions sent hundreds of reinforcements to Aleppo today as both sides braced for a crucial battle to control the country's second city.

Fighting for Syria's former economic powerhouse is intensifying after an opposition advance at the weekend broke through a three-week government siege of the city's rebel-held east, dealing a major setback to regime troops.

Rebel forces yesterday announced a bid to capture all of Aleppo city, which if successful would mark the biggest opposition victory yet in Syria's five-year civil war.

But forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad are putting up a fierce fight and have begun pouring in reinforcements.

The main opposition coalition said today it was only a matter of time before rebels take all of Aleppo, but the United States warned there would be no quick victory.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said some 2,000 pro-regime fighters from Syria, Iraq, Iran and Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah had arrived in Aleppo since late yesterday.

"Both sides are amassing their fighters in preparation for the great battle of Aleppo," said Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based Observatory.

The Monday edition of Al-Watan, a Syrian daily close to the government, reported that the army had received "the necessary military reinforcements to launch the battle to retake the areas from which it withdrew."



It said a military operation by Syria's armed forces was "imminent... And inevitable."



Aleppo has been roughly divided between government forces in the west and rebel groups in the east since fighting first broke out there in mid-2012.

An AFP correspondent in the eastern districts said shelling and sporadic clashes were hitting Aleppo but there were no signs yet of significant new offensives.

After years of stalemate, fighting for the city entered a new phase last month when government forces took control of the last supply road into rebel-held areas, leaving some 250,000 people in eastern districts surrounded.

In a desperate bid to break the siege, a coalition of rebels, Islamists and jihadists overran a series of buildings in a military academy on the southwestern edges of Aleppo on Saturday before linking up with rebel groups inside the city.

Emboldened by the victory, the fighters -- largely grouped under the banner of the Army of Conquest -- set their sights on recapturing all of Aleppo.

In a statement yesterday the Army of Conquest announced "the start of a new phase to liberate all of Aleppo", pledging to "double the number of fighters for this next battle".
A 14-year-old student was today electrocuted after coming in contact with a live wire at a waterlogged area near Ramesh Mitra Road here, police said.

Yash Bengani, a student of Class VIII of Bhowanipore Education Society, was returning from tuition wading through knee-deep waters within the limits of Bhowanipore police station when the accident occurred, police said.

He was immediately taken to the state-run SSKM hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.

Waterlogging after the heavy rain caused massive traffic snarls in major parts of the metropolis till late evening, the police said.

Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chatterjee said heavy-duty pumps have been pressed into service to pump out accumulated water from several badly affected areas, adding if there was no further downpour, waterlogging would be cleared soon.
Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat today demanded that the government identify and punish those who allegedly blinded a Kashmiri teenager, currently being treated at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here, by using pellets against the girl student.

In a statement, CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat, who called on the victim Insha (14) at the hospital this evening, said it is a "national shame" that not a single of the security personnel has been identified and punished for "the cruelty of excessive" force used against the child yet.

"It is quite horrible...It is a national shame that not a single security personnel has been identified and punished for the cruelty of excessive force used against young people. There is no accountability for the use of excessive force.

"...Those responsible be punished and an end put to the use of weapons which blind and maim as in the case of this innocent young girl, Insha," the statement quoted Karat as saying.

Insha was admitted to the hospital on July 24.

She was blinded by pellets fired straight at her allegedly by armed security forces, "deliberately" aiming at her forehead, when she was looking down from the window of her two-storey house in a hamlet in Shopian district, the statement said.

Shopian is a part of the Valley which is in the grip of unrest following killing of a Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani last month.

Insha has had to undergo two surgeries for serious injuries to her forehead and eyes. But till now there is no recovery of her sight.

According to the statement, the doctors told Karat that the damage to both eyes is "extensive and she is unlikely to recover her eyesight".

However, the hospital authorities assured they would send her reports to international experts for a further consultation, it reads.

Insha's father, Mushtaq, a truck driver who himself was injured in a recent accident, has demanded justice for his daughter and punishment for those guilty, the statement said.
FMCG major Industries is looking to set up a plant in West Bengal and make the existing one more productive, it's Chairman Nusli Wadia said on Monday.

Replying to shareholders at the company's AGM here, Wadia said: "We are looking at a new plant in Bengal. But it is not decided yet".

He further said that the existing plant at Taratola would be made more productive. The Kolkata factory is not a very economical one at the moment. We are trying for its improvement.

The company had gained market share over its competitors such as ITC and Parle, the Chairman said, adding that the principal business was that of biscuits.

On acquisition of new businesses, he said the company was sitting upon a good amount of cash.

"We are always scouting for new business. We have to find the right opportunity", he added.

Referring to its subsidiaries, Wadia said that these were primarily contract manufacturers.

He also said there was no rush to sell properties for cash.
A young British sugar trader facing charges of trafficking cocaine worth USD 5.8 million was bailed today by a Nairobi court, with his lawyer declaring "the wrong man" had been arrested.

In a high-profile case, Jack Marrian, 31, was charged last Thursday after police in the eastern port city of Mombasa seized a 100-kilo (220 pounds) stash of cocaine in a sugar consignment ordered by British firm ED&F Man.

Magistrate Derrick Kuto said Marrian, who has lived in East Africa since early childhood, had to post a bond of 70 million shillings (USD 690,600) with two Kenyan sureties.

Kuto also said Marrian had to surrender his passport given the seriousness of the charge. He could face a life sentence if convicted.

Dressed in a grey-blue suit and patterned tie, Marrian showed little emotion during the hearing, except to smile once at his parents across the packed courtroom.

Defence lawyer Sheetal Kapila told AFP he believed the case was driven by the authorities' desire "to stop Kenya being a transit point" for drugs, but in this case, "it's the wrong man who's been picked up."



"Unknown people have smuggled this drug into the consignment," Kapila said.

Mombasa on Africa's east coast has long been used as a hub for drugs bound for Asia and Europe.

The prosecution has appealed against the bail decision on the grounds that the investigation is not yet complete and they believe Marrian is a flight risk.

The young businessman's case has caused a sensation in his native Britain, where the aristocratic background of his mother Lady Emma Clare Campbell of Cawdor and attendance of top private schools, including the alma mater of Prince William's wife Catherine, have caught the eye of the tabloid press.

His family's relationship with Kenya dates back decades, his lawyer said, as Marrian's grandfather had served as a minister in the colonial government just before independence in 1963.

His father David Marrian said he had spoken with his son daily since his arrest.

"We are pleased that the magistrate has given bail and now we have quite a lot of work to do," he told journalists after the hearing.

"I have no doubt that Jack will be exonerated," he added.

His father confirmed the firms Marrian works for -- Kenya- and Uganda-based Mshale commodities and London-based ED&F Man -- were backing him "100 per cent".

In a statement released late today, a Mshale spokeswoman said it would continue to provide support "to ensure that justice is done based on facts and evidence; we are confident that Jack will be fully exonerated once the facts are presented."



Roy Francis Mwanthi, a Kenyan facing similar charges, was also freed on a 60-million-shilling bond with two Kenyan sureties. The trial opens on October 3.
CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry into the alleged seizure of Rs 570 crore cash in three tanker lorries in Tirupur district by a team of Election Commission in the run up to Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

The matter has come to CBI on the orders of Madras High Court which had directed the agency to register a preliminary enquiry, CBI spokesperson R K Gaur said here today.

The Madras High Court had directed the agency to register a preliminary enquiry on a petition of DMK MP T K S Elangovan despite opposition from the central agency which was reluctant to probe the case.

It is alleged that around midnight of May 13, 2016, Election Commission Surveillance team stationed at Tirupur chased down and seized three tanker lorries with Rs 570 crore in cash which were escorted by three Innova, the sources said.

The seizure made three days before May 16, 2016 when Tamil Nadu was scheduled to go for polling had sent ripples in the administration as DMK alleged it was hawala money, they said.

In his petition, Elangovan had alleged when the surveillance team of EC questioned the three drivers and the persons who accompanied the said lorries in Innova cars, they were not in a position to give proper answers or documents for transportation of huge sum of Rs 570 crore.

It was found that the documents submitted by these persons did not have the vehicle numbers of the container lorries, he had alleged.

The persons who accompanied the vehicles in three Innova cars, claimed that they were security officers from Andhra Pradesh, but there were not in uniform, he claimed.

The DMK leader claimed out of three seized vehicles, one lorry bearing Reg No AP-13-X-5204 is not the number registered for the lorry, but rather it is the number of an Innova car belonging to one Jaffer Ahmed Khan.

Elangovan in his petition alleged the vehicle number AP-13 X 8650 belongs to one Kaja Mohammed and the vehicle AP-13-X-5203 belongs to one Salim Mohammed.

(REOPENS DEL51)



The RC book for vehicles, have the same photograph of one person making it clear that they are nothing but fake, he claimed.

"After lapse of 18 hours, suddenly some letters were created in the name of the State Bank of India and the Income Tax Department made a claim before the Chief Electoral Officer ... Requesting for transport of the three containers to the State Bank of India, Treasury Branch, Coimbatore," Justice R Subbiah pointed out from the petition while ordering handing over the enquiry to CBI.

"Accordingly, three trucks were transported to SBI Treasury Branch, Coimbatore. About 195 sealed boxes were found in three containers with currencies of different denominations and the currencies contained the seal of Axis Bank. SBI claims that currencies were transported from its Chest and the money belongs to them," Elangovan has claimed.

He had said in the petition while SBI claims its their money and there was a direction from RBI, there was no such instruction from the Bankers' Bank.

"As per the RBI Guidelines, whenever huge moneys are to be transported between the chest of the same or different banks within the state or inter-state, the same has to be done only through Rail and has to be escorted by the local police. However, no such steps have been taken in the instant case," he had alleged.

Huge sums of money in five container lorries, left from Nilgiris District, crossed Tamil Nadu and proceeded to Andhra Pradesh. While so, seizure of such money involving three container lorries can only be treated as Hawala transactions and it is probably from crime proceeds, he alleged.

Elangovan had claimed the high-level bank officials have conspired together and created forged documents with fake authorisation from RBI, Chennai in order to transport the huge sum of Hawala money and they are not only punishable for the offences under the Indian Penal code, but also for the offences punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Competition Commission has rejected a complaint alleging that realty player Parsvnath Developers abused its dominant position by imposing unfair terms and conditions in the sale agreement of a flat in Gurgaon, Haryana.

After finding that the firm is not dominant in the relevant market, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), which keeps a tab on unfair business practices, rejected the complaint.

It was alleged that Parsvnath Developers failed to hand over the possession of a flat to the complainant in 'Parsvnath Exotica' project in Gurgaon within the stipulated timeframe.

Further, the complaint alleged that the company exercised its dominant position while getting the agreement signed from individual buyers and abused the same in an unfair manner by putting grossly unilateral and unreasonable conditions in the agreement for sale of flats.

For this case, the watchdog considered "provision of services relating to development and sale of residential flats in Gurgaon," as the relevant market.

The regulator noted that there are several major real estate developers in the relevant market providing similar services who pose competitive constraints to Parsvnath Developers.

"Presence of such players with comparable projects in the relevant market indicates that buyers have the option to choose from various developers in the relevant market," CCI said.

Further, CCI said no information is available on record or in the public domain indicating a position of strength enjoyed by the company, which enables it to operate independently of competitive forces prevailing in the relevant market.

With regard to anti-competitive practices, the watchdog said, "Analysis of the information has not revealed any anti-competitive agreement, be it at horizontal or vertical level".

Dismissing the complaint, CCI said, "the Commission is of the opinion that no case has been made out against the opposite party (Parsvnath Developers) for violation of either Section 3 or 4 of the Act.

While Section 3 of the Competition Act deals with anti-competitive agreements, Section 4 pertains to abuse of dominant position.
Collection under Central Road Fund (CRF) more than doubled to about Rs 70,000 crore during the last fiscal, Parliament was informed today.

"The funds accrued under the CRF during 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 were Rs 19,263 crore, Rs 26,108 crore and Rs 69,809 crore (provisional) respectively," Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Mansukh Lal Mandaviya told Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

The Ministry of Finance levies cess on petrol and high speed diesel oil, which is initially credited to the consolidated fund of India and thereafter the amount is transferred by appropriation, after adjusting cost of collection to the CRF.

"The Ministry allocates funds to the states/union territories for development of state roads under the CRF scheme. The funds for development of state road under CRF scheme are allocated to the states/UTs on the basis of 30 per cent weightage to fund consumption and 70 per cent weightage to geographical area," the Minister said.

The funds under the CRF are not-lapsable.
Claiming that China is responsible for nearly half of the US' entire trade deficit, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump today vowed to adopt a tough posture against Beijing if voted to power and alleged that the country was breaking rules in every way imaginable.

"At the centre of my plan is trade enforcement with China. This alone could return millions of jobs into our economy," Trump said in his major economic policy speech which among others included strong protections against currency manipulation, tariffs against any countries that cheat by unfairly subsidising their goods and a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

"If we don't get a better deal, we will walk away," the 70-year-old real estate tycoon said.

He claimed that China was responsible for nearly half of US' entire trade deficit. Trump alleged that China breaks the rules in every way imaginable.

"China engages in illegal export subsidies, prohibited currency manipulation, and rampant theft of intellectual property. They also have no real environmental or labour protections, further undercutting American workers," Trump said.

"Just enforcing intellectual property rules alone could save millions and millions of American jobs. According to the US International Trade Commission, improved protection of America's intellectual property in China would produce more than 2 million more jobs right here in the United States," said the billionaire from New York.

Trump said that along with that the saved jobs from cracking down on currency cheating and product dumping, will bring trillions of dollars in new wealth and wages back to the United States.

The Republican presidential nominee also lashed out at South Korea, which he claimed perfectly illustrates the broken promises that have hurt so many American workers.

"President (Barack) Obama, and the usual so-called experts who've been wrong about every trade deal for decades, predicted that the trade deal with South Korea would increase our exports to South Korea by more than USD 10 billion -- resulting in some 70,000 jobs," he said.

"Like Hillary Clinton's broken promises to New York, these pledges all turned out to be false. Instead of creating 70,000 jobs, it has killed nearly 100,000, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Our exports to South Korea haven't increased at all, but their imports to us have surged more than USD 15 billion -- more than doubling our trade deficit with that country," he said.

A vote for Hillary Clinton is a vote for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) -- and it is also a vote for NAFTA, he argued.

"Our annual trade deficit in goods with Mexico has risen from close to zero in 1993 to almost USD 60 billion. Our total trade deficit in goods hit nearly USD 800 billion last year," he said.
Cautioning Japan against any firm response to its ships and fishing boats operating the disputed islands in the East China Sea, China today asked Tokyo to deal with the issue with a "cool head" and not to take action that might complicate the situation.

"The Chinese side is working to properly manage situation in the relevant waters," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a statement.

"We strongly hope that the Japanese side will honour its principled agreement with us, deal with the current situation with a cool head instead of taking actions that may raise tension or make things complicated, and make constructive efforts for stability in relevant waters together with us," she said.

Hua was reacting to reports Japan lodged diplomatic protests to Beijing warning that that it would take firm action over theChinese naval ships and a fleet of fishing boats intruding into the waters of the disputed islands called Senkakus by Japan and Diaoyus by China in the East China Sea.

"China's position on the issue of Diaoyu Dao is clear and consistent, that is, Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands is an inherent part of China's territory, and China has indisputable sovereignty over them and the adjacent waters," Hua said.

Reports Tokyo quoted Japanese officials as saying over Chinese coast guard ships along with 230 fishing boats entered the waters of the disputed islands.
China's first refrigerated-container train left for Russian capital Moscow from northeastern Dalian city today, marking the opening of a new transport link between the two countries.

The new refrigerated-freight line is 8,600 km long, with trains taking about 10 days to reach Moscow.

The train is carrying products worth USD 150,000 including pears from Hebei, pomelos from Guangdong and garlic from Shandong.

After crossing the border, goods will switch to a Russian freight train in Baikal, Siberia, state-run Xinhua agency reported today.

The new transport link will shorten the journey time by 60 per cent as the old route used sea and rail travel.

China's refrigerated-product exports to Russia have been on the rise.
The world's fastest train with the maximum speed of 380 km per hour will be launched in China next month.

The fastest train would run on Zhengzhou-Xuzhou high-speed track from next month, state-run People's Daily Online reported.

After the new train is launched, the travel time between Zhengzhou, Central China's Henan province, and Xuzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, will be shortened from 2-hour 33-minute to about 80-minute.

Compared to the last generation bullet train, the new train's continuous operating speed has increased 50 km per hour to 350 km per hour, and the highest speed is 400 km per hour in testing phase.

In future, the new generation train will be mainly used to carry passengers in China.

China has built about 16,000 kms of his speed train tracks connecting most of its top cities including the Beijing-Shanghai train which made a USD billion profit last year.

More lines are being constructed as the government tries to bolster the economy with infrastructure investment and make travel more convenient.

China is also trying to aggressively market its high speed train technology abroad especially in India.

A Chinese train firm is currently conducting feasibility study for Chennai-New Delhi high speed train.
A clash broke out between members of ABVP and a group of Delhi University teachers when they were protesting at Daulat Ram college demanding better infrastructre and facilities.

According to Delhi University Teachers' Association, members of BJP's student wing ABVP led by Satender Awana, president of DU's student union, allegedly attacked the teachers and started abusing them, a charge denied by Awana.

The two groups have also filed police complaints of verbal abuse and misbehaviour against each other.

"The two groups were protesting at the VC office when they had a verbal argument. Local police was present there and controlled the situation.

ABVP in its complaint has alleged that some of people present in the protest raised anti-India slogans with regard to Kashmir while DUTA alleged that ABVP members called them Naxals," a senior police official said.

"Awana jumped the gate and started shouting that the teachers are supporters of Kanhaiya, shout pro-Pakistan slogans and support Azadi in Kashmir. When the teachers protested his allegations he started catching them by their collar and repeated the absurd statements," a DUTA statement said.

"Awana also abused DUTA president Nandita Narain with extremely objectionable language and called her a Naxal. We want an exemplary action be taken by university authorities to prevent further recurrence of such acts of violence and lumpenism," it added.

Awana dismissed the allegations as baseless and claimed they protesting along with students to highlight the problems at Daulat Ram College.

"At VC office, the DUTA came suddenly and started saying that we are politicising the issue. There were people among them who were also present in the JNU videos but the moment I pointed at them, they escaped in the crowd. Some raised anti-national slogans," he claimed.

Police officials said cross complaints have been recieved and the matter is being looked into.
Provisions related to evergreening of patents in the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) was dropped after stiff opposition from India, Parliament was informed on Monday.

"It may be noted that some RCEP countries had tried to introduce a clause in favour of evergreening of patents, which was dropped after stiff opposition from India," Commerce and Industry Minister said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

The negotiations for the mega trade deal - RCEP - including intellectual property rights (IPR) chapter have not yet been finalised, she said.

"The IPR chapter of the agreement is being negotiated keeping in view our national interest as also our national legislations and various multilateral agreements on IPRs to which India is party," she added.

Evergreening of patent right is a strategy allegedly adopted by innovators having patent rights over products to renew them by bringing in some minor changes such as adding new mixtures or formulations. It is done when their patent is about to expire.

A patent on the new form would give the innovator company a 20-year monopoly on the drug.

The 16-member bloc RCEP comprises 10 ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) and their six free trade agreement partners  India, China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

RCEP negotiations were launched in Phnom Penh in November 2012. The 16 countries account for over a quarter of the world's economy, estimated to be more than $75 trillion.

Replying to a separate question on trade, she said that during April-June of this financial year, India-Saarc (South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation) trade stood at $4.93 billion.

During this period, India has maximum trade with Bangladesh in value terms, followed by Nepal and Sri Lanka.

With Pakistan, the two-way trade was $502 million.

The Saarc members are India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
A Special Court has fixed September 26 to consider a CBI report favouring closure of a case lodged against Union Minister Maneka Gandhi and two others for sanctioning Rs 50 lakh grant to a trust allegedly in a "fraudulent" manner in 2001.

The court had earlier refused to accepted the closure filed by the probe agency in the case in 2008 and had asked the CBI to further investigate the matter.

However, the CBI had again approached the court saying "allegations levelled against Gandhi and two others could not be substantiated".

Senior BJP leader Maneka Gandhi is now the Women and Child Development Minister.

An FIR was lodged by CBI in 2006 against Maneka Gandhi, Dr F U Siddiqui, former secretary of Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) and Dr Vijay Sharma, former Managing Trustee of Gandhi Rural Welfare Trust (GRWT).

The FIR alleged that Maneka, in conspiracy with Siddiqui, had sanctioned a grant of Rs 50 lakh to GRWT from MAEF in an irregular manner to construct a nursing college building at Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh and caused undue favour to Sharma.

CBI alleged that further an amount of Rs 10.40 lakh was sanctioned to GRWT by S K Verma, the then District Magistrate of Pilibhit, from Maneka's MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) funds for purchase of two ambulances and the fund was released to Ramakant Rampal, the Managing Trustee of GRWT.

It had alleged that Rampal had purchased two jeeps which had cost much less than the approved models and failed to get them certified by the chief medical officer. The vehicles were also used for personal works by the managing trustee.

The agency, however, again filed a closure report, saying



"during the course of further investigation, the allegations levelled against Maneka Gandhi, Dr F U Siddiqui and Dr Vijay Sharma could not be substantiated."



"It is, therefore, prayed that the closure report dated December 30, 2008, collectively read with this report, may kindly be accepted," it said.

The FIR in the case was lodged for the alleged offences under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with section 420 (cheating) of the IPC and under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

In its closure report, CBI said that the trust had purchased two jeeps with ambulance fixtures on September 15, 2003 for Rs 9,85,008, while the balance amount was returned to the government exchequer as per the terms of sanction.

"As such no financial irregularity could be pointed out in the matter of purchase of ambulances and the change in vehicle model was found to be on justified grounds," it said.

"Investigation further revealed that the DM, Pilibhit, approved purchase of two Mahindra Voyager ambulances. A cheque dated July 27, 2003 amounting to Rs 10.40 lakh was received by GRWT for purchase of Mahindra ambulances AC Euro-II.

"Since production of this model of vehicle was temporarily stopped, the company offered to sell Mahindra DI ambulance which according to the company was rugged, reliable and easily serviceable in semi-urban and rural areas," it said.

Regarding sanction of fund, CBI said during further probe it has come on record that since the sanction was subject to submission of document with regard to land and site plan, the amount was "released only after completion of the documentary formalities."



It said the funds released by both MAEF and district administration, Pilibhit, have been fully utilised by the GRWT for the purposes.
Chief Minister of Sri Lanka's Tamil- dominated northern province C V Wigneswaran has asked the community to "insist" on the federal solution to resolve the country's decades-long ethnic conflict.

Addressing the Tamil Peoples Council in Jaffna yesterday, Wigneswaran said the Tamils must insist on a federal structure under the new Constitution with the re-merger of the northern and eastern provinces to form a single Tamil-speaking province.

His comments came in the backdrop of the current move to adopt a new Constitution for the country replacing the existing one formulated in 1978.

Calling for the merger of the north and east, Wigneswaran said it is necessary to keep the culture and integrity of the Tamil-speaking people against 'encroachments' by the majority Sinhalese.

The Sinhala-majority dominated government at the Centre must not use the Muslim issues in the north and east in order not to grant a federal structure with the merger of the two provinces, he said.

Within the united north and east, the Tamil-speaking Muslims could have separate autonomous unit, he said.

Wigneswaran also called for action to set up the accountability for the warcrimes before the government formulates a new Constitution.

The Sinhala majority is averse to setting up a federal structure fearing it would lead to the creation of a separate Tamil state in the two provinces if granted.

The government, which had set in a process of public views on the form of the new draft constitution, has the task of convincing the Sinhala majority that the new Constitution would not pave way for any ethnic divisions of the country.

Wigneswaran said the government could not decide on the draft by merely giving into majority concerns as regards political freedoms of the Tamils.
Against the backdrop of daily protests by YSR Congress members in Lok Sabha over special status for Andhra Pradesh, Congress on Monday sought an assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, which was rejected by the Speaker.

On the sixth consecutive day, members of YSR Congress trooped into the Well raising slogans demanding special category status for following the carving out of Telangana state.

Holding placards, they defied the Speaker who continuously urged them to return to their seats and not display the banners.

As the House was taking up Question Hour, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that the YSR Congress members are routinely raising the issue, thus disrupting the proceedings.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan agreed and said that she too has been urging them to return to their seats as they are blocking the view of other members.

Subsequently, Kharge said that the prime minister should come to the House and assure the agitating members as his predecessor Manmohan Singh had assured special category status for .

However, the Speaker rejected the demand saying that "every now and then" calling the prime minister was "not necessary" as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had already made a statement on the issue.

Since last Monday, YSR Congress members have been entering the Well daily with placards and raising slogans demanding special status for their state.

In the first two days, members of Telugu Desam Party, an ally of the ruling Democratic Alliance, too were participating in the protest by holding placards and raising slogans from the aisles. But thereafter, they stopped participating in the protest.
Days after a Puducherry University students' magazine came under flak from BJP and ABVP over its alleged objectionable contents against the Centre, some of the copies were distributed by the students council today.

Around 3,000 copies of the magazine had been kept under lock and key in the council's office for some days ever since the controversy erupted. The key had been handed over to the Council, University Registar in charge Dr M Ramachandran told PTI.

Some copies of the publication were distributed on the premises of the university, Students Editor of the council G Anjali said.

The magazinetitled 'Widerstand' (meaning resistance in German) was brought out a few weeks back by the council at a conference in the presence of the Vice Chancellor in charge of the University.

BJP and ABVP activists had strongly protestedagainst the publication after it was released, saying it had objectionable remarks against the Central government.

However the Students Federation of India and some other students outfits hadstated there should be no gag on freedom of speech and expression and took the stand that the magazine should not not face any hurdle.

A delegation of local units of the Left parties along with VCK leaders had met Chief Minister V Narayanasamy yesterday and sought his intervention to ensure smooth functioning of the University and also lifting of the ban imposed by the university authorities on the magazine.

However, Registrar of the University (in charge) maintained there had been no ban on the magazine.

Earlier, the University had relieved P Moorthy from the post of Dean of the Students Welfare in the wake of protests against the publication.
Jammu and Kashmir unit of BJP today called upon the state government to deal with the present situation in the Kashmir Valley decisively and with an "iron hand."



State BJP spokesperson Virender Gupta said there is no option for the government other than meeting the challenge posed by the separatists and militants "supported by Pakistan" decisively and with an iron hand otherwise the situation will deterioratefurther and it may not be possible to bring back normalcy in the Valley.

"At present the morale of the state police, CRPF and other security forces have gone down because of the recent happenings where lot of restrictions have been imposed on them," Gupta said.

He said that what is happening in PoK including Gilgit and Baltistan should be eye opener for the misguided youth and they should ponder upon the atrocities committed on the people there by Pakistani government.

The misguided youth should learn lesson from the treatment being meted to the people of Sindh, Balochistan and North Frontier Province who are suffering the worst kind of discrimination and facing atrocities under the Punjabi dominated Pakistan rulers and struggling to get freedom from Pakistan, he said.
A strong plea for awarding death penalty to rapists was made by NCP member Supriya Sule in Lok Sabha on Monday, drawing instant support from several members.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, she expressed concern over growing atrocities on women across all states, saying even minor girls are being subjected to assault.

Ruing over the fact that even a strong law after the Nirbhaya gang-rape incident was not proving to be a deterrent against such heinous crimes, Sule said "rapist should be hanged".

Nalin Kumar Kateel (BJP) spoke about 20 youths from Kerala joining the ISIS and asked why those raising the issue of 'ghar-wapsi' were not taking a note of it. He said the government should take remedial measures to avert such incidents.

Raj Kumar Saini (BJP) sought a law to make two children norm mandatory and said action should be taken against those violating it.

J C Diwakar Reddy (TDP) raised the issue of plight of groundnut farmers and demanded that the crop should be covered under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Vima Yojana, while Kirit Solanki (BJP) sought that a Centre for Cotton Excellence be opened in Gujarat which is known to have good quality cotton.

Om Birla (BJP) said Rajasthan government was unable to provide scholarships to SC/ST and OBC students as it had not received the Centre's fund to the state. He demanded release of funds so that scholarships could be awarded to them.

Ramesh Pokhriyal (BJP) demanded a policy for protection of Himalayas, while P R Sundaram (AIADMK) sought Centre's intervention over Andhra Pradesh building check dams on Palar river.
Government will make any decision on phasing out older diesel cars only after conducting a scientific study on emission levels of such vehicles, which is underway, Parliament was informed today.

"Department of Heavy Industries has instituted a study on the emission levels by various diesel vehicles as compared to the source of air pollution. Only after the scientific study, any decision to phase out older vehicles can be taken," Minister of State for Mansukh Lal Mandaviya told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

In reply to a query as to what are government's plans on the use of diesel cars and SUVs which are more than 15 years old, the Minster also said, "The government has examined the order of Supreme Court and the Department of Heavy Industries has impleaded itself vide affidavit dated April 28, 2016 in the case for presenting a composite view of government."



He said the Supreme court vide order dated December 16, 2015 has directed that the registration of SUVs and private cars of the capacity of 2000 CC and above using diesel as fuel shall stand banned in the NCR up to March 31, 2016.

However, the Supreme Court in June had said it was open to lifting the ban on their registration in Delhi and NCR, subject to a levy of one-time environment compensation cess.
The Defence Ministry has cleared the new blacklisting policy, which is now being vetted by the Attorney General, that seeks to act harshly against wrong doers but also ensures that much needed modernisation plan for the armed forces are not affected.

"The file has been cleared. It is now with the Attorney General for legal vetting. It will be issued as soon as his office clears it," a top defence official told PTI.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has been working on the new blacklisting policy for long and has held numerous meetings with various stakeholders on the issue.

Sources said the new norms will be a mixture of heavy fines, graded blacklisting and other penalties.

The move comes just months after the Defence Ministry laid down norms for engaging agents in defence deals.

Foreign defence firms can now appoint 'agents' to market their products to the armed forces and the government but with strict oversight which includes opening up of company's books to scrutiny besides not allowing any success bonus or penalty fees among other measures.

The defence forces were hit hard by existing blacklisting norms under which the previous government had blacklisted many critical firms under a blanket policy.

Parrikar had earlier voiced his concerns over indiscriminate blacklisting of companies supplying defence products over "small issues".

However, he had insisted that "serious crimes" should not go unpunished.

Parrikar had in June told PTI that the government will not hesitate to buy a product from another company even if any equipment or software manufactured by the blacklisted entity was embedded into it.

"Globally, many products have components from various companies. While a company which falls under the blacklisting purview will face action, we will also ensure that the policy does not affect any procurement from another company not related to the blacklisted one," Parrikar had said.
Delta Airlines grounded all its flights for several hours today because of a system-wide computer breakdown, making for a messy day at airports around the world.

Even after the US carrier lifted the order about six hours into the snafu, it warned of continued cancellations and delays, as tens of thousands of passengers around the globe were left stranded.

Travelers crowded ticket counters, lay on the ground in airports and tried to grin and bear it. Ticket agents were reduced to checking people in manually, reports said.

The carrier blamed the computer problem on a power outage in its hub in Atlanta, Georgia.Flights have resumed but on a limited basis, Delta said in a statement after flights had been grounded for about six hours. However, the ripple effect of the meltdown will drag on.

"Customers heading to the airport should expect delays and cancellations," the statement said.

"While inquiries are high and wait times are long, our customer service agents are doing everything they can to assist," it added.

It also said there would be "some lag time in the display of accurate flight status at delta.Com, the Fly Delta App and from Delta representatives on the phone and in airport."



Luciano Resende, 40, waiting at London's Heathrow Airport to fly to San Francisco, said it was slow going.

"I guess it has been a long time since they used the manual process," Resende told NBC .

At Los Angeles International Airport, people waiting for red-eye flights to the east coast dozed in a crowded waiting area, many of them wrapped in red blankets.

As of about 1400 GMT, the airline said it had cancelled about 300 flights. It operates more than 15,000 a day along with its alliance partners.

Nearly 400 others were delayed, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware.

"The timing of this problem is particularly bad because Monday morning is one of the busiest times for both airlines and travelers as business travelers begin their work week," said Daniel Baker, FlightAware's CEO.

Delta said the power outage in Atlanta that caused the computer meltdown began at 2:30 AM (0630 GMT).

Lines of passengers backed up at Delta ticket counters at US airports.

At Los Angeles, passengers on a flight to New York had to get off their plane and return to the terminal, NBC reported, while some people slept near departure gates at Las Vegas.

As compensation for the inconvenience, Delta offered refunds to travelers whose flights are cancelled or significantly delayed. People on some routes are being allowed to make a one-time change to their travel plans.
Delta Air Lines canceled around 427 flights today after its computer systems crashed worldwide, stranding thousands of passengers on a busy travel day.

That number is likely to grow. More than 1,000 flights were delayed, according to flight tracking site FlightStats Inc.

About 11 hours into the outage, limited flights had resumed but widespread delays and cancelations were ongoing. A power outage at an Atlanta facility at around 2:30 AM. Local time initiated a cascading meltdown, according to the airline, which is also based in Atlanta.

A spokesman for Georgia Power told The Associated Press that the company believes a failure of Delta equipment caused the airline's power outage. He said no other customers lost power.

A Delta spokesman said he had no information on the report. Many passengers were frustrated that they received no notice of a global disruption, discovering that they were stranded only after making it through security and seeing other passengers sleeping on the floor.

It was unclear if the airline was even able to communicate due to its technical issues, and Delta said that there may be a lag issuing accurate flight status on the company website because of the outage.

Flights that were already in the air when the outage occurred continued to their destinations, but flights on the ground remained there.

Airlines depend on huge, overlapping and complicated systems to operate flights, schedule crews and run ticketing, boarding, airport kiosks, websites and mobile phone apps. Even brief outages can snarl traffic and cause long delays.

That has afflicted airlines in the US and abroad.

Last month, Southwest Airlines canceled more than 2,000 flights over several days after an outage that it blamed on a faulty network router.

United has suffered a series of notorious delays since it merged with Continental as the technological systems of the two airlines clashed.

Lines for British Airways at some airports have grown longer as the carrier updates its systems. Today in Richmond, Virginia, Delta gate agents were writing out boarding passes by hand. In Tokyo, a dot-matrix printer was resurrected to keep track of passengers on a flight to Shanghai.

Technology that appeared to be working sometimes issued bad information. Flight-status systems, including airport screens, incorrectly showed flights on time.
The Haryana government has appointed a DIG-rank officer to identify cow vigilantes in the state, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came down heavily on 'cow vigilantism'.

"The Haryana government has appointed DIG-Rank officer Bharti Arora for this job and directed her to lead a team to identify genuine Gaurakshak Dal in the state," Haryana BJP Spokesperson Raman Malik said.

The state government has a list of 325 Gaurakshak Dal members, he said, adding now police has to find if they are working for protection of cows or involved in misdeeds.

"Cow protection is a vast subject to talk and we have moral and social responsibility to protect cows from slaughtering and smuggling but we should not frame ourselves in anti-social deeds," Malik said.

Haryana has passed Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Bill 2015 in assembly under which violators would be punished up to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and Rs 1 Lakh fine or both.

Modi had lashed out at 'cow vigilantes', saying a majority of them were anti-socials who have proclaimed themselves to be protectors of cows to cover up their misdeeds.
About 50 people were killed in weekend clashes in Ethiopia between police and anti-government protesters, opposition and diplomatic sources told AFP today.

Protests swept the vast Oromia region and even reached the capital Addis Ababa, a rare event in a nation with a government considered among the most repressive in Africa.

"We have reports of between 48 to 50 protesters killed in Oromia. This death toll might be higher because there were a lot of wounded," said Merera Gudina, leader of the opposition Oromo People's Congress.

A diplomat confirmed 49 people were killed across Oromia, a region straddling central-western Ethiopia, and in Amhara, in the north.

"They appear to be low level, quite disorganised protests scattered all around... The brutal response of the government risks provoking more anger and making it worse," the diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The authorities have since Friday blocked access to social media, the activists' key channel for such rallying calls.
Delhi Transport Corporation today introduced its new Aam Aadmi Bypass Express bus service that will ply from Uttam Nagar bus terminal to Sarai Kale Khan ISBT, connecting three National Highways -- NH-1, NH-10 and NH-24.

Transport Minister Satyendar Jain said twenty buses, of which 10 will be air-conditioned, will run on a signal-free elevated corridor from Vikaspuri to Wazirabad on a trial basis.

The minister also said the government intended to run feeder buses on narrow roads and normal buses on large ones to ensure there is no traffic congestion due to the plying of these vehicles in the national capital.

Asked about BJP questioning the government over the name given to the service, Jain said there should be no politics on this issue as it has been launched to cater to the aam aadmi (common man).

A DTC official said the new bus service will start at Uttam Nagar Bus Terminal at 5.18 AM and at Sarai Kale Khan ISBT at 5.24 AM every day.
Two more persons, including a research assistant working in National Institute of Nutrition, were arrested today by the Telangana CID in connection with the medical EAMCET-II question paper leak case, taking the total number of arrests to ten.

"In the TS EAMCET-II-2016 (medical) entrance examination question paper leak case, two more brokers Shyam Yadav alias Guddu, a native of Ranchi in Jharkhand, and Athimamula Rama Krishna, a Research Assistant in National Institute of Nutrition, and native of Nizamabad district (in Telangana) were arrested," CID Inspector General of Police Soumya Mishra said in a release.

Yadav is the link between Nishad and Mayank Singh who had allegedly organised a practice camp at Mumbai for eight students with two leaked TS EAMCET-II-2016 (Medical) entrance examination question papers.

"Shyam Yadav collected Rs 60 lakh from four parents of students who attended the camp and from that amount he transferred Rs 50 lakh to Mayank Singh," the officer said.

As per CID, Ramakrishna secured four students from his contact Rajesh and handed over the students to one Dr Gangadhar, a native of Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh.

"Gangadhar took the four students along with two other students to Shridi, where these students were given practice with two leaked TS EAMCET-II-2016 (Medical) entrance examination question papers," she said.

"Efforts are on to apprehend other brokers and accused persons of the question paper leakage," Mishra said.

On July 25, the CID had registered a case under relevant sections of IPC and other provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Public Examinations (Prevention of Malpractices and Unfair Means) Act, 1997.

Investigation also revealed that students appearing for TS EAMCET-II-2016 (Medical) examination from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were taken to camps set up in at least at five cities about 2-3 days prior to the exam and were given practice with the leaked copies of two question papers consisting of 320 questions with correct answers, CID had earlier said.

At a review meeting held here on August 2, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was informed by CID that Delhi turned out to be the centre for the scam and in total 34 brokers conspired to sell the paper and as many as 200 parents were in touch with the brokers to buy question papers.

The Engineering, Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test (EAMCET-II) was conducted on July 9 and the results were declared on July 14. The examination was conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad.

In the wake of question paper leak, the state government on August 2 announced the cancellation of the EAMCET-II examination, whereas EAMCET-III examination will be held on September 11.
An elderly couple was brutally attacked at a park in outer Delhi's Prashant Vihar resulting in the death of the 56-year-old woman and grievous injuries to her 60-year-old husband, police said today.

Kulbhushan Chawla and his wife Kanchan Chawla were sitting on a bench in the park after a stroll at around 9 pm yesterday when unidentified attackers slashed their necks and other body parts with knives and fled before other present could react, a senior police officer said.

The couple's cry for help attracted the attention of those present but the attackers managed to flee.

They were rushed to a nearby hospital where the doctors declared Kanchan dead and her husband was critical, he said.

The couple lived with their married son at the Laxmi Kunj apartment, police said.

Their daughter, also married, and Kulbhushan's brother also live in an apartment in the same society apartment.

Police reached the spot after a PCR call and questioned those present at the park at the time of the incident.

Robbery as motive of the attack was doubted as valuables of the couple were not touched.

A case of murder and attempt to murder has been registered at Prashant Vihar police station and investigation has been taken up covering all the angles including property and family related disputes, the officer said.

Kulbhushan is a businessman who has a cable manufacturing factory in Prahladpur area, besides other ventures, police said.
Schools in England ban as many as 20 children a day over racially abusing classmates, an analysis released here today has found.

The analysis of new data by the UK's New Schools Network (NSN), a charity which advises groups opening new schools, found that in total there were 4,000 cases of racist abuse in England's schools which were serious enough to warrant a fixed or "permanent exclusion" in the 2014-15 academic year.

Since 2008-9, there have been more than 27,000 exclusions for racist abuse.

A tenth of the exclusions occurred in primary schools and the remainder in secondary schools.

"The analysis comes as New Schools Network has successfully argued for a new category of 'social need' to be part of the free school application criteria. This means that free school proposals will now be considered for approval if there is a proven 'social need' for the new school.

"One of the benefits of this new category is that proposals can now be brought forward with the explicit intention of creating more integrated schools in areas where existing schools are often divided on racial lines," NSN said in a statement.

Free schoolsin England are independent non-profit-making academies which are funded by the state but not controlled by a local authority.

"The addition of a 'social need' category in the criteria opens the door further for schools, charities and other community organisations to come forward with ideas to create schools designed to build community cohesion," NSN's Sarah Pearson explained.

"We are in discussion with a number of groups who have particular interest in community integration, and we anticipate that more will now follow in their footsteps," she said.

Racist abuse in schools is defined as derogatory racist statements, racist bullying, graffiti, taunting and harassment or swearing that can be attributed to racist characteristics.

Many of the incidents in schools were recorded in northern, midlands and coastal towns of England with Richmond Upon Thames in south-west London leading the table.

Islington in north London was another region flagged up in NSN's top 10 most problematic areas in terms of such cases.
A panel of international judges today sentenced a former member of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian guerrilla group to eight years in prison for war crimes committed during the 1998-1999 conflict, a court statement said.

The court panel "found the accused Xhemshit Krasniqi guilty of committing the criminal offence of war crimes against the civilian population," the EU rule of law mission (EULEX) said in the statement.

Krasniqi was a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) that fought security forces loyal to the then Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic.

Krasniqi "was found guilty of arrest, illegal detention, violation of bodily integrity, health and torture of several witnesses and unknown civilians in the KLA camps" in Albania and Kosovo, EULEX said.

The war ended after a three-month long air campaign against Serbia by NATO and paved the way for Kosovo's independence a decade later.

Just months after Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008, the EU launched a large civilian mission to help the young country improve its rule of law.

EULEX's mostly European judges and prosecutors can take over court cases that the local judiciary cannot handle due to their sensitivity.
The family of a soldier, who was killed while thwarting an infiltration bid in Kashmir, has refused to accept Rs 20 lakh compensation offered by Uttar Pradesh government.

28-year-old Vishal Chaudhry, a resident of Randa village here, was one of two soldiers killed in the army operation in Naugam sector of Kashmir's Kupwara district that also left two militants dead.

The cheque was delivered here yesterday after his last rites were performed, the family said.

They demanded that the amount be raised to Rs 50 lakh and a government job be given to one of the family members.

They also said that a petrol pump or a cooking gas agency should be alloted to his widow.

However, Additional District Magistrate Arvind Pandey claimed that the family has accepted the cheque after he assured them of conveying their demands to the state government.
Railway workers started a five-day strike today, disrupting services for hundreds of thousands of passengers using the UK's southern network, even as British Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the move.

Hundreds of trains have been cancelled in a row over plans for drivers, instead of conductors, to operate carriage doors on the trains.

"The Prime Minister strongly condemns the strike action It's only going to cause more disruption and misery for passengers. We are deeply disappointed that union bosses are overlooking the impact that they are having on the public, and we obviously want to see the situation resolved," a Downing Street spokesperson said.

The RMT union claimed "rock-solid support" for the strike and said the central issue was safety. The union has held a series of one-day strikes since April after balloting 393 members.

"This action has been forced on us by the arrogance and inaction of Govia Thameslink [parent firm for Southern railway] and the government who have made it clear that they have no interest in resolving this dispute or in tackling the daily chaos on Southern," RMT general secretary Mick Cash said.

"Our fight is with the company and the government who have dragged this franchise into total meltdown. We share the anger and frustration of passengers and we cannot sit back while jobs and safety are compromised on these dangerously overcrowded trains," he said.

Govia Thameslink chief executive Charles Horton said the RMT action was "completely unacceptable, unjustified and unnecessary" and he apologised for the "inconvenience and disruption to passengers' lives as a result".

Southern is the main operator for Sussex and east Surrey regions of England, with services running to London, Kent, Hampshire and Buckinghamshire.

Last month, it brought in a reduced timetable in response to continued cancellations and delays, blaming issues with crew availability.

The Campaign for Better Transport and a Southern passenger group, the Association of British Commuters, plan to march from London Victoria station to the Department for Transport on Wednesday afternoon to hand in a "six-foot letter".

It calls on the new rail minister, Paul Maynard, to "listen to passengers, freeze fares and pay compensation".

Britain's railway network is run by a series of firms like Southern since it was privatised in the 1990s.
Former AINRC legislator P Karthikeyan today escaped unhurt when a 15 member gang pelted stones at his car near his native village of Karasur after dragging the driver out and assaulting him.

The gang took to their heels after the local villagers rushed to save the driver.

Police said eight of them had been arrested and that the motive for the attack was not immediately clear. Karthikeyan was returning home after worshipping at a temple.

The driver was treated at the government general hospital.

Karthikeyan had unsuccessfuly contested the May 16 assembly polls as an independent after being denied a ticket by his party to retain Oussudu reserved constituency.
A gangster, who was earlier a member of a Maoist squad and was wanted in several cases including gunning down of an IPS officer in 1993, was today killed in an exchange of fire with police in Shadnagar town of Telangana's Mahabubnagar district.

"In an exchange of fire with local police Nayeemuddin has been killed," a senior police official in the Intelligence wing told PTI.

Nayeemuddin was allegedly involved in many cases including gunning down of IPS officer K S Vyas at L B stadium in the city in 1993.

He was accused in cases of murder, killings for gain, extortion and kidnapping for past many years, police said, adding that an investigation was on in the matter.

Further details were awaited.
The government is considering a proposal to relax the visa regime of the country to promote trade in services, Commerce and Industry Minister said on Tuesday.

Replying to a question in Lok Sabha she said, a liberalised visa regime helps in promotion of trade in services in different modes of supply, particularly Mode 2 which includes tourism, medical value travel and education services.

"A proposal to further liberalise the visa policy is under consideration in Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with all stakeholders," Sitharaman said.

She said her ministry advocates for a liberal regime and adequate safeguards and works with the Home Ministry which deals with the subject.

Services sector has emerged as a prominent sector in India in terms of its contribution to national and state income, trade flows and FDI inflows. It contributes about 60 per cent to the country's GDP.

The sector also contributes around 28 per cent to job creation. Its contribution to total trade is 25 per cent, around 35 per cent to exports and 20 per cent to imports.

Replying to a separate question, she said India's cotton imports during October 2015 - June 2016 dipped to 8.03 lakh bales from 8.75 lakh bales in the same period previous year.

To another question, she said India and the European Union Broad-based Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) negotiations started in 2007 and 16 rounds of negotiations have been held so far.

Recently, three meeting of India-EU BTIA negotiations have been held - two were held on January 18 and July 15 here and one in Brussels on February 22.

India is committed to an early and balanced outcome of the pact, she said.
A Delhi court was today informed that the Ministry of External Affairs has received a formal request from the Philippines for extradition of a British national wanted in a child abuse and trafficking case there.

The counsel appearing for the Union of India, told Metropolitan Magistrate Pankaj Sharma that the Centre is working on the extradition of the Lennox James Ellis, arrested in Goa last month following a Red Corner Notice.

He is at present lodged in prison under judicial custody. The court has fixed the matter for next hearing on August 10.

Ellis was arrested in Goa on June 8 on the basis of the notice issued by the Interpol at the behest of the Philippines government earlier this year.

The counsel had said that Ellis was required to face trial in a child sexual abuse and trafficking case of last year.
Amid continued uproar in Lok Sabha over the issue of granting special status to Andhra Pradesh, government on Monday said it is at a "fairly advanced stage" of discussions with the state government and would arrive at a solution shortly.

In a brief intervention, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also admitted that at the time of division of the state, the issue of revenue and finances has been "unfair" to Andhra Pradesh, which has to be "compensated".

"We are at a fairly advanced stage in discussions with the Chief Minister and will shortly arrive at a solution," Jaitley said.

His remarks came soon after YSR Congress leader Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy noted that then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had promised special category status to .

"The leaders of the then Opposition party (the BJP) Arun Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu had pitched for ten years for special category status to the state," Reddy said, soon after he and his fellow party MPs protested in the Well on the issue.

Reddy recalled that BJP leaders at that time were saying that since they are going to come to power in the next polls, they will give special category status to and it was included in the manifestos of both BJP and TDP.

"But injustice is being done to 5 crore people of Andhra Pradesh," Reddy said, adding that now the BJP is talking of a special package.

"If they are not fulfilling the promises, what is the sanctity of the government? It is our right to protest against the lapses of the government," he said.

Rammohan Naidu (TDP), while participating in the Zero Hour debate, said every district of Andhra Pradesh was getting a meagre Rs 50 crore per year, but this amount was "peanuts and pumpkins".
Congress members in Rajya Sabha today accused the government of misleading Parliament on the issue of 39 Indian youths going missing in Iraq two years ago, with an Akali Dal member also seeking an update on the matter.

Raising the issue of the missing Indians during the Zero Hour, Pratap Singh Bajwa (Cong) charged External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj with having "misled Parliament and the nation" on the issue.

In June 2014, he said 40 people, mostly from Punjab, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh, were kidnapped by the ISIS.

Bajwa said one Harjeet, belonging to Gurdaspur district, had managed to escape and later gave a statement that all the Indians were killed before his eyes.

The Congress MP said Swaraj had then assured Akali Dal leaders that the government had information from six sources which confirmed that all these people were alive.

Asking the Prime Minister to send an all-party delegation to Iraq to know the ground reality, Bajwa said if the abducted youths were alive, they should be brought back or else their parents should be informed that they are no longer alive.

"We have been taking the nation and Parliament for a ride for two years," he added.

Senior party MP Ambika Soni also said: "We want to know what has happened to those 39 people".

Associating himself with the sentiments of the Congress MPs, Naresh Gujral, member of NDA partner Akali Dal, demanded that the External Affairs Minister make a statement on the issue.

Nominated member K T S Tulsi raised the issue of suicide by farmers in the country, while Ram Kumar Kashyap (INLD) demanded that MPs be allowed to use their constituency development fund for asset repair and maintenance.

Congress member P L Punia said the new adverstisment policy of DAVP was hurting small and medium newspapers and said the government did not consult the stakeholders while coming out with the new policy. He asked the government to review the policy in consultation with small and medium newspapers.

Raising the issue of ration cards, Congress member Chhaya



Verma said ration cards were issued in name of women in Chhattisgarh just before the assembly elections, but their names were removed soon after these polls.

SP member Ravi Prakash Verma spoke about the menace of pornography and drugs, saying this was part of organised crime and innocent girls were trapped and then videographed.

He alleged that there were agencies which bought those videos for Rs 20,000-Rs 25,000 and demanded steps to prevent the Indian youths from being targetted by the "drug mafia and porn mafia".

While Verma said the issues must be addressed pro-actively, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said it is a serious issue and government should take note of it and see what can be done to prevent such incidents.

A K Selvaraj (AIADMK) said the proposed alignment of the Kochi-Mangaluru-Bengaluru gas pipeline would cause irreperable damage to agricultural property in seven districts of Tamil Nadu.
The government has "never" imposed a penalty of Rs 200 crore on Adani port and SEZ, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

"The government has never imposed the penalty of Rs 200 crore on Adani port and SEZ and accordingly the question of withdrawl does not arise," Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said in a written reply.

The Environment Ministry had earlier in July termed as "incorrect" reports that Adani Port and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ) was spared a hefty fine of Rs 200 crore for environmental damage during construction of Mundra port.

The Ministry had said that it had imposed "more serious" responsibility on the firm without any cost limit.

"The inference drawn by the report is not correct. The present government has not cancelled fine of Rs 200 crore. This decision of the ministry is much more stringent than asking for Rs 200 crore from APSEZL...

"...Because here in this case whatever has been recommended by the Sunita Narain Committee for damage restoration and further conservation has to be borne by APSEZL which otherwise was limited to Rs 200 crore," the Ministry had said in a statement earlier.

Dave in July in Rajya Sabha had said, "No penalty was imposed by the Ministry for violating conditions of environment, forest, coastal regulation zone clearance in the last two years."



He was asked whether the government has waived the penalty imposed on certain companies recently.
The Centre's green panel has deferred its decision on giving environment clearance to the Tata Power's proposal for laying 220kV underground electric cable in Versova, Mumbai saying it should first get Municipal Corporation's permission.

At present, the electricity demand in Versova area is served by Tata Power's Versova Receiving Station. The proposed project aims to augment power supply to the Versova Receiving Station by upgrading to 220 kV.

The proposal is on laying 220 kV underground electric cable in a total length of 3.378 km in Versova, which includes a stretch of 1.59 km in coastal regulation zone (CRZ) area.

"The Tata Power's proposal was discussed in the recent meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC). The proposal was, however, deferred for want of more inputs," a senior government official said.

During the examination, it was revealed that the precise route of the cable pathway/underground cabling was yet not firmed up and was not having the clearance from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM).

"The project proponent were advised to get the desired clearance of the MCGM which would be subject to obtaining CRZ clearance in the required area for CRZ," the official said.

The official also mentioned that the Committee was satisfied with the necessity of the project for Mumbai, though it was felt that the Master Plan for such cabling project should have been prepared well in advance so that the entire work could be completed quickly.

The cost of the proposed project is estimated to be Rs 87.92 crore. It will improve reliability and adequate power supply to the Mumbai island.
The Bombay High Court today took on record a report submitted by an architect appointed by it to inspect Ambedkar Bhavan in Dadar to ascertain the extent of damage caused to the building and printing press run by Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr B R Ambedkar.

The report, submitted by architect Shashi Prabhu on August 5, was perused by Justice S J Kathawala in the court today.

On a plea made by People's improvement Trust, which runs Ambedkar Bhavan, and Prakash Ambedkar, the judge ordered that copies of the reports may also be furnished to them.

The bench adjourned the matter to August 18 and until then it restrained all the parties concerned from entering the Ambedkar Bhavan premises.

A substantial portion of the structure was demolished recently by People's Improvement Trust after it was served a notice by Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) that the building was in a dilapidated and dangerous condition.

Prabhu was also asked to submit a report on the inventory lying at the 'Budh Bhushan' printing press.

According to Prakash Ambedkar, periodicals and some magazines were being printed at the press. His counsel said Ambedkar wanted to visit the premises to ascertain the damage caused to the press, if any.

However, the court appointed an architect to inspect the premises and submit a report.

During an earlier hearing, the high court had asked the People's Improvement Trust and Prakash Ambedkar to redevelop the property jointly.

However, Ambedkar's counsel said he was not agreeable to the suggestion of the high court.

The counsel said Prakash Ambedkar is of the view that Ambedkar Bhavan should be preserved because of its emotional value as B R Ambedkar had got it built.

The high court is hearing an application filed by the People's Improvement Trust against the proposed rebuilding of the demolished structure through 'shramdaan' (voluntary contribution of labour).

On July 29, the high court had restrained people from stepping into Ambedkar Bhavan and rebuild or restore it.

According to the Trust, on June 1 this year it received a



notice from Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai directing it to demolish the three structures in the premises as they were in a dilapidated condition.

As per the notice, the Trust started demolition on June 25. However, the same day, followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar, led by Prakash, entered the premises and protested against the demolition.

Prakash Ambedkar has recently urged the followers of the Dalit icon to assemble at the premises on July 30 and rebuild and restore the structure.

According to the Trust, there were three structures in the said premises, which have been demolished. Prakash and his brother Anandraj were occupants of one of the structure.

The Trust had informed the High Court earlier that Prakash and Anandraj would be allowed to occupy the proposed 17-storey redeveloped structure in the future.

From one structure, Prakash operated and undertook printing press work and from the other structure, the Trust operated.

The open courtyard along with a hall was often given on rent for public functions to earn funds for the maintenance of the structure, the Trust said.
The Madras High Court today disposed of the anticipatory bail petitions of the husband and the son of expelled AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP Sasikala Pushpa after the the Tamil Nadu government submitted that police had not filed a case as claimed by the petitioners.

When the advance bail petitions came up before Justice S Vaidyanathan for hearing, Additional Advocate General Mani Shanker said that there no such case had been filed by police at Anna Nagar here.

Apprehending arrest, Lingeswara Thilagam, the husband of the Rajya Sabha MP and their son L Pradeep Raja had filed advance bail petitions before the high court.

They had claimed that police had registered a case under various IPC sections against them.

Justice Vaidyanathan disposed of the petition after recording the statement of AAG that no case is pending before the police as claimed by the petitioners.

On August 1, Sasikala Pushpa was expelled from AIADMK by party supremo Jayalalithaa for 'bringing disrepute to the party', days after she reportedly got into a scuffle with a DMK MP Tiruchi Siva at the Delhi airport.
Madras High Court today declined to interfere with the grant of classical status to languages other than Tamil by the Central government.

The court was disposing of petitions challenging the grant of classical status to Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Odiya and norms governing such conferment.

First bench comprising Chief Justice S K Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan said an expert body set up for the purpose was satisifed that these languages met the criteria and the court could not go into the body's opinions and findings.

The bench had on July 13 last reserved its orders on the petitions filed by senior advocate R Gandhi who had challenged the norms governing the grant of the classical status and the status accorded to the four languages.

"From the records it is evident that the expert body was satisfied that the languages comply with the eligibility criteria. Therefore, this court cannot go into the opinions and findings of the expert body," the bench said in its order.

The court also said it disagreed with the petitioner's stand that the prominence of Tamil languge would be lost if it was treated on par with the other languages, which have been conferred classical status.

"We do not agree with the petitioner. The prominence of a language would not depend on the development or fall of other languages," the bench said.

Rather the growth and importance can be attributed only to the usage of language and creative contribution in the forms of arts and literature, it said.

The bench said it was for experts to verify that the languages satisfy the norms and recommend for the declaration of classical status.

Having satisfied themselves, the experts had recommended declaration of the languages in consideration to be classical.

"Facts which made the expert body to recommend promulgation of such declaration has also been placed before us. As such we do not find any reason to interfere with the impunged declaration," the judges said.

Holding that the court cannot convert itself into a forum for debate on such matters, the bench said if the petitioner still felt that the languages in question did not satisfy the criteria for grant of classical status, it was open for him to approach the concerned authorities.

He can also make suggestions for determination of the type of literature that can be the benchmark for consideration of the language for classical status.

The petitioner had sought a direction to the authorities to strictly abide and implement the November 25, 2015, criteria laid down by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for determining the eligibility of languages to be considered for classical status.
The Bombay High Court today extended interim protection from arrest granted to NCP legislator Pankaj Bhujbal and others accused in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate.

Justice P N Deshmukh was hearing anticipatory bail applications filed by Pankaj and others, after non-bailable warrants were issued against them by special court for Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases in the Maharashtra Sadan scam.

The high court posted the applications for further hearing on August 26, and extended the interim protection from arrest granted to all the accused.

Pankaj's father and former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and cousin Sameer are the main accused in the case. Both have been arrested and are presently in Arthur road prison in central Mumbai.

According to ED, the Bhujbal family allegedly conspired along with several others to divert or 'launder' kickbacks received by Chhagan Bhujbal, when he was state Public Works Department minister.

On March 30 this year, the ED filed a charge sheet naming Chhagan Bhujbal, Pankaj, Sameer and firms such as DB Realty, Balwa group, Neelkamal Realtors and Builders, Neelkamal Central Apartment LLP and Kakade Infrastructure.

The charges relate to the contract for construction of the state guest house - 'Maharashtra Sadan' - in Delhi and the Kalina land-grabbing case in Mumbai.
He may fight several goons all at once in his films, but in real life actor Tiger Shroff says he is extremely scared of his mother.

Son of Jackie Shroff and Ayesha, Tiger says the only similarity between his upcoming superhero character in "A Flying Jatt" and him is that they both listen to their mothers.

"I do a lot of work outside my house. In my house, my mother is my superhero. In one way, I am very alike to my character. Both, the superhero and me, are scared of my mother. I listen to everything which she says. She is stronger than me," Tiger told reporters here.

Directed by Remo D'Souza, the superhero film stars Tiger in the lead role of a guy with supernatural powers.

It is a known fact that the 26-year-old actor is a huge fan of Hrithik Roshan, so, when asked if he has plans to show the film to the "Bang Bang!" star, Tiger said, "I hope so. If he has time from his schedule and if he wants to, then we would love to, of course."



The film will be Tiger's third movie, after "Heropanti" and "Bhaaghi" and the actor says he is most confident about "A Flying Jatt" as he wanted to be a superhero during his childhood.

"The expectations have increased from me. I have done three films so far and I am most confident about 'A Flying Jatt'. I wanted to be a superhero since childhood. Whatever I do, dance, action, I used to do it like a superhero."



Produced under the banner of Balaji Motion Pictures, the film also stars Jacqueline Fernandez and features Australian actor Nathan Jones in a negative role.

"A Flying Jatt" is scheduled to release on August 25.
An injured cadet was today rescued by the Coast Guard from a merchant vessel at Sandheads in the Bay of Bengal.

Cadet Dilawar Ahlawat had suffered from a cut caused by shifting of cross over platform and steel plates onboard the bulk carrier MP Panama-5, officials said.

The merchant ship was unable to shift the patient via port tugs as the tugs were engaged in transloading operations at Sandheads anchorage, they said.

The coast guard maritime rescue coordinating centre at Haldia received an SOS from the master of the bulk carrier.

Coast Guard district headquarters in Haldia deployed its high speed interceptor boat C 418 commanded by Deputy Commandant P Modak in the first light of the day to evacuate the injured cadet, officials said.

Successful mid-sea transfer of the injured cadet was carried out and subsequently he has been transferred to Kolkata for further medical treatment.
Homegrown mobile phone and consumer durables maker Intex Technologies has forayed into refrigerator segment expanding its product portfolio.

The company, which has also added fully automatic washing, machines has roped in Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit as its brand ambassador for its range of refrigerators and washing machines, Intex said in a statement.

Dixit has been signed for a period of two years, during which she will appear in Intex's TV commercials besides being the face of the company for a series of brand promotions and activations, it added.

Intex Technologies Director & Business Head-Consumer Durables & IT Peripherals Nidhi Markanday said: "We have always received phenomenal response for our products and we are pleased to offer our new range of Refrigerators and Fully Automatic Washing Machines. We are confident that these innovative products would appeal to the consumers."



The Delhi-based company has introduced three models of single-door direct cooling refrigerators with a capacity range of 170Ltr to 190Ltr, priced between Rs 10,900 to Rs 14,300.

Intex, with this addition now has 56 running models in consumer durable space and 133 in IT Peripherals.
Japanese Emperor Akihito said today he is concerned his weakening health may make it hard to fulfil his duties, in a speech seen as signalling a possible future abdication.

"I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being as I have done until now," he said in an address to the nation.

"There are times when I feel various constraints such as in my physical fitness," the 82-year-old said.

Akihito spoke obliquely -- never mentioning the word abdication -- but the government is expected to interpret his comments as meaning his wish is to eventually step down.

It can then begin creating the necessary legal mechanism which currently does not exist.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in a swift response to the emperor's speech, said the government would take the emperor's remarks "seriously".

"Considering the emperor's duties, as well as his age and the burden (of the job), we have to firmly look at what we can do."



Speculation about the emperor's future emerged last month with reports he had told confidantes that advancing age was making it harder to perform his ceremonial duties and that he would like to step down in a few years.

The address marked only the second time for Akihito to speak directly to the nation. The first was in the days after the March 2011 triple earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster as he sought to calm a nation undergoing its worst crisis since the war.

Japan's imperial house is said to be the world's oldest hereditary monarchy, and according to legend stretches back some 2,600 years in an unbroken line.

Akihito has keenly embraced the role of symbol of the state imposed after the war. He is credited with seeking reconciliation both at home and abroad over the legacy of the war fought in his father's name.

He has ventured to a number of locales that saw intense fighting, including Okinawa at home and Saipan, Palau and the Philippines abroad, making sure to offer prayers for the souls of all the dead and not just Japanese.

Any eventual move by Akihito to step down appears to have wide public support.

A survey by Kyodo last week showed that 85.7 percent of people surveyed were in favour of legal changes that would allow abdication.
has withdrawn the private security cover provided to students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar who is out on bail in a sedition case.

The varsity, has sent a notice to Kumar stating that the expense on his security has run up to Rs 5 lakh and the same arrangement can be continued only after that amount is cleared.

"Kanhaiya has already been provided with security by Delhi Police on orders from the High Court and hence there is limited need for private security on campus," a senior varsity official said.

"The Vice-Chancellor decided to withdraw the same and the decision was communicated to Chief Security Officer. The university can't bear such high cost for personal security of a single individual. The campus is safe and there is security everywhere," he added.

Kanhaiya was arrested in February this year in a sedition case over an event on campus against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru during which anti- slogans were allegedly raised.

After his bail, he was offered police security by the Delhi High Court. However, Kanhaiya wrote to the VC that he didn't want Delhi Police personnel inside the campus.

The administration then engaged four personnel of Group 4 who used to be stationed at his hostel and accompany him everywhere in the campus.
Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that Franz Kafka's manuscripts are the property of the National Library of Israel, ending a lengthy legal battle, judicial sources said today.

The nation's top court yesterday rejected an appeal by the heirs of Max Brod, a friend of Kafka and the executor of his estate to whom he had willed his manuscripts after his death in 1924.

Kafka had instructed Brod to burn the manuscripts after his death but his friend did not honour that request and took them with him when he fled the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and emigrated to Palestine.

On his death in 1968, Brod bequeathed the papers to his secretary Esther Hoffe, with instructions to give them to the "Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the municipal library in Tel Aviv or another organisation in Israel or abroad."



But Hoffe, who died in 2007, instead kept them and shared them between her two daughters -- sparking multiple legal battles.

In the trial against Hoffe's heirs, which began in 2009, the state of Israel demanded they hand over all the documents, which included unpublished writings, arguing it was Brod's last will.

Hoffe's daughters refused, however, saying the papers -- estimated to be worth millions of dollars -- had been given to their mother by Brod and therefore she could dispose of them any way she wanted.

"Max Brod did not want his property to be sold at the best price, but for them to find an appropriate place in a literary and cultural institution," the Supreme Court said in its ruling.

Hoffe had during her lifetime sold the original manuscript of "The Trial" -- considered by some to be one of Kafka's best work -- for USD 2 million.

The Hoffe family kept the bulk of the collection locked away in bank safety deposit boxes in Israel and Switzerland and over the years sold some papers to collectors.
A five-year-old girl who was abducted from Bihar's Katihar district last week was today recovered from neighbouring Nepal.

Sparsh Agarwal was recovered today from Sunsari district of Nepal, Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Sunil Kumar told reporters.

He said the state police headquarters thanked the Nepal police for the safe recovery of the abducted minor on the basis of inputs provided to them.

The minor girl, daughter of a businessman, was kidnapped from Kurshaila locality of Katihar district while coming back home from school on August 3.

Asked about the arrest of kidnappers, Kumar said hands of a previous driver of the school bus identified as Mithun Paswan have been established in the case and efforts were on to nab him and his associates.

To a question regarding involvement of Sanjay Yadav, son of a former MP Naresh Yadav, the ADG did not give a categorical answer and merely said a few names have surfaced in the course of probe and more evidence is being collected against them in the case.
Maharashtra government's decision to to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the historic 1942-freedom movement as 'Quit India-2' has invited criticism from Opposition Congress which has termed the decision as "disrespect" to freedom fighters.

To mark the day, the BJP-Shiv Sena government has given a few advertisements in local dailies with the slogan 'Quit India-2', calling for eradication of illiteracy, farmer suicides, wastage of water, corruption, alcoholism etc. The initiative will be launched tomorrow.

Terming this slogan as "disrespectful" to the heroic efforts of freedom fighters, Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam said, "I have strong objection over the way this Government, party (BJP) and RSS people are trying to celebrate this historic occasion."



"By launching another slogan, the government and RSS are trying to dilute the historic importance of that movement. BJP and RSS are doing this as their leaders do not find their names in the archives of freedom movement," he said.

Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar, however, trashed Nirupam's allegations, saying it was his "old habit" to level "baseless" allegations against the saffron outfit.

The former MP said the programme has been launched by the state government not by his party or RSS.

"He (Nirupam) should at least must know who is the organiser. Its a programme launched by the government, not by any BJP MLA. As far as the slogan is concerned, Nirupam must realise Quit India movement was relevant during the days of fight for Swaraj. Now a days, relevance of that movement lies in wiping out corruption, illiteracy, farmer suicides etc."



Shelar said when in power, Congress could never conceptualise such a celebration and it was now finding it hard to digest the BJP-led government's initiative.

Nirupam alleged discrimination by civic authorities in granting permission for erecting pandals at Azad Maidan here.

Congress sought permission from civic authorities 20 days ago to erect a pandal (a temporary structure) at the sprawling ground in South Mumbai, he said.

"But we were denied permission by municipal officials, but a BJP MLA has started erecting a big pandal at the same site without getting permission," Nirupam said.
The RSS today alleged that the real purpose behind the Mamata Banerjee government's bid to change the name of West Bengal was to "appease a particular community" and to wipe out the history of painful Partition.

It also said would organise an awareness campaign across West Bengal to make people aware about the real 'purpose' behind the move.

A top RSS leader of West Bengal, Bidyut Mukherjee said the organisation would also urge the central government not to give its nod to the name change bid.

The RSS leader alleged that the state government mooted the proposal to "appease a particular community" even as it was trying to wipe out the painful history of Partition.

"Actually the main purpose behind the decision to change the name is to wipe out the history of painful Partition, which states that India was divided in 1947 on religious lines. TMC is trying to wipe out that history so that the our next generations don't get to know why the state bears the name 'West Bengal'," he said.

The state cabinet last week had decided to rename the state as Bengal after its earlier proposal of 'Paschim Bango', made in 2011 when Trinamool Congress took over power in the state for the first time, failed to get the green signal from the Centre.

The state BJP unit too had criticised the TMC government for its decision to change the name of the state. The party's state unit has decided to launch a statewide "Save West Bengal" campaign against the decision.
Aiming to expand the base of Trinamool Congress outside West Bengal, party chief Mamata Banerjee today left for Agartala in Tripura where she would address a rally to be attended by dissident Congress MLAs.

The Trinamool Congress has already carved a place for itself in the Marxist bastion emerging as the principal opposition party after six dissident Congress MLAs had joined it last June.

Sudip Ray Barman, who led the Congress dissidents in the sensitive Northeastern state, told PTI, "Mamata Banerjee's rally at the Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala tomorrow will be the first nail in the coffin of the corrupt and inefficient Left Front government of Tripura."



Barman said that Banerjee would give the Tripura unit 'direction' to emerge victorious in the next Assembly poll due in 2018.

"All MLAs and other leaders who have joined the TMC from other parties, including the Congress, will be present in the rally. It will be a historic rally," he said.

Barman said the people of Tripura had become fed up with the Left Front regime and disapproved of the tie-up between the Congress and the Left Front in West Bengal.

"With this, the tacit understanding between the Left Front and the Congress came out in the open. Why then will people vote for the Congress as an alternative to the Left Front in Tripura?" he wondered.

If the Left is to be ousted from Tripura, Trinamool Congress is the best option because it is the only "anti-dote for the Left", Barman said.

After her landslide victory in West Bengal, Banerjee and her trusted lieutenant Mukul Roy have been working to expand her party's influence in the Northeast with Tripura being the prime target. The Bengali population there forms the largest ethno-linguistic group in the state with nearly about 70 per cent of the population.

According to TMC sources in Kolkata, Tripura and the Northeast hold a key to TMC's pan-India political ambition with an eye on the 2019 Lok Sabha poll where TMC wants to play a vital role.

"We are already the main opposition party in Tripura and if we manage to win Tripura it will be an added advantage in 2019. The Northeastern states have mostly remained untapped politically for us," a senior TMC leader said.

(REOPENS CAL4)



TMC vice-president Mukul Roy, who is overseeing the preparation for Banerjee's visit to the state, told a press conference later in Agartala that the days of the CPI-M government were numbered.

He said that he had no doubt that there would be a change of government after the Assembly election scheduled to be held in March, 2018.

Roy alleged that law and order machinery had collapsed in the state and people had no safety and security of their lives.

"Development has come to a halt in Tripura. The youths are unemployed and farmers are getting poorer. There is no industry and lack of political will of the government has doomed the future of students," he said promising that after the change of government TMC would work for development.
A man was today arrested at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here for travelling with a large amount of foreign currency without valid documents.

Acting on a tip-off, the man who was carrying USD 19,000 and 115,000 Rials was arrested when he could not produce valid documents about the cash which he was carrying, a Customs official said.

The currency is valued at Rs 32.38 lakh.

The accused had arrived at the airport to board a Bhutan Airlines flight to Bangkok.
A day after Kerala Congress (M) severed its long-standing ties with UDF, party supremo K M Mani today said no mediation would help change its decision even as the Congress said talks for a patch up would be made only after discussions among partners.

"We have taken a decision not in the anticipation that it would lead to debate or discussion. We stand by our decision (to severe the ties with the UDF)," 82-year old Mani told reporters in his assembly constituency Pala in the district.

He was responding to a question on the reported move by key UDF partner IUML to carry out a mediation effort.

"We welcome discussions. But on this issue, are mediation efforts just enough? ...We have already taken a decision," Mani, who has been sulking since being forced to quit as finance minister last year over the bar bribery scam, said.

He said KC(M) had nothing to fear as the party had proved its strength by fighting elections alone in the past.

Meanwhile, BJP started sending positive vibes to the KC(M), saying the saffron party has no "untouchability" towards the Mani-led party, which is wielding considerable clout among Syrian Catholic community in central Kerala.

Giving a jolt to the Congress, KC-M yesterday announced its decision to snap over three-decade old ties with UDF citing "humiliation" meted out by Congress.

The party, which was the third largest partner in the UDF after Congress and IUML, also decided to function as a separate bloc in the state assembly.

In Thiruvananthapuram, UDF Chairman Ramesh Chennithala said a decision to have further talks for a patch up with the KC(M) would be taken only after discussions among the front constituents.

"Congress and other front parties never did anything to force Mani to quit UDF.There were no issues that could not be resolved. Mani should have taken up his party's problems within the front," he told reporters.

However, he added: "I am of the view that KC-M should remain in the front.

Chennithala said KC-M had left the UDF without any valid



reasons and it was quite unexpected from the part of a veteran politician such as Mani.

Congress had always tread the path of unity and tried for it by holding talks with Mani, he said.

Chennithala, who was the Home Minister when the bar scam came out, said he had never intervened in the functioning of Vigillance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.

He said there was no deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of Mani, who faced bribery charges in the bar scam.

It was the same UDF government that filed two Vigillance inquiry reports in the Special Court exhonorating Mani in the case, he said.

"The present CPI-M-led LDF government has also not changed the reports so far," he said.

"UDF still believes that bar bribery case was the result of a conspiracy by then LDF Oppposition and also firmly of the opinion that Mani was innocent in the case," he said.

Chennithala also said tha UDF would go ahead with its agitational programmes against the "anti-people" policies of the LDF government and "communal politics" of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

As part of the stir, UDF MLAs would stage a dharna in front of the state secretariat here on August 10.

BJP state President Kummanam Rajasekharan, addressing a party programme in Kochi, said his party has "no untouchability" towards the KC(M) and pointed to BJP's "warm" relations with Kerala Congress faction headed by former union minister P C Thomas -- son of legendary leader P T Chacko.

Party senior leader and MLA O Rajagopal said BJP would discuss the stand taken by Mani.
In a major success, police today gunned down notorious Maoist renegade-turned-gangster Mohammed Nayeemuddin, wanted in a string of cases including the murder of an IPS officer in 1993, in a chance exchange of fire outside Shadnagar town in Mahabubnagar district of state.

Nayeemuddin (45), also known as Nayeem alias 'Balanna', was wanted for the last several years in cases of murder, killings for gain, extortion and kidnapping and had been evading arrest.

The incident occurred when police teams, while tracking a case of attempted extortion registered in Nizamabad district, came under fire from a suspiciously moving SUV near Millennium Colony on the outskirts of Shadnagar, said Mahabubnagar SP, Rema Rajeswari.

"After noticing the police team, one of the persons, who was driving the SUV, opened fired at police and fled. Meanwhile, another person got down from the vehicle and he too tried to fire at police and in retaliation police fired at him resulting in his death," Rajeswari said, adding that police fired in self-defence.

Elaborating on the sequence of events, the officer stated in a release that Dichpally Circle police inspector, V Thirupathi was investigating a case registered under section 385 of IPC and under provisions of IT Amendment Act, 2008, in which the complainant was threatened with dire consequences by a suspected gang, by demanding Rs 1 crore.

"The case under section 307 (attempt to murder) of IPC and under relevant sections of Arms Act, besides 174 CrPC was registered in Shadnagar Town police station based on the complaint given by V Thirupathi.

"As part of the investigation into this case, the inspector came to Shadnagar to pursue the leads. In the process, an exchange of fire ensued between the police party and the suspected criminal gang," the SP stated in a release.

According to the SP, Nayeemuddin, hailing from Bhongir town in Nalgonda district, got attracted towards the erstwhile CPI-ML People's War group's ideology while studying in Bhongir Degree College in year 1990.

"He later joined Radical Student Union (RSU) of CPI ML (PW) and was made the organiser of RSU Bhongir town in year 1991. Later, he was arrested by Yadagirgutta Police and a tapancha (country-made weapon) and a grenade were seized from him," the release stated.

After his release from jail, Nayeemuddin again went underground and joined Aleru Dalam of CPI ML (PW) as a member, and assumed the alias "Balanna".

As part of an action team, Nayeemuddin had killed the then DIG of Police, K S Vyas at Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad on January 27, 1993.
Meera Munda, wife of former Jharkhand Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Arjun Munda, today resigned as vice president of Jharkhand state committee of BJP, a day after she was nominated for the post.

"I have sent the resignation letter to the party's state unit president Tala Marandi," Meera Munda said stating she refused to accept the offer on personal reasons.

Announcing the new state committee of the party on Sunday, Marandi had nominated Meera Munda as the vice-president of the state unit.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is likely to meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi on Monday to discuss the situation in Kashmir.

Mehbooba left for Delhi this afternoon and is likely to meet Singh to discuss the unrest in Kashmir in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces last month, PDP sources said.

Reacting to the development, opposition Conference leader Omar Abdullah said Mehbooba has finally given up the "business as usual act".

"So @MehboobaMufti has finally given up on her 'business as usual' act and rushed to Delhi instead.

"The amazing thing is that it's taken 31 days and more than 50 deaths to finally 'disturb' the Chief Minister," Omar wrote on twitter.

As many as 55 persons including two police personnel have been killed and several thousand others injured in the violent protests since July 9.
An NDFB(S) militant suspected to be closely associated with those involved in the attack in Kokrajhar that claimed 14 lives was apprehended today from Assam's Nalbari district, police said.

Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the army and police nabbed the militant from a bus at Ganesh Mandir Chowk on NH 31 in the district and a 7.65 pistol, four rounds of ammunition and some documents were seized from him.

The police claimed that the militant, identified as Bodoland Boro, was associated with those involved the Balajan Tiniali market attack on August 5.

The militant hails from Dhurmopur village in Kokrajhar district and was on his way to Guwahati from Kokrajhar, police said.

The Centre has asked Assam government to hunt down those involved in the attack and bring them to justice, Home Minister Rajnath Singh told Lok Sabha today in a suo motu statement.
A minor has been arrested on charges of raping a five-year-old Dalit girl at Kheda village in Hapur district.

The accused, also a Dalit, was known to the girl's family and visited her home often, SP Alankrita Singh told PTI from Hapur over phone.

The girl has identified the youth who has confessed, Singh said.

The girl's clothes have also been recovered from him, she said, adding a medical examination of the girl confirmed rape.

The accused will be produced before a juvenile court today, Singh said.

Meanwhile, a three-member team of doctors is attending to the victim at a hospital here. Gynaecologist professor Kirti Dubey said the girl is running a minor fever and will be fine in 1-2 days.

The incident took place on Friday night when the girl along with her family was sleeping outside their house. At around 1.30 AM the family members found the girl missing as they got up to go inside after it started raining.

The girl was later found unconscious and naked near a tubewell in a forest near the house. Angered by the incident, villagers had blocked the NH-24 on Saturday.

The Uttar Pradesh Government has come under flak over a string of rape incidents, including the gangrape of a woman and her daughter who were dragged out of their car by the accused on National Highway-91 in Bulandshahr.

Hapur is around 65 km from Delhi.
A Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader was today arrested by suburban Bandra police for agitating against the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, police said.

A case of unlawful Assembly was registered against MNS leader Amey Khopkar and few others for sloganeering against Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) on issues like potholed roads and others. They were today called to the police station and arrested, a police official said.

Khopkar, who is the MNS Vice-President, and others were later granted bail, he added.

Khopkar is also a member of the Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena, a film wing of the party.
Known for her classic trousseau and rich handcraft, India's leading fashion designer Anita Dongre says modern Indian women today should have hand-woven fabric in their collection.

"Every modern Indian woman today must own few pieces of handloom and handmade in India, she must do that," Dongre told PTI in an interview.

Emphasising the use of handmade textiles, the designer said handcraft plays a huge role in her designs.

"My brand Grassroot creates western silhouettes in handlooms for Indian woman and the young Indian girl. Under bridal wear, we create occasion Indian wear where we use handloom. So, as designers we have to make fashion accessible and make a conscious effort to use handloom in our collection."



From lehenga-cholis to maxi tops her collection, that she showcased at Vogue Wedding Show's fourth edition here, had shades of pink, orange and red as the designer believes colors play an important role at the Indian weddings.

Speaking about her favourite trend for this year's wedding season, Dongre revealed that she liked long tabard kurta and open jackets with gotapatti embroidery as they are versatile.

Dongre is also promoting Indian handloom in collaboration with the government. She recently met Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani to discuss ways to promote Indian weavers.

"We are going to start working with some weaver clusters all over the country so we were identifying which clusters we could start work with and how the government would enable that to happen."



When asked about her plans of taking this initiative forward, she said, "We have done a very successful initiative in the village of Charoti in Maharashtra where we have trained over 50 women.

"So we are hoping to recreate the same model in village clusters that the textile ministry will identify. My team will go there and work with skilled craftsmen and also ensure that the next generation of craftsmen get trained so it will be a two-pronged programme.
Continued protests over the demand for special category status for Andhra Pradesh today saw Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav expressing dismay over the way Lok Sabha was being conducted, a charge which was staunchly rejected by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

"...I have seen many a Speaker. Why are you not holding consultations with leaders of political parties" to sort out such issues, a visibly annoyed Yadav remarked during Zero Hour, springing a surprise on the treasury benches and a shock for the Speaker.

The Speaker immediately retorted, "Please don't speak like this. I am following rules which have been laid down by the House itself", adding that she has been holding consultations with the leaders of all political parties.

Mahajan told Yadav that she had never disallowed him from speaking.

She observed that the Finance Minister had spoken twice on the Andhra issue and it was not feasible that there is a solution to every issue.

Yadav was seen suggesting that when attempts to find a solution did not succeed, it should be ensured that at least the House runs smoothly. At times, he also referred to Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the matter, who was present in the House.

Mohammad Salim (CPI-M) took the opportunity to flag the issue of atrocities on dalits.

"I am making efforts (to take everyone along) and the Business Advisory Committee meetings decide what issues are to be taken up," Mahajan said.

Yadav made the remark when the Congress members were not in the House after staging a walkout for not being allowed to raise the issue of atrocities on dalits.
Nepal's new Prime Minister Prachanda today consolidated his government with the induction of three new ministers in his cabinet.

The cabinet size has reached nine with the inclusion of the new ministers from two fringe parties.

Those appointed in the council of ministers include Jayadev Joshi from CPN (United) and Deepak Bohora and Bikram Pandey from Rastriya Prajatantra Party. They however have not been given any portfolio.

On Thursday, Prachanda had assumed office for his second term as prime minister.

The prime minister also administered oath of office and secrecy to the newly-appointed ministers.
Heavy fines, graded blacklisting and other penalties to defence suppliers indulging in bribes has been proposed in a new blacklisting policy drawn up by the Defence Ministry.

The Defence Ministry has cleared the draft of the new blacklisting policy, which is now being vetted by the Attorney General.

"The file has been cleared. It is now with the Attorney General for legal vetting. It will be issued as soon as his office clears it," a top defence official told PTI.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has been working on the new blacklisting policy for long and has held numerous meetings with various stakeholders on the issue.

Sources said the new norms for action against those indulging in bribes among others will be a mixture of heavy fines, graded blacklisting and other penalties.

The aim is to act harshly against wrong doers but also ensure that modernisation process is not affected.

The move comes just months after the Defence Ministry laid down norms for engaging agents in defence deals.

Foreign defence firms can now appoint 'agents' to market their products to the armed forces and the government but with strict oversight which includes opening up of company's books to scrutiny besides not allowing any success bonus or penalty fees among other measures.

The defence forces were hit hard by existing blacklisting norms under which the previous government had blacklisted many critical firms under a blanket policy.

Parrikar had earlier voiced his concerns over indiscriminate blacklisting of companies supplying defence products over "small issues".

However, he had insisted that "serious crimes" should not go unpunished.

Parrikar had in June said the government will not hesitate to buy a product from another company even if any equipment or software manufactured by the blacklisted entity was embedded into it.

"Globally, many products have components from various companies. While a company which falls under the blacklisting purview will face action, we will also ensure that the policy does not affect any procurement from another company not related to the blacklisted one," Parrikar had said.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today told the Delhi High Court that it has no intention as of now to arrest Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's wife Pratibha Singh in connection with a money laundering case lodged against him.

ED told Justice Vipin Sanghi that she is to be questioned tomorrow and thereafter, if the agency is satisfied that a case is made out against her then it will inform the court prior to arresting her.

The agency, however, said that its statement be not recorded in the order as it could be cited as precedent in other cases.

"In view of what has transpired in court today. No orders are being passed," the judge said and issued notice to ED seeking its reply on Pratibha Singh's application seeking protection from arrest till next date of hearing on August 24.

Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, appearing for Pratibha Singh, said on the last date of hearing, Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain had submitted orally that she won't be arrested but as this statement was not on record there was apprehension of her arrest.

Krishnan urged the court that something be put in the order to protect Pratibha Singh.

Central government standing counsel Amit Mahajan, on the other hand, told the court that the statement made on behalf of ED be not recorded as it could be cited as precedent.

He also said that as of now ED has no intention to arrest her and after recording her statement tomorrow if a case is made out against her, then it will inform the court.

The judge, in order to allay the apprehension of the applicant, said, "The statement is being made by a central government standing counsel. I am here, he is here, the Investigating Officer is also here. If something happens, you can always come to the court".

On last date of hearing on July 29, the court had asked ED not to take any coercive step against her on August 9, when she appears before the agency for recording her statement, and said that in case it wanted to further question her it will have to give reasons for it.

The July 29 order came on Pratibha Singh's plea seeking a direction to ED not to take any coercive step against her in the wake of the arrest of an LIC agent in the case.

Besides his wife, Singh has also moved the court, seeking protection from arrest in the case. However, he has not been summoned by ED so far.

In his plea, Singh has said he apprehended that ED might arrest him on the basis of an alleged disclosure statement of insurance agent Anand Chauhan, who was recently arrested from Chandigarh in connection with the case.

Chauhan was arrested by ED under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as he was allegedly not cooperating with the investigating officer of the case.

The probe agency had alleged that Singh, while serving as the Union Steel Minister, had invested huge amounts in purchasing LIC policies in his and his family members' names through Chauhan.

ED had last year lodged the case against Singh and others under PMLA after taking cognisance of a criminal complaint filed by CBI in this regard.

CBI had lodged a separate disproportionate assets case against Singh and others alleging that he and his family members had amassed wealth of Rs 6.1 crore between 2009 and 2011 disproportionate to the known sources of income.

Earlier, CBI had moved Delhi High Court after the Supreme Court transferred its plea seeking vacation of the Himachal Pradesh High Court's interim order restraining it from arresting, interrogating or filing a charge sheet against Virbhadra.
Goa's Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza today told the State Legislative Assembly that the number of unclaimed bodies goes up during the tourism season in the state.

"As far as unclaimed bodies which are languishing in the morgues of government-run hospitals, these are mostly medico-legal cases. Their number increases during the tourism season. The reason, we are not aware," D'Souza told the House speaking on the demands for grants to the Health Department.

The minister said hospital or police cannot dispose off these bodies without following proper procedure.

"The police have to write to all the states and in case of foreigner to Embassies. They have to check whether they are missing persons' bodies," D'Souza added.

"Recently, I have issued directions to police to send the bodies of foreigners back and if not bury them. As far as local bodies are concerned, the municipal bodies are asked to dispose them. We have started the process," the minister said responding to the concerns raised by opposition benches about the packed morgues.
The AAP government today expressed its inability before the Delhi High Court to come out with an order before Independence Day prohibiting use of 'Chinese manja', a nylon thread coated with powdered glass, for flying kites.

After the submission was made by the Delhi government, a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal asked the government to come up with suggestions to prevent accidents due to use of Chinese manja in the days running upto Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan.

"You (government) come up with suggestions to prevent accidents caused due to the Chinese manja, as kites are flown extensively during Independence Day and Raskha Bandhan (in this month)," the bench said.

It asked the Delhi government's senior standing counsel Rahul Mehra to give the suggestions on August 10 so that it can pass some directions keeping in mind the festival.

"The court will issue directions to see that no untoward incident occurs this year during kite flying, as the Delhi government is about to come out with their notification. Maybe from next year the rule would be in place," the bench said.

The observations came after Mehra informed the court that the Delhi government has issued a draft notification for banning Chinese manja and only allowing kite-flying with a cotton thread or natural fibre, "free from metallic or glass components".

The government said that the draft notification was in the public domain inviting objections from the stakeholders.

"To implement it (the notification) in next four days is next to impossible. We need time. May be keeping in view the Independence Day we can issue advertisements and put hoardings to make the public aware about disadvantage of Chinese manjas," it said, adding that "it will surely take the issue forward".

The AAP government's response came in the backdrop of the court's August 2 order as to when it will issue a notification banning threads coated with powdered glass.

The court was hearing a plea by Zulfiquar Hussain who has alleged that earlier "victims" of the synthetic thread were birds, "but now humans are also under threat" and referred to a recent death of a 28-year-old man in East Delhi whose throat allegedly got slit by such a thread while riding a motorbike.

The petitioner has also referred to deaths allegedly



caused as a result of injuries from the thread in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

It has contended that use and sale of the thread has been banned by the Rajasthan High Court and that the Allahabad High Court has issued directions to take necessary steps to prohibit manufacture, use and sale of synthetic kite-flying threads like Chinese manja.

The plea, filed through advocate Tariq Adeeb, also said that the Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh governments have banned this thread.

The petitioner has contended that use, manufacture and sale of the thread is illegal under Environment Protection Act, 1986 and sought directions to the government to "strictly enforce the prohibition throughout Delhi".
Urging the Prime Minister to break his silence on the deteriorating situation in Kashmir, Opposition in Rajya Sabha led by Congress today demanded initiation of a political process to defuse the crisis that has led to an unprecedented 30 days of curfew across the Valley.

The Opposition parties also demanded stopping the use of pellet guns on protesters, even as one member demanded withdrawal of AFPSA from the Kashmir Valley and withdrawal of the dominating presence of army from civilian areas.

Raising the issue in Zero Hour after his notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business to discuss the issue was disallowed, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said no state in independent India has seen 30 days of continuous curfew that has paralysed the administration, shut down educational institutions and led to near zero attendance in government offices.

"In such circumstances, we want to awaken the government ... We feel the government and the Prime Minister are watching the situation deteriorate like a silent spectator," he said, adding he wanted to know why Modi has not (rpt not) spoken on the grave situation in Kashmir so far.

"Hindustan ka Taj jal raha hai, par uski garmi Delhi tak nahi pahuchti (India's crown is burning but the heat hasn't yet reached Delhi)," Azad said.

Over 8,000 people, including security personnel, have been injured while 410 eye surgeries and 1,650 other surgeries are reported to have been done because of the use of pellet guns on protesters, he said.

Observing that 1018 incidents have been reported, he said over 1000 youth are in prison. "Please do not consider this as a law and order issue," Azad told the government.

Citing social media comments on Modi not making any statement on the Kashmir unrest, he said people are eager to listen to his views on the situation.

He asked the Prime Minister to call an all-party meeting where political leaders can offer solutions and express their sympathy with the people of Kashmir. This should be followed up with an all-party delegation visiting Kashmir to assuage the feeling, the senior Congress leader added.

Expressing anguish and pain at the continuous 30-day curfew, Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) said there was nothing working in the Valley except armed forces.

"More than 1000 incidents of firing have happened. More than 8000 are injured and 60 dead," he said describing the use of pellet guns and "inhuman" and "criminal".

Stating that even Israel does not use pellet guns against Palestinians, he said the situation cannot be solved by law and order machinery.
Unidentified persons today looted over Rs 9 lakh from the branch manager of Allahabad Bank near Raipur village here, police said.

The incident took place when Pankaj Kumar Dwivedi was on his way to the bank carrying the cash with assistant manager. They were accosted by three motorcycle-borne assailants who looted the money from them and fled with the cash, they said.

Investigation in this connection is underway and hunt is on for the robbers, police said.
A two-day toppers conclave began at Raj Bhawan today with Uttarakhand Governor K K Paul asking universities to extend the relevance of their teaching beyond classrooms and urging students with good academic records not to rest on their laurels but to develop skills which could help them realise their potential to the maximum.

The second edition of the annual event at the Governor's own initiative to inculcate competitiveness among students and create an atmosphere conducive to academic debate on university campuses is being attended by university toppers from all over the state in different disciplines and their teachers and vice-chancellors.

"It is our intention to give the toppers from Uttarakhand a better exposure to catalyse their thoughts, developing interactive skills in them, giving them self-confidence, inspiring other students to do better and helping them know how to work on their personalities," Paul told the students.

"This annual gathering of VCs, teachers, students and various experts and scholars creates an environment conducive to discussion, deliberation and debate.

"Students who have excelled in their studies have gathered here and will soon realise that topping their institutions is not the end-but only a beginning to become successful in future and to realising one's potential to the maximum. Other students will be inspired by their performance and emulate their remarkable achievements," he said.

Asking students not to take their success for granted, he told them to work harder to sustain it.

Noting that universities are at the top of the formal education pyramid in India, he said they must be the torchbearers of socio-economic development.

"Universities are at the top of formal education pyramid in India ... The relevance of theirteaching must extend beyond the classrooms, to the society at large and the nation.

"Government initiatives aimed at faster economic development, namely Swachh Bharat, Adarsh Gram, Digital India and Make-in-India, have the potential to lift India to the state of an advanced nation.

"Our universities must contribute to these national objectives and also think in terms of adopting villages," Paul said.
The Philippines expects a 30 per cent jump in the number of tourists from India by the end of the current financial year.

Verna C Buensucesco, director and officer-in-charge, Tourism development sector, Philippines Tourism, said India was now among the top 13 countries in terms of tourist arrival.

"The number of tourists is increasing. We are now targeting the tier 1 and tier 2 cities of India to attract more tourists," Buensucesco said during a road show attended by a delegation of the Philippines tourism.

"Kolkata is a very key market in the east and hence we are looking forward to strengthening our relation with local travel partners from the city. Overall, the Philippines expects to welcome one lakh Indian tourists by 2017," she said.
A PIL seeking a CBI probe into the flogging of Dalit youths at Una in Gir Somnath district last month was filed before the Gujarat High Court today.

The PIL, filed by Ratna Vora, an advocate associated with NGO Ambedkar Karwan, is likely to come up for hearing on Wednesday.

Demanding investigation by the central agency, the petitioner contended that current probe into the incident by CID may remain "inconclusive" like in the Thangadh case wherein three Dalit youths were allegedly killed in firing by police in 2012 in Surendranagar district.

The PIL stated that CID had submitted a closure report in the Thangadh case saying no offence was made out against anyone. Police have not yet filed any charge sheet in the case.

In the Una incident, some Dalit youths were beaten up allegedly by cow vigilantes for skinning a dead cow on July 11. The incident was captured on mobile and the video went viral, triggering violent backlash by Dalits in Gujarat besides a huge outrage across the country.

Police have arrested over 30 people in connection with the assault on Dalits.
PCC President on Tuesday accused the BJP government of being responsible for the deaths of hundreds of cows in the state-run Hingonia cow shelter here.

"The BJP government has totally failed in taking care of cows. The situation in the Hingonia gaushala is very grim but the government has totally ignored this sensitive issue," Pilot told reporters here.

"Gaushalas are suffering in the BJP rule...It comes to power on riding people's sentiments attached to cows but later forgets them," he said at the PCC after visiting the Hingonia cow shelter.

He said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have given the statement against cow vigilantes two years back so that the incidents which have happened in the name of cow's protection could have been stopped from taking place.

"The PM needs to ensure that those who take law in their hands are strictly dealt with," he said.

In his first public denouncement of cow vigilantes, some of whom flogged Dalits in Gujarat for skinning a dead cow, Modi had said in Delhi he felt enraged at such "anti-social elements" who indulged in crimes by the night and masqueraded as cow protectors by the day.

The Raje government has been criticised by Congress, VHP, and Bajrang Dal over the death of cows.

Congress alleged that 100 cows had died due to "mismanagement and lack of facilities" at the gaushala while VHP claimed that more than 500 cows died due to the "inhuman behaviour" of Raje government towards them.

Commenting on the results of bypolls of local bodies and Panchayti Raj institutions declared on Monday, Pilot said the Congress has gained in the bypolls which shows that the BJP is "losing" confidence of people.
The Supreme Court will tomorrow hear a plea seeking probe into alleged paper leak of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) phase II.

The petition was mentioned by senior advocate Sanjay Hedge before a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur which listed it for hearing tomorrow before the bench of Justice A R Dave.

The plea filed by NEET aspirant Anshul Sharma has sought a status report into the alleged leakage of question papers which should be submitted before the court.

It said that Uttarakhand Police arrested five people belonging to an inter-state racket on July 23, a day before the entrance exam.

CBSE, which had rejected the claim of paper leak, had conduced the NEET Phase II examination on July 24 while NEET-I was held on May 1. The combined results of NEET-I and NEET-II will be declared on August 17.

CBSE had claimed that it was an attempt made by some unscrupulous elements to cheat the candidates on false promises.
Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should stop doing "drama" over the Dalit issue and prevent people from giving objectionable statements.

"The kind of statement PM is giving like 'I have become helpless. Do not kill Dalits, shoot me.' It does not behove of of any Prime Minister to give such statement. This kind of statement by a PM is a proof that he is so helpless," Singh said outside Parliament referring to PM's statement on Dalit community in Telangana.

Lashing out at fake cow vigilantes and warning them of stern action, Modi has said yesterday, "The Government will not tolerate atrocities or discrimination against Dalits. We should put a full stop to it. You can shoot me rather than target the Dalits."



Questioning Modi for giving such statements outside Parliament when parliament is in session, the senior Congress leader said "You talk of Basudev kutumbakam (world is one). But when akhlaq was killed by your men then why you remained silent."



Continuing his attack, Singh said "On Una incident also, your so called love for Dalits would not have come to the fore had there not been so much agitation against the incident. In BJP ruled states these organisations going aganst Dalits have all support of the government."



"In Jharkhand a Muslim boy was killed what action was taken after that? Where was the slogan of Vasudeb Kutumbakam?" he asked.

"That is why I am saying stop doing drama. If you want to protect everybody in the country then those indulging in these kinds of statements like 'Ramjade Haramjade, those who are opposing Modi should go to Pakistan, those who want to eat beef should go to Pakistan', then stop these people from giving such statements. If you are not been able to prevent them from giving such statements then quit the post," he added.
Delhi Police has launched investigation in the fake online application in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a recruitment test by CRPF on a complaint filed by the central para military force.

A case under IT Act provisions was registered with Cyber Crime unit of EOW on July 26, an official said.

Investigation has been launched by various wings of Delhi Police including Special Cell to crack the case, sources said.

Police was trying to catch the culprit involved in the matter with the help IP address of the user who filled the form online and then downloaded the admit card, they said.

The fake online application form was filled up for the recruitment by CRPF citing candidate's name as Narendra Modi and his photo was also affixed.

The case was detected before the physical standard test and the admit card was cancelled on July 15. The fake candidate did not appear for the physical standard test, though he downloaded the admit card before it was cancelled, CRPF had earlier said in a statement.

The admit card of the candidate, who was supposed to appear before a board for physical examination for recruitment as a Head Constable, was "auto generated" and subsequently posted on its official website for download by the aspirant.

The candidate had filled up application form/Roll No 2430026090 with fake details like name - Narendra Modi, father's name- Rarendra Modi, mother's name- Raj, attaching photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and indicating Group Centre CRPF Rampur as centre for examination.

The generation of admit cards for recruitment in CRPF is done through online (Internet-based) mode. The admit card can be downloaded from website only by the applicant with personal details like application number, name and date of birth, among others, it said.
The Jammu and Kashmir police have been asked to review security of vital installations and religious places and keep a tab on social media activities in Jammu region ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Zone, Danish Rana chaired a high-level security review meeting in Jammu and directed officers to maintain extra vigil in view of the upcoming programmes lined up for August 15.

"District SSPs were directed to review the security of vital installations, religious places, minority pockets, crowded places and Police and Paramilitary Forces' establishments to ensure utmost alertness," an official said.

The IGP directed the officers to keep a close watch on social media activities as well.

After an assessment by State and Central Intelligence Agencies, senior police officers gave a detailed account of the security arrangements that have been put in place in the run up to the Independence Day in and around Jammu city including border areas.

"Detailed deliberations were held on all the points concerning parade contingents, preparation of venues, anti- sabotage checks of the venues, barricading and traffic arrangements in the city and at the venue, fire services, medical facilities and other contingencies for Independence Day celebrations.

"During the meeting, the IGP asked officers to work in close coordination with each other for greater synergy as the goal is common," the official said.

The IGP asked the Intelligence agencies, Police and security force officers to step-up vigil and security in the district to check any attempt of infiltration, movement of "anti-national" elements and forestall any ill-conceived plan of terrorists.

"A detailed review of the prevailing security scenario, throughout Jammu zone, was taken. The intelligence agencies also gave their assessments about the prevailing situation particularly in Chenab Valley and Rajouri, Poonch District," the officer added.
A young protester was shot dead in the Chadian capital N'Djamena during an opposition rally, on the eve of President Idriss Deby's swearing-in for a fifth term, a police source and opposition leader said.

"A young protester who had torn the flag of the MPS (Deby's ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement) was shot dead," during the protest which had been banned by the government, the police officer said yesterday on condition of anonymity.

Opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo confirmed the news, saying one person had died after being shot by live police rounds during the authorities' attempts to disperse the protesters.

He added that another youth had been hit in the chest by a bullet and taken to hospital.

Earlier security forces used tear gas to disperse the protest against the Deby regime.

Kebzabo said many of the protesters were "very angry at being prevented from marching" and had returned only for their protest to be broken up again.

However a small group returned to the fray and "things degenerated" he added.

Chad has banned opposition rallies ahead of today's swearing-in ceremony for Deby.

The opposition has called for Deby's re-election in April to be annulled, citing voting irregularities.

Deby, 64, who came to power in 1990, was re-elected in a first round vote in April with 61.5 percent of ballots cast against 12.8 percent for his nearest rival Kebzabo, according to official results.

Deby's inauguration will be watched by 10 other African heads of state and other invited international guests including French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has given her nod for compulsory retirement of 83 policemen, including eight Inspectors, on recommendation of a review committee following a departmental enquiry against them.

The 83 policemen, who were given the compulsory retirement under Rajasthan civil services (pension) rules, 1996, include 8 inspectors, 1 sub inspector, 5 assistant sub inspectors, 5 head constables and 64 constables, a release said.

The Home department has forwarded a proposal to the chief minister after the review committee of police headquarters recommended to give compulsory retirement to the 83 policemen on the basis of department inquiry against them, conviction in cases, annual work assessment reports, failure in impartial investigation and not being fit for the police services and for being wanted.
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has provided 2,000 ready-to-eat food packets as part of national relief measures for Assam, which is currently battling devastating floods.

The food packets, sent by IRCTC as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), were received by Antara Gohain, daughter of Rajen Gohain, Minister of State for Railways, a release said.

IRCTC, a PSU of railways, has decided to contribute another lot of food packets to Assam soon.

Earlier too, under CSR, Rail Neer packaged drinking water were sent by IRCTC to the earthquake victims of Nepal, flood-affected Chennai and Jammu and Kashmir and to Male, Maldives, which faced a crisis due to the fire incident in Male Water and Sewerage Company.
It is the collective responsibility of the governments of South Asian countries to make the forthcoming SAARC Summit in Islamabad during November a success, Observer Research Foundation chairman Sudheendra Kulkarni said here today.

"The responsibility of the governments of India and Pakistan is far greater. Therefore, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif should resume bilateral dialogue without any further delay and create a positive atmosphere in the run-up to the SAARC Summit. Failure to do so could result in the Summit becoming a fiasco," Kulkarni said.

Social organisations, NGOs and like-minded individuals have come together to conduct a 'Pre-Independence Day Peace Meeting' for communal harmony, service to humanity, India- Pakistan peace and SAARC solidarity here on August 13, he said.

The meeting will be attended by representatives of organisations including the Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal, Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy, All India Memon Jamat Federation, Save Our Land, Muslim Intellectuals' Forum, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, All India Milli Council and Vidyarthi Bharati, Sadbhavana Sangh.

The meeting is part of the Gandhi-Edhi Campaign, which seeks to spread the message 'Serve Humanity: Promote Indo-Pak Peace' that was dear to two of the greatest stalwarts from either side of the border, Mahatma Gandhi and Abdul Sattar Edhi.

"Both India and Pakistan, along with other SAARC nations, should begin cooperation in combating the common enemy of terrorism and religious extremism. Pakistan should stop making a differentiation between 'bad' terrorists and 'good' terrorists," he said.

The bomb blast at a hospital in Quetta this morning, in which nearly 50 people were killed, is a grim reminder that Pakistan is also a victim of terrorism, Kulkarni told reporters.
Authorities have imposed restrictions banning unlawful assembly in Rajouri town of Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of unrest in Kashmir Valley.

The District Magistrate Rajouri has imposed section 144 of CrPC in municipality limits of the Rajouri Town.

As per the order issued here, no persons will organise, lead unlawful assembly or resort to provocative slogans within the limit of Rajouri Municipality.

However, the restrictions will not be applied to gathering in connection with preparations for Independence Day, marriage, cremation, burial and within the premises of places of worship.

The order will remain in force up to August 17, it said.

Kashmir has been rocked by violent protests, in which 55 persons have died so far, after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on July 8.
Unidentified persons today looted Rs. Three lakh from a retired school teacher from a bank premises under Town police office station area, a police officer said.

The retired school teacher Brajmohan Dube was walking inside the Madhya Grameen Bank premises to deposit Rs. Three lakh after withdrawing the same from the SBI branch when some unidentified miscreants snatched the bag containing the cash from him, Superintendent of Police (SP) Upendra Sharma said.

Dube, a native of Civil Line area of Buxar town, has lodged an FIR in this connection, he said, adding a probe was on and efforts were on to ascertain the identity of culprits on the basis of CCTV footage.
Underlining its commitment for the retrieval of Katchatheevu islet from Sri Lanka, the AIADMK government today told the Tamil Nadu Assembly that the issue was "topmost" on its agenda.

"Retrieval of Katchatheevu back to India and restoration of the traditional fishing rights of Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay area are the topmost agenda of the Government of Tamil Nadu," Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said.

He said the state government had impleaded itself in a case filed by his party supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2008 in Supreme Court in her individual capacity seeking retrieval of Katchatheevu.

Jayakumar also pointed out that the state assembly had twice passed resolutions urging the Centre to retrieve the islet, ceded to Sri Lanka in the 1970s.

In her memoranda submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi three times, Jayalalithaa has "reiterated the need for abrogation" of the 1974 and 1976 Indo-Lanka agreements by which the islet was ceded to it, he said.

The government has also pointed to proposed new constructions at the St Antony's Church at Katchatheevu by the Lankan government and also "substantially stepped up" presence of that country's Navy on the islet.

"The apprehension of the Tamil Nadu fishermen is that the Sri Lankan government is moving towards further curtailing and restricting the access that they have traditionally and historically enjoyed to Katchatheevu," he said.

"The Government reiterates its consistent stand that a permanent solution to this vexatious problem (mid-sea arrests and attacks on Indian fishermen by Lankan navy) faced by our fishermen will be possible only by restoring India's sovereignty over Katchatheevu, thereby restoring their rights to fish in their traditional waters," he said.

On the talks between fishermen representatives of the two countries, aimed at solving the fishing dispute, he said the state government was committed to continuing the process.

Three rounds of talks have been held - two in Chennai (January 2014 and March 2015) and one in Colombo in May 2014.
Amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's denunciation of cow vigilantes, Jaipur police booked a saint and about 60 of his companions after they held a demonstration at statue circle here to protest against the death of cows in Hingonia Cow centre.

"Saint Gopal Das and other members accompanying him violated section 144 of CrPC, which is in force in the area, by staging a protest on Saturday night so a case again them was registered yesterday," Digpal Singh, sub-inspector of Ashok Nagar police station, said.

The case was lodged under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 283 (danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation) of IPC, he said.

The Rajasthan government was under fire from Congress which alleged that 100 cows had died due to "mismanagement and lack of facilities" at the state-run cow shelter and VHP which claimed that more than 500 cows had died.
A city court today extended the judicial custody of Trinamool Congress leader and former West Bengal minister Madan Mitra, an accused in the Saradha chit fund scam, by 14 days.

The order was passed after Mitra's counsel did not press for bail.

The counsel requested the court that Mitra be treated as a division-I prisoner and provided with all necessary medical assistance as he is suffering from various ailments.

The former state transport minister, arrested on December 12, 2014, had surrendered before the court after his bail was cancelled by the Calcutta High Court on November 20, last year.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman has ordered authorities to address "once and for all" the grievances of distressed foreign workers, especially Indians and the Filipinos, stranded in the Kingdom after not being paid for months.

The King, in a series of directives yesterday, ordered the Minister of Labour and Social Development to take necessary measures, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, to oblige companies who have contracts with the government to pay the salaries of their employees in accordance with the government's Wage Protection Programme that ensures workers' salaries are fully paid.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the directive is for the government not to release what it owes those companies unless the Labour Ministry confirms that the companies have paid on time what they owe their employees.

The King['s directives comes amid increasing complaints by workers that they have not been paid their salaries for months.

Construction giant Saudi Oger has been the subject of complaints by thousands of its workers for not paying their salaries for the past nine months.

In one of his directives on Sunday, King Salman authorised the Labour Minister to also immediately address the housing and accommodation services of the distressed workers by contracting with companies that provide such services.

India and the Philippines as well as their communities in the kingdom have rallied behind their compatriots at Saudi Oger by providing them food.

Indian minister of state for external affairs VK Singh also visited Saudi Arabia to resolve the issue.

Currently, a total of 7,700 affected Indian workers are living in 20 camps and the embassy is in the process of collecting information about others residing in different parts of Saudi Arabia.

The King also commissioned the labour minister to coordinate with the Saudi Arabian airlines to transport foreign workers who wish to return to their countries and to charge the cost to their employers.

The Labour Minister is also authorised to contract with legal consultancy agencies to pursue the financial claims of the workers in local courts.

In the case of workers in distress who wish to leave the Kingdom, the King directed the Passport Department to facilitate issuance of final exit visas in coordination with the Foreign Ministry and relevant agencies.

An amount of SR100 million is to be deposited in the Saudi Arab Fund account for use to fulfil the King's orders.

"King Salman also directed Labour Minister to coordinate with the minister of culture and information to highlight the kingdom's efforts aimed at ending the suffering of the distressed workers especially the Indian and the Filipino workers and to ensure that this case was a mere individual mishap by one company and the number of affected workers is insignificant compared with the millions of other expiates who are working in the private sectors in KSA," SPA said.
The number of sex offences in schools in England and Wales reported to police has almost trebled in four years with children as young as five being reported for such assaults, according to a study released today.

UK-based children's charity Plan International found 10 sexual offences on school premises are reported to police in England and Wales on average each school day based on figures obtained from across the country's police forces.

"Girls experience everyday harassment - unwanted touching, groping, namecalling - that goes on day-to-day," said Lucy Russell, UK manager of girls' rights campaigning at Plan International.

"There is an indication that the very heavily sexualised messages that children are getting from online pornography and sexualised videos is impacting on their behaviour, and it is changing the expectations they have around their relationships," she said.

Girls were the victims in two-thirds of cases, and children as young as five were recorded carrying out assaults, the study said.

The charity requested figures under the UK's Freedom of Information Act for arrests for rape and all other sexual crimes in schools from all 45 UK police forces for each of the last four years. Police Scotland declined the request and 10 other police forces did not respond.

Rape, child prostitution and sexual grooming were among crimes reported at schools last year.

The number of reports more than doubled in four years, from 719 in 2011-12 to almost 2,000 in 2014-15, an average of 10 every school day.

Plan International is calling for mandatory sex education in all schools to help tackle sexual harassment and violence.

A UK Department for Education spokesperson said: "Sex and relationship education is already compulsory in all maintained secondary schools and many academies and free schools teach it as part of the curriculum. We are looking at all options to raise the quality of personal, social and health education (PSHE) teaching.
Actor-producer Ajay Devgn says his upcoming film "Shivaay" won't hurt any religious sentiments as the movie deals with human elements of Lord Shiva.

Ajay, who has also directed the movie, said he is not portraying Shiva but a common man, who is a devotee of the God.

"There is no religion (angle in the film). I am not portraying Shiva. If you see my lines also, 'jiske bheetar basa Shivaay', (means) who has Shiva in his heart. In the film also, he is not sitting and meditating and praying. He has got tattoos of Shiva all over his body and he is called Shivaay in the film," the 47-year-old "Drishyam" star said in an interview on the sidelines of the film's trailer launch in Indore.

Ajay said Shiva was the only God who had flaws and that was an interesting concept to toy with.

"The thought is, man who believes in the supernatural power. Shiva, I feel, is the only God which also connects to today's youth. Every other God is flawless, Shiva is the only god with all the flaws.

"He smokes, drink 'bhang', when he gets wild he will kill randomly, then he will realise that he has made a mistake, people can fool him also. He is good by heart.. When he gets violent he is terrible. This is what humans are. Shiva, I feel is the only God which has all the elements," the actor said.

This much-ambitious project took two years to complete and Ajay said the film needed special attention as he didn't want to make "mediocre" stuff.

"I am bored of making films which are mediocre. We have to raise the bar. Somebody has to make an effort. For that you have to make lots of sacrifices. I have not worked for the past two years in any other film."



The actor cut his fee too for the movie as he believed the grand scale of "Shivaay" needed sacrifices from him.

"Technically, people will think I've lost so much of revenue because I've not worked. In a film like this, to make it on this scale, if I would've kept my remuneration as an actor and a director, I don't think that was possible. So, that also I sacrificed."



When asked how did the idea to make "Shivaay" struck him, Ajay said it was writer Sandeep Srivastava who came up with a thought which was inspired from a true incident.

"There was a thought which Sandeep my writer had, which



was inspired from a true incident. Not that I made (the film on) true incident but it was inspired from there, we had read an article. From there, I thought the emotional ground was very strong. It's not about the story, its about the screenplay. So that's how it started."



Ajay is making a return to direction after eight years. His last directorial venture was romantic drama "U Me aur Hum", which had him and wife Kajol in lead roles.

The film didn't do well at the box-office and the actor feels it was because people didn't have an idea about Alzheimer's disease on which the movie was based.

"The kind of response I got for 'U Me aur Hum', here the emotional drama was concerned, you'll see some articles stuck in my office also..It did very well in overseas and urban market.

"But you can't call it a blockbuster because half the country didn't understand what Alzheimer's is."



Meanwhile, "Shivaay" is set to release on October 28. It also stars newcomers Sayyeishaa Saigal and Erica.
The Department of Information Technology and Communication in association with National Institute of Smart Government (NISG) is holding a week-long training programme on 'Champions Skill Enhancement Programme' under the 'Skill India' project in Nagaland capital.

The agenda of the training covers a wide range of topics relating to e-Governance and provided an opportunity for all North-Eastern states to learn and discuss problems of mutual interest, said K D Vizo, Commissioner and Secretary for Information Technology and Communication, Government of Nagaland during the inaugural session here today.

Digital revolution is opening up possibilities for North-East India and the people must get the best of it by setting positive technological vision, he said.

He further stressed on paying more focus on aerial optical fibre cable, wireless and satellite technologies as underground optical fibre is not likely to work properly in landslide-prone areas of North-East region.

Maintaining that digital revolution is opening up exciting possibilities for the region, he said "We must take this opportunity by setting positive technological vision, get the best deal out of it and forge a new progressive technological role for North Eastern region".

Altogether 30 participants from all the North-East states, including Sikkim are participating in the training.
Sterlite Technologies - which builds and manages data networks for telecom companies globally - today announced launch of its Sterlite Tech Academy.

The academy aims to create a certified pool of network professionals in India to enable the creation of smart data network for Digital India, Smart Cities and 4G rollout, a company statement said.

Sterlite Tech Academy would provide trained and certified professionals to the industry for their broadband infrastructure and fibre deployment projects, Anand Agarwal, CEO, Sterlite Technologies said.

"For India to progress to a knowledge-based society, it is imperative that broadband penetration improves. A big challenge to this is the lack of skilled workforce in creation of data infrastructure," he further said.

* * * * * *



SV.CO ties up with FB, offers entrepreneurship programme * SV.CO, a digital incubator for students, has launched an entrepreneurship programme and joined hands with social networking giant Facebook to provide access to its developer teams in California.

Facebook is offering guidance and mentorship to Indian engineering students aspiring to become entrepreneurs through SV.CO, the newly launched digital platform of Startup Village, which has been ranked as India's best startup incubator.

"As part of SV.CO Startup Programme, 50 students will make a six-day trip to California where they will also get an oppotunity to present their ideas to the Facebook team and receive feedback on them," organisers said in a statement in Kochi, Kerala.

Truecaller appoints Tejinder Gill as India Head and VP Sales



* Phone directory app Truecaller today said it has appointed Tejinder Gill as Vice President of Sales and Head of India operations.

He takes over from Kari Krishnamurthy, who will now move to the Stockholm headquarter to lead the global brand initiative, Truecaller said in a statement.

Gill will focus on building monetisation strategies and running the India operations, it added.

* * * * * *



PayTunes partners Delhi's Jabardast HIT 95 FM * City-based radio station Jabardast HIT 95 FM, has partnered with digital audio ad platform PayTunes to build and expand its digital presence.

With this tie-up, Jabardast HIT 95 FM and PayTunes will provide engagement features as well such as in-app actions, contests, etc to their advertisers, a statement said.

Jabardast HIT 95 FM has close to 41 lakh listeners in Delhi-NCR and the PayTunes app currently has around 6 lakh app users.

* * * * * *



Panasonic India launches P71 for Rs 7,490 * Panasonic India today launched a new 4G smartphone -- P71 -- priced at Rs 7,490 in the Indian market.

The dual SIM, 4G VoLTE-enabled smartphone features a five-inch display, 1.25GHz quad core processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB internal memory (expandable up to 32GB), 8MP rear and 2MP front camera and 2,000 mAh battery.

The handset will have a 2GB RAM version available as well for Rs 8,190.
A suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into a large group of army reinforcements in south Yemen today, killing five soldiers, military officials said.

Another seven soldiers were wounded in the attack targeting troops who had been sent from the main southern city of Aden to Lahj province to fight jihadists, the sources said.

A military official said it was unclear whether the attack had been carried out by Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State group, both of which have gained ground in the south and claimed deadly anti-government assaults in the past.

The bombing came hours after clashes between troops and jihadists in Lahj, the military officials told AFP, adding that Saudi-led coalition jets also took part in the fighting.

Also today, suspected members of Al-Qaeda shot dead an army colonel in nearby Abyan province, a military source said.

The gunmen on a motorbike opened fire at Colonel Abdullah Shamba, killing him immediately before driving off, the official said.

Shamba headed a local anti-Al-Qaeda militia in Abyan.

Yesterday, coalition jets attacked Al-Qaeda positions in Abyan's provincial capital of Zinjibar and in the nearby town of Jaar, military sources said.

Government forces backed by the Arab coalition began an all-out offensive in March against jihadists in south Yemen, recapturing main cities they had held.

But they later retreated from Zinjibar after Al-Qaeda militants struck back.

Jihadists have exploited the power vacuum created by the conflict between the government and Huthi rebels and their allies to expand their presence in south and southeast Yemen.

The Arab coalition which backs the Yemeni government against pro-Iran rebels has also turned its sights on the jihadists, and the United States has pressed its drone war against them.

Washington considers the Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP, to be the extremist network's deadliest franchise.
At least 70 people were killed and over 100 injured today when a Taliban suicide bomber struck mourners, mostly lawyers, gathered at a hospital in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province in one of the deadliest terror attacks in the country this year.

The bomber struck over 200 mourners at the government-run Civil Hospital in Quetta where the body of prominent lawyer Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was shot dead earlier in the day, was being brought. Kasi was the president of Balochistan Bar Association (BA) Advocate.

A loud explosion was heard at the emergency department where Kasi's body was brought for an autopsy.

Gunfire followed the explosion. Police said it was a suicide attack where eight kilogrammes of explosives were used.

"No crater found at the site of the attack and it appears the bomber had the explosives strapped to his best," a police officer said.

Bomb Disposal Squad officials also confirmed the explosion was a suicide bombing.

A spokesman for Jamaatul Ahara, a faction of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, said that his faction "accepts responsibility" for the attack in the southwestern city of Quetta and vowed more attacks "until the imposition of an Islamic system in Pakistan".

The head of the provincial health department said, "The death toll has risen to 70 and there are 112 injured." Officials said the toll may go up.

Television footage showed scenes of chaos, with panicked mourners fleeing through debris as smoke filled the corridors of the hospital's emergency ward. Many of the victims were clad in the black suit worn by lawyers.

A contingent of Frontier Corps and police arrived and cordoned off the hospital following the blast, restricting access to the area.

"Today's suicide attack appeared to target Kasi's supporters," Anwar ul Haq, a spokesman for the Baluchistan government, said.

It is the second deadliest in Pakistan this year so far, after a bombing in a crowded park in Lahore over Easter killed 75.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain strongly condemned the attack. Sharif ordered the provincial government to arrest the culprits.

"No one will be allowed to disrupt the peace of the province," Sharif said. He cancelled all prior commitments and visited Quetta.

Two journalists were among the deceased, according to reports.

"This was a security lapse and I am having this personally investigated," Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said.

He described the attack as an "act of terrorism."



Bugti said the impact of the explosion was strong that scores of vehicles and motorbikes that were around the hospital were destroyed.
At least 75 people were killed and 115 others injured today when a Taliban suicide bomber struck mourners, mostly lawyers, gathered at a hospital in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province in one of the deadliest terror attacks in the country this year.

The bomber struck at a time when over 200 mourners had gathered at the government-run Civil Hospital in Quetta where the body of prominent lawyer Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was shot dead earlier in the day, was brought. Kasi was the president of Balochistan Bar Association.

A loud explosion was heard at the emergency department where Kasi's body was brought for an autopsy.

Gunfire followed the explosion. Police said it was a suicide attack where eight kilogrammes of explosives were used.

"No crater found at the site of the attack and it appears the bomber had the explosives strapped to his chest," a police officer said.

Bomb Disposal Squad officials also confirmed the explosion was a suicide bombing.

A spokesman for Jamaatul Aharar, a faction of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, said that his faction "accepts responsibility" for the attack in the southwestern city of Quetta and vowed more attacks "until the imposition of an Islamic system in Pakistan".

"The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ur-Ahrar takes responsibility for this attack, and pledges to continue carrying out such attacks. We will release a video report on this soon," spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan said in an email to media outlets.

Soon after the attack, Prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of army staff General Raheel Sharif reached the city and visited the hospital to take stock of the situation.

Doctors and rescue officials put the death toll at 75 and said the number could increase as the condition of some of the injured was very critical. They said 115 people were injured in the attack.

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said the suicide bomber had blown himself up at the entrance of the hospital as many lawyers and mourners had gathered to receive the body of slain Kasi.

"It was a well coordinated and planned suicide attack with the aim to cause maximum damage," he said.

Bugti said the impact of the explosion was so strong that scores of vehicles and motorbikes that were around the hospital were destroyed.

The dead included a cameraman for a local television channel while another cameraman and reporter of another channel were also wounded in the blast.

Barrister Ali Zafar of the Balochistan bar association said that majority of the dead or injured were lawyers.

He said the former president of Balochistan Bar Association Baz Mohammad Kakar was injured in the blast.

"There was total chaos and fear after the blast at the hospital as people were running and seeking shelter to save their lives," he said.

Police surrounded the hospital and cordoned off the area



after the blast. An emergency was declared in hospitals across Quetta and several injured were shifted to other hospitals for treatment.

The home minister conceded it was a security lapse and investigations would be held into the circumstances leading to the incident.

The troubled Baluchistan province has been hit by terror attacks by militants and separatists who demand more autonomy in the province. Outlawed outfits have also carried out sectarian killings of Shia Hazaras and targeted police and security officials.

Television footage showed scenes of chaos with panicked mourners struggling to leave the scene as debris and smoke filled the corridors of the hospital's emergency ward. Many of the victims were clad in the black suit worn by lawyers.

"Today's suicide attack appeared to target Kasi's supporters," Anwar ul Haq, a spokesman for the Balochistan government, said.

It is the second deadliest in Pakistan this year so far, after a bombing in a crowded park in Lahore over Easter killed 75 and injured over 300.

Prime Minister Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain strongly condemned the attack. Sharif ordered the provincial government to arrest the culprits.

"No one will be allowed to disrupt the peace of the province," Sharif said. He cancelled all prior commitments and visited Quetta.

The provincial government also announced a three-day mourning during which Pakistan's National Flag will remain at half mast on government buildings.

Social networking site Facebook activated its "safety check" feature after the blast in the provincial capital. Officials said mobile phone jammers had been activated around hospitals in the area.

Quetta has also long been regarded as a base for the Afghan Taliban. In May, Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed by a US drone strike while travelling to Quetta from the Pakistan-Iran border.

Pakistan's army chief Raheel Sharif said that all necessary steps would be taken to defeat militancy in the country as he chaired security meeting in Quetta.

He said that attack was an attempt to undermine improved security in Balochistan. He said it was attempt to target China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Raheel ordered intelligence agencies to carry out country-wide special combing operations to target terrorists in the wake of recent terror attack in Quetta.

"All resources to be employed to control situation," he said.

The international community condemned the terror strike.

"On behalf of the US Mission to Pakistan, I strongly condemn today's horrendous and despicable attacks in Quetta, the murder of Bilal Kasi, the Balochistan Bar Association President and the bombing at the Civil Hospital. I extend my deepest condolences to the victims and their families during this time of grief," American Ambassador David Hale said.

The EU also condemned the assault.
Tax refunds of Rs 14,332 crore have been issued this year till August 5, the Finance Ministry said today.

"The Central Processing Centre (CPC) Bengaluru has already issued over 54.35 lakh refunds totaling to Rs 14,332 crore which includes 20.81 lakh refunds for AY 2016-17 (current year returns) totaling to Rs 2,922 crore till August 5, 2016," the ministry said in a release.

The ministry said that over 75 lakh taxpayers availed the facility of e-verification of IT returns this year till August 5 against around 33 lakh taxpayers last year till September 7.

"Of these Aadhar based e-verification was used by 17.68 lakh taxpayers during the current year as against 10.41 lakh taxpayers during the same period in 2015-16," it said.

"In addition to these, 3.32 lakh returns were digitally signed. Thus, over 35 per cent of taxpayers have already completed the entire process of return submission electronically," it added.

The ministry said that in total, 226.98 lakh e-returns had been filed in FY 2016-17 as compared to 70.97 lakh for the same period in FY 2015-16.

It said the revenue department encourages all taxpayers who have submitted their ITRs to use the e-verification as an easy alternative to sending their ITR-V form to CPC, Bengaluru.
Tamil Nadu Assembly today witnessed a war of words between ruling AIADMK and main opposition DMK on several issues, including law and order, Tsunami relief and a plea to include fishermen under marine tribes category in the Scheduled Tribe quota, which saw brief stalling of proceedings.

Trouble started after AIADMK member K Manickam (Sholavandan) said Madurai had witnessed several crimes like murder during the DMK regime, but has now become a 'haven of peace' after Chief Minister Jayalalithaa assumed office.

DMK members, led by party whip R Chakrapani, immediately demanded that Speaker P Dhanapal expunge the remark.

Chakrapani said the remark should either be kept off the record or the DMK legislator's view over it be registered.

Dhanapal said nothing new had been said by the member and urged DMK members to resume their seats. However they continued to voice their demand for some more time.

Later, DMK member KPP Samy said his party chief M Karunanidhi had taken steps 'even at midnight' to bring back fishermen from Sri Lankan custody when he was in power.

He also referred to his party chief's demand that fishermen be named marine tribes under the ST category.

Intervening, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said DMK had no



locus standi to speak on it as they had "slept" over the issue despite sharing power for 17 years with many Central regimes. He said Karunanidhi had even once said fishermen are greedy.

Leader of the Opposition M K Stalin said the Minister may air views, but avoid using words like DMK had no locus standi to speak, to which Jayakumar wondered what the alternative was.

He said 2,489 arrested fishermen and 357 impounded boats had been brought back from Sri Lanka and all efforts were on to get back 102 remaining boats.

Samy dwelt on rehabilitation work done by DMK after the tsunami in 2014 and said they had allocated Rs 1,000 crore for it, to which Jayakumar said that in 2008-09 and 2009-10 (DMK regime) only 26.85 per cent and 6.78 per cent of funds were spent for the work, which was a "betrayal" of fishermen.

The Minister said the CM had allocated Rs 1495 crore for relief work, including housing and insurance components. Such allocation was not spent properly by subsequent DMK regime.

He claimed that during AIADMK regime 99 per cent of funds was spent in 2014-15 and in 2012-13 and 2013-14, 86 per cent and 84 per cent. He and Revenue Minister R B Udhaya Kumar said Tsunami relief and rehabilitation work undertaken by the Chief Minister had come in for praise from all quarters.

She had even sent Tamil Nadu officials to Sri Lanka to guide them on such work based on their request, they said.

Kumar said people knew where the Opposition 'hid' when the Tsunami struck even as Jayalalithaa had led from the front in rescue and relief work.A total of 74,128 houses were built for beneficiaries under Tsunami relief work.
Two persons allegedly involved in narcotics smuggling have been arrested in Rupaideeha area on Indo-Nepal border here.

Mewalal Sahu and Nanku were arrested yesterday by a joint team of Narcotics Control Bureau and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and 'charas' weighing five kg was recovered from their possession, Assistant Commandant, SSB, Nitin Sharma said.

The drugs have a street value of about Rs 75 lakhs, he added.
Newly-appointed UK home secretary Amber Rudd is to decide on the extradition of Tiger Hanif, wanted in India in connection with two bomb blasts in Surat in 1993 following the Babri Masjid demolition, a media report said here today.

The 55-year-old Hanif, an alleged aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was traced to a grocery store in Bolton, Greater Manchester, and arrested by Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant from Indian authorities in February, 2010.

He lost his appeal in the UK High Court in April 2013 following which the case was handed over to then UK home secretary and now Prime Minister, Theresa May, to sign an extradition order.

As part of UK extradition proceedings, he was allowed to make representations to the Home Office and the case has now passed on to May's successor Rudd's desk.

"Further representations have been made to the Home Secretary in this case and they are currently being carefully considered," a UK Home Office spokesperson said.

Hanif, whose full name is Mohammed Hanif Umerji Patel, arrived in the UK illegally in 1996 after skipping bail in India following his arrest over the attacks.

He was allowed to stay in Britain claiming he was a Muslim being persecuted in Hindu-dominated Gujarat and went on to obtain a UK passport in 2005.

According to a report in the Daily Star Sunday, lawyers representing Hanif have received around 200,000 pounds in legal aid or state funds sought by people unable to afford legal costs of their defence.

"The costs to taxpayers of these cases are large enough, without lengthy delays on top causing the bill to balloon. Of course procedures must be followed, but a swift resolution is in everyone's interest, and it'd save taxpayers' money too," Jonathan Isaby, from UK pressure group TaxPayers' Alliance, told the newspaper.

May had firstorderedHanif's extradition to India in June 2012 and his last appeal was heard in the UK High Court in April 2013 when JusticeKenneth Parker said there was "no arguable basis" for not extraditing him.

Justice Parker had said in his ruling, "The information provided in the request describes how, following an attack on a mosque in December 1992, internecine hostilities broke out between the Muslim and Hindu communities in Gujarat.

"The requesting state's case is that the appellant was part of a Muslim group which obtained explosives, guns and other weapons and then carried out revenge terrorist attacks on the Hindu community, including two explosions which resulted in loss of life, injury and damage," he said.

The first explosion was in January 1993 in a market in Surat which killed an eight-year-old girl and the second in April 1993 at Surat railway station.

If the new UK home secretary signs the extradition order, Hanif may take his appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
Two days after Delhi Labour Minister Gopal Rai announced plan for increasing minimum wages by 30-40 per cent, a group of city traders today met him and raised concerns over the government's move.

About 24 representatives of trade and industry bodies met Rai and demanded reconsideration of the plan.

Last week, the minister had said a 13-member advisory committee, which was constituted by the Labour Department in April to revise minimum wages, will submit its report in the next few days.

Subsequently the decision on fixing minimum wages for all working class - unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled - will be taken, he had said.

One of the representatives said they gave examples of neighbouring states where minimum wages are lower than those in the city even at the current levels.

He said increase in minimum wages will hit small manufacturers who would be "forced to relocate".

The last revision of minimum wages in the city was done in 1994.

However, the Labour Department has been notifying increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) twice a year - April and October - which is based on All India Consumer Price Index No (CPIN).
Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley will pay tribute to freedom fighter Ashfaqulla Khan and Jalianwala Bagh martyrs, while Manohar Parrikar and Smriti Irani will visit Cellular Jail memorial and Siachen respectively as part of the 15-day BJP exercise to mark the 70th year of independence.

Their visits will take place after Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicks off the "70 saal azadi-yaad karo kurbani" exercise by visiting revolutionary leader Chandrashekhar Azad's birth place in Madhya Pradesh tomorrow, the anniversary of the Quit India Movement.

Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu will also attend an event at August Krani Maidan in Mumbai tomorrow.

Most events, barring tomorrow's programmes, will begin after the Monsoon Session ends on August 12.

Naidu told a press conference that the 15-day event is driven by five main purposes inlcuding remembering martyrs, infusing patriotism among the countrymen, showcasing the country's diversity and informing people about what the Modi government is doing to usher in "suraj" (good governance).

BJP general secretary Arun Singh said party chief Amit Shah will visit Kakori, a place in Lucknow district known for the train robbery carried out by revolutionaries in 1925.

All 75 Union ministers will visit two places each that are associated with the independence movement and freedom fighters. BJP office bearers will also accompany them or visit other places, Naidu and Singh said.

The Home Minister will also visit the birth place of Birsa Munda in Jharkhand while Jaitley will go to Jammu to pay tribute to Prem Nath Dogra, the Praja Parishad founder who sought Jammu and Kashmir's complete integration with India.

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan will travel to UP to pay tribute to socialist icon Ram Manohar Lohia while his colleague Narendra Singh Tomar will remember first prime minister Jawahalal Nehru in Allahabad.

All the ministers will commemorate other leaders associated with the place and its neighbourhood they visit, Singh said.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani will go to Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, where Mahatma Gandhi lived for years.

Workers of BJYM, the BJP's youth wing, will take out 'Parbhat Pheri' tomorrow morning and a 'Mashal Julus' on August 14 evening.

During 'Raksha Bandhan' on August 18, women ministers will travel to border areas to tie 'rakhis' on soldiers.

Naidu, who is Information and Broadcasting Minister, said monuments associated with the freedom struggle will be illuminated in tricolour and he will also write to media houses to give these events publicity.

Party MPs will carry out 'tiranga yatra' on two-wheelers and speak about 70 steps taken by the government to bring in good government, he said.

Doordarshan and AIR will broadcast speeches of freedom fighters, he added.
The US strongly condemned the terror attack at a hospital in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province and offered assistance to the Pakistani government in its bid to bring to justice the perpetrators of the assault.

"Our hearts go out to the families and other loved ones of more than 60 killed and we wish a speedy recovery to the dozens more injured. The US is committed to our continuing counter-terrorism partnership with Pakistan, and we remain resolute in joining with the people of Pakistan in confronting terrorism in Pakistan and across the region," Josh Earnest WH Press Secretary, said.

"The United States condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks today in Quetta, including the bombing at the Civil Hospital that killed dozens of Pakistanis and wounded many more, and the murder of Bilal Anwar Kasi, president of the Baluchistan Bar Association," the State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau, said.

"We send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, and we offer our assistance to Prime Minister Sharif as his government investigates and works to bring the murderers to justice," she said.

Trudeau said the terrorists targeted a hospital, as well as the judiciary and the media, two of the most important pillars of every democracy.

"The victims at the Civil Hospital, many of them lawyers and journalists, were gathered as free citizens to mourn the murder of Kasi," she said.

"These brutal and senseless attacks only deepen our shared resolve to defeat terrorism around the world, and we will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism," Trudeau said.

At least 75 people were killed and 115 injured today when a Taliban suicide bomber struck them in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province in one of the deadliest terror attacks in the country this year.

The bomber struck at a time when over 200 mourners had gathered at the government-run Civil Hospital in Quetta where the body of prominent lawyer Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was shot dead earlier in the day, was brought.
Anguished over the prospects of missing classes as his school bus was being acquired for Prime Minister's rally in Alirajpur district on Wednesday, a class VIII student has written an emotional letter to Narendra Modi, which prompted the district administration to withdraw their order requisitioning vehicles for the event.

Modi is slated to visit the birth place of revolutionary leader Chandrashekhar Azad at Bhabhra village, and will address a public meeting at Jothrada village near there where he will launch "70 saal Azaadi, Yaad karo Qurbani" campaign.

Devansh Jain, a student of Vidyakunj School, became aggrieved after his teachers told him that school will remain closed on August 9 and August 10 as buses were being acquired by the administration for ferrying people for PM's programme.

In his letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Devansh said, "Is your meeting is more important than school?"

"I have also listened to your addresses in America where a lot of people were present, but they have not come to the venue in school buses".

Describing himself as Modi's fan, Devansh stated that he has never missed the PM's "Mann Ki Baat" radio talk and had even picked up fight with his classmates who were teasing him for following Modi.

He also requested Modi to tell "Shivraj Mama" (as the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is popularly known) not to acquire school buses for the purpose as "you are not like Congress leaders and you have concern for our studies and future".

"If you do so then I will tell with vigour that in the meetings of my Modi uncle, crowd comes on its own and it is not managed," the letter said.

As the letter went viral on social media, an order on the instruction of the district collector was issued by the Joint Collector directing officials to immediately stop acquisition of vehicles/buses for ferrying people for the Prime Minister's Bhabhra visit.

Earlier, the joint collector had issued an order to the school with bus numbers and directed it to provide them to the concerned authorities for sending people to Bhabhra.

Assistant Transport Officer, Sunil Gaud has also issued the order directing officials to acquire vehicles/buses for the law and order purpose for the PM's visit.
Chinese tech and smartphone company plans to launch their air-purifiers in Indian market soon.

"Now, we can say we will launch air-purifiers in India," Xiaomi India head Manu Jain said when asked about products the company was planning to introduce beside mobiles this year.

He, however, did not mention any specific date for the launch or pricing details.

Jain also declined to comment about the launch of Mi TV in 2016.

The compact Mi air-purifier was first showcased in China in November 2015 when it was touted to be priced at around Rs 7,000 based on Chinese pricing.

Air purifiers will be one of the major products beside mobiles and some accessories and Mi Band.

Asked about the target for 2016, Jain said, "we never had targets in Xiaomi."



Without disclosing sales in India in 2015, Jain said in the last four quarters (last two quarters of 2015 and first two quarters of 2016), the company has sold in excess of one million handsets in India.

He said despite focus to stay in online strategy, the company will gradually grow the offline sales, which is at 10 per cent of the total sales with some 5,000 retail dealer footprint.

The company was optimistic about the new budget smartphone Redme 3S and 3S Prime and the handsets would be assembled by their vendor Foxconn, he added.
R Madhavan may have managed to give some good performance both in Bollywood and South film industry, but the actor feels one doesn't get more than one chance to make first impression.

"I have always believed that you never get a second chance to make your first impression. And your style more than your clothes, helps you stand out in a crowd. In today's world, that is the first battle to win," Madhavan said in a statement.

"To me good manners and being genuine matter too, as that helps make the biggest impression. This has always been an important style factor with me," he said.

Madhavan was given the Style Icon of the Year trophy at the Provoke awards yesterday. Chennai's Provoke Lifestyle Magazine celebrated its first anniversary by honouring excellence in different spheres of activity.

The "Tanu Weds Manu Returns" actor also gave away the Pride of India award to Apollo Hospitals Chairman Pratap Reddy.

On work front, the actor said he is busy reading scripts.
Zydus Group firm Cadila Healthcare today said it has acquired Melgain lotion used for treatment of skin depigmentation from Issar Pharma to strengthen its dermatological portfolio.

Melgain will be marketed in India by Liva Healthcare, a specialty division of the group catering to the dermatological segment, Cadila Healthcare said in a filing to BSE.

"Zydus also has an option to launch this product in other global markets where it is not available," it added.

The company, however, did not disclose the financial details of the acquisition.

Zydus Group Deputy MD Sharvil P Patel said: "Dermatology has been a core focus segment... I believe that this acquisition will strengthen our portfolio of derma brands and will leverage our equity in this key segment."



Melgain is used for the treatment of Vitiligo, a chronic skin condition characterised by portions of the skin losing their pigment, Cadila Healthcare said.

Though the reason for the onset of the condition is not known, the most widely accepted view is that depigmentation occurs because Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, it added.

Melgain lotion leads to re-pigmentation in most of the patients, the company said.

"With a strong presence in the hyperpigmentation, acne, haircare and anti-fungal segments, the expansion into the re-pigmentation segment gives Zydus an edge in the fast growing dermatology market which is currently growing at 14 per cent and valued at over Rs 6,000 crore," it added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi seemed to reach out to all political parties in his Lok Sabha address on the passage of the GST Bill, going to the extent of claiming that the event was not just one party's victory. Here are some key statements he made



Is the coconut a fruit or a vegetable? How should it be taxed. This issue went all the way up to the Supreme Court for resolution.
India's greatest archery hope Deepika Kumari failed to deliver when it mattered the most as Russia won a closely-contested quarter-final 5-4 via shoot-off in the women's recurve archery competition of the Olympics.

After the two teams were tied at 4-4, having won two sets each, the Russian trio of Tuiana Dashidorzhieva, Ksenia Perova and Inna Stepanova held its nerves in the shoot-off winning it by 25-23 margin.

Deepika, whose form has been the worst of three Indian archers in the fray, needed to shoot a perfect 10 in the final shot but the highly rated Jharkhand archer could only manage an 8 under floodlights at the Sambodromo arena.

It was mainly because of Laishram Bombayla Devi and Laxmirani Majhi that India gave a stiff competition to the London Olympics semi-finalists.

India lost the first set comprehensively 55-48 before Bombayla and Laxmirani hit perfect 10s in the second set to equalise the scores at 53-52.

India won the third set by 53-50 mainly due to Stepanova getting one of her shots wrong, fetching only 6 points.

Up 4-2, India could have clinched the issue in the fourth set when they needed a perfect score of 30 with their second set of arrows and equalise the Russian team's score of 55 and thereby win by a 5-3 margin having tied the score.

Read our full coverage on the 2016 Rio Olympics



Bombayla and Laxmirani hit the bull's eye and Deepika needed to follow the suit. It was another moment of reckoning where she scored only 9 thereby handing over the set to Russia by a 55-54 margin which enabled them to take the match into the shoot-off round.

Earlier, India had beaten Colombia in the pre-quarterfinal 5-3 to make it to the last eight stage.

The trio of Deepika, Bombayla and Laxmirani will now be a part of the individual recurve event.

In the men's section, India's lone competitor is Atanu Das, who had qualified for the final with an impressive overall position of 5th in the qualifying round.
Commercial Feature is a Business Standard Digital Marketing Initiative.

The Editorial/Content team at Business Standard has not contributed to writing or editing these articles.

For further information, please write to assist@bsmail.in
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is gearing up to attach assets worth more than Rs 6,000 crore belonging to liquor baron Vijay Mallya and his family members in connection with the money laundering probe into the alleged Rs 900 crore IDBI loan fraud case.

The move for the second round of property seizure has picked up momentum after Mallya, who is currently in England, failed to appear before the special court dealing with cases under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Mallya and his associates are alleged to have diverted a part of the loan to some of their offshore businesses in violation of Reserve Bank of India norms.

ALSO READ: India's great offenders: Businessmen on wrong side of the law

A senior official confirmed that the ED has identified some immovable and movable assets, including shares belonging to Mallya and his family members in United Breweries Group and United Spirits Limited that have been pledged with banks. These would be among the assets that would be seized and frozen as part of the ongoing investigation. Some details of pledged shares have been obtained from HDFC Bank and Yes Bank while more such details are expected from other banks soon. The ED had already attached his properties worth about Rs 1,411 crore under PMLA in the case a few months ago. The agency is also in the process of getting a 'proclaimed person' order issued from a special court which will then be forwarded to the ministry of external affairs for getting Mallya extradited from the UK so that he presents himself for the investigation. The ED in June had sought the proclamation notice to be issued against Mallya as he had multiple arrest warrants pending against him, including a nonbailable warrant under the PMLA, and is required to join the investigation in person. The agency has been wanting Mallya to join the investigation in person in its PMLA probe against him and others and has virtually exhausted all legal remedies like seeking an Interpol arrest warrant and getting his passport revoked.

ALSO READ: Five things about banking stocks as you approach RBI monetary policy

The ED had already sought to invoke the India-United Kingdom Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty to have Mallya extradited from Britain.

Mallya had left India on March 2 using his diplomatic passport. The agency has registered a money laundering case against Mallya and others based on a first information report registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation last year.

A Delhi court had on Saturday also issued a NBW against Mallya in a 2012 cheque bounce case saying coercive steps are required to ensure his appearance in the court.

Assets belonging to Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines have already been taken over by banks and put up for auction twice to recover unpaid loans.

However, they have not been able to get any takers. The second auction for Kingfisher House last week proved to be an embarrassment after no bidder turned up for even at a reduced reserve price of Rs 135 crore. Bankers said that they may have to further lower the reserve price-which was set at Rs 150 crore in the earlier auction in March, which had failed to attract any prospective buyer.

The 17-bank consortium, led by State Bank of India, has been trying to sell this property as part of their efforts to recover dues totalling more than Rs 9,000 crore from the airline and had reduced the reserve price by 10 per cent for Thursday's auction.
It is going to be a "long road" for GST implementation, which is likely to be rolled out from April 2018, says a Deutsche Bank report.

According to the global financial services major, though the government would ideally like to launch GST from April 2017, it is unclear whether administrative and technological set-up required to make the transition will be up and running by then.

"Getting all the states ready to implement a nation-wide GST may therefore take more time than what is currently anticipated," Deutsche Bank said in a research note.

Just as small scale enterprises are lesser prepared than big companies to transition into the new tax regime, some states could express their reservation in rolling out the GST from April 2017.

ALSO READ: Why services industry is looking at GST as you would 'look at snake'

"In our view, the GST should be implemented from April 2018, which will give adequate time to various stakeholders (central and various state governments, corporate and small scale enterprises, tax authorities etc) to get ready for transitioning into the new regime," it added. Going ahead, a majority of India's 29 states will have to ratify the Bill. Then, a GST Council (comprising of the Centre and state representatives) will work on designing the final tax framework. This includes arriving at a consensus on the GST rate structure and revenue neutral rate (RNR) rate. After the Council's work, the relevant Bills will be brought back to the Parliament's winter session (November-December) for final approval.

ALSO READ: States and Centre still not on same page on GST rate structure: Chidambaram

Meanwhile, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia has said the government is confident of rolling out the GST regime from April 1 next year, but the deadline may be difficult to meet if resolution of issues like the rate of tax and items to be exempted takes longer.

Stating that the government will do its best to stick to the targetted date of rollout, Adhia said the only concern remains resolution of issues by the GST Council.

"As of now, we are optimistic of achieving the target of April 1, 2017. We have already made a plan for training of 60,000 officials, which has already started. 5,000 officers are already trained. The IT backbone will be ready for testing by January 2017," he said.


Expressing gratitude to all parties for support, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday described GST as a crucial step towards ending tax terrorism besides reducing corruption and black money and said the new regime of indirect taxation will make consumer the king.



The bill was passed by two-third majority, with 443 members voting in its favour and none against in the final vote in Lok Sabha amid AIADMK members staging a walkout from the Lower House.



He emphasised in Lok Sabha that the passage of the GST Constitution Amendment Bill by Parliament was not a victory of any party or government but was everybody's victory as it highlighted the success of the democratic ethos of the country.

Intervening in a debate on Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, Modi asserted that the GST will benefit mainly those states which are considered backward and address the problem of imbalanced development.

He acknowledged that manufacturing states will suffer losses but said they will be compensated. August 8th marks a crucial step towards freedom from tax terrorism, the Prime Minister said, while recalling that this was the day in 1942 when Mahatma Gandhi had sounded the bugle of 'Quit India' which marked a major step towards the country's Independence.

GST can't be seen as a victory of a party or government. It is the victory for democratic ethos of India and a victory for everyone, he said, while noting that the measure was being supported by all parties, irrespective of different ideologies.



The Prime Minister said the new indirect taxation regime, which will subsume 7-13 taxes, will help end corruption as traders will be compelled to give proper bills and the consumer will be the king.



It will also help reduce the problem of black money and lead to generation of jobs by benefitting the small traders and entrepreneurs, he said.



Noting that the GST bill had been firmed up after thorough churning of ideas, Modi humbly expressed happiness that it was being passed through an unprecedented consensus of parties.



He said he had held consultations with his predecessor Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi on the issue.



"Rashtra Niti (national policy) is above 'Raj Niti' (politics)....I thank all political parties, as also state governments run by different parties. We are taking such a decision.. we have reached here after churning in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, 29 states, their representatives and 90 parties. We are putting a stamp on the final decision," Modi said.



Underlining that the development marks the recognition of One India and strengthens this concept, he said, "We are aligning ourselves with new taxation regime.... GST is a new 'moti' (bead) in this 'maala' (necklace)."



He coined the GST in a new manner -- 'Great Step by Team India', 'Great Step towards Transformation', 'Great Step towards Transparency'. Responding to Congress' contention that GST was its idea being implemented by the NDA government, he acknowledged that all political parties and previous governments had contributed to making of the bill.



In this context, he quipped, janam koi de, lalan palan koi kare. Krishna ko janam kisne diya, bada kisne kiya? (somebody may give birth, but someone else may nurture. Who gave birth to Lord Krishna and who brought him up?) At the same time, he said, we do not have 'guroor' (arrogance) that his bill is the perfect one even though so many brains have made an effort which will have results.



It (making of GST) is a result of churning but it is true that we cannot be perfect and it cannot be ensured that in future there would not be any drawback, the Prime Minister said.



Underlining that everyone dreams for Ek Bharat Shreshtra Bharat' (One India, Great India), he said, this is not just a taxation system but all states and the Centre will develop a system where small or big accept it.



He expressed happiness that GST bill was not allowed to be politicised and rather became a national matter.



Responding to questions of Congress as to why he had opposed GST earlier in 2011 as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Modi said he had many apprehensions at that time and had met the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee many times.



As Prime Minister, having experience of Chief Minister, I could easily address the concerns of GST, he said, adding "Experience of Chief Ministership helped in addressing the concerns and in removing many drawbacks." He said there was a crucial need for developing confidence among states as many of them had apprehensions about the Centre compensating them for loss of revenue.



Modi said he had underlined it earlier also that democracy cannot be based on numbers alone but decisions should be taken on the basis of consensus.



"It is true that in Rajya Sabha, the bill could have faced difficulty because of numbers... it is a journey of consensus... and we have to take this journey forward. Therefore, we kept discussion on," he said.



"The important thing is that this should not be decided on majority, we never wanted it...It is our effort to give importance to all views. We know that unprecedented consensus has been created. It helps in strengthing democracy," he said.



Apparently referring to AIADMK which opposed the GST because of certain concerns, the Prime Minister said, "Some people here would be thinking that it should have been this or that way. Despite all, we have made effort to move this forward."



Talking about benefits of GST, Modi said it will usher in simplification of procedures like filling of forms and bring about uniforminity of tax rates and processing.


Pro-Pakistan hacker Afzal Faizal who breached the firewalls of more than a thousand Indian websites in the last two years has come under the scanner of Indian security agencies, five days after he claimed to have got access to the e-payment system of a nationalized bank.

Intel officials said earlier, Faizal restricted his hacking efforts to defacing random websites and teasing Indian techies, but has now stepped up to target websites of the Indian government and critical institution such as banks.

Cyber security experts went into tizzy when on August 2, Faizal claimed to have got access to E-payment gateway of nationalized bank. Officials, however, claim that no financial loss or data leak took place. After the defacement, he also challenged Indian hackers to secure the Indian cyber space as he may target more such critical websites in the future.

ALSO READ: Five things about banking stocks as you approach RBI monetary policy

Similarly, in June this year, he had hacked the websites of the Indian embassy in up to seven countries and defaced them with pro-Pakistan messages as a warning to India.

The hacked websites had an image of a person in a red and black hooded jacket, with a message: "Intruder Here. You got hacked". This included websites of Indian embassies in Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Bucharest (Romania), Athens (Greece), Ankara (Turkey), Mexico City, Sao Paolo and Pretoria.

The hackers also left a message on the front page of the website that read, "Hey Indian Government, Don't Mess with Us."

"Faizal and other members of Pro-Pakistan hacking community have carried out some serious attacks recently. They have hacked several government websites in north-eastern and southern states. They have also made a breakthrough in web security system of banks and educational institutions. They are mocking Indian web security at a time when country is pushing for digital India," a senior officer of central security agency told Mail Today.

He explained that all such attempts are being seriously monitored and as most of these hackers are based out of India. He added that they are being tracked and monitored online. Experts believe that Faizal was also tracked in Dubai recently and may be routing his attacks from South-Asian countries, including Indonesia.

Earlier, Pakistani hackers used to carry mass defacement but now they are more focused on targeting government websites. Even state police websites are being defaced by Pakistani hackers where they post anti-India comments with an image of the Pakistan flag.

However, Indian hackers have taken on the mantle for retaliation and claim a similar large scale attacked will be launched against Pakistan. "He has created nuisance in Indian cyber world and we will destroy their web space," said a hacker, requesting anonymity.

"We had tracked Faizal and even got his accounts blocked in past but now we are working on getting access to their critical establishment and will expose their security by hacking their bank accounts and websites on August 15 and celebrate our Independence Day," the hacker told Mail Today.

Cyber security experts say that attacks coming from Pakistan are alarming, but believe that it is the handiwork of youngtechies. "These are nationalistic hacker groups and they flaunt each successful hack. But, the damage they could create should not be ignored. Each attack on government websites or banks should be treated seriously, which unfortunately is not being done at the moment.

Indian hackers have informed about several vulnerabilities in Indian banks, which have not been patched yet," Kislay Chaudhary, a cyber security analyst and CEO of Indian Cyber Army said.

Another cyber crime expert, Deep Shankar believes that recent hack attempts are just warm up before Independence Day. "India and Pakistan's Independence Days, which fall on August 15 and August 14 respectively, has seen mass defacement the past few years. My analysis shows that Faizal is still carrying out random attack and they are not targeted," he said.


Of the 20 million users of its massive open online courses (MOOCs), 1.6 million are Indians. Sonal Khetarpal talks to Julia Stiglitz, VP, Coursera, the world's largest online learning provider. Excerpts:

In the MOOCs space, how does the Indian market differ from more developed nations such as the US?

The average age of people taking the courses in India is younger, unlike in the US. We have a lot of learners who have just finished college and are in the early stages of their career. Another difference is that Indians take up courses that help them with their career, whereas in the US people use online learning platforms for enrichment courses on poetry, culture and such. Based on this, we have started partnering with corporates such as Axis Bank to help their employees with skill building and creating a culture of learning in the workplace.

What are the changes brought in to the course modules over time?



Earlier, there were modules that were 60 weeks long; now the duration of courses has been reduced to four weeks. This change is necessary as people pursue online courses on the sidelines of their full-time job or college. Also, for ease of use, it is important that all the videos are mobile-friendly so users can access the content from their phones on the go.

How keen are women learners to pursue MOOCs in India?

24 per cent of learners in India are women, and that number can really grow. What is interesting is that the top three courses women take are Computer Science, Business and Data Science - no different from the top course categories in India. In fact, women feel a sudden rise in their confidence after taking MOOCs. One of the learners Gauri Jha, a mother of two kids, turned to Coursera to overcome boredom and inactivity. She took a few courses such as 'Learning How to Learn' and 'How to Write a Scientific Paper', and was able to submit a research paper related to Bioinformatics to an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) recognised journal. She now aspires to do a PhD.


Shares of pharma major Wockhardt pared some losses after falling over 16 per cent in trade on Monday after the US health regulator banned import of products manufactured at its Ankleshwar plant for non-compliance of manufacturing norms.



The stock hit an intraday low of Rs 870.00, down 16.73 per cent on the BSE, but settled the day 10 per cent lower.



The company's Ankleshwar plant manufactures bulk drugs, the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) said in a notice on its website.

ALSO READ: Five things about banking stocks as you approach RBI monetary policy

The import alert has been issued under 'Import Alert 66-40', which authorises the health regulator "detention without physical examination of drugs from firms which have not met drug GMPs".

Already the company's two plants at Chikalthana and Waluj have been banned from exporting drugs to the US by the health regulator.

In November 2013, the US FDA had imposed restrictions on import of medicines produced at the company's Chikalthana plant at Aurangabad in Maharashtra.

Earlier in May, the US FDA had also issued an import alert on the company's Waluj facility which makes injectables and solid dosages.
Consider this scenario. A dominant world power forces all other countries to sign a treaty acknowledging that its IPR will be respected. It then creates laws allowing its citizens to register food grain grown in other nations as original inventions in its own country.

The world power now uses the IPR treaty to force these countries to pay its companies if they want to eat food grain anymore. This is no silly Hollywood B movie. This is TRIPS for you and if you think paying American companies royalty for the privilege of eating rice in India is a fantastic notion, Google for the RiceTec case. I am not here to engage in US bashing. I am merely demonstrating to you that at a very basic level, there is something deeply immoral about the idea that elements of nature, or indeed knowledge itself, can be 'owned'.

It really comes down to what we believe can be 'owned' by an individual. We are accustomed to the idea that land can be privately owned. One hundred years ago, this was certainly not so for the forest dwelling people of Madhya Pradesh. In this, they were not alone.

Native Americans found the idea outrageous. How can anyone 'own' the earth, the sky, the rivers, the birds, the beasts? They could not understand how they could be forced to 'keep off the white man's land'. It wasn't because they were tribal nomads. South Africans have no trouble with the idea that entire savannah grasslands, and the lions that live on it, can be privately owned. Not so Indians.

Can a company own the tigers of Corbett National Park? Indians still cannot accept that rivers can be privately owned. You couldn't sell the Narmada if you wanted to. If you think about it, what can or cannot be owned is a perfectly arbitrary ideological construct. There is nothing obvious about the idea of IPR.

Naturally, not all manner of IPRs raise this issue in quite the same way. Since I don't have a book to write here, I will confine myself to Patents. The US Supreme Court, for instance, has ruled that only three subjects are not patentable: laws of nature, natural phenomenon and abstract ideas. That does not prevent you from patenting a Liger if you can get a lion to love a tiger. Don't laugh. Ligers only exist in captivity but there are mules in this world. If the Americans had been around when they first showed up, the Indian Army would be paying the Americans royalty to haul up supplies to Siachen.

Part of the problem is the way IPR laws operate. Most of us men of business see ownership of land as a store of value, and if we are wise, a revenue stream. The difference between us and the forest dweller is not that they don't have 'income' from land. The difference is that we believe we can prevent others from using land we own without paying us for the privilege. It's the same with knowledge. Knowledge brings revenue but there is nothing 'natural' about recognising the right to prevent others from using that same knowledge for free.

When you set up a system of exclusive ownership, the heart of the moral issue general revolves around who you exclude. When open pasture lands were sealed off under new English law in the early 1700s as part of the Enclosure Movement, those engaged in agriculture appropriated the right to economically exploit land to the exclusion of herders, thus impoverishing them. When the British established the Indian Forests Act, they suppressed the community rights of those who lived in or around the forests and cut off their resources. The extent to which any society supports IPR determines the extent to which certain excluded classes are impoverished, and forced to pay for things that were formerly freely available to them. IPR is a kind of expropriation, however you look at it. How do you justify that?

Generally speaking, IPR is defended most often on the basis that it promotes human welfare through economic advancement. We view IPR from the prism of their economic outcomes. Is protecting IPR more economically efficient? Will it bring better and faster innovation? Will the profits from this round of innovations more efficiently fund the next round of innovations? In making these economic calculations, we do not concern ourselves with the morality of appropriating knowledge in the first place. That is the heart of the moral issue around ownership of IPR. The results sometimes can be very disturbing. Let's take some examples.

The first world has been very quick to grant agriculture patents to food companies engaged in the genetic engineering of new varieties of food. These companies have forced farmers to buy seeds from them year after year, preventing them from using part of the produce of the previous year as seed for this year, even though they have last year's produce (which is much cheaper) sitting in their store.

This has delivered control of the food chain to food companies, increasing the food insecurity of those who engage in small scale farming and cannot afford to buy these high priced seeds. In turn, small scale farmers have been compelled to use lower yielding seeds, increasing their per unit cost of production squeezing them out of the market and into a cycle of subsistence production. The immorality of the situation is grounded in the fact that these seeds were not created from thin air. Agricultural companies took seeds that occur in nature, seeds in which all farmers have a collective community right, and then genetically modified them to yield more, or be more disease resistant. Over a period of time, because of the increased profits, the original 'naturally occurring' seeds disappear from stock leaving only the GM seeds behind. In this way, nature's gift comes under exclusive private ownership. Thus are community rights converted to individual rights to the exclusion of the very community that owned those seeds.

This problem has now become much bigger than GM foods and threatens many common cultural rights. Indian grandmothers have a motherlode of home remedies passed down from generation to generation: turmeric as skin conditioner, neem as insect repellent, cloves as analgesic, and so forth. The law as it stands today allows innovators to modify these substances, or add them to others to create a cocktail which they can then claim as new and therefore protectable IPR. What belongs to everyone does not of course belong to anyone so a movement to combat this appropriation is always weak. We are witnessing a phenomenon where common knowledge is being progressively appropriated by companies. The larger problem though is that legal procedures prescribed to fight off such attacks have two built in biases: (a) those without a generous budget are shut out of the redressal system, and (b) the conceptual framework of what is good 'evidence' to 'prove' the existence of prior traditional knowledge is heavily located in a paradigm foreign to indigenous communities. In this paradigm, knowledge is only knowledge if it exists in a journal or a database or is otherwise recorded somewhere. You goose is cooked if your grand mum didn't go to school or faithfully publish her remedies in Good Housewife when she had the chance.

This moral hazard becomes particularly prickly when we deal with health-related issues. Let us assume that a devastating epidemic hits the globe. It is found that a patented drug is capable of combating the disease but costs a very great deal of money. Should we allow the patent holder to earn super profits as the formulation flies off the shelf and into the blood stream of wealthy sufferers, even as millions die because they haven't the price of the remedy? Whose welfare are we talking about here: the rich, the unwashed millions or the corporate shareholders of pharma companies? You could argue the Social Darwinism case. You could argue that even if 20 per cent of humanity die, the other 80 per cent who could afford the drug profit from the pro-research incentive regime we have because it will guarantee that another drug will be available when the next epidemic comes around. But is it really just a numbers game? Are the poor what they are because they are too dumb to do better? Or is it all about access to education and training?

At the end of the day, it comes down to a simple question: Does everyone have fundamental rights, or is there some sort of financial caste system in place by which, the variety of rights we can claim depends on our purchasing power? Are all human beings entitled to basic food, healthcare, dignity and respect? Or do we need to buy these basic rights? There are no simple answers here because in life, nothing is free: someone somewhere always pays the bill. What makes the IPR issue particularly prickly is the idea that someone didn't lose his life because no one wanted to foot a medical bill; he lost his life because someone else needed to turn a higher corporate profit a great deal more than he needed to live.



The author is Managing Partner of the Gurgaon-based corporate law firm N South. His bestselling expose' of the real world of Indian courts "Legal Confidential", released in November 2015.
Health Insurance in India has come a long way since 1986 and it is one of the fastest growing segments in the non-life Insurance Sector.Increasing disposable incomes, more awareness about health has lead to a sea- change in the people's attitude towards health-care. This coupled with the advancements in health-care industry has pushed the health-care costs compelling people to look for health insurance. Today health insurance has become a necessity next only to food, clothing and shelter.The health insurance portfolio of the non-life insurance industry is growing at an accelerated pace and occupies second position in terms of the premium turnover. The portfolio is expected to touch Rs50000 crs by 2020.Sensing the importance of this portfolio the Indian insurance Regulator IRDAI has issued separate guidelines / Regulations for the conduct of Health Insurance Business.

One important question in every persons mind who wants to take a Health Insurance policy is, what is the Right / necessary amount of coverage one should have?

There is no single answer for this question. "One-size fits all "will not apply here. The amount of health insurance required should be driven by each individual's need and affordability. Having said this we can provide a broad guideline which a person can follow to decide on the amount of health insurance he/she needs.

Understanding and assessing ones need:

1. Who is to be covered - Coverage for self, family including parents? - In case of family coverage one can opt for floater basis.

2. Present Health condition of the family members intended to be covered

3. Family history of any disease or illness. If the family history is positive for any major disease then a Critical illness rider can be thought of.

4. City in which he resides. Because, cost of health care will vary from city to city.

5. Any coverage provided by employer/ government? If yes then personal purchase of health insurance can be in excess of this amount.

6. Affordability, i.e., the amount he can spare towards Health Insurance premium.

7. Dependence on other family members

Market exploration:

Next step would be to check the market as to the products offered by different companies. Price comparison and comparison of exclusions and coverage should be made. Though this can be self-instructed approach there are web-sites that provide such information. Help can also be taken from the intermediaries.

Combining both aspects mentioned above one can reasonably arrive at the type of coverage as well as the amount of coverage:

1. A person living in metro city wanting to cover the entire family including parents can opt for a family floater cover with a fairly reasonable sum insured, say Rs10lacs, provided the premium is affordable. It is not a wise proposition for such a person to go a low sum insured say Rs2lacs as the very purpose of taking health insurance is defeated- he and his family would not be protected fully. Remember scant protection is just as bad as "no protection" at all.

2. Where there is cover provided by his /her employer then the person can opt for a "top-up" product which will provide higher protection at reasonable cost.

The above broad points can assist a prospective buyer to choose the type of health insurance and the quantum as well. Having decided on the type of policy and the amount of insurance the next step would be apply for insurance.

The application form (also called as the Proposal Form) for health insurance is an important document and care needs to be taken to fill this truly and completely. Questions relating to existing problems should be answered truthfully. If facts are not fully revealed or information provided is wrong then it can go against the policyholder - when in need the health insurance policy may not stand by you!

After crossing the first stage of taking a health insurance policy it is very important to stay connected - by enhancing the amount of insurance at renewal. Many purchasers of health insurance fault here- the sum insured is very rarely revisited. Unless this is done one runs the risk of not being adequately protected.

By, V. Jagannathan, Chairman-cum-managing Director Star Health and Allied Insurance


Vector Consulting, a Mumbai-based management consulting firm, follows the 'Theory of Constraints' model for providing solutions to management and strategic issues of its clients. Kiran Kothekar, Founding Director, Vector Consulting Group, spoke to Business Today. Excerpts:



Q. What are the trends you see happening in the consulting space in India?



A. How the consulting companies are organised, the bouquet of services they offer and their engagement models have remained relatively unchanged over the past 50 years. Management consultants prefer to restrict themselves to proposing recommendations as they believe decision making in their client organisations are not under their control and therefore embroiling themselves in implementations is risky. They prefer to leave the onus of the actual implementation to clients.

This 'advisory' model works for large cash rich multi-nationals, public sector companies or governments who can afford it even if expensive recommendations do not fructify into expected outcomes. But family-owned companies, especially in the below 500 cr category, are wary of spending huge amounts as upfront commitments. This has meant that despite the fast growth of consulting in the country, consulting penetration remains relatively poor in the country.

So over the last few years, there has been increasing demand for a 'skin-in-the-game' model of consulting with fees linked to actual implementation, results and sustainability. Companies would like consultants to not only give them strategic direction but also handhold implantations since the challenges and surprises thrown up during implementation have become fairly complex. Without overcoming these effectively, they cannot realise the benefits of these very expensive recommendations.

Q. In the companies you are working with, do you see any influence of global management thinking/patterns creeping in?



A. In the past two decades, top management across the world is grappling with a different environment, an unstable one, which is not remotely predictable. For example, no one was able to foresee the drop in oil prices or the 2008 crisis. This is resulting in budgets going haywire and forecasts behaving erratically. The conventional theories of management are based on assumption of a machine world, which can be predicted fairly well, with enough data. I think the conventional management approach of making a long-term forecast, converting it into a budget and driving down accountability with static targets and incentives is a misfit for managing in the so-called 'VUCA world'.

Q. In India, management consulting is dominated by the big multinational companies. How is Vector facing up to the challenge?



A. Our assignments are large-scale multi-year transformation projects, with many of our clients in the Rs 2,000-crore-plus size. This was supposed to be the core market for large MNC players. The fact that we are doing such large projects is a testimony of our capabilities. We have been able to create a market of our own due to a different engagement model, which is a true 'skin-in-the-game' model - recommendationn-thin and implementation-thick both in terms of time and payouts. More than 40 per cent of our total revenues come from variable fees linked to actual improvement in operations and to real bottom line results of clients. Therefore if the results do not start accruing from the stipulated period, Vector stands to lose as well. More and more companies find real value in this offer and much of the work comes to us through referrals.

How does it work?

A. Let me explain with an analogy. If there is an enormous rock in your path, the easiest and simplest way to remove it is by using a crowbar or a metal rod to pry it out of the way. But for the best results the rod had to be wedged against the rock at one particular point (the fulcrum) which can give you maximum leverage. Our study phase involves identifying this point of leverage for a company, where any intervention will be rewarded with disproportionate results. Further, we work only in select industry segments - consumer goods, retail, textile, auto, equipment manufacturing, engineering & construction - where we have high domain knowledge and experience. Most companies experience a growth of approximately 15-30 per cent after Vector's implementation even if the market they are operating in is stagnating and/or even if they already market leaders.

Q. Are you planning to get into any new areas in the near future?



A. The need for expansion comes when the current market is inadequate for risk-free growth. We feel that with our model and offering, the Indian market itself is big enough to secure our growth rate for quite a few years to come. We have just touched 75 companies, while there are over 500 who would be interested in our model. It is a conscious call to stay focused on India and exploit the market potential before we look at other markets.
Headquartered in the US, Otterbox cases protect mobile devices and claims to survive the toughest environments. The cases for mobiles and tablets undergo a 238-hour and 24-test inspection before hitting the stores. They come with Drop Certified Drop+ Protection. With the company focusing on the Indian market, Srishti Bakshi, Marketing Manager APAC, Otterbox, shares her plans with Business Today's Nidhi Singal to manufacture Otterbox cases for Indian smartphone brands too.



Q. Otterbox cases are listed on popular e-commerce platforms in India. But are these cases officially available in India?

A. Yes, OtterBox cases are officially available in India. We have three authorised distributors in India - Tirupati Marketing Co (TMC), Lucky Star, J.S. Equipment for offline channels. Our cases are available on e-commerce platforms, including Flipkart and Amazon India.



Q. Do you plan to sell Otterbox products through your own website as well?

A. Yes, all OtterBox products are available on www.otterbox.asia



Q. Is the demand for Otterbox accessories more for the iPhone or for Samsung products?



A. Regionally, we work closely with different OEM partners. We have a very good relationship with OEM manufacturers and have cases for most market-relevant flagship devices. For the Indian market we have high demand for both Apple and Samsung cases.

Q. Is Otterbox open at manufacturing cases for Indian smartphone brands as well?

A. Absolutely, we are in talks with all major Indian OEM manufacturers. India is one of our fastest growing market and we have seen great response to our products online and offline. This year, we will be expanding our offline presence across the region. We are truly humbled by the value Indian customers find in our products.

Q. How long does it take from designing to manufacturing an Otterbox case?



A. We have launched some very successful cases. A recent example is a case studded with Swarovski crystals in partnership with Swarovski. It could take a month to half a year in just designing a perfect case and a lot depends on who we partner with, whether it is a designer or an OEM or a strategic partner like Swarovski.

Q. What kind of warranty or guarantee do OtterBox cases come with?

A. All our accessories come with one-year warranty from the original date of purchase. If the material or workmanship defect arises with regard to any OtterBox product, we either repair it using new or refurbished parts or replace the product with a new or refurbished OtterBox product.

Q. The Indian accessory market is already cluttered with many branded and unbranded accessories. How do you plan to gain market share?



A. Asia has welcomed us with open arms, and so we have begun to create several products that are specially designed for this region, with its markets, in mind. We will continue to expand into the markets and have already started building relationships, growing our online presence on e-commerce platforms and will work towards creating flagship offline stores. We will also be developing our B2B business, which means working with other businesses to make sure they have the protection they need.
In what appears to be a reconfiguration of its cancer care infrastructure, Apollo Hospitals has announced that it is now "converting its cancer management infrastructure into an independent functional entity, Apollo Cancer Institutes."

Apollo Hospitals Chairman Dr Prathap C. Reddy and Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of the group, shared this at a press conference in Hyderabad recently. Cancer care has apparently become a huge set up within the group and covers nine cancer hospitals. Responding to a question from Business Today, Preetha Reddy said that typically a fourth, if not as many as a third, of all Apollo patients seek cancer treatment.

While the hospital does not have a number to share on the revenue contribution from cancer treatment, Preetha Reddy says, "We don't have an offhand cancer on this but my guesstimate is that probably 20 to 22 per cent of the hospital division revenues are coming from cancer care simply because a lot of medical tourism work is coming from oncology." At the moment, there is not going to be any separate financial reporting for the new entity in cancer care.

"The financial reporting of cancer institutes will take a little bit more time because AHEL (Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited) is one single entity and right now we only have pharmacy which is reported separately but the centres of excellence are all part of the hospitals division. Right now, it is hospitals and pharmacies," says Preetha Reddy.

A press release said that "apart from creating independent institutes, Apollo has networked these institutes to leverage the strengths of all its specialists and the technology across the country." It further gives details of the hospitals: "Apollo Cancer Institutes in Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bilaspur, Bengaluru and Madurai are all part of this new initiative and all of them work on a common platform using standardised protocols to ensure uniform standards."

A large group of doctors from the group's 650 to 700 strong oncology team was present at the event. Some of them talked of the focus now in providing precision oncology and the use of new radiation techniques like True Beam, Novalis Tx, Tomotherapy and Proton Therapy. Apollo is now investing in new proton therapy in Chennai and this, Dr Prathap Reddy said, will provide latest technology at lower costs than abroad.


Visa have released their latest Irish Consumer Spending Index (CSI) which points to further growth of spending in July.

Expenditure across all payment types (cash, cheques and electronic payments) was up +6.4% year-on-year, a further solid expansion and one that was slightly faster than seen in June (+6.0%).

Household spending has risen throughout the 23 months of the series so far, with the latest increase quicker than the average over this period.

The figures show that spending via eCommerce categories continued to drive the overall increase in expenditure with spending rising +9.9% year-on-year during July.

That said, this was the slowest expansion since March. High street expenditure, meanwhile, rose at a faster pace than in June (+4.8% from +1.9%), with growth also sharper than the average for this series so far.

On a sectoral basis, Recreation & Culture categories once again signalled the fastest rise in spending and was the only sector to post a double-digit expansion in July (+11.5% year-on-year).

Rates of growth in the Household Goods, Transport & Communication and Health & Education sectors also dipped from June, but remained solid.

Meanwhile, improved rates of expansion were seen in the Food, Beverages & Tobacco, Clothing & Footwear and Hotels, Restaurants & Bars categories, with the former posting its strongest increase since February.

Ireland Country Manager at Visa, Philip Konopik said, "While there is some economic uncertainty at the moment, we have not seen an impact on Irish consumer expenditure as yet with household spending continuing to rise."

He added, "The overall rate of growth in July was slightly stronger than the 23-month series average and all sectors saw an increase in spending during the month."

Source: www.businessworld.ie

About us
A 38 million financing package for the construction of two wind farms in county Kilkenny have been concluded this week.

Ballybay was acquired by Gaelectric in 2015, whereas Foyle is being managed by Gaelectric on behalf of Art Generation Limited. Both wind farms, together with Cnoc Wind Farm near Grange in Co. Tipperary, comprise the Blanchfield Cluster which feeds into a 34 MW underground grid connection located near Thurles in Co. Tipperary.

Ballybay Wind Farm, located near Tullaroan in Co. Kilkenny, will comprise six Enercon turbines and will generate 13.8 MW of electricity, sufficient to meet the demand of approximately 9,300 homes. Foyle Wind Farm, located approximately 2.5km to the south east of Ballybay, will comprise four Enercon turbines and will generate 9.6 MW of electricity, sufficient to meet the demand of approximately 6,500 homes.

Both wind farms will become operational during the second quarter of 2017.

Each wind farm will operate in the market under the management of Gaelectric Trading and Market Services (GTAMS) under 15-year service agreements. Gaelectrics energy markets division, GTAMS, offers bespoke management services tailored to the requirements of individual projects including asset development, regulation, market modelling, portfolio management, energy trading and risk management.

Gaelectric Chief Operating Officer, Barry Gavin said, "We acquired our interests in the Blanchfield Cluster around the middle of 2015. We are very pleased to have concluded financing agreements to fund construction just 12 months later."

Source: www.businessworld.ie

About us
Data published by the Irish government on Friday suggests that Irish housing output is continuing its recovery from exceptionally low levels.

In the first six months of the year, 5,124 housing units were commenced across the country, up 41% on a year earlier. Completions amounted to 6,642, up 18% year on year (yoy).

Construction growth is occurring across the country. Indeed, when looking at the trends in commencements, Dublin (+24% yoy) witnessed the slowest rate of growth in the opening six months of the year.

The fastest growth was in the Mid-West (+120%) of the country but these numbers are coming from an exceptionally low base. In total, the Greater Dublin Area accounted for 54% of commencements but 43% of completions in the first six months of the year.

According to Goodbody Stockbrokers, "The trends so far suggest that our 14,000 forecast for the full year may be achieved, but this remains a long way from the 30,000 annual estimate of demand."

They added, "The recent housing plan announced by the government should help in achieving this target, but this will not happen overnight. As a result, we expect upward pressure to remain on house prices in Ireland."

Source: www.businessworld.ie

About us
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell OConnor today joined forces with leading Irish owned IT services and networking company, Arkphire, to highlight the importance of having a strong local IT sector to support the growing numbers of foreign direct investment companies, now locating in Ireland.

The 2015 IDA Annual Report cited the introduction of thirteen new foreign direct investment companies into the country. Arkphire directly supports nine FDI companies, including such high profile customers as Indeed, Lidl and UBER.

This business has enabled Arkphire to achieve annual revenues of over 55 million and employing 71 people to date.

The company is gearing for further growth in supporting the multinational sector in Ireland and has ambitious plans to achieve 50% in revenue and profitability by the end of 2017 with a further 35 people to be recruited over the next two years.

Arkphire's success to date has been built largely on the companys ability to service the IT needs of multinational enterprises, providing a range of services from IT procurement through to infrastructure build and managed services.

Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor commented, "Arkphire is a great example of the positive knock on effect that follows when foreign direct investment is announced. New jobs emerging from FDI organisations are in turn leading to new jobs in local indigenous companies  which remains the largest growth area in the Irish jobs market."

She added, "Local specialist IT services companies, such as Arkphire, play a very positive role in enhancing Irelands reputation as an effective place to do business, offering world class solutions in terms of skills, products and services to support incoming enterprises."

Source: www.businessworld.ie

About us
A new report has been launched by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EFGSN) on the Future Skills Needs of the Biopharma Industry in Ireland.

The sector employs over 28,000 people and creates significant secondary employment in construction and other services when investment in new plants is under way.

A significant number of Biopharma investment announcements have been made recently by IDA Ireland across the regions with a potential capital value in the order of 4 billion.

The report anticipates that 8,400 potential job openings will arise in the Biopharma industry in the period to 2020, between expansion and replacement demand.

The Expert Groups report suggests that the quantity of skills supply required to meet the needs of the industry should be available, through a mix of graduate intake, upskilling of those seeking employment and continuous professional development of those already working in the sector.

The Minister for Training Skills and innovation, John Halligan today commented, "The Biopharma industry provides a range of excellent employment opportunities across all levels of the manufacturing process, from technicians, engineers, and scientists, to management and support staff. I would encourage students to consider the many rewarding career opportunities available in this growing industry."

Source: www.businessworld.ie

About us
Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams

Airbnb, a popular home-sharing service, is looking to improve service for both its hosts and its customers in the Bronx.

The company has begun supporting Bronx home sharing clubs in an effort to bring hosts together while bettering the service.

Home sharing clubs are groups of hosts who come together to discuss better ways to serve guests, discuss ideas for community outreach and notify Airbnb representatives how they can aid their hosts.

According to Airbnb, there are approximately 500 Bronxites using Airbnb to share their homes.

On July 28, seven hosts in the Bronx held the Bronxs second home sharing club meeting to share their hosting experiences and encourage hosts who are little newer to home sharing.

Eric Smith, a 41-year resident of the Bronx, has been home sharing for about seven years.

Smith had always recommended Airbnb to others but had been using other home sharing services.

He finally began using Airbnb this year.

Smith said he had previously tried other methods of additional income such as renting out apartments.

He said at one point he was renting to 30 people at once and was having issues collecting rent.

Its a heck of a feeling when you come home and theres thirty people ducking you, he said with a chuckle.

Smith explained home sharing is another way to get additional income without having to chase people down for rent.

Through the Airbnb app, customers can view a space at which they want to stay and must pay in full before booking the space.

Smith acknowledged that he uses the service for the extra income but he also said he enjoys the feeling of home sharing.

He said he currently has a family from Holland staying at his apartment and by the second day everybodys family.

Like Eric, other Airbnb users are thankful for the extra income, claiming it helps them stay in New York City.

According to Airbnb, as of June 1 the median annual earnings for a Bronx host is $4,280. In addition, Airbnb said that as of June 1 there are 175 Bronx residents renting their entire home through the company and 354 residents renting a private room or shared space.

Airbnb has been in the news lately as New York legislators are moving to put stricter regulations on home sharing.

Currently, it is illegal to rent multi-unit buildings without a present tenant for less than 30-days.

Lawmakers in Albany passed a bill, pushed by Assemblywoman Linda B. Rosenthal, that would bring a fine of $7,500 to Airbnb hosts who rent these apartments

The bill would also make it illegal to advertise these apartments on Airbnb.

Lawmakers claim allowing services like Airbnb to go unregulated allows landlords to keep affordable housing off the market and circumvent housing laws.

Rosenthal said when apartment owners rent space through Airbnb that is set aside as affordable housing, it causes an apartment shortage, while at the same time increasing prices of rentals on the market.

According to Josh Meltzer, New York Head of Public Policy for Airbnb, the company feels the bill hurts people who are only sharing the homes they live in and trying to make extra money to afford the NYC cost of living.

Its plain and simple  this bill is an attack on tens of thousands of hardworking, middle class New Yorkers  including hundreds of Bronx residents  who share their homes to make ends meet, said Meltzer. It is impossible to take seriously arguments to the contrary when it would have been very easy to draft the bill in a way that differentiated between middle class people sharing their permanent home and the commercial operators who run illegal hotels.

Airbnb representatives say they are working to take down listings which violate New York state law.

Rosenthal acknowledged the effort but said Airbnb could do take down the listings in a more faster and more efficient manner.

She also said the bill is not meant to attack homeowners who are trying to make a little extra cash but it is meant to go after commercial entities who are trying to cheat the affordable housing market.

The assemblywomans bill is currently before Governor Cuomo. It was sent to him approximately 20 days ago.

According to New York State law, if the governor does not sign or veto a bill within 30 days, it becomes law.
This is a key housing market to follow since Phoenix saw a large bubble / bust followed by strong investor buying.



Inventory was up 3.3% year-over-year in July. This is the fifth consecutive months with a YoY increase in inventory, following fifteen consecutive months of YoY declines in Phoenix. This could be a significant change.



The Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS) reports (table below):



1) Overall sales in June were down 1.8% year-over-year.



2) Cash Sales (frequently investors) were down to 19.7% of total sales.



3) Active inventory is now up 3.3% year-over-year.



More inventory (a theme in 2014) - and less investor buying - suggested price increases would slow sharply in 2014. And prices increases did slow in 2014, only increasing 2.4% according to Case-Shiller.



In 2015, with falling inventory, prices increased a little faster - Prices were up 6.3% in 2015 according to Case-Shiller.



Now inventory is increasing a little again, and - if this trend continues in Phoenix - price increases will probably slow in Phoenix. Prices in Phoenix are up 1.5% through May (about a 3.6% annual rate) - slower than in 2015.





July Residential Sales and Inventory, Greater Phoenix Area, ARMLS Sales YoY

Change

Sales Cash

Sales Percent

Cash Active

Inventory YoY

Change

Inventory Jul-08 5,9741 --- --- --- 54,5272 --- Jul-09 9,095 52.2% 3,269 35.9% 38,024 ---2 Jul-10 7,101 -21.9% 2,901 40.9% 42,887 12.8% Jul-11 8,397 18.3% 3,779 45.0% 27,663 -35.5% Jul-12 7,152 -14.8% 3,214 44.9% 20,384 -26.3% Jul-13 8,214 14.8% 2,944 35.8% 20,049 -1.6% Jul-14 6,790 -17.3% 1,681 24.8% 27,081 35.1% Jul-15 7,915 16.6% 1,731 21.9% 22,940 -15.3% Jul-16 7,775 -1.8% 1,534 19.7% 23,695 3.3% 1 July 2008 does not include manufactured homes, ~100 more

2 July 2008 Inventory includes pending
Under the Bridge

The new Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge cuts near the once bustling Hillcrest neighborhood. For those who didn't move away this is what life is like now.
COURTNEY SACCO/CALLER-TIMES Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during the groundbreaking for the Harbor Bridge replacement project Monday, Aug. 8, 2016 at Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center..

By Chris Ramirez of the Caller-Times

It's finally happening.

The long-awaited Harbor Bridge replacement project officially kicked off Monday with a ceremony that drew state and federal officials, who praised it as a kickstarter for the Coastal Bend's economy.

Speaking amid 98-degree heat, Gov. Greg Abbott congratulated local and state leaders for working together to make the project a reality.

Abbott joined U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, Corpus Christi Mayor Nelda Martinez and other local and state leaders as they plunged gold-plated shovels into a trough of dirt to mark the effort's symbolic start.

The event was Abbott's first public appearance since news reports said he was badly burned while on vacation in mid-July in Wyoming.

"This current bridge ... carries many cherished memories. It would take a very special bridge to replace the current bridge," said Abbott, waving his arm toward the metal bridge overhead. "I can assure you the new bridge is going to be very special."

More than 300 people attended the ground breaking ceremony outside the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center. Security was tight for the event, with sharpshooters stationed on rooftops.

The planned six-lane replacement bridge is slated to be completed in 2021 for about $930 million. Earlier estimates suggested the project would cost $898 million. The project is being funded through a combination of local, state and federal sources, and includes a 25-year maintenance agreement with the developer, Flatiron/Dragados LLC.

Cornyn, a member of the Senate Finance Committee that oversees ports and infrastructure nationally, said the new bridge will open bigger and better trade opportunities for Texas. Smoothing the way goods get from one place to another is key to making them more affordable for consumers.

"It's a way ... to grow the economy overall and improve people's lives," said Cornyn, R-Texas.

The Harbor Bridge is among the first things motorists see as they enter the city from the north, and has become the very calling card of Corpus Christi and its skyline. Roughly 60,000 vehicles travel each day across the bridge, which connects Corpus Christi's Northside with attractions on North Beach, such as the Lexington Museum on the Bay and the Texas State Aquarium.

With its distinctive curvy Napoleon-hat design, the bridge was considered state of the art and a marvel of engineering when it was built in the 1950s to replace a wooden drawbridge.

Today, it's a relic.

The Texas Department of Transportation has said the bridge needs to be replaced for safety reasons.

Talk of building a new span has heated up in recent years with growth in the Eagle Ford Shale energy play and the completion in June of the Panama Canal expansion.

Farenthold praised the bridge replacement project, and said a new bridge is just a first step to shoring up the region's economic potential.

Farenthold, a Republican from Corpus Christi, worked recently with Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar to update the language in the Fiscal Year 2017 House Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. Their hope is to find money for efforts to deepen and widen the Corpus Christi Ship Channel.

Although Congress authorized the channel improvement project in 2007 and 2014, the Port of Corpus Christi does not have the estimated $300 million needed to do the work.

"This is just the beginning of the work we need to do," Farenthold said.

The project also includes:

Construction of a new interchange at Interstate 37, U.S. Highway 181 and State Highway 286;

Reconstruction of about 1.6 miles of I-37; and

Rebuilding about 1 mile of State Highway 286.

The Harbor Bridge will be demolished after the replacement span is completed.

Some construction, such as the movement of heavy equipment, should be noticeable by the end of this year or early 2017, said Rickey Dailey, a transportation department spokesman. Much of the activity will be where the bridge's support towers will be located, on the north and south side of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel.

The new cable-stayed replacement span will feature a 205-foot clearance point, which will enable larger cargo vessels to pass.

Its current clearance is 138 feet.

Handysize and supramax vessels, which are capable of carrying up to 30,000 tons and 60,000 tons respectively, most commonly visit the port. The bridge's shallow clearance prevents larger "mini" capesize vessels from entering the ship channel.

"It's progress," state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, said of the project. "This shows what can be done when we all work together toward a goal. This is something that will benefit the Coastal Bend for generations to come."

Twitter: @Caller_ChrisRam

What they're saying

Other local dignitaries praised the Harbor Bridge replacement project during a ground breaking ceremony on Monday:

"The Harbor Bridge, as well as the enormous economic opportunities it will bring to the Coastal Bend, would have remained an improbable dream were it not for the bipartisan cooperation and dedication of our community leaders, local public officials, TxDOT, and the private sector. I am honored to represent the people of Corpus Christi and to be a part of this historic project and this historic day."

 Texas State Sen. Juan Hinojosa

"Ingenuity, foresight, and progress are bridged together with collaboration and perseverance. The new Harbor Bridge will be an engineering marvel that will help bring great prosperity to the Coastal Bend for years to come."

 Texas State Rep. Abel Herrero

"This project is yet another example of how South Texas is leading the way in investment and economic development in Texas. I am proud to have worked with TXDOT, and our South Texas communities to move this project forward."

 Texas State Rep. J.M. Lozano

"For many generations to come, this day will be remembered as the beginning of one of the most significant undertakings in all of South Texas, the State of Texas, and even the nation. Such magnificent teamwork and interagency cooperation has in no doubt changed the face of South Texas to provide an economically connected Coastal Bend that bridges relationships between all of us with the international shipping industry and the rest of Texas and the nation."

 Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal

"The new Harbor Bridge is a result of a unified vision that will forever change our positive trajectory in the global economy. Many collaborations made the impossible possible."

 Corpus Christi Mayor Nelda Martinez

"The groundbreaking of the new Harbor Bridge marks the beginning of a new milestone for the Port and the Coastal Bend region. The new bridge will enhance the port's competitiveness in global trade. We look forward to continue working together with TxDOT and Flatiron/Dragados to assure the success of the project."

 Port Corpus Christi Commission Chairman Charles W. Zahn Jr.

"The new Harbor Bridge will stand for decades as a proud tribute to what local communities can accomplish through cooperation and dedication."

 TxDOT Corpus Christi District Engineer Chris Caron

By the numbers

$930 million Estimated construction costs

60,000 Vehicles that travel the bridge each day

1,655 Distance, in feet, across the new bridge at its main span

538 Height, in feet, of the new bridge's two main towers

138 Clearance height, in feet, of Harbor Bridge

205 Clearance height, in feet, of new span

HARBOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT TIMELINE

Aug. 8: Ground breaking, construction of Interstate 37 interchange gets underway

2016-2020: Construction continues

Early spring 2020: Construction of Crosstown Expressway/I-37 starts

Late spring 2020: Construction of new bridge complete, demolition of old Harbor Bridge begins

Spring 2021: Demolition of old Harbor Bridge complete
CONTRIBUTED



SHARE

By Beatriz Alvarado of the Caller-Times

Del Mar College regents on Tuesday will vote on whether to place a $139 million bond package on the November ballot to fund a new campus on the Southside, according to the meeting's agenda.

"This board has a rare and historic opportunity to call for college district support of a new campus to serve thousands of current students, as well as future generations, on the Southside of our community," College president Mark Escamilla states in an Aug. 3 memo to regents. "Based on the significant work committed to carefully studying educational needs, economic forecasts and community expectations, I recommend your approval of the proposed order calling for a bond election to support the first phase of the Southside campus."

DMC Southside Campus Order by Beatriz Alvarado on Scribd

If approved, the proposition would authorize the board to issue $139 million in bonds for the construction of the new campus. The plan for the campus has been in the works since 2012 when the board purchased the 96 acres at the corner of Yorktown Boulevard and Rodd Field Road. A $1.8 million planning phase was funded with a $157 million bond package approved by voters in 2014.

The board approved the master plan for the campus on June 14. Architecture firm Gensler was hired in January to provide the board with conceptual renderings for the project. The renderings have since been modified based on community, student, faculty and staff feedback.

According to the master plan, the campus would be built in three phases. If enrollment reaches specific milestones, the campus would ultimately serve up to 20,000 students and have about 5,000 parking spaces. The parking ratio  1 to 4  is smaller than the east and west campus ratios of 1 to 2.2 and 1 to 3.6, respectively.

Tuesday's meeting will be at 10:30 a.m. in the Insensee Board Room at the east campus' Harvin Center.

Twitter: @CallerBetty
Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Carlos Vela, a student at Ingleside High School, makes a video during the March Against Tobacco on March 13, 2015. Vela last month was in Washington, D.C. to participate in an anti-tobacco leadership workshop sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

SHARE Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Carlos Vela, a student at Ingleside High School, makes a video during the March Against Tobacco on March 13, 2015. Vela last month was in Washington, D.C. to participate in an anti-tobacco leadership workshop sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Carlos Vela, 17, of Ingleside, last month was in Washington, D.C. to participate in an anti-tobacco leadership workshop sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Carlos Vela, 17, of Ingleside, last month was in Washington, D.C. to participate in an anti-tobacco leadership workshop sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

By Beatriz Alvarado of the Caller-Times

Tammy Vela plans to quit smoking by the time her son graduates high school, she said.

It's been 30 years since her first cigarette. But it wasn't until her son began advocating against tobacco products about four years ago that she began seriously considered kicking the habit, she said.

"I smoke about five cigarettes a day now. I used to smoke a pack (per day)," she said. "I started cutting back because of him. He's fighting for a cause I believe in."

Her son, Carlos Vela, proudly speaks of pressuring his mother to quit. He's passionately against tobacco products because he's gathered enough knowledge to develop a strong stance against the industry, he said. Most recently Vela was among 21 youth advocates chosen to participate in a Washington D.C.-based anti-tobacco leadership workshop sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. During the five-day Youth Advocacy Symposium, the 17-year-old from Ingleside lobbied policymakers in favor of strong action to protect youth from new tobacco products, like electronic cigarettes.

The use of electronic cigarettes has grown exponentially and now exceeds use of regular cigarettes, Vela said.

A recent national survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that about 24 percent of high school students used e-cigarettes in 2015, compared to 10 percent who smoked cigarettes.

Vela's been offered to try e-cigarettes by a classmate and co-worker similar to his age and shared his experience with policymakers while in Washington, he said.

He said he turned them down, but let policymakers know both teens who offered were under the impression e-cigarettes were a healthier choice to cigarettes.

"That's just not true," Vela said.

Advocates asked lawmakers to support new regulations the Food and Drug Administration recently issued for e-cigarettes and cigars and to reject proposals before Congress to weaken these regulations, said Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids director for youth advocacy Gustavo Torrez.

"The symposium was meant to provide youth the tools to take action in their own communities," Torrez said. "The group knows the importance of the work that needs to be done."

Twitter: @CallerBetty
Natalia Contreras/Caller-Times About 23 boats sailed from Sunfish Beach at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi to the Corpus Christi Bay for the Military Cup Challenge on Sunday. The race was part of the 54th annual Navy Regatta hosted by the Corpus Christi Yacht Club, the Bay Yacht Club and Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.

SHARE

By Natalia Contreras of the Caller-Times

Fred Soward remembers heading out to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi for the first time with his family as a kid about 40 years ago.

Soward was among 200 participants at the 54th annual Navy Regatta hosted Saturday and Sunday by the Corpus Christi Yacht Club and Bay Yacht Club.

He said he joins the regatta every year for the same reasons: a chance to be on the water and meeting new people.

"It's so much fun. Back on those days we spent the night on the boats," Soward said. "You never get to see the base otherwise and we get to build camaraderie with all the teams and meet the military personnel."

The regatta began Saturday with a Navy Base race and the Titanic Cup during which participants raced homemade boats out of inexpensive materials at the base.

On Sunday about 23 boats sailed from Sunfish Beach at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi to the Corpus Christi Bay for the Military Cup Challenge.

The event began in 1962 as part of a Navy Relief Festival and fundraiser for military families, Teri Ficken with the Corpus Christi Yacht Club and regatta co-chairwoman, said.

She said the purpose of the regatta continues to be to honor enlisted staff and officers and to build a connection between the military and the community.

"The teams get divided into different fleets, so they're not competing against all boats but just those on their fleet," Ficken said. "They'll start at the intercoastal and finish at the T-heads. They'll finish and that's when we have a trophy presentation."

Capt. Steve Banta, commanding officer at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, said the regatta is one of the best community events for the base.

"It's a way for the community to give something to the base. It's a great collaboration," Banta said. "The community is so supportive of what we do and the two yacht clubs let military personnel come on their boats. It's a great event to have."

Sam Sipe said this was his second time participating in the regatta.

Sipe is a student naval aviator at Naval Air Station Kingsville and on Sunday he drove his team's sailboat.

"I like the simplicity of it," Sipe said. "It's so fast paced, it's so fun racing with the wind and not motors. There's just something nice about it."

Twitter: @CallerNatalia
| BY Ricki Green |

Deloitte is continuing to expand the frontier of professional services and strengthen its creative digital consultancy practice by today joining forces with The Explainers, a digital communication studio that helps clients inform, engage and persuade more effectively through business storytelling.

The Explainers use animation, film, installation, infographics, written stories, graphic novels and other media to help clients better explain what they do. The studio has quickly built a reputation for innovative and engaging storytelling that facilitates large scale organisational change initiatives.

Says Cindy Hook, CEO, Deloitte: We are experiencing significant demand for our advisory services and will continue to invest in adjacent capabilities that enable our clients to effectively manage complex change. The Explainers are leaders in creating compelling stories that explain complex ideas. They very much complement our design thinking approach to problem solving and as part of our Customer practice will help our clients connect with their customers in ever more engaging ways.

The Explainers will form a new narrative strategy operating unit within Deloitte Consultings Customer practice and will have strong links to Deloitte Digital. Matt Taylor, owner and founder of The Explainers, will become a director with Deloitte in Sydney and bring his team of eight digital storytellers with him. He will lead the narrative strategy team.

Says Frank Farrall, lead partner for Deloitte Digital Asia Pacific and the Customer Practice in Australia: We are thrilled to have The Explainers join our team. Since we acquired MashUp in August last year, our Customer Practice has gone from strength-to-strength, as clients recognise the value of working with a single provider to manage all aspects of improving their customers experience. Our brand and spatial team has doubled in size in the past 12 months and we have just hired a new Melbourne partner to further build our retail offering. As evidenced by Deloitte Digitals acquisition of creative agency Heat back in February, we see huge opportunity in increasingly providing our clients with creative content as well as strategic business advice.

Says Shane Currey, consulting partner and national design lead for Deloitte, who the Narrative Strategy team will report to: Deloitte is increasingly able to offer clients an integrated suite of services to enable all aspects of large scale transformations and with The Explainers effective storytelling is now a key part of that service offering. If you are spending millions of dollars on a technology transformation project, you dont want it to fail because you didnt effectively explain why you are doing it. The Deloitte Narrative Strategy team can help any organisation grappling with change explain the why in an immersive, compelling way.

Says Taylor: Major change has become the new constant for modern business, so explaining any kind of change after it happens is often too late. Today, being successful requires communicating and explaining change as it happens, which is what The Explainers is all about. Through persuasive storytelling, weve helped large organisations and the government solve a broad range of operational and business problems. Combining our narrative skills and strategic experience with the power of the Deloitte network opens us up to a vast knowledge base and new relationships, which is incredibly exciting for us.

The Explainers clients include the DIIS, Westpac, IAG, AMP, NBN, and the Human Rights Commission. The Narrative Strategy team will continue to work with government, innovation and financial services clients.

The team will also remain closely involved in the Sydney marketing and design community and events such as Vivid Ideas, AGDA and the Good Design Awards.

The Explainers move builds on a series of recent technology and marketing-related transactions and alliances Deloitte has achieved in recent years, including teams from:

 SixTree (integrating legacy and emerging technology platforms)

 Cloud Solutions Group (changing the way cloud infrastructure advisory services are delivered)

 MashUp (spatial design and blending the physical and digital customer experience)

 Dataweave (Oracle implementation services, identity management and cloud solution delivery)
| BY Ricki Green |

Lauren Regolini (pictured left) was awarded Top of Class at WAs 2016 AWARD School graduation ceremony on Friday night  the last of five graduation ceremonies to take place across Australia this year.

Second place was awarded to Zosia Kilpatrick, with Roman Costanzo and Helen Kwok in joint third.

The ceremony, which took place at Little Wing Corner Gallery in Subiaco, was proudly supported by News Corp, The Sunday Times and Perth Now and attended by a broad audience from the industry.

Head of AWARD School Craig Buchanan, Creative Director, The Brand Agency, congratulated the eleven graduates on their hard work and achievements. He also thanked senior industry creatives, Paul Coghlan, David Donald, Joe Hawkins, Megan Riley and Alida Henson for their commitment as tutors, as well as Adam Barker and Dav Tabeshfar for judging the final portfolios.
| BY Ricki Green |

The U.K. may have already sunk its chances of being taken seriously on the worlds stage, but that doesnt mean the advertising industry has to sink with it  in fact, its quite the opposite. In the middle of so much confusion and increased Google-searching, heres your chance to get a young West Australian onto the D&AD Board of Trustees and completely turn advertising on its head.

WA student Maya Halilovic is the first Australian running for a spot on the board and has launched a new campaign Dont leave the AU (out) to encourage votes from Australian D&AD members who want to be better represented in the UK.

Halilovic says this isnt just about winning some student vote and getting onto a board because it looks good on a resume, its about creating change within an industry between two countries that are very similar in their approach, but miles apart.

Says Halilovic: Im hoping to use the New Blood Trustee position to strengthen the connection between Australian and UK advertising industries and increase D&AD-supported educational programs at universities in Australia.

If we want our creative industry to operate with the same tenacity, ruthlessness and fearlessness that we see and envy from bigger cities, clients and budgets then its important to work towards bridging the gap between these places and these people to help strengthen our educational approach as well as connecting like-minded agencies to grow our community.

If that hasnt swayed your vote for me already then consider this: you deserve it.

You deserve to have someone at the D&AD who can empathise with the nuances of advertising and design in the Southern Hemisphere, you deserve a bigger broader network to draw from, and students from the south deserve every creative opportunity their counterparts in the north receive.

So if youre a D&AD member I urge you to vote, not for some kid from Perth, but for the Australian advertising community at large and how far something like this could take it.

To vote for Halilovic, click here.
Cameron's book is subtitled Australia's Four Hours of Hell in Vietnam and for the next four hours that's what the troops faced. Outnumbered 20-1, and under intense enemy fire, D Company fought off wave after wave of enemy assaults in monsoonal conditions. RAAF helicopters dropped boxes of ammunition to resupply the troops as the firefight continued but as the evening went on the situation grew even more dire. And then about 7pm, when all seemed lost, the relief company of infantry, in armoured personnel carriers, arrived and drove off the enemy.
[Your Business Name]

<Your business address>

Contact Info

Phone: <Your business phone number>

Fax: <Your business fax number>

Email: <Your business e-mail address>

Web: CAPITOLHILLCUBANS.COM

<Your Business Headline>

Business Overview

<Your business description>

Geographic Area

<Your service area>

Line of Business

<The type of business you are in>

Brands We Carry

<Your list of brands>

Products and Services

<Products and/or services you provide>

Discounts Offered

<Coupons and other discount information you offer>

Additional Information

<Any other information about your business>

Business Hours

<Your hours of operation>

Timezone

<Your timezone>

We Accept

<Methods of payment you accept>
Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing.

You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
Lavale, Pune: Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication (SIMC-PG), Pune hosted its annual Media Management and Marketing & Media Analytics Conclave on August 7, 2016 as a part of its silver jubilee celebrations. The theme, 'Agency of the Future' focused on how the media canvas in the Indian context has evolved over the past couple of years.

The speakers constituted a battery of eminent industry stalwarts, who are proficient in their fields and have created a niche for themselves in the industry, namely Kartik Sharma, Managing Director at Maxus; Suresh Balakrishna, CEO India, Middle East and South Asia at Kinetic; Sundeep Nagpal, Founder Director at Stratagem Media Pvt Ltd; Niteen Bhagwat, Executive Director and CEO at Asterii Analytics; Sarang Panchal, CEO at MRSS India; Mubin Khan, Head of Products, Research and Analytics, Senior VP at BARC, India.

The keynote speaker for the Media Management conclave was Kartik Sharma, who spoke on the topic 'Media Agency of the Future,' and talking about the trend, he said, "We are becoming a visual world driven by mobiles." Moreover, he encouraged everyone to closely monitor how technology would change the world. He also spoke about user perception in terms of how an advertisement is viewed differently on different mediums.

Suresh Balakrishna on the other hand, offered a fresh perspective on the concept of 'Out of Home' consumption and its dynamics. In his opinion, OOH straddles television, newspaper and the internet. He cited how 80% of mobile consumption is done outside of home. Besides this, he also stressed on how innovations in digital OOH would impact OOH marketing. He opined, "Anything is OOH, and we do all of it."

Following this, Sundeep Nagpal gave an enlightening speech on the changing investment scenario of media businesses in the digital era. He spoke about the concept of branding and Big Data Analytics, where businesses actually track every movement of their consumers.

The Media Management session of the Conclave culminated with SIMCatalyst, a competition organised by SIMC-PG that required students to come up with a niche channel idea to strengthen television viewership.

The winning team, Last Minute Wizards, came up with a channel that mirrored the digital practices of today's youth and aimed at telecasting innovative concepts, and moving away from the hackneyed mainstream television content. The dignitaries presiding over the judging panel were Kartik Sharma, Suresh Balakrishna and Sundeep Nagpal.

The institute has noticed that, for the past few years, its alumni have been making a move towards the area of research. That, along with the increasing importance of research in the media landscape became a few of the primary reasons to initiate a fourth specialization of Marketing and Media Analytics.

The Marketing and Media Analytics session of the conclave opened with Niteen Bhagwat, who talked about the basics of analytics and the prospects it holds. Emphasizing on why measurement is the core of analytics he opined, "We cannot manage what we cannot measure." Further, he underlined the amplification of human behaviour by technology and social media, and interestingly pointed out how social media is driven by altruism, homophily, tribalism, narcissism and control.

Following him was Sarang Panchal, who covered the concept of research in the media landscape and further elucidated about the trends in the market research industry and its future, which involved the growth of DIY research, popularization of market research, online communities and predictive analysis.

The last speaker of the event, Mubin Khan began his talk by saying, "What BARC envisaged for the future is happening now." He elaborated on how market research is no more as simple as it used to be and predicted that the future agencies will not just depend on analytics but on consumer insights as well.

The event concluded with the esteemed group of speakers in a panel discussion with Indrani Sen, an adjunct faculty of SIMC moderating the discussion. They shared their personal experiences in the industry to make the students understand what the companies require of them during recruitment.

The conclave helped dispel the various doubts brewing in the minds of the students regarding Marketing & Media Analytics, the new specialization introduced by SIMC from this year, and also get a better understanding of Media Management. "My biggest takeaway from this conclave was it helped bridge the gap between perception and knowledge. It also elucidated the role of analytics in providing concrete, dependable and unprejudiced data," says Kaushal BK, a first year student at Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication, Pune.

About the Media Management and Marketing & Media Analytics Conclave:

While the Media Management conclave is an annual affair, the Marketing & Media Analytics conclave was the maiden event to provide a glimpse into the new specialization that the college has on offer.

The conclave brings together some of the finest names in the media industry to address aspiring media professionals who plan to venture into the industry and create a space for themselves. The event aimed at providing an insider view into the possibilities that the media management and media research industry entails and walk them through the nitty gritties of the industry. The events saw the speakers engage in an interactive session with the students followed by a panel discussion.

About Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication (PG), Pune:

Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication has come a long way since its inception, 25 years ago. It is one of the premier pure-play media schools in the country that offers a wide range of courses such as MA (MC) and MBA (CM). Through a plethora of projects, industry interactions and erudite faculty, SIMC provides its students with the necessary skill set to develop holistically. For further information visit, www.scmc.edu.in
While Teslas boat has been rocking as of late due to critics firing shots at their Autopilot system, company investors are still mostly worried about how successful the Model 3 will turn out to be.



According to some, the Model 3 is what keeps investors up at night, despite the Autopilot scandal and even the proposed acquisition of SolarCity.

I really dont care a whole lot about the SolarCity acquisition, said David Whiston, a strategist at Morningstar, as reported by Autonews. Investors are most concerned with nailing the Model 3, not becoming a solar company.

In order to remain on schedule with their Model 3 launch, Tesla expects to be writing big checks for the rest of 2016  on top of the plant upgrades and the new factory in Nevada that will supply batteries for the new car.

The EV maker currently expects its full-year capital spending to hit $2.25 billion if its to support the ramp-up for the Model 3 and its goal to produce 500,000 vehicles in 2018.

Despite Tesla saying they already have $3.25 billion on hand, many analysts believe the company will need to raise even more so that they wont fall behind schedule. Timing will also be very important, especially if delays will cause investors to lose patience and sour on the idea of an affordable Tesla.

The bigger question is: How long can Tesla lose money, and how wide can its losses get, before Wall Street cries foul? said Karl Breuer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

While Musk repeatedly targeted July 1st 2017 as the start date for Model 3 production, he also said last week that I dont expect us to be a full production on July 1, but I have to drive all suppliers and internal efforts to that date knowing that some will fall short. And those that fall short will be cut out of the picture.

PHOTO GALLERY
Theres an exhibition dedicated to Laikas stop-motion craftsmanship currently taking place in Los Angeles, but most people will never see it because the show is located inside of Universal Studios Hollywood.

From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience opened last Friday and continues through this Sunday, August 14, at Universals Globe Theatre, which is included in the price of admission to the theme park. (For the record, Universal is the parent company of Focus Features, the distributor which releases Laikas films.)

Tied into this months release of Kubo and the Two Strings, the exhibition highlights not only the current film, but Laikas earlier efforts: Coraline, Paranorman, and The Boxtrolls. The pieces on display include original sets, puppets, and props.
Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

Just who do you complain to if you are concerned about helicopter noise?

The city, province, the feds?

That's a question the City of West Kelowna wants answers to after receiving complaints from several residents on Devon Court about noise coming from helicopters in the area.

So far, those complaints have fallen on deaf ears because, according to the city, its noise bylaw is not enforceable since these complaints fall under federal and provincial jurisdiction.

Now, city staff is asking the mayor to write a letter to Transport Canada and the provincial Ministry of Agriculture to determine whether the city can impose any controls on the helicopter industry.

In a report for Tuesday's council meeting, CAO Jim Zaffino states a legal opinion obtained by the city indicates there is no municipal authority to regulate helicopter noise.

"Therefore, our only recourse is to ask those who do have the authority to advise us of our options," said Zaffino.

Zaffino further states residents have complained helicopters have taken off as early as 4:30 a.m., and, while the noise itself would, in normal circumstances, violate the city's Good Neighbour Bylaw, it doesn't in this case.

That's because both parliament's exclusive jurisdiction over aeronautics and the province's retention of jurisdiction of normal farm practices, supersedes the Good Neighbour Bylaw.

In the meantime, residents of the Devon Court area plan to show up en masse Tuesday afternoon to plead their case before council

One neighbour complained about the city's original decision to allow Valhalla Helicopters to operate within 300 metres of their home, citing shaking and rattling of dishes as helicopters fly low overhead.
Photo: Contributed

Sometimes solutions are complicated, but sometimes we get lucky and fixes are quick and easy.

These two are in the latter category. Use them on your own computer, or be a hero and fix your parents, friends, and coworkers computers.

You will rock!

Help! My Internet connection drops every 10 minutes

Several weeks ago, a long-time customer told me her Internet provider had two technicians out there, each for a good part of the day, trying to get her new connection working.

What was wrong with the connection? It would drop after 10 minutes if I wasnt using the computer.

The connection was still dropping while I was there, but I was able to fix it.

Your wireless network adapter and your Ethernet adapter (which is where the cable between your router/modem and your PC connects to your PC) require a small amount of electrical current to work.

Many computers are set to power down those adapters after 10 minutes of inactivity.

Sometimes they dont wake back up promptly or at all. Your service provider thinks your connection is fine, but your computer doesnt come back online.

Its an easy fix. You just have go to Device Manager and change a setting.

In any modern version of Windows, type Device Manager in the Search box

in the Search box Click on Device Manager in the search results to open it

in the search results to open it (Or go to Control Panel | View by Large Icons | Device Manager)

| View by Large Icons | Device Manager) Click on the > next to Network adapters to expand that section

to expand that section Right-click on your Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter

Click on Properties | Power Management

Clear the check mark in the box called Allow the computer to turn off this device 

 Click on OK

Sometimes you have to restart the computer for the change to take effect, but that should do it. Its about a 12-second fix.

If this problem started after you upgraded to Windows 10, you likely didnt update your network adapter drivers before (or after!) you upgraded your operating system.

Check Windows Update and/or the website for your computers manufacturer to see if theres a driver compatible with Windows 10.

Do not use a driver update utility that promises to look after your drivers. At best they are completely useless; at worst they are malicious software.

Update your driver, then apply the 12-second fix.

Help! My Desktop icons are tiny (or huge)

Did you know that you can easily change the size of the icons on your Windows Desktop? Although this has been a feature since Vista, most people never find out about it until the size changes accidentally!

On any modern version of Windows:

Right-click on a vacant area of your Desktop

Click on View

Click on the size you want

Make sure you have a check mark next to Show Desktop Icons

You might be wondering how the size got changed in the first place, given that you have to right-click and then click and then click again.

Well, theres another way to change the size, and youre not limited to three size choices.

With your mouse cursor on the Desktop, hold down the CTRL key and scroll with the wheel on your mouse. You should see the size of the Desktop icons change. You can go smaller than small and larger than large, or stop anywhere on the continuum.

I believe this is how this changes unintentionally. It only takes a couple of seconds to goof this up, and its another 12-second fix. Now, you know.

Do you need help with your computer? I'm here to help you and your home or business computer get along!

Cate Eales runs Computer Care Kelowna, a mobile service helping home users and businesses get along with their computers. To arrange an appointment phone her at 250-764-7043. Cate also welcomes your comments and suggestions. Email [email protected].

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: CTV

Hamilton police say a boy who went missing this weekend was found dead Sunday.

Police issued a brief news release that provided few other details about Finnigan Danne.

A post mortem has been scheduled, but police are saying nothing else about the case.

Danne, 12, was last seen Saturday morning.

Police said they were concerned about the boy's safety because he suffered from a neuromuscular disorder and had limited mobility without a wheelchair.

Police issued an Amber Alert Sunday afternoon but cancelled it less than an hour later.
Photo: Wayne Moore - File photo

Mother Nature put a damper on Michael Bolton's second Okanagan show.

The crooner was scheduled to perform at Mission Hill Family Estate Winery Sunday evening, but Castanet has been told a thunderstorm forced organizers to cancel the show.

Bolton, who had a string of hits in the '80s and '90s, performed to a sold out crowd Friday as part of the wineries' Summer Concert Series.

Other shows in the summer series include Melissa Etheridge on Aug. 26 and the Gipsy Kings Aug. 28. Both are already sold out.
A North Okanagan man wants Vernon residents to walk with pride.

Travis Irmen has begun an online campaign and hopes to appear before city council to request a rainbow crosswalk in the downtown area at the 30th Avenue and 30th Street junction.

I'd like it to be very inclusive of the entire community and all of the people who live here, said Irmen.

By late last week, Irmen had 35 letters of support.

I didn't want a petition. To me, a petition means protest.

Irmen admits he was inspired by Aasha Saanders, an 18-year-old living in Coldstream, who recently convinced Coldstream council to put a rainbow crosswalk in that community. District staff are currently looking for an appropriate location.

I'm very hopeful, Irmen said of his chances, pointing to big support on Facebook as well as the letters.

Irmen wants a more colourful crosswalk than the five-colour LGBTQ crosswalk being considered in Coldstream. In fact, the one he proposes would have eight colours.

They include: hot pink representing sexuality, red for life journey, orange for healing, yellow for air quality, green for environment, turquoise for the arts, blue for serenity and violet for spirituality.

The eight colours stand for individual issues, explained Irmen, who also hopes the crosswalk would act as a tribute to the 1970s era and the first rainbow flag.

Irmen has spoken with the owner of a Kelowna business who stated that the rainbow crosswalk in that community has been attracting tourists to the area.
Photo: Facebook

UPDATED 3 P.M.

Dan Descheneau and his wife had their anniversary plans sharply interrupted when the motorcycle they were riding collided with a police vehicle.

The accident happened Saturday morning on Highway 6 in Coldstream.

My wife and I were headed out for an anniversary stay at Halcyon hot springs when a police suburban decided after finishing with a customer to pull a u-turn on a two-lane highway directly into our path, Descheneau posted on Facebook.

Descheneau said there was nowhere to go and they were broadsided by the police vehicle before landing in a ditch.

Due to the civilian injuries and provisions of the BC Police Act, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. were notified and are assessing. The circumstances of the accident remain under investigation, said Cpl. Dave Tyreman.

ORIGINAL

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has been called in following a collision between a police vehicle and a motorcycle on Saturday that left two Kelowna residents injured.

According to police, the incident happened at 8 a.m. in Coldstream on Highway 6, eight kilometres east of Vernon.

The two occupants of the motorcycle, a 46-year-old male and 25-year-old female, both from Kelowna, sustained non-life threatening injuries and were transported to Vernon Jubilee Hospital for treatment, said Cpl. Dave Tyreman, RCMP spokesperson.

The police officer was uninjured and Highway 6 was closed for some hours to allow for an examination of the scene by an RCMP traffic accident re-constructionist.

Due to the civilian injuries and provisions of the BC Police Act, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. were notified and are assessing. The circumstances of the accident remain under investigation, said Tyreman.
Photo: CTV

A hiker has died in a fall near Squamish.

Barb McLintock with the provincial coroner's service says the woman was hiking on a trail beyond the Sea-to-Sky Gondola on Sunday afternoon.

The victim lost her footing and fell about 20 metres.

She died at the scene.

McLintock says the investigation is just getting underway and few other details are available.

The woman's name has not been released.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Hulu is dropping the free TV episodes that it was initially known for as it works on an online television service to rival cable TV.

Free episodes  typically the most recent four or five episodes from a show's current season  will be gone from the site within a few weeks. Instead, Hulu is making free episodes available through Yahoo .

While Hulu started as a free site, supported by advertising, free video has become increasingly more difficult to find as Hulu tries to lure viewers into a subscription  $8 a month for a plan with ads, and $12 without. In recent months, visitors to Hulu.com have been presented with prominent links to subscribe, with links to free video buried in a menu after signing in.

And free episodes haven't been available on Hulu's mobile apps or streaming-TV devices, just on Hulu.com from a traditional computer. Now, they won't be on Hulu.com at all.

Devotees of Hulu's free on-demand videos will be able to find them by visiting the new Yahoo View site from a computer. The Yahoo site will not have free episodes of CW shows such as "Arrow" and "The Flash," as Hulu has been offering, because CW has a broader deal with Netflix instead. Yahoo says it will have the past five episodes of ABC, NBC and Fox shows available. The Fox shows will appear eight days after their TV airing, as is the practice at Hulu.com now. Yahoo will also have some older CBS shows.

The episodes on Yahoo are not currently available on a phone, although Yahoo is working on a mobile web version and an app. Yahoo says the mobile version will be free, but it may not have all the same video as the desktop computer site because of content licensing restrictions.

Hulu says relatively few people watch the free videos. It now has about 12 million subscribers who pay for original shows, the entire current seasons of some network shows and access to Hulu's library on mobile and streaming-TV devices like Roku.

Hulu also plans to launch a live online TV service next year. It would show broadcast and cable channels in real time, without making viewers wait until the next day for episodes. In a move that could make that service more appealing, Time Warner Inc. recently took a 10 per cent stake in Hulu, joining the TV and movie conglomerates  Walt Disney Co., 21st Century Fox and Comcast's NBCUniversal  that already owned it. Time Warner plans to contribute some of its channels, including TNT and TBS, to the new service.

Several other companies already offer live, paid TV over the internet, including Sony and Dish. DirecTV plans a service for later this year as well.

Yahoo also has broader ambitions for View. It wants to add video from other Yahoo properties and from other networks and studios. However, its previous attempt at an online video hub, Yahoo Screen, shut down in January, despite having new episodes of the cult comedy "Community" after its cancellation by NBC.

Verizon, which is buying Yahoo to help the phone company grow a digital advertising business , makes TV episodes and short videos available on its go90 mobile app. Phil Lynch, the head of media and content partnerships at Yahoo, says that as the deal gets closer to closing early next year, it "makes sense that we have integration discussions."
Photo: Getty Images

In light of the dramatic rise of opioid drug overdoses in the province, Interior Health is expanding its Take Home Naloxone program.

The program has expanded to 70 sites, which includes all Interior Health emergency departments, public health centres, mental health and substance use offices as well as several community agencies.

Drug-related overdoses and deaths are a huge concern, said Health Minister Terry Lake. Interior Healths expansion of the Take Home Naloxone program could potentially save the life of someones friend, parent or child. It is part of B.C.s comprehensive approach to address this crisis and to do everything we can prevent future tragedies.

In emergency departments, the program is offered to patients who are being treated for an opioid overdose. At public health centres, mental health and substance use offices and community agencies, the program is available to anyone at risk of overdose from opioid drugs. Opioid drugs include both prescription and illicit drugs such as oxycodone, morphine, heroin, fentanyl and others.

This expansion increases access to the life-saving medication, naloxone. Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose by restoring breathing within two to five minutes. It improves the chances of survival while waiting for medical help to arrive. Naloxone is a safe medication that cannot be abused and has no effect on the body in the absence of opioids. It is non-addictive, does not produce a high and has no street value.

In addition to making naloxone kits more accessible, the Take Home Naloxone program also provides training on how to prevent, recognize and respond to an overdose situation.

The program not only gives those at risk free naloxone kits, it also provides an opportunity to offer information on how to prevent an overdose from occurring in the first place by educating clients about factors that can increase the risk of overdose, said Dr. Silvina Mema, Medical Health Officer.

For example, one of the things we tell people is that if they havent used a drug for a while, their tolerance or response to that drug can change and that puts them at greater risk of an overdose.

The training also offers practical overdose prevention tips such as always starting with a small amount of the drug, avoid mixing different drugs, and avoid using alone. Crucial life-saving steps including recognizing the signs of an overdose, putting someone in the recovery position, how to perform rescue breathing, and administer naloxone as well as the importance of getting emergency medical help as soon as possible are also covered.

The Take Home Naloxone program is provided in collaboration with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control. About 1,670 naloxone kits have been distributed across Interior Health since the program began in August 2012. Reports indicate at least 180 kits have been used to reverse an overdose.
Photo: Ray Putnam

An injured eagle rescued by firefighters last month is all healed up and ready to fly.

"Tribute" the bald eagle was found at the beginning of July by Andra Depaoli in the woods above Killiney Beach up Westside Road.

She enlisted the help of North Westside Fire Rescue firefighters, who jumped into action to rescue the injured eagle.

After a hike into the area and a bit of calm corralling, the firefighters managed to get the eagle into a cage and took it to the fire hall.

South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls volunteer Ray Putnam then drove up to get the eagle and bring it to the rescue facility.

Tribute has spent the last month recovering and was finally healthy enough to be released this weekend.

SORCO manager Dale Belvedere says Putnam released the eagle back into the Killiney Beach area on Friday, witnessed by those involved in its rescue.

It was fantastic. We haven't seen one take off like that in a long time. He just soared out of the cage. He was just very happy to back out there, says Belvedere.

When the eagle arrived at SORCO, it was starving and needed food fast. SORCO staff fed the bird and soon discovered an injury had caused the eagle to stop eating.

He had two broken toe nails on one talon. He came in here starving as he probably wasn't feeding properly when he did break those nails. So when we got him he was really hungry, says Belvedere.

She says the toe nails did grow back nicely, not completely, but enough that he was able to completely live feed with the talon.

He was probably in pain when it happened and didn't want to hunt. So when we started to feed him, he was just eating everything and it started to grow back, adds Belvedere.

She says SORCO feels 100 per cent about his recovery and his successful release.

Belvedere adds that SORCO has been flooded with calls this year from Okanagan residents with good intentions stepping into rescue birds a little too early.

There are a lot of fledglings out there right now and people are calling in that it is injured. It is not injured, it is learning to fly and mom and dad are there.

She says if you do find a raptor that you think is injured or abandoned, call them first.

Please call us first for advice. Leave it and call us. Need be, we will send a volunteer or tell them what to do.

To contact SORCO please click here.
Photo: Steve Verseghy Wayne Strach heads to Vernon ahead of swim.

A 61-year-old Edmonton man began to swim the length of Okanagan Lake Monday morning, setting off from Vernon and hoping to reach Penticton in two days.

Wayne Strach is attempting to break the open-water swim record by swimming 135 kilometres non-stop from Vernon to Penticton, looping to Naramata and then back to Penticton, in approximately 50 hours.

Hopefully, thunderstorms don't materialize today, said Steve Verseghy, one of the volunteers taking shifts in a boat travelling with Strach.

Verseghy, himself a former member of Canada's national swim team, said Strach is a master swimmer who has set out to achieve a personal goal.

He's 61, but he's very fit. He's the oldest Canadian to swim the English Channel, which he did last year, said Verseghy.

He has some energy.... We're crossing our fingers to make sure he can stay awake for the whole 50 hours.

Strach aims to beat the world open-water unassisted lake swimming record.

It means the swimmer is not allowed to even touch his assist boat. Volunteers carry a pole with a cup on the end in which they can put a protein bar or a drink and swing it out to Strach who has to grab it.

Under the rules, Strach is allowed to wear goggles, a cap and a bathing suit. A wetsuit and fins are banned.

On July 26, U.S. ultra-distance triathlete Adam Ellenstein successfully completed a 105-km swim from Vernon to Penticton, although he did not make his 40-hour goal.
Photo: Carmen Weld - File photo

The man charged in a brazen West Kelowna shooting last week has been named by RCMP.

Tyrone Reynolds McGee, 29, of West Kelowna was taken into custody after a man was shot outside a car wash on Hudson Road in West Kelowna on Aug. 2.

Castanet learned last week that a man on a bike had shot at a driver several times, prompting the driver to retaliate by crashing into him.

Kelowna RCMP Const. Jesse ODonaghey said a man on a bike fired multiple rounds into the vehicle, causing serious injuries to the driver. The driver then struck the gunman.

The suspect was located by officers, along with police service dog Ice, hiding in the immediate area and suffering from injuries believed to be non-life threatening in nature, said ODonaghey last week.

The RCMP eased community fears and told the media they believed it was a targeted incident and not a random attack.

McGee has initially been charged with several firearms related offences, explains Const. Jesse ODonaghey today.

McGee has been remanded into police custody and faces further potential charges related to this incident.

The shooting victim, a 48-year-old Kelowna man, continues to recover from his injuries.
Photo: CTV

Police in Port Moody say a teenage girl has died of an apparent drug overdose in a Starbucks washroom.

Emergency crews were called to the cafe around 5:20 p.m. Sunday after an employee found an unresponsive female in the washroom.

Police say the employee quickly called 911, but responders could not revive the 16-year-old.

Drug paraphernalia and a small amount of drugs was located at the scene, leading police to suspect the young woman died of an overdose.

Port Moody police say they cannot confirm whether fentanyl was involved.

The young woman has not been identified and police say they are still investigating.
If you have just started your journey in an online casino or are looking for a new site to play,...


Catholic Family News A Monthly Journal Preserving our Catholic Faith and Heritage Home

Latest

Archives

Subscribe

CFN Media - videos

Contact Us

CFN Bookstore

Oltyn Library Services 2017 CFN Daily Blog

Originally started as a daily Blog update of news reports on the

Papal Conclave and ongoing news on Pope Francis, it is

now a general Blog updated daily on traditional Catholic topics

Updated Regularly  Book mark this page  click here



Luxury hotels in the historic center for a Catholic family. Only luxury hotels can provide a paradisiacal vacation for a big Catholic family. A high-level vacation for families, children and not only. The gorgeous views, divine service, and the best location are all luxury hotels. Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, and more. Everyone will find their place in this corner of paradise.

Popular destinations

Breckenridge, CO, United States

In Breckenridge, Colorado, there are plenty of places to visit, whether you're a nature lover or thrill seeker. For nature lovers, the Blue River runs right through town and there are plenty of trails to explore. If you're looking for a thrill, Breckenridge is home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the country. There's also plenty of shopping and dining options in town, so you'll never run out of things to do.

Breckenridge Luxury Hotels

Savannah, GA, United States

Savannah, Georgia is a beautiful city with lots of places to visit, including Forsyth Park, River Street, and the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace. Another place to visit is the Savannah History Museum, which is jam-packed with interesting exhibits on the history of the city.

Savannah Luxury Hotels

Naples, FL, United States

Naples is known for its stunning white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. Its also home to a wide variety of attractions, including world-class golf courses, vibrant nightlife, and interesting cultural experiences. Here are five places to visit in Naples, Florida:  Naples Pier: Stroll along the pier and enjoy panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico.  Fifth Avenue South: This popular shopping and dining district is home to eclectic boutiques, award-winning restaurants, and lively bars.  The Ritz-Carlton, Naples: This luxurious resort is set on 26 acres of pristine waterfront property and offers superb amenities, including a world-class spa and championship golf course.  The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens: This zoological park is home to more than 700 animals representing 150 species, including flamingos, lemurs, and tigers.  Tin City: This eclectic shopping and dining district is housed in a series of restored waterfront warehouses and features eclectic shops, galleries, and award-winning restaurants.

Naples Luxury Hotels

Naples Luxury Resorts

Louisville, KY, United States

Louisville is in the heart of Kentucky and is known for being the home of the Kentucky Derby. There are a lot of great places to visit in Louisville, including the Louisville Zoo, the Muhammad Ali Center, and the Frazier History Museum. There are also a lot of great restaurants and bars in Louisville, and it's a great place to visit for a weekend getaway.

Louisville Luxury Hotels

Galveston, TX, United States

Galveston is a Texas coastal town that is rich in history and offers visitors a variety of places to visit and things to do. Some of the most popular attractions include the Moody Gardens, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, and Historic Downtown. There are also a number of museums and other historical landmarks, as well as plenty of shopping and dining options.

Galveston Luxury Hotels

Galveston Luxury Resorts

Omaha, NE, United States

The birthplace of Warren Buffett, Omaha, Nebraska, is a great place to visit. There are plenty of things to see and do in Omaha, from touring the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium to visiting the Durham Western Heritage Museum. Other popular tourist destinations in Omaha include the Joslyn Art Museum, the Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, and TD Ameritrade Park.

Omaha Luxury Hotels

Columbus, GA, United States

Columbus is a charming small town in Georgia that is worth a visit. There are several places to visit in Columbus, including the Riverwalk, the Chattahoochee River, the National Infantry Museum, and the Coca-Cola Space Science Center. The Riverwalk is a beautiful walkway along the Chattahoochee River that is perfect for a relaxing stroll or a bike ride. The Chattahoochee River is a great place to go fishing, swimming, or kayaking. The National Infantry Museum is a museum dedicated to the infantry of the United States Army. It is a must-see for history buffs. The Coca-Cola Space Science Center is a museum dedicated to space science. It is perfect for kids and adults alike.

Columbus Luxury Hotels

Anchorage, AK, United States

Anchorage is a great place to visit if you're looking for an adrenaline rush. From skiing and snowboarding in the winter to rafting and fishing in the summer, Anchorage has something to offer everyone. In addition to its outdoor activities, Anchorage also has a variety of cultural and historical attractions, including the Anchorage Museum and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.

Anchorage Luxury Hotels

Portland, OR, United States

Portland is a city that is located in the US state of Oregon and it is known for its art scene, food, and coffee. There are a lot of interesting places to visit in Portland, such as the Portland Art Museum, where you can see a variety of art from all over the world. Another place to visit is the Powell's City of Books, the largest independent bookstore in the world. If you're looking for a place to eat, Portland has no shortage of amazing restaurants, such as Pok Pok, which serves Thai cuisine, and Le Pigeon, which serves French cuisine. And, of course, no trip to Portland would be complete without trying some of the city's famous coffee, such as Stumptown Coffee Roasters.

Portland Luxury Hotels

Florence, Italy

No trip to Italy is complete without a visit to Florence. This historic city is home to some of the country's most famous attractions, including the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Michelangelo's David. There's also plenty to see and do outside of the city center, including the picturesque Tuscan countryside and the vibrant university town of Arezzo.

Florence Luxury Hotels

Florence Luxury Villas

Asheville, NC, United States

Asheville is a city in western North Carolina. It is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Buncombe County. Asheville is home to the Biltmore Estate, the largest private home in the United States. The city of Asheville proper had a population of 84,236 in 2010. The city is known for its art deco architecture, mountain scenery and outdoor activities, and as the birthplace of American novelist Thomas Wolfe. It is also home to the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, the second largest craft brewery in the United States.

Asheville Luxury Hotels

Asheville Luxury Cottages

Long Beach, CA, United States

There's plenty to do in Long Beach, California without ever having to leave the city limits. If you're looking for a little adventure, head to the Aquarium of the Pacific for a glimpse of the ocean's creatures or take a walk on the boardwalk at Rainbow Harbor. If you're more of a history buff, the Queen Mary is a must-see. This retired ocean liner is now a hotel and museum with plenty of stories to tell. And no trip to Long Beach is complete without a visit to the iconic Vincent Thomas Bridge.

Long Beach Luxury Hotels

Long Beach Luxury Villas

Cincinnati, OH, United States

Cincinnati is a city located on the Ohio River in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Ohio. The city was founded in 1788 and named after the Society of the Cincinnati, an organization of Revolutionary War officers. Cincinnati is a major U.S. city and the metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million people. The city is well-known for its German heritage, Oktoberfest celebration, and its variety of chili dishes. Cincinnati is home to three major sports teams: the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals, MLB's Cincinnati Reds, and the NBA's Cincinnati Cavaliers. The city is also home to the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. The city's historic neighborhoods include Over-the-Rhine, Mount Auburn, and Hyde Park. Cincinnati is a popular tourist destination and offers a variety of attractions and places to visit, including the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, the Newport Aquarium, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Cincinnati Luxury Hotels

Laughlin, NV, United States

Laughlin, Nevada is a great place to visit if you're looking for a fun and affordable vacation. There are plenty of casinos and resorts to choose from, as well as plenty of outdoor activities and attractions. Be sure to check out the local nightlife, and don't forget to take a trip down the mighty Colorado River.

Laughlin Luxury Hotels

Laughlin Luxury Resorts

Anaheim, CA, United States

Anaheim, California is home to both Disneyland and California Adventure Park. The parks are just a short walk away from each other, and make for a great day of exploration. Anaheim is also home to the Anaheim Angels and the Anaheim Ducks, so there's always a game to catch. If you're looking for something a little more low-key, Anaheim has a great shopping district and a variety of restaurants to choose from.

Anaheim Luxury Hotels

Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Santa Cruz is a great place to visit! There are so many places to see and things to do. Some of my favorite places to visit are the Boardwalk, the wharf, and the University of California, Santa Cruz. The Boardwalk is a great place to go for a walk, ride on the amusement park rides, and eat some of the delicious food. The wharf is a great place to go for a walk, eat some seafood, and listen to the street performers. The University of California, Santa Cruz is a great place to visit to learn about the history of the area and to see some of the beautiful architecture. I highly recommend visiting Santa Cruz if you are looking for a fun and interesting place to visit!.

Santa Cruz Luxury Hotels

Eugene, OR, United States

Eugene, Oregon is a great city to visit with a lot of places to see and things to do. One of the most popular attractions is the University of Oregon campus, which is home to a number of museums and a large football stadium. The city also has a vibrant arts scene, with a number of theaters and art galleries. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the dozens of parks and hiking trails in the area, and there are also a number of wineries and breweries in the area.

Eugene Luxury Hotels

Branson, MO, United States

There's plenty to see and do in Branson, Missouri, from state parks and amusement parks to theaters and shopping. Here are some of the most popular places to visit: Silver Dollar City is a theme park with rides, shows, and craftsmen demonstrations. is a theme park with rides, shows, and craftsmen demonstrations. The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theatre puts on a variety of shows, including "The Legend of the Shepherd of the Hills" and "The Catfish Fry." puts on a variety of shows, including "The Legend of the Shepherd of the Hills" and "The Catfish Fry." Table Rock State Park has fishing, swimming, and hiking trails, as well as a nature center. has fishing, swimming, and hiking trails, as well as a nature center. The Titanic Museum features a half-sized replica of the ship, along with exhibits about the history of the Titanic. features a half-sized replica of the ship, along with exhibits about the history of the Titanic. Branson Landing is a shopping and entertainment complex on the waterfront. There's something for everyone in Branson, Missouri  come visit and see for yourself!.

Branson Luxury Hotels

Panama City Beach, FL, United States

The white sand beaches and emerald waters of Panama City Beach, Florida, are a popular tourist destination. The city is home to numerous hotels, resorts, and restaurants, as well as amusement and water parks. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, kayaking, and surfing.

Panama City Beach Luxury Hotels

Panama City Beach Luxury Resorts

Monterey, CA, United States

Monterey is a coastal city in Monterey County, California, United States. It stands at the southern end of Monterey Bay, on the Pacific coast. The city is also the home of the Naval Postgraduate School. Monterey is the largest city in the Central Coast region of California. The main attractions in Monterey are the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, and the downtown area.

Monterey Luxury Hotels

Norfolk, VA, United States

Norfolk, Virginia is a great place to visit for its historical places and military bases. Some places to visit in Norfolk are the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk Botanical Garden, and the Norfolk Naval Station.

Norfolk Luxury Hotels

Palm Springs, CA, United States

Palm Springs is a vibrant city located in the Coachella Valley and is known for its year-round sunshine, resort atmosphere and Mid-Century Modern architecture. Top places to visit include the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs Art Museum, Indian Canyons and Moorten Botanical Garden. For a truly unique experience, be sure to check out the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale  the worlds largest vintage furniture and design event.

Palm Springs Luxury Hotels

Palm Springs Luxury Resorts

Palm Springs Luxury Villas

Rochester, NY, United States

Rochester is a city in western New York State and is the county seat of Monroe County. Rochester is known for its annual festivals, including the Rochester International Jazz Festival, the Rochester Fringe Festival, and the Holiday Folk Fair International. Places to visit in Rochester include the George Eastman Museum, the Strong National Museum of Play, the Rochester Museum and Science Center, and the Seneca Park Zoo.

Rochester Luxury Hotels

Pigeon Forge, TN, United States

Visit the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge for a unique experience. This museum is dedicated to the Titanic, one of the most infamous ships in history. Tour the ship and learn about the passengers and crew who were on board. You can even see the actual artifacts recovered from the shipwreck. If you're looking for a little more excitement, head to Dollywood. This amusement park is home to roller coasters, a water park, and plenty of other rides and attractions. Plus, the park is themed around the life and music of Dolly Parton. No trip to Pigeon Forge is complete without a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains. These mountains offer a variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, and horseback riding. Plus, the natural beauty of the area is simply breathtaking.

Pigeon Forge Luxury Hotels

Jacksonville, FL, United States

Jacksonville is less than an hour's drive from the beaches of Amelia Island and St. Augustine, and a little more than two hours from Orlando. The city has a lot to offer visitors, including a riverwalk, museums, and a vibrant arts scene. Jacksonville is also home to the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team.

Jacksonville Luxury Hotels

Minsk, Belarus

Minsk, the capital of Belarus, is a city that has something for everyone. If you're looking for a little history, Minsk has plenty of it, with churches and monuments dating back to the 12th century. If you're looking for a lively nightlife, Minsk has that, too, with plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants. And if you're looking for a little nature, Minsk has parks and gardens to enjoy. Here are just a few of the places you can visit in Minsk: The Holy Spirit Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in Minsk, is a must-visit for history buffs. The National Library of Belarus is a huge library with more than 18 million items in its collection. The Opera and Ballet Theatre is a beautiful building that hosts performances of both opera and ballet. The Victory Park is a large park with a war memorial, a children's playground, and a lake. And for a little bit of nature in the heart of the city, the Botanical Garden is a great place to relax and take a break from the hustle and bustle of Minsk.

Minsk Luxury Hotels

Jaipur, India

Jaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. It is the capital of the state of Rajasthan and is known for its palaces, forts and temples. Some of the places to visit in Jaipur include the Amber Fort, the City Palace, the Jantar Mantar Observatory and the Hawa Mahal. Jaipur is also a great place to shop for traditional Indian handicrafts.

Jaipur Luxury Hotels

Chicago, IL, United States

Chicago is a city full of culture and history. There are plenty of places to visit, such as the Willis Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. Chicago is also home to many restaurants and bars, so there is something for everyone.

Chicago Luxury Hotels

Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland is a beautiful city located on the north island of New Zealand. There are many places to visit in Auckland, including the Sky Tower, the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and the Auckland Domain. The beaches in Auckland are also worth visiting, especially Karekare and Piha. Auckland is a great place to visit, and I highly recommend it!.

Auckland Luxury Hotels

Auckland Luxury Villas

Amsterdam, Netherlands

If you're looking for a city that's got it all, Amsterdam should be your go-to destination. From the city's lively and vibrant nightlife to its charming and quiet neighborhoods, Amsterdam has something for everyone. Be sure to check out the Anne Frank Huis, the Rijksmuseum, and the Van Gogh Museum, as these are some of the most popular attractions in the city. And if you're looking for a little bit of nature, be sure to take a walk or bike ride through Amsterdam's many parks.

Amsterdam Luxury Hotels

Berlin, Germany

There are so many great places to visit in Berlin that it can be hard to know where to start. From the iconic Brandenburg Gate to the fascinating Reichstag Building, there's something for everyone in this vibrant city. If you're looking for a bit of history, make sure to check out the Berlin Wall Memorial or the DDR Museum. And for those looking for a bit more fun, there's always the Alexanderplatz Christmas Market or the Zoologischer Garten. No matter what your interests, Berlin is a city you won't want to miss.

Berlin Luxury Hotels

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is a city of contrasts with its gleaming temples and skyscrapers, chaotic markets and tranquil canals. While it's a popular tourist destination, Bangkok is a city that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. Some of the top places to visit in Bangkok include the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, the floating markets and the Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Bangkok Luxury Hotels

Bangkok Luxury Resorts

Bangkok Luxury Villas

Bruges, Belgium

Bruges is a city in Belgium that is worth visiting. It is full of medieval charm and there are a lot of things to see and do. Some of the places to visit include the Markt, the Belfry, and the Begijnhof.

Bruges Luxury Hotels

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is a city in Belgium that is best known for its chocolate, waffles, and beer. But there is much more to see and do in Brussels than just indulge in the local cuisine. There are a number of interesting historical landmarks to visit, such as the Grand Place and the Atomium, as well as a variety of parks and gardens. And, of course, Brussels is also a great city to explore on foot.

Brussels Luxury Hotels

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest, Hungary's capital, is a city of thermal baths and medival, baroque and art nouveau architecture. Crowded with tourists, the city is bisected by the Danube River into the hilly Buda and the more developed and flat Pest. Among the main places of interest are the neo-Gothic Parliament, the Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest, the Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion on the Buda bank, and the State Opera House and Heroes' Square on the Pest side.

Budapest Luxury Hotels

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Home to some of the best beaches in Mexico, Playa del Carmen is a favorite tourist destination for visitors from all over the world. With its lively nightlife, gorgeous coastline and ample shopping opportunities, there's something for everyone in this tropical paradise. Don't miss the opportunity to visit some of the area's most popular attractions, such as the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum and Coba, or the eco-friendly Turtle Beach. With its friendly people, delicious food and stunning scenery, Playa del Carmen is a place you'll never want to leave.

Playa del Carmen Luxury Hotels

Playa del Carmen Luxury Resorts

Playa del Carmen Luxury Villas

Denver, CO, United States

Denver is a great city for visitors. There are so many places to see and things to do. Some of the top places to visit include the 16th Street Mall, the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Art Museum, and the Colorado State Capitol. There are also plenty of great restaurants and shops to explore. Denver is definitely a city worth visiting!.

Denver Luxury Hotels

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is a city located in Ireland. It's a city full of culture, with plenty of places to visit. Some popular tourist spots are the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College, and the Dublin Castle. There are also plenty of pubs and restaurants to discover.

Dublin Luxury Hotels

Dusseldorf, Germany

Dusseldorf, Germany is a city with many different places to visit. The city has a mix of old and new buildings, and a variety of activities to do. The best places to visit in Dusseldorf are the Konigsallee, the Rhine Tower, and the Oktoberfest. The Konigsallee is an open-air shopping mall that has many high-end stores. The Rhine Tower is the tallest building in the city and offers great views of Dusseldorf. The Oktoberfest is a week-long festival that celebrates German culture and food.

Dusseldorf Luxury Hotels

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Edinburgh, Scotland is a beautiful city to visit. The architecture is very old and unique, and there are plenty of historical places to visit, like Edinburgh Castle. There are also plenty of parks and gardens, and lots of shops and restaurants.

Edinburgh Luxury Hotels

Rome, Italy

Rome is a city rich in history and filled with beautiful places to visit. Make sure to stop by the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon. Also be sure to visit St. Peters Basilica and the Sistine Chapel while in Rome. If youre looking for a little more nature in your trip, head to the Villa Borghese gardens or the Janiculum Hill for some wonderful views of the city. And of course, no trip to Rome is complete without a gelato!.

Rome Luxury Hotels

Rome Luxury Villas

New York, NY, United States

There are many amazing places to visit in New York State. Some of my favorites are the Niagara Falls, the Adirondack Mountains, and the Finger Lakes. If you're looking for a city break, New York City is definitely worth a visit. There's endless things to see and do, from touring the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to visiting world-famous museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History. No matter what your interests are, you'll be able to find something to enjoy in New York State.

New York Luxury Hotels

New York Luxury Villas

London, United Kingdom

London is a city rich in history and full of amazing places to visit. Some of my favorite places are Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London. There is so much to see and do in London, you could spend weeks here and never run out of things to do. If you're looking for a city full of culture and history, London is the place for you.

London Luxury Hotels

London Luxury Cottages

Madrid, Spain

Madrid is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities in the world. From the Royal Palace to the Prado Museum, theres plenty to see and do in Madrid. If youre looking for a little bit of nature, Madrid has plenty of parks, like the Buen Retiro Park, to relax in. And dont forget to try some of the delicious tapas and wine while youre in town.

Madrid Luxury Hotels

Memphis, TN, United States

The birthplace of rock 'n' roll, Memphis is a city rich in history and culture. From Graceland to Beale Street, there are plenty of places to visit in Memphis. Be sure to check out Sun Studio, where rock 'n' roll was born, and the National Civil Rights Museum, which tells the story of the African-American civil rights movement. Memphis is also home to some amazing food, so be sure to try some of the city's famous barbecue and soul food.

Memphis Luxury Hotels

Miami Beach, FL, United States

There is much to explore in Miami Beach, from the famous Art Deco district to the vast beaches and crystal-clear waters. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding, while history buffs can explore the ancient burial mounds at Miami Beach. Shoppers and foodies will find plenty to keep them busy, with vibrant neighborhoods like Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive offering unique boutiques and award-winning restaurants. And of course, no trip to Miami Beach is complete without a visit to world-famous South Beach.

Miami Beach Luxury Hotels

Miami Beach Luxury Resorts

New Orleans, LA, United States

You can't visit New Orleans without trying some of the local food. Beignets, Po' Boys, and gumbo are just a few of the must-try dishes. While you're in town, be sure to check out the French Quarter, Jackson Square, and St. Louis Cathedral. If you're looking for some nightlife, Bourbon Street is the place to be. And, of course, no trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to Mardi Gras!.

New Orleans Luxury Hotels

Milan, Italy

Milan is a city located in the Lombardy region of Italy. It is a popular tourist destination because of its historical and artistic heritage. Some of the places you should visit while in Milan are the Duomo, La Scala, and Castello Sforzesco.

Milan Luxury Hotels

Naples, Italy

Naples is one of the most beautiful and historic cities in Italy. There are countless places to visit, such as the Royal Palace, the Museum of San Martino, and the Church of Gesu Nuovo. Naples is also home to excellent shopping and dining options. Be sure to enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the city's many cafes and take a stroll through the picturesque streets.

Naples Luxury Hotels

Paris, France

Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It's home to iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, as well as a thriving nightlife and restaurant scene. If you're looking to explore all that Paris has to offer, here are some of the top places to visit: The Eiffel Tower: This iconic landmark is a must-see in Paris. Climb to the top for stunning views of the city, or take a ride on the elevator to the bottom for a closer look at the structure. The Louvre Museum: This world-famous museum is home to some of the most famous works of art in the world, including the Mona Lisa. The Notre Dame Cathedral: This beautiful cathedral is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris. Make sure to climb to the top for some amazing views of the city. The Champs-Elysees: This famous avenue is a popular destination for shopping and dining. Be sure to wander down the street and take in all the sights and sounds. The Arc de Triomphe: This towering arch is another iconic landmark in Paris. Climb to the top for some amazing views of the city.

Paris Luxury Hotels

Paris Luxury Villas

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is a city rich in history and culture. There are plenty of places to visit, including the Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, and the Old Town Square. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy, and the nightlife is vibrant. Prague is a truly unique city and a must-visit for anyone traveling to the Czech Republic.

Prague Luxury Hotels

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Located on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is known for its beautiful beaches and turquoise waters. This paradise is a favorite destination for travelers looking for a Caribbean getaway. Punta Cana is home to a wide variety of resorts and activities, from enjoying the sand and surf to golfing, spas, and shopping. Nature lovers can also explore the areas jungles, caves, and waterfalls.

Punta Cana Luxury Hotels

Punta Cana Luxury Resorts

Punta Cana Luxury Villas

Marbella, Spain

If you're looking for an idyllic and luxurious Spanish escape, look no further than Marbella. Located on the country's Costa del Sol, Marbella is home to stunning beaches, top-notch resorts, world-class golfing, and much more. A visit to Marbella is the perfect way to experience all that Spain has to offer.

Marbella Luxury Hotels

Marbella Luxury Villas

Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakesh is a city in Morocco that is full of culture and history. There are several places to visit in Marrakesh, including the Palace of the Bahia, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, and the Saadian Tombs. The souks (markets) are also a must-see, where you can find everything from souvenirs to spices to traditional clothing. Be sure to enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants or cafes in Marrakesh; the food is delicious and the atmosphere is always lively. Marrakesh is a wonderful city to explore and definitely worth a visit!.

Marrakesh Luxury Hotels

San Francisco, CA, United States

San Francisco is a popular tourist destination, and for good reason. There are plenty of things to see and do in this vibrant city. Here are some of the top places to visit: 1. Fisherman's Wharf: This neighborhood is home to a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as a popular pier where you can enjoy views of the bay. 2. The Golden Gate Bridge: This iconic bridge is a must-see for any visitor to San Francisco. 3. Alcatraz Island: This former federal prison is now a popular tourist attraction. It's a must-see for fans of history and crime dramas. 4. Chinatown: This colorful neighborhood is home to some of the best food in San Francisco. Be sure to check out the Dragon Gate entrance. 5. The Mission District: This trendy neighborhood is home to hip restaurants, bars, and art galleries.

San Francisco Luxury Hotels

Moscow, Russia

Moscow, Russia is a beautiful city with plenty of places to visit. Some of the most popular tourist attractions are the Kremlin, Red Square, and Saint Basil's Cathedral. Other great places to see include the Bolshoi Theatre, Gorky Park, and the Tretyakov Gallery. There are also many churches and other historical buildings to explore. Moscow is a lively city with a lot of culture and nightlife. There is something for everyone to enjoy in Moscow.

Moscow Luxury Hotels

Venice, Italy

Venice is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The city is built on a lagoon in northeast Italy and is known for its canals and gondolas. There are many places to visit in Venice, including the Grand Canal, St. Marks Square, and the Rialto Bridge. Venice is also home to many museums, including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

Venice Luxury Hotels

Vienna, Austria

Vienna, Austria is a city with a long and rich history. There are many places to visit in Vienna, including the Hofburg Palace, the Ringstrasse, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Vienna is also home to some of the world's best shopping, including the Karntner Strasse and the Graben. Finally, no visit to Vienna is complete without experiencing the city's world-famous nightlife.

Vienna Luxury Hotels

Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich is a marvelous city located in the heart of Switzerland. It is a city that has something to offer for everyone. From amazing restaurants and beautiful architecture to exciting nightlife and gorgeous parks, Zurich has something for everyone. Some of the most popular places to visit in Zurich include the Bahnhofstrasse, which is the city's most famous shopping street, the Lindenhof, which is a beautiful park with amazing views of the city, and Grossmunster, which is a stunning Romanesque church. Zurich is also home to some of the best museums in the world, including the famed Museum of Art and the Swiss National Museum. With its mix of old-world charm and modern amenities, Zurich is a city that is definitely worth exploring.

Zurich Luxury Hotels

Acapulco, Mexico

If you're looking for a Mexican vacation spot with plenty of history and culture to explore, Acapulco is a great option. From the archeological wonders of the ancient city to the stunning coastal views, there's something for everyone in Acapulco. Plus, with its temperate climate, it's a great escape from colder winter weather.

Acapulco Luxury Hotels

Acapulco Luxury Resorts

Acapulco Luxury Villas

Nashville, TN, United States

One of the United States' most interesting places to visit is Nashville, Tennessee. There's plenty to see and do there, from the Grand Ole Opry to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Music is a big part of the city's history and culture, so be sure to catch a show while you're in town. Other popular attractions include the Ryman Auditorium, the Parthenon, and the Jack Daniel's Distillery. Nashville is also a great place to eat, with a wide variety of restaurants serving up everything from barbecue to Mexican food. So if you're looking for an exciting and diverse city to visit, be sure to add Nashville to your list.

Nashville Luxury Hotels

Nashville Luxury Villas

Atlanta, GA, United States

What's not to love about Atlanta? From the iconic Georgia Aquarium to the World of Coke, from the Fox Theatre to Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta offers a wealth of destinations for tourists. Sports fans will want to check out the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and history buffs will enjoy the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. Braves fans can take a tour of SunTrust Park, and shoppers will enjoy the many boutiques and malls in the city. There's also a great restaurant scene in Atlanta, and music lovers will want to check out the many venues offering live music. Whether you're looking for a fun family vacation spot or a place to explore on your own, Atlanta is a great choice!.

Atlanta Luxury Hotels

Miami, FL, United States

The Magic City is a top tourist destination for a reasonthere are endless things to do in Miami! From exploring the trendy neighborhoods and dazzling beaches to soaking up the Latin culture and nightlife, Miami is jam-packed with amazing places to visit. Here are a few of our favorites: 1. Wynwood Walls: This outdoor art exhibit is a must-see for any art lover. The colorful murals are awe-inspiring and definitely Instagram-worthy. 2. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: This estate is dripping with luxury and opulence, from the grandiose architecture to the expansive gardens. It's the perfect place for a day of relaxation. 3. South Beach: This world-famous beach is a must-visit for any sun-seeker. The crystal-clear water and soft sand make for the perfect day-long beach getaway. 4. Little Havana: Experience Cuban culture at its best in Little Havana. From delicious food to lively music and dance, there's something for everyone in this vibrant district. 5. Art Deco District: This district is home to Miami's most iconic architecture. Take a stroll down the charming streets and admire the colorful buildings that make Miami so unique.

Miami Luxury Hotels

Miami Luxury Villas

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is a must-see destination in Japan. There are endless places to explore in this city - temples, shrines, gardens, and more. The Shinjuku district is a great place to start, with its neon-lit streets and myriad shops and restaurants. For a taste of traditional Japan, visit the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa or the Imperial Palace. Nature lovers will enjoy the Hamarikyu Gardens or the Hama-rikyu Teien Garden. And for a unique experience, take a trip to Mount Fuji.

Tokyo Luxury Hotels

Tokyo Luxury Villas

Buenos Aires, Argentina

There are plenty of places to visit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Some popular tourist destinations include the obelisk, the Casa Rosada, and the Puerto Madero district. Every barrio (neighborhood) has its own unique culture and flavor. San Telmo, La Boca, and Palermo are some of the most popular barrios. There are also many parks and plazas, such as Plaza de Mayo and Plaza de la Republica, that are worth checking out.

Buenos Aires Luxury Hotels

Hamburg, Germany

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany is Hamburg. From the lively and colorful harbor district to the grandiose City Hall, there is plenty to see and do in Hamburg. Some of the other popular places to visit include the Reeperbahn district with its pubs and nightlife, the Planten un Blomen botanical gardens, and the architecturally stunning Rathausmarkt square.

Hamburg Luxury Hotels

Lisbon, Portugal

The capital of Portugal, Lisbon is a city of fascinating contrasts. From its coastal location, visitors can enjoy stunning ocean views, while its hilly, narrow streets are home to a maze of charming traditional homes and lively nightlife. A city of 7 hills, Lisbon is a bustling metropolis with something for everyone. Here are some of the top places to visit: The Belem Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Lisbons most iconic landmarks. This 16th-century fortress and lighthouse is a must-see for visitors. The Alfama district, with its winding streets and tile-roofed homes, is the oldest district in Lisbon. This is the perfect place to get lost and explore the citys history. The Lisbon Zoo is a great place to enjoy a day out with the family, with over 2,000 animals from around the world. The Christ the King statue, located atop a hill in the suburb of Almada, offers impressive views of Lisbon and the river Tagus. The Lisbon Oceanarium, located in the Parque das Nacoes district, is home to more than 12,000 marine creatures and is one of the largest aquariums in Europe.

Lisbon Luxury Hotels

Lisbon Luxury Villas

Malaga, Spain

Malaga is an attractive seaside city in southern Spain with a long history. There are many places to visit in Malaga, including the Gibralfaro Castle, the Alcazaba fortress, and the Malaga Cathedral. Malaga is also home to a variety of museums, including the Picasso Museum. The city is well known for its beaches, and there are many delightful places to relax and enjoy the sun and the sea.

Malaga Luxury Hotels

Malaga Luxury Villas

Munich, Germany

When planning a vacation to Munich, Germany, be sure to include these top places to visit: The Marienplatz is a must-see square in the city center, featuring a beautiful Glockenspiel show and the Old and New Town Halls. The Englisher Garten, Europes largest city park, is a great place for a relaxing stroll or a picnic. OlympiaPark is home to the famous 1972 Olympic Stadium as well as a huge amusement park. The Frauenkirche is a stunning church in the old town with a Glockenspiel of its own. Beer lovers will want to visit the Hofbrauhaus, the worlds most famous beer hall. For a bit of history and culture, check out the LudwigMaximilians-University and the Deutsches Museum. There is so much to see and do in Munich  these are just a few highlights!.

Munich Luxury Hotels

Granada, Spain

Granada is a city in southern Spain that is known for its Moorish architecture and history. The city is home to the Alhambra, a palace and fortress that was constructed in the late 1300s. Visitors can also enjoy the citys many churches, including the Cathedral of Granada. Granada is also a convenient base for exploring the other cities and towns in Andalusia.

Granada Luxury Hotels

Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is a city full of history and culture. There are many places to visit, such as the Palace of Parliament, which is the world's largest civilian building. Other places to visit include the old city center, which is full of charming streets and buildings, and the Botanical Garden, which is the largest botanical garden in Romania.

Bucharest Luxury Hotels

Bologna, Italy

Bologna, Italy is a beautiful city with plenty of places to visit. Some popular tourist destinations include the Piazza Maggiore, the Tower of Asinelli, and the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca. There are also plenty of museums and churches to explore, and the city is full of charming restaurants and cafes. Bologna is an excellent destination for a vacation, and there is something for everyone to enjoy in this amazing city.

Bologna Luxury Hotels

Porto, Portugal

Porto is a port city in Portugal that is well known for its wine. It's also a city with a long and rich history. There are many places to visit in Porto, including the old city center, the Dom Luis I Bridge, and the Clerigos Tower. Porto is also home to the famous Port wine caves, which are a must-visit for wine lovers.

Porto Luxury Hotels

Cologne, Germany

Cologne, located on the Rhine River in western Germany, is a city well worth visiting. The city has a long and rich history, dating back to the time of the Roman Empire. Some of the city's most popular tourist attractions include the Cologne Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge, and the RheinEnergieStadion. Additionally, Cologne is home to a wide variety of museums, shops, and restaurants. In fact, the city has been ranked as one of the best places to live in Germany. So, if you're looking for a great European city to visit, be sure to add Cologne to your list.

Cologne Luxury Hotels

Istanbul, Turkey

If you're looking for an exotic and affordable vacation destination, look no further than Istanbul, Turkey. Filled with historical places to visit and bargains to be found, Istanbul offers something for everyone. Be sure to visit the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque while you're there. Don't forget to bargain for the best prices when shopping in the bazaars, and enjoy some delicious Turkish cuisine while you're at it. Istanbul is sure to leave you with a lasting impression.

Istanbul Luxury Hotels

Istanbul Luxury Villas

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is a fascinating and exotic city that offers visitors a mix of traditional Middle Eastern culture and modern, cosmopolitan life. There are plenty of places to visit in Dubai, from the towering skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai to the luxury shopping malls and luxurious hotels of the Palm Jumeirah. Don't miss a chance to experience an Arabian night out on an epic dhow cruise, or take a trip out into the Arabian Desert to see the stunning sand dunes.

Dubai Luxury Hotels

Dubai Luxury Resorts

Dubai Luxury Villas

Antwerp, Belgium

Antwerp is a city located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital of the province of Antwerp and has a population of over half a million people. Antwerp is a popular tourist destination due to its many historical buildings, museums, and art galleries. Some of the most popular places to visit in Antwerp are the Cathedral of Our Lady, the City Hall, the Rubenshuis, and the Antwerp Zoo.

Antwerp Luxury Hotels

Lyon, France

Lyon is a beautiful city in the south of France that is full of culture and places to visit. Some of the most popular places to visit in Lyon are the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere, the Place Bellecour, and the Vieux Lyon. The Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere is a beautiful cathedral that is a must-see when visiting Lyon. The Place Bellecour is a large square in the heart of Lyon that is full of restaurants and cafes. The Vieux Lyon is a district in Lyon that is full of old buildings and is a great place to wander around and take in the sights.

Lyon Luxury Hotels

Athens, Greece

If you find yourself in Athens, there are definitely some spots you won't want to miss. The Acropolis, Parthenon, and Olympic Stadium are all essential stops, but there are plenty of others, too. If you're looking for a bit of history, the National Archaeological Museum is a must-see, while nature lovers will enjoy a visit to the botanical gardens. If you're looking to relax, take a walk along the beach in Glyfada or head to the Plaka district for a charming and picturesque setting. No matter what you're interested in, Athens has something for you.

Athens Luxury Hotels

Athens Luxury Villas

Helsinki, Finland

While in Helsinki, make sure to visit these popular tourist destinations: The Senate Square and Lutheran Cathedral The Sibelius Monument Ateneum Art Museum Market Square Helsinki Zoo.

Helsinki Luxury Hotels

Vilnius, Lithuania

The capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, is a picturesque city with a rich history. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is full of charming churches, narrow streets, and pretty squares. There are also lots of museums and other places of interest to visit, including the Hill of Crosses, Gediminas Tower, and the Presidential Palace. Vilnius is a great city to explore on foot, and there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars to enjoy in the evening.

Vilnius Luxury Hotels

Reykjavik, Iceland

A city of remote beauty, Reykjavik is teeming with interesting places to visit. One of the worlds most northern capitals, Reykjavik offers stunning landscapes and a wealth of cultural experiences. From the iconic Hallgrimskirkja church to the popular Golden Circle tour, theres plenty to see and do in Reykjavik. Be sure to check out the citys lively nightlife scene, too  you wont be disappointed!.

Reykjavik Luxury Hotels

Glasgow, United Kingdom

Some of the most popular places to visit in Glasgow include the Gallery of Modern Art, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Riverside Museum, and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. There are also many wonderful parks and gardens to explore, including the Botanic Gardens and Glasgow Green. For those interested in history and architecture, there are many fascinating old buildings to see, such as the Glasgow Cathedral and the University of Glasgow. And for those looking for a lively nightlife, Glasgow has no shortage of pubs, clubs, and restaurants.

Glasgow Luxury Hotels

Los Angeles, CA, United States

As the birthplace of Hollywood and home to some of the world's most recognisable landmarks, there's no shortage of places to visit in Los Angeles. Start by exploring the city's iconic neighbourhoods like Beverly Hills and Hollywood, then venture out to attractions like the Griffith Observatory, Venice Beach and Disneyland. And don't forget to savour the city's world-famous cultural scene, with its abundance of museums, theatres and restaurants.

Los Angeles Luxury Hotels

Los Angeles Luxury Villas

San Diego, CA, United States

San Diego is a city located in California and is a major tourist destination. One of the main reasons people visit the city is for its many beaches. Coronado Beach, Mission Beach, and Pacific Beach are some of the most popular and are all within close proximity to the city center. Other attractions in San Diego include the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, and the USS Midway Museum. Restaurants, bars, and shopping can be found throughout the city, and world-renowned museums, like the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, are also located in San Diego.

San Diego Luxury Hotels

San Diego Luxury Resorts

San Diego Luxury Villas

Washington, DC, United States

Washington, D.C. is a city full of history and places to visit. Some popular places to visit are the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, and the Smithsonian. D.C. is also home to a number of monuments and memorials, like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. There are also a number of museums in D.C., like the American History Museum and the National Air and Space Museum.

Washington Luxury Hotels

Cancun, Mexico

Cancun is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico. Aside from its beautiful beaches, there are plenty of places to visit and things to do in Cancun. Some of the most popular attractions include the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza, the eco-park Xcaret, and the nightclubs and bars in the resort district.

Cancun Luxury Hotels

Cancun Luxury Resorts

Cancun Luxury Villas

Virginia Beach, VA, United States

Virginia Beach is one of the top tourist destinations on the East Coast. From the Virginia Beach Boardwalk to the miles of sandy beaches, there's something for everyone to enjoy. There are also plenty of restaurants, shops, and other attractions to keep visitors busy. Some of the most popular places to visit in Virginia Beach include: The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center : This aquarium is home to more than 20,000 animals, including sharks, dolphins, and rays. : This aquarium is home to more than 20,000 animals, including sharks, dolphins, and rays. The Virginia Beach Boardwalk: This 3.5-mile boardwalk is one of the most popular attractions in Virginia Beach. It features a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and amusements. This 3.5-mile boardwalk is one of the most popular attractions in Virginia Beach. It features a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and amusements. First Landing State Park: This park offers miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as a beachfront area for swimming and sunbathing. This park offers miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as a beachfront area for swimming and sunbathing. Cape Henry Lighthouse: This lighthouse is one of the oldest in the country and offers stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay. There are plenty of other things to do in Virginia Beach, including dolphin and whale watching tours, kayaking, and golfing. Whether you're looking for a fun family vacation or a romantic getaway, Virginia Beach is sure to please.

Virginia Beach Luxury Hotels

Virginia Beach Luxury Resorts

Beijing, China

If you're looking for an amazing cultural experience, be sure to add Beijing, China to your travel bucket list! With beautiful temples, charming hutongs (traditional alleyways), and a lively food scene, there's something for everyone in this bustling city. Plus, Beijing is home to some of the most iconic attractions in China, like the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City. So if you're looking for an unforgettable East Asian adventure, be sure to add Beijing to your list!.

Beijing Luxury Hotels

Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is a metropolitan city that is home to over 10 million people. It is a city full of culture, history, and a vibrant nightlife. There are plenty of places to visit in Seoul, including the Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and N Seoul Tower. The Jeongdongne district is a must-see for anyone interested in art and culture, and the Itaewon district is a great place to go for a night on the town.

Seoul Luxury Hotels

South Lake Tahoe, CA, United States

Known for its dramatic lake and mountain scenery, South Lake Tahoe offers visitors plenty of places to visit and things to do. Some of the most popular attractions include floating down the river on a tube, hiking the trails in the summer and skiing or snowboarding the slopes in the winter. The city also has a variety of restaurants and nightlife options, as well as casinos for those looking to try their luck.

South Lake Tahoe Luxury Hotels

South Lake Tahoe Luxury Resorts

Daytona Beach, FL, United States

Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. It is approximately 40 miles northeast of Orlando, and 85 miles southeast of Jacksonville. The city is known as "The World's Most Famous Beach." Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Fun Coast region of Florida. The Daytona Beach area is a popular tourist destination. It is well known for its beaches, sports events, and motorsports. Daytona Beach was the birthplace of NASCAR and home to its first track, Daytona International Speedway. Dayton Beach also features a large number of tourist-oriented businesses, such as motels, restaurants, and bars.

Daytona Beach Luxury Hotels

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The coastline of Rio de Janeiro is breathtaking, and the views from Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain are unforgettable. Rio's world-famous beaches are the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sun and the surf. The city's rich culture and history can be experienced in its many museums and in the lively nightlife. Rio is also a great place to shop for souvenirs.

Rio de Janeiro Luxury Hotels

Rio de Janeiro Luxury Villas

Jaco, Costa Rica

Jaco is a town on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It's about an hour drive from San Jose and is a popular spot for surfers, sunbathers, and tourists. There are a number of beaches in the area, as well as restaurants, bars, and hotels. If you're looking for a place to relax and enjoy the Costa Rican sun and beaches, Jaco is a great option.

Jaco Luxury Hotels

Oslo, Norway

Oslo, Norway is a city with plenty of places to visit. You can find the peace and tranquility of nature parks and green spaces, experience the city's vibrant nightlife, or take in the historical and cultural sights. Here are a few of the top places to visit in Oslo: The Royal Palace: Oslo's Royal Palace is the official residence of Norway's king and queen. The palace is open to the public year-round, and offers a glimpse into the lives of the royal family. Oslo's Royal Palace is the official residence of Norway's king and queen. The palace is open to the public year-round, and offers a glimpse into the lives of the royal family. Vigeland Park: Considered one of Oslo's most popular tourist destinations, Vigeland Park is home to over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. The park is a great place to spend a sunny day outdoors. Considered one of Oslo's most popular tourist destinations, Vigeland Park is home to over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. The park is a great place to spend a sunny day outdoors. The Maritime Museum: This museum is home to a variety of exhibits on Norway's maritime history. Visitors can explore everything from Viking ships to modern submarines. This museum is home to a variety of exhibits on Norway's maritime history. Visitors can explore everything from Viking ships to modern submarines. The National Gallery: The National Gallery is Norway's largest art museum, and home to a vast collection of paintings and sculptures from the country's most famous artists. The National Gallery is Norway's largest art museum, and home to a vast collection of paintings and sculptures from the country's most famous artists. Aker Brygge: Aker Brygge is a popular waterfront district in Oslo, home to a variety of bars, restaurants, and shops. The area is a great place to people watch and enjoy the view of the Oslo Fjord.

Oslo Luxury Hotels

Lima, Peru

If you're looking for a city that's bursting with culture and flavor, Lima, Peru is the place for you! This vibrant destination is home to some of the most amazing places to visit in all of South America. From ancient ruins to lush rainforests, there's something for everyone in Lima. Here are just a few of the must-see attractions in this amazing city: The Larco Museum is one of Lima's top tourist destinations. This incredible museum is home to one of the largest collections of pre-Columbian art in the world. The Historic Center of Lima is a must-see for any history lover. This vibrant area is home to some of the oldest architecture in Lima, including the iconic San Francisco Monastery. If you're looking for a little bit of jungle in the city, head to the Parque de la Reserva. This lush park is home to beautiful gardens, a zoo, and even a butterfly farm! No trip to Lima would be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. This ancient Inca citadel is one of the most iconic sites in all of South America.

Lima Luxury Hotels

Ankara, Turkey

Ankara is the cultural and political center of Turkey. The city is home to many museums, including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and is a popular destination for tourists. The Citadel, the Ataturk Mausoleum, and the War of Independence Museum are all popular tourist destinations in Ankara. The city is also home to a vibrant nightlife and is a popular destination for students.

Ankara Luxury Hotels

Birmingham, United Kingdom

There are plenty of great places to visit in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Some of the most popular places to go include the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, and the Black Country Living Museum. These places are all great for tourists, as they offer a variety of attractions, including beautiful gardens, interesting art, and a recreation of an old-fashioned town. Additionally, there are plenty of other great places to visit in Birmingham, such as the Jewellery Quarter and the German Christmas Market.

Birmingham Luxury Hotels

York, United Kingdom

With a rich history that spans back over 1,000 years, York is a must-visit destination in the United Kingdom. Explore the city's medieval architecture and narrow cobblestone streets, or enjoy a leisurely walk along the River Ouse. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of cultural experiences, such as the York Minster cathedral, the Jorvik Viking Centre, and the National Railway Museum. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy in York.

York Luxury Hotels

Inverness, United Kingdom

Inverness, Scotland is a must-see destination on any traveler's list. Filled with rolling green hills, historical sites, and plenty of outdoor activities, there's something for everyone in this charming town. Start by exploring the city center, which is home to a variety of shops and restaurants. Make sure to check out the Inverness Castle, which offers commanding views of the area, and the Inverness Cathedral, a beautiful example of medieval architecture. Outside of the city center, there are plenty of other attractions to explore. The Loch Ness Monster is said to make its home in the loch here, and visitors can take boat tours to hunt for the mythical creature. If you're looking for a more active adventure, take a hike in the hills or go fishing on the loch. No matter what you choose to do, Inverness is a beautiful and welcoming town that is sure to charm you.

Inverness Luxury Hotels

Marseille, France

The Vieux Port (Old Harbor) is the oldest port in France. It is a beautiful place to visit with its sailboats, restaurants, and cafes. The Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica is also worth a visit. It offers stunning views of the city. If you're looking for a more lively atmosphere, head to the La Canebiere. It's a wide avenue with plenty of shops and restaurants.

Marseille Luxury Hotels

Marseille Luxury Villas

Honolulu, HI, United States

Honolulu is a city located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, United States. It is the most populous city in the state of Hawaii and the county seat of the City and County of Honolulu. Honolulu is the cultural, commercial, and financial center of Hawaii. Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world and is located in Honolulu. Other places to visit in Honolulu include Diamond Head, the USS Arizona Memorial, and Hanauma Bay.

Honolulu Luxury Hotels

Honolulu Luxury Resorts

Honolulu Luxury Villas

Bar Harbor, ME, United States

Famous for lobster and stunning ocean views, Bar Harbor is a popular destination in Maine. There are plenty of things to do in the town and its surroundings, including hiking, biking, whale watching, and exploring Acadia National Park.

Bar Harbor Luxury Hotels

Colorado Springs, CO, United States

There are many places to visit in Colorado Springs. Garden of the Gods is a popular park with beautiful rock formations. Pike's Peak is a 14,115 foot mountain that offers great views and outdoor activities. The Broadmoor is a world-renowned resort with lovely gardens and a championship golf course. Royal Gorge Bridge is the world's highest suspension bridge and a popular tourist spot.

Colorado Springs Luxury Hotels

Fort Myers Beach, FL, United States

Just an hours drive from the Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach is a popular tourist spot, especially in the winter when the snowbirds migrate down. The seven-mile-long beach is known for its white sand and clear water and is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and kayaking. There are also a number of restaurants and bars in the area, as well as a few stores.

Fort Myers Beach Luxury Hotels

Biloxi, MS, United States

There are plenty of places to explore in Biloxi, Mississippi  from the citys iconic Beaches to the picturesque Bay Saint Louis. Venture into the citys downtown area to check out the many shops and restaurants, or take a walk along the shoreline. No matter what you choose to do, youre sure to have a great time in Biloxi.

Biloxi Luxury Hotels

Palermo, Italy

If you're looking for a city with a rich and diverse history, Palermo is the place for you. This coastal city in Italy is teeming with medieval architecture, churches, and cathedrals. Be sure to check out the Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Europe, and the Palazzo dei Normanni, the seat of the Sicilian government. Don't miss out on the city's vibrant nightlife and vast array of restaurants that serve up some of the best food in the country.

Palermo Luxury Hotels

Palermo Luxury Villas

Manila, Philippines

The capital of the Philippines, Manila is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant culture. There are plenty of places to visit in Manila, including the walled city of Intramuros, the Rizal Park, and the Manila Bay. The city is also home to a large number of churches, including the Manila Cathedral and the San Agustin Church. Manila is a great city to explore on foot, and there are plenty of restaurants and shops to enjoy.

Manila Luxury Hotels

Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is an alpine village in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It is famous for its ski resort, mountaineering and hiking trails. The views of the Matterhorn from Zermatt are iconic. The village is car-free, making it a cyclists' and pedestrians' paradise. There are many places to visit in Zermatt, including the village's beautiful churches, impressive museums, and great restaurants.

Zermatt Luxury Hotels

Basel, Switzerland

Basel is a city located in northwestern Switzerland on the river Rhine. Basel has a population of about 176,000 and is the third most populous city in Switzerland. Basel has many interesting places to visit, including the Basel Munster, the Basel Rathaus (town hall), the Basel Zoo, and the Munsterhof, the old town square. Basel also has a number of art museums, including the Kunstmuseum Basel, the Fondation Beyeler, and the Schaulager. Basel is a great city to visit, and I highly recommend it!.

Basel Luxury Hotels

Copenhagen, Denmark

There are a number of places to visit in Copenhagen, Denmark. Some of the most popular tourist destinations include Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn, and the Rosenborg Castle Gardens. Tivoli Gardens is a beautiful amusement park that has something for everyone. It is perfect for a day of fun with family or friends. Nyhavn is a charming canal district that is popular for its brightly colored houses and lively atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing cruise down the canal or take a seat in one of the many cafes and restaurants. The Rosenborg Castle Gardens are home to a majestic castle as well as beautifully landscaped gardens. There is plenty to see and do in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Copenhagen Luxury Hotels

Steamboat Springs, CO, United States

Steamboat Springs is located in northwestern Colorado. The town is named for the steamboats that traveled up the Yampa River in the 1800s. Today, the town is a popular tourist destination, known for its skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and rafting.

Steamboat Springs Luxury Hotels

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and is home to many tourist attractions. Some popular places to visit in Abu Dhabi include the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Ferrari World Theme Park, and the Yas Island Waterpark. There are also a number of museums and shopping malls in Abu Dhabi, making it a great destination for those looking for a mix of culture and leisure.

Abu Dhabi Luxury Hotels

Abu Dhabi Luxury Resorts

Abu Dhabi Luxury Villas

Bogota, Colombia

There's a lot to see and do in Bogota. Some of the top places to visit include the historical La Candelaria district, the cobblestone streets of Plaza de Bolivar, the Monserrate mountain, the Bogota Botanical Garden, and the Gold Museum. La Candelaria is home to many brightly-colored colonial buildings, churches, and plazas. Plaza de Bolivar is the center of Bogota and is surrounded by important landmarks like the Presidential Palace and the National Capitol. The Monserrate mountain is a popular tourist destination due to its stunning views of Bogota. The Bogota Botanical Garden is the largest in Colombia and features a wide variety of plants and trees. The Gold Museum is home to the largest collection of Pre-Columbian gold artifacts in the world.

Bogota Luxury Hotels

Cebu, Philippines

Due to its location and its rich history, there are plenty of places to visit in Cebu. Some of the most popular tourist destinations include the Cebu Taoist Temple, the Fort San Pedro, the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House, and the Magellan's Cross.

Cebu Luxury Hotels

Cebu Luxury Resorts

Lagos, Portugal

Lagos is a small town in Portugal with a population of around 22,000. It's located in the Algarve region and is a popular tourist destination. Some of the places to visit in Lagos are the beaches, the old town, and the Marina. The beaches are beautiful and there are a lot of them to choose from. The old town is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways with lots of shops and restaurants. The Marina is a great place to walk around and watch the boats.

Lagos Luxury Hotels

Medellin, Colombia

Some places to visit in Medellin, Colombia are: the Botanical Garden, the Ethnographic Museum, the Jardin Botanico, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Park of Lights, and the San Pedro Claver Church.

Medellin Luxury Hotels

Genoa, Italy

While there are many places to visit in Genoa, one of the must-sees is the city's cathedral. Dedicated to San Lorenzo, the church features an intricate Gothic facade and a Renaissance interior. If you're looking for a place to take in some stunning views, head to the Genoa Aquarium, which is located on the promenade stretching along the city's harbor.

Genoa Luxury Hotels

Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam. Its a bridge town thats best explored on foot. The narrow streets are a mix of Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese architecture. There are tailors, artisans, and lantern shops galore. The food is also some of the best in Vietnam. Be sure to try the local specialties, like Cao Lau and White Rose dumplings.

Hoi An Luxury Hotels

Hoi An Luxury Resorts

Baku, Azerbaijan

Baku, Azerbaijan is a city with a lot of culture and history. There are a lot of places to visit, like the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower. There are also a lot of great restaurants, like the Flame Club, which has a great atmosphere and delicious food.

Baku Luxury Hotels

San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

San Luis Obispo is a city located in the central coast of California. It's known for its natural beauty, relaxed vibe, and abundance of things to do. Some of the top places to visit in San Luis Obispo include the Madonna Inn, Hearst Castle, and the Paso Robles wine country. The city is also home to a variety of beaches, parks, and other attractions. In addition, San Luis Obispo is a great place to live, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and other amenities.

San Luis Obispo Luxury Hotels

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Colombo is the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. The city is located on the west coast of the island and is the administrative, commercial, and industrial center of Sri Lanka. Colombo is also the center of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, with numerous Buddhist temples. There are a number of places to visit in Colombo, including the Galle Face Green, the Dutch fort, the Pettah Bazaar, and the Sri Lankan National Museum.

Colombo Luxury Hotels

Yogyakarta, Indonesia

The city of Yogyakarta in Indonesia is home to some of the most stunning temples and historical landmarks in the country. The city is also a great place to enjoy traditional Javanese culture and cuisine. Some of the must-see places in Yogyakarta include the Borobudur Temple, the Prambanan Temple, and the Sultan's Palace.

Yogyakarta Luxury Hotels

Cefalu, Italy

Looking for a beautiful and historic place to visit in Italy? Look no further than Cefalu. This town is teeming with history and stunning architecture, and its location on the coast makes it the perfect place to relax and take in the stunning scenery. Don't miss the Duomo di Cefalu, a 12th century Norman church that is definitely worth a visit, or the Palazzo dei Normanni, a former royal palace.

Cefalu Luxury Hotels

San Jose, CA, United States

San Jose, California, is home to a variety of tourist destinations. Some popular places to visit include the Winchester Mystery House, the Tech Museum of Innovation, and the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. There are also a number of lovely parks, such as Kelley Park and Plaza de Cesar Chavez, that are well worth a visit. San Jose is also home to a number of great restaurants, so be sure to check out the local cuisine. Whatever your interests, San Jose has something to offer visitors.

San Jose Luxury Hotels

Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in China. There are many places to visit in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Victoria Peak, and the Temple Street Night Market. Hong Kong is also a great place to shop, with many high-end malls and markets.

Hong Kong Luxury Hotels

Hong Kong Luxury Resorts

Orlando, FL, United States

Orlando is a city in the central region of Florida, in the United States. The city is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the metropolitan area also known as Greater Orlando. Orlando is well known for its theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando. Other tourist destinations in Orlando include the Holy Land Experience, the Orlando Science Center, and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. Orlando is also home to the University of Central Florida, one of the largest universities in the United States.

Orlando Luxury Hotels

Orlando Luxury Resorts

Orlando Luxury Villas

Philadelphia, PA, United States

If youre looking for a place thats rich in history and culture, Philadelphia is the place for you. The city is home to numerous iconic landmarks, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Theres also a great variety of museums and other attractions to explore, such as the Philadelphia Zoo and the Please Touch Museum. And, of course, Philly is the birthplace of Americas favorite sandwich, the cheesesteak. So why not visit Americas most historic city and see for yourself what all the fuss is about?.

Philadelphia Luxury Hotels

Nice, France

France is known for its many beautiful places to visit, and Nice is no exception. With its stunning coastline and mild climate, Nice is a popular tourist destination. Some of the most popular places to visit in Nice include the Promenade des Anglais, the Castle Hill, and the Old Town. There is also a wide variety of shops and restaurants to enjoy in Nice. If you're looking for a beautiful and relaxing place to visit in France, Nice is definitely worth considering.

Nice Luxury Hotels

Nice Luxury Villas

Singapore, Singapore

Singapore is a popular tourist destination, brimming with cultural and natural attractions. From award-winning restaurants to serene gardens and pristine beaches, there is much to explore in this diverse city-state. Here are some of the top places to visit in Singapore: 1. Marina Bay: This iconic waterfront district is home to stunning architecture, world-class landmarks, and a vibrant nightlife. 2. Gardens by the Bay: These stunning gardens feature a mix of plants from around the world, as well as towering sculptures and a biodome. 3. Chinatown: This lively district is home to traditional Chinese shops and restaurants, as well as vibrant street markets. 4. Little India: This neighborhood is known for its vibrant culture and colorful temples. 5. Sentosa Island: This resort island is home to sandy beaches, lush rainforests, and a variety of entertainment options.

Singapore Luxury Hotels

Singapore Luxury Resorts

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Nottingham is a city in the East Midlands of England. It is one of the United Kingdom's major cities, with a population of over 321,000. The city is home to two universities, Queen's Medical Centre, and seven football grounds. Nottingham is known for its lace-making and bicycle manufacturing. The city has a rich history, dating back to the Bronze Age. There are plenty of places to visit in Nottingham, including the Nottingham Castle, the Sherwood Forest, and the National Ice Centre. The city also has a lively nightlife, with a variety of pubs and bars.

Nottingham Luxury Hotels

Cannes, France

Cannes is a city located in the south of France. Some of the places to visit in Cannes are the Palais des Festivals et des Congres, the Boulevard de la Croisette, and Le Suquet.

Cannes Luxury Hotels

Cannes Luxury Villas

Park City, UT, United States

Park City, Utah, offers visitors a wealth of places to visit and things to do. Main Street, with its charming shops and restaurants, is a must-see. The Park City Museum tells the town's fascinating history, and the Park City Utah Temple is a beautiful sight. For outdoor enthusiasts, there's plenty of skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking and mountain biking in the summer. And don't forget to visit the Olympic Park, where the 2002 Winter Olympics were held.

Park City Luxury Hotels

Park City Luxury Resorts

Port Angeles, WA, United States

If you're looking for a quaint, small town to visit in the US, Port Angeles is worth a stop. Located in the state of Washington, it's right on the Pacific coast with stunning views of the Olympic Mountains. There's plenty of things to do in the area, from hiking and fishing to whale watching and enjoying the local restaurants and breweries.

Port Angeles Luxury Hotels

Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States

If you're looking for a fun-filled Florida getaway, look no further than Fort Lauderdale! With its miles of pristine beaches, world-famous shopping and vibrant nightlife, there's something for everyone in this seaside city. Here are some of the top places to visit in Fort Lauderdale:  Las Olas Boulevard: This popular shopping and dining district is home to some of Fort Lauderdale's most upscale boutiques and restaurants.  The Beach: With its wide, sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, Fort Lauderdale's beach is a major draw for visitors.  The Everglades: Just a short drive from Fort Lauderdale, the Everglades are home to an abundance of wildlife, including alligators, bald eagles and manatees.  The Broward Center for the Performing Arts: This world-class performing arts center is home to a variety of theater, dance and music performances. So what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Fort Lauderdale today!.

Fort Lauderdale Luxury Hotels

Fort Lauderdale Luxury Resorts

Myrtle Beach, SC, United States

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a popular tourist destination. There are plenty of places to visit in the area, including amusement parks, beaches, and golf courses. Myrtle Beach also has a lively nightlife, with plenty of bars and restaurants.

Myrtle Beach Luxury Hotels

Myrtle Beach Luxury Resorts

Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg is one of the most visited places in Austria. It is a city rich in history and culture. There are many places to visit, such as the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Mirabell Palace, and the Salzburg Cathedral. There are also many hiking trails and parks to enjoy.

Salzburg Luxury Hotels

Pattaya, Thailand

Pattaya is an amazing city with plenty of places to visit and things to do. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand, Pattaya offers something for everyone. There are lovely beaches, interesting temples, great shopping, and exciting nightlife. With its moderate climate and affordable prices, it's no wonder Pattaya is a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world.

Pattaya Luxury Hotels

Pattaya Luxury Resorts

Pattaya Luxury Villas

Dallas, TX, United States

Dallas is a city located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is the ninth most populous city in the United States and the third most populous city in the state of Texas. Dallas is also the main city of the fourth most populous metropolitan area in the United States. The city's prominence arose from its historical importance as a center for the oil and cotton industries, and its position as a major transportation hub for the South. Dallas is home to the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League and the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association. The city's economy is primarily based on banking, commerce, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare and medical research, and transportation. The city is home to the world's largest airline hub and the third largest cargo airport in the United States.

Dallas Luxury Hotels

Kolkata, India

Kolkata, also known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. The city is located on the east bank of the Hooghly River. It is the second most populous city in India, after Mumbai, and the third most populous metropolitan area in India, after Mumbai and Delhi. The city is notable for its colonial architecture, art and culture, and for its overwhelming poverty. Kolkata is home to the Indian Museum, the Calcutta Stock Exchange, the National Library of India, and the Indian Statistical Institute.

Kolkata Luxury Hotels

San Antonio, TX, United States

San Antonio is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Texas. There are plenty of places to visit in this city, from the well-known River Walk to the exquisite Spanish missions. If you're looking for a fun place to spend the day, you can't go wrong with San Antonio.

San Antonio Luxury Hotels

Seattle, WA, United States

There are many wonderful places to visit in Seattle, Washington. Some of the most popular attractions include Pike Place Market, the Seattle Space Needle, and the Museum of Pop Culture. There are also many parks and gardens, such as Volunteer Park and Seattle Chinese Garden, as well as plenty of restaurants and shops. Located on the other side of the world, Western Australia is a great place to visit for those looking for something different. Some of the most popular attractions include Rottnest Island, the Margaret River region, and Monkey Mia. There are also plenty of beautiful parks and gardens, such as Kings Park and Botanic Garden, as well as restaurants and shops.

Seattle Luxury Hotels

Liverpool, United Kingdom

Liverpool is a city located in North West England and is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom. The city is known for its football teams Liverpool and Everton, The Beatles, and its maritime history. Liverpool is a popular tourist destination and is home to various tourist attractions including Mersey Ferry, Liverpool Cathedral, and Albert Dock.

Liverpool Luxury Hotels

Malmo, Sweden

Malmo is Sweden's third largest city with a population of over 310,000. It is located in the province of Scania on the country's southern tip. Malmo is a vibrant city with a strong arts and cultural scene. There are plenty of places to visit in Malmo, including the Malmo Castle, the Botanical Gardens, and the Turning Torso skyscraper. Malmo is also home to a large shopping district and a lively nightlife.

Malmo Luxury Hotels

Gothenburg, Sweden

Goteborg, Sweden's second largest city, is a major port on the country's west coast. It's a popular tourist destination, known for its lively nightlife, beautiful architecture and delicious seafood. Some of the city's highlights include the Liseberg amusement park, the Botanical Garden, and the charming old town district. Goteborg is also home to a large number of museums, including the Volvo Museum, the Maritime Museum and the Universeum science center.

Gothenburg Luxury Hotels

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana is the capital city of Slovenia and is a city full of culture and history. There are many places to visit in Ljubljana, such as the castle, the old town, and the cathedral. The city is also home to many museums, art galleries, and parks. Ljubljana is a great city to explore on foot, and there are many restaurants and cafes to enjoy.

Ljubljana Luxury Hotels

Sydney, NSW, Australia

Australia is a vast country with plenty of stunning places to visit, but Sydney is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations on the continent. From the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge to the beautiful beaches and lush national parks, there's something for everyone in this lively city. There's also a thriving food and nightlife scene, so you'll never run out of things to do in Sydney.

Sydney Luxury Hotels

Sydney Luxury Villas

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

There's a lot to love about Melbourne  its lively arts and culture scene, its parks and gardens, its diverse range of restaurants and cafes, and its stunning architecture. Here are some of the best places to visit in Melbourne: - Federation Square: This iconic square is a great place to people-watch and take in the city's impressive architecture. It's also home to a number of museums and galleries, including the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and the National Gallery of Victoria. - Queen Victoria Market: This vibrant market is a must-visit for foodies and shoppers alike. It's the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere, and offers a vast array of fresh produce, meat, seafood, and souvenirs. - Melbourne Cricket Ground: If you're a sports fan, be sure to check out the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which is the largest cricket stadium in the world. It's also home to the Australian Football League, and has hosted a number of major sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games and the Rugby Union World Cup. - Royal Botanic Gardens: These beautiful gardens are a great place to relax and take in some of Melbourne's natural beauty. They're home to a number of different gardens, including the Australian Garden, the Sculpture Garden, and the Japanese Garden.

Melbourne Luxury Hotels

Melbourne Luxury Villas

Vancouver, BC, Canada

The top places to visit in Vancouver are Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown, and Chinatown. These are all must-see attractions that offer an array of activities, scenery, and history. Stanley Park is a world-famous urban park that features greenery, beaches, gardens, and a stunning view of the North Shore Mountains. Granville Island is a vibrant neighbourhood with unique shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Gastown is the city's oldest neighbourhood and is home to charming cobblestone streets and funky boutiques. Chinatown is one of the largest and most vibrant Chinatowns in North America and offers delicious food, interesting history, and vibrant culture.

Vancouver Luxury Hotels

Toronto, ON, Canada

From the CN Tower and Hockey Hall of Fame to the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Distillery District, there are plenty of amazing places to visit in Toronto, Canada. With something for everyone, Toronto is a great city to explore. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!.

Toronto Luxury Hotels

Montreal, QC, Canada

Montreal is a vibrant city with something for everyone. There are plenty of places to visit, including the Notre Dame Basilica, the Olympic Stadium, and Mount Royal. The city is also home to a lively arts and culture scene, with theatres, art galleries, and music venues. Montreal is a great place to visit year-round, with festivals and events happening throughout the year.

Montreal Luxury Hotels

Seville, Spain

Seville is one of the most visited places in Spain for a plethora of reasons: its stunning architecture, tapas bars, flamenco and great weather. The Giralda Tower is a must-see when in Seville as is the Plaza de Espana. Andalusian culture is heavily present in the city and is best experienced by wandering the narrow streets and alleyways, popping into a lively tapas bar for a drink and some snacks or enjoying a flamenco show.

Seville Luxury Hotels

Seville Luxury Villas

Ocean City, MD, United States

Ocean City is a seaside resort town in Worcester County, Maryland, on the Atlantic coast. It is well known for its long promenade, its fishing, and its crab cuisine. There are plenty of places to visit in Ocean City, including the boardwalk, amusement rides, shopping, and restaurants. You can also visit the Assateague Island National Seashore, which is home to wild horses, or head to the nearby town of Berlin for more shopping and dining options.

Ocean City Luxury Hotels

Cambridge, MA, United States

If you're looking for a quintessential New England town to visit, Cambridge, Massachusetts is the place for you. With its elaborate architecture and Colonial history, Cambridge is a lively town with plenty of things to see and do - perfect for a weekend getaway. Some of the places you won't want to miss include the Harvard University campus, the charming and lively shops and restaurants in Harvard Square, and the leafy paths of the Cambridge Common.

Cambridge Luxury Hotels

Laguna Beach, CA, United States

Laguna Beach, California is a place known for its stunningly beautiful coastline, excellent restaurants, and art galleries. But there's more to Laguna Beach than meets the eye. Here are some of the best places to visit in Laguna Beach: Crystal Cove State Park: This state park is known for its coves, tidepools, and bluffs. It's a great place to go hiking, swimming, and snorkeling. Heisler Park: This park is a great place for a walk or a picnic. It's also home to some of the best views of the Pacific Coast. Downtown Laguna Beach: This charming downtown area is home to art galleries, boutique shops, and excellent restaurants. Aliso Beach: This beach is known for its excellent surfing and swimming conditions. It's also a great place to take a walk or enjoy a picnic.

Laguna Beach Luxury Hotels

Hot Springs, AR, United States

In downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas, you'll find historic buildings, antique shops, and art galleries. For nature lovers, there are also plenty of places to visit, including the Garland County Arboretum, Ouachita National Forest, and Hot Springs National Park. Spa enthusiasts can enjoy a relaxing day in one of the area's hot springs. And no trip to Hot Springs is complete without a visit to the world-famous Bathhouse Row.

Hot Springs Luxury Hotels

Sedona, AZ, United States

There are many places to visit in Sedona, Arizona. Among the most popular are the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Boynton Canyon. The town's unique red-rock formations and ancient ruins offer plenty of photo opportunities. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Sedona is a great place to relax and take in the natural beauty of the Southwest.

Sedona Luxury Hotels

Sedona Luxury Resorts

Boulder, CO, United States

Boulder, Colorado is a breathtaking city nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The city is home to stunning views, ample outdoor recreation, and a lively arts scene. Outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring the city's many trails, parks, and open spaces. History buffs will enjoy checking out the city's museums and historic sites. Culture seekers will appreciate the city's many theaters, art galleries, and restaurants. No matter what your interests, you'll find something to love in Boulder.

Boulder Luxury Hotels

Key West, FL, United States

Key West is a small island off the coast of Florida that is filled with history, charm, and fun places to visit. Its lush tropical setting and the laid-back vibe of the island make it a popular destination for those looking for a relaxing getaway. There are plenty of places to explore in Key West, from the charming historic district to the crystal-clear waters of the Florida Keys. Here are some of the top places to visit in Key West: -The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum: This iconic museum is dedicated to the life and work of Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway, who lived in Key West for over 20 years. -Duval Street: This lively street is the heart of Key West's nightlife and is home to many bars and restaurants. -The Southernmost Point: This landmark is located at the end of Duval Street and is the southernmost point in the continental United States. -The Key West Lighthouse: This picturesque lighthouse is a popular spot for tourists and offers stunning views of the island. -The African American Heritage House: This museum is dedicated to the history and culture of African Americans in Key West. -The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory: This attraction is home to over 2,000 butterflies and a variety of other tropical plants and animals.

Key West Luxury Hotels

Key West Luxury Resorts

Key West Luxury Cottages

Key West Luxury Villas

Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm, Sweden is a city with many places to visit. One place is the Vasa Museum, which is home to a ship that sunk in 1628 and was raised from the ocean floor 333 years later. The ship is preserved and on display in the museum. Another place to visit is the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Swedish monarch. The palace is open for tours, and visitors can see the royal apartments, the throne room, and the Hall of State.

Stockholm Luxury Hotels

Destin, FL, United States

Looking for a place to visit in Florida? Look no further than Destin! This city is home to beautiful beaches, wonderful restaurants, and plenty of places to shop. No matter what you're looking for, you can find it in Destin. Be sure to check out the Destin Harbor and the fishing pier for amazing views and plenty of things to do. If you're looking for a place to relax, head to the beach and enjoy the sun and sand. There's something for everyone in Destin, so be sure to visit this amazing city!.

Destin Luxury Hotels

Destin Luxury Resorts

Ashland, OR, United States

There are many places to visit in Ashland, Oregon. Some of the most popular places are the Shakespeare Festival, Lithia Park, and Mt. Ashland. The Shakespeare Festival is a great place to see some of the best plays in the world. Lithia Park is a beautiful park with a river running through it. Mt. Ashland is a great place to go skiing in the winter.

Ashland Luxury Hotels

Seaside, OR, United States

One of the most beautiful places on the Oregon Coast is Seaside. With its wide, sandy beach and majestic promenade, Seaside is a popular tourist destination. There are plenty of places to eat and shop, and the Seaside Aquarium is a must-see. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, whale watching, or just taking a leisurely stroll along the beach.

Seaside Luxury Hotels

Newport, RI, United States

Newport is a picturesque town located in southern Rhode Island that is home to some of the most visited tourist destinations in the United States. The city is known for its miles of beaches and historic mansions that line the coast. Some popular places to visit in Newport include the Cliff Walk, the Breakers Mansion, the Museum of Yachting, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Newport Luxury Hotels

Siena, Italy

Siena, Italy is a popular tourist destination, thanks to its well-preserved medieval city center. The city is famous for its art, food, and wine. Siena is located in the heart of Tuscany, making it the perfect base for exploring this beautiful region of Italy. Don't miss the Duomo (cathedral), the Piazza del Campo, and the Torre del Mangia.

Siena Luxury Hotels

Reno, NV, United States

Home to the University of Nevada, Reno and a wide variety of cultural and natural attractions, Reno is a great place to visit. Some of the top places to see in Reno include the Nevada Museum of Art, the Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center, and the Reno Events Center. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking and skiing at Lake Tahoe and biking and kayaking on the Truckee River. In addition, Reno is home to a diverse array of restaurants and nightlife venues.

Reno Luxury Hotels

Atlantic City, NJ, United States

Atlantic City is a popular East Coast tourist destination, known for its boardwalks, beaches and casinos. There are plenty of places to visit in Atlantic City, from the Boardwalk Hall and the Absecon Lighthouse to the Atlantic City Aquarium and Lucy the Elephant. For a more thrilling experience, head to one of the city's casinos, where you can try your hand at blackjack, slots, roulette and more. Atlantic City also offers a wide variety of restaurants, from seafood spots to pizza places, so you're sure to find something to your taste. And if you're looking for some nightlife action, the city has you covered there too. Atlantic City is definitely a place worth visiting!.

Atlantic City Luxury Hotels

Atlantic City Luxury Resorts

Lake George, NY, United States

Looking for a place to visit in upstate New York? Look no further than the stunning Lake George. This picturesque locale is located in the heart of the Adirondacks and is known for its pristine beauty and terrific recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and skiing, among other activities. Don't miss the chance to take in the spectacular views from the summit of Prospect Mountain or from the water's edge.

Lake George Luxury Hotels

Buffalo, NY, United States

If you're looking for a city that has it all, Buffalo is the place to be. From its vibrant downtown district to its abundance of parks and nature preserves, there's something for everyone in Buffalo. Here are some of the top places to visit in Buffalo: 1. The Buffalo Zoo - One of the top zoos in the country, the Buffalo Zoo is a must-visit for animal lovers of all ages. 2. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery - Buffalo's answer to the Louvre, the Albright-Knox is home to some of the world's most famous paintings and sculptures. 3. The Buffalo-Niagara Heritage Village - This living history museum offers a glimpse into what life was like in Buffalo in the 1800s. 4. The Buffalo River - Take a walk or bike ride along the Buffalo River, one of the city's most picturesque areas. 5. Delaware Park - This large park is home to a variety of attractions, including a zoo, a golf course, and a nature preserve.

Buffalo Luxury Hotels

Rochester, MN, United States

Rochester, Minnesota is a city with plenty of places to visit. There's the Mayo Clinic, the Apache Mall, and several other shopping areas, as well as a variety of restaurants. There are also a few parks and golf courses. For those who love the outdoors, Rochester is also close to several state parks and the Mississippi River.

Rochester Luxury Hotels

Duluth, MN, United States

If you're looking for an amazing place to visit, Duluth, Minnesota should definitely be at the top of your list. This city is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States, and there are plenty of things to do here that will keep you entertained for days on end. Some of the most popular places to visit in Duluth include the Aerial Lift Bridge, the Glensheen Mansion, and Chester Creek Park. Additionally, there are a number of excellent restaurants and shopping areas in the city, so be sure to explore everything that Duluth has to offer.

Duluth Luxury Hotels

Maputo, Mozambique

Maputo is the capital of Mozambique and a city full of culture and history. There are many places to visit in Maputo, such as the Jose Eduardo dos Santos Museum, the Maputo Cathedral, and the Rua da Independencia. Maputo is also home to the Maputo Bay, which offers beautiful beaches and great seafood.

Maputo Luxury Hotels

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona, located on the northeast coast of Spain, is a renowned tourist destination and one of the most popular cities in the world. There are plenty of places to visit in Barcelona, such as the Gothic Quarter, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Parc Guell, La Sagrada Familia, and more. The city is also home to a lively nightlife and some of the best restaurants in the country.

Barcelona Luxury Hotels

Barcelona Luxury Villas

Split, Croatia

Split is a city on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea. It is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest city in Dalmatia. It has a population of over 200,000 inhabitants. The metropolitan area, which includes the City of Split and the surrounding towns, has a population of over 330,000. Split is a popular tourist destination and is the home of the Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other popular tourist destinations include the Riva, the Peristyle, the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, and Sustipan.

Split Luxury Hotels

Split Luxury Villas

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is a city on the Adriatic Sea in Croatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea, a seaport and the administrative center of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Dubrovnik is nicknamed "The Pearl of the Adriatic".

Dubrovnik Luxury Hotels

Dubrovnik Luxury Villas

Byron Bay, NSW, Australia

Byron Bay is a magical place. It's no wonder that it's one of the most popular destinations in Australia. The town is set in a beautiful location, surrounded by rolling green hills and the bright blue ocean. There's plenty to do in Byron Bay, whether you're looking for a relaxing beach holiday or an adventure-filled trip. Some of the top places to visit in Byron Bay include the iconic lighthouse, the stunning beaches, and the lush rainforest. There's also a great nightlife and plenty of restaurants and cafes to enjoy. If you're looking for an amazing Australian getaway, be sure to add Byron Bay to your list!.

Byron Bay Luxury Hotels

Wellington, New Zealand

If you're looking for a little slice of heaven on earth, look no further than Wellington, New Zealand. With its gorgeous landscape and plethora of activities, there's something for everyone here. Whether you're a nature lover or a city slicker, Wellington has something special to offer. Top Wellington attractions include the Zealandia eco-sanctuary, the cable car up to the Botanic Gardens, and the sprawling Te Papa museum. For those who love getting out into the great outdoors, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails, as well as lovely seaside towns and villages to explore. And of course, no trip to Wellington would be complete without trying some of the delicious local cuisine  be sure to sample a traditional Maori hangi feast! So what are you waiting for? Book your flight to Wellington today and start planning your perfect holiday!.

Wellington Luxury Hotels

Saint Louis, MO, United States

If you're looking for a fun place to visit with a rich history and plenty of things to see and do, look no further than Saint Louis, Missouri. This vibrant city is home to a variety of interesting attractions, including the Gateway Arch, the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. There's also no shortage of restaurants and shopping options in Saint Louis. So, whether you're looking for a place to explore new cultures and cuisines or you're just looking for a place to have some fun, Saint Louis is a great option.

Saint Louis Luxury Hotels

Bloomington, IN, United States

The city of Bloomington, Indiana is home to a variety of attractions and places to visit. The Indiana University campus is a popular destination, as is the city's historic downtown district. Monroe County Courthouse
Stop us if youve heard this one before: Americans are getting beat, they keep losing more and more, and all the good manufacturing jobs are being sent overseas. But many economists disagree with this grim, counterproductive assessment of things in the U.S., and when it comes to electric vehicles, you cant even begin to make that argument.

Tesla, the plug-in vehicle sales leader, is based in California and just opened the worlds largest battery factory in Nevada. Meanwhile, its flagship Model S sedan is the most American-made EV on the market. Looking at the top four cars on the sales charts, all are made by American manufacturers, as are the top five in American-sourced content. Put simply, U.S. companies and workers are winning in every facet of the electric car industry, and they are about to increase their edge.

Americas EV edge by the numbers

With seven months on the books in 2016, American-branded electric cars held four of the top five spots on the sales charts and represented nearly two-thirds of the 77,834 vehicles sold over that time. Model S and Model X, which are manufactured in Teslas Fremont plant, accounted for nearly 30% (22,000) of that total on their own. Chevy Volt and Chevy Spark EV, which are second and third among EVs in content sourced in the U.S., held better than 15% of the market.

Meanwhile, Fords two plug-in hybrids held close to another 15%, though the Fusion Energi is built at the companys Hermosillo plant in Mexico. Even Nissan Leaf, the lone foreign-branded car among the top five in plug-in sales, is assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee. The same cannot be said for the auto market as a whole, whether you go by foreign brands or amount of U.S.-sourced content in the cars themselves.

Gasoline vehicles are losing

If  like the GOP nominee for President  you wanted to break things down into the starkest, most black-and-white terms, gasoline car manufacturers are losing in the battle for U.S. supremacy in the auto industry. The best-selling Ford F-150 ranks among the most American-made vehicles, but Chevy Silverado (No. 2) and Ram (No. 3) ranked 16th and 32nd, respectively. (Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, rounding out the top five, scored higher than both American-branded pickups.)

In other words, U.S.-made gas vehicles have nowhere near the type of market share electric cars do. Globalization and the need to keep big cars cheap for consumers caught in automakers price wars are obvious reasons for the outsourcing of parts and assembly, and no fossil-fuel car manufacturer is innocent of these business realities in the 21st century.

However, as our leaders look for ways to power the country forward  beyond a quixotic struggle to hang onto low-wage manufacturing jobs  they may want to consider more public investments in electric cars and charging infrastructure, as President Obama recently did. Boom times are on the horizon.

The coming surge in EV production

Teslas battery Gigafactory, which will employ well over 10,000 people in the next four years, opened August 2 in Nevada. The electric car maker is already preparing its Fremont plant for a furious ramp-up of production in order to meet accelerated goals this year and accommodate loftier targets in 2017 and 2018, when it plans to churn out 500,000 cars, including the Model 3, the hottest commodity of all.

This summary alone reeks of well-paying manufacturing jobs. Meanwhile, General Motors is on schedule to begin production of the Chevy Bolt in Michigan in late 2016. These two cars represent the near future of the electric car industry, and both come from American manufacturers in U.S.-based plants. Expect collateral service jobs to spring up as more people show up to handle these assignments.

From our vantage point, the opportunities only begin there. EV charging infrastructure remains so limited in most of the country that hundreds of entrepreneurs could focus on this piece of the pie alone and succeed wildly. Innovations in solar power, wireless charging, and zero-emissions public transport would also have huge markets in the near future.

In the meantime, were tired of this scorecard that doesnt show all the stats. American-made electric cars are succeeding in the present and have a very bright future ahead. Lets run with this winning team.

Connect with Eric on Twitter @EricSchaalNY
Sunil Kumar, the outgoing dean of Chicago Booth, talks with Michael Polsky at the New Venture Challenge in the Polsky Center. (Brian Jackson / Blue Sky)

Entrepreneurship is about to stand on its own at the University of Chicago for the first time.

Prompted by new funds and a growing hunger for innovation resources throughout campus, the university is working to expand the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation into a free-standing entity.

Advertisement

Clean energy leader Michael Polsky  made a $35 million donation to the university in May, fueling the expansion. The Polsky Center had been part of the Booth School of Business since it was established in 2002.

Now, all of the university's innovation programs, including the startup hub Chicago Innovation Exchange and tech licensing group UChicagoTech, are part of the Polsky Center. The CIE is now called the Polsky Exchange, and UChicagoTech became the Technology Commercialization and Licensing Department at the Polsky Center.

Advertisement

The licensing department is set to move across campus in September. Leadership has taken on new roles, and a rebranding is underway.

The changes took place July 1, and there's still more to be done, said John Flavin , who's now the university's associate vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation.

The goal of the expansion is to make it easier for entrepreneurs to get their ideas to market, and connect with the right resources, Flavin said.

"We're putting together 60 programs along the innovation pathway that pull together features that were represented by (the CIE, UChicagoTech and the Polsky Center)," he said. "Now we're delivering it in a more organized and systematic way."

Flavin, the Polsky Center's new leader, had been executive director of the CIE. He now reports to Eric Isaacs, who left his role as university provost to become the executive vice president of research, innovation and the national laboratories. The University of Chicago helps manage Lemont-based Argonne National Laboratory and Batavia-based Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and is affiliated with the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass.

Isaacs is one part of the Polsky Center's new three-person executive board. Vice President for Civic Engagement Derek Douglas and the yet-to-be-named dean of Booth are also on the board.

Current Dean Sunil Kumar is leaving Booth to become the 15th provost of Johns Hopkins University. Last week, the university named its deputy dean for faculty, Douglas Skinner, as the interim dean of Booth, effective Aug. 15. He'll serve on the Polsky Center's board until a permanent dean is named. That search could take months, a spokeswoman said.

Ellen Rudnick  is moving from a more operational role as executive director of the Polsky Center to senior adviser for entrepreneurship, where she'll report directly to the dean of Booth. Starr Marcello left her job as Polsky Center chief operating officer to move into Rudnick's vacated position.

Advertisement

Steve Kaplan, faculty director at the Polsky Center, said Booth's curriculum will likely not see many changes. The entrepreneurship aspect is expanding throughout the university.

"The real goal is to do a better job of getting things out of the university, and that creates a real opportunity for our students to do more," he said. "When you get right down to it, we have more resources to do what we've been doing and do it better."

Meal ordering and delivery platform Grubhub and mobile payment company Braintree, which sold to eBay's PayPal for $800 million in 2013, are examples of student-led projects born at Booth.

GrubHub founder Matt Maloney speaks to the New Venture Challenge at Chicago Booth in the Polsky Center. (Brian Jackson / Blue Sky )

The University of Chicago is wading in the same waters as other premier public and private universities that have implemented a quicker, university-wide path to commercialization, said Joselyn Zivin, director of strategy and operation at Chicago-based Huron Consulting Group. But gathering those entrepreneurial resources together is a high-stakes enterprise, she said.

"Traditionally, you see this kind of enterprise in a big way in many cases at top engineering schools, and now you're seeing sort of liberal arts universities  entering this same kind of domain," she said. "It's a sophisticated enterprise to get involved in, and I suspect the university has been thinking about the strategy of how it's going to get this done for a long time."

The shift toward entrepreneurship has been in place for some time now, Flavin said. Entrepreneurship is now the No. 1 concentration at Booth, and is "indicative of the appetite across campus," he said.

Advertisement

"What they had been known for always was finance and economics. It was the investment bankers who came out of Booth and they still do," Flavin said. "But for entrepreneurship to be the No. 1 concentration at Booth was actually a pretty profound shift."

Leadership was moving in this direction  opening the CIE two years ago, for example, gave students across campus more access to resources. Polsky's $35 million accelerated it, Flavin said.

Polsky, founder and CEO of Chicago-based clean energy company Invenergy and a university trustee, is a 1987 Booth graduate. His gift in 2002 to establish the Polsky Center was his first major contribution to the university. The center expanded after an additional gift in 2012.

The university hired an outside firm to help rebrand all the new programs under the Polsky Center umbrella. A new logo has not been unveiled, but should be before students head back to campus in September, Flavin said.

"This will really cut down on any confusion that may have happened before," he said. "We all had our own brands and the market knew us as different things, but really, this is the University of Chicago and it's Polsky innovation. That's what people care about."

amarotti@tribpub.com

Advertisement

Twitter @allymarotti
The Abbott Laboratories campus in Abbott Park is seen in 2015. The company released a statement Aug. 8, 2016, that indicates it is still concerned about business practices at Alere. Abbott announced a plan to acquire Alere in Feburary but has since tried to get out of the deal. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Abbott Laboratories still isn't happy about its proposed $5.8 billion acquisition of health care diagnostics company Alere after Alere's belated release of its annual report Monday.

Abbott already had tried unsuccessfully to get out of the deal after Alere revealed a U.S. investigation into foreign corruption involving its sales practices in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Abbott first announced the deal in February.

Advertisement

Abbott Park-based Abbott said in a statement Monday that Alere's filing does "not eliminate Abbott's concerns about its business controls and practices given the litany of issues that have come to light since our agreement was announced.

"Alere has also failed to provide an adequate explanation for the extended filing delay and has refused to provide detailed and relevant information on several outstanding issues," Abbott said in the statement.

Advertisement

Attempts to reach Alere for comment on Abbott's worries were not immediately successful Monday.

The U.S. Department of Justice also sent Alere a criminal subpoena last month related to government billings and payments made to physicians at Alere's Austin, Texas, pain management laboratory, according to Alere's filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday.

Alere said in its annual filing that it released its results late because it was investigating its practices related to certain transactions. It found errors in 2013, 2014 and 2015 that did not affect revenue, according to the filing.

Alere CEO Namal Nawana said in a news release that the company made "immaterial revisions" to its financial statements for those years. Alere did, however, also find "material weaknesses" in some internal controls.

"We are in the process of implementing a remediation plan and remain committed to providing accurate and transparent financial reporting," Nawana said in the release.

Alere had to release its annual report before its shareholders could vote to approve the Abbott deal.

As part of the original deal, Abbott had agreed to take on $2.6 billion of Alere's debt and pay $56 a share to acquire the Waltham, Mass.-based company, which specializes in tests used in doctors' offices and clinics to diagnose disease and infection. Abbott said at the time the deal was announced that its total diagnostic sales would exceed $7 billion after the acquisition.

Alere's stock closed up 2.78 percent Monday at $38.50 a share, well below Abbott's offer of $56 a share.

Advertisement

Alere said in April that Abbott offered it $50 million to abandon the deal, but Alere rejected that offer.

The financial results released by Alere on Monday showed a loss of $13 million on revenue of $2.5 billion in 2015.

lschencker@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lschencker
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., never took any of the dozens of pain pills his doctor prescribed when he had his meniscus repaired years ago  but he never threw them out either.

"They were still sitting there six years later in our bathroom," Durbin said. His wife asked recently what they were going to do about the unused pills, he said. "It's an important question because you know you need to do something."

Advertisement

Durbin recounted the story at a news conference Monday to announce the launch of "drug take-back kiosks" at 45 Illinois Walgreens drugstores. The sleek metal kiosks, which resemble oversized mailboxes, are meant to help people safely dispose of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications so they don't contaminate the environment or end up in the wrong hands.

The Illinois kiosks come amid a national opioid abuse crisis. Every day, 78 Americans die of an opioid overdose, and the number of deaths involving opioid overdoses has almost quadrupled since 1999, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overdoses due to prescription opioid pain relievers  such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and methadone  are a driving factor in that spike, according to the CDC.

Advertisement

In Illinois, 1,700 people died of drug overdoses in 2014, up from 1,579 in 2013, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

So far, Walgreens has installed the kiosks in more than 300 of its stores in 24 states. In all, it plans to place the kiosks in 500 stores around the country. The kiosks are available during regular pharmacy hours and are free to use.

The kiosks are "one of the best ways to ensure medications are not accidentally used or intentionally misused by someone else," said Alex Gourlay, co-chief operating officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance, on Monday.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency also lists 320 sites across the state where medications can be safely discarded, including many police departments. The agency cautions that wastewater treatment plants and septic systems are generally not designed to treat pharmaceutical waste.

Still, many people flush their unwanted medications, hoard them or toss them in the trash.

Jessica Zborowski, 29, said she generally throws her unwanted medications in the garbage, but might use Walgreens kiosks now that she knows they're available.

"It seems like it's safer," said the Wicker Park neighborhood resident as she shopped at a Walgreens on Monday.

Mae Warren of the south suburbs said she now flushes unwanted meds down the toilet. She knows it's not ideal, but it seems like the safest way to get rid of them.

Advertisement

She said she'll use the new kiosks.

"You don't want to ruin the environment," Warren said, "plus you don't want them in the hands of people who shouldn't have them."

lschencker@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lschencker
It was 20 minutes or so into her sold-out Ravinia show when Dolly Parton started talking about her Smoky Mountain roots in east Tennessee. A farmer's daughter, 12 siblings sharing a small home, hardly enough food to go around but a family abundant in happiness  it's a tale she's told hundreds of times, probably more, on stage and in song. At 70 years old and with so many successful decades spent in the public eye, the tiny Parton remains a larger-than-life figure, but by her own account she still draws inspiration from those humble beginnings.

In fact, Parton spent much of her performance Sunday night self-consciously and winkingly reconciling those modest roots with the outsized character she's created for herself. With her trademark big hair and a personality to match, songs delivered through a blinding smile that shined as brightly as the rhinestone bling she had affixed to everything from her banjo to her wardrobe, Parton seemed about as far removed from a Tennessee holler as could be, at least until she spoke at length in her inimitable twang about the inspirations behind such classics as "Jolene" and "Coat of Many Colors," or even lesser known songs such as "Smoky Mountain Memories."

Advertisement

MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR

At the same time Parton never lost sight of her role and reputation as an entertainer, and was careful (almost mechanically so) to alternate her songs of sadness or heartfelt sentiment with silly detours and corny jokes, which, to be fair, are at this point as much a part of Dolly's identity as the music. Thus a stirring rendition of the murder ballad "Banks of the Ohio" followed directly on the heels of Parton's goofy "Yakety Sax" shtick, while the haunting "Little Sparrow" was offered only with the promise that it would be followed by some of Parton's crowd-pleasing hits, which it was: "Here You Come Again," "Islands in the Stream," "9 to 5," kitschy singalong relics of her pop crossover days, whose longevity likely owes more to karaoke than their depth.

Advertisement

Yet at her most earnest and least serious, singing proudly of "My Tennessee Mountain Home," parading out her "sexy cowboy assistant," or competing with a chorus of cicadas on an a capella "Precious Memories," Parton's enthusiasm and energy never waned. Supported on this tour by an understated trio of musicians (plus the occasional distraction of a canned drummer and some pre-recorded music), Parton sounded in fine voice despite suffering from a slight cold, and seemed as excited about her upcoming album "Pure & Simple" (her 43rd) as she was about sending the audience home with the perennial "I Will Always Love You," as perfect a love song as Parton or anyone will ever write.

Emotionally embracing the past, eagerly looking to the future, tugging at the heart like a total pro, Parton can be forgiven for occasionally wanting to have a little fun, too.

Josh Klein is a freelance critic.

ctc-arts@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @chitribent

RELATED STORIES:

case/lang/veirs find power of 3 at Chicago Theatre

Bow Wow retiring from rap, says next album will be his last







Watch the latest movie trailers.

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)
MINNEAPOLIS  The administrator of Prince's estate says it is not planning to sell Paisley Park, one day after asking a judge for permission to offer several Prince properties for sale.



A court filing on Friday had included Paisley Park, Prince's home and recording complex, among a list of properties that could be sold.



But on Saturday, Bremer Trust issued a brief statement saying: "Bremer Trust, the special administrator for the Prince Rogers Nelson estate, has no plans to sell either Paisley Park or the property referred to as the "Purple Rain" house." That Minneapolis house was filmed in Prince's 1984 movie.



Court papers filed by Bremer has asked a judge for permission to offer for sale nearly 20 properties owned by Prince worth an estimated $28 million.



Associated Press







Watch the latest movie trailers.

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)
At One Step Summer Camp, children with cancer are given a chance to experience a week or two of fun with other kids facing similar challenges. Read the full story . (Brandon Chew/Chicago Tribune)

A boy wiggles a worm onto a hook. Hoisting a fish into the air, he clamors for the camp counselor's attention.

"Are you proud of me now?" he bellows.

Advertisement

It's the stuff of classic childhood memories. And that's exactly the point at One Step Summer Camp where admission requires a cancer diagnosis.

On the shores of Geneva Lake in Williams Bay, Wis., this retreat is one of several programs across the country aimed at helping children with cancer focus on just being children. Whether it's a 16-year-old diagnosed a decade ago or a 6-year-old undergoing chemotherapy, One Step Summer Camp is a chance to put aside fears that are all too adult and socialize with peers linked by an unenviable bond.

Advertisement

"We want them to come here and feel like they're a normal kid because maybe in their home life, they're the kid at school with cancer," said Darryl Perkins, director of programs.

Dan Suero, 19, knows all too well the toll cancer can take on a childhood. His own was cut short when a doctor told him a tumor was lodged in his spinal cord.

"We all had this childlike innocence before this disease came into our lives," Suero said.

Here, he said near the lake's lapping waves, "it's kind of like heaven in a way, for the piece of us that died and gets to come back to life."

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 6 Eric Egan looks on as other campers prepare their fishing lines at One Step Summer Camp, a program for kids with cancer. (Brandon Chew / Chicago Tribune)

One Step Summer Camp is one of 11 programs offered by Chicago-based Children's Oncology Services, Inc. Tailored to kids ages 5 to 19 years, offerings include a ski trip in Utah and an educational excursion to Washington, D.C., for high schoolers, as well as one or two weeks of summer camp in the popular Wisconsin vacation spot.

Children's Oncology Services President Jeff Infusino said the camp's goal is to re-create childhood innocence, even for a day. To Infusino, it's important that the 256 kids here feel not only normal, but able. Many sported wristbands showing they'd passed a swimming test that includes treading water for five minutes.

Walking up and down the camp's hills on a recent hot summer day, Infusino was pulled in for hugs by campers like Angel Hill, 14, who said she's been coming to camp since she was diagnosed with leukemia at age 7.

"It's home to me," she said about this place, where no one stares at a bald head or a cherubic face bloated from medication.

Advertisement

Some 13,000 kids  most from Illinois and Wisconsin  have experienced One Step since it started 38 years ago.

Thanks to donations and volunteers, camp fees range from $25 to $200, a fraction of the real cost. More than two-thirds of campers request financial help, Infusino said.

In California, Camp Sunshine Dreams has a similar mission to mimic typical summer camps for kids with cancer. Camp Quality offers myriad programs  free of charge  in a dozen states. Programs like Camp Kesem serve siblings of those with cancer and children whose parents have been diagnosed.

For some One Step campers, signing up took some convincing.

"I was like, 'Cancer camp, that sounds like a depressing, depressing place,'" said Andrew Christopoulos, 21. "I couldn't have been more wrong."

Christopoulos returned to camp this summer as a counselor, endearing himself to campers with his laid-back attitude, owl earring and portable speaker playing rock music.

Advertisement

He, too, came to camp a changed child. Before being diagnosed with the lung disease Langerhans cell histiocytosis, he'd been outgoing, musical. Stuck in a hospital bed, all of that changed.

Finally, at camp, he started playing his music again. (He went on to perform at Lollapalooza.) And, he added with a sly grin, camp is where he had his first kiss.

These days, he speaks breezily about life's gifts.

"When people have to battle things in their life or have to wade through the darkness, I think the amount of light that they're able to see is higher," Christopoulos said.

On this particular day, shouts echoed from an energetic volleyball game. Wet clothes and towels were draped over picnic chairs by the beach. A raucous rendition of "Let It Go" broke out during a macaroni lunch, and the sounds of laughter drifted out of rustic cabins.

Behind every serene setting, of course, is a labyrinth of planning and logistics that are far more involved than at a traditional summer camp. Medical staff members administer oral chemo to those in treatment.

Advertisement

Volunteer doctors and nurses  often the same ones treating the kids back home  hand out pills on the beach.

While a sense of joy pervades the camp, the grim reality is that some campers aren't able to return year-to-year. This summer, a 14-year-old boy who was a camp favorite passed away just before the first day.

One Step Fight Song (Chicago Tribune)

During a talent show, several campers sang one of the boy's favorite tunes  "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten  as a tribute, belting out the lyrics, "This is my fight song/ Take back my life song/ Prove I'm alright song."

By the last chorus, the entire camp had joined in.

For campers like Suero, One Step has been not only a refuge, but a rescue.

Surgery during his treatment paralyzed him from the waist down. Darkness followed, and it left him wondering, "Why did this happen to me?"

Advertisement

At One Step, he befriended a boy who beat both leukemia and testicular cancer  and kept his sense of humor.

"You always see someone that has it way worse than you and has a way more positive attitude," Suero said.

Using forearm crutches to get up and down the hills, the teen exuded an optimistic, easygoing energy during his final camp before college, where he plans to study accounting. And philosophy.

"I really believe," he said, "this place saved my life."

abowen@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @byalisonbowen

Advertisement

RELATED STORIES:

What to do when your kid breaks up with a close friend

Father to daughter: I dont need to Purell before holding my grandchild

Before Rio, paralympian Amanda McGrory stops in Chicago for lesson on hope






Not long after two Chicago police officers shot and killed an unarmed Esau Castellanos after a brief car chase on the city's North Side, the FBI began a criminal investigation into whether police had violated the civil rights of the pizza delivery man and father of three.

The March 2013 shooting seemed ripe for federal intervention. The officers had said Castellanos fired at them from close range, forcing one officer to dive for safety, but a gun was never found. Then, the officers' accounts shifted, and they suggested a second person might have been involved.

Advertisement

More than three years after Castellanos' death, no charges have been brought, and the direction of the federal inquiry is uncertain.

To many, the FBI  and, with it, the U.S. attorney's office  are law enforcement agencies of last resort, federal authorities to whom victims of police abuse or misconduct can turn when local officials fail to respond. Unelected and largely immune to political pressure, they are, by design, seen as white knights of law enforcement.

Advertisement

And, indeed, community activists and the family members of those shot by police have urged federal officials to take a more active role in investigating the incidents, hoping they will be more aggressive than local authorities. Earlier this year, the families of two black Chicago teens killed in separate shootings in 2013 called upon federal authorities to take a fresh and independent look at what transpired.

Critics of Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez's handling of the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald  the 17-year-old whose videotaped shooting roiled the city and contributed to Alvarez being ousted from office  pointed to federal officials as a model for how to investigate and prosecute police use of deadly force against citizens. They believed federal officials would have moved more aggressively.

Nearly two years after McDonald's death, and eight months after the release of the dashcam video, federal prosecutors have yet to bring any criminal civil rights charges against Officer Jason Van Dyke for the shooting or against any of the officers on the scene whose official police reports of what allegedly happened were contradicted by the video. Van Dyke has been charged with murder, but by Alvarez's office.

Laura de la Fuente talks about her late boyfriend, Esau Castellanos, who was shot and killed by police in March 2013. Police said Castellanos died during an exchange of gunfire, but an investigation revealed he had no gun. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Federal officials' lack of movement on the McDonald and Castellanos cases are just the latest examples of their reluctance to bring criminal charges in police shootings.

Chicago police have shot 702 citizens  killing 215  in the past 15 years, according to Police Department records obtained by the Tribune under the Freedom of Information Act. Not once have federal law enforcement officials brought criminal civil rights charges against an officer in those shootings.

The office of U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon declined to answer questions about why the federal investigations have taken years, and why no Chicago cop involved in a police shooting has been charged.

An examination of government data and interviews show federal authorities have brought civil rights charges against law enforcement in the Chicago area in two dozen cases over that time period, but none of them involved shootings of citizens by the police.

"They're almost an irrelevancy to us. They don't reach out to us and we don't bring them things," said the prominent civil rights lawyer Jon Loevy. "Maybe it's a question of their priorities. A lot of these things that have been happening, they certainly could look at them."

Advertisement

Higher standard to charge

U.S. Department of Justice officials say that as much as they would like to bring more federal civil rights cases, their hands are tied by laws that require them to prove that officers acted willfully  that is, they intentionally sought to deprive someone of their constitutional rights. Incompetence, bad training or mistakes in judgment do not meet that standard.

It is, by all accounts, a high bar to clear for a prosecutor. State and local prosecutors can charge officers with a variety of crimes for conduct that is reckless or negligent; in the case of a fatal shooting, say, they can charge first- or second-degree murder or manslaughter.

Federal prosecutors, by comparison, have fewer options.

"At the federal level, it would be better to have a bigger toolbox," said Jonathan Smith, executive director of the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and a former section chief in the Justice Department's civil rights division. "They have a screwdriver when they need a hammer."

When federal prosecutors have brought cases, the incident often was captured on video or the officers' accounts were undermined by other evidence, according to a Tribune examination of government data. Justice Department statistics show 18 law enforcement officials  including two prison guards and one U.S. marshal who had charges dropped against him  have been indicted in federal court in Chicago on criminal civil rights charges from Jan. 1, 2000, through Dec. 31, 2015.

Advertisement

Among the cases: former Chicago police Cmdr. Jon Burge for perjury in connection with the torture of suspects; three Cicero officers caught on video beating someone; a Cook County sheriff's deputy for mistreating a Maywood detainee, also caught on videotape.

Indeed, many of the cases federal officials brought involved beatings of people in custody. Those tend to involve a restrained victim and occur over a period of time  even a short period  which indicates willfulness, compared with shootings, which by their nature are more likely to be a result of split-second decisions.

The U. S. attorney's office in Chicago provided the names of six additional police and correctional officers it said were indicted on criminal civil rights charges during that period. One of those was James Micetich, a Cook County sheriff's deputy accused of hitting a jail inmate in the waiting room area of Cermak Hospital, the facility that often treats jail inmates. That case is pending in federal court.

Lack of data

The FBI and U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, in fact, have burnished their reputations on investigations and prosecutions of political corruption and organized crime. They also have increasingly focused on terrorism, as have federal law enforcers around the country.

Here in Chicago, it is difficult to get a handle on exactly the role federal authorities play or how often they are asked to investigate questionable police shootings. Cook County prosecutors do not keep statistics on how often they seek assistance from the FBI or the U.S. attorney's office. The Independent Police Review Authority, the city agency that investigated more than 400 shootings by Chicago police officers since it was created in fall 2007, only began this year to track cases referred for possible federal investigation.

Advertisement

For its part, the federal government also lacks complete or accurate data on police shootings. The Justice Department could not say how many times a police officer has been prosecuted on civil rights charges for wrongly shooting a citizen. In the wake of a series of shootings by police recently, FBI Director James Comey called the lack of data on officer-involved shootings "embarrassing and ridiculous."

The U.S. attorney's office in Chicago could not determine if a city officer has ever been prosecuted federally for an on-duty shooting.

The FBI, the lead agency for investigating what are called color of law violations, investigated 368 cases across the country in 2014, with charges being brought against officers of various departments  police officers as well as prison and jail guards  in 72 cases. The FBI refused to say how many were handled by its Chicago office.

Federal officials decline to act on the vast majority of allegations against law enforcement. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review found that from 1995 through 2015, federal prosecutors declined to pursue civil rights charges against law enforcement officers 96 percent of the time.

Smith, the former Justice Department section chief, said a willful intent standard often makes it difficult to bring charges. He said that he favored a less stringent standard of "recklessness," where an officer was aware but indifferent that his conduct would violate someone's rights.

"We have a crisis in policing," he said. "Up until recently, the federal government did not meaningfully commit to its role of holding police accountable."

Advertisement

This excerpt from video released to the public shows the most complete version of the shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. It is edited for length by the Chicago Tribune. Warning: This video contains graphic images. (Chicago Tribune)

'They are all law enforcement'

Lawyers who handle civil rights cases say federal law enforcement officials are as much a part of the tightly knit law enforcement community as state and local prosecutors, often working together on task forces and other efforts. As a result, they have been reluctant to pursue cases against local police.

The Justice Department is conducting a separate, civil investigation of the Police Department's practices in police shootings.

"Whenever law enforcement has to police law enforcement, they have a difficult time having an objective view," said Chicago lawyer Ed Fox, who has filed numerous lawsuits against city police. "They are all law enforcement. They can see themselves in that position."

Activists, too, say that the federal authorities could do more on police shootings. That, they say, would send a signal both to police and to other enforcement officials that the federal government takes seriously its role in investigating and prosecuting criminal civil rights cases.

"The federal government in many ways has turned a blind eye to the overpolicing of black people and to the violation of their civil rights," said Charlene Carruthers, the national director of the Black Youth Project 100, which hopes to focus the attention of young people around justice issues. "The issue is not just that the local governments aren't listening. The federal government isn't listening."

Advertisement

Yet Carruthers acknowledged that protesters have not targeted federal officials the way they have Alvarez and others. Protesters have gathered in Daley Plaza, at City Hall and hearings of the Chicago Police Board, but not the Dirksen Federal Building, where the offices of the U.S. attorneys are located. Carruthers offered a rather pedestrian reason why demonstrators avoid the Dirksen building.

"It's hard to get the ears of the folks who are more than a dozen floors away," she said.

Federal authorities in the Chicago area have, of late, attempted to defuse some of that criticism, as well as educate the public about their role in civil rights investigations, appearing at community forums around the city to explain the limitations of the nation's civil rights laws.

In many instances, federal law enforcement officials allow local prosecutors to take the lead, employing what they call a backstop approach  stepping in when those local prosecutors do not bring charges, the case is mishandled or when a jury returns a not-guilty verdict that officials believe is a miscarriage of justice. One example: the Rodney King case, in which four Los Angeles officers in the 1990s were acquitted by a jury of beating King during a traffic stop.

Cases investigated for years

The most recent federal criminal civil rights case involving a deadly shooting was brought against former South Carolina police Officer Michael Slager, who shot and killed Walter Scott as he fled a traffic stop in April 2015. That shooting was caught on video by a bystander with a cellphone.

Advertisement

Slager had already been charged in state court with murder by prosecutors in North Charleston. The Charleston County prosecutor, Scarlett Wilson, has said she believed prosecutions on separate but parallel tracks made sense as they "vindicate separate interests."

The murder charge addresses his death, she said, while the federal charges address the alleged violation of his constitutional rights.

That contrasts with how the deaths of McDonald and Castellanos have played out. Federal officials have not brought charges in connection with McDonald's shooting, though it seems to bear similarities to Scott's shooting, and has the added element of officers writing questionable police reports  acts that suggest the officers may have intentionally covered up for a fellow officer.

The Castellanos shooting appears to involve officers shifting their accounts of what happened. Officers Juan Martinez and Shawn Lawryn had told detectives that, after they began to pursue Castellanos' vehicle, he crashed. As they approached the wreckage, they said, he opened fire, forcing them both to dive to the ground to dodge the bullets. They responded by firing 19 shots, hitting Castellanos three times.

Martinez even said he had been shot in the head, although in fact he had not been shot and officers never recovered a gun.

Martinez simply had scrapes and bruises.

Advertisement

Two years later, the officers suggested in sworn depositions for the first time that a second person might have been in the vehicle with Castellanos.

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

It is unclear where the federal investigation now stands. Martinez said in a sworn deposition as part of a lawsuit from the Castellanos family that he had been interviewed by the FBI, perhaps in the summer following the shooting. Lawryn said in his deposition he had referred the FBI to his lawyer.

The officers are on administrative duty.

The city of Chicago, in the meantime, has settled the lawsuit from Castellanos' survivors. The city will pay them $3.75 million.

smmills@chicagotribune.com

tlighty@chicagotribune.com

Advertisement

Twitter @smmills1960

Twitter @tlighty
Forrest Claypool, left, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, and Dr. Julie Morita, right, head of the Chicago Department of Public Health, during a community meeting at Mather High School on June 20, 2016. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)

The Chicago Board of Education's inspector general said Monday his office is investigating a quarter-million dollar contract awarded to the law firm that once employed the board's top attorney.

Inspector General Nicholas Schuler said his office was investigating whether the $250,000 contract awarded to Jenner & Block amounted to a breach of the school board's ethics policy.

Advertisement

The school board in late July agreed to pay $250,000 to Jenner & Block, where CPS general counsel Ronald Marmer was once a partner. In a March 30 disclosure statement, Marmer acknowledged he receives severance payments from the firm.

District records show the firm began billing the district for tens of thousands of dollars earlier this year as the district explored the possibility of filing a civil rights lawsuit over what district CEO Forrest Claypool recently described as a "racially discriminatory state funding system."

Advertisement

The inspector general's investigation figures to look into whether Marmer or others had management authority over the contract awarded to Jenner & Block.

A district spokeswoman said Marmer recused himself from "discussions and decisions about hiring or compensating Jenner & Block." Later, Claypool defended the contract.

"Obviously the inspector general looks at a lot of things routinely. We're happy to walk him through the process," Claypool said of the investigation during a Monday news conference. "It was a perfectly appropriate process."

Now that lawmakers have approved a series of measures expected to ease the district's financial pressures in the coming year, Claypool has backed off the threatened lawsuit.

Claypool said the potential lawsuit "is in deep freeze."

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

Marmer is among several of Claypool's former colleagues and past donors who have won district jobs and consulting contracts.

Marmer, appointed by the school board in October as general counsel at an annual salary of $185,000, has contributed $24,000 to Claypool's political campaigns over the years, according to state campaign finance records.

A letter of agreement Jenner & Block sent to the district June 20 said work by the firm's attorneys would be billed "at a discounted blended rate of $295.00 per hour," plus "reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and internal charges."

Advertisement

The firm sent the school board an invoice for nearly $42,000 at the end of April for 140 hours of work as well as postage and Westlaw research expenses, according to redacted records provided by CPS.

Three more invoices, also redacted, were dated July 19 and total more than $140,000 for similar expenses. They also include travel expenses for one attorney to attend a "series of meetings with CPS staff."

jjperez@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @PerezJr
The official blog of the Campaign for the American Reader, an independent initiative to encourage more readers to read more books.
A man is suspected of an attempted bank robbery at 1651 E. 95th St. on Aug. 8, 2016. (FBI)

A man tried to rob a bank on the South Side on Monday morning but fled before getting anything, according to the FBI.

It happened about 9 a.m. at the Bank of America branch, 1651 E. 95th St. in the city's South Deering community, the FBI said.

Advertisement

The suspect handed the teller a note and announced a robbery, said Officer Michelle Tannehill, a spokeswoman for Chicago police. He fled without getting any money.

The attempted robber was described as a black man about 5-foot-9, heavyset, and in his late 40s to late 50s. He was wearing a black and white hat, a white short-sleeved, button-down shirt, a white undershirt and silver glasses, the FBI said.

Advertisement

Anyone with information should contact the FBI, 312-421-6700.
A lumber truck rolled over on the Bishop Ford Expressway near South Holland early Monday morning, shutting down a part of the interstate, on Aug. 8, 2016. (WGN-TV) (Chicago Tribune)

A lumber semi truck rolled over on the Bishop Ford Expressway near south suburban South Holland, shutting down the northbound and some southbound lanes in the area for several hours early Monday morning.

The truck rolled over around 4:40 a.m. while going north on Interstate 94 south of 159th Street, spilling the truck's contents onto the southbound lanes as well, according to Illinois State Police.

Advertisement

No one was injured, but police had to close all northbound lanes and most of the southbound lanes, said Illinois State Police Trooper Ark Wozniak.

As of about 6:40 a.m., Wozniak said, state police hope to open the area in about 30 minutes.

Advertisement

Check back for possible updates.
A suspicious package found under a seat on a plane at O'Hare International Airport turned out to be trash, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

Firefighters were called to O'Hare about 7:10 p.m. for the report of a suspicious package found underneath a seat, said Fire Department spokesman Jeff Lyle.

Advertisement

The Fire Department said that 140 passengers were evacuated about 7:30 p.m. Investigators later found the package was just trash.

There were no reports of injuries.

Advertisement

American Airlines spokeswoman Lura Masvidal said Flight 2601 was coming from Raleigh-Durham International Airport and it landed safely and on time at 6:55 p.m.

Authorities met the MD-80 aircraft when it landed and the 140 passengers and five crew members were taken by bus to the terminal because of a "security concern,'' Masvidal said.

"The flight was met by authorities due to a security concern,'' Masvidal said.

Masvidal had no other details.
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, seen here in Chicago on July 25, 2016, took action on a number of bills in Springfield on Aug. 5. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

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

Former Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn has never had anything kind to say about the man who defeated him, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. But Quinn might find a bit of solace in the idiom that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.



That's basically what Rauner is doing in launching the "Fix Illinois" petition drive to limit lawmakers to 10 years in office and statewide elected officials to eight years.



Petition-passing was Quinn's essential political art form, and had its greatest effect in voter approval of the Cutback Amendment in 1980 that reduced the size of the Illinois House by one-third and elected House members to single-member districts.



But much of Quinn's petition passing largely was a political exercise, such as an effort to recall then-Gov. George Ryan before the state had a recall mechanism for governors.



In the same vein, Rauner's Fix Illinois term-limit petition drive has no practical impact. The courts have basically ruled that term limits for lawmakers are prevented by the strict constitutional guidelines for citizen's initiatives  a fact Rauner learned when his petition-driven term-limit bid was tossed during his 2014 campaign for governor.



But what petition drives are good for is to help political candidates organize. While Rauner's petition isn't a legal document, it gives a politician a list of supporters and addresses to tap as volunteer workers or for fundraising.



And Rauner's petition drive, launched Friday, comes at an interesting time. Fix Illinois has launched a TV commercial featuring Rauner at the end saying, "Let's all sign the term-limits petition," that looks like it's aimed to run in districts where Republicans have targeted Democratic lawmakers for defeat.



While many TV stations had yet to file notice of advertising sales for the Fix Illinois ad, one station in Downstate Harrisburg had received an application for ad rates. Harrisburg is also the home of one top Democratic target, Rep. Brandon Phelps, and is in the TV market of other Democratic targets as well.



The Fix Illinois effort also has purchased $20,875 worth of cable TV time, airing a total of 1,632 spots in suburban and outlying markets where Republicans also have targeted Democratic incumbents.



That's on top of a continued cable TV presence run through Republican House and Senate campaigns against those Democrats, an effort aided by Rauner's donations to the state GOP. On Friday, Rauner's campaign gave the Illinois Republican Party $5 million, bringing to more than $11 million that the governor's campaign fund has given to the state GOP. On Sunday, the state GOP reported transferring $2.35 million to the House Republican Organization.



As for the Fix Illinois program, the group behind it is Turnaround Illinois Inc., an offshoot of the Turnaround Illinois political action committee that has only two political donors: Rauner, with $2.25 million, and billionaire Sam Zell, with $4 million. Zell led the 2007 buyout of the then-Tribune Co., with the firm filing for bankruptcy less than a year later.



Unlike Turnaround Illinois PAC, which must disclose its donors, Turnaround Illinois Inc. is a federally tax-exempt organization  a 501(c)(4) under IRS rules ostensibly for "social welfare" groups, which does not have to disclose where it gets its money.



State records do show the Turnaround Illinois PAC has given more than $1.5 million to Turnaround Illinois Inc., though only $40,000 this year.



Turnaround Illinois Inc. is headquartered at 801 Pennsylvania Ave NW in Washington, in the offices that are also the home of the Washington office of the law firm Dinsmore, which handles legal work for the Turnaround Illinois PAC. (Rick Pearson)

Advertisement

What's on tap

*Mayor Rahm Emanuel will speak at a Midwest economic conference at a downtown hotel.

*Gov. Bruce Rauner has no public schedule.

Advertisement

*The National Conference of State Legislatures is in town for its annual meeting. Tim Mapes, longtime righthand man to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, is scheduled to speak on a panel about redistricting.

*Speaking of Madigan, his GOP donor-backed primary challenger this year, Jason Gonzales, is supposed to announce a lawsuit stemming from the campaign.

What we're writing

*Emanuel, Park Grill owners settle long-running lease lawsuit.

*Body cameras give close-up, disturbing view of fatal CPD shooting.

*More borrowing for CPS ahead.

*Rauner signs bill requiring teens to be taught what to do if stopped by police.

*U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk: Good police-community relations beyond my Senate office's capability.

*Gov. John Kasich raises money for Kirk.

Advertisement

*Emanuel rejects alternatives to water, sewer tax hike.



What we're reading

*Day 3 of "The Price of Pork": Pig waste spills kill hundreds of thousands of Illinois fish.

*Day 4 of "The Price of Pork": Contract pig farming work is tough.

*A record store tries to adapt to survive.



From the notebook

*The People's Map files court response: The group that successfully won a lower-court ruling that would block a proposal aimed at removing much of the politics out of legislative redistricting has responded to an appeal granted by the Illinois Supreme Court.



The People's Map, a group of prominent ethnic and racial minority business people, is behind the challenge to the Independent Map proposal that would ask voters to change the constitution on Nov. 8 to allow for a multiphased commission to handle the mapmaking chores.



The People's Map won round one in Cook County Circuit Court when Judge Diane Larsen ruled that the Independent Map's proposal went beyond changing the legislative article of the Constitution by giving new duties to the state's auditor general and Supreme Court.



Under previous court rulings, the only subjects ripe for a petition-driven citizen's initiative must affect the "structure and procedure" of the legislature. Larsen said redrawing legislative boundaries does affect the "structure and procedure" of the legislature, but found the proposal went too far.



Independent Map lawyers, in their Supreme Court appeal, looked to the drafters of the state's 1970 Constitution to indicate that they weren't locked in to only modifying the legislative article of the state's governing document.



But in their response, People's Map lawyers said the framers of the state Constitution "did not intend such a massive scope" of changes that go beyond the legislative article and that the courts, including the state's highest court, have rejected similar arguments.



The lead lawyer for the People's Map is Michael Kasper, a longtime ally of House Speaker Michael Madigan. Kasper also is legal counsel for the state Democratic Party, which Madigan chairs. (Rick Pearson)

Advertisement

*The Sunday Spin: On this week's show, Chicago Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson's guests included the Tribune's Kim Geiger on Gov. Rauner versus legislative Democrats; the Tribune's Hal Dardick on Mayor Emanuel's tax hikes; and Bloomberg political reporter John McCormick on the presidential race. Listen to the full show here.

Follow the money

*The Illinois Sunshine folks take a look at TV ad spending.

*Track campaign contribution reports in real time with this Tribune Twitter account: https://twitter.com/ILCampaignCash

Beyond Chicago

*GOP officials say Donald Trump could lose key battleground states to Hillary Clinton.

*Trump tries to steady campaign with economic speech.

*Democratic VP nominee Tim Kaine says Clinton learned from her email "mistake."

Advertisement

*Republican VP nominee Mike Pence's response to HIV outbreak: prayer, then action.
Jason Gonzales, who challenged Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan in the primaries, accused Madigan of fraud on Aug. 8, 2016. (Tae-Gyun Kim / AP)

The political newcomer who failed to unseat House Speaker Michael Madigan in the March primary filed a federal lawsuit Monday alleging a litany of misdeeds by the powerful Democrat, his political organizations, other candidates in the race and an unrelated state agency.

Jason Gonzales insisted he wasn't "being a sore loser." At the center of his complaint are the signs, mailers and commercials that Madigan's political organization plastered throughout the Southwest Side House district, advertising that painted Gonzales as a career criminal and "convicted felon."

Advertisement

Gonzales has acknowledged running afoul of the law during his teenage years in cases involving forgery and illegally using a credit card. He was pardoned in 2015 by then-Gov. Pat Quinn. Gonzales contends the pardon means he's no longer a convicted felon, and that Madigan defamed him by publicizing his criminal history.

Madigan shrugged off the lawsuit. Gonzales "cannot be trusted and his lawsuit is without merit," Madigan said in a statement distributed by his political organization.

Advertisement

"According to Gonzales' own court filing today, his criminal activity 'resulted in several arrests, criminal charges, and felony and misdemeanor convictions,'" Madigan said in the statement. "Voters of my district soundly renominated me based on my strong record of service, giving me more than 65 percent of the vote, and they emphatically rejected Jason Gonzales because they knew he couldn't be trusted."

Gonzales' sudden arrival on the political scene ahead of the March Democratic primary stoked speculation that he had been put up by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who is warring with Madigan. Gonzales' campaign also got financial backing from a number of donors who've supported Rauner in the past.

At the time, Gonzales denied being a Rauner plant, a stance he reiterated Monday.

"This is my own doing. I've been wanting to run against Speaker Madigan for six years, before Gov. Rauner was even in office," Gonzales said.

Despite describing himself as a "progressive Democrat," Gonzales enlisted a Republican former Cook County commissioner as his attorney in the case. Anthony Peraica is best known for storming the county clerk's office with a crowd of supporters that pounded on windows during a technology-driven, vote-counting meltdown as he lost a 2006 bid for county board president.

Also named in the lawsuit is the Prisoner Review Board, which released information about Gonzales' criminal record to the media. Additionally, Gonzales is suing the two other individuals whose names appeared on the ballot in the primary for the 22nd House District, which Madigan has held since 1971.

Gonzales contends that the individuals joined the ballot in order to dilute the vote and ensure a victory for Madigan. Gonzales won just 27 percent of the vote, and the other two candidates won less than 8 percent combined.

Peraica decried what he contends is a "long-standing practice in the County of Cook, state of Illinois, of putting phony, sham candidates on the ballot."

Advertisement

Gonzales said the lawsuit "isn't about me crying because I lost."

"It's about justice for every candidate who has come before and will go ahead. This stuff has got to stop. These fraudulent, illegal tactics have got to stop."

kgeiger@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kimgeiger
Teamsters Union retirees who traveled from across the country to voice their opposition to deep cuts to their pension benefits rally on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol building on April 14, 2016, in Washington, D.C. (Allison Shelley / Getty Images)

Why are there no labor unions in America? This is, of course, an overstatement  millions of Americans still belong to unions. But the size of the unionized workforce has declined every year for 40 years. And even at its mid-20th-century peak, it was lower than in most European countries.

Many explanations for low union density turn on the distinctiveness of American culture. Americans are deemed individualists, with self-interest trumping any sense of the common good. They are driven wild with consumer longings, willing to do anything for low prices. They are entrepreneurial, identifying with their employers and always dreaming of upward mobility or striking it rich rather than claiming solidarity via working-class identity.

Advertisement

One might question whether this is really an apt description of American culture. But to the degree that it is accurate, it may have grown out of our history of employer intransigence and hostility to labor.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, American workers literally fought battles  in Homestead, Pa.; Ludlow, Colo.; the hills of West Virginia  as they struggled to gain the right to organize unions. Until the Great Depression, employers were under no obligation legally to recognize or bargain with unions, and few did so voluntarily, instead provoking strikes that often turned bloody.

Advertisement

Even after Congress passed the Wagner Act in 1935, which created an institutional mechanism whereby workers could vote to join unions, major employers sought to subvert the law by spying on their workers, planning strategies to dissuade their employees from voting to unionize and, in some cases, even stockpiling weapons.

After the Supreme Court upheld the Wagner Act in 1937, companies worked together through such organizations as the National Association of Manufacturers to disseminate strategies for fighting unions. Employers staged elaborate propaganda campaigns intended to persuade workers to vote against unionization, sometimes even firing workers deemed to be pro-union in direct violation of the law.

Such tactics were one reason union density remained low outside of the core manufacturing industries that had been organized during the 1930s. It also remained low in the South and Southwest. In the South, segregationists and businessmen worked together to resist unions. In the Southwest, civic boosters sold their cities as alternatives to the high-wage Northeast and Midwest.

Over time, manufacturers closed their plants in such union strongholds as Detroit and Philadelphia, Camden and Trenton, relocating first to the American South and then eventually beyond U.S. borders  to Mexico, the Caribbean and farther overseas. The most successful companies in the burgeoning service sector  companies such as Walmart  built a fierce resistance against unionization into their business models from the start. At the same time, conservative politicians from the 1970s onward portrayed unions as inherently coercive, while liberals grew wary of passing legislation that could shift the playing field and make it easier for workers to unionize.

History has shaped the landscape for any workers who might want to organize unions today. Because of the intensity of employer opposition, workers who seek to unionize risk polarizing their communities. They may be blamed for taking actions that could lead to their towns losing the company altogether; they may even be fired themselves in retaliation. Is it any wonder that many conclude unionization is not worth the effort? Is it surprising that, despite unionized workers earning higher wages than nonunion workers and enjoying a measure of protection on the job, many consider it easier to find some way to make do and get by rather than take a leap of faith and organize?

When employers have been able to wield such political power, and when there are so many examples of collective defeat, it can seem as though acting alone is the only real way to improve your life. Over time, this comes to appear as a culture of individualism. But it might be more precisely described as a culture of fear.

Washington Post

Kimberly Phillips-Fein is the author of " Invisible Hands: The Businessmen's Crusade Against the New Deal." She teaches American history at New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton holds a rally a day after accepting the Democratic Party's nomination for president at Temple University on July 29, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pa. (Spencer Platt / Getty Images)

If you're going to vote for Hillary Clinton for president, don't do it because she's a woman. In fact, ask yourself: If a man had the same policy platform, track record and resume as Clinton, would you vote for him?

There. I said it.

Advertisement

Cue the onslaught of outrage from actress Lena Dunham, homemaking guru Martha Stewart and the rest of Clinton's plank of prominent campaign surrogates urging women everywhere to rally behind the first female presidential nominee.

But hear me out: I'm a woman, a wife and a mom. And I'm not excited about Clinton's candidacy.

Advertisement

Clinton isn't a political outsider, breaking through some thick swamp of corrupt men to stand up for women like me. I don't think she represents the issues women care about, and I won't be voting for her.

Yet women like me are being told what a historic moment this is. That Clinton is about to break the proverbial glass ceiling, and we can help her do it by casting a vote this November. Some are even trying to make us feel guilty for not joining the #imwithher fad.

At a speech in Brooklyn, N.Y., this summer, Clinton said: "This campaign is about making sure there are no ceilings, no limits on any of us, and this is our moment to come together."

Martha Stewart said in The Wall Street Journal: "We as women should be so proud that there is a strong and viable candidate, yet there are women who are not even thinking about her as a woman. They are just listening to criticisms of her that she is a liar."

Sorry. I guess I'm not feeling the sisterhood.

Choosing a presidential candidate based on his or her gender is like voting for someone because you like the candidate's hair color. It has nothing to do with a person's leadership abilities.

In fact, voting for Hillary solely or in large part because she's a woman isn't an exercise in open-mindedness at all. It's sexist, and it's divisive. Worse, it ignores the progress women have made over the past few decades.

Today, women graduate college at a higher rate than men. There are more female managers today than at any point in history. And with the rise of telecommuting and virtual offices, it's becoming increasingly easier for many women to balance careers and motherhood.

Advertisement

The Pew Research Center recently studied Americans' attitudes toward the sexes in political and business leadership positions. Only 9 percent of Americans think men are better at forging compromise in a business or political leadership role, while most Americans thought women and men had equal ability when it comes to this skill set.

On many fronts, Americans think women have an edge over men. For example, Pew found that female leaders are perceived as more honest and ethical. (Fortunately for Clinton, the poll did not ask specifically about her.)

So it's perplexing why Clinton has made her gender a centerpiece of her campaign this time around.

"Obviously there was discrimination against women once upon a time, but the feminist movement has kind of clung to that," said Carrie Lukas, managing director at the conservative Independent Women's Forum. "They've been allowed to get away with this idea that the sexes are interchangeable, but at the same time claim it's a legitimate idea that we need a woman to change things."

The Clinton campaign seems to want things both ways. Either women should be treated the same, and we are just as good  if not, better  than men, or we are we inferior and in need of special consideration to reach the same milestones as our male counterparts. But we can't be both.

I'd argue there's also a moral hazard in Clinton pushing her gender so aggressively. This extreme focus on her gender sends the message that as women, we cannot succeed on the merit of our ideas alone.

Advertisement

Other Clinton supporters, such as historian Nancy L. Cohen, have said women shouldn't vote for Clinton because of her gender  but because she best represents the interests of her gender.

But even that argument is narrow-minded because it assumes women are monolithic and all have the same needs, interests and political positions. News flash: Not every woman wants the government to be more hands-on in their health care, child care or employee-employer relationship.

What it comes down to is this: Those who still see a glass ceiling today always will because that's how they view the world: black versus white, women versus men. Unfortunately, these people will never see  or enjoy  all the progress that's been made and how diverse and intelligent women really are.

Diana Sroka Rickert is a writer with the Illinois Policy Institute. The opinions in this essay are her own.

Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook.
In our contemporary atmosphere where great works of art are scrutinized for possible offense, it's popular to suggest that Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" should no longer be performed because of its anti-Semitic leanings.

Before I address how foolish that is, let me tell a story about moral ambiguity.

Advertisement

I recently visited the concentration camp at Dachau and heard from an erudite guide about the atrocities that occurred there not so long ago. Afterward, we had lunch at a spotless restaurant on the campground periphery that served tasty lasagna and delicious ice cream. When I observed that it seemed a bit unseemly to be having a nice meal yards away from where thousands were starved, tortured and killed, he explained there had been some debate about putting a cafeteria at Dachau. But he pointed to the hundreds of schoolchildren, some wearing tank tops and bearing selfie sticks, touring the camp. He said German law mandated every German schoolchild visit Dachau. "If you are going to teach every schoolchild about Dachau by visiting it, you have to have a cafeteria. You can't have it both ways. It's that simple." He was right  moral ambiguity.

Which brings me to "The Merchant of Venice." I have some standing in this matter, being Jewish and having lost relatives in concentration camps. Rather than debate particulars, let me state some things at the outset:

Advertisement

First, there is no question "The Merchant of Venice" is a play with an anti-Semitic theme, one of many themes throughout the play. That is quite different from an anti-Semitic play. The Nazis put on "The Merchant of Venice" frequently but edited it selectively to keep it in line with their philosophy. Shakespeare's plays are never only about one thing. In no way can it be construed as a play advocating anti-Semitism. (I might also point out the Nazis were enthusiastic practitioners of judging and censoring art based on its political content.)

Second, the character Shylock is unarguably an anti-Semitic portrayal of a Jew. But he is far more than that  he is a human being. The "Hath not a Jew" speech is meant not to redeem Shylock, but to humanize him. Remember that Shakespeare's plays are not intended simply to be read, but to be performed. A skilled actor can add any manner of nuance to characters like Shylock, giving them greater meaning. All villains are not completely bad, just as all heroes are not completely good  human life is infinitely more complex than that, as Shakespeare knew better than anyone. Unless, of course, critics are prepared to infantilize the public and have us believe in a world of Disney characters.

Third, I don't know if Shakespeare was an anti-Semite. In fact, no one alive knows. There were few Jews in late 16th century England, and Shakespeare probably had little or no direct contact with them. And even if he were anti-Semitic, so what? The music of Richard Wagner, an unquestioned anti-Semite and one of Hitler's favorites, is played increasingly in Israel, albeit with some debate. With great works of art, unless they advocate hatred or violence, maturity demands we separate the art from the artist.

Finally, the rhetorical question. After the Holocaust, do we really need to be reminded that Jews also bleed? I would answer by saying look around the world right now  to take one example, France, where an estimated 5,000 Jews left in the past two years because they no longer feel safe there. The answer is "yes," and "The Merchant of Venice" belongs as a reminder.

The play has been part of the great canon of Western civilization for centuries, and deservedly so. Regardless of its anti-Semitic theme, it is among the greatest works of the world's greatest playwright. Comparisons to radio and television works like "Amos & Andy" that dwelled in stereotypes are the height of fatuity. Should "The Merchant of Venice" be banned, thus preventing children from reading or hearing Portia's "quality of mercy" speech? There are few passages in all of literature to compare with that speech. To do so would be an intellectual crime against future generations.

My final suggestion is that critics reread "The Merchant of Venice," specifically the scene where Portia's suitors must choose between three caskets, one of gold, one of silver and one of lead. The suitors must choose the casket with a portrait of Portia inside to win her hand in marriage. Each casket contains an ambiguous inscription, and the suitors reveal their character by which one they select. The casket with Portia's portrait is the one, not of gold or silver, but of lead. Shakespeare tell us that things are not always as they seem on initial examination. There is much below the surface.

Cory Franklin is a Wilmette physician and author of "Cook County ICU: 30 Years of Unforgettable Patients and Odd Cases."
Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool announces the release of the proposed $5.4 billion operating budget for 2017 that assumes the Chicago Teachers Union will accept a contract similar to one a CTU bargaining team soundly rejected earlier this year. Chief Education Officer Janice Jackson is with Claypool. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool announces the release of the proposed $5.4 billion operating budget for 2017 that assumes the Chicago Teachers Union will accept a contract similar to one a CTU bargaining team soundly rejected earlier this year. Chief Education Officer Janice Jackson is with Claypool. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune)

Last year, Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool produced a yearly budget with spending and revenues so out of whack that it relied on a huge cash infusion from Springfield.

Only at the last tick of the CPS budget doomsday clock did Illinois lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner agree to a six-month stopgap budget that funnels some of that wished-for cash to the district.

Advertisement

Crisis averted! But not for long.

On Monday, Claypool unveiled a $5.4 billion budget for fiscal 2017 built on  you guessed it  a different set of promises and hopes, some just as apparently flimsy as the last.

Advertisement

Promise 1: CPS hopes that lawmakers and the governor come through on a promise to pick up "normal" costs  roughly $215 million  of CPS pensions for one year. But that promise is subject to a not-yet-soup agreement to reform the state's employee pension system.

"We take them at their word that they will do what they promise to do," Claypool said at a news conference. That's a huge leap of faith in a state that is the poster child for legislative gridlock.

Promise 2: CPS hopes to persuade teachers to accept a phaseout of a 7 percent pension payment pickup that the district no longer can afford. The district still would pay the employer's share into the pension fund but asks employees to pick up their share. That would be worth $130 million in savings when fully phased in.

In January, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis praised the deal that included the pension pickup as a "serious offer." But that was before the union's Big Bargaining Team, a group of about 40 union members that helps guide union demands, squashed the proposal like a bug.

Claypool argues that "without absolute certainty on our labor costs, we have to make, and do make, rational assumptions. I think it's fair to assume that the Chicago Teachers Union will understand that that potential framework is still a fair framework to deal with."

He does? Teachers have had months to accept that framework, including the pension pickup. They haven't budged so far.

There is some good news in this budget: The district plans to spend $232 million less than last year. Claypool & Co. have done a good job trimming expenses and consolidating operations. The district says it won't borrow long-term money to pay for day-to-day operating expenses. No more "scoop and toss"  the reckless practice of borrowing money to cover principal payments on past debt. At least, not this year.

But CPS still can't make revenues and expenditures match. And the district is projecting an enrollment loss of roughly 5,000 students. Prognosis: More fiscal turmoil ahead.

Advertisement

Then there are the teachers. They still don't have a contract. They're into Year 2 of negotiations. Year 2.

On Monday, the union released a statement saying its members would be returning to classrooms later this month "without a labor agreement amid severe budget cuts and threats to their profession, income and benefits." That doesn't sound like a union ready to cave in negotiations.

Claypool said Monday that the fiscal 2017 budget provides a "clear path forward for financial stability." We hope so. CPS students and parents deserve no less. But CPS is relying on Springfield to follow through on its promises. And teachers to do their part to help balance the budget.

Uh-oh.

Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook.
Eyli Sova, 3, of Chicago, checks out his panda bear face painting done by Janice Brown of Evanston at the Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival Aug. 7, 2016, at Dawes Park on Sheridan Road just south of the Northwestern University campus. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

The Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival, a two-day event showcasing more than 80 artists, drew more than 5,000 people over the weekend, organizers said.

The festival took place at Dawes Park at Sheridan Road and Church Street just south of Northwestern University.

Advertisement

"It's just an idyllic setting on beautiful Lake Michigan," said Patricia Battaglia of Skokie, Evanston's cultural arts and festival coordinator. "I feel like when I was watching set up, it was like a little Camelot."

The free event on Saturday and Sunday featured art with children's craft activities, festival fare, a silent auction to benefit city arts programming and live music.

Advertisement

Attendees were seen dancing on the walkways around the Arrington Lakefront Lagoon.

Rodney Greene of Evanston and Evanston city clerk, danced with Grace Truth from Ashland, Ore. Howard Forkash, a harpist and 1961 Evanston Township High School graduate, performed on harmonica while the two danced.

Forkash had returned to Evanston for his high school reunion.

Meanwhile, the children's craft tent was busy with volunteers, community groups and staff from Evanston's summer youth employment program assisting families.

"The purpose of this is to definitely give a place for the youth of Evanston to come together to let creative juices flow," said Kristen Sanders, a Northwestern University sophomore from California who hopes to pursue nonprofit work.

"They get to try things they wouldn't do on a normal day," she said.

Sanders served as children's craft coordinator, helping to make the tent opportunity possible.

"I love it, I love working with kids," Sanders said. "They've shown me things I wouldn't think of doing and it's really cool to watch them learn."

Advertisement

The Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival was a juried show and offered awards to artists in their categories.

Karie Angell Luc is a freelance photographer and reporter for Pioneer Press.
A former Waukegan alderman and Waukegan School District 60 board member known for "his faith, his family and his love of Waukegan" died Saturday morning, his successor said.

Lucius Copeland was involved in public service pretty much all of his adult life, serving as a scoutmaster, on the Board of Directors for the YMCA on the south side of Waukegan and as a deacon, trustee and Sunday school teacher at Shiloh Baptist Church, said his wife, Catherine Copeland.

Advertisement

Copeland, a 1948 graduate of Waukegan Township High School and a retired Illinois Bell employee, served on the Waukegan School Board for eight years and was appointed 1st Ward alderman by Mayor Haig Paravonian in 1989.

He won two re-election campaigns against candidates that included future state Rep. Eddie Washington. Copeland announced in 1998 he would not seek a third full term and was succeeded by current Ald. Sam Cunningham.

Advertisement

Cunningham remembers the conversation he had with Copeland when he asked for Copeland's endorsement.

Copeland asked Cunningham if he was sure he wanted the job, and when Cunningham said yes, Copeland said he would support him, not because he was a black man but because Cunningham was a Waukegan native who went away to college but came back to the community.

"The great thing about Mr. Copeland is he was very genuine," Cunningham said. "He's not a politician. He's just a person who loved serving people."

Copeland decided to run for the school board because with children in the school district, he was concerned about their education. Copeland had a daughter and two sons, and his family now includes six grandchildren.

"He was always concerned about our city of Waukegan, our community, our city, our neighborhood," Catherine Copeland said. "He was interested in what was happening here."

Catherine Copeland is going to miss "his humility and his love for family and just his presence," she said Monday, what would have been their 57th wedding anniversary.

emcoleman@tronc.com

Twitter @mekcoleman
The Supreme Court essentially denuded students of their First Amendment press rights in 1988, and well-meaning states have been trying to return them state-by-state ever since.

Last week, the Illinois Legislature's unanimous vote and governor's signature on The Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act reinstated state high school student rights to be journalists again. Of course, there are boundaries. Aren't there always?

Advertisement

Here are the rules. Students in public high schools will now have a legally protected right to choose what content goes in their publications. But schools still can ditch material that is "libelous, obscene, invasive of privacy" or "likely to provoke disruptive or unlawful behavior." However, the law says school administrators must demonstrate, without undue delay, that speech fits within one of the unprotected categories before it's stopped.

But not so fast, young Woodwards and Bernsteins.

Advertisement

What you have been granted is the right to practice, in the words of the law's most ardent adult advocates, "responsible journalism."

What an ugly, imprecise, un-journalistic phrase. How placid and tame. And useless.

What's irresponsible? That would be words inspiring "a clear and present danger of the commission of an unlawful act, the violation of policies of the school district, or the material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school."

Yes, "orderly." We must be orderly. We must avoid "disruption" and the nearly as evil "violation of policies."

These exceptions seem to encompass every debate to which my mother explained "because I said so."

This might leave journalism designed to avoid upsetting anyone with unruly ideas, as if printing a list of activities for your church fundraiser constitutes journalism. It doesn't. That's stenography.

Journalism is only real if it upsets the dictated rules of order and questions unfairness. Everything else is public relations.

Indeed, challenging order is the soul of American journalism, not an irresponsible aberration.

Advertisement

There might be such a mythical creature as "responsible journalism," and we prefer that teens trying to tell the true story of their schools do so "responsibly." Whatever that means.

Journalism scares adults in ways other topics do not. After all, there is little pressure demanding students practice "responsible" physics, "non-intrusive" Spanish or "morally balanced" calculus.

But I'd be less worried about responsibility if professional competency was the skill being taught. Details. Completeness. Curiosity. Self-skepticism. Intense observation. The gritty grind of fairness, plus tested and retested basic assumptions.

But when adults  most notably administrators irked by questions about their prestige, pay or power  encounter free-thinking teenage questioners, the definition of what's responsible can be muddled.

They might actually demand principals explain their $200,000 salaries.

Here's a secret. People with power despise facing scrutiny. That's often true for even thoughtful school administrators who bridle when parents challenge their authority and are even less tolerant of children doing it.

Advertisement

I remember an announcement by the priestly lord high chancellor who managed my high school: If I ever decide this school is a democracy, I'll be sure to let you know.

Remember that most public education is an institutionalized exercise in herd control. Private school education is even more tense.

Cowpokes managing the cattle drive to market do not appreciate when the cattle demand some answers, like, where in the heck are you taking us? And why?

But school administrators are not odious louts only looking to impose bondage. It just works out that way sometimes because of management dynamics and humanity's affection for authoritarianism.

The problem arises, as it often does, because of using the wrong action word. The wrong word is "responsibility," as if democracy's marketplace rewards "responsibility" in any pursuit.

When medical science instructs aspiring physicians, it teaches ethics as an integral element of "professionalism." Scientific competence demands skill. Being responsible is a natural, ethical goal.

Advertisement

Lake County News Sun Twice-weekly News updates from Lake County delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

What young doctors learn is scientific and ethical competence.

Teaching young journalists means teaching ethical competence as a professional way of gathering knowledge.

But overstating "responsible" as the reason for journalism reduces the craft to never-ending, emotional reactions.

Resolving conflict over banned ideas is only vaguely described in the new school law. But lawyers and politicians likely will be involved.

Luckily, lawyers and politicians are never irresponsible.

David Rutter was a senior editor for 40 years at six newspapers in five states.

Advertisement

David.Rutter@live.com
Park Ridge residents and those from nearby communities took part in a variety of festive activities, while learning about the importance of crime prevention measures at the Park Ridge Police Department's 12th National Night Out event on Aug. 2 at Hodges Park.

The event was a joint effort with communities nationwide, which in its 33rd year. The events highlight anti-crime programs, drug prevention and promote working with police to generate safer communities.

Advertisement

The event also showcased the vocals of the "Demonaires," a show choir from Maine East High School, which sang the Michael Jackson song "Black or White."

There were about 500 attendees. Highlights included music from a DJ, which set the party atmosphere, as well as refreshments, crime prevention informational booths and tours of the police department. Visitors could meet police officers who work in the community as well as other Park Ridge community agency members, groups and area vendors.

Advertisement

Nine-year-old Alina Chavez enjoys the petting zoo on Aug. 2 at the Park Ridge National Night Out event. (Brian O'Mahoney / Pioneer Press)

Families also got to watch a demonstration from Knox the K-9 German shepherd, and two police officers, which showed crime-fighting skills of Knox against criminals in dangerous situations, along with a question-and-answer session.

Other activities at the event included a bounce house, multiple raffles, mini train rides and a petting zoo. Attendees also got to participate in the dunk-a-cop and a doughnut-eating contest. They also could take photos with Park Ridge police officers.

Park Ridge resident Megan Haugen was at the event with her family, taking photos of her children who were in the Police SUV. She said that the event "was a great way for the community to interact with the police officers, firefighters and rescue personnel that are doing so many great things to keep our community safe."

Park Ridge Police Sgt. Eric Hilderbrant talks to residents during the Aug. 2 National Night Out event. (Brian O'Mahoney / Pioneer Press)

She also added that she and her family were also fully participating in turning their porch lights on in support of the event, something the Park Ridge police requested.

There was a texting and driving stimulator, which had many teens lined up for the experience. Park Ridge Explorer Brandon Mei, a freshman from Maine South High School, assisted teens at the machine.

"It's having an impact" he said. "By using this machine, teens are understanding and being educated not to text and drive."

After her experience at the machine, a motivated Jasmine Moranga, a Maine East student and Des Plaines resident said "it's difficult, and I really learned that it is really dangerous to text and drive, and no one should do it."

Park Ridge outreach organizations were on hand to meet area residents and sign up new residents to participate in the police community partnerships, such as the Citizens Policy Academy, the Citizens Patrol and the Community Emergency Response Team.

Advertisement

When asked about an increase in community participation after an National Night Out event, Phil Falson, the Director of CERT said" I do see an increase, after the event, in physical signups as well as social media, Twitter and Facebook."

He added that social media generates more of an interaction through likes and reposts of information about CERT training with police and fire departments, along with the Illinois search-and-rescue teams.

Six-year-old Traver Cremins takes aim at the dunk tank during the Aug. 2 National Night Out event in Park Ridge. (Brian O'Mahoney / Pioneer Press)

The CERT organization provides citizens the ability to help themselves during an emergency, prepare citizens for hazards that impact their area, assist neighbors where professional responders are not immediately available and to foster a relationship with the emergency personnel of Park Ridge.

"I am very pleased with the turnout of tonight's event." Park Ridge Police Chief Frank Kaminski said.

Kaminski also added that even though "Park Ridge has a low crime rate, the event is more focused on building public trust and building relationships within the community."

Karen Medina is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Thomas and Mary Porowiec of Chicago belong to a large group of Polish relatives who routinely get together each summer. This year, they chose the recent 13th annual Polka Party at the Hammond Marina as their party destination.

"We have real Polish food, drinks and dancing music. What else could we want? " Mary Porowiec said with a laugh as she headed for the Marina patio to dance. "And we've already run into some old friends, so this is like a big Polish wedding,"

Advertisement

Hundreds of other party-goers joined her at the event.

"We come to this fest every year, we wouldn't miss it for the world," said James Prentiss, of Hobart. "It doesn't cost us a thing except our time and gas to get here. Now that my wife and I are retired, we're enjoying many things we couldn't before."

Advertisement

The yearly Polka Party  the last event on Hammond's Festival of the Lakes schedule  offered free admission and parking, with courtesy shuttle cart rides from the parking lot to the marina.

The D Street Band served up traditional polkas and the patio/ makeshift dance floor remained crowded throughout the afternoon.

Not everyone came to dance, though. Many were there to enjoy the beautiful backdrop of Lake Michigan with the marina and colorful boats.

The small beach to the north was occupied with boaters and their families; and a few men were fishing off the marina pier as well as a few walkers out for an afternoon stroll.

But all of these people had to pass the Polka Party to get to their destination.

"I had no ideas they do this every year," Paula Pantay of Hammond said as she checked her pedometer. "I have some relatives that would love this. Maybe they can come next year."

Hammond's Cavalier Inn provided pierogies, polish sausage, and cabbage and noodles.

Students from Hammond's College Bound Program volunteered for the event, directing visitors and selling water and cold drinks.

Advertisement

"I've never heard this kind of music before," Naselyn Famania said as she filled a large tub with ice. "This is a cool event, I like to see everyone having fun."

In addition to the tables and chairs set up around the patio, many visitors brought lawn chairs and blankets of their own. They were spread out along the grassy hill across the parking lot, as well as behind the band near the boating docks.

"What a wonderful day to spend the day." James Littleton of Chicago said as his grandchildren settled on a blanket to eat their pierogies. "I grew up in Hammond, but they never had this beautiful marina then. The city of Hammond has been very progressive in building this. It's very impressive."

As they band put away their instruments, there already was talk among the crowd of returning next year.

"We'll be the first ones in line when the doors open," Lynda Schell of Crown Point said with a laugh as she and her family folded their lawn chairs. "I don't know anyone who comes here that doesn't have a great time. Music lifts everyone's soul."

Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Melanie Reusze, of RealAmerica, from left, J. Jacob Sipe, executive director of Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority, Ronda Weybright, owner of RealAmerica, Hobart Mayor Brian Snedecor and Jeff Ryan of RealAmerica shovel the first mounds of dirt at a groundbreaking ceremony for new senior apartments RealAmerica is building at 10th Street and Lake Park Avenue in Hobart. (Karen Caffarini / Post-Tribune)

Mary Ann Evolga was all smiles and anticipation at a recent groundbreaking for the new Lake Park Senior Living Apartments in Hobart.

Evolga is third on the list for the new affordable villas and apartments to be built at the corner of 10th Street and Lake Park Avenue and was excited to learn that she could be moving into her new home in as little as 18 months.

Advertisement

"I was ecstatic," Evolga said of learning about the apartments themselves and the fact that construction would begin soon.

"I want to move here and be a permanent resident. My son lives in Hobart and I have friends here," the Hobart resident said.

Advertisement

Bev Troumouliaris, of Hobart, was another of about a dozen future residents who attended the groundbreaking along with city and state officials and officials with the project's developer, RealAmerica. She said she plans to move into one of the villas.

"The rooms are just beautiful," she said.

The two women are among dozens of seniors who've already signed up for the complex.

"We have 48 names on the list and we haven't turned the first shovel yet. It shows there really is a need out there," said Ronda Weybright, owner of RealAmerica.

Weybright said there will be 95 units, including 39 one-story villas with one-car garages and 56 units in a secure, three-story building with elevator. She said 80 of the units will be affordable housing, based on a sliding scale. A company spokesman previously said those rents would average between $300 and $600 a month.

The remaining units will be open to any senior, regardless of income.

Weybright said amenities will include a dog park with a dog wash station, computer center, fitness center, crafts and game room, a mind-fit room with games and challenges, on-site management and a bike share program.

Mayor Brian Snedecor said two members of the city's plan commission -- Thomas Ehrhardt and Ray Rodriguez -- took an unannounced trip to a RealAmerica senior complex in Nashville, Ind. and were impressed with what they saw.

Advertisement

"I hope this is just the stepping stone for many great days ahead," Snedecor said.

Jeff Ryan, vice president of development for RealAmerica, said construction will probably start later this year. He said there are a few tenants in the former Prudential building now on the site who need to find new homes yet before that building can be razed.

The development is being partially financed by equity raised from the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. The federal program is administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and provides a dollar-for-dollar reduction in income taxes for developers of affordable housing in exchange for providing below-market rents for at least 15 years.

The apartments are available to people age 55 and older.

Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
A camper at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore was found dead over the weekend.

William L. Rice, 37, of Lake Station, was found unresponsive at a picnic table around 8 a.m. Sunday at the campground, according to Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris.

Advertisement

"We could tell from signs in the body that he had been dead for a few hours before our arrival," Harris said.

Fellow campers last saw Rice at the campsite around 3 a.m., Harris said, adding witnesses said Rice had been intoxicated the previous night and was possibly under the influence of another substance.

Advertisement

An autopsy was performed at Porter Regional Hospital Monday morning, Harris said, and results from a toxicology test are pending.

Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Poll tabs Gov. Anoatubby top leader in Oklahoma

This article appeared in the August 2016 edition of the Chickasaw Times

OKLAHOMA CITY  Governor Bill Anoatubby has been named 2016 Most Powerful Oklahoman in a statewide poll of business, civic and governmental leaders.

The honor was reported in the July 1 edition of OKC Friday newspaper, a weekly publication covering northern areas of Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and The Village.

The reason for Anoatubbys rise to the top seems fairly obvious as he has provided leadership...to save virtually every worthwhile project in this state while others simply shrugged... wrote OKC Friday publisher Vicki Clark.

Gov. Anoatubby topped the list in votes tabulated from 250 ballots distributed by the newspaper.

Anoatubbys vision for this state and his people was confirmed when he offered to partner with Oklahoma City to complete and open the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum, Clark wrote.

Envisioned as a world-class tourism destination in the heart of America, the center is to showcase the history and culture of Oklahomas 39 federally recognized Indian tribes. No other state project had been derided with more false information by the Legislature because it didnt want to pay for it.

Fortunately for Oklahoma City and our state, Gov. Bill Anoatubby has the imagination and forethought to know that, one day, the American Indian Cultural Center will be as important to Oklahoma tourism as the OKC Thunder has been, the news story said.

Fifty Oklahomans were included on the ballot, with Gov. Anoatubby finishing first. Second on the list was Clay Bennett, the Oklahoma City businessman responsible for the Thunders re-location to the metroplex from Seattle, Washington; Larry Nichols, executive chairman of Devon Energy; David Boren, president of the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett rounded out the top five.

Also making the list at No. 13 was Chickasaw citizen and U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, who serves in the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahomas 4th Congressional District.

The newspaper was founded in the early 1970s by J. Leland Gourley, an Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame inductee, former gubernatorial candidate and chief of staff to Gov. J. Howard Edmondson.
With the scope and penalties of Chinas social credit system being further clarified in 2021, legal and regulatory compliance has become more important than...
Hundreds have gathered in Hong Kong to live out their childhood dream of catching Pokemon in the wild in what was billed as the city's first Pokemon Go walk.

The gaming app landed in late July in Hong Kong and saw residents more glued to their phones than ever, searching for the cyber creatures in locations ranging from public parks to the government headquarters.

The app, which uses satellite locations, graphics and camera capabilities to overlay cartoon monsters on real-world settings, has prompted warnings from government departments and even from the People's Liberation Army garrisoned in the city.

But this did not stop hundreds of Pokemon faithful from gathering in the financial district of Central on Saturday to catch the cyber creatures en masse.

"We grew up with Pokemon and this has been something in our lives since we were very young," said Vince Siu co-founder of Press Start, which organized what is billed as the city's first "PokeWalk."

Another player also agreed it was nice to see people of different ages out in the streets reconnecting with others and their childhoods.

"I think the community aspect of it is nice, we all grew up with Pokemon," Sarah Masters, 19, said. "It's nice how people can come together and do something like this."

Around 200 players attended the event. Players filled up the sidewalks and screamed with excitement when rare Pokemon creatures appeared on their phones, as they were watched over by a handful of police officers and organizers who led the crowds and reminded participants to be careful when crossing roads.

In Indonesia last month a French player was stopped and questioned for several hours after the app led him into a military base.

On the other side of the world, two youngsters were so preoccupied with catching the cartoon monsters that they wandered across the US-Canada border.

Some Pokemon Go players were even robbed after being lured to isolated locations in hopes of catching the virtual creatures, US reports said. Other distracted players have been blamed for causing traffic accidents.
In the theme of culture unites us and brings us together, the Sfax, Capital of Arab Culture 2016 started in July and will continue to next March. As one of its programs, the third Chinese Arts Festival opened on August 3 in Sfax.

Chinese artists from Sichuan province perform dance during the Chinese Arts Festival in in Sfax. [Photo/ccdy.cn]

Bian Yanhua, Chinese ambassador to Tunis, attended and addressed the opening ceremony, saying cultural exchange was a highlight of the Sino-Tunis cooperative relationship. During past years, high level art troupes from both sides exchanged many things, with fruitful results in aspects of culture, press, radio and television, which greatly deepened the mutual understanding for each other and promoted friendship.

The bilateral culture cooperation between Tunisia and China "never stops going forward by great steps," Tunisian minister of culture Sonia Mbarek said. The 3rd Chinese Arts Festival gives Tunisia a propitious chance to reinforce its cultural cooperation with China.

The friendship between China and Tunisia dates back more than 50 years and leads the way for frequent and efficient cultural exchanges, which bring the people of two countries closer, said Mbarek.

"The Chinese Art Week is a golden opportunity for the anchorage of Arabic cultural identity," said Houda Kchaou, Tunisian coordinator of this event, who is satisfied with the Chinese delegation composed of more than 90 artists and several journalists.

"Under the frame of Sino-Arabic Cooperation Forum, this international festival represents an important stage to build the solid cultural coordination thus to put the stones for the common civilization connection," she added.

At the opening ceremony, Chinese artists performed traditional Chinese orchestral music, oral stunts, Kunqu Opera, Peking Opera, magic and acrobatics. On the same day, an exhibition of intangible cultural heritage in Beijing also opened at the Sfax Exhibition Center, showcasing kite making, dough figurine making, Chinese calligraphy, seal caving and paper cutting.

The festival was organized by Chinas culture ministry and ended on August 7.
The Kazak people constitute the majority of Kazakhstan's population. Having also made their homes in such countries as China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and Mongolia, their numbers throughout the world total around 18 million. There are 1.6 million Kazak people in China, most of whom live in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Altay Prefecture, Mori Kazak Autonomous County, and Barkol Kazak Autonomous County of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Jengisgul is a young Kazak woman who revels in the culture of her people, and is dedicated to sharing and passing it on.

Passion for Kazak Culture

Jengisgul was born into a family of tailors in Tekes County of Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture. She has since childhood had a strong appreciation of culture and art. Like most Kazaks, she is outgoing and passionate. She loves singing, writing and composing, and has written more than 20 songs. In 1985, she passed the Ili Normal University entrance examination, where she majored in Kazak language and literature.

Kazak embroidery entrepreneuse Jengisgul.

Jengisgul told China Today that she loved reading novels in college, especially historical fiction about her own people. As she acknowledged, it was probably due to familial influence that whenever she read descriptions of Kazak clothing, she yearned to see and touch these garments. "I wanted to make them real," Jengisgul said.

After graduating Jengisgul became a civil servant. Although this afforded her stability and comfort, Jengisgul felt there was something missing in her life. Her great passion for Kazak dress and culture moved her to quit her job in 1998 and devote herself to making Kazak-style clothing. In 1999, she unexpectedly won first prize at a grand feast in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture for 32 costumes she had designed and made.

"I designed that series of costumes based on descriptions from books that included such details as the lengths of robes, styles of cuffs, and designs on waistbands and collar bands," Jengisgul told us. "But I adopted a modern mode of cutting to make these styles conform more to contemporary tastes," she added. "Winning the prize not only boosted my confidence, but also established my reputation, and so brought in growing numbers of orders."

Spread Culture through Needles and Thread

"I didn't give too much thought to making Kazak clothing at first, I saw it just as my own small business. But when it expanded I realized that the industry in fact belongs to every one of my people and my country," Jengisgul said. "Besides making clothes, I also collect traditional daily-use articles from Kazak households. Although seemingly unimportant, taken as a whole these items constitute a main aspect of our culture."

The many challenges that Chinese society faced from the 1940s to the 1980s pushed Kazak culture to the brink of extinction, because in the absence of anyone to inherit certain traditional crafts, they became defunct. To make a thorough study of Kazak culture, therefore, Jengisgul takes special pastoral tours every year. There, in grasslands and sandy regions she talks with local elders and seeks out items and books related to local culture.

Kazak women's hats are all hand-made.

Discovering and preserving cultural treasures is not easy. Jengisgul once spotted an old, worn-out carpet on the mouth of a pit where naan (a local staple food) were being baked. The woman making the naan told Jengisgul that the carpet served as a dust barrier, and that it had been passed down from generations in her family. As it was old and grubby, although not frayed, it was used to cover the pit. "I bought that carpet immediately, and after soaking it in water for 10 days was able to discern its delicate and beautiful design. It was embroidered in a very fine woolen yarn, but the technique of twisting woolen yarn is no longer in use, so it would be impossible to make one like it today," Jengisgul said. So far, Jengisgul has restored more than 430 Kazak costume designs and daily-use articles, 180 of which have gone into production.

There are now only a few elders who are familiar with these Kazak crafts. Jengisgul hopes that universities will run degree courses in Kazak dress design, or that a research center or studio specializing in traditional Kazak clothing might be established. "It is my hope that more young people will become interested in traditional Kazak costume, and so carry on the Kazak tradition and culture," Jengisgul said. After years of research and practice, Jengisgul wrote her book The Traditional Dress of the Kazak in China, which is about to be published. "I believe the Kazak culture in China is unique and so should be documented," Jengisgul said.

"White Houses" on the Grassland

Jengisgul is also interested in Kazak yurts. "The yurt showcases the ancient Kazak dwelling model and related traditions, customs and culture," Jengisgul said. She established another company specializing in building yurts while running her clothing business.

The Kazak nomadic lifestyle gave rise to these portable homes, which are similar to the Mongolian yurt. The Kazak yurt is a round tent whose simple appearance belies its complex craft. All the construction materials are handmade, and the yurt is itself manually constructed. This convenient and comfortable dwelling is solid and durable, providing protection against cold and rain  even earthquakes.

The Kazak yurt is covered with white felt on the outside, and its interior decor is contrastingly delicate. Locals call them "White Houses" on the grasslands. China Today reporters saw such a yurt at a handicraft industrial park in Yining City. With an interior space of around 100 sq m, its walls stand three meters high. The dome both visually expands the interior space and guarantees good ventilation. Its floor is covered with thick wool felt embroidered with flowers and grasses, and the walls are hung with exquisitely embroidered tapestries and curtains. It is also equipped with various skillfully crafted and artistic Kazak daily-use articles. Jengisgul owns this yurt, and has hence gained respect as an industrial artist as well as a guardian of the Kazak costume-producing techniques in China.

As society advances, great changes have taken place in the life of the Kazak people in China. Fewer and fewer people master the techniques of yurt construction, which is why Jengisgul decided to carry out research on the relevant techniques and crafts throughout the actual construction of yurts.

Jengisgul's yurt displays different designs on its floors, walls and vault. They record the cultural and historical development of the Kazak ethnic group, whose origins go back to the Bronze and Stone Ages. Similar designs have appeared in cliff paintings from over 3,800 years ago in the Tianshan Mountains, Kunlun Range and the Altai Range in Xinjiang. "For example, the flower and grass designs on the carpet signify a prosperous and large family, as the lush grass represents the proliferation of family members. Animals have an important status in the Kazak consciousness, which is why designs such as ram's horns, horse mouths, bird wings and camel hooves extensively feature in Kazak daily life. But tradition dictates that such animal-related designs cannot be used on clothing, and there are specific dress codes as to what types of pattern should be worn by women under 18 years old and by married women," Jengisgul said.

The Kazak cultures of different regions feature different local characteristics. "I once went to Kazakhstan to visit its museums and talk to local experts. I discovered that Kazak culture there has, to a certain extent, been influenced by European culture. But the Kazak people living in China have had less contact with the outside world, and so have kept their culture relatively intact," Jengisgul said.

In order to give more people an insight into the culture of the Kazak people in China, Jengisgul has transformed her 600 square meters residence into a small museum in which to exhibit the Kazak cultural artifacts she has collected. "The museum still needs further improvements. I also plan to write a book every one or two years and to maintain my research on Kazak culture," Jengisgul concluded.
Residents consult about house property information at a housing trade fair in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

The China Securities Regulatory Commission has said A-share companies cannot use refinanced capital for purposes other than those for which it was raised.

This decision is likely to make it more difficult for realty developers to raise money from refinancing channels.

Vanke, Gemdale and Poly are among the big realty names in the A-share market.

China Securities News said the CSRC made the point in a training session of underwriters on July 25.

It reportedly said A-share companies must use refinanced capital only for stated purposes. Companies shall not use capital raised from equity offerings for other purposes in disguised forms to supplement liquidity or to repay bank loans.

Typically, listed companies seeking to increase their capital or raise fresh finance for business expansion visit the market with a secondary equity offering known as SEO. They issue new equity in the form of shares sold by existing shareholders or new shares, or a mix of both.

But developers are known to supplement liquidity instead using such low-cost refinancing. This practice is not something that the authorities are pleased with. For, such misuse of refinancing could cause systemic risks in real estate. So, curbing the practice could help prevent bubbles in the land market, experts said.

A statement released after the Party's Political Bureau meeting on July 26 said the country will prevent asset bubbles from forming in the second half of this year.

This was interpreted by market observers as a signal for stricter regulation in the rest of the year.

Yan Yuejin, research director at Shanghai-based E-house Research Center, said that such curbs come after regulators expressed intent to squeeze out the "asset bubbles that hinder healthy, steady and sustainable development of markets".

Yan said, "The realty market has seen a number of developers raising significant money. Some developers spent hugely but blindly on buying new land parcels. From this perspective, the new curb is a way to reduce risks."

In a handful of key cities in China, developers had bid fiercely for new land parcels in the first half of this year.

In Shanghai alone, more than five auctions for land parcels saw 100 percent or higher premium over the starting price in the past quarter. In July, a land parcel in the central urban area of the city has been sold at a price of more than 73,700 yuan ($11,113) per square meter of proposed construction.

Another piece of land in a suburban area was bought at more than 43,600 yuan per square meter, or 300 percent premium over the starting price.

According to data of Centaline Property, as many as 128 pieces of land were auctioned with a premium of more than 100 percent year-to-date. There were 189 deals with a premium of more than 50 percent.

Not just Shanghai, even some second- and lower-tier cities, such as Nanjing, Hefei, Wuhan, and Suzhou, have seen developers spending significantly - some said insanely - to refill their land parcel reserves for future development, as these cities' residential properties sold well in the first half of the year.

Zhou Qi, an analyst with Shanghai Junhui Property, said that curbs on refinancing could help cool the overheated land market, and prevent the realty development market from overheating.

"If capital can be raised at a low cost, developers will not hesitate to use the money, because land supply is limited. But if fundraising is more difficult and costs more, developers would think twice before making such decisions, and consider if 'flour costs more than bread'," said Zhou.

A research note from BOCI (International) Co Ltd said in future, developers' performance is likely to diverge further. Developers that did not have to tap the capital market to fund land parcel purchases but relied on sales revenue and other incomes, are less likely to be exposed to bubble risks.

The research note said that while some cities are facing the risk of overheated markets, lower-tier cities are still under great pressure to reduce inventory due to low investor sentiment.

But aggressive controls or adjustments won't curb investment in realty across China. Property prices won't have a hard landing. But some developers that have a high leverage ratio in financing, may face more pressure, the note said.
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is one of China's five ethnic minority autonomous regions. With the largest land mass among all provincial administrative divisions, it is home to 47 ethnic groups. Women account for nearly half  49.3 percent  of the total population (23.6 million), but are still deemed subordinate to men. This is due to the region's less-developed economy, comparative exclusiveness, and the strong grip of old traditions. In general, women receive less education, and are mostly homemakers and caregivers for elderly parents and children. The traditional belief is still held strong that the domain of women is the home, while men attend to all other matters and earn the income.

People of Tuohuqiyuzi Village in IIi Kazak Autonomous Prefecture gather for a beauty pageant.

The role of women in building a strong family and society has been increasingly recognized worldwide. To encourage local women to venture out of their homes and give greater value to society, governments at all levels in Xinjiang have rolled out various policies and incentives to assist them in seeking employment or starting their own businesses. The goal is to help their transition to the role of modern women by fostering their independence, self-esteem, and confidence.

People of Tuohuqiyuzi Village in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture gather for a beauty pageant.

"I Can Make It"

Yao Qinzhang, 44, is general manager of a chain drug store in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang. Sixteen years ago she was unemployed with no specific skills.

Yao was formerly a tally clerk at a supermarket, but lost her job during an internal overhaul of the company in 2000 when she was 28. In the following year, she attended a computer skills course offered by her community, which inspired her to open her own business. With the support of community workers, she applied for a RMB 80,000 micro-loan from the government tailor-made for laid-off workers. After supplementing it with her RMB 50,000 savings, she rented a 50-sq-m storefront in which to set up a drugstore.

To control costs, Yao operated the store on her own: stocking, tallying, and selling. To save on transport costs, she took the bus twice a week to buy her stock, usually weighing dozens of kilos, and had to make several transfers per trip. Meanwhile, she enrolled in a pharmacology correspondence course at Xinjiang Medical University and another on corporate management at Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics. She eventually received dual junior college diplomas. What's more, her pharmacy license was approved in 2004.

Her store gradually established a reputation among local residents, and the business steadily expanded from one store in 2001 to 12 by 2014. Yao combined them into a limited company called Minjian. Her transformation from a housewife to a corporate executive has boosted Yao's confidence. "I was depressed while unemployed, seeing no hope in life and filled with bitterness. The community workers empowered me," she recalled.

Yao Qinzhang's drugstore chain employs 72 people, most of whom are former laid-off female workers and housewives.

Yao now employs 72 people, most of whom are laid-off female workers or wives of workers at neighboring companies. "It is not that they lack capability or are not willing to change their fate and create a better life, they just need a chance to do so," Yao said. "I hope more women realize their values to the fullest, either at home or in workplace, as I did. Anyone who contributes to society will find a place in it. They can definitely achieve what I have accomplished."

This type of self-confidence and self-awareness is just what the regional government is trying to instill in local women through its "One Million Women Training Plan," under which more than 8,000 training sessions have been provided to 837,000 women in the past five years. Its aim is to foster the "I can make it" attitude among women of all ethnic groups in the region, so emboldening them to carve out a more fruitful life.

"You can call me Bubu. I love this name," Nurbubu Almakun, a young Uygur woman, told the reporter in fluent Mandarin Chinese in our first meeting. The daughter of a farmer in Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County in northwestern Xinjiang, Bubu dropped out of high school and moved to Urumqi, where she became a waitress. "In my first days here, I did not speak or write Chinese, so I could barely communicate with Han customers. However, I was hardworking and ready to learn, so I was soon spotted by my boss." Bubu was sent to study modern hotel service and management in big inland cities. By 2010, she had become a senior manager of her restaurant, and received 10 percent of its shares as a bonus.

While building a successful career, Bubu married a Han chef working at the same restaurant, and they later had a son and a daughter. They now live with her parents-in-law. Despite having different ethnic backgrounds and customs, members of this big family love and respect each other and live in harmony.

"Only financially independent women can achieve equality and a better life," Bubu told the reporter. "I would like to influence other women with my experiences, inspiring them to be independent and aspiring, and believe that I can make it'."

Bubu and Yao Qinzhang are just two of the increasing number of Xinjiang women who are leaving the confines of their homes and entering broader society. Through this, they espouse new ideas and experience.

During the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015), 2.44 million urban residents were newly employed, 1.27 million among them women. In the countryside, 13.26 million people found jobs outside of farming, 5.57 million of them women.

Yimamu, 26, was promoted to the post of manager within one year of working at the factory in Kashi Prefecture of a Shenzhen-based garment company.

There are still 2.61 million poverty-stricken households in Xinjiang, in which 1.19 million women live. They are mainly in rural areas, particularly southern Xinjiang. Many women stop work once they are married, which exacerbates the financial plight of many families.

Changes are now underway, according to Hou Hanmin, Party secretary and vice chairperson of the regional Women's Federation. Local governments at all levels are promoting the image of the modern woman, who is strong, with high self-esteem and self-confidence, and independent. The government encourages local women to find employment close to their homes so that they can balance work and family. "This year the regional government plans to give RMB 79 million to 400 small and micro businesses founded by women in southern Xinjiang. "In doing so, more jobs will be created in these regions. We hope women will become more socially involved and develop broader visions and minds. We are confident in this regard," Hou said.

Charm Project

When I arrived in Tuohuqiyuzi Village in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, residents of the whole community, over 100 people, gathered in the grapevine-shaded yard of Nureman Karsen for a beauty pageant. The models, aged from under 20 to over 50, were clad in Atlas silk, the signature Uygur textile, and wore the traditional four-cornered hat over their elaborately braided hair. Children also took the stage, and stole the show from time to time with their spontaneous performance, drawing thunderous applause and laughter from the audience. The event reached its climax when all villagers stood up for the Maxrap folk dance.

In Xinjiang, the yard is a key venue for family and community activities. A vegetable plot, small orchard, and a grapevine trellis constitute fundamental yard features in all rural homes. It has been a trend in Ili over recent years to stage cultural activities in the yard to enhance community cohesion.

A rural community in Yengisar County runs embroidery courses for local unemployed women.

In 2011, the regional government of Xinjiang launched the Charm Project, one of a total of 22 key programs concerning peoples' livelihood. Its mission is to foster brands and industries with local features in the fields of cosmetics, garments, and health care.

Xinjiang women have long been admired for their craft skills. The clothes, home decorations, and bedding they design and sew are daily-life necessities, but also works of art sought after by people around the world, so bringing them an extra source of income.

Jamal Mirzamamat, a young Tajik woman, is a beneficiary of the Charm Project. Upon graduating from the English school of Xinjiang Institute of Light Industry Technology in 2008, she became a teacher in her hometown. One day, a tourist, fascinated by the folk hat she wore, asked where he could buy one. "According to our tradition, all clothing items are homemade. So we never buy them from others, and there is no market demand for them. Upon learning this, the tourist offered to buy the one I was wearing," Jamal said. This incident inspired her. Upon returning home, she told her father that she intended to open a business selling traditional Tajik handicrafts, and immediately won his support. In March 2009, she registered a company, the first one in the locality to manufacture and market Tajik-style products.

Aishan (center) opened a bakery store with a government micro loan. She offers free training for women who are interested in this business.

To obtain financing, Jamal applied for and received small government loans. She stocked her store with embroidered hats, clothes, bags and pillow covers bought in rural communities. Later, she decided to set up her own workshop to produce these items, but could not find workers, as few believed that this venture by a new graduate had any chance of success. Eventually, three other young women joined her, without telling their families.

The stroke of fate came when Jamal participated in a start-up plan competition sponsored by the regional government for college graduates in 2010. After her story was covered by the media, job applications to her company increased. So far, she has a staff of more than 40, and her clientele has expanded from Beijing and Shanghai to other countries and regions, including Pakistan and Tajikistan. In May, she sealed another order of RMB 1 million with a company in Shenzhen.

Under the Charm Project Xinjiang women are empowered not only to celebrate their physical beauty, but also bring into play their intelligence and create a more fulfilling life.

Half of the Sky

The multitude of successful women I interviewed during the journey across Xinjiang epitomize women's development in the region since the founding of the autonomous region 61 years ago.

Gender equality is one of China's basic national policies. Xinjiang was among the first to endorse the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women. It has moreover formulated and adopted two Outlines for Women's Development, which touch on all aspects of women's work and life, backing gender equality in all regards, including politics, economy, culture, and education. These endeavors contribute to the cultivation of woman leaders and women's participation in politics.

Gulnarhan Kurban is a village head in Yengisar County of Kashi Prefecture. Her community of 1,240 people was long plagued by poverty due to insufficient farmland  0.1 hectare per person. After being elected Party secretary of the village in 2013, Kurban took the issue of poverty reduction head on.

After an extensive study of local conditions, she proposed a shift to fruit production. "We have the right soil and climate for growing fruit, and most villagers have certain experience in this aspect. Besides, the market for fruits is good, so we can soon see the benefits," Gulnarhan explained. Under her advocacy, the village planted apricot trees on two thirds of its lands. It is predicted that this year's harvest will bring in at least RMB 6,800 of per capita income.

"How do the guys feel about a woman in command of the village?" I posed this question to Gulnarhan.

After thinking for a moment, she replied, "The old notion is changing that home is the woman's domain and any affairs beyond should be left to men. As long as a person is fair, unselfish, and ready to serve the people, the villagers are willing to accept him or her as their leader."

The regional government lays great store on the selection and promotion of female officials, and offers multiple opportunities for their growth. As a result, the number of female officials keeps rising, and women's participation in local governance is expanding.

Employment gives women more exposure to the broader society, boosts their incomes and improves their livelihood.

One of them is Mehriay Abdukadir, vice chairperson of the Ili Women's Federation. Starting her career as an agricultural technician, she worked at several jobs, including village head, township magistrate, and deputy county governor, before taking the current position. She attested from her personal experience that the regional government pays close attention to the cultivation of female officials, in particular those of ethnic minority groups. "I was the first female chief of a township and then of a town in Yining City. Now overseeing women's programs, I am glad to set an example for other women, influencing them and leading them to higher self-esteem, self-confidence and ambitions. They may then stand on equal footing with men."

According to Hou Hanmin, a remarkable change among Xinjiang women in past years is the stronger self-awareness among them and their broader presence in social, economic and cultural undertakings. "A different gender perspective is needed for better policy-making and governance. The regional government of Xinjiang attaches great importance to women's participation in politics. A mechanism has been put in place for deputies to the local people's congress and members of local committees of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference to solicit advice and opinions of different groups, including women, as regards legislation and consultation. Every sector has a woman representative in the government or policy-making process. This allows women to play their due role of bolstering half of the sky,' and signifies significant social progress," Hou remarked.

The number of female officials has soared to its present 419,000 from a mere 7,700 at the birth of the autonomous region. Two thirds of them are members of ethnic minority groups, and account for 51.7 percent of all local officials. The presence and clout of women in the policy-making process and institutions is an essential measurement of women's social standing.

"Women have tremendous power. Only when bringing this power into full play can we advance human society and civilization towards a better state," Hou concluded.
In January 2013, the then government of the Republic of the Philippines unilaterally initiated the South China Sea arbitration. This violated the standing agreement with China to settle the relevant disputes through bilateral negotiation. It also violated Chinas right as a state party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to choose the means of dispute settlement. This action hence constituted wanton abuse of the UNCLOS dispute settlement procedures. In so doing, the Philippines has attempted to deny Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

The Chinese government unveiled the white paper on July 13 to reaffirm its stance on the South China Sea disputes.

Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed in his remarks the Chinese governments stance with regard to the award rendered on July 12, 2016 by the Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration established at the unilateral request of the Philippines, and the Chinese government issued a statement on Chinas sovereignty in the South China Sea and related maritime rights and interests. Chinas Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on the award, pointing out that it is null and void and has no binding force. The statement confirmed that China neither accepts nor recognizes the award.

Chinas Stance Complies with International Law and Jurisprudence

China is entirely justified in its non-acceptance of the arbitration, and its stance is lawful and legitimate. As to the issues of territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, China will never accept any solution of unilaterally appealing to a third party to resolve disputes.

As to the main reasons why the Chinese government does not accept the arbitration, they can, from the perspective of international law, be set down as follows: First, China and the Philippines have already signed a collection of bilateral agreements, notably the joint declaration and joint communique in which they agreed to resolve disputes via negotiations.

Second, China and the ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, signed in 2002 the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). Paragraph 4 of the DOC clearly stipulates that relevant disputes should be addressed by the parties concerned through consultations and negotiations. The above two reasons constitute the agreement between China and the Philippines on resolving the South China Sea disputes through negotiations. The Philippines initiation of arbitration thus violated international law and the basic principle of international law  Pacta sunt servanda (agreements must be kept). In fact, China has remained consistent in both policy and stance. Its emphasis has been on consultations and negotiations towards peaceful settlements by the parties concerned. The Chinese government later proposed the dual track approach, that is, disputes resolved through consultations and negotiations between the states directly concerned, and China and ASEAN member states working together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. The dual track approach, involving multiple parties, aims to maintain stability in East Asia as a whole. The final settlement of the South China Sea issue, however, still lies in bilateral negotiations.

The flag-giving ceremony on the new guided missile destroyer Yinchuan on July 12, 2016.

Third, in accordance with Article 298 of the UNCLOS, China made a statement of exclusion as early as 2006 with regard to disputes concerning maritime delimitation, historic bays or titles, as well as military and law enforcement activities. The arbitration, in essence, is an issue concerning territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation, which falls within the range of Chinas exclusion statement. Therefore, Chinas non-acceptance of and non-participation in the arbitration fully complies with international laws, including the UNCLO.

Fourth, Articles 280, 281, and 282 of the UNCLO all stipulate that the signatory countries rights to choose independently the way of resolving disputes should be respected. China and the Philippines reached consensus on resolving the dispute through negotiations and consultations. Therefore, under international law, Chinas rights should also be respected. The Philippines claimed to have hit a deadlock in negotiations with China, and so turned to arbitration. The truth, however, is that the Philippines has refused to engage in any serious dialogue with China, let alone negotiations, since the Huangyan Island issue. Furthermore, it did not communicate with China or consult with any DOC signatory state before initiating arbitration.

In light of aforementioned reasons, China holds that the arbitration case was illegal from the outset  it contravenes the bilateral agreements between the Philippines and China, and violates the UNCLO. Chinas stance of non-acceptance and non-participation complies with international laws, including the UNCLO. In fact, Chinas policy implies its respect for international law, and its resolve to safeguard the integrity and authority of the UNCLO.

Chinas Stance Complies with the Asian Way

As regards the reality, the Philippines action completely deviates from the political culture and tradition of East Asia. When dealing with territorial sovereignty disputes, East Asian countries lay emphasis on the Asian way, namely, respect for one another, consultation towards consensus, and regard for the concerns of all parties. The ASEAN Way that the ASEAN member countries advocate embodies the Asian way, which is rooted in the culture of mutually saving face. Asian countries hence rarely resort to legal or institutional ways of resolving serious divergences, nor take unilateral action before carrying out bilateral consultation.

The Philippines action has not only affected relations between China and the ASEAN countries, but also destabilized the situation in this region as a whole. If all parties concerned in the South China Sea were to follow the Philippines lead in filing arbitration procedures, one after another, it might be expected that these parties would goad one another until the benign atmosphere for settling disputes was destroyed.

China has the largest number of neighboring countries in Asia, and has scored the greatest achievements as regards resolving disputes over territorial lands and waters. Since its founding in 1949, the Peoples Republic of China has signed border treaties with 12 countries out of 14 of its land neighbors. It has also completed demarcation of a maritime boundary with Vietnam in the Beibu Gulf. In retrospect, China sought to create a good bilateral atmosphere before demarcating borderlines. It never made any major concessions under external pressure. This is because the Chinese people are, on the one hand, extremely sensitive to territorial sovereignty due to Chinas semi-colonization period in modern history. On the other hand, they enjoy high self-esteem as regards the countrys world status. The border issue between China and India is just one example. Though not yet resolved, both sides formed a consensus over 50-plus years negotiation on resolving the matter peacefully by negotiation, rather than appealing to international law or for intervention by a third party, and to maintain the status quo for both parties sakes. It is inconceivable that the Philippines could unilaterally force China to change its logic of behavior, given Chinas weight as the worlds second largest economy.

Of course, Chinas claims to the rights and interests in the South China Sea are not clear-cut. The country has not clearly stated the exact nature of the dotted line, nor the exact connotation of the historical rights they represent. The complexity of the issue obviously renders it problematic in reality. From Chinas perspective, all parties should fully cooperate in a range of functional fields, so to develop consensus and share interests, eventually narrow gaps and reach settlement. The clarification of rights and interests and eventual resolution of the issue are clearly pivotal, but China will not clarify its claim under external pressure. Thus, in this sense, the Philippines filing for arbitration makes China suspect a malicious intent not to maintain the status quo and seek solutions, but rather to spur conflicts.

Chinas Policy Remains Unchanged

The Chinese were the first to discover and name the islands and reefs in the South China Sea, and have since exercised sovereignty over them. In fact, before the 1950s it was widely acknowledged within the international community that the South China Sea Islands belonged to China, a fact no country ever challenged. However, rich oil and mineral reserves were found in this sea area at the end of the 1960s. This coincided with the launch of a group of institutions related to the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones, including the UNCLO and the UN Convention on the Continental Shelf. This resulted in attempts by Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia to occupy Chinas islands and reefs in the South China Sea. It was a process that lasted to the end of 1990s. China, for sake of stabilizing the peripheral area, insists on its indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands on the one hand, but on the other proposes putting aside disputes and seeking common development.

In 2002, relevant parties in the South China Sea reached the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), in efforts to cool disputes and stabilize the regional situation. In the 10 years since signing the DOC, it is solely China that has basically complied with the DOC provisions and principles, namely, not to explore for oil and gas in the Nansha Islands; not to take actions that expand the disputes; and to proactively promote peaceful cooperation on and joint development of the waters. Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines, however, have from the start engaged in renovation and enlargement construction, strengthened administration, stepped up oil and gas resource exploitation, and consolidated illegal occupation of the islands and reefs. They deny the existence of disputes, let alone agreeing to shelve them, thus dodging Chinas joint development proposition. For instance, the joint seismic explorations by China, Vietnam and the Philippines from 2005 to 2008 eventually stalled because of the Philippines.

Since 2009, the South China Sea has witnessed increasing tensions due to the U.S.s adjustment of its Asia-Pacific policy. This is the primary reason for the situations complexity. In view of changes in the entire South China Sea situation, China started to expand facilities on its territory in order to perfect the related functions of the islands and reefs and improve the working and living conditions of the people stationed there. It might then better safeguard Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and better fulfill its international responsibilities and obligations as regards maritime search and rescue, disaster prevention and mitigation, marine scientific research, meteorological observation, ecological environment preservation, navigation safety, fishery production and services.

Today, the South China Sea situation remains unstable, as relevant parties continue to goad one another, so risking provocations, contradictions or even the outbreak of conflicts. The arbitration and award will likely worsen the situation. At the same time, more countries are demanding that the situation be controlled, stabilized, and brought back to the track of dialogue. Chinas dual track approach has won support of growing number of countries.

Chinas basic policy remains unchanged, that is, continue to shelve disputes and seek common development, and peacefully resolve disputes through consultation and negotiation. By reaching the DOC with the ASEAN countries, China has proactively formulated effective rules in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, China and the U.S. should further their dialogue and unequivocally recognize the fact that the two countries have no disputes in the South China Sea, but should move toward cooperation on this issue.

LIN MINWANG is associate professor at the Institute of International Relations, Nanjing University, and research fellow at South China Sea Synergy Innovation Center.
At least 32 tourists from the Chinese mainland were injured, three seriously, on Monday when a tour bus crashed into a building in Macao, and the driver was arrested for suspected dangerous driving, the special administrative region's authorities said.

Macao Health Bureau said 32 people were injured, three of whom were in serious condition. A 46-year-old woman sustained skull fracture and was still unconscious after surgery. Eleven injured tourists have been treated and discharged from the hospital.

According to Macao Public Security Police Force (PSPF), the accident happened when the bus stopped downslope in a street close to the Ruins of St. Paul, one of Macao's famous tourist attractions. A white van rear-ended the bus and the bus driver got off to check the situation.

The bus suddenly moved down through the slope without the driver and crashed into a clinic beside the road. Both bus and the clinic were severely damaged.

PSPF Acting Deputy Commissioner Wong Chi Fai said the initial investigation report showed that the driver failed to pull the handbrake before getting off the bus. The driver is a Macao citizen and was arrested for suspected dangerous driving.

According to Macao's tourism authorities, the injured are all from a 44-membered tourist group organized in Shenzhen, southern China's Guangdong province. With a one-day itinerary in Macao, the group had arrived in the morning and planned to leave Macao this afternoon.

According to the tourist member list, some of the members were from Guizhou, Guangdong, Shaanxi, Hunan and Chongqing.

Tourism authorities are keeping touch with the involved tourist agencies and help the families come to visit the injured.

Macao's Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau Director Li Canfeng said the building where the clinic located was severely damaged. Currently six households in that building have moved into an emergency facility.

Macao SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On visited the injured tourists in Kiang Wu Hospital on Monday afternoon. He said the SAR government will spare no effort to treat the injured and help their families come to Macao to visit them.
[By Li Min / China Daily]

Ever since Donald Trump declared himself as a Republican presidential candidate, he has been subjected to fierce, even vitriolic critique. He has been seen as a misogynist, isolationist, xenophobic, anti-Muslim and a neophyte in understanding the complexities of economics. And yet he has beaten the odds to become the Republican presidential nominee. We may not like him, but we cannot escape asking ourselves: How did he do it?

To find the answer, we should examine the roots of his popularity without evaluating which part of his still-evolving farrago is fact or myth. I will specifically examine his views on foreign policy, international trade and internal security and argue Trump has ingeniously targeted two major American segments that will matter in the elections.

In his seminal foreign policy speech of April 27, Trump claimed the United States no longer had a clear understanding of its policy goals. The US has gone from committing mistakes in Iraq to Egypt to Libya, to President Barack Obama's line in the sand in Syria. Israel has been snubbed. Iran was allowed to cut a favorable deal. And the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has become more aggressive. All this has allowed the US' allies to perceive its weakness and thus not pay their dues.

In international trade, Trump has threatened a 35 percent tariff on goods imported from Mexico and a 45 percent tariff on imports from China. Whether or not these threats will (or can) be actualized, given the extraordinary cost of these measures that will be borne by the US economy, is irrelevant for now. We need to understand why the above pronouncements appeal to the American electorate.

To begin with, his strong defense of Israel is in line with past pre-election statements of major candidates and is a hygiene factor. His references to mistakes in Iraq, Egypt, Libya and Syria bring under one umbrella the Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Obama eras, even though he only names the latter. These references are also in sync with recent polls that suggest growing voter apathy toward the US' global wars.

Further, the American voter has been buffeted by the double whammy of the global financial crisis that refuses to go away and automation-driven technology that now threatens to take away even more jobs. The essential part of Trump's speeches is, the US is being taken advantage of by both its security and economic partners. This is music to voters' ears. So are his denunciations of North American Free Trade Agreement ("complete disaster") and Trans-Pacific Partnership ("rape of our country").

Which segment does Trump's focus on Islamic radicalism and Mexican "criminals" appeal to? This is more complex. As one writer put it colorfully, US society can be visualized as divided into erstwhile feudal landowners, white slave-drivers and slaves. It is the figurative declasse white slave-drivers who are rebelling against the Democrats and who find the anti-Muslim and anti-Mexican focus gratifying. That this segment has been shaken by a black president adds piquancy to their protest.

Will Trump's popularity extend to the wider electorate? This will of course depend on many factors. It is possible that Trump may finally trip on some egregiously inadvisable remark such his recent rhetorical attack on Khizr and Ghazala Khan, parents of an Army captain who was killed by a suicide bomber in Baghdad in 2004. There are some 3.3 million Muslims in the US, many of whom have been offended by him.

Trump needs to extend his vote-bank to Mexicans and women as well. The US establishment's isolationist perception of Trump's views on foreign policy could eventually cause serious problems for him.

What is clear, though, is that Democrat Hillary Clinton will need all her strengths and his foibles to beat the feisty Trump in the forthcoming presidential elections.

The author is a former Lecturer in Marketing at Cranfield University.
The international community space is creeping with tension. It is charged, bleeding and sagging at the ends. Its like a super saturation that is not ready to take more troubles.

The world seems to be living at the most troubled times with heightening terrorism everyday. Within the axis of Europe and North West Asia, the world has lost count of terror attacks with the last at Nice, France on July 14 with casualty index of about 90 deaths.

The threat for the collapse of the delicate balance of peace at the Korean Peninsula is already a handful for the East Asia as North Korea toys with nuclear armament and a counter action planned by the South Korea, Japan and the United States. That is enough tension and needs no addition.

That is why many watchers of the international space got uncomfortable over the turbulence in the South China Sea by countries that have no business there other than the business of peacemaking in matter that had been pending before the arbitral tribunal, The Hague for three years until the decision on July 12.

There are reasons why the matter never deserved the frontline discourse it enjoyed especially given the slant towards crisis.

By every assessment, that piece of land of questionable economic value is too infinitesimal to be a prime concern of the state of Philippines battling for the basics of existence.

With 101m mouths to feed and economic strength of about $741b GDP, the country needs peace and friendship more than any dispute over a tiny spot of land that would not impact better life of the poor citizens. It is also too tiny to make China lose its status and reputation as pacifist world power that is not identified with ruffling feathers. No matter how viewed, the island or best stated, a portion of it, is far in essence, less than the peace and good neighbourliness of the two nations involved.

Now, enough energy has been dissipated and it seems commonsense is about to rule the day after the drama that was never worth the sweat.

The arbitral tribunal has given a ruling, and China that refused to join issues with Philippines in the arbitration has flatly refused the decision. In municipal litigation, a declaratory decision is not enforceable. In this case at the arbitral tribunal, the matter was unilaterally initiated by Philippines and fully financed by it. That implied from the beginning that whoever paid the piper dictated the tune, thereby destroying the foundation of neutrality on which fair justice is premised.

All along, China hinged her argument for non-participation on grounds that the arbitral tribunal lacked jurisdictional competence to be seized of the matter for two major reasons - Philippines acted in scorn of her international obligation via a bilateral treaty between the two in respect of the same matter. They had agreed that whenever disputes that arise regarding territorial issues and maritime delineations, the two neighbours would resolve it through negotiations; Secondly, the ASEAN states also have another agreement on peaceful resolution of disputes through negotiations by states directly involved instead of recourse to a third party. Based on the two, China insisted her neighbor broke its own promise by approaching the arbitral tribunal over the same matters. That implies Philippines has no reason not to abide by the Bilateral Treaty it entered into with China over the South China Sea disputes.

Treaty in international law is an equivalent of contract in municipal law. The rules compel no derogation, once agreed to, there is no reason to opt out. The liability is strictly binding. This has a good precedent in International Law in the case of the Free Zones of Upper Savoy and the District of Gex Case (Free Zones of Upper Savoy and the District of Gex, France v Switzerland, Judgment, ICJ GL No 32, PCIJ Series A/B No 46, ICGJ 293 (PCIJ 1932), 7th June 1932, Permanent Court of International Justice (historical) [PCIJ].

It was between Switzerland and France when France decided to go against the agreement between the two. The PCIJ insisted that France had an obligation to Switzerland and has no right to legislate out. That is the prominent rule of Pacta Sunt Servanda. This explains why China insists on resorting to bilateral agreements instead of unilateral arbitration in dealing with issues between China and Philippines.

Now, all the legalese about the South China Sea and arbitration are over as China has stood her ground and refused the decision. However, most experts in international law agree with China that the decision on the arbitral tribunal on this matter not only failed in international law but also remain invalid for the lack of enforcement measures.

However, the legal details of the matter are overtaken right now. What counts is that China and Philippines should come back to the basics  reconciliation or peaceful resolution of the matter among them. Good enough, Philippines had a new president two months ago and he doesnt sound like being keen about the arbitral tribunal and its decision as he had reacted by asking his citizens to keep calm after the judgment was handed down. In the first week of July, a former senior officer in Philippines described the former president that initiated the arbitration as acting against the interest of the state. That implies that from all indications the country is not ready to remain on her high horse on this matter and would prefer a discussion with China as China has always indicated her willingness for this.

That way, the proper thing that should have been done first comes last. But it is still ok that it did come.

China and Philippines going back to reconcile among themselves is what the world has been waiting for. It also shows China as a world power nation that has vast superiority over her neighbour but refuses to be a bully. That is a credit to the nation. It is a pointer to how big powers should use their enormous influence in accommodating rather than bullying smaller nations. It also shows Philippines as a reasonable country that values peace rather than grandstanding that might not earn her much.

As the two would expectedly go to the negotiation table, they would have sent a great signal to the entire world embroiled in unnecessary wars to trace their steps to the peace alternative.

If the two agree not to fight as the world foresees, China and Philippines would have demonstrated the strength in weakness and won the world to their side. That way, Philippines stands to benefit from Chinas economic strength and advantage to liberate herself from hardship, the most important duty every reasonable country pursues.

If I were a neighbour of China, I would not try the option of war with her over something as negligible as the South China Sea tiny spot. I would instead befriend China and tap from her enormous reach and make myself better because if the two go to war, there might not be any end, and while China that is already in possession of the island hangs on and keeps growing, her neighbour would waste the little energy it has over a lost cause.

Does that justify the bigger force swallowing up the smaller? Not at all. And it is good China never demonstrated that, but always persuaded for reconciliation.

China has over historic times had ownership of these islands and never lost her sovereignty in the South China Sea even in her poverty-stricken days. Therefore, beyond the arbitral tribunal decision which even a former judge of the World Court in the media described as hasty and out of place, from precedents like the Island of Malta Case, a similar dispute the World Court resolved on basis of the customary international law and historical facts, maybe, the ICJ might have a different decision on the matter outside the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on which the tribunal premised its decision. But all those are not necessary. The most important way to go is what China had insisted on  resolution and discussion with her neighbour over the disputed islands and more.

Now that Manila sounds positive to the tendency from Beijing, the world wants the decision of the tribunal and every rancour taken aside for peace to take over and the two parties to re-start negotiations. Peace remains the best benefit for the world in this.

Ikenna Emewu (ikeroyalemewu@yahoo.com) is senior editor of The Sun Newspaper, Nigeria and Fellow of the CPDA and intern with Peoples Daily online, Beijing
Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos on Monday starts a trip to China, after months of tension between the two countries as a result of Manila's headstrong arbitration quest on the South China Sea. Ramos' visit brings a whiff of hope that the two countries will return to bilateral negotiations over the issue.

Ramos is probably the best choice for the job of breaking ice since he is a revered statesman widely respected in his own country and in Asia. His long history of friendly exchanges with China also gives him a unique advantage in helping revive chilly bilateral ties.

China has long insisted that the South China Sea disputes be resolved via bilateral talks and that parties involved refrain from moves that could further complicate the issue.

However, the Aquino administration, in disregard of regional consensus and his country's previous agreements with China, pushed for an ill-founded arbitration case with regard to its disputes with China over the South China Sea.

The lengthy process, which culminated in an absurd ruling by an international tribunal on July 12, severely damaged not only the relations between China and the Philippines, but also the prospects of lasting peace in the vast body of waters surrounded by a number of Asian countries.

So it is really a relief that President Rodrigo Duterte, who was recently sworn in, chose to distance himself from the arbitration case and showed a series of positive gestures toward China.

That said, it is still worth mentioning that the Manila-initiated arbitration case is nothing more than an abuse of international law and the deeply biased ruling on the case should have no place whatsoever in future bilateral talks over the South China Sea issue between China and the Philippines.

Ramos' visit, which represents the first concrete step on the Philippine side to engage in bilateral talks with China on the South China Sea, could open a new chapter in settling disputes.

But a return to the normal track of settlement depends largely on the sincerity of the Philippines. Decision makers in Manila should know that the fragile relations with Beijing could hardly take another hit.
READ: Change in Nepal

The Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has become a new Prime Minister of Nepal, replacing KP Sharma Oli-led government formed nine months ago. Prachanda won the backing of first largest party - Nepali Congress (NC) that succeeded to break the communist alliance and became the kingmaker in installing another communist-led government. The two foes came together to put up a joint front against the Communist Party of Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) largely because of the latter's soaring popularity in the people. The UML-led government stood up to the "highhandedness" of India that imposed blockade on Nepal when the latter refused to kowtow to its diktats on the contents of the new statute. Former PM Oli has been credited to taking Nepal to the path of economic independent by inking landmark trade and transit treaty with China that is crucial to liberate Nepal from India-locked position. India interpreted this development as Nepal being tilted to China and grew hostility with the Oli-led administration.

Geopolitical dynamics

Oli, also UML chairman, had played a crucial role to promulgate the new statute with the support of 90 percent of elected Constituent Assembly members. He brought two major parties - the Nepali Congress and the Maoist Centre - together to accomplish the constitutional feat. India wanted to push back the date of statute promulgation in order to include ethnic agenda of Madhesi parties and Hindu religion in the new charter. India instigated regional Madhesi parties to intensify their protest in Terai to fail constitution. It imposed blockade on Nepal by halting the supplies of fuels, gas and other essential goods by violating Nepal's rights as landlocked nation to import goods via Indian borders. The cruel blockade came when the Nepalese were reeling from crushing earthquake in April and May last year. India tried to preclude Oli from becoming the PM but in vain. Nepal had no alternative but to look to north to avert existential crisis. True to a saying that a friend in need is a friend in deed, China opened up its generous heart and donated 1,000 tonnes of petrol to Nepal to overcome the immediate fuel crunch.

Nemesis Of India

PM Oli had already become a nemesis of India because of his assertiveness and audacity to defend Nepali sovereignty, territorial integrity and dignity. The illegitimate blockade put India in negative light nationally and globally. Indian finally mellowed and decided to ease the trade sanction. It invited Oli to visit India to normalize the bilateral relations but Oli put precondition that the southern neighbor should first lift the embargo prior to his visit and India acceded to this condition. It was a major diplomatic coup of Oli, which he pulled off without compromising national sovereignty and dignity. Then, he embarked on China visit and succeeded to sign landmark trade and transit treaty. China also agreed to explore petroleum products and excavate mines and minerals, and extend railway networks from Sigatse to Kerung along Nepal-China border and then to Kathmandu and Lumbini. Meanwhile, Oli launched pro-people development projects and social security schemes through new government policies, programmes and budget that grew his popularity to new heights, which was a headache to opposition NC, the CPN-Maoist Centre and India. The internal and external factors brought these three forces together to oust the Oli government.

Nepal-China ties remain unaffected

This unanticipated political development raised a question as to how Nepal-China relations roll ahead under the new coalition government. Will the much-talked about Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Nepal take place in October? Will the new alliance implement the historic accords reached with China? There is almost unanimous view that a change of government or system does not affect Nepal-China relations that stood the test of time. China has always refrained itself from interfering in the internal affairs of other nations. The new PM and his new ally NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba have pledged to implement agreements signed with China.

After his election to the PM post, Prachanda called Chinese ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai at his residence and assured that the new government will implement all pacts and accords that the Oli government signed with China. Chinese envoy also committed China's support to a new government in Nepal and added that China would extend all possible cooperation to Nepal for its stability and prosperity. Prachanda held talks with Wu as a part of confidence-building measures in the wake of Indian media's projection of him as India's new "yes man." How Prachanda will erase this negative image and maintain a balance relation with neighbors after he takes the helm is seen with keen curiosity at home and abroad.

Ritu Raj Subedi is an associate editor of The Rising Nepal.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
A computer-generated image of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant.

The Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant stoppage by Theresa May's government has revised issues between China and U.K. The review comes at a strange time, and is giving a hint as to the premiership of May or what it might turn out to be. Post EU Referendum, May took over the reins from David Cameron and his right hand man George Osborne. Within the first month, there was a massive purge at the front benches of the British parliament, and surprisingly, May sent every one even vaguely notable or associated with the previous government, to the back benches. It is surprising because for a Tory party government with a razor thin majority she seems to be quite cavalier about antagonizing her own party heavyweights, those same people whose support she will need in any serious parliamentary votes. Whether this is prudent and calculating, or just plain dumb, remains to be seen. It could be possible that she is counting on the support of rebel Labour party members, in crucial votes, but again, that's risky politics.

This brings us to the Hinkley point issue. First of all, it is understandable that a new PM will take time to review the projects of her predecessor, especially something which might be related to national security and energy. One cannot imagine the same pro-market swagger from May, like Cameron and Osborne, considering that the same party has been hammered in the EU Ref polls, and considering that Labour has been losing the social conservative and fiscally leftwing votes to the Tories for some time. It was a calculated decision, and it was completely in character with Theresa May and marked how her tenure might play out; cautious and socio-economically much more left wing than her predecessor. However, the way it was done reeked of rank amateurism. The review and stoppage was announced at the last moment, without any proper notice. It left the journalists and the Chinese side waiting for the inauguration in limbo, and it left the workers' unions in shock.

The questions that circulated here were two fold; firstly, is it a dangerous security risk, and secondly, how much will it affect Britain's reputation now that it is trying to bargain a place out of the EU and trying to have more foreign investments from big economies?

The answer to the first question is that it is unlikely that it is going to be a security risk for the U.K. Nuclear energy is one form of energy which inspires a lot of fear and paranoia among everyone, even though scientifically it has been proven to be the safest and cheapest source of energy and power for a power starved society. It is much more ecofriendly than coal or oil, it is much more economically feasible than wind or solar energy, and it is statistically the safest source of power with the least option of accidents, even post Fukushima. It is impossible to believe and is a stable fodder for conspiracy theories, but it doesn't change the fact that it is the safest source of energy.

The second point is inter-governmental security risks, or in other words, espionage between China and the U.K. Even considering this, it's safer and has already passed a GCHQ test under the previous government. First of all, the security infrastructure will have to be vetted by the government during construction and will be under constant supervision by the British government. Secondly, the software and other cybersecurity will be vetted by the government as well. For example, according to Motherboard, 50 percent of BT's 21st Century Network runs on equipment by Huawei, which has been carefully vetted by a group of former GCHQ employees set up by the government to check through any potential leaks. So, to sound the simple drum, there is a minimal risk of espionage.

The risk however is one of signaling. To put it simply, the U.K. cannot afford to upset everyone on the planet. The May government can afford to take this risk, because of an incompetent opposition, but it is neither prudent nor commendable. The U.K. needs investment from outside, and these kinds of reckless acts give false signals to potential outside investors and scare the market. Can Theresa May really afford this at this juncture?

Sumantra Maitra is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SumantraMaitra.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn
 Flash

Afghan security forces have obviously intensified military pressure against anti-government militants as up to 39 armed insurgents affiliated to Taliban, Islamic State (IS) and other armed groups were killed elsewhere in the conflict-hit country over the past 24 hours, officials said Sunday.

In the latest military crackdown, 11 Taliban fighters including two group commanders have been killed in Andar district of the eastern Ghazni province on Sunday, provincial police chief Aminullah Omarkhil reported.

In talks with Xinhua, Omarkhil confirmed that 11 Taliban militants including two group commanders named Qari Dost and Mullah Mahmoud had been killed and several villages liberated from Taliban clutches in Andar district after police units backed by the army stormed Taliban bastions in the said district.

According to Omarkhil, operations against militants have been going on in the area.

The Interior Ministry has also confirmed the report and in a statement released here, the ministry without mentioning possible casualties of security personnel emphasized that the Taliban insurgents have suffered major setback in Andar district of Ghazni province.

Similar crackdown against Islamic State (IS) group in Achin district of the eastern Nangarhar province, launched a day earlier on Saturday, has killed up to 21 fighters and injured 13 others, the Interior Ministry confirmed in a statement released here on Sunday.

In continuation of crackdown against anti-government militants, the government forces stormed militants' hideouts in Karkar and Cham Qala localities outside Baghlan provincial capital Pul-e-Khumri, 160 km north of Kabul on Saturday, killing seven insurgents over the past 24 hours.

However, Xinhua's reporter at the site as well as locals said that all those killed in Karkar locality had affiliation with Hekmatyar-led Islamic party the Hizb-e-Islami.

According to locals, five more militants loyal to Hizb-e-Islami have surrendered to police in karkar area on Sunday and eventually, the months-long control of Hizb-e-Islami over coalmine in Karkar area ended.

Local analysts believe that increasing military pressure on militants would help government forces to secure upper hands on battleground and ultimately shrink militants' grip.
 Flash

The man attacking two Belgian police officers on Saturday has been confirmed to be a 33-year-old Algerian who had criminal offense records, according to a press release of the federal prosecution.

The man wounded two female police officers outside a police station with a machete on Saturday afternoon in the city of Charleroi, about 50 km south of the Belgian capital Brussels. The attacker shouted "Allahu Akbar"(God is great) before the attack.

The Islamic State on Sunday claimed responsibility for the attack. However, no terror activities of this man were known to the police.

The man has been living in Belgium illegally since 2012.

The attacker was dead in hospital after shot by the police on Saturday.

One of the two female officers suffered serious injuries and has been hospitalized. Both of them are suffering from artificial coma, the police authorities from Charleroi tweeted.

According to Belgian newspaper Le Soir, the attacker came to a checkpoint of the police station at 3:58 p.m. local time (1358 GMT). He immediately pulled out a machete from his gym bag and struck the head of a police officer on duty.

The man then turned to the other police officer who was injured slightly. The attacker was then shot by a third officer at the checkpoint.

Further police investigation is still underway.

Soon after the attack, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel wrote on his twitter account: "I strongly condemn the attack in Charleroi. Thoughts are with the victims, their relatives and the police. We are monitoring the situation closely."

Belgium is still at security alert level three, the second highest level, since the March 22 bombings at a Brussels airport and a subway station which killed 32 people.

Last week, Belgian police arrested and indicted a terrorist suspect who was alleged to have been plotting an attack in Belgium.
 Flash

The majority of voters across Thailand approved a junta-backed new draft constitution and an additional question in Sunday's referendum, paving the way for the formation of a civilian government supported by the military.

A staff counts ballot at a polling station after Thailand's constitutional referendum ends in downtown Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug. 7, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

The voter turnout in the referendum reached over 50 percent, according to Thai officials.

With 91 percent of the ballots counted, 62 percent of voters across the country approved the 2016 draft constitution, while about 38 percent voted against it, Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, chairman of the Election Commission, told reporters.

Nearly 58 percent had voted in favor of the additional question while 42 percent countered it, he added.

"The gap is wide enough not to change the result," said Srisutthiyakorn.

Around 50.5 million Thais out of the total population of 65 million are eligible to vote in this referendum on two questions on their ballots, the first one on their opinion on the constitution, and the second on whether they wanted 250 senators picked by the current junta, or the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), to have power to elect a prime minister along with 500 elected members of House of Representatives.

The 105-page draft constitution consists of 16 charters and the Transitory Provisions, or 279 sections. Though it contains strong provisions on healthcare and education, people have different opinions regarding its contents about the national assembly, the election of a new prime minister, the constitutional court, and anti-corruption mechanism.

The draft constitution was always said to be an anti-corruption basic law by its supporters as it bans any political corruption and bestows great power upon a nine-member National Counter-Corruption Commission.

However, its mechanism to combat corruption attacks both the Pheu Thai Party and prominent figures from the Democrat Party.

The Pheu Thai party made several criticisms on the draft constitution, such as too much curtailment of administrative officials and too much power bestowed upon the Constitutional Court and any independent organizations, the possible generation of a multiparty government which is not stable enough to run the country, and a nearly impossible amendment of the constitution, adding that it is also unfair that the draft exempts the NCPO from any punishments.

Abhisit Vejjajiva, former prime minister and current leader of the Democrat Party, said the draft constitution has big defects in combating corruption, adding that it cannot help ease political and social conflicts and it triggers even more serious conflicts, primarily due to the lessened roles of the elected politicians.

Prayut Chan-o-cha, current Thai prime minister and leader of the NCPO, said on Friday that he would vote yes to both questions.

Suthep Thaugsuban, who led the protest against Yingluck Shinawatra's Pheu Thai Party government from 2013 to 2014 that paved the way for the 2014 coup, expressed his strong support to the draft constitution and said it will help to reform the country.

The referendum is the second ever in Thai history, following the first in 2007. The Election Commission set a goal of 80 percent turnout, compared with the 57.61 percent turnout in 2007.

Thailand has endured 13 successful military coups and 11 attempted takeovers since a constitutional monarchy replaced an absolute one in 1932. If adopted, the constitution in question will become the 20th constitution of Thailand.

A general election will be held in 2017 following the approval of the constitution, Prayut said.
 Flash

Syrian army warplanes carried out several airstrikes against rebel posts on Sunday, infiltrated the day before in the northern province of Aleppo, a military source told Xinhua.

The airstrikes targeted the rebels' artillery and armament bases in the southwest of Aleppo, said the source on condition of anonymity.

The heightened airstrikes resulted from the rebels' successful storming into the aforementioned bases in southern Aleppo Saturday evening.

The rebels fighting were mainly the extremist Jaish al-Fateh and the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, targeting to end the three-week-long government siege on rebel-held districts in eastern Aleppo.

The rebels were also believed to have taken control over parts of the strategic al-Ramuseh town, enabling them to fashion a military passageway into eastern Aleppo.

However, through controlling this strategic part of al-Ramuseh, the government-controlled western part of Aleppo was placed under siege, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The UK-based watchdog group said grocery prices in western Aleppo have increased fourfold since the rebels captured parts of al-Ramuseh just the day before.

Nonetheless, the military source told Xinhua that the government is still in control of a route into districts of western Aleppo, adding that the rebels' route into eastern Aleppo is quite narrow.

The situation in Aleppo flared up last month, when government forces unleashed an offensive in the north of Aleppo, severing the Castello road which is the last rebel-controlled supply route into eastern Aleppo.

The offensive triggered a violent retaliation from the rebels, who subsequently unleashed over seven attacks against government posts in southern Aleppo in an effort to end the siege.

Meanwhile, Syria's national Television said the army is determined to drive out the rebels from the bases they stormed into on Saturday.

The pan-Arab al-Mayadeen television station also reported heavy airstrikes on Sunday, adding that over 800 rebels were killed during the three-day-battle at military colleges in Aleppo.

Aleppo is strategic for all warring parties, due to its key location beside the Turkish border, and as Syria's industrial capital.

Further complicating the situation is the large presence of rebel groups, each supported by a foreign country, mainly a Gulf State.

The United States has also identified "moderate" rebels located in Aleppo.

The battle of Aleppo is a rather decisive one, as observers declared that whoever controls Aleppo will gain the upper hand in any potential settlement in Syria.
You are here: Home

 Flash

Two Chinese nationals have been kidnapped in Agada village in central Nigeria's Nasarawa state, police said Sunday.

State police spokesperson Ismail Noman, who confirmed the incident to Xinhua, said the two Chinese, aged 50 and 45 respectively, were ambushed by unknown gunmen at about 2:28 p.m. local time on their way to the capital Abuja Saturday.

They were said to be workers from the Chinese company of West African Polaris Investment.

Noman said although the gunmen, wielding sophisticated weapons, were still at large, the police had begun investigation to track them.

He said security operatives had been deployed into the forests and bush around the area to arrest the suspects and rescue the victims.

According to him, security operatives in collaboration with vigilante groups, local hunters and community leaders have also been involved in the search.

The police had also increased stop search activities across the state borders.
 Flash

About 10 pro-government soldiers were killed and more than 18 others injured when a suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden car among anti-terror army reinforcements in Yemen's southern province of Lahj on Sunday, a security official told Xinhua.

No group has so far claimed the attack, after which the soldiers also clashed with a group of masked assailants when they launched an armed attack, the local security source said on condition of anonymity.

The armed attack was later repelled and several of the assailants were injured at the scene.

The army reinforcements came from the neighboring Aden province to launch anti-terror offensive and fight extremists in Lahj, said the source.

In Aden, large Yemeni-Saudi military preparations are ongoing for a new anti-terror offensive to flush out al-Qaida militants from Abyan province and southern areas around, said government officials.

Last December, gunmen of the al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) took full control over two strategic towns in neighboring southern Abyan province, about 45 km from Aden, where Yemen's internationally recognized government has based itself.

Yemen, an impoverished Arab country, has been gripped by one of the most active regional al-Qaida insurgencies in the Middle East.

The AQAP, also known locally as Ansar al-Sharia, emerged in January 2009. It had claimed responsibility for a number of terrorist attacks on Yemen's army and government institutions.

It took advantage of the current security vacuum and the ongoing civil war to expand its influence and seize more territories in Yemen's southern part.

Security in Yemen 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 airstrikes since then, half of them civilians.
 Flash

The Jaish al-Fateh rebel group announced Sunday that their next target is to capture the entire city of Aleppo, a day after they scored some victory against the government forces of President Bashar al-Assad.

In a statement, Jaish al-Fateh, or the Army of Conquest, boasted what they called the victory they made against the government forces, when they managed to storm some military installations on Saturday in the southern countryside of Aleppo.

The group also claimed that they had broken the three-week-long siege by the government forces on rebel-held areas in the eastern part of Aleppo city.

"Since the Assad army besieged hundreds of thousands of civilians in Aleppo, the people there cried out for help from the mujahideen, and your brothers in the Jaish al-Fateh answered their calls," said a statement released by the group.

It said that the group had galvanized all support and fighters and carried out an "epic" battle to lift the siege on Aleppo.

"The Assad regime didn't expect that the siege on Aleppo will be broken in six days only... and we in Jaish al-Fateh say... that we have broken the siege on Aleppo," it said.

It added that "we declare the beginning of a new phase to liberate Aleppo, and we will multiply the numbers of our fighters to be ready for the upcoming battle."

The group tried to pacify the people in government-controlled areas, saying they will not hurt anyone who didn't support the regime.

It also urged the Syrian soldiers to defect from the Syrian army, saying "the repentance door is opened, but not for long."

Jaish al-Fateh, an alliance of several rebel factions, was formed in March 2015 under the supervision and coordination of Saudi cleric Abdullah al-Muhaysini.

Some of its factions are active in the provinces of Hama and Latakia. The group seized most of Idlib province in northwestern Syria last year and it is actively supported by Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Earlier in the day, Syrian army warplanes carried out several airstrikes against rebel posts they had captured a day earlier in southern Aleppo.

The airstrikes targeted the rebels' artillery and armament bases in the southwest of Aleppo, a military source told Xinhua.

The rebels were believed to have taken control over parts of the strategic al-Ramuseh town, enabling them to fashion a military passageway into eastern Aleppo.

However, through controlling this strategic part of al-Ramuseh, the government-controlled western part of Aleppo was placed under siege, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The UK-based watchdog group said grocery prices in western Aleppo have increased fourfold since the rebels captured parts of al-Ramuseh just the day before.

It said, however, that the route opened by the rebels into eastern Aleppo is not safe.

Nonetheless, the military source told Xinhua that the government is still in control of a route into districts of western Aleppo, adding that the rebels' route into eastern Aleppo is quite narrow.

The situation in Aleppo flared up last month, when government forces unleashed an offensive in the north of Aleppo, severing the Castello road which is the last rebel-controlled supply route into eastern Aleppo.

The offensive triggered a violent retaliation from the rebels, who subsequently unleashed at least seven attacks against government posts in southern Aleppo in an effort to end the siege.

Meanwhile, Syria's national television station said the army is determined to drive out the rebels from the bases they stormed into on Saturday.

The pan-Arab al-Mayadeen television station also reported heavy airstrikes on Sunday, adding that over 800 rebels were killed during the three-day battle at military colleges in Aleppo.

Aleppo is strategic for all warring parties, due to its key location beside the Turkish border, and as Syria's industrial capital.

Further complicating the situation is the large presence of rebel groups, each supported by a foreign country, mainly a Gulf state.

The United States has also identified "moderate" rebels located in Aleppo.

The battle of Aleppo is a rather decisive one, as observers declared that whoever controls Aleppo will gain the upper hand in any potential settlement in Syria.
You are here: Home

 Flash

At least 29 people were killed and scores others went missing as heavy rains lashed Pakistan's south Sindh and southwest Balochistan provinces over the last three days, local Urdu media reported Sunday.

Local residents wade through a flooded street caused by heavy monsoon rains at a neighborhood in Karachi, Pakistan, Aug. 6, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Geo News reported that Sindh's provincial capital of Karachi was badly hit by the rains where at least 14 people were killed and several others got injured.

Karachi's famous NGO Edhi Foundation said that eight people died of electrocution in the metropolis whereas six others were killed in separate incidents of roof collapse.

Seven people were killed in separate rain-triggered accidents in other districts of the province.

Road and air traffic was disrupted due to heavy downpour, which started on Friday afternoon and continued till Sunday.

Numerous roads of Karachi remained flooded and many electricity poles fall down, suspending electricity supply to various areas.

The met office said that the city received 30mm to 56mm of rain on Sunday.

Eight people were killed, five injured and eight others went missing in Harnai district of Balochistan over the last two days, officials said.

Deputy Commissioner Asmatullah Qureshi of Harnai said that six cars were drowned at the famous lakeside picnic point Zard Aloo of the district due to flash flood.

The official said that the floodwater washed away some 21 people inside the cars with it, out of which bodies of eight have been retrieved till Sunday afternoon.

He said that the search of the eight missing people continues in the area.

The met office said that the rain-thunderstorm with isolated heavy falls is expected to hit parts of Sindh, Balochistan and other parts of the country over the next 24 hours.

The torrential rains may generate flash flooding and landslides in the vulnerable areas of the country and the rainwater may wreck havoc in the low-lying areas.
 Flash

Weeks of rallies in protest of a foiled coup attempt in Turkey culminated on Sunday in a massive gathering never seen in the country's modern history that called for "one heart, one nation."

People attend a rally at the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 21, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Some 3.5 million to five million Turks poured into the Yenikapi Square in Istanbul waving Turkish flags, joining President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and leaders of the country's main political parties.

In his speech, Erdogan said in the face of solidarity against coup plotters, "the country's enemies have now realized that their job is difficult."

"It is the proclamation and evidence that Turkey will reach its 2023 targets," he stressed, referring to goals set for the occasion of the republic's 100th anniversary that includes to be among the world's top 10 economies.

Speaking of the possibility of restoring the death penalty, the president vowed once again to approve the decision to be taken by the parliament.

The issue of a reinstated capital punishment was raised in the wake of the failed bid on July 15 but has sparked concern in the West.

Binali Yildirim, leader of the ruling Justice and Development Party and the prime minister, voiced his gratitude to the leaders of the opposition parties for being present at the rally and said his party would do its best to preserve the unity.

The rally under the theme of "Democracy and Martyrs" was called for by the president, but the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party that is also represented in parliament was not invited for its link to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, which has been seeking autonomy in southeastern Turkey.

The bid to overthrow the government by a faction within the military was crushed within hours, but left 240 people dead and more than 2,000 others injured.

The speech by Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar was frequently cut short by cheers and applause from the crowd.

Akar was captured by the plotters at the start of the coup bid, but was rescued later by security forces.

"Turkish armed forces are on duty and on the service of its people and the state," the general said.

The Turkish military, the most powerful after the U.S. within the NATO bloc, is being restructured in Anraka's sweeping efforts to clean state institutions of coup suspects and followers of the so-called Gulen movement led by Fetullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric residing in the United States.

Erdogan and other top Turkish officials have accused Gulen of masterminding the failed coup and demanded his extradition, straining further the relations with Washington.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, urged all the political parties to take all the precautions needed to protect the parliamentary system, secularism and democracy.

Drawing attention to the widespread social consensus against all kind of coups, he said, "If we would be able to carry this culture of consensus even further, we will leave a better Turkey to the next generations."

A sense of reconciliation between the ruling and opposition parties has been felt in the past weeks, a development unthinkable prior to the coup attempt.

"As long as we maintain our unity and solidarity, no traitor could harm us," claimed Devlet Bahceli, leader of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party.

Rallies to "watch democracy" have been staged every night in city squares across Turkey since the coup attempt was foiled.

Erdogan announced that the "democracy watch" rallies will continue until the coming Wednesday.

Extreme security measures were taken for the massive Yenikapi rally, with 30,000 police officers and several warships and coast guard boats deployed nearby.
 Flash

Welcoming the Government of South Sudan's acceptance of a regional protection force to help quell the ongoing violence in the country, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Sunday called on all South Sudanese parties to uphold their responsibility to protect civilians and to demonstrate their commitment to a peace agreement, "the only viable path" out of the crisis.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the Secretary-General welcomed the communique of the Heads of State and Government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Plus countries, which proposed the deployment of the force, agreed at a regional meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Media reports suggest IGAD leaders' aim is for the force to help shore up South Sudan's year-old peace deal.

"He commends the IGAD leaders for their decisive action and welcomes the Government of South Sudan's acceptance of a regional protection force," the statement continued, adding that Mr. Ban called on all South Sudanese leaders to set aside their personal differences and demonstrate their commitment to the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, "which remains the only viable path to ending the crisis."

The decision by IGAD, the East African bloc which has been working along with the wider African Union (AU) to address the crisis, comes after deadly clashes in South Sudan between rival forces  the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to President Salva Kiir and the SPLA in Opposition backing First Vice-President Riek Machar  erupted in and around the capital, Juba, on 7 July, close to the fifth anniversary of the country's independence.

UN compounds and civilian protection sites managed by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) were attacked during the fighting, and, according to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, a preliminary UN investigation into the recent fighting and its aftermath revealed that Government security forces carried out killings and rapes, and looted and destroyed properties.

Wrapping up a three-day Mission to the country late last week, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien voiced his serious concern at the humanitarian situation, particularly the violence against civilians, as well as attacks against aid workers, which he said is hampering efforts to respond to the needs of the people affected by the fighting.

The young country has faced ongoing challenges since a political face-off between the two leaders erupted into full blown conflict in December 2013. The crisis has produced one of the world's worst displacement situations with immense suffering for civilians. Despite the August 2015 peace agreement that formally ended the war, conflict and instability have also spread to previously unaffected areas in the Greater Equatoria and Greater Bahr-El-Ghazal regions of South Sudan. This past month, deadly clashes in Wau resulted in the deaths of more than 40 people, while up to 35,000 fled their homes.

Today's statement stressed that the Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the continued fighting in the country and called for an immediate end to the hostilities.

"He is outraged by the continued reports of serious human rights violations and abuses, including widespread sexual violence against women and young girls, committed by armed men in uniform," said the statement, adding that Mr. Ban called on all parties to uphold their responsibility to protect civilians and demanded that they take immediate steps to hold accountable those responsible for these "despicable" crimes.

Finally, the UN chief in his statement reiterated his commitment to work with all South Sudanese, IGAD, the African Union and international partners, to implement the recommendations of the East African summit.
 Flash

The Fifth China-Europe High-level Political Parties Forum concluded on May 18 in Beijing. Since its inauguration in 2010, the forum has held five sessions, the themes of which were: "Forging Partnership for Reform and Development, New Prospect of China-Europe Cooperation," "Promoting Win-Win Cooperation for New Breakthroughs in China-Europe Relations," "China and Europe Cooperate to Meet Challenges," "China's 12th Five-Year Plan and Europe 2020 Strategy: New Opportunities and Prospects for China-Europe Cooperation," and "Global Challenges and China-European Cooperation."

Interparty relations are an important facet of China-Europe relations. The China-Europe High-level Political Parties Forum is a top-level platform for multilateral and strategic consultations. On the basis of equality, inclusiveness and mutual respect, party leaders, politicians and scholars from China and Europe have held dialogues at the forum over the past six years. They have reached consensus on key issues such as how the two sides view each other and how to understand and propel China-Europe relations, thus enhancing mutual trust and injecting new dynamism into the overall China-Europe strategic partnership. Therefore, the forum has played a distinctive part in promoting the healthy and stable development of the China-Europe comprehensive strategic partnership.

Exchange Governance Experience

The forum covers a wide range of topics and one of its key components is the exchange of governance experience.

Political parties in China and Europe differ institutionally and ideologically, but both sides value exchanging experiences in governance and reciprocal learning. In today's world, competition among countries' comprehensive national strength constitutes to a large extent the competitive capability of their ruling parties. In fact, all political parties confront similar issues, like how to boost economic development, improve people's livelihoods and build a harmonious and stable society. As the ruling party of the largest developing country in the world, the Communist Party of China (CPC) studies the governance experience of other political parties around the world under the background of global socio-economic development. The Party is keen to absorb the cultural essence created by people around the world by systematically researching the governance concepts, governance institutions, governance mode, and governance laws of the ruling parties around the world, including those in Europe. It is of crucial significance that the CPC improves its capability and consolidates its status as a ruling party. Moreover, with China's rapid development, the political parties in European countries are also paying heed to China's style of governance. At the China-Europe High-level Political Parties Forum, representatives of the CPC and dozens of political parties in Europe launched open discussions on state governance issues and challenges, and held dialogues on party building. Most participants at the forum were from ruling parties, or parties currently not in power, but with rich experience in governance that could benefit the CPC.

The CPC advocates holding the China-Europe High-level Political Parties Forum to enhance mutual learning and exchange experiences with parties in Europe in terms of development concepts and state governance. It is a new measure through which the CPC can maintain its advanced nature and build itself into an innovative, service- and study-oriented party. The forum also embodies the resolution of political parties in China and Europe to rise above differences in ideology and seek mutual understanding and cooperation. In the past more than 90 years of development, the crucial reason for the CPC's success has been its learning adeptness.

Promote Pragmatic Cooperation

Economic complementarity and interest blending is the solid foundation for the comprehensive China-Europe strategic partnership. To jointly cope with global challenges and build a global governance system is the new connotation of the multi-level China-Europe comprehensive strategic partnership. Political parties are expected to use their resources to build channels to promote China-Europe pragmatic cooperation at different levels in furtherance of common interests. Parties in both China and Europe believe that China's economic transformation and Europe's economic and social development have opened up greater scope and opportunities for cooperation. The word most frequently recurring during the past few forums has been "cooperation." Both sides have discussed concrete plans to strengthen cooperation in fields such as finance, trade, investment and the opening up of markets, as well as exchanging experience and concepts in terms of economic and social development.

The Fifth China-Europe High-level Political Parties Forum that convened in May 2016 consisted of two parts  a forum and an economic and trade dialogue. The latter was held in Zhengzhou City of Henan Province, with the theme of promoting pragmatic cooperation between local governments in China and countries in Europe under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. More than 40 delegates from political parties in over 20 European countries, and representatives of regional parties in Europe and political groups within the European Parliament attended the economic and trade dialogue. Yanaki Stoilov, deputy-speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria and vice-president of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, said that, under the Belt and Road Initiative, China and Europe can seek opportunities at not only national level, but also at local level. He said efforts could be made to encourage Bulgarian companies to participate in relevant Belt and Road Initiative projects to enhance their production capability and seek more business opportunities. Sergei Stanishev, president of the Party of European Socialists and former prime minister of Bulgaria, said he is happy to see Europe launching cooperation with Henan Province, and that he expects the establishment of a framework that can address the current obstacles and concerns of various sides. He believes that the prospects for development would be significantly enhanced if more countries and political parties could join in the Belt and Road Initiative. Francis Wurtz, member of the central committee of the French Communist Party and former president of the European United Left-Nordic Green Left group, said that Henan Province is well-known for its long history and rich culture, and that he would like to share his experience and feelings with his countrymen by visiting China in general and Henan in particular. He believes it is his mission to better introduce China to people back home.

Enhance Mutual Political Trust

China and Europe have different historical backgrounds, cultural traditions and social institutions, and the two are at a different social and economic development stage. Moreover, their political parties have different governance concepts and ideologies. The forum acts as a "relief valve," through which the political parties in China and Europe can express different opinions and interest claims, reduce contradictions and ease conflicts. The forum also encourages the political parties of both sides to better guide public opinion in China and Europe, and provides constructive suggestions on dealing with divergences and preventing conflicts on the basis of mutual respect. It thus builds a favorable public opinion environment for China-Europe friendship and cooperation.

At the first China-Europe High-level Political Parties Forum, Thierry Mariani of the French Union for a Popular Movement said that it enables foreign political parties direct interaction and dialogue with the CPC, and that such "brainstorming" will eventually promote mutual understanding. Lothar Bisky, chairman of the European Left Party and leader of the Confederal Group of the European United Left-Nordic Green Left in the European Parliament, said that although some people don't agree with its basic political concepts, he was impressed by the CPC's rich theories and determination to improve the Chinese people's livelihood.

At the fifth China-Europe High-level Political Parties Forum, Kent Harstedt, a Swedish social democratic politician and Chairman of the Friendship Association for China of the Swedish parliament, said that China-Sweden relations have been long-standing and well-established. However, the two sides still know little about each other in certain fields, and he believes such communication via the forum is needed. Francis Wurtz believes that the significance of the forum lies in its promotion of mutual understanding and enhanced friendship. He said that for him it was a quality visit as he witnessed there a dialogue between different civilizations.

The forum serves as a platform for politicians and political parties in China and Europe to communicate directly, thus promoting mutual understanding and fostering mutual trust and friendship, settling divergences and conflicts, creating opportunities to solve thorny issues among countries, and ensuring a favorable public opinion for the development of China-Europe relations.

The CPC's Open Attitude

Leaders of the European political parties that attended the first China-Europe High-level Political Parties Forum generally thought that it embodied the open attitude of its host, the CPC. A delegate from the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party observed that the forum itself manifests the CPC's open attitude and that the increasing presence of the CPC in the international arena also signifies that it has become more open and transparent. A leader from the Polish People's Party remarked that China and Europe have different political systems. Political parties in Europe represent different interest groups, so it is difficult for them all to participate in state governance. The CPC, as the ruling party in China, has become ever more influential in the world because of its highly efficient governance. Its experience is worthy of learning by European political parties. In fact, the CPC's image has changed from stiff and conservative to vital and more open in international society along with its increasingly active exchanges with foreign political parties. The international community recognizes this shift. Lothar Bisky said that great changes have occurred in both China and the CPC, and that the CPC has now become a study-oriented party capable of dealing with new problems that crop up in the course of development. Sran Milie, president of the Socialist People's Party of Montenegro, said that he can see the CPC growing ever more open to the outside world, which now has more opportunities to hear China's voices.

In the third China-Europe High-level Political Parties Forum, Dick Roche, vice president of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party, said that China has successfully achieved social transformation and spectacular results in a short period of time, thus winning trust from its people. He noted that Europeans have long been over-confident and their prejudices against China have impeded bilateral exchanges. He remarked that Europeans should reconsider the problems in their political systems and development mode. China and Europe could enhance cooperation and learn from each other through dialogues and exchanges.
 Flash

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the recent attacks on the low-caste Dalit community and advocated strict action against cow vigilantes.

During his first visit to the southern state of Telangana Sunday, he asked people to protect Dalits, saying that they have "suffered for centuries" and that they "shouldn't suffer anymore."

"If you have a problem, if you feel like attacking someone, attack me, not my Dalit brothers. If you want to shoot anyone, shoot me, not my Dalit brothers," Modi said.

He added: "What is the reason we torture our Dalit brothers? What right do you have? The section which has suffered for centuries, will you force them to suffer more?"

Earlier that day, the prime minister came down heavily on "fake cow protectors," saying that they were "dividing the nation and should be isolated and punished."

This was his second statement in two days against such attacks. On Saturday, Modi advocated action against "anti-social elements who masquerade as cow protectors to save themselves."

The prime minister's statements came in the wake of recent attacks on Dalits, the most prominent being the public flogging of four Dalits by cow protectors last month in the western state of Gujarat.

The four tannery workers were subjected to such public shaming for skinning a dead cow, which sparked nationwide anger among Dalits.

The vigilantes had accused the four men of harming cattle, but the victims insisted they were only taking a cow's carcass for skinning, as was their tradition.

There have been several other attacks on men and women across India, who have been accused of eating or smuggling beef.

Though India is a secular nation, the majority of the estimated 1.2 billion population is Hindu. However, the country is also home to large Muslim, Christian and Buddhist minorities.
 Flash

Thailand's military leaders held an unscheduled meeting with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday, following Sunday's referendum which secured public consent to a new constitution.

Army chief Gen Theerachai Nakwanit, navy chief Adm Na Areenit, air force chief ACM Trithod Sonjang and supreme commander Gen Sommai Kaotheera met with the premier at Government House to hold talks for about one hour, said a government official. Prayut is also head of the National Council for Peace and Order.

Topics of the discussion were not available, but were believed to involve the results of the nationwide referendum on the charter which saw 15.5 million voters approve it, compared to 9.7 million others who disapproved it.

The military leaders will reconvene and join a weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the official said.

Prayut had earlier assured that he would pursue the "roadmap" designed by the National Council for Peace and Order, so that the next general election will be held some time next year.

Organic laws under the new charter and pertaining to an electoral mode are yet to be made by the Constitution Drafting Committee in a four-month time, following Sunday's referendum.


A caregiver helps feed Wang Lingfang, a bedridden 68-year-old patient, via a feeding tube at Puleyuan Nursing Home in Beijing.[Zou Hong/China Daily]

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of reports China Daily will publish looking at the lives of elderly people, the problems they face and ongoing efforts to improve their standards of living.

When China introduced the one-child family planning policy more than 35 years ago, elderly people, who traditionally relied on their children for care, were told to look to the State to provide support.

The policy was intended to reduce family sizes and people's reliance on their children, so there would no longer be any point in having a large family, especially many sons. The story didn't unfold as expected though, especially for the large number of disabled elderly people and their struggling families.

Du Ping, a resident of the Jianye district of Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province, has become increasingly frustrated after many failed attempts to hire a long-term qualified care worker for his 73-year-old father.

The elderly man was diagnosed with dementia in 2014 and is also paralyzed and incontinent, so he is dependent on other people.

"We've hired more than 10 caregivers since then. None of them lasted long, despite the above-average pay," Du said. "Many refused when they discovered their patient was a disabled senior."

Du resumed his search two weeks ago, when the most-recent caregiver quit, even though her monthly salary was 5,000 yuan ($750), almost twice the average wage of 3,000 yuan.

"It's a considerable sum, almost half of our (he and his wife) combined income," he said. "It would cost even more if we placed my father in a nursing home."
Zhang Pengyi, general manager of Yi Chi Future Food Technology Co Ltd, is holding his Entity Information issued by the New York State government. The certificate allows start of business operations.PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Baozi is set to be the new fashion on US streets that already savor jianbing

First, it was the Chinese crepe or jianbing. Years back, the Manhattan Island simply fell in love with China's popular street food that originated in Tianjin. Now, another Tianjin fast food item, baozi, or the Chinese steamed stuffed bun, aims to sweep New York off its feet.

Zhang Pengyi, general manager of Tianjin Yi Chi Future Food Technology Co Ltd, recently completed the registration of his bun company in New York. "What's going to be the new street fashion in the world's financial nerve-center? Everyone eating Chinese baozi," he said.

The 30-year-old from Tianjin plans to open his first international restaurant in Manhattan with an area of 100 square meters and 70 seats before Christmas. The shop will be decorated in a minimalist way but brightly, with Chinese cultural elements. For instance, the bamboo steamers will be used not only for cooking but interior decoration, Zhang said.

Customers wait for their jianbing from the Flying Pig, a food truck plying the streets of New York, April 15, 2016. [Photo/IC]

"Besides the Chinese traditional fillings, such as pork and mushroom, we will produce more local flavors such as cheese fillings and sweet puree fillings to meet local New Yorkers' tastes," said Zhang, who will name the newly designed food "Fancy Buns".

In his new shop, there will be a glass-walled, see-through kitchen, where customers can observe the process of bun-making.

"We will provide food, and we will also give a taste of Chinese culture. We will show American consumers how to make steamed stuffed buns, and help them understand Chinese food culture," he said.

Workers make steamed stuffed buns at Yi Chi Future Food Technology Co Ltd in Binhai New Area of Tianjin.PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Zhang said he will visit Manhattan later this month to confirm the site of his first American restaurant. He once considered a site close to China Town but now prefers to locate the restaurant in the middle town or upper town.

"Overseas Chinese may bring a stable income to my business, but they are not my only target customers. We want to sell Fancy Buns to local communities as well," he said.

His buns will be on sale also via mobile food stalls that roam New York streets. In order to deliver the Chinese food quickly, as well as to guarantee the original flavors, Zhang's team developed a technology that can freeze uncooked buns but keep the yeast vibrant for steaming later.

A customer at a Square equipped food truck outside the New York Stock Exchange, November 19, 2015. [Photo/IC]

"We are evolving a standard to ensure the buns bought from different shops or vending trucks taste the same. Even the manufacturing process will be standardized so that cooks' individual touch is minimized," said Zhang.

In order to arrive at a potentially successful standard, Zhang's team has already used more than 20 tons of flour for tests.

Twelve years ago, having failed to find a place on several universities, Zhang started his own business. He set up the Yi Chi chain two years ago. In Tianjin alone, it has four shops and one community catering center.

China's Internet Plus strategy has since helped Zhang sell his steamed buns in more than 30 cities nationwide.

Last year, Zhang met his schoolmate Wang Haixiang who is working with Morgan Stanley in New York. The two young men later agreed to found a food business.

Citibank brings out food trucks to the Meatpacking District in New York for a branding event promoting the No Kid Hungry charity, December 12, 2015. [Photo/VCG]

But that was easier said than done. Back then, Zhang saw himself as an entrepreneur running a small business in China. Typically, such entrepreneurs would not dream of making overseas investments. But Zhang did.

However, the duo's application to open a Chinese food shop in New York ran into some bureaucratic hurdles. "We had to file our papers with many government agencies and banks. The procedures were quite complicated," he said.

Finally, in late July, the New York State government issued the necessary approvals and licenses.

When Zhang's Fancy Buns finally roll out, they will follow in the footsteps of "Tom's BaoBao", a Chinese food chain in New York that sells Hangzhou-styled baozi. It opened its first store in early July at Harvard Square targeting local citizens and students.
Beijing-based Didi, the dominant ride-hailing service provider in China, said in a statement on Monday that it will buy Uber's China operation. [Photo/IC]

Last week's trucemerger, if you willbetween rival discount cab ride apps Didi Chuxing and Uber China followed years of fierce competition. Here is the low-down on the proposed deal.

How will the revenue and voting rights be split in the combined Didi-Uber entity?

Uber Global will receive a 5.89 percent stake in the combined company along with "preferred equity interest", which is equal to a 17.7 percent stake. Uber China's investors, including Baidu Inc, will receive a 2.3 percent stake in the merged entity. Didi founder Cheng Wei and Uber Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick will join each other's boards.

What will happen to the Uber China app?

Didi will take control of Uber China's brand, businesses, data and other assets in the country after the proposed merger. But Didi and Uber will remain two separate brands. In other words, the two apps will continue to run independently in China.

What will happen to Uber China employees?

Didi said in a previous interview that it would welcome Uber China employees to join its team. Uber was said to have offered a Close Bonus in cash to its China team. The bonus will be valued at six months' base salary and six months' equity vesting that includes new hire grants, performance bonus and referral bonus, according to the released details of a recent internal meeting at Uber China. The company said half of the bonus will be paid in cash within one week after the merger is completed. The remaining half will be paid to employees one month after the merger. Only employees who have worked with Didi or Uber for at least 30 days after the signing of the deal are qualified to receive the second half of the bonus.

Will the post-merger trip fares rise?

Didi said in a statement that it will continue to offer incentives to passengers and drivers for a significantly long period. It will make "improving users' experience" one of its top priorities in future. However, many analysts said the main reason behind the Didi-Uber marriage was that investors of both companies wanted the firms to stop their unsustainable cash burn in China.

What is the Chinese government's stand on the proposed merger?

The Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday it has not received a business declaration from Didi and Uber about their proposed deal. All businesses with large-scale operations, whose merger may result in a monopoly, must submit a business declaration to the Ministry of Commerce as well as wait for an antitrust investigation. Companies without such clearance will not be allowed to carry out mergers and acquisitions in China. However, industry observers said it will be very difficult to estimate the size of the merged Didi-Uber entity's business. Neither Didi nor Uber China has earned a profit yet.

Has the Chinese government rejected any such merger proposal in the past?

No. But then again, the Didi-Uber merger proposal is not exactly comparable with other industries or businesses. Both players are likely to impress upon the government that their proposed merger would merely combine their operations to offer a better service to citizens, that it does not really pose a threat to other existing players, and that it does not really make material difference to vehicle owners and drivers. Moreover, both firms are likely to stress that they are not yet profitable, and the merger would improve logistics and help streamline the nascent cab-hailing sector.
China's stock market regulator should consider relaxing restrictions on trading in index futures, to improve liquidity in the A-share market and help prevent systemic risks, experts said.

"It's now widely recognized that trading in stock index futures was not responsible for the A-share market slump last year. In fact, the index futures market helps prevent risks," said Ma Wenya, general manager of Sunday Fund Co Ltd, which manages assets worth 300 million yuan ($45.2 million).

In July last year, the China Financial Futures Exchange, where three stock index futures contracts are listed, announced it will adopt a system of differentiated charges based on trading volumes, to make speculation in index futures costlier.

Effective Sept. 7 last year, the CFFEX had raised the transaction fee for closing a position on every futures contract to 0.23 percent of the deal value from 0.015 percent. This led to a sharp reaction: the daily transaction volume decreased 92 percent to just 76,100 contracts.

Ma said the margin accounts of three stock index futures contracts were small last year. They could not possibly have caused the A-share market to plummet.

Agreed Hong Hao, managing director and chief strategist at BOCOM International Ltd. He said the main reasons for the stock market slump last year were high valuations of stocks and the use of high leverage in stock trading. And these were not at all related to trading in stock index futures.

The main function of stock index futures is hedging, which helps stabilize the market, said Ma.

A hedge is an investment position intended to offset potential losses that may be incurred by a companion investment. For example, a fund manager will buy stocks in the A-share market, and have short positions in the stock index futures to lower risks.

"As the (A-share) market is now steady, I think it's a good time to ease the restrictions on trading in index futures," said Ma.

Hong echoed Ma's view. "Trading in stock index futures plays an important role of hedging risks in the market. In my opinion, easing of restrictions is necessary now."

There is another reason why easing is necessary now, said Ding Shengyuan, a managing director at Galaxy Securities. It would help develop China's wealth management industry.

"Chinese people have accumulated much wealth and trading in stock index futures can lower the risks of funds. The quantitative hedging products can become good wealth management products," said Ding.

Ma said if the Chinese stock market regulator relaxes restrictions on index futures, hundreds of billions of yuan at least will likely flow into the A-share market, improving its liquidity.

Market-people are hoping the CFFEX will consider their plea and reduce the transaction fee.

"My (Sunday Fund) equity position in the stock market is light now. But, if the restrictions on index futures are eased, I'd increase my allocation of funds to the stock market to about 90 percent," said Ma.

Hong of BOCOM said the regulator's concern now may be that if the restrictions are eased, it could be wrongly interpreted by some as the return of high leverage.

The CFFEX said on Thursday that it is fine-tuning rules and regulations so that trading in stock index futures can play an important role in the market. But it denied it is about to ease restrictions.

Hong said trading in the US stock index futures was suspended for several months in 1987 after a stock market crash, but it was resumed later, after it was established there was no link between the two.
Potential homebuyers examine a property project model in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province, Feb 28, 2016. [Photo/VCG]

Moves are afoot to prevent bubbles from forming in the land market and property development

The China Securities Regulatory Commission has said A-share companies cannot use refinanced capital for purposes other than those for which it was raised.

This decision is likely to make it more difficult for realty developers to raise money from refinancing channels.

Vanke, Gemdale and Poly are among the big realty names in the A-share market.

China Securities News said the CSRC made the point in a training session of underwriters on July 25.

It reportedly said A-share companies must use refinanced capital only for stated purposes. Companies shall not use capital raised from equity offerings for other purposes in disguised forms to supplement liquidity or to repay bank loans.

Typically, listed companies seeking to increase their capital or raise fresh finance for business expansion visit the market with a secondary equity offering known as SEO. They issue new equity in the form of shares sold by existing shareholders or new shares, or a mix of both.

But developers are known to supplement liquidity instead using such low-cost refinancing. This practice is not something that the authorities are pleased with. For, such misuse of refinancing could cause systemic risks in real estate. So, curbing the practice could help prevent bubbles in the land market, experts said.

A statement released after the Party's Political Bureau meeting on July 26 said the country will prevent asset bubbles from forming in the second half of this year.

This was interpreted by market observers as a signal for stricter regulation in the rest of the year.

Yan Yuejin, research director at Shanghai-based E-house Research Center, said that such curbs come after regulators expressed intent to squeeze out the "asset bubbles that hinder healthy, steady and sustainable development of markets".

Yan said, "The realty market has seen a number of developers raising significant money. Some developers spent hugely but blindly on buying new land parcels. From this perspective, the new curb is a way to reduce risks."

In a handful of key cities in China, developers had bid fiercely for new land parcels in the first half of this year.

In Shanghai alone, more than five auctions for land parcels saw 100 percent or higher premium over the starting price in the past quarter. In July, a land parcel in the central urban area of the city has been sold at a price of more than 73,700 yuan ($11,113) per square meter of proposed construction.

Another piece of land in a suburban area was bought at more than 43,600 yuan per square meter, or 300 percent premium over the starting price.

According to data of Centaline Property, as many as 128 pieces of land were auctioned with a premium of more than 100 percent year-to-date. There were 189 deals with a premium of more than 50 percent.

Not just Shanghai, even some second- and lower-tier cities, such as Nanjing, Hefei, Wuhan, and Suzhou, have seen developers spending significantly - some said insanely - to refill their land parcel reserves for future development, as these cities' residential properties sold well in the first half of the year.

Zhou Qi, an analyst with Shanghai Junhui Property, said that curbs on refinancing could help cool the overheated land market, and prevent the realty development market from overheating.

"If capital can be raised at a low cost, developers will not hesitate to use the money, because land supply is limited. But if fundraising is more difficult and costs more, developers would think twice before making such decisions, and consider if 'flour costs more than bread'," said Zhou.

A research note from BOCI (International) Co Ltd said in future, developers' performance is likely to diverge further. Developers that did not have to tap the capital market to fund land parcel purchases but relied on sales revenue and other incomes, are less likely to be exposed to bubble risks.

The research note said that while some cities are facing the risk of overheated markets, lower-tier cities are still under great pressure to reduce inventory due to low investor sentiment.

But aggressive controls or adjustments won't curb investment in realty across China. Property prices won't have a hard landing. But some developers that have a high leverage ratio in financing, may face more pressure, the note said.
A group of Chinese tourists in New York. There was a time when the luxury stores on the Fifth Avenue of New York City were frequented by Chinese consumers. Now, they have turned to the attractions other than gilt and luxury. Hou Jun / For China Daily

As larger numbers of Chinese tourists are coming to the United States with more individualized travel plans, more are turning their eyes to cultural and art attractions, rather than a shopping spree.

"We have seen the rise of independent Chinese tourists for a while, and they have showed increasing interest in culture and arts," Lin Xiaowen, a tour guide with the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) in New York, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

There used to be a time when the luxury stores on the Fifth Avenue of New York City were frequented by Chinese consumers. But now, they have turned to the attractions other than gilt and luxury.

"In recent years, the number of Chinese tourists (to the Met) kept rising. In 2009, there were only about 50,000 (annually), but since 2014, their number has exceeded 200,000," said Lin, "So, Chinese visitors have become the largest group of foreign visitors in Met since then."

In 2015, the number of visitors to this iconic museum has reached 6.3 million, which has been attributed in large part to Chinese elements and tourists. The Met is one of the world's largest museums with over two million pieces of artwork.

Responding to the sharp rise in Chinese visitors, the museum made efforts to cater to the Chinese, including audio tours and maps in Mandarin, opening a Chinese Weibo account, and even acceptance of UnionPay.

"Now, the museum offers Mandarin tour to visitors three times a week," Lin said. It has been reported that the Mandarin version of the Met's guidebook sells better than any other foreign-language editions.

Against the impression that Chinese tourists are mainly "shoppers", they are visiting scenic spots with civic interest or stunning scenery.

"The total amount of shopping by Chinese shoppers has dropped by almost one third in the first quarter of 2016," said Rich Sun, COO and Board Secretary of L&L Tour, one of the largest Chinese travel agencies in New York.

Chinese tourists now choose to spend more time in the spots like Washington Square, enjoying some coffee, or take a walk around famous campuses, like Columbia University, New York University, and so on.

Some Chinese visitors take a special interest in exploring Ivy League universities, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University in Boston, Princeton University in New Jersey and Yale University in Connecticut.

"They are more interested in outdoor activities, such as adventures. They are more interested in the natural scenery, like the national parks. They are more interested in the secondary and tertiary cities, not just New York, Los Angeles or Las Vegas," Sun told Xinhua. "They want to explore more of American culture.

"And also, another trend among the Chinese tourists coming to the US is that they are more interested in staying here longer to explore local communities in depth, not in a superficial stay for one night or for a couple of days."

Xinhua in New York
Photo taken on July 11, 2016 shows the Manhattanhenge in Manhattan, New York, the United States. [Photo/Xinhua]

NEW YORK - New York has knocked London from its perch as the world's most expensive city to live and work in after the Brexit vote, which was ensued by the dramatic drop in the sterling against the US dollar.

That's according to a recent research made by the property broker Savills, which examines the costs of an employee to live in rented housing and work in office for a year.

Accommodation costs for one New York employee over a year rose 2 percent from December 2015, up to $114,010. The cost in Hong Kong was up 1 percent to $100,984.

London has held the top spot for two and a half years but falls to the third position as costs living in the British capital dropped 11 percent to $100,141. The research attributes the fall to the plunge in the sterling following the country's vote to leave the European Union.

"Brexit has made London more competitive, at least in the terms of cost," said Yolande Barnes, head of Savills. "Of course, other factors might mean it won't be."

Tokyo climbed to the fourth on the list, with accommodation costs rising 22 percent to $85,334, the report said.

"This is important for Tokyo," Barnes said, noting property values in Tokyo are heavily effected by income provided by rents.

Paris, San Francisco, Singapore, Dubai, Sydney and Los Angeles trail behind Tokyo as other most expensive cities in the world.
SANTIAGO - Chile hopes China will soon become the No 1 destination for its food exports, Chilean Agriculture Minister Carlos Furche said Friday.

"We already have a complete free trade zone and in terms of food and forest products, the FTA has had extraordinary results," said Furche two weeks ahead of a major food product promotion event in China.

When the free trade agreement (FTA) was signed in 2005, Chilean exports of forest and agricultural products to China were worth $400 million and, in 2015, this figure rose to $2.4 billion.

"What is going to happen is that, in the next decade, China will become the first destination for Chilean food exports, a position that the United States currently occupies," said Furche.

Cherries, grapes, pork and wine are among the main Chilean food exports to China while China exports textiles, shoes, and furniture to Chile.
WASHINGTON - As the host of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in its eastern city of Hangzhou next month, China has the opportunity to show its leadership in resisting protectionism, spurring growth and boosting people's confidence in global economy, a US expert has said.

"I think on trade we're in a very important time because I think there're strong protectionist pressures in the world," said Robert Kahn, a senior fellow for international economics at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in Washington, D.C.

"Here's what China can play a very important role in showing the leadership, saying (that) we need to resist these pressures and we need to do it in a way that's realistic and smart," Kahn told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Citing the dim prospects for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement to pass the US Congress, Kahn said he was "quite worried" that it would offer a window of opportunity and an excuse for increasing protectionism globally if the 12-national trade deal is rejected by the US Congress.

"That would be bad for the entire G20," Kahn said. "I think what we have to be doing now is talking very honestly about how we can show leadership in this very difficult environment when people don't feel like trade is helping them, how we can convince people again that the fair deal is for everybody."

Kahn believed that China could play an important leadership role as chair of the G20 summit this year to help find good ways to resolve these disagreements on trade. "I think within the G20 we need to find ways to give people confidence that it's really an honest dialogue and concerns are being addressed in a pragmatic fashion," he said.

Acknowledging rising voices of protectionism around the world, China has initiated the G20 trade and investment working group and institutionalized the G20 trade ministers meeting to promote international trade and investment, which would also contribute to much-needed global growth.

At the G20 trade ministers meeting in Shanghai, China last month, the ministers endorsed a broad strategy for promoting global trade growth, in which G20 members will lead by example to lower trade costs, harness trade and investment policy coherence, boost trade in services, enhance trade finance, promote e-commerce development and address trade and development.

"Trade and investment should continue to be important engines of global economic growth and development, generating employment, encouraging innovation and contributing to welfare and inclusive growth," the ministers said in a joint statement.

In terms of macroeconomic policy, Kahn said G20 finance ministers and central bank governors have repeatedly made strong statements of using all policy tools - monetary, fiscal and structural - to promote growth, but "the question is how we go beyond these statements to actual action" .

It's politically and economically difficult to implement structural reforms and G20 members are also "quite divided" in expanding fiscal policy to stimulate growth, according to Kahn. He was concerned that there isn't really anything new for policymakers to be done while everyone agrees on the needs for more growth.

"That would be something for the Chinese government to try, and address, and manage," he said, adding that policymakers need to think about whether current policy measures are enough to "produce the kind of growth that will make people feel good about global economy".

"How do we get people confident that policies are not just good headlines but really changing the way of our economy that's going to work in the longer run," he asked, emphasizing that "there's a great deal of frustration and anxiety" about economic future among the population in the United States, Europe and other parts of the world.

Li Baodong, Chinese G20 Sherpa and vice foreign minister, said the G20 Hangzhou Summit next month will focus discussions on innovation, the new industrial revolution, the digital economy and structural reform under the agenda item of "breaking a new path for growth".

"This aims to break the current model of sole reliance on fiscal stimulus and easy monetary policy through innovation-driven growth strategies and structural reform, and boost the potential for mid- to long-term growth," he said.

China is working with fellow members to draw a G20 blueprint for innovation-driven growth that highlights the concept of inclusive innovation and a concrete action plan for building a new industrial revolution and the digital economy, which may help shore up people' s confidence in global economy.

As a primary platform for international economic cooperation, the G20 has also made some progress in global economic governance in past several years, including implementing the 2010 quota and governance reforms in the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

"China is much better represented in international intuitions now than used to be the case, including the IMF," Kahn said. "It continues to move in the right direction where Chinese views and voices are heard more regularly in these forums...I think that should continue to happen."

Eying China's growing influence in the world stage, Kahn welcomed the world's largest developing country to join the Paris Club, an informal group of creditors who work to help resolve countries' debt problems.

It would be "a very positive and very important statement" for China's commitment to strong rules on debt issues if China decides to join the Paris Club and becomes a member of the Club, he said.

"I think that's an example of leadership for China. Getting it done is very positive," he added, hoping that China can play a leading role in fostering better international cooperation on debt restructuring.
A pedestrian passes by a chauffeured car of Didi Chuxing, the dominant ride-hailing service provider in China. Wu Changqing / for China Daily

Decline in demand will mainly be in first- and second- tier cities initially

Car-hailing might hinder growth of the new purchase market in China, as the services have been granted legal status while local governments in major cities are restricting the registration and the use of vehicles.

With the introduction of the new regulation on car-hailing services, residents in major cities are being encouraged to use mobility services rather than make car purchases.

"The online car-hailing services better meet customers' needs, and will develop to be safer and more convenient under the government's official regulation. Car ownership, on the other hand, is being discouraged by means of restrictions on car purchases and use," said Charley Xu, a principal at Boston Consulting Group.

The US consulting company predicts the Chinese auto market will shrink 2 percent each year over the next decade, based on a 5 percent decline in individual purchases for private ownership and a car-hailing fleet replacement rate of 3 percent.

Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers show the sales volume in China totaled 24.6 million last year, and a 2 percent reduction in volume in the world's largest auto market would be a reduction larger than the combined Swiss and Russian markets in 2015.

Nielson Company Greater China says that chauffeured car-hailing and ride-sharing services save costs for passengers, weakening potential buyers' willingness to purchase their own cars.

Car-hailing services enable customers to travel by car without owning a vehicle, and so users bypass the upfront costs of a car purchase, and the costs that come with ownership, including the cost of a license plate in the major Chinese cities that restrict car purchases. Besides, customers don't have to worry about the one-day-a-week ban on car use based on plate numbers in urban areas.

Xiong Guangan, the father of two children in Beijing, said he and his wife dropped the chance to buy a second private car and let their car plate registration quota expire.

"I commute to my work in a chauffeured car on weekdays, usually one of Uber's, and our car is left in the parking lot. We only use it for family outings to visit places in the suburbs."

Declining buyers' demand

Nielson's February report summarized that 67.8 percent of respondents who do not own cars "feel there's no need for a private car". A total of 32.4 percent of Chinese private car owners surveyed said they wouldn't buy another car and 9.7 percent were considering selling their cars, according to the New York headquartered research company.

Xu at Boston Consulting Group said he expects Chinese individual customers' demand to decline 5 percentage points each year, as the younger generation in large Chinese cities have less interest in owning a private car, and customers will find various ways, including chauffeured services, ride-sharing and renting to meet their mobility demands.

"The aim of local governments is to control the number of vehicles on the streets. Even if a congestion charge replaces the local restrictions on car purchase and use, the result will be similar," he said.

Xu noted that the newly released regulation on car-hailing services will encourage more drivers to sign up with the car-hailing service companies, and so the fleets will grow. He said, users will enjoy more availability and flexibility and have improved experiences, so they will use the service more frequently than before.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, released a regulation on the car-hailing services that is set to take effect on Nov 1.

China is the world's largest online car-hailing market, and Liu Xiaoming, vice-minister of transportation, expects the regulation to further boost car-hailing services in the long term.

Liu said the new rules will support the development of online car-booking platforms and encourage private cars owners to provide ride-sharing services to promote the sharing economy, ease congestion in cities and reduce air pollution.

Fleet procurement

Deputy Secretary-General of CAAM Shi Jianhua said: "The regulatory boost for the online car-hailing services may generate a large number of car replacements."

The vehicles registered for online car-hailing services are required by the new regulation to be removed from service after 8 years, in a bid to maintain service levels.

And Shi pointed out that "it is also possible there will be greater demand for vehicles tailored to better satisfy the specific needs of car-hailing drivers and customers".

The drivers and passengers in chauffeured and ride-sharing cars seldom use a CD player, for example, but WiFi is usually deemed a necessity.

Xu agreed that the online service providers would buy more vehicles to expand and renew their fleets.

He foresees the car fleet demand will add 3 percentage points annual growth to the nation's new car purchase volume.

Boston Consulting Group also expects many customers, especially residents in second-tier cities and smaller townships and counties, will not forgo car ownership at the same rate as residents in the big cities in the near future, as the majority still see private vehicles as a symbol of social status.
The Tesla Model S, which was involved in an accident in Beijing on Tuesday. Luo Zhen / for China Daily

A Tesla Model S, with the autopilot software engaged and driver's hands off the steering wheel, was involved in a collision in Beijing last week, China's first known Tesla accident involving its self-driving Autopilot system.

Early Tuesday morning, a blue Tesla Model S ran into the back of a stationary black Volkswagen Santata on the North Fifth Ring Road.

Luo Zhen, the Tesla driver, told China Daily the car kept going forward, but did not conform to the car's claimed priority reaction of automatically following the vehicle in front which switched lane to avoid a collision.

"My car hit the right side of a black Santana that was stopped in the inner lane of the road after it had developed some mechanical problem. After the collision, I had to manually stop the car, otherwise it would have kept going, as if it had just hit a speed bump," he said.

He could see almost half of the Santana's rear before the crash happened, he said, and there was around five seconds to react, but Tesla's Autopilot system failed to spot the black vehicle in front and crashed into it, after another car passed the Santana.

Luo added he has been driving for seven years, and has never been involved in an accident before.

Duan Zhengzheng, senior public relations manager at Tesla China, declined a telephone interview request on Friday.

"It might be a misjudgment by the car. There could be malfunction in the system, as the Autopilot system is a driver assistant feature based on Adaptive Cruise Control technology, instead of real autonomous driving technology," said Jia Xinguang, a seasoned independent analyst in Beijing,

The accident has cost Luo 50,000 yuan ($7,525) in repairs. While the Santana's taillight and reflectors were damaged, the left front bumper, left front headlight, left front fender and left mirror of the Tesla were damaged.

Believing technical bugs exist in the Autopilot system, Luo said Tesla should take half of the responsibility, while the other half should be paid by the Santana's driver who was illegally parked.

Luo contacted Tesla's representative but has not yet received any feedback from Tesla China.

Luo, who spent more than 20,000 yuan on the optional Autopilot Convenience Features on purchasing the car in July, criticized Tesla for exaggerating the automatic driving function and only using a small space in the manual to warn users that it is only an assistance driving system.

He has been in contact with a lawyer who has encouraged him to sue Tesla for exaggerated advertising, but he has not yet decided what his next move will be.

However, Tesla's manual specifically warns drivers not to remove their hands from the steering wheel, not to mention it is illegal to do so in China. So Luo himself might be open to charges.

China has been one of the largest Tesla markets since the Model S sales volume rocketed more than 300 percent in the first quarter this year.

The world's first fatal Tesla Autopilot crash happened on May 7 in Williston in the United States. In a blog post, Tesla reiterated that customers are required to agree that the system is in a "public beta phase" and the driver is required to "maintain control and responsibility for your vehicle".

While Tesla has touted its Autopilot system in its marketing without any statements of responsibility, Volvo Cars announced in October it will accept full responsibility for any accidents caused by its future autonomous driving cars, becoming the world's first automaker to do so. Some other car manufacturers have followed its example and declared they will be responsible for autonomous driving accidents in certain circumstances.
Volkswagen's stand at the Detroit auto show in January. Li Fusheng / China Daily

The German giant's China head says the country is where the cars of the future are being developed

Volkswagen AG has said it would welcome the earliest possible removal by China of caps on the stakes foreign automakers can have in joint ventures in the country.

The comments made on Aug 2 by Volkswagen AG's CEO of China operations Jochem Heizmann mean that the German company is the first major international carmaker to voice its opinion in the latest wave of debate on the issue that started in June.

China promulgated an industry policy in 1994, demanding that all foreign automakers and spare-parts producers that want to localize production in China must establish joint ventures, in which their stake must not exceed 50 percent.

"We appreciate every step to liberalize Chinese regulations and the Chinese economy in a way that meets international standards," Heizmann said.

He said removing the cap is the only way to ensure companies have freedom to decide how to proceed and where and how to invest, "as it is the standard all over the world". He said Volkswagen would appreciate China's earliest possible efforts.

In June, Xu Shaoshi, minister of the National Reform and Development Commission, said China was looking into lifting the stake cap, and within a month the State Council, China's cabinet, introduced a pilot move to allow auto parts producers in several free trade zones to localize production without establishing joint ventures.

But soon the Chinese Association of Automobile Manufacturers and several major State-owned carmakers, including Dongfeng, BAIC and FAW, one of Volkswagen's partners, voiced their opposition, arguing that Chinese brands would lose their last line of defense in the market.

Volkswagen, however, said it was satisfied with what it has achieved in the past three decades and it would be impossible to continue the success story without its two partners' understanding of the local market.

Jochem Heizmann, Volkswagen AG's CEO of China operations.

Volkswagen was one of the first international automakers to set up operations in China, and the country has become Volkswagen's largest market, generating 40 percent of the group's global sales.

In the first half of this year, the German automaker delivered 1.86 million cars with its two joint ventures, FAW Volkswagen and SAIC Volkswagen, on the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong. That figure was a 6.8 percent increase year-on-year.

Four of the top 10 best-selling passenger cars in China are from the Volkswagen brand - the Lavida, Jetta, Sagitar and Santana.

The automaker wanted to increase its stake in the 40:60 joint venture with FAW to 49:51, but in November the company announced that that deal would be postponed due to financial reasons.

Volkswagen had set aside $18 billion to settle the worldwide emissions scandal. Statistics show it lost 5.5 billion euros ($6.16 billion) last year, compared with a profit of 2.5 billion euros in 2014.

Matthias Muller, who took the helm as CEO of Volkswagen AG after the scandal forced Martin Winterkorn to step down, is working hard to revamp the carmaker and restore its reputation.

Muller's plan, called Strategy 2025, was released in June and the China management team has been reshuffled to align with the structure at the headquarters at Wolfsburg.

Stephan Wollenstein, a senior sales executive at FAW Volkswagen, has been named CEO of Volkswagen China's passenger cars brand to promote its sales and marketing in the country. He joined Volkswagen in 1995 and has worked at both of its joint ventures in China.

"To be firmly connected to China means to put customer needs and demands first, and Wollenstein will ensure we are doing precisely that," said Heizmann.

The new appointment will also ease the burden on Heizmann and enable him to focus more on new sources of revenue, including new energy vehicles, connectivity, economy cars and autonomous driving, all of which are pillars in Muller's strategy to turn the group into a mobility provider.

That means China is becoming even more important to Volkswagen as the transition to new mobility and new energy vehicles is developing much quicker in the country than anywhere else. It is probably because of this that Heizmann's tenure has just been extended by two years to 2019.

"For me it is the start of a new phase, it is a transformative process," he said. "Of course I am happy to be able to influence and steer that (transition) for some more years, and I can only say that no other area is as interesting, challenging and demanding as China," said Heizmann.
Gou Hongguo, who was convicted of subverting State power, is tried at the Tianjin No 2 Intermediate People's Court on Friday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Four people were convicted of subverting State power and were sentenced by a court in Tianjin in a series of trials last week.

Of the four, Hu Shigen, leader of an illegal church, got the longest prison term of 7.5 years. At 61, he was the oldest defendant and had engaged in anti-State activities since the 1990s.

Zhou Shifeng, a lawyer who formerly managed the Fengrui Law Firm in Beijing, was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Zhai Yanmin, an unemployed resident of Beijing, was sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for four years.

And entrepreneur Gou Hongguo received a suspended three-year sentence.

Zhai and Gou may not be jailed if they do not reoffend during the probation period.

All the defendants confessed to the charges against them and expressed remorse. None chose to appeal.

The four met to "establish a systematic ideology, method and steps" to subvert State power, according to court statements.

Hu was the mastermind, spreading subversive ideas and plans and training agents such as Gou. Zhou ran the law firm as a front to carry out subversive activities with Hu and others. And Zhai was the "enforcer", instructed by Hu to organize paid petitioners for illegal protests, according to the statements.

Chen Yaodong, deputy director of the Law School of Nankai University, who observed proceedings, came to the conclusion that the trials were "open and fair" and that China's judiciary handled these sensitive cases with order.

"There's no place for outlaws in our country under the rule of law, and any activities to subvert State power via violence, peaceful evolution or street politics will be punished by law," he said.

Hu is a native of Nanchang, Jiangxi province. He was a teacher at a Beijing university before engaging in subversive activities. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 1994 for "counterrevolutionary" crimes. He returned to his subversive ways not long after he was released in 2008, the court found.

Hu spread the idea of "pushing down the wall", a metaphor for overturning China's existing system.
Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Attorneys should not use cases to violate country's laws, or will be penalized in any country, a leading China studies expert said on Friday.

"Lawyers have lost their status by stirring up social activism," Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, told China Daily, adding that when these activities violate the country's laws, the government will act against them, regardless of their status, he said.

Zheng's comments come after Zhou Shifeng, a lawyer formerly managing the Fengrui Law Firm, was convicted of subverting state power and sentenced to seven years in prison on Thursday.

According to a statement from Tianjin No 2 Intermediate People's Court, Zhou, 52, had long been influenced by anti-China forces and was plotting to overturn the country's political system, especially after 2011, when he met Hu Shigen, the leader of an illegal organization.

Zhou used his law firm as a platform to manipulate public opinion by encouraging like-minded attorneys and residents to make noise over sensitive issues, the verdict said.

"Lawyers could take part in political activities, as they do in the US or elsewhere, but they should not change the cases to political affairs, especially those affairs that violate laws," Zheng said.

Zheng said these lawyers were not carrying out activities for the country and the society, but were doing them out of private interests.

Zhou said activities such as disrupting judicial orders caught the interests of some overseas forces.

"They've been actively wooing me, and want to use us to challenge court hearings and China's entire judicial system, making trouble for the Chinese government," he confessed, adding that these outside forces want to overturn the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

When foreign influences were behind the activities attacking a country's political and judicial system, causing chaos and social instability, any country would not sit idly, Zheng said. The US and Singapore will not do so either.

Foreign media and governments have double standards on Zhou's case, Zheng said. They do not allow these kinds of activities to happen in their countries, but they support such ones to overturn the ruling of Communist Party of China.

Zheng warned those who want to change China's political system of color revolutions. "What the consequence of color revolutions will be? Look at what happened in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia."

Zheng said that what happened in those regions did not really represent people's interests, but the opposite.

Chinese government held a public trial on Zhou's case, which shows the country's progress in the rule of law governance, Zheng said.

Zheng also suggested that China should mull and improve regulations for judicial system.

"China's some regulations are too abstract, macroscopic and nonspecific," Zheng said, adding that "China should define what is rule of law and establish its own discourse.

In Singapore and Western countries, associations of lawyers have detailed regulations to ban lawyers to take illegal ways to achieve their purposes.

Learning from previous lessons, he suggested that China needs to know how to improve its governance under the guidance of rule of law, how to make people understand rule of law, and most importantly, how to educate lawyers and judges of rule of law.

"If lawyers and judges, who should know law best, do not understand the spirit of law and abide by law, the whole society will not obey laws and lead to a chaotic state," Zheng said.

Lawyers have their advantages in interpreting laws and should play a positive role in achieving the rule of law, he said.

"Zhou and other lawyers know law but still break it," Zheng said, adding that they can only attract people knowing little of law and discontent with the government and society, but can't confuse those who have basic law knowledge.

Western countries take several centuries to establish rule of law and China has started to do it for decades. "Rome is not built in one day, and so is rule of law, Zheng said.






Draft rule would, for the first time, cover most goods ordered online

Consumers in China will be entitled to a full refund on unsatisfactory products purchased online, even if the packages have been unsealed, under a draft regulation that protects buyers' rights.

The latest draft, released by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, is based on China's consumer protection law. Public opinion is being sought until Sept 5.

The draft says businesses must provide refunds to consumers within seven days of receiving returned products.

The returned goods must be intact. Goods whose packages have been opened for inspection or goods that have been tested only for inspection of quality and function are considered intact, the draft says.

The rule does not apply to several types of goods such as those that can pose hazards to personal safety or health after opened, or perishable goods that are near their expiration dates, it says.

Under China's consumer rights protection law, revised in 2014, consumers can return goods for up to seven days, and get a refund for items that fail quality standards.

In the case of goods purchased online or by telephone or TV, consumers can make returns within seven days and get a refund without specifying a reason for most products. The only exceptions are four types of goods, including those that are perishable and prone to spoitage, and videodiscs that have been opened, according to a regulation issued by the administration in 2014.

Wu Jingming, an associate professor in economic law at China University of Political Science and Law who participated in the formulation of the draft, said this is the first draft regulation in China that specifies clearly that goods bought online can be returned for a refund, even if the packages have been opened.

"The regulation is scheduled by the State Council to be adopted in October, though there are likely to be some changes made to the draft," he said.

"The regulation was made because there have been a number of disputes in recent years involving businesses refusing to offer refunds for goods that they sold online, using the excuse that the packages have been opened," he said.

Many types of goods, such as clothing and electrical appliances, are not damaged by being taken out of the package, and businesses should agree to a refund if asked, whenever the quality of the goods is not affected, he said.

"I hope the regulation can be carried out so I will be able to buy more clothes online and not worry whether the sizes are OK before placing the order," said WangLi, a government employee in Beijing.

About 30 percent of goods sold on 10 major e-commerce platforms in China failed quality standards, according to an inspection by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine that covered goods such as toys, clothing and electrical appliances last year.

Half of consumers have bought fake products online, and about 23 percent said they have been refused refunds because they had opened the packages, according to a survey of 1,237 respondents that was conducted by Southern Metropolis Daily last year.
China and Russia are considering setting up land crossings connecting through Heixiazi Island, which is jointly owned by the two countries.

Zhou Hong, director of the Heixiazi Island Development and Management Committee, said Russia has suggested cross-border checkpoints. These would allow eight-seater or smaller cars to travel between Khabarovsk, one of the largest cities in Russia's Far East, and Fuyuan in Heilongjiang province, the most easterly town in China.

Zhou said that once the checkpoints are set up, they could be the largest on the Sino-Russian border and handle a projected annual passenger flow of more than 2 million.

The 335-square-kilometer island at the confluence of the Heilongjiang and Wusuli rivers, known as the Amur and Ussuri rivers in Russia, will play a vital role in boosting the local economy both as a road link and as a tourist destination.

The island, about one-third the size of Hong Kong, was the last border sticking point between China and Russia until the two countries agreed to each taking half of it.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said after border markers were unveiled on the island in 2008, "The experience of China and Russia in resolving border disputes left by historical factors proves that peaceful dialogue and fair and reasonable consultation on an equal basis are effective."

However, considerable speculation arose over the use of the islandranging from a tourist attraction to free trade zone to property developmentuntil President Xi Jinping visited it in May and made an appeal for environmental protection.

Viewing the island and the rivers from a pagoda, he said ecological protection should be the priority for the island, especially as infrastructure would need to be built to encourage more tourists to visit the area, Xinhua News Agency reported.

In a written statement to China Daily on July 26, the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic planning agency, outlined a three-pronged policy for the island's "protective development".

It called for it to be turned into a "model zone for China-Russia cooperation", while emphasizing ecological protection and moderate tourism growth for the island.

Zhou said that since Xi's visit, local strategies have shifted to focus on ecological infrastructure construction, such as roads on the island.

Tourists are being asked to leave their cars behind and to take electric carts to get around the island. It boasts the recently built pagoda, abandoned Russian barracks and wetland areas. Visitors can also see a Russian Orthodox church, patrol boats and more wetland on the Russian side.

To further ease environmental pressure on the island, a 6-square-km multipurpose complex is being built in Fuyuan, which is separated from the island by a river.

The 10-year project, costing more than 4 billion yuan ($601 million), will include service facilities for tourists to the island, a conference center and possibly a campus jointly run by Chinese and Russian universities.

Zhou, who is also the Party chief of the rural, pollution-free river town of Fuyuan, which has a population of less than 200,000, said more tourists using the land crossings could represent the "biggest opportunity" for local residents, who had incomes that averaged 20,993 yuan last year.

Fuyuan, which shares a border river with Russia to the north and east, is scores of kilometers from Khabarovsk, which has a population of about 600,000. In July, six vessels carrying more than 800 Chinese and Russian tourists and traders shuttled between Fuyuan and Khabarovsk each day.

A boat ride from Fuyuan to Khabarovsk takes 90 minutes, but a land drive would take just an hour. This could attract large numbers of Chinese and Russian tourists and revitalize local business that is usually halted in winter when rivers freeze, Zhou said.

Last year, 520,000 tourists visited Fuyuan and Heixiazi Island. This figure is expected to rise to 600,000 this year, according to local tourism officials.

While China has yet to reply to the Russian proposals on the crossings, Zhou is confident about the plan, saying, "It will only be a matter of time."

Qi Wenhai, a professor of China-Russia relations at Heilongjiang University, drawing on previous experience of local economic development in China, said a slower ecological approach to the island might be worthwhile if rapid growth means environmental sacrifices.

Qi said ecological tourism, green agriculture and full use of road and river ports with Russia were the right direction for the border area to take.

"My vision is for Fuyuan to become an international tourist resort," Zhou said.

Wang Yanfei contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at yuanzhou@chinadaily.com.cn
The provision of long-term care insurance will be different in China's rural areas compared with large cities.

That's because elderly country dwellers see their children, especially their sons, as not just the continuation of the family line, but also the economic and nursing backbone.

Fu Meiju is a perfect example of this tradition. The 91-year-old widow from Tulong, a small village in Chengmai county, China's southernmost Hainan province, has rheumatism and hypertension. She is unable to work, and lives with her grandson, Wang Caiqiang, her only means of support.

During World War II, Fu suffered physical and mental torture after being raped repeatedly over the course of a month as a "comfort woman", a sex slave for Japanese soldiers. Like many women in her situation, Fu found it difficult to conceive after her marriage at age 22, but she eventually managed to have a son and two daughters.

Her children are now adults and her husband, Wang He'an, died some years ago.

Fu was left alone after her daughters married and her son was electrocuted and died in 1991. Her daughter-in-law, who was four months' pregnant when her husband died, remarried the same year and had Wang Caiqiang, Fu's grandson.

Fu spent a lot of time caring for the boy, and Wang Caiqiang, who married in 2012 and is now a father of two, has cared for her for several years.

Wang Caiqiang makes a living by planting rubber and other cash crops, in addition to working several part-time jobs. In 2012, he built a new house in the village and invited Fu to move in with his family to escape from the shabby, leaky house in which she had lived for many years.

"My daughters grew up and married - they had their own families and parents-in-law to care for, so I had to rely on my son when I could no longer work. Now, I am lucky to have my grandson," Fu said.

Now a wheelchair user, Fu seldom leaves her bedroom, so Wang Caiqiang provides care and pays for her medical treatment.

"My grandmother has neither income nor an insurance policy, so I pay all the bills. I have my own family to support, so I can't give my grandmother a much better life. But I am her only grandson, the only person she can rely on, so I hope I can give her the best life possible, and I hope it is a long one," Wang Caiqiang said.
Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Attorneys should not make use of legal cases to violate laws, and would be penalized for that in any country, a leading China studies expert said on Friday.

"Lawyers who stir up social activism step outside the boundaries of their profession," said Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, adding that when these activities violate the country's laws, the law will punish them.

Zheng's comments come after Zhou Shifeng, a lawyer who formerly managed the Fengrui Law Firm in Beijing, was convicted on Thursday of subverting State power and sentenced to seven years in prison. Zhou pleaded guilty and told the court he would not appeal the ruling.

Tianjin No 2 Intermediate People's Court said in a statement that Zhou, 52, had long been influenced by anti-China forces and was plotting to overturn the country's political system, especially after 2011, when he met Hu Shigen, the leader of an illegal religious organization.

Zhou used his law firm as a platform to manipulate public opinion by encouraging like-minded attorneys and residents to protest about sensitive issues, the verdict said.

"Lawyers can take part in political activities, as they do in the United States and elsewhere, but they should not change law cases into political affairs, especially when those affairs violate the law," Zheng said.

These lawyers were not engaged in such activities for the sake of the country or society, Zheng said, but acted out of their private interests.

Zhou said his activities caught the attention of foreign powers.

"They've been actively wooing me, and want to use us to challenge court hearings and China's entire judicial system, making trouble for the Chinese government," he said, adding that these outside forces want to overturn the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

When foreign influences are behind the activities that attack a country's political and judicial system, causing chaos and social instability, no country would sit idly, Zheng said. "Singapore would not do so either."

Foreign media and governments have double standards in Zhou's case, Zheng said. They do not allow these kinds of activities to happen in their countries, but they support such efforts to try to overturn the rule of Communist Party of China.

Zheng warned those who want to change China's political system of the uncertainties of revolutionary change. "What will the consequence of such revolutions be? Look at what happened in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia."

What happened in those regions did not really represent people's interests, Zheng said, but indeed was against them.

A public trial was held in Zhou's case, which shows the country's progress in governance by the rule of law, he said.

Zheng also suggested that China should think about and improve the regulation of its judicial system.

"Some of China's regulations are too abstract, macroscopic and nonspecific," Zheng said. "China should have more education in its legal system about what it means by the rule of law."

In Singapore and Western countries, private associations of lawyers have detailed regulations to ban lawyers from taking illegal paths to achieve their goals.

Contact the writers at guokai@chinadaily.com.cn
A technician carries out a blood test for HIV virus at Jinan AIDS lab in East China's Shandong province in this file photo. [Photo/IC]

There's now hope at the end of the tunnel for patients with chronic viral infections, such as HIV and hepatitis B.

According to an article published online by Nature magazine, Chinese scientists have identified a unique subset of virus-specific CD8+ T cells playing a pivotal role in the control of viral replication during chronic infection.

Ye Lilin, a professor from the Third Military Medical University in Chongqing and a co-author of the article, said that the CD8+ T cells kill infected cells and secrete antiviral cytokines to effectively clear the virus in the acute infection.

During the chronic viral infection, the CD8+ T cells become exhausted, exhibiting poor effecter function and lose memory ability, Ye said, who is working under a national program launched in 2013. "The number of CD8+ T cells does not drop, but it seems like police stop fighting with criminals."

However, though the exhausted cells seem to lose the function of getting rid of the virus, scientists found that they still contain viral replication in chronic infections to keep the amount of virus at a low level.

Scientists discovered that a subset of exhausted CD8+ T cells expressing the chemokine receptor CXCR5 plays a critical role in the control of viral replication in mice that were chronically infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

Scientists called the subset as CXCR5+ CD8+ T cells that were preferentially localized in B-cell follicles, expressed lower levels of inhibitory receptors and exhibited more potent cytotoxicity.

Scientists identified the Id2/E2A axis as an important regulator for the generation of the CXCR5+ subset.

Currently, chemical drugs can only restrain the viral replication to some extent, but not clear the virus in treating patients of HIV, hepatitis B and cancers.

Ye said the new findings would allow researchers to find certain measures to improve and stabilize the function of CXCR5+ CD8+ T cells to clear the virus, offering possibility of curing these diseases.






Hanyuan county. [File photo]

Premier Li Keqiang once said that we'll be able to bring the Chinese economy up to a new level with the tail wind generated by the Internet Plus strategy. Now a county in old revolutionary base areas in Southwest China's Sichuan province has tasted the sweetness of Internet Plus, as farmers' lives are greatly improved by e-commerce.

Hanyuan County in Ya'an City, Sichuan, was recognized as an old revolutionary base area in 2010 by Sichuan provincial government. Most revolutionary base areas are scattered among mountainous areas with inconvenient transportation, lagging behind in economic and social development over the past decades.

Located along an altitude between 550 meters and 4,021 meters, the county enjoys 1,475.8 hours of sunlight and 741.8 millimeters of rainfall per year on average. The unique geographic and sunlight resources contribute to many premium agricultural products, such as cherry, apple and Sichuan pepper.

As nearly 90 percent of Hanyuan's population engages in agriculture, the county government has decided to take agriculture development as their key work. The county now has cherry bases, apple bases, Sichuan pepper bases and other vegetable bases, covering 44,000 hectares.

The one fatal disadvantage of relying on agricultural products is that farmers will lose big when there are few distribution channels and agricultural products go rotten in the field.

Previously, farmers had no other way but to wait for wholesalers to come and purchase their goods or go to a nearby market to sell. As e-commerce booms in China, local people and government see opportunities.

Wang Shibing, who worked in Tianjin, went back to his hometown in Hanyuan in 2013. He set up a cooperative, purchasing fruits from farmers and selling them online. Farmers in the cooperative are required not to use potentially harmful pesticides. All cherries are shipped by air the same day they are picked. Every single fruit is larger in diameter than a one yuan coin.

This past spring, he sold 15 tons of cherries online and 10 tons offline in 20 days. Fifty farmers in the cooperative with him earn 20% more on average, year-on-year. All cherries in their orchards are sold.

According to farmer Jiang Li, her cherries sell at 80 yuan (about $12) per kilogram online, while they only sell for 50 yuan per kilogram wholesale.
Shanghai police has started using road cameras to record drivers who use mobile phones while driving and has begun issuing tickets to them, The Beijing News reported.

More than 30 drivers have been fined 200 yuan ($30) each and two points from their driving license have been deducted for their dangerous behavior in one week in late July.

A traffic police officer in Shanghai's Songjiang district said that road cameras have been recently upgraded to take instantaneous photos of the driver and vehicle. Officers will verify the violation on the e-police platform and offenders will be issued a fine with the photos acting as proof.

"Traffic incidents have increased a lot as some drivers lack self-discipline in using mobile phones," a Beijing traffic police officer said, adding that on the first day of the Tomb-sweeping Festival holiday this year, about half of the accidents can be blamed on drivers using mobile phone while driving.

Such dangerous driving habit has also caught the attention of political advisors.

During this year's two sessions, Zhou Hongyu, deputy to the National People's Congress and vice-chairman of the Hubei provincial legislature, along with 29 other deputies, suggested an increase in punishment on rule-breakers.

Their plan proposed raising the fine from "200 to 2,000 yuan and deducting six points from license for talking on the phone or watching TV while driving". They also said that the violators should be detained and charged with "dangerous driving".
A recent report showed that smaller cities from the Chinese mainland are sending more tourists to overseas tourism destinations. And they have spent even more than those from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

China Tourism Academy and Ctrip, one of China's leading online service providers, jointly released the outbound tourism report for the first half year of 2016 on Monday.

From January to June, more than 59 million visits were paid by Chinese mainland tourists to overseas tourism destinations, an increase of 4.3 percent year-on-year. It meant that the number of Chinese outbound tourists equals the entire Italian population.

Among mainland outbound travelers, visits paid by those from smaller cities grew at a rapid rate, including Changsha of Hunan province, Shenzhen of Guangdong province, Chongqing, Chengdu of Sichuan province, Wuhan of Hubei province, Kunming of Yunnan province, Fuzhou of Fujian province, Xi'an of Shaanxi province, Nanjing of Jiangsu province and Hangzhou of Zhejiang province.

And they've been spending big during their overseas trips. On the top list of tourism expenditure, Suzhou from Jiangsu province ranked the top. The average expenditure of Suzhou's outbound tourists reached 6,125 yuan.

Wenzhou of Zhejiang and Kunming of Yunnan province came next.

Beijing ranked only 8th on the top 10 list with average spending reaching 5,568 yuan.

The report said that despite the fact that Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou still have the majority of outbound travelers, new emerging smaller cities are contributing more to the booming outbound tourism industry.

"China has became the largest source country of many countries' inbound tourism market, such as Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Russia and the United Kingdom," said the report. "However, those have passport only account less than five percent of China's total population. The outbound tourism industry in China still has a lot of space of further development."
China will open a laboratory in Hainan province in November that will focus on the use of marine resources in the South China Sea, a provincial official said.

The State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in the South China Sea, initiated by the Hainan Science and Technology Department and Hainan University, must finish recruitment for the research team before operations officially begin, said Shi Yiyun, head of the department.

The laboratory will study how to use marine bio-resources, new materials and marine mineral resources as well as how to resourcefully use marine information, Shi told China Daily.

It will also focus on the use of marine organisms for medical purposes and ways to protect the marine ecology, he said.

With the help of the laboratory, China will make better use of marine resources in the South China Sea and cultivate more marine talent, he added.

Li Jianbao, head the laboratory and also president of Hainan University, said that the facility will be built into a key national laboratory to provide support in both technology and talent for China's South China Sea strategy.

"There will be around 40 researchers in the laboratory, but we are going to select 24 first from relative areas within the university, and introduce talent from home and abroad later," said Chen Yongjun, deputy director of the laboratory.

The laboratory, with a planned five-year operation, will receive 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) annually from Hainan's provincial government for construction, daily operations, research projects and talent recruitment.

"The laboratory will be application-oriented, which fits the nation's strategies for the Belt and Road Initiative and the South China Sea, and it surely will play an important role in using the marine resources of the South China Sea," said Huang Bangqin, a professor of marine biology at Xiamen University's Environment and Ecology College.

Huang said the laboratory will also have a positive effect on China's exercising sovereignty rights in the South China Sea.

"Because only when we know better about the South China Sea can we better safeguard our nation's rights," he said.

An Baijie contributed to this story.

liuxiaoli@chinadaily.com.cn
A bus and a storefront are heavily damaged after the vehicle rolled downhill on Monday in Macao. [Photo/Xinhua]

Thirty tourists from the Chinese mainland were injured on Monday when a tour bus crashed into a building in Macao, authorities in the special administrative region said.

Officials from the fire department that conducted the rescue said three of the injured were in serious condition. All were taken to a hospital.

The handbrake is thought to have failed after the bus stopped on a slope, the Macao Public Security Police Force said, and the vehicle rolled downhill, crashing into a clinic next to the road.

The driver was not in the bus.

The injured passengers were from a tourist group organized in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, who had arrived in Macao at about 9 am on Monday and planned to leave in the afternoon.

The driver, a resident of Macao, has seven to eight years of experience in driving and passed a sobriety test, media in Macao reported.

The accident is being investigated.

Chinese mainland tourists made 20.4 million trips to Macao last year, accounting for two-thirds of tourist visits to the special administrative region last year, according to the regional government.
The Soubre dam is scheduled to be completed in 2017, a year earlier than expeCoted. Provided to China Daily

To meet mounting domestic and external demand, Cote d'Ivoire plans to tap offshore hydrocarbon wealth

Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone have all been immersed in bloody civil conflicts over the past two decades, but only one has fully emerged from the trenches.

While economic and political chaos defines its neighbors, Cote d'Ivoire has become a regional beacon of power, quite literally. The country now plans to sell surplus electricity generated by its surging energy sector to seven power-starved nations in Western Africa.

Liberia and Sierra Leone, along with Guinea, are only the latest nations to be invited to tap into the Ivorian powerhouse, which already provides electricity to Ghana, Mali, Togo and Burkina Faso.

This new extension of 83 megawatts through the West African Power Pool, the sub-region's electricity community, is nonetheless bold considering Cote d'Ivoire's high rate of sustained economic growth, which the World Bank projeCoted will exceed 8 percent over the coming years, promising to add mounting pressure from domestic demand.

But Ivorians are not short on ambition.

"Cote d'Ivoire wants to guarantee self-sufficiency to meet growing needs, with excess production then continuing to be exported to neighboring countries," said Ibrahima Diaby, managing director of State energy investment company Petroci.

The country was producing 1,400 megawatts when the recent economic boom started, and at the peak so far in 2016 power capacity has reached 2,000 megawatts.

The government is now planning to double that supply to 4,000 megawatts by 2020 to maintain electricity exports in line with the anticipated needs of new businesses.

Over the coming years, it's expeCoted that Ivorian industry will expand substantially, especially in the manufacturing and food processing sectors, and this will increase demand for electricity.

The challenge is to adequately increase generation across diversified sources to meet both local and external needs.

About 67 percent of Cote d'Ivoire's power supply is fed by three thermal power plants, suggesting there is room for growth in hydrocarbons.

Luckily for Cote d'Ivoire, it has ample reserves to work with. According to Petroci, the country has reserves of up to 1 billion barrels of oil and 34 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, mostly located in large offshore basins in the Gulf of Guinea.

"Tapping these reserves, by 2020 Petroci aims to quadruple oil production from 50,000 barrels a day to 200,000, and double natural gas production from 250 million cubic feet (7 million cubic meters) a day to 500 million," Diaby said.

This increase in production will create more downstream industries, he said. "We have the ambition to create an oil products hub, a sort of African Rotterdam."

To realize this ambition, Petroci has draw up big-ticket projects, including the extension the Abidjan-Bouake pipeline and the installation of a floating storage and re-gasification unit, which would allow for the regasification of up to 46 million cubic meters per day.

"These projects are expensive, so we have created a data room to showcase them to potential investors," Diaby said.

Exploitation of the country's rushing rivers also has a future in Cote d'Ivoire. Hydro-generated electricity already accounts for over one-third of the energy mix, and provides a cheap source of electricity.

Today, the Soubre hydroelectric dam is the poster child of Cote d'Ivoire's hydro ambitions. The project lay dormant for four decades, but when it comes on stream in 2017, a year earlier than expeCoted, it will become the country's largest hydropower facility, providing 250 megawatts of electricity.

"Given projeCoted demand, the dam will help us reach our target of 10 percent annual growth in electricity production," said Amidou Traore, director-general of CI-Energies, a State-run company in charge of production and distribution of electricity, and the key local player in the dam.

Yet, while the dam is dwarfed by larger hydropower facilities in the region, namely in Ghana, it sets a precedent for future engagement with the dam's main contractor, China's Sinohydro, the world's largest hydropower construction company. Beijing-based Exim Bank is backing 85 percent of the project, valued at 4.3 billion yuan ($529 million).

"The Soubre dam is largely thanks to Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara having actively encouraged a strong relationship with China," said Adama Toungara, minister for oil and energy. "The success of this project has led to discussions with Sinohydro regarding three other dams downstream from Soubre."

These proposed hydropower plants would generate a further 500 megawatts. Talks have also included plans for investing in gas turbines, coal-fired facilities, solar plants and biomass sources.

Cote d'Ivoire is an unlikely energy broker. Only 26 percent of Ivorians have access to electricity, compared to 74 percent of Ghanaians, according to data from the United States Agency for International Development.

But most unpowered Ivorians reside deep in rainforests, and the government is now working to connect them to the country's grid.

"Through the Electricity for All program, we hope to supply electricity to every village with 500 people or more by 2017," said Toungara.

Again, Chinese finance is involved, and has been since 2011 when the program began, providing almost all of the allotted investment of 6.83 billion yuan.

It is the kind of support that will ensure Cote d'Ivoire remains a dependable supplier of electricity.

justin@the-businessreport.com

(China Daily 08/08/2016 page27)
Katinka Hosszu filled a glaring gap in her resume on Saturday by making her first Olympic medal a gold - and with a stunning world record to boot.

The Hungarian shattered the world record in the 400m individual medley, seizing control from the start and winning in 4 min 26.36 sec.

She eclipsed the previous record of 4:28.43 set by China's Ye Shiwen en route to gold in London four years ago, when Hosszu was relegated to fourth.
Chile hopes China will soon become the No. 1 destination for its food exports, Chilean Agriculture Minister Carlos Furche said Friday.

"We already have a complete free trade zone and in terms of food and forest products, the FTA has had extraordinary results," said Furche two weeks ahead of a major food product promotion event in China.

When the free trade agreement (FTA) was signed in 2005, Chilean exports of forest and agricultural products to China were worth 400 million U.S. dollars and, in 2015, this figure rose to 2.4 billion dollars.

"What is going to happen is that, in the next decade, China will become the first destination for Chilean food exports, a position that the United States currently occupies," said Furche.

Cherries, grapes, pork and wine are among the main Chilean food exports to China while China exports textiles, shoes, and furniture to Chile.
Zhang Yimou (center) with the cast members of The Great Wall at a Beijing event in 2015. The star-studded cast includes (from left) Andy Lau, Matt Damon, Jing Tian and Pedro Pascal. CFP

Whether the casting is historically accurate or racially blind, Hollywood screen choices will be dictated more by market forces.

The release of a trailer for the upcoming Zhang Yimou film, The Great Wall, has whipped up a storm that centers on its casting choice for the lead role. The trailer opens with Matt Damon and, even though it squeezes in many of the big stars in its lineup, the Hollywood actor remains the marquee name.

Of the immediate reaction, some in China felt slighted that a big Chinese film would have an American as the male lead. Actually, this is more of an American film that hired a Chinese director and set the story in China.

But the Chinese response was obviously less about the film, which nobody has seen, than about the sentiments left over from the recent South China Sea arbitration.

Across the Pacific Ocean, Asian-Americans also protested over this casting choice. I can totally understand why they have reacted so strongly because they are fighting for job opportunities.

A similar controversy erupted in the 1990s when the mega-musical Miss Saigon moved from London to New York. Asian-American artists felt they were shortchanged when the male lead, a Eurasian role, was given to a Caucasian actor.

The level of racial sensitivity varies from country to country when it comes to screen or stage casting, and it varies from era to era.

On the Chinese screen, Han Chinese have played Tibetan roles all the time, and in recent years as more Tibetan talents have emerged they have also taken roles that are 100 percent Han. There is no political innuendo whatsoever. It is usually the style of the film that determines whether casting should be racially authentic.

On the Chinese stage, we have always resorted to the practice of "white face"Chinese actors putting on a fake big nose and other makeup to pretend to be Caucasians. Chinese dancers also paint their skins black to perform African dances. There is no mockery or caricature involved. And that's why most Chinese would not bat an eye when they hear Asian-Americans protesting "yellow face" (white actors playing Asian roles).
The 2016 Cancer Chemo-prevention Forum was recently held in Beijing.

Organized by Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the forum focused on the development of cancer chemo-prevention in China.

Chemo-prevention uses cancer preventative substances that are either natural, are taken from a living source, or developed in a laboratory, to prevent the disease from developing.

China has witnessed rise in cases of cancer and death caused due to it in the past four decades. As many as 3.09 million Chinese were found suffering from cancer, while 1.96 million died, the 2013 Cancer Registry Annual Report states. The report was released by the National Central Cancer Registry, an agency under the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

Top oncologists and cancer chemo-prevention scientists from home and abroad, including renowned academician Chung S Yang, John L Colaizzi and Ernest Mario among others attended the forum.

Related:

Brains of overweight people "10 years older" than those of slim peers
Cloud computing boom in Inner Mongolia

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2016-08-05

Cloud computing park under construction by Huawei Technologies Co, in Ulanchap. [nmg.xinhuanet.com]

When China Telecom's Inner Mongolia branch hosted a promotion fair on cloud computing in the city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on June 16, it attracted more than 36 Internet service exhibitors and did 16.2-million-yuan worth of trade.

One of the Inner Mongolia's economy and information committee members, in commenting on the activity, said, "The Inner Mongolia branch of China Telecom has also opened promotion fairs in Guangzhou and Baotou this year and, in all, attracted 267 clients, with 21 of them signing contracts worth 100 million yuan in all."

The region's cloud computing boom is the result of its industrial park infrastructure, including low power costs of only 0.26 yuan per kilowatt-hour, and supportive government policies, according to the regional head of Internet coordination, Liu Jixi.

China Telecom established its first cloud computing base in Inner Mongolia in the city of Hohhot, in June 2013, which is now supported by two cloud computing parks, and Hohhot has put 10 billion yuan into a huge database with more than 600,000 servicers.

Other cities in the region, such as Baotou, Ordos, Ulanchap, Chifeng, and Hulunbeir also have built cloud computing bases and, according to the committee member, total spending on databases is expected to reach more than 100 billion yuan and more than three million servicers, by 2020, meaning the region's dream of having national bases will come true.
The Olympic flame burns in Maracana Stadium during the opening ceremony at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug 5, 2016. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]

Congratulations, and many thanks to Rio de Janeiro, for the innovatively choreographed and beautifully executed opening ceremony for the Olympic Games, which was mesmerizing, inspiring, and thoroughly entertaining.

From supermodel Gisele Bundchen's elegant walk across the stadium floor and the first-ever refugee team to the all-green Olympic rings and the Samba, there was indeed plenty to enjoy and remember.

What amazed us even more is the way Rio has achieved it, and in such a graceful manner, when so many thought it was impossible.

The Rio Games could not have come at a worse time for Brazil, under the triple pressures of an economic recession, the like of which the country has not seen in decades, a domestic political crisis and the Zika threat.

The prospect of Rio hosting a decent Olympics once seemed so bleak that some even suspected the International Olympic Committee had made a bad choice awarding the city the 2016 Summer Games.

With Beijing and London setting a high bar for opening ceremony theatricality, few had anticipated anything this impressive from Rio. After all, opening ceremonies are increasingly costly these days with host countries competing to invest in effects they deem commensurate with the self-image they intend to project.

Rio, on the other hand, had a budget that was reportedly 12 times less than London's and 20 times less than Beijing's. It was operating on a comparative shoestring.

But the show they presented was nothing short of spectacular. Which prompted one Chinese commentator to gasp in admiration, "Who needs money when you have a conscience?"

Money does matter when it comes to hosting an international sporting event like the Olympic Games. But Rio offered a loud reminder that money is not everything, and conscience and creativity can go a long way.

Besides visuals that were hardly less fabulous than what we saw in Beijing and London, and the strong message about climate change, this aspect of the opening ceremony challenges future hosts and the Olympic community to rethink the way the world's largest sporting gala is handled.

We particularly admire the organizers' idea that it was unnecessary to spend large sums of money on the opening ceremony, when such undertakings as education and public health in Brazil are crying out for funds.

Like the "Avatar-like allegiance" to the environment demonstrated in the opening ceremony, this is a poignant Brazilian statement on conscience and social responsibility we sincerely wish will reach the hearts of all future Olympic hosts. Including those in Beijing, who are preparing for the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics.
Zhou Shifeng was sentenced to seven years in prison on Thursday after being found guilty of subverting State power.[Photo/Xinhua]

The government in Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong province has decided to introduce more lawyers to work with its urban management officers. About 80 percent of its urban management divisions are expected to have a lawyer by the end of this year. Beijing News commented on Sunday:

That Shenzhen's urban management authorities plan to assign lawyers to help with law enforcement is a result of the successful promotion of the cooperative mechanism since 2014. The law enforcement by the city's urban patrol officers, or chengguan, has been met with fewer complaints and become more civilized during the past two years, thanks to the legal assistance offered by the lawyers, who explain to residents how they have violated the law and the due punishments they should receive for doing so and the legal consequences if they do not.

Of course, they cannot exercise the right of law enforcement, but the service they provide to Shenzhen's urban management authorities, has played a positive role in local governance. Their participation is strictly confined to legal advice and evidence collection, thus does not overstep the boundaries of their profession.

In fact, the hiring of lawyers to assist with urban management is in line with the ongoing administrative reform, which advocates legal consultants being involved in governance.

The move by Shenzhen's urban management bureau is to be welcomed, and the practice, if successfully implemented in all districts of the city, should be promoted nationwide accordingly.
LI MIN/CHINA DAILY

Ever since Donald Trump declared himself as a Republican presidential candidate, he has been subjected to fierce, even vitriolic critique. He has been seen as a misogynist, isolationist, xenophobic, anti-Muslim and a neophyte in understanding the complexities of economics. And yet he has beaten the odds to become the Republican presidential nominee. We may not like him, but we cannot escape asking ourselves: How did he do it?

To find the answer, we should examine the roots of his popularity without evaluating which part of his still-evolving farrago is fact or myth. I will specifically examine his views on foreign policy, international trade and internal security and argue Trump has ingeniously targeted two major American segments that will matter in the elections.

In his seminal foreign policy speech of April 27, Trump claimed the United States no longer had a clear understanding of its policy goals. The US has gone from committing mistakes in Iraq to Egypt to Libya, to President Barack Obama's line in the sand in Syria. Israel has been snubbed. Iran was allowed to cut a favorable deal. And the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has become more aggressive. All this has allowed the US' allies to perceive its weakness and thus not pay their dues.

In international trade, Trump has threatened a 35 percent tariff on goods imported from Mexico and a 45 percent tariff on imports from China. Whether or not these threats will (or can) be actualized, given the extraordinary cost of these measures that will be borne by the US economy, is irrelevant for now. We need to understand why the above pronouncements appeal to the American electorate.
ISLAMABAD - At least 40 people were killed and 50 others injured when a bomb went off inside the emergency ward of a hospital in Pakistan's southwest Quetta city on Monday morning, local Urdu media and officials said.

Sanaullah Zehri, Chief Minister Balochistan with Quetta as capital city, said that the blast happened when a large number of lawyers and journalists were gathering in the Civil Hospital to collect body of a local law association chairman.

He said that most of the injured people included lawyers while the dead also included lawyers and two journalists.

He said that militancy has seeped into the province like cancer and the terrorists are getting foreign funding to deteriorate law and order situation in the province.

Three-day mourning was announced in the province.

Express News said that 40 people were killed and 50 others injured in the blast that was apparently carried out by a suicide bomber.

Bomb disposal squad said that eight to 10 kg of explosives were used in the blast.

The squad said that they have found limbs from the blast site, which might be of the bomber, but more investigations are being made to further confirm the nature of the explosion.
ISLAMABAD - At least 30 people were killed and 50 others injured when a blast hit a hospital in Pakistan's southwest Quetta city on Monday morning, local Urdu media reported.

Dunya News said that the blast happened at about 9:50 am local time when people were gathering to collect the body of a local law association chairman in the civil hospital of Quetta, the capital city of the country's southwest Balochistan province.

Hospital sources said that the killed people included two journalists including a local TV channel's cameraman while the injured included journalists, lawyers and hospital staff.

The slain lawyer Bilal Kasi was on his way to office when some unknown gunmen opened fire on his car in Manno Jan Road of Quetta.

The gunmen fled the scene after the attack.

Provincial health minister Rahmat Baloch said that the death toll is feared to rise further as 20 among the injured people are said to be in critical condition.

He said that the lawyers, who were gathering in the hospital to protest against the killing of their slain president, were target of the explosion.

Baloch said that some of the injured have been shifted to Bolan Hospital Quetta as the Civil Hospital ran out of beds and other services to accommodate the victims.

He said that a state of emergency has been declared in all hospital of the city to ensure the best possible medical treatment to the injured people.

Bomb disposal squad said that the blast might be carried out by a suicide bomber as they have found limbs from the blast site, but more investigations are being made to confirm the nature of the explosion.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

A heavy contingent of police and paramilitary troops rushed to the site and cordoned it off for investigations.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast and vowed to root out militancy from the country.

Chief Minister Balochistan Sanaullah Zehri condemned the blast and sought report from the concerned authorities.

Following the attack, the lawyers in the province boycotted court procedures.

The explosion caused a chain reaction from the circles of lawyers from the country.

Lawyers in Balochistan and the country's southern port city of Karachi boycotted court proceedings.

The Pakistan Bar Association condemned the attack and announced a three-day mourning.
ISLAMABAD - At least 93 people were killed and 56 others injured in a suicide blast inside the emergency ward of a hospital in Pakistan's southwest Quetta city on Monday morning, local media and officials said.

Local Urdu TV channel ARY News said the dead included 25 lawyers and two journalists while there was a large number of lawyers and some journalists in over 50 injured people who have been shifted to various hospitals in Quetta, the capital city of the country's southwest Balochistan province.

Rehmat Baloch, the health minister of Balochistan, confirmed the suicide blast left 93 people killed and scores others injured.

He said a state of emergency has been declared in all hospitals of the city to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.

A bomb disposal squad said the blast was carried out by a suicide bomber who was hiding an estimated eight to 10 kg of explosive materials in his vest.

The squad said they have found limbs of the bomber, which will be sifted for lab test to help further investigations.

Sanaullah Zehri, Chief Minister Balochistan, said the blast happened when a large number of lawyers and journalists were gathering in the Civil Hospital Quetta to collect body of the president of Balochistan Bar Association who was killed in a separate attack.
Gone are the days when China allowed pretty much any foreigner to work in China, with or without the proper visa. Foreigners may be employed in China only if all of the following conditions are met:

The candidate is in good health and over the age of 18; The candidate possesses the skills and work experience required for the job; The candidate has no criminal record; The candidate has a specified employer; The candidate holds a valid passport or any other valid travel document in lieu of passport.

Where we often see foreign companies get into trouble is when they fail to meet applicable local requirements. Like pretty much everything related to employment law in China, the rules for hiring foreigners varies by locale. See China Employment Law: Local and Not So Simple. For example, some municipalities impose an upper limit on the candidates age. Beijing, for instance, requires the candidate be less than 60 years old (subject to certain exceptions). Some cities, such as both Shanghai and Beijing, require that foreign candidates have a certain number of years of work experience relevant to the job they will be taking in China.

China companies seeking to legally employ a foreigner generally need to complete the following steps. First, you will need to obtain an employment license with the local labor authorities for the foreign employee and then you will need to apply to the relevant foreign affairs office for a work visa invitation confirmation letter. The employee will then need to take that letter and apply for a work visa at the Chinese embassy in his or her home country. Upon arrival in China, the foreign employee needs to obtain (1) an alien employment permit from the relevant labor bureau and (2) an alien residence permit from the relevant public security department. Note that these permits need to be updated periodically.

A couple of cities recently promulgated new policies to encourage talented foreign citizens to establish permanent residence in China and to streamline the application and renewal process. Beijing issued new policies to attract senior level foreign talents, foreign nationals of Chinese ethnicity returning to China after studying abroad, foreign students, and foreign members of entrepreneur teams. This new program is starting in the Zhongguancun area  a technology hub in Beijing known as Chinas Silicon Valley. Among other things, the new policies for the first time permit foreign students to do short-term internships in Zhongguancun and allow foreign students enrolled in universities in Beijing to start their own businesses. Certain foreign talents, such as those who are members of an entrepreneur team in Zhongguancun, will be able to obtain long-term residence permits and entry visas.

Now back to the old rules. Under the old rules (which are still the rules virtually everywhere in China) require China employers to have written employment contracts with their foreign employees and no matter how many foreign elements in that contract, it still must comply with national and local labor laws and requirements. Note that expat compensation packages with the parent company outside China will almost never be deemed a compliant employment contract for Chinas labor law purposes. Foreign employees in China are generally entitled to the same benefits and protection as Chinese employees, including vacation and rest time and overtime pay.

I will write more about foreign employees benefits in a future post.
(Photo : CNSA) China's Yutu lunar rover as seen from Chang'e-3

Advertisement

China's "Yutu" (Jade Rabbit) lunar rover has been officially declared "dead" after 31 months on the surface of the Moon.



At the time of its death, Yutu held the record as longest operating rover on the Moon. China's first Moon rover reached this milestone in October 2015. The demise of the rover was announced by the State Administration for Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense.



Like Us on Facebook

Advertisement

The agency said Yutu was declared a derelict on July 31 after a total of 31 months, well beyond its original expected lifespan of only three months.



Yutu was a star in Chinese social media since its landing on the Moon. Its last post on Weibo received over 100,000 shares, likes and comments, said the Chinese Academy of Sciences.



While it remained alive, Yutu sent back data that helped Chinese scientists write more than a hundred scientific papers and deepened their understanding of lunar geology. The data also revealed a type of Moon rock undiscovered by the U.S. and Soviet missions.



Yutu could have done more if I were able to move. A major glitch soon after it landed triggered by plunging temperatures during the two week-long lunar night caused Yutu to stop a short distance from Chang'e-3.



It hasn't moved from that spot since. Despite being immobilized, the rover's instruments (including a telescope) kept on working.



The glitch was so severe its controllers at the China National Space Administration declared Yutu dead in February 2014, two months after it first rolled onto the lunar regolith at the Mare Imbrium. The rover came back online a few weeks later, however, but was unable to move.



Chang'e-3 landed 786 kilometers from Apollo 15, the first manned lunar mission to use the "Moon Buggy."



The Chang'e 3 lunar mission was launched Dec. 1, 2013 and reached the Moon's surface on Dec. 14. The mission was the first soft landing on the Moon since 1976 and the first rover to operate since the Soviet Union's Lunokhod 2 ceased operations on May 11, 1973.



Advertisement

TagsYutu, jade rabbit, moon, Chang'e-3
(Photo : Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) A girl walks with a cow by the symbol of the 2013 Zhangjiajie International Country Music Week on Sept. 1, 2013 in Zhangjiajie, China. Zhangjiajie is located in the northwest of Hunan province, about 400 kilometers from Changsha, the capital of Hunan province.

Advertisement

A new report has revealed that Brazil is now the biggest supplier of beef imports to China.



This means that the South American country has already surpassed Australia in terms of the volume of cow meat that it sends to the Asian country.



As reported by China Daily, the expanding middle class has been a major factor in the increasing demand for protein, including the red meat.



Like Us on Facebook

Advertisement

With this scenario, companies like JBS SA, Minerva SA and Marfrig Global Foods SA have been benefitting, especially that China has already ended in May 2017 its three-year-old Brazilian beef imports embargo.



"China will have a major impact on the beef trade," Miguel Gularte, head of JBS's Mercosul beef unit, revealed.



Considering the fact that the Asian giant has "hundreds of millions of people moving to consume red meat," it will be a "fantastic market for Brazil."



Based on the estimates released by the United States Department of Agriculture, China's beef imports this year is expected to take a leap of 22 percent to 1.23 million tons. This figure already includes the purchases of Hong Kong.



Meanwhile, Antonio Camardelli, head of Brazil's beef industry group, Abiec, disclosed that "China is emerging as the first alternative to Europe for Brazil's premium beef."



"There's still a lot of room to increase exports of gourmet beef to China," Camardelli added.



Back in July, Agriland.ie reported that China's beef and veal imports have been steadily increasing.



Of the country's total importation of the said red meat, Brazilian beef accounted for more than 30% of all Chinese imports in the six-month period, data from AHDB, the body for English beef and lamb, stated.







Advertisement

Tagschina, China Beef Imports, china brazil
(Photo : TASS) Russian T-72 maneuvers at the Interational Army Games 2015.

Advertisement

China has taken second place at the halfway mark of the ongoing 2016 International Army Games in Russia and can win the competition with a victory in the tank biathlon that will see some of its best tank crews manning China's best tank, the Type-96B Main Battle Tank, in action against Russia's best.



Like Us on Facebook

Advertisement

"According to the preliminary results, the Russian team, which is involved in different contests, is first. The team of the People's Liberation Army of China is second, and Kazakhstan's team is third. All the competitions have begun, and the contest is hot," said the competition's chief referee Dmitry Gorbatenko on Aug. 6.



The Chinese team consisting of soldiers from the People's Liberation Army Ground Forces took all the top three places in all the men's team competitions held so far. China also took first and second places in the women's teams. The country is participating in 22 competitions.



Among the men, China took three first places in the dog handlers' contest and first place in the Military Medical Relay Race. China has also taken the first and second places in the Medical Relay Race.



The International Army Games are being held from July 30 to August 13 at 20 training grounds of the Russian Army at the Western, Southern and Central military districts from Siberia to Kaliningrad in the west and from St. Petersburg to Sevastopol in Crimea.



Some 20 Chinese military vehicles consisting of five Type-96Bs, armored personnel carriers and assault boats are now in Russia to participate in the Army Games. This is the first time the Type-96B has been seen in public outside of China.



The Type-96Bs will do battle in the Masters of Automobile and Tank Hardware competition, also called the "Tank Biathlon," where teams of tanks will rush through a tough obstacle course. The team wih the highest score wins. The Type-96B will compete against Russia's T-72 MBT.



China also joined the war games held in 2014 and 2015. The latter drew 2,000 participants from 17 countries grouped into 57 teams.



In 2014, China won third place with its Type-96A and second place in 2015, also with the Type-96A. China is confident it will win first place this year with the much improved Type-96B.



Advertisement

Tagschina, 2016 International Army Games, Russia, Type-96B Main Battle Tank
(Photo : Getty Images) South Korean president Park Geun-hye has blasted Beijing for its "out-of-place" criticisms about the deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system.

Advertisement

The South Korean government has slammed China's criticisms of its decision to host the US' Terminal High Altitude Area Defense ( THAAD) anti-missile unit, challenging Beijing to instead adopt a pro-active role in dealing with Pyongyang's nuclear missile tests in the peninsula.



South Korean President Park Geun-hye's statement further heightened diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Seoul. China has sharply criticized South Korea's latest moves in the peninsula.



Like Us on Facebook

Advertisement

Park said in a statement that China's criticisms are "out of place" and that Beijing is not in a position to blame Seoul for heightening tensions in the region.



US help



South Korea has sought the help of the US to deploy the THAAD anti-missile system on its soil to counter North Korea's nuclear missile tests.



"Rather than taking issue with our purely defensive action, China should raise issue in a stronger manner with North Korea which is breaking peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and Northeast by conducting four nuclear tests and, just this year, launching more than 10 ballistic missiles," Park said.



Beijing has slammed South Korea's decision to deploy the THAAD anti-missile system, pointing out that the advanced weapon could further create security threats in the peninsula and might compromise China's security.



Talks



Washington and Seoul held talks on the deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system to South Korea in January following Pyongyang's fifth nuclear test and its launch of a long-range rocket despite recent United Nations sanctions imposed on the belligerent country.



Seoul has assured Beijing that the missile system would not target the mainland and that it would only be used to counter threats from North Korea. Nonetheless, China remains concerned about the move.



Chinese-run newspaper China's People's Daily published an editorial last week lambasting Park for seeking support from the US by deploying the THAAD anti-missile system.



"It is impossible for South Korea's leader not to know America's strategic plot. She is well aware of the real direction of the THAAD anti-missile system," the editorial read.



Advertisement

TagsTHAAD, South Korea, missile tests, North Korea, Korean peninsula, china
(Photo : NASA) Martian taxi: NASA's Orion spacecraft.

Advertisement

NASA is in danger of not landing humans on Mars by its 2035 timetable because it remains woefully underfunded and is beset by management issues blocking the pathway of how to get to the Red Planet.



It looks like Elon Musk's SpaceX now stands the best chance of landing the first humans on Mars. SpaceX plans to do just that by 2025 -- but with NASA's technical assistance.



Like Us on Facebook

Advertisement

In a scathing report, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) declared NASA most probably won't complete its Space Launch System (SLS) that will take humans to Mars or the Orion crew capsule astronauts will ride in to land on Mars on time or on budget.



"Ideally, if these programs go forward, NASA would be taking actions to reduce the risks we see now, which are being caused by management issues," said GAO audit leader Cristina Chaplain.



"They're going to face the technical issues no matter what. But they're exacerbating them with management concerns, like not having accurate cost estimates."



GAO said if SLS and Orion go forward, NASA should be taking actions to reduce current risks caused by management issues. It also noted NASA is going to face the technical issues no matter what.



"But they're exacerbating them with management concerns, like not having accurate cost estimates."



GAO doubts NASA can stick to its mission schedule that will see a second SLS launch in Sept., 2018; a follow-up test launch that will include both the SLS and Orion and, eventually, a manned mission that will send astronauts to orbit the Moon in 2023.



The next step is the controversial Asteroid Redirect Mission where NASA will use a robot spacecraft to capture a near-Earth asteroid and deposit it into lunar orbit. The manned Mars landing is supposed to follow but this depends on whether the SLS and Orion will be ready by that time.



It says this probably won't happen because the Mars space program is underfunded. Worse, the main problem is that NASA doesn't have a clear long-term goal for its human spaceflight program.



Advertisement

TagsNASA, Government Accountability Office, Mars, Space Launch System, Orion crew capsule
SURPRISING: Christianity gains 1 point in Britain, while 'nones' fall 08 August, 2016 by Gregory Tomlin , |

LONDON (Christian Examiner)  This year's British Social Attitudes (BSA) Survey has yielded a surprising result  Christianity has gained slightly, halting decades of decline, the UK's Telegraph has reported.

According to the paper, which has had an advanced look at the unpublished survey's findings, the BSA shows decades of decline in Christianity slowing, or "leveling off" as the paper suggests.

The one percent uptick in the number of people claiming to be Christian (from 42 to 43 percent) corresponds with the one percent of people no longer listing themselves as "nones," or British citizens not officially connected with any church or religious denomination.

"Nones" fell from 49 to 48 percent, according to the paper.

While the one percent change in both categories is "too small to be regarded as statistically significant in themselves," it leaves researchers wondering if a turnaround could be in the future or if the change is a momentary pause in an otherwise irreversible decline.

However, there is evidence that a growing number of British adults are reconnecting with their faith. The number of adults who described themselves as non-believers fell by 3 percentage points.

And while adhering to any religion is still not popular with young adults (62 percent described themselves as non-believers), researchers say that figure is significant. In the prior year, 65 percent described themselves as non-believers.

The total number of people who describe themselves as having "no religion" has fallen now below 51 percent, where it was seven years ago. The number of British citizens describing themselves as Christians is now on par with where it was seven years ago, as well.

Ian Simpson, senior Rresearcher at NatCen Social Research, claimed the temporary halt in the decline of religion is likely just that  temporary. He said the number of non-religious has "plateaued" since 2009, but will likely accelerate again as older citizens, characteristically more religious, die off. Younger people are about half as likely to hold to any religion, let alone Christianity, he said.

Simpson also said that Anglicans  members of the Church of England  have not enjoyed any increase in their numbers. They have experienced a significant decrease in numbers from 2006, when Anglicans comprised 22 percent of the population, to last year, when they measured only 17 percent.

Linda Woodhead, author of That Was the Church That Was, told the paper the decline of the Anglican faith is likely irreversible. She said the same is true of Christianity in general and that the new data shows what "could be a pause at the edge of the cliff."

"The decline of religion particularly Christianity and the rise of no religion has always been a very slow, long-term process," she said. "It probably goes back a century, although we don't have the data. We shouldn't be looking to see a collapse in numbers in a few years, we have got to look at the long-term picture. But I can't imagine any factor that would lead this long-term trend to change."

That is, except for national revival.

Britain has been the site of multiple national revivals when church attendance actually increased, such as the Wesley-Whitefield revivals of the 18th century and the Welsh Revival in the early 20th.

It is too early to tell if such an event is now taking place. However, Queen Elizabeth II and former Prime Minister David Cameron both said during their Christmas messages last year that Britain was a Christian country with Christian values as the basis for its laws and culture.

Those comments were a marked shift from the tone of pluralism characteristic of the past decades.
Charleston shooter's lawyers argue federal death penalty unconstitutional 07 August, 2016 by Reuters , |

CHARLESTON (Reuters)  Attorneys for a white man accused of killing nine black parishioners in a racially motivated attack at a South Carolina church a year ago argued that their client should not face the death penalty, asserting the punishment is unconstitutional.

Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Dylann Roof, 22, who is accused of opening fire on a Bible study session at Charleston's historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 17, 2015.

The shooting shook the country and intensified debate over U.S. race relations, which were already roiled by numerous high-profile police killings of unarmed black people.

Attorneys for Roof argued in a document filed in a U.S. District Court in South Carolina on Monday that the federal death penalty is "cruel and unusual punishment" and, as a result, violates the U.S. Constitution.

"No one can be lawfully sentenced to death or executed under it, no matter what his crimes," the attorneys wrote in the motion.

A court ruling that the Federal Death Penalty Act is unconstitutional would allow Roof to plead guilty and proceed to the sentencing phase of his case in which he could be to life in prison without parole, his attorneys said.

In an earlier court filing, federal prosecutors cited a number of factors for seeking the death penalty, saying Roof singled out victims who were black and elderly, and showed no remorse. They also cited "substantial planning and premeditation."

The argument that the death penalty is unconstitutional is a typical line of defense. The federal trial against Roof is set to begin on Nov. 7.

Federal death sentences are rarely carried out in the United States. Roof also faces a state capital punishment trial, which is scheduled to begin in January.

Roof faces different charges in each case. State prosecutors in South Carolina charged him with murder and attempted murder, while federal prosecutors charged him with 33 counts including hate crimes, obstruction of religion and firearms offenses.

*Reporting by Brendan O'Brien
World Vision director in Gaza charged with funneling $7.2 million to terrorists 08 August, 2016 by Gregory Tomlin , |

BEERSHEBA, Israel (Christian Examiner)  The humanitarian aid organization World Vision, which has evangelical Christian roots, has denied the claim the manager of its operations in Gaza has been funneling money and supplies to the terror organization Hamas.

Mohammad Khalil El Halabi was arrested by Israeli police June 15 while he was on his way home from "routine meetings," World Vision said in a statement. He has been held by the authorities since and has now been charged with aiding and abetting the terror organization with the charity's resources.

In its statement, World Vision said it was "shocked to learn of the charges against Mohammad."

The organization also said it abided by a policy of neutrality in political affairs and rejects involvement with military and terrorist activities so it can focus on serving the poor. It also claimed it has policies in place that ensure all funds transferred to the Middle East  and Gaza  are accounted for and spent on projects which "do not fuel conflict but rather contribute to peace."

"World Vision programs in Gaza have been subject to regular internal and independent audits, independent evaluations, and a broad range of internal controls aimed at ensuring that assets reach their intended beneficiaries and are used in compliance with applicable laws and donor requirements. Based on the information available to us at this time, we have no reason to believe that the allegations are true," the organization said.

For Israeli authorities, however, the case is clear cut. They claim Halabi funneled 60 percent of the charity's funds to terrorists. They also claim that he confessed to having done so.

"Hamas stole this money and passed it to its military wing to build bases, provide salary bonuses, and dig the tunnels of death that have brought destruction upon you and the Gaza Strip," Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, Israel's coordinator of the government's activities in the territories, said in a videotaped statement to the people of Gaza. "Hamas is burying you and the hope of a normal life."

According to the Times of Israel, Halabi provided exact details of where the stolen money  about $7.2 million  was used. According to Shin Bet, Israel's intelligence and security service, about 2,500 cartons of food and 3,300 cartons of "cleaning supplies" were given to Hamas fighters. The fighters also registered their children  children they did not have  to receive money meant for poor children and those injured in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Halabi also confessed to sending some money to his father, who operates the United Nations School System in Gaza and who is also a member of Hamas. His father then sent the money to Hamas fighters, Shin Bet said in its statement.

More arrests will likely follow as Halabi has reportedly supplied the names of others who aided in stealing the charity's money and supplies.

In 2014, Halabi was profiled on World Vision's website and praised as "humanitarian hero" serving in the "Occupied Palestinian Territories." The phrase "Occupied Palestinian Territories" is seen by Israelis as favorable ot the interests of Hamas.

Australia and Germany have since suspended funding to World Vision for its humanitarian aid services.

"The allegations that a locally employed World Vision employee in the Gaza Strip has diverted aid funds from a range of international donors and provided support to Hamas are deeply troubling," Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement.

"Australia's aid to the Palestinian Territories is intended for vital humanitarian and development assistance to the Palestinian community. Any diversion of the generous support of the Australian and international community for military or terrorist purposes by Hamas is to be deplored and can only harm the Palestinian people."
Some scientists are calling a discovery in China's Yellow River Valley evidence that supports a biblical flood.

OneNewsNow.com reports that archaeologists recently uncovered bones of children in the Yellow River Valley. The children appear to have been trapped by a massive flood. The bones have been dated to around 2,000 B.C., which is consistent with when scientists and historians believe the biblical account of Noahs flood occurred.

Prominent biblical apologist and scientist Ken Ham, who is also the head of the Creation Museum and the newly-opened Ark Encounter attraction, noted that China, like many cultures, has a story of a great flood.

Whether it's the American Indians or the Fijians, Hawaiians, the Eskimos, Australian Aborigines  back to the Babylonians, there are flood legends in cultures all over the world, Ham explained.

And this particular flood legend from China  when you read it  it talks about it was basically a global flood, the way it was described  and there was a man in particular associated with that flood, he continued.

Many scientists and the media, however, deny that the flood that buried the childrens bones in the Yellow River Valley was part of the biblical flood in Genesis.

There are thousands of feet of Flood sediment all over the globe  evidence of a catastrophic global Flood  and they're not prepared to look at that because they've been indoctrinated to believe that that was laid down over millions of years, Ham stated.

Ham believes that an unwillingness to embrace spiritual truths cause many people to be blinded to scientific truths.

Publication date: August 8, 2016
A suicide attack at a Pakistani hospital has left 63 dead and more than 50 wounded, according to The Christian Post.

Officials said the attack appeared to have been pre-planned because the perpetrator targeted mourners who were gathered in the hospitals emergency department to honor a prominent lawyer who had been shot and killed earlier in the day.

"It seems it was a pre-planned attack," said Anwar ul Haq Kakar, a government spokesman.

More than 100 people had been gathered at the hospital to mourn the fallen lawyer. Perpetrators of the attack were reportedly aware of the lawyers death and the gathering at the hospital when they decided to carry out the attack.

Chaos broke out at the hospital in the aftermath of the attack, with people running to escape the smoke and debris.

At this time, no terrorist group has taken responsibility for the attack which took place in the city of Quetta in Pakistans Baluchistan province--a region often plagued by violence.

In January, a suicide attack killed 15 people outside a polio eradication center in the region. Quetta is known for being the base of the Afghan Taliban.

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: August 8, 2016
The American public seems to hold a more positive view on the legalization of recreational marijuana, according to a new Barna Group study.

A survey carried out by the group says that about 40 percent of Americans now believe that recreational drugs like marijuana should be legalized, and the restrictions should only be applicable to hard drugs. A relatively smaller proportion of people (32 percent) says that all drugs should be illegal. Only about 13 percent of American adults think at all drugs can be made legal but will need to be regulated. And some 3 percent said that there is no need to even regulate drugs.

A lesser number of people now believe that all drugs should be illegal. The younger generation in particular has less inhibitions about legalizing drugs. Only about 29 percent of Millennials say that all drugs need to be made illegal. More Elders, on the other hand, agree that drugs should be illegal.

About 43 percent of Gen-Xers and 42 percent of Millennials favored legalization of recreational drugs, while a lesser number of Boomers (39 percent) and Elders (24 percent) held this view.

"The general population though -- particularly younger Americans -- have grown weary of the war on drugs and the pressures it has placed on law enforcement, prisons and tax dollars," said Roxanne Stone, editor in chief of Barna and director of the study.

Evangelicals hold the most conservative view of accessibility to drugs. As many as 66 percent of evangelicals say that all drugs should be illegal, and 43 percent of practicing Christians have the same opinion on average. Atheists were most likely to endorse legalization of drugs, as only 17 percent voted they are against it.

Some 16 percent of evangelicals and 34 percent of practicing Christians said that recreational drugs should be legalized. About 49 percent of atheists said the same.

"Christians have a long history of weighing the morality of alcohol and drug use," Stone noted. "Those debates will likely continue -- and more Christians, especially younger ones, will probably begin to see marijuana as an acceptable pastime."

Along political lines, more conservatives (51 percent) were against legalization of drugs, while only 17 percent of liberals opposed it.

A majority of liberals (51 percent) said that marijuana should be legalized, but fewer conservatives (27 percent) said the same.

Overall, the survey revealed that even though Americans were divided on the issue of legalization of drugs, most believed in regulation of drugs.

"This majority [of Americans] believe that a pragmatic regulatory framework that allows for the legal, licensed commercial production and retail sale of cannabis to adults, but restricts and discourages its use among young people is preferable to criminalization," said Paul Armentano, deputy director at National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

In November this year, nine states will vote on the issue of legalization of marijuana. Ballots will be cast in California, Massachusetts, Arizona, Nevada, and Maine to decide if it can be used for recreation, while Florida, Montana, Missouri, and Arkansas will vote on its use for medical purposes.
Divisions in Boko Haram have emerged with the appointment of a new leader who was criticized by the group's long-time military commander.

A weekly magazine published by the Islamic State called al-Naba announced the promotion of Abu Musab al-Barnawi from being the group's spokesperson to its new head. The magazine did not mention the former leader Abubakar Shekau.

Shekau, who led Boko Haram since 2009, released a 10-minute audio clip on YouTube criticizing al-Barnawi's supposed opinion about living peacefully among non-Muslims.

"I am against the principle where someone will dwell in the society with the infidels without making public his opposition or anger against infidels," Shekau said in the local Hausa language.

The audio clip was removed from YouTube shortly after it was uploaded.

Shekau used to release frequent videos till March where he would be seen holding heavy weaponry and mouthing hateful speeches against the nation of Nigeria and the West. The absence of videos in months had led to speculations that he was not alive or wounded.

A video released by ISIS in April had said that Shekau was not dead and was not replaced from his position.

In the recent audio clip, Shekau said that he was the organization's leader and that al-Barnawi was only trying to cause divisions in the group.

According to security analysts, he appeared to be anxious in the clip while voicing his opposition of al-Barnawi.

"Of course, he's so confused and it's a sign, he [Shekau] was showing sign of weakness," said Khalid Aliyu, the secretary-general of Jama'atu Nasril Islam, an umbrella body of Islamic organizations in Nigeria. "I think it's a sign of the end of the whole saga - that is one - two, it's a sign of a defeat also. It's also a sign of loss of power and control of the insurgency itself, therefore it shows a crack in the organization of the insurgency."

Experts said that the attempted shift in power may cause conflicts in the organization.

"There will be clash over leadership if it is true that Barnawi is the new leader and Shekau is saying I am still the authority, you know. There will be clashes. They will be fighting each other," said Bulus Mungopark, a member of a Nigerian vigilante group, a key ally of Nigerian military.

Security Analyst from northern Nigeria, Shehu Umar, told DW that the split in leadership was an opportunity for the government to further decimate the group. "This is a golden opportunity for Nigerian intelligence," he said. The group has suffered consistent losses over the last 18 months, and is being pushed back.

Boko Haram killed 20,000 people and displaced about 2.6 million people in its seven-year insurgency in northeast Nigeria.
Thai voters approved a military-backed constitution in Sunday's referendum, which lays out set rules for electing new governments. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha assured citizens that the next general election will be held in 2017.

The new constitution will allow the creation of a special senate with seats reserved for military members who will have the power, together with the lower house, to elect the prime minister. Prayuth, in his capacity as army general, staged a coup d'etat against the previous government in May 2014, and has served as the country's leader since then.

According to political analysts, overwhelming support for the military-backed constitution was the result of years of instability plaguing the country.

Preliminary counting showed that the capital city of Bangkok and central Thailand favored the constitution. However, regional divisions along political lines were observed as residents of the far north and south voted against the new measures.

Of the 94 percent of the counted votes, a majority (61.4 percent) of people backed the incumbent government's proposal while 38.6 percent opposed it. About 58.1 percent of the Thai people supported the formation of a military-appointed Senate which will be instrumental in choosing the prime minister. Meanwhile, 41.9 percent of voters opposed a military-appointed Senate.

The amended constitution will enable the military to have a prominent role in democratically-elected governments.

Supporters of the constitution are hopeful that the new constitution will allow the incumbent government to restore the sagging economy.

"Given the mandate that's given to the military, it would at least buy Thailand some time for the government to come up with an actual economic plan for the country," Aim Sinpeng, lecturer in comparative politics at the University of Sydney, told CNBC. "That time would be stable and less challenged compared to the previous two years of military junta, where it started to look really rocky."

[The country's economy has stumbled amid a lack of external demand for its exports given the sluggish global backdrop, while the political uncertainty within the country had slowed investments and discouraged tourism, a key sector for the country.

Thailand's economy suffered huge losses in exports because of a stagnant global demand, while political uncertainties in the country kept the investors away and negatively impacted tourism industry as well.]

The constitution will be very difficult to change without backing from the military, apart from requiring support from a majority of the parliamentary assembly comprising of 750 members.

Anti-corruption measures are also included in the constitution, which make it mandatory for lawmakers to have a proven track-record of "honesty." The election commission and Supreme Court will determine the eligibility of the politicians to stand in elections, but they cannot be removed from office by petitions as was permitted in earlier constitutions.

A key element of the constitution is that it requires government to endorse Buddhism, while permitting freedom of religion.
Youve seen her in the news: the calm African American woman reacting with dignity to a high-stress, traumatic situation. Her voice and face are steady. She stuffs down her emotions. No one will see her fall apart.

She is the Strong Black Woman.

I first heard that phrase in a sermon by Chanequa Walker-Barnestheologian, clinical psychologist, fellow graduate of Duke Divinity School. Strong Black Woman Syndrome, something she saw regularly in her clinical practice, emerges out of the expectation that black women be super capable, to take care of others, to be stoicemotionally strong to the point of stoicismand radically independent. And I immediately thought, I know this stereotype. I remember it from my childhood in the 80s. Its Clair Huxtable.

Its a cultural stereotype thats enforced in the media, in popular culture, even in churches, by blacks and whites alike. But Walker-Barnes points out, this pressure isnt sustainable. Many black women are falling apart physically and psychologically, as she recounts in her book Too Heavy a Yoke: Black Women and the Burden of Strength (Wipf and Stock).

Picture Diamond Reynolds calmly recording the aftermath of her boyfriend Philando Castiles shooting by a police officer during a traffic stopand her daughter alongside her telling her to be strong. (No four-year-old should ever be in a position, should ever have that language ready to tell their parent in such a moment, Walker-Barnes said.) Its Iesha Evans stoically facing arrest by officers in riot gear. And most recently, the ring of grieving but brave mothers on stage at the Democratic National Convention.

Last week ...

1
Skeptics Accuse Producer of Film that 'Destroys Atheism' of Faking Interviews



LOS ANGELES, Aug. 8, 2016 / LOS ANGELES, Aug. 8, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Ray Comfort, whose movies have been seen by millions, is no stranger to controversy. His latest film, which shows a number of atheists changing their minds about God after being asked one scientific question, has skeptics doubting the veracity of the interviews.

Comfort, producer of "The Atheist Delusion," says it's understandable that atheists doubt the film offers scientific evidence for the existence of God that would convince their fellow nonbelievers. "They justifiably feel threatened. For an atheist, proof that God exists sounds too bad to be true. But it is true; these are all genuine interviews with self-professed atheists. They are asked one specific question in the movie, and you get to see a number of what were once adamant atheists change their minds. In this case, seeing is believing."

Comfort says he is fully aware that his ministry's credibility is on the line with such a bold claim. "But," he says, "the proof is in the pudding." Atheists who commented on the trailer of 'The Atheist Delusion' don't think so:

"I'm sorry, I'm a performer, I spend a lot of my time judging believability, and it's just so obvious that the majority of these people were paid."

"These 'atheists' are most definitely paid actorsIt's just shameless..."

"The 'one question' that destroys atheism doesn't exist.It's a lie, because Ray Comfort is a liar."

"I think Ray Comfort isa cowarda despicable liar and a dishonest charlatan."

In contrast, Comfort says, those who have viewed the movie think differently, after seeing the evidence:

"Amazing movie. I haven't wept like that since my conversion."

"AMAZING and extremely well done."

"Wow, Wow and Wow! A must watch. Powerful."

"Very moving. Brought me to tears. LOVE all the changed minds and hearts. PTL!"

Thousands have already downloaded the one-hour film to view it in advance of its official release and to help fund future projects. It will be available for free viewing on YouTube in early October. The trailer can be seen at AtheistMovie.com

Comfort added, "In the past, most of what I have said to atheists has been like water off a duck's back. This movie rips the feathers off the duck."
Police Officer Asks God for a Sign; Delivers a 6 lb., 11 Ounce Answer

WICHITA, Kan., Aug. 8, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- SWAT Deputy Mark Diebold of the Tarrant County Police asked God for a sign and got one weighing 6 lbs., 11 ounces. At the time, he did not realize how large a sign it would become.

It had been a rough few weeks for law enforcement, but on July 18, 2016, something happened to restore Deputy Diebold's faith. On the same day Deputy Diebold prayed, Operation Rescue National/Operation Save America released an "Open Letter to Police in America," the official letter reminding police of their duty under God to protect preborn life from murder. The biblical and Constitutional treatise was sent to media outlets throughout the nation.

During the "Summer of Justice" in Wichita, Kansas, Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas, National Director of ORN/OSA, Assistant Director and former police officer. Chet Gallagher, and local Pastor. Rob Rotola. delivered copies of the letter to Wichita officers. As they presented the letters, a team of intercessors prayed at the South Wind abortion clinic in Wichita, KS. They prayed and asked God to protect preborn babies and police officers from violence. There is a direct connection between the two targets. One woman prayed, "God, deliver, deliver, deliver."

445 miles way, a car sped to a Texas hospital. The woman's baby would not wait; her water broke in the car. Deputy Diebold pulled alongside the car and helped deliver a tiny baby- but not just any baby. He delivered Rev. Thomas' own granddaughter, Evelyn. On the same day Rev. Thomas was calling upon police to intervene on the behalf of the preborn and help end the covenant with death established by Roe vs. Wade, his own granddaughter was being delivered by a police officer in Texas. Coincidence? You be the judge.

Evelyn means life. The "Summer of Justice" was a call to lesser magistrates to stand in the gap and interpose on the behalf of preborn life. When Deputy Diebold delivered Evelyn, he was fulfilling his role as a lesser magistrate and serving as an example of what needs to be done to deliver the preborn as well. We call on law enforcement everywhere to stand in the gap and do what Deputy Diebold did to save the life of a baby.
Algeria: Christian sentenced to five years in jail over Jesus post

A Christian man charged with blasphemy has been sentenced to prison for five years after posting online about Jesus.

The man, who has not been identified, was arrested on July 31 and accused of blasphemy against Islam.

According to Middle East Concern, he had posted on social media "about the light of Jesus overcoming the lie of Islam and its Prophet".

Despite not having a lawyer, the man was interrogated by a prosecutor on the day of his arrest and was given a hearing on Sunday, 7 August.

Though his family and an Algerian secular human rights organisation managed to appoint him legal representation, the court reportedly claimed that he had decided to defend himself and no lawyer was present during the hearing.

He received the maximum sentence for blasphemy - five years in prison and a large fine.

The Protestant Church of Algeria reportedly plans to appeal the verdict.

There are just 39,000 Christians among Algeria's population of more than 40 million, which is predominately Muslim. The country ranks 37th on persecution charity Open Doors' list of places where it is most dangerous to be a Christian, and the charity has said the government is coming under increasing pressure to implement more Islamic legislation by Islamist groups.

Conversion, or an attempt to convert someone, from Islam is illegal and Muslim converts are forced to worship in secret. Only Muslims may hold public assembly and churches are often denied registration.
Atheist teacher who didn't trust Christians turns to Christ after prayers miraculously healed her mother

No mind is too rigid, no heart too hard to resist the transforming power of Christ.

Avowed atheist teacher Kim Menon realised this when she found herself believing and accepting Jesus Christ after experiencing the heart-felt love of Christians and seeing her mother miraculously healed through the prayers of her Christian friends, the Baptist Press News reported.

The kindergarten teacher from Seattle, Washington said as a child she thought Christians "just weren't intelligent enough" and "were predators who didn't really care about who I was."

In 2013, Menon met pastor Andy Brown who had just moved in from Camden, Arkansas, to Seattle to plant churches. Brown had enrolled his son to the kindergarten school where Menon teaches.

Menon also met Larry Bailey, mission pastor at Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas, a sponsor church for Brown's mission.

Without identifying himself as pastor of The Landing Church, Brown volunteered to do the landscaping at the school and other projects as part of his ministry's community service.

Bailey also volunteered to help Menon by making copies, grading papers, helping with projectsanything to be of service.

Bailey said at first Menon was suspicious. "She said, 'I don't get it. You fly all the way from Arkansas to Seattle to make copies for me. Why?'"

He simply replied, "Because we want to love you and show you that God loves you too."

"I had never met anyone who did things like that without wanting something in return," Menon said.

For more than two years, the Brown family continued ministering to the school and helping Menon, among other teachers. They invited her to birthday parties, neighbourhood get-togethers and holiday events. They also continually invited her to church even though Menon kept saying it would never happen.

But despite Menon's refusal to go to church, the Browns showered her with affection, and she eventually fell in love with the family.

When Menon confided that her marriage was falling apart, the Browns showed her that they would love her no matter what.

The turning point came when Menon's mother became very ill after a series of heart attacks. On the day she was scheduled for heart surgery, Menon felt her mother needed a miracle to survive, and she called Brown and asked him to pray for her mother.

Brown then called everyone in the church, emailed and posted on Facebook so that every believer he knew would pray for Menon's mother.

The miracle came: When the surgeons opened up Menon's mother, they found nothing wrong with her.

Menon was stunned. None of the doctors could tell her how her mother had been healed. But deep inside, she knew who healed her mother: God.

She then decided forthwith to abandon atheism and embrace Jesus Christ, bringing along 19 of her unsaved friends to her baptism. She is now the part-time children's minister at The Landing Church.

"My life has changed immeasurably," she said. "I used to omit the words 'under God' from the Pledge of Allegiance. I was for gay rights, and now I have a different definition of marriageGod's definition. I didn't even know what a Gospel tract was three years ago, and now I'm handing them out."
British Iranians protest Sunni executions, urge UK government to hold Iran to account

Twenty Iranians have today entered their third day of a hunger strike in protest against what they say are brutal violations of human rights laws by their country's government.

The protestors, who are camping outside Downing Street in London, have been joined by hundreds of others during the weekend in solidarity with the victims of recent mass executions in Iran.

Last week, up to 20 Sunni Kurds were hanged by the Iranian regime for alleged terrorism offences. Human rights groups have condemned the killings, and claimed that the convictions may have been based on forced confessions.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, branded the executions "a grave injustice" and said there were "serious doubts about the fairness of the trials, respect for due process and other rights of the accused".

Speaking to Christian Today, Hossein Abedini, the UK spokesperson for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)  a coalition of Iranian opposition political organisations functioning as a parliament in exile  also strongly condemned the executions and urged the UK to hold Iran to account.

Under President Hassan Rouhani, who has presented himself as a 'moderate', human rights violations have rapidly deteriorated, Abedini said. In total, around 120,000 people are believed to have been executed since 1981 for their political or religious beliefs, and the figure has escalated since Rouhani became president. Abedini insisted that the UK's relative silence on Iran's human rights record is "shameful".

"Things have deteriorated and worsened as far as human rights are concerned. There have been 2,500 hangings [since Rouhani came to power in 2013], many juveniles and women have been executed, and religious minorities, especially Christians, are suffering in Iran very badly... There is no freedom for religious minorities; they cannot practice their religion [and they suffer] very brutal and cruel human rights violations," he said.

Iran is ranked ninth on persecution charity Open Door's list of countries where it's most dangerous to be a Christian. Open churches are forbidden, and converting from Islam  the state religion  to Christianity is punishable by death for men, and life imprisonment for women. Last year, more than 100 Christians were arrested or imprisoned, and reports of their torture have emerged.

More widely, Iran has a long history of human rights abuses and violence is rapidly escalating across the country, facilitated by laws which allow the legal persecution of minority communities such as Christians and Baha'i Muslims, who have been condemned by Iranian authorities as an "illegal cult".

"There is no religious freedom in Iran," said Abedini, noting the plight of Saeed Abedini  an Iranian-born US pastor who was released in January after being held in Iran's notorious Evin prison for years  and Maryam Naghash Zargaran, a Christian convert from Islam who remains incarcerated and is said to be in very poor health.

Human rights abuses are not the only concern of campaigners  another is Iran's persistent efforts to acquire nuclear capability  but they are the most prominent.

"The regime itself is the most ungodly regime," Abedini said. Rouhani in 2014 described executions under his rule as the fulfilment of "God's commandments", but Abedini said the majority of Muslims want to distance the brutal punishments from true Islam.

"We believe this is only a fundamentalist regime carrying out [executions] in the name of God and in the name of religion," he said. 'Islam is a religion of compassion and mercy.... [The executions are] absolutely abhorrent, and have got nothing to do with true Islam."

The protest in London falls on the anniversary of the 1988 executions of political prisoners in Iran, during which Amnesty International has documented the disappearance of more than 4,400 prisoners, though opposition groups say as many as 30,000 were killed. Those striking are calling on the British government not only to hold Iran to account for its wider human rights violations, but also to recognise and condemn this massacre, which the regime denies having taken place.

Omid Ebrahimi, 18, is taking part in the hunger strike along with his father, who was held as a political prisoner in Iran for a decade between 1981 and 1991. Several members of his mother's family were also executed during this time.

"For us, this was one of the darkest days in the history of human beings," Ebrahimi told Christian Today. "And for this, we call upon all western governments, and in particular the British government, to condemn the massacre."

Ebrahimi was insistent that the human rights situation in Iran remains as volatile as it was in the 1980s under then-Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini. "The regime hasn't changed at all," he said. Religious minorities are under particular threat, he added, and almost anyone is at risk of accusations of being against the regime.

"This can only be solved one way, and that's a regime change," Ebrahimi said.

His fellow protestors have received some parliamentary support already. Conservative MP Matthew Offord sent a message offering his "best wishes" to those on hunger strike, adding that "the mass execution of Sunni political prisoners is deeply disturbing".

Offord joined a number of political and church leaders at the NCRI's annual conference in Paris last month.

In a statement released ahead of the conference, four bishops and others issued a joint statement setting out their "grave concern" at Iran's human rights situation.

They said: "Repression of Christians has not only continued but intensified during the presidency of Hassan Rouhani.

"In such circumstances, we call on all Western countries to consider the deplorable situation of human rights in Iran, particularly the painful situation of Christians and the intensification of their oppression, in navigating their relations with Iran.

"We call upon them to precondition improvement of those relations on the cessation of oppression of Christians and on a halt in executions."
Could the decline in Christianity be coming to a halt?

The decline of Christianity in Britain could be coming to a halt, temporarily at least, new figures from this year's British Social Attitudes Survey (BSA) suggest.

The figures, not yet released but reported in yesterday's Sunday Telegraph, show that the overall proportion of Britons who describe themselves as Christian rose by one percentage point in the last year, from 42 per cent to 43 per cent.

At the same time, "nones"  those who describe themselves as having no religion  fell from 49 per cent to 48 per cent.

Further, the number of people who are under 25 identifying themselves as non-believers fell by three points. However, this category is still large, falling from 65 per cent to 62 per cent.

The proportion describing themselves as Christian is now at the same level as it was seven years ago, when "no religion" came the largest group in the survey, reaching 51 per cent.

The new report also finds that young pensioners  including members of the baby boomer generation  are more than 40 per cent more likely to be non-religious than those who are over 75.

Ian Simpson, senior researcher at NatCen Social Research, which carries out the BSA survey, said: "The proportion of people saying they have no religion peaked at 51 per cent in 2009 and has plateaued since then. It appears that the steady decline of religion in Britain has come to a halt, at least for now. This is partly due to a stabilisation in the proportion of people describing themselves as a Christian of some kind, since 2009. However, this also appears to mask a small increase in the number of those with a non-Christian religion offsetting a small decrease in the number of Anglicans".

However Linda Woodhead, Professor of Sociology of Religion at Lancaster and co-author of 'That was the Church that was' charting the decline of the Church of England, dismissed the figures.

Professor Woodhead told Christian Today the one per cent rise in those identifying themselves as 'Christian' was "completely meaningless" and "completely insignificant". She added: "One per cent means nothing".

Recent years have seen a drop in the numbers of people identifying themselves as Church of England or Anglican, from 22 per cent in 2006 to 17 per cent last year.

Professor Woodhead stressed to the Sunday Telegraph that the overall picture was one of decline. "The decline of religion  particularly Christianity  and the rise of no religion has always been a very slow, long-term process," she said. "It probably goes back a century, although we don't have the data. We shouldn't be looking to see a collapse in numbers in a few years, we have got to look at the long-term picture. But I can't imagine any factor that would lead this long-term trend to change. If you look at the things that really matter to people  what they do with their babies, how they get married and how they deal with their dead  the rise of non-religious funerals, civil weddings and non-church baby-namings is very steady as well...The move from CofE to nones continues".

Dr Abby Day, a sociologist and expert on religion in society at Goldsmiths, University of London, warned that "[there] is a huge difference between the pre-war and baby-boomer generations". She added of the new figures: "I think this could be the pause at the edge of the cliff."

The 2015 British Social Attitudes survey consisted of 4,328 interviews with a representative, random sample of adults in Britain with a response rate of 51 per cent.
'Gender Unicorn' cartoon slammed for brainwashing children into accepting homosexuality

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina is promoting the "Gender Unicorn" as a teacher's assistant to help children come to terms with their sexuality.

But even though the adorable and innocent-looking purple unicorn seems harmless, Rev. Franklin Graham is warning everyone that it is not. He even accused the unicorn of being used as a tool to "brainwash our children into accepting that homosexuality and transgender behavior is okay."

"Parents, watch out. They are using this unicorn to grab the imagination of children and make this seem acceptable. Their new school policy, set to go into effect August 29, includes very concerning gender neutral bathroom/locker room policies and more," Graham says on his Facebook page.

The policy says that staff should no longer use the terms "girls" and "boys" anymore, since they prefer the terms "scholars" or "students." Plus, it will be the school that will work with the students in determining their sexual orientation, while parent involvement will be limited.

Students will be the ones who will choose the bathroom and locker room of their choice, as well as their gender-based activities such as dress codes, classes, ceremonies, extracurricular activities, and many other things.

"The Communists used brainwashing in Eastern Europe and Russia. They took the parents out of the decision-making process and the state began to make decisions about morality. This is a dangerous path," Graham warns.

Christian twins Jason and David Benham also objected to this "distubing" plan. "This little thing [Gender Unicorn] is geared to grab the imagination of our children and indoctrinate and even intimidate  them in participating in the sexual revolution. Even the confusing gender symbol is placed over its private area!" they wrote for WND.

They said "Gender Unicorn" only proves that the "radical, anti-values sexual revolution" is accelerating at a break-neck speed, so Christians need to start speaking against ludicrous proposals such as these.

"We also need Christians to shed the 'we shouldn't be political' cover and start running for local and state elections  especially school boards  to protect our children and the common-sense decency that allows civil society to flourish," they said.
Guns and church: Why, in spite of everything, they don't mix

On Saturday I was honoured to be a guest on Moody Radio's Up for Debate programme. It was an unexpected privilege, because of the subject: should churches hire armed guards? I live in the UK, where it's not an issue: we couldn't even if we wanted to.

But I was asked because of a column I'd written for Christian Today last year. It had the title: Armed guards at US churches: Why it's tempting, and why it's wrong. In the wake of the Charleston shooting, there had been reports that more and more churches were hiring guards or training gun-carrying members of their congregations to be able to deal with trouble.

Anyone who comments on affairs on the other side of the Atlantic  in either direction  needs to do with considerable humility, and I hope I did both in the column and on the show. What I tried to do was say that while there might be genuine threats, from terrorists or from criminals, they didn't justify a wholesale policy of having guns in church. It normalises and sanctifies violence. There are non-lethal alternatives.

In the debate  expertly moderated by Julie Roys  I found myself up against two other contributors with a very different point of view. Chuck Chadwick is the founder and president of the National Organization for Church Security and Safety Management, which has helped thousands of churches throughout America with security and safety issues. He is the licensed security manager and president of Gatekeepers Security Services, which has put hundreds of armed 'gatekeepers' in churches across Texas. He is also the president of the Christian Security Institute, which trains, certifies and licenses church security operators. Carl Chinn is the author of Evil Invades Sanctuary: The Case for Security in Faith-Based Organizations. He was involved in a shooting incident at New Life Church in Colorado Springs in 2007, which saw an armed intruder who had killed two people at a YWAM centre shot by church responders.

I don't mind saying I was outgunned. These, after all, are people who have lived what they believe and experienced it for themselves. Furthermore, it was clear from the callers to the show that theirs was the majority view. From memory, only a couple of people said guns in church were a bad idea, and that was because God would protect them. I don't agree with that; it comes too close to an unbiblical fatalism, and I believe Christians are entitled to use lethal force to protect themselves or their loved ones. And I'm not a pacifist: I think anyone who wants to choose martyrdom for themselves is free to do so, but I don't think they can stand by and let others die if they can stop it.

But there are still strong arguments against having armed security in churches. I haven't read Chinn's book, but a (favourable) review here is sobering. It implies the line between a good outcome (a dead attacker and no more church victims) and a really bad one is pretty thin. When rumours of a second attacker spread, an adrenaline-infused stranger yelled at Chinn, tried to intervene and was shot in the arm (not by Chinn). He was nearly shot by church security team members when he ran to the killer's body and seized his handgun. Chinn also writes about how when police arrived the atmosphere became "super-charged"  the potential for even more killing was there too.

On the other hand  if Chinn and his team hadn't been there, what was to stop the killer? That's the point the callers  including a grandmother who routinely carries a gun to church because it makes her feel safe  made repeatedly. Bad people have guns, so good people should too.

And that  as I admitted in my original column  is a very compelling argument. And at the end of the show, I was left thinking several things.

1. The culture gap between the US and the UK is just vast. That's not to say everyone in the US is comfortable around guns  Julie isn't  or that everyone in the UK is nervous around them  I'm not, except in the healthy sense that everyone should be. But there seems to be a general acceptance that the answer to guns is more guns, which I struggle with.

2. These people are not irresponsible. They don't want to kill people. Neither are they  at least, the ones on the show  motivated by fear of Islamic State or Muslims in general. That barely figured; it was crazies and criminals they worried about.

3. But, but. We didn't talk about what could go wrong. Someone comes into a church waving a toy gun and gets shot by an over-eager Second Amendment supporter. As a minister, I've faced a member of my congregation who was on the point of becoming physically aggressive over a disputed point of doctrine. I don't think he'd have shot me if he had a gun, but who knows? That's the risk of a gun culture in church. And the fog of war is a danger too. It takes training and a cool head to distinguish friend from foe. Not many people have it, and even they can make mistakes. If the only people who carried guns were trained security personnel, I'd feel a little easier, but that's not how it works.

4. At the end of the show we had only just started to talk about the elephant in the room  the sheer number of guns in the US, and the appalling number of deaths  nearly 14,000 last year. The trouble is that the people on Up for Debate knew perfectly well that they weren't going to shoot anyone. They were responsible gun owners and so were all their friends. They weren't part of the problem, they were part of the solution. And this is true, too: individually, these people are OK. But having said all that: I just don't believe it's possible to argue that having so many guns in circulation is healthy for a society. I don't believe that, statistically, they make people safer  they just make people feel safer, at the expense of making other people feel less safe. I think America is in a domestic arms race, and I don't like to see the churches colluding with it.

So yes: I remain outgunned, and I don't think I'd win an argument  but I'd still say, in all humility, that I'm unconvinced.

Follow Mark Woods on Twitter: @RevMarkWoods
'Hey ISIS, you suck!!!' U.S. Muslim group launches billboard drive to show terror organisation does not represent Islam

ISIS is not us.

To project this message, a group of American Muslim professionals have launched a billboards campaign to shout out loud and clear that the terrorist organisation does not represent true Islam.

The first billboard they set up last week on northbound I-294 just west of Chicago reads: "Hey ISIS, you suck!!!" the Religion News Service reported.

The message is accompanied by a verse from the Quran that says, "Life is sacred." The large public display is signed with a social media hashtag, "From: #ActualMuslims."

Mohammad Siddiqi, executive director of Sound Vision, said a group of American-Muslim professionals raised funds for this campaign.

Leena Suleiman, the director of creative engagement at Sound Vision, told the local NBC television affiliate that the campaign was spurred by the frustration Muslim Americans feel each time a terrorist attack happens, sparking suspicion on every Muslim.

"It's about shouting out, 'ISIS does not represent me, I'm Muslim, I say the word 'sucks,' I'm like everyone else in my country,'" Suleiman said. "We want to scream it from a billboard.

"Obviously Muslims know that ISIS sucks, so the main audience is people who are not Muslims," Suleiman told NBC. "People who need to hear that Muslims are not OK with what ISIS is doing."

Speaking to Salon, Suleiman explained how Islamophobia and extremism both feed each other.

"Extremism, when done in the name of a religion, creates the image that the religion itself is perpetuating and encouraging violence against innocent people, although there is no such religion. This then produces a phobia against that religion, and in this zeitgeist, that religion happens to be Islam," she said.

"Islamophobia begets extremism and vice versa," Suleiman said. "On a local scale, when an Islamophobe starts otherising Muslims, this can make a Muslim feel unwelcome in his or her own country."

"On a global scale, Islamophobia gives fuel to and 'legitimises' the angst that extremist groups feel, which is converted into a violent ideology, however baseless and harmful," she added.

She said Sound Vision plans to expand the "ISIS sucks" campaign to other major cities.

Sound Vision is a non-profit organisation that "provides Muslims with thinking and talking points to manage crisis, to fight against Islamophobia and to challenge extremism and radicalism among Muslim youth."

The foundation has published several brochures and articles opposing what it calls "ISIS' anti-Islamic practices." In its "ISIS Sucks" campaign, it describes the self-proclaimed Islamic State as "the terrible terror to the world."
Iraqi Christian refugee prays for ISIS terrorists who killed her relative

A Christian refugee from Iraq whose relative was violently murdered and mutilated by Islamic State has described how she prays for the terrorist organisation.

Christina Shabo, who was born under a tree in a refugee camp after her family fled bombing in Iraq in 1991, told the Catholic News Agency (CNA): "I asked Jesus for the grace to forgive every time I would pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet (a Catholic prayer). But instead of praying 'For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world,' I pray 'have mercy on ISIS and on the whole world.'"

Shabo, 25, first gave her testimony to fellow youth on 29 July at World Youth Day (WYD), outlining the events that led her family to flee Iraq and those that have occurred after the rise of ISIS in 2014.

In an interview with CNA, Shabo explained that she was asked at the last minute to incorporate a message of forgiveness into her talk at WYD. She said that her first thought was, "I don't forgive ISIS." Shabo went on: "I've struggled with it, because I haven't gotten there yet. It's a daily reminder," she said.

Shabo's mother was eight months pregnant when her family made the decision to leave Iraq and travel through mountains into Turkey in 1991 due to the threat of bombing during the Gulf War.

Many others took the same decision and some died along the way, including her 8-year-old cousin Rita. When Rita died, Shabo's uncle didn't "have it in his heart" to bury her in the mountains, so he carried her body the rest of the way into Turkey, she said.

The family then buried Rita under a tree in a refugee camp in Turkey. Then, Shabo said, the story "gets even crazier": just a month later her mother's water broke near the same tree, "and my mum delivered me right then and there."

Two years later, Shabo and her family gained religious asylum in Detroit, Michigan. But many of her relatives remain in Iraq, where ISIS has been growing and spreading its violence, including against Christians.

Shabo said the violence of Iraq "was reincarnated" on 20 June, 2014 when ISIS militants stormed Mosul, forcing Christians to convert, pay a high tax or flee.

Shabo told CNA that during the attack, one of her relatives was "violently murdered...He was chopped up in a dozen pieces" and delivered to his family in a bag.

She said: "Imagine someone that you love being delivered to you in a bag in pieces. It's insane. So when I hear stories like that, how could I not be angry?"

A cousin of Shabo was killed in recent bombings in Baghdad and the cousin's mother is still in hospital "fighting for her life".

It was while repeating the Chaplet of Divine Mercy that "it just kind of came to me," Shabo said: "Pray for them. Use that as a way to kind of think about them, but think about them in a more positive way."

Shabo said it was a case of "fake it till you make it" before she could eventually let go of some of her anger. "Anger just makes you angry and bitter, and nothing good comes out of it," she said. "But when you take that and you turn it into mercy and forgiveness, and you see how fruitful that can be, even for yourself, aside from anyone else, you can't stop doing it."

Shabo paid tribute to her father, a deacon at their Chaldean parish in Detroit who kept their fath strong while the family were marching through the mountains from Iraq to Turkey. "As they march they prayed," she said of her family. "That's all they had. They left with nothing".

She added that the family relied on the knowledge that Jesus was with them. Her father would say, "it's okay. Even despite all of this, we have him with us. And we need to hold on tight to that."

This, she said, "is how they got through that, and that's how we continue to get through it."
The hidden factor behind modern massacres (and it's not Islam)

Beliefs are always about desire, and often also about fear, which makes those beliefs more passionate.

The atheist doesn't want there to be a God, but fears that there is one and so is constantly angry with believers, patrolling the Internet in search of a Christian to insult. Our current beliefs about terrorism, likewise, are driven by the desires of politicians and huge, expensive 'security services' (as they like to call themselves), to justify their existence, their excessive powers of surveillance and detention and their enormous budgets. They fear that, if the urgency of their task is questioned, their whole existence might also be questioned and they might need to find something else to do, where people would not take them so seriously or pay them so much.

This is all made worse by Crowther's Law, the first rule of journalism laid down by Geoffrey Crowther, sometime editor of the much over-rated Economist magazine. It runs: "Simplify, then exaggerate." Add to that the demands of rolling news TV channels, with their incessant desire to fill our screens with huge red rectangles yelling 'BREAKING NEWS', in the hope that they will keep us watching. It is a regrettable fact that these channels thrive on the melodrama of disaster and wilt during periods of calm.

And so we come to our current rather uninformative hysteria about the terror threat. Of course, there is a terror threat. This is undeniable. And for those it strikes, it is a frightful thing. What is more, much of it originates among fanatical Islamists. I state these incontestable facts because I know that what I am about to say will cause some people to lie about me, and claim that I am apologising for, minimising or defending Islamist terror. I am not. As a Christian and a Zionist, I have absolutely no reason to do so. As someone who has strayed (very unwillingly) into the edges of war zones, I know what a human head looks like after a bullet has passed through it and so have a horror of violence, and a sympathy for its innocent victims, as great as anyone's.

But. Yes, there was always a 'but' lurking behind that introduction, and here it is. We may be reacting to terrorist outrages in the West in an unintelligent and thoughtless way. We might help ourselves more if we took a slightly more analytic view of events which, if properly studied, might lead us to take different and additional precautions. Specifically, we should wonder whether we have been wise to abandon the laws against possession and use of mind-altering drugs, and indeed whether we are too complacent about the side-effects of prescription drugs now being widely issued.

Oddly enough, the same could be said of our invariable response to the generally non-political massacres and other outrages which take place in the United States. I believe that these events may be more closely related to the terror incidents in Europe than we have so far understood. The facts, when examined, undermine the idea, much beloved of security chiefs and media alike, that terrorist acts are driven by a some organised octopus of trained and disciplined militants, directed from a bunker in Iraq by a bearded, turbaned mastermind. Many of those involved are actually or nominally Muslim. But these may not be the most decisive feature in these individuals' choice of murderous violence. The facts also rather undermine the idea that relaxed gun laws (though obviously significant) are the prime cause of massacres in the USA. Such gun laws have existed for centuries, but these types of killings are recent.

There is something else, another variable which, once sought, is extraordinarily persuasive. Here I will quote from a recent article I wrote for the Mail on Sunday, which summarises what I have found through examining the backgrounds to a large number of rampage killings across the Western world.

"Timothy McVeigh, the 1995 Oklahoma bomber, used cannabis and methamphetamine. Anders Breivik took the steroid Stanozolol and the quasi-amphetamine ephedrine. Omar Mateen, culprit of the more recent Orlando massacre, also took steroids, as did Raoul Moat, who a few years ago terrorised the North East of England. So did the remorseless David Bieber, who killed a policeman and nearly murdered two others on a rampage in Leeds in 2003.

"Eric Harris, one of the culprits of the Columbine school shooting, took the SSRI antidepressant Luvox. His accomplice Dylan Klebold's medical records remain sealed, as do those of several other school killers. But we know for sure that Patrick Purdy, culprit of the 1989 Cleveland school shooting, and Jeff Weise, culprit of the 2005 Red Lake Senior High School shootings, had been taking 'antidepressants'.

"So had Michael McDermott, culprit of the 2000 Wakefield massacre in Massachusetts. So had Kip Kinkel, responsible for a 1998 murder spree in Oregon. So had John Hinckley, who tried to murder US President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and is now being prepared for release. So had Andreas Lubitz, the Germanwings pilot who murdered all his passengers last year. The San Bernardino killers had been taking the benzodiazepine Xanax and the amphetamine Adderall.

"The killers of Lee Rigby were (like McVeigh) cannabis users. So was the killer of Canadian soldier Nathan Cirillo in 2014 in Ottawa (and the separate killer of another Canadian soldier elsewhere in the same year). So was Jared Loughner, culprit of a 2011 mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona. So was the Leytonstone Tube station knife attacker last year. So is Satoshi Uematsu, filmed grinning at Japanese TV cameras after being accused of a horrible knife rampage in a home for the disabled in Sagamihara."

That was not all. Many terrorist perpetrators are in fact petty criminals living irreligious lives of dissipation, theft and dishonesty, very far from the current fantasy of the 'radicalised' fanatic taking orders from Islamic State. As I wrote: "When I checked the culprits of the Charlie Hebdo murders, all had drugs records or connections. The same was true of the Bataclan gang, of the Tunis beach killer and of the Thalys train terrorist. It is also true of the two young men who murdered a defenceless and aged priest near Rouen last week. One of them had also been hospitalised as a teenager for mental disorders and so almost certainly prescribed powerful psychiatric drugs. The Nice killer had been smoking marijuana and taking mind-altering prescription drugs, almost certainly 'antidepressants'.

"As an experienced Paris journalist said to me: 'After covering all of the recent terrorist attacks here, I'd conclude that the hit-and-die killers involved all spent the vast majority of their miserable lives smoking cannabis while playing hugely violent video games.'

"Now look at the German events, eclipsed by Rouen. The Ansbach suicide bomber had a string of drug offences. So did the machete killer who murdered a woman on a train in Stuttgart. The Munich shopping mall killer had spent months in a mental hospital being treated (almost certainly with drugs) for depression and anxiety."

The above catalogue is not complete and excludes some cases which will eventually, in my view, need to be included in it  once the facts are fully known. This variable is the rapidly increasing use in our society of potent mind-altering drugs, in some cases legally on prescription, in some cases illegally.

These drugs are now so common that we have begun to regard them as normal. Most people who take them do not become mass murderers or terrorists. The reason why I have been able to discover the drug use of such people is precisely that these mass killings attract so much media and official attention that the drug use by the culprit is known. They are a special subset of violent crime about which far more is known than is known about most violent crime. In thousands, possibly millions of lesser violent crime, the authorities and the media are uninterested in the perpetrator's drug use and it is not known. But the fact that some do might make us wonder about whether they are in general as safe or as beneficial as many of us believe.

I am not saying that all terrorists are drug users. I am not saying that all drug users are terrorists. I am not saying that Islam is not involved in terror. Yet I guarantee that some people will read this and claim falsely that I am saying all these things, as I have many times found when I have made this case in the past. This is because they want, for various reasons, to believe in the Terror Octopus myth, or (in some cases) because they fear any debate about the safety of drugs they may have used themselves. I wonder why.

Peter Hitchens is a columnist for the Mail on Sunday and author of The War We Never Fought  the British establishment's surrender to drugs. He blogs at http://hitchensblog.mailonsunday.co.uk/
The 4 myths about Jesus that may be ruining your life

My daughter has always word-jumbled. From 'paint-facing' to 'hodgehegs', 'otturpunities' to 'barrelinas', her brain still today struggles with 'vobaculary'. Her siblings used to take great delight after church on Sundays asking her to relate what she had learned in S Club. There's nothing like Bible names when it comes to what she would call a twist-tonguer. But she had it sussed. It didn't matter whether the story was about a baby in a basket or in a stable, or whether there were lions or whales or donkeys involved, she called everyone "Moseph".

Moseph, in name and in narrative, was basically her morphed, skewed, jumbled concept of Jesus who she understood, quite rightly, to be the central character of the Bible. But it's not just my daughter who struggles with jumbled up thinking about Jesus. It is more common than you might imagine. Paul's masterly introduction to the letter to the Ephesian church can help us spot our errors and sound out a clearer picture of the one Christians seek to love and serve.

Restrictive Jesus

Often the Christian faith is depicted as a restrictive kill-joy religion that prevents people from expressing their true selves. It is shown to be the enemy of true happiness; a controlling set of rules taken from an ancient homophobic and mysognistic book. Paul once had a sincerely wrong view of Christianity. Once a Jew with impeccable credentials because of his personal ethnic heritage and his academic training, Paul was so adamant that followers of Jesus belonged to a dangerous destabilising cult that he hunted down every Christian he could find in order to exterminate them.

Paul personally oversaw the death of Stephen but it was a direct and personal encounter with the resurrected Jesus that literally stopped him in his tracks and transformed him. By the time he comes to be writing the book of Ephesians he has been fearlessly living for the gospel facing danger on every front - even the threat of death - for the sake of Jesus.

He writes a letter to the Jesus-followers in Ephesus from prison, bidding them an emotional farewell because he believed he would never see them again. Paul needed to encounter the real resurrected Jesus to rid him of his perceived restrictive Jesus. Now his fundamental identity had changed and nothing, not even imminent death, would stop him proclaiming Jesus to be not only his personal liberator from "an empty way of life", but the joy and the hope of the world.

Emergency Jesus

For too many of us Jesus is like a parachute or a fire alarm. He remains an invisible part of our lives but it is comforting to know he is there. When crisis hits or when disaster strikes we call him into action on our behalf. Jesus is like the fourth emergency service. What's wrong with this, you may ask. Don't we call him the saviour? Doesn't Jesus' name mean Jehovah is Salvation, or in plain English "God to the rescue"?

The problem is that Jesus deserves so much more from us. He is not a lifeguard who pulls you from drowning only to climb back up the ladder to his chair in the sky. He calls us to ongoing relationship in the closest possible way. The technical term that Paul uses 34 times in Ephesians to express this is "in Christ Jesus." It signifies our corporate solidarity as believers with Jesus. I like to think of being 'in Christ Jesus' as a combination of being "on duty" and "on line."

When we are online our digital devices have access to all of the benefits of the internet, resources that far outstrip any single computer or phone. Through our faith connection with Christ, all that he has accomplished for us through his life, death and resurrection become ours, we receive "grace and peace" through our relationship with Jesus. But being "on duty" captures something of the fact that we belong to Jesus. We do his bidding. We are at his disposal. We are available to him. Jesus is not just our parachute or fire alarm, he is our Saviour and our Lord.

Stingy Jesus

Too many Christians live with the functional conviction that Jesus is stingy. We spend a lot of our time making sure that we get what we think we need in life - whether relationships, finances, pleasures or honours - because we don't expect God to provide. We look out for ourselves because we think God does not really have our back. Perhaps we really believe Jesus to be a miser, who withholds from us what we need in life.

Paul wants to set the record straight on this and he does so in a barrage of words that sound like Macklemore in full force in a highspeed rap or Mohammad Ali in full flow after winning a famous victory. Paul can't repress his praise of God and he launches into a recitation of some of the incredible blessings that every believer has received "in Christ": "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." What follows is 12 verses of uninterrupted praise which was a single sentence in the Greek where Paul doesn't pause to take breath or bother with punctuation. Paul wants to set the record straight: Christians don't serve a stingy Jesus but one who delights to pour out blessings on us of adoption, redemption, reconciliation, predestination, revelation and purification to name but a few. Paul's first chapter of his letter to the Ephesians destroys the myth of the miserly messiah.

Micro Jesus

My daughter once declared over dinner that Jesus (still aka Moseph) was locked in a cupboard in her school. It was an understandable conclusion for a seven-year-old after the resident Catholic father had explained that the wafers were Jesus' body, and the chalice contained Jesus' blood.

Too often we unwittingly reduce Jesus to a manageable size. A Jesus we get out on special occasions and put away at the end of the day. Perhaps it all began when we "asked Jesus into our hearts" as if Jesus could squeeze into a ventricle or be confined to our emotions. Once again Paul's introduction to the letter to the Ephesians can help us here. He reminds us of the sheer scale of Jesus. He is the infinite God and his rule extends over all things. Paul describes the mystery of the gospel which is that God "purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment - to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." Did you catch that? Jesus not just the lord of our hearts. Jesus not just the savior of our souls. But the one who unites and reconciles all things in heaven and on earth.

Which jumbled Jesus do you recognise in your life? Allow your mind and your heart to meditate on Paul's first chapter of Ephesians and pray that God helps you again to rediscover the beauty and wonder of Christ.

Rev Dr Krish Kandiah a contributing editor to Christian Today, the founding director of Home for Good and an author and speaker. Follow him on Twitter @krishk
Machete-wielding attacker in Belgium was 'soldier' of Islamic State, terror group says

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a machete attack in Belgium on Saturday that seriously injured two female police officers.

In a statement released by the terror group on Sunday, the assailant was heralded as one of ISIS' "soldiers".

He has been identified by Belgian prosecutors as a 33-year-old Algerian with the initials KB who had been living in Belgium since 2012.

The attacker shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest) during the assault, which took place just before 4pm local time on August 6. He was shot by police and died of his injuries.

He was carrying a rucksack but no explosives or other weapons were found.

"There are indications that the attack may have been inspired by a terrorist motive," prosecutors said in a statement. "He is known to police for criminal acts, not for terrorism."

Prosecutors searched two houses in Charleroi after the attack but did not provide details.

Early on Sunday Belgian police arrested a man with a machete in the eastern city of Liege, broadcaster VRT reported.

It said Liege police had cordoned off an area before detaining the man. It said he was of Turkish origin, did not use the machete and was not previously known to the police.

Belgium is increasing security at police stations after Saturday's attack in Charleroi, Prime Minister Charles Michel told a press conference on Sunday.

Islamist bombers killed 32 people in suicide attacks at Brussels airport and a metro station in March. Many of those who carried out attacks in Paris in November, which killed 130 people, were based in Belgium.

Belgium and its capital Brussels, which houses European Union institutions and the headquarters of NATO, are currently on a security alert level of three out of a maximum four, denoting a "possible and probable" threat.

Additional reporting by Reuters.
Manny Pacquiao uses Bible to defend death penalty

Manny Pacquiao, the former world champion boxer and now Philippines senator, today used the Bible to justify his call for the reinstatement of the death penalty.

Pacquiao, who is an evangelical Christian, in his first privilege speech as senator said that capital punishment "is lawful, moral and sanctioned governmental action".

"When the government punishes, it's not an individual act. That's approved by God. That's what the Bible says," he said. "Having read the Bible on a regular basis, I am convinced that God is not just a god of mercy but he is also a god of justice. So, on the issue of death penalty I could not help but consult the Bible".

According to the Philippine Star, Pacquiao went on to cite verses from Scripture that appear to justify the deaths of indivuals who have killed other people.

He also said that the drug problem in the Philippines is getting "worse every day", and argued that imposing the death penalty would help to address it.

"We must speak to these criminal minds in the only language they understand. They must understand that our government will put a stop to impunity. They have profited from thousands upon thousands of Filipino youths. It must stop now," he said.

Pacquaio is a political ally of new President Rodrigo Duterte, who has established a violent crackdown on drug-related crime since his instatement in June.

On Saturday, Duterte pledged to uphold his "shoot-to-kill" order against drug dealers "until the last day of my term, if I'm still alive by then".

"I don't care about human rights, believe me," he added.

Local press estimate that around 800 people have been killed since Duterte's election in May.

Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, issued a statement on Sunday condemning the increase in killings.

"Is not humanity going down to the dregs when bloodthirsty humans encourage the killers and ask for more blood?" he asked, warning that the country was becoming a "killing fields nation".

"From a generation of drug addicts, shall we become a generation of street murderers? Can the do-it-yourself justice system assure us of a safer and better future?" the archbishop added.

Pacquiao has previously caused controversy for his comments about homosexuality. In February, he said that gay couples are "worse than animals" and was consequently dropped by sponsor Nike.
Men dressed as priests kill Nigerian soldiers in Delta attack

Gunmen dressed as priests have killed three Nigerian soldiers in the oil-producing Niger Delta, a military source and residents have told Reuters.

The attack happened in the Nembe area in Bayelsa state, the source said, noting that the military was searching for the men.

The area has been a flashpoint for violence since tensions arose in the early 1990s between indigenous people and foreign oil companies. Groups including the Ogoni and Ijaw believe they are being exploited and that they are not being rewarded by central government for the use of their resources. An amnesty programme has seen a sharp reduction in violent incidents.

Suspicion for the latest attack is likely to fall on a new group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), which announced its existence in March 2016. The group has attacked oil producing facilities, causing a fall in Nigeria's oil production to its lowest level in 20 years.

The NDA aims to create an independent state in the Delta, where oil extraction has been held responsible for widespread human rights violations, corruption and massive environmental degradation.

While the Nigerian army is able to control the region by force, the NDA is regarded as a major irritant for Nigeria's President Buhari. There are fears that if, as expected, the amnesty programme and its associated social investment come to an end, support for the NDA will grow.
Nigeria: Militant Christian group vows revenge attacks on Muslims if Boko Haram kills Christians

The militant Christian group Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders (NDRC) has vowed that it will carry out reprisal attacks on Muslims and mosques in the Niger Delta region if Boko Haram fulfils a threat to kill Christians and burn down churches.

A spokesperson of the NDRC, W O I Izon-Ebi, said in a statement: "We want to alert Nigerians and the world that the Islamisation plot has been proven by the Boko Haram new leader Abu Masab el Barnaw that their new mission is to kill all Christians and burn down all churches."

The statement added: "But, we want to warn them that we, the Niger Delta youths, in this 21st century will not accept killing of innocent Christians or burning of churches. That if they try it in the north or any part of Nigeria, we the Niger Delta youths will not see any Muslim or mosque in the Niger Delta".

In a statement released by al Nabaa, an ISIS newspaper, al-Barnawi said that his organisation "remained a force to be reckoned with."

He also warned that they have been actively recruiting those who share like minds to fight "Christianisation of society."

The war of words comes after the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) last month condemned the Muhammadu Buhari administration over increasing violence against non-Muslims and warned Christians to defend themselves following the killing at the weekend of a female Christian preacher.

Eunice Elisha, a pastor for the Redeemed Christian Church of God, was hacked to death in the Gbazango area of Kubwa, Abuja, by suspected Muslim fanatics, while preaching on the morning on 9 July.

Premium Times reported that shocking photos of the attack show Elisha's battered body lying in a pool of blood, next to her megaphone.

No group has claimed responsibility for the murder, but police said they had arrested suspects.

CAN said the attack was "yet another religious, hatred-motivated gruesome murder" that was growing under the Buhari administration.

"The discrimination against non-Muslims in Nigeria under the Buhari Administration is assuming a dangerous dimension that should not be left to the vagaries of time and circumstance to resolve," the statement warned.

"Nigeria is dancing a macabre dance of death, both for the nation and for its citizens," the organisation added.

"The Christian Association of Nigeria commiserates with the families affected by these mindless orgies of death and destruction as well as with the entire Christian community in Nigeria," it went on. "We pray that God in His mercy shall comfort and strengthen the families of all the Nigerians affected in these unwarranted murders unleashed upon the nation by religious extremists. The recurring decimal of violence and murder of innocent Nigerian citizens on the basis of religious intolerance demands specific and relevant response from all concerned citizens in the country more so when the government in power seems to have adopted an attitude of lukewarm response to the evils being perpetrated in Nigeria in the name of religion."
Pakistan textbooks teach children to hate Christians, describing them as 'outsiders, unpatriotic and inferior'

How could religious extremism be curtailed if it is actually being taught in schools?

The question arises in Pakistan where a study has found out that Muslim schoolchildren are being taught to hate Christians and other minorities in their textbooks, according to AsiaNews.

The study recently conducted by the human rights group National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) showed that Pakistani school textbooks are full of information that incites hatred and intolerance against Christians and other non-Muslims.

As a result, Christian students, as well as their elders, have been continually subjected to attacks in Pakistan, the NCJP said.

In July, an undetermined number of Christian students were reportedly kidnapped and beaten by unidentified assailants. A 16-year-old Pakistani Christian girl was also reported to have been sexually assaulted by Muslim attackers in Punjab.

Meanwhile, Christian students are reportedly being forced to recite Islamic prayers in school, prompting the Pakistani Teachers' Association to write a letter of complaint to the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

NCJP says the curriculum plays a part in inciting Muslims to attack Christians since it portrays the latter in a negative light, even to the point of erasing historical facts in textbooks where Christians proved their worth as citizens of their nation.

"Our textbooks are full of personal opinions," Muslim lawmaker Asma Bukhari told AsiaNews.

One historical account found in a book used at Taliban extremism centre read: "The English took power from Muslims, so they considered Muslims as their true enemies. They closed all doors of development to Muslims. So Muslims had no choice but to fight the English...Christian pastors were forcefully converting locals to Christianity."

"Pakistan's public school textbooks contain deeply troubling content that portrays non-Muslim citizens as outsiders, unpatriotic, and inferior; are filled with errors; and present widely-disputed historical 'facts' as settled history," former U.S. Commission On International Religious Freedom Chairman Robert P. George wrote in April.

"Missing from these textbooks are any references to the rights of religious minorities and their positive contributions to Pakistan's development," George said. "These textbooks sadly reflect the alarming state today of religious freedom in Pakistan. A country's education system, including its textbooks, should promote religious tolerance, not close the door to cooperation and coexistence."
Persecuted Christians in Iraq urge government to act against ISIS, two years after exodus

Two years after being forced from their homes by Islamic State, Christians in Iraq are urging their government to liberate the Nineveh Plain from militant control.

More than 100 Chaldean, Syriac and Assyrian Christians gathered outside the Mar Yousef Church in Erbil on Sunday to call on authorities to act.

Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian gathering in front of Mar Youssef Church in Ankawa for #Simele1933 & #NinevehPlain Exodus. pic.twitter.com/sth7MCqQ4V  DAVID (@davidvergili) August 7, 2016

Srud Sleman, a member of Kurdistan's Parliament, told NRT that more must be done "so that our people can go back [to Nineveh] as soon as possible".

One displaced man told the news service that Christians were struggling with unemployment and lack of access to services. "Our psychological condition is poor," he said.

Nearly 300,000 Christians have been forced from the Nineveh Plain since 2014, when ISIS overran the region. Overnight on August 7 of that year, up to a quarter of Iraq's Christians fled after militants seized Qaraqosh, the largest Christian town in the country.

On Sunday, the second anniversary of the exodus, the European Syriac Union released a statement calling for immediate action and condemning the "massive genocidal destruction of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people and their millennial cultural, historical and religious heritage by demolishing churches, monasteries and historical sites".

"There is historical and moral responsibility for Iraq, regional and international community and institutions namely United Nations to stand with the vulnerable groups, recognise genocides against them and support them by accelerating the liberation of Nineveh Plain and supporting safe zone, autonomy in the region which will open the way to self administration," the statement said.

"In these turbulent times, Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people dispersed in different regions should stand with their brethren in the homeland in Iraq and Syria and raise their voices for the existential demands on the historical homeland of Bethnahrin."
Priest who converted from Islam: 'Clergy at risk of jihadi attacks'

A UK priest who converted from Islam to Christianity has warned that more clergy could be at risk of being targeted by jihadists following the killing of Father Jacques Hamel in Rouen, France, by extremists last month.

Iranian-born Rev Mohammad Eghtedarian told the Liverpool Echo that church workers "don't have to be naive".

"We can't go out and pretend to be heroes," he said. "The extremists can touch me. I know that. What happened in Normandy was awful and evil."

However, Eghtedarian - who sought asylum in the UK after speaking out against the Basij militia in Iran - insisted that the risk of being attacked would not stop him from continuing his work as a priest.

"At the end of the day I believe that life and death are in our Lord's hands. So I could die in an accident or in an act of terrorism. We must continue our work," he said.

"If our Lord went through affliction and difficulties along the way then this is also our mission too."

Eghtedarian now leads an Iranian congregation that meets at Liverpool Cathedral for a service in Farsi each week.

There is a growing Iranian Christian population in the area, and the Cathedral has baptised around 200 asylum seekers over the past four years, leading to some allegations that Muslims are converting Christianity to avoid deportation.

If they are seeking asylum from a country where Christians are persecuted, conversion to the faith could strengthen their application.

Eghtedarian admitted that "many start for the wrong reasons because they are desperate. Wouldn't you?", but added that these people "often find true peace in church that nobody else can offer."

"We are a voice of the voiceless. We accept strangers, those that others won't. We do it for Christ," he said.

"Most of them are fleeing religious or political persecution. Many have been beaten, raped, tortured.

"They want a new life. A new future. Who am I to say no?"

Father Hamel, 86, had his throat slit by two men who attacked his church at at Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray on July 26.

His assailants, identified as Adel Kermiche and Abdel Malik Petitjean, both 19, had pledged allegiance to Islamic State.
Should the next US president be offensively blunt about Islamism? Republicans think so, Democrats don't

Should the next US president be blunt about Islamist terror even if it means offending Muslims as a whole? Nearly half of Americans think so, while half want him or her to be more careful  but there's a marked difference between Democrat and Republican voters.

The findings come in a Pew survey that reveals widely differing attitudes towards Islam among Americans. Two-thirds of Republican voters  65 per cent  believe the next president should be blunt about Islam, while 70 per cent of Democrats and Independents say the president should "speak carefully about Islamic extremism so as not to criticise Islam as a whole".

The study also found around half of Americans think at least some Muslims are anti-American, including 11 per cent who say "most" or "almost all" are.

The survey also shows most people think the problem with religious violence is concerned with the people rather than the religion, with 68 per cent saying some violent people use religion to justify their actions. Only about a fifth (22 per cent) say the bigger problem is that the teachings of some religions promote violence.

Among the one-in-five respondents who said some religions promote violence, 14 per cent said Islam did so as opposed to only one per cent who said Christianity.

Responses to the survey show clear evidence of bias along party and religious lines. More than half of Democrats say "just a few" Muslims are anti-American, while around six in 10 Republicans think at least "some" US Muslims harbor anti-American views, including one-third who think at least half of Muslims are anti-American.

Republicans are twice as likely as Democrats to say some religions espouse violent teachings.

Broken down by religious grouping, most black Protestants (62 per cent) say a future president should not criticise Islam as a whole. But 61 per cent of white evangelical Protestants say the president should speak bluntly about Islamist extremism even if it means being critical of Islam.
Why we should stop thinking God is on our side

Just before the Hebrews are about to finish their wanderings in the wilderness and take possession of the land of Canaan, which is to be Israel, there is a pause. They are outside the strategically important town of Jericho, just across the Jordan, encamped outside it. Joshua 5:10-15 tells of how the miraculous supply of manna ceased and for the first time they "ate some of the produce of the land".

Joshua himself, who has taken over the leadership of the people from Moses, is looking over the city, perhaps working out how to assault it. He sees a man standing by him with a drawn sword and doesn't recognise him, so he asks the logical question: are you for us or for our enemies? The completely unexpected answer: "Neither, but as command of the army of the Lord I have now come." In other words, this is a divine, angelic presence, and God himself would fight the Hebrews' battle.

At one level, this relates to a particular historical situation. Joshua needed to know whether the man was friend or foe. But there's a deeper level too, at which the angel's answer is profoundly challenging.

Without realising it, Joshua has asked whose side God is on. The answer is that it's the wrong question. God is on no one's side. The real issue is whether we are on God's side.

We cannot call on the "army of the Lord" to reinforce a particular cause or to fight our battles for us. God is not at our disposal, a sort of magical power boost for when we need extra energy. He is not a supernatural trump card that gives us victory over enemy forces.

We live in a very divided time, socially, politically and religiously. We read about Muslims attacking Christians and it's easy to assume that God has to be with us in our battle against 'them'. There are social and moral issues, too: many Christians are very uneasy about things like same-sex marriage, and there are often stories about Christians facing discrimination at work or elsewhere because of their faith. Britain has been through a traumatic referendum on its membership of the European Union which has seen both sides claim a Christian mandate. There's an election coming up in the US in which both candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, are highly controversial, and Christians are weighing in for both of them in God's name.

God does bless us and help us. But the lesson of this story is that instead of assuming he's on our side, we need to ask whether we're on his. This way of looking at it makes us think about his character. It makes us think about our own reactions to situations and whether they're in line with that. It makes us seek and submit to God's will, rather than assuming he'll fall in with what we want.

The pattern in the rest of the book of Joshua  and the rest of the Old Testament  is that whenever the people think they know best, disaster strikes. Whenever they pay attention to God, they succeed. So ultimately this is a passage that leads us to prayer and humility, listening to God rather than taking him for granted.

Follow Mark Woods on Twitter: @RevMarkWoods
San Francisco-based Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has inked a deal for permanent offices at 609 Main in downtown Houston.

The firm has signed a 12-year lease for 56,731 square feet in the building, according to Hines, which is developing the 48-story building at Texas Avenue and Main Street.

The deal adds another law firm to Hines' roster of tenants at the tower, which is scheduled to be completed in early 2017.

Hogan Lovells, an international law firm with downtown offices at 700 Louisiana St., recently leased 43,000 square feet in the building.

Kirkland & Ellis, a Chicago law firm known for its representation of big company bankruptcies, was the building's first announced tenant. It will occupy 62,000 square feet on the top two floors.

RELATED: Houston's biggest law firms

With recent deals, 609 Main is 50 percent leased, according to Hines. The biggest tenant signed so far is United Airlines, with 225,000 square feet.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has grown to 42 lawyers in Houston since setting up shop in January. The firm focuses on energy, corporate mergers and acquisitions, commercial litigation and intellectual property, cross-border deals in Latin America, and public finance.

RELATED: California law firm has big plans in Houston.

"We are thrilled to build Orrick's Houston office with a world-class team of lawyers in a world-class building," Carlos Treistman, Orrick's Houston office leader, said in an announcement.

In mid 2017, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe will move from Fulbright Tower at 1301 McKinney St., where it leased two floors totaling 48,000 square feet in January.

Charles Gordon, Paul Penland, and Stephen Bay with CBRE represented the tenant. Michael Anderson and Damon Thames with Colvill Office Properties represented Hines.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Mavis Parrott Kelsey's supervisor was dumbfounded when he told him in 1948 that he was leaving his faculty job at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

"He was surprised and didn't believe I was really serious," Kelsey wrote in his book, "Twentieth Century Doctor."

At the time, the Mayo Clinic was at the forefront of medicine in the United States, according to Bryant Boutwell, a medical professor and historian at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.

"It was unheard of to get to that pinnacle at Mayo and say 'I'm leaving,' " Boutwell said.

More Information Timeline 1949 Dr. Mavis P. Kelsey arrives in Texas, his home state, from his job at the Mayo Clinic and sets up a solo practice in the Hermann Professional Building in the fledgling Texas Medical Center. 1950 William Seybold, a colleague from the Mayo Clinic, joins the practice. 1956 The Kelsey and Leary Foundation for the Advancement of Medicine is established to fund research in areas including cancer, epilepsy, cardiology, diabetes and obstetrics. 1999 Kelsey-Seybold moves into its new main location at 2727 W. Holcombe. 2009 Kelsey-Seybold's doctors jointly purchased the clinic. 2013 Mavis P. Kelsey dies at age 101. See More Collapse

RELATED: Dr. Denton Cooley and his quick hands simplified open heart surgeries

While working at the Mayo Clinic, Kelsey had seen the effects of working in "group practice," where doctors work together in-house, rather than in solo practices referring patients to other specialists.

The comprehensive, teamlike system was relatively unusual at that time, when medicine was undergoing a radical transformation from the days when doctors made house calls to the specialized, technological models of today.

But Kelsey had dreams of setting up a similar clinic in Houston with some of the colleagues he'd met and worked with in Minnesota, including Drs. William Seybold, a native Texan like Kelsey, and William V. Leary, of Owatonna, Minn. At the time, the Texas Medical Center was still a shadow of the medical behemoth that it would become, and the Mayo Clinic's hallmark "group practice" was still relatively unknown.

Kelsey and his wife packed their bags and returned to Texas and set to work building a solo practice in the fast-growing city, which at the time had about 900,000 inhabitants and 900 doctors. The experience, Kelsey wrote, was "the most challenging ... of my life." In those initial years, he worked long hours as he struggled to find his place in a new city and grow a practice as a relative unknown.

Within just a few years, however, Leary, Seybold and Kelsey's younger brother, John, had joined Kelsey in Houston.

The doctors each had their own areas of expertise - cardiology and pulmonology; endocrinology and gastroenterology; and surgery.

"We were able to treat a wide variety of patients," Kelsey wrote. "We felt free to treat anything we knew to treat."

RELATED: Doctor inspired by personal loss to fight tuberculosis

The fledgling practice brought a new style of care to the greater-Houston region. It has since grown into a medical giant, with hundreds of doctors at nearly two dozen clinics serving thousands of patients daily.

There were challenges. The Mayo Clinic's model was fairly revolutionary, and many doctors frowned on "group practice." Outside doctors were often loathe to provide referrals, so the practice initially grew slowly. But Houston was growing rapidly and with time, so did Kelsey's clinic.

The clinic added doctors and employees and eventually outgrew Kelsey's first office space in the Hermann Professional Building. It was moved into a two-story clinic that was soon expanded with four additional floors.

The clinic won contracts to care for employees of large firms and organizations, perhaps the most prestigious of which was its contract to care for NASA employees.

As it grew, the clinic relied on the principles of Kelsey and his other founding partners, said Dr. Spencer Berthelsen, the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic managing director and former chairman.

"It was basically summarized by saying, 'Hire the best doctors you can, take good care of the patients and the rest takes care of itself,' " he said. Employees have looked to that motto over the years, he said.

In 1971, for example, the clinic opened a separate clinic in the Galleria area - a move aimed at treating people near where they lived instead of making them drive long distances.

"There was a lot of tension about this," John Kelsey told authors of "Kelsey-Seybold Clinic: A Legacy of Excellence in Health Care" in 1998, recalling how doctors initially fought the change to make doctors travel to their patients. "It was a bitter pill for us to get started, but it was highly successful and people loved it."

It would become the first of many such facilities.

Kelsey-Seybold faced another existential challenge in the 1980s, when a serious oil recession buffeted the region's economy. With the devaluation of the peso, the clinic lost a significant amount of foreign business, particularly from Latin America. The clinic decided to turn to "managed care," Berthelsen said, and invested in "Maxicare Texas," an HMO. It soon had enrolled nearly 100,000 subscribers.

RELATED: Medical school interview can make or break future doctors

To stay competitive, the clinic built six new primary care facilities across the region in just three years. It also weathered two changes of ownership - first to Caremark International in 1992, and then seven years later to St. Luke's Episcopal Health System and the Methodist Health Care System. The sale to Caremark allowed Kelsey-Seybold access to money to expand and better negotiate deals with insurance companies, Kellar wrote.

The joint sale to the local nonprofit health systems provided a more formal relationship with two of the region's largest hospitals.

Then in 2009, Kelsey-Seybold's doctors jointly purchased the clinic.

By the end of August, the clinic will have opened 20 facilities across the Houston region, from Katy to Pasadena.

The National Committee for Quality Assurance in 2012 named the clinic the first nationally accredited ACO, or Accountable Care Organization, praising its ability "to deliver coordinated, patient-centered care; to improve clinical quality; to enhance the patient experience; and to reduce costs through quality clinical practices."

Practices across the country now emulate Kelsey-Seybold's methods.

None of that, however, would have happened without Mavis Kelsey and his colleagues or their gutsy trip back to Houston more than 65 years ago. "He just showed the model (of care) that could be very effective, and others tried to pick it up," Berthelsen said.
The lone Cayuga County candidate in the 54th Senate District race has been removed from the Republican primary ballot.

Bobby Massarini said a state Supreme Court judge affirmed the state Board of Elections' decision to invalidate his petitions. The state Board of Elections ruled Friday that Massarini failed to submit 1,000 valid signatures  the required amount to appear on the ballot.

"It's all technicalities," he said.

Massarini submitted 1,274 signatures to appear on the Sept. 13 GOP primary ballot. Two Canandaigua Republicans  Adeline Rudolph and Greg Westbrook  objected to hundreds of the signatures he collected and as backup, filed a lawsuit to remove him from the ballot.

The state Board of Elections reviewed the objections and determined 311 of Massarini's signatures weren't valid. He argued for the reinstatement of 209 of the signatures  enough to get him back on the ballot  but the court sided with the elections panel.

With the court's decision, Massarini said he won't pursue further legal action to try and get back on the ballot.

"I want to thank all the people who took the time out to speak with me and sign my petitions," he said. "I'm sorry I'm not going to get the opportunity to go and fight for them and represent them, but I'm still always willing to be of help to any of them."

Massarini said he wouldn't have minded if he lost the race, but added that it "just sucks when you're not allowed to play."

For now, Massarini won't endorse one of his fellow GOP challengers. When Joe Geiger was removed from the ballot, he quickly backed Canandaigua businessman Floyd Rayburn, who is one of the five remaining candidates in the race for the Republican nomination.

Massarini said Rayburn is a "very good candidate" and also singled out Lyons Supervisor Brian Manktelow. He doesn't know two of the other candidates in the race  former Assemblyman Sean Hanna and ex-Greece police officer Jon Ritter.

One thing is clear: Massarini would rather see any one of those four win the GOP primary over the party's endorsed candidate, Canandaigua Supervisor Pam Helming.

"It's just a complete disaster for this district if Pam gets in," he said. "It's not going to be about representing the district. It's going to be about representing the downstate lawyers who put her in there."

The winner of the GOP primary will face Democratic candidate Kenan Baldridge in the general election.

The 54th Senate District includes all of Seneca and Wayne counties, plus portions of Cayuga, Monroe, Ontario and Tompkins counties.
The Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, one of the most feared prison gangs in the Lone Star State, is in chaos thanks to a massive federal sweep that has wreaked havoc on the criminal organization.

Operation Wheel Confinement, a reference to the gangs internal structure, was launched in 2008 when a felon who dabbled in tattoo artistry and guns was cornered by authorities and turned on the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

SAN ANTONIO  One teenager is dead and two others are in critical condition at University Hospital after a West Side shooting Sunday involving an alleged drug dealer the teens met on social media, according to police.

The shooting occurred sometime before 11:05 p.m. Sunday in the 6400 block of Tahoka Road.

RELATED: Five teens arrested on robbery charges following Northwest Side home invasion

Police believe the teens met with a drug dealer who attempted to rob them. The suspect allegedly fired several shots into the teens' car. The driver tried to drive off but crashed into another vehicle, an officer said at the scene. The shooting victims also had a weapon inside their vehicle.

The suspect fled on foot, but police believe they know who the shooter is and where he lives, an officer said at the scene.

RELATED: SAPD: 1 man killed, another man critically injured in shooting on the Northeast Side

Police said at the scene they believe the group met the suspect on Snapchat.

One of the shooting victims was pronounced dead at the hospital at 11:50 p.m. Sunday.

San Antonio Police Chief William McManus on Monday speaking to reporters following a rash of weekend shootings said that an increase in shootings in the San Antonio area is also being seen at a national level.

"There's nothing specific that we can put our finger on that we can attribute to this," McManus said regarding the cause of the increase. "There's nothing that we're (SAPD) not doing."

McManus added that with many of the shootings that occur in San Antonio, they are often surrounded by "high-risk behavior," referring to the West Side shooting involving the teens.

Text "NEWS" to 72727 to sign up for breaking news from mySA

twhite@mysa.com

Twitter: @tylerlwhite
LM Otero/Associated Press

AUSTIN -- Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, the leader of the Lone Star GOP victory team in the November election, is finally aboard the Trump Train.

Bush, who earlier had withheld an endorsement of New York business tycoon Donald Trump after a bruising presidential primary win over Bush's father, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, on Saturday told members of the State Republican Executive Committee that it was time to move on and unite.
With a tour of two Syracuse agencies Monday, U.S. Rep. John Katko sought to bring more attention to the summer meal program  and the need to expand the important initiative.

Katko, R-Camillus, visited the Food Bank of Central New York and the Huntington Family Center. The latter, which is part of the Food Bank of Central New York's distribution network, serves approximately 40 meals daily to Syracuse-area children.

According to Katko's office, there are 14 summer meal distribution sites in Cayuga, Lewis and Onondaga counties.

While Katko helped serve lunch, he also reiterated his support for legislation that would expand the federal Summer Food Service Program.

Katko is the cosponsor of the Summer Meals Act, would lower the eligibility threshold to help ensure more children are able to receive meals during the summer.

Currently, an area may participate in the program if 50 percent of children are eligible to receive free or reduced school meals. The Summer Meals Act would lower the minimum to 40 percent.

The bill also would streamline paperwork for public and private entities to participate in the summer meal program, provide grants to improve access to summer meals and allow sites to serve a third meal.

"Children across the country  and right here in central New York  depend on the nutritious meals provided to them at school," Katko said. "However, during the summer months, many go without healthy meals.

"Childhood hunger and malnorishment have last impacts on children's health, education outcomes and future competitiveness in the workforce. This is an issue that is amplified in the summer months, when only one in six children in need receive meals through the summer meals program."

The Summer Meals Act was initially introduced in 2014 by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., unveiled the legislation during a visit to the Booker T. Washington Center that year.

Katko, who was a first-time candidate for Congress at the time, quickly backed the bill and said he would support it if elected to Congress.

The House version of the bill has 93 cosponsors. Katko is one of five Republicans cosponsoring the measure.

So far, the Summer Meals Act hasn't advanced in either chamber. In November 2015, the bill was referred to a House committee. It hasn't moved out of the committee and to the House floor for a vote.

The Senate bill sponsored by Gillibrand is in the same position. It was referred to a committee in February 2015, but hasn't received a vote.

"The Summer Meals Act would strengthen, protect and ensure access to the summer nutrition programs, and it is critical that Congress take action on this measure to eliminate childhood hunger," Katko said.
-- WEEKEND WRAPUP: Green Party presidential nominee says November election pivotal for nation's course, by theHouston Chronicle

Four years ago, Jill Stein won 0.36 percent of the popular vote for president, but recent polls suggest the Greens may get 5 percent in the November election thanks to an influx of disaffected Sanders supporters who dislike Clinton and Trump. Despite the improved polling, to challenge the two-party race the Greens will need to gain far more traction, perhaps by shedding its reputation as a haven for peripheral politicos with scattered ideologies.

-- Chris Hooks in POLITICO Magazine: What If the Green Party Stopped Being Kooky and Started Getting Real?

-- George P. Bush, a Trump Holdout, Urges Support For Nominee, by the Texas Tribunes Patrick Svitek

"From Team Bush, it's a bitter pill to swallow, but you know what? You get back up and you help the man that won, and you make sure that we stop Hillary Clinton," George P. Bush said, according to video of the remarks provided by an audience member.

-- Plan to house immigrant youths in former state school nixed, by the Chrons Mike Ward

By a vote of 8-1, the board turned back the plan promoted by Corsicana city officials to house up to 800 foreign youths at the site, in what they said could bring up to 1,100 jobs to the Navarro County community about 55 miles south of Dallas.

>> Top Texas officials run the gamut on Trump, by the San Antonio Express-News Peggy Fikac

>> ICYMI: Texas Take: The Podcast  Hillary and The Donald and Voter ID: Oh my!

>> Aryan Brotherhood in 'chaos' after federal takedown, by the Chronicles Dana Schiller

-- Should Texas Republicans Be Worried About The State Of Their County Organizations? by Texas Monthlys Dan Solomon

All of this ultimately suggests that there are some risks to the single-party rule that Republicans have enjoyed in Texas for a generation. While oddball candidates can run for office in any party, the power that the GOP wields in Texas raises the stakes for each of these electionsand the sheer number of Republican voters in the state means that there are going to be more uninformed voters if only because there are more voters total.

>> Greenspoint area's recovery still sluggish four months after Tax Day Floods, by the Houston Chronicles Rebecca Elliott

SPEED READ

No job. No insurance. No chance at 'Obamacare.' No safety net in Texas. Welcome to Cuero, Houston Chronicle

Restroom battle may head to the Texas Legislature, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Texas continues growth into auto industry powerhouse, Austin American-Statesman

Lone Star Rail project faces possible extinction in Monday vote, Austin American-Statesman

Pancake, the first dog of Texas, helps Gov. Greg Abbott explain simple tips to prevent Zika outbreak, Dallas Morning News

Laredos Sen. Zaffirini involved in long legal tussle over wealthy estate, San Antonio Express-News

Is the Eagle Ford oil boom making people sick?, San Antonio Express-News

Clinic gets fresh coat of support, Houston Chronicle

Texas Muslims Ask GOP to Condemn Trump, KLBK

STAAR struck: Educators wary of ratings after testing problems, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Federal judge suggests DA Reyna has conflict in Twin Peaks cases, Waco Tribune-Herald

Housing Authority chairman to resign following high-profile battle, Houston Chronicle

CAPITOL DAYBOOK: No meetings scheduled

RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE

-- Inside the swing-state trench warfare, by POLITICO: For Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, their strategies for winning in November are compounded by a significant obstacle: Theyve already lost once in some of the most important counties in this elections most important swing states.

These battlegrounds  spread across the 11 battleground states from Jefferson County in Colorado to Brown County in Wisconsin to Scott County in Iowa  have become epicenters of the 2016 campaign. Both campaigns know it too, and thats why the candidates and their surrogates have been scrambling to crisscross the country for personal visits to these places as the White House race enters a final lap.

Close to 50 interviews with GOP and Democratic party chairs from 25 of the most vital counties on the map  counties that are poised to play a major role in determining their states outcome either because of their size or voting history  revealed Trump himself is on his own mission to learn as much as he can from the local officials who know their voters the best.

>> Tim Kaine Says Hillary Clinton Has Learned From Email Mistake, by The New York Times Patrick Healy

-- Let Mike be Mike: Inside the sometimes awkward Trump-Pence partnership, by The Washington Posts Jose A. DelReal and Sean Sullivan

In the opening weeks of their partnership, Trump has granted his running mate broad leeway with no precedent in recent presidential campaigns, amplifying differences in style and substance between the Indiana governor and New York real estate mogul. For a campaign whose mantra long has been Let Trump be Trump, the guiding principle that has formed around Pence is, as one of the aides put it, Let Mike be Mike.

There are people that hold him in high regard personally that feel sorry for him, that feel sorry that he made the decision because hes now a passenger on a train whose conductor is apparently mad, said John Weaver, a veteran Republican strategist who is a strident Trump critic.

-- Trumps economic advisers are also his biggest donors, by Politicos Shane Goldmacher

Of the 13 men  and they are all men  that Trump touted as economic advisers for their unparalleled experience and success, five are major donors whose families combined to give Trumps campaign and his joint fundraising account with the Republican Party more than $2 million. Two more have been pursued for campaign contributions.

>> Trump loses ground among key voter groups, tracking poll finds, Los Angeles Times
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.
This months Book Report tackles the topic of romantic relationships. Two of the novels, This Must Be The Place and The Hopefuls, deal with the ups and downs of marriage and identity, and the third, The Hating Game, reveals a relationship as it blossoms from hate to love.

Sally Thorne takes on workplace romantic relationships in The Hating Game. Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman sit across from each other in their respective positions as assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company. When the companies merged, Lucy and Joshua were forced to work in close quarters, much to their displeasure.

Lucys Bexley team are lovers of literature, people who believed that literature is art, as necessary to peoples lives as air is to breathe. Joshuas Gamin team is more analytical; they believe in key performance indicator targets and that books are units to be sold.

Each team needs the other to survive in todays competitive market. Joshua thinks Lucy is too soft on her staff, letting them shirk their responsibilities so that she has to pick up their slack. Lucy thinks Josh is a jerk, and the macho posturing of his team annoys her.

Though they claim to hate each other, events conspire to throw them together, and the course of true love never runs smooth. The fact that they are up for the same promotion makes their rivalry even more personal and intense.

The Hating Game is a terrific workplace romance novel, and the reader roots for Lucy and Joshua to realize their feelings for each other. Thorne writes some hot and steamy sex scenes, and I was surprised to find that she is a 65-year-old British female debut author. Her first book is so well-done, it felt like it was written by someone who has been doing this awhile. I loved the characters and hope to see them again sometime.

Jennifer Closes third novel, The Hopefuls, is publishing at just the right time. Matt and Beths story takes place in Washington, D.C., where Matt hopes his work as legal counsel in the Obama administration will help him land a position that he can leverage into running for political office himself.

Beth reluctantly follows her husband from New York to D.C., hoping to find her place there as well. She doesnt like politics, and in a company town like D.C., its hard to meet anyone who doesnt identify themselves by their security clearance level.

When they meet golden boy Jimmy and his wife, Ash, Beth finally feels like she has a friend. Matt is envious of Jimmys position and his easy way with people. Everything seems to fall in Jimmys lap.

The Hopefuls reveals Matt and Beths marriage through the prism of politics, and how difficult it is to be married to someone who is so totally consumed by their career when the other persons career is less satisfying. Matt and Beth compare themselves to Jimmy and Ash, and when they follow them to Texas to help Jimmy run for office, the problems in their marriage become magnified. Close gets the details of marriage so right in this book, investing the reader in Matt and Beth's.

She excels in her character development. The scenes with Matts family  his overbearing mother who makes the in-laws sit at a separate dinner table from their spouses  are so perfectly written that we get to know these characters well even though they are only around for a little while.

Maggie OFarrells This Must Be The Place weaves together the story of Daniel, an American who, while on a trip to Ireland to pick up the ashes of his dead grandfather, meets Claudette, a famous actress who ran away with her young son from her director husband and stardom in order to live in seclusion.

Daniel is upset about the dissolution of his first marriage and the fact that his ex-wife refuses to allow him to see his children. He falls in love with Claudette and Ari, her son. He stays in Ireland, they marry and have two children of their own.

Claudette is a difficult woman; she prefers to stay on her secluded property, homeschooling her children. Daniel works as a professor of linguistics and loves his wife dearly.

Daniel has to face an event from 20 years ago that forces him to look at just the kind of man he really is. Is he the good man he thinks himself to be?

OFarrell brilliantly tells Daniel and Claudettes story, using perspective from others along the way. Her theme of the redemptive quality of love is one worth contemplating in this moving story.
SKANEATELES  Infused!, the specialty food store located at 37 Fennell St. in the village of Skaneateles, has created such a niche in the local shopping experience that it needs more space for its inventory.

At the same time, Elaine Slater-Kogler  who owns Infused! and also runs Long Lake Custom Framing in the back room of the same building  said she is no longer physically able to work on the custom framing projects.

So, with a buyer looking to take over and relocate the framing business, Slater-Kogler said she plans to expand the food store's inventory and offerings into both rooms on the first floor of the building.

"We're growing exponentially, and we need the space," she said. "The stars are aligning themselves here. It's fun. It's exciting, and we're just trying to figure out what our local customers want and go from there."

Located away from the downtown business district of Genesee and Jordan streets, Infused! relies on local customers from the Skaneateles community and the central New York area  so that is who Slater-Kogler said she caters to, particular as a dealer for the Big Green Egg charcoal barbecue cooker.

"We don't see a lot of tourist traffic. Locals are my customers. That's my business, local people," she said. "That's important to me that I'm serving my locals. We'd like to see more tourists, but until we can figure out how to get them off the beaten path, I haven't gotten any creative ideas yet."

With the expansion, Slater-Kogler said she will have more space to display the cookers and the accessories for them and will also have more room to offer a larger selection of some current products and some new products, including items that complement the Big Green Egg.

"Because we're off the beaten path, we have to be a destination location, so we're listening to our customers to see what they're looking for, what they want, and filling the shelves that way," she said.

The Big Green Egg, Slater-Koger explained, is a kamado-style cooker that encompasses convection cooking using all-natural lump charcoal.

"You can use charcoal. You can use just wood chunks for smoking," she said. "You can use a combination of charcoal and wood chunks or wood chips."

There are several ways to cook with the Big Green Egg. One you can cook ribs or pork butts "low and slow," she said, at 250 degrees for 20 hours or sear steaks at high heat of 700 degrees. It also acts as a pizza oven, cooking a pizza in 5 or 6 minutes at 600 degrees.

"Anything that you can bake in your oven you can bake in your egg," Slater-Kogler said. "The stuff is just amazing. ... The food that comes off of them is just unbelievable. There's a following for the Big Green Egg. People love it."

Those followers include Slater-Kogler and her husband.

"It literally turned my husband into a cook," she said. "He never cooked anything, and now he cooks four, five nights a week. He plans long cooks over the weekend and looks up recipes. He's having fun. He's really having fun."

Being one of only two Big Green Egg dealers in central New York  and, as a gold dealer, appearing at the top of a ZIP code search on the dealer locator on biggreenegg.com  is what Slater-Kogler said helps Infused! become a destination location for local customers.

Otherwise, she said, doing business off the beaten path off downtown Skaneateles remains a challenge. She relies on social media marketing and an email marketing of customers who visit the store and sign up on the list.

As for Long Lake Custom Framing, Slater-Kogler said she is "totally retiring from the framing" and selling it to a good friend who purchased all the equipment and supplies and will move it near Newburyport, Massachusetts.

"That's going to be an add-on to his custom woodworking business," she said. "He does a lot of woodworking using reclaimed wood and things. It's just an opportunity that came up, and I just said, 'Boy, do I have a deal for you.' ... We've had a good run with the framing. Physically, I just can't do it anymore."

Slater-Kogler said the transition of closing Long Lake Custom Framing and expanding Infused! will take place Aug. 31, and she will take orders for framing until Aug. 20.

She noted Aug. 31 happens to mark the 15th anniversary since she left Welch Allyn to open the store that emphasizes food that is healthy yet flavorful.

"When you talk about stars aligning, it just seems like it's just coming together," she said. "I really like to emphasize that we're here for the locals. To me, that's important."
A letter to an advice columnist recently complained that a sons school was treating his parents like nimrods. In context, it was clear that the letter writers meant idiots. But nimrod used to be a positive word, not a negative one.

Yes, its time for when good words go bad.

For many years, centuries even, nimrod meant a hunter, perhaps even a great one. In the Bible, Nimrod, a descendant of Ham, was portrayed as a mighty hunter before the Lord. As the Merriam-Webster Dictionary notes, Its easy to see how people made the leap from one mighty hunter in the Bible to calling any hunter a nimrod.

So how did he get to be an idiot?

Patience, grasshopper.

Sign up for CJR 's daily email

Nimrod was a king of Shinar, what we know more familiarly as Mesopotamia. Interestingly enough, the Mesopotamians had a war god whose name was Nintura, who was also known as a mighty hunter. Coincidence? Not to The Oxford English Dictionary, which says that Nintura begat Nimrod, etymologically speaking, and that Nimrod translates from the Hebrew to we will rebel. Turns out that neither Nintura nor Nimrod were particularly benevolent, and the first non-capitalized use of nimrod was tyrant. That usage is now obsolete. (But hold on to that thought.)

Um, idiot?

Were getting there.

Heres Merriam-Websters explanation of the transformation: The legendary Nimrod is also sometimes associated with the attempt to build the Tower of Babel. Because the tower resulted in the wrath of the Lord and proved a disastrous idea, nimrod is sometimes used with yet another meaning: a stupid person. 

But Bryan A. Garner blames Bugs Bunny. As he wrote in The Ongoing Tumult in English Usage, an essay in Garners Modern English Usage, Bugs used nimrod to taunt his nemesis Elmer Fudd (a hunter, no coincidence):

What a moron! [pronounced like maroon] What a nimrod! [pronounced with a pause like two words, nim rod]. So for an entire generation raised on these cartoons, the word took on the sense of ineptitudeand therefore what was originally a good joke got ruined.

However, the OED says that nimrod has been used ironically for many years to mean a hunter who is maybe not-so-great. And it traces the North American slang nimrod, meaning a stupid or contemptible person; an idiot to 1933, before Bugs munched his first carrot.

Another word that lost its longtime meaning recently is nabob. We know what you are all thinking: nattering nabobs of negativism.

Yes, we can thank Spiro Agnew for making nabob into a negative. Though in reality, we should thank William Safire, Agnews speechwriter.

Safire most certainly knew the contemporary definition of nabob, a man of great wealth, and he deliberately used it to skewer the elite. In so doing, he forever tarnished it: Call someone a nabob today, and theyre not likely to thank you. In fact, its hard to find any modern usage that uses nabob nicely.

The pre-Safire definition of nabob as a man of great wealth descended from the original definition of nabob: a native deputy or viceroy in India; a Mogul provincial governor, as the 1949 Websters New Collegiate Dictionary had it. Because many British who went to be viceroys in India came back quite wealthy, its easy to see how nabob became attached to them as well as rich, influential people like them.

That original definition also gives us our third word that has gone to the dark side: mogul.

The Moguls are the Muslim descendants of the Mongol conquerors of India; as early as 1653, Mogul was being used to describe powerful, dominant people, according to the OED.

Most dictionaries still define mogul as an important, influential, dominant person. Donald Trump is often described as a real estate mogul, Rupert Murdoch is a media mogul, and Snoop Dogg is often called a music mogul.

But its not always meant as a compliment: Its connotation centers on dominant, as in overbearing or domineering. In fact, the OED includes the word autocrat in its definition of mogul.

Guess whats a synonym of autocrat? Thats right, tyrant. Which brings us back to nimrod. Try using nimrod in place of mogul and see what happens.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Merrill Perlman managed copy desks across the newsroom at the New York Times, where she worked for twenty-five years. Follow her on Twitter at @meperl.
With the announcement last week that Vice President of Communication Natalie Kerris is leaving Twitter after only six months on the job, the companys public relations troubles are in the news again. But does Twitter have a PR problem, or a problem with how the site itself is working?

While the reason for Kerriss departure remains unclear, her exit comes after a season of reports of falling stock and a shrinking user base, despite a concerted effort at a better communications strategy. Over the past year, theyve had multiple executive changes and new policies. In June of 2015, Twitter shareholder Chris Sacca wrote that Twitter has failed to tell its own story. A month later, then communications-head Gabriel Stricker was ousted. In February, Kerris entered, and Twitter started its Trust and Safety Council, an advisory group, now comprised of about 60 nonprofit organizations, aimed at developing Twitter policies around online harassment.

Users have also been vocal about the abuse they must tolerate on the social platform. Journalists like Jon Weisman at The New York Times left the platform because of the anti-Semitic language directed at him. Jessica Valenti called it quits just last weekend after threats were made against her daughter. The most high-profile harassment case involved actress Leslie Jones, who threatened to leave Twitter because of the abuse she received from a Twitter mob incited by alt-right Breitbart tech editor Milo Yiannopoulos.

Yiannopoulos was permanently banned from Twitter in July, following the Jones incident, but questions were raised about why it took Twitter CEO Jack Dorseys involvement to trigger the ban. On a recent episode of the podcast Rocket, Christina Warren says: What bothers me about this is not the response.but that it took a famous person.

Video game developer Brianna Wu, a frequent recipient of horrific harassment and one of the targets of Gamergate, adds that there are people at Twitter working on the issue of online abuse who care very deeplyand some recent changes have been made on the platform. A few years ago, Twitter knew absolutely nothing about transgender people, she says, citing one example of how the company has progressed. Ive seen Twitter talk to people in the transgender community, learn about policies, update them, and change the results of reporting. But while progress is being made, she says, theres so much that Twitter just doesnt do.

Twitter is beginning to stand out among social platforms, too, as not doing enough to combat online harassment. Just last week, Instagram released a tool allowing users to have greater control over their comment sections. Twitter has also been criticized for focusing more on its new buttons and features than making the platform feel like a safe space.

Sign up for CJR 's daily email

So has Twitter failed at telling its storyand does it need to get better at communicating what is workingor has it failed to prioritize safety enough?

How content moderation works

Many complaints against Twitter have been made on the grounds of inconsistency; even if Twitter has rules in place against threats, these rules are not enforced across the board.

Twitter does not make public how many abuse reports it receives, how many people work on moderation team, or how its moderation is structured. (At the time of publication, Twitter has not responded to requests for comment.)

Usually, human content moderation works in conjunction with automated moderation. Most platforms rely on users to flag content to trigger moderationin other words, platforms dont police content before someone flags it as offensive. With platforms having to monitor such volumes of content, automation has to play a central role. But it is unlikely that any platform will ever rely on 100 percent automated moderation. Humans are just better at interpreting context, and total automation poses the risk of mistakenly censoring content that is in the public interest.

Platforms dont police content before someone flags it as offensive.

Hany Farid, a computer scientist at Dartmouth, is one of the original developers of PhotoDNA, a tool that allows companies to recognize and remove problematic images from their networks. It works by identifying the digital signature of images that are flagged by users and determined to be graphic. Once identified, Farid says, this content can be quickly, accurately, and automatically detected, thus preventing any future upload. Twitter, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, etc. are all using this technology. The tool was originally intended for removing child pornography and preventing its repeated dissemination, but Farid says it can be extended to any content deemed in violation of the terms of service of a social media platform.

While PhotoDNA has recently been extended to video and audio (in collaboration with the Counter Extremism Project), live video (such as Facebook Live) still poses a major challenge: In my opinion, we do not have a fast, accurate, and automatic technology for reviewing live video for inappropriate content, Farid says. This is an incredibly difficult problem and one that is going to require much more research.

This kind of automation is only one way of moderating content. Twitter is testing a new method of moderation on Periscope (which is owned by Twitter) that operates, in effect, like community policing. Here, the tried-and-true method of user flagging is taken one step further; when content is flagged, its then posed to other users, who are asked to vote on whether they find the content offensive.

The problem with flagging, write Kate Crawford and Tarton Gillespie in an article on the topic, is that flags carry little to no information about contextand that context must be assessed by others. The side effect of asking for more human moderation, of course, is that more people then have to look at potentially offensive content. The news industry has become increasingly concerned about trauma among journalists who are required to look at such images in their workwe should have a similar concern for moderators looking at the worst of what finds it way online. A couple of pieces on the work of content moderation have highlighted this human toll. Adrian Chens 2014 piece in The Atlantic suggests it is a larger industry than many of us realize, with possibly over 100,000 laborers.

Assessing Twitters content moderation

Some of the best information we have on Twitters responses to abuse reports comes from a study written by J. Nathan Matias and others on data collected by a nonprofit group called Women, Action, & the Media. WAM held an authorized reporter status with Twitter, allowing the organization a special platform by which to identify and report inappropriate content on behalf of others.

WAM, in turn, set up a way for people to report to it directly on its website (which Twitter users might do instead of or in addition to reporting to Twitter). While WAMs sample size is considerably smaller and more specific than the abuse reports that all of Twitter probably sees, and it had a privileged status in recommending that certain posts be taken down, it also had the advantage that Twitter would report back to WAM on how it responded to WAMs reports. In this way, WAM was able to discern something about which types of reports Twitter responds to, as well as how it responds.

CJR posted a summary of some of WAMs numbers last year. One of the most interesting findings is that most harassment was reported by bystanders, not the target of harassment.

The report also says that Twitter did, in fact, take action on WAMs requests for removal more often than not, but that Twitters response was tied to the type of harassment flagged: In cases reported to involve threats of violence, Twitter took action to suspend or warn accounts in 16 cases, over three times more often than they declined (5). Twitter took action in more cases of hate speech (30) than they declined (20). However, WAM also found that Twitter had a low probability of taking down content related to doxxing that it reportedthe sharing of private information. And, importantly, WAM did not find any relationship between follower counts, account age, and Twitters likelihood to take action.

WAM also found that ongoing harassment was a concern in 29% of reportsa troubling statistic, and one that suggests online abuse cant be solved by flagging alone. WAMs recommendations include asking Twitter to clearly define harassment, expand the ability of users to filter out unwanted messages, and diversify the companys leadership.

Making the system better

Content moderation is mostly a reactionary process, but there are measures that Twitter and other platforms can take to prevent certain types of harassment before they happen, as well as give users the tools to protect themselves.

Theres a distinction between harassment and abuse, says David Riordan, CTIO at the Brown Institute for Media Innovation. Companies like Twitter are very good at anticipating and identifying abuse of their own systemsand they should get better at doing the same for abuse of users. Just as companies assess weakness in their systems for potential sites of abuse, they should anticipate potential sites for harassment. Such protocol should be in their playbook, Riordan adds.

There are measures Twitter can take to prevent harassment and give users the tools to protect themselves.

On the other hand, companies have to be careful not to make the field too competitive. The challenge is dealing with technical strategies for abuse and harassment so that it doesnt trigger the arms race, says Riordan. If Twitter and Facebook start competing over content moderation, the up-front cost of moderation could rise, which could discourage other platforms from implementing their own systems. This is not something we want, especially in the realm of threats and hateful speech.

In the meantime, there are some stopgap fixes. Users can now share block lists, and Twitter has developed tools that make it easier to block large swaths of people at once.

Ben Smith and his BuzzFeed team have advocated for extending the First Amendment to social platforms. They suggested something called shadowbanningwhere the user cannot tell he or she has been banned. Such a measure would make banning safer for Twitter users and less satisfying for those who are banned.

Twitter is at a watershed moment. And to be sure, part of the problem it is facing is with the public perception. Users have the impression that Twitter is a public marketplace, and that a certain amount of hateful language is part and parcel with freedom of expression. On the other hand, since Twitter is not a common carrier, like an internet or phone provider, it is not governed by the First Amendment.

Claire Wardle, research director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism, says Twitter needs to move toward more automation but also more education of users. Twitter should make it clear to users that the technology it uses to handle harassment isnt perfectthat it cant recognize context, cant deal with consent or dignity (as in the case of Philando Castile, whose death was streamed live on Facebook by his girlfriend), and cant recognize public interest. The challenges are the technology, says Wardle, but also the subtleties of these questions around free speech.

More clarity and transparency on its policies would help, as would more detail about the abuse reports it receives. But the problem is systemic, and it cant be fixed by better communications alone. As Matias writes in a clever essay using the Victorian response to tainted food as a model for how we should think about online harassment:

Today when industrial-scale food adulteration occurs, such as the 85,000 tonnes of olives treated with copper sulphate that Italian police seized in February, we expect a systemic response. Creating systems of public safety that also worked for industry was a complex endeavour that unfolded over generations, through the collective efforts of scientists, advocates, industry groups and governments.

Wardle says Twitter and others havent gone far enough in thinking about moderation mostly because for a long time, platforms focused on being communication technologies and they didnt want to be involved in editorial. Admitting that they have some role in editorial would mean huge resourcing in order to develop these tools.

But at this point, its been a year since Twitter first announced a strategic shift in 2015, and users are still leaving the platform, predominantly women. Many people, especially journalists and those in the tech industry, have to be on Twitter for workso for them there is no escaping the abuse. Twitters problem is not just with its storyits with its reality.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Nausicaa Renner is digital editor of CJR.
A year after a Vermont social worker was shot and killed outside a state office building, the state says its making security enhancements to buildings, but the employees union says Vermont hasnt moved quickly enough to protect workers from violence.

Police said Lara Sobel was shot as she was leaving work in Barre on Aug. 7, 2015 by a woman upset over losing custody of her 9-year-old daughter. Jody Herring has pleaded not guilty to killing Sobel and three of her own relatives. She is in jail awaiting trial.

On Wednesday, police were looking for Herrings 21-year-old daughter who they said was missing after being released from prison last week. State officials planned to increase security at some offices as a precaution.

Since the shootings last year, the state has assessed 14 major office facilities housing Agency of Human Services staff and then developed security priorities, Administration Secretary Justin Johnson said Monday.

I have not been in a big rush to advertise all the things weve been doing because I dont think laying out all of the security flaws and where we might have changed things  is in the best interest of security, he said.

Human Services Secretary Hal Cohen notified staff last month that the state will begin adding safety glass reception windows, panic buttons, lock down buttons and security cameras to some buildings this fiscal year. The upgrades are funded by one-time funding allocated through the Legislature.

The capital bill appropriated $1 million for security enhancements. Another $500,000 was allocated in the operating budget but only $250,000 of that is targeted to additional security, said Dawn OToole, the agencys chief operations officer. The state hopes to add security staff to four more buildings that dont have them and it expects to seek more funding next year for more upgrades and personnel, she said.

But the Vermont State Employees Association president is demanding that the state do more, immediately.

Taking a full year to address a serious safety crisis is not acceptable, said association president Dave Bellini in a letter to the administration.

The unions priorities are:

 Having all state parking lots secured and monitored, with restricted entry.

 Having trained law enforcement officers regularly present in state office buildings.

 Creating an independent safety czar to coordinate safety efforts and have the authority to make recommendations and seek funding for security improvements from the Legislature and administration.

Johnson said the state is considering adding security personnel to some buildings, updating and improving training for the Buildings and General Services department security force and has law enforcement officers in some facilities, Johnson said.

It was also in the process of hiring a new head of security at the Department of Buildings and General Services. That person is to have an expanded role of overseeing security training and preparation and assessment across state government facilities, Johnson said.

I think obviously theres always more you can do and theres always things to keep an eye on. And we will continue to do that, he said. Its not a one-off thing. Its an ongoing sort of approach to how you ensure that people remain safe and well continue to work on that.

Herrings daughter, Desiree Herring, was incarcerated earlier this year for multiple convictions, the Barre police chief said. She was released July 28, he said, and placed at a residence in the city under terms of her prison furlough.

But police were unable to find her on Tuesday and were still searching for her Wednesday.

Officials warned state workers Wednesday morning and said theyd increase security at the Barre offices as a precaution, The Burlington Free Press reported.

My staff are feeling particularly sensitive at this time, as this is the anniversary of the murders, Cohen told the newspaper. We thought it was best to inform all of our staff, and we have also brought in additional security to the city center as well.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Allstate Corp. Chief Executive Officer Tom Wilson created a stand-alone unit for a telematics business that he expects to grow rapidly by collecting data on drivers and selling analytics products to third parties.

The firm is named Arity and will also serve the insurers own brands including Esurance, Wilson said Wednesday in a phone interview. Allstate, the largest publicly traded U.S. provider of home and auto coverage, has been using telematics for at least six years to help clients drive safely and obtain rewards.

Arity can incorporate new data sources and enhance analytical capabilities in ways that we werent able to do when it was embedded in the insurance company, Wilson said. Its a big enough platform today with the Allstate customers in it, and that will continue to grow, but wed like it to grow even faster with a broader set of customers.

To read more about Allstates data push, click here.

Allstate rival Progressive Corp. has used technology for years to track driver habits and offer discounts to its safest clients. The approach has gained appeal in other sectors. Verizon Communications Inc. agreed this week to spend $2.4 billion to buy a GPS vehicle-tracking company.

Wilson has been seeking to offset pressured margins at the car-insurance business. The Northbrook, Illinois-based company announced Wednesday that second-quarter net income slipped to $271 million, or 64 cents a share, from $355 million, or 79 cents, a year earlier. Wilson said the telematics business has tripled over the past three years.

Weve reached a million late last year in terms of active connections, and we expect it to grow quite aggressively, he said. Its a good growth business which is one of the reasons we wanted to make sure it wasnt restricted by the efforts of being inside an insurance company.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.
A years worth of rain fell in 70 minutes.

Clouds piled 12 miles into the mountain sky unleashed a deluge on July 31, 1976, setting off the most powerful flood since glaciers retreated 10,000 years ago.

The chaos along an otherwise trickling Big Thompson River killed 144 people, five of whom were never found, and carved out a chapter in the history books as Colorados deadliest natural disaster.

It was the eve of the states 100th birthday, part of a three-day shindig that drew weekend warriors and outdoor enthusiasts to the mountains of Larimer County. An estimated 3,500 people were camping, fishing and relaxing in the canyon that night.

A thunderstorm parked near Estes Park and turned the sky a daunting black late that afternoon, reported the Coloradoan.

Some residents recall fishing in Loveland and looking to the west, curious about the strange storm pattern that didnt jibe with late-summer monsoon flows. Others remember the peculiarity of water filling wheel barrows in a matter of seconds or natures brilliant light show after the sun set.

Even the 2013 disaster in the same spot paled in comparison both in body count and sheer brutality, largely because people were caught flat-footed some 40 years ago. A foot of rain fell during a few hours in a stretch of land between the tourist hub of Estes Park and the quaint mountain communities of Drake and Glen Haven.

With nowhere to go, that deluge sped down the rocky hillsides.

It took everything in its path.

Im stuck. Im right in the middle of it. I cant get out  said Colorado State Patrol Sgt. Willis Hugh Purdy in his last radio transmission before being swept away, killed by the water. Hes credited with saving hundreds of lives by issuing evacuations lower in the canyon.

Propane tanks burst. Water buoyed homes. Babies were snatched from their families.

The river even moved a 275-ton boulder the size of a small house.

All told, the pressure washer of water that tore through the Big Thompson Canyon caused more than $35 million in damage to 418 homes and businesses  nearly $150 million by 2016 standards. More than 400 vehicles, many loaded with tourists or residents trying out run the water, were swept off roads and sent crashing down the steep and craggy mountain canyon.

Bodies were pulled from debris piles and muck from high in the canyon to areas near Interstate 25. It wasnt until the death toll surpassed the 100 people that many realized just how bad this storm had been.

There were at least 250 reported injuries, and more than 800 people were helicoptered out when day broke and the sun shined the following Sunday morning, Aug. 1. The stories of survival, near death and loss made national headlines. Flood waters were replaced by a flood of people  rescuers, family members and journalists, their own stories making headlines about covering the mayhem in a time before cellphones, the internet and camera ubiquity.

For days, it was a race from one stop to the next, then to the nearest phone or back to Fort Collins to make the deadline for the afternoon paper, wrote Jake Henshaw, the lead Coloradoan reporter who covered disaster, in a column marking the 10th anniversary.  (W)hat strikes me most is not how quickly the flood and the rescue were over but how long the clean-up took and how deeply the scars cut.

Families gathered at the old Loveland Memorial Hospital, anxious to hear the latest identity of the figures tucked in body bags, which were laid out in refrigerated trucks in the parking lot  there were too many for the morgue to handle. The bodies of five flood victims were never located.

Signs now dot U.S. Highway 34  and canyons across Colorado  warning people to climb to safety in the event of flooding. That was a lesson from 1976. Flood plains were re-drawn. Some homes were rebuilt. Many werent.

Each year, residents, friends, family, and survivors gather at the Big Thompson Canyon Association and Memorial Site, about one mile below Drake, 13 miles west of the Kmart on U.S. Highway 34 in Loveland. Sometimes theres singing. Other times just speeches. Scholarships to children have become part of the ceremony.

But theres always a somber note that hangs in the air, one that remembers the deadliest natural disaster in Colorado history.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
ALBANY  In the fall of 1825, John Henry Hopkins traveled from Buffalo to Albany on the Erie Canal just days after the 363-mile waterway had opened. Along the way, the Episcopal minister from Pennsylvania drew scenes of what was then considered a marvel of modern engineering.

This month, the co-founder of a Vermont history museum is traveling by tugboat on the canal, stopping at about 30 communities, including the Weedsport/Port Byron area, over the next six weeks as he discusses the waterway's impact on the nation's growth in the 19th century and hands out prints of Hopkins' artwork, many of them never published and rarely seen by the general public.

"He left us an incredible series of images of the communities, of the canal, that fill in a tremendous amount of information," Cohn said in a telephone interview from aboard the C.L. Churchill, a 52-year-old wooden tugboat owned by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes.

Cohn and his fellow crewmembers will visit communities along the canal as far west as Rochester, giving public talks about the waterway and presenting copies of Hopkins' artwork to local museums and historical societies. Cohn was meeting Friday with state Canal Corp. officials to iron out the details of his itinerary.

On Monday, the Canal Corp. posted a schedule on its Facebook page. Full day visits are planned Aug. 18 and 27 in the Weedsport/Port Byron area.

The voyage is aimed at bringing attention to next year's 200th anniversary of the beginning of construction of the Erie Canal, with events planned each year through 2025, according to Canal Corp. spokesman Shane Mahar.

The waterway was officially opened in October 1825 by Gov. DeWitt Clinton, who traveled on the canal by boat from Buffalo to Albany, then on to Manhattan. Once there, he dumped a cask of Lake Erie water into New York Harbor to signify the "wedding of the waters" linking the Great Lakes to the East Coast.

Around that time the Irish-born Hopkins, then a 32-year-old newly ordained clergyman from Pittsburgh, began his own voyage by canal boat from Buffalo to Albany, eventually headed for Manhattan to attend a religious conference. A talented artist and architectural illustrator, he created 37 watercolor and pencil sketches of canal scenes. They include a rendition of the Genesee River falls at Rochester and the elevated towpath built over the Cayuga swamp in the Cayuga County town of Montezuma. The 1,300-foot-long timber structure was replaced by an aqueduct in the 1840s.

Cohn came across the Hopkins collection last year while doing research at William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

One Erie Canal expert said he was "blown away" when Cohn showed him prints of the Hopkins drawings, considered some of the earliest images of the waterway before the invention of photography in the late 1830s.

"We don't have a lot of images of the very first version of the Erie Canal," said Duncan Hay, historian for the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. "Finding drawings tucked away in a manuscript collection in another part of the country is pretty exciting."
Miss Saigon Will Return Home to New Yorks Broadway Theatre in 2017

Not only is Miss Saigon making a highly-anticipated return to Broadway in spring 2017, but producers have now announced that the musical will return to the place where the original Broadway production became a critical and commercial hit -- the Broadway Theatre.

The revival of the musical, which is set during the end of the Vietnam War and its aftermath, was announced late last year. Miss Saigon will follow another revival, Fiddler on the Roof, which is playing at the Broadway Theatre through Dec. 31.

Created as a modernization of Giacomo Puccini's 1904 opera Madame Butterfly by Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil -- who also created Les Miserables -- Miss Saigon is centered on Kim, a teenage orphan who works at Dreamland, a nightclub and brothel in Saigon owned by a hustler known as "The Engineer." She falls in love with a U.S. Marine, Chris Scott. However, with the Vietnam War ending both internal and external forces separate the two lovers. The musical features a memorable scene in Act II depicting the helicopter evacuation of the Americans from Saigon with astounding stage effects, as well as popular songs like "Sun and Moon," "Last Night of the World" and "I'd Give My Life for You."

The original Broadway production opened in April 1991 following the successful West End production, which opened in 1989. The opening night cast on Broadway included Lea Salonga as Kim, Jonathan Pryce as The Engineer, and Hinton Battle, all of whom won Tony Awards for their performances. Miss Saigon closed on Jan. 28, 2001, just eleven weeks shy of its tenth anniversary on Broadway. Salonga, who originated the role of Kim in both London and New York, returned to the production in its final weeks to reprise her Tony Award-winning role.

The Broadway revival of Miss Saigon is actually a transfer of the West End revival that premiered in 2014 and closed earlier this year. It is directed by Laurence Connor, who directed the current Broadway productions of School of Rock - The Musical and Les Miserables. Producer Cameron Mackintosh, who produced the original Broadway production as well as the 2014 West End revival, is also producing the Broadway revival. The leads in the recent West End production, Eva Noblezada (Kim) and Jon Jon Briones (The Engineer), will follow the show to Broadway. Briones was nominated for the 2015 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical, and the revival was nominated for the 2015 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.

Miss Saigon is currently scheduled to run at the Broadway Theatre through Jan. 15, 2018, after which the production will go on a U.S. tour. Tickets for the show will become available as the debut grows closer.

 2016 The Classical Art, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

TagsMiss Saigon, broadway theater, School of Rock, Les Miserables
Billy_Pfaff.jpeg

Billy Pfaff, founder of Massachusetts nonprofit Heroin is Killing My Town, live streamed a video on Facebook yesterday, inviting people to Akron for a rally tomorrow, to help end the stream of drug overdoses.

AKRON, Ohio -- A group called Heroin is Killing my Town is trying to save Akron from a rash of overdoses this summer.

The Massachusetts nonprofit called activists to Akron in a Facebook Live post Sunday, planning a rally on Main Street for Tuesday.

So far more than 800 of the 11,000 invited on the group's Facebook page have indicated they will attend the "Call to Action for Summit County Heroin Crisis" at 7 on the sidewalks around the 200 block.

"We need all the help we can get," the group's founder said on the live stream. "Never in my life have I heard of such tragedy. This killer epidemic is killing this community. Akron, Ohio, needs us all."

Eighty people have died from drug overdoses in Summit County this year, Akron police say. According to the Summit County Opiate Task Force, Summit County emergency rooms treated 742 drug overdoses between Jan. 1 and July 20. Cases spiked in July, with double-digit overdoses each day for more than a week in July. There have since been more than 118 more.

In the past month, the Akron Police Department drug unit has grown from two officers to five. Ten officers from the Anti-Violence Bureau are contributing to investigations, and the city has enlisted a Drug Enforcement Administration task force to assist. The city also is vigorously prosecuting dealers whose drugs result in overdose deaths.

Pfaff, who started his group after his best friend died of an overdose, travels around the country visiting communities hit hardest by heroin.

"Every single day I get people reaching out to me to come to Ohio because everyone's dying and the epidemic's getting worse," Pfaff said in a phone interview.

In a statement, the city said it is working with agencies and health systems around the region "to ensure we are deploying every evidence-based strategy at our disposal ...to disrupt all along the continuum of addiction, focusing on treatment and rehabilitation."

Tuesday's rally, which will include speakers and a candlelight vigil, will encourage Gov. John Kasich to declare a state of emergency to attract more funding. The biggest problem, Pfaff said, is lack of resources to get addicts proper treatment.

Congress in July passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, calling for $181 million a year in new spending for addiction and recovery programs.

Pfaff said within 24 hours, his Facebook video inviting people to come to Akron has:

gathered 2,400 new followers from this area

reached 631,000 people

been shared 11,400 times

viewed 351,000 times

"I do this to make change," he said. "I inspire people to wake up and get off the couch and start saving lives, because if they don't get it, it's going to wipe out the nation."
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- More than a week before two gunmen opened fire in a controversial art exhibit in a Dallas suburb, an undercover FBI agent apparently told one of them to "Tear up Texas," according to a court filing in a federal terrorism case filed in Cleveland.

The undercover agent texted Elton Simpson the message on April 24, 2015, after Simpson asked the agent whether the agent had seen a link he posted about the "Draw Prophet Muhammad Contest" in Garland. The agent made the comment "in an effort to continue their dialogue," the affidavit says.

Simpson then apparently acknowledged that and said "so that goes without saying."

On May 3, 2015, Simpson and Nadir Hamid Soofi attacked "The First Annual Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest." They wounded a security guard before police shot and killed them.

The tidbit was included in an affidavit filed last week for the arrest of Erick Jamal Hendricks, a Charlotte, North Carolina man charged with trying to recruit people to join the Islamic State. The FBI says in the affidavit that Hendricks was in contact with Simpson before the art exhibit shooting.

The affidavit says the agent, in addition to Simpson, also kept in touch with Hendricks. Hendricks even sent him to the Garland exhibit the day of the shooting, though the agent is not believe to have been harmed.

The FBI's actions in this case had led some to wonder if the agent -- and thereby the agency -- bear any responsibility for the attack, and whether the tactics used by undercover agents are the best way to ensure safe resolutions to what can be volatile cases.

(You can read the affidavit here or at the bottom of this story. The pertinent information starts at page 26.)

One former FBI agent told The Daily Beast that the court filing "raises a lot more questions than it answers." And another former agent told cleveland.com that the "Tear up Texas" statement "is not across the line, but it's close to it."

The case in which the affidavit is filed is charged in Cleveland because Hendricks is accused of trying to recruit a northeast Ohio man to be part of his sleeper cell.

The FBI did not identify the Ohio man in the criminal complaint. However, the charges and circumstances are identical to those surrounding Amir Al-Ghazi, a Sheffield Lake man who pleaded guilty in March to purchasing an AK-47 in his quest to support the Islamic State.

It was not immediately clear whether the undercover agent is based in Northeast Ohio. Cleveland FBI spokeswoman Vicki Anderson said she could not speak outside of the parameters of the affidavit.

The exchange

The affidavit says agents found pictures on Simpson's phone that showed messages exchanged between Hendricks and Simpson from an unnamed social media platform.

According to the affidavit:

On April 23, 2015, Hendricks directed the undercover agent to Simpson, referring to him as "a good brother." The undercover agent and Simpson started talking online. Simpson said he had been a Muslim for 11 years,.

Simpson and the agent continued talking. Simpson then made reference to the Garland contest and asked if he saw the link he posted.

"In an effort to continue their dialogue, [the agent] made the statement, 'Tear up Texas.'", the affidavit says.

Simpson responded with "Bro, u don't have to say that... U know what happened in Paris ... I think ... Yes of no....?" The statement about Paris is likely a reference to a terrorist attack on the offices of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in January 2015. The attack left 12 dead.

"Right," the agent replied.

"So that goes without saying... No need to be direct," Simpson responded.

Experts weigh in

David Gomez, a retired FBI executive and a senior fellow at the George Washington University's Center for Cyber and Homeland Security, said that the statement is "not across the line, but it gets close to it." He said the comment may have been used to show that Simpson was already plotting the attack or to show Simpson that the undercover agent was a supporter.

Gomez said that communication between undercover agents and suspects are closely monitored by supervisors.

Others feel a bit differently.

Michael German, a former FBI agent who now works at the Brennan Center for Justice, told The Daily Beast that the affidavit "raises a lot more questions than it answers, and I would hope that overseers within Congress and the Justice Department would want to take a hard look at the scope of this investigation."

German told the news outlet that "it would certainly be inappropriate for an FBI undercover agent or cooperating witness to provoke or inspire or urge a person to commit an act of violence. I could imagine an undercover agent thinking it was just the hyperbolic rhetoric they are participating in, and it wasn't an intent to go to Texas and do harm."

Gil Torrez, a former FBI agent who now works as a private investigator in Texas, said he did not know of Hendricks' case or the affidavit. He said, though, that when an agent works undercover, "you sort of accept the role."

He continued, "working undercover, you're living a life that's not yours but you've got to stay in character."

If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Monday's crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Cleveland man was charged with aggravated arson last week after police said he poured lighter fluid on his girlfriend and doused the inside of the house she was in.

Square Harris IV, 35, forced his way into a home near West 73rd Street and Madison Avenue on the afternoon of July 14, according to court records.

As the family inside yelled for him to leave, Harris, who lives on Lawn Avenue, started pouring lighter fluid on the inside of the house and threw lighter fluid on his girlfriend, according to police.

Two women managed to push Harris out of the house, but Harris continued to fling lighter fluid about and begin flicking a lighter, reports say.

Harris was arrested on July 27 and is now out on $20,000 bond. He will be arraigned Aug. 18 on arson, endangering children and felonious assault charges.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit our crime and courts comment section.
RNC Credit Card thieves

Clockwise from top left: Corissa Ann Murray, Darrell Neal, Richard Carter and Angela Hogue.

(Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department)

WESTLAKE, Ohio - Police busted a suspected ring of credit card thieves in a suburban Cleveland hotel during last month's Republican National Convention.

Westlake police officers responded to a July 18 call from a hotel clerk at TownePlace Suites about suspicious activity related to the RNC. There, officers found four people sitting in parked cars outside the hotel carrying over 30 counterfeit credit and debit cards issued by banks and credit unions in at least five different states.

Police arrested 40-year-old Corissa Ann Murray and 32-year-old Darrell Neal of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as well as 29-year-old Richard Carter and 26-year-old Angela Hogue of Chicago. The four are charged in a 36-count felony indictment and are scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 18.

The hotel was hosting Republican delegates from New Hampshire that week. Law enforcement and hotels in the area were on high alert during the convention for suspicious activity.

Credit card theft rings often travel between states to avoid detection. Westlake Police have captured several rings over the last few years, including members of the notorious Felony Lane Gang, which is known for targeting mothers at playgrounds and daycare centers then using disguises to make bank withdrawals.

Westlake Police spokesman Capt. Guy Turner was unavailable Monday, while another detective at the department couldn't say whether the arrest was gang-related.

Attorneys for the four suspects did not return phone calls Monday afternoon.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit our crime and courts comment section.
justicecenter.jpg

The future of Cuyahoga County's Justice Center will be decided in the coming months, although no timetable has been determined.

(Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - If the aging Cuyahoga County Justice Center is replaced, judges may see a new building for all county courts, with exterior walk-up service windows and one welcoming but secure entrance.

Judges from all all county courts and Cleveland Municipal Court, members of K2M Design and Chris Glassburn, senior policy advisor for the county met Friday with said attorney Jeffrey Appelbaum, who is managing the process for the county.

Any decision regarding the 40-year-old building, which takes up a block of prime downtown land, is months away. Cleveland owns the land under the jail and the county owns the land under the justice tower, at St. Clair Avenue and Lakeside Avenue.

Last December the county agreed to pay to pay $50,000 to K2M to study options for the Justice Center. The county also paid $12,500 to the Thompson Hine law firm for the expertise of Appelbaum, who has managed several county projects including the new Hilton Downtown Cleveland convention hotel.

"We are beginning a process of visioning, gathering information and discussion to support the possibility of a future new justice facility," Appelbaum said Monday. "All the courts were invited to participate so that all parties could begin to learn about potential options, learn from each other's experience and understand each court's vision for the future."

Here's what you need to know.

What's been studied so far?

K2M, along with Osborne Engineering in 2014

of the condition of the 2.29 million-square-foot Justice Center complex.

Five judges had sent a letter to County Executive Armond Budish in March, admonishing his decision to hire an outside agency to examine the construction of a new justice center without consulting the building's judicial tenants.

Where are the courts now?

The county's domestic relations and probate courts are in the Cuyahoga County Courthouse across Lakeside Avenue from the Justice Center. The Eighth District Ohio Court of Appeals is also in that building.

The old courthouse, which opened in 1912, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

What do the judges think?

Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Raymond Pianka said on Friday the meeting was productive and judges offered their views for a new building.

"They would like us out of the Justice Center and assured us the old courthouse will still be standing," he said.

What did the experts say?

While judges provided information on Friday, the design firm provided trends in the justice center industry including courtroom technology, security and how to best conduct business, Appelbaum said.

Many courts have one entrance for security reasons and some have added exterior walk-up windows so people who have don't have to go through security and other inconveniences for a quick visit to the clerk of court's office or to pay a fine.

What does the county think?

Appelbaum said judges did "some internal work on their own" before Friday's meeting.

"We are hearing their ideas and responding to those ideas and trying to basically articulate a common vision," he said.

Appelbaum stressed no decisions have been made as to the scope of the project, the location, the participants or the viability of a new justice center. There will be more meetings with judges in the future.

"It was a good first step," he said of the meeting.
Chile introduces mandatory health warnings on foods





The Chilean Government has introduced mandatory food labelling laws covering locally produced and imported food products, as it attempts to combat the countrys rising obesity levels.

With 60 per cent of Chileans considered overweight or having obesity-related health problems and Chile ranked the number one country in Latin America for child obesity, sixth in the OECD, the Chilean government decided to take strict measures to improve health awareness.

Shannon Powell, Austrades Santiago-based Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, said while law No 20.606 was passed by the Chilean Congress in 2012, it only came into force on 27 June 2016.

The Ministry of Health now requires all food and drink packaging, including all food and beverages imported in Chile, to carry a black octagonal stop-sign warning label if the item is High In calories or ingredients such as sugar, salt and saturated fat, said Powell.

Stop sign required on certain foods

The black octagonal stop-sign warning labels will apply to all solid food products which exceed the following limits:

High In calories: 275 calories or more per 100 grams;

High In saturated fats: 4 grams or more of fat per 100 grams;

High In sugar: 10 grams of sugar or more per 100 grams;

High In sodium: 400mg of sodium or more per 100 grams.

Food and beverage products mandated to carry the black High In warning label will be banned from promotion and sale at schools. Advertising on television, radio, in print publications and the Internet targeting this demographic will also be banned.

Powell said the purpose of these strict new food labelling laws, considered to be among the toughest in the world, is to provide the consumer with clearly visible information to make healthier choices.

As the black sign shocks Chilean consumers into revising their eating habits, it opens a unique window of opportunity for Australian companies which produce High In exempt and nutritious foods, said Powell.

Australias reputation for producing high quality, nutritious food options has not gone unnoticed. Chilean retailers are worried about the lack of black sign free options in their isles and are actively seeking new products, she said.

This has seen Austrade Santiago receive increasing requests for introductions to Australian brands, especially across the healthy snacks and drinks segments and new food innovations, she stated.

Powell added Chile is also a prominent regional food and goods market. This means an Australian food exporter entering Chile may gain access to other Andean South American countries, which offer a combined population of approximately 160 million.

Austrade Santiago welcomes interest from Australian companies and is well placed to help Australian products reach Chilean shelves said Powell.

Australian food and beverage producers can contact Austrade on 13 28 78 for more information on business opportunities in Chile.
Coles to become aggressive player in the convenience store sector





The push into the convenience store sector by Australian supermarkets continues with Coles launching a new convenience brand ready to take on the likes of 7-Eleven and local milk bars.

According to The Australian, Big Yum at Little Coles is already established in three city locations across Melbourne selling takeaway coffees at 80 cents, 20 cents cheaper than 7-Elevens popular $1 coffees.

The Big Yum stores will also sell frozen drinks, similar to the popular Slurpees sold at 7-Eleven stores, along with healthy food pre-pared meal solutions for busy working consumers looking for a read-made-meal.

The push by Wesfarmers-owned Coles into the convenience sector comes almost a year after major convenience chain, 7-Eleven, made headlines for widespread employee underpayment by some franchise owners.

Since the underpayment issues were brought to light, 7-Eleven has been focused on investigating and managing the situation, ensuring all underpayment claims are looked into.

Australian supermarkets previously entered the convenience sector through petrol stations

Coles, along with Woolworths, have long had a foot in the door of the Australian convenience store industry, largely through petrol stations.

In 2003, Coles opened Coles Express stores after the then Coles Myer spent AUD $93 million to purchase the retail businesses operated by Shell Australia.

The move came at a time when Woolworths was already moving into petrol through BP and offering customers fuel discounts if they shopped at Woolworths supermarkets.

Today there are nearly 650 Coles Express stores across Australia with the shops evolving over the years to sells grocery items, such as Coles private label milk, at the same prices as consumers can purchase in Coles supermarkets.

Woolworths convenience push through Metro stores

Whilst Coles attempts to take a larger slice of the convenience pie, Woolworths had been trying to increase its share since the first half of its 2016 financial year.

At the beginning of its 2016 financial year, Woolworths launched its Metro branded stores in inner-city locations across Australia, offering a new take on convenience stores with plenty of healthy snacks, espresso coffee, healthy grab-and-go lunches and a select number of grocery items, including some fresh produce.

However, despite only opening the stores recently, Woolworths said it had five underperforming Metro stores and would be closing four of them, this announcement was made in late July 2016 to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

More news about the future direction of Woolworths convenience store investments is expected when the company publishes its 2016 financial year profits on 25 August 2016.

Australias convenience store industry  key statistics

According to IBISWorlds latest report into the Australian convenience store sector, dated March 2016, the industry is worth AUD $4 billion annually.

The sector currently consists of 8, 156 businesses and employs over 22, 000 people. The industrys annual growth has however been falling at 2 per cent annually since 2011.
France is at the crux of a European Union (EU)-wide battle for business and finance from China. It has been a little slower than Germany and the U.K. to ratchet up trade with Beijing, but Chinese interest in French aerospace, alcohol, cosmetics and luxury goods is growing. A major priority for the French government in recent years has been balancing out the large gap between French investment in China and vice-versa.



Ivcandy | Getty Images

Imports and exports

China is the second-biggest goods trading partner outside the EU for France, after the U.S. However, France's top trading partners remain other EU countries, some of which it lags in terms of buying from China. Nonetheless, HSBC forecasts China will become France's third-largest export customer by 2030. "France has lagged some other euro zone countries a little in expanding its export trade into emerging markets, but we expect that to gradually change," the bank said in its Global Connections Trade Forecast on France.



watch now

France's exports to China were worth $22.4 billion in 2014 and were dominated by the aerospace sector, according to MIT's Observatory of Economic Complexity. Other major imports included wine and spirits.

HSBC sees China as the second-biggest importer of French goods by 2030. The French government has worked to reduce the trade gap with China, which is a major contributor to its overall deficit. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told a news conference that China was "not purposely pursuing a trade surplus with France," after the French prime minister visited in 2015, according to media reports.

Manuel Valls with Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 29, 2015.

Chinese investment in France

As one of the largest economies in Europe, France has benefited from China's move to deploy capital outside its borders from the 1990s onwards. More recently, the euro's weakness has boosted the appeal of investing in Europe. 2015 was a particularly successful year for the region for Chinese Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), due to a number of big-dollar deals. France was a notable beneficiary, attracting $3.6 billion in Chinese FDI, more than double the previous year, according to law firm Baker &McKenzie. This made France the second-most popular European country behind Italy for Chinese FDI last year.



watch now

"The competition among EU states for Chinese capital has intensified, which already weakens European leverage vis-a-vis China on important strategic questions," the Mercator Institute for China Studies in Berlin said in a report in February. France-China deals last year included the purchase of Groupe de Louvre and its subsidiary Louvre Hotels Group, the second-biggest hotelier in Europe, for 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion) by Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels Development Co . Plus, a partnership including the China Investment Corporation purchased a portfolio valued at over 1.3 billion euros of French and Belgium shopping malls. These deals were dwarfed however by ChemChina's 7 billion-euro purchase of Italian tire producer Pirelli, highlighting a challenge for France  China's increasing interest in Europe beyond the "big three" countries of France, Germany and the U.K.

Valentin Flauraud | Bloomberg | Getty Images

French investment in China

French investment in China is a tricky issue, due to concerns about unequal market access for European companies, the predominance of state-backed enterprises and possible bias by the Chinese legal system against foreign firms. China enjoyed total FDI amounting to 781 billion yuan ($117 billion) in 2015, of which $1.22 billion came from France, according to Invest in China, a government department. This was roughly similar to the flows from Germany and the U.K., but behind Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the U.S. "The new record figures for Chinese FDI in Europe are in stark contrast with stagnant or even declining FDI by European companies in China, which further increases the risk of imbalances in two-way FDI patterns," Mercator said.



Educational and cultural connections

Paris has become the most popular holiday destination for China's growing affluent middle classes. Pierre Suu | Getty Images
Democracy may be a casualty of Thailand's newly approved constitution, but the referendum's result may also boost the country's struggling economy.

Voters accepted the military-backed constitution in Sunday's referendum, with 61.4 percent in favor with 94 percent of the votes counted, Reuters reported. But turnout was considered relatively low at only 55 percent of the electorate. It was the country's 20th constitution in 83 years.

Aim Sinpeng, a lecturer in comparative politics at the University of Sydney, told CNBC's "The Rundown" that investors were expected to look at the outcome favorably.

"Given the mandate that's given to the military, it would at least buy Thailand some time for the government to come up with an actual economic plan for the country," Aim said.

"That time would be stable and less challenged compared to the previous two years of military junta, where it started to look really rocky."

The country's economy has stumbled amid a lack of external demand for its exports given the sluggish global backdrop, while the political uncertainty within the country had slowed investments and discouraged tourism, a key sector for the country.



On Monday, the Bank of Thailand said it expected this year's gross domestic product (GDP) was expected to growth 3.1 percent, Reuters reported.



But Aim added, "the very foundation of the political system will be undermined by a number of undemocratic clauses" in the constitution.

"It's very clear from the beginning that this constitutional draft was to provide the un-elected elite, particularly the military, a permanent hold on power on Thailand," Aim said.

A member of the current Thai government disagreed.

Panitan Wattanayagorn, adviser to the deputy prime minister for security, told CNBC's "Squawk Box" that "Prime Minister Prayut [Chan-o-cha] is committed to have an election next year. I think that's very clear."
Frucor Beverages & Coke battle over a shade of green





The company which owns V energy drinks is fighting Coca-Cola over the colour green, and are taking the case to the Australian Federal Court.

V energy drinks are produced by Frucor Beverages and have sought to trademark a particular shade of green (Pantone 376C) used in its packaging and advertising. However, The Coca Cola Company managed to stop the acceptance of the trademark in a first hearing of the matter at the Australian Trademark Office, arguing that no one company should own a colour.

In a hearing in front of the delegate from the registrar of trademarks, Coca-Cola argued that at least 30 per cent of V energy drinks did not predominately contain the shade of green for which Frucor was seeking a trademark protection. However, Frucor said that a survey showed 48 per cent of people associated V energy drinks with the colour.

The delegate from the Registrar of Trade Marks found against Frucor saying that the colour was merely part of the brands corporate get-up, even though it could be perceived as important.

Frucor is now fighting the trademark ruling in the Australian Federal Court and will heard today.

Both Frucor and Coca-Cola are not commenting on the matter whilst it is a matter before the courts.
Walmart , the world's largest retailer, is set to acquire two-year-old online retailer Jet.com in what appears to be the largest-ever acquisition of an e-commerce company, according to multiple sources familiar with the transaction.

The deal is expected to value Jet at right around $3 billion, according to these people. Some senior Jet executives, including co-founder and CEO Marc Lore, will have incentive bonuses on top of that.

Lore will also be tapped to run all of Walmart's U.S. e-commerce operations after the acquisition closes.

Walmart is expected to announce the blockbuster transaction on Monday, barring any last-minute hiccups. Bloomberg reported Saturday the two sides were trying to finalize the deal as early as this Monday.

Walmart and Jet declined to comment.

For Walmart, the purchase marks a giant bet on a largely unproven startup that only launched its shopping site widely last July. Up to now, the largest U.S. e-commerce acquisition was last year's $2.4 billion sale of Zulily , a public company, to QVC.

More from Recode:

Capital Gains: Didi buys Uber China, and Airbnb is raising $850 million

Another AI startup wants to replace hedge funds

There's too much Olympics online, which is why TV programming is still a good idea

The Jet acquisition is an acknowledgement by Walmart CEO Doug McMillon that his company needs outside help if it's going to ever close the giant gap with Amazon . It's still unclear whether that is the right strategy for the brick-and-mortar retailer.

The deal is in many ways a marriage of necessity, but a shot worth taking, as I explained last week when news of the talks first broke.

Walmart's $14 billion in annual e-commerce sales is a fraction of Amazon's $99 billion and is growing slower than the industry average. Its growth rate has decelerated for five consecutive quarters.

Jet.com was co-founded in 2014 by the entrepreneur Marc Lore in an attempt to build a new online megastore that would compete with the likes of Amazon, Walmart and Costco . Jet has secured more than $800 million in financing since its founding but is spending $20 million to $25 million on advertising a month to fund its growth. It is not profitable.

It most recently raised a $619 million round that gave it a value of more than $1.6 billion, but was going to have to keep raising huge sums of money to survive on its current path.

Lore pulled the rip cord instead, but he will be rewarded handsomely  he owns about 25 percent of the company, according to sources. Such a stake suggests Lore stands to make as much as $750 million in the deal. He will now have Walmart's deep pockets  the company registered $15 billion in profits last year  to try to fuel more growth at Jet.
watch now

watch now

watch now

watch now

watch now

The summer traveling season is upon us, and this year has brought a whole host of problems for the travel and tourism industry. While travel and tourism contributed close to 10 percent ($7.2 trillion) of global gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015, growth forecasts for 2016 from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) have been recently revised downward, with the sector being hurt by economic weakness and a ramp-up in terrorist attacks. In fact, according to Allianz Global Assistance's annual "Vacation Confidence Index," more than a fifth of Americans (22 percent) now say that the fear of future violent events has had an influence on their vacation planning in one way or another. Aside from the recent terror attacks, planning where to go for those two weeks in the sun has had to contend with a raft of issues including the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and geopolitics, , global growth concerns and changing consumer tastes.

Johannes Simon | Getty Images News | Getty Images

However even with these hurdles, analysts from the sector still believe the travel and tourism industry remains strong.

"Travel is a very resilient industry, so even though there are some downward trends in certain areas, other countries are performing very well," Wouter Geerts, travel analyst at Euromonitor International, told CNBC on Monday. "So it's not necessarily that the entire industry is falling flat and that there's no growth anywhere. The downward reassessment from WTTC doesn't necessarily mean there's no growth expected, it's just obviously everyone knows that with Brexit, with terrorism attacks, all these things are now contributing to (the level of) growth, especially in Europe." Spain for instance has become increasingly popular while places like Tunisia, Egypt and Turkey have seen a "marked shift" away in sentiment, according to Sean Tipton, a spokesperson from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), as people's travel preferences shift away from the Eastern Mediterranean, and more toward the West. Looking at France specifically, its tourism minister recently said that the number of nights spent in French hotels by foreign tourists fell 10 percent during July compared to 2015, according to an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche. Meanwhile on Monday, Air France-KLM reported a 0.6 percent decline in passenger numbers during July due to cabin crew strikes, compared to the year before. Spain's National Statistics Institute recently said close to 33 million people visited the country during the first six months of 2016, around a 12 percent increase compared to the same period in 2015, The Associated Press reported. With factors such as Zika, Brexit and the rise in terrorist attacks, analysts suggest that "stable locations" like Spain are becoming more popular for vacationers in this current climate.

How Brexit has impacted future holidays

Speaking on the ramifications of Brexit specifically, Geerts said that there were different ways  both beneficial and negative  at what the referendum vote's outcome could mean for British travel.



Jason Alden | Bloomberg | Getty Images
watch now

CNBC on Monday is initiating a new way to look at the global economy specifically a new way to look at a very important part of that economy: the "new economy." We're launching a new set of tools in conjunction with our partners at Kensho that we  and our viewers  can use to better understand the rapidly changing economy and investing landscape. They're called Kensho New Economy Indices, a series of 16 indexes that provide ways to invest in disruptive technologies and trends using the existing public markets. By the "new economy," we're talking about industries that are poised to grow rapidly in the next decade, and grow fast: The phrase "exponential growth" is often used. But what exactly is it? And more importantly  how do you measure it, and how can you invest in it?

Let's take space. The Kensho Space Index is composed of 30 U.S.-listed companies focused on space-related activities as a principal component of their business strategy as well as the supply-chain companies involved in the industry. The commercialization of space is one of the great stories for the 21st century. When you think about the commercialization of space, you probably think about SpaceX, the firm founded by Elon Musk to create technologies that will reduce the cost of space transportation and hopes to enable the colonization of Mars. Or Virgin Galactic, founded by Sir Richard Branson to provide suborbital spaceflights for tourists. But corporate America is very involved in the space industry. Many old-school companies that you know are heavily invested in the "new economy," but you likely don't know it. Several large companies that have significant exposure to space are represented in the Kensho Space Index, including Boeing , Honeywell , Lockheed and United Technologies but also a few not obvious: Heico Corp. , for example. Why Heico, an aerospace electronics manufacturer? They are part of the "supply chain," providing their microwave technology for use in such things as the Mars Rover and other spacecraft with missions into deep space. Given all the interest in space, it should not be surprising to learn that the Kensho Space Index is at a historic high.

Inok | E+ | Getty Images
It's getting tougher to be a CEO  if you don't work for one of the giant banks.

In a year when none of the CEOs of the biggest banks in America saw their overall compensation decline, pay for corporate CEOs overall shrank on a median basis, according to research from Mercer, a consulting firm based in New York. Mercer's data suggest that compensation for CEOs declined from a median of $10.6 million to $10.3 million last year. CEOs of smaller banks are among those that have seen declines. Cuts in incentive-based compensation was partially to cause for the decrease in pay, Mercer said.

Mike Mayo, banking analyst at brokerage and investment group CLSA, said it's a sign that on Wall Street, more than anywhere else, size matters.



"Size still drives bank CEO pay more than earnings, returns, or stock price, creating a reason for shareholders to protest, at least for those banks that do not earn their cost of capital," he said to CNBC.com.

The six biggest banks in the United States either declined to comment or did not respond to a CNBC request for comment.

And half of the CEOs of the biggest banks on Wall Street had a better year than many of the CEOs whose data Mercer crunched. Of the four biggest commercial banks in the United States, none reduced executive pay in 2015, bucking the trend Mercer highlighted.

At Bank of America , CEO Brian Moynihan's pay rose by 23 percent in 2015, to $16 million, and at JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon took home $27 million in compensation last year, an increase of about 35 percent.

Citigroup CEO Michael Corbat saw his pay rise 27 percent in 2015, to $16.5 million  but that came in a year where the bank's profits more than doubled. Bank of America, Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase are three of the four biggest banks by market capitalization in the U.S.; Wells Fargo is the largest. At Wells Fargo , CEO John Stumpf's pay was unchanged in 2015 compared to the prior year, in which he received $19.3 million.

Some of the big Wall Street CEOs did see their compensation contract. At Goldman Sachs , CEO Lloyd Blankfein saw pay decline slightly, from $24 million to $23 million last year. At Morgan Stanley , CEO James Gorman's pay also declined nearly 7 percent, to $21 million. Investment banks are a fraction of the size of big consumer banks.

Big banks' shareholders approved CEO pay packages with overwhelming numbers, and in some cases voted against other measures to curb senior pay. For example, at Bank of America, Moynihan and other executives dependent on shareholder approval for compensation received a whopping 93 percent of votes cast favoring their pay.
With the Olympic games under way in Zika-ravaged Brazil and the United States' first locally transmitted Zika cases now confirmed, a biotechnology company is looking to take a bite out of the Zika crisis  by deploying armies of genetically modified mosquitoes. Oxitec, the British subsidiary of Germantown, Maryland-based Intrexon, received a green light from the Food and Drug Administration on Friday to release the GMO mosquitoes as part of an investigational field trial in Key Haven in the Florida Keys. Residents of Key Haven will vote on the trial in a nonbinding referendum scheduled for November, with final approval to reside with the Florida Keys Mosquito Control Board. "It couldn't have come at a better time," Oxitec CEO Hadyn Parry told reporters Friday. While the company is glad it got the regulatory green light, Florida locals are concerned there may be risks to the human population. Friday's FDA ruling, known as a Final Finding of No Significant Impact and Final Environmental Assessment (FONSI), deemed that any toxic or allergenic effects in humans caused by the GMO mosquitoes would likely be negligible.



The Aedes aegypti mosquito, the species that transmits the Dengue virus, Chikungunya fever and Zika William Volcov | Brazil Photo Press | LatinContent | Getty Images

The first U.S. cases of the virus attributed to local transmission were reported last week in a neighborhood in Miami. Zika has been linked to microcephaly and other birth defects, as well as the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre syndrome. Oxitec's genetically modified mosquitoes are members of the Aedes aegypti species, which causes the Zika virus and several other infectious diseases, including dengue fever, yellow fever and chikungunya. Since male mosquitoes do not bite, Oxitec's mosquito brigade will not be capable of spreading disease. When they mate with wild female Aedes aegypti, their offspring do not live long enough to reproduce. Parry said the GMO mosquitoes have been deployed successfully in the Cayman Islands, Brazil and Panama, where they have reduced the population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes by 90 percent over a period of six months. In addition to having a self-limiting gene, the Oxitec mosquitoes carry a colored marker invisible to the naked eye. When viewed under a fluorescent light, the markers allow Oxitec to distinguish their own GMO mosquitoes from Aedes aegypti in the wild. "We'll be focusing on operational capability, closely monitoring, counting, releasing and tracing the mosquitoes and providing quality control not only in the Zika-infected areas but in surrounding areas," he said. If approved at the local level, the so-called "friendly" mosquitoes could be airborne by December, according to Parry.

Unintended consequences

Intrexon CEO Randal J. Kirk said Oxitec's new U.S. venture will represent a "major advance" in eradicating Zika. "It's the only proven safe, effective, environmentally sound product that can significantly achieve the reduction of the Aedes aegypti mosquito that the world so desperately needs," he said. Not everyone greeted the prospect with such enthusiasm, however. "I am very disappointed in the FDA's decision," said Mila de Mier, a mother of three who lives near Key Haven and owns a realty company in the area. Earlier this year, de Mier launched an online petition opposing the Key Haven trial that garnered 160,000 signatures. De Mier said she fears there could be unknown or unintended risks from genetically engineered insects and says local residents oppose Oxitec's venture. "It's very clear that the people here do not want this trial," she said. We are the subjects of a clinical trial, and we have never been asked for or given our consent. It's being forced down our throats."

Entomologists who study genetic modification in insects say humans have little to fear from Oxitec's GMO mosquitoes, however. "I don't know anybody in the field of vector control who doesn't believe they are completely safe," said Dr. Grayson C. Brown, a mosquito expert and the director of the Public Health Entomology Laboratory at the University of Kentucky, which is not connected with the Oxitec venture. Brown said one frequently voiced concern is that a human bitten by one of the GMO mosquitoes could be harmed by an altered gene from the insect. However, such an outcome is biologically implausible, he said. "There are millions of genes in every mosquito, and billions of humans are bitten by mosquitoes every year. There has never been an example of a mosquito gene by itself directly harming a human. After testing these mosquitoes for 14 years, no negative effects on humans or the environment has been detected." Eradication of the Aedes aegypti mosquito in the wild would likely not harm other living things, because no other species depend solely on it for food, Brown said. Moreover, the use of genetically engineered mosquitoes has proved more ecologically friendly than pesticides, which can harm bees and other insects.

A Miami-Dade County mosquito-control inspector sprays pesticide to kill mosquitoes as the county fights to control the Zika virus outbreak in Miami on August 2, 2016. Getty Images

A larger difficulty could lie in the price tag. While Oxitec officials maintain that the cost of the technology compares favorably to the cost of pesticides, they do not publicly provide a cost breakdown. Those familiar with the technology estimate it would cost around 10 cents per mosquito to implement. Depending on the Aedes aegypti population in the area, millions of mosquitoes might have to be released to achieve proper control. That could amount to an increase of threefold to tenfold in a mosquito-control budget, says Brown. A less expensive method of Aedes aegypti control  using mosquito larvae  is in the works. When Intrexon bought Oxitec in September 2015, Zika had not yet become a household name. The British company had been working instead on developing its genetically modified Aedes aegypti mosquito for dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases. Intrexon's timing was by all accounts serendipitous. But Kirk is careful not to appear gleeful. "I cannot look at something that's causing this level of human suffering as a positive development," he said. "And it's not like we needed additional incentive to reduce the Aedes aegypti population."
watch now

watch now

watch now

@Delta: An update from Delta CEO Ed Bastian Delta CEO Ed Bastian apologized to customers in a video, saying that the airline's employees are "working around the clock" to restore normal operations. "I apologize for the challenges this has created for you with your travel experience. The Delta team is working very, very hard to restore and get these systems back as quickly as possible," Bastian said. At Los Angeles and San Francisco, passengers on Sunday night's red-eye flights to JFK and Atlanta were taken off planes and led back into terminals to be given blankets and water. In Las Vegas, some passengers slept on the floor near departure gates awaiting updates from the airline, while at Pittsburgh a long line snaked toward the ticketing counter. @AFranco: #Delta delay pretty visible here at Pittsburgh International. Long lines at ticketing counter. #travel

Cynthia Towles, who was at Newark Airport on her way to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, told WNBC: "They didn't tell us anything. I didn't get an email, I didn't get anything. Nothing." U.S.-bound passengers at Rome's Fiumicino Airport told NBC News they had waited more than an hour to check in. @MikeSpearsNBC6: .@Delta passengers sleeping in Las Vegas terminal after system outage grounds flights nationwide. There were similar delays in Tokyo and London, where staff handed out bottles of water to passengers who had been waiting hours in line. Amanda Jackson waited more than 90 minutes at London Heathrow to check in for a flight to Seattle on her way to Alaska. She reported long lines at Delta counters, along with "a lot of very frustrated people." Luciano Resende, 40, had been waiting for at least two hours at Heathrow as of 4:40 a.m. ET. He was attempting to make the trip back home to San Francisco via Seattle. He said airline employees started to manually check-in customers for their their flights but progress had been slow. "I guess it has been a long time since they used the manual process," Resende told NBC News.

watch now
Donald Trump shifted his tax proposal Monday, calling for a top income tax rate of 33 percent rather than a past plan for 25 percent.

Larry Kudlow, a CNBC contributor and informal adviser to the Republican presidential nominee Trump, said the move would help to reduce federal deficit growth during his presidency. Trump, who delivered a crucial economic address Monday, had fueled concerns about a ballooning deficit with across the board tax cuts.

The top income tax rate is currently set at just under 40 percent. Trump said Monday he will use three income tax brackets of 33 percent, 25 percent and 12 percent. Prior analyses of Trump's original tax plan, which included broad personal and business tax cuts, said it could expand the U.S. deficit by as much as $10 trillion over a decade.
Things aren't getting any easier for Chipotle Mexican Grill.

A U.S. District Court jury in Washington, D.C., awarded a former employee of the burrito chain $550,000 after determining that she was fired by her manager for being pregnant, according to the Washington Business Journal.

According to the lawsuit, after Doris Garcia Hernandez told her manager that she was pregnant, he restricted her access to water and bathroom breaks and would not allow her to leave work early to attend a pre-natal doctor's appointment.



"[He] did not impose these requirements on non-pregnant employees," the original lawsuit stated, according to the Washington Business Journal.



Hernandez was later fired after leaving for her doctor's appointment without her manager's permission, according to the suit.

"We are grateful to the jury for vindicating the rights of our client to be free from pregnancy discrimination and to send a message to other employers that this practice is intolerable," Jonathan Smith, executive director of the Washington Lawyers' Committee, told the journal.

Representatives for Chipotle did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.

Read the full report from the Washington Business Journal.
Rockmelon recall prompts Horticulture safety standard debate





A recent salmonella outbreak that affected a particular rockmelon supply chain has again raised the issue of whether a Horticultural food safety protocol should be introduced as a standard under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

State and territory health and food agencies reported an increase in cases of the Salmonella Hvittingfoss infection between 14 June 2016 and 2 August 2016 that was linked to consumption of a rock melon variety.

When the reports first surfaced, there were immediate calls for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to do more to address the problem.

On 3 August 2016, FSANZ announced it was coordinating a trade recall of affected rockmelons. FSANZ also advised consumers to discard any such rockmelons they had purchased.

But there is a history here that can be explained

FSANZ is the Federal government body charged with the responsibility of setting the food standards for Australia and New Zealand. FSANZ does not have any enforcement powers itself. The primary involvement for FSANZ to address an issue of bacterial or viral contamination of fruit or vegetable produce or products would be to consider the development of a Horticulture industry food safety standard for inclusion in the Food Standards Code.

Chapter 4 of the Food Standards Code lists a number of standards which already impose primary production and processing regulatory benchmarks for various Australian primary industries. These include:

Seafood

Poultry meat

Meat

Dairy products

Eggs and egg products

Seed sprouts

The big missing sector from this list is the Horticulture sector. Previous attempts to introduce a food safety standard in Chapter 4 of the Food Standards Code for fruit and vegetables, have failed.

In 2009, an outbreak of Hepatitis A was linked to semi-dried tomatoes. In response, FSANZ proposed to introduce traceability and processing requirements in the Food Standards Code for semi-dried tomatoes and other ingredients used in their production.

This proposal, however, was abandoned in favour of what FSANZ said at the time would be the development of a more general Horticulture Primary Production and Processing Standard.

Such a standard was proposed by FSANZ in 2012, but was abandoned in 2014. At the time, FSANZ said that a non-regulatory approach, involving consultation between Government and the Horticulture sector, would be preferable.

Conflict of interest for importers of fresh Horticultural produce

Much of the opposition to introducing a Horticulture safety standard in the Food Standards Code has come from importers of horticultural products and those they supply, principally the major supermarkets.

The horticultural importing sector has lobbied against the imposition of Australian standards out of concern that it may hinder their ability to import fruit and vegetables into Australia.

On the other hand, local fruit and vegetable producers argue that an Australian standard would need to apply equally to supply chains for imported produce.

A history of FSANZ action and regulatory inaction

Despite initial work by FSANZ, it is clear that Australia does not have a Horticulture food safety standard as yet.

In 2013, the University of Sydney and the Produce Marketing Association (a body that represents companies that also import large amounts of fruit and veg from outside Australia) established a Fresh Produce Safety Centre with Federal government backing. The project was said to be focused on working to improve fresh food safety research and safety practices.

The project in effect presented a private sector, industry-based self-regulatory alternative to the introduction of changes to the Food Standards Code.

The Food Standards Code is mandatory law, whereas most industry schemes are merely voluntary.

As it stands, Australian standards are ad-hoc. Producers can choose to comply with a number of different quality assurance standards, such as the Woolworths Quality Assurance Standard or the Safe Quality Food Code.

There are risks that any new laws impacting on food safety may not be applicable equally to imported produce. This has resulted in the government directing its efforts away from FSANZs involvement. However, the 1 July 2016 effective introduction of a new Country of Origin labelling regime for all foods is an important element of government policy and facilitates consumer awareness of when a fruit or vegetable is grown or produced in Australia.
This commentary originally appeared on The Hill.

America has great divisions, exemplified by the red states and blue states on presidential election maps.

But ironically, thanks to Republican nominee Donald Trump's willingness to insult and offend virtually everyone, there appears to be a growing chance that an unprecedented number of Republicans will decide to support Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for president.



Here are three issues/reasons why.



First, Clinton and most Republicans reject Trump's willingness to add as much as $30 trillion to the national debt, according to experts who have analyzed his tax and other proposals. They are repulsed by his boasts of being the "king of debt" and concerned about his statement that he wouldn't mind if America defaulted on its debt.

Second, Clinton and most Republicans oppose Trump's plan to retreat from our NATO allies, essentially a form of the "America First" isolationism that preceded World War II. There is bipartisan dismay at Trump's praise of the leadership of Russian President Vladimir Putin and shock at his ignorance.

Third, Clinton and most Republicans believe in the politics of civility, not insult and abuse practiced by Trump.



Clinton was known for her collegiality and bipartisan work with many Senate Republicans. In contrast, Trump has been consistently divisive and insulting. For example, he disparaged Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a war hero, because he had been "caught" and imprisoned as a prisoner of war. He challenged a federal judge's objectivity because of his Mexican heritage. He attacked Fox debate moderator Megyn Kelly, who had asked him a tough question, by declaring that she had "blood coming out of her eyes, coming out of her ... wherever."



Worst of all, Trump attacked Khizr Khan, father of a Muslim American soldier who was killed in Iraq in 2004, after Khan criticized Trump during the Democratic convention for Trump's proposed "temporary" ban on Muslim immigration. Then he mocked Ghazala Khan, a Gold Star mother, for her silence while her husband spoke, suggesting she was not "allowed" to speak. Ghazala Kahn subsequently explained her silence was due to her grief at memories of her slain son, whose photo was behind the podium.



In recent days, more and more prominent Republicans have joined both former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush; the last Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney; Ohio Gov. John Kasich; and many other leading Republicans in refusing to endorse Trump.



Now there is evidence that many more Republicans will go further and say they will vote for Clinton. Last Tuesday, Republican Rep. Richard Hanna from upstate New York wrote in an op-ed that Trump "is unfit to serve our party and cannot lead this country. Secretary Clinton has issues that depending on where one stands can be viewed as great or small. But she stands and has stood for causes bigger than herself for a lifetime. ... I will vote for Mrs. Clinton."



On the same day, California's Meg Whitman, a Hewlett-Packard executive and top Republican fundraiser, called Trump a "dishonest demagogue" and said that she, too, would vote for Clinton.



More Republicans are likely to do the same before November. They understand that not voting at all, or throwing their votes away on third-party candidates who can't win, will not accomplish their ultimate objective: not only to defeat Trump, but to defeat him so decisively that his brand of hateful and demagogic politics will never gain the Republican nomination for generations to come.



So it is possible that Clinton will be elected with the help of such Republicans as well as Democrats and independents. And if that happens, maybe  just maybe  we can see Democrats join with Republicans in Congress to work with President Hillary Clinton on purple solutions and compromises to solve our problems.



In other words, maybe  just maybe  out of the horror of a possible Trump presidency could come something positive: the long-overdue spirit of bipartisanship in Washington that most Americans yearn for.


An unusually active meteor shower reached its peak last night, but there is still time to get out and catch a glimpse.

The Perseid meteor shower began on July 17 and will continue until Aug. 24, and though it peaked sometime in the early morning hours of Aug. 12, meteors will still fall at high rates on Saturday, Aug. 13.

The Perseids are tiny pieces of debris and dust that have broken off from the Swift-Tuttle comet, which orbits the sun every 133 years. As Earth moves through space, it hits this dust, and the debris descend into Earth's atmosphere, burn up and leave the dashes of light some call "shooting stars."

The Perseid shower  named because the meteors seem to fly out from the constellation named Perseus  happens every August. During a typical shower, a skygazer can expect to see about 100 meteors per hour. This year, forecasters said peak viewing times

There are a few caveats here. First, conditions are rarely perfect: Everything from light pollution to the glow of the moon can obscure the stars. And night skies in American cities are increasingly filled with enough light to cloud the view.

The best way to see the show is to go outside around midnight, or shortly after, in a location with as dark a sky as possible. The moon should set between midnight and 1:00 a.m., depending on location. In New York City, moonset occurs at 1:34 a.m. ET on Aug. 13, and viewers will want to allow eyes the recommended 45 minutes to adjust to the darkness.

If traveling to a place with sufficiently dark skies is untenable, NASA will broadcast the shower on Ustream.

Those who can't see the show can still marvel at this thought: "The meteors you'll see this year are from comet flybys that occurred hundreds if not thousands of years ago," said Cooke in the release. "And they've traveled billions of miles before their kamikaze run into Earth's atmosphere."
Tesla Motors recently disclosed a third-quarter cash requirement of $1.1 billion  a red flag for investors keeping a watchful eye on the electric vehicle maker.

The company is finishing construction of a massive battery factory in Nevada, the Gigafactory, and ramping up for production next year of a mass market sedan, the Model 3. That has raised questions about how the company will raise new cash to reach its goals.

"I think they're going to go back to the market once again," said Efraim Levy, senior equity analyst at S&P Global.

Levy told CNBC's "Closing Bell" that Telsla's aggressive target date for the Model 3 release is part of CEO Elon Musk's "M-O." Levy said that Tesla's high risk tolerance and negative cash flow always leave him concerned about the valuation of its stock.

"From a technological perspective and from the dynamic of changing the industry which he does, I've been a fan of him. As far as from an investment perspective, I started off my coverage with a sell a few years ago and I've gone between sell and hold," Levy said.

Levy said he believes the majority of bulls are operating under the hypothesis that Tesla will produce positive cash flows once the Model 3 hits mass market production in 2017.

Levy characterized the assumption as high-risk and said, "I wouldn't bet on it."

"We see them continuing to be cash flow negative probably through 2018, and maybe turning positive in 2019," said Levy.

-Reuters contributed to this report.
CNBC's sat down with Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi to discuss the banking sector and the upcoming referendum.

Renzi, who has led Italy since 2014, shared his views on the importance of achieving economic growth as one solution to the problem of non-performing loans in the banking sector. He also explained why he was concerned with the prospect of bond investors being forced to "bail-in" failing banks, as this could damage confidence.

Currently, Renzi is campaigning for a referendum on constitutional reform, which would reduce number of senators in the country from 315 to 100 and would limit the power of Italy's upper house.

He also shared his views on the U.S. presidential race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Renzi said he would work with the new president, whoever they may be.
Worried the U.S. military may be losing its battle on bulging waistlines, the Pentagon is reviewing its current physical fitness and body fat program.

"The current instruction is more than 10 years old," said a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Defense. "This is essentially overdue."



The Pentagon's last directive on body fat and physical fitness standards was released in 2004. The Military Times was the first to report that the DoD would publish its new findings later this year.



Since 2002, there's been a sharp jump in the incidence of obesity among active duty forces, according to data published last year in a report from Mission: Readiness, a non-profit group of more than 500 retired generals and other senior military leaders.



"Currently, 12 percent of active duty service members are obese based on height and weight  an increase of 61 percent since 2002  which is resulting in serious problems with injuries and dismissals," the Mission: Readiness report stated. "Given that one-third of American children and teens are now obese or overweight and nearly one-third of Americans ages 17 to 24 are too overweight to serve in our military, the obesity rate among active duty service members could get even worse in the future if we do not act."



The 2004 Pentagon policy governing fitness and body fat standards for the U.S. Armed Forces listed active-duty men maintain body fat not exceeding 26 percent and women 36 percent. Despite the widespread availability of new body mass index technology, some of the U.S. services currently rely on an old-fashioned tape test for determining body-fat composition.



"Service members whose duties require muscular and cardio-respiratory endurance may be hampered in performing their duties when body fat exceeds 26 percent in males and 36 percent in females," the DoD's 2004 policy on fitness and body fat stated. "The military services shall implement body composition programs that enhance general health, physical fitness and military appearance."



There's also some debate whether the use of BMI data is even helpful given the varied sizes of people who also can do well in other physical fitness testing.

"When you have groups of individuals who are fit and highly trained, then BMI is absolutely useless," Dr. Dympna Gallagher, the director of the body composition unit at the New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center, told Military Times.

The new rules will be standards for the armed forces but the different branches are allowed some wiggle room in adjusting them.



"Basically what DoD does is say here's the minimum standard and now the services can choose if that's going to be appropriate for them or if they'd like to modify it to be more stringent," the DoD spokesman said. "They essentially can't go less stringent than whatever the DoD standard is."



The DoD's 2004 policy also required all service members be evaluated and tested "at least annually," although some services have spot check programs. Additionally, the current military physical standards urge aerobic exercise be done "a minimum of three times weekly" at least for 20 to 30 minutes at a time.
PHOENIXEntrenue is carrying the newest collection from Rianne S, the first line from the Dutch luxury brand since the launch of its Forbidden Fruit apple-shaped massager.

The new items play on shape, color and packaging but still deliver just as much power as they do beauty.

Rianne S has been a consistent performer for us; their solid price points and playful designs make luxury pleasure more accessible and affordable to the masses, Entrenue President Joe Casella said. We love how playful and colorful this new line is. Each item is packaged beautifully and merchandised to catch eyes and make lasting impressions on the retail level. Whether for a romantic gift or special addition to someones pleasure routine, the new collection from Rianne S is a must-have for stores across the country.

The Heart Vibe is a petite massager that features a 10-speed motor encased in bold-colored medical-grade silicone with champagne gold trim. A perfect gift option, the Heart Vibe is discreet and petite and packaged in a pink box ready to present at any bachelorette, bridal or romance celebration.

The Moon Vibe features two soft extensions curved to comfortably caress either side of the clitoris and stimulate with separate motors in each tip. Made of medical-grade silicone, this bright vibrator boasts three intensities, four speeds, and comes with a matching luxury cosmetic bag equipped with a heart-shaped lock.

The Duo is an elegant massager with a dual purpose shaped to provide unique stimulation for both partners simultaneously or separately. With one end insertable and the other featuring a rounded loop, the Duo is made to pleasure all erogenous zonesboth inside and outand offers a body-safe experience thanks to its silicone construction.

For an affordable taste of luxury, Rianne S also has designed the Classique, a bullet-shaped massager made of medical-grade silicone with champagne gold details. Its battery-powered motor buzzes with seven vibration modes and comes with a matching luxury cosmetic bag equipped with a heart-shaped lock.

The final piece of the collection are Playballs, a cute set of Kegel balls featuring round colorful weights encased in a flexible silicone holster. This functional design makes it easy for users to switch among four different weights and stores easily in a matching luxury cosmetic bag equipped with a heart-shaped lock.

To view the Rianne S series and the rest of Entrenues newest catalog, visit Entrenue.com.
Visitors take a picture in front of a pictures of David Bowie and beside by one of the artworks (L) he owned named BEAUTIFUL, SHATTERING, SLASHING, VIOLENT, PINKY, HACKING, SPHINCTER PAINTING' by British artist Damien Hirst, at Sotheby's in London.

Shares of Sotheby's surged as much as 22 percent Monday after the company's earnings and revenue topped analysts' estimates.



The auction house earned an adjusted $1.51 per share for its latest quarter, well above estimates of $1.05. Revenue of $298.7 million also beat forecasts of $291 million, despite lower sales in the global art market. Sotheby's stock later erased some gains, and ended the day up about 13 percent.



"While we would certainly prefer to see a stronger art market, we are pleased with the progress we have been making on our strategic initiatives and the beneficial changes to our team and organization," said Tad Smith, Sotheby's CEO in the company's quarterly release. "When the art market improves  and it certainly will  our company is poised to do very well for shareholders. Until then, we continue burnishing Sotheby's for even more success and being very careful on capital allocation."

The auction house is facing a fresh round of activist pressure. Last month, a Chinese life insurance company run by the grandson-in-law of Chairman Mao Zedong disclosed it bought a 13.5% stake in Sotheby's, citing a "positive view" of the auction house and potential interest in a board seat.

The move makes Taikang Life Insurance Co., one of China's biggest insurance companies, the largest shareholder of Sotheby's, eclipsing stakes held by hedge-funds. Third Point's Dan Loeb owns 11.38 percent, and Point72 Asset Management's Steven Cohen owns 5.5 percent, according to Reuters.

According to Cowen analyst Oliver Chen, Sotheby's could outperform the firm's $28 price target based on acceleration in Asia GDP growth, competitive pressures in global art, less margin erosion, and strong cost management driving lower-than-expected expenses.

On the flip side, Chen says the auction house could underperform based on a global slowdown in the art market, lower than expected auction sales and commissions, and weaker operating margins. Cowen rates Sotheby's stock as market perform.

On the company's conference call, when asked about positive catalysts for demand, CEO Smith pointed to two unlikely sources: the U.S. presidential election and Brexit.

"I think it (the U.S. presidential election) will be an interesting and positive catalyst for our many businesses and honestly probably for a lot of other markets as well." Smith said on the conference call. "If you see the absence of bad news, related to any further instability in Europe, I think that would be a positive catalyst, meaning Brexit seems to have been largely absorbed and as long as there is not more noise about Europe, I think it would be a positive."

Shares were on pace for its best daily performance since April 1999 when it gained 23 percent. The stock has gained more than 41 percent year-to-date, which puts it on track to break a 2-year losing streak.

Reuters contributed to this report.


watch now

Thai voters' endorsement of army rule reflects a global backlash against the political establishment that can be seen in the U.K. and the U.S., one of the country's last non-military prime ministers told CNBC on Monday. The Thai electorate approved a military-backed constitution in a referendum on Sunday that was the first major test of the junta's popularity since it took power in a coup in 2014. The referendum was seen as a way to pave the way for democratic elections to return, but not until late 2017. Ex-Prime Minister and current leader of the Democrat Party Abhisit Vejjajiva told CNBC that Thai voters' support for military rule was part of a trend of disenchantment with traditional politics. The U.K. people's vote to leave the European Union in June has been interpreted as a vote against establishment British politicians, who largely campaigned to remain in the bloc. Similarly, the popularity of U.S. Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, has been seen as a sign of U.S. voters' disenchantment with the Washington status quo.



watch now

"I think a lot of countries are going through an exceptional period in terms of democracy," Vejjajiva, who led Thailand between 2008 and 2011, told CNBC. "There has been a strong reaction against the political establishment from the United States to the United Kingdom, we have seen already, and also in Thailand. "But here in Thailand of course, it comes at a time when there has been chaos on the streets and the military had to step into restore orders. So it is not surprising to me that anti-political establishment feeling is now being channeled to support outsiders to take care of some of the aspects of our politics," he added. The constitution approved on Sunday sets the scene for a national election. However it is unclear if political parties will be able to freely campaign for election. Vejjajiva remains leader of the Democrat Party and suggested on Monday that he would run in the next election.

"I'm still the party leader and I hope to come up with a platform that will respond to people's needs," he told CNBC. "I think people voted yesterday for moving ahead towards elections, for certainty, stability and order and we have to respect that. But political parties now have to adapt themselves and respond to that and at the same time not lose site of the issues that really matter to voters, which include the economy, poverty, indebtedness, avoiding the conflicts of the past, fighting corruption and putting some key reforms in place."

A Thai woman casts her ballot with her child at a polling station in Bangkok on August 7, 2016. Borja Sanchez-Trillo | AFP | Getty Images
(function() { (function(){function b(g){this.t={};this.tick=function(h,m,f){var n=void 0!=f?f:(new Date).getTime();this.t[h]=[n,m];if(void 0==f)try{window.console.timeStamp("CSI/"+h)}catch(q){}};this.getStartTickTime=function(){return this.t.start[0]};this.tick("start",null,g)}var a;if(window.performance)var e=(a=window.performance.timing)&&a.responseStart;var p=0 =c&&(window.jstiming.srt=e-c)}if(a){var d=window.jstiming.load; 0 =c&&(d.tick("_wtsrt",void 0,c),d.tick("wtsrt_","_wtsrt",e),d.tick("tbsd_","wtsrt_"))}try{a=null,window.chrome&&window.chrome.csi&&(a=Math.floor(window.chrome.csi().pageT),d&&0 =b&&window.jstiming.load.tick("aft")};var k=!1;function l(){k||(k=!0,window.jstiming.load.tick("firstScrollTime"))}window.addEventListener?window.addEventListener("scroll",l,!1):window.attachEvent("onscroll",l); })(); M. Bakri Musa Seeing Malaysia My Way About Me Name: M. Bakri Musa Location: Morgan Hill, California, United States Malaysian-born Bakri Musa writes frequently on issues affecting his native land. His essays have appeared in the Far Eastern Economic Review, Asiaweek, International Herald Tribune, Education Quarterly, SIngapore's Straits Times, and The New Straits Times. His commentary has aired on National Public Radio's Marketplace. His regular column Seeing It My Way appears in Malaysiakini. Bakri is also a regular contributor to th eSun (Malaysia). He has previously written "The Malay Dilemma Revisited: Race Dynamics in Modern Malaysia" as well as "Malaysia in the Era of Globalization," "An Education System Worthy of Malaysia," "Seeing Malaysia My Way," and "With Love, From Malaysia." Bakri's day job (and frequently night time too!) is as a surgeon in private practice in Silicon Valley, California. He and his wife Karen live on a ranch in Morgan Hill. This website is updated twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays at 5 PM California time. View my complete profile



1MDB Not An Overnight Monster; Likewise Malaysian ...

The Malay Shame and Tragedy That Is 1MDB

The Noose Tightens on 1MDB

Cast From The Herd. Memories of Matriarchal Malaysia

Inspiration From The Koran: Command Good and Forb...

Reflections on Ramadan: Beyond The Fast

The Myth of the Islamic State

Learning Islam From Muslims, and Muslims Learning ...

Islam Is Diversity and Contradictions

Burden of Malay Stereotypes in Academia and Business Courtesy of Syed Azidi Aziz of kickdefella.wordpress.com









Lowering The Bar on Najib's Already Mediocre Leadership

Lowering The Bar On Najibs Already Mediocre Leadership

M. Bakri Musa

www.bakrimusa.com





I am baffled at the continued praise and support for Prime Minister Najib in the face of the mounting 1MDB mess. To be sure, those come only from Malays, specifically those in UMNO, plus a few scattered voices elsewhere. They are lowering the bar for Najibs already mediocre leadership.



Najib is but a Third World corrupt kleptocrat robbing billions belonging to the people of Malaysia, to quote the US Department of Justice (DOJ). Meanwhile those toadying Malays continue blathering let justice take its course or innocent till proven guilty. Those may be fine in a courtroom but for leaders we demand and impose a much higher standard, as without even the hint of impropriety.



Those praises for Najib come in various contortions. Consider the absurd statement from PAS Hadi Awang who ventured that DOJ must produce four witnesses or that the accusation against Najib could come only from Muslims. Which cave did Hadi emerge from?



The evidence of Najibs impropriety abounds, not just in the DOJ filings or complicated charts tracing the cross-border flows of illicit money as reported in The Guardian, Wall Street Journal and elsewhere, rather by the simple and obvious fact that 1MDB has saddled Malaysians with billions worth of debt and little to show for it. The proposed Tun Razak Exchange site is still empty while power plants once locally owned are now in foreigners hands.



Najib denies that he is the Malaysian Official 1 referred to in the DOJ documents. I wonder who could that top Malaysian public official related to Reza Aziz be? Najib also denied being linked to the DOJs lawsuit. Poor Najib! Despite his expensive British boarding school education, Najib could not comprehend the difference between the legal term defendant and the everyday meaning of linked.



This 1MDB mess is now being investigated in no fewer than six jurisdictions. Singapore has already frozen the assets of Jho Low, Najibs financial confidant. Switzerland terminated the license of its bank involved in the transactions. It would take great effort on Najibs part not to know that. Perhaps his staple of reading does not extend beyond UMNO newsletters New Straits Times and Utusan Melayu.



The behaviors of Najibs courtiers and political whores, like his ministers and party chieftains, do not surprise me. They are paid to pleasure the man. The Rahman Dahlans and Khairy Jamaluddins remind me of Saddam Husseins cartoonish Information Chief Bagdad Bob just before the fall of that city. The American tanks could be heard and seen rolling in the background but he kept insisting otherwise in a televised press conference. Those UMNO boys fancy themselves heroes defending their leader, but the world sees them as cretins.



As for Najibs nonchalance, I am certain that Saddam Hussein felt the same way right to the very moment before he had to flee to that rat hole in the desert; his Bagdad Bob had earlier assured him that everything was fine. Muammar Gaddafi probably felt likewise moments before he was caught and butchered by his fellow Libyans.



Najibs personal fate does not concern me; Malaysias does. If Najib were not to get off the stage on his own volition and soon, the price for him as well as Malaysia would be high. Malaysia must be spared such a fate. Leaders in the mold of Najib, like Saddam and Gaddafi, have an unwarranted sense of invincibility, surrounded as they are with their flatterers.



It annoys me only a tad to read the toadying comments of the Khairys, Rahmans, and Nazris. What upsets me is that these characters are seen by non-Malays as the best of what our community could produce.



What pains me most are comments by the likes of Tunku Aziz, former Chairman of Transparency International and member of the Anti Corruption Advisory Committee. Does he think keeping the Auditor-Generals Report secret increases transparency? Then there is Bernama Chairman Azman Ujang who quoted an obscure Malaysian-born Australian lawyers opinion that the DOJs filing was flawed! Azman must have undertaken quite a search to find that character!



The shocking silence of our ulamas and intellectuals too disturbs me. Surely there must be a competent economist in the Majlis Professor Negara (Professors Council) who could enlighten us on the implications of 1MDBs massive debts and the associated opportunity costs.



There were notable exceptions of course but few and far between. Dr. Asri (MAZA), the Perlis mufti, chastised his fellow ulamas for their silence. Mustapha Kamil, group managing editor of the New Straits Times finally reached his limit and quit. Former Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim continues to warn Malaysians of the danger Najibs leadership imposes upon Malaysians. Law Professor Azmi Sharom is another brave soul. For that he is often charged with sedition. So far they have not been able to nail him. Rest assured that Azmi will not be nominated any time soon to the Professors Council.



Those mute carma (contraction for cari makan; lit. looking for food) professors and ulamas, as well as the Tunku Azizs and Azman Ujangs must remember that although Najib may have appointed them, their salaries are being paid for by taxpayers. Their duty and loyalty should thus be to the public. They should also remain true to their calling.



I could sympathize with their support of Najib if those characters were showered with gravy on the same scale as that Malaysian Official 1s relative Reza Aziz, or Jho Low and that Goldman Sachs bond salesman. Instead those Malays were getting only the crumbs, and for that they were willing to soil their reputation. Meanwhile those who had received the juiciest morsels were too busy enjoying their loot to comment.



There is only one certainty; Najibs tenure will end and Malaysians will be saddled by his legacy. The questions our children and grandchildren would be asking then would be: Were you part of the solution? If you were not, then you were the problem.















I am baffled at the continued praise and support for Prime Minister Najib in the face of the mounting 1MDB mess. To be sure, those come only from Malays, specifically those in UMNO, plus a few scattered voices elsewhere. They are lowering the bar for Najibs already mediocre leadership.Najib is but a Third World corrupt kleptocrat robbing billions belonging to the people of Malaysia, to quote the US Department of Justice (DOJ). Meanwhile those toadying Malays continue blathering let justice take its course or innocent till proven guilty. Those may be fine in a courtroom but for leaders we demand and impose a much higher standard, as without even the hint of impropriety.Those praises for Najib come in various contortions. Consider the absurd statement from PAS Hadi Awang who ventured that DOJ must produce four witnesses or that the accusation against Najib could come only from Muslims. Which cave did Hadi emerge from?The evidence of Najibs impropriety abounds, not just in the DOJ filings or complicated charts tracing the cross-border flows of illicit money as reported in The Guardian, Wall Street Journal and elsewhere, rather by the simple and obvious fact that 1MDB has saddled Malaysians with billions worth of debt and little to show for it. The proposed Tun Razak Exchange site is still empty while power plants once locally owned are now in foreigners hands.Najib denies that he is the Malaysian Official 1 referred to in the DOJ documents. I wonder who could that top Malaysian public official related to Reza Aziz be? Najib also denied being linked to the DOJs lawsuit. Poor Najib! Despite his expensive British boarding school education, Najib could not comprehend the difference between the legal term defendant and the everyday meaning of linked.This 1MDB mess is now being investigated in no fewer than six jurisdictions. Singapore has already frozen the assets of Jho Low, Najibs financial confidant. Switzerland terminated the license of its bank involved in the transactions. It would take great effort on Najibs part not to know that. Perhaps his staple of reading does not extend beyond UMNO newsletters New Straits Times and Utusan Melayu.The behaviors of Najibs courtiers and political whores, like his ministers and party chieftains, do not surprise me. They are paid to pleasure the man. The Rahman Dahlans and Khairy Jamaluddins remind me of Saddam Husseins cartoonish Information Chief Bagdad Bob just before the fall of that city. The American tanks could be heard and seen rolling in the background but he kept insisting otherwise in a televised press conference. Those UMNO boys fancy themselves heroes defending their leader, but the world sees them as cretins.As for Najibs nonchalance, I am certain that Saddam Hussein felt the same way right to the very moment before he had to flee to that rat hole in the desert; his Bagdad Bob had earlier assured him that everything was fine. Muammar Gaddafi probably felt likewise moments before he was caught and butchered by his fellow Libyans.Najibs personal fate does not concern me; Malaysias does. If Najib were not to get off the stage on his own volition and soon, the price for him as well as Malaysia would be high. Malaysia must be spared such a fate. Leaders in the mold of Najib, like Saddam and Gaddafi, have an unwarranted sense of invincibility, surrounded as they are with their flatterers.It annoys me only a tad to read the toadying comments of the Khairys, Rahmans, and Nazris. What upsets me is that these characters are seen by non-Malays as the best of what our community could produce.What pains me most are comments by the likes of Tunku Aziz, former Chairman of Transparency International and member of the Anti Corruption Advisory Committee. Does he think keeping the Auditor-Generals Report secret increases transparency? Then there is Bernama Chairman Azman Ujang who quoted an obscure Malaysian-born Australian lawyers opinion that the DOJs filing was flawed! Azman must have undertaken quite a search to find that character!The shocking silence of our ulamas and intellectuals too disturbs me. Surely there must be a competent economist in the Majlis Professor Negara (Professors Council) who could enlighten us on the implications of 1MDBs massive debts and the associated opportunity costs.There were notable exceptions of course but few and far between. Dr. Asri (MAZA), the Perlis mufti, chastised his fellow ulamas for their silence. Mustapha Kamil, group managing editor of the New Straits Times finally reached his limit and quit. Former Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim continues to warn Malaysians of the danger Najibs leadership imposes upon Malaysians. Law Professor Azmi Sharom is another brave soul. For that he is often charged with sedition. So far they have not been able to nail him. Rest assured that Azmi will not be nominated any time soon to the Professors Council.Those mute(contraction for; lit. looking for food) professors and ulamas, as well as the Tunku Azizs and Azman Ujangs must remember that although Najib may have appointed them, their salaries are being paid for by taxpayers. Their duty and loyalty should thus be to the public. They should also remain true to their calling.I could sympathize with their support of Najib if those characters were showered with gravy on the same scale as that Malaysian Official 1s relative Reza Aziz, or Jho Low and that Goldman Sachs bond salesman. Instead those Malays were getting only the crumbs, and for that they were willing to soil their reputation. Meanwhile those who had received the juiciest morsels were too busy enjoying their loot to comment.There is only one certainty; Najibs tenure will end and Malaysians will be saddled by his legacy. The questions our children and grandchildren would be asking then would be: Were you part of the solution? If you were not, then you were the problem.
The latest wrinkle in Donald Trump's tax plan cuts to the heart of a Wall Street crowd that has been one of the favorite demons of this presidential campaign.

Specifically, the revised top tax rate of 33 percent addresses a major criticism of his original plan, namely that the elimination of a tax dodge for private equity and hedge fund managers was in fact a ruse that would result in them paying little if any extra taxes.

At play is what's known as the "carried interest" exemption. Essentially, it allows big money managers to count earnings as capital gains instead of ordinary income. The tax implications are substantial: Capital gains currently carry a tax rate of 23.8 percent, while labor income is taxed at 39.6 percent. Closing the loophole would generate $17 billion in tax revenue over a 10-year period, the Congressional Budget Office has estimated.

Trump has said multiple times that he wants to get rid of carried interest, and he repeated that plan in his much-anticipated economic policy speech Monday in Detroit.

"The rich will pay their fair share, but no one will pay so much that it destroys jobs, or undermines our ability as a nation to compete," Trump said. "As part of this reform, we will eliminate the carried interest deduction and other special interest loopholes that have been so good for Wall Street investors, and for people like me, but unfair to American workers."



That's all well and good, except for one thing: Under the original Trump plan, that elimination of carried interest went along with a reduction in the top rate for income to 25 percent. So the tax rate private equity and hedge fund managers would pay would edge up only 1.2 percentage points even on the surface.

But when combined with a reduction of the tax rate for business income down to 15 percent, Trump's plan actually would reduce revenue, according to an analysis by the Brookings Institution's Tax Policy Center. (Brookings is a liberal think tank.) That's because those earning carried interest that are classified as partnerships would be taxed at the 15 percent rate.
Call it a work in progress.

GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump unveiled Monday the latest version of his plan to overhaul the American tax code, offering relief for everyone from parents paying for child care to the world's largest corporations.

But it remains to be seen where the money will come from to pay for those cuts.

Details of the plan are still fairly sketchy, but in his speech at the Detroit Economic Club, Trump promised they would be forthcoming soon.

"In the coming weeks we will be offering more detail on all of these policies," Trump said Monday.

The Trump campaign has promised that the tax plan would "benefit working families while ensuring the wealthy pay their fair share." But based on details of Trump's plan released earlier in the campaign, some analysts think the biggest winners would be those at the top of the income ladder.

"The proposal would cut taxes at every income level, but high-income taxpayers would receive the biggest cuts, both in dollar terms and as a percentage of income," according to an analysis in December by the Tax Policy Center.

Trump's campaign said Monday the tax plan would "dramatically reduce taxes for everyone and streamline deductions, presenting the biggest tax reform since [the] Reagan [administration]."



But based on the details released so far, the plan would also explode the federal budget deficit, add trillions of dollars to the national debt and substantially raise the government's interest payments, according to several independent analysts.



Trump's tax cuts would amount to some $12 trillion over the next decade, according to the Tax Foundation. Even after accounting for stronger economic growth, the plan would leave the government more than $10 trillion short over the next 10 years. That money would have to be made up for with more borrowing, dramatically expanding the nation's debt.

Trump also promised to ease the burden on American corporations by limiting taxes to 15 percent. The campaign has also promised to "make our corporate tax globally competitive and the United States the most attractive place to invest in the world."



Based on the latest available data, that promise should be fairly easy to keep.
Donald Trump's major economic speech Monday was the "Reagan revolution of the 21st century," Trump economic advisor Peter Navarro said Monday.



The Republican presidential nominee laid out his economic plan in an address Monday, focusing on taxes, trade, energy and regulatory policy.

Trump raised his top income tax rate to 33 percent, after previously saying he would have a top rate of 25 percent. The current rate is nearly 40 percent.

Among other things, he also pledged to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement and stop the passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Navarro, a professor of economics at the University of California, Irvine, said too many American jobs have been lost, pointing out that the U.S. has an auto trade deficit of $52 billion with Mexico.

"Those are jobs that could be here in Michigan if we were sensible about tax policy, tariff policy, trade policy," he said in an interview with CNBC's "Power Lunch."
It's Trump's safest ground. Polls consistently show the Republican nominee with an advantage on the economy, though Democrat Hillary Clinton has been cutting into that lead in recent months and plans a rebuttal speech of sorts on Thursday in Detroit.

The main element of the latest effort at campaign normalcy comes Monday in an economics speech in Detroit in which Trump will lay out a plan for tax cuts, infrastructure spending and revamped trade deals he claims will double the pace of economic growth.

Trailing badly in national and swing-state polls, Trump has no choice but to try, but there's no reason to believe it will work.

As the 2016 campaign heads toward a late-summer lull, Donald Trump is trying for yet another reboot.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump takes a paper out of his jacket during his rally at Windham High School on August 6, 2016 in Windham, New Hampshire.

Trump's speech comes after weeks of bleeding in which he picked an enormously damaging fight with the parents of a Muslim-American solider who died in Iraq, feuded with party leaders including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., repeatedly threatened to ditch long-standing American alliances and called on the Russians to help him by leaking more damaging information on Clinton. That's only a partial list of Trump's headaches since the GOP convention, which according to Gallup was the first ever to leave voters less inclined to vote for a party nominee.

The damage is obvious. Trump now trails Clinton by an average of 7 points. States that should be competitive for Trump, including Virginia and Colorado, now appear safe for the Democratic nominee. Trump is increasingly reliant on a low-probability Rust Belt strategy that would require him to win Pennsylvania, where he now trails by an average of 7 points.

And on Monday, Evan McMullin, a former CIA agent and Goldman Sachs executive who ran policy for House Republicans, announced he would seek the presidency as an independent, another blow to Trump's chances. McMullin will give "Never Trump" Republicans uncomfortable with libertarian candidate Gary Johnson a place to go, and potentially put deeply red states including Utah, where Mormons despise the GOP nominee, in play for Clinton.

So a reboot is desperately needed. The effort began with Trump's reluctant endorsement of Ryan, McCain and New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte in their primary campaigns. And Trump became somewhat less voluble on Twitter over the last few days.

But we've seen this movie before.

Trump allies promised a new, more traditional political approach in April. It never happened. They promised it again after Trump fired Corey Lewandowski as campaign manager in June, vesting all power in long-time GOP consultant Paul Manafort. Again, the "pivot" lasted just a few days before the free-wheeling, thin-skinned Trump, who can seemingly resist no provocation, was firmly back in control.

Because this is who Trump is. He is a 70-year-old hot head who cannot stand for the conversation to be about anything other than Donald Trump. That means any attempt to focus exclusively on making the race about the economy and Clinton will never succeed.

Trump was back at it on Twitter over the weekend, lashing out at Michael Morell, who wrote a highly critical op-ed about Trump. The candidate called Morell "the lightweight former acting director of C.I.A., and a man who has made serious bad calls  a total Clinton flunky!"

He let the media have it as well, and in the process offered up a litany of his own mistakes: "The media is going crazy. They totally distort so many things on purpose. Crimea, nuclear, 'the baby' and so much more. Very dishonest!"

Trump has shown himself able to surrender to his handlers for a few hours and read a prepared policy text off a teleprompter. Backers then declare that he has pivoted to a potentially successful strategy against a vulnerable Democratic nominee. Then it all comes crashing down. And it will again.

Trump will revert to lashing out, alienating all but his hardcore supporters and crying about a potentially "rigged" election outcome without any evidence to support such corrosive and dangerous claims. And then he will go on to lose, possibly in epic fashion, and Republicans will be left to pick up the pieces of a shattered party.

Ben White is Politico's chief economic correspondent and a CNBC contributor. He also authors the daily tip sheet Politico Morning Money [politico.com/morningmoney]. Follow him on Twitter @morningmoneyben.


ROME, N.Y.  Rome Research Corp. will use a $13.8 million contract award to provide operations and maintenance support for the Washington, D.C.based Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG).

Rome Research is a subsidiary of PAR Technology Corp. (NYSE: PAR) and part of PARs government business. Based in New Hartford, PAR Technology is a provider of restaurant/retail-management technology systems and government-contract services.

Rome Research will provide the contract services for BBG at the Robert E. Kamosa Transmitting Station (REKTS) on Tinian and Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The islands are located in the Pacific Ocean near Guam and to the east of the Philippines.

Under the five-year contract, the PAR subsidiary will transmit Voice of America, Radio Free Asia and other broadcasts, and maintain the REKTS equipment and facilities, PAR said in a news release.

The company is extremely pleased that BBG has selected Rome Research to continue these important telecommunication services, Matt Cicchinelli, president of PARs government business, said in the release.

[Rome Researchs] success is only possible through the commitment and expertise of our dedicated employees and we look forward to our continued partnership providing BBG with the highest level of service and support, said Cicchinelli.

The PAR Technology news release describes BBG as a networked global media agency. BBG, an independent agency of the federal government, includes five media networks with a shared mission vital to U.S. national interests. The networks, which include Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, work to inform, engage and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.

Together, the BBG media organizations communicate each week with more than 226 million people across the globe, according to PAR.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
The senator representing Bayelsa East at the National Assembly, Ben Murray-Bruce thinks that for Nigeria to be free from its current economic shackles, president Muhammadu Buhari should pay a visit to Anambra State and learn some lessons from governor Willie Obiano.

Mr. President, forget pride and party, gather your entire cabinet and go to Anambra. What is going on there is worthy of the FGs emulation!

Read Comments Below






Counterfeiting in America is as old as the nation itself, as vividly revealed in a new book from Whitman Publishing.

Counterfeiting in America is as old as the nation itself, as vividly revealed in a new book by paper money historian Bob McCabe from Whitman Publishing.

Not long after the first money was made, a new profession, counterfeiting, was born. With coins, it was soon after the first electrum staters were struck in ancient Lydia three millennia ago, and for paper money, during Chinas Tang dynasty (618 to 907 A.D.).

Counterfeiting in America is as old as the nation itself, as vividly revealed in a new book, Counterfeiting and Technology: A History of the Long Struggle Between Paper-Money Counterfeiters and Security Printing by paper money historian Bob McCabe. The 480-page book, published by Whitman Publishing, covers the origins and development of paper and printing; the formation of engraving companies in America, particularly in Philadelphia; the measures taken by the Secret Service and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing against counterfeiting; and the scoundrels who advanced their careers through forgery and inadvertently encouraged new technology.

Connect with Coin World:

McCabe captures their stories in detail, from Colonial times to the present day. Counterfeiters, mostly previously unknown or unrecognized, are brought to light, along with the stories of those who sought to capture them. McCabe describes and illustrates with infrequently seen drawings and photos the technology of American paper currency  from paper-making to fugitive inks to roller presses, from early Colonial attempts to the modern era.

The books introduction is by Larry Adams, curator of Iowas Higgins Museum of National Bank Notes, who says, McCabe has traveled to many of the largest cities in the eastern United States to ferret out original materials in libraries, museums, historical societies, and the National Archives to document this story, and from that material he has woven the fabric of a tale full of heroes and villains acting out their roles on the stage of American history.

Whitman senior associate editor Caitlyn Trautwein adds, Comparisons between genuine and counterfeit bills and explanations as to what methods the counterfeiters used to do their work are recalled with such acumen that one could believe McCabe was actually there, interviewing the men himself.

Counterfeiting and Technology presents the history of paper money in an engaging and informative way, combining chemistry and artistry, inventions and escapades, tales of arrest and daring escapes.

The book will debut on Sept. 20. It may be pre-ordered from booksellers and hobby shops and online (including here), for $39.95.
The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form
MU swine center to double its space for modified pigs

An $8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will allow the swine center to double its space for animals.
Birthday wishes

Call 281-422-8302 or email sunnews@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun.

Happy Birthday Wishes
Best of Business 2022: Learn Who Won Our 15th Annual Reader Poll

Local professionals chose their favorite business and professional services, products, healthcare, dining and more. Find out who their top picks are.
Explore Six Vintage Buildings That Have Found New Life as Hotels
Deniro Smith

SHARE

By Jody Callahan of The Commercial Appeal

A former behavioral counselor at Youth Villages pleaded guilty Monday to statutory rape stemming from a sexual relationship with a teen in 2014, the Shelby County District Attorney's office said Monday.

Deniro Smith, 26, has been sentenced to three years in prison, and will be placed on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry for 10 years beginning at the end of his sentence.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Smith developed a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old boy at Youth Villages' Bartlett facility for emotionally and behaviorally troubled children. Agents said the sexual activity occurred in Smith's car while parked on the grounds at Youth Villages and at Smith's off-campus apartment.

Youth Villages fired Smith after the incidents came to light.
July 11, 2016 - Flanked by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland (left) Interim MPD Director Michael Rallings talks during a press conference at City Hall about the Black Lives Matter protest Sunday night in Memphis. (Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal)

SHARE Flanked by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland (left) Interim MPD Director Michael Rallings talks during a July 11 press conference at City Hall about a Black Lives Matter protest in Memphis. (Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal) Memphis Police Department's Interim Director Michael Rallings listens to Black Lives Matter demonstrators occupying the Hernando de Soto Bridge during a protest in July. (Yalonda M. James/The Commercial Appeal) Michael Rallings addresses the media following the announcement by Mayor Jim Strickland (right) of his appointment as interim police director in January. Also pictured is outgoing director Toney Armstrong. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal) Related Coverage Editorial: Rallings has credibility with, trust of citizens

By Jody Callahan of The Commercial Appeal

You can take the word "interim" off Michael Rallings' title now.

Late Sunday afternoon, Mayor Jim Strickland named Rallings, 50, the next director of the Memphis Police Department, ending a nationwide search that included five other candidates. Rallings had led the department on an interim basis since the February departure of former director Toney Armstrong.

"I promised Memphians that I would find the best possible police director in the nation to meet our city's needs. After a comprehensive process in which I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of our candidates, I'm convinced that the best leader for MPD is Michael Rallings," Strickland said in a prepared statement.

Added Rallings, also in a statement: "I thank Mayor Strickland for appointing me and I look forward to continuing to work with him on the goal we share to provide for public safety."

Neither Strickland nor Rallings was available for comment Sunday night. Strickland plans to hold a press conference at 9:30 a.m. Monday at City Hall to discuss the hire.

The City Council still has to approve the move, but that's expected to be a formality as that body had already approved a resolution urging Strickland to hire Rallings.

"I think we'll pass it 13-0," Council chairman Kemp Conrad said Sunday. "I think it's a very wise decision. Director Rallings has been tested, and he's done a great job. He's got a lot of support on the council, a lot of support in the community. He's the right guy for this difficult job."

Rallings joined MPD in 1990 as a patrolman and slowly ascended the ranks until he was named deputy chief in 2009. During his 26-year career, Rallings has spent time in the Organized Crime unit, felony response and firearms training. The 30-year Army Reserve veteran has also been the commander of the police training academy.

Rallings was chosen over Malik Aziz, deputy chief of the Dallas Police Department; Branville Bard, police chief and director of public safety with the Philadelphia Housing Authority; Richard Bash, deputy chief of police in Columbus, Ohio; Patrick Melvin, former chief of the Salt River (Arizona) Police Department; and Joseph Sullivan, chief inspector/commanding officer with the Philadelphia Police Department.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police, which received $40,000 from the city to conduct the search, compiled the list of candidates.

Calls for Strickland to appoint Rallings intensified after the July 10 protest where Black Lives Matter marchers and others shut down the Hernando DeSoto bridge. Rallings was called a hero for going on the bridge with demonstrators and helping to de-escalate a potentially volatile situation.

"I think this is a great day for our city. I want to thank Mayor Strickland for making a wise choice for the citizens of Memphis as well as his administration," said Keith Norman, pastor at First Baptist-Broad as well as the MPD chaplain. "We can breathe a collective sigh of relief that we have a police director who has a vision for our city as well as some continuity with his familiarity with our city and the men and women of MPD."

Norman said he believes Rallings brings a unique "balance" to the job.

What makes him qualified, Norman said, is "Michael's heart for listening to people while at the same time presenting a firm balance of what law enforcement needs to uphold. Make no mistake about it: We cannot sacrifice the enforcement of law for community orientation. Michael brings a unique balance between the two. You know he's going to go after the bad guys, but he's doing all he can to prevent young people from becoming bad guys."

Numerous others across Memphis applauded the Rallings hire Sunday night.

"I've been very impressed with him. I think he's open to new approaches, to creative approaches and new ideas. I think he has some real depth of knowledge about the kinds of issues that we face. And I think he's very committed to this community," said Bill Gibbons, the state Commissioner of Safety and Homeland Security who will soon take over as head of the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission.

Mike Williams, head of the police union, said many of those officers he's spoken with were happy with the hire, particularly since it came from within the department.

"I think that was an outstanding decision by Mayor Strickland. I did have the opportunity to sit on the interview panels, and there were exceptional candidates. But I believe that Director Rallings is the best for the city at this point in time," Williams said. "He's already embedded in the community. He's already established relations within the community and he's already established good polices within the police department."
SHARE Joseph Kyles

By Jody Callahan of The Commercial Appeal

Joseph Kyles was booked into the Shelby County Jail late Sunday night on an aggravated assault charge after he was accused of choking a pregnant woman reported to be his girlfriend.

Kyles, 47, is the nephew of the late civil-rights activist Samuel Billy Kyles. He has also been active in the Black Lives Matter movement, including the recent protest that shut down the Hernando DeSoto bridge over the Mississippi River.

A warrant for his arrest was issued Saturday after an incident that apparently began with an argument early Friday morning at a Downtown apartment on G.E. Patterson Boulevard. After that incident, the woman and Kyles went to the Methodist University Hospital emergency room on Union Avenue around 4:35 a.m.

The woman was complaining of pain to her throat, but Kyles "was being very overbearing with hospital staff, bossing them around and answering questions for the victim," according to the police report. When staff tried to ask the woman what happened, "they were told that she was pushed and fell onto a chair," the report says.

Someone recognized Kyles from the bridge protest, and apparently called police about his behavior in the ER. When officers arrived, Kyles was gone.

Police started questioning the woman, and she told them that she had been choked, the report says, but would not tell officers who did it.

The woman said she did not lose consciousness but had "extreme pain."Kyles has no significant criminal record in Shelby County. Efforts to reach him Sunday were unsuccessful.
State Rep. Joe Armstrong, right, with his attorney Gregory P. Isaacs, arrives for a hearing Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016, at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Federal Courthouse. (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL)

SHARE

By Jamie Satterfield

USA TODAY NETWORK  Tennessee

KNOXVILLE  After four days of testimony and five hours of deliberations, a federal jury served up one felony conviction for state Rep. Joe Armstrong on filing a false tax return and an acquittal on two other related felonies.

Armstrong, a 28-year veteran of the Legislature who just last week won his unopposed Democrat primary race, faces a maximum of three years in prison on the false tax return count, but sentencing guidelines likely will be lower.

The jury acquitted Armstrong of conspiring with his accountant, Charles Stivers, to defraud the IRS by hiding his windfall from a sin tax hike through Stivers' investment firm and of evading taxes, which, unlike the false return charge, required a "willful," or deliberate act.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Atchley Jr. said he will seek a prison term for Armstrong. Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas Phillips set a Nov. 30 sentencing hearing. Armstrong remains free under previous terms of his release.

Armstrong and defense attorney Gregory P. Isaacs left U.S. District Court following the verdict's announcement and did not take questions.

Armstrong made roughly $321,000 when he used Knoxville tobacco wholesaler Tru Wholesale to buy cigarette tax stamps for him at the 2006 rate of 20 cents per pack and then sell them after a 42-cent hike went into effect in 2007. Armstrong voted for the tax hike.

It was not a crime for the lawmaker to profit from a law on which he voted, nor was it a crime for Tru Wholesale owners Boyd Wyatt and Roger Cox to cut Armstrong in on the deal to hoard tax stamps until the hike went into effect. Hiding the money from the IRS, however, is criminal.

Atchley said he could not speculate on why jurors acquitted Armstrong in the conspiracy and evading counts, which both carried maximum five-year prison terms. But the key witness to Armstrong's alleged willfulness to conspire to cheat the IRS and evade taxes was Stivers, who turned out to be a thief and a liar who stumbled on the witness stand several times under cross-examination, pausing for long periods before conceding he told a series of lies as the probe developed.

The false tax return charge rested more on the fact that Armstrong did not list the windfall on his return than any deliberate evasion.

Atchley said authorities first linked Armstrong to the case during an IRS audit of tobacco companies. Testimony showed agents first confronted Stivers, who lied about the source of the money his firm paid Armstrong, in October 2013. The U.S. attorney's office sent Armstrong a target letter, notifying him of the IRS probe and his role as a suspect, in December 2013. Armstrong has consistently denied he plotted to evade his taxes.

Testimony showed Wyatt and Cox paid $30,000 to Robert Carter, a friend of Armstrong's who had worked with the lawmaker at Tengasco, a Knoxville natural gas and oil company, to arrange a meeting with the lawmaker in December 2006. The pair wanted an inside man to apprise them of the likelihood a tax hike would be passed so they could begin  like a slew of other tobacco wholesalers  to hoard the stamps.

In early 2007, then-Gov. Phil Bredesen advocated for the tax stamp hike in his State of the State address, and a bill was introduced in the Legislature. Armstrong was one of 60 lawmakers who voted in favor of it.

At some point, Cox agreed to allow Armstrong to "invest" $250,000 in tax stamp purchases because he and Wyatt had tapped out all of their lines of credit and cash reserves. The pair took a $50,000 cut of Armstrong's profits and wound up making a total of $3 million from the hike.

Armstrong recruited former longtime Knox County School Board Chairman Sam Anderson to co-sign a loan with BankEast for the $250,000. Armstrong was a member of the bank's board and needed an outsider on the loan because of that. Anderson wound up getting a cut of roughly $88,000. He did not pay taxes on it, testifying Armstrong insisted the taxes had been paid. He has not been charged.

Stivers claimed Armstrong wanted to hide his windfall from the voting public and asked him to funnel the checks from Tru Wholesale into Stivers' investment firm and then back out in the form of checks written to Armstrong so that it appeared the money came from Stivers' business, not a tobacco wholesaler.

Stivers was paid $77,000. He didn't pay taxes either. He has since pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the IRS and has admitted running tax evasion schemes in Kentucky, where his firm is based, and stealing from clients. He has received immunity on those crimes as part of his federal plea deal in the Armstrong case.

Isaacs argued the $77,000 represented the amount of capital gains tax Armstrong would have owed on his windfall and a fee for Stivers. He said Stivers instead pocketed the money. Stivers insisted Armstrong paid him $77,000 to hide the money.

Stivers has not yet been sentenced. He has been stripped of his accounting license.

Atchley said he believed there was ample evidence for jurors to convict Armstrong on all three counts but did not quarrel with the jury's decision.

"He's now a convicted felon," Atchley said of Armstrong. "I certainly intend to ask for a prison sentence."

Isaacs likely will seek probation. The sentencing decision will ultimately rest with Phillips, whose options range from probation to the maximum three-year prison term. Phillips also could fine Armstrong as much as $250,000 and ordered him to repay the IRS the taxes owed with interest and penalties.

Armstrong, who was a member of Knox County Commission from 1982-1988, was first elected to the state House in 1988.

He served as president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators from 2012-2014 and twice was named the group's Legislator of the Year.

A felony conviction disqualifies Armstrong, who ran unopposed in Thursday's Democratic primary, from seeking office, and the local Democratic Party has 40 days before the Nov. 8 election to nominate a new candidate, said Adam Ghassemi, spokesman for Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett.

That gives local Democrats until noon on Sept. 29, which Knox County Democratic Party Chairman Cameron Brooks called "a good amount of time."

"The folks that need to get together in the party will do what we need to do," Brooks said Monday after the verdict. "The only thing I'll say, with it all coming back pretty fast, is I just feel for Joe and his family. He is in my thoughts and prayers. "He'd been a good advocate for our community and everyone makes mistakes, I'll let the verdict speak for itself."

Isaacs said in a statement: "Rep. Armstrong wants to thank his family friends and constituents for their prayers and support. Rep Armstrong is currently evaluating all his options."
Barney Sellers/The Commercial Appeal file Moving down the sun-seared path of August, Luke Appling (left) and his Chickasaws are preparing to make a run at the first division and here Lucious gathers solid weapons for the attack. Dixie Upright (second left) supplies a lusty bat while Frank Biscan (center) extends a hand fitted for baffling pitching. Al Kozar (second right), a defensive citadel, presents his potent glove while small Don Nicholas (right) brings the Southern League's swiftest spikes to taw.

SHARE

Aug. 8

25 years ago: 1991

Twenty jail employees, including the chaplain, were among 27 people indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday on charges they tried to smuggle crack cocaine or a heroin substitute into the Shelby County Jail. The indictments followed a 10-month investigation initiated and conducted by the Sheriff's Department. The timing suggests Sheriff A.C. Gilless began the probe almost immediately after he took office last Sept. 1.

50 years ago: 1966

CHICAGO  A line of 1,500 civil rights demonstrators trooped into the all-white Northwest side Cragin neighborhood Sunday, and was greeted with volleys of rocks and cherry bombs thrown by thousands of residents of the area. The marchers, Negro and white, were protected by 1,100 policemen as they walked in protest against alleged housing discrimination.

75 years ago: 1941

L.W. Hughes, who has a large farm near Arlington, was first to receive his complimentary cotton stamps yesterday as a premium for reducing cotton acreage under 1940 figures. The stamps can be used to purchase cotton goods.

100 years ago: 1916

The benefits which would accrue to Memphis from the location of the 20 million dollar nitrate plant at Muscle Shoals will be discussed by Col. J.W. Worthington of Sheffield, Alabama, to the Business Men's Club Chamber of Commerce Monday night.

125 years ago: 1891

McDonald, engineer for the Street Railway Company, charged the Main street pavements' shortcomings are the result of Meriwether, the city engineer, failing to watch the contractor. The public will await the results of this with interest. It is instructive, you know.
Mississippi state Sen. Chris Massey leaves Olive Branch Municipal Court building after appearing for an aggravated assault charge. (Mike Brown/The Commercial Appeal)

SHARE

By Ron Maxey of The Commercial Appeal

Itll be later rather than sooner before we get a resolution to two cases involving DeSoto County political figures.

In the more serious matter, dont expect word in the immediate future on whether former Southaven Mayor Greg Davis will be retried on his felony fraud and embezzlement convictions against the city he governed for more than a decade, and where the new trial will be if there is one. Davis attorney, Steve Farese, said last week its likely to be awhile before he gets together with District Attorney John Champion to discuss the case.

Just after the surprise July 19 ruling by the Mississippi Court of Appeals that Davis was entitled to a new trial because he didnt get a change of venue from DeSoto County, Farese said he hoped to meet soon with Champion to seek some middle ground and possibly avoid a retrial. Champion sounded as though there was no question he would seek a new venue to retry Davis.

But by last Thursday, Fareses was saying not so fast on a quick sit-down with the DA.

Farese, reiterating that Champion is a busy man with the high-profile Jessica Chambers murder case also on his plate, sounded as though it could be months before a decision is reached on what to do about Davis. When asked for sake of clarification if it was safe to say a meeting wouldnt be coming soon, Farese said oh no.

Then theres the separate case of state Sen. Chris Massey, whose assault charge resulting from a scuffle with a lawn crew is less serious legally than the Davis matter but nonetheless grabbed a lot of attention.

Farese is also the attorney of record for Massey. In fact, it was on the way out of Olive Branch Municipal Court after a hearing for Massey last week that Farese commented on Davis.

Masseys case was continued until Oct. 6. He and his father, Jackie Gayron Massey, were each charged with aggravated assault after a July fracas with Anthony Smith, owner of a lawn service, and Marcus Lane, an employee of Smith. Lane was also charged with aggravated assault, and Smith was charged with simple assault.

Massey has had little to say about the incident, quickly exiting court last week and letting Farese do the talking. Farese didnt have much to say, either, except that as in the Davis case, hes hoping to settle the matter without another day in court.

In his only public statement a day after it happened, Massey said he would be fully exonerated when all the facts come out. That will apparently now have to wait until at least Oct. 6 unless theres a settlement, in which case we may never know more than we already know from the police report.

Smith, whose brother Mike Smith is founder of the North Mississippi Cultural Foundation and principal of Hope Academy in Memphis, clearly hopes the matter doesnt go away quietly. He said the continuance is allowing time to gather affidavits from residents of Olive Branchs Windstone subdivision who witnessed the confrontation or who have had other dealings with Massey.

At the least, the case is bad public relations for Massey, a Republican from Nesbit who is chairman of the state Senate Ethics Committee and vice chairman of the Housing Committee.

FASHION FOLLOW-UP

We noted in last week's column the sensation DeSoto County resident Kelly Jacobs created with her collection of politically themed dresses at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

After the column ran, we reported that Jacobs received a request from the New-York Historical Society to donate one of the dresses to the museum's collection of political textiles. The collection is a bipartisan look at U.S. presidential politics, including such items as an Eisenhower dress, kerchiefs for both John F. Kennedy and William Henry Harrison, and Harry S. Truman's fedora.

And since the follow-up story, Jacobs reports the museum has requested the gloves that were part of her ensemble as well.

DeSoto County, it seems, has at least momentarily become the epicenter of the political fashion world.

QUICK TAKES

Rate reduction: Who doesn't like seeing prices go down rather than up? That's why you should be happy if you're a garbage customer in unincorporated areas of DeSoto County.

The county announced last week that residential customers will see a 21-cent monthly price decrease, from $8.47 to $8.26, because of fuel and other price adjustments to the county's contract with Waste Connections Inc.

The county-operated rubbish facility will also get a decrease, from $2.48 per yard to $2.42 per yard. The decrease will mean an $8,500 savings to the county for fiscal 2017.

Hernando grant: Hernando has received a $400,000 grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to clean up contaminated sites that can then be reused to promote economic development.

The EPA grant to the city was one of four awarded, totaling $1,525,000.

"These grants will empower communities to transform idle, languishing lands into vibrant hubs for business, jobs and recreation," EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said in announcing the grants.

Hernando spokeswoman Gia Matheny said the city doesn't have many areas needing cleanup, but the grant through EPA's Brownfields Program is welcome redevelopment news nonetheless.

AND FINALLY ...

From the making-kids-happy-to-be-back-in-school department, there's this in honor of last week's opening week of classes for DeSoto students:
SHARE

By E.J. Dionne

WASHINGTON  Anyone with confidence in the American people (and I have quite a lot of it) had to believe Donald Trump's unpreparedness, instability and just plain meanness would catch up with him eventually. This, as the polls show, is what occurred over the last week or so. Simply by revealing who he really is, Trump sent millions of voters fleeing him in disgust.

But understanding what still attracts many voters to Trump is important, not only to those who want to prevent Trump from staging a comeback, but also to anyone who wants to make our democracy thrive in the long run. Those of us who are horrified by Trump's hideous lack of empathy need empathy ourselves.

It's certainly true that Trump appeals to outright racists and nativists. He is the product of a Republican Party that has exploited extremism since President Obama took office. GOP leaders should be called to account whenever they try to prettify Trump by ignoring his assaults on Mexican-Americans and Muslims or a checkered business record that belies his pretensions of being a friend to the working class.

Nonetheless, to ignore the real pain experienced by Trump voters is an even bigger mistake. As a practical matter, we will not ease the divisions in our country his candidacy has underscored if we do not deal with the legitimate grievances of his supporters. As a moral matter, writing off Trump voters as unenlightened and backward-looking is to engage in the same kind of bigoted behavior we condemn in other spheres.

Let's start by untangling the causes of Trumpism and the related rise of far-right parties in Europe.

In a timely paper that will be presented at next month's American Political Science Association meeting, "Trump, Brexit, and the Rise of Populism," Ronald Inglehart of the University of Michigan and Pippa Norris of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government argue that while there is undeniably an economic element in the rise of the extreme right in the West, the key cause is "an angry and resentful counter-revolutionary backlash" to cultural changes since the 1970s.

They highlight the role of "anti-immigrant attitudes, mistrust of global and national governance," as well as "support for authoritarian values." Voters for the European far right look like Trump backers: "the older generation, men, the less educated, the religious, and ethnic majorities."

So, yes, the new right-wing populism may not be primarily about inequality. But Inglehart and Norris are careful to note that "structural changes in the workforce" and globalized markets may "heighten economic insecurity" and sharpen the negative reaction of cultural traditionalists.

On the ground, says Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., the sense of "disrespect" felt by "people who have lost work to new machines, technology and, in some cases, globalization" is palpable. This is what links cultural unease to economic distress.

Esty, whose district includes ailing industrial cities such as Waterbury and New Britain, has warned Democrats for months about Trump's appeal to displaced workers.

"I do not disrespect the people who support him," Esty said of Trump. "I find him loathsome, but what he has tapped into is real."

Fred Yang, a Democratic pollster, cited NBC News/Wall Street Journal surveys showing that voters who say the Great Recession is still affecting them are more likely than other voters to favor Trump.

Eric Hauser, strategic adviser at the AFL-CIO, said both parties need to face the obvious: that "there is a lot of rage in this country."

"People have been angry for more than a generation about their difficulty in moving ahead despite their best efforts," he said. Noting that most policy proposals on behalf of workers are too timid, he added: "There has been too much acceptance on the part of elites, including Democrats, that a little bit of trying is good enough."

Hillary Clinton is clearly aware of the fury, and she regularly says that "creating good-paying jobs and raising incomes is the defining challenge of our times." Her endorsement of progressive economic proposals reflects an attempt not simply to draw in Bernie Sanders' supporters, but also to speak to at least some of Trump's sympathizers.

If the nation is lucky, Trump will continue to defeat himself. His racism and sexism are leading non-white voters and women to form a durable front of opposition. But his voters should not be demeaned or ignored, and his rise should shatter the complacency of the comfortable.

Contact E.J. Dionne at ejdionn@ewashpost.com.
SHARE

By Jay Kamhi

I've always been a fan of Donald Trump.

I met the man in 1990, when I was a New York City street vendor. Four or five days a week, I'd sell the "Incredible Wiggling Hand" on the sidewalk in front of Trump Tower. The toy squirmed around as if it were Thing from "The Addams Family."

One afternoon, Trump was strolling along Fifth Avenue with his family and stopped to watch curiously as I sold to passing tourists.

"Hello, Mr. Trump," I said after bagging the toy for a customer. I had read "The Art of the Deal" a few months earlier and was inspired by its message  that my success wouldn't depend on my education or credentials (I had neither), but rather on my ideas and my confidence. Trump nodded at me and walked away.

That nod was all I needed. I'd been a street vendor since 17. At that moment, I decided to follow Trump's advice and "think big." I'd always loved prank toys. Why should I merely sell them when I could design them instead?

Over the next 25 years I created many novelty products, marketing them first in flea markets, then to small gift stores and finally at major chains like Spencer Gifts and Walgreens. I've done well and supported my family.

One of my biggest sellers has been the talking pen, which I'm particularly proud of since I invented it with a former NASA engineer. It's endlessly adaptable -- with new sound chips, sculpted head toppers and barrel art, a pen can be Barack Obama or Rudy Guiliani. Each new design costs about $10,000 to develop. I order them in batches of 5,000 from a factory in China for $15,000 to $20,000.

In September 2015 I released the Hillary Clinton Laughing Pen, which featured Clinton laughing for seven crazy seconds. Fans asked for a Trump option, too, so I designed something that resembled a Mont Blanc with the Trump name stenciled in gold lettering. The pen's packaging had photos of Trump with inspirational quotes, including "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" A "Vote for Trump!" insignia appeared on the pen's clip.

When I mailed a prototype to Trump's campaign headquarters, I received an encouraging thank you. My pen, I was told in a letter, would be displayed in the office. I took that as an endorsement. Weeks later, 3,000 pens had been produced and flown to Florida, where my company is based.

That's when things got hairy. Customs and Border Protection immediately confiscated the pens for trademark violation. I was told that unless I obtained Trump's written permission, the pens would be destroyed. For years, I'd sold political gifts without incident. Copyright law had always protected my right to playful parody of political candidates. But Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama had not trademarked their names. Trump had.

I contacted a lawyer who helped me reach Trump's general licensing attorney. He forwarded my pen sample to the Trump Organization's general counsel. I was asked for a royalty proposal. I sent one offering 10 percent of gross sales, with a $5,000 advance and a $10,000 guarantee. I included a heartfelt letter about my small business.

I was told that the fate of my pens would rest with Trump himself, who insists on final approval of all products bearing his name. This seemed like good news  I was certain Trump would appreciate my plight. After all, he was my role model.

But after weeks of back and forth, Trump's lawyers sent me a letter denying my request. I emailed the Trump campaign and the Donald himself, but received no reply. I even reached out to my senator, Marco Rubio, R-Fla., explaining the situation. To my surprise, he agreed to advocate for me and his staff contacted border control on my behalf. No dice.

Eventually, the pens were destroyed. I was out $30,000 during the holiday season, when I make most of my sales. I had to pay my employees less that Christmas and buy fewer gifts for my daughters.

My family told me to take the loss and move on. But I was dejected. I had wanted Trump's approval for most of my life, even fantasizing about what it would be like to star with him on "The Apprentice." After all, I designed this pen to help Trump  and he fired me!

I asked myself, "What would Trump do in my shoes?" The answer was clear: He wouldn't give up. So I tried again. I worked with a sculptor and painter to re-create Trump's head. I listened to hours of speeches to pick the perfect catchphrases.

I made one other crucial decision, too: I omitted the "Trump" name from the packaging. The pens cleared customs without issue. Within weeks, we were sold out, with thousands of back orders.

I've been advised by lawyers and friends that I should not write this article and instead fly under the radar. But I am proud of this pen and don't want to hide or run away. And honestly, I think Trump would be proud of my persistence.

Jay Kamhi is the owner of Kamhi World, where the pens sell for $14.95. He wrote this for the Washington Post.
For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser
AT&T will pay a $7.75 million fine for allowing suspected drug traffickers to add millions of dollars in bogus directory assistance charges to its customers' landline bills.

The extra charges of about $9 a month were discovered during an investigation of two Cleveland-area companies for drug-related crimes and money laundering, the Federal Communications Commission said Monday.

"A phone bill should not be a tool for drug traffickers, money launderers, and other unscrupulous third parties to fleece American consumers," FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Travis LeBlanc said in a statement. The settlement will allow AT&T customers "charged for this sham service" to get their money back, he said.

The Drug Enforcement Administration seized nearly $3.4 million worth of drugs, cars, jewelry, gold and computers during its investigation of Discount Directories and Enhanced Telecommunications Services, the FCC said. During the seizures, agents found financial documents related to the directory assistance scheme, which targeted thousands of telephone customers, most of them small businesses.

The companies billed for the directory services but never provided them, and neither company could show that AT&T customers had agreed to be billed, the FCC said. AT&T received a portion of each charge, the agency said.

AT&T has implemented "strict requirements" to crack down on third-party charges on telephone bills, a spokeswoman said by email. "Nonetheless, unbeknownst to us, two companies that engaged in a sophisticated fraud scheme were apparently able to circumvent those protections and submit unauthorized third-party charges that were billed by AT&T," she added.

AT&T stopped billing on behalf of the two companies in June 2015 and will also stop most other third-party billing on customer telephone bills, she added.

AT&T will issue refunds to current and former customers charged for the bogus services since January 2012. The refunds are expected to be about $6.8 million. The telecom carrier will also pay a $950,000 fine to the U.S. treasury.

Customers should get refund checks within 90 days, AT&T said.

Placing unauthorized charges and fees on telephone bills, often called cramming, is an "unjust and unreasonable" practice prohibited by the Communictions Act, the FCC said.
Google has acquired Orbitera, a startup that aims to make it easier for software vendors to sell cloud-based products to businesses. The startup gives software vendors a suite of tools for deploying and managing cloud applications, and for billing businesses that use them.

Right now, Orbitera supports deploying applications on Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, not Google Cloud Platform. Google said it will continue to support software deployments on platforms other than its own. That's similar to its approach to Stackdriver, a cloud monitoring tool that works with GCP and AWS.

One of Orbitera's key features is a service that lets companies try out enterprise software using the cloud. Vendors can set up profiles for proof-of-concept environments that are then automatically deployed on the cloud platform of their choice when a user requests a trial.

Google's announcement explicitly states that it's aiming to support businesses with multi-cloud deployments. That's a somewhat different approach to Amazon and Microsoft. While they both support multi-cloud deployments, their marketing is focused on getting customers to standardize on their own services.

IDC analyst Al Hilwa said he thinks the move is a way for Google to build credibility with enterprises.

"Google is aggressively building its enterprise credibility in the cloud, so perhaps they believe that this will allow them to build on the ecosystem side, which is always a great area to increase community engagement and adoption," he said.

Because Orbitera doesn't require customers to use GCP, Hilwa said it's possible the deal might not drive any new growth for Google's cloud.

The deal also seems to mesh nicely with Google's acquisition of Bebop, the startup helmed by Diane Greene before she became head of the company's cloud division. Bebop was building tools to help businesses more easily build cloud apps. If Google is able to fuse the two, it could help companies build cloud apps and then turn them into commercial products.
Nadhim Zahawi is a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and MP for Stratford On Avon.

Donald Trump has been consistently written off and underestimated since the announcement of his Presidential bid last year. Initially, many took one look at him and laughed; others took the time to listen to what he was saying  and laughed even harder. There was an assumption that his candidacy was unserious, and just attention seeking self- promotion.

But too much of the opprobrium aimed at Trump has come solely from the left. Instead, the criticism should come from everyone and anyone who believes in the role the United States can play for good in the world. Whether Trump decides to withdraw from the world  as many believe an America under his rule would  or if he would seek to remain involved, either option would be disastrous for our interests.

A President Trump involving himself in the fight against ISIS would be catastrophic. His proposed solutions bounce around from day to day, but have included carpet bombing and intentionally killing the families of terrorists. It is hard to imagine how counterproductive indiscriminate attacks against the general population would be in an effort to eliminate ISIS. The organisation survives by playing upon the grievances of Sunni populations and twisting them towards their malevolent ends. Trump would only succeed in uniting every larger sections of the populace against the West. Coupled with his inflammatory remarks about Islam, and his proposed ban on Muslim entrants to the US, he would single-handedly make the terrorists argument for them  that Islam has no place in the west and is incompatible with modernity.

As with so many of the problems we face in an ever more complicated and challenging world, finding a political solution in Syria will require calm and patient negotiation. Trump has shown time and again that he is absolutely incapable of summoning anything even close to this. He regularly looses his cool when opposing views are put to him and lashes out, most recently and most shamefully against the family of a Muslim soldier whose son had died in Iraq. Any individual who wishes to lead any country, let alone the United States of America, must first and foremost be able to maintain a calm and clear-sighted view of the way forward.

The only worse option than Trump being involved would be if he led the complete and utter removal of America from the world stage. He has suggested that he might withdraw the protection of NATO from Western Europe, and rip up defence agreements with Japan and South Korea. The last thing we need at a time when there is a resurgent and expansionist Russia testing the aerial and ground based frontiers of the West is for America to decide that it is up to us to contain Putin ourselves. This is not necessarily about the potential for armed conflict, but dictators around the world will toast the health of Trump and celebrate their new found capability to influence and intimidate their enemies, while The Donald sits on a throne ever-decreasing in relevance and power.

Ultimately, it saddens me that Trump has come to be seen as the face of the right-wing in America, and that comparisons have been made to his popularity and the vote to leave the European Union in the UK. Neither of these are true. Conservative thought and the Brexit vote were both about delivering power back to the people, and removing it from distant powerful figures. They are about telling the people that they can be trusted with power, that they themselves can solve the problems we face. Trump on the other hand asks the people to give him the power. He believes that there are easy solutions to every issue his country faces, and that everyone else is an idiot for not having come up with it sooner. His brand of solipsistic demagoguery would make the world a much less safe place  and should be opposed by us all.
The past week has seen a new crescendo of criticism for what we must now stop, following the resignation of its third chairwoman, calling the Goddard Inquiry into child abuse.

Along with a slew of bad news articles weve seen broadsides from Charles Moore in Saturdays Daily Telegraph, Dominic Lawson in yesterdays Sunday Times (), and now Libby Purves this mornings Times ().

The only question that seems to divide the inquirys critics is whether it needs to be simply rebooted or scrapped outright. Yet none report any evidence that this will happen.

Moore is quite explicit about why he thinks the ill-fated circus will plough on full steam ahead: its collapse would be hugely embarrassing to the Prime Minister, who set it up when she was Home Secretary.

This is probably true. But whilst it is easy for the media to switch deftly from one set of certainties to another, its important to remember that when Theresa May commissioned this inquiry Britain was witnessing what amounted to a witch hunt.

Calling the inquiry was not only politically prudent close to the general election  as everybody is quick to point out  but may have vented some of the pressure which might otherwise have led to more people being named, on hearsay, by the likes of Tom Watson.

That said, there can be no doubt that the inquiry has gone badly off the rails, with an excessively wide remit compounded by envelope-pushing personnel.

Thus despite being mandated to investigate institutions  and prohibited by the Inquiries Act 2005 from trying to determine any persons civil or criminal liability  Dame Lowell and Ben Emmerson, the lead QC, elected to pursue high-profile but thinly-evidenced cases against individuals instead.

Scandalous allegations against high profile individuals  and the wild fantasies about an establishment conspiracy  certainly provided the real impetus for the Home Secretarys decision to take action.

But since the Inquiry was set up most of the cases against high-profile politicians, such as Leon Brittan, Harvey Proctor, Edward Heath, have fallen apart  despite the often discreditable conduct of the police against them.

Moore describes the police raids on the homes of Lords Bramall and Brittan as contemptible, and thats before one includes the call for witnesses against Heath that was held outside the former Prime Ministers home.

If we assume that the Home Office isnt going to drop the curtain on this ill-fated Inquiry  and theres no reason to think it will  then it must be put back on track with all haste.

That necessitates a much tighter, more practical remit that focuses on the institutional failures of the past in order to better protect children in the future.

Pursuing individuals for alleged crimes is the proper job of the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the courts.

Show trials for individuals facing ancient, unsubstantiated allegations  using findings of fact to try to name someone a paedophile without adequate evidence or granting them the ability to present their case or cross-examine witnesses  must end.

That must include a shift in attitudes away from the current guilty-until-proven-otherwise logic of the believe the victims mantra. Both inquisitors and journalists must re-learn the difference between victims and alleged victims.

On these terms Mays inquiry could still do a lot of good, drawing lessons from previous institutional failures in order to build better safeguards for tomorrows vulnerable children.

If the Government continues to indulge the witch-hunter fantasies of Watson et al, on the other hand, further fiasco and failure will surely follow.
SUBSCRIBE

Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates straight in your inbox.
Eric Holcomb is about to invade your living room.

Not literally  at least I don't think so. What a wonderful story that would be. An Indiana gubernatorial candidate plowing into Hoosier dens, dressed in Viking apparel while swinging a large sword and screeching a message of economic stability. He would run away with the election.

"I just feel like he's not your typical politician," voters would say, gauze covering their puncture wounds.

But we're not that lucky. The invasion will likely come in the form of advertisements.

Thanks to a $1.2 million contribution last week from Mike Pence's zombie state campaign committee, the newish-ly crowned Republican candidate can begin his general election assault on John Gregg's mustache in earnest. And what better way to do so than through that grand political tradition of calling your opponent a moron during re-runs of "Maury Povich."

Such ads would provide some voters with their first glimpse of Holcomb, who was appointed lieutenant governor just a few months ago. He's boasted senior roles in the staffs of Gov. Mitch Daniels and Sen. Dan Coats but hasn't been elected to a major office since becoming ninth-grade treasurer at Pike High School.

That puts him in rare territory. He's both an insider and an outsider. And without much of a public record to check him against, he's free to sell himself to voters in any way he chooses.

Some options:

Second Amendment enthusiast

(Tommy gun chatter) (Car explosion) (Kurt Russell)

It would put him at odds with moderates and obliterate any chance of collecting Democratic votes, but Holcomb could win a lot of support from both firearm enthusiasts and Constitutional originalists by aligning himself with the NRA.

Plus, let's be honest. There's nothing viscerally exciting about Holcomb. If you created a bland middle-of-the-road Republican in a lab with a Frankenstein-ian technology and a bolt of lightning, the monster rising from the table would look exactly like our lieutenant governor.

An ad in which Holcomb ripped off machine gun rounds could toughen-up his image. It worked for Ted Cruz, who cooked bacon on the nose of an AR-15. Meanwhile Missouri governor hopeful Eric Greitens, already a Purple Heart recipient, cranked it up to tough-guy 11. His commercial depicts him firing a giant machine gun toward a tranquil pond, likely sparking the Great Mallard Massacre of 2016.

"Eric Greitens is under attack from Obama's Democrat machine," the voiceover says. "... But Eric Greitens is a conservative warrior, and when he fights back he brings out the big guns."

That implies that Greiten would like to shoot anyone who disagrees him with him. But on the other hand: big gun!

The extension

Holcomb may be Pence's second in command, but he'd be better off casting himself as a disciple of a different Indiana governor: Mitch Daniels.

Daniels was a financial guru who avoided stepping in Pence's social-issue road apples. He was so popular when he left office that I'm surprised the state isn't dotted with Daniels statues  tiny, tiny statues.

Holcomb could eschew hard partisan rhetoric and align himself with Daniels at every turn. That would undercut the message of John Gregg's campaign, which longs to cast Holcomb as Pence in Tasteful Glasses.

It would be the political equivalent of that co-worker of yours who's married to a nurse and therefore thinks he's qualified to offer medical advice. He doesn't have a degree or anything, but he's probably heard his spouse talk about her job. Better listen to him about that sharp pain in your chest.

The campaign could drive home the message with a series of "Parent Trap" parody ads. Holcomb and Daniels switch places  and no one can tell them apart! They could even snag Haley Mills for a quick cameo.

"We need to approve this tuition freeze, Purdue President Daniels."

(Holcomb winks at camera)

Filtered populist

Unleash Holcomb on the campaign trail and let him speak his mind. But you know, without insulting military families.

Contact Jon Webb at jon.webb@courierpress.com or follow him on Twitter @JonAdamWebb
DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS Artist and teacher Allison King (left) paints a "Cat in the Hat" theme on the rocking chair of Dexter Elementary School librarian Lynda Reid (right) Friday morning. King painted 10 chairs for the school's library to get kids excited about reading.

By Megan Erbacher of the Courier and Press

If one chair inspires a child to pick up a book and read, Allison King feels she has done her job.

King and Dexter Elementary Librarian Lynda Reid have worked all summer to liven up the library with custom painted book-themed chairs.

"It's put my love of reading, teaching and painting all in one," King said. "We're bringing some life back into the library."

The idea to paint 10 chairs and stools grew from Reid's request for Dr. Suess' "The Cat in the Hat" rocking chair. Planning took about a year, King said, deciding which book covers would transfer well to chairs.

"We just wanted to make the library more inviting," Reid said.

On Friday, King worked on the final chairs. The two chose some of their favorite books, as well as classics. Those include "Curious George," "The Giving Tree," "The Rainbow Fish," "Charlotte's Web," "Clifford the Big Red Dog, and "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie."

The chairs were purchased from flea markets and yard sales, while others were extras at the school. King said Reid funded the majority of the project out of her own pocket.

King had to paint a Harry Potter chair. She's always been a fan of the series, and reads the first book, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," to her students.

The back of the chair is made of seven strips of wood, so King painted each strip one of the seven book spines. King painted the four legs in colors for each of the four houses, and other details surround the chair, including a wand, Harry's lightning bolt scar and the invisibility cloak  which we can't see, but there's an arrow pointing to it.

Reid thinks the students will be pleasantly surprised by the new chairs.

King won't get to see their reaction because after two years at Dexter she will be a fifth grade teacher at West Elementary School in Mount Vernon, Indiana. She wants students to know the library is a "safe place."

"We just want to bring some life back to the classics," King said. "Kids today, they don't always want to read, especially Dexter's kids. They don't understand the escape of a book. That's what I always wanted in my classroom, was to take them on that journey. Show them they can escape life and the stress and anxiety."

Reid has been at Dexter for 11 years.

"Some of our kids aren't read to (at home), Reid said. "They haven't been to the library. They spend too much time in front of the TV and video games. So I get excited when they get excited about a book."

The books each chair represents are in Dexter's library for students to rent.

"You better order some more copies," King said to Reid.

To contact King about the chairs, email themermaidking18@gmail.com.


http://www.rickey.org/melania-trumps-sketchy-immigration-she-had-marriage-green-card-years-before-marrying-donald-trump/296992/

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/melania-marriage-green-card-4-years-wedding-trump-article-1.2741180

The hypocrisy of the Donald Trump campaign on immigration continues as a lawyer who worked for the Trump Organization revealed that Melania Trump had a obtained a green card based on marriage in 2001  four years before she married Donald Trump.

This directly contradicts Melanias statement to Larry King in 2005 that she was never married before meeting her husband. The NY Daily News reported that when the immigration attorney, Michael Wildes, was asked about the discrepancy, he clammed up.

Melanias immigration background came into question after racy photos of her from 1995 emerged. The photos were taken a year before she said she had arrived in the United States. Her statements to MSNBC back in February saying she traveled every few months back to the country of Slovenia, to stamp the visa suggested that she was on a tourist visa which doesnt allow her to work.

The possibility that Donald Trump married a one-time undocumented immigrant has prompted an anti-Trump group to demand Melanias papers. The Democratic Coalition Against Trump has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to make public Melanias immigration papers.
Live On The Floor

More than 15,000 hackers and security professionals gathered at the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas last week for Black Hat 2016. With that came bunch of seriously wacky and wild sights, including giant robots, alien bars and booths to physically bash competitive security solutions. However, there were also some serious sights, including a keynote addressing the future of iInternet security, new vendor debuts and the latest in car hacking vulnerabilities. CRN was on site at the event last week  here are 10 sights that stood out from the show floor this year.
AUBURN -- Six-and-a-half miles off the paved highway, down a gravel road -- past the homesteads of some of Nemaha Countys earliest founders -- sits St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church or The Old Stone Church, as most people call it.

Founded seven months before Nebraskas statehood, the church celebrated its 150th anniversary Sunday. The Rev. Megan Morrow, assistant to the bishop of the Nebraska Synod ELCA, officiated the morning service.

Seated in the pews will be Marvin Caspers, publicity chairman and St. John member for all of his 84 years. He was baptized, confirmed in 1945, and married Blanche in 1958 -- all in St. John. Their two children also were baptized and confirmed here. Son Mark is a fourth-generation member.

Caspers great grandfather was one of 13 German immigrants who founded the Lutheran church back in 1866.

Caspers loves the little church.

He handled publicity for the churchs 100th, 125th and now 150th celebrations, but makes no commitment for the 175th.

It's here, where the only sounds to be heard are the songs of cicadas and birds flying overhead, Caspers invites a visitor to tug on the fat thick rope that rings the churchs 1,521-pound bell in the steeple 83 feet overhead.

Kids get a kick out of it, he said.

More than a half century ago, funders relished their chance to pull the bell. Those who hadnt contributed were asked to pay $1 for the opportunity.

They figured it was pay now or pay later, Caspers quipped.

Time and technology have taken a toll on St. John -- not on the buildings, but on the congregation. The number of small family farms around Auburn, Benton Township, Johnson and Brownville is shrinking. The town of Sebing, which once served as the churchs postal address, is long gone.

Today, official membership stands at about 90 people -- but on any given Sunday only 30 to 35 people come to worship, Marvin Caspers said. Thats about half of the number from 1991 when St. John celebrated its 125th anniversary.
Sometimes it takes a village. In the case of information security, sometimes it takes an employee. Forward thinking enterprises can go beyond simply providing IT security awareness training and hygiene tips for their users, and enlist them in the threat monitoring process.

Take for example the financial services firm that decided to provide users of high privilege accounts with weekly Self Audit reports in which all of their access and activity is given a risk-score. Upon receiving the report on a Friday, one employee who was out of the office on Wednesday and never logged into their accounts becomes suspicious. The report shows account login and activity on that day. Upon further investigation, the security team discovers that one of the company's high privilege accounts had been compromised for over 3.5 years by an external intruder. Without the unique context provided by the self audit report -- machine learning risk scores combined with user visibility -- the breach may have continued for several more years.

To bring this closer to our own experience, lets use an example that were all familiar with  our monthly credit card statements. When it arrives, most of us review the list of charges to verify that they are legitimate. When we notice something amiss, we immediately contact the credit card company to identify and dispute fraudulent charges.

Beyond monthly statements, we sometimes receive urgent phone calls or emails from credit card fraud departments alerting us to anomalous use of our account or potential fraud. Sometimes, suspicious transactions are blocked. Many of us have experienced the embarrassment and inconvenience of false-positive fraud events, when a legitimate transaction is blocked unnecessarily because we didnt notify the credit card company that we were taking a well deserved vacation to the Greek islands. Who knew that travel to Greece would be an anomaly?

How do the credit card companies identify these anomalies? Data, and lots of it. They review and monitor hundreds of thousands of transactions on a global basis, and in near real-time they block and/or alert us to suspicious activity. Its time to apply this powerful protection partnership model to enterprise information security.

In the same fashion, lets ask our information security departments to send us regular statements that outline our online activities and assign them risk scores based on past behaviors. Applying the same principles of data collection, normalization, and link analysis (i.e., machine learning) employed by credit card companies, will enable employees to review and easily pinpoint any online actions that are risky, out of character or that they just plain didnt take.

This is a new concept, deputizing users and asking them to join in the fight against security threats! It can dramatically increases the size and power of internal information security teams. Theres one additional benefit, it may deter insider threat activity since users know their access and online activities are being monitored.

Theres more to it, though. Success depends on the ability to communicate the need for and create a company culture of partnership and transparency between users and the information security team. Too often, a companys information security function is viewed by users with suspicion and seen as Dr. No.

The use of self audit processes holds great potential, but as with any double-edged sword, it requires careful planning, communication and management to win over potentially distrusting users.
Hundreds of millions of Android devices based on Qualcomm chipsets are likely exposed to at least one of four critical vulnerabilities that allow non-privileged apps to take them over.

The four flaws were presented by security researcher Adam Donenfeld from Check Point Software Technologies on Sunday at the DEF CON security conference in Las Vegas. They were reported to Qualcomm between February and April, and the chipset maker has since released fixes for the vulnerabilities after classifying them as high severity.

Unfortunately, that doesnt mean that all devices are yet protected. Due to the fragmentation of the Android ecosystem, many devices run older Android versions and no longer receive firmware updates, or they receive the fixes with months-long delays.

Not even Google, which releases security patches for its Nexus line of Android phones and tablets on a monthly basis, has fixed all the flaws.

The vulnerabilities have collectively been dubbed QuadRooter because if exploited, they provide attackers with root privileges -- the highest privileges on a Linux-based system like Android. Individually theyre tracked as CVE-2016-2059, CVE-2016-2503 and CVE-2016-2504 and CVE-2016-5340, and theyre located in various drivers that are provided by Qualcomm to device manufacturers.

Qualcomm released patches for these vulnerabilities to customers and partners between April and July, said Alex Gantman, vice president of engineering for the Qualcomm Product Security Initiative, in an emailed statement.

Meanwhile, Google has distributed only three of these patches so far through its monthly Android security bulletins for Nexus devices. The security updates released by Google are shared with phone manufacturers in advance and are also published to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).

Devices running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) with a patch level of Aug. 5 should be protected against the CVE-2016-2059, CVE-2016-2503, and CVE-2016-2504 flaws. Android devices running 4.4.4 (KitKat), 5.0.2 and 5.1.1 (Lollipop) that include the Aug. 5 patches should also have the CVE-2016-2503 and CVE-2016-2504 patches, but would be vulnerable to a version of the CVE-2016-2059 exploit that Google has flagged as low severity due to existing mitigations.

The fourth vulnerability, CVE-2016-5340, remains unpatched by Google, but device manufacturers could obtain the fix for it directly from Qualcomm's Code Aurora open-source project.

"This flaw will be addressed in an upcoming Android security bulletin, though Android partners can take action sooner by referencing the public patch Qualcomm has provided," a Google representative said via email. Exploiting any of these four vulnerabilities would involve users downloading malicious applications, Google said.

"Our Verify Apps and SafetyNet protections help identify, block, and remove applications that exploit vulnerabilities like these," the representative added.

It's true that exploiting the flaws can only be done through rogue applications and not directly through remote attack vectors like browsing, email or SMS, but those malicious applications would not require any privileges, according to Check Point.

Check Point's researchers and Google have disagreed about the severity of CVE-2016-2059. While Qualcomm rated the flaw as high severity, Google rated it as low severity because it said it can be mitigated through SELinux.

SELinux is a kernel extension that makes exploitation of certain vulnerabilities much harder by enforcing access controls. The mechanism was used to enforce application sandbox boundaries starting with Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean).

Check Point doesn't agree with Google's assessment that SELinux mitigates this flaw. During Donenfeld's talk at DEF CON, he showed how the CVE-2016-2059 exploit can switch SELinux from enforcing to permissive mode, effectively disabling its protection.

It's hard to identify which devices are vulnerable because some manufacturers might wait for Google to release the missing patch before issuing their own firmware updates, while others might take it directly from Qualcomm. To help identify vulnerable devices, Check Point released a free application called QuadRooter Scanner on Google Play that allows users to check if their devices are affected by any of the four flaws.
Eight out of 10 executives surveyed acknowledge that their companies had been compromised by cyber attacks in the past two years, according to a new study by KPMG. Yet less than half of the 403 CIOs, CISOs and CTOs the firm surveyed said that they had invested in information security in the past year.

Were still seeing companies taking a passive or reactive approach toward cybersecurity, when in fact cyber should be a top-line business issue thought about and practiced company-wide," says Greg Bell, leader of KPMG's U.S. cyber practice. Bell spoke to CIO.com after publishing his Consumer Loss Barometer" report in July.

The notion that hacked companies are underinvesting in cybersecurity defies logic until you understand that most CIOs are told to prioritize innovation over risk mitigation. Companies grappling with digital transformations are racing to find their own Pokemon Go. CEOs laser focused on growing the business are loath to slow down to reduce risk. Ultimately, cybersecurity fails to become the imperative that it should be.

Lack of oversight courts risk

Underinvestment in cybersecurity means less spending on talent and safeguards to protect companies from emerging threats, including business email compromises and ransomware, in which hackers hijack corporate networks and demand money to relinquish control. In a June survey, security firm Malwarebytes found that 41 percent of U.S. businesses had encountered between one to five ransomware attacks in the previous 12 months. Such attacks threaten to have devastating impact on company brands and, ultimately, bottom lines.

KPMG The retail and automotive industries are especially lax regarding cybersecurity, according to KPMG's survey. (Click for larger image.)

[ Related: 5 biggest cybersecurity concerns facing CIOs, CISOs in 2016 ]

Bell points to a lack of oversight or governance over how CIOs are allocating their budgets. CIOs tasked with investing in technology to grow the business are focused on hiring new digital talent and implementing new solutions to drive innovation and grow the business. But most cybersecurity teams cant keep up with the pace of technological and business process change. Security teams prefer unchanging infrastructures, which enable them to better set a baseline risk and detect anomalies.

The need to move fast is critical so companies need to be more agile and embrace some of these newer and more disruptive technologies and look to add more value-added services to their product and service mix, Bell says. The problem is that most cybersecurity teams cant align their value against that. It's a challenge that most of our clients have struggled with over the last several years.

Bell says that cybersecurity has traditionally been aligned with IT infrastructure but he suggests companies link it to innovation. Ideally, CIOs, chief digital officers and their CISO partners will work to layer in protection as new solutions are baked rather than bolted on after the minimum viable product is launched. He says KPMG tried this model with a few clients and achieved solid results.

Some sectors are more security-focused than others

Bell, who surveyed clients in the automotive, banking, technology and retail sectors, uncovered other interesting tidbits. Turns out that 89 percent of retail cyber executives reported breaches in the past 24 months, followed by automotive at 85 percent, versus 76 percent for banking and technology companies.

[ Related: Whaling emerges as major cybersecurity threat ]

While those differentials were hardly stark, Bell says his research uncovered a "cyber-awareness maturity curve" between sectors such as financial services and tech firms and retail and automobile makers. This is somewhat alarming given retailers' emphasis on mobile and personalized shopping and automotive manufacturers focus on building connected cars that increasingly rely on automated driver assistance technologies.

Bell found that banks and technology companies are relatively on their game with regard to bolstering their cyber postures, with 66 percent and 62 percent, respectively, reporting that they had invested in information security. That compares to 45 percent of retailers and 32 percent of automotive manufacturers that claimed to have invested.

Of companies surveyed, 69 percent reported having a cybersecurity leader, such as a CISO, in place. Again, though, a gulf exists between the attention financial services and tech firms pay to cyber versus what their peers in retail and automotive do. For example, 85 percent of both banks and technology companies said they had a CISO or some other position of its ilk compared to 58 percent and 45 percent of retail and automotive companies who fessed up to having a cyber leader.

Matt Comyns, global cybersecurity practice leader for executive recruiter Russell Reynolds Associates, says that some enterprises try to hire average CISOs, or hold off on hiring security leaders entirely because they are in denial about the threat hackers pose toward their organizations. The collective mentality, Comyns says, is one of disbelief that hackers would find their data valuable enough to steal. Comyns says tries to convince them otherwise.

"I still walk in the door of companies searching for a CISO who say: Who would come after us, were not Target, were not Sony?" Comyns says. I'm not so sure that's the right question."

RELATED VIDEO:

This story, "Hacked companies still prioritize innovation over cybersecurity" was originally published by CIO .
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

STAMFORD  After a year running a retail paint business in the citys Springdale section, the Salazar family is changing the stores interior and exterior.

Perfect Match Paint Supply, now based at 20 Cushing St., is scheduled to open by December in a building now under construction around the corner at 1011 Hope St. The move cannot come soon enough for the Salazars, who grapple with their stores side-street location. The establishment is out of sight of passers-by on busy Hope Street and overshadowed on Cushing Street by an adjacent condominium complex.

Literally everyone who walks through the door tells me, Its kind of hard to find you, you guys are hidden, said manager Jerry Salazar.

Construction of the new building started in June, and is scheduled to be completed by late October. The Hope Street property is owned by Hope Enterprises, the same firm that owns 20 Cushing St. The Salazars contract gave them the option of moving to the new structure.

Just by the location alone, I know our sales are definitely going to be much better, said co-owner Boris Salazar, who is Jerrys father. People are going to go. They dont know were here now.

Perfect Matchs new 1,600-square-foot storefront will include a basement, which will give the business needed storage space to reduce the clutter. The Salazars have about 1,400 square feet at 20 Cushing St.

We want to go in with a cleaner, more contemporary look when we go into that location, said co-owner Evelyn Salazar, wife of Boris and mother of Jerry.

August Lenhart, a principal in Hope Enterprises, said that he was confident that Perfect Match would flourish in its new location.

Theyll have more exposure to traffic, Lenhart said. Thats always a good thing.

Another 1,000 square feet of space in the new building at 1011 Hope St. is on the market for another retail tenant, Lenhart said.

The Salazars were experienced business people before they started Perfect Match. Boris Salazar has run his own building-painting company, Salazar Painting Corp., for 24 years. Evelyn Salazar owns a house-cleaning firm, Evelyns Green Clean. While the family lives in New Rochelle, N.Y., both of their older businesses have many clients in Stamford and other cities and towns in Connecticut.

The Salazars said running their first retail operation has presented a number of formidable challenges. For one, they sell only the California and Muralo brands of paint  products that they say are top-of-the-line but lack the name recognition of brands like Benjamin Moore.

People get caught up with Benjamin Moore, Boris Salazar said. Even though Benjamin Moore cant get close to this (California brand), they still want Benjamin Moore because of the name.

Contractors constitute the target audience for Perfect Match, although the store also gets business from homeowners.

Much of Boris and Evelyn Salazars motivation for opening Perfect Match came from their motivation to create a business that 21-year-old Jerry could run and eventually own. Jerrys 17-year-old sister, Emily, is helping him this summer, but he mostly runs the establishment on his own.

This business has changed his life, Evelyn Salazar said. Hes become very responsible. Although we are financially helping him, this is his store. Hes very passionate about what he does here. He learned on his own. He basically came in and took over.

Jerry Salazar said that he relishes the responsibility of managing a business.

Im waking up every day and saying Ive got to tint some paint, Jerry Salazar said. There are no classes for it. If somebody comes in and says I need this gallon (of paint), Ive got to do my best to give them that gallon.

pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Fairfield Museum and History Center /Contributed photo Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Fairfield Museum and History Center /Contributed photo Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Fairfield Museum and History Center /Contributed photo Show More Show Less 5 of 5









Does the motto First in Flight rightfully belong to Connecticut rather than North Carolina? Did Gustave Whitehead fly in Fairfield on Aug. 14, 1901, more than two years before the Kitty Hawk flight by the Wright Brothers, as many believe?

Its a debate thats been going on for decades, and a definitive answer has yet to be agreed upon. Be that as it may, the Fairfield Museum and History Center will salute Connecticuts huge role in aviation history and Whiteheads role as an aviation pioneer with a free-to-all Fairfield Fly-In on Saturday, Aug. 13.
center>RALEIGH Proponents of Charlotte's controversial "bathroom" ordinance - including the city's attorney - claim that stripping a 1985 facilities privacy provision from the city code was of no consequence, but, according to a constitutional scholar, had the ordinance remained in effect, places open to the public in Charlotte "could no longer separate men and women in such facilities."Greg Wallace, who teaches constitutional law at Campbell University Law School, wrote on The Public Discourse, the blog of The Witherspoon Institute:Charlotte City Attorney Bob Hagemann told Carolina Journal he removed the 30-year-old section of the city code that allowed discrimination on the basis of sex in bathrooms, changing rooms, and other facilities on public and private property in order to align the city code with modern legal trends.Hagemann wrote in a Feb. 24 memo to Mayor Jennifer Roberts and the city council.But Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, along with members of the General Assembly and Gov. Pat McCrory's legal team, say it did just that. They say that the plain language of the Charlotte ordinance - which was nullified by House Bill 2 during a March 23 special session of the General Assembly - would have allowed boys to enter girls' public-school locker rooms, as an example.The debate has blown up into a partisan issue, as the state has been assailed in a campaign by left-wing groups, while some companies, agencies, and entertainers have made decisions or threats to cancel business plans in the state.Protections removedSection 12-59 of the city's nondiscrimination code prohibited sex discrimination in employment and accommodations. But it exempted the "facilities which are in their nature distinctly private" mentioned earlier, allowing separate facilities for men and women. It also exempted YMCA, YWCA, and similar dormitory lodging facilities, private clubs, or other establishments not open to the public. The ordinance passed by the council in February removed Section 12-59 from the code.Hagemann told CJ. The five characteristics are marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Section 12-58 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, and national origin, as defined by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.The ordinance consolidated sex discrimination in the section with other types of discrimination.Hagemann said.Hagemann said.Jamey Falkenbury, Forest's press secretary, says savvy litigators could make a compelling argument in court that the city's decision to eliminate nondiscrimination language that had been part of the city code signaled that the city intended to do away with separate-gender bathrooms.In an email, Falkenbury said,The controversy emerged last year when the Charlotte council considered the ordinance. Over the objections of several council members, the original version, backed by Hagemann, stripped privacy protections from the ordinance. The council initially rebuffed Hagemann, voting 9-2 to restore those protections. But even with the privacy protections in place, the full ordinance failed by a 6-5 vote.After last fall's election, in which three new council members and Roberts were elected, the new council approved the ordinance - which removed the protections allowing separate facilities for men and women - by a 7-4 vote.Hagemann said.While H.B. 2 opponents insist the fight is over equal rights, minutes from the city's meetings and other documents show the debate over transgender bathroom usage has been at the center of the discussion.The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network said in a Tuesday press release that because of H.B. 2, transgendered people "will continue to be denied the dignity of accessing restrooms that correspond with their gender identity."And according to the minutes of the Feb. 8 Charlotte City Council business meeting, Community Relations Director Willie Ratchford said,Councilmember Ed Driggs interpreted the ordinance differently.Driggs said.Wallace said H.B. 2 is an attempt to balance "conflicting privacy interests."Wallace wrote.Wallace also defended the constitutionality of H.B. 2, which has been challenged in a federal lawsuit for alleged bias against the transgendered: "If the North Carolina legislature, because of privacy and safety concerns, wants to pre-empt local ordinances granting transgender persons access to the bathrooms of their choice," he asked, "why is that necessarily 'targeting' motivated by animus rather than a permissible balancing of conflicting privacy interests?"categories: Business and Regulations, City & County Government, Law & Regulation, North Carolina, State Government
Entrepreneur.com

Writers and editors from Entrepreneur.com hosted a "Pitch the Editor" contest where they listened to and critiqued a number of pitches at this spring's tech and entrepreneurship meetup, Propeller Fest. Check out Raphael Zaki's plans to change the future of big data in his pitch to former Senior Writer Cat Clifford.

Zaki is a sales manager at Arria NLG, a software development business. Arria NLG's artificial intelligence software can translate big data into a format that appears to have been written by a human author. The company's NLG system, which stands for Natural Language Generation, is the leader in real-time data storytelling, according to Zaki.
STORY LINK Fears for Italian Banking Sector Weigh on EUR GBP Exchange Rate Outlook

UK Economic Concerns Send GBP/EUR Exchange Rate to Multi-Year Lows

Eurozone Banking Concerns Could Weigh on Euro (EUR) Currency Outlook

EUR Forecast: Euro Could Dip Vs Pound, US Dollar on Italian Banking Fears

new fund to free Italys banks of bad loans will have at least 2.4bn of firepower, but the issue here is whether it will be enough for the next emergency.

Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues:

European investors have focussed on the UK economy's woes in the weeks which have followed the June 23rd decision by UK voters to leave the European Union, sending the Pound Sterling euro exchange rate GBP EUR down to its lowest level in well over three years in the 1.1500s. However, fears are increasing that all is not well with the eurolands retain banking sector, with one nations banks above all others providing significant cause for concern.The latest European Union banking stress test results, published 10 days ago, found that as of the end of 2015, a walloping 17% of funds loaned out by Italys retail banks were are risk of default. This is over three times the level of bad loans across the European Union banking sector taken as a whole. The news raises the possibility of an Italy-specific credit crisis, echoing the 2007-09 global Credit Crunch and the earlier Japanese banking crisis of the mid-1990s; such an outcome would be likely to see several Italian banks fail and a generalised reduction in the ability of individuals and business to access credit. Analysts forecast that the downward multiplier effects on the Italian economy of such a situation would be likely to plunge the local economy into a deep recession and have contagion effects on the remainder of the eurolands already struggling economy.Last months EU stress tests revealed specific concerns about one Italian lender in particular  the 544-year old Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA (BMPS : MIL). The bank, which is officially the worlds oldest, has experienced a dramatic fall in its share price during recent weeks, sending it plunging from well over 0.7000 as recently as May to a lowly 0.2459 as of Fridays close  a slide of some 65%. Monte Paschi now holds the worrisome title of being officially the riskiest bank in the EU if the stress tests, which assessed 51 euroland lenders in total, are to be believed. The most stringent scenario tests by the European Central Bank survey found that Monte Paschis balance sheet would be reduced to zero (or below), triggering a catastrophic failure.Italys regulators are so worried about the creditworthiness of their nations banks that they have instigated an emergency bailout fund  dubbed Atlante 2 - aimed at liberating Italian banks of their bad loans. Today is the closing date for payments into the fund by Italys financial institutions and early indications are that the contingency pot raised will be some 2.4 bn -considerably below the Italian governments stated target of 3 bn. There is a widespread feeling amongst analysts that this amount may not be enough, given the potential for future turbulence in the euro area economy. Wolfango Piccoli of Teneo Intelligence summed up the mood on Friday, observing that the,If Piccolis fears prove well-founded and Italys banking sector is about to begin showing signs of real distress, then analysts forecast that the recent improvement in the euro to Pound Sterling exchange rate forecast could be in jeopardy.

International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements.

TAGS: Currency Predictions Euro Forecasts Euro Pound Forecasts
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."
Section of GAP closed during bridge work

"The last time the bridges were re-decked was in 1995. They have become almost unsafe to be used," said Lindsay Baer.
Using a Calculator Some of Us Can Make Any Little Annoyance into a Real Catastrophe

I read an article in my newspaper where the writer went way out of her way to make a Mountain out of a Molehill. I have better things to do with my time like write a Blog about how silly she is...



"Here's what it's like to buy something at a store these days:



1. Swipe card.

2. Get scolded by cashier to use the chip reader.

3. Insert chip and cancel all foreseeable plans.

4. Wait.

5. Wait some more.

6. Celebrate once you hear that joyless "Remove card" sound.



Next time you experience this, I want you to remember that it's not you. It's the banks, credit card companies, merchants, payment processors, terminal manufacturers and many others that have created this checkout catastrophe .



After pulling out the stopwatch for over 50 transactions at various retailers in recent days, I can confirm that it takes twice as long to pay with a chip card than with a card swipe-on average, 13 seconds versus 6 seconds .



Think about it this way: If you made two purchases every day for a year with a chip card instead of a swipe, you'd spend 85 extra minutes at the checkout counter . That's nearly an hour and a half of your time, to give someone your money."



(I did the underlining and bolding.)

Are we really supposed to get upset because we spend an extra 6 seconds at a checkout counter or even 85 Extra Minutes at checkout counters spread out over the span of 365 days ?



Using this writer's logic, was I right or wrong when, as a child, I used to think that, if I spread too much butter on my toast, I would not be harmed from eating too much butter because the too much butter was all spread out too much?



I think we ought to spend our Get Upset About Time on things that have more of an impact on our lives than 85 minutes in 365 days.



If we get all wrapped up in this Minutia Challenged Writer's Thinking, we could find ourselves going through this kind of Mental Gymnastics...



 In Presidential Elections it takes about 20 minutes to drive to the polling place to vote, 25 minutes to go through the verification process, stand in line and do the actual voting and 20 minutes to drive home (adds to 65 minutes).

 If you voted in Presidential Elections every day for a year, that would add up to 23,725 minutes!

 Yee Gads! That's 395.4 hours. That's awful!



All of this makes me think we ought to outlaw Presidential Elections but we really don't need silliness and a calculator to come to this conclusion. A better reason for outlawing Presidential Election is all the craziness we are being subjected to every day and night during this current Presidential Election.



Want to really get depressed? We have 93 more days to go before this current craziness is over and 94 more days before the Talking Heads start talking their heads about the 2020 Presidential Election.



Would I kid u?

Smartfella


Check it out: Fun things to do this weekend in Lake County

This list of weekend entertainment includes festivals, Vet Fest and the premiere of 'The Diary of Anne Frank' on a local stage.
While news media outlets search high and low for negative stories about GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, they've ignored an interesting factoid about the people whom they hope to call America's First Family, the Clintons: Chelsea Clinton's father-in-law is an ex-convict.When Chelsea married Marc Mezvinsky, the news media fawned over the young couple and characterized Chelsea's husband as a modern day Prince Charming who is the son of a former Democratic Party stalwart, U.S. Congressman (See video at end of column).Unfortunately, as has occurred with her own parent, Chelsea's father-in-law was involved in a huge scandal that caught the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecutors at the Department of Justice and led to his being locked up in a federal penitentiaryAccording to the FBI, through a " Nigerian " email scam and several Ponzi schemes, Congressman Mezvinsky illegally obtained upwards of $10-million. The scams are familiar to most Americans especially those that are generated on the Internet through bogus emails promising huge sums of money.The elder Mezvinsky was convicted in 2001 of 31 counts of fraud and served a mere five years in federal prison. Originally he was facing 69 counts of fraud that included bank and mail fraud, as well as criminal activity that included phony oil and trade deals in Nigeria.The former Democratic member of Congress - from Iowa's 1st Congressional District served two terms, from 1973 to 1977. He reportedly knew Hillary Clinton when he served on the House Judiciary Committee that investigated President Richard Nixon and Hillary worked as one of the investigating attorneys. Mrs. Clinton was fired from the investigating committee because of her leaking of confidential information on the Nixon case.Ed Mezvinsky had been a vocal critic of President Nixon. He's on record for calling Nixon "crooked Dick" and said that the president wasThe hypocrite also called for Nixon's impeachment.After serving in Congress, Mezvinsky was appointed by President Jimmy Carter as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights from 1977 until 1979. He later became chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, and made a run for state attorney general in 1988. After winning the Democratic primary he lost the general election to Republican Ernie Preate.Federal prosecutors at the time told reporters that Rep. Mezvinsky habitually dropped the Clintons' names and boasted of their friendship during the 1990s while he was bilking friends, family members and institutions out of more than $10 million.While now a free man, the scam artist still owes over $9.4 million in restitution to some of his willing victims.
Opinion Wordle

The next day I woke to find myself in a WhatsApp group titled Quordle is Awesome!! A small group of three. There was no getting out of it now.
Do you remember The Beverly Hillbillies? It was my favourite television series as a child.

For those too young to know, this was a Sixties American comedy show based on the concept of an impoverished family of hicks  the Clampetts  who suddenly become immensely wealthy and move to a mansion in Beverly Hills after a company develops vast oil reserves under the swamp near their home.

Although the series was popular in the UK, there could never have been a British equivalent to the Clampetts.

For while in the U.S. mineral rights belong to the owner of the land above  and so they can sell those rights to oil companies  in this country, all such rights belong to the Crown.

The Beverley Hillbillies, pictured, was a show about an impoverished family who strike oil beneath their swamp and see their lives transformed - but this could not happen in the UK

Anglo-Saxons still smarting over the Norman Conquest can blame this loss of an Englishmans full property rights on the avaricious French invader: in fact, the law on mineral rights was finally clarified in favour of the Crown  what we now think of as the State  in the 1934 Petroleum Production Act.

Now, it seems, Theresa May is doing a little something to restore matters to their pre-1066 status.

She has declared that the Shale Wealth Fund  set up in 2014 by the then Chancellor George Osborne to give up to 1 billion for community benefit in areas of shale gas production  might now distribute such money directly to local home-owners.

Under Osbornes scheme, this money, taken out of the business rates paid by the profits of the exploration companies, was only to be made available to local authorities and community groups.

Mrs May has justified her decision as follows: I said on my first night as Prime Minister: when we take the big calls, well think not of the powerful, but of you.

'This announcement is an example of putting those principles into action. Its about making sure people personally benefit from economic decisions that are taken  not just councils.

Green groups see it differently. They are almost incontinent with rage at what they see as a bribe by the Government to win local consent for fracking.

Fracking has prompted protests across the country with many green groups accusing the Government of using cash as an incentive to get local consent for the process (file picture)

Fracking involves injecting huge quantities of water into wells at high pressure to fracture layers of shale, releasing gas trapped inside (file picture)

This is shorthand for hydraulic fracturing, the process by which huge quantities of water are injected into wells at such high pressure that the shale layers thousands of feet underground fracture, releasing the gas trapped in them.

This process was developed in the U.S. in the Nineties  and to vast benefit, not just to those selling mineral rights but to that nation as a whole.

Because it is a much cheaper way of getting oil and gas than drilling offshore in say, the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. energy costs have fallen dramatically.

This not only created hundreds of thousands of jobs in the areas of exploration, it also made U.S. manufacturers more competitive worldwide.

Europe  and the UK  have been the losers. As the International Energy Agency warned in 2013: Today, there is a substantial gap between the U.S. and Europe in gas and electricity prices.

'This is a serious problem for Europe. This will have huge costs in terms of employment . . . there will be a knock-on effect on the whole economy [of Europe].

One of the reasons for European hostility to shale gas is that as a carbon-based energy source, its emissions contribute to climate-change via the greenhouse effect.

However, American CO2 emissions have actually declined during the shale boom, as gas has replaced coal, which per unit of energy emits about twice as much CO2.

Something similar could happen here, as the British Geological Survey has identified a resource of 1.3 trillion cubic feet of shale gas in the North of England alone  equivalent to more than 500 years worth of our annual gas consumption.

Nuclear power  which has no CO2 emissions  was being set up to replace coal: that is the justification for the vast Hinkley C project in Somerset, managed by the French with assistance from the Peoples Republic of China.

The proposed Hinkley C site, pictured, is in the balance after Theresa May said she required a couple of months to make a decision on its future

Under this deal, we would be contracted to pay about 120 per megawatt-hour for Hinkleys output at its scheduled start in 2025  almost three times the current electricity wholesale price.

But ten days ago, Mrs May, to the consternation of the French and Chinese nuclear industries, put a check on these plans  which had been enthusiastically backed by David Cameron and George Osborne  saying she required a couple of months to make her own decision as new PM.

If May decides to veto the Hinkley project, it would be clear she intends that Britain uses gas, rather than nuclear, to prevent the lights going out.

When the stakes are this high  we dont want all our pensioners to die of hypothermia  a hand-out of up to 1 billion to villagers in the areas covering our exploitable shale-gas deposits hardly seems excessive.

Indeed, British governments have hitherto been stingy, ruthless in fact, in compensating home-owners affected by infrastructure projects.

The writer Melissa Kite described in the Mail three years ago the plight of her parents whose home lies within 200 metres of the proposed HS2 railway line: At the end of their line of pebble-dashed houses, the road will be raised high in the air and the railway line sent underneath . . . from living on a quiet road surrounded by fields, my parents will be living below a flyover, and next to a rail line with 250mph trains thundering past every four minutes.

The proposed HS2 railway line is intended to significantly cut journey times north to south

But the Kites will not receive a penny of compensation: the zone officially considered blighted by HS2 is only that within 60 metres of the track.

By contrast, the disruption caused by oil and gas exploration is minimal, once production is up and running.

Consider this: the largest oilfield onshore Europe is Wytch Farm.

Its vast reserves lie beneath Dorsets exquisite Studland Peninsula, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Yet even at its peak production of 110,000 barrels of oil a day in 1997, Wytch Farm caused no local concern or disturbance whatsoever: nor does it now.

I live in the scarcely less lovely High Weald, in East Sussex, which is considered a good prospect by the shale explorers.

There was a lot of fuss  no, hysteria when the firm Cuadrilla began testing in the village of Balcombe in the west of the county.

Now, under Mays proposals, Balcombes 735 households might conceivably receive a one-off sum of up to 10,000 each by way of compensation from Cuadrilla, if things turn out well.

Not exactly the Beverly Hillbillies, is it?

The suggestion by the Tory peer Baroness Wheatcroft that she and other members of the House of Lords will seek to impede Britains withdrawal from the EU has been rightly seen as an attempt to negate the result of a referendum in which the majority  17.4 million people  voted Leave.

But as the historian Lord Lexden points out, his colleagues strategy would also be in clear breach of the long-standing convention that the Upper House does not block the Government of the day from carrying out commitments contained in its election manifesto.

The 2015 Conservative manifesto did not just promise that there would be an in-or-out referendum on our EU membership.

It went on to pledge: We will honour the result of the referendum, whatever its outcome. Withdraw, Wheatcroft.
When 34-year-old William Sidney Trentham walked away from the Alpha House prerelease center in February 2015, he was having a momentary lapse in judgement, he told Yellowstone County District Court Judge Russell Fagg on Monday.

Trentham was sentenced in Yellowstone County on criminal endangerment charges in October 2014 and arrived at Alternatives on Jan. 13. A little over a month later, he left the center and did not return. At his sentencing hearing Montana, Trentham told Fagg he'd had a drink that day and it gave him an excuse to run.

The Tennessee man said he headed back to his home state to see his sick father. He said since he was incarcerated for criminal endangerment, he hadn't been home and he had no ties to Montana. He wanted to go home, Trentham said. He wanted to see his father.

"It was an irrational, split-second decision," Trentham said.

The havoc Trentham had caused in other people's lives because of his criminal behavior was frustrating to Fagg, the judge said. Trentham committed at least six felonies prior to his arrest in Montana and likely more crimes "you didn't get caught on," Fagg said.

If Trentham had returned to Alpha House after drinking, it probably would not have amounted to a violation, Fagg said. Because he'd tried to escape, Trentham was facing a 10-year sentence.

Fagg granted Trentham's request for a three-year sentence with the Montana Department of Corrections and gave him credit for the year he had already served on the original endangerment charge.
Private health insurance  up to 64 days holiday a year removal bills, including stamp duty, new curtains and furniture allowances worth up to 32,000 a year, on top of 200,000 salaries

Today the Mail Investigations Unit exposes the extraordinary extent to which chief constables and their senior teams are cashing in on taxpayer-funded expenses and perks in austerity Britain.

Indeed, theyve helped themselves even as they complain bitterly over cuts, with many claiming resources are so stretched they can no longer fight crime effectively.

National Crime Agency director Lynne Owens, pictured, received an undisclosed housing allowance as head of Surrey Police until last December

Meanwhile, forces have gone to great lengths to block the Mails enquiries, rejecting as unreasonable Freedom of Information requests on medical cover, drivers, bonuses and other payments.

How can it be unreasonable for taxpayers to be told how their cash is being squandered by officers who appear to believe they are a law unto themselves, immune from public scrutiny?

And how can it be right that, while heroic front-line officers risk their lives daily to keep the rest of us safe, those who lead them behave like princes of private fiefdoms?

Leg-up for poor pupils

When Left-wing idealists sought to outlaw selective schools, their laudable motive was to create equal opportunity for all.

Yet the ineluctable truth is their experiment has had the opposite effect.

Indeed, it is a depressing indictment of comprehensive education that social mobility has all but ground to a halt, frustrating the aspirations of bright working-class children as selection by parents wealth and postcode has replaced selection on merit.

This is why the Mail  along with a growing majority of the public  welcomes signs that Theresa May wants to lift the ban on opening new grammar schools, with an announcement perhaps as early as the Tory Conference in October.

True, the old two-tier structure was flawed, writing off many whose talent had not yet emerged at 10 or 11.

So any new system must keep the door open to late developers.

Meanwhile, more effort must be put into improving the chances of less academically inclined children, with better vocational courses and no child abandoned by the system.

Theresa May, pictured, wants to lift the ban on opening new grammar schools

But what is increasingly clear is that pupils from poor backgrounds had a far better chance of realising their potential in the days when, like Mrs May, they had grammar schools to give them a leg-up.

Indeed, the ban on new selective schools not only blights lives. It also denies the nation its most valuable resource  bright young minds.

It will be a scandal if, blinded by discredited ideology, Labour and Lib Dem MPs and Peers carry out their threat to block any move to bring grammars back.

Clegg vs the real world

Remeber how Nick Clegg, backed enthusiastically by David Cameron, hailed the Shared Parental Leave scheme as a revolution in gender politics, which would free new mothers to return to work while modern fathers took their turn in looking after the baby?

How revealing that in the first three months of this year, only 3,000 couples took advantage of the deal.

Leave aside the bureaucratic burden on small businesses. Doesnt the pathetically low uptake illustrate the yawning gulf between the right-on obsessions of the political class and the pressures and preferences of people living in the real world?
Two stylish friends have secured an investment of 78,000 to launch a dedicated e-commerce site for their fashion brand, after impressing the panel on Dragons' Den.

Beth Chilton and Sarah Sleightholm, from London, successfully pitched their company Iveson and Sage to the entrepreneurs on Sunday night's show, revealing they had turned over 1million in just one year - double their business goal.

The duo secured investment from both Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones, in order to expand their two fashion lines Alter and Hope & Ivy, following on from their own success, which has already seen their products stocked in Asos, Next and Lipsy.

Scroll for video

Expanding business: Sarah Sleightholm (left) and Beth Chilton (right) are set to grow their fashion brand after securing a significant investment on Dragon's Den

After receiving offers from four Dragons after more than an hour of questioning, Beth and Sarah decided to accept Peter and Deborah's investment, in return for 25 per cent of their business - along with an option to buy five per cent back.

Speaking about the deal Peter Jones said: 'Their sales figures are remarkable for a business that only started trading 10 months ago; especially when you consider how fiercely competitive the fashion industry is.

'In fact its one of the most exciting revenue growth stories weve seen this series.'

Impressed: Peter Jones said that their sales figures were 'remarkable'

In shock: Sarah and Beth were thrilled with the offer put forward by Peter and Deborah

Deborah added: ' We knew that Beth and Sarah were onto a winner when we started to explore the product.

'But it was the girls themselves that really impressed us  you sometimes meet people you know are going to be successful no matter what.'

Beth and Sarah met while working at a small independent brand where Beth excelled on the business side of things and Sarah was designing occasion wear.

Warm embrace: The duo were seen hugging

Fashion friends: Beth and Sarah met while working for a small independent brand and decided they could do it themselves

The panel: Sarah and Beth received offers from four of the five Dragon's. They decided to team up with Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden to help expand their fashion business

After Beth's plans to move to LA fell through she approached Sarah about starting their own brand, deciding it was crunch time.

The pair set up their business using their own money in August 2015 initially with the label Hope & Ivy - an occasion wear collection that is 'full of feminine floral embroidered designs with an eccentric English twist.'

They went on to also launch Alter separate range that 'delivers soft-tailored separates at affordable price points for style conscious professionals.'

What a stylish idea: The girls launched their first label Hope & Ivy, an occasion wear brand in August last year

Diverse: The friends also launched Alter - which delivers soft-tailored separates under the umbrella of their company Iveson and Sage

Stocked: Despite only launching last year the brands are available on Asos and also in Next and Lipsy

The duo has now set their sights on launching their own e-commerce site this year and breaking into the USA, UAE and German markets and with the support of the dragons, the business looks set to continue to grow.

Beth said: 'Its been a whirlwind since we launched back in August 2015.

'It was so incredible to hear the dragons tell us how well we had already done so far with the business, a real compliment coming from individuals whom themselves have achieved so much.
With the height of summer comes a change in the beauty rules. Forget heavily concealed, air-brushed skin, and instead think of a soft, natural glow.

That was the vision behind American brand bareMinerals when it launched its Original SPF15 Foundation (26.50, bareminerals.co.uk) in 1995.

And its no surprise that the company is now the best-known mineral make-up brand in the world.

A soft, natural glow was the vision behind American brand bareMinerals when it launched its Original SPF15 Foundation (pictured) in 1995

Full of nourishing minerals, the powder is proven to promote clearer, healthier-looking skin. Use a big brush to buff on to the skin in a circular motion.

One of our favourite cheaper powders is Marks & Spencers Autograph SPF15 Mineral Loose Powder Foundation (12, marksandspencer.com).

Free from parabens, fragrance and preservatives, this hypoallergenic powder is perfect for sensitive skin.

One of our favourite cheaper powders is Marks & Spencers Autograph SPF15 Mineral Loose Powder Foundation

Its lightweight but easily buildable to cover any blemishes.

If youre prone to dryness, apply moisturiser and let it soak in before applying powder to avoid caking.
In my experience, the last thing you want when you get a cancer diagnosis is to read a novel in which one of the characters gets sick.

If you are ill yourself, the only books you want are ones that steer clear of the tough stuff and promise happy endings.

But for those who live with people who have cancer, novels can be a great way of getting an insight into how their loved one is really feeling.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green is technically a young adult novel, but the author holds nothing back in this story of two teenage cancer patients finding love

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green is technically a young adult novel, but the author holds nothing back in this story of two teenage cancer patients finding love. Its funny and blackly comic, as well as heartbreaking, and it is an excellent meditation on finding happiness where you can.

Another surprisingly funny novel about cancer is So Much For That by Lionel Shriver. Set in America, it chronicles the awful dilemma faced by Shep Knacker when his wife Glynis is diagnosed with an obscure but fatal form of lung cancer. Her treatment is not entirely covered by his health insurance, so he is forced to spend his savings to pay for drugs that might prolong her life for a few months.

It is an agonising process  his familys financial security is teetering under the cost of keeping his wife alive for a short while. So it is a book that makes a British reader feel very thankful for the NHS and its principle of being free at the point of use.

One of the most difficult things about a cancer diagnosis is that feeling of: Why me? Love Story by Erich Segal was made into the weepiest movie of all time, and tells the story of Oliver and Jenny, who fall in love and marry despite the disapproval of their respective families.

Love Story by Erich Segal was made into the weepiest movie of all time, and tells the story of Oliver and Jenny, who fall in love and marry despite the disapproval of their respective families

Jenny supports Oliver as he goes through law school and, when he graduates, they plan to start a family. But, despite being young and in love, Jenny falls ill with leukaemia and dies.

Its a heartbreaking book - not only because of its tragic end, but because it shows that cancer is completely random and can strike in the midst of the greatest happiness.
Does your heart sink when browsing the self-help section of bookshops and being faced with such daunting titles as: 365 Ways To A Better You, The Bikini Boss Complete Transformation Program and, 30 Days To A Whole New You?

These are just some of the books promising that even you, person of little willpower, can, with resolve and determination, emerge from your chrysalis a beautiful, high-flying butterfly.

I have two reactions to these books. The first is desolation. Can I really rouse myself to start on the first of 365 life-transforming steps?

Wall-Street consultant Caroline Arnold has shared tips on achieving aims - which includes going for 'microresolutions' that are less daunting than setting big aims (file photo)

The second is rebellion. Far from making me despise my slothful self, these books make me feel more benign. A whole new me? For all my faults, I quite like the old one.

These insist we are all seriously flawed and that nothing but a complete life, body and mind overhaul will redeem us.

But what if there were a book that said: by and large, youre fine. You eat vegetables with every meal, you mostly turn up on time, keep the house tidy, are nice to friends and family and take occasional exercise.

Its just that you have the odd ever-so-slightly bad habit, which you could deal with to improve your daily life.

This is the argument made in the new book Small Move, Big Change: Using Microresolutions To Transform Your Life Permanently.

The author, Caroline Arnold, is a high-achiever: a Wall-Street technology consultant managing a team of nearly 500 people and working 80-hour weeks - and still cooking every night for her husband and daughter.

This is the argument made in the new book Small Move, Big Change: Using Microresolutions To Transform Your Life Permanently

She is hyper-organised, driven, a tidier of cupboards and of colour co-ordinated wardrobes.

But she has niggling weaknesses: her car too often left short of petrol, a tendency to bolt her food, staying up too late, sniping at her husband.

Her solution is the microresolution: small, achievable goals that contribute to lasting behavioural change.

These work on the principle that successfully kept resolutions build confidence, making you more likely to keep them, and others, in future.

Failed resolutions, experience tells us, make you want to give up altogether.

And the reason most of our good intentions start to wobble, according to Arnold, is that they are too ambitious. Willpower is a resource that quickly dwindles; sapped by the ongoing effort of being good.

Increasingly, there is scientific evidence to back this up.

Last month, a team of psychologists from Flinders University in Australia and the University of Liverpool reported that our appetite for unhealthy food grows as the day wears on.

A study of more than 300 women found that cake was more appealing to them in the afternoon.

Arnolds theory is that we concentrate too much on wannabe resolutions: for example, I wannabe thin, more punctual, tidier, fitter, more sensible with money.

This is too vague and abstract. What matters is doing - but on a small scale. Instead of I wannabe a size 8, try: I will have fruit instead of biscuits, I will walk up the office stairs rather than take the lift.

Little resolutions, easy to keep. Keep them long enough and they become habit.

For someone overwhelmed by mess, she recommends microresolutions such as: I will make the bed every morning; I will wipe kitchen surfaces every night.

She also talks of the importance of cues. One she learnt as a teenager was: When you come into the house (cue), hang your keys on the hook (resolution.)

Her solution is the microresolution: small, achievable goals that contribute to lasting behavioural change (file photo)

For those of us cynical about self-help books, Arnolds microresolutions have an agreeable logic. Having read her tips, I now have a place in my flat for keys.

More than that, to stop myself going out having forgotten something, Ive made a microresolution - cued by opening the door - to check I have the three Bs: bag, bottle (of water), book.

It works. A greater challenge, though, is my slouching habit.

Im constantly vowing to sit up straight - only to collapse like an accordion two minutes later. The result? My back aches and I worry about a hunched future, but my resolve always fails me.

The first problem is that my resolution isnt micro enough. It is too ambitious to go from Quasimodo to ramrod-straight in one go, particularly when I spend all day sitting at a desk.

My new microresolution is to sit up as much as possible but to allow slouching on the sofa.

The second problem is what Arnold calls framing - phrasing it to get the best response.

What matters is doing - but on a small scale. Instead of I wannabe a size 8, try: I will have fruit instead of biscuits, I will walk up the office stairs rather than take the lift

For instance, if you tell yourself that eating an extra biscuit will make you look even blobbier on the beach, the effect is demoralising. Instead, try thinking positively: Resist that biscuit and you will enjoy your dinner more.

Ive stopped telling myself: Slouching is slobbish and lazy. And now I say: When you sit up straight, your back is less sore.

Its going well. Meanwhile, Ive also changed my resolution to do an hours yoga every week (hopelessly unfulfilled) to: Stretch your neck and shoulders while the kettle boils.

In a week I can do more than an hours stretching. And no nagging guilt about the yoga.

Arnold offers further advice on how to tackle those mundane tasks, which, when they mount up, become unmanageable: tackle one each time you have ten minutes to hand.

Following this advice, recently I replaced several light-bulbs, culled a pile of magazines, rehung a picture, went to the dry cleaner and polished my shoes.

As a reward, I had a ginger biscuit - one can only manage so much resolve in an afternoon.
It's the trend that appears to bring sleepwear to the mainstream.

Silk camisoles and slips, worn over t-shirts or paired with thigh-high boots, has been seen on the likes of Kendall Jenner and Kourtney Kardashian.

But while it might appear effortlessly cool, fashion blogger Nadia Fairfax told Daily Mail Australia there is a fine line between pajama chic and fashion tragic.

Sports luxe: Silk camisoles and slips worn over other clothes has come in to the mainstream in recent times (pictured: Nadia Fairfax)

Fine line: According to fashion blogger, Nadia Fairfax, there is a fine line between something looking chic and silky, and tragic - she fronts the new campaign for Ginia RTW

The fashion It Girl, who pens the blog Fairfax Journal, will front the Spring Summer 16 campaign for Australian label Ginia RTW, the sister brand to sleepwear label Ginia.

The label is all about silk basics: think charcoal slips, soft pink camisoles or block-coloured singlets.

But Nadia said this was not to be confused with 'full blown pajama sets'.

What to shop: The label is all about silk basics, think charcoal slips, soft pink camisoles or block-coloured singlets

How to work it: Ms Fairfax advocates wearing beautiful silks and cottons and working them into your favourite looks (pictured)

'I am a fan, but I am not a fan of a full blown pajama set in a public place,' she said of the pajama trend.

'It seems a little "fashion victim" to me, (sadly) I am not on the catwalk in Milan so somehow I think its a little ridiculous.

'Its about wearing those lush fabrications (beautiful silks and cottons) and working them into some of your favourite looks, cool jeans and a silk PJ shirt, or sleek pair of silk trousers mixed back with a crispy white shirt.'

Wardrobe go-to: Nadia said a matte spaghetti strapped camisole (pictured) is one of her wardrobe staples, and you can keep the look fresh by using neutral, muted tones and whites

Nadia said a matte spaghetti strapped camisole is one of her wardrobe staples, and you can keep the look fresh by using neutral, muted tones and whites.

Add a statement accessory, and you're 'fierce, strong and ready to go'.

And with more than 157,000 Instagram followers, we're likely to oblige.

Icons: Ms Fairfax looks up to the likes of Margherita Missoni, an heiress of Italian fashion house Missoni

Balance: 'The aim is to find the perfect balance between wearing something eye-catching... while looking timeless and classic at the same time,' she said

Nadia, who credits her former job as designer Camilla Franks' PA for instilling in her a love of fashion, said she tends to shy away from the norm when it comes to style.

Instead she looks up to women like Margherita Missoni, an heiress of Italian fashion house Missoni.

'The aim (for me) is to find the perfect balance between wearing something eye-catching with a point of difference to everyone else while looking timeless and classic at the same time,' she said.

Nadia said while she once felt pressure to behave a certain way online, this is no longer the case.

She said she tried to share behind-the-scenes and unpolished photos that showed her personality, not just perfect images.
Studio 10 presenter Sarah Harris has revealed her hair is 'brushing out in clumps' since giving birth to her son Paul.

The Sydney journalist took to Instagram to share her post-partum woes on Sunday, eight months after she welcomed her baby in December last year.

The 34-year-old shared a photo of her hairbrush and a clump of loose strands from her head alongside the caption: 'post baby hair shedding in full swing'.

Scroll down for video

'Brushing out in clumps': Studio 10 presenter Sarah Harris has taken to Instagram to share her post-partum hair loss woes

'Post baby hair shedding in full swing': The 34-year-old mother-of-one revealed she has hair-loss eight months after she welcomed her son, Paul

The post received 329 likes and 54 comments, many of which were from other mothers who reassured the TV presenter she is not alone.

'They forget to tell you that part of having a baby,' one woman said.

Others reassured the first-time mother the hair loss would not last.

'Very normal, especially after the 1st pregnancy. I thought I was going to be bald. But it all came back thick as ever,' one woman wrote.

New do: The Tv presenter cut more than six centimetres off her hair to mask the hair loss

In the meantime, Sarah decided to take matters in to her own hands by making a trip to the salon.

'Well that's my hair loss sorted,' she wrote. 'Ta ta two and a half inches.'

The caption was accompanied by a selfie of her new, shorter, hairstyle.

Not alone: Other mothers revealed they too has post-baby hair loss

So what causes post-partum hair loss and is it normal?

HOW TO MANAGE HAIR LOSS Take a prenatal vitamin supplement. Shampoo and condition less frequently, and use a wide-tooth comb to prevent excess hair loss. Avoid using heat style techniques and colouring your hair. Source: What To Expect Advertisement

According to the pregnancy and baby website Baby Centre, all new mothers experience hair loss to some degree.

Changing hormone levels during pregnancy cause a 'resting phase' for your hair that sees you shed less each day, resulting in thick, shiny locks.

But all good things must come to and end and about 12 weeks after birth, once hormones are more under control, you enter a shedding phase that can see you lose 500 hairs a day, as opposed to the standard 100.

Luckily this phase will pass in about six months, and while hair might be falling out in clumps, you certainly won't go bald.

Sharing her story: Nadia Bartel, Melbourne stylist and wife of Geelong Cats AFL great Jimmy Bartel, revealed she too was losing her hair after giving birth to her son

'Losing all my hair from feeding': Nadia's have birth to her son Aston James nine months ago

Sarah is not alone in sharing her post-partum hair loss woes online.

Nadia Bartel, Melbourne stylist and wife of Geelong Cats AFL great Jimmy Bartel, revealed she too was losing her hair after giving birth to her son Aston James, now nine months.

Alongside a photo of her in the salon, Nadia said she was getting a haircut even though she was: 'losing all my hair from feeding'.
It was a celebration of Brazilian culture featuring an elaborate light display, samba dancers and an appearance from supermodel Gisele Bundchen.

But viewers watching the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympics on television couldn't help but notice that the aerial view of the Maracana Stadium resembled an intimate female area.

Hundreds took to social media to highlight the similarities. One Twitter user posted an image of the stadium, writing: 'Anyone else think the opening ceremony of the #Olympics2016 #RioOlympics2016 looked like a giant vagina?'

Scroll down for video

Viewers watching the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympics on television couldn't help but notice that the aerial view of the Maracana Stadium resembled an intimate female area

Poking fun: Many people felt like the Opening Ceremony 'looked like a vagina'

Another wrote: 'So powerful that they decided to host the Opening Ceremony in a big vagina,' adding: 'And then the Olympians all burst forth from the from the Great Olympic vagina'.

While Brent C Lee added: 'Yes it does look like a Giant Vagina and it could have use a Brazilian Wax #Rio2016 #RioOlympics2016 Just Nasty.'

Dario A Rivero tweeted: 'The Olympic vagina before the brazillian wax. Too funny.'

'Nothing is more inspiring than seeing the world come together to create a giant vagina,' one Twitter user mused.

Another simply wrote: 'That's a nice looking vagina #OpeningCeremony'.

Another simply wrote: 'That's a nice looking vagina #OpeningCeremony'.

'And then the Olympians all burst forth from the Great Olympic Vagina': Twitter decided that the Rio Opening Ceremony resembled an intimate female area

Controversial: Many viewers were left unimpressed with the ceremony with some branding it boring

Shining star: Supermodel Gisele took centre stage in the celebrations at the Maracana Stadium on Friday night

The event, held on Friday, proved controversial for other reasons too.

Many were left unimpressed by the ceremony - which cost just a tenth of London's in 2012, branding it 'boring'.

Others were furious that the money had been spent on the Olympics during Brazil's worst recession in recent years.

Empty seats: The 80,000-seater stadium was less than two thirds full

Budget: The ceremony cost just a tenth of London's ceremony in 2012

That anger erupted into protests outside the stadium as demonstrators, also frustrated over the presence of Brazil's acting president Michel Temer, clashed with police who used tear gas on the protesters.

Inside the stadium, others showed their anger through the thousands of seats left unsold as the Opening Ceremony began.
Surgery addict has spent more than 350,000 on treatments

A man who has undergone 43 plastic surgery operations in order to look like a human Ken Doll says he's quitting going under the knife after his face was nearly destroyed.

Surgery-addict Rodrigo Alves saw his sixth nose job go drastically wrong after his body rejected the nose and he suffered necrosis, where the flesh withers and dies.

The 33-year-old Brazilian, who recently underwent a seventh rhinoplasty surgery to fix the damage to his face, says he wouldn't go under the knife again unless absolutely necessary.

Scroll down for video

Giving up: Rodrigo Alves who has had 43 plastic surgery operations says he won't be going under the knife in future

Rodrigo said: 'I've decided to make most of the treatments that do not involve surgery, and I would only have another plastic surgery again if it was for emergency medical reasons which was the recent case of my nose.'

Rodrigo said: 'I've decided to make most of the treatments that do not involve surgery, and I would only have another plastic surgery again if it was for emergency medical reasons which was the recent case of my nose.

'But Ive not stopped having aesthetic treatments, there are so many non-invasive treatments on the market that can replace surgery. Im not giving up on trying to stop the natural ageing process.'

London based- Rodrigo has spent more than 350,000 to look like Barbies boyfriend and he's recently insured his body for 1 million after a hole appeared in his nose.

Money money money: The 33-year-old Brazilian has spent 350,000 on surgery

He was forced to pay 40,000 for emergency treatment on holiday in Spain this year before undergoing his seventh nose job - a ten-hour reconstructive operation.

Speaking for the first time since the health scare, Rodrigo said that while he has quit plastic surgery he will still rely on non-invasive beauty treatments in a bid to look young.

Rodrigo said: 'Im not giving up on trying to stop the natural ageing process.'

'Lately I have been trying everything, Ive had radio frequency therapy and cavitation in my back and legs.'

Body beautiful: Rodrigo, who has had SEVEN nose jobs says he will now only use non-invasive beauty treatments. Pictured having Lipoglaze fat-freezing treatments

'Im due to have more hair implants soon, and Ive had an injection of stem cells in my blood and the latest Lipoglaze fat-freezing technology on my thighs, hips and waist. I want to look nice in my swimming trucks.

'This really bothers me, even after having liposuction there is something that I need contouring and I dont want to have liposuction ever again.

'However, I dont exercise at all whatsoever so Ive got to have some clinical help to reduce the fat in these areas. I just dont want to put myself through aggressive treatments any more.'

Obsessed: Rodrigo was left with a hole in his face after his sixth nose job went wrong

In April this year, Rodrigo was on holiday in Spain this year when a hole began to appear in his nose.

He was rushed to hospital in Malaga where doctors discovered he had necrosis, where flesh begins to die because of a lack of blood supply as a side effect of his sixth nose job.

Doctors warned him the infection could eat through his nose and become gangrenous - meaning his nose would have had to be removed.

Changing faces: The Brazilian looks unrecognisable from his younger years

Throwback: A young Rodrigo before he turned to surgery

Last month he underwent a 10-hour reconstruction operation in which cartilage from his wrist was implanted into his nose - and due to the health scare vowed never to go under the knife again.

Rodrigo will appear on Channel 5 show Shock Docs - Mascara Boys: Sex Me Up on Monday night undergoing a Lipoglaze fat-freezing treatment to contour his thighs, waist and hips at the Amabelle clinic in Harley Street, London.

As well as relying on treatments Rodrigo also takescollagen tablets, vitamin C, vitamin A and only drinks water with hyaluronic acid.

Rodrigo said: 'Ive not stopped having aesthetic treatments, there are so many non-invasive treatments on the market that can replace surgery.

Insurance: Rodrigo has insured his body for a whopping 1million

'I have decided to make most of the treatments that do not involve surgery, and I would only have another plastic surgery again if it was for emergency medical reasons which was the recent case of my nose.

'I simply cant risk it any more but I do want to continue improving myself but now I want to do it with the latest non-invasive techniques.

'New technology has brought forward some amazing new treatments that get great results without having to go under the knife.'

'Liposuction is too aggressive a treatment for me to have any more, I dont want to go through that again so I want to use non-invasive treatments to get results.
Now 15, the boys say they have never felt different

He was branded selfish for raising them without a mother

Triplets raised by Britain's first surrogate father say they have had a happy upbringing despite not having a mother in their lives.

Lars, Piers and Ian Mucklejohn, now 15, were brought up in Newbury, Berkshire, by their single father Ian, 69, after he had them using donor eggs and a surrogate mother.

The businessman and heterosexual bachelor made history in 2001 when he became the first single man in the UK to have children this way.

From left, single father Ian with his sons Lars, Piers and Ian on today's This Morning. He had them using donor eggs and a surrogate mother

The triplets told Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford they have never felt different because of their unconventional conception

Aged 54 at the time, he was accused of being selfish for having children when they wouldn't have a mother figure.

He has never married, and female friends aside - among them Esther Rantzen, who is Lars's godmother - there has never been a significant female figure in their lives.

But 15 years later, his son's revealed on today's This Morning that they have never felt like they have missed out, or been damaged by never knowing a mother's love.

Lars told presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford: 'It is more common nowadays than it was in the past, you see single parent families all the time. I have never felt abnormal.'

Ian agrees saying he has never felt his sons have had an inadequate childhood due to their unconventional conception.

Ian spent 50,000 to have his three babies and faced criticism at the time from people who said he was selfish for raising them without a mother (Ian with l-r Lars, Piers and Ian)

Ian believes there wouldn't be as much media attention about the way he had his sons today as the world has changed and single parenting an using donors is more common

He said of the outcry starting his family created at time: 'I look back and think what was all the fuss about?'

As it is now more common for single parents to have children via sperm and egg donors, and for gay couples to raise children without mothers, Ian said: 'The world is different now and if I have played tiny part in creating the difference, I am thrilled.

'I don't think there would be as much media attention is I did this today.'

The triplets admitted they never thought they were unusual and they only found out about how they came into the world by reading about it online when they were older, as their father never discussed it with them.

Piers said: 'We found out through the media and then he fully explained.

'It was brave for him to go through such a thing. It shows how much he cared to have children and how much he loved us.'

The triplets have met their biological mother, Melissa Valdovines, pictured, who Ian picked to be the egg donor after being impressed by her profile. Another woman then carried the babies as a surrogate

The triplets at their Christening with their godmothers, who include Esther Rantzen, left

He added of the criticism his father has faced for his actions: 'You can't say he's selfish, if anything it was selfless to go through all that to have children.'

Lars agreed saying: 'It shows his determination, if he wants something, he can get it.'

Ian said of the outcry starting his family created at time: 'I look back and think what was all the fuss about?'

Ian spent 50,000 in order to have the three boys after contacting a surrogacy agency in his fifties, after realising it could be his only chance to have a family as he was still single and unlucky in love.

He admits he had tried online dating and considered carrying on trying to find a woman who he could have a family with but felt 'time was not on my side'.

So instead of spending the next two years trying to meet someone and start a family with them, he investigated surrogacy options and pursued this route.

The first agency he went to refused to help him because he wasn't gay, but the next in Beverly Hills helped him achieve his goal.

He choose Melissa Valdovines, a 27-year-old civil engineering student, to be his egg donor from a selection he viewed because her profile was 'not only beautiful, but witty, kind and intelligent  all the qualities you would hope for in your children.'

The boys went on to meet her in person in 2006 when Ian took them to America, and in 2011 she came to the UK to visit.

Another then 27-year-old, Tina Price, who passed away from a stroke earlier this year, agreed to act as a surrogate for him.

The triplets as toddlers. They said there is some sibling rivalry between them

Ian on This Morning with his family, he said he doesn't know what all the fuss was about around the way they were conceived in 2001

He was stunned when she told him she was 'very' pregnant as all three embryos she had inserted implanted.

Ian said today he knew raising triplets would be challenging but the alternative - having one of them aborted - 'was unacceptable'.

When they were born he had a maternity nurse for six months and then a nanny for their early years as he was advised by a solicitor that social services would look more favorably on him if there was a 'female presence' in the house.

But by the time the boys had turned two, Ian had dispensed with the nanny and started juggling running his business from home with childcare so he could look after his sons himself.

Two of the boys are now at the exclusive 18,000-a-year Abingdon School, while one - Ian will not say which - goes to the local comprehensive, as he is a little less academic.

The triplets revealed on today's This Morning that they don't always get on and there is some sibling rivalry between them.

Something their father said he struggled to get his head around as an only child.
Starting high school can be intimidating for new students. It can be even more intimidating as a minority who, statistically, faces a deck stacked against educational success.

Thats why School District 2 holds a two-week summer class, High School 101, for Native American students to help them transition from middle school to high school. Almost 30 freshman from middle schools in SD2 and other districts will spend another few days at Senior High before leaving for a three-day tour of colleges across Montana next week. Students can earn half a credit.

On Friday, students researched tribal symbols and war and medicine shields before making a personal shield with cardboard. The lesson blended artistic fun with research and cultural awareness.

Some of (the kids) have never seen a war shield, said Senior High home-to-school coordinator Brandon Covers Up.

Madison Eder selected symbols representing hope for her shield and colors from her traditional Lakota Sioux dance clothes.

Im not just representing me, Im representing my tribe, she said.

Other lessons focused on soft skills like communicating well in a classroom, prioritizing assignments and working with other students. Theres also an emphasis on learning to use tools like google docs, so that technical skills dont interfere with students academic progress. Students also purchased a book at Barnes and Noble to read each day.

The relationship students in the program build with teachers at their future school might be more important than academic work.

I like that I have someone to go to if I need anything, said former Lockwood middle schooler Michaiah Pease, who will attend Senior.

Nate Garcia, who will be at Senior next year, was excited about being in an advanced math class.

But its going to be hard, he said.

It can be hard to recruit students to the summer program. Many students change residences during the summer, and some are turned off by the idea of attending school during time off.

Theyre like, you want me to do what in the summer? said Castle Rock and Medicine Crow middle schools home-to-school coordinator Julie Jeffers. But she hoped that involving older high schoolers as mentors and recruiters could help.

If they hear it from a peer, its going to make a huge difference, she said.

The class is state-funded through the Office of Public Instruction using a per-student formula, Jeffers said, and she hoped to see it expand in the future.

Garcia drew a Falcon, his birth totem, on his shield, along with a more modern anime-inspired addition.

Covers Up initially had some concerns about the war shield project being viewed as offensive, since students arent using traditional materials. But his uncles reassured him that the educational focus of the project outweighed other issues.

Students learned that shields were made from layers of smoked and hardened buffalo hide, which could glance off a rifle shot. War shields were for practical use in battle, while medicine shields held more spiritual significance.

If you look around, you can see theres symbolism everywhere, Covers up said.

The program also gives students a symbol for the upcoming school year; a T-shirt representing their new high school.

When they walk in the door, they feel connected, Hamblin said.
The Queen has arrived at Balmoral for her annual summer break - and received a greeting of epic proportions from the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Her Majesty arrived at the Aberdeenshire castle on Monday where she inspected the 2nd Battalion Royal Highland Fusiliers, and was met with a sea of tartan as troops played bagpipes to herald her arrival.

The Queen arrives at at Balmoral for her annual summer break, accompanied by Royal Guard Commander Major Dougie Watson

Her Majesty inspected the 2nd Battalion Royal Highland Fusiliers, and was met with a sea of tartan as troops played bagpipes

The traditional ceremony outside the gates of Balmoral Castle was held to mark the Queen's official arrival in Scotland - although she has already been there for around two weeks.

Her Majesty looked elegant in a boucle dress and matching jacket, paired with an elaborate cream-coloured hat. Members of the public were seen lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the monarch, while some had the honour of being formally introduced.

She was accompanied by by Major Dougie Watson, Royal Guard Commander, and also got the chance to meet their pony mascot Cruachan IV, with the Royal Family tweeting a picture of her petting the animal.

The pony was on his best behaviour, having famously attempted to nip Her Majesty during the royal inspection in 2014.

The traditional ceremony outside the gates of Balmoral Castle was held to mark the Queen's official arrival in Scotland, although she has already been there for more than two weeks

The Queen gives the men of the 2nd Scots, Royal Regiment of Scotland, a once-over

Her Majesty appeared to be carrying one of her famous Launer patent handbags

Last week it was revealed that the Queen had spent the first 11 nights staying in a house in the grounds of her Scottish retreat

Her Majesty also got the chance to meet their pony mascot Cruachan IV (pictured), with the Royal Family tweeting a photo of her petting the animal

The weather can be famously unpredictable at the Queen's Scottish bolthole, but the sun made a rare appearance as she exited her car to inspect the troops on Monday.

Last week it was revealed that the Queen had spent the first 11 nights staying in a house in the grounds of her Scottish retreat.

The main castle had been open to paying members of the public until Sunday as part of a drive to help pay the 3 million annual running costs of the 50,000 acre estate.

A courtier told the Daily Mail that Her Majesty was 'prepared to make sacrifices in order to keep costs down'.

Balmoral had been open to paying members of the public until Sunday as part of a drive to help pay the 3 million annual running costs of the 50,000 acre estate

The troops generally remain in residence nearby at the Victory Barracks in Ballater, and provide guards for the duration of the Queen's holiday

The troops were polished in their traditional tartan and met with Her Majesty's approval

The Queen famously enjoys a more low-key existence while staying at the Scottish retreat

The troops generally remain in residence nearby at the Victory Barracks in Ballater, and provide guards for the duration of the Queen's holiday.

The Queen famously enjoys a more low-key existence while staying at the Scottish retreat - with her former royal protection officer Richard Griffin recently revealing that she had a conversation with unsuspecting American tourists visiting the estate while dressed in tweeds and a scarf.

Balmoral, which was bought by Prince Albert for 32,000 in 1852, is said to be the Queen's favourite home.

The Queen inspects the guard at Balmoral before officially beginning her summer break

Her Majesty looked elegant in a boucle dress and matching jacket, paired with an elaborate cream-coloured hat

Members of the public were seen lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the monarch, while some had the honour of being formally introduced

Her Majesty was met with a sea of tartan as troops played bagpipes to herald her arrival

The weather can be famously unpredictable at the Queen's Scottish bolthole, but the sun made a rare appearance as she exited her car to inspect the troops on Monday

The Queen arrived on Monday to sunshine and blue skies. Princess Eugenie has called Balmoral 'the most beautiful place on earth'

During her stay at the castle, she relaxes by going for walks on the Aberdeenshire estate, eating picnics and cooking barbecues.

Princess Eugenie recently said of Balmoral: Its the most beautiful place on earth. I think Granny is the most happy there.
A brave father has saved his toddler's life by donating a kidney when her own organs failed.

Esme Chester, three, suffered kidney failure last year followed by a life-threatening stroke which medics couldn't explain.

She was forced to spend 14 months on a dialysis machine to clean her blood - and was attached 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

Desperate for a new kidney, tests showed her father Lee, 37, was a match.

Knowing he could help his daughter live a normal life, he didn't think twice - and the pair are now recovering following the operation last Thursday.

Lee Chester, 37, has saved his three-year-old daughter's life by donating a kidney when her own organs failed. The pair are pictured before the operation

After the procedure was carried out on Thursday morning, father and daughter are recovering well. Pictured, before the operation

Esme's mother Rachel Mulhearn, 27, is now dividing her time to visit both of them at the Manchester Royal Infirmary and Manchester Children's Hospital.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Chester, an account manager for Canon UK, said: 'We are both doing really well. I'm so glad it's gone well for Esme.

'She's eating mashed potato in bed.

'I'm quite sore so I'll have to milk it at home for a bit.'

He said donating a kidney is something 'any parent would do'.

Doctors have not been able to diagnose what caused Esme's kidneys to suddenly fail in June last year.

Mr Chester said: 'Things changed overnight. Her kidney failure was end stage - the worst it could get.

'We were both tested and although Rachel was a match, I was a better match. I said yes immediately.'

They were gearing up for a dream holiday to Florida for Esme when she suffered a stroke in December and was in intensive care for six weeks.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Chester said: 'We are both doing really well. I'm so glad it's gone well for Esme'. He added: 'I'm quite sore so I'll have to milk it at home for a bit'

She was in hospital until mid-March and had to learn to walk and eat again, spending her third birthday on the renal ward and delaying the transplant.

But the surgery was finally able to go ahead this month.

Mr Chester gave up his job as a national account manager for a food firm to care for Esme - and Ms Mulhearn said he has been the family's 'rock'.

However Mr Chester and Ms Mulhearn believe Esme will be a stronger person for all she has had to face.

Mr Chester said: 'She's so strong-willed, that's part of what's she been through.

'She knows her own mind, she's very funny, caring and she says she loves us all the time. But she also has a strength from all this.

Doctors do not know what caused Esme's kidneys to fail last year - and before the operation she spent 14 months having dialysis

He added: 'She's spent so long on the renal ward she struts around like she owns it, bossing all the staff around.'

Now the operation is over, the couple hope Esme will be able to put her health problems behind her will be able to attend pre-school.

There will be more medical appointments ahead, and tests to check her body has accepted the kidney but the couple are positive she will now lead a healthy life.

Mr Chester is now campaigning to get everyone on the organ donation register.

He said: 'Everyone should sign up for it. It takes two minutes and it can change people's lives forever.

Now the operation is over, the couple hope Esme will be able to attend pre-school

'I would hope that if my kidney didn't fit Esme they would be able to source another, and that means signing up.'

Mr Chester, who also has a 12-year-old daughter called Georgia, praised the staff on Ward 77, the renal unit, who cared for Esme.

Ms Mulhearn said on Facebook: 'My beautiful family recovering after daddy donated his kidney to our very brave little girl Esme who has faced far too much for any person let alone a child.

'Here's to the future thanks to the best daddy in the world.

'He has given our daughter more than a gift, a chance at a better, healthier life and we will teach her to realise anything really is possible.
As a medical student, I remember reading books about the early days of the HIV epidemic and wondering what it was like for doctors to take care of patients who had a new, unknown disease.

It seemed to me like it would be frightening for both patients and doctors alike.

I didn't expect that early in my career as an OB-GYN, I would be caught in the middle of another new disease outbreak  Zika.

Most people who catch this virus feel fine. Some will end up with a fever, rash, aches and pains and red eyes (conjuntivitis), or rarely, a serious nerve disorder called Guillain-Barre.

But in pregnancy there can be very serious consequences to the baby.

University of Miami Hospital and Jackson Memorial Hospital began preparing to care for pregnant women infected with Zika in January. Now it is part of the daily care provided there

As of July 28, the World Health Organization reports that nearly 2,000 babies are affected with microcephaly or central nervous system malformations associated with Zika worldwide.

I teach and practice obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Miami Hospital and Jackson Memorial Hospital, and I treat pregnant women who have been infected with Zika: so far over a dozen women.

We began preparing to care for infected women in January.

Now, it is part of the daily care we provide.

And with first known cases of local mosquito-borne transmission in the continental U.S. reported in Wynwood, a neighborhood in Miami, the risk has become even more real.

How am I, and other doctors who care for pregnant women, dealing with this new disease?

Confirming the diagnosis

If Dr Curry is worried that a pregnant patient has been infected with Zika, she orders tests

When I talk to patients these days, I ask them where they or family members have traveled recently.

These are questions OB-GYNs across the country may ask pregnant patients.

And since I practice in Miami, I might also ask patients if they have been in Wynwood, the neighborhood where local mosquito transmission has occurred.

Since Zika is primarily spread by mosquitoes, I also talk with patients about avoiding mosquito bites and using bug repellent.

Sexual transmission is also possible, and we talk about that, too.

The patients I worry about the most now are those who live or work in Wynwood and those who've traveled to countries where Zika is more widespread, or those who show the symptoms of Zika infection.

Ultrasounds are helpful but can't detect everything

We are being vigilant for evidence of spread to other parts of the Miami area.

If I am worried that a pregnant patient has been infected with Zika, I order tests to confirm the diagnosis.

The state of Florida has announced that starting next week there will be free Zika testing for all pregnant women through the Department of Health.

If a Zika infection is confirmed, we then have to talk about the risks that she is willing to accept in her pregnancy.

If a patient infected with Zika is in her first or second trimester, then we can talk about staying pregnant or having an abortion.

While we think that the first trimester is the time of greatest risk, we still don't know if there is ever a safe point in pregnancy.

So how much risk is she willing to accept? What would it mean to have a sick baby in her family? How would she get support no matter what options she chooses?

Those answers will be different for everyone.

One study from Brazil found that of the women who were pregnant and had Zika, a startling 29 per cent of the pregnancies had an issue such as microcephaly or abnormal brain structure

MOST AMERICANS WOULD ABORT ZIKA BABY ANY TIME The majority of Americans support late-term abortion if tests show the fetus has Zika, a staggering new poll reveals. Under normal circumstances, two thirds of US citizens oppose terminating a pregnancy after 24 weeks. In fact, 22 states prohibit it. But a poll conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and STAT last month found that 59 per cent favor abortions of Zika-infected babies at any stage. The dramatic swing in opinion comes as officials struggle to contain the virus in Miami, where mosquitoes appear to now carry Zika. Couples have been advised to suspend trying to conceive. But for some that were already expecting, delivering a severely crippled baby is not an option. Harvard's poll suggests the Zika epidemic could also reignite the debate on abortion in the US. It will undoubtedly be an awkward dialogue. Scientists still know very little about the virus and how it affects a baby. According to new research by Brazil's Ministry of Health, the infection may not carry as a high a risk as previously thought. By now, the country - which has been the epicenter of the latest Zika epidemic - should have seen thousands more babies born with shrunken skulls. However, medical records show all of these cases are restricted to a northern region of the country. It suggests Zika alone may not cause birth defects - and climate or particular body types may play a part. Advertisement

And these conversations are difficult, because there is still so much we don't know about Zika.

For instance, we don't know how many pregnant women who are infected with Zika will have babies with brain problems - there is no perfect percentage I can give her so she can weigh her options.

One study from Brazil found that of the women who were pregnant, had symptoms of Zika and had blood tests confirming infection, a startling 29 per cent of the pregnancies had some sort of issue, such as microcephaly or abnormal brain structure, for instance.

But other computer modeling studies have put the risk for the general population of pregnant women who are infected in the first trimester at about 1 per cent.

It's these wide ranges in outcomes that makes counseling patients so difficult.

And that's not the only unknown about Zika.

How does the virus get into the fetus?

Researchers are still figuring that out. In which trimester does infection pose the highest risk?

As with other infections in pregnancy, it seems that the first trimester is the most at risk, but there are still plenty of unknowns.

And do complications for the fetus vary by time of infection? It is going to take time to understand all of the risks.

To answer these questions, countries are creating registries of pregnant women with Zika to gather data about what happens to their pregnancies and the babies after birth.

Departments of health in each state keep anonymized data on all pregnant women with Zika.

This data gets fed into the CDC's surveillance system, the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry.

As of July 28, the CDC was monitoring over 900 pregnant women in the United States and U.S. territories with laboratory evidence of Zika infection based on blood testing.

Researchers want to know if these babies have the same mental development and meet the same milestones as other infants, or if they have eye or ear problems that cannot be seen on ultrasound or immediately after birth.

The CDC also reports 15 babies with birth defects from pregnancies with laboratory evidence of Zika infection and six pregnancy losses in the United States and District of Columbia, as of July 28.

Planning for birth

If a woman is in her third trimester and has been infected with Zika, at each visit we focus on planning for birth, monitoring the baby by ultrasound and reviewing the latest research together.

Since this is such a fast-moving and public epidemic, we are sharing the research with our patients to keep them involved and help them understand why it is so important to collect as much information as possible.

We might also plan for monthly ultrasounds.

It is possible that a baby that looks normal on one ultrasound may show problems on a later ultrasound.

Some problems can develop over time and become obvious later.

However, ultrasounds can't detect every problem, and microcephaly isn't the only problem Zika can cause.

So, we plan her delivery at a hospital with pediatricians who know about Zika and can be prepared to care for the newborn, and look at the baby's eyes and ears and in some cases do brain imaging tests after birth.

Even with planning, there are still many questions we can't answer for our patients.

For instance, if a baby is born with microcephaly, we don't know the exact issues that the baby might have.

This means the mother won't know right away if her child will lead a normal life or will always need medical care.

A dose of humility

Physicians like me are learning about Zika along with our patients.

This takes a dose of humility on our part and an understanding from our patients that we learn something new every single day.

With daily news and internet updates, patients are able to stay just as up-to-date as the doctors.

I will have patients print out a news article or a research finding and bring it to their appointment, highlighted and with questions in the margins.

But this barrage of media can also lead to confusion and concern when the information is constantly changing.
It is a question any mobile phone user would be keen to have answered  and science does offer some clues.

In 2011, for example, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified mobile phone radiation as a possible human carcinogen, group 2B.

The classification was based predominantly on evidence from population studies.

A study by the European Union-funded INTERPHONE group and another led by L. Hardell, a Swedish epidemiologist, showed an increased risk (40-170 per cent) of developing glioma, a malignant brain cancer, in people who used a mobile phone for 30 minutes a day over ten years.

Scroll down for video

A study found cell phones increase your risk of brain cancer by 170 per cent. But is that true?

The idea of mobile phone radiation increasing the risk of cancer was strengthened by two other studies.

The Cerenat study, published in 2013, confirmed observations of the INTERPHONE and Hardell studies.

And an animal study in 2015 showed cell phone radiation enhanced the carcinogenic effects of chemicals.

This evidence indicates that mobile phone radiation might indeed be 'possibly carcinogenic' (IARC's group 2B) or even 'probably carcinogenic' (IARC's group 2A) to humans.

IARC classifies agents as carcinogenic (group 1), probably carcinogenic (group 2A), possibly carcinogenic (group 2B), not classifiable as carcinogen (group 3), probably not carcinogenic (group 4).

However, other studies show the number of people getting brain cancer has remained unchanged or only slightly increased.

This is in spite of the dramatic increase in the number of users of mobile phones over the last ten to twenty years.

And so there is a contradiction between the evidence that shows an increased risk of brain cancer and the studies that show that the rate of brain cancer in populations 'saturated' by mobile phones is fairly constant.

Which view is right?

Radiation professor Dariusz Leszczynski says only those exposed to carcinogenic factors or who develop spontaneous gene mutation would be at risk of the development of cancer

Those who believe the case-control studies that indicate a causal link between brain cancer and mobile phone radiation to be correct suggest it is still too early to see the clear increase in brain cancer in the general population.

There is, after all, a long latency for this cancer (tens of years) and it's only during the last ten to 15 years that people have begun to use mobile phones intensively.

Before that, they were too expensive.

Those who favour the studies that show no particular increase in brain cancer in populations with dramatically increased phone usage, meanwhile, consider the evidence from the case-control studies to be a statistical 'glitch'.

But what if both views are correct? What if mobile phone radiation does not itself cause cancer but long-term exposure increases the risk of developing cancer from other causes?

This hypothesis may explain the apparent discrepancy.

Animal studies, evaluated by IARC experts in 2011, suggest that mobile phone radiation alone does not cause cancer.

However, it may still have 'co-carcinogen' properties.

What if mobile phone radiation does not itself cause cancer but long-term exposure increases the risk of developing cancer from other causes?

In five studies, mobile phone radiation increased development of cancer in animals simultaneously exposed to low doses of known chemical carcinogens.

One of the five was recently replicated and confirmed the co-carcinogenic effect of mobile phone radiation.

To date there has only been a handful of co-carcinogenicity studies where animals or living cells were simultaneously exposed to chemicals and to mobile phone radiation.

This poses a serious problem for proper risk estimation.

Based on the very limited, currently available knowledge, mobile phone radiation might not cause cancer itself.

Instead, it might activate regulatory processes and accelerate development of the disease.

Using this hypothesis, it is possible to explain several of the 'inexplicable' contradictory scientific results.

First, it could be that case-control studies show increased risk of brain cancer not because mobile phone radiation causes it, but because it accelerates the development of brain cancers caused by other carcinogens or which occur due to spontaneous gene mutations.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BRAIN CANCER? While many of benign brain tumors are gliomas, almost 80 per cent of malignant brain tumors are gliomas. The study about cell phones focused on gliomas. According to the American Cancer Society, there are three types of gliomas, including astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and ependymomas. Symptoms of a glioma are similar to those produced by other malignant brain tumors and depend on the area of the brain affected. The most common symptom is a headache, affecting about half of all people with a brain tumor. Other symptoms can include: Seizures

Memory loss

Physical weakness

Loss of muscle control

Visual symptoms

Language problems

Cognitive decline

Personality changes These symptoms may change, according to which part of the brain is affected. Advertisement

Second, the incidence of brain cancer is low compared with the high rate of mobile phone use because the increases are solely due to co-carcinogenic effects of mobile phone radiation.

Not all users are in danger of developing brain cancer, only those who are developing it as a result of other carcinogenic or genetic factors.

Finally, published in May 2016 first results from the animal study conducted at the US National Toxicology Program showed a lack of brain cancer in the control group and a very small number of brain cancer cases among the exposed rats.

Animals were exposed solely to mobile phone radiation and because of the small number of brain cancers caused by mobile phone radiation, some questioned the significance of this observation.

But the above proposed hypothesis explains this result.

Exposed animals developed a small number of brain cancers not because of the mobile phone radiation alone but because it accelerated the development of cancers caused by spontaneous mutations.

In the control group, the same brain cancers, caused by spontaneous mutations, had no time to develop because there was no extra stimulus to accelerate them.

Risk of brain cancer remains low

Assuming the hypothesis is correct, mobile phone radiation would have less severe implications for public health than suggested by some epidemiological studies.

Not all mobile phone users would be in danger of developing brain cancer.

Only those exposed to carcinogenic factors or who develop spontaneous gene mutation would be at risk of the development and manifestation of the cancer.

The proposed hypothesis does not invalidate the IARC classification of mobile phone radiation as a possible carcinogen.

IARC classification informs only that avid users have an increased risk of developing cancer. It does not say whether radiation is a 'carcinogen' or a 'co-carcinogen'.

So this hypothesis does not give mobile phone radiation a clean bill of health.
Paralyzing toxins inside Botox can travel to other parts of your body, an alarming new study reveals.

The age-defying injection was approved by the FDA in 2002 on the grounds that its muscle-freezing chemicals would not move from the injection site.

In 2009, the FDA warned that there was tentative research showing botulinum toxin - the active ingredient - could spread further than the targeted cell.

But now, a team at the University of Wisconsin Madison has confirmed that theory in an unprecedented set of scientific experiments.

The paper, published in the journal Cell Reports, has been described as the most definitive evidence against Botox.

Scroll down for video

Not so safe? A new study has provided the most damning evidence against Botox to date. It shows the toxins can travel to other neurons in the body, delivering a serious risk of paralysis

WHAT IS BOTOX AND WHAT ARE THE ALLEGED DANGERS? Botox is a brand name. It is the most famous version of a popular injection used to hide the effects of ageing. The active ingredient is botulinum toxin - a chemical so toxic that it has to be measured in trillionths of grams. Botulinum toxin works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles it targets, thereby smoothing wrinkles. The effect lasts for a few months before it has to be done again. Though the chemical was discovered in the 1800s, it was not used as an anti-ageing device until the early 2000s. It was approved by the FDA in 2002 on the grounds that the toxins do not spread to other parts of the body. If it did spread elsewhere, patients run the significant risk of paralysis in other parts of their body. They may also contract a rare and incurable disease called botulism, which is normally caught from water contaminated with botulinum. Sufferers of botulism lose control of their facial muscles, making it near impossible to swallow or breathe. There has been mounting evidence to show that Botox might not be as controllable as once believed. The new study by University of Wisconsin Madison provides damning evidence against the toxin. Advertisement

It will reignite fears that the boosters could have more crippling long-term health effects than the industry acknowledges.

According to lead author Edwin Chapman, professor of neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin Madison, this research unequivocally showed a widespread effect.

'Every time one fraction of the toxin acts locally (on the first nerve cell it contacts), another fraction acts at a distance,' Chapman explained.

'It's unknown how far they travel, which likely depends on the dose of toxin and other factors.'

Botulinum toxins were first discovered in the 1800s.

It is the strongest agent in Botox Cosmetics, the popular no-fuss alternative to cosmetic surgery.

After 13 years on the market, Allergan PLC, which provides four versions of botulinum toxin, reported global Botox sales of nearly $2 billion in 2015.

Unlike most procedures, Botox does not require any recovery time and takes just a few minutes to administer.

The formula is injected into the face at different points to tighten the muscles and reduce wrinkles, thereby hiding the effects of ageing.

It works by blocking the nerve signals that tell your face muscles to contract.

This temporarily paralyzes the muscles and smooths wrinkles for a few months before another dose is needed.

The chemical is so powerful it is measured in trillionths of grams.

The study looked at mouse neurons in wells connected by tiny channels that allow growth of axons - the long fibers that neurons use to communicate.

In tests of two botulinum toxins, the researchers saw toxin molecules entering the injected cell, as expected.

Once inside a neuron, botulinum toxin splits proteins responsible for fusing of chemical containers.

Normally chemical signals tell muscles to move.

Cutting communication between neurons and muscles leads to temporary paralysis of the target site.

But Chapman's group captured microscopic images that showed toxin molecules were moving to nerve cells that had not initially received the harmful molecules.

Co-author Jason Vevea, a UW-Madison postdoctoral fellow, produced videos showing tagged molecules of botulinum toxin moving along the axons connecting neurons.

By finding that toxin molecules don't always stay where they are injected, Chapman says the Wisconsin study answers a long-standing question about mobility, but raises several more.

'We have seen that these toxins enter neurons at the injection site, causing the desired local paralysis, but Ewa and Jason have shown unambiguously the existence of a second entry pathway that takes some of the toxin molecules to other neurons.'

The research, done in a lab dish, removes variables that have plagued similar studies performed in animals, Chapman says.

'We wanted to see if we could build an in vitro (in a dish) system that allows direct visualization of this putative movement, in a way that's simple, easy to interpret, and unambiguous. Do they move, or do they not?'

The formula is injected into the face at different points to tighten the muscles and reduce wrinkles, thereby hiding the effects of ageing

Chapman wonders about the effects of extraordinarily powerful toxin molecules that travel the neural networks.

Local effects have, until now, been deemed the sole effects. But could part of its effects be due to the transported toxin?

These questions could be answered by genetically engineering the Clostridium bacteria that make botulinum toxin to alter the toxin's structure, Chapman says.

'We may be in a position to mutate the part of the toxin that attaches to a receptor on the neuron so it can only enter the local pathway, not this new pathway we have described.'

If only the local effects matter for medicine, tomorrow's versions of this ancient toxin molecule may be able to alleviate symptoms from wrinkles to severe muscle spasms without moving beyond the target neurons.

'I have a hard time imagining that any physician is going to want to inject something they know can move about when they have an option to use something that stays put,' Chapman says.
Mark says a glass of wine feels like a friend, and that he often has a couple while making dinner

Seven oclock, thats meant to be the rule. Often its 6.30pm, sometimes even 6pm, but never, I like to think, earlier.

That is the moment I open the door of the large fridge in the utility room and select a bottle of chilled white wine.

My wife, Lynn, is an academic and is often away for work or not home until later in the evening. If she is home, shes inseparable from her computer screen in her study.

So that first glass of wine feels like a friend, and another couple of glasses will keep me company as I cook our dinner.

Over the meal well share some red too, so by the time I get to bed I will, invariably, have drunk a full bottle, if not a tad more.

This has been the case for more years than I care to remember.

I rarely drink anything else, I rarely drink in the day and I am convinced I am not an alcoholic. But I would be a fool to deny that I have something of a drink problem.

While I do not get drunk in any obvious way, I am reliably informed that I can get annoyingly bombastic, a little intolerant and too quick to take offence after a glass too many.

The fact is, I am like tens of thousands of late-middle-aged men (and women) in the country.

Scroll down for video

I bet a fair proportion of us are dealing, as I am, with the loss of purpose and companionship that comes with retirement  I am 69, and for decades travelled the world as a radio journalist.

On the one hand, wine represents pure enjoyment and reassurance, and I cannot imagine living without it.

But on the other, it causes me serious rows with my wife, who thinks I am blind to its possible impact on my long-term health.

It also costs me lots of money and will, so the Government bends over backwards to tell me, cost the NHS lots of money in the future if I do not cut down.

You gave up smoking, surely you can give up the booze, people say to me, pointing out that nicotine is more addictive.

But the two are not comparable. One is all about sociability, while the other is close to becoming the preserve of social pariahs.

Mark says he is currently dealing with the loss of purpose and companionship that comes with retirement  I am 69, and for decades travelled the world as a radio journalist

There seems little doubt that 20 cigarettes a day are more likely to kill you than a daily bottle of red wine. And in any case, no one has come up with wine-replacement gum.

So detox programmes aimed at total abstinence never seemed relevant and I never seriously tried to cut down.

But what if there was something that could help me drink less? Eighteen months ago I thought Id found just the thing: a new drug called Selincro that was said to reduce ones desire for alcohol.

It doesnt make one ill from drinking (unlike Antabuse, the drug given to treat alcoholics), just dulls the need.

Made by Danish pharma company Lundbeck, it is an opioid receptor antagonist  it works on the reward mechanism in the brain to take away the pleasurable effects of alcohol.

After going through all the necessary phases of clinical trials, Selincro has been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for use by the NHS as a treatment for reducing alcohol dependence  and NICE is known to be a strict gatekeeper when it comes to approving new drugs, therefore it must work.

Selincro is a new drug which aims to reduce the desire for alcohol without causing discomfort (file image of pills)

So not long before Christmas 2014, feeling a touch self-satisfied that I was doing the right thing, off I went to see the GP.

I got an appointment with a doctor Id never met before  not ideal when dealing with a sensitive personal subject, but it is what we have to now accept as the norm.

Courteous enough, he agreed I was drinking too much but was entirely unsympathetic to my request for Selincro.

He claimed ignorance of the drug and insisted that dealing with problem drinking was a question of character not of chemistry.

Dont expect a pill to do the work for you, he said, his finger wagging away. It is a phrase I was to hear all too often over the next few months.

My next step was to see another GP at the same practice whom I had known, and liked, for 25 years. But my request fell on equally reluctant and moralistic ears.

Even though Id seen him recently at a social event with a large glass of red in his hand, his first response was to suggest I gave up booze entirely.

Dont expect a pill to do the work for you, he added, the finger again wagging away.

He also said that NICEs guidelines for Selincro made it necessary for me to sign up for psychosocial counselling with the local substance misuse service.

Mark consulted multiple doctors about the subject, and was met with reluctance to prescribe the new drug. He was instead advised to 'give up booze entirely'

This I did, though, I admit, with great reluctance; and a few weeks later I found myself talking in the most banal terms to a pleasant-enough woman about my drinking and why I wanted to cut down.

I am all in favour of proper psychotherapy, but this poor-relation counselling stuff can be infantilising.

My counsellor was not, it seemed, entirely opposed to Selincro, but she was uncomfortable talking about it.

And, of course, she reached for what I was beginning to recognise as an obligatory phrase for anyone in the local NHS dealing with these problems  dont expect a pill etc etc. I do not remember now, but I imagine her finger was wagging.

We made an appointment for a fortnight later and she gave me some literature to read.

I was incensed by it. It was all about total abstinence detox programmes and how if I followed one, I would start to feel more healthier.

Is it snobbery to question the advice of a service that uses such a phrase in print?

'There seems little doubt that 20 cigarettes a day are more likely to kill you than a daily bottle of red wine,' Mark says. 'In any case, no one has come up with wine-replacement gum'

I never saw my substance misuse counsellor again. By the time of our next appointment, the service had been privatised.

She herself had not been kept on, and she failed to pass on my details. I was never offered an appointment by the new provider and when I later inquired about this, it said it was looking at what its psychosocial counselling intervention will look like.

In other words: it didnt exist.

So this privatisation meant the finger-wagging detox wallahs down at the surgery were off the hook. Even if they wanted to, they couldnt prescribe Selincro.

The more I read about the drug the more furious I felt about my local NHSs attitude towards it.

The pills whole raison detre is to provide an alternative to the detox route, and clinical trials suggested it could reduce an individuals consumption by up to 60 per cent after six months treatment.

After countless attempts to get prescribed Selincro, Mark was referred to a new provider, who said they were looking at what its psychosocial counselling intervention will look like

The pressure group Alcohol Concern deemed its introduction a useful addition to the clinicians toolbox.

Jonathan Chick, a consultant psychiatrist and honorary professor at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, has said that the drug would help people cut down drinking when they have no medical need to give up alcohol altogether.

And as for the mandatory counselling, one will soon be able to do it to oneself: the manufacturer has revealed it is developing an online psychosocial support tool.

Like any drug, there can be side-effects  most commonly an initial period of nausea and insomnia. But most accounts say that this passes quite quickly, and that the desire to drink is definitely weakened.

Selincros only real threat is to the finger-wagging industry.

For my part, I suppose I could have gone online and bought Selincro at 3.48 a pill. But you still have to get a prescription and submit yourself to a consultation.

Besides, I never really feel safe getting medication from a website rather than a qualified person.

Mark Whitaker says his drinking habit lessened after he and his wife got 18-month-old Tallulah (pictured), an 18-month-old 'border doodle' (poodle/border collie mix)

And in any case, I have since followed a different route to cutting down on my drinking.

First, I sought help from a private psychotherapist to make me less anxious and fearful about where I am in life and to develop positive strategies for what might lie ahead.

She has helped me to understand why I turn to drink, which in turn makes it easier not to.

Second, we got a dog. Shes a poodle/border collie cross called Tallulah and is now 18 months old. Shes had no training as a counsellor, but somehow does a great job.

She champions getting up in the morning with as clear a head as possible and she hates a raised voice.

I have almost halved my wine intake, but if I find that my strategies start to fail, then I will certainly consider looking to Selincro again.
A woman is set to defy the odds by giving birth to rare twins - despite being told by medics it is unlikely they will survive.

Selina Curtis, 27, is expecting 'MoMo' or monochorionic and monoamniotic twins, which means they develop in the same amniotic sac and share the same placenta.

It affects one in 60,000 pregnancies and around 50 per cent end badly.

When Ms Curtis learned of her 'MoMo' pregnancy in April she was warned by medics that she would likely lose both babies before the 14-week mark.

But despite the doctor's telling her it was high risk pregnancy, Ms Curtis is now due to give birth to Millie-Ribbon and Mollie-Robbin next week.

Selina Curtis, 27, with partner Scott Fleetwood, son Cyprus, 9, and daughter Lillie, 6, from Blackpool are having monoamniotic twins, a rare pregnancy that occurs in just one in 60,000

Ms Curtis said: 'They told us at the beginning that there would probably be no chance of them surviving.

'They didn't think they'd make it to 14 weeks. It's been a huge battle but we're here at last.

She continued: 'All the way through I was thinking I would lose them. You can't enjoy your pregnancy; it was so scary.

WHAT ARE MOMO TWINS? Mo-Mo (monoamniotic-monochorionic) develop in the same amniotic sac and share the same placenta. Though they share a placenta within their mother's uterus they have two separate umbilical cords for nourishment. They are always identical. MoMo twins are rare, occurring in approximately 1 in 35 to 1 in 60 pregnancies. Unfortunately, monoamniotic twins are at great risk for health complications due to the close proximity of the two umbilical cords in the amniotic sac. This makes it particularly easy for the twins to become entangled in each other's cords or to compress one another's cords, endangering their oxygen and food supply. The survival rate for MoMo twins is approximately 50 per cent. Source: Twins UK Advertisement

'You're just glad to get through the day, and then you wake up and it all starts again.

'We're very lucky. We can't believe it. We've already got a big family anyway and this just makes it even bigger.

'My parents are going from 13 grandchildren to 15.'

Ms Curtis, who lives in Blackpool, feared she would never be a mother after suffering a traumatic stillbirth in 2006, losing baby Morgan.

But she says she is excited about introducing the new twins to Cyprus, nine, and Lillie-Sue, six.

She said: 'They can't wait to meet them. My little boy said he might cry when he meets them, and my little girl can't wait to get her hands on them.

'She's made a chart counting down to when they're due.'

Ms Curtis said a 'MoMo' pregnancy is 'very rare' and her doctor - a twin specialist - had never seen one before.

She said: 'I was shocked because there are no twins in my family at all. We'd be more likely to win the lottery.'

Ms Curtis and the twins' father Scott Fleetwood, 28, will head to Blackpool Victoria hospital for a planned Caesarean next week.

The hospital has never experienced a pregnancy of this kind before.

Ms Curtis added: 'I'm a bit nervous because this type of pregnancy has never happened at Blackpool hospital before.

'They're going into intensive care for a little bit after they're born - but you never know, they could come out fine and breathing on their own.'
FDA last week approved releasing killer mutant bugs in bid to curb virus

Florida has been scrambling to deploy bug spray to control the virus

Officials said it isn't clear if the person caught it in Miami or closer to home

A 17th person has caught Zika in Florida - this time in another county.

The patient in Palm Beach County was diagnosed with the mosquito-borne virus on Monday.

It is not yet clear whether they contracted the infection from Palm Beach mosquitoes or from insects during a recent trip to Miami.

Governor Rick Scott said in a statement on Monday that the infected person recently traveled to Miami-Dade County.

The patient in Palm Beach County was diagnosed with the mosquito-borne virus on Monday. It is not yet clear whether they contracted the virus in Palm Beach or on a recent trip to Miami

Miami is the only place in mainland America known to have Zika-carrying mosquitoes.

So far, 16 people have been infected in the Miami area. The Palm Beach case brings the state's tally to 17.

An investigation was under way to determine how the person in Palm Beach County became infected.

The governor said the state still believed active transmission of the virus were confined to a one-square-mile area in Miami-Dade County that includes Miami's Wynwood district.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning pregnant women to avoid this area in Miami because Zika has been tied to birth defects, including microcephaly, which can case severe developmental problems.

With the school year approaching, Scott said he had ordered the department of health to work with the state's department of education 'to ensure students, parents, educators and district leaders have all the resources and guidance they need to combat the Zika virus.'

The continuing Zika outbreak was first detected last year in Brazil, where it has been linked to more than 1,700 cases of the microcephaly, and has since spread rapidly through the Americas.

Its arrival in the continental United States has been widely anticipated.

Futile? Florida has been scrambling to deploy bug spray to control the virus in Miami

Though no mosquitoes have yet tested positive for Zika, health officials can find no other reason for the 17 local infections.

None of the 17 patients have traveled to a Zika-infected region outside the US or had sex with a Zika-infected person.

Anyone, who has traveled to or lived in the area affected by Zika since June 15 has been urged to consider getting tested.

That is the earliest known date that one of the people could have been infected with Zika.

Amid efforts to contain the virus, scientists claim a Zika vaccine is one step closer after trials of three different designs of jab were successful.

The different types of vaccine were tested for their ability to induce immunity to Zika in rhesus monkeys.

All three proved 'strikingly effective' and produced no adverse side effects, said researchers.

Appetite for the virus is strong.

This week two babies were born with Zika-related microcephaly - a condition causing underdeveloped heads and brains - in California.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked people to be wary of fake cow protectors trying to create conflict in society, and asked state governments to take the strongest possible action against those who are caught.

While addressing a public meeting in Telangana, Modi said: "I want to tell everybody to beware of these fake cow protectors. These handful of vigilantes have nothing to do with cow protection, but want to create tanaav (tension) and takrav (conflict) in our society".

Modi's comments come after the BJP witnessed increased scrutiny over incidents of violence against Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes in various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

Prime Minister Modi has called for stringent action against 'fake' cow protectors. (Pictured: Modi at the launch of the Mission Bhagiratha project, aimed at providing piped drinking water to every household in the state.)

In the name of cow protection, these fake cow protectors are trying to disturb the peace and harmony of the nation.

"I want the real cow protectors to expose them (the fake ones), and the state governments should take stringent action against them, Modi added.

The Prime Minister mentioned the Himachal Pradesh Governors campaign of protecting abandoned cows and handing them over to farmers to use for agricultural activity.

"Cow(s) will never become a burden. Cow urine and dung are used in agriculture," he said, noting that cows should be linked to the countrys economic development.

"India is a land of diversity," Modi said, adding that protecting our countrys unity and integrity is our primary responsibility.

"To fulfil it all countrymen should protect and serve cows (gau raksha and gau seva karein). Such service enhances national wealth; it does not create problem for the nation.

"But fake (cow protectors) destroy society and country. There is a need to punish these people. Then only can we take the nation to great heights, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister mentioned the Himachal Pradesh Governors campaign of protecting abandoned cows and handing them over to farmers for use in agriculture

Modi was speaking at the launch of Phase-1 of Mission Bhagiratha, a flagship project of the Telangana government which aims to provide piped drinking water to every household in the state.

Modi unveiled plaques to mark the laying of the foundation stone for the 152-km Manoharabad-Kothapalli new railway line, which links Hyderabad and Karimnagar.

This is Modis maiden visit to Telangana after the formation of the state in June 2014.

Opposition says Modis ideological cohorts perpetrate terror in the name of cow protection

The Opposition has termed Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement against cow vigilantes as deceptive, alleging that his ideological cohorts are perpetrating terror in the name of cow protection.

Congress leader Manish Tewari questioned Modis silence on the Dadri lynching incident in 2016, and accused the PM of being selective in his outreach.

Tewari asked: Why does he not prevail upon RSS to disband the VHP, why does he not take action against the office bearers of Bajrang Dal?"

Congress leader Manish Tewari questioned Modis silence on the Dadri lynching incident in 2016, and alleged that the PM was being selective in his outreach

Echoing similar sentiments, JD(U) leader Pavan Verma argued that the menace of gau rakshaks could have been prevented if the PM had given a stern message earlier, but instead he chose to keep silent and tweet on every other subject under the sun.

CPI leader D Raja also criticised the ruling dispensation, stating there are issues on which people expect the PM to speak, including increasing atrocities against Dalits.

Why has the PM not uttered a single word against the atrocities committed in his own state, Gujarat? he asked.
Thousands of Delhi University students have taken to the streets to protest against the shortage of undergraduate hostel rooms and the sky-rocketing prices of Paying Guest (PG) rooms in the capital.

Hundreds of students took part in a 'luggage' protest march in the Capital to demand the University provide adequate hostel facilities while they study.

The protest was organised by the All India Students' Association (AISA) as part of the 'A Room of My Own' campaign.

Thousands of Delhi University students have taken to the streets to protest against the shortage of undergraduate hostel rooms and the sky-rocketing prices of Paying Guest rooms

Carrying their luggage, bedding, and utensils as a mark of protest against the "sky-rocketing rates and scarcity of hostels in DU", the students marched through various popular students areas including Vijay Nagar, Gurmandi, Malkaganj and Kamla Nagar near North Campus, and Satya Niketan near the South Campus.

Sumedha Verma is a second-year student of History in Moti Lal Nehru College, who has been shuttling from one house to another in the hope that she can find a room that suits her budget.

Sumedha, who comes from Bihar, told Mail Today: "When I shifted to Delhi, I thought it will be very easy to find a house. But whatever I found was out of my budget."

For a year, Sumedha has failed to find affordable accommodation near the South Campus. She said she never thought finding rented accommodation would be such a difficult task.

DU currently offers 4,000 hostel seats for more than 80,000 undergraduate hostel aspirants

"The rents of even a single room are so high that it is extremely difficult to survive in the city without a job, Sumedha said.

DU currently offers 4,000 hostel seats for more than 80,000 undergraduate hostel aspirants. The university admits an estimated 54,000 students every year.

The protest was organized by the All India Students Association (AISA) as part of the 'A Room of My Own' campaign

Sudhanshu Shekhar, DU AISA president said: "DU administration and the government always makes a bogus claim regarding unavailability of land when it comes to hostel while the same is allotted for other commercial purposes.

"We will carry on the campaign until the orders of constructing new hostels are passed."

Mohit Singh, another student who participated in the march, told Mail Today: It is worth noting that the south campus has six colleges in a row, but there is only one hostel for undergraduate students with less than 200 seats. This explains the reason why out-station students are left with no choice except rented accommodation."

As part of its campaign, AISA had earlier got hundreds of students to fill out postcards addressed to DU vice-chancellor Yogesh Tyagi, listing their problems and experiences. These will be submitted to him on August 9.

"We have demanded that DU must immediately start the construction of new hostels to ensure seats to all who need it, and provide House Rent Allowance (HRA) to students living in rented accommodations till the time the hostels are constructed.

"We have also demanded that the government must implement Room Rent Control for private student accommodations," said Aman Nawaz, DU, AISA secretary.
Authorities say the deputy U.S. marshal accused of peeping on a 16-year-old girl at Target recorded young girls at several other stores in Bismarck.

"This isn't just a couple of pictures," said Burleigh County Assistant State's Attorney Julie Lawyer at an initial court appearance for Michael Rivera on 20 new charges. "It appears wherever he goes, he does behavior like this."

A complaint filed in the case alleges the 29-year-old law enforcement officer used a cell phone camera to record under the doors of changing rooms at numerous clothing stores. He also is accused of possessing hundreds of images and videos of child sexual exploitation on his computer.

Lawyer said the state was unaware of the additional evidence when Rivera was charged with a single count of attempt to promote a sexual performance by a minor in June. He was allowed to stay with his mom in Chicago in the interim.

South Central District Judge David Reich raised Rivera's bond from $2,000 to $150,000 because of the additional allegations.

Rivera's attorney, Lloyd Suhr, had argued for a lower bond in the case, raising concerns about Rivera's safety as a federal law enforcement officer held in a jail with federal prisoners.

Lawyer said he would be transferred to a facility without federal prisoners and where he could be held in a single cell.

Rivera had been suspended indefinitely without pay from his job with the U.S. Marshals Office, according to a brief filed by his attorney last month.
Erratic rainfall and humid temperatures have led to a spurt in dengue cases in Delhi, pushing the tally to 171, the highest figure in last five years.

The humid weather is bad for dengue fever. With humidity levels rising, the cases will also go up, said Dr SP Byotra, senior consultant and head of department of Internal medicine at Sir Ganga Ram hospital.

In 2015, a total of 119 cases of dengue were reported from Delhi.

Data released by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi shows the number of houses which tested positive for mosquito breeding this year is 66,095 so far, while it was 97,416 last year.

State health officials said the administration was better prepared to deal with the outbreak.

This year, we are one step ahead in terms of taking preventive measures. The government took these steps in July this year, said Dr SM Raheja, additional director general of health services (ADGHS) for the Delhi government.

He said the state health department was also conducting regular awareness drives in the city.

The government has prepared a list of sensitive areas in Delhi where a high level of breeding was found last year.

The survey has marked 15 sites in New Delhi district and 14 in South district as sensitive.

This time, we are specifically focusing on the preventive measures. We are ensuring that there is no stagnant water in these areas, added Dr Raheja.
Advocate M L Sharma alleged that the entire rape and murder was deliberately orchestrated on December 16, 2012

A week after his outrageous offer to pay a Rs 10 lakh reward to anyone who can prove that the Delhi gang-rape victim was violated with an iron rod, the lawyer representing two of the death row convicts in the 2012 case was at it again in the Supreme Court.

Continuing his arguments - which were laced with atrocious claims - advocate M L Sharma, who represents the convicts Mukesh and Pawan, alleged that the entire incident was orchestrated on the night of December 16, 2012 by a politician, in connivance with the victim's male companion, to score political mileage.

Sharma alleged: After paying Rs 10,000 to his brother Ram Singh (one of the accused who committed suicide in Tihar jail during the trial), the politician and male companion of the victim assured him of protection from all problems, but they ditched him. Being frustrated, Ram Singh decided to reveal everything to the trial court and the media.

"After this information reached these persons they got him killed. But it was called a suicide. His brother Mukesh too was under fear for being killed like Ram Singh. Mukesh was regularly being tortured and it resulted in him speaking the police version in court.

The Nirbhaya gang-rape case had triggered a series of protests in New Delhi. (File picture)

Pawan Gupta (left) and Mukesh Singh (right) have been convicted of the rape charges by a lower court, and now face the death penalty

Mukesh now knows that he is sure to be hanged. So he wants to disclose all the facts. Till now he did not dare to do so due to fear of being killed.

But a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra told Sharma that he should stick to the evidence already placed before the lower courts, and that no new claims can be permitted at this point.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is promoting flavoured tablets for the National Deworming Day that will be held on Wednesday, in a bid to make children swallow their de-worming tablets easily.

Albendazole tablets are used for deworming around the world.

The medicine comes in a tablet form which is sweet and chewable. It comes with different flavours like strawberry, vanilla, mango, etc, said Priya Jha, India Country director at Evidence Action.

In the first National Deworming Day held on February 10, 2015, we used a few flavours and children really liked them. We have decided to introduce more flavours this time because it will make easy for us to win children owing to its good taste, she said.

The government is promoting flavoured tablets to help children take them more easily (Picture for representation).

Evidence Action, along with the World Health Organization and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), is providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on National Deworming Day.

As the medicine is sourced and distributed locally, the availability of the flavours might not be uniform across the country, but children will really like and consume it easily without much persuasion as per our experience.

"It is very safe and has very few side-effects. When side-effects occur, they are typically a sign of high infection - which makes taking the treatment all the more important. Side-effects are mild, such as nausea and diarrhoea, and pass quickly, said Jha.

The second edition of National Deworming Day hopes to combat the threat of parasitic worm infections in India among all children aged 1-19 in schools and pre-schools (anganwadis).

Children will be given 400 mg of chewable albendezole tablets at government, government-aided, and private schools, and anganwadis.

Out-of-school children will be administered the de-worming tablet at anganwadis.

The WHO indicates that India has the highest burden of Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) in the world, with 220 million children aged 1-14 estimated to be at risk of worm infection.

Officials said that this time, there is a greater emphasis on including children from private schools in the National Deworming Day.

According to the Annual Status of Education Report, in 2014, 30.8 per cent of all 6-14 year old children in rural India are enrolled in private schools.

Also, five states in India now have private school enrolment rates in the elementary stage that are greater than 50 per cent.

These are Manipur (73.3 per cent), Kerala (62.2 per cent), Haryana (54.2 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (51.7 per cent), and Meghalaya (51.7 per cent).
The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government wants to leave a legacy behind by using the party's name for several government projects.

The "Aam aadmi bus service" is the latest such effort.

The bus service between Uttam Nagar and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT will connect National Highway (NH) 1, NH 10 and NH 24.

Controversial: Aam Admi bus sewa is to come into force from August 8

This comes after schemes like aam aadmi mohalla clinic, and the Delhi governments ambitious scheme to provide subsidised food to citizens - named aam aadmi canteen.

The project is yet to start. However, the government claims the opposition is worried by the efforts the AAP government is making to improve the city's infrastructure.

We are not using partys name or promoting it. All these services are for common man and we are naming it after aam aadmi. We are doing these services for the public, said Satyendra Jain, a cabinet minister in the AAP government.

The Delhi government is facing flack from the opposition, which says AAP is trying to take ownership of schemes that have always been there.

AAP cabinet minister Satyendra Jain denied that the services were "using the party's name or promoting it".

The Congress claims the subsidised food scheme was called Jan Ahar Yojana during Sheila Dikshit's time as Delhi Chief Minister.

There was no need to bring in the party name and put a stamp on existing projects, said Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee.

Are they doing value addition in bus service by changing the name? Why to change the name when they are charging the same amount from the public, she added.

Similarly, Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta said he will go to the Election Commission to complain about AAP naming government schemes after itself.

Gupta termed the name of the Aam Admi Bus Service not only immoral but also legally untenable.

No political party can exploit its name to gain popularity at the cost of government schemes and revenue. They have even named a scheme on providing clean water as Aam Aadmi nishulkh paani, he said.

Attacking AAP, Gupta said that the government promised to open 1,000 Aam Aadmi Clinics, but for far they could only start 22 half-cooked centres.

He alleged that the new bus service is just to hide failures, as AAP has actually withdrawn 1000 buses from the roads since it came into power.

Senior government officials said these allegations are baseless as even other state and central government schemes are named after aam aadmi.
One of the most senior figures in the national security establishment has told Mail Today that India will play strictly by the book in Kashmir, exercising the utmost restraint in dealing with peaceful citizens - but showing no mercy to those using violence against the State.

Every stratum of security has been asked to exercise complete restraint in dealing with citizens. But terrorists will not be spared. In fact, the desperation of separatists is triggered by systematic elimination of terrorists in the Valley. Action against terror will continue, and in that, security forces have a free hand, he said, requesting anonymity.

India has a right to act in self-defence against terrorists sent by Pakistan, said a senior official

Admitting that infiltration from across the border has risen, he said the elimination of terrorists has also increased.

The central and state governments have started quietly reaching out to people from all sections of Kashmiri civil society to calm their nerves, he said.

This comes at a time when parts of Kashmir have erupted with protests and violent clashes after security forces killed local Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in a shootout.

So far, 55 people including two CRPF men have died in the ensuing turmoil.

Non-lethal guns

Some have started comparing the situation with the bloody and turbulent 1990s, when militancy reached its peak and Pandits were cleansed from the Valley.

This is not even remotely close to what happened in the 90s, said the senior government official. But even supposing it were so, should we be intimidated? Has any group or individual achieved anything in independent India through violence?

Reports emerged on August 8 that Indian forces had arrested more than 1,000 protesters in Kashmir over the past two weeks

He said: The basic right of every organism, individual, and even a nation is the right to self-preservation. India has the right to act in self-preservation against terrorists sent or sponsored by Pakistan, and we will do it.

Will the State stop using the much-vilified pellets guns?

We are perhaps the only country which uses non-lethal weapons against mobs using stones, guns and grenades. Imagine the casualty if we had used bullets instead of pellets, he said.

State Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti came in for praise. Taking considerable political risks, Mufti has been doing more than any other J&K chief minister would do to defuse the situation, he said.

The security source ruled out speaking to separatists.

It is pointless speaking with people who have no power to take decisions, who have a gun held to their heads by Pakistan.

The senior official said the media needed to stop either being hyper-nationalistic or taking the separatists line.

In our jingoism, we often pit India against Kashmiris. We forget they are our own people, and only a very small section is working in Pakistans interest. Such coverage deepens faultlines and places citizens against citizens.

According to the official, incidents of violence have been reported in nine of the states 22 districts and recruitment for terror is happening in five or six districts, mainly in south Kashmir.

An overwhelming majority of Kashmiris is disgusted by all this. Many of them - some of them local imams - are being bullied by terrorists at gunpoint to join protests, he said. We need to empower this majority.

Mehbooba calls for dialogue with Pakistan

By Naseer Ganai in Srinagar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday called for the need to take bold and tangible initiatives to reach out to the people in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Chief Minister called on Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh to discuss the measures to be taken to restore peace in the state.

Mehbooba Mufti was in Delhi to see Home Minister Rajnath Singh

According to a government spokesman, Mehbooba called for reviving the confidence-building and peace process in the state through a dialogue process, as was done by the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003.

She also called for reviving the dialogue and peace process with Pakistan and turning J&K into a bridge of friendship between the two countries.
The Narendra Modi government is all set to launch a Tricolour anthem for the men and women who protect India's borders on the 70th anniversary of independence, as part of special celebrations being held across the country.

According to sources, people across the country can assemble at specified locations and write messages for the brave souls in uniform guarding Indian borders.

Government ministers will then travel to the far-flung borders and carry those messages to soldiers.

Camps will be held in 70 cities so the public can record messages of thanks for India's service personnel. (Pictured: Armymen trek to the Siachen glacier).

Union Textile minister Smriti Irani is spearheading the initiative, and her ministry is organising camps in 70 cities, where people can come and write messages for the forces.

It is colours of independence celebrations. It is a celebration where the country comes together to honour the sacrifices made for independence and to thank those who are protecting it, sources said.

Textile minister Smriti Irani is spearheading the initiative, and is set to visit Siachen in person to deliver the messages

Irani is also expected to travel to the highest, coldest and costliest battlefield, Siachen, carrying the messages of a grateful nation for soldiers after Independence Day, sources in the ministry of defence told Mail Today.

Smriti Irani is likely to be the first woman union minister to visit the Siachen glacier since the army launched operation Meghdoot in April 1984.

"In all, there are 70 camps being organised in places where the Textile ministry has its centres. The members of parliament (MPs) of those areas - irrespective of their political party are being invited to participate in the independence day festivities and message writing events," sources said.

Then female government ministers will carry these messages to the soldiers on Raksha Bandhan.

This is not restricted just to the armed forces, but to all men and women who defend India's independence whereever they may be deployed, and whatever their task may be.
The RSS might have backed Narendra Modis strong position against fake cow protectors and attacks on Dalits, but the Prime Minister has faced flak from other Hindutva organisations and the Opposition.

Responding to the PMs call for action against fake cow protectors, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad joint general secretary Surendra Jain said the organisation will continue to protect the sacred animal.

The VHP leader, however, declined to comment on the attacks on Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes, saying it was a controversial issue.

PM Narendra Modi has condemned perpetrators of violence against Dalits in the name of cow protection

RSS general secretary Bhaiyaji Joshi, the second in command after Sar Sanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, had issued a statement on Sunday denouncing the attacks on Dalits.

Taking law in ones own hands to harass Dalits is not only illegal, but also inhuman, Joshi said.

Joshi had also said that several political parties and leaders of various castes were trying to create a situation of uncertainty through half-baked information which was not conducive to harmony.

RSS also would like to appeal to political parties and various heads that there is a need to normalise the situation of uncertainty through public cooperation, Joshi said.

By sympathising with the victims, there is a need to think that such incidents do not take place, Joshi added in his statement.

In Rajasthan, the Raje government is under attack for allegedly presiding over a large number of cow deaths

Earlier, PM Modi had condemned perpetrators of violence against Dalits in the name of cow protection. He had said that if need be they should shoot him, but stop attacking the Dalit brethren.

The Opposition also attacked the Prime Minister for his remark.

Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh said Modi should stop making drama over the Dalit issue and prevent people from giving objectionable statements.

The kind of statement PM is giving, like, I have become helpless. Do not kill Dalits, shoot me, does not behove of any Prime Minister. This kind of statement by a PM is proof that he is indeed helpless, Singh said outside Parliament, referring to the PMs statement on the Dalit community in Telangana.

On the other hand, BJP ally the Shiv Sena asked the Prime Minister to spell out the reasons for the rise of such elements over the last two years, while cautioning him that he may have to face the wrath of Hindutva supporters.

We will not be surprised if the Prime Minister has to face the wrath of the believers of Hindutva for his comments on cow vigilantes," an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana said.

With the PM calling on the state governments to act against 'fake' cow protectors, the police in poll-bound Punjab booked Gau Raksha Dal chief Satish Kumar for allegedly targeting people on the pretext of cow protection.

Akhilesh slams the BJP over cow row

"Which person in BJP in a city owns a cow?" asked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav

Amid a row on cow vigilante groups, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday accused the BJP of creating differences in society in the name of cow protection and deviating from the discussion on development.

The BJPs attitude on the issue of cow is well known.

Cows are owned by farmers in villages. You can find cows with us (Yadavs)... but tell me which person in BJP in a city owns a cow?" he said after a cabinet meeting.

The chief minister charged that the saffron party was creating social tensions in the name of cow protection and sad the BJP was focused on how to deviate from a healthy discussion on development.

His comments come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at fake cow protectors.

I would like to tell all countrymen that they beware of these fake cow protectors. These handful of people must not be allowed to destroy your good work for their vested interest, Modi had said, while addressing a public meeting in Telangana on Sunday.

Illegal dairies use cattle as cash cows

By Baishali Adak in New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have given a clarion call for gau raksha from plastic and garbage, but this is an issue Delhi has been wrestling with for decades now, unable to find a solution.

The national Capital of India is infested with illegal dairies which unleash their cattle on the streets every morning.

Only a fraction of Delhi's cows are housed in the citys 10 'legal dairy colonies'

As per the 19th Livestock Census of India (2012), Delhi has about 3.5 lakh bovines. This includes cows, bulls, calves and buffaloes.

Only a fraction of them are housed in the citys 10 legal dairy colonies in the outskirts  Kakrola, Goela, Nangli, Jharoda, Bhalaswa, Gharoli, Ghazipur, Shahbad, Madanpur and Masoodpur. The rest are packed in thousands of smaller illegal dairies spread across the city.

One can spot them in lal dora areas, meaning rural belts of Delhi or unauthorised colonies such as Kotla Mubarakpur, Sangam Vihar, Govindpuri, Munirka, and Mahipalpur. Sometimes, these appear even in the middle of well-monied colonies.

The owners of such illegal dairies are greedy, and milk their female cattle twice a day. They are unwilling to invest in even the basics for their cash cows. The animals are let loose and forced to forage on trash for food.

The three municipal corporations, meanwhile, sit twiddling their thumbs citing grey areas in the existing laws.

Mukesh Yadav, spokesperson for the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), told Mail Today: Large-scale commercial keep of cattle is allowed only in our designated dairy colonies which are on the border areas of Delhi. In the lal dora belt or villages in our jurisdiction, each family is allowed to keep only one cow or buffalo.

Dr Hari Lal, director of Veterinary at East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), underlined the confusion in the law, saying: Lal Dora is still determined by our SDM/Revenue records which identify an area as agricultural land. However, since many of them have turned into unauthorised colonies over years, we are seeking lal dora certificates from SDMs for giving out cattle keeping license. It is a difficult process.

Rajdeep Datta Roy, a gaushala owner, said: It is extremely sad how these bovines are made to starve and suffer immense pain. Unlike dogs, cows dont have claws to tear open packets. On finding food in dhalaos (garbage sheds), cows consume polybags full of food as a whole. This keeps collecting in their rumen till they cant eat anything.

Only a few organisations in India conduct an operation called Rumenotomy, through which plastics are surgically removed. These include the Karni Mata Gaushala in Bikaner and Panna Lal Dhamarastra Gaushala in Jodhpur. Several thousand cows die each year of 70-100 kgs of polybags in their system, he said.
The company behind Holiday Inn is being sized up by a Chinese conglomerate in a swoop that could be worth 7billion.

Insurance giant Anbang has reportedly held discussions over a potential takeover of Intercontinental Hotels Group.

The FTSE 100 firm was formed in 1998 from long-standing British firm Bass brewers and owns the Crowne Plaza, Candlewood Suites and boutique Indigo chains as well as Holiday Inn.

Hotel bid: Anbang has reportedly held discussions over a potential takeover of IHG

Talks are said to be in the early stages, according to the Sunday Times, after bankers were sent to China to discuss the deal with Anbang. But the insurance firm has not yet made any formal approach to Intercontinental.

The news comes days after IHG chief executive Richard Solomons, 54, pictured, and his wife Karin sold stock worth more than 2.5million following a spike in the Intercontinental share price, which had soared 19 per cent in a month.

Last week, Buckinghamshire-based Intercontinental shrugged off the turmoil in the travel industry caused by terrorist attacks overseas and posted strong interim figures, sending the shares up.

Its operating profit rose 2 per cent to 258million for the six months to June 30, while sales fell 8 per cent to 629million. It reported a 2 per cent rise in the key industry metric of revenue available per room in the first half of the year.

Intercontinental performed less well in the US and Middle East, however, after the falling oil price caused bookings to dip when oil executives cut back on travel and the need for rooms for workers plummeted.

IHG saw revenue per room fall 6.3 per cent in the oil producing markets of Texas, Oklahoma and North Dakota. In the Middle East, revenue was down 8pc.

Based on last weeks closing price, Intercontinental has a market capitalisation of 6.3billion and it is thought any potential deal would value the business at 7billion.

Intercontinental is familiar with takeover interest. Two years ago, it is thought to have rejected an offer from Wyndham Worldwide, owner of Ramada, and later survived pressure from investor Marcato, which was pushing for a sale.

Anbang has shown an appetite for major acquisitions after buying the Waldorf Astoria New York from US private equity group Blackstone in 2014 for nearly 1.5billion. At the end of March, it walked away from a 10.7billion takeover of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, citing market considerations.
Chinas nuclear bomb-maker is to take a stake in Hinkley Point if the 18billion power station gets the go-ahead from the Government.

The China National Nuclear Corporation, supplier of nuclear missiles to the Peoples Liberation Army, will buy half of China General Nuclears 33.5 per cent share in the project, which is majority owned by EDF.

It comes after Prime Minister Theresa May shocked the industry by saying the Government needed more time to review the project, reportedly over fears regarding investment from CGN.

Hinkley Point stake: The China National Nuclear Corporation operates under the control of the Beijing government

Its announcement that it would delay the decision until September angered China.

CNNC operates under the control of the Beijing government, and states on its website that it is the core of the national strategic nuclear deterrence, developing its atomic and hydrogen bombs and nuclear submarines.

In October, Britains surveillance agency GCHQ reportedly sought special access to the Chinese firms involved to allay security fears.
Two parents have been jailed after they were accused of using their one-year-old child to smuggle seven pounds of methamphetamine from Mexico into the US.

Orlando Ramirez-Leal and Cynthia Uresti were crossing the Gateway International Bridge into Brownsville, Texas, on Wednesday when they were stopped.

Inspectors said they found six packages hidden on the body of Uresti and her child, who is 19 months old.

Two parents remain jailed accused of using their 9-month-old child to smuggle seven pounds of methamphetamine from Mexico into the US. File picture of methamphetamine

Authorities said the bundles contained a total of more than seven pounds of meth.

A criminal complaint states Ramirez-Leal told investigators the couple had planned to transport the illegal drugs to Houston.

Both Ramirez-Leal and Uresti are being held without bond.

Attorneys for both defendants did not immediately return calls seeking comment yesterday.
HELENA  Several of Lewis and Clark County Coroner M.E. "Mickey" Nelson's past and current employees accused him of frequently using offensive language before his staff was removed from his office and his supervision last month, according to documents released by the county.

Documents that detail the allegations were obtained after discussion with Eric Bryson, the countys chief administrative officer, and Leo Gallagher, the county attorney.

The coroners office drew public attention in recent weeks after the state threatened to ask a district court to compel Nelson to certify the causes of death on 51 death certificates that dated from 2011 to 2015.

Controversy has also involved the coroners office current staff, who were moved to a different office after expressing their concerns with Nelsons behavior.

Among allegations contained in the documents are those by Elizabeth Parrish, a former coroners administrative assistant, who on May 15, 2015, wrote that Nelson engaged in daily tirades in his office in which he referred to President Barack Obama as a jungle bunny from Africa.

Nelson, 71, who is in his 42nd year as county coroner, said he had prepared a news release to address the allegations by current and former staff members.

I am troubled to learn that current and former staff members have made complaints to the Human Resources director of Lewis and Clark County and to other county officials attributing offensive comments to me, the news release stated.

These staff members have never complained to me directly or told me any such comments were unwelcome or offensive to them.

I acknowledge the offensive nature of some comments attributed to me. Some comments attributed to me have been taken out of context.

However, I am not racist or sexist or anti-religion. I have never engaged in discriminatory acts as county coroner against fellow staff members or while performing the duties of my office.

I bear no ill-will towards any faith, minority, ethnicity or income class. I have served them all with gratitude. My actions in serving the public honestly and fairly over the past four decades demonstrate my true character, Nelson wrote.

Nelson characterized his news release by saying, This is what I have to say about basically everything up to this point that we have, my feelings of what Ive done or what I havent done or what Im accused of doing or maybe have or have not done.

I dont want to break down every single issue, just continue this going on and on, Nelson said on Tuesday, declining to address individual allegations. Thats my official stand on the whole issue as far as whats been going on up to this point, particularly dealing with their complaint.

I didnt know I did anything wrong until after the fact. Nobody has ever said anything to me. They apparently talked to a lot of other people, but I wasnt on their agenda, like today, Nelson said, making note of a meeting on the duties of the county registrar that were removed from him by the state Department of Public Health and Human Services.

A July 26 letter from the Office of Vital Records notified Nelson he was relieved of his duties as county registrar as of Aug. 1. The letter came in response to a July 22 request from the county commission that the duties be assigned to the county Clerk and Recorders office.

Removing the registrars duties from Nelson will allow him more time to focus on the core duties of the coroners office, Bryson said.

When asked about the offensive comments, Nelson declined to answer and said, Depends on where and thats where we just continue to go and Im not going to go there.

He declined to say if the allegation regarding the comment directed toward Obama was true.

Addressing a situation

Fred Rice, the countys former human resources director, wrote Bryson on June 30, 2015, to say he was aware of reports regarding allegations of disparaging comments by Nelson toward African-Americans, Native Americans, other ethinicities, people who are poor and those who receive public assistance, among others.

The county commission has adopted a policy that commits the county to provide a work environment free of all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment, Rice stated in his memorandum.

If the coroner made the comments attributed to him, they could be used as evidence against the county if a citizen or employee were to make (a) human rights claim against the coroner, the memo continued.

Even without a formal complaint, the county has an obligation to investigate the complaint and correct the situation, Rice wrote.

Fred Rice never spoke to me about this at all, Nelson said.

He learned of Parrishs concerns regarding his behavior, he said, only after she was removed from his office.

They or her never advised me until the day they removed her, Nelson said.

According to a July 21, 2016, memo from Bryson to the county commissioners and Gallagher, Bryson wrote that K. Paul Stahl, a civil deputy county attorney, and Commissioner Susan Good Geise met with Nelson as a result of Parrishs complaints.

The July 14, 2015, meeting with Nelson came after Parrish was removed from Nelsons office because of the concerns she raised in her May 15 and June 22, 2015, communications with county staff.

While Stahl and Geise reviewed Parrishs allegations with Nelson, they also informed him that his behavior was not acceptable and required him to seek and find a training course on sexual harassment and discrimination, Brysons memo continued.

This meeting with Nelson occurred a year before another member of the coroners office staff, whose name was not released by county officials, expressed the same concerns and asked to be removed from his office, Bryson said.

Nelson disputed some of what has been said about him.

There are clearly things that are not true. Which ones, Im not going to again get into arguing, he said.

Some of them I probably said and didnt even know I said them. And thats where I get very upset over it. If youre offended by something in a work environment, I feel that a person should at least say, I dont like what you just said. I mean, maybe thats too much expectation.

I never got informed, I never got warned, I never got called in. I never got anything, he said.

Two people have gone. Almost identical circumstances. I dont know anything. Second time I even feel worse because I think I was trying to monitor everything I said before I said it.

Just even having an accusation made is shameful to me. It bothers me a great, great deal. But again if you dont know what youre doing until after basically its over, you cant do a whole lot. Thats just the way it is, Nelson added.

Parrish, in her May 15, 2015, correspondence to county officials said, "I don't know how to confront these issues that I have with Mickey. I have had problems dealing with employment issues while working for an elected official as my direct supervisor and only co-worker. The coroner's office is very isolated and I am wary to talk to Mickey about my concerns because there are no other people around.

"I am afraid to lose my composure and be labeled as insubordinate, which has happened to me in the past and hence being wrongfully terminated," her correspondence stated.

Bryson said in an email that he had not formally spoken with Nelson regarding the accusations contained in correspondences to determine their truthfulness.

However, allegations against Nelson prompted Bryson to write him on July 22 of this year to say disciplinary action may be warranted and to request a meeting.

Last year, an employee in your office made a complaint of discrimination against you alleging you engaged in religious, political and social tirades on a daily basis. I looked into these allegations, found them to be credible and moved the employee to another office, Brysons letter to Nelson stated.

While he referenced Stahls and Geises 2015 meeting with Nelson, he then wrote, I have recently been made aware that your current employees are being subjected to the exact same treatment. You continue to create a hostile work environment by engaging in inappropriate discussions about race, sex, politics and religion in the coroners office. This is unacceptable, and I will not allow county employees to be subjected to this.

You have a right to respond regarding this matter, the letter continued before advising Nelson of a time for the meeting to respond to the allegations.

However, Nelson instead brought an attorney to the meeting, Bryson said.

Acting on allegations

A 1980 opinion by then-Attorney General Mike Greely held that county commissioners may assure that county officials fulfill their roles but may not assume control over the manner in which those duties are performed, Gallagher wrote in a June email.

He also said previously that proceeding with a charge of official misconduct against Nelson was an avenue available to the county, although at that time he concluded it was not warranted.

Earlier last week, Gallagher said he did not at this point see cause to reconsider that position.

Were still working through a process, he said.

Going to court can take years, Gallagher continued, and explained, My personal goal is to try and get the coroners office to change and to change in a way we can build a better coroners office.

Im hoping that we dont need to go to court, he added.

Bryson moved Parrish from Nelsons office shortly after her June 22, 2015, correspondence to the county's human resources department. In July of this year, he acted on a request from one of the offices two current staff members and moved both people to a location across town from Nelsons office.

The deputy coroner who was hired in June reports to Bryson.

The coroners staff members, who were moved to either a different job or a different location while remaining a part of the coroners staff, have done nothing wrong, Bryson said.

Their removal had nothing to do with their job performance.

Once those allegations came forward, I dont believe I had any choice but to get the staff out of his supervision, Bryson added.

Because the coroner is an elected official, his behavior subjects the county to significant liability. My only recourse is to remove the employees assigned to the coroners office and find an alternative location for their work to continue, Bryson wrote in his July 21, 2016, memo to the commissioners and Gallagher.

With knowledge of past similar behavior, and complaints from current staff of continuing illegal behavior, I cannot allow those employees to remain in that work environment, his memo concluded.

Nelson, however, said he needs a staff for his office and that he works 24/7, 365 days a year.

His first year in office, he handled 72 deaths, he said, and noted that he is at 358 for the year, of which 64 occurred in July.

Its almost impossible with the caseload I have to run this office that way. So Ive got to say duties are not going to go away. Until somethings done, were just going to be back in the same situation as is stressed to some degree in the letter of being behind, Nelson said.

State law requires all the coroner to approve cremation of the body.

Close to 80 percent of the deaths hes involved in are because they are true coroners cases or involve cremation, Nelson said.

His news release noted that he recently became current in the issuance of outstanding death certificates and stated, I intend to focus my daily efforts on remaining current and performing my coroner duties fairly and efficiently. I will not be distracted or deterred in this effort.

The Office of Vital Records with the state Department of Public Health and Human Services had threatened the county and Nelson with legal action if the death certificates were not finished in 45 days -- a deadline that Nelson met.

Nelson attributed the 51 pending death certificates that he recently completed to a lack of staff. He also said previously that efforts to hire a deputy coroner took time that could have been used toward completing those death certificates.

County officials have noted that state law allows physicians and advanced practice registered nurses to also complete death certificates.

Nelson disagreed that any physician or advanced practice nurse could have been brought in to complete the pending death certificates and said state law requires the physician to have had a patient relationship prior to the persons death.

Changes in Nelsons duties with the removal of those for the county registrar will allow him additional time to handle the offices workload, Bryson said.

Nelson has a deputy coroner who can do some of the field work for the office and an administrative assistant who is an evidence technician, he added.

He has less work and more staff than he has had in his 42 years of working in Lewis and Clark County.

He has the help, Bryson said. That administrative assistant position still exists. I just cant put it in an office next to him.

Detailing concerns

My work environment continues to be more hostile and unbearable, a member of the coroners office staff, who was not identified by county officials, wrote in a July 20 letter of this year to McKenzie McCarthy, the countys human resources director.

The correspondence to McCarthy said a grieving daughter came into the coroners office and Nelson went on one of his inappropriate rants, with the particularly offensive topic of abortion.

Later he ranted about the 'Bunny Ranch' in (Nevada), how prostitution is a great profession to make money by turning tricks. These topics have no reason to be brought up in our workplace, the letter to McCarthy continued.

The staff member who asked to be relocated to another office also wrote that Nelson reportedly spouted how all Indians only want to screw and get drunk."

Mickey said, Blacks just screw their sisters and have babies and none of them know who their father is. He said all black people should be given free birth control and they all have venereal diseases.

Im already certain that Im not the only complainant regarding these issues with Mickey. And Im having a difficult time understanding why his behavior has gone on for so long. I cant imagine any county employee encounters this treatment, disrespect and behavior like I do on a daily basis. Actually there is no workplace where this is appropriate, the letter stated.

The issues raised in the current staff persons letter reflect those in the two correspondences from Parrish, a previous administrative assistant to Nelson, prior to her being placed on paid administrative leave until the county was able to place her in another job.

According to the May 15, 2015, correspondence given to county officials, although the recipient is not named, Parrish detailed an array of concerns and allegations with Nelsons conduct and administration of the office.

She stated in that correspondence that she believed she had no opportunity for career advancement in the coroners office after a year and nine months despite promises from Nelson.

Parrish also alleged Nelson did not believe women should be in law enforcement or the military and make poor sheriffs, coroners and funeral directors because they are too emotional.

She wrote that she was passed over in September 2014 when a man was assigned to be the temporary, on-call deputy coroner.

Parrish wrote that Nelson said he would make her a deputy registrar, although he failed to act despite several reminders from her.

Offers of assistance to help organize the office were declined by Nelson, according Parrishs letter that also complained of loud, animated and disruptive discussions by Nelson when his friends came to visit at his office.

Perhaps her most pointed allegations address what she labeled a hostile work environment.

Mickey believes that due to his age he can say anything he wants because he is old fashioned, as he put it. He engages in religious, political and social tirades daily, she wrote.

They can last for hours at times. In these tirades he has made racist, sexist, political and anti-Islamic, welfare  low IQ statements, that have left me emotionally and mentally shaken to the point that I cannot resume my duties at times.

She accused him of accepting two $75 tickets to a charity event from a cleaning service as a thank you, which he offered to her because he was not interested in attending.

Her June 22, 2015, email to Rice complained of racist statements she attributed to Nelson and said she had interviewed for other county jobs that she hoped she would obtain.

Problems continued with the coroners office, according to a resignation letter submitted by a deputy coroner who worked four months in Nelsons office.

Nelson continued on Tuesday to decline comment on this letter but said, She has her opinions, her right to express that.

The deputys corners letter stated, While the current coroner appears to be experienced, he has been reluctant to take the time to share his expertise and, in fact, is frequently hostile, withholding, and negative in his approach. It appears to me that Coroner Nelson is invested in making sure that no one else can do his job.

The deputy coroner described the working conditions as unprofessional and chaotic and claimed, There are many other examples of the inefficiency and ineffectiveness in this office but perhaps the most troubling to me is the unprofessional and, frankly, dishonest treatment of families who are expecting a timely process.

Bryson is now tracking death certificate completions by Nelson for 2016 and said he is allowing six months for the state to provide the coroners office with toxicology or other information that may be required to finalize certificates.

Nelson said he has a few outstanding death certificates to complete among those hes processed for this year and stressed that he does the work because of his love for people.

I just dont want to hurt or offend people, that isnt there, he said of the controversy that surrounds his office.

I dont care how this turns out. I aint going anywhere. Im going to be here until I die, said Nelson, who was born and raised in Helena.

People have told him this would go away if he were to retire, he said, but he responded that he has nowhere to go.
Advertisement

It was a spectacular show of human strength and gravity defying skill as the world's gymnastics teams flexed their carefully honed muscles during qualifying.

Incredible pictures from the Rio Olympics show the gymnasts in full swing as they gave impressive displays on the horizontal bar, the vault, the pommel horse and rings, as well as the parallel bars and on the floor.

There were a few missteps and mishaps along the way, but for the most part the world's most agile sportsmen and women put on a spectacle of human flexibility.

Team GB have reached the women's team final after Ellie Downie recovered from a neck injury following a nasty fall.

The 17-year-old was completing a flip when she landed in an awkward position. After receiving treatment from medical personnel she went on to compete in the vault.

Great Britain ended the session with 174.064, leaving them in third position in qualifying after China and Russia with the USA still to perform.

Scroll down for video

It was a spectacular show of human strength and gravity defying skill as the world's gymnastics teams flexed their carefully honed muscles during qualifying

Tutya Yilmaz of Turkey performs a feat of incredible flexibility as part of the Rio Olympics gymnastics events

Incredible pictures from the Rio Olympics show the gymnasts in full swing as they gave impressive displays on the horizontal bar, the vault, the pommel horse and rings, as well as the parallel bars and on the floor

There were a few missteps and mishaps along the way, but for the most part the world's most agile sportsmen and women put on a spectacle of human flexibility

Team GB reached the women's team final after Ellie Downie recovered from a neck injury following a nasty fall (pictured)

Sweden's Emma Larsson competes in the qualifying for the women's Beam event of the Artistic Gymnastics

Great Britain ended the session with 174.064, leaving them in third position in qualifying after China and Russia with the USA still to perform

Great Britain are fancied to at least match their team bronze in London 2012 while one of Max Whitlock or Louis Smith is set to get the chance to claim the nation's first Olympic gymnastics gold when they go head to head on their favoured apparatus in the individual competition.

Smith, part of a five-strong British team that also includes Kristian Thomas, Nile Wilson and Brinn Bevan, scored marginally behind his rival on the pommel with 15.700 against Whitlock's 15.800, but said he was pleased with his display.

Despite some promising team members and a leading preliminary score, Team GB will have to streamline their performances if they are to secure any medals on Monday.

Challengers to the gold are Japan, who have dominated the sport for years and who came in second on Saturday, as well as Team USA and host country Brazil, who sit first and fourth, respectively.

Tutya Yilmaz of Turkey competes on the floor during the women's qualifications on Sunday, with more action taking place on Monday

Challengers to the gold are Japan, who have dominated the sport for years and who came in second on Saturday, as well as Team USA and host country Brazil (Flavia Saraiva is pictured), who sit first and fourth, respectively

Ailen Valente of Argentina is watched by a scorer as she takes part in the floor exercise, one of the mainstay's of gymnastics

Despite some promising team members and a leading preliminary score, Team GB will have to streamline their performances if they are to secure any medals on Monday

Elissa Downie on the beam. Great Britain ended the session with 174.064, leaving them in third position in qualifying after China and Russia with the USA still to perform

Vanessa Ferrari, who is representing her country of Italy, looks composed as she attempts to navigate the balance beam

Catalina Ponor of Romania is poetry in motion as she completes a manoeuvre while taking part in the floor exercise
A 60-year-old man died from 'catastrophic' brain bleeding after a nurse allegedly gave him a massive dose of medicine that caused his blood pressure to skyrocket.

Police and health authorities are investigating the death of the man, who was allegedly given dangerous amounts of blood pressure drug noradrenaline by a nurse at Perth's Fiona Stanley Hospital.

The unidentified man was brought to the Fiona Stanley Hospital during the week but a few days after arriving his blood pressure dropped to life-threatening low levels, Perth Now reported.

The patient died in the Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth last Wednesday after being given the drug noradrenaline

The man had a brain aneurysm and suffered brain bleeding, causing his death

He was prescribed a dose of noradrenaline to increase his blood pressure by doctors.

But it's believed a nurse accidentally administered too much of the drug.

Attempts were made to fix his blood pressure levels but they failed.

He suffered a brain aneurysm and was pronounced dead on Wednesday.

The patient was prescribed noradrenaline but it's believed he was given a massive dose

He had been first admitted to hospital for an undisclosed issue.

The hospital's acting executive director, Dr Paul Mark, said: 'I would like to extend sincere condolences to the patient's family and we continue to support the clinical team involved'.

A report is being prepared for the coroner and if the man did die as a result of the drugs, it will be the second such case at the hospital in since in opened in early 2015, Perth Now reported.

Dr Mark said the hospital was also investigating the incident.

Staff involved in the incident were receiving counselling, it was reported.
A man died in his Texas house with dozens of snakes around him.

One of David Blody's friends found him dead in his Fort Worth home Saturday night, police said.

Blody, 66, had worked at Fort Worth Zoo's reptile department in the 1980s and 1990s, the Star-Telegram reported.

The former curator of reptiles had eight snakes growing up and had been captivated by them since his youth, according to Fox4.

Scroll down for video

David Blody (pictured left and right), 66, was found dead at his home in Fort Worth, Texas on Saturday night. Authorities found more than 70 snakes inside

He had recently been breeding and researching kingsnakes, a group of species including milk snakes, at home.

Police found more than 70 snakes inside Blody's home upon recovering his dead body.

Blody, who had retired, had been dead for several days or maybe weeks when a friend from Colorado found him, authorities said.

Police believe Blody died of natural causes. He had been suffering from an illness, according to one of his friends who spoke to authorities.

None of the snakes were venomous and none escaped. Reptile experts will sell the snakes and give the money to Blody's daughter.

Blody (center) had worked at Fort Worth Zoo's reptile department in the 1980s and 1990s. He had eight snakes growing up and had been fascinated by them since his youth

A friend of Blody's found him inside his house in Fort Worth (pictured). Blody had been dead for days, maybe weeks, authorities said
A 15-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he was stabbed up to eight times in the torso and stomach during a wild brawl outside a western Sydney apartment block.

Police arrived at the unit block on Wilga Street, Fairfield, just after 11.15pm on Sunday night after reports of an altercation involving five people.

The teenager was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition, with authorities saying they 'immediately went to work with lifesaving procedures and invasive therapies that saved his life.'

Scroll down for video

A 15-year-old boy (pictured) is fighting for his life after he was stabbed up to eight times outside an apartment block in Fairfield, western Sydney

Police allege the stabbing took place during a wild brawl reportedly involving five people

A 27-year-old man was arrested a short time later and questioned, but has since been released

A 27-year-old man was arrested a short time later and questioned by police, before being released pending further investigations, the Daily Telegraph reported.

A crime scene has been established outside the Fairfield unit block, which will be examined by forensic specialists.

The 15-year-old boy is now reportedly in a stable condition at hospital.

It comes less than 24 hours after another violent stabbing melee, in northwest Sydney, which left one 16-year-old boy dead and six other youths in hospital.

A total of six males and one teen woman were stabbed just after midnight on Sunday morning at the home on Victoria Road in Ryde, the scene of an 18th birthday party.

Aidan Smith, the 16-year-old killed, was rushed to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition but died shortly after.

The stabbing attack in Fairfield comes less than 24 hours after Aidan Smith, 16, (pictured) was stabbed to death after a fight broke out at an 18th birthday party in Ryde

A total of six males and one teen woman were stabbed just after midnight on Sunday morning at the home on Victoria Road in Ryde, the scene of an 18th birthday party (pictured)

Inspector Pat Sharkey told reporters the matter was being treated as a homicide.

'This is a very, very serious matter and we hope to get to the bottom of it,' he said.

'We do not believe there was an involvement of gatecrashers. For some reason it's turned violent and that's what we need to get to the bottom of,' he said.

Further west in Blacktown, a man was charged after an alleged stabbing on Saturday night which left one 42-year-old man in hospital in a serious condition.

Police allege two men were involved in an altercation at a boarding house on Bungarribee Road, which ended with one man being stabbed in his neck and chest.

The alleged offender, a 43-year-old man, was charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was refused bail to face Blacktown Local Court on Monday.

Aidan Smith was rushed to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition but died shortly after
A 38-year-old woman has died in hospital after a car accident in southwest Sydney where a man fled the scene.

The accident happened in Punchbowl about 11am on Sunday when a Mitsubishi EVO and a Honda SUV collided on Warwick St, Punchbowl.

The male driver of the vehicle fled the scene on foot and has not been located.

A 38-year-old woman has died in hospital after a car accident in Punchbowl on Sunday morning in southwest Sydney, where a man fled the scene on foot

The 38-year-old female driver of the white Mitsubishi was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a serious condition, but later died.

The 45-year-old female driver of the dark-coloured Honda SUV suffered minor injuries and was taken to Bankstown Hospital for treatment.

A crime scene was established and investigations by the Metropolitan Crash Investigations Unit are continuing.

Police have asked anyone with information to come forward.
Greenwood also highlights the 'pseudocides' other people have attempted

In the book she discussed how she got a death

She made the decision after being

Elizabeth Greenwood, 33, penned a book about how she faked her own death and how others have done the same

Elizabeth Greenwood, 33, has written a book about how she faked her own death and how others have done the same.

Greenwood was given the idea of faking her own death over dinner one night while worrying over a $100,000 student loan debt.

She worried about going to prison or running away from her life when her friend suggested faking her own death.

After sleepless nights of research she attempted to see if it could be done.

She has since published a book called: 'Playing Dead: A Journey Through the World of Death Fraud'.

'It became very clear to me that I had stumbled into a bizarre underworld made up of people with forbidden knowledge and those seeking it and while my intention to fake my death might not have been as earnest  I had definitely become a seeker as well,' she writes in the book

Greenwood was able to get a death certificate, which declares she died in a car crash, on the Phillippine black market.

Her 'death date' is July 2, 2013.

'Playing Dead: A Journey Through the World of Death Fraud' documents Greenwood's attempt at faking her death along with others who have committed 'pseudocide'

'I'm dead on paper, but still kicking in Brooklyn,' told the New York Post.

While writing the story she collected the tales of others who have also committed 'pseudocide'.

One man, a Filipino-American businessman, was gambling in Manila in 2001 when he was fatally stabbed.

His wife identified the body and there was a funeral and cremation process.

His wife later met up with her husband at a Manila restaurant.

'I'm dead on paper, but still kicking in Brooklyn,' Greenwood (pcitured) told the New York Post

Greenwood writes that after obtaining her own death certificate she never felt more alive - even if the idea it only temporary

The body of the man who was stabbed was that of a local beggar and the wife identified him as her husband to cash in on life insurance policies.

Steve Rambam has probed fraudulent death cases for insurance companies for 30 years.

He says faking one's death is not illegal, but the mechanics of how to do it are.

'You'd have to lie to the police, and file a false police report and death certificate,' Rambam tells Greenwood in her new book.

He also said most people need a body in order to cash in on insurance policies that can take years to clear without a death certificate.

Rambam said that's not a difficult thing to do.

She decided to take on the endeavor after being overwhelmed by a $100,000 student loan debt

'You can just go into any city morgue in almost any developing country, ask to see the unclaimed bodies, and cry, 'Oh, it's poor Uncle Marco!' They'll be happy to get a body off their hands,' Rambam tells Greenwood.

Although it seems tempting, Greenwood writes that faking a death is inticing but ineffective.

She writes that after obtaining her own death certificate she never felt more alive - even if the idea it only temporary.
Remain campaigners made a terrible mistake by refusing to engage with the debate on immigration during the EU referendum, a former minister has said.

Anna Soubry, a passionate member of the In team, said her side was guilty of sweeping aside concerns about migration while playing up fears about the economy.

The former business minister said: Remain refused to engage on immigration; that was a terrible, terrible mistake.

Scroll down for video

Anna Soubry (left) told the documentary: 'Remain refused to engage on immigration; that was a terrible, terrible mistake.' She was sacked by Theresa May (right) when she became prime minister

Miss Soubry, who was sacked in Theresa Mays reshuffle, said it was a serious error to keep on about the economy because it made people bored and tired.

She added: It was like we kind of made and won that argument, so then the vacuum appeared and then bang, in they came with their killer card, which was immigration and we refused to engage in it.

A MINISTRY FOR IMMIGRATION? An Immigration Ministry should be created, a report suggests. A Department for Immigration and Integration would cut numbers coming in and make sure new arrivals do not overwhelm certain areas. The Policy Exchange think-tank said it would manage the effects of Brexit, which some fear will lead to a surge in immigration before the UK finally leaves. It also suggested allocating a unique person number to every citizen to improve the knowledge of who is entering and leaving. David Goodhart, author of the report, said: We have to urgently address the resentment that people feel about the fact that some migrants use Britain as a sort of economic transit camp. Advertisement

Miss Soubry said she suspected by the end of May, just under a month before the June 23 poll, that her side might not win. Id be saying [to people] EU referendum, in or out? And theyd go, Im out, Im out ... and people were shouting, get these immigrants out, she said.

And thats when I thought, oh my goodness me, this is really seriously dangerously bad.

She made the comments in BBC documentary Brexit: The Battle For Britain, which screens at 9pm tonight on BBC2.

In the programme, former Cabinet minister and Remainer Ken Clarke attacked David Cameron for being reckless by pledging to hold a referendum.

The former justice secretary said: I was not consulted, I was only a member of the Cabinet. I read about it in the newspaper [and] we had a row about it, but it was a done deal.

I think it was the most reckless and irresponsible decision to announce that he was going to hold a referendum in a few years time.

Jeremy Corbyn was also accused of sabotaging the Remain side, despite claiming to be committed to supporting staying in the EU.

Will Straw, who headed the Britain Stronger In Europe campaign, said it had taken six months to get a meeting with one of the Labour leaders advisers.

Asked what he thought Mr Corbyns attitude to the UKs EU membership was, Mr Straw said: He was lukewarm about it.

Labour grandee Lord Mandelson savaged Mr Corbyn and his team in the documentary.

Jeremy Corbyn (left) was savaged by Lord Mandelson over the strength of his support for the Remain campaign. Will Straw (right) said Corbyn had been 'lukewarm'

The peer said: We were greatly damaged by Jeremy Corbyns stance, no doubt at all about that. I mean not only was he most of the time absent from the battle, but he was holding back the efforts of Alan Johnson and Labour in the campaign.

I mean they felt undermined, at all times. They felt actually their efforts were being sabotaged by Jeremy Corbyn and the people around him.

Gisela Stuart, the Labour MP who co-chaired the Vote Leave campaign, said there had been an unravelling of the Labour heartlands not feeling that the Labour Party was representing them and this had been a real problem for the Remain side.

Meanwhile Craig Oliver, former director of communications at Downing Street, revealed Mr Cameron discovered Boris Johnson was going to campaign for Leave only 15 minutes before he announced it publicly.
This is the shocking moment two brave police officers were forced to use CS gas to arrest four men who were part of a group which became 'aggressive'.

The two policemen were on duty and pulled over a vehicle during a routine stop in Shadwell, east London.

But the situation became heated as the group of men began shouting at the outnumbered officers and a scuffle broke out.

One of the Met Police officers ended up on the ground during the altercation and had to quickly get back to his feet in a bid to diffuse the situation.

The two police officers stopped the vehicle during a routine check in Shadwell, east London

The group of men began shouting and the two police officers tried to diffuse the tense situation

One of the officers ended up on the ground (pictured) but managed to get back to his feet

The video, shot from a nearby balcony, has been uploaded to YouTube by Police Hour and showed the men surrounding the officers as they were restraining two of their friends.

The officers were forced to use CS spray to keep the men back during the altercation.

But the situation was eventually resolved when back-up police vehicles arrived on the scene.

Four men were arrested on suspicion of various offences including assault on police, obstruction and Public Order Act offences.

The conduct of the officers on August 3 has been praised online and the pair left the scene with just minor injuries.

One user on Reddit posted: ' Imagine how differently this would have been if this happened in America.'

Another added: 'Full credit to those Police Officers. I'm not sure I'd have the guts to deal with a situation like that.'

The police officer got one of the men in a headlock and the pair were forced to use CS gas

The situation eventually came to an end when police cars arrived on the scene in east London

Four men were arrested on suspicion of various offences including assault on police, obstruction and Public Order Act offences

The force said: 'Whilst officers were speaking with the driver, a large group of males began arguing with them.

'The males became more aggressive. Two police constables were treated for minor injuries.

'Four males were arrested on suspicion of various offences including assault on police, obstruction and Public Order Act offences.
An American professor and an Australian colleague have been kidnapped at gunpoint in Kabul, reports say.

The pair were snatched at the American University of Afghanistan by kidnappers disguised as National Security officers around 8:30pm local time Sunday night, according to The Hill.

The American and Australian professors were reportedly kidnapped out of American University in Afghanistan (above)

Local police confirmed the kidnapping to TOLO News, a 24-hour Afghanistan news station.

'The abduction was confirmed by Kabul police chief Abdel Radhman Rahimi,' the news site reported.

The US State Department said it was aware of the reports but 'due to privacy considerations we have no information to offer.'

Early reports had identified the kidnapping victims as doctors, according to The Voice of America.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'The Australian Embassy in Afghanistan is seeking to verify reports of the kidnapping of an Australian in Kabul.'

The school is an American-style university in Kabul (above, at a Our Success Academy class)

The university is a private, not-for-profit institution modeled on US standards. It offers an MBA program, four undergraduate degree programs, and continuing education and professional development training. It was founded in 2004 and has more than 1,000 students.

Over the years it has received millions from the US Agency for International Development.

Afghanistan remains locked in a violent insurgency and Western embassies typically warn their citizens against all but essential travel in the country, citing threats of attack and kidnapping.
A former care worker has revealed how tying up a severely intellectually disabled woman turned her into a 'monster'.

The Canberra carer has revealed how she was told to tie the disabled woman with ropes attached to a ceiling for up to 30 minutes at a time, causing the woman to scream and cry.

Her revelation, inspired by an ABC Four Corners report about abuse at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre in the Northern Territory, comes as disability advocates call for the restraint of the disabled to be outlawed.

A former disabled person carer from Canberra (pictured) has revealed how her job 'turned her into a monster'

The former caregiver told the Canberra Times: 'I am not a monster, but that role turned me into one'.

'I was asked to tie it particularly tightly, while she screamed and cried and exhibited signs of distress. I was then asked to leave her there for around 30 minutes while I cleaned the house. After 30 minutes, I would assist her to shower, and she would cower in the corner crying and screaming. If I assisted her to wash she would, understandably, lash out.'

She said if she didn't tie the disabled woman up, she would be smeared with faeces, scratched and knocked down.

Neither she, nor the disabled woman's mother - who told the carer to tie her daughter up - had adequate support, she said.

Advocacy for Inclusion chief executive officer Christina Ryan

The ex-carer said she approached the company she worked for to ask for help.

It responded: 'Under no circumstance are we at assist in the tieing [sic] up of [XXXX], if she dose [sic] smear her feacies [sic]then we as support workers clean it up,' the Canberra Times reported.

Although the company said it would ask the mother to stop telling the carer to tie her daughter up, they kept sending her to the home.

Advocacy for Inclusion chief executive officer Christina Ryan said restraining the disabled was abusive, violent and unacceptable.

She said it should be made illegal.

Ngila Bevan, People with Disability Australia human rights adviser, agreed restraining should be outlawed.

Despite carers and families struggling to provide support to those with disabilities, restraining them was inhumane.

Both Ms Bevan and Ms Ryan made a plea for more support for those caring for people with disabilities.
HELENA  Friends of a stunt motorcyclist who apparently drowned in Canyon Ferry Reservoir have launched a fundraiser to help finance a private search crew.

Blake Becker, 19, is believed to have sunk while trying to ride a modified dirt bike across the surface of the water July 23.

Officials searched for three days before suspending efforts on July 26. They resumed searching Aug. 2, but a promising hit on the sonar turned out to be a false positive.

On Friday Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said officials will analyze data gathered thus far and meet with the family this week.

We have to look at definitive areas we havent looked at, he said. Because it is a deep lake and minimal visibility, this type of search exceeds the capabilities of what we have.

A friend of Becker, Jentry Painter, launched a Gofundme page recently to raise money for an Idaho firm that specializes in difficult water recoveries.

The page details the friendship between Painter and Becker, describing the latter as a great friend with a craving for adventure.

He was a stand up take his shirt of his back for anyone kind of person, Painter writes. His passion for motorcycles and crazy stunts blew me away. Once he had an idea there was no stopping him."

When reached on Friday, Painter said that any money raised will help pay for the search with remaining funds helping pay for the funeral.

Dutton had not heard about the fundraiser, but noted that the county was looking at bringing in what he believed was the same Idaho company. While private searching is allowed any recovery would need to be done by authorities, he said.
ISIS fighters in Afghanistan have released photos they claim prove they have captured weapons and equipment that belonged to U.S. soldiers.

The photos, which were published on social media on Saturday, show an American portable rocket launcher, radio, grenades and other gear not commonly used by Afghan troops, as well as close-up views of identification cards for U.S. army soldier Ryan Larson.

The U.S. military command in Kabul denied any suggestion the soldier had been captured, saying he 'has been accounted for and remains in a duty status within his unit'.

ISIS fighters in Afghanistan have released photos they claim show they have captured weapons and equipment that belonged to U.S. soldiers

The photos, which were published on social media on Saturday, show identification cards for a U.S. army soldier, specialist Ryan Larson (pictured)

American special operations troops have been fighting alongside Afghan forces in a renewed offensive against militants who claim allegiance to ISIS in Nangarhar province, which borders Pakistan.

'SPC Larson was attached to a unit conducting a partnered [operation] with Afghan Forces,' Commander Ron Flesvig, a U.S. military spokesman, said on Sunday.

'The soldier's ID and some of the equipment were left behind after the [operation]. The loss of personal identification is unfortunate.'

In July, U.S. commanders said at least five special forces were injured in fighting in the province.

The U.S. military command in Kabul says the equipment was likely left behind during previous operations in the area

'The soldier's ID and some of the equipment were left behind after the [operation]. The loss of personal identification is unfortunate,' U.S. military spokesman Commander Ron Flesvig said

The website that published the photos speculated that the equipment and weapons were left behind during that engagement, but Flesvig said American officials were still trying to determine exactly when and how it was lost.

The push in Nangarhar came after Barack Obama cleared American troops to take a more active role in fighting militants in Afghanistan.
A mother and her four-year-old daughter have been shot dead while walking home from a grocery store in California.

Carina Mancera, 26, and four-year-old daughter Jennabel Anaya were killed at around 10pm on Saturday in the city of Long Beach, police said.

Officers called to the scene over reports of gunfire found Mancera suffering from multiple bullet wounds, and her daughter with a single gunshot injury.

Carina Mancera, 26, and daughter Jennabel Anaya, four, were shot dead on Saturday night as they came home from the grocery store near their home in Long Beach, California

Mancera died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds, while her daughter died in hospital from a single bullet injury. Husband and father Luis Anaya (left and right) was not injured

The mother was pronounced dead at the scene while the daughter was transported to hospital in critical condition and later died from her injuries, KTLA reports.

Father Luis Anaya was with his wife and daughters at the time of the killings, but was not hurt in the attack.

He told the LA Times that a masked man had walked up to the family as they crossed the street, pulled out a weapon, and opened fire.

Anaya said he has no idea who would want to hurt his wife and daughter, while police have not revealed a motive or suspects

He said: 'I couldn't make his face. When I tried to look at him he shot at me.'

Anaya said he has no idea why anyone would want to hurt his family, and police have not released a motive for the killing or discussed suspects.

Officers initially described the shooting as a drive-by, but later retracted that information, saying the investigation is still 'very much ongoing'.

Witness accounts seemed to contradict Anaya's statement that he was with his family at the time of the attack, with neighbors saying he came running toward the pair from his apartment after the gunshots rang out.

Meanwhile family members told ABC7 that the family had just pulled up outside their apartment in a car before the shots rang out.

Mancera and her daughter had gone ahead with the lighter shopping, according to the site, while Anaya had hung back to collect the heavier groceries.

Anaya claims his wife and daughter were walking into their apartment while he retrieved groceries from his car when a masked man walked up and shot them dead

Police have yet to verify Anaya's account, have not discussed a motive or named suspects, and say their investigation is ongoing

It was then that the masked gunman ran up to Mancera and her four-year-old and opened fire, the family members said.

One witness said he saw the suspected shooter in a white four-door Honda Civic jump out of the back seat of the car and approach the family.

After shots were fired, the witness said the suspect jumped back in the car and fled.

Others described the neighborhood as quiet, and said hearing gunshots ring out was a rare occurrence.

Tearful relatives gathered at the site where Mancera and her daughter were gunned down on Sunday, with her mother crying 'por que?', KNBC reports.

Police say they are reviewing security footage from nearby cameras and the investigation is ongoing.
The row over Labour anti-Semitism intensified last night as it emerged that friends of Jeremy Corbyn and Shadow Cabinet members have compared Israel to Islamic State terrorists.

Communities spokesman Grahame Morris wants British Jews who serve in the Israeli defence force to be treated as suspected terrorists.

And justice spokesman Richard Burgon has urged MPs and party members to quit the Labour Friends of Israel group, declaring: Zionism is the enemy of peace.

Friends of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, pictured, have compared Israel to ISIS terrorists

The revelations follow the row over a peerage for Shami Chakrabarti, who produced a report concluding that the party is not overrun by anti-Semitism.

Mr Corbyn was himself accused of comparing Israel to ISIS when launching the inquiry into anti-Semitism, overshadowing the event and its contents.

Easington MP Mr Morris  chairman of Labour Friends of Palestine  was condemned for posting a picture of Israeli flags online with the words: Nazis in my village, do you see the flag they fly. He later apologised.

He also drew controversy in 2014 for urging David Cameron to treat British Jews returning from military service with the Israeli defence force as IS-style terrorists.

Academic Sami Ramadani  described by Mr Corbyn as a fascinating, great friend  posted a link online to a video purporting to show an Israeli soldier shooting a Palestinian, saying: ISIS are not the only brutal terrorists rampaging & killing people in the Middle East.

He has also said criticism of anti-Semitism within Labour is led by backers of Israel to undermine Jeremy Corbyns support for Palestine, branding Labour MPs Zionist mouthpieces.

Richard Burgon, MP for Leeds East and Shadow Justice Minister is said to have declared Zionism the 'enemy of peace'

Sir Eric Pickles, former Tory communities secretary, said: The Labour Party clearly has a problem with anti-Semitism and it is extremely hard to see how anyone could conclude differently.

It also emerged yesterday that Mr Corbyn had been offered 10,000 from a Palestinian group which praised terror group Hamas.

Friends of Al-Aqsa gave the cheque to the Labour leader in August 2015.

But the donation was never registered with the Electoral Commission, despite being over the 7,500 threshold.

Mr Corbyns campaign told The Observer that the donation had not been declared as its bank rejected the cheque because it was made out to the wrong person.

Mr Corbyns office did not respond to a call for comment about claims involving his Shadow Cabinet or Mr Ramadani.

Jonathan Sacerdoti, of the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, said: A web of evidence and connected actions is revealing a party engaging in anti-Jewish activity not by accident but by design.
A university and special effects studio are teaming up to offer a degree that will create 'skills that don't even exist yet'.

The University of Technology Sydney and the Animal Logic studio will offer a brand new degree in animation and visualisation in 2017.

The collaboration is a pre-emptive move to create skilled workers in the fields of augmented and virtual reality, and even for jobs not yet created.

A new animation degree is hoped to create a hub of skilled Australian workers in the digital creative industry

The University of Technology Sydney (pictured) and the Animal Logic studio will offer a brand new degree in animation and visualisation in 2017

'UTS is trying more and more to link with industry, to create skills that don't even exist yet,' UTS vice-chancellor Attila Brungs told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Sydney studio Animal Logic has been creating digital content for 25 years, working on blockbusters such as Happy Feet, The Lego Movie and The Matrix.

Animal Logic says the degree marks and new era in technological development, of which they want to be at the forefront of.

'This course - while it is driven by Animal Logic and UTS - is for the whole new visualisation industry that's emerging within Australia,' Animal Logic's Zoe Diamond told the Sydney Morning Herald. '

'We're at this pivotal point of technological development where it's big sky opportunity - we don't know what's in the future.

Vice-chancellor Brungs says they have three to five years to create a hub of skilled Australian workers otherwise the digital creative industries in the country will 'miss out'.

Successful students will be expected to work five days a week on a range of products

Animal Logic's Zoe Diamond (left) and UTS vice-chancellor Attila Brungs (right) say the course is for the whole new visualisation industry emerging in Australia

Vice-chancellor Attila Brungs says UTS is trying more and more to link with industry, to create skills that don't even exist yet

Sydney studio Animal Logic has been creating digital content for 25 years, working on blockbusters such as Happy Feet (pictured), The Lego Movie and The Matrix

The UTS Animal Logic Academy will teach 50 students skills to create animation similar to The Lego Movie

The UTS Animal Logic Academy will offer 50 students with academic or industry experience an intensive year-long master's degree

The UTS Animal Logic Academy will offer 50 students with academic or industry experience an intensive year-long master's degree.

The curriculum is designed by the successful animation studio and taught by UTS lecturers.
Essex Police chief Stephen Kavanagh claimed 32,000 in 'allowances' above his salary last year to cover phone bills, medical insurance and food

A failing chief constable claims tens of thousands of pounds in allowances for his designer home, daily food bills and private car.

Essex chief constable Stephen Kavanagh is one of the highest paid UK police bosses with a pay package of more than 200,000.

Yet the officer  whose force has been rated inadequate at protecting the vulnerable  claimed 32,000 in allowances on top of his salary last year.

Part of this was 17,600 for a chief officer allowance. The only reference to this payment was buried in a footnote in the forces accounts.

When asked about it, a force spokesman clarified that the chief officer allowance was for Mr Kavanaghs home internet and phone bills, private medical insurance, and contributions to his lunches, coffees and snacks.

This money is provided without him needing to provide receipts or proof of expenditure.

Incredibly, this perk  also handed to members of his senior team  has not stopped Mr Kavanagh making extra subsistence claims on his taxpayer-funded expenses.

These include dinner bills of up to 93 a time, and Tube tickets worth 4.50.

His expenses also include a 6,900 taxpayer-funded housing allowance towards his sprawling five-bedroom home in Essex, which is worth nearly 1million and has a kitchen crafted by top designer Nicholas Anthony.

The chief constables total pay package last year, including the rise and allowances, was 237,000  nearly 100,000 more than the Prime Ministers salary.

Mr Kavanagh is just one of several police chiefs supplementing their salaries with allowances for routine expenditure.

Many other forces had also buried these payments in their accounts, with little or no explanation.

Alan Pughsley, Kent chief constable, was given a 6,801 housing allowance in 2014/15.

This went towards his 1million home in Chislehurst, an affluent area of south-east London.

He also got a 4,508 compensatory grant for the additional tax he had to pay as a result of benefiting from the housing allowance.

Durham Police chief Mike Barton took 5,904 in rent allowances last year, which includes the same compensatory grant.

Humberside Polices failing chief Justine Curran also took a rent allowance towards her turreted Victorian house in East Riding of Yorkshire  despite having already received a 50,000 relocation bonus when she moved there in 2013.

Last night Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance, said: Housing allowances and free broadband are a scandalous way to spend taxpayers money when budgets are so tight.

This sort of largesse isnt found in the private sector and so there seems little justification for these additional perks at taxpayers expense.

'They should be cut back to reflect the current need to make urgent savings.

An Essex Police spokesman said the force costs less per head of local population than any other force in the country despite dealing with more crime, adding: The force complies fully with all obligations on financial transparency and publishes detail online for public scrutiny.

The force has also stated that Mr Kavanagh is entitled to a housing allowance as he joined the police force before 1994.
Homeowners could be paid thousands of pounds to buy off opposition to major housing developments.

The move by ministers came as a row erupted over similar plans to hand cash payments of up to 20,000 to families in areas affected by fracking.

Campaigners said the payments, which are to be unveiled by the Treasury today, were little more than bribes to ensure support for the drilling of shale gas.

Campaigner Bianca Jagger (third left) joins an anti-fracking protest in Whitehall

Last night it emerged that the awards could also be distributed to persuade homeowners to accept the construction of housing estates or office developments.

The radical idea, which is being considered in Downing Street, will be seen as an attempt to end years of deadlock over the building of much-needed homes on the edges of towns.

A No 10 source said the plan was part of Theresa Mays pledge to help ensure you and your family personally benefit from changes in your area.

Barry Gardiner, Labours energy spokesman, denounced the payments for fracking schemes, saying: An incentive to do the wrong thing is properly called a bribe and Theresa May is using this bribe to set neighbour against neighbour.

It is not right for communities and it is not right for the country. We need a clean, secure, low-carbon future in the UK not a dirty fossil fuel one.

Shale oil and gas reserves have been detected under huge swathes of England, although not all are likely to be accessible.

Downing Street said over the next few months it would consult on its plans to offer cash compensation for fracking sites near homes.

If the plan goes ahead and proves popular with the public, the Prime Minister would then consider direct payments for housing estates under the Community Infrastructure Levy on property development.

The most high profile anti-fracking protest was at Balcombe in Sussex (pictured)

These levies are currently paid to councils or community trusts to fund improvements such as safer road schemes, redesigns of parks or health centres.

But Mrs May is considering forcing developers to give the money directly to affected neighbours.

Downing Street would not say how much the payouts could be worth, but it is thought that households affected by fracking could receive between 5,000 and 20,000. At the weekend, the Prime Minister said: This announcement is an example of putting those principles into action.

Its about making sure people personally benefit from economic decisions that are taken  not just councils  and putting them back in control over their lives. Well be looking at applying this approach to other government programmes in the future too, as we press on with the work of building a country that works for everyone.

No 10 would not say whether payments could be considered for wind farms or large infrastructure projects such as HS2.

Green Party MEP Molly Scott Cato said the proposed payments to households affected by fracking amounted to little more than bribes.

This is bound to set household against household and can only exacerbate community tensions, she added.

The plans originate with the 1billion shale wealth fund unveiled by former chancellor George Osborne last November.

Mrs May is amending the scheme so the money can go direct to residents rather than being given to councils or community trusts to spend, as Mr Osborne had planned.

Rt. Rev. Graham Cray, 68, and Rev. Jackie Cray (pictured) and many other residents of Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire, have said no sum of money would allay their fears over the health risks

In Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire, where fracking was approved in May, residents insisted no sum of money could allay their fears over health risks and traffic.

Trevor Collier, 81, a retired farm hand, told the Mail: This is nothing more than blackmail. Its not worth risking whats a rural holiday spot, no matter how much money they are giving us.

Potential fracking sites include the Peak District, Exmoor and the South Downs.

Almost 200 licences for extraction have been granted. An analysis said last year there could be as many as 100billion barrels of oil beneath the Weald Basin, across Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Kent.
Cronies and allies of David Cameron will receive almost 1million in golden goodbyes on top of their honours

Cronies and allies of David Cameron will receive almost 1million in golden goodbyes on top of their honours.

The ex-PM showered Downing Street staff and former ministers with peerages, knighthoods and other awards in his much-criticised resignation list.

Now it has emerged that many of them are also in line for generous severance payments.

Three ministers, including George Osborne, and 21 aides who lost their jobs after Mr Cameron stepped down will be handed more than 900,000, an analysis found.

The total was pushed higher as the former prime minister overhauled Whitehall rules to give aides six months pay rather than the usual four-and-a-half.

Recipients include Craig Oliver, former No 10 director of communications, who has received a knighthood, and Ed Llewellyn, the chief of staff made a peer by Mr Cameron. They will each receive 70,000.

Those who have been elevated to the Lords  including Mr Llewellyn and former aides Gabby Bertin and Liz Sugg  will be able to claim thousands in attendance allowance for the rest of their lives, on top of the severance payments.

In addition, Cabinet ministers such as the former chancellor  made a Companion of Honour  are in line for 17,000 pay-off. However, they can choose to refuse the cash.

The ex-PM showered Downing Street staff and former ministers with peerages, knighthoods and other awards in his much-criticised resignation list

News of the largesse came as aides of Theresa May revealed she would refuse to issue a lengthy resignation honours list, and instead hand out just six or seven awards.

Sources said the Prime Minister believed her predecessors list of 59 was excessive and an unfortunate lapse of judgment.

A Downing Street source said: Theresa supports the tradition of departing PMs being able to reward a small number of longstanding, dedicated and loyal public servants. But doling out gongs like confetti is not her style. Six or seven seems more appropriate than 59.

Lord Bew, the chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said such lists were increasingly questionable.

Putting the ludicrously long list down to Mr Camerons warm nature, he said: As an objective thing in our public life  separating out my human sympathies that are involved here  I do think it is increasingly questionable.

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said Mr Camerons reputation would suffer from lavishing honours and inflated pay on his team.

Three ministers, including George Osborne, and 21 aides who lost their jobs after Mr Cameron stepped down will be handed more than 900,000, an analysis found

Theresa May should act now to prevent the honours and appointments system becoming discredited, he told the Sunday Times.

One MP said: One reason Theresa wouldnt give as many baubles to friends as Dave is that she doesnt have as many friends. She is very self-contained and spends most weekends at home with [her husband] Philip, not at a weekend house party in the Cotswolds.

She has a small team of advisers who have been with her for years, but you can count them on the fingers of one hand.

Mr Cameron could face a grilling about his resignation honours list from the Public Administration Committee, with Labour member Paul Flynn saying it should consider calling the ex-PM to give evidence.
Princess Beatrice has split from her affable American boyfriend Dave Clark

No doubt this wasnt how shed planned to celebrate her 28th birthday today. After ten years, countless parties, several superyachts and one move across the Atlantic, Princess Beatrice has split from her affable American boyfriend, Dave Clark, the beau who long seemed set to be her husband.

It has emerged that the pair agreed to break up last month, despite going on holiday together on a yacht in Monaco as recently as the end of June.

The news comes as a shock to many of their friends and family, who were quietly awaiting an engagement announcement. There had been talk in recent weeks of Beatrice issuing Dave with an ultimatum  theyve been dating for ten years, just as long as the Duchess of Cambridge was seeing Prince William before they married  but sources close to the Yorks yesterday stressed that is not the case and that the split had been brewing for some while.

This was a conversation about where they were heading after ten years and they both agreed to go their separate ways for a while to try to work out what they want, said one source close to the family.

I think it might be a William and Kate-type split [the couple split briefly in 2007]  I wouldnt be surprised if they got back together. They are both open to that. As we all know, there are several types of split, and this is of the most amicable kind, with no one else involved. Its just they felt it was decision time.

Her family are very supportive of both of them, very fond of him and very open-minded about them getting back together. She is staying in the U.S. and not coming back here. They are both terribly upset at the moment.

Without revealing who exactly prompted the break-up, the friend said: They are two people who met quite young and have dated for a long time, and want to think hard about what they would like to happen.

Another friend of the family worded it thus: Any prospect of an engagement had long passed its sell-by date, though a split can shift that feeling. So she is a footloose singleton once more  not a status she is relishing, despite the shedloads of party invitations.

It has emerged that the pair agreed to break up last month, despite going on holiday together on a yacht in Monaco as recently as the end of June (pictured)

Beatrice was introduced to Dave when she was 18 by her cousin, Prince William, at a party in 2006, hosted by Sean Brosnan, son of movie star Pierce.

William and Dave had become friends while studying at universities in Scotland  William at St Andrews and Dave at Edinburgh.

Six years her senior, Dave is the son of multi-millionaire American lawyer Michael Clark, former chief legal counsel at Cadbury Schweppes, and his wife Carol. Dave has dual U.S. and British nationality and has spent much time in England.

His family moved to London when he was five and set up home in a 5 million pile in Hampstead.

After school, he returned to the States to attend preppy Bowdoin College in Maine, and spent a year at Edinburgh as part of his course.

A year or so later, he had his first proper job  in London, working for Virgin Galactic, Richard Bransons ill-fated attempt to open up space travel to the super-rich.

Beatrice was introduced to Dave when she was 18 by her cousin, Prince William

Dave was head of Astronaut Relations there for more than nine years and, in 2015, left to work for Uber, the controversial smartphone taxi network, where he is senior adviser to the CEO and head of external affairs.

Throughout Beatrices time at Goldsmiths, University of London, they had been all but inseparable.

He was always at her side at Wimbledon, at Ascot, at parties, at film premieres, on holidays all over the world and with her parents at the ski chalet in Verbier.

His role at Uber saw Beatrice leave London last year and move to New York to be with him. Some who knew the Yorks have speculated Beatrices parents, notorious freebie hunters Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, would have preferred her to marry into a bit more money than Dave.

But others say this is patently not the case: Of course, Beatrice is a Princess  Dave would feel the need to be successful to marry her. But Dave is from a very well-off background, anyway.

Jack Brooksbank, Eugenies boyfriend, isnt a high earner and is still establishing himself. Her parents dont mind at all.

Indeed, Fergie is said to be very upset by the split and had come to view Dave as a son.

Yet their path hasnt always been smooth.

In spite of having made the initial introduction, William had cooled his friendship with Dave, seeing him as indiscreet, to the extent that he didnt ask him to his wedding in 2011  a decision that hurt Beatrice very much.

Still, his exuberant personality, in contrast to the privacy-obsessed Royals, was something Fergie in particular relished. She adored him, says one source. However, Dave and Beatrices lifestyle, enviable as it looked, brought its own problems, too.

In the past couple of years, Beatrice had taken the flak for having gone on 18 holidays in less than two years.

Some close to the Royals felt Dave couldnt resist a good invitation, and Bea, the less confident of the pair, couldnt say no to going with him. The problem with dating a royal, as Kate knows, is there is always the suspicion of social climbing among some of their circle.

So when it became obvious that Dave relished the high life, with Beatrice at his side, some eyebrows were raised.

Others say this was grossly unfair: Tech companies love their employees to be well-connected and at both Virgin  where he had to persuade celebrities to buy tickets into space for publicity reasons  and Uber, as external relations, Clark needs to network.

But that has had its own repercussions. It emerged last week that Beatrice had left her full-time job at Sandbridge Capital, an elite New York finance house, in order to set up some kind of consultancy backed by them.

It was her fourth job in five years, leading to accusations of her being workshy.

Princess Beatrice and boyfriend David Clark watch from the Royal Box at Wimbledon

The first suspicions that all wasnt well with Beas job came earlier this year when, rather than toiling away in Sandbridges offices on the 23rd floor of the Trump Tower on New Yorks 5th Avenue, the Princess spent six weeks in the UK.

She was nominally here to attend her grandmothers birthday celebrations, but crammed in plenty of other fun, too.

In May, she attended the wedding of Lord Lovat to Petra Palumbo, her godfathers daughter, as well as the Chelsea Flower Show, a Mayfair fancy dress party and a concert at Windsor for her grandmother. But friends insist that the portrayal of her as someone who prefers deck life to desk life has been unfair.

Like any girl her age, shes still working things out, said one. Its just that she has to do it in public. The idea that shes lazy is simply not true. She wants to work in finance and luxury brands.

Indeed, her academic career was notable for diligence. Head girl of her school, St Georges Ascot, she battled dyslexia, yet passed her A-levels with an A and two Bs before going on to get a 2:1 degree in history and the history of ideas from Goldsmiths.

After all, she does plenty of charity work  with the English National Ballet, Forget Me Not Childrens Hospice, the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre, the Teenage Cancer Trust and others. She is a good-natured, kind person.
A 17-year-old Miss World Australia finalist is fighting for her life after a horrific head-on collision.

Elyse Miller-Kennedy, from far north Queensland, was taking part in the national pageant just last week, but is now in a critical condition at Townsville Hospital.

She was involved in a horror smash near Dimbulah, north of Cairns, and was flown to hospital with severe head injuries.

Elyse Miller-Kennedy (pictured), from far north Queensland, was taking part in Miss World Australia just last week, but is now in a critical condition at Townsville Hospital after a horror crash

The 17-year-old was involved in a collision near Dimbulah, north of Cairns, and was flown to hospital with severe head injuries.

The other car involved in the crash was occupied by a man and a woman from France, who were also hospitalised

The Year 12 student had only got her driver's licence five weeks before the crash, but police said the collision was not her fault, according to The Cairns Post.

'The investigations clearly show Elyse was a completely innocent party in this tragedy,' Forensic Crash investigator Scott Ezard said, according to the publication.

'The family wish for people to understand how beautiful she was and is, and have asked for people to show their respect in dealing with this tragedy as they try and nurse her back to health.'

The 17-year-old had only got her driver's licence five weeks before the crash, but police said the collision was not her fault

Ms Miller-Kennedy's modelling agency has launched a fundraising campaign to support her family

BLAK Modelling Management asked the public to do 'whatever it takes to relieve this family of the worry of financial burden'

The other car involved in the crash was occupied by a man and a woman from France, who were also hospitalised, News Corp reported.

Ms Miller-Kennedy's modelling agency, BLAK Model Management, has launched a fundraising campaign to support her family.

'Dear friends of BLAK please help model Elyse Millers family get through very difficult times with love and support from our community by making a donation,' the agency posted on Facebook.

The post asked the public to do 'whatever it takes to relieve this family of the worry of financial burden and be able to focus on their little girl at this tremendously difficult time'.

'The investigations clearly show Elyse was a completely innocent party in this tragedy,' Forensic Crash investigator Scott Ezard said
One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has praised Pauline Hanson, saying she is 'highly intelligent' and will hold the party's four elected senators together.

Mr Roberts, an engineer and former coalmine manager, made the comments to Barrie Cassidy on the ABC's Insiders program on Sunday morning.

The One Nation party was elected to four seats in the Senate in the recent federal election, one in Western Australia, one in New South Wales and two in Queensland.

Scroll down for video

On Sunday night's ABC Insiders program One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts (right) said Ms Hanson (left) was the best person he had ever worked for and he was confident in her ability to keep the party together

Mr Roberts was full of praise for Ms Hanson, saying he was confident in her decisions and ability to lead the party.

'Looking at the woman's 20-year history of outstanding honesty, and integrity and courage and persistence, and having grilled her for about 12 hours one day, she is the best person I have ever worked for,' he said.

'Pauline is now going to manage the growth of the party and she is a very, very competent and highly intelligent person.'

In the Queensland Parliament in the late 1990s, five One Nation MPs split from the party after internal disputes over funding.

When Barrie Cassidy questioned Mr Roberts on why the party fell apart, Mr Roberts said there were two reasons behind it.

'First of all it grew spectacularly, I don't think there's ever been anything like it in Australian politics.

'She had 11 members in parliament in Queensland within months.

'And the second thing was Pauline was just no one, and when she explained that to me - it was just phenomenal growth.'

Senator Roberts, who appeared on the program with Liberal Democratic Party senator David Leyonhjelm, also reiterated his stance on climate change, challenging people to produce 'empirical evidence' that human production of carbon dioxide is affecting the climate.

Mr Roberts (pictured) praised party leader Pauline Hanson, saying she is 'highly intelligent' and will hold the four elected senators together

He said Ms Hanson had 'a 20-year history of outstanding honesty, and integrity and courage and persistence'

'If anyone in the ABC can provide me with the empirical evidence, the measured data that shows that human production of carbon dioxide is affecting our climate and needs to be something done about it, give me a call,' he said.

One Nation's extreme climate change policy agenda includes a push for a royal commission into the science behind climate change and the Renewable Energy Target abolished.

Mr Roberts said the growth of Pauline Hanson and the One Nation party in the 1990s was 'phenomenal' and there had never been anything like it in Australian politics

The RET was designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector, encourage renewable energy through financial incentives and ensure at least 20 per cent of Australia's electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020.

Senator Leyonhjelm said his party was staying out of the scientific debate.
BOZEMAN  Two Bozeman men have filed a complaint with the Human Rights Bureau saying the state Division of Child and Family Services discriminated against them as they sought to adopt a foster child.

Luis and Joseph DeSerrano, who were married in 2014, said state employees subjected them to anti-gay comments, sabotaged their application and that one worker told them they'd be "at the bottom of my list" for foster placements.

The state Department of Public Health and Human Services says the boy  who was born with marijuana and methamphetamine in his system  was placed with a relative and that family placements take priority over a foster placement. The agency says it has and does place foster children with same-sex couples.

The DeSerranos argue the agency delayed processing their application and checking their references, covered up and back-dated documents and fast-tracked moving the baby out of their home.

"We signed up because we think we were doing something good, and we ran up against a brick wall," Joseph said.

The dispute comes at the same time the agency has an all-time high of more than 3,200 children in foster care.

Luis, 35, has a doctorate and is training to be a research scientist and Joseph, 39, is a software company consultant. They cared for the boy for three months, beginning in March, when he was about 5 weeks old.

One social worker was encouraging, they said, while another told them  in front of a foster care class  that "other social workers wouldn't want to work with us because we're a gay couple, and because we're two males."

That second social worker  Whitney Cole  also conducted their home study and had to sign off on all placements, they said.

Cole said she couldn't comment, but did say they misinterpreted her "bottom of the list" comment. DPHHS spokesman Chuck Council said the agency could not comment other than to say they did not discriminate against the couple and that the DeSerranos may have misinterpreted Cole's comments.

In late May, the agency notified the men they would be placing the boy with a distant relative, a single young woman, whose approval seemed to be fast-tracked, they said.

The staff's good work in finding kinship placements is the main reason they have been able to manage the increased need for foster families, Council wrote.

Once the boy was taken from the DeSerranos, they no longer had any legal standing to fight for custody.

"We'd love to have (him) back, but we know that's not going to happen," Joseph said, adding that they're challenging the state because "we don't want this to happen to anybody else."

Montana Human Rights Bureau attorney Tim Little said the bureau is required to investigate discrimination complaints within 180 days.

A court-appointed special advocate, or CASA volunteer, George Kelly, visited the DeSerranos twice while they had the boy and thought they were great parents.

The Rev. Canon Clark Sherman of St. James Episcopal Church wrote that the DeSerranos provided a loving family and said their loss of the boy was "a moral tragedy."

The DeSerranos said they still want to have a family, but will likely work with an adoption agency rather than the state foster care system.
The five-day strike is likely to cause 'chaos' for the 300,000 commuters who make the daily journey into London

Passengers using the beleaguered Southern Rail service face further rail misery as two more unions threaten to join industrial action that has blighted services for months.

Up to 300,000 endured rail chaos in London today as the latest strike forced the franchise to run just 60 per cent of services. More than 10 per cent of those did not run, while others ran late.

But the misery, which has already gone on for months, looks set to worsen as the TSSA and drivers' union Aslef ballot to join the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) in industrial action.

It could deepen the crisis, which is already so severe that it has affected house prices in the south east, where commuters to London face hours of disruption on a daily basis.

Talks aimed at averting the strike involving guards on the the services broke down before the weekend and the current strike continues until August 12.

Prime Minister Theresa May today condemned the union for pressing ahead with the action but the RMT union has accused ministers of 'sabotaging' talks.

Passengers have been caught in the middle of a bitter dispute between the train operator and union bosses at the RMT over the role of guards.

Southern want to change the role of the conductor into an 'on board' supervisor position but union bosses say jobs and passenger safety will be put at risk.

Thousands of passengers took to Twitter to attack the 'shameful' unions as they faced disruptions today and accused them of lying about their motives.

Panio Grebosz said: 'This is not about safety of passengers but safety of your jobs. You lot are a joke! #southernstrike.'

Passengers disembark on a crowded Southern train at London Victoria as only 60 per cent of services run today due to strike action from the RMT

Thousands of passengers attacked the 'shameful' unions as they faced disruptions today and accused them of lying about their motives

Gully, posting on Twitter, said: 'RMTunion you don't have my support and I doubt you have the support of the other thousands stranded this evening.'

A passenger posting as Derek said: 'Shameful that 1,000's of people are inconvenienced & lose business in a row about who presses a button to close train doors.'

Q&A Crammed in like sardines: Commuters on a Southern Rail train last night What is the strike about? Southern wants drivers, using CCTV, to be responsible for closing train doors, not conductors. This will free up conductors to help more passengers, improving customer service. If services are affected by disruption, a train could leave with no conductor, which it cannot at present. This would reduce the number of cancellations. Will any jobs be lost? Southern says no staff will go, conductors pay will not be reduced and drivers will use the same safe and tested method that is already in use across 40 per cent of the network. So why is the RMT opposed? The union believes jobs, conditions and public safety would be threatened if the role of conductors changes, especially with the continuing growth in passenger numbers. It fears giving responsibility to drivers will downgrade the role of conductors and could lead to job cuts in the future. How did the strike come about? Although Southern employs around 4,000 staff, the strike is the result of a ballot in April of just 393 conductors who belong to the RMT. The ballot  for both strike action and action short of a strike  was over the wholesale introduction of driver-only operation. Of those taking part, 321 returned ballot papers, with 306 members voting to strike, 14 voting against a strike and one spoilt ballot paper. Advertisement

After three days of talks at conciliation service ACAS last week, the union and Southern failed to come to an agreement.

The train company and RMT both outlined their proposals but rejected the offers on the table.

The five-day strike will cause 'chaos' for up to 300,000 commuters a day who make the daily journey into London.

Southern want to change the role of the conductor into an 'on board' supervisor position but unions (pictured picketing at Victoria today) say jobs and passenger safety will be put at risk

But while the unions (pictured outside Victoria today) claim the strike is about passenger safety, passengers claim that their own jobs are the source of their concern

Some parts of Surrey and Sussex will have no trains at all because of the industrial action.

On Wednesday the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) rail union will ballot over 250 station staff members on strike action at Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which operates the franchise.

Aslef, the drivers' union, will ballot members by the end of August over the imposition of new emergency rosters - as a result of the RMT strikes - that they claim have created 'ongoing issues'.

The move has heaped further pressure on the Government, which is resisting calls to renationalise the line.

Frustrated commuters have taken to Twitter in their droves to complain about the strike

Mrs May 'strongly condemns' the strike action by the RMT, Downing Street said.

The Prime Minister's official spokeswoman added: 'It's only going to cause more disruption and misery for passengers.

'We are deeply disappointed that union bosses are overlooking the impact that they are having on the public.'

Sian Phipps, 40, a designer, said: 'The row over train guards has spiralled out of all proportion, now we have the ticket workers taking a strike ballot. It is an absolute farce.

Have you been caught in the chaos? Email keiligh.baker@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement

'Overcrowding, cancellations and delayed trains are the norm on this line. If the government doesn't step in then this already dangerous situation is going to cost someone their lives.

'It is carnage at some stations in the morning. The train operator is going to have blood on its hands.'

Accountant Edward Reid, 34, who travels into London daily from Brighton, said: 'It is a disgrace because many commuters have paid 4,000 or more for an annual travel card - that money is spent we cannot demand it back.

HOUSE PRICES HIT BY ONGOING SOUTHERN RAIL 'NIGHTMARE' House prices in areas affected by Southern Rail disruptions are beginning to take a hit from continuous disruptions forcing commuters to move closer to London to escape the 'nightmare', experts say. Estate agents have flagged that regular industrial action on the line, coupled with a generally poor service, has led to a 'hiatus' in the housing market along affected Southern routes. Adrian Gill, executive director at Your Move and Reeds Rains, said: 'If there's a hiatus in activity, that means there's less competition for houses, so you're likely to achieve a lower price for your property than you otherwise might. Estate agents have flagged that regular industrial action on the line, coupled with a generally poor service, has led to a 'hiatus' in the housing market on Southern routes 'This is especially the case if you're trying to sell quickly.' The latest chapter in the long-running dispute has seen Southern workers commence a five-day strike, causing travel misery for hundreds of thousands of passengers. Some parts of Surrey and Sussex will have no trains at all because of the industrial action. But even without the strikes, commuters have faced consistent delays along two main routes from London Victoria and London Bridge towards Brighton. Jonathan Hudson, director of Hudsons Property, said that the travel misery is even causing some to desert the commuter belt. He said: 'There has been a spike in people looking to buy a pied-a-terre in central London because of the disruption. People living on the Southern line are looking to rent or buy, depending on their circumstances, because it's just a nightmare at the moment.' Mr Hudson added that there is 'no doubt that good transport links into London are good for house prices, and it works the other way too'. Advertisement

Talks aimed at averting the strike involving guards on the the beleaguered Southern Rail services broke down before the weekend

'The government needs to knock heads together because passengers are being used as pawns in an row that is unlikely to be resolved.'

The TSSA is in dispute with GTR over amended plans that could see 34 offices close altogether and 49 only open during peak hours, with 47 jobs being cut.

TSSA leader Manuel Cortes said the two-week ballot would start on Wednesday, August 10, and any action in September would be co-ordinated with 'our sister rail unions to maximise the impact'.

WHO IS RMT GENERAL SECRETARY MICK CASH? He became a rail worker for British Rail in 1978, looking after signals at the southern end of the West Coast Main Line. He was elected to RMT in September 2014, following the death of Bob Crow, beating four other candidates. He was previously an assistant general secretary of the union. He declared that he will continue Crow's policies of fighting for his members' interests. He was a member of the Labour Party's National Executive Committee (NEC) until the RMT's expulsion from the party in 2004 and remains a Labour Party member. Advertisement

He said plans to move staff out of ticket offices to act as 'station hosts' had not been thought through.

As well as handling large amounts of cash, they would also be in charge of operating gate lines. The TSSA says this would create 'a recipe for confusion'.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: 'The strike action this morning is rock solid across the Southern Rail network as we fight to put rail safety before the profits of the failed Govia Thameslink operation.

'This action has been forced on us by the arrogance and inaction of Govia Thameslink and the Government, who have made it clear that they have no interest in resolving this dispute or in tackling the daily chaos on Southern.

'We offered to suspend the action on Friday if they matched the offer we secured on ScotRail. They kicked that back in our faces.

'Our fight is with the company and the Government who have dragged this franchise into total meltdown.

'We share the anger and frustration of passengers and we cannot sit back while jobs and safety are compromised on these dangerously overcrowded trains.'

An emergency timetable has been put in place, with Southern saying it will run 60% of services.

Trains have been disrupted for weeks because of industrial action and a shortage of staff, which the company has blamed on high levels of sickness.

The union has accused the Government of 'sabotaging' the Acas talks.

Have you been caught in the chaos? Email keiligh.baker@mailonline.co.uk
A man who raped and tortured a backpacker for six weeks as he held her prisoner in a hotel room while he was high on ice has had six years added to his maximum jail term.

Alfio Anthony Granata, 48, will now spend at least 17 years in jail for inflicting a 'private hell' of brutal rape, death threats and abuse on a 21-year-old Dutch backpacker in a Melbourne hotel room after six years were added to his sentence following an appeal.

He was last year ordered to serve at least 13 years behind bars for the campaign of depraved abuse he perpetrated against his victim whom he used as a sex slave in a Preston hotel room in 2012.

Alfio Anthony Granata, 48 (pictured), will spend at least 17 years in jail for inflicting a 'private hell' of brutal rape, death threats and abuse on a 21-year-old Dutch backpacker

Last year Granata (pictured) was sentenced to a minimum of 13 years in prison but on Monday, that increased to a minimum of 17 years

For six weeks Granata used the woman as a sex slave in a room at Preston's Rydges Bell City (pictured) in Melbourne, where he held her prisoner

The Victorian Court of Appeal on Monday said the crimes Granata committed were 'extremely depraved' as it increased his minimum term to 17 years after the Director of Public Prosecutions appealed the sentence on the grounds it was manifestly inadequate.

It said Granata put the young woman through a 'private hell', The Herald Sun reported.

Among the horrific abuse in a room at Preston's Rydges Bell City, he violently raped her and beat her with a meat tenderiser, carved a cross into her forehead with a knife and told her she was marked for death.

'The victim was in constant pain,' Judge Frank Gucciardo said last year.

'She was degraded and humiliated.'

Granata had shown little remorse.

A court sketch of Granata, who will spend at least 17 years behind bars

In a victim impact statement last year, the young woman said she had become anxious and depressed and suffered post traumatic stress disorder.

She was frequently assailed by memories that left her barely able to function and the injuries inflicted on her remained painful.

Much of the abuse - including rape with household objects - was filmed, and Granata claimed he was possessed by the devil and that he had killed 248 people.

At one point, she was beaten so badly she couldn't see or eat.

On another, Granata, an ice addict since 2008, took the victim and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Peaston by the hair and smashed their heads together, causing the 21-year-old's nose to break.

She was rescued after she stabbed her abuser while he slept and then attempted to commit suicide.

Paramedics found her in a pool of blood.
A desperate search is underway for a young man who vanished after a camping party north-west of Sydney.

It is believed Tiemuzhen Chalaer, 24, wandered off from the campsite near Wheelbarrow Ridge Road in Lower Portland between 6.30am and 9am on Sunday.

But friends at the party did not notify police until after 8pm as they all assumed Mr Chalaer was 'with someone else,' until they returned home and realised he had not.

A desperate search is underway for a Tiemuzhen Chalaer, 24, (pictured) after he vanished from a camping party north-west of Sydney

Emergency services launched a search on Monday morning in the Hawkesbury area involving Police Rescue, PolAir, the Dog Unit and the State Emergency Service.

The campsite where the party was held adjoins rugged bushland.

Chief Inspector Garry Sims said Mr Chalaer's friends all assumed he was with someone else after the party.

'It was only when people returned to their homes in Sydney they realised he hadn't returned,' he told The ABC.

The campsite party was held off Wheelbarrow Ridge Road in Lower Portland (pictured) which adjoins rugged bushland

Mr Chalaer was last seen wearing a brown chequered button-up shirt, blue jeans, black Adidas sneakers, a red scarf and a black leather jacket.

He has a shaved head with pale skin, a small moustache and is about 170 cm tall with a medium build.

He reportedly suffers from a medical condition and did not have any supplies with him when he walked off.
Walmart has purchased Jet.com for approximately $3 billion, an e-commerce start-up, and will announce the acquisition formally on Monday.

The retail giant is purchased Jet.com in an effort to increase its struggling online presence and compete with Amazon.com

Once finalized, the purchase will be the largest US e-commerce acquisition in history, according tot he Business Insider.

The one-year-old company is valued at the $3 billion-figure, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The acquisition could help boost the superstore's online strategy as well as provide access to technology and supply-chain innovation.

Walmart will announce a $3 billion deal to acquire Jet.com, an e-commerce start-up, on Monday (stock image pictured)

'Walmart's e-commerce growth has been slow  they have had a year-over-year decline when the overall market is still growing.

'What Walmart has been doing for their e-commerce business is not resonating with consumers,'Michelle Malison, a retail analyst with Euromonitor International, told the Los Angeles Times.

Walmart has a 13 per cent market share in US store-base retailing, dominating the competition.

However, the store ranks in fourth in e-commerce with only three per cent of the market.

'Walmart is trying to short-circuit the learning curve' by purchasing Jet.com, Britt Beemer, founder of America's Research Group, told the LA Times

Walmart is struggling to maintain an online clientele and Jet.com might be a perfect pairing to help the retail giant compete with Amazon.com

'If these guys that come in can help Walmart double their Internet sales in one or two years, whatever the acquisition costs are, are minimal in comparison to what they'll make in profits,' Beemer said.

Jet.com in on track to have $1 billion in sales this year with 4 million shoppers using the platform.

It also saw a 28 per cent sales increase from September to February, making it an appealing acquisition to Walmart.

By purchasing Jet.com, Walmart could 'figure out how to reinvent the supply chain to deliver value to its customers, all while offering two-day delivery without an additional delivery fee,' Malison said.
This perfectly timed picture could fool you into thinking the photographer has captured a giraffe with two heads.

The baffling photo, snapped by amateur photographer Ole Mortensen, perfectly blends two giraffes together with their heads facing opposite directions.

But we can see why you might be fooled by the mirror image, even the giraffes necks are the same length and their facial features identical.

This baffling photo, snapped by amateur photographer Ole Mortensen in South Africa, perfectly blends two giraffes together with their heads facing opposite directions

Even the giraffes necks are the same length and their facial features identical

Ole, a 56-year-old offshore process technician, from Denmark, took the picture when he was in South Africa on holiday in June.

'It was just perfect timing,' he said. 'I'm not a photographer, but it's a great shot.

'I was so excited when I looked at my camera and saw I'd got the picture.

'One of the giraffes moved shortly after so it really was a matter of timing.'

Ole said he plans on visiting the safari again.

'The wildlife in South Africa is just amazing, I'll definitely be coming back here,' he said.

'I'm just astonished by it all.'

Ole, a 56-year-old offshore process technician, from Denmark, took the picture when he was in South Africa on holiday in June
Do you know more? Contact aneeta.bhole@mailonline.com

The incident is being treated as homicide but no arrests have been made

Sister, Nova, slammed suggestions that Aidan was 'looking for a challenge'

'He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time': Aidan (pictured) died after being stabbed at an 18th birthday party in Sydney

The mother of one of the teenagers who attended an 18th birthday celebration which ended in a stabbing rampage has claimed the 16-year-old who died was a 'hero' who saved the lives of other teenagers at the party.

Aidan Smith, 16, died in hospital after being stabbed at the party in Ryde, Sydney on Saturday night.

Witnesses have described the confronting scene which saw seven teens taken to hospital with knife injuries as chaos with 'screaming and blood everywhere.

The brawl described as 'confronting' by police at the scene broke out just after midnight on Sunday morning at a home on Victoria Road in Ryde, in Sydney's northwest.

Scroll down for video

Partygoers were shocked when the blood bath began and one, returning to retrieve some clothes the next day, told the Daily Telegraph that he couldn't believe what had happened.

'Everyone was just talking and having a good time and there wasn't any trouble.

Earlier reports suggested that Aidan (right) had been travelled to the house looking for a 'challenge' which has been heavily disputed by his sister - 22-year-old Nova Smith (left)

'I don't know how it happened.'

The mother of one of Aidan's friends told Fairfax that Aidan had put himself in harm's way to protect his friends.

'The kid's a hero.

'He tried to save his friends ... they're such a solid bunch and they are devastated,' said the mother, who asked not to be named.

Other teenagers who were at the party revealed to their parents that Aidan had tried to wrestle a knife from another partygoer.

Earlier reports suggested that Aidan had been travelled to the house looking for a 'challenge' which has been heavily disputed by his sister - 22-year-old Nova Smith.

'The kid's a hero': Other teenagers who were at the party revealed to their parents that Aidan (pictured) had tried to wrestle a knife from another partygoer

On Sunday night Nova wrote a post on Facebook which read: 'Aidan was celebrating one of his best mates 18th birthday at his house and did not 'travel to the house knowing there was a challenge'.

'He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.'

While friends showed support commenting that the suggestions were a 'load of sh*t'.

Police have kept a tight lid on all aspects of the incident and said the scene on Sunday morning had been 'confronting'.

Emotional tributes poured out across Facebook starting with Nova who wrote: 'I love you with all my heart Aidan and I'm so sorry this had to happen to you.

Aidan was rushed from the party (scene pictured) to Westmead Hospital, but died shortly after

'R.I.P my baby brother still cannot believed this has happened,' she added.

Another friend wrote that Aidan was 'taken way too soon' and 'didn't deserve this'.

A gofundme page has been set up by a friend of the family with one commenting that it was another way to show support during this 'emotional and financially difficult time'.

The fundraising page describes the 'devastation' being felt by Aidan's family and friends who cannot 'comprehend the feeling of loss' that has been dealt out to them.

'Aidan's friendship extended far and wide, he was a popular fun loving mate in our school and sporting communities (just to name a few) and we have all shared in his magical sporting feats.

Partygoers were shocked when the blood bath began and one, returning to retrieve some clothes the next day, said that he couldn't believe what had happened, let alone to Aidan (pictured)

'Having known Aidan from school days we find lots of old friends and families wanting to extend their support to Michelle and Nova to help ease the burden of a tough road ahead including funeral costs and leave from work.

The post ends asking people to include where they first met Aidan when making their donations.

When the fight broke out on Sunday a total of six males and one teen woman were stabbed just after midnight.

Aidan was rushed to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition but died shortly after.

Inspector Pat Sharkey told reporters the matter is now being treated as a homicide.

'I love you with all my heart Aidan and I'm so sorry this had to happen to you': Emotional tributes poured out across Facebook starting with Nova (pictured left with her brother Aidan)

'This is a very, very serious matter and we hope to get to the bottom of it,' he said.

'We do not believe there was an involvement of gatecrashers. For some reason it's turned violent and that's what we need to get to the bottom of,' he said.

He was not aware if parents were at the party.

Another 16-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man were taken to Westmead Hospital. The man is in a serious condition.

Three boys, two aged 16 and one aged 17, and a woman aged 18 were all taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with stab wounds where they are understood to be in stable conditions.

A gofundme page has been set up by a friend of the family with one commenting that it was another way to show support to Nova (right) and her mother during this 'emotional and financially difficult time' after losing Aidan (left)

Supt Duncan could not confirm what weapon or weapons were used, but said it was believed all involved in the fight were among the 50 guests at the party.

'We believe around 50 people were at the party around the time the altercation broke out,' Supt Duncan said.

'At this stage of our inquiries we are trying to establish why the party turned violent.

'A number of people left the party soon after the fight broke out. Our inquiries are continuing and we hope these people will contact Crime Stoppers.'

Police are speaking to witnesses but no arrests had been made early on Sunday.
A woman and a 16-year-old boy have been arrested after allegedly having sex in a stolen car in Cairns.

Police say officers spotted the pair in the 'throes of passion' on the back seat of the car, which the teenager had stolen from a carport at a Manoora residential complex on Saturday morning.

Police say the boy drove around the area before picking up the 25-year-old woman.

A woman and a 16-year-old boy have been arrested after allegedly having sex in a stolen car in Cairns (stock image)

Police say officers spotted the pair in the 'throes of passion' on the back seat of the car, which the teenager had stolen and driven to the the end of McIllwraith Street (pictured)

An off-duty police officer then noticed the stolen car and followed it until it parked at the end of McIllwraith Street.

The officer called for assistance and when police crews arrived they saw the teen and woman in a 'compromising position' on the back seat.

Both have been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, while the boy is also facing charges of burglary, attempted burglary, possession of suspected stolen property and unlicensed driving.

The woman will face the Cairns Magistrates Court on August 22, while the boy will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.
These are just some of the scores of bizarre memes Australian swimming hero Mack Horton has starred in since he called a Chinese athlete 'just a drug cheat'.

The bespectacled university student, 20, was the first Australian athlete to win Olympic gold on Friday.

Horton beat Sun Yang in the 400m freestyle final after pointing out the China favourite was suspended for doping about two years ago.

An army of trolls has rounded on the Victorian ever since and now his face stars in dozens of bitter memes designed by Chinese social media users.

'Poo emoji' were a recurring theme in Mack Horton memes uploaded to Weibo and Instagram

Some users called Horton a 'loser', while others awarded a gold medal to Sun Yang

One user dressed a swimmer - apparently Mack Horton - up in a bikini and a flowery swimming cap

Weibo and Instagram have been flooded with pictures where Horton's face is covered with poo emoji.

Text splayed across some pictures includes 'I AM A LOSER' and 'YOU EAT POOPOO'. Many pictures feature emoji of middle fingers stuck up.

One of the most popular memes is a picture of Horton with his eyes closed and the words: 'Respect? My parents didn't teach me any.'

Some members of the #apologisetosunyang movement have placed clip art gold medals around Yang's neck.

The #apologisetosunyang hashtag - flooded with hundreds of thousands of comments - now features scores of memes attacking Mack Horton, including as 'white trash'. The photo, bottom right, was pinched from Horton's Instagram - but actually featured one of his friends

'He is a hero in my heart and his little mistake can't mean anything': One detractor penned a handwritten note - while scores more used memes to express their disgust

Users photoshopped people into a Mack Horton selfie where he laid on his side in bed

Hands with their middle fingers stuck up and snake emoji were also a common theme

Horton's account on the website Weibo has been deluged with commenters giving him thumbs down.

Yang himself has hit back at Horton, telling reporters he didn't know the swimmer and declaring: 'I am the king, I am the new world'.

The Chinese swim team have since demanded an apology from Horton, claiming his comments were 'a malicious attack'.

Meantime the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has released a statement in support of Horton, saying he is entitled to his point of view.

'Mack is entitled to express a point of view,' the statement began.

Horton (centre) poses with Sun Yang as they celebrate their medal wins at the weekend

China's swim team are demanding an apology from Horton - but the AOC is standing by him

'Under the Team Values ASPIRE the E stands for express yourself, that is his right.

'He has spoken out in support of clean athletes. This is something he feels strongly about and good luck to him.'
The mother of a disabled skydiver who died plummeting into a northern California vineyard has said his last words to her were 'I love you'.

Francine Salazar described how her son, Tyler Turner, 18, a recent high school graduate, prayed before getting on the plane for his first ever jump.

Salazar had accompanied Tyler to the Lodi Parachute Center as he and several of his friends celebrated a birthday.

Identified: Tyler Turner, above, was one of two men who died after their parachute failed to open Saturday during a dive in Acampo, California. Turner was 18 and it was his first dive

Turner's mother, Francinse Salazar (above), accompanied him to the skydiving center and waited for him to come down, but he never did. Salazar said her son had 'integrity like nobody else'

Salazar told the Merced Sun-Star: 'Before he got on the plane, he knelt down and prayed, made his peace with God, and then turned around and gave me a great big, huge hug.

'He said, "I love you, Mom," and then he got on the plane.'

Tyler's instructor at the Acampo-based Lodi Parachute Center also died in the jump, but his name has not been released.

The center's owner, Bill Dause, said the man was a veteran instructor with over 700 jumps.

Salazar never saw her son come down with his instructor because she could not tell where they were in the distance and did not know the color of their parachute.

She said: 'I asked everyone where he was and nobody panicked or anything, we just started looking for him. He went really far off course.'

The parachute did not open, and the two hit the ground.

Owner of the skydiving center, Bill Dause, speaks with San Joaquin County Sheriff's deputies

Tyler Turner, above, had just graduated from Pacheco High School in Los Banos in June and planned to attend UC Merced in the fall to study biochemical engineering

The bodies of Turner and his instructor were found in a vineyard in the town of Lodi in the Central Valley. They went down about 10am.

His mother said she was on edge before her son even went up because an instructor told him he didn't need to finish watching a safety instruction video.

But owner Dause said that wouldn't have helped him anyway.

'It wouldn't have made any difference [if he hadn't watched it],' he said. 'It was an unfortunate accident.'

'I know she's grasping for reasons,' Dause said of the failed jump. 'And we're just as upset about it as everybody is.'

The unidentified instructor was in his mid-20s, Sheriff's Sgt. Brandon Riley said Sunday. The police are still trying to reach some of his family before identifying him.

Police also seized a videotape that Turner's mother paid to have taken during his jump. The FAA will determine the exact causes of death.

In May, a small plane taking 17 skydivers up from the Lodi Parachute Center flipped over - there were no fatalities

Tyler Turner and his instructor were found dead in a vineyard in Lodi after a skydiving jump at Parachute Center in Acampo, California (above)

Dause said that the conditions for the jump were perfect and that it appeared the chute didn't open and 'something may have gone out of sequence'.

Turner had graduated with honors from Pacheco High School in Los Banos in June.

Salazar said her son planned to attend UC Merced in the fall to study biochemical engineering because he was born with cerebral palsy and wanted to help others with the condition.

'He had integrity like nobody else,' she said. 'Live your life like he would have. He was an incredible boy.'

Turner is also survived by an older sister and two older brothers.

The Lodi Parachute Center's website says it is 'one of the largest and oldest drop zones in the United States', launched in 1964.

The website offers an introductory tandem jump with an instructor for $100, from 13,000 feet.

In May, a small plane carrying 17 skydivers took off from the Parachute Center and landed upside-down after clipping a pickup. The worst injuries were minor cuts and scrapes.

The center has seen tragedy before: A man died in February after reportedly hitting a wall at the end of his jump, and professional daredevil skier Timy Dutton died there in April, 2014 (above, jumpers at the center)

In February, a solo skydiver had died after landing on a brick wall after a jump, according to the Record Net.

In 2014, professional skier Timy Dutton died at 27 after jumping at the school with a buddy.

At the time, Parachute Center owner Bill Dause told ESPN that Dutton made no attempt to pull his chute and it appeared he had collided with another jumper mid-air.

He said the two jumpers were very experienced.

Chris Conkright, 55, told the Sacramento Bee he has been jumping at the center for 21 years and said he did three tandem skydives on Saturday, even after hearing about the deaths.

'I know too many people who have died parachuting,' he said. 'You're jumping out of a plane. It's part of the territory.'

Conkright defended the center.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics, which delivers the Census, has secretly discussed how to use personal data from the survey to create 'new products'.

The bombshell revelation comes after national backlash directed at the Bureau [ABS] over new rules on personal data collection and retention in this year's highly controversial Census, which will be conducted on Tuesday, August 9.

According to The Daily Telegraph confidential ABS documents reveal it wants to link names and addresses to census data for the creation of the 'new products' and that destroying names 'precludes the ability for meeting a business need'.

This year's Census has caused nationwide outrage at plans to retain personal information for up to four years and the disclosure of names being compulsory

The Australian Bureau of Statistics, which delivers the Census, has secretly discussed how to use personal data to create 'new products'

New parents Rosie van Krieken and Max Friend of Newtown, Sydney, with baby Saskia, who has arrived in time for this years census. Even babies who arrive one minute before midnight will be counted

New parents with their baby who arrived just days before the Census 2016

They could be used to generate income - last year the ABS hauled in $41 million selling data.

The revelation follows repeated attempts by the ABS to assure the public it would not share personal information with businesses or government agencies.

People have been furious since learning that in this year's Census, providing a name is compulsory and information like names and addresses will be kept for up to four years to be combined with other data.

According to the Daily Telegraph, last year bosses at the ABS learned from a brief that retaining such data 'increases the risk of breaches of confidentiality and privacy'.

This year's National Census of Population and Housing will be held on August 9

The ABS, which runs the Census, earned $41 million by selling data

It highlighted names and addresses being linked to welfare payments, Medicare, the electoral roll and other information.

The paper also noted a possible public backlash that would have to be 'carefully managed'.

Last week, ABS general manager of the Census and Statistical Services Division Chris Libreri told Daily Mail Australia there were laws protecting Census information from being given out.

'It's up to us to say... your information is safe with us.

'We take that really seriously.'

Those who provide false information on a Census form face an $1800 fine and failing to complete one before mid-September comes with a $180 per day price tag.

The $180 per day fine will kick in after reminder letters and field visit staff finish checking on those who don't complete their forms about mid-September.

A census provides a 'snapshot' of the country on a given night, and is used to help guide government spending and policy.

ABS general manager of the Census and Statistical Services Division Chris Libreri told Daily Mail Australia there were laws protecting Census information from being given out
After 16 years of operating on a 150-acre ranch near Philipsburg, Project Vote Smart plans to leave Montana after this presidential election.

The nonprofit organization  which tracks election data and politicians voting records using 20 employees and a cadre of about 40 interns  made the announcement in a summer quarterly newsletter.

In the newsletter, Vote Smart President Richard Kimball cites long driving distances to hospitals and airports, icy road conditions, and office politics heightened by close living quarters as reasons for leaving the Great Divide Ranch.

The isolation has come with problems, Kimball wrote, noting the facility is 100 miles from the nearest airport in Missoula.

Forty interns living in a secluded ranch also appeared to have its drawbacks.

We have all the problems a university does with the experimental, adventurous, hormonal torrent that is the young," Kimball said. "Only in the wilderness such things can become dangerous. Love was requited and denied, marriages were created, fights ensued, drinkers crashed, injuries of every sort, hospital trips too numerous to recall, some to sustain life, and distressingly, three deaths.

The Montana Standard was unable to reach Kimball by phone.

Walker McKusick, the organizations Interim National Director, said he hadn't heard about any deaths at the ranch and was unsure about the injuries mentioned in the newsletter but that the organization feels it can recruit more interns during the snowy months and have better access to resources by moving to a larger market.

Were really good at getting interns out at the ranch, said McKusick. But (wed like) to maintain that in the fall and winter.

When asked whether living in a remote location led to tension among staff and interns  as the newsletter seemed to indicate  he said that in any environment theres going to be issues and that the isolation makes things tough.

All office politics aside, what remains certain is Project Vote Smart is making moves toward leaving the state.

McKusick said the company put the 150-acre ranch at 1 Common Ground for sale more than a year ago.

Real-estate listings describe the property as an idyllic Montana dream with two bunkhouses, three guest cabins, and a main research facility. The asking price is $4.1 million.

But this isnt the first time the ranch has hit the real-estate market.

After laying off six employees and accepting the resignation of another, Vote Smart put the property up for sale in 2014.

Adelaide Elm  a founding member of the organizations executive board and also Kimballs wife  didnt give a specific reason for the layoffs in an interview with The Missoulian in 2014 but said that the organization was working with a $1.2 million budget the previous year.

We are really cutting it down, said Elm. We are cutting back on horses, and we put in a wood boiler to replace the propane. We are economizing where we can.

McKusick, meanwhile, told The Montana Standard that Vote Smart is doing very well financially and that the organizations tax returns are available on its website.

According to those returns, Vote Smart had an annual revenue of $1.8 million in 2014, up from the previous years $1.3 million. Since 2008 the organizations revenue has fluctuated between $1.8 and $1 million, showing its second-highest-earning year in 2009 with $1.7 million.

Vote Smart, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is funded primarily through grants and donations.

Its from individual citizens giving what they can to serve our mission, said McKusick, adding that page views and donations are up from the previous year, mainly due to interest in the current presidential election. This election cycle certainly helps out a lot.

McKusick said Vote Smart will not relocate until after the 2016 presidential election but could not provide a specific time for the move.

A lot of it depends on a buyer showing up, he said. Theres a lot of stuff we just dont know.

McKusick said he doesnt anticipate layoffs and that all employees will receive offers to accompany the organization in the move.

While the future for Vote Smart may seem a bit fuzzy, whats certain is that the organizations presence in Philipsburg  a town of about 850  will be missed.

About 14 Vote Smart employees live in Philipsburg, and Melanie Magnotto, an assistant manager for the towns Boheme Coffee Shop and former Vote Smart employee, said those staff members rent apartments and patronize businesses in the community.

It will hurt when Vote Smart leaves for sure, said Magnotto. They all come downtown and eat at the restaurants here and come to the coffee shop.

A few of them, she said, even settle down in Philipsburg and Missoula.

Reed Speegle is one former Vote Smart employee who decided to stay in town.

Speegle, whos now the Philipsburg town clerk and treasurer, said he moved from his hometown in Chicago to work at the Great Divide Ranch because he was getting tired of city life.

It was a pretty big change, said Speegle, noting that people from all over the country come to work at the ranch. But I like the change of pace.
Married in the little town of Santa Ana before 250 family and friends

Reforms made this easier so couple were finally able to wed in church

A Mexican couple together for 46 have finally been able to have a religious wedding after the Pope reformed laws that made it hard for divorcees to remarry.

Pablo Ibarra, 75, and 65-year-old Francisca Santiago wed at a church in the little village of Santa Ana in the southern state of Oaxaca.

The couple were joined together in a civil ceremony in 1970, but because the process for annulling Mr Ibarra's first marriage was so complicated they thought it would not be possible to confirm their union in church.

Francisca Santiago, 65, embraces the Rev. Domingo Garcia Martinez after he wed her and lifelong partner Pablo Ibarra, 75, in Santa Ana, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca

The Rev. Domingo Garcia Martinez performed Mr Ibarra and Miss Santiago's wedding in front of about 250 family and friends

The grandson of the newlyweds tosses confetti as the couple leave the church. The couple first met while tending goats

Justino Rios bends to pick up a stick rocket firework as he lights fireworks celebrating the marriage

But after Pope Francis brought in the simplified rules on December 8, 2015, Mr Ibarra was able to convince a bishop to have his first marriage annulled.

Mr Ibarra and Miss Santiago wed on July 23 in front of 250 family members and friends.

The ceremony was presided over by Reverend Domingo Garcia Martinez, who had helped Mr Ibarra in his negotiations with the bishop.

After receiving the sacrament, Miss Santiago pulled in the priest for a big hug while a nose-wrinkling smile lit up her face.

'It was beautiful, everything I hoped for,' she said. 'Now we are together with the blessing of God.'

Mr Ibarra holds the door open for his wife as they arrive for their wedding reception in Santa Ana

A member of the band 'La siempre joven Banda Amigable' sucks on a lollipop as he plays the drum cymbals

In a tent at the wedding reception, friends dance in a circle around the newlyweds

The couple first met in 1967 while tending goats in the fields outside Santa Ana

The wedding guests were served chicken with a dark Oaxacan mole sauce made from spices and chilies scooped up with fresh tortillas.

Servers weaved between tables popping open beer bottles and fireworks were lit outside.

'It felt like the first time I saw her,' Mr Ibarra said. 'But now it finally feels right. With her, God has blessed my life so much.'

The couple first met in 1967 while tending goats in the fields outside Santa Ana.

Miss Santiago stokes the fire while preparing hot chocolate in her home

Shortly after their marriage, the couple pull down a ripe tuna fruit from the top of a cactus

Mr Ibarra holds a family snapshot from 1980, that shows him with his wife Francisca Santiago and their son Pablo
A newly elected One Nation senator was arrested and could be disqualified from parliament after 'stealing a tow truck when his company car was repossessed'.

Rodney Culleton was taken into police custody after turning himself in over an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court for larceny charges.

The West Australian senator was convicted of the charge in his absence earlier this year for stealing a tow truck key from a driver who was trying to repossess one of his company cars in 2014.

New One Nation senator Rodney Culleton (centre) was taken into police custody after failing to appear in court for 'stealing a tow truck key from a driver who was trying to repossess one of his company cars in 2014'

The West Australian senator (pictured right with Pauline Hanson) was convicted of the charge but has since had this annulled in court on Monday

Mr Culleton has since had the conviction annulled - but will still have to faces the larceny charges in September in 'full ventilation before the court' said Magistrate Michael Holmes.

Larceny carries a maximum penalty of five years jail, which could deem him ineligible to be a senator.

Mr Cullen pictured during the election campaign also faces a second charge for allegedly stealing a hire car in Perth

The constitution says anyone convicted of crime that has a punishment of at least one year's jail can't be a member of parliament.

Mr Culleton is also awaiting trial in WA later this month, the week before parliament begins.

That trial comes after he was arrested and charged for allegedly stealing a car being used by receivers from RSM Bird Cameron as they began foreclosure proceedings at a friend's farm.

The senator won the 11th spot on the WA ballot, and is the last of four One Nation senators elected.

His wife Ioanna Culleton also ran but her senate bid was unsuccessful.

He is expected to appear before Armidale Local Court again after 2pm on Monday.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted One Nation.
Man is said to have thrown bottles into crowd containing flammable liquid

Fifteen people were injured after the man threw Molotov cocktails into a Samba parade in Tokyo, starting a fire, before hanging himself in his apartment.

The 60-year-old man was found hanged in his apartment in the city's Suginami Ward on Monday after the fire broke out in the samba parade crowd, reported The Japan Times.

The man was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The festival was being held near Fujimigaoka Station on the Keio Inokashira Line.

A man is dead and fifteen people are injured after the man threw Molotov cocktails into a crowd of people in a samba parade in Tokyo (pictured) before hanging himself in his apartment

The fire caused a brief panic among the parade spectators, including families.

The injured people, who ranged in age from one to 47 years old, were hit from above with bottles suspected to be filled with a flammable liquid.

Some of the bottles are said to have been attached to gas cylinders.

Several shattered bottles and gas cylinders were found on the street after the fire.

Police and the Tokyo Fire Department attended the scene.

A witness Kenji Yoda, 58, said he looked up at the apartment and saw a man holding a bottle and a gas burner before he disappeared.

Mr Yoda said he knew the man, who he described as 'usually quiet and never caused any trouble'.

Another man, 45, said he saw three bottles thrown down from the building, which fell at the back of the samba dancers.

He said they fell on the street and shattered, starting a fire.
Jeb Bush's son has broken the family line and publicly endorsed Donald Trump as the Republican nominee during an event in Texas.

George Prescott Bush, 40, the current Land Commissioner for Texas, called on Republican voters to come together and fall in line behind Trump during a GOP event on Saturday.

'I know a lot of us in this room had dogs in the fight in the primary, leading up to to the race, but you know what, it's time to put that aside,' he said, the Texas Tribune reports.

Scroll down for video

George Prescott Bush has broken the family line and publicly endorsed Donald Trump as the Republican nominee during an event in Texas

'From Team Bush, it's a bitter pill to swallow, but you know what? You get back up and you help the man that won, and you make sure that we stop Hillary Clinton.'

Bush, as the state's victory chairman, has the job of organizing the party's campaign in November. He has also faced criticism for taking the role without publicly putting his support behind the candidate.

The endorsement comes after Bush's father fought a bitter and personal battle with Trump throughout the Republican primaries.

Trump called Jeb Bush 'weak' and 'low energy' during the Republican debates, and mocked his record as Florida Governor and his brother's as President.

George P. Bush, Jeb's son, called on Republican voters to come together and fall in line behind Trump during a GOP event on Saturday

'I know a lot of us in this room had dogs in the fight in the primary, leading up to to the race, but you know what, it's time to put that aside,' George P. Bush (picturd with his father, Jeb) said

Since being defeated in the nominee race, Jeb Bush has refused to support Trump - and has even said he will not vote for him in November.

He also told said Trump's supporters would be let down if he did win, because he would not deliver on his promises.

'There isn't going to be a wall built,' Bush said in an MSNBC interview.

'Mexico's not going to pay for it. And there's not going to be a ban on Muslims.'

Since being defeated in the nominee race, Jeb Bush has refused to support Trump - and has even said he will not vote for him in November

Former presidents George W. and George HW. Bush have also not endorsed Trump, and are not expected to do so

Former presidents George W. and George HW. Bush have not endorsed Trump, and are not expected to do so, the Texas Tribune reports.

George HW.'s refusal to publicly back Trump will be the first time since he endorsed Bob Dole in 1996 that he has not spoken up for the Republican nominee.

In 1992 and 1988, he was the GOP candidate, and he was Ronald Reagan's Vice President for two terms before that.
An off-duty police officer with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission shot a man who illegally entered his Maryland home, according to authorities.

The suspect was shot in the arm Sunday afternoon in Laurel, about 20 miles southwest of Baltimore, and has been apprehended, agency spokeswoman Ayoka Blandford said in a statement.

She says his injuries are not life-threatening.

An off-duty police officer with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission shot a man who illegally entered his Laurel, Maryland, home

Prince George's County Police Officer Tyler Hunter says his agency will likely release more details Monday.

He declined to disclose the races of the suspect or the officer.

Blandford says the officer has served with the sanitary commission for one year. She says he worked for the University of Maryland-Baltimore for 20 years.
A Vermont schoolhouse built in 1823 is going to be on the move with the help of 40 oxen.

Oxen will be used on Monday as a reenactment of how buildings in the 1800s were commonly moved, according to VT Digger.

The Orleans County Grammar School will move one-third of a mile down Hinman Settler Road in Brownington to its new spot near the Old Stone House Museum, where it used to be when it was built, according to the Burlington Free Press.

The Orleans County Grammar School in Vermont will be pulled by 40 oxen down the street to its new location (above, getting ready for the move)

The oxen will be in 20 teams of two and pull the house on wheeled slats

The headmaster of the school from 1829 to 1855 was Alexander Twilight, thought to be the first African-American to graduate from college in the US

Most of the oxen that will be used Monday will be provided by 4-H members from Vermont and New Hampshire. The 4-H is the country's largest youth development club, with over six million members.

The oxen will be hitched to the 30 by 40 foot building in 20 teams of two, according to the outlet.

The building will be on wheeled carriages and the oxen won't move the building to the road or off of it, just down the street.

Back when oxen were the favorite means of transporting buildings, it was apparently so common that few pictures of it exist. But in modern day times, utility powers and power lines make moving a building much more complex.

Oxen, such as above, used to be a common way to move buildings before electrical power

Middlebury College graduate Alexander Twilight was the school's headmaster from 1829 until 1855.

Twilight is believed to have been the first African-American to have earned a degree from an American college or university.

The school will return to its place near the Old Stone House Museum, a building that was constructed in 1836 to be the school dormitory, according to Burlington Free Press.

'Alexander Twilight actually imagined that this was going to become a big center of learning,' Peggy Day Gibson, director of the Old Stone House Museum, told the outlet. 'When he built the Old Stone House as a dorm in 1836, I think he envisioned that this was the first big building. He felt that a central school, a really good institution in every county, was the way to go.'

The school was abandoned after the Civil War, around the time it was also moved from its original location to the village center.
A US Navy guided missile destroyer made its first visit to China to 'build relationships' since the arbitration ruling over the South China Sea.

The USS Benfold arrived in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao on Monday in the first visit by an American warship to the country since Beijing responded angrily to an arbitration panel's ruling that its expansive South China Sea maritime claims had no basis in law.

Upon arrival the ship held a signals exercise with the Chinese Navy.

US Navy guided missile destroyer, the USS Benfold, arrived in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao on Monday in the first visit by an American warship to the country since an arbitration panel's ruling that its expansive South China Sea maritime claims had no basis in law

Speaking briefly to media, Cmdr Just L Harts said the visit aimed to 'build relationships' with counterparts from the Chinese Navy, but referred questions on tensions in the South China Sea to Pacific Command in Hawaii.

Admiral Scott Swift, the top US naval officer in Asia, plans to meet the media Tuesday in Qingdao.

China rejected last month's ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration in a case initiated by the Philippines, and refused to take part in the arbitration.

Beijing has repeatedly blamed the US for stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, where its territorial claims overlap in parts with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the US, Japan and Australia were 'fanning the flames' of regional tensions after they released a joint statement urging China not to construct military outposts or reclaim land in the disputed waters.

Since the ruling, China has repeatedly reasserted its historical claim to virtually the entire strategically vital water body, its islands, reefs, plentiful fish stocks and other resources.

It's also begun flying air patrols, with one announced on Saturday featuring bomber and fighter aircraft, in the airspace around the Spratly Islands, Scarborough Shoal and adjacent areas.
He visited her one time before her death and wants to be out for funeral

Jeff Collins, her father, was in jail for unpaid traffic ticket when she died

Her family confirmed the death on Sunday due to the deadly amoeba

Hannah became ill and was taken to a hospital where she died on Friday

She went swimming in fresh water Edisto River last month in

Hannah Collins (pictured), 11, of Charelston, South Carolina, who had been crowned 'Miss Rice Pageant' in April, died on Friday from a rare brain-eating amoeba

An 11-year-old girl, who was described by her family as an avid swimmer and had been crowned Miss Rice Festival in an April pageant, has died after contracting a deadly brain-eating amoeba.

Hannah Collins, of Charelston, South Carolina, died after battling a one-celled organism called Naegleria fowleri that can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis - commonly known as 'brain-eating' and almost always fatal, according to a family statement.

'Hannah loved life, her family and friends and, although this is not the outcome we wished for, our sweet girl has joined the angels...' a family statement said.

On Tuesday, South Carolina health officials confirmed on Tuesday that a person was exposed to the deadly amoeba while swimming in the Edisto River in Charleston County, South Carolina.

The patient wasn't initially identified but the health officials said that they were exposed while swimming in the river on July 24.

On Tuesday, South Carolina health officials confirmed that a person was exposed to the deadly amoeba, but on Sunday Hannah's identity was confirmed

Jeff Collins (pictured with Hannah), Hannah's father, who is incarcerated at the Beaufort County jail, said Sunday that he took his family to Martin's Landing on the Edisto River last month, where Hannah contracted the amoeba

South Carolina health officials confirmed on Tuesday that a person was exposed to the deadly amoeba while swimming in the Edisto River (pictured)

The amoeba lives in warm fresh water and can be fatal if it makes its way up the nose.

Jeff Collins, Hannah's father, who is incarcerated at the Beaufort County jail, said Sunday that he took his family to Martin's Landing on the Edisto River last month.

He said Hannah would jump into the water using a rope swing and called her his 'river rat', according to WCSC.

Earlier in the year, at the Colleton County Rice Festival Pageant, Hannah was crowned queen of her age division.

'A precious little girl, a precious child. She's a very sweet child and humble and very appreciative,' pageant director Ann Drawdy told the Beaufort Gazette.

He said Hannah (pictured) would jump into the water using a rope swing and called her his 'river rat'

The one-celled organism called Naegleria fowleri that can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis and is commonly known as 'brain-eating' and almost always fatal

Collins was arrested in Colleton County for an unpaid traffic violation but brought to the Medical University of South Carolina to see Hannah once before her death.

She died the next evening.

'I was able to lay next to her,' he said. 'I didn't get enough time with her.'

On Sunday, a spokesperson for Hannah's mother said she is trying to get the charges against Collins cleared so he can help plan Hannah's funeral.

He said he wants to be free for her memorial.
Horrifying footage has emerged of the ISIS-inspired suicide bombing that killed at least 70 people in Pakistan.

The massive explosion is captured on camera as dozens of mourners are milling about outside a hospital in Quetta waiting for the body of prominent lawyer Bilal Kasi to arrive, who was shot dead earlier today.

Victims can be heard wailing in the aftermath of the powerful explosion and the death toll is expected to rise with 70 confirmed fatalities and 112 still receiving treatment for their injuries.

A powerful blast has killed at least 70 people in the southwester Pakistani city of Quetta as mourners were targeted by a suicide bomber

The attack took place shortly after the body of a prominent lawyer, who was shot dead just hours beforehand, was brought to the hospital, said senior police official Zahoor Ahmed Afridi

A crowd of nearly 100 including many solicitors had gathered at the hospital at about 12.05pm after the lawyer, Bilal Kasi, was gunned down on his way to court earlier in the day

ISIS have claimed responsibility for the blast, which struck at the gates of the building housing the emergency ward on the hospital grounds

The attack took place shortly after the body of a prominent lawyer, who was shot dead just hours beforehand, was brought to the hospital, said senior police official Zahoor Ahmed Afridi.

A crowd of nearly 100 including many solicitors had gathered at the hospital at about 12.05pm after the lawyer, Bilal Kasi, was gunned down on his way to court earlier in the day.

ISIS have now claimed responsibility for the blast, which struck at the gates of the building housing the emergency ward on the hospital grounds.

Earlier, police had mistakenly said the bomb struck the hospital's main gate.

Sanaullah Zehri, the chief minister in the Baluchistan province, said it seemed to be a suicide attack, but police were still investigating.

Sarfraz Bugti, the provincial interior minister, denounced the attack as an 'act of terrorism', and detectives are still trying to ascertain whether or not the two attacks are linked.

A Pakistani news channel reported that one of its cameramen was also killed in the blast.

Local TV stations broadcast footage showing people running in panic around the hospital grounds.

Afridi said most of the dead were lawyers who had gathered after Kasi's body was brought to the hospital.

Police have confirmed the remains of the attacker have been found at the scene.

Sanaullah Zehri, the chief minister in the Baluchistan province, said it seemed to be a suicide attack, but police were still investigating

A breakaway faction of the Taliban in Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack at a hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta which killed at least 64 people.

In a statement, Ahsanullah Ahsan, spokesman for Jamaat-ul-Ahrar militant group, also said their men killed Bilal Kasi, the president of Baluchistan Bar Association, and then targeted the mourners who had gathered at the government-run Civil Hospital.

The group has been behind several acts of terrorism in Pakistan in recent years.

The claim could not be independently verified, but local sources have previously reported on the group's allegiance to ISIS.

A Pakistani man who survived the bombing of a hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta has described a horrifying scene, saying there were "bodies everywhere" after the blast.

Waliur Rehman says he was taking his ailing father to the hospital's emergency ward when the explosion shook the building on Monday. He says the blast was so powerful that they both fell down.

Rehman says when he looked up he saw bodies of the dead and the wounding crying out for help. He says he believes he was about 200 meters (yards) away from the emergency department where the bomb struck.

Lawyer Abdul Latif says he arrived at the hospital to express his grief after hearing that a senior Quetta lawyer, Bilal Kasi, had been shot and killed by gunmen earlier in the day.

But he says he didn't know he will "see the bodies of dozens of other lawyers" killed and wounded at the hospital.

Sarfraz Bugti, the provincial interior minister, denounced the attack as an 'act of terrorism'

A Pakistani news channel reported that one of its cameramen was also killed in the blast

Afridi said most of the dead were lawyers who had gathered after Kasi's body was brought to the hospital

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast in Quetta and expressed his 'deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives' in the attack, in which several senior lawyers were also killed

Pakistani volunteers use a stretcher to move an injured lawyer after a bomb explosion at a government hospital premises in Quetta on August 8, 2016. At least 20 people have been killed after a bomb went off at a major hospital in the southwest Pakistani city of Quetta

People carry dead bodies of victims in a bomb blast in Quetta, Pakistan

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast in Quetta and expressed his 'deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives' in the attack, in which several senior lawyers were also killed.

'No one will be allowed to disturb the peace in the province that has been restored thanks to the countless sacrifices by the security forces, police and the people of Baluchistan,' he said in a statement.

Sharif asked the local authorities to maintain utmost vigilance and beef up security in Quetta.

He also instructed health officials to provide the best treatment possible to those wounded in the attack.

Baluchistan has long been hit by insurgency.
Demonstrators in downtown Chicago have blocked streets and traffic while protesting the fatal shooting of unarmed black teen Paul O'Neal by police.

O'Neal was gunned down by officers back in July after he stole a car and got into a chase with cops which ended in the city's South Shore neighborhood.

Footage of O'Neal's death, released last week, has caused outrage in part because the bodycam belonging to the officer who fired the fatal shot was not turned on.

Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Chicago on Sunday evening to protest the fatal shooting of unarmed black teenager Paul O'Neal by police

People are outraged after cops released footage of the shooting - except the moment the fatal shot is fired because that officer's bodycam 'wasn't turned on'

Protesters gathered in the city's Millennium Park before taking to the downtown streets, occasionally blocking traffic

Protesters, organized by a group of Chicago high school girls according to CBS, gathered Sunday evening in Millennium Park.

Ashanti Lumpkin, 17, addressed the crowd inside the park, according to the Chicago Sun Times.

She said: 'We are here today fighting for the people, six feet under, whose death ignited a nation.

'We are here today to fight so the next generation wont have to. We are here today to let them know that we will not go away.

'We will not be silenced. And we will keep fighting until justice is won. Enough is enough.'

Demonstrators repeated the often-heard mantra of 'hands up, don't shoot' as they marched past police lining the route

While some of the marchers high-fived officers or stopped to speak with them, others compared them to the KKK or spat at police vehicles

One marcher was seen waving the pan-African red, black and green flag which is often used as a symbol by black power movements

Protest organizer Maxine Wint added: 'We knew they killed him before [the video], but seeing the videos and seeing how they acted with each other, it just made it seem like our lives don't matter.'

Taking off through downtown streets lined with police officers, the activists at time blocked portions of Michigan and Chicago avenues and Adams, State and Lake streets.

While some high-fived officers as they walked, others sung chants comparing them to the KKK, taunted officers and even spat at police cars.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has raised concerns over the footage, admitting officers were at fault for firing at the vehicle O'Neal was driving even before they fatally shot him in the back.

Chicago has been rocked by allegations of unfair or racially biased treatment by police, including the shooting of Laquan McDonald in 2014

The footage of O'Neal's shooting was the first to be released under new legislation requiring the release of footage within 60 days, brought in after McDonald's death

O'Neal, 18, died following a car chase during which officers shot at his vehicle, a violation of department policy because he wasn't armed

According to Chicago department policy, officers should never fire at a moving vehicle unless the occupant is armed and firing back.

Footage also shows O'Neal handcuffed and face down on the ground in a growing pool of blood while cops seem to discuss turning their body cameras off.

Release of the O'Neal shooting video was the first under a new policy that calls for such material to be made public within 60 days.

The policy was changed after public outrage last year following months of delay in releasing video that showed black teenager Laquan McDonald being shot 16 times.

Johnson attempted to explain the missing footage by saying the officer in question had only been using the camera for a week and so didn't know how to operate it.
MISSOULA  Montana Innocence Project client Dale Hanson lost his petition for post-conviction relief at the Montana Supreme Court.

The Whitefish man was convicted in 1995 of sexual assault and deviate sexual conduct, and served 10 years in prison for the crimes against a child. However, he has maintained for more than 20 years that he did not abuse his girlfriend's son.

Since his release roughly a decade ago, Hanson has been hiding from law enforcement because he refuses to register as a sexual offender. As a result, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

"We never would have agreed to come on as counsel if we didn't believe in his innocence," Montana Innocence Project legal director Larry Mansch said this week. "But I don't know that there are any avenues for us to go down since the Supreme Court decision."

Mansch said retired University of Montana law professor Jeffrey Renz was lead counsel on Hanson's case, and he did not know whether Renz had plans to pursue the matter in federal court. The Innocence Project signed on as co-counsel when Renz took a leave of absence for a summer.

Renz could not be reached early last week for comment.

The Montana Supreme Court ruled the lower court did not abuse its discretion in Hanson's case, as he alleged.

The order said Hanson and his girlfriend at the time sometimes showered with her son, and the boy testified he and Hanson showered together at times. The boy testified that he and Hanson washed each other's genitals and Hanson told the boy to perform oral sex, and he did so, the order said.

In 1995, a jury convicted Hanson, and the Montana Supreme Court upheld the decision.

But Hanson has maintained his innocence.

Earlier, a witness for Hanson who is a therapist said that nationwide, both counselors and prosecutors were overzealous in finding child abuse during the time that Hanson was convicted, and authorities sometimes manipulated children into believing abuse took place when it hadn't.

Hanson's lawyers have noted that his steadfast insistence he did not abuse the boy robbed him of benefits he would have had while incarcerated  and that admitting to the allegations might have kept him from landing behind bars in the first place.

"Mr. Hanson could have drawn a lighter sentence and possibly have avoided prison, if he had admitted to something he did not do and submitted to treatment for a condition that he did not have," an earlier court document said. "Nevertheless, he maintained his innocence."

The court filing said his housing and confinement conditions would have improved had he registered as a sexual offender.

Hanson's lawyers have alleged the state deliberately suppressed evidence favorable to their client. They also argued the lower court abused its discretion multiple times and delayed the case in "egregious" ways.

According to Hanson's attorneys, a Flathead County detective, now dead, interfered with witnesses who wanted to testify on Hanson's behalf, and thus, interfered with his right to due process.

"The state's response argued that the information set forth by Hanson did not constitute newly discovered evidence and argued that, because (the detective) was deceased and had been for several years, it could not specifically respond to the allegations against her," read the Montana Supreme Court order.

In 2009, Hanson's failure to have a current registration as a sex offender led to a warrant for his arrest, according to the court order issued earlier this summer.

In his quest for post-conviction relief, Hanson petitioned the Flathead County District Court, but he missed three depositions, according to the order. He failed to appear  despite the court's demands  because he did not want to be arrested on the outstanding warrant.

"Allowing a litigant to ignore a court order to appear for a deposition because of an outstanding warrant cannot be tolerated," said Justice Laurie McKinnon in the order.

The order also noted Hanson was given advance notice he could lose his case if he failed to appear. Hanson had requested to appear via teleconference in order to answer questions without fear of arrest.

"In its order compelling his attendance, Hanson was expressly warned that his failure to attend the third deposition could result in the District Court dismissing his petition with prejudice," the order said.

The court did so, and the state high court affirmed the ruling: "The District Court did not abuse its discretion by dismissing Hanson's petition for post-conviction relief."

Hanson remains in hiding and has been considered a fugitive from the law.
have already spent 2.4bn on private cosmetic dentistry this year

A boom in dentists who offer cosmetic treatments without training is leaving a growing number of patients with ruined teeth, it has been reported.

Dentists are profiting from a huge rise in treatments including teeth whitening and veneers, as more Britons spend thousands of pounds to get a winning smile.

But experts have warned that many of those who claim to be cosmetic specialists are under qualified general practitioners in search of a 'quick buck'.

'Gold rush': Dentists are profiting from a huge rise in treatments, as more Britons spend thousands of pounds to get a winning smile (file photo)

Christopher Dean, director of the UK Dental Law and Ethics Forum, told the Katie Gibbons and Chris Smyth of the Times: 'We are seeing more and more general dental practitioners leave traditional surgeries to join or set up private cosmetic firms.

'Many complain that the NHS does not remunerate adequately - unfortunately cosmetic dentistry is easy money. This is the gold rush.'

Mr Dean said he had reported a number of individuals guilty of 'horrifically negligent practice' to the General Dental Council, but said they were still on the register and profiteering from patients - who they treated as 'customers'.

The top-earning private dentists in the UK made a collective turnover of almost 1billion in 2014  up 22 per cent on 2010  with treatments including 'smile analyses' and sonic polishing, research shows.

Analysis by finance provider LDF says the rise is because Britons are shelling out thousands of pounds for private treatment.

Private cosmetic dentistry was worth 2 billion last year, up from 1.6 billion in 2011, according to market research organisation Mintel.

Patients have already spent some 2.4 billion on private treatments this year.

The perfect smile: People in Britain have already spent 2.4billion this year alone on treatments

A survey found a quarter of Britons have had some form of cosmetic dentistry (file photo)

A quarter of Britons have had some form of cosmetic dentistry, with 18 per cent choosing veneers, a survey by the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found.

A 2012 report found that claims against dentists involving porcelain veneers doubled between 2005 and 2010.

And in 2015 the UK's six leading specialist dental societies published a dramatic joint statement in the British Dental Journal expressing concern at the risks of 'increasingly popular' cosmetic dentistry, describing cases of permanent damage to teeth caused by veneers as a 'worrying and growing problem'.

'The desire for the alleged 'perfect smile' needs to be tempered with an awareness of the significant risks,' they wrote.
Investigators were treating the death of a 10-year-old boy on the world's tallest waterslide as a 'civil matter' rather than a criminal incident, a police spokesman said Monday, as the park and Kansas authorities pressed to sort out what caused the tragedy.

Few details have been released about the death Sunday of Caleb Thomas Schwab, the son of a Kansas state legislator. The 168-foot-tall Verruckt is one of the top attractions of Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas. The park was closed Monday amid the investigation.

The Wyandotte County coroner's office began a post-mortem examination on Monday. Margaret Studyvin, an administrative assistant with the department, said it wasn't clear when or if autopsy results would be made public.

Meanwhile, an online fund has raised more than $20,000 to cover funeral expenses for the family

Scroll down for video

Medical examiners planned to conduct on autopsy on the body of Caleb Thomas Schwab on Monday, left, who died on Sunday while riding the world's tallest waterslide. Caleb is pictured above with his father Scott, right, a Kansas state Congressman

This file photo shows Schlitterbahn's 168-foot-tall Verruckt speed slide/water coaster in Kansas City, Kansas

Kansas City police spokesman Officer Cameron Morgan said no police report was available of the incident and deferred additional questions to the park.

In an email Monday, Winter Prosapio, spokeswoman for Schlitterbahn, said the park would not be 'participating in any further media interviews at this time.' A day earlier, she told reporters that Caleb had been at the park with family members, adding 'We honestly don't know what's happened.'

Riders go down the slide in multi-person rafts. Each rider must be at least 54 inches tall and the weight of the group is limited to a total of 400 to 550 pounds. Because of heavy demand, rides are scheduled by reservation at the time the park opens each day.

Police spokesman Officer Cameron Morgan said the boy's cause of death has not been confirmed. But officers are conducting a death investigation at the park

The park's website touts the ride as the 'ultimate in water slide thrills,' subjecting 'adventure seekers' with a 'jaw dropping' 17-story drop, 'only to be blasted back up a second massive hill and then sent down yet another gut wrenching 50 foot drop.'

Verruckt, which means 'insane' in German, was certified as the world's tallest waterslide by Guinness World Records.

State Rep. Scott Schwab, an Olathe Republican, and his wife, Michele, released a statement asking for privacy as the family grieves.

'Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with,' the statement said.

Authorities initially said the victim was 12 years old, but Clint Sprague, a pastor acting as the family's spokesman, said Caleb was 10 and is one of the couple's four sons.

House Speaker Ray Merrick told the Kansas City Star that Schwab's family was 'the center of his world.'

The height requirement to ride Verruckt is at least 54 inches tall and riders must be at least 14 years old, according to the park's website. Riders have to climb the ride's 264 steps to the top before taking the 168-foot plunge at 65 mph

The Verryckt water slide (pictured) opened in July 2014 after its opening date was pushed back three times for additional safety testing

Verruckt's 2014 opening was repeatedly delayed, though the operators didn't explain why. Two media sneak preview days in 2014 were canceled because of problems with a conveyor system that hauls 100-pound rafts to the top of the slide.

In a news article linked to the news release announcing a 2014 delay, Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry told USA Today that he and senior designer John Schooley had based their calculations when designing the slide on roller coasters, but that didn't translate well to a waterslide like Verruckt.

In early tests, rafts carrying sandbags flew off the slide, prompting engineers to tear down half of the ride and reconfigure some angles at a cost of $1 million, Henry said.

A promotional video for a show about building the slide includes footage of two men riding a raft down a half-size test model and going slightly airborne as it crests the top of the first big hill.

Prosapio said Sunday that the park's rides are inspected daily and by an 'outside party' before the start of each season.

Without specifically mentioning water slides, Kansas statutes describe an 'amusement ride' as 'any mechanical or electrical device that carries or conveys passengers along, around or over a fixed or restricted route or course or within a defined area for the purpose of giving its passengers amusement, pleasure, thrills or excitement.'

Such rides, according to the statute, commonly are known as Ferris wheels, carousels, parachute towers, bungee jumps and roller coasters.

State law leaves it to the Kansas Department of Labor to adopt rules and regulations relating to certification and inspection of rides, adding that an amusement ride at a permanent location 'shall be self-inspected by a qualified inspector at least every 12 months.'

Messages left Monday with Kansas' Labor Department were not immediately returned.

Kansas state Sen. Greg Smith, an Overland Park Republican, said that although state law doesn't specifically address waterslides, it's clear they 'would fall into that category.'

He called any potential legislative action spurred by Sunday's tragedy premature, saying the investigation of Caleb Schwab's death should be given time to unfold.

'Until we have those facts it's too early to specify what we can do legislatively,' Smith said.
Michael James Quinn, 27, is accused of fatally stabbing his on-off girlfriend Cherie Vize (pictured) in a fit of jealous rage

A man accused of fatally stabbing his on-off girlfriend five times in the neck during a fit of jealous rage has been left a quadriplegic after he turned the knife on himself.

Michael James Quinn, 27, is facing a judge-alone trial after being accused of murdering his girlfriend Cherie Vize, in the front yard of the home he shared with his family in Farmborough Heights, Wollongong, in 2013.

Quinn became enraged after finding out Ms Vize was seeing another man she had met on an online dating site, the NSW Supreme Court heard on Monday.

The Crown alleges he deliberately tried to cause Ms Vize at least grievous bodily harm after seeing a message she sent to the other man about the morning after pill.

In a walk-through with police a few days after the killing, Quinn's mother Joanne said she was folding clothes inside when she heard Ms Vize asking her son what he was doing, the court heard.

She said she saw the pair struggling when she walked outside to investigate.

'There was something in her voice that I thought, "what's going on?",' Mrs Quinn told the court.

'I knew she looked fearful and she didn't want him there so I tried to get between them but he was just too strong and by then I saw the blood,' she added.

Michael James Quinn (pictured) who is accused of stabbing his girlfriend five times in the neck during a fit of jealous rage has been left a quadriplegic after he turned the knife on himself

Quinn became enraged after finding out Ms Vize was seeing another man she had met on an online dating site, a court heard on Monday

Mrs Quinn said she had blood on her hands, arms, stomach and face by the time paramedics arrived, desperately attempting to apply pressure to the woman's punctured neck.

'Cherie was bleeding from the neck so I put my hand on her neck,' Ms Quinn told police in a recorded interview played in court.

'This isn't my blood,' she had earlier told police when they first arrived.

Her son had collapsed on the front lawn and was complaining that he couldn't feel his hands or legs by the time Mrs Quinn went to see him, the court heard.

'He asked a police officer to shoot him to be done with it,' she said in the video played to the court.

'I told him to shut up.'

The court heard a knife was still lodged in Quinn's neck when he was first put in an ambulance but fell out on the way to hospital.

The defence says Quinn did not mean to cause grievous bodily harm when he stabbed Ms Vize (pictured is NSW Supreme Court, where the murder trial is taking place)

The defence says Quinn, who was on medication for obsessive compulsive disorder, did not mean to kill or cause grievous bodily harm when he inflicted the five wounds to Ms Vize's neck.

His barrister Janet Manuell SC told Justice Robert Beech-Jones he could find the man guilty of manslaughter if he found his mental capacity was substantially impaired at the time.

'It's Mr Quinn's position that he inflicted the wounds on Ms Vize accidentally in the course of a struggle,' she said.

In another walk through, Quinn's brother described screaming at Michael as he stabbed himself in the chest and then began running a knife along his throat.

He said Ms Vize's eyes were rolling into the back of her head as his mother tried to hold her up.

'She was gasping,' he said.

The trial continues.
Four people were injured after a motorcycle stunt went wrong and the showman went off the stage and into the crowd.

Roland Sands drove into the crowd during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in western South Dakota at around 9.45pm on Sunday, between musical performances by Lita Ford and Kid Rock.

Buffalo Chip Campground spokeswoman Nyla Griffith on Monday said the victims suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.

Scroll down for video

Four people were injured after Roland Sands' motorcycle stunt went wrong and the showman went off the stage and into the crowd (above)

She said 'one maybe two' of the four victims spent the night at a hospital, but have since been released.

The spectators' injuries included a broken nose and a wounded leg, Griffith said.

She said at least one victim was back at the campground by the time Kid Rock took the stage around midnight.

'Of course, it was a horrible accident, we feel terrible, but you know, it could have been much, much worse,' Griffith said. 'We are just really happy that everyone is going to be OK.'

Griffith added that she's not aware of what exactly malfunctioned during the show.

'It was moving, but it wasn't definitely anything near a full throttle or rocking, and drove off the stage into the VIP pit,' said a spokesman for the event. Above, Roland Sands

'He was going to do a demonstration on the stage, there was a malfunction, and the bike went over the stage,' Griffith said.

'It was moving, but it wasn't definitely anything near a full throttle or rocking, and drove off the stage into the VIP pit.'

Sands did not immediately return a voicemail and email directed to his California-based company inquiring about the cause of the incident and his current medical condition.

Meade County Sheriff Ron Merwin said his department responded to the incident to assist the ambulance, but it is not investigating the accident.

He said the incident is not considered a 'reportable' accident because it did not occur on a roadway.
If it happens, Ahikito would become first monarch in 200 years to abdicate

Expressed concern about his health and ability to carry out his duties fully

Biggest hint yet that he wants to stand down and make way for his son

The Japanese emperor has signaled his desire to abdicate by expressing concern about his ability to carry out his duties fully in a rare address to the public.

'When I consider my age of over 80, as well as my gradually deteriorating physical condition despite being luckily healthy at this moment, I am concerned about being able to fulfill by duties as a symbol with the utmost efforts, as I have done so far,' Akihito said in a 10-minute pre-recorded speech broadcast on national television.

Given restrictions on what he can say as a symbolic monarch with no political power, it is considered the closest he could come to saying he wants to step down.

Scroll down for video

The Japanese emperor Akihito has signaled his desire to abdicate by expressing concern about his ability to carry out his duties fully in a rare address to the public

If the plans do ahead, he would become his country's first monarch to abdicate in 200 years in allowing his son to take over the throne as people react to the message in the streets of Tokyo

Japan's Emperor Akihito waves to well-wishers as he appears on the balcony of the Imperial Palace to mark his 82nd birthday in Tokyo

As expected, he avoided using the word 'abdication,' which could have violated those restrictions.

The 82-year-old monarch spoke publicly after recent media reports that he may want to abdicate.

If he does, it isn't expected to happen immediately, as legal changes would be needed to allow him to do so.

Akihito suggested in his speech a need to consider how to make the succession process smoother.

He has reportedly told palace officials and his family that he doesn't wish to cling to his title if his responsibilities have to be severely reduced, and his two sons have accepted the idea.

If the plans do ahead, he would become his country's first monarch to abdicate in 200 years in allowing his son to take over the throne.

The monarch, who has had heart surgery and prostate cancer, has been cutting back on his official duties and handing them over to his heir Crown Prince Naruhito, 56, within a few years.

Akihito was the heir to Emperor Hirohito, in whose name Japan fought the Second World War, and has spent much of his time on the throne seeking to heal the wounds from the conflict.

He has reigned since his father died in 1989.

People in a electronics store in Tokyo, Japan, watch a TV screen broadcasting Japanese Emperor Akihito, 82, delivering a video message to the public

'When I consider my age of over 80, as well as my gradually deteriorating physical condition despite being luckily healthy at this moment, I am concerned about being able to fulfill by duties as a symbol with the utmost efforts, as I have done so far,' Akihito said in a 10-minute pre-recorded speech broadcast on national television

Akihito marked the 70th anniversary of end of the war last year with an expression of 'deep remorse', a departure from his previous remarks, seen by some as an effort to cement of legacy of post-war pacifism.

'Looking back at the past, together with deep remorse over the war, I pray that this tragedy of war will not be repeated and together with the people express my deep condolences for those who fell in battle and in the ravages of war,' he said.

Akihito has sought to deepen Japan's ties with the world through visits abroad.

In 1992 he became the first Japanese monarch in living memory to visit China, where bitter memories of Japan's past military aggression run deep.

Crown Prince Naruhito with his wife Masako will take over from his father

While Akihito's father was a controversial figure, Akihito 'was the first post-war emperor to embrace the (pacifist) constitution and his role as a symbol of national unity', said Koichi Nakano, a political science professor at Sophia University in Tokyo.

Under the US-drafted, postwar constitution, Japan's emperor is 'the symbol of the State and of the unity of the People', with no political power.

He is the first royal heir to have married a commoner, Michiko Shoda, the daughter of a wealthy industrialist.

Emperor Kokaku, who gave up the throne in 1817, was the last Japanese emperor to abdicate, NHK said.

The timing of the latest handover to his son Naruhito, 56, was not immediately clear.
Thailand has voted to axe democracy after backing a military junta in a shock referendum amid widespread anger over corruption in politics.

The bitterly divided kingdom has been ruled by a junta for two years since Yingluck Shinawatra's government was booted from office.

Thailand's ruling generals claimed victory in a referendum over a new constitution in what the former premier said was a 'backwards step' for the country.

The majority 'yes' vote in support of the charter was the first test of public opinion since the 2014 coup, although independent campaigning and open debate was stifled ahead of the polls.

Former Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra talks to the media after casting ballot at her local polling station in Bangkok

The draft was heavily criticised in the poll run-up for clauses that embed military power and straitjacket the role of elected officials.

But Sunday's vote lends legitimacy to a junta that says it alone can stabilise Thailand and detoxify politics after a decade of turmoil.

Unofficial results released by the Election Commission showed 61.4 percent of the country backed the document, with 38.6 percent voting 'no'.

At under 55 per cent, turnout was modest.

But it was enough to land a hammer blow on the nation's pro-democracy movement, which since 2006 has been winded by two coups, court rulings and a bloody military crackdown.

'I accept the decision of the people,' Yingluck said in a social media post, in her first reaction to Sunday's poll, adding she was 'not surprised' at the result due to the bar on debating the document.

'I am saddened by the fact that our country is going backwards to an undemocratic constitution,' she added.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha speaks to the media after voting at his local polling station in Bangkok

Sunday marked her family's first loss at the polls since a charter referendum in the wake of a 2006 coup that toppled Thaksin Shinawatra - Yingluck's billionaire elder brother who sits at the crux of Thailand's political schism.

The Shinawatra clan have won all general elections since 2001, scooping up votes by promising greater wealth and opportunity to the nation's poor, especially in the long neglected north and northeast.

Yingluck's pro-democracy Peau Thai party had been widely assumed to still enjoy mass support and maintain the power to mobilise their voters.

But initial results from the north east showed only a narrow majority in support of the party position, with the 'no' vote squeaking by with 51 percent.

Experts said the vote in part reflected the impact of the junta's ban on campaigning.

But it was a sign of a population wearied by a cycle of coups and bloody protests that have defined Thailand's 'lost decade' of political conflict.

Anxiety over the ill health of 88-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej has compounded the crisis.

His reign has seen five tumultuous decades with powerful elites now jostling for position ahead of the eventual transition.

Democracy is on the back-burner throughout this period, according to Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a politics expert at Chulalongkorn University.

'There is an implicit understanding of the military being a midwife to a transition. This is why people cut them some slack,' he said.

Leaders of the 'Red Shirt' movement (from left) Jatuporn Prompan and Nattawut Saikuar, and Thida Thavornseth

The military says the new constitution will end endemic political corruption and pave the way for a general election next year.

But critics say it will instead introduce a tightly controlled partial democracy under the stewardship of the military and its royalist allies.

Once formally adopted, the charter will allow for a junta-appointed senate -- including six seats reserved for military commanders.

The upper house will keep elected lawmakers in check, while courts and other watchdog bodies will be given increased powers -- despite already being accused of political bias.

Another clause makes it easy to begin impeachment proceedings, while a new proportional representation voting system is likely to produce weak coalition governments.

That will likely chisel away at the Shinawatra's electoral success -- a grassroots base which is now under scrutiny following the referendum.

'It seems that right now people trust the military more than politicians,' Thida Thavornseth, an advisor to the pro-democracy 'Red Shirt' movement told AFP.
Police were called to a family fun day after furious parents confronted the organiser over 'disgraceful' attractions that included a castle made from old crisp boxes.

Visitors paid up to 14 for tickets to Kidz Fest, which was billed as a 'unique weekend full of fun' with 'interactive activities and performances'.

But when parents arrived at the showground in Orsett, Essex, on Saturday morning, they were told they had to splash out even more money on rides.

Scroll down for video

Disgraceful: Visitors paid up to 14 for tickets to Kidz Fest, which promised a 'unique weekend full of fun'. Among the free attractions was a castle made from cardboard boxes, pictured

Dispute: Officers from Essex Police speak with organiser Tom Kembery, seen in the hat, after he was confronted by visitors. The second day of the weekend-long event was cancelled

One of the few free attractions at the event was a children's 'castle' made out of old crisp boxes stuck together.

Officers from Essex Police were called after parents and stall holders confronted organiser Tom Kembery, 31, of Romford, Essex, demanding refunds.

It is the latest in a string of failed events for Mr Kembery, who was also behind a widely criticised Frozen themed pop up and a disappointing Burger Beer Fest earlier this year.

Mother Jessica Turner wrote on Facebook: 'The event was a complete and utter disgrace, it was basically a school fete, the only thing free was pretty much some cardboard boxes and paint, and a very small "circus" area manned by a rude girl who sat on her phone the entire time.'

Rip off: Parents confront organiser Mr Kembery at the 'disgraceful' family fun day

Another mother wrote: 'We paid 14 per ticket online and was under the impression that there would be a couple of chargeable items inside but most would be free as advertised.

'When we got there nothing was free except a few cardboard boxes, a poor show which was even changed without notifying anyone ( we sat waiting for Jack and the beanstalk to find Peter pan came on instead ) and a couple of sit on things.

'It was a total rip off.'

HOW MUCH A DAY OUT AT KIDZ FEST COULD HAVE COST Five tickets for 14 each = 70 Three 5 wristbands for 'Bouncy Town' bouncy castles = 15 Three rides for three children, each costing 3 or 4 = 27-36 Total for a family of five: 112-121 Advertisement

Another parent added: 'Basically paid 50 plus to go on bouncy castles and to walk around a field. Don't understand what we actually got for the entrance price.'

Tickets cost 36 for a family of four with individuals paying as much as 14 each for entry. They were sold online by Mr Kembery's company 'Winter Fest' and through voucher website Groupon.

Writing on Facebook, parents said that Kidz Fest promotional material had suggested most of the attractions would be free.

But families were expected to pay for rides, games and entertainment at the event, with an 'unlimited' pass for the bouncy castle costing 5 per child.

Visitors also claimed that there were no baby changing facilities available on site, forcing parents to change nappies on the ground.

Furious: Customers took to Facebook to share their frustration following their visits

Stall holders who paid up to 60 for a pitch for both days also complained that the event was not accurately advertised and have asked for money back.

Shop owner Linda Thomas told MailOnline she closed her store for the day and paid 35 for a pitch at Kidz Fest, which was billed as a 'big event'.

She said: 'We don't usually stock children's bits and bobs but went to the wholesalers especially to get some stuff in and ended up spending over 100 there.

Confronted: Organiser Tom Kembery

'However, as everyone had paid such an exorbitant entrance fee and then had to pay out again for everything inside the venue, nobody could afford to spend any money on any of the stalls.

'We were there from 8am until 4.30pm and didn't even make back our stall fee.'

The second day of the event was cancelled following complaints.

On a Facebook group called 'Kidz Fest Refund 2016', Mr Kembery wrote: 'Studio Club Inc (trading as Winter Fest) has offered refunds to customers of Kidz Fest who were unhappy with the event as a gesture of good will. This is by no means an admission of any liability of wrong doings.

'We feel the event was as advertised with a clear indication of what was included in the ticket price. At the bottom of the advertisement text on our website, we clearly listed what activities would be at an extra charge.'

Mrs Thomas said she was still waiting for a response from Mr Kembery regarding a refund.

Mr Kembery has previously faced criticism over a Frozen-themed pop-up event which featured 25 face paints and a 'snow' pit made with foam.

The event also offered a less-than-impressive cardboard cut-out of a castle and a small bouncy castle.

Refunds: Dozens of parents have taken to social media demanding their money back

And in June this year visitors to a 60-a-ticket Burger and Beer Fest organised by Mr Kembery were left disappointed after they arrived to find just two stalls open.

Mr Kembery is understood to have cancelled an upcoming 'Jurassic pop-up' restaurant in the wake of the Kidz Fest complaints.

He claims to be a 'photographer, producer, image maker and director' on social media. It is understood that he lives with his parents in his family home in Essex.

An Essex Police spokesman said: 'The disturbance was following a civil dispute between attendees and the organisers of the show.

'Officers attended to prevent breach of the peace and offered words of advice to attendees.'

Less than impressive: Tom Kembery was also behind a Frozen-themed pop up last February. The event, which cost 15 for a child and 5 for an adult, was widely criticised by parents. Pictured, actors performed a shortened version of the story in front of a cardboard castle
Bernard Hepplewhite, 67, suffered a serious injury when a deranged attacker thrust a kitchen knife into his stomach

The only Briton caught up in the deadly Russell Square knife rampage remained in a serious condition in hospital last night.

Bernard Hepplewhite, 67, suffered a serious injury when a deranged attacker thrust a kitchen knife into his stomach.

The retired tax expert was just yards from US tourist Darlene Horton, 64, who suffered a fatal wound to her back.

Four others injured during the six minutes of horror, a second American, two Australians and an Israeli, have all been released from hospital.

Last night, friends of the popular widower and father of two said they believed he was returning to his home in Rochester, Kent, when the tragedy took place.

One said: We are shocked, and even now we dont believe it could have happened to him. Hes an extremely lovely man. We are devastated for his family.

Neighbours of Mr Hepplewhites 300,000 semi-detached home added that he is a well-liked member of the community.

Brought up in South Shields, he worked for the Inland Revenue until his retirement. His wife, Eileen, died in April 2010 after a short battle with cancer.

Mr Hepplewhite, known as Bernie, is an enthusiastic member of the Chopin Society, which holds regular recitals in central London, and English Martyrs Catholic Church in Strood.

The self-declared Geordie in exile also volunteers to help restore the World War Two destroyer HMS Cavalier, currently moored at Chatham Historic Dockyard.

One neighbour said: He always says hello when we see him. I know that he has a lot of personal interests. Especially since his wife died. We just hope he's going to be alright.

Bernie Hepplewhite (left) at Wembley with son-in-law John Griggs (second left), son Matthew (second right) and daughter Sarah

Bernie Hepplewhite (top right) with son Matthew (bottom right), son-in-law John Griggs and daughter Sarah

Kristin Lord, a fellow member of the Chopin Society, wrote on its website: This is sad. Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.

The knife rampage sparked a major counter terrorism alert over fears it was inspired by bloodthirsty Islamic State propaganda.

The suspect, Zakaria Bulhan, 19, is described by friends as having a Muslim with a long-standing interest in Islamic culture.

However, Scotland Yard insisted investigators believe his poor mental health may lay behind the attack instead of any terrorist motivation.

Zakaria Bulhan appeared before Westminster Magistrates and was remanded in custody

Zakaria Bulhan, 19, (left) is accused of murdering retired teacher Darlene Horton, 64, (right) at Russell Square on Wednesday evening

Murder squad detectives are examining his phone, computer and other devices but are understood not to have found any extremist material of substantial interest.

It is understood medical reports show Bulhan only came in touch with the fringes of the NHS mental health system.

In April doctors concluded he was suffering anxiety and a depressive disorder and referred him back to his GP. He then declined treatment.

Neighbours of his familys council-owned home said ambulances had been repeatedly called in recent months as he threatened to kill himself.

They said it was not clear if the teenager, who lived with his mother and two siblings, completed his A-Levels or ever attended Kingston College after being offered a place.

Bulhan is also charged with the attempted murder of Martin Hoenisch, Lillie Selletin, David Imber, Bernard Hepplewhite and Yovel Lewronski, who were all injured in the same attack

Bulhan has been accused of murdering Mrs Horton, who was due to fly back to the US the next day. He is accused of attempting to murder the other five victims.

Las Vegas resident Martin Hoenisch, Australians Lillie Selletin, 23, and lobbyist David Imber, 40, and Israeli Yovel Lewronski, 18, were all released from hospital on Thursday.

Miss Lewronski write a moving account of her ordeal from her hospital bed and posted it online in the hours after the tragedy.

The last few hours have taught me to appreciate every second. I dont know whether to call it luck or fate she wrote.

But no doubt it is some sort of miracle compared to the woman who stood right next to me and perished in front of my eyes: a matter of seconds, metres, breaths.
A Dallas police officer died on the day he was supposed to get married after he was involved in a scuba diving accident.

Hans Campbell was on vacation in the Philippines before his wedding to fiancee Chriselyn Bedolido when he was hit by a boat Tuesday and declared clinically dead.

He was kept on life support so his organs remained viable for donation, but was taken off it on Thursday.

A Dallas police officer has died on the day he was supposed to get married after he was involved in a scuba diving accident

Hans Campbell (right) was on vacation in the Philippines before his wedding to fiancee Chriselyn Bedolido (left) when he was hit in a boat and declared clinically dead

This was the same day that he and Miss Bedolido were due to wed at the Bluewater Panglao beach resort on Bohol Island.

Wedding guests were also scheduled to celebrate his 28th birthday on August 3, a day after he was hit by the boat, according to Khou.com.

Mr Campbell served with the Texas Army National Guard before joining the Dallas police department.

His death is the latest tragedy to hit the force since five officers were killed and seven injured during a protest against the shooting of black men by police.

Mr Campbell met Miss Bedolido in October 2011 at a Pho restaurant in Westminster, California.

Their wedding website describes the beginning of their love story after Mr Campbell entered the restaurant with his friend Victor and decided to sit at a table next to Miss Bedolido.

It was in the wee hours of the night. Hans, with his friends, was driving around town looking for his favorite Vietnamese noodle soup and Chriselyn just got off from an exhausting shift, Mr Campbell wrote on the page.

Victor Wang, who said he is one of Mr Campbells best friends and his roommate in Dallas, set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs

He asked her: Whats good to order here?

She replied: Uhhhh, Pho?!

Their conversation began there  and by the end of the night, he had asked for her phone number. She refused, giving only an email address.

The next morning, Hans searched Chriselyn on Facebook using her email address. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Victor Wang, who said he is one of Mr Campbells best friends and his roommate in Dallas, set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs.

Donations have already topped $7,000 out of a target of $10,000.

He described the death of his friend as heartbreaking.

He said that the family were hoping to fly Mr Campbells body back to the U.S. as soon as possible so he can be laid to rest.

Mr Campbell served with the Texas Army National Guard before joining the Dallas police department

Friends and colleagues took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Campbell. Corina Reyna, a police dispatcher, called him one of the nicest and most respectful guys Ive ever met'

The reason why Im doing this is just to help Chriselyn as everyone can imagine how much is on her plate already, he added.

Friends and colleagues took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Campbell.

Corina Reyna, a police dispatcher with the Dallas PD, called him one of the nicest and most respectful guys Ive ever met.

Im so heartbroken, she said. He always joked around with me on the radio, on messages, but most importantly always checked up on me, especially after he found out I was pregnant.

He was just asking me for my opinion on the wedding band his fiancee bought him.
Advertisement

One is described as an 'expert pickpocket' while another is simply labelled a 'general thief and bad character'.

These are the faces of 1930s crime in Britain, in a series of mugshot photographs from Tyne and Wear which have been brought to life after being colourised alongside snippets about each mans wrongdoing.

The black and white images, which appear to have come from a police identification book, are presented with the colourised picture to highlight the tough look on their faces.

Notes accompanying the mugshots gave a rare insight into the criminal world of the 1930s - most seem to have been arrested for robbery and theft.

The pictures were expertly colourised by Tom Marshall of PhotograFix after he found them in the Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums series of collections  and it is believed the criminals were all from the North East.

He said: I colourise photos to bring the faces to life and to try and connect more easily with the subjects. As is often the case, the eyes are the first thing that appear when the image is colourised and these were no different.

I believe that by connecting with the images in this way we're able to better imagine what was on the minds of these men. Were they justified to be called "bad characters" as one man, John Dodgson, is described?

Or with the benefit of modern eyes, can these men be seen as victims of their circumstances, living in one of the poorest areas of the country, during the worst economic times of the 20th century?

Blue-eyed: Neil Quinn, a labourer born in 1907, was in trouble for larceny, shop and warehouse breaking - and he is one of a series of mugshot photographs from Tyne and Wear which have been brought to life after being colourised

'A general thief and bad character': John Dodgson, a miner born in 1902, was known for 'larceny and false pretences' - with his police identification record stating that he worked along and had 'extensively tattooed forearms and hands'

Breaking and entering: Charles Ormston, a 5ft 4in labourer born in 1906, had a reputation for breaking into shops, houses, pubs and warehouses - and is said to have got inside by smashing his way through windows at the rear of buildings

5ft 3in labourer: George Coulson, who was known for larceny, shop, office and housebreaking, was said to have used 'various methods of entry' and had a blue dot between the thumb and the forefinger of his right hand

The 'Sunderland Kid': James Lowrie, an 1892-born labourer, was said to have been an 'expert pickpocket' who associated with 'all classes of pickpockets' - and he was also known for robbery, along with having a scar on the back of his right hand

Quite a reputation: Albert Dick, a 5ft 6in labourer with dark brown hair and blue eyes who was born in 1911, was labelled in his police identification record as a 'general all round thief and safebreaker' who 'associated with all classes of thieves'

Smirking: Michael Lavery had the distinction of being a 'general thief and shopbreaker' and was identifiable by the scar on his chest. The labourer born in 1897 also had brown eyes, brown hair and a height of 5ft 3in

Buffalo Bill mark: John William Archibold, a hawker, was known for larceny and shopbreaking. His police identification document shows that he worked alone, used to break windows at the rear of buildings and broke into pubs in the afternoon

Flat cap: James Boyd Potter, who had the unfortunate nickname of 'Fatty Potter', was a 5ft 1in labourer who had a long operation scar on the right hand side of his neck. He was known for pub, shop and warehouse breaking

Born in 1896: Frank Kelly, a hawker who had brown hair and was 5ft 8in tall, was labelled a 'general all round thief' known for larceny, receiving, shop and warehouse breaking. He was also said to associate 'with all classes of thieves'

Stony faced: Benedict Frederick Muir, a 5ft 5in labourer with brown hair born in 1908, had a reputation for breaking into pubs, shops and warehouses - and smashed his way in through the back of the buildings
The West got a little wilder recently when a wagon train tried to cross the Crow Reservation and instead became entangled in a long-simmering tribal dispute.

Like a scene out of the 1800s, the wagon train was reportedly stopped for five hours on July 24 by a group of Crow tribal members after trying to cross a contested route southwest of Billings known as the Pryor Gap Road.

Duncan Vezain, the organizer of the trip and a Bridger saddle maker and horse trainer, said he called the tribe about a month in advance of the two-day trip between Bridger and Pryor and talked to a member of the Crow Tribes Fish and Game office, Marlin Notafraid, to pay for a recreation permit to use the Pryor Gap Road.

Vezain said he paid Notafraid $400 for permission for his group of 45 riders.

The route has been closed to public travel since 2002 following a dispute between the Plain Bull family, which owns land along the route, and the Crow Tribe.

Standoff

The dispute started when the wagon train got to within about three miles of the travelers final destination and was blocked by a group of tribal members and their vehicles. More tribal members arrived later and circled behind the wagon train blocking any retreat, Vezain said. The Plain Bull family requested a $500 trespass fee for the wagon train to continue on.

It was straight-up a hostage situation, Vezain said. They offered to let one guy go through to get to a cash machine if we didnt have enough money. One family wanted to leave, and they wouldnt let them.

Terry Jean Plain Bull denied that the group was held hostage but said they were blocked from leaving.

Vezains wife, Bonnie, said she was very concerned because the hot day was taking a toll on her children, older riders and the horses.

It was a pretty concerning situation and kind of suspicious, she said.

Disputed

Plain Bull said the Crow Tribe and Notafraid had no right issuing a permit to the wagon train without first seeking permission from the Plain Bull family.

They trespassed on allotees land, she said, using the term for landowners within the reservation.

The groups were in a standoff while they waited for Notafraid to arrive and settle the situation, since both sides thought they were in the right. When Notafraid did finally arrive, Plain Bull and Vezain said he was dishonest about what had transpired.

Notafraid said he believed then and now that the recreation permit he issued the wagon train was valid on reservation and allotees land and that the Plain Bulls were in the wrong. He also said there would be no refund of the access fee the wagon train members paid since it was still valid to travel on other tribal lands.

The Plain Bull family sees the issue differently.

They put those people in a spot because they already knew the road was closed to nontribal members, Plain Bull said. Marlin said the BIA had opened the roads, which is a lie.

Flash point

With the disagreement simmering under the hot sun of a July afternoon, tempers on both sides flared.

This confrontation almost went hostile, said Elias Goes Ahead, who owns land farther down the road.

Guns were open on both sides, he said. The next time it might get into a bloody shootout.

Plain Bull said some members of the wagon train were drinking alcohol, littered, were disrespectful and tried to intimidate her family and friends, even threatening to cut the barbed wire fence so they could continue on.

Wagon train members accused the tribal members of being disrespectful.

Resolved

Reservation resident Cary White Buffalo Lance said the dispute is one of many that has pitted reservation residents against each other, the tribal government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Theres this kind of war between everybody, Lance said. Its something that needs to be addressed by the tribe.

He said the wagon train dispute is also keeping alive the animosity and racism that needs to go away between tribal and nontribal members.

The wagon train was finally allowed to proceed after paying the Plain Bull family a $500 cash trespass fee.

Vezain said one of his riders telephoned the Bridger Police Department, which called the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which dispatched an officer to Pryor Gap. Those interviewed for this story said the officer did not get involved in the dispute. The Crow Police chief said he was gone when the dispute arose and the BIA district officer was not available for comment. A message left for the Washington D.C. BIA representative was not returned by press time.

The BIA let them rob us, Vezain said. There was no due process.

Despite the long delay and additional cost, Vezain said he was pleased to have reached his objective of crossing the historic stage and railroad route thats now closed to public travel.

I achieved my goal, he said. It cost me a little extra money, but Ive been wanting to go through the Gap for eight years, ever since he started leading his annual wagon train trips.

I bet its been a century since a wagon train has been held up by hostile Indians.
but are 'still together'

Their family said the couple were taken

The distraught family of an elderly couple who were married for almost 67 years say they are 'still together' after the pair died suddenly in a tragic car accident.

Helen Marion Ashley, 85, and her husband Nelson Richard Ashley, 87, sustained serious injuries after Ms Ashley drove into an intersection and collided with another car west of Christchurch, on New Zealand's South Island, on Friday.

The couple, who 'did everything together', were rushed to Christchurch Hospital but their injuries were too extensive and they died only hours apart later that day, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Helen Marion Ashley (left) and her husband Nelson Richard Ashley (right) were just shy of their 67th wedding anniversary when the pair got into a serious car accident and died hours apart

Geoff Ashley, one of the couple's five children, said they were very involved with the family, who were shocked to have lost the doting grandparents so suddenly.

'With their age their time was coming I guess, but for them to go so suddenly and at the same time has been quite a shock to the whole family,' Geoff Ashley told Stuff.co.nz.

The family posted a death notice for the couple that said Mr and Mrs Ashley may be gone but they are 'still together'.

The couple, who 'did everything together', were rushed to Christchurch Hospital (pictured) but their injuries were too extensive and they died only hours apart later that day

Canterbury police manager Inspector Al Stewart said the 'tragic accident' had shaken the close-knit family.

'The family are obviously very distraught and upset with losing both members of the family in such an accident.'

According to Stuff.co.nz, three other people suffered minor injuries in the accident.

The couple sustained serious injuries after Ms Ashley drove into an intersection on Flaxton Road (pictured), west of Christchurch, New Zealand, and collided with another car




Lindt cafe gunman Man Haron Monis convinced his partner to brutally murder his ex-wife after unsuccessfully trying to persuade the Rebel's bikie gang to carry out the hit, prosecutors allege.

Sydney woman Amirah Droudis will stand trail alone before a judge in the New South Wales Supreme Court next month accused of the 'ritualistic' murder of the 30 year old woman.

Droudis, who 'married' Monis in a religious ceremony, stabbed the woman to death inside a Werrington unit block, in Sydney's western suburbs, before dousing her body in petrol and setting it on fire, Senior Crown Prosecutor Mark Tedeschi QC told Justice Peter Johnson on Monday.

Scroll down for video

Lindt cafe gunman Man Haron Monis (pictured in Rebels bikie garb) convinced his partner to brutally murder his ex-wife after unsuccessfully trying to persuade the Rebel's bikie gang to carry out the hit, prosecutors allege

Sydney woman Amirah Droudis (pictured) will stand trail alone before a judge in the New South Wales Supreme Court next month accused of the 'ritualistic' murder of the 30 year old woman

The woman died footsteps away from the front door of the unit she believed to be Monis's home.

But the 'incredibly secretive' Monis had in fact been subletting from a friend so as to conceal his real address from his ex-wife following their bitter divorce, Mr Tedeschi said.

Monis was allegedly able to convince Droudis, with whom he had been in a relationship since 2006 and who considered him her 'spiritual guide', to carry out the killing as a show of 'devotion', and 'to satisfy his desire to punish his ex-wife on God's behalf'.

Droudis faced court on Monday wearing a tan trench coat, with her hair pulled back into a neat bun.

It is alleged that on the afternoon of 21 April, 2013, she was dressed in a niqab that left only her hands and parts of her face exposed.

Mr Tedeschi said a horrified resident of the Werrington apartment complex had watched through the peep-hole of his front door as a woman dressed in that manner stabbed the woman up to 18 times, before setting her body alight.

'The Crown case is that the use of fire was a ritualistic element of this murder and that it was perpetrated by someone who had a great hatred for and sentiment against the deceased,' Mr Tedeschi said.

Prosecutors allege that Monis masterminded the murder and that among his 'bizarre' and extremist views was a belief that God 'sometimes uses human intermediaries to carry out his wishes', and that he 'saw fire as one form of God exacting vengeance'.

Monis was allegedly able to convince Droudis (pictured), with whom he had been in a relationship since 2006 and who considered him her 'spiritual guide', to carry out the killing as a show of 'devotion'

Lindt Cafe gunman Man Haron Monis (pictured) convinced his partner to 'ritualistically murder' his ex-wife

He said Droudis was 'besotted' with Monis and was willing to kill the woman because of the emotional and spiritual hold he had over her.

'She had totally subjugated her will to his. She adopted virtually all of his beliefs and his extremist political views,' Mr Tedeschi said.

'The Crown case is that she became so totally dominated by him that she was prepared to do his bidding in whatever way she wished.'

At the same time as his ex-wife was fighting for her life, Mr Tedeschi said, Monis was constructing an elaborate alibi for himself by filming a bizarre home video of himself at a Penrith swimming pool that included shots of clocks, so that he would be able to prove his whereabouts at the time his ex-wife was killed.

He later staged a car crash in front of the local police station.
A Ukip leadership candidate has called for the veil to be banned in public places to help Muslim women to feel more British.

In a major speech in London, Lisa Duffy demanded the closure of Islamic faith schools until the problem of Islamist terrorism is dealt with, as well as a 'complete and comprehensive ban' on sharia courts in the UK.

Ms Duffy said her proposals are designed to foster integration, and she claimed: 'Muslims who were born in this country ... are as British as I am and I simply want them to feel as British as I do.'

Ukip leadership contender Lisa Duffy today called for the veil to be banned in public to ensure Muslim women in Britain have the same 'rights and freedoms' as others

Lisa Duffy also demanded the closure of Islamic faith schools until the problem of Islamist terrorism is dealt with

But a rival in the race to succeed Nigel Farage will warn Ukip against focusing its efforts on issues like Islam, warning it risks being seen as 'small-minded' if it chases 'the bigot vote'.

Launching his own leadership campaign in Manchester, Ukip MEP Bill Etheridge will say: 'I am proposing that as a party we focus on our policies, cementing libertarianism into our DNA.

'That means not focusing on small issues like Islam which makes us look small-minded - I'm not chasing the bigot vote.'

Ms Duffy - who is backed by high-profile former Ukip spokeswoman Suzanne Evans - said she wants to 'set out a path of opportunity' for young Muslim women who were told by men what they should wear, what leisure activities they should pursue and even who they should marry.

'Why should I, as a white, Christian woman, effectively enjoy greater civil and human rights and freedoms than others?' the Huntingdonshire district councillor asked.

Under Ms Duffy's proposals the Muslim veil would be banned in public and on public transport

'My ambition is that everyone, from every community, should be able to enjoy the same rights and have the same independent control over their lives and their bodies as I do.'

She described the veil as 'a symbol of aggressive separatism that can only foster extremism' and will claim that it is often 'forced on women by men who view them as their property'.

While stopping short of a complete ban on the veil, Ms Duffy said that under her leadership, Ukip would advocate a 'show your face in public' policy.

'On our public transport networks, in public buildings, banks, stores and shopping precincts - all those places where teenagers are told to take their hoodies down and where motorcyclists are expected to remove their helmets - it is only reasonable to expect everyone to show their faces,' she will say.

'Again, it is about making sure there is one law for all, rather than making an exception for a community because we are frightened of causing offence. There is no offence to be taken if all are treated equally.'

Suzanne Evans, who is not eligible to stand for leader herself after getting suspended, backs Ms Duffy to succeed Nigel Farage as the Ukip leader

Ms Duffy said the rule should apply 'just as much to the retinues accompanying Middle Eastern princes to London as it will to Muslim women living in Britain' and that it should not be regarded as Islamophobic for someone to politely request a woman to remove a veil in public.

'I have a positive vision for British Islam where girls can grow up with equal rights to men and be given the rights of self-determination the rest of us take for granted,' she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Etheridge will position himself as the 'unity candidate' in a contest taking place amid increasingly vitriolic disputes between supporters of Mr Farage and backers of the party's only MP Douglas Carswell.

At his campaign launch, the Dudley borough councillor is expected to say: 'I do not want the party to scurry to the centre and abandon the values we as a party are supposed to promote, like a small state, low taxes and individual liberties. It is our difference which is our strength.'

Ms Duffy and Mr Etheridge are among a field of six candidates on the ballot paper in a race from which early favourites like Ms Evans and Steven Woolfe have been excluded.

The victor will be announced at Ukip's annual conference in Bournemouth on September 15.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has proposed imposing a temporary moratorium on new federal regulations, reviving the Obama-stalled Keystone oil pipeline project, slashing business tax rates and making childcare expenses fully tax-deductible, in a landmark economic speech Monday.

A campaign aide said Monday that 'we don't want it to be an economic disadvantage to have children.'

The childcare move was first teased by Ivanka Trump in her Republican convention speech when she said he would 'focus on making quality childcare affordable and accessible for all.'

UNFLAPPABLE: Donald Trump stuck to his economic message during a speech Monday to the Detroit Economic Club

'TINY HANDS!' The lone male protester screamed an insult at Trump before security yanked him from his seat

HER TURN: Hillary Clinton will unveil her own economic counterpoint later in the week

Trump's other economic proposals include measures to dramatically reduce income tax rates and simplify taxes for all Americans. He said in a speech to the Detroit Economic Club that as president he would trim the number of personal tax brackets from seven to just three, and introduce a zero-tax band for the lowest earners.

He would also turn away from Hillary Clinton's approach, he said Monday  'more of the same: more taxes, more regulations, more bureaucrats, more restrictions on American energy and American production.'

TRUMP'S PLAN AT A GLANCE FEDERAL INCOME TAX Currently: Seven tax brackets start at 10 per cent and go up to 39.6 per cent Under Trump: A zero tax band for the lowest earners, then bands of 12 per cent, 25 per cent and 33 per cent FEDERAL ESTATE TAX Currently: 40 per cent tax on all estates over $5.45 million for individuals and $10.9m for couples Under Trump: Abolished CHILD CARE Currently: Up to 35 per cent of childcare costs of $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two ore more is tax deductible. Actual amount depends on parents' income Under Trump: 100 per cent of childcare costs tax deductible CORPORATION TAX Currently: Statutory rate of 35 per cent, effective rate can be as high as 39 per cent Under Trump: Effective rate of 15 per cent ENERGY Currently: Keystone XL pipeline is not going ahead, Climate Action Plan is centerpiece of energy policy. Under Trump: Keystone sponsors invited to apply again for permission, Climate Action Plan abolished Advertisement

Trump also proposed a repeal of the estate tax, which Republicans derisively call the 'death tax.'

That federal tax hits estates valued at over $5.45 million for individuals and $10.9 million for couples and take 40 per cent of their value.

A tax rate of 15 per cent would be the norm for businesses in a Trump administration, and hedge-fund managers would no longer get the benefit of special treatment for 'carried-interest.'

That tax, on investment earnings paid to fund managers, is currently taxed like capital gains  at rates far lower than ordinary income.

Current federal tax rates for business income top out at 39 per cent, a rate that Trump has correctly placed as among the highest in the world.

Trump focused mostly on trade, taxes, immigration and regulation. The club, whose members are area business leaders, is a traditional venue for political candidates to discuss their economic vision.

The Detroit speech was his first on the economy since announcing a 13-man team of economic advisers last week.

It also came after he slogged through perhaps his worst week as a candidate, getting entangled in a fight with the Muslim parents of an American soldier slain in Iraq in 2004 and sparring with Republican Party leaders.

Trump proposed stronger protections for American intellectual property and a temporary moratorium on new regulations.

Members of Trump's advisory group shared their views on policy with senior Trump aides on Sunday in a conference call, said banker Stephen Calk, one of the members who took part.

Calk described Trump's vision for taxes as the biggest tax revolution since President Ronald Reagan in 1986.

He said the plan was to lower the corporate tax burden and encourage U.S. companies with operations abroad to repatriate profits at a reduced tax rate.

The current corporate rate is 35 per cent; Republicans have long sought to reduce it.

Trump's rough ride last week, plus a boost in support for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton after she accepted her party's nomination at its Philadelphia convention, has taken its toll on him.

A Washington Post-ABC News poll released on Sunday gave Clinton an eight-point lead, 50 per cent to 42 per cent. A Reuters-Ipsos poll from last week had her in the lead with a smaller margin of three points.

'PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN': A left-wing Michigan group took credit for organizing the protest

ONE AFTER ANOTHER: Thirteen different women erupted in screams, one at a time, as Trump spoke to an audience of 2,000

Clinton will offer her own economic vision in a speech in Michigan on Thursday.

Trump contrasted his approach with that of Clinton, saying that 'if you were a foreign power looking to weaken America, you couldn't do better than Hillary Clinton's economic agenda.'

TRUMP'S PLAN TO PUT U.S. CORPORATION TAX ON A PAR WITH GERMANY...AND IRAQ The United States is well-known for having one of the world's highest headline rates of corporation tax, at 35 per cent - but it's not the only country to charge that much. However, if Trump slashes the tax rate to 15 per cent, that would put the nation on a par with countries including Germany, Iraq and Albania. United States Argentina Chad DRC Equatorial Guinea Malta Zambia St. Martin Brazil Venezuela 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 34.5 34 34 Source: PwC Advertisement

'Nothing would make our foreign adversaries happier than for our country to tax and regulate our companies and our jobs out of existence.'

'The one common feature of every Hillary Clinton idea,' he said, 'is that it punishes you for working and doing business in the United States. Every policy she has tilts the playing field towards other countries at our expense.'

Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort said in an interview with Fox Business Network on Sunday that Clinton is 'going to raise taxes, lots of taxes, on everyone,' making the 'recovery, which is already the weakest since 1949, even worse.'

'Starting Monday, we're going to be announcing our economic plan. When we do that, we're comfortable that we can get the agenda and the narrative of the campaign back on where it belongs, which is comparing the tepid economy under Obama and Clinton, versus the kind of growth economy that Mr. Trump wants to build,' he said.

Trump's Detroit event gave him a chance to regain the initiative and outline some substantive policy proposals on the economy ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

The New York real estate developer prides himself on his economic expertise and job-creating ability and blames President Barack Obama for what he calls a weak recovery from the 2008-2009 recession.

Larry Kudlow, an informal Trump adviser and CNBC commentator, wrote on CNBC.com that Trump will pledge to lower marginal tax rates on both large and small businesses and on all income classes. He also will propose an increase in the standard deduction for families and special deductions for childcare and the elderly, Kudlow said.

GOP TICKET: Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Trump's running mate, said Trump is 'a dreamer, he's a builder, he's a driver and he's a man who speaks his mind'

'All of these polices will help the middle class. Trump's plan will generate substantial new investment, business formation, jobs, and growth - and, hence, higher wages,' he wrote.

Trump has vowed to rewrite some international trade deals, including the North American Free Trade Agreement of 1994, a deal linking the economies of the United States, Mexico and Canada and signed into law by Clinton's husband, then-President Bill Clinton.

Critics blame NAFTA for encouraging the outsourcing of jobs that have taken away many middle-class employment opportunities.

Peter Navarro, a University of California-Irvine professor who is the only formal Trump economic adviser with a deep academic background, said one of the problems Detroit has seen from NAFTA has been a movement of auto manufacturing jobs to Mexico, citing Ford and GM recently.

Trump also said Monday that he would reduce federal regulations that he blames for stifling economic activity.
Iran's former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a letter on Monday to President Barack Obama, asking him to 'quickly fix' a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing families of people killed in attacks linked to Iran to collect damages from some $2 billion in frozen assets.

While writing that his letter 'is by no means of (a) political nature,' Ahmadinejad's message to Obama arrives amid swirling speculation that the hard-line politician may run as a candidate in Iran's presidential election next year.

The letter came as average Iranians largely have yet to see the benefits of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers  something a discontent Ahmadinejad and other hard-liners could mine in any potential campaign against moderates.

Iran's government demonstrated its might over the weekend as is confirmed that it had executed a nuclear scientist who acted as a spy for the U.S. and delivered intelligence about his country nuclear program.

Scroll down for video

Iran's former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a letter on Monday to President Barack Obama, asking him to 'quickly fix' a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing families of people killed in attacks linked to Iran to collect damages from some $2 billion in frozen assets

Shahram Amiri defected to the U.S. at the height of Western efforts to thwart Iran's nuclear program. When he returned in 2010, he was welcomed with flowers by government leaders and even went on the Iranian talk-show circuit. Then he mysteriously disappeared.

In interviews, he described being kidnapped and held against his will by Saudi and American spies. U.S. officials said he was to receive millions of dollars for his help in understanding Iran's nuclear program.

He was hanged the same week that Tehran executed a group of militants, a year after Iran agreed to a landmark accord to limit uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejehi said Amiri 'had access to the country's secret and classified information' and 'had been linked to our hostile and No. 1 enemy, America, the Great Satan.'

The spokesman told journalists that Amiri had been tried in a death-penalty case that was upheld by an appeals court. He did not explain why authorities never announced the conviction, though he said Amiri had access to lawyers.

Now, Ahmadinejad has written to Obama directly to demand that he ignore constitutional limits on his authority and dismiss a Supreme Court decision that would negatively affect Iran.

In the letter, posted on a website associated with the former president's office, Ahmadinejad focuses on the Supreme Court's 6-2 ruling in April that allows families of victims of the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut and other attacks linked to Iran to collect monetary damages from the nation.

At risk for Iran is $1.75 billion in bonds, plus accumulating interest, owned by Iran's Bank Markazi and held by Citibank in New York.

'It is the clear expectation of the Iranian nation that the particular case of property seizure ... be quickly fixed by your excellency and that not only the Iranian nation's rights be restored and the seized property released and returned, but also the damaged caused be fully compensated for,' the ex-Iranian official said.

He added, 'I passionately advise you not to let the historical defamation and bitter incident be recorded under your name.'

Ahmadinejad's letter was delivered to the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which has overseen America's interests in the country in the years after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and U.S. Embassy takeover. Embassy officials declined to comment.

It's unclear what specific steps Ahmadinejad expects Obama to take. There was no immediate comment from the White House regarding the letter.

Iran's government demonstrated its might over the weekend as is confirmed that it had executed a nuclear scientist who acted as a spy for the U.S. and delivered intelligence about his country nuclear program

Iran is attempting to have the Supreme Court decision nullified by the International Court of Justice.

The timing of the letter, however, is interesting as Ahmadinejad's name continues to circulate as a possible challenger to moderate President Hassan Rouhani in Iran's coming May 19 election.

Rouhani's administration negotiated the nuclear accord, which put limits on Iran's atomic program in exchange for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions.

While Ahmadinejad previously served two four-year terms, from 2005 to 2013, Iranian law calls only for a one-term cooling-off period before he's eligible to run again.

How Iranians would react to another Ahmadinejad run, however, remains to be seen if and when it happens.

Recent public appearances by the former president has created speculation that he will challenge Rouhani in the 2017 election.

Under Ahmadinejad's presidency, Iran found itself heavily sanctioned over the nuclear program as Ahmadinejad questioned the scale of the Holocaust and predicted the demise of Israel.

His disputed 2009 re-election saw widespread protests and violence. Two of his former vice presidents have since been jailed for corruption.

Amiri's disappearance came as Western countries stepped up their efforts to impede Iran's nuclear program under the government of Ahmadinejad.

The U.S. actively tried to recruit nuclear scientists to defect. Later, four Iranian nuclear scientists were assassinated between 2010 and 2012, and Iran blamed the slayings on Israel and the West.

BUSY: Obama's on vacation in Martha's Vineyard. He's pictured above playing golf on the Massachusetts island on Sunday

Hillary Clinton, who was then the secretary of state, stressed that Amiri had been in America 'of his own free will.'

'He is free to go,' she said.

In June 2010, a shaky online video emerged of Amiri saying he had been kidnapped by American and Saudi agents and was in Tucson, Arizona.

A short time later, he appeared in a professionally shot online video near a chess set, saying he wanted to earn a doctorate in America and return to Iran if an 'opportunity of safe travel' presented itself. His wife and son remained behind in Iran.

'I have not done any activity against my homeland,' he said. But soon, another clip contradicted that, and he appeared at the Pakistani Embassy.

Hillary Clinton, who was then the secretary of state, stressed that Amiri had been in America 'of his own free will.'

'He is free to go,' she said.

U.S. officials at the time told the AP that Amiri was paid $5 million to offer the CIA information about Iran's nuclear program, though he left the country without the money. They said Amiri, who ran a radiation-detection program in Iran, traveled to the U.S. and stayed there for months by choice.

Analysts abroad suggested Iranian authorities may have threatened Amiri's family back in Iran, forcing him to return.

Amiri's case indirectly found its way back into the spotlight with the release of State Department emails sent and received by Hillary Clinton, now the Democratic presidential candidate. Emails put from State Department advisers to Clinton called the scientists public story into question

On his return from the U.S., Amiri was greeted at airport by high-ranking government officials and was invited to TV talk shows where he explained how he bypassed a U.S. trap to get home. Many newspapers published accounts of his return on their front pages and some suggested a movie be made from his story.

He said Saudi and American officials had kidnapped him while he visited the Saudi holy city of Medina. He said Israeli agents were present at his interrogations and that that CIA officers offered him $50 million to remain in America.

'I was under the harshest mental and physical torture,' he said.

Amiri's case indirectly found its way back into the spotlight in the U.S. last year with the release of State Department emails sent and received by Clinton, now the Democratic presidential candidate. The release of those emails came amid criticism of Clinton's use of a private account and server that has persisted into her campaign against Republican candidate Donald Trump.

An email forwarded to Clinton by senior adviser Jake Sullivan on July 5, 2010  just 10 days before Amiri returned to Tehran  appears to reference the scientist.

'We have a diplomatic, 'psychological' issue, not a legal one. Our friend has to be given a way out,' the email by Richard Morningstar, a former State Department special envoy for Eurasian energy, read. 'Our person won't be able to do anything anyway. If he has to leave, so be it.'

Another email, sent by Sullivan on July 12, 2010, appears to obliquely refer to the scientist just hours before his appearance at the Pakistani Embassy became widely known.
Advertisement

A crafty pack of wolves outsmarted a sleuth of brown bears by swooping in to grab their lunch.

The wolves chased the bears out of the area in Taiga, Finland - also known as the Boreal or Snow Forest - after the bears attempted a raid on carrion left in their territory.

Wildlife photographer Craig Jones spent fourteen hours a night in a hide just metres away from the animals to capture the whole encounter on camera.

The alpha male wolf dodges a brown bears defensive swipe in July 2016, in Kuikka, Finland

Three wolves chase a brown bear out of their territory in July 2016, in Kuikka, Finland as they outsmarted a sleuth of brown bears by swooping in to grab their lunch

A wolf and a bear look peaceful in the midst of their territorial battle where wolves chased the bears out of the area in Taiga, Finland - also known as the Boreal or Snow Forest - after the bears attempted a raid on carrion left in their territory

Wildlife photographer Craig Jones spent fourteen hours a night in a hide just metres away from the animals to capture the whole encounter on camera

Craig said: 'What I observed was that the wolves would come as a pack of four and they would stand and watch, one would fade into the background, almost following the bears like a ghost.

'They watched and studied them. Then they followed the bears, rounded them up and diverted them away so they could get hold of the food.'

The wolves rounded on the bears and drove them away from the food, but their encounter was not entirely peaceful and one bear took a hefty swing at a wolf trying to nip at his heels.

Staffordshire-based Craig added: 'It felt absolutely amazing to witness these events, these bears attacking the wolves had not been witnessed like this for some time.

'We were very lucky on our last night with all those attacks. I was told the wolves were quite hungry and they wanted the bears out of the way.

'The alpha male and female run after the bears and split them up to get them away from the food.

'Where the carrion is put is primarily in the wolves territory, so it is the bears coming into the territory.

'They will tolerate them sometimes, but as the photos show, not all the time.'

Photographer Craig Jones said: 'What I observed was that the wolves would come as a pack of four and they would stand and watch, one would fade into the background, almost following the bears like a ghost,' as a wolf flanks a brown bear in Kuikka, Finland

'They watched and studied them. Then they followed the bears, rounded them up and diverted them away so they could get hold of the food,' said the Staffordshire-based snapper

The wolves rounded on the bears and drove them away from the food, but their encounter was not entirely peaceful and one bear took a hefty swing at a wolf trying to nip at his heels

Craig was also lucky enough to witness some internal fighting amongst the brown bears, with two brown bears taking swings at one another in a dispute

'It felt absolutely amazing to witness these events, these bears attacking the wolves had not been witnessed like this for some time,' said Craig Jones

The photographer added: 'The alpha male and female run after the bears and split them up to get them away from the food. 'Where the carrion is put is primarily in the wolves territory, so it is the bears coming into the territory. 'They will tolerate them sometimes, but as the photos show, not all the time.'

Craig was also lucky enough to witness some internal fighting amongst the brown bears, with two brown bears taking swings at one another in a dispute.

The territory lies in a demilitarised zone between Russia and Finland where bears and wolves roam free safe from hunters as the zone requires a permit to access it.

Jones ventured to Finland with his clients, who he takes on photo tours while passing on his lessons in photography, to capture the animals in their natural environment.

Spending five nights locked in the hide with nothing but a couple of mattresses and a compost bin for a toilet, Craig captured the animals during their most active hours in the twenty-four light of Finnish summer.

The territory lies in a demilitarised zone between Russia and Finland where bears and wolves roam free safe from hunters as the zone requires a permit to access it

Jones ventured to Finland with his clients, who he takes on photo tours while passing on his lessons in photography, to capture the animals in their natural environment

Spending five nights locked in the hide with nothing but a couple of mattresses and a compost bin for a toilet, Craig captured the animals during their most active hours in the twenty-four light of Finnish summer

Although the estimated 1,500 bears living in Finland are treated with reverence, wolves do not enjoy the same treatment

Although the estimated 1,500 bears living in Finland are treated with reverence, wolves do not enjoy the same treatment.

The wildlife photographer said: 'Unlike the fox and bear, the wolf has always been feared and hated in Finland, and the wolf has been the symbol of destruction and desolation.

'To the extent that the very name of wolf in Finnish language, 'sushi', means also 'a useless thing' and the by-name hukka means perdition and annihilation.

'While the bear has been the sacred animal in Finland, wolves have always been hunted and killed mercilessly.

'The wolf has been represented as implacable and malicious predator, killing more than it manages to eat.'

The wildlife photographer said: 'Unlike the fox and bear, the wolf has always been feared and hated in Finland, and the wolf has been the symbol of destruction and desolation.'

While the bear has been the sacred animal in Finland, wolves have always been hunted and killed mercilessly

The name of wolf in Finnish language, 'sushi', means also 'a useless thing' and the by-name hukka means perdition and annihilation

In an effort to dispel rumours that wolves are stealing livestock, Finnish photographer Lassi Rautiainen is working with scientists and the Finnish government to tag wolves in order to study their movements

A brown bear pads through the undergrowth as the wolves divert the bears away from their territory in Kuikka, Finland

To find out more about Craig Jones' work and photo tours visit: https://www.craigjoneswildlifephotography.co.uk

In an effort to dispel rumours that wolves are stealing livestock, Finnish photographer Lassi Rautiainen is working with scientists and the Finnish government to tag wolves in order to study their movements.

Craig said: 'He is trying to keep them alive rather than submitting to all the silly folk tales about wolves.'
have raised $24,00 to bring his body home to Australia

Grieving friends and family of an Australian man who fell to his death from the seventh floor of a Bangkok hotel have raised tens of thousands of dollars to bring his body home.

Melbourne man Joshua Edward Beath, 25, fell from the balcony of his room less than 24 hours after checking in with a Thai woman.

A hotel maid found him naked, lying on his back in a pool of blood.

Scroll down for video

Australian man Joshua Beath, 25, fell to his death from the seventh floor of a Bangkok hotel

Grieving friends and family of have raised tens of thousands of dollars to bring 'beefy's' (pictured) body home

A GoFundMe page dedicated to 'Beefy' raised $24,000 of a 30,000 target, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The page now appears to have been taken down.

'Thursday 28th of July 2016, a young guy with a big heart and a friend to everyone was taken from us far too soon in a tragic accident in Thailand,' the page read.

'Please help us raise money to help bring Josh Home and help send him off to Heaven with the send off he deserves.'

The woman he checked in with had left the hotel by the time police arrived, the ABC reported.

Mr Beath arrived at the four star hotel on Surawong Road around noon on Thursday, July 28.

Mr Beath checked into a four star hotel on Bangkok's Surawong Road (pictured) with a Thai woman the day before he died

Police said they were hoping to speak to a Thai woman who he checked into the hotel with the day before his death- Mr Beath is pictured on holiday in Thailand

Staff said he checked in with a Thai woman, who had left by the time police received reports of Mr Beath's death on Friday morning.

A doctor told local media that Mr Beath died as a result of head wounds likely sustained in the fall.

Police found no signs of a struggle when they searched his room.

An obituary to Mr Beath published in the Herald Sun said he 'died tragically as the result of an accident in Thailand'.

'A piece of our family puzzle has been tragically taken and cannot be replaced,' it read.
Do you know John or Natalie? Please email: mark.duell@mailonline.co.uk

Advertisement

It's a spot on an island's road to the mainland which often has a sign wishing someone a happy birthday.

But one man decided to use the area in Portland, Dorset, to leave a public apologetic notice for his lover.

The message on two sheets adorned with love hearts read: I am so sorry Natalie for cheating. Love John.

The spot on Priory Road leading towards Weymouth has had various birthday signs up over the years.

Portland hosted sailing events during the London 2012 Olympics and is known for its unique geology.

Do you know John or Natalie? Please email: mark.duell@mailonline.co.uk

Message: One man decided to use this roadside area in Portland, Dorset, to leave a public apologetic notice for his lover

Sign: The message on two sheets adorned with love hearts read: I am so sorry Natalie for cheating. Love John'

View from Portland: The spot on Priory Road leading towards Weymouth has had various birthday signs up over the years
Police in Kentucky have arrested a 65-year-old man who is accused of fatally stabbing his two sisters, one of whom was able to summon help before collapsing with a knife in her neck.

Robert Jerry Rogers was taken into custody in Hopkinsville on Sunday morning and charged with two counts of murder.

Officers were called at around 7am to a home in the 1700 block of East Seventh Street, where they found 69-year-old Francis Carolyn Coleman of Houston, Texas, and 62-year-old Joanne Rogers, of Hopkinsville, both fatally stabbed.

Scroll down for video

Grisly crime scene: Police in Kentucky arrived at this home in Hopkinsville Sunday to discover one woman dead, her mortally wounded sister with a knife in her neck, and their brother covered in blood

Officials say Joanne Rogers died at the scene. Coleman was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, where she also died from her injuries, reported Fox 17 Nashville.

According to an arrest report cited by Kentucky New Era, it was Coleman who called 911 at around 6.45am to report that her brother was assaulting their sister Joanne.

When officers responded to the scene, the document states that Ms Coleman walked out of a bedroom with a knife protruding from both sides of her neck.

Police say they found the women's brother inside the residence with blood on himself and his clothes.

The 65-year-old suspect was being held without bond in the Christian County Jail on Sunday.

Police have not released any information regarding a possible motive behind the deadly knife attack.

Francis Carolyn Coleman, 69, was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, where she passed away from stab wounds to her neck

According to an obituary published for the siblings' mother, Lucy Rogers, who died in January at age 89, Francis, Joanne and Robert Rogers have four other brothers and sisters.
But they were found out when CCTV footage showed they were giggling throughout incident - 21 people admitted fraud and 19 were jailed

fell over and pretended to be hurt

A gang of fraudsters have been jailed after a 'pathetic' attempt to stage a bus crash for cash which saw them giggling as they feigned injuries.

Leeds Crown Court heard the 19 gang members boarded the Arriva bus on a rarely-used stop at Ferrybridge as the vehicle travelled between Knottingley and Wakefield.

CCTV footage on board the bus exposed the scam as gang members were unable to control their giggling as they feigned falling over on board the double decker.

Leeds Crown Court heard the 19 gang members boarded the Arriva bus on a rarely-used stop at Ferrybridge as the vehicle travelled between Knottingley and Wakefield in West Yorkshire

A court heard one member of the gang, Shane Lupton, was even spotted doing a 'Superman dive' down the aisle of the bus.

Bystanders looked on with bemusement as the gang cried out in faux pain and demanded ambulances.

The court heard that a short time into the journey the bus was hit from behind by a Nissan Micra driven by Richard Harper, one of the gang members.

Analysis of the CCTV footage showed that litter and other debris on the floor of the bus didn't move during the incident - despite the acrobatics of the gang members.

After the 'crash' members of the gang dramatically staggered around the bus (pictured)

One (pictured) even pretended to fall down the aisle while others jolted in their seats

David Dixon, prosecuting, said: 'The footage from that accident shows the somewhat bizarre and over-the-top reactions of these defendants.

'The acting by the defendants is so bizarre that it makes it plain that this was a group-planned dishonest activity as part of an insurance scam.'

All the defendants - apart from Harper - then made accident claims for whiplash and soft tissue injuries.

One particularly dramatic performance saw a member clutch his stomach and then his nose

It was found the defendants knew each other after searches of their Facebook accounts were made.

Insurers would have been forced to pay out 140,000 if the claims had been genuine.

A total of 21 defendants admitted fraud and 19 of them were jailed.

Harper also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
It took five days for before someone noticed the scene of a fatal Wyoming crash just off of Interstate 90, about 19 miles north of Sheridan.

Marvin Updike, 67, of Rathdrum, Idaho, crashed on Aug. 1, likely at about 6 a.m., according to a news release from the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

On Aug. 5, a small plane flew over the scene and spotted the wreckage, which was the first report.

Updike was driving a 2009 Dodge SUV and pulling a trailer. He left the roadway and went through the median and across the opposite lane. The vehicle went down a steep embankment, rolling and coming to rest at the bottom of a ravine, according to WHP.

The scene was not visible from the interstate.

Updike was not wearing a seat belt but was not ejected. The Highway Patrol said that a medical condition or driver fatigue could have caused the crash.

This investigation is ongoing pending autopsy results, according to a WHP news release.
This is the bizarre moment a man blows his shorts down after setting fire to a tyre.

By a garage somewhere in Brazil the man in a blue shirt stumbles over to grab some lighter fluid, or possibly alcohol.

For what appears to be a prank the man then pours it around the tyre.

Tyre on fire: A man in a blue shirt pours flammable liquid on a tyre and sets it ablaze

Low blow: He picks up the tyre and drops it, creating a shock wave that blows his pants down

He lights a match and flicks it into the liquid, which promptly bursts into flames.

Thankfully another man creeps in behind him to remove the bottle of fluid.

Bizarrely the man in the blue shirt then decides to lift up the tyre and drop it back on the ground.

Pants prank: The man's shorts fall down to his ankles as his friends cackle away off camera

This creates a mini shock wave that loosens the cord around his shorts.

Sure enough they fall down around his ankles as his friends cackle away off camera.

The short clip was uploaded to LiveLeak a few days ago where it has gathered over 100,000 views.
Tony Abbott has declared war on factional power brokers who are creating the environment for corruption within the Liberal Party.

Mr Abbott said a small number of 'factional warlords' and un-elected lobbyists were wielding a disproportionate amount of power in the party.

'The difficulty at the moment is because it is a smaller, less representative party, it's easily controlled by factional warlords,' he told the ABC's Four Corners.

Scroll down for video

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the NSW Liberal Party was easily controlled by 'factional warlords'

Mr Abbott's comments come as party infighting threatens to derail Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's fledgling government

Mr Abbott took aim in particular at the NSW division of the party, which has a unique system for choosing local candidates.

Rather than using a party-wide plebiscite like other states, NSW candidates were selected by a small number of powerful executive members.

These members could be easily influenced by power brokers and lobbyists with corporate agendas, Mr Abbott said.

'Some of these factional warlords have a commercial interest in dealing with politicians whose pre-selections they can influence,' he told Four Corners.

'Now this is a potentially corrupt position.'

The president of the NSW Liberal Party, Trent Zimmerman (left), rubbished Mr Abbott's claims. Mr Zimmerman is pictured with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

Mr Abbott's comments come as the running battle between conservatives and moderates threatens to de-stabilise Malcolm Turnbull's fledgling government.

At a party conference last October Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was openly derided for suggesting factions did not rule the Liberal Party.

His assertion that 'We are not run by factions' was met by groans and laughter from the party faithful.

'Well, you may dispute that, but I have to tell you, from experience, we are not run by factions, nor are we run by big business, or by deals in back rooms,' Mr Turnbull replied.

Mr Zimmerman said Mr Abbott was 'demonsing' moderate party members who played a part in his downfall

NSW Liberal Party President Trent Zimmerman rubbished Mr Abbot's claims, saying they were a merely a symptom of 'internal friction'.

He told Four Corners that Mr Abbott appeared to be demonising the moderate faction that had ousted him from power.

'My experience of being involved in politics for a long period of time is that when you do have internal friction, there is a tendency to try and demonise those people that you're disagreeing with.'




The son of a British aristocrat accused of trafficking 4.5million worth of cocaine in Kenya has had his 530,000 bail overturned by the country's chief prosecutor.

Jack Marrian's aristocratic family had travelled to the African country as the bail bond was paid for his release ahead of him being tried by a Nairobi court.

The 31 year old was charged on Thursday after police in the eastern port city of Mombasa seized 100 kilos (220 pounds) of cocaine hidden in a sugar consignment ordered by his firm.

Marrian, a British sugar trader, is set to be tried by a court over what he claims is a tampered shipment from Brazil.

British national Jack Alexander Wolf Marrian (pictured, centre), flanked by police officers, appeared in court in Nairobi

The British sugar trader is facing charges of trafficking 4.5million worth of cocaine

His lawyer declared the courts have 'the wrong man'.

But in a dramatic turn of events, Kenya's Director of Public Prosecutions made an intervention in the case.

He protested about Mr Marrian's impending release due to the severity of the charge he faced.

As a result, a new hearing at Nairobi's high court was scheduled for 9am on Tuesday to hear arguments on bail again before more senior judges.

Until those judges rule, Mr Marrian is expected to remain in custody.

Earlier, Magistrate Derrick Kuto said the Briton had to post a bond of 70 million shillings (530,000) with two Kenyan sureties and must surrender his passport given the seriousness of the charge, which if convicted could see him face a life sentence.

Dressed in a light blue suit and patterned tie, Marrian showed little emotion during the earlier hearing, except smiling once at his parents across the packed courtroom.

Defence lawyer Sheetal Kapila said he believed the case was driven by the authorities' desire 'to stop Kenya being a transit point' for drugs, but added that 'it's the wrong man who's been picked up.'

'Unknown people have smuggled this drug into the consignment,' Kapila said.

Mombasa, on Africa's east coast, has long been used as a hub for drugs bound for Asia and Europe.

Jack Marrian's aristocratic family travelled to Kenya as a 530,000 bail bond was paid

The 31-year-old was charged on Thursday after police in the eastern port city of Mombasa seized 100 kilos (220 pounds) of cocaine hidden in a sugar consignment ordered by his firm

Magistrate Derrick Kuto said the Briton had to post a bond of 70 million shillings (530,000) with two Kenyan sureties and must surrender his passport given the seriousness of the charge, which if convicted could see him face a life sentence

The young businessman's case has caused a sensation in Britain, where the aristocratic background of his mother Lady Emma Clare Campbell of Cawdor and attendance of top private schools, including the alma mater of Prince William's wife Catherine, have caught the eye of the tabloid press.

His family's relationship with Kenya dates back decades, his lawyer said, as Marrian's grandfather had served as a minister in the colonial government just before independence in 1963.

His father David Marrian said he had spoken with his son every day since the arrest.
The mother of a teenage boy who was strapped to a restraint chair with his head covered by a bag has broken her silence over her son's juvenile detention treatment.

Dylan Voller, then 17, sparked a royal commission after CCTV footage emerged of him being assaulted by guards at Darwin's Don Dale Youth Detention Centre.

His mother Joanne Voller has spoken of her regret following the ordeal after she called the police to arrest her son at the age of 11 in a desperate bid for help.

And years later, her troubled son was shackled to the metal chair by his hands, feet, neck with a spit hood over his head as punishment for threatening to self harm.

'I in no way thought he would be hooded and chained to a chair or thrown in isolation for up to 200 days at a time,' she told ABC's 7.30.

'I don't see that as counselling or helping him, I really feel like I failed him by ringing the police that day when he broke my window, to be honest.'

Scroll down for video

Dylan Voller was strapped to a restraint chair with his head covered by a bag at Darwin's Don Dale Youth Detention Centre

Mother Joanne Voller said she sought help for her son when he struggled with anger issues

She revealed how she attempted to sought help for her son, who had spent most of his childhood years behind bars over a string of minor offences.

Ms Voller contacted the NT Department of Children and Families after he struggled with anger issues as a child.

'At the time he needed counselling to deal with his anger issues, but it's not what he received while he was in jail,' she said as she claimed the system failed her son.

'If I had done something like they did to my son and that was in the name of caring for my child, I'd be in jail right now.'

Voller (pictured) was at the centre of a shocking Four Corners investigation into abuse at Darwin's Don Dale juvenile detention centre

CCTV footage showed Voller being assaulted by guards and forcibly stripped naked

The investigation revealed on two occasions Voller was grabbed around the neck by guards (pictured), stripped naked and held down by his buttocks after he was seen crying in his cell

Last month, the young man grabbed national headlines after a footage, obtained by ABC's Four Corners program, emerged as part of a shocking investigation.

The video showed the teen being bound in the chair for more than two hours and as the guards returned, he was almost unresponsive.

The spit hood - a meshed bag that prevents detainees from spitting on staff - was placed over his head and bound around his neck with a thick black strap.

The investigation revealed on two occasions the child was grabbed around the neck by guards, stripped naked and held down after he was seen crying in his cell.

Voller is serving time in the Darwin Correctional Facility for car theft and assault.
Evan McMullin, a veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency and the House Republican Conference, announced today that he would launch a third-party run for the White House to quench the thirst of those still looking to 'stop Trump.'

'It's never too late to do the right thing, and America deserves much better than either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton,' McMullin said in a statement today to ABC News.

At age 40, McMullin touted that he would bring a 'generation of new leadership' to the White House as 'Americans have lost faith in the candidates of both major parties.'

'I humbly offer myself as a leader who can give millions of disaffected Americans a conservative choice for President,' he said.

While his resume  which has touched public service, business and a prominent American faith community  could be attractive to many dissatisfied voters, McMullin faces an uphill climb to appear on the general election ballots, as the deadlines have passed already in 26 states.

Scroll down for video

Evan McMullin, who's worked for the CIA and the House Republican Conference in the past, says he'll run for president as an independent

Evan McMullin is running for president and launched his bid - and his campaign website (pictured) - Monday, in an effort to draw conservatives away from Donald Trump

However, McMullin has the backing of the group Better for America, which has worked for months on the ballot access issue and is ready to take steps, like sue the state of Texas, to ensure the ex-CIA counterterrorism operative has a space.

He launched his campaign website today, and quickly racked up thousands of Twitter followers, according to the Hill newspaper.

McMullin heralds from Provo, Utah, and received his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young. Her served as a Mormon missionary in Brazil as well.

That piece of his biography, and the fact that Republican nominee Donald Trump polls poorly in the state of Utah, is the independent's first political play.

Utah's filling deadline hasn't passed yet, though the state only has six electoral votes.

No third-party candidate has ever won the White House, though they've played 'spoilers' and benefited the party in which they are less politically-aligned.

In this case, that would be the Democrats.

McMullin was training for the CIA at its headquarters in Langley, Virginia, when terrorists hit the Pentagon on 9/11, reported ABC.

Evan McMullin (left) announced his intentions to wage a third-party bid for the White House today as many conservatives still are uncomfortable with supporting Donald Trump

He soon volunteered to serve overseas in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, where he worked in counterterrorism and intelligence operations.

He spent time in some of the world's dangerous nations, the group Better for America touted.

After the CIA, McMullin worked for Goldman Sachs, b efore returning to public service as a senior adviser to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and, later, the chief policy director of the House Republican Conference.

As McMullin has never run for office before, leadership there seemed to be taken aback by his surprise announcement.

'The House Republican Conference has zero knowledge of his intentions,' said Nate Hodson, a spokesman for the House Republican Conference who sent out a statement to reporters today.

'Morning Joe' host Joe Scarborough hinted that the announcement was coming this morning telling his viewers, 'It does appear that there is going to be a well-funded independent candidate.'

On Twitter, the television host wrote, 'Multiple sources say an independent conservative candidate will announce his candidacy for president today.'

'The candidate revealed by sources has an impressive resume and the backing of key $$ contributors in the Republican Party,' Scarborough added.

He later revealed McMullin's name.

Better for America is being partially funded by John Kingston, a Boston-based conservative and former bundler for Mitt Romney, according to ABC News.

Romney is among a handful of prominent Republicans, which also includes most of the Bush family, who refuse to get behind Trump  meaning Romney's endorsement is still up for grabs.

The group Better for America has a couple of prominent Republicans in its corner, including Rick Wilson, who was an early hater of Trump, calling his a 'cancer,' an 'epic douche canoe' and a 'statist' with 'a little delicious hint of fascism in the mix,' according to CNN  and that was before Trump won any primaries.

Florida-based pollster and operative Joel Searby has also aided the effort in finding this third-party pick.

Previously, Searby had linked up with the Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol to seek out a third-party candidate to run against Trump.

As Trump was wrapping up the Republican nomination in May, with challengers Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich both bowing out, Kristol looked toward David French, a constitutional lawyer and veteran of the Iraq War, who earned a Bronze Star.

By early June, however, French wrote that he would not seek the country's highest office.

'Here is a sentence I never thought I'd type: After days of prayer, reflection, and serious study of the possibilities, I am not going to run as an independent candidate for president of the United States,' French wrote in an op-ed for the National Review.

He did hold the door open for another candidate to emerge.

'Indeed, the path is there,' he encouraged.
A 10-year-old boy was fatally hit by a car as he got off his school bus on Thursday afternoon.

The young boy got off the bus, which had stopped across the road from the gate to his property in Cobargo, about 4.30pm.

As he began to cross Bermagui Cobargo Road, he was hit by a car which was travelling west.

A 10-year-old boy died on Bermagui Cobargo Road (pictured) after he was hit by a car after getting off the school bus

The child suffered fatal head injuries and died at the scene.

The 21-year-old driver who hit him was taken to South East Regional Hospital in Bega for mandatory blood and urine tests.

Police officers on the Far South Coast will continue to investigate the incident, and the driver has not been charged with anything.

Cobargo is a village located about 400 kilometres south of Sydney, and has a population of less than 700 people.
Hillary Clinton had her best fundraising month yet in July, bringing $90 million for herself and the Democratic Party.

The presidential candidate's campaign told donors today in a memo that it's good enough, though. Donald Trump raised $80 million in the same time period - which is 'far more than anyone expected' and should serve as a 'wake up call.'

And while Clinton has a significantly larger war chest than Trump, she has brought in less than Barack Obama did during his 2012 re-elect, campaign manager Robby Mook points out in the memo, published this morning by Politico.

As a result, the campaign is revving up its fundraising engine and sending Clinton, her husband Bill, running mate Tim Kaine to collect checks at more than 80 'finance' events, as it's now calling them, in the month of August.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Hillary Clinton, seen above on Friday, had her best fundraising month yet in July, raising $90 million for herself and the Democratic Party. The presidential candidate's campaign told donors today in a memo that it's good enough in the face of Donald Trump's stepped up fundraising

Trump's campaign said it had $37 million cash on hand as it headed into August. The joint fundraising committee it operates with the Republican National Committee had a separate $37 million in the bank.

Clinton had a pot of $58 million to work with after bringing in $63 million for herself and $26 million for the Democratic National Committee and state parties that share in the spoils.

In July of 2012 Obama raised $75 million and Republican White House hopeful Mitt Romney brought in $100 million, CNBC reports.

However, Clinton is $51 million behind Obama in terms of overall fundraising for the cycle, her campaign told donors today.

'While we are very proud of the more than $469 million our campaign has raised so far, we remain behind the historic pace that President Obama set in 2012, raising $520 million during the same time frame,' the memo says, per Politico. 'With only three months to go, it is critical that we close the gap between President Obamas record-level fundraising and the pace we are currently on.'

In the missive Mook warns donors that 'falling short of the resources raised in 2012 will require us to scale back from the investments President Obamas campaign made in organizing, data and other critical tools.'

The memo goes on to explain that the campaign had to spend a substantial amount of money up front to set up its get out the vote (GOTV) operation.

'Our ability to reach targeted voters and turn them out will be decided by the number of organizers we can hire now and the volunteers they can start recruiting today,' Mook writes.

He also sought to justify the campaign's massive, swing-state ad buys.

'Similarly, we know that television in the quieter month of August and in early September will do much more to cement the narrative of the campaign on our terms than in the last few weeks of the election,' the campaign official said. 'Simply put, a dollar raised in August has a much greater impact than one raised in October, especially if Trump closes the gap with us.'

Clinton is $51 million behind Obama in terms of overall fundraising for the cycle, her campaign told donors today

The nearly $20 million advantage Clinton had on Trump at the beginning of the month has already been gobbled up by the campaign's spending on commercials - something her Republican opponent has yet to dedicate funds to in the general election.

Last week, Clinton's campaign aired approximately $8.4 million worth of ads in battleground states, according to Bloomberg.

This week it's spreading its $7.7 million in commitments between national and local broadcasts, with the bulk of the money going toward commercials that are airing during the Olympics.

Data from Kantar Media/CMAG that was shared with Bloomberg shows the Clinton campaign teeing up $5.5 million in commercial spots that are airing this week during the sporting event. The rest of the money is going toward a pre-existing ad buy in eight states.

The campaign is targeting Florida, Iowa, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and Nevada. It had been airing commercials in Colorado and Virginia but dropped the swing states from its rolls this month.

Clinton's Super PAC also narrowed the scope of its spending and axed ads in the two states.

Two public polls of Colorado in mid-July gave Clinton a double-digit lead over Trump in The Centennial State. A CBS News poll taken at the beginning of August had Clinton running 12 points ahead of Trump in Virginia, also the home state of her No. 2 on the ticket, Kaine.

The nearly $20 million advantage Clinton had on Trump, seen above Saturday, at the beginning of the month has already been gobbled up by the campaign's spending on commercials - something her Republican opponent has yet to dedicate funds to in the general election

The shift in advertising strategy suggests the campaign is comfortable with its positioning in the purple states and is shifting its resources to areas of opportunity like Nebraska, a red state it thinks it can split electorally with Trump.

Clinton campaigned there last week, in Omaha, with Nebraska native and billionaire investor Warren Buffett. She also held rallies in Colorado and Nevada.

The Democratic White House hopeful has her sights set on Florida this week, and is making a three city swing through the United States' southern-most state before she heads back north for events that include a speech Thursday in Detroit, Michigan.

Trump and his aides have taken pride in the lean campaign they're running and the fact that they have not had to spend pour millions of dollars a week into TV ads to stay competitive with Clinton.

As such, the candidate has not had to spend as much time fundraising as she has.

The Clinton campaign is nonetheless worried that donations to Trump will rise in the final stretch of the campaign.

Mook told donors today, 'We anticipate that his grassroots donor support will continue to grow dramatically in the final three months.

'Trump also has the capacity to write his campaign an eight or nine figure check, which could single-handled tilt things in his favor.'

The billionaire has not been shy about his willingness to dip into his personal finances to boost his campaign if it comes down to it.

His total out of pocket spending for the primary and general reached $56 million at the end of July.

Clinton and Kaine meanwhile held five separate fundraisers on Friday and Saturday as they scrambled to keep up with Obama's 2012 operation. Trump held one in the same time frame.

The former secretary of state is slated to appear at a total of 35 fundraising events this month. Kaine will headline 30 more. Bill Clinton is also pitching in and ask for cash on his wife's behalf at 20 events, a document obtained by Politico shows.

Hillary Clinton has five on her docket this week in Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, the news publication says. Kaine is doing seven, three of them in Texas.

Trump held three fundraisers over the last week as his national poll numbers tanked. Post-convention voters surveys gave Clinton a seven-point lead over him in Real Clear Politics' polling average.
A Texas man who once killed someone in a hit-and-run nearly 26 years ago has died in the manner.

George Thomas Kohoutek, 64, was jogging at night in the Pleasant Grove neighborhood of Dallas on July 20 when he was struck by van allegedly driven by Andrew Lee Laymond.

His estranged brother unplugged the life support machines that were keeping him alive and he died a week later, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Nearly 26 years ago, Kohoutek had already been convicted of drunken driving twice when he plowed his red Jeep into landscaper Rafael Caracheo, killing him.

George Thomas Kohoutek (left) was jogging at night when he was struck by a van allegedly driven by Andrew Lee Laymond (right). Kohoutek, who killed someone in a hit-and-run 26 years ago, died a week later

Kohoutek fled the scene, but his older brother tipped off authorities who arrested him.

Witnesses who saw Kohoutek hit Caracheo said they thought he did it on purpose.

Kooutek was driving north in the 8100 block of Inwood Road near Lovers Lane when he made a U-turn, drove onto the median and accelerated.

Authorities said he hit Caracheo, who was walking to his job, as he crossed the street and carried his body for several blocks on the Jeep's hood before it was thrown off.

Caracheo supported his wife and their six-year-old son, and he also sent whatever leftover money he had to his mother and sisters in Mexico.

At the time of the 1990 accident, his family had hoped that it would have been a wake-up call for him.

'The suffering he had caused himself and others ... was about to end right then,' John Kohoutek told the newspaper Sunday.

'It was just so ironic that he was killed the same way he took the other life.'

Kohoutek's murder charge in the case was downgraded to voluntary manslaughter at the request of Caracheo's wife, who was also pregnant at the time of the tragic accident with the couple's second son.

He plead guilty to the manslaughter charge and was sentenced to 20 year in prison, but was released two years later on parole.

Laymond, 68, was arrested one day after striking Kohoutek, who was an alcoholic, by Dallas Police.

He was charged with accident involving serious bodily injury and posted bond within a few hours. It's unclear if alcohol was a factor in the accident that killed Kohoutek.

Laymond was driving a Ford van when witnesses say he hit Kohoutek who was jogging along a crosswalk in the 3400 block of South Buckner Boulevard at night.

Kohoutek was struck while jogging at night on July 20 near 3400 S Buckner Blvd in Dallas, Texas (map above)

Police said Kohoutek rolled off the van's left side while breaking a mirror.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Laymond was tracked down by police with the assistance of a photo taken by a witness.

The Dallas Morning News reported that Laymond told authorities he 'saw a flash of white and thought he had hit debris.'

John Kohoutek said that before life-support machines were turned off, he approached his brother's bedside and recited Gospel verses from memory.

'I am convinced that he's with my parents,' he said. 'I just know that.'
A man has wept in court as he described how he was tricked as a teenager into believing being raped was part of paramedic training.

Stuart Andrew MacFadyen, 64, is on trial in the West Australian District Court accused of indecently assaulting the 16-year-old in 1980.

The victim, now aged 52, testified on Monday and said he was befriended by MacFadyen, describing him as 'good to talk to' and 'like a father figure'.

A man has wept in court as he described how he was tricked as a teenager into believing being raped was part of paramedic training (West Australian district court pictured)

He told the jury MacFadyen encouraged him to join the St John Ambulance cadet program and he soon decided he wanted to make a career out of it.

'It gave me a purpose in life. I was actually pretty good,' he said.

MacFadyen offered to help train the complainant and told him paramedics had to know about abuse and rape.

'I trusted him. Why wouldn't I?' the complainant said.

Continuing to sob, the man gave details about how the abuse began with MacFadyen making the complainant masturbate in his presence, which left him feeling 'dirty'.

'I thought it was something I had to do,' he said.

Another time, MacFadyen allegedly forced the complainant to give him oral sex.

Stuart Andrew MacFadyen, 64, is on trial in the West Australian District Court accused of indecently assaulting the 16-year-old in 1980 (stock image)

On a separate occasion, MacFadyen sexually penetrated the teenager.

Afterwards, the complainant realised 'it was a con' and he had been used, so he quit the cadets and did not see MacFadyen again.

Asked why he never spoke about the abuse at the time, he replied: 'In those days no one believed you.'
Stansted airport has now launched an immediate investigation and promises to

Advertisement

Hundreds of returning holidaymakers had to camp out for up to five hours after staff at an airport valet service could not find customers cars or car keys.

The Meet & Greet service run by Empark at London Stansted Airport is meant to allow people travelling to leave their vehicle in safe hands while they are away.

But returning passengers spoke of chaotic scenes as they faced long queues at the weekend when workers at the desk could not reunite drivers with their cars.

Customers described angry scenes at Stansted which led to Essex Police officers arriving in the early hours of Saturday morning to prevent a breach of the peace

Chaotic scenes: A witness said customers were sporadically being called out and bussed to an off site car park to search for their own cars

A Stansted spokesman apologised for the 'rare but disappointing customer service failure'

Essex Police were also called to the airport in the early hours of Saturday morning to prevent a breach of the peace over the delays.

Sheila Short, who had just returned from a holiday with her two granddaughters in Turkey, was one of those affected by the meltdown yesterday.

She said: We headed off to pick up our car at Meet & Greet, only to be met by chaotic scenes. Families were camped outside on the pavement and grass.

The office (was) heaving with irate customers trying to pick up their cars. Many had been there for hours and the three members of staff were overwhelmed.

(They were) unable to answer questions or give explanations as to why they did not know where customers cars or keys were.

No managers were brave enough to put in an appearance. Anger boiled over to the point where five police officers were called to try to defuse the situation.

At one point a member of staff ran off in tears. There were also customers in tears, babies and children crying and some sleeping on the pavement.

More and more people were arriving to add to the mayhem.

One customer's ordeal ended when her neighbour, who works at the airport, went to search for the car, which he fortunately found

Hundreds of returning holidaymakers spent hours waiting to get their cars back

Grace Carter tweeted photos of the chaos and said she spent more than five hours waiting

Mrs Short said customers were sporadically being called out and bussed to an off site car park to search for their own cars.

After two and a half hours, Mrs Short and her family decided to leave without their car. She continued: We had had enough. In our party were our two grandchildren.

Staff could not tell us where our car was or give us any idea how long it would be so we were advised to get a taxi home for which they would reimburse us.

They promised to deliver our car to our house this morning by 9am. They noted all this in their records. Guess what? Surprise, surprise, 9am came and went, no car.

She rang the number given to her but the line was unable to take any more calls so she was forced to ring back later.

When she finally got through an employee said they would try to help but they came back empty handed as the manager did not know where their car was.

Their ordeal ended when Mrs Shorts neighbour, who works at the airport, went to search for the car, which he fortunately found.

Mrs Short added: If it hadnt been for him I dont believe we would have our car today.

Chaos: Returning passengers at London Stansted Airport faced long queues at Meet & Greet service run by Empark when workers at the desk could not reunite them with their vehicles

Angry: Hundreds of returning holidaymakers were forced to 'camp out' for hours after staff at the Stansted valet service were shockingly unable to find customers cars or car keys

When we booked we actually didnt mind paying a bit more for a service that we thought would be quicker and more convenient. How wrong we were.

Other holidaymakers took to Twitter to share their anger. Graham Riley blasted the service, saying he will fly from London Southend Airport in the future.

Emma Methven said children were sleeping on the pavements while Andrew Sutton took to the social network to complain about a four-hour wait.

He said: Stansted Meet & Greet, total shambles. Stop lying to your customers and tell us youre useless. Ive seen better organisation at the zoo.

A Stansted Airport spokesman said: Stansted Airport sincerely apologises to all passengers using Meet & Greet car parking services late Saturday night/early Sunday morning who regrettably experienced significant delays with the return of their vehicles.

'This was due to a number of unforeseen technical and operational issues at the service operating company. We have requested an immediate investigation into the full circumstances of the situation as the service provided during this period obviously fell short of the standards expected, and to ensure these issues do not occur again.

Probe: Stansted (file picture) has requested an investigation into what happened because 'the service provided during this period obviously fell short of the standards expected'

Our customer service staff helped provide assistance and refreshments to delayed passengers and sought to make alternative arrangements for passengers to get home or stay in local hotels, if necessary.

'Any additional costs incurred by passengers affected will of course be reimbursed. Stansted will also be contacting all those affected directly to reimburse the full car parking costs due to the inconvenience caused.

Once again, we apologise for this rare but disappointing customer service failure and would like to reassure all passengers we are doing all we can to ensure the parking operator resolves the situation as quickly as possible and returns the Meet & Greet service to its usual standard.

Empark, which was awarded a contract to operate parking at London Gatwick in August last year, has been contacted for comment by MailOnline today.
A Saudi mother arrested for stabbing her husband to death told police she killed her partner because he was trying to smother their two-month-old son.

The 26-year-old woman, detained in Taef in western Saudi Arabia, said she acted when her husband tried to smother the baby with a pillow 'to end its screams'.

Desperate to protect her child, she grabbed a kitchen knife and plunged it into her 38-year-old husband's neck, the woman claimed.

A Saudi mother arrested for stabbing her husband to death told police she killed her partner because he was trying to smother their two-month-old son (file picture)

She then panicked and fled to her neighbour's house before police were alerted and she was taken to a police station, Gulf News reports.

The website reports Saudi daily Okaz as saying that the couple had gone out to dinner earlier that night, taking their child with them.

The woman told police that her partner had trouble sleeping when the baby was crying and that he had reacted angrily.

When hen moved into another room she followed him in, only to find him attempting to smother the child.

Makkah police say they attended the scene on Sunday and found a body with multiple stab wounds.
Bryan Clauson, considered the top dirt-track racer in the country, has died after crashing his car during a race.

His family announced his death in a statement read at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday morning.

Clauson, 27, was leading the Midget Nationals USAC midget race in Belleville, Kansas, on Saturday night when he crashed while passing lapped traffic.

His car went over the guard rail, flipped, and was hit by another competitor on the track.

Clauson, who was engaged to be married in February, was airlifted to a hospital in Nebraska. He died on Sunday evening surrounded by his family and his fiancee.

Scroll down for video

Bryan Clauson (pictured with his fiancee Lauren Stewart), 27, died on Sunday after crashing his car during the Midget Nationals USAC midget race in Belleville, Kansas on Saturday

Clauson, 27, was leading the Midget Nationals USAC midget race in Belleville, Kansas, on Saturday night

His car went over the guard rail, flipped, and was hit by another competitor on the track

He was airlifted to a hospital in Nebraska. He died on Sunday evening surrounded by his family and his fiancee

His family announced his death in a statement read at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday morning. Pictured above the crashed vehicle

'Our Bryan fought to the end with the same desire that he demonstrated behind the wheel of all the various race cars he would park in victory lane,' his family said in the statement.

'However, we were more proud of our Bryan that took a moment to make a young fan's day, or demonstrated his uncommon kindness and appreciation toward his friends, family and fans.'

The statement came from Lauren Stewart, Clauson's fiancee. She retweeted a tribute video paying homage to Clauson on Monday, saying it kept her heart full of love as it broke into 'a million pieces'.

A Twitter account kept in the name of their dog, Chevy, shared a series of pictures on Monday, showing Clauson and Stewart in several loving shots with the pup.

'Dad, I'll love you forever,' the caption read on the account kept on the dog's behalf. 'Thank you for your snuggles, unconditional love, and countless trips to victory lane!'

People and a patrol vehicle rush to the scene of the crash to try and free Clauson who was airlifted to a hospital in Nebraska

A Twitter account kept in the name of Clauson's dog, Chevy, shared a series of pictures on Monday, showing Clauson and his Stewart in several loving shots with the pup (pictured)

Clauson, a California native, was on pace to compete in 200 races this year. He had 27 victories in 116 starts, and led three laps in the Indianapolis 500 in May.

A four-time USAC national champion, Clauson was aiming to become the driver with the most wins in series history. He was a three-time winner and the defending champion at Belleville.

Clauson got a USAC-IndyCar scholarship for winning the 2010 USAC national driver's title.

Clauson (pictured left and right with his fiancee and dog), a California native, was on pace to compete in 200 races this year and was going to get married in February

The scholarship earned Clauson six Indy Lights starts in 2011 in a car shared with current IndyCar Series rookie Conor Daly at Sam Schmidt Motorsports while Clauson continued to race in USAC's national series. His best finish in eight career Indy Lights races was third at Iowa Speedway in 2011.

Clauson won the scholarship award again in 2012, allowing him to make his Indianapolis 500 debut in 2012 with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing.

He returned to the Indy 500 in 2015 with KVSH/Jonathan Byrd's Racing, then led his first career laps this last year driving for Dale Coyne.

'Bryan Clauson combined his passion and enthusiasm for grassroots racing with a God-given talent that made him the favorite to win every time he got in a midget or sprint car,' Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles said.

'He possessed a humility and character out of the race car that made him a person that fellow competitors and fans alike enjoyed being around. His spirit, his positive outlook and his thrilling talent will be missed by the entire racing community.'

A four-time USAC national champion, Clauson (pictured with his fiancee) was aiming to become the driver with the most wins in series history

Clauson (pictured with his fiancee and their dogs) had 27 victories in 116 starts, and led three laps in the Indianapolis 500 in May

Clauson (pictured) 'combined his passion and enthusiasm for grassroots racing with a God-given talent,' Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles said

Clauson was a development driver for Chip Ganassi in NASCAR, where he competed in 26 races over the 2007 and 2008 seasons. He also spent several seasons driving for Stewart's sprint car team. Stewart said after the NASCAR race on Sunday he hoped to see Clauson's parents and fiancee, Lauren, soon.

'That kid drove for us for a long time and did a great job and never went anywhere,' Stewart said. 'I don't care what happened, no matter how bad his day was, he always found a way to smile with it. Him and Lauren being engaged, kid had such a bright future.

'It sucks when it's anybody in racing, it's hard when you lose them, but it's even worse when they're somebody as close to you as Bryan was,' Stewart said.

Clauson had another wreck during the weekend.

After that crash Friday night, he posted on Twitter his appreciation for his safety equipment, his chassis manufacturer and his team for getting his car ready for him to race Saturday night.

Many top NASCAR drivers immediately took to Twitter to ask for prayers for Clauson.
The Georgia parents who allegedly beat their baby into a coma were allowed to visit her Monday morning before her life support was turned off, thanks to a judge's ruling.

Dinah Paige Whited was admitted to hospital in April with bleeding on the brain, two broken collarbones and all but three ribs broken.

Her father, Justin Whited, was charged with the assault; her mom, Jamie Cason Whited, was charged with child cruelty for allegedly letting it happen. But both were allowed to see her before she died today, AJC.com reported.

Injured: Dinah Paige Whited was taken to hospital in April with 'catastrophic' injuries. Her life support was turned off at 12:06pm today and she died three hours later

Charged: Dinah's dad Jason Whited (right) was charged with beating her, while mom Jamie Cason Whited (left) was charged with letting it happen. Both deny the charges

Walton County Juvenile Court Judge David Dickinson issued the order to switch off the five-month-old's life support Friday, after both her parents consented to the measure.

The process began at 12:06pm on Monday and she finally passed away at 3:09pm.

She was visited by both parents at Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston before her death, per Dickinson's ruling.

They were each scheduled a separate half-hour visit before her life support was turned off. Jamie Cason Whited specifically requested the separate visits.

They were then allowed to remain with her until she died, at which point they were due to return her to jail.

Murder: Both parents were allowed to visit Dinah from jail before she died, as neither had been convicted. Jason Whited may now face murder charges

Dickinson allowed the measure, he said, because neither of the parents - who both deny the charges against them - have yet been convicted, and because they both agreed to turn off life support.

That agreement only came after a hearing Wednesday in which Justin Whited - who could now face a murder charge - resisted the proposed measure.

However, he broke down in tears after being shown a video of his daughter's silent body, and agreed to terminate life support after a short discussion with his wife.

Dinah was taken to hospital on April 23 with what doctors described as 'catastrophic brain injuries and multiple broken bones.'
to kill her husband using castor beans to produce Ricin poison on July 21

She is accused of

A wife and mother in Alabama is accused of planning to kill her husband with Ricin poison produced from castor beans.

Kirsten Mae Vining, 32, was arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, along with Eric William Lipscomb, 23, in Bessemer on Friday.

Both were taken to Shelby County Jail and are being held on $50,000 bond each.

Kirsten Mae Vining, (left) was arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, along with Eric William Lipscomb (right). The pair are accused of trying to kill her husband with Ricin poison

The pair had planned to kill her husband, Gene Franklin Vining III, using castor beans to produce Ricin poison, Alabama.com reported.

According to arrest warrants, the mother of three brought Lipscomb from Ohio to Alabama on July 21 to help her kill her husband.

Shelby County District Attorney Jill Lee said that the shocking case 'evolved quickly' and the investigation is ongoing. More information is expected to be released next week.

Ricin poison is found naturally in castor beans (file above) and can be made from the waste material left over from processing the beans. A dose of purified Ricin powder the size of a few grains of table salt can kill an adult

The relationship between Kirsten Vining and Lipscomb is unclear.

WHAT IS RICIN POISON? Ricin poison is found naturally in castor beans and can be made from the waste material left over from processing castor beans. In addition it can be produced in the form of a mist, a powder, a pellet or it can be dissolved in water or weak acid. If castor beans are chewed and swallowed, the Ricin that is released can cause serious injury. An adult can be killed after ingesting a dose of purified Ricin powder the size of a few grains of table salt. Advertisement

She worked as a receptionist for a Birmingham-area surgeon and has two daughters and a son with her husband.

Ricin poison is found naturally in castor beans and can be made from the waste material left over from processing the beans, according to MedicineNet.com.

In addition it can be produced in the form of a mist, a powder, a pellet or it can be dissolved in water or weak acid.

If castor beans are chewed and swallowed, the Ricin that is released can cause serious injury.
A former spiritual guru turned Indian official has predicted that World War III will be fought over a cow.

Mahamandleshwar Swami Akhileshwaranand Giri, made the comments during a meeting of the executive council of the state of Madhya Pradesh.

He claimed that cows had always been 'source of contention', adding they had caused conflicts before in the past.

A former spiritual guru turned Indian official has predicted that World War III will be fought over a cow (file pic)

He told the Indian Express: 'The Third World War will start over a cow.

'There are references in mythology and the first war of independence in 1857 began over the cow. '

His comments came just hours after the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged a halt to public floggings by cow-protection vigilantes.

Cows are considered sacred by Hindus and killing them is banned in most Indian states.

Formerly known as 'untouchables,' Dalits are commonly tasked with removing the corpses of dead cows from streets, where the animals often roam freely.

Attacks by vigilante groups on cow traders and smugglers have increased since Hindu nationalist Modi won power in 2014.

At least five Muslim men were killed last year by Hindu mobs on suspicion of eating beef or smuggling cows across the country.

And Modi described the ongoing exploitation of Dalits, who lie at the bottom of India's deeply entrenched social hierarchal system, as shameful.

Cows are considered sacred by Hindus and killing them is banned in most Indian states. They are often seen freely roaming the streets in India

'Why should we exploit our Dalit brothers? What right do we have for such behaviour?' Modi said to workers of his Hindu nationalist party in the southern city of Hyderabad.

'It is our responsibility to protect and respect the persons from society's lowest rung.'

Modi has faced criticism for remaining silent over the attack on the villagers last month by so-called cow-defenders in his home state of Gujarat.

Footage showed four half-naked men tied to a car as the activists took turns to thrash them with belts and batons at a crowded marketplace.
Advertisement

Tayyip Erdogan has told a rally of more than a million Turks that he would approve the death penalty if parliament voted for it after last month's failed coup.

The Turkish president appeared in front of a giant flag-waving crowd in Istanbul as he appeared to back moves to reintroduce capital punishment.

His comments came at a rally to mark the end of nightly demonstrations since Turkey's July 15 abortive coup that left more than 270 people dead.

But this morning a spokesman for the German government indicated that such a move would dash Turkey's hopes of joining the European Union.

Erdogan told the crowd: 'It is the Turkish parliament that will decide on the death penalty...I declare it in advance, I will approve the decision made by the parliament.

Scroll down for video

Tayyip Erdogan (pictured) has told a rally of more than a million Turks that he would approve the death penalty if parliament voted for it after last month's failed coup

President Erdogan was greeted with rapturous applause by the massive crowd who had waited all day in baking sunshine

Erdogan told the crowd the Gulenists were only 'the visible tools of the threat against our country' and added: 'We know that this game, this scenario is far beyond their league'

'They say there is no death penalty in the EU...Well, the US has it; Japan has it; China has it; most of the world has it. So they are allowed to have it. We used to have it until 1984. Sovereignty belongs to the people, so if the people make this decision I am sure the political parties will comply.'

In the wake of the coup Erdogan said he would bring back the death penalty - which was abolished in 2004 - if 'the people demanded it', although it would mean Turkey kissing goodbye to ever joining the European Union.

Although Turkey only abolished the death penalty in 2004, it had not held an execution since 1984.

Last night's event was so popular that many were turned away at the gates of a huge meeting area at Yenikapi, which was built recently and designed for huge rallies.

The plotters had been trying to depose President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been accused of dictatorial tendencies, who reacted after the coup by purging the armed forces and the civil service of thousands of people suspected of being disloyal.

Turkish people wave flags as they take part in a Democracy and Martyrs' Rally in Istanbul. At least a million people took part with some estimates as high as five million

The meeting area in Yenikapi, on the shores of the Bosphorus, was specially built in 2013 to hold rallies and large public events

A flotilla of small boats, all carrying Turkish flags, buzzed about offshore as more than a million people gathered at Yenikapi

President Erdogan told the cheering crowd: 'As a state and as a nation we need to analyse the July 15 coup attempt very well. We need to evaluate well not just those who engaged in this treachery, but the powers behind them, the motives that made them take action.

'We will continue on our road in solidarity. We will love each other not for rank or title, but for Allah.'

He added: 'July 15 showed our friends that this country isn't just strong against political, economic and diplomatic attacks, but against military sabotage as well. It showed that it will not fall, it will not be derailed.'

Erdogan and his Islamist AKP party have many political opponents in Turkey but last night's Democracy and Martyrs' Rally was attended by the leader of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, who have both been keen to point out their support for the democratic process.

The CHP was founded by the founder of modern Turkey, Kemal Ataturk, whose vision of a secular country has been eroded in recent years by Erdogan and the AKP.

More than a million flag-waving Turks gathered in Istanbul at a rally to mark the end of nightly demonstrations since the July 15 abortive military insurrection that left more than 270 people dead

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and his wife Emine wave to the crowd after arriving at the rally by helicopter

Erdogan was photographed shaking hands with the chief of the Turkish armed forces, General Hulusi Akar, who was taken captive by the coup plotters on July 15. They reportedly tightened a rope around his neck in an attempt to force him to sign a declaration of martial law. General Akar has said one of the plotters had offered to put Fethullah Gulen on the phone

Osman Kor, 45, said: 'I am a CHP voter, and an advocate of left-wing principles. Our leader is here, so we are.

'Gulen movement and other religious groups have enslaved our country. Now is the time to stop them.'

Yesteday's event was not party political and Turks from all walks of life came to show their support for democracy and to honour the 179 civilians and 67 loyalist servicemen who lost their lives during the coup.

The Anadolu news agency suggested there were actually five million people at the's rally.

President Erdogan said: 'The Turkish state is here, with all its institutions, political parties and all sectors of the republic. Everyone who stands for their state, their nation, justice and truth is here at Yenikapi today.'

But the pro-Kurdish People's Democracy Party (HDP) was notable for its absence, having not been invited.

The event kicked off with a minute's silence for those killed while opposing the coup, followed by the Turkish national anthem and a recitation of prayers ahead of speeches by the political party leaders.

Mr Kilicdaroglu said: 'July 15 has opened the door for our reconciliation. There is now a new Turkey after July 15. If we can further this power, this culture of rapprochement, we will all be able to leave our children a great Turkey.'

Erdogan told the crowd: 'Of course we have to uncover all members of this (Gulenist) organisation and eradicate them within the framework of the law, but if we content ourselves with just that, then we as a state and a nation will leave weak our defense against similar viruses'

A 200-foot stage was set up for the event, framed by massive national flags and banners depicting Erdogan and Ataturk.

A roll call of those who died opposing the coup was read out as the crowd gathered.

In a rare public appearance the chief of the Turkish armed forces, General Hulusi Akar, told the crowd: 'The traitors who are responsible for this disgrace will be punished in the most severe manner. No-one should doubt it.'

General Akar was held captive for several hours by the plotters during the coup and a rope was reportedly tied around his neck at one point when he was told to sign a declaration of martial law, which he refused.

I stood against the coup that night, I resisted it. A political party that I don't support can win the elections and I accept it. But I will never accept an authority that take control by force Merve Sebnem Oruc

Journalist Merve Sebnem Oruc tweeted a photograph of the huge crowd and wrote: 'Massive anti-coup rally. 5+ million reportedly gathered in Istanbul. Does Turkey look polarized now?'

The 35-year-old later told the Mail Online that although the meeting area was designed to hold 1.25million people it was extended for yesterday's event.

Mr Oruc said: 'The empty area around Yenikapi was also full, there was a huge sound system with giant speakers in the park. The roads, sideways, train stations, everywhere was full with people.

'The crowd was really, really huge. Considering the fact that the weather was really hot, it was not easy to stay there till the end.'

He said the crowd included not just Turks but Kurds, Arabs and other minorities.

'People from all the political spectrum were there. Seculars, nationalists, Muslims. I was with my friends who voted for CHP and MHP.'

Mr Oruc told the Mail Online: 'I stood against the coup that night, I resisted it. A political party that I don't support can win the elections and I accept it. But I will never accept an authority that take control by force. Anyone who defines themselves as democrats argue against that simple fact.'

Asked why the HDP had not been invited, Mr Oruc said: 'HDP openly gives support to outlawed PKK. Last year PKK killed hundreds in Turkey including civilians. It would be a disrespectful move as Turkish people who foiled the Gulenist coup attempt have been suffering from PKK and ISIS terror for a long time.'

Turkish special forces unit stand on a crane as a giant portrait of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is hanged over a Democracy and Martyrs' Rally in Istanbul

Turkish people wave flags as they take part in a Democracy and Martyrs' Rally in Istanbul. Flags and baseball caps were handed out to those who attended in a flourish of patriotism

Sevda Bozkurt, a 44-year-old housewife who was unable to get into Yenikapi, said: 'I have never been in democracy rallies but I really wanted to come this one. Because I don't want to lose my country.

'This is one of the biggest rallies. Turkey's three political parties gathered together, they become friends, they become brothers. Maybe there is hope for Turkey.'

Construction cranes suspended giant Turkish flags beside the meeting area, while flag-draped boats and yachts zipped back and forth offshore.

Following the abortive putsch the Turkish government has been encouraging nightly anti-coup rallies in all of the country's 81 provinces and many Turks abroad, in places like Cologne, Germany, have also staged their own demonstrations.

Yesterday's event was simultaneously broadcast on giant screens in all of Turkey's provinces, and crowds of thousands gathered to watch in the country's major cities.

A man waves a Turkish flag and another banner showing Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. President Erdogan had asked people not to bring banners with slogans

Mustafa Yavuz Aycil, 44, said: 'Today is a special day, which is making all of the gatherings held for 15, 24 days, more precious. I also had to be here today because as you see all of the crowd is showing its reaction to the coup.'

Nearly 15,000 police were providing security at the event. Anti-aircraft batteries were also set up at the event grounds, while two helicopters circled overhead.

Thousands of buses and more than 200 boats were commissioned to bring attendees to the area, where they passed through one of 165 metal detectors before being given hats and flags.

Those wounded during the attempted coup and the families of those who died were given special passes for a seated area.

There were also large gatherings in Ankara (pictured) and other Turkish cities where people watched politicians speaking at the rally in Istanbul on giant TV screens

Erdogan urged people to bring only the Turkish flag instead of party banners.

'There we will stand together as a single nation, a single flag, a single motherland, a single state, a single spirit,' he said on the eve of the rally.

An Ottoman-style marching band entertained the crowd before the official start of the event.

Turkish media also said a giant screen was to be set up in Pennsylvania, the state that is home to Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who moved there in self-imposed exile in the late 1990s.

The Turkish government said Gulen was the mastermind behind the failed coup and is seeking his extradition from the United States. The cleric denies any involvement.

A helicopter carrying President Erdogan comes into land at Yenikapi. The sun blazed on the crowd as temperatures reached around 40 degrees Celsius

Erdogan's government has launched a sweeping crackdown in the coup's aftermath, targeting followers of Gulen's movement.

Nearly 18,000 people have been detained or arrested, mostly from the military, and tens of thousands of people have been suspended or dismissed from jobs in the judiciary, media, education, health care, military and local government.

The scope of the crackdown has alarmed European countries and rights groups, who have urged restraint.

Erdogan has lashed out at such criticism, and complained of a lack of support from the West for his government for surviving the coup.

Dozens of Turkish citizens also demonstrated outside the White House in Washington DC (pictured). They supported President Erdogan's demands for the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania

A member of Turkish special forces unit stands near the podium where Erdogan was due to speak. He said: 'As a state and as a nation we need to analyse the July 15 coup attempt very well. We need to evaluate well not just those who engaged in this treachery, but the powers behind them, the motives that made them take action.'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, and his wife Emine wave to the crowd during a Democracy and Martyrs' Rally in Istanbul, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. A massive crowd of flag-waving supporters gathered in Istanbul Sunday for a giant rally to mark the end of nightly demonstrations since Turkeys July 15 abortive coup that left more than 270 people dead. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, and his wife Emine wave to the crowds. In his speech he said: 'We will continue on our road in solidarity. We will love each other not for rank or title, but for Allah.'

Hundreds of thousands of flag-waving Turks gathered in Istanbul for the rally. The Turkish government has claimed Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in the US, was behind the July 15 coup but has not published any evidence to back up its claim

The crowds waved the Turkish flag, which is known as the al bayrak (red flag). The flag was adopted by the Ottoman Empire in 1844. The red symbolises the blood shed by Turkish soldiers over the years

Thousands of people attended the Democracy and Martyrs' Rally in Istanbul. The coup was allegedly led by General Akin Ozturk, a Turkish air force commander. He is in custody awaiting trial. He is a former Turkish military attache to Israel

The enormous crowds at Yenikapi was a show of support for President Erdogan and for the democratic process as a whole. Many of those who came did not vote for Erdogan but respected the fact he was Turkey's democratically elected president

Amid the riot of Turkish flags were a couple of flags from the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan. The Azeri people are ethnic kinfolk of the Turks and Turkey and Azerbaijan are close allies with a mutual enemy - Armenia.

A Turkish woman waves as she holds a flag during yesterday's Democracy and Martyrs' Rally in Istanbul
killed in NYC in an Islamist terror attack since 9/11

America's most powerful city police chief has warned New York faces more terror threats for 'many years to come'.

Bill Bratton, 68, who has served twice as New York police commissioner, as well as the police chief in Los Angeles and Boston, announced his resignation as New York commissioner on Tuesday, ending a 45-year career in public life.

No civilians have been killed in an Islamist terror attack in New York City since the September 11 attacks that killed 2,996 people. However, there are regular security scares in the city.

'The issue of terrorism is going to be with us for many years to come,' Bratton told the Cats Roundtable radio show on AM 970.

Bill Bratton, 68, who has served twice as New York police commissioner, said New York faces more terror threats for 'many years to come'

The NYPD has been focusing on preventing lone wolf attacks.

In July, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered security tightened on mass transit and at airports, bridges, tunnels and other crucial transportation links following a deadly truck attack in Nice, France.

Extra police from the anti-terror force and other units of the New York City Police Department patrolled locations associated with the French government and heavily trafficked areas such as Times Square, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

'We are absolutely on alert,' de Blasio said on WNYC radio's Brian Lehrer show.

Bratton explained on Tuesday: 'The world is changing and it's unfortunate that terrorism is going to be a significant part of our lives for some years to come.'

In June, hundreds of passengers were evacuated from John F Kennedy Airport in New York due to reports of a suspicious package just hours after 41 people were killed in Istanbul

Bill Bratton was a key proponent of 'zero tolerance' policing in the 1990s that slashed crime to historic lows

In June, hundreds of passengers were evacuated from John F Kennedy Airport in New York due to reports of a suspicious package just hours after 41 people were killed in Istanbul.

Bomb squad officers and K-9 units rushed to JFK's Terminal 5 in order to investigate an unattended bag left inside the building. And hundreds of passengers were pictured being marshaled outside the building by police with many still carrying their luggage.

Meanwhile, it was announced in July that all uniformed New York police on patrol will now be equipped with ballistic helmets under a $7.5 million spending drive fueled by recent terror attacks and shootings.

The plan will see 20,000 ballistic helmets given to all uniformed patrol officers and 6,000 heavy ballistic vests distributed among 3,000 patrol vehicles between this summer and January 2017.

The last mass terror attack in New York City was when hijacked planes flew into the World Trade Center in 2001

The roll-out is designed to make officers safer in responding to an active shooter situation, officials said.

Bratton was a key proponent of 'zero tolerance' policing in the 1990s that slashed crime to historic lows.

He was reappointed New York police chief in 2013 by Mayor Bill de Blasio and steps down as the United States is roiled by controversy over deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police and high-profile killings of officers.

The issue has turned into a flashpoint in the presidential campaigning between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Current Chief of Department and new Police Commissioner Jimmy O'Neill (right) speaks at a press conference with outgoing New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton (left)

New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton is seen here with New York City Mayor Bill di Blasio

Bratton's departure for a job in the private sector will see his Brooklyn-born successor, James O'Neill, expand a new neighborhood policing strategy that the mayor said would 'fundamentally change' police-community relations.

'It is now time for me to move on,' Bratton told a news conference, promising a seamless transition in September to a 'capable, energetic and creative' team.

He spent the last 31 months at the helm of the largest and best-funded US police department overseeing a major expansion in equipment, recruiting and training, but he said policing was always unfinished business.

'The issues we're facing now are going to require years to resolve,' Bratton said, listing mistrust of the criminal justice system, particularly by minorities, as well as immigration and anger directed at the city's Muslim community.

'As we go forward and face the crises of race in America, crime in America, fear of terrorism, and in the midst of the turmoil in this presidential election, there is no police department in America that will be better prepared to face all that we are going to have to face in the future,' he said.
A horror smash which left a 17-year-old beauty queen fighting for her life was likely caused by French tourists driving on the wrong side of the road.

Miss World Australia finalist Elyse Miller-Kennedy was hospitalised last week with severe head injuries after the crash near Dimbulah, north of Cairns.

Her vehicle flipped in the collision and Ms Miller-Kennedy spent five hours pinned upside down before she was rescued, The Herald Sun reported.

Elyse Miller-Kennedy (pictured), from far north Queensland, was taking part in Miss World Australia just last week, but is now in a critical condition at Townsville Hospital after a horror crash

'The investigations clearly show Elyse was a completely innocent party in this tragedy,' Forensic Crash investigator Scott Ezard said

The Year 12 student gained her driver's just five weeks before the crash.

Senior constable Lee Chamberlain told The Herald Sun that Ms Miller-Kennedy was driving on the right side of the road.

He said: 'Elyse was driving back from the Mareeba direction and was on the correct side of the road.

'Our inquiries show that the two vehicles came together on the Dimbulah-bound lane, so she was where she should have been at the time.'

Police are now looking to speak to the French couple that collided with her.

The 17-year-old was involved in a collision near Dimbulah, north of Cairns, and was flown to hospital with severe head injuries.

The other car involved in the crash was occupied by a man and a woman from France, who were also hospitalised

The 17-year-old had only got her driver's licence five weeks before the crash, but police said the collision was not her fault

Ms Miller-Kennedy's modelling agency has launched a fundraising campaign to support her family

Ms Miller-Kennedy's modelling agency, BLAK Model Management, has launched a fundraising campaign to support her family.

'Dear friends of BLAK please help model Elyse Millers family get through very difficult times with love and support from our community by making a donation,' the agency posted on Facebook.

The post asked the public to do 'whatever it takes to relieve this family of the worry of financial burden and be able to focus on their little girl at this tremendously difficult time'.

BLAK Modelling Management asked the public to do 'whatever it takes to relieve this family of the worry of financial burden'
R. Scott Silverthorne is resigning as mayor of the Virginia city of Fairfax after being arrested last week

The mayor of Fairfax, Virginia, is resigning following his arrest for allegedly attempting to trade methamphetamine for a group sex session with men he met online.

City officials said in a news release Monday that R. Scott Silverthorne's resignation will take effect at noon Thursday.

Silverthorne was arrested last Thursday on a felony drug distribution charge.

Following his arrest, Silverthorne was also fired from his job as a substitute teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools.

Police say they received a tip that Silverthorne was using a dating website to set up sexual encounters with other men in exchange for drugs.

Police set up a sting operation, posting a profile on the website that they expected would appeal to him.

Within two days, police said, Silverthorne, who was third-term mayor, contacted the undercover officers through the website to set up a meeting.

On Thursday evening, police said, Silverthorne gave an undercover detective two grams of methamphetamine outside a Tysons Corner hotel before his arrest.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Police say Silverthorne (above) attempted to trade drugs for sex in a sting operation and was arrested last Thursday on a felony drug distribution charge

Before his arrest last Thursday, Silverthorne gave an undercover detective two grams of methamphetamine outside the Crowne Plaza Hotel (above) in Tysons Corner

On Friday, after police announced the arrest at a news conference, Silverthorne appointed a city councilman, Jeffrey Greenfield, as temporary acting mayor. But calls continued for Silverthorne to resign entirely.

Silverthorne did not respond to phone calls, text messages and emails seeking comment.

However, he commented on his arrest in a Facebook post on Friday, writing: 'I ask that you allow the process to proceed before rushing to judgement (as tough as that may be).'

He is currently free on personal recognizance while he awaits a preliminary hearing October 31.

The city council has scheduled a special meeting Tuesday night; the mayor and council had been on recess for the month of August.

In a news release, the city said it expects to follow state law in filling the vacancy caused by Silverthorne's departure.

Under the state code, the city council would appoint a mayor to serve until a special election could be held.

The city said day-to-day operations are continuing as normal under the direction of the city manager.

Silverthorne appointed city councilman, Jeffrey Greenfield (above), as temporary acting mayor of Fairfax

Greenfield, the acting mayor appointed by Silverthorne, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Monday morning.

Silverthorne was elected in May of the community that has about 24,000 residents, and is located roughly 20 miles west of the nation's capital.

He won his third-term after a rough year in which he lost his job with he National Association of Manufacturers, filed for bankruptcy, lost his home to foreclosure and was diagnosed with cancer, The Washington Post reported.

In November Silverthorne announced that he'd been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, and the Post said he underwent treatment that ended two months before the election.
A 14-year-old girl has been raped outside a supermarket as she left to cycle home.

Police have launched a major investigation into the incident, which took place at Asda in the Main Street Shopping Centre in Barrhead, Glasgow.

The teenager left the supermarket on her bike, when the man grabbed her into nearby bushes and raped her around 8.15pm last night.

A 14-year-old girl has been raped outside a supermarket as she left to cycle home

Police have launched a major investigation into the incident, which took place at Asda in the Main Street Shopping Centre in Barrhead, Glasgow

The teenager left the supermarket on her bike, when the man grabbed her into nearby bushes and raped her around 8.15pm last night

Officers are hunting the sex attacker, who was wearing a white trilby-style hat.

He was described as white, aged between 20 and 30 and was of medium build.

He was wearing a grey zipped top with white striped sleeves, grey jogging style trousers and grey coloured trainers.

He was also carrying an oversized black holdall bag.

Police Scotland have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Inspector Gillian Patrick said it had been a 'traumatic experience' for the young girl.

She said: 'We know the man was in the shop prior to the incident taking place and I am appealing to anyone who may have been shopping around that time to think about whether they may have seen this man or noticed anything suspicious.

Police have launched a major investigation into the incident, which took place at Asda in the Main Street Shopping Centre in Barrhead, Glasgow

'If you have any information or knowledge about this crime, please talk to officers and pass it on - it could prove vital in helping us trace the man responsible for this attack.'
Authorities say the deputy U.S. marshal accused of peeping on a 16-year-old girl at Target recorded young girls at several other stores in Bismarck.

"This isn't just a couple of pictures," said Burleigh County Assistant State's Attorney Julie Lawyer at an initial court appearance for Michael Rivera on 20 new charges. "It appears wherever he goes, he does behavior like this."

A complaint filed in the case alleges the 29-year-old law enforcement officer used a cellphone camera to record under the doors of changing rooms at numerous clothing stores, including several at the Kirkwood Mall. The 19 victims identified by their initials in the complaint range in age from 12 to 33 years old.

Rivera worked for the U.S. Marshals Office for about a year prior to his initial arrest, according to Paul Ward, U.S. Marshal for the District of North Dakota. He was suspended immediately after he was detained, and then put on an indefinite, unpaid suspension ten days later.

The charges filed in South Central District Court all arise from alleged activity in the Bismarck area over the last year, but the police affidavit accuses Rivera engaging in similar conduct over the last three years in Chicago, Illinois; Jacksonville, Florida; Miami, Florida; Brunswick, Georgia and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

He also is accused of possessing hundreds of images and videos of child sexual exploitation on his computer.

The new charges arose from examination of a laptop seized from Riveras apartment.

Collectively, Rivera is charged in the new case with six counts of attempting to promote a sexual performance by a minor, four counts of promoting sexual performance by a minor, one count of possession of prohibited materials, six counts of surreptitious intrusion, one count of creation or possession of sexually expressive image and two counts of attempting to create or possess a sexually expressive image.

Lawyer said the state was unaware of the additional evidence when Rivera was charged with a single count of attempt to promote a sexual performance by a minor in June. He was allowed to stay with his mother in Chicago in the interim.

South Central District Judge David Reich raised Rivera's bond from $2,000 to $150,000 because of the additional allegations.

Rivera's attorney, Lloyd Suhr, had argued for a lower bond in the case, raising concerns about Rivera's safety as a federal law enforcement officer held in a jail with federal prisoners.

Lawyer said he would be transferred to a facility without federal prisoners and where he could be held in a single cell.

In addition to formal charging in the new case, Rivera had a probable cause hearing on the case from June. He pleaded not guilty.

During the hearing, Bismarck Police Detective Brandon Rask testified that a 16-year-old girl reported to police that she saw a cell phone on the floor of her dressing room as she tried on a bathing suit at Target. She saw the phone disappear and a large male retreat into a dressing room. Rask said he identified Rivera through surveillance footage and later found video of the teen on Rivera's computer.

Suhr argued that the charges filed by the state in the first case didn't match up with the facts.

This is a peeping Tom pattern of facts charged as child porn, Suhr said.

Reich found probable cause in the case regardless, saying Suhrs argument would be better reserved for a motion.

Reich set a trial date for the initial case for Nov. 30. If the cases are joined, trial on both could be postponed.
Mishell Moloney died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation

A mother-of-two was killed by a faulty tumble dryer which a manufacturer had failed to recall - despite the model being responsible for 20 previous fires.

Mishell Moloney, 49, was found dead under a duvet next to her bed by her daughter Jodie, 30, and sister Tracey on February 7.

An inquest heard a small fire had started inside the Beko tumble dryer in the kitchen of Ms Moloney's home in Rubery, Birmingham.

Emergency services rushed to the property but the fire was already out by the time family members had managed to force their way in.

Despite the efforts of paramedics Ms Moloney was pronounced dead at the scene.

A pathologist found Ms Moloney, who was also a grandmother-of-two and carer to her 17-year-old deaf son, had died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation.

Blood tests revealed Ms Moloney had a carbon monoxide saturation of 71 per cent - above the fatal limit of between 25 and 50 per cent.

Emma Brown, Area Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, was told the fire had started in the printed circuit board of the 8kg capacity dryer.

Birmingham Coroners Court heard Beko had not recalled the product despite receiving reports of 20 incidents where the same DCS 85W model had set alight.

MS Moloney, 49, was found dead under a duvet next to her bed by her sister and daughter Jodie (pictured)

Recording a narrative verdict, the coroner added: 'It's my conclusion that Mishell's death was due to smoke inhalation from a fire that was caused by the Beko tumble dryer in her kitchen.

'It's not possible to identify the nature of the defect which caused the fire.

'She had inhaled fatal levels of carbon monoxide from a fire that started in a Beko tumble dryer that she had purchased in 2012.

'The deceased probably passed away during the early hours having gone to bed after switching off the tumble dryer and washing machine.

'Beko had previously received 20 reports of spontaneous fires.

'It had been determined that a recall was not required because the risk of injury was very low.

'Mishell was aware of the problem with the tumble dryer before the fire because she turned the main switch off but it clearly wasn't apparent to her that turning off the mains wasn't going to solve the problem.

'She obviously thought she had dealt with the problem and went to bed intending to deal with it subsequently.

'The medical cause of Mishell's death I record as 1a carbon monoxide poisoning and 1b smoke inhalation.'

Ms Moloney's daughter Jodie described her mother as 'the best mum she could have asked for'

Ms Moloney also had a reading of 320micrograms of alcohol in 100millilitres of blood, four times the drink-drive limit of 80micrograms, the inquest heard.

Giving evidence, Tracey Moloney described her sister as 'joyful' and 'organised'.

She told the coroner the mum would always make sure she did her washing and drying and then folded them up and put them away before she went to bed.

After the case, her daughter Jodie said in a statement: 'My mum was quite simply the best mum my brother Joshua and I could have asked for and losing her was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with.

'There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her. Since she passed away there has been a void in my life that will never be filled.

'She was everything you could hope for in a mum; kind generous and loving.

A similar Beko DCS 85W model

'We were so close and she did everything she could to make her family happy.

'She was a brilliant nan to my children Chloe and Callum. They are devastated that she is gone.

'The hardest thing of all is that I didn't get to tell her how much I loved her.

'I always said to her that she was my warrior as she would always stand up for us but I just wish I could have one last hug to say good bye.

'She was my warrior, my hero, my mum and I will miss her forever.'

Jodie's lawyer, Paul Tapner added: 'This is a tragic case that has seen a mother and grandmother taken early from her loved ones.

'Mishell's death has hit her family hard and they need answers from the manufacturer of the tumble dryer where the fire that claimed her life started.

'It is only then that they will be able to move on with their lives.'

An investigation uncovered evidence that the fire had started in or around the area where dryer's printed circuit board (PCB) was.

My mum was quite simply the best mum my brother Joshua and I could have asked for

The dryer's manufacturer, Beko, said the PCB had never been the identified cause of any of 20 previous fires traced to the 8kg DCS 85W model.

Andrew Mullen, Beko's quality control manger for the UK and Ireland, said 35,000 units of the dryer had been sold in the UK and Ireland, adding it complied with European safety standards and the UK's general fire safety regulations.

He added the model was discontinued last year 'as part of a range change'.

He revealed two smaller 6kg and 7kg models had been recalled because of 100 incidents of reported faults with the capacitor, 'within the first three months'.

He said those smaller models had been recalled because 'within the first three months in excess of 100 incidents in similar circumstances'.

Andrew Mullen (left), Beko's quality control manger, said Ms Moloney's death was a 'tragic, isolated accident.' Jodie Moloney (right) also attended the inquest at Birmingham Coroners Court

Asked what faults had caused the 20 previous fires, he said: 'In virtually all cases it has been the run capacitor - I can't think of any cases that weren't.'

In a statement after the case Mr Mullen said: 'This was a tragic accident and we send our deepest condolences and sympathies to the relatives and friends of the Moloney family.

'Safety is our highest priority and we sincerely regret any incident linked to one of our products.

'We have worked closely with all relevant authorities throughout this investigation in an attempt to establish the reasons that led to the fire in Ms Moloney's property.

'Despite investigations from two of the UK's most respected forensic companies, there is no conclusive evidence to point to why a fire started in Ms Moloney's tumble dryer.

'Ms Moloney's death was a tragic, isolated accident.

'The product involved in this incident is not part of any recall or voluntary corrective action programme, a decision made in consultation with Trading Standards.

'The product involved in this incident remains completely safe for use, meeting and exceeding all European standards.'
A second boxer has been arrested by police in Rio on suspicion of attempted rape in the Olympic Village.

Namibian competitor Jonas Junias Jonas was detained in connection with the attack on a female cleaner in the village, Brazils Civil Police said on Monday.

According to the employee who works as a chambermaid, the 22-year-old tried to grab and kiss her.

Namibian boxer Jonas Junias Jonas, carrying his country's flag at the Olympic Opening Ceremony. He has now been arrested on suspicion of rape at the Olympic Village

The fighter, is due to compete on Thursday against the French boxer Hassan Amzille in the light welterweight category but may now not be allowed to do so

In the complaint, she also said the boxer offered her money in exchange for sex. The victim said she ran away and went to the police.

Inspector Veloso from Recreio Police Station in the west zone of Rio confirmed that Jonas, was arrested, charged with attempted rape, and taken to Recreio police station.

He said unless he is bailed, the Commonwealth Silver medallist will be transferred to the high security prison in Bangu by the end of today.

Unless he is bailed, the Commonwealth Silver medallist will be transferred to the high security prison in Bangu by the end of today.

The fighter, who was the flag bearer for Namibia in the opening ceremony, is due to compete on Thursday against the French boxer Hassan Amzille in the light welterweight category but may now not be allowed to do so.

According to the Brazilian Criminal Code, a crime of rape occurs if the attacker forces the victim to have sexual intercourse, to practice lewd acts or forces the victim into performing a sexual act.

Any sexual act that is performed without consent is considered rape.

The Rio 2016 committee spokesperson said it is a police investigation and they would be following the case. The Namibia embassy declined to comment.

The new accusation comes less than a week after Moroccan athlete, Hassan Saada, was arrested on suspicion of a similar crime in the Olympic Village.

He too is accused of attempting to rape two maid working in the athlete's accommodation.

Saada, a light heavyweight boxer, was taken to a police station close the Olympic Stadium where he was stripped of his Olympic competitor status.

However, his wife in his native Morocco has hit back at the allegations saying all accusations against her husband were false and that he was a 'man of high morals'.
Hannah Debenham (pictured right), 42, of Uckfield, Sussex, was under investigation for two months following the accusation, before the case was dropped this week when no supporting evidence was found. The mother-of-two was asked to 'voluntarily' attend a police station where she was questioned by a modern day slavery inspector, which she branded 'the worst day of my life'. She and her husband were grilled for a total of four hours, first at their home and later during separate interviews at Eastbourne Police Station. She told MailOnline: 'It was just devastating. We just wanted to help. If I was charged I would have had to declare that and it would have been a permanent impediment to my career. They also spoke to my husband and told him that if I could face life in prison if I was found guilty. I've been an NHS mental health specialist for 15 years and have often worked with people being questioned and charged by police. It was the worst thing that has ever happened to me.' Ms Debenham said her solicitor described the action by Sussex Police as an 'outrageous overreach.' The Ukrainian family had been living with Ms Debenham for just three weeks when the accusation was levelled.
Jayde Kendall (pictured), 16, was murdered last year

A teenager accused of murdering Queensland schoolgirl Jayde Kendall will fight his case in the Supreme Court.

Jayde, 16, went missing in her hometown of Gatton, 80 kilometres west of Brisbane, on August 14 last year.

Her disappearance sparked an exhaustive search and an ongoing appeal for information before her body was found in a paddock two weeks later.

Her school friend, Brenden Jacob Bennetts, has been charged with her murder and interfering with her corpse.

Bennetts, 19, appeared in the Ipswich Magistrates Court via video link from prison on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty.

Scroll down for video

School friends lay tributes to the murdered schoolgirl at Lockyer District Highschool

He was committed to stand trial on the charges in the Brisbane Supreme Court.

Outside court, Bennetts' lawyer Brendan Ryan said he didn't believe the Crown had a strong case.

'They've got a prima face case - that just means on the face of the evidence it appears that my client may have committed this particular offence,' he told reporters.

'At the end of the day they've got to prove their case, we don't have to do anything.

'All evidence is subject to interpretation by a jury and thank God we've got juries.'

Bennetts was charged after detectives found Jayde's body in a paddock in Upper Tenthill, about 17km from where she lived.

Her friend Brenden Bennetts, 19, pleaded not guilty to Jayde's murder on Monday

Jayde's body was found in a paddock 17 kilometres from her home almost two weeks after her death

Police will argue Bennetts picked the girl up from school, and killed her between 3.20pm and 6pm, reported 9News.

They allege his car is seen driving past a petrol station on CCTV just six kilometres away from the paddock where Jayde was found at 5.06pm.

She disappeared after leaving Lockyer District State High School, where she was a student.

Her father raised the alarm after he went to pick her up from her part-time job at McDonald's and she wasn't there.

Bennetts remains in custody and a date for his trial is yet to be fixed.
What started out as a mundane argument over chairs at an outdoor wedding reception in Virginia Saturday night ended with a caterer getting stabbed to death by a 19-year-old man, according to police.

Kempton Bonds, a seasonal employee of the Fairfax County Park Authority, has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing of 35-year-old Tyonne Johns.

Johns, the owner of the Maryland-based catering company Chef Tyonne, was stabbed to death at the end of a wedding celebration held in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly, Fairfax County.

Scroll down for video

Killed over chairs: Kempton Bonds, 19 (left), a seasonal parks worker from Virginia, has been charged in the stabbing death of caterer Tyonne Johns (right), 35, during a dispute over chairs

The stabbing took place during a wedding reception in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly, Fairfax County, Saturday

Investigators say Johns and Kempton Bonds clashed over the ownership of folding chairs used during the reception, with the caterer claiming they were hers and the 19-year-old arguing that they were park property.

Minutes later, police say the teenager pulled out a pocketknife and plunged it several times into Johns' upper body.

The 35-year-old chef was rushed to a local hospital, where she died from her wounds.

Seymone Spence, a bartender at the wedding reception and Tyonne Johns' close friend, said Kempton Bonds had been upset with the behavior of the wedding guests throughout the evening, and at one point he even shut off power at the venue and called police to make a noise complaint.

Professional cook: Johns was a chef and owner of the Maryland-based catering company Chef Tyonne. She had been hired to cater a wedding Saturday in the Fairfax County park

Johns (center) was stabbed several times with a 3-inch knife and died in the hospital

By the time police arrived at the scene at around 9.30pm, the incident had been resolved and the celebration had resumed.

The festivities were wrapping up at around 11pm when Bonds confronted Johns about the folding chairs she was loading onto a truck, and then knifed her with a 3-inch blade, according to police.

Was it a hate crime? Johns' friends claim the chef's suspected killer took a dislike to her because she was lesbian

Bonds remained at the scene and was taken into custody without incident. He was being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center Monday.

Nick Martin, a friend of the 19-year-old, told the Washington Post the violent incident was out of character for Bonds, who is a student at Northern Virginia Community College.

Martin told the paper that his friend called him during the wedding reception and said that guests were complaining about the rules he had to enforce at the venue.

Bonds has been a seasonal employee with the parks authority since 2015, helping with various events.

Chef Johns was lesbian, and her friends and members of the LGBT community have labelled her killing a hate crime, even though police have not classified the stabbing as such.

Bonds (pictured) is a student at Northern Virginia Community College and has worked with the parks authority since 2015

Tensions rise: Prior to the stabbing, Bonds had called police to make a noise complaint at the wedding venue. He also told a friend that guests at the reception were upset with him

Eraena Seymore has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Johns' final expenses, writing in the fundraiser's description: CHEF Tyonne, was senselessly murdered on August 6, 2016 for standing up for what she believed. All too often our lives are taken away at the hands of those who deem our existence unnecessary.'

Seymone Spence, who is also lesbian and was at the wedding with her same-sex partner, sounded a similar note, telling the station WUSA that Kempton Bonds appeared to have no respect for gay people.
An armed robber who tried to hold up a tobacco store in South Carolina with a 'musket-like' gun saw his plans go up in smoke thanks to the bravery of his victims.

The man entered Tobacco Junction - formerly Tobacco Jungle - in Anderson on Sunday morning armed with what looked like a flintlock pistol and pointed it at the manager's back.

But the man wasn't intimidated and, as seen in a video hosted on WYFF4, spun around and attacked the startled criminal in what was the start of a badly bungled robbery.

Scroll down for video

Robber: Video footage shows the bandana-wearing man attempting to hold up Tobacco Junction in Anderson County on Sunday, armed with what appears to be an antique handgun

Hostage: The security footage shows the robber pointing a gun at the manager's back, but his plan soon falls apart thanks to the bravery of all involved

The manager then ran to the front door, causing the gunman to chase him.

That gave the clerk and customer who just witnessed the startling encounter time to duck into the back of the store - with the video apparently showing the clerk hitting an alarm button on the way.

The criminal then runs around to the cash register, seemingly panicking, and fumbles with a drawer before ducking out of view to the rear of the store.

Tammy Mendez, a Tobacco Junction clerk who wasn't present at the time of the robbery, told The Daily Mail that her manager - who she only named as 'Danny' - was a hero.

'In my opinion he saved everyones life,' she said. 'He let the robber follow him so everyone else could get to protective areas.'

Fight back: The manager spins around and punches the robber, drawing him away to the front door while the clerk and customer head to the rear of the shop

On seeing that the manager had fled , the robber returned and demanded the clerk and customer hand over money - but neither one complied, according to Anderson County Sheriff's Office said.

He then left empty-handed; police believe he drove off in a car parked near the store.

Police are now hunting the suspect, who is described as a black male in blue jeans and a grey short-sleeved shirt, wielding 'a musket-type handgun'.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Anderson County Sheriffs Office at (864) 260-4400 or Anderson Area Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
An 11-year-old Kentucky boy has drowned after falling into a pond at the Lexington Cemetery.

According to Lexington Police, D'Shannon Davis fell into the water Sunday afternoon.

The 11-year-old and two other children, a five-year-old and an eight-year-old, were believed to have been fishing at the pond.

D'Shannon Davis, 11 (left and right), has drowned after falling into a pond at The Lexington Cemetery in Kentucky

Summer pastime: Davis and two other children, a five-year-old and an eight-year-old, were believed to have been fishing at this pond

Cemetery groundskeeper Nathan Carpenter was doing maintenance work at Cove Haven Cemetery next door when he says two children ran up to him screaming that their brother was drowning.

Carpenter tells the station LEX18 the two kids had fishing line wrapped around their legs.

The cemetery worker called 911 and followed the children to their fishing spot inside the Lexington Cemetery.

Lexington Fire Battalion Chief Joe Best says a team of divers who were dispatched to the burial grounds helped to recover D'Shannon Davis at 6.30pm.

The boy had spent about 30 minutes in 7-8 feet of water, reported the channel WTVQ.

Divers recovered Davis from 7-8 feet of water after about 30 minutes, but it was too late to save him

Firefighters attempted to revive Davis before taking him to University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

The Fayette County coroner's office said on Monday that Davis was later pronounced dead at the hospital. His death was ruled an accidental drowning.
The police say her death was an accident but others suspect foul play

The dead body of a Colombian model has been found naked in the street after she fell 40ft from her apartment.

Stephanie Magon Ramirez, 23, had moved to Mexico City from Cali in western Colombia.

She had left her husband and four-year-old son at home to take up a 6-month contract at the New Icon Model agency.

The dead body of a Colombian model has been found naked in the street after she fell 40ft from her apartment

The cause of the model's death is still unexplained, with numerous conflicting theories being offered by both witnesses and the police.

Shortly after her body was discovered, a senior judge declared Mrs Ramirez had been badly beaten.

Edgar Elias Azar said: 'She suffered what appear to have been numerous blows, or in other words, she was beaten to death.'

However, in a complete turnaround, the authorities then said Mrs Ramirez had fallen to her death by accident.

A colleague confirmed this account, claiming the model had been drinking heavily on the night she fell.

Stephanie Magon Ramirez, 23, had moved to Mexico City from Cali in western Colombia

The cause of the model's death is still unexplained, with numerous conflicting theories being offered by both witnesses and the police

The unnamed co-worker said: 'There is no doubt that she had been drinking and taking drugs and as a result she fell.

'We all know that she went out the night before partying, she was seen in a bad state in the toilet.

'And when they took her home she was so drunk and drugged that she simply fell from the terrace.'

But friends of the model said she did not take drugs and they had never seen her drunk.

Neighbours of Mrs Ramirez in Mexico City gave varying accounts of what they thought had caused her death.

Shortly after her body was discovered, a senior judge declared Mrs Ramirez had been badly beaten

Edgar Elias Azar said: 'She suffered what appear to have been numerous blows, or in other words, she was beaten to death'

One claimed she had bruises on her face on the side that did not strike the ground.

Another suggested the way the model had landed suggested she could have been pushed to her death.

'If you look you can see it is impossible to fall off the terrace and end up in the middle of the street where she was found.

'To go so far you would have to launch yourself into the air or be thrown.'

However, in a complete turnaround, the authorities then said Mrs Ramirez had fallen to her death by accident

But a neighbour suggested the way Mrs Ramirez had landed suggested she could have been pushed

Mrs Ramirez is thought to have been living in the apartment for 15 days before she died.

Her husband, Anthony Marlon, said: 'On Friday we did not talk to her and on Saturday morning we received the news, we have no idea what happened.'

There has been no official indication from the autopsy that Mrs Ramirez had alcohol in her blood, although authorities now seem to be treating her death as an accident.
Tourists who signed up for a Montana wagon train trip had a more authentic experience than expected when they were waylaid by angry Crow tribe members.

Saddle maker Duncan Vezain was leading the two-day horse-drawn trek when the tribesmen blocked their way and said that they were crossing private land owned by the Plain Bull family.

That led to a five-hour standoff in which the group was 'held hostage' by a ring of Crow members until they paid a $500 trespass fee, Vezain told Billings Gazette.

'Hostages': A wagon train trip across a Montana reservation was held up by tribespeople (both groups pictured) who charged $500 to cross land owned by the Plain Bull family

Dispute: Duncan Vezain (left) says he paid Marlin Not Afraid (right) $400 for a Crow Reservation pass. But the Plain Bull family say that they weren't consulted by Not Afraid

'It was straight-up a hostage situation,' he said of the event, which happened on July 24.

'One family wanted to leave, and they wouldnt let them. They offered to let one guy go through to get to a cash machine if we didnt have enough money.'

Terry Jean Plain Bull told the paper that the travelers were not hostages, but admitted that they were not allowed to leave the Crow Reservation without paying.

She also said that some members of the wagon train were disrespectful, littering and drinking alcohol, and attempted to intimidate her friends and family.

Tension was high throughout the five-hour standoff, said Elias Goes Ahead, who also owns land in the area.

'Guns were open on both sides,' he added. 'The next time it might get into a bloody shootout.'

Pay out: Vezain ultimately paid up and the group were permitted to move on

The land that the trekkers were trying to cross has been closed to the public since 2002, due to a dispute between the Plain Bull family and the wider Crow tribe.

Vezain said that he contacted the Crow Tribes Fish and Game office a month before the trek and paid one of its members, Marlin Notafraid, $400 to take 45 riders on the route down the Pryor Gap Road.

But Plain Bull said that Notafraid should not have issued the permit without asking her family's permission first.

Tense: Tensions ran high during the five-hour standoff, with both sides brandishing guns, said Elias Goes Ahead, who owns land on the Crow reservation

She said that Notafraid and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) had 'put those people in a spot' because they 'knew' that the road was closed.

'Marlin said the BIA had opened the roads, which is a lie,' she claimed.

Vezain ultimately paid up the $500 and the train was allowed to continue.

One of his group called police, who informed Bridger Police Department, who called the BIA. They dispatched an officer who arrived on the scene after the group had moved on.

But while his train was held up for five hours, Vezain remains philosophical about the experience.

'I achieved my goal,' he said. 'It cost me a little extra money, but Ive been wanting to go through the Gap for eight years.'
South Central District Judge Cynthia Feland agreed to modify the bond for a Bismarck man accused of firing a handgun at a woman.

Feland agreed at a bond reduction hearing Monday to allow Trevor Peterson, 19, to post 10 percent of his $100,000 bond as long as he continues treatment and resides at a sober living facility.

In May, Bismarck police responded to a call from a woman who said Peterson fired a handgun at her outside an apartment building at 3110 E. Rosser Ave.

The woman alleges Peterson asked her and a man if they wanted to buy marijuana, to which they said no. Peterson, according to witnesses, punched the man in the face.

Witnesses and police said Peterson was extremely intoxicated during the incident. Witnesses said they observed Peterson fire a handgun three to four times. The woman said Peterson shot at her twice and one of the projectiles whizzed past her head.

Peterson is currently in a residential drug treatment program in Fargo. In June, South Central District Judge David Reich released Peterson from Burleigh County Detention Center to go to treatment.

Peterson's attorney William Kirschner said over the phone during the hearing Monday that Peterson's treatment program will finish at the end of the week, and he will reside at a sober living home in Fargo.

Prosecutor Marina Spahr objected to modifying Petersons bond, stating there are still unanswered questions regarding his treatment and next plans.

Hes had 69 days of sobriety. While thats a huge step, its not enough to release him, Spahr said, adding that shed like Peterson to return to jail now that hes done treatment.

Prior to the bond reduction hearing, several letters were sent to the judge on Petersons behalf, including a six-page letter from Peterson himself.

A letter was sent to Judge Feland from Petersons employer, Kayd Home Care in Bismarck, stating that Peterson was employed there for 6 months prior to the incident, working as a direct support professional helping people with physical and mental disabilities.

Trevors absence has been felt greatly by the individuals and families since the incident, the organizations manager wrote in the letter.

Petersons father and stepmother also wrote letters to the judge on Petersons behalf, attesting to Petersons difficult childhood.

He has fought some tough times as youth and it unfortunately led him to self-medicate, his father Samuel Peterson wrote. This led to a lifestyle that he obviously didnt have any control over. I am begging you to allow him to continue his recovery.

His father added: I am willing to hand over my house (and everything I own) to the court if he violates any terms you may set to allow him to continue his treatment and recovery.

Spahr objected to the letters.

None of the people who wrote letters and none of the employers were able to stop this person from using both substances and taking part in the actions on the day that we have these charges for, Spahr said. So I have very grave concerns, and Id like to leave the bond as is.

Spahr did however agree to certain conditions under the amended bond order, including a GPS, paid for by Peterson, and 24/7 alcohol and drug monitoring.

Peterson also cannot have any contact with the victim, nor any use or possession of a firearm.

"Understand very clearly that this court's bond is based primarily on your ongoing sobriety," Feland said, speaking to Peterson and Kirschner via phone in court. "Which means there is not a flicker of alcohol use by you. If you get a cold, don't be taking any cough medicines or anything else without reading the bottle, because I'm going to take absolutely no excuses for any alcohol consumption. None."

Peterson's jury trial on an attempted murder charge is scheduled for Nov. 28.
Sergeant John Mizen was arrested and charged and has been remanded in custody

A police sergeant has been remanded in custody for three months after becoming one of the first people in Britain charged with a new offence of coercive behaviour.

Sergeant John Mizen was arrested and charged earlier this summer and has been remanded before a trial due to take place on November 21.

The 34-year-old, based at Trinity Road police station in Bristol, was locked up at an earlier hearing at Bristol Crown Court.

He is said to be suspended but still on full pay pending the trial.

The new offence of coercive behaviour relates to alleged conduct in a domestic relationship.

It became a crime at the start of 2016 under the Serious Crimes Act of 2015 which lists behaviours that might constitute a criminal offence.

According to the Home Office, they might include isolating a person from their friends and family, depriving them of their basic needs, monitoring their time, monitoring a person online, taking control over aspects of their everyday life such as where they can go, who they can see, what to wear and when they can sleep.

The 34-year-old sergeant was based at Trinity Road police station in Bristol (pictured)
Australian Olympics boss Kitty Chiller said there will be no apology

Chinese fans abused Horton for his frank comments after the win

Yang hit back declaring 'I am the king' and he will beat Horton in 1500m

The Australian swimmer, 20, called out Yang for being a 'drug cheat'

Mack Horton beat arch rival Sun Yang in the 400 metre final in Rio

Australia has 'no intention' of apologising to Sun Yang after gold medalist Mack Horton called the Chinese swimmer a drug cheat.

Horton spoke frankly about his Chinese rival after beating him in the 400m freestyle on Saturday, saying: 'Sun Yang is just the drugs cheat'.

The gold medalists' comments attracted furore from Yang's Chinese supporters, some of whom viciously attacked Horton online, however Australian Olympic Team chef de mission Kitty Chiller was quick to defend the 20-year-old and refused China's demands for an apology.

Scroll down for video

Horton (centre) is an Olympic champion after beating arch rival Sun Yang (right) in the 400m freestyle. Italy's Gabriele Detti (left) won bronze

Australian Olympic Team chef de mission Kitty Chiller was quick to defend the 20-year-old and refused China's demands for an apology

'Mack obviously has very strong views about the need for clean sport, as every single one of us does,' she said according to the Age.

'He has every right to express his views and his displeasure in that sense.

'We have no intention of making an apology.'

This comes after Yang hit back at Horton following the public dispute, denying he knew who Horton was on Sunday, before declaring: 'I am the king, I am the new world'.

'I am the king': Chinese swimmer Sun Yang has denied knowing who his rival Mack Horton is before declaring he would beat the Australian in the 1500 metre race

Yang was asked as he left the Rio's aquatic centre what he thought about the upcoming 1500 metre race between the pair.

'Will you beat him in the 1500?' a Seven News journalist asked Yang.

'1500 metres - I am the king,' he declared.

The confrontation has set the stage for a heated clash when the pair meet in the 1500 metres this weekend.

Meantime the Australian Olympic Committee has released a statement in support of Horton, saying he is entitled to his point of view.

'Mack is entitled to express a point of view,' the statement began.

'Under the Team Values ASPIRE the E stands for express yourself, that is his right.

Meantime the Australian Olympic Committee has released a statement in support of Horton, saying he is entitled to his point of view

The Chinese swim team demanded an apology from Horton after claiming his comments were 'a malicious attack'

'He has spoken out in support of clean athletes. This is something he feels strongly about and good luck to him.'

The Chinese swim team demanded an apology from Horton after claiming his comments were 'a malicious attack'.

'We have been noticing what has been said in the past two days by Horton, who launched a malicious personal attack (on Chinese swimmers),' Chinese swim team manager Xu Qi said on Sunday, according to Xinhua.

'We think his inappropriate words greatly hurt the feelings between Chinese and Australian swimmers. It is proof of a lack of good manners and upbringing. We strongly demand an apology from this swimmer.'

Mack Horton shared this image of him and Grant Hackett when the swimmer was just 11

After the spat Horton's brother Chad appeared on Sunrise to speak about how his brother was absolutely petrified of swimming until at age three he put his head under the water.

'He was about three-years-old when he finally put his head under and from there on he just loved swimming,' Chad Horton told the program.

The Olympic swimmer's brother also revealed that after beginning swimming competitively at the age of ten to help him overcome his fear, he met star Grant Hackett when he was just 11.

It comes after Horton was abused online by legions of Chinese Olympic fans after his comments following the 400 metre final.

Yang served a secret three-month doping ban in 2014 and news of the suspension was announced retrospectively by Chinese officials.

Chinese fans hurled abuse at Horton online, with one going as far as to wish Horton would be 'killed by a local kangaroo'.

After the devastating loss a tearful Yang had to be consoled by his supporters

Chinese swimming fans swarmed Horton's social media accounts to post abusive messages and demand he apologise to Sun Yang

One fan demanded an apology, called Horton a loser and said he was 'complacent and will die quickly'

Horton, Australia's first gold medal winner at the Games, celebrates the win. He later told reporters he stood by his comments branding is Chinese rival a drug cheat

'You are too complacent and will die quickly,' one Chinese fan wrote on Horton's Instagram account.

Another said: 'You are a loser for a lifetime because of your disrespect and the lose [sic] of the Olympic Spirit and international reputation.

'It can be a big shame on your whole country.'

Other menacing comments levelled at Horton included 'Loser', 'Disgusting', 'B****', and 'Hate you'.

Horton refused to back down from his comments and told reporters he had no regrets about calling out Yang.

'I don't think it is a big statement because it is true, he has tested positive,' he said.

Mack Horton celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men's 400-meter freestyle

Yang, left, and Horton, right, have a well-known rivalry that came to a heard before Saturday's race

After beating the Chinese swimmer by a very narrow margin, Horton said it wasn't Yang he had an issue with, but drug cheats in general

'No athlete has really come forward and said it. It wouldn't have felt right if I raced against someone who had tested positive and didn't bring it up. Hopefully others will follow.'

Yang 'taunted' Horton in the Rio training pool by splashing water at him last week.

The 20-year-old gold medalist launched a surprise chip at the controversial world champion when asked about the training incident.

'It got played up a bit but he splashed me to say hi and I ignored him, I don't have time or respect for drug cheats,' Olympic debutant Horton said.

'He wasn't too happy about that so he kept splashing me and I just got in and did my thing.'

Horton celebrates with Australia's David Mckeon and Italy's Gabriele Detti after winning the Men's 400m Freestyle Final

Horton smiles after winning gold in the final of the men's 400-meter freestyle

Horton clocked three minutes, 41.55 seconds to claim the stirring win ahead of defending champion Yang, who swam a time of 3:41.68

After beating the Chinese swimmer by a very narrow margin, Horton said it wasn't Yang he had an issue with, but drug cheats in general.

'Definitely a win for the good guys,' he said in a post race interview.

'I don't know if it's a rivalry between me and him, just me and athletes who have tested positive.'

Horton clocked 3:41.55 seconds to claim the 400m title ahead of defending champion Yang, who swam a time of 3:41.68.
Advertisement

Macedonia held a day of mourning Monday after at least 21 people were killed in flooding and violent winds as a freak storm battered the capital Skopje.

The city was battered overnight Saturday- Sunday with winds packing speeds of more than 70 kilometres (43 miles) an hour, while torrents of mud and water swept away cars.

'Our teams are on the ground, searching the affected terrain,' interior ministry spokeswoman Natalija Spirova Kordic said, although she said all those registered missing had been accounted for.

A damaged vehicle is seen next to the ring road, around Skopje, near the village of Stajkovci, Skopje

A man cleans his garage and flooded house in Stajkovci after Macedonia held a day of mourning Monday

At least 21 people were killed in flooding and violent winds as a freak storm battered the capital Skopje as a man washes his hands in the yard of his flooded house in Stajikovci

A woman throws out ruined items from her flooded house in the village of Stajkovc which has been battered by debris

A man throws out mud from his flooded house which was battered overnight Saturday and through to Sunday with winds packing speeds of more than 70 kilometres (43 miles) an hour, while torrents of mud and water swept away cars

Women carry bottled water and bread through the flooded street in Stajkovci after the horrendous weather

'Our teams are on the ground, searching the affected terrain,' interior ministry spokeswoman Natalija Spirova Kordic said, although she said all those registered missing had been accounted for

A police vehicle passes a destroyed car near Skopje where at least 21 people have died and more than 100 are injured in the heavy rain storm that hit the Macedonian capital

Local media said the youngest victim was just one year old and the oldest was 83, but Kordic could not their confirm their ages

A state of emergency declared on Sunday was extended for 15 days in Skopje and the northwestern city of Tetovo, where heavy storms caused damage to property but no casualties

Local media said the youngest victim was just one year old and the oldest was 83, but Kordic could not their confirm their ages.

A state of emergency declared on Sunday was extended for 15 days in Skopje and the northwestern city of Tetovo, where heavy storms caused damage to property but no casualties.

Villages on the northern outskirts of the capital were particularly badly affected.

Meteorologists said more than 800 lightning strikes were recorded in the first two hours of the storm, during which the average rainfall for the whole of August fell on Skopje in the space of just two hours.

The subsequent floods reached as high as 1.5 metres (five feet) in some areas.

A couple walks past a window of a house after heavy floods in Stajkovci leaving a thick layer of mud on the bedroom floor

Meanwhile in nearby Singelic, a view of muddied plates and utensils shows just part of the damage caused by the floods

The water levels are still so hugh local villagers cross a flooded street with their tractor in the village of Stajkovci

With many villagers left stranded and helpless, Macedonian police officers deliver water to local people to ease the burden

At least 21 people died in the floods and Macedonian police officers are still searching for missing people

The clean-up operation is a painful one for villagers who try to salvage anything they can from the wreckage

People check their destroyed vehicles swept into a field hundreds of meters from the ring road, around Skopje, near the village of Stajkovci

A woman throws out a ruined wooden horse from her flooded house near the Macedonian capital

Villages on the northern outskirts of the capital were particularly badly affected as a woman cleans up in Singelic

Meteorologists said more than 800 lightning strikes were recorded in the first two hours of the storm, during which the average rainfall for the whole of August fell on Skopje in the space of just two hours

The floods reached as high as 1.5 metres (five feet) in some areas meaning carnage inside damaged homes like this one

Very little in the way of household furniture survived the heavy rainfall and high winds as much had to be thrown out

Destroyed vehicles swept in to a field hundreds meters from the ring road around Skopje near the village of Stajkovci, Skopje

Some of the victims died in their cars as they were rapidly engulfed, while others were unable to flee their homes in time to reach safety

A statement from the European Union expressed 'deepest sympathies' and offered assistance to the authorities in Macedonia, home to two million people

A statement from the European Union expressed 'deepest sympathies' and offered assistance to the authorities in Macedonia, home to two million people

Skopje previously suffered disastrous flooding in 1962, a year before a huge earthquake that almost destroyed the city.

Some of the victims died in their cars as they were rapidly engulfed, while others were unable to flee their homes in time to reach safety.

A statement from the European Union expressed 'deepest sympathies' and offered assistance to the authorities in Macedonia, home to two million people.

The landlocked nation is an EU candidate country, although accession negotiations are yet to get under way.

Skopje previously suffered disastrous flooding in 1962, a year before a huge earthquake that almost destroyed the city.
Months of horrific, sustained abuse left toddler Mason Jet Lee with broken bones, ruptured organs and head to toe bruises on the night he died.

Mason was just 21 months old when emergency services found his battered body at his stepfathers Brisbane house  covered in vomit and his own faeces.

Court documents have revealed the neglected toddlers gruesome injuries went unnoticed and untreated for months before his death, the Courier Mail reported.

Scroll down for video

Mason Jet Lee (pictured) suffered from horrific injuries in the months before his death

Court documents have revealed the gruesome list of injuries affecting Mason at the time of his death

A post-mortem examination uncovered a sickening list of injuries affecting Mason at the time of his death.

They included a broken leg, a broken tailbone and a ruptured small intestine that slowly poisoned him as it leaked faeces into his abdomen.

Organs had been ripped away from his abdominal lining and the tissue between his skull and scalp had been torn.

Prosecutors allege his mother, Anne-Maree Lee, rarely kept medical appointments that could have prevented her son's slow and painful death.

Mason was found dead at the Caboolture home of his stepfather, William Andrew O'Sullivan, 37, in the early hours of June 11.

Prosecutors allege that Mason's mother Anne-Maree Lee (pictured) failed to keep medical appointments that could have prevented her son's slow and painful death

Mason was found dead at the home of William Andrew O'Sullivan (pictured), his mother's former partner. O' Sullivan has been jointly charged with Mason's manslaughter

Anne-Maree Lee (left) remains in custody jointly charged with the manslaughter of her son

O'Sullivan, Lee, and 17-year-old Ryan Robert Barry Hodson  a housemate of OSullivan - have all been charged with the toddler's manslaughter.

Caboolture Magistrates Court has previously heard that Hodson refused on multiple occasions to get the child medical help when asked.

Hodson allegedly told one person who said the toddler needed to see a doctor to 'f*** your mouth up, it's not our business, it's not our problem'.

He also allegedly told another person that he wouldn't take Mason to see a doctor because he 'wasn't his child'.
Advertisement

Hidden for more than 150 years - these are the stunning cathedral-like vaults under Isambard Kingdom Brunel's engineering masterpiece.

The 12 chambers below each end of the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge on either side of the Avon Gorge in Bristol were first found by chance in 2002 by a builder.

They have now been opened to the public for the first time since the bridge opened in 1864 after doorways were installed in the two-metre thick brickwork.

Hidden for more than 150 years - these are the stunning cathedral-like vaults under Isambard Kingdom Brunel's engineering masterpiece

The 12 chambers below each end of the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge on either side of the Avon Gorge in Bristol were first found by chance in 2002 by a builder

They have now been opened to the public for the first time since the bridge opened in 1864 after doorways were installed in the two-metre thick brickwork

The vaults are inside the massive two-storey abutments which support the bridge towers.

It was assumed for decades that they were either solid stone or filled and the discovery of the huge chambers surprised historians.

Two of them have now been opened for guided tours where visitors will have to climb down a ladder and squeeze through a small passageway.

The sealed-up chambers were discovered by chance by a builder as he replaced paving stones on the western side of the bridge nearly 15 years ago.

The vaults, pictured above, can be found inside the massive two-storey abutments which support the bridge towers

It was assumed for decades that they were either solid stone or filled and the discovery of the huge chambers surprised historians

Two of them have now been opened for guided tours where visitors will have to climb down a ladder and squeeze through a small passageway

Since then all of the rubble in the lower chamber of the abutment has been removed and the site made safe.

Laura Hilton, the bridge's visitor services manager, said: 'Brunel made sure it would last but he didn't consider that people would have to go into the vaults to perform any kind of maintenance, so there was no entranceway to them at all.'

Built using lime mortar, the vaulted chambers are filled with stalagmites and stalactites - calcite deposits dripped down through the brickwork

No construction drawings survive and as the vaults were sealed, no-one knew of their existence.

Built using lime mortar, the vaulted chambers are filled with stalagmites and stalactites - calcite deposits dripped down through the brickwork

Laura Hilton, the bridge's visitor services manager, said: 'Brunel made sure it would last but he didn't consider that people would have to go into the vaults to perform any kind of maintenance, so there was no entranceway to them at all'

The bridge, which stands 245ft above the high water mark, was completed in 1864 - five years after Brunel's death at the age of 53

Connected by a network of narrow tunnels, Ms Hilton said the massive two-storey abutment was 'quite a strange place to go inside'.

She added: 'The largest chamber that we can go into is tall enough to stack three double-decker buses inside.

'It's almost like a cathedral and because it was built using lime mortar it's filled with stalagmites and stalactites so it's just amazing to go inside.'

The bridge, which stands 245ft above the high water mark, was completed in 1864 - five years after Brunel's death at the age of 53.

By designing the abutments to be hollow, Brunel was able to save resources by using fewer bricks.

Stalactites and stalagmites form by different chemical processes but when water drips through concrete or brick, growth can be as fast as a centimeter per year.
Edward Daly (pictured), 82, Bishop of Derry from 1974 until 1993, has died

The Catholic priest photographed waving a blood-stained white handkerchief as he helped protesters gunned down by British soldiers during the Bloody Sunday shootings has died.

Bishop Edward Daly, 82, brandished the rag as a symbol of ceasefire as he attempted to help a fatally injured demonstrator in Londonderry in Northern Ireland in January 1972.

He led the church in the city through some of the darkest days of the conflict and believed the violence of the Troubles was futile and morally unjustified.

Archbishop Eamon Martin, leader of Ireland's Catholic Church, said: 'Bishop Edward will be remembered as a fearless peace-builder - as exemplified by his courage on Bloody Sunday in Derry - and as a holy and humble faith leader.'

Paratroopers opened fire on Bloody Sunday and killed 13 people. Fourteen were injured, and another was to die later.

It has been described as one of the catalysts of the IRA and the 30-year conflict, which left more than 3,000 dead and many others injured.

Civil rights demonstrators seeking one man, one vote and other concessions from the unionist-dominated government of Northern Ireland had gathered for a march in Londonderry.

At the time Dr Daly was a curate aged 39 from Belleek who served at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry.

Father Edward Daly waving a bloodstained handkerchief as he tended the dead and dying after British troops opened fire on demonstrators in Londonderry in January 1972

The priest absolving a dying man during the Bloody Sunday massacre. Thirteen people were killed during the incident

The remains of the late Bishop were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Derry on Monday evening

He joined the march as it passed the cathedral en route to the city centre.

The priest was near John 'Jackie' Duddy, 17, when he was shot by soldiers. He anointed him and gave him the Last Rites.

Dr Daly and other marchers attempted to bring him to safety. The priest led the way with a handkerchief in his hand.

The remains of the late Bishop were brought to St. Eugene's Cathedral in Derry on Monday evening.

They will remain there until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral.

Years of controversy have surrounded Bloody Sunday and the decision of the troops to open fire.

Bishop Daly said: 'I felt a responsibility to tell the story of what I saw and what I saw was a young fella who was posing no threat to anybody being shot dead unjustifiably.'

Archbishop Martin said the late clergyman took a personal interest in those who suffered miscarriages of justice.

They will remain there until Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon and burial in the grounds of the Cathedral

The clergyman was awarded the freedom of the city of Derry last year alongside his Church of Ireland counterpart and close friend Bishop James Mehaffey, hailing the rich 'tapestry of cultures' which made up his adopted home

The cleric was a prolific writer and in latter years helped the dying in his role as chaplain at Foyle Hospice in Derry

'His untiring advocacy for the Birmingham Six, the victims of Bloody Sunday and for the families of those murdered by paramilitaries earned him respect from some, suspicion from others,' he said.

'As a gifted spiritual leader and communicator, his words touched the hearts of many people, but his ministry was not confined to preaching.

'He walked with his people in their struggles and joys and was most at home out in the streets, parishes and communities of his diocese.'

Dr Daly had served in the city since 1962, walking its deprived streets whose inhabitants suffered decades of underinvestment amid violence and political manoeuvring.

He was Bishop of Derry from 1974 until 1993, stepping aside after suffering a stroke. In recent years he has battled a long-term illness.

Bishop Edward Daly in 2010 holding a portrait of Jackie Duddy who was shot dead in the Bogside area of Derry on Bloody Sunday. The cleric was a prolific writer and campaigner

The clergyman was awarded the freedom of the city last year alongside his Church of Ireland counterpart and close friend Bishop James Mehaffey, hailing the rich 'tapestry of cultures' which made up his adopted home.

The cleric was a prolific writer and in latter years helped the dying in his role as chaplain at Foyle Hospice in Derry.

Archbishop Martin said: 'He was a gentle shepherd whose immense contribution to the spiritual and moral well-being of the people of Derry diocese during a troubled time shall never be forgotten.
Marcotte lived in New York City and worked as account manager at Google

Officials would not say how Marcotte died but mentioned a 'horrible set of facts'

Police dogs discovered the 27-year-old's body in the woods a half-mile from her mother's home

Vanessa Marcotte went missing after going on a stroll in Princeton,

A Google employee from New York City who disappeared on an afternoon jog while visiting her mother in Massachusetts has been found murdered in the woods.

Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said Monday that 27-year-old Vanessa Marcotte was reported missing after failing to return from a run between 1pm and 4pm in Princeton.

Her body was discovered at around 8.20pm Sunday by a state police K9 unit near Brooks Station Road, about a half-mile from her mother's home.

A source told Fox25 in Boston that investigators were examining the possibility that Marcotte was sexually assaulted and set on fire, with burns to her hands, head and feet.

Scroll down for video

Slain: Vanessa Marcotte, 27 (pictured left and right) disappeared on a jog while visiting her mother in Massachusetts Sunday afternoon and was found dead in the woods that night

Crime scene: Police dogs found Marcotte's body near Brooks Station Road in Princeton, Massachusetts (pictured)

Authorities would not specify how she died but say her death appears to be a homicide. An autopsy is scheduled.

'We have a horrible set of facts, horrible circumstance,' Early told reporters during a news conference.

He added that it was unclear whether Marcotte's killing was a random act of violence and urged local residents to remain vigilant and exercise caution.

'People should be concerned,' Early told the press.

Marcotte's employer, Google, released the following statement about her death: 'Vanessa Marcotte was a much loved member of the Google team, working in our New York office for the last year and a half, and known for her ubiquitous smile, passion for volunteer work and love of Boston sports. We are deeply shocked and saddened, and our thoughts are with her family and friends'.

Early said there was 'nothing at this point' connecting Marcotte's death to the unsolved slaying last week of Karina Vetrano, a female jogger in Queens.

The rural town of Princeton has about 3,500 residents and is 40 miles west of Boston. Early says Marcotte grew up in nearby Leominster.

According to Marcotte's LinkedIn account, the Boston University graduate had worked as an account manager at Google in New York City for nearly two years.

Prior to that, the 27-year-old had a marketing job at Vistaprint.

In a blog Marcotte wrote while still at Boston University, she said: ' I am a Public Relations major with an extreme interest in all things Internet-savvy.

'To get a little technical, I am passionate about business strategies like SEO, Analytics and Inbound Marketing (just to name a few) and hope to develop these skills further and make them a focus in my future career'.

Homecoming: The 27-year-old was visiting with her mother (pictured right) in Princeton

Promising career: The Boston University graduate had worked as an account manager at Google in New York City for nearly two years
GOP leaders have a new warning for their presidential contender Donald Trump  blow it and we lose the Senate as well.

Republicans in Washington are pressuring Trump to focus his energies on his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton instead of continuing intra-party fights, which are distracting voters and plummeting The Donald's numbers in the polls.

The big fear, according to reporting from CNN, is Trump's tanking numbers will have a trickle-down effect, wrestling the Senate from Republican hands and giving control back to the Democrats.

'If it's 10 points or more, we are in big trouble,' one top Republican told the network of a Trump loss in any of the nine states where Senate races are considered competitive.

Scroll down for video

Republicans in Washington are worried that if Donald Trump tanks in the general election, he'll give Democrats the U.S. Senate as well

There are nine states where the Republican at the top of the ticket - Donald Trump - could impact the results of the Senate race, potentially giving Democrats back control

On Friday, Trump tried starting to right the ship by endorsing Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan.

But, more importantly, he put his weight behind two Republican senators who are facing tough re-election fights: Arizona Sen. John McCain and New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte.

'And while I'm at it, I hold in the highest esteem Sen. John McCain, for his service to our country, in uniform and in public office, and I fully support and endorse his re-election,' Trump said.

'Very important. We'll work together,' Trump ad-libbed.

'I also fully support and endorse Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire,' Trump continued. 'A state I truly love  primarily because that was my first victory, but I love New Hampshire,' he added, unable to help himself.

Meanwhile Democrats are having their cake and eating it too, as they're able to benefit by both the Republican Party's discord and by labeling down-ballot candidates as members of the party of Trump.

Democrats only have to pick up four seats in the Senate to grab back control if Hillary Clinton wins the White House. If Trump pulls it out the Democrats will need to win five races, as the vice president plays the role of Senate tie-breaker.

There are nine races that look to be currently competitive.

Sens. Kelly Ayotte and John McCain - who were both endorsed by Donald Trump on Friday - could be endangered species if The Donald continues to alienate portions of the electorate

Right now it looks like Sen. Marco Rubio's decision to run for re-election could keep that Florida Senate seat in Republican hands

Arizona: In Arizona, McCain faces off against Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick. At last polling, which was more than a month ago, McCain was only ahead of his challenger by 2 points, according to Public Policy Polling. The Real Clear Politics gives the incumbent better news, as he's been, on average, 5.5 points ahead.

The worry, however, is that Trump's unpopularity will tilt the entire ticket toward the Democrat and in Arizona, which is usually reliably red, that's especially a worry with a CBS News Battleground Tracker poll from yesterday showing Clinton just 2 points behind Trump in the Western state.



Trump leads Clinton 44 to 42 percent.

Florida: Primary voters in Florida, cast their presidential pick on March 15, voting Sen. Marco Rubio off the island, but the Senate primary isn't held until August 30. Rubio, the incumbent, is largely expected to win now that he's played take-backsies with his plan to retire from politics.

If all goes as expected he'll face off against Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy in the fall to defend his current Senate seat. A Real Clear Politics polling average of this match-up has Rubio 4.4 points ahead.

Clinton, meanwhile, barely leads Trump in the important swing states, with her Real Clear Politics average standing at 2.7 percent.

In Illinois, Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth is hoping to make the jump to the U.S. Senate - hoping that Donald Trump's unpopularity will tank Sen. Mark Kirk's chances in the blue state

Illinois: In Illinois, Republican incumbent Sen. Mark Kirk won his seat during the off-year election of 2010 in a state that votes reliably Democratic during presidential years.

Having Trump at the top of the ticket only makes his re-election bid more of an uphlil climb.

Plus he's facing Rep. Tammy Duckworth, who has a compelling personal story. She's an Iraq War veteran who lost both legs and damaged her right arm in a helicopter crash and was awarded a Purple Heart. She served as President Obama's assistant secretary of veterans affairs before winning a congressional seat in 2012.

Presidential polling hasn't been done in the state since March, as Chicago's blueness makes the result a foregone conclusion, but at that point Clinton was leading Trump by 25 points.

Indiana: As Illinois is blue, Indiana is red, but with Sen. Dan Coats deciding not to run for re-election the GOP is left defending a seat with no incumbent. Rep. Todd Young won the party's primary and looked to be a pretty sure thing. However, enter Democrat Evan Bayh, a former governor and senator for the state, who has brand name appeal.

Luckily, Trump chose the state's current governor, Mike Pence, as his running mate, which could help Republicans down ballot.

'If you don't like me. That's OK. Vote for Pence because it's the same thing,' Trump said at a recent campaign rally. Indiana Republicans are hoping voters in the state will do just that  and pick a GOP senate candidate while they're at it.

The only seat of these nine that the Democrats are defending is the one currently held by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (pictured) who's retiring come January

Nevada: In Nevada it's the Democrats who are defending a seat as Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid retires. Right now polling out of Nevada looks like the state could provide election watchers with a double nail-biter.

First, the Senate race between Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto, Reid's handpicked successor, and Republican Rep. Joe Heck has a Real Clear Politics average of .3 percent, within every polls' margin of error.

Secondly, the CBS News Battleground Tracker poll that came out yesterday shows Trump and Clinton neck-and-neck.

Clinton has 43 percent of the vote to Trump's 41 percent.

New Hampshire: The New Hampshire Senate race pins Ayotte against Democrat Maggie Hassan, the state's current governor. While the Real Clear Politics polling average just has Hassan up by 1 point, polls taken more recently seem to be trending in the Democrat's direction.

A MassINC Polling Group/WBUR that came out last Thursday shows her up by 10 points.

That same poll showed Clinton over Trump by 15 points.

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, Republican incumbent, is running against a Democratic ex-governor in a state that could decide the election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump

Ohio: Polls in Ohio give Clinton a razor thin advantage in the all-important swing state, while showing a close Senate race as well.

Incumbent Sen. Rob Portman, who was George W. Bush's OMB director and a House member before being elected in 2010 will face off against the state's ex governor, Democrat Ted Strickland.

Strickland was the Buckeye State's governor before the current occupant, former White House hopeful John Kasich.

NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll had the two tied, while a more recent Public Policy Polling survey gave Portman a 5 point advantage. The Real Clear Politics spread stands currently at 4 points.

The Ohio Senate race is on track to becoming one of the most expensive races in history as Portman represents the more business-minded part of the Republican Party and the moderate wing being pro-LGBT.

This makes him an attractive candidate to bet on even if donors don't approve of the name leading the ticket. However, voters in the same position could still push him out of office.

Democrats have pulled two household names out of political retirement to run for Senate this year: Russ Feingold (left) in Wisconsin and Evan Bayh (right) in Indiana

Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey was elected in 2010, a midterm year. Now he has to run for re-election in a state that goes more Democratic during presidential election year

Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania's Pat Toomey is another Republican who came to power in a midterm year, 2010, who now faces a larger, bluer electorate in a presidential election year.

He's up against Democrat Katie McGinty and the Real Clear Politics average has them tied.

Pennsylvania is one of the rust belt states that Trump fancies he can pull from the Democratic column to then win the White House, needing Ohio and Florida to flip his way as well.

So far The' Donald is an average of 8 points behind Clinton in the Keystone State, which last voted Republican in 1988, which also happens to be the year most Trump surrogates point to when explaining how the billionaire can come back after being so low in the polls of late.

Democrat Michael Dukakis had been leading Republican George H.W. Bush, then the vice president, by double digits through the summer of 1988.

Wisconsin: Finally Wisconsin's Senate race brings a well-known Democrat out of retirement  former Sen. Russ Feingold, whose name will forever be linked to bipartisan campaign finance reform  and pits him against incumbent Sen. Ron Johnson.

So far, every poll taken in the state has Feingold comfortably ahead, with his Real Clear Politics polling average standing at 9.3 percent.
Channel 7 have apologised to China after mixing their flag up with Chile's during their Rio Olympics coverage.

During a medal projection segment on Saturday night's Olympic coverage, the broadcaster incorrectly displayed Chile's flag instead of the Chinese flag.

Chinese viewers reacted angrily, posting to social media about the mistake, and mentioning that even while the show's host spoke, he did not pick up on the mistake.

A medal projection chart shown on the Channel 7 Olympic broadcast mixed up Chile's flag with China's

Pictured: The Chinese flag - which was not shown next to China on the medal projection table

Comments on the petition accused the broadcaster of acting out of jealousy

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the broadcaster said the mistake was 'accidental' and apologised for the blunder.

'It was a mistake  and to the people who have been offended by it, we apologise unreservedly to them,' a Seven spokesperson said, according to Chinese news agency Xinhua.

Hours after the bungle, a petition was created, calling for an apology from Channel 7, and expressing the hurt and dismay felt by the creator, Yuming Fan.

'I was so much in shock when I saw the national flag of China was actually the national flag of Chile,' they wrote.

'This is really not acceptable for a national TV broadcast across Australia to make such unprofessional or rather say irresponsible mistake.'

Comments on the petition - which has almost 3,000 signatures - also show a number of people took offence to the broadcaster going to a commercial break during China's entrance to the Opening Ceremony.

One commenter believes the slip up was a 'jealous set up against the recent years success of China'.
A 31-year-old Chinese tourist was forced to spend 12 days in a refugee home after he was mistaken for an asylum seeker when he reported his lost wallet to police.

The backpacker, who didn't speak a word of German or English, attempted to inform officers that he had misplaced his wallet in Stuttgart, south west Germany.

But he ended up at a different municipal office which then handed him an application for asylum.

The tourist, who was not identified, unwittingly signed the request and was swiftly placed in a shelter 260 miles north in Dortmund.

A poster aimed at refugees which read 'Welcome to Germany' was placed on a wall in Dortmund, Germany

His passport was taken from him after he got tangled up in the red tape of Germany's migrant influx by mistake.

Christoph Schluetermann, of the German Red Cross, told news agency DPA: 'Machinery kicked into gear from which he couldn't immediately escape.'

Public broadcaster WDR said the man complied with standard procedure for refugees including allowing his fingerprints to be taken, undergoing a medical examination and accepting pocket money.

But staff eventually noticed that the man was unusually well-dressed for an asylum seeker and when the likelihood of a mistake dawned on them, sought help at a local Chinese restaurant.

The owners suggested Schluetermann try using a Mandarin smartphone translation app and it soon became clear that the man didn't want asylum but to continue his European tour.

Workers had to containers at a construction site for a refugee centre to house asylum seekers in Germany (stock photo)

WDR reported that one of the translated messages read: 'I want to go walking in a foreign country.'

Twelve days into his stay, the man was able to set off for France and Italy.
A trial lane reduction in downtown Bismarck is not backed by all drivers and merchants in its path.

Main Avenue's four-lane road system was reconfigured June 26 to three lanes from Washington Street to Seventh Street. It consists of two through lanes and one left turn lane. City street officials and SRF Consulting are monitoring how well traffic operates through late September.

"I haven't heard anything positive," said Orlyn Wanstrom, explaining his customers at Main Street Barbershop, 515 E. Main Ave., tell him they try to avoid downtown because of the congested traffic.

The lane conversion was identified in a Bismarck Downtown SubArea Plan to make the stretch more walker-friendly and make it safer for pedestrians and motorists.

"I say put it back the way it was. It's been tested long enough," said Wanstrom, who has run his shop full-time in that location for 20 years. "It's backing up traffic. It's so slow. When I step out, I see it backed up. It's not flowing. You've got one lane. Those drivers trying to get across the street are sitting. I've seen cars caught at the intersection. How do they come across Sixth?"

The backup is worst around 4:30 to 6 p.m., he said.

He prefers the four-lane road as it was before.

Others are in agreement.

"I use Ninth and Seventh north and south and Washington north and south to avoid it because it's crowded," said John Miller, a customer and beekeeper from Gackle.

"It's alright when there's less traffic, but, at rush hour, it doesn't seem to work as well. It backs up for blocks," said George Kaiser, another barbershop customer, on break from the special legislative session. "It gets crowded."

Wanstrom said he would like to see traffic counts from before and during the demonstration project. He suggests the city cut two feet off the sidewalk if it wants more parking.

"I have yet to see the sidewalks full of people, he said.

An informal survey was conducted by the Blarney Stone with about 100 customers responding July 19-24. Guests were asked to fill in if they liked or didn't like the road switch and allowed comment in a separate box.

"It was about 50-50 with a little more against," said manager Ben Oleson. "The feedback against was the backup of the turn lane and the blocks being too short. They said, if you were heading south on Fourth Street onto Main and there was a red light, you couldn't turn onto Main because the line of cars was too long."

"The ones that liked it said because of the slow traffic, it made it safer for pedestrians and parking," he said.

The results of the survey will be submitted to the Bismarck Downtowners Association.

Mark Berg, Bismarck's traffic engineer, said the city is gauging drivers' reactions by comments received through the city website and phone calls. He said the city will receive the responses through late September and present findings to the Bismarck City Commission in October.

"We are just receiving comments online on our web page, reviewing crash data and doing traffic counts," he said. "Anybody can submit comments."

In addition, SRF Consulting is studying the traffic numbers before and after the reconfiguration, according to Berg.

Lisa Ternes, a manager at Seeds of Hope, has no issue with the change.

"I'm alright with it. I think it's better for people parking. I think it's way safer for people getting out," she said.

Cindy Dockter, of Mandan, a customer at Seeds of Hope, doesn't like the three-lane on Main Avenue.

"It's confusing. All of these years, it's been like that and now it's different. You come and there's a bunch of cars and there's just one lane," she said.

"Driving and parking is important downtown, but what's more important is creating an experience downtown," said John Severson, of Montana Furniture, 508 E. Main Ave. "It's too soon for me to recognize a noticeable difference."

He said North Dakota is in its version of a recession with crude at $40 and it shows.

"This downtown isn't busy like it was a year and half ago," he said. "I don't think you will be able to tell the difference until oil is back and the economy is back where it was a couple of years ago."
Policeman heaves deer over and it lands on other side and runs off

A policeman took time out of looking after humans to rescue a deer.

Officer Dave Heater's do-good act was filmed on his body camera as he went to help a deer which had got its hind legs entangled as it attempted to leap over a fence.

Heater, from Harbor Springs Police in Michigan, approaches the trapped animal down a quiet country road.

Heater, from Harbor Springs Police in Michigan, approaches the trapped animal down a quiet country road. 'You sure are stuck aren't you,' he says, chuckling slightly at the comical sight

'Alright hold on, ' he continues as he asses the best way to tackle the situation. 'Don't kick me!' he warns the creature - perhaps realising he might have to be careful with his tactic

'You sure are stuck aren't you,' he says, chuckling slightly at the comical sight of the deer's undignified angle.

'Alright hold on, ' he continues as he asses the best way to tackle the situation.

'Don't kick me!' he warns the creature - perhaps realising he might have to be careful with his tactic.

The deer remains surprisingly still throughout the ordeal, arguably too exhausted from an initial struggle to fight any more.

Fortunately Heater is not about to let him suffer.

He grabs hold of the deer's hind legs and heaves them up, 'You're a heavy sucker,' he cries before finally managing to lug the animal over the wooden fence.

The deer remains surprisingly still throughout the ordeal, arguably too exhausted from an initial struggle to fight any more. Fortunately Heater is not about to let him suffer

He grabs hold of the deer's hind legs and heaves them up, 'You're a heavy sucker,' he cries before finally managing to lug the animal over the wooden fence

A loud cry seems to come from the freed animal as it lands the other side and it quickly bolts off into the woodlands. Online commentators have praised the officer's actions

Heater - who has also been a SWAT officer and is a licensed polygraph examiner - has been working for Harbour Springs since 2008

A loud cry seems to come from the freed animal as it lands the other side and it quickly bolts off into the woodlands.

Heater - who has also been a SWAT officer and is a licensed polygraph examiner - has been working for Harbour Springs since 2008.

Online commentators have loved the video and praised the officer's actions.

'Michigan has some good people. On this day, hes one of them.(sic)' one wrote.

Another cheered, 'That's what's called a decent human being.'
A 16-year-old who died in a high school fight against three other girls had her fingernails brutally ripped out in the confrontation, a police detective said today.

Horrifying new details of Amy Joyner-Francis's death on April 22 have emerged after the sophomore at Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington, Delaware, was assaulted in the school bathroom.

The police detective testified at the Wilmington Superior Court hearing on Monday to determine whether Trinity Carr, 16, should be tried as an adult.

Carr is accused of repeatedly hitting Joyner-Francis in a premeditated attack and charged with criminally negligent homicide and conspiracy.

Scroll down for video

Joyner-Francis (left and right), 16, died after in a high school bathroom fight at Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington, Delaware, that saw her fingernails brutally pulled out

Video footage of the fight showed Carr (left) allegedly beating Amy Joyner-Francis (right)

Trinity Carr (pictured), 16, could be tried as an adult for criminally negligent homicide

The fight broke out around 8.15am on April 22 before classes at the vocational school.

An autopsy concluded that Joyner-Francis died from a 'cardiac incident' that stemmed from a pre-existing heart condition, rather than injuries sustained in the beating.

But the state Department of Justice said: 'The cardiac incident would not have occurred if she had not been assaulted.'

Joyner Francis suffered cuts and bruises and had her fingernails ripped out, according to a police detective's testimony in court today as prosecutors seek to have Carr tried as an adult.

A video of the fight also shows Carr punching Joyner-Francis in the head and chest, with witnesses saying someone slammed her head against a sink, 6ABC reported.

Carr was the only girl to strike Joyner-Francis, though all three girls planned the confrontation, according to the state Department of Justice.

The other two girls, Zion Snow and Chakeira Wright, have been charged with criminal conspiracy, which carries up to one year in prison. They will be tried as juveniles later this month.

Joyner-Francis was flown to A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital in critical condition, where she was later pronounced dead.

Authorities questioned Carr, Snow and Wright over the deadly brawl - all of whom were suspended from school.

'Now they know they're in very serious trouble and could spend a substantial amount of time in prison,' Mayor Dennis Williams told CBS News.

Paramedics (pictured) wheeled the student out of the school. Medics performed CPR on the victim before a helicopter arrived to transport her to a hospital

Amy was flown by helicopter to A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead

'My heart bleeds for the family,' Williams told a news conference.

Kaya Wilson was in a stall when the fight broke out and spoke with the local news station after leaving school.

'She was fighting a girl, and then that's when all these other girls started banking her - like jumping her - and she hit her head on the sink,' Wilson said.

'There was an altercation that initially started between two people, and my understanding is that additional individuals joined in against the one person,' Gary Fullman, chief of staff to the Wilmington mayor, told KTLA.

Speaking a day after her shocking death, the victim's father Sonny Francis told FOX29: 'I thought schools were a safe place.'

He added: 'I think this is a dream and I'm trying to wake up. All I know is my daughter is gone. She was the love of my life and it hurts.'

Sherry Dorsey Walker, a Wilmington city councilwoman, said that the family is asking for spiritual healing in the community and no retaliation. She says they're also 'asking people to just be calm and pray for them'.

Mayor Dennis William was emotional as he announced Joyner-Francis' death. He said: 'My heart bleeds for the family'

The councilwoman described the victim as 'a wonderful human being', adding that 'her loss is a big void, not just in the family'.

Her friends and neighbors knew her as the quiet teen who would focus on her homework.

Nik Stryminski told the News-Journal that Amy had kept him safe and out of a fight earlier this school year.

When he and another student were getting ready to fight she stepped in, backed him into a corner and calmed him down.

He said: 'She didn't believe in fighting, and the craziest thing is she died in a fight.'

Stryminski believes Joyner-Francis went into the bathroom not to fight but to 'talk things out'.

Troy Johnson, a sophomore at Howard, said Amy was a good influence to her peers with her calm personality.

'If I were to have kids I'd want them to hang around someone like her,' he told the News Journal.

Amil Gibbs, a sophomore at Howard, told the News-Journal that she would sit with Amy during lunch and tell her about problems she had in school. And Amy would encourage her to 'be strong'.

A student cried in front of Howard High School of Technology after a city official announced a student had died
The father of a British man who died fighting ISIS in Syria had no idea his son was helping the Kurdish militia - and thought he was still a farmer in Wiltshire.

Dean Carl Evans, 22, from Reading, Berkshire, was killed by an RPG last month as he fought alongside the militant group YPG (People's Protection Units).

He was in the Middle East as he helped the militia during an offensive against IS forces in Manbij, in northern Syria.

His father, who was not identified during an ITV television interview, said he had 'absolutely no idea' his son had flown out to the war-torn country.

Scroll down for video

Dean Carl Evans, 22, from Reading, Berkshire, was killed by an RPG last month as he fought alongside the militant group YPG

Mr Evans (pictured) was helping the militia during an offensive against IS forces in Manbij, in northern Syria

His father, who was not identified during an ITV television interview, said he had 'absolutely no idea' his son had flown out to the war-torn country

He revealed he was unaware that his son had joined Kurdish YPG fighters in January and confessed he only found out when the Foreign Office called two days after his death.

Mr Evans, who did not show his face during the interview, said his son was 'army barmy' from a young age and was 'forever wearing combat trousers'.

He said his son would always ask for 'toy guns' for Christmas and added that his son did what he believed was right.

He added that Dean - who was 'very, very intelligent' - wanted to become involved with the military from a young age but failed his medical because of asthma.

Mr Evans said: 'I thought, no that can't be right, but obviously it was. It still hasn't sunk in properly yet.

'I had no idea whatsoever that he had joined the YPG until I was informed of his death I thought he was just a farmer in Wiltshire.'

'To me, it's a never-ending war. Take a life, give a life, take a life, give a life.'

He added: 'Dean was army barmy all the time. Ever since he was a boy. He was forever wearing combat trousers, combat uniform.

'Everything he wanted for Christmas was military orientated. (He would ask) "Can you buy me some pretend guns?"

'As he got older he joined the Army Cadets and stated that he wanted to join the Army and military but unfortunately he failed his medical because of asthma.

'I wanted him to join the military because he wanted to do what I'd done. He went to join and he was very, very intelligent, very, very bright.

'He would've made a good officer at Sandhurst. He failed because of his asthma. I was more than happy for him to join the military.

'I wanted him not to join the infantry but to join as a trade like a chef or a medic or dental so he has that to go in to when he leaves, he'll have a trade to go into on Civilian Street.

'He always wanted to do good for other people. That's when obviously he went off and[joined the YPG]. I don't know how [he got involved with the YPG].'

Mr Evans fired a gun in a video from YouTube posted by Kurd supporters after his death

He flew out to war-torn country in January this year (left) and his father said he was always 'army barmy' ever since he was a boy (right)

His father added that his son was a farmer and that he still believed he was working in Wiltshire.

He continued: 'I had no idea whatsoever that he had joined the YPG until I was informed of his death.

'I can't explain the reasons why but he was that determined he wanted to do something for the military.

'But I feel he thought that would be the closest thing to the military and he could achieve what he wanted to do - whether it's the right way I can't answer it.

'I thought he was just a farmer in Wiltshire. He was a farmer, I know that for dead set but I had no idea that last year he'd already been out there and went in January this year and passed away in July.

'January to July is a long time to be out there and I believe this time he was pushed out on to the front line.

'If that was his wishes that he wanted to go out there and protect people. To me, it's a never-ending war.

'Take a life, give a life, take a life, give a life. My son did what he felt was right for him. Help protect innocent people. It's all down to religion and politics.

'I didn't realise until the FCO informed me. I found it hard to believe and it still hasn't sunk in yet. He was shot at first of all.

'Then a Kurdish woman with the YPG went to help him and they got fired on and that's when he passed away.

'It makes me feel proud of him. I wish he'dthe reason he weren't telling me was because he wanted to do good for the right people but he knew I would disagree with it and I'd try my best to discourage him.

'I'd have been more happy if he'd carried on being a farmer in Wiltshire. I'd have wished him to better things but that was his wish and he passed away and I can't take that away from him.

'He'd do anything for anyone. Very clever at school. He got on with everyone at school. He was a fantastic son.

'He was very clever, very intelligent and it's a sad wayit's made it harder.

'There's no foreign office or embassy out there so I'm waiting from information from the Kurds via the Foreign Office to pass it on to myself soI don't even know whether he is buried yet.'

His father added: 'First I'm told his body has been moved from Syria to Iraq and then I'm told it's still in Syria.

'It's hard [to not know where his son's body is]. His wishes were he did not want to be repatriated.

'I got an update from the Foreign Office. All the condolences people have sent have been fantastic.

'It's a war that's never gonna end. It's a waste. A neverending situation. I'd strongly advise them [other parents] to give their son advice not to go out there and do it.
He powered his way to Britains first gold medal at the Rio Olympics and into the hearts of the nation.

Now 21-year-old swimming sensation Adam Peaty has shown off his impressive strength on Instagram in a video of him doing press-ups.

The athlete filmed himself performing a Superman push-up where a person pushes themselves into mid-air from the traditional press-up position.

Peatys footage is shot in slow motion in front of a British flag and the medallist even added a clap in mid-air for good measure.

As previously reported, the swimmer from Uttoxeter ended Britains 28-year wait for a male gold medal in the sport after triumphing in the 100-metre breaststroke.

Adam Peaty, 21, revealed his impressive strength in an Instagram video, pictured

The swimmer performed a 'Superman push-up' throwing himself into mid-air, pictured

The video was filmed prior to the Olympics where Peaty won gold in the 100m breaststroke

He even threw in a clap in mid-air, pictured, for good measure while the video was filmed in front of a British flag

Peaty completed the race in 57.13, a second-and-a-half faster than his nearest competitors.

And waiting to congratulate him was Anna Zair, his 19-year-old girlfriend he met through the City of Derby Swimming Club 18 months ago, who threw herself into his arms and sealed the victory with a celebratory kiss.

'I'm so pleased and proud of you,' she told the man she calls her 'spesh'.

To cap a sensational night for Team GB, Jazz Carlin also won silver in the 400m freestyle. The 25-year-old had nearly quit swimming after London 2012.

Peaty is pictured celebrating the breaststroke win after beating his nearest rivals by a second-and-a-half

The success ended Britain's 28-year wait for a men's gold medal in a swimming competition

Peaty celebrated the win with girlfriend Anna Zair, left after the race and right before the games, whom he has been seeing for 18 months

This morning, Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated the pair and urged young people in Britain to follow their example.

She said: 'Many congratulations to Adam Peaty and Jazz Carlin for winning Team GB's first medals at Rio 2016 this morning.

'I hope their success will inspire many more of the UK's world class team to fulfil their potential and bring home a medal, just as all those who are competing for the UK in Rio are an inspiration to many more youngsters back home.'

The Olympic crown completed a full set of medals for Peaty - he already has won two Commonwealth golds, eight European golds and three world golds plus three world records.

The family all tried on Adams medals  and took selfie pictures with it  before the down-to-earth lad was whisked away from them

Peaty's father Mark (left) mother Caroline (right) and girlfriend Anna (centre) were with in attendance to witness history being made

Peaty, pictured during the race, said he was determined to compete in Rio after one of his swimming friends took part in the 2012 London Olympics

The 21-year-old swimmer managed only 30 minutes sleep due to the euphoria of securing TeamGBs first gold at Rio 2016, but will now rest until he competes in the relay race later his week.

Recalling the moment she held Adam after his incredible win, girlfriend Anna Zair told MailOnline: I just started crying. I was really bad when he won, I was in tears, I was very emotional but really happy.

The Rio win marks a remarkable transformation for Peaty in just four years and owes a lot to the London Olympics in 2012. His appearance here is one of the most positive legacies of that Games.

For he was preparing to go out and get drunk in a field with some friends when events in London were taking place.

Scrolling through his phone, he saw the results coming in from the Olympic pool and spotted the name of a friend, Craig Benson, which was the moment he said 'changed everything' for him and made him determined to compete at Rio.

Swimming conversations are banned at his home in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, where he still lives with Caroline and Mark.

Peaty's girlfriend Anna, left, was 'elated' after her boyfriend of 18 months, pictured with his parents, beat the world record to win gold in Rio

Peaty posed with the medal in front of his adoring fans at the swimming pool in Rio

It was Mrs Peaty who made many sacrifices to get him where he is, driving at 4.30am to get him to training in Derby. She would then go to work, and repeat the taxi exercise in the evening.

It had not been a promising start. Put in the bath as a toddler, he stood up and yelled.

At the local swimming pool his mother was so heartbroken by his screams that she asked a friend to look after him instead.

'It was really hard going, I'd have given up many a time,' Mrs Peaty recently told the Radio Times.

'I'd get up at four in the morning, drive him 40 minutes to Derby, sit and wait two hours while he was training, or go to Tesco, then drive him back again and do a full day's work as a nursery manager. Then we'd do it again in the evening.

Scores of people were cheering Peaty on in Derby and were overjoyed at his victory

Several local children made signs, pictured, to cheer Peaty on in his Olympic ambition

Mother Caroline said Peaty, pictured aged seven, would get up at 4.30am to train

'I've always hated driving. My husband doesn't drive, and I was so tired all the time.

'But Adam's willpower was stronger than mine and he'd say, 'Come on Mum, no staying in bed'.'

The times in Rio come as a result of an exhaustive training regime - he trains at the City of Derby swimming club, where he is coached by Melanie Marshall, a former Olympic swimmer.

But he also trains up to eight times per week at Repton School, a co-educational boarding independent school in the village of Repton, Derbyshire, and two sessions at Loughborough University.

HOW ADAM PEATY'S FAMILY ALMOST MISSED SWIMMER IN ACTION Olympian Adam Peaty may have made his victory look effortless, but it wasn't so easy for his family to get poolside to cheer him on. The 21-year-old champion's mother Caroline revealed how they nearly missed out on watching him in the heats  in which he achieved a new world record of 57.55 before smashing his own record in the final. The family only just managed to get an emergency ticket for the heat on Saturday night. 'Thank you @ArenaPeople for our emergency ticket. What a race Wish our view tonight was as good,' she tweeted, as she waited to watch her son in the final in the early hours of this morning. Caroline was less impressed with the view she had watching her son win the final in Rio (pictured) Caroline also posted a video on social media showing the 'miles long' queues that they had to struggle though to get into the Olympic park itself. The footage shows Caroline, Peaty's father Mark and girlfriend Anna Zair waiting in the queue, which can be seen snaking off into the distance. Tens of thousands of people have been forced to stand for hours in the burning Rio sun to get into venues, with some even reporting missing out on seeing their favourite athletes compete as the Games has gotten underway. 'Indeed we have problems in some [security checkpoints] in the Olympic Park and we apologise for everybody standing in line outside the venues,' said the Games spokesman Mario Andrada. The Peaty family were stuck queuing to get into the Olympic Park with hundreds of other people 'We need to upgrade that part of the Games. We moved people from Rio 2016 [organisation] to speed up the [mag and bag] security checks and within the next hours we will be in much better shape.' Thousands of empty seats have been reported at the gymnastics, boxing, handball, hockey and even the beach volleyball  one of Brazil's most popular sports. Mr Andrada added: 'It was a problem of coordination. We need to explain to the public. We owe them an explanation and we owe them an excuse. 'We hope to clear the lines in the Olympic park. We feel sorry for the people who are there. Some time in line is acceptable but there needs to be a balance.' Advertisement




A mother who died along with her entire family in an apparent murder suicide had revealed plans to leave her abusive husband.

Megan Short, 33, her husband Mark, 44, and their children Liana, eight, Mark Jr, five, Willow, two, were all discovered with fatal gunshot wounds at their home in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

Police found a handgun near one of the parents but have not said which one - or who they believed was the shooter.

Megan had publicly mentioned plans to leave her husband, saying he had abused her for 16 years, a woman close to Megan told the Reading Eagle.

Scroll down for video

Megan Short (left), 33, had disclosed plans to leave her husband Mark (right), 44, not long before they were discovered with fatal gunshot wounds with their three childen at their home in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, on Saturday

Mark, Megan and children Willow (left), Liana (center) and Mark (right), died in an apparent tragic domestic incident, authorities have said

Willow (pictured), the family's youngest child, survived a heart transplant two years before she was killed along with her parents and two siblings on Saturday

Angie Burke, who lived on the same street as the Short family, posted a link to a story about domestic abuse, titled: 'He didn't hit me. It was still abuse' on Facebook.

In the story, published by the Washington Post, author Leigh Stein recounts her experience at the hands of an emotionally abusive boyfriend.

Short commented on Burke's Facebook page on July 23: 'It really does a number on your mental health for sure,' according to Burke.

She then wrote: 'This is why I am leaving my marriage Angie. 16 years,' the Reading Eagle reported.

The family appeared happy in Facebook photos (the father and children pictured above) and a neighbor said: 'I never would have suspected there were any issues'

Burke showed screen grabs from the conversation to the newspaper, in which Megan mentioned having found a rental.

Short then posted on Facebook about a week ago, asking for people to help her move out of her home on August 6, Burke said.

Burke knew Short after both attended neighborhood events such as Christmas and Halloween parties, and both kept in touch via Facebook.

District Attorney John Adams called the fatal shooting of all family members 'an apparent tragic domestic incident' last week.

The family's youngest child, Willow, had received a pioneering heart transplant when she was just six days old in 2014.

The apparent murder suicide happened at the family's home (above) in the Brookfield Manor subdivision in Berks County

Authorities discovered the greasly scene in the small town in Berks County on Winding Brook Drive in the Brookfield Manor subdivision, according to ABC 6.

The killings happened on Saturday afternoon and the bodies of the parents and three children were discovered around 3pm in the living room.

Police went to the home to check on the welfare of the family after receiving a call from a relative concerned that the woman had not shown up for a lunch date.

Authorities found a handgun near one of the adults but did not say which one or who they believe was the shooter. A dog also was found dead.

A handwritten note that 'appeared to be a 'murder-suicide' note' was found in the family's Sinking Spring home Saturday afternoon, District Attorney John Adams said.

The district attorney's office said the married couple had been having 'domestic issues.'

'This is an apparent tragic domestic incident,' Adams said on Sunday. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families at this difficult time.'

The Berks County District Attorney's office is leading an investigation into the deaths with assistance from police from Sinking Spring and Spring Township.

Willow (pictured as a baby) had a heart transplant when she was just six days old. Her family had been featured in news articles about her condition

The family had previously been featured in articles in The Reading Eagle and The New York Times about Willow's condition, and their difficulties obtaining anti-rejection medication for her.

Megan often wrote about the struggles her family faced with getting the drug on a Facebook page for The Waiting List, an organ donation advocacy group.

A story published in October 2014 in The Reading Eagle detailed Willow's heart journey from her birth on May 6, 2014 at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Willow was five months old at the time and had undergone the heart transplant. Her condition was improving.

She had suffered from a variation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare congenital birth defect, according to the newspaper.

During her mother's pregnancy, her parents learned their daughter's heart was not fully formed and could not pump blood efficiently, threatening her life.

Her mother (pictured above holding Willow for the first time post-transplant) often wrote about the struggles her family faced with getting anti-rejection drugs

When Willow was three days old, she underwent her first open-heart surgery as doctors worked to repair her left ventricle and redirect her circulation.

During surgery, doctors found a tunnel defect and following the procedure, she bled so much she required 16 blood transfusions.

She was placed on a heart-and-lung bypass machine and was added to the National Transplant List, with her survival depending on a donation of another baby's heart.

The parents were told there could be a three-to-six month wait and prepared for their baby girl to not survive the wait.

However, another heart became available three days later and Willow went into surgery six days after her birth.

The transplant was described as a 'remarkable success' and by May 29, Willow's heart was working so well doctors removed her from oxygen.

She was released on June 26, 2014, according to The Reading Eagle.

At the time of her transplant, Willow was one of just three infants to have a heart transplant that year at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia by July 31, 2014.

American doctors have successfully performed infant heart transplants since the mid-1980s, however the procedures are rare, the newspaper reported.

In 2014, only 64 babies under the age of one had received a heart transplant through July 31, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

Nearly a year after Willow's transplant, Megan wrote a post on The Waiting List of one of her memories.

'Willow's first wail was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard, but it didn't take long before she was intubated within hours of her birth and I could no longer hear her voice,' the mother-of-three wrote.

'It was so difficult to see her upset. But not be able to hear her cry, it was heartbreaking.

'After her transplant, doctors were able to remove the breathing tube.

'Hearing her voice and seeing her face without all the tape is one of my favorite memories.'

Willow (pictured above celebrating her second birthday on May 6) had suffered from a variation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare congenital birth defect

Earlier posts on the Facebook page detail Willow's condition from some of her anti-rejection levels being too high to battling pneumonia, viruses, fevers and infections.

Other posts gave updates celebrating time would go by without Willow having any hospitalizations or cardiology visits.

In a July 2015 story published in The New York Times, it detailed the family's struggle with getting medication for Willow.

At the time of the story was published, Megan was 32 years old and Willow was a year old.

The article talked about how Willow could not afford to miss a single dose of a drug she took daily to prevent her body from rejecting her recently transplanted heart.

However, it noted that due to rules from the family's drug plan and the pharmacy, the mother could not order a refill until Willow's monthly supply was three-quarters gone.

But to process a refill, the article said it took about seven days which was risky because it was hard to know whether a new shipment would arrive before the old one ran out.

'You just feel like every month, you're hoping that they don't mess it up,' Short told the newspaper, which went on to focus on the concept of a 'specialty pharmacy.'

The newspaper described the concept as 'a new breed of drug dispensary that has arisen to handle the exploding number of medicines that cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars a year and are used to treat complex or rare diseases.'

The story included a photo of the family as they released balloons that May to celebrate the first anniversary of Willow's heart transplant.

In one December Facebook post, Mark (pictured with his wife and their three children) wrote that his wife was 'still the most beautiful girl' he had ever met

Along with documenting her experience with having a child with a heart transplant, Megan also described her struggles with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The mother wrote in a blog post in April about how having a child born with a severe congenital heart defect was the most significant shift of her life.

She wrote: 'I was so focused on learning everything I could to keep my child alive and to minimize the impact on my other children that I didn't see the full impact that it had on me.'

She described her anxieties over being able to care for her child without doctors and nurses by her side at home and getting used to giving Willow 15 different medicines around the clock.

She also said she suffered from 'anxiety and nightmares' triggered by smells, hallways or even the beeping sound of a phone.

'I remember sitting up at night just watching her sleep because I was terrified that I placed her NG tube in her lungs and was slowly drowning her,' she wrote.

'I then isolated myself from the world worried that any little germ would kill her.'

Megan (pictured right in September 2014 with the rest of the family) also described her struggles with post traumatic stress disorder

The mother noted she experienced 'survivor's guilt' when children with similar problems from other families passed away.

However, she said with time things got easier as she became more confident in the medical aspect of caring for Willow, but noted the trauma never goes away.

She described having nightmares and triggering events, noting it took her nearly two years to recognized how she was impacted by these experiences.

'I don't think PTSD ever truly goes away but, with therapy, medication, and the right support, I have begun to loosen its grip on me,' she wrote.

'As I work on my own mental healing, I wanted to share my experience so that other heart parents know they are not alone.'

According to The Reading Eagle, the couple had been advocates for organ donation since 2012.

Following the deaths on Saturday, a neighbor told The Reading Eagle they 'never would've suspected there were any issues.'

'She's still the most beautiful girl that I've ever met. I'm the luckiest guy in the world to have her as my wife and the mother of my three amazing children!' Mark wrote in December on Facebook about his wife.
The chancellor of The University of Wisconsin-Stout says 'political correctness has played absolutely no role' in his decision to remove two 'harmful' paintings of Native Americans from public view.

Currently hung in the hallways of a campus building, the paintings - made in the 1930s by Cal Peters - will be placed where 'access can be controlled,' Chancellor Bob Meyer said.

This move to 'create an inclusive and comfortable environment for everyone' came after talks with the campus's Diversity Leadership Team, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.

'Harmful': This is one of the two 1930s paintings that will be removed from public viewing at UW-Stout. Students complained about their stereotypical depictions of Native Americans

But, he said: 'Rest assured, political correctness played absolutely no role in this tough decision.'

The paintings, which are currently undergoing restoration work, show scenes from the American frontier.

One, 'French Trappers on the Red Cedar,' shows trappers kayaking down a river, apparently accompanied by Native American men.

Another, 'Perraults Trading Fort,' depicts a log fort with a kayak and teepee outside it, and Native Americans going about their business.

They were originally to be shown off in the newly refurbished Harvey Hall this fall.

But complaints from Native American students and the campus's Diversity Leadership Team led to them being taken down.

In an opinion piece in the Leader Telegram, Meyer quoted one student as saying: 'I am raising a young boy to be a strong Indian man, and paintings like those in Harvey Hall keep us in the past.

'How can I begin to explain to him why American Indians are only portrayed one way?'

But others have slammed the decision.

Restricted: This is the second painting; access to both will be 'controlled.' Critics say this is mollycoddling students and trying to hide the facts of American history

A joint letter by the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) and the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) warned that the university would be 'failing' its students if it hid the images.

'A public university fails its educational mission when it eliminates material because some members of its community consider it offensive or objectionable,' it said.

Business: Meyer (pictured) also said that it was a business decision to attract Native American students. But this was criticized as 'betraying the mission of a university'

Meyer replied by saying the paintings won't be put in permanent storage - they will instead be put in places where 'access can be controlled and we provide the proper amount of background and context they deserve.'

He also told Wisconsin Public Radio that moving the paintings was a 'business decision.'

'So, we want to make sure that, really, what we decorate our hallways with and what we put in our hallways is consistent with our values to try to attract more Native Americans to the university,' he said.

But in an updated statement, NCAC and FIRE said that explanation was 'even worse than the move itself.'

'In justifying the decision as a "business" one, whereby more Native Americans may be attracted to Stout were they spared the encounter with a national history which may make them "feel bad," he appears to be treating future students as mere consumers and education as a mere product.

'This betrays the mission of a University, which is to challenge, to help students confront the past critically, to make them think.'

Complaints even came from within the university. Timothy Shiell, an English and philosophy professor at UW-Stout, said: 'Shrouding or moving the painting does not educate anyone or stimulate any learning or dialogue.

'American history and representations of that history can be ugly and offensive. But hiding them doesnt change the past or the future.'
Emma Beeney, 40, was walking her husband to work when she was fatally struck outside the church in Etchingham, East Sussex

The pedestrian killed when a generator fell from the back of a lorry and crushed her was today revealed to be a married serving soldier on leave.

Emma Beeney, 40, was walking her 44-year-old husband Rob to work early yesterday morning when she was fatally struck outside the village church in Etchingham, East Sussex.

Her husband, who is believed to be a former Army chef now working as an operations manager for a London catering firm, was taken to hospital suffering with severe concussion.

The victim was a Warrant Officer class 2 with 5 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and has been described by residents as 'amazing'.

Her family left a floral tribute at the scene of the crash today, describing her as their 'precious and beautiful Emma'.

The card read: 'For our precious and beautiful Emma - all our love from Rob, Mum and Dad, Mike, Sharon and David and all the family. In our hearts forever.'

Shocking incident: Paramedics scrambled to save the life of the victim, a Warrant Officer class 2 with 5 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, after she was hit by the generator (circled)

WO2 Beeney was just beginning a three week holiday from the military, and is said to have decided to walk her husband Rob to the train station with the family dog.

Paul Collins, 48, owner of village cafe Bistro@TheStation, said: 'Rob and Emma were a big part of the community. They did all the food at the summer fete.

Husband: Robert Beeney is believed to be a former Army chef now working as an operations manager for a catering firm

'They did a barbecue during the day and a curry at night. They were massive participants in everything that the village does. They are amazing people.

'Everyone is in real shock. She was walking with him to work, they were going to the train together with their dog - a cocker spaniel. It shouldn't have happened.'

Neighbours say the couple spent their working week at WO2 Beeney's barracks in Andover, but would be at the Etchingham family home at weekends and holidays.

Paramedics scrambled to save WO2 Beeney's life. Her husband, a father of two, was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, and is said to be in a stable condition.

The accident happened just after 7am yesterday along a remote stretch of lane on the outskirts of the village close to the railway line and parish church.

Another walker jumped over the church wall to escape the falling equipment. A police witness appeal has now been placed near where WO2 Beeney was hit.

Today WO2 Beeney's colleagues at 5 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers issued a joint tribute to her.

'WO2 Emma Beeney was an exemplary Warrant Officer who excelled in everything she did,' it said.

'She was a determined, focussed and competitive individual whether on the sports field or working in Battalion HQ. She led by example and additionally assumed the role as the Adjutant General's Corps Detachment Commander, focusing on the career management of Staff and Personnel Support soldiers within the Battalion.

'Professionally at the very pinnacle of her trade as a Regimental Administrative Warrant Officer her future lay far beyond this. WO2 Beeney was studying for her Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification and her next assignment would have seen her employed within the Army Management Accountancy Services community.'

Flowers left at the scene with a card read: 'Words are just not enough to express how sad we feel to have lost someone in our village in such tragic circumstances.'

Etchingham Parish Church will be open for remembrance on Saturday for the community to pay their respects.

Witness Paul Hunt, who arrived at the scene a few minutes after the accident, described what he saw as 'horrible'.

He said: 'I came upon the incident minutes after it had happened and there were a lot of people milling around. The generator was lying on the pavement.

Witness appeal: WO2 Beeney was pronounced dead at the scene after the metal generator detached from the moving vehicle early yesterday morning

'It also had a large pneumatic breaker attached to it. The lorry was parked up past the level crossing. The injured man was on all fours and had a head wound.

'The lady was in bad shape. She was lying on her back and having trouble breathing. It was horrible. Then the ambulance arrived and told everyone to move on.'

The large portable generator was on a Ford transit flatbed lorry near the railway station level crossing when it fell.

Parish councillor Mary Barnes, who lives in the village, said she heard about the accident after arriving home from a weekend away.

She said: 'It is a small village. Everyone knows everyone. There are only 650 people on the electoral roll.'

Annette Childs, vice chairman of the parish council, said: 'It's very tragic, just horrendous. It's really shocked the village because we're very tight knit.

'A lot of people walk around here and people do get to know one another. So it will have a knock on effect.'

The pet dog is not thought to have been injured. Sussex Police said a 42-year-old man from Ashford, Kent, arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving had been released on police bail pending further inquiries until October 5.
A member of the neighborhood watch has been charged with shooting dead a black man after calling 911 to complain about 'hoodlums' outside his house, police say.

Chad Cameron Copley, 39, allegedly opened fire from inside his garage in Raleigh, North Carolina, early Sunday morning, hitting Kouren-Rodney Bernard Thomas.

The 20-year-old victim was taken to hospital with a shotgun wound where he was pronounced dead.

Chad Cameron Copley, 39, (right) allegedly opened fire from inside his garage in Raleigh, North Carolina, early Sunday morning, hitting Kouren-Rodney Bernard Thomas (left)

Copley, who is white, was arrested hours later on a murder charge, according to a Raleigh Police Department news release.

A relative of the victim, who did not give his name, said the family weren't doing well.

'We're broken apart torn apart, not doing well. Trying to get our lives back on track the way it was but it's hard. We lost somebody very special to us,' said the man.

Police released an audio recording of a 911 call that came in shortly before 1am on Sunday, where a man - suspected to be Copley - tells a dispatcher that he's 'locked and loaded'.

Copley called 911 claiming there were gangs of 'hoodlums' before he shot dead a 20-year-old man (pictured are police at the scene)

The 39-year-old told a 911 dispatcher he was 'locked and loaded' and prepared to defend his family and neighborhood

He adds that he is on the neighborhood watch and requests that they send police as there are people outside with guns.

'We've got a bunch of hoodlums out here racing,' he said. 'I am locked and loaded. I'm going outside to secure my neighborhood.'

He then hung up the phone.

A few minutes later, a woman called police out to Copley's address before passing the phone back to the man suspected to be Copley.

'We have a lot of people outside of our house yelling and shouting profanity. I yelled at them "please leave the premises". They were showing firearms so I fired a warning shot,' he said. 'And, uh, we got somebody that got hit.'

Copley insisted he was 'trying to protect myself and my family' before adding: 'There's black males outside my freaking house with firearms.'

Police said that state law prohibits the police from identifying emergency callers.
If there was going to be one of the Seven Dwarfs to have a stumble, chances are it would be Dopey.

And one costumed character at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, did exactly that at the weekend, falling through the railing of a boat float and tumbling to the deck below.

However, Dopey manged to land right on top of Goofy, who then broke to Snow White star's fall. The fumble was caught on camera by a woman watching the nightly show.

Dopey takes a tumble: This is the moment the costumed character fell from the boat float of the Fantasmic show at Walt Disney World Resorts Hollywood Studios in Orlando

In video taken by a witness, Dopey is seen slipping through the railing to the deck below

Rescued: Dopey manages to fall right on top of Goofy, who happens to break the fall

Judging from the video of the moment, Goofy managed to stop Dopey from falling over the second railing and into the water.

The performer playing Chip can also be seen running over went to Dopey's assistance.

Disney said afterwards that an ambulance was called to Walt Disney World Resorts Hollywood Studios for two injured employees.

Both, both were treated at the scene and then released.

The incident is now under review.

Twitter user @MaagicConch captured the incident and uploaded it to her account.

Afterwards the performing playing Chip runs over to help, while Goofy looks confused
Advertisement

More than 800 of Britain's parks have been restored to their former glory over the last 20 years thanks to National Lottery investment of 850 million.

For centuries public parks have played an important part in the social and civic life of communities in the UK.

From pocket parks on estates to country parks on the edge of towns and large civic parks in city centres, they are a key part of everyday life in Britain.

More than 800 of Britain's parks, including Paisley Park in Scotland (pictured) have been restored to their former glory thanks to more than 850 million in National Lottery investment over the last 20 years

Before the restoration, this now colourful fountain in Paisley looked faded and grey after being left to ruin for decades

But with the help pictures from years gone by, the once beautiful gardens have now been fully restored to their former state

The Memorial Park in Fleetwood, Lancashire, had unfortunately fallen into disrepair after years of underinvestment (pictured)

But thanks to National Lottery investment, the well-known park is now a clean and neat place to be enjoyed by the public

But many parks have been neglected over the generations, making them incapable of serving the communities for which they were created.

The Heritage Lottery Fund launched its Urban Parks Programme in 1996 and two decades on it has helped revive hundreds of parks.

Now Paul Rabbitts, parks chief at Watford Borough Council, has written a book celebrating Britain's Great Parks.

It comes as a record number of green spaces in the UK have just been given the Green Flag award this year, with 1,686 meeting the high standard for a good quality park.

Paul said: 'Parks are important because they are one of the few resources that we have that are open to all, no matter who we are, where we are from or what we do.

'Bequeathed to us by our Victorian ancestors for the health and wellbeing of those living in the new industrialised towns and cities, we are only just rediscovering that they are actually still good for us.

Ponty Park in Pontypridd, was once a famous lido but had fallen to ruin, with broken changing huts, a dry pool and trolleys dumped carelessly in the space that was left looking more like an old supermarket yard

But after years of concern, it was decided that the best thing to do with the public space was to restore it to its former use as a public lido (pictured)

Old photographs show what the old lido once looked like, with bathers frolicking in the water in swimming gear of yesteryear

The space has now been converted into a modern swimming pool with lifeguards on duty, sunbeds and even a giant inflatable for children to enjoy on trips to the baths

'It is wonderful that so many have been restored and this book celebrates this remarkable achievement and the work by so many. They are still relevant and hugely important to the millions that still use them.'

The public park is deeply rooted in Britain's Industrial Revolution and Queen Victoria's reign witnessed an intense park-making period on a scale that has never been seen since.

The second half of the nineteenth century saw an ambitious era of investment in the infrastructure and social fabric of towns and cities.

Great engineers including Brunel, Telford and Bazalgette built railways, canals, aqueducts and sewers that radically improved the transport, wealth and public health of the nation.

In parallel prominent landscape architects, including Kemp, Milner and Paxton, were designing and constructing many of the great Victorian public parks of the time, including Gateshead's Saltwell Park, People's Park in Halifax, Birkenhead Park in the Wirral and Victoria park in London, which was its first public park.

As the Industrial Revolution gained pace, existing commons and fragments of countryside were swallowed up by new factories and homes for the fast expanding cities.

Greenland Park in Huddersfield now looks like an idyllic garden, packed with colourful plants scattered in the well landscaped space, with palmhouses, conservatories and the old bandstand restored

However, there was a time when the beautiful glasshouses had become derelict and were an eyesore for park visitors

Public parks were seen as a way to address the environmental and public health impacts of this rapid growth.

The social reformers of the day including The Earl of Shaftesbury and Octavia Hill, who co-founded the National Trust, demanded better public access to open spaces that offered peace and spaciousness to improve the health and social welfare of factory workers confined to overcrowded tenements.

As towns and cities continued to grow the Public Health Act of 1875 was passed by government to combat chronically poor living conditions and limit the spread of diseases through better sanitation.

It provided the much needed impetus for building public parks by giving local authorities the ability to raise government loans to buy land for recreation.

Industrialists soon began to enlist the help of architects and town planners to bring better order and structure to the development of rapidly expanding city districts, including parks in their plans to improve the health of residents.

This was what Mowbray Park and the Winter Gardens once looked like when it was the pride of Sunderland (pictured)

The area later fell into disrepair but could be rebuilt and restored to its former glory thanks to a National Lottery grant

Old paintings show what Victoria Park in London once looked like but it fell from grace until becoming one of the first parks in London to benefit from a grant

The central London park is now enjoyed by millions of people every year who relax around the serene water and meet up to socialise on the lakeside benches

One of its most famous features is the grade II listed drinking fountain, which was erected in 1962 (pictured)

But sadly over the last 100 years many of these parks have deteriorated as money was not set aside for their long-term management and maintenance

From the late 1960s public parks embarked on a long spiral of decline. The Countryside Act of 1968 set up the Countryside Commission and led to the creation of a large number of country parks to meet the growing demand for countryside recreation from an increasing number of car owners.

With grant aid made available from government for country parks, countryside rangers and amenity tree-planting schemes, local authorities progressively shifted their focus for investment in recreation towards country parks and away from their urban counterparts.

The re-organisation of local government in 1974 placed parks departments within wider leisure services and by the 1980s urban parks faced increasing financial pressures from year-on-year budget cuts.

Compulsory competitive tendering, introduced in an attempt to bring greater efficiencies to local government, saw many parks managed by external contractors, with low tenders delivering even lower standards of maintenance.

The Heritage Lottery Fund's Urban Parks Programme (UPP) was set up in 1996 and had more than 180 applicants in its first year.

Albert Park, Middlesbrough, benefited from a 4.4 million restoration grant several years ago and the centre piece of the park - the fountain - was fully reconstructed (pictured)

Old photos of the park from yesteryear showed how the once glorious fountain made a stunning centrepiece, which towered above those who visited (pictured)

Since the restoration, crowds of people flock to the park on a sunny day to enjoy the stunning scenery (pictured)

With increasing demand, the programme gained additional funding for England from Big Lottery Fund and over the last 20 years 850 million has been invested in public parks.

In 2014, the Heritage Lottery Fund published State of UK Public Parks 2014: Renaissance to risk, the first report to comprehensively review the condition and management of the UK's public parks.

It revealed that after two decades of public and National Lottery investment the majority of UK parks were in better condition, but unless future funding was generated in new ways, parks were at serious risk of decline.

This September it will publish its following report that will examine whether the picture has changed since 2014 and provide up-to-date analysis of the challenges facing the UK's parks today.

Drew Bennellick, HLF's head of landscape and natural heritage, said: Parks are amongst our most valued and highly used community assets - they are the lungs of our urban communities.

'Following decades of decline, National Lottery funding sparked a parks renaissance. But these are financially tough times and we need collaborative action and a fresh approach to ensure they are properly maintained, safe and open for everyone.'

Swindon's Town Gardens is still a beautiful space, but is among one of the British parks still in need of major investment to bring it up to the once high standards it was known for

Pictures show how the paint on the ornate metal gates and fencing has worn away and moss is growing on the edges

Burslem Park in Stoke on Trent (pictured) had bare flowerbeds and gaps in the brickwork, with tiles falling off the edge of the roof on the crumbling pagoda

But the Park was rescued from virtual obscurity and turned into yet another picturesque and valued civic space (pictured)

Many of the rejuvenated parks have now been awarded The Green Flag, which is managed by Keep Britain Tidy and recognises the very best green spaces.

The awards are judged by 700 experts who visit the sites and assess them against eight criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness and community involvement.

Paul Todd, Green Flag Award scheme manager, said: We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, especially as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Awards.

'All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.'

Parsons Close Recreation Ground in Leighton Buzzard (pictured with the Hitchin Band in full flow) is another of the parks to have enjoyed a facelift

The once toxic blue green algae ridden Hammond's Pond in Carlisle was one of the earliest lottery funded parks back in 1996 to be restored and is now once again a popular asset

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth added: 'Parks and green spaces are vitally important to the health and emotional wellbeing of our communities.

'More than 80 government funded pocket parks are starting to spring up across the county and I hope they apply to fly the Green Flag once they are in full bloom.'

Paul Rabbitts' book, Great British Parks - a Celebration, which costs 25, pays tribute to the many park teams, local authorities, grant-giving bodies and individuals who have managed, maintained, restored and looked after our public parks.

Paul added: 'It also serves as a warning that yet again, our greatest free public asset is under threat with ongoing cuts from significant austerity hitting every local authority in the country.
Sister Jobita Thachuthara George is an unlikely barista.

A year ago, she moved to Mandan from southern India to work with the Spirit of Life Church as a Carmelite sister. Today, she lives out her vocation by serving espressos at the Jocutla coffee truck, a project of the church's Mother Teresa Ministry.

"Come taste and see the goodness of the Lord," she is known to cry out to the uncaffeinated guests.

Dressed in her habit, the sister dispenses coffee and the word of God.

"When they see me as a sister, they share their happiness and sadness," she said.

The truck serves gourmet, organic coffee drinks from a distributor in Mexico. Profits from the 2-month-old business support the food pantry and homeless outreach efforts of the church.

"It's a little more ambitious than just asking for help," Monsignor Chad Gion said. "We want to run this like a business. The charity side is what goes on in the church."

The truck got its start about a year ago when Cheryl Hansen, the business manager at Spirit of Life, met Mayela Assad, a young coffee producer from Mexico. Assad had come to Mandan to escape violence at home, and a mutual friend introduced them.

Assad wanted to bring her coffee to America, and Hansen saw an opportunity for the church.

At first, they had trouble understanding each other. Assad spoke little English; Hansen spoke no Spanish. Each is learning, though they still use a translator for business discussions.

"It just sort of evolved," Hansen said.

The coffee is grown along the Gulf of Mexico in the Veracruz region; all of the beans are grown organically and hand-picked. Assad recently won top honors for her brews at a competition in Europe.

Assad is temporarily back in Mexico; but while she was in the United States, she trained the monsignor and the sister on how to make the coffee just right.

"There is definitely a correct way to do it and a lot of incorrect ways to do it," Gion laughed as he demonstrated the proper way to press espresso.

Assad described the response to her product in Mandan as "fabulous." Many people have quickly become regular customers.

In October, the church will open a year-round operation at the new strip mall in Lincoln. Employees and volunteers will serve coffee and food at the new location. There will be seating for at least 50 people and a room for meetings and events.

Lance Hagen, the mall's developer, said it will be a good fit for Lincoln, which lacks a coffee shop or deli.

"We need something like that," Hagen said.

After expenses, all of the profits will support the Mother Teresa Outreach program of the church, Hansen said. These include a food pantry, a daily hot meal, and rental assistance for the homeless or needy. Profits will also go toward the transitional housing unit the church is opening at the old junior-high school in Mandan.

Hansen said the coffee truck has already made about $5,000.

Hansen said she wants to use the coffee shop as a place for job training of people who receive help from the ministry.

"The whole process is driven by mission," she said. "It gives us even more incentive, since the outcomes we generate can go on to help so many more people."
Fifty GOP national security leaders have pledged to never back Donald Trump, releasing a scathing letter today labeling the Republican nominee as having the potential to be 'the most reckless president in American history.'

'None of us will vote for Donald Trump,' the letter announced.

It was signed by brand names in the national security realm including former CIA and NSA head Michael Hayden and the first two secretaries charged with leading the Department of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff.

Soon after the letter's release, Trump swatted back calling it 'politically motivated' and grouping the signees together with his rival Hillary Clinton said they 'are the owners of the disastrous decisions to invade Iraq, allow Americans to die at Benghazi, and they are the ones who allowed the rise of ISIS.'

Scroll down for video

'He would be the most reckless president in American history,' 50 Republican national security experts warned of Donald Trump

President George W. Bush's original two Department of Homeland Security secretaries Tom Ridge (left) and Michael Chertoff (right) both signed a letter advising against electing Trump

Former NSA and CIA head Michael Hayden was also among the dozens of GOP national security experts vowing not to vote for the party's current nominee, Donald Trump

'The names on this letter are the ones the American people should look to for answers on why the world is a mess, and we thank them for coming forward so everyone in the country knows who deserves the blame for making the world such a dangerous place,' Trump said.

DONALD TRUMP RESPONDS TO THE 'POLITICALLY MOTIVATED' LETTER The names on this letter are the ones the American people should look to for answers on why the world is a mess, and we thank them for coming forward so everyone in the country knows who deserves the blame for making the world such a dangerous place. They are nothing more than the failed Washington elite looking to hold onto their power, and it's time they are held accountable for their actions. These insiders - along with Hillary Clinton  are the owners of the disastrous decisions to invade Iraq, allow Americans to die at Benghazi, and they are the ones who allowed the rise of ISIS. Yet despite these failures, they think they are entitled to use their favor trading to land taxpayer-funded government contracts and speaking fees. It's time we put our foot down and declare that their gravy train is over: no longer will Crooked Hillary Clinton and the other disasters in Washington get rich at our expense. Instead, I offer a better vision for our country and our foreign policy- one that is not run by a ruling family dynasty. It's an America first vision that stands up to foreign dictators instead of taking money from them, seeks peace over war, rebuilds our military, and makes other countries pay their fair share for their protection. Together, we will break up the rigged system in Washington, make America safe again, and we will make America great again. Advertisement

'They are nothing more than the failed Washington elite looking to hold onto their power, and it's time they are held accountable for their actions,' the GOP nominee added.

The letter, which was first reported by the New York Times, began with a quick explanation of who all was represented  Republicans from every GOP administration stretching back to President Richard Nixon and extending to President George W. Bush.

'From a foreign policy perspective, Donald Trump is not qualified to be President and Commander-in-Chief,' the letter warned.

'Indeed, we are convinced that he would be a dangerous President and would put at risk our country's national security and well-being,' it continued.

The experts noted a difference between Trump and politicians in the past who weren't well-versed in the world.

'Unlike previous Presidents who had limited experience in foreign affairs, Mr. Trump has shown no interest in educating himself,' the note pointed out.

'He continues to display an alarming ignorance of basic facts of contemporary international politics,' it continues. 'Despite his lack of knowledge, Mr. Trump claims that he understands foreign affairs and "knows more about ISIS than the generals do."'

If the letter seems like deja vu, that's because the right-leaning national security community has joined forces before, with 60 experts signing a letter in March warning voters that a Trump presidency would make 'America less safe' and 'diminish our standing in the world.'

Chertoff was among those who signed that letter as well.

Voters seemingly shrugged off the warning as Trump continued to win by huge margins in the primaries, including by nearly 19 points in Florida, where a home state son, Sen. Marco Rubio, was also on the ballot.

Now with the general election in full swing  and with a larger, more moderate voter base to sway  Trump's actions finally seem to be impacting his poll numbers.

Last week's squabble with the Muslim-American parents of a soldier who was killed in Iraq seemed to damage Trump's numbers, putting Clinton nearly double-digits ahead.

Though a Reuters-Ipsos poll that came out Friday indicated the race could still be close.

The national security experts pleaded with the American people in the final paragraph of the screed.

'We understand that many Americans are profoundly frustrated with the federal government and its inability to solve pressing domestic and international problems,' the letter said.

'We also know that many have doubts about Hillary Clinton, as do many of us,' the cohort of Republicans added.

'But Donald Trump is not the answer to America's daunting challenges and to this crucial election,' they warned. 'We are convinced that in the Oval Office, he would be the most reckless President in American history.'
Two British travellers were raped at the surfing resort in Ecuador where two backpackers were recently murdered, state prosecutors have revealed.

The British women were targeted at a hotel room in the Pacific resort in May but the incident was only made public today as officials confirmed a man had been held and remanded in jail after appearing in court.

The suspect, named only as Mario E, was held in the city of Guayaquil around 110 miles south east of Montanita, a coastal resort that attracts travellers from all over the world.

Two British travellers were raped at the Montanita resort in Ecuador where two backpackers were recently murdered, state prosecutors have revealed.

News emerged as the trial began of two men accused of murdering two Argentinian backpackers (pictured) in February in the resort, which investigators say had a sexual motive

News emerged as the trial began of two men accused of murdering two Argentinian backpackers in February in the resort, which investigators say had a sexual motive and happened as they resisted rape.

Maria Jose Coni, 22, and Marina Menegazzo, 21, were killed as they enjoyed their last days in the former hippy paradise before returning to Argentina because they had run out of money.

Security guard Alberto Mina Ponce and Aurelio Rodriguez, the owner of the house where they were killed, face up to 26 years in jail if convicted.

The double crime has led to claims it was connected to a human trafficking case and there had been a cover-up by authorities.

Little details about the rape case involving the two Brits has been revealed.

A spokesman for Ecuador's State Prosecution Service said Mario E was arrested on Friday and remanded in custody the following day after a private court hearing.

Maria Jose Coni, 22, and Marina Menegazzo, 21, (pictured, left and right) were killed as they enjoyed their last days in the former hippy paradise before returning to Argentina

The double crime in the resort (pictured) has led to claims it was connected to a human trafficking case and there had been a cover-up by authorities

The British women are understood to have filed a formal complaint in Ecuador's capital Quito.

The spokesman said: 'Once prosecutors were informed of the incident, a psychological evaluation of the women was conducted along with a medical examination.'

He said the female pair were able to identify their alleged attacker and the place where they were raped, adding: 'Following an investigation by a specialist unit, Mario E was arrested in Guayaquil.'

Prosecutors now have 90 days to prepare a case against the suspect.

Few details about the rape case involving the two Brits in Montanita (pictured) have been revealed so far

Montanita, which means 'Little Mountain' in English, was the place many foreign people linked with the hippie movement fell in love with at the start of the sixties and decided to settle there permanently.

It is today considered one of the best beaches on Ecuador's south coast and is a popular destination for surfers from around the world.
A test pilot has died after crashing a replica of a famous 1930s Bugatti aircraft which never took to the skies.

Scotty Wilson had spent the past seven years painstakingly recreating the Bugatti 100P, which was regarded by many as one of the most advanced planes of its time.

The former US Air Force pilot, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, took to the skies for a third and final test flight on Saturday ahead of the plane's retirement.

Scotty Wilson was killed on Saturday in a single person plane crash

Before the tragedy: The only replica of the Bugatti 100P plane, which crashed, tragically killing the pilot, Wilson who spent seven years building it

The original Bugatti 100P which was mothballed and hidden in a French barn in 1940 to conceal it from the Germans

But around a minute later Mr Wilson, who had flown for more than 11,000 hours during his career, crashed into a field in Oklahoma and was tragically killed.

An eyewitness told a local news station the aircraft wasn't climbing at a very high rate before taking a very sharp turn left and then crashing.

John Lawson, a British engineer who helped with the project, paid tribute to his late friend on Monday.

He said: 'Scotty was a pioneer and it is a tragic end to such an incredible project.

'He will be missed by friends, family and the wider community who followed the project avidly. I'm heartsick at how it ended.

The 100P featured cutting-edge aerodynamics with forward pitched wings, a zero-drag cooling system, and computer-directed controls, predating the best Allied fighters of WW II

The fatal accident in a field, pictured, happened during a third and final test flight on Saturday ahead of the plane's retirement

'We had proven the concept and flown the Bugatti aircraft. It was going to be the last flight before being packed up and going on a museum tour.'

The original and only Bugatti 100P was one of the most technologically advanced aircraft but the outbreak of World War Two prevented it from ever taking to the skies.

Bugatti was forced to conceal the elegant aircraft - which was 85 per cent complete- by packing it up and hiding it in a French barn to prevent the German military discovering it.

It is thought Albert Steer, one of Hitler's ministers, was aware of the plane and if they got hold of the technology it could have eliminated the Spitfire's advantage.

The 100P featured cutting-edge aerodynamics with forward pitched wings, a zero-drag cooling system, and computer-directed flight controls, all predating the development of the best Allied fighters of World War II.

Wilson had spent the past seven years painstakingly recreating the Bugatti 100P, which was regarded by many as one of the most advanced planes of its time

Wilson was an Air Force pilot and had flown for more than 11,000 hours during his career

It would have been fitted with two 450 horsepower engines and was designed to reach speeds approaching 500mph, a feat previously only achieved by aircraft with twice the horsepower.

The plane survived the war but never flew and, more than 70 years later, finds itself in a US museum too fragile to ever be restored.

In 2009, Scotty Wilson set about recreating the aircraft, which was originally designed by Ettore Bugatti and Belgian engineer Louis de Mong.

It was the only aircraft built by Bugatti and was resigned to history until Scotty and a dedicated team of engineers and enthusiasts set about recreating it.

The 100P replica made its debut flight last year.

A statement on the Bugatti 100P Project Facebook page said: 'To all of the followers, friends and colleagues around the world who have blessed us with their warm friendship and good wishes over the years, it is with great sadness in our hearts that we can confirm the passing of our great leader and mentor Scotty Wilson early today in a tragic accident involving our beloved aircraft.
A campus watchdog group has branded the University of Tennessee (UTK) a 'cesspool' of anti-Semitism and racism.

Canary Mission, 'motivated by a desire to combat the rise in anti-Semitism on college campuses', catalogs people's online posts and on-campus involvement in groups like the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).

In an interview with Algemeiner, a member of Canary Mission slammed the school, saying: 'We have never seen such a like-minded group of bigots.'

A campus watchdog group has branded the University of Tennessee (UTK) a 'cesspool' of anti-Semitism and racism

Canary Mission blamed the SJP as well as the Muslim Students Association (MSA) at UTK for perpetuating 'bigotry', pointing to online posts made by members associated with the two groups.

A representative of Canary Mission told the Algemeiner SJP 'usually attempts to clothe their hatred with a thin veil of human rights.

'In the case of the University of Tennessee, there is no veil, just raw bigotry.'

On the Canary Mission's website, student Hesham Annamer's online activity is listed.

The student, who was nominated for a position in the on-campus group MSA, reportedly tweeted in 2014: 'Hitler had a lot of great ideas. We need a guy like that in the white house,' the Algemeiner reported.

Mohamed Ali, a member of SJP, bragged in 2012 that he wrote about Hitler for class 'cuz he's a boss'.

The group also named Eyad Hijer, who graduated in 2016 for reportedly attacking a social media user, writing: 'I already hate you. You dirty filthy Jew. All your people do is f***ed s*** up. Wish hitler was still around to show you guys.'

He also retweeted a racist post written by a fellow student, who said: 'Everyone pray for my sister. Nothing's wrong with her, she just likes black guys.'

The watchdog group, whose members remain anonymous, told the New York-based paper that it hopes to 'highlight how we must not allow these neglected regions to develop into hotbeds of hatred and extremism.'

Canary Mission blamed the SJP as well as the Muslim Students Association (MSA) at UTK for perpetuating 'bigotry', pointing to online posts made by students

According to an Anti-Defamation League report in June, anti-Semitic incidents on college campuses nearly doubled from 47 instances in 2014 to 90 in 2015.

ADL chief Jonathan Greenblatt acknowledged that while many instances of anti-Semitism probably go unreported, colleges by and large remain a safe haven for Jewish students.
Meanwhile, other hardware has been spotted near the

Russian tanks have been spotted on the northern Crimea border which has sparked fears that an invasion is imminent.

Witnesses described seeing Russian military hardware and trucks arrive near the towns of Armyansk and Dzhankoy - 25 miles south of the Ukrainian border.

Meanwhile, video footage also appears to show a fleet of Russian armoured trucks driving down a street on the peninsular in a large convoy in Kerch.

Norman Dzhelalov, deputy chairman of Crimean Tatar Mejlis - which represents the ethnic Tatar group - wrote on Facebook that tanks had arrived.

Footage shows a fleet of Russian armoured trucks driving down a street Kerch - which is just on the border

He said: 'Witnesses report that large groups of Russian military hardware have been massed near Armyansk and Dzhankoy.

'Dzhankoy has been cordoned off by troops with tanks and other equipment.'

Meanwhile, a 59-second video was uploaded to YouTube showing vehicles passing through Kerch - right next to the Russian border.

Crimea was seized after an operation carried out by Russian forces under the instruction of President Vladimir Putin, 63, in 2014.

It has been reported that Russia also closed its checkpoints along the Crimean border with Ukraine on Sunday morning.

And a local journalist also reported a shooting near Krasnoperekopsk, Crimea.

Elzara Abduramanova wrote: 'I don't want to create panic, but today, as far as possible, it is better to refrain from visits even inside of the Crimea.'

The incident, where one Russian was said to have died, was reported by news website All Crimea.

The Russian site blamed the incident on Ukrainians trying to infiltrate the Russian-occupied peninsula.

But the claims were quickly denied by authorities in Ukraine.

Crimea was seized after an operation carried out by Russian forces under the instruction of President Vladimir Putin (pictured) in 2014

The Russian military (pictured) is one of the largest in the world and their vehicles have been spotted in Crimea

Vladislav Seleznyov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian army, accused Russia of making 'provocative and untrue' claims.

He said: 'We are closely monitoring all processes taking place in the annexed territory of Crimea and will adequately respond to any aggressive action.'

The reported sightings come as it was suggested the Russian military is apparently getting ready to launch high-tech spy satellites in space.

Moscow reportedly plans to launch three of the new Hrazdan satellites - one each in 2019, 2022, and 2024.
He told the judge that he understood the charges against him

Samarin was also accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl

A 23-year-old Ukrainian man accused of faking his name and age while attending a Pennsylvania high school and having sex with an underage girl pleaded guilty Monday.

Artur Samarin entered the plea to a number of fraud and sex charges, which carry penalties of up to 40 years in prison and $90,000 in fines.

He also faces federal fraud charges and could be deported.

Samarin, who called himself Asher Potts, is accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl.

Scroll down for video

Ukrainian Artur Samarin (pictured), 23, who was accused of faking his name and age while attending a Pennsylvania high school and having sex with an underage girl, pleaded guilty on Monday

Samarin (pictured Monday) entered the plea to a number of fraud and sex charges, which carry penalties of up to 40 years in prison and $90,000 in fines

The arrest affidavit said Samarin told a detective in February he had sex with the girl in the fall of 2014, when he was 22.

He had impressed teachers and community leaders while attending John Harris High School in Harrisburg and had been accepted into a college in Florida before authorities concluded he was considerably older and was a Ukrainian citizen who overstayed a student work visa.

Since Samarin has no sentencing deal, it will be up to Dauphin County Judge Deborah Curcillo to choose his punishment during sentencing scheduled for September.

Samarin, thin and pale and dressed in a yellow county prison uniform, said little as he stood before the judge with his lawyer, Adam Klein.

He told the judge he had been speaking English for more than three years and understood the charges against him.

Klein said Samarin consulted with an immigration attorney before deciding to enter the pleas.

Swatara Township Police Chief Jason Umberger testified that he first met Samarin while volunteering in December 2014 at a 'shop with a cop' event that pairs economically disadvantaged children with police officers to spend $100 buying Christmas presents for the children's families.

Umberger said Samarin expressed interest in the educational citizens' police academy his department runs but was too young to participate.

Samarin (left and right in high school), who called himself Asher Potts, is accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl. The arrest affidavit said Samarin told a detective in February he had sex with the girl in the fall of 2014, when he was 22

Samarin told the judge he had been speaking English for more than three years and understood the charges against him. Klein said Samarin consulted with an immigration attorney before deciding to enter the pleas. He's pictured with friends from the high school

When they encountered each other in January at an anti-violence event in Harrisburg, Samarin said he had turned 18 and remained interested, so Umberger sent him an application.

Umberger told Dauphin County prosecutor Fran Chardo he would not have admitted Samarin to the program if he knew he had given him a fake name and age.

'That would have been dishonest and misleading, and part of our application process is that we admit people who are at least honest about their identity,' the chief said.

Lt Darrell Reider, a detective, told the judge that Samarin apologized for lying in February when he was arrested.

'He said to me... I apologize for that, I know that I disappointed Chief Umberger and I respect him very much,' Reider said.

A search for others named Asher Potts turned up a man named Gabriel Asher Potts in Alabama, who told Reider two days ago that he was victim of credit card fraud from Pennsylvania, Reider said, but authorities have not found any evidence linking him to Samarin.

Earlier this year, Samarin's adoptive parents Stephayne and Michael Potts said he talked about blowing up the school and picked out specific kids he wanted to hurt.
Donald Trump made a verbal gaffe for the ages on Monday in Detroit, slipping a naughty word into an economic speech and making half of America think he was pandering to pole-dancing voters.

Lowering business taxes, he told a convention center ballroom full of businessmen and women, would 'cause trillions in new dollars and wealth to come pouring into our country  and, by the way, into titties like right here in Detroit.'

The prepared text that zipped through Trump's teleprompter, of course, said 'into cities like Detroit.'

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

GOING AFTER THE POLE-DANCER VOTE: Donald Trump's tongue slipped Monday in Detroit and he said 'titties' instead of 'cities' in an economic policy speech broadcast around the world

But he slipped and said 'titties.'

And on the words 'right here,' Trump pointed both of his index fingers downward toward below his waist.

The crowd roared. Trump plunged ahead with his well-received speech.

The billionaire is not the first politician to unintentionally go 'blue.'

Vice President Joe Biden famously told President Barack Obama when he unveiled the Affordable Care Act  into an open microphone  that 'this is a big f***ing deal.'

And while campaigning for the president's re-election in April 2012, Biden tried to adopt Theodore Roosevelt's famous quote: 'Speak softly and carry a big stick.'

In true Biden fashion, he turned it into a sexual metaphor.

'I promise you, the president has a big stick,' he told a crowd. 'I promise you.'

But when Trump said 'titties,' Twitter predictably exploded.

'I imagine @mcuban making a million-dollar bet @realDonaldTrump wouldn't say "Titties" in a speech, and Trump totally winning,' the Daily Caller's Chris Bedford tweeted, referring to Trump's fellow billionaire and political nemesis Mark Cuban.

BACK STORY? Chris Bedford of The Daily Caller imagines a bar bet that Mark Cuban lost when Trump said 'titties' in a speech

VOICE OF EXPERIENCE: Liz Mair is the GOP operative who called Trump 'a loudain gouthed dick' on CNN last week, and she needled him yet again on Monday

Even the most anti-Trump partisans had a laugh.

Liz Mair, a Republican operative who called Trump a 'loudmouthed dick' on CNN last week, piped up with her own tweet.
Advertisement

This is the first glimpse of Britain's secret ground war deep inside Syria.

Footage shows a team of UK Special Forces, believed to include the SAS, driving across the desert keeping watch for Islamic State militants.

Armed with heavy machine guns, the elite troops are helping to defend a Syrian rebel base from the barbaric murderers.

The small but lethal force comprises about a dozen men, whose faces cannot be revealed for security reasons.

The pictures appears to show the elite British troops - armed with heavy machine guns - defend a rebel base in Syria

Footage shows a team of UK Special Forces driving across the desert keeping watch for Islamic State militants

The photos obtained by the BBC show the British Special Forces laden with weapons including sniper rifles and anti-tank machines.

They are driving Al-Thalab long-range patrol vehicles, built for harsh terrain and favoured by elite troops.

The Jordanian-built vehicles, which are based on the Toyota Land Cruiser, have a top speed of 87mph and a gross vehicle weight of 4,800kg - almost four tonnes heavier than the average car.

A 4.5 litre V8 turbo-charged intercooled engine can be added along with a five-speed manual gearbox.

It has mounts for sniper systems, anti-tank weapons, a 7.62mm general-purpose machine gun, a 12.7mm Browning machine gun and a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.

The Al-Thalab has a 3,400-pound payload, and can carry enough food, water, ammo, weapons, and fuel for a ten-day patrol.

The vehicles, which are based on the Toyota Land Cruiser, have a top speed of 87mph and a gross vehicle weight of 4,800kg - almost four tonnes heavier than the average car

The small force is made up of around 12 men - whose faces cannot be revealed for security reasons

The footage is the first glimpse of Britain's secret ground war deep inside the war-torn country

And the never-before-seen photos also show the soldiers  deployed in a defensive role  next to military camp beds under cloths tied between two vehicles to shade them from the sun.

In 2013 MPs rejected possible British military action in Syria in a blow to former prime minister David Cameron. But the deployment of Britain's Special Forces does not require parliamentary approval, unlike the deployment of regular soldiers.

There have been unconfirmed reports that the elite soldiers are operating inside the war-ravaged country but the footage is the first evidence that they are there.

It was obtained in June by the broadcaster, following an IS attack on the undisclosed base that killed around nine Syrian rebels.

The Special Forces are fighting alongside moderate rebels in the New Syrian Army. The rebels are based at the Al-Tanaf base, which used to be held by IS; a fierce counter-offensive has been raging as they try to take it back.

On several occasions, the British Special Forces have crossed the border from Jordan into Syria to provide support to the New Syrian Army.

A New Syrian Army spokesman refused to comment on the pictures of the Special Forces, but said: 'We are receiving special forces training from our British and American partners. We're also getting weapons and equipment from the Pentagon as well as complete air support.'

The photos emerged as Syrian regime forces and rebel factions sent hundreds of reinforcements to Aleppo yesterday as both sides braced for a crucial battle to control the country's second city.

Footage was obtained in June by the BBC, following an IS attack on the undisclosed base that killed around nine Syrian rebels

There have been unconfirmed reports that the elite soldiers are operating inside the war-ravaged country but the footage is the first evidence that they are there

Fighting for Syria's former economic powerhouse is intensifying after an opposition advance at the weekend broke through a three-week government siege of the city's rebel-held east, dealing a major setback to regime troops.

Rebel forces on Sunday announced a bid to capture all of Aleppo city, which if successful would mark the biggest opposition victory yet in Syria's five-year civil war.

But forces loyal to president Bashar al-Assad are putting up a fierce fight and have begun pouring in reinforcements.

The main opposition coalition said yesterday it was only a matter of time before rebels take all of Aleppo, but the United States warned there would be no quick victory.
Citizens Advice is cashing in on pensioners and hard-up families by charging them premium rates to call for advice, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Some local branches of the charity are charging desperate callers to speak to experts about their money troubles despite claiming to protect consumers by always advising them for free.

Some callers  who use the service for help with their pensions and in battling rip-off firms  are being billed more than 12 for a 20-minute conversation, an investigation found.

Citizens Advice is cashing in on pensioners and hard-up families by charging them premium rates to call for advice, the Daily Mail can reveal (File photo)

Two years ago Citizens Advice promised to stop using premium 0844 numbers, which charge callers up to 62p a minute.

The service claims to give free, confidential advice and has led campaigns about rip-off phone lines in the past. Its website even offers extensive guidance on how to report firms operating premium rate lines.

The government-backed organisation, used by millions, promised to switch its national lines to cheaper 034 numbers by September 2014  using taxpayers money to do so.

But two years on, a survey by the Fair Telecoms Campaign has found that at least 19 Citizens Advice centres are still running costly 0844 numbers.

The premium rate bureaux are in some of Britains most deprived areas, including Whitechapel, Lewisham and Hackney in London as well as Salford, North East Doncaster and South Tyneside.

Last night campaigners and MPs accused the organisation of hypocrisy. David Hickson, of the Fair Telecoms Campaign, said: This is a scandal of grave proportions since those likely to dial these numbers are often less well off or are in need of urgent, detailed and often lengthy advice over the phone.

'To charge for advice services is contrary to the stated principles of Citizens Advice and offensive to the volunteers who make up a sizeable proportion of its workforce.

Labour MP Steve McCabe, a member of the Commons work and pensions select committee, said: Ill be asking the chairman of the select committee to authorise an inquiry into this heinous activity, which undermines the whole basis of the help and support that the Citizens Advice Bureau has been associated with over the years.

Bureaux using premium rate lines receive a service charge of 7p per minute per call. Callers also incur an access charge set by their telephone company, typically 11p per minute from a landline and up to 55p per minute from a mobile phone.

This means a premium rate call from a mobile is charged at up to 62p per minute.

Citizens Advice is made up of a network of 316 independent charities offering to assist people with a range of problems, including money, legal and consumer queries.

Some 60 per cent of its funding is understood to come from the Government with the rest coming from donations and local fundraising.

Citizens Advice Director of Operations Michele Shambrook said: We delivered on our commitment to change our national phone lines from 084 numbers to 034 numbers by September 2014.

On top of that 94 per cent of local Citizens Advice charities have also changed to 034 numbers.
A Fox News anchor claims she was taken off the air after making repeated sexual harassment complaints about Roger Ailes.

Andrea Tantaros has filed a lawsuit alleging that executives ignored multiple complaints about the disgraced former Fox News head's behavior in 2015, NY Mag reports.

After she refused to back down, she says she was first demoted then eventually taken off the air in April 2016, according to the suit.

Scroll down for video

Fox News anchor Andrea Tantaros (left) claims she was taken off the air after making repeated sexual harassment complaints about Roger Ailes (right)

Tantaros is the latest woman to accuse Ailes of sexual harassment after former anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit against him in July.

Ailes stepped down as CEO of Fox News last month amid a flurry of sex pest allegations.

Carlson sued Ailes on July 6, claiming she was cut loose after she refused his sexual advances and complained about harassment in the workplace.

The 50-year-old Carlson, who was Miss America in 1989, alleged in her lawsuit that Ailes, who is 76, ogled her, repeatedly commented about her legs, urged her to wear clothes that enhanced her figure and told her she was sexy but 'too much hard work.'

Ailes, in a statement, denied the allegations and accused Carlson of filing the lawsuit in retaliation for her contract not being renewed.

Tantaros previously presented The Five (pictured) but says she was originally demoted to another show

Ailes was pictured walking arm-in-arm with his wife (above) while leaving the News Corporation office on 6th Avenue surrounded by security guards last month

Former television executive Shelley Ross has also since come forward, claiming that Ailes tried to start a 'sexual alliance' with her.

Ross says she had just been offered a job at NBC's The Tomorrow Show in the spring of 1981, when Ailes was executive producer of the show, when they had an uncomfortable meeting.

During the meeting, at a restaurant, she claims Ailes asked her: 'When did you first discover you were sexy?'

He was also 'very persistent' as he explained how the best way to solidify loyalty was from a 'sexual alliance,' she said in her lawsuit.

Ross said that she had called to turn down the job the next day but was persuaded to stay by an apologetic Ailes and eventually ended up accepting the role.

Shelley Ross, left, claims she was sexually propositioned by Roger Ailes, while Gretchen Carlson , right, said she was cut loose after she refused his sexual advances and complained about harassment in the workplace

Just hours before Ailes resigned last month, with an alleged $40 million payout, another report surfaced, claiming that Ailes' star female anchor Megyn Kelly had joined the chorus of employees making sexual harassment claims against him.

In Tantaros' case, she says that the harassment first began on August 12, 2014, when Ailes allegedly asked the journalist to do 'the twirl' so he could see her figure.

She refused but later that year she says Ailes demanded that she come over so he could 'give her a hug,' according to the lawsuit. Once again she turned him down.

Tantaros claims that she and her agent told Fox executive vice-president Bill Shine, senior vice-president Suzanne Scott, and general counsel Dianne Brandi about numerous examples of Ailes's alleged harassment.

'She made multiple harassment and hostile-workplace complaints,' her lawyer Judd Burstein said.

Through an spokesperson, Fox News Senior EVP of Programming Bill Shine said 'Andrea never made any complaints to me about Roger Ailes sexually harassing her.'

The former Fox anchor, who was taken off the air in April 2016 but continues to be paid, says that the executives ignored her complaints and targeted her instead.

'I believe it's retaliatory,' says Burstein.

Roger Ailes is pictured during a broadcast from the network's studios in New York in 2002

Roger Ailes is pictured with wife Elizabeth Tilson Ailes in October 2015 at the Carnegie Hall 125th Season Opening Night Gala in NYC

In February 2015, Tantaros says in her lawsuit that she was harassed again by Ailes who asked about her workout routine because her body 'looked good', adding she must 'really look good in a bikini.'

That same month she was demoted from The Five show in February 2015 to a midday program called Outnumbered.

In April that year, Tantaros says she filed a formal workplace harassment complaint to Shine. But when she met him the following day to discuss, she was warned that Roger was 'a very powerful man' and not to fight the harassment case.

She says that both she and her agent made several more complaints to Shine and Brandi with no success.

Tantaros was then taken off air in April 2016.

Fox denies the allegations however, saying that Tantaros was suspended because she violated company policy.

Through an spokesperson, Fox News Senior EVP of Programming Bill Shine said 'Andrea never made any complaints to me about Roger Ailes sexually harassing her.'

They claim that she did not allow them to vet her new book - Tied Up in Knots: How Getting What They Wanted Has Made Women Miserable - which depicts Tantaros tied up with ropes on the front cover.
The good news is that both political conventions are now behind us. The bad news is that the election is ahead of us.

No one knows how this election will turn out but  given the awful presidential candidates in both parties  the worst case scenario may be only marginally worse than the best case scenario. National polls may suggest a close election ahead but presidential elections are not decided by who has a majority of the popular vote. In a country already divided, if not polarized, one candidate could win the popular vote and the other candidate win the Electoral College vote, which is what decides who goes to the White House. That could polarize us more than ever.

Everything may depend on what happens in the battleground states where neither party has a decisive advantage. Until recently, Hillary Clinton seemed to have a clear lead in those states. But that difference has narrowed to within the margin of error in some state polls.

Turnout is the wild card, in this election more than in most. There was booing in both conventions  and there are other signs that those who lost are not taking it kindly. How the losers vote, or stay home on Election Day, may determine who the winner will be.

If the Democrats lose this election, and Trump beats Clinton, it may not be anything more than losing a given election, as happens regularly, and Democrats can just regroup for the next election.

But if the Republicans lose, it can be much more serious for them and for the country. If Clinton inspires distrust, Trump inspires disgust, even among many Republicans. If Trump goes down to defeat, he could taint the whole Republican party, costing them the Senate now and future elections later.

Even if Trump disappears from the political scene after defeat, his reckless, ugly and childish words will live on in innumerable videos that can be used for years to come, to taint Republicans as the party that chose such a shallow egomaniac as its candidate for president of the United States.

A President Trump could of course create a longer-lasting stigma. However, he might possibly be sobered up by the responsibilities of the presidency. But someone who has not matured in 70 years seems unlikely to grow up in the next four years.

With Clinton as president and Democrats in control of the Senate, she can appoint Supreme Court justices with as much contempt for the law as she has demonstrated herself, and Senate Democrats would rubber-stamp her choices.

Democrats have already shown their desire to stifle the free-speech rights of people who disagree with them on global warming and other issues. Clinton has made no secret of her desire to have the Supreme Court reverse its decision that corporations and labor unions both have free-speech rights.

The Obama Department of Justice has already been looking into ways that anti-racketeering laws can be used to threaten individuals and organizations that challenge the global warming scenario that has been used to promote more government control of what fuels can be used.

The Second Amendment right to have a gun is at least as threatened as the First Amendment right to free speech would be if Clinton gets to pick Supreme Court justices. The lifetime tenure of federal judges means that whoever is in the White House for the next four years can change the course of American law for decades to come, losing our freedoms irretrievably.

Much has been made of Clinton's "experience" in politics. But it has been an experience of having proved to be wrong, time and time again. As a senator she opposed the military "surge" in Iraq that rescued that country and defeated the terrorists.

As secretary of state, she carried out foreign policy decisions that led to major setbacks for American interests as far as the eye can see  whether in Egypt, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Ukraine, North Korea or China. This is the kind of "experience" we don't need to see repeated in the White House.

Voting for an out of control egomaniac like Trump would be like playing Russian roulette with the future of this country. Voting for someone with a track record like Clinton's is like putting a shotgun to your head and pulling the trigger. And not voting at all is just giving up.

Nobody said that being a good citizen would be easy.
Hugh Grant may be associated with Four Weddings and be a father to four children with two different mothers - but he has a deeply cynical view of marriage.

I have known a few good marriages, but very few, the British actor said in an interview with American TV. And others look to me like theyre pretty miserable. I dont really think thats a recipe for happiness.

Grant, 55, has never wed despite fathering two children with former girlfriend Tinglan Hong and another two with Swedish television producer Anna Eberstein.

Grant (pictured in Four Weddings and a Funeral with Andie MacDowell) admitted in the interview with CBS that he suffered from a fear of commitment

He admitted in the interview with CBS that he suffered from a fear of commitment, which may perhaps come as no great surprise to old friends such as Elizabeth Hurley with whom he spent 13 years.

But its not just commitment, he added, permanence scares me. I dont know why.

The unwillingness to commit extends to his career, the star said, adding that he has issues making up his mind about film projects.

Asked what he has in the pipeline, Grant said: I dont know. Im torturing someone at the moment about a film. I like to do that for a very long time, like a cat with a half-dead mouse. And then usually, I walk away at the end and say, Im not gonna do it.

I find it hard to sign on the dotted line sometimes.

He also admitted he is a perfectionist who can be difficult to work with on set, a claim that appears at odds with his self-deprecating character.

Ive driven people mad on films that Ive made - I want more takes, I want to try new lines, he said.

Then I want to interfere in the editing process and I want to interfere in the advertising process, everything, everything. Pretty much Barbra Streisand in trousers, I am!

In Grants latest film, Florence Foster Jenkins, he stars opposite Meryl Streep, who plays a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera diva despite having a terrible voice.

Grant plays Streeps screen husband and says of his return to Hollywood: I had moved on slightly. I was doing other stuff in life. I had been involved in various political things in Britain.

But occasionally its lovely to dip my toe back in lake showbiz, he told ABC in another interview.

Grant didnt shy away from his infamous 1995 liaison with Los Angeles prostitute Divine Brown in the CBS interview, which was done in London.

In Grants latest film, Florence Foster Jenkins, he stars opposite Meryl Streep, who plays a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera diva despite having a terrible voice

I was very naughty, said Grant. I was very drunk. And yeah, it was regrettable.

But he said he wasnt surprised at the outcry that followed.

It was entirely to be expected that there would be a huge hullabaloo about that, particularly given this rather absurd persona that I had been given about who I was on the back of Four Weddings, he said.

People thought I was this nice character I played in that film. And so I suppose the contrast between that person and this seedy behavior was juicy stuff. And I quite understand why it was a big story.

His career wasnt affected adversely, he claimed, because as you know, as well as anyone, Hollywood only minds about money. And that film did fine, the film that was coming out at the time. And yeah, thats all that really matters: As long as you make them money, they dont care what you get up to.

Grant said he dreaded his famous dance scene when he played the prime minister in Love Actually more than having my teeth extracted, but wasnt adverse to dancing in private.
Humans will have used up the Earth's budget of natural resources for the year in less than eight months, environmental campaigners warn.

People are putting more carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere than the forests and oceans can absorb, and catching fish and cutting down forests more quickly than nature can replenish them.

As a result, the world has reached 'Earth overshoot day' today, the point in the year when humans have exhausted annual supplies such as land, trees and fish, and outstripped Earth's capacity to absorb greenhouse gases.

Scroll down for video

Environmentalists warn we are putting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than the forests and oceans can absorb, and catching fish and cutting down forests more quickly than nature can replenish them

OVERUSE OF RESOURCES The annual landmark highlights the point at which one year's worth of natural resources have been used up - where human demand for ecological resources exceed what Earth can regenerate in a year. Campaigners say that carbon dioxide emissions are outstripping what forests and oceans can absorb, and the planet is unable to keep up with the rate of fishing and deforestation. Environmentalists have warned the problem is worsening, with the planet sliding into 'ecological debt' earlier and earlier. Advertisement

Experts warn the problem is worsening, with the planet sliding into 'ecological debt' earlier and earlier.

The day on which the world has used up all the natural resources available for the year has shifted from late September in 2000 to 8 August in 2016.

But the rate earth overshoot day is creeping up the calendar has slowed in the past few years, according to the Global Footprint Network, the organisation behind the measurement.

Among the worst offenders for living beyond their ecological means are Australia, and the US, the organisation claims. Both nations are renowned for their soaring rates of meat consumption.

Carbon emissions are the biggest contributor to the overshoot, with the greenhouse gas now making up 60 per cent of humanity's demand on nature, or the ecological footprint.

Campaigners say that carbon dioxide emissions are outstripping what forests and oceans can absorb, and the planet is unable to keep up with the rate of fishing and deforestation

To meet goals to tackle climate change agreed at United Nations talks in Paris in December the world's carbon footprint must fall to zero by the second half of the century.

Meeting the goals will require a new way of living on the planet, the Global Footprint Network said.

Mathis Wackernagel, co-founder and chief executive of the organisation said: 'Such a new way of living comes with many advantages, and making it happen takes effort.

'The good news is that it is possible with current technology, and financially advantageous with overall benefits exceeding costs.

Food production is one of the key factors in human demand for natural resources, with campaigners saying 14 times the amount of land needed to produce a ton of beef compared to a ton of grain

Environmentalists have given a stark warning that the planet is sliding into 'ecological debt' earlier each year, with the oceans and forests unable to replenish themselves as fast as their resources are being stripped

'It will stimulate emerging sectors like renewable energy, while reducing risks and costs associated with the impact of climate change on inadequate infrastructure.

'The only thing we need more of is political will.'

The organisation said some countries were already embracing the challenge, pointing to Costa Rica which generated 97 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources in the first three months of this year.

The UK, Germany and Portugal are also setting new records for renewables, while China's government has outlined a plan to reduce its citizens' meat consumption by 50 per cent, which could cut the emissions from the livestock industry by a billion tonnes by 2030.

In the UK, solar outperformed coal over the course of a month for the second month on record in July, while overall renewables contributed a quarter of the country's electricity generation in 2015.

The Global Footprint Network is also urging individuals to take action to live more sustainable lives.

Simon Ross, chief executive of UK-based charity Population Matters, told MailOnline: 'Overshooting is by definition not sustainable, and means we fail to meet our moral responsibility of ensuring that current and future generations continue to have a planet that they are able to enjoy.

He added: 'Earth overshoot needs to be tackled in two key ways: firstly, by moving towards more sustainable lifestyles to reduce and equalise our per capita consumption.

'Secondly, by stabilising population growth so that there is a larger share of biocapacity for each of us.
Some of genetic sequences are found in humans and could be turned on

this from when they shared a common ancestor

Regenerating limbs that have been cut off is a power reserved for comic book heroes and a handful of primitive animals.

But scientists believe it may be possible to unlock the secret to regrowing lost limbs after identifying a set of genetic switches that allow creatures like the axolotl to regenerate parts of their bodies.

The primitive amphibian, which is a type of salamander found in Mexico, can regrow its legs, tail and even parts of its spinal cord.

Amphibians like the axolotl (pictured) can regenerate their legs, tail and even parts of their spinal cord. Scientists have found they share a genetic reglatory mechanism with two other species that can regenerate, suggesting they inherited it from an ancient ancestor

HOW ZEBRAFISH REPAIR THEMSELVES A recent study by Duke University uncovered the genes that help zebrafish repair damaged tissue. The tiny fish can regrow fins and even repair damaged heart tissue with genes called fibroblast growth factors and neuregulin 1, respectively. The team discovered that in zebrafish, 'tissue regeneration enhancer elements' turn on the regeneration genes at the site of an injury. In zebrafish a gene called leptin b is turned on in injured fins or heart. Scouring through thousands of base pairs around this gene, the researcher found distinct enhancer elements relating to each location. By fusing the sequences to the two regeneration genes, the researcher created a zebrafish with superior fin and heart regeneration capabilities. The team then tested these elements on mice. This revealed that the 'borrowed' enhancer elements from the zebrafish genome would turn on the regeneration genes in the injured paws and hearts of mice. Advertisement

The scientists found it shares a genetic mechanism with two other creatures that can regenerate tissue  the zebrafish and a ray-finned fish from Africa called the bichir.

It suggests these creatures may have inherited their ability to regenerate from a common ancestor that lived 420 million years ago.

Humans themselves have also inherited some of these same genes but they are far less active in our species.

The findings raise the prospect that it may be possible to switch them on to help improve human healing and even regrow limb tissue.

Dr Voot Yin, a biologist at the MDI Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, who helped lead the research, said: 'Limb regeneration in humans may sound like science fiction, but it's within the realm of possibility.

'The fact that we've identified a genetic signature for limb regeneration in three different species with three different types of appendages suggests that nature has created a common genetic instruction manual governing regeneration that may be shared by all forms of animal life, including humans.'

The researchers, whose work is published in the journal Public Library of Science One, studied the formation of a mass of cells called a blastema in each of the three species.

A blastema is a critical first step in the regeneration process and the scientists these in each creature had a common set of genes.

Each of these were controlled by a network of genetic regulators known as microRNAs

Axoltl, zebrafish and bichir last shared a common ancestor around 420 million years ago (illustrated), which suggests the ability to repair limbs may have been conserved in their species. Some of the genetic mechanism can still be found in humans too

Zebrafish (pictured) can regenerate their fins and even their heart tissue. The researchers say it may be possible to reactivate some of the genetic sequences that shared by humans and zebrafish to trigger regeneration in our own species

MicroRNAs are short sequences of genetic material that play a role in regulating how genes are expressed.

The team identified ten microRNA molecules that appear to play a role in the regeneration of limbs in the axolotl, zebrafish and bichir.

Five of the microRNA sequences they found were turned on during regeneration while five were turned off.

Dr Benjamin King, who also led the research at the MDI Biological Laboratory, a not-for-profit research institution, said: 'We didn't expect the patterns of genetic expression to be vastly different in the three species, but it was amazing to see that they were consistently the same.'

The superhero Deadpool (pictured) had the ability to regrow limbs after they were cut off. The research could allow humans to develop similar abilities by taking drugs that reactivate genetic mechanisms, according to the scientists

The researchers said they also found four RNA fragments which appear to found in humans.

They are now hoping to study these further to unravel whether they can be activated to trigger regeneration in species like humans that currently cannot do this.

Drugs could be used to turn on the regeneration mechanisms to help speed up healing or replace damaged tissue, which use similar genetic mechanisms.

It could also be used to regenerate nerves damaged in an amputation and help integrate them with prosthetic limbs more effectively.

Bichir (pictured) are a fish found in Africa but have the ability to regrow their fins if they are cut or bitten off by a predator. This ability appears to rely upon a group of microRNA fragments that are found in zebrafish and axolotl

But ultimately the researchers hope to see if the mechanism could be exploited to allow humans to regenerate limbs themselves, although they warn it could be several decades before that is possible.

Dr Yin said: 'It depends on the pace of discovery, which is heavily dependent on funding.'

Dr Kevin Strange, president of MDI Biological Laboratory, added: 'Scientists here are studying an evolutionarily diverse range of animals to gain insight into the genetic mechanisms underlying the repair and regeneration of complex tissues and why these processes are poorly active in humans.
Advertisement

Our modern lives thrive on connectivity, as the internet gives us the ability to link to people and services all over the world.

Now, an internet cartographer and computer scientist has revealed just how far the web's reach is by plotting the location of millions of online devices around the world.

It reveals the hotspots where internet connectivity is flourishing and the blackspots where it is only just starting to develop as the web spreads into the farthest corners of the globe.

Scroll down for video

An internet cartographer listened to millions of web devices around the world to create a map showing just how far the technology has spread (pictured). Red areas contain a lot of web-enabled devices, while green areas contain fewer. Black areas are regions where no signal was received

PINGING DEVICES 'Pinging' an IP address involves sending a signal to the device from a server. In this case, Texas-based internet cartographer and computer scientist John Matherly used software to 'ping' Internet-connected devices around the world, calling out and listening for their response. Advertisement

Texas-based John Matherly used software to 'ping' internet-connected devices around the world according to their IP, or Internet Protocol, address and listening for their response.

In the majority of cases, the signal revealed the location of internet routers rather than individual gadgets, but Mr Matherly said iPhone and Android devices have appeared previously.

In total, it took him about five hours to ping all IPs on the internet, and then another 12 hours to create the map.

His latest map is an update of a 2014 graphic, which helps to show how access to the internet has spread over the past two years.

Most notable is the spread of internet connectivity in India, as well as a general increase in the density of connected devices worldwide.

The highest density of internet access can be found in Europe and on the east coast of the United States. While central US has surprisingly low connectivity - due mainly lower populations levels - there is an intense concentration in California around Silicon Valley.

The latest map shows densely populated regions have the most internet-connected devices. Pictured is North and Central America, with the highest densities in the Eastern US (left), as well as continental Europe (right), which has a high density

In the maps, red denotes the highest concentrations of internet connected devices while yellow shows a lower level.

Green show the lowest concentrations while black areas of the maps are where Mr Matherly received no response to his IP address ping.

Writing on Imgur, Mr Matherly - who goes by the Reddit profile 'achillean' - explained: 'The tool I used is called a 'stateless scanner', which can basically do the equivalent of the 'ping' command but really fast and to many IPs.'

'Pinging' an IP address involves sending a signal to the device from a server, which causes the connection to 'light up' - albeit not physically.

Mr Matherly is founder of Shodan, a search engine for connected devices.

Matherly explained: 'The web is only a tiny fraction of the internet. Most of what Shodan looks at is not part of the web that you would see on Google.'

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the world's largest cities in developed countries glow the brightest on the maps, and more remote areas such as in Africa have relatively little internet access.

However, large portions of the world, such as China also appear to have no internet access on the map.

Mr Matherly explained his map is not as precise as it could be because some organisations block ping requests.

John Matherly first used software to 'ping' global web devices to build a map in 2014 (pictured) demonstrating the technology's global reach. It is easy to see how well-connected areas like Europe and the US contrast with Greenland and Africa

It is thought that areas of China should be coloured bright red on the map, but the 'Great Firewall' around the country's internet explains why most of the country looks dark.

Mr Matherly wrote: 'There's basically not a lot of information available on where an IP address is located within China, which makes mapping it very difficult.

'The majority of devices simply get lumped into Shanghai or Beijing, even though they might be located somewhere else within the country.'

Explaining how he made the map, Mr Matherly said: 'The data was generated using a stateless scanner used to create Shodan.

'A free, open-source scanner called Zmap is readily available for anybody that wants to do it themselves, and the map itself was generated using the Python matplotlib library.'

However, such tools can also be used by internet scam artists, where an individual sends and receives packets to everyone connected to the internet.
For medieval knights carrying heavy swords and wearing armour, a canter through the countryside on their trusty steeds was probably an uncomfortable journey.

But now, scientists have found that modern ambling horses prized for their smooth ride may have evolved from those chosen for comfort in medieval England.

Experts studied historic horse remains to discover that gaitedness made its first appearance in 850AD and spread rapidly throughout the world, thanks to selective breeding.

Ambling horses are known for this gaitedness, or their ability to travel in a way that's comfortable for riders, with a smooth, four-beat rhythm. Pictured is an ambling Iceland pony

WHAT IS AN AMBLING GAIT? Horses that amble are referred to as 'gaited', particularly in the US. An ambling gait, or as the BBC puts it, 'funny walk', is one in which horses move in a smooth, four-beat rhythm - faster than a walk but slower than a canter. Ambling gaits are smoother for a rider than either the two-beat trot or pace, and most can be sustained for relatively long periods of time. This would have made ambling horses desirable for knights and travelers on long journeys any time from the medieval period, until present day. Today, the trait is particularly desirable for trail riding and other tasks where a rider must spend long periods of time in the saddle. Advertisement

Ambling horses are known for this gaitedness, or their ability to travel in a way that's comfortable for riders, with a smooth, four-beat rhythm.

Earlier studies traced that easy gait to a single typo in a gene involved in coordinated limb movement.

But researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin, Germany, have now put a date on when the comfortable characteristic evolved.

We detected the origin of ambling horses in medieval England, said Arne Ludwig from the university.

The researchers believe that the ambling horses originated in York.

Dr Ludwig told the BBC: 'The first occurrence of this mutation was in two samples from medieval England from the York Archaeological Collection.

'It is unlikely that it was present before, especially not in high frequency, because this is a big advantage, this specific movement of the horses.'

At the time, Britain was under attack from the Vikings and despite this, its many kingdoms ruled by Briton and Saxon kings, remained at war with one another, with courageous knights and warriors battling on horseback.

As well as plundering valuable goods, it appears the Vikings recognised some of their adversaries had superior horses, and took them too.

Dr Ludwig explained: Vikings took these horses and brought them to Iceland and bred them there.

Later, ambling horses were distributed from England or Iceland all around the world.

The researchers studied DNA extracted from the remains of 90 horses dated to between 3,500 BC and the Middle Ages, searching for the previously identified ambling trait or gait keeper in a gene known as DMRT3.

Scientists have found that ambling horses prized for their smooth ride today, may have evolved from those chosen for comfort in medieval England

They discovered the tell-tale genetic change in two English horses from 850 to 900 AD and in ten out of 13 individuals from Iceland dating to the ninth to eleventh century.

However, the gait keeper variant was absent in all of the horse remains from mainland Europe.

For knights carrying heavy swords, a canter through the countryside was probably an uncomfortable journey

The researchers believe the fact that ambling horses were present in Iceland so long ago strongly suggests that Norse people from Denmark and South Sweden took them from the British Isles to Iceland.

Considering the high frequency of the ambling allele [gene variant] in early Icelandic horses, we believe that Norse settlers selected for this comfortable mode of horse riding soon after arrival, they wrote in the study, published in the Cell Press journal Current Biology.

The absence of the allele in samples from continental Europe (including Scandinavia) at this time implies that ambling horses may have spread from Iceland and maybe also the British Isles across the continent at a later date.

Dr Ludwig said his team was surprised the genetic trait making for a more comfortable ride didnt arise sooner, because it now occurs so widely in horses all around the world.

But, he said, with strong selection in the course of breeding domesticated animals, everything can happen very fast.
But new analysis reveals there were women and even a child in the burial

It was thought that remains in a 'beaded burial' were high status men

Almost 50 years ago, archaeologists excavating an ancient city just outside of St. Louis discovered a mass burial site with an unusual central feature  two bodies arranged atop a bed of beads, with several other bodies encircling them.

It was once thought that the elaborate beaded burial structure at Cahokia was built as a monument to male power  but now, researchers suggest this is not the case.

A new analysis of the remains reveals that one of these central bodies is actually female, and researchers say the discovery of similar male-female pairs and the remains of a child indicates that women played an important role in society.

It was once thought that the elaborate beaded burial structure at Cahokia was built as a monument to male power  but now, researchers suggest this is not the case. In a new study, they discovered female remains in this central structure. The ancient city is pictured above

WHAT THEY FOUND While earlier studies reported that there had been six bodies at the beaded burial, the researchers found there were actually 12, with one of the central figures being a woman. According to physical anthropologist Kristin Hedman, the discovery of females in this structure was unexpected. And, they found other similar pairs on top of and near the beaded area, with some laid out as fully articulated bodies, and others among bundles of bones gathered for burial. Along with this, the team found the remains of a child. Advertisement

In the new study, published to the journal American Antiquity, researchers with the Illinois State Archaeological Survey at the University of Illinois and colleagues found that there are both male and female remains buried at the site of the Native American city, Cahokia.

Cahokia is said to be North America's first city, and is the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico.

Now known as Mound 72, the massive burial site discovered by archaeologist Melvin Fowler in 1967 contains 270 bodies, with five mass graves each containing at least 20 bodies, and some exceeding 50.

Later analysis revealed that the burials occurred between the years 1000 and 1200 during the rise and peak of Cahokia.

Some of the bodies were laid on cedar litters, suggesting these individuals were of high-status in their lives.

Mound 72 burials are some of the most significant burials ever excavated in North America from this time period, said ISAS director Thomas Emerson.

Fowlers and others interpretation of these mounds became the model that everybody across the east was looking at in terms of understanding status and gender roles and symbolism among Native American groups in this time.

According to the researchers, the interpretations of earlier studies were based on inaccurate and incomplete information, and most errors involved the beaded burial.

It was thought that the beaded burial involved two high-status males, with their servants surrounding.

And, the beads were thought to be the remains of a cape or blanket in the shape of a bird, which is associated with warriors and supernatural beings in some Native American traditions.

While earlier studies reported that there had been six bodies at the beaded burial, the researchers found there were actually 12, with one of the central figures being a woman. Along with this, the team found the remains of a child

Almost 50 years ago, archaeologists excavating the pre-Columbian Native American city, Cahokia discovered a mass burial site with an unusual central feature. The city sits just outside of what is now St. Louis

THE BEADED BURIAL The central feature of Mound 72 is a 'beaded burial.' In this structure, two bodies are arranged atop a bed of beads, with several other bodies encircling them. It was thought that the beaded burial involved two high-status males, with their servants surrounding. And, the beads were thought to be the remains of a cape or blanket in the shape of a bird, which is associated with warriors and supernatural beings in some Native American traditions. According to the new study, however, one of these central bodies is actually female. Advertisement

One of the things that promoted the concept of the male warrior mythology was the bird image, Emerson said.

Because of this, Cahokia was thought to be a male-dominated hierarchy, the researcher explained.

In the new study, the researchers analyzed early maps, notes, reports, and skeletal remains.

While earlier studies reported that there had been six bodies at the beaded burial, the researchers found there were actually 12, with one of the central figures being a woman.

According to physical anthropologist Kristin Hedman, the discovery of females in this structure was unexpected.

And, they found other similar pairs on top of and near the beaded area, with some laid out as fully articulated bodies, and others among bundles of bones gathered for burial.

Along with this, the team found the remains of a child.

According to the researchers, the materials often symbolized life renewal, fertility, and agriculture. Artifacts discovered at the ancient site are pictured above

The fact that these high-status burials included women changes the meaning of the beaded burial feature, Emerson said.

Now, we realize, we dont have a system in which males are these dominant figures and females are playing bit parts.

'And so, what we have at Cahokia is very much a nobility. Its not a male nobility. Its males and females, and their relationships are very important.

The researcher explains that these findings are more in line with other materials from Cahokia than the scenarios presented by earlier studies.

For me, having dug temples at Cahokia and analyzed a lot of that material, the symbolism is all about life renewal, fertility, agriculture, Emerson said.

Now known as Mound 72, the massive burial site discovered by archaeologist Melvin Fowler in 1967 contains 270 bodies, with five mass graves each containing at least 20 bodies, and some exceeding 50

Most of the stone figurines found there are female. The symbols showing up on the pots have to do with water and the underworld. And so now Mound 72 fits into a more consistent story with what we know about the rest of the symbolism and religion at Cahokia.

By focusing on warrior symbolism, Emerson explains that previous studies have misinterpreted the culture of Cahokia, and this time period.

When the Spanish and the French came into the southeast as early as the 1500s, they identified these kinds of societies in which both males and females have rank, says Emerson.

Really, the division here is not gender; its class.
Cairo felt unsafe, in China he felt lost and Kuala Lumpur was

His travel photos look amazing, but the reality behind them wasn't always so enticing.

Travel blogger Drew Goldberg, 25, has journeyed to more than 70 countries since university five years ago, and while he has loved almost every minute of his adventure, he admits that there have been lows among the highs.

Whether it was the prolific pick-pocketing in Barcelona or being ominously followed down the street in Cairo, he is now sharing his experiences to help other travellers.

Turkish delight: Drew takes a hot air balloon ride over the rocky landscape of Cappadocia

Travel blogger Drew Goldberg, 25, has travelled to more than 70 countries since catching the travel bug at university, here he is pictured in Shanghai

Goldberg, who grew up in Arizona, fell in love with travelling when he studied abroad in Prague during his junior year of college in 2012, aged 20.

He said: 'That semester abroad opened up my eyes to the world and I was instantly hooked on the thrill of meeting new people, trying different foods and learning about new cultures.

'I travelled to about 20 countries in Europe that semester, including a four week backpacking trip after my programme ended, and it was then that I knew I wanted to make a career out of travelling the world.'

After graduating in 2013, Goldberg moved to Korea to teach English and has been exploring the world ever since, documenting his experiences on the travel and lifestyle blog drewbinky.com and on his Snapchat @drewbinsky.

Drew updates his blog remotely while travelling in Jaisalmer, India

Here, he tells MailOnline Travel about some of his worst globe-trotting experiences.

What destination did you expect to be incredible but actually find to be disappointing?

Goldberg said: 'Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. I had already been all around south-east Asia before visiting Malaysia, and I thought it was nothing special.

'Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, is overpopulated with a giant mix of people that I didnt find to be very welcoming.

'I guess I am just saying that Kuala Lumpur is nowhere near as enjoyable as Bangkok, Hanoi or Siem Reap.'

The Arizona native takes a selfie in Prague, during his extensive travels of Europe

What was your most challenging food experience?

Goldberg said: 'Well, considering that I got food poisoning in India three times during my seven weeks backpacking around the country, I'd have to go with India.

'I love eating curry, but eating it everyday got a bit old for me, and I didnt enjoy spending almost a quarter of my trip on the bathroom floor with a stomach ache and feeling so weak that I could hardly walk.

'I think I lost more than a stone (17lbs) in seven weeks from all the food poisoning I got.'

During his visit to Egypt, Drew saw the Cairo pyramids. He enjoyed his trip to the ancient structures but said he felt very unsafe in the Egyptian city

Where did you feel the most unsafe?

Goldberg said: 'Egypt, hands down. I spent three days in Cairo and I could not wait to get out of there.

'It could have been because I was travelling alone with no local friends to show me around, but I was verbally harassed by people on the street and once followed three blocks down the street by a taxi driver because I didnt want to get in his car.

'On top of that, I saw a massive street brawl because of a small car crash where nobody had been injured. Egyptians are a little too aggressive for my liking.'

London calling: The blogger takes a selfie next to a telephone box in London, which he considered to be one of the one of the priciest places he has ever visited

What was the priciest place that you visited?

Goldberg said: 'A few cities come to mind  Sydney, Oslo, London and Zurich.'

Where did you feel that you had to keep an extra eye on your belongings?

Goldberg said: 'Barcelona was the worst for pickpockets.

'Two of my friends when we were travelling there got things stolen from them, and on Las Ramblas, I saw locals running around and stealing things from tourists.'

Where was worst for public transport?

Goldberg said: 'Manila has an awful subway and its always so crowded and hot that you can hardly stand or breathe.'

Drew writing on his blog in Myanmar, which he said had the worst internet access of all the countries he had visited

A travelling high: Drew looks out over a coastal town in Macedonia from the roof of a castle

Where had the worst internet access?

Goldberg said: 'Myanmar, although, Ive heard that its rapidly developing since I visited about a year ago.

'The internet speeds were like dealing with dial up internet back in the 1990s.'

Which place that you visited had the dodgiest accommodation?

Goldberg said: 'This could have totally been from my experience, but I would say Belarus.

'I stayed in a hostel in a not-so-good area, and they are not fond of Americans in that country. Im sure they have plenty of other good accommodations.'

The 25-year-old adventurer posing on the Great Wall Of China earlier this year during a trip to the country

Discoveries on his doorstep: Drew poses for a picture in Antelope Canyon, Arizona, where he is from

Drew takes a selfie while kayaking in Halong Bay in the north of Vietnam

Which country had the most unhelpful people?

Goldberg said: 'China, but that was mostly because of the fact that barely anyone speaks a lick of English and Chinese is the most difficult language to wrap my head around.

'Also, if you approach anyone on the street and try to get their attention, most of the time they will just ignore you, depending on which city or area you are in.

'The big cities of Beijing and Shanghai are better than others though.'

Which locals were most negative about their country?

Goldberg said: 'Id probably say Venezuela.
It was built in the 19th century, just before a new border came into

Most hotels have just one address - but one property in Europe not only has two addresses, it's also simultaneously situated in two different countries.

The two-star Arbez Hotel straddles the border between France and Switzerland meaning that it has both a French and a Swiss address.

On the French side, the Arbez is on the Rue de la Frontera in La Cure while on the Swiss side, it's on the Route de France in Cure.

The two-star Arbez Hotel (pictured) straddles the border between France and Switzerland meaning that it has both a French and a Swiss address

The Arbez' unique position came about in 1862, when the French and Swiss governments signed a treaty to modify the border between the two countries

You could even sleep with your head in one country and your feet in the other at the hotel

Once you're inside, you can walk from one country to the other in seconds.

The Arbez' unique position came about in 1862, when the French and Swiss governments signed a treaty to modify the border between the two countries, according to Swissinfo.

Before the Treaty of the Dappers came into effect, a local businessman, Alphonse Ponthus, decided to build a property that was on both sides of the new border.

He opened a bar on the French side and a shop on the Swiss site.

In 1921, Jules Joseph Arbez purchased the property and transformed it into the hotel.

On the French side, the Arbez is on the Rue de la Frontera in La Cure while on the Swiss side, it's on the Route de France in Cure

Many travellers on cross-country ski trips or just travelling between the two countries will stop for the night

During WWII, the second floor of the hotel was even used as a refuge for those fleeing the German soldiers as the staircase crossed the Swiss border.

The hotel remains family-run today and just about every room is divided by the border.

You could even sleep with your head in one country and your feet in the other, according to Conde Nast Traveller.

The hotel's restaurant also takes advantage of its borderline location by serving both French and Swiss fare.

You can pick from a menu that serves Swiss fondue or French foie gras, for example.

And for those who are on a cross-country ski trip or travelling from France to Switzerland or vice versa, it's the perfect location to stop for the night and soak up the unique environment.

Above, the hotel staff demonstrating the border crossing in the middle of the hotel restaurant
Joining the mile high club is something most airline passengers would never dare to do out of fear of getting caught - and it turns out it rarely goes unnoticed.

In a new thread on Reddit, flight attendants from around the world revealed hilarious tales about catching couples in the act, and warned randy travellers they are not as sneaky as they think and they could be charged with a crime.

Cabin crew once shamed an amorous pair with a Champagne 'celebration' when they exited a germ-infested loo, while another couple was welcomed with laughter and cheers after a flight attendant made an announcement over the loudspeaker.

Flight attendants say the mile high club is one of the 'least sexy things you can do in life'

Champagne 'celebration'

Reddit user Night-howl was working on a flight from the US to the UK when the crew realised a couple was joining the mile high club in a lavatory near business class.

It was around 2am and most passengers were asleep, but the flight attendants decided to shame the pair, who was British.

The Redditor wrote: 'We grabbed a bottle of Champagne, and about five of us stood outside the door and waited.

'When they came out, we cheered and clapped and drew quite a bit of attention to them. Popped Champagne, handed them a couple of glasses and warned them to bathe in bleach when they got home.'

'Welcome to the newest members of the mile high club'

Another user, highestmikeyouknow, who works for a US airline, was involved in a classic shaming while flying from San Diego to Portland.

He was putting a cart away when he noticed a couple exit the lavatory together and giggle as they returned to their seats.

He wrote: 'Without thinking, I grabbed the microphone and announced to the entire 737 "Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for the two newest members of [the] mile high club!

'I was mid-sentence when I realized how stupid it was to say this... I wanted to reach into the air and put the words back into my stupid mouth.'

But the entire plane erupted into laughter and cheers as the woman hid her face in her hands and the man pumped his fist in the air.

One flight attendant received a shock when she delivered a basket of goodies to newlyweds

A basket full of surprises

User lifesnotperfect used to work for Qantas, Australia's flag carrier, and said the moment she will never forget occurred on a flight from Australia to Vietnam.

Flight attendants put together a basket full of goodies for two newlyweds on the plane, but received a shock when a colleague delivered it to their seats.

The Reddit user wrote: '[She] goes down to their row with this nice basket with all the goods in it, and we're all watching from the flight attendant service/wait area, big smiles on our faces.

'She reaches their row, she turns to them, jumps, says something to them, bows a couple of times and walks briskly back towards the rest of us.'

It turned out the flight attendant caught the pair in the middle of a sex act.

'We all teared up from having to hold our laughter in so hard,' the user added.

A date with police

Reddit user milehighthrowayyyy works as a pilot on short- to medium-haul flights and said there have been a couple of occasions where people have been caught.

One of those moments occurred on a two-hour flight to Greece, when a couple decided to get frisky in their seats.

He wrote: 'Now that might be legit on a night time long haul flight. This was middle of the day. In summer.'

Passengers alerted cabin crew and authorities escorted the couple off the plane when it landed in Greece.

'You probably have poop on you'

A former flight attendant who uses the Reddit name wanderlilly said she caught only one couple during her career, and she let them get away with it.

She wrote: 'The rest of my crew were offended and wanted to knock on the door and ask them to leave, but did nothing about it.'

She said she gave the man a grin when he emerged from the loo, and the woman who followed him out made an excuse about feeling ill.

She wrote: 'I say go for it, have fun, have all the sex when and wherever you can, just know that half of the time those lavs are cleaned half a**ed at best.

'If you're getting all naked and sweaty in there, you probably have poop on you somewhere.'

How often does it happen?

User beef_stewardess is a regional flight attendant and said it happens every now and then.

They wrote: 'It's pretty obvious when people disappear one at a time... You see two empty seats where a flirty couple was sitting, and an occupied lav, and assume the guy isn't in there with the girl to help her through a bout of motion sickness.

'I generally don't care enough to do anything about it as long as they're discreet and don't stay in there for a year.'

Can passengers get away with it?

A flight attendant who uses the Reddit name Kzzinn said 95 per cent of the time it's 'very obvious'.

They added: 'I mean come on, sex in a public plane?! On large commercial planes it can go unnoticed, but as soon as people take their time in the toilets it can become a security hazard so we then watch out for those people and it soon becomes obvious what they've been up to.'

How dirty is the loo?

Reddit user Night-howl said joining the mile high club 'is one of the least sexy things you can do in life'.

They wrote: 'Subway floors are likely cleaner.'

Another user, highestmikeyouknow, warned travellers 'don't even try it'.

He wrote: 'The bathrooms are disgusting cesspools of scum and filth which rarely get cleaned.

'Seats, tray tables, seat belts, the floor, carpet... pretty much everything on a plane is really dirty.'

A locked door can be opened from the outside...

Most passengers probably don't know that flight attendants - or anyone with the know-how - can open a locked lavatory door from the outside without a tool or key.

User BowieBlueEye, a former flight attendant from Britain, said they have never understood the fascination with the mile high club.
For some, there's no better pre-flight routine than taking some time to relax in airport lounges - it's spacious, luxurious and there's free food and drinks.

But when one computer-savvy traveller was locked out of an airport lounge due to a glitch, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

Przemek Jaroszewski created an app that 'faked boarding passes' and allowed him to enter dozens of airport lounges in Europe in a matter of seconds.

Przemek Jaroszewski created an app that allowed him to enter just about every lounge in Europe. Pictured is Turkish Airlines' CIP lounge in Istanbul, which he accessed with the app

He made a video that showed him punching in his travel details (left) before a QR code was generated on screen

In a video that Jaroszewski created to show how the app worked, he was seen punching a series of numbers and letters into the app.

Within seconds, the app generated a QR code.

It looks just like the ones found on mobile boarding passes but without the branding.

Jaroszewski was then able to use the code at the unmanned scanners that guarded the entrance to the Turkish Airlines CIP lounge in Istanbul.

As the head of Poland's Computer Emergency Response team, Jaroszewski flies 50 to 80 times a year and is no stranger to technology, according to Wired.

The automated QR readers at the entrance to Turkish Airlines CIP lounge in Istanbul was unmanned so no one checked the app he used

He's already used his Android app, which is made up of about 500 lines of Javascript, to access dozens of lounges across Europe.

There have been occasions when the app has failed.

Jaroszewski was keen to stress that he hasn't tried to enter any lounges that he didn't already have access to as a frequent traveller as the legality of the app is not clear.

The app has also never been tested outside Europe, although Jaroszewski presented on the subject on Sunday at a security conference in Las Vegas.

And while many travellers might want to take advantage of the privileges that the app can offer, Jaroszewski is not planning a public release of the technology.

Once inside the lounge, Jaroszewski had access to all of its facilities, including the billiards room pictured above

The app could be seen as a security risk since it reveals that the QR reader guarding the entrance to the lounge does not actually check live bookings information with the airline.

However, Chris Goater, a spokesperson for International Air Transport Association (IATA) doesn't think there is a security issue.

He told MailOnline Travel: 'Whilst this gentleman and others have found a way to forge a boarding pass, they won't be able to board a flight as airlines will be able to check it against their system.

'There isn't a security implication as you would have to go through security checks anyway.

'You can create the algorithm that generates the ticket but unless you're in the airline's booking system, you won't be in the system.'
Pilots' skills were put to the test at Liverpool's airport over the weekend as passenger jets and small aircraft were shaken by fierce crosswinds.

Footage captured by a plane spotter shows aircraft rocking from side to side as they come in to land at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The weather conditions were so challenging some flights were forced to lift off after briefly touching down on the runway and aborting the landing.

Footage shows a Ryanair plane rocking from side to side before landing safely

A Wizz Air plane briefly touched down before soaring into the sky and giving it a second try

Video posted on YouTube shows the dramatic moment two planes were forced to perform a go-around and make a second landing attempt.

A Wizz Air plane briefly touched down before soaring into the sky and landing safely a short time later on the flight from Riga, Latvia.

It was a similar scenario for a Flybe flight, which flew low over the runway and lifted off.

The plane, which was flying in from Edinburgh, landed safely on its second attempt.

A Flybe flight from Edinburgh flew low over the runway as it was battered by high winds

The aircraft, a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, lifted off and performed a go-around

Footage also shows a Ryanair plane rocking from side to side as it lands, and a small private aircraft being battered by high winds on Sunday.

The YouTube user, AviationUpclose, who recorded the footage said several plane spotters staked out the airport to capture photos and video of the Red Arrows and commercial or private aircraft landing in windy conditions.
Passengers and cabin crew were forced to restrain a fellow traveller who allegedly punched a flight attendant during a drunken rampage on board a plane.

The dramatic scene unfolded on an Aeroflot flight in Russia, and the aftermath was captured on camera once the man was restrained.

Footage and photos show the passenger - wearing a T-shirt and pants - strapped into a flight attendant's seat with his hands tied behind his back.

The man allegedly punched a flight attendant in the face as the crew tried to calm him down

Russian media said the man punched a flight attendant in the face on a domestic flight from the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, on an island just north of Japan, to Moscow.

The captain tried to convince the passenger, named as Maxim G., to calm down and return to his seat after flight attendants complained about unruly behaviour.

But the man allegedly lost his temper and assaulted one of the flight attendants.

Other crew members and passengers rushed in to help, and they managed to overpower the man and tie his hands behind his back with duct tape from the galley.

Crew and passengers tackled the man and bound his hands with duct tape

They strapped him into a flight attendant's seat, near an exit, to keep him away from other travellers.

Footage of the aftermath was recorded by a passenger and posted on social media, where it has quickly gone viral.

In the clip, the man can be heard swearing at cabin crew and challenging them to a fight - even though his hands are bound.

He said: 'Come on, punch me, come on. You can do it, can't you? Punch me f***ing hard.'

The plane was met on the runway by police officers, who took the man into custody.
Getting a prime position on the beach is a top priority for many holidaymakers who want to make the most of their time in the sun.

But coast guards around Italy are cracking down on beachgoers who are getting there early, sometimes even the night before, to save a spot.

As well as confiscating any beach chairs and loungers left overnight, the coast guards are issuing fines of 200 (170) in some parts of the country.

Coast guards around Italy are cracking down on people saving a spot on the beach with their towels and deckchairs (file photo)

'Operation Safe Sea', as it's being called by Italian newspaper La Repubblica, is already in effect up and down the country.

In Livorno for example, 37 deck chairs, 30 umbrellas, a cot, several towels and even swimwear were removed by coast guards from the beach on Saturday.

They occupied around 100m of the public beach.

It's not just one individual who was involved - dozens of people are said to have been the owners of these items.

And for those who have had their belongings confiscated, they will need to pay the fine of 200 (170) to get their possessions back, according to the report.

There were also incidences of tourists being duped by individuals who charge them to use the deckchairs.

In Livorno, 37 deck chairs, 30 umbrellas, a cot, several towels and even swimwear were removed by coast guards from the beach on Saturday (file photo)

The rules appear to vary from place to place.

For example, the city of Cecina only forbids leaving 'equipment unattended before 8.30am' and has made it illegal.

While it doesn't appear as though anyone has paid the fine or has been arrested yet, the coast guards hope the crackdown will help reduce the 'widespread malpractice' of saving space on the beach.

A representative told Tgcom24: 'One of the objectives is to protect the community from all forms of abuse which limits the right of use [of] the sea and the beaches.'
Keira Maguire's father Alistah Laishkochav was convicted of 20 child sex offences and one charge of reckless injury in 2000, it has been revealed in Woman's Day magazine.

The self-prescribed spiritual guru was also the leader of a bizarre polygamous cult, which included his nine wives and 64 children, one of them being the Bachelor contestant.

Before meeting his nine wives, Alistah was a police constable in New Zealand and went by his real name, Ian Lowe.

Scroll down for video

Dark past: It's been revealed The Bachelor's Keira Maguire grew up in a religious cult with her polygamous father, his nine wives and 63 other children

Keira told Daily Mail Australia that she has never had a relationship with Alistah, and fled the cult when she was just five-years-old with her mother and some of her siblings.

'My mother removed my family from that environment when I was five years old, over 25 years ago,' she said.

'I was brought up by my mother and grandmother in Brisbane in a loving, caring and compassionate household.

'I had a wonderful childhood and I am extremely grateful to both my mother and grandmother for the upbringing which they provided me and my siblings.

'Although I have since met and reunited with my family, I have never had a relationship with Alistah Laishkochav.'

Keira's former cult family: The reality TV contestant's family consisted of her father Alistah Laishkochav's nine wives and their 64 children

'I am extremely grateful to both my mother and grandmother': Keira told Daily Mail Australia she's thankful to her nan (pictured) for her upbringing after leaving the cult

She concluded: ' Alistah Laishkochav is not relevant to who I am nor does he define me.'

As reported in Woman's Day, the reality TV starlet kept her dark past hidden from The Bachelor's producers and only told them that her 'father died 30 years go.'

Up until the age of seven, Keira had been living with her mother Michelle and their extended family in Bells Beach, Victoria before moving to the hippie town of Byron Bay.

Her biggest secret: The social media star kept her extended family hidden from The Bachelor's producers

Lookalike: Keira left the cult with her sister Leilani (pictured) and their mother Michelle, along with three other siblings in 1993

Big family: Some of Keira's siblings, including her brother Shath have reunited since leaving the cult

Alistah and his wives had in fact appeared in Woman's Day in 1992 where one of the women revealed 'the one unbreakable rule in this household is loyalty to Alistah.'

The cult dissolved in 1993 following allegations of Alistah's offences and Keira's mother Michelle took her and her siblings Leilani, Shath, Jade, Ty and Sean to Queensland, where they began a new life.

Keira's half-brother Moke has confirmed to Woman's Day that he is related to the blonde and revealed 'the family find it hilarious' that their relative has landed on television.

Brother: Keira's brother Sean still lives in Brisbane, where they were raised by their mother and grandmother after leaving the cult

Scattered around Australia: Keira's other full-blood brothers Ty (L) and Shath (R) now live in separate states in Queensland and Victoria respectively

The shocking revelations come after the confident blonde took a break from social media following cyber abuse directed at her.

'I've been staying away from social media, but I did have a look at my page and someone called me a c***,' Keira told OK! magazine.

She said she was not happy with her villain status, but has decided to ignore it because she does not want to be a 'miserable mess'.

New life: The blonde lifestyle blogger now lives in Sydney's Eastern suburbs and works as a real estate account manager

Close-knit bunch: Keira's aunt Gail (pictured) was also one of Alistah's nine wives

Keira has ruffled feathers in the house following multiple confrontations with other contestants, including Eliza St John and Alex Nation.

But the outspoken real estate professional, who is friends with Richie Strahan's cousin Lisa Clark, said she did not exaggerate her opinions for the camera.

'If anything I had a filter and tended not to say much because trust me, if I did actually say what I thought, shit would be going down,' she said.

Keira said the constant steam of confrontations left her feeling drained during filmed.

She revealed that she contemplated leaving the mansion 'every day' and was so stressed that she could not sleep at night.
Luisa Zissman certainly doesn't hold back when it comes to communicating with her social media followers.

So as she settles in caring for her newborn daughter Indigo, the former Apprentice star admitted she was in a lot of pain from breastfeeding.

The mother-of-two, 29, posted an Instagram selfie of her breasts covered in cabbage leaves and iced towels as she took care of her five-day-old baby.

Scroll down for video

Feeling the pain: Luisa Zissman shared a photo of her swollen breasts on Instagram after giving birth to her second child a few days ago

Luisa and second husband Andrew Collins welcomed baby Indigo Esme at London's Portland Hospital on Tuesday.

And like many new mothers experience, the former Celebrity Big Brother star is finding the first few days of nursing rather painful.

Sharing the photo on her Instagram on Sunday, Luisa wrote: 'Cabbage leafs and iced towels in plastic bags, the glamorous life of motherhood. Regretting that boob job right about now. #engorged #massivemelons.'

Sneak peek: Luisa shared a photo of her six-day-old daughter on Instagram, with her face obscured

Flamboyant fashion: The Apprentice runner-up shared a photo of baby Indigo in a bright coloured baby grow

Luisa previously under a breast enlargement operation in 2013, taking her chest from a 32C to a 32E.

Luisa also teased her 414K followers with photos of her newborn - but the little girl's face was obscured in both images.

In one shot of her baby wearing a neon flamingo-print babygrow, Luisa wrote: 'How amazing is this baby gro! Literally fluorescent haha poor baby, probably blinded her.'

Luisa arrived home from hospital on Friday to be greeted by Irish millionaire husband Andrew, 46, and her six-year-old daughter Dixie, from her first marriage to Oliver Zissman.

Ready to pop: Luisa shared a photo of her belly on Instagram just 24 hours before giving birth to Indigo

She announced Indigo's birth on Friday with a photo of the baby's hand, writing: 'She's here! Born Tuesday 2nd August at 9.21pm weighing a very healthy 8.1lbs (where was she hiding in my little bump?!). Daddy won't let me post any pics of her so this is all you'll get, but she's perfect in every way.

'I had a perfect hypnobirth in water, she was born very quickly after a 1hr labour with no pain relief. I love giving birth!! It's the most amazing thing ever!

'Finally home from hospital & enjoying being a family of 4! Oh and her name: Indigo Esme Collins.'

Ready for some sleepless nights: Luisa shared a dark photo of Indigo's crib next to the bed on her first night home from hospital

Luisa revealed in April she was pregnant with her first child with Andrew, who she wed at the Chateau de la Napoule, a waterside castle on the French Riviera in July 2015.

The pair, who share a 17 year age gap, started dating in late 2013 - a few months after she found fame on The Apprentice - with Andrew proposing with a 1.5million Boodles ring in Paris in October 2014.

She remains on good terms with her first husband Oliver - founder of Totally Fitness - who she split from in 2012 following three years of marriage after he allegedly cheated on her.
Reese Witherspoon is ready for some adventure this summer.

And the 40-year-old wasted no time after she arrived to Venice, Italy on Saturday with her friends for an all girls trip.

Reese and her gal pals enjoyed a boat ride through the canals of the Italian city just hours after landing.

Scroll down for video

Enjoying the view: Reese Witherspoon wasted no time after arriving to Venice, Italy on Saturday with her friends for their all girls trip

Since arriving, the actress has been meticulously documenting her European getaway on her social media.

Upon arrival, the Legally Blonde star shared a group shot to her Instagram, captioning it: 'Girls trip begins! #herewego #summeradventures #girlstrip2016.'

The mother of three wore a red,white and blue dress while posing with her pals in the sweet snap.

On Snapchat, Reese posted clips from their evening boat ride around the city while showing off the breathtaking views.

Starting off the fun: Upon arrival, the Legally Blonde star shared a group shot with her friends, captioning it: 'Girls trip begins! #herewego #summeradventures #girlstrip2016'

All aboard: Reese and her gal pals enjoyed a boat ride through the canals of the Italian city just hours after landing

Views: The actress has been documenting her European getaway on her social media

The blonde starlet shared snaps as she asked her friends where they were going; one pal replied: 'I don't know...somewhere yummy for dinner.'

The Sweet Home Alabama actress filmed their ride through the canals as they admired the architecture and explored their surroundings

Wearing her white framed sunglasses and a floral print eyelet dress, Reese posed for a quick snap with a friend for Instagram; she wrote: 'Arrived! #summeradventures.'

'Summer adventures': Wearing her white framed sunglasses and a floral print eyelet dress, she posed for a quick snap with a friend for Instagram; she wrote: 'Arrived'

Summer in the city: The Sweet Home Alabama actress documented their ride in the boat through the canals as they admired the architecture

Stunning surroundings: On Snapchat, Reese posted clips from their evening boat ride around the city while showing off the breathtaking views

The movie star started off her Sunday with an iced beverage while overlooking the stunning Santa Maria della Salute, a church completed in 1687.

Reese captioned the scenic shot: 'This view. #girlstrip2016 #summeradventures.'

On Friday, Reese shared a picture of herself seated on her luggage after she finished packing.

She rocked a blouse from her fashion label Draper James, adding white trousers and gold heels to finish off her travel ensemble; she wrote: 'Phew. all packed up and ready to go!'

History: The movie star started off her Sunday with an iced beverage while overlooking the stunning Santa Maria della Salute, a church completed in 1687

Enjoying the night: The blonde starlet shared snaps as she asked her friends where they were going; one pal replied: 'I don't know...somewhere yummy for dinner'

Grinning ear to ear: The starlet posed for a Snapchat photo with friends during their boat ride around Venice
He recently announced his split from girlfriend Rebecca Harding, telling co-host Hamish Blake they parted ways 'a little while ago'.

And with his newly single status and charming good looks, Andy Lee could well be in the running to be the star of the next series of The Bachelor.

Since news of his relationship status broke, fans of the comedian and radio host have taken to Twitter to suggest Andy be Richie Strahan's successor.

Scroll down for video

On the market: With his newly-single status and charming good looks, Andy Lee could well be in the running to be the star of the next series of The Bachelor

One user wrote: '@andy_lee can you please be next years bachelor ????? rt if u support this decision'.

Another determined user commented: ' I propose @andy_lee be the next Bachelor @hamishandandy @TheBachelorAU. Can we make this happen?'

Meanwhile, one wanted to create a petition, writing: 'Petition to make Andy Lee the new Bachelor'.

Hopeful! Dedicated fans have taken to Twitter to suggest Andy become Richie Strahan's successor, and some have created a page titled Andy Lee For Bachelor 2017

And some dedicated Andy Lee fans have created a Facebook page titled Andy Lee For Bachelor 2017.

The 35-year-old, who previously dated bombshell Megan Gale, is no stranger to female attention, winning Cleo Bachelor Of The Year in 2006.

However he had been off the market for sometime, after meeting his now ex-girlfriend in a cafe in Melbourne.

Splitsville: The 35-year-old radio host split with girlfriend Rebecca Harding, 25, in June

Getting behind him: Many Andy Lee fans have taken to Twitter to suggest he become the Bachelor 2017

Determined: One fan clearly wanted to see the charming radio host as the star of the hit Channel Ten Show

Action: And another even wanted to start a petition

Rebecca, 25, was working as a waitress and after serving Andy, he worked up the courage to speak to her and eventually left a note on a napkin.

'I was trying to chat to her, so I was ordering a lot,' he told listeners on his show after being grilled by his co-host Hamish to reveal the details.

'I had like an hour and a half breakfast and you know I dont really like that because I like getting in and out in food situations.'

Done: The 2DayFM presenter took the chance to share the news of his split with Rebecca while chatting to co-host Hamish on-air in late July

Making a move: The pair met while Rebecca was working as a waitress in a cafe in Melbourne, and Andy left a note for her on a napkin

But their romance hasn't lasted the distance, with the pair believed to have parted ways in early June, reports New Idea.

The 2DayFM presenter took the chance to share the news of his split chatting to co-host Hamish in late July.

'Bec and I broke up a little while ago,' he revealed after the pair's conversation veered towards kissing.

The final rose: Richie Strahan's search for love on the hugely-popular reality show is currently underway, with 12 out of 22 women still in the running to win his heart

Blissful: Sam Wood found love with Snezana Markoski in 2015 and the pair are now engaged and living in the house they purchased together in Melbourne

Richie Strahan's search for love on the hugely-popular reality show is currently underway, with 12 out of 22 women still in the running to win his heart.

Sam Wood found love with Snezana Markoski in 2015 and the pair are now engaged and living in the house they purchased together in Melbourne.

And original Bachelor couple - Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich - who met on the show in 2013, are still dating however they are not engaged.

Loved-up: Original Bachelor couple - Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich - who met on the show in 2013, are still dating however they are not engaged

Meanwhile, 2014's Bachelor Blake Garvey is certainly no poster boy.

The controversial star proposed to Sam Frost in the finale, before dumping her for the show's second-runner up Louise Pillidge.

And after he also called time on that relationship, the Perth-based auctioneer was unsurprisingly branded as a 'love rat' by viewers of the show.

Controversial: Blake Garvey proposed to Sam Frost in the 2014 finale, before dumping her for the show's second-runner up Louise Pillidge
She played a big part in introducing the Summer Olympics.

But it was time for Gisele Bundchen to bid farewell to Brazil, as she was spotted Sunday jetting out of Rio de Janeiro with her two children Vivian, three, and Benjamin, six.

The 36-year-old looked stunning as she carried her daughter against her hip and a pillow in her free hand while heading towards the airport.

So fly: Gisele Bundchen looked stunning as she jetted out of Rio de Janeiro on Sunday with her children, Vivian and Benjamin

Her son Benjamin strode ahead, sporting a playful yellow animal hat and rolling his suitcase.

Gisele looked stunning and effortlessly stylish in her tight grey jeans, white top, and wavy hair 'do.

Ready for bedtime? No doubt ready to kick back and relax on the plane ride home, Bundchen carried a plush black pillow

Making their exit: Gisele, Vivian, and Benjamin made their exit out of their car

The catwalk queen sported a bright pink lip and a flawless, dewy complexion.

Plush pillow in hand, it's clear Gisele was ready to kick back and relax on the plane ride home after a very exciting past few days in Brazil.

On Friday, the star helped kick off the Summer Olympics by sauntering down a runway during the Opening Ceremony in a sparkling silver dress.

Makeup perfection: The catwalk queen sported a bright pink lip and a flawless, dewy complexion

Unforgettable: On Friday, the star helped kick off the Summer Olympics by sauntering down a runway during the Opening Ceremony in a sparkling silver dress

Although Gisele retired from the catwalk last year to focus on her family and other projects, the model made this - the Opening Ceremony in her Brazil - her stunning return.

In an interview with People, Gisele revealed that she was indeed nervous.

'This is for sure the longest runway I have ever walked in my life and by far with the most amount of people watching, so it is a little nerve-wracking I must say,' she admitted.

'This is a very special moment for my country and I am humbled that they invited me to be a part of such a special celebration.'
She captured hearts across the globe back in 2000, when she took centre stage at the Sydney Olympic Games opening ceremony.

And since then Nikki Webster has endured the highs and lows of a career in showbusiness.

Appearing on Channel Nine's Today Extra on Monday morning, the 29-year-old mother-of-one opened up about her career struggles, as well as the highlights including meeting late singing sensation Michael Jackson.

Scroll down for video

Opening up: Appearing on Channel Nine's Today Extra on Monday, Nikki Webster spoke about her career struggles, as well as the highlights including meeting late singer Michael Jackson

It was back in 1996 when Nikki met Michael, during his HIStory tour and Ghost premiere Down Under.

'I met him when he had his movie and then we all got kind of trampled on by a lot of fans,' she told Today Extra hosts David Campbell and Sonia Kruger.

'We went back to his hotel room and he asked me to come up and sing with him Cure the World on stage and he gave me a jacket of his that says 'Especially Made For Michael Jackson'.

Connections: Nikki said it was back in 1996 when Nikki met Michael, during his HIStory tour and Ghost premiere Down Under

And I actually got told (by a mutual friend) that he remembered me when he saw me do the olympics,' she also divulged.

'He remembered meeting me.'

Nikki added: 'I absolutely adored him. He was such an honest artist. Of course being kids we asked him to do the moon walk for us.

'He actually said "You'll have to wait until you me on stage because I'm really shy as in just in front of people but get me on stage and that's where I come to life".'

Child star: The Australian singer shot to fame after performing at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony

Nikki also said she relates to that sentient, explaining: 'On stage I feel at home, but one-on-one I get a little bit nervous and shy'.

Also opening up about her decision to move to Los Angeles five years after her 2000 Olympics performance, the media personality said: 'I was 18 and I was like I need to find out who I am.

Rising star: She captured hearts across the globe back in 2000, when she took centre stage flying over the crowd of the Sydney Olympic Games opening ceremony

'There were a lot people tring to dictate me doing the sexy thing, me doing whatever it was.. so I said to mum and dad, "I'm off".'

Meanwhile when speaking to Daily Mail Australia last week, the dance teacher admitted stardom 'made me grow up a lot quicker', though 'it wasnt [necessarily] a bad way to grow up'.

'It was an amazing experience and journey for me and continues to be because it was such an amazing moment for our country... being Australian and being able to represent my country,' she said.
They met while working as trainers on The Biggest Loser in 2008, and have starred alongside each other on the show ever since.

However, it seems Steve 'Commando' Willis and partner Michelle Bridges' run with the hit reality program may be coming to an end, reports Woman's Day.

And appearing on The Today Show on Monday, Steve appeared to dodge the question when prompted by host Lisa Wilkinson.

Scroll down for video

Done and dusted? It seems Steve 'Commando' Willis and partner Michelle Bridges' run as trainers on The Biggest Loser may have come to an end

'I'm not sure what's going on with all of that,' the 40-year-old said as he seemed slightly thrown by the topic.

He added: ' That comes down to a year-by-year thing and if there's a phone call to do it, we'll do it.'

Steve and Michelle, who share one son - nine-month-old Axel - are reportedly being replaced by producers who are on the hunt for new talent.

Unsure: The 40-year-old fitness fanatic said he wasn't sure what was going on with the next season of the Channel Ten reality show as he appeared on Today on Monday

It is believed fellow trainers Tiffiny Hall and Shannan Ponton are also set to be ditched by Channel Ten.

Michelle and Steve's romance has blossomed since meeting on the show, with both of the fitness fanatics leaving their respective partners to pursue a relationship.

Steve has three other children from previous relationships, Brianna, 17, Ella, six, and son Jack, four.

Laugh it off: Steve appeared to be caught off guard when questioned about his future on the show

A reputation: Steve has starred as the tough as nails trainer on The Biggest Loser since 2008

Loved-up: The pair met as trainers on the show in 2008 and now share one child together

However, Axel is Michelle's first child and it is clear that he is taking after his father - as he is the spitting image of Steve.

And Michelle seems to be loving life with her tiny tot, embracing motherhood and regularly sharing snaps of Axel to social media.

But the new mother opened up about her struggles in a 16-minute video to Instagram.

'I have not slept a full night in seven months,' the doting mother said.

Fit and fabulous! They welcomed baby Axel in December 2015 and regularly share updates of family life to social media

The television personality said that although her son is well behaved during the day, at nighttime 'he just wants to party.'

'That could be my 20-year-old self coming out in him but I don't know, he's not sleeping that well.'

She continued: 'So hand over heart, I have to say it's been seven months and I have not slept a full night.'

But despite the brunette's lack of sleep, she still maintains her gruelling workout schedule and dedication to staying active.
FARGO, N.D.  FarmLogs Inc., a Michigan-based agricultural app and information management company, is holding a series of six meetings aimed at row crop farmers in six states, including North Dakota and central Minnesota.

Farmlogs Summer Roadshow stops will be held on Aug. 11 and 12 at John Bertsch Farm near Hillsboro and George Elfering Farms at Bird Island, Minn., respectively. Both events run from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Bertsch started using FarmLogs in 2013 and raises corn, soybeans, wheat and sunflowers. The event features a free meal, sponsored by AgCountry Farm Credit Services, and a chance to look at a 2017 Ford Super Duty pickup.

The Elferings raise corn, soybeans, sugar beets, sweet corn and peas. A meal is provided by United FCS, based in Willmar, Minn.

Registration is requested, a day ahead of either event. Visit go.farmlogs.com for the requested preregistration. Other events are scheduled in Texas, Illinois, Iowa and Michigan.

John Nowatzki, a North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineer who has led some of the institutions efforts to educate farmers about precision technology, says hes aware of FarmLogs and says it appears to be one of the legitimate companies serving its information market.

Jesse Vollmar, CEO and company co-founder, says the meetings are designed to meet row crop growers and share experiences about farming in todays high-tech environment. Vollmar says some 10,000 farmers in the Dakotas and Minnesota have downloaded FarmLogs Standard applications that have been available for nearly four years. The Standard application does things such as track rainfall, growth stage of plants and field conditions.

The paid FarmLogs Advantage program, launched in December 2015, uses satellite imagery to highlight crop health problems, fertilizer and pest or disease problems.

FarmLogs is DBA of AgriSight Inc., incorporated in Aug. 30, 2012, in Delaware. The company uses publicly-available data  market prices, rainfall, crop rotation and inventory. Farmer-clients can get the cloud-based information from the field.

The company is based in Ann Arbor, Mich. He is associated with Vollmar Family Farms Inc., an operation run by his father, Mark, and uncle, Steven. The two-farm 1,200-acre certified organic farm near Caro, east of Saginaw, Mich., on which FarmLogs is an integral component, according to the company. Jesse holds a degree in computer information systems from Saginaw Valley State University.
The Big Bang Theory is one of the most popular sitcoms on television.

But Mayim Bialik was not familiar with Sheldon, Penny or 'bazinga' prior to being involved in it.

The 40-year-old actress made the revelation that she was unfamiliar with the CBS programme while onstage at the #BlogHer2016 Experts Among Us Conference in Los Angeles on Friday.

When talking about the opportunity to audition for the show came up, she explained: 'I had never seen it.'

TV star onstage: On Friday, Mayim Bialik was a keynote speaker at the #BlogHer16 Experts Among Us Conference in Los Angeles

She dropped by the JW Marriott Los Angeles at LA Live in a black cocktail dress that slid up over her slender legs. She threw a denim jacket over her outfit, and matched her pink lipstick with pink sneakers.

Samantha Skey, President of SheKnows Media, which held the conference, interviewed the former Candid Camera hostess onstage. Much of the discussion revolved around the interviewee's website Kveller, on which she discusses being a Jewish mother of two.

One of the highlights of the discussion came, however, when the conversation turned to the current role that earned her four Emmy nominations.

Conversation and candour: The actress and neuroscientist was interviewed onstage by Samantha Skey, President of SheKnows Media, which held the conference

Bialik had acted since childhood, and when she was a teenager starred as the title character on the NBC sitcom Blossom, which lasted five seasons.

Yet as an adult, she turned her energies to motherhood and neuroscience, obtaining a PhD in the latter from UCLA in 2007. She told Skey she only veered back into show business because after her degree was completed, her health insurance expired.

She joined The Big Bang Theory for its third season finale, and was upgraded to series regular for the following season.

Swanky surroundings: The discussion took place at the JW Marriott Los Angeles at LA Live

Yet before her audition, 'I had never seen it. I had heard about it and thought it was a game show, 'cause someone told me I was mentioned on it, I think in the first season.'

The acting resume she brought to her audition appeared to have helped secure her the gig. 'Under miscellany, it said, like: "Speaks Spanish, Hebrew, Yiddish. PhD in neuroscience." Because I felt like it should go on a resume. Like, I worked seven years for that.'

Upon seeing that particular credential, 'Bill Prady, who created Big Bang Theory [along with Chuck Lorre], was at my audition, and he's like: "Is this for real?" And I was like, "Yeah,"' said Bialik, laughing and shrugging.

New girl: She revealed that when she got the chance to audition for her acclaimed role in The Big Bang Theory, she had never seen the programme and thought it was a 'game show'

The Renaissance woman revealed that when she finally snagged the job, her character Amy Farrah Fowler, was still being developed.

'Bill Prady,' she said, 'was quoted somewhere as saying, "We made her a neurobiologist so Mayim could fix things if they're wrong."'

The Critic's Choice Television Award winner joked, 'Any good actor has to pretend to be what they're not, so I actually feel like they must not have thought very much of me.'

Just when I got out: The child actress had taken a break from that profession to pursue neuroscience, and only returned when her health insurance expired
They've been dating for a few years and officially got engaged two months ago.

And now Peter Stefanovic has elaborated on how he won the heart of Sylvia Jeffreys, confessing that the love letter he famously sent to the blonde beauty was sprayed with his own cologne.

'I wrote her a letter, I did it old-school,' the broadcast journalist told The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

'I actually sprayed it with a bit of cologne:' Peter Stefanovic spritzed a love letter with his own cologne to win over Sylvia Jeffreys

He continued: 'It just said that I enjoyed working with her over Christmas, because we did the Today show over 2013.'

It was at this point that Peter made the cringe-worthy confession about marking the letter with his signature scent.

'I actually sprayed it with a bit of cologne,' he chuckled as Kyle Sandilands groaned, before adding: 'I cheesed it up.'

'It just said that I enjoyed working with her over Christmas:' The first smelly letter expressed Peter's feelings about working with the blonde beauty on the Today show

In June, Sylvia opened up to Show + Tell about the love letters Peter used to court her back in the early days of their relationship.

'It was just nice things, about having a nice time working together and wishing me well,' she said, referring to the content of the romantic messages.

She added: 'There's something for a 33-year-old man to sit down and hand-write a letter and post it to you. It doesn't matter what's in that letter but that's a gesture in itself.'

'It doesn't matter what's in that letter but that's a gesture in itself:' Sylvia has previously expressed how much she appreciated Peter's romantic gesture

The happy couple officially got engaged in June during a romantic trip to Europe.

Sharing a picture to Instagram of the pair together, Peter wrote: Asked my missus to be my wife and she said yes.'

Meanwhile, Sylvia wrote: 'How's this for a framer?! A couple of weeks ago Pete popped the question, and I said yes, OF COURSE!!!

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.

Asked my missus to be my wife and she said yes:' The pair got engaged in Europe back in June
He relocated his family to Australia from the US in late 2014.

And it looks like Chris Hemsworth has no regrets about the big move to New South Wales Coastal town Byron Bay, where he and wife Elsa Pataky are treated to greater privacy with their three children.

'We can walk straight down to the beach, we can have a normal existence and the kids have a hell of a lot more fun than they did back in the States,' the 32-year-old actor told Woman's Day magazine.

Feeling right at home: Chris Hemsworth has no regrets about the big move to New South Wales Coastal town Byron Bay with wife Elsa and their three children

The couple are often spotted out and about in Byron Way with their four-year-old daughter India Rose, and two-year-old twin sons Tristan and Sasha.

And the two talented stars have some go-to spots for their dining and shopping needs.

They are often seen at local eatery The Farmhouse, while 40-year-old Elsa is quite the fan of hippie chic-inspired ensembles from local fashion retailer Spell.

Revealing the blonde beauty 'owns practically everything from the store', one sale assistant told Woman's Day that her 'style is effortless and softly feminine', and she has a preference to go barefoot while out and about.

Relaxed: The couple spotted enjoying a juice last month, going about their business without interruptions

In her element: Elsa enjoys sporting hippie chic style clothing and going barefoot

Beach life: The couple enjoy living so close to the beach

Meanwhile a shopkeeper told the publication that the family just go about their business like everyone else, saying: 'They see extremely down-to-earth for celebrities'.

Earlier this year Thor star Chris said he was content with his decision to move the family back Down Under, as he found the Hollywood lifestyle 'suffocating'.

'I love what I do as an actor, but when you are surrounded by it constantly, it becomes a bit suffocating,' he told Modern Luxury.

Local hot spots: They are often seen at local eatery The Farmhouse, while 40-year-old Elsa is quite the fan of hippie chic-inspired ensembles from local fashion retailer Spell

Life Down Under: Chris and his family reportedly splashed out on a $7.2 million property in Byron Bay in September 2014 - and has made no secret of wanting his children to grow up in Australia

Active lifestyles: The couple are known to enjoy active lifestyles, including yoga and surfing and are eager for their kids be similarly inspired by life in the beach-side town

Great outdoors: Chris said in a recent interview, he enjoys chatting to people who don't live and breathe Hollywood and says moving to a kind of farm setup back has been the best thing

'Its nice to have conversations with people and be a part of a community that doesnt live and breathe that world.

'We were living shoulder to shoulder in the suburbs and thought thats not how we want our kids to grow up. Moving to a kind of farm setup back here on the coast in Australia has been the best thing.'

Chris and his family reportedly splashed out on a $7.2 million property in Byron Bay in September 2014 - and has made no secret of wanting his children to grow up in Australia.

Domestic duties: Chris became Chef Hemsworth when a local bakery was not able to take on the order for his daughter's birthday cake and posted his roaring success on social media

Family man: Elsa even proudly shared a shot of the actor returning straight to the kitchen after a premiere in LA

The following month, the ex-Home and Away star told Daily Mail Australia: Were spending more and more time back in Australia and I definitely want the kids to grow up here and spend time here.

We were in California a lot I missed it here and my wife missed it too so that was our goal to get back here.
She cancelled tour dates over the weekend after coming down with a case of tonsillitis.

And on Sunday, Ruby Rose took to social media to explain to fans she 'woke up in a bed of sweat' as she continues to battle the infection.

'Dreamt I was in the sun getting too hot, then swimming... Not the same was just over heating and laying in a wet bed,' she wrote alongside a photo of herself topless in bed.

Scroll down for video

Bed ridden: Ruby Rose took to social media on Sunday to explain to fans she 'woke up in a bed of sweat' as she continues a bottle of tonsillitis

'Send ginger, soup and my mother or someone else's mother,' the Australian DJ-turned-actress continued.

In another post, shared minutes earlier, the 30-year-old sat upright in the white sheeted bed with a range of medication packets in her lap.

While displaying a blank facial express, Ruby clutched onto a black mug which had a teabag falling out of the side, and a bowel of spinach.

Not impressed: In another post, shared minutes earlier, the 30-year-old sat upright in bed with a range of medication packets in her lap

'Because this is totally where I'd rather be right now, rather than performing for my fans...,' she captioned the image.

'Where I played last year and had a blast... Never let people make you feel bad for being sick and ALWAYS put your health first we have one life and one body. We are all human.'

Earlier in the day, Ruby hit back at critics who have doubted her health issues after she cancelled a string of upcoming shows.

Speaking out: Earlier in the day, Ruby hit back at critics who have doubted her health issues after she cancelled a string of upcoming shows

Taking to Twitter, she told her followers: 'It's upsetting to see people questioning me getting tonsillitis...And cancelling 2 of 15 shows in a month...Off the back of filming a movie'

The Orange Is The New Black star, who has been filming three new movies, then touched on her busy schedule.

'But I don't party, I've not been to one club except when playing here and I've had a 3 day vacation with childhood friends I flew out.. Where we slept, watched movies and went to the beach.

'I don't drink as everyone knows, I'm run down and got tonsillitis its that simple. x

Social media posts: Taking to Twitter, the Australian actress and DJ told her followers it was 'upsetting to see people questioning me getting tonsillitis'

Clearing it up: She added: 'I don't care what "people think" but I wanted to clear it up for the fans, however you should know me by now'

'Lastly, I trained hard for 3 films and continue to train hard, more than ever in my life.. I'm fit ( well before I got sick ). Thats all (sic).'

Meanwhile, the media personality, who has been touring Europe for nearly a month, shared an Instagram snap earlier on Saturday while informing fans of the cancellation of upcoming shows.

She posted the photo of herself standing in a high-end Vondom planter, telling her followers she had tonsillitis and apologised for having to cancel several shows.

'Tonsillitis and unable to fly because of the pain it's causing my ears,' she wrote alongside a sad face.

Under the weather: On Saturday she shared this snap and told her followers she had tonsillitis and apologised for having to cancel several shows

'Means no more shows and I have to stay put before returning home.'

Adding: 'Sorry guys. I didn't even know you could get tonsillitis after like, 16'.

The Orange Is The New Black star has been kicking back between shows with old friends and girlfriend Harley Gusman.
She's the mother-of-two who's currently pregnant with twin boys.

But Rebecca Judd still manages to find time in the mornings to create a flawless makeup look, which includes 10 different beauty products.

Taking to Instagram on Monday, the 33-year-old gave her 513,000 followers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to go from barefaced to beautiful.

Scroll down for video

Putting in the work! Rebecca Judd shared a video of her makeup routine via Instagram on Monday

'5 min morning routine using @theskincarecompany skincare and THE FACE by @theskincarecompany makeup,' Rebecca captioned the sped-up video.

'The lip liner is ballet but I use it all over as its the perfect nude,' she added, referring to one of the steps in the routine.

The footage begins with the Channel Nine weather presenter applying a serum and moisturiser on her already flawless complexion.

From barefaced to fully glam: The 33-year-old showed how she used 10 different products to create the final look

The former model's wet hair is slicked back with parts cascading down her shoulders as she applies foundation to her face.

The brunette then applies a bronzer, highlighter and blush on her chiselled cheek bones.

Her look is completed with lip liner, brow pencil, brow gel and finally, mascara.

Beauty expert: The weather presenter's wet hair was slicked back as she applied a pink shade to her lips

Not slowing down: The brunette beauty was seen attending a media event for Jaguar in Melbourne last week

The AFL WAG left her post at Channel Nine last Monday to begin her maternity leave.

The 26-weeks pregnant beauty - who is expecting twin boys with her husband Chris Judd - has shown no signs of slowing down since leaving work.

Keeping up with her media commitments, Rebecca was seen on Thursday night attending the Jaguar launch in Melbourne.

Rebecca and Chris, who are already parents to five-year-old son Oscar and two-year-old daughter Billie, announced the pregnancy news in April.

Expanding brood: Rebecca and her husband Chris Judd are proud parents to Oscar, five, and Billie, two

'We are giddy with excitement but at the same time we are really shocked', the Postcards host told the Herald Sun.

'We cant quite believe it. We were weighing up whether to go for a third. We thought we would give it a try, and the first go we ended up having twins, which was so unexpected'.

An initial eight-week scan failed to detect the second baby.

It was only when she undertook a routine follow-up scan four weeks later that she discovered she was expecting twins.
On TV, they're competing to win the heart of Richie Strahan.

But on Saturday night, a handful of beauties from The Bachelor looked single and ready to mingle as they partied the night away in Melbourne.

Georgia Tripos and Sasha Zhuravlyova, along with eliminated Bachelorettes Aimee Psellos and Tolyna Baan, lapped up the limelight at the popular venue.

Girl's night! The Bachelor's Sasha Zhuravlyova, Georgia Tripos, Tolyna Baan, and Aimee Psellos partied at Lux nightclub on Saturday

The foursome were spotted confidently posing alongside the media wall as they made the most of their fifteen minutes of fame.

Brunette beauty Georgia, 24, reportedly works at the club, despite billing herself as an 'artist' on The Bachelor.

The bombshell is also an aspiring glamour model, having previously taken part in an extremely racy lingerie shoot last year that surfaced after she was announced to star in the Channel Ten reality series.

Working hard: Brunette beauty Georgia, 24, reportedly works at the club, despite billing herself as an 'artist' on The Bachelor

Provocative: Both Georgia and Tolyna opted for racy attire for their night out on the town

While Georgia worked the red carpet in a provocative black dress with a plunging neckline, personal trainer Tolyna flaunted her chiseled abs in a midriff top and a beige miniskirt.

The bronzed blonde, 32, also sported knee-high boots, and wore a chunky bangle on one arm.

While Aimee and Tolyna decided to dress racy for the occasion, Aimee and Sasha went for more conservative looks.

Stylish? Tolyna flaunted her chiseled abs in a midriff top and a beige miniskirt

Who? Aimee, who was eliminated on episode one, wore black leather pants and a loose-fitting black shirt

Aimee, who was eliminated on episode one, wore black leather pants and a loose-fitting black shirt that didn't show anything beyond a glimpse of her decolletage.

Meanwhile, fan favourite Sasha was cute and casual in blue denim jeans and a ripped, off-the-shoulder sweater.

Sasha made headlines on the first episode of The Bachelor when she was caught nibbling on her red rose during the rose ceremony.
He has been living life out of the spotlight for years now, following his battle with mental illness and several incidents of violent behaviour.

But reclusive actor Matthew Newton, who says he is now 'happy and healthy', was recently pictured shopping in New York wearing the exact same outfit over two separate days in July.

The actor, writer and director, who is son to media personality and entertainer Bert Newton and wife Patti, cut a laid-back figure as he strolled around New York to complete a spot of grocery shopping.

Scroll down for video

Out and about: Reclusive actor Matthew Newton was recently pictured shopping in New York wearing the exact same outfit over two separate days in July

The 39-year-old, who has been residing in the US for three years, donned a crinkled blue shirt which he left partially un-tucked and rolled up at the sleeves.

He added faded blue jeans and a pair of black Nike sneakers to complete the casual look as he visited the grocery store and pharmacy.

Matthew was sporting the beginnings of a beard, which was peppered with grey, and his long locks were pushed away from his face.

Going about his business: The 39-year-old cut a laid-back figure as he visit the supermarket and pharmacy in the same casual outfit

Settled: The son of media personality and entertainer Bert Newton and wife Patti, has been residing in the US for three years

The star added a pair of tinted shades to shield his eyes from the New York sunshine, and a black cuff on his right wrist.

Just above the cuff, his tattoo which reads: 'Rachel' was visible.

The tattoo is dedicated to ex-girlfriend Rachel Taylor - with whom he split in 2010 after two 'violent and unprovoked' attacks in Rome which prompted her to take out an AVO.

Moving forward: The actor, writer and director said he is now 'happy and healthy' after battling mental illness and violent behaviour in the past

Dark past: He split with Rachel Taylor in 2010 after two 'violent and unprovoked' attacks in Rome which prompted her to take out an AVO

Court documents claimed at the time that Taylor was left with injuries consistent with having her head 'bashed against the floor and walls'.

The actress, who is now based in the US, took out an Apprehended Violence Order against Newton, which prevents him from coming into contact with her.

And Matthew, who has a history of mental illness, was also convicted for assaulting his then-girlfriend, actress Brooke Satchwell in 2006.

Touchy subject: The actor was also convicted for assaulting his then-girlfriend, actress Brooke Satchwell in 2006

Reminiscing: His tattoo dedicated to former flame Rachel Taylor was visible during the outing

Court documents pertaining to the altercation between Matt and the former Wonderland actress said 'a witness for the prosecution had been expected to give evidence that Matthew not only assaulted his ex-girlfriend but threatened to harm her mother, Jane Satchwell'.

In 2011, he was again charged with assault of a taxi driver in Sydney.

But in late 2015, he opened up to Seven News, saying that he was doing 'everything in my human power' to ensure history doesn't repeat itself.

'I want, in the second half of my life, to be an exemplary citizen, a successful professional and one day a really good parent.'

Deep in thought: The star added a pair of tinted shades to shield his eyes from the New York sunshine, and a black cuff on his right wrist
They recently gave in to the growing sexual tension between them.

And it appears as though romance is blossoming between Justin Morgan and Phoebe Nicholson on Home And Away.

Justin, who is played by heartthrob James Stewart, was seen kissing Isabella Giovinazzo on the set of the popular soap opera on Monday.

Locking lips: James Stewart was seen kissing his co-star Isabella Giovinazzo on the set of Home And Away on Monday

The pair were pictured enjoying a romantic walk in Palm Beach, north of Sydney, before stopping to sit and chat.

They were seen flirting as they perched on a fence in the sunshine during filming for the show.

Wearing a teal vest and grey shorts, James, 40, showed off his rippling muscles as he kissed his co-star.

New romance? It appears as though romance is blossoming between their characters Justin Morgan and Phoebe Nicholson

Sexual tension: They were seen flirting as they perched on a fence in the sunshine during filming for the show

Passionate: The pair were seen kissing after going on a romantic walk in Palm Beach, north of Sydney

Flirting: They were giggling as they filmed the scene for the soap opera on Monday

Isabella also opted for a casual look in a denim vest, white jeans and combat boots.

She wore her brunette locks pulled back in a high bun and was seen smiling as she filmed the tender scene.

James reportedly split from single mother Jessica Nock after a brief romance in May this year

Physique: Wearing a teal vest and grey shorts, James, 40, showed off his rippling muscles as he kissed his co-star

Laid back: Isabella also opted for a casual look in a denim vest, white jeans and combat boots

Beauty: She wore her brunette locks pulled back in a high bun and was seen smiling as she filmed the tender scene

Deep chat: The pair seemed as though they were deep in conversation during the scene

At the time, New Idea magazine reported the James called time on the relationship because of his romantic feelings for his ex Jessica Marais.

The actor shares a four-year-old daughter, Scout, with the blonde actress.

But James did not look as though he was letting his complicated personal life impede on his work when he filmed the scene for Home And Away.

He appeared to be in good spirits when he kissed his co-star Isabella.

Chilly? They were seen keeping warm in jackets as they learned lines

Intense: The pair were seen gazing at each other as they practised the scene
Teresa Giudice was shown awkwardly confronting husband Joe about rumors he cheated on her while she was in jail.

The latest episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey showed Teresa, 44, settling back home after prison and telling friends the cheating stories were a bunch of crap.

But she was still caught having an awkward confrontation with her husband, asking hesitant questions about the stories - without pressing him for a firm response.

Rumour has it: Teresa Giudice was shown awkwardly confronting husband Joe about rumors he cheated on her while she was in jail on the latest Real Housewives Of New Jersey

The showdown started after they kissed at home following a yoga session, with Teresa complaining about her husbands garlic breath and him telling her: You should be happy I eat a lotta garlic because you know I aint kissing nobody.

Teresa then tentatively told Joe: You know, if youve cheated on me - no forgiving, you know that, right?

With Joe, also 44, merely smiling and mumbling a mm-hmm, she told him: I just wanna make sure of that.

On the mat: The showdown started after they kissed at home following a yoga session, with Teresa complaining about her husbands garlic breath and him telling her: You should be happy I eat a lotta garlic because you know I aint kissing nobody.

Downward facing dog: It started off lighthearted, with Joe taking adantage of his wife's prone position

She added: Because theres a story out you were with another woman and that when you leave Im gonna leave you.

Thats always been out there, right? he replied.

Teresa again hesitantly asked: If we didnt wanna be with each other we wouldnt be with each other, right?

I would hope not, he smiled, with Teresa telling him: Good, Im glad were on the same page with that.

Later, during an on-camera interview for the show she stressed: Listen, when you get married it says for better, for worse, through sickness and health, til death do us part.

Warning: Teresa then tentatively told Joe: You know, if youve cheated on me - no forgiving, you know that, right?

Loud and clear: Joe, also 44, merely smiled and mumbled a mm-hmm, she told him: I just wanna make sure of that.

Earlier, Siggy Flicker had asked her outright about the tabloid rumors - and admitted she was shocked Teresa had not been angry at her prying.

Instead, Teresa said that while in the past she might have been offended by the questioning she had no problem answering the questions about her marriage, with Siggy later saying she told her: Oh, its all a bunch of crap.

Teresa was also shown going in to record the audiobook of her prison memoirs, Turning the Tables: From Housewife to Inmate and Back Again - and breaking down in tears just at reading the credits dedicating it to her children.

Sealed with a kiss: It ended up on good terms with a smooch

She was particularly moved reading about her youngest, six-year-old Audriana - calling her my baby - saying: I worried that she would forget me while I was there because she was so little. I also wanted to make sure she knew I wasnt abandoning her.

There was days, when I was away, that I cried over my children, she said. Writing my book made me realize that I am a survivor and I love the person that I am.

As she repeatedly cried at the credits, wiping away her tears with a tissue, she joked with audiobook producer Ben Rimalower: The rate Im going Im never going to finish reading this book.

Back to work: Teresa was also shown going in to record the audiobook of her prison memoirs

Tough: She broke down in tears just reading the credits dedicating it to her children.

Well cry you out in the morning and then youll be done, he replied with a smile.

She also met up with her lawyers again in a meeting where he was shown the cover of the book and went through photos for it, including one where she had cornrows in her hair while inside.

She fondly recalled the great girls she met, admitting: Before I went to prison, I thought people there were bad people, but theyre just human beings like us that, you know, made mistakes in life.

And I always try to look at in the positive, like maybe God wanted me to have this time for myself.

Strength: There was days, when I was away, that I cried over my children, she said. Writing my book made me realize that I am a survivor and I love the person that I am.

Tears: She recalled some of the moments she missed while she was in prison

She then insisted it had actually made her marriage stronger, with Joe writing her emails saying he appreciates me so much more and Im sorry if I ever took you for granted.

We connected on another level, she told the meeting.

Later, she insisted: Every marriage goes through phases that either could improve the relationship or people get divorced.

In Joe and Is case, thank God, its even better.

'Ive heard, Oh my God, I cant believe shes still with him and its like, Mind your business. Thats my husband.

Memoir: She also met up with her lawyers again in a meeting where he was shown the cover of the book and went through photos for it

Nice do: They included one where she had cornrows in her hair while inside

Referring to her most famous fight from the shows history, she added: I did flip a table once, but to me turning the tables means I thought my life was perfect and then all of a sudden it got flipped around. And then the best is yet to come.

As for the book, she said: I hope I make the New York Times best-selling list - no, I WILL make the New York Times best-selling list!

Her sister-in-law Melissa Gorga, meanwhile, had her marriage to Teresas brother Joe tested, too - because of Joes extremely old-fashioned sexist values.

While Melissa was working hard to open her first fashion store, Envy, her husband merely moaned about her not doing household chores, repeatedly saying it was not the deal when they got married.

Help: Teresa's brother Joe was struggling after being left with the kids

It started when one of their sons teased him when he was looking after them, cheekily telling him: Make me some food, you woman.

Calling himself an Italian stallion not a woman, he quickly called his wife demanding she come home, telling her: This wasnt our deal! Our deal was I get married to you and you look after the kids. Ive gotta work!

He then admitted: I love hanging out with my kids. But taking care of my kids? Thats a whole different animal. I never knew it was this hard. The queen can have her job back because - its over.

The power of Christ compels you! His daughter Antonia threw an Exorcist-style tantrum at one stage

Ruff day: She added to the chaos by washing the dog in the sink

But Melissa teased him: Joe, you need to man up.

She later complained that he should be encouraging her business efforts, saying to camera: Hes the one who taught me how to have a set of balls. Here I am finding my set of balls, and hes gonna doubt me? He should be proud! He made me this way.

But Joe got even more outrageous, replying: Yay! Thats great - what about dinner?

Thats what a good businesswoman does - goes to work, then comes home and takes care of the family.

Old fashioned: Joe told his absent wife Melissa 'This wasnt our deal! Our deal was I get married to you and you look after the kids. Ive gotta work!'

However, he could not hide his pride on the stores opening night - even putting on a dress to pretend to model it - telling his wife he was just giving her a hard time.

But you are the best wife a man can have, he told her proudly, with her adding later: Once Joe starts seeing sales hell be all-in.

She also told her friends as she got ready: I want to show my daughter that you can be the best mom, the best wife, but you can also be successful in your own right.

Proud: However, he could not hide his pride on the stores opening night of her clothing store, telling his wife he was just giving her a hard time

Support: Teresa and eldest daughter Gia turned up for the red carpet event

However, Joe had managed to make her blush one more time on the red carpet of the store opening, telling waiting press: Ive lost some weight, right? A lot of boom-boom-boom in the bedroom.

The episode ended with Chris Laurita inviting Teresa and Joe over to dinner - with a sneak peek making to clear the two women get into a fight again about Teresas crimes and the way she has owned up to them.

Jacqueline had made no secret of her feelings towards her former friend, admitting earlier: I feel like Teresa 2.0 is just a publicity stunt because shes fresh out of jail. Its only a matter of time - the mask falls off eventually.
Advertisement

She's spent most of this year romancing boyfriend Vito Schnabel on the beaches of Cannes, St Barts and Los Angeles.

But this weekend was reserved for family time because golden goddess Heidi Klum was back in mummy mode, devoting her time to her children during a Caribbean getaway.

Looking lithe in a string bikini, the 43-year-old German supermodel gallivanted on the sands with an expression of sheer glee on her face.

Scroll down for video

Golden girl: Heidi Klum looked glorious when she hit the Caribbean beach during a holiday with her children this weekend

Displaying an impressive all-over glow, the mum-of-four kept herself shaded beneath a trilby hat and tipped her shades on her nose for an air of effortless chic.

She ran in and out of the water with her children; her hair neatly tucked back into a low bun so that her expression of delight was plainly visible.

Heidi, who is still utterly loved-up with 30-year-old art curator Vito following her marriage to musician Seal, 53, looked youthful beyond her years in a patterned bikini that fastened in ribbons at her hips and behind her neck.

Dive in! Heidi was joined by children Henry, 10, (left) Johan, nine, and Lou, six, in the sea

Wahoo! She looked like she was having the time of her life with her young children

Excitable: She followed the children into the water, launching herself onto the waves

Nevertheless, even a catwalk queen like Heidi admits to being self-conscious in a bikini recently telling UK TV host Lorraine Kelly that she finds it 'hard'.

She said: 'Wearing a bikini is always hard because you're in public so you know it's always intimidating a little bit. But being on the beach "almost naked" it's a little intimidating for me too at times.'

Heidi has worked as a model since posing on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 1999, but more recently carved out a career in television and now serves as a judge on America's Got Talent.

'Always stay true to yourself,' Heidi continued on her tips for aspiring catwalk stars. 'You've gotta look into the mirror and being happy with what you see at the end of the day'.

She continued: 'Especially in the beginning because people don't care about your feelings.'

Taking a dip: The lithe supermodel ran back out with her hat to make sure it didn't get too wet

Cheeky: She was forced to reach for her bikini bottoms when she ran so fast

Taking a run up: She was in high spirits, sprinting about the sands with reckless abandon

Perfect figure: The catwalk queen recently said that it's 'hard' to be seen in a bikini on the beach

Taking a break from work, this trip seems to be devoted to her three youngest children Lou, six, and Henry, 10, and Johan, nine.

The trio share musician father Seal, from whom Heidi divorced in October 2015, 10 years after they originally tied the knot.

Heidi is also mother to 12-year-old Leni, whose father is Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, who allowed Seal to adopt her and change her name to Helene Samuel during their marriage.

While Leni does not appear to be joining Heidi on the holiday, Flavio also recently admitted that he finds it hard to miss Leni because he never gets to see her.

Youthful: Heidi could have been mistaken for a woman half her age in her teeny bikini

Exciting times: The holiday is a particularly special one as her children are all together

Splish splash: Heidi's children looked particularly excited for the beach day

Leap of faith: Heidi looked sporty running up and down the sands in her tiny two-piece

Watch out: At one time, the stunner lost part of her hat and was forced to retrieve it in a fit of giggles

'Heidi, Seal and I have built an amazing relationship,' he told Italy's Il Corriere della Sera. 'It's hard to miss a baby that you never see. But I know that Leni is not an abandoned child. Leni is part of Seal's family and Nathan [his son with Elisabetta Gregoraci] is part of mine.'

He went on: 'Leni was born when Heidi and I had already split. Heidi was living in Los Angeles and I was in London, the distance between us was unbridgeable.

'We used to speak on the phone two hours a day, but it wasn't enough. She needed to stay with her mum. Then, Heidi started to date Seal and he raised her.'

Bikini babe: The model, who has her own line of swimwear, fitted perfectly into the patterned bikini

Water babies: Heidi has been spending some dedicated quality time with her children

Up your nose? Heidi looked like she had swallowed some water in all of her excitement

Heidi has recently found love again with Vito, who turned 30 at the end of July.

The handsome couple have been virtually inseparable since March 2014 when it was first revealed that they were dating.

In a birthday tribute to the hunk, she wrote on Instagram last week: 'Happy Birthday my LOVE! You light up my life!'

Before Schnabel, Heidi enjoyed an 18-month rebound romance with her bodyguard-turned-boyfriend Martin Kirsten.

Effortless: With her golden tan and neatly scraped away hair, Heidi was the ultimate yummy mummy

Hat's the way to do it: The beauty held onto her hat after briefly dipping it into the water

Multi-talon-ted: The beauty was manicured with long grey talons to complete her beach chic look

Family time: For once, Vito Schnabel was absent from the glorious beach break

Holi-YAY: Heidi has been gallivanting on the beaches of Cannes and St Barts with her boyfriend

Stunning star: Posing on the edge of the water, the bikini babe was a sight for sore eyes
Her tumultuous relationship with Gary 'Gaz' Beadle resulted in her sensationally quitting Geordie Shore earlier this year.

But despite her heartbreak, it appears the 26-year-old has well and truly moved on as she took to her Snapchat to share a saucy video of her canoodling up to model Ash Harrison.

Partying the night away at Neighbour Bar and Restaurant in Manchester in the early hours of Sunday morning, the long haired hunk leans in to plant a slew of kisses on the reality star.

Scroll down for video

P-Ash-ing on? It looks like Charlotte Crosby, 26, has moved on from her ex Gary 'Gaz' Beadle as she took to her Snapchat to share a saucy video of her canoodling with model Ash Harrison

Charlotte - who was linked to TOWIE's Mario Falcone last month after a series of flirty Twitter exchanges - looked thrilled as her rumoured new man cosied into her.

While the former Big Brother contestant kept his focus on her, the Sunderland-born stunner looked in her element in the party hotspot as she smouldered into the camera.

Later on, her sexy ensemble was on full display as she strutted her stuff in sexy thigh high boots to an awaiting taxi to head home.

Completing the clubbing look was an off-the-shoulder beige bodysuit and tiny white shorts, as she sported a high-spirited look on her face, signalling a great night.

New love? The former Geordie Shore star partied with the long haired hunk in Manchester on Saturday, before he leaned in to plant a slew of kisses on the reality star

Taken with her: Ash - a former Big Brother contestant - focused all of his attention on the Sunderland born beauty as he kept kissing her cheek

And if the rumours about her fledgling romance to Ash are true, then the Geordie lass has a heartthrob on her hands, given that he's currently signed to London's MOT Models.

As well as lending his chiselled good looks to photoshoots around the world, the 6 ft 2 chap also has his own male swimwear line Sink.

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Charlotte.

Her clearly content nature comes as a welcome surprise after her famously rocky relationship, both on and off the screen, with Gaz.

Good night? She looked typically in high spirits as she strutted her stuff in a pair of sexy thigh high boots after partying the night away at Neigbour Bar and Restaurant in Manchester

Hunky: Former BB star Ash is currently signed to London's MOT Models

Multi-talented: As well as lending his chiselled good looks to photoshoots around the world, the 6 ft 2 in heartthrob also has his own male swimwear line Sink

But it all came to a head earlier this year when Charlotte announced she would be quitting Geordie Shore as she couldn't be around her ex anymore.

The announcement came after she revealed she had suffered an ectopic pregnancy while he appeared on Ex On The Beach in March.

Gaz decided to stay and continue filming the reality series after hearing the news, but admitted he now doubts his decision.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, he explained: 'If shed said I'm in the worst pain ever, I cant move Im dying, obviously Id be on the next plane home. But she was like Im okay, dont worry Im fine.

'Maybe I should have gone back. It still hasnt kicked in. I was like s***, if it hadn't happened I would have a kid. Obviously I was devastated.'

Taking her pick: Charlotte was also linked to TOWIE's Mario Falcone last month after a series of flirty Twitter exchanges

When asked whether he would have wanted to have a child with Charlotte, he said: 'I would have loved it, I cant really say now what would have been or what would have happened.'

Despite dating on and off for years, Gaz ruled out any hopes of a reconciliation between the pair as he explained that she needed to 'move on'.

He revealed: 'She said I was worse than a murderer, that to me was the final straw, I dont want to talk to her or about her.

'Its done, Id never get back with Charlotte. It's done and dusted after five years.

'Shes left Geordie Shore and I think shes dating other people. She needs to move on to the next chapter of her life and I want to do the same.'
She won big at the 32nd annual Television Critics Association Awards in Beverly Hills on Saturday.

And actress Sarah Paulson, 41, was supported by her partner Holland Taylor, 73, who proudly cheered her on as she accepted the award for Individual Achievement in Drama.

Being honoured for her role in the TV hit People vs O.J. Simpson, the couple looked more loved-up than ever as they posed at the event in complimenting ensembles.

Celebration! Sarah Paulson, 41, and girlfriend Holland Taylor, 73, beamed as they celebrated Sarah's Television Critics Association Awards in Beverly Hills on Saturday

Looking incredible in a fashion forward look, American Horror Story actress Sarah donned a semi-sheer black midi Self Portrait dress with navy panelling.

Hugging her sleek physique, the TV stars dress added some serious sex appeal thanks to its crotchet detailing.

Completing her winners attire, the blonde beauty chose to add more height to her tall frame with black strappy sandals and added a sophisticated black box clutch to tie it together.

Styling her short golden tresses into a chic quaff, the actress flaunted her radiant complexion with a sweep of bronzer across her enviable cheekbones as she opted for a sultry smokey eye.

Winner! The People vs O.J. Simpson star accepted her award for Individual Achievement in Drama at the coveted awards ceremony

Complimenting: The blonde bombshell worked a figure-hugging midi dress as sophisticated Holland opted for a chic monochrome look

Standing proudly beside her award-winning love, Two And A Half Men star Holland coordinated with her girlfriend in a monochrome ensemble that displayed her hourglass figure.

Looking chic, the Emmy winner opted for a white silk leopard print dress draped to her knees as she teamed the elegant ensemble with a black cardigan, pointed pumps and black clutch.

Paulson's show People v. O.J. Simpson landed three awards, including program of the year and outstanding achievement in movies, miniseries and specials.

They couple  who announced they were in a relationship in December  have had to weather comments about their age difference, but Sarah previously admitted shes not letting them get to her.

Celebrate! Paulson's show People v. O.J. Simpson landed three awards, including program of the year and outstanding achievement in movies, miniseries and specials

Fun cast: Cuba Gooding, Jr. - who played Simpson - looked in high spirits as he played around on stage

Speaking to NOTOFU magazine, the Carol star said: 'You should be able to love whomever you f***ing well please.

'I believe that everyone should be allowed to speak their truth and just say what they want to say and show the world who they are.

In March she spoke for the first time about her feelings for Taylor with the New York Times.

'What I can say absolutely is that I am in love,' she said.
They're set to give their millions of fans a glimpse into the relationship that rocked his family to the core earlier this year in a brand new reality show.

But it seems that Rob Kardashian is having second thoughts about his new stint in the limelight, as his reality show with Blac Chyna is said to be 'on the ropes'.

The 29-year-old businessman, who first shot to fame on Keeping Up With The Kardashian, is said to have missed a number of shoots leaving the show's future in the balance.

Scroll down for video

Afraid of the limelight: It seems that Rob Kardashian is having second thoughts about his new stint in the limelight, as his reality show with Blac Chyna is said to be 'on the ropes'

According to TMZ, Rob - who is expecting his first child with Chyna - has refused to film scenes with his fiancee; claiming it's putting a strain on their relationship.

The website reports production sources have revealed his reluctance to continue with the show.

A source said: 'Rob has been skipping filming over the last month, complaining that the show is compromising their relationship.'

And it seems that his fear stem from his own first experience with reality TV, with sources telling TMZ Kris Jenner's only son 'believes KUWTK has destroyed his family'.

Fearing for his lady love? According to TMZ , Rob - who is expecting his first child with Chyna - has refused to film scenes with his fiancee; claiming it's putting a strain on their relationship

His reluctance to film the show with Blac is said to be down to the fact 'he fears the same will happen with his relationship with Blac Chyna', due to the warts and all nature of the show.

Rob's change of heart is said to be reason why he was notably absent from his grandmother's birthday celebration in San Diego just weeks ago.

His new hot and cold attitude towards filming the show is also said to have given producers some concern about its future and the availability of 'good material'.

'Rob has been skipping filming over the last month, complaining that the show is compromising their relationship': He is believed to thing the show is affecting them

Rob and Blac made headline in May when they announced they were expecting their first child together after only four months of dating.

Rob's fiancee already has a three-year-old son, King Cairo, from her previous relationship with rapper Tyga.

Making those ties that bind even more complicated is the fact that Tyga is now dating Rob's half-sister Kylie Jenner.

Rob's family wasn't thrilled to learn he's having a baby with Chyna, but have put aside their opinions to make peace ahead of the little one's arrival.
She's been all over the news after shocking revelations she was born into a bizarre polygamous cult and was one of 64 children.

And it seems the bombshell about her family may have gotten to The Bachelor bad girl Keira Maguire as she swapped her regular visit to the gym to sip on red wine at home instead.

The 29-year-old uploaded a short clip of her kicking back on her couch, flaunting her toned midriff in a sporty crop top and activewear leggings.

Scroll down for video

Big day! Keira Maguire swapped the gym for sipping wine at home on the couch on Monday, after the bombshell about her family was revealed, with The Bachelor bad girl born into a cult

'I was going to to the gym, hence why I've got my active wear on, but I decided not to,' she said in the Snapchat video posted Monday night.

'I'm going to stay home, have some wine, and just chill.'

In an earlier Snapchat clip, the busty blonde appeared to be re-centring herself as she showed off the picturesque view of Sydney Harbour from Nielson Park, telling fans: 'Let's take a moment to appreciate this view, amazing!'

In the video, Keira seemed quite zen given the news of the day and was seen wearing the same sporty outfit.

Toned torso: The 29-year-old uploaded a short clip of her kicking back in her Sydney home, flaunting her toned midriff in a sporty crop top and activewear leggings

Getting started: Keira seemed to have already made a good start on the glass of red wine in the short social media clip

On Monday morning it was revealed her father Alistah Laishkochav was convicted of 20 child sex offences and one charge of reckless injury in 2000.

The self-prescribed spiritual guru was also the leader of a bizarre polygamous cult, which included his nine wives and 64 children, one of them being the Bachelor contestant.

Before meeting his nine wives, Alistah was a police constable in New Zealand and went by his real name, Ian Lowe.

Dark past: Keira grew up in a religious cult with her polygamous father, his nine wives and 63 other children

Cult father: Her father Alistah Laishkochav was convicted of 20 child sex offences and one charge of reckless injury in 2000 (left). Pictured right in the early 1990s

Keira told Daily Mail Australia that she has never had a relationship with Alistah, and fled the cult when she was just five-years-old with her mother and some of her siblings.

'My mother removed my family from that environment when I was five years old, over 25 years ago,' she said.

'I was brought up by my mother and grandmother in Brisbane in a loving, caring and compassionate household.

'I had a wonderful childhood and I am extremely grateful to both my mother and grandmother for the upbringing which they provided me and my siblings.

'Although I have since met and reunited with my family, I have never had a relationship with Alistah Laishkochav.'

Keira's former cult family: The reality TV contestant's family consisted of her father Alistah nine wives and their 64 children

'I am extremely grateful to both my mother and grandmother': Keira told Daily Mail Australia she's thankful to her nan (pictured) for her upbringing after leaving the cult

She concluded: ' Alistah Laishkochav is not relevant to who I am nor does he define me.'

As reported in Woman's Day, the reality TV starlet kept her dark past hidden from The Bachelor's producers and only told them that her 'father died 30 years go.'

Up until the age of seven, Keira had been living with her mother Michelle and their extended family in Bells Beach, Victoria before moving to the hippie town of Byron Bay.

Her biggest secret: The social media star kept her extended family hidden from The Bachelor's producers

Lookalike: Keira left the cult with her sister Leilani (pictured) and their mother Michelle, along with three other siblings in 1993

Big family: Some of Keira's siblings, including her brother Shath have reunited since leaving the cult

Alistah and his wives had in fact appeared in Woman's Day in 1992 where one of the women revealed 'the one unbreakable rule in this household is loyalty to Alistah.'

The cult dissolved in 1993 following allegations of Alistah's offences and Keira's mother Michelle took her and her siblings Leilani, Shath, Jade, Ty and Sean to Queensland, where they began a new life.

Keira's half-brother Moke has confirmed to the magazine that he is related to the blonde and revealed 'the family find it hilarious' their relative has landed on television.

Brother: Keira's brother Sean still lives in Brisbane, where they were raised by their mother and grandmother after leaving the cult

Scattered around Australia: Keira's other full-blood brothers Ty (L) and Shath (R) now live in separate states in Queensland and Victoria respectively
They furiously denied rumours that there was romance on the cards between them in October - stating they've always been good friends.

And being a close pal, Scott Eastwood was sure to lend his support to Charlotte McKinney on her mammoth 23rd blowout in Las Vegas over the weekend.

Taking a break from his duties promoting Suicide Squad, the 30-year-old actor was seen partying up a storm with Charlotte before walking the actress through her hotel.

Scroll down for video

Just friends: Having maintained they're just friends, Scott Eastwood was sure to lend his support to Charlotte McKinney on her mammoth 23rd blowout in Las Vegas over the weekend

Clearly keen to help the model and actress - whom he was linked to last autumn - celebrate her birthday in style, Scott looked to be in very high spirits.

Having partied the night away in the hotel Wynn's exclusive and luxurious nightclub, Intrigue, the duo looked to be have thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Flashing a wry grin, Scott - Clint Eastwood's son with Jacelyn Reeves - led the blonde Baywatch star through the expansive corridors of the luxury hotel where she is staying.

Charlotte looked happy enough to let the Suicide Squad star lead the way, and followed the rising Hollywood action hero closely.

Some star support: Taking a break from his duties promoting Suicide Squad, the 30-year-old actor was seen partying up with Charlotte before walking the actress through her hotel

It appeared Charlotte had gone for a sassy twist on a fashion staple, with the blonde beauty wearing an off-the-shoulder LBD.

Slipping her lithe and curvaceous form into the tiny dress, the Baywatch actress looked incredible in the thigh-grazing number.

Featuring shoulder length gauntlets, attached to the low-cut Bardot neckline, the blonde beauty made sure that she sizzled under the spotlights in Sin City.

She added a pair of matching knee-high boots to her look, which helped the Florida-born beauty to accentuate her gym-honed pins.

Not the birthday girl! Despite the rumours about their connection in the autumn of 2015, it seemed that Scott was keen to cosy up to another blonde during Charlotte's celebrations

One big party: The model and actress, who is due to star in the Flatliners reboot, has been celebrating her birthday in style in the city - accompanied by a large group of friends

Wearing her long blonde hair in tumbling tresses down around her shoulders, Charlotte - who previously dated Stephen Dorff - looked the epitome of a bombshell.

Scott meanwhile cut a smart figure in a pair of chinos that he teamed with a navy shirt.

The chiseled star, who plays Lieutenant GQ Edwards in DC comic flick Suicide Squad, cut a chiseled figure and went clean shaven with his hair gelled into a quiff.

The model and actress, who is due to star in the Flatliners reboot, has been celebrating her birthday in style in the city - accompanied by a large group of friends.

Big kiss: The actress has been keeping her fans up-to-date with the celebrations via social media

But despite the rumours about their connection in the autumn of 2015, it seemed that Scott was keen to cosy up to another blonde beauty during Charlotte's celebrations in the club.

In October UsWeekly reported the pair had started dating, with photos of the two silver screen stars walking side by side in Malibu emerging just one day later.

However, the rumours were quickly quashed when a source disclosed there was nothing remotely romantic about the outing, or their realtionship.

'They are definitely not dating,' a source close to Scott told ET.com at the time. 'They've hung out a couple of times  they barely know each other yet. [It's] Nothing serious at all.'

The Hollywood actor strolled shirtless, wearing striped board shorts as he spoke on the phone.

Before they were first spotted together, the Charlotte had previously dated Blade actor Stephen Dorff.
She is one of the socialites who rule London's well-heeled King's Road on Made In Chelsea.

But reality star Louise Thompson forgot her manners when she swore during a live broadcast of Sunday Brunch this weekend.

The petite brunette was one of the celebrity guests who were invited to chat to hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer.

Scroll down for video

Whoops! MIC's Louise Thompson sent Twitter into hysterics on Sunday after she turned the air blue live on Sunday Brunch

They quizzed the reality star on the show's current season, shot in the South of France, and the 26-year-old let slip that she was 'p**sed off' by something that happened during their trip.

The red-faced star was clearly embarrassed as the hosts were forced to apologise to viewers watching at home.

But Twitter went wild for the rude faux pas, with fans flocking to the social media site to mock Louise's loose mouth.

On viewer posted an image of the star looking embarrassed on the show, alongside the caption: 'When you run your filthy mouth on breakfast TV.'

Line-up: The petite brunette was one of the celebrity guests, alongside presenters Sam and Mark, who were invited to chat to hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer (above)

Slip up: The star was chatting about the current series of the show, filmed in St Tropez, and admitted she was 'p**sed off by something which happened during the shoot

Bit of blue: The star cracked up at her faux pas while presenter Tim had to apologise to viewers at home

'Awks': Viewers flocked to Twitter to talk about the faux pas, which forced presenter Tim Lovejoy to apologise to those watching from home

Another wrote: Hahahahaha @louisethompson swearing on #sundaybrunch awkward!'

One viewer wanted more swearing, adding: 'I love it when guests swear on #sundaybrunch - I just wish Louise said the producers were f**ked off.'

However, the team didn't seem too fazed by her slip-up, tweeting: 'You made our day Louise!'

She also seemed to have had a ball, reply: 'Thanks for having us - I had the best time!'

She's not the first MIC star to swear on the show - Ollie Locke went one step further and blurted out the F-word earlier this year.

Line-up: The petite brunette seemed to have a ball alongside presenters Sam and Mark (above), and tweeted: 'Thanks for having us - I had the best time!'
Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone has added another notch to his restaurant empire with a new meat-focused eatery that's just opened in Hollywood.

Gwen, housed in a 1928 building on Sunset Boulevard, is a collaboration between the recurring MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules guest judge and his brother Luke.

It serves a seasonal menu focused on making the best use of the whole animal to a vaulted 62-seat dining room, and includes a European-style butcher shop in its entryway.

Scroll down for video

New eats: Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone has added another notch to his restaurant empire with a new meat-focused eatery, Gwen, that's just opened in Hollywood

The celebrity chef has shared numerous photos and videos since the eatery opened last month, giving an inside look at one of the hottest new dining spots in LA.

First stop is the welcome mat, a hand-laid mosaic made from a mixture of newly made and salvaged tiles found as far as Ohio and New York City.

The 6,500 square metre interior begins with the butcher shop, selling pates, terrines, rillettes, charcuterie, rabbits, grass-fed lamb, ducks, and Wagyu beef.

First stop is the welcome mat, a hand-laid mosaic made from a mixture of newly made and salvaged tiles found as far as Ohio and New York City

Spectacular: It serves a seasonal menu focused on making the best use of the whole animal to a vaulted 62-seat dining room

Getting his hands dirty: Curtis hard at work in Gwen's brand new kitchen

These complicated specialities are complemented by simple salami, chorizo and other favourite deli meats.

'We have beautiful produce, but we struggle a little to find excellent meat,' Curtis explained to the Wall Street Journal about why it was included.

Beyond that is an open kitchen featuring its own custom-made fire pit, followed by a staircase to the mezzanine wine room with 2,000 bottles of wine, a bar and 24 of the restaurants 86 seats.

Meaty goodness: The butcher shop sellls pates, terrines, rillettes, charcuterie, rabbits, grass-fed lamb, ducks, and Wagyu beef and simple salami, choritzo and other favourite deli meats

Quality: The meats are left to cure until they are perfect

Caveman-style: The huge open kitchen features its own custom-made fire pit

On the second floor, is the huge shining new test kitchen, dominated by six Jenn-Air stoves, that will serve as the research and development space for both Gwen and Curtis' other LA eatery, Maude.

Curtis paid tribute to his brother and business partner the day before their project opened, posting a snap of the pair leaning over a bench in the restaurant laughing.

'Ten years ago we had a dream to open a restaurant together, and on Tuesday this dream becomes a reality,' he wrote on the Instagram post.

Classy: Upstairs is the mezzanine wine room with 2,000 bottles of wine, a bar and 24 of the restaurants 86 seats

Classic: The cocktail menu includes eight creations, including some house specials and classics like rye Old Fashioneds (pictured)

Family is a recurring theme, as Gwen is named after their maternal grandmother who fed them hand-cut lamb chops from the family livestock during their rural childhood.

'[Our] maternal grandma spent her whole life on a rustic farm in Victoria, Australia where she and her husband lived off the land growing produce and farming animals,' Curtis wrote next to an old photo of his grandparents.

'What they raised, they ate, and she cooked for her family over an old wood-burning stove.'

Hearty: Highlights include saucy cheesy meatball sliders

Favourite: The lamb pasta with rich tangy sweet tomato pasta sauce and a little kick of peppers got rave reviews from diners

Luke left behind a florist in their native Melbourne, but Curtis said he was perfectly suited to the new restaurant.

'His first job was in a butcher's job once upon a time,' he told the Herald Sun last month.

'We decided to do this together, (but) it did make me very unpopular with mum, taking her grand kids away from her. But it will be all good.'

Something sweet: Meat isn't the only highlight on the menu, however - the desserts are excellent too

Curtis shares a dessert sample: 'Something sweet to close out the week: creme fraiche panna cotta, apricot sorbet, lemon verbena meringue, macerated cherries & elderflower gelee'

The meat focus is a contrast to the more vegetable-leaning Maude in Beverley Hills, named after Stone's paternal grandmother, who taught him to cook.

'The menu is centric food, but it will be a multi cross degustation menu, which will be a lot of fun,' Stone said.

Meat isn't the only highlight on the menu, however, as Curtis showed by taking a picture of one of the restuarant's signature desserts.

Star power: Curtis samples Gwen's wares with TV host Ross Mathews

Cleaning duties: Curtis maintains one of the massive stoves

'Something sweet to close out the week: creme fraiche panna cotta, apricot sorbet, lemon verbena meringue, macerated cherries & elderflower gelee,' he wrote.

Other highlights include a caviar, preserved lemon, and zucchini granita appetiser, green eggs and lamb, saucy cheesy meatball sliders, and creamed corn.

The cocktail menu includes eight creations, including some house specials and classics like rye Old Fashioneds.

Curtis runs the restaurant with his brother Luke: 'Ten years ago we had a dream to open a restaurant together, and on Tuesday this dream becomes a reality'

Family inspiration: Gwen is named after their maternal grandmother (right) who fed them hand-cut lamb chops from the family livestock during their rural childhood

The 50-strong team includes chefs, all with Michelen star restaurant experience, headed by Briton Gareth Evans, and star bar and hospitality staff.

But despite how busy Curtis is running the his new pride and joy and his other establishments, he still takes time to personally serve customers.

On Sunday he invited two lucky diners, who were there to enjoy a birthday meal, to the chef's counter and walked them through the meal before handing them their plates.

We did it! Curtis and some of his chefs enjoy a pre-opening meal

Opening day: The 50-strong team includes chefs, all with Michelen star restaurant experience, headed by Briton Gareth Evans, and star bar and hospitality staff

Open for business: Gwen opened to the public in July

Top location: Gwen is housed in a 1928 building on Sunset Boulevard

They asked Curtis to take a snap of them, but he surprised them with a group selfie instead.

Stone is Australia's richest and arguably most successful chef with a net worth north of $12 million.

In addition to his two LA eateries, he recently teamed up with Princess Cruises' superliner Sun Princess which will feature his new acclaimed restaurant, Share.

It would be his first restaurant at sea, although the TV personality's Crafted by Curtis items were introduced on cruiser Golden Princess last year.

Local work: Stone is a recurring guest judge on MasterChef

In demand: He also used to appear on My Kitchen Rules (pictured with MRK judges)

Gwen's opening comes hot on the heels of news that Stone will host a U.S. version of MKR alongside Iron Chef America's Cat Cora, with eight episodes ordered by Fox.

The format will be exactly the same as the Australian original but instead of everyday people with aspirations to be professional chefs, all the contestants will be celebrities.

Despite the increasingly large number of pies Stone has his fingers in, he plans to return to Melbourne in September for a break.

Top export: Stone is Australia's richest and arguably most successful chef with a net worth north of $12 million (pictured with wife Lindsay Price)
They rekindled their flame in March of this year after a brief split in December.

But now it looks as though Courteney Cox, 52, and fiance Johnny McDaid's, 40, romance is strained again, after they were spotted arguing outside West London restaurant Granger and Co.

The couple appeared to exchange heated words at the Notting Hill eatery as they dined outside by themselves during the US actress' visit to the British capital.

Scroll down for video

Strained: Courteney Cox and fiance Johnny McDaid seemed to exchange heated words outside West London restaurant Granger and Co this week

Fuelling rumours of more relationship problems, in one shot the former Friends actress can be seen waving her arms and phone in front of the Snow Patrol musicians face.

While in another, Courteney looked exasperated as she held her head in her hands after she appeared to chastise the songwriter.

Coming to the end of her tether in the pictures, the raven-haired star then gave her handsome Northern Irish beau the silent treatment before she gets to her feet to leave.

MailOnline has contacted their representative for comment.

War of words: 52-year-old Courteney didn't look happy when chatting to the 40-year-old

Headed for another split? Johnny looked to try and plead with his raven-haired love

Going long-distance: The musician held his tongue as Courteney spoke to him

Frustrated: The Cougar Town star waved her hands out as she looked deep in discussion

Al fresco: Courteney gestured her hands towards her face as she chatted to the rocker

Tense: Johnny reached out his arm towards the actress as she appeared to get tense

It was previously reported that the pair were planning a small autumn wedding in Ireland following their reconciliation  with the rocker having allegedly written a special ballad for their big day.

A friend told Life & Style: 'Courteney and Johnny are planning a fall wedding. They just took a trip to London to meet with their wedding planner.

'They are considering Castle Leslie where Paul McCartney married Heather Mills, as well as Ballintubber Abbey where Pierce Brosnan got married.'

'She really wants a low-key wedding with about 100 guests,' said a pal. 'Their good friend Ed Sheeran will be playing and Johnny will be singing a song he wrote especially for Courteney.'

All heart: Courteney put her hands to her chest as she spoke to her Northern Irish beau

Agitated: The mum-of-one looked to get more agitated as the conversation continued

Thinking: Courtney held her black tote as she ate her main while they talked at the Notting Hill eatery

Forlorn: Both parties looked ejected as things grew tense

Emotional: Courteney appeared to but hold her head in her hands as their conversation got deeper

Hiding: The LA based star shielded her face as they continued to talk

Silent treatment: It looked as though the actress stopped talking at one point during their discussion

Based in LA with her 11-year-old daughter Coco  from her marriage with actor David Arquette - Courteney reportedly couldnt agree with the Run hitmaker on where to live.

'A permanent move is off the table' an insider told OK magazine.

'But Courteney is willing to spend more time in Ireland to make the relationship work. At this point she'll bend over backward to make Johnny happy.'

'Being away from Johnny made Courteney realize how much she missed him,' a source added.

Upset: Courteney appeared to be upset, rubbing her face with her two hands as they sat outside

Worried: Johnny looked worried as he listened to Courteney

Anxious: Courteney looked exasperated as she leaned her head on her fist after she appeared to chastise the songwriter
She has become one of the most in-demand young actresses around over the past couple of years.

So Elizabeth Olsen was enjoying a rare day off while in between projects on Sunday.

The 27-year-old showed off her casual California girl style as she headed to lunch in Hollywood with a friend.

Denim darling: Elizabeth Olsen looked lovely in Daisy Dukes and a striped T-shirt while out in Hollywood on Sunday

Elizabeth's long and slender legs were on display in a pair of teeny denim cut-off shorts.

The actress teamed the Daisy Dukes with a loose-fitting black and white striped T-shirt and black flat sandals.

Elizabeth wore her long golden hair down and finished off her look with a black handbag and large sunglasses over her minimally made-up face.

The younger sister of the Olsen twins stepped out of Mary-Kate and Ashley's shadow in 2011 with her role in Martha Marcy May Marlene.

Enjoying a rare day off: The actress, who also wore black sandals, was heading to lunch with a friend

Since then, Elizabeth's star has continued to rise, and she has landed roles in Godzilla and as Scarlet Witch in both Avengers: Age Of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War.

The beauty recently wrapped thriller Wind River, which also stars her fellow Avenger Jeremy Renner, and is due for release next year.

Elizabeth will soon start work on drama Light On Broken Glass, in which she portrays the younger version of Patricia Clarkson's character Melody Harper.

Natural beauty: Elizabeth wore her long hair down and finished off her look with large sunglasses over her minimally made-up face

Melody is a Broadway star coming towards the end of a successful career, and starts to lose her grip on reality while having vivid memories of herself in her younger years.

Elizabeth got engaged to her Very Good Girls co-star Boyd Holbrook in 2014 after a year and a half of dating, but the pair broke up in January of 2015.

Since then, the actress has been linked to Tom Hiddleston and Chris Evans, but denies dating either of them.
She shot to fame after being discovered working at McDonald's aged 16 and is now an international model.

And Andreja Pejic had plenty to smile about as she stepped out in New York arm-in-arm with pop star Rita Ora on Sunday.

The gal pals even wore matching rose-coloured glasses for their Chinatown shopping trip, also sporting big smiles as they enjoyed each otter's company.

Rose-coloured glasses: Andreja Pejic had plenty to smile about as she stepped out in New York arm-in-arm with pop star Rita Ora on Sunday

The 24-year-old flaunted her slender legs in a thigh-skimming tartan skirt paired with a plunging black top and white trainers.

Her pink-purple eye-catching legwear turned heads on the busy urban street, as did her towering frame and flowing long light brown hair.

Rita opted for a racier outfit, donning a see-through skirt and went braless in plunging black corset top.

Stepping out: The gal pals even wore matching rose-coloured glasses for their Chinatown shopping trip, sporting big smiles as they enjoyed each otter's company

Transgender model Andreja appeared to have struck up a close friendship with the British songstress, as the two giggled heartily as they crossed the street.

Andreja has enjoyed a successful career in fashion - appearing in shows for Marc Jacobs, Michalsky and Rosa Clara, among others.

The sultry supermodel was ranked number 98 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World in 2011, three years before she underwent sex reassignment surgery - and she has not looked back since.

Giggles: Transgender model Andreja appeared to have struck up a close friendship with the British songstress, as the two giggled heartily as they crossed the street

Leggy: The 24-year-old flaunted her slender legs in a thigh-skimming tartan skirt paired with a plunging black top and white trainers

Fun day out: The pair went jewelry shopping and chatted to passersby

Her career has seen her both challenge and break down gender barriers, and in May last year she became the first transgender model to be profiled by Vogue.

In an interview with ES Magazine, the Australian model spoke candidly about her transition and why she will never be ashamed of her past again.

'When I was little, the idea of waking up as a girl was like a fairytale,' she said.

Looking good: Her pink-purple eye-catching legwear turned heads on the busy urban street, as did her towering frame and flowing long light brown hair

Busty: Rita opted for a racier outfit, donning a see-through skirt and went braless in plunging black corset top

'I had this idea that I'd meet a witch who would transform me. From the moment I found out that it was actually possible, I went to bed each night feeling that when it happens, it will be the best day of my life. And it was!'

Andreja explained that when she emerged from surgery, she 'felt complete' and told the doctors to 'throw away! her discarded body parts.

'I'd planned on a p**** shower, but actually the time afterwards wasn't easy as I had to work out what to do with my career,' she said.

Model and activist Andreja was catapulted to fame when she stepped out on the runway for Jean Paul Gaultier in 2011

As a child, Andreja fled war-torn Bosnia with her family to Serbia where they settled in a refugee camp near Belgrade, the country's capital.

When she was eight years old, she immigrated to Melbourne with her mother as a political refugee.

Speaking about growing up during the Yugoslav wars, she said: 'I've seen people who lived happily together for 50 years suddenly go to war over identity.

Making a name for herself: As a child, Andreja settled as a refugee in Serbia before moving to Australia at eight years old (pictured on Instagram)

Star on the rise: Other modelling coups have seen her walk the runway for H&M and front a campaign for major cosmetics brand  Make Up For Ever

'At the time, everyone was like: "How can this happen?". But with the right conditions, anything can happen.'

She added: '[My father] did take some time to get his head around the sex change, but for a Balkan man I have to say he's not so bad.'

'There were a lot of pressures growing up working-class, with a single mum who had been through so much  I didn't want to stress her out.

'My mum would say sometimes: "Do you think you might be gay?". But it wasn't that. When I imagined myself in a romantic setting, it was heterosexual, but I was always a girl.'

Andreja, pictured in New York on June 28, explained that when she emerged from surgery, she 'felt complete' and told the doctors to 'throw away! her discarded body parts

Speaking about her transition, Andreja said: 'I never imagined I'd be so public about it.

'Perhaps if I was in a different profession, I wouldn't have worn "trans" on my forehead.

'But there's a difference between not wanting to make a big deal out of something and fearing the effect it will have on my life.

Andreja's career has seen her both challenge and break down gender barriers, and in May last year she became the first transgender model to be profiled by Vogue

'But it's all out there now. If I go on a date, I don't have to worry about that moment when he finds out.'

Andreja is now in a relationship with a straight New York real estate agent.

She said: 'It's been great. And the best part if he sees me as just another girl he has a special connection with.'
TIOGA  A free camp for kids in Tioga may have launched the careers of future drone pilots.

About 75 students attended a two-day drone camp in the northwest North Dakota town, with every participant taking home a drone after learning the basics.

The goal of the program is to instill children with the desire to move into the 21st century with technology, said Dennis Lindahl, economic development consultant for Tioga.

Enel Green Power North America, which is developing a new wind farm north of Tioga, sponsored the event and presented on career opportunities for unmanned aerial vehicles. The U.S. Air Force also gave a presentation to the students about careers in the military.

The idea here is to inspire these kids to be the next generation of drone pilots, said Keith Aubin with Enel.

David Hollyday, 16, Lignite, was among the participants excited about potential for drones.

I think this could be a huge field in the future, Hollyday said.

The participants, going into sixth through 12th grades, learned about safety and privacy issues related to drones. Students also watched flying demonstrations and got hands-on practice flying their drones in a hangar at the Tioga airport.

Joseph Sirois, who is going into sixth grade in Stanley, said he enjoyed learning the basics of flying and getting a free drone to take home to practice.

Its actually equipped with a really cool camera that you can go up and down with, Sirois said. Were basically learning by experiencing it, which is a really fun way of doing it.

His father, Randy Sirois, whose oil industry job brought the family from New York to North Dakota more than four years ago, said hes glad communities in the Bakken are doing more to provide opportunities for families.

These smaller communities, they want to invest in the kids, Randy Sirois said. They want it to be a community, not just a place to live.

Tioga, traditionally known as the Oil Capital of North Dakota, is working to diversify its economy and become known as the Energy and Innovation Capital. Enel also donated a drone to the Tioga schools for use in the classroom.
At first glimpse, their worlds couldnt be more different.

It looks as though reality stars Joey Essex, 25, and Stephanie Pratt, 30, are getting on like a house on fire as they were spotted out and about in London on Monday.

Possibly the next golden couple of reality TV, the pair stylishly coordinated each other as they complemented their looks with coordinating pink jackets.

Scroll down for video

Hanging out: Stephanie Pratt, 30, and Joey Essex, 25, were spotted out and about in London on Monday

Looking stylish in her casual chic ensemble, LA-native Stephanie displayed her never-ending legs in a pair of skin-tight light wash denim jeans as she teamed her look with a beige string top that exhibited her cleavage.

Flaunting her svelte figure, the Made In Chelsea star teetered to meet Joey in a pair of on-trend metallic flatforms as she draped her Gucci handbag over her shoulder.

Leaving her neatly blow dried golden tresses loose, Stephanie donned a pair of large sunglasses that hid her delicate features as she let her natural complexion glow with a nude lip.

Window shopping? The former TOWIE star accompanied Stephanie as they looked around a number of boutiques

Perfect pair: The MIC castmember coordinated with Joey perfectly in their pink jacket

Leggy display: Stephanie displayed her never-ending legs in a pair of skin-tight light wash denim jeans

Fashion forward: The reality star teetered to meet Joey in a pair of on-trend metallic flatforms

Making his own style statement in the city, former TOWIE star Joey opted to keep a neutral palette of light grey as he let his oriental inspired black and dusty pink bomber jacket take centre stage of his ensemble.

Looking dapper as he carried his Louis Vuitton overnight bag, Joey teamed his show-stopping jacket with light grey form-fitting jeans, loose jumper and casual trainers.

The pairs appearance comes after they were spotted leaving the Made In Chelsea summer party at London club Embargo Republica together on 20 July.

Style statement: Joey opted to keep a neutral palette of light grey as he let his oriental inspired black and dusty pink bomber jacket take centre stage of his ensemble

Mr Grey: Joey teamed his show-stopping jacket with light grey form-fitting jeans, loose jumper and casual trainers

Chilling: Stephanie looked at ease with Joey as they went out and about in London

Despite fans' surprise at the pair being seen together, it appears they have recently got acquainted while filming new E4 show Celebs Go Dating.

Stephanie, Joey and other celebrities will date 'normal' members of the public in the new show.

The former Hills star has been largely single since splitting from MIC co-star boyfriend Josh Shepherd in August 2015.

Meanwhile, TV presenter Joey has been single since ending his four-month relationship with Charlotte Stuchfield last October.

A representative confirmed the pair were filming for new series Celebs Go Dating.

Golden girl: Stephanie donned a pair of large sunglasses that hid her delicate features as she let her natural complexion glow with a nude lip
She recently revealed that her firstborn son had found a girlfriend.

And Katie Price shared a heart-warming picture of her teenage son Harvey, 14, with his girlfriend Tia.

Taking to Instagram on Monday, the 38-year-old TV presenter and model shared a 'gorgeous' picture of the two teenagers cuddling each other.

Scroll down for video

'How gorgeous is this picture': Katie Price shared a heart-warming picture of her teenage son Harvey with his girlfriend Tia

Sharing the snap with her 1.2million followers, the proud mother-of-five gushed: 'How gorgeous is this picture Harvey and his girlfriend today.'

Stood next holding hands with his girlfriend, Harvey - who is Katie's only child from her relationship with Dwight Yorke - can be seen planting a tender kiss on Tia's cheek.

Clearly delighted with the affectionate display, the teen can be seen beaming at the camera as Katie snaps the sweet shot.

Proud: Taking to Instagram on Monday, the 38-year-old TV presenter shared a 'gorgeous' picture of the two teenagers cuddling each other - whom she revealed were dating last month

'They're so cute together': Last month Katie revealed the two teens were dating, explaining they'd been together 'for a few years'

The photograph - the first which shows Harvey and his girlfriend together - comes two week after the Loose Women star revealed the teens had been dating for a number of years.

Talking to OK! magazine, the former glamour girl explained Tia and Harvey met at his south London school.

'They're so cute together,' Katie said of the two teen, who she said have been together 'for a few years'.

'She bought him some aftershave and body lotion for his birthday.'

'I don't think they kiss or anything like that, but I think they sit next to each other at school': She added that the teens relationship is cute more than anything else

'Physically he could have kids but mentally he couldn't': Katie said that she felt Harvey shouldn't have children due to his Prader-Willi syndrome, autism and ADHD

Concerned for his well-being: She explained her decision, adding: 'It wouldn't be fair as he can't even fully look after himself, let alone a child or wife'

Katie, who met Tia when she attended Harvey's recent birthday party at the family's Sussex home, added of the young pair:

'I don't think they kiss or anything like that, but I think they sit next to each other at school.'

However, while she's thrilled for her eldest offspring's 'cute' pairing, she doesn't believe that his future should ever include children, due to his Prader-Willi syndrome, autism and ADHD.

She explained: 'Physically he could have kids but mentally he couldn't. It wouldn't be fair as he can't even fully look after himself, let alone a child or wife.'

Katie is also mother to 11-year-old son Junior and nine-year-old daughter Princess Tiaamii from her marriage to Peter Andre, as well as Jet, three, and two-year-old Bunny from her current marriage to Kieran Hayler.
She recently returned from a sun-soaked getaway with pals in Mallorca.

And Lottie Moss seemed intent on continuing the hedonism as she partied up a storm at London's exclusive Embargo Republica nightclub last week.

Kate Moss' half-sister, 18, stunned in a tiny white playsuit that flaunted her tanned and toned legs to perfection.

Model moment: Lottie Moss partied up a storm with pals at London's exclusive Embargo nightclub on July 30

The 5ft 5in stunner dazzled in the ivory playsuit, which featured a tuxedo-style wrap front that accentuated her tiny waist.

The daringly short hemline served to highlight her slim legs and offset her newly acquired golden tan.

Adding a tougher edge to the ensemble, the blonde beauty rocked a pair black multi-strap patent courts, and carried a black clutch.

Turning heads: The 5ft 5in stunner dazzled in the ivory playsuit, which featured a tuxedo-style wrap front that accentuated her tiny waist

Legs for days: The daringly short hemline served to highlight her coltish limbs and offset her newly acquired golden tan

Runs in the family: Much like her famous sister, Lottie's golden tresses were styled in loosely tousled waves that gently framed her heart-shaped face

Meanwhile, she kept styling to a minimum aside from a delicate golden necklace.

Much like her famous sister, Lottie's golden tresses were styled in loosely tousled waves that gently framed her heart-shaped face.

She highlighted her elfin features with some subtle false lashes and iridescent shimmer to offset her striking peepers.

Killer footwear: Adding a tougher edge to the ensemble, the blonde beauty rocked a pair black multi-strap patent courts

Model proportions: She highlighted her elfin features with some subtle false lashes and irridescent shimmer to offset her striking peepers

Keeping good company: Lottie wasn't short of male pals on the night out

Monochrome maven: She kept styling to a minimum, aside from a delicate golden necklace

The model plumped her rosebud pout with a matte brown lipstick and accentuated her cheekbones with a sweep of bronze shimmer.

Chatting on the phone as she left the London celebrity hotspot, Lottie seemed in relaxed spirits.

She was joined by a group of friends, and pounded the streets with a scantily clad female pal as they made their way to Lottie's chauffeur-driven car.

Lottie soared to fame at the tender age of 16 when she signed with Storm Model Management after previously being scouted at Kate's wedding to Jamie Hince in 2011.

Rising star: Lottie soared to fame at the tender age of 16 when she signed with Storm Model Management after previously being scouted at Kate's wedding to Jamie Hince in 2011

Popular gal: Chatting on the phone as she left the London celebrity hotspot, Lottie seemed in relaxed spirits

Natural beauty: The model plumped her rosebud pout with a matte brown lipstick and accentuated her cheekbones with a sweep of bronze shimmer

Despite coming from a famous family, Lottie told Vogue that she felt under no pressure to live up to her sister's reputation.

Gracing the cover of the prestigious style bible earlier this year, she explained: 'I am who I am and I do what I want, whether that is modelling or anything else.

'The success of my sister does not affect me in my choices.'

Humble roots: Despite coming from a famous family, Lottie told Vogue that she felt under no pressure to live up to her sister's reputation

Modest: She explained: 'I am who I am and I do what I want, whether that is modelling or anything else. 'The success of my sister does not affect me in my choices.'

Three's a crowd: She was joined by a group of friends, and pounded the streets with a scantily clad female pal as they made their way to Lottie's chaffeur-driven car

The talented teenager also spoke out about juggling her blossoming career with her education, as she admitted she felt like she was living in 'two worlds'.

She explained: 'One minute I'm in a Dior suite in Cannes and then the next I'm in a classroom in Sussex.

'I feel like I'm Hannah Montana.'

High spirits: Lottie is no stranger to a night out and was spotted partying in Mallorca at the end of July

Handsome friends: She was joined by two well-dressed male pals on the night out

A bit of all white: The model stood out from the crowd in her ivory playsuit
It was the movie that melted millions of female hearts and made the young star's career back in 1987.

But Jennifer Grey has revealed that she decided to turn down a part in ABC's remake of Dirty Dancing.

The 56-year-old actress, who starred in the original movie alongside Patrick Swayze, said she rejected the offer to join the TV version because it 'didn't feel appropriate.'

Scroll down for video

The original Baby: Jennifer Grey revealed on Sunday that ABC offered her a role in its remake of her 1987 hit Dirty Dancing but she turned it down

'I was asked to do something on that show and I was flattered, Jennifer told The Hollywood Reporter. 'It's nice to want to be included.'

But she added: 'It would be sacrosanct for me to do it because it didn't feel appropriate to me. It feels like if you're going to do your own thing, do your own thing.'

And Jennifer wouldn't say what role she was offered, dishing: 'But I will tell you, it wasn't Baby!'

She made the remarks following a panel for the second season of her Amazon comedy Red Oaks at the Television Critics Association's summer press tour in Beverly Hills on Sunday.

They had the time of their lives: Jennifer and co-star Patrick Swayze in the romantic dance movie, set in the 1960s, that melted millions of female hearts and made her career

Abigail Breslin, 20, takes over her role of Baby Housman opposite Colt Prats in Patrick's part as Johnny Castle in the three-hour TV movie reboot of the iconic 1987 movie.

However, Jennifer is excited to see how the new version of the 1960s-set romantic drama turns out.

She said: 'I am always interested in any iteration of something where they feel there's more to be gotten and I would love to see what it is that they come up with.

Getting into it: The 56-year-old actress was speaking at the Amazon Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills where she promoted her show, Red Oaks

Keeping mum: Jennifer wouldn't say what role she was offered in the TV reboot, adding, 'But I will tell you, it wasn't Baby!'

'I think they've got wonderful actors in it. I'm going to be watching it and I'm excited. My only advice is to own it for yourself.'

Jennifer also praised Patrick, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 57. She said: 'He was really strong and he was very protective and his heart was very much in it. He was a great dancer and he was fearless.'

Meanwhile, Abigail obviously had a ball filming the remake, which wrapped back in May.

New look: Abigail Breslin stars opposite Colt Prats in Patrick's role. She posted this Instagram in May when filming wrapped, saying, 'You're the best Johnny any Baby could ask for!'

In fact she even had a tattoo of the movie's most iconic line: 'Nobody puts Baby in a corner,' which Johnny says as he pulls her onto the floor for the final dance sequence.

She posted Instagrams at the time with gushing captions, saying of her co-star Colt, 'You're the best Johnny any Baby could ask for!'

And, quoting iconic lines from the movie's hit song, she added: 'I can honestly, with full confidence, and at the risk of sounding disgustingly cliche, say that I have had the time of my life... And to the 2016 cast and crew of Dirty Dancing, I owe it all to you.'
It may have been another Victoria's Secret Angel who had the honour of walking the opening ceremony, but this model is still making sure to represent her native county with flare.

Alessandra Ambrosio turned the streets of Rio de Janeiro into a catwalk on Monday as she rocked a two very different looks.

The 35-year-old has been very busy helping her native Brazil celebrate the Olympic Games.

Scroll down for video

Going for style gold! Alessandra Ambrosio earns her fashion stripes in a midriff-baring two piece ensemble

Drink up! On Monday she made an appearance on American television to promote the food and culture of her homeland - and did so in style

On Monday she made an appearance on American television to promote the food and culture of her homeland - and did so in style.

The Angel first stepped out in a black and white striped ensemble which would have won her gold for best ab display, if such a sport existed.

The model shined in a cropped black top with horizontal stripes and a pair of wide leg culottes in the same colours but in a vertical pattern down her long legs.

The top featured spaghetti straps and tied at the back, making it both stylish and sexy.

Fashion winner: Alessandra turned the streets of Rio de Janeiro into a catwalk

Toned and terrific: The Angel first stepped out in a black and white striped ensemble which would have won her gold for best ab display, if such a sport existed

Twice as nice: The model shined in a cropped black top with horizontal stripes and a pair of wide leg culottes in the same colours but in a vertical pattern down her long legs

Top of the crops: The top featured spaghetti straps and tied at the back, making it both stylish and sexy

Alessandra wore the look with a pair of tan snakeskin heels - which showed off her perfect bright red pedicure - and a Versace tote.

While the ensemble was fashion perfection, she decided to swap into something a little more comfortable for her appearance on The Today Show.

The star swapped her stripes for a rust coloured embroidered suede maxi dress which sneakily flashed some skin through its intricate stitching.

Added extras: Alessandra wore the look with a pair of tan snakeskin heels - which showed off her perfect bright red pedicure - and a Versace tote

Just the intro: While the ensemble was fashion perfection, she decided to swap into something a little more comfortable for her appearance on The Today Show

Round two: The star swapped her stripes for a rust coloured embroidered suede maxi dress which sneakily flashed some skin through its intricate stitching

The star joined fellow Brazilian beauty Adriana Lima to show viewers and hosts Billy Bush, Al Roker and Natalie Morales some local delicacies.

The modelling duo explained the tasting spread which included acaraje, a dish made from beans fried into ball and stuffed with shrimp, moqueca, which is a fish stew with coconut milk, and bolo prestigio, a chocolate and coconut cake.

Alessandra also made sure to suggest pairing the food with the country's national cocktail, a Caipirinha, made with cachaca, sugar and lime.

Hosts with the most: The star joined fellow Brazilian beauty Adriana Lima to show viewers and hosts Billy Bush, Al Roker and Natalie Morales some local delicacies

Cheers! Alessandra also made sure to suggest pairing the food with the country's national cocktail, a Caipirinha, made with cachaca, sugar and lime

Say cheese: The model was also seen chatting away to bronze medal winner, Corey Cogdell

Up close and personal: Someone else Alessandra was excited to meet backstage at The Today Show was athlete and opening ceremony hunk, Pita Taufatofua

Even after camera's stopped rolling, the beauty got stuck into one of the cocktails.

The model was also seen chatting away to bronze medal winner, shooter Corey Cogdell.

Someone else both Alessandra and Adriana were excited to meet backstage at The Today Show was athlete and opening ceremony hunk, Pita Taufatofua.

Not all work: Alessandra also took her kids to watch on Olympic event on Monday

Mom's the word! Noah and Anja have joined their mom for the trip of a lifetime

Both the models made sure to pose up with the Tongan taekwondo star who got hearts racing when he lead the Tongan team oiled up and shirtless.

For her appearance, Adrina wore a pair of high-waisted emerald green flared pants.

The 35-year-old made the look even more glamorous by wearing a black one-shouldered top with the look.

Podium-worthy pants: For her appearance, Adrina wore a pair of high-waisted emerald green flared pants

Done in one: The 35-year-old made the look even more glamorous by wearing a black one-shouldered top with the look. She is seen here with hosts Al Roker, Hoda Kotb and Matt Lauer
A video clip and images have emerged of Christopher Biggins dressed in a Nazi uniform following his shock exit from the Celebrity Big Brother house last week.

The pictures are taken footage of Jonathan Meades' BBC Knowledge documentary tvSSFBM EHKL - also know as Surreal Film - 14 years ago.

They come as the 67-year-old actor and reality star revealed he will be visiting Auschwitz in October.

Scroll down for video

Dragging up the past: Images have emerged of Christopher Biggins dressed in a Nazi uniform following his shock exit from the Celebrity Big Brother house last week

Despite the fact that the costume was for a documentary, an insider was quick to criticise Biggins, tellingThe Sun: 'Biggins didn't seem to mind dressing as a Nazi at all, and didn't question the morality of it.

'He thought it was a right laugh, so did we all - and didn't seem to care that in the studio next door there was a German beer commercial being filmed.'

They added: 'I found the fact that he enjoyed taunting the Germans on the set next door a little harsh to be honest, but everyone seemed to take it in jest. I know he only meant it as a joke, but back then  it wasn't taken that way, as it wasn't last week in the house.'

Actor: The pictures are taken from Jonathan Meades' BBC Knowledge documentary tvSSFBM EHKL - also know as Surreal Film - fourteen years ago

The resurfaced footage come just shortly after Biggins announced his intention to visit Auschwitz, in Poland.

Following his departure from CBB on Friday, news broke that the actor had been removed due to 'insensitive' comments he made which upset Jewish housemate Katie Waissel.

And having reassured fans that he did not intentionally mean to offend and had already apologised to his housemate, Christopher announced he would be visiting the concentration camp which is now a museum and memorial.

'Biggins didn't seem to mind dressing as a Nazi at all, and didn't question the morality of it' an insider claimed

'He thought it was a right laugh, so did we all - and didn't seem to care that in the studio next door there was a German beer commercial being filmed'

'I found the fact that he enjoyed taunting the Germans on the set next door a little harsh to be honest, but everyone seemed to take it in jest'

Speaking to The Sun, the 67-year-old TV host revealed he will be visiting Auschwitz in the Autumn.

'I am going there', he revealed. 'It will be my first time. I know it's going to be horrible. I know it's going to be ghastly. I know it's going to be emotional.

'Before I went into the house, my partner Neil and I were talking about it because we just feel the whole scenario of the Jewish annihilation is so horrific that we wanted to experience it for ourselves.

Making it up: The resurfaced pictures come just shortly after Biggins announced his intention to visit Auschwitz, in Poland

'Once again I wanted to say how very sorry and shocked I am about what's happened': int he statement Biggins once-again apologised and announced he was 'taking some time out'

'For now I'm taking some time out to be with loved ones, I hope you all understand. Love Biggins': The star signed off saying he hoped everyone understood his reasons for the absence

'We're going for five days in October. I'm really looking forward to it. Especially now after this incident.

'It's strange that I had already decided to experience it myself.'

The news comes after the mother of CBB star Katie Waissel called for police to quiz disgraced Christopher Biggins over his alleged Nazi joke.

Diana told The Mirror: 'He was a national treasure but now he's not fit for TV. He should be banned  he's a liability.

An emotional gesture? The decision to pull out of his first TV appearance since the incident came just shortly after Biggins announced his intention to visit Auschwitz, in Poland

Insulting behaviour? Following his departure from CBB on Friday, news broke that the actor had been removed due to 'insensitive' comments he made which Jewish co-star Katie Waissel

'I know it's going to be emotional': Speaking to The Sun , the 67-year-old TV host revealed he will be visiting Auschwitz in the Autumn

'If his comments are as bad as we're led to believe, they constitute a hate crime  police should be called in to investigate.

'Our whole family have a proud Jewish heritage and are absolutely disgusted by Biggins.

'Katie's great grandparents, Sidney and Katie, were in Auschwitz in the Holocaust. They survived, but what went on there is incomprehensible.'
Amber Heard did not testify at her deposition on Saturday, according to New York Daily News.

The publication claims that the 30-year-old spent the entire day at the offices of lawyer Laura Wasser's firm, Wasser, Cooperman and Mandles, which is representing Johnny in the split.

A source said: 'She was there and ready to proceed. She never refused to go in.'

Scroll down for video

'She was there and ready to proceed': Amber Heard did not testify at her deposition against estranged husband Johnny Depp on Saturday. She is seen here arriving for the deposition

Amber didn't answer a single question during the day, and did not enter the conference room.

She apparently spent nine hours waiting to be called into the room, while her lawyers attempted to reach a settlement with Johnny's lawyers.

According to TMZ, the actress was waiting in an office nearby while the lawyers held discussions, and a videographer and court reporter were also in attendance.

Amber arrived an hour and a half late to the deposition, and the website reports that she was in the building from 11.30am until 9pm.

Nasty split: Amber filed for divorce after 15 months of marriage on May 25. She and Johnny are pictured here in February

Her lawyer Samantha Spector arrived at 10am on Saturday morning at the offices in Century City, Los Angeles.

Amber was driven to the front of the building at around 11.30am before finding a more private entrance.

TMZ captured film of her getting out of a car with her beefy bodyguard and flanked by her lawyers in an underground parking lot.

The website's sources reported that both sides tried to reach a settlement on Friday night but negotiations fell apart at around 9pm, something her lawyers later denied.

Bruised and battered: The 30-year-old is expected to testify next week at a hearing to extend her domestic violence restraining order against her ex

Amber filed for divorce after 15 months of marriage on May 25.

Two days later she filed a domestic violence restraining order accompanied by graphic photos of her bruised face and black eye that she said was caused by Johnny throwing his cell phone at her on May 21.

According to New York Daily News, Amber flew to Los Angeles from London in order to attend the deposition.

She allegedly still intends to testify at a hearing to extend her domestic violence restraining order against Johnny next week.
Australia's Kyrgios captures ATP Atlanta Open title

Australia's Nick Kyrgios dethroned John Isner by beating the three-time defending champ 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4) in the Atlanta Open final to win his second ATP Tour crown.

The second seeded Kyrgios needed one hour and 47 minutes to win his first career match over Isner and snap the hard-serving American's 15-match winning streak.

"Returning is very crucial against John," said Kyrgios. "That serve is world class."

Nick Kyrgios of Australia celebrates after defeating John Isner of the US in the final of the ATP Atlanta Open, on August 7, 2016 Kevin C. Cox (Getty/AFP)

The 21-year-old Kyrgios also improved to 2-1 in ATP Tour finals. His only other title came in February at the Marseille indoor tournament.

Kyrgios, of Canberra, had his back against the wall Sunday in his opening service game when he faced three break points. He saved them all and then won five straight points to hold serve.

Kyrgios will rise to a career high ranking of 16 with this win. He lost to Isner at ATP Tour tournaments in Madrid and Montreal last year.

Isner was seeking to become just the fifth active player to win four consecutive titles which would have allowed him to join Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Kei Nishikori.

He has appeared in the Atlanta final in six of the tournament's seven years, also finishing runner-up to Mardy Fish in both 2010-11.
Ledecky smashes world record to win 400m freestyle gold

Katie Ledecky of the United States crushed her world record in the 400m freestyle to win Olympic gold and jump-start a potentially historic Rio campaign.

The American phenom -- targeting a rare 200m, 400m and 800m Olympic freestyle treble -- surged home to touch the wall in 3min 56.46sec, smashing her own world record of 3:58.37 set in the Gold Coast, Queensland in 2014.

Ledecky, who has gone from strength to strength since her surprise win in the 800m free as a 15-year-old in London, has now broken 12 world records since then.

USA's Katie Ledecky won the women's 400m freestyle in 3min 56.46sec, smashing her own world record of 3:58.37 set in 2014 Christophe Simon (AFP)

"A goal I set after Barcelona in 2013 was 3:56 or better so to see 3:56 feels really good," said Ledecky, who beamed when she saw the time.

She had come within a whisker of the world mark in the afternoon heats, clocking 3:58.71 -- the second-fastest ever until her gold medal swim.

"It felt pretty identical to this morning with a little more pop on the back half. It just felt great."
Iraq's widely reviled parliament mired in turmoil

As Iraq faces jihadists, financial woes and endemic corruption, parliament -- the heart of its government -- has been mired in turmoil and failed to address the country's problems.

Persistent paralysis and other issues -- most recently corruption allegations against the speaker and some lawmakers -- also bolster long-held feelings among many Iraqis that the legislature is both ineffective and self-serving.

"All of our problems are because of them," Ali Majeed al-Saadi, 26, told AFP on a main commercial street in Baghdad.

Long-held feelings among many Iraqis that their parliament is both ineffective and self-serving has been boosted by recent corruption allegations against the speaker of the house and some lawmakers Sabah Arar (AFP/File)

Saifeddin Khazali, 33, was also sharply critical when asked what he thought of the legislature, saying: "They don't represent the people."

"I have absolutely no confidence (in parliament)... I don't have any confidence in any MP," Khazali said.

The most recent trouble in parliament began when Defence Minister Khalid al-Obeidi accused speaker Salim al-Juburi and several lawmakers of corruption and blackmail.

The minister's accusations led to a judicial investigation and resulted in Juburi and two MPs being barred from travelling, while the speaker filed suit against Obeidi, alleging defamation.

Earlier this year, parliament was deadlocked over Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's efforts to replace current ministers with technocrats -- a move opposed by powerful parties that rely on control of ministries for patronage and funds.

Sessions were repeatedly overshadowed by antics in parliament, including a sit-in by MPs, verbal and physical altercations, and a vote to sack the speaker that resulted in two rival claimants to the post.

Protesters angered by lawmakers' inaction eventually broke into Baghdad's fortified Green Zone area, stormed parliament and temporarily occupied the building.

Zaid al-Ali, a constitutional expert and the author of "The Struggle For Iraq's Future", said the latest problems would not necessarily further reduce confidence in parliament, as it cannot get much lower.

- Parliament considered 'a joke' -

"Ordinary Iraqis already consider the institution to be a joke," Ali said.

The deadlock and chaos in parliament in recent months comes as Iraq faces some of the most dangerous and pressing problems in its recent history -- issues an effective legislature could play a role in addressing.

The country is fighting to push back the Islamic State group, which overran large areas in 2014, and the United Nations has warned that political turmoil in Iraq ultimately benefits the jihadists.

Iraq also faces a major financial crisis caused by slumping oil prices combined with years of mismanagement and graft, and there is widespread anger over rampant corruption and abysmal services.

While there have been frequent problems in parliament of late, ineffectiveness in the legislature is far from new, and what is meant to be one of Iraq's key government institutions is not performing its role.

"Iraq's parliament is and has been one of the most ineffective institutions in the Iraqi state since 2005," said Ali.

"That is very problematic because our constitution establishes Iraq as a parliamentary democracy, and places the Iraqi parliament at the centre of all state activities," he said.

Lawmakers working for their own enrichment or for parties, sects or ethnicities instead of broader national goals are the cause of some of the problems in parliament, and of the widespread anger against it.

There is also no official opposition, and all major parties have ministers in the cabinet -- a situation that emphasises consensus and gives all sides a voice, but also makes it extremely difficult to pass and implement controversial measures.

"On vital issues like security, the parliament has been incapable of passing virtually any legislation," Ali said, and "major reform is impossible in Iraq, because the parliament is an incompetent institution".

New MPs could improve the situation, but the next election is not until 2018, and even then, change is not guaranteed.

In the interim, Iraqis will have to live with a parliament they neither believe in nor trust.

Iraq's parliament is an "unnecessary institution", journalist Ali Hassoun told AFP in Baghdad.

"If it was cancelled, it would be better," he said.

Salim al-Juburi, the Iraqi Parliament's speaker, has been accused along with several lawmakers of corruption and blackmail Sabah Arar (AFP/File)
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Accomplishments made with unmanned aircraft systems in North Dakota were recognized recently during a workshop hosted on the White House campus.

The Workshop on Drones and the Future of Aviation assembled leaders from areas of industry, academia and government to outline the future of integrating unmanned aircraft, also known as drones, into the national airspace and discuss necessary policies to ensure that happens, according to a news release.

Recognizing the fact that North Dakota as a test site is helping to pave the way for regulations really solidifies the reason why it was important that we were there, said Nicholas Flom, director of safety for the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, who attended the workshop.

The North Dakota test site is one of six designated by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct research into drones airspace integration.

The test site received recognition for requesting permission to fly drones beyond the line of visual sight at the Grand Sky business park on Grand Forks Air Force Base.

The test site is seeking to fly the aircraft up to 29,000 feet above ground without the use of a chase planes. These planes are tasked with tailing a drone during flights beyond the sight of the drones pilot, which is otherwise prohibited.

Another effort highlighted was the test sites success in securing a block of spectrum from the Federal Communications Commission for transmitting commands and data during drone flights. Accessing spectrum an increasingly challenging feat nationwide, Flom said.

Spectrum is not readily available throughout the country, he said. One of the things they were discussing was airspace might be a challenge to get, but what were finding is dedicated spectrum is even more difficult.

Spectrum will play a large role in beyond-line-of-sight commercial drone flights, which could utilize secure transmission bands for their control systems.

Flying beyond the line of visual sight  along with accompanying sense and avoid technology  is considered by many in the industry as the next significant step needed to fully integrate commercial drones into the national airspace.

Safely integrating drones into our airspace is one of the FAAs top priorities, and were determined to get it right, Michael Huerta, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, told the workshop crowd. Its essential for our economy and our role as a global aviation leader.

Also speaking were representatives from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Intel, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Edison Electric Institute.

The Edison Electric Institute, which represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies, highlighted its work with Sharper Shape, an aerial inspection company with a research office in North Dakota.

Sharper Shape and EEI announced a partnership in March that will work to develop capabilities for beyond-line-of-sight flights for electrical companies to use to inspect infrastructure. Part of that will include seeking approval to bring a beyond-line-of-sight demonstration to the FAA.

That was a great plug for a North Dakota company doing great things, Flom said.

The workshop was co-host by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Foundation.
S. Korea MPs defy president with China visit

A group of South Korean opposition lawmakers defied President Park Geun-Hye and left for China on Monday to discuss the deployment of a US anti-missile system that has opened a damaging rift between Seoul and Beijing.

Park had urged the MPs to scrap their trip, arguing that it would boost China's opposition to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and deepen divisions in South Korea over the issue.

Seoul's decision to host a THAAD battery, to counter a growing threat from North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes, has been condemned by China as a threat to its own security interests and to regional stability.

Kim Young-Ho, a lawmaker from South Korea's main opposition Minjoo Party, speaks to the media before departing for China at Gimpo airport in Seoul on August 8, 2016

The ongoing row is threatening to undo the substantial effort President Park has put into strengthening ties with China, which is not only South Korea's largest trade partner but also the key player in curbing North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Kim Young-Ho, one of the six lawmakers from the main opposition Minjoo Party travelling to Beijing, said their sole motivation was to calm the situation.

"We are visiting with the hope of offering at least a little warmth to the icy Seoul-Beijing ties," Kim was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency before leaving Seoul.

But Park insisted the visit would be counter-productive and suggested the MPs were being irresponsibly disloyal.

"On a matter of national security, there should be no division between the ruling and the opposition parties," she told a meeting of top aides Monday morning.

"Some politicians are making ridiculous claims that the deployment of THAAD will only offer good excuses for North Korea to stage more provocations -- an argument that is very similar to the North's own views," she said in comments published on her official website.

THAAD has been the subject of domestic protests in South Korea, particularly by those living in the rural county of Seongju where the first battery will be installed.

Residents say the system's powerful radar poses health and environmental hazards and argue that its presence will make them a key military target.

Opposition parties have been less than supportive of the deployment, although outright criticism has largely been limited to left-leaning MPs and activists.

Responding to Park's criticisms, Kim said calling off the visit at this stage would make things worse.

"It would look like the president had blocked it," he told reporters.

On Sunday, Park's office had issued a statement that chided China for over-reacting to the THAAD deployment.

"We believe that China, before taking issue with our purely defensive move, should raise the issue more strongly with the North," the statement said, referring to a recent series of provocative North Korean missile tests.
Tourist boom threatens Sri Lanka's golden beaches

Tourists have flocked back to Sri Lanka's palm-fringed beaches since a bloody civil war ended in 2009, but environmentalists warn unchecked development means some areas are now so polluted, swimming there is a health hazard.

Sewage from thriving hotels and guesthouses pours, often untreated, out into the water polluting the sea and shore.

Even the country's own tourism minister says he has stopped swimming in the seas close to capital Colombo because of the dirty water.

Tourists have flocked back to Sri Lanka's beaches since a bloody civil war ended in 2009, but environmentalists say the island is a victim of its own success Lakruwan Wanniarachchi (AFP)

More than two million visitors now head to the tiny Indian Ocean island every year, more than four times the number that came in 2009.

Yet there are fears it is becoming a victim of its own success.

Guesthouses have sprung up to cater for soaring numbers of visitors -- but often with little thought for how to deal with the waste they produce.

Many simply discharge raw sewage straight into the sea, exposing bathers to potential health issues.

The problem is most acute just south of Colombo at Mount Lavinia, an upscale neighbourhood and resort known for its "Golden Mile" of beach.

Environmental engineering expert Mahesh Jayaweera said the bays in Mount Lavinia were now so polluted that people should not bathe in them.

"When you look at the water you won't notice it. But at certain times of the year, the water in Mount Lavinia is so filthy it is worse than taking a dip in a cess pool," he said.

Levels of faecal contamination at Mount Lavinia are 60 times higher than maximum safe limits, said Jayaweera, of Sri Lanka's University of Moratuwa.

Many visitors are unaware of the dangers, but locals are more aware of potential issues.

"We just come here to play," said local resident Harsha Swadesh, 26, enjoying a game of volleyball with friends. "The sea is rough and it is not very clean."

Unawatuna, just south of the historic port city of Galle, is promoted as a pristine beach perfect for snorkelling and is famous for its coral reefs.

But researchers say it is among the most polluted, with many guesthouses dumping their raw sewage into the ocean, especially at night.

"Sometimes the current brings back most of the stuff back to the beach in the morning and it is awful," said one tourism industry figure who asked not to be named.

- Tourist boom -

Tourism minister John Amaratunga said visitor numbers have soared since the end of Sri Lanka's 37-year-long Tamil separatist war.

"This year, our target is 2.2 million tourists, but we may end up with 2.5 million," Amaratunga told AFP.

But he conceded unchecked growth could be having a negative impact on the environment, admitting that he has stopped swimming in the coastal waters off Colombo after seeing sewage flowing into it from a southern suburb of the city.

"I also used to go and bathe at Wellawatte... I stopped it when I saw the canal bringing in all the sewage into the sea," he explained.

He insisted the government was trying to get the tourist industry to clean up its act.

Authorities have started registering guest houses to try to ensure they dispose of their waste without harming the environment.

Beaches in the former war zone in the island's north, where tourism is still relatively new, remain cleaner.

But Jayaweera said the situation was deteriorating there too -- notably at the popular Nilaweli beach in the eastern district of Trincomalee. Often hailed by travel guides as one of Sri Lanka's "most perfect beaches", visitor numbers have jumped in the past few years.

Industry expert and environmental specialist Srilal Miththapala believes Sri Lanka needs to make urgent changes to ensure the tourism industry survives long term.

"A few years ago, we tried to shift the focus from beaches to eco-tourism, but the vast majority still visit us for our beaches," he told AFP.

"The beaches predominate the tourism industry and that is why it is absolutely important for us to clean up and protect the beaches."

More than two million visitors now head to Sri Lanka every year, more than four times the number that came in 2009 Lakruwan Wanniarachchi (AFP)

People are seen walking past an open sewer drain off Mount Lavinia beach, on the outskirts of Colombo Lakruwan Wanniarachchi (AFP)
Molotov cocktail attack injures 15 at Tokyo parade

Fifteen people, including a one-year-old baby girl, were injured in a Molotov cocktail attack at a Tokyo festival parade, officials said Monday.

Several hand-made fire bombs were thrown from a nearby apartment building when the parade passed through a quiet residential area on Sunday evening, police and fire officials said.

Firefighters later found a man in his 60s who had hanged himself in the apartment from which the bombs were apparently thrown, the official said.

A fire caused by a Molotov cocktail is seen spreading on a street during a festival parade in Tokyo on August 7, 2016 - (Jiji Press/AFP)

One of the man's neighbours told Fuji TV that he had been depressed after losing his wife last year, and complained that the boisterous festival, which included samba dancing, was too noisy for him.

Local media said the fire bombs were made with a glass bottle attached with a gas cylinder.
American, Australian kidnapped at gunpoint in Kabul

Gunmen wearing police uniforms kidnapped an American and an Australian in the heart of Kabul, officials said Monday, the latest in a series of abductions of foreigners in the conflict-torn country.

The two professors at the American University of Afghanistan were seized from their vehicle on Sunday evening, as the kidnappers smashed the passenger window and hauled them away at gunpoint.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the abductions, which come three days after a group of foreign tourists were ambushed by the Taliban in western Herat province, underscoring the growing insecurity in Afghanistan.

A series of abductions and attacks in recent months underscores the growing dangers faced by foreigners in Afghanistan Wakil Kohsar (AFP/File)

"Two foreign professors, one American and the other Australian, were abducted at gunpoint from Dar-ul-Aman road in the centre of Kabul city," interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told AFP.

"Indications are that they were kidnapped by a criminal group."

The driver and a guard inside the vehicle, both unharmed, have been held for questioning, another security official told AFP.

Four gunmen wearing police uniforms were involved in the abduction, according to a Western official in Kabul.

The Afghan capital is infested with organised criminal gangs who stage kidnappings for ransom, often targeting foreigners and wealthy Afghans, and sometimes handing them over to insurgent groups.

The US State Department said it was aware of reports of the kidnapping of an American but declined to comment further.

The Australian government confirmed the "apparent kidnapping" of one its citizens, citing its embassy in Kabul, but also refused to elaborate due to security considerations.

"We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation, including the serious threat of kidnapping," the government said in a statement.

- Growing insecurity -

This appeared to be the first reported abduction related to a private university in Afghanistan.

The elite American University of Afghanistan, which opened in 2006 and enrols more than 1,700 students, was not immediately reachable for comment. It has attracted a number of visiting faculty members from Western countries.

The abductions highlight the growing dangers faced by foreigners in Afghanistan.

Foreign tourists, including British, American and German nationals, came under Taliban fire on Thursday in a volatile district of Herat, leaving some of them wounded. They were safely evacuated to Kabul and were flown out of the country.

Aid workers in particular have increasingly been casualties of a surge in militant violence in recent years.

Judith D'Souza, a 40-year-old Indian employee of the Aga Khan Foundation, a prominent NGO that has long worked in Afghanistan, was rescued last month after she was abducted near her residence in the heart of Kabul on the night of June 9.

D'Souza's abduction came after Katherine Jane Wilson, a well-known Australian NGO worker, was kidnapped on April 28 in the city of Jalalabad, close to the border with Pakistan.

Wilson, said to be aged 60, ran an organisation known as Zardozi, which promotes the work of Afghan artisans, particularly women.

The United States in May warned its citizens in Afghanistan of a "very high" kidnapping risk after an American narrowly escaped abduction in the heart of Kabul.

In April last year the bullet-riddled bodies of five Afghan workers for Save the Children were found after they were abducted by gunmen in the strife-torn southern province of Uruzgan.

An unidentified foreign tourist wounded during a Taliban militant attack sits outside a hospital in Afghanistan's western Herat province on August 5, 2016
Carnage as Taliban kill 70 in Pakistan hospital bomb

A Taliban suicide bomb packed with ball bearings tore through a Pakistani hospital Monday and killed at least 70 people, as witnesses described tearful staff rushing towards the smoking blast site to help the wounded.

The bomber struck a crowd of some 200 people gathered at the Civil Hospital in the Balochistan provincial capital Quetta after the fatal shooting of a senior local lawyer earlier in the day. More than 100 were wounded, officials said.

Video footage showed bodies strewn on the ground, some still smoking, among pools of blood and shattered glass as shocked survivors cried and comforted one another.

Relatives mourn next to bodies of victims after a bomb explosion at a government hospital premises in Quetta, south-west Pakistan, on August 8, 2016 Banaras Khan (AFP)

Many of the victims were clad in the black suits and ties traditionally worn by Pakistani lawyers.

An AFP journalist was about 20 metres away when the bomb went off.

"There were huge black clouds and dirt," he said.

"I ran back to the place and saw dead bodies scattered everywhere and many injured people crying. There were pools and pools of blood around and pieces of human bodies and flesh."

Nurses and lawyers wept as medics from inside the hospital rushed out to help dozens of injured, he said.

"People were beating their heads, crying and mourning. They were in shock and grief."

Pervez Masi, who was injured by pieces of flying glass, said the blast was so powerful that "we didn't know what had happened".

"So many friends were martyred," he said. "Whoever is doing this is not human, he is a beast and has no humanity."

Police confirmed the attack was a suicide blast.

"The bomber had strapped some eight kilograms (18 pounds) of explosives packed with ball bearings and shrapnel on his body," bomb disposal unit chief Abdul Razzaq told AFP.

A faction of the Pakistani Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, claimed responsibility for the attack in an email to journalists.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has also said it was behind the deadliest attack in Pakistan so far this year, a bombing in a crowded Lahore park that killed 75 people on Easter Sunday.

A spokesman vowed more attacks "until the imposition of an Islamic system in Pakistan".

"The death toll has risen to 70 and there are 112 injured," the head of the provincial health department, Dr Masood Nausherwani, told reporters.

Officials said mobile phone jammers had been activated around hospitals in the area -- a regular precaution after an attack -- making it hard to contact officers on the ground to get updated information.

- Crowd mourning lawyer's death -

The crowd, mainly lawyers and journalists, had gone to the hospital after the death of the president of the Balochistan Bar Association in a shooting earlier Monday, said provincial home secretary Akbar Harifal.

Bilal Anwar Kasi was targeted by two unidentified gunmen as he left his home for work.

Pakistan is grimly accustomed to atrocities after a nearly decade-long insurgency. But security had markedly improved in 2015, when the death toll from militant attacks fell to its lowest since 2007, when the TTP was formed.

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has major oil and gas resources but is afflicted by Islamist militancy, sectarian violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims and a separatist insurgency.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and ordered authorities to tighten security. He and the head of Pakistan's powerful military visited Quetta to express their condolences.

Facebook activated its safety check for Quetta in the wake of the attack.

Pakistani hospitals have been targeted by militants before.

In 2010 a bomb killed 13 people outside the casualty department of a hospital in Karachi, where victims of an earlier attack were being treated as anxious relatives gathered.

Pakistan bomb blast - (AFP Graphic)
Taiwan protests Kenya deportations to China

Taiwan on Monday protested Kenya's deportation of five Taiwanese citizens to China after they were acquitted of running a cybercrime cell last week, as relations with Beijing worsen under the island's new president.

Kenya's actions are just the latest in a recent spate of deportations of Taiwanese to China, with Taipei accusing Beijing of "abducting" citizens from countries that do not recognise the island's government.

A Kenyan court on Friday acquitted 35 Chinese and five Taiwanese held in custody since December 2014 for allegedly running a cybercrime cell from an upmarket Nairobi suburb on the grounds that the prosecution had failed to prove their involvement.

A sign reading 'China illegally abducts Taiwanese people' is seen during a press conference organized by lawmakers from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), at Parliament in Taipei, in April 2016 Sam Yeh (AFP/File)

The group was accused of being involved in running an unlicensed telecommunication system and was engaged in organised crime -- charges they had denied.

Kenya deported dozens of Taiwanese in April also accused of fraud, after they had been cleared of charges.

Observers read the deportation cases as a Chinese bid to pressurise Taiwan's new Beijing-sceptic leader Tsai Ing-wen -- who took office in May.

But Beijing insists that Taiwanese fraud suspects be sent to China to face trial as their alleged telecom crimes largely target mainland Chinese.

The five Taiwanese were deported to China in a flight that took off from Kenya around midnight Sunday, despite the court's decision for them to be returned to Taiwan, according to officials in Taipei.

"We express strong protest to the Kenyan government... We regret that Kenyan authorities bowed to pressure from China to forcefully deport five suspects from our country to China," the foreign ministry said.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), its top China policy-making body, said it lodged a protest with Beijing over the latest round of deportations.

"The Chinese side ignored our repeated calls not to deport our people to China and seriously hurt the feelings of Taiwanese people," it said in a statement.

MAC said it will continue to negotiate with China to secure the suspects' return to Taiwan to stand trial.

The president's spokesman Alex Huang also voiced concerns over the deportations, saying it "violated human rights and international precedent".

The deportations fly in the face of condemnation from rights groups, with Amnesty International saying last week the Taiwanese face potential "human rights violations" if sent to the mainland.

Taipei has also protested the recent deportations of Taiwanese fraud suspects from Malaysia and Cambodia to China.

Relations between Taiwan and China have grown increasingly frosty since Tsai and her the Democratic Progressive Party came to power.

China insists that self-ruling Taiwan is part of its territory even though the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war.

Johnny Chiang, a legislator from the Kuomintang (KMT) party, displays a video showing Taiwanese detented at a police station in Kenya, during a press conference in Taipei, in April 2016 Sam Yeh (AFP/File)
Pakistan's bogus bomb-detectors in business despite global scandal

With radio-like antennae meant to swivel and point at vehicles carrying bombs, "magic wand" explosive detectors proliferated throughout conflict zones in the 2000s until they were exposed as a global scam.

But in an astonishing security threat, more than 15,000 of a new variant of the handheld device have been made in Pakistan to guard high-value facilities such as airports and government installations, despite officials conceding they are effectively useless.

Many creators of the original devices are serving long prison sentences for fraud, including British businessman James McCormick. His ADE-651 became a mainstay of security forces in Iraq, where $85 million was spent on them, before they were officially banned last month.

A Pakistani private security guard uses an explosives detector to search a vehicle at a mall entrance in Islamabad Aamir Qureshi (AFP)

"It serves a deterrence value only -- it's good for police and security personnel to have something in their hands," said a senior interior ministry official, who asked to remain anonymous.

Pressed on whether Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgents -- who have been waging an insurgency that has that claimed more than 60,000 lives in Pakistan since 2004 -- may by now be wise to the deception, he conceded: "Yes, they are savvy and they probably are aware by now."

His comments were backed by two more senior members of government, though neither was prepared to go formally on the record.

Official silence over the matter may be linked to the enormous sums of money involved in the business, observers say, while many bureaucrats fear for their jobs if they speak out.

"Powerful people make money through these scams and you cannot offend powerful people, even if it means endangering lives," said one former official at the interior ministry.

- Public security threat -

Pakistan initially imported foreign detector devices such as the ADE-651 and the German made Sniffex, according to a government source, but in 2009 Pakistan's Airport Security Force (ASF) took over making and selling the wands.

More than 15,000 units have been sold within the country at a cost of 70,000 rupees ($700), according to an official, amounting to a total revenue of more than $10 million.

The ASF -- which declined multiple requests for comment -- is technically a civilian institution but is staffed by many serving senior officers deputed from the powerful military, which wields considerable influence over the country's defence and foreign policy.

The wands, named "Khoji" (finder), are used by security personnel to protect airports and government installations, and have also been widely sold to the private sector and deployed at malls, hotels and fast-food chains.

J Chacko, a London-based security analyst, said they were endangering lives.

"A false sense of complacency based on devices that do not work does represent a public security threat," he said.

- 'Snake oil ' -

The device claims an accuracy level of 90 percent, according to a copy of its user manual obtained by AFP, but uses the principles of radiesthesia, or dowsing, which experts consider junk science.

"Khoji is the first device of its kind that can detect explosives from distances of up to 100 metres (330 feet), even when the explosive is hidden behind walls or metal barriers such as buildings or vehicles," the manual boasts.

"It detects the interference by between the magnetic field of the earth, the explosive, the device itself and the human body, which allows the device to penetrate and locate even small amounts of explosive through concrete, soil, and metal barriers."

But Andrea Sella, a professor of chemistry at the University College London, dismissed the claims as "laughable".

"There is no physical basis for the operation of those devices," he told AFP. "It's pure snake oil, sold to desperate people who use them because something, even if useless, is better than nothing.

"There is no 'magnetic' signal that you might be able to pick up. The idea that you could do so through metal, especially steel in a car, is laughable."

His comments were backed by Pervez Hoodbhoy, a leading Pakistani physicist who trained at the US's MIT.

"It's a fraud. There's no way that explosives can be detected by electromagnetic means," he said.

Leading scientists are currently developing legitimate explosives-detectors based on sensors that "sniff" out explosive compounds such as triacetone triperoxide, but the work remains in its infancy.

A Western security consultant Afghanistan told AFP: "The only device that can currently detect such explosives is a dog."

More than 15,000 "magic wand" explosive detectors are being used in Pakistan to guard high-value facilities such as airports and government installations, despite officials conceding they are effectively useless Aamir Qureshi (AFP)
Japan's ageing emperor hints at abdication

Emperor Akihito said Monday his advancing age and weakening health mean he may no longer be able to carry out his duties, setting the stage for Japan to prepare for an historic abdication.

"There are times when I feel various constraints such as in my physical fitness," the 82-year-old said in a national address.

"As we are in the midst of a rapidly ageing society, I would like to talk to you today about what would be a desirable role of the emperor in a time when the emperor, too, becomes advanced in age," he said.

Japanese watch a big video screen on a Tokyo street as Emperor Akihito addresses the nation on August 8, 2016 Toru Yamanaka (AFP)

Speculation about the emperor's future emerged last month with reports he had told confidantes that he would like to step down in a few years, in what would be the first abdication from the Chrysanthemum Throne in two centuries.

"I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being as I have done until now," he said, wearing a dark suit and sitting at a table in the pre-recorded video.

Akihito spoke obliquely -- never mentioning the word abdication and stressing he is legally prevented from commenting on the imperial system -- but analysts said his intention was clear.

The comments will now allow the government to begin creating the necessary legal mechanism for a royal departure, which currently does not exist.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in a swift response to the emperor's speech, said the government would take the emperor's remarks "seriously".

"Considering the emperor's duties, as well as his age and the burden (of the job), we have to firmly look at what we can do," he said.

- 'Concretely consider' -

"The emperor did not use the word abdication, but his message clearly called on the public to concretely consider the way for that in the future," said Tomitaro Hashimoto, an assistant professor at Reitaku University.

"Legally, he can't request a revision of law," said Hashimoto, an expert on Japan's imperial system. "That's why he can't ask directly."

The address marked only the second time for Akihito to speak directly to the nation. The first was in the days after the March 2011 triple earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster as he sought to calm a nation undergoing its worst crisis since the war.

Japan's imperial house is said to be the world's oldest hereditary monarchy, and according to legend stretches back some 2,600 years in an unbroken line.

It is deeply ingrained in the nation's native Shinto religion and it comes with numerous ritual duties, including planting rice in a field within the palace grounds.

The speech comes during an annual time of sensitivity in Japan with August being a month of remembrance. Japan commemorated the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Saturday and does so again on Tuesday for Nagasaki.

And next Monday, Japan pauses to recall the 71st anniversary of its defeat in World War II, an annual event at which the emperor delivers a speech.

Akihito has keenly embraced the role of symbol of the state imposed after the war. He is credited with seeking reconciliation both at home and abroad over the legacy of the war fought in his father's name.

He has ventured to a number of locales that saw intense fighting, including Okinawa at home and Saipan, Palau and the Philippines abroad, making sure to offer prayers for the souls of all the dead and not just Japanese.

Any eventual move by Akihito to step down appears to have wide public support.

A survey by Kyodo News last week showed that 85.7 percent of people surveyed were in favour of legal changes that would allow abdication.

Japan royal dynasty John SAEKI (AFP)

Tourists are seen in front of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on August 8, 2016 Toru Yamanaka (AFP)
Manatees leave Singapore for Caribbean repopulation scheme

Two manatees born and bred at the Singapore Zoo left the city-state early Monday for Guadeloupe as part of the world's first repopulation programme for the mammal, which became extinct on the French Caribbean island.

Males Kai, seven, and Junior, six, left Singapore at 4:50 am (2050 GMT Sunday) for the 34-hour journey on a chartered Singapore Airlines cargo flight, the zoo operator said.

After a farewell ceremony on Sunday attended by representatives from the French embassy, the manatees -- weighing hundreds of kilos -- were coaxed onto canvases and placed in custom-built open-top crates lined with thick sponge, an operation involving dozens of zoo staff.

Zoo staff hold Kai, one of the manatees at Singapore's River Safari theme park, before it is transported Roslan Rahman (AFP)

They will be periodically sprayed with water during the journey. Two veterinarians from Guadeloupe's national park and an aquarist from Singapore's zoo are travelling with them.

Kai and Junior, who were born in captivity, are the first of 15 of their kind to arrive in the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin, a 15,000 hectare (37,000 acre) protected bay in Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory in the southern Caribbean.

They will be joined by 13 others of different genders from zoos around the world.

Any offspring from the group will be released into the wild as part of the repopulation programme.

"We are happy to have the opportunity to contribute towards repopulating part of the manatees' historic range in the Caribbean, where they have not been sighted in over a century," said Mike Barclay, chief executive of Singapore Zoo operator Mandai Park Holdings.

"Projects like this allow us to do our bit to protect and conserve the world's biodiversity," he said at the farewell ceremony Sunday.

Discussion of the repopulation programme started in 2007 and included educating the Guadeloupe public about the animals also known as sea cows, US-based project consultant Ray L. Ball told AFP Sunday.

"You can't reintroduce an animal species to a country if the people don't want it," he said.

Known locally in Guadeloupe as "maman d'lo" or mother of the sea, West Indian manatees were an important part of the territory's ecology until they were hunted to extinction in the early 20th century.

The species is listed as "vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species, with the West Indian variety becoming extinct in the Caribbean due to overhunting.

A gentle creature which can grow to up to 4.5 metres (15 feet) in length, the manatee's natural habitats are warm coastal waters, mangrove swamps and estuaries where they graze on plants.
Bangladesh kicks out North Korean diplomat over smuggled goods

Bangladesh has kicked out a North Korean diplomat after he was caught smuggling more than one million cigarettes as well as electronics into the country in a shipping container, Dhaka officials said on Monday.

Han Son Ik, the first secretary of the North Korean embassy in Dhaka, has been ordered to leave the country after failing to declare the goods worth nearly half a million dollars to customs.

Bangladesh foreign secretary Shahidul Haque confirmed the order had been made to the North Koreans, but declined to give a timetable for his departure. Local media said he had been ordered by leave by Monday.

Han Son Ik, the first secretary of the North Korean embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has been ordered to leave the country after failing to declare the goods worth nearly half a million dollars to customs Munir Uz Zaman (AFP/File)

"We have asked North Korea to take him back for violating diplomatic norms," Haque, Bangladesh's top foreign bureaucrat, told AFP, declining to give details.

A senior customs official told AFP the North Korean used his diplomatic immunity earlier this month to import the goods which were suspected destined for the blackmarket.

"The diplomat declared that his cargo contained food and soft drinks. But when we opened the cargo, we found 1.6 million stalks of expensive cigarettes and electronics," Moinul Khan, head of intelligence at Bangladesh customs, told AFP.

"At market prices these products are valued at 35 million taka ($430,000). We suspect that he brought the products to sell to local smuggling gangs," he said.

AFP was unable to immediately contact the North Korean embassy for comment.

In March last year, another North Korean diplomat was forced to apologise after he was caught at Dhaka airport trying to smuggle nearly 27 kilogrammes (60 pounds) of gold, worth $1.7 million, into the country.

In 2012, customs authorities issued a 2.5-million taka fine after seizing illegal wines from another North Korean envoy.
GRAND FORKS -- A candidate for the North Dakota House was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in late July.

Emily OBrien, who is running as a Republican for Grand Forks District 42, was arrested in the early hours of July 27 near the intersection of North Third Street and First Avenue in downtown Grand Forks, according to court records. A breath test showed her blood alcohol concentration was .147 percent, above the .08 legal limit, according to a copy of her citation.

Court records dont include a narrative of the incident.

OBrien, 24, faces a Class B Misdemeanor. Her case originated in Grand Forks Municipal Court, but was transferred to Grand Forks District Court after OBrien requested a jury trial, court records show.

OBrien requested the court allow her attorney, Alex Reichert, to appear for her during the proceedings and to enter a not guilty plea, according to court records. OBrien declined to explain the plea.

Her initial appearance, previously scheduled for Aug. 18, has been canceled. A final dispositional conference is set for Nov. 17, according to court records.

In an emailed statement, OBrien said she was cooperative with police and will continue to remain fully cooperative throughout this process.

I am taking responsibility for my actions, but it will not affect my ability to serve the constituents of District 42 and support my running mates, she added. I apologize to my family, colleagues, running mates Jake Blum and Curt Kreun, and the Grand Forks community.

North Dakota court records show this is OBriens first DUI charge here. She was convicted of a petty misdemeanor for underage drinking in January 2011 in Minnesota.

OBrien is running alongside Blum on the Republican ticket for the House in District 42, which is represented by two Democrats: Kylie Oversen and Corey Mock. Kreun, a former lawmaker, is running against incumbent Democratic Sen. Mac Schneider.
Both sides brace for crucial battle for Syria's Aleppo

Syrian regime forces and rebel factions sent hundreds of reinforcements to Aleppo Monday as both sides braced for a crucial battle to control the country's second city.

Fighting for Syria's former economic powerhouse is intensifying after an opposition advance at the weekend broke through a three-week government siege of the city's rebel-held east, dealing a major setback to regime troops.

Rebel forces Sunday announced a bid to capture all of Aleppo city, which if successful would mark the biggest opposition victory yet in Syria's five-year civil war.

A rebel fighter reloads during clashes with regime forces in Ramussa on the edge of Aleppo Fadi al-Halabi (AFP)

But forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad are putting up a fierce fight and have begun pouring in reinforcements.

The main opposition coalition said Monday it was only a matter of time before rebels take all of Aleppo, but the United States warned there would be no quick victory.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said some 2,000 pro-regime fighters from Syria, Iraq, Iran and Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah had arrived in Aleppo since late Sunday.

"Both sides are amassing their fighters in preparation for the great battle of Aleppo," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.

Al-Watan, a Syrian daily close to the government, reported Monday the army had received "the necessary military reinforcements to launch the battle to retake the areas from which it withdrew."

It said a military operation by Syria's armed forces was "imminent... and inevitable."

Aleppo has been roughly divided between government forces in the west and rebel groups in the east since fighting first broke out there in mid-2012.

- New phase -

An AFP correspondent in the eastern districts said shelling and sporadic clashes were hitting Aleppo but there were no signs yet of significant new offensives.

After years of stalemate, fighting for the city entered a new phase last month when government forces took control of the last supply road into rebel areas, surrounding some 250,000 people in eastern districts.

In a desperate bid to break the siege, a coalition of rebels, Islamists and jihadists overran a series of buildings in a military academy on the southwestern edges of Aleppo Saturday before linking up with rebel groups inside the city.

Emboldened by the victory, the fighters -- largely grouped under the banner of the Army of Conquest -- set their sights on recapturing all of Aleppo.

The Army of Conquest Sunday announced "the start of a new phase to liberate all of Aleppo", pledging to "double the number of fighters for this next battle".

In Istanbul, Syrian National Coalition chief Anas al-Abdeh said he was confident the whole city could now be taken: "I think it is just a matter of time."

Washington's UN envoy Samantha Power said: "Neither side will be able to win a swift or decisive victory in the battle for Aleppo."

Abdel Rahman said hundreds of opposition fighters had arrived in Aleppo from the surrounding province and neighbouring Idlib.

Most were from the Fateh al-Sham Front, formerly Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front, that leads the Army of Conquest.

- Food and fuel -

"Whoever wins (in Aleppo), the war will not end. It is however an important battle, the result of which will set the course of the conflict," said Syria expert Thomas Pierret.

Pierret said a rebel win would confine the regime to an arc of territory between the western coastal areas and the Golan Heights, while a regime victory could lead to the "collapse" of the insurgency.

The rebel advance at the weekend cut off a key regime access route on the city's southern edges, previously used to ferry supplies to around 1.2 million residents in western districts.

Overnight, regime forces brought in trucks carrying food and fuel into western neighbourhoods via the northern Castello Road instead, the Observatory said.

More than 290,000 people -- including over 84,000 civilians -- have been killed since Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011, the Observatory said in a new toll Monday.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that air strikes on a hospital in Idlib province on Saturday killed 13 people, including four staff and five children.

The hospital, which had served 70,000 people, was destroyed, the medical charity said Monday.

International efforts to resolve the conflict have repeatedly failed, although the UN is hoping that peace talks can resume later this month.

The efforts come as a US-led coalition fights the Islamic State jihadist group, which seized large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014.

A coalition air strike Sunday destroyed 83 oil tankers used by IS in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, the US military said.

Once Syria's commercial hub, Aleppo has been transformed into a bombed-out, divided city since fighting first erupted there in 2012

Opposition fighters drive a tank in a beseiged neighbourhood of Aleppo Omar haj kadour (AFP)
Bangladesh police raid website, detain journalists

Bangladesh police have raided the office of a news website and detained three journalists over a report on rumours the prime minister's son had died, an official said Monday, days after the country blocked dozens of news sites.

Police conducted a five-hour search of the popular news portal banglamail24.com's Dhaka office on Sunday evening, hours after the story appeared, and detained the executive editor and two other journalists.

The portal reported rumours published on a Facebook page that Sajeeb Wazed Joy had died in a plane crash, but it made clear that they were false.

Bangladesh police have raided the office of a news website and detained three journalists over a report on rumours the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son had died Andrew Gombert (POOL/AFP/File)

"We have picked them up for questioning about the news they have published," said Mufti Mahmud Khan, spokesman for the elite Rapid Action Battalion, which carried out the raid on the office.

"After the questioning ends, we will be able to tell you more about it."

Phones at the banglamail24 office went unanswered on Monday morning and the website had not been updated.

The raid came days after the government sparked accusations of censorship when it shut down 32 online news services, citing "objectionable contents".

The government has also banned live television coverage of Islamist extremist attacks in the wake of last month's deadly assault on a cafe in which 22 people were killed, including 18 foreigners.
Philippine's Marcos unfit for hero's burial says historical group

Philippine activists and a historical body on Monday criticised President Rodrigo Duterte's plan to give late dictator Ferdinand Marcos a hero's burial, saying the ex-leader lied about his military record.

Duterte said Sunday he would fulfil his campaign promise to bury Marcos at the national "Heroes' Cemetery", a contentious issue because of widespread corruption and rights abuses under the late dictator.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines released a study over the weekend questioning Duterte's stand that Marcos was qualified for a hero's burial because he was a soldier during World War II.

Marcos was elected president in 1965 and declared martial law in 1972, allowing him to rule as a dictator Romeo Gacad (AFP/File)

"Marcos lied about receiving US medals... (his) military record is fraught with myths, factual inconsistencies," the agency said.

"A doubtful record does not serve as sound, unassailable basis of historical recognition of any sort, let alone burial in a site intended, as its name suggests, for heroes."

Marcos was toppled in a military-backed popular revolt in 1986 and died in exile in Hawaii in 1989.

But his family has insisted on a hero's burial even though previous presidents refused this. In the meantime, they have kept his preserved body on display in their home town in the northern province of Ilocos Norte.

Marcos was elected president in 1965 and declared martial law in 1972, allowing him to rule as a dictator while he, his family and allies enriched themselves through massive corruption as his troops suppressed dissent.

Anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International in 2004 named Marcos the second most corrupt leader of all time.

Despite his proclaimed stance against corruption, Duterte has heaped praise on Marcos as the Philippines' "best president". He maintains close ties with the Marcos family, who supported his presidential campaign.

Duterte boasts that his father served in the Marcos administration and that he voted for Marcos.

Duterte's defence secretary ordered the military on Sunday to start preparing for the burial.

But activists urged the president to reconsider.

"We call on President Duterte not to give a platform for the Marcoses to whitewash the crimes they committed. This man does not deserve any form of honour," said Tinay Palabay, secretary general of rights group Karapatan.

Former lawmaker Satur Ocampo, tortured and imprisoned during martial law, said a hero's burial for Marcos would not bring national closure as Duterte promised.

"Disunity will continue ... Duterte should not aggravate the injustice done to martial law victims."

Marcos' son and political heir, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, thanked Duterte for granting the family's longstanding wish.

"Our campaign has always been towards achieving unity to move the country forward. And it is this kind of pronouncement that we hope could end the decades of divisiveness," Marcos Jnr said on his Facebook page.
Amazon Japan offices raided in antitrust case

Japan's fair trade watchdog raided the offices of Amazon Japan over allegations that it improperly pressured retailers that sold products on its site, local media said Monday.

The Japanese unit of the US-based internet retailer forced conditions such as requiring retailers to sell products below the price they advertised on rival sites, the Nikkei business daily said.

Japan's Fair Trade Commission declined to confirm the report, but added that it was "not incorrect".

Amazon Japan forced conditions such as requiring retailers to sell products below the price they advertised on rival sites, says the Nikkei business daily Kazuhiro Nogi (AFP/File)

Amazon Japan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Last year, the European Union's antitrust watchdog opened a formal investigation into Amazon's ebook distribution.
Swedes demand Israel repair ship after court victory

Swedish rights group Ship to Gaza said Monday it will ask Israeli authorities to repair a blockade-busting ship they impounded in 2012, after Israel's Supreme Court ordered its release.

Ship to Gaza spokesman Dror Feiler told AFP that the Finnish-flagged Estelle was in Israel's northern port of Haifa, still afloat but unfit to put to sea.

"Last time we had a person who checked the boat, it was maybe one year or nine months ago, the condition of the boat was not good, to put it mildly," he said in English by phone from his home in Sweden.

Ship to Gaza's Estelle voyage was one of several unsuccessful attempts to breach Gaza blockade

"It's in salt water and we don't know the condition of the engine, we don't know the condition of the sails," he said. "We will demand that the boat will be put into seaworthy condition so we can sail."

Israeli-born activist Feiler was one of 11 Swedish nationals on the vessel when the Israeli navy commandeered it in 2012 as it neared the coast of the blockaded Gaza Strip.

He had previously renounced his Israeli citizenship and held Swedish nationality.

The Swedes, along with activists from Norway, Canada, Spain, Italy, Greece and Finland, were arrested and later deported.

In its ruling on Sunday the Supreme Court said the state impounded the ship illegally and awarded its owners legal costs of 40,000 shekels ($10,500, 9,400 euros).

"In light of everything that was said in the ruling, the judges... ordered the release of the ship immediately," a justice ministry statement said.

Feiler said Ship to Gaza would now file a claim for damages.

"They kept the boat for four years and now the court is stipulating that it was illegal so we shall try to get economic compensation," he said. "It's much larger (than the court expenses)."

Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade since 2006. It was tightened in 2007 after the Islamist group Hamas seized control in Gaza.
Iran ex-president writes to Obama demanding frozen funds

Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, rumoured to be planning a political comeback, has asked Barack Obama to return $2 billion of assets frozen in the US in a letter made public Monday.

Ahmadinejad wrote that despite early promises by the US president to improve ties with Iran "the same hostile policies along with the same trend of enmity were pursued".

He specifically mentioned the $2 billion of Iranian foreign currency reserves seized from New York bank accounts earlier this year.

Iran's former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a letter on Monday to President Barack Obama, asking him to 'quickly fix' a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing families of people killed in attacks linked to Iran to collect damages from some $2 billion in frozen assets

In April, the US Supreme Court confirmed an earlier ruling that the money should be used to compensate the families of victims of the 1983 bombing of a US Marines barracks in Lebanon and other incidents blamed on Iran.

Iran is appealing the decision at the International Court of Justice.

"I passionately advise you not to let the historical defamation and bitter incident be recorded under your name," Ahmadinejad wrote.

The letter comes as the controversial former president, who led the country from 2005 to 2013, is reportedly working towards a possible run in next year's presidential election.

He has made multiple public appearances around the country in recent weeks, although he has yet to formally announce he is running.

Ahmadinejad's inflammatory rhetoric -- particularly regarding Iran's nuclear programme and hostility towards Israel -- was blamed for deepening tensions with the West, but his populist approach and humble roots means he has retained popularity with poorer sections of Iranian society.

By the end of his term, Ahmadinejad had alienated even the conservative establishment and it remains to be seen whether he will be approved as a candidate by the powerful Guardian Council.

The council announced last month that the election will take place on May 19.

President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate who oversaw a deal with world powers to end sanctions in exchange for curbing Iran's nuclear programme, is expected to run for a second term, although he faces mounting pressure from conservatives who say the deal has brought few benefits to Iran.
Tensions in Chad as Deby sworn in for fifth term

Chad's President Idriss Deby took the oath of office Monday for a fifth term in power, facing dogged resistance from an opposition that alleges his re-election was a "political hold-up".

With tensions high a day after the death of a protester during an opposition march, around a dozen African heads of state attended the swearing-in ceremony, including the presidents of Nigeria and Niger which, like Chad, are battling the Boko Haram jihadist group.

"I am the president of all Chadians," Deby said in his inauguration speech.

Chad's president, Idriss Deby (L) came to power in 1990 and was re-elected in a first-round vote in April with 61.5 percent of ballots cast Issouf Sanogo (AFP/File)

The 64-year-old veteran leader promised "a relentless battle against terrorism everywhere it threatens our interests and our security".

Other allies, including leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Mauritania, attended the ceremony which was held at a large hotel in the capital N'Djamena.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, defence minister of former colonial power France, also attended to the dismay of the opposition, which wants the international community to recognise the "dictatorial nature" of Deby's regime.

Deby, who first came to power in 1990, was re-elected in a first-round vote in April with around 60 percent of ballots cast, against almost 13 percent for opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo.

One young protester was shot dead on Sunday in a government crackdown, opposition and police sources said, with Kebzabo saying he had been hit by live bullets fired by security forces to disperse the protesters.

Kebzabo said he was "surprised and disappointed" by France's decision to send a high ranking representative.

He told AFP the opposition was Monday holding a general strike to create what it called a "dead city" in protest against Deby's return to power.

He also said he had received an order from the prosecutor to report to the police on Tuesday morning.

- 'We're in the right' -

Kebzabo had on Saturday declared: "We are in the right. It's the government that is acting illegally by preventing political parties from expressing themselves."

Opposition activists have also announced the filing of a complaint in court alleging "high treason" by Deby, claiming "illegal taking of power by violence" and "misuse of public money".

The opposition called Deby's re-election a "political hold-up", saying its own count showed no candidate won outright in the first round.

The election campaign was marred by a clampdown on demonstrations by unions and rights groups demanding a change of leadership and democratic reforms.

Arrests and disappearances of activists are common in the nation of 12 million people.

The situation in the semi-desert country, a key player in the fight against west African jihadist groups, has been tense in recent months and as an oil producer its economy has suffered from the global fall in crude prices.

Deby in his speech Monday urged rural development rather than a reliance on oil. "Our good will never come from oil resources because their scarcity and volatility are more of a weakness than a reassurance," he said.

Chad is an active ally of Western nations and its neighbours in the battle against the Nigeria-based Islamist group Boko Haram, and N'Djamena is the headquarters for France's Barkhane anti-jihadist force.

The opposition has laid partial blame on France for the tensions in the country, claiming Paris has turned a blind eye to alleged human rights violations.

Despite the regime's strict security set-up, Chad has seen unusual social tension this year.

The gang rape of a schoolgirl by the sons of senior officials triggered angry demonstrations around the country, which were severely dealt with by the authorities.

And strikes by officials over late salary payments have been growing.

The opposition, led by Saleh Kebzabo, called Deby's re-election a "political hold-up", saying their own count showed different results Issouf Sanogo (AFP/File)
Seven including baby killed in Nepal helicopter crash

A helicopter crashed into a hillside in Nepal on Monday, killing all seven people on board including a baby, officials said.

The Kathmandu-bound Fishtail Air helicopter was carrying six passengers when it lost contact with air traffic control about 30 minutes after taking off from the western district of Gorkha.

Among them was a new mother seeking medical treatment in the capital.

Nepal, still reeling from last year's devastating earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people, has suffered a number of air disasters in recent years Luis Robayo (AFP/File)

Villagers alerted authorities after they noticed thick smoke rising from a hillside 22 kilometres (14 miles) north of the capital.

"There were five adults and one infant on board as well as the pilot," said Ramesh Shiwakoti of Fishtail Air.

"There are no survivors," Shiwakoti told AFP. "Without an investigation, we cannot tell what caused the accident."

District chief Bishnu Prasad Pokhrel said rescuers from the army and police have reached the area.

"They are trying to retrieve the bodies," Pokhrel told AFP by telephone from the crash site.

Nepal, still reeling from last year's devastating earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people, has suffered a number of air disasters in recent years.

Four people, including three staff from medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF), died in June 2015 when a helicopter crashed while delivering aid to quake survivors.

That incident came three weeks after a UH-1Y Huey helicopter came down on a relief mission in the north of the country.

Six US Marines, two Nepali soldiers and five villagers were killed.
Japan military on alert to destroy N. Korea missile: media

Japan's newly appointed defence minister on Monday ordered the nation's military to be ready to destroy any missiles fired by North Korea that threaten the country, local media reported.

Tomomi Inada issued the order, public broadcaster NHK said, without mentioning any indication that Pyongyang is preparing to launch such a missile.

Last week Prime Minister Shinzo Abe picked Inada, a close confidante with staunchly nationalist views, as the new defence minister.

Tomoni Inada (L), a close confidante of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with staunchly nationalist views, is Japan's newly appointed defence minister Kazuhiro Nogi (AFP/File)

NHK said Inada is expected to renew the readiness order every three months so that Tokyo can seamlessly maintain a state of alert.

A Japanese defence ministry spokesman declined to confirm the report.

Her appointment came Wednesday, the same day North Korea, a major security headache for Japan, fired a ballistic missile that landed just 250 kilometres (155 miles) off its coast -- hitting Japanese-controlled waters for the first time.

The US military said the North had actually launched two Rodong intermediate-range missiles simultaneously, but one appeared to have exploded on take-off.

The launches followed a North Korean threat of "physical action" over the planned deployment of a sophisticated US anti-missile system in South Korea, and came just weeks before the start of large-scale joint South Korea-US military exercises.

Pyongyang has conducted a series of missile tests this year in defiance of UN sanctions imposed after its fourth nuclear test in January.

After Wednesday's launch Japanese media quoted officials as saying they were surprised and voicing concern that North Korea was getting better at concealing its preparations to fire missiles.
British aristocrat's son awaits ruling in Kenya drugs case

A British aristocrat's son facing charges of trafficking $5.8 million worth of cocaine was awaiting a new ruling on his application for bail Monday, after prosecutors challenged his conditional release.

Jack Marrian, 31, was charged last Thursday after police in the eastern port city of Mombasa seized a 100-kilo (220 pound) stash of cocaine in a sugar consignment ordered by British firm ED&F Man.

Magistrate Derrick Kuto earlier said Marrian, a sugar trader who has lived in East Africa since early childhood, could leave jail if he posted a bond of 70 million shillings ($690,600) with two Kenyan sureties and surrendered his passport.

British national Jack Marrian (C), was charged after police in Mombasa seized 100 kilos of cocaine hidden in a sugar consignment ordered by his firm

But Marrian will remain in custody ahead of a High Court hearing on Tuesday following a successful intervention by Kenya's Director of Public Prosecutions, who protested the decision given the severity of the charge.

The businessman could face a life sentence if convicted.

Dressed in a grey-blue suit and patterned tie, Marrian showed little emotion during the hearing, except to smile once at his parents across the packed courtroom.

Defence lawyer Sheetal Kapila told AFP he believed the case was driven by the authorities' desire "to stop Kenya being a transit point" for drugs, but in this case, "it's the wrong man who's been picked up."

"Unknown people have smuggled this drug into the consignment," Kapila said.

Mombasa on Africa's east coast has long been used as a hub for drugs bound for Asia and Europe.

- Life of privilege -

Marrian's case has caused a sensation in his native Britain, where the aristocratic background of his mother Lady Emma Clare Campbell of Cawdor and his attendance at top private schools, including the alma mater of Prince William's wife Catherine, have caught the eye of the press.

His family's relationship with Kenya dates back decades, his lawyer said, as Marrian's grandfather served as a minister in the colonial government just before independence in 1963.

His father David Marrian said he had spoken with his son daily since his arrest.

"I have no doubt that Jack will be exonerated," he said.

His father confirmed the firms Marrian works for -- Kenya- and Uganda-based Mshale Commodities and London-based ED&F Man -- were backing him "100 percent".

In a statement released late Monday, a Mshale spokeswoman said it would continue to provide support "to ensure that justice is done based on facts and evidence; we are confident that Jack will be fully exonerated once the facts are presented."

Roy Francis Mwanthi, a Kenyan facing similar charges, was also due to have his bail reconsidered after initially being freed on a 60-million-shilling bond with two Kenyan sureties.
UN concern over alleged World Vision aid diversion

The United Nations expressed "serious concerns" Monday over allegations a World Vision humanitarian aid worker passed millions of dollars to the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and its armed wing.

"Redirecting relief away from its intended beneficiaries would be a profound betrayal of the trust put in a senior manager by his employer and by the organisation's donors," said Robert Piper, UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Aid and Development Activities in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The allegations against Mohammed al-Halabi, head of the US-based Christian charity in Gaza, "raise serious concerns for humanitarian organisations working in Gaza," Piper said in a statement.

World Vision is a US-based Christian charity operating in Gaza Ahmad Gharabli (AFP)

Israel on Thursday charged Halabi with diverting millions of dollars of both materials and cash to Hamas, including its armed wing.

An official from the Shin Bet security agency said it amounted to over $7 million a year, with up to 60 percent of the NGO's operating costs allegedly siphoned off.

Part of the money was supposedly used to fund Hamas attack tunnels into Israel.

Piper said it was important Halabi received a fair trial, with his lawyer telling AFP Friday that he had initially been held without access to a lawyer for several weeks.

Lawyer Mohammed Mahmoud denied all the allegations.

"They have inflated everything and tomorrow you will see how that balloon deflates."

On Thursday the NGO released a statement online saying "based on the information available to us at this time, we have no reason to believe that the allegations are true."

But following a meeting between its president and senior Israeli officials, those words were removed from the statement by Friday morning. No mention of the removed sentence was made.

Germany and Australia, the two major Western nations to donate to World Vision's Gaza projects, have suspended their funding pending the investigation.

The German foreign ministry said it would review projects already completed to assess if any "irregularities were committed".

Israel charged Palestinian Mohammed Halabi (L) with diverting millions of dollars of both materials and cash to Hamas, including its armed wing Dudu Grunshpan (AFP/File)
Delta axes hundreds of flights after computer glitch

Delta Airlines scrapped hundreds of flights and delayed many more as it digested the aftermath of a computer meltdown, making for a messy Monday at airports around the world.

Even after the US carrier lifted its initial flight grounding order about six hours after the computer snafu struck, it warned of continued cancellations and delays, as tens of thousands of passengers around the globe were left stranded.

Travelers crowded ticket counters, stretched out on the ground in airports and tried to grin and bear it. Ticket agents were reduced to checking people in manually, news reports said.

Delta Airlines blamed the computer problem on a power outage in its hub in Atlanta, Georgia Karen Bleier (AFP/File)

The carrier blamed the computer problem on a power outage in its hub in Atlanta, Georgia.

Flights resumed but on a limited basis, and Delta warned the ripple effect of the computer breakdown would drag on.

"While systems are improving and flights are resuming, delays and cancellations continue," the carrier said in a statement around midday.

Teams were working "around the clock" to bring systems back online, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a video message from the airline's operations center.

"As I'm sure you can appreciate, it's an all hands on deck effort," he said.

"I apologize for the challenges this has created for you with your travel experience."

Luciano Resende, 40, waiting at London's Heathrow Airport to fly to San Francisco, said it was slow going.

"I guess it has been a long time since they used the manual process," Resende told NBC News.

- 'Very bad timing' -

At Los Angeles International Airport, people waiting for red-eye flights to the east coast dozed in a crowded waiting area, many of them wrapped in red blankets.

As of about 2300 GMT, the airline said it had cancelled more than 740 flights. Of 6,000 scheduled to have taken off by that time of day, it operated 3,340.

Delta has more than 15,000 flights a day along with its alliance partners.

"The timing of this problem is particularly bad because Monday morning is one of the busiest times for both airlines and travelers as business travelers begin their work week," said Daniel Baker, FlightAware's CEO.

Delta said the power outage in Atlanta that caused the computer meltdown began at 2:30 am (0630 GMT).

Lines of passengers backed up at Delta ticket counters at US airports.

At Los Angeles, passengers on a flight to New York had to get off their plane and return to the terminal, NBC News reported, while some people slept near departure gates at Las Vegas.

As compensation, Delta offered refunds to travelers whose flights were cancelled or significantly delayed. People on some routes were being allowed to make a one-time change to their travel plans.

Delta announced Monday evening it was giving $200 travel vouchers in addition to refunding ticket values to customers who were delayed more than three hours or whose flight was cancelled.

A vast number of flight delays normally creates a cascading problem that affects airline traffic for days.

Computer outages halting flights are not uncommon.

In May, a glitch affecting Sweden's civil aviation authority radar site disrupted air traffic throughout that country and grounded flights to and from Stockholm for several hours.

In March, a computer system malfunction forced Japan's All Nippon Airways to cancel more than 100 domestic flights, affecting some 16,000 travellers.

And in mid-August 2015, a computer problem at a regional air traffic control center delayed hundreds of flights at busy US east coast airports -- including those in the Washington and New York areas -- for several hours.

A rival US airline, United, suffered computer glitches in May and July 2015 that temporarily grounded hundreds of flights and backed up thousands of passengers.
Two years of anti-IS strikes in numbers

The first strikes of a US-led campaign against the Islamic State group were launched in Iraq two years ago on Monday, with coalition operations later expanding to Syria.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014 and seized significant territory in northern and eastern Syria amid the chaos of that country's civil war, declaring a cross-border "caliphate".

In Syria, coalition-backed Kurdish and Arab anti-IS forces defeated the jihadists in the city of Kobane, recaptured the city of Tal Abyad and the town of Manbij and have pledged to retake Raqa, the jihadists' de facto Syrian capital.

Iraqi soldiers hold a position on the frontline on the outskirts of the Kurdish-controlled area of Makhmur, some 60 kilometres (35 miles) south of Mosul, on July 17, 2016 Safin Hamed (AFP/File)

Iraqi forces have retaken the cities of Tikrit, Ramadi and Fallujah and have now set their sights on ousting IS from Nineveh province and its capital Mosul, the country's second city.

In addition to air strikes, the coalition has provided advice, training and other assistance to anti-IS forces in both countries.

Meeting in Washington last month, top diplomatic and military officials from coalition countries discussed plans that Pentagon chief Ashton Carter said would deliver a "lasting defeat" to IS.

Here are some key figures from the coalition on operations against IS:

14,301: The total number of strikes carried out by the coalition from the beginning of the campaign to August 6. A total of 9,514 of the strikes were in Iraq and 4,787 in Syria. Coalition strikes have played a major role in Iraqi advances and have assisted anti-IS forces in Syria.

19,000-25,000: IS fighters estimated to be operating in Iraq and Syria. This compares to an estimated 20,000 to 31,500 in 2014.

55: The number of civilians the United States has confirmed were killed in coalition strikes in Iraq and Syria as of July 28. Twenty-nine civilians have been confirmed as injured. Some observers believe civilian casualties have been significantly higher.

5: The number of "combat-related deaths" of international coalition military personnel. Two Americans died of wounds sustained in firefights with IS, while rocket fire left a third dead. IS also burned a Jordanian pilot to death in a cage in Syria, while Iraqi Kurdish forces mistakenly killed a Canadian.

47: The percentage of territory IS has lost in Iraq, according to US Special Envoy Brett McGurk. The jihadists are thought to have lost around 20 percent of territory they once held in Syria.

6,500: The approximate number of coalition forces deployed in support of operations against IS. Most are in Iraq, but some have also been sent to Syria. Some have directly fought IS militants, but most are in training or advisory roles.

13: Coalition countries carrying out strikes against IS in Iraq, Syria or both. They are: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Dozens killed in new wave of Ethiopia protests

Several dozen people were killed in weekend clashes in Ethiopia between police and anti-government demonstrators, as the authorities brutally suppressed a new wave of unrest in two key regions.

Protests swept the vast state of Oromia and even reached the capital Addis Ababa, a rare event in a nation with a government considered among the most repressive in Africa.

"We have reports of between 48 to 50 protesters killed in Oromia. This death toll might be higher because there were a lot of wounded," said Merera Gudina, leader of the opposition Oromo People's Congress.

A diplomat confirmed 49 people were killed across Oromia, a region straddling central-western Ethiopia, and in Amhara, in the north Zacharias Abubeker (AFP/File)

A diplomat confirmed that 49 people were killed across Oromia, which straddles central-western Ethiopia, and Amhara, in the north.

Amnesty International put the death toll at 97, with 67 killed in Oromia and 30 in Amhara on Saturday and Sunday.

The government, which has not given a death toll, said in a statement that "illegal" protests had been organised by "foreign enemies ... in partnership with local forces".

Among the towns worst hit by the violence was Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara region where at least 27 people died, while 15 were killed in Nekemte, western Ethiopia, the diplomat said.

Several thousand people had gathered in Bahir Dar on Sunday.

"They appear to be low level, quite disorganised protests scattered all around," the diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"The brutal response of the government risks provoking more anger and making it worse."

- Social media blocked -

The authorities have since Friday blocked access to social media, the activists' key channel for such rallying calls.

With at least 27 million people, Oromia is the most populous of the country's federal states and has its own language, Oromo, distinct from Ethiopia's official Amharic language.

Oromia has been regularly convulsed by protests since the end of last year.

The Amhara protests began more recently but have quickly attracted massive numbers of supporters, but in both regions the government is swift to blame foreign "terrorist groups", usually pointing the finger at neighbouring Eritrea.

Unrest has also increased in recent weeks in Amhara after the attempted arrest of local leaders who opposed a government move to merge two neighbouring districts.

The vast majority of the country's almost 100 million people are either Amhara or Oromo.

Police were also out in force on Saturday when about 500 people gathered in Addis Ababa's main Meskel Square, shouting slogans such as "we want our freedom" and "free our political prisoners".

Although no one is thought to have been killed in the capital, security forces brutally broke up the rally.

- Discrimination claims -

The protesters have different grievances but are united by their disaffection with the country's leaders, who hail from the northern Tigray region and are regularly accused of discrimination against the rest.

Those in power are members of Meles Zenawi's ex-rebel group turned political party, the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Meles ruled with an iron fist after toppling dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991 until Hailemairam took over in 2012.

A previous wave of protests earlier this year was sparked by a since abandoned plan to expand the capital into outlying Oromia farmland, which was followed by a swift crackdown.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn had on Friday announced a ban on demonstrations which "threaten national unity" and called on police to use all means at their disposal to prevent them.

"The security forces' response was heavy-handed, but unsurprising. Ethiopian forces have systematically used excessive force in their mistaken attempts to silence dissenting voices," Amnesty regional director Michelle Kagari said in a statement.

"These crimes must be promptly, impartially and effectively investigated and all those suspected of criminal responsibility must be brought to justice in fair trials before ordinary civilian courts without recourse to death penalty."
More than 290,000 killed in Syria war, monitor says

Syria's brutal conflict has now claimed the lives of more than 290,000 people, a monitoring group said on Monday, giving its latest death toll for the devastating five-year war.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 292,817 people had been killed between March 2011 -- when the conflict erupted -- and the end of July.

The toll represents an increase of just over 10,000 people since the monitor gave its last account on May 26.

Rebel fighters fire towards regime forces in Ramussa on the southwestern edges of Syria's northern city of Aleppo, on August 6, 2016 Fadi Al-Halabi (AFP)

Among the dead are 84,472 civilians, including 14,711 children and 9,520 women, it said.

The Observatory also documented the deaths of 50,548 non-jihadist rebels and Kurdish militiamen.

Another 49,547 extremist militants including non-Syrians were killed.

A total of 104,656 pro-regime fighters were killed, among them 57,909 soldiers and 1,306 militants from the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, which is fighting on behalf of Damascus.

The monitor said that 3,594 of those killed have been unidentified.

The Britain-based Observatory depends on a network of sources inside Syria to gather its information on the conflict.
Rights group denounces mass Iran hanging of 20 Sunnis

Human Rights Watch Monday denounced Iran's hanging of 20 Sunni prisoners in one of its biggest mass executions in years as a "shameful low point in its human rights record".

Shiite-majority Iran last week said it had hanged 20 "terrorist" Sunni prisoners on Tuesday convicted of carrying out a string of attacks against civilians and religious leaders in the country's western Kurdish region.

"Iran's mass execution of prisoners on August 2 at Rajai Shahr prison is a shameful low point in its human rights record," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW.

Shiite-majority Iran said it had hanged 20 "terrorist" Sunni prisoners convicted of carrying out a string of attacks in the country's western Kurdish regio

"With at least 230 executions since January 1, Iran is yet again the regional leader in executions but a laggard in implementing the so far illusory penal code reforms meant to bridge the gap with international standards," she said.

The New York-based rights group said "two lawyers who represented some of the men told (it) that their clients did not get a fair trial and that their due process rights had been violated".

It said rights groups believed the 20 were among 33 Sunni men, including possibly a minor, arrested in 2009 and 2010 and convicted of "enmity against God".

HRW said that recent changes to Iran's penal code required the judiciary to review and annul death sentences of people on that charge "if they had not personally used weapons in committing the crime".

Iran regularly hangs large-scale drug traffickers. Murder, rape, armed robbery and adultery are also capital offences in the Islamic republic.

Those charged with "spreading corruption on Earth" and "enmity against God" can also be sentenced to death under Islamic sharia law, which has been in force in Iran since the 1979 revolution.

According to rights group Amnesty International, Iran was one of the world's top executioners in 2015 when it put 977 people to death, mostly on drug trafficking charges.

Amnesty does not include secretive China in its figures, but the number of executions in Iran exceeded both neighbouring Pakistan and regional rival Saudi Arabia.

Last week's execution, which was also criticised by the European Union and France, came as the EU had reportedly proposed talks with Iran on human rights.

Mohammad Javad Larijani, secretary general of Iran's High Council for Human Rights, said on Wednesday that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and top EU diplomat Federica Mogherini had already held preliminary discussions on the issue.

Larijani said Tehran was ready to discuss human rights but that "Westerners should not put themselves forward as role models".

Over two days in 2009, Iran hanged 44 convicted drug traffickers in one of the country's largest mass executions.
US-backed fighters savour victory over IS in Manbij

US-backed fighters savouring a momentous victory confidently roam the shattered streets of Manbij in Syria as they hunt down the last remaining Islamic State group jihadists holed up there.

The Arab-Kurdish alliance known as the Syrian Democratic Forces expelled IS from the town at the weekend after more than two months of ferocious fighting.

AFP correspondents were the first foreign media to enter the former jihadist bastion on Sunday, alongside SDF fighters eager to announce its "liberation".

Syrian Democratic Forces fighters walk in Manbij search for the last remaining jihadists Delil Souleiman (AFP)

"Daesh is finished. The town will be liberated in the coming hours," SDF fighter Ibrahim al-Hussein says, using the Arabic acronym for the group.

He is flanked by ruined residential and commercial apartment blocks that saw some of the most intense street battles.

Apart from the green camouflage of SDF fighters, the streets of Manbij are colourless -- grey dust, charcoal cement blocks and burnt metal strewn everywhere.

Rifles slung comfortably over their shoulders, the SDF fighters are clearly proud of their triumph in what was once a major transit point along IS's supply route from the Turkish border down to its bastion of Raqa.

With air support from the US-led coalition, the SDF began its assault on Manbij on May 31, surging into the town itself three weeks later.

- Holed up jihadists -

But the offensive was slowed by a massive jihadist fightback using suicide attackers and car bombs, before a major push last week saw the SDF seize 90 percent of the town.

According to the United Nations, more than 78,000 people have been displaced since the attack began.

Now, the SDF is preparing to clear the "security quarter", a central district where the last pocket of jihadists is thought to be.

The alliance estimates that some 130 jihadists are still in the area.

"We are very close to the security quarter. Just 75 metres (yards) and we will storm it," fighter Abu Ammar tells AFP.

But he also warns that "Daesh is using every malicious tactic in the book, from booby-trapped cars to human shields".

Fayyad al-Ghanem heads the Raqa Falcons Brigade, an Arab contingent of the SDF.

His hand on the walkie-talkie at his hip, Ghanem says that storming the centre "has been delayed because we are trying to protect civilians and get them out... without causing them any harm".

"Daesh is now resorting to burning their homes and planting explosives to slow our offensive," he says.

In Manbij on Monday, Arab fighters in the SDF said they would allow the last remaining IS men to leave if the jihadists freed residents in the security quarter.

The alliance says it is helping fearful civilians still trapped there to get out.

- 'Don't be late' -

"Thank God, we left the neighbourhood safely thanks to the SDF," one young man in a white shirt says, holding his disabled brother's hand tightly.

"What did this young boy do to deserve seeing all these clashes and being banned from leaving?" he asks.

Mohammad Benshi, in his 40s, waits just outside the security quarter with members of his family for a signal from nearby SDF fighters that it is safe to proceed.

"Daesh had banned us from leaving without their orders," but SDF fighters on the edges of the district helped them to escape, he says.

Not everyone was so lucky, Benshi says: "One woman was killed by a sniper when she tried to leave her home."

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 433 civilians were killed in the fight for Manbij.

Another 973 IS jihadists and 281 SDF fighters also died.

"IS planted many mines in the town to hinder our advance -- you have to follow us so you don't set any of them off," one SDF fighter tells AFP's correspondent.

The remaining jihadists were also burning tyres to cover Manbij in black smoke and try to block the view of US-led coalition warplanes circling above.

Speaking into his walkie-talkie, one SDF fighter calls "for a car to extract four of our colleagues who've been wounded by Daesh snipers."

"Don't be late," he says. "We're waiting for you."

Aleppo: the key battleground in Syria Omar Kamal, Alain Bommenel, Gillian HANDYSIDE (AFP)

Syrian Democratic Forces fighters patrol in Manbij Delil Souleiman (AFP)
German exporters say yet to see big payday from Iran trade

A hoped-for export bonanza has failed to materialise a year after a deal to lift international sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme, a German industry association told AFP Monday.

"Despite increased foreign trade, there is a certain disillusionment," Volker Treier, chief economist at the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), said.

German exports to Iran had increased 11 percent in the first four months of 2016 to 890 million euros ($985 million), and likely stood at over one billion euros in the first six months, Treier said.

German carmakers and machine-tool builders were among the firms most avid to leap into the new market when the deal came into force in January Atta Kenare (AFP/File)

That leaves a lot of ground to make up if firms are to match DIHK forecasts of 5.0 billion euros of exports annually within three years of the deal, mounting to 10 billion euros within five years.

"There is definitely headroom for expansion," Treier acknowledged, although he rejected any suggestion that German firms might be disappointed with performance so far.

Growth could be even more vigorous in the second half of the year, he went on.

In the long-negotiated deal struck last July, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China agreed to lift some economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for the Islamic republic curbing its nuclear programme.

German carmakers and machine-tool builders were among the firms most avid to leap into the new market, where their products had been sought-after rarities until the deal came into force in January.

"Of course the expectations were high that trade with Iran would return to where it was in the old days," Treier said, but "we're far removed from that".

With many Western banks still reluctant to issue loans for deals involving Iran -- fearing to fall foul of continuing US sanctions against Tehran's financial sector -- cash to fuel the business is hard to find, the DIHK said.
Save the Children says probing claim employee recruited by Hamas

Save the Children on Monday said it was looking into Israeli claims that a Palestinian staff member in Gaza had been recruited by Hamas, days after allegations against another international NGO.

"We do take any allegations of this nature very seriously and are making inquiries into this matter," the Britain-based charity said in a statement.

It comes after Israel on Thursday charged the Gaza head of major international NGO World Vision Mohammed al-Halabi with diverting millions of dollars in foreign funding to Hamas and its military wing.

Hamas is branded a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States and the European Union Mahmud Hams (AFP/File)

Part of it was allegedly used to build attack tunnels from the blockaded territory into Israel.

Halabi was arrested in June and indicted on a number of charges, which his lawyer said were baseless.

According to the charge sheet, Halabi recruited a Palestinian aid worker from Save the Children to join Hamas's military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, in 2014.

It said that Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades wanted that individual because of "connections" between Save the Children and USAID, the United States Agency for International Development.

The Hamas military wing wanted him to supply them with information about individuals placed in international organisations in Gaza by the United States, said the charge sheet.

The Palestinian aid worker was listed as the official Save the Children contact for two programmes carried out in 2014 which were worth $1 million and $1.4 million respectively.

AFP contacted the man but he declined to make any comment.

Save the Children said in its statement it had "not been notified or contacted by the (Israeli) authorities on the details of the allegations."

According to a UN tracking service, Save the Children has received more than $17 million from international donors since 2013 for its humanitarian aid activities in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Canada, Denmark, Japan and Norway are among its major donors.
Yahoo launches site for free Hulu television

Yahoo on Monday launched a website for watching Hulu television shows in the United States.

The alliance appeared to be part of a move by Hulu to shut its free streaming television service supported by advertising and focus on subscriptions.

Yahoo View was described as an extension of the struggling internet pioneer's partnership with Hulu and promised recent episodes of ABC, NBC, and Fox television shows along with films, anime, and Korean drama.

Actress Mindy Kaling attends The 2016 Hulu TCA Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, California, on August 5, 2016 Valerie Macon (AFP/File)

The website will also feature a social component for viewers.

"Yahoo View is our first step towards creating a powerful community TV-watching experience, but it's really only the beginning," said Yahoo vice president of lifestyles product Jess Lee.

Time Warner recently bought a stake Hulu, which launched a decade ago with backing by NBC Universal; 21st Century Fox and The Walt Disney Company.

"Video is an important part of Yahoo's strategy," said Yahoo vice president and head of media partnerships Phil Lynch.

Versions of Yahoo View tailored for smartphones and tablets would be released soon, according to the company.

Yahoo last month sealed a deal to sell its core business to telecom giant Verizon for $4.8 billion, ending a two-decade run as an independent company for the internet pioneer.

The agreement announced by the two companies after months of negotiations comes following a years-long decline for the iconic firm that introduced many people around the world to the internet.

Verizon chief executive Lowell McAdam said Yahoo would be integrated into its recently acquired AOL unit to create "a top global mobile media company, and help accelerate our revenue stream in digital advertising."
Aleppo capture 'only matter of time': Syrian opposition

It is only a matter of time before rebels capture all of Aleppo, the head of Syria's main opposition coalition said Monday as fighters launched an offensive to take the divided second city in its entirety.

Syrian National Coalition chief Anas al-Abdeh, in an interview with AFP, also praised a new-found unity among opposition factions that has seen the Fateh al-Sham Front -- which used to have ties with Al-Qaeda -- join forces with other rebels in the battle for Aleppo.

Over the weekend, opposition fighters succeeded in ending a three-week government siege of Aleppo's rebel-held east -- a major blow to the government forces of President Bashar al-Assad.

Opposition fighters drive a tank in an eastern government sieged neighbourhood of Aleppo as jihadists and their rebel allies pressed an offensive on August 5, 2016 Omar haj kadour (AFP/File)

"I think this possibly is one of the most important developments of the Syrian revolution in the last five and a half years," Abdeh said in an interview in Istanbul, where the National Coalition is based.

"I think it will pave the way for a proper political transition, something the international community is not taking sufficiently seriously."

Aleppo, once Syria's economic hub and one of the oldest cities in the Middle East, has been roughly divided between government forces in the west and rebel groups in the east since fighting there first broke out in 2012.

Asked if the rebels could now take all of Aleppo in what would be the biggest blow to Assad of the entire war, Abdeh said: "I think it is just a matter of time. It will happen."

He added: "We see very clearly the regime forces are not able to resist."

- 'No terror links' -

Abdeh said rebel forces had moved from a position of defence to attacking not just Syrian regime forces but their allies in Aleppo who he said included Iranian forces, Hezbollah and Iraqi militias.

"We are trying our best to push all these foreigners out of our land so our people live in peace and tranquility," said Abdeh.

He praised a new "political and military unity" among the rebels, saying this was "a key factor" behind the success of the opposition in Aleppo.

"I think almost all the armed groups participated... and for the first time they showed a very professional level of coordination and work."

A major role in the fight for Aleppo has been played by the Fateh al-Sham Front, which changed its name from Al-Nusra Front after breaking off ties with Al-Qaeda late last month.

Abdeh defended the involvement of Fateh al-Sham but warned against focusing all attention on their participation due to their past links with Al-Qaeda.

"The good news is that all the groups participating do not have any links with terror organisations" such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State, he said.

"Detaching itself from Al-Qaeda... is one step in the right direction but we need more decisive steps in aligning themselves with the Syrian revolution."

He said Fateh Al-Sham were "playing a role like all other armed groups" in the fight for Aleppo.

"We need to be careful about over-focusing on them," he said, adding that Fateh al-Sham "maybe amount to 10 percent of the fighting force".

"The others are working in silence and we should give them credit for that," Abdeh told AFP.
Lost in translation: Chinese tourist taken for refugee in Germany

A Chinese tourist got tangled up in the red tape of Germany's migrant influx by mistake and was stuck in a refugee home for nearly two weeks, the Red Cross said on Monday.

Officials thought the 31-year-old backpacker, who spoke neither German nor English, "needed help" after landing in Stuttgart airport in southwestern Germany on July 4, Christoph Schluetermann of the German Red Cross told AFP.

The man, who had lost his wallet, was taken to a reception centre in the nearby town of Heidelberg, where he unwittingly filled out an asylum request form, following the local authorities' instructions, Schluetermann said.

A poster aimed at refugees which read 'Welcome to Germany' was placed on a wall in Dortmund, Germany

Then on July 6, he was transferred to a reception centre in the western city of Dortmund, where his passport was taken from him, and then to another shelter in Duelmen near the Dutch border.

"Machinery kicked into gear from which he couldn't immediately escape," Schluetermann told news agency DPA.

Public broadcaster WDR said the man complied with standard procedure for refugees including allowing his fingerprints to be taken, undergoing a medical examination and accepting pocket money.

But staff eventually noticed that the man was unusually well-dressed for an asylum seeker and when the likelihood of a mistake dawned on them, sought help at a local Chinese restaurant.

The owners suggested Schluetermann try using a Mandarin smartphone translation app and it soon became clear that the man didn't want asylum but to continue his European tour.

"I want to go walking in a foreign country," one of the translated messages said, WDR reported.

Twelve days into his stay in Germany, the man was able to set off for France and Italy.

Germany let in nearly 1.1 million migrants and refugees last year, posing an enormous challenge for its overstretched bureaucracy.
S.Africa's ANC soul-searches after vote haemorrhage

The ruling African National Congress' historic losses in South Africa's local elections have called into question the leadership of President Jacob Zuma as head of the continent's most industrialised nation.

The ANC last week suffered what analysts called a "savage indictment", garnering less than 54 percent of ballots cast -- an eight-point drop from the last local poll in 2011 and its worst showing since the fall of white-minority rule in 1994.

Of the country's six most populous cities, the ANC won an outright majority in only one: Durban, Zuma's traditional stronghold.

South African ruling African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma gestures as he gives his speech during the ANC closing rally campaign for the municipal elections at Ellis Par Stadium on July 31, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa Gianluigi Guercia (AFP/File)

But it suffered embarrassingly in the capital Pretoria where it came second to the main opposition Democratic Alliance, which also scored big in Nelson Mandela Bay, a southern municipality named after the country's iconic late leader.

The election was largely seen as a referendum on Zuma's rule, but it also highlighted the declining popularity of the party that led South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle.

And as Mandela's party reels from weak leadership and political divisions, some in the ANC admit that all is not well.

"There is something wrong on a national level that we are not paying attention to," the party's Secretary General Gwede Mantashe said at the weekend.

- 'Big trouble' -

Analysts say the party leadership has been stubborn in refusing to rein in its controversial president.

Zuma, who has three more years to serve out his term, has been dogged by scandal throughout his presidency.

Last month, South Africa's highest court ruled he pay back $500,000 of public funds spent upgrading his private Nkandla residence with facilities including a chicken coop and a swimming pool.

The ANC has staunchly defended him.

But after the poor showing at the polls, the party would be "much more open to a change of leadership than they would have a been one week ago," said Richard Calland, a political analyst at the University of Cape Town.

"Urgent steps must be taken (to) tackle the elephant in the room. It is clear that President Jacob Zuma has become a huge liability," wrote columnist Onkgopotse Tabane in the Business Day newspaper on Monday.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa -- an anti-apartheid heavyweight -- is the presumed frontrunner to replace Zuma should he be forced out before the end of his term.

"Where we have shown areas of weakness, we are going to get better and improve -- that's who we are," the unionist-turned-businessman said last week as the poor results poured in.

Critics say urban and middle class voters have begun to tire of the continuous controversy surrounding 74-year-old Zuma, and warn of a serious backlash if the ANC fails to act fast.

"The ANC is in big trouble," analyst Koffi Kouakou told AFP.

"The only way to perhaps attempt to save the ANC is by having President Zuma resign and having the team that surrounds him cleaned up. If not, the ANC is in real big trouble in the long term."

But Zuma, who has thus far survived every curveball thrown his direction, may not be on his way out just yet.

"I don't think he is likely to go without a fight," said Calland.

"It's more likely he will survive until the end of next year," Calland said -- when the ANC may vote to recall him at its next national elective congress.

In the meantime at least two rival ANC camps will start wrangling to succeed Zuma -- one in support of Ramaphosa, and the other backing Zuma's ex-wife and outgoing chairwoman of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

In the meantime, "political uncertainty will drive continued policy confusion in the mining, energy, power, private security, and agriculture sectors, while frustrating cost-cutting measures," said EXX Africa.

A downgrade of South Africa's debt by at least one credit ratings agency to junk status "is almost inevitable this year," the intelligence company warned.
Kafka's manuscripts are Israeli property: court

Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that Franz Kafka's manuscripts are the property of the National Library of Israel, ending a lengthy legal battle, judicial sources said in Monday.

The nation's top court on Sunday rejected an appeal by the heirs of Max Brod, a friend of Kafka and the executor of his estate to whom he had willed his manuscripts after his death in 1924.

Kafka had instructed Brod to burn the manuscripts after his death but his friend did not honour that request and took them with him when he fled the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and emigrated to Palestine.

Israel's top court rejected an appeal by the heirs of Max Brod, a friend of Kafka and the executor of his estate to whom he had willed his manuscripts after his death in 1924, ruling that Kafka's manuscripts belong to the National Library of Israel Martin Bureau (AFP/File)

On his death in 1968, Brod bequeathed the papers to his secretary Esther Hoffe, with instructions to give them to the "Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the municipal library in Tel Aviv or another organisation in Israel or abroad."

But Hoffe, who died in 2007, instead kept them and shared them between her two daughters -- sparking multiple legal battles.

In the trial against Hoffe's heirs, which began in 2009, the state of Israel demanded they hand over all the documents, which included unpublished writings, arguing it was Brod's last will.

Hoffe's daughters refused, however, saying the papers -- estimated to be worth millions of dollars -- had been given to their mother by Brod and therefore she could dispose of them any way she wanted.

"Max Brod did not want his property to be sold at the best price, but for them to find an appropriate place in a literary and cultural institution," the Supreme Court said in its ruling.

Hoffe had during her lifetime sold the original manuscript of "The Trial" -- considered by some to be one of Kafka's best work -- for $2 million.
Family of Muslim student suspended for homemade clock sues school

The family of a Muslim teen arrested for taking a homemade clock to school -- only to have it mistaken for a fake bomb -- filed a lawsuit Monday claiming his civil rights were violated.

Ahmed Mohamed was 14 years old last year when he brought an alarm clock he had made at home to his Dallas-area school to show his teacher, who took the clock from him.

Hours later, Mohamed was pulled from class and arrested by police. They later called the device a "hoax bomb," even though it was a clock. The Irving Independent School District suspended Mohamed for three days, anyway.

Fourteen-year-old Ahmed Mohamed (R) of Irving, TX, arrives for a news conference outside the US Capitol on October 20, 2015 Chip Somodevilla (Getty/AFP/File)

"Those are violations of his civil rights," Mohamed's attorney Susan Hutchison said at a press conference announcing the lawsuit. "The only justice we have in our American legal system is money. So, we are suing for justice."

The family has received no apology, Hutchison said, and their previous letter requesting $15 million in compensation was rejected. The lawsuit asks for no specific dollar amount.

The incident thrust Mohamed into the national spotlight, earning him an invitation to the White House from President Barack Obama. The US Department of Justice launched a civil rights probe of the school district, which continues.

"I got a lot of support in the beginning, but it's the hate that sticks," Mohamed told the news conference.

He and his family have left Irving, a Dallas suburb, because of the incident, and now live in Qatar where he attends a private high school.

"I lost my creativity, because before I used to love building things," he said, adding that while visiting his former Texas hometown, he wears a hooded sweatshirt, glasses and hat to disguise his appearance out of fear for his safety.

"Over there, it doesn't matter what religion you are. You're still treated the same," he said.
Israel set to outlaw Islamist group: minister

Israeli Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan said on Monday he intended to ban radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir calling its ideology "identical" to that of the Islamic State group.

Erdan would be having talks over the next few days "in order to declare this group illegal," a police statement said.

Hizb-ut Tahrir (The Party of Freedom) "contests Israel's right to exist and supports the establishment in its place of an Islamic caliphate", the statement said.

Supporters of Hizb al-Tahrir, a Palestinian political movement that calls for the return of an Islamic state in the Arabic world, protest on May 28, 2014 in the West Bank city of Hebron Hazem Bader (AFP/File)

"Hizb ut-Tahrir is mainly active in Jerusalem around the Temple Mount (the Al-Aqsa mosque compound) where this organisation's leaders spread their extremist message", it added.

"It is inconceivable that an organisation inciting violence and supporting terrorism and the ideology of Daesh (IS) can act in Israel," the statement quoted Erdan as saying.

Founded in Jordan in 1953, the group advocates the re-establishment of the caliphate across the Muslim world, and also regularly accuses the Palestinian Authority of colluding with Israel.

The Al-Aqsa mosque compound is one of the most potent symbols of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Clashes frequently erupt there between Israeli police and Palestinians who suspect Israel of seeking to change rules governing it.

It is the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina.

Jews call it Temple Mount and consider it their most sacred site as the location of the first and second temples, destroyed by the Babylonians and the Romans.
Phelps edges toward 200m fly showdown with le Clos

Michael Phelps, who worked late to bag his 19th Olympic gold medal, was back at it on Monday, securing his semi-final berth in the 200m butterfly in Rio de Janeiro.

The 31-year-old superstar admitted he wasn't at his perkiest after helping the United States to a scintillating 4x100m freestyle relay win shortly before midnight on Sunday.

"I probably got to sleep at 3:00 am and was on an 11:00 am bus, so quick turnarounds," Phelps said. "But the good thing is we have a long time between the prelims and finals, so we are able to rest. Hopefully I'll get home and get a quick nap in and be ready for tonight."

USA's Michael Phelps competes in a men's 200m butterfly heat in Rio de Janeiro on August 8, 2016 Gabriel Bouys (AFP)

Phelps, who set the 200m fly world record in 2009 but surrendered the Olympic crown to Chad le Clos in 2012, clocked 1min 55.73 -- fifth-fastest time of the heats which were led by Tamas Kenderesi in 1:54.73. Kenderesi's fellow Hungarian Laszlo Cseh was second-fastest in 1:55.14, with le Clos third-quickest in 1:55.57.

Katie Ledecky and Sarah Sjostrom also had a quick turnaround as they tackled the 200m freestyle heats after world record-setting wins on Sunday night.

"It was pretty hard coming off of last night," said Ledecky, who was accepting her 400m freestyle gold as the clock struck midnight.

"Just got a couple hours of sleep, but I think that was probably going to be my hardest swim of the week so I'm glad it's over with."

As usual, Ledecky didn't make it look hard, winning her heat in 1:55.01 to lead the way into the semi-finals ahead of Australia's Emma McKeon (1:55.80) and Sjostrom -- who became the first Swedish woman to win an Olympic swimming gold when she lowered her own world record in the 100m butterfly on Sunday.

- Edgy over Efimova -

World record-holder Federica Pellegrini of Italy, the two-time 200m free world champion, produced the fifth-fastest time of the morning of 1:56.37, ahead of China's Shen Duo.

"I'm going step by step towards the final," Pellegrini said, "but I think it's going to be the fastest 200m in history. We have never seen heats as quick as this."

Hungary's Katinka Hosszu, with a world record and gold medal under her belt in the 400m individual medley, opened her bid for a medley double with an Olympic record of 2:07.45 in the 200m IM heats.

Hosszu's "Iron Lady" reputation will be tested Monday night as she swims the medley semi-finals slightly more than an hour after going for gold in the 100m backstroke final -- in which Australia's world champion Emily Seebohm will be out to improve on the silver she claimed in London.

Other finals on Monday include what promises to be a men's 200m freestyle thriller, with world record-holder Paul Biedermann of Germany, world champion James Guy of Britain and China's Sun Yang among the contenders.

There's an extra edge to the women's 100m breaststroke final as American Lilly King, a first-time Olympian who topped the semi-final times, and defending champion Ruta Meilutyte take on Russian Yulia Efimova -- who was cleared to compete in Rio after a convoluted doping case.

Efimova was banned, reinstated, banned and reinstated again this year as governing body FINA and Olympic officials wrestled first with her positive test for recently banned meldonium -- which came after an earlier suspension -- and then with the fallout of revelations of state-sponsored doping in Russia.

She was showered with boos in the heats and semi-finals, and King admitted taking her on added spice to the final.

"I'm up for the challenge," King said.

USA's Katie Ledecky competes in a women's 200m freestyle heat in Rio de Janeiro on August 8, 2016 Francois-Xavier Marit (AFP)

Hungary's Katinka Hosszu competes in a women's 200m individual medley heats in Rio de Janeiro on August 8, 2016 Gabriel Bouys (AFP)
Mozambique peace talks resume as violence spreads

Mozambique's government and main opposition party Renamo renewed peace talks on Monday in the capital Maputo, even as skirmishes spread in the north.

Renamo, which waged a 16-year civil war that ended in 1992, has refused to accept the results of 2014 elections when it was beaten once more by the Frelimo party, in power since independence 40 years ago.

A commission was initially appointed in May to set up a face-to-face encounter between President Filipe Nyusi and Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama.

Main Mozambican opposition party RENAMO, which waged a 16-year civil war that ended in 1992, renewed peace talks on Monday in the capital Maputo, even as skirmishes with Mozambique's government soldiers spread in the north John Wessels (AFP/File)

But both parties agreed in June to have international mediators -- including the European Union, the Catholic Church and South Africa -- attend peace talks instead, with the leaders set to meet only once all issues were settled.

"We have just emerged from a very successful meeting," former president of Botswana and co-chair of the mediators' group Quett Masire told the press on Monday evening.

Among the major issues Renamo wants resolved is the failure to include former rebel fighters in the regular army and police, a long-standing sticking point that harks back to the original 1992 peace agreement.

But even as negotiators laid the groundwork for peace on Monday, alleged Renamo gunmen attacked a northern village, burning down official buildings and destroying a health centre, state broadcaster Radio Mocambique reported.

"We haven't ceased fire, the military conflict continues," Dhlakama said in an interview published Monday by independent daily O Pais.

Dhlakama has been living in hiding since October 2015 after he escaped two attacks against his convoy.

He claims government troops are continuously attacking his stronghold in central Gorongosa in an attempt to lure him out or kill him.
IS claims suicide bombing at Pakistan hospital: Amaq agency

The Islamic State group on Monday claimed it was behind a suicide bombing that tore through a Pakistani hospital, killing at least 70 people, the IS-linked Amaq news agency said.

"A martyrdom bomber of the Islamic State detonates his explosive belt on a group of personnel belonging to the Ministry of Justice and the Pakistani Police in the city of Quetta," Amaq said.

The bomber struck a crowd of some 200 people gathered at the Civil Hospital in the Balochistan provincial capital of Quetta after the fatal shooting of a senior local lawyer earlier in the day.
Trump's economic plan

Donald Trump on Monday laid out his plan to lower taxes, freeze financial regulations and trigger an energy revival which he said would spur economic growth and "open a new chapter in American prosperity."

It was a broad-brush outline with some meaty specifics, aimed in part at reviving the Republican presidential nominee's flagging campaign after a series of missteps in recent weeks that sent him careening off message.

Here are highlights of the Trump economic plan.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers an economic policy address at the Detroit Economic Club on August 8, 2016 Bill Pugliano (Getty/AFP)

- Lower taxes -

The lynchpin of Trump's plan is the slashing of various taxes on American individuals and corporations, a proposal he said would lead to the biggest tax reform since president Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.

He would sharply reduce corporate tax to 15 percent from the current 35 percent, and set a 10 percent tax on what he described as trillions of dollars that US businesses have "now parked overseas" but want to repatriate into the country.

Personal income tax rates would be compressed from seven brackets to just three, with today's highest rate of 39.6 percent shrinking to 33 percent.

He would also abolish the estate tax, and said he would allow parents to "fully deduct" the cost of childcare spending from their taxes.

- Moratorium on regulations -

Trump would immediately slap a moratorium on all federal agency regulations that he believes are needlessly killing jobs. He said he would "cut regulations massively."

Already on the chopping block would be the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan, which forces investment in renewable energy at the expense of coal and natural gas, and the Interior Department's moratorium on coal mining permits.

He would also repeal President Barack Obama's landmark health care law.

- Trade reform -

Trump is opposed to the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership backed by Obama and Republican congressional leaders. It was signed by his administration and 11 other nations in 2015, but hit a snag in Congress.

He wants to abolish the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico that was signed into law in 1994, describing it as a pact that has "shipped your jobs to Mexico and other countries."

Trump reiterated his support for strengthened protections against currency manipulation that allow other countries to "cheat by unfairly subsidizing their goods."

China, warned Trump, "is responsible for nearly half of our entire trade deficit." He said he would go after Beijing for its "rampant" theft of intellectual property, its dumping of Chinese products on the US market and currency manipulation.

- Energy revival -

Trump called for an "energy revolution," starting with cancellation of Obama's climate plan and the Paris Climate Agreement, and a halt of US payments to United Nations global warming programs.

He would also expand offshore drilling, increase natural gas production, and reverse what he called Obama's "war on coal" that led to the loss of thousands of energy industry jobs.
Chevron wins key US appeal in Ecuador pollution case

Chevron scored a win Monday in US appeals court, blocking enforcement of a $9.5 billion judgment in Ecuador against the US oil giant over pollution in the South American country.

A three-judge panel of the US appeals court in New York upheld a 2014 ruling by a US District Court that discarded the Ecuador ruling on pollution in the Amazon jungle on the grounds that it was fraudulently obtained.

The appeals court found "no basis for dismissal or reversal," it said. "The judgment of the district court is affirmed."

Protesters gather in the Federal Plaza in Manhatan to protest against Chevron Corporation October 15, 2013 in New York Don Emmert (AFP/File)

The case concerns long-running efforts by indigenous people of Ecuador's Lago Agrio region to win compensation for the mass dumping of oilfield waste between the 1970s and 1990s.

The environmental destruction allegedly was perpetrated by Texaco, which Chevron bought in 2001.

Ecuadoran courts ordered Chevron to pay $9.5 billion in compensation.

However, the US oil giant fought back hard, leading to a 2013 trial in New York that alleged widespread corruption in Ecuador's judicial system led by US attorney Steven Donziger, who has represented indigenous groups.

Following that trial, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled that lawyers for the Ecuadoran groups committed a host of corrupt actions, including ghost-writing the original judgment, submitting fraudulent evidence and bribery.

Chevron said it was pleased Kaplan's decision was upheld.

"This decision, which is consistent with the findings of numerous judicial officers in the United States and South America, leaves no doubt that the Ecuadorian judgment against Chevron is the illegitimate and unenforceable product of misconduct," Chevron general counsel R. Hewitt Pate said.

Representatives for indigenous groups criticized the latest ruling and said it would not deter efforts to bring Chevron to justice in Canada and other jurisdictions where they have sought to seize Chevron assets.

They said they were exploring "further review" of the matter.

"Never before has a US court allowed someone who lost a case in another country to come to the US to attack a foreign court's damages award," said Deepak Gupta, an attorney for Donziger.

"The decision hands well-heeled corporations a template for avoiding legal accountability anywhere in the world."
Florida probes new Zika case outside Miami

Florida is investigating a new case of Zika infection outside the neighborhood in Miami where mosquitoes are believed to have spread the virus to more than a dozen people, officials said Monday.

Florida Governor Rick Scott described the case as a "new individual with non-travel related Zika in Palm Beach County," north of Miami.

The person had recently traveled to Miami-Dade County and the Health Department is investigating "to determine the source of infection," Scott said in a statement.

Since July, Florida has documented 17 cases of Zika that were likely acquired by mosquitoes carrying the virus inside the state Yuri Cortez (AFP/File)

The Florida Department of Health stressed that the investigation "does not mean active transmission of Zika virus is occurring in Palm Beach County," a statement said.

"If the department identifies any area of concern in Palm Beach County, we will notify the public immediately."

Zika can cause birth defects including a condition known as microcephaly, in which an infant's head is smaller than normal.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned pregnant women to stay away from the Miami neighborhood of Wynwood, where mosquitoes carrying the virus are believed to be lurking.

The state health authorities still maintain that "active transmissions are only taking place within the identified area that is less than one-square mile in Miami-Dade County," said the governor.

Since July, Florida has documented 17 cases of Zika that were likely acquired by mosquitoes carrying the virus inside the state.

There have also been 357 cases of Zika involving people who were infected while traveling outside the United States to areas where the virus is spreading, mainly in Latin America.

Florida is the first state in the mainland United States to report locally acquired Zika.
Dominant China continue diving gold rush

Chen Aisen and Lin Yue won the men's 10m synchronised Olympic diving competition Monday to keep the powerhouse Chinese squad on course for a potential first-ever gold-medal sweep in Rio.

Chen and Lin never looked threatened throughout the six-round contest and went in for the kill on their fifth dive, a front 4 1/2 somersault tuck that won 9.5s and 10s from the dazzled judges.

The Chinese finished a comfortable 39.87 points ahead of silver medallists David Boudia and Steele Johnson of the USA, with British star Tom Daley and his diving partner Daniel Goodfellow coming third.

China's Lin Yue and Chen Aisen compete in the men's synchronised 10m platform contest in Rio de Janeiro on August 8, 2016 Martin Bureau (AFP)

Lin, 25, became the first diver to win two gold medals in the men's 10m synchro and he dedicated the victory to his parents, who sold their home to finance their son's training when he was younger.

"The only thing in my mind is that I have to do all I can do for my family to thank them for supporting me," he said.

It was the second straight day that the Chinese anthem rung out over the Maria Lenk Aquatics Center, and may not be the last.

China is the dominant force in diving, winning six of the eight gold-medal contests in London 2012, and seven of them in Beijing in 2008.

On Sunday, China's Wu Minxia and Shi Tingmao opened the competition with a decisive triumph in the womens 3m synchronised springboard.

That made Wu the most decorated diver in history with five golds, surpassing a batch of others that included American legend Greg Louganis and former Chinese diving diva Guo Jingjing.

Over the course of Monday's contest it became increasingly clear that the only drama would be who got the men's silver and gold.

- Seventh heaven -

The Americans pumped their fists on confirming silver on their sixth and last dive, and Daley and Goodfellow likewise celebrated rapturously on the night's final plunge, tumbling into the pool in joy.

"When it (the score) came up, I pounced on Dan and I don't think he was quite ready for it, so before we knew it we had done a seventh dive," said Daley.

Daley and Boudia will return to the pool later in the competition to face off against China's Chen and Qiu Bo in the 10m individual.

Boudia upset Qiu in a thrilling final in London, one of only two golds won in 2012 by non-Chinese divers. Daley took the bronze.

The men's and women's teams are competing in a total of eight gold-medal events: the 10m platform, the 3m springboard, and the synchronised versions of each.

Before the Rio Games began, China had won 19 of the 24 gold medals available across the men's and women's diving events at the three most recent Olympics.

The women are particularly strong, hogging all the gold in the past two Games.

Chen Ruolin of China, the two-time reigning champion in both the women's 10m individual and synchronised events, could tie Wu's five gold medals if she wins in the 10m synch set for Tuesday.

Great Britain's Thomas Daley and Daniel Goodfellow (L, bronze), China's Chen Aisen and Lin Yue (C, gold) and USA's David Boudia and Steele Johnson (R, silver) celebrate after the men's synchronised 10m platform contest on August 8, 2016 Martin Bureau (AFP)
DIVIDED AMERICA: Will Trump energize the Latino vote?

LAS VEGAS (AP)  It's a persistent paradox in American politics: Many Hispanic families have an immense personal stake in what happens on Election Day, but despite population numbers that should mean political power, Hispanics often can't vote, aren't registered to vote, or simply choose to sit out.

Enter Donald Trump, and the question that could make or break this year's divisive presidential election in key states. By inflaming the anti-immigrant sentiments of white, working-class men, has the Republican nominee jolted awake another group  the now 27.3 million eligible Hispanic voters long labeled the sleeping giant of U.S. elections?

"A lot of times you hear this rap about how politics doesn't affect their life," says Yvanna Cancela, political director of Las Vegas' largely immigrant Culinary Union. "But that changes when it's personal, and there's nothing more personal than Donald Trump talking about deporting 11 million immigrants."

In this June 9, 2016 photo, Jennifer Hernandez waits, clipboard in hand, to register people to vote in front of a Latino supermarket in Las Vegas. Hernandez works with Mi Familia Vota, a group that works to register voters in the Latino community. (AP Photo/John Locher)

___

EDITOR'S NOTE  This story is part of Divided America, AP's ongoing exploration of the economic, social and political divisions in American society.

___

Hispanics now represent the nation's largest ethnic community with some 55 million people. More than half are U.S.-born, an additional 6.5 million are naturalized citizens, and the others are legal residents or here illegally. Most trace their familial roots to Mexico, one of Trump's favorite targets.

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best," Trump said last summer, minutes into the speech that announced his candidacy. "They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists."

A cornerstone of Trump's platform is building a wall along the entire Southwest border  and forcing Mexico to pay for it. How? By threatening to cut off remittances those living in the U.S. send to relatives down south.

He publicly attacked and questioned the impartiality of an Indiana-born federal judge hearing a lawsuit against him because of the judge's Mexican ancestry. He's called protesters in New Mexico "thugs who were flying the Mexican flag" and accused the state's governor  a Republican who also happens to be the nation's first female Hispanic governor  of "not doing the job." Half of that state's population is Hispanic, as are 40 percent of the state's eligible voters.

This is hardly what the Republican National Committee had in mind three years ago when, after Mitt Romney's loss to Barack Obama, it commissioned a study about how best to bring more Hispanics, blacks, women and young voters into the fold. An entire section called "America Looks Different" urged Republicans to engage with minority voters, "show our sincerity" and "embrace and champion comprehensive immigration reform."

Skip ahead to 2016, and surveys that show most Hispanics plan to vote against the Republican nominee. A Fox News Latino poll conducted in May found 67 percent back Hillary Clinton and only 23 percent support Trump.

John Herrera, 38, is typical. He registered to vote in Las Vegas in June. "I've never really voted until now, only because of Trump being against Hispanic people," he said. "I didn't think my vote would count before, but now I want to make a difference."

Lionel Sosa, a prominent Mexican-American advertising and marketing executive in San Antonio, was once dubbed one of the top 25 most influential Hispanics in America by Time magazine. He helped devise strategies to attract Latino voters for the likes of Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and John McCain.

That was before Trump. In a June column in the San Antonio Express-News, Sosa announced he'd be leaving the party upon Trump's formal nomination.

"A thousand points of light has been replaced by a thousand points of anger. In place of compassionate conservatism, our nominee promotes callousness, extremism and racism. And instead of a unifier, the party now cheers the ultimate 'us against them' proponent. Divisiveness incarnate," he wrote.

___

Republican fears of Hispanic backlash are rooted in what happened after their party targeted illegal immigration in California in 1994.

Gov. Pete Wilson tied his re-election campaign to a ballot measure, Proposition 187, to deny government benefits and access to public schools to people in the country illegally. The measure passed, and though it was later struck down as unconstitutional, a growing Hispanic population was infuriated.

In the years since, more Latinos have been elected to office in the state and the GOP has dwindled to a mere footnote; no Republican has won a statewide election in California since 2006. Proposition 187 wasn't the only factor in the change  other groups in California, like coastal whites, were shifting Democratic in the mid-'90s, and Hispanics already leaned against the GOP. But the loss of California has become the example of the risk Republicans run alienating a fast-growing ethnic group.

"With Trump saying the things he's saying, we might see this same thing again," says Jody Agius Vallejo, a University of Southern California sociologist and author of "Barrios to Burbs: The Making of the Mexican American Middle Class." ''Only this time, it would be nationally."

There is reason, though, to be skeptical. Overall, the Hispanic voting record is not good.

One obstacle is some 7.2 million Hispanic adults are here illegally and are ineligible to vote, according to estimates from the Pew Research Center. Another 5 million, while living here legally as temporary or permanent residents, are not citizens.

Finally, nearly one-third of all Hispanics in the U.S., some 17.9 million, are under age 18  young people like Edysmar Diaz-Cruz, a high school student from Miami, whose 18th birthday comes one month after the presidential contest.

"It's so disappointing because I've been closely following this year's campaign," she says.

Relatively few of the Hispanics who are eligible to vote actually register and then cast ballots. In the 2012 election, only 48 percent of eligible Hispanic voters turned out, according to the Pew Research Center . That's compared to a 66.6 percent turnout rate among blacks and a 64.1 percent rate among whites.

In Arizona, a decade of tough-on-immigration policies from Republican officials has triggered no popular uprising by the state's growing Hispanic population; the GOP still controls all state offices, and activists acknowledge that increasingly conservative white votes there tend to mitigate gains among Hispanics, who now represent about one-fifth of the state's voters.

In Texas, where 39 percent of the population is Hispanic, Democrats have been shut out of statewide elections for decades. During 2014's midterm elections, fewer than 2.3 million Texas Hispanics reported being registered to vote, or about 46 percent of the nearly 4.9 million who were eligible, according to U.S. Census Bureau surveys. Turnout was even worse: That year, 22 percent of eligible Texas Hispanics reported voting compared to nearly 42 percent of eligible whites and 35 percent of eligible blacks.

"We've been spending our money wrong," concedes Crystal Zermeno, director of special projects for the Democratic field organization Texas Organizing Project.

"For the past 15 to 20 years, we've been focusing on moving swing white voters. If you talk to Hispanic voters, they say, 'No one has asked me to vote,'" Zermeno says. "There has not been a focus and real expenditures historically on unlikely voters, and you can't just expect non-voters to go out in great numbers ... without anyone encouraging them."

Unions, nonprofits and political campaigns have struggled to grow the Hispanic electorate, with mixed success.

In Colorado, Democratic groups have invested for years to reach out, and Hispanic registration and turnout have edged higher. In 2013, a state assembly that had been tough on illegal immigration allowed people in the country illegally to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.

Nevada is another battleground state, where some 17 percent of eligible voters, or 328,000 people, are Hispanics. Here, Latinos have clearly demonstrated the power they wield when they either turn out or stay home. In 2008 and 2012 they helped President Barack Obama; they were critical in re-electing Sen. Harry Reid in 2010. In the 2014 midterms, though, Hispanic turnout plummeted, and Republicans swept every statewide office and won control of both houses of the Legislature for the first time since 1929.

"When you have the resources put in, you see turnout that favors the Democrats," says David Damore, a political science professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. "But you need to put resources in the community. It's not just going to happen."

This year  with Trump priming the pump, and with former state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto running to replace the retiring Reid and become the first Latina senator  resources are flowing. Groups like Mi Familia Vota are sending in staff from around the country and hiring local volunteers to step up registration and turnout efforts.

In June, two days after graduating from high school, Fabiola Vejar stood outside a Latin grocery store on a sweltering afternoon quizzing a parade of customers in Spanish: "Are you registered to vote?" Most shook their heads no. Vejar followed up: "Are you eligible?" Again, most responded in the negative. One man laughed and bellowed: "Soy Mexicano!" I'm Mexican!

Vejar cannot vote. Now 18, she entered the country illegally from Mexico with her mother when she was 2 years old, after her father died of leukemia.

Her future, and that of her family, largely depends on this election. She is shielded from deportation under an Obama administration program that protects those brought to the country illegally as children. Hillary Clinton has promised to keep that program, and Trump to end it. Trump also has pledged to deport every person in the country illegally, and that would include not just Fabiola, but her mother and stepfather. Her two brothers are both U.S. citizens, but not yet 18.

So Vejar volunteers with Mi Familia Vota, encouraging others to be heard at the ballot box.

"I don't have that voice," she says, "but there's other people ... who feel the way I do. They should vote."

Some, like Jose Martinez, are unconvinced. The 40-year-old security guard voted twice for Obama but told one of Vejar's colleagues he is sitting this election out because he's disappointed the president did not pass a broad immigration overhaul.

"He promised a lot, a lot to Latinos," Martinez says. "He did maybe 1 percent. ... We don't believe in anything now."

___

Joe Enriquez Henry remembers the moment he set out to disprove the conventional wisdom that Hispanics just don't vote. It was 2002, and then-Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, a Democrat, signed a bill making English the state's official language. Vilsack now says he regrets the decision, but the governor then explained to Henry that Latinos just were too small a voting constituency to convince him to put down the pen.

Henry, whose mother's family came to the U.S. from Mexico more than 100 years ago, vowed he'd help Iowa's small but significant Hispanic population  now more than 170,000, or nearly 6 percent of the state's population  make their voices heard. Years of work paid off on Feb. 1, when as many as 13,000 Hispanics turned out for the state's caucuses. Only about 1,000 had attended in 2012.

"The Democratic and Republican parties think we don't vote, so we wanted to prove that we do," says Henry, a vice president of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

There was no magic formula. Henry scraped together $200,000 that paid for a few staffers who made phone calls, distributed fliers and knocked on doors to talk about the importance of voting with people like Mayra de Catalan, an immigrant from El Salvador who works as a bank analyst.

The Des Moines resident has been in the U.S. for two decades and became a citizen only five years ago; she says she had not even considered voting.

"It was the first time anyone had talked to me about the importance of voting," she says, "how my one vote could make a difference."

That's the same message that Victor Juarez is spreading in Nevada. He has been a member of Culinary Union Local 226 since 1989, when he started work as a cook at the Circus, Circus casino. The union represents 55,000 casino and hotel workers, half of them Hispanic and many of them immigrants; it has harnessed Las Vegas' housekeepers, cooks and janitors and turned them into an electoral powerhouse.

Juarez has been taking paid leaves of absence to work as an organizer for Culinary, traveling around town and knocking on doors of other union members to get them to the polls. He himself only became a citizen, able to vote, after the 2004 election; he was working two jobs to put his children through school and says he didn't have time.

Often he finds families headed by people with little education who don't speak English and are wary of participating in the system.

"We had to open their eyes," he says. "There's a lack of education, language barriers."

With Trump, he says, he has noticed a change. "People who've been living here a long time are getting scared about what he's saying."

Xiomara Duenas is one of them. She immigrated legally to the United States from Cuba in 1996 to join her father. She worked at a seafood processing plant in New Jersey before moving to Nevada in 2012 after medical issues forced an early retirement. She had always believed that her shaky English prevented her from becoming a citizen. She was resigned to the idea that immigrants didn't have the same rights as native-born Americans  until Trump's candidacy.

Duenas found a Culinary Union citizenship workshop where Spanish speakers guided her through the process.

Last November, she became a citizen. This November, she plans to act.

"I didn't want him to become president, but I couldn't do anything," says Duenas. "But now, I can vote."

___

Sergio Bustos reported from Miami. Associated Press reporters Will Weissert in Austin, Texas, and Russell Contreras in Albuquerque, New Mexico, contributed to this report.

In this June 9, 2016 photo, Fabiola Vejar, right, registers Stephanie Cardenas to vote in front of a Latino supermarket in Las Vegas. Shielded from deportation under an Obama administration program that protects those brought to the country illegally as children, Vejar, 18, cannot vote. So she volunteers with Mi Familia Vota, encouraging others to be heard at the ballot box. "I dont have that voice," she says, "but there's other people ... who feel the way I do. They should vote." (AP Photo/John Locher)

In this June 13, 2016 photo, members of Culinary Union Local 226 meet at their union hall in Las Vegas to prepare to canvass for Ruben Kihuen, a Hispanic candidate for congress. Half of the union's predominantly-immigrant members are Hispanic, and it has harnessed Sin City's housekeepers, cooks and janitors and turned them into an electoral powerhouse. (AP Photo/John Locher)

In this June 14, 2016 photo, members of the Culinary Union Local 226 celebrate as they hear results during a primary election in Las Vegas. Half of the union's predominantly-immigrant members are Hispanic, and it has harnessed Sin City's housekeepers, cooks and janitors and turned them into an electoral powerhouse. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Donald Trump pinatas are displayed for sale at El Rey De La Pinata shop in Las Vegas on Friday, June 10, 2016. "A lot of times you hear this rap about how politics doesn't affect their life," says Yvanna Cancela, political director of Las Vegas' predominantly immigrant Culinary Union. "But that changes when its personal, and theres nothing more personal than Donald Trump talking about deporting 11 million immigrants." (AP Photo/John Locher)

A sign in Spanish which translates, "Don't Lose Your Voice, Vote!" is displayed near a polling place in a Cardenas supermarket in Las Vegas on Friday, June 10, 2016. In the battleground state of Nevada, some 17 percent of eligible voters are Hispanics. Here, Latinos have clearly demonstrated the power they wield when they either turn out or stay home. In 2008 and 2012 they helped President Barack Obama; they were critical in re-electing Sen. Harry Reid in 2010. In the 2014 midterms, though, Hispanic turnout plummeted, and Republicans swept every statewide office and won control of both houses of the Legislature for the first time since 1929. (AP Photo/John Locher)

In this Tuesday, May 31, 2016 photo, U.S. Senate candidate Catherine Cortez Masto, center, speaks to supporters during an event at a restaurant in Las Vegas. The former Nevada state attorney general is running for the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Harry Reid. If she wins, she would be the first Latina in the U.S. Senate. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Erika Jaramillo, center, and others hold signs supporting Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during a Democratic National Convention watch party in San Antonio on Tuesday, July 26, 2016. In Texas, where 39 percent of the population is Hispanic, Democrats have been shut out of statewide elections for decades. During 2014s midterm elections, fewer than 2.3 million Texas Hispanics reported being registered to vote, or about 46 percent of the nearly 4.9 million who were eligible, according to U.S. Census Bureau surveys. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Ranjana Martinez shows off her buttons supporting Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during a Democratic National Convention watch party in San Antonio on Tuesday, July 26, 2016. According to the 2015 U.S. Census, Texas is home to 19 percent of America's entire Hispanic population. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton attends a Democratic National Convention watch party in San Antonio on Tuesday, July 26, 2016. Crystal Zermeno, director of special projects for the Democratic field organization Texas Organizing Project, says, "For the past 15 to 20 years, weve been focusing on moving swing white voters. If you talk to Hispanic voters, they say, No one has asked me to vote'... There has not been a focus and real expenditures historically on unlikely voters, and you cant just expect non-voters to go out in great numbers ... without anyone encouraging them." (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Gil Cadena wears buttons supporting Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during a Democratic National Convention watch party in San Antonio on Tuesday, July 26, 2016. Hispanics now represent the nation's largest ethnic community with some 55 million people. More than half are U.S.-born, an additional 6.5 million are naturalized citizens, and the others are legal residents or here illegally. Most trace their familial roots to Mexico, one of Trumps favorite targets. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The family of an Ohio schoolteacher who killed himself after his wife was left permanently disabled in a rock attack say the gang of teens who threw the rock bear the blame for the man's death.

Father-of-four Randy Budd, 55, shot himself dead at his Uniontown home late Saturday night, just over two years after his wife Sharon suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of a group of teenagers.

Three criminals threw the five-pound rock off an overpass on Interstate 80 in central Pennsylvania in July 2014.

It smashed through the window of her family car as her daughter Kaylee was driving - leaving her in need of constant care.

Family and friends say Mr Budd has now become the second victim of a tragedy that irrevocably changed his family.

'Randy Budd did not die from a gunshot. He died when those kids threw a rock through his windshield,' Peter Johnson, the Union County district attorney, told Penn Live.

'They killed him like they killed her.'

Scroll down for video

Randy Budd, whose wife Sharon was horrifically injured after a rock was dropped through the windshield of her car from an overpass back in 2014, has shot himself dead aged 55

Since she was hit with the rock Sharon has undergone seven surgeries, losing part of her brain and one of her eyes that means she requires round the clock care at home

The attack on Sharon Budd led a state senator, Gene Yaw, to introduce legislation requiring fencing on new and renovated overpasses.

Before committing suicide, Mr Budd texted Yaw, writing: 'Please get the fence issue settled.'

Mr Budd and his wife were the only ones at home when he killed himself, reports suggest.

He also texted his family members saying he loved them before pulling the trigger.

Mr Budd is survived by his daughter Kaylee, and his three sons; Lucas, James and Joe.

Mr Budd is survived by his daughter Kaylee, and his three sons; Lucas, James and Joe

Lucas was in the U.S. Army and served overseas. His father proudly posted images of him in full combat gear on his Facebook.

Budd was vice president of sales and marketing of Radius Hospitality, a Canton, Ohio, hotel management and sales and revenue management solutions company.

Before that he was a baseball pitcher, and was even drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 1981 draft out of the University of Akron.

District Attorney Johnson, who prosecuted the four youths responsible for Sharon Budd's horrific injuries, released a powerful statement as news surfaced of her husband's death.

Dylan Lahr, 18 (left), who dropped the rock, Tyler Porter, 19 (center), and Keefer McGee, 18 (right), have been jailed for the crime along with Dylan's 20-year-old brother Brett

Sharon attended court on the day the trio were sentenced (pictured) saying she felt 'sorry for them' as they asked for her forgiveness

Just last month, Mr Budd condemned the actions of the 'bastards' who left her permanently disabled.

Randy Budd did not die from a gunshot. He died when those kids threw a rock through his windshield

- Peter Johnson, Union County district attorney - Peter Johnson, Union County district attorney

He wrote: 'On July 11th it will be 2 years since those bastards decided to throw a 5lb rock off an overpass and totally disable my Sharon.

'She has been through hell and back. Most recent Sharon was admitted to a rehab facility to try to gain SOME independence.

'After seven weeks away from her family it was decided that she still needs constant care.

'What a shame, she took so much pride in being a productive mother, wife, friend, daughter, mentor, and teacher. We are left with scars mentally, emotionally, financially, and physically.

Before her seventh operation last year, Randy had praised his wife as 'an inspiration', saying she remained 'upbeat and positive' despite her injuries

Mr Budd is seen celebrating his 30th anniversary with his wife before she sustained the horrific, life-changing injuries

'Approved paroles are coming to my house from PA. I guess those young men that took Sharon from us will get to live their lives into the future as normal.'

Mr Budd said in January that his wife had seven major surgeries and lost one eye and part of her brain. - the part that controls a person's vocabulary filter.

Because part of her brain was affected, he said she would require constant care at home for the rest of her life.

Sharon, who had already survived breast cancer, has not been able to return to her former career as a teacher.

Ahead of her seventh operation, which took place in June last year, Randy had called his wife 'an inspiration' saying she remains 'upbeat and positive' despite her injuries.

The Canton Repository published a statement from the Budd family Sunday afternoon, saying: 'The Budd family are all together and are grieving the loss of their dad, husband and brother.

A statement from the Budd family said they appreciate the support they have received and asked for privacy while they deal with the loss

Sharon (right) is pictured with her son Lucas, who served in the U.S. Army

His father shared a picture of him in full combat gear during a tour of duty

'We deeply appreciate the tremendous support our family has received from the Massillon, Canton and Hartville areas over the past several years.

'We ask for your prayers and some privacy as we deal with our loss.'

Dylan Lahr, 18, Tyler Porter, 19, and Keefer McGee, 18, were sentenced for the crime back in September 2015 and are all now serving jail time.

Lahr, who dropped the rock, must serve at least four and a half years, while Porter must serve a year and 10 months, and McGee must serve eleven and a half months.

Those terms are only the minimum they must serve. Even after release the trio will be on probation for many years.

Authorities say the rock-throwing culminated a day of troublemaking that included shoplifting steaks, breaking a window in a neighbor's home and driving through a cornfield, causing damage.

A truck driver also reported damage from a rock in that spot around the same time.

Another man, Dylan's 20-year-old brother Brett Lahr, was previously jailed for at least 18 months after pleading no contest to a conspiracy charge.

Sharon attended court the day Lahr, Porter and McGee were sentenced as they each asked for her forgiveness from the dock.

Sharon had already survived breast cancer when she was struck with the rock while riding as the passenger in her daughter's car along with husband Randy

Speaking after the hearing, she said: 'I thought the judge would be just, and he was. It's hard to look at their faces and not feel bad for them.'

'Randy and I are both glad this part is wrapped up.'

Meanwhile Randy added: 'We have four children. They always went to Sharon. Now they come to me. Sharon always took care of them. Now they take care of Sharon.'

After his wife's accident, which took place late at night as the couple's daughter drove them to a show in New York, Randy became an advocate for requiring fencing on overpasses.

Earlier this year, the Budd family helped push through new rules in Ohio requiring any new or rehabbed bridges over busy highways to be topped with chain-link fencing to deter vandals.

'I kept thinking, this had to happen for a reason. Why would this happen?' Randy Budd said in January.

'There has got to be something good to come out of this, and it happened.

'Now it's going to have an impact in Ohio for years and years to come, and somebody else won't have to go through what we're going through - or even death.'
Off-duty officer shoots suspect during home invasion

LAUREL, Md. (AP)  Authorities say an off-duty police officer with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission shot a man who illegally entered his Maryland home.

Agency spokeswoman Ayoka Blandford says in a statement that the suspect was shot in the arm Sunday afternoon in Laurel, about 20 miles southwest of Baltimore, and has been apprehended. She says his injuries are not life-threatening.

Prince George's County Police Officer Tyler Hunter says his agency will likely release more details Monday. He declined to disclose the races of the suspect or the officer.

Blandford says the officer has served with the sanitary commission for one year. She says he worked for the University of Maryland-Baltimore for 20 years.
Advertisement

Hundreds of firefighters are battling to bring a wildfire in California under control after it burned through 1,500 acres in just eight hours.

The Pilot Fire broke out around 12.10 on Sunday afternoon in the San Bernardino National Forest about 55 miles east of Los Angeles.

At present, 400 firefighters are tackling the blaze in the Summit Valley area with 36 engines, 8 helicopters and 8 air tankers. Additional crews have been requested.

Scroll down for video

Hundreds of firefighters are battling to bring a wildfire in California under control after it burned through 1,500 acres in just eight hours

The Pilot Fire broke out around 12.10 on Sunday afternoon in the San Bernardino National Forest about 55 miles east of Los Angeles

A DC-1O aircraft makes a drop near Silverwood Lake. 400 firefighters are working to bring the blaze in the Summit Valley area under control

Summit Valley is dotted with ranches and farms and an evacuation center has been set up in the desert town of Hesperia. In this photo, firefighters watch on as embers swirl through the night air

A pair of aircraft drop water and fire retardant over the wildfire, which has forced dozens of homes to be evacuated

There 36 engines on site as well as 8 helicopters and 8 air tankers. Dozers crews, such as the one pictured, have also been deployed to the scene

The area is dotted with ranches and farms and an evacuation center has been set up in the desert town of Hesperia.

The US Forest Service said 20 mph winds pushed a huge plume of smoke north towards the Mojave Desert.

Officials warned that air quality may reach unhealthy levels in the areas affected by the smoke.

Today, the local weather is warm and dry with light winds.

Authorities are warning people not to fly drones near the wildfire, as this could get in the way of efforts to bring it under control.

The federal incident page explained: 'As hobby drones have grown in popularity, we have seen an increase in these drones interfering with firefighting operations.

The US Forest Service said 20 mph winds pushed a huge plume of smoke north towards the Mojave Desert

Officials warned that air quality may reach unhealthy levels in the areas affected by the smoke

Authorities are warning people not to fly drones near the wildfire, as this could get in the way of efforts to bring it under control

The federal incident page explained that hobby drones could get in the way of aircraft, such as this air tanker

An RJ85 air tanker flies by people watching the wildfire from the top of a hill near the desert town of Hesperia

Firefighters look on as the fire approaches a campground. Since July 22, California has been threatened by blazes like the massive Soberanes fire which has charred 40,618 acres

The blaze broke out 55 miles east of Los Angeles. The region has recently been plagued by wildfires due to warm, dry weather conditions

'A collision could easily result in major damage to our aircraft, injuries to the pilot and crew on board as well as firefighters below, and worse, a midair collision.'

Since July 22, California has been threatened by blazes like the massive Soberanes fire which has charred 40,618 acres north of Big Sur.

At least one person died, 57 homes were destroyed and thousands of people were evacuated.

Almost 5,300 people were sent to fight the blaze. Authorities said Sunday it was 45 per cent contained.

The National Interagency Fire Center said Monday that 'California will continue to see elevated potential due to long-term dryness.

At least one person died in the Soberanes fire, 57 homes were destroyed and thousands of people were evacuated

The National Interagency Fire Center said Monday that 'California will continue to see elevated potential due to long-term dryness

Trevor Rainwater watches a wildfire burn into Summit Valley from the Joshua Inn which was evacuated moments later

A spotter plane flies over a group of people on the top of a hill. In California, dry conditions have killed 65 million trees which increases the fire risk significantly

Kris Ensz, Jacob Maidment and Kirkland Brown hang out across from Kirkland's parents home in Summit Valley

A Super Scooper firefighting aircraft, on lease from Quebec, takes off from the Van Nuys airport in Los Angeles on Saturday

'This will occasionally be amplified through the fall and early winter as offshore flow events become more common.'

Dry conditions have killed 65 million trees which increases the fire risk significantly.
The Latest: Wind fans forest fire in Southern California

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP)  The Latest on wildfires burning in California. (all times local):

10:15 p.m.

Firefighters are battling a wildfire in Southern California that grew to more than 2 square miles in mere hours and forced the evacuation of homes near a reservoir.

A wildfire burns in the background behind a sightseer as smoke billows over Silverwood Lake on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 7, 2016, in Crestline, Calif. A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California is burning about 55 miles east of Los Angeles in a remote area near Silverwood Lake, a state recreation area, near the small mountain community of Crestline. A massive plume of smoke could be seen blowing north toward the Mojave Desert. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

The fire, which broke out Sunday afternoon in the San Bernardino National Forest, prompted the evacuation order of the sparsely populated Summit Valley area east of the dam.

The fire is burning about 55 miles east of Los Angeles in a remote area near Silverwood Lake, a state recreation area, near the small mountain community of Crestline.

U.S. Forest Service spokesman Robert Taylor says 20 mph winds pushed a huge plume of smoke north toward the Mojave Desert.

Officials warn that air quality may reach unhealthy levels in the areas affected by the smoke.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

___

5:15 p.m.

A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes.

A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest says residents in the sparsely populated Summit Valley area were ordered to leave their homes Sunday afternoon.

Lyn Sieliet says the area is dotted with ranches and farms. An evacuation center was set up in the desert town of Hesperia.

The fire began shortly after noon and quickly grew to more than a square mile. It is burning about 55 miles east of Los Angeles in a remote area near Silverwood Lake, a state recreation area, near the small mountain community of Crestline.

A massive plume of smoke could be seen blowing north toward the Mojave Desert.

___

4:25 p.m.

A rapidly growing wildfire is burning in a national forest in Southern California.

The blaze burning in the San Bernardino National Forest began Sunday and quickly grew to more than a square mile.

The fire was burning about 55 miles east of Los Angeles in a remote area near Silverwood Lake, a state recreation area, near the small mountain community of Crestline.

Sections of two state highways were closed because of the fire.

A massive plume of smoke could be seen blowing north toward the Mojave Desert.

More than 350 firefighters were assigned to the fire, and several helicopters and air tankers were also deployed.

___

11:57 a.m.

Firefighters are making some progress against two Northern California wildfires.

Fire crews at Lake Berryessa east of San Francisco as of Sunday have a fire that's burned more than 8 square miles 50 percent contained. Firefighters are reinforcing containment lines against the Lake Berryessa fire, which has been burning since Tuesday.

Meanwhile, firefighters say they have a much bigger fire near the Central California coast 45 percent contained. That wildfire has burned 90 square miles in the area of California's popular Big Sur. Flames have consumed 57 homes. Officials said that winds blowing at 20 miles an hour overnight pushed flames higher in the southwest section of the blaze. Fire officials expect to be fighting the Big Sur fire until the end of the month.(backslash)

Heavy smoke looms up over Lake Gregory and mountaintop homes in Crestline, Calif., as a wildfire threatens the San Bernardino Mountains village about 55 miles east of Los Angeles Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. A massive plume of smoke could be seen blowing north toward the Mojave Desert. (Rachel Luna/The Sun via AP)

A wildfire burns over a ridge towards Summit Valley, Calif., Sunday afternoon, Aug. 7, 2016. A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes. A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest says residents in the sparsely populated Summit Valley area were ordered to leave their homes Sunday afternoon. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

U.S. Forest Service firefighters break a lock on a gate as they prepare to battle a wildfire in Summit Valley, Calif., on Sunday August 7, 2016. The wildfire stretched between Silverwood Lake and Summit Valley. The rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes. A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest says residents in the sparsely populated Summit Valley area were ordered to leave their homes Sunday afternoon. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

A helicopter drops water on a wildfire as it raged near Silverwood Lake on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, in Crestline, Calif. It is burning about 55 miles east of Los Angeles in a remote area near Silverwood Lake, a state recreation area, near the small mountain community of Crestline. A massive plume of smoke could be seen blowing north toward the Mojave Desert. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

A pair of aircraft drop water and fire retardant over a wildfire between Silverwood Lake and Summit Valley, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes. A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest says residents in the sparsely populated Summit Valley area were ordered to leave their homes Sunday afternoon. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

A pair of aircraft drop water and fire retardant over a wildfire between Silverwood Lake and Summit Valley, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes. A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest says residents in the sparsely populated Summit Valley area were ordered to leave their homes Sunday afternoon. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

U.S. Forest Service firefighters break a lock on a gate as they prepare to battle a wildfire in Summit Valley, Calif., on Sunday August 7, 2016. The wildfire stretched between Silverwood Lake and Summit Valley. The rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes. A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest says residents in the sparsely populated Summit Valley area were ordered to leave their homes Sunday afternoon. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

A wildfire burns over a ridge towards Summit Valley, Calif., Sunday afternoon, Aug. 7, 2016. A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes. A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest says residents in the sparsely populated Summit Valley area were ordered to leave their homes Sunday afternoon. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

A wildfire burns in the background behind a sightseer as smoke billows over Silverwood Lake on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 7, 2016, in Crestline, Calif. A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California is burning about 55 miles east of Los Angeles in a remote area near Silverwood Lake, a state recreation area, near the small mountain community of Crestline. A massive plume of smoke could be seen blowing north toward the Mojave Desert. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)
Dozens of protesters in Chicago block streets, traffic

CHICAGO (AP)  Dozens of people have gathered in Chicago for a protest over the police shooting of an unarmed black 18-year-old.

The protesters gathered Sunday evening in Millennium Park then began marching through downtown, at times blocking traffic. The demonstration comes two days after police released video showing the shooting of Paul O'Neal, who was a suspect in a car theft.

The footage showed Chicago police firing repeatedly at a car O'Neal was driving as it careened away from them. It later showed police handcuffing the mortally wounded O'Neal.

None of the footage from last month shows the moment he was shot in the back.
US Navy ship makes 1st China visit since arbitration ruling

QINGDAO, China (AP)  A U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer arrived in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao on Monday in the first visit by an American warship to the country since Beijing responded angrily to an arbitration panel's ruling that its expansive South China Sea maritime claims had no basis in law.

Arriving in the home port of China's northern fleet, the USS Benfold held a signals exercise with the Chinese Navy. Speaking briefly to media, Cmdr. Justin L. Harts said the visit aimed to "build relationships" with counterparts from the Chinese Navy, but referred questions on tensions in the South China Sea to Pacific Command in Hawaii.

Admiral Scott Swift, the top U.S. naval officer in Asia, plans to meet the media Tuesday in Qingdao.

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Justin L. Harts, left, shakes hands with Chinese PLA Navy officer Liu Huimin, right, deputy director of the Advisory Office of the North Sea Fleet, after the guided missile destroyer USS Benfold arrived in port in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong Province, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. A U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer arrived in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao on Monday in the first visit by an American warship to the country since Beijing responded angrily to an arbitration panel's ruling that its expansive South China Sea maritime claims had no basis in law. (AP Photo/Borg Wong)

China rejected last month's ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration in a case initiated by the Philippines, and refused to take part in the arbitration. It has strongly criticized the U.S. for encouraging its treaty partner in taking legal action and calling for Beijing to respect the ruling.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the U.S., Japan and Australia were "fanning the flames" of regional tensions after they released a joint statement urging China not to construct military outposts or reclaim land in the disputed waters.

Since the ruling, China has repeatedly reasserted its historical claim to the virtually the entire strategically vital water body, its islands, reefs, plentiful fish stocks and other resources. It's also begun flying air patrols, with one announced on Saturday featuring bomber and fighter aircraft, in the airspace around the Spratly Islands, Scarborough Shoal and adjacent areas.

Five other governments also hold territorial claims in the South China Sea.

___

This story has been corrected to show first name is Justin.

___

www.benfold.navy.mil

A Chinese military band plays as the guided missile destroyer USS Benfold arrives in port in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong Province, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. A U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer arrived in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao on Monday in the first visit by an American warship to the country since Beijing responded angrily to an arbitration panel's ruling that its expansive South China Sea maritime claims had no basis in law. (AP Photo/Borg Wong)

U.S. Navy sailors stand on deck as the guided missile destroyer USS Benfold arrives in port in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong Province, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. A U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer arrived in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao on Monday in the first visit by an American warship to the country since Beijing responded angrily to an arbitration panel's ruling that its expansive South China Sea maritime claims had no basis in law. (AP Photo/Borg Wong)
This resource is no longer available

This resource is no longer available. Return to previous page.
PICTURED: Editor selections from Latin America, Caribbean

The eyes of the world turned to Rio de Janeiro last week as the 2016 Olympics got underway. A huge display of fireworks shot into the sky from around the rim of the Olympic Stadium and dominated views across the city.

With the opening extravaganza out of the way, athletes began competing in the world's biggest sporting event to determine who is best. Amid the action, some suffered terrible injuries.

Elsewhere in Latin America, Colombia's special anti-narcotics police went after cocaine labs deep in the jungle, putting more than 100 out of commission.

In this Aug. 5, 2016 photo, fireworks explode over Maracana Stadium during the opening ceremony at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Hundreds of people massed in Argentina's capital to prevent police from executing an arrest warrant for Hebe de Bonafini, president of the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo human rights group, who a judge wants to answer question in a corruption investigation.

In Ecuador, improvised bullfighters threw their capes at bulls in a revived tradition of having cattle run through the streets ending in a bullfight, influenced by the famous run of the bulls in the Spanish city of Pamplona.

Disabled "charros," or Mexican cowboys, took to the arena in a show of dexterity while competing in various rodeo events. In Cuba, a group of cattle ranchers in the town of Sancti Spiritus founded a group to revive Cuba's rodeo culture.

Butterflies congregated on the shore of an Amazonian river in Brazil to feed on mineral deposits.

___

This photo gallery was curated by photo editor Tomas Stargardter in Mexico City.

___

Associated Press photographers and photo editors on Twitter: http://apne.ws/150o6jo

In this Aug. 5, 2016 photo, a diver takes part in a training session at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Center ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

In this Aug. 6, 2016 photo, France's Samir Ait Said holds his leg after injuring it while performing on the vault during the artistic gymnastics men's qualification at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

In this July 22, 2016 photo, children mimic their swimming stroke form during a swim class at a private pool, in the Port-au-Prince neighborhood Carrefour, Haiti. Hatian swimmer Frantz Mike Itelord Dorsainvil who only began to swim competitively six years ago is arguably the most unlikely Olympian on Haiti's small team. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

In this June 22, 2016 photo, butterflies congregate on the shore of the Igarape Mapi river near the community of Ceu do Mapia, in Amazonas state, Brazil. The butterflies gather attracted by the minerals that accumulate on the sandy shore. Ceu do Mapia revolves around an ancient psychedelic tea locals know as the Holy Daime. The Ayahuasca brew is sacred to Ceu do Mapia villagers, who use it in rituals that blend together Indian beliefs with Roman Catholicism. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

In this July 29, 2016 photo, a cowboy playfully threatens to dunk a younger boy into a water troff, during an improvised rodeo event at a farm in Sancti Spiritus, central Cuba. In the flat grasslands in the central province of Sancti Spiritus, a group of neighboring cattle ranchers founded a non-governmental organization called Future Ranchers more than a decade ago to revive Cuba's rodeo culture, which dates back centuries to Spanish colonial times. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

In this Aug. 5, 2016 photo, Hebe de Bonafini, president of Madres de la Plaza de Mayo human rights group, sits in a van in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as she waits to travel to Mar de Plata to attend a conference. Hundreds of supporters prevented Argentine police Thursday from executing an arrest warrant against the 87-year-old in a highly politicized corruption case. Bonafini has refused to submit to questioning into the alleged embezzlement of public funds meant for a low-income housing project registered in her group's name. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

In this July 30, 2016 photo, improvised bullfighters throw their capes at a bull in the temporary bull ring in Pillaro, Ecuador. Pillaro authorities headed by the town mayor have decided to resume the tradition of having cattle run through the streets ending in a bullfight, influenced by the more famous Spanish Pamplona bull run. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

In this July 10, 2016 photo, charro or Mexican cowboy Salvador Espinoza rests his lasso on his leg while calling for his dog Susana to hop into the van after arriving at the Mexican rodeo arena in Cuautitlan Izcalli, Mexico. The first charreada, or team-competition rodeo, featuring people with disabilities took place in November 2011 as part of the cultural events of the Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. In another first, the opening ceremony included a wheelchair performance of the jarabe tapatio, the folkloric tradition known abroad as the "Mexican hat dance." (AP Photo/Nick Wagner)
PICTURED: Editor selections from the past week in Asia

Flooding from heavy monsoon rains in India has killed scores of people, with about a million taking shelter in government-run relief camps. Incessant downpours have damaged swaths of land, uprooted trees and snapped telephone cables in dozens of districts in the states of Bihar in the east, Assam in the remote northeast and Himachal Pradesh in the north. Floods are an annual occurrence in many parts of India during the June-September monsoon season.

In other images from the Asia-Pacific region last week, authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir extended a curfew to most of the disputed Himalayan region in an attempt to prevent an anti-India protest march to a prominent shrine, but clashes erupted as thousands defied the restrictions.

The mostly Muslim region, where resistance to rule by predominantly Hindu India is strong, has been under a rolling curfew and strikes for about a month after the killing of a popular rebel commander sparked massive anti-India demonstrations. At least 54 civilians and a policeman have been killed and thousands injured in protest-related violence.

In this Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, file photo, an Indian woman holds an umbrella and walks through the rain in Mumbai, India. Monsoon season in India begins in June and ends in October. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool, File)

In Japan, Tomomi Inada, who has downplayed the country's wartime actions and is known for her far-right views, was named defense minister in a Cabinet reshuffle, a move that could unsettle Tokyo's relations with Asian neighbors with bitter memories of its World War II-era atrocities. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe changed more than half of the 19-member Cabinet in a bid to support his economic and security policies, as well as push for revising Japan's postwar pacifist constitution.

___

This gallery was curated by Associated Press photo editor Karly Domb Sadof in Bangkok.

In this Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, file photo, Hindu devotee performs evening prayers at Sangam, confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, in Allahabad, India. The three rivers meeting together makes Allahabad as one of Hinduism's holiest centers. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh, File)

In this Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016, file photo, raindrops are seen on glass as a man riding his motorbike through a flooded street after a brief but heavy rainfall in Manila, Philippines. Many low-lying areas in the city are flood prone during heavy rains. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)

In this Sunday, July 31, 2016, file photo, a flood affected woman holding her baby cooks food near a temporary shelter on an embankment in Morigaon district, east of Gauhati, northeastern Assam state, India. A week of heavy rain has killed dozens of people and uprooted tens of thousands of others from their homes. Floods are an annual occurrence in Assam and many parts of India during the June-September monsoon season. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath, File)

In this Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016, file photo, a Kashmiri Muslim runs for cover amid tear gas smoke during a protest after the funeral of Riyaz Ahmad Shah, a civilian killed by government forces in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir. Fresh protests flared in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday following the overnight killings of two civilians by government forces amid a nearly monthlong security lockdown and protest strikes. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin, File)

In this Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, file photo, Kashmiri protesters shout slogans against India during a protest after a day long curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir. Protests have continued across the valley amidst outrage over the killing of a top rebel leader by Indian troops in early July, 2016. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin, File)

In this Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, file photo, an Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard as a Kashmiri Muslim man stands at his doorstep during a curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir. Protests have continued across the valley amidst outrage over the killing of a top rebel leader by Indian troops in early July, 2016. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan, File)

In this Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, file photo, Japan Self Defense Force officer checks an honor guard before they are inspected by new Defense Minister Tomoni Inada at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

In this Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, file photo, Cambodian farmer works at a rice seedling farm in Svay Chek village, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Cambodia farmers start to grow rice during the rainy season. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)
Cyborg stingray swims toward light, breaks new ground

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP)  The idea of taking apart a rat's heart and transforming it into a tissue-engineered stingray first came to Kevin Kit Parker during a trip to the New England Aquarium with his daughter.

Four years later, a robotic ray that swims toward light has made the cover of Science Magazine and is pushing the limits of what's possible in the design of machines powered by living cells.

A research team based at Harvard University's Disease Biophysics Group, which Parker directs, created the translucent, penny-sized ray with a gold skeleton and silicone fins layered with the heart muscle cells of a rat.

In this Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016 photo, research scientist Sung-Jin Park displays a tissue-engineered robot on a piece of glass in a laboratory at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Mass. The stingray-shaped robot, capable of paddling in water after exposure to blue light, has a gold skeleton, silicone fins and the heart muscle cells of a rat. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

It's remote-controlled, guided by a blinking blue flashlight. Each burst of blue sets off a cascade of signals through the cells, which have been genetically-engineered to respond to light. The contraction of the tissue creates a downward motion on the ray's body. When the tissue relaxes, the gold skeleton recoils  moving the fin upward again in an undulating cycle that mimics the graceful swimming of a real ray or skate.

Parker, whose research includes cardiac cell biology, launched the project as a method for learning more about the mysteries of the human heart and a step toward the far-off goal of building an artificial one. But the interdisciplinary project is also sparking interest in other fields, from marine biology to robotics.

Parker is not a roboticist. But as an Army veteran who did two tours in Afghanistan, he welcomes any part his stingrays could play in advancing the development of machines able to perform dangerous jobs.

"Bio-hybrid machines  things with synthetic parts and living materials  they're going to happen," Parker said. "I've spent time getting shot at and seen people getting shot. If I could build a cyborg so my buddy doesn't have to crawl into that ditch to look for an IED, I'd do that in a heartbeat."

When he first asked postdoctoral researcher Sung-Jin Park to help him create the stingray four years ago, the bench scientist was doubtful.

"I had this whole idea of a laser-guided, tissue-engineered stingray made out of rat," Parker said. "He looked at me like a hog staring at a wristwatch. He was like, 'Have I trusted my career to this yahoo'? I think he thought I was unglued."

Indeed, the project to build the ray was more difficult and expensive  close to $1 million, according to Parker  than either of them imagined. A mechanical engineer by training, Park had to delve into molecular and cell biology. The team pulled experts from diverse fields, including an ichthyologist  someone who studies fish  to understand and help replicate a ray's muscle structure and biomechanics. Their work was published in Science last month.

Biologically-inspired robots aren't new. A precursor to the stingray was a tissue-engineered jellyfish Parker helped create in 2012, also with the aim of understanding the muscular pumping of a heart. But one of the robotic stingray's most intriguing contributions is the way it shows a glimpse of autonomy, said John Long, a professor of biology and cognitive science who directs Vassar College's Interdisciplinary Robotics Research Laboratory.

"By putting in the light control they have a way of controlling the cell without a nervous system," said Long, who was not involved in the stingray research. "We used to control puppets with strings. Now we can do it with light."

Long says the creation could spark new research into autonomous, part-living machines. He envisions a time when a packet of micro-rays could be unleashed into a busted sewage pipe with simple sensors to measure acidity.

The stingrays in Harvard's lab  Park and his colleagues built more than 200 of the tiny creatures during years of research  won't be going into any pipe or ocean. They swim in a pool of warm liquid solution filled with sugar and salt. The cells couldn't survive outside of a dish and weren't designed to, though Long said it would be possible to give a similar creature a skin that wraps up the solution and creates a kind of circulatory system. Battery power is a big challenge for robots, especially for tiny, lightweight machines, Long said, but creating a living power system of glucose-fed tissue could extend a robot's mission time.

In this Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016 photo, a tissue-engineered robot swims in a tank of water in a laboratory at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. The stingray-shaped robot, capable of paddling in water after exposure to blue light, has a gold skeleton, silicone fins and the heart muscle cells of a rat. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
The Latest: White House condemns Quetta hospital bombing

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP)  The Latest on the deadly bombing at a hospital in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta (all times local):

11 p.m.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the United States condemns in the strongest terms possible an attack on a government-run hospital that killed at least 70 people and wounded nearly 100 more.

EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT -- People comfort each other following a bomb blast in Quetta, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. A powerful bomb went off inside a government-run hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta on Monday, killing dozens of people and wounding dozens of others, police said. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt)

Earnest says the attack appeared to target a gathering of lawyers mourning the death of a respected colleague, which makes it all the more heinous.

He says "our hearts go out to the families and other loved ones of the more than 60 killed, and we wish a speedy recovery to the dozens more injured."

Earnest says the U.S. is committed to continuing its counterterrorism partnership with Pakistan and remains resolute in joining with the people of Pakistan in confronting terrorism there and across the region.

___

6:45 p.m.

A Pakistani doctor says the death toll from the suicide attack on a hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta has further increased to 67.

Abdul Rehman, the director of the Quetta Civil Hospital, says they are also treating 92 wounded people following the explosion at the state-run hospital. Most of the victims were lawyers who had gathered to mourn a prominent local lawyer was had been killed by gunmen earlier on Monday.

___

6 p.m.

A breakaway faction of the Taliban in Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack at a hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta which killed at least 64 people.

In a statement, Ahsanullah Ahsan, spokesman for Jamaat-ul-Ahrar militant group, also said their men killed Bilal Kasi, the president of Baluchistan Bar Association, and then targeted the mourners who had gathered at the government-run Civil Hospital. The group has been behind several acts of terrorism in Pakistan in recent years. The claim could not be independently verified.

___

4:05 p.m.

A Pakistani doctor says the death toll from the suicide attack on a hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta has further increased to 63.

Abdul Rehman, the director of the Quetta Civil Hospital, says they are also treating 92 wounded people following the explosion at the state-run hospital.

He says most of the victims of the bombing are lawyers. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack in the Baluchistan provincial capital.

___

2:20 p.m.

Pakistani police say a suicide bomber carried out the attack at the government-run hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta that killed 53 people and wounded dozens.

Senior police officer Zahoor Ahmed Afridi says bomb disposal experts have informed him that remains of the attacker have been found at the scene after Monday's bombing.

Ali Zafar, the top leader of Pakistan's main lawyers' association, denounced the bombing as "an attack on justice." He said lawyers across the country will observe three days of mourning and will stay away from court appointments to express solidarity with those killed in the attack.

___

1:40 p.m.

A Pakistani man who survived the bombing of a hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta has described a horrifying scene, saying there were "bodies everywhere" after the blast.

Waliur Rehman says he was taking his ailing father to the hospital's emergency ward when the explosion shook the building on Monday. He says the blast was so powerful that they both fell down.

Rehman says when he looked up he saw bodies of the dead and the wounding crying out for help. He says he believes he was about 200 meters (yards) away from the emergency department where the bomb struck.

Lawyer Abdul Latif says he arrived at the hospital to express his grief after hearing that a senior Quetta lawyer, Bilal Kasi, had been shot and killed by gunmen earlier in the day.

But he says he didn't know he will "see the bodies of dozens of other lawyers" killed and wounded at the hospital.

___

1:25 p.m.

A Pakistani surgeon at the hospital struck by a huge bombing in the southwestern city of Quetta says the death toll there has jumped to 53.

Noor Ahmed, a deputy chief surgeon for victims of violent crime, says the hospital is also treating about 50 people who were wounded in the bombing on Monday.

There has still been no claim of responsibility for the attack at the government-run hospital. Quetta is the capital of southwestern Baluchistan province, which has witnessed deadly attacks in recent years.

___

12:05 p.m.

Pakistani police have raised the death toll from a hospital bombing in the southwestern city of Quetta and are now saying that there are 42 killed.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for Monday's attack.

Senior police official Zahoor Ahmed Afridi says the bomb went off shortly after the body of a prominent lawyer killed earlier in the day was brought to the hospital.

Sanaullah Zehri, the chief minister in Baluchistan province, where Quetta is the capital, says it seemed to be a suicide attack but that the police are still investing.

___

11:50 a.m.

Pakistan's prime minister has denounced the huge bombing that struck a hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta, killing 30.

Nawaz Sharif issued a statement expressing his "deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives" in Monday's attack.

He instructed local authorities in Baluchistan province, where Quetta is the capital, to maintain utmost vigilance and beef up security. Sharif also asked health workers to provide the best treatment possible to those wounded in the attack.

Sharif added that "no one will be allowed to disturb the peace," which "countless sacrifices" by the "security forces, police and the people of Baluchistan" have worked so hard to restore.

___

11 a.m.

Pakistani police have raised the death toll from the bombing on the grounds of a government-run hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta to 30 killed.

Senior police official Zahoor Ahmed says also that dozens have been wounded in the explosion. The blast took place shortly after the body of a lawyer killed in a shooting attack earlier in the day was brought in on Monday.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

___

10:45 a.m.

Pakistani police say a bomb has exploded at a government-run hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta, killing at least six people.

Police official Afzal Khan says several people were also wounded in Monday's blast, which took place shortly after the body of a prominent lawyer killed in a shooting attack earlier in the day was brought to the hospital.

Khan says dozens of lawyers and journalists were present inside the hospital when the bomb went off. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Anwalullah Kakar, the government spokesman in southwestern Baluchistan province, says an investigation is underway.

It was also unknown who was behind the killing of the lawyer, Bilal Kasi, who was gunned down on his way to court earlier in the day.

People carry dead bodies of victims in a bomb blast in Quetta, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. A powerful bomb went off on the grounds of a government-run hospital Monday, killing dozens of people, police said. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt)

People comfort each other following a bomb blast in Quetta, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. A powerful bomb went off on the grounds of a government-run hospital Monday, killing dozens of people, police said. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt)
Experts explain: Why the Thai 'yes' vote is not so strange

BANGKOK (AP)  For those who believe in democratic governments and self-rule, it would seem to be the political equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot.

How else would you explain the result of Sunday's referendum in which Thais showed an acceptance of military rule by approving a new constitution that could pave the way for a quasi-democratic system of government controlled by the junta?

The answer is not too complicated. The Associated Press interviewed several experts and politicians, and their opinions dovetailed into one theme: After years of political dysfunction, violence, corruption and deepening divisions in society, Thais wanted stability. Perhaps they did not think it through, but they saw the constitution  however flawed  as a way out of the quagmire.

A Thai student holds a poster reading "vote no = no coup " at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. Thai voters on Sunday overwhelmingly approved a new junta-backed constitution that lays the foundation for a civilian government influenced by the military and controlled by appointed - rather than elected - officials. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

There's also the fact that the military government kept a tight lid on debate on the constitution, meaning many may not have realized it was flawed.

A collection of opinions from experts and politicians who try to make sense of the seemingly incongruous outcome:

Puangthong R. Pawakpan, associate professor of political science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok:

"I believe a big part of the people who accepted the charter truly believe that it can solve corruption problems. Part of the people voted 'yes' because of their misunderstanding that once we have a constitution we will have an election and the military will be gone. ... It also indicates the distrust for politicians is deep-rooted in Thai society. It also reflects a problematic perspective of the pro-military masses, who turn a blind eye to the corruption in bureaucracy and the armed forces."

BACKGROUND: Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the former general who took power in a 2014 coup, has promised elections in 2017. But the new constitution requires a five-year transition period to civilian rule. Also, it requires a military-appointed Senate to name a prime minister  in effect a leader controlled by the military. Other governing bodies, the courts and the bureaucracy will also remain under the military's influence, according to the constitution. Corruption is endemic in Thai politics and society. The military, which has mounted 13 successful and 11 attempted coups since 1932, claims it wants to clean up corruption through the new constitution by curbing the powers of politicians.

___

Prajak Kongkirati, lecturer, political science, Thammasat University, Bangkok:

The referendum result "demonstrates that the voters simply buy the discourse of the junta that Thailand needs the military to stabilize the country during the 'transition period.' Voters simply believe that ... the strong rule of military, or the new semi-authoritarian regime guided by that military, can prevent the recurrence of street politics and violent conflict that engulfed Thailand in the past several years."

"Looking cursorily at the comments of and talking to people who voted 'yes,' it's quite clear that they did not dissect the constitution in detail. They looked at the big picture and they accepted the newly designed system (in which) the military, courts and independent (bodies) can check the elected politicians. It is a vote out of anxiety about the future."

BACKGROUND: Thai politics became divisive after former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra won elections for the first time in 2001 with the help of support from rural voters who traditionally had little say in politics. Unnerved by his popularity, Thailand's traditional ruling class and royalists  known as the "yellow shirts"  took to the streets in 2005 to bring Thaksin down. He finally was ousted in a coup in 2006, prompting his supporters  known as "red shirts"  to come out into the streets. Over the next several years, Thailand was plagued by demonstrations and violence by Thaksin's supporters and opponents. He has lived abroad since 2008.

___

Michael Montesano, research fellow, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore:

"Relatively low turnout and the absurd measures that Thailand's dictatorship took to prevent meaningful discussion of the draft constitution certainly contributed to the dictatorship's surprisingly easy victory. For now, what merits emphasis is that the dictatorship has made an important stride forward in its effort to depoliticize what had become a highly politicized society, and it has done so with the help of the voters. This result seems to increase the likelihood that the steps that the dictatorship will take to institutionalize its favored political order will be met with continued apathy and disengagement on the part of many Thais."

BACKGROUND: Only about 55 percent of the electorate of roughly 50 million voted in the referendum, reflecting indifference and apathy for a system that they knew would bring little change to their everyday lives. The low turnout also implies that only one-third of the electorate supported the new constitution. Also, ahead of the referendum, the junta banned all political rallies, debates and discussions on the constitution, preventing the "no" camp from explaining the pitfalls of the charter to the people. More than 100 people were jailed for violating the order.

___

Jatuporn Promphan, former government minister and supporter of Thaksin Shinawatra:

"We have to accept the reality. The government controlled its opponents ... with arrests and stifling of opinions. The fact that we've come this far is our best effort despite everything that has happened. But we are good sports, and we hope that peace comes now. The problem is, how are we certain that the country will remain peaceful? We have seen that the military government can use Article 44 to solve its short-term problems, but how is that going to solve our long-term issues?"

BACKGROUND: Article 44 is an overarching law passed by the junta that gives Prime Minister Prayuth the power to pass any order in the name of public peace.

___

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, junta leader:

Prayuth said in a statement: "This exercise (referendum) is part and parcel of the government's road map to have the participation of the people while we progress Thailand towards democratic political reforms, which are necessary for a bona fide democracy and thus for Thailand not to remain as a kleptocratic state. The government will pay heed to the will of the people today and will do everything possible to address their concerns while providing a sustainable solution to our country's political problems."

BACKGROUND: The junta and its supporters accuse former Prime Minister Thaksin, as well as subsequent governments formed by the various incarnations of his party, of stealing the nation's wealth. It ousted the government of his sister Yingluck Shinawatra in 2014.

___

Yingluck Shinawatra, former prime minister ousted by Prayuth:

"I am sad, and regret that the country is stepping backward by accepting a constitution that may look democratic but really isn't truly democratic. I'm not surprised with the results of the referendum because there was no opportunity to show our opinions or to criticize the content of the draft constitution to the full extent. It was one-sided and very different from any other referendum we've had, and from the rest of the world."

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha leaves after casting his vote in a referendum on a new constitution at a polling station in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. Thais voted Sunday in a referendum on a new constitution that critics say is tailor-made for the military government to stay in control for several years and entrench a new, quasi-democratic system that gives vast powers to appointed officials. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
No quick ruling in North Carolina same-sex marriage lawsuit

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  A federal judge seems inclined to let a legal challenge continue over North Carolina's law allowing magistrates to refuse to marry same-sex couples, but only if those suing can prove they have the right to file the legal action.

U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn didn't rule immediately after Monday's hearing in Asheville, but seemed concerned about two issues. On one hand, he said no one had directly proven they had been harmed by the law. But he also noted that court administrators apparently allow magistrates to keep their objections secret, so gay couples who appear before them on other matters wouldn't know about those objections.

Lawyers for the state want Cogburn to throw out the lawsuit. The judge said he found their arguments persuasive that gay couples couldn't say they were being harmed as taxpayers, since the law requires another magistrate to be brought in for gay marriage duties.

Lawyer Luke Largess, right, talks about his arguments in federal court on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, that North Carolina's law allowing magistrates to opt out of performing gay marriages for religious reasons in unconstitutional and a lawsuit should be allowed to continue outside the federal courthouse in Asheville, N.C., as from left to right, plaintiff, Diane Ansley, lawyer Meghann Burke and plaintiff Cathy McGaughey, listen on Monday. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

"Everybody can get married. And nobody is forced to marry anybody," said Cogburn, an appointee of President Barack Obama who was the first judge to strike down North Carolina's gay marriage law two years ago.

Roughly 5 percent of North Carolina's magistrates are refusing to marry same-sex couples for religious reasons, including every magistrate in McDowell County. A magistrate is being brought in from another county for gay marriages.

But Cogburn also said he's bothered that when magistrates who claim a religious exception fill out a form saying so, court administrators appear to require that it be kept secret.

Gay couples who come before a local judge for an eviction or small claim have a right to know if that judge won't marry gays, he said.

"When litigants come to you, they have to know they are getting a fair shot," Cogburn said.

Lawyers for the two gay couples and one interracial couple suing to overturn the law said the case should go forward because no taxpayer money should go to a judge who refuses to uphold the law. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June 2015 that same sex marriages are legal throughout the country.

"Under our Constitution, every judge in every state is bound by the law," attorney Luke Largess said.

A court decision to reject Mississippi's religious-objection law means North Carolina and Utah are the only states that let government officials recuse themselves from performing same-sex marriages for religious reasons, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The magistrate law is the third major piece of legislation out of North Carolina in the past three years to end up in court. Federal appeals judges recently rejected the state's voter ID law. A law dictating which bathrooms people must use in government buildings is currently being challenged.

All three laws were passed by the state's Republican-dominated Legislature. But Attorney General Roy Cooper, charged with defending state law, is a Democrat running against Republican Gov. Pat McCrory in November.

Lawyers for Republican lawmakers and groups of magistrates questioned Cooper's commitment to defend the law, and asked to be added to fight the lawsuit. They noted that Cooper told The Associated Press in April 2015 he would have vetoed the magistrate law if he was governor. McCrory vetoed the bill for similar reasons, but his veto was overridden.

Cogburn indicated he would reject the intervention request because he thinks the attorney general's lawyers are doing a good job.

Diane Ansley and Cathy McGaughey were among about two dozen people in the courtroom Monday. They are two of the plaintiffs in the case and also were part of the lawsuit that got North Carolina's gay marriage law overturned. When it was, they sanctified their relationship of 15 years with a wedding as soon as they could.

They live in McDowell County and worry whether they can ever get equal and fair justice from their magistrates if they wouldn't even marry them.

"It's a very insecure feeling," McCaughey said. "That's not the way our country is supposed to work."

___

Robertson contributed to this report from Raleigh.

___

Follow Jeffrey Collins on Twitter at http://twitter.com/JSCollinsAP. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/jeffrey-collins
Clinton sets out most efficient path to get to 270

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Hillary Clinton doesn't appear all that interested in making scenic stops on her state-to-state quest to become president. The Democratic nominee is instead programming her GPS to take her on the quickest route to collect the 270 Electoral College votes she needs to win the White House.

With three months until Election Day, Clinton's campaign is focused on capturing the battleground states that have decided the most recent presidential elections, not so much on expanding the map.

Clinton's team doesn't rule out an effort at Arizona, a state with a booming population of Latino voters that polls find are loath to support Trump. And Georgia, a bastion of the Deep South, echoes recent population trends in other Southeastern states where Clinton is competing aggressively.

In this Aug. 3, 2016, photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton arrives at a rally at Adams City High School in Commerce City, Colo. Clinton doesnt appear all that interested in making any scenic stops on her state-to-state quest to become president. The Democratic nominee is instead programming her GPS to take her on the quickest route to collect the 270 Electoral College votes she needs to win the White House. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

But neither is among the 11 battleground states that Clinton's television advertising plans and her travel schedule point to as her focus. Those states are the perennial top-tier targets Florida and Ohio, plus Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. President Barack Obama carried them all in 2008, and missed out on only North Carolina during his 2012 re-election campaign.

"The last two elections have given Democrats an electoral path for victory," said Clinton campaign adviser John Anzalone. "And our strategy is to efficiently use our resources to lock down the support we need to reach 270 electoral votes."

After a bump in support for Clinton in national polls that followed the Democratic convention and tracked Trump's recent gaffes, the number of states where Clinton will invest her time and money may get smaller than 11.

When the Clinton campaign booked more than $23 million in new television ad time late this past week to start on Monday, it spent most of the money in just three states: Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Feeling good about Colorado and Virginia, the campaign passed on giving those states a fresh injection of ad dollars, though they remain heavily staffed with organizers. Likewise, officials with the pro-Clinton group Priorities USA say they have put its advertising plans there on hold.

Meanwhile, Trump's travel following the Republican convention suggests he's given up on plans to force Clinton to defend traditional Democratic bastions California and New York. Beyond that, it's not clear how he plans to chart his course to 270.

"I have states that no other Republican would do well in that I think I'm going to win," Trump told The Washington Post this past week. "But I don't want to name those states."

Trump's campaign has yet to run a single television ad and has made curious decisions about where to send its candidate. This past week, for example, Trump spent a day in Portland, Maine, chasing after the single electoral vote at stake along the state's largely Democratic southern coast.

There have been no such distractions for Clinton since the end of her convention, aside from a quick stop in Nebraska, a visit that was probably as much about spending time on stage with billionaire investor Warren Buffett than picking up the one electoral vote in the Omaha area. (Maine and Nebraska are the two states that award electoral votes by congressional district instead of a statewide winner-take-all vote.)

This coming week, Clinton will be in Florida. So will Trump. That's no surprise, as a win there plus victories in every state (and the District of Columbia) that have voted Democratic since 1992 would give Clinton a winning total of 271 electoral votes. Florida Republican consultant Brett Doster said simply of his state: "If we don't win here, I just don't see how we win."

Despite the 2016 campaign's unscripted form, Democrat and Republican pollsters alike said in the past week that Florida is competitive and is expected to stay that way into the fall. The largest share of single-state spending in Clinton's most recent ad buy came in Florida, at more than $4.2 million, and that, plus an aggressive pursuit of Latino voters, may give her a narrow edge.

In Florida's Orange County, which includes Orlando, the Democratic edge among registered voters has grown by 15 percent since 2008. Since late last year, roughly 1,000 Puerto Rican families a month have relocated to Florida due to the U.S. territory's fiscal crisis, many of them concentrating in and around Orlando's heavy service-sector job scene. Bilingual teams of Clinton employees are registering first-time Puerto Rican voters at grocery stores, malls and community centers.

Republican pollster Whit Ayres said Trump's problems in Florida go deeper than his lack of advertising and overwhelmingly unpopular standing among Latinos. He said Trump's recent criticism of the Muslim family of a fallen U.S. soldier is not likely to sit well in a state with 22 military installations and more than 1.5 million veterans.

"The attack on the Gold Star family makes it unlikely for him to expand in Florida beyond where he is right now," said Ayres, an adviser to Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

While Trump may not have a path without Florida, Clinton can lose the state and still find another way through the battlegrounds to reach 270. That's no doubt why from June 8 through Monday, Clinton and Democratic groups supporting her will have outspent Republican groups by 15 to 1 in those states, according to data from Kantar Media's CMAG political advertising tracker.

The Clinton campaign and deep-pocketed Democratic groups such as Priorities USA have poured a combined $66 million into television and radio advertising in those 11 states. Trump's campaign hasn't spent a dollar on television advertising, while Republican groups have only spent about $4.3 million.

Put simply, Anzalone said, Clinton has options.

"But this is a dynamic race and we will continue to look at all pathways as this race develops," he said.

___

Julie Bykowicz, Chad Day and Lisa Lerer contributed from Washington. Jonathan Lemire contributed from Jacksonville, Florida.

___

Keep track on how much Clinton and Trump are spending on television advertising, and where they're spending it, via AP's interactive ad tracker. http://elections.ap.org/content/ad-spending

___

Follow Thomas Beaumont on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/tombeaumont
UK Serious Fraud Office launches criminal probe into Airbus

LONDON (AP)  Britain's Serious Fraud Office is investigating allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption in the civil aviation business of Airbus Group.

The European aircraft maker says in a statement released Sunday it has been informed of the investigation and will cooperate with the probe.

The fraud office also confirmed the investigation launched last month on allegations that relate to irregularities with third-party consultants.

Airbus revealed in April that it was speaking with British authorities over "inaccuracies" it had found in applications it had made for UK government credit guarantees. Airbus said at the time that the mistakes were uncovered in an internal review.
Putin's return to power ended Clinton's 'Moscow Spring'

WASHINGTON (AP)  As secretary of state, Hillary Clinton basked in a diplomatic "Moscow Spring," seizing on Vladimir Putin's break from the presidency to help seal a nuclear arms-control treaty and secure Russia's acquiescence to a NATO-led military intervention in Libya. But when Putin returned to the top job, things changed.

Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, has vowed to stand up to Putin if elected, drawing on her four years of ups and downs as the public face of President Barack Obama's first-term "reset" with Russia. By comparison, her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, has rung alarm bells in Washington and Europe with his overtures to the authoritarian Russian leader.

But Clinton's wrangles with Russia led to mixed results. And her fortunes dipped dramatically after Putin replaced Dmitry Medvedev as president in May 2012.

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2012 pool-file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Vladivostok, Russia. Clinton says as president she will stand up to Putin. As secretary of state, her wrangles with Russia had mixed results. Clinton, the public face of President Barack Obama's first-term "reset" policy with Russia, scored a number of diplomatic successes _ when Dmitry Medvedev was president. When Putin reclaimed the presidency, it was a different story. (AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel, Pool, File)

Just weeks later, Russia outmaneuvered her in negotiations over a complicated Syria peace plan, dealing her what was arguably her worst diplomatic defeat. While Clinton hailed it as a triumph, the war only escalated. And while her aides still insist she came out on top, the blueprint effectively gave Syria's Moscow-backed president, Bashar Assad, a veto over any transition government, hampering all mediation efforts still.

"There is no doubt that when Putin came back in and said he was going to be president, that did change the relationship," Clinton said in a Democratic debate last year. "We have to stand up to his bullying and specifically, in Syria it is important."

Clinton's history with Russia is significant given the surprising role Russia has played in the U.S. presidential campaign.

Clinton and her supporters say she would be far tougher on Moscow than Trump, whose unusual foreign policy statements include musings about NATO's relevance and suggestions that he could accept Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region. Russia's reported hacking of Democratic Party email accounts also has led to charges that Putin's intelligence services are meddling in the election, and Trump aided to that perception by publicly encouraging Russia to find and release more of her emails.

Clinton's first encounters in Russian diplomacy began on much more hopeful note. Meeting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in 2009, Clinton initiated the effort to repair years of bitter relations, punctuated by a Russian war with neighboring Georgia a year earlier. Offering a large red reset button, Clinton outlined a broad agenda of cooperation.

The new policy paid dividends.

With Putin focused on domestic matters during a four-year stint as prime minister, Medvedev opened up a new corridor for U.S. forces and materiel heading to Afghanistan. The two nations sealed their most ambitious arms control pact in a generation. Washington and Moscow united on new Iran sanctions. Years of trade negotiations culminated in Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization.

But it was perhaps Clinton's unlikeliest diplomatic breakthrough that began the downward spiral: Libya.

As America's European allies sought a military intervention against Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, Clinton played the role of skeptic, refusing to jump aboard. When she finally did, it proved critical in persuading Russia to abstain. The rebels overthrew Gadhafi five months later.

Returning as president in May 2012, Putin was immediately confronted with Syria's Libya-like escalation from Arab Spring protests to full-scale civil war. He played his cards differently than Medvedev, hinting to President Barack Obama that he could drop his support for the Syrian leader while shielding Assad from any U.N. pressure or foreign action that might chase him from power.

Seeking Russia's cooperation, Obama and Clinton avoided any talk that might threaten Russian equities in Syria, including a large naval base there. Their message was clear: The U.S. wouldn't try to pull a future post-Assad government out of Moscow's orbit.

It didn't matter. When the U.N. proposed a peace plan that involved ushering Assad out of power and included penalties for noncompliance, the Russians balked. Faced with stalemate, the U.S. and Russia arrived at a formula for a new government comprised of individuals chosen by the "mutual consent" of Assad and the opposition.

Although Clinton claimed credit for the June 30, 2012, compromise in Geneva, it appeared to be Russia's objective all along.

Assad is still president.

Clinton has acknowledged her frustration with an increasingly hostile Russia on Syria and other matters as her time in office wound down.

In her final months, Russia ordered the end of all U.S. Agency for International Development programs in the country. It approved a new law constraining the work of Russian and foreign non-governmental organizations. It banned U.S. adoptions of Russian children.

In December 2012, Clinton accused Putin of trying to "re-Sovietize" its region. And just before leaving, she wrote a memo to Obama urging him to finally suspend a reset that ended once and for all with Russia's military incursions in Ukraine and annexation of Crimea in 2014  well after Clinton had left government.

"Strength and resolve were the only language Putin would understand," Clinton wrote in her memoir "Hard Choices," published shortly afterward.

It's a lesson she could say she learned firsthand.

FILE - In this March 6, 2009 file photo, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presents Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov with a device with a red button symbolizing the intention to "reset" U.S.-Russian relations during their meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. Clinton says as president she will stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin. As secretary of state, her wrangles with Russia had mixed results. Clinton, the public face of President Barack Obama's first-term "reset" policy with Russia, scored a number of diplomatic successes _ when Dmitry Medvedev was president. When Putin reclaimed the presidency, it was a different story. (AP Photo, File)
German vice chancellor appeals supermarket takeover ruling

BERLIN (AP)  Germany's Economy Ministry has appealed a court ruling against a decision to allow the proposed takeover of a supermarket chain, a saga that has become politically awkward for the country's vice chancellor.

Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, who is also the economy minister, in March overrode antitrust authorities' decision to block the takeover by Edeka  Germany's biggest groceries retailer  of some 450 supermarkets belonging to smaller rival Kaiser's. Gabriel argues that his decision was necessary to protect jobs.

Last month, a Duesseldorf court suspended Gabriel's decision. It found that the minister had conducted secret talks during the proceedings, creating the impression that he might not have been neutral.
Japan's emperor suggests he would like to abdicate

TOKYO (AP)  Japan's emperor expressed concern Monday about fulfilling his duties as he ages, in a public address that was remarkable for its rarity and its suggestion that he would like to abdicate.

"Fortunately I am now in good health. However, when I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become more difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state," Akihito, 82, said in the 10-minute recorded speech broadcast on national television.

Japan's post-World War II constitution restricts what the emperor can say as a symbolic monarch with no political power. Akihito repeatedly said he is aware of the constraints, and as expected, avoided explicit mention of abdication, which could have violated those restrictions.

In this photo taken Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016 and provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, Japan's Emperor Akihito reads a message for recording at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Akihito expressed concern about fulfilling his duties as he ages in an address to the public in a 10-minute recorded speech broadcast on national television Monday that was remarkable for its rarity and its hinted possibility that he may want to abdicate in a few years. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

The speech was seen in part as an attempt to explain to the public why he might want to abdicate, and presumably win public understanding when the time comes. Sources leaked the possibility to Japanese media almost four weeks ago, which set the stage for Monday's address.

Abdication isn't expected to happen soon, and would require parliament to approve a change in the law.

It was only the second time that Akihito has spoken directly to the Japanese people over television. In March 2011 he urged people to work hand-in-hand to help the victims of a massive earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he took Akihito's comments Monday seriously.

"I think we have to thoroughly think what we can do to accommodate his concerns, taking into consideration the emperor's age and the current burden of official duties," Abe said.

Japanese media reports said the government may consider enacting a special law allowing Akihito's abdication that would not be applicable to his successors, because debate over a revision of the Imperial House Law could take too much time since it is likely to reignite debate over whether to allow female emperors and other divisive issues.

Current law, set in 1947, is largely inherited from a 19th-century constitution that banned abdication as a potential risk to political stability.

While much of the discussion has centered on Akihito's age and health, he obliquely introduced at the end of his address another possible argument for abdication: a smoother succession process.

Akihito raised concern about the impact on society when an emperor falls sick but remains in power, which experts said was an apparent reference to his father, Hirohito, who died in 1989 after a protracted illness. Akihito took the throne at age 55.

Palace doctors regularly announced Hirohito's declining health condition, and the public responded by canceling festivals and other events. Some even postponed weddings.

"The emperor was so distressed by the fact (his father's death) had slowed down social activities that he has been thinking what can be done to make a transition smoother in the future," Isao Tokoro, a Kyoto Sangyo University expert on the imperial family, said on public broadcaster NHK.

Akihito said the more than yearlong period of mourning and funeral events after an emperor's death also places a heavy strain on those involved, in particular the imperial family.

"It occurs to me from time to time to wonder whether it is possible to prevent such a situation," he concluded, perhaps as strongly as he could suggest he would like to see a smoother transition.

Akihito explained at length how much effort and thought he has put into his work, traveling across the country to deepen his understanding of the people.

A small number of the emperor's duties have been transferred to Crown Prince Naruhito, but Akihito said that can't keep happening. Naruhito, 56, is first in line to the Chrysanthemum throne, followed by his younger brother, Prince Akishino, 50, whose 9-year-old son is ranked third.

"I think it is not possible to continue reducing perpetually the emperor's acts in matters of state and his duties as the symbol of the state," he said.

Tokoro said Akihito's message signaled his thoughts about the role of the emperor in an aging society.

"I believe he is mostly talking about himself, but I think he is concerned about his successors down the road," Tokoro said.

___

Associated Press writer Ken Moritsugu contributed to this report.

A man bows toward the Imperial Palace while listening to Emperor Akihito's message in Tokyo, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The Japanese emperor, in a rare address to the public, signaled Monday his apparent wish to abdicate by expressing concern about his ability to carry out his duties fully. The 82-year-old monarch spoke in a 10-minute pre-recorded speech broadcast on national television. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

People watch a screen showing Japanese Emperor Akihito delivering a speech in Tokyo, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The Japanese emperor, in a rare address to the public, signaled Monday his apparent wish to abdicate by expressing concern about his ability to carry out his duties fully. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

People watch a screen showing Japanese Emperor Akihito delivering a speech in Tokyo, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The Japanese emperor, in a rare address to the public, signaled Monday his apparent wish to abdicate by expressing concern about his ability to carry out his duties fully. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
Trial: Man, 76, accused of killing 1st wife in October 1962

Nearly 54 years after a young woman died in southwest Louisiana, her husband is going on trial, accused of killing her.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the second-degree murder case against Felix Vail, 76, who faces life in prison if convicted on that charge. He has asked Judge Robert Wyatt to move the trial out of the southwest Louisiana parish where Mary Horton Vail died.

Public defender Andrew Casanave said in an email that he won't speak to reporters until after a verdict because there already has been "excessive publicity" which he believes will make it hard to seat a fair jury. He referred a reporter to an earlier statement that a grand jury in 1963 found too little evidence to prosecute Vail, and all of the people who investigated him then are now dead.

"Further, law enforcement lost every witness' statement, investigative report, and almost every photograph," the statement said. "The claim that there is evidence on which to prosecute is an insult to those good people who are now gone."

Without the people, the investigators' reports and witness statements can't be brought in as evidence anyway, said prosecutor Hugo Holland. He said his 21 witnesses include a woman who was a stenographer for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office in 1962 and will testify about what she recalls Vail saying.

Mary Vail had been homecoming queen at Eunice High School. She married Felix Vail on July 1, 1961. A year later, they had a son. She died on Oct. 28, 1962. She was 22 years old.

Vail said she fell into the Calacasieu River while they were setting trotlines  unattended baited hooks dangling from a long line that is strung across a waterway, generally under water. He was arrested, but the coroner ruled the death an accidental drowning and a grand jury declined to indict. Vail, a native of Mississippi, was freed.

In November 2012, The Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, Mississippi, published a series about Mary Vail's death and the disappearances in 1973 of Vail's girlfriend Sharon Hensley and in October 1984 of his second wife, Annette Craver Vail.

The series quoted a pathologist who said photographs in Mary Vail's autopsy report indicated homicide: her neck and legs were bruised, and four inches of her scarf were in her mouth. Relatives told the newspaper that Mary Vail was afraid of water.

That prompted the current Calcasieu Parish coroner, forensic pathologist Terry Welke, to examine photos of Mary Vail's body being pulled out of the river and review the 1962 coroner's report. "At a preliminary hearing, Doctor Welke testified that although he could not determine the cause of Mrs. Vail's death, the manner of death was a homicide," the state's 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal wrote.

Vail was indicted in June 2013.

Holland said witnesses will include forensic pathologist Michael Baden, who testified in O.J. Simpson's trial and was brought in by Michael Brown's family to perform an autopsy after the 18-year-old was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.

Prosecutors also plan to bring evidence tying Vail to the disappearances of Hensley and Annette Vail, who married Vail in August 1983, when she was 17 and he was 43.

The 3rd Circuit ruled in November 2014 that Wyatt was correct to allow the evidence into court, and the state Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal.

A member of each woman's family  Annette Vail's mother and brothers of the other two women  will testify, Holland said.

"Defendant's first wife is dead," Judge John Saunders wrote for the appellate court. "Two other significant women in Defendant's life, Ms. Hensley and Ms. Carver-Vail, have not been seen in forty-one and thirty years, respectively. In all three incidences, Defendant allegedly was the last person to ever see them alive."

Prosecutors say Vail had a reason to get rid of Hensley: the couple had been arrested after Mary Vail's son, Billy Vail, then 8 years old, walked into a police station and said "he had overheard his father tell Ms. Hensley that he murdered his wife," Saunders wrote.

Wyatt ruled that prosecutors cannot use a copy of a taped statement which Billy Hensley made shortly before his death.

Vail had written Hensley's mother in 1974, telling her that he last saw Hensley in Florida in 1973, and "she had boarded a sailboat with another couple and sailed away to cruise the world," according to the 3rd Circuit ruling.

After Annette Vail's mother filed a missing person's report in October 1984, Vail told police that he had dropped the young woman off at a bus station in St. Louis so she could travel to Mexico.
Poll: Young people's fear of white extremism varies by race

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  The threat of violence by people inspired by foreign extremists invokes fear in a majority of young Americans across racial groups. But for young people of color, particularly African-Americans, that fear is matched or surpassed by worries about violence from white extremists.

A new GenForward poll of Americans age 18-30 shows widespread anxiety among young people about attacks from both inside and outside the United States.

Sixty-two percent of young African-Americans and 55 percent of Hispanics surveyed said they were very concerned about the threat of violence committed by white extremists, compared to one-third of whites and 41 percent of Asian-Americans.

FILE - In this June 23, 2016, file photo, folice and Belgian Army soldiers patrol during a court hearing for suspect Mohamed Abrini, a suspect in the Paris and Brussels attacks, that were claimed by the Islamic State organization, at the Court of Appeals in Brussels. The threat of violence by people inspired by foreign extremists invokes fear in a majority of young Americans across racial groups. But for young people of color, particularly African Americans, that fear is matched or surpassed by worries about violence from white extremists. A new GenForward poll of Americans age 18-30 shows widespread anxiety among young people about attacks from both inside and outside the United States. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

GenForward is a survey by the Black Youth Project at the University of Chicago with the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll is designed to pay special attention to the voices of young adults of color, highlighting how race and ethnicity shape the opinions of a new generation.

Gregg Higgins, 27, was one of the whites who said he was very worried about violence by extremists in his own race. In fact, he said he was more concerned about "the homegrown white extremists" than the threat of violence from people outside the United States or people inspired by foreign extremists.

A social worker in Pittsburgh, Higgins said the growing political tension during the current election cycle has "shown a really ugly part of our past coming through and being more heard." He described it as "white males who are angry and who aren't now afraid to show that anger."

"That fear of loss of control and loss of privilege is what's inspiring this vitriol and this hate," Higgins said.

Worry about attacks from people currently living in the U.S. who are motivated by foreign extremists spreads more evenly across racial groups, with at least half of whites, blacks, Asians and Hispanics describing themselves as very concerned about that threat.

Violence committed by people from outside the country also caused unease, especially among Hispanic young adults. Fifty-six percent of Hispanics polled said they were very concerned, compared to 49 percent of African-Americans, 40 percent of Asian-Americans and 41 percent of whites.

The angst comes after a spate of mass shootings. Nine black people were shot and killed last year at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, by a white man who officials say talked of starting a race war. In June, a gunman born in the U.S. to Afghan immigrants opened fire in a crowded gay dance club in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. An autopsy report identified him as a white male.

Last month, five police officers in Dallas were killed by a black gunman during a protest against police shootings of black men, and three law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge were shot and killed by a black man who authorities said appeared to be targeting people wearing a badge.

Darsi Vazquez, a 25-year-old Hispanic college student from Huntsville, Alabama, described herself as very concerned about the threat of violence from foreign and domestic extremists alike, but she thinks the fear is exacerbated by news coverage of mass shootings around the country and the types of overt racism that appear in social media.

"A few years back technology wasn't where it's at it now, so you couldn't see things like this happening like you see it now," Vazquez said. "I don't know if it's necessarily getting worse, but we're seeing it more now. We don't just see what's happening outside our window, we also see what's going on outside other people's window."

Most young adults in the poll labeled as hate crimes both the shooting deaths at the Charleston church and the Orlando night club, against African-Americans and against LGBT people, respectively.

But the poll shows people view the Orlando shooting differently, depending on their race.

Among young whites, most also described the Orlando shooting as a terrorist attack. Fifty-eight percent of whites considered it that, compared to only 32 percent of African-Americans, 40 percent of Hispanics and 44 percent of Asian-Americans. Gunman Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group during a call with police dispatchers during a standoff before he was shot and killed.

A third or less of young people of each racial and ethnic group called the Charleston attack terrorism.

Terrorism concerns have young Americans across racial groups largely in agreement that some rights and freedoms should be sacrificed in efforts to prevent an attack. Eleven percent of all young adults polled said they believe such sacrifices are always necessary, while 54 percent said they're at least sometimes necessary.

But most young people said Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's calls to temporarily ban Muslims from coming to the U.S. goes too far.

More than two-thirds of those surveyed said they oppose a temporary prohibition on any Muslim who isn't a U.S. citizen from entering the country: 64 percent of whites, 66 percent of Hispanics and 79 percent of African-Americans and Asian-Americans.

___

The poll of 1,940 adults age 18-30 was conducted July 9-20 using a sample drawn from the probability-based GenForward panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. young adult population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.

The survey was paid for by the Black Youth Project at the University of Chicago using grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

Respondents were first selected randomly using address-based sampling methods, and later interviewed online or by phone.

___

Online:

GenForward polls: http://www.genforwardsurvey.com/

Black Youth Project: http://blackyouthproject.com/

AP-NORC: http://www.apnorc.org/

___
Macedonian mourns 21 victims of deadly storm, flooding

SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP)  Macedonia is mourning the victims of a deadly storm that hit country's capital, leaving at least 21 people dead and more than 70 injured around Skopje.

The Macedonian government has declared Monday a day of national mourning. Flags have been lowered and all sport events canceled.

Authorities said police and army teams are still searching the northern suburbs of the Macedonian capital for six people still missing in the flash floods that hit late Saturday. On Sunday, the government declared a two-week state of emergency in the area hardest hit by the floods.

Destroyed vehicles and flooded houses are pictured after an overnight storm, in the village of Singelic, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov visited flood site, saying "such a disaster has never occurred" in Skopje.

The 28-nation European Union has offered assistance, as well as Macedonia's neighbors Serbia, Bulgaria, Kosovo and Albania.

People line up for drinking water in a flooded street after an overnight storm, in the village of Stajkovci, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Dragan Perkovski)

People clean a room in a flooded house after an overnight storm, in the village of Singelic, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

People walk past destroyed and abandoned vehicles on a motorway after a flooding caused by an overnight storm near the village of Stajkovci, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

A man looks inside an overturned truck that has been swept away from a motorway due to overnight flooding, after storms in the village of Stajkovci, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and injuring 60 others. (AP Photo/Dragan Perkovski)

A flooded vehicle is pictured in a ditch by a motorway, after an overnight storm near the village of Stajkovci, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Abandoned vehicles are pictured on a motorway after flooding caused by an overnight storm near the village of Stajkovci, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

People walk through a flooded street after an overnight storm, at the village of Singelic, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

A vehicle is left on a motorway, after flooding caused by an overnight storm near the village of Stajkovci, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Abandoned vehicles are pictured on a motorway, after flooding caused by an overnight storm near the village of Stajkovci, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

People carry their belongings fleeing from their flooded houses after an overnight storm at the village of Stajkovci, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Dragan Perkovski)

Villagers carry their belongings while fleeing from their flooded houses after an overnight storm, at the village of Singelic, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

A room in a flooded house after an overnight storm, in the village of Singelic, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Destroyed vehicles and flooded houses are pictured after an overnight storm, in the village of Stajkovci, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

A man stands in the yard of his flooded house after an overnight storm, at the village of Singelic, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

A man helps another man walking through a flooded street after an overnight storm, at the village of Singelic, just east of Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The Macedonian capital of Skopje has been hit Saturday night by torrential rain and floods that left at least 17 people dead, six missing and sent 60 others to the hospital. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
US Navy visits China, Ramos leaves for South China Sea talks

BEIJING (AP)  A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential gas and oil reserves:

___

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a weekly look at the latest key developments in the South China Sea, home to several territorial conflicts that have raised tensions in the region.

Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos gestures during a press conference before his flight at Manila's International Airport in suburban Pasay, south of Manila, Philippines, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Ramos flew to Hong Kong on Monday for talks with long-standing contacts after being asked by current President Rodrigo Duterte to travel to China and start discussions on the South China Sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

___

US NAVY VISITS QINGDAO IN FIRST PORT CALL SINCE ARBITRATION PANEL'S RULING

A U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer arrived in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao on Monday in the first visit by an American warship to the country since Beijing responded angrily to an arbitration panel's ruling that its expansive South China Sea maritime claims had no basis in law.

Arriving in the home port of China's northern fleet, the USS Benfold held a signal exercise with the Chinese navy. Cmdr. Justin L. Harts said the visit aimed to "build relationships" with counterparts from China, but referred questions on tensions in the South China Sea to Pacific Command in Hawaii.

China rejected last month's ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration in a case initiated by the Philippines and has criticized the U.S. as encouraging Manila's actions.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the U.S., Japan and Australia were "fanning the flames" of regional tensions after they released a joint statement urging China not to construct military outposts or reclaim land in the disputed waters.

___

EX-PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT FLIES TO HONG KONG AHEAD OF FORMAL TALKS WITH CHINA

Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos flew to Hong Kong on Monday for talks aimed at rekindling ties with China that have been strained by long-seething disputes in the South China Sea.

Ramos said in a news conference at Manila's airport that he would act as an "ice breaker" and the warmer relations he wanted to forge could engender formal talks between China and the Philippines.

President Rodrigo Duterte has designated Ramos as a special envoy to pave the way for negotiations with Beijing after an international arbitration tribunal invalidated China's expansive territorial claims in a case put forward by the Philippines.

"I am just the ice breaker, as they say, to rekindle, to warm up, again, our good, friendly, neighborly relations with China and that's all that I have to do," Ramos said.

Ramos, now 88, was president when China seized the disputed Mischief Reef in 1995, sparking protests from the Philippines. Amid the rift, then-Chinese President Jiang Zemin paid a visit to Manila in 1996 and in a memorable moment, both leaders danced and sang Western songs, including Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender" while on a Manila Bay cruise, helping ease tensions.

___

CHINA SAYS ITS MILITARY AIRCRAFT CONDUCTED SOUTH CHINA SEA PATROLS

China's air force said Saturday it had conducted a combat air patrol over disputed areas of the South China Sea to improve its fighting ability.

The air force didn't say when the exercises took place, but after the July 12 arbitration ruling, the air force had said such patrols would be "a regular practice."

Air force spokesman Senior Col. Shen Jinke said in an online statement that bombers and fighters, early warning aircraft and reconnaissance planes patrolled the airspace around the Spratly Islands, Scarborough Shoal and surrounding areas.

___

MARINE ARHAEOLOGIST REPORTS CHINESE COAST GUARD HARASSMENT

An Australian amateur marine archaeologist says the Chinese coast guard harassed him and his team while they were diving to a shipwreck off Borneo.

Farmer Hans Berekoven told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that while the Chinese ship did not directly intervene, it clearly was trying to make them leave.

"They were trying to push us out. When we arrived there and started diving, they would up-anchor and sort of circle around us, sometimes really close. It was a sort of gentle intimidation," Berekoven said.

The report said the location was the Luconia Breakers, a cluster of shoals and a tiny island about 84 nautical miles (135 kilometers) north of Borneo that lies inside Malaysia's exclusive economic zone. China also claims the area within its nine-dash maritime border that the Hague arbitration panel ruled invalid.

Berekoven also said the Chinese ship was causing major damage to the coral reef near where it was anchored.

"She's got a massive anchor chain. Every time the wind changes or the current changes that big anchor chain is just making a hell of a mess of that reef," he said.

Other reports of harassment appear to show China's determination to monopolize marine archaeology in the South China Sea, which is littered with the wrecks of ships of all nationalities. China has used archaeological finds to support its claim to have mapped and named the sea's features from ancient times and therefore to have a historical right to sovereignty.

___

Associated Press writer Jim Gomez contributed from Manila, Philippines.

Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos holds a magazine bearing an image of current President Rodrigo Duterte before holding a press conference while waiting for his flight at Manila's International Airport in suburban Pasay, south of Manila, Philippines, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Ramos flew to Hong Kong on Monday for talks with long-standing contacts after being asked by current President Rodrigo Duterte to travel to China and start discussions on the South China Sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

The guided missile destroyer USS Benfold arrives in port in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong Province, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. A U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer arrived in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao on Monday in the first visit by an American warship to the country since Beijing responded angrily to an arbitration panel's ruling that its expansive South China Sea maritime claims had no basis in law. (AP Photo/Borg Wong)

Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos pokes his eyewear to show reporters that it doesn't have any glass during a press conference before his flight at Manila's International Airport in suburban Pasay, south of Manila, Philippines, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Ramos flew to Hong Kong on Monday for talks with long-standing contacts after being asked by current President Rodrigo Duterte to travel to China and start discussions on the South China Sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Brother-in-law of Charlie Hebdo killer detained in Bulgaria

PARIS (AP)  The brother-in-law of one of the men who attacked the satirical Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris has been jailed in Bulgaria, and authorities say he is suspected of trying to join extremists in Syria.

Mourad Hamyd was initially suspected of a role in the January 2015 attack on the paper, but his high school classmates launched a successful social media campaign to clear his name, saying he was in class at the time. "I am a student who lives peacefully with his parents," he said then.

A French official, who wasn't authorized to speak about the case to the media except on condition of anonymity, said Hamyd had been flagged for ties to Islamic radicals since August 2014.

The Paris prosecutor's office said Monday that someone close to Hamyd flagged his probable trip to Syria, and he was detained in late July.

"His behavior was typical for a foreign fighter and that's how he was identified," Bulgarian Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova said.

Hamyd's sister was married to Cherif Kouachi, one of two brothers who carried out the deadly attack at the Charlie Hebdo offices.

Bachvarova also confirmed that a European arrest warrant had been issued, saying that further details would be announced after a court hearing Wednesday.

___
Protestant paramilitary shot dead in Northern Ireland

LONDON (AP)  Police and politicians say a prominent member of an outlawed Protestant paramilitary group has been shot dead in Belfast.

John Boreland, a member of the Ulster Defense Association, was killed in a Protestant area of the city on Sunday evening.

Senior politicians on Monday condemned the killing amid fears it could signal escalating violence between pro-British Protestant factions.

Arlene Foster, who heads Northern Ireland's Catholic-Protestant power-sharing government, said she was "shocked and disgusted" at the attack. Deputy leader Martin McGuinness said "I unreservedly condemn it."

The UDA killed more than 200 Catholic civilians during Northern Ireland's decades of violence, but has largely observed a cease-fire since 1994.
Turkey's president heads to Russia amid improving ties

ISTANBUL (AP)  President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heads to Russia this week as part of efforts to rebuild ties shattered by Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane last year  just as Turkey's relations with traditional allies the United States and Europe show increasing strain amid Ankara's crackdown following a failed coup.

Tuesday's visit to St. Petersburg for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin will be Erdogan's first foreign trip since the abortive July 15 putsch, in which a group of renegade Turkish military officers attempted to seize power using fighter jets, helicopters and tanks in a night of violence that left more than 270 people dead.

Both Turkey and Russia, which once described themselves as strategic partners, have been hurt by their roughly seven-month rupture in relations: Russia's ban on the sale of package tours to Turkey and an agricultural import embargo dealt a painful blow to the Mediterranean country, while Moscow also paid a price as the spat shelved a much-touted Russian natural gas pipeline to Turkey and other lucrative projects.

FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan talk to each other as they pose for the media before their talks during the G-20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey.. Erdogan heads to Russia on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016 as part of efforts to rebuild ties shattered by Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane - just as relations with Turkey's traditional allies, the United States and Europe, show increasing strain amid Ankara's crackdown following a failed coup. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, file)

So both Erdogan and Putin are interested in mending the rift and reviving economic and trade ties, a process that began in June following Ankara's apology for shooting down the Russian plane, which had been running bombing sorties in neighboring Syria.

"This will be a historic visit, a new beginning. In the talks with my friend Vladimir, I believe, a new page in our relations will be turned. Our countries have much to do together," Erdogan said in an interview with the Russian state news agency Tass.

However, some fundamental differences remain.

The Russian bomber's downing in November, which Putin described as a "treacherous stab in the back," came amid boiling tension over Syria, where Moscow and Ankara backed opposing sides in the conflict. Neither country has fundamentally altered its stance on Syria, and the issue could still prove a sticking point.

"This is an alliance of convenience, not a strategic relationship. It is more of a transactional relationship driven by converging interests and challenging circumstances," said Fadi Hakura, associate fellow at the Chatham House international affairs think tank in London.

"I would compare it to someone having a viral infection who immediately takes paracetamol to lower the temperature, which rapidly declines but precipitously starts fighting back up again," Hakura said. "What we have seen with Turkey in this rapid change, rapid swings in its relationship with Russia from breakdown to reconciliation, indicates that the relationship is still not healthy, despite appearances."

The visit comes as Turkey's relations with traditional allies falter over Ankara's post-coup crackdown, which has seen nearly 18,000 people detained or arrested and tens of thousands suspended or fired from their jobs on suspicion of being associated with the movement of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.

The government says Gulen, a former Erdogan ally living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania, orchestrated the coup, and has demanded his extradition. Washington has asked for evidence of the cleric's involvement and says the extradition process must be allowed to take its course. Gulen himself denies any involvement.

The issue has soured relations, with members of the government implying the U.S. could have been behind the coup  leading American officials have publicly denied that.

Turkey has also blasted its European allies for expressing alarm over the scope of its crackdown. Ankara has complained the West has shown a lack of support for a democratically elected government which survived a violent attempt to overthrow it, and Turkish officials have publicly traded barbs with Germany, Austria and Italy as well as the European Union.

In contrast, the Kremlin was quick to voice support to Erdogan immediately after the failed coup and, unlike the EU, didn't voice concern about the ensuing crackdown  the stance reflecting Putin's intention to mend bilateral ties.

Ankara has also hinted its deal with the EU to stem the flow of Syrian refugees into Europe could break down unless the EU quickly implements part of the deal allowing visa-free travel for Turkish citizens.

Yet despite the rhetoric, Turkey's political leadership knows its interests lie more with the West than with Moscow, Hakura said.

"Russia cannot replace the United States and NATO and European Union or European partners .... in relation to Turkey's strategic interests," Hakura said. He noted three quarters of Turkey's direct foreign investment comes from Europe and its military is firmly rooted in NATO, whereas it has a limited economic and trade relationship with Russia focused primarily on natural gas and agriculture, as well as construction and low-tech manufacturing.

Turkey restored access to Russian news website Sputnik in an apparent goodwill gesture a day before Erdogan's visit. Turkey had barred access to the website in April following the deterioration of relations.

Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Friday that Putin and Erdogan's discussions would include the revival of projects such as the natural gas pipeline and Russia's contract to build Turkey's first nuclear power plant.

Ushakov told reporters the two weren't expected to sign any agreements, but he underlined the importance of the talks.

"This is the first meeting amid the long-term pause in all contacts, political, trade and economic and others, which is why it is important to hold a detailed conversation now, to see where we stand and plan the possible prospects of further cooperation," he said.

He noted the issue of compensation for the downed plane could also be discussed. Turkish officials have been skittish on the issue.

One lesson to take away from the improving ties, Hakura said, was that Turkey reacted better to tough responses.

"Erdogan reacts more positively to robust and muscular diplomacy rather than to diplomatic niceties," Hakura said. "And that is I think the abiding lesson to Europe and the United States."

___

Isachenkov reported from Moscow.

FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 1, 2014 file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, inspect military honor guard by Turkish Presidential Guards during a welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Ankara. Erdogan heads to Russia on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016 as part of efforts to rebuild ties shattered by Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane - just as relations with Turkey's traditional allies, the United States and Europe, show increasing strain amid Ankara's crackdown following a failed coup. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici, file)
Belgian official revealed the attacker 'was not known for terrorist reasons'

An Algerian man who attacked two Belgian policewomen with a machete was known to authorities for petty crimes - but had not been linked to any terror offenses.

Migration State Secretary Theo Francken said the man, identified by Belgian media as Khaled Babouri, 'was not known for terrorist reasons' despite reportedly screaming 'Allahu Akbar' during the attack.

Francken told Belgian Radio 1 that Babouri was 'was caught in possession of hashish and other drugs and got a ticket because he switched his bus card with his brother'.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for a machete attack on two Belgian policewomen carried out by an Algerian who shouted 'Allahu Akbar' before being shot dead by officers

The Algerian, who wounded the two officers at Charleroi city police station on Saturday before being shot dead, had been living illegally in Belgium.

The 33-year-old had been twice ordered to leave the country but failed to do so.

Francken said Belgium has struggled to conclude a return agreement with Algeria so that such people can be sent home, even though it does have one with Morocco.

'It makes little sense to catch someone if the country refuses time and time again to take them back,' Francken said.

Saturday's attack has increased pressure on the Belgian police, who have been on high alert since the attacks in Paris last November guarding infrastructure and soft targets like concerts and sports events. The military also remains deployed.

Belgian police unions believe security at stations should be stepped up. The SLFP public service union said 'it is clearly a disappointment for police' to have the national security alert at a higher threat level for the public than for the authorities meant to protect them.
Bride given away by man who received her dad's donated heart

SWISSVALE, Pa. (AP)  A Pennsylvania woman who was married this weekend had her late father's spirit with her  and his heart.

Jeni Stepien was escorted down the aisle Saturday by the man who received her father's heart 10 years ago when her father was killed by a mugger. His organs were donated after his death, and the recipient was Arthur Thomas, of New Jersey, KDKA-TV reported (http://cbsloc.al/2aJ5fRx ).

"I was on death's door when he was murdered, and I needed a heart or I was going to be dying in the next few days," Thomas said.

Stepien said she wanted her dad to be a part of the ceremony at St. Anselm church in Swissvale, and she felt that asking Thomas to walk her down the aisle was the perfect way. After writing Thomas a letter, she met him on the eve of her wedding and felt her father's heart beat for the first time in 10 years.

"I was just so thankful that my dad could be here with us today in spirit and a piece of his physical being as well. That was really special for us," she said.

Both Stepien and Thomas beamed as they walked down the aisle together.

The gesture also moved the groom, Paul Maenner, who said he was "overtaken with emotions" when he saw Stepien walking down the aisle.

Thomas said he can't imagine a greater honor than escorting the daughter of the man who's given him his heart.

___
Comics dealer says $85,000 in books stolen at convention

TAMPA, Fla. (AP)  A Florida comics dealer says books worth tens of thousands were stolen at a Tampa convention, including two rare editions that marked the first appearance of Spider-Man.

Tampa police say Rick Whitelock of Panama City said he brought several boxes of books to the Tampa Bay Comic Con on Thursday and left them in the locked convention center overnight. When he began preparing his booth Friday, one box was missing.

Whitelock told the Tampa Bay Times (http://bit.ly/2aEKlTw ) the box contained such rarities as two copies of Amazing Fantasy No. 15 from 1962, which features the first appearance of Spider-Man. Another book had the first appearance of the Justice League team of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and The Flash.

Whitelock says the books are unique and would be difficult to sell unnoticed.

___
Kentucky officials: Man shot, killed by Louisville police

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)  Louisville's police department has posted graphic body camera video from the fatal shooting of an African-American man by white police officers.

The video captures officers speaking to a couple of people about a domestic dispute, approaching a residence and ordering someone to "drop it" several times. A woman at the scene had told police the man had a knife.

Within four seconds, eight shots are fired. The camera then shows a man on the ground.

Chief Steve Conrad said Monday the video raises questions. He said authorities would investigate the incident.

Officials haven't released the name of the slain man, but Conrad said he was in his mid-50s.

The shooting happened about 1:30 a.m. Monday.
Australian, Chinese swim officials tangle amid doping feud

BEIJING (AP)  Swimming officials from Australia and China have joined the fray as a feud over doping between swimmers Mack Horton and Sun Yang boils over at the Rio Olympics.

The Chinese Swimming Association asked Horton on Monday to apologize for his "inappropriate words" after he labeled Sun a "drug cheat"  a reference to Sun's three-month suspension in 2014 over banned heart medication. Australia's Olympic Committee shot back in Horton's defense hours later, saying he was speaking his mind in support of clean athletes and wished him luck.

"We have no intention of making an apology," Kitty Chiller, Australia's chef de mission at the Olympics, said in Rio.

Winner Australia's Mack Horton, center, second placed Italy's Gabriele Detti, left, and third placed China's Sun Yang hold their medals after the men's 400-meter freestyle during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Horton, 20, took a dig at Sun while the two attended a news conference Saturday after Horton unseated the Chinese defending champion in the 400-meter freestyle. It was the second time in days that Horton had publicly referred to Sun's drug suspension as part of what the Australian team acknowledged is a campaign to unsettle the Chinese star.

Sun had earlier been accused of splashing water at Horton in an apparent attempt to get his attention, and Horton made his initial "drug cheat" reference when asked why he had ignored Sun.

"We would urge athletes to respect their fellow competitors," International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams said Monday.

Sun, 24, who won two golds at the 2012 London Games, has a long history of bad behavior and tangling with others. He has been accused of disruptive pool behavior by swimmers  both men and women  from several countries. The Chinese team briefly banned him from competing after a raft of disciplinary issues, including crashing a friend's Porsche SUV into a bus in 2013 while driving without a license, landing him in jail.

Sun has previously said he did not know the medication trimetazidine, which he took for chronic heart palpitations, had been placed on the banned list when he tested positive.

The 2-meter (6-foot-6-inch) Chinese star burst into tears Sunday after losing to Horton, garnering an outpouring of support from Chinese social media users who pilloried Horton on his Facebook page. The Australian was accused of snubbing Sun's attempt to congratulate him on his win immediately after the race, although the two did briefly shake hands later at the podium.

"Mack obviously has very strong views about the need for clean sport, as every single one of us does, and he has every right to express his views and his displeasure in that sense," Chiller said.

Chinese swim team manager Xu Qi also laid into Horton, saying the Australian had "hurt the feelings between Chinese and Australian swimmers" and showed "a lack of good manners and upbringing," according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Sun, who has largely refrained from firing back at his rival and has called for respect for all athletes, appeared to get his swagger back Monday. He told reporters at an Olympic village bus stop that he is "the king" in the 1,500-meter freestyle event scheduled for Sunday, when he will again compete against Horton. When prodded, he added that he was "no friend" of Horton's.

The spiraling row has generated a shrill response from Chinese media during what has already been a period of elevated tensions after Australia voiced opposition in recent weeks to Chinese claims of maritime territory.

On Monday, Xinhua released a slew of gently critical articles on topics ranging from Australian trade policy to Melbourne's quality of life. The Global Times tabloid opted for a more blunt approach, referring to Australia in a commentary as a former British "offshore prison" that is on "the fringes of civilization."

"We don't know if it is Horton who is silly or it's the Australian media that is evil, or perhaps Australia just has a different moral standard," the newspaper said. "No one should be surprised at uncivilized acts emanating from the country."

Winner Australia's Mack Horton holds his gold medal after the men's 400-meter freestyle during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Winner Australia's Mack Horton, center, second placed Italy's Gabriele Detti, left, and third placed China's Sun Yang hold their medals after the men's 400-meter freestyle during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Australia's gold medal winner Mack Horton is flanked by China's silver medal winner Sun Yang, left, and Italy's bronze medal winner Gabriele Detti during the ceremony for the men's 400-meter freestyle final during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Winner Australia's Mack Horton, center, second placed Italy's Gabriele Detti, left, and third placed China's Sun Yang hold their medals after the men's 400-meter freestyle during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Australia's gold medal winner Mack Horton celebrates on the podium during the ceremony for the men's 400-meter freestyle final during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Several dozen shot dead in weekend protests across Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP)  Ethiopian security forces shot dead several dozen people in weekend protests across the country as frustration with the government grows, an opposition leader and Amnesty International said Monday, while hundreds staged a rare demonstration in the capital after calls via social media.

The government again blocked the internet over the weekend, alleging that "anti-peace elements" based abroad and online activists were to blame for the violence.

In a statement, Amnesty International said at least 67 people were killed in the Oromia region alone when security forces fired on protesters, and that another at least 30 were shot and killed in the northern city of Bahir Dar. The rights group cited "credible sources" and said hundreds of people were detained.

FILE - In this June 10, 2005 file photo, members of the Ethiopian army patrol the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, after recent clashes with protesters. Violent weekend clashes between protesters and security forces have claimed the lives of more than a dozen people across Ethiopia. The government announced Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016 that seven protesters died in the northern Amhara region's capital, Bahir Dar. Witnesses who spoke to The Associated Press anonymously for fear of reprisals said anti-riot police also used force Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesters in the capital, Addis Ababa.(AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo, file)

An opposition politician, Mulatu Gemechu of the Oromo Federalist Congress party, told The Associated Press that more than 70 people were killed across Oromia. "Many others were injured, and we have lost count of the number of those who were arrested," he said.

The protests in several parts of the country at one time highlighted growing tensions between Ethiopia's citizens and its leaders. People resorted to the rare acts of carrying banners criticizing political heavyweights and showing off the East African country's former flag, used by the military government that the current administration overthrew in 1991.

"We need freedom," one banner said. Demonstrations took place despite the government's warning against unauthorized gatherings.

Ethiopia, a close security ally of the West, is often accused by rights groups of stifling dissent. The U.S. Embassy said in a statement that it was "deeply concerned with the extensive violence."

People rallied around various causes. In Bahir Dar, the northern Amhara region's capital, protesters demanded the reinstatement of the Wolqayit area in the Tigrary region back to the Amhara administration.

The arrest of members of a committee set up to oversee the reinstatement led to violent clashes over the past week.

The arrests also ignited weekend demonstrations in the Oromia region. Protesters demanded the release of people detained earlier this year in massive demonstrations against plans by the capital, Addis Ababa, to expand its territory into adjacent Oromia lands. The proposal has since been retracted.

Witnesses who insisted on speaking to The Associated Press anonymously for fear of reprisals said anti-riot police also used force Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesters in Addis Ababa who used the Oromia and Amhara issues to vent their anger at the government and call for political freedom.

"It has now become clear that people cannot hold peaceful protests in Ethiopia," said Seyoum Teshome, a blogger who monitored the demonstrations. Teshome said regional police forces were being replaced by the army, leaving many areas under the military's control.
Italian sailor uses mouth-to-mouth to revive kitten

MILAN (AP)  The Italian coast guard has rescued and revived a kitten that was drowning by using massage and mouth-to-mouth, after children on shore drew attention to its plight.

A sailor jumped in the sea to rescue the cat, which was floating apparently lifeless in the water, as the coast guard ship entered the Sicilian port of Marsala after a patrol mission.

A video released Friday showed crew members administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and massaging the kitten to remove water from its lungs. They encouraged it: "Breathe, breathe. Wake up" and after a few minutes the kitten emitted a few weak "meows."

In this photo taken on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016 and provided by the Italian Coast Guard, a kitten is wrapped in a towel after being rescued from downing, off the coast of Marsala in Sicily, Italy. The Italian coast guard has rescued and revived a drowning kitten at a Sicilian port, after children on shore drew attention to its plight. A video released Friday showed crew members administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and massaging the kitten to remove water from its lungs, encouraging the kitten, Breath, breath. Wake up. After a few minutes, the kitten, which is not more than a month old, emitted a few weak meows. (Italian Coast Guard via AP)
Briton charged with trafficking cocaine in Kenya in court

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  A Kenyan court on Monday ruled that a British national charged with trafficking nearly 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cocaine could be released on bond, but the country's High Court quickly suspended the decision.

The original decision said Jack Alexander Wolf Marrian had to raise a bond equaling $690,000, with two Kenyan sureties of similar amount. British media have reported that Marrian is the grandson of an aristocrat, the sixth Earl Cawdor.

His arrest came after Kenyan police and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents impounded the drugs July 27 at Kenya's main seaport in a container allegedly carrying sugar to Uganda from Brazil.

British national Jack Alexander Wolf Marrian, centre, appears at Kibera Law Court in Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. A Kenyan court has released on bond a British national charged with trafficking nearly 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cocaine. Jack was to be released Monday on a bond equaling $690,000, with two Kenyan sureties of similar amount. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)

Kenyan Roy Francis Mwanthi, who was charged separately with trafficking the cocaine, was released on a bond equaling $296,000 or a surety of $592,000. The High Court also suspended that decision.

The High Court will hear arguments on Marrian's and Mwanthi's bail applications Tuesday.

A magistrate had ruled that the prosecution did not provide compelling reasons for Marrian to be detained pending determination of his case. Magistrate Derrick Kuto directed him to deposit his passport in court and report to police once a week. The prosecution had argued that he was a flight risk and would interfere with investigations.

But the High Court suspended that decision after the director of public prosecution, Keriako Tobiko, immediately appealed.

State Prosecutor Angella Okallo says Marrian through his company Mshale Commoditities Uganda LTD requisitioned 22 containers of sugar to be imported from Brazil and drugs were discovered in four of the containers. Mwanthi is a clearing and forwarding agent and a director of Inland Africa logistics, which was actively involved in clearing the containers.

British national Jack Alexander Wolf Marrian, left, appears at Kibera Law Court in Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. A Kenyan court has released on bond a British national charged with trafficking nearly 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cocaine. Jack was to be released Monday on a bond equaling $690,000, with two Kenyan sureties of similar amount. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
Major militant attacks in Pakistan in past 6 years

ISLAMABAD (AP)  A suicide bombing that killed more than 60 people and wounded nearly 100 others on Monday at a gathering of lawyers on the grounds of a government-run hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta was the latest in a string of mass killings by militant groups around Pakistan.

Despite government and military efforts to crack down on the groups, the attacks show little signs of abating and have claimed the lives of hundreds of people, including many schoolchildren, over the past six years

The attack took place after nearly 100 lawyers had come to the hospital in the city of after one of the city's most prominent attorney's, provincial Bar Association President Bilal Kasi, was gunned down on his way to his office. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

A Pakistan lawyer shouts slogans during a demonstration to condemn a suiciding bombing in Quetta that killed dozens of people and wounded many more, in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Senior police official Zahoor Ahmed Afridi says the blast took place shortly after the body of a prominent lawyer, killed in a shooting attack earlier in the day, was brought to the hospital. It's unclear if the two events are in any way connected. (AP Photo/K.Chaudary)

Here is a look at some major attacks in the past six years in Pakistan by militants.

2016:

__ March 27, A bombing on Easter Sunday kills 65 people in a park in the eastern city of Lahore that was crowded with Christians, including many children

__ March 16, A bomb rips through a bus carrying Pakistani government employees in the volatile northwestern city of Peshawar killing 15 people.

__ March 7, A suicide bomber attacks the entrance to a court in northwest Pakistan killing 11 people.

__ Jan 20, Islamic militants storm a school in Charsadda northeastern Pakistan in a deadly attack that lasted for hours. At least 20 people were killed and 23 are wounded

2015:

__ Sept. 18: Taliban storm a military air base used as a residential area on the outskirts of Peshawar, killing 29 people, including 16 who were praying inside a mosque.

__Aug. 16: A suicide bombing at the home of Punjab province's home minister Shuja Khanzada kills 18 people, including the minister and a senior police officer.

__May 29: Gunmen hijack a bus and kill 22 people near Pishin district in southwestern Baluchistan province.

__May 13: Gunmen storm a bus carrying Shiite Muslims in southern city of Karachi and kill 45 people.

__April, 11: Gunmen in restive southwestern Pakistan kill 20 workers at a dam construction site.

__March 17: Two suicide bombers attack two churches in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore as worshippers prayed inside  killing 15 people.

__ Feb. 14: Taliban militants storm a Shiite mosque in the city of Peshawar, killing 20 people.

__Jan. 30: A suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in southern city of Shikarpur kills 59 people.

2014:

__ Dec.16: Militants attack an army run school killing over 150 people, mostly children.

__Nov. 2: Taliban suicide bomber kills 60 in attack on a paramilitary checkpoint close to the Wagah border crossing with India.

__June 9: Ten gunmen disguised as police guards attack a terminal at Pakistan's busiest airport with machine guns and a rocket launcher, killing 13 people during a five-hour siege.

__June 8: A suicide bomber in the country's southwest killed at least 23 Shiite pilgrims returning from Iran.

2013:

__Sept. 22: A twin suicide bomb blast in a Peshawar church kills at least 85 people.

__Aug. 17: Heavily armed Taliban fighters blast their way into a Pakistani air force base, leaving two security officers and nine insurgents dead.

__June 22: 10 Foreign climbers are killed by militants on Nanga Parbat, ninth highest mountain in world.

__March 3: Explosion in Karachi kills 45 Shiites outside a mosque.

__Jan. 10: Bombing in Shiite area of southern city of Quetta kills 81 people.

2012:

Nov. 22: A Taliban suicide bomber struck a Shiite Muslim procession in the city of Rawalpindi, near Pakistan's capital, killing 23 people.

Jan. 5: Taliban shoot and kill 15 Pakistani frontier police after holding them hostage for more than a year.

2011:

Sept. 20: Militants kill at least 26 Shiites on a bus near the southern city of Quetta.

May 23: Pakistani commandos recapture a major naval base from Taliban attackers who struck to avenge the killing of Osama bin Laden in a U.S. raid. Militants destroyed two U.S.-supplied surveillance aircraft and killed at least 10 personnel.

May 13: A pair of Taliban suicide bombers attacks paramilitary police recruits in Shabqadar, killing 80, also in retaliation for bin Laden's killing.

2010:

Nov. 5: A suicide bomber strikes a Sunni mosque in Darra Adam Khel in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 67 during Friday prayers.

Sept. 1: A triple Taliban suicide attack on a Shiite Muslim procession kills 65 in the southwestern city of Quetta.

July 9: Two suicide bombers kill 102 people in the Mohmand tribal region.

July 2: Suicide bombers attack Pakistan's most revered Sufi shrine in the eastern city of Lahore, killing 47 people.

May 29: Two militant squads armed with hand grenades, suicide vests and assault rifles attack two mosques of the Ahmadi minority sect in Lahore, killing 97.

March 13: Two suicide bombers targeting army vehicles in Lahore kill more than 55 people.

Jan. 1: A suicide bomber drives a truckload of explosives into a volleyball field in Lakki Marwat district in the northwest, killing at least 97 people.
Indian forces arrest more than 1,000 protesters in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, India (AP)  Government forces have arrested more than a thousand protesters in Indian-controlled Kashmir in an attempt to stem deadly anti-India demonstrations in the Himalayan region, a top policeman said Monday.

Inspector-General Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani said the arrests were made over the past two weeks in a bid to end a month of protests in which more than 55 civilians and two policemen have been killed and thousands injured.

Kashmir has been under a security lockdown and curfew since the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8 sparked some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years.

An Indian paramilitary soldier falls down as he tries to kick back an exploded tear gas shell thrown back at them by Kashmiri Muslim protesters at the end of a day long curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Kashmir has been under a security lockdown and curfew since the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8 sparked some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Tens of thousands of people have defied the curfew and participated in street protests, often leading to clashes between rock-throwing residents and government forces firing live ammunition, shotgun pellets and tear gas.

On Monday, tens of thousands of troops patrolled streets ringed with barbed wire and enforced a curfew in most parts of Kashmir. Shops and schools were closed because of the security crackdown and a separatist-sponsored protest strike.

However, protests demanding the end of Indian rule over the region continued in several places, with reports of clashes between protesters and government forces in at least five locations. Seven civilians were reported injured.

Separatist politicians, who challenge India's sovereignty over Kashmir, have called on residents to resist the crackdown and stage protests when troops raid neighborhoods to arrest young people.

Kashmir is divided between archrivals India and Pakistan, which have fought two wars over control of the region since British colonialists left the subcontinent in 1947.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training Kashmiri rebels who have been fighting for independence or for a merger with Pakistan since 1989. Pakistan denies the charge, saying it only provides moral and political support to Kashmiris.

More than 68,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since rebel groups began fighting Indian forces in 1989 and in a subsequent Indian military crackdown.

Meanwhile in New Delhi, opposition lawmakers on Monday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence over the situation in Kashmir and demanded that the government take political steps to defuse the crisis.

Lawmakers attacked the government over the firing of shotguns by soldiers at unarmed protesters. Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Congress party leader in the upper house of Parliament, urged Modi to hold a meeting in which leaders of all political parties could discuss and offer ways to reach out to the people of Kashmir.

Troops have continued firing shotguns to disperse angry crowds despite warnings from India's home ministry to minimize their use, and requests for a ban from local and international rights groups. The pellets have killed at least two men and left hundreds of civilians with serious eye injuries. Dozens of people have lost their vision because of pellet injuries.

Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) denounced the use of shotguns and said people want to know the prime minister's views on the Kashmir crisis. "The prime minister's silence is sending a message that this government does not care," Yechury said.

Meanwhile, an Indian army spokesman said three border guards and a suspected rebel were killed Monday in a gunbattle near the highly militarized Line of Control dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

Col. Nitin N. Joshi said it was not immediately clear if the suspected rebel had entered the Indian side of Kashmir from the Pakistani-controlled portion.

Kashmiri Muslim protesters run for cover amid tear gas smoke as Indian paramilitary soldiers walk back towards their base camp after a day long curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Kashmir has been under a security lockdown and curfew since the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8 sparked some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

A masked Kashmiri Muslim protester engulfed in smoke throws exploded tear gas shell back at Indian paramilitary soldiers as they walk back towards their base camp after a day long curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Kashmir has been under a security lockdown and curfew since the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8 sparked some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Masked Kashmiri Muslim protesters try to pick up exploded tear gas shells before throwing them back at Indian paramilitary soldiers after a day long curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Kashmir has been under a security lockdown and curfew since the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8 sparked some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Masked Kashmiri protesters shout slogans against India after a day long curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Kashmir has been under a security lockdown and curfew since the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8 sparked some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

A masked Kashmiri protester stands during a protest against India after a day long curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Kashmir has been under a security lockdown and curfew since the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8 sparked some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

A masked Kashmiri Muslim protester throws stones at Indian paramilitary soldiers as they walk back towards their base camp after a day long curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Kashmir has been under a security lockdown and curfew since the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8 sparked some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Indian paramilitary soldiers prepare to throw stones at Kashmiri Muslim protesters as they walk back towards their base camp after a day long curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Kashmir has been under a security lockdown and curfew since the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8 sparked some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Barbers trim the hair of Kashmiri men wounded by pellets during the recent unrest outside a hospital in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Protests and curfew continue across the valley amidst outrage over the killing of a top rebel leader by Indian troops in early July, 2016. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A Kashmiri Muslim man and a girl eat rice that was distributed by volunteers to the attendants of patients outside Kashmir's main hospital in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Protests and curfew continue across the valley amidst outrage over the killing of a top rebel leader by Indian troops in early July, 2016. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Kashmiri Muslim volunteers serve rice for distribution to the attendants of patients at Kashmir's main hospital in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Protests and curfew continue across the valley amidst outrage over the killing of a top rebel leader by Indian troops in early July, 2016. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
Husband of Ohio woman hurt by rock dropped on car kills self

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  The husband of a schoolteacher critically injured when a rock was dropped on her car from a highway overpass has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.

Randy Budd was pronounced dead at his Uniontown home late Saturday, Harry Campbell, chief investigator for Ohio's Stark County coroner's office, told The Associated Press on Sunday. Budd was 55.

Sharon Budd suffered catastrophic head injuries when a 5-pound rock tossed from an overpass crashed through the windshield of her family's moving car on Interstate 80 in central Pennsylvania in July 2014.

FILE  In this Oct. 21, 2014, file photo, Randy Budd, left, speaks with his wife Sharon Budd, right, after she rang a "victory" bell to celebrate her discharge from Geisinger HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Danville, Pa. Randy Budd, the husband of the Ohio schoolteacher critically injured when a rock was dropped on her car from a Pennsylvania highway overpass in July 2014, was pronounced dead Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, at his Uniontown, Ohio, home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (AP Photo/Ralph Wilson, File)

Randy Budd said in January that his wife had seven major surgeries and lost part of her brain and an eye. Because her brain was affected, he said, she would require constant care at home for the rest of her life.

Four young men were convicted and sentenced to prison in a case that attracted national attention.

The Canton Repository published a statement from the Budd family Sunday afternoon.

"The Budd family are all together and are grieving the loss of their dad, husband and brother. We deeply appreciate the tremendous support our family has received from the Massillon, Canton and Hartville areas over the past several years. We ask for your prayers and some privacy as we deal with our loss."

The Repository reports that the Budds had recently celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary. The couple had four children.

After his wife's accident, Randy Budd became an advocate for requiring fencing on overpasses. Earlier this year, the Budd family helped push through new rules in Ohio requiring any new or rehabbed bridges over most busy highways to be topped with chain-link fencing to deter vandals.

"I kept thinking this had to happen for a reason. Why would this happen?" Randy Budd said in January. "There has got to be something good to come out of this, and it happened. Now it's going to have an impact in Ohio for years and years to come, and somebody else won't have to go through what we're going through  or even death."

Ohio transportation officials said it means at least 108 bridges or overpasses will get fencing 6 to 8 feet high in the next few years without significant added costs to the projects.
OPEC oil ministers to meet informally in September

VIENNA (AP)  OPEC has announced that oil ministers of the 14-nation organization will meet in September, well ahead of their previously scheduled November meeting.

Monday's announcement notes that the meeting will be "informal." Still, it is unusual for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to come together at the ministerial level outside of their regularly set gatherings.

OPEC headquarters in Vienna says the meeting will be held in Algeria on the sidelines of the 15th International Energy Forum grouping 75 fossil energy producing and consuming countries as well as transit nations for oil and gas.
Uli Hoeness seeks to return as Bayern Munich president

MUNICH (AP)  Uli Hoeness has decided to run for Bayern Munich's presidency, seeking to return to a job that he gave up in 2014 after being given a prison sentence for tax evasion, the Bundesliga champion said Monday.

Hoeness, 64, will be a candidate for the job when club members elect the president at their annual general meeting in November, Bayern said. It added that current president Karl Hopfner agreed not to seek re-election in what it termed "very pleasant talks" with Hoeness.

Bayern's announcement followed weeks of speculation that Hoeness, one of the most prominent figures in German soccer, would return to the helm at the club.

FILE - In this May 2, 2014 file picture Former FC Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness gestures during his speech at an extraordinary members meeting, in Munich, southern Germany. Bayern Munich says Uli Hoeness hopes to return as the club's president in November  taking back a job that he gave up in 2014 after being convicted of tax evasion. Bayern said Monday Aug. 8, 2016 that Hoeness will be a candidate for the job when club members elect the president at their annual general meeting. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader,file)

As a player, Hoeness was a Bayern star who won the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup with West Germany and three straight European Cups  the predecessor of the Champions League  before retiring in 1979 with chronic knee problems.

Under his guidance as general manager, Bayern built financial reserves rarely seen in debt-ridden European soccer.

Hoeness quit as Bayern president in March 2014 after he was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison for evading millions of euros in taxes via an undeclared Swiss bank account. He was released in February after serving half of the sentence.
Defying Philippine president, rebels vow to step up attacks

MANILA, Philippines (AP)  Communist guerrillas in the Philippines vowed Monday to make more explosive mines and step up their attacks, defying a warning by President Rodrigo Duterte and putting at risk scheduled peace talks.

After visiting the wake of three soldiers killed by a rebel land mine, Duterte warned over the weekend that if another soldier died from such weapons, he would call off the planned resumption of long-stalled peace negotiations on Aug. 20 in Norway.

He repeated his threat Monday in a speech to army troops at a military camp in central Catbalogan city.

"I will not plead for it because I am the president," he said. "Do not use that land mine. If I hear one more explosion, goodbye, and you peace panel, come home, don't waste your money there and talk nonsense.

"These communists, if you're listening, you have been at war with this government for 45 years. Do you want to fight another 45 years?" Duterte asked.

The Communist Party of the Philippines and its guerrilla wing, the New People's Army, rejected Duterte's demand and vowed in a statement to step up the manufacture of remotely-detonated explosive devices and their use in guerrilla assaults. The rebels said they do not use banned land mines but make and use devices that are planted beforehand and detonated remotely.

The communist party "is not one to back down from threats of war by Duterte," the rebels said. "Waging people's war has always been the path to strengthen the revolution and accumulate victories."

Duterte, who labels himself a leftist president, initially built rapport with the Maoist guerrillas by offering two key Cabinet posts to left-wing activists and offering the communists a part in his administration. A rebel leader, Jose Maria Sison, had planned to return home after three decades of self-exile in Europe to meet Duterte, who used to be his student at a Manila university.

The blossoming relations became strained quickly, however, as the president declared a ceasefire but withdrew it five days later after the rebels killed a militiaman in southern Davao del Norte province and failed to declare their own truce by his deadline.

Duterte accused the guerrillas on Monday of surviving through extortion of mining companies and vast banana plantations in the south and added that the rebels have been unable to control even one village for 24 hours or help left-wing candidates win in elections independently.

The guerrillas said the president's "mindset is becoming more and more militarized as he hops from one military camp to the next."

"He is showing himself to be more and more cantankerous, inventing one reason after another to attack the (communist party and the rebels) instead of finding ways to push forward peace negotiations," the rebels said.
The family of a Muslim boy who was arrested after bringing a homemade clock to school have sued Texas school officials, saying they violated the 14-year-old boy's civil rights.

The lawsuit was filed Monday on behalf of Ahmed Mohamed. The teen was arrested at his suburban Dallas high school in September and charged with having a hoax bomb.

He says he brought the homemade clock to school to show his teacher. The charge was later dropped, but he was still suspended.

Scroll down for video

Ahmed Mohamed shows the clock he built in a school pencil box to reporters after a news conference in Dallas on Monday

The family of 'clock boy' Ahmed Mohamed have filed a lawsuit against the Irving Independent School District, the city of Irving and the school's principal. Ahmed, 14, pictured with his mother, Muna Ahmed Ibraham and his father Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed last September

Mohamed was arrested at school after he brought this homemade clock to class last year. His English teacher thought the clock was a homemade bomb

The lawsuit names Irving Independent School District, the city of Irving and the school's principal. A district spokeswoman says the district would release a statement later Monday.

Ahmed looks stunned as he is put in handcuffs at school on the day that he was arrested

The family has since moved to Qatar, citing threats and a scholarship offered to Ahmed in the Persian Gulf country.

Ahmed spent this summer back in Texas, after spending eight months studying in Qatar.

During the school year, he says he visited the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia with his family.

He will return to Qatar next month to start 10th grade at Qatar Academy, a private school in Doha.

Ahmed showed off the clock on Monday during a news conference with his parents and attorneys.

'For the safety of my family, I have to go back to Qatar, because right now it's not very safe for my family or for anyone who's a minority,' Ahmed said during Monday's news conference.

While in Texas, Ahmed said, he has to wear a hat, sunglasses and a hoodie.

'I can't walk out of the house without being covered up because I might get shot because that happens here,' he said. 'I really love the States. It's my home. But I couldn't stay. I get death threats.'

He added: 'I have lost a lot of things. I lost my home, I lost my creativity because before I used to love building things but now I can't. I lost my security.'

The teen's parents, Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed and Muna Ibrahim, have not found work yet in Qatar, so the family of eight is living in government housing and on food vouchers, Mohamed said on Monday.

Ahmed previously said he missed the diversity in America, and hoped his story could serve as a positive talking point about the challenges Muslims face.

'I want to help change Texas for a better state, and I hope that not just for Texas, but the entire world,' he said. 'People sometimes don't want to admit their mistakes, and sometimes the best thing to do is to help them change.'

The teenager received an outpouring of support on social media following his arrest, and President Barack Obama even invited him to the White House.

Ahmed was invited to the White House by President Obama, when it was revealed that the box was a harmless clock

The publicity also made him subject to online harassment, but Mohamed said he chooses to take the high road and not let negative comments bother him.

Ahmed said he built the clock in his bedroom in about 20 minutes using a circuit board, a digital display and several wires.

He enclosed the device into a pencil case with a tiger hologram on the front.

Ahmed said he first showed his invention to his engineering teacher, who gave him some advice.

'He was like, "That's really nice. I would advise you not to show that to other teachers."'

He kept the clock in his bag, but it started to beep later in the day during an English class. He showed his clock to the teacher who said it looked like a bomb.

He said he made the clock using a circuit board, a digital display and put it into a metal 'pencil box'.

The teenager said he did not lock the box as he 'did not want it to look suspicious'. Instead he secured it with a cable.
Chinese tourist loses wallet, ends up in German refugee home

BERLIN (AP)  A Chinese tourist who lost his wallet in Germany signed the wrong paperwork and ended up being placed in a refugee home.

Christoph Schluetermann, an official with the German Red Cross, which runs the home, told news agency dpa on Monday that the man "set machinery in motion that he couldn't get out of."

The unidentified man's troubles started in early July when he lost his wallet after arriving in the southwestern German city of Stuttgart. Officials have figured out that, instead of going to police to file a stolen goods report, he somehow ended up at an authority that presented him with an asylum application.

From there, he was sent to Dortmund in northwestern Germany and on to the refugee home in Duelmen. "He simply did what he was told," Schluetermann said.

Schluetermann said he quickly noticed the man because "he was different from the others  very, very helpless."

With help from a translation app and then from a translator at a Chinese restaurant, it became clear that the man wanted to travel on to France and Italy, not seek asylum.
Robert De Niro to get key award at Sarajevo Film Festival

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP)  Organizers say Robert De Niro will present Martin Scorsese's restored "Taxi Driver" at the opening night of the 22nd Sarajevo Film Festival and receive the festival's first lifetime achievement award.

Festival organizers said Monday that De Niro, who has won the Golden Globe, two Oscars and was nominated for another five Oscars, will receive the first honorary Heart of Sarajevo lifetime achievement award for his extraordinary contribution to the art of film.

The festival, which opens Friday, will offer viewers 223 movies from 61 countries over nine days.
Woman blasts Cosby request to have lawyer attend deposition

PHILADELPHIA (AP)  Lawyers for the woman Bill Cosby is charged with sexually assaulting in 2004 say his request to have his attorney attend her deposition in a Pennsylvania civil case is "a continuation of his campaign to harass and intimidate."

Andrea Constand asked the court last week to deny Cosby's motion to have his lawyer present during her deposition in her lawsuit against former Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor. Constand is suing Castor for defamation.

Cosby settled a lawsuit in 2006 that Constand filed against him.

FILE - In this May 24, 2016 file photo, Bill Cosby departs the Montgomery County Courthouse after a preliminary hearing, in Norristown, Pa. Lawyers for Andrea Constand, who has accused Cosby of sexually assaulting her in 2005, say in a court papers filed on August 4, 2016, that his request to have his attorney attend her deposition in a civil case is a continuation of his campaign to harass and intimidate. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Cosby's motion says Constand is barred by the settlement from discussing her allegations against him. He says he wants an attorney present to ensure the confidentiality of that agreement isn't violated.

A judge hasn't ruled.
Germany: migrant arrivals steady in July at around 16,000

BERLIN (AP)  German authorities say the number of asylum-seekers arriving in the country remained steady in July, with some 16,000 new arrivals registered.

The Interior Ministry said Monday that 16,160 people were registered as asylum-seekers in July. That's around the same as each of the previous three months and far below last autumn's levels.

In 2015, Germany registered nearly 1.1 million people as asylum-seekers  more than 206,000 of those in November alone at the height of the influx via the Balkans. The numbers declined sharply after nearly 92,000 arrived in January.

The government isn't giving any forecast for this year's total. July's new arrivals bring the total for 2016 so far to 238,424.
Mother of dead California skydiver says jump on bucket list

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  The mother of a skydiver who plummeted to his death with an instructor in a California vineyard said her teenage son was an adventurous spirit who was willing to try just about anything  including the jump that was on his bucket list of things to do in life.

Tyler Turner, 18, had a mild case of cerebral palsy and walked with a crouched gait. His mother Francine Salazar Turner said that didn't dampen his zest for life.

Tyler Turner had graduated from high school with honors and had been bound for the University of California at Merced this month to study biomedical engineering.

This Aug. 6, 2016 photo provided by Francine Salazar Turner shows her son Tyler Turner, 18, kneels on the edge of the runway and says a quick prayer prior to his fatal skydiving jump in Lodi, Calif. Salazar Turner said her teenage son was an adventurous spirit who was willing to try just about anything, including the jump that was on his bucket list of things to do in life. (Francine Salazar Turner via AP)

On Saturday, his mother drove Turner and his best friend to the Parachute Center in Lodi, east of San Francisco, where she says they joined two other friends and sped through a safety video.

Before going up in a plane, Tyler Turner knelt at the edge of the jumping area and said a quick prayer. He gave his mom a tight hug and told her he loved her.

He jumped while his mother waited on the ground, wondering which one of the tiny dots in the air was her son.

Tyler Turner and the instructor died when they plunged together to the ground after their shared parachute did not open.

Salazar Turner said the instructor was found with his hand on the lever for a backup parachute but it was never pulled.

San Joaquin County sheriff's officials have not identified the instructor.

"One of the last things they wanted to do was go on a skydiving trip they've been talking about," Salazar Turner said about her son and his friends, who jumped safely. "I hate for any other mother to go through this."

Salazar Turner said she paid $175 for her son's jump, which included a video recording that is now in the hands of federal investigators.

The four friends filled out paperwork but didn't finish watching the safety video before they were hustled into gear, she said.

Salazar Turner said she was appalled that the center continued sending people up to jump while she waited for word about her son. She thought the center might halt operations.

"I'm out there waiting for my son to be recovered, for hours, and they just kept jumping over my head," she said.

Bill Dause, owner of the Parachute Center, said the instructor was a veteran who had about 700 previous jumps. Dause said he sympathized but there was nothing he could do.

"It was just an accident," he told The Associated Press on Monday.

Dause told Sacramento television station KCRA on Saturday that it appeared "something may have gone out of sequence in the jump." He did not elaborate.

The wind and other conditions were perfect, he added.

In May, a small plane carrying 17 skydivers took off from the center and landed upside-down after clipping a pickup truck. People involved sustained minor cuts and scrapes.

In February, the Lodi News-Sentinel reported a solo skydiver died after a parachute malfunction at the center. Further details were not immediately available.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover funeral costs for Tyler Turner.

His mother said other items on his bucket list included a trip to Hawaii and a zipline adventure.

___

This story has been corrected to say the name of the skydiver's mother is Francine Salazar Turner, not Francine Salazar.

This Aug. 6, 2016 photo provided by Francine Salazar Turner shows her son Tyler Turner, second from left, with his friends Casey Nelson, left, Quinan Munoz, second from right, and Mario Muniz just prior to his fatal skydiving jump in Lodi, Calif. Salazar Turner said her teenage son was an adventurous spirit who was willing to try just about anything including the jump that was on his bucket list of things to do in life. (Francine Salazar Turner via AP)

In this Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016 photo, San Joaquin County Sheriff's deputies talk with Bill Dause, the owner of the Lodi Parachute Center in Lodi, Calif., some 85 miles east of San Francisco, after two skydivers had died when they plummeted to the ground earlier in the day. One was 18 and jumping for the first time, and his family was there watching when he hit the ground, Dause and local authorities said Sunday. The other man was in his mid-20s. (Sammy Caiola/The Sacramento Bee via AP)

This Aug. 6, 2016 photo provided by Francine Salazar Turner shows her son Tyler Turner, 18, just prior to his fatal skydiving jump in Lodi, Calif. Salazar Turner said her teenage son was an adventurous spirit who was willing to try just about anything, including the jump that was on his bucket list of things to do in life. (Francine Salazar Turner via AP)
Turkey detains 10 foreigners over suspected ties to Gulen

ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Turkish authorities have detained at least 10 foreign nationals suspected of ties to a U.S.-based cleric whom Turkey accuses of masterminding the July 15 failed coup, a senior official said Monday.

At least four of them had been formally arrested pending trial while a fifth person had been released, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told reporters after a Cabinet meeting. One of the suspects was detained on Saturday after entering Turkey illegally from Syria, the deputy premier said. Kurtulmus said at least one wanted foreign national was on the run.

He didn't provide details on their nationalities, but said the number of foreigners detained could increase as the investigation deepens.

A woman is reflected in a poster made for an anti-coup rally, at Taksim Square in Istanbul, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Turkey will continue fighting whatever powers seek to undermine the government, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed Sunday as he addressed a massive flag-waving rally in Istanbul in the wake of the country's abortive July 15 coup. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Turkey's government launched a sweeping crackdown targeting followers of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of behind the coup attempt by renegade soldiers within the military. Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania, has denied involvement.

Nearly 18,000 people have been detained or arrested in the crackdown, mostly from the military. Tens of thousands of people have been suspended or dismissed from jobs in the judiciary, media, education, health care, military and local government.

The scope of the crackdown has alarmed European countries and rights groups, who have urged restraint, triggering criticism by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has angrily complained of a lack of support from Turkey's allies.

The government is demanding Gulen's extradition from the U.S. Washington has said it would need evidence of the cleric's involvement, and says the extradition process must be allowed to take its course.

On Sunday, Turkey held a mass rally in Istanbul to denounce the attempted coup, which two main opposition party leaders attended in a show of unity.

Kurtulmus, citing police figures, said as many as 5 million people had attended the rally, which he described as a strong expression by the Turkish people of their demand that Gulen be returned to Turkey to face trial. Turkey also is pressing for the extradition of other U.S.-based Gulen supporters.

"I have no doubt that U.S. officials will review their stance (on Gulen)," Kurtulmus said. "Either they will continue to protect three or five bandits, or they will act in a way that will allow them to win the hearts of a nation of 79 million people."

Kurtulmus said the government doesn't believe Gulen's movement would be capable of staging another military coup, but didn't rule out possible acts of sabotage by his followers, including cyberattacks. Kurtulmus said, however, that Turkey was taking measures to counter any possible threat.

"I can confidently say that there is no longer a threat of (another) coup," Kurtulmus said. "But this organization will continue ... to take action to harm Turkey."

The deputy premier reiterated that 216 military personnel  including nine generals  suspected of taking part in the coup were at large. Of the fugitives, 180 of them were army personnel while 30 were paramilitary police. He wouldn't confirm Turkish media reports that claimed that some of the officers may have found refuge with Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq, dismissing the reports as "speculation."

Also Monday, Kurtulmus announced that the government had lifted a decision to cancel all civil servants' leaves which had forced many to return from vacations or cancel travel plans. The ban was imposed soon after the coup attempt to allow authorities to investigate officials' possible links to the Gulen movement.
Kenya deports Taiwanese nationals to China despite protests

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Kenya has deported 35 Chinese and five Taiwanese to China after they were acquitted on wire fraud charges, a police official said Monday, despite Taiwan's request not to send its nationals to what it considers a separate country.

Taiwan rejects China's claim to the self-governing island. A Taiwanese official based in South Africa, John Chen, had asked Kenya not to send the five Taiwanese to China.

When asked if Kenya had deported the Taiwanese to China, Interior Ministry spokesman Mwenda Njoka said, "Why not?"

The senior police official said all were put on a flight headed for the southern city of Guangzhou on Sunday night. The official insisted on anonymity because he was not authorized to share the information.

Forty-five other Taiwanese nationals arrested on similar charges were draped in black hoods and deported to China upon their acquittal in April, according to Amnesty International, which expressed fears they would face human rights violations there. The rights group last week protested the imminent deportation of the five Taiwanese.

In total, 111 people Chinese and Taiwanese have been arrested. Most were deported because they didn't have proper documentation to stay in Kenya.

Analysts say China's goal in accepting the Taiwanese previously deported from Kenya is to extract concessions from Taiwanese President-elect Tsai Ing-wen, who has refused to endorse Beijing's position that Taiwan and the mainland are part of a single Chinese nation. The two split amid civil war in 1949.

"If deported to China, they could face serious violations of their fair trial rights. There is no doubt Kenya cherishes its relationship with China, but by no means should it sacrifice these individuals' rights for political expediency," said Amnesty East Africa campaigner Victor Odero.

___
Police officer shoots man outside Tennessee Wal-Mart

ONIEDA, Tenn. (AP)  Authorities say a police officer shot a man outside an eastern Tennessee Wal-Mart while investigating a report of a domestic-related incident between a man and a woman.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a news release that at least one officer shot the man following an altercation in the store's parking lot in Oneida on Sunday afternoon.

The man was taken to a hospital for treatment. His condition was not immediately known.

TBI agents are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
At a Glance: Livestreaming apps beyond Facebook Live

NEW YORK (AP)  Live video is growing more popular as a way for families to share big moments with faraway loved ones and for artists and athletes to connect with fans.

Livestreaming has also made the news in recent weeks as House Democrats used Periscope to broadcast a sit-in over gun control after the Republican majority cut off television cameras. It was also got attention when a Minnesota woman used Facebook Live to stream footage of her dying boyfriend after he was shot by police.

And it might come up during the Olympics if spectators and athletes livestream events publicly  a violation of ticketing and Olympic rules and a challenge to the billions of dollars TV companies pay for rights.

In this Thursday, June 23, 2016, photo, Erick Armas, left, captures video of, from right, Jordan Hoyle, Violet Summersby, George Padilla and Sue Evelyn Gil, who were live broadcasting from the live.me booth at VidCon, an annual convention for the fans of stars from YouTube, Vine, Instagram and other video platforms, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim Cailf. Facebook, Twitter and Amazon-owned Twitch are pouring resources and money into live video streaming. Although it can feel like a throwback to appointment TV, interactions with fans can create a new stream of revenue from tips. (AP Photo/Ryan Nakashima)

Below are some of the most popular ways to livestream from your phone:

___

FACEBOOK LIVE

Anyone with a Facebook account can livestream anything using Facebook's app. To use it, tap the empty box where your status update would go. A menu should pop up with the option for "live video." A couple of taps later, you are live, broadcasting to your friends. You can change the privacy setting to make your live video public, too. The video is available for replay once you are done. You can delete it or save it on your phone if you want.

___

PERISCOPE

The Twitter-owned video-streaming app made its debut about a year ago, well-timed with the exponential growth of people watching and taking videos on their smartphones. You can broadcast to select followers or the broader public. You can share your precise location or keep it private. Viewers can send comments, and streams can be shared on Twitter, Facebook or other social media services.

___

MEERKAT

Seventeen months ago, Meerkat was the darling of the South By Southwest Interactive tech confab, seemingly destined to make livestreaming the next hot thing. Then came Periscope and Facebook Live, and Meerkat's popularity dropped. The company is no longer focused on livestreaming and has instead "pivoted"  Silicon Valley speak for shifting resources elsewhere when your first (or second, or third) idea doesn't work.

___

YOUNOW

You sign in with their Twitter, Facebook, Google or Instagram account to stream live videos. YouNow also lets you "discover talented broadcasters" and video chat live with people around the world, as its website touts. Music is an especially popular broadcast topic, but you'll find the usual stuff as well, such as people livestreaming themselves as they sleep. Zzzzz.

___

TWITCH

The Amazon-owned livestreaming service started off as a way for gamers to stream their gameplay and show off their skills. Now, Twitch is broadening its reach. It has added channels in its "creative" area for people to broadcast live music, drawing, programming and so on. You can pay a subscription fee for certain benefits on channels, and even tip performers. People can livestream from traditional computers, too  not just smartphones, as most other services require.

___

Online:

Live streaming pays off: http://apne.ws/2auELV4

This photo provided by the SutherlandGold Group shows Casey Cooper at his home in Canton, Ga., on the "Coop3r Livestream Set." Cooper has a million followers on YouTube, but hed prefer you skip his recorded performances and instead catch him live on streaming video, because he can make more money that way. (Hannah Cooper/Casey Cooper/Courtesy of SutherlandGold Group via AP)
New Jersey banning coffee while driving? Not so fast

TRENTON, N.J. (AP)  Drivers who drink coffee behind the wheel don't need to worry about getting a ticket in New Jersey any time soon.

The sponsor of a bill targeting distracted driving says his measure doesn't specifically cite coffee, despite recent news reports focusing on the beverage.

Democratic Assemblyman John Wisniewski said the legislation is aimed at discouraging distracted driving and that he cannot imagine that a police officer would pull anyone over for drinking coffee.

Current law already prohibits texting or talking without a hands-free device. The new legislation is broader and would bar "any activity unrelated to the actual operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle."

Wisniewski says he sponsored the bill , which doesn't mention eating or drinking, to avoid the need for new legislation every time technology changes.

He introduced the measure seven months ago, but he has yet to bring it up for a vote in a committee he leads. It also never came up for a vote in the two previous legislative sessions in which he introduced similar bills.

Wisniewski said he was surprised by the reaction to the legislation. He said the outcry against the bill has been so strong that his inbox has filled up even more than when he proposed a 25-cent-per-gallon increase in the gas tax.

Wisniewski said when he introduced the bill before, people worried he was trying to stop them from eating sandwiches while driving.
Family of Muslim teen arrested for homemade clock files suit

DALLAS (AP)  The family of a Muslim boy who was arrested after bringing a homemade clock to school filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Texas school officials and others, saying the incident violated the 14-year-old boy's civil rights, prompted death threats and forced them to leave the United States.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Ahmed Mohamed, who was arrested at his suburban Dallas high school in September and charged with having a hoax bomb. He says he brought the homemade digital clock to school to show his English teacher.

Ahmed showed off the clock, made out of a plastic pencil box and electrical wire and other hardware salvaged from his parents' garage, on Monday during a news conference with his parents and attorneys.

Ahmed Mohamed shows the clock he built in a school pencil box to reporters after a news conference in Dallas on Monday

Irving police later dropped the charge, but he was still suspended for three days. He never returned to the school; his family opted to have him take classes elsewhere.

The lawsuit names Irving Independent School District, the city of Irving and the school's principal, and asks a jury to determine the damages. In November, the family asked the district and city to pay $15 million or else face a suit. District spokeswoman Lesley Weaver said in a statement Monday that attorneys for the district will review the suit and determine a course of action.

"Irving ISD continues to deny violating the student's rights and will respond to claims in accordance with court rules," she said, adding that school officials for now will have no further comment.

The Mohamed family questioned whether the boy was mistreated due to his religion but the district has denied the claim.

The family has since moved to Qatar, citing threats and a scholarship offered to Ahmed in the Persian Gulf country. Ahmed moved back to the U.S. last month for the summer to visit family and friends, and will do some traveling around the country, but will return to Qatar next month to start 10th grade at Qatar Academy, a private school in Doha.

"For the safety of my family, I have to go back to Qatar, because right now it's not very safe for my family or for anyone who's a minority," Ahmed said during Monday's news conference.

While in Texas, Ahmed said, he has to wear a hat, sunglasses and a hoody. "I can't walk out of the house without being covered up because I might get shot because that happens here," he said.

The teen's parents, Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed and Muna Ibrahim, have not found work yet in Qatar, so the family of eight is living in government housing and on food vouchers, Mohamed told The Associated Press on Monday.

Among the claims made in the suit, which was brought by the teen's father, is that the boy's right to equal protection under the law was violated and that officers arrested him without probable cause.

Ahmed was a victim of systemic discrimination by the school district and state Board of Education that has marginalized Muslims and other minority groups, the suit claims.

"History tells us that when we have stood tall and proud for equality and freedom, we have grown as a nation," the suit says. "When we have given in to fear and hate, we flounder."

The suit adds, "In the case of Ahmed Mohamed, we have the opportunity to take a stand for equality and for justice, two things that should prevail above all else."

The Irving school district is also under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice over an alleged pattern of discrimination against minority students, according to Justice spokeswoman Rebecca Stewart.

The district in February sued the Texas Attorney General to keep the justice department's investigation private, said Ahmed's attorney, Susan Hutchison.

Ahmed's story brought an outpouring of support from President Barack Obama, other political leaders, corporate executives and NASA scientists.

"When I went to the new school, they asked me, 'are you that clock kid?' I told them yeah, I was. My identity was stripped," Ahmed said.

Ahmed Mohamed, right, shows the clock he built in a school pencil box while standing with his father Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed after a news conference in Dallas, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The family of Ahmed Mohamed, who was arrested after bringing the homemade clock to school and charged with having a hoax bomb, filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Texas school officials and others, saying they violated the 14-year-old boy's civil rights. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Ahmed Mohamed speaks about receiving death threats in Dallas, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The family of Ahmed Mohamed, who was arrested after bringing the homemade clock to school, and charged with having a hoax bomb, filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Texas school officials and others, saying they violated the 14-year-old boy's civil rights. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Wynwood is home to artists, hipsters, tourists _ and Zika

MIAMI (AP)  On any given day, a visitor to Miami's Wynwood neighborhood might see a hipster pecking at a vintage typewriter outside a coffee shop or a young professional enjoying roasted duck carnitas at a fusion restaurant next door.

Two blocks away, a family from the Midwest, Latin America or Europe might be exploring the graffiti murals of the Wynwood Walls or wandering into an art gallery. At night, couples line up around the block to get into a trendy tavern.

The recent announcement that 16 people have been infected with the Zika virus by mosquitoes in the Wynwood area has scared away some visitors. Federal health officials last week warned pregnant women to avoid the neighborhood and a 1-square-mile area around it. But many remain undaunted.

A family from Peru takes a selfie in front of the Wynwood Walls, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, in the Wynwood area of Miami. The recent announcement that more than a dozen people have been infected with Zika by mosquitoes in the area has scared away some, but many others are still coming. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

"Everything here has a very modern vibe, a modern feel," said Danny Perez, 25, who sometimes comes to Wynwood from South Miami to work. Pointing out a nearby organic juice and food place next to a letterpress store, he said, "These are niche markets that you don't find everywhere in Miami."

Just north of downtown Miami, Wynwood once was a garment and warehouse district but went into decline in the 1970s. Artists began setting up shop around the turn of the century, and galleries soon began opening in the decaying buildings and empty lots. Business owners started hosting an Art Walk one night a month, giving locals and curious tourists a chance to see and be seen.

The art created inside the buildings began spreading to the neighborhood's exterior walls, and the annual Art Basel show that later came to Miami gave those works an international stage.

"I feel like I'm in Disneyland for the art world," said Jonathan Yubi, 31, who came down to Miami from Orlando last week to pick up copies of his fledgling art publication Artborne Magazine from a printer. He used the trip as an excuse to check out Wynwood for the first time.

Courtney Clark, 28, has been working at one of the area's retail stores for about a year. She didn't seem worried about Zika as she ate outside Thursday afternoon.

"I have a little bracelet with mosquito repellant on it," Clark said. "But other than that, I'm not pregnant or looking to get pregnant anytime soon."

While unafraid herself, she has noticed a drop in visitors.

"There are definitely fewer people around," Clark said. "It will probably stay like that for the next couple weeks or so, until we get out of the news."

Paul Villard, 23, said he thought about not showing up at the Wynwood restaurant where he works, but he ultimately decided to go.

"You can't really let that stuff interfere with life," Villard said, acknowledging though that pregnant women should probably stay away for a while.

Until now, the only known Zika cases in the United States were in people who had recently traveled to Latin America and the Caribbean.

Zika, a mild disease for most, can lead to severe brain-related birth defects if women are infected during pregnancy.

Health officials announced Aug. 1 that Zika had turned up in Wynwood. They clarified this week that the actual infections were limited to a 500-square-foot residential area north of the art district, and that area has since been bombarded with insecticides.

They have urged women of child-bearing years to avoid the area, and urged pregnant women there to be tested.

Florida's Health Department has said there's no evidence of mosquitoes transmitting Zika elsewhere in Miami.

Health and dollars are both on the line as the Zika scare collides with Wynwood's art and tourism boom.

Joel "Smiley" Atkinson, 47, said he's seen many neighboring businesses move out over the five years he's worked at LBK Shoes Corp. Property values have skyrocketed in the area, and many longtime residents and businesses can't afford to stay.

"It's a bad thing for some people, and it's a good thing for other people," Atkinson said. "For the art people, maybe it's good. For the people doing business, that's bad."

Clark thinks the health news is unlikely to hurt Wynwood's economic and cultural growth in the long run.

She's certain the Zika fears will pass eventually, and the tourists will return.

Visitors and tourist visit the Wynwood Walls, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, in the Wynwood area of Miami. The recent announcement that more than a dozen people have been infected with Zika by mosquitoes in the area has scared away some, but many others are still coming. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
An NBC gymnastics announcer has come under fire on social media over comments he made about the adoptive parents of American gymnast Simone Biles.

The 19-year-old gymnast and her younger sister were adopted by their maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, and his wife, Nellie, after spending time in foster care. Simone Biles refers to them as her parents.

Announcer Al Trautwig, though, on air has referred to Nellie and Ron as Simone's grandparents.

Scroll down for video

An NBC gymnastics announcer has come under fire over comments he made about the adoptive parents of American gymnast Simone Biles (pictured with parents)

When she was a toddler, Simone and her little sister, Adria, still in diapers, went to live with their grandparents in Texas while their mother struggled with addiction back in Ohio

Simone shared this Snapchat message for her dad Rob, who adopted Simone and Adria in 2000 when the birth mother's parental rights were terminated

When a woman tweeted to Trautwig that he should refer to Ron and Nellie as her parents, Trautwig tweeted back: 'They may be mom and dad but they are NOT her parents.'

Trautwig later deleted the tweet and subsequently apologized.

'I regret that I wasnt more clear in my wording on the air,' he said. 'I compounded the error on Twitter, which I quickly corrected. To set the record straight, Ron and Nellie are Simones parents.'

He was criticized by Carrie Goldman, an adoptive mother who writes a blog, 'Portrait of an Adoption.'

Goldman said NBC needs to make sure its commentators are educated about adoption. She says the comments deeply disrespect adopted children and parents.

The network forced Trautwig to delete, the Chicago Tribune reported.

'To set the record straight, Ron and Nellie are Simone's parents,' Trautwig retracted on Monday, according to the paper.

When she was a toddler, Simone and her little sister, Adria, still in diapers, went to live with their grandparents in Texas while their mother struggled with addiction to alcohol and drugs back in Ohio.

The couple adopted Simone and Adria in 2000 when the birth mother's parental rights were terminated.

NBC analyst Al Trautwig (left) said Ron and Nelli (right) 'may be mom and dad but they are NOT her parents'

The comment drew criticism on social media, where Trautwig

Ron and Nellie provided the structure that the girls needed and set the foundation that helped produce what could be the greatest gymnast of her generation.

Simone is the three-time reigning world champion who has won 14 medals at worlds, including 10 gold, since 2013, and is poised in Rio de Janeiro to become the fourth straight American to win the Olympic all-around gold.

Ron and Nellie provided the structure that the girls needed and set the foundation that helped produce what could be the greatest gymnast of her generation

Though Simone remains in contact with Shanon Biles, she is quick to correct anyone that calls Shanon her mother. Shanon is her biological mother, she says; Nellie (pictured) is mom

Simone is poised in Rio de Janeiro to become the fourth straight American to win the Olympic all-around gold

Though Simone remains in contact with Shanon Biles, she is quick to correct anyone that calls Shanon her mother.

Shanon Biles is her biological mother, she says; Nellie Biles is Mom.
Italy Delta Outage

Passengers line up as they wait to board Delta Air Lines flights at Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci airport, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Delta Air Lines grounded flights and predicted widespread cancellations Monday, disrupting the travel plans of thousands of passengers, after a power outage hit its computer systems globally. (Telenews/ANSA via AP)

(Telenews/ANSA)

LONDON -- Delta Air Lines canceled around 300 flights Monday after its computer systems crashed worldwide, stranding thousands of passengers on a busy travel day.

One of the world's largest airlines said that only 800 of nearly 6,000 scheduled flights were operational.

The flight tracking site FlightStats Inc. said that there were delays on more than 1,000 Delta flights before noon.

About six hours into the outage, limited flights had resumed but widespread delays and cancelations were ongoing.

A power outage at an Atlanta facility at around 2:30 a.m. local time initiated a cascading meltdown, according to the airline, which is also based in Atlanta.

A spokesman for Georgia Power told The Associated Press that the company believes the failure of Delta equipment caused the airline's power outage. He said no other customers lost power.

A Delta spokesman said he had no information on the report.

Many passengers were frustrated that they received no notice of a global disruption, discovering that they were stranded only after making it through security and seeing other passengers sleeping on the floor.

It was unclear if the airline was even able to communicate due to its technical issues, and Delta said that there may be a lag issuing accurate flight status on the company website because of the outage.

Flights that were already in the air when the outage occurred continued to their destinations, but flights on the ground remained there.

Airlines depend on huge, overlapping and complicated technology systems to operate flights, schedule crews and run ticketing, boarding, airport kiosks, websites and mobile phone apps. Even brief outages can snarl traffic and cause long delays.

That has afflicted airlines in the U.S. and abroad.

Last month, Southwest Airlines canceled more than 2,000 flights over several days after an outage that it blamed on a faulty network router.

United has suffered a series of notorious delays since it merged with Continental as the technological systems of the two airlines clashed.

Lines for British Airways at some airports have grown longer as the carrier updates its systems.

On Monday in Richmond, Va., Delta gate agents were writing out boarding passes by hand. In Tokyo, a dot-matrix printer was resurrected to keep track of passengers on a flight to Shanghai.

Technology that appeared to be working sometimes issued bad information. Flight-status systems, including airport screens, incorrectly showed flights on time.

"Not only are their flights delayed, but in the case of Delta the website and other places are all saying that the flights are on time because the airline has been so crippled from a technical standpoint," said Daniel Baker, CEO of tracking service FlightAware.com.

Delta issued an apology to customers and said teams were attempting to fix the problem as quickly as possible.

Many passengers, like Bryan Kopsick, 20, from Richmond, were shocked that computer glitches could cause such turmoil.

"It does feel like the old days," Kopsick said. "Maybe they will let us smoke on the plane, and give us five-star meals in-flight too!"

In Las Vegas, stranded passengers were sleeping on the floor, covered in red blankets. When boarding finally began for a Minneapolis flight -- the first to take off -- a Delta worker urged people to find other travelers who had wandered away from the gate area, or who might be sleeping off the delays.

Word of the extensive breakdown began to spread after the airline used a Twitter account to notify customers that its IT systems were down "everywhere." Technological issues extended even to the company's website.

Tanzie Bodeen, 22, a software company intern from Beaverton, Ore., left home at 4 a.m. to catch a flight from Minneapolis and learned about the delays only when she reached the airport and saw media trucks.

Bodeen said that passengers were taking the matter in stride. "It doesn't seem really hostile yet," she said.

The company said travelers will be entitled to a refund if the flight is cancelled or significantly delayed. Travelers on some routes can also make a one-time change to the ticket free of charge.

Investors shrugged off Delta's IT mishap. In midday trading, shares of Delta Air Lines Inc. rose 3 percent to $37.67.
Philippines celebrates weightlifter's silver medal in Rio

MANILA, Philippines (AP)  The Philippines celebrates the silver medal win of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro  and a break to the 20-year medal drought for the Southeast Asian country.

President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman Ernesto Abella said Monday Duterte joins Filipinos in celebrating Diaz' victory. He says the president has sent his congratulations to the athlete, an Air Force soldier, who has brought honor to the country.

Vice President Leni Robredo says Diaz serves as an inspiration to every Filipino and a reminder that no challenge is too heavy for a Filipino woman to overcome.

The three-time Olympian's medal is the Philippines' first since boxer Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco won the silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Top dirt-track racer Clauson remembered as 'true ambassador'

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Bryan Clauson wasn't a household name and he hadn't yet earned the fame or fortune enjoyed by auto racing's superstars.

Cut from the mold of the old-school drivers, Clauson would race anything, anywhere at any time. He was chasing the USAC's all-time wins mark  having racked up 112 already  and was well on his way to compete in 200 events this season alone. He was widely considered the best dirt-track racer in the nation.

The wildly popular Clauson died Sunday night from injuries suffered in a crash during a weekend race in Kansas, a stunning announcement that came Monday from officials at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2007, file photo, Bryan Clauson smiles in his car during qualifying for the ARCA RE/MAX Series 250 auto race, at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. Clauson, considered the top dirt-track racer in the country, has died from injuries suffered in an accident at the Belleville (Kansas) Midget Nationals USAC midget race. He was 27. His death was announced Monday morning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A statement from his family was read that said Clauson died Sunday evening, Aug. 7, 2016, and "fought to the end." (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)

"Our Bryan fought to the end with the same desire that he demonstrated behind the wheel of all the various race cars he would park in victory lane," the Clauson family said in a statement released by the speedway. "However, we were more proud of our Bryan that took a moment to make a young fan's day, or demonstrated his uncommon kindness and appreciation toward his friends, family and fans."

Clauson was leading Saturday night's race at the Belleville Midget Nationals when he crashed while passing lapped traffic; his car rolled and was hit by another competitor. He was airlifted to a hospital in Nebraska, where he died surrounded by his family.

USAC President and CEO Kevin Miller called it "one of the darkest days in the 60-year history of the United States Auto Club."

"Not only have we lost one of our greatest USAC champions, we've lost a true ambassador for all motorsports," he said.

Fellow driver Kyle Larson said on Twitter that he was glad to become "close friends and competitors with Bryan. He was a guy who pushed me to become a better racer and person." Danica Patrick called Clauson "one of the good ones ... kind, funny, and a damn good driver."

Miller said Clauson's 112 victories are "behind a very, very short list of USAC Hall of Famers" that include Rich Vogler, A.J. Foyt, Sleepy Tripp and Mel Kintz.

He was on pace to compete in 200 races this year, earning 27 victories in 116 starts, and leading three laps of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29  hours before winning a sprint car race 50 miles away in Kokomo in what he called an "Indiana Double."

In a post for "The Drivers Project ," Clauson detailed his Indy 500 experience and acknowledged he was "still pretty raw in these cars so to be out there and mix it up all day was great." He also said Kokomo is where he grew up racing sprint cars and said it was important to celebrate there with loved ones.

The racing community has had several drivers die in crashes in recent years. In 2013, Jason Leffler died following a crash at a New Jersey sprint car race. The following year, Formula One driver Jules Bianchi suffered head injuries in the Japanese Grand Prix that ultimately cost him his life. A year ago, Justin Wilson was killed when he was struck in the head by a piece of debris during an IndyCar race at Pocono.

Clauson himself was involved in a crash just 24 hours before the fatal wreck. After Friday night's crash, he went on Twitter to express his appreciation after the "tough hit" for his safety equipment, his chassis manufacturer and his team for getting his car ready to race again.

A four-time USAC national champion, Clauson was a three-time winner and the defending champion at Belleville.

"Bryan Clauson combined his passion and enthusiasm for grassroots racing with a God-given talent that made him the favorite to win every time he got in a midget or sprint car," IMS president Doug Boles said Monday. "He possessed a humility and character out of the race car that made him a person that fellow competitors and fans alike enjoyed being around."

Clauson was a California native who earned a USAC-IndyCar scholarship for winning the 2010 USAC national driver's title, giving him six Indy Lights starts in 2011 in a car shared with current IndyCar Series rookie Conor Daly at Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Clauson also raced eight times in USAC's national series, with his best finish, third, coming in Iowa in 2011.

He won the scholarship award again in 2012, allowing him to make his Indianapolis 500 debut with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing. He returned to the Indy 500 in 2015 with KVSH/Jonathan Byrd's Racing, and this year led his first career laps driving for Dale Coyne.

Clauson was a development driver for Chip Ganassi in NASCAR, where he competed in 26 races over the 2007 and 2008 seasons. He also spent several seasons driving for Tony Stewart's sprint car team.

"I don't care what happened, no matter how bad his day was, he always found a way to smile with it," Stewart said after Sunday's NASCAR race. "It sucks when it's anybody in racing, it's hard when you lose them, but it's even worse when they're somebody as close to you as Bryan was."

Clauson is survived by his parents, Tim and Di, sister Taylor and fiancee, Lauren Stewart. Funeral arrangements were pending. A memorial service in his honor will take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at a date to be announced.

___

Online:

USAC tribute to Clauson: https://twitter.com/USACNation/status/762640588411854848

FILE - In a Saturday, May 21, 2016 file photo, Bryan Clauson, a driver for the May 29, 2016 Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race is shown after he qualified at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Clauson was seriously injured Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, in an accident during the Belleville (Kan.) Midget Nationals USAC midget race. He has been Airlifted to Lincoln, Neb., where he remains hospitalized Sunday. (AP Photo/Dave Parker, File)
Doctor convicted in federal drug case dies before sentencing

FREDERICK, Md. (AP)  A doctor who fled the country amid allegations he overprescribed addictive painkillers has died before he could be sentenced for his federal fraud conviction.

Nicola Tauraso's personal physician, Dr. Julio Menocal (HOO'-lee-oh MEN'-oh-cahl), says the 81-year-old pediatrician died Sunday from cardiovascular disease at a Frederick nursing home.

His death was first reported by The Frederick News-Post.

Tauraso pleaded guilty in June to billing Medicare and Medicaid for opioids dispensed through fraudulent prescriptions from his pain-management clinic.

The conviction carries a 10-year maximum sentence but prosecutors agreed earlier this month to recommend no prison time due to Tauraso's failing health.
Police chief: Officer under 'violent attack' by man he shot

CINCINNATI (AP)  A police officer who killed a knife-wielding robbery suspect had no choice but to open fire, his chief said Monday.

"This was a vicious, violent attack on the officer," police Chief Eliot Isaac said. "This officer had no other course of action."

The county prosecutor agreed, informing police that he found Officer Anthony Brucato's actions justified and there was no need to take the case to a grand jury.

FILE  In this Dec. 10, 2015, file photo, Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac, center, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley, left, and Cincinnati City Manager Harry Black, right, discuss Isaac's appointment as the city's permanent police chief during a news conference in Cincinnati. Following the fatal shooting of robbery suspect Jawari Porter on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac says 25-year veteran police Officer Anthony Brucato had no choice but to fire at Porter, and Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley says Porter was trying to kill Brucato, who suffered minor injuries. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

"It is clear this assailant attempted to cause serious physical harm to Officer Brucato," Prosecutor Joe Deters said in a statement.

Deters said he viewed surveillance video of the violent Sunday morning encounter at Government Square downtown, and reviewed police reports. Deters said the 25-year-old suspect, Jawari Porter, tried to stab Brucato with a "folding lock-blade-style knife." He and his fellow officer were wearing bulletproof vests; Brucato suffered a forearm abrasion, Deters said.

The soundless surveillance video from an overhead angle shows a man lunging at an officer in the driver's seat of a police vehicle that had just stopped on the street behind him, then quickly being pulled backward and down onto a sidewalk by another officer.

Police said Porter was suspected of robbing a Cincinnati grocery store 20 minutes earlier by holding a knife on a security guard. Isaac said two officers investigating the robbery spotted Porter on foot and pulled over their vehicle.

Brucato, a 25-year police veteran, was getting out of the driver's side when Porter charged him, Isaac said. Police said it's believed Brucato fired six times, striking Porter multiple times.

Porter died at the scene. The other officer didn't fire, the chief said.

Mayor John Cranley said: "We could have been in a situation where an officer was killed. This man tried to kill a Cincinnati police officer, viciously."

Court records show Porter last year was ruled incompetent to stand trial and was ordered into mental health treatment.

Hamilton County court documents show a judge in September 2015 found Porter was mentally ill when he had faced charges of assault and resisting arrest. A July 2015 police affidavit stated Porter continued to try to attack an assault victim while and after police used a stun gun on him.

An assistant public defender who represented Porter last year said the office's involvement ended after the case moved to probate court.

Sunday's was the third fatal shooting this year of a suspect by an on-duty Cincinnati police officer.

___

Follow Dan Sewell at http://twitter.com/dansewell
A North Carolina man who is serving life in prison could have his conviction tossed after his childhood friend admitted his testimony during the murder trial 28 years ago was a lie.

Johnny Small was convicted of killing 32-year-old tropical fish store owner Pamela Dreher in 1988.

An autopsy report indicated Dreher was shot in the head at point-blank range while she was lying on the floor of her store in Wilmington. No gun, fingerprints or blood-spattered clothing were found tying Small to the crime.

Judge W. Douglas Parsons is considering whether Small, 43, should have been convicted now that his childhood buddy, David Bollinger, recanted his testimony accusing Small of killing Dreher.

Innocent?: Johnny Small (left) was convicted of killing Pam Dreher (right)in 1988 at age 15. Above he listens as David Bollinger recants his testimony that helped put him in prison

Small (above) wipes his eyes during a hearing at the New Hanover County Courthouse in Wilmington, North Carolina on Monday. He said that he could only imagine the pain the victim's family experienced

During the hearing on Monday Small (above), 43, said: 'I swear on my life I didn't do it.' The judge could vacate the conviction, order a new trial or uphold the conviction

During a hearing on Monday about his possible release, Small said that he could only imagine the pain the victim's family experienced, but he was unequivocal in stating his innocence: 'I swear on my life I didn't do it.'

Parsons is hearing the matter without a jury. The judge could toss the conviction, order a new trial or uphold the conviction.

Bollinger, 47, and Small, now 43, faced each other Monday for the first time since they were teenagers on opposite sides of a murder trial.

Bollinger has said he testified only because prosecutors promised charges he faced would be dropped in exchange and threatened the death penalty if he didn't cooperate.

Bollinger said he repeated a story pinning the crime on Small that was fed to him by a homicide investigator on the Dreher case.

'I'm sorry. I was forced to do something I didn't want to do and I can't take it back,' Bollinger told Small, a broad-shouldered man with freshly shaved head.

Bollinger (above), 47, has said he testified only because prosecutors promised charges he faced would be dropped in exchange and threatened the death penalty if he didn't cooperate

Bollinger said he repeated a story pinning the crime on Small (above) that was fed to him by a homicide investigator on the Dreher case

Small's face scrunched and reddened as he choked back tears, then raised his handcuffed wrists so he could dab his eyes with a tissue.

Bollinger said he understands North Carolina could prosecute him for lying under oath during the 1989 murder trial.

But he got Small to sign a waiver that he wouldn't sue Bollinger.

Bollinger said he didn't want to lose the small business and home he'd built for his wife and children over the years.

'What do you get out of this?' Small's attorney Chris Mumma asked.

'I get nothing,' Bollinger said.

Bollinger said he was driving to an automobile auction in South Carolina with his boss about the time Dreher was killed and didn't drive Small to the scene, as he testified in 1989.

He said he lied then because he was afraid that since he was an adult he could get the death penalty, and a Wilmington police detective told him Small could get out of prison after turning 18.

Bollinger said he confided to his grandfather, a former police officer and FBI agent, about the lie police told him to tell.

Small's attorneys say without Bollinger's testimony, prosecutors never could have convicted Small (above) of a crime that would have required planning by a more mature mind

No gun, fingerprints or blood-spattered clothing were found tying Small to the crime. Above a prison tattoo with the word 'PRIDE' stands out from Small's forearm

'He told me to go along with the story. He knew I would get into trouble, and he didn't like Johnny,' Bollinger said.

Bollinger said his grandfather sat in on some of his interviews with Wilmington police, and Bollinger went to live with his grandfather after he was released from jail.

Charges against Bollinger were dropped after Small's appeals through state courts failed.

Small's attorneys say without Bollinger's testimony, prosecutors never could have convicted Small of a crime that would have required planning by a more mature mind than the drug-taking, car stealing, juvenile delinquent Small admitted to being at age 15.

State attorneys said Small deserves neither a new trial or to be freed from prison.

They spent hours trying to undermine the credibility of Small, Bollinger and others who testified Monday.

A man exonerated by DNA evidence after 18 years in prison, Dwayne Allen Dail, also testified Monday that he was freed with the help of the North Carolina Actual Innocence Commission, which Mumma heads as executive director.

Bollinger was introduced to Dail at a party both attended in 2012, learned about his exoneration and then contacted the commission about his now-recanted testimony.

'I knew right then I'd found a way to at least come forward to someone,' Bollinger said. He said he approached the commission shortly thereafter.

An autopsy report indicated Pam Dreher was shot in the head at point-blank range while she was lying on the floor of her tropical fish store. Above her grave is pictured in North Carolina

State lawyer Jess Mekeel said the judge shouldn't now believe that the story Bollinger first told as a teenager  and which he stuck with for years through grillings on witness stands  is fiction.

At a time when podcasts and TV programs tell the stories of people wronged by a flawed justice system, 'innocence is in vogue now, and this case is quite a story,' Mekeel told the judge.

'I think you've also heard the phrase, never let the facts get in the way of a good story. This is a good story. The facts will get in the way.'

About 150 people falsely convicted of crimes  a record number  were exonerated in 2015, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.
Another entangled whale spotted off Southern California

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP)  An entangled whale was spotted off the Southern California coast during the weekend, but rescuers were unable to help it before it disappeared.

The Orange County Register (http://bit.ly/2aEJ2Xl ) reports Newport Coastal Adventure boat captain Taylor Thorne spotted the humpback Saturday near the Newport Beach Pier. Thorne then contacted the Marine Animal Entanglement Response Network.

A green fishing line ran from the whale's mouth to its left flipper, down its side and over its flukes.

Boats from the whale watching company tracked the whale as it swam north along Orange County.

A rescue team arrived as it reached Long Beach, but the whale was last seen at about 6:30 p.m. a few miles south of Point Fermin on the Los Angeles County coast.

___
Ukrainian, 23, who faked age for high school pleads guilty

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  A 23-year-old Ukrainian man accused of faking his name and age while attending a Pennsylvania high school and having sex with an underage girl pleaded guilty Monday.

Artur Samarin entered the plea to a number of fraud and sex charges, which carry penalties of up to 40 years in prison and $90,000 in fines.

Since Samarin has no sentencing deal, It will be up to Dauphin County Judge Deborah Curcillo to choose his punishment during sentencing scheduled for September.

FILE  In this March 24, 2016, file photo, Artur Samarin arrives for a preliminary hearing in Harrisburg, Pa. Samarin, a 23-year-old Ukrainian man accused of faking his name and age while attending a Pennsylvania high school and having sex with an underage girl, pleaded guilty Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, to a number of fraud and sex charges. (AP Photo/Bradley C Bower, File)

He also faces federal fraud charges and could be deported.

Samarin, thin and pale and dressed in a yellow county prison uniform, said little as he stood before the judge with his lawyer, Adam Klein. He told the judge he had been speaking English for more than three years and understood the charges against him.

Klein said Samarin consulted with an immigration attorney before deciding to enter the pleas.

Samarin, who called himself Asher Potts, is accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl. The arrest affidavit said Samarin told a detective in February he had sex with the girl in the fall of 2014, when he was 22.
Kosovo court jails ex-guerrilla fighter for war crimes

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  A Kosovo court with international judges has convicted a former ethnic Albanian guerrilla fighter of war crimes against civilians after the Kosovo war ended.

A statement Monday from the rule of law mission, known as EULEX, said Xhemshit Krasniqi was sentenced to eight years in prison for the "arrest, illegal detention, violation of bodily integrity, health and torture of several witnesses and unknown civilians." He was also handed a 1,500 euro ($1,660) fine.

EULEX said the crimes were carried out in Kosovo Liberation Army camps in Kukes and Cahan in Albania, as well as in Prizren in Kosovo in 1999. It did not mention specific cases or names of victims but added that "the accused carried out his actions in co-perpetration with other KLA members."

A Council of Europe report in 2010 claimed that leaders of the now disbanded KLA were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Serbs, Roma and ethnic Albanians suspected of collaborating with the Serbs. The report said this happened during the summer of 1999, after NATO's 78-day bombing forced Serb forces to withdraw from Kosovo.

The brief power vacuum that summer enabled the alleged organized persecution of non-Albanian minorities and political opponents.

Clint Williamson, a U.S. prosecutor who led the task force set up to investigate the allegations, has said there is collected compelling evidence that the KLA leadership sanctioned crimes that included "unlawful killings, abductions, enforced disappearances (and) illegal detentions in camps in Kosovo and Albania."

A special war crimes court for those matters was created last year following pressure from Kosovo's Western backers.

Some 10,000 people died and 1,700 went missing during the 1998-1999 war as Kosovo fought to break away from Serbia.
UN hears details of suffering in Syrian city of Aleppo

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Experts painted a graphic portrait of barrel bombings, attacks on medical facilities, chemical weapons use and the ongoing suffering inside the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo, shaming the international community for its inaction at an informal Security Council meeting organized by the United States.

Dr. Zaher Sahloul, a Syrian-American doctor from Chicago, told the meeting held Monday that medical facilities in eastern Aleppo are routinely targeted, creating a situation where people are dying from treatable conditions for lack of medical care and basic supplies.

Sahloul, who last visited Aleppo in July, said he asked a nurse there what she wanted most from the United Nations and she replied that she wanted help evacuating a 10-year-old girl named Shahd who was wounded by a barrel bomb and is now dying due to a shortage of medicine.

"We don't need condemnations, prayers or pointing fingers, we had enough of that. I ask you to meet the people of Aleppo and see them as humans. I have one request, besides saving Shahd, visit Aleppo yourself and meet with its doctors, nurses and patients. If three doctors from Chicago were able to do that, you can do it," Sahloul told diplomats.

Sahloul then showed slides showing women and child victims, one of them a child he said was injured in a chlorine gas attack.

He said only 35 physicians remain in Aleppo where 15 health care facilities had been attacked in July alone.

Currently, more than 250,000 people are besieged by government forces in the eastern part of Aleppo, a city that has been divided into rebel and government-controlled parts since 2012. The government completely closed the main road into the rebel-held areas of Aleppo on July 17, effectively cutting off all supplies and exit routes.

Rebels breached the Syrian government siege on opposition neighborhoods in Aleppo on Saturday, opening a corridor in the south and marking a major military breakthrough, but observers said civilians still don't have a safe route out because of intense airstrikes and shelling in the area.

Also Monday, U.N. officials in Syria urgently called for a humanitarian pause to repair Aleppo's damaged water and electricity infrastructure and provide aid to those trapped in the eastern part of the city.

"Water available through wells and tanks in Aleppo is not nearly enough to sustain the needs of the population. The U.N. is extremely concerned that the consequences will be dire for millions of civilians if the electricity and water networks are not immediately repaired," said the statement signed by Yacoub El Hillo, U.N. resident coordinator for Syria, and Kevin Kennedy, regional humanitarian coordinator for the Syria crisis.

"At a minimum, the U.N. requires a full-fledged ceasefire or weekly 48-hour humanitarian pauses to reach the millions of people in need throughout Aleppo and replenish the food and medicine stocks, which are running dangerously low," the statement continued.

Abdullah Nawhlu, a member of Syrian Civil Defense, a neutral and impartial humanitarian group, speaking by video from Aleppo, described a dire situation with rapidly dwindling stocks of food and fuel, not to mention medical supplies.

"If the siege of Aleppo continues ... greater humanitarian disasters will happen, as there will be no medicine for the injured and no flour for people to bake with," Nawhlu said as a constant barrage of gunfire could be heard in the background. "We are speaking about a siege of 350,000 people, not 10 or 50 or 100 people. We're talking about 350,000 humans, a huge humanitarian disaster that will shame humanitarian organizations forever."

U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power called on the Security Council to "send a clear, unified message that these sieges must end, and that there's no justification for cutting innocent people off from basic aid."

"To this end, we once again urge Russia to stop facilitating these sieges, and to use its influence to press the regime to end its sieges across Syria once and for all," Power said.

Russia responded by accusing the U.S. of playing politics with a humanitarian issue.

"We urge our colleagues to refrain from their usual deceit and admit that the main cause of all the humanitarian problems in Syria is not the counter-terrorist actions by the legitimate government in Syria to bring order against the external interference in intra-Syria affairs in 2011 which sought to topple legitimate authorities and provide weapons to the opposition," Russia's deputy ambassador Vladimir Safrankov said. "Because before then the humanitarian situation in Syria was not a cause of concern to anyone."

___
Prosecutor: Police shooting that wounded Utah teen justified

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  Two police officers were justified in shooting and critically wounding a teenage refugee from Somalia in a confrontation that sparked unrest and protests in Salt Lake City earlier this year, a Utah prosecutor decided Monday.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said officers acted appropriately when they fired at Abdullahi "Abdi" Mohamed because police believed he was about to seriously injure or kill a man with a metal broom handle.

The Feb. 27 fight began after a failed drug deal and a dispute over $1.10 near the city's bustling homeless shelter, Gill said at a news conference. The officers yelled multiple times for Mohamed to drop the weapon as he and another man attacked the victim, but he refused, Gill said. They shot him four times.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill speaks during a news conference Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. Police were justified in shooting and critically wounding a 17-year-old Somali refugee in a confrontation that sparked unrest and protests in Salt Lake City earlier this year. Gill said officers acted appropriately when they fired at Abdi Mohamed because police believed the teen was about seriously injure or kill another man with a metal stick. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Mohamed's family has disputed that account. His cousin Muslima Weledi has said that witnesses told her Mohamed had a wooden broomstick and misunderstood the command.

Mohamed, then 17, was hospitalized in a medically induced coma but survived. He turned 18 in April, and his health condition was not known.

The shooting became a flashpoint in the nation's discussion about police use of force against minorities, and public outcry persisted as authorities refused to release video from the officers' body cameras.

Prosecutors still would not release the footage Monday, citing new juvenile charges against Mohamed. He faces counts of aggravated robbery and possessing drugs with an intent to distribute after police said they found methamphetamine in his pocket.

Gill said the public outcry over the shooting was a reason he took more than five months to decide whether it was justified and why he asked an expert on police use of force to review the investigation.

"It's not about making a popular decision," Gill said. "It's about committing yourself to a process that is objective, that is fair, that is accountable. Call it like you see it. It's not about choosing sides."

The decision drew the ire of an anti-police brutality group that called Gill an "enemy of the community" and launched a social media campaign, #GillMustGo. The group planned a protest Tuesday night in Salt Lake City.

Stephen Michael Christian of Utah Against Police Brutality said the group is outraged that Gill cleared the officers but charged Mohamed.

"This contributes to a narrative that black juveniles are somehow more violent than white people of similar ages," Christian said.

The shooting occurred on a winter night while the NBA's Utah Jazz played at a nearby arena. The victim, a man who prosecutors only identified as K.M., had come to the homeless shelter to get food and buy drugs.

When he asked Mohamed for marijuana, Mohamed told the man he only had methamphetamine but demanded the man's money anyway, Gill said.

The man refused and instead handed the teen a metal broom handle, which Mohamed used to hit the man, prosecutors say. Officers spotted the attack, and police body camera footage recorded an officer telling the suspects to drop the metallic poles at least 10 times, Gill said.

Police fired as Mohamed approached the victim and appeared ready to strike him again, the investigation found. The officers' actions may have saved the victim's life, Gill said. He received welts and bruises.

Officers Kory Checketts and Jordan Winegar will be returning to full-time duty in the next few weeks after being on paid administrative leave, authorities said.

Mohamed came to the U.S. with his family in 2004 from a refugee camp in Kenya, Weledi said.

Court records show he started getting in trouble with police at age 12 and spent time in juvenile detention centers for theft, trespassing and assault. The most recent run in before the February shooting came a month earlier, when he was charged with possessing alcohol.

Mohamed is set to appear in court Wednesday on the new charges. His attorney, Alicia Memmott, didn't immediately comment.

___

Associated Press writer Michelle Price contributed to this story.

FILE - In this March 3, 2016 file photo, Muslima Weledi holds a photograph of her cousin Abdi Mohamed, a 17-year-old Somali refugee critically wounded in a high-profile police shooting in Utah, during a interview, in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said officers acted appropriately when they fired at Mohamed because police believed he was about to seriously injure or kill a man with a metal broom handle. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File )

FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2016 file photo, police stop a person as he walks away from a crowd that formed after an officer-involved shooting at on South Rio Grande Street in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said officers acted appropriately when they fired at Abdullahi "Abdi" Mohamed because police believed he was about to seriously injure or kill a man with a metal broom handle. (Lennie Mahler/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP, File)

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill speaks during a news conference Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. Police were justified in shooting and critically wounding a 17-year-old Somali refugee in a confrontation that sparked unrest and protests in Salt Lake City earlier this year. Gill said officers acted appropriately when they fired at Abdi Mohamed because police believed the teen was about seriously injure or kill another man with a metal stick. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
ST. MARTIN, Mississippi -- Jackson County investigators are searching for the driver of a vehicle which struck and injured a pedestrian in St. Martin Friday night and then fled the scene.

According to Sheriff Mike Ezell, a deputy on patrol near Cook Road in St. Martin noticed several people on the east side of the road who appeared to be assisting someone.

What the deputy found was 42-year-old Donald Goff of Hattiesburg, injured and lying on the ground.

Goff said he had been walking east on Cook Road when a silver or gold vehicle struck him, knocking him into a drainage ditch. Goff was taken to Gulfport Memorial Hospital with undetermined injuries.

The deputy located a side mirror of a vehicle lying near Goff. The mirror casing is grey in color. Because the mirror has an LED turning signal, investigators believe it is from a newer model car.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Jackson County Sheriff's Department at 228-769-3065.
Tom Sizemore won't face felony domestic violence charge

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Los Angeles prosecutors say Tom Sizemore will not face felony domestic violence charges after his arrest last month.

A charge evaluation worksheet by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office completed Friday stated the woman Sizemore is accused of attacking had minor injuries.

The case has been referred to city prosecutors for a possible misdemeanor filing.

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2014 file photo, actor Tom Sizemore arrives at the premiere of "The Expendables 3" in Los Angeles. Los Angeles County prosecutors on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, rejected filing felony domestic violence charges against Sizemore over his July 19, 2016, arrest on suspicion that he harmed his girlfriend in their downtown Los Angeles apartment. The case may still be filed as a misdemeanor, but prosecutors cited the minor injuries involved as a reason felony charges would not be filed. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

The 54-year-old actor was arrested July 19 on suspicion of felony domestic violence battery. A prosecutor cited Sizemore's previous domestic violence convictions but noted the most recent was seven years old.
Airline computer glitches and outages over the years

NEW YORK (AP)  Delta Air Lines is the latest airline forced to scramble following a crippling technological outage. The airline cancelled hundreds of flights and more than 1,000 were delayed worldwide following a power outage in Atlanta.

Here's a quick rundown of other days that proved trying for both airlines and passengers.

2016:

Delta planes are parked at gates at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, as Delta Air Lines grounded all flights after after a power outage hit its computer systems globally. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

July 20  Southwest Airlines had a computer router failure that forced the cancellation of about 2,000 flights and the delay of about 7,000 more flights over three days. The company suffered a similar outage in October of 2015 that delayed 800 flights.

July 8  United Continental grounded all of its flights worldwide for two hours, citing issues with a router. The airline had a similar issue in June.

January 14  JetBlue delayed flights after power was disrupted during maintenance operations at a Verizon data center. The data center hosts the airline's systems, including its website, mobile app and check-in systems.

2015:

October 29  Alaska Airlines delayed about 20 flights because of a computer glitch. The problems impacted programs for check-in and pre-flight departure paperwork.

September 17  American Airlines halted flights to several major U.S. hubs for about 2 hours because of connectivity issues. The glitch prevented passengers in Dallas, Chicago and Miami from checking in for flights, and customers may have been unable to make reservations.
Trump's economic speech disrupted by series of protests

DETROIT (AP)  More than a dozen women protested Donald Trump's economic policy speech Monday by jumping up and shouting in a coordinated effort to disrupt the Republican presidential nominee's remarks.

One at a time, women seated throughout the audience stood up and yelled "Mr. Trump," but their continued shouts were quickly drowned out by boos as security led them from the room. An organization called the Michigan People's Campaign is claiming responsibility. It was hard to hear the women, but the group says they were yelling at Trump about jobs and his comments on women.

"It's all very well planned out," Trump said after security had led several protesters out.

A demonstrator is led away as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers an economic policy speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

One man also stood up toward the end of the event and yelled that Trump has "tiny hands." That's apparently a reference to a sexually tinged comment Trump made during one of the debates of the GOP primary.

Protesters occasionally disrupt Trump's larger rallies, where members of the public can enter. But this is the first time he's faced such sustained resistance at a policy speech delivered to a private group. He was speaking to the Detroit Economic Club. Attendees said those in attendance were club members or invited guests.

Trump largely stayed on message as security removed the protesters  a fact that he referenced in a fundraising email that went out after the event.

"A group of left-wing protesters interrupted me over 10 times in an attempt to get us off message. I have news for them: IT DIDN'T WORK!" the email read.

During his speech, Trump paused to let the disruption subside several times and occasionally continued speaking through protesters as the audience offered him applause and standing ovations.

"The Bernie Sanders people have far more energy and spirit," Trump said after one woman was taken from the room.

Detroit Economic Club President and CEO Beth Chappell apologized to Trump after his speech for the interruptions.

Several audience members shouted "we love you, Trump" and other messages of support.

Outside the Cobo Center where Trump was speaking, hundreds of protesters gathered. Some held what appeared to be sections of white sheets with bricks and "No Borders" painted on them. Another sign read: "Trump Demeans Women." Scrawled on a small cardboard sign was: "Bikers Against Trump".

A much smaller group of Trump supporters gathered nearby. One of their banners read: "Trump, Make America Great Again!"

Some protesters also attempted to wrestle away a large Confederate flag held by a man wearing a Trump T-shirt, before police intervened.

Zack W., left, listens to Maurice Hardwick at a protest while Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivered an economic policy speech to the Detroit Economic Club in Detroit, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

A demonstrator is led away as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers an economic policy speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

A security guard stands guard as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers an economic policy speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

A demonstrator is led away as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers an economic policy speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Demonstrators hold signs while Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivered an economic policy speech to the Detroit Economic Club in Detroit, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Liza Bielby holds a sign during a protest while Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivered an economic policy speech to the Detroit Economic Club in Detroit, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Swiss court denies 2 Russians' bid to put track ban on hold

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP)  Two Russian track and field athletes have failed in a bid to have their ban from the Olympics put on hold.

Two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist Yelena Isinbayeva and world 110-meter hurdles champion Sergei Shubenkov had applied to the Swiss Federal Court to delay application of an earlier Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling which upheld the Russian team's ban from the Olympic track meet. Had they won, it could have allowed them to compete at the Rio de Janeiro Games.

However, the Swiss court ruled that the two Russians had waited too long after the CAS ruling to file their request and that they had failed to demonstrate that they met the International Olympic Committee's criteria to compete in Rio.

"The last hope to perform at the Olympic Games has disappeared," Isinbayeva wrote on Instagram.

Shubenkov, however, insisted he and Isinbayeva would fight on in court.

"It doesn't in any way stop us from further actions," Shubenkov, who is a lawyer by training, told Russia's state Tass news agency. "We'll keep going according to the plan we had. This is just the first step."

The head of the Russian track federation told local media that it was unlikely any appeals would be in time for the country's athletes to take part in Olympic track and field, which starts Friday and runs through Aug. 21.

Russia was banned from international track and field, including the Olympics, in November over widespread doping. That followed the publication of a World Anti-Doping Agency-commissioned report alleging a culture of performance-enhancing drug use and cover-ups in the Russian track team.
Uh-oh: Driver backs into $290,000 Ferrari while parking

GREAT FALLS, Va. (AP)  One driver may be giving her insurance company an expensive bill after she accidently backed into a nearly $300,000 Ferrari while attempting to parallel park outside a Virginia coffeehouse.

Video being shared online shows the aftermath of the Saturday accident in Great Falls, near Washington, D.C. It shows the rear of the woman's Mercedes convertible sitting on the hood of a Ferrari 458 Speciale with a car alarm blaring. It happened at a weekly meeting of local car enthusiasts. One man asks the woman who was behind the wheel of the Mercedes: "Are you serious?"

Fairfax County police say they helped the drivers exchange information, but no one will be charged.

FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2013, file photo, a man cleans a Ferrari 458 Speciale at the 65th Frankfurt Auto Show in Frankfurt, Germany. Video being shared online shows the aftermath of an accident on Saturday, August 6, 2013, when a driver backed into a nearly $300,000 Ferrari 458. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)
Mexican businesses strike to demand end to road blockades

MEXICO CITY (AP)  Mexico's business community is publicly pressuring the government to end months of protests that have disrupted commerce in southern Mexico.

Some of Mexico's leading business groups are using full-page newspaper ads to express support for businesspeople in Oaxaca state who shuttered stores and restaurants Monday to demand an end to highway blockades.

Radical teachers' unions have been blocking highways in the southern state for months to protest mandatory teacher evaluations and other reforms.

Businesses in the colonial city of Oaxaca say they have been driven to the brink by disruptions that have damaged commerce and tourism, the state's lifeblood.

Business chambers recently threatened to withhold taxes if the government fails to act.
Off-duty NYC cop alerts Wisconsin police about online threat

NEW YORK (AP)  An off-duty New York City policeman is credited with alerting Wisconsin law enforcement about online threats to kill an officer.

Officer Gregory Santora contacted police in Madison, Wisconsin, after spotting a Periscope video at home on Saturday.

In the video, a man was "implying that he was going to livestream the shooting of the police officers," Santora told New York's Daily News (http://nydn.us/2b8M5Wh ). "That's what really got me scared."

Santora called the video "eerie."

"He was crying. He was emotionally distraught," Santora said. "You could tell that he was troubled. He was not rational."

The video showed the armed man driving around, saying he was going to the place where a white officer killed a black man last year and would shoot the first officer he saw there.

About an hour later, the man approached a Madison officer parked in his squad car, who was aware of the threat, and was arrested without incident, authorities said.

Santora said he was spurred to action because he is haunted by the 2014 killings of Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu in Brooklyn. Liu and Ramos were shot to death in their vehicle without warning by a man who had announced online that he planned to kill police officers. The suspect then killed himself.

"I didn't want to see that happen in the city of Madison," Santora said. "I wanted to see this individual be taken into custody without any violence."
Italy's Campriani calms fears to earn air rifle goal

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  Niccolo Campriani saw his lead drop to less than a point heading into the finals.

One miscue or great shot by Ukraine's Serhiy Kulish and the gold that eluded the Italian four years ago would slip through his fingers again.

Campriani pulled it out by pulling off the two biggest shots of his career.

Italy's Niccolo Campriani reacts after winning the gold in the men's 10 meter air rifle event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Campriani fired off two golden shots in the final round of the men's 10-meter air rifle Monday at the Rio Olympics, earning the gold medal that he missed in London.

"Today, I was trying to keep as many happy thoughts as possible. Fear is always around the corner," Campriani said.

Campriani tied the Olympic qualifying record in London four years ago, but felt the pressure of being the favorite, hitting the 9-ring twice late in the finals. He finished second to Romania's Alin George Moldoveanu.

Campriani still earned gold in 3-position rifle, but the air rifle loss stung.

At Rio, he qualified first with an average of 10.503 and opened the finals with a 10.7. He took the lead late in the elimination rounds and led Kulish by 0.4 points heading into the final two shots.

Campriani hit 10.6 on his first shot to Kulish's 10.4 and sealed gold with a 10.7 on his final shot. He had 206.1 points to finish 1.5 ahead of Kulish.

"For me, shooting in the finals is not about taking the best shot, but not making any big mistakes," Campriani said.

Kulish, who competed in three shooting events at London, edged Russia's Vladimir Maslennikov by 0.2 points in the penultimate round to reach the final, but could not catch Campriani thanks to a 9.8 on his final shot.

"It is actually a very strange feeling, but tomorrow I think that I will wake up and I will realize what has happened," Kulish said of winning a medal.

Maslennikov narrowly missed a shot at gold, but still went home with a medal at his first Olympics. His bronze made Russia the 13th nation to have 400 overall Olympic medals.

Campriani and the field took advantage after two of the world's top shooters failed to make it out of qualifying.

World No. 1 Cao Yifei of China had a poor final shot of qualifying to miss the final eight by one spot. Moldoveanu was nearly three points behind the lowest qualifying score and finished 19th.

Vladimir Maslennikov of Russia, center, reacts for his score during men's 10 meter air rifle final at Olympic Shooting Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Niccolo Campriani of Italy celebrates with his gold medal during the award ceremony for men's 10 meter air rifle at Olympic Shooting Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Complexity makes airline computer systems vulnerable

DALLAS (AP)  Twice in less than a month, a major airline was paralyzed by a computer outage that prevented passengers from checking in and flights from taking off.

Last month, it took Southwest days to recover from a breakdown it blamed on a faulty router. On Monday, it was Delta's turn, as a power outage crippled the airline's information technology systems and forced it to cancel or delay hundreds of flights. Delta employees had to write out boarding passes by hand, and at one airport they resurrected a dot-matrix printer from the graveyard of 1980s technology.

Why do these kinds of meltdowns keep happening?

Jenna Raspanti and other travelers talk on their cell phones as they stand in line at the Delta ticketing counter at Washington's Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Raspanti is trying to get to San Francisco after her Delta flight was delayed. Delta Air Lines delayed or canceled hundreds of flights Monday after its computer systems crashed, stranding thousands of people on a busy travel day. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The answer is that airlines depend on huge, overlapping and complex IT systems to do just about everything, from operating flights to handling ticketing, boarding, websites and mobile-phone apps. And after years of rapid consolidation in the airline business, these computer systems may be a hodgepodge of parts of varying ages and from different merger partners.

These systems are also being worked harder, with new fees and options for passengers, and more transactions  Delta's traffic has nearly doubled in the past decade.

"These old legacy systems are operating much larger airlines that are being accessed in many, many more ways," said Daniel Baker, CEO of tracking service FlightAware.com. "It has really been taxing."

The result: IT failures that can inconvenience tens of thousands of passengers and create long-lasting ill will.

It is unclear exactly what went wrong at Delta. The airline said it suffered a power outage at an Atlanta installation around 2:30 a.m. EDT that caused many of its computer systems to fail. But the local electric company, Georgia Power, said that it was not to blame and that the equipment failure was on Delta's end.

IT experts questioned whether Delta's network was adequately prepared for the inevitable breakdown.

"One piece of equipment going out shouldn't cause this," said Bill Curtis, chief scientist at software-analysis firm Cast. "It's a bit shocking."

Curtis said IT systems should be designed so that when a part fails, its functions automatically switch over to a backup, preferably in a different location. "And if I had a multibillion-dollar business running on this, I would certainly want to have some kind of backup power," he added.

Delta officials declined to say what kind of backup procedures they have.

Most other airlines rely on one of a handful of specialty travel-technology companies to help with IT.

Delta's system, called Deltamatic, started as a joint venture with Northwest and TWA in the 1990s. It was later spun off into a separate company called Travelport, but Delta bought back its portion two years ago.

"Delta has been so confident that it is as good at this as anybody that it took everything back in-house," said Seth Kaplan, co-author of a book about Delta's rise from bankruptcy to prominence in the industry.

Kaplan said all airlines have some old components in their IT systems, including Delta. "But the front end is all very modern, and Delta is rather well-regarded" in the industry.

IT problems are not unique to airlines. There have been high-profile breaches and breakdowns at banks and retailers, among others. Airlines have particular challenges because their systems are constantly undergoing changes and additions, including automation to handle the large volume of transactions with customers. When was the last time you called an airline on the phone?

That degree of automation hindered Delta's ability to inform passengers, many of whom didn't know about the outage until they got to the airport. In the first several hours after the outage, when planes were grounded, Delta's website and other systems showed flights as being on time.

Computer network outages have affected nearly all the major carriers in recent years. After it combined IT systems with merger partner Continental, United suffered shutdowns on several days, most recently in 2015. American also experienced breakdowns in 2015, including technology problems that briefly stopped flights at its big hub airports in Dallas, Chicago and Miami.

Recovering from an outage can take several days, as Southwest proved last month. Southwest said it canceled 2,300 flights between July 20 and 24, about 12 percent of its schedule, and FlightStats Inc. said more than 8,000 flights were delayed.

Until Monday, Delta had been considered among the leaders in operations and was thought to be immune to big IT problems.

Mergers create many chances for things to go wrong, as airlines that may have incompatible software combine their systems. From an IT standpoint, the United-Continental merger was seen as particularly awful, while Delta's 2008 acquisition of Northwest was seen as so smooth that American copied it when it combined with US Airways in 2013.

___

David Koenig can be reached at http://twitter.com/airlinewriter

In this photo provided by Barbara Gaines, Gaines holds handwritten boarding passes issued to her by Delta Air Lines, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, at Edinburgh Airport, in Edinburgh, Scotland, for her trip to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. Delta Air Lines delayed or canceled hundreds of flights Monday after its computer systems crashed, stranding thousands of people on a busy travel day. (Barbara Gaines via AP)

Travelers talk on their cell phones as they stand in line at the Delta ticketing counter at Washington's Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Luggage sits on the tarmac Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, by gates at Orlando International Airport, in Orlando, Fla., after a computer outage. Delta Air Lines delayed or canceled hundreds of flights Monday after its computer systems crashed, stranding thousands of people on a busy travel day. (Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel via AP)

Delta passengers wait in line at a ticket counter at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J., Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Delta Air Lines delayed or canceled hundreds of flights Monday after its computer systems crashed, stranding thousands of people on a busy travel day. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Authorities detain 20 Venezuelans, 1 Colombian off Curacao

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao (AP)  A group of migrants from Venezuela has been detained off the coast of the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao, authorities say.

Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard spokesman Roderick Gouverneur said all 21 migrants remained in custody Monday.

The boat carrying the migrants was detected around midnight Friday about 6 miles (10 kilometers) south of the island in the southern Caribbean Sea, the Coast Guard said in a statement. Authorities found 20 people from Venezuela and one Colombian on board.

In this Aug. 6, 2016 photo, authorities detain a vessel with 20 Venezuelans and a Colombian at the coast guard substation in Parera, Curacao. They confiscated contraband that included cigarettes and ammunition and detained all on board on suspicion of attempting to illegally enter Curacao. Coast Guard spokesman Roderick Gouverneur said all remained in custody on Monday. (Photo by Roderick N. Gouverneur/Dutch Caribbean Caribbean Coastguard )

Authorities confiscated contraband that included cigarettes and ammunition and detained all on board on suspicion of attempting to illegally enter Curacao, the statement said.

An increasing number of people have been seeking to leave Venezuela amid the collapse of the oil-based economy in the South American nation 40 miles (65 kilometers) to the north of Curacao.
Thank you for subscribing! You will be hearing from us soon!
Zoo releases last summer batch of threatened butterflies

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  The Oregon Zoo has released the last batch of its zoo-raised Oregon silverspot butterflies into the wild as it winds up a summer program aimed at boosting the numbers of the once-common yellow-and-black butterfly in coastal habitats.

The zoo has transported nearly 450 butterfly pupae to four sites along the Oregon Coast in the past month. There, the butterflies finish their metamorphosis in "pupae pockets" inside protective mesh, the zoo said in a statement Monday. They flit away when they emerge.

"It was the perfect time of year to be out there, right in the middle of the flight season," said zoo conservation research associate Karen Lewis.

In this photo provided by The Oregon Zoo, a newly emerged Oregon silverspot butterfly alights in a meadow atop Mount Hebo, Ore., Aug. 3, 2016. Conservationists released the last of the summer's Oregon Zoo-reared silverspots in an attempt to boost the declining population of this imperiled Northwest beauty. (Kathy Street,/The Oregon Zoo via AP)

The silverspot was once common in coastal grasslands from northern California to Canada. It is now listed as threatened due under the Endangered Species Act because of the loss of its host plant, the early blue violet. Only five populations of the butterfly remain.

The zoo has been raising Oregon silverspots since 1998 and generally collects female butterflies each year from atop Tillamook County's Mount Hebo. The females are brought to the zoo's conservation lab, where they lay eggs. The resulting caterpillars are kept through the winter and then transported back to the wild once they have spun themselves into pupae to undergo their transformation into butterflies.

This is the first summer the pupae have also been released atop Mount Hebo, which is a critical habitat for the species.

Recent drought conditions have caused a dramatic decline in the silverspot population there due to a die-off of the early blue violet plants that the caterpillars feed on.
1 jihadi dead in attacks, clashes with army in central Mali

DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  An Islamic extremist group says at least one of its fighters has been killed in clashes with Mali's army in the West African country.

The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadists' activity online, said Monday that the extremist group Ansar Dine had reported on its Twitter account that its fighters had engaged in two battles with the Malian army since Sunday. Ansar Dine says its Macina Liberation Front battalion, with a stronghold in the Mopti region, ambushed Malian soldiers between Teninkou and Shari villages Sunday. It said one fighter was killed after four hours of fighting with a convoy of soldiers on Monday.

It said several Malian soldiers had been killed and wounded.
Panel sends Alabama chief justice's ethics case to trial

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  A state judicial panel on Monday refused to dismiss an ethics complaint against Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, saying that Moore will go to trial in September on accusations that he urged 68 probate judges to defy the federal courts on same-sex marriage.

The Alabama Court of the Judiciary, a state panel that disciplines judges, refused dueling requests to either dismiss the complaint against Moore outright or go ahead and remove him from office. Chief Judge Michael Joiner said the case will go to trial Sept. 28. The panel of nine judges will hear the case and decide whether Moore violated judicial ethics and if so, what punishment he will face.

The decision came down shortly after the conclusion of a 60-minute hearing in which Moore was alternately portrayed as a politician on a mission to block gay couples from marrying in Alabama or a judge who was merely trying answer questions from confused probate judges. Moore  who was ousted from office by the court in 2003 for refusing to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the state judicial building  could be removed as chief justice for a second time.

Suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore listens to oral arguments during his hearing before the Court of the Judiciary at the state judicial building in Montgomery, Ala., on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (Mickey Welsh/Montgomery Advertiser via AP)

"We are here to talk about Chief Justice Roy Moore and his repeated refusal to follow the rule of law," John Carroll, a former federal magistrate representing the Judicial Inquiry Commission, told the court. Carroll said Moore abused his power as chief justice to promote a private agenda against same-sex marriage.

The complaint stems from a Jan. 6 memo he sent probate judges. Moore wrote that a March order from the state Supreme Court to refuse marriage licenses to gay couples remained in full force and effect. The order came even though the U.S. Supreme Court had effectively legalized same-sex marriage nationwide six months prior and a federal judge said Alabama should follow that decision.

A lawyer for Moore said the chief justice was only clarifying the status of the state injunction that was issued in March because probate judges were asking questions about it.

"The probate judges were flapping in the wind. They were wondering what to do," his lawyer, Mat Staver, told the court. Moore's order was merely a legal "truism" that the order had not been lifted by the state court, he argued.

Staver, in defending Moore, repeatedly emphasized a section of the January order where Moore told the probate judges that he was not at "liberty to provide any guidance to Alabama probate judges on the effect of (the U.S. Supreme Court ruling) on the existing orders of the Alabama Supreme Court."

Carroll countered that Moore's intent was clear: to try to urge probate judges to fight against same-sex marriage.

Moore acted on his own by sending the order after unsuccessfully urging his fellow justices to take some action regarding the March order in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision, something pointing out by both sides in the hearing.

The Monday hearing took on some of the theater and spectacle that accompanied the 2003 dismissal with passionate protests outside the court. Moore's supporters and opponents held dueling rallies outside the court building ahead of the hearing, at times standing within a few feet of each other as they chanted and waved competing signs such as "No Moore" or "Judge Moore is right."

Moore entered the packed courtroom to applause from his supporters. After the hearing, he spoke to a sign-waving crowd outside, saying there is "no evidence" he broke judicial ethics and that he never told judges what to do.

"They said I tried to influence them. I said it's their decision," Moore said.

Moore said the complaint was filed against him by people who "don't want anybody opposing any agenda of the homosexual movement."

The Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights legal advocacy group, filed the complaint against Moore that led to the ethics charges, and its director said Moore was clearly urging the judges to defy the courts on gay marriage and was now trying to "save his skin by playing word games."

"Alabama is a great state and deserves better than a chief justice who thinks he is above the law. We've said it many times. He acts as if he is the ayatollah of Alabama," SPLC President Richard Cohen said after the hearing.

Ambrosia Starling, the stage name of a small-town Alabama drag queen, was among the speakers against Moore.

"We lost the war between the states. That means the Supreme Court holds the final authority over jurisdiction of law," Starling drawled.

Linda Chasom drove three hours from Georgia to attend the rally in support of Moore. She said she thought Moore was being persecuted for his conservative Christian beliefs.

"My family is being persecuted. Judge Roy Moore is part of my family as a believer," Chasom said.

Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore speaks to the media during a news conference in Montgomery, Ala., on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. He is accused of breaking judicial ethics during the fight over same-sex marriage in the state. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Alan Hoyle attends a rally to support suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore in Montgomery, Ala., on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. On Monday, a state judicial panel heard oral arguments in the chief justice's motion to dismiss an ethics complaint against him. He is accused of breaking judicial ethics during the fight over same-sex marriage in the state. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Drag queen Ambrosia Starling, right, talks to the media while supporters of suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore stand nearby during a rally in Montgomery, Ala., on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. On Monday, a state judicial panel heard oral arguments in the chief justice's motion to dismiss an ethics complaint against him. He is accused of breaking judicial ethics during the fight over same-sex marriage in the state. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Drag queen Ambrosia Starling, left, talks to the media while supporters of suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore listen during a rally in Montgomery, Ala., on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. On Monday, a state judicial panel heard oral arguments in the chief justice's motion to dismiss an ethics complaint against him. He is accused of breaking judicial ethics during the fight over same-sex marriage in the state. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Oral arguments are given in suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore's hearing before the Court of the Judiciary is held at the state judicial building in Montgomery, Ala., on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (Mickey Welsh/Montgomery Advertiser via AP)

Suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, background, looks on as Judicial Inquiry Commission attorney John Carroll gives oral arguments before the Court of the Judiciary at the state judicial building in Montgomery, Ala., on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (Mickey Welsh/Montgomery Advertiser via AP)
Nearly 10 square miles burn in latest California wildfire

CRESTLINE, Calif. (AP)  Smoke plumes roiling from flaming ridges of the San Bernardino Mountains blew all the way across the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas as California's latest big wildfire forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes and threatened thousands more.

Hundreds of firefighters, aided by 16 aircraft, battled flames that spread across nearly 10 square miles on the northern side of the rugged mountain range east of Los Angeles.

People in some 375 homes were ordered to evacuate, San Bernardino County sheriff and U.S. Forest Service officials told the Los Angeles Times.

A fire engine drives away from flames on the ridge, east of Silverwood Lake in Crestline, Calif., Sunday, Aug 7, 2016. (Terry Peirson/The Press-Enterprise via AP)

About 5,000 more homes were advised that they may want to evacuate, authorities said.

Helicopters sucked loads of water from nearby Silverwood Lake to douse flames leaping across slopes. Air tankers swooped low to paint the dry vegetation with pink fire retardant.

The fire, which erupted for an unknown reason Sunday, was just 6 percent contained.

Across the Mojave, officials in southern Nevada issued an air quality advisory because of smoke from the fire more than 200 miles away.

The Clark County Department of Air Quality said the air was unhealthy for sensitive groups, including young children, senior citizens and people with respiratory problems and cardiac disease.

Like some of the state's other fires this summer, the blaze burned near a popular recreation area. But Silverwood Lake's waters had been closed to swimming, fishing and boating since Aug. 4 because of an algae bloom.

On the central coast, meanwhile, California's biggest fire expanded to more than 95 square miles north of scenic Big Sur. An army of more than 5,000 firefighters and an air force of tankers and helicopters made progress, however, surrounding 50 percent of the 18-day-old blaze.

Firefighters set fires to burn out vegetation between the main body of the fire and prepared control lines.

Long-suffering residents of Palo Colorado who had been under evacuation orders since late July were finally being allowed to return. Some evacuation orders remained in place, while others were reduced to warnings.

Five state parks on Highway 1 between San Francisco and Los Angeles remained closed.

The fire, which has destroyed 57 homes, damaged three others and led to the death of a bulldozer operator in an accident, was caused by an illegal campfire.

A tanker drops retardant on a wildfire fire east of Silverwood Lake Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, in Crestline, Calif. Firefighters are battling a wildfire in Southern California that grew to more than 2 square miles in mere hours and forced the evacuation of homes near a reservoir. The fire is burning about 55 miles east of Los Angeles in a remote area near Silverwood Lake, a state recreation area, near the small mountain community of Crestline. (John M. Blodgett /The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin via AP)

Trevor Rainwater watches a wildfire burn into Summit Valley from the Joshua Inn which was evacuated moments later Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, in Hesperia Calif. Firefighters are battling a wildfire in Southern California that grew to more than 2 square miles in mere hours and forced the evacuation of homes near a reservoir. The fire, which broke out Sunday afternoon in the San Bernardino National Forest, prompted the evacuation order of the sparsely populated Summit Valley area east of the dam. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

Firefighters watch the Summit Valley fill with smoke from a wildfire Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, near Hesperia, Calif. Firefighters are battling a wildfire in Southern California that grew to more than 2 square miles in mere hours and forced the evacuation of homes near a reservoir. The fire, which broke out Sunday afternoon in the San Bernardino National Forest, prompted the evacuation order of the sparsely populated Summit Valley area east of the dam. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

People on top of a hill in Hesperia, Calif, look at a wildfire as a spotter plane flies by on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes. A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest says residents in the sparsely populated Summit Valley area were ordered to leave their homes Sunday afternoon. Lyn Sieliet says the area is dotted with ranches and farms. An evacuation center was set up in the desert town of Hesperia. (David Pardo/The Daily Press via AP)

A DC-10 air tanker sprays fire retardant near homes in Hesperia, Calif, near a wildfire on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes. A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest says residents in the sparsely populated Summit Valley area were ordered to leave their homes Sunday afternoon. Lyn Sieliet says the area is dotted with ranches and farms. An evacuation center was set up in the desert town of Hesperia. (David Pardo/The Daily Press via AP)

An RJ85 air tanker flies by people looking from the top of a hill at a wildfire on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, in Hesperia, Calif. A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes. A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest says residents in the sparsely populated Summit Valley area were ordered to leave their homes Sunday afternoon. Lyn Sieliet says the area is dotted with ranches and farms. An evacuation center was set up in the desert town of Hesperia. (David Pardo/The Daily Press via AP)

A wildfire burns near Hesperia Lake in Hesperia, Calif, on Sunday, August 7, 2016. A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes. A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest says residents in the sparsely populated Summit Valley area were ordered to leave their homes Sunday afternoon. Lyn Sieliet says the area is dotted with ranches and farms. An evacuation center was set up in the desert town of Hesperia. (David Pardo/The Daily Press via AP)

A wildfire burns in the background behind a sightseer as smoke billows over Silverwood Lake on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 7, 2016, in Crestline, Calif. A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California is burning about 55 miles east of Los Angeles in a remote area near Silverwood Lake, a state recreation area, near the small mountain community of Crestline. A massive plume of smoke could be seen blowing north toward the Mojave Desert. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

U.S. Forest Service firefighters break a lock on a gate as they prepare to battle a wildfire in Summit Valley, Calif., on Sunday August 7, 2016. The wildfire stretched between Silverwood Lake and Summit Valley. The rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes. A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest says residents in the sparsely populated Summit Valley area were ordered to leave their homes Sunday afternoon. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

A wildfire burns over a ridge towards Summit Valley, Calif., Sunday afternoon, Aug. 7, 2016. A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes. A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest says residents in the sparsely populated Summit Valley area were ordered to leave their homes Sunday afternoon. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

A pair of aircraft drop water and fire retardant over a wildfire between Silverwood Lake and Summit Valley, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes. A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest says residents in the sparsely populated Summit Valley area were ordered to leave their homes Sunday afternoon. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

Heavy smoke looms up over Lake Gregory and mountaintop homes in Crestline, Calif., as a wildfire threatens the San Bernardino Mountains village about 55 miles east of Los Angeles Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. A massive plume of smoke could be seen blowing north toward the Mojave Desert. (Rachel Luna/The Sun via AP)

A helicopter drops water on a wildfire as it raged near Silverwood Lake on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, in Crestline, Calif. It is burning about 55 miles east of Los Angeles in a remote area near Silverwood Lake, a state recreation area, near the small mountain community of Crestline. A massive plume of smoke could be seen blowing north toward the Mojave Desert. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)

A San Bernardino County Fire Department engine and its crew keep watch over Summit Valley, Calif., as a wildfire burns east of Silverwood Lake on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. Firefighters are battling a wildfire in Southern California that grew to more than 2 square miles in mere hours and forced the evacuation of homes near a reservoir. The fire, which broke out Sunday afternoon in the San Bernardino National Forest, prompted the evacuation order of the sparsely populated Summit Valley area east of the dam. (John M. Blodgett/The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin via AP)

Kris Ensz, Jacob Maidment and Kirkland Brown hang out across from Kirkland's parents home in Summit Valley, Calif., east of Silverwood Lake on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. With a wildfire burning nearby, they helped Kirkland's dad, Brian, ready the home by hosing things down and moving vehicles and valuables. Firefighters are battling a wildfire in Southern California that grew to more than 2 square miles in mere hours and forced the evacuation of homes near a reservoir. The fire, which broke out Sunday afternoon in the San Bernardino National Forest, prompted the evacuation order of the sparsely populated Summit Valley area east of the dam. (John M. Blodgett/The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin via AP)
Tainted candy at San Francisco party likely edible marijuana

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A special unit of the San Francisco Police Department is investigating how 19 people including a 6-year-old child could have eaten gummy candies at a birthday party that most likely were marijuana edibles, authorities said Monday.

The 19 were hospitalized Saturday, but all of them were released by Monday.

The unit is interviewing people to see if the candies were intentionally placed at the party to target children, which would be a serious crime, Officer Grace Gatpandan said at a news conference.

But she said there could have been various ways the candies ended up at the San Francisco quinceanera, a traditional 15th birthday party.

"We don't want to automatically rush the assumption that this was an intentional act," Gatpandan said.

Final laboratory results weren't available Monday, but officials say some of the hospitalized patients tested positive for THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Preliminary findings show the candies contain THC, public health officials said.

Thirteen of the patients were 18 or younger. The youngest was 6.

Police did not name the Oakland company that catered the party and provided the food, or say how the gummies were presented.

The prices of the candies vary widely, but they typically can be bought for about $25 for a pack of 10.

Dr. Craig Smollin, co-director of the San Francisco branch of the California Poison Control Center, said ingesting edibles is not fatal. The people hospitalized showed symptoms consistent with the effects of edible cannabis, including rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, lethargy and confusion

Authorities are concerned about making sure marijuana edibles that are attractive to children  such as gummy rings  do not get into kids' hands.

The event could serve as a warning about the dangers of edibles, which can be extremely potent, said Dr. Tomas Aragon, the health officer of San Francisco. It's also hard to control the proper dosage.
The Latest: Group outraged at clearing of police in shooting

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  The Latest on a Utah prosecutor's ruling that a police shooting of a Utah teen was justified (all times local):

2:20 p.m.

An anti-police brutality group is upset that a Utah prosecutor has ruled that two police officers were justified in shooting and critically wounding a teenage Somali refugee earlier this year.

Stephen Michael Christian of Utah Against Police Brutality says he is outraged that Abdullahi "Abdi" Mohamed was charged in juvenile court Monday with aggravated robbery and possession of meth with the intent to distribute stemming from a suspected drug deal and a dispute over money when Mohamed was shot.

Christian called Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill an enemy of the community. He says it also shows that young black men are considered more violent and menacing than their white peers.

The group is planning a protest Tuesday night in Salt Lake City.

Gill said Monday that the officers acted appropriately when they fired at Mohamed on Feb. 27 because police believed he was about to seriously injure or kill a man with a metal broom handle.

Court records show Mohamed started getting in trouble with police at age 12 and spent time in juvenile detention centers for theft, trespassing and assault. The most recent run in before the February shooting came a month earlier, when he was charged with possessing alcohol.

___

1:45 p.m.

A teenage Somali refugee shot by Salt Lake City police is being charged as a juvenile in an attack that led up to the shooting.

Court documents show Abdullahi "Abdi" Mohamed was charged in juvenile court Monday with aggravated robbery and possession of meth with the intent to distribute.

It came the same day Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced that police were justified in shooting the then-17-year-old in February near a downtown homeless shelter.

Gill says police acted appropriately because they believed the teen, who turned 18 in April, was about to seriously injure or kill a man with a metal stick.

Mohamed's attorney, Alicia Memmott, didn't immediately comment.

Court spokesman Geoff Fattah says Mohamed is set to appear in court Wednesday.

___

11:10 a.m.

A Utah prosecutor says a police shooting that critically wounded a 17-year-old Somali refugee in Salt Lake City was justified.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said Monday that officers acted appropriately when they fired in February at Abdi Mohamed, who was struck twice in the torso.

Police have said two officers intervened as Mohamed and a second person beat a man with metal sticks. The officers fired when Mohamed menacingly moved toward the victim instead of obeying orders to drop the object.

His family disputes that account, saying they have been told that Mohamed had a broomstick and misunderstood the command.

The beating victim didn't need medical attention.
The Latest: Video shows Cincinnati cop shoot armed suspect

CINCINNATI (AP)  The Latest on the fatal Cincinnati police shooting of a robbery suspect (all times local):

5:45 p.m.

Surveillance video of a Cincinnati officer fatally shooting a knife-wielding robbery suspect shows the man lunging at the officer sitting in the driver's seat of a police cruiser that had just arrived, then being pulled down onto a sidewalk by a second officer within seconds.

The city released the soundless video Monday after a prosecutor concluded the Sunday morning shooting was justified.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters (DEE'-turs) says 25-year-old Jawari Porter tried to stab the officer with a "folding lock-blade-style knife."

The police chief and mayor say officer Anthony Brucato (broo'-CAH'-toh) had no choice but to shoot.

Deters says Brucato and his fellow officer were wearing bulletproof vests. Brucato suffered a forearm abrasion.

___

3:40 p.m.

A southwest Ohio prosecutor says a Cincinnati police officer's fatal shooting of a robbery suspect was justified.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters (DEE'-turs) says he has informed Cincinnati police that he sees no need to take the case to a grand jury. Deters says he viewed surveillance video from the violent Sunday morning encounter downtown and reviewed police reports.

He says 25-year-old Jawari Porter tried to stab the officer with a "folding lock-blade-style knife." He says officer Anthony Brucato (broo'-CAH'-toh) and his fellow officer were wearing bulletproof vests, and Brucato suffered a forearm abrasion.

The city's police chief and mayor said earlier Monday that Brucato had no choice but to shoot.

___

1:20 p.m.

Court records show that a 25-year-old robbery suspect killed by a Cincinnati police officer over the weekend had been ruled incompetent to stand trial and ordered into mental health treatment last year.

Hamilton County court documents show that a judge in September 2015 that Jawari Porter was mentally ill when he had faced charges of assault and resisting arrest. A July 31, 2015, police affidavit states that Porter continued to try to attack an assault victim after police used stun guns.

An assistant public defender who represented Porter at one point last year said the office's involvement ended after the case moved to probate court.

Cincinnati's police chief says an officer had no choice but to fire at Porter. He says Porter charged the officer with a knife as the policeman was getting out of his cruiser.

___

11:30 a.m.

Cincinnati's police chief says an officer had no choice but to fire at a robbery suspect who charged him with a knife as the policeman was getting out of his cruiser.

Police Chief Eliot Isaac says the fatal shooting occurred amid "a vicious, violent attack" Sunday morning in downtown Cincinnati.

Mayor John Cranley says the attacker was trying to kill 25-year police veteran Anthony Brucato (broo-CAH'-toh), who suffered minor injuries.

Isaac says the encounter was captured on video. He says the city can't yet release the video because it was subpoenaed by the prosecutor's office for its review of the officer's actions.
Fox's 'New Girl' and 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' mashup planned

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP)  Worlds are colliding on Fox as Andy Samberg's "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" character Jake is about to meet Jess from "New Girl," played by Zooey Deschanel.

The network announced Monday at an annual summer event for TV critics that characters from "New Girl" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" will crossover in back-to-back episodes airing Oct. 11.

The only plot detail revealed is that the "New Girl" gang will head to New York, where they meet the crew from the "Nine-Nine" precinct.

In this image released by Fox, Zooey Deschanel portrays Jess in a scene from the comedy, "New Girl." Fox comedies "New Girl" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" will cross over in back-to-back episodes airing Tuesday, Oct. 11. (Adam Taylor/Fox via AP)

This isn't the first series combo event for the network. Last season "Bones" and "Sleepy Hollow" also crossed over, to ratings success.

"New Girl" premieres its sixth season and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" debuts season four Sept. 20 on Fox.

___

Online:

http://www.fox.com/new-girl/

http://www.fox.com/brooklyn-nine-nine/
Police: Kansas boy suffered fatal neck injury on waterslide

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  A Kansas waterslide billed as the world's tallest remained off-limits Monday as authorities pressed to figure out how a state lawmaker's 10-year-old son died of a neck injury while riding it.

Details remained murky about what happened Sunday to Caleb Thomas Schwab on the 168-foot-tall "Verruckt"  German for "insane"  that since its debut two years ago has been the top draw at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas.

Kansas City, Kansas, police issued a statement late Monday afternoon saying that Caleb suffered a fatal neck injury around 2:30 p.m. while he was riding the slide with two women, neither of whom was related to him. They suffered minor facial injuries and were treated at an area hospital, police said.

This June 2016 photo provided by David Strickland shows Caleb Thomas Schwab, the son of Scott Schwab, a Kansas state lawmaker from Olathe. Caleb died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, while riding the Verruckt, a water slide that's billed as the world's largest, at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kan. (David Strickland via AP)

Emergency responders arrived to find the boy dead in a pool at the end of the ride, according to the statement, which offered no further details.

In a statement Monday afternoon, Schlitterbahn said it was "deeply and intensely saddened for the Schwab family and all who were impacted by the tragic accident." The park was tentatively scheduled to reopen Wednesday, but "Verruckt is closed," according to the statement.

Officer Cameron Morgan, a police spokesman, said no police report about the incident was available. He said investigators were treating Caleb's death as a "civil matter" rather than a criminal one and referred additional questions to the park.

Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio declined interview requests Monday but told reporters a day earlier that Caleb had been at the park with family members, adding that "we honestly don't know what's happened."

It wasn't immediately clear whether results of an autopsy Monday on Caleb would be publicly released or, if so, how soon, said Margaret Studyvin with the Wyandotte County coroner's office.

Leslie Castaneda, who was at Schlitterbahn on Sunday, told The Kansas City Star that she saw Caleb's crumpled shorts or bathing suit at the bottom of the ride, along with blood on the slide's white descending flume.

"I'm really having a tough time with it. I really am," said Castaneda, of Kansas City, Kansas. "I saw his (Caleb's) brother. He was screaming."

On the waterslide certified by Guinness World Records as the world's tallest, riders sit in multi-person rafts during "the ultimate in water slide thrills," subjecting "adventure seekers" to a "jaw dropping" 17-story drop, the park's website says. Passengers then are "blasted back up a second massive hill and then sent down yet another gut wrenching 50 foot drop," the website adds.

Each rider must be at least 54 inches tall, and the group's weight is limited to a total of 400 to 550 pounds. Authorities didn't release information about Caleb's height or the combined weight of his group of riders.

According to rules sent to the media in 2014, riders had to be at least 14 years old, but that requirement is no longer listed on the park's website.

Caleb's parents  Republican state Rep. Scott Schwab and his wife, Michele  have requested privacy as the family grieves, saying in a statement Sunday that "since the day he was born, (Caleb) brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with."

"As we try to mend our home with him no longer with us, we are comforted knowing he believed in our Savior Jesus, and they are forever together now. We will see him another day," the statement added.

The tragedy happened on a day the park offered lawmakers and other elected officials a buffet lunch, hot dogs and hamburgers.

Verruckt's 2014 opening repeatedly was delayed, though the operators didn't explain why. Two media sneak preview days in 2014 were canceled because of problems with a conveyor system that hauls 100-pound rafts to the top of the slide.

In a news article linked to the news release announcing a 2014 delay, Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry told USA Today that he and senior designer John Schooley had based their calculations when designing the slide on roller coasters, but that didn't translate well to a waterslide like Verruckt.

In early tests, rafts carrying sandbags flew off the slide, prompting engineers to tear down half of the ride and reconfigure some angles at a cost of $1 million, Henry said.

A promotional video about building the slide includes footage of two men riding a raft down a half-size test model and going slightly airborne as it crests the top of the first big hill.

The Unified Government of Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County said it does not inspect the operations of such rides and is responsible only for ensuring they've adhered to local building codes.

Without specifically mentioning waterslides, Kansas statutes define an "amusement ride" as any mechanical or electrical conveyance "for the purpose of giving its passengers amusement, pleasure, thrills or excitement." Such rides, by statute, commonly are Ferris wheels, carousels, parachute towers, bungee jumps and roller coasters.

State law leaves it to the Kansas Department of Labor to adopt rules and regulations relating to certification and inspection of rides, adding that a permanent amusement ride must be scrutinized by "a qualified inspector" at least every 12 months. Kansas' Labor Department didn't return messages Monday.

Prosapio said Sunday the park's rides are inspected daily and by an "outside party" before the start of each season.

Kansas state Sen. Greg Smith, an Overland Park Republican, said that although state law doesn't specifically address waterslides, it's clear they "would fall into that category." He called any potential legislative response to Sunday's tragedy premature, saying the investigation should be given time to play out.

___

Associated Press writers Maria Sudekum, Bill Draper and Margaret Stafford in Kansas City, John Hanna in Topeka and Roxana Hegeman in Wichita contributed to this report.

FILE - In this July 9, 2014 file photo, riders are propelled by jets of water as they go over a hump while riding a water slide called "Verruckt" at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kan. A 12-year-old boy died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, on the Kansas water slide that is billed as the world's largest, according to officials. Kansas City, Kansas, police spokesman Officer Cameron Morgan said the boy died at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark, which is located about 15 miles west of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio said the child died on one of the park's main attractions, Verruckt, a 168-foot-tall water slide that has 264 stairs leading to the top. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, March 18, 2015 file photo, Kansas state Rep. Scott Schwab speaks at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. The young son of a Kansas state lawmaker died on a water slide that is billed as the world's largest, according to officials and the boy's family. Authorities did not immediately identify the child who died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016 at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas, but state Rep. Scott Schwab and his wife released a statement saying it was their son Caleb Thomas Schwab. (AP Photo/Nicholas Clayton, file)

FILE - This Nov. 2013 file photo shows Schlitterbahn's new Verruckt speed slide/water coaster in Kansas City, Kan. A 12-year-old boy died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, on the Kansas water slide that is billed as the world's largest, according to officials. Kansas City, Kan., police spokesman Officer Cameron Morgan said the boy died at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark, which is located about 15 miles west of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio said the child died on one of the park's main attractions, Verruckt, a 168-foot-tall water slide that has 264 stairs leading to the top. (Jill Toyoshiba/The Kansas City Star via AP, File)
UN support sought for South Sudan regional force

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  A proposed U.N. resolution would establish a 4,000-strong regional force to provide security in South Sudan's capital and deter attacks on U.N. sites where over 30,000 civilians have sought refuge from the fighting.

The draft resolution, circulated by the United States and obtained Monday by The Associated Press, would make the regional force part of the U.N. peacekeeping force in South Sudan and raise its strength to 17,000 soldiers and international police.

The African regional bloc known as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or IGAD, announced late Friday that South Sudan's government has accepted the deployment of a regional force, reversing its previous rejection.

The draft resolution calls for a vote on an arms embargo against the country if Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reports that South Sudan's authorities have blocked deployment of the regional force.

A civil war in South Sudan began in December 2013 when government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, battled rebels led by his former deputy Riek Machar, a Nuer. Tens of thousands of people were killed in the fighting and over 2 million people were displaced.

Kiir and Machar signed a peace deal in August 2015 under which Machar was to be first vice president, but fighting continued and last month hundreds of people were killed when army factions loyal to the two men clashed in the capital Juba.

Machar fled the capital into hiding shortly after the fighting began and Kiir replaced him with Taban Deng Gai, who had acted as the rebels' chief negotiator during peace talks. Mahboub Maalim, the head of IGAD, said Friday that Deng Gai has agreed to step down if Machar returns to Juba.

The draft resolution would demand that South Sudan's leaders immediately end the fighting and implement the cease-fire and peace deal.

It would extend the mandate of the U.N. force, which expires Aug. 12, until Dec. 15.

There was criticism that some members of the force, known as UNMISS, did not act robustly to protect civilians when U.N. sites came under attack last month.

The draft resolution stresses that UNMISS' mandate includes authority to use "all necessary means" to protect U.N. personnel and installations and to take "proactive" measures to patrol and protect civilians from threats. It emphasizes that protecting civilians must be given priority in decisions about the use of peacekeepers.
Customs officers find meth in hollowed-out religious candle

LOS ANGELES (AP)  U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found crystal methamphetamine concealed in a hollowed-out religious candle inspected at a Southern California air cargo facility.

The agency said Monday that the 1.6 pounds of crystal meth was found in Ontario on Aug. 3.

The candle, described as unusually heavy, was in a parcel from Mexico that also contained a boy's cotton suit. An X-ray revealed a cylinder shape inside the candle, which was then carved out, exposing the container.
Glasnovic earns trap gold after shoot-off in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  Josip Glasnovic settled his feet into place, gently rocked back and forth to find balance, pausing a moment before loading his shotgun.

The Croatian shooter snapped the barrel back into place, raised his gun toward the overcast Brazilian sky and followed the target as it shot from the house. With a pull of the trigger and a blast of pink dust, Glasnovic had his gold medal after missing the London Games four years ago.

Glasnovic outlasted Italy's Giovanni Pellielo in the final match of men's trap the Rio Olympics on Monday, claiming the gold medal after hitting the fourth target of a shoot-off.

Great Britain's Edward Ling shows off his bronze medal during the award ceremony for men's trap gold medal match at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

"I just focus on the target, keep it simple," Glasnovic said.

Glasnovic tied for second after two days of qualifying in Rio, hitting 120 of 125 shots. He was perfect in the opening round of the finals, hitting all 15 targets on a windy afternoon at the Olympic Shooting Centre to earn a spot in the gold medal match.

Facing Pellielo, the world-record holder, Glasnovic didn't flinch. He hit 13 of 15 targets to match the Italian and both shooters hit their first three in the shoot-off.

Shooting first, Pellielo missed on his fourth shot, giving Glasnovic his shot at gold. The 33-year-old calmly hit his fourth target, triumphantly raising his gun in the air as pink dust from the target floated off in the gusting wind.

Glasnovic's win gives Croatia gold medals in two straight Olympics after Giovanni Cernogoraz did at London in 2012.

"I shoot very well, very concentrated," said Glasnovic, who teared up during the medal ceremony as the Croatian national anthem played. "I give all the best."

The loss in the gold medal match adds to Pellielo's near misses. The world record holder earned silver medals at the 2004 Athens games and 2008 in Beijing, with a bronze in trap at the London Games, but no gold.

"Each time that I go on a podium, it's very important and each time it is different than the previous one," the 46-year-old said.

Great Britain's Edward Ling needed a shoot-off to get into the bronze medal match, but made the most of it once he got there. He hit 13 of 15 targets to beat David Kostelecky of Czech Republic for his first medal in three Olympics.

"It's just been nail-biting, it really has," Ling said. "It's a dream come true. I never thought this day would come."

Josip Glasnovic of Croatia celebrates his victory for the gold medal during the men's trap gold medal match at Olympic Shooting Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Group sets plans for Ten Commandments near Arkansas Capitol

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)  A granite monument of the Ten Commandments planned near Arkansas' Capitol will weigh 6,000 pounds and stand more than 6 feet tall, the group lined up to install the display said in an application filed Monday.

The American History and Heritage Foundation detailed its plans for the privately-funded monument in papers submitted to the secretary of state's office. The majority-Republican Legislature and GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson approved a law last year that requires the state to allow the monument to be built on Capitol grounds.

Travis Story, the foundation's general counsel, said the group raised more than $25,000 for the monument and its installation. The monument is in storage, Story said. In its application, the group suggests two sites for the monument on the Capitol's south side.

"The monument commemorates the Ten Commandments, an important component of the foundation of the laws and legal system of the United States of America and the state of Arkansas," the group said in its application.

The law requires Secretary of State Mark Martin to consult the Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission before approving the design and site for the monument. The law has prompted other groups to demand the state allow competing monuments, including a satanic statue.

Chris Powell, a spokesman for Martin's office, said the 10-member commission hasn't yet set a date to take up the monument application and will likely also discuss several other proposals.

Story and state Sen. Jason Rapert, who sponsored the law requiring the state to allow the monument, said its design was modeled after a Ten Commandments display at the Texas state Capitol. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Texas display in 2005 while striking down Ten Commandments displays in two Kentucky courthouses. The court said the key to whether a display is constitutional hinges on whether there is a religious purpose behind it.

Oklahoma voters in November are set to decide whether to abolish an article of the state constitution so that a Ten Commandments monument can be returned to the Capitol grounds. The state Supreme Court ordered the display removed last year.

"It's important in the day of litigation that they use a monument which had already stood the test," Rapert, a Republican, said.

Rita Sklar, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, said the state would be using government property to endorse a religion if it moves forward with the display.

"We think that it is unconstitutional, that the government is not supposed to endorse religion at all or any particular religion, which it is doing if it allows this monument to be built," Sklar said.

___
Thomas Vermaelen joins Roma on loan from Barcelona

BARCELONA, Spain (AP)  Roma has acquired Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen on a season-long loan from Barcelona.

The Spanish champions say the deal includes a purchase option for Roma, which came third in Serie A last season.

In his two seasons at Barcelona, Vermaelen was unable to avoid the recurrent injuries that impeded his career at former club Arsenal.
Newspaper sues coroner for autopsies of 8 slain relatives

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  A newspaper is suing a coroner for autopsy records in the slayings of eight people from an Ohio family.

The Columbus Dispatch (http://bit.ly/2aPRLAM ) says a lawsuit filed Monday in Ohio Supreme Court against the Pike County coroner alleges final autopsy records have been improperly withheld.

The coroner says the autopsies are "confidential law enforcement investigatory records" that aren't subject to public records laws. Ohio's attorney general says he supports that position to avoid jeopardizing chances of catching the killers.

Editor Alan Miller says the Dispatch would act responsibly in dealing with the records from the sensitive case.

The Cincinnati Enquirer has filed a similar lawsuit.

Seven adults and a teenage boy from the Rhoden family were found shot at four homes near Piketon on April 22.

___
Ukip's Lisa Duffy defends call for ban on Muslim veils in public places

A Ukip leadership candidate has rejected comparisons with Donald Trump and suggestions she is attacking a single minority after calling for Muslim veils to be banned in public places.

Lisa Duffy said she wanted to deal with people's fears about Islam by creating a "well-rounded community" with "one rule for all" by banning the veil in public buildings, shopping centres and on buses and trains.

Ms Duffy - who is backed by high-profile former Ukip spokeswoman Suzanne Evans - rejected a rival's suggestions that she was "chasing the bigot vote" and denied her rhetoric could fuel hate crime.

Ukip leadership contender Lisa Duffy delivers a speech at the London Marriott Hotel

She also demanded the closure of Islamic faith schools until the problem of Islamist terrorism is dealt with, as well as a "complete and comprehensive ban" on sharia courts in the UK, warning of "parallel systems" and "separatism".

Ms Duffy claimed a ban on veils would work similarly to asking teenagers to remove hoods or motorcyclists to take off their helmets when in certain public places.

Answering questions from reporters after a central London speech, she said: "This is not about singling out.

"This is about working to make sure we have a well-rounded community, a community that has an opportunity for all.

"When I talk about the veil in public places, it's about one rule for all."

She added: "It's not about trying to drive hatred, it's not about trying to attack a minority."

Ms Duffy rejected comparisons with Mr Trump, the controversial Republican nominee in the US presidential election, and insisted she is trying to allay "unfair" fear directed at Muslims.

"I don't think I compare to Donald Trump at all," she said. "I'm very different to him.

"As Ukip leader, if I'm fortunate enough to get elected, I want us not to shy away from difficult issues and I'm not going to be hounded into a corner to be made to feel this is the wrong thing to talk about."

She added: "There is a fear out there and that is unfair on all Muslims.

"Most Muslims are good individuals, they work hard, they have great families and they contribute to our communities.

"This is about us working together to make sure there is an equality within faith groups and that they have the same freedoms that you and I both share."

Ms Duffy spoke after her fellow contender in the race to succeed Nigel Farage, MEP Bill Etheridge, said he did not want to focus "on small issues like Islam which makes us look small-minded - I'm not chasing the bigot vote".

She dismissed his comments as "trying to get some press off the back of my speech" and insisted Ukip is no longer seen as a racist party.

"Long ago are the days when people were hammering us and shouting that at us down the streets," said the Huntingdonshire district councillor.

In her speech, Ms Duffy said she wants to "set out a path of opportunity" for young Muslim women who were told by men what they should wear, what leisure activities they should pursue and even who they should marry.

She described the veil as "a symbol of aggressive separatism that can only foster extremism" and will claim that it is often "forced on women by men who view them as their property".

While stopping short of a complete ban on the veil, Ms Duffy said that, under her leadership, Ukip would advocate a "show your face in public" policy.

Ms Duffy will say the rule should apply "just as much to the retinues accompanying Middle Eastern princes to London as it will to Muslim women living in Britain" and that it should not be regarded as Islamophobic for someone to politely request a woman to remove a veil in public.

"Why should I, as a white, Christian woman, effectively enjoy greater civil and human rights and freedoms than others?" she asked. "My ambition is that everyone, from every community, should be able to enjoy the same rights and have the same independent control over their lives and their bodies as I do."

Ms Duffy and Mr Etheridge are among a field of six candidates on the ballot paper in a race from which early favourites like Ms Evans and Steven Woolfe have been excluded.

The victor will be announced at Ukip's annual conference in Bournemouth on September 15.

At his leadership launch in Manchester, Mr Etheridge backed a ban on the burka - the veil which fully covers the face and body - but said Ms Duffy was wrong to talk about wider reform of Islam in Britain.

He said: "For Lisa to say she's going to create a new form of British Islam, she's going to change the way that things work - well I didn't notice her studying as an imam.

"So I think that maybe it would be best if the state and those who seek to govern the state simply set the criteria that we can all live as freely as possible and we allow the religious authorities and individuals to sort their own religion, as long as it works within a framework where nobody feels that they are being intimidated over any issue on either side.

"I don't think we need to get too far into focusing entirely on Islam as one issue, we are not small-minded and petty people, this is not a small-minded party."

He also called for a flatter tax system with loopholes exploited by tax avoiders removed, and hit out at "sin taxes" on alcohol and cigarettes as he pledged to "cement" libertarianism within Ukip.

Ukip leadership candidate Lisa Duffy has called for Muslim veils to be banned in public places
Pablo Zabaleta confirms he will remain with Manchester City

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta says he will be staying at the club, with boss Pep Guardiola having told him he is part of his plans for this season.

Zabaleta, who has one year left on his contract, has been linked with a move to Italy this summer.

But the 31-year-old Argentina full-back told the Manchester Evening News: "There was a lot of speculation - that came from the media.

Pablo Zabaleta has one year left on his Manchester City contract.

"I don't know how many times I was away to Italy. It was incredible. Every day there was a new club.

"I've always been away from that because I knew from the first day it was my decision (to stay).

"I had been told by the new manager that I was part of this squad for this season, so I am more than pleased for this because City was my priority.

"I know I only have one year left on my contract, so that creates a lot of speculation about my future but I didn't decide anything before I came back for pre-season to meet the manager and hear from him what was my situation.

"I am so happy to be part of Manchester City for this season."
Coroner blames defective tumble dryer for fatal house fire

A defective tumble dryer caused a house fire that killed a mother of two in her bedroom, a coroner has ruled.

Mishell Moloney was discovered dead under a duvet on the bedroom floor by her daughter and sister on February 7 after they smashed their way through a rear patio door to get in.

The 49-year-old was found to have died after being overcome by carbon monoxide fumes and smoke caused by a small fire in the tumble dryer in the downstairs kitchen.

Mishell Moloney was killed in a fire sparked by a tumble dryer (Slater and Gordon/PA)

Birmingham Coroner's Court heard that dryer manufacturer Beko had received reports of 20 previous fires in the same model, but none had the defect thought to have caused the blaze that killed Ms Moloney.

Recording a narrative verdict, Emma Brown, area coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, said: "It's my conclusion Mishell's death was due to smoke inhalation from a fire that was caused by the Beko tumble dryer within her kitchen.

"The source within the tumble dryer was the printed control board (PCB).

"It's not possible to identify the nature of the defect which caused the fire."

She added: "Mishell was aware of a problem with the tumble dryer before the fire because she turned the machine off. She obviously thought she'd dealt with it and went to bed intending to sort it subsequently."

Ms Moloney, who bought the appliance in October 2012, had been home alone on the night of February 6 and texted family just before midnight.

It was the last time relatives heard from her, and shortly after 4pm the next day they found Ms Moloney's window blinds blackened with soot, and forced their way in.

An investigation at the house in Coriander Close, Rubery, Birmingham, found the fire started in or around the area where the dryer's PCB was.

Beko said the PCB had never been the identified cause of any blazes traced to the 8kg DCS 85W, the model Ms Moloney had.

The company's director of quality Andrew Mullen said: "In virtually all cases it has been the run capacitor - I can't think of any cases that weren't."

Mr Mullen said a decision not to recall the model was taken after a risk assessment and consultation with trading standards.

He revealed two smaller 6kg and 7kg models had been recalled because of 100 incidents of reported faults with the capacitor, "within the first three months".

Asked by the coroner why Beko had not decided to recall the larger model, he said: "We looked at the number of incidents against sales, the severity of the incidents and circumstances, and in all those assessments they were all incidents that happened within 10 or 20 minutes of the tumble dryer being used.

"Nearly all those were when the tumble dryer was in unheated buildings such as a shed or outhouse. In those cases the risk of injury was low."

He added the model was discontinued last year "as part of a range change".

Mr Mullen said: "This is a very tragic incident but it's an isolated incident which, despite the fact we know on the balance of probabilities it was caused by the tumble driver, we still don't know what caused it."

After the hearing, Ms Moloney's daughter Jodie said: "My mum was quite simply the best mum my brother Joshua and I could have asked for and losing her was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her.

"Since she passed away there has been a void in my life that will never be filled."

The family's lawyer Paul Tapner, of Slater and Gordon, said: "This is a tragic case that has seen a mother and grandmother taken early from her loved ones.

"Mishell's death has hit her family hard and they need answers from the manufacturer of the tumble dryer where the fire that claimed her life started. It is only then that they will be able to move on with their lives."
Bloody Sunday bishop Edward Daly died a hero, says relative of teenager killed

Bishop of Derry Edward Daly has died a hero after he raised a blood-soaked handkerchief and guided a dying teenager through army gunfire on Bloody Sunday, a grateful relative said.

The Catholic cleric, who died on Monday aged 82 after a long illness, was a life-long critic of all violence.

As a young priest he famously waved the bloodied rag as a symbol of ceasefire as he helped fatally injured civil rights protester Jackie Duddy in Londonderry in Northern Ireland in January 1972.

Edward Daly, with a portrait of Jackie Duddy, who was shot dead on Bloody Sunday

He fought to clear the names of all the victims after p aratroopers opened fire and killed 13 people. Fourteen were injured, and another was to die later.

Mr Duddy's older sister Kay said: "He was such a special friend to us because of Bloody Sunday, because of what he did for Jackie in his dying moments when he was there with him, it just meant the world to us that Jackie did not die on his own."

Bloody Sunday has been described as one of the catalysts of IRA recruitment and the 30-year conflict which left more than 3,000 dead and many others injured.

Demonstrators seeking one man, one vote and other concessions from the unionist-dominated government of Northern Ireland had gathered for a march in Derry.

At the time Dr Daly was a curate aged 39 from Belleek in rural Co Fermanagh who served at St Eugene's Cathedral in Derry.

He joined the march as it passed the cathedral en route to the city centre.

Amid chaotic scenes soldiers opened fire.

Dr Daly was near textile worker Mr Duddy, 17, when he was shot by soldiers, and anointed him and gave him the Last Rites.

Then the clergyman and other marchers tried to bring him to safety, the priest leading the way with a handkerchief in his hand.

Bishop Daly was a prominent witness at Lord Widgery's inquiry soon after the event, which exonerated troops from the Parachute Regiment, concluding that they had come under attack from gunmen and bombers.

He said: ''I felt a responsibility to tell the story of what I saw and what I saw was a young fella who was posing no threat to anybody being shot dead unjustifiably."

Ms Duddy said it was a "second atrocity" how the victims' names were dragged through the mud by the tribunal.

She added: "He (Bishop Daly) always said he would fight to his dying breath to make sure our loved ones names were cleared. He was an unsung hero."

After a mammoth inquiry by Lord Saville the demonstrators were exonerated in 2010 and prime minister David Cameron said the killings were "unjustified and unjustifiable".

Eamonn McCann, who was at the Bloody Sunday march and chaired the Bloody Sunday Trust, remembered the bishop as a priest, clearly distressed, describing the killing of Mr Duddy and saying he did not have a gun and he did not have a petrol bomb.

"I think his words (then) were more influential than just the photograph. He would also criticise the IRA afterwards over the years.

"He was credible. He was quite a conservative man and not a radical priest."

He led the church in the city through some of the darkest days of the conflict and believed the violence of the Troubles was futile and morally unjustified.

The head of the Catholic Church in Ireland Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin lauded him as a fearless peace builder who took a personal interest in those who suffered miscarriages of justice.

"His untiring advocacy for the Birmingham Six, the victims of Bloody Sunday and for the families of those murdered by paramilitaries earned him respect from some, suspicion from others."

He was Bishop of Derry from 1974 until 1993, stepping aside after suffering a stroke. In recent years he had battled a long-term illness.
Stephen Lawrence probe seeks to trace man in CCTV images

Detectives investigating the murder of Stephen Lawrence have released new CCTV images of a witness they want to trace.

The pictures show a man wearing a "V" emblem jacket, which police have previously appealed for information about.

The Metropolitan Police said the individual has never been identified and officers are appealing to him, or anyone who knows him, to come forward and speak to them.

A witness police believe could assist them with ongoing inquiries into the murder of Stephen Lawrence (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Mr Lawrence, 18, was stabbed to death by a group of six white youths in an unprovoked racist attack as he waited at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, at 10.35pm on April 22 1993.

Scotland Yard said it is issuing new stills and images of a witness they believe could assist police with ongoing inquiries.

The force said the man was captured on CCTV in an off-licence on Well Hall Road in Eltham at 8pm. The off-licence was 330 yards from the bus stop where Mr Lawrence would be attacked later that night.

Witnesses have previously reported seeing a man in a distinctive green jacket with the "V" emblem in the vicinity of Well Hall Road roundabout at about the time Mr Lawrence was attacked, the Met said.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Le Pere, said: "We are appealing for this man to come forward so that we can speak to him to establish if he can assist with our inquiries, or if we can eliminate this strand of the investigation.

"He was seen in the off-licence at 8pm and then again later that night not far from where Stephen was attacked.

"It is important that we speak with him.

"The image of the distinctive jumper was previously circulated to media in 1993 and again in 2013. The CCTV was recently identified as part of a regular internal review of the case.

"Officers digitally enhanced it to give us the clearest possible image, and having carried out inquiries to trace him, now release it again to make a public appeal."

Mr Le Pere added: " The investigation remains open. Two individuals were found guilty of murder, but officers continue to follow lines of inquiry.

"We are hoping that over the passage of time allegiances may have changed, people may have moved away and feel more confident coming forward."
Delta Air Lines flights resumed after 'system-wide' outage grounded jets

Delta Air Lines has resumed "limited" flights after a "major system-wide network outage" saw its jets grounded.

Air travellers faced long queues to check in at Heathrow on Monday after a power outage in Atlanta at 2.38am local time plunged the airline's operations worldwide and computer systems into chaos.

The company, which operates flights out of Edinburgh, Heathrow and Manchester, has since said the "ground stop has been lifted and limited departures are resuming" but that "delays and cancellations continue".

The airline operates out of Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh airports

A spokeswoman added: "Customers heading to the airport should expect delays and cancellations. While inquiries are high and wait times are long, our customer service agents are doing everything they can to assist."

Passengers were left stranded as flights across the world were affected by what the company said on Twitter was a "major system-wide network outage". Delta said it operated just 800 of its nearly 6,000 scheduled flights.

"We apologise to customers who are affected by this issue, and our teams are working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible," the spokeswoman added.

Peter Taylor from Coventry had been due to fly to the American city of Boston on the 9.40am Delta flight from Heathrow's terminal three.

The 58-year-old told the Press Association he was informed by staff that they were "having some system problems" and had to "manually" give them his pre-boarding details to write down.

Mr Taylor said he and his fellow passengers were kept in the lounge and that it became clear they were not going to be taking off on time.

"We were given the update that this was pretty serious and that it could be anything from an hour and six hours," he added of the delay.

He described the feeling amongst the travellers as "classic British shrugging of the shoulders and getting on with it".

"There was a lot of handwritten notes and bits of paper around - which is very bizarre to see in this modern age," he added.

Having given up on the long wait, sticking out five hours before he quit, Mr Taylor said: "The result for me is that I am going to have to spend a couple of long afternoons and evenings to remotely attend meetings that I really needed to attend face to face."

Frustrated passengers also took to social media to voice their outrage at the delays - with some reporting handwritten tickets being used by the airline.

Amanda Jackson said on Twitter: "Chaos trying to check in @Delta Heathrow t3. Been in queue for 1.5 hours. You seriously need to open more desks to overcome technical hitch."

Cassie Chou took to Instagram to share a picture of inside the airport and added a caption saying Delta staff in Heathrow were "handwriting tickets manually".
FTSE 100 touches 13-month high amid rally by banking stocks

The UK's premier index briefly reached a 13-month high thanks to surging oil prices and a strong rally from blue-chip banking stocks.

The FTSE 100 Index touched 6,829.47 - its highest level since June 25 last year - before paring back gains to close up 15.66 points to 6,809.13.

Heavyweight financial stocks led the charge on the London market, with Barclays among the biggest risers after being handed an upgrade from neutral to outperform by Exane BNP.

The FTSE 100 Index touched 6,829.47 before paring back gains to close up 15.66 points to 6,809.13

Shares in Barclays stepped up 3.5% or 5.4p to 157.4p, with some investors feeling the post-Brexit rout on British banks was overdone.

Royal Bank of Scotland climbed 6.5p to 184.7p and Lloyds Banking Group lifted 1.4p to 54.6p.

Tony Cross, market analyst at Trustnet Direct, said: "It's also worth noting that Lloyds and RBS - the two banks who still have significant state holdings - have been cheered through the day with that news of no fire sale by the Government seemingly bolstering investor confidence."

The price of oil surged 2.4% to 45.31 US dollars a barrel amid growing speculating that Opec may attempt to ward off a global supply glut by curbing output.

European markets continued to make gains on the back of last week's better-than-expected employment data from the United States.

Employers across the Atlantic added a healthy 255,000 jobs in July, keeping the US unemployment rate at a low 4.9%.

The figures showed employers brushed aside concerns over Britain's vote to quit the European Union and remained untroubled by lacklustre growth from the US economy, which came in last week at a lower-than-expected rise of 1.2% in the three months to June

Germany's Dax was up 0.6% and the Cac 40 in France rose 0.1%.

On the currency markets, the pound slipped 0.2% to 1.304 US dollars, and was 0.1% lower against the euro, ahead of Tuesday's update on the UK's manufacturing sector.

The official figures for manufacturing and industrial production will give an insight into how the sector performed in the run-up to the referendum result in June, with many economists predicting the sector will record a marked slowdown in July.

The closely watched Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing purchasing managers' index revealed earlier this month that it fell to levels last seen in February 2013, hitting 48.2 in July, down from 52.4 in June and below economists' expectations of 49.1.

In stocks, pollster YouGov said it is benefiting from the fall in the value of the pound, adding that its full-year results will come in ahead of expectations.

The firm said it achieved double-digit sales growth over the past 12 months, driven by increased turnover from the US and the Middle East.

The company added that it was boosted by higher revenue from its data products and services.

Shares were up nearly 4% or 7.4p to 197.9p.

The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 Index were Royal Bank of Scotland up 6.5p to 184.7p, Barclays up 5.4p to 157.4p, Antofagasta up 17p to 531p, and BHP BIlliton up 33.5p to 1047.5p.
Syria war 'too pointless', says father of Briton killed fighting IS militants

The father of a British man killed fighting Islamic State militants in Syria said he thought his son was working as a farmer in England and had no idea he had travelled to the war-torn country.

Dean Carl Evans, from Reading, Berkshire, is understood to have died in fighting near Manbij, an IS stronghold in northern Syria last month.

The 22-year-old had been fighting alongside the YPG (People's Protection Units) against IS extremists when he is said to have been shot and then hit by a rocket.

Dean Carl Evans was killed fighting Islamic State militants in Syria

Mr Evans's father told ITV News his son had done what he believed was right, and had wanted to become involved with the military from a young age.

He said his son "was army barmy all the time", adding: " As he got older he joined the Army cadets and stated that he wanted to join the Army and military but unfortunately he failed his medical because of asthma."

Mr Evans's father, who is not identified in the ITV interview, said he had no knowledge of his son's activities until he was informed of his death.

He said: "I thought he was just a farmer in Wiltshire. He was a farmer ... I know that for dead set but I had no idea that last year he'd already been out there (in Syria) and went in January this year and passed away in July."

Footage posted by the International Brigades of Rojava after his death appeared to show Mr Evans cocking a machine gun along with a picture of him wearing webbing with an assault rifle slung over his shoulder.

Mr Evans's father said he is proud of his son but advised other parents to warn their children off going to such warzones.
Russian and pro-Government Syrian forces launched an intense air attack last night on rebels insurgents as President Assad launched a revenge attack after insurgents broke a month-long siege of the rebel-held city of Aleppo.

Anti-government groups have taken most of a large government military complex southwest of the city in a major offensive that began on Friday, and are now attacking further into government-held territory.

The surprise advance in Ramousah allowed fighters from insurgent areas in western Syria to break through a strip of government-controlled territory on Saturday and connect with fighters in the encircled sector of eastern Aleppo.

But fierce fighting and continuous Russian and Syrian air strikes in and around the Ramousah area mean no safe passage for besieged east Aleppo residents has been established, activists and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

A woman celebrates with the victory sign over the news that the siege of the rebel-held city of Aleppo in Syria had been broken

Syrians are pictured gathering in the streets of Aleppo to welcome the end of the month-long siege by pro-Government forces

Syrian civil defence volunteers, known as the 'While Helmets' also celebrate but their joy may not last long as Pro-Assad forces have launched air strikes in a revenge attack

Fighters from a coalition of Islamist rebel groups called 'Jaish al Fateh' announced the start of a new phase to liberate the whole of Aleppo, saying it pledged to increased the numbers of fighters for the battle it said will only end by hoisting their flag on the ancient Aleppo citadel in government hands.

Jets believed to be Russian intensified their bombing of rebel-held Aleppo countryside and also hit opposition held Idlib city in north western Syria, rebels said.

They released video footage that showed huge flames of fire it said was caused by white phosphorus bombs dropped on the city.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad wants to take full control of Aleppo, pre-war Syria's most populous city, which has been divided between rebel and government-held areas.

Assad's government forces are supported in Syria by Russian air power, Iranian militias and fighters from Lebanon's Hezbollah group who have sent reinforcements to shore up the army .

Rebel gains this weekend could change the balance of power in Aleppo, after Assad said a siege by government and allied forces on rebel-held east Aleppo in early July was a prelude to re-taking the city. The loss of Aleppo would be a crushing blow for rebels.

'We have now seized full control of the Ramousah area...We are in our trenches but there are insane air strikes of unprecedented ferociousness. The regime is using cluster and vacuum bombs,' said Abu al Hasanien, a senior commander in Fateh Halab, the coalition of moderate rebel groups inside the city.

People are pictured carrying a Free Syrian Army flag after the breaking of the siege

Aleppo, pictured, is the second biggest city in Syria and remains a focal battleground in the civil war

Pro-Syrian government news channels have mostly played down the rebel gains and say Syrian army efforts have caused rebels to withdraw from some recently-gained areas.

But Lebanese pro-Syrian government news channel al Mayadeen said late on Saturday the Syrian army had 'withdrawn from a number of positions southwest of Aleppo and repositioned itself in new defensive lines'.

The Syrian military was not immediately available for comment.

As the insurgents took over parts of the government's Ramousah military complex, which contains a number of military colleges, they broadcast images of the weaponry and ammunition they were taking possession of.

Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, formerly the al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, posted pictures of rows of armoured vehicles, munitions, howitzers, rockets and trucks.

The rebel front line is now pushing northwest into western held Aleppo on the edges of the Hamdaniya neighbourhood and a housing estate called the 3,000 project, rebels and the Observatory said.

North of Hamdaniya in the direction of the rebels' push is another large government military complex, the Assad military engineering academy.

The opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC) congratulated rebels on making 'spectacular gains (which send) a clear message to the Assad regime, Iran and Russia that they will not be able to defeat the Syrian people or dictate the terms of a settlement.'

Fears are growing in government-held western Aleppo that it might become besieged by rebels, as east Aleppo has been by government forces, because the main route south to Damascus for goods transport, the Ramousah road, has been severed.

News of the rebel advance caused food prices to rise by as much as four times in western Aleppo, the Observatory said.

A burnt-out tank is left at the side of the road after rebel forces successfully re-took control of an artillery school from pro-Assad troops

Members of anti-regime group Jaish al-Fatah, pictured, take additional security measures after helping to break the siege

Following the cutting of the main Ramousah road, Observatory director Rami Abdurrahman told Reuters military vehicles can still get in an out of west Aleppo through remaining exit roads to the north, but these are not safe enough for civilians.

In eastern Aleppo, despite some scenes of celebration as fighters broke the siege yesterday, the lack of a safe route out means conditions for residents remain unchanged.

Three vans of vegetables crossed into east Aleppo, Abdurrahman said, but this was a symbolic gesture and the corridor is too dangerous for civilians or significant supplies to pass.

The United Nations and humanitarian agencies have said conditions in isolated rebel-held east Aleppo have become very concerning.

'Most recently I'm hearing that the markets are closed and it's next to impossible to purchase food.

The UN estimates that collectively all aid supplies in east Aleppo will only last about two more weeks,' Christy Delafield, senior communications officer for Mercy Corps, which runs the largest non-governmental aid operation inside Syria, said.
Olympics-Beach Volleyball-Cuban pair edge Brazilians in nail-biter

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Cuba toppled Brazil's second-best duo of Pedro Solberg and Junior Evandro in a nail-biting men's beach volleyball Pool D match in front of a raucous crowd on Sunday.

Cuba's Nivaldo Diaz and Sergio Gonzalez won in three sets, edging the hosts 24-22 in the first before stumbling 21-23 in the second and clinching the match 15-13 in the third.

Diaz and Gonzalez are the first men's beach volleyball team Cuba has fielded in an Olympics since the Athens Games in 2004.

The loss dismayed the pro-Brazil crowd on the sands of Copacabana, in a match punctuated by wild cheers for the home pair as the teams battled in a tit-for-tat match-up.

Solberg and Evandro were listed fourth in the International Volleyball Federation's June Provisional Olympic Ranking, while the Cuban pair were not ranked.

Brazilians have pinned their hopes at the Rio Games on re-establishing their dominance in the sport in which American challengers have grown increasingly successful.
U.S. proposes U.N. approve 4,000-strong force for S.Sudan's Juba

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 7 (Reuters) - The United States proposed on Sunday that the United Nations Security Council authorize a 4,000-strong force to ensure peace in South Sudan's capital Juba and threaten to impose an arms embargo if the transitional government does not cooperate.

It circulated a draft resolution to the 15-member council, seen by Reuters, that would approve a regional protection force "to use all necessary means, including undertaking robust and active steps and engaging in direct operations where necessary," to secure Juba and protect the airport and other key facilities.

The protection force would be part of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, which has been on the ground since the country gained independence from Sudan in 2011. The protection force chief would report to the UNMISS commander.

The council will vote on whether to impose an arms embargo if U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reports within a month of adoption of the draft resolution that South Sudan's transitional government is obstructing deployment of the protection force.

Heavy fighting involving tanks and helicopters erupted in Juba for several days last month between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and those backing former Vice President Riek Machar, raising fears of a return to full-scale civil war in the world's newest nation.

Hundreds of people were killed and the United Nations said government soldiers and security forces executed civilians and gang-raped women and girls during and after the outbreak of fighting. South Sudan rejected the accusations.

East African bloc IGAD said on Friday that South Sudan had agreed to the deployment of a regional force, which has been a key demand of Machar, who left Juba in the wake of the violence. Kiir has since appointed a new vice president.

The draft resolution "urges member states in the region to expedite contributions of rapidly deployable troops to ensure the full deployment of the Regional Protection Force as soon as possible."

The draft text would extend the mandate for UNMISS until Dec. 15. The Security Council needs to adopt the draft by Friday, when the current UNMISS mandate expires.

South Sudan descended into civil war after Kiir first dismissed Machar as his deputy. They signed a peace deal in August 2015, but implementation was slow.
China Shanxi province-owned large coal miners can extend debt maturities - Xinhua

SHANGHAI, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Seven large Shanxi province-owned coal miners will be permitted to extend the maturities of some existing debt, the official Xinhua news agency reported Sunday, citing a document released by the Shanxi branch of China's banking regulator.

The document directs Shanxi banking sector institutions to help the firms convert short term liquidity loans into medium and long-term loans, Xinhua reported.

The Shanxi office of the China Banking Regulatory Commission could not be reached for comment.

China's coal industry, the largest in the world, has been punished by a brutal collapse in coal prices since late 2014. Despite a moderate recovery in recent months, Chinese benchmark thermal coal prices remain around 30 percent lower than in 2014.
Taiwan's Cathay Financial vows support for Philippines' RCBC after central bank fine

MANILA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Cathay Life Insurance Co Ltd, a unit of Taiwan's Cathay Financial Holding Co Ltd, will continue supporting partly owned Philippine lender Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC), despite a penalty imposed by the country's central bank over RCBC's role in a $81 million cyber-heist.

A Cathay Financial spokesman said on Monday its insurance arm backed RCBC's management after the Philippine central bank on Friday fined RCBC a record 1 billion pesos ($21.3 million) after the lender was used by cyber criminals to channel $81 million stolen from Bangladesh Bank in February.

"What's happening to RCBC is unfortunate," Cathay Financial spokesman Daniel Teng told Reuters. "We will do our best to support RCBC's management team to meet requests from the BSP (central bank) or even beyond its expectations," Teng said.

In April Cathay Life increase its stake in RCBC to 22.3 percent from 22.7 percent.
Canada seizing more suspect money from Chinese travelers

By Ethan Lou

TORONTO, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Canada has been seizing increasing amounts of undeclared or suspected criminal money from mainland Chinese travelers, border officials said, with the amount confiscated last year more than double that taken in 2013.

Capital flight in various forms has been a growing concern for China, with factors ranging from the depreciation of the yuan to an anti-corruption campaign launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of 2012.

Reuters obtained limited seizure figures from the Canada Border Services Agency under the country's access-to-information laws. The agency provided more comprehensive numbers in July.

The data showed seizures from Chinese citizens dipped by about one-quarter from 2012 to 2013, when they were at C$5.5 million ($4.22 million). Seizures jumped to nearly C$11.5 million last year.

At least C$6.5 million has been seized so far in 2016. By year end, that figure could eclipse 2015 levels, as the data consistently showed more seizures in the second half.

According to the agency, suspected criminal proceeds and undeclared money over C$10,000 could be seized. The former is forfeit, while the latter can be returned on payment of a C$250-to-C$5,000 fine.

The agency's numbers did not separate the two and did not indicate the exact origins of the seized money.

Canadian border service spokeswoman Esme Bailey said it is not unusual for the amounts seized to vary from year to year, and the agency does not base enforcement on nationality.

A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Canada, Yang Yundong, said his government always urges citizens to "learn in detail and comply with" Canadian law. He said China's own law enforcement does not tolerate illegally carrying money abroad.

China said last year more than one-quarter of its 100 most-wanted corruption suspects had fled to Canada.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police declined to comment on the number of Chinese corruption suspects in the country. Canada's Department of Justice said it does not track those numbers.

In the United States, penalties for not declaring currency over $10,000 can include a fine of up to $500,000 and up to 10 years in prison.

The value of U.S. seizures from Chinese citizens arriving by air, while roughly on par with Canada, consistently accounts for under 10 percent of the total, the U.S. border agency said.

Such seizures from Canada's three largest airports alone make up more than one-quarter, according to the country's data.
From weddings to the Olympics, the race to end food waste quickens

By Magdalena Mis

ROME, Aug 8 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - When Italian architect Carlo de Sanctis went to a friend's wedding on the outskirts of Rome two years ago, he did not expect to find himself discussing food waste.

As the party was winding down, de Sanctis and his friends ended up wondering what the waiter next to them would do with the uneaten food he had started to collect.

"We asked him what they were going do with all this leftover food and he showed us the garbage. We couldn't believe all this excellent food would simply get wasted," he said, still in disbelief.

De Sanctis felt compelled to act. With his friends, two lawyers and a web designer, he set up Equoevento, a Rome-based non-profit that collects uneaten food from events and delivers it to charities for distribution to the hungry.

"On one side you have so much leftover food, and on the other side there is no food at all. We saw every day that there were so many people that didn't have enough food," de Sanctis told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, explaining that "equo" means "equal" in Italian.

Between 30 percent and 40 percent of food produced around the world is never eaten because it is spoiled after harvest and during transportation, or thrown away by shops and consumers.

Yet almost 800 million people worldwide go to bed hungry every night, according to U.N. figures.

The problem has become so serious that halving world food waste by 2030 was included as a target for global development goals adopted by world leaders in 2015.

From Italy to Germany and Brazil to Kenya, a growing number of enterprises are rescuing food that would otherwise go into landfills to feed those in need - a trend some experts say may be the answer to the mountains of food waste created daily.

Equoevento has so far distributed 200,000 meals from food collected from some 400 events. Entirely run by volunteers, the organisation may soon need to seek office space as it expands, de Sanctis said.

Experts say reducing food waste is not only a moral imperative but a way of curbing emissions of planet-warming gases linked to agriculture which accounts for about 20 percent of overall greenhouse gas emissions.

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has calculated that global food waste would be the world's third-largest greenhouse gas emitter if it were treated as a country.

UGLY VEG

Thousands of miles away in Kenya, a different kind of initiative is taking root - one that uses produce deemed too ugly for Western supermarket shelves, such as wonky carrots, curved cucumbers and dimpled apples.

Nairobi-based enterprise Enviu aims to turn some 5 tonnes of "imperfect" produce into 78,000 school meals a day under a pilot programme it is developing with the World Food Programme's (WFP) new innovation hub.

According to the FAO, about a third of all food, by weight, is spoiled or thrown away worldwide as it moves from where it is produced to where it is eaten, costing up to $940 billion per year globally.

"Around 10 percent of the European Union's fresh fruits and vegetables come from Kenya, and when produce makes it to the airport it gets sorted there for the cosmetic standards," said Robert Opp, head of innovation at WFP.

"An estimated 25 percent of that food, about 75 tonnes a day, is rejected," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Using rejected food would mean farmers no longer losing income and more children getting fed, he added.

"There's a massive amount of food wasted every year and there's still hunger, so if we can make the food systems more efficient, reduce the wastage and improve distribution - that's a good thing for the fight against hunger," Opp said.

OLYMPIC LEFTOVERS

As efforts to cut food waste spread around the globe, athletes at this month's Rio Olympics will play a part, perhaps without even knowing it.

Refetto-Rio, an initiative by two chefs, Italian Massimo Bottura and Brazilian David Hertz, aims to turn excess food from the Olympic Village into meals for the hungry.

While initiatives like Equoevento or Refetto-Rio are on a relatively small scale, experts say every little helps.

Brian Lipinski, food programme associate at thinktank World Resources Institute (WRI), said piecemeal approaches combined with national policies on food waste were necessary to achieve a meaningful reduction in food waste.

"Maybe the impact from one of these non-profits that are picking up some excess food and donating it is small on its own, but it's really one of the only ways to go about addressing this sort of waste right now," he said.

Lipinski also said it was time to stop focusing on how to produce more food for the world's growing population and instead concentrate on efforts to reduce food waste.

EUROPE TAKES LEAD

In Europe, the European Commission has proposed that member states develop national strategies to prevent food waste by at least 30 percent by 2025.

Germany has been a leader on the issue. In 2012, the German government launched a "too good for the trash" campaign and the country has also pioneered "food-sharing", using the internet to distribute produce recovered from store rubbish while still in good condition.

In 2015, France introduced legislation banning big supermarkets from destroying unsold but edible food. Failure to comply could expose supermarket managers to two years in jail and fines of 75,000 euros ($83,850).

And last week Italy passed a law that makes it easier for supermarkets to donate unsold food to charities, in an effort to reduce waste.

"There's still too little awareness about food around the world," said de Sanctis while checking his phone to see which of his volunteers had signed up for the next food pick-up.
Australian man may face more charges over alleged far-right plot

By Matt Siegel

SYDNEY, Aug 8 (Reuters) - A member of an Australian anti-immigration group accused of planning an attack may face additional charges in what the government said was the first time federal terrorism laws had been used to target such right-wing groups.

Phillip Galea, 31, has been charged with acts done in preparation for a terrorist act and collecting or making documents likely to facilitate a terrorist act, after being arrested in Melbourne on Saturday.

Victoria state Assistant Commissioner Ross Guenther told reporters that he or his associates may face additional charges. Galea will return to court on Tuesday for his next hearing.

"That's always a possibility given that we're in an early part of the investigation," Guenther said on Monday.

Australia, a staunch U.S. ally, has been on heightened alert for attacks by home-grown Islamist radicals since 2014 and authorities say they have thwarted a number of plots.

But far-right activist groups and political parties opposed to Islam and Asian immigration are on the rise in Australia.

One Nation, a political party headed by right-wing firebrand Pauline Hanson, secured four senate seats and king-maker status in national elections held last month by running on a protectionist, anti-Islam platform.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan said that the charges showed that Australia's tough new counter-terrorism laws, which some Muslim leaders have said unfairly subjected them to racial profiling, were unbiased.

"This is the first time in the history of Australia that we have used Commonwealth terrorism laws to charge someone who is alleged to have been a right-wing extremist," Keenan told reporters in Perth.

Galea was a fixture at rallies held by the far-right True Blue Crew, which has previously been involved in violent clashes with pro-immigration groups, group co-founder Kane Miller told Reuters.

Miller on Monday distanced himself and the organisation from Galea, whom he said had never openly discussed any alleged plot. The group does not condone violence, Miller said.

"I'm not going to lie, I did know him and he did attend our events," Miller said.

"All lives are precious. Muslim lives over in Saudi Arabia, although I don't agree with them, are precious."

Galea denied the charges against him during an appearance before a judge in Melbourne on Saturday and said they were part of a conspiracy against the so-called "patriot" movement.
Poland - Factors to Watch Aug 8

Aug 8 (Reuters) - Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Monday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 2 hours):

PEKAO

UniCredit, owner of Poland's No.2 lender Pekao SA, has started talks aimed at issuing new shares, a move which would make less probable that it would sell its Polish unit, Rzeczpospolita daily said, quoting Italian daily Il Messagero.

BANKS

If state-run companies buy Polish arms of Raiffeisen and UniCredit, then more than 50 percent of the banking sector would be controlled by Polish capital. This would secure balance and safety of the domestic banking secor, Treasury Minister Dawid Jackiewicz told Rzeczpospolita.

UNICREDIT

UniCredit Chief Executive Pierre Mustier will come to Poland in September to talk to Polish financial sector regulator KNF about the Italian bank's plans regarding Pekao, Puls Biznesu daily said.

VAT

Polish government does not plan to change VAT rates next year, minister in the Prime Minister's Chancellery Henryk Kowalczyk told Puls Biznesu. He also signalled a tax hike for wealthier people.

****Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.****
Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on Aug 8

PRAGUE, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial markets on Monday. ALL TIMES GMT (Czech Republic: GMT + 2 hours) =========================ECONOMIC DATA========================== Real-time economic data releases.................... Summary of economic data and forecasts........... Recently released economic data.................. Previous stories on Czech data............. **For a schedule of corporate and economic events: http://emea1.apps.cp.thomsonreuters.com/Apps/CountryWeb/#/2E/events-overview ==========================NEWS================================== CENTRAL BANK: The Czech central bank board did not discuss delaying its "hard" commitment to keep the crown weak into 2017 at its meeting on Thursday, Vice-Governor Mojmir Hampl said on Friday. Story: Related stories: PUBLIC DEBT: The Czech central bank on Friday kept its forecast for the 2016 public sector deficit at 0.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Story: Related stories: CEE MARKETS: Hungary's main equities index .BUX fell on Friday, led lower by drug maker Richter GDRB.BU, after the company said its drug cariprazine failed a clinical trial in the United States. Story: Related stories: ---------------------- MARKET SNAPSHOT ------------------------ Index/Crown Currency Latest Prev Pct change Pct change close on day in 2016 vs Euro 27.008 27.053 0.17 -0.04 vs Dollar 24.323 24.537 0.87 2.16 Czech Equities 849.79 849.79 -0.74 -11.14 U.S. Equities 18,543.53 18,352.05 1.04 6.42 Pvs close or current levels vs prior domestic close at 1500 GMT =====================PRESS DIGEST============================ ACQUISITIONS: The number of Czech companies sold in the first half of the year rose to 190 from 98 in the same period of the last year, with the transaction volume growing to 116 billion crowns ($4.76 billion) from 68 billion. Hospodarske Noviny, page 1 Reuters has not verified the stories, nor does it vouch for their accuracy. For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX For updates on CEE currencies TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets Prague Newsroom: +420 224 190 477 E-mail: prague.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com ($1 = 24.3470 Czech crowns) (Reporting by Prague Newsroom)
China stocks rise despite weak trade data; Coal, property shares jump

SHANGHAI, Aug 8 (Reuters) - China shares rose on Monday, as a surge in coal stocks and sustained interest in property shares ignited by drama involving a major developer offset the impact of worse-than-expected trade data.

Both China's blue-chip CSI300 index and the Shanghai Composite Index climbed 0.9 percent, to 3,234.18 points and 3,004.28 points, respectively.

On the macro front, China's exports and imports fell more than expected in July, making a rocky start for the third quarter and suggesting global demand remains weak.

But market sentiment was lifted by a surge in coal stocks, after reports that borrowings by seven major coal miners in Shanxi will be rolled over to medium- to long-term special loans, as the government aids the struggling sector.

Major coal miners including Xishan Coal and Electricity Power, Luan Environmental Energy and Yanzhou Coal all jumped 10 percent.

Meanwhile, the real estate sector maintained strong upward momentum, gaining 2.4 percent, as drama and share acquisitions involving Vanke continued to stir excitement.
China Shanxi large coal miners can extend debt maturities - Xinhua

SHANGHAI/BEIJING, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Seven large Shanxi province-owned coal miners will be permitted to extend the maturities of some existing debt, state news agency Xinhua reported, as Chinese regulators continue their efforts to provide a softer landing for the stricken sector.

Citing a document released by the Shanxi branch of China's banking regulator, Xinhua said Shanxi banking sector institutions have been asked to help the coal firms convert short-term liquidity loans into medium and long-term loans.

China has been trying to prop up an industry that employs around 6 million people but is struggling with declining demand, crippling oversupply and a concerted government effort to promote cleaner forms of energy.

As part of pledges to curb overcapacity, China said in February that it would establish mechanisms to help restructure debt in the sector. It also promised to create incentives to transfer debt to specialist asset managers.

China's coal industry, the largest in the world, has been punished by a brutal collapse in prices since late 2014. Despite a moderate recovery in recent months, Chinese benchmark thermal coal prices remain around 30 percent lower than 2014.

China's legacy coal and steel regions have also been struggling to refinance themselves through conventional lenders, resulting in growing bond defaults in provinces like Shanxi and Liaoning.

A recent Reuters analysis of central bank data found sharply rebounding dependence on expensive "shadow bank" finance in China's rust belt as traditional lenders retrenched.

According to a separate report in the Xinhua-run Economic Information Daily newspaper on Monday, regulators have also drawn up proposals to allow debts of steel and coal firms to be converted into equity, with asset management companies (AMCs) set to play a major role.

The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment.

A source at one of China's major asset management firms suggested state-owned AMCs were now a more appropriate vehicle for debt-for-equity swaps than cautious banks.

"It isn't about market choices, but is influenced by government policy," the source said, noting that the company still holds assets handed over during a previous round of debt-for-equity swaps nearly 20 years ago.

Beijing aims to shed at least 250 million tonnes of excess coal production capacity this year, but it has struggled so far to meet its targets, achieving just 38 percent of the total from January to July.
Indonesian group behind Singapore plot has "dozens of members" - police

JAKARTA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Indonesian authorities said on Monday that several suspected radicals arrested on Batam island last week were part of a group that has "dozens of members" and has been active for two years.

Anti-terror forces arrested six men on Friday on suspicion of planning a rocket attack on neighboring Singapore.

National police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar said the group mostly recruited members online and was taking instructions from Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian who has joined Islamic State in Syria.

"The GRD group has been in operation for two year and has dozens of members," Amar told reporters at a press conference in Jakarta, referring to the group named after its leader Gigih Rahmat Dewa.

Anti-terror personnel rounded up the six men after tracking them for months on social media. One of the suspects was later released, Amar said on Monday.

Police also seized bomb-making materials, guns, and arrows from suspects' homes. But, police said, there were no sign that the rocket attack was anything more than a plan.

"There was no specific timeframe for them to attack Singapore, but that was their target," Amar said.
PRESS DIGEST - RUSSIA - AUG 8

MOSCOW, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The following are some stories in Russia's newspapers on Monday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

VEDOMOSTI

www.vedomosti.ru

- A company controlled by relatives of Russian Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev has expanded its business in the last two years, winning leading positions in the dairy and grain markets. The firm is reported to be making acquisitions on an almost monthly basis. Tkachev, appointed in April 2015, has succeeded in persuading the government he has no influence on his family's business, the daily says.

KOMMERSANT

www.kommersant.ru

- Ivan Valentik, the head of Russia's Forestry Agency, has criticised the World Bank for choosing Russian regions which have been less affected by fires for financing and for spending money on what he deems to be ineffective equipment. Prosecutors said last week that Russia's budget had lost 76 million roubles ($1.17 million) as a result of purchases made by the state under the World Bank programme, the daily says.

IZVESTIA

www.izvestia.ru

- Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds forces, will lead the offensive on Mosul, Islamic State's unofficial capital. The operation is scheduled to take place by the end of the year, the daily says, citing sources among Iran's foreign policy officials.

- Russia may suggest it and Turkey agree a special cooperation mechanism to prevent accidents in the air over Syria.

RBC

www.rbc

- The government is considering ways to create at least 336,000 new jobs in Russia's 319 single industry towns to avoid social tension because of growing unemployment. It will need at least 189 billion roubles ($2.91 billion) for the project, the daily says.

- The cabinet is discussing possible changes to the system of bonuses for top managers in state companies. For example, Andrey Murov, the chairman of the board of FGC UES, received 51.7 million roubles ($794,956.56) as a bonus last year, the daily says. It said state companies seldom reveal how much they pay their managers. The average salary across the country was some 30,000 roubles ($461.29) in 2015.

NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA

www.ng.ru

- Ukraine is ready for "a big war", the daily says, after an assassination attempt on the head of the self-proclaimed republic of Lugansk. The expanded war might start on Aug. 24 - the 25th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine, the daily says.

- Saudi Arabia has cut the price at which it sells oil to Asian customers, which will affect Russia and possibly squeeze it out of the Chinese market.

MOSKOVSKY KOMSOMOLETS

www.mk.ru
Weak Danish data adds pressure on PM before reform proposals

By Teis Jensen

COPENHAGEN, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Weak industrial output data released on Monday underscored Denmark's struggle to regain economic growth, adding pressure on the fragile minority government to see through reforms in the face of resistance from its main supporter.

Industrial production fell by 1.6 percent in June from the month before. In the second quarter overall, it declined by 0.5 percent compared to the first quarter.

The figures crystallised what will be another difficult economic year for the Nordic country, which has suffered a decade of lacklustre growth since the 2007-08 financial crisis, which punctured a housing bubble.

The economy is expected by the government to grow by 1.1 percent this year - a forecast issued before Britain's European Union membership referendum. Growth was 1.0 percent in 2015.

Rasmussen said in June he would roll out a new economic strategy this month to address the fact that only Spain and Italy among OECD countries have recorded slower growth than Denmark in productivity per working hour in the last 20 years.

"Most reforms in the past have focused on making the public finances add up. But this time around we hope for more real growth initiatives, as Denmark's public finances are pretty much under control," said Steen Bocian, chief economist at the Confederation of Danish Enterprise (DE) lobby group.

Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has not specified what stimulative reforms he could propose. But Danish media say they could include a rise in the pensionable age and reductions in welfare subsidies to enable tax cuts.

Danish GDP per capita was 6.3 percent lower in 2015 than in 2007, Bocian said. However Denmark remains among the world's most affluent countries, according to World Bank data, and is one of only eight to hold the best possible rating - AAA - at the three main credit rating agencies.

Economic uncertainties following Britain's vote to exit the EU may also make Danish companies postpone investment until there is more clarity about the outlook, Danske Bank's chief economist Las Olsen said.

A government report in May said Brexit could reduce Danish GDP negatively by as much as 0.2 percent in 2016. It has not issued a new forecast since Britain's June 23 referendum.

Bocian said one tool to increase growth could be to lower Denmark's tax burden, the EU's heaviest in 2014.

Although Rasmussen has said he wants to cut income taxes, this might prove impossible as his minority government's main supporter, the populist Danish People's Party (DF), has said it does not believe there is enough room in the budget to do so. The DF opposes a tightening of pension and welfare provisions.

Another of his government's three supporters, the small right-wing Liberal Alliance, has said it will not guarantee the government's survival unless tax cuts are indeed pushed through.
Saudi Arabia confirms cooperating with Germany to investigate attacks

BERLIN, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia made a rare comment on the nature of its security operations, confirming it was working with German investigators to track Islamist militants behind bomb and axe attacks in July.

Saudi Arabia maintains it is always ready to work with foreign countries to combat terrorism, but rarely speaks publicly on specific cases.

A spokesman for the Saudi interior ministry, General Mansour al-Turki, said Saudi and German security experts had met and exchanged information over evidence showing that one of the attackers in Germany had been in contact through social media with a member of Islamic State using a Saudi phone number.

Turki said the suspect was in an unspecified "country of conflict," but declined to say whether he was a Saudi citizen.

"The investigation is still ongoing between experts in both countries to try to find the parties to the case," Turki told Reuters in response to a question on a report by news magazine Der Spiegel on Saturday.

Spiegel said that traces of the chat indicate that both men were not only influenced by but also took instructions from people, as yet unidentified, up until the attacks.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack in Bavaria in which a 17-year-old refugee wounded five people with an axe before police shot him dead.

The group also claimed a bombing in Ansbach, southern Germany, which wounded 15 people.
Legal notices

1) The material on this blog has been created by W. Blake Gray, is protected under US copyright law and cannot be used without his permission.



2) To the FTC: In the course of my work, I accept free samples, meals and other considerations. I do not trade positive reviews or coverage for money or any financial considerations, unlike certain famous print publications which have for-profit wine clubs but, because they are not classified as "bloggers," are not required by the FTC to post a notice like this.


EU migrant deal not possible if Turkey's demands not met - Erdogan

PARIS, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Turkey's migration agreement with the European Union "will not be possible" if the EU does not keep its side of the deal on visa waivers, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has told France's Le Monde newspaper.

"The European Union is not behaving in a sincere manner with Turkey," Erdogan said in comments published on Monday, noting that the visa waiver for Turkish citizens was supposed to kick in on June 1.
Copper up, but China demand worry keeps it near 4-week low

By Pratima Desai

LONDON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Copper rose on Monday alongside equities after the latest monthly U.S. jobs data helped buoy sentiment, but worries about demand in top consumer China kept prices near four-week lows.

Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange ended up 0.4 percent to $4,810 a tonne. Earlier it fell to $4,789, near Friday's $4,783, the lowest since July 12.

Stock markets around the world rose as risk appetite revived following robust U.S. job growth in July that bolstered expectations of faster growth in the world's biggest economy.

"Base is getting support from equities and strong employment growth in the U.S.," said Societe Generale analyst Robin Bhar. "China's trade data was worse than expected on both imports and exports and copper imports were very disappointing."

China's copper imports fell 14 percent to 360,000 tonnes in July from the previous month as softer summer demand in the world's top consumer slowed down buying.

Overall, China's imports fell 12.5 percent from a year earlier in July and exports fell 4.4 percent, pointing to further economic weakness.

"Demand growth in copper's key end-use sectors remains relatively weak," said Morgan Stanley in a note.

"We therefore expect second half copper import requirements to continue to decline - a bearish development given 2016 mine supply growth has so far beaten expectations."

However, copper is up about 2.5 percent so far this year due to improved Chinese demand in the second quarter and a weaker U.S. currency, which makes metals cheaper for non U.S.-firms; a relationship used by funds to generate buy and sell signals.

But other metals such as zinc and tin have done better.

"(Copper has) failed to share within the gains of the broader complex, suggesting that market scepticism over the health of its fundamentals is both real and persistent," Barclays said in a note.

Three-month zinc closed up 0.6 percent at $2,280 a tonne. It is up nearly 60 percent from January lows on concern about market deficits created by mine closures.

Tin slipped 0.3 percent to $18,300. Last week it touched $18,450, its highest since February 2015, as worries about supplies and low stocks were reinforced by news of falling exports from Indonesia.

Aluminium fell 0.2 percent to $1,642, lead added 0.3 percent to $1,791 and nickel gained 0.5 percent to $10,870.

PRICES

Three month LME copper

Most active ShFE copper

Three month LME aluminium

Most active ShFE aluminium

Three month LME zinc

Most active ShFE zinc

Three month LME lead

Most active ShFE lead

Three month LME nickel

Most active ShFE nickel

Three month LME tin
At least 30 protesters killed in Ethiopia's Oromiya region: opposition

By Aaron Maasho

ADDIS ABABA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - At least 33 people were shot dead by security forces in protests at the weekend across Ethiopia's central Oromiya region linked to an aborted government attempt to commandeer local land, opposition party officials said on Monday.

Police fired tear gas and blocked roads to several towns in the vast region as demonstrations erupted after a call from a spontaneous social media movement.

Ethiopian authorities had imposed a blanket internet blockade throughout the weekend.

Unrest wracked Oromiya for several months until early this year, sparked by plans to allocate farmland in the region surrounding the capital for development.

Authorities scrapped the land scheme in January, but protests have flared again over the continued detention of opposition demonstrators.

At the weekend, protesters chanted anti-government slogans and waved dissident flags. Some demanded the release of jailed opposition politicians.

"So far, we have compiled a list of 33 protesters killed by armed security forces that included police and soldiers but I am very sure the list will grow," Mulatu Gemechu, Deputy Chairman of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress, told Reuters.

The deaths took place in at least 10 towns across Oromiya, he said, including Ambo, Dembi Dolo, and Nekemt - areas that were similarly engulfed by previous rounds of protests.

"Twenty-six people have also been injured, while several have been detained," Mulatu said. Three members of his party had also being held.

Government officials were not immediately available for comment. The state-owned Ethiopian News Agency said "illegal protests" staged by "anti-peace forces" had been brought under control, but it did not mention casualties.

Oromiya is the second region to be hit by unrest in the past few days. In Amhara, at least two people were killed in the ancient city of Gonder in clashes over the status of a disputed territory.

Tensions have been rumbling for two decades over the status of Wolkayt district - a stretch of land that protesters from Amhara say was illegally incorporated into the neighbouring Tigray region to the north.

Any sign of unrest is closely watched in Ethiopia, a major Western ally against Islamist militants in neighbouring Somalia and an economic power seen as a centre of relative stability in a fragile region.
Closer ties between Turkey, Russia not seen affecting Turkey's role in NATO

BERLIN, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Germany does not believe that a thaw in relations between Turkey and Russia will affect Turkey's role in the NATO alliance, a spokeswoman for the German Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

The spokeswoman said it was important for both countries to communicate given the threat situation in the region, and their respective roles in ending the civil war in Syria.

"We do not believe that the rapprochement between Turkey and Russia will have consequences for the security partnership within NATO," said spokeswoman Sawsan Chebli. "Turkey is and remains an important partner within NATO."
Murder of former leading N.Ireland militant sparks fresh fears

BELFAST, Aug 8 (Reuters) - A leading member of a major Northern Ireland paramilitary group that said it got rid of all its weapons six years ago was shot dead in Belfast on Sunday, sparking fears of a fresh feud that could raise tensions in the British-controlled province.

Local media named the deceased as John Boreland, who was injured in a previous murder attempt two years ago. Boreland was a member of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) whose scrapping of weapons in front of independent monitors in 2010 completed the disarming of Northern Ireland's main militant groups.

A 1998 peace deal largely ended three decades of bloodshed between Catholic Irish nationalists, seeking union with Ireland, and predominantly Protestant unionists who want to remain part of the United Kingdom, but pockets of violence remain.

A murder linked to former Irish nationalist militants led to a political crisis last year between the former foes who jointly run the power sharing executive when it raised questions about whether the province's ceasefire was being properly adhered to.

A report complied by Northern Ireland's police force and the British domestic intelligence agency MI5 following that episode found that all the main paramilitary groups, including the UDA, remained in existence but were not planning attacks.

It said groups on both sides of the divide were instead engaged in violence and other criminal activities, including fuel-laundering, drug dealing and extortion, and that members of all groups had carried out murders since the 1998 agreement.

On the UDA, the report concluded that while parts of its leadership were committed to steering it towards peaceful, community based activism, they had limited control over members who remained heavily involved in violence and crime and "act almost completely autonomously".
EU migrant deal not possible if Turkey's demands not met - Erdogan

PARIS, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Turkey's migration agreement with the European Union may collapse if the EU does not keep its side of the deal on visa waivers, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told France's Le Monde newspaper.

Erdogan's comments reflect a shift in stance at a time when he is rebuking Western leaders for their response to the July 15 coup bid. Erdogan vowed to keep Turkey's promises on the migrant deal as recently as July 26.

"The European Union is not behaving in a sincere manner with Turkey," Erdogan said in comments published by Le Monde on Monday, noting that the visa waiver for Turkish citizens was supposed to kick in on June 1.

"If our demands are not satisfied then the readmissions will no longer be possible," Erdogan said.

Ankara agreed in March to stop migrants from crossing into Greece in exchange for financial aid being revived, the promise of visa-free travel to much of the EU and accelerated membership talks.

However, the reciprocal visa-free access has been delayed due to a dispute over Turkish anti-terrorism legislation and concern in the West about the scale of Ankara's crackdown following a failed coup.

Criticising the response of Washington and European leaders to the attempted putsch, Erdogan said the Turkish people had been abandonned by the West.

"The whole world reacted to the attack against Charlie Hebdo. Our prime minister joined a rally in the streets of Paris," Erdogan said, referring to the deadly militant attack on the office of the French satirical magazine in January 2015.

"I would have hoped that the leaders of the Western world would have reacted (to the coup attempt) in the same way and not have contented themselves with a few cliches."

In Berlin on Monday, a spokeswoman for the German foreign ministry repeated that reinstatement of the death penalty in Turkey would end its bid to join the EU.

Erdogan, speaking to German television station ARD last month after the coup attempt, said the Turkish people wanted the death penalty bringing back and those governing the country should listen to them.
Congo rebels kill at least 8 civilians in mounting ethnic violence

KINSHASA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Rebel fighters killed at least eight civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo before fleeing when Congolese troops arrived, local sources said, in a region where a spike in ethnic violence has halted some aid deliveries.

Hundreds of civilians have died over the past year in inter-communal violence and a series of massacres by armed groups in Congo's North Kivu province, which borders Rwanda and Uganda.

Lawless eastern Congo is plagued by dozens of armed groups that prey on the local population and exploit mineral reserves. Millions died there between 1996 and 2003 as regional conflict caused hunger and disease. The recent increase in violence has prevented aid from reaching vulnerable populations.

On Sunday, an ethnic Nande militia, the Mai-Mai Mazembe, killed at least seven civilians in the town of Kibirizi before the troops arrived, local activist Innocent Gasigwa said.

Gasigwa said the attack appeared to be revenge against the Rwandophone community in Kibirizi. Rebels from the Rwandophone Hutu ethnic group were suspected of killing at least seven civilians last month in an attack targeting the town's Nande residents.

He said an ethnic Hutu militia, the Nyatura, had also killed a man on Sunday in the nearby town of Nyanzale who was suspected of belonging to Mai-Mai Mazembe.
Syrian govt delivers supplies to Aleppo via alternative route -monitors

BEIRUT, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Syrian government forces delivered food and fuel to neighbourhoods they control in the divided city of Aleppo on Monday, using an alternative road after rebels cut off the main supply route into those areas, a monitoring group said.

Insurgents effectively broke a month-long government siege of eastern, opposition-held Aleppo on Saturday, advancing against President Bashar al-Assad's forces and their allies and cutting off a strip of government-held territory to connect with fighters in the encircled sector.

That rebel advance severed the primary government supply corridor running into the city from the south, and raised the prospect that government-held western Aleppo might in turn become besieged by the insurgents.

The army and its allies made the aid delivery via the Castello Road, which extends into Aleppo from the north, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Castello Road was captured by government forces last month. It had been the main opposition supply route into the city.

A Syrian military statement confirmed Monday's delivery of supplies, although it did not specify the route used.

A western Aleppo resident said supplies had arrived. "Today fuel, food and petrol came in - the government opened up an alternative route," Tony Ishaq said via internet messenger.

Rebel sources and the Observatory said there were plans on the opposition side to bring humanitarian supplies into eastern Aleppo from insurgent-held territory further west, but that the route was not secure.

Syrian warplanes have been bombing the Ramousah area, where the rebels advanced and cut the road on Saturday, leaving no safe passage for civilians, the Observatory said.

The Syrian military statement said government forces were shelling rebel positions in the Ramousah area. The Observatory said rebels had bombarded areas of western Aleppo overnight.

Assad's forces are supported by Russian air power, Iranian militias and fighters from Lebanon's Hezbollah group who have sent reinforcements to shore up the army.
EUROPE POWER-Wind supply downturn boosts German spot, forwards rise

FRANKFURT, Aug 8 (Reuters) - European prompt power was mixed on Monday, with German prices rising on tighter renewables supply while prices in France dropped on falling temperatures.

"German supply is falling faster than demand," one trader said.

German baseload power for Tuesday delivery was up 3.45 euros at 29.2 euros ($32.36) per megawatt-hour (MWh), compared with the level paid for Monday.

The equivalent French contract was 1.4 euros lower at 29.1 euros.

Weather patterns that drive output at wind and solar plants are currently very changeable.

The German met office said in a daily report that the climate would turn autumnal in the coming days, bringing stormy and cold weather, before summer "strikes back" at the weekend.

Thomson Reuters (TR) data showed that wind power output in Germany will fall to 6.2 gigawatts (GW) on Tuesday compared with 13.3 GW recorded on Monday, which exceeded forecasts by 3.2 GW.

Solar supply will fall by 3.2 GW to 7 GW on Tuesday.

Demand was forecast to rise by 1.4 GW in Germany and by 1.8 GW in France.

In the nuclear sector, RWE's Gundremmingen C plant re-opened while French nuclear availability fell 0.7 percentage points to 63.6 percent of the total.

Forward power prices were boosted by firmer levels in related fuels markets, reversing some recent losses, which had driven the German benchmark Cal '17 position to a five-week low.

The contract, German baseload power for delivery next year , gained 25 cents to 26.45 euros/MWh.

The equivalent French contract, which is less liquid, rose by 30 cents to 32.1 euros/MWh.

Oil was lifted by reports of renewed talks by some members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to restrain output.

European coal for 2017 gained 0.5 percent over last Friday to stand at $56.6 a tonne. Still, losses in the current month amount to $4.4 and levels over $60 are not within sight.

Front-year EU carbon allowances rose 1.3 percent to 4.79 euros a tonne.

In eastern European power, the Czech year-ahead position did not trade after closing at 27 euros, while the day ahead rose by 2.9 euros to 30.25 euros.
Burial of Philippine dictator Marcos in heroes' cemetery triggers debate

MANILA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The Philippines has begun preparations for the burial of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at a cemetery for national heroes, a decision that drew criticism from the vice president and could polarise the country.

President Rodrigo Duterte said he was fulfilling a campaign promise to have Marcos, who ruled with an iron fist for two decades, interred at the heroes' cemetery as a former president and soldier.

On Sunday, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana assigned armed forces chief of staff General Ricardo Visaya, to handle arrangements for the burial next month, in line with "the verbal order of the president to implement his campaign promise".

"I am just implementing a presidential directive, whatever I think is immaterial," Lorenzana told reporters on Monday.

"He deserved to be buried at the heroes' cemetery based on the criteria from the military regulations."

Marcos was a soldier and guerrilla leader during World War Two when the former U.S. colony was occupied by Japanese forces.

As a dictator in the 1970s and '80s, Marcos, his family and cronies amassed an estimated $10 billion in ill-gotten wealth and thousands of suspected communist rebels and political foes were killed. His wife, Imelda, denies amassing wealth illegally.

Vice President Leni Robredo said she opposed Duterte's decision to transfer the strongman's remains from his home town of Batac in the northern Philippines to the cemetery.

"Mr Marcos is no hero," she said in a statement. "How can we allow a hero's burial for a man who has plundered our country and was responsible for the death and disappearance of many Filipinos?"

Robredo, a human rights advocate, defeated the dictator's son and namesake, Ferdinand Marcos, in a vote for the vice presidency in May.

She said Duterte's decision would not bring unity but would "deepen the unhealed wounds" of Marcos' victims.

Some Roman Catholic bishops and left-wing activists also opposed Marcos' burial.

"It is a great insult," said one prominent bishop, Arturo Bastes.

Duterte brushed off the criticism.

"I see nothing wrong in having Marcos buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani," the president said in a speech to soldiers on Sunday, referring to the cemetery.

Marcos was elected president in 1965 and re-elected four years later but imposed martial law a year before his second term ended.
Jonathan Ernst / Reuters

On Tuesday, August 9, theres a primary for the seat held by Paul Ryan, the House Speaker. Its in the news  Ryan is being challenged in the Republican primary by a hitherto little-known businessman, Paul Nehlen. Theres also a contested primary on the Democratic side . On Tuesday, Donald Trump pointedly refused to endorse Ryan , which doesnt necessarily reflect any Ryan weakness in the district (more like Trump and Ryans irreconcilable differences.) But Ryan was vulnerable before, and hes more vulnerable now.

Thats where Wisconsin Democrats come in: Wisconsins open primary tradition means you can vote in Ryans primary  which gives you, through a harmonic convergence of circumstance, a strange and shocking power. With one vote you can boot the most powerful national Republican in the country, an ideological zealot who will never be dissuaded from enacting policies inimical to Democratic ideas and interests. With one vote, you can kill the pending Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal. You can kill the GOPs longstanding plan to voucherize Medicare. Kill Ryans scheme to pack all welfare programs into one capped stream of money and let states spend it as they wish. Kill his plans to promote guest workers and in effectively encourage more immigrants to come here and bid down wages.

Why would you not do that?

In 2014, remember, thousands of Democrats in Virginia crossed over to vote in the Republican primary against ambitious GOP rising star, Majority Leader Eric Cantor. That may have made the difference in the shocking defeat of the now ex-rising star by a little-known professor, Dave Brat.

Why not do it again?

Is the problem that Paul Ryans a statesmanlike figure who represents the best Republicanism has to offer? Hardly. The key thing about Ryan is that hes a true believer in the unhindered market. Hes certainly a true believer in free trade  something that only 11% of his own party thinks helps boost wages, never mind Democrats (who disdain free trade by similar lopsided margins). Ryan recently told a Koch brothers gathering hed lead the fight for expanded trade deals despite the opposition within his own party (a progressive tendency he vowed to repudiate). If Ryan returns to the House  where hell almost certainly remain Speaker  he will probably try to pass the big TPP trade bill this year, and he will probably succeed.

What have free trade deals done for Wisconsin industry?

Ryans also a principled believer in the free movement of people! In other words, open borders. He cant quite come out and say it, but its close. Hes explicitly called for guest worker programs to import low-wage laborers so farmers dont have to raise wages too much (from about $12 an hour) for Americans who milk cows. More generally, Ryan calls for a system where labor supply and demand can meet each other  translation: employers can bring in as many low-wage workers as they want. Ryans probably the most ideologically committed open borders person in Congress, according to Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies.

And you know those 150 Abbott Laboratories workers near Waukegan who had to train their foreign replacements before being laid off? It all happened under the H-1B visa program,  which is supposed to bring in only foreigners who have specialized skills Americans lack. You can expect Ryan to do everything in his power to expand the flow of such American-replacing guest workers. And to favor the legalization of undocumented immigrants over actually securing the border against future flows of illegal workers  which, after all, is just another word for free movement of people!

In Washington, Ryan is considered a philosopher because he talks about abstract theories and principles  especially the Economics 101 theory that unlimited trade and immigration maximize overall well being. Of course, as the theorists reluctantly acknowledge if pressed, there are winners and losers in the process. The Winners are mainly investors (eg. the rich, and Wall Street). The Losers ... well, thats you: American workers who now have to compete with all the impoverished people on the planet. But dont worry! You see the bonanza from free trade and immigration is so great, the Winners can afford to compensate the Losers who cant find jobs. So nice of them! Of course that is only in theory,

But what Ryan really lives for, apparently, is cutting entitlements, which means Social Security and Medicare. Hes pushed to privatize the former and turn the latter into a voucher-style program in which people have to constantly choose (and rechoose) between competing private insurers.

Would you rather have Medicare, where you sign up and they pay the bills, or a complex scheme, very much like the troubled Obamacare exchanges, in which youre always scrambling to avoid being gouged, always worrying that the plan you signed up for wont cover the drugs or operation you need or even be there next year?

If you dont like Medicare, by all means vote for Ryan. But if you do, you can end the Ryan threat for good  just by exercising your Wisconsin privilege to vote in the primary you choose to vote in, and voting for Ryans opponent, Paul Nehlen.

Itd be worth bouncing Ryan even if his opponent was a putz. So its a bonus  gravy  that Nehlen, is instead an appealing fellow, a local entrepreneur who has successfully worked with union and non-union shops, and who fundamentally agrees with prevailing Democratic skepticism about big trade deals  NAFTA and TPP etc. He favors bilateral deals in which we can instantly slap tariffs on countries that manipulate their currencies or violate labor standards. His test is whether a given deal helps average Americans  not whether it helps Wall Street more than ithurts the Rust Belt.

But if you dont like Nehlen  if you want to instead elect one of the Democrats who are running  fine. You can still vote for Democratic nominee in November after bouncing Ryan now. Its win-win.

OK, there is one downside. Wisconsin Democrats who vote against Ryan in Tuesdays GOP primary for Congress cant then also vote in Tuesdays Democratic primary for local offices  county clerks and treasurers, maybe an assembly race. Especially you are a party regular, those races can be very important  and if theyre that important to you, by all means vote in the Democratic primary.

But if youre not a party regular  if youre just a voter worried about the direction of the country  deciding which primary to vote in should be an easy choice. Which is the bigger threat: that a zealot like Ryan will push trade and immigration deals and destroy the possibility of decent paying jobs, while making the Social Security safety net as insecure as the economy  or that a turkey will get nominated to be Register of Deeds in Rock County?

Its up to you.
Election re-run in Spain would result in another hung parliament- poll

MADRID, Aug 8 (Reuters) - A third election would do little to break Spain's political stalemate, with the People's Party (PP) of acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy seen winning the vote but coming far short of a parliamentary majority, an influential poll showed on Monday.

Spain is already eight months into a deadlock created by two inconclusive elections. Parties on the right and left have so far struggled to come to terms to form a government, hampered by old rivalries and disputes ranging from economic policy to leadership questions.

The PP was the only one of Spain's main four parties to win more seats in parliament on June 26 compared to Dec. 20, raking up 137, though that was still be short of the 176 needed for a majority in the 350-strong lower house.

If another election were held the PP would get 32.5 percent of the vote, the survey by official pollster CIS showed, down slightly from the 33 percent it scored in June. The poll did not give an estimate of parliamentary seats.

The Socialists, the main rivals of the PP for past four decades, would come second with a slightly better result, on 23.1 percent versus 22.7 percent at the last election.
Japan orders military to be ready for N.Korea missile launch at any time

TOKYO, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Japan ordered its military on Monday to be ready at any time to shoot down any North Korean missiles that threaten to strike Japan, putting its forces on a state of alert for at least three months, a defence ministry official and media said.

Up to now, Japan has issued temporary orders when it had indications of an imminent North Korean missile launch that it has canceled after a projectile had been launched.
Zimbabwe war veterans leaders boycott Mugabe heroes speech

By MacDonald Dzirutwe

HARARE, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Leaders of Zimbabwean war veterans on Monday boycotted a speech by President Robert Mugabe to honour fighters of the country's independence war, widening a rift with Africa's oldest leader, whom the veterans have asked to step down.

The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) last month denounced Mugabe, 92, as a divisive dictator, in a jolting rebuke underlining mounting anger over economic woes.

The ZNLWVA executive was absent from National Heroes Day celebrations in the capital to honour living and dead fighters of the 1970s liberation war against white minority rule.

This is the first time leaders of the group have failed to attend the celebrations since ZNLWVA was formed in 1990.

The group has anchored Mugabe's election campaigns since 2000, when the first major opposition to the president emerged with the formation in 1999 of the main opposition party Movement For Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai.

ZNLWVA secretary general Victor Matemadanda said his group had boycotted Monday's event because it had lost its meaning.

"We said as an executive we have no reason to attend because it (National Heroes Day) is not intended to achieve the true goal to honour the war veterans," Matemadanda told Reuters.

"We said because we are being persecuted continuously, there is no reason why we should go there. In fact if you go there, you will never know what they will think, maybe they will think of arresting us or other comrades who have not been arrested."

SALARIES DELAYED

Mugabe's government has arrested and charged war veterans' leaders in a crackdown against his formed allies.

In his 50-minute speech, Mugabe did not mention the war veterans, but instead accused activist pastor Evan Mawarire of calling for violent anti-government protests.

Mawarire's #ThisFlag movement last month led a protest over delayed salaries for public sector employees that closed businesses, government offices, schools and hospitals - the most significant popular defiance of the long-ruling Mugabe in a decade.

"If protests are allowed, let them be peaceful not to be like the ones advocated by Mawarire," Mugabe said.

Zimbabwe is struggling to pay salaries to soldiers, police and other public workers, which could stoke political tensions in a nation plagued by drought, a drop in mineral prices and chronic cash shortages - all factors behind unrest against Mugabe, the only leader independent Zimbabwe has known.

Mugabe's government is drafting a Computer Crime and Cyber Crime Bill, which will allow authorities to seize phones and laptops, seen as a bid to curb the use of social media to organise anti-government demonstrations.
Riyadh says Germany attack helper used Saudi phone from IS area

BERLIN, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia confirmed on Monday it was helping German investigators track Islamic State militants behind attacks in Germany and said one had been in contact with someone using a Saudi-registered mobile phone.

In a rare comment on its security operations, Riyadh confirmed that Saudi and German security experts had met and exchanged information on the contact made via social media, but the Middle Eastern contact was not located in Saudi Arabia.

A statement by the Saudi Arabian embassy, citing Interior Minister General Mansour al-Turki, did not specify which of two violent Islamist attacks last month this referred to.

One was an axe attack on a train near Wurzburg that wounded five people and another was a bomb in Ansbach in southern Germany that caused 15 injuries.

"The investigation found that the Islamic State contact person was not in Saudi Arabia but rather was in contact from the IS area," the statement said, referring to the area in Syria and Iraq controlled by the militant Islamic State group.

The statement said the attacker in the other incident had no connection whatsoever with Saudi Arabia.

Al-Turki had said earlier that Saudi and German security experts had examined evidence showing that one of the attackers in Germany had been in contact through social media with a member of Islamic State using a Saudi phone number.

Turki said the suspect was in an unspecified "country of conflict" and declined to say whether he was a Saudi citizen.

"The investigation is still ongoing between experts in both countries to try to find the parties to the case," Turki told Reuters in response to a question on a report by news magazine Der Spiegel.

Saudi Arabia, which says it is always ready to work with foreign countries to fight terrorism, rarely speaks publicly on specific cases.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack in Bavaria in which a 17-year-old refugee wounded five people with an axe before police shot him dead, and for a bombing in Ansbach, southern Germany, which wounded 15 people.

The 27-year-old Syrian, who carried out the Ansbach attack, had pledged allegiance to Islamic State on a video found on his phone, investigators said.

Der Spiegel said traces of the chat indicate that both men had been influenced by, and taken instructions from, unidentified people before the attacks.

German foreign ministry spokeswoman Sawsan Chebli told a news conference on Monday that Saudi Arabia had offered to help Germany investigate attacks in Germany claimed by Islamic State.

"Germany and other western countries have been successfully working together with Saudi Arabia on fighting terrorism for a long time," she said. Information passed on by Saudi Arabia had been key in helping prevent terrorist attacks in Germany in the past, she said.
'Bring us home,' plead Filipino migrants stranded in Saudi Arabia

By Beh Lih Yi

JAKARTA, Aug 8 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Thousands of Filipino workers stranded in Saudi Arabia due to a massive layoff triggered by a slump in oil prices have pleaded to the Philippine government to expedite their repatriation.

Some have not been paid for months and have been forced to scavenge in bins for food, a migrant support group said.

Manila said last Friday a team would be sent to the kingdom, which has about 1 million Filipino migrant workers, to provide humanitarian and legal assistance.

The team, which will arrive on Wednesday, will focus on those "without food and in dire need of medical care and other support services", according to a foreign affairs department statement.

"That is the initial relief but we are telling the government to concentrate on the repatriation," Mario Ben, the head of Filipino migrants group Migrante International in Saudi Arabia told the Thomson Reuters Foundation from Riyadh.

"It is better for the workers to go home as soon as possible. They want to go back and look for jobs elsewhere again."

Ben said the repatriation should be done immediately while the Philippine and Saudi governments work out a deal to recover wages owed to the Filipino workers which are typically around $400-500 a month. Some have not been paid for up to eight months.

Saudi Arabia has seen an unprecedented influx of migrant workers during the oil boom, with the number almost doubling from 5.3 million in 2000 to 10.2 million in 2015 according to U.N. figures.

But the world's largest crude exporter's economy has taken a knock since late last year as a sharp drop in oil prices forced cuts in state spending.

Construction companies, hit by the downturn, have laid off tens of thousands of labourers, leaving many with no money for food let alone for tickets home.

Migrante International estimates around 11,000 Filipino construction workers have lost jobs.

According to Ben, the affected workers - who are living at company camps for migrant labourers - have survived based on support from the local Filipino community. Although aid has arrived in recent days, food remains a key concern, he said.

"Some workers have to search the garbage bins or look for leftovers in vegetable farms, clean them and eat them.

"Some of their children back home have also stopped going to schools because there was no remittance to send home. Their parents could not support them anymore," Ben added.

India said last month that 10,000 Indians in Saudi were facing a "food crisis", while governments including France and Bangladesh have been pressing Saudi authorities to ensure construction firms pay their workers.
Riverstone to sell Rock Oil stake for $237 mln

Aug 8 (Reuters) - Britain's energy fund Riverstone Energy Ltd said it would sell its stake in Rock Oil Holdings LLC, a U.S.-based oil and gas explorer, to SM Energy Co for $237 million.
Bangladesh expels North Korean diplomat for smuggling

DHAKA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Bangladesh has expelled a senior North Korean diplomat after accusing him of smuggling almost half a million dollars worth of banned cigarettes and electronic goods, a government minister said on Monday.

Han Son Ik, first secretary of the North Korean embassy in Dhaka, is the country's second senior diplomat to have been expelled from Bangladesh in as many years for allegedly bringing contraband into the country.

"The Bangladesh government has asked the North Korean embassy to expel the concerned diplomat without delay," said Mohammad Shahriar Alam, the junior minister for external affairs.

Calls to the North Korean embassy went unanswered.

Customs officials seized the smuggled goods valued at 35 million taka ($447,000), Moinul Islam Khan, head of intelligence at Bangladesh customs, told Reuters.

Bangladesh expelled a previous North Korean first secretary in March last year after he was caught smuggling 27 kg (60 lb) of gold - worth $1.4 million - into the country, officials said at the time.
Death toll in Angola's oil-rich Cabinda rises to nearly 40

LUANDA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Ten Angolan soldiers were killed and nine wounded in fighting with rebels in the country's oil-producing Cabinda enclave, bringing the death toll since a flare-up in the conflict to nearly 40, the separatist guerrilla group said on Monday.

The high command of the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC), which wants independence for a territory that accounts for half of Angola's oil output, has toughened its stance since the death of its 88-year-old founder Nzita Tiago earlier this year in exile in France.

In its statement on Monday, FLEC warned the government of China to repatriate all its citizens in the oil-producing area as their presence "constitutes a provocation".

Chinese companies have invested heavily in Africa in recent years, keen to secure much-needed resources for China's economic development. However, this has sometimes provoked hostility from local miners toward Chinese managers based in Africa.

The latest clashes broke out on Friday and Saturday in the area between Dinge and Massabi, FLEC said. This follows attacks in early August when two rebels and 17 soldiers were killed.
London Metal Exchange cuts fees, but is it too little too late? Andy Home

By Andy Home

LONDON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange (LME) has just unveiled a package of measures designed to "strengthen its role as the global liquidity centre for metals trading".

There are several components, including reducing charges for position transfers and lowering initial margin rates.

The real headline grabber, though, is a cut in the fees charged for what the exchange terms "short-dated carries", which means anything between the next business day and 15 calendar days forward.

This marks a reversal of the fee hikes instituted at the start of 2015, the expiry date of a previous "no-change" honeymoon period promised by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEx) when it bought the venerable London institution in 2012.

Some sort of concession on these trading costs has been widely expected for some time.

LME volumes have been falling, in stark contrast to those on its transatlantic rival CME. Broker discontent has been rising to the point that some are looking at establishing a new metals trading platform under the stewardship of previous LME chief executive Martin Abbott. nL8N18Z33Q

It would be tempting to view such tensions as a clash of the old and the new, traditionalist members resisting the urge of HKEx to monetise its massive $2.2 billion outlay on the LME.

But this tug-of-war on trading fees cuts to the very heart and soul of the London market as a global setter of base metals prices. Because the cost of doing business on the exchange is causing a seepage of liquidity from the industrial user-base that has formed the historical backbone of the LME's price discovery credibility.

The question is, though, has the LME left it too late to try and reverse this trend?

THE PROBLEM WITH "TOM"

The whole issue of how much short-dated carries cost on the LME and why it matters can be distilled down to one specific trade, "tom-next", collective short-hand for "tomorrow-next".

Even within the LME's unique prompt date structure, "tom-next" is something of a curiosity.

A trade borrowed from the currency markets, it effectively allows positions to be rolled from day to day without having to be cashed out.

Industrial users, whether producers, manufacturers or traders, love it for the flexibility it affords in managing inventories.

And they used to love it even more because it was a very low-cost trade, or even a free trade if a friendly broker was prepared to absorb the cost, as many traditionally did.

That changed with those January 2015 fee hikes and the resulting impact has been increasingly clear to see on exchange volumes.

Aluminium, for example, is the LME's most liquid contract. Volumes were down by 8.9 percent in the first half of this year, a performance that masks a much sharper 30.5-percent contraction in "tom-next" trading.

As industrial players reduce their foot-print on "tom-next" and other short-dated spreads, money men are increasing theirs, but mostly on the LME's more vanilla forward prompt dates and mostly via the exchange's electronic trading platform.

These contrasting trends explain the concern, both among LME brokers and the exchange itself, that the London market risks losing its industrial credentials.

After all, if the London market forfeits both its industrial users and its weird and wonderful date structure, it forfeits its competitive advantage over rival, more conventional futures exchanges such as CME or, further down the road, a Chinese market such as the Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE).

TOO LATE? TOO LITTLE?

It's probably fair to say that the LME's concession on short-dated spread fees hasn't been greeted with the jubilation exchange officials might have hoped for.

That's partly down to the timing and size of these fee cuts. It's been 20 months since they were increased and that's 20 months of collective complaint by both brokers and clients, many of whom have simply voted with their feet.

Moreover, while the LME can boast it is reducing the fees by 44 percent for exchange members, costs are still a far cry from the minimal levels that made "tom-next" the most liquid spread in the LME's labyrinthine spread structure.

It's far from certain the exchange has moved fast or far enough to reverse the steady drift of industrial hedgers away from the market.

But that's also because fees are only part of the broader problem of industrial participation on the LME anyway.

Another unique characteristic of the LME is the fact that it is a credit-driven forwards market, customers negotiating credit lines with their brokers and obviating the need for cash margining.

Credit, however, has become a far scarcer resource than it once was, particularly for the sort of smaller industrial player that has formed the historical bedrock of the exchange's user base.

The costs associated with regulation, meanwhile, have also risen with some brokers now preferring to deal with their clients on an over-the-counter basis rather than jump through the hoops of segregated accounts.

Fee hikes, credit contraction and regulatory costs have combined to make LME trading a more expensive and more difficult forum for "Main Street" players.

And they have accordingly evolved their trading practices, most particularly in the form of netting off positions before transacting on the LME and opting for cash-funded accounts rather than credit lines.

And in some cases, just not using the exchange at all.

COMPETITION

None of which is to say that the LME is facing some sort of cataclysmic collapse.

It still benefits from its historical position as price discovery forum for the global base metals industry, a preeminence that is not going to disappear overnight.

But the threats are multiplying.

Both CME and ShFE have been enjoying strong volume growth over the last couple of years and while it would be easy, as LME officials have at times done in the past, to dismiss both as merely forums for speculation rather than hedging, that may be starting to change.

Emboldened by its foray into the world of physical aluminium premium trading, CME has just launched a North American aluminium alloy contract, a niche product that appears directly targeted at the sort of smaller manufacturer that would have once used the LME for its risk management tools.

And while there is no doubt that ShFE volumes are inflated by a day-trading investment crowd, its relatively new nickel contract, launched last year, appears to be gaining industrial traction in the form of physical arbitrage between the Chinese and international markets.

The global base metals space has been transformed from a unipolar world centred on London to a multipolar one in which regulation and costs mark the competitive battleground.

The LME has just shown that it understands this evolution but the jury is out on whether it has done enough to tilt the playing field back in its favour.
Trump seeks a campaign reset with Detroit economic speech

By Steve Holland and Emily Stephenson

DETROIT/WASHINGTON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Republican Donald Trump sought to regain momentum for his White House campaign on Monday by proposing sweeping tax breaks, cuts to federal regulations and a revival of the stalled Keystone XL oil pipeline project.

The New York businessman used a speech on the economy in Detroit to try to turn the page after a week of missteps in which he came under heavy criticism, including from some in his own party, and rival Democrat Hillary Clinton surged ahead in opinion polls three months ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

"I want to jump-start America," Trump said, "and it won't even be that hard."

Trump stuck to prepared remarks rather than the freewheeling style that often produces controversial comments at rallies. He kept his cool as some 14 protesters jumped to their feet and shouted at coordinated intervals as he spoke at the Detroit Economic Club.

Trump's remarks, which were repeatedly cheered by the crowd, appeared targeted at both an affluent business community and working people, in particular those who have suffered from a decline in U.S. manufacturing in cities such as Detroit. He dismissed Clinton as representing "the tired voices of the past."

"We now begin a great national conversation about economic renewal for America," Trump said. "It's a conversation about how to make America great again for everyone ... especially for those who have the very least."

Much of the speech reflected Republican talking points and critics said his proposals lacked detail. But Republican operatives and others who saw the speech praised Trump for turning his focus to policy and contrasting his ideas with Clinton's.

The question for Trump now is whether he will be able to keep his campaign on message as Republicans want him to do.

Trump pitched a tax plan that mirrored traditional Republican thinking that lowering taxes and slashing regulation generates economic growth and jobs. He proposed lowering individual and corporate rates and a discounted 10 percent levy for businesses that bring back profits held overseas.

Trump's plan to create new tax deductions for childcare costs raised questions from economists about whether lower-income families would benefit. Many Republicans remain frustrated with his trade vision, which bucks party orthodoxy by calling for a rewrite of major agreements.

"My response is good, bad and ugly," said Lanhee Chen, who was policy director for the 2012 presidential campaign of Republican Mitt Romney.

"I think the trade position remains pretty ugly," he said. "But I understand why they did it. I think it's a strong effort, at least, to meld elements of conservative economic policy with Trump's more populist thinking."

SHIFT FOCUS

Trump's effort to shift focus came after what was widely seen as the worst week of his campaign, in which he sparred with party leaders and got entangled in a dispute with the parents of a Muslim U.S. soldier who was killed in the Iraq war.

Republican Senator Susan Collins added her name on Monday to a growing list of Republican lawmakers who say they will not vote for Trump.

Some frustrated Republicans plan to back a conservative alternative, former CIA officer Evan McMullin.

On Monday, Trump waited for the frequent disruptions by protesters to end, smiling and refraining from his practice at campaign rallies of asking security to "get them out of here."

A group called the Michigan People's Campaign took credit for the protests, which they said were aimed at Trump's recent comments about sexual harassment.

Clinton will outline her economic vision in Michigan on Thursday. In a statement issued before Trump's speech, her campaign said his plan would give tax breaks to the wealthy and big companies and would hurt working families.

At a rally on Monday in St. Petersburg, Florida, she derided a list of economic advisers Trump released last week as "six guys named Steve."

"Now, they tried to make his old, tired ideas sound new," Clinton said. "He wants to basically just repackage trickle-down economics."

MORE DETAILS PLEASE

Trump's rough week took its toll in opinion polls. A Washington Post-ABC News poll released on Sunday gave Clinton an eight-point lead, 50 percent to 42 percent.

Trump, a real estate developer who has never held elected public office, touts his practical experience and potential to create jobs, blaming President Barack Obama for what he calls a weak recovery from the economic recession. On Monday, he said Clinton would rely on policies that have not worked.

"She is the candidate of the past," Trump said. "Ours is the campaign of the future."

Reaction from the crowd in Detroit was mixed.

"I think he laid out a good bullet point on how he's going to solve the economic problems with his trade policies," said insurance executive Sal Giammursta.

Others wanted more details. "People were looking for more substance," said lawyer Al Rogalski.

Trump called for a temporary moratorium on new regulations and repeated his pledges to rewrite the landmark North American trade deal that President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton's husband, signed in 1994, and to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership deal backed by Obama.

But much of the reaction was to Trump's tax plan. He again proposed lowering the corporate tax rate to 15 percent from the current 35 percent. And he proposed lowering income-based individual tax brackets to 12 percent, 25 percent and 33 percent.

In 2015, Trump proposed a lower top rate of 25 percent. After criticism from budget experts who said such low rates would balloon deficits, he tweaked his proposal to be more in line with policies supported by Republicans in Congress.

"It's encouraging that Donald Trump appears to be modifying his tax plan," said Maya MacGuineas, president of the anti-debt Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

The research group Tax Policy Center estimated in December that Trump's original plan would reduce federal tax revenues by $9.5 trillion in the first decade.

Steve Moore, an adviser to Trump, said the campaign believes it has made changes to bring the plan's cost down to $2 trillion to $3 trillion. A campaign aide said Trump would give more detail in a later speech.


Anti-Trump demonstrators dressed as a wall gather at the main entrance of the Quicken Loans Arena on the third day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio on July 20, 2016. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

First Donald Trump said that he wanted to block nearly all foreign Muslims from entering the United States. More recently, he decided to stop using the word "Muslim" as he called for halting immigration from countries with high rates of terrorism, although he has yet to say which countries that would include.

At a rally in Portland, Maine, on Thursday afternoon, Trump provided a lengthy explanation of why he thinks the United States needs to be skeptical of immigrants from many countries, even if they follow the legal process. Reading from notes, Trump listed nearly a dozen examples of immigrants, refugees or students who came to the United States legally -- often applying for and receiving citizenship -- and then plotted to kill Americans, sometimes successfully doing so. The countries that he referenced in these examples: Somalia, Morocco, Uzbekistan (he asked the crowd where it was located), Syria, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Iraq, Pakistan and Yemen (which he pronounced "yay-men"). Trump's staff has yet to confirm if there are countries from which the nominee wants to limit immigration.

ADVERTISING

"We're letting people come in from terrorist nations that shouldn't be allowed because you can't vet them," Trump said. "There's no way of vetting them. You have no idea who they are. This could be the great Trojan horse of all time."

At another point in the rally, Trump said: "Hillary Clinton wants to have them come in by the hundreds of thousands, just remember. This has nothing to do with politics, folks. This is a whole different level. This has to do with pure, raw stupidity. Okay?"

Trump calls Clinton: 'The Queen of Corruption' Embed Copy Share Play Video 1:49 Republican presidential candidate Trump returned to blasting Democratic rival Clinton saying, "If Obama had to do it again, he would have never picked her, never, as Secretary of State." Republican presidential candidate Trump returned to blasting Democratic rival Clinton at a rally in Portland, Maine. (Reuters) Republican presidential candidate Trump returned to blasting Democratic rival Clinton saying, "If Obama had to do it again, he would have never picked her, never, as Secretary of State." (Reuters)

Trump has long called for a crackdown on illegal immigration, which he has framed as a national security concern. In his announcement speech last year, Trump described illegal Mexican immigrants as rapists and criminals. At numerous rallies, mothers and fathers whose children have been killed by illegal immigrants have shared their heartbreaking stories. Trump has said that building a wall along the border with Mexico will not only keep out illegal immigrants but also criminals, drug traffickers and terrorists. And he has proposed deporting the millions of immigrants illegally living here, starting with those who have committed crimes.

For more than 10 months, Trump has opposed allowing any Syrian refugees into the country because they could be terrorists, and he has promised to kick out all Syrian refugees currently in the country. In December, Trump called for "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on." Last month Trump said that his position on banning Muslims has "gotten bigger," as he's now focusing on territories with terrorism problems. Last week Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity: "People dont want me to say 'Muslim.' I guess I prefer not saying it, frankly, myself. So were talking about territories." But he has yet to say which territories he would target.

[ Inside Donald Trump's strategic decision to target Muslims ]

About 13 percent of 318.9 million people living in the United States in 2014 were immigrants, according to the Migration Policy Institute , which is a massive increase from 1970, when the rate was less than 5 percent. Mexico is the most common home-nation of these immigrants, followed by India, China and the Philippines.

Within minutes of taking the stage in Maine on Thursday afternoon, Trump warned the crowd of outsiders "pouring into our country," and he promised to build a wall along the border. He was interrupted by protesters who held up pocket-sized copies of the Constitution. The crowd booed and then chanted: "USA! USA! USA!"

Protesters hold up pocket constitutions at Trump rally Embed Copy Share Play Video 1:03 A group of protesters held up pocket constitutions at a Trump rally in Portland, Maine, referencing the emotional speech given by the father of Capt. Humayun Khan, a soldier killed in Iraq during the Democratic National Convention. A group of protesters held up pocket constitutions at a Trump rally in Portland, Maine, referencing the emotional speech given by Khizr Khan. (The Washington Post) A group of protesters held up pocket constitutions at a Trump rally in Portland, Maine, referencing the emotional speech given by the father of Capt. Humayun Khan, a soldier killed in Iraq during the Democratic National Convention. (The Washington Post)

As the protesters were led away, Trump resumed: "A Trump rally is the safest place in our country to be. Believe me. Believe me. Right? It is safe. But if we keep going the way it is, our whole country is becoming different."

Trump warned the crowd that "radical Islamic terrorism" is the "most important issues facing civilization right now" and that the United States has to be more careful in allowing foreigners to visit or move here.

"We've just seen many, many crimes getting worse all the time, and as Maine knows -- a major destination for Somali refugees. Right? Am I right?" Trump said, as the crowd affirmed what he had said. "Well, they're all talking about it: Maine. Somali. Refugees. We admit hundreds of thousands, you admit into Maine, and to other places in the United States. Hundreds of thousands of refugees, and they're coming from among the most dangerous territories and countries anywhere in the world -- right? -- a practice which has to stop. It has to stop... This is a practice that has to stop."

[ Northern Virginia teen admits running pro-Islamic State Twitter account ]

To back up this point, Trump rattled through a list of cautionary examples -- nearly all of which appear on a list of 26 examples released in November by Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee who chairs an immigration subcommittee. Sessions has closely advised Trump for months and one of his former aides, Stephen Miller, is now a senior policy adviser to Trump and often speaks at Trump's rallies about the dangers of immigration. In nearly each example, Trump noted that the suspect in question came to the United States legally and was granted citizenship.

"They're the ones we know about. There are so many that we don't know about. You're going to have problems like you've never seen," Trump said. "We don't know where these people are. You know when the government puts them around... for the most part, very few people know where they even are. We don't even know where they are located. I'm telling you, I've said it before: This could be the great Trojan horse of all time. They're coming in. They're coming in."

Here are the examples Trump gave:

Somalia: Trump referenced a Washington Times article about thousands of Somali refugees resettling in Minnesota and "creating an enclave of immigrants with high unemployment that is both stressing the states safety net and creating a rich pool of potential recruiting targets for Islamist terror groups." The article quotes a FBI official saying Minnesota has seen recruitment videos targeted at Somalis in their state but that authorities have been working closely with the Somali community. "It's happening," Trump said. "It's happening. You see it, you read about it. You can see it." (You can read the full article here: " Feds relocation of Somali refugees stresses Minn. welfare, raises terror fears .")

Chechnya: Trump noted that Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the so-called Boston bombers, came to the United States " through the political asylum process ." Trump did not mention that the brothers were from Chechnya, but he noted that the younger brother became a naturalized U.S. citizen on Sept.11, 2012, while the older brother had an application pending. "Oh that's wonderful, right?" Trump said. "We take them. We take them."

Pakistan: Trump referenced the mass shooting in San Bernardino, although he didn't mention the residency status of the married couple accused of murdering their coworkers. Syed Rizwan Farook was a U.S. citizen, and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, was a permanent resident from Pakistan. At other rallies, Trump has questioned why Malik was allowed to come to the United States on a " fiancee visa ."

Morocco: Trump said that a "Moroccan national on a student visa... was arrested for plotting to blow up a university and a federal courthouse." Some background that Trump didn't include: Federal authorities began investigating El Mehdi Semlali Fathi, a native of Morocco who was living in Connecticut on a long-expired student visa. Fathi told a friend he wanted to use "toy planes" to bomb a university and a federal building, but he was never arrested on terrorism-related charges. Instead, Fathi was arrested on immigration-related charges, and in October 2014, he was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment for fabricating a refugee application. He was set to be deported upon his release.

Uzbekistan: Trump said that a Uzbek refugee living in Idaho -- he paused to ask the audience: "You know where that is? You know where that is, huh?" -- was arrested and charged with "teaching terror recruits how to build bombs." Trump opined: "Oh, wonderful, wonderful. I don't want them in this country." Fazliddin Kurbanov was arrested in 2013 and charged with teaching people to build bombs that would target public transportation. Earlier this year he was sentenced to 25 years in prison .

Syria: Trump said that an immigrant from Syria, who received U.S. citizenship, planned to kill soldiers on a military base. He was likely referring to Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud , who was born in Somalia and became a naturalized U.S. citizen, settling in Ohio but traveling to Syria to allegedly train with a terrorist organization. Mohamud was indicted on terrorism charges in April 2015, with prosecutors statin g that he "wanted to go to a military base in Texas and kill three or four American soldiers execution style.

politics post-politics Orlando Shooting Updates News and analysis on the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. post_newsletter348 follow-orlando true endOfArticle false The Daily Trail newsletter A daily briefing of what's happening on the campaign trail. Please provide a valid email address. Sign up Youre all set! See all newsletters

Again, Somalia: Trump mentioned the Oregon college student who plotted to blow up a Christmas tree during a lighting ceremony, noting that he was a Somalian refugee who gained citizenship. In October 2014, Mohamed Osman Mohamud was sentenced to 30 years in prison for trying to use a weapon of mass destruction

Afghanistan and the Philippines: Trump said an immigrant from Afghanistan who became a U.S. citizen and a legal permanent resident from the Philippines were convicted of "plotting to join Al-Quada and the Taliban in order to kill as many Americans as possible." In February 2015 , Sohiel Omar Kabir, originally of Afghanistan, and Ralph Deleon, a citizen of the Philippines who was a lawful permanent U.S. resident, were sentenced to 300 months in federal prison for participating in plots to provide material support to terrorists and kill American military members.

Iraq: Trump said an Iraqi immigrant who applied for and received U.S. citizenship was arrested for lying to federal authorities about pledging allegiance to ISIS and his travels to Syria and wanting to "kill as many Americans as possible, didn't care how." Bilal Abood, who worked for the U.S. military as a translator during the Iraq War, was sentenced to four years in federal prison in May for lying to the FBI about traveling to Syria and sending a tweet that pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Islamic State. Abood testified that he traveled to Syria to fight with the Free Syrian Army, which opposes the Islamic State, according to the Dallas Morning News . During the sentencing, the judge said there no evidence suggesting Abood was planning a terrorist attack.

Again, Pakistan: Trump said two immigrants from Pakistan who became citizens were sentenced to "decades-long prison terms for plotting to detonate a bomb in the middle of New York City." In June 2015, brothers Raees Alam Qazi and Sheheryar Alam Qazi were sentenced to 35 years and 20 years in prison for plotting a terrorist attack in New York City in 2012 and assaulting two deputy U.S. marshals while in custody.

Yemen: Trump said an immigrant from Yemen was arrested for trying to join the Islamic State and illegally buying firearms to "kill as many military personnel as possible." A version of Jeff Sessions' list states that this happened in September 2014 but provided no links to additional information.
A hacker group known as 'Strider' has been in stealth mode for five years, as they carried out cyber-espionage attacks against select targets across the globe.

Using Remsec, an advanced piece of malware, these online pirates have been spying on 30 organizations in Russia, China, Belgium, Iran and Sweden since 2011.

The attackers gained complete control over the infected machines, which allowed them to access classified data using a sophisticated code that references Sauron - the all-seeing title character in 'The Lord of the Rings'.

Scroll down for video

A hacker group known as 'Strider' has been in stealth mode for 5 years, as they carried out attacks against select targets across the globe. Using Remsec, an advanced piece of hidden malware, these online pirates have been spying on 30 organizations since 2011

WHO IS 'PROJECTSAURON'? A hacker group known as 'Strider' has been in stealth for five years, as it carried out cyber-espionage attacks against select targets across the globe. In the hidden malware, experts found references to 'Sauron' the all-seeing title character in The Lord of the Rings, which earn them the name 'ProjectSauron'. Using Remsec, an advanced piece of hidden malware, these online pirates have been spying on organizations in Russia, China, Belgium, Iran and Sweden since 2011. Remsec shares certain unusual coding similarities with another older piece of nation state-grade malware known as Flamer, or Flame. The malware used in these secretive attacks focuses on intelligence-gathering, which functions as a framework allowing ProjectSuaron to infect and control computers, move across networks and exfiltrate data. Advertisement

A new report detailing the malware has been released to the public by Kaspersky Lab, a security firm based in Moscow, Russia.

Although the hackers have been tracking government networks since 2011, it wasn't until 2015 was the malware detected.

Kaspersky has dubbed this unknown group 'ProjectSauron' in their detailed report, after the reference to the J. R. R. Tolkien character was found in the hidden malware.

'The threat actor behind ProjectSauron commands a top-of-the-top modular cyber-espionage platform in terms of technical sophistication, designed to enable long-term campaigns through stealthy survival mechanisms coupled with multiple exfiltration methods, reads the report titled 'The ProjectSauron APT'.

'Technical details show how attackers learned from other extremely advanced actors in order to avoid repeating their mistakes.

'As such, all artifacts are customized per given target, reducing their value as indicators of compromise for any other victim.'

The malware used in these secretive attacks focuses on intelligence-gathering.

These strings of code were designed to function as framework that allowed ProjectSauron to infect and control computers, move across networks, exfiltrate data and release other custom modules into the systems, reports Symantec, a California-based firm that is a leading producer of software security.

'Remsec contains a number of stealth features that help it to avoid detection. Several of its components are in the form of executable blobs (Binary Large Objects), which are more difficult for traditional antivirus software to detect,' shared Symantec researchers in a blog post.

The attackers obtained complete control over infected machines, allowing them to access files and other data using a sophisticated code that references to Sauron - the all-seeing title character in 'The Lord of the Rings'

'In addition to this, much of the malware's functionality is deployed over the network, meaning it resides only in a computer's memory and is never stored on disk.'

CAN CYBERTHIEVES HACK OUR BRAINS? Experts at the University of Washington reveal hackers are inserting images into dodgy apps and recording our brain's unintentional reaction using brain-computer interfaces. For example, when playing a video game users may see logos of familiar brands pop-up on the screen that just vanish. Hackers put those images in the game and they were recording your 'brain's unintentional response to them' using a BCI, which can be a wearable that monitors stress levels or a cap covered in electrodes. This technology could one day be used by advertisers to gather more information about their customers. Also, police officers and government officials could use this method to convict criminals or as a 'remote lie detector test'. Source: Motherboard Advertisement

The newly discovered group's targets include four organizations and individuals located in Russia, an airline in China, an organization in Sweden and an embassy in Belgium, Symantec said.

Kaspersky has dubbed this unknown group 'ProjectSauron' in their detailed report, after the reference to the J. R. R. Tolkien character

Kaspersky said it had found 30 organizations hit so far in Russia, Iran and Rwanda, and possibly additional victims in Italian-speaking countries.

Remsec targets included government agencies, scientific research centers, military entities, telecoms providers and financial institutions, Kaspersky said.

'Based on the espionage capabilities of its malware and the nature of its known targets, it is possible that the group is a nation state-level attacker,' Symantec said, but it did not speculate about which government might be behind the software.

Despite headlines that suggest an endless stream of new types of cyber-spying attacks, Orla Fox, Symantec's director of security response said the discovery of a new class of spyware like Remsec is a relatively rare event, with the industry uncovering no more than one or two such campaigns per year.

SECURITY FLAW IN 900 MILLION ANDROID DEVICES COULD LET HACKERS RUN WILD Owners of Android phones have been warned of a serious security flaw that could give attackers complete access to a phone's data. The problem has been identified in software used in about 900 million Android phones, including the HTC One, and Sony Xperia Z Ultra. While there is currently no evidence of the flaws being used by hackers, experts say it is a race as to who finds the bug first. The glitch was found by researchers from Checkpoint, who posted about it in a blog. The problem appears to affect phones which run on Qualcomm processors, which the blog estimates to be around 900 million devices. Checkpoint discovered the problem after spending six months reversing Qualcomm's code. They found that the problem lay in the software that handles graphics, and in the code that controls communication within the phone. While the patches  fixes for the bug  have been distributed to the phone makers, it is still unclear how many of those companies have sent the update to their customers. In the meantime, Checkpoint has created an app called 'QuadRooter Scanner', that allows users to check if their phone is vulnerable to the bug. Advertisement

Kaspersky said it had found 30 organizations hit so far in Russia, Iran, China, Belgium and Rwanda, and possibly additional victims in Italian-speaking countries

Remsec shares certain unusual coding similarities with another older piece of nation state-grade malware known as Flamer, or Flame, according to Symantec.

Kaspersky agreed that this unknown group appears to have adopted the tools and techniques of other better-known spyware, but said it does not believe that ProjectSauron and Flame are directly connected.

As of yet, neither Kaspersky, Symantec or any other organization have stepped forward to reveal these dark villains, but Kaspersky does voice concerns about attributing blame.

'Even with confidence in various indicators and apparent attacker mistakes, there is a greater likelihood that these can all be smoke and mirrors created by an attacker with a greater vantage point and vast resources,' Kaspersky shared in their report.

'When dealing with the most advanced threat actors, as is the case with ProjectSauron, attribution becomes an unsolvable problem.'
Taiwan protests after Kenya deports its citizens to China

By Humphrey Malalo and Faith Hung

NAIROBI/TAIPEI, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Taiwan said on Monday it had lodged a complaint with Kenya over the deportation of five of its nationals to China after a court acquitted them of charges of running illegal telecoms operations.

A Kenyan magistrate's court acquitted the five Taiwanese nationals and 35 Chinese citizens last Friday after the prosecution failed to prove its case against them.

In her ruling, trial magistrate Joyce Gandani said the five should be repatriated to their country of origin, Taiwan, but John Chen, a representative of the Taiwanese government based in South Africa, said they had instead been sent to China.

Kenya, along with a large majority of other countries around the world, has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan and considers the island part of China, in line with Beijing's position.

"Kenyan authorities sent in a clandestine manner the five Taiwan nationals, together with 35 Chinese, on board a plane chartered by the Chinese government which flew to China at 23.40 local time last night," Chen said in a statement sent to Reuters.

Taiwan's foreign ministry said in a statement it had expressed a "serious protest" to the Kenyan government and said it was working with the island's ministries of justice and mainland affairs to defend the interests of the five deported citizens via communication channels with China.

Asked about the case, Mwenda Njoka, the spokesman for Kenya's interior ministry, said: "They were taken back where they came from.... We don't have a relationship with Taiwan."

In April Taiwan accused China of kidnapping eight of its nationals from Kenya after they were acquitted in a cyber crime case.

China views Taiwan as a wayward province, to be brought under Beijing's control by force if necessary. Defeated Nationalist forces fled to the island in 1949 after a civil war with the Communists now in control in Beijing.

Only 22 countries around the world recognise Taiwan.

Relations between Taiwan and China improved after the China-friendly Ma Ying-jeou took power in 2008 as Taiwan president and signed a series of landmark trade and business deals.
Credit Suisse caps Zurich property sales by offloading prime site

ZURICH, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Credit Suisse has capped a series of downtown Zurich property divestments with the sale of a building on the up-market Bahnhofstrasse to investment fund Swiss Prime Anlagestiftung.

The sale was for more than 100 million Swiss francs ($102 million), the finnews.ch financial website reported on Monday.

A spokesman for Switzerland's second-biggest bank confirmed the sale but gave no financial details other than to say it would be booked in the third quarter as a sale-and-leaseback transaction. He gave no reason for the sale.

Swiss Prime Anlagestiftung, managed by Swiss Prime Site , also confirmed the transaction.

Credit Suisse, which made a second-quarter profit of 170 million francs, is in the midst of a revamp under Chief Executive Tidjane Thiam to focus more on wealth management and cut back on investment banking.

It has dismissed market speculation it may need fresh equity after a 6 billion franc capital raising round last year and plans to float part of its Swiss business, which the bank hopes will raise 2 billion to 4 billion francs.

The Leuenhof property -- once headquarters of Bank Leu, which was absorbed into Credit Suisse in 2012 -- now houses offices, luxury shops and a cafe.
Turkish deputy PM: 216 soldiers, gendarmes still at large after coup bid

ANKARA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said on Monday that 186 soldiers and 30 gendarmes, all suspected of plotting last month's failed coup, were still at large.

They included nine generals, Kurtulmus told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

He also said 10 foreign nationals had been arrested, but he did not give any details about the foreigners' nationalities.
Key measures of Italy's constitutional reform referendum

ROME, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Italy's highest court gave the green light on Monday to a referendum on constitutional reforms that Prime Minister Matteo Renzi says will guarantee political stability and on which he has staked his future.

The government now has 60 days to decide the date of the referendum. It is expected to be held between October and December.
Turkey, Russia rapprochement not seen affecting Turkey's NATO role-Germany

BERLIN, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Germany does not believe that a thaw in relations between Turkey and Russia will affect Turkey's role in the NATO alliance, the German Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

The spokeswoman welcomed moves by the two countries to end tensions after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border last November, and said better communication was important given their respective roles in ending the civil war in Syria.

"We do not believe that the rapprochement between Turkey and Russia will have consequences for the security partnership within NATO," spokeswoman Sawsan Chebli told a regular government news conference. "Turkey is and remains an important partner within NATO."

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Tuesday for talks on the Syria conflict, trade, energy and the resumption of Russian charter flights to Turkey.

The meeting comes amid growing strains in Ankara's ties with the West after a failed military coup in Turkey in which 230 people were killed. Turkey accuses the West of showing more concern over a post-coup crackdown than over the putsch itself.

Markus Ederer, state secretary in the German foreign ministry, told reporters that he told Turkish officials during a visit on Monday that Germany took the attempted coup seriously.

But he said he also insisted that Ankara should carry out post-coup investigations in line with European values and the principles of rule of law.

Chebli and a spokeswoman for the German government repeated that reinstatement of the death penalty in Turkey would end its bid to join the European Union.

"It's clear that there is no place in the European Union for a country that has the death penalty," German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer told reporters.
U.S. to auction $1.6 million worth of bitcoin from various cases

By Nate Raymond

NEW YORK, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. government said on Monday it plans to auction over 2,700 bitcoin that were forfeited during several cases, including the prosecution of the creator of the online black market known as Silk Road.

The U.S. Marshals Service said that the online auction would be held on Aug. 22, and that potential bidders must register by Aug. 18. The bitcoin are worth about $1.6 million, according to the Bitstamp exchange.

The auction is the latest by the Marshals Service of the digital currency. It completed four prior auctions from June 2014 to November 2015 of bitcoin seized during the prosecution of Ross Ulbricht, who authorities say ran Silk Road.

His case is one of nine criminal, civil or administrative matters from which the Marshals Service said the 2,719 bitcoins had been forfeited and are subject to the latest auction.

Ulbricht, 32, was sentenced in May 2015 to life in prison after being convicted for orchestrating a scheme that enabled more than $200 million of anonymous online drug sales through Silk Road using bitcoin. He is appealing.
U.S. air strikes show limits on Libya intervention

By Aidan Lewis

TUNIS, Aug 8 (Reuters) - While U.S. jets and drones are pounding Islamic State in the Libyan city of Sirte, Western powers are unlikely to expand their military involvement rapidly, anxious to avoid exacerbating factional divisions as the government they support struggles to establish itself.

The United Nations-backed government asked for the U.S. air strikes which began on Aug. 1, but it has still not made a long-awaited request for broader security help - including a possible easing of an international arms embargo on the factions which emerged during and after the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.

"They know that the international community is ready to help with training and advice, but specific requests are not emerging yet," said a Western diplomatic source.

Forces aligned to the Government of National Accord (GNA), which set up in Tripoli four months ago, have battled for weeks to remove Islamic State fighters from Sirte, the jihadist group's former North African stronghold.

Now U.S. "Operation Odyssey Lightning" is targeting tanks, armed pick-up trucks and fighting positions in the slowly shrinking area of Sirte that Islamic State still holds, easing the passage for Libyan ground forces.

However, the GNA has moved slowly to formulate its own security strategy and seek more foreign help, handicapped by internal political splits, a lack of capacity, and sensitivity to criticism that it is dependent on external support, Libyan and Western officials say.

Discussion of a 5,000-strong Italian-led peacekeeping mission has fizzled out, and foreign ground intervention has been limited to small-scale special forces deployments.

Coastguard training is being planned, but programmes to train and equip national security and police forces have yet to be developed.

One request that is expected sooner or later is for exemptions to the U.N. arms embargo. World powers said in May they were ready to consider this to help the GNA combat Islamic State, but much depends on its ability to show that arms will not end up in the wrong hands, from a Western point of view.

Among the likely recipients would be fighters from the city of Misrata, which lies roughly midway between Tripoli and Sirte.

They have backed the GNA, providing security in Tripoli and leading the battle against Islamic State in Sirte, Gaddafi's home town.

However, the loyalty of Libya's armed factions has been fickle in the past and the GNA's leadership, or Presidential Council, has yet to form a unified military command structure.

"Only regular units under the command of the Presidential Council will get an exemption from the arms embargo," U.N. Libya envoy Martin Kobler told Reuters.

"The Presidential Council has to be accepted as the Supreme Commander of the army. The question is does it really have control over the Misrata forces? Maybe yes, maybe no."

LOUD REJECTION

The Misrata brigades say they will return home after securing Sirte from Islamic State, also known as ISIS.

However, some people see a risk of renewed conflict between loose alliances of armed groups that fought for control of Tripoli in 2014. The fear is that the Misrata brigades will end up fighting forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar, a military commander based in eastern Libya.

Haftar and his allies have so far loudly rejected the GNA, and foreign powers intervening anywhere in Libya risk being seen to take sides among the local factions.

"The challenge for the West will always be to surgically fight ISIS whenever that implies not getting dragged into Libya's civil war," said Mattia Toaldo, a Libya expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

The limited foreign involvement so far has met with a mixed reception locally. While the United States and Britain are popular around Misrata, France is out of favour there.

French special forces have been operating for months in the eastern city of Benghazi, where fighters loyal to Haftar have been battling opponents including Islamic State.

After three French soldiers were killed last month in a helicopter crash south of Benghazi, confirming their presence, there were protests in Misrata and Tripoli, and the GNA summoned the French ambassador.

However, the U.S. strikes against Islamic State - both in Sirte and in the western city of Sabratha in February - have provoked few protests.

Libyan militants returning from fighting in the Syrian civil war helped to implant Islamic State in the country in 2014, but the group has struggled to win support or hold territory, with most local people regarding it as a malign import dependent on foreign fighters.

The GNA-backed forces wonder why the U.S. strikes did not come sooner. "We just want this fight to end, we'll take any help we can get," said one commander on the Sirte front line.

But that openness does not extend to the idea of foreign boots on the ground, or broader efforts to end the security vacuum that allowed Islamic State to gain a foothold.

"The need for outside help with training is certainly recognised at senior political level," the diplomat said. But in discussions about a peacekeeping force, the Libyan position was very clear - nothing like the 'Green Zone', the secure international area of Baghdad, would be acceptable.
At least 90 protesters killed in Ethiopia - residents, opposition

By Aaron Maasho

ADDIS ABABA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - More than 90 people were shot dead by security forces in protests across Ethiopia's Oromiya and Amhara regions at the weekend, residents and opposition officials said on Monday.

Unrest flared in Oromiya for several months until early this year over plans to allocate farmland surrounding the regional capital for development. Authorities scrapped the scheme in January, but protests flared again over the continued detention of opposition demonstrators.

At the weekend, protesters chanted anti-government slogans and waved dissident flags. Some demanded the release of jailed opposition politicians.

"So far, we have compiled a list of 33 protesters killed by armed security forces that included police and soldiers but I am very sure the list will grow," Mulatu Gemechu, deputy chairman of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress, said.

The deaths were in at least 10 towns across Oromiya, he said, including Ambo, Dembi Dolo and Nekemt - areas that saw previous rounds of protest.

"Twenty-six people have been injured, while several have been detained," Mulatu said, adding three members of his party were also being held.

Government officials were not immediately available for comment. The state-owned Ethiopian News Agency said "illegal protests" by "anti-peace forces" had been brought under control. It did not mention casualties.

DISPUTED TERRITORY

Oromiya is the second region to be hit by unrest in the past few days.

In Amhara, residents said police fired live bullets at demonstrators during protests over disputed territory that continued until early Monday in the city of Bahir Dar.

"Soldiers fired live rounds at protesters. Hospitals have been filled by dead and wounded victims," one resident said, putting the number killed at 60.

Tensions have been rumbling for two decades over the status of Wolkayt district, a stretch of land that protesters from Amhara say was illegally incorporated into the neighbouring Tigray region to the north.

Nigusu Tilahun, spokesperson for the regional government, told state-affiliated news outlets that seven people died over the weekend.

Amnesty International said the bloodshed in Bahir Dar may amount to "extrajudicial killings" and that at least 30 people were killed in one day.

The United States said it was "deeply concerned" by the violence in both regions.

"We reaffirm our call to respect the constitutionally enshrined rights of all citizens, including those with opposition views, to gather peacefully and to express their opinions," its embassy in Addis Ababa said in a statement.

Any sign of unrest is closely watched in Ethiopia, a Western ally against Islamist militants in neighbouring Somalia and an economic power seen as a centre of relative stability in a fragile region.
Burundi lawyers face disbarment over remarks to UN torture watchdog -rights experts

GENEVA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Four Burundian lawyers who gave information to the United Nations about alleged torture in their central African country face disbarment as retribution for their testimony, U.N. human rights experts said on Monday.

The U.N. Committee against Torture (CAT) urged the Burundian government to provide "urgent reassurances" that no lawyer or activist would be punished for taking part in a special session of the panel in Geneva last month.

The committee of 10 independent experts examined Burundi's record, voicing concern at allegations of killings and torture of opposition figures by the ruling CNDD-FDD party's youth wing Imbonerakure.

The four lawyers - Armel Niyongere, Lambert Nigarura, Dieudonne Bashirahishize and Vital Nshimirimana - contributed to a report by Burundian NGOs for the July 28-28 review, a panel statement said. Three of the men attended the Geneva session.

"On 29 July, a Burundian prosecutor asked the president of the Bujumbura Bar Council to strike the lawyers off, alleging that they had committed several offences, including involvement in an insurrectionist movement and an attempted coup," it said.

CAT wrote the Burundian government noting that the prosecutor had sought sanctions against the lawyers, rather than an inquiry to establish the facts, "which raises concerns with respect to presumption of innocence".

A Burundian government delegation expected to take part in the second day of the CAT session then indicated it would stay away in protest at the NGOs' report, the panel said.

In opening remarks to the panel quoted by a U.N. summary, Burundian Justice Minister Aimee Laurentine Kanyana said torture was prohibited in Burundi and perpetrators were tracked down, tried and punished in line with national law.

New York-based group Human Rights Watch said it was clear the Burundian government preferred to "duck tough questions rather than engage with the U.N. on human rights, or take meaningful action to prevent torture".

The U.N. panel asked Burundian authorities to address its concerns by Thursday, a day before its conclusions are issued.
He grew up in poverty in Brooklyn, attending public schools and college before becoming a captain of industry, leading a key division for a multi-billion-dollar international company. He opposed the Vietnam War, hes pro-Choice, he appreciates the contributions of immigrants (though, especially, Jewish ones), and he thinks the government should provide healthcare for all. For decades, he has supported Democrats and Republicans, most recently John Kasich. We have argued politics for decades, but I have always found him a sane person, albeit with a world view completely skewed by an unquestioning support for anything done by the Israeli government. Still, my father supporting Donald Trump? Last week , he excused Trumps attack on a Gold Star family. In part two of our Pulitzer-worthy series, Dad (not his real name) offers his argument against Hillary Clinton.

Gersh: So, you wanted to divert attention from the real problems with your candidate to focus solely on Hillary Clintons wealth, today? OK, Ill give you the first word.

Dad: She became rich as a public servant.

Gersh: OK, so how does that suggest that she would be a bad president?

Who still supports Donald Trump? Meet my dad

Dad: She is supposed to be a public servant and as a public servant she should not have earned enough money to be in the 1%, which she opposes violently. No one who ever wanted to vote for Bernie Sanders should even consider voting for her.

Gersh: Are you upset that shes rich or that she opposes the rich? Because your candidate is very rich, at least he tells us.

Dad: Im not upset shes rich. But she and Bill Clinton were supposedly public servants who ended up earning enough to be in the top of the 1%.

Gersh: Thats your issue?

Khan controversy hits Trump in new poll; Clinton pulls far ahead

Dad: How can someone in public service can earn $110 million legally? I dont know how you do that legally.

Gersh: Well, it would be nice if you actually had some criminal allegation beyond mere rumor and speculation, especially given your candidates well documented history of bankruptcies, broken promises and lawsuits by people he stiffed.

Dad: I am not making an allegation that she did something illegal. But she is in the top one-tenth of 1% of wealth in this country. She makes speeches opposing the 1%!

Gersh: Which part bothers you: That shes rich or she attacks the rich in her campaign?

George P. Bush urges Texas GOP leaders to support Trump

Dad: When Bill Clinton left office in 2001, they were broke. But in the next 16 years, they have amassed $110 million. I dont see how you can do that without capitalizing on the fact that you were president, first lady, senator, Secretary of State.

Gersh: Ill stipulate that Bill and Hillary Clinton have done what every politician does: Go through the revolving door and make millions. They all do it. But I dont know why it bothers you more with Hillary than with anyone else.

Dad: I cant prove that she did anything wrong to get it, but I want to ask your readers this one question: Do you think someone can earn $110 million wealth in 16 years legally? Im asking your readers!

Gersh: She traded on her good name to make money. Ill stipulate that.

Ex-KKK leader David Duke has more black voter support than Trump

Dad: Ask your readers: How could they amass that kind of wealth legally? I want your readers to think about that.

Gersh: They make speeches for hundreds of thousands of dollars for an hour of work. So what bothers you: theyre rich or that they attack the rich or dont attack the rich enough? Members of Congress go through the same revolving door all the time. Its corrupt.

Dad: You dont go into public service to be wealthy.

Gersh: She didnt go into public service to become wealthy.

American Nazi Party chairman: Trump is a 'real opportunity'

Dad: I think she did.

Gersh: Bill Clinton made $35,000 a year as governor of Arkansas! She was making more than him as a lawyer.

Dad: She knew that was her ticket to riches. And the proof is shes rich. She traded on her public service to make a fortune.

Hillary Clinton  my dad hates her. I mean, HATES HER! (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Gersh: Your guy borrowed money from his rich dad. Thats the other great American pastime, yet ran more businesses into the ground than anyone in our country with the possible exception of Aaron Burr. He has no record of success in anything except being a reality TV star.

Dad: I dont want to talk about Trump in this weeks column. This is about Hillary. I question her ethics.

Gersh: You want to make ethics the issue in this election? How can you explain away Donald Trumps complete lack of basic business ethics?

Dad: Well do that in another article. This one is only about Hillary. Could someone legitimately earn that money?

Gersh: Youre doing the classic game that you Republicans always do: You dont want to talk about your candidate at all  and Ive agreed with you on the completely irrelevant issue that you keep berating me about, which is Hillary and Bills wealth. So can we talk about the real issue: Your candidate is one of the most unethical businessmen weve had in this country. I may have a flawed candidate, but you have an incompetent one.

Dad: All you have is a lot of newspaper reports about Trump. But we will discuss that in another article. This article is so important that we cant get distracted: Everyone has to know she became a one-percenter by doing public service. How did she do that? Can anyone do make that much money in public service legally?

Gersh: You have now asked that question 45 times in this short conversation, so Ill ask you: Did she commit crimes to obtain that money?

Dad: She and Bill are the only people to become rich after leaving the White House.

Gersh: For the record, Ulysses Grant got very rich after leaving the White House. And you never cite a single criminal charge.

Dad: We know what happened. She was going to talk to the FBI about the email server issue. Two days before that, Bill and Loretta Lynch met and they worked out a deal  I cant prove this, but think of the logic  that Hillary Clinton would not be indicted. So she went into the FBI and she did indeed say everything honestly because she knew the fix was in that she wouldnt get indicted.

Gersh: He said no reasonable prosecutor would say what she did with her email server was criminal.

Gersh Kuntzman enjoys his taco bowl. (Gersh Kuntzman) Ronald Kuntzman (Gersh Kuntzman/New York Daily News) That's me (left) and Dad (not his real name).

Dad: Because the fix was in! But none of that matters. The only thing that matters is that shes in the 1%, and Im asking how do you think she earned that money in public service honestly.

Gersh: Why wont you answer your own question?

Dad: I wont answer.

Gersh: Because you dont have an answer.

Dad: If you really are asking me, Id say its criminal. But you dont want to ask your readers that question!

Gersh: Youve asked them 55 times now. And now Ill do my job, asking you a question: How did she do it?

Dad: I cant understand how you can make that much in government service legally. In order to make money in our economy you have to have a product and or service to sell. What product or service did the Clintons sell to earn their enormous wealth?

Gersh: A corrupt government-business complex that they certainly didnt invent and wont be the last to exploit. Big deal. If this is all you have, you dont have much.

Tune in next week when my father dodges more questions and explains how Donald Trump made his money  and somehow finds his unethical behavior not objectionable.
Ataturk's revival a symbol of Turkey's fragile post-coup unity

By Asli Kandemir and Daren Butler

ISTANBUL, Aug 8 (Reuters) - After years of being gradually eclipsed as President Tayyip Erdogan forges a "new Turkey" with Islam firmly at its heart, the secular republic's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk has, for now at least, made a comeback in the wake of a failed coup.

At a rally of more than a million people in Istanbul on Sunday, Erdogan drew a parallel between the spirit of the young officer who founded modern Turkey in 1923 and the civilians who took to the streets on July 15 to try to stop rogue soldiers in tanks and helicopters from seizing power.

"The belief that helped war veteran Mustafa Kemal start and win the war of independence was running through all Turkey's cities on July 15," Erdogan told the Istanbul rally, portraits of himself and Ataturk blowing in the breeze on either side of the huge stage.

From a leader bent on raising a "pious generation", it seemed a major gesture of conciliation, an attempt to bridge a deep divide in Turkish society reaching back to 1923, when Ataturk forged the secular republic from the ruins of an Ottoman theocracy and banished Islam from public life.

Since the failed coup, Ataturk's portrait has been hung from the headquarters of the ruling AK Party, founded by Erdogan and rooted in political Islam, and its leaders have repeatedly invoked him - a revered figure for the country's secularists - as a symbol of unity.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition CHP, the party of Ataturk, told Sunday's rally a "door of compromise" had been opened in the nation of almost 80 million and that a new Turkey had been ushered in in the wake of the coup.

But for all the euphoria, sustaining such a spirit of cooperation would mean overcoming deep division over the direction of a nation with a secular constitution but overwhelmingly Muslim population.

"This is a limited consensus. It's a very basic agreement that democracy is better than a military junta and that we all want justice. Nobody expects anyone to forget where they stood on July 14," said a senior government official.

Engin Altay, a senior CHP lawmaker, said the AK Party appeared to be invoking Ataturk to try to quell an atmosphere of "pessimism and panic" after the coup attempt and said it was an open question whether the spirit of unity would last.

"It depends on whether, after emerging from this trauma, the AK Party can adopt a compromise policy without becoming drunk on, or poisoned by, power. If it fails to do so and says 'we got power from the people and will do whatever we say', they will again slam the state against the wall," he told Reuters.

"MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE"

Erdogan has cautiously pushed a conservative Islamist agenda since the AKP came to power in 2002. Opponents see in his promotion of religious education, tighter laws on alcohol, and strictures on daily life an attempt to undermine the country's secular foundations.

Ataturk's presence has gradually been felt less, having for decades loomed large, his piercing blue eyes staring from posters, his statue in pride of place in schools, public buildings and town squares. The CHP was in uproar in 2013 over the removal of his silhouette and the Turkish Republic abbreviation from state medals and some public buildings.

But the coup bid, which Erdogan says was staged by the followers of U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, has provided a common enemy. Secularists loathe Gulen's religious movement, whose members have assumed prominent positions in the state bureaucracy, and are pleased to see it under attack.

More than 60,000 people in the military, judiciary, civil service and education have been detained, suspended or placed under investigation over alleged links to Gulen since the coup.

The government may be forced as a result to work more with its secularist opponents, commonly known as Kemalists, as it replaces purged officials, particularly in the military, which for decades saw itself as the guardian of the secular order.

"This requires the government to recalibrate its relations with Kemalism ... which it has demonized throughout its 14-year rule," said Gonul Tol, director of the Washington-based Middle East Institute's Center for Turkish Studies.

"The military will have to accept working under an Islamist government while the government will have to respect the Kemalist core of the military," she said. "But I don't think this marriage of convenience will last. Once the government has enough loyal personnel ... the Kemalists will be discarded."

HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY

A return to the founding principles of the modern republic could help ease divisions in a country that has become increasingly polarised in recent years. But in Erdogan's references to Ataturk, some see political opportunism rather than a sincere attempt to bridge an ideological rift.

"The switch is the result of strategic necessity rather than personal choice," said Deniz Ulke Aribogan, international relations professor at Istanbul University.

"This brutal coup attempt created an opportunity for Erdogan to become the president of the whole country ... We have to wait and see what comes next," she said.

Erdogan's core supporters see him as the champion of the pious Anatolian masses, a strongman restoring religion to the centre of public life after decades of rule by what they see as Western-facing Kemalist elites.

He has been careful in his choice of words, referring to Ataturk simply as Mustafa Kemal, his name as a military officer when he led the Turkish National Movement to victory in the war of independence after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire.

Ataturk, "Father of the Turks", was bestowed on him a decade later, after he introduced reforms replacing Arabic with Latin script and promoting Western dress and women's rights.

Some in conservative religious circles have already questioned the references to him, criticising what they say legitimises a secularist ideology they battled for decades.

"All they've done is feed the idea that the ideology of Ataturk is the only foundation for legitimacy in politics and that other movements are illegitimate," wrote columnist Hakan Albayrak in the conservative Karar newspaper, criticising those who hung Ataturk's image on the AKP building.

Parts of the crowd booed as Kilicdaroglu spoke at Sunday's rally, dismissing his call that politics should now be kept out of the mosques, as well as the courthouses and barracks.

His presence on the stage alongside Erdogan would have been unthinkable three weeks ago. It could yet cost the CHP some supporters, who remain suspicious of Erdogan's motivation.
Zambian court orders ministers to step down ahead of election

LUSAKA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Zambia's Constitutional Court ruled on Monday that all cabinet and provincial ministers should vacate their posts ahead of Aug. 11 elections as remaining in office would breach the law.

President Edgar Lungu, who faces a stiff opposition challenge in the vote, had said after parliament was dissolved in May that an amendment to the constitution allowed the ministers to remain in office until the election. The Constitutional Court ruled otherwise.

"It is unconstitutional for cabinet, provincial ministers and their deputies to continue occupying office after the dissolution of parliament on May 11," it said.

Lungu's ruling Patriotic Front party said it would abide by the court order.

"Today's decision ... gives credence to a robust and independent judiciary that Zambia has where the courts can enter judgements against the state," the PF said in a statement.

The opposition United Party for National Development said the ruling vindicated its position that the PF "has been abusing its position during the campaign period in a desperate attempt to hold onto power at any cost."
Olympics-Shooting-Italy's Campriani credits luck for rifle gold

By Scott Malone

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Italy's Niccolo Campriani credited a lucky late shot for his gold in Monday's Olympic men's 10-metre air rifle after Serihy Kulish of Ukraine made his final shot poorly, widening what had been a razor-thin gap between the two.

Kulish shot first and Campriani, a 28-year-old, three-time Olympian, paused for a breath before taking aim and firing his winning shot as the crowd cheered. It wasn't a shrewd tactical move, Campriani said.

"That was one of the biggest mistakes I've ever done, to not take the shot at the first aiming," Campriani told reporters. "That was a mistake ... let's say there was also a little bit of luck."

Campriani, who won silver at the 2012 London games, established an Olympic record of 630.2 in the qualifying round and his competition score of 206.1 also now qualifies as an Olympic record. There had not been a comparable previous record due to a rule change.

Kulish, 23, was wide of the mark with his final shot, scoring a 204.6 in his second Olympic appearance and took silver.

Russia's Vladimir Maslennikov, 21, took bronze on his Olympic debut with a score of 184.2.

India's Abhinav Bindra, a 33-year-old who in 2008 became the only individual athlete from his nation to win gold, took fourth with 163.8 after losing a shoot-off with Kulish after the pair exited the seventh round tied.

A huge, sometimes rowdy, crowd of Indian fans packed into the gallery to cheer Bindra on, proving somewhat of a distraction to his rivals.

"It was just unfortunate. It wasn't Bindra's fault, it wasn't the Indian supporters fault, but the timing was exactly when I was supposed to pull the trigger," Campriani said.

The noise of the crowd and music piped into the venue was one that Campriani said he had prepared for by recording the final of the women's rifle shooting on Saturday, and practicing along to that soundtrack.

"You try to forecast as many things as possible," he said.
Serbian PM keeps Vujovic as finmin, faces tough reform targets

By Ivana Sekularac and Ingrid Melander

BELGRADE, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Dusan Vujovic, a former World Bank economist, will stay on as Serbia's finance minister in a new cabinet unveiled on Monday and faces a tough task of making unpopular spending cuts, including public sector lay-offs, under an IMF loan deal.

Vujovic, who has been finance minister since 2014, spearheaded the talks on the 1.2 billion euro ($1.33 billion) deal with the International Monetary Fund and his confirmation in the job signals a continuity in economic policy.

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, who aims to conclude European Union accession talks in 2020, won a comfortable majority in an April election, but delayed forming a new cabinet while seeking a coalition to share responsibility for reforms.

"The new government will be the government of progress and prosperity," Vucic said as he presented his 19-member cabinet, which continues the four-year-old alliance between his centre-right Serbian Progressive Party and the Socialist Party.

Vucic, who has headed the government since 2014, predicted a new "golden era" for Serbia, but did not mention the downsizing of the bloated public sector required by the IMF. He is due to present the government's programme in parliament on Tuesday.

The IMF commended Serbia in June for its strong economic performance, forecasting economic growth of 2.5 percent this year, but urged it to do more to curb high levels of debt.

Otilia Dhand, an analyst at Teneo Intelligence political risk consultancy, said she expected policy continuity, especially on fiscal issues, with the prolongation of the coalition and the re-appointment of Vujovic as finance minister.

"But whether we are going to see any significant progress on structural reforms, and especially on reduction of the public sector work force, I don't see any particular change that would convince me that there will be any significant improvement."

An ultra-nationalist during Yugoslavia's wars of the 1990s, Vucic performed a political U-turn in 2008 and embraced Serbia's drive to join the EU. He has rebranded himself as a conservative reformer committed to cutting the budget deficit and debt and to shrinking the public sector.

Vucic called the early election to tighten his grip on power and secure a new four-year mandate to lead Serbia into the EU.

In the largely unchanged government, Ana Brnabic, ex-manager of Serbia's subsidiary of an international wind park developer, was a new appointment, named minister for state administration.
Florida is investigating apparent new case of locally transmitted Zika

Aug 8 (Reuters) - Florida health officials are investigating a new case of the Zika virus in Palm Beach County that appears to be a local transmission, Governor Rick Scott said in a statement on Monday.

The person recently traveled to Miami-Dade County, though Scott's statement did not specify exactly where.
A small group of modern humans made it out of Africa about 65,000 years ago and around 45,000 years ago they reached Australia, on the other side of the Indian Ocean. A substantial population remained in the Persian Gulfnorth India continuum and one by one other groups migrated out.

Some 40,000 years ago, another group made its way across India to South East Asia. We cannot be sure but 42,000-year-old stone tools found recently in Purulia, in the Indian state of West Bengal, may be the remains of this migration.

When these people finally arrived in South East Asia, they would have found a terrain quite different from what we see today. As already mentioned, the sea level was a lot lower and the coastlines much further out. Islands like Sumatra, Java and Borneo were joined to the Asian mainland as part of a land mass called Sundaland. The new group, however, seems to have taken a more northward route than the Melanesians and settled in what is now Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, parts of southern China and probably extended out to adjoining areas that are now under water.

A recent study by a consortium of geneticists argues that this group of huntergatherers, usually associated with Y-chromosome haplogroup O-M175, became the ancestors of most people who today live in East and South East Asia including the Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Tibetan, Burmese, Malay, Filipino and most Indonesians. The Polynesians scattered across the Pacific are also derived from this group, as are a number of tribes who live in eastern India. At this stage, however, we are still dealing with small bands of closely related people. We will later see how subgroups descended from this migration would colonise the eastern Indian Ocean rim and even make their way to Madagascar.

Meanwhile, new groups continued to be pumped out by the Persian Gulfnorth India area. Some headed into Europe, some decided to brave the freezing Siberian cold and a few even headed back to Africa. One specific group headed out around 3035,000 years ago and settled in southern India. Not only was the coastline further out but Sri Lanka was then attached to India and there was a large area of dry land off the coast of present-day Tamil Nadu.

In fact, as the planet drifted into a new Ice Age, the new migrants would have witnessed a further expansion of land area as sea levels kept falling. This group would evolve into what geneticists call "Ancestral South Indians", which is one of the two main founder populations from which most Indians derive their ancestry. Another group would make its way to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (the ancestors of the Onge).

One should not be under the impression that the population ranging from the Middle East to northwestern India was static except for the occasional outward migration. This population too was undergoing constant mutations and churn. Just as an illustration, take the male lineage known by geneticists as R1. This lineage emerged somewhere in the Persian Gulfnorth India continuum, possibly Iran, before the last Ice Age.

At some point, around 25,000 years ago, it gave rise to a western branch, R1b, and an eastern branch, R1a. The former would eventually find its way to Western Europe where R1b is today the most common lineage. In contrast, R1a (particularly a subgroup, R1a1a) would later become an important component of the genetic cocktail that scientists call the "Ancestral North Indians" who are the second of the two major founder populations from whom most Indians have descended.

The Indian reader may be tempted here to think of the Ancestral South Indians (ASI) as the Dravidians and the Ancestral North Indians (ANI) as the Aryans. While I have nothing against the words themselves, one should be cautious about using the terms as they are often used in the context of bogus nineteenth-century racial theories. The ANI and ASI are just different genetic cocktails and not pure races. Moreover, we are dealing here with Stone Age bands and not horse-drawn chariots, cities and iron weapons that were said to be part of the AryanDravidian rivalry.

This is a very simplified and stylised account of how the Indian Ocean rim was populated by modern humans. In reality, there would have been back-and-forth movements, dead ends and near extinctions. Also note that the genetic and archaeological evidence is still flowing in and the narrative is not set in stone, but the new information fits together much better than unreliable theories based on linguistics.

A further word of caution is warranted here. We are still dealing with tiny bands of Stone Age huntergatherers. A number of factors decided who died out and who survived and flourished  availability of food, changing climate, disease, tribal wars, the decisions of leaders and pure chance. A small difference in circumstances at this stage would show up as a big difference in the population distributions of later times. This is why anyone using the genetic data on early humans to support grand theories of racial and cultural superiority is missing the point.

A Portuguese carrack, Santa Catarina do Monte Sinai, off a rocky coast on the Indian Ocean. [Source: Wikimedia]

The Age of Ice

Most traditional accounts about the emergence of civilization roughly run along the following script. Farming is "discovered" somewhere in the Middle East and then spreads quickly, often with the help of Neolithic migrants who awe the locals with this new technology. Overwhelmed by the awesomeness of agriculture, huntergatherers leave their traditional life in droves and take to cultivating wheat and barley. This switch to farming is seen to imply large improvements in the quality of life and consequently, steady increases in population. At some point, it gets crowded enough to allow the building of cities and the emergence of civilisation.

Wonderful story, but it is mostly untrue.

The last major Ice Age is key to understanding the sequence of events. The cycle of cooling started about 30,000 years ago and temperatures kept falling till the Ice Age peaked about 18-20,000 years ago. At the glacial maximum, one third of the Earths land surface was covered in ice (compared to less than an eighth today) and half of the oceanic surface. With so much water locked up in ice, sea levels dropped dramatically from 50 m below present-day levels 30,000 years ago to around 130 m below at the peak.

Falling sea levels, in turn, exposed large tracts of land. In South East Asia, Sundaland took over most of what is now the Gulf of Thailand and extended far into the South China Sea. The Ancestral South Indians would have witnessed very large tracts being opened up along the Indian coast, especially to the south-east. The Ancestral North Indians, who were newly coalescing into an identifiablegroup, would have been able to walk more than 150 kms out from todays Gujarat coast.

The retreat of the sea, however, did not make life easier for our ancestors. Many places had become just too cold but, even in warmer latitudes, climate became a lot drier and many rivers and lakes dried up. Central Asia became a very cold, dry desert that could support few animals or humans. Further south, the monsoons were still active but much weaker than today.

The Himalayas were covered in glaciers and north-western areas of the Indian subcontinent may have been steppe-like temperate grasslands. We have evidence that even places like Bengal were relatively dry at the peak of the Ice Age. In Africa, the Sahara expanded by around 500 kms along its southern edge while Lake Victoria almost entirely dried up. At its peak, the sands of the Kalahari desert extended almost to the plains of the Zaire River in central Africa.

As one can imagine, the sharp increase in aridity caused a great deal of turmoil. In many places, people were forced to abandon old hunting grounds and move closer to the remaining rivers. The Sahara savannah had so far supported a significant population but desertification forced many to shift to the Nile. Note that the arid conditions meant that the Nile was not the broad river of earlier and later times but a modest tangle of braided channels that may not have even reached the Mediterranean.

Surrounded by desert, the people settling along the Nile "oasis" became increasingly sedentary. The "oasis" ran from Sudan to Cairo, around 800kms, but was no more than a few kilometres wide. We have evidence that human population steadily increased over time, probably through a combination of local births and further inward migration. This must have increased the pressures on the system and we even have the earliest evidence of a battle between two groups.

Given the growing pressure, around 15,000 years ago, we can see signs of organized food production in the Nile floodplain  not quite farms but the active management of a semi-wild ecosystem, distinct from being a nomadic hunter-gatherer. The evidence suggests that Nile people harvested catfish and tubers of wild nutgrass.

People in other parts of the world would have gone through a very similar experience and may have also attempted some form of farming. Researchers have recently uncovered the remains of a 23,000-year-old farming settlement near the Sea of Galilee in Israel.

It appears that farming is a lot older than the traditional view that it was a Neolithic invention. It is more than likely that the Indian Ocean rim also had such pre-Neolithic farming communities. One may be tempted to think that Egyptian civilisation evolved directly from the Nile oasis people, but the actual course of events is much more complicated. After the glacial peak 18,000 years ago, the world began to warm up again. Rising sea levels began to inundate the coastlines while increased rainfall revived previously arid areas. By 12,500 years ago, Lake Victoria was full and the Sahara was again an inhabitable savannah.

The combination of melting ice and increased rain also fed the rivers. On one hand, the return of a strongly flowing Nile may have washed away the carefully tended ecosystem of the "oasis" phase but, on the other hand, the Sahara beckoned. Thus, the worlds first "farmers" drifted back to being huntergatherers! This is why we find cave paintings of savannah animals in the middle of the Sahara at locations that would appear uninhabitable today.

The Indian Ocean rim also went through a similar shift. The coasts of Sundaland and India were flooded and seawater began to encroach into the Persian Gulf by 12,500 years ago. However, at the same time, previously arid areas became much wetter and more habitable. As with the Sahara, the desert zone that extends across Arabia into western India also became much more humid and capable of supporting huntergatherers. The northern latitudes also became much warmer as the glaciers retreated even as the monsoons became stronger in southern Asia. The combination of flooding coastlines and a warmer, wetter land mass led to a great deal of human migration into areas that had been previously uninhabitable.
The American mainstream media is viscerally hostile to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

In turn, Trump publicly and frequently denounces American journalists as among "the most dishonest people I know".

The latest theory floated by a section of the US media is that Trump, consciously or subconsciously, wants to lose the presidential election.

The thesis was first articulated by Carl M Cannon, the Washington bureau chief of the popular website RealClearPolitics.

Here's what Cannon wrote: "I believe Donald Trump, the man who famously disparages 'losers', knows deep down he isn't equipped to be president. Let's call this more reflective subconscious entity 'Don Trump'.

"Donald Trump loves winning and hates losing, while 'Don Trump' knows that running a smart campaign and beating Hillary Clinton means he'd inherit a job he has neither the qualifications nor the temperament to perform successfully. 'Don Trump' wants to lose. He wants this campaign to be over so Donald Trump can go back to doing what he's good at: promoting his personal brand and counting his money."

The theme was picked up by others last week.

Joe Scarborough, who hosts the Morning Joe show on MSNBC, claims he has spoken to multiple sources who are "extraordinarily close" to Trump.

They told him the dream scenario for Trump is to "lose the November presidential election to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton by a narrow margin and then claim the election was rigged".

Trump first hinted that the election could be rigged at a campaign rally on August 1.

He has repeated that several times in subsequent rallies. It has since become a consistent theme of his campaign.

The Washington-New York "establishment" media says Trump's "rigged election" comment may be an escape chute if his bad poll numbers hold up and he does lose big.

But why would Trump go through all the trouble of running for president when all he wanted to do, as Scarborough says, was make the headlines?

Robert Kagan of Brookings Institute gave this explanation in The Washington Post on August 1, 2016:

"One wonders if Republican leaders have begun to realise that they may have hitched their fate and the fate of their party to a man with a disordered personality. We can leave it to the professionals to determine exactly what to call it. Trump is, in this respect, unlike a normal politician. A normal politician knows that no matter how much criticism gets under the skin, the thing to do is to smile and wave it off. You don't have to mean it. You don't even have to appear to mean it. But it is what you do, if only to avoid compounding the damage. Trump cannot make this simple self-serving calculation. He must attack everyone who opposes him.

Donald Trump didn't expect to knock out a field of 16 Republican candidates in the primaries.

"It's not really politically incorrect to say that a prisoner of war is not a hero because he got captured. It's just a way of saying, I don't care if you're a war hero. You criticised me and now I've got to hit you. Trump's insults are scattershot - only sometimes touching the raw racist and xenophobic nerves in society. The most important fact is that he is unable to control his responses to criticism. He must double down every time, even if it means digging himself deeper and deeper into the hole."

The accidental candidate

Trump didn't expect to knock out a field of 16 Republican candidates in the primaries, including Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. But he did.

Suddenly he found himself in a head-to-head with Hillary Clinton.

Subconsciously or consciously, according to the US mainstream media narrative - a narrative that has been strenuously contested by the Trump campaign - the mercurial billionaire now began to sabotage his own campaign.

He insulted Mexican-heritage federal judge Gonzalo Curiel, blaming the judge's ethnic background for his "unfair" handling of a case on Trump University.

There was widespread condemnation over the offensive remark.

But Trump had by now tapped into a deep well of anger among middle-class whites, especially men, who had been left behind in America's stop-start economy.

The genie was out of the bottle. Trump couldn't push it back in. For every insult he heaped on Muslims, Mexicans, the differently-abled, African-Americans, his own Republican critics and the media, his white middle-class support only grew.

Till Trump picked a fight with Khizr Khan whose son Humayun had died a hero in 2004 serving with the US army in Iraq. Trump's poll numbers now began to sink.

Undeterred, he then belittled co-Republican and House speaker Paul Ryan by holding back support to his bid for re-election to the House of Representatives.

To add to this litany of bizarre behaviour, he obliquely suggested Russia hack into Hillary Clinton's missing classified emails and that the US could use nuclear weapons in Europe.

Trump finally endorsed Ryan on August 5 to begin healing the open wound in the Republican party.

Then, pulling a rare rabbit out of a hat, he announced last week that he had raised $82 million in July, nearly as much as Hillary Clinton's well-oiled campaign machinery.

An unusual election

Where does that leave the US presidential election three months from polling day on November 8?

Hillary's lead in opinion polls is widening rapidly. It currently stands at an average of 7 per cent.

Trump, though, has vowed to fight to the end, especially in swing states like Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Meanwhile, the latest theory put out by CNN (which Trump mocks as Clinton News Network) is that, with his poll numbers plummeting, the billionaire Republican candidate could either quit the race or be eased out by fellow-Republicans. That's wishful thinking.

As for Hillary, if she wins in November, she will rank among the most disliked presidents in US history.

Nearly 65 per cent of Americans polled regard her as "untrustworthy" and "dishonest".

It would be unwise to write off Trump entirely. He has a core voter base of 40 per cent disaffected Americans.

Hillary's own core vote base is around 45 per cent. There are another 15 per cent undecided independent voters.
Lawyers should not break law by stirring up trouble





Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]





Attorneys should not use cases to violate country's laws, or will be penalized in any country, a leading China studies expert said on Friday.

"Lawyers have lost their status by stirring up social activism," Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, told China Daily, adding that when these activities violate the country's laws, the government will act against them, regardless of their status, he said.

Zheng's comments come after Zhou Shifeng, a lawyer formerly managing the Fengrui Law Firm, was convicted of subverting state power and sentenced to seven years in prison on Thursday.

According to a statement from Tianjin No 2 Intermediate People's Court, Zhou, 52, had long been influenced by anti-China forces and was plotting to overturn the country's political system, especially after 2011, when he met Hu Shigen, the leader of an illegal organization.

Zhou used his law firm as a platform to manipulate public opinion by encouraging like-minded attorneys and residents to make noise over sensitive issues, the verdict said.

"Lawyers could take part in political activities, as they do in the US or elsewhere, but they should not change the cases to political affairs, especially those affairs that violate laws," Zheng said.

Zheng said these lawyers were not carrying out activities for the country and the society, but were doing them out of private interests.

Zhou said activities such as disrupting judicial orders caught the interests of some overseas forces.

"They've been actively wooing me, and want to use us to challenge court hearings and China's entire judicial system, making trouble for the Chinese government," he confessed, adding that these outside forces want to overturn the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

When foreign influences were behind the activities attacking a country's political and judicial system, causing chaos and social instability, any country would not sit idly, Zheng said. The US and Singapore will not do so either.

Foreign media and governments have double standards on Zhou's case, Zheng said. They do not allow these kinds of activities to happen in their countries, but they support such ones to overturn the ruling of Communist Party of China.

Zheng warned those who want to change China's political s
UPDATED

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said he wants to allow parents to deduct the average cost of child care from their federal tax payments .

Trump mentioned the proposal during a speech to the Detroit Economic Club on Monday, the Associated Press reported. Details about the plan have yet to be released, but the candidates proposal would appear to be a significant departure from current tax policy governing child-care costs. While the AP said there would be an income limit for eligibility under Trumps plan, quoting a source with his campaign, the proposal would also scrap the federal Child and Dependent Care tax credit .

The tax deduction, particularly if there is an income cap for those seeking eligibility, would impact disparate income groups differently than a tax-credit program. Typically, higher-income individuals and families are better positioned to take greater advantage of tax deductions than their lower-income counterparts.

Right now, federal tax policy caps the expenses that can be applied to the Child and Dependent Care tax credit at $3,000 for one qualifying individual, and $6,000 for two or more individuals.

UPDATE: But the proposal from Trump wouldnt provide particularly broad benefits, said Laura Bornfreund, the director of early and elementary education policy at the New America Foundation.

It wouldnt help our lowest-income families at all and wouldnt be a ton of help to our middle-income families, Bornfreund said.

And Trumps plan addresses just one aspect of child care issues, she noted; the proposed tax deduction wouldnt directly address the quality of childcare.

Bornfreund is not sure what it would mean for the deduction to apply to the average cost for families.

At the Republican National Convention last month, Trumps daughter Ivanka Trump indicated that a Trump presidential administration would focus on making child care affordable and accessible . She did not provide more specifics at the time.

Hillary Clinton, Trumps Democratic opponent, has made expanding access to early-childhood education and broadening child-care options a central component of her presidential bid. One of her first campaign proposals was to work toward universal prekindergarten for all 4-year-olds. She also wants to double the federal governments roughly $9 billion investment in Head Start, and offer child credits of up to $1,500 for parents who are still in school. And she has pitched significantly expanding home-visiting services for at-risk children.

Alyson Klein contributed to this post.

Photo: GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Swikar Patel/Education Week)

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .
Its a statistically sound fact that high school dropouts in all demographics have a higher likelihood of incarceration at some point in their lives. Sadly, over half of black young men who attend urban high schools do not earn a diploma . Of the dropouts, nearly 60 percent will go to prison at some point. In fact, The Sentencing Project projects that 1 in 3 black men will likely see the inside of a prison cell at some point in their lives . The connection here is not just superficial.

Yes, its fair to say that high school dropouts are more likely to commit crimes because they do not have the means to make an honest living, but I also think this connection centers on a mentality. The same black boys who believe they arent good enough to earn the basic American right, a high school diploma, are the ones who feel they cannot make a solid contribution to society at large.

In order to delve more deeply, we need to go even further back. The decision to drop out of high school, after all, isnt reached overnight. There are many factors that play into any students choice to not continue on to earn a high school diploma, some that are completely out of the control of the school and others that are certainly influenced by it.

Look in the face of any Kindergarten student and youll find some common themes: innocence, unquenchable curiosity, and potential. More so than the grades that follow, Kindergarten is a mixed bag of developmental, social and academic levels. Some kids arrive with a few years of childcare and preschool under their belts, while others have never even had a book read to them. The students who arrive in these Kindergarten classrooms are already products of their limited life experiences but their public school classrooms are intended to be equalizers. In a perfect world, what has happened outside the classroom should not be a factor in the learning environment and all students should have the same clean slate.

The reality, of course, is that the behavior of children is impacted by their life experiences and that behavior does impact the way a classroom functions. Kindergarten is just the first opportunity in our official public school system for teachers to effect positive change in students who need it from a behavioral standpoint - the real work starts before that though. The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights reports that black students make up just 18 percent of preschoolers but account for almost half of all school suspensions. Those statistics dont improve with age. Around 5 percent of white students are suspended or expelled at some point in a K-12 career, compared with 16 percent of black students.

Enter the school-to-prison pipeline , or the correlation between students who are removed (suspended or expelled) from school and those who end up in prison at some point in their lives. Students who are removed from school, either temporarily or forever, also drop out of high school at much higher rates than students who are never removed from a classroom setting.

A study published by the University of Pennsylvania reports that black students make up 39 percent of students suspended in Florida , which doesnt sound all that terrible until you consider another statistic: black students only account for 23 percent of the public school population in Florida. The study notes that black students are suspended and expelled more due to unfair discipline practices and appearing as disrespectful or threatening.

While the numbers for the state are bad, it gets worse in Orange County in the central part of the state where Orlando is located. Making up just 27 percent of the countys public school population, black students represents 51 percent of the students suspended .

This is just a small portion of the country, of course, but consider this: 18 percent of the nations public school students are black but an estimated 40 percent of all students that are expelled from U.S. schools are black. This makes black students over three times more likely to face suspension or expulsion than their white peers. When you add in Latino numbers, 70 percent of all in-school arrests are black or Latino students . If you want to see the correlation between these school-age statistics and lifetime numbers, consider this: 61 percent of the incarcerated population are black or Latino - despite the fact that these groups only represent 30 percent of the U.S. population when combined. Nearly 68 percent of all men in federal prison never earned a high school diploma.

Given this information, the fact that the U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world is no surprise. The road to lockup starts in the public school systems -- and it starts with unfair punishment.

Sixty-five percent of U.S. public schools reported at least one violent incident in 2013-2014, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in their schools each year, but that number rises to 82 percent for schools where black students make up a majority. Though Hispanic boys are the most likely to be involved with gang activity at school, it is certainly an issue for black boys too - with 31 percent of students nationwide reporting seeing black gang activity in their schools. Violence is just one part of the criminal side of K-12 hallways, though. There are also higher numbers of non-violent crimes, like theft, in schools where more students are black than any other race.

All of that being said, there is still plenty of violence in schools where black students are the minority, and those acts are committed by non-black students. Its also important to note that reporting standards for school crime may vary from school to school. This isnt to say that educators and administrators are not telling the truth in predominantly white schools, but rather to say that based on other statistics, students of color tend to face harsher punishment for even the smallest offenses.

What do you think? Do students of color really face harsher punishment in K-12 schools across America?
Lets be different and begin with the negative because I want to be ahead of the comments that will come at the end of the blog. There are a lot of leaders who should never have entered into the world of leadership. They micro-manage, lack an understanding of pedagogy, and treat their teachers like they work for them...not work with them.

When I was getting my masters degree my principal at the time suggested I enter into school leadership. Having had three years of teaching experience of the time, I did not think that was the best course of action for me so I chose to explore educational psychology because I wanted to understand my students.

I actually responded to my principal by saying, I would never be a principal.

Not long after, I had a conversation with two older retired educators I would see at the gym, and one of them said, But what if you could be the kind of principal you want to be, instead of the stereotypical principal you think of? I still said no, but their words never left me. A few years later I went for a degree in school administration, and after 11 years in the classroom I left to become a principal, and have never regretted the decision.

How We Talk About Leadership

A few months ago I came across a blog where the teacher/writer focused on staying in the classroom even after feeling the pressure to go into administration, and not feeling badly about it. It was well-written and brought up many good points. I really dislike when I hear someone (and yes it happens) say, Im just a teacher. We should be proud of our teachers because most of them help students grow academically, socially and emotionally, and do it in situations that others would never be able to handle.

However, I dont think we should feel badly for leaving the classroom for school leadership either. School leaders hear that they are, No longer in the trenches, or Have Gone to the dark side. Neither of those is true. School leaders, whether building or district, are still very much in the trenches...the trenches just look a bit different. And school leadership does not have to be the dark side, just because leaders have taken on an administrative role which means that they have to address issues and evaluate teachers.

School leadership can be much more than the image that we conjure up in our heads. We are surrounded by great leaders who work hard to bring people together. For example, last week I presented on Collaborative Leadership at the School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) Conference in Des Moines. I was awe struck by the level of leadership, and how much they cared about creating better relationships among staff, students and parents. They wanted to learn about stronger ways to collaborate around learning.

Im guilty of neglecting the importance of leadership at times in this blog. A week ago I wrote about how we may never be like Finland because of the way we talk about students, teachers and education as a whole. One of the pieces I forgot to mention is how we define leadership...and talk about it as well. Many leaders dont want to be seen as going to the dark side, because their hope is that they can bring people together to come up with innovative ideas that engage more students, teachers and parents. Yes, there are those leaders who want the position for the perceived power, but many enter into leadership because they understand their power is to bring people together, even if it involves tough conversations.

Leadership is about getting the best out of people...even young people like our students. Leadership is about synergizing a group and not taking over the group. Leadership is about heading into a faculty meeting with one idea and walking out with a better one because of the collective thoughts of the staff. That certainly happened to me when I was a principal, because the staff I worked with often had more powerful ideas than any I may have had at the time.

Leadership is about setting up a school climate where people feel valued. We know we have too many teachers with a low level of self-efficacy because they have experienced leadership that has beaten them down more than built them up. We need high quality, impactful leaders.

In the End

Leadership is not about going to the dark side unless we make it that way, which means we have to stop using that phrase. It sets up an unfair dynamic. Perhaps not everyone is as fortunate as I was to work with a great staff for almost 8 years. We saw our issues. We had our budget cuts, teacher/administrator lay-offs, and school consolidations. However, we came together and also had fun with our students.

We need good leaders. Leaders who know that the position is about Power with rather than Power over (Knight), who are prepared to do the hard work, and understand that they dont have to have all the answers because that is what collaboration is all about. We need to value good leadership and good teaching so we can focus on learning in the school community.

I think its time we leave the dark side behind.

Peter DeWitt, Ed.D. is the author of several books including the forthcoming Collaborative Leadership: 6 Influences That Matter Most (2016. Corwin Press). Connect with Peter on Twitter .
Cross-posted from Rules for Engagement

By Evie Blad

Kentuckys highest education official sent cease and desist letters to the states school districts last week, forbidding them from using Aikido, a form of Japanese martial arts, to restrain students.

Thats because the technique puts students in physical positions banned by state policy, the letter said.

Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt made his order in response to concerns that staff at about five school districts, including the Jefferson County school district, had been trained in or started using a technique called Aikido Control Training to physically restrain students , the Louisville Courier-Journal reported.

Pruitt recently committed to investigating underreporting of restraint and seclusion in the 101,000-student Jefferson County district, which includes Louisville. That district had already phased out the use of Aikido Control Training before Pruitts letter, the paper reports.

From the Courier-Journals report about the order to stop using the martial arts method:

It also follows concerns recently raised by members of a state oversight panel on child abuse that the method can result in injuries including broken bones... Pruitt said the Kentucky Department of Education's main concern with the training was that it includes prone or supine restraint techniques. A prone restraint is where a student is held in a face-down position and pressure is applied to the body to keep the student in that position; a supine restraint is the same thing, but with the student lying in a face-up position. Some have suggested that the use of prone and supine restraint techniques increase the risk of harm to those being restrained, in part because inadvertent pressure could cause breathing or other issues. Several states, including Kentucky, have banned the use of such techniques in schools.

Local news station WAVE talked to an Aikido Control Training instructor who defended the training, saying educators werent instructed in holds that violate state laws on student restraint policies. He also drew a distinction between Aikido as a martial art and Aikido Control Training.

Cincinnati News, FOX19-WXIX TV

But, the Courier-Journal reports, Dr. Melissa Currie, head of Pediatric Forensic Medicine at the University of Louisville, who reviews cases of injuries to children from suspected abuse, said her office has examined several cases of injuries, primarily broken bones, that she said resulted from the use of Aikido Control Training in Jefferson County schools.

Physical Restraint of Public School Students

Physical restraint and seclusion of students in public schools is more common than many people realize, though school staff use a variety of techniques and methods beyond Aikido Control Training.

Nationwide, more than 100,000 students were placed in seclusion, involuntary confinement, or were physically restrained at school during the 2013-14 academic year, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Educations office for civil rights. That included more than 67,000 students with disabilities served by IDEA, who represented 12 percent of all students but a whopping 67 percent of those restrained or secluded at school, the data show. Boys, particularly those who are black, multiracial, American Indian, and Alaska Native, are disproportionately restrained and secluded, according to the data.

Many states have passed laws or policies in recent years to limit use of restraints in schools , including Kentucky in 2013. The states policy says that students are not to be restrained and secluded at school unless they are a threat to themselves or others. Parents are also supposed to be notified of any use of restraint or seclusion within 24 hours.

But in May, the district settled for $1.75 million with a 16-year-old student whose thighs were broken when he was restrained in 2014. The student, who has autism, spent several weeks in rehabilitation for his injuries, the Courier-Journal. Three separate investigations did not find evidence of abuse or mistreatment, but a state panel that investigates child abuse in the state has recently recommended that officials reopen the investigation .

Also, in 2015, the ACLU sued a different Kentucky district for handcuffing a 3rd grader , which was caught on video. That case is still pending.

Related Stories:

for the latest news on special education policies, practices, and trends.
The breakaway DKBA troops were led by Lieutenant Na Ma Kyar and the BGF soldiers were from battalion 1017 based near the Asia Highway. The two sides exchanged both small and heavy weapons for half an hour and a shell hit a house in Tadangu village injuring the family of Saw Maung Ngo.

The wounded villagers are Saw Maung Ngo, 47, his wife Naw Sallay, 40, his daughter Naw Gay Say, and his niece Naw Mu Toe. Saw Maung Ngos daughter, Naw Gay Say, an eight standard student was hit by shrapnel on her forehead and her condition was critical.

Naw Hnin Yi, a village leader from Tandagu spoke to Karen News about the injured villagers.

Naw Gay Say was injured on the left side of her forehead so her condition is more critical. The other injuries are minor. Naw Gay Say and her mother, Naw Sallay were sent to Mae Sot Hospital. Saw Maung Ngo is still at home. Naw Mu Toe was sent to Kawkareik Hospital but has now been discharged.

According to BGF sources, their soldiers led by Deputy Battalion Commander Major Saw Kyaw Naung was attacked by the former DKBA troops led by Lieutenant Na Ma Kyar and the shooting resulted in artillery shells hitting Tandangu village.

Speaking to Karen News, the BGFs Major Saw Kyaw Naung said.

We were attacked by Lieutenant Na Ma Kyars group. They started shooting at us around 5am. They attacked us from two directions. They have about 20 soldiers.

The fighting between the renegade L.t Na Ma Kyar group and local BGF troops have been a regular event in areas near the Kawkariek-Myawaddy Asia Highway for over a year after the BGF troops were put in-charge to secure the road in mid 2015.
Saw Tu Tu, from the Karen Refugee Committee (KRC), said: The tree got entangled with the power cable falling directly on the car so the whole car was electrocuted.

The KRC official said that among the nine people in the truck, a doctor, a couple and a six-month baby were shocked after it struck their vehicle near Thaemupho Village.

The baby and doctor received light injuries. The couple, who were knocked from the truck, sustained more serious injuries. The husband was taken to the nearest hospital and his spouse sent to Chiang Mai.

Refugees in Mae La Oon and Mae Ra Moe that are suffering from diseases that cant be treated in the camps often receive attention in Mae Sariang. However, its the first time that an accident of this kind has happened, even during the rainy season when road conditions are much worse.

There are about 120,000 people living in refugee camps in Thailandmost are ethnic Karen that have fled fighting between the Burma Army and Karen rebels over the last several decades.

Reporting by Saw Thein Myint for KIC News

Translated by Thida Linn

Edited by BNI staff
A project to co-locate two general district courts within Court Square in downtown Charlottesville could soon be back on track following months of uncertainty.

The long-awaited solution: Construction of a new garage downtown, paid exclusively by the city, according to a source familiar with the city and Albemarle Countys ongoing negotiations for the project.

This new development in the ongoing negotiations may also create an opportunity for the city to figure out another crux it is facing with a separate partner and community stakeholder: the Charlottesville Parking Center.

In an interview Monday, Bruce Williamson, Lepold & Freed attorney and member of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association (CABA), said the Charlottesville City Council is planning to build a new parking garage downtown.

Last week, Williamson said, the city sent the county a letter that said it would offer to pay for the construction of a new parking garage that would service the proposed city-county general district courthouse in the Levy Opera House at 350 Park St., right across from the historic county circuit courthouse.

The project has been estimated to cost nearly $47.5 million, according to the countys capital improvement program.

The county has allocated $31.7 million to the project over the next five years, and the city has put forward $500,000 for a feasibility study and $6.4 million for implementation. But a definitive plan has not been adopted.

Last fall, they developed a term sheet, Williamson said. It was never finalized, but they agreed to nearly every term relating to the building regarding costs, ownership and all essential terms  except for the parking.

Earlier this year, the proposed co-location project was essentially suspended after the county began entertaining the thought of either relocating its court system or the McIntire County Office Building outside of the city in order to stoke economic development within the county.

An option county officials have studied is moving its County Office Building to somewhere in the county. This move, officials have said, would allow the county to relocate its near-capacity general district court to McIntire Road.

County officials have been withholding a report on the potential economic impacts of relocating its offices to the county, citing a working papers exemption in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

As chairman of the CABAs bench-bar relations subcommittee, Williamson said officials from the city and county have kept him in the loop regarding negotiations and proposals.

While the county had invited the city to co-locate its general district court at the McIntire Road property, Williamson said the city denied that offer.

Instead, Williamson said the surface parking lot at Seventh Street and Market Street, which the city and county co-own, could become the site of a new parking garage that would serve both courts.

The notion of a new parking garage was discussed in the spring, he said. The city asked the county if it would pay $2.5 million for the garage, trying to solicit a contribution.

Negotiations underway

Earlier this summer, Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Liz Palmer noted that the construction of a garage at that site could meet the countys parking needs.

It is a small lot for a parking garage but could accommodate adequate parking for the courts, she said in a June 22 email.

The City is developing a long term parking plan which I assume will include a parking garage, she said in the email. I do not know which area they consider best for the garage. It may well be a larger garage that can accommodate shoppers and businesses in addition to the court parking.

Williamson said the effort to build an even larger parking garage over the city and countys co-owned parking lot could result in an attempt to acquire the Lucky Seven convenience store and Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant properties on Market Street.

On Monday, Palmer responded vaguely to questions about the alleged offer from the city: The city has been very cooperative in addressing this.

However, because the county is still exploring alternative location options, the negotiations concerning parking for this project have not advanced.

With several hundred spaces in the garage, Williamson said, at least 100 of them would be conveyed to the county to serve the new courthouse.

Thats not to say there might be other options, he said, But it would make sense to build it there to serve the general district courts and provide the county the number of spaces theyve requested.

Assistant county executive Lee Catlin echoed Palmers comments.

Active negotiations are still underway, and issues related to the potential economic impacts of potential relocation of the County courts have been part of the discussions, Catlin said in an email. We anticipate providing a full public presentation of all information regarding this topic, including all relevant economic impact information, later this fall once negotiations have reached an appropriate point.

Water Street solution?

The would-be garage also could present the chance for the city to resolve its ongoing dispute with the Charlottesville Parking Center, which sued the city earlier this year over a rate-setting dispute at the Water Street Parking Garage.

As the city has concurrently been quarreling with CPC over whether to raise rates at the Water Street garage  which both entities own spaces in  CPC officials have maintained that the city is fighting a losing battle because CPC owns the ground lease underneath that garage.

Once again summoning the existence of a lease-mandated rent reset scheduled for 2024, a CPC letter sent to city officials on Monday laid out three scenarios that could end the agonizing dispute thats enveloped some in the downtown business community.

One of the scenarios explicitly mentions the possibility of CPC purchasing the surface lot at Market and Seventh streets and building a new garage with approximately 300 spaces.

Contingent on the city selling its spaces in the Water Street garage, CPC would pay to build the new garage and convey 100 spaces in either the new garage or the Water Street garage to the county.

Another listed scenario suggests the city could sell its spaces in the Water Street garage and build its own garage at the Market Street surface lot in front of the SNL Financial building.

In this case, CPC would agree to continue managing operations at the Water Street garage on a status quo basis with its rates over the next two to three years, never exceeding whats charged at the Market Street Garage, which the city owns outright.

A third scenario entertains the possibility of CPC simply selling its spaces in the Water Street garage to the city. That option also would include a potential sale of the entire property, meaning the city could own the garage outright with no more interference from CPC.

Dave Norris, the former city mayor and current CPC general manager who authored the letter, said the citys only other option would be to continue litigating the case  an unfavorable route for both parties.

It is easy to imagine the city and CPC will each be hampered in their quests to independently build new parking downtown while simultaneously engaged in complex litigation against each other, Norris wrote, noting that it could adversely affect taxpayers because of legal costs.

Once burned, twice shy

Following a closed session meeting Monday, two city councilors were coy when asked about the plans to resolve both issues.

At this point, we cant talk about anything that happened regarding the letters, said Councilor Wes Bellamy.

Honestly, Im not sure whats going to happen, he said. Theres a lot of different things that are possible.  While we desperately want to work well with the county, we have to do whats best for the city.

Noting that the council discussed the CPCs letter and real estate in town, Councilor Bob Fenwick said he was not familiar with the citys alleged offer to build a new parking garage at no cost to the county.

I think I know who told you that. I dont know where he got that information, but that may have been supposition from talk thats been going on for two or three months, he said.

Fenwick acknowledged the demand for new parking downtown but did not divulge how the city could potentially fund a new garage project or clinch a commitment from county.

Asked if he thinks it may be prudent for the city to sell its interest in the Water Street garage so it can build a new garage, Fenwick said the relationship as it is now is problematic, as the intention of a for-profit venture may not have the publics best interest in mind.

Once burned, twice shy  that might be one way to put it.
The report was presented at the Pyithu Hluttaw, or House of Representatives, during the lower houses second regular session on Monday.

The reports findings, intended to inform the union-level government, were collected from MCL representatives and residents from around the project site on June 1 by a team of state government officials led by Dr. Min Kyi Win, Mon States Minister of Natural Resource and Environmental Conservation.

Data collection was reportedly precipitated by a petition containing 3,780 Pyartaung area residents signatures and submitted to President U Htin Kyaw and the Mon State Chief Minister and parliament in April, expressing local dissatisfaction with the project.

To write the report, ministers held interviews with the company and with us. But they should include these findings from both sides. Now the report says only good things about the cement company, said Ashin Thumana of the Thumanayarma monastery in Kyaikmayaw Townships Kawdon Village.

Ashin Thumana added that members of the public only learned of the reports findings when the minister presented them Monday, stating that residents plan to meet state government officials to discuss the report and reiterate opposition to MCLs $400-million project.

The report does include what the locals said. The report says in its assessment that the company has not had much contact with the public and does not explain their plans thoroughly to the public to ensure they understand, said Dr. Min Kyi Win.

U Ohn Win, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, presented the report and fielded several questions posed by Kyaikmayaw Townships Pyithu Hluttaw representative.

On June 1, the Mon State government team went to the field to check the area. They found that MCL needs 40 megawatts of electricity for their operations. In 2015, they set up two power stations to produce 20 megawatts. Findings show that the company is prepared to mitigate damage caused by the coal-fired power project, said Minister U Ohn Win.

Dr. Min Kyi Win also said that the company will face charges if activities do not comply with union government regulations, and said that the public should be given more information about the plants operations.

MCL reportedly needs 49 megawatts to produce 5,000 tons of cement daily in its factory, planning to use coal and bio waste to generate 40 megawatts of power and the factorys waste heat generator for the remaining 9 megawatts.
Venerable Thumana, the chief abbot of Thumanar Yama Monastery in Kaw Don Village, said that although ministers consulted with the general public as well as heads of the Mawlamyine Cement Limited (MCL) in preparing the report it still failed in presenting the communitys view.

They shouldnt write only good things, he said after finding it favoured the company.

Criticisms about the government siding with MCL came after U Ohn Win, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, referred to the report in response to a question that was raised during a Pyithu Hluttaw (parliament) session.

Thumana said he only learned about the report at the recent meeting.

Residents opposed to the coal fire factory said they plan to bring the matter up soon during a meeting with the Mon State government.

The MCL cement factory that is scheduled to become operational by mid-2016 is a joint venture between SGC and Pacific Link Cement that is expected to cost US$400M. It will use coal power and some bio waste to generate the approximate 40 megawatt of power needed to output about 5,000 tonnes of cement a day.

Carbon dioxide emissions are produced by coal-burning power plants that poison the air causing smog and sometimes creating acid rain that pollute rivers as well as ground water.

U Ohn Win said that MCL has done its best to nullify potential negative impacts of using coal power.

The factory has minimised all the consequences from the use of coal power.

Mon States Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Dr Min Kyi Win said: We included the views of the local residents in the report, adding that the companys initial failure to engage with the public was also noted.

Min Kyi Win explained that although the cement factory is reliant on coal power the company has taken precautionary measures such as burying coals in the ground to prevent overheating.

He promised that action will be taken if MCL fails to abide by the rules and regulations set down by the union government.

A petition against the use of coal power was signed by 3780 residents in Pyar Taung area and sent to the president, Mon State chief minister, and the Mon State Hluttaw in April.

After receiving the petition, the Mon State government led by the Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Dr Min Kyi Win met with some residents and official from the MCL cement factory before preparing the report for the union government.

Reporting by MNA

Translated by Thida Linn

Edited by BNI staff
Last month a 31-year-old Chinese man who was traveling through Germany realized he lost his wallet in Stuttgart, Germany. The tourist, whose name hasn't been disclosed, tried to ask authorities for a stolen goods form, but ended up filling out a refugee asylum application. This set "machinery in motion that he couldn't get out of," Christoph Schluetermannan, an official with the German Red Cross, told reporters. According to The Guardian:

From there, he was sent to Dortmund in northwestern Germany and on to the refugee home in Duelmen. "He simply did what he was told," Schluetermann said.

Schluetermann said he quickly noticed the man because "he was different from the others  very, very helpless."

With help from a translation app and then from a translator at a Chinese restaurant, it became clear that the man wanted to travel on to France and Italy, not seek asylum.
This summer, DoJ Cybercrime Lab director Ovie Carroll presented at a Federal Judicial Seminar in San Diego, attended by over 100 US federal judges, where he recommended that the judges should use Tor  The Onion Router, subject of much handwringing and serious technological assaults from the US government, but which is also primarily funded by the USG  to protect their personal information while using their home and work computers.

The remarks were relayed second-hand during a motion filed in the ongoing criminal prosecutions over Playpen, a child pornography site that used a Tor "hidden service" to hide from law enforcement, but which was eventually breached by hacking techniques deployed by the FBI.

Carroll isn't the only senior US law enforcement official to endorse Tor: Russell Handorf, an FBI computer scientist, has also spoken in support of the tool.



Indeed, it would be exceptionally foolish to assume that every law enforcement or justice official would automatically be antagonistic towards Tor. By its very nature, Tor is a dual-use technology; it can be used to protect individual privacy, circumvent censorship, and obfuscate metadata. But it can also be used by some pedophiles to remain one step ahead of the cops. Also, if Judge Bryan's comments are accurate, Carroll's advice may not have been that robust anyway. Tor is not really useful for protecting personal information on computers, or necessarily mitigating the damage from data breaches: those just aren't the sort of things that Tor protects against.



Department of Justice Official Tells Hundred Federal Judges to Use Tor

[Joseph Cox/Motherboard]


Since WWI, doctors have speculated that PTSD's underlying cause was some sort of physical damage caused by blast-waves from bombs, which literally shook loose something important in the brains of sufferers.



Since 2012, neuropathologist Daniel Perl has advocated for this theory: specifically that blast waves caused physical damage at the intersection of the brain's gray matter and white matter, where microscopic analysis of the brains of former soldiers who suffered from PTSD reveals a "brown dust" of scarring, in regions that are neuroanatomically associated with sleep and cognition.





Unless you believe in souls, all mental processes have physical correlates, so in some ways it's unsurprising to learn that specific kinds of injuries that reliably lead to specific behaviors have specific physical modes of action. But on the other hand, a long history of "dualism" (the belief that the mind is somehow separate from the brain) has created a split in how we perceive mental illness and "physical" illness, through which mental illness is treated as the expression of problems in the subject's character and moral fiber. In the case of PTSD (which has previously been called "combat fatigue" and "shell shock"), sufferers have been branded as "shirkers" whose fear of battle drove them to express their symptoms.

Ibolja Cernak is a Bosnian scientist who conducted a study on 1,300 veterans of the Bosnian/Serbian conflict, which confirmed much of Perl's hypothesis. Adherents of this hypothesis believe that the action of a blast weakens the material connections at their intersections  perhaps by compressing the body and forcing blood into the brain, putting a "shearing load on brain tissues."

In 2007, Applied Research Associates studied the impact of blasts on military "breacher teams" who blow open doors with small explosive charges, looking particularly at trainers who are repeatedly exposed to blasts, which seemed to confirm the hypothesis as well.

Most recently, a US military research group who call themselves the "Gray Team" (because they are all gray-haired, and because they study gray matter) has used sensors worn by soldiers to further study blast damage, and to flag soldiers for neurological checkups if they are exposed to blast forces.



Daniel Perl is continuing to examine the brains of blast-injured soldiers. After five years of working with the military, he feels sure, he told me, that many blast injuries have not been identified. "We could be talking many thousands," he said. "And what scares me is that what we're seeing now might just be the first round. If they survive the initial injuries, many of them may develop C.T.E. years or decades later."



Perl takes some solace from the past. He has read a great deal about the men who suffered from shell shock during World War I and the doctors who struggled to treat them. He mentioned a monument in central England called "Shot at Dawn," dedicated to British and Commonwealth soldiers who were executed by a firing squad after being convicted of cowardice or desertion. It is a stone figure of a blindfolded man in a military storm coat, his hands bound behind him. At his back is a field of thin stakes, each of them bearing a name, rank, age and date of execution. Some of these men, Perl believes, probably had traumatic brain injuries from blasts and should not have been held responsible for their actions. He has begun looking into the possibility of obtaining brain samples of shellshocked soldiers from that war. He hopes to examine them under the microscope, and perhaps, a century later, grant them and their descendants the diagnoses they deserve.



What if PTSD Is More

Physical Than Psychological?

[Robert F Worth/New York Times]

(Image: Spindle neurons, Nephron, CC-BY-SA)
Donald Trump, sinking lately in the polls, is to "reboot" his campaign, writes the Wall Street Journal.

Part of the issue for the New York businessman is that he has run his campaign much like his family business, with his grown children as his top counselors and surrogates. That has meant he hasn't developed a strong connective tissue to party stalwarts and activists that can sustain a candidate through difficult times. Reports of Republicans leaving the party, lining up behind Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson or even backing Mrs. Clinton gained momentum last week, after the nominee criticized the parents of a U.S. soldier killed in Iraq.

This means he's going to be more of a good ol' Republican: less talk of China and returning jobs to the heartland, more talk of freeing banks from regulation and "strengthening intellectual property protections" and other exciting policies sure to delight the Trumpkin base.

Trump will take direct aim at the Clintons and Obama, pointing to Detroit as an example of their failed economic policies. He will argue that their "record-breaking pace of new regulations, tax increases, restrictions on private-energy production and one-sided trade deals" have hurt Detroit and other cities, according to excerpts of his remarks shared with Bloomberg Politics. He will call Obama's Clinton-backed regulations a "lead-weight on the economy, an anchor dragging us down." And he will say that Americans "need to hit the pause buttons on these regulations so our businesses can reinvest in the economy."

After all, the GOP is still his to lead, whatever their paper scruples used to be. The coveted John Kasich nomination is still on the table!

"We still have time. That's something I think about a little bit but not a lot," he said. Kasich also attempted to explain his decision not to attend the convention, saying, "If I weren't prepared to get up there and endorse the nominee, I thought it was inappropriate to go."

As for Mrs. Clinton, his latest rants suggest that she is the crazy, unhinged one.

But before taking the stage in New Hampshire, Trump previewed the "short-circuit" line of attack online, tweeting earlier Saturday that "anybody whose mind 'SHORT CIRCUITS' is not fit to be our president! Look up the word 'BRAINWASHED.'"

And in a video posted on his Facebook page earlier Saturday, Trump's campaign suggested Clinton was "melting down," calling her "robot Hillary."

Clinton is often regarded, even in damnation, as a cool and calculating political animal, so even Trumpkins are a little baffled by it. One headline sums it up best: "Trump accuses Clinton of being angry orange-skinned man with bad combover"
Skip to main navigation

Current Drought Conditions

Drought Regions I and II Regions are currently in a drought watch status. The rest of the state remains in normal condition. Drought status determinations are based on a State Drought Index that uses New York State specific attributes, so it may differ somewhat from national drought assessments. In addition, local conditions may vary, so some areas of the state may make their own determinations of drought stage using locally-focused criteria.

A "watch" is the first of four levels of state drought advisories ("watch," "warning," "emergency" and "disaster"). There are no statewide mandatory water use restrictions in place under a drought watch, but residents are strongly encouraged to voluntarily conserve water. Local public water suppliers may require conservation measures, depending upon local needs and conditions.

New York's drought advisories are intended primarily for guidance to public and private water suppliers and withdrawals. If you are experiencing a water shortage, please contact your water supplier, local agricultural extension, or local health department.




Skip to main navigation

Places to Hunt in New York

Public Lands

Many state lands, including Wildlife Management Areas, State Forests, Forest Preserve and State Parks are open for hunting and trapping during the appropriate seasons.

Private Lands

Eighty-five percent of the state is privately-owned and over 90 percent of all hunters will hunt on private lands during the hunting seasons. See "Hunting on Private Lands" below for more information.

Get Maps of Public Lands

View a list of DEC Wildlife Management Areas and other State Lands and conservation easements by DEC region and county. Many of these web pages include easy-to-print maps.

The DECinfo Locator can be used to create custom maps of trails and hunting areas on state lands.

You can also view DEC lands in Google Earth (Google Earth must be installed on your computer).

Regional DEC Contacts

DEC Regional Wildlife staff can suggest possibilities for the county where you would like to hunt or trap, depending on the type of game you would like to pursue.

Regional forestry staff and NYS Forest Rangers can provide details on state forest lands and the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve lands.

Permits and Regulations

Written permission or permits are sometimes required to use state lands. In addition regulations can vary, depending on the type of state land. It is best to check with the nearest DEC Regional Office or a NY Forest Ranger for specific requirements or regulations for the area you are interested in.

Hunting in State Parks

Many state parks offer waterfowl, small game and big game hunting. See State Parks that Allow Hunting.

Other Areas to Hunt

New York City Watershed Lands: The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) allows deer, bear, turkey, and small game hunting on designated City Water Supply lands as provided by New York State regulations. DEP is no longer issuing Hunting Tags for hunting on City Water Supply Lands. Hunters must possess the appropriate, valid New York State hunting license and a valid Access Permit to hunt on designated hunting areas on City Water Supply Lands. DEP Access Permits are not required on Public Access Areas. For more information, visit the off-site link "New York City Watershed Lands" in the right-hand column.

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge: Located on the south shore of Long Island in Suffolk County. This area is open for deer hunting on a controlled basis during both the archery and regular seasons. Permits are required. For current information on seasons, permits, maps and regulations, contact: Refuge Manager, Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, 340 Smith Road, Shirley, NY 11967; Telephone: (631) 286-0485 or visit the off-site link "Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge" in the right-hand column.

Fort Drum Military Base: Located in Jefferson County, 3 miles northeast of Watertown between state Route 11 and state Route 3. The facility has an active outdoor recreation program that enhances the quality of life for soldiers, their families, military retirees, civilian employees and the general public. Outdoor recreation includes hunting, fishing, trapping, birdwatching, primitive camping, hiking, and berry-picking. Fort Drum provides one of the largest tracts of land in the northeast region available to the general public for recreational use with approximately 69,000 acres available for hunting and trapping as well as other outdoor recreational activities, dependent upon current military training operations. Fort Drum requires special permitting. Call their outdoor recreation office (315-772-9636 or 772-4999) for information or visit the off-site link "Hunting at Fort Drum" in the right-hand column.

Finger lakes National Forest: Located east of Seneca Lake in Schuyler and Seneca counties. Small and big game hunting. No special hunting permits required.

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge: Located at the north end of Cayuga Lake in Seneca County. This area is open for deer hunting on a controlled basis during both the archery and regular seasons. Permits are required. When deer management permit use is allowed, WMU 8J permits are valid. For current information on seasons, permits, maps and regulations, contact: Refuge Manager, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 3395 Route 5-20 east, Seneca Falls, NY 13148; telephone: (315) 568-5987

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge: Located east of Lockport in Genesee and Orleans counties. This area is open for deer hunting during both the archery and regular seasons. Further information is available from: Refuge Manager, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge,1101 Casey Road, Alabama, NY 14013;telephone: (585) 948-5445

Hunting on Public Campgrounds

Hunting is not permitted within DEC campgrounds, although some campgrounds in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves allow camping during big game season.

DEC operates 52 public campgrounds in the Forest Preserves. Unloaded firearms are allowed on public campgrounds only during the spring and fall hunting seasons for hunting. A valid hunting license is needed. Firearms cannot be discharged in the campground or day use facilities at any time. For more information contact the Bureau of Recreation at (518) 402-9055.

Campgrounds outside the Forest Preserves are operated by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) (see link at right).

For all campgrounds, reservations can be made by calling 1-800-456-CAMP or on line at Reserve America (see offsite links at right).

Hunting on Private Lands

Rights-of-way, such as power lines and railroads that cross private property are NOT public lands, and trespassing on these areas without permission from the landowner is illegal. Federal law prohibits hunting and possession of firearms on lands administered by the National Park Service, including the Appalachian Trail.

Ask Permission First

Always ASK permission to hunt on private land, whether or not it is posted. Even landowners who post are likely to say "yes" to people who show their respect for private property by asking first. Most rural landowners are generous people who will gladly help visitors.

Trees and other plants on private land are private property. It is illegal to cut or remove them, or to cut limbs or damage bark (such as from putting up blinds or tree stands, or cutting shooting lanes or trails) without the landowner's permission.

Some landowners use ASK Permission stickers on their signs. These symbols, a product of the State Fish & Wildlife Management Board in cooperation with DEC, express the landowners' willingness to allow access to their property to those people who ASK. The ASK stickers are available free from DEC.

Please send your ASK sticker requests to NYSDEC, Bureau of Wildlife, 5th Floor, 625 Broadway, Albany, N.Y. 12233-4754 or wildlife@dec.ny.gov.

A poor image of outdoor recreationists is one main reason why access to some private property is denied. If recreationists demonstrate courtesy to landowners and respect for property, the situation could improve. If, however, trespassing, littering and vandalism occur, access will continue to be denied.



Ask permission poster Ask permission poster

Be courteous, ASK:

Permission well in advance of your trip. Don't show up on opening day, or at inconvenient times, or with a gun in your hand, or your snowmobile or ATV running in the front yard.

When you can go. Just because you hunted there in October, don't assume you can go back the next year without asking permission.

What is permitted on the property. Do not park off-road vehicles, camp, damage vegetation, construct a permanent structure (tree stands, blinds or platforms) or store personal property without the landowner's permission.

Where certain activities are allowed. Shooting may disturb nearby farm animals or neighbors.

Who is welcome. More than two or three people can be an unwelcome crowd.

About special concerns -- if the landowner's family is likely to be in the woods or fields and where the property boundaries are located.

And lastly, but very importantly, thank the landowner for his/her generosity. Show your appreciation by offering to share your game or buy a bushel of his/her crops, such as apples.

Whether or not the land is posted, New York State General Obligations Law protects landowners from liability for non-paying recreationists engaged in hunting, trapping and fishing on their property. Because of this protection, recreational liability lawsuits against rural landowners are uncommon. This protection does not apply in cases of willful or malicious failure to guard or warn against dangers.

FWMA Cooperative Areas

Through cooperative agreements under New York's Fish & Wildlife Management Act (FWMA), Cooperative Hunting Areas provide access and management services to privately-owned lands in order to increase public hunting opportunities. When using these areas, remember that you are a guest on private property and act accordingly.

Hunters are strongly advised to contact the DEC Regional Office for current information about the status of these areas. Following is a list of the areas arranged by county.

Cooperative Hunting Areas County Cooperative Area DEC Region / Phone Cayuga/

Tompkins King Ferry Region 7 / (607) 753-3095 x 247 Jefferson Fort Drum Region 6 / (315) 772-9636 or 772-4999 Ulster Shaupeneak Ridge Area Region 3 / (845) 256-3098 Wyoming Sulphur Springs Region 9 / (716) 372-0645

Safety While Afield

Check out the Hunter Safety Basics page for tips on firearm safety and reasons why wearing hunter orange can keep you from harm.

If you come across suspected Abandoned Oil & Gas Wells please report the location to the DEC; these can pose an environmental or safety threat.





More about Places to Hunt in New York:
Intended as a discussion group, the blog has evolved to be more of a reading list of current issues affecting our county, its government and people. All reasonable comments and submissions welcomed. Email us at: bill.pysson@gmail.com REMEMBER: To view our sister blog for education issues: www.district100watchdog.blogspot.com
The company informed via a press release on Thursday that the Go and the Go+ are priced at Rs 4.06 lakh and Rs 4.77 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) respectively.

To increase its share in the small car segment, Datsun had launched the redi-GO earlier this year and now the company is introducing special editions of the GO hatchback and the GO+ compact MPV. The special edition cars will come with the limited edition Style moniker. The company informed via a press release on Thursday that the Go and the Go+ are priced at Rs 4.06 lakh and Rs 4.77 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) respectively.

The Style edition GO and GO+ will come in a new colour option called the New Blue, in addition to the existing White and Ruby colours. Further options to accessorise the cars include new roof rails, a rear spoiler, body graphics and the limited edition Style logo.

On the inside, the Japanese manufacturer offers a choice between a dual tone black and beige upholstery and a piano black centre instrument cluster with silver chrome.

Apart from these new additions, features like follow-me-home headlamps, speed sensitive electric power steering, powerful air conditioning, front power windows, universal mobile phone holder, auxiliary-in and USB charger, central locking and full wheel covers will be carried forward from the T style variants.

There are no changes on the mechanical front as both the cars continue to be powered by the same 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine that churns out 68PS of maximum power and 104Nm of peak torque. Power is transmitted through a five-speed manual gearbox and the company claims a fuel economy of 20.6kmpl in this state of tune.

Both the cars come with two year/unlimited kilometres warranty with Free Road Side Assistance that can be extended up to a five years. The Datsun GO and GO+ Style limited edition cars will be on sale from August through October 2016 and can be booked at company dealerships across the country.

Source: CarDekho.com
The Fitch estimates come at a time of reports of overbuilding and unsold housing stock in many areas of China.

China needs to build residential property space that's roughly equivalent to the land area of Singapore, or 800 million square meters, every year until 2030, Fitch Ratings estimated.

This means demand for new housing will remain relatively resilient, a Fitch report released on Monday said.

Fitch's estimate is based on the assumption that over one-third of new demand will be driven by the demolition of all properties built before 1990, while demand from marriage-driven first-time buyers will decline after peaking in 2013.

The Fitch estimates come at a time of reports of overbuilding and unsold housing stock in many areas of China.

In July, the official Xinhua news agency reported that there are development plans in Chinese cities to have housing capacity for 3.4 billion people, which is more than 2.5 times China's population and could exacerbate oversupply.

China completed 737 million square meters of residential property in 2015, an 8.8 per cent decline from a year earlier. In the first half of 2016, completed residential housing floor space rose 19.2 per cent from the same period last year to 290 million square meters.
New Delhi: The government is considering aproposal to relax the visa regime of the country to promote trade in services, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on August 8.

Replying to a question in Lok Sabha she said, a liberalised visa regime helps in promotion of trade in services in different modes of supply, particularly Mode 2 which includes tourism, medical value travel and education services.

"A proposal to further liberalise the visa policy is under consideration in Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with all stakeholders," Sitharaman said. She said her ministry advocates for a liberal regime and adequate safeguards and works with the Home Ministry which deals with the subject.

Services sector has emerged as a prominent sector in India in terms of its contribution to national and state income, trade flows and FDI inflows. It contributes about 60 per cent to the country's GDP.

The sector also contributes around 28 per cent to job creation. Its contribution to total trade is 25 per cent, around 35 per cent to exports and 20 per cent to imports. Replying to a separate question, she said India's cotton imports during October 2015 - June 2016 dipped to 8.03 lakh bales from 8.75 lakh bales in the same period previous year.

To another question, she said India and the European Union Broad-based Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) negotiations started in 2007 and 16 rounds of negotiations have been held so far.

Recently, three meeting of India-EU BTIA negotiations have been held - two were held on January 18 and July 15 here and one in Brussels on February 22. India is committed to an early and balanced outcome of the pact, she said.
New Delhi: The Goods and Service Tax (GST) could boost consumption by lowering taxes, which are currently as high as 27 per cent. The standard rate under GST is expected to be around 22 per cent and it will save companies a lot of cost in logistics.

However, with the balance sheets of many companies under stress, it has raised questions whether the industry will fully pass on tax benefits to consumers or pocket it.

CII president Dr Naushad Forbes, however, believes that competition will force companies to pass on the benefit to consumers and not to pocket it. It will take only one company to decide that it will expand market share by passing the benefit of the tax saving to consumers and others will have to follow, said Dr Forbes.

He said that the best way to control one private firm is another private firm, so competition will take care that GST benefits are passed. So instead of second guessing what will happen (after the GST comes in being), let the market play its role. I think there is sufficient market competition in the market. It is being said that many companies are running at a capacity utilisation of 70 per cent and some companies want to expand their market share and capacity utilisation by cutting prices, said the CII president.

In the medium term, Crisil chief economist D.K. Joshi believes companies will have to pass on the benefit to consumers. GST implementation will take at least one year to get implemented and by that time, the balance sheets may not remain stretched. The benefit of GST will definitely be visible in the due course, if not immediately. They will have to pass on benefits due to competition," said Dr Joshi.

However, rating agency ICRA said that it expects companies like Asian Paints, Berger Paints, Kansai Nerolac and Pidilite Industries among others to retain some of the benefits of lower taxes due to their branding strengths.
Mumbai: Katrina Kaif starrer Jagga Jasoos is out. Yes, the makers have finally locked a date to release their film.

Jagga Jasoos was originally supposed to release this year. But now, the film will hit the theatres next year on April 7, 2017.

The film went on floors when Ranbir and Katrina were happily in a committed relationship. However, dates and several other issues pushed the films shoot.

Jagga Jasoos shoot was still going on when Ranbir and Katrina called it quits. Then there came reports about the two blatantly refusing to co-operate and fly overseas for the shoot of 'Jagga Jasoos'. However, after several discussions, things did fall into place and the former lovers agreed to shoot the film over there.

Two are became thorough professionals on the film sets and wrapped the shooting of Jagga Jasoos.

The film, which is directed by Anurag Basu, is an adventure mystery about a young college lad in search of his missing father. The film will have a mix of adventure, mystery, romance and action.
Mumbai: Bollywood veteran actor Rishi Kapoor is extremely active on Twitter. Its not wrong to say that many idolise and follow the actor for his hilarious and to-the-point tweets.

Rishi Kapoor is not the one to mince his words and so far, we have witnessed the actor crack some rib tickling jokes on many people on Twitter. The actor, who has often complained that Twitteratis dont get his jokes, is back again with another original joke.

This time, Kapoor took a dig at Keeping Up With The Kardashians star Kim Kardashian, comparing her with a bag of onions.

The actor shared a picture of the celebrity with caption, Onions in a mesh bag!

Onions in a mesh bag! pic.twitter.com/YXCXPJV3iN  Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) August 7, 2016

Well, the actor keeps making headlines for his tweets. Remember the time when he took a dig at Zara?

Buy two get one begging bowl free. Sale at Zara's pic.twitter.com/keoWmlbw70  Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) June 27, 2016

Not only others but the troll master never hesitates to take a shot at himself as well.
Actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie will teach as a visiting professor at the Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., after her similar stint at the London School of Economics previously, a source informs UsMagazine.com.

The 41-year-old will share her knowledge on women, peace and security  subjects that are close to her heart.

It is vital that we broaden the discussion on how to advance womens rights and end impunity for crimes that disproportionately affect women, such as sexual violence in conflict. I am looking forward to teaching and learning from the students, as well as to sharing my own experiences of working alongside governments and the United Nations, Angelina said.

The course, the first of its kind, was launched last year by Jolie and former UK foreign secretary William Hague.
The idea was too break the taboo associated with breastfeeding in public (Photo: AP)

Dozens of Romanian mothers have gathered at a museum in Bucharest to breastfeed their babies to promote the freedom of mothers to breastfeed in public.

Mothers dressed in embroidered traditional peasant blouses sat, chatted and fed their children Saturday at the event at the picturesque Village Museum.

Alexandra Hulea, a 31-year-old marketing specialist, still feeds her 13-month-old twins Eva and Dominic. She says "people look strangely at you, but I don't care because my children are my priority."

Pediatrician Iulia Balint-Boia told The Associated Press that only 12.6 percent of Romanian mothers still breastfeed their babies at six months. She says "it benefits both mothers and children, but not everyone is used to seeing it in our society."
Immunotherapy is already used in treating some forms of cancer, but there is as yet no universal vaccine- the holy grail of cancer therapy.

German researchers have presented a Trojan horse method of attacking cancer, sneaking virus impersonators into the human body to unleash an anti-tumour immune offensive.

Tested in only three people so far, the treatment claims to be the latest advance in immunotherapy, which aims to rouse the body's own immune army against disease.

Made in the lab, this Trojan horse is composed of nanoparticles containing cancer RNA- a form of genetic coding- enclosed by a fatty acid membrane.

The particles are injected into patients to simulate a virus invasion, and infiltrate specialised immune cells.

These so-called dendritic cells decode the RNA imbedded in the nanoparticles- triggering, in turn, the production of cancer antigens.

The antigens then activate cancer-fighting T cells, and thus prime the body for an all-out, anti-tumour assault.

Following experiments in mice, three people with advanced skin cancer were given low doses of the treatment, in the first step of the long and cautious process to test new drugs on humans.

All developed a "strong" immune response, the team reported in the journal Nature.

If further trials find the therapy works, they added, the method could help pave the way to the highly-sought "universal" treatment against all cancer types.

The new treatment is called an RNA vaccine- it works just like a preventive vaccine by mimicking an infectious agent and training the body to respond to it.

"Impressively, immune responses were observed" in the three cancer patients, expert commentators Jolanda de Vries and Carl Figdor of the Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen in the Netherlands wrote in an analysis, also published by Nature.

But they cautioned "it is still early days, and a larger, randomised trial will be needed to validate these findings."

Immunotherapy is already used in treating some forms of cancer, but there is as yet no universal vaccine- the holy grail of cancer therapy.

Unlike viruses, bacteria or fungi which can be targeted with drugs, cancer cells are not intruders but our own cells gone haywire due to DNA damage.

This explains why they mostly circulate undisturbed by the body's immune system.

Finding drugs that can kill diseased cells without harming healthy ones has proven very difficult.

Chemotherapy, for example, targets fast-dividing cells good and bad alike.

Immunotherapy seeks to activate the body's own immune response without killing healthy cells.

"Although the research is very interesting, it is still some way away from being of proven benefit to patients," immunotherapy professor Alan Melcher of The Institute of Cancer Research in London, told the Science Media Centre.

One outstanding issue was "the practical challenge of manufacturing nanoparticles for widespread clinical application."
Love knows no boundaries, and in many cases it transcends all reasoning and limitations of time and distance.

But a man from Netherlands took this poetic idea to a whole new level, when he waited for his girlfriend at an airport in China for days, eventually ending up in a hospital.

41-year-old Alexander Pieter Cirk met a 26-year-old Chinese woman surnamed Zhang on a social media app, and over period of two months they fell in love through interactions on the internet.

Finally Cirk, who was clearly madly in love with the woman, decided to fly to China in July, and landed at Changshas Huanghua International Airport, waiting to meet his girlfriend. But little did he know that his wait would last really long.

After waiting at the arrivals terminal for eight days and creating a buzz, Cirk told Hunan ETV that he would not leave until he met his girlfriend, who never came. But he waited at the airport for Zhang, who had promised to meet him there, and was rushed to the hospital on the tenth days after he looked frail.

The story made it to the local media and Zhang seemed shocked when the news finally reached her. She told a TV channel that Cirk had agreed to travel to China a year later and thought he was joking when he sent her a picture of air tickets.

She said, We had advanced our romantic relationship but later he seemed a little callous toward me.

It was later discovered that Cirk contacted her after his arrival but her phone was switched off since she was in another city for plastic surgery.

As the story created a stir on social media with some calling Cirk weird and others attributing his actions to a pure heart, Zhang said that she would meet Cirk after his recovery and was till interested in a romantic relationship.
Smriti Irani was caught on camera ordering coffee at a Starbucks outlet without her security bodyguards in tow. (Photo: Facebook)

Indian politician Smriti Irani seems to be making all the right moves on social media  first with her successful #IWearHandloom campaign recently, and now after being caught on camera ordering coffee at a Starbucks outlet without her security bodyguards in tow.

The textile ministers no-fuss approach towards VIP protocol has won her much appreciation after she was snapped on August 5th by Nimish Dubey, who later posted her photo on Facebook. He went on to write about how Irani is a regular at the cafe and always stands in line before placing her order.

Dubey praised her for arriving and leaving without any hassles despite her status as a Cabinet Minister of the country. His post quickly went viral and won thousands of likes and hundreds of shares.

Here are some of the responses by the Indian Twitterati:

@smritiirani madam I like the way you behaved at Starbucks. So called VVIPs should take lessons from you. India needs more VVIPs like you!  ShirishBhosale (@ShirishBhosale) August 7, 2016

Smriti Irani stands in queue, places order at Starbucks just like us  Katalina Bakeup (@bidehisuryf) August 7, 2016
The five-year-old girl, who was abducted from Bihar on Thursday, was handed over to her parents on Monday morning. (Representational Image)

Katihar: A five-year-old Indian girl, who was kidnapped in Bihar and taken to Nepal, was rescued by Nepal police authorities on Thursday. The Nepal police handed over the girl to her parents on Monday morning.

According to a report, the girl, identified as Sparsa Agrawal, was abducted from Bihars Katihar district while she was on her way to home from school. The kidnappers had called Sparsa's father, Bhanu Agrawal, after two days and demanded a ransom of Rs 25 crores.

Bhanu Agrawal is a prominent local businessman and runs a petrol pump in Bihar.

On the day of abduction, two men stopped the school bus in which Sparsa was travelling and informed the driver that her parents have asked them to pick her up. One of the two was identified as Mithun Paswan Awas, who previously worked as a bus driver in the same school.

Later, Awas took the girl to Biratnagar in Nepal with the help of his friends.

The ransom call was traced to a former Congress MP's son Santosh Yadav, who was then arrested and helped police trace down Sparsa's location.

A joint team of regional investigators and Central Investigation Bureau personnel rescued Agrawal from the Morang district.
Mumbai: A Pune based software engineers attempt to harass his wife backfired miserably when he was booked by police on Monday for allegedly posting his wifes phone number and contact details in a website that provided escort services.

According to reports, the 33-year-old woman, who also works in the IT sector, lodged a complaint with the Hinjewadi police station on July 22 against unknown people for registering her phone number and other details with the escort website.

She claimed that she was receiving obscene calls from strangers.

A few days into the investigation, the police traced the website and the IP address from which the details were uploaded, and found out that the IP address was registered with the same residential address furnished by the victim.

"We later got to know that the information was uploaded from a tablet which was owned by her husband," said Arun Waykar of the Hinjewadi police station.

On interrogation, the 35-year-old man confessed to his crimes, and said that he uploaded her details in the escort service website two months ago as he wanted to teach his wife a lesson for annoying him and picking fights with him often.

The couple have been married for three years.
Masked protesters try to pick up exploded tear gas shells before throwing them back at paramilitary soldiers after a day long curfew in Srinagar. (Photo: AP)

Srinagar/New Delhi: Amid continued violence in the Kashmir Valley for a month, the Army has been directed to secure the National Highway-1 and cut off movement of people from rural to urban areas for joining protests.

While there was no official word over the move, sources in the know of development said today that the CRPF, which assists the local police for maintaining law and order and fighting insurgency, has been pulled out from the road opening work and army has been asked to do Highway Domination and Corridor Protection (HIDCOP) that was done by the paramilitary force.

The army which has 'Victor' force in South Kashmir and 'Kilo' force in North Kashmir for counter militancy operations has also been asked to ensure that people from rural areas did not move towards the urban centres to join the protests, the sources said.

During the current unrest, people living alongside the highway used to reportedly gather at the National Highway, linking the Valley with the rest of country and disturb the vehicular movement. The army, according to the sources, has now been asked to prevent movement of people towards the road.

The Valley has been on the boil since July 8 after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani. Widespread protests have so far left 55 people dead and hundred others injured.

The CRPF, which has been deployed in heavy numbers for maintaining law and order, had informed the state authorities that it is difficult for it to ensure road opening along the Highway.

The paramilitary force has also complained that Tehsildars and Naib-Tehsildars, who act as duty magistrates issuing orders, were not unusually available leaving its personnel clueless about action to be taken in the case of protests, the sources said.

The army has also been asked to secure vehicular movement along the Srinagar-Kupwara-Uri highway in North Kashmir and deploy its men in case of protests, the sources said.

According to eyewitnesses, army personnel also carried out a march in Sonawar locality in the heart of Srinagar city. The area is located outside the cantonment area.
A policeman keeps vigil as hundreds of Dalit community members gather for a rally to protest the attack on their community members in Ahmadabad. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: The RSS on Monday strongly condemned the attacks on Dalits across India, asking state government and Centre to take speedy action against those responsible.

VHP, an RSS affiliate, however, vowed to continue its work related to protection of cow, saying they have been doing it for a long time and will continue the work. "We appeal to all the sections of the society to remain aware of elements who want to disturb the environment of communal harmony and trust. We expect the administration to take speedy action against such individuals and groups who break the law," RSS general secretary Bhaiyaji Joshi, second in chain of command after its Sar Sanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, said in a statement.

Significantly, RSS had also issued a statement on Sunday denouncing the attacks on Dalits. He said taking law in one's own hands to harass Dalits was not only illegal but also inhuman.

While declining to comment on the attacks on Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes, VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain said there was a lot of controversy over it. "We will not like to comment on the issue. However, cow protection has been going on since long. We will continue to work for it," Jain said.

Joshi said that several political parties and leaders of various castes are trying to create a situation of uncertainty through half baked information which is not conducive to harmony.

RSS also would like to appeal to political parties and various heads that there is a need to normalise the situation of uncertainty through public cooperation, Joshi said. "By sympathising with the victims, there is a need to think that such incidents do not take place," Joshi said in the statement.

Talking to reporters in Nagpur, RSS ideologue and former spokesperson M G Vaidya said the government should take a strict action against those who attack Dalits in the name of cow protection. "When there is a law against cow slaughter and provision of punishment for such acts, the so-called cow protectors should inform the police instead of taking law into their own hands," he said.

The RSS veteran said "such elements" are defaming Hindu religion. He dismissed any association of the self-proclaimed cow vigilantes who target Dalits with Sangh Parivar. "The government should find out the credentials of such elements so that truth comes out before people," he added.

The comments by RSS and VHP came in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly rebuking perpetrators of violence on Dalits in the name of cow protection, telling them, "If you have to shoot, shoot me" but stop attacking "my Dalit brothers".

Facing increasingly bruising opposition assault on his government and BJP over attacks on Dalits and on the issue of cow vigilantes, Modi on Sunday called upon his countrymen to treat Dalits with dignity and not hate them. He was highly critical of the Opposition parties, saying they were fishing in troubled waters and driving a wedge between Dalits and the BJP for political gains.

Modi stated emphatically that discrimination against Dalits should stop and the onus for this lay on everyone. If you want to take revenge, fire bullets at me. Why are you attacking my innocent Dalit brethren when all you want is to target the BJP, he said in an indirect dig at the Opposition that has been blasting the BJP for the series of attacks on Dalits.

Addressing a polling booth workers meeting, Modi said the NDA government has been taking initiatives for the uplift of Dalits in the last two years. A few political parties that claim to be champions of Dalits are worried about their political future as the Centre is according high priority to problems of SCs. Hence these parties are stooping too low to create divisions in society, he said.

As part of the Start-Up India and Stand Up India, Dalit entrepreneurs are being given financial support by the Centre so that they could become job-givers and not job-seekers, he said.

A day after PMs remarks, Congress on Monday created uproar in the Lok Sabha, saying he should "not shed crocodile tears" but "act".

Congress members demanded that the Prime Minister should speak on the issue in the House rather than "tweet" and they staged a walkout later.
Lucknow: Amid a row on cow vigilante groups, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday accused the BJP of creating differences in society in the name of cow protection and deviating from the discussion on development.

"BJP's attitude on the issue of cow is well known. Cows are owned by farmers in villages. You can find cows with us (Yadavs)...but tell me which person in BJP in a city owns a cow," he said after a cabinet meeting here.

The Chief Minister charged that the saffron party was creating differences in the society in the name of cow protection and BJP's attempts were focused on how to deviate from a healthy discussion on development.

His comments come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at "fake cow protectors".

"I would like to tell all countrymen that they beware of these fake cow protectors. These handful of people must not be allowed to destroy your good work for their vested interest," Modi had said, while addressing a public meeting in Telangana yesterday.
Syed Salahuddin said that he can predict a fourth war with certainty because the Kashmiris are no longer willing to compromise under any circumstances. (Photo: Youtube screen grab)

New Delhi: Lashing out at Syed Salahuddin for threatening nuclear attack on India , Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said the Hizbul Mujahideen chief's assertion was aimed at gaining publicity and asked Pakistan to seriously ponder whether it was right to encourage such people. "

They keep talking bad just for publicity. Who is he and who has given him the right to speak about Kashmir ? Is it correct to propagate such information? Pakistan must seriously think if encouraging such people is right. Nothing will happen with threat," Naidu told the media in New Delhi .

Stating that three wars have already been fought between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, Salahuddin earlier threatened a nuclear attack on New Delhi .

" Pakistan is duty bound, morally bound, politically bound and constitutionally bound to provide concrete, substantial support to the ongoing freedom struggle on the territory of Kashmir .

And if Pakistan provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between the two powers," Salahuddin told the media in Karachi .

He said that he can predict a fourth war with certainty because the Kashmiris are no longer willing to compromise under any circumstances. The Hizbul Mujahideen chief further said the Kashmiri people have reached this conclusion that they have no second option except to go ahead with an armed struggle and an armed jihad.
New Delhi: The Home Ministry is contemplating a ban on controversial Mumbai-based preacher Zakir Naiks Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) who is accused of inspiring terrorists and has conveyed the same to the government.

According to a report, the government had drafted a list of FIRs filed against Naik for alleged hate speeches and the law ministry took them into consideration to decide if his organisation could be banned.

The law ministry is of the opinion that Naiks IRF, which was founded by him in 1991, can be declared unlawful under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Ministry of Home Affairs which is helmed by Rajnath Singh, has been informed that Naiks foundation could be banned.

The law ministrys opinion makes a clear case of banning the IRF by declaring it an unlawful organisation, a senior home ministry official was quoted in the report.

Officials feel they have a strong case against Naik and if his organisation is banned by the government then he would no longer be able to hold any meeting or raise funds under its name.

Naiks advocate has cried foul over the report and said that the government does not have any proof against the preacher and cannot prove that he inspired any terrorist or promoted terrorism.

The preacher came to spotlight after it emerged that two of the five Bangladeshi militants who hacked to death 20 people at a restaurant in Dhakas diplomatic zone in July this year used to follow Naik.

Militant Rohan Imtiaz, son of an Awami League leader, propagated on Facebook last year quoting the Peace TVs preacher urging all Muslims to be terrorists, the Daily Star had reported.

Naik had said he was not shocked to know that two of the attackers knew him but asserted that it does not mean that he approves of their ideology. He argued that such militants would also be ardent followers of Prophet Muhammad but that cannot mean that Islam preaches violence.

Despite his claims of innocence, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other agencies in the country had swung into action and had begun scanning his activities footage of all his speeches.

The Ministry of Home Affairs was seriously looking into the charges against him and now, it looks like more trouble awaits the controversial preacher.
*M*ake what you will of this. In the modern era of partisan polarization, which can be dated back to the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, only the presid...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by pundits as he arrives at Gajwel, Medak district in Telangana. (Photo: PTI)

Hyderabad: Terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent Telangana visit, a "completely flop show", the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) on Monday said his claim of bringing down Urea prices is a "lie".

TPCC president N Uttam Kumar Reddy said if Centre was serious on the issues of farmers it should have linked the sale of Urea to the international prices which were down in the recent times.

He alleged that Centre has earned crores of rupees by the sale of Urea on high prices to the poor farmers across the country. "Modi government sells petrol on higher prices contrary to the international prices of fuel and ridiculously claims to have sold Urea in a reasonable price," Reddy told reporters here.

He further claimed that Modi and state Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao both tried to take credit for the projects that were started during the Congress regime in the state.

He lashed out at the state government for laxity in taking proper action against a local BJP MLA who supported beating of Dalits in the name of cow on social media.

Reddy alleged that the KCR government was strengthening "fascist" forces in the state.

According to the TPCC chief, the entire programme saw the PM and KCR heaping praises on each other. "This is an indication that the TRS would sail with the BJP in near future," he said.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Telangana State Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir described Modi's love for Dalits and minorities as "fake". "The Prime Minister neither reacted on Rohit Vemula's suicide nor he did he act on Dadri incident when Akhlaq Hussain was lynched to death in the name of 'Gau Raksha'. It was his silence that encouraged attacks on Dalits and Minorities. He indirectly supported the acts of violence and now shedding crocodile tears to hide his failures," alleged Shabbir.

He further alleged that KCR has completely failed to get any categorical assurance for the state from the Centre during Modi's visit. "Why KCR did not raised the issue of High Court bifurcation in Gajwel public meeting. Contrary to the accusations made by TRS leaders in recent past of the Centre ignoring Telangana State, KCR was all praise for Modi and his governance. Both Modi and KCR patted each other for doing nothing and cheated the people of Telangana," he alleged.

Ali also demanded that the Chief Minister should release a white paper on the funds released by the Centre for Telangana so far.

Ali also claimed that five out of six projects launched by the Prime Minister during his maiden visit to Telangana on Sunday were initiated by previous Congress regime.

He said except for Kaloji Health University, all other projects were funded, launched or approved by the previous Congress Government.

When contacted, a senior BJP leader said the party has sought explanation from the MLA over his purported comments made on 'gau rakshaks'.
New Delhi: Delhi police has launched investigation in the fake online application in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a recruitment test by CRPF on a complaint filed by the central paramilitary force.

A case under IT Act provisions was registered with Cyber Crime unit of EOW on July 26, an official said.

Investigation has been launched by various wings of Delhi Police including Special Cell to crack the case, sources said.

Police was trying to catch the culprit involved in the matter with the help IP address of the user who filled the form online and then downloaded the admit card, they said.

The fake online application form was filled up for the recruitment by CRPF citing candidate's name as Narendra Modi and his photo was also affixed.

The case was detected before the physical standard test and the admit card was cancelled on July 15. The fake candidate did not appear for the physical standard test, though he downloaded the admit card before it was cancelled, CRPF had earlier said in a statement.

The admit card of the candidate, who was supposed to appear before a board for physical examination for recruitment as a Head Constable, was "auto generated" and subsequently posted on its official website for download by the aspirant.

The candidate had filled up application form/Roll No 2430026090 with fake details like name - Narendra Modi, father's name- Rarendra Modi, mother's name- Raj, attaching photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and indicating Group Centre CRPF Rampur as centre for examination.

The generation of admit cards for recruitment in CRPF is done through online (Internet-based) mode. The admit card can be downloaded from website only by the applicant with personal details like application number, name and date of birth, among others, it said.
New Delhi: A strong plea for awarding death penalty to rapists was made by NCP member Supriya Sule in Lok Sabha on Monday, drawing instant support from several members.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, she expressed concern over growing atrocities on women across all states, saying even minor girls are being subjected to assault.

Ruing over the fact that even a strong law after the Nirbhaya gang-rape incident was not proving to be a deterent against such henious crimes, Sule said "rapist should be hanged".

Nalin Kumar Kateel (BJP) spoke about 20 youths from Kerala joining the ISIS and asked why those raising the issue of 'ghar-wapsi' were not taking a note of it. He said the government should take remedial measures to avert such incidents.

Raj Kumar Saini (BJP) sought a law to make two children norm mandatory and said action should be taken against those violating it.

J C Diwakar Reddy (TDP) raised the issue of plight of groundnut farmers and demanded that the crop should be covered under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Vima Yojana, while Kirit Solanki (BJP) sought that a Centre for Cotton Excellence be opened in Gujarat which is known to have good quality cotton.

Om Birla (BJP) said Rajasthan government was unable to provide scholarships to SC/ST and OBC students as it had not received the Centre's fund to the state. He demanded release of funds so that scholarships could be awarded to them.

Ramesh Pokhriyal (BJP) demanded a policy for protection of Himalayas, while P R Sundaram (AIADMK) sought Centre's intervention over Andhra Pradesh building check dams on Palar river.
New Delhi: The Defence Ministry has cleared the new blacklisting policy, which is now being vetted by the Attorney General that seeks to act harshly against wrong doers but also ensures that much needed modernisation plan for the armed forces are not affected.

"The file has been cleared. It is now with the Attorney General for legal vetting. It will be issued as soon as his office clears it," a top defence official said.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has been working on the new blacklisting policy for long and has held numerous meetings with various stakeholders on the issue.

Sources said the new norms will be a mixture of heavy fines, graded blacklisting and other penalties.

The move comes just months after the Defence Ministry laid down norms for engaging agents in defence deals.

Foreign defence firms can now appoint 'agents' to market their products to the armed forces and the government but with strict oversight which includes opening up of company's books to scrutiny besides not allowing any success bonus or penalty fees among other measures.

The defence forces were hit hard by existing blacklisting norms under which the previous government had blacklisted many critical firms under a blanket policy.

Parrikar had earlier voiced his concerns over indiscriminate blacklisting of companies supplying defence products over "small issues".

However, he had insisted that "serious crimes" should not go unpunished.

Parrikar had in June said that the government will not hesitate to buy a product from another company even if any equipment or software manufactured by the blacklisted entity was embedded into it.

"Globally, many products have components from various companies. While a company which falls under the blacklisting purview will face action, we will also ensure that the policy does not affect any procurement from another company not related to the blacklisted one," Parrikar had said.
New Delhi: The AAP government is all set to place the GST Bill for ratification before the Delhi Assembly during its four-day session beginning August 22 as the Centre aims to get the legislation cleared by at least half of the 29 states to roll out the new tax regime.

The AAP government has already made it clear that it is in favour of Goods and Services Tax, which would subsume a number of indirect central and state levies.

Sources in the city administration said the assembly will clear the bill if an official communication is received from the Centre before the start of session.

The GST bill, seen as single biggest tax reform in a long time, needs to be ratified by at least 15 state legislatures before the President can notify the GST council which will decide the new tax rate and other issues.

The Centre is counting on 13 NDA-ruled states to ratify the legislation at the earliest, besides eyeing some other opposition-ruled states so it can initiate steps to roll out the GST by April next year.

The Lok Sabha passed the GST bill today, while Rajya Sabha had cleared it last week.

A meeting of the Cabinet presided over by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia decided to convene the assembly from August 22-26. "The decision to convene the session of Delhi Assembly from August 22 to 26 was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia," said a senior government official.

There will be no sitting of the Assembly on August 25 on the occasion of 'Janmashtmi'.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is currently undergoing a 'vipassana session' in Dharmsala and government's agenda for the session is likely to be finalised once he resumes work on August 12.

The government is also expected to table a proposal in the assembly to do away with luxury tax on hotel rooms having rent up to Rs 1,500.

As per the existing Delhi Tax on Luxuries Act (1996), any person, who stays in a hotel room whose tariff is Rs 750 per day or above, has to pay luxury tax.

"We have recently sent the proposal for doing away with luxury tax on hotel room with a rate of Rs 1,500 per night. If the Lt Governor gives his nod to proposal, it will then be tabled in the House for approval," an official said.
New Delhi: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed those indulging in atrocities on Dalits, Congress on Monday created uproar in the Lok Sabha, saying he should "not shed crocodile tears" but "act".

Congress members demanded that the Prime Minister should speak on the issue in the House rather than "tweet". They staged a walkout later.

Soon after the Zero Hour, Congress members stormed the Well of the House when Speaker Sumitra Mahajan did not immediately allow party leader Mallikarjun Karge to raise the issue.

The Speaker said she would allow Kharge to speak but only after she finishes with the Zero Hour list as she has not got any notice. She repeatedly appealed to the Congress members to go back to their seats.

"I will allow him to speak. I have never said no to it, but let me be done with the (Zero Hour) list. There are many smaller parties here and it will be an injustice to the members," she said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar were seen gesturing to Kharge suggesting that a way could be found out through informal talks.

Congress members were unrelenting and demanded that the Prime Minister come to the House and speak on the issue.

"He (the PM) should not shed crocodile tears. He should not tweet, but act (against those perpetrating atrocities on dalits)," the Congress MPs chanted.

Congress members were in no mood to relent and staged a walkout.

In an outreach to Dalits against the backdrop of the Una flogging incident, Modi, at an event in Telangana on Sunday, decried the attempts to politicise the issue of atrocities on dalits and said he is ready to get "shot and attacked" in place of his Dalit "brothers".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and assured him that Centre was serious about granting special status to the state. (Photo: Twitter)

New Delhi: Amid continued uproar in Lok Sabha over the issue of granting special status to Andhra Pradesh, government on Monday said it is at a "fairly advanced stage" of discussions with the state government and would arrive at a solution shortly.

In a brief intervention, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also admitted that at the time of division of the state, the issue of revenue and finances has been "unfair" to Andhra Pradesh, which has to be "compensated".

"We are at a fairly advanced stage in discussions with the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and will shortly arrive at a solution," Jaitley said.

Read: Congress seeks Modis assurance on AP special status in Lok Sabha

His remarks came soon after YSR Congress leader Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy noted that then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had promised special category status to Andhra Pradesh.

"The leaders of the then Opposition party (the BJP) Arun Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu had pitched for ten years for special category status to the state," Reddy said, soon after he and his fellow party MPs protested in the Well on the issue.

Reddy recalled that BJP leaders at that time were saying that since they are going to come to power in the next polls, they will give special category status to Andhra Pradesh and it was included in the manifestos of both BJP and TDP.

"But injustice is being done to 5 crore people of Andhra Pradesh," Reddy said, adding that now the BJP is talking of a special package.

"If they are not fulfilling the promises, what is the sanctity of the government? It is our right to protest against the lapses of the government," he said.

Rammohan Naidu (TDP), while participating in the Zero Hour debate, said every district of Andhra Pradesh was getting a meagre Rs 50 crore per year, but this amount was "peanuts and pumpkins".
The Congress said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has misled Parliament and the nation on the issue. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Congress members in Rajya Sabha on Monday accused the government of misleading Parliament on the issue of 39 Indian youths going missing in Iraq two years ago, with an Akali Dal member also seeking an update on the matter.

Raising the issue of the missing Indians during the Zero Hour, Pratap Singh Bajwa (Congress) charged External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj with having "misled Parliament and the nation" on the issue.

In June 2014, he said 40 people, mostly from Punjab, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh, were kidnapped by the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS.

Bajwa said one Harjeet, belonging to Gurdaspur district, had managed to escape and later gave a statement that all the Indians were killed before his eyes.

The Congress MP said Swaraj had then assured Akali Dal leaders that the government had information from six sources which confirmed that all these people were alive.

Asking the Prime Minister to send an all-party delegation to Iraq to know the ground reality, Bajwa said if the abducted youths were alive, they should be brought back or else their parents should be informed that they are no longer alive.

"We have been taking the nation and Parliament for a ride for two years," he added.

Senior party MP Ambika Soni also said, "We want to know what has happened to those 39 people".

Associating himself with the sentiments of the Congress MPs, Naresh Gujral, member of NDA partner Akali Dal, demanded that the External Affairs Minister make a statement on the issue.

Nominated member K T S Tulsi raised the issue of suicide by farmers in the country, while Ram Kumar Kashyap (INLD) demanded that MPs be allowed to use their constituency development fund for asset repair and maintenance.

Congress member P L Punia said the new advertisement policy of DAVP was hurting small and medium newspapers and said the government did not consult the stakeholders while coming out with the new policy. He asked the government to review the policy in consultation with small and medium newspapers.
Police are determining the cause of sudden disappearance of suspected radicalised youths from Kerala between May and June and are trying to establish a relation between their disappearance and Yasmin. (Photo: AP/ Representational Image)

Kasargod: A suspected Islamic State recruiter, who was arrested last week from Delhi airport, has revealed that nearly 40 people from Kerala and neighboring Karnataka had attended the terror group's classes, prompting police to enhance surveillance in the state.

According to a report, the recruiter identified as Yasmin Ahmad, a school teacher by profession, told police that an ISIS recruiter named Rashid, who is currently operating from Afghanistan, has radicalised nearly 40 youths from Kerala.

Yasmin was arrested last week when she tried to escape to Kabul from New Delhi airport. She was believed to be on her way to join the Kabul-based ISIS recruiter Rashid.

Police are determining the cause of sudden disappearance of 21 suspected radicalised youths from Kerala between May and June and are trying to establish a relation between their disappearance and Yasmin.

We have identified some of those who attended radicalization sessions conducted by Rashid in Thrikkaripur in north Keralas Kasargode. We are closely watching movements of some of them," Special Investigation Team from Kerala said.

Hailing from Saudi Arabia, Yasmin came to Kerala three years ago with her husband Syed Ahmad. She took a job at Peace International School in Malappuram.

In her statement to the police, Yasmin said that she met Rashid at the school and was influenced by his beliefs. She further added that Rashid, under the guise of Quran classes, briefed school teachers about Islamic State.

"Rashid often read ISIS propaganda magazine, Dabiq and used online material to radicalise youth," Yasmin was quoted as saying.

Moreover, intelligence agencies are probing Yasmin's connection with ISIS after they found out that about Rs. 2 lakhs were deposited in her account barely two weeks before her arrest.

Nearly a month ago, Ijas Muhammad, a physician and native of Kasargode in northern Kerala, who allegedly fled the country to join ISIS, had sent an audio message to his parents, telling them not to look for him as he had reached his destination.
Entertainment / Music

by Bruce Ndlovu

DENDERA maestro Sulumani Chimbetu put up a polished and professional showing at a poorly attended Winter Farewell Charity Concert, while South African disco queen Patricia Majalisa failed to turn up at the gig held at the Large City Hall on Friday night.Majalisa had been billed as the show's major draw card alongside Sulu but the veteran South African diva left the few fans that attended the gig disappointed after she failed to honour her promise to attend the show whose purpose was to raise $50 000 for the Bulawayo Public Library Braille Department.According to the show's organiser Killion Dube, Majalisa failed to turn up because of delays at the Botswana border."She arrived at the Botswana border post late and found that side of the border closed. That is why she could not cross into Zimbabwe on time," he said. However, indications are that the South African diva was in Zimbabwe before Friday night's show as she was already nestled at a local guest house.Majalisa did not answer calls or messages when quizzed about the matter. Although Majalisa's absence may have been a downer for both fans and organisers, her failure to pitch up on the night was not the only negative to come out of the well intentioned but perhaps poorly organised charity gig.Attendance was poor, with not more than 100 paying fans at the venue. Organisers seem to not have properly marketed the show as there were no posters advertising the gig on the days running up to Friday night's event.With little or no advertising, the show, which was to be counter attraction to South Africa's Mi Casa who were playing across town at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre, followed the trend of other events held this year in the City of Kings which have been graced by paltry crowds.What compounded the organisers' woes on Friday was that there was no alcohol sold at the venue, a fact that made the event even less attractive to imbibers that might have fancied a night out.While there was no life in the audience, things were different on stage however, as fired up Sulu showcased the best of Dendera. A month after he also failed to honour another show in the City of Kings, Sulu showcased his maturity, proving that he does not need the applause or cheers of a crowd to put up a five star performance.In a performance whose defining feature was his well choreographed dances, Sulu gave renditions of his and the late Simon Chimbetu's greatest hits without missing a step.Not to be outdone were Bulawayo performers Jeys Marabini and Nozukile who defied the sombre atmosphere at the venue to give satisfying performances. Their showing and professionalism was not lost on Dube, who despite being disappointed by the attendance at the fundraising gig praised the performers."I was not happy at all with the response to the show. However, I was impressed by Sulu, Jeys and Nozukile and other artistes who performed. They did great," he said.
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday in Delhi to discuss the ongoing crisis in Kashmir that has led to an unprecedented 31 days of curfew across the Valley.

Mehbooba discussed the unrest in Kashmir in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces last month, PDP sources said.

Reacting to the development, opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said Mehbooba has finally given up the "business as usual act".

"So @MehboobaMufti has finally given up on her 'business as usual' act and rushed to Delhi instead. The amazing thing is that it's taken 31 days and more than 50 deaths to finally 'disturb' the Chief Minister," Omar wrote on twitter.

As many as 55 persons including two police personnel have been killed and several thousand others injured in the violent protests since July 9.

Earlier in the day, Opposition members in Rajya Sabha urged the Prime Minister to break his silence on the deteriorating situation in Kashmir. Opposition led by Congress demanded initiation of a political process to defuse the crisis that has led to an unprecedented 30 days of curfew across the Valley.

The Opposition parties also demanded stopping the use of pellet guns on protesters, even as one member demanded withdrawal of AFPSA from the Kashmir Valley and withdrawal of the dominating presence of army from civilian areas.

Raising the issue in Zero Hour after his notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business to discuss the issue was disallowed, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said no state in independent India has seen 30 days of continuous curfew that has paralysed the administration, shut down educational institutions and led to near zero attendance in government offices.

"In such circumstances, we want to awaken the government...We feel the government and the Prime Minister are watching the situation deteriorate like a silent spectator," he said, adding he wanted to know why Modi has spoken on the grave situation in Kashmir so far.

"Hindustan ka Taj jal raha hai, par uski garmi Delhi tak nahi pahuchti (India's crown is burning but the heat hasn't reached Delhi yet)," Azad said.

Over 8,000 people, including security personnel, have been injured while 410 eye surgeries and 1,650 other surgeries are reported to have been done because of the use of pellet guns on protesters, he said.

Observing that 1018 incidents have been reported, he said over 1000 youth are in prison. "Please do not consider this as a law and order issue," Azad told the government.

Citing social media comments on Modi not making any statement on the Kashmir unrest, he said people are eager to listen to his views on the situation. He asked the Prime Minister to call an all-party meeting where political leaders can offer solutions and express their sympathy with the people of Kashmir. This should be followed up with an all-party delegation visiting Kashmir to assuage the feeling, the senior Congress leader added.
The GST bill was passed by an absolute majority of 443 Ayes to 0 Noes. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill was passed unanimously by a 443-0 vote in the Lok Sabha on Monday, with only the AIADMK staging a walkout.

Expressing gratitude to all parties for support, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described GST as a "crucial step" towards ending tax terrorism besides reducing corruption and black money and said the new regime of indirect taxation will make consumer the "king".

He emphasised in Lok Sabha that the passage of the GST Constitution Amendment Bill by Parliament was not a victory of any party or government but was everybody's victory as it highlighted the success of the democratic ethos of the country.

Intervening in a debate on Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, Modi asserted that the GST will benefit mainly those states which are considered backward and address the problem of imbalanced development.

He acknowledged that manufacturing states will suffer losses but said they will be compensated.

"August 8th marks a crucial step towards freedom from tax terrorism," the Prime Minister said, while recalling that this was the day in 1942 when Mahatma Gandhi had sounded the bugle of 'Quit India' which marked a major step towards the country's Independence.

"GST can't be seen as a victory of a party or government. It is the victory for democratic ethos of India and a victory for everyone," he said, while noting that the measure was being supported by all parties, irrespective of different ideologies.

The Prime Minister said the new indirect taxation regime, which will subsume 7-13 taxes, will help end corruption as traders will be compelled to give proper bills and the consumer will be the "king".

It will also help reduce the problem of black money and lead to generation of jobs by benefiting the small traders and entrepreneurs, he said.

Noting that the GST bill had been firmed up after thorough "churning of ideas", Modi "humbly" expressed happiness that it was being passed through an unprecedented consensus of parties.

He said he had held consultations with his predecessor Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi on the issue.

"Rashtra Niti (national policy) is above 'Raj Niti' (politics)....I thank all political parties, as also state governments run by different parties. We are taking such a decision.. we have reached here after churning in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, 29 states, their representatives and 90 parties. We are putting a stamp on the final decision," Modi said.

Underlining that the development marks the "recognition of One India" and strengthens this concept, he said, "We are aligning ourselves with new taxation regime.... GST is a new 'moti' (bead) in this 'maala' (necklace)."

He coined the GST in a new manner -- 'Great Step by Team India', 'Great Step towards Transformation', 'Great Step towards Transparency'.

Responding to Congress' contention that GST was its idea being implemented by the NDA government, he acknowledged that all political parties and previous governments had contributed to making of the bill.

In this context, he quipped, "janam koi de, lalan palan koi kare. Krishna ko janam kisne diya, bada kisne kiya? (somebody may give birth, but someone else may nurture. Who gave birth to Lord Krishna and who brought him up?)"

At the same time, he said, "we do not have 'guroor' (arrogance) that his bill is the perfect one" even though " so many brains have made an effort which will have results".

"It (making of GST) is a result of churning but it is true that we cannot be perfect and it cannot be ensured that in future there would not be any drawback," the Prime Minister said.

Underlining that everyone dreams for "Ek Bharat Shreshtra Bharat' (One India, Great India)," he said, "this is not just a taxation system but all states and the Centre will develop a system where small or big accept it."

He expressed happiness that GST bill was not allowed to be politicised and rather became a national matter. Responding to questions of Congress as to why he had opposed GST earlier in 2011 as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Modi said he had "many apprehensions" at that time and had met the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee many times.

"As Prime Minister, having experience of Chief Minister, I could easily address the concerns of GST," he said, adding"Experience of Chief Ministership helped in addressing the concerns and in removing many drawbacks."

He said there was a crucial need for developing confidence among states as many of them had apprehensions about the Centre compensating them for loss of revenue.

Modi said he had underlined it earlier also that democracy cannot be based on numbers alone but decisions should be taken on the basis of consensus.

"It is true that in Rajya Sabha, the bill could have faced difficulty because of numbers... it is a journey of consensus... and we have to take this journey forward.

Therefore, we kept discussion on," he said. "The important thing is that this should not be decided on majority, we never wanted it...It is our effort to give importance to all views. We know that unprecedented consensus has been created. It helps in strengthening democracy," he said.

Apparently referring to AIADMK which opposed the GST because of certain concerns, the Prime Minister said, "Some people here would be thinking that it should have been this or that way. Despite all, we have made effort to move this forward."

Talking about benefits of GST, Modi said it will usher in simplification of procedures like filling of forms and bring about uniforminity of tax rates and processing.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the passage of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) constitutional amendment bill is a good step for the country.

"I think it is a good step for the country," Gandhi told reporters after the Lok Sabha unanimously passed the 122nd constitutional amendment bill, paving way for the implementation of the GST.

He further said the differences over the GST between the government and the Congress have narrowed down but the issue of 18 per cent cap is worrisome as it concerns inflation.

"We had earlier three major differences on the GST. We worked out the differences. There is one issue which is the 18 per cent issue and we feel that it is a very important issue. Because we are worried about inflation resulting from no cap. So now that's discussion (will be) in December," he said.

Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that majority of political parties have backed the legislation. "Centre has addressed concerns of all states on GST," said Jaitley in Lok Sabha while moving the Constitution Amendment Bill.

"GST will ensure one tax in the entire country. It will result in seamless transfer of goods and services in the country...This is a major indirect tax reform which will in long run will be in interest of the country," he said, adding Centre has addressed concerns of all the states.

As regards the issue of states giving up sovereign power to levy taxes, the minister said it is not the case, "states and the Centre will be pooling in their sovereignty together and creating a new mechanism which will take all its decision within that pooled sovereignty."

Appreciating political parties for showing unanimity in passing the bill in the Upper House, he said, "it is an important legislation and divided Parliament passing the country would not benefit the country."

The Minister further said the new tax regime will "check leakages, increase tax base for centre and states, eliminate cascading effect of tax on tax, reduce tax evasion and improve ease of doing business."

Jaitley, while moving the amendments to the GST bill cleared last week by the Rajya Sabha, said the Constitutional Amendment Bill is an enabling law. After it is approved by the state assemblies, three more laws-- Central GST, Integrated GST and State GST-- will be drafted by the GST Council.

While the CGST and IGST will have to passed by Parliament, states will have to pass their SGST law. "Simultaneously the GST Council will work on the functional modalities for implementation such that same person is not assessed by both Centre and states," Jaitley said.

He said it was the strength of the democracy that the states and opposition parties came on board for passage for the indirect tax reform bill. "Majority of the political parties have come forward in support of the bill. Since it will be implemented by both the Centre and states, it was necessary to build a consensus on it," the Finance Minister said.

Responding, Congress leader Veerappa Moily said that the bill 'is not flawless, but has our support'. "(It is) too early to say whether GST is a game-changer. Gains will depend on architecture, engineering, management aspects of the new levy," he added.

If there was political consensus, this law would've come into force long ago. But this House is being treated like a junior party. The Rajya Sabha is given more importance. But we support the bill, Moily said.

Warning of the challenges ahead, the Congress leader indicated that the stakeholders' reaction to the bill has to be carefully tackled by the GST Council. He said the Council would also have to allay the concerns of states and Union Territories.

GST, the biggest economic reform since 1991, is likely to sail through smoothly in the Lower House. It will replace a raft of different state and local taxes with a single unified value added tax system to turn the country into world's biggest single market.

The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha last year and now it has to go back to the Lower House for incorporating the amendments approved by Rajya Sabha.

The GST Bill has to be ratified by at least 16 states in 30 days after it is passed by Parliament.

After facing fierce opposition over the Bill for almost a year, the government succeeded in bringing all major opposition parties, including Congress, on board and it was passed in the Upper House with an overwhelming majority on August 3.

The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014, that would lay the ground for roll out of GST regime, was passed by the opposition-dominated Upper House after the government moved four amendments.

Once implemented, GST will subsume various taxes, including excise, services tax, octroi and other levies, and the proceeds will be shared between the Centre and the states.

Under the new GST regime goods would be taxed at the point of consumption, instead of the goods being taxed multiple times at different rates.

The GST, which was first proposed a decade back, is seen as potentially transformative for India's economy, adding as much as 2 percentage points to the GDP while also improving the ease of doing business and encourage investment in manufacturing. It is also expected to result in greater tax compliance, boosting government revenues.
New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, speaking on the GST bill in Parliament on Monday, said majority of political parties have backed the legislation.

"Centre has addressed concerns of all states on GST," said Jaitley in Lok Sabha while moving the Constitution Amendment Bill.

"GST will ensure one tax in the entire country. It will result in seamless transfer of goods and services in the country...This is a major indirect tax reform which will in long run will be in interest of the country," he said, adding Centre has addressed concerns of all the states.

As regards the issue of states giving up sovereign power to levy taxes, the minister said it is not the case, "states and the Centre will be pooling in their sovereignty together and creating a new mechanism which will take all its decision within that pooled sovereignty."

Appreciating political parties for showing unanimity in passing the bill in the Upper House, he said, "it is an important legislation and divided Parliament passing the country would not benefit the country."

The Minister further said the new tax regime will "check leakages, increase tax base for centre and states, eliminate cascading effect of tax on tax, reduce tax evasion and improve ease of doing business."

Jaitley, while moving the amendments to the GST bill cleared last week by the Rajya Sabha, said the Constitutional Amendment Bill is an enabling law. After it is approved by the state assemblies, three more laws-- Central GST, Integrated GST and State GST-- will be drafted by the GST Council.

While the CGST and IGST will have to passed by Parliament, states will have to pass their SGST law.

"Simultaneously the GST Council will work on the functional modalities for implementation such that same person is not assessed by both Centre and states," Jaitley said.

He said it was the strength of the democracy that the states and opposition parties came on board for passage for the indirect tax reform bill.

"Majority of the political parties have come forward in support of the bill. Since it will be implemented by both the Centre and states, it was necessary to build a consensus on it," the Finance Minister said.

Recalling the history of GST, he said in 2003 the Kelkar committee had suggested that structural changes should be brought about in the indirect tax regime.

After the NDA government came to power in 2014, it started discussions with the states with regard to their concerns on compensation, he said.

While the GST Bill, 2011, did not have a provision for compensation, the NDA government initially provided for compensation to the states fully for 3 years and then for staggered compensation for 2 years.

Since states still had concerns regarding compensation, Jaitley said the Centre decided to fully compensate the states for 5 years.

The GST bill, 2011 said that all decisions of the GST Council will be based on consensus but it did not specify what would consensus mean, Jaitley noted.

Upon the recommendations of the Standing Committee, it was decided that every decision of the GST Council should be passed by three-fourth majority, he added.

The states would have two-third voting right in the GST Council, while the Centre would have one-third vote and hence both Centre and states have to agree to pass a decision.

Responding, Congress leader Veerappa Moily said that the bill 'is not flawless, but has our support'.

"(It is) too early to say whether GST is a game-changer. Gains will depend on architecture, engineering, management aspects of the new levy," he added.

If there was political consensus, this law would've come into force long ago. But this House is being treated like a junior party. The Rajya Sabha is given more importance. But we support the bill, Moily said.

Warning of the challenges ahead, the Congress leader indicated that the stakeholders' reaction to the bill has to be carefully tackled by the GST Council. He said the Council would also have to allay the concerns of states and Union Territories.

GST, the biggest economic reform since 1991, is likely to sail through smoothly in the Lower House. It will replace a raft of different state and local taxes with a single unified value added tax system to turn the country into world's biggest single market.

The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha last year and now it has to go back to the Lower House for incorporating the amendments approved by Rajya Sabha.

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday said the party will support GST Constitutional Amendment Bill and has issued whip to all its MPs to be present in the House on Monday where it is scheduled to be taken up for passage.

Aiming for early implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), senior Union ministers have spoken to chief ministers of NDA-ruled states to ensure that the constitutional amendment is ratified by state assemblies at the earliest.

The chief ministers have assured that, if required, they will call a special session for the passage of the Bill in their state assemblies.

The GST Bill has to be ratified by at least 16 states in 30 days after it is passed by Parliament.

After facing fierce opposition over the Bill for almost a year, the government succeeded in bringing all major opposition parties, including Congress, on board and it was passed in the Upper House with an overwhelming majority on August 3.

The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014, that would lay the ground for roll out of GST regime, was passed by the opposition-dominated Upper House after the government moved four amendments.

Once implemented, GST will subsume various taxes, including excise, services tax, octroi and other levies, and the proceeds will be shared between the Centre and the states.

Under the new GST regime goods would be taxed at the point of consumption, instead of the goods being taxed multiple times at different rates.

The GST, which was first proposed a decade back, is seen as potentially transformative for India's economy, adding as much as 2 percentage points to the GDP while also improving the ease of doing business and encourage investment in manufacturing.

It is also expected to result in greater tax compliance, boosting government revenues.
New Delhi: Continued protests over the demand for special category status for Andhra Pradesh on Monday saw Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav expressing dismay over the way Lok Sabha was being conducted, a charge which was staunchly rejected by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

"...I have seen many a Speaker. Why are you not holding consultations with leaders of political parties" to sort out such issues, a visibly annoyed Yadav remarked during Zero Hour, springing a surprise on the treasury benches and a shock for the Speaker.

The Speaker immediately retorted, "Please don't speak like this. I am following rules which have been laid down by the House itself", adding that she has been holding consultations with the leaders of all political parties.

Mahajan told Yadav that she had never disallowed him from speaking.

She observed that the Finance Minister had spoken twice on the Andhra issue and it was not feasible that there is a solution to every issue.

Yadav was seen suggesting that when attempts to find a solution did not succeed, it should be ensured that at least the House runs smoothly. At times, he also referred to Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the matter, who was present in the House.

Mohammad Salim (CPI-M) took the opportunity to flag the issue of atrocities on dalits. "I am making efforts (to take everyone along) and the Business Advisory Committee meetings decide what issues are to be taken up," Mahajan said.

Yadav made the remark when the Congress members were not in the House after staging a walkout for not being allowed to raise the issue of atrocities on Dalits.
New Delhi: The Centre on Monday assured that Andhra Pradesh's greenfield capital city Amaravati would not have any shortage of power transmission capacity.

The Andhra Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (APTRANSCO) has planned a transmission network of 3,830 MVA capacity around the capital city to meet the anticipated demand, it said.

"I can assure that at no point of time, the new capital of Amaravati will have any shortage of transmission capacity," Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal said during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha.

The state government determines the requirement of power. Once the lines come up, they pick up the cost of transmission infrastructure of the state. So, the plans to set up power transmission corridors are co-terminus with the development of Amaravati, he said.

Read: Govt in advanced stages of talks on Andhra's special status: Jaitley

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in consultation with APTRANSCO has planned 400/220 kilo Volt (kV) at Elluru, Chilakaluripet, Gudivada and Inavolu along with Associated Transmission System for meeting load demand in and around Vijayawada and proposed capital city of Amaravati, he added.

Responding to a supplementary raised by TDP leader CM Ramesh on status of pending green projects in the state, the Minister said Andhra Pradesh is the first state to take up green energy corridor and solar power park concepts.

Almost 1500 MW transmission has been set up in and around Ananthapur and 250 MW has already been commissioned. The second phase of 750 MW transmission would be ready by March 2017 and 500 MW will be ready by September 2017, thereby making this a vibrant solar power park, he said.

"For other solar parks, the state government is in dialogue with the Ministry of Renewable Energy for procurement of adequate land which will help us implement the solar parks.

As and when the land gets available, we will again plan the transmission infrastructure," Goyal said.

He also noted that the Centre cannot plan transmission in advance. "There has to be a potential buyer. That buyer has to enter into an agreement with transmission companies which will ensure the payment of transmission lines," he added.

To a suggestion by RJD leader Prem Chand Gupta on easy permission norms for solar projects amid problems of acquiring land, the Minister said "more and more people should come forward to give land, lease or owned, so that we can expand the solar energy capacity in the country."

But the Centre cannot do the bidding unless the state government enters into power purchasing agreement, he said.

"I encourage member wherever they can come up with land, solar parks can be set up. They can talk to respective states.

If a state is willing to enter into an agreement, the central government will certainly facilitate the bidding process," Goyal added.
Srinagar: More than 3,300 security personnel have been injured in over 1,000 violent incidents in Kashmir have been reported since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8, the police said on Sunday.

"Since July 2016, 3,329 personnel from Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Paramilitary Forces have been injured while maintaining law and order in the valley," a police spokesman said in Srinagar on Sunday.

He said out of these injured personnel, many have suffered grievous injuries including multiple fractures. "Besides two personnel from JKP (Jammu and Kashmir Police) were killed in the violent protests in the Valley," he said.

The spokesman said a total of 1,018 incidents of violence were reported during this period for which 1,030 police cases were registered in different police stations of the Valley.

"As many as 29 installations including police stations, police posts and other government establishments were set ablaze and 51 damaged by the protesters," he said.

Referring to efforts of police to end the violent protests, he said more than 1,000 accused have been arrested and "bound down in different police stations of the Valley".

Fifty-two persons -- mostly young boys -- were killed and more than 5,000 others injured in clashes with security forces.

More than 200 civilians have been hit by pellets in their eyes with many of them at the risk of losing eyesight, leading to calls for ending the use of pellet guns as a weapon for crowd control.
Raipur: Stressing the need for research and innovation, Union Education Minister Prakash Javadekar called upon students to strive for excellence and innovate while inaugurating Chhattisgarh's first IIT campus.

"We did not invent Google, Facebook, Twitter, Windows and WhatsApp but many Indian youths were part of the teams which created these social media applications.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision is to promote research and innovation, therefore our Government has contemplated various programmes to give impetus to the research in various fields," Mr Javadekar said.

The minister inaugurated the Indian Institute of Technology, Bhilai, at its temporary campus at the Government Engineering College at Sejbahar.

IIT students can undertake research projects right from their hostel room, he said, adding "just come up with innovative idea, the Government will promote it".

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said the state was ready to take a giant leap in the field of higher education with the opening of IIT.

"The state has IIM, AIIMS, IIIT, Central University in Bilaspur and now IIT. It is a giant step towards success in the field of higher education," the chief minister said.

ADVERTISEMENT

x

The IIT Bhilai is the first IIT in Chhattisgarh and 23rd in the country. Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering classes will commence at the outset, Javadekar said Mine Engineering course will also be launched from 2018-2019 at IIT Bhilai.

IIT at Bhilai was planned in 2007. Steel Authority of India Limited has provided 325 acres of land from its Bhilai Steel Plant for the institute.

In the current academic year, there are 118 students (105 boys and 13 girls). IIT Bhilai is being 'mentored' by IIT Hyderabad.
Mahabubnagar police confirmed that the operation began at 8:30 am but refused to give more information. (Photo: DC)

Hyderabad: Renegade Naxal leader and most wanted gangster Mohammed Nayeemuddin alias Nayeem was shot dead by elite anti-Naxal commandos in Shadnagar Millenium township of Mahbubnagar district in Telangana early on Monday.

Mahabubnagar police confirmed that the operation began at 8:30 am but refused to give more information.

Nayeem was involved in at least 20 murder cases and was accused of killing IPS officer KS Vyas. He was also involved in the Sohrabuddin encounter case and was suspected to have given information to the police about the criminal's movements. Sohrabuddin was killed by the Gujarat police in 2005.

He is reportedly from Bhongir in Nalgonda district, which is very close to Hyderabad and used be a part of a Maoist outfit which was known as 'Naxalites of People's War'.

Nayeem was also on the radar of Andhra Pradesh police in connection with the murder of TRS leader K Ramulu who was shot dead by unidentified persons on May 11 in Nalgonda town in 2014.
The Supreme Court has asked the CBI to investigate UP legislator Mohammad Iqbal accused of involvement in illegal acts.(Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe into alleged illegal activities of an Uttar Pradesh legislator, who is also accused in other criminal cases, saying the investigation by other central agencies prima facie suggests that shell companies associated with him were purportedly indulging in money laundering.

The apex court order asking CBI to submit the status report within three months came after it examined the reports of the Special Fraud Investigation Organisation (SFIO), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) which has carried out probe on a complaint against BSP Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Mohammad Iqbal.

"The new reports by SFIO, ED, CBDT suggest that several companies which are prima facie shell companies or fake companies are indulging in money laundering and needs investigation and CBI needs to examine the serious issues and take into consideration these developments," a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said.

The bench, also comprising justices A M Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, also issued notice to the CBI asking the agency to examine the reports of other central agencies for filing its status report.

At the outset, Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh submitted that pursuant to April 25 order, further action has been taken and the agencies have filed the status reports but there was a need for more time to examine the cases as people are non-cooperative and are not forthcoming.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by another UP leader Ranvir Singh, who has accused Iqbal of indulging in money laundering.

His counsel Harin Raval alleged that CBI has not taken any action on the complaint.

However, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the BSP MLC, said that there was biasness in the probe and the person coming to the Supreme Court himself has three criminal cases against him.

The apex court on the last hearing had also perused the SFIO report about the probe carried out in various companies associated with Iqbal.
Hyderabad: In an effort to assuage the hurt feelings of the Dalits in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called upon his countrymen to treat them with dignity and not hate them. He was highly critical of the Opposition parties, saying they were fishing in troubled waters and driving a wedge between Dalits and the BJP for political gains.

Mr Modi stated emphatically that discrimination against Dalits should stop and the onus for this lay on everyone. If you want to take revenge, fire bullets at me. Why are you attacking my innocent Dalit brethren when all you want is to target the BJP, he said in an indirect dig at the Opposition that has been blasting the BJP for the series of attacks on Dalits.

Addressing a polling booth workers meeting got up by the TS BJP at LB Stadium here, Mr Modi said the NDA government has been taking initiatives for the uplift of Dalits in the last two years. A few political parties that claim to be champions of Dalits are worried about their political future as the Centre is according high priority to problems of SCs. Hence these parties are stooping too low to create divisions in society, he said.

As part of the Start-Up India and Stand Up India, Dalit entrepreneurs are being given financial support by the Centre so that they could become job-givers and not job-seekers, he said.

Hold Tiranga Yatra, says Modi

He also called upon people to hold a week-long Tiranga Yatra from August 15. Two-wheeler owners may carry the Tricolour and hold programmes, reme-mbering the sacrifices made by the martyrs of freedom. However, he urged the people of TS to conduct the Yatra from August 15 for an extended period upto September 17. Hydera-bad won freedom 13 mo-nths after the country gained Independence, courtesy the Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabh-bhai Patel. Hence people in Telangana, carrying that legacy, may continue the Yatra until Sept-ember 17, he advised.

In a novel gesture, he urged the gathering to switch on their cellphone torchlight as a show of their solidarity to the weavers community, marking the National Handloom Day. Everyone present there responded by illuminating the stadium for a few moments.
News / Africa

by Future Moyo aka Jamelah

South African based Zimbabweans celebrated the women's month in style when they headed to Hillbrow Theatre for a Women's Day Festival organised by Bayethe Promotions on Saturday 09 August. The event which started at around 2pm, is held in line with South Africa's women day holiday.It was not all about music and stage performances, infact the Programme Directors team at some point transformed to motivational speakers who did justice in terms of unpacking the theme of the day and purpose of gathering.The major highlights of event included the dazzling performances by groups like Izwi Lesiphephelo, ikhwezi, Insukamini and individual poets. In total, 24 groups and two poets performed.The MC trio composed of Mxotshwa Ndebele, Cannicious Nkala and Mcasisseli Gwaza, did entertain the audiences as they continuously gave away some comic yet informative acts that kept the audiences glued on their chairs forgetting their usual social media chats.The C.E.O of Bayethe Media, Mxolisi Ncube in his welcoming remarks thanked everyone and highlighted the major role played by women both in the family and the society. He said the event came upon realising such a pivotal role played by women in his own personal life, "I have been personally married for 16 years and have two daughters' in my life. These females including my own mother have helped me to be what I am today," said the multi-award winning journalist.Generally, most speakers hinted on the ideology of taking a family as a microcosm of the macrocosm of the main society,where by motherhood must be celebrated.Commenting on the vent, the Promotions Manager, Mcasiseli Gwaza said, "We would like to thank all who made this day a success, however we apologise to other artists who did not ascend on stage despite being on the line-up, it was not but choice but the measure was necessitated by time constraints.""We would like to thank our partners like Green world, Unjani clinic and Eco cash for their participation," Continued Gwaza.The partners involved, although not reached for comment, were reportedly happy with their business relationship with Bayethe Media.When asked about the artists squabbles which started to grow outside the venue, Gwaza said, "In our next edition of Bayethe we will strictly focus on gospel and poets only, plus we will seek more sponsors so that we can have a free entrance to accommodate everyone."Hooking up with one of the MCs Mxotshwa Ndebele said, "the event was well organised and attended, but the damage of the notice board inside Hillbrow theatre remains a concern especially considering future venue bookings. Maybe there is a need for some workshops on our artists," he saidBy virtue of this women's day festival,Zimbabwean darling find themselves walking tall in the mainstream of global 'women with pride.'For those who wish to partner with Bayethe Media can hook up with the Promotions Manager-Gwaza who trades by the same name across all his Social media platforms.
Foreign students paint a wall as part of the beautification drive, Paint a Smile, organised by KEN Foundation at Childrens Ward of KGH in Vizag on Sunday. (Photo: DC)

Visakhapatnam: There are many ways to celebrate Friendship Day, but the celebration turns meaningful when it is done for a cause. With this idea, many voluntary organisations grabbed the opportunity and conducted various theme-based activities.

For Paint a Smile the walls of the KGH paediatric ward was painted with various colours to reduce anxiety of a stay in hospital by transforming their living environment into a colourful and welcoming world.

Volunteers, members of KEN Foundation Society, interns from other countries, students from various colleges, professional artists and painters took part in the cause and painted the walls beautifully. The 14 interns from China, Vietnam, Morocco, Kenya and Egypt also joined in the cause.

Nothing could have enhanced the jubilation more, than celebrating their Friendship Day by spending time with the kids from shelter homes.

Volunteers of Make A Difference interacted with the children and ensured an entertaining time for the children. The voluntary organisation provides equitable outcome to the kids living in the shelter homes across the country impacting 4,500 kids from shelter homes by taking impact-oriented classes.

With a plan to foster volunteerism among the youth of Vizag, volunteers of Vizag Smiles, a NGO that serves the needy through its Donation On Wheels programme through which residents of Vizag can donate money or household goods that they no longer use like clothes, computers, furniture, danced and entertained the crowd at CMR central.
The body of Nayeem found at the site of the encounter with the police. Nayeem fired several shots at the police using his gun. (Photo: DC)

Hyderabad: An ex-member of CPI (M-L) People's War Group (PWG), 45-year-old Nayeemuddin aka Nayeem aka Balanna was an accused in the murder of IPS officer N.S. Vyas who had founded the Greyhounds. Nayeem was also involved in over 20 murders, dozens of extortions and attacks.

Nayeem was on the radar of TS police in connection with the murder of TRS leader K. Ramulu, who was shot by him in 2014, and the recent extortion case filed by realtor Kurapati Gangadhar in Nizamabad. Nayeem had surrendered to the police and faced the trial. However, in March 2007, he escaped while appearing before court. He reportedly told the police that he wanted to go and answer natures call and disappeared. Since then, he has been one of the most wanted fugitives in the state.

Hailing from Bhongir in Nalgonda district, Nayeemuddin was the student leader of a leftist party while studying in Bhongir Degree College in 1990. He later joined the Radical Student Union (RSU) of CPI ML (PWG) and was made the organiser of RSU Bhongir town in 1991. Some time later, he was arrested by the Yadagirgutta police, which siezed a tapancha and a grenade from him. After his release from jail, he again went underground and joined the Aleru Dalam of CPI ML (PWG) as a member with the alias Balanna.

Nayeem became the most-wanted criminal after his name popped up in the murder of N.S. Vyas, at the L.B. Stadium in the city in 1993. He was arrested on 12 February 1993 with a .32 revolver. He was released on bail in May 2000, but arrested again in November for killing Karanam Purushotham, an APCLC member at Madhuranagar.

After he abandoned Naxalism, Nayeem became a gangster, forming groups like Nallama Cobras and Kakatiya Cobras, which targeted human rights activists and Maoists for a long time. Having done several land deals, Nayeem rose to power with muscle power and money. He extorted millions

Greyhounds avenge the killing of its chief Vyas

The anti-Naxal force Greyhounds avenged the killing of its founder K.S. Vyas by killing Nayeem. Many suspect the Greyhounds pulled off the encounter after getting the nod from the ministry.

The revenge came after 23 years. Nayeem was one of the suspects involved in the Vyas murder case of 1993. Though he was arrested in that case he secured bail and came out. Many men and officers of Greyhounds were waiting for a chance to hit Nayeemuddin, who had a lot of influence in the government and in the police.
Bhongir MLA P. Shekar Reddy, a rich builder-turned-politician, was being intimidated by Nayeemuddin, which recently prompted the TRS government to provide the legislator with a bullet-proof car.

Hyderabad: Nayeem was such a terror that even ruling party MLAs used to run for cover when they heard his name. The name send shivers down their spines.

Bhongir MLA P. Shekar Reddy, a rich builder-turned-politician, was being intimidated by Nayeemuddin, which recently prompted the TRS government to provide the legislator with a bullet-proof car. The assets declared by Shekar Reddy in his election papers were worth around Rs 60 crore.

Nayeem had targeted both TRS MLAs of Bhongir and Nakrekal for extortion and he also sought to establish his dominance in the region.

Sources said Nayeem had become a pain in the neck for both the MLAs, who finally pleaded with Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for police protection. Nayeems targeting of TRS MLAs angered KCR and he asked the police to hunt him down. Nayeem had political ambitions and, for effect, used to conduct the Ganesh Utsav in Nalgonda district with fanfare every year in the name of his slain brother Aleemuddin alias Ali. He also gets his cut-outs set up. He issues diktats to MLAs to attend the event.

Nakrekal TRS MLA Vemula Veeresham said, Nayeem had unleashed terror in the region through his involvement in land dealings and resorted to huge extortions. He coerced surrendered Naxals into becoming his aides. Like many others, he issued threats to me too. He had invited me for Ganesh Utsav celebrations last year but I refused to attend it.

Bhongir MLA Shekar Reddy refused to share information regarding the threats he faced from Nayeemuddin. Its all over. I didn't face any threat, he said.

Nayeem had links with HM ultras

Former Naxal turned gangster Nayeemuddin had links with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists from whom he procured AK-47s. Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin of Pakistan had supplied AK-47s to Nayeem through Mujeeb Ahmed, the local commander. Nayeem was declared a fugitive in the case and it was suspected that he had links with many arms suppliers.

The Hyderabad SIT registered a conspiracy case against HM for procuring AK 47s from Pakistan in December 2005. The truck from Ajmer was carrying weapons under a load of apples.

Police said the court convicted Mujeeb to life imprisonment and six others to 10 years RI in 2009. In 2014 April a division bench of AP High Court upheld the conviction of Mujeeb Ahmed but acquitted six others. Nayeem-uddin and Hizbul Chief Salahuddin were declared fugitives.
Hyderabad: Since the formation of Telangana in 2014, as high as 26 schoolchildren have died in government-run tribal residential schools.

Minister of state in the ministry of tribal affairs Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava presented this figure in Parliament recently in a reply to a question by four Members of Parliament. The reasons given for such deaths were casually mentioned as illness, accident, snake bite, drowning etc.

Officials from the Telangana state tribal welfare department remained completely oblivious of the statistics. When asked about the ministers reply in the Lok Sabha, some even denied the possibility of such a large number of children dying in residential schools, and they could give no break-up of the deaths nor the reasons for them.

Former students had plenty of testimony to provide. Mr Mohan Dharavath, a tribal student leader from Hyderabad who recently finished his PhD from the English and Foreign Languages University said, Students in tribal residential schools suffering from illness, and even dying from it, is not surprising as there are no medical experts there. The warden turns doctor and usually gives the sick child a paracetamol to pop. The dal and curries are watery and lack nutrition; eggs are rarely served. There is no clean drinking water available and many students are crammed into a single room in the hostels.

Mr Bhaskar Naik, a Telangana Rashtra Samithi Vidyarthi Vibhagam tribal student leader from Warangal, said, It was only 10 days ago that a 15- year-old student at a tribal residential school in Khammam died due to scorpion bite. It didn't shock any of us nor the government authorities. We do protest; and sometimes, the person responsible for such an incident is suspended and reinstated later. The situation in tribal residential schools is pathetic. Most of them have dilapidated buildings; dogs and pigs get into the premises, attracted by the accumulated filth; and the caretakers are never accessible to students. Tribal students are an ignored lot.
Allahabad/Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court on Monday sought to know from the Uttar Pradesh government why the investigation in the Bulandshahr gangrape case be not handed over to the CBI.

Directing the state government to file its reply by August 10, a division bench of Chief Justice D B Bhosale and Justice Yashwant Varma also sought a report on status of probe in the case, including the "criminal antecedents, social background and political affiliations, if any", of the accused persons.

The court has taken suo motu cognisance of the July 29 incident when a group of criminals waylaid a car, carrying six members of a Noida-based family on their way to Shahjahanpur in western Uttar Pradesh, and sexually assaulted a minor girl and her mother after dragging them out of the vehicle.

The Lucknow bench of the high court also sought within a week an appropriate reply from the Uttar Pradesh government on a PIL seeking a direction for a CBI probe into the case.

A division bench of justices Amreshwar Pratap Sahi and Vijay Laxmi passed the order on the PIL filed by NGO We the People through its general secretary Prince Lenin.

The court has listed the matter for further hearing on August 22. The court had asked the petitioner to file details of the alleged irregularities in the case.

The petitioner filed a supplementary affidavit today entailing therein the alleged lapses in the investigation and the factors which had led to the filing of the petition showing lack of confidence in the probe process.

Additional Advocate General of Uttar Pradesh Bulbul Godiyal submitted before the court that the investigation was going on and three culprits were already nabbed.

The other three suspects were on the run and efforts were on to nab them, she said, adding that mere lack of confidence was not sufficient for handing over the probe to the CBI even though the state government had no hesitation in doing so if the court directed. "Let an appropriate affidavit be filed within a week. The matter shall come up (for hearing) on August 22," the court said.

The incident had sent shock waves across the country, rocked Parliament and led to widespread criticism of the law-and-order situation in Uttar Pradesh.

Apparently rattled by the outcry, senior minister in the Samajwadi Party government Azam Khan had remarked that he suspected a "political conspiracy" behind the incident, evoking widespread condemnation.

The Allahabad bench also sought to know from the state government whether it had any policy to ensure proper policing of the highways passing through the state and ensure safety and security of those who used these roads. "When a person pays toll tax on a highway, he does not do so merely for using the road. After collecting the toll tax, the state becomes duty-bound to ensure safety and security of the payers," it remarked.

The court also added, "We are not going to dispose of this petition at an early stage. We are going to monitor the investigation in the case. The investigators better take note and ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are brought to justice".
New Delhi: An Intelligence Bureau(IB) officer has been directed to pay Rs 20,000 compensation and Rs 6,000 as monthly maintenance to his estranged wife who accused him of mentally and physically torturing her in a drunken state.

Metropolitan Magistrate Shivani Chauhan, while relying on the woman's testimony in a domestic violence case filed by her against her husband, a JI-1 rank officer in the IB, said there are categorical affirmations that he inflicted mental, verbal and emotional cruelty on the victim.

The court said the victim was entitled to invoke the provision of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence (PWDV) Act, as her testimony remained "unrebutted and unchallenged" and he is morally and legally obligated to maintain her.

"The applicant is unemployed and is unable to fulfil her the basic household needs. Respondent (husband) is under moral and legal obligation to maintain her and cannot be permitted to run away from his responsibility and complainant is under constant tension and is finding difficult to live and maintain herself," it said.

The court also awarded a compensation of Rs 20,000 to the woman for mental and physical injuries suffered by her at the hands of her husband.

While awarding the amount of maintenance to the woman and her three children, the court noted that her husband was a JI-1 rank officer with Intelligence Bureau and earned a salary of Rs 33,611 per month.

The man did not lead any evidence in his defence, the court noted.

In her complaint, the woman had alleged that she was harassed and tortured by her husband for insufficient dowry and often he would beat her up under the influence of alcohol.

When she gave birth to two daughters, he taunted her and threw her out of the house, it said, adding she returned to her matrimonial house six months later and gave birth to a male child, but his behaviour remained the same.

He left her at her parental house but took away the children from her, the complaint said.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state police probing into the disappearance of 21 youths will try to get information from the Kuwaiti national held the other day on charges of funding IS recruits. According to top police sources, the state police would also review the developments and may seek more details.

Though questioning a person arrested in a foreign country involved cumbersome procedures, the police may seek the service of intelligence sources for the purpose. Kuwaiti national Abdullah Hadi Abdul Rehman Al-Enezi was held by the Kuwait authorities on charges of financing the travel of four IS recruits in 2014. Since the 21 persons missing from Kerala were also suspected to have joined the IS, the police hope that the Kuwaiti national could give some inputs useful for the probe.

Even as the NIA is yet to take over the cases formally, it is also closely monitoring the cases and hence it may also try to elicit information regarding the Kerala youths from the Kuwaiti national. Since the NIA is yet to take over the probe, we are still probing into the cases. Hence, we would explore all options of getting valid information, state police chief Loknath Behera told DC. He preferred to be tight-lipped on whether the state police would try to question him.
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), on Monday, told the Delhi High Court that it has no intention as of now to arrest Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's wife Pratibha Singh in connection with a money laundering case lodged against him.

ED told Justice Vipin Sanghi that she is to be questioned tomorrow and thereafter, if the agency is satisfied that a case is made out against her then it will inform the court prior to arresting her.

The agency, however, said that its statement be not recorded in the order as it could be cited as precedent in other cases.

"In view of what has transpired in court today. No orders are being passed," the judge said and issued notice to ED seeking its reply on Pratibha Singh's application seeking protection from arrest till next date of hearing on August 24.

Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, appearing for Pratibha Singh, said on the last date of hearing, Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain had submitted orally that she won't be arrested but as this statement was not on record there was apprehension of her arrest.

Krishnan urged the court that something be put in the order to protect Pratibha Singh.

Central government standing counsel Amit Mahajan, on the other hand, told the court that the statement made on behalf of ED be not recorded as it could be cited as precedent.

He also said that as of now ED has no intention to arrest her and after recording her statement tomorrow if a case is made out against her, then it will inform the court.

The judge, in order to allay the apprehension of the applicant, said, "The statement is being made by a central government standing counsel. I am here, he is here, the Investigating Officer is also here. If something happens, you can always come to the court".

On last date of hearing on July 29, the court had asked ED not to take any coercive step against her on August 9, when she appears before the agency for recording her statement, and said that in case it wanted to further question her it will have to give reasons for it.

The July 29 order came on Pratibha Singh's plea seeking a direction to ED not to take any coercive step against her in the wake of the arrest of an LIC agent in the case.

Besides his wife, Singh has also moved the court, seeking protection from arrest in the case. However, he has not been summoned by ED so far.

In his plea, Singh has said he apprehended that ED might arrest him on the basis of an alleged disclosure statement of insurance agent Anand Chauhan, who was recently arrested from Chandigarh in connection with the case.

Chauhan was arrested by ED under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as he was allegedly not cooperating with the investigating officer of the case.

The probe agency had alleged that Singh, while serving as the Union Steel Minister, had invested huge amounts in purchasing LIC policies in his and his family members' names through Chauhan.

ED had last year lodged the case against Singh and others under PMLA after taking cognisance of a criminal complaint filed by CBI in this regard.

CBI had lodged a separate disproportionate assets case against Singh and others alleging that he and his family members had amassed wealth of Rs 6.1 crore between 2009 and 2011 disproportionate to the known sources of income.

Earlier, CBI had moved Delhi High Court after the Supreme Court transferred its plea seeking vacation of the Himachal Pradesh High Court's interim order restraining it from arresting, interrogating or filing a charge sheet against Virbhadra.
What is it about travelling Indians that the world hates? Are other nationalities exemplary passengers? Do the predominantly white flight crews of international airlines do a service industry proud? One that mints millions off populous and upwardly-mobile India? The Emirates Airlines crash last week sparked an acerbic and racist Twitter exchange between a former crew member and enraged NRIs. The subject was a video of the evacuation during which an Indian is heard urging another to grab his laptop. It also brought back more than three-decade-old memories of some flying years with a leading international airline to this writer and prompted a chat with contemporaries of the time from India and Pakistan, who used to work all flights passing through this region. We are advocates, journalists and entrepreneurs today and theres a reason.

Back then, international airlines recruited only university graduates in India  ironically, to work alongside their native crews who mostly came with the barest education and tons of prejudice. For Indian undergrads looking for the equivalent of todays gap year in the disastrously socialist 1970s and 1980s, flying offered both limitless travel and the pursuit of any advanced degree of their choice, even if on the bleary side of midnight in hotels around the world. Last weeks crash and the picture-perfect evacuation reminded us of a mandatory annual refresher in safety equipment procedures (SEP) at Heathrow. It included countless emergency evacuations in smoke-filled simulators, memorising all equipment on board: from portable oxygen to fire extinguishers to tool and emergency medical kits, desert and island survival gear, etc.

There was rigorous first aid, passenger psychology, etc. In short, everything aimed at saving other lives before your own. Indeed, its most stentorian lesson was the in-flight emergency. How do you evacuate 350 petrified people if an aircraft ditches (lands on water), or belly-lands, or lands either nose up or down? The course is compulsory even today. But, little has changed about the players involved in the drama of commercial flight: neither the dreaded  in this case Indian  passenger, nor many blatantly racist flight crews, nor airline policies. As MP Shashi Tharoor points out, airlines continue to operate their most run-down aircraft on the India routes, old crates they wouldnt dream of using across the Atlantic. Indian travellers contribute the maximum revenue to aviation giants and yet, India arrivals and departures are timed to suit their own time zones.

Islamabad-based Jamila Aslam remembers telling a white stewardess off, for sneering at a passenger eating with his hands. This writer recalls sparring with another who refused an Indian a third drink and removed a beefsteak while rearranging peas and potatoes on the same tray, to serve it as a vegetarian meal. And a Bangladeshi Haj pilgrim who was sent by the same attendant to spread his namaz mat outside the toilets: this, on board a wide-bodied aircraft, when all cabin services were done and there were plenty of other secluded areas more appropriate for prayer.

Sensitivity has never been the plus point of white cabin crew and I am sure that Arabs, Mexicans, Russians or Chinese would have behaved no differently about their laptops on that Emirates aircraft last week, says Delhi-based Reena Mirchandani. But even if airlines were to change their attitude towards India overnight, would we shed our many annoying ways? Unlikely! And a lack of education, money or international exposure has nothing to do with it. If the adult literacy rate in India hovered at around 47 per cent in 1985, it is well over 90 per cent in 2016. If Indias per capita GDP was then about Rs 13,000, it is estimated at over Rs 1 lakh today (IMF). In 1991, a mere 1.94 lakh Indians travelled overseas. Last year, we nearly crossed the two crore mark. (Source: Bureau of Immigration)

Yet, from departure gate to luggage belt at arrivals, we are largely unbearable. A stampede for boarding, pushing aside wheelchair patients and mothers with infants. A scramble to occupy seats near friends, without booking them. Stony indifference to the all-crucial safety demo, usually in several Indian languages. A sudden demand for a vegetarian meal without ordering it ahead on board a long-haul flight, which must cater proportionate to all tastes. Brawls with the crew over closing the bar 20 minutes prior to landing, as per global customs regulations. Talking loudly and blaring music on cellphone speakers at 2 am on a red-eye flight. Meeting requests by food-serving cabin crew to spitters to clean up paan-soiled toilet seats with angry demands for a complaint form.

And todays flight attendants say that Ay, tch-tch and clicking fingers remain the favoured way to call them. Is it any wonder then, that across the world, all friendly customer service ends at the gate of the next flight to or from India? One explanation is that flying still remains expensive and inspires a silly sense of arrivisme. Another, that nationalistic politics have successfully implanted the we-are-like-this-only message. Whatever the reason, we Indians believe it is our birthright to carry our quirks wherever we go, and that its up to the world, not us, to rush up in embrace.

Irrespective of origin, many passengers can be nightmares for flight crews in emergencies. Mirchandani recalls a decompression when several passengers who had earlier ignored safety briefings, clutched oxygen masks to their ears, while some young parents forgot to mask their infants. Todays flights are non-smoking, but those days, there were angry refusals to stop smoking near the exits (where there are always clusters of highly inflammable portable oxygen cylinders). Many parents still adamantly refuse extension seat belts or bulkhead seats for infants as per global safety regulations. During our time, there was not much poor country India could do about racism or safety violations. But 30 years on, it is high time that India put its well-heeled foot down.

Airlines should stop focusing on mindless advertising about fine wines and flat beds and concentrate on far more imperative awareness campaigns about safety. At the cost of revenue and if need be in 27 languages, passengers must be drilled in and held accountable for aberrant behaviour in emergencies. Global cabin crews must be given compulsory training in indigenous cultures through intensive workshops in other countries. Our various ministries (but, please, not at the hands of DAVP) and the private sector must sensitise us to travel as responsible top-notes, not the dregs of a magnificent culture that deserves  but also gives  respect.
The incidents in Gujarats Una and similar atrocities against dalits have sharply brought into focus the BJP-RSS divisive worldview and exposed its narrow bigoted version of Hindutva. Tired of persecuting minorities, it now trains its gun towards dalits, the marginalised lower castes who have suffered millennia of oppression, living on the fringes of an upper caste brahmanical social order. We see a pattern in the ideological narrative of the ruling party and its mentor, the RSS. Its majority vs minority, high-caste cow vigilantism vs oppression of dalits, corporate vs farmers. Whether in the repromulgation of the land acquisition ordinance, or budget cuts for dalits and minorities, it is clear in these policies that this government stands only for the rich, and is truly a suit-boot ki sarkar.

A man lynched to death on the basis of a rumour that he has eaten beef, two cowherds murdered by hanging as they were suspected to be cow smugglers, disabled dalits kicked and urinated upon, dalits flogged in Gujarat and numerous such instances of brutalities against dalits under the garb of cow vigilantism have shaken the conscience of the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modis prolonged silence on this issue is more eloquent than his innumerable Mann ki Baat speeches. He finally condemned the attacks, but it was too late, and too little. Why hasnt he sacked his minister for social justice and empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot for telling a national newspaper: ... These are all social organisations. It could be for gau raksha, it could be for eliminating social evils. By trying to compare gau raksha dals to social organisations for eliminating social evils, Mr Gehlot is only legitimising their actions and methods of operation.

These incidents also draw attention to certain inherent contradictions and discrimination in the caste system in the structural arrangement of Hindu society. While Hindu philosophy propounds the values of an inclusive, all-encompassing universalism, the importance of caste as the basis of social stratification in Hindu society negates these values. The famous Purusha Sukta in the 10th Mandala of the Rig Veda implies the unity of the creator with its creation, thus sowing the seeds of Monoism, that was later expanded in the Upanishads. Monoism is, perhaps, the most egalitarian philosophy that speaks of the oneness of all. In the same Purusha Sukta we find the first pointer to Chaturvarna, which later evolved as the caste system, which said Brahmins were created from the head of the creator, Kshatriyas from the arms, Vaishyas from the chest and Shudras from the feet, thus forming the genesis of a discriminatory social order.

The makers of our Constitution not only tried to address this issue of inherent social discrimination, they also made it binding upon the State to adopt affirmative action. One has to bear in mind that centuries of apathy and discrimination against lower castes cant be understood or addressed only through economic parameters. It involves social justice. In post-Independent democratic India, caste assumed a new character other than its traditional socio-ritualistic identities. Through universal franchise, expanding education and economic base of marginalised sections, political awareness, affirmative action through the policies of the government, castes emerged as new constituencies for political mobilisation.

The politicisation of caste has been an instrument of empowerment, specially for lower castes, as they have found a legitimate means to exercise their collective power; making caste-based discrimination and atrocities a part of the national political discourse. This is anathema to a right-wing organisation like the RSS. The atrocities against dalits under the garb of cow vigilantism are nothing but the deep-rooted hatred of the BJP and RSS against anyone who falls beyond the pale of their intolerant dogmatic worldview. This worldview not only excludes other religions, but also a large section of Hindus at the bottom of the social ladder.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwats call to re-examine the policy on reservations reflects his deep-rooted prejudice against dalits and clearly shows his lack of appreciation that reservations are not just about economic empowerment, but also a tool to ensure social justice. Minister of state for external affairs V.K. Singhs comment comparing dalit children burnt alive in BJP-ruled Haryana to dogs is not only condemnable but also utterly disgusting. Former HRD minister Smriti Iranis vicious handling of the dalit students group of the Ambedkar-Periyar study circle in IIT Madras and the Rohith Vemula suicide is too well known to be recalled. In his earlier avatar as chief minister of Gujarat, at a function organised for the release of a book titled Samajik Samrasta, Mr Modi drew a parallel between dalits and mentally retarded children.

During his tenure as Gujarat CM, no meetings were held on SC/ST sub-plans for 10 years. There was a backlog of 27,900 SC/ST vacancies in Gujarat as Mr Modi demitted charge as chief minister to become Prime Minister of India. There was a drastic cut in budgetary allocations for Schedule Castes sub-plans and Scheduled Tribes sub-plans under the Modi government. It is an irony that while the BJP is trying to appropriate the legacy of B.R. Ambedkar, its very genesis is against the principles Ambedkar stood for. Gau raksha dals are not about protecting cows. If that was the case, where were they when thousands of cattle died during severe drought? Instead of murdering and thrashing poor, helpless people, why arent they taking care of more than 53 lakh stray cattle in India abandoned by their owners, and are slowly dying of starvation due to lack of fodder? Where were they when about 500 cows died of starvation and negligence in a government shelter in the BJP-ruled state of Rajasthan? Gau raksha dals are nothing but an army of the ruling party that it can let loose upon hapless dalits and minorities to intimidate and terrorise through the dictum of mobocracy.
News / Education

by British High Commission Pretoria

The Chevening Secretariat is accepting applications for 2017/2018 Chevening Scholarships on the Chevening Website from 8 August until 8 November 2016.Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals with demonstrable leadership potential who also have strong academic backgrounds. The scholarship offers financial support to study for a master's degree at any UK university and the opportunity to become part of an influential global network of 46,000 alumni.The call for new applicants follows the selection of 60 scholars from South Africa, who won an award to study at a UK university this year.There are more than 1,500 Chevening Scholarships on offer globally for the 2017/2018 academic cycle. These scholarships represent a significant investment from the UK Government to develop the next cohort of global leaders.British High Commissioner to South Africa Dame Judith Macgregor said:I am delighted to call upon potential leaders from South Africa to apply for this prestigious opportunity. The UK is home to many of the world's best universities, and Chevening enables you to develop academically, professionally, and personally whilst studying in the UK.Those who are selected for a Chevening Scholarship become members of a global network of influencers that builds bridges between people and between countries.These South African scholars will share the best their country has to offer with those they meet in the UK, and then share the best the UK has to offer when they return home."Chevening Secretariat Director, Michael Scott-Kline, said:Those who step forward to apply for a Chevening Scholarship are already demonstrating the kind of ambitious forward-thinking that typifies Chevening Scholars.The potential rewards for applying are unquantifiable. Not only do scholars receive a first-rate UK education which can open doors in their respective careers, they also join a strong global network; a network they will draw on and contribute to for the rest of their lives.It is my pleasure to announce the opening of the 2017/2018 competition for Chevening Scholarships. Applying or encouraging a friend to apply may turn out to be the best decision you ever make. Everyone who has ever benefited from being a Chevening Scholar has one thing in common, they had the ambition to simply apply.Chevening Programme Manager, Louise Thomson, said:Scholars can choose almost any master's course at any UK university. As well as an unparalleled academic experience, scholars enjoy exclusive access to year round opportunities to familiarise them with the UK, its history, institutions, customs, and people.Recent scholars have taken in breath-taking views of the UK, experienced Britain's heritage and history through its stately homes and castles, discussed international policy at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and interacted with high profile academics, politicians, and even royals at a range of academic, cultural, and social events.Whether they're inside a lecture theatre or not, scholars are constantly learning.Distributed by APO on behalf of British High Commission Pretoria.
Scientists have built the first dust-sized sensor that can be implanted in the body to monitor internal nerves, muscles and organs. It is a wireless, battery-less implantable sensor developed by engineers at The University of California, Berkeley. Sensor is merely 3mm long and 1mm wide and goes by the name of neural dust.

The purpose of this sensor is to improve brain-control of robotic devices such as prosthetic arms or legs, thereby; avoiding wires that go through the brain. "Having access to in-body telemetry has never been possible because there has been no way to put something supertiny superdeep," says Michel Maharbiz, one of the study's co-authors. "But now I can take a speck of nothing and park it next to a nerve or organ, your GI tract or a muscle, and read out the data."

The team even conducted an experiment by implanting the sensors in the muscles and peripheral nerve of rats. Once implanted in the rats, ultrasound was used both to power the sensors and read out the measurements. The findings of this experiment were published in the Neuron journal.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
Samsung is expected to launch on the Edge variant for its Galaxy S series smartphones.

Samsung for the past couple of years has been launching its flagship Galaxy smartphones in two variants. One sporting a flat screen, while the other one having a dual curved edge display. It came as a surprise when the latter proved to be more popular even after being priced higher than the regular variant.

According a report by SamMobile, Samsung will only be producing the curved display Galaxy S handsets.

Samsungs mobile chief Dong-jin Koh said Samsung has considered that it would make the edge display as the identity of the Galaxy S smartphone lineup.

This doesnt comes as a guarantee that the company will ditch the flat screen model of the phone, but its evident that the company can launch the next flagship with only one variant, as they did with the Galaxy Note 7.

If market response is positive, perhaps Samsung might go down with the curved screen design for Galaxy S8 next year, but this is just pure speculation at this moment.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
Carl Pistorius said Oscar slipped in his cell and injured himself. (Photo: AP)

Pretoria: Former Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius and his family have denied news reports stating he attempted suicide in a jail in Pretoria, South Africa, where he is serving a six-year sentence for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Oscar had suffered injuries in his wrist and was admitted to a hospital on Saturday. According to reports, officers found blades in his cell after the incident. However, Oscar has maintained that he sustained injuries after falling out of his bed.

Carl Pistorius, the athletes brother, also refuted the reports about Oscars suicide attempt while calling them untrue and sensational.

Jenna and I have just seen Oscar and he is doing well given the circumstances. He was in good spirit. I know that there are reports saying that he had tried to injure himself  they are completely untrue and sensational, Carl said in a statement posted on Twitter on Sunday.

He slipped in his cell and injured himself and nothing serious, he said.

The double-amputee athlete was on July 6 sentenced to jail for six years for the murder of his girlfriend in 2013.

Pistorius also previously served one year in prison for manslaughter for shooting 29-year-old Steenkamp, a model and reality TV star. That manslaughter conviction was upgraded to the more serious offense of murder after an earlier prosecution appeal, leading to a new sentencing.

Pistorius shot Steenkamp multiple times through a toilet cubicle door in his home in the pre-dawn hours of Valentine's Day, 2013. Pistorius testified that he killed Steenkamp by mistake, thinking there was an intruder hiding in the bathroom. Prosecutors said he shot her intentionally after an argument.
Authorities say the bundles contained a total of more than 7 pounds of meth. (Representational Image)

Texas: Two parents remain jailed on federal drug charges after authorities allege they tried using their 19-month-old child to help smuggle methamphetamine from Mexico into the US.

According to a criminal complaint, Orlando Ramirez-Leal and Cynthia Uresti were crossing the Gateway International Bridge into Brownsville, Texas, on Wednesday when they were stopped by inspectors.

Officials say they found six packages hidden on Uresti's body as well as on the body of her child.

Authorities say the bundles contained a total of more than 7 pounds of meth.

The complaint states Ramirez-Leal told investigators the couple had planned to transport the illegal drugs to Houston.

Both Ramirez-Leal and Uresti are being held without bond.

Attorneys for both defendants did not immediately return calls seeking comment today.
Last week Prime Minister Shinzo Abe picked Inada, a close confidante with staunchly nationalist views, as the new defence minister. (Photo: AP)

Tokyo: Japan's newly appointed defence minister Tomomi Inada on Monday ordered the nation's military to be ready to destroy any missiles fired by North Korea that threaten the country, local media reported.

Tomomi Inada issued the order, public broadcaster NHK said, without mentioning any indication that Pyongyang is preparing to launch such a missile.

Last week Prime Minister Shinzo Abe picked Inada, a close confidante with staunchly nationalist views, as the new defence minister.

NHK said Inada is expected to renew the readiness order every three months so that Tokyo can seamlessly maintain a state of alert.

A Japanese defence ministry spokesman declined to confirm the report.

Her appointment came Wednesday, the same day North Korea, a major security headache for Japan, fired a ballistic missile that landed just 250 kilometres (155 miles) off its coast -- hitting Japanese-controlled waters for the first time.

The US military said the North had actually launched two Rodong intermediate-range missiles simultaneously, but one appeared to have exploded on take-off.

The launches followed a North Korean threat of "physical action" over the planned deployment of a sophisticated US anti-missile system in South Korea, and came just weeks before the start of large-scale joint South Korea-US military exercises.

Pyongyang has conducted a series of missile tests this year in defiance of UN sanctions imposed after its fourth nuclear test in January.

After Wednesday's launch Japanese media quoted officials as saying they were surprised and voicing concern that North Korea was getting better at concealing its preparations to fire missiles.
A Philippine lawmaker is seeking to permanently ban U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump from visiting the Southeast Asian nation after the billionaire called it one of the "terrorist nations."

Trump has no major business in the Philippines, but developer Century Properties Group Inc is building a $150-million Trump Tower, a high-rise residential building under license from the American real estate mogul.

In a bill filed in Manila's House of Representatives, Congressman Joey Salceda said, "There is no feasible basis or reasonable justification to the wholesale labeling of Filipinos as coming from a 'terrorist state' or that they will be a Trojan horse."

Salceda was referring to Trump's comments at a rally on Thursday in Portland, Maine, in which he took another swipe at immigrants.

"We are letting people come in from terrorist nations. That should not be allowed because you can't vet them. There's no way of vetting them, you have no idea who they are. This could be the great Trojan horse of all time," Trump said in a clip of his speech posted to YouTube.

"An immigrant from Afghanistan who later applied for and received U.S. citizenship, an illegal permanent resident from the Philippines were convicted from plotting to join Al Qaeda and the Taliban in order to kill as many Americans as possible," Trump said.

People of Philippine descent living in the United States number around 4 million, making up the second largest population of Asian Americans, Salceda said, citing data from the U.S. State Department.

A former reality TV star, Trump has won support particularly from white blue-collar U.S. workers who feel neglected by the political establishment. Along with his proposed ban on Muslims, his plans have included building a wall along the Mexican border to keep out illegal immigrants.
Racist abuse in schools is defined as derogatory racist statements, racist bullying, graffiti, taunting and harassment or swearing that can be attributed to racist characteristics. (Photp: AFP/Representational Image)

London: Schools in England ban as many as 20children a day over racially abusing classmates, an analysis released in London on Monday has found.

The analysis of new data by the UK?s New Schools Network (NSN), a charity which advises groups opening new schools, found that in total there were 4,000 cases of racist abuse in England?s schools which were serious enough to warrant a fixed or "permanent exclusion" in the 2014-15 academic year.

Since 2008-9, there have been more than 27,000 exclusions for racist abuse.

A tenth of the exclusions occurred in primary schools and the remainder in secondary schools.

"The analysis comes as New Schools Network has successfully argued for a new category of 'social need' to be part of the free school application criteria. This means that free school proposals will now be considered for approval if there is a proven social need for the new school.

"One of the benefits of this new category is that proposals can now be brought forward with the explicit intention of creating more integrated schools in areas where existing schools are often divided on racial lines," NSN said in a statement.

Free schools in England are independent non-profit-making academies which are funded by the state but not controlled by a local authority.

"The addition of a 'social need' category in the criteria opens the door further for schools, charities and other community organisations to come forward with ideas to create schools designed to build community cohesion," NSN's Sarah Pearson explained.

"We are in discussion with a number of groups who have particular interest in community integration, and we anticipate that more will now follow in their footsteps," she said.

Racist abuse in schools is defined as derogatory racist statements, racist bullying, graffiti, taunting and harassment or swearing that can be attributed to racist characteristics.

Many of the incidents in schools were recorded in northern, midlands and coastal towns of England with Richmond Upon Thames in south-west London leading the table.

Islington in north London was another region flagged up in NSN's top 10 most problematic areas in terms of such cases.
London: The sister of one of Britain's six former soldiers being held in an Indian prison for carrying arms on a commercial ship today sought the intervention of new British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Lisa Dunn, the sister of Nick Dunn, expressed concerns that the men's mental state is beginning to deteriorate and called for action to secure their release.

"Nick's always maintained that he feels abandoned and betrayed by the government and the country that he once served," she told The Guardian.

"Now we have a new government in place I would like to personally reach out to Theresa May, Boris Johnson (foreign secretary) and Sir Alan Duncan (a Foreign Office minister) and respectfully request that they continue to keep this case at the top of their agendas as we have been assured many times previously," she said.

The men were arrested in 2013 among 35 crew members and sentenced by a Tamil Nadu court to five years in prison in January this year for carrying unlicensed firearms.

They were held while working for an anti-piracy security company protecting commercial ships off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean.

The men, who have been backed by more than 20 British MPs, including former British PM David Cameron, have consistently maintained their innocence and launched an appeal to overturn their sentences.

A petition calling for their release has garnered 375,000 signatures and was delivered by the families of the six former soldiers to Downing Street last week.

Lisa claimed the British government had issued the licences for the weapons, including semi-automatic G3 assault rifles, which the Indian courts have said are automatic weapons and therefore prohibited.

"I appreciate and understand that the government have spoken to various Indian counterparts over the last nearly three years, but for the evidence that's there it's beyond

belief that our government haven't pushed harder," Lisa said.

"They keep saying we've talked with this Indian counterpart, but it was apparent a long, long time ago that talking makes no difference to the Indian authorities. We need more robust action," she added.

She has also claimed the men were suffering in the Indian jail and have to sleep on concrete in cells infested with snakes and rats, using a hole in the ground for a toilet.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "Our staff in India and the UK remain in regular contact with all six men and are continuing to support them and their families, working to make sure their welfare is protected in prison.

"We recognise what a difficult time this is for those involved. We cannot interfere with India's independent legal system, just as other countries cannot interfere with ours, but we will continue efforts to make sure this case is resolved swiftly. Ministers will continue to raise this case at the highest levels."
Iraq has been going through its worst crisis since summer 2014 when IS militants captured much of the country's north and the west. (Photo: File)

Baghdad: An Iraqi spokesman says the country's air force has received a new batch of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from the United States.

He says this will bolster Iraq's fledging air force amid more than two years of fighting with the Islamic State group.

Defense Ministry's spokesman, Brig Gen Tahseen Ibrahim, told The Associated Press today that the new batch consisted of four fighter jets.

With the new arrivals, Iraq has now eight F16s in service, out of 36 fighter jets the US agreed to sell to Baghdad.

Iraq has been going through its worst crisis since summer 2014 when IS militants captured much of the country's north and the west, including the second-largest city of Mosul.

Despite major ground loses since last year, IS still controls key areas.
The case has been going on in the country for more than six years. (Photo: PTI)

Lahore: Pakistan has directed a top official to follow up with India the matter of sending 24 witnesses of the Mumbai attack case to Pakistan to record their statements so that the trial in the case could be completed at the earliest.

"The Foreign Ministry has written to its director general South Asia to take up the matter of sending 24 Indian witnesses to Pakistan for recording of their statements in the trial court in the Mumbai attack case with the Indian Government," Prosecution chief (in Mumbai case) Chaudhry Azhar said.

He said earlier the Foreign Ministry had directly written to the Indian Government about sending the 24 witnesses to Pakistan and now it has asked the DG South Asia to follow-up the matter.

"We have already made it clear that the Mumbai case cannot move forward unless India sends its witnesses here to record their important statements," he said.

According to the prosecution, all Pakistani witnesses have recorded their statements.

"The ball is in India's court. If it wants early conclusion of the Mumbai case it will have to send its witnesses here," Azhar, who is also a special prosecutor of the Federal Investigation Agency, said.

Recently the Foreign Office of Pakistan said it had asked India to provide "additional evidence" for the early completion of the Mumbai attack trial.

India has been urging Pakistan to complete the trial at the earliest. It has said that enough evidence has been shared with Pakistan to prosecute the accused.

Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum are accused of abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the Mumbai attack.

Lakhvi is living at an undisclosed location after he got released from jail on bail a year ago. The other six suspects are in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.

The case has been going on in the country for more than six years.
News / National

by Freeman Razemba

Burglars broke into Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Professor Jonathan Moyo's office at the New Government Complex on Saturday night and police have launched investigations to ascertain the motive behind the incident. An unknown brown substance was sprinkled on Prof Moyo's chair.The assailants also broke into seven offices belonging to the ministry's principal directors and directors. They gained entry into all the offices after tampering with the ceiling panels.Various electrical gadgets and two laptops were stolen from the offices. The ministry's acting principal director for administration and finance, Mr John Dewah, last night confirmed the incident. He said they suspected that the break-ins could have occurred on Saturday night."I discovered in the afternoon that most of our offices including that of the minister had been broken into. I then made a report to police at the police post here (New Government Complex)," he said.He said police and other security agents attended the scene and they were still compiling and checking the items and gadgets that were stolen. Mr Dewah lost a laptop that he had left in his office.He said they had since beefed up security at their offices as police investigations continue. In January, there was a break-in at VP Mnangagwa's office at New Government Complex and Government expressed concern at the continuous break-ins and pledged to bring the culprits to book.This was the sixth time unidentified culprits had tampered with VP Mnangagwa's Government offices and at the Zanu-PF headquarters. VP Mnangagwa's offices have been broken into four times at the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and once at Defence House when he was Defence Minister.His offices at Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare were broken into by unknown elements in 2014 who laced his desk with cyanide, poisoning his secretary who had to be hospitalised. In the latest break-in at the Government Complex, the culprits drilled a ceiling panel to gain entry. There were no indications of anything stolen.In January last year, burglars broke into the office of the then Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Dr Obert Mpofu, but police said nothing was stolen. Police said the motive of the break in could not be ascertained.The burglar forced open three doors and tried to enter into Minister Mpofu's office but failed. In August Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku's Mashonganyika Building offices was broken into with the assailants stealing a desktop computer and a television set.A few days after the break-in at the Supreme Court, four judges reportedly lost keys to their offices, a development that prompted the Judicial Service Commission to urgently request police security at Mashonganyika Building, which houses the Supreme and Constitutional courts.
The two men were kidnapped by five gunmen disguised in military uniforms. (Photo: AP/Representational Image)

Kabul: An Afghan security official says five gunmen wearing military uniforms have abducted an American and an Australian in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

The official said on Monday that the two foreigners were abducted from their vehicle on a main road near the American University of Afghanistan. They are believed to be employees of the university. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to talk to reporters.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement that its embassy in Kabul was seeking to "verify reports of the kidnapping."

Three other foreigners who were kidnapped in Kabul in the past year have been released.

An Australian woman, Kerry Jane Wilson, was abducted in the eastern city of Jalalabad in April. Her whereabouts are unknown.
Karachi : At least 65 people were killed and over 150 others injured when a suicide bomber struck mourners, mostly lawyers and journalists, gathered at a government-run hospital in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province in one of the worst attacks in the country this year.

The loud explosion was heard after the president of Balochistan Bar Association (BA) Advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the provincial capital.

Senior police official Zahoor Ahmed says also that dozens have been wounded in the explosion. The blast took place shortly after the body of a lawyer killed in a shooting attack earlier in the day was brought in on Monday.

The bomb exploded as lawyers brought Balochistan Bar Association's President Bilal Kasi, who was gunned down to the hospital, according to police and rescue officials.

Lawyers and journalists had gathered at the emergency department where Bilal Kasi's body was brought, when the explosion occurred. Most of the injured are lawyers, eye witnesses were quoted as saying in the local media

Police said unknown men also opened fire after the blast.

Panic tore through the hospital after the incident and emergency has been declared at hospitals in Quetta . A heavy contingent of Frontier Corps and police arrived and cordoned off the area.

Unidentified armed men opened fire at Advocate Kasi's car near Quetta 's Mengal Chowk on Manno Jan road, police officials told The Express Tribune. The former president was shifted to Civil Hospital , where he succumbed to injuries.
Islamabad: With radio-like antennae meant to swivel and point at vehicles carrying bombs, "magic wand" explosive detectors proliferated throughout conflict zones in the 2000s until they were exposed as a global scam.

But in an astonishing security threat, more than 15,000 of a new variant of the handheld device have been made in Pakistan to guard high-value facilities such as airports and government installations, despite officials conceding they are effectively useless.

Many creators of the original devices are serving long prison sentences for fraud, including British businessman James McCormick. His ADE-651 became a mainstay of security forces in Iraq, where $85 million was spent on them, before they were officially banned last month.

"It serves a deterrence value only it's good for police and security personnel to have something in their hands," said a senior interior ministry official, who asked to remain anonymous.

Pressed on whether Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgents who have been waging an insurgency that has that claimed more than 60,000 lives in Pakistan since 2004 may by now be wise to the deception, he conceded: "Yes, they are savvy and they probably are aware by now."

His comments were backed by two more senior members of government, though neither was prepared to go formally on the record.

Official silence over the matter may be linked to the enormous sums of money involved in the business, observers say, while many bureaucrats fear for their jobs if they speak out.

"Powerful people make money through these scams and you cannot offend powerful people, even if it means endangering lives," said one former official at the interior ministry.

'Public Security Threat'

Pakistan initially imported foreign detector devices such as the ADE-651 and the German made Sniffex, according to a government source, but in 2009 Pakistan's Airport Security Force (ASF) took over making and selling the wands.

More than 15,000 units have been sold within the country at a cost of 70,000 rupees ($700), according to an official, amounting to a total revenue of more than $10 million.

The ASF which declined multiple requests for comment is technically a civilian institution but is staffed by many serving senior officers deputed from the powerful military, which wields considerable influence over the country's defence and foreign policy.

The wands, named "Khoji" (finder), are used by security personnel to protect airports and government installations, and have also been widely sold to the private sector and deployed at malls, hotels and fast-food chains.

J Chacko, a London-based security analyst, said they were endangering lives.

"A false sense of complacency based on devices that do not work does represent a public security threat," he said.

'Snake Oil '

The device claims an accuracy level of 90 percent, according to a copy of its user manual obtained by AFP, but uses the principles of radiesthesia, or dowsing, which experts consider junk science.

"Khoji is the first device of its kind that can detect explosives from distances of up to 100 metres (330 feet), even when the explosive is hidden behind walls or metal barriers such as buildings or vehicles," the manual boasts.

"It detects the interference by between the magnetic field of the earth, the explosive, the device itself and the human body, which allows the device to penetrate and locate even small amounts of explosive through concrete, soil, and metal barriers."

But Andrea Sella, a professor of chemistry at the University College London, dismissed the claims as "laughable".

"There is no physical basis for the operation of those devices," he told AFP. "It's pure snake oil, sold to desperate people who use them because something, even if useless, is better than nothing.

"There is no 'magnetic' signal that you might be able to pick up. The idea that you could do so through metal, especially steel in a car, is laughable."

His comments were backed by Pervez Hoodbhoy, a leading Pakistani physicist who trained at the US's MIT.

"It's a fraud. There's no way that explosives can be detected by electromagnetic means," he said.

Leading scientists are currently developing legitimate explosives-detectors based on sensors that "sniff" out explosive compounds such as triacetone triperoxide, but the work remains in its infancy.

A Western security consultant Afghanistan said: "The only device that can currently detect such explosives is a dog."
To promote the digitisation initiative in insurance, aligned to the Digital India initiative of the government, IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) has released the final regulations that mandate insurance policies above a certain annual premium (Rs 10,000 in case of life and health, and Rs 5,000 for general insurance and all motor insurance) has to be mandatorily issued in electronic form. This will come into effect from October 1, 2016, and can increase the penetration of insurance repositories, and in turn benefit the policyholder.





Though internet banking has been available for many years, the advent of mobile wallets has made people more comfortable with transacting. From booking cabs, to booking movie tickets and even to buying groceries, it is all done using mobile phone apps.



In the financial services industry, shareholding has been dematerialised, and products such as the National Pension System and mutual funds are available electronically. And many private banks will now charge if you want to visit their branches for transactions.

The IRDAI introduced the insurance repository in 2013a first of its kind initiative in the world.



Here are some of the benefits of holding insurance:



Safety: There is no risk of loss or damage of a policy; the electronic form ensures that they are in safe custody and can be easily accessed when needed.



Convenience and single point of service: All insurance policies, be it life, pension, health or general, can be electronically held under a single e-insurance account. Premium for all the policies can be paid online and service requests or complaints can be registered at the website of the Insurance Repository.



Less paper work: When you want to buy a new electronic policy under an existing e-insurance account, you do not need to go through the KYC verification process again. Further, if you want to make any changes to your personal details like address or contact details, you just need to change the details in your e-insurance account with the repository by submitting a single request.



The repository will then inform all the insurance companies with whom you hold electronic policies, about the changes. Such service request which pertains to the e-insurance account is executed by the repository, and the information is then passed on to the insurer. Whereas, service requests with regards to insurance policies, loans, change in nomination details and so on, the repository will coordinate with the insurer for its execution, after which it will be communicated to the policyholder.



An e-insurance account can be operated by the account holder only during her life time, unless she has been rendered incapable to operating it. In such circumstances, the account can be operated by an authorised representative (AR) appointed by the account holder.



A policyholder who opens an e-insurance account has to appoint an AR who will be entitled to access it in the event of demise of the policyholder or in her incapacity to operate the account. The policyholder can change the AR, at her discretion, during the term of the insurance account.



E Insurance Account is free of charge to the policyholder. The repository will be paid directly by the insurance companies whose policies are held in electronic form so that no charges are levied on policyholders. Insurance companies will be able to pay repository for the services rendered out of the savings that will accrue to them by shifting to electronic policies.



(The writer is CEO at CAMS Insurance Repository Services)
The Supreme Court has rightly expressed serious concern over the rampant adulteration of milk in the country. It has also rightly criticised the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for its failure to take effective measures to check adulteration. The court has issued a set of guidelines to the Central and state governments and the FSSAI which are intended to help them in dealing with the problem of milk adulteration. They include executive, regulatory and legal measures. Most of them are necessary and even essential, but the court went overboard with its prescription of life imprisonment for those who adulterate milk. It told the Central government to amend the Indian Penal Code to provide for life term in such cases. Some states like Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and

Bengal have this provision. At present, most states prescribe a punishment of six months jail term and a fine.



Consumption of adulterated milk is hazardous to health, and infants and children will be particularly affected by it. But life imprisonment is an excessively harsh punishment for the offence. The existing punishment is low, but there is no need to go to the other extreme by making the punishment too stringent. That is not a case for being lenient to adulterators. Governments may consider enhancing the punishment to four or five years, which will serve the ends of justice. It does not help to take an emotional view of crime and punishment, and courts should especially take care to have a reasonable and logical view of them. The law and punishment should be the same for all kinds of adulteration which endanger the lives and health of people. It is difficult to see the legal rationale for treating milk adulteration differently from adulteration of other food items.



The problem of milk adulteration is the most serious in states which provide for life term for it. At the national level, about 70% of the milk being sold is adulterated. In Odisha and Bengal it is 100% and in UP it is 88%. The prospect of a life term has not made any better impact in these states. It is well accepted that it is not the severity of punishment but its certainty that deters criminals. In India, offenders are in fact certain that they can get away with the offence. Adulteration of milk and other food items is hardly detected and even when cases are registered, very few are punished. What is needed is to make the machinery for testing samples and taking follow-up action efficient and free of corruption. The courts directives in these respects are welcome.




The Delhi governments marriage officers seem to be a little jittery in dealing with registration of marriages involving foreign nationals and have been overburdening the office of the divisional commissioner with requests for approval before taking up the final documentation.





A note has now been issued to all officers to avoid the futile exercise of file movement and delays.



Despite clear instructions by the marriage cell at the revenue departments headquarters, the marriage officers have been mechanically forwarding cases involving foreigners to the head office, adding to delays in the process and a pile-up of files, said an official.



In January this year, the divisional commissioner simplified the procedure and divested powers for registration of marriages involving foreigners under Section 15 of Special Marriage Act, 1954.



However, senior officials said the district-level officials were still a little unclear about the proceedings for registration of marriages involving foreigners  especially those in which the embassies of the foreign nationals were not giving no-objection certificates on their marital status.



The marriage officer need not send individual file to headquarters for approval of divisional commissioner and may take decision at his own level as per prescribed procedure, said Deputy Commissioner (Hq) S K Jain in a note sent to all marriage officers.



At the district level, deputy commissioners, additional district magistrates and sub-divisional magistrates are conferred with powers as registrars of marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act.



Sources said the AAP government had simplified the procedures in January to hasten the process of marriage registration involving foreigners but the desired results could not be achieved due to some marriage officers insistence of seeking the headquarters approval in each case.



Registration of marriage under the Special Marriage Act requires a fee of Rs 150 and the process is completed within 60 days.



Under normal conditions, most districts register about 60-100 marriages in a month. A bulk of marriages registered by district officers is under the Hindu Marriage Act.



Only a fraction of the total applications received involve foreigners.



Sources, however, said central, New Delhi, south and north east district were among those which get the most number of marriage registration applications involving foreigners.



From January, the revenue department started issuing marriage certificates even in those cases in which the foreigners embassy delays the process of giving a no-objection certificate to ascertain the marital status of their respective citizens.



In such cases, the Delhi government has started processing the marriage registration application after taking from the foreigner an affidavit duly attested by the official of the concerned embassy in India.



The revenue department also relaxed the procedures and said: If the embassy chooses not to attest even the affidavit, the foreign national may get the affidavit attested by an executive magistrate on the basis of identity disclosed through the passport.



In such cases, the marriage certificate issued to a foreigner may carry a rider saying: The marriage is being registered on the basis of documents furnished by the parties engaged in/ having solemnised the marriage.



The marriage officer is not certifying the authenticity of the documents. The party to the marriage shall be personally responsible for any persuasion, fraud or violation of any law for the time being in force.


At least 70 people were killed and over 100 others injured today when a Taliban suicide bomber struck mourners, mostly lawyers, gathered at a hospital in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province in one of the deadliest terror attacks in the country this year.





The bomber struck over 200 mourners the at the government-run Civil Hospital in Quetta where the body of prominent lawyer Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was shot dead earlier in the day, was being brought. Kasi was the president of Balochistan Bar Association (BA) Advocate.





A loud explosion was heard at the emergency department where Kasi's body was brought for autopsy. Gunfire followed the explosion. Police said it was a suicide attack where eight kilogrammes of explosives were used.





"No crater found at the site of the attack and it appears the bomber had the explosives strapped to his best," a police officer said.





Bomb Disposal Squad officials also confirmed the explosion was a suicide bombing. A spokesman for Jamaatul Ahara, a faction of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, said that his faction "accepts responsibility" for the attack in the southwestern city of Quetta and vowed more attacks "until the imposition of an Islamic system in Pakistan".





The head of the provincial health department said, "The death toll has risen to 70 and there are 112 injured." Officials said the toll may go up.





Television footage showed scenes of chaos, with panicked mourners fleeing through debris as smoke filled the corridors of the hospital's emergency ward. Many of the victims were clad in the black suit worn by lawyers.





A contingent of Frontier Corps and police arrived and cordoned off the hospital following the blast, restricting access to the area.





"Today's suicide attack appeared to target Kasi's supporters," Anwar ul Haq, a spokesman for the Baluchistan government, said.





It is the second deadliest in Pakistan this year so far, after a bombing in a crowded park in Lahore over Easter killed 75.





Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamoon Hussain strongly condemned the attack. Sharif ordered the provincial government to arrest the culprits.





"No one will be allowed to disrupt the peace of the province," Sharif said. He cancelled all prior commitments and visited Quetta.





Two journalists were among the deceased, according to reports. "This was a security lapse and I am having this personally investigated," Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said. He described the attack as an "act of terrorism."





Bugti said the impact of the explosion was strong that scores of vehicles and motorbikes that were around the hospital were destroyed. Panic tore through the hospital after the incident and emergency has been declared at hospitals in Quetta.





The provincial government announced three-day mourning during which Pakistan's National Flag will remain at half mast on government buildings.





Social networking site Facebook activated its "safety check" feature after the blast in the provincial capital. Officials said mobile phone jammers had been activated around hospitals in the area.





Quetta has also long been regarded as a base for the Afghan Taliban. In May, Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed by a US drone strike while travelling to Quetta from the Pakistan-Iran border.





Pakistan's army chief Raheel Sharif said that all necessary steps would be taken to defeat militancy in the country as he chaired security meeting in Quetta.





He said that attack was an attempt to undermine improved security in Balochistan. He said it was attempt to target China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). "All resources to be employed to control situation," he said.
The Opposition in the Rajya Sabha today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence on the unrest in Kashmir with the Congress saying "Hindustan ka Taj jal raha hai"(India's crown is burning) and demanded that the Centre initiate a political process.



As curfew in Kashmir continued for an unprecedented 3Oth day, the Opposition parties also demanded stopping the use of pellet guns by security forces on protesters.



Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government was open to discussion on the Kashmir situation and that it can be scheduled tomorrow or on Wednesday, noting there should be no doubt about its commitment towards the state.



Raising the issue in Zero Hour after his notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business to discuss the Kashmir situation was disallowed, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said no state in independent India has seen 30 days of continuous curfew that has paralysed the administration, shut down educational institutions and led to near zero attendance in government offices.



"In such circumstances, we want to awaken the government ... We feel the government and the Prime Minister are watching the situation deteriorate like a silent spectator," he said, adding he wanted to know why Modi has not spoken on the grave situation in Kashmir so far.



"Hindustan ka Taj jal raha hai, par uski garmi Delhi tak nahi pahuchti (India's crown is burning but the heat hasn't yet reached Delhi)," Azad said.



Over 8,000 people, including security personnel, have been injured while 410 eye surgeries and 1,650 other surgeries are reported to have been conducted because of the use of pellet guns on protesters, he said.



Observing that 1018 incidents have been reported, he said over 1000 youth are in prison. "Please do not consider this as a law and order issue," Azad told the government.



Citing social media comments on Modi not making any statement on the Kashmir unrest, he said people are eager to listen to his views on the situation.



He asked the Prime Minister to call an all-party meeting where political leaders can offer solutions and express their sympathy with the people of Kashmir. This should be followed up with an all-party delegation visiting Kashmir to assuage the feeling, the senior Congress leader added.



Expressing anguish and pain at the continuous 30-day curfew, Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) said there was nothing working in the Valley except armed forces.



"More than 1000 incidents of firing have happened. More than 8000 are injured and 60 dead," he said describing the use of pellet guns and "inhuman" and "criminal".



Stating that even Israel does not use pellet guns against Palestinians, he said the situation cannot be solved by law and order machinery.



"Our remaining silent is deepening the alienation of the Kashmiris," Yechury said, adding "we have heard the silence of the Prime Minister (on Kashmir). His silence is more eloquent than words."



The Prime Minister's silence is "sending a message that this government does not care," he said.


Five gunmen wearing Afghan military uniforms have abducted an American and an Australian in the Afghan capital, Kabul, a security official said today.





The two foreigners were taken from their SUV while driving last night on a main road near the American University of Afghanistan, according to Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry.



They are believed to be employees of the university and were traveling between the university and their residence, he said.



No one immediately claimed responsibility for the abduction.



Sediqqi also added that initial reports show that up to five armed men stopped the foreigners' vehicle and carried out the kidnapping. The two abducted are both men, he said. He did not reveal any more details except to say that an investigation is underway.



Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement confirming "the apparent kidnapping of an Australian in Kabul"



"Due to privacy and security considerations we will not be commenting further. We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation, including the serious threat of kidnapping," it said.

Senior staff at the university in Kabul could not immediately be reached for comment.



Kidnappings are not uncommon in Afghanistan. Three other foreigners who were kidnapped in Kabul over the past year have all been released, including an Indian woman, Judith D'Souza who was freed last month after being held for more than a month.



An Australian woman, Kerry Jane Wilson, was abducted in the eastern city of Jalalabad in April. Her whereabouts are unknown.



Sediqqi said that kidnappers in all the Kabul cases, including today's, had been wearing military uniforms, establishing a pattern and hinting at some form of organised gang activity.



Most of the thousands of foreigners living and working in Kabul are largely confined to their embassies or, in the case of those working for the United Nations or other non-government organisations, to their residential compounds, with limited movement permitted.



The abductions heighten the risk for the few foreigners, including journalists, who move with relative freedom across the Afghan capital in order to do their work.



Residents of the capital complain that crime has risen in recent months, especially robbery and car theft. The apparent rise coincides with an economic crisis as the government has not been able to create jobs or stimulate growth.



President Ashraf Ghani took office in 2014 promising jobs and peace, but has provided neither as the war with the Taliban grinds on for its 15th year.



The police, however, deny a spike in crime.
News / National

by Staff reporter

FORMER Vice-President Joice Mujuru has poured cold water on President Robert Mugabe, accusing him of exaggerating his role during the liberation struggle leading to the country's independence in 1980.Mujuru, who now leads the opposition Zimbabwe People First (ZimFirst) dropped the bombshell during a campaign rally in Chinhoyi at the weekend, where she challenged Mugabe to give his nom de guerre, if he had any, to prove his liberation credentials.She fired the salvo while responding to Mugabe's recent crackdown on the leadership of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association (ZNLWVA) following a damning communique that branded the 92-year-old leader a ruthless and manipulative dictator."War vets are not stupid, don't mistake their silence for foolishness. Mugabe is deliberately turning holding cells and prisons into war vets' houses, while their places of leisure are now the courts," Mujuru said.Zanu-PF has purged ZNLWVA chairperson Christopher Mutsvangwa, vice-chairperson Headman Moyo, secretary-general Victor Matemandanda, spokesperson Douglas Mahiya and political commissar Francis Nhando from its ranks, accusing them of indiscipline.Mutsvangwa was expelled for indiscipline two months ago, while the other members of his executive were sacked last week as part of a State-sponsored witch hunt on suspected authors of the stinging communique issued on July 21.Mahiya, Matemadanda, Moyo and Nhando are currently on bail, having been charged with insulting Mugabe via the communique.The offending communique, was a stinging rebuke for Mugabe and included a rejection of his candidature in the 2018 presidential elections.Mujuru's spokesperson, Gift Nyandoro, said the former VP's comments were meant to bring Mugabe to order."Mujuru is just calling Mugabe to order. Mugabe is behaving like a super liberation war Rambo when we all know he joined towards the twilight years of the war. The fact that Mugabe does not have a war-time name, then used to disguise one's identity, means his participation was minimal or at best was not a threat to his family back home," Nyandoro said."The liberation war was a collective effort. But the issue of nom de guerres was very important. It had an attachment to the intensity of one's participation and contribution. Mugabe is a war veteran on the intellectual leadership side, but many including those who did not make it back home provided leadership at the front."Nyandoro added: "The fact that Mugabe does not have a war name is a clear indication that his contribution was just but one of those. Mujuru is saying it is wrong for one man to try and expropriate the struggle under his name. Mugabe should not be allowed to abuse war veterans. He is exaggerating his role during the war."
Whats better than getting to taste the authentic food of another nation without

having to fly down to that country? With the growing popularity of global cuisines among foodies, Bengaluru sees many food festivals being organised every month.





The recent one is the Sri Lankan food festival, a 10 day food festival celebrated at Cafe Mozaic in Vivanta by Taj in MG Road.



Executive Chef Ramasamy Selvaraju along with Chef Kalinga Lalith and Chef M A Palitha Chandana from Vivanta by Taj, Bentota, Sri Lanka with their culinary team will bring to life the authentic feast.



So, if you are one of those with a soft corner for food and dont mind exploring different tastes, this is the place where they can taste some of the exotic and traditional culinary items of the island country.



The hopper with chicken curry or finely fried chicken is what one can start their meal with. Sri Lankan spiced marinated grilled fish and cuttlefish, devilled prawns and mushrooms and Lunimiris (onion chilli sambal) are a few starters that people can enjoy.



This is followed by an array of main course dishes, and the delectable savouries

like cashew garlic curry, Malu aba curry (fish cooked in mustard curry), Elumas ala curry (mutton curry with potatoes), Kukulumas koththamalai curry (chicken curry with coriander), tender jackfruit ambula (sour jackfruit curry), Kukulumas siyambala (chicken curry with tamarind), Kakulu curry (crab curry) and Lunudehi bath samaga elumas (mutton and lime pickle rice) will surely tingle ones tastebuds. All the dishes are explained in english for better understanding.



We have put forward the dishes in the most traditional way possible. Back in Sri Lanka the food is prepared in clay pots and we have done the same here. This gives a unique taste to the food cooked which is the best part, says Chef Ramasamy.



As no meal is complete without treating the sweet tooth, this festival has given the much needed attentin to the desserts section too.



With an enticing assortment of desserts like sweet athirasa (rice cake with

jaggery), sweet aluva (semolina with milk, cashew and ghee) and kokis (deep-fried crispy rice flour cake) to name a few, foodies from across the city can feel the

authenticity in every bite they take.



And the best part of the festival is the array of cultural performances lined up for

the evening performed by talented and renowned Budawatta Dance Troupe from Sri Lanka.



So if food was not enough to mesmerise one, this talented group will surely do so.

One can relish the authentic flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine till August 15 from 7pm to 11 pm.


Home Minister G Parameshwara, on Monday, said that he was surprised as a majority of the women police constables, who took part in the passing out parade, were graduates and post-graduates.



He was addressing the probationary women police constables, during their passing out parade, organised at the District Armed Reserve (DAR) Parade Grounds at Jyothinagar in the city. As many as 252 probationary women police constables of the first batch of the Police Training School, Mysuru city, passed out after successful completion of a nine-month training programme.



Out of 252 probationary constables, only 31 are pre-university candidates. The rest are graduates and double graduates. The women constables who passed out includes five MCom, two MSW, 14 MA, 117 BA, one LLB, nine BEd, one BBM, 53 DEd while 16 of them are BCom graduates. This shows that the constables job has its own significance and responsibility, Parameshwara said.



The minister urged the new constables to develop self-confidence to face any challenge  either in work place or in personal life. Pressure in life is natural and one should have enough confidence to overcome the problems. However, the police officials should treat their subordinates in a respectful manner, he added.



People-friendly approach



Karnataka police, which have a good reputation in the country, need to be more people-friendly. When I visited Germany to study about the Police department there, I found that the police are too friendly and, people have faith and respect in the police and consider them as peoples protectors. Even the police treat the people in a respectful manner. Our police follow the German example, he said.



The state is facing a new challenges and the rate of cyber crime and participation of women in criminal activities has increased. Thus, it is inevitable to have modern training methods with upgraded syllabus, he said.



The minister said, The government will develop a separate parade ground for the

Police Training School.



At present, the parade of probationary police officers is being held at DAR Parade Grounds.



Earlier, Karnataka Police Academy (KPA) Deputy Director and in-charge Principal of the school Dharanidevi Malagatti administered the oath to passing out candidates.



Probationers honoured



Probationary constables were honoured for their extraordinary performances during the training period. While S R Shilpa of Kodagu, bagged the Best Probationer award, G M Kavyashri from Chikkamagaluru district was honoured with the DGP Trophy. D Apoorva of Shivamogga was awarded with the best indoor trophy and M L Shewtha of Ramanagaram district emerged topper in shooting skills.



Advisor to Home Minister and retired IPS officer Kempaiah, Director General of Police (Training) Prem Shankar Meena and IGP (Training) Alok Kumar were present on the occasion.


The countrys biggest ever spectrum auction will kick-start from September 29, in which the Department of Telecom will put mobile phone airwaves worth Rs 5.63 lakh crore at the base price value for bidding.





The government will put a total of 2,354.55 megahertz of mobile airwaves frequencies for auction of all 7 wavelengths700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz. All the airwaves being put for auction can be used for high-speed 4G services, Telecom Secretary J S Deepak said, while releasing the Notice Inviting Application (NIA).



The total quantum of spectrum being put for auction includes about 197 MHz of frequencies in 1800 MHz band and 37.5 MHz in 800 MHz band (CDMA band).



The government expects to raise at least Rs 64,000 crore from the auction of about 2,354.55 MHz of spectrum and Rs 98,995 crore from various levies and services in the telecom sector this financial year.



This is the first time airwaves in 700 MHz band will be put up for auction though the telecom industry said it was not prepared to use these airwaves. This airwave is considered as premium among all, as the cost of providing service in it is one-third of the cost of 3G services in 2100 MHz band.



The 700 MHz band alone has the potential to fetch bids worth Rs 4 lakh crore if all spectrum in it gets sold at the base price.



Telecom companies winning spectrum in 700, 800 and 900 MHz band will have to pay at least 25% of the bid amount initially within 10 days after the auction ends. Rest of the payment will have to be paid in 10 annual instalments after two years of moratorium. For rest of the bands, at least 50% of payment will have to made.
The draft National Education Policy 2016 proposes to have two levels of examinations for mathematics, science and English for Class 10 to improve the pass percentage.





The document titled Some inputs for Draft National Education Policy 2016 attributes the high failure rate in Class 10 examinations to poor performance in these three subjects.



Explaining the reasoning behind the proposal, it says: Students who intend to join courses/programmes for which science, mathematics or English is not a prerequisite or wish to shift to vocational stream after class-X will be able to opt for Part-B level examination.



Education activists in Bengaluru have raised their concerns about the policy. K V Dhananjay, legal advisor, Karnataka Unaided Schools Managements Association believes that if this proposal is implemented, students will have no motivation to work hard.



If the Central government tells students that it is okay to fall behind in Class 10 itself, what prospects do they have in their future?.



He argued that instead of promoting academic excellence, this move will dumb down the education system. Other countries like the USA brought down their standards decades ago and now they are regretting it. Dhananjay added that such a system would also harm the employment prospects of students in the future as private employers will not find them employable.



This is a very bad proposal as it would lead to filtration of students from the poor and marginalised section and perpetuate the varna system, said Niranjan Aradhya, fellow and programme head at the Centre for Child and the Law, NLSIU. Adding that the policy would close doors for students, he said, The entire draft NEP, in a subtle manner, implies that vocational education is for the poor and marginalised while higher education is for the rich and privileged.



The Centre for Child and the Law has submitted their observations and suggestions and an alternative policy document to the Ministry of Human Resources Development, which is accepting feedback on the draft till August 16.



On the other hand, long-time educator and Principal of Delhi Public School (North), Manju Arif said: It would welcome such a move as it will give students greater flexibility to concentrate on areas in which they are really interested. Everyone does not need to study higher level of trigonometry and calculus and this will reduce pressure on students, she added. On the risk of students opting for Part-B level to take an easy way out, she said that it is unlikely since parents are very closely involved in the decision of their children.



Anita Makharia is the parent of a Class 9 student and is unsure of what the proposal could mean for her child if it is implemented.



I would be concerned about how it is implemented, would colleges discriminate against students who have taken the lower level exams. She feels that the policy may discourage students from working hard and it would probably be better to have special classes for those who are falling behind.
On July 18, 2004, 12 Manipuri mothers threw off their clothes before Imphals historic Kangla Fort against the AFSPA that allowed army men to rape and kill Thangjam Manorama eight days before.





Assam Rifles men picked up Manorama from home claiming that she was member of a banned militant group. The next morning, her bullet-riddled body was found in a field. Autopsy report revealed semen marks on her skirt, confirming rape.



The daring act of the mothers, locally called Imas, brought the worlds attention on Armys atrocities in the state with AFSPA as a shield.



We protested naked to show the anger of mothers of Manipur, 71-year-old Soibam Momon Leima, one of the protesting Manipuri moms that day, said. (That day) we carried placards saying Indian Army rape us. We are yet to get justice. The mothers rallied around human rights activist Irom Sharmila Chanu, taking her struggle to the masses by holding relay fasts since 2008 in her support. They also formed Sharmila Kaba Apunba Lup(SAKAL) to spread her message.



Manorama is our daughter. Sharmila is also our daughter. Women, mothers and daughters, have sacrificed the most in decades of injustice in Manipur. Sharmila has done supreme sacrifice and it is because of her that the violations of AFSPA in Manipur is an issue the whole world knows about, Soibam Momon said.
More then her growing proximity to her boy friend Desmond Cuthino over the past one year, Irom Sharmila Chanu has been cut off from her family, supporters, civil society groups and media due to the new guidelines on meeting prisoners.



The new guidelines were issued in 2015 by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which according to Sharmilas close aides, have made it almost impossible to met her unless one went to court on her routine trial days and spoke to her for a minute or so.



This tactical isolation might have also contributed to her surprise decision to quit fast and join politics, said a larger section of people in Manipur who have closely worked with her.



The new rules are biased towards media and civil society groups. The new rules require the media to give an undertaking that they would obtain a no objection certificate from jail authorities to publish, broadcast or telecast any article or programme on jails or its inmates, and include a mandatory security deposit of Rs1 lakh which might be forfeited by the government, Said Baloo Liotongbam.



In the wake of the controversy over the BBC documentary Indias Daughter, in which a controversial interview with one of the convicted rapists lodged in Tihar jail were shown, the Centre had issued new guidelines.



According to Manipur government sources, after the new guidelines, apart from family members no one else had applied to meet Irom Sharmila. Although we as family dont fall under the ambit of the new guidelines, yet it has become difficult for us to get permission to meet her. So we are not aware what is going on in her mind, Sharmilas brother Irom Singhajit told DH.



Under the new guidelines, applications have to be submitted at least 30 days ahead of scheduled meeting.



After the Centre issued the new rules, we have been monitoring the applications more closely. The idea is not to stop people to meet her. If people apply, their application will be processed as per guidelines, said Manipurs additional chief secretary (home) Dr J SureshBabu.



Rs 1 lakh as security deposit is a big amount. In 2006, I first met Sharmila in the disguise of a student researcher and did a full length interview. It was more easy then and she was more aware of what is happening around her, explained an award winning journalist on condition of anonymity.



Nitish Kumar to lend support



Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will campaign for rights activist Irom Sharmila from Manipur when she contests the Assembly polls next year, a senior functionary of Janata Dal-United told DH, DHNS reports from New Delhi. We are supporting her and Nitish has pledged to campaign for her in then polls, Janata Dal-United general secretary Arun

Kumar Shrivastava said on Monday.
On the anniversary of Quit India movement, human rights activist Irom Sharmila Chanu would quit her 16-year fast demanding repealing of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, creating another historic moment.





In all likelihood, Manipurs iron lady as 44-year-old Sharmila is called- would end her fast at the Imphal court where she would be brought for a routine trial in an attempt to suicide case.



She will be produced before a judicial magistrate on Tuesday and the court might release her from judicial custody after she breaks her fast, the court-appointed legal council for Sharmila L Rebeda Devi said.



She has not informed us about the decision, but during her last hearing on July 27 she told the media that she would end the fast on August 9, Devi added. Sharmila may have to sign a PR bond before the court decides to release her.



Following Sharmilas decision, the state government reviewed the situation and might not oppose the court decision if it decides to release her.



One key consideration for us is her security. We have reviewed it. We will take necessary steps after court takes its decision Manipurs additional chief secretary (home) Dr J Suresh Babu told DH.



Manipur police have tightened the security since a large contingent of local and international media will be among the crowd with Sharmilas family and supporters to welcome her freedom. Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences special ward sources cited security concerns from preventing Sharmilas morning walks along the special ward compound. Security around the hospital has been doubled.



Sharmilas supporters and close aids remain tight-lipped about her plans, saying they are eager to discuss her plans. Many in Imphal believe her decision to quit fasting and contest the Manipur Assembly polls may have been influenced by her Goa-born British boyfriend Desmond Cuthino.



Desmond might have influenced (her decision), human rights activist Babloo Loitongbam said. We also think there could be a bigger plan behind the move. We are not aware of the developments in the special ward. But we respect and honour her decision.
With Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee all set to address her maiden rally at Tripura on Tuesday, the battle for Bengal has taken on a new shade.





The ruling party in Bengal is confident of making the same dent in the Left-ruled north-eastern state as it did in its home state.



Mamata has already sent second-in-command Mukul Roy to make arrangements in Tripura. While Roys two-day visit has set things in motion, Trinamool legislative group chief in Tripura Sudip Roy Burman, said, Mamata Banerjee has agreed to come on August 9. Well prepare our road map for the next Assembly polls here under her directions.



We are confident well be able to oust the Left regime in Tripura in the next Assembly polls. People in Tripura are fed up with the Left rule. The Left in Tripura will face the same fate they faced in Bengal in 2011, Burman said in Kolkata.
News / National

by Pamela Shumba

WAR veterans Council of Elders member George Mlala yesterday refuted reports that he was part of a group attempting a hostile takeover of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association.Over the weekend. Welfare Services for War Veterans, Collaborators and Ex-Detainees Minister Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube accused Mlala and the Minister of State for Manicaland Province Mandi Chimene of leading a faction within the ZNLWVA in a bid to destabilise and take over the association.Yesterday, Mlala accused Rtd Col Dube of failing to understand his duties. He claimed that the Minister wanted war veterans to be part of the Christopher Mutsvangwa-led group that was expelled from Zanu-PF"The Minister is saying we want to hijack the power of the war veterans. My question is how? Initially we didn't want to respond, we wanted to talk to him first but we felt that we have spoken to him several times trying to make him understand that he's minister of the war veterans not associations.It appears he doesn't understand War veterans and associations' affairs are two different things. His job is to administer the government policy not the war veterans association. He has no business in the association and he's misdirecting himself?" said Mlala."He was there at the solidarity march day on July 27 in Harare where we presented our case before the President in public. The President, in his response, said those that are acting now will remain acting and mobilise for the elections to put a new leadership. lie did not say the Minister will do that"That's where Rtd Col Dube does not understand. He said Chimene and I want to take over the war veterans association unprocedurally. I wonder what procedures he is referring to"Mlala said Rtd Col Dube should not accuse him of things that he had not done."There was no need to speak on behalf of the war veterans."He can talk as a minister with war veterans outside these associations not on behalf of the association. We want to talk to war veterans that are in Zanu-PF," he saidMlala said he was not aware of the High Court order which reportedly barred him as well as Chimene, Joseph Chinotimba, Charles Mpofu, Ester Munyaradzi, Stephen Moyo and Robert Mukwena from masquerading as ZNLWVA leaders, saying he had not been served with any court papers."I don't know about the court order. I've only read about it in the papers. I was not served with any papers. Until I get the papers from the court, I'm not in a position to talk about it," he said.Rtd Col Dube could not be reached for comment yesterday as his mobile phone continuously rang without being answered.
Newly appointed Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Monday allocated portfolios to the ministers in his 24-member Cabinet.





Rupani retained several key portfolios like home, mines and minerals, ports, information broadcasting, science and technology, general administration, industry, climate change and planning, among others.



Announcing the portfolios to the media, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said he would hold charge of the finance, roads and buildings, Narmada, Kalpsar, petrochemicals, urban development and urban planning portfolios. Senior minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama has been given the responsibility of revenue, education and parliamentary affairs.



Former speaker and tribal leader from South Gujarat Ganpat Vasava has been put in charge of tribal development, tourism and forests, while senior party leader from Saurashtra region and first-time Cabinet minister Chimanbhai Saparia was allocated the agriculture and energy portfolios. Saurabh Patel, who handled the energy portfolio since 2002, was dropped from Rupanis council of ministers.



Among the other Cabinet ministers, Babubhai Bokhiria has been allotted water supply, animal husbandry and cow conservation, fisheries, civil aviation and salt industry, while former deputy speaker Atmaram Parmar will handle ministries of social justice, defence and women and child welfare.
The Tourism department is planning to provide wayside amenities along major roads connecting destinations of tourist importance in the state.





These wayside amenities to be named Kuteera will necessarily have a cafeteria, pharmacy, information kiosk and a souvenir shop. The department is planning to set up such centres at various points along national highways, state highways and major district roads.



Usually, well-travelled stretches like Bengaluru-Mysuru highway have a good number of outlets offering wayside amenities.



However, it is found that there was a significant shortage of such organised wayside amenities along several major roads and it is on these stretches that the department plans to offer facilities for the travellers, Minister of State for Tourism Priyank Kharge said.



The process of working out the modalities for the project and the places where the wayside facilities could be offered is being finalised, Kharge said.



The minister said initially the Tourism department will take the initiative of setting up the wayside amenities on government property. Private players can also set up shop but they will have to function under the brand name Kuteera and follow the guidelines provided by the department.



Three types planned

Three types of Kuteeras are being planned. The basic type will have a coffee shop, a pharmacy, an information kiosk and a souvenir shop replete with handicraft items, sandalwood carvings, artefacts, incense sticks, metal lamps, Lambani jewellery, among others that reflect the culture and heritage of Karnataka.



The second type of Kuteera will also have rest rooms/dormitory, besides a retail store. The third type of Kuteera will have all the facilities available at a three star hotel, Kharge said. However, the department is initially focusing on the basic type of Kuteera.



Officials said it would take two to three months to finalise the modalities of the project. While the exact points where the tourism department will set up wayside amenities is yet to be identified, some of the stretches which are being discussed include, Belagavi-Vijayapura, Hosapete-Badami, Mysuru-Madikeri, Chikkamangaluru-Sringeri, Kalasa- Sringeri, officials said.




Union Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday promised to grant recognition to non-technical courses in the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) at Mysuru.





During his meeting with Karnataka Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy, the Union Minister said he was aware of the KSOU issue and promised to resolve the matter at the earliest.



While refusing to grant permission to technical courses of the open university, the minister said he favoured giving recognition to only non-technical courses.



However, he also said further details including certain terms and conditions for running courses would be intimated by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to the university separately, sources said.



Five MPs from Karnataka Pralhad Joshi, B Sriramulu, Karadi Sanganna, Suresh Angadi and Gaddi Gowdar were also present during the meeting. The UGC had earlier withdrawn recognition to courses run by the KSOU beyond 2012-13 on the charge of violating territorial jurisdiction. The UGC argued that KSOU can extend its courses in Karnataka, and not beyond, and also objected to technical courses.



The UGC took the decision after recommendations made by an Expert Committee which had earlier visited the university.




Bhilwara and Chittorgarh districts of south-eastern Rajasthan were pushed to the brink of floods as heavy rain pounded the region, forcing authorities to shift people to safer places.



Isolated places in the state received heavy to very heavy rain, with Kota district recording a downpour of 21 cm followed by Aklera in Jhalawar, which registered 16 cm.



Incessant downpour in Kota, Baran and nearby districts forced authorities to open 15 out of 18 gates of the Kota barrage. Kota municipal corporation sent rescue boats to Deoli locality to evacuate those marooned in the flood.



River Gambhiri that runs through Chittorgarh is flowing close to the danger mark, prompting city administration to put out a red alert.



Meanwhile, 13-year-old Arjun Aheer was washed away by floodwaters in a rivulet in Salawad Khurd village under Chechat police station in Kota district.



Twenty students were rescued in Bhilwara when their school bus plunged into the Palka river while crossing a flooded bridge at Bijoliya. Local villagers helped rescue the

children.



The bus was swept away by surging the river water. The driver of the bus, which belongs to the Acharya Vidhya Sagar School, will be booked for negligent driving as he ignored warnings by local people, police said.



The driver tried to cross the bridge with no railings around 7.30 am. There was about two feet of water on the bridge when the mishap occurred. As the front portion of the bus was stuck on the edge, it did not fall into the river, said District Collector Tina Kumar.



Four people stranded atop a house in the heavily flooded Mandalgarh were airlifted by an IAF helicopter from the Phalodi airbase. The situation was worsening as the flood water was almost sweeping the individuals caught in the house.



Defence PRO Lt Col Manish Ojha said, An operation was carried out by IAF personnel and four stranded persons. The four stranded people were rescued and were dropped off to safety at Road River junction near Ladpura, 45 kms south east of Bhilwara.


Police Complaints Authority chairman Justice M P Chinnappa, along with ADGP Sanjay Sahay and IGP Malini Krishnamurthy, both members of the Authority, on Monday took stock of the incidents that took place in Navalgund taluk after the rejection of Karnatakas interim plea by the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal.





Their visit follows those of ADGPs Raghavendra Auradkar and Kamal Pant.



They visited Yamanur, Alagwadi villages and Navalgund town and inspected the government offices and vehicles which were set ablaze by arsonists.



The team also visited eight houses in Yamanur village and collected information regarding police excesses during the Mahadayi protest.



The residents said that the police committed atrocities irrespective of gender and age. They said every day, officials are visiting the village and collecting information, but so far no action has been taken.



It seems that the probe is just an eyewash, said the residents.



Reacting to this, Justice M P Chinnappa said that the authority has collected information from the residents and has also held a meeting with the police officials.



A comprehensive report on the incidents will be submitted to the government soon, he said.



Give medical aid to atrocity victims

The High Court on Monday directed the government to provide medical and psychiatric treatment to the residents of Yamanur who suffered police brutality during the Mahadayi agitation.

Justice A N Venugopala Gowda who had sought details about the medical aid given to those injured said that he was not happy with the way the government had been treating these villagers. He said the compensation calculated and the assessment done on the property that had been damaged was not appropriate.

The Inspector General of Police was directed to visit the village, but he visited only six days later. The judge expressed displeasure over the way the State Human Rights Commission was handling such gross violation of human rights. Justice Gowda asked the government to form a separate medical team and treat the villagers with a human touch. He sought that a report be submitted in the next hearing on

August 16.
The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India on Monday submitted to the High Court that the Constitution of India empowers only the Central government to conduct a population census in the country.





The Central government counsel said that Article 245 and 246 of the Constitution empowers only the Central government to conduct the census and that it did not come under the jurisdiction of the state government. The petitioner, Shivraj Kanshetty, has challenged the state governments authority to conduct the caste census and the Central government had supported the petitioners contention.During the hearing, it was learnt that the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC) was not served the notice. A division bench comprising Chief Justice S K Mukherjee and Justice Ravi Malimath adjourned the hearing.
A 20-year-old youth from Kasaragod district has gone missing under mysterious circumstances, the mans family has said in a police complaint.



According to the complaint filed on August 5 by the family of Abdul Harris, the man, employed in Ernakulam, has not contacted them for over six months.



A native of Adhur village in the district, Harris has been working in Ernakulam for about a year. The family kept in touch with him through phone calls for six months but he has been untraceable for the past six months.



The police said the investigation has only commenced and it was too early to trace any potential leads to the case involving 17 others who are missing from the district. District Police Chief Thomson Jose denied reports that police have established links between the cases. At the moment, no such leads have been established. This is being treated as a man-missing case, he told DH on Monday.



The police are investigating the disappearance of men and women from Kasaragod and Palakkad amid unconfirmed reports that they have joined the Islamic State. The Kasaragod police are also interrogating Yasmin Ahmed, a 29-year-old woman from Bihar who was arrested in Delhi over her relationship with Abdul Rashid, one of the 17 people who have gone missing from the district.


The Bihar policemen, miffed over the Nitish regimes decision to suspend 11 station house officers (SHOs) for their failure in enforcing prohibition, are up in arms.





They have threatened a state-wide stir if the punitive order is not withdrawn.



The Bihar Policemens Association (BPA) has submitted a memorandum to DGP PK Thakur urging him to review the suspension orders of SHOs.



Cops punished



The association said many of the SHOs had, in fact, strictly enforced prohibition in their respective jurisdiction, but instead of being rewarded, they were punished.



Incumbent SHOs, and prospective candidates to be posted as SHOs, have written applications saying that they do not want such postings fearing their career could be ruined forever, said BPA president Mrityunjay Kumar Singh.



Actually, the entire controversy arose after the state government, in its bid to show its seriousness over prohibition enforcement, suspended 11 SHOs after charging them with laxity. The new excise policy stipulates three-year jail term if any officer is found guilty. It also says that if found guilty, the inspector rank police officers will not be eligible for holding the post of SHOs for ten years.



Following this episode, two SHOs in Bihar have requested their respective SPs to relieve them of their posting and deploy them to another departmental job.



The suspension order is unfair. We have petitioned the DGP and other senior officials to review the decision. If we fail to get justice, we will hold a meeting on August 28, and eventually chalk out a fresh strategy to lodge protests, including a state-wide stir, said the association leader.
The Union Health Ministrys failure to provide better treatment to thousands of tuberculosis patients in the last two years has prompted public health campaigners to hit social media in order to attract the prime ministers attention.



The ministry was at fault due to inordinate delay in finalising the tender and placing orders to the drug companies for supplying the medicines, which were to be given to the patients daily.



According to the World Health Organisation, daily dosage is likely to improve the chances of TB cure.



In December 2014, the Health Ministry announced rolling out a new scheme to provide fixed-dose combination (FDC) of TB drugs to people co-infected by TB and HIV and children with TB.



The plan was to initiate the treatment in 104 districts in five states and later expand it to the entire country for all TB patients.



Little headway



More than 18 months down the line, no medicine has reached the people. Out of 500 odd centres treating HIV patients, only 30 centres provide the FDC treatment.



The delay is due to mismanagement in procurement and tendering processes, a problem that affects not just TB, but also other essential medicines provided by the Indian government, said Mike Frick, senior project manager at Treatment Action Group, a US-based NGO that launched a Twitter campaign on the #brokenTBpromises.



It is unacceptable the government has taken more than 580 days to finalise the procurement when the daily FDCs used by most countries around the world are made in India by Indian generic manufacturers with good quality assurance, he noted.



Ministry officials pointed out the procurement order for the FDC for HIV/TB co-infected patients was finalised only in July, 2016.



The TB programme needs much more resources than it currently gets from the government. Without that, they just can't scale up daily therapy nationally, Madhukar Pai, associate director at the McGill University, Canada told DH.



Economic burden



With one death every 90 seconds and 12 lakh new infections each year, TB is India's biggest public health threat. The economic burden is enormous as the disease cost India $ 340 billion between 2006 and 2014.



A 2015 report of the joint monitoring mission for the TB control programme suggests that actual implementation of several changes in the TB control programme is being held up due to lack of timely decisions at the ministry.



There is also a huge fund deficit in the TB programme, which required an additional funding support of Rs 750 crores, says the report which the NDA government did not release to the public.


A Maoist, who later went against his comrades by unleashing terror against civil liberties activists, was killed in an encounter by the Telangana Police in Mahbubnagar district on Monday.





Nayeemuddin alias Bhongir Nayeem (40), as he was known, joined Maoism in 1989. He was involved in about 100 cases, including murders of IPS officer K S Vyas, surrendered Maoist Sambasivudu, his brother Ramulu, another ex-Maoist Patlolla Goverdhan Reddy, civil liberties leader Purushottam and lady balladeer Belli Lalitha, to name a few.



Escape



He had escaped the police net 11 times and was living underground since then. He was involved in large-scale extortion and settlement of land deals in Telangana.



Nayeemuddin rose to national fame after his involvement in the fake encounter of Sohrabuddin Shaikh. His role in the encounter came under the scanner after the Gujarat CID sleuths found that he was the third person who had travelled with Sohrabuddin and Kausar Bi from Hyderabad to Ahmedabad.



Nayeemuddin had invited Sohrabuddin, his wife and sister to Hyderabad for Eid.



He had also booked bus tickets for the couple to return to Gujarat. However, the police caught the couple midway and later killed them.



According to Mahbubnagar SP Rema Rajeswari, the district police, on a tip-off from Nizamabad, surrounded Millennium Township near Shadnagar in the morning and vacated surrounding houses as a precautionary measure.



The Greyhounds team - an elite anti-extremist force of the Telangana Police and special units challenged Nayeemuddin, who at that time was in his white SUV and had not been identified, opened fire on the police.



While his driver escaped, Nayeemuddin was shot dead in the exchange of fire that went on for 10 minutes.



The police later identified his body and reportedly found huge stash of cash at his hideout apartment in Narsingi where he was living with his family members under round-the-clock security by gang members.
News / National

by Nqobile Tshili

BULAWAYO police have arrested four men, including a married nurse, who allegedly gang-raped a 14-year- old Form Two girl at a party.The incident happened last week on Thursday at a house in Barbourfields suburb.Sources said the suspects, aged 24, 26, 27 and the 37-year-old nurse, took turns to rape die teenager, who is a pupil at Eveline Girls High School, after intoxicating her.The suspects cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim.The source said the 37-year-old married nurse is stationed at Mpilo Central HospitalActing police spokesperson for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Assistant Inspector Abednico Ncube said die four are assisting police with investigations."We're holding four men in connection with the rape of a juvenile. We can't disclose their names to protect the minorf said Asst Insp Ncube.He said the four first got the 14-year-old girl drunk before raping her."They gave the girl alcohol at the party alter she had been invited by one of her friends. The four then took the teenager to a secluded room where they took turns to rape her," said the acting police spokesperson for Bulawayo.Asst Insp Ncube appealed to youths to desist from taking alcoholic beverages and other intoxicating substances as they will be exposed to abuse."We want to urge teenagers not to participate in beer drinking parties. These activities destroy lives and expose them to all forms of abuse," he saidRecent police statistics reveal that 56 percent of rape cases in Bulawayo involve minors.In the first six months of the year 136 rape cases were recorded in the city.Police said of the 136 cases, 75 of them involved minor children.This year's statistics reveal a 15 percent decrease compared to last year. Between January and June last year, the city recorded 160 cases compared to 136 cases during the same period this year.Asst Insp Ncube said although the cases decreased, the figures were still high and of concern as crime needs to be eradicated completely."We hope to witness a further decrease in rape cases. As police, we envisage a crime free society. Parents shouldn't leave their children in the custody of male relatives as we've noted that most cases of child abuse involve relatives," he said.Police have repeatedly called on parents to play a leading role in ensuring the safety of their children.
Bowing to the widespread protests against the management of a private school in Uttar Pradeshs Allahabad town, which had termed the national anthem as un-Islamic and banned its playing on Independence Day, the administration sealed the school and arrested the manager.



According to police officials here on Monday, the manager of the school Zia-ul-Haq was arrested from his house late on Sunday night. The school, which had been running without recognition for the past several years, was also sealed.



Officials said that Haq had been charged under Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act.



Sources said that tension prevailed in the area, where the school was situated after scores of local residents and saffron outfits activists held a demonstration before Haqs house on Sunday night.



District education officials said that about 325 students of the school would be shifted to some other school.



The school management had imposed a ban on playing of the national anthem following objections from Muslim parents. Haq had said that some lines in the National Anthem were un-Islamic and therefore they could not be sung by Muslims.



The line...Bharat Bhagya Vidhata....is un-Islamic...for the Muslims only the Allah (Almighty) is their Bhagya Vidhata and no one else....Bharat is our country, Haq had said. He said that the national anthem had not been played at the school for the past 12 years.



As many as eight teachers of the school and the principal had resigned from the school in protest against the ban.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday came under heavy fire from the Opposition in Parliament for his silence on the ongoing violence in Kashmir, where the curfew continued for 31 days, throwing life out of gear.





Hindustan ka Taj jal raha hai, par uski garmi Delhi tak nahi pahuchti (Indias crown is burning but the heat hasnt yet reached Delhi), Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said during the Zero Hour.



Azads concerns were echoed by other leaders in the Upper House. Is issue par bhayanak shanti hai (there is dreadful peace on the issue), said JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav.



The unrest in Kashmir since the killing of terrorist leader Burhan Wani a month ago, has claimed 57 lives so far and injured more than 3,000 individuals. A large number of them are youngsters who were hit by pellets fired by the security agencies for crowd control.



More than 1,000 incidents of firing have taken place. Almost 8,000 are injured and 60 dead. Use of these pellet guns are inhuman and criminal, said CPM leader Sitaram Yechuri.



Following the reports of pellets permanently damaging the eyes of several youngsters, the Union Home Ministry created an expert panel to review the use of these weapons for crowd control. The panel will submit its report in two months.



The leaders suggested an all-party meeting and visit by an all-party delegation to the strife-torn Valley in the same manner as occurred in 2010. In 2010, when 120 people had died in stone pelting and retaliatory action by the police, the all-party delegation helped assuage the feelings of the people there, Yechury said.


A youth injured in clashes last week succumbed at a Srinagar hospital on Monday, taking the death toll to 57 in the ongoing unrest.



Strike, curfew and restrictions continued throughout the Valley for the 31st day in a row. Doctors at territory care SKIMS Hospital said Amir Bashir, a teenager from Shopian district in south Kashmir, succumbed to injuries at 6.30 am. They said he had been hit by pellets from a very close range on Friday which had perforated his skull at various places and damaged his brain severely.



Locals said Amir, a welder, was the lone bread earner in his family with his father physically challenged and mother a cardiac patient.



While the widespread unrest in the Valley triggered by the killing of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 entered into second month, the situation on ground seems to be deteriorating with each passing day.



Reports said dozens of people, including four women and a six-year-old boy, sustained pellet injuries in fresh protests that erupted in various areas of south Kashmir where curfew remained in force for the 31st day in a row here in most towns.



At least 12 people sustained injuries after security forces fired pellets on protesters in Semthan village of Bijbehara, Anantnag. Reports said the protest broke out after security forces personnel early in the morning barged into several houses and beat up the inmates, including women.



Doctors at Bijbehara hospital said a six-year-old boy received stitches in his eyebrow. Reports said six more youths sustained pellet injuries in the clashes that erupted in Rathsuna village of Tral in Pulwama.



Reports said protest rallies, which have become a common sight in south Kashmir during the ongoing unrest, were held in several areas of the south Kashmir with thousands of people waving Pakistani flags.



However, a police spokesman said except for the five minor incidents of stone pelting by miscreants on police deployments in Anantnag, Sopore and Bandipora districts, overall situation in the Valley remained normal and under control.



He said although restrictions under Section 144/CrPC remained in force in the Valley, curfew was imposed in some parts of Srinagar and Anantnag town only.



Rumours of the Army being called to maintain law and order in Kashmir were doing rounds throughout the Valley since last two days. However, the spokesman denied it.
Civic activists are disappointed that the government failed to include most of their suggestions in the rules on ward committees.





The committees have several functions such as ensuring proper utilisation of funds allotted to the wards, supervising the implementation of BBMP schemes and programmes and other projects at the ward level. Each committee has 11 people, including the corporator, who is the chairperson.



A group of activists had submitted to the Urban Development Department a total of 45 suggestions and objections to the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Act, 2011, and the draft rules on ward committees.



Among the suggestions were no veto power for the corporator, appointment of a chief executive officer for each ward, and disqualification of ward committee members and area sabhas who do not attend three consecutive meetings without prior notice and valid reason.



Kathyayini Chamaraj, executive trustee of CIVIC Bangalore, said, The veto power still lies with the corporator, despite the new rules.



This makes the concept of peoples participation meaningless.



D S Rajashekhar, president of Bangalore North East RWA, called the new rules disappointing. The ward committee is supposed to be democratic, but with veto power remaining with the corporator, the voice of the common man will be suppressed, he said.



The activists plan to meet Urban Development Minister Roshan Baig in this regard. Mayor Manjunatha Reddy said he was yet to look into the new rules. BBMP Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad was not available for comment.
A history-sheeter was hacked to death by his rival gang on Sunday night in HAL area.





The deceased has been identified as Vinod Raj (30), a resident of Manjunathnagar near HAL. The police have detained Shivaraj and Praveen, both residents of Sanjaynagar in connection with the murder.



Around 11 pm, when Vinod Raj and his associates were returning home, Shivaraj and his gang accosted them and started a fight. They chased Vinod and attacked him with lethal weapons. The local residents rushed Vinod to a hospital, but he was declared brought dead, said the police.



Shivaraj and Vinod were childhood friends and had started committing crimes together. Later, differences cropped up between them. Vinod had reformed himself and was into the sales of purified water. But, Shivaraj was waiting for an opportunity to murder him and attacked him on Sunday night, police added.
The width of secondary drain that connects the main rajakaluve was five metres until last weekend. On Monday, the residents of Shubh Enclave in Kasavanahalli woke up to a new plan that left them furious.



This is the same area where a posh villa and two buildings under construction were razed on Saturday and Sunday to make way for the stormwater drain from Kasavanahalli to Kaikondrahalli in the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency.



On Monday, there was a heated argument between local residents and officials over the alignment of stormwater drain. Residents of Shubh Enclave, which comprises around 100 houses were angry after officials changed the width of secondary drain from five metres to 7.4 metres. We are not sure which building will be brought down next. What if the BBMP officials demolish a house without confirming whether it has been built illegally? We do not want to take a chance. We have right to see the village map and cannot depend on the wisdom of one surveyor. The houses have been constructed spending our hard-earned money, said Vanitha Choonthur, residents association member.



Why are you not sticking to one map? Put the map that you are referring in the public domain? You are changing the alignment of the drain only to favour the rich and powerful, argued residents.



A BBMP official said that consisting of three secondary drains and two main drains, the rajakaluve connects two interlinking lakes (Kasavanahalli and Kaikondrahalli). Shubh Enclave is located on the downstream. As many as 28 properties including buildings that have illegally come up on the rajakaluve would be cleared during the drive, he added. The demolition drive will resume on Tuesday.



Geetha Pillai, a resident was worried that the officials would mess up with the map to favour the rich. We will not let our houses being razed unless BBMP officials prove that this is a rajakaluve, she said.



Ravichandra Reddy, a retired employee was angry when BBMP men went onto demolish his compound wall to save the portion of a posh neighbouring house being razed.



Mahendra Kumar, a software firm employee who lost his posh villa during the drive claimed that his house was demolished to favour the builder. There were similar complaints from residents of Avani Sringeri Nagar in Arakere on re-aligning the drains to favour the powerful.



Meanwhile, BBMP officials said they were going by the village map. The width of rajakaluve varies from different points, from five metres to 20 metres.



Wont spare anyone



KPCC Working President Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday said there was no question of sparing anyone in the demolition drive.



The drive to recover encroached land has been on for the last two years but is being taken on a priority basis after the recent floods in Bengaluru, Rao said in a statement.


Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said there was no question of stopping the BBMPs ongoing drive to demolish structures on stormwater drains.





The properties of builders and developers  however influential they might be  which have come up on lakebeds and stormwater drains, will not be spared. The government will not succumb to any sort of pressure, Siddaramaiah told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Bengaluru.



He rubbished charges that the government was targeting only the poor and middle-class families. If the drive is not taken up, there will be disastrous repercussions every time it rains. Thousands will have to suffer due to waterlogging and flooding. Bengaluru can turn into another Chennai, Siddaramaiah said, referring to last years floods in the Tamil Nadu capital. The chief minister said houses constructed on lakebeds were bound to be flooded when it rains, but ultimately the BBMP had to take the blame. He said an enquiry has already been ordered against officials who had violated rules by permitting such constructions. Action will be initiated against such officials, he said.



Siddaramaiah has also sought details of encroachment of rajakaluves (stormwater drains/ feeder canals) which had led to flash floods on July 28 and 29.



Replying to queries on the demolition drive to evict encroachment of rajakaluves, in the BBMP Council on Monday, Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad said the chief minister has asked him to fix the responsibility on the officials who issued A Khatha (revenue document) and sanctioned building plans on the rajakaluves.



Prasad told the Council that the width of a primary stormwater drain at Kasavanahalli was reduced from 50 metres to 10 metres.



He said Avani Sringeri Nagar Layout and Shubh Enclave were among those formed on stormwater drains.



The chief minister has assigned Additional Chief Secretary for Urban Development Department, Mahendra Jain, to head the panel to look into the files pertaining to the approvals and initiate criminal action against the officials responsible for giving permission. The Joint Commissioner of Bommanahalli Zone has been directed to provide the files.




News / National

by Thobekile Zhou

President Robert Mugabe has pleaded with frustrated Zimbabweans not to engage in violent protest to oust him.92-year-old Mugabe suggested that protests wont remove him from power."Things like protests don't pay; they end up being violent. What does it help to go to the streets and throw stones at police?" said Mugabe during his key note address at the National Hero's Arce."If it's an authorised demonstration, it should be peaceful. Not like Mawarire, who says get up and be violent""If it's a party that's trying to show its presence (via demos), we too will show our presence"Mugabe added: "Why do you like to overthrow government through Arab-like protests?"It shows you've failed to topple it via elections."If you want to remove the government, wait for the elections, not violent demos, that is what democracy dictates".
The RSS brass on Monday sent a strong message for a second time to all its cadres that it backed Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for strong action against self-styled cow protectors.



Modis remarks have apparently not gone down well with certain section of the VHP.

RSS deputy chief Bhaiyyaji Joshi on Monday condemned the attacks on Dalits in the name of cow protection.



A day earlier, Joshi had issued a statement asking people to expose a handful of anti-social elements spreading violence and trying to disturb social harmony in the name of cow protection, after Modi accused them of creating tension and conflict in the society.



The RSS second-in-commands statement came as some VHP leaders were quoted as saying that Modis statement was an insult to them and an attempt by the BJP to appease the minorities ahead of the 2017 Uttar Pradesh polls. They vowed to continue their work related to the protection of cows, saying they have been doing it for a long time.



VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain said, We do not like to comment on the issue. However, cow protection as been going on since long. We will continue to work for it.



Keen to show that the prime minister and the RSS were on the same page, Joshi termed the attacks on Dalits inhuman and urged state governments to take action against elements trying to disturb communal harmony and trust.



We appeal to all the sections of society to be aware of elements who want to disturb the environment of communal harmony and trust. We expect the administration to take speedy action against such individuals and groups who break the law, Joshi, who is RSS general secretary, said in a statement.
Unidentified men attacked an elderly couple by slitting their throats when they were taking a stroll in a park in northwest Delhi's Rohini area on Sunday.





While 56-year-old Kanchan died on the spot, her husband Kulbhushan Bhutani (60) is undergoing treatment and is in a critical condition.



Police said the crime appears to be a planned one as none of their belongings were robbed. Kanchans gold jewellery and mobile phone were recovered by the police. Police also found the knife used in the attack.



The couple, who had been residing in Prashant Vihars Laxmi Kunj apartments for the past 25 years, lived with two sons, their wives and children.



According to the police, the couple was attacked around 8.30pm on Sunday when they were sitting on a bench in a children's park near their house. Bhutani called his family, who were out at the movies, around 9.30 pm to tell them what had happened.



A dabbawallah rushed Bhutani to the Bhagwati Hospital, which is adjacent to the park in Rohini sector 13.



At the time of the attack, there were a number of people in the park. But it happened so suddenly and the killers ran away before anyone could see them, police said.



A family member said that Kanchan and Bhutani often went to the park after dinner for a 30-minute walk. So, the person who planned the murder knew when and where to find the couple alone, police said.



The MCD childrens park does not have security guards or CCTV cameras. There is police patrolling in the area once or twice a week, a resident of sector 13 said.



A neighbour said that Bhutani had a cable TV wires manufacturing business and this could be a case of rivalry within or outside the family. However, the police said that they could comment only after speaking to Bhutani.
By Philip Jacobson

28 July 2016 (mongabay.com)  On July 23 the local police headquarters in the Sumatran province of Riau released SP3 notices related to 15 companies that the Ministry of Environment and Forestry had listed in connection with last years fires. A SP3 is an official police document that confirms a case has been closed. No charges will be brought against any of the 15 firms. We are very disappointed with the issuance of the SP3, said Riko Kurniawan, the executive director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) in Riau province. It showed the police lacked seriousness in their pursuit of errant companies, he told Mongabay. This is one of the indicators to show how serious the government is  particularly law enforcement  to tackle forest fires, added Greenpeace Indonesia forest campaigner Teguh Surya. The El Nino weather event in 2015 prolonged the dry season and fueled annual fires that incinerated more than 2 million hectares in Indonesia. Much of what went up in smoke was highly combustible peat stored within marshes near the coastal areas of Riau, South Sumatra and West Kalimantan provinces. The result was a national health emergency and a disastrous spike in Indonesias greenhouse gas emissions. At one point Indonesias chief security minister said Indonesia would commandeer ships from the state ferry company to evacuate the helpless in their thousands. [] A letter seen by Mongabay illustrates one example of the slow progression of police investigations and poor interagency communication  problems widely believed to be hampering progress toward holding lawbreaking companies to account and establishing a meaningful future deterrent. The letter was sent by the head of a local policy implementation unit in Paser, a regency of more than 320,000 people in East Kalimantan province, to the office of the chief of East Kalimantan police. It refers to two police reports filed on June 19, 2014, and February 4, 2015, over the burning of land. Nothing has been done more than 25 months since the first report, the letter alleges. The clearing of land for oil palm plantations is still ongoing to this day along with the opening of new land for the plantation of oil palm seedlings, agency head Tatik Indawati writes. The unresolved cases above led to widespread destruction of forest and the people can see that above case has up to now not proceeded with no attempt made at legal action two years after our first report. [more]
28 July 2016, Rome (FAO)  With only a few weeks before land preparation begins for the next main cropping season, some 23 million people in Southern Africa urgently need support to produce enough food to feed themselves and thus avoid being dependent on humanitarian assistance until mid 2018, FAO said today. A FAO-prepared response plan aims to ensure that seeds, fertilizers, tools, and other inputs and services, including livestock support, are provided to small-holder farmers, agro-pastoralists and pastoralists to cope with the devastating impact of an El Nino-induced drought in the region. At least $109 million in funding is required to provide this urgently needed support. Farmers must be able to plant by October and failure to do so will result in another reduced harvest in March 2017, severely affecting food and nutrition security and livelihoods in the region, FAO warned.

Worst drought in 35 years

Two consecutive seasons of droughts, including the worst in 35 years that occurred this year, have particularly hit vulnerable families in rural areas, as prices of maize and other staple foods have risen. The result is that almost 40 million people in the region are expected to face food insecurity by the peak of the coming lean season in early 2017. All countries in Southern Africa are affected. The high levels of unemployment and sluggish economies, means that the main way people are able to access food is through what they themselves produce. Assisting them to do this will provide lifesaving support in a region where at least 70 percent of people rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, said David Phiri, FAOs Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa. We must make the most of this small window of opportunity and make sure that farmers are ready to plant by October when the rains start, he added. The FAO response plan covers 10 countries  Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe  which requested specific assistance.

Responding to El Nino, preparing for La Nina

The impact of El Nino continues to be felt, with the effects of the drought expected to peak during the lean season between January and March 2017, FAO said. Widespread crop failure has exacerbated chronic malnutrition in the region. More than 640,000 drought-related livestock deaths have been reported in Botswana, Swaziland, South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe alone due to lack of pasture, lack of water and disease outbreaks. FAO urges investments that equip communities with the ability to produce drought-tolerant seed and fodder, along with climate-smart agriculture technologies like conservation agriculture. The aim is to enable rural families to build resilience and prepare for future shocks. El Ninos counter-phenomenon, La Nina, is likely to occur later this year and while it could bring good rains that are positive for agriculture, measures must be taken to mitigate the risk of floods which could destroy standing crops and threaten livestock, including making them more vulnerable to disease. Key mitigation measures include strengthening river banks, building of small dams to reduce flash flooding and stockpiling of short-cycle crop varieties which can be planted after flooding subsides and still yield a decent crop. The complexity and scale of the crisis facing the region demands strong collaboration among humanitarian agencies, regional authorities and national governments. FAO is working closely with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), as well as with the World Food Programme and other United Nations agencies within the framework of the Regional Interagency Standing Committee (RIASCO). FAOs call for more funding comes on the heels of an SADC regional humanitarian appeal, launched in Gaborone on 26 July 2016 by the SADC Chairperson and President of Botswana, Seretse Khama Ian Khama. The SADC appeal put the overall price tag of helping all sectors of the regions economy recover from the 2016 El Nino at $2.7 billion, of which $2.4 billion is yet to be funded.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe Vigil and its sister organisation Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) will be staging mock citizens' arrests of Robert and Grace Mugabe, plus John Mangudya (Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe) on Friday 12th August in Brighton for crimes against both the people and economy of Zimbabwe.Mugabe will be symbolically apprehended by human rights activist, Peter Tatchell, who unsuccessfully attempted to arrest Mugabe in 1999 and 2001. The three will be marched 110 km to London for trial at the Zimbabwe Vigil at 3 pm on Saturday 13th August.The Brighton to London Walk is to 'Mourn the Death of Democracy and Human Rights in Zimbabwe'. it was born of an idea by Rashiwe Bayisayi who was inspired by the play 'After Independence' written May Sumbwanyambe at the Arcola Theatre, Dalston, London. The Vigil and ROHR performed protest songs and dances to drumming at the Arcola Theatre after the performance on Africa Day, 25th May 2016.The date of the walk was inspired by the Heroes' Day celebrations in Zimbabwe. The idea of the arrests was added to underline Zimbabwe's current problems of economic collapse and civil unrest.Some 30 Zimbabwean exiles including victims of torture will start out from Brighton at 6 am on Friday taking their 3 'prisoners' with them. The trial outside the Zimbabwe Embassy at 3 pm on Saturday will reflect an actual legal challenge against Mugabe in Zimbabwe brought by the #Tajamuka protest movement on Friday 5th August 2016.The Walk will raise funds via sponsors and donors to help with the current plight of children in schools in Zimbabwe, to raise awareness for the Zimbabwean diaspora globally to challenge Mugabe and to provide legal protection to those bravely operating in Zimbabwe against the oppressive Zanu PF regime. If you wish to sponsor thisevent, contact details are below.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Robert Mugabe has called for unity of purpose for the development of the country.He said this while addressing thousands of people at the Heroes Day commemorations at the National Heroes Acre in Harare today.Mugabe paid tribute to the gallant sons and daughters of the soil who perished during and after the liberation struggle, saying Zimbabweans need to respect their sacrifice by working together regardless of political differences.Mugabe expressed concern at the protests against the introduction of Statutory Instrument 64, which he said is meant to protect the local industry."We say no to such actions, there is no country globally that allows dumping and does not protect its industry," said Mugabe, adding that people must understand the motive behind SI64.He warned other groups, including political parties and individuals such as Pastor Evan Mawarire for leading current demonstrations."If you want to show that you can throw stones at police officers, we won't accept that. For those political parties who after failing dismally in elections and see these protests as a way to unseat this government, remember we were elected into office. If you want your presence to be felt, then remember we are also there," Mugabe warned.On drought, the President said government will continue to import food to address the problem, adding that all Zimbabweans across the political divide will benefit."No Zimbabwean will starve as the government will continue importing grain o mitigate against the E-Nino induced drought. We say no to discrimination during food distribution, on whatever grounds, be they ethnic, tribal, and political belonging or affiliation," he said."From December, the government will embark on command agriculture to encourage the production of food crops, a development aimed at ensuring food security in the country," added Mugabe.He then hailed the new curriculum to be implemented in the education sector, saying it will help the country churn out students with skills relevant to the ever-changing global demands.Other commemorations were held in several centers across the country as the nation remembers the gallant sons and daughters of the soil who sacrificed their lives for a free and independent Zimbabwe.
News / Press Release

by Vince Musewe

Zimbabwe continues to attract paltry foreign investment amounts simply because we are not geared to welcome new investments into the country and thereby make it easy for foreign companies to establish themselves, create jobs and sustainable incomes for our people. This is despite ZANU (PF)'s stated intentions of making it easy to do business in the country, attracting foreign investment and creating the missing 2 million jobs.The recently reported denial of visas by our immigration services for Aliko Dangote's technical team is a ridiculous development which needs to be condemned with the contempt it deserves. In addition to that, the revelation that Ravi Jaipuria, the Indian billionaire who will be investing $30 million in a Pepsi bottling plant which is estimated to create about 400 direct and 1500 indirect jobs, had to seek special favours from the President in order to expedite his investment is just not good enough and typical. We should really be laying out the red carpet for anyone who wants to invest in an economy that is regressing and needs to create new jobs as a matter of urgency.When we make it cumbersome for potential investors to come and set up in the country this negatively impacts any investor confidence out there, while creating loopholes for patronage and bribery. Why should any investor seek favours from a President of a country that is on the brink of economic collapse? Instead, a normal President should really be doing whatever it takes to welcome investors into the country.As PDP we have always said that ZANU (PF) is incapable of any meaningful economic reforms and blindly continues with its moribund and inconsistent approach to business while it continually frustrates potential foreign investors.Firstly, we have to repeal the Indigenisation Act in its entirety. Second we must make sure that our immigration regulations allow investors to come into the country with minimal fuss without any unnecessary delays or favours from the President. We must also ensure that we reduce the amount of licences and approvals for investors especially when they intend to invest in critical sectors such as manufacturing.We at PDP keep advising on these issues, but nothing seems to change. The patronage culture within ZANU (PF) is so pervasive and we all know that they can never reform the economy and leave the business sector alone to do what it knows best.Since time immemorial, ZANU (PF) continually wants to play the gate keepers, something which they have incessantly proved to be very bad at. This practice continues to fuel a looting machine of corrupt Ministers and senior government officials who demand upfront fee payments for deals. This not only increases the cost of doing business in the country but also discourages other potential investors.When we at PDP take over government, something which should happen sooner rather than later, we will ensure that foreign investors get priority treatment and can enjoy their visit to the country so that they want to come back. We must always remember that successful investors talk about their experience to other investors out there and can be our ambassadors.Secondly, we will ensure that we put into place incentives to shorten the investment process without the need for the President to intervene and give special favours. Zimbabwe has to compete with countries such as Rwanda where it takes a couple of days to invest with minimal red tape. We can also do that here in Zimbabwe.Zimbabwe needs new long term private capital as a matter of urgency and our new government will ensure that we re-package and re-position our country as one of the best investment destinations in Africa. Our long term vision as PDP is to create a vibrant multi-billion dollar economy with full employment, something which ZANU (PF) has dismally failed to do.As PDP we insist that the only way forward is to bring in a National Transition Authority (NTA) now to arrest the economic decline, implement fundamental economic and political reforms and revive our industry to create decent jobs for our people.This needs to happen before ZANU (PF) destroys any chances of economic revival by frustrating those who wish to take the risk and invest in our economy at this juncture.Another Zimbabwe is possible!
The renders look similar to another Sony device reportedly codenamed F8331, which was leaked last month.

Renders of an unannounced Sony smartphone tipped to be the Xperia XR has been posed by leakster, @OnLeaks. The renders closely resemble images of another Sony phone reportedly codenamed F8331, which were leaked last month. Like the previously leaked images, the renders suggest that the device might come with a USB-C port and a redesigned rear camera module with dual-LED flash. @OnLeaks has also noted that the phone will measure 146.4x71.9x8.1mm in size, so it might be slightly thicker than the Xperia X, which measures 7.7mm in thickness.

The Sony F8331 has previously been spotted on GFXBench and as per the listing, the device might sport a 5.1-inch Full HD display. It is tipped to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC with 3GB RAM, and might offer 32GB of internal storage along with Android Marshmallow. It may also come with a 21MP rear and 12MP front camera, both capable of recording 4K videos.

Speculations suggest that the device might be unveiled at IFA 2016. It is not known if the company plans to launch the device in India. Sony did not launch its current flagship device, the Xperia X Performance in India, leaving the Snapdragon 650-powered Xperia X to lead its lineup in the country till now. Hopefully, the company has delayed the Xperia X Performance to introduce newer devices in multiple price points.

Image source: @Onleaks
BMR Group has signed an off-take and purchase agreement with African Compass International (ACI) to provide funding for the construction of the Kabwe mine in Zambia.

The agreement provides for the off-take by ACI over a minimum five-year period, beginning within six months of commissioning of the Kabwe plant, of a minimum of 500 tonnes per month of agricultural grade zinc sulphate heptahydrate, 300 tpm of lead sponge and 300 tpm of LME grade 'A' electrolytic zinc cathodes, each to a specified quality.

BMR said it was estimated that sales of the minimum quantities of these three products from the plant, as it is proposed to be configured, would generate gross revenue of at least $750,000 per month at current prices.

The agreement also provides that ACI will agree to make available to BMR in September 2016 a trade finance facility of $3.5m, which BMR intends to use to finance in part the construction of the plant at Kabwe.

BMR chairman Alex Borrelli said: We are delighted to have secured an additional loan facility, now agreed at $3.5m, which further substantiates our planned Kabwe operations. Our continuing progress on our schedule of works at Kabwe remains in line for completing the plant construction for commissioning in early 2017."

At 0950 BST, BMR shares were up 10.5% to 6.08p.
Graphene and nanomaterials commercialisation company Haydale Graphene Industries announced on Monday that its wholly-owned subsidiary Haydale Limited has funded a new professorial chair appointment within Swansea University's Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating.

The AIM-traded firm said the WCPC is one of the world's leading centres for research and development of printing and coating processes.

Professor Tim Claypole MBE, founder and director of WCPC, has been appointed as the Haydale Supported Chair in Advance Manufacture by Printing.

Haydale said Claypole took up the role on 1 July.

The company has existing links with the WCPC, and said the new appointment will provide it with a dedicated ink and coating service capability, to assist the company in developing and commercialising their inks together with ongoing research, formulation, and rheology.

Additionally, the University's College of Engineering will appoint a new professor to provide additional leadership capability in the area of functional coatings, Haydales board said.

I am pleased that we are sponsoring this chair which is a natural progression of our existing relationship with the WCPC, said Haydale CEO Ray Gibbs.

We have already achieved good results with our graphene based inks and derivatives of it such as the patent applied for pressure sensor.

We anticipate that this appointment will assist us in the commercialisation of our graphene enhanced conductive inks as Tim has a worldwide reputation in the ink, printing and coating world, Gibbs added.

Claypole said the WCPC is focused on collaboration with industry, and the development strengthens its relationship with Haydale, which has been built up over many years.

This new chair reinforces our position as a world leading centre for advanced manufacture by printing, working with companies who are at the leading edge of technology, Claypole explained.

Our relationship with Haydale is helping the WCPC engage with industry Worldwide, especially in Asia and South America, as well as in Europe.
Oil and gas exploration and production company President Energy updated the market on its Argentine and Louisianan operations on Monday.

The AIM-traded firm said that at the Dos Puntitas Field on the Puesto Guardian Concession in Argentina, it has now accepted the drilling rig commenced drilling the DP1002 S/T development well, as initially flagged on 28 June 2016.

Whilst it is not possible to be precise on timing due to the fact that this is the first horizontal well to be drilled in the concession, estimated drilling time, excluding completion, is considered to be approximately one month, Presidents board said in a statement.

The board said the well is the first of the three horizontal wells in the programme.

The drilling campaign has been undertaken with the objective of increasing sustainable production from the concession to over 1,000 barrels of oil per day.

At the East White Lake field in Louisiana, where President has a 22% net revenue interest, it confirmed that drilling of the A55 S/T well has successfully taken place.

Results of the logs and side well cores show good quality sand with aggregate net oil pay in excess of 40 feet with one section being 28 feet of Y2 sand at a depth of between 9,360 [and] 9,390 feet with 25% porosity, the board said.

The well is now being completed as a producer and is expected to be online in September 2016.

President said the well will make a positive contribution to its net production in Louisiana.

The company said it expects initial production to be in line with similar wells which have had initial gross flow rates of at least 250 barrels of oil per day.
Sound Energy has confirmed a significant gas discovery and a potential single gas column at its Tendrara licence, onshore Morocco.

The company had already announced that the first Tendrara well, TE-6- was drilled to a measured vertical depth of 2,665 metres, and encountered the top of the structure and approximately 28 metres of net gas pay.

Sound said on Monday that it has now completed operations and on 7 August achieved a stabilised gas flow rate, post stimulation, of 17m standard cubic feet per day, which is significantly above initial expectations and represents a highly commercial rate.

The group also said the Tendrara gas discovery could comprise a significant gas column within a continuous extended structure.

Together with Schlumberger, Sound Energy is now preparing the second well at Tendrara, TE-7, using sub-horizontal drilling techniques which are expected to significantly increase the individual well flow rate in a success case.

Chief executive officer James Parsons said: I believe Tendrara, Meridja and the Eastern Morocco TAGI play have the potential to be a material hydrocarbon province on a regional scale and therefore to transform both Sound Energy and the Moroccan gas industry.

At 0812 BST, shares were up 5.4% to 63p.
All eyes were on the energy patch at the start of the week, after a report from the Journal indicated that the Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries would hold informal talks on the sidelines of an industry event in September.

Some OPEC countries, such as Ecuador, Venezuela and Kuwait wanted to make another attempt at reaching an agreement on an oil production freeze with countries from outside the cartel, such as Russia.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak on Monday said he would be willing to discuss a freeze with OPEC if prices fall further, Interfax reported.

Front month Brent crude futures advanced 2.51% to $45.41 per barrel on the ICE, alongside a gain of 2.90% to $43.05 per barrel.

In parallel, heating oil futures climbed 2.07% to $1.3443 per gallon on NYMEX but RBOB gasoline futures were about flat, up by just 0.03% to $1.3767 per gallon.

Meanwhile, the spot US dollar index edged higher by 0.23% to 96.417 as the Bloomberg commodity index rose 0.51% to 84.28 as of 19:05 BST.

Precious metals prices were little changed, with December 2016 gold futures on COMEX drifting just 0.16% lower to $1,342.30 per ounce.

Silver futures on the other hand were off -0.01% to $19.82/oz..

The September 2016 copper contract on COMEX rose 0.56% to $2.1660 per pound. Chinas imports of unwrought copper and semi-fabricated copper continued to slow sharply, Barclays pointed out in a research report sent to clients.

However, that was partly offset by continued strength in imports of copper ore and concentrate.

Overnight, the most heavily traded iron ore contract for September on the Dalian Commodity Exchange finished the day up by 3.4% at 503 yuan, near its loftiest mark since late August 2014.

Chinas iron ore imports grew 8.3% month-on-month to 88.4 metric tonnes in July. The average daily import was 2.85mt, the highest level this year, Barclays said.

Out on the Shanghai Futures Exchange, construction steel product rebar ended the day up by 4.1% at 2,607 yuan per tonne.

Soft commodities gave back some of the previous sessions gains, with CBoT corn futures declining 0.30% to $3.3325 per bushel, while ICE traded cocoa futures gave back 0.53% to close at $2,970.00 per metric tonne.

Cotton futures slipped 0.53% to $76.33 per pound on the ICE, alonside a 0.39% dip in live cattle CME futures to $1.1508 a pound.
Opinion / Columnist

ZIMBABWE commemorates Heroes' Day today at a time when the nation is seized with misguided individuals calling for the Zanu-PF Government to step down to make room for a situation that is not exactly clearly spelt out. In that mixture of Zanu-PF succession controversy and confusion about what dispensation would follow the demanded resignation of either President Mugabe as head of state or that of the Zanu-PF administration, a significant segment of war veterans has been involved. But the ruling party is not really the core subject of discussion today - the veterans of our liberation war are.It is important to understand that war veterans can be placed into several categories that emerged at the attainment of independence in April 1980. At that time, some guerrillas surrendered their weapons and returned to civilian life as mere villagers or peasants.A large number preferred to be integrated into various sections or departments of the country's security forces: the army, the police and the correctional and prison services. Some war veterans joined the Zimbabwean civil service as represented by the Public Service Commission and also those employed by local government authorities.A significant number got employed by industrial and commercial organisations, with some becoming employers as they turned into commercial entrepreneurs or industrialists.Some former guerrillas chose to join various political parties as leaders, activists or passive members. It is some of these activists who are publicly featuring in Zimbabwe's current developments.There are also former guerrillas who have joined religious organisations, particularly Christian churches either as ordinary members or as leaders at one or other levels. Former guerrillas are found also in the ranks of traditional religions throughout the country.Christian churches as a general tradition base their political doctrines and guidelines on various biblical statements, historical occurrences, injunctions and moral teachings. Whereas most of those churches urge their members to be guided by their individual consciences as to what to support politically, Jehovah's Witnesses preach that their members should leave politics to God who will sooner or later come down to rule the world.We also find some former guerrillas in the professions, that is, in the academia as school teachers, lecturers, professors, and also as lawyers, medical doctors, nurses, bankers and as architects and town planners.Some of the former guerrillas are vendors, and are to be found on pavements selling whatever trinkets and commodities they can afford to order locally or from some neighbouring countries.The public transport sector has its share of former guerrillas, and so has the hotel, travel and tourism, including safari operations.The classification into several situations in which Zimbabwe's war veterans are, is not complete without mentioning those who are living in the diaspora where those with trades or professions live relatively comfortably.But many who have neither skills nor professional qualifications live from hand-to-mouth, and are usual deportation targets.We can say without any hesitation or doubt that in spite of these gallant sons and daughters finding themselves in whatever situation, having different daily needs, social and economic threats, they are as united on the defence of their country's independence today as they were while they were fighting for it.A former guerrilla who is now pushing a cart (Scania) or selling whatever item on the streets of Zimbabwe is surely as deeply proud of his or her country's sovereignty today as he was deeply committed to achieving it during the liberation struggle.That is a fact every genuine former freedom fighter would wish to uphold in spite of any negative social or economic development that has occurred in the country since Zimbabwe's attainment of independence.It is very important to remember that politics is all about the acquisition and utilisation of two things: power and space.Policies, laws, rules, regulations and their enforcement represent practical power. Space is represented by the sovereign state's territory: the land, the air, and water if it is a maritime state.The objective of our independence was not to gain empty political power, but to use that power to exploit resources in and on our space for the betterment of our lives. That was the real aim of the liberation struggle in economic terms, and that is what every former guerrilla should be doing as his or her priority.Now that the land (space) is in our hands, able-bodied Zimbabweans should be doing something every day to produce food, beverages, clothing, or transport, educational, medical and other services for themselves and for their respective communities.While some have opted to pursue politics fulltime, most former guerrillas are in other national sectors, the largest number being undoubtedly in agriculture in the rural areas.These should leave full time politics to those who design and implement political party policies while they concentrate on national socio-economic development.That can be done by exploiting locally available resources such as timber, minerals, gravel, grass, wild game, soil, water, fish and other ecological products at ward level. The aim would be to create employment locally and to sell some products outside respective wards and thereby bringing monetary wealth into the wards.Ward projects can range from brickmaking to furniture manufacturing. Some wards may be more suitable for chicken or pig projects than for furniture or timber projects. It is easy to decide what project to start on the basis of the availability or material, the market, manpower, management, money, the well-known five "Ms", with motivation as the final element of that industrial development mix.The main aim for such projects would be to generate employment, improve people's living standard, build the national economy, raise people's per capita income, and to curb the tendency for some people to seek employment abroad. It is high time we practise liberation struggle slogan: from each according to his ability, and to each according to his needs.With the land (space) in our hands, natural resources are thus in our possession, and that is what we fought for. What is required now is to turn the soil, water, timber and grass into comfortable residential houses; timber into beds, tables, wardrobes, chairs and sofas; minerals into financial wealth; various other resources and agricultural products into food, beverages, clothing and bedding for our comfort.We should remember that unity among war veterans means national peace and progress; disunity is retrogressive.Saul Gwakuba Ndlovu is a war veteran and a retired Bulawayov - based journalist. He can be contacted on cell 0734 328 136 or through email. sgwakuba@gmail.com
Botox maker Allergan reported a jump in second-quarter revenue but a wider loss on the back of discontinued operations.

Revenue in the quarter edged up to $3.68bn from $3.63bn in the same period last year, but this missed expectations of $3.72bn.

The Dublin-based drug maker, which terminated its planned merger with Pfizer in April, said its loss in the quarter widened to $501.7m from $243.1m.

Allergan said that as a result of the decision to hold the sale of its Anda distribution business to Teva as of 30 June and the now completed divestiture of its Global Generics business to Teva on 2 August, the second-quarter results of these businesses are being reported as discontinued operations.

The company reported Botox sales of $719.7m, up from $631.4m in the second quarter of 2015 and ahead of estimates of $699.5m.

Chief executive officer and president Brent Saunders said: "2016 has been a year of significant, positive transition for Allergan. On August 2, we announced the completion of the divestiture of our Global Generics business, and on August 3, announced the proposed divestiture of our Anda distribution business, to Teva.

These steps position Allergan as a pure branded focused business able to maximize the power of its therapeutic areas and the promise of its leading Open Science pipeline of 65+ mid-to-late stage development programs.

At 1450 BST, Allergan shares were down 3.2% to $245.75.
European aircraft manufacturing giant Airbus is being investigated by the UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) for alleged fraud, bribery and corruption.

The SFO is investigating alleged irregularities to third party consultants and inaccuracies in applications for UK government credit guarantees.

In April, British authorities halted export credit applications to Airbus, later Germany and France also halted finance to the aircraft manufacturer.

Export credits are underwritten loans offered to foreign buyers of British products, in order to support exporters. Airbus uses the loans from government agency UK Export Finance (UKEF) to finance 6% of its deliveries.

The France-headquartered company said it is co-operating with the SFO, which initially launched the investigation in July.

Airbus said last week it had discovered inaccuracies in applications for export support.

On Sunday, Airbus confirmed in a statement it was being investigated by the SFO "into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption in the civil aviation business of Airbus group relating to irregularities concerning third party consultants".

In 2014, the SFO began investigating the French aeroplane maker's operations in Saudi Arabia, examining possible corruption in Airbus's GPT Special Project Management, a subsidiary that provides communications services for the Saudi National Guard.

The investigation, Reuters said, concerns allegations of bribery in connection with a $3.3bn contract to provide communications and intranet services for the Saudi National Guard is ongoing.

Shares in Airbus were down 0.37% to 50.81 cents at 1051 CEST.
Economic sentiment in the eurozone improved more than expected in August, according to the latest survey by Frankfurt-based research group Sentix.

The index gauging economic confidence among investors rose to 4.2 from 1.7 the month before, exceeding expectations for a reading of 3.0

Sentix said: "The Brexit shock only lasted a short while. Worries about an economic slowdown have not grown further.

The sub-index tracking expectations for the eurozone economy rose to 4.8 from -2.0 in July, but the current situation index fell to 3.8 in August from 5.5  the lowest reading since last February.
Donald Trump was set to deliver a speech promoting trade protectionism following his recent setbacks in the polls, the Financial Times reported.

The Republican candidate to the US presidency was expected to make a push on the economic debate on Monday, one of the few areas in which polls showed him having a lead over his Democratic party rival Hillary Clinton, the Financial Times reported.

Real Clear Politicss most recent average of polls showed Clinton now had a seven point lead.

Two of Trumps advisers told the FT the backbone of his plans to reinvigorate the American economy was his trade doctrine, as well as forcing the Peoples Republic of China and other trading partners into renegotiating their economic ties with the US via the application of defensive tariffs.

Trump reportedly would also make the argument for trade and tax incentives aimed at pushing American firms to repatriate jobs and profits held overseas.

In parallel, and in what the FT described as an olive branch to the US Chambers of Commerce, who had openly challenged his protectionist views on trade, the Republican candidate was expected to detail proposals on tax reform and cuttting red-tape.

Since China joined the World Trade Organisation 15 years before, the economy had grown at an average rate of 1.8%, versus the 3.5% clip it registered between 1947 and 2001, according to Peter Navarro, one Trumps advisers.
Several lawsuits have been filled in a single claim asking the Supreme Court to rule that the Prime Minister needs to seek approval of parliament before invoking Article 50, the two-year process to leave the European Union.

Claimants include a hairdresser and an investment entrepreneur, who bought the case to law firm Mishcon de Reya, who want Theresa May to obtain and act of parliament before initiating Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty. They claim that to not do so would be unlawful.

Most MPs campaigned to remain in the EU and a parliamentary vote would force them to choose between ensuring economic stability by placating financial markets or carrying out the will of the electorate.

The case is likely to be bought to the Supreme Court by the end of this year. May previously said she would not activate Article 50 until 2017.

This will be one of the most important constitutional law cases ever decided," University College London law professor Jeff King told Bloomberg.

According to lawyers and judges interviewed, the case could put the power of the judiciary against the authority of the Prime Minister and the government.

At a hearing on 19 July, the claimants were identified as entrepreneur Gina Miller, co-founder of investment group SCM Direct, and hairdresser Deir dos Santos were the only claimants identified, with others said to be put off by racist and anti-semitic abuse.

At the hearing Lord Justice Brian Leveson, renowned for his inquiry into the newspaper phone hacking scandal, said the case will be taken very seriously.

He said the court takes this litigation very seriously and will move expeditiously" and said as it was "of such constitutional importance it is difficult to see why" it would not move quickly to the supreme court after a two-day hearing on 15 October.

It is possible that the court could say the government could invoke Article 50 with or without a vote in parliament. The lawsuit could also delay the decision while legal challenges play out and risk jail time for government ministers who ignore the courts decision. Parliament could also vote for Brexit anyway, even if claimants win.

The British constitution is not written down, unlike the US, instead it was developed over the centuries from laws, customs and judicial rulings, which is one of the reasons why some lawyers have suggested it is a crucial matter of constitutional law for the PM to first gain authority from Parliament before enacting Article 50.

The case heightens uncertainty surrounding the referendum result as it was not legally binding, but politically charged.
Save my User ID and Password

Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site.

Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site.
Hungry for comfort food? Here are five destinations to try in Columbus
Opinion / Columnist

Call it regime Change, removal of Mugabe from office or whatever it is, the uncomfortable truth is it will only serve the interests of the people of Mashonaland, Matebeles do not stand to benefit from it.The removal of President Mugabe or Zanupf from power will not solve Matabeleland grievances which are: genocide, oppression, marginalisation, self determination, tribal segregation and hegemony.What makes things worse is that the current crop of politicians from Mashonaland and Shonas at large do not recognise our complaints as grievances at all. They think of them as tribalism. How they arrive at that conclusion is not very difficult to tell.It must be remembered that every oppressive system has its own beneficiaries and supporters. The white oppressive system had whites as its beneficiaries. Zimbabwe is no exception. Zanu-pf is the architect of the Shona supremacist system and all Shonas are beneficiaries regardless of political affiliation. Like all beneficiaries of oppressive systems in the world, Shonas do not wish the oppressive set up in Matabeleland to go.The above answers the question why Shonas deny the existence of Matebeleland genocide. Why Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights refused to represent Paul Siwela, John Gazi and Charles Thomas who were charged with treason for advocating for the restoration of the statehood of Matabeleland. Reason for refusal were based on tribal grounds.But 200 of them flooded Harare Magistrate's Court to represent one man, Evans Mawarire, simply because he is their kith and kin, and he represents what they regard as the correct political ideology. The same happened when war vets, Victor Matematanda and Douglas Mahiya were arrested for writing a treasonous communique. War vets are well known human rights abusers popular for forcing people to join Zanupf and grabbing farms from white people.We strongly believe that by now, Matebeles understand why Morgan Tsvangirai, Evans Mawarire and organisations like Tajamuka and war vets parrot that Mugabe started off as a good leader and that he must step down and save his legacy. What legacy? Mugabe started his career by spilling innocent blood in Matebeleland. Is that good leadership?Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is heavily dominated by Shona people. Like the government of Zimbabwe and many other Shonas, they believe that Matebeles are second class citizens who have no rights to legal representation, no rights to resources, no rights to education, no rights to employment, no rights to economic opportunities, no rights to leadership positions and no rights to self determination.It is vividly clear that Mashonaland's grievances are not our grievances and ours are not theirs so why do they make their problems ours?We helped them get their independence in the 1980s but what did we get in return? People we thought were fellow Africans and comrades are more brutal and more wicked than white oppressors!They have never helped us in any way. Unless if destroying our state and our nation is some kind of help. In 1893 they assisted the colonialists in destroying the Kingdom of Matabeleland as they provided 652 soldiers to fight alongside 652 BSA Co mercenaries. Shona soldiers grabbed more than 39 000 cows looted from Matebeleland.In the 1980s they attempted to wipe out Matebele nation through genocide and continue to murder our identity, culture, languages, dignity and pride through subtle means.Why should we assist them to remove Mugabe, what are we going to get in return this time? A burnt child dreads fire! Isintu sakithi sithi ikhotha eyikhothayo engayikhothiyo iyayikhahlela.During the dark period of the 1980s when Zanupf was killing Matebeles like flies we needed the help of our so called brothers and sisters from Mashonaland. But what they did then is shocking. They were singing and dancing in support of the genocide praising the same Mugabe they want us to help remove. Cheering National Army 5 brigade which was on the ground terrorising, brutally murdering, rapping, burning homes and torturing innocent civilians in Matebeleland.We still need them now to denounce Matabeleland genocide and shame the perpetrators. The responses we get are equally shocking: "You are tribalists...why do you bring up this divisive subject, don't dig graves, let bygones be bygones" they say. An indication that they do not value the life of a "Ndeere" as they call us. Anyone who believes that Shonas have now changed their mindset must have their head examined by a competent psychiatrist.Mugabe shall go as there is nothing that lasts forever but as long as Shonas remain our problems will remain. They want Mugabe to go but not the oppressive system he created.We are not saying Shonas must not dethrone their king Mugabe no no no! If they have just discovered that he is a bad leader they have all the rights to remove him we would not be stumbling blocks. We in Matabeleland found out that he is a devil as early as the 1980s. We wish Shonas well in their political endeavours. Mugabe must go!Matebeles are good people guided by the spirit of ubuntu. We will not organise massive rallies to dance, praise and cheer Mugabe as you (the people of Mashonaland) did in the 1980s when he killed our relatives. We will not deny that he is persecuting you and that he cut some of your relatives hands during operation short sleeve.As you are fighting to remove President Mugabe from office we are also fighting to remove the Shona oppressive system from Matabeleland which was created by the same devil and his henchmen, with the help of Shona.Fighting for one's independence and speaking out against genocide is not tribalism. Zapu fought racism they were not racist and no one called them as such. ANC in South Africa fought racism, were they racists? People of Eritrea and South Sudan fought for self determination and won, are they tribalists? Matebeles cannot be labeled as tribalists for fighting for their right to self determination and speaking against genocide.There is no other name for oppression, there is no other name for genocide, there is no other name for hatred as there is no other name for a spade. MLO will continue to call a spade a spade not something like a shovel.What is disturbing is that the Shona people refuse to reason or see logic in what we are saying. They would only believe and accept reality after some unpleasant situation characterised by dreadful inevitable circumstances which would be very costly and painful.We at MLO see reason and desire for dialogue to separate our two countries. This would be amicable and less costly and is our preferred and chosen path. If the shona apartheid government behaves like white colonialist then they would pay an enormous price and statistics may include you who is reading this article. Are you and your loved ones prepared to be part of the statistics? Think again!The Republic of Matabeleland by 2018!Izenzo Kungemazwi!Israel DubeMLO Secretary for Information and Public Affairs Contact: infomlo13@gmail.com
Opinion / Columnist

After reading General Constantine Chiwenga's interview in the Sunday Mail dated 7 August 2016 I realized that he is following right in the footsteps of his predecessor General Zvinavashe who said the Presidency is a straight jacket only reserved for Robert Gabriel Mugabe.I can tell from the words which he was using that he is ready to use the army to intimidate and crush dissent in Zimbabwe especially at this moment when the people are peacefully protesting against President Mugabe's misrule.I would not want a situation where the General will go to jail at his age like what happened to President Charles Ganky Taylor of Liberia.Chiwenga has reached a very good retirement age why can't he retire and go to enjoy his pension with that beautiful young model Mary who happens to be his wife than to spoil his whole life trying to protect Mugabe whose exit is now inevitable?The people have no problem with the General if only he can continue respecting our constitutional rights but if he starts abusing his office to protect Mugabe then we are ready to teach him a lesson of his life.The duty of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is to protect the country professionally not to meddle and interfere in it's internal politics. It is very wrong for the army to declare that it is ZANU PF because it is not supposed to be partisan and biased as this will block the flow of democracy in the country.In his interview Chiwenga said he is ready to defend Mugabe whom he described as the father of this country. 'My foot he is your own father General not the father of this country'.The ZDF (army) has a bad track record of being used by ZANU PF to beat up and intimidate civilians during elections but not anymore. We are not going to allow that to happen. We (the people) are your bosses, we even pay you with our tax so that you protect this country not the selfish interest of Mugabe and his ZANU PF.'This time if you deploy your army to beat us for exercising our constitutional rights (supporting a political leader of our choice) we will peacefully march to your office Chiwenga and do a citizen arrest where we will arrest you for abusing your office and failing to uphold our constitution as per your oath of office. If you open fire on us peaceful protesters ummmm let me not pre-empt how we will respond but I wish Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi was alive to tell you his story and dangers of such actions.'I will conclude by advising the army and the police to exercise their duties professionally and not to be an extension of ZANU PF. Those threats of saying you will not salute anyone other than Robert Mugabe are empty threats go and threaten your grandmothers not us anymore.You don't tell us who you want to salute it is our duty to tell who you must salute through our constitutional right of one man/woman one vote.We are not going to allow Mugabe to impose himself against the will of the people again, support him at your own peril.General Chiwenga must be wise enough to exercise his duties professionally rather than stooping so low to bootlick the dictator Robert Gabriel Mugabe whose end is nigh.Pamberi namauto anotsigira hutongi hwejekererePasi nezvimbwasungata zva Robert Mugabe(Forward with an army which respects democracyDown with Robert Mugabe's stooges)Nkosilathi Emmanuel Moyo (29) is an exiled human rights defender and democracy activist. He is reachable on his whatsapp +263775037579.
Urban Visions buys Alaskan Way site for $13M



Journal Staff Reporter By BRIAN MILLER Journal Staff Reporter

In the shadow of the doomed Alaskan Way Viaduct, a very well-positioned parking garage sold for $13 million last Friday, according to King County records.

The site is at 316 Alaskan Way S., on the corner of South Jackson Street. A three-story structure built in 1909 that became a garage 10 years later sits there today on a 20,766 square-foot lot, which is large for Pioneer Square.

The seller is listed as 316 Alaskan Way LLC and the buyer is UV 316 Alaskan LLC, which is associated with Greg Smiths Urban Visions. The seller is affiliated with Portland developer Gerding Edlen, which had acquired the property two years ago for $12 million.

Gerding Edlen had planned to build 200 units of market rate housing in an 11-story, L-shaped structure, with 6,500 square feet of street-level retail and parking for 79 vehicles, both below and at grade. The team included architect WTGBD, a joint venture of Weber Thompson and GBD, and general contractor Lease Crutcher Lewis.

In July 2015, the Pioneer Square Preservation Board voted 7-1 against the project, which had attracted intense opposition  including from residents of a four-story condo complex at 80 S. Jackson St., just to the east.

The Department of Neighborhoods approved Gerding Edlens plans in October 2015, but last February, the citys hearing examiner overturned that decision.





Brian Miller can be reached by email at brian.miller@djc.com or by phone at (206) 219-6517.




The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Friday started review of interconnection charges - paid by one telecom operator to another for connecting phone calls  in view of 4G and internet telephony changing the way consumers communicate. At present, the termination charges for a mobile to mobile local and national long distance call is pegged at 14 paise per minute, while the termination charges for international incoming call to wireless and wireline stands at 53 paise per minute. Trai had prescribed 'zero' domestic termination charge for calls originating/ending on wireline networks, aimed at promoting adoption of landlines. In its consultation paper on IUC Friday, Trai has sought public view on how domestic termination charges should be computed - cost based or Bill and Keep (BAK) - for "maximisation of consumer welfare", adoption of more efficient technologies and growth of the telecom sector in the country. Put simply, in BAK method, each telecom operator bills its own subscribers for outgoing traffic that it sends to other interconnecting network and keeps the revenue received from its subscribers. The paper also seeks views on how these charges would be impacted as telecom operators move to Internet Protocol-based networks. "Essentially, with the new arrivals viz. voice over LTE (VoLTE) and Internet Telephony, any attempt to set uniform domestic termination charges on cost basis would be a challenging task," it added. The Paper further said "...the Authority had indicated that the termination charges would be reviewed after two years of being in force. Generally, a comprehensive regulatory review exercise in Trai takes 6-9 months' time to complete and, hence, the present review exercise is being undertaken." The paper comes against the backdrop of growing popularity of 4G networks and a scheme announced by BSNL that allowed customers travelling abroad to make calls from their mobile phones using their landline connection back home without attracting ISD charges by downloading the state-run operator's app. Recently, Trai had also floated a consultation paper to fix framework for Internet telephony where incumbent telecom operators have asked about charges that should be levied for accepting internet based calls on their network. The last date for submission of IUC comments is September 5 and that for counter-comments is 19 September 2016.








Opinion / Columnist

Saturday 6th August was a special day in the history of the democratic struggle. Never before have calls for unity of the opposition been that loud and clear on a single day and in different parts of the country by different opposition leaders.On the same day, Zimbabweans United for Democracy (ZUNDE) held a very successful extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly in the capital of Harare that passed a number of significant resolutions. The one resolution we are happy to share with the public at this point in time is that exiled Judge of the High Court of Zimbabwe, Justice Benjamin Paradza, was unanimously endorsed as ZUNDE's Interim President. This signifies the start of a new chapter in our journey towards true democracy in Zimbabwe.In Chinhoyi, just over one hundred kilometres North West of Harare, Dr Joice Mujuru held a well-attended rally which the police, clearly and unprofessionally taking instructions from ZANU PF, miserably failed to stop. At Gadzema grounds, the Zimbabwe People First leader told hordes of supporters that opposition parties must come together if Mugabe is to be removed from power. She described him as "the biggest male chauvinist" she has ever worked with.Showing defiance through her khaki fatigues, mai Mujuru said, "Each-man-for-himself does not work. We must come together, all political parties, business people and those from the church and fight our common enemy, old Mugabe. Together we will make it to the promised land". She also reminded the police that they were not working for individuals or political parties but for the nation and would find themselves one day working for a different government.In the southern part of the country, MDC-T President Morgan Tsvangirai led a demonstration where he also spoke about unity. Addressing his supporters who virtually turned the town of Masvingo into a sea of red, Tsvangirai said "We do not need to fight in our corners. We need a collective fight across the political divide if we are going to succeed".Team ZUNDE is humbled and encouraged by these sentiments that are at the heart of our message. ZUNDE's primary purpose is to bring together different people and work together to create a democratic, peaceful and prosperous Zimbabwe based on equal opportunity irrespective of our diversity as a people. We strongly believe that together we can do it.It is most encouraging to hear leaders of two mainstream opposition parties, in two different parts of Zimbabwe on the same day, speaking with one voice on the need for unity. Our prayer is that this is not just political rhetoric. We look forward to working with both leaders as they follow up their words with practical measures.Two noble initiatives, Coalition of Democrats (CODE) and National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) to which ZUNDE is signatory have provided much hope for our potentially great nation. It is time to take the spirit of these initiatives to their logical conclusion and generate the necessary momentum to dislodge ZANU PF in 2018 or even earlier.Zimbabwe is our motherland. Together we can make Zimbabwe great again. Let us start working together now.Moses ChambokoTeam ZUNDEwww.zunde.org; info@zunde.org
The established or 'incumbent' telecoms operators are planning to take the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to court for coming out with regulations that they say are biased and designed to benefit a new entrant, according to a Business Standard report. Citing highly placed sources in the industry, the report said Trai was repeatedly coming out with consultation papers and regulations which were aimed at favouring just one new player. Incumbent operators said some of Trai's recent moves - be it the call drop regulation, change in block sizes of 2,300 Mhz spectrum (lowered from 20 Mhz to 10 Mhz) for the upcoming auctions or the latest consultation paper seeking to review the interconnect charge regime - were hurting them. A senior executive of a telecom company said the call drop regulation, which sought to levy penalty for incomplete calls, was only for operators that offer voice through the circuit switched fallback route (2G and 3G operators). The regulation had no mention of penalising operators offering voice on LTE (VoLTE). Currently, no operator in India offers VoLTE, but Reliance Jio is slated to launch voice on LTE later this year. Incumbent telecom operators cite other instances, too. For example, they said the regulator's consultation paper to review interconnect charges came barely 17 months after it lowered these charges from 20 paise to 14 paise in March 2015 when Rahul Khullar was the Trai chairman. Telecom operators have contested this in court and are therefore surprised that the current chairman, R S Sharma has sought to review the charges in such a short span of time. The norms in the new consultation paper, incumbents said, would wipe out Rs15,000 crore of the industry's revenues. Bharti Airtel will be the worst hit as it is the largest operator. Even as the Trai has cited the changing dynamics of the telecom business as a reason to review these charges, globally mobile termination charges are paid to operators in 100 countries for calls terminating on their networks, despite the proliferation of data and internet telephony. In other countries, where termination charges are not paid to operators, consumers have to pay for incoming calls. Currently, telecom companies get 14 paise for calls terminating on their network. If a Vodafone customer is calling an Idea or an Airtel subscriber, the latter gets 14 paise per minute for calls terminating on their networks. The interconnect charges have been levied after the 'calling party pays' (CPP) regime came into effect in 2003. Mobile subscribers had to pay for incoming calls too before that. Incumbents allege that there is a cost associated with completing calls that come to their network, which is calculated on a model known as the Long-run Incremental Cost (LRIC). This model factors in incremental cost a service provider incurs to complete calls that come on its network. Every network has a capacity of voice minutes it can handle and this capacity comes at a cost. However, in this model capital expenditure and depreciation are not included nor is the new spectrum cost factored in. Operators said the current interconnect charges did not cover their costs, which is why they have gone to court to contest the Trai's decision to lower the same to 14 paise from 20 paise. In the event a new operator launches its service and does not have to pay any interconnect charges to incumbents, its cost of calls would be significantly lower and the incumbents would see their networks receiving a barrage of calls thanks to their base. Due to competitive intensity, cost of voice minutes is among the lowest in India already. Operators claimed they would bleed, if voice realisations went down further from the unsustainable levels. The industry's relationship with the regulator has steadily been deteriorating in recent times. After losing the call drop battle in Supreme Court (See: Trai suffers blow as SC strikes down call drop penalty), the regulator banned differential data pricing by telcos. But the rules contained a loophole called the closed electronic communication networks (CECN) where telcos could offer differential pricing for content. Despite repeated clarifications, the regulator has not yet stated why the CECN window was opened. Interestingly, the industry's relationship with the government and the Department of Telecommunications appears to be strong, as there is no build-up of stress on that front, says the report.








Iran executes nuclear scientist on spying charges

Iran has executed a nuclear scientist detained in 2010 when he returned home from the United States, after a court convicted him of spying for Washington, a spokesman for the judiciary said on Sunday.

"Through his connection with the United States, (Shahram) Amiri gave vital information about the country to the enemy," Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei told a weekly news conference, state news agency IRNA reported. Mohseni Ejei said a court had sentenced Amiri to death and the sentence had been upheld by Iran's Supreme Court, IRNA said.

Amiri, a university researcher working for Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, disappeared during a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in 2009, and later surfaced in the United States. But he returned to Iran in 2010 and received a hero's welcome before being arrested secretly. A US official said in 2010 that Washington had received "useful information" from Amiri.

Iran had accused the CIA of kidnapping Amiri. US officials said Amiri had been free to come and go as he pleased, and that he may have returned because of pressures on his family in Iran. Amiri had denied this, saying "my family had no problems". In a video aired by Iranian state TV in 2010, Amiri said he had fled from US agents.

Iran, the United States and five other world powers reached a landmark deal in 2015, under which Iran agreed to limit its nuclear programme in such a way as to ensure it cannot develop nuclear weapons in exchange for a lifting of economic sanctions.
The 34-year-old man who died following last Thursday's crash on the N14 near Raphoe was a father of five.

Ciaran Parker, a native of Belfast who had been living in Strabane, was the sixth person killed on Donegal's roads within an eight day period.

The car he was driving was involved in a collision with a lorry on Thursday at Tullylap on the Letterkenny to Lifford Road, between Rossgier and Raphoe.

Both he, and a teenage girl who was his passenger, were brought to Letterkenny University Hospital.

He was pronounced dead in the early hours of Friday morning.

The teenager suffered serious injuries while the driver of the lorry escaped injury.

Mr Parker's remains are being waked at the home of his parents, Betty and Tony Parker in the Whiterock area of Belfast.

He will be laid to rest tomorrow following requiem mass at 10 am in Corpus Christ Church.

He is survived by his parents, brothers Tony and Martin, sister Lisa and his children Lisa Marie, Jane, Tiarna, Ciaran and Niamh.

Up until the end of July, there had been one fatality on Donegal's roads this year.

Then, five people lost their lives in two crashes which occurred within one day.

Barney McGinley (28) and Dermot Boyle (19), both from Letterkenny, died when the grey Mitsubishi Charisma hatchback car they were travelling in collided with a yellow Renault Master van on the N13 at Trimragh, just outside Letterkenny at around 4.45am on July 27.

Stephen McCafferty (19) of Lismonaghan, Letterkenny, Teresa Robinson (20) of Dromore, Killygordon and Kaylem O Murachaidh (19) Cloghan Mor, Cloghan were killed in a two vehicle collision at Drumkeen at around 1am on July 28.

Gardai are asking anyone with information on all three accidents to contact them in Letterkenny on 074 916 7100.
The death has taken place of Bishop (Emeritus) Edward Daly of Derry at the age of 82.

He passed away peacefully this morning at Altnagelvin Hospital where he was admitted a few days ago, surrounded by family.

Bishop Daly was photographed waving a white handkerchief as he led men carrying 16-year-old Jackie Duddy to safety on Bloody Sunday. The image was to become one of the most iconic symbols of that fateful day in January 1972 when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march, killing 14 people, including Jackie Duddy.

Born in Belleek

Bishop Daly was born in Belleek, County Fermanagh, in the Diocese of Clogher, on 5th December 1933.

After primary education in Belleek, he attended second level education in St. Columbs College, Derry. From there, he was sent, as a student for the Diocese of Derry, to prepare for priesthood in the Pontifical Irish College, Rome.

Bishop Daly was ordained on 16th March 1957, a priest of the Diocese of Derry. His first appointment was as a Curate in Castlederg, Co. Tyrone. In 1962, he was appointed as a Curate in St. Eugenes Cathedral, Derry. In 1973, he was appointed Religious Advisor to RTE, Dublin. In 1974, he was ordained Bishop of Derry, where he served until serious illness compelled him to retire in 1994.

In retirement, despite poor health, until earlier this year Bishop Daly continued to serve as a dedicated Chaplain to the Foyle Hospice, Derry, a ministry in which he touched the lives of so many people. He also served as Diocesan Archivist.

Exemplary ministry

A spokesperson for Derry Diocese, said, Bishop Daly served, without any concern for himself, throughout the traumatic years of the Troubles, finding his ministry shaped by the experience of witnessing violence and its effects; through this dreadful period he always strove to preach the Gospel of the peace of Christ.

Bishop Daly provided an example of priestly ministry which was exemplary, inspired by service of God and the people he encountered. His ministry was characterised by his deep love of the people of this diocese, his dedicated visitation of parishes and his constant availability to others. The bishops, priests and people of the diocese were blessed to have such a dedicated and faithful priest among them.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
The Medical Council has determined that Dr Mohamed Abdelrahman, a 28-year-old obstetrician and gynaecologist at Letterkenny University Hospital, committed three acts of professional misconduct.

A fitness to practise inquiry heard that the UK General Medical Council refused to register Dr Abdelrahman in 2012 and he did not disclose this in his Irish application in June 2014.

The British GMC's refusal was based on its discovery that the scores on his IELTS English language exam certificate were not correct.

Dr Abdelrahman's lawyer John Freeman said his client, who qualified as a doctor in Sudan in 2011, had an excellent academic record and there were no issues about patient safety. The doctor had retaken the English exams and obtain acceptable scores.

Mr Freeman asked the inquiry to consider dealing with the matter asking Dr Abdelrahman to give a number of undertakings, including never repeating the conduct, accepting a censure, and paying a sum to charity.

Eoghan O'Sullivan, the lawyer representing the Medical Council's chef executive, argued that the matter was too serious to be dealt with that way.

The committee members agreed with Mr O'Sullivan and proceeded to hear direct evidence.

Professor Stephen Lane, consultant respiratory physician at Tallaght Hospital, stated that Dr Abdelrahman had applied seven times to the British GMC and been rejected each time.

Not disclosing this, he added, was "a serious failing" and "a very grave departure" from normal procedure.

Dr Abdelrahman admitted the facts and said he would do whatever was necessary to ensure it did not happen again, including doing an ethics course.

He stated that, as the only son, he is expected to support his family.

A report from the inquiry hearing will be prepared for consideration by the full Medical Council which will decide what sanctions will be imposed.
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.
Opinion / Columnist

The article written by Tsolo Dube on Bulawayo24 asks a very painful but pertinent question: The War Veterans owe the Nation an Explanation: why they went to fight in the liberation of our country. This question is the most painful one ever to give a singular answer to it considering the independence we have 36 years down the line. The question will give an answer which will look at several dimensions of the struggle, its fluidity and complexities of the processes that led to pseudo independence: in isiNdebele we call it "isiphongumangathi." That means "as if it could be called independence or pre-independence."It is a personal opinion, if one said; the War Veterans do not need to give a blanket apology to the nation at all. For various reasons, the war of liberation was inevitable and unstoppable, it had to happen. Countries in southern Africa and beyond were fighting for their independence or had won their total independence from their colonisers. Zimbabwe was not going to be an exception in those regional historical processes. Time immemorial the peoples of southern Africa and indeed beyond have resisted any kind of foreign occupation. The outcomes of any resistance have been in some cases different to what could have been envisaged as the reason for the wars and resistance to get the envisaged freedom from oppression. This is not specific for Africans and Africa. Globally most countries have gone through those inevitable social, economic and political development transformations of class struggles resulting in either wars or revolutions, some of which had global implications.Looking at the parallels between the revolutionary transformations that took place in Russia since 1860 until 1917 and the developments in Zimbabwe since 1980 will not only answer the intricate question above, but will give a chance to most of us to reflect on our revolution that got lost in 1980 in the hands of Zanu PF. What led to the violent revolution in Russia? Why was it violent, who triggered the violence and why was the revolution hijacked, resulting in Russia becoming much worse than the feudalistic Russia before the actual revolution of 1917 considering the human loss that went with the reforms: land reforms among other social and political and economic transformations?Russia was a big empire stretching from the borders of Germany right up to the Pacific Ocean. Poverty that dwelt in 70% of the Russian population, mostly experienced by peasantry smelled at every angle, and poverty was the buzzword for the Russian common man; peasant farmer. Most Russians were subsistent farmers who possessed small land; they used very simple means to cultivate their lands. The state of agriculture and production was very poor, in most cases not always very productive. Technology to improve farming was absent and there was no social capital investment to improve it back then.As luck would have it, in 1890 Russia was drawn into an industrial revolution like many other countries in Europe: the use of iron resulting in the introduction of factories to do production was a revolution itself. Russia expanded; many towns emerged with all its collateral implications, poverty in newly urban places, high density areas, cramped up housing, conditions of work were abhorrend, no trade unions to solve problems for the working class, and bad wages for the workers who lived in squalid conditions was prevalent.Similarly to the type of life Zimbabweans live today, the Russians back then never abandoned their village home, they worked in towns and returned to their villages where their roots were firmly fixed, they retained the lands in the village as their source of stability to fall back to, something to fall back to in the event of loss of job. This is a sign that the workers forced by push-and-pull effects of industrialization in factories did not give them any sense of security. The emerging urbanization gave the Russia working class some political awareness and they began to be brave in demanding working rights, they started to demand reforms, good housing and working conditions. However the government was not willing to improve the urban class for fear of change. At the same breath they had to improve the urban areas so as to attract direct foreign investment.Russia, a country that was ruled by a Tsar: Romanov Family, for 3 centuries was impervious to reforms that could have lifted and improved the lives of millions of Russians from abject poverty. Opposing the Tsar was banned. (Just in Zimbabwe, opposing Mugabe is illegal) The reluctance of the government of Russia to modernize Russia was the source of major discontent followed by the absence of the freedom of expression, censorship of books and newspapers, secret police were everywhere harassing the population with trivial accusations. (Like in Zimbabwe today, CIO harasses the Zimbabwe population with trivial accusations, one cannot criticize the state and Robert Mugabe)There was elaborate elite in the Russian government that composed 20% of the population. Inside the ruling elite was a mass of competing bodies that enacted confusing laws, the judgement and government decisions were arbitrary, random implementation of laws that relied mostly on patronage resulting in a total disconnect between the mass peasants and the imperial government. (This is also reminiscent with what is happening in Zimbabwe today: G40 and Lacoste groups competing each other for succession, confusing Zim-Assets etc)Again the Russian government had created a mass of soldiers who were treated inhumanly by the imperial government, poorly trained, poorly paid, poor housing conditions and to a great extent malnourished. (You need to look at how thin Zimbabwean police and army are, they seem malnourished, they get their 500 US dollars a month and compare it with former CEO, Mr. Cuthbert Dube who paid himself 500,000 US dollars a month) These entire discontentment's between the Russian imperial government on one hand and mass poverty stricken peasants, the emerging working class that was politicized and the poorly fed army were the fertile ground for a full blown revolution in Russia in 1917. (The relationship between Mugabe and the War Veterans, the vendor culture)Without having to go deep into the infighting that took place after the great revolution of 1917, Vladimir Ilich Lenin, coming from exile, became the first head of the Soviet Union, was leader of the Bolshevik revolution, and was automatically to become Head of the Russian Communist Party, abbreviated RCP formally called "First Secretary." Bolshevik means of the majority of the people or the proletariat that constituted 70% of the population. Lenin was born of educated parents and he was university educated, a lawyer by profession Lenin, was influenced by the socialist theories of Karl Marx and Friedrish Engels.Lenin was inspired by the Marxist theories: to quote one of them verbatim; "economic and political systems went through an inevitable evolution by which the capitalist system would be replaced by socialism. In his dialect, Marx achieved a methodology that spoke of real development in a clear comprehensive and accurate way, a way which reflected the actual developmental processes of nature. By applying this dialect to human development, the society will be defined by the mode of production, how the society gets its food, clothing and shelter." The Marxist theory goes on to say that the "society will develop using the methods of dialectic materialism to unravel the complex processes of historical development and its endeavours to teach the working class to know itself and be conscious of itself as a class!" The material world is a reflection of those ideas. In a nutshell Lenin was truly convinced about the ideals of socialism, the literature that he fed on when he was in exile; suddenly he had the opportunity to implement those noble ideas to the New Soviet Union, under the banner of the communist party, RCP. To this date Russia is to a big extent entrenched in those dialectic materialistic theories of Karl Marx and Friedrish Engels.When the Bolsheviks took over the power from the Mensheviks, all political parties were suppressed under the premise that the RCP belonged to the majority proletariat and everything else was counter-revolutionary and anti-socialist. The monarch was not spared, the Tsar abdicated from his throne and his reign was put to an abrupt end. Lenin instituted Red Terror destroyed monarchists during the Russian Civil War. After the purging of unwanted elements within the ruling party through Cheka or secret police, the country at large became relative peaceful in Soviet Union.Lenin attempted to shape the future of the Soviet Union by sending warnings against the unchecked party members including Joseph Stalin who was Secretary General of the RCP then. But his warnings went unheeded, in retrospect Stalin, after the death of Lenin came out victorious from the protracted power struggle that took place before Lenin's death. (This is happening in Zimbabwe today, the question is who will come out victorious: Dr. Grace Marufu-Mugabe or Mnumzana Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa)Joseph Stalin was a dictator who exercised greater power than any other politician in the Russian history. He was the son of a cobbler who was supposed to go to the Catholic Seminary to become a Priest. As luck would have it, he became the Secretary General of the Communist Party and took over from Lenin without any ceremony. He flouted the ailing Lenin's wishes; the ailing Lenin had written a political testament stating that Trotsky was to become his successor. Instead, when Stalin became Leader of the party and Prime Minister, he expelled Trotsky from the Soviet Union and he had him assassinated in Mexico where he sort asylum in 1940.Stalin abandoned Lenin's quasi capitalist New Economic Plan in favour of state organised five-year-plan. He fell heavy on peasant farmers by bungling 25 million households into collective farms within a short space of time. Those who resisted where arrested and shot dead cold blooded, some were sent to concentration camps where they were forced to work to death because of savage conditions of work they were subjected to. But this collectivism brought famine in most parts of those collective farming areas then owned by the state. Nine million peasant farmers are said to have died during the land reforms of the Soviet Union.Stalin industrialised SU rigorously to try to compete with the West. When it failed, industrial managers were arraigned in show trials and were intimidated into confessing imaginary crimes, that was punishable by death. New campaign of terror against members of the communist party began; the very members who brought him into power under the pretext they conspired to assassinate him. (Is it not different from what Mugabe did to General Mujuru, the man who put him into power? Is it not the same, what he is doing to the War Veterans?)Show trials of leading communists as means to expand new terror to many members of the communist party including personalities like Zinovyev and Kamenev were sentenced to death, shot by firing squads. Many professionals from the army were court-marshalled including Mikail Tukhachevsky he was charged of treason and executed. These purging and persecutions empowered Stalin immensely to tame the SCP or Soviet communist Party. (The same is the case in Zimbabwe too, unending purging to clean up the Zanu PF from zvipfukuto) Stalin did not only liquidate veteran semi-independent Bolsheviks, but he went heavy on artists, academic world industrial managers, high government officials, legal practitioners, diplomats and Soviet elites, and many party bosses all of whom were totally subservient to Stalin. Soviet political victims were numbered tens of millions of Russian victims.It can be said with equal truth that Stalin was the chief architect of Soviet totalitarianism. Stalin was a ruthless organiser, created a powerful soviet Army that successful fought in the Second World War; he also led Soviet Union in the Nuclear age. He too destroyed all individual freedoms that still existed. Still to be mentioned is his extension of the Soviet Union to these countries who front lined the WW2; he packaged them all to form a belt of East Bloc countries.In the same way as Robert Mugabe; Stalin loved himself more than his wife and child. He had a low opinion of his child who committed suicide like is mother. Stalin called himself a Bolshevik boy, a follower of Lenin and co-founder of the Soviet Union; all those claims, in retrospect, were not true at all, he joined the Russian communist Party by shear opportunism, hook and crook, and a bit of luck. He wanted to be known as a universal genius, a shining star, staff of life, a greater father and friend. In retrospect he had very low opinion of the very people who bootlicked him, the very people he savagely persecuted, heaped praises at him as their "Father." Stalin achieved wide visual promotions through busts, statues and icons of himself. The dictator became an object of formal cult, but despised those that praise-sang him, sometimes openly. (The same methods are used to cow the peoples of Mathebeleland to be kind to Mugabe and vote him, disregarding the Gugurahundi atrocities that Mugabe and his henchmen perpetrated and tried to destroy the spirit of the people of Mathebeleland)Stalin died in 1953 and left uncertainties in the succession, as Stalin did not name a clear successor evident to take over from him. (Mugabe is refusing to name a clear successor) His death however was met with relief to many even from the Communist Party. The "First Secretaries that followed one another after the death of incumbent First Secretary were all cut from the same cloth of Joseph Stalin.Press fast forward; a young unknown leader emerged in the Soviet Union after the death of Brezhnev, a Brezhnevian era also known as the stagnation era. His name was Mikhail Gorbachev, a reformist. Gorbachev came to power in 1985 as Secretary General of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Because he was reform minded, he realised he had make groundbreaking steps to revive the stagnant economy of the great Soviet Union under the name "glasnost" which means openness. He called for transparency in government dealings, limiting strict government censorship, granting freedom of speech and improving human rights. His other arm of reform was "Perestroika" that means restructuring of political and economic systems by introducing and implementing free market economies. Gorbachev was wiped away by a wave of inevitable political and economic changes that were no longer stoppable. It is not that his ideas were bad but the global economy determined the transformations of events including the Soviet Union. When the coup took over from Mikhail Gorbachev it was Boris Yelsin who took over, a much worse evil than Gorbachev. The political and economic uncertainties in the former Soviet Union still linger to this date. The good question is: Is Vladimir Putin the right leader of the Russian people? Is there freedom of speech in Russia? How are the human right abuses in Russia? How is censorship regarding newspapers and media freedom of expression? Is poverty in Russian common man still the buzz-word for Russian peasants?Coming back to our heading, was the war of the liberation worth it, yes it was worth it because it was inevitable. If Zambia got it right after fighting for their independence and their got a smooth transition to black majority, it did not mean, or did not follow that in Zimbabwe new dawn, the independence of Zimbabwe was going to be a smooth transition. Fighting to replace white regime of Ian Smith's UDI was necessary and unavoidable, it was a process that had to take place at that time and space, albeit with lots of lives lost in the processes leading to independence.Evidently when we read the Russian history, things did not go according to how Lenin and many other members of the RCP wanted it, despite the fact that he had made a political testament before his death, he also made warning shots against personality cult called Joseph Stalin as possible leader of SU. In the same way, so many freedom fighters realised their error of nominating Robert Mugabe as their leader for many reasons. When they tried to reverse the leadership of Robert Mugabe leader of Zanu PD and Commander-in-Chief of Zanla Armed Forces, he purged them, Rugare Gumbo remaining as the only one from the group of those who saw the need to reverse leadership.If Mugabe had his way he would eliminate the rebellious War Veterans. It is his age that is now running against his wishes. Thousands of people have perished under Mugabe regime. Millions have been displaced, millions left the country altogether to find better life in other countries and certainly not Zimbabwe. But there is a revolution that is larger than life ahead of us, post Mugabe era and there is also a possibility that we can get it wrong again as evidenced with the political and economic developments in the Soviet Union. Some divine intervention is needed to have some semblance of a brighter future for all Zimbabweans home and abroad. #This Flag: Hatichatya: Asisesabi: Tajamuka
Chinese firm takes control of German robot-maker, Kuka

In a controversial deal, the Chinese appliance manufacturer Midea has acquired almost 95% of the shares in the German robot-maker Kuka.

The German government had tried to limit Mideas stakeholding to 49%, but Midea was able to exceed this figure when major shareholders in Kuka  including the Voith group and the billionaire Friedhelm Loh (who owns Rittal and Eplan)  sold their stakes to the Chinese firm.

Kuka and Midea are due to hold talks in September on how the shareholder structure could look in future. Kukas CEO Till Reuter has suggested that Midea could reduce its shareholding, possibly by giving up some of its shares.

The 4.5bn acquisition is the biggest takeover of a German industrial company by a Chinese business. Midea has said that it plans to keep Kukas headquarters, factories and jobs in Germany until at least 2023.

Kuka is a leader in collaborative robots, as it demonstrated with this pair of beer-serving robots at the recent Automatica show in Germany

Kuka employs around 12,300 people around the world and generates sales worth around 3bn. It started life in 1898 as a lighting company, before expanding into welding, which it automated during the 1950s, leading eventually to robotic welders during the 1970s. It is also active in warehouse logistics through its Swisslog business.

Midea, whose revenues exceeded 18.7bn last year, employs around 100,000 people globally and runs 21 manufacturing sites.
Home Four wheelers Renault Kwid Success Spurs Exports From India oi-Kennedy Paul

Basking in the success of its small car, Renault is increasing the exports as well. Currently, the Make in India Kwid from Renault is being exported to Sri Lanka and will enter Nepal and Bhutan soon.

Renault is also looking for the opportunity in the African market for the Indian manufactured Kwid. Sumit Sawhney, country CEO and managing director, Renault India Operations, said, "Last month we started exporting Duster and Kwid to Sri Lanka. This month we will be entering Nepal while we also prepare to enter Bhutan,"

"We are working on the strategy for exports to South Africa, hopefully, it will be finalised soon. Besides, we are looking at other countries in Africa,"

The Renault Kwid is manufactured in Brazil as well for which some of the components will be exported from India.

Renault has exported 441 units till date for the fiscal April-June period compared to just 56 units during the last fiscal.

With the demand for the Renault Kwid in the domestic and international market, the French auto major is increasing the production as well. It has added a third shift at its plant and has been producing close to 9,500 units.
Homeowners in Louth whose houses were built before 1980 are being urged to check their internal plumbing for lead pipes.

Public drinking water supplies are lead free but lead, which poses a serious health risk, can dissolve in drinking water from internal lead pipes which are common in older homes and buildings.

Irish Water is confident that lead piping has been removed from the public water distribution mains but the utility estimates that approximately 180,000 homes in Ireland and hundreds of commercial and public buildings still have internal lead plumbing, including lead service pipes from the water main to the stopcock. Of the homes affected around the country, about 40,000 are thought to have shared backyard (common service pipes) which Irish Water will be targeting the replacement of over the next 5 years.

Irish Water is issuing this advice as it launches an eight week period of public consultation on its draft Lead in Drinking Water Mitigation Plan which runs until the 21September next.

Exposure to lead is a known serious health risk particularly affecting young children. In recent decades, lead has been removed from petrol and paint. Since then, Louth residents have had limited exposure to lead except in drinking water where people with lead plumbing in their home can be exposed to low concentrations of lead as it dissolves in drinking water passing through lead pipework on its way to the tap. Because of the known health risks, the limit for lead in drinking water has been reduced to a very low level in EU Drinking Water Regulations (10 parts per billion). Sampling by Irish Water has shown that this limit can be exceeded (in some cases significantly) where water flows through lead pipes.

The Health Services Executive has advised the public (HSE Lead FAQs May 2015) that because lead affects the developing brain, the risk from lead exposure is greatest for young children, infants and babies in the womb. Bottle-fed infants are most affected by lead in drinking water, because for the first 6 months of life, all of their food comes from formula made up with drinking water. Children and infants absorb more lead than adults.

Public side pipework, as far as a property boundary, is the responsibility of Irish Water but all pipes within the property boundary including those in the home are the responsibility of the property owner, except for those 40,000 served by common backyard mains where responsibility is shared. The best and most effective way of dealing with lead in drinking water is to replace all lead pipes and Louth homeowners should seek the advice of a plumber if they are unsure what material the pipes in their home is made from.

The Department of the Environment has established a grant scheme to assist low income households to replace lead pipes.
Opinion / Columnist

Wilton Nyasha Machimbira, a Political Analyst.For feedback and comments can be contacted on wiltonnyash@gmail.com

The people of Zimbabwe celebrate Heroes day. A day set aside to remember the lives of disciplined, dedicated and brave sons and daughters who immensely contributed to the well being of our country in different capacities.It is also a day for us to redefine heroism as a people. Heroes are exceptional individuals of valour who exceptionally rendered their services to the nation in different capacities. The people are now confronted with a political oxymoron when it comes to heroism, its now more of Herods day because of the toxic nature of the politics of the day.People do not become heroes by being buried at the national shrine. People do not become heroes by being members of ZANU-PF. People do not become heroes by venturing in politics. Hero status should not be seen as having a history of cordial relations with Mugabe and ZANU-PF. Such perceptions are deformed political constructs which the generation of the day has to deconstruct.It's a prerogative of the masses to identify their own Heroes and not an exclusive responsibility of the Executive. The irony is that the Execuitive is encumbered with backlog of responsibilities which it is even failing to execute but still stoops so low to the extend of convening an extra ordinary politburo meeting to "deliberate" on Hero status. Thats unalloyed toomfoolery.I stand to be corrected but its my humble opinion that our leaders need to be inducted such that they can be in a position to know their responsibilities and do not go ultra-vires. A nation of 13 million people with sound mental faculties cannot be told who a Hero is by one geriatric. We do not want such micro managers in field of politics.It is heart rending to note that people are now unable to distinguish between sycophancy and heroism. Sycophants see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. What they know best is singing sweet and flattery melodies for the Big man. Our country is diseased with toxic politics which is the reason why even a funeral can be politicised. A legacy of toxic politics is being bequethed to us by people who have lost a moral compass.It's strange that we got people who think they are very responsible to the extend that they can think for the masses. ZANU-PF does not have the right to tell us who true heroes are. People know in their own the role played by Edgar Tekere, Masotsha Ndlovu, Jason Ziyapapa Moyo, Ndabaningi Sithole in the "liberation" struggle. Times have changed, we are now in a new political epoch with different struggles. Development and Democratic struggles which call for new Heroes.If we are to take the "erronous conception" of heroism by ZANU-PF then even President Mugabe is not a hero.However Liberation war credentials alone do not make an individual a hero. There are quite a number of Zimbabweans who lifted the flag of the country in different capacities. Individulas in the field of arts ,sports, theatre and academia. Individulas like Cont Mhlanga, Charles Mungoshi, Chenjerai Hove, Tsitsi Dangarebga, Petina Gappah, the late Dr John Makumbe, the late Dr Sam Moyo, Kirsty Coventry and Oliver Mtukudzi. They also deserve recognition in their sterling efforts in lifting the flag of the nation high.The youths of the day need to jettison ZANU-PF heroism benchamarks and appreciate the roles played even by individulas who were not recognised by ZANU-PF as heroes like Lookout Masuku, Thenjiwe Lesabe, Gibson Sibanda, Ndabaningi Sithole and Jairosi Jiri. The then Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa argued that his party denied Thenjiwe Lesabe and Zanu founder Ndabaningi Sithole hero statusbecause they were not consistent after they joined other political parties. He said Lesabe had joined Zapu led by Dumiso Dabengwa while Sithole had formed Zanu Ndoga and therefore could not qualify as they were not consistent with the ZanuPFbenchmarks. One then wonders what it means to be consistent if we are to picture Nathan Shamhuyarira who habitually changed parties and even formed his own FRILOZI during the colonial era. He was buried at the National Shrine together with Edgar Tekere who formed ZUM in protest against ZANU-PF one party state shenanigans.The tragedy of the day is that the National shrine is now a place of gangsters,conmen, riffraffs, rapacious cows of bashan and fraudsters . Individuals convicted of murder attempt like Kanengoni are buried at the National shrine, a militant fraudster Chenjerai Hunzvi who was convicted of embezzlement of War Victims Compensation Fund is buried at the national shrine. Nyagumbo an accomplice in the Willogate Scandal is buried at the national shrine, Kumburai Kangai whose name spoke for itself defrauded GMB, Enos Chikohore of the Noczim scandal and even certified murders like Elliot Manyika. Its unAfrican to speak ill of the dead but under such circumstances the truth cannot be sacrificed. Speaking truth to power is a divine commandment!We need a new breed of politically circumcised leaders who do not divide the nation on petty issues. Leaders with conscience. Death is death and a grave is a grave. The is nothing called a district hero nor provincial hero for heroism knows no boundary. The issues of who must be buried at the Heroes acre are issues of low politics.As Magaisa noted , true heroissm rests in the hearts and minds of the people not in the soil.Real Heroes do not fuel anarchy, lawlessness and political terrorism. Real heroes know when to leave the scene.They do not brutalise those who differ with them. Real heroes do not shout at international forums nor campaign at funerals.They know the right thing to do or say at the right place and right time. Real heroes accept their weaknesses and strenghth of others.They are neither dogmatic nor bigotic. Real heroes got love. Heroes don't fuel hate speech, they neither condone corruption if the Willowgate Scandal and Sandura Commission is to go by. They appreciate constructive engagement and accept the will of the people.Most importantly Heroes and Heroines are not Saints.Happy Heroes Day Zimbabwe!
Opinion / Columnist

Heroes Day is time when we take time to reflect and remember the heroes who sacrificed their rights, interests and welfare for the good of humanity.This year 2016, as Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights we join the nation in celebrating this important day in the Zimbabwean calendar. As we celebrate Heroes Day we need to remember that heroes are not only limited to those people who fought for the liberation of the country only.Whilst focus is emphasized to those who fought for the liberation of the country and are laid to rest at the heroes acre, we note that our heroes are scattered all over Matabeleland in shallow graves and living shallow lives today.Our heroes are having their bones rotting in shallow mass graves and in deep disused mine shafts all over the region. Our heroes are the more than 20 000 innocent civilians who were recklessly killed for nothing during Gukurahundi.Our heroes are the women and men of Matabeleland who were provoked beyond measure and are continuously being provoked but they continue to hold themselves and choose non-violence and fairness.Our heroes are the people of Matabeleland who despite being pushed to hunger, starvation and poverty have continued to survive peaceful and to struggle for justice and equity.Our heroes are the young people of Matabeleland who are being victimised in silence in neighbouring countries as economic and political migrants.Our heroes are all the public and private institutions who continue to struggle for human rights protection and promotion besides the adversity and the challenges of injustice, corruption, mis-governance and dictatorship.We salute all the unsung heroes of Matabeleland.By: The General SecretaryMatabeleland Institute for Human Rights
Donald Trump is in Michigan today, sharing his two-dimensional worldview at the Detroit Economic Club. As Trump returns to the Motor City, its worth recalling just how little he thinks of Detroit, Michigan autoworkers, and the companies that employ them.

First, who can forget what Trump said the last time he was here. He essentially told Michigan autoworkers, You make too much money:

He said U.S. automakers could shift production away from Michigan to communities where autoworkers would make less. You can go to different parts of the United States and then ultimately youd do full-circle  youll come back to Michigan because those guys are going to want their jobs back even if it is less, Trump said. We can do the rotation in the United States  it doesnt have to be in Mexico. He said that after Michigan loses a couple of plants  all of sudden youll make good deals in your own area.

This economic sage appears to think that unionized autoworkers work for less in one part of the country than they do anywhere else. But the fact that he doesnt have a clue about how the labor market works isnt the most amazing part of this. The most amazing part is that the man that wants to make America great again thinks Detroit autoworkers ought to be pushed so far to the brink that they will crawl back to the auto companies on their hands and knees, begging for their jobs back at whatever pay these corporations feel like paying them.

GREAT!

Heres another fun fact about Donald Trump: Like Mitt Romney during the 2014, Trump thinks it might have been just fine if Americas domestic automakers had been left to go bankrupt:

Asked if President Obama showed leadership in the 2008/2009 bailout of the major auto companies, Trump meandered through an answer that left him without a position. You could have let it go, and rebuilt itself, through the free enterprise system, said Trump. You could have let it go bankrupt, frankly, and rebuilt itself, and a lot of people felt it should happen. Or you could have done it the way it went. I could have done it either way. Either way would have been acceptable. I think you would have wound up in the same place.

He told The Detroit News that it would have been a free-market deal.

Of course this is all, to quote Vice President Joe Biden, malarkey. Justin Hyde, writing for Yahoo! Auto during the last cycle, explains why letting Detroit automakers go bankrupt would have been a catastrophe and the idea that they would have been fine is absurd:

[Romney:] The president tells us that without his intervention things in Detroit would be worse. I believe that without his intervention things there would be better. The crux of Romneys argument: If Obama had not acted, private companies would have stepped in and run a managed bankruptcy. What this ignores is that in the fall of 2008, before Obama was even sworn in, no one on Wall Street or anywhere else was willing to lend GM and Chrysler a penny  let alone the $81 billion they and their financial arms eventually needed. Both companies bankruptcies required money on a scale not seen in legal history. Unlike airlines, which can keep running with much smaller short-term loans while they restructure, automakers need massive amounts of up-front capital to pay suppliers and workers while they build cars; their finance companies need even more to keep making car loans that can bring in revenues. The potential damage wasnt just layoffs; Chrysler executives testified on the first day of bankruptcy that without immediate cash the company risked destroying hundreds of millions of dollars worth of equipment. Even after Obama took office, GM and Chrysler searched frantically for paths to avoid bankruptcy, including a possible merger. Chrysler held a one-week garage sale of its assets in February 2009, inviting anyone with enough money to bid for parts of the company. No one bit.

Its not just Donald Trump who is clueless about the economic implosion that was avoided thanks to the efforts of the Obama administration. Trumps running mate Mike Pence voted against the loans that kept GM and Chrysler afloat. Heres what Pence told the audience at the Detroit Economic Club in November of 2010:

[E]ven though I am proud of the American automotive tradition and Indianas ongoing role it, I even opposed bailing out GM and Chrysler. While the administration has been busy making the point that GM is on the rebound and taxpayers are being repaid, most Americans know that it still would have been better if GM had gone through an orderly reorganization bankruptcy without taxpayer support. Taxpayer funded bailouts are no substitute for economic policies that will create real consumer demand. I have no doubt that American automakers and autoworkers can compete and win in a growing American economy.

Pence is as clueless as Trump when it comes to the economic realities that led to the automaker bailout.

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow has a few choice words for Donald Trump as he spends the day in Michigan:

Donald Trump talks a good game, but if you look at his actual record, hes proven to be terrible for Michigan families and businesses. Instead of making and growing things in this country, Trump chose to make his ties in China and his suits in Mexico. He would have let the auto industry go bankrupt, said wages are too high, and even failed to pay small business owners who provided goods and services to his casinos. People in Michigan deserve better. Hillary Clinton stood with us to support the American auto industry and her 100-days Jobs Plan looks like it was written for Michigan! She is laser-focused on strengthening manufacturing, small business growth, clean energy innovation and rebuilding our infrastructure. All of which will create good-paying jobs in Michigan!

Congressman Dan Kildee has a message for Trump, as well:

Donald Trump does not represent Michigan values or the interests of our hardworking people. Trump may say a lot of things that sound nice, but if you look at his actual record, he has never been on the side of Michigan families. Trump has always put Trump first  at the expense of working class people. While Trump claims he wants to make America great, he bet against American workers and made his own clothing line overseas in China. If Trump had his way, he would have also let the auto industry go bankrupt, which would have cost our state hundreds of thousands of jobs. With such a disastrous failed business record, it is no wonder that a vast majority of Michiganders see him as unfit to be president.

Detroit is a town thats been down on its luck for a long time. But, thanks to the efforts of the Obama administration, working in partnership with Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the automotive industry here did not collapse and is now highly profitable once again, employing Michiganders and autoworkers across the country.

Donald Trump may want autoworkers groveling for their jobs, begging to work for any wage but Michigan workers are better than that and have more dignity than Trump gives them credit for.

And no amount of Donald Trump bullying will ever change that.
Blog Archive June 2021 (1) May 2021 (77) April 2021 (77) March 2021 (82) February 2021 (68) January 2021 (64) December 2020 (67) November 2020 (66) October 2020 (66) September 2020 (67) August 2020 (74) July 2020 (83) June 2020 (92) May 2020 (86) April 2020 (104) March 2020 (105) February 2020 (74) January 2020 (75) December 2019 (75) November 2019 (70) October 2019 (89) September 2019 (69) August 2019 (81) July 2019 (77) June 2019 (73) May 2019 (110) April 2019 (110) March 2019 (102) February 2019 (85) January 2019 (123) December 2018 (116) November 2018 (112) October 2018 (121) September 2018 (107) August 2018 (150) July 2018 (163) June 2018 (190) May 2018 (145) April 2018 (112) March 2018 (124) February 2018 (113) January 2018 (164) December 2017 (150) November 2017 (144) October 2017 (169) September 2017 (171) August 2017 (135) July 2017 (131) June 2017 (147) May 2017 (160) April 2017 (138) March 2017 (156) February 2017 (143) January 2017 (203) December 2016 (208) November 2016 (185) October 2016 (173) September 2016 (194) August 2016 (232) July 2016 (225) June 2016 (238) May 2016 (231) April 2016 (215) March 2016 (246) February 2016 (226) January 2016 (252) December 2015 (230) November 2015 (250) October 2015 (234) September 2015 (222) August 2015 (253) July 2015 (275) June 2015 (279) May 2015 (223) April 2015 (226) March 2015 (243) February 2015 (258) January 2015 (281) December 2014 (292) November 2014 (296) October 2014 (413) September 2014 (472) August 2014 (506) July 2014 (483) June 2014 (488) May 2014 (512) April 2014 (497) March 2014 (531) February 2014 (482) January 2014 (535) December 2013 (482) November 2013 (441) October 2013 (416) September 2013 (491) August 2013 (521) July 2013 (491) June 2013 (470) May 2013 (457) April 2013 (426) March 2013 (420) February 2013 (414) January 2013 (489) December 2012 (433) November 2012 (504) October 2012 (469) September 2012 (430) August 2012 (427) July 2012 (360) June 2012 (336) May 2012 (362) April 2012 (322) March 2012 (263) February 2012 (224) January 2012 (291) December 2011 (295) November 2011 (325) October 2011 (330) September 2011 (319) August 2011 (333) July 2011 (318) June 2011 (387) May 2011 (373) April 2011 (389) March 2011 (375) February 2011 (335) January 2011 (400) December 2010 (445) November 2010 (395) October 2010 (312) September 2010 (262) August 2010 (277) July 2010 (323) June 2010 (386) May 2010 (360) April 2010 (333) March 2010 (351) February 2010 (336) January 2010 (384) December 2009 (353) November 2009 (300) October 2009 (308) September 2009 (350) August 2009 (298) July 2009 (255) June 2009 (203) May 2009 (193) April 2009 (186) March 2009 (197) February 2009 (173) January 2009 (148) December 2008 (181) November 2008 (197) October 2008 (236) September 2008 (304) August 2008 (314) July 2008 (273) June 2008 (27) May 2008 (1) April 2008 (6) October 2007 (1) May 2007 (1) April 2007 (6) March 2007 (2) February 2007 (1) October 2006 (1) September 2006 (1) August 2006 (4) July 2006 (4) June 2006 (1) July 2005 (1) May 2005 (2) March 2005 (1) June 2004 (2) May 2004 (1) April 2004 (4) March 2004 (2) February 2004 (2) July 2003 (2) June 2003 (5)
UTRECHT  A new report commissioned by H&M and Dutch Government has outlined the serious sustainability and environmental challenges faced by the cotton sector in Ethiopia. The report looked at six cotton regions and found all of them face severe environmental challenges due to a lack of awareness, knowledge and capacity of the local work force. The report also found there is an over use of pesticides and chemicals causing environmental pollution, as well as water management issues, with an excessive use of water through irrigation systems.
Designer handbags are expensive, but the true price of luxury leather accessories are the countless numbers of exotic animals that are illegally hunted and slaughtered for their skin.

Baby crocodiles seized by Chinese police pic.twitter.com/pFV0Jpq4Cm  China Daily (@ChinaDaily) August 2, 2016

In southern Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, border police seized 399 baby Siamese crocodiles from a rented house in Dongxing City, National Geographic reported via Chinas Xinhua News Agency. The tiny creatures were only 25 centimeters long and roughly two weeks old and likely trafficked from Vietnam.

Police told Xinhua News that they uncovered the crocs after approaching three nervous men in front of the house. Two of the men escaped in a truck but the third was caught. Raising or trafficking the species without a license is illegal in China.



This past January, 70 frozen wild Siamese crocodiles were seized from a seafood truck in Fangchenggang, Xinhua wrote.

The

critically endangered freshwater crocodiles are among the most threatened crocodilians due to commercial hunting for their skin, the International Union for Conservation of Nature states. The reptiles are native to Southeast Asia but have been considered virtually extinct since the early 1990s. Severely fragmented wild populations exist in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Thailand and are possibly extinct in Kalimantan. An estimated 500-1,000 mature individuals exist in the wild with numbers continuing to decline.

According to a U.S. tannery company, adult Siamese crocodiles reach up to 13 feet and more than 60,000 of farmed species are killed for their skin. It is illegal to trade Siamese crocodile skin in the U.S. or Europe.

Chinas notorious wildlife trade is banking on the extinction of wild animals. As New Scientist reported, these days, rather than traditional medicine, China has been supplying the increasing demand for luxury items such as ivory, shark fin and rare leathers. For instance, bear bile and gall bladders are being added to luxury cosmetics instead of traditional medicine.

Fundamentally its about luxury items and greed, Adam Roberts of Born Free USA told the publication. Traditional medicine practitioners are becoming less important in the consumption of wildlife parts, and its transferring more to the big businessmen.

National Geographic listed several other gruesome wildlife trafficking crimes that have occurred in just the past week, including an incident in Russia where authorities seized 525 paws of critically endangered Himalayan bears worth almost $500,000 headed for China. The haul also included nearly 4,000 mink furs, about five pounds of jade and a piece of a mammoth tusk.

In May, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the countrys wildlife poaching and said that the government is changing laws and increasing punishment on smugglers.

We take a strong stand against the illegal wildlife trade. In terms of cracking on poaching and combating smuggling, we urgently need to work together with the international community to undertake responsibilities and meet the challenges, President Xi said in a message read by Chinese ambassador to Kenya, Dr. Liu Xianfa.

Protecting the ecological environment and wildlife is our common responsibility.
Amid news of a

Zika outbreak in the Miami area, the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM) has cleared the experimental release of genetically modified (GMO) mosquitoes in the Florida Keys to help combat the virus.

The agency also concluded that the proposed field trial will not have significant impacts on the environmenton the food chain, for instanceafter considering thousands of public comments.

The purpose of the investigational trial is to determine the efficacy of Oxitecs GMO mosquitoes for the control of the local population of

Aedes aegypti in Key Haven, a small community about a mile east of Key West. County residents will vote this November on whether or not to allow the field tests to proceed.

The mosquitoes in question were created by

Oxitec, a UK-based biotech firm that specializes in insect control. Pending approval, Oxitec will release its self-limiting OX513A Aedes aegypti, a male GMO mosquito that does not bite or spread disease, to mate with wild female Aedes aegypti, the primary vector that carries the Zika virus. The lab insects carry a gene thats fatal to offspring, meaning the local population will dwindle over time at the release site.

Weve been developing this approach for many years, and from these results we are convinced that our solution is both highly effective and has sound environmental credentials, Oxitecs CEO Hadyn Parry said. Were delighted with the announcement today [on Aug. 5] that the FDA, after their extensive review of our dossier and thousands of public comments for a trial in the Florida Keys, have published their final view that this will not have a significant impact on the environment. We are now looking forward to working with the community in the Florida Keys moving forward.

Parry estimated to the Guardian that 20 to 100 mosquitoes per person will be released on the island.

Prior efficacy trials in Brazil, Panama and the Cayman Islands reduced the

Aedes aegypti population by more than 90 percentan exceptional level of control compared to conventional methods, such as insecticides, Oxitec said.

As The Verge noted, Oxitecs rate is much more successful compared to efforts by the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District. The program, which utilizes conventional control methods such as pesticides sprayed from trucks and planes and mosquito traps, reduced mosquito populations by 30 to 60 percent.

Oxitecs trial in Florida will run for between six and 22 months.



Oxitec is responsible for ensuring all other local, state, and federal requirements are met before conducting the proposed field trial, and, together with its local partner, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, to determine whether and when to begin the proposed field trial in Key Haven, Florida, the FDA said.

The FDA also said that its decision to approve Oxitecs Florida field trials does not mean the GMO mosquitoes are approved for commercial use.

The Zika virus has spread with alarming speed throughout South and Central America. The island of Puerto Rico has more than 8,000 confirmed cases of Zika with officials estimating that cases will skyrocket. The state of Florida now has 422 casesmore than any other state in the nation, as POLITICO pointed out.

The mosquito-borne Zika virus has been linked to microcephaly, a rare neurological condition which leads to abnormal brain development in babies. The

World Health Organization has declared the situation an international public health emergency.

Scientists have suspected that climate change is exacerbating the problem of longer mosquito-active seasons. As the Natural Resources Defense Council wrote:



A

new analysis by Climate Central highlights that the number of days hot and humid enough for mosquitoes to be active and biting has increased in many big U.S. citiesand climate change will further increase those numbers, in most locations. In their analysis, the ten cities with the biggest increase in the length of the mosquito season over the last 30 years were: Baltimore, Maryland; Durham, North Carolina; Minneapolis; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; Portland, Maine; St. Louis; Pittsburgh; Worcester, Massachusetts ; and Albany, New York. These cities cover a huge swath of the eastern U.S. Nationwide, 76 percent of major cities have seen their mosquito season get longer over that time.

This adds a whole other dimension to the public health challenges of Zika: climate change could make more areas of the U.S. more susceptible to this and other mosquito-borne pathogens in the future. Increased heat, disrupted precipitation patterns and higher humidity can allow mosquitoes to thrive in new places, as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reported in our

Fever Pitch report about dengue fever, another infectious viral disease that can be carried by the same two Aedes mosquito species. Warmer temperatures enable mosquitoes to develop more quickly and to incubate viruses that can infect people faster. Thus, climate change can hasten the spread of many infectious diseases, including Zika.

Besides Zika, the Aedes aegypti transmits other viruses such as dengue, yellow fever and chikungunya.

Critics are voicing concerns over the Florida GMO mosquito project. A release from Common Dreams highlighted Oxitecs connection to its parent company, Intrexon, which produces non-browning Arctic apples and fast-growing AquaBounty salmontwo highly controversial GMO food products.

Some public health advocates have also pointed out that the long-term environmental effects of GMO mosquitoes are unknown.

Releasing GMO mosquitoes into the environment without long term environmental impact studies is irresponsible and frightening, Zen Honeycutt, director of the anti-GMO group Moms Across America,

said in reaction to the FDAs decision. What about the creatures who eat the mosquitoes and all the life forms up the food chain? The impact could be irreversible  Allowing uncontrollable genetically altered life forms into the wild is not justified.

A

Change.org petition, signed by nearly 170,000 people, has called on government officials to reject Oxitecs trial involving mutant mosquitoes, the petition states.
On the heels of Canadas approval of GMO salmon, Friends of the Earth U.S. and a coalition of more than 30 consumer, health, food safety and fishing groups released updated numbers Wednesday showing that nearly 80 major food retailers have committed to not sell genetically engineered salmon, despite FDAs approval last November.

Nearly 80 major food retailers have committed to not sell genetically engineered salmon.

Despite irresponsible approvals, the growing number of commitments from retailers demonstrates there is no market for GMO salmon, Dana Perls, senior food and technology campaigner with Friends of the Earth, said. Retailers and restaurants are wisely listening to their customers and rejecting GMO salmon.

Albertsons Companies, owner of Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, ACME, Shaws and others, stated its commitment to not sell GMO salmon.

Albertsons Companies and its family of stores, have no plans to carry GE salmon, Jonathan Mayes, Albertsons Companies senior vice president, said in a statement. The seafood products we offer will continue to be selected consistent with our Responsible Seafood Policy and our partnership with FishWise.

Albertsons Companies, which acquired Safeway in January 2015, continued Safeways policy on sustainable seafood and GMO salmon for all of its banner stores.

With Albertsons Companies banner stores, a total of more than 79 grocery retailers with more than 11,000 stores have now made commitments to not sell the GMO salmon, including Albertsons, Safeway, Costco, Kroger, Target, Trader Joes and Whole Foods, along with restaurant chains including Red Lobster and Legal Sea Foods.

Walmart, the worlds largest retailer, and Publix are among the last remaining large retail grocers in the U.S. that have not said publicly whether or not they will sell GMO salmon.

A growing body of science suggests that GMO salmon may pose serious environmental and public health risks, including potentially irreversible damage to wild salmon populations.

In the wake of controversy over the U.S. approval, the U.S. has put in place an import ban on GMO salmon until labeling standards are established. The day after Canadas announcement, Provincial Fisheries Minister of Nova Scotia announced the province will ban the farming of GMO fish.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

David Suzuki: How to Feed the World as the Planet Warms

Vandana Shiva: Small Farmers Are Foundation to Food Security, Not Corporations Like Monsanto

Canada Approves GMO Salmon

Did Your State Make the Top 10 List for Its Commitment to Local Food?
Last year, I wrote how Mexicos plan for saving the vaquita, a small porpoise species found only in the northern part of the Gulf of California, was nothing more than a roadmap for vaquita extinction. Late last Friday, well after there was any chance for the story to be part of last weeks news cycle, the Mexican government issued a press release about its work to save the species. Buried far down in the release was the one number that tells you all you need to know about the status of the vaquita and the efficacy of Mexicos efforts to save it. There are only about 60 vaquitas remaining, down from the 100 that were living a little less than two years ago. Mexicos plan is not working.

Vaquita. Photo credit: NOAA / Paula Olson

Basically, about 40 percent of the vaquita population has disappeared at the same time that Mexico has been vigorously working to avert vaquita extinction. Id hate to see what happens to a species on the brink that Mexico ignores.

Now, to be fair, other countries have a role to play and a responsibility to the vaquita. The U.S., for example, is a transit point for smuggling the fish (totoaba) that today is driving the vaquitas demise. Gillnets set by poachers to feed Chinese demand for totoaba swim bladders catch more than fish. They also entangle vaquita, which drown in the gear.

As part of many totoaba smuggling routes, the U.S. must do more to crack down on such trafficking. And the U.S. has a responsibility to offer assistance to Mexico. The vaquitas perilous condition is a direct result of the U.S. failing to implement a law that bans fish imports that do not meet U.S. standards for marine mammal protection. For years the U.S. knew that Mexicos shrimp fishery in the upper Gulf of California was harming the vaquita in excess of U.S. standards. Yet, vaquita-killing shrimp continued to flow into the U.S. in violation of federal law.

There is still time for the vaquita to recover and thrive if Mexico produces the right conditions: all fishing must be banned in vaquita habitat; the ban must be scrupulously enforced; and Mexico must work closely with other countries to secure the resources necessary to enforce a ban and to crack down on illegal trafficking and markets.

Its up to Mexico to decide if the vaquita will be on the path to recovery in a few years versus the road to extinction. I have no doubt Mexico can create the conditions necessary for vaquita recovery. It just has to choose that path.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Rare Rhino Gives Birth to Adorable Baby Girl

Sonic Sea: Sounding the Alarm on Ocean Noise

Will One of the Worlds Most Endangered Whales Be Saved Before Its Too Late?

Millions of Dead Fish Washing Up on Vietnams Shores
Former CIA Officer Evan McMullin Announces Independent Presidential Campaign

Trending News: Independent Republican Evan McMullin Hopes To Take Down Trump

Why Is This Important?

Because the Republican Party is exploding and may never be put back together again.

Long Story Short

Chief policy director of the House GOP Evan McMullin is announcing an independent campaign for the presidency of the United States, according to multiple reports.

Long Story

He isnt exactly a household name, and has never been elected to anything, but Evan McMullin may become the standard-bearer for the now hopelessly quixotic #NeverTrump movement.

According to reports by BuzzFeed News and NBCs Morning Joe, McMullin may announce his candidacy as soon as noon on Monday. Its believed that veteran Republican strategist Rick Wilson will be involved, and was meeting with possible McMullin campaign members in DC over the weekend.

Update: It's official!

Not much is known about McMullin other than some basics. Hes a graduate of Brigham Young University, which should help him in Utah, where Donald Trump is struggling. He was a CIA officer from 1999-2010, and received an MBA from Wharton in 2011. Hes gone on to become a policy guy for House Republicans, eventually becoming the policy director for the House GOP.

Joe Scarborough tweeted that McMullin will have access to desperate big-name Republican donors. That means that while he's short on time to campaign, he may be able to make up for it with money.

The candidate revealed by sources has an impressive resume and the backing of key $$ contributors in the Republican Party.  Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) August 8, 2016

And while he hasnt exactly been a huge voice for conservatives who hate Trump, hes been quietly making his position about the Republican candidate known for a while.

Authoritarians like @realDonaldTrump use promises of law & order to justify infringing on civil rights as they consolidate control by force.  Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) July 22, 2016

Americans deserve to see @realDonaldTrump's tax returns immediately. If he won't be transparent on this, how could we trust his presidency?  Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) May 11, 2016

Opposing @realDonaldTrump is about putting principle over power, a virtue some in Washington are too quick to abandon. #NeverTrump  Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) May 7, 2016

He's active on Facebook, too:

A couple of days later, this, over a photo of the Emancipation Memorial in Lincoln Park:

But while McMullin may be the breath of fresh air mainline Republicans have been hoping for since Trump hijacked the party, he's not exactly being greeted with open arms. As a former spook and current quintessential Washington "insider," he's going to have a hard time with voters who support Trump precisely because he's none of those things. His twitter mentions, for instance, are pretty savage.

@Evan_McMullin @realDonaldTrump Why don't u focus on Hillary's medical, Wall street transcripts, or the Clinton Foundation ties 2 collusion?  CoolBreeze (@CoolBreeze018) August 8, 2016

@Evan_McMullin @realDonaldTrump that's the EXACT reason his followers favor him. He's NOT a politician from Washington & fights 4 US  na_AwWw  (@na_awww) August 8, 2016

@Evan_McMullin @realDonaldTrump Former CIA/Goldmann Sachs/United Nation says it all. I am with Crooked Hilary  n.k (@egb1233) August 8, 2016

Good luck, buddy.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question

Will he be influential enough to split Republican voters and all but guarantee a Hillary presidency?

Disrupt Your Feed

Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson is probably really annoyed right now.

Drop This Fact

The latest poll numbers are really bad for Donald Trump. In a poll of the last six polls, Trump is trailing Clinton by 10 points. Yikes.
By Violet Batcha

Most of the food Americans eat is produced in ways that harm the environment and worsen climate change. The federal government subsidizes unhealthy crops that have contributed to Americans expanding waistlines, while Monsanto and big agriculture push pesticides and genetically modified seeds on farmers.

Our food system is broken. But a new short film from Patagonia Provisions, the food division of the outdoor clothing chain, argues that it doesnt have to be this way.

"People are making a statement; we appreciate the way you farm & are willing to help along the way." #UnbrokenGround pic.twitter.com/E8w5lG0exH  Patagonia Provisions (@PatagoniaProv) August 5, 2016

Unbroken Ground highlights farmers, fishers, ranchers and researchers who are exploring food production strategies that aim to change our relationship with land and oceans. If we invest in more sustainable ways to farm and fish, food canas it shouldbe part of the solution to environmental problems.

Watch the film here:

[vimeo https://vimeo.com/173969073 expand=1]
The whole world held its breath in awe on Friday watching the Opening Ceremony for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. A day later I arrived back in the city that has become my second home while Mayor Eduardo Paes has been C40s chairperson for the last two and a half years. As I sit writing this article while enjoying the extraordinary new space in Porto Maravilha, though many have criticized the city for its Olympic preparations, its impossible not to be moved by the significance of the first-ever Olympics to be held in South America.

Olympic cities are always criticized while under the worlds microscope. Though there are some shortcomings heremostly in areas that were the responsibility of the state or federal governmentits impossible not to be impressed by the transformation in sustainable transport and public space the mayor has instigated as a direct result of taking on the challenge of hosting the worlds single greatest international contest.

The promise of the Olympics has been on the horizon since current C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) Chair and Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes was elected mayor in 2008. He has worked tirelessly throughout the intervening years not only to produce an event worthy of the global stage, but also to invest in and develop long-term legacy projects that will benefit the city and its inhabitants for years to come. Indeed, Mayor Paes has followed the advice of former Barcelona (also a C40 city) mayor and Olympic host Pasqual Maragall: The Olympics must serve the city, not vice versa.

Mayor Paes speaking at a press conference at Paris City Hall with C40 Mayors in 2015. C40 / Flickr

Mayor Paes has stayed true to that principle: For every one real invested in the Olympics, the city has invested five Reais in sustainable infrastructure and legacy projects. The citys ambitions for the Olympics have always been high and under Mayor Paes leadership it has made powerful and lasting improvements for the city and its people that will endure far beyond when the last athletes have left town.

There has been a major expansion of the citys public transit systems, including an incredibly rapid development of bus rapid transit that means the proportion of residents using public transport has risen from under 20 percent to more than 60 percent in just 8 years, a brand new light rail system and more than 450 kilometers of cycle paths (as well as the new subway line, built by the state but for which the mayor has been a major advocate).

The city has completed a major renovation and revitalization of the Porto Maravilha, the citys historic birthplace. They redesigned the area in terms of mobility to make it more friendly to human-scale transitremoving the brutalist perimetral highway (indeed the first time I met Mayor Paes he apologized for being late with the excuse that he had been blowing up the very same road), adding a light vehicle tram, closing streets to cars, creating facilities for pedestrians and building the arrestingly beautiful Museum of Tomorrow.

Mayor Paes inaugurated the Rio Operations Center, a digital nerve center of the city in which critical servicesfrom waste management to emergency response and traffic controlare monitored to improve the citys efficiency and emergency response. It is a model that has captured the attention of other cities across the world.

Though the failure to clean up the Guanabara Baywhich has been a contentious location in the lead-up to the gamesfalls outside the jurisdiction of the Mayor, the city has invested in a new West Zone Wastewater Treatment Plant that will benefit 430,000 people and treat 65 million liters of sewage that would otherwise be dumped in the bay. This is another fulfilled Olympic commitment and it brings better quality of life for thousands of people.

More than 70 percent of Olympic facilities were built by converting existing structures and some Olympic venues, like the Handball Stadium, are designed to be converted into community projects, like public schools, after the games.

Hosting an Olympics Games is no mean feat for any mayor, but it is particularly challenging when taking into consideration the political and economic turmoil Brazil has been facing over the past 12 months. Rather than criticizing what has not been done in Rio (and there are still many areas that require improvement and investment), those who care about sustainability should be praising Mayor Paes for delivering an impressive raft of infrastructure improvements, while the rest of the country has been at a virtual standstill.

Moreover, in addition to his job as mayor, Mayor Paes has also been the energetic chair of C40 since December 2013 and has been instrumental to engaging more than 20 new member cities from China, India, the Philippines, Africa and the Middle East, such that we now have a majority of members from the global south.

Under his leadership, Mayor Paes and C40 joined partners in launching the Compact of Mayors, creating a new global standard for urban emissions reporting and creating a program of effective city determined commitments to mirror the INDCs being pledged by nation states. Mayor Paes led from the front and Rio became the first city to be compliant with the Compact of Mayors. Rio was also the first Brazilian city to complete a study of its climate vulnerabilities and has mandated emissions cuts of 20 percent by 2020.

It has also been through Mayor Paes personal leadership that we have created the C40 Finance Facility, to address the the startling omission of most of the worlds green funds to finance city governments low carbon projects. Starting from initial generous support from the German government, Mayor Paes aims for the facility to unlock up to $1 billion worth of sustainable infrastructure in cities across low and middle-income countries by 2020.

In part because of Mayor Paes leadership, Latin America is a focal point for city climate action this year: C40 is looking forward to hosting our flagship event, the C40 Mayors Summit in Mexico City at the end of November. Mexico City Mayor Mancera and Mayor Paes will host this gathering where mayors, urban experts, business people and celebrities from around the world will come together to continue positioning cities as a leading force for climate action around the world.

It is with extreme gratitude that we at C40 thank Mayor Paes for his leadership and passion. And is with great excitement that today in Rio we announced the new C40 chair: Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

From left to right: Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro and Chair of C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris. C40 / Flickr

The C40 Steering Committee voted unanimously to elect Mayor Hidalgo, who has maintained a steadfast commitment to urban sustainability throughout her tenure thus far, emphasizing walkability in Paris, spearheading calls to better air quality across Europe and hosting the Climate Summit for Local Leaders alongside the COP21 climate negotiations in Paris last December. She will be an inspiring champion for city voices around the world, leading by example as the C40 chair-elect. She will take over from Mayor Paes after the C40 Mayors Summit in Mexico City later this year.

It is no coincidence, too, that Paris is currently bidding to host the 2024 Olympics, more than half of the cities that have hosted the Olympics are also C40 member cities. And, given that the International Olympic Committee has outlined a commitment to a sustainable future, its no surprise that C40s member citieswhich represent the most powerful and innovative cities in the worldare not only great places to live, work and prosper, but are also make supremely competent Olympic hosts.

Mayor Paes has been an exceptional leader for the last several years and Rio has set an example for other cities around the world seeking a clean development pathway. We look forward to Mayor Hidalgo carrying that charge forward for the critical years to come.
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.
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.

14:55, 28 OCT 2022
Summer shut down for House of Keys



Picture credit - www.tynwald.org.im

MHKs will clear out their desks this week as the House of Keys prepares to shut down ahead of the new intake of politicians.

As of Thursday they will have handed over responsibility for their constituencies with residents being temporarily unrepresented.

The General Election takes place on September 22nd - all prospective candidates have to declare by August 24th.

Members of the Legislative Council remain in place as they are not publically elected - President of Tynwald Steve Rodan explains what will happen:

Media

Steve Rodan MHK
Migrant reception centers in Italy are quickly becoming glorified holding pens for women who will soon be sold into prostitution rings across Europe. Most of the women who fall victim to these schemes are minors who are simply looking for a better life in the West.

The grim findings, expressed by the United Nations' International Office for Migration (IOM). According to the IOM, almost 80 percent of Nigerian women who arrived in Italy by would end up being sold into human trafficking rings in the country and across Europe. The IOM further stated that at this point, the state of affairs has now reached "crisis" levels.

In an interview with The Guardian, anti-trafficking expert at the IOM Simona Moscarelli described the current state of Nigerian women who are arriving on Italy's shores.

"What we have seen this year is a crisis, it is absolutely unprecedented and is the most significant increase in the number of Nigerian women arriving in Italy for 10 years," she said.

"Our indicators are the majority of these women are being deliberately brought in for sexual exploitation purposes. There has been a big enhancement of criminal gangs and trafficking networks engaging in the sexual exploitation of younger and younger Nigerian girls."

While the sex trafficking rings in Europe have been preying on immigrant girls from countries like Nigeria for the past few decades, the massive influx of refugees during the last couple of years have made it far easier for human traffickers to pick out and pick up their victims.

This year alone, the number of Nigerian women who arrived by boat to Italy number almost 4,000 as of writing. Last year, the total number was 5,633, and the year before that, just 1,500. With the spike in human trafficking, a significant number of these women have gone missing over the years.

"There is little understanding of the dynamics and nature of this form of trafficking. The reception centers are not good places for trafficked women. Just last week six girls went missing from a reception center in Sicily, they were just picked up in a car and driven away," Moscarelli said.

"The women we are seeing are increasingly young, many are unaccompanied minors when they arrive and the violence and exploitation they face when they are under the control of these gangs is getting worse. They are really treated like slaves."

Deputy chief prosecutor Salvatore Vella, one of the region's leading voices against the practice of human trafficking, described the mobsters' modus operandi further.

"The mobsters just come to the camp and pick women up. As easy as going to a grocery store. That's what these women are treated like, objects to trade, buy, exploit and resell and the reception centers are acting as a sort of warehouse where these girls are temporarily stocked," he said.
The right to the city means more than just access to its resources. It suggests that people, particularly the marginalised, not only have the right to inhabit a city, but also the right to design, reshape and transform it. An analysis of urban governance in our country keeping in mind this overlooked human right.
Booklets by Naik, handed out free to visitors at IRF office in December, 2013

"Suddenly, an average Muslim could argue why polygamy is allowed and why we dont eat pigs through logic rather than just saying its gods will when arguing with people of different faiths" (SU, email interview with the author, 2013).

Zakir Naiks media trial could or could not set forth a chain of events which define how the lines between the extremist and moderate Muslim will be redrawn in the nations imagination. As news of a Dhaka terrorist having quoted Naiks lectures on his Facebook wall spreadand terrorists being inspired by Naik changed to Naik inspiring men to be terrorists within seconds, there was a scramble to make sense of Naik with familiar labels: does he support terrorism or peace, are his views fanatical or not, is he modern or regressive.

Probes into Naiks muddled speeches evaded an easy attempt at fitting him into these boxesthat he had no interest in criticising the Indian state and said that he believed in coexistence of religions, while affirming the absolute truth of Islam over all other religions; that on his channel Peace TV, Naik tries to find commonalities between Islam and other religions, but the common is always on the side of Naiks version of Islam; that he talks about womens rights and then justifies polygamy, that he congratulates the atheist for not believing what his father taught him, and then says every tenet of Islam is compatible with modern science.

Over the last couple of weeks, listicles from digital native sites, free of the burden of creating a system of logic, framed their responses by plucking out meaty bits of Naiks hundreds of videos with the 5 most ridiculous things, or dangerous things Naik has saidhow pigs should not be eaten because they cheat on their partners, how it is alright to beat your wife lightly with a tooth-brush, how suicide bombing might be okay if it is done as a last resort and not for personal interests, etc.

However, Naiks immense popularity among Indian and Bangladeshi Muslims, especially among people who are educated under modern formal education systems, and many of whom think of themselves as liberals and modern, makes it mandatory for us to understand the structure in which he has earned legitimacy.1 One has to attempt to understand why people who inhabit modern spheres: education, democracy, and enchanted by ideas of progress, industrialisation, and scientific discoveries are simultaneously enchanted by Naik.

Any attempt to rerun the old narrative of the irrationality of religion and the naivety of Naiks supporters, that they are fanatics, brainwashed and blinded by their religious passion, falls flat on its face in understanding Naik and his fan-following. Naik, the Islamic evangelist, is a complete product of the modern, secular world (I use the term secular in the sense of its West-European trajectoryas distinct from the sacred, not the communal, as discussed in Section 3), who has earned legitimacy from incorporating religious unbelief as a valid option, who values the exercise of what he calls logic and reason over feeling, arrived truths over justice, and sees religion as a system of injunctions, and practices as mere products of peoples cognitive propositions. What counts as logic and rational argument in Naiks speeches could be contested for authenticity, but in using the form, Naik is already within the domain of public sphere.

Clearly if contemporary analyses of Naik thinks of him as symbolic of and symptomising religious fundamentalism, we have to pin which part of his rhetoric accounts for it, and how is it different from other secular affirmations of truthshis insistence that Islam is the best religion in the world, his attempt to bombard scientific terminology to show logical inconsistencies in other religions, or his relativisation of violence, that is, the justification that violence can be allowed under some conditions.

To point out the exact problem with Naiks rhetoric is crucial, for many of the forms of Naiks dangers, notably Naiks justification of crime and punishment, strikingly mimic the operation of the modern world. This is also how he has been able to gain legitimacy amidst an audience which is more modernised than not.

The fact that he wears a three-piece suit, talks in perfect English and invokes science and logic are only motifs. Naiks charm is in the form of his speeches, the premises of unbelief from which he persuades, his employment of conspiracy theories of scientific facts and statistics, and the discourses of modernity that he draws from.

These together play with the anyway murky division of the secular and the sacred in the modern world and make it surprisingly simple for him to fool a generation of Muslims left to deal with insecurities coming from crimes they did not themselves commit.

1 Helping Muslims Frame a Response

It is a matter of deep irony to the current situation that Naiks first claim to fame on cable TV in the 2000s was through talking about misrepresentation of Islamic terrorism in the media. In his talk Islam and Media: Peace or War, and in many others with similar names, Naik would say that international media is projecting Islam as though it is a religion of terror, they are picking a few black sheep and projecting as if Islam is asking them to do these illegal activities (YouTube 2012b). His advice to Muslims was not to be apologetic when pestered by others with questions regarding terrorism and Islam. We should not become defensive and say, Oh no some Muslims do it, not me  we should know how to turn the tables over  should use the force of the opponent to throw him over (YouTube 2012b). A well-prepared opening sentence Muslims should keep ready to handle jibes about Islamic terrorism, Naik has said in multiple lectures, is to ask which human being killed the most number of people in the world. Who is the man who has killed the maximum number of human beings in the world? ... Hitler, you dont get an award for guessing it is common knowledge. So which Madrasa did Hitler pass from? (YouTube 2012b).

Still from lecture : Media and Islam- War or Peace?

Naik would go on to list other non-Muslim violent organisations in the world whose actions are not called terrorism by the media. He would then take a detour to question the meaning of the term terrorist, an argument that has understandably come in the scanner now for showing sympathy to terrorism. Naik made ordinary Muslims comfortable about not belonging to the most violent community in the world, and simultaneously, through examples of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, let questions linger about whether certain cases of violence can be justified. He would then return to his initial stand and reiterate the same thingIslam is a religion of peace.

In other lectures, Naik made fun of maulanasthat they go around shouting haram haram and make others wonder what is this religion that isnt allowing a sportsman to play (regarding Sania Mirzas fatwa) (YouTube 2010). Unfortunately we are like sitting ducks. We have made ourselves a laughing stock (YouTube 2010). There was only one-solution, he said on his one hour slot on Q-Tvhave a fully-English channel which both show misguided Muslims and the Western world the real meaning of Islam. He compared it to the kind of money God TV gets from Christian donors. He wondered aloud if Muslims could raise this kind of money. It was important for it to be in English, for us to change perceptions, he insisted.

In January 2006, Peace TV went on air. The stage on which Naik spoke was suddenly manyfold grander and brighter, comparable to any Filmfare award set we have seen, albeit still fully Islamic in its grandeur, while the background music of the channel was comprised by natural sounds, another of Naiks inferences from the Quran.

Born in 1965 in Mumbai, India, Naik obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Mumbai University. The fact that he is a doctor by profession who gave up practice for the sake of Islamic preaching, is emphasised time and again in his talks, both by him and people who introduce him. While defending madrasas, he would readily point out that he did not go to one and had a normal education (YouTube 2012b). In 1991, he founded the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) whose aim is to promote Islamic Dawah and proper presentation, understanding and appreciation of Islam, as well as removing the misconceptions about Islam amongst less aware Muslims and Non-Muslims.2

He borrows his style of scriptural hermeneutics and secular criticism from South African televangelist Ahmed Deedat (19182005), who confessed to start preaching Islam because he was bothered by Pentacostal Christian evangelists knocking on his door and politely quizzing him about Quran (YouTube 2012c). Deedat used the Quran to provide divine substantiation to what Deedat has already proved by biblical hermeneutics and human reason (Larkin 2008: 112).3

Over the years, Naiks IRF organised many live events in major Indian cities as well as other cities of the world, published 10 booklets with condensed versions of Naiks lectures (which were handed out free to me in his Dongri office in 2013, albeit after I was ushered into the ladies wing), sells DVDs of his talks, and also launched a Peace mobile which again, came pre-installed with Naiks videos. Naik introduced himself as a student of comparative religion and his method as use of reason, logic and scientific facts. He quotes from the Bible as well as Sanskrit verses from the Vedas, Puranas and Upanishads, of which he displays erudition. A reference to any of these texts is always made with the exact verse number, and a ticker at the bottom of the TV screen highlights it.

His talks are mostly in interaction with a live audience and a long question and answer session where non-muslim brothers and sisters would be encouraged to ask questions over Muslims, even if it meant breaking the queue. Naik would greet his question-askers with cordiality, sometimes appreciating that the sister has asked a very good question, his tone always even, with programmed pauses for rhetorical humour and not losing temper or appearing angry at a question. The title of his talks were reactionaryMisconceptions about Islam, Is Quran Compatible with Modern Science, Is Terrorism the Monopoly of Islam?, among others like similarities between Hinduism and Islam and concept of god in Christianity.

It was clear that Naik was not there to talk of the beauties of following Islam, neither was he interested in telling Muslims the ideals of living a good life, and how to best the read namaz or go to heaven. Instead, he was there to answer all those questions about Islam that had come up in a world where the Muslim had started doubting her identity and her religion. Naik was speaking to a post 9/11 world. Naik was not interested in a political Islamic state. His guidance was for individuals who will continue to live within liberal states, operating within the freedom to propagate religion in these states.

I personally prefer asking the non-Muslim upfront, what he feels is wrong in Islam, insisting that most will only have five or six questions about the Quranpolygamy, polygandry, hijab for women, if Islam spread by the sword, that muslims are fundamentalists and terrorists, on non-vegetarianism and so on (Naik 2000: 5). In his speeches, Naik would teach Muslims to give a foolproof response to the insistent questions of the world about Islam. It was like live-casting a rehearsal.

I request that if every Muslim memorises the answer to these questions, even if he is not able to convince a non-Muslim to accept Islam or make him realise the (inaudible), at least inshallah he will be able to remove the animosity in the mind, at least he will be able to neutralise him (ZakirNaik.net 2015). It is not enough for the Muslim to be convinced of the truth of Naiks answer once, the point was to be able to reproduce it when the time of need arises, when confronted by a colleague, friend, security guard, arguably daily spheres where Muslims were constantly ambushed to give a defence about violence done in their names half-way down the globe.

Indeed the idea of reproduction is so central, that arguably every new Naik lecture that one would hear now are replicas of an argument he would have developed 15 years ago, with the same intonation and pauses for humour. A lecture by a person from IRF, that I attended in 2014 in Manipal, replicated not only Naiks argument but the pauses and modulations in Naiks intonation as well.

2 Reading Naiks Arguments

The Islam Naik was propagating, was not centred on going to heaven, and conversion, even though occasionally mentioned was only a secondary concern. Naik was an apologetic, where with dawa, defending Islams position in the real world is the core part of religion. However, unlike other religious apologetics, there is a remarkable mixing of the worlds of the transcendental and the secular in Naikin thinking of Islam as a divine system of truth with a benevolent god, and in defending the position of Muslims in a post 9/11 world.

Naik seems considerably less interested in the former than in the latter. If one looks at it, the motivation of dawa is not primarily to gain brownie points from god in the transcendental world, or convert others, but for the Muslim himself, who has silently come to doubt his faith. His audience is not convinced of the truth of Islam but in profound doubt about their position as Muslims. They have internalised both the good and true of what Naik calls the Western world as well as the humiliation meted out to Islam in it. Working with this paradox, Naik then both attacks and affirms these ideas of the Western world. Naik plays with modernitys division of the sacred and the secular, between the supernatural and the material, and between teleological and rational, and uses it to his advantage. He turns the model of separation on its head by attaching the reverence of the secular to religion.

Naik first rides on the idea of a European scientific revolution of the 17th century, which is widely understood as having changed the world and having brought a leap from the world of faith to the world of observation and reason (Shapin 1996: 1). Naik reads vague lines from the Quran to force the meaning that it already mentions the Big Bang Theory which scientists found only recently (YouTube 2011c). He quotes other lines to say Quran mentions that the earth is egg-shaped, that the light of the moon is reflected, that interstellar matter exists, that the universe is expanding, that atoms can be divided, etc (Naik nd). His claims are made in a syntactical structure of three parts (i) earlier it was believed that, (ii) now modern science has told us this, (iii) but Quran said it 1,400 years ago.

"Verily we created man from a drop of mingled sperm" - A still from Naik's lecture

In one of his shows, a man asks in the questionanswer session, How can I convince a non-Muslim that Islam gives permission to have more than one wife, how do I convince them that it is the best (YouTube 2011b). In yet another video, a woman says, For me its one man one woman and I dont see any logic in polygamy (YouTube 2011a). Naik would get up from his chair smiling and his rehearsed 10 minute answer would always be exactly the same:

SisterIslam is the only religion and Quran is the only religious scripture on the face of the world which says marry only one. There is no religious scripture besides the Quran, I am a student of comparative religion. There is no verse in the Bible, no verse in the Bhagavad Gita, no verse in the Veda which says marry only one except the Quran.Sri Krishna, according to Mahabharata, how many wives did he have?...Not unlimited you dont know your scriptures wellNow, lets analyse what the Quran says, the Quran says in Sureh Nisa Chapter 4, verse 3: Marry a woman of your choice in twos threes or four, but if you cant do justice marry only one (YouTube 2011a).

It is only after diligently following his steps of turning the table over, he would get to his niche of applying logic and scientific facts, technical jargon and throwing statistics:

Now what are the logical reasons that a person can think that why Islam has permitted certain men to have more than one wivesBy nature, if you ask any medical doctor he will tell you that male and female are born in equal proportion [but he] will tell you that the female child is stronger than the male child, thats the reason there are more deaths in the male children than the female children. As life goes on, there are people dying due to accidents, due to alcoholism, due to war, there are more males dying as compared to females. Today if you analyse in the world, there are in the world as compared to males. There are some few third-world countries like India where the male population is more than the female population, and do you know why? Because of female foeticide and female infanticide.If you stop this evil practice, in India, our beloved countrythe population of female will be more than the male population. If you see the rest of the world, in New York alone there are 1 million females more than males, in USA alone, there are 7.8 million females more than male. In UK alone, there are 4 million females more than males; in Germany alone, there are 5 million female more than male, in Russia alone, there are 9 million female more than male. Suppose, I agree with your philosophy sister, you said one man one woman, if I agree with you sister, your philosophy, and suppose my sister happens to live in America. and suppose the market is saturated; one man one woman saturated! And yet there will be 7.8 million females who will not find life partners. (YouTube 2011a)

Several questions can be, and indeed must be immediately raised upon this farcical explanation. Even if we ignore the several logical leaps Naik to come to his conclusion, one has to engage with what Naik has efficiently done here with using systems of logic that we are familiar with. This also gives insight into a generation who idolise science and scientific truths, are bothered when Islam is seen as a religion of terror, and their simultaneous want to be scientific and their ready acceptance of Naiks answers.

It should be noted that Naik needs the reference to science, the detour to speak against female infanticide to make his point. He covers all these grounds which have become important campaigns in the modern world. It is noteworthy that Naik does not attempt to explain the legitimacy of polygamy as a practice by itself, and instead frames it as an effect of natural law. That biologically women are stronger than men, and that it is a consequence of this that there are and there will be more women in the world than men, are the facts that enable Naik to offer the validity of polygamy.

He does not attempt to explain how the instance of a man marrying four wives can be right within a certain world view. He does not attempt to give a different view of gender relations or marriage. Instead, he makes the question a problem of the natural world and polygamy as a response to set of natural laws. Naiks god then is limited by natural laws, bound by the laws of the secular world.

God, here, is subservient to the natural world, god like the woman asking the question, would ideally like to have one woman for a man, but god is bound by the natural worlds restraint of the female zygote being stronger and there being more women. God according to Naik, has no essential reason, wisdom or intelligence for allowing four women for a man. There is a characteristic loss of divinity in god that is seen across his other arguments of justifying the Quran as well. God, instead of being the all-powerful, is instead trying his best to devise a just system within limits of (supposed) natural law, as humans have found at this point of time.

Robbing god of his divinity in this argument, as in many others (Section 5), is surely something Naik does not do on purpose, neither does he or his followers seem to note the paradox in it. However, a religion without divinity is an indispensable feature of the religion that Naik is trying to create.

Naiks religion in fact is an embarrassingly evolved version of how a rational religion was conceptualised by advocates of liberal thinkers while conceptualising liberal democracy post Enlightenment. Naiks Islam demonstrates not fanaticism, or religious passion but a secularisation of religion.

3 Naiks God without Divinity

Naiks religion of tenets, which feels correct to the believer because they are similar to other common-sensical things in the world, has to be traced to a long history of secularisation of religion. Unlike it is often seen in retrospect, the scientific revolution of 17th century Europe did not entail a complete overthrow of teleological explanations and reference to the divine, for methods of observation and reason (Shapin 1996; Bala 2006; Osler 2010). Most natural philosophers of the 17th century were believers and the entire enterprise of studying the natural world was embedded in a theological framework that emphasised divine creation, design, and providence (Osler 2010: 81). Isaac Newton, citing the intelligence and design in the natural worldhow come the Bodies of Animals be contrived with so much Art and for what ends were their several Parts? insisted that it appears from Phenomena that there is Being incorporeal, living, intelligent, omnipresent (Osler 2010: 8081). God was the upholder of the natural world.

Naiks premise of the transcendental and natural, however, is not similar to Newtons. For Newton the divinity of god is to be inferred from the design of the world which is perfect. Naik does not see the natural world as a perfect creation, whose beauty inspires wonder about the divine. What must be remarked in Naiks conception of god and his relation to the natural world is Naiks absolute lack of divinity in taking about god, the un-interest in magic, beauty, wonder, incorporeality and the supernatural in his idea of religion, and his insistent need to bring down god to a set of tenets and mundane objects of the secular world. Religion here is a set of rules which can be made to look reasonable with reference to the world around us. It is different from other secular rule books, only as much as in that they might have parts of the truth, while it has the whole.

Naik hardly invokes god as a mystical being who must be revered. The primacy of the text remains, god cannot be possibly reached or felt without it. There is almost no interest in Islam as a form of truth in relation to god, the interest in establishing the truth of Islam is purely secular, that is, in terms of the current material world as we know it. God happens to be the author of the book for whose confirmation Naik is probing the natural world. Naiks natural world too is not perfect and god is intelligent insomuch as he can solve the problems that the faulty material world has set upon the world.

Further, Naiks talks are not addressed to a community of Muslims. There is little or no invocation of a Muslimhood in a conventional sense of a religious community, of parables or historical events that would invoke a sense of communitarian memory. Naik, wittingly or unwittingly, is playing upon a series of divisions about the sacred and the secular that was conceived in enlightenment and post enlightenment liberal theorisation.

This line between secular and sacred, in its many manifestations, is an undertone in many spheres in our modern worlds, whose origins can be traced to the Protestant reformation, and of which the most relatable version today is the theorisation of a secular statethe wall of separation between state and religionand which, it must be emphasised, continues to influence our understanding of religious violence and extremism as a tussle between irrationality and rationality, fanaticism and liberalism, and as inspired by a believers unexamined passion for god.

The idea of separation of religion and state, as that of belief and practice, and rationality and irrationality comes from a set of theological and metaphysical assumptions of dividing the world into spheres of secular and sacred which have been normalised globally to a large extent without realising the underlying assumptions.4

4 A Rational Religion

Naik then walks on lines that Enlightenment thinkers envisaged for religion, and the divisions they formulated, and comes across as charmingly transgressive when he is able to use its flaws to his advantage, for example, by simply showing that he can make an attempt justifying polygamy, however contorted, without invoking any religious obligation.5 The idea of a rational religion emerged from the premise of distinguishing sacred and profane time. Charles Taylor, in his monumental work A Secular Age, shows that the idea of the secular developed with Latin Christendom as one term of a dyadthe secular had to do with the centurythat is, with profane timeand it was contrasted with what related to the eternal, or to sacred time (Taylor 2011: 32). Certain times, places, institutions and actions were seen as related to sacred or higher times, while others were for profane time alone (Taylor 2011: 32).

Thus, in initial understandings of secular spaces and times, even when the temporal and celestial can be conceived separately, they function in a dyad where both are necessary to understand the meaning of the other. The reference to secular is distinct from but not opposed to sacred and eternal time (Taylor 2011: 32).

With people like Newton however, we see a partial move where the natural world begins to be seen as a whole functioning independently, but nevertheless held from above by gods will. It is a further development of this, from the 17th century on, where the secular went from being what is different from the sacred, to the sphere which is natural, and the bare minimum, and thus fundamentally opposed to the sacred, which is the super natural and thus excessive to meaning in the natural world. In the new version of social life, secular was all there was.

As Taylor point out, the word secular was still the same, but its meaning had changed, the contrast was no longer with another temporal dimension, in which spiritual institutions had their niche; rather, the secular was, in its new sense, opposed to any claim (Taylor 2011: 33).

Thus all goals now had to be this-wordly and justified only if it involved human flourishing, peace, prosperity, etc. An unproductive religiosity came to be seen as superfluous, characterised with un-arrived beliefs which neither added to prosperity and ran the risk of hindering the authority of the state. The deist template,

helped to define good or acceptable religion for much of the Western discussion of the last few centuries. A good or proper religion is a set of belief in God or some other transcendent power, which entails an acceptable, and in some versions, a rational morality. It is devoid of any elements that do not contribute to this morality and thus of superstition (Taylor 2011: 35).

Religious practices were seen as mere products of beliefs without any value in themselves, and religion, came to be solely defined as a a state of mind that produces practice, as something with external manifestations that can be ultimately traced back to an inner assent to a cognitive proposition (Sherwood 34). Thus, Enlightenment onwards, religion solely got its identity from being belief and faith, which was potentially dangerous in a public sphere because of being a series of propositions that come from divine sanction and not through reasons independent of religious sources. A common theme in the writings of people theorising liberal democracy in the 17th century, for example,

is that a good citizen of a liberal democracy will impose certain epistemological restraint [and]specifically refrain from allowing religious reason be determinative when deciding or debating political issues of certain sortsor perhaps any sorts whatsoever, unless perchance, those religion reasons are themselves held for reasons of the acceptable sort (Audi and Wolterstorff 1997: 69).

These acceptable reasons have been described by different scholars as being publicly accessible reasons, as secular reasons as derived from the shared political culture of ones democracy, and others like Rawls have said that they should not come from any comprehensive perspective (Audi and Wolterstorff 1997: 74). The idea is that religious authority has a unique potential for undue influence ... by contrast, secular reasons are not commonly regarded as having the same kind of authority as religious ones (Audi and Wolterstorff 1997: 126).

Understanding religions core to be belief and inward faith, of which enthusiasm and superstition were manifestations, the attempt was to deride religion of its excessive features, and make acceptable that part of religion which could be deemed acceptable by reasonably believed or those that overlapped with secular sources of obligation.6 John Locke, for example, held that by appealing solely to the deliverances of our generic human nature applied directly to things themselves we could arrive at a rational religion and prove the reliability of the New Testament (Audi and Wolterstorff 1997: 85).

The idea was that unsubstantiated claims to the divine pose threat to the states sole authority and thus a rational religion would not pose these problems. But in Naiks case, devoid of magic or invocation of divinity, it is the rational religion which poses threat to the state, because it has found a way to be sure of its truth in the grammar of the state. The grammar itself maybe flawed, but in being able to incorporate it, it is both legitimate and real.

This brings us to Taylors theorisation of the third step of the dyad of secular-sacred. Taylor remarks that modern unbelief is not understood simply a condition of absence of belief or merely indifference. It is a historical condition that requires the perfect tense, a condition of having overcome the irrationality of belief (Taylor 2007: 169). This consciousness, of unbelief being seen as a coming of age, of having overcome past irrationality, is ingrained in Naiks rhetoric. Naik plays a double chequered game with these categories. He uses the secular stadial consciousness,7 the understanding in people that secular arguments have overcome religious ones, to double prove to this audience the validity of his version of Islam. As Larkin (2008: 105) contends with the case of Deedat, the very idea of a public has been imagined to be forged against the idea of religion, and thus using that form itself is a transgressive act. Naik uses this thrill of transgression.

Thus Naik walks backwards on the same dyad that liberals constructed and leeches the reverence of secular to attach it to religion. He begins his argument from a non-religious premises, taking his listener to hate Islam. Naik finds popularity amidst a Westernised audience because of his and their inhabitation of the secular public sphere (as Deedat did according to Larkin). Naiks authority comes from the fact that he eschews religious authority.

5 Borrowing Logical Premises

Further, when Naik cannot hurl scientific facts and conspiracy theory statistics to prove random injunctions, he takes help by borrowing logical premises from institutions of the modern world. Consider a reply that he gave in a lecture about Is Allah so unmerciful that he will send otherwise good people, who have done good deeds but dont follow Islam, to hell:

If I get 10% marks in Hindi and 99% marks in five other subjects, will I pass 10th standard or not? Sister, tell me[No]... Just like that to go to heaven four conditions need to be fulfilled (YouTube 2012a).

One can come out of this analogy by saying that modern education system is not flawless in its judgment of merit and education, neither is it universal. However, it is difficult to come up with a critique if one takes the modern education system with its system, of examinations, marks, passing and failing for granted, which many of his supporters do. To a similar question by a Hindu person, as to why is the god in Islam so egoistical to punish people who dont believe him, why are we attributing human nature to god, Naik says Suppose tomorrow there is a student studying with you, he writes wrong answers, you stay awake in the night, this person plays hooky, enjoys, writes everything wrong, and teacher says both get first class first. Will you be happy with the teacher. No says the respondent (YouTube 2013). Because you believe in justice, Naik said. Naiks premises of justice and punishment are borrowed.

In another speech, when justifying the mention of killing the enemies in the context of a particular war mentioned in the Quran (and after spending a lot of sentences showing that the Muslims tried their best to avoid the war), he says, Imagine there is a war between America and Vietnam today, now any army general to boost the morale of his soldiers will say wherever you find an enemy kill him, he wouldnt say get killed (YouTube 2012b).

Thus like in the case of polygamy, or the act of killing soldiers, or sending non-believers to hell, Naik justifies the dictums by references to modern systems. There is absolutely no attempt to think of Islam as a metaphysical system on its own merits, or to think of it as a way of life forgetting other prevalent views, what one would expect from fundamentalist and extremist belief in a system.

Even his much touted, and now infamous argument against disallowing the building of churches and temples in Saudi Arabia, is done using the reality of mathematical numbers:

Now, I ask these non-Muslims, will you allow the candidate to teach in your school who says that 2 plus 2 equals 3 or that 2 plus 2 equals 6? Theyll say, no. I ask, why? Theyll say, because he does not have correct knowledge of mathematics. Similarly, as far as matters of religion are concerned we know for sure that only Islam is a true religion (YouTube 2011d).

Naiks justification of controversial Islamic tenets is not by invoking a special metaphysical order of thought, a clash of civilisations. Instead, absurd ideas are justified by referring to other absurd ideas in the secular world we have taken for granted. It is in their relatability to arguments we are used to hearing in the modern world that their apparent truth lies.

This by itself: by proving religion by showing its similarity to common-sensethat Quran is like other things in this worldan utter stripping of divinity, should not ideally be reason sinister enough to make men feel so inspired and fanatic as to pick up arms. If it does, then surely the problem lies somewhere outside the logic of the dyad.

Notes

1 See Samuel and Rozario (2010) for interviews of Naiks followers in Bangladesh.

2 www.irf.net.

3 Deedat practised in the 1960s and 1970s, when Pentacostal televangelism was rampant in South Africa. Larkin (2008: 101) traces the form of Deedats Islamic Evangelism which not only used the rhetoric of missionary evangelism to his benefit but also its infrastructure; circulating pamphlets and audio-videocassettes of public lecture tours.

4 Several Indian scholars notably Ashis Nandy and T N Madan have pointed that Indian cultures might not share the same lines of separation between the material and the transcendental.

5 Audi and Wolterstorff (1997: 10) notes five kinds of religious obligations.

6 See Audi and Wolteustorfts (1997: 13) theorisation of mixed obligations.

7 See Jose Casanova (2011: 59).

References

Audi, Robert and Nicholas Wolterstorff (1997): Religion in the Public Square: The Place of Religious Convictions in Political Debate, Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers.

Bala, Arun (2006): The Dialogue of Civilizations in the Birth of Modern Science, New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Casanova, Jose (2011): The Secular, Secularisations, Secularisms, Rethinking Secularism, Craig Calhoun et al (eds), New York: Oxford University Press, pp 5474.

Larkin, Brian (2008): Ahmed Deedat and the Form of Islamic Evangelism, Social Text, Vol 96,

No 3, pp 10121.

Naik, Zakir (nd): Quran and Modern Science: Compatible or Incompatible, www.irf.net, accessed on 30 July 2016.

 (2000): Answers to Non-Muslims Common Questions about Islam, www.irf.net, accessed on 30 July 2016.

Osler, Margaret (2010): Religion and the Chaning Historiography of the Scientific Revolution, Science and Religion: New Historical Perspectives, Thomas Dixon et al (eds), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp 7186.

Samuel, Geoffrey and Santi Rozario (2010): Contesting science for Islam: The Media as a Source of Revisionist Knowledge in the Lives of Young Bangladeshis, Contemporary South Asia, Vol 18, No 4, pp 42741.

Shapin, Steven (1996): The Scientific Revolution, Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Sherwood, Yvonne (2015): On the Freedom of the Concepts of Religion and Belief, Politics of Religious Freedom, Winnifred Fallers et al (eds), Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Taylor, Charles (2007): A Secular Age, Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

 (2011): Western Secularity, Rethinking Secularism, Craig Calhoun et al (eds), New York: Oxford University Press, pp 3153.

YouTube (2010): Dr Zakir Naik on Sania Mirza, posted on 2 August 2010, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHDHQez80xo, accessed on

30 July 2016.

 (2011a): Woman Challenging Zakir Naik on Polygamy, posted on 11 June, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQaPBU5ppsk, accessed on 30 July 2016.

 (2011b): Why Polygamy Is Allowed in Islam Dr Zakir Naik, posted on 2 August, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2bDkw57xRE, accessed on 30 July 2016.

YouTube (2011c): FULLNew: Dr Zakir Naik Quran & Modern Science, posted on 24 August,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= r5h6CNhtVls, accessed on 30 July 2016.

 (2011d): Truth About Intellect Level of Islamic Scholar Zakir Naik Who Holds a Degree in Medicine and Surgery, posted on 7 August,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXwjhJhaVck , accessed on 30 July 2016.

 (2012a): Why All Muslims Will Go to Heaven, posted on 1 January, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w U7eBQjSCU, accessed on 30 July 2016.

 (2012b):      , Media & Islam War or Peace? posted on 29 March, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb1iiSxf3W4 , accessed on 30 July 2016.

 (2012c): Combat Kit Course Against Bible ThumpersSheikh Ahmad Deedat, posted on 10 April, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= uT5HCFVGaAM, accessed on 30 July 2016.

 (2013): Zakir NaikIs God Egotistical for Punishing Us If We Believe in Other Gods?, posted on 12 April, http://www.youtube.com/watch? v= 5WvMI47gRyw, accessed on 30 July 2016.

ZakirNaik.net (2015): Twenty Most Common Questions about Islam, posted on 15 November, http://www.zakirnaik.net/20-most-common-questions-about-islam-dr-zakir-naik/, accessed on 30 July 2016.
RIO DE JANIERO, Brazil...August 8, 2016 - A new app, SayVU, conceived as a graduate student project at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, is being deployed at the 2016 Rio Olympics. International Security & Defense Systems (ISDS), the security integrator for the Olympics, selected SayVU as one of the Israeli technologies being used to protect attendees.

SayVU, now available on the Android platform, enables a user to send a distress signal to an emergency hotline even if a phone is locked and without having to access the application. The message can be sent in a number of ways; shaking the device, tapping the camera button, or simply speaking into the phone.

"SayVU strives to minimize the response time of emergency services and other authorities, and make sure the user gets assistance as quickly as possible," according to SayVU Chief Executive Officer Amotz Koskas. We have established a hotline center at the 2016 Rio Olympics, which help emergency and law enforcement agencies respond to alerts and ensure the safety of Olympics attendees."

SayVU also includes the option for automatically turning on the phone's microphone. It sends the recorded voice, GPS and other locating information to an emergency hotline. The app uses patent pending machine learning techniques to determine the user's patterns and checks when it senses abnormalities. If there is no reply, the app automatically sends out a distress message.

In addition to SayVU's life-saving security benefits, the technology provides real-time event and emergency reporting to emergency medical services (EMS) and law enforcement agencies as well as threat management, regional threat mapping and trend prediction.

The technology was conceived and developed in the wake of the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli youths in 2014. One of them managed to call and report the kidnapping but the police did not immediately respond because they thought it was a prank call. Koskas, at the time an MBA student at BGU's Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management, wondered if there was a technological means to prevent similar instances in the future.

A year later, Koskas won the joint Google and BGU competition "Students Thinking Innovation in the Public Sector" in collaboration with "Digital Israel" and the staff of the "Accessible Government" initiative to promote innovation in the public sector through information and communication technologies. The new technology attempted to meet two main needs: to give citizens the tools to send out a distress message and location quickly in an emergency, and to enable the authorities to get a clear, real-time situation report.

Recently, the company ran a pilot with kindergartens in Ofakim, Israel. It was deemed a success when a pedophile was caught by a teacher who used the app. As a result, the Ofakim municipality decided to use the app for all educational institutions, social workers and the municipal hotline, with other municipalities following suit.

SayVU has embarked on a $2 million round of funding. The company is developing strategic partnerships in the U.S., China, Europe and Africa.

The company was also just awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S.-Israeli BIRD Foundation for a project funded by Israel's Public Security Ministry and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The goal is to provide orientation within buildings and non-failure communications under extreme conditions to first responders such as police, firefighters, and emergency medicine personnel.

###

About American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) plays a vital role in sustaining David Ben-Gurion's vision: creating a world-class institution of education and research in the Israeli desert, nurturing the Negev community and sharing the University's expertise locally and around the globe. As Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) looks ahead to turning 50 in 2020, AABGU imagines a future that goes beyond the walls of academia. It is a future where BGU invents a new world and inspires a vision for a stronger Israel and its next generation of leaders. Together with supporters, AABGU will help the University foster excellence in teaching, research and outreach to the communities of the Negev for the next 50 years and beyond. Visit vision.aabgu.org to learn more.
A group of researchers from Tel Aviv University and Harvard University has devised a new non-invasive method to prevent burn scarring caused by the proliferation of collagen cells. They are using short, pulsed electric fields prevent the formation of burn-related hypertrophic scars -- raised tissue caused by excessive amounts of collagen.

Research for the study was led by Dr. Alexander Golberg of TAU's Porter School of Environmental Studies, together with Dr. Martin Yarmush of the Center for Engineering in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Shriners Burns Hospital in Boston. It was recently published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Ten percent of all unintentional-injury deaths are the result of fire-related burns, according to the World Health Organization. But even for those who survive the destruction of skin and tissue cells, the road to recovery is never ending. Post-burn scarring creates lifelong physical, psychological and social challenges.

Relieving lifelong suffering

"People don't die from scars, but they do suffer from them," said Dr. Golberg. "We believe that the technology we developed, called partial irreversible electroporation (pIRE), can be used to prevent debilitating burn scars from forming."

The non-invasive pIRE technique harnesses microsecond-pulsed, high-voltage, non-thermal electric fields to control the body's natural response to trauma -- the proliferation of collagen cells that cause permanent scarring at the site of injury. The technique partially destroys cells in the wound with short, pulsed electric fields that cause irreversible damage to the collagen cells. But the researchers had to find a delicate balance so that the technique didn't create a new wound or "overheal" the existing wound, because scarring is the body's natural way of healing.

The researchers treated burn injuries in rats in five therapy sessions over six months, then assessed them using an imaging technique developed by Drs. Martin Villiger and Brett Bouma's group at the Wellman Center of Photomedicine at Massachusetts General. The researchers found a 57.9% reduction of the scar area in comparison with untreated scars.

Next step: Human clinical studies

"Surgical excision, laser therapy, electron-beam irradiation, mechanical compression dressing, silicone sheet application and other techniques have been tested to treat scars over the years," said Dr. Golberg, "but there have been only modest improvements in the healing outcomes among all these treatments.

"Scarring is a very complex process, involving inflammation and metabolism," said Dr. Golberg. "We have found a way to partially prevent scar formation in animal models. Next we need to raise funding to develop a device for the clinical study on humans."

###

The study was supported by the Shriners Foundation, which funds research on pediatric burns.

Tel Aviv University (TAU) is inherently linked to the cultural, scientific and entrepreneurial mecca it represents. It is one of the world's most dynamic research centers and Israel's most distinguished learning environment. Its unique-in-Israel multidisciplinary environment is highly coveted by young researchers and scholars returning to Israel from post-docs and junior faculty positions in the US.

American Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFTAU) enthusiastically and industriously pursues the advancement of TAU in the US, raising money, awareness and influence through international alliances that are vital to the future of this already impressive institution.
Washington, DC - August 8, 2016 - For the first time in Brazil, a particular antibiotic resistance mechanism conferring resistance to the important antibiotic, colistin, has been detected in a human. It was in a strain of Escherichia coli that was isolated from a diabetic patient's foot infection. The mechanism, called MCR-1, was incorporated into a plasmid, a short piece of DNA that exists independent of the genome, which can jump from one bacterium to another, spreading the resistance. The research is published ahead of print August 8 in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

In earlier research, these investigators showed that E. coli harboring the mcr-1 gene had been present in food-producing livestock in Brazil since at least 2012. "In spite of this, we had previously recovered no isolates from humans that were positive for mcr-1," said coauthor Nilton Lincopan, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The research was motivated by the investigators' desire to track the spread of the resistance gene. They feared it might be spreading into Brazil from abroad, and they worried that it could also spread in the opposite direction. Lincopan noted that Brazil is the most populous country in South America, with more than 200 million inhabitants, many of whom travel abroad. Additionally, Brazil receives large numbers of foreign visitors (most recently for the Olympics). The patient in the study had no history of travel abroad, suggesting that the plasmid was already in Brazil.

Further abetting possible spread, Brazil is a major producer and exporter of chicken meat, and agribusiness there, as in much of the world, commonly uses large quantities of antibiotics, including colistin, to promote growth, said Lincopan.

Prior to this study, the particular mcr-1-harboring plasmids had been identified in E. coli and in Klebsiella pneumoniae in Europe, Asia (China), North America, and in South Africa. "Surprisingly," the investigators concluded, the plasmids bearing the mcr-1 gene "are highly similar in the plasmid backbone sequences," despite having been found in different species of bacteria, on different continents, and isolated from different clinical conditions.

"This strongly suggests that the self-transmissible IncX4-type plasmids may be contributing to the intercontinental spread of the mcr-1 gene," said Lincopan.

###

The American Society for Microbiology is the largest single life science society, composed of over 47,000 scientists and health professionals. ASM's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences.

ASM advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications and educational opportunities. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. Itprovides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences todiverse audiences.
(Trieste, Italy) The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) has awarded its 2016 Dirac Medal and Prize to Nathan Seiberg (Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton), Mikhail Shifman (University of Minnesota) and Arkady Vainshtein (University of Minnesota) for their important contributions to a better understanding of field theories in the non-perturbative regime and in particular for exact results in supersymmetric field theories.

The standard technique for many quantum field theory calculations is the perturbation expansion, a method of approximation that produces a series of terms of increasing complexity. When couplings among particles are weak, early terms capture the most important features and the increasingly intractable later terms add only small corrections. Perturbation theory fails, however, when couplings are too strong, as notably occurs with quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the theory of the quarks and gluons that make up protons, neutrons and other hadrons. For instance, a process called confinement keeps quarks and gluons locked inside hadrons at low energies, but cannot be understood perturbatively. Many basic properties of hadrons such as their masses are similarly non-perturbative.

Professors Seiberg, Shifman and Vainshtein have made major contributions to understand quantum field theory (QFT) in the non-perturbative regimes, in particular on special cases of QFTs known as supersymmetric field theories.

Shifman and Vainshtein's collaboration, which began more than 40 years ago in Moscow, is one of the most fruitful in theoretical physics. Among a variety of work on strongly interacting field theories, they introduced use of the gluon condensate (a property of the vacuum in QCD) and developed the Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov (SVZ) sum rules. The SVZ sum rules relate observed properties of hadrons to the gluon condensate and a few other condensates, sidestepping the issue of trying to calculate everything perturbatively from first principles.

Shifman and Vainshtein also made fundamental contributions to the non-perturbative study of supersymmetric gauge theories (QCD itself is a non-supersymmetric gauge theory), culminating with the proposal of the Novikov-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov (NSVZ) exact beta function in the 1980s. The beta function of a field theory describes how the coupling changes depending on the energy scale (for example, increased coupling at low energies is a key part of confinement). Expressions for beta functions are usually not exact, and instead are subject to corrections from higher order terms in perturbation theory.

Seiberg is one of the world's most highly recognised theoretical physicists and since the 1990s has made major discoveries about supersymmetric gauge theories. In particular, he used a mathematical property of these theories--holomorphy--to understand non-renormalisation theorems (similar to the "exactness" just mentioned) and to decipher different ground states or vacua of N=1 supersymmetric theories (N indicates the number of supersymmetries present). He uncovered Seiberg duality, by which a strongly coupled theory is equivalent at low energies to a weakly coupled theory that may be built from a different set of fundamental particles. A theme of the work was to derive results in a weakly coupled theory where computations are simpler and then use the duality or holomorphy to carry the results across to a non-perturbative strongly coupled case. He has also made important contributions to string theory and other areas of theoretical physics.

In collaboration with Edward Witten (Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton; Dirac Medallist in 1985), Seiberg made major contributions toward a full non-perturbative understanding of N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories. The results of Seiberg and Witten unleashed a tremendous amount of further work, not only in theoretical physics but also in pure mathematics, where the insights provided astonishingly powerful methods to prove important theorems on topics such as four-dimensional manifolds.

ICTP's Dirac Medal, first awarded in 1985, is given in honour of P.A.M. Dirac, one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century and a staunch friend of the Centre. It is awarded annually on Dirac's birthday, 8 August, to scientists who have made significant contributions to theoretical physics.

###

About ICTP

ICTP supports theoretical and applied physics research, as well as training and educational opportunities. Over the past five decades, scientists from 188 countries have made over 140,000 visits to ICTP to learn about the latest findings in their fields, returning to their native countries to share what they have learned. ICTP has been a major force in stemming the scientific brain drain from the developing world. More details at http://www.ictp.it.
Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. (August 8, 2016)--A bird species that does a poor job spreading West Nile virus (WNV) but is particularly likely to get mosquito bites may explain why human infections with the disease are relatively uncommon in Atlanta, Georgia--despite evidence of high rates of virus circulating in the local bird population, according to a new study published online today in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Researchers at Emory University, University of Georgia, Texas A&M and the Georgia Department of Transportation set out to find clues explaining why Georgia's infection rate for WNV since 2001 is quite low (about 3.3 per 100,000 people), even though evidence showed that about one-third of birds in the Atlanta area have been exposed to the disease. They noted that a similar pattern is seen throughout the American southeast, where a large amount of WNV in birds and mosquitoes has not translated into a large number of human cases. In urban areas in the northeast and midwest, the situation is frequently the opposite--infection rates in Chicago, for example, are six times higher than Atlanta's, even though less than 20 percent of Chicago birds show evidence of WNV infection.

Disease experts often refer to human cases of WNV as "spillover" infections, because they happen when disease circulating between birds and mosquitoes spills over into nearby human populations via mosquito bites. While most human infections cause few, if any symptoms, some cases can result in headaches, joint pain, and fatigue that linger for weeks. In rare instances WNV produces potentially fatal brain inflammation. Since the disease arrived in the continental United States in 1999, there have been over 780,000 human infections and 1,700 fatalities documented.

The Emory University researchers were particularly interested in the role of American robins, considered "super-spreaders" of the disease because they efficiently pass the virus along to mosquitoes that bite them. Those mosquitoes in turn can feed on humans, potentially infecting them. Over three years they collected mosquitoes and birds across Atlanta, tested them for WNV, and ran a DNA analysis of the mosquitoes' blood meals to see which birds they had bitten.

"What we found is that, for some unknown reason, around the middle of July, mosquitoes in Atlanta seem to decide that they have had their fill of robins and they switch to feeding on cardinals," said Rebecca Levine, PhD, the lead author of the study who conducted the research while at Emory University. "But cardinals, even though they can be infected with West Nile virus, are much less likely to have enough virus circulating in their blood to transmit the disease back to feeding mosquitoes. That is why we called them 'supersuppressors'."

The shift occurs just as mosquito populations are rising, which typically should mean more WNV circulating in the area and hence a greater risk of human infections, said Levine, now an epidemiologist and entomologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She said it's not clear what prompts the shift in feeding behavior in Atlanta but that this shift may be what is protecting Atlantans from WNV spillover.

Also, throughout the city, researchers found a high rate of exposure to WNV among mockingbirds, brown thrashers and gray catbirds. There is evidence from previous studies that gray catbirds and brown thrashers also act as suppressors slowing the transmission of WNV.

Levine said there could be many factors that determine how WNV is spread between birds and mosquitoes and how that in turn affects human risk. Changes in roosting behavior of birds are one possibility, defensive behavior is another, and there are other possibilities. For example, they found less evidence of WNV among bird populations in small patches of old growth forest. Thus, original forest cover may reduce transmission.

"So, we might find that keeping old growth forests intact, even in urban areas, can provide more than just an interesting piece of history," she said. "Ultimately, if we can identify certain features of the local ecosystem that help prevent disease transmission, then we can consider preserving and enhancing them."

Overall, Levine said the findings point to the complex role of many factors in the local environment interacting to determine the risk of human infections. For example, she said the study should not prompt officials in Chicago to start releasing flocks of cardinals across the city because the same species may perform different roles in different ecosystems.

"As new mosquito-borne diseases enter and spread in America, we need to better understand all aspects of pathogen transmission cycles," said Stephen Higgs, PhD, president of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. "By shedding light on the reasons behind a curious discrepancy in West Nile virus human infection rates in different regions of the United States, this study has the potential to better protect Americans' health while continuing to demonstrate the link between animal and human health."

###

About the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, founded in 1903, is the largest international scientific organization of experts dedicated to reducing the worldwide burden of tropical infectious diseases and improving global health. It accomplishes this through generating and sharing scientific evidence, informing health policies and practices, fostering career development, recognizing excellence, and advocating for investment in tropical medicine/global health research. For more information, visit astmh.org.

About the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Continuously published since 1921, AJTMH is the peer-reviewed journal of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and the world's leading voice in the fields of tropical medicine and global health. AJTMH disseminates new knowledge in fundamental, translational, clinical and public health sciences focusing on improving global health.
BOSTON -- Men with testicular cancer who were uninsured or on Medicaid had a higher risk of death from what is normally a curable disease than insured patients, a new study found.

The findings, published in Cancer, a journal of the American Cancer Society (ACS), add to growing evidence that differences in health insurance status can affect cancer outcomes. The researchers analyzed outcomes and insurance status for 10,211 men diagnosed with testicular cancer between 2007 and 2011.

The risk of death from testicular cancer - also called testis cancer - was 88 percent higher for uninsured men and 51 percent higher for those on Medicaid than patients who had private or other forms of health coverage, the researchers reported.

"Although testis cancer is curable with chemotherapy, this study supports the notion that lack of insurance may lead to delays in diagnosis and more advanced and less curable disease," said study lead author Christopher Sweeney, MBBS, a medical oncologist at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center (DF/BWCC). "Our findings support the belief that early diagnosis and management is key, and removal of barriers to access to health care should be implemented."

Lack of insurance coverage was also associated with worse survival in patients with glioblastoma brain tumors, according to a companion report in Cancer.

"Studies such as these are important if we are to truly address the cancer problem," wrote Michael Halpern, MD, of the University of Arizona Medical School, and Otis Brawley, MD, of the ACS and Emory University, in an editorial accompanying the reports.

In the testicular cancer study, the researchers found that uninsured and Medicaid-covered patients had an increased risk of having larger testicular cancer tumors or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Uninsured men and Medicaid patients whose cancer had spread beyond the testes were more likely to have their risk described as "intermediate" or "poor" rather than "good."

Among patients with early stage disease, both uninsured and Medicaid patients were less likely to have lymph nodes removed, a procedure which can cure some patients. Among patients with advanced disease, uninsured (but not Medicaid) patients were less likely to receive radiation therapy.

Individuals aged 26 to 34 comprise the greatest segment of the uninsured population, and men in this age group have the highest rate of testicular cancers, which the ACS predicts will be diagnosed in 8,270 men in 2016, with about 380 deaths.

The 2010 Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, is projected to expand insurance coverage to 32 million uninsured and underinsured people by 2019, in part through a major expansion of Medicaid. The relationship between Medicaid coverage and cancer outcomes has been explored in previous studies, with conflicting results.

This study was designed to examine these issues through a focus on testicular cancer. The scientists hypothesized that men with no insurance would be most likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease and have the poorest outcomes compared to patients with insurance, and the outcomes in men on Medicaid would fall in between those extremes.

The results showed this hypothesis to be correct, the authors said, suggesting that "efforts to eliminate cancer disparities through the expansion of Medicaid alone may be insufficient." Consequently, they called for further research on the role of insurance status and adverse outcomes, particularly for men most at risk for testicular cancer.

###

Co-senior author with Sweeney is Alexi Wright, MD, PhD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Co-first authors are Sarah C. Markt, ScD, of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Carlos A. Lago-Hernandez, MD, of DF/BWCC.

The research was funded by grants T32 CA09001 and K07 CA166210 from the National Institutes of Health.

About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

From achieving the first remissions in childhood cancer with chemotherapy in 1948, to developing the very latest new therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is one of the world's leading centers of cancer research and treatment. It is the only center ranked in the top 4 of U.S. News and World Report's Best Hospitals for both adult and pediatric cancer care.

Dana-Farber sits at the center of a wide range of collaborative efforts to reduce the burden of cancer through scientific inquiry, clinical care, education, community engagement, and advocacy.

Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center provides the latest in cancer care for adults; Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center for children. The Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center unites the cancer research efforts of five Harvard academic medical centers and two graduate schools, while Dana-Farber Community Cancer Care provides high quality cancer treatment in communities outside Boston's Longwood Medical Area.

Dana-Farber is dedicated to a unique, 50/50 balance between cancer research and care, and much of the Institute's work is dedicated to translating the results of its discovery into new treatments for patients locally and around the world.
Brookhaven Lab scientists discover a way to create billionth-of-a-meter structures that snap together in complex patterns with unprecedented efficiency

UPTON, NY--To continue advancing, next-generation electronic devices must fully exploit the nanoscale, where materials span just billionths of a meter. But balancing complexity, precision, and manufacturing scalability on such fantastically small scales is inevitably difficult. Fortunately, some nanomaterials can be coaxed into snapping themselves into desired formations-a process called self-assembly.

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have just developed a way to direct the self-assembly of multiple molecular patterns within a single material, producing new nanoscale architectures. The results were published in the journal Nature Communications.

"This is a significant conceptual leap in self-assembly," said Brookhaven Lab physicist Aaron Stein, lead author on the study. "In the past, we were limited to a single emergent pattern, but this technique breaks that barrier with relative ease. This is significant for basic research, certainly, but it could also change the way we design and manufacture electronics."

Microchips, for example, use meticulously patterned templates to produce the nanoscale structures that process and store information. Through self-assembly, however, these structures can spontaneously form without that exhaustive preliminary patterning. And now, self-assembly can generate multiple distinct patterns-greatly increasing the complexity of nanostructures that can be formed in a single step.

"This technique fits quite easily into existing microchip fabrication workflows," said study coauthor Kevin Yager, also a Brookhaven physicist. "It's exciting to make a fundamental discovery that could one day find its way into our computers."

The experimental work was conducted entirely at Brookhaven Lab's Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN), a DOE Office of Science User Facility, leveraging in-house expertise and instrumentation.

Cooking up organized complexity

The collaboration used block copolymers-chains of two distinct molecules linked together-because of their intrinsic ability to self-assemble.

"As powerful as self-assembly is, we suspected that guiding the process would enhance it to create truly 'responsive' self-assembly," said study coauthor Greg Doerk of Brookhaven. "That's exactly where we pushed it."

To guide self-assembly, scientists create precise but simple substrate templates. Using a method called electron beam lithography-Stein's specialty-they etch patterns thousands of times thinner than a human hair on the template surface. They then add a solution containing a set of block copolymers onto the template, spin the substrate to create a thin coating, and "bake" it all in an oven to kick the molecules into formation. Thermal energy drives interaction between the block copolymers and the template, setting the final configuration-in this instance, parallel lines or dots in a grid.

"In conventional self-assembly, the final nanostructures follow the template's guiding lines, but are of a single pattern type," Stein said. "But that all just changed."

Lines and dots, living together

The collaboration had previously discovered that mixing together different block copolymers allowed multiple, co-existing line and dot nanostructures to form.

"We had discovered an exciting phenomenon, but couldn't select which morphology would emerge," Yager said. But then the team found that tweaking the substrate changed the structures that emerged. By simply adjusting the spacing and thickness of the lithographic line patterns-easy to fabricate using modern tools-the self-assembling blocks can be locally converted into ultra-thin lines, or high-density arrays of nano-dots.

"We realized that combining our self-assembling materials with nanofabricated guides gave us that elusive control. And, of course, these new geometries are achieved on an incredibly small scale," said Yager.

"In essence," said Stein, "we've created 'smart' templates for nanomaterial self-assembly. How far we can push the technique remains to be seen, but it opens some very promising pathways."

Gwen Wright, another CFN coauthor, added, "Many nano-fabrication labs should be able to do this tomorrow with their in-house tools-the trick was discovering it was even possible."

The scientists plan to increase the sophistication of the process, using more complex materials in order to move toward more device-like architectures.

"The ongoing and open collaboration within the CFN made this possible," said Charles Black, director of the CFN. "We had experts in self-assembly, electron beam lithography, and even electron microscopy to characterize the materials, all under one roof, all pushing the limits of nanoscience."

###

This work was funded by the DOE Office of Science.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov.

One of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE's Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by the Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University, the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit applied science and technology organization.
Designers of solar cells may soon be setting their sights higher, as a discovery by a team of researchers has revealed a class of materials that could be better at converting sunlight into energy than those currently being used in solar arrays. Their research shows how a material can be used to extract power from a small portion of the sunlight spectrum with a conversion efficiency that is above its theoretical maximum -- a value called the Shockley-Queisser limit. This finding, which could lead to more power-efficient solar cells, was seeded in a near-half-century old discovery by Russian physicist Vladimir M. Fridkin, a visiting professor of physics at Drexel, who is also known as one of the innovators behind the photocopier.

The team, which includes scientists from Drexel University, the Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the University of Pennsylvania and the U. S. Naval Research Laboratory recently published its findings in the journal Nature Photonics. Their article "Power conversion efficiency exceeding the Shockley-Queisser limit in a ferroelectric insulator," explains how they were able to use a barium titanate crystal to convert sunlight into electric power much more efficiently than the Shockley-Queisser limit would dictate for a material that absorbs almost no light in the visible spectrum -- only ultraviolet.

A phenomenon that is the foundation for the new findings was observed by Fridkin, who is one of the principal co-authors of the paper, some 47 years ago, when he discovered a physical mechanism for converting light into electrical power -- one that differs from the method currently employed in solar cells. The mechanism relies on collecting "hot" electrons, those that carry additional energy in a photovoltaic material when excited by sunlight, before they lose their energy. And though it has received relatively little attention until recently, the so-called "bulk photovoltaic effect," might now be the key to revolutionizing our use of solar energy.

The Limits of Solar Energy

Solar energy conversion has been limited thus far due to solar cell design and electrochemical characteristics inherent to the materials used to make them.

"In a conventional solar cell -- made with a semiconductor -- absorption of sunlight occurs at an interface between two regions, one containing an excess of negative-charge carriers, called electrons, and the other containing an excess of positive-charge carriers, called holes," said Alessia Polemi, a research professor in Drexel's College of Engineering and one of the co-authors of the paper.

In order to generate electron-hole pairs at the interface, which is necessary to have an electric current, the sunlight's photons must excite the electrons to a level of energy that enables them to vacate the valence band and move into the conduction band -- the difference in energy levels between these two bands is referred to as the "band gap." This means that in photovoltaic materials, not all of the available solar spectrum can be converted into electrical power. And for sunlight photon energies that are higher than the band gap, the excited electrons will lose it excess energy as heat, rather than converting it to electric current. This process further reduces the amount of power can be extracted from a solar cell.

"The light-induced carriers generate a voltage, and their flow constitutes a current. Practical solar cells produce power, which is the product of current and voltage," Polemi said. "This voltage, and therefore the power that can be obtained, is also limited by the band gap."

But, as Fridkin discovered in 1969 -- and the team validates with this research -- this limitation is not universal, which means solar cells can be improved.

New Life For an Old Theory

When Fridkin and his colleagues at the Institute of Crystallography in Moscow observed an unusually high photovoltage while studying the ferroelectric antimony sulfide iodide -- a material that did not have any junction separating the carriers -- he posited that crystal symmetry could be the origin for its remarkable photovoltaic properties. He later explained how this "bulk photovoltaic effect," which is very weak, involves the transport of photo-generated hot electrons in a particular direction without collisions, which cause cooling of the electrons.

This is significant because the limit on solar power conversion from the Shockley-Queisser theory is based on the assumption that all of this excess energy is lost -- wasted as heat. But the team's discovery shows that not all of the excess energy of hot electrons is lost, and that the energy can, in fact, be extracted as power before thermalizing.

"The main result -- exceeding [the energy gap-specific] Shockley-Queisser [power efficiency limit] using a small fraction of the solar spectrum -- is caused by two mechanisms," Fridkin said. "The first is the bulk photovoltaic effect involving hot carriers and second is the strong screening field, which leads to impact ionization and multiplication of these carriers, increasing the quantum yield."

Impact ionization, which leads to carrier multiplication, can be likened to an array of dominoes in which each domino represents a bound electron. When a photon interacts with an electron, it excites the electron, which, when subject to the strong field, accelerates and 'ionizes' or liberates other bound electrons in its path, each of which, in turn, also accelerates and triggers the release of others. This process continues successively -- like setting off multiple domino cascades with a single tipped tile -- amounting to a much greater current.

This second mechanism, the screening field, is an electric field is present in all ferroelectric materials. But with the nanoscale electrode used to collect the current in a solar cell, the field is enhanced, and this has the beneficial effect of promoting impact ionization and carrier multiplication. Following the domino analogy, the field drives the cascade effect, ensuring that it continues from one domino to the next.

"This result is very promising for high efficiency solar cells based on application of ferroelectrics having an energy gap in the higher intensity region of the solar spectrum," Fridkin said.

Building Toward a Breakthrough

"Who would have expected that an electrical insulator could be used to improve solar energy conversion?" said Jonathan E. Spanier, a professor of materials science, physics and electrical engineering at Drexel and one of the principal authors of the study. "Barium titanate absorbs less than a tenth of the spectrum of the sun. But our device converts incident power 50 percent more efficiently than the theoretical limit for a conventional solar cell constructed using this material or a material of the same energy gap."

This breakthrough builds on research conducted several years ago by Andrew M. Rappe, Blanchard Professor of Chemistry and of Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the principal authors, and Steve M. Young, also a co-author on the new report. Rappe and Young showed how bulk photovoltaic currents could be calculated -- which led Spanier and collaborators to investigate if higher power conversion efficiency could be attained in ferroelectrics.

"There are many exciting reports utilizing nanoscale materials or phenomena for improving solar energy conversion," Spanier said. "Professor Fridkin appreciated decades ago that the bulk photovoltaic effect enables free electrons that are generated by light and have excess energy to travel in a particular direction before they cool or 'thermalize'--and lose their excess energy to vibrations of the crystal lattice."

Rappe was also responsible for connecting Spanier to Fridkin in 2015, a collaboration that set in motion the research now detailed in Nature Photonics -- a validation of Fridkin's decades-old vision.

"Vladimir is internationally renowned for his pioneering contributions to the field of electroxerography, having built the first working photocopier in the world," Rappe said. "He then became a leader in ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity, and preeminent in understanding light interactions with ferroelectrics. Fridkin explained how, in crystals that lack inversion symmetry, photo-excited electrons acquire asymmetry in their momenta. This, in turn, causes them to move in one direction instead of the opposite direction. It is amazing that the same person who discovered these bulk photovoltaic effects nearly 50 years ago is now helping to harness them for practical use in nanomaterials."

###

The research was supported by the U.S. Army Research Office, the Office of Naval Research, the U. S. Department of Energy, and the National Science Foundation.
Boston, MA - Two years after Medicaid coverage was expanded under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in their states, low-income adults in Kentucky and Arkansas received more primary and preventive care, made fewer emergency department visits, and reported higher quality care and improved health compared with low-income adults in Texas, which did not expand Medicaid, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The findings provide new evidence for states that are debating whether to expand or how to expand coverage to low-income adults.

The study will be published August 8, 2016 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The researchers found similar benefits for residents in Kentucky--which expanded using Medicaid managed care--and Arkansas--which used federal Medicaid funding to subsidize private insurance, the so-called "private option."

"What this means is that it doesn't matter so much how states expand coverage," said lead author Benjamin Sommers, assistant professor of health policy and economics at Harvard Chan School and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. "What matters is whether they expand at all."

So far, more than 30 states and the District of Columbia have chosen to expand coverage under the ACA. In numerous states the debate over expansion continues and in Arkansas and Kentucky, newly elected governors have proposed scaling back or overhauling their expansions.

Sommers and colleagues surveyed approximately 9,000 low-income adults in Arkansas, Kentucky, and Texas from late 2013 to the end of 2015. The results showed that, between 2013 and 2015, the uninsured rate dropped from 42% to 14% in Arkansas and from 40% to 9% in Kentucky, compared with a much smaller change in Texas (39% to 32%). Expansion also was associated with significantly increased access to primary care, improved affordability of medications, reduced out-of-pocket spending, reduced likelihood of emergency department visits, and increased outpatient visits. Screening for diabetes, glucose testing among people with diabetes, and regular care for chronic conditions all increased significantly after expansion. Quality of care ratings improved significantly, as did the number of adults reporting excellent health.

Many of these changes were more apparent in 2015 than in 2014. Previous studies looking at the early impact of Medicaid expansion had shown increased affordability and access to care, but limited impact on utilization, preventive care, and health. Sommers said those studies probably underestimated the ACA's impact because they were using data from just the first year or 18 months of coverage and it may be that the benefits of expansion take longer to unfold.

"Health insurance matters to people's health," Sommers said. "Our study shows that with health insurance, whether it's Medicaid or private coverage, people can better afford their medical care, get more preventive care and chronic disease management, and ultimately achieve better overall health."

###

Other Harvard Chan School authors included Robert Blendon, E. John Orav, and Arnold Epstein.

This project was supported by a research grant from the Commonwealth Fund. Sommers' work on this project was supported in part by grant number K02HS021291 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

"Changes in Utilization and Health Among Low-Income Adults After Medicaid Expansion or Expanded Private Insurance," Benjamin D. Sommers, Robert J. Blendon, E. John Orav, Arnold M. Epstein, JAMA Internal Medicine, online August 8, 2016, doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016:4419

Visit the Harvard Chan website for the latest news, press releases, and multimedia offerings.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health brings together dedicated experts from many disciplines to educate new generations of global health leaders and produce powerful ideas that improve the lives and health of people everywhere. As a community of leading scientists, educators, and students, we work together to take innovative ideas from the laboratory to people's lives--not only making scientific breakthroughs, but also working to change individual behaviors, public policies, and health care practices. Each year, more than 400 faculty members at Harvard Chan School teach 1,000-plus full-time students from around the world and train thousands more through online and executive education courses. Founded in 1913 as the Harvard-MIT School of Health Officers, the School is recognized as America's oldest professional training program in public health.
Scientists in their preliminary findings suggest signs of life from under Mars' surface may not survive in rocks excavated by some meteorite impacts

Scientists in their preliminary findings suggest signs of life from under Mars' surface may not survive in rocks excavated by some meteorite impacts.

Scientists analysing samples from Mars' surface have so far not conclusively detected organic compounds that are indigenous to Mars, which would be indicators of past or present life. The inconclusive results mean that researchers are now suggesting that a good place to find these organic compounds would be deep underground - from rocks that have been blasted to the surface by meteor impacts. This is because such rocks have been sheltered from the Sun's harmful radiation and from chemical processes on the surface that would degrade organic remains.

Now, a team of scientists from Imperial College London and the University of Edinburgh has replicated meteorite blasts in the lab. The aim of the study was to see if organic compounds encased in rock could survive the extreme conditions associated with them being blasted to the surface of Mars by meteorites. The study, published today in Scientific Reports, suggests that rocks excavated through meteorite impacts may incorrectly suggest a lifeless early Mars, even if indicators of life were originally present.

In the study the team replicated blast impacts of meteorites of around 10 metres in size. The researchers found that the types of organic compounds found in microbial and algal life - long chain hydrocarbon-dominated matter- were destroyed by the pressures of impact. However, the types of organic compounds found in plant matter - dominated by aromatic hydrocarbons - underwent some chemical changes, but remained relatively resistant to impact pressures. Meteorites often contain organic matter not created by life, which have some similarities in their organic chemistry to land plants. The team infer that they also should also be resistant to blast impacts.

Their study could help future missions to Mars determine the best locations and types of blast excavated rocks to examine to find signs of life. For example, it may be that meteorite impacts of a certain size may not destroy organic compounds or scientists may need to concentrate on rocks excavated from a certain depth.

Professor Mark Sephton, co-author of the research from the Department of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College London, said: "We've literally only scratched the surface of Mars in our search for life, but so far the results have been inconclusive. Rocks excavated through meteorite impacts provide scientists with another unique opportunity to explore for signs of life, without having to resort to complicated drilling missions. Our study is showing us is that we may need to be nuanced in our approach to the rocks we choose to analyse."

Dr Wren Montgomery, co-author of the study from the Department of Earth Science and Engineering, added: "The study is helping us to see that when organic matter is observed on Mars, no matter where, it must be considered whether the sample could have been affected by the pressures associated with blast impacts. We still need to do more work to understand what factors may play an important role in protecting organic compounds from these blast impacts. However, we think some of the factors may include the depths at which the rock records are buried and the angles at which meteorites hit the Martian surface."

Previous in situ analyses of the Martian terrain have found inconclusive evidence for the existence organic compounds - so far only finding chlorinated organic matter. The issue for scientists has been that it is not easy to look at simple chlorine-containing organic molecules and determine the origin of the organic compound components.

NASA's Viking landers in 1976 detected chlorine-containing organic compounds, but they were thought to be chemical left-overs from cleaning procedures of Viking's equipment before it left Earth. Later, the Phoenix Mission in 2008 discovered chlorine-containing minerals on the Martian surface, but no organic compounds. In 2012 the Mars Science Laboratory Mission detected chlorinated organic matter, but they thought that the analysis process, which involved heating chlorine containing minerals and carbonaceous material together, was producing chlorine-containing organic compounds. Working out whether the source of the carbon found on Mars was carried once again from Earth or was indigenous to Mars remains frustratingly difficult for scientists.

The team carried out their research by subjecting the different types of organic matter to extreme pressure and temperature in a piston cylinder device. They then did a chemical analysis using pyrolysis-gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

The next steps will see the team investigating a broader range of pressures and temperatures, which would help them understand the likely effects of a greater range of meteorite impacts. This would enable them to identify the specific conditions under which organic material may escape the destructive effects of blasts - even when excavated from deep underground by violent events. This could help future Mars missions further refine the types and locations of rocks that they can analyse for signs of past or present life.

###

Colin Smith

Senior Research Media Officer

Communications and Public Affairs

Imperial College London

South Kensington Campus

London SW7 2AZ

Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 6712

Email: cd.smith@imperial.ac.uk

Duty press officer mobile: +44 (0)7803 886248

Notes to editors:

"The nature of organic records in impact excavated rocks on Mars" published Friday 5 August 2016, Scientific Reports.

[1] W. Montgomery, [2] G.D Bromiley, [1] M.A. Sephton

[1] Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK

[2] School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute, West Main Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3 JW, UK

About Imperial College London:

Imperial College London is one of the world's leading universities. The College's 16,000 students and 8,000 staff are expanding the frontiers of knowledge in science, medicine, engineering and business, and translating their discoveries into benefits for society.

Founded in 1907, Imperial builds on a distinguished past - having pioneered penicillin, holography and fibre optics - to shape the future. Imperial researchers work across disciplines to improve health and wellbeing, understand the natural world, engineer novel solutions and lead the data revolution. This blend of academic excellence and its real-world application feeds into Imperial's exceptional learning environment, where students participate in research to push the limits of their degrees.

Imperial collaborates widely to achieve greater impact. It works with the NHS to improve healthcare in west London, is a leading partner in research and education within the European Union, and is the UK's number one research collaborator with China.

Imperial has nine London campuses, including its White City Campus: a research and innovation centre that is in its initial stages of development in west London. At White City, researchers, businesses and higher education partners will co-locate to create value from ideas on a global scale. http://www.imperial.ac.uk

TV and radio interviews

Imperial College London academic experts are available for interview via broadcast quality Globelynx TV facilities and an ISDN line for radio at our South Kensington Campus. To request an interview, please contact a member of the communications team http://www.imperial.ac.uk/communications/contacts/research-communications/
For many years, researchers have been trying to understand the origin of the exceptionally long trunks that characterize the body of snakes. This is a mystery in terms of animal development that can shed light on the mechanisms controlling the tissues that form the trunk, including the skeleton and the spinal cord. A research team led by Moises Mallo from Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia (IGC, Portugal) now discovered the key factor that regulates trunk development in vertebrates and explains why snakes have such a strikingly different body. These findings, published in the latest edition of Developmental Cell* and highlighted in its cover, may open new avenues to the study of spinal cord regeneration.

Despite obvious differences in size and shapes observed among different vertebrate animals, they all have bodies with a head and neck, a trunk and a tail. It is the relative size of each of these body sections what makes a large part of the body differences among these animals. Still, all vertebrates develop by consecutive phases, forming each region of the body in a specific order, from head to tail. The development is guided by genetic instructions that inform the beginning and the end of each body region's formation. Moises Mallo's laboratory has been trying to crack the genetic code that controls trunk and tail development in vertebrates. In order to achieve it, they studied mice that had particularly long or especially short trunks. "We thought that the analysis of these animals could give us the key to unveil the code of trunk formation", says Moises Mallo.

Their experiments led to the surprising finding that the key controller of trunk development was the Oct4 gene, one of the essential regulators of stem cells. Since many other vertebrates also have Oct4, this gene could play similar roles in other animals and might even be responsible for the exceptionally long trunks of snakes. Rita Aires, first author of this study, explains: "We had found that Oct4 is the switch that leads to trunk formation, still we couldn't explain the different trunk length observed in vertebrates, particularly in snakes. Therefore, we tested if this switch was being turned on or off during different periods of embryonic development in snakes compared to mice."

The researchers discovered that the Oct4 gene was indeed kept active during a longer period of time in snakes when compared to other animals. They also showed that this resulted from changes in the snake genome that happened during reptile evolution, which placed the Oct4 gene next to a DNA region that keeps this gene in an "ON" state during long periods of embryonic development.

"The formation of different body regions works as a strong-arm contest of genes. Genes involved in trunk formation need to start ceasing activity so that the genes involved in tail formation can start working. In the case of snakes, we observed that the Oct4 gene is kept active during a longer period of embryonic development, which explains why snakes have such a long trunk and a very short tail", says Rita Aires.

Moises Mallo further explains: "We identified a key factor that allows essentially unlimited growth of trunk structures, as long as it remains active. Now we will investigate if we can use the Oct4 gene and the DNA region that maintains its activity to expand the cells that make the spinal cord, trying to regenerate it in case of injury."

###

This research was conducted at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia (Portugal) in collaboration with the University of Florida, and it was funded by Santa Casa da Misericordia de Lisboa (Portugal), Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT; Portugal) and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (USA).

*Aires et al., Oct4 Is a Key Regulator of Vertebrate Trunk Length Diversity, Developmental Cell (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2016.06.021

Image: Embryo of a snake. Credits: Francisca Leal, University of Florida.
Researchers from James Cook University and Charles Darwin University are using the cutting-edge eDNA (environmental DNA) technique to look for the critically endangered largetooth sawfish in remote northern Australia.

eDNA sampling involves collecting a small sample of the water and analysing it for traces of the DNA of a target species. It has been made possible by huge advances in the field of DNA collection and analysis and is considered a revolutionary technology in the natural sciences.

JCU's Professor Colin Simpfendorfer said researchers first sampled water from different aquaria and were able to correctly tell which contained largetooth sawfish, before trying the technique in the wild.

Researchers say largetooth sawfish may now be extinct in 50 countries, with northern Australia one of the last places where they can be reliably found.

Traditional methods to search for sawfish, such as fishing surveys, can be expensive and time-consuming. To test the approach in the wild, the research team sampled known largetooth sawfish habitats in the Daly River, Northern Territory.

The team partnered with Malak Malak Traditional Owners and Indigenous rangers. "With plenty of sawfish habitat, Malak Malak country was the perfect place to test the new tool in the field," says Dr Peter Kyne of CDU.

Professor Simpfendorfer said the technique was mostly accurate in waterholes but to date disappointing in flowing rivers. "It's not a big problem, this is very much a trial phase and it will be solved quite easily given some more time."

He said the eDNA techniques were rapidly evolving and were a huge advance for species conservation. "Sawfish are globally distributed and we don't even know if they still exist in many countries. Applying the eDNA approach globally will enable us to rapidly find threatened populations and prioritise their protection."

Professor Simpfendorfer said the eDNA technique was not limited to fresh water or conservation applications. "There is a big push to roll it out globally. It has many other potential uses, such as detecting invasive pest species at ports."

He said within five to ten years it's hoped that all eDNA analysis will be able to be completed in the field, with no need to take samples back to the lab.

###

The research project was funded in part by the Australian Government's National Environmental Research Program.
First effort to use mobile phones to change diabetes risk behaviors across vast, diverse country

About 40 percent more people improved their health behaviors as a result of texts

Texting increased fruit and vegetable consumption and reduced fat consumption

About 66 million people in India have diabetes

Simple, cost-effective solution could be used in other low and middle-income countries

CHICAGO --- A study that sent twice-weekly text messages to a million people in India advising them to exercise, eat less fat, and eat more fruits and vegetables increased these health behaviors known to prevent diabetes, reports new research from Northwestern Medicine and Arogya World, a global health non-profit organization.

This effort is the first to use the power and reach of mobile phones to change diabetes risk behaviors in a large number of people from different parts of a vast country like India. It has implications for diabetes prevention in low and middle-income countries.

In India, the diabetes burden is very high. An estimated 66 million people live with the disease, and 1 million die from it each year. Indian Americans also are hard hit with diabetes. The diabetes prevalence in this population is four times higher than among Caucasians in the United States.

Researchers compared composite scores of the experimental group's fruit, vegetable and fat intake and exercise with the control group. While people in both the experimental and control group improved their health behaviors over six months, the experimental group improved significantly more.

Almost 40 percent more people improved their health behaviors as a result of the texting (299 showing improvement in the experimental group versus 185 in the control group), based on data in the paper.

The study will be published August 8 in the Journal of Medical and Internet Research.

"Noncommunicable diseases, one of the leading health and development challenges of the century, demand simple, proven, cost-effective prevention solutions that can be easily deployed at the population level," said Nalini Saligram, founder and CEO of Arogya World. "Our mDiabetes study suggests mobile health technology is a smart solution and has broad implications for diabetes prevention at the population level in low and middle-income countries."

"This shows the potential for even the most basic of mobile phones to be used as a viable tool to deliver public health messages on a large scale across a diverse population," said lead study author Angela Fidler Pfammatter, research assistant professor in preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "And you just need a basic mobile phone. This can make an impact."

Bonnie Spring, director of the Center for Behavior and Health at Feinberg, collaborated on the research. Sandhya Ramlingam of Arogya World implemented the behavior change study.

The study gathered responses from nearly 1,000 people who received text messages as part of Arogya World's mDiabetes initiative and compared them to responses from a similar number of people who didn't receive the text messages. The randomly chosen 1,000 individuals, who were surveyed by phone in the language of their choice, were considered a representative sample of the one million participants.

The study scored for fruit, vegetable and fat consumption as well as exercise in participants at baseline and six months. There were 943 people in the control group, 982 in the experimental one.

Arogya World partnered with Nokia during 2012-2013 on mDiabetes to send text messages on diabetes and its prevention in 12 languages, twice a week for six months, to 1 million of its subscribers from all over India who opted in.

The 56 text messages were developed with Emory University and culturally adapted for India with extensive consumer feedback.

Northwestern University researchers contributed to the study design and data analysis. Using rigorous statistical analysis to correct for baseline differences, and by scoring each study participant on positive and negative behaviors, the authors showed clear health behavior differences between those who received the text messages and those who did not.

Noncommunicable diseases include heart disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung diseases. According to the World Health Organization, 80 percent of heart disease, 80 percent of type 2 diabetes and 40 percent of cancers are preventable with three lifestyle changes -- avoiding tobacco, eating healthy foods and increasing physical activity.

Indians get diabetes in their 30s and 40s, 10 years earlier than most Americans. Two-thirds of the population of India is under age 35. Mobile phone use is widespread throughout India, making this an ideal way to deliver health messages.

In addition to the text message program, Arogya World has developed a mobile app, myArogya, to help working Indians prevent chronic disease

###

Arogya World hopes to bring its India approaches to South Asian communities in the United States to help them lead healthier lives. For more information, visit arogyaworld.org.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- A new study challenges earlier interpretations of an important burial mound at Cahokia, a pre-Columbian city in Illinois near present-day St. Louis. The study reveals that a central feature of the mound, a plot known as the "beaded burial," is not a monument to male power, as was previously thought, but includes both males and females of high status.

The new study, published in the journal American Antiquity, is one of several recent analyses of the site from researchers at the Illinois State Archaeological Survey at the University of Illinois and their colleagues at other institutions. All of the studies confirm the presence of males and females in the beaded burial.

In 1967, archaeologist Melvin Fowler discovered a massive burial site at Cahokia while excavating an unusual, ridgetop mound. This mound, now called Mound 72, held five mass graves, each containing 20 to more than 50 bodies, with dozens of other bodies buried individually or in groups, sometimes directly over the mass graves. Fowler identified 270 bodies in the mound.

Scientists later determined that all of the burials occurred between about 1000 and 1200, during the rise and peak of Cahokia's power and influence. Some of the burials appeared to be high-status individuals whose bodies were placed on cedar litters.

"Mound 72 burials are some of the most significant burials ever excavated in North America from this time period," said ISAS director Thomas Emerson, who conducted the most recent study with physical anthropologist Kristin Hedman and skeletal analysts Eve Hargrave of ISAS, Dawn Cobb of the Illinois State Museum Society, and Andrew Thompson of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The ISAS is a division of the Prairie Research Institute at Illinois.

"Fowler's and others' interpretation of these mounds became the model that everybody across the east was looking at in terms of understanding status and gender roles and symbolism among Native American groups in this time," Emerson said.

Emerson and his colleagues discovered that some of those early interpretations were based on inaccurate and incomplete information. Most of the errors involved the beaded burial. Here, two central bodies were placed, one on top of the other, on a partial bed of beads that also ran between and around the bodies. Several other bodies, buried at the same time, were arranged around this pair.

Fowler and later archaeologists came to believe that this was a burial of two high-status males surrounded by their servants. They interpreted the arrangement of beads associated with these central figures as the remains of a beaded cape or blanket in the shape of a bird. The pattern of beads near the heads of the two central bodies resembled a bird head, some thought.

Because the bird is a common motif related to warriors and supernatural beings in some Native American traditions, Fowler proposed that the central males of the beaded burial represented mythical warrior chiefs.

"One of the things that promoted the concept of the male warrior mythology was the bird image," Emerson said. Once this interpretation took hold, many researchers came to see this as evidence that Cahokia was "a male-dominated hierarchy," he said.

A fresh look at the early archaeologists' maps, notes and reports and the skeletal remains told a new and surprising story. First, the researchers found that there were 12 bodies associated with the beaded burial - not six, as had been previously reported. And independent skeletal analyses conducted by each of the co-authors - Thompson, Hedman, Hargrave and Cobb - revealed that the two central bodies in the beaded burial were actually male and female.

Further analyses revealed other male-female pairs on top of, and near, the beaded area. Some were laid out as fully articulated bodies. Others were disarticulated bodies, the bones of which had been gathered and bundled for burial near these important couples. The researchers also discovered the remains of a child.

"We had been checking to make sure that the individuals we were looking at matched how they had been described," Hedman said. "And in re-examining the beaded burial, we discovered that the central burial included females. This was unexpected."

"The fact that these high-status burials included women changes the meaning of the beaded burial feature," Emerson said. "Now, we realize, we don't have a system in which males are these dominant figures and females are playing bit parts. And so, what we have at Cahokia is very much a nobility. It's not a male nobility. It's males and females, and their relationships are very important."

The new findings are more in line with other evidence from Cahokia, Emerson said.

"For me, having dug temples at Cahokia and analyzed a lot of that material, the symbolism is all about life renewal, fertility, agriculture," he said. "Most of the stone figurines found there are female. The symbols showing up on the pots have to do with water and the underworld. And so now Mound 72 fits into a more consistent story with what we know about the rest of the symbolism and religion at Cahokia."

Emerson said that those who saw warrior symbolism at Cahokia missed the special culture of the time period.

"When the Spanish and the French came into the southeast as early as the 1500s, they identified these kinds of societies in which both males and females have rank," he said. "Really, the division here is not gender; it's class."

"People who saw the warrior symbolism in the beaded burial were actually looking at societies hundreds of years later in the southeast, where warrior symbolism dominated, and projecting it back to Cahokia and saying: 'Well, that's what this must be,'" Emerson said. "And we're saying: 'No, it's not.'"

Other recent findings related to the people buried in Mound 72 are described in the Journal of Archaeological Science, the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, and a chapter in the book "Beyond Collapse: Archaeological Perspectives on Resilience, Revitalization and Transformation in Complex Societies."

###

Funding for this research was provided by ISAS, a division of the Prairie Research Institute at Illinois.

VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESmAa1CGO68
What does one need to strengthen or toughen concrete? A lot of nothing. Or something.

The "nothing" is in the form of microscopic voids and the "something" consists of particular particles embedded in the most common construction material on Earth. Rice University materials scientist Rouzbeh Shahsavari and postdoctoral researcher Ning Zhang analyzed more than 600 computer models of concrete's inner matrix to determine that both voids and portlandite particles are significant players in giving the material its remarkable qualities.

The research appears this month in the Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids.

Shahsavari and his team set out to provide new insights and to design guidelines and strategies to make the cement hydrate -- known as calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) -- at the heart of concrete more tunable from the molecules up. They found that while concrete may appear brittle at the macroscale, it incorporates ductile fracture mechanisms at the nanoscale that help to keep it from failing.

"C-S-H is the smallest building block in concrete, and we want to understand and control it to our advantage," Shahsavari said. "Modeling how its molecules interact helps us understand its nanoscale structure, defects and fracture toughness. But this is very difficult to study through experiments alone because of the scale of the features we're looking at."

This latest in a series of studies from the Rice lab looks at how the interaction of either random air voids or random portlandite particles in C-S-H influence the mechanical qualities of strength, stiffness and toughness, especially where voids meet propagating cracks.

"Besides C-S-H, portlandite is another product of cement hydration, but it forms in lower quantities compared with C-S-H and mainly exists as sort of inclusions or isolated islands surrounded by the C-S-H matrix," Shahsavari said. "Because portlandite has different crystalline features and mechanical properties than C-S-H, its presence and distribution can significantly impact the mechanics of C-S-H."

Using molecular dynamics simulations, the researchers found that cracks tended to follow the path of least resistance and turn in the direction of either the nanovoids or portlandite particles they encountered. By deflecting or changing the geometry of a crack, the voids and particles sapped the crack of energy. Shahsavari said this likely contributes to concrete's overall toughness.

"When it comes to cement hydrate's strength and toughness -- properties that are typically exclusive in man-made materials -- random voids and portlandite particles play a key role by regulating a series of competing deformation mechanisms, such as crack growth, crack deflection, voids coalescence, internal necking, accommodation and geometry alteration of voids and particles," Shahsavari said. "Our work decoded all such complex competing mechanisms."

For C-S-H that is more amorphous than crystalline (as in tobermorite concrete), they found the addition of portlandite particles induced strong chemical reactions that increased the strength as well as the toughness of the product. They also determined that for all the variations tested, the smaller the mean diameter of both voids and particles, the stronger the material.

Since more than 30 billion tons of concrete are used each year and its manufacture contributes up to 10 percent of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, the payoff from any small tweak is worth the effort, Shahsavari said.

"Our results provide, for the first time, new evidence of ductile fracture mechanisms in cement hydrate that are reminiscent of crystalline alloys and ductile metals," Shahsavari said. "Given that crack growth and strength are an inherent property controlled by nanoscale deformation mechanisms, our findings can impact the mechanical properties of concrete at larger scales, opening up new opportunities and strategies to turn brittle cement hydrate into a ductile material. This would impact the modern engineering of durable concrete infrastructures and potentially other complex brittle materials."

###

The National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and an IBM Shared University Research Award in partnership with CISCO, Qlogic and Adaptive Computing supported the research.

The researchers used the NSF-supported DAVinCI supercomputer administered by Rice's Center for Research Computing and procured in a partnership with Rice's Ken Kennedy Institute.

A copy of the paper is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2016.07.021

More information about is available at:

Multiscale Materials Laboratory homepage: http://rouzbeh.rice.edu/

Related research from Rice:

Brittle is better for making cement -- April 11, 2016

Rice expert: 'Green' concrete can cut carbon emissions -- Dec. 3, 2015

Maps predict strength of structures -- March 16, 2015

Crush those clinkers while they're hot -- Jan. 13, 2015

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.
Neuropathic pain - which affects more than 1 million Americans - could be reduced or even eliminated by targeting brain cells that are supposed to provide immunity but, in some instances, do the opposite, causing chronic pain that could last a lifetime.

"The general thought has been that these cells are supposed to be beneficial in the nervous system under normal conditions" said Long-Jun Wu, a professor of cell biology and neuroscience at Rutgers University. "But, in fact, in those with this neuropathic pain these cells known as microglia, have proliferated and instead become toxic."

In new research, published in both Nature Communications and Cell Reports, Wu and his team discovered that chronic neuropathic pain - caused by nerve damage as a result of an injury, surgery or a debilitating disease like diabetes or cancer - could be greatly reduced in animals if the injury was treated targeting microglia within a few days.

"If we can catch that window within one to five days to inhibit microglia after nerve injury, we can partially reverse the development of chronic pain," said Wu. "If we were able to deplete the microglia cells causing the condition before nerve injury occurs, we can permanently prevent it."

Neuropathy occurs when nerves are injured from trauma or disease and can also be the result of a surgical procedure. This type of pain, unlike physiological pain, persists even after the injured nerve has healed and is often resistant to pain relievers like acetaminophen and naproxen. While opiates are used to alleviate pain, they have side effects and are not always effective for neuropathic pain patients.

In laboratory studies on mice, Wu and his colleagues used chemotherapy drugs to prohibit the microglia brain immune cells from proliferating, similar to the treatment used by oncologists to prevent cancer cells from multiplying. The results from Wu's laboratory showed that this chemotherapy drug reduced the amount of pain the mice experienced after the injury occurred.

"What needs to be done is prevent the microglia cells from multiplying in the first place," said Wu. "It had been thought that these cells were beneficial in a normal brain, but our research discovered how these cells function under neuropathic pain condition and initiate the problem."

Although scientists have studied microglia cells in relationship to neuropathic pain for the past two decades, Rutgers is the first to pinpoint the exact role the cells have in the initiation and maintenance of the condition. Wu and his colleagues found that the proliferation of these types of cells is one of the major contributors of microglial pain.

This discovery could lead to the development of more effective painkillers with fewer side effects, he said.

"Our research raises the intriguing possibility that minimizing microglial proliferation may be a novel approach for pain control," Wu said. "We hope this will eventually lead to more effective pain killers that will battle this devastating disease."

###

Scientists who collaborated with Wu included Wise Young, Rutgers professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom, professor at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers postdoctoral researchers Jiyun Peng and scientists Nan Gu, Wen-biao Gan, New York University and Hailong Dong, Fourth Military Medical University in China.
MIAMI--An international team that includes University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science researchers found behavioral evidence that tiger sharks prefer to opportunistically scavenge on dead or weakened green turtles rather than actively hunting healthy individuals despite more opportunities to do so. The study, conducted off the coast of Australia during the turtle nesting season, also found the behavior of healthy green turtles suggests that they do not perceive tiger sharks as a major threat during nesting season.

In the new study, the research team used data from satellite tagged tiger sharks and green turtles off the northern coast of Australia's Great Barrier Reef in the waters around Raine Island collected over a five-year period. During some years, up to as many as 12,000 green sea turtles aggregate around Raine Island to lay eggs on the beach, which offers scientists a natural laboratory to compare the movements and behaviours of the turtles and tiger sharks during a time when sea turtle concentrations are higher than average.

"After long nesting periods onshore, many green turtles become weakened from exhaustion. Up to as many as 80 individuals a night may die in certain years, and their bodies eventually get washed into the water during high tide," said study co-investigator Adam Barnett from BioPixel.

They researchers found surfacing of both tiger sharks and green turtles was highest where they overlapped in core home range, closest to the island, and surfacing also increased for both animals with increasing proximity to the shoreline. In other studies where green sea turtles and tiger shark home range overlap have been analyzed, scientists have observed turtles that avoid isolating themselves at the water surface when they are vulnerable to ambush from tiger sharks. Likewise, when tiger sharks are actively hunting turtles, they stalk their prey from deep below to launch a stealthy attack.

"From analyzing the behavioral data from tracked tiger sharks and green turtles, it appears that tiger sharks are patrolling the shores of Raine Island for a few opportunities to scavenge on the few dead turtles that get washed into the water or the weakened individuals that make their way in the water, instead of actively hunting the hundreds of healthy green turtles that they are encountering daily during the turtle nesting season," said the study's lead author Neil Hammerschlag, a research assistant professor at the UM Rosenstiel School and UM Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy. "The sharks are probably having to go out of their way to avoid hundreds of live turtles to find the dead and weakened ones. It is energetically more advantageous and also safer for sharks to scavenge on carcasses rather than have to chase down live turtles. In this way, tiger sharks are similar to terrestrial carnivores, such as hyenas and polar bears, which will selectively scavenge when the opportunity arises."

"Raine Island is the most biologically significant island on the Great Barrier Reef. It is home to the largest sea bird nesting population on the Reef and the largest green sea turtle nesting site in the world," said study co-investigator Richard Fitzpatrick from BioPixel. "To date, lots of research has been done on the turtles and birds. This research has increased our understanding of the predators that use the Raine Island region, and in turn enhanced our understanding of the whole Raine Island ecosystem."

###

The study, titled "Behavioral evidence suggests facultative scavenging by a marine apex predator during a food pulse" was published on August 8, 2016 in the journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. DOI 10.1007/s00265-016-2183-2. The study's authors include: Hammerschlag and Austin J. Gallagher from the UM Rosenstiel School and Abess Center; Ian Bell from the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection in Australia; Richard Fitzpatrick and Adam Barnett from BioPixel; Lucy A. Hawkes and Matthew J. Witt from the University of Exeter; Mark G. Meekan and Michele Thums from the Australian Institute of Marine Science; and John D. Stevens from CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ZdWRw4CaLTY

About the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School

The University of Miami (UM) is one of the largest private research institutions in the southeastern United States. The University's mission is to provide quality education, attract and retain outstanding students, support the faculty and their research, and build an endowment for University initiatives. Founded in the 1940's, the Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science has grown into one of the world's premier marine and atmospheric research institutions. Offering dynamic interdisciplinary academics, the Rosenstiel School is dedicated to helping communities to better understand the planet, participating in the establishment of environmental policies, and aiding in the improvement of society and quality of life. For more information, visit: http://www.rsmas.miami.edu.To learn more about UM's Shark Research and Conservation Program, visit: http://www.SharkTagging.com
In a new study researchers from Sweden and Italy show what happens when magma meets limestone on its way up to the surface. Magma-limestone interaction might help explain why volcanoes like Vesuvius in Italy and Merapi in Indonesia are particularly explosive and, moreover, it helps us to understand another source of natural carbon released to the atmosphere by volcanoes.

'When we find volcanic rocks in nature with particular chemical signatures, it might signal that CO 2 was released from the upper crust. These new results are exciting because in the future they may help us to identify additional pathways in the carbon cycle', says Frances Deegan, researcher at the Department of Earth Sciences at Uppsala University.

Carbon makes its way out of the Earth's interior and into the atmosphere mainly by CO 2 emissions from volcanoes. This is especially so in subduction zones, where material that was once at the Earth's surface is forced downwards into the Earth's interior and is partly remobilised at depth to feed volcanoes at the Earth's surface. During this process, carbon is released from the down-going rocks and enters magma deep in the Earth, which then rises upwards and releases its carbon load as CO 2 at subduction volcanoes.

At least this has been our general picture so far. But this is not all. Researchers from Uppsala University, the Swedish Museum of Natural History, and the National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology in Italy have recently discovered what happens when magma is on its journey upwards through the crust and encounters rocks containing large amounts of CO 2 , such as limestone or marble, which rest only a few kilometres beneath the Earth's surface.

The team of scientists from Sweden and Italy replicated this process in the laboratory and found that when magma meets limestone the result is a very bubbly affair. They also discovered that when CO 2 is released from limestone at shallow levels in the crust it can trigger extreme behaviour in certain volatile elements. The extra CO 2 released during magma-limestone interaction might also be a factor in driving explosive eruptions at some volcanoes like Vesuvius or Merapi, whose roots are sitting in limestone and marble rocks. Furthermore, this extra source of CO 2 may contribute to Earth's carbon cycle, in the past and present.

###
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Aug. 8, 2016)--They're two of the biggest mysteries in Parkinson's disease research--where does the disease start? And how can it be stopped early in the process?

Now, a new laboratory model of Parkinson's is giving scientists an inside look at what happens in the brain years before motor symptoms appear. Specifically, it demonstrates how abnormal alpha-synuclein proteins, which are strongly associated with Parkinson's, gradually spread from an area of the brain implicated in the early stages of the disease to other regions of the brain ultimately damaged by the disease. The findings were published today in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

Parkinson's is primarily a disease of aging, with most cases diagnosed after age 60. By the time symptoms appear, more than half of the brain cells that produce dopamine, a chemical messenger needed for voluntary movement, have died. What triggers this process is unknown, although evidence points to a combination of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. Strong evidence also suggests that clumps of abnormal alpha-synuclein play a role in the disease process. In recent years, scientists have found links to the early stages of Parkinson's in other areas of the body, namely the gut and the nose.

"Better models that mimic the early stages of the disease will allow us to more precisely study Parkinson's and, by extension, find new ways to potentially stop it before it progresses," said Van Andel Research Institute researcher Nolwen L. Rey, Ph.D., the study's first author. "We know that specific signs of Parkinson's, including a loss of sense of smell, appear years before the onset of motor symptoms. Our new model replicates the phase that occurs long before diagnosis and, importantly, gives us a powerful tool to test novel interventions that might prevent the onset of Parkinson's as we know it."

The study demonstrates that alpha-synuclein travels along nerve cells in the olfactory bulb--the part of the brain that controls sense of smell--prior to the onset of motor symptoms and that this area may be particularly susceptible to the spread of alpha-synuclein, ultimately causing deficits in the sense of smell. Clumps of alpha-synuclein eventually reach several additional brain regions, including the brainstem area that houses dopamine cells.

"Perhaps most remarkably, we have created a model of prodromal Parkinson's disease, the condition that precedes the diagnosis of the disorder in humans by five to 10 years, that successfully mimics the pattern of alpha-synuclein's pathology in the brain," said Patrik Brundin, M.D., Ph.D., senior author of the study and director of Van Andel Research Institute's Center for Neurodegenerative Science. "Not only might this teach us something about how the disease develops and the importance of the olfactory system, but the model will also prove invaluable when testing novel therapeutics designed to slow down or stop the progression of disease."

###

This work was supported by Van Andel Research Institute, the Peter C. and Emajean Cook Foundation, the European Research Council and University of Pennsylvania Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Center of Excellence. Other study authors include Jennifer A. Steiner (Van Andel Research Institute), Nazia Maroof (Roche Innovation Center), Kelvin C. Luk (University of Pennsylvania), Zachary Madaj (Van Andel Research Institute), John Q. Trojanowski (University of Pennsylvania), and Virginia M-Y Lee (University of Pennsylvania).

Rey NL, Steiner JA, Maroof N, Luk KC, Madaj Z, Trojanowski JQ, Lee VMY, Brundin P. In press. Widespread transneural propagation of a-synucleinopathy triggered in olfactory bulb mimics prodromal Parkinson's disease. J Exp Med.

ABOUT VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Van Andel Institute (VAI) is an independent nonprofit biomedical research and science education organization committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations. Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, VAI has grown into a premier research and educational institution that supports the work of more than 360 scientists, educators and staff. Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), VAI's research division, is dedicated to determining the epigenetic, genetic, molecular and cellular origins of cancer, Parkinson's and other diseases and translating those findings into effective therapies. The Institute's scientists work in onsite laboratories and participate in collaborative partnerships that span the globe. 100% To Research, Discovery & Hope http://www.vai.org

Parkinson's disease: Between seven and 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson's disease. In addition to its hallmark motor symptoms, including loss of voluntary movement, rigidity and tremor, Parkinson's also has a host of non-motor symptoms such as cognitive impairment and gastrointestinal issues. Although there are therapies to mitigate symptoms, there currently are no treatments that actually prevent the disease or that change its course.

Alpha-synuclein: Alpha-synuclein is a protein with a yet undefined function in normal health. In Parkinson's, abnormal versions of this protein clumps together to form Lewy bodies, a hallmark sign of the disease in the brain.
At their July 2016 Summit meeting in Warsaw, NATO Heads of State and Government declared their readiness to meet security challenges originating from east and south through deterrence and defence with the appropriate mix of nuclear, conventional and missile defence capabilities. This translated into decisions to enhance the allied presence in the eastern part of Alliance territory, while affirming readiness for a meaningful dialogue with Russia. Moscow, through various declarations over recent months, has also showed interest in preserving the option of dialogue, while preparing to deploy radars on the Baltic and Black Sea coasts. The post-Summit question, however, remains what type of dialogue are NATO and Russia likely to nurture?

Nothing New Under the Sun

In many ways, the formula of deterring while maintaining dialogue recalled NATOs 1967 Harmel Report, which had institutionalized the dual-leg approach of defence and dialogue vis-a-vis the Allies Cold War enemy. Dialogue was also part of the post-Cold War period of the NATO-Russia relationship based on the two pillars of dialogue and cooperation. Reiterated in Warsaw the need for dialogue with Russia allowed for the necessary consensus within the Alliance between those who see Russia as a serious and immediate challenge, and others who prefer to look at Russia as a prickly albeit inescapable interlocutor.

As always at NATO, and in the multilateral environment generally, consensus is the result of uneasy compromises, which often threaten to unravel once implementation of the decisions begins. In pursuing its defence and dialogue approach towards Russia, NATO in the coming months will have to navigate between those who see the Alliance essentially as a means to deter Russia and dialogue as a way to convey a message of resolve to Moscow, and those who feel that NATO is not necessarily the best instrument to engage Russia, but who wish to convey that NATOs defence posture should not be misinterpreted as belligerent or irreversible.

A Dialogue of the Deaf

In principle, as often stated by the NATO Secretary General, there is no contradiction between strong defence and engagement with Russia. Indeed, at the national level, this tough love message has effectively worked for a number of Allies, notably Norway who maintained cooperation with Russia in a number of areas while keeping a strong defence posture towards Russia in the North. In practice, however, given nations different agendas, NATOs dialogue with Russia is unlikely to deliver a clear message.

Moreover, dialogue is a loaded term. In light of the past twenty years of NATO-Russia relations, dialogue is seen as a pathway to cooperation. It has developed institutionally with the aim to establish cooperative programs. The point of dialogue was less to harmonize views and work on differences, than it was to work side-by-side in the hope that by doing things together we would overcome such differences. In practice, NATO-Russia cooperation allowed for meaningful rapprochement in areas such as search and rescue at sea, cooperative airspace management notably in the Baltic area, transit of non-lethal NATO goods to Afghanistan through Russian territory, as well as cooperation in training and equipping Afghan forces and border guards. At the same time, NATO and Russian military presence in the Balkans and a short period of institutional cooperation in the region never yielded any rapprochement in the Russian and Western political views on the future of the Balkans. In other words, twenty years of cooperation in the field never translated into the type of strategic relationship that NATO and Russia had hoped for and formally enshrined in numerous political documents, agreed at the highest political level, both in Paris in 1997 and in Rome in 2002.

The aim of dialogue today is therefore far from obvious. The only clear objective seems to be that it should not be misinterpreted as a return to business as usual. In other words, irrespective of the discussions to take place in the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) in the coming months, it will not lead to cooperation at expert level  at least from Allies perspective  until Russia reverts to the principles and commitments underpinning NATO-Russia relations, notably with regard to its illegal actions in Ukraine. For Moscow, NRC discussions may remain an opportunity to exploit differences among Allies in their respective positions vis-a-vis Russia. It could also be, just as in the past, an opportunity to use the platform to voice its position at a strategic level. In the end, the only common view between Allies and Russia would seem to be that this dialogue is to remain divorced from NATO-Russia practical cooperation, at least in the near future.

Towards A Conversation that Matters?

It remains to be seen whether episodic discussions that will likely take place in the NRC in the near future eventually lead to a conversation that matters to all, i.e. Russias place in the new security order in Europe. Russia has long resisted a European order based on open-ended institutional enlargements and the principle that each country has the sovereign right to choose its security and trade arrangements. Similarly, Allies today refuse to allow a new European order based on new facts created on the ground by the use of force and the imposition of spheres of influence.

The debate over the European security order is long overdue but goes well beyond NATO. Pushed to the forefront by the Medvedev initiative in 2008 and resisted by Allies for the right reasons, it led to discussions within the OSCE but never amounted to a new architecture as sought by Moscow, nor did it allow Allies and their partners to preserve the post-Cold War European security order.

Today institutions are facing significant internal as well as external challenges in Europe, and the moment may be ill chosen to begin a meaningful discussion with Russia on the European security order, at a risk of unravelling what remains of the old order. At the same time, pursuing a dialogue of the deaf, towards an unclear objective seems to put process over substance and is likely to yield only limited results.

NATO-Russia Stability Talks

While NATO is only one piece of the European security order puzzle, it has a significant role to play. NATO could usefully engage in Stability Talks with Russia to manage their challenging relationship. These talks would reflect the spirit of Warsaw whereby NATO, recalling its fundamental responsibility to allied populations in terms of collective defence and stating its readiness to project stability beyond its territory, makes it clear that it still aspires to a constructive relationship with Russia. These talks would eventually feed into a broader conversation on the European security order, through existing institutional arrangements between NATO and the European Union, as well as NATO and the OSCE facilitated by the Secretary Generals new representative to the OSCE announced at the Warsaw Summit.

These Stability Talks would have to rest on the acknowledgement that the security environment has significantly changed, prompted by the Russian annexation of Crimea  possibly dating back to earlier events such as the Russo-Georgian war. These talks should therefore refrain from giving any illusion of a return to a cooperative security environment. The fact is that, for the foreseeable future, NATO will remain a negative word in Russia, and Russia will continue to trigger ambivalence within NATO. Second, these talks would define clear parameters, redlines, towards developing a meaningful conversation where NATO and Russia could add value to a broader European security order. Third, it would require a commitment to pursuing Talks with a degree of respect for each others views and interests.

Stability Talks could rest on three pillars. First, it would reaffirm nuclear deterrence as the basis for the relationship prompting regular talks on the requirements to discuss and provide reassurance on strategic capabilities, doctrine regarding the role of nuclear weapons, and the character and scale of each sides nuclear programs, including strategic force modernization, theater nuclear forces, and missile defense. Second, Stability Talks would recognize a strong self-interest on both sides in transparency and predictability to avoid miscalculations and reduce risks in what has become a confrontational relationship in some areas. Third, the Stability Talks would help create the conditions where differences are worked out without the threat of military force against allies or neighboring countries, either overt or covert.

The very idea of NATO-Russia Stability Talks may encounter three main challenges. First, NATO is a political-military organization, which engages in political discussion to the extent that it can lead to concrete action. It is not a talking shop. Yet Stability Talks would likely remain at the level of political dialogue without experts work. These Talks may nonetheless trigger political declarations and various workshops which would potentially feed into the work of other organizations. Second, Stability Talks could never result in negotiations, treaties or other legally binding declaration in a NATO-Russia context, as NATO is not the type of organization that can engage in such exercises. Third, some nations may wish to retain Stability Talks for their bilateral agendas and refrain from engaging in such discussion at the multilateral level. At the same time, NATO-Russia Stability Talks could usefully contribute to the agenda of others, and get the ball rolling on a much needed  albeit daunting  exercise of reestablishing the rules of the European security order.

The opinions expressed in this article are the authors own, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Atlantic Council or NATOs agreed positions and policy. They also do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Leadership Network or any of its members. The ELNs aim is to encourage debates that will help develop Europes capacity to address the pressing foreign, defence, and security challenges of our time.
Thought I'd paid a bit extra for a good quality Gazebo for the back yard 9 months ago. Couple of windy days last week and the roof was ripped to shreds, beyond repair. Can anyone recommend a company in Dubai that could custom make a new canvas (or similar material) roof to fit?
Hi dubaiPT!I have done some research and I will go for of the package that BIZ Dubai Office offer ( http://www.uaebiz.ae ). They have the same price and same offer as the office in Fujairah, but you dont have to travel to Fujairah, since they have an office in Dubai.Since I need 3-6 Visa for employees, I can choose the Baby Business package or the Freelance package.I will rent an office at Regus Business Centre or some other Business Centre and work with my employees. I running companies in the Internet business.So, you do not need to go by an agency, you can do the process yourself.The total price for 3 Visa will be AED 25K and the yearly renewal fee is 21K. For each visa you have to pay AED 4.950 plus the medical test. The Visa is valid for 3 years.This was the best solution for me with help from this thread.
Hi everyone

Last year I came UAE on visit visa and I got a job in sharjah. My company applied for visa but it was rejected. They applied 2 more time and both time it was rejected. At that time I was out of UAE. So my brother applied for visit visa in Dubai and Dubai immigration told that we first need to clear the rejected visa file in sharjah. So my brother went to sharjah immigration but they told that this is national security issue and that file cannon be cancelled. He checked my passport for blacklist also but it was not blacklisted.

After that we tried many times for visit visa and a month ago I got e-visa from ras-al-khaimah. After coming Dubai I again applied for residence visa from my brothers company. And my work permit was approved but again Dubai immigration told to clear that file from Sarjah immigration. When we approached sharjah immigration.. They told that they don't have any procedure to clear rejected visa files.

For me this is very difficult... As my family is in Dubai and I waiting from 11 months to get visa

Plz suggest me how to deal with this issue...
From: Jack Marshall -- ProEthics, Ltd. For Immediate Release: Dateline: Alexandria , VA Monday, August 8, 2016

This was the guy that Donald Trump was supposedly going to endorse as retribution for Speaker Ryans negative comments? Its comforting, isnt it, that Trump isnt that irrational? Ann Coulter is, but Trump isnt. (At least in this case.) Paul Nehlen is the arch conservative and certifiable ignoramus who is challenging House Speaker Paul Ryan in Wisconsins First Congressional Districts Republican primary. Interviewed last week on Chicagos Morning Answer, Nehlen said that he wonders why we have any Muslims in the country, and suggested that there should be a public debate about tossing Muslims out of the U.S. Heres a partial transcript of the relevant comments Nehlen made to hosts Amy Jacobson and Dan Croft: Paul Nehlen: So if the breakpoint is Sharia, and Islam is the only major religion that encourages lying. The Taqiyya says lie to the infidel. You lie to them if you have to. So if you look at a Muslim and say hey, are you lying, they go, no. Okay, youre in, absolutely. Okay, youre out. If they lie, how do you, how do you vet something like that? Dan Croft: Then how do you implement, how do you implement the test that you want to implement? Nehlen: Well, then, the question is, why do we have Muslims in the country? How can you possibly vet somebody who lies? Croft: Well, that said, are you suggesting that we deport all of the Muslims in this country? Nehlen: Im suggesting that we have a discussion about it. Thats for sure. I am absolutely suggesting we figure out how do we, we, heres what we should be doing. We should be monitoring every mosque. We should be monitoring all social media. Croft: I think its clear that there is a threat. Theres no question. But, but I mean Nehlen: So lets invite more into the country? Croft: Well, well, thats one issue. But what youre talking about is people that are Americans that are here, and whether or not we should deport all of them. Do, do you see any Constitutional problems with the vetting, the kind that Newt Gingrich wanted to do and apparently you do as well. Much less deporting Americans who have done nothing wrong. Nehlen: Well, if somebody supports Sharia that is doing something wrong. It is. Its a dilemma, isnt it? Anyone who supports this ethics- and knowledge-free idiot should hide his head under a bag, yet anyone who supports him isnt smart enough to know how embarrassed he should be, and thus will go bagless. Lets count down how many ways this proud dummy doesnt understand the Constitution: 1. Absent a repeal or a major amendment to the First Amendment, the government cant take any kind of punitive action against someone because of his or her religion. Islam is a religion. I bet there are fourth graders who understand this. 2. Lying, rules the Supreme Court, is protected by the First Amendment, unless the lie amount to fraud. Denying that you support a foreign legal system that will prompt characters like Nehlen to try to persecute you isnt fraud. Its common sense. 3. Why do we have Muslims in the country? We have them because if they qualify for citizenship under the religion-neutral qualification, they have as much right as anyone else to come here, and theres not a damn thing to be done about it. Thats why. Want to know why an apple falls to earth if you drop it? 4. We cant have a discussion about deporting Muslim citizens because the Constitution prevents taking liberty and property without due process of law, and since any law targeting Muslims would be per se unconstitutional, due process is impossible. 5. Similarly, under the Equal Protection Clause, the government cant treat one group of lawful citizens differently from another group. This also isnt going to change. So I guess we can have a discussion about deporting Muslims, but it would be a singularly silly, pointless and stupid discussion. 6. We should be monitoring every mosque. We should be monitoring all social media. One would be chilling the exercise of religion; the other would be chilling free speech, both thoroughly and permanently barred by Supreme Court rulings. 7. Neither Nehlen nor the government can declare supporting Sharia wrong enough to justify government penalties, until wrong means illegal. You can support Klingon Law, as long as you follow U.S. law. On the bright side, I think its wonderful that in this glorious country, a moron can run for Congress, dont you? Apparently after this fiasco, someone took poor Paul aside and explained that his comments werent very helpful to his candidacy except that they might appeal to Trump voters as dumb as he is. So he posted this on his websiteI couldnt resist some editorial comments, as it is a wonderful case study of someone resorting to one rationalization and fallacy after another. Who among us has never said something that came out not exactly like how we meant it? Two rationalizations off the list in one sentence: #1 Everybody Does It, and 19. The Perfection Diversion: Nobodys Perfect! or Everybody makes mistakes! In a radio interview on Thursday, I was asked about President Obamas Muslim refugee resettlement program that Paul Ryan funded with his omnibus spending bill last December.And even though I said during the course of the interview that I was talking about Muslims who practice a radical, violent version of Sharia Law, I didnt include that qualifier in all of my answers. As such, the media cherry-picked my comments and reported that I want to deport all Muslims. It doesnt matter which kind of Muslims he was talking about. The Constitution protects all of them in the same way. Nor was the media cherry-picking, since as nehlen admits a few words earlier, his statement in fact did imply that he was talking about all Muslims. Damn biased media, reporting what I said rather than what I wish I had said My bad. So let me be clearMy position on this issue is pretty much the same as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who said on FOX News a few weeks ago after that ISIS murderer mowed down and killed 77 people with a truck in Nice, France 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. 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. Ah yes, the famous Newt Gingrich Exception to the Constitution! Rationalization at work in Newts case: 28. The Revolutionarys Excuse: These are not ordinary times. Newt was dead wrong, and Paul is appealing to authority, a debate cheat and logical fallacy. Most importantly, I clearly stated this was a discussion we should have. Thats not important, since while claiming that we should have a discussion about violating the Constitution and engaging in religious persecution is not as unethical as advocating doing it, both indicate the same level of ignorance and lack of understanding of basic American principles. Such measures certainly have constitutional challenges and concerns. But as Mr. Gingrich said, the situation is so serious and so deadly that we absolutely must talk about options for protecting our people from, as he called them, medieval barbarians. Equivocation. These arent challenges and concerns, they are black letter, immutable law. Its like saying that robbing a bank creates legal challenges and concerns. So there you have it. So there you have it! The man is a totalitarian, ignorant, bigoted idiot, and running for Congress. Share this:


LONDON, Ohio  Brutus Buckeye must love corn.

Since mid-June, The Ohio State University mascot has been seen (from the air) in a cornfield north of London, Ohio, and will remain there until harvest.

The image, made possible by prescription planting the field with two hybrids with different maturity dates, is a way to draw attention to Ohio State research of multi-hybrid planting technology, said Andrew Klopfenstein, project coordinator in Ohio States Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

Its part of a larger-scale effort to inform farmers how far the technology has come, and how to utilize the technology to maximum potential, Klopfenstein said.

It can be difficult to get peoples attention when you start talking about field prescriptions without a good example.

Corn research

The department is in its second year of research on multi-hybrid corn planting, and in its first on soybeans, he said. He and others will discuss the research at 12:30 p.m. each day at the Trotter Field Demonstrations at this years Farm Science Review, Sept. 20-22 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London.

Editor: The field where the image of Brutus Buckeye can be seen is off of Ohio 38, about 2 miles north of I-70. The coordinates for the center of the image are: latitude, 39 degrees, 57 minutes 58.76 seconds north; longitude, 83 degrees, 25 minutes, 59.14 seconds west. A video showing the field is online at go.osu.edu/brutusdronevideo .

The Review offers farmers and other visitors the opportunity to learn about the latest agricultural innovations from experts from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. The department is part of the college.

Right now, theres high interest in planting technologies, Klopfenstein said. As the costs of fertilizer, seed, fuel and other inputs increase and grain prices drop, the best way to gain a yield benefit is in the planting technology you use.

Planting is the most critical operation of crop farming, Klopfenstein said.

If you dont start out with a good seedbed, or if you place the seed incorrectly, youre already behind, he said. You could lose up to half of your yield potential by placing the seed incorrectly at planting.

Precision planting

By using data on a fields terrain, past yields, soil organic matter, remote-sensed imagery and soil productivity, farmers can use software available on todays precision planters to plant the right hybrid at the right rate to maximize yields, he said.

In one block we may plant hybrid A at a population of 28,000 seeds per acre, and in the next we might plant hybrid B at 36,000 per acre, he said. The planter can change the type and rate of seed being metered into the furrow, all depending on the seeding prescription uploaded to the controller to optimize the soil productivity at that location.

This year, Klopfenstein and project team members are working with three farmers in and around central Ohio, as well as at the colleges Farm Science Review site north of London, to test multi-hybrid planting. In total, they have planted 326 acres of corn and 256 acres of soybean.

In those fields, we are looking at the technique of selecting corn hybrids and soybean varieties and trying to determine the best way of placing the seed in the field, he said. We have a test protocol that weve developed using Airscout remote sensing imagery and are working with Becks Hybrids to develop a procedure for placing seed in that specific field based on the data layers the farmer may have available.

And then we have a prescription generated to look at ways of placing seed according to those data layers.

At the end of the growing season, the team will analyze yield data to determine the costs and benefits for each method.

Some farmland would benefit more from such changes, Klopfenstein said.

In central and southern Ohio, the soil can vary significantly in a matter of 50 feet, he said. You can go from a silt loam to a silty clay loam very quickly, and were trying different placements of seed types as well as different populations in different zones.

But in northwest Ohio, you might have one single soil type in the entire field. In that case, it may be more advantageous to adopt high-speed planting technology versus multi-hybrid.

High-speed planting can speed up planting by 40 to 60 percent, Klopfenstein said. That can be a vital advantage in years like 2016.

Farmers who got their corn in during a planting window in early April had good temperatures along with good emergence and early season growth, he said. Corn that was planted later, around Mothers Day, had to withstand a late frost and then a cold rain. This later-planted corn had poor emergence and stands.

As hybrids continue to advance, its critical to get corn in the ground at the right time. Thats why planting capacity matters so much.

Best technique

Researchers are examining both multi-hybrid and high-speed planting technologies to determine whats best for what type of field, Klopfenstein said.

We want to be certain that farmers are making the right investment for their operation whether its high-speed, variable-rate, multi-hybrid or some combination, he said.

The picture showing Brutus Buckeyes smiling face in the cornfield was taken with a drone, or unmanned aerial system (UAS), Klopfenstein said. The research team is also examining how to use drones to identify hybrids, pests, disease issues and nitrogen deficiencies in a crop.

We can use the imagery to determine the proper prescription for multi-hybrid planting, he said. That, too, will be discussed at the Review.

Project partners

In addition to the farmers involved in the project, partners include Precision Planting, Becks Hybrids, Case-New Holland, Airscout, Climate Corporation, 3-D Aerial and the Ohio-Indiana UAS Center.

The field demonstrations are included with admission to the Review, which is $7 in advance at county offices of Ohio State University Extension, many local agribusinesses and online at fsr.osu.edu/visitors/tickets. Tickets are $10 at the gate. Children 5 and younger are admitted free.

Attendees can also attend educational presentations presented by OSU Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, the outreach and research arms of the college, and browse among more than 600 exhibitors displaying more than 4,000 product lines. Free wagon shuttles from the west end of the Reviews main grounds take visitors to the field demonstrations, as well as to presentations at the nearby Gwynne Conservation Area.

Organizers expect total attendance to top 110,000. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20-21 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 22. Details are at fsr.osu.edu.
Get your fishing in while you can: Mark Ermer
The UK governments Treasury department has formally launched a consultation today on how a Shale Wealth Fund should be funded and whom it should benefit.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Theresa May announced that the consultation includes the potential option for payments to be made directly to households affected by shale gas ventures.

The Treasury said that communities where shale development could take place are set to receive millions of pounds, with its proposed Shale Wealth Fund potentially worth up to 1bn in total, paying out over 25 years.

Up to 10% of tax revenues arising from shale gas production will be used for the benefit of people who live in areas that host shale sites, it said.

Fracking involves forcing a chemical mixture underground to break apart rocks and release gas

Mays changes would mean that private households could benefit financially as well as local authorities.

She said: "As I said on my first night as prime minister: when we take the big calls, well think not of the powerful but of you.

"This announcement is an example of putting those principles into action.

"Its about making sure people personally benefit from economic decisions that are taken  not just councils  and putting them back in control over their lives."

The consequences of fracking

Only one shale gas well near Blackpool, in Lancashire, has so far been fracked in Britain but was later abandoned when some of the work undertaken triggered an earth tremor.

That resulted in an 18 month ban on the hydraulic fracturing technology used to extract gas from shale rock.

Some farmers have been critical of fracking and the direct consequences of the activity on nearby farms.

A North Yorkshire farmer has spoken of her fear of pollution after a local authority gave the go-ahead for fracking operations in the UK for the first time in five years.

She told FarmingUK that her cattle were reliant on water from a borehole, which she feared could be contaminated by the fracking operations.

The farmer said that evidence was emerging from the United States, where fracking has been used for some years, that water sources had been polluted.
A Buckinghamshire couple are set to grow their innovative alpaca farm business thanks to seven-figure funding support from Clydesdale Bank.

Husband and wife team James and Julia Corrigan-Stuart already run a successful alpaca operation from their base at Ford Farm Barn in Ford, Buckinghamshire.

The injection of new funding from Clydesdale Bank has enabled the couple to purchase the 270-acre Yeat Wood Farm at Wotton Underwood which will see their business undergo major expansion.

As well as housing around 100 alpacas for the business run by Julia, CS Alpacas, the newly-expanded operation will now also accommodate an additional 900 alpacas for the Alpaca Stud Ltd business run by James, a leading executive with a UK insurance company, which breeds the animals for sale across the UK and Europe.

CS Alpacas was established in 2008, with just three pregnant females, and has since grown to a herd of 100 animals.

It offers alpacas for sale, arranges alpaca walks and also operates an adopt-an-alpaca scheme.

There are two types of alpaca, the Huacaya, which has a dense, teddy bear-like fleece and the Suri which has fleece which hangs down from the body, like dreadlocks.

The soft feel of Alpaca fleece which is comparable to cashmere and its natural warmth makes it extremely popular for use in clothing such as hats, scarves, gloves, jumpers and babywear. Julia operates a thriving business selling a range of clothing at outlets and shows across Buckinghamshire.

Diversifying into camping

The deal was facilitated by Justin Hayward, Relationship Manager for Agribusiness at Clydesdale Banks Customer Banking Centre in Oxford.

Mr and Mrs Corrigan-Stuart expect to complete the transfer of the two businesses to their new location in Aylesbury in August.

The couple have plans to expand further next year by diversifying into camping and caravanning and caravan storage.

Julia Corrigan-Stuart, owner of CS Alpacas, said: "Both sides of the business have continued to expand and it was clear to both myself and James that our current location was not large enough to accommodate our ambitions.

"The new site at Yeat Wood Farm is the ideal solution and will provide us with real scope to grow the business further and, in the longer term, to diversify into areas such as the glamping market.

"We were faced with very short timescales in which to acquire the new property and the Clydesdale Bank team did an amazing job and bent over backwards to accommodate our needs."

Mark Laughlan, Head of Clydesdale Banks Reading and Oxford Customer Banking Centres, said: "James and Julia have shown real vision in creating and continuing to grow this innovative business.

"The move to the new location will establish them as one of the largest Alpaca enterprises in the country which will provide a good platform for their ambitious plans to diversify further."
Dairy farmers' net profits have fallen by around 25% in the year to March and could fall further this year, say farm accountants.

Non-aligned milk prices dropped by around 4-6p/litre over the year, compared with 2014/15, meaning profits typically fell by more than 25%, says Andrew Vickery, head of rural services at Old Mill.

"However, profits have been extremely volatile and some producers will have suffered far greater losses."

Supermarket-aligned suppliers fared rather better, with price cuts of between 1p and 4p/litre.

"Some or all of that was offset by lower costs of production as the models seek to reflect, so profits were far less volatile."

Even so, the average price on some supermarket-aligned contracts fell by more than the cost of production, he adds.

Cash flow 'likely to be the greatest challenge'

"As a result, almost all producers  whoever they supply  have endured a large hole in profits and a steep drop in turnover, which in many cases has translated into serious cash flow problems."

When milk prices do start to improve, its important not to get carried away, warns Mr Vickery

Although there are signs of an uplift in milk price, producers should not expect a rapid improvement in profitability in 2016/17, warns Mr Vickery.

"At the start of the 2015/16 milk year prices were in the high 20s  even if they improve by 4p/litre the 2016/17 average may not look any better. And while cereal feed prices remain low, the weaker pound is making imports; particularly of proteins like soya, more expensive."

That said, its not all doom and gloom. "Many people have survived the troughs and will come out with a leaner, more efficient business that will make good profits in the future," says Mr Vickery.

"There has been a lot of belt-tightening, and the key is not to let costs of production rise again as the milk price improves."

In the short-term, cash flow is likely to be the greatest challenge, even for businesses which have remained in profit.

"Its vital to draw up a clear cash flow forecast so you can see when the pinch points will arise," he explains.

"If youre up against your overdraft limit now, speak to your bank manager early to put an extension in place or suspend capital repayments on loans for a time. Just dont be the last person in the queue."

'Important not to get carried away'

Historically, farmers have tended to pay for small capital items like a building extensions out of cash flow, but that will be harder to do right now.

"And some businesses have benefitted from a degree of extra credit from their suppliers, but that cannot continue indefinitely."

When milk prices do start to improve, its important not to get carried away, warns Mr Vickery.

"There could be the inclination to start spending fairly quickly, and its easy to let costs creep back in."

Of course, some cost-cutting is helpful in the short term but could be damaging to the business in the long run, so farmers need to identify where to rein in and where to invest.

"Its very interesting to see where farmers have cut costs: Suspending investment in maintenance and repairs can only go on for so long before it starts to be detrimental. But changing management practices like making more of grazed forage and improving labour efficiencies should definitely be retained," he adds.

"There also seems to have been an increase in farmers working collectively to secure keener deals on inputs: If milk prices jump back up theres no need to change this."
Hundreds of members of Farmers For Action attended a meeting at the Market Drayton Livestock Market.

The rally, which took place on Sunday 7 August, is part of its campaign to ensure dairy farmers get their fair share of the recent increase in milk prices.

After two years of declines, the global value of milk has finally begun to turn around.

But David Handley, of Farmers for Action, said higher milk prices are not being passed down to producers, he urged members to assemble yesterday to protest.

Mr Handley said: "We have been contacted by several milk producers concerned that their milk price is not increasing in line with demand.

"This is your opportunity to come along and voice your opinions, we need huge numbers to make things happen, so pass the message around and together by showing solidarity, we can achieve our aim.

"Large turnout = success, low turnout = failure. Things do not happen. Things are made to happen. Remember, it is your choice, your organisation, your industry.

Muller and its September milk price

The protest went ahead mainly due to dairy farmers urging Muller to increase its September milk prices.

The NFU called on Muller to explain why the company is not increasing it in line with 'extremely positive' market signals for UK milk prices to its suppliers.

It has led the the union to condemn the decision, which it says is "beggars belief".

"Yes, its farmgate milk price remains competitive but this is only due to the continuing support of retailers with their minimum farmgate pricing mechanism, currently paying around 3ppl," said NFU dairy board chairman Michael Oakes.

He said that Mullers non-aligned suppliers  estimated at around a third of its 1,900 farmer suppliers  would be frustrated that they were not seeing the benefits of a market that was starting to experience positive price movements after two years of downturn.
Farming in Lincolnshire will become 'unsustainable' if prices continue to slump, the chairwoman of the Lincolnshire branch of NFU has said.

Lincolnshire's farming sector has seen considerable decline, with income falling to its lowest figure in almost 20 years.

Minty Willoughby, Lincolnshire NFU chairwoman, believes it is becoming 'tight' for many farmers, particularly those who deal in livestock.

She said "If prices do not improve it will become unsustainable, there are farmers going out of business every day.

"Whatever you are producing at the moment is below the cost of production."

She went on to claim that some farmers are delving into their own savings to keep the boat afloat.

Cash flow problems are arguably the biggest threat for farm businesses at present.

NFU President Meurig Raymond said that the union has been working directly with the banks to ensure a "positive dialogue" continues in the face of "external factors", which are having an impact on farmers bottom lines.

"Farmgate prices for key commodities are in a markedly different place than they were two years ago, leading to lower margins and profitability across the sector," Mr Raymond said.
The Tenant Farmers Association has said the National Trust's vision for a post Brexit shouldn't focus only on environmental outcomes, labelling it a 'huge mistake'.

TFA Chief Executive George Dunn said the Trust has focused on the need to ensure that there is support only for environmental outcomes in the post Brexit environment.

Mr Dunn said: "The TFA agrees that around a third of the current annual budget spent through the CAP should be earmarked for a brand-new, outcome focused agri-environment scheme which rewards active farmers for their labour, management and investment in managing land for biodiversity, landscape and nature. However, this is only one part of what is required."

Last week, the National Trust released a statement on a reform of farm support, proposing a system which is more environmentally friendly.

"Focusing only on domestic environmental outcomes would be a huge mistake," said Mr Dunn

The conservation organisation said that reforms are needed to "reverse decades of damage to the countryside we love."

The TFAs post Brexit agricultural policy argues for three distinct elements of a new policy which adds business resilience and market development alongside a package of agri-environment measures.

"Post Brexit Government policy for agriculture must address all of the market failures that exist and not just the provision of environmental public goods.

"The declining share of national income spent on primary food products, the structure of food marketing creating an unfair trading platform for farmers, long-term food security and uneven production standards all need to be addressed.

"Focusing only on domestic environmental outcomes would be a huge mistake," said Mr Dunn.

'Greater business resilience'

Mr Dunn said farm businesses need a 'farm business development grant' scheme, which provides capped funding.

"We need to assist with the implementation of approved plans for greater business resilience covering fixed equipment, cost reduction initiatives, additional processing capacity, diversification, marketing, cooperative initiatives, producer organisations, climate change adaptation and environmental improvement.

"Finally, we also need a package of near market research and development, technology transfer, promotion, market development, brand development and other supply chain initiatives focused on supporting British produced food.

"We must also see a greater degree of public procurement of British food and a requirement for all food sold in Britain to meet at least Red Tractor standards.

"Where imported product is unable to meet those standards we must substitute those imports with home produced products.

"Without this, we merely export our environmental, animal welfare and consumer safety problems abroad," said Mr Dunn.
Sheep farmers, processors and chefs across south-east Wales welcomed a delegation of leading German food writers last month.

It was part of a press tour organised by Hybu Cig Cymru  Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) to demonstrate the natural environment where Welsh Lamb is reared.

The food writers visited Wales in a bid to boost the profile of Welsh Lamb in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Germany has long been an important export market for Welsh red meat, while PGI Welsh Lamb has recently expanded its following among Swiss high-end foodservice clients.

During the tour food writers, including Gastronmie magazines Willy Faber, enjoyed a real Welsh experience including two on-farm tours, a Welsh Lamb demonstration at Angela Grays Cookery School in the Vale of Glamorgan, a visit to the Two Sisters Food Group in Merthyr Tydfil, and a Penderyn Whisky distillery tour.

They completed their visit in the company of Michelin-Starred chef Chris Harrod, at the Whitebrook restaurant in Monmouth.

HCCs German representative, Patricia Czerniak, has taken a leading role in the bid to promote PGI Welsh Lamb in Germany.

She said: "Visits such as this offer food writers the chance to see the outstanding natural environment in Wales, and to meet farmers including Glasnant Morgan and Richard Roderick, and grass expert Charlie Morgan who have such a passion for producing Welsh Lamb of the very highest quality."
The European Union has set targets to drastically cut sales of the antibiotic 'colistin' for animals by 65 per cent over the next 3 to 4 years.

The European Medicines Agency said colistin should only be used as a final resort only.

The Agency said efforts must be made to minimise sales of antibiotics in the EU, so that the agricultural sector can combat the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

All member states of the EU are being encouraged to reduce the use of colistin in animals to a target of 5mg of colistin per population correction unit (PCU).

PCU means the estimated weight of livestock and slaughtered animals.

If this continued over the space of 3 to 4 years, it could result in an overall reduction of about 65% in current sales of colistin for veterinary use, the EMA claimed.

The Agency said other antimicrobials should not become popular due to the decreased use of colistin.

Member States are also encouraged to set stricter national targets, ideally below 1 mg colistin/PCU as a desirable level.

About colistin

Colistin or colistimethate sodium has been used for over 50 years in both humans and animals.

In human medicines it is a last resort medicine to treat bacterial infections resistant to other antibiotics.

In veterinary medicine, colistin has been used to treat infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae in farm animals.

Partly due to the development of resistance to other classes of antibiotics, colistin consumption has increased in recent years.

Today it is one of the five most commonly used antibiotics in animals within the EU.
The humble duck egg has been elevated to new heights following the announcement of the Great Taste Top 50 Foods 2016.

Waddling Free from The Traditional Free Range Egg Company has been named as the only eggs to receive this accolade.

Formerly known as Blackacre Farm Eggs, The Traditional Free Range Egg Company rebranded earlier this month in order to show its commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for independent family-run farms.

Great Taste judges heaped praise upon a perfect egg that is hard to fault, with its rich marigold yellow yolk, firm pure white and beautifully rich flavour, agreeing that the Waddling Free duck eggs are as good a duck egg as you can get!

This is the second year running that the duck eggs have scooped a coveted Great Taste 3-star award, with owners Dan and Briony Woods entire Free Collection also landing Great Taste stars in 2016.

Coming away with five Great Taste awards in total, the Somerset-based free range egg producer achieved two 2-star awards for its Rambling Free hen eggs and Foraging Free quail eggs, along with two 1-star awards for its Naturally Free organic hen eggs and Dabbling Free goose eggs, the newest addition to the collection.

'Traditional farming is valued'

Dan Wood, managing director of The Traditional Free Range Egg Company, commented: "Its been a whirlwind this month, beginning with the rebrand, followed by our best ever haul of awards in Great Taste, but its all been brilliant news for independent family-run farms.

"You only have to look at the dominance of lovingly produced meat, eggs and dairy in this years Great Taste Top 50 Foods to see how much the work of our traditional farmers is valued.

"This will spur us on as we continue in our efforts to educate consumers on the difference between eggs produced using traditional methods and those coming from more industrialised systems."

The Traditional Free Range Egg Company will be exhibiting at Speciality & Fine Food Fair on stand 2220/c from Sunday 4 to Tuesday 6 September and its eggs are available exclusively from independent retailers, including delis, farm shops, butchers and grocery stores across the UK.
European food producers and policy makers are set to play a growing role in harnessing global efforts to provide enough safe, nutritious food to an expanding population.

This is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today.

The Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) will be launching its European edition in The Netherlands from 9-10 May 2017 at the Jaabeurs Expo Centre in Utrecht.

When GFIA was launched in Abu Dhabi in 2014, it was borne out of the passion of 40 influential organisations.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the World Bank, wanted a platform to start a globally significant dialogue on how we feed nine billion people.

GFIA has since evolved into the worlds largest dedicated showcase of sustainable agriculture innovations.

It not only comprises a forum for key stakeholders to discuss policy, strategy and solutions for a food secure future, but also a large exhibition where 300+ suppliers meet thousands of farmers and procurement managers from government, food producers, agri businesses, NGOs and cooperatives.

'Sustainable and efficient'

"GFIA has received enthusiastic and vocal support from the Dutch Government since its launch in Abu Dhabi in 2014 and we are delighted to stage a regional edition in Utrecht with their continued support in 2017," says Nicola Davison, Project Director of GFIA.

"Dutch food producers are embracing technology that is delivering some of the most intensive, sustainable and efficient farms in the world and we look forward to showcasing these innovations at GFIA in Utrecht."

One company with grand plans to showcase innovation in Utrecht is Evergreen Farm Oy.

Inventors of a controlled, self-contained direct feed vertical hydroponics (DFVH) greenhouse, Evergreen Farm Oy will be building and demonstrating a working vertical farm at GFIA Europe.

Using a combination of hydroponics, aeroponics, and drip irrigation methods, early tests indicate that this system will produce 3,000% more products than conventional hydroponics businesses, and 20,800% more products than traditional soil grown businesses in a 1000 m2 space.

Alongside Evergreen Farn Oy, Geocledian will be showcasing their latest geospatial solutions for integrating satellite data into ICT systems.

EcoRobotix will be presenting their revolutionary robot that can destroy more than 95% of weeds and offers a ROI of less than 5 years.

After the USA, The Netherlands is the largest exporter of agricultural products in the world, exporting 65 billion of agricultural produce annually.

But with land at a premium, the Dutch agriculture sector has had to focus on sustainability to remain competitive.

"No organisation alone has the ability to solve food production challenges," said Davison.
The National Farmers Union have launched a new survey to help lobby changes for farmers who struggle to get decent access to the internet and mobile signals.

The farming sector are lobbying for "fast, affordable and reliable" broadband and mobile phone coverage for farmers, growers and rural communities.

The survey wants to help build a "true picture" of provision in the countryside.

Evidence will be collected both online and through a telephone consultation of NFU members during the next three weeks.

NFU Vice President Guy Smith said it was essential that the business needs and opportunities of the farming sector are understood, especially at a time when farm businesses rely more and more on broadband and mobile phone signals.

He added: "This is only the second time we have run this survey and the first was massively important in informing our ongoing talks with industry and government on our members needs when it comes to broadband and mobile coverage.

"The point of doing it again is to give us some benchmarking data, and establish how - or if - the problems have been resolved in the past year.

"Farmers and growers more than ever need access to reliable broadband and mobile services, to ensure they can remain competitive in a digital age, even to complete essential government digital services, and not mention the implications on health and safety.

"I would urge as many people as possible to fill in this survey in the coming month."

Last month, a report by an influential committee of MPs found poor customer service and an overreliance on a copper network, that may not meet the future needs of rural homes and businesses, as the main challenges in rural communities.
Farmers and landowners are being aksed to send in carcases of dead badgers for further study of the tuberculosis.

Teams based at Universities of Surrey, Nottingham and Liverpool are undertaking a collaborative survey of badger carcases for evidence of tuberculosis (TB).

The survey arises from a collaboration between three university veterinary schools and various stakeholders, with funding from Defra.

It aims to determine whether or not badgers in the 'edge areas' in England (i.e. the eleven counties on the edge of the cattle TB epidemic) have TB, and if so, how common it is.

The approach of this survey is based on a feasibility survey of road-killed badgers in Cheshire in 2014.

That study found around 20% of road-killed badgers were infected with TB, with 10% of those infected having developed signs of disease.

Live badgers will not be caught or sampled, and no badgers will be harmed as part of the study. Instead, the study will make use of badgers accidentally killed on our roads.

'Valuable way of studying disease'

Fresh, found-dead badgers will be collected by various stakeholder groups (farmers, other land owners and wildlife groups) and post-mortem examinations and testing for infection will be carried out by the collaborating veterinary schools.

Using road-killed / traffic-accident sampling is a valuable way of studying disease and conservation issues in wildlife that makes use of an otherwise wasted resource.

The research will be examining carcases collected to study a range of other diseases and conditions, and also to develop new diagnostic tests, although these studies are not part of the Defra-funded survey.

The research stresses that carcases from the general public cannot be accepted due to safety reasons.
Third series of Clarkson's Farm in production, Amazon confirms
Bill Northey addressed his concerns at a recent convention

By Diego Flammini

Assistant Editor, North American Content

Farms.com

Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have publically opposed some trade deals, and that concerns Iowas Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

Trade is hugely important, Northey said at a recent National Association of County Office Employees convention, according to the Sioux City Journal. We ship almost 40 percent of our soybeans overseas and 70 percent of our exports go to China.

When it comes to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, both candidates said theyre not in favor of the deal.

Im going to withdraw the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which has not yet been ratified, Trump said at a June campaign stop in Ohio, before adding that the deal is being pushed by special interests.

Hillary Clintons stance on TPP appears to have changed during the presidential campaign.

According to CNN, Clinton showed support for TPP on 45 different occasions, but now opposes the deal.

I did hope that the TPP, negotiated by this administration, I was holding out hope that it would be the kind of trade agreement that I was looking for. Once I saw the outcome, I opposed it, Clinton said in a February 2016 debate in New Hampshire.

The uncertainty of TPP and other trade deals has Northey worried about the impact on farmers and the rest of the U.S.

Its not only important for the ag community, but for the country, Northey told the Sioux City Journal. It would seem like it would make sense for us to be very careful about things that could damage (trade) and try to be aggressive in those things that could improve that.
What was it like to be an Oath Keeper? John Zimmerman can tell you
The UK Serious Fraud Office said Monday it has opened a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery, and corruption in the civil aviation business of Airbus Group.

The SFO issued a short statement saying the allegations relate to irregularities concerning third party consultants.

In April, the UK Export Finance agency suspended funding for Airbus because of a lack of transparency with third-party payments. France and Germany also suspended export funding.

Airbuss civilian division is based in Blagnac, France. It has production facilities in France, Germany, Spain, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It has about 74,000 employees.

In 2012, the SFO said it was investigating possible bribes in Saudi Arabia by a UK-based company owned by Airbuss military division.

The military division was formerly known as European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co., or EADS.

A former employee of the EADS company, GPT Special Project Management Ltd., said middlemen acting for GPT gave Saudi officials cars, jewellery, and cash to win a 2 billion ($2.6 billion) communications contract.

Lieutenant Colonel Ian Foxley claimed GPT fired him after he raised concerns about the possibility of bribes.

Prosecutors in Munich confirmed in 2014 that Airbuss miliary division was under investigation for bribery connected with border security contracts in Romania and Saudi Arabia.

The border contracts were worth $3.7 billion.

The SFO said Monday it opened the investigation into Airbuss civilian business in July. Airbus reported the probe Sunday.

The SFO said it couldnt provide further information.

The agency asked anyone with information about Airbus to use a confidential reporting hotline here.

____

Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. Hell be the keynote speaker at the FCPA Blog NYC Conference 2016.
Andrew Scott is one of the most exciting actors around and he is set to return to the big screen this summer in Swallows and Amazons.

Swallows and Amazons

Swallows and Amazons is an adaptation of the book of the same name by Arthur Ransome but Scott is taking on the role of Lazlow, a new character that doesn't feature in the original novel.

And we get our first really good look at the character in this great new clip from the film. Take a look:

Lazlow is a secret agent who is on the hunt for Jim Turner - played by Rafe Spall - who meet the Walker family while they are on holiday in the Lake District.

A fantastic cast has been assembled for the film as Scott and Spall are joined by Kelly Macdonald, Jessica Haynes, and Harry Enfield. We will also be introduced to the acting talents of Dane Hughes and Orla Hill, who will take on the roles of John and Susan Walker.

Swallows and Amazons sees Philippa Lowthorpe in the director's chair as she makes her big screen feature debut with the movie. She is best known for her work in television with the likes of Jamaica Inna, Call the Midwife, and Five Daughters under her belt in recent years.

Swallows And Amazons follows four children dreaming of escape from the tedium of a summer holiday in the Lake District with their mother. When finally given permission to camp on their own on a remote island in the middle of a vast lake, they are overjoyed.

But when they get there they discover they may not be alone... As a desperate battle for ownership of the island ensues, the real dangers of an adult world on the brink of war encroach on their paradise in the form of a mysterious pair of Russian spies hot on the tail of the enigmatic Jim Turner.

As the sleepy British summer is turned on its head, the children must learn skills of survival, responsibility, and the all-important value of friendship.

Swallows and Amazons is released 19th August.

by Helen Earnshaw for www.femalefirst.co.uk

find me on and follow me on
David Lowery says that his version of Peter Pan is going to stick very closely to the classic story that we all now and love.

David Lowery

Lowery, who has directed Disney's latest film Pete's Dragon, is reuniting with the studio for a new adaptation of Pete Pan, which he will write as well as direct.

And the filmmaker says he wants to do a clear adaptation of the original story and has looked at the J.M Barrie play and the Disney animated film.

Speaking to Collider about the upcoming film project, the director said: "It's going to be very similar to the original. We went back and looked at the original animated film, which I hadn't seen in quite a few years. I had forgotten how short it was. It's 76 minutes, or something. And then, we read J.M. Barrie's story, which I also hadn't read in a long time. And we looked at the play that he also wrote. They're quite similar. The Disney movie was a very clear adaptation of the original.

"So, I think we can do justice to both by just telling the original story. We don't want to do anything revisionist. We don't want to do anything where we are changing what people love about it. I have zero interest in presenting an origin story for Peter Pan. We just want to stick to what is great about it, but at the same time, filter it through my perspective."

Lowery is back in the director's chair this week with Pete's Dragon, which is a remake of the 1977 film of the same name. It is the first feature film for Lowery since Ain't Them Bodies Saints back in 2013.

The movie mixes live action with animation and will be the biggest film of Lowery's directing career to date. It is also the first time that he has worked on a Disney project.

He has brought together an impressive cast as Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Karl Urban, Wes Bentley, Oakes Fegley, and Oona Laurence are all on board.

2016 has already been a great year for Disney with Captain America: Civil War, Zootropolis, The Jungle Book and Finding Dory all enjoying critical and commercial success. Four of the top five highest-grossing films of the year come from the studio.

Pete's Dragon looks set to continue that success when it hits the big screen at the end of the week. It is set to be a family film that's not to be missed.

Pete's Dragon is released 12th August.

by Helen Earnshaw for www.femalefirst.co.uk

find me on and follow me on


Jugni

This started off with an aim to provide offbeat experiencesto women. It takes one away from the city into a zone out of ones comfort area. You can opt for trekking, rock-climbing, paragliding, hot air ballooning, jeep safari or choose from a range of water sports. If you do not want to go far, try their weekend tour packages that pack in a number of activities.

http://www.jugni.co.in/



Women on Clouds

This club organises theme-based tours around Delhi and beyond. Women in groups can also opt for customised adventure packages. In the past, the club has taken adventure junkies for rafting expeditions in Rishikesh, trekking in Garhwal and mountaineering in the hills of Himachal and Uttarakhand.

http://www.womenonclouds.com/



Soul Purpose

Soul Purpose is a women-only travel company that organises tours to fun destinations in India such as Rann of Kutch, Benaras, Upper Ganga, Beas Kund in the Himalayas and Churu in Rajasthan among others. The trips are recce-d, researched and guarantee safety. They also ensure that you get to spend some time at leisure connecting with each other. For instance, a trip to Panna Tiger Reserve also packs in an evening at the Khajuraho Dance Festival. They organise Glamping in Jodhpur, deep-sea diving and snorkelling in Andamans and mountaineering at Everest.

http://www.soulpurposetravel.in/



Women on Wanderlust (WOW)

This club caters to women of all ages looking for adventure. It promises a safe and fun trip that also lets solo-travellers meet like-minded women. The club organises activity-based getaways such as trekking in Himachal, jeep expeditions in Ladakh and rafting in Rishikesh among others. They also take travellers to far-flung destinations like Uzbekistan, South America, Borneo and Galapagos.

http://www.wowclub.in/

Next Story : Not Your Average Gift: Our Handpicked Thoughtful Diwali Gifts
From October 11-13, 2016, around 5,000 exhibitors from more than 25 countries and regions will participate at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics in 10 halls in Shanghai.Intertextile Shanghai's showroom for premium products, SalonEurope will be located in hall 6.2 and will see long term returning pavilions like Milano Unica Pavilion from Italy and also from France, Germany and Turkey.

From October 11-13, 2016, around 5,000 exhibitors from more than 25 countries and regions will participate at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics in 10 halls in Shanghai. Intertextile Shanghai's showroom for premium products, SalonEurope will be located in hall 6.2 and will see long term returning pavilions like Milano Unica Pavilion from Italy...#

Also housed in SalonEurope are two product zones, Premium Wool Zone and Verve for Design. Premium Wool Zone will feature new and returning exhibitors from France, Japan, Peru, the UK and elsewhere.Verve for Design will once again gather industry-leading design studios from Australia, France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Russia and the UK to present their newest designs.Alongside SalonEurope, a total of seven Asian country and region pavilions from India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand, as well as a brand new Hong Kong pavilion will be presenting their products.The Hong Kong Zone will feature 10 exhibitors who will display a diverse range of products including chiffon, net yarn, satin, lace, cotton , velvet and Shandong silk and also textile manufacturing technologies.The Japan Pavilion will host 49 companies, including 10 new participants, including well-established manufacturers from textile-producing regions, specialised wholesalers and SMEs. (AR)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
India's decision to impose definitive anti dumping duty on purified terephthalic acid (PTA) imports from China, Iran, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia may have an adverse impact on Surat, India's biggest manmade fibre fabric hub.Quoting industry sources, the Times of India, said the anti-dumping duty on PTA imports will create a monopoly of big spinning houses, due to which, small and medium-scale spinners in Surat and Mumbai will suffer.

India's decision to impose definitive anti dumping duty on purified terephthalic acid (PTA) imports from China, Iran, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia may have an adverse impact on Surat, India's biggest manmade fibre fabric hub. Quoting industry sources, the Times of India, said the anti-dumping duty on PTA imports will create a monopoly of big spinning house#

This will further escalate yarn prices by Rs 3 to Rs 5 per kilogram in the domestic market, thereby increasing the final cost of the polyester fabric manufactured in Surat, they said.As per the government notification, PTA imports from China, Iran, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia will attract duty ranging between $85.67 and $168.76 per ton.The resultant high import duty will prevent small spinners in Surat and other places in the country from importing PTA, the main raw material for manufacturing polyester yarn.Surat Art Silk Cloth Manufacturers' Association (SASCMA) secretary Dinesh Zaveri told TOI, "There is an urgent need for anti-dumping duty on fabrics and not PTA imported from China and other foreign countries.The anti-dumping duty on PTA will certainly monopolise yarn manufacturing business, and big industries will dictate the prices of yarn in the domestic market, which will be increased by Rs 3 to Rs 4 per kilogram," he added. (AR)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
On the occasion of National Handloom Day on August 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the growth in the handloom industry would not only ensure employment, but also be a means of women empowerment.On National Handloom Day, let us affirm that we will give an impetus to the handloom sector and use more handloom products in our daily lives, he stated.

On the occasion of National Handloom Day on August 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the growth in the handloom industry would not only ensure employment, but also be a means of women empowerment. On National Handloom Day, let us affirm that we will give an impetus to the handloom sector and use more handloom products in our daily lives, he stated. #

"Our handloom sector is diverse, eco-friendly and is a source of employment for countless weavers, who will be very encouraged by our support," Modi informed.Since there are many women associated with the handloom sector, the growth of this sector is an important means of women empowerment also, the Prime Minister added.He urged people to use more handloom products in their daily lives by making 'Khadi for nation' and 'Khadi for fashion' a guiding principle and use Khadi or handlooms for just five per cent of clothing purchases. (AR)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
Cotton yields are expected to stay normal during the current season in the Northern Indian state of Punjab, although there is big decline in acreage due to the whitefly attack last season.According to media reports, the fear of one more whitefly attack, cotton acreage in this season in the state slid to 2.56 lakh hectares compared to 3.39 lakh hectares in the previous season.

Cotton yields are expected to stay normal during the current season in the Northern Indian state of Punjab, although there is big decline in acreage due to the whitefly attack last season. According to media reports, the fear of one more whitefly attack, cotton acreage in this season in the state slid to 2.56 lakh hectares compared to 3.39 lakh hectares...#

However, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) vice chancellor BS Dhillon expressed optimism by saying that seeing the present growth of the cotton crop, they expect a normal yield.Dhillon, who also heads the inter-state monitoring committee on Whitefly, said PAU scientists and the state agriculture department were putting full efforts to control the pest.He also said the Punjab government has provided Rs 70 lakh for research on the pest and recruited 500 scouts and 50 field supervisors to prevent damage to the crop.In the last cotton season, the whitefly attack had impacted 1.36 lakh hectares, of the overall cotton acreage in Punjab, leading to output dropping 40 per cent. (AR)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
The meeting will discuss effective legal measures which recognise the rights of victims and which provide for the remediation of the environment, the transit, visitation and stationing of nuclear weapons, the effectiveness of nuclear free zones such as exists in the Pacific pursuant to the Rarotonga Treaty and the establishment of an effective reporting mechanism to fulfil the ultimate aim of a global prohibition of nuclear arms.

Fijis Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva Nazhat Shameem Khan today highlighted the effects of nuclear weapon use and testing on Fiji and other Pacific Island countries.In Geneva this week the Open Ended Working Group on Nuclear Disarmament presented its draft Report for the United Nations General Assembly today. It meets this week and next week in Geneva to discuss the draft report with member States and civil society groups. The draft Report makes recommendations for a legally binding treaty banning nuclear weapons, for a reporting mechanism within the UN system, and for the creation and strengthening of nuclear free zones.At the opening plenary of the meeting, Ambassador Khan told the meeting that Fiji and other Pacific Island countries had experienced first-hand the destructive effects of nuclear weapons use and testing and were aware of the real and long lasting effects that nuclear weapons had on people and the ecosystem. She said that the Pacific saw the issue of the prohibition of nuclear weapons as a moral and legal one, and that the issue of giving redress to those who had suffered was still unresolved.Tribunals, such as the Nuclear Claims tribunal, have been established but have failed to sufficiently compensate or provide redress for Pacific Islanders. A cause for great concern is the silence of some offending states. They take no responsibility for the past, they do not agree to legal steps enforcing change or providing redress in the present, and make no commitments for the future. For Pacific Islanders who have suffered as a result of nuclear testing in the Pacific, such attitudes show a gross disregard for humanity, Ambassador Khan said.
In welcoming Mr Campbell to Fiji, the Minister said he looked forward to working with the UNFRA to fulfill its mandate in Fiji and the other Pacific countries to which it was affiliated. He also called on the UNFPA to strengthen its support with Fiji's Ministry of Health to address reproductive health and womens empowerment issues.

The two also discussed proposed areas of further co-operation including climate change support.

The Foreign Minister Hon. Rt Inoke Kubuabola has reaffirmed his Ministry's support to work closely with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) following talks today with their Pacific office representative.Minister Kubuabola met today with the new United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific sub-regional office director and representative Mr Bruce Campbell.In his remarks, the UNFPA Pacific director congratulated the Fijian Government on the appointment of Ambassador Peter Thomson as president of the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Mr Campbell also congratulated Fiji on being the first country in the world to ratify the Paris Agreement in February this year. He also thanked Fiji for its continued commitment to peacekeeping duties in volatile parts of the world.
After the Amazing Spider-Man failed to bring all the anticipated success to the Franchise, the new production house, Marvel, in collaboration with Sony Pictures has made all their intentions clear to make a "fresh start" yet another time.

This actually means a new face that will be seen behind the "spidy mask" to play the web-head hero. There have been many suggestions and speculations as to who might be seen this time donning the Spider-Man costume.

Tom Holland might get the baton after Andrew Garfield to carry on with the character after he appeared in a cameo in the 'Captain America Civil War' movie. He is also expected to come up with 'Spider-Man Homecoming' to be released next year.

However, if reports are to be believed, Sony firmly suggested that they're also looking to move with an aged 'Peter Parker' as the story progresses. And there, they revealed the thoughts of bringing the compelling Tobey Maguire back to reprise the role again.

Russ Burlingame stated during an interaction on Comicbook.com that, "this would be a massive 'get' for the studio and would drive a ton of interest from casual fans who would wonder what's going on and whether he can be compelling again nearly 20 years after he first played the role."

"Choosing him to continue the role as an older Peter Parker would tie everything together nicely", he added.
Well, it seems like Malayalam film industry is all set to have a great time ahead in this month with good number of releases on the store.

More importantly, the month of August has started in a pretty impressive way with all the three films released in the previous week garnering good reports.

Three Malayalam films got released on August 5, 2016 and good reviews have been pouring in for the films, from all the sections.

Mohanlal starrer Vismayam, Midhun Manuel Thomas's Ann Maria Kalippilaanu and Johnpaul George's Guppy are the three films which hit the theatres on August 5, 2016.

Vismayam, which marks the comeback of Mohanlal after a gap of close to 10 months did open to good reports across Kerala. The film has had a good opening at the box-office also.

Click Here To Read Vismayam Movie Review!

Ann Maria Kalippilaanu, which is the second directorial venture of Midhun Manuel Thomas has received over-whelming responses. The film, which stars Sara Arjun and Sunny Wayne in the lead roles also has Dulquer Salmaan in a guest role.

Click Here To Read Ann Maria Kalippilaanu Movie Review!

Guppy, which marks the directorial debut of Johnpaul George has got the best reviews among the three releases. The film which has Master Chethan and Tovino thomas in the lead roles has been tagged as one of the best movies of this year so far. The film is also expected to pick-up in the box-office collections in the coming days.
A fire outbreak at Mani Ratnam's office in Chennai has caused panic in the neighbourhood. Though no casualties were reported, commodities worth Lakhs of rupees were burnt to ashes, according to reports.

It is said that the fire department was alerted within minutes from spotting the fire. Though the officials were quick to react, they couldn't save all the valuables that were stashed inside the office, causing a huge loss to the veteran film-maker.

The primary reason that caused the outbreak of fire is yet to be ascertained. Since construction works were going on at Mani's office, located at Abiramapuram, chances are the fire might've been caused because of a short circuit, it is said.

The OK Kanmani director is currently working on Karthi's Kaatru Veliyidai. After wrapping up the first shooting schedule, the team is now filming some major action sequences.

Also Read: Shooting For 'Wagah' Took Place Amid Real Shooting At The Kashmir Border: Vikram Prabhu
SYDNEY, Australia, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Artificial Vision Technology Leader Provides Independence to Australians Who are Vision Impaired or Blind

OrCam Technologies, the artificial vision innovator for people who are vision impaired, blind or have a reading disability, today announced the introduction of its assistive technology device in Australia through leading assistive technology provider Quantum Reading, Learning, Vision.

The world's most advanced wearable assistive technology solution, OrCam MyEye utilises a small camera mounted on the user's eyeglass frame to instantly read any printed text in the immediate environment.

Via a discreet earpiece, the device can instantly read text from any source - including newspapers, books, computer screens, restaurant menus, and street signs - as well as recognise faces of individuals and identify products. Every OrCam MyEye device is hand-delivered by a certified OrCam Trainer' who teaches each new user how to incorporate the device's technology into daily life.

"OrCam is passionately dedicated to providing independence through our unparalleled artificial vision technology," said Rami Ben Yehuda, OrCam Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations. "Whether it's reading a morning newspaper, recognizing the approach of a loved one or choosing a favourite item in the supermarket, our mission is to improve quality of life."

Demonstrations of OrCam MyEye, free of charge, are available through the assistive technology device pioneer's partnership with leading Australian accessibility product and service provider Quantum RLV (Tel 1300 883 853).

"Quantum is honoured and excited to deliver the very latest development in assistive technology to the Australian market," said Tim Connell, Quantum Managing Director. "As a 'wearable' device, OrCam MyEye can be used anywhere and at any time. It is going to provide a new level of independence for many thousands of Australians who struggle to read."

About OrCam Technologies

OrCam's mission is to harness the power of artificial vision by incorporating pioneering technology into a wearable platform which improves the lives of individuals who are blind, visually impaired, have a reading disability or people with other conditions.

Powered by leading minds in the Computer Vision and Machine Learning fields, OrCam provides a visual aid through a discreet, wearable platform and easy-to-use interface.

OrCam was jointly founded by CTO Professor Amnon Shashua and CEO Ziv Aviram, the co-founders of accident avoidance system Mobileye (NYSE: MBLY).

Please visit http://www.orcam.com and YouTube and follow OrCam on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contact:

OrCam

Rafi Fischer

media@orcam.com

US: +1-800-713-3741

UK: +44-800-358-5323

Israel: +972-2-591-7800
PUNE, India, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The report 8x8 Armored Vehicle Market - Key Drivers, Trends and New Developments 2016 research report says with rapid transition from tracked to wheeled platforms in the global armoured vehicles market, the importance of 8x8 vehicles have increased manifold over the past few decades. The growing popularity of such vehicles can be attributed to their better mobility and light weight, which results in improved combat capability in a battlefield. Additionally these vehicles also require lower operational and maintenance costs, while ensuring a longer operational life.

Complete report on 8x8 Armored Vehicle Market spread across 60 pages is available at http://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/646477-the-8x8-armored-vehicle-market-key-drivers-trends-and-new-developments.html .

Key Findings: Large scale modernization initiatives being undertaken by key defense spenders across the world are a primary factor that will drive the demand in the 8x8 armored vehicle market over the coming years. The need to replace aging vehicle fleets, particularly in countries in the European and Asian regions, is expected to further fuel the growth of this sector. Modularity is a key attribute that is gaining increased popularity in 8x8 military vehicles. Driven by the high demand for modular 8x8 vehicles, prominent manufacturers are coming up with vehicles that offer enhanced modularity, thus offering high flexibility in critical battlefield operations while ensuring lower costs.

The growth of the 8x8 armored vehicle sectors in emerging markets is expected to outpace that of traditional markets over the coming years. While traditional markets such as the US and Europe are currently focusing on building their naval and air force capabilities, emerging nations in Asia and the Middle East are more focused on modernizing their vehicle fleets in an effort to enhance the capabilities of their ground forces.

The 8x8 Armored Vehicle Market - Key Drivers, Trends and New Developments report analyses factors that influence demand for 8x8 armored vehicles, key market trends and technology developments in the sector. In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following:

End-user Analysis: Insight into the key users of 8x8 armored vehicles within the military as well as homeland departments.

Drivers: Detailed analysis of factors driving the global market for 8x8 armored vehicles

Trends: Insights on the prevalent trends in the sector

Purchase a Copy of Report at http://www.reportsnreports.com/purchase.aspx?name=646477.

Technology Trends and New Developments: Insights into current technological trends and new developments that will shape the market in the future

Key 8x8 Armored Vehicles In Use: Highlights of five popular 8x8 vehicles that are being currently used be defense forces across the world

Recent/Expected Launched: Highlights of five key 8x8 vehicles that are yet to be deployed

Country Analysis: Analysis of the five spenders that are anticipated to invest heavily in the domain, and recent programs executed by these nations

Supplier Analysis: Analysis of the five major companies that are catering to 8x8 armored vehicle requirements in the domain

Another related report is Global Armored Vehicles Upgrade and Retrofit Market 2015-2019. The analysts forecast global armored vehicles upgrade and retrofit market to grow at a CAGR of 2.79% over the period 2014-2019. Key vendors: AM General, FNSS Savunma Sistemleri, MKU, Oshkosh Defense and Sabiex International. Other prominent vendors: BAE Systems, Diehl Defence, Elbit Systems, General Dynamics, Palbam, Rheinmetall and Thales Group

Key market driver - Initiatives for modernization of military armored vehicles

Key market challenge - Limited on-vehicle network capability

Key market trend - Integrated system solutions

Complete report available at http://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/421387-global-armoured-vehicles-upgrade-and-retrofit-market-2015-2019.html.

Explore other new reports on public sector market at http://www.reportsnreports.com/market-research/government/.

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.

Contact:

Ritesh Tiwari

UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZ

Magarpatta city, Hadapsar

Pune - 411013

Maharashtra, India.

+1 888 391 5441

sales@reportsandreports.com



Connect With Us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReportsnReports/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reportsnreports

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marketsreports

G+ / Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/111656568937629536321/posts

RSS/Feeds: http://www.reportsnreports.com/feed/l-latestreports.xml
Regulatory News:

The Management Board of Arctic Paper S.A. ("the Company") (STO:ARP) herewith informs that on 8th August 2016 the Company has received information that the Member of the Supervisory Board of Arctic Paper S.A. Mr. Rolf Olof Grundberg, resigned from his position in Supervisory Board of the Company effective from 14th September 2016.

The resignation was justified with personal reasons.

This information is disclosed pursuant to Minister of Finance directive of February 19, 2009 on current and periodic information provided by issuers of securities, and on conditions of equivalence of information required to be provided under non-Member State law, 5, clause 1, item 21 and was submitted for publication on 8th August 2016 at 8:00 am CET, in reference to Arctic Paper's current report no. 16/2016 filed with the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160807005036/en/

Contacts:

Arctic Paper

Per Skoglund, acting President of the Management Board

tel. +46 733 21 70 09


SHANGHAI, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- MEDTEC China, one stop in the world's leading medical design and manufacturing exhibition and conference series, will be held for the twelfth time this year on 26-28th October at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. And this edition promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a record-breaking 350 overseas and domestic exhibitors from 23 countries and regions present exhibiting their latest products and solutions.



Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/395917

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/395918

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160613/378279LOGO

Visitors to MEDTEC China 2016 can anticipate interaction with a who's who of the medical device manufacturing material and solution sector including such industry icons as 3M, Amcor, Du Pont, Fort Wayne Metals, GW Plastics, Machine Solutions, Medplast, MeKo Laser, Optinova, Porex, Precision Extrusion, Prent, Wipak, Zeus, Maider medical, HNG, HRJ, Songhu Plastics, HIWIN Technologies, Indo-US MIM, MedPlast, and Mikron Automation.

New exhibitors pour into MEDTEC China 2016

While MEDTEC China continues to enjoy strong support from long-term exhibitors, the 2016 edition will see more than 50 first-time exhibitors debut at the event. These new medical device industry players include US companies Confluent Medical, CRI, Precision Inc., and MicroSpec, Germany's sfm medical devices GmbH, Israeli firm Degania Medical, and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology. They will be joined at the show by debutant Chinese exhibitors Siansonic Technology, Trando 3D Medical, China Vision, and Kossel Medtech, in doing so supporting further development of China's medical device industry.

Concurrent conference and education program highlights

A series of onsite conferences will be held during Medtec China 2016. The traditional fee-based conference MDiT Forum and Regulation Summit 2016 will provide timely and valuable content over three themes: namely Regulatory, Quality and Technology for RA/QA/R&D engineers in the medical device manufacturing industry.

This year's conference will join hands with industry association MDTA and, once again, the leading medical device testing service organization NAMSA. Cutting-edge technology pertaining to Orthopedic Devices and Combination Products will be included in the Technology Track, which represents a new take on product segmentation. Furthermore, Supply Chain Management and UDI is also a new topic for this year's program. This track will explore international regulations for post-market supervision and the possibility of UDI implementation in China.

Besides the paid-for conference program, visitors will be presented with ample opportunities to attend complimentary conferences at MEDTEC China 2016, including the 4th Medtec Investment Summit and Project Road Show co-organized by Shanghai Pudong Sci-Tech Finance Service Union, and the Market Report Track and Medical Device Design Track, which will be held once again.

Advanced manufacturing technology to launch a Made-in-China 2025 era

This year, MEDTEC will for the inaugural occasion feature the Advanced Manufacturing Forum with two topics in particular coming under focus: 3D Printing and Quality Control and Management. This focus on new technology and applications for the entire medical device manufacturing industry will hopefully function as a springboard to propel the domestic industry towards a Made-in-China 2025 era.

An estimated 40-plus guest speakers and more than 250 delegates will participate in MEDTEC 2016 onsite conferences. Further, these events will surely play a key role as platforms for information sharing, education and learning, and business networking.

There is a huge potential for development and business opportunities in China's medical device market. In 2016, the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) is placing considerable emphasis on medical device manufacturing technical support and capacity building, improving industry standards, speeding up approval processes, encouraging innovation and driving medical device localization, and enhancing specifications. As such, a presence at the 2016 edition of MEDTEC China is crucial for any serious player in the medical device manufacturing field.

To exhibit, visit and register your place at MEDTEC China, and for more information on the event, please visit www.medtecchina.com now, or call us at +86-1057652823.

Media Contact:

Carina Li

UBM China

Tis+86-10-5765-2823

Eiscarina.li@ubm.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 8, 2016) - Nevada Zinc Corporation (TSXV: NZN) ("Nevada Zinc" or the "Company") is pleased to report significant developments that impact its Yukon based VIP Project located west of Kaminak Gold Corporation's previously owned Coffee Gold Project (Kaminak Gold was purchased by Goldcorp Inc. on July 19, 2016 in a share exchange valued at approximately $521 million). The Company acquired its large unexplored VIP Project land package before the Kaminak Gold announcement of its Coffee Gold discoveries in 2010 and has recently added significantly to its VIP Project land package by acquiring the 16 square kilometre Wolf claim group that is located within the existing boundaries of the VIP Project.

The recently acquired Wolf claims and the original VIP Project cover the interpreted sources of a number of high gold and multi-element geochemical targets similar to those around the Coffee Gold Project. Nevada Zinc has outlined a number of geochemical and structural targets that warrant further follow-up and the Company is carrying out several initiatives to define targets to a level that the targets would warrant drill testing. No drilling or trenching has ever been undertaken on the Company's extensive VIP Project land holdings.

Adjacent to the west of Goldcorp's Coffee Gold Project, Independence Gold Corp. (TSXV: IGO) recently announced the definition of a new gold trend target that it will soon drill test on ground where Nevada Zinc holds a 1% net smelter royalty interest. The Company's VIP Project is located adjacent to the west of Goldcorp's and Independence Gold's properties and covers a significantly underexplored 17 kilometre extension of the regionally extensive Coffee Fault structural trend that is important to both Goldcorp's Coffee Project and Western Copper and Gold Corporation's, copper-gold Casino Project. The Coffee Gold Project is now known to host more than 5 million ounces of gold (total NI-43-101 inferred resources or higher category -see website reference below) while the Casino Project, further to the east on the trend, hosts 8.9 million ounces of gold and 4.5 billion pounds of copper (reserves alone, not including resources).

Given the recent strong interest by investors in the gold market and in the Coffee Gold area specifically, Nevada Zinc is in the process of allocating additional resources to its VIP Project, which has been significantly enhanced by the Company's recent acquisition of the Wolf group of claims. The Wolf claims cover a number of targets as well as the extension of other targets near the boundaries of the Wolf and the VIP claims. The northeast corner of the Wolf claims and the adjacent VIP claims cover the upper portion of a creek that shows clear evidence of significant historic placer gold mining that has not previously been reported in any literature. This placer activity near the headwaters of a local creek is indicative of the presence of nearby gold in bedrock.

President and CEO, Bruce Durham commented, "while our focus project continues to be our highly prospective Lone Mountain Zinc Project in Nevada, we are extremely encouraged to see the recent entrance by Goldcorp into the Coffee Creek area of Yukon through its purchase of Kaminak Gold and its very recent acquisition of a 19.9% interest in Independence Gold. We own a 100% interest in more than 800 claims in the area making us the only significant junior company in the area not influenced by Goldcorp. We have expanded our property position significantly with our recent acquisition of the Wolf block of claims and we look forward to advancing a number of high priority targets that we have outlined on the VIP Project over the past 6 years. The discoveries just announced and currently being drilled by Independence Gold on its YCS property, where we hold a 1% NSR royalty, extend the Coffee Creek gold district much further west toward our VIP Project. Not only do we hold a royalty on the YCS property, but any further extension of these gold discoveries would trend onto our VIP Project that extends along the main regional trend for more than 17 kilometres. There is room for an entire gold camp on our VIP Project and VIP is only one of several large footprint, high quality, gold projects we continue to advance in Yukon".

New property maps for the Company's key gold projects are available at: www.nevadazinc.com.

Timeline of Recent Developments

May 12, 2016: Goldcorp announced its intention to acquire, via a share exchange, all of the outstanding shares of Kaminak Gold Corporation for total consideration of approximately $521 million.

June 20, 2016: Independence Gold announced a private placement of $1.96 million. Goldcorp announced they would acquire 19.9% of Independence Gold as well as secure certain participation rights in Independence Gold's Boulevard Property, adjacent to both the Coffee Project and Nevada Zinc's VIP Project, as part of the private placement.

June 24, 2016: Independence Gold closed the $1.96 million private placement. Goldcorp acquired 19.9% interest in Independence Gold and certain participation rights in its Boulevard Property.

July 7, 2016: Independence Gold announced plans to complete additional drilling on the Denali Zone where Nevada Zinc holds a 1% net smelter royalty pursuant to a property deal between the parties.

July 19, 2016: Goldcorp announced completion of the takeover of Kaminak Gold at an exchange ratio of 0.10896 of a Goldcorp share per Kaminak Gold share resulting in the Kaminak Gold shareholders holding a 2.5% ownership interest in Goldcorp. On the closing date the takeover was valued at approximately $521 million.

August 2, 2016: Independence Gold announced it had outlined a new 1200 metre long multi-element soil geochemical target 750 metres north of the Denali zone called Kahiltna that it will drill test in its current exploration program.

VIP Project

The VIP Project was acquired by the Company (formerly Goldspike Exploration) before the first announcement of the Coffee Creek drill results by Kaminak Gold in 2010. The VIP Project was acquired as a very large, completely untested gold exploration target covering the upstream location of a number of significant gold and pathfinder element anomalies located along the major regional trend located immediately west of Goldcorp's Coffee Project. A transaction between Goldspike Exploration Inc. (now Nevada Zinc) and Silverquest (now Independence Gold) on some of the claims near the western boundary of the Coffee Project resulted in the Company retaining a 1% net smelter returns ("NSR") royalty on Independence Gold's YCS Property.

The largest field program completed to-date on the VIP Project commenced about the time of the Company completing its Initial Public Offering in August of 2011. Since that time Kaminak Gold and Independence Gold among others have completed multi-million dollar exploration programs to advance their properties. Kaminak Gold reported the following commentary on its resources outlined since that time on its website:

"Since making the initial discovery in 2010, Kaminak has drilled 16 separate and distinct gold discoveries and established a Probable reserve of 46.4Mt at 1.45g/t Au, containing 2,157,000oz Au. In addition the NI 43-101 Indicated resource (inclusive of reserves) comprise 63.7Mt at 1.45g/t Au for 2,968,000oz Au, including 2,170,000 ounces gold classified as Oxide, and an Inferred resource total of 52.4Mt at 1.31g/t Au for 2,212,000oz Au, including 857,000 ounces gold classified as Oxide.(See news release September 23rd, 2015). Resource cut-off grade limits are 0.3 g/t Au for Oxide and Upper Transitional, 0.4 g/t Au for Middle Transitional and 1.0 g/t Au for Lower Transitional and Sulphide resources".

The VIP Project, through various government and industry mapping initiatives, has been shown to be underlain by various identical and similar geological units as are found on both the Coffee Project and Boulevard Project and significant structures, anomalous soil and stream geochemical targets have been shown to exist at locations on the VIP Project. These features when combined with results from the Company's work program clearly demonstrate that the VIP Project warrants significant additional detailed follow-up exploration including drilling.

Wolf Claim Block Addition

Nevada Zinc recently made a significant addition to its overall VIP Project land position by acquiring the 64 Wolf claims that are located within the existing boundaries of the VIP Project. The Wolf claim group measures approximately 4 kilometres by 4 kilometres. One item of particular interest just outside the Wolf claims on the VIP claims is the discovery of remnants of historic, never recorded, placer gold operations near the eastern boundary of the Wolf claims on the VIP block. Early in 2016 the Company completed reprocessing of the magnetic data from its 2010 airborne geophysical survey and the interpretation of the data has helped define new targets that warrant field follow-up at a number of locations on the VIP Project including a new target outlined in the Company's exploration program late last year that discovered a new single line, open ended, multi-element soil geochemical anomaly that is defined by anomalous values in gold, silver, antimony, bismuth, mercury and telurium. The anomalous values appear to be associated with a magnetic low feature that can be traced for several kilometres and is located in an area with no previous sampling. This suite of anomalous elements is very similar to the suite of anomalous elements at the Casino and Coffee deposits.

Corporate

The Company continues to be focused on its highly prospective Lone Mountain zinc exploration assets located in Nevada while concurrently allocating resources to its gold exploration targets in Yukon. In addition to its VIP Project the Company also holds a large block of claims referred to as the Goodman Project that cover the along trend extension of the gold and silver mineralization trends being actively explored by Victoria Gold Corporation. The Company also holds a significant land position at Josephine Creek where it holds both hardrock and placer rights along Josephine Creek adjacent to land also held by Victoria Gold. In addition, the Company holds the dominant land position in the Livingstone Creek placer gold district northeast of Whitehorse where its land position was acquired to cover the upstream portion of several historic placer creeks that have produced some of the largest gold nuggets discovered in Yukon since the days of the original Yukon Gold Rush, weighing up to more than 20 ounces. The Livingstone area, arguably the only placer gold district in Yukon for which a significant gold in bedrock source has not yet been located, was once a thriving community of more than 300 people and now sits as an abandoned village. The Company has in fact discovered significant gold in bedrock in its most recent work on the Livingstone property. Geochemistry of the nuggets and this new discovery of gold in bedrock by the Company appears to be part of the source for the extremely large nuggets that are still being found occasionally by the placer miners.

Bruce Durham, P.Geo, is a qualified person, as that term is defined by National Instrument 43-101, and on behalf of the Company has approved the contents contained in this press release.

About Nevada Zinc

Nevada Zinc is a discovery driven mineral exploration company with a proven management team focussed on identifying unique opportunities in mineral exploration that can provide significant value to its shareholders. The Company's existing zinc and gold projects are located in Nevada and Yukon, respectively.

The Lone Mountain Project

While the Company maintains its highly prospective Yukon gold properties and continues to advance them, the current focus of the Company is the exploration and advancement of the highly prospective Lone Mountain Zinc Project comprised of 224 claims covering approximately 4,000 acres near Eureka, Nevada.

The Lone Mountain Project is located in east-central Nevada and is easily accessible via paved and gravel roads northwesterly from Eureka where all essential services are available. The land that comprises the project includes options, leases or purchase agreements to acquire 100% interests in all properties along the key structural trend for more than three kilometres. Additional drill hole assay results are pending.

For further information please contact:

Nevada Zinc Corporation

Suite 1660, 141 Adelaide St. West

Toronto, Ontario M5H 3L5

Tel: 416-504-8821

Bruce Durham, President and CEO

bdurham@nevadazinc.com

www.nevadazinc.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.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/08/16 -- Highlights:

-- Currently evaluating three near surface exploration targets within short trucking distance of existing processing plant: Nkran Extension, Adubiaso Extension and Akwasiso. -- Nkran Extension resource estimate completed: Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources 758,658 tonnes at 1.76g/t for 42,930 contained ounces of gold at 0.8 g/t cut-off. -- Adubiaso Extension resource estimate previously announced: Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources 628,600 tonnes at 1.89 g/t for 38,250 contained ounces of gold at 0.8 g/t cut-off. -- New larger target, Akwasiso, focus of current drilling with 4,200m drilled to date and a Mineral Resource Estimate expected in Q4 2016. -- Supplementary Environmental Impact Studies for Adubiaso Extension submitted to relevant Government regulatory bodies, Nkran Extension scheduled for submission by end of Q3 2016. Permits expected in time for commencement of mining in early 2017.

Asanko Gold Inc. ("Asanko" or the "Company") (TSX: AKG)(NYSE MKT: AKG) provides an update on near mine exploration activity focused on identifying additional oxide resources withing short trucking distance of the existing operations at the Asanko Gold Mine in Ghana, West Africa.

Peter Breese, President and CEO, commented "The three current exploration targets offer immediate, low-cost, incremental ounces that will keep our "hungry" mill full for the next two years while we develop our Phase 2A expansion project. These near-surface deposits are now being incorporated into our Life of Mine Plan, with mining targeted to commence in early 2017.

Akwasiso is an exciting new target which is in close proximity to the Nkran Extension and is an important addition to our satellite deposit project pipeline. We are targeting an initial Mineral Resource Estimate during Q4 2016."

Nkran Extension

The Nkran Extension (Annexure 1) is located on the Nkran shear structure, approximately 1.5km from the Nkran pit, and runs for 900m North-South adjacent to the existing Tailings Storage Facility ("TSF"). The zone of interest was originally indicated from sterilization drilling for the TSF in 2013.

During Q1 2016 the zone was infilled by RC drilling on a heel-toe 40m x 20m grid. Following the completed assaying of the 29 RC drillholes (approximately 2,200m), a classified Mineral Resource has been estimated. Given these additional resources are part of and not a material addition to the estimated Asanko Gold Mine resources, no separate technical report will be prepared for them.

Table 1: Nkran Extension - Measured and Indicated Resources

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cut-Off (g/t gold) Tonnage Grade (g/t) Gold Ounces ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.5 1,001,515 1.49 47,967 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.6 913,008 1.58 46,414 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.7 830,438 1.67 44,691 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.8 758,658 1.76 42,960 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.0 631,098 1.94 39,294 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 2: Nkran Extension - Inferred Resources

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cut-Off (g/t gold) Tonnage Grade (g/t) Gold Ounces ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.5 1,033,300 1.36 45,303 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.6 899,110 1.48 42,924 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.7 810,495 1.58 41,077 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.8 740,643 1.65 39,386 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.0 610,805 1.82 35,671 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes: All figures are in metric tonnes and columns may not add up due to rounding. A gold cut-off grade of 0.8 g/t has been used. The Mineral Resources are stated as in situ tonnes. Individual densities were used per ore domain. The tonnages and contents are stated as 100%, which means no attributable portions have been stated in the table conversion from grams to ounces - 31.10348.

Adubiaso Pit Extension (previously announced, see press release dated April 27, 2016)

The Adubiaso pit (Annexure 1) is a previously mined satellite pit at the Asanko Gold Mine which is estimated to contain 1.8 million tonnes of Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at 2.07 g/t gold(1). These Mineral Reserves lie predominantly under the old pit and form part of the current life-of-mine plan for the Asanko Gold Mine(2). In 2015, mineralization in two zones over a 300m strike length extending to the North-East of the existing pit were identified based on an analysis of historical drill hole data.

In the first quarter of 2016, the Company drilled 20 holes (approximately 2,100me) of Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling and delineated a classified Mineral Resource, as per the tables below. Given these additional resources are part of and not a material addition to the estimated Asanko Gold Mine resources, no separate technical report will be prepared for them.

(1) Asanko Gold Mine Definitive Project Plan as filed on SEDAR on November 13, 2014.

Table 3: Adubiaso Extension - Measured and Indicated Resources

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cut-Off (g/t gold) Tonnage Grade (g/t) Ounces ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.5 992,408 1.43 45,612 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.6 833,738 1.60 42,812 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.7 714,505 1.76 40,320 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.8 628,602 1.89 38,249 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.0 482,590 2.19 34,034 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 4: Adubiaso Extension - Inferred Resources

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cut-Off (g/t gold) Tonnage Grade (g/t) Ounces ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.5 406,846 1.69 21,394 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.6 328,860 1.96 20,042 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.7 269,528 2.24 18,815 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.8 239,597 2.42 18,086 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.0 191,347 2.79 16,657 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes: The cut-off grade used for the Asanko Gold Mine - Phase 1 Project resources (Nkran, Adubiaso, Abore, Dynamite Hill & Asuadai) was 0.8 g/t. Columns may not add up due to rounding. All figures are in metric tonnes. The Mineral Resources are stated as in situ tonnes. Individual densities were used per ore domain. The tonnages and contents are stated as 100%, which means no attributable portions have been stated in the table conversion from grams to ounces - 31.10348.

Adubiaso and Nkran Extensions Development Timeline

Work is nearing completion on the Mineral Reserve Estimates for the two extensions, based on Whittle pit designs, waste dump planning and water management programs. The permitting process is also making good progress. As both deposits are located on the Company's existing Abriem mining lease, permitting only requires that a supplementary Environmental Impact Study ("EIS") be submitted to the relevant government regulatory bodies. The supplementary EIS for Adubiaso Extension has been submitted and the Nkran Extension permit applications will be lodged with the relevant regulatory bodies by the end of Q3 2016. The requisite permits are expected to be granted during H2 2016.

Mining operations are expected to begin immediately following the receipt of the permits. As such, the two extensions have been incorporated into the new Asanko Gold Mine Life of Mine plan, which is expected to be announced in Q3 2016 as part of the Definitive Feasibility Study for the Phase 2 expansion project.

Akwasiso Satellite Deposit

The Akwasiso deposit (Annexure 1) is located on the Nkran shear corridor and lies approximately 2km north of the current Nkran pit, immediately north of Nkran Extension and approximately 5km south of the Dynamite Hill deposit. Until recently the area was designated as Small Miner's Concessions. Asanko recently obtained the rights to the mineral concessions, which are contained within its existing Abriem mining lease.

The Akwasiso target area is particularly prospective as it was previously drilled by the past owner of the mineral concessions and has a known non-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate. Asanko is completing a 5,000m diamond drilling program primarily designed to validate the geology and grade continuity of mineralized zones defined by the previous operator's campaign in 2000 and 2001. The Company expects to publish an initial NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate during Q4 2016.

To date a total of 3,500m of diamond drilling has been completed with assay results pending. Visual inspection of the current program's core shows similarities of the mineralization style to Nkran and other satellite deposits, with intrusive granite, a mixed sedimentary package, with altered and mineralized sandstone units with silicification and quartz veining. The historical drilling only evaluated the deposit to a depth of 100 metres. The current program will incorporate deeper drilling to more fully understand the potential of the deposit. Drilling results will be announced as they become available.

Qualified Persons Statements

The Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for the Nkran Extension was prepared by Joseph Mamphey, Diploma Geological Engineering, MSc Geostatistics, MRM Asanko Gold Mine, and audited by Charles J. Muller, B.Sc. Geology (Hons), PR.Sci.Nat., MGSSA, a Director of CJM Consulting Pty Ltd. ("CJM") of Johannesburg, South Africa. The MRE is reported in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 requirements and the South African Code of Reporting of Exploration Results (SAMREC), which is consistent with the CIM Estimation Best Practice Guidelines in Canada. Philip N Bentley, PR.Sci.Nat., FGSSA, MSc, MSc (Minex), Executive Geology and Resources for Asanko is a qualified person with respect to NI 43-101 and has supervised the scientific or technical information for this press release.

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 commenced gold production in January 2016 and declared commercial production on April 1, 2016. Ramp-up to steady state production of 190,000 ounces per annum was achieved in Q2 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. 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).

To view Annexure 1 Locality plan of Adubiaso Extension, Nkran Extension and Akwasiso Satellite Mineralization, visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Annexure%201.pdf

Contacts:

Alex Buck - Manager, Investor and Media Relations

Toll-Free (N.America): 1-855-246-7341

+44-7932-740-452

alex.buck@asanko.com



Wayne Drier - Executive, Corporate Development

+1-778-729-0614

wayne.drier@asanko.com

info@asanko.com

www.asanko.com




Peter Granat Appointed to Executive Chairman

CHICAGO, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Cision, a leading global media intelligence and communications solution provider and portfolio company of GTCR, announced that Kevin Akeroyd has been named global chief executive officer (CEO), effective today. Akeroyd succeeds Peter Granat, who established the company's position as a global public relations and marketing cloud leader, and will transition to chairman of the Cision Board of Directors.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7896951-cision-kevin-akeroyd-new-global-ceo/

Akeroyd has more than 25 years of experience in reshaping modern digital, social and mobile marketing globally. Most recently he was general manager and senior vice president at Oracle Marketing Cloud where he orchestrated and executed the industry's most prolific acquisition strategy, including Marketing Automation, Omni-Channel Campaign Management, Web Personalization, Content Marketing, DMP, Mobile Marketing, Data, and X-Device Orchestration.

Under Akeroyd's leadership, Oracle went from a non-entity to the #2 player in the entire industry in under three years, growing the business in 29 countries globally, and boasting the highest organic growth rate of all the major Marketing Cloud providers rate three years running. Integrating the solutions and the go-to-market, Akeroyd and Oracle created the Enterprise Marketing Platform category and have led it from the onset.

Prior to Oracle, Akeroyd held senior leadership positions at companies including Data.com, Salesforce.com, RR Donnelley, and Jigsaw, exemplifying his immense knowledge of the cloud and marketing industries, strong leadership, and ability to deliver exceptional results.

Akeroyd's leadership scale and deep domain expertise in acquisition integration, marketing software and content services, make him a perfect fit to move Cision forward on the next step of its accelerated growth journey.

"Peter Granat has been an innovative leader with a proven track record of success, and I am grateful for his work to bring the company to such an elite position of strength in the industry," said Kevin Akeroyd. "I look forward to working with Peter and the entire Cision team in the company's ongoing efforts to deliver innovative products and services to marketing and communications professionals."

Under Granat's leadership, strategy and vision, Cision has grown from $130 million in revenue to over $630 million in revenue, and has completed five acquisitions in the last two years to become the global market leader in media intelligence and content distribution services.

"I've been honored to lead the Cision team during such an exciting period of growth for the company," said Peter Granat. "I look forward to working with Kevin and this remarkable Cision team in my new role as chairman of the board."

About Cision:

Cision is a leading global media intelligence company, serving the complete workflow of today's communication professionals. Offering the industry's most comprehensive PR, IR and social media software, rich analytics, content distribution, and influencer outreach, Cision enables clients to engage audiences, enhance campaigns and strengthen data-driven decision making. Cision solutions include PR Newswire, Gorkana, PRWeb, Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and iContact brands. Headquartered in Chicago, Cision serves over 100,000 customers in 170 countries and 40 languages worldwide, and maintains offices in North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia. For more information, visit www.cision.com or follow @Cision on Twitter.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cision-announces-kevin-akeroyd-as-global-chief-executive-officer-300310110.html
EQS-News / 08/08/2016 / 18:57 UTC+8 *For Immediate Release* *TCL Communication Announces Shipment Figures of* *Handsets and Other Products for July* ** * * * * ** *IDOL 4 Series Made Its Debut Successively in Overseas Markets to Further Increase Brand Exposure* ** * * * * ** *TCL Smartphone Entered Indian Market and Cooperate Exclusively with Amazon* (Hong Kong, 8 August 2016) - TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited ("TCL Communication" or the "Company" which, together with its subsidiaries and its affiliates, is referred to as the "Group"; HKSE stock code: 2618) today announced the unaudited figures for shipments of handsets and other products in July and the first seven months of 2016. The Group's total sales volume of handsets and other products totalled 5,410,000 units in July 2016. Sales volume of handsets and other products in overseas markets totalled 5,126,000 units, while shipments in China market totalled 284,000 units. Sales volume of smart devices totalled 2,940,000 units, and accounted for 54% of the Group's total shipment for the month. For the first seven months of 2016, the cumulative sales volume of handsets and other products totalled 38,572,000 units, while the cumulative sales volume of smart devices totalled 20,370,000 units. The Group is pleased to announce that its flagship smartphone *IDOL 4 *series is now officially available in the U.S., as well as multiple European countries including Germany, France, Italy, Russia and Portugal. Since the launch of the young-consumers-oriented- *IDOL 4* series, product launch events in various regions have been placing focus on its new innovations, Boom Key and VR headsets. In addition, the Group has made breakthrough in business expansion in the emerging markets. In July, the Group joined hands with e-commerce company Amazon and successively launched two smartphones models, *TCL 560* and *TCL 562*.Both models are available for pre-order and sale on Amazon.in. exclusively. Through the partnership with Amazon, the Group is confident in building its reputation gradually in the Indian market, laying the foundation for the implementation of "Mobile + Internet" strategy in India. In July, the _2016 Tianyi (E-surfing) Terminal Expo & Summit Forum_ with the theme "Internet + Sharing an Intelligent Future", was successfully held in Guangzhou, China. At the forum, the Group presented *TCL 750* and *TCL 550* at its designated exhibition zone. *TCL 750* acts as the starting point of the Group's rebranding journey in the China region in 2016, while *TCL 550 *has also successfully drawn attention during its early launch at the forum. The 5.5-inch full-HD display *TCL 550* possesses an octa-core processor, supports functions including Hi-Fi sound quality, ?video optimization and high-speed photo shooting, which could satisfy the needs of users anytime and anywhere. Both models are compatible with 4G+ network, allowing users to enjoy the convenience of ultra-fast network at all times. *Sales Volume of Handsets and Other Products (Unaudited Data)>* *(Units '000)* *July* July *YoY* *Jan - Jan - *YoY* *2016* 2015 *Change* July July *Change* *(%)* 2016* 2015 *(%)* *Total* *5,410* 8,817 *-39%* *38,572* 43,652 *-12%* *Including* *smart devices* *2,940* 4,357 *-33%* *20,370* 25,236 *-19%* Sales volume data are also available on the Group's website: http://tclcom.tcl.com [1]. -End- *About TCL Communication* TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited ("TCL Communication" or the "Company"; HKSE stock code: 2618) together with its subsidiaries and its affiliates (collectively the "Group") designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of mobile and internet products worldwide under two key brands - Alcatel and TCL. The Group's portfolio of products is currently sold in China and over 160 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. According to telecommunication research firm Gartner and company's data, the Group ranked No. 6 and No. 10 among global phone manufacturers and global smartphone manufacturers respectively in the first quarter of 2016. The Group also ranked No. 7 among global tablet manufacturers. Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, TCL Communication operates its highly efficient manufacturing plant and R&D centres in various provinces and cities of the PRC. It employs around 13,500 people in China, Hong Kong and overseas. TCL Communication is one of the few companies in Hong Kong or China who owns or licenses 2G, 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G and 4G patented technologies. It is also able to independently develop products and solutions for the GSM, GPRS, EDGE, CDMA, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA and LTE. For more information, please visit its website at http://tclcom.tcl.com [1]. Issued by Cornerstones Communications Ltd. on behalf of *TCL Communication*. For further information, please contact: *Cornerstones Communications Limited* Prudence Lai / Sam Choi / Wendy Lau / Edward Siu Tel: (852) 2903 9291 / 2903 9289 / 2903 9286 / 2903 9299 Email: tcl.comm@cornerstonescom.com Document: http://n.eqs.com/c/fncls.ssp?u=KIPPVTLSXM [2] Document title: TCL Comm - July 2016 shipment press release_ENG_Final Key word(s): Sales Result 08/08/2016 Dissemination of a Press Release, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com 490349 08/08/2016 1: http://public-cockpit.eqs.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=55376560ede15fa93206c2c857933617&application_id=490349&site_id=vwd&application_name=news 2: http://public-cockpit.eqs.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=0093817528c3d1cac1569d80776b6d7a&application_id=490349&site_id=vwd&application_name=news

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 08, 2016 06:57 ET (10:57 GMT)
YOKOHAMA (dpa-AFX) - Japanese automaker Nissan is reportedly planning to sell its stake in car battery manufacturing business. The company is said to be in discussion with Panasonic Corp. and other companies to divest controlling stake in Automotive Energy Supply Corp. that makes lithium -ion batteries. Nissan has not confirmed the reports. The Nikkie daily reported Friday that Nissan thinks that buying batteries for its electric vehicles will be more economical for the company. Tesla Motors which plans to increase its electric vehicle production to 500 thousand units in the next two years is a major client for Panasonic. 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.
CRANBROOK, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/08/16 -- Tarku Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: TKU) (the "Company" or "Tarku") announces that it has amended the option agreement (the "Agreement") with Eros Resources Corp. concerning Chateau Fort Properties, located in the province of Quebec. Under the terms of the amendment, Tarku is not required to make further cash or share payments to Eros.

The initial option agreement with Eros stipulated that Tarku was to make staged cash and share payments totalling $100,000 cash ($15,000 paid to date) and 8,000,000 shares of Tarku (2,000,000 issued to date) over a five-year period that started in 2015. In addition, the terms of the Net Smelter Royalty to Eros have been amended. Eros still maintains a 2% Net Smelter Royalty, however Tarku can now buy 1% for $500.000 on or before the commencement of commercial production instead of $2,000,000 as stated in the original agreement.

The amended agreement provides Tarku with much more flexibility in advancing the property, as it ensures that the Company can deploy the maximum amount of its capital on exploration, as opposed to using it making option payments.

Sylvain Laberge "Is pleased of the outcome of the negotiation with Eros and his management willingness to build a long term relationship, Tarku plans to use the proceeds of the last financing to explore the geophysics target identified in the last survey"

About Chateau Fort:

The Chateau Fort property is along strike and directly adjacent to the past-producing Eastmain Mine, which is the property of Eastmain Resources Inc.

The Chateau Fort property is 18,867 hectares in size and is road accessible. The property includes Au, Ag, Cu, Zn and As anomalies from the prior operator's geochemical surveys (lake bottom, soil and stream sediments). Compilation work has identified nine high-priority gold targets for follow-up. Numerous geophysical targets including a number of high-priority features have been outlined as a result of the recent interpretation of the 2,100 line-kilometre airborne electromagnetic survey conducted in the summer of 2015. The survey was flown by Prospectair Geosurveys (Prospectair) using the ProspecTEM time-domain electromagnetic system with a line-spacing of 100m.

This press release was revised by Bernard-Olivier Martel, P. Geo., Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43- 101.

About Tarku:

Tarku Resources Ltd. is an exploration company focused on discovery in the mineral-rich Canadian landscape. The foundation of the company is based on an experienced management team with a track record of success. The goal of Tarku is to provide success for shareholders through the implementation of strategic property acquisition, the use of proven exploration techniques and the exploitation of fertile ground. Management cautions that past results or discoveries on proximate land are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on the company's properties.

The Agreement is subject to the approval of the TSX-Venture Exchange.

Tarku Resources Ltd.

(signed) "Sylvain Laberge"

Sylvain Laberge

President and CEO

Contacts:

Sylvain Laberge

President and CEO

514.702.9841

Slaberge@sdnlfinancial.com




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 08/08/16 -- Platinex Inc. (TSX VENTURE: PTX) (the "Company") explains the significance of its Shining Tree gold property located south of Timmins, Ontario.

The Abitibi gold belt of northern Ontario and Quebec is very extensive and now recognised as one of the more prolific and favoured sources of gold in the world. Commercial gold deposits are generally proximal to narrow but persistent east-west structures, but many of the larger deposits have been found where the primary structures are intersected by north to northwest trending faults. In some cases north-south trending deposits are spatially associated with the north-south faults.

In recognition of the increasing perception of potential of the Abitibi, deposit acquisition activity by intermediate and large gold producers has intensified in recent years. For earlier stage companies the key element to finding a commercial deposit is opportunistic property selection then staying the course.

In the Shining Tree gold property Platinex could see that the property is situated on the intersection of a major east-west structure and a north-south fault. Further the property, comprising 140 claim units (2,240 ha (5,600 acres)), was known to host eight gold prospects along its nine km strike length. Among these prospects the Herrick gold deposit stood out. It has a demonstrated strike length of 380m. The Central Zone of the Herrick deposit has been systematically sampled over a 361 m length returning an average of 6.98 g/t Au/1.9 m true width.

Since acquiring the Shining Tree gold property in 2008 discoveries and developments along strike to the east include the Juby deposit (Tahoe Resources) and the Young Davidson Mine (Alamos Gold); to the west the Cote Lake deposit (IAMGOLD) and the Borden Lake deposit (Goldcorp); and to the north on strike of the north-south feature the West Timmins Mine (Tahoe Resources).

Mr. James R. Trusler, President and CEO of Platinex Inc, stated, "My experience looking at gold deposits was shaped when I was doing just that for Teck in the early 1980's. At that time I lead Teck into Hemlo. Other than grade one of the key characteristics of the Hemlo deposit was continuity. I see similar continuity in the Herrick deposit. With sixty two holes having been drilled and qualified down to a depth of 300m, fifty nine of the holes have been in the gold mineralization. The other aspects I like are the ductile nature of the veining and the near vertical plunge. Herrick is a relict gold hosting hydrothermal deposit emanating from depth where it can generally be expected to thicken and achieve higher grades."

Platinex has commissioned an independent valuation of the Herrick deposit.

Commencing in 2008, Platinex has conducted a program of glacial prospecting collecting 446 samples of glacial till (basal till). Of these samples 169 have returned greater than ten grains of gold which outlines a provincially significant gold dispersion train on the property.

James R. Trusler sates, "Glacial prospecting is an extremely valuable but highly under-rated exploration tool. I first did this type of work for Gulf Minerals in 1972 in Saskatchewan where I supervised the geological efforts of ten field parties. The exploration effort that summer located some four glacial trains of radioactive fragments leading in each case to a uranium discovery in place. This type of activity is still happening in Saskatchewan as witnessed by the recent Patterson Lake discovery.

In the case of the gold dispersion train on Shining Tree it is coming from nearby gold in the ground. The target appears to be extensive."

The company website is now under reconstruction in order to upgrade this form of disclosure to the investing public. In the interim there will be an effort to place newsworthy information on the website. However, public documents for Platinex are available on SEDAR.

About Platinex Inc.

Platinex's goal is to create shareholder value through exploration, opportunistic acquisition and discovery of commercial deposits with a focus on gold. Shares of Platinex are listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "PTX".

The information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by James R. Trusler, Geological Engineer, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Qualified Person for exploration at the Shining Tree property, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects".

To receive Company press releases, please email jtrusler@platinex.com and mention "Platinex press release" on the subject line.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Except for statements of historical fact, all statements in this news release - including, without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. 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.

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:

Platinex Inc.

James R. Trusler

President and CEO

(416) 565-5616

jtrusler@platinex.com

www.platinex.com




Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 8, 2016) - Golden Dawn Minerals Inc., (TSXV: GOM) (FSE: 3G8A) (the "Company" or "Golden Dawn") provides the following update on its option agreement concerning the the Greenwood Gold project.

Wolf Wiese CEO of Golden Dawn Minerals Inc. (the "Company") reports that an extension for the Company's option agreement (the "Agreement") to acquire the Greenwood Project from Huakan International Mining Inc. ("Huakan"), previously announced in a news release dated April 12th, 2016, has been reached between the Company and Huakan. Per the terms of the amending agreement, the Company has until Sept. 6th, 2016 to exercise its option. As consideration for this Amending Agreement, the Company paid Huakan $50,000, to compensate Huakan for care and maintenance expenses of the Greenwood project during this extension period, and issued 1,000,000 units (the "Units") consisting of a common share and purchase warrant exercisable at $.20 for 2 years. The Units were to be issued to Huakan in conjunction with the final exercise payment for the option in accordance with the Agreement. The Company has until September 6, 2016 to pay Huakan $2,900,000 CAD and make a posting of a total of $450,000 in reclamation bonds to complete the exercise of the Company's option to acquire 100% of the Greenwood Project, consisting of the Lexington, Golden Crown Mines and the Processing plant (up to 400 t/d).

The Company is currently in advanced negotiations with a U.S. based investor regarding the additional funding needed for the Company to exercise the option from Huakan. Such financing is subject to due diligence, will require the approval of the TSXV, and will be subject to definitive document and to other conditions of closing. The Company currently anticipates that it will be able to agree and to complete such funding and close the acquisition prior to September 6, 2016.

During the past 60 days approximately 10,000,000 warrants have been exercised for $1,300,000 in proceeds, and the company closed a private placement for $425,000 on July 20, 2016. Furthermore, the Company entered into a Letter of Intent with RIVI Capital LLC, to advance US $4,000,000 for a gold streaming contract, on July 21, 2016.

These assets are located in the Greenwood mining district near the city of Greenwood, 500 km east of Vancouver on Highway #3, in South Central B.C. The mines and mill are also situated 15 km south of the Company's 100% owned May - Mac Mine and processing plant.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

GOLDEN DAWN MINERALS INC.

"Wolf Wiese"

Wolf Wiese

Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Corporate Communications

604-221-8936

allinfo@goldendawnminerals.com

THIS PRESS RELEASE WAS PREPARED BY MANAGEMENT WHO TAKES FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS CONTENTS. 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. THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CERTAIN FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS WHICH INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, DELAYS, AND UNCERTAINTIES NOT UNDER THE COMPANY'S CONTROL WHICH MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COMPANY TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE, OR ACHIEVEMENTS IMPLIED BY THESE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. WE SEEK SAFE HARBOR.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (MTW) announced, for the full-year 2016, the company expects: revenue to be down approximately 10% to 12%; and adjusted operating income margins in the range of approximately 1% to 2%. In May, the company projected: revenue to be approximately flat; and operating margins of approximately 4%.



'As we approach the back half of the year, we expect to see market challenges continue and a similar dynamic in sales with continued strength in Tower cranes more than offset by continued weakness in Mobile cranes. In spite of the positive energy we experienced at bauma this year, it is clear that our customers remain cautious around spending given the ongoing global macro-economic uncertainty. As a result, we have lowered our full-year 2016 sales and operating margin guidance,' said, Barry Pennypacker, CEO of Manitowoc Company, Inc.



The Manitowoc Company reported second-quarter 2016 sales of $457.7 million, a four percent decrease versus $477.7 million in the comparable period in 2015. 'During the second quarter, our sales were further impacted by a challenging market environment on a number of levels, particularly in Mobile cranes in the Americas. This weakness was in part offset by strength in Tower cranes.' said Barry Pennypacker.



Operating margin was 3.2 percent for the second quarter of 2016, consistent with 3.2 percent for the second quarter of 2015. The company said its operating margins were positively impacted by structural reductions in force and other operating efficiencies.



The Manitowoc Company, Inc. also announced its intent to relocate its crawler crane manufacturing operations from Manitowoc, Wisconsin to Shady Grove, Pennsylvania, to optimize its manufacturing footprint, reduce costs and expand margins. The company expects to recognize non-cash charges of approximately $105-120 million. In total, the initiative is expected to generate annualized pre-tax cost savings of $25-30 million. The Manitowoc Company, Inc. will maintain its headquarters in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.



Shares of The Manitowoc Company were down more than 12% after hours.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
Tracking First, a Orem, Utah-based advertising technology startup, received $50k in angel funding.

The name of the backer was not disclosed.

Led by Craig Scribner, CEO, Tracking First provides a a SaaS-based advertising technology platform that automates the creation and classification of new campaign tracking codes.

The company currently serves major advertising brands including Hilton Worldwide, Verisign and USAA to create and classify unique tracking codes, embed them within landing page links, and test that the codes are being captured by reporting systems.

FinSMEs

08/08/2016
Asian healthcare company Columbia Asia is receiving $101m in investment.

Tokyo-based Mitsui & Co., Ltd., one of the worlds largest and most respected trading companies, made the investment. As part of it, Mitsui will gain two seats on the Columbia Asia Board of Directors and play a role in company operations.

The company will use the proceeds to continue to expand its network of hospitals across Asia, including several current development projects, open its first facility in Africa next month, a multispecialty clinic in Nairobi, Kenya under a new brand, Columbia Africa.

Part of Seattle-based Columbia Pacific Management and led by Nate McLemore, Managing Director, Columbia Asia focuses on serving Asias growing middle class with modern and efficient multispecialty hospitals located close to where patients live and work.

Since opening its first hospital in Malaysia in 1996, the company has grown to 10,000 employees serving more than 2.5 million patients a year, with 2,200 beds across 27 hospitals and one clinic in India, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Columbia Pacific Managements affiliates include Columbia Asia, operating hospitals in India and Southeast Asia; Columbia China, which is building a network of hospitals and clinics in China; Cascade Healthcare, which operates senior care facilities in China; and Remote Medical International, which provides medical services and supplies to challenging locations around the globe.

FinSMEs

08/08/2016
Honor, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of home care for older adults, raised $42m in Series B funding.

The round was led by Thrive Capital with participation from 8VC, Andreessen Horowitz, and Syno Capital.

The company, which has raised $62m in vc funding, intends to use the funds to accelerate product development and enhance go-to-market growth strategy. It is hiring people including Care Pros, Care Operations managers, engineers, salespeople, etc.

Led by CEO and Co-Founder Seth Sternberg, Honor provides a a home-care solution for older adults continue to live in their own homes in a comfortable way by combining professionals with proprietary app technology.

The company currently operates in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.

FinSMEs

08/08/2016
TruRating, a London, UK-based provider of a point-of-sale customer feedback platform, raised 9.5m (approx. $12.6M) in Series A funding.

The round, which brought the total amount raised by the company to date to 13.7m, was led by Sandaire and a private family investment group.

The company intends to use the funds to continue to develop the platform and expand operations and launch in US and Canada.

Led by Georgina Nelson, TruRating is a point-of-payment rating system that gives customers the opportunity to answer an anonymous question via the payment terminal to rate their experience from 0-9.

Each consumer rating feeds two websites. Business owners can see their ratings over time, compare their ratings against anonymous competitors, link customer sentiment to spend and get detailed analytics while consumers have access to a recommendations site they can trust, with ratings from validated customers.

The platform is live across the UK and Australia.

FinSMEs

08/08/2016
New Delhi: RSS affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch will hit the roads on August 9 in protest against the BJP-led Governments new FDI policy and to demand its immediate withdrawal.

The protest, scheduled to be held at all district headquarters of the country on the August 9 will seek the rollback of FDI in various sectors including defence, pharma and retail sectors.

"Swadeshi Jagaran Manch expresses its deep anguish and protest on recent decision of the government to relax FDI norms in various sectors of the economy including retail trade, agriculture and animal husbandry, brown field pharma, security agencies, defence and others," Ashwani Mahajan, National Co-convenor of the Manch said.

The Manch added that the decision to allow foreigners to engage in food processing and marketing of agricultural produce is against the promises of the ruling party and will spell a "death knell" for the small shopkeepers, vegetable and fruit vendors and small units engaged in processing of agricultural produce.

"Opening up of FDI in security agencies is likely to endanger the security of the nation. "It is well known that India is a key player in pharmaceutical produce globally and more than 200 countries rely on affordable medicines for their public health from India's generic drugs produce by Indian pharmaceutical companies.

"By allowing 100 per cent FDI in brown field pharma, government has opened flood gates for acquisition of Indian pharmaceutical companies by multinational giants, endangering the supply of affordable medicine to the poor masses, not only in India but world over," Mahajan said.

The RSS body also noted with concern 100 per cent FDI in defence (74 per cent under automatic route and subsequent by approval route). "Dropping of the clause of state of the art technology is also beyond comprehension.
Based on Pakistani writer Saba Imtiaz's 2014 novel, Karachi You're Killing Me, Sonakshi Sinha starrer Noor is now going to have Sunny Leone in an extended cameo.

A comedy-crime film, Noor revolves around the adventures of a journalist in Mumbai (even though the book is based in Karachi), and also stars comedian Kanan Gill and Shibani Dandekar. Mumbai Mirror reports that Sunny Leone will be seen playing a Bollywood star.

The film is producer by Vikram Malhotra and Bhushan Kumar, and Malhotra confirms this news: "Yes, Sunny is a part of our movie and appears in key scenes. It's a role which only Sunny could play. You'll realise when you watch the movie. Casting her was our director's idea."

The novel centers around a 20-year-old reporter Ayesha Khan, living in Karachi, and her misadventures and finding a nice lover. Noor, however, will be set in Mumbai with different cultural references.

"Im excited about playing Noor. I cant wait to bring this character to life under the vision of Sunhil Sippy. Noor is a bundle of contradictions, shes every girl, shes me. And shes a character everyone will love, said Sonakshi, to IANS.

When Sunny Leone was asked about her cameo, she didn't reveal much, but only extending her best wishes to the cast and crew.

With inputs from IANS
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly rebuked the so-called 'cow vigilantes' in the country who were responsible for the incidents of violence against Dalits and Muslims in various states, a case has been registered against the chief of Gau Raksha Dal for allegedly thrashing people in the name of cow protection. The FIR was lodged on the basis of a video clip which appeared on social media, showing Gau Raksha Dal members brutally thrashing people, Patiala SSP Gurmeet Chauhan on Monday said.

ANI quoted Kumar who said that this has been just done due to media pressure:

This has just been done due to media pressure, nothing else: Gau Raksha Dal Chief Satish Kumar on FIR against him pic.twitter.com/9KcRtCSwVv  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

The Rajpura (Punjab) police on Monday registered an FIR against Gau Raksha Dal chief Satish Kumar under several Sections of the IPC. Among others named in the FIR are Annu and Gurpreet alias Happy. "We are checking the authenticity of the video footage that is with us . The video shows Gau Raksha Dal members brutally thrashing people," Chauhan was quoted as saying by Tribune India.

However, Satish has not been arrested so far.

A case under sections 382 (having made preparation for causing death), 384 (committing extortion), 341 (wrongfully restraining any person), including sections 148 and 149 of the IPC was registered, police said.

According to a report in India Today, the group works as a "24x7 extra-constitutional force" in Punjab's Rajpura. The report further quoted Satish Kumar as saying, "I don't mind if someone calls me a goon for saving the cow. If someone who saves the cow is labelled a goon, I'll be proud to become the country's biggest goon." One look at Kumar's Facebook profile and you know the man means business. Aiming a pistol at the camera, Kumar's social media profile is all about eliminating anyone who means harm to cows.

Kumar even justified his methods and accused officials of "overlooking cow smuggling."

"Have you ever heard a regional traffic officer fining a vehicle carrying cows? Have police ever caught such a vehicle? What should we do? Do we then let cows get slaughtered?" Kumar said. According to the report, Kumar has his own network of informers and activists.

The cow vigilante groups across India have been chided by both the Union government and the Sangh Parivar. The RSS on Sunday asked people to "expose" a handful of anti-social elements spreading violence and trying to disturb social harmony in the name of cow protection, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused them of creating "tension and conflict" in the society.

It asked people not to link such "condemnable efforts" of "a few opportunists" with those truly serving and protecting cows.

On Sunday, Modi asked people to beware of "fake" cow protectors as they were trying to create "tension and conflict" in the society. He also asked the state governments to take stringent action against them. Modi accused the cow vigilantes of trying to create tension in the society and said they should be exposed and punished.

"I want to tell everybody beware of these fake cow protectors. These handful of vigilantes have nothing to do with cow protection, but want to create 'tanaav' (tension) and 'takrav' (conflict) in the society," Modi said.

"In the name of cow protection, these fake cow protectors are trying to disturb the peace and harmony of the nation. I want the real cow protectors to expose them (fake ones) and the state governments should take stringent action against them," he added.

In several videos uploaded on social media, members of the Gau Raksha Dal (especially in Punjab) were seen thrashing people in the name of cow protection. The notorious group has been posting videos of its attacks on trucks carrying cattle for slaughter.
As Kashmir unrest continues relentlessly for a month, the Jammu and Kashmir police is facing an increasing backlash. The state police force has taken a frontal role in counter-insurgency and law and operations in the Valley.

Policemen have been accused of using disproportionate force during the ongoing unrest, in which more than fifty civilians have been killed, several thousand have been injured and, more than hundreds have been partly or fully-blinded.

Amid the accusations that the police has been "killing" civilians in cold blood, the Jammu and Kashmir home department is fighting a court battle to save a police officer, Yasir Qadri, from being booked under murder charges. In fact, for the first time in recent years, the separatist groups are publicly naming the police officials who have been allegedly involved in violating human rights in Kashmir, adding extra strain for the men in khaki.

Qadri, a superintendent of police, is the most senior police officer whose name has surfaced in the killing of a civilian in the ongoing unrest. The family of the slain youth, Shabir Ahmad Mir, had pleaded before the court that their son was murdered in cold blood by Qadri and have demanded that police register an FIR against him.

The case, which is subjudice, has cast a wider impact on the police department which fears that if they register an FIR against Qadri, one of their own, it will demoralise the strong force of 80,000 in the state. Locals are pretty enraged at Mir's killing. Outside Qadris home in Hazratbal area of Srinagar, a graffiti: "Yasir The Murderer", conveys the aggressive street sentiment against the police.

On Saturday, Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani for the first time, during the ongoing unrest, named a police official posted in south Kashmir, Touseef Mir, for committing atrocities in Anantnag district, describing him as a criminal and butcher. Geelani, in a statement, had said that Mir, who is a duty officer of police Chowki Bus Stand Anantnag, came to a venue of protests demonstration at Chee village in Khanabal, and burnt the tent and took away other equipment and without any provocation resorted to pellet shelling injuring dozens of people including seven women, who received pellet injuries in their private parts.

This criminal and butcher Touseef Mir is warned that it is high time that rouges and killers like you should be brought to book. We cannot stop people to tackle you directly. You should be ashamed for such heinous crimes against your own people, Geelani added.

Earlier separatist groups had restrained themselves from publicly naming Kashmir police officials. Since 2008 and 2010 street demonstrations, police has come under intense criticism for detaining young men, teenagers and minors. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir region, Javaid Mujtaba Gillani said in a statement on Sunday that since July, 3,329 personnel from JKP and CRPF have been injured while maintaining law and order in the Valley. Besides, two personnel from JKP were killed in the violent protests in the Valley.

After the death of Hizbul commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani and the subsequent clashes, there have been several instances in recent weeks in which demonstrators in different parts of the region have attacked the houses of policemen.

It has not been rampant but in certain instances our houses have become soft targets. Our families have nothing do with our jobs, but who will tell these mobs, a senior police official based in south Kashmir, told Firstpost.

The house of Muhammad Ashraf Pual, a police officer in-charge of a police post in Sangam area of south Kashmir, was attacked by protesters at Chandrigam area of Tral. Although, Paul was not present during the attack, his wife and daughter fainted and were later shifted to hospital. Protesters had alleged that Paul was harassing people near his post, but he denied the charges.

They broke windowpanes of my house and my wife fainted, after some miscreants diverted a protest rally towards our home in Tral, Paul told Firstpost, on Sunday.

Early in July, father of an SHO in Kulgam, was forced by the public to tender a public apology over his son's "misconduct". During the early days of unrest, demonstrators at Ashmuqam, near the tourist destination of Pahalgam, attacked the residence of SDPO and later set it on fire. A police driver, Feroz Ahmad, was also killed after a mob pushed his mobile bunker vehicle into river Jhelum at Sangam in Anantnag district.
After a brief period of peace, militants launched an attack in Kokrajhar's crowded marketplace killing 14 civilians and injuring 20 others. This was one of the deadliest attacks in Assam after the BJP government came to power. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited Kokrajhar district in Assam on Saturday and urged the Centre to deploy 75 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), which were withdrawn from the state after the April assembly elections.

Despite Sonowal's many assurances, residents of the area were left disappointed with the chief minister's whirlwind visit. Sumoti Basumatary, who lost her husband in the attack, told The Telegraph that she got only less than a minute with Sonowal as she was interrupted by the local leaders.

"Vigil should be stepped up to foil the sinister designs of anti-national forces," Sonowal said and appealed to the people to remain alert to nip in the bud the nefarious designs of these forces and to maintain peace and harmony at any cost. The report added that slogans like "Assam police murdabad" and "army zindabad" were raised by the local youths.

"We have not seen such a rush but it is of no benefit to us. We wanted to interact with the chief minister but failed," a local was quoted as sayng by The Telegraph.

Sonowal also chaired a strategy group meeting of the Unified Command at the Kokrajhar Circuit House and directed the police, the Army, the Central Reserve Police Force and other para-military forces to sternly deal with the situation after the terror attack. He also directed the security agencies to be on high alert in the run-up to Independence Day on 15 August and beef up security in vulnerable areas.

On Friday, armed militants dressed in Army fatigues and belonging to the Bodo separatist outfit had opened fire and threw grenades at the crowded weekly market. One militant was neutralised on the same day. Three additional companies have been deployed in Kokrajhar to prevent any more attacks.

An NIA team was sent on Saturday to launch a search for the militants of Bodo separatist outfit NDFB(S) suspected to be involved in the attack. A strict vigil is being maintained along the Assam-Bengal interstate border and international fronts with Bhutan to prevent the NDFB(S) militants from escaping there, the sources said.

Firstpost's Simantik Dowerah wrote that Kokrajhar saw the rise of Bodo militancy in the 80s. "The National Democratic Front of Bodoland took off with its initial nomenclature of Bodo Security Force in 1986. It took its current name in 1994. Soon after its birth, the NDFB had only one mission  ethnic cleansing of non-Bodos from the Bodo areas."

Normalcy returned to Kokrajhar as security forces intensified operation against the NDFB(S). "The situation is normal now. We are receiving seven companies of additional forces in Kokrajhar. While a few of them have already reached, some are being sent," said Additional DGP Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) LR Bishnoi said on Saturday.

With inputs from agencies
Subscribe to Canada Free Press for FREE

Medical & Health Pages

Please find below recent articles written on various Medical topics

Alcohol

It's an ideal way to write a column. I'm attending a medical conference while cruising the Caribbean sea. But don't think I'm goofing off. I'm spending long days listening to a variety of international speakers. But as a former ship's surgeon I also love being at sea.

Alternative Medicine

During 2001 millions of North Americans will continue to die of cancer and other diseases. But can some of these maladies be prevented by the use of alternative, nontraditional medicine? This week, how selenium, green tea, vitamins, flavonoids and milk can help you practice preventive medicine.

Cancer

Last week I reported on a study conducted by Peter Gotzsche (Stop Lying To Women About mammography), a leading Danish researcher. His study claimed there's no convincing evidence that annual mammograms decrease the risk of dying from breast cancer. But can repeated exposure to radiation cause breast cancer?

Cardio-Vascular

By Dr. W. Gifford Jones

Why is research that could save countless lives unknown to Canadian and U.S. doctors? This week, a report that Dr. Sydney Bush, an optometrist in Hull, England, has made an historic discovery. He claims that atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries) can be reversed. And his research, which could save millions from heart attack, should have made headlines around the world.

Ear, Nose & Throat

Today seven million North Americans Suffer from a devastating disease, macular degeneration. No longer can they enjoy the simple pleasures of reading or watching TV. These unfortunate people have lost their central vision. But there is a way to reduce the risk of this disabling problem.

Endocrine

"Should I take DHEA to help me lose weight?" Or "Does DHEA slow down aging and increase bone strength?" These are two of the many questions I've received from readers about this hormone. So what is fact and what is fiction about dehydroepiandrosterone? (Little wonder it's known by its initials!)

Gastroenterology

By Dr. W. Gifford Jones

"Why didnt you come to see me earlier? It could have saved you months of worry, I recently asked a patient. She had delayed seeing me because of rectal bleeding and she was terrified Id tell her the diagnosis was cancer. Yet her only complaint was anusitis, an often overlooked rectal condition. But whether its anusitis or a serious problem a cardinal rule is never, never ignore rectal bleeding.

Gynacology

What would I do if I were a woman at the age of menopause and read the headline, "Breast cancer drop linked to decline in hormone therapy"? I'd be scared as hell if I were already taking estrogen. And I'd consider flushing it down the toilet. But what should menopausal women do then if they have an whelming desire to kick the cat, or their husband?

Infection

Do patients receive ineffective treatment when they could be cured by a lesser-known technique? The answer? Probably tens of thousands.

Lifestyle

Would you like to be connected to tubes for months to sustain life when doctors know there's no hope of your survival? Or have family members feud because none are aware of your wishes when faced with your imminent death. If you've left such an important decision to chance then there's a good chance this could happen. A study shows that 80 percent of North Americans haven't signed a Living Will.

Medical News

(PRLEAP.COM) Today, with a continued sense of urgency and desperation, world leaders in the fight against malaria call for a second international day of fasting to focus worldwide attention on the extreme emergency facing billions of people living in malaria infested regions of the world. Participating organizations include Malaria No More, The Malaria Foundation, Roll Back Malaria, Africa Fighting Malaria, Dunk Malaria, The Free Africa Foundation, Hedge Funds vs. Malaria, The "LOVE, HALLIE Foundation," The Buy-A-Net Malaria Prevention Group, The Iyalode Tejuoso Malaria Foundation and The World Swim Against Malaria.

Medical Notes

By Dr. W. Gifford Jones

What made Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, so attractive? Certainly being born beautiful wasnt a hindrance for her seduction of Mark Anthony. But apart from having genetics on her side she knew that natural beauty could be preserved and augmented by the application of healthy emollients. Both Cleopatra and Poppea, wife of the Roman Emperor Nero, used a honey-and-milk lotion to keep them looking youthful. But what would Cleopatra and Poppea have done to get their hands on a new potion proven to reduce wrinkles up to 78 percent?

Medicine

I experienced a terrible tragedy upon visiting an old friend. He failed to recognize me. All the past history of our years together vanished into the night. And as I drove home the question recurred; what had caused this mental disaster. Could he be victim to whats been called the "Twin Epidemic"? Had his long-standing diabetes played a factor in this condition?

Neurology

What can you do to decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease (AD)? It's a question that has eluded scientists for years. Some researchers believe that Alzheimer's is due to an excessive amount of aluminum in the brain and we should try to decrease its intake. But would a glass of Sauvignon each day stop the cerebral ravage of this disease?

Nutrition

Are Rare Steaks Good For Your Heart?

"One of these days you're going to push your luck too far", my wife often says to me. She's not complaining that I'm spending too much money on horse races. Or betting the farm on a gold mine in Zimbabwe. Rather, for years I've told waiters I want my steak rare. Is this risky or can it fight heart failure?

Orthopedics

Several weeks ago I reported on a new revolutionary way to fight osteoporosis. This year astronauts will use the technique when they take the "Juvent Dynamic Motion Therapy Platform (DMT) to the space station. It's a non-drug method of preventing astronauts from developing brittle bones in a weightless atmosphere. I didn't realize at the time I wrote that it would also prevent osteonecrosis of the jaw, now linked to current drugs for treatment of osteoporosis.

Physiology

It was not a good day at the office. My morning was just ending, when two female investigators from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, arrived without notice and asked to see me. I was handed an envelope and one woman immediately started to take notes. This was not a good sign. So I asked the reason for the sudden visit and was shocked to hear I had been accused of sexual misconduct.

Psychiatry

"But how did you pay for the $250,000 treatment" I asked one of my patients? To my surprise she replied, "I applied and received a grant from the Canadian government". This huge sum of money shocked me. What amazed me more, as a taxpayer, was the money's destination, Arizona. I decided to find out what treatment is worth $250,000 in the U.S. And, who says our government is stingy with medical care!

Respiratory

Hmm I had the naive belief that Viagra was strictly for making "amour". Now I learn it may even help adventurers climb Mount Everest! On the other hand, if you decide to go down, rather than up, swim goggles may present a hazard. And handguns it seems are not the only things to shoot you these days. And is it really dangerous to eat nuts and seeds if you suffer from bowel problems?

Sex

It was not a good day at the office. My morning was just ending, when two female investigators from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, arrived without notice and asked to see me. I was handed an envelope and one woman immediately started to take notes. This was not a good sign. So I asked the reason for the sudden visit and was shocked to hear I had been accused of sexual misconduct.

Sports Medicine

"How could this possibly happen?" is the usual soul-searching response. A young healthy athlete has left home to play in a sporting event. Then in a matter of seconds, collapses and dies before anything can be done to save his or her life. The big question is why these premature deaths occur, and can they be prevented?

Surgery

An English proverb cautions that "It is the unexpected that always happens". No doubt people looking back on their life can recall several of those unexpected and unpleasant events. But how often do unexpected events happen in surgery?

Teeth

"Doctor, I'd suggest fluoride treatment to protect your teeth" my dentist said.

I agreed. After all, I'd been told since I was knee-high that fluoride prevents cavities. I've also used fluoride toothpaste for years. But I recently decided to research this topic to see if there was a downside to this treatment. Now I know why Montreal males are better lovers than those in Toronto.

Gastro-Urology

"How can I rid myself of recurrent urinary infections?" a distraught patient asked me. Several courses of antibiotics had failed to end her discomfort. Now, with Cranberry Women's Formula, there's a natural treatment that helps to prevent frequent bladder infections, improve general health and, in the bargain, fights obesity.

Vitamins

By Dr. W. Gifford Jones

Are you headed for a heart attack because of marginal scurvy, a condition resulting from a lack of vitamin C? Moreover, if vitamin C is sound medicine for gorillas, why isnt it good for us? And in the 16th century, why did the ships cat survive long sea voyages when its sailors died from scurvy?
The cow.

That's it. It is everything the world needs. It is obviously the most important thing in the world. And it is behind some of the most important events that have taken place in the history of mankind.

Don't believe us?

Well then, you might find the words of a Madhya Pradesh government official more convincing. After all, government officials are supposed to be people with at least basic common sense who do not blurt out meaningless nonsense, right?

Reminding us about the huge importance of the cow in our lives, Mahamandleshwar Swami Akhileshwaranand Giri, chairman of executive council of the Madhya Pradesh Gaupalan Evam Pashudhan Samvardhan Board, predicted (in all his wisdom) that the Third World War will start over a cow.

"The third world war will start over a cow," Indian Express quoted him as saying. "The cow has always been a source of contention. There are references in mythology and the first war of independence in 1857 began over the cow, the report further quoted him as saying.

Of course, the uproar over the suspicion of cartridges for rifles being filled with cow and pig fat was the only reason for the revolt of 1857. British taxation, expansionist and annexationist policies of the British, the unethical Doctrine of Lapse, decline of Indian industries and handicrafts, rural indebtedness and the general economic and political oppression by the British were not at all responsible for the revolt of 1857.

And what better way to substantiate the claim that the cow will start the Third World War than to talk about "references in mythology"? Mythology is undoubtedly the most accurate description of history, something based on solid facts.

This remark by the Madhya Pradesh government official came just a day after the RSS's Akhil Bharatiya Gau Sewa leader Shankar Lal made the enlightening revelation that cow dung, apart from curing cancer, could also protect us from harmful radiations from the cellphone.

Lal had even applied cow dung on the back of his phone. He had also said that cow dung has the potential to cure any disease. He had claimed that controlled intake of cow dung has kept him healthy though his age was 76. Lal had added that they made pregnant women eat cow dung and urine paste to ensure a normal delivery.

Pawan Pandit, president of Gau Raksha Dal, also reacted to PM Narendra Modi's statements against 'cow vigilantes' and told CNN-News 18 that he had been influenced by Barack Obama's politics.

BJP MP Sharkarbhai N in March 2015 had claimed that cow urine is effective in curing cancer completely. "If you want to save yourself from cancer, there is a need to protect cows on a priority because cow urine is effective in curing cancer completely," PTI had quoted him as saying.

Because who needs science and logic anyway?

Considering the frequency with which some people and politicians make such thoughtful observations about the cow in our country, we think the following revelations about the cow will soon be made:

We also feel someone in our country will soon want to make this video the National Video of India:

(With inputs from PTI)
Telangana police has reportedly killed Naxalite-turned-gangster Nayeemuddin in an ongoing encounter at Shadnagar in Telangana.

#FLASH One gunned down in Shadnagar (Telangana) identified as Naeem, 'Most Wanted' gangster in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana.  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

SP Rama Rajeshwari too confirmed the identity of the gunned down gangster. She also said that the police will register a case on exchange of fire.

Person who died suspected to be involved in case,is gangster Naeem involved in lot of cases in past. AK 47 & a pistol found: :SP Rajeshwari  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

According to recent reports, two suspects have been gunned down.

Encounter underway in Millennium Township area, Shadnagar (Telangana).2 suspects gunned down (Visuals from the area) pic.twitter.com/cZWJzoyVL3  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

Nayeemuddin was killed in a joint encounter between National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Telangana police.

Security forces raided the house after one of his gang members opened fire at the police, reported The Indian Express.

Speaking on the encounter, Superintendent of Police Rama Rajeshwari said:

Based on an input, local police was contacted. Team came here to check if info is right: SP Rama Rajeshwari on Telangana encounter  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

The moment they saw police team, driver who was driving the Endeavour stopped the car, started opening fire and ran away: SP Rama Rajeshwari  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

The person who was sitting in the car also started opening fire on police team,& the police team opened fire in self defence:Rama Rajeshwari  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

We came to know tht the person fell down,it was confirmed that he had died:SP Rama Rajeshwari on Telangana encounter pic.twitter.com/rrPUSwEHTR  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

According to DGP Anurag Sharma, Nayeemuddins gang member opened fire on police officials late last night after the cops had surrounded the house. The gang member was shot dead in crossfire.

The police surrounded the house after a tip off that some unidentified persons were taking shelter in a house in Millenium township in Shadnagar.

Nayeemuddin, the most wanted gangster in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, has been involved in at least 20 murder cases, including that of IPS officer KS Vyas. According to Deccan Chronicle, he was also involved in the Sohrabuddin encounter case and was suspected to have given information to the police about the criminal who was killed by the Gujarat police in 2005.

He has also been connected with the murder of TRS leader K Ramulu, who was shot dead by unidentified persons on 11 May in Nalgonda town in 2014.

He is a former member of Peoples War Group but surrendered years ago. After surrendering, he formed a gang and began extortion and settlement in a big way.
Let's say as an ambitious entrepreneur you are planning an aggressive expansion strategy and want your product to reach the maximum number of customers. You'll need to develop a brand, position it and use tools to differentiate it in a crowded marketplace of similar products. If the brand is to succeed it must, therefore, create a unique identity.

Creation of a unique identity in the rough and tumble of politics is just as important. Regional leaders ambitious enough for a national role must differentiate themselves from other players to transcend state boundaries. More so if they lack the political assets of a BJP or the Congress.

So, we find Arvind Kejriwal running a high-pitched, media-based campaign. By constantly attacking the Prime Minister, the Aam Admi Party chief has been able to stay in the headlines and create the brand placement of both a crusader and a victim. AAP's rapid rise and bright prospects of expansion in new states such as Punjab prove that his strategy is working.

No less ambitious, Nitish Kumar is more old school. His methods are more conventional. Instead of a media-driven campaign, the JD(U) chief is in search of an ideological plank that may pitchfork him into national consciousness. He has a two-pronged strategy. In calling for a RSS-mukt Bharat, he wishes to generate heat by challenging India's currently dominant politico-ideological force. This is an interesting move but still at a very early stage.

Two, to position himself as a social reformer he has sought to make Bihar a dry state, jumping on to the bandwagon of prohibition  an idea of dubious effectiveness that still retains immense currency.

In itself, the political incentive for prohibition is clear. Like 'development' and 'good governance', prohibition is not an idea limited by geography. It is one of the very few planks that cuts across state boundaries, affects the poorest and most politically sensitive sections of the society and touches an immediate chord with roughly half of active Indian voters  women.

However, creating a nanny state to solve a deep-rooted social evil rarely works, as history and data have proved several times. It merely drives it underground, criminalises the activity and creates a different set of problems. But the Bihar chief minister sees in prohibition a calling card to extend the political presence of the Janata Dal (United) beyond Bihar and a possible Prime Ministerial bid in 2019.

But Kumar has a problem.

Because prohibition is seemingly the easiest and quickest way out of issues related to alcohol consumption  alcoholism, indebtedness and domestic violence  it is popular with politicians. Gujarat remains a dry state while Kerala, Tamil Nadu are moving towards this form of competitive populism. Haryana and undivided Andhra Pradesh flirted with and abandoned it, having failed in implementation.

So in order to differentiate himself from the crowd, Kumar must do something different with prohibition to create a unique identity. For instance, bringing a law so draconian that it infringes on the fundamental rights of citizens, gives sweeping powers to law-enforcing authorities, proposes ridiculously tough penalties and has provisions that could be easily misused to harass innocents.

The scary part is, Bihar has already passed such a law largely avoiding media scrutiny. And the most bizarre aspect of the new law is that it keeps outside its ambit toddy, the country-made staple of poor tipplers prone to high contamination and responsible for most alcohol-related deaths and related social ills.

Kumar had initially banned country booze from 1 April this year with the Bihar Excise (Amendment) Act, 2016. Within a few days, he expanded it by outlawing Indian Made Foreign Liquor  which means just about everything else.

However, to plug some legal and penal loopholes, the Nitish Kumar government brushed aside all political opposition from BJP and also enormous dissent within his party and ruling partner Lalu Prasad's RJD to come up with a fresh legislation superseding all earlier Acts by amending the April 1 law. The new law  Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016  is more broad-based, stringent and incomparable with any law in any state. Some of the provisions, as we shall presently note, are scarily excessive.

A report in The Indian Express notes some of the most rigorous provisions. One of those makes all adults responsible for the consumption and possession of liquor at home by any member of the family. The assumption is that all adults must be in the know, and must be held responsible until proven otherwise. All sections of the Act are non-bailable, leaving it solely to the courts to decide based on the circumstances and gravity of individual cases.

PRS Blog, the official blog of independent research initiative PRS Legislative Research that works with MPs across party lines to provide research support on legislative and policy issues, has done a detailed analysis of the Bill and finds that some of these provisions may violate Article 14 and Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Some of the key features highlighted by PRS are:

If a person is found to have committed any offence under the Bill (which has since been passed), any authorised person (such as the District Collector, Excise Officer, and Superintendent of Police) may take action against the offender by arresting him without a warrant. In addition, the premises where alcohol is found, or any place where it is being sold, may be sealed.

Family members and occupants as offenders: For illegal manufacture, possession or consumption of alcohol by a person, the Bill holds family members of the person criminally liable. Family means husband, wife and their dependent children. Also owner and occupants of a land or a building, where such illegal acts are taking place.

The Bill presumes that the family members, owner and occupants of the building or land ought to have known that an illegal act is taking place. In all such cases, the Bill prescribes a punishment of at least 10 years of imprisonment, and a fine of at least one lakh rupees.

The research initiative finds that some provisions may violate Article 14 and Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Article 14 of the Constitution provides that no person will be denied equality before law. This protects individuals from any arbitrary actions of the state. [1] It may be argued that imposing criminal liability on (i) family members and (ii) owner or occupants of the building, for the action of another person is arbitrary in nature.

Article 21 of the Constitution states that no person can be deprived of their life and personal liberty, except according to procedure established by law. Courts have interpreted this to mean that any procedure established by law should be fair and reasonable.[2] It needs to be examined whether presuming that (i) family members of an offender, and (ii) owner or occupant of the building knew about the offence, and making them criminally liable, is reasonable.

And strangely, while effecting these harsh changes in anti-liquor law, Kumar did spectacular U-turn on toddy, presumably under pressure from alliance partner Lalu Prasad. Toddy will continue to be sold and consumed from 100m to 200m away from markets and public places in accord with a 1991 provision brought by the then Lalu Prasad government.

Noted journalist Shekhar Gupta, in a column for Business Standard, writes: "So if your teenage kid hid someplace and tippled without you even knowing, you would be spanked tooIf you are a house-owner you will really appreciate the unprecedented new power, in fact a legal responsibility, to "report" if a tenant drinks. Think: are you doubling my rent, or I place that Old Monk bottle in your home while you are away and call the police?"

While opposition parties have criticised the amendments as 'draconian' and 'Tughlaqi', legal experts have said at least a dozen of the provisions are legally untenable. The Indian Express quotes Dinu Kumar, senior advocate at Patna High Court, as saying: "How can all family members be made responsible for offence by one? It contravenes the fundamental rights to liberty and freedom. Are family members of a rapist, murderer or terrorist made responsible? The law will face a big legal test."

Quite apart from challenges with implementation, with reports coming in of an entire village in Sheikhpura district set to face penal action for violating provisions of the new law, there are worries related to return of licence raj. Kumar will face a shortfall in revenue, hitting many of his social sector schemes while bootlegging will increase, liquor mafias will distribute spurious liquor and a complicit police will pocket some extra cash.

But that is a small price to pay for ambition.
Will Smith, who plays the assassin Deadshot in the new movie Suicide Squad has a new target: Republican Party Nominee Mr Donald Trump.

Talking about the inspiration for his role, Smith spoke to Access Hollywood about the mental transformation he had to go through to play a bad guy. He joked about how he was inspired by Trump, "What makes someone evil is they don't think they are evil... They actually think it's okay to call a woman a fat pig on television. They think it's OK."

Smith was referring to Trump calling Rosie ODonnell a 'fat pig' during a republican debate.

In another interview published by news.com.au he further commented on the incident stating, For a man to be able to publicly refer to a woman as a fat pig, that makes me teary. And for people to applaud, that is absolutely f**king insanity to me. My grandmother would have smacked my teeth out of my head if I had referred to a woman as a fat pig.

He further added, "If one of my sons  I am getting furious just thinking about it  if one of my sons said that in a public place, they couldn't even live in my house anymore."

He also talked about the rising wave of xenophobia while promoting Suicide Squad, emphasizing on the importance of leaders to help people remain calm and collected. Trump, in his opinion adds to the xenophobia instead of helping people overcome it.

Some other recipients of Trump's misogynist rants include the likes of Arianna Huffington, Bette Midler and of course his rival Hilary Clinton.

The Suicide Squad star also highlighted other offensive comments made by Trump, but his views on women were "such an absolute illustration of a darkness of his soul."

But Smith stated that he is confident that Trump won't be elected President because he says, I have faith in America. America has had really critical times but the good (people) tend to make their way to the top.
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is likely to meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi on Monday to discuss the situation in Kashmir.

Mehbooba left for Delhi this afternoon and is likely to meet Singh to discuss the unrest in Kashmir in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces last month, PDP sources said.

Reacting to the development, opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said Mehbooba has finally given up the "business as usual act".

"So @MehboobaMufti has finally given up on her 'business as usual' act and rushed to Delhi instead. The amazing thing is that it's taken 31 days and more than 50 deaths to finally 'disturb' the Chief Minister," Omar wrote on twitter.

So @MehboobaMufti has finally given up on her "business as usual" act & rushed to Delhi instead. https://t.co/Z9GYRp3KBp  Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) August 8, 2016

The amazing thing is that it's taken 31 days & more than 50 deaths to finally "disturb" the Chief Minister.  Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) August 8, 2016

As many as 55 persons including two police personnel have been killed and several thousand others injured in the violent protests since July 9.
New Delhi: Urging the Prime Minister to break his silence on the deteriorating situation in Kashmir, Opposition in Rajya Sabha led by Congress on Monday demanded initiation of a political process to defuse the crisis that has led to an unprecedented 30 days of curfew across the Valley.

The Opposition parties also demanded stopping the use of pellet guns on protesters, even as one member demanded the withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFPSA) from the Kashmir Valley and withdrawal of the dominating presence of army from civilian areas.

Raising the issue in Zero Hour after his notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business to discuss the issue was disallowed, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said no state in independent India has seen 30 days of continuous curfew that has paralysed the administration, shut down educational institutions and led to near zero attendance in government offices.

"In such circumstances, we want to awaken the government... We feel the government and the Prime Minister are watching the situation deteriorate like a silent spectator," he said, adding he wanted to know why Modi has spoken on the grave situation in Kashmir so far.

"Hindustan ka Taj jal raha hai, par uski garmi Delhi tak nahi pahuchti (India's crown is burning but the heat hasn't yet reached Delhi)," Azad said.

Over 8,000 people, including security personnel, have been injured while 410 eye surgeries and 1,650 other surgeries are reported to have been done because of the use of pellet guns on protesters, he said.

Observing that 1018 incidents have been reported, he said over 1,000 youth are in prison. "Please do not consider this as a law and order issue," Azad told the government.

Citing social media comments on Modi not making any statement on the Kashmir unrest, he said people are eager to listen to his views on the situation.

He asked the Prime Minister to call an all-party meeting where political leaders can offer solutions and express their sympathy with the people of Kashmir. This should be followed up with an all-party delegation visiting Kashmir to assuage the feeling, the senior Congress leader added.

Expressing anguish and pain at the continuous 30-day curfew, Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) said there was nothing working in the Valley except armed forces.

"More than 1000 incidents of firing have happened. More than 8000 are injured and 60 dead," he said describing the use of pellet guns and "inhuman" and "criminal".

Stating that even Israel does not use pellet guns against Palestinians, he said the situation cannot be solved by law and order machinery.

"Our remaining silent is deepening the alienation of the Kashmiris," Yechury said, adding "we have heard the silence of the Prime Minister (on Kashmir). His silence is more eloquent than words."

The Prime Minister's silence is "sending a message that this government does not care," he said, adding that an all-party delegation's visit in 2010, when 120 people had died in stone pelting and retaliatory action by police, had helped assuage the feelings of the people there.

"Why can't we do this now," he asked and demanded that the Prime Minister should respond and start the process of diologue.

Describing the situation in Kashmir as alarming, D Raja (CPI) said to de-escalate the situation, the use of pellet guns should be stopped forthwith and AFPSA repealed.

Also, the "dreaded midnight knocks" should be stopped as well as the dominating presence of the army in civilian areas should be reduced and security forces be withdrawn, he said.

"Government should initiate political process to win the minds of the people, win confidence of people," Raja said.

Neeraj Shekhar (SP) said 60 youths have been killed in Kashmir, yet there was no statement from the Home Minister and Prime Minister on the issue.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, he said, went to Kashmir but could not meet everyone. He should have taken senior leaders of political parties on his visit.

Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said the silence of government on the issue was painful and demanded Prime Minister make a statement.

"Is issue par bhayanak shanti hai (there is dreadful peace on the issue)," he said.

Stating that the government is committed to peace and tranquility in Kashmir, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said there should be no doubts about the government's commitment towards the state.

The government, he said, was open to discussion on the Kashmir situation and it can be scheduled on Tuesday or on Wednesday.

Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said since the House wants the discussion today, "if possible, do it tomorrow."

"Government has admitted readiness for discussion," he told the members.
In November last year, Paris suffered its biggest terrorist attack in modern history when 130 people died in a series of shootings and bombings across the city. The mastermind of the attack, a Belgian national Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was suspected to have travelled to Syria in the past. All of his accomplices were nationals of the European Union. The following month, an American couple of Pakistani origin, Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, killed 14 people in a shooting in the Californian city of San Bernardino. No direct ties to any extremist group were found  beyond evidence of self-radicalisation.

A nightclub in Orlando, Florida, was attacked by an American of Afghan descent in June this year, the biggest mass-shooting in US history. The attacker, Omar Mateen, was troubled though not having shown in any overt signs of being radicalised. He pledged allegiance to Islamic State head  and self-proclaimed caliph  Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi only during a call to an emergency line during the shooting.

Paris, San Bernardino, Orlando, Dhaka, Nice. What connects them, beyond the fact that all of the attackers had  in one way or another  operated under the IS banner? Are they, as the media is fond of saying, lone wolves, whose actions are being cleverly coopted by the IS? Or are they proverbial pawns in IS' grand strategy? What is IS' grand strategy? The answers to these questions may lie in the writings of one man, Abu Musab al-Suri  a Syrian national with Spanish citizenship who was once described by a journalist as resembling an Irish pub patron. Al-Suri is now in a prison in Syria, having been rendered there by the CIA after he was captured in Quetta, Pakistan, in 2005. His ideas, on the other hand, are very much at play.

Indeed, tracing through al-Suris writings from around the time he was an Al-Qaeda affiliate, we find a remarkable link between his strategic theory  to which Al-Qaeda never quite warmed up  and the relatively-later phenomenon of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria that morphed into the IS we know today.

The intellectual jihadist

Mustafa bin Abd al-Qadir Setmariam Nasar  known through a combination of kunya and nom de guerre as Abu Musab al-Suri (father of Musab, the Syrian)  was born in Aleppo, Syria in 1958. He began his career as an Islamist militant in the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood  deeply influenced by the writings of Egyptian Islamist ideologue Sayyid Qutb. In the 1980s, al-Suri moved to Europe and settled in Spain, eventually obtaining Spanish citizenship through marriage to a Spanish converted to Islam. Like many Islamist militants of that time, al-Suri participated in the Afghan jihad, and established a link with Osama bin Laden.

In fact, bin Ladens first interview to a western television channel  conducted by Peter Bergen of CNN in 1997  was facilitated by al-Suri. Bergen came out of this experience deeply impressed by al-Suri, admitting that he came to admire his intellect. Al-Suri was something of an autodidact intellectual, intimately familiar with western classical music. His affection for his Spanish wife  contrast this with the dour nature of most Islamists  was something that struck his acquaintances. Al-Suri was not your average Islamist.

While al-Suri was an Al-Qaeda man, his strategic weltanschauung was to diverge with that of Al-Qaedas in significant ways. He was to also become increasingly contemptuous of bin Laden  something he shared with the grandfather of the IS, the Jordanian Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi. By all accounts, al-Suri had a tremendous influence on al-Zarqawi. After the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, al-Suri produced his opus  a 1,600-page book called Global Islamic Resistance Call. This remarkable book outlined his vision for Al-Qaeda 2.0 based on historical lessons learnt, as well as on a close reading of western geopolitics and military strategy. IS was to own up to this Al-Qaeda strategists work, as seen by an (unattributed) summa of the same in the first issue of the groups flagship journal Dabiq.

The grand strategy of global jihad

The first such lesson was the tenuous nature of traditional centralised secret-hierarchical terrorist outfits. Al-Suri had brought up this point in a lecture at an Al-Qaeda training camp. As he put it, in such organisations, if one member is caught, then all others are too, since  by definition of such outfits  each member can be linked to every other member. The need, according to al-Suri, was a system, not organisation. A key component of this putative resistance system would be individuals who would commit to nothing other than to believe in the ideas, be absolutely certain in his intention, join the call, and educate himself and those around him, while at the same time pledging allegiance to the system  the tactic of, in al-Suris terminology  individual-terrorism jihad.

The link between the system and the individual, according to al-Suri, would consist of a common aim, a common name, and a common doctrinal jihadi programme. This is precisely what the relationship of the San Bernardino attackers or the Orlando attacker was to IS. It turns out that social media, in effect, facilitated the practical implementation of al-Suris theory.

But al-Suri recognised that the focus of the resistance call would be the consolidation of physical territory, the second lesson. He considers the greatest loss from the 11 September, 2001 attacks to be not the destruction of the extant Al-Qaeda but the expulsion of the Taliban as rulers of Afghanistan, which meant that the group didnt have a consolidated physical shelter. This territory  Al-Qaeda (the base)  would also, according to al-Suri, be the front for a head-on military confrontation with the adversary. Al-Suri ruled out most of West Asia, Central Asia and Africa, as suitable for the establishment of the base that would be the focal point of a putative Islamic State. He singled out  and it is important to remember that he was writing before the US invasion of Iraq in 2003  the Levant and Iraq as possessing suitable features for an open-front jihad. Al-Suri also calculated that, sooner than later, the US and its allies would invade Syria, which would give the vanguards of the physical base there tremendous advantage in an asymmetric conflict.

The final lesson that al-Suri drew was the need to structure the resistance call in a de-centralised way that would mesh individual-terrorism jihad with the strategic goal of open-front/territorial jihad. He proposes an organisation with three concentric circles. The innermost circle (centred around an emir or a putative caliph) would be the leadership circle. This is necessarily organisationally-centralised and physically located in the same place (in case of IS, Raqqa in Syria). This circle lies inside a circle of de-centralised units, comprising jihadis who are directly trained and then spread across the world. Finally, there is the outer circle  the Dawah circle, in al-Suris jargon  which would be made up of individuals like the San Bernardino couple, or the Nice attacker. While individuals and units in the inner two circles are allowed to communicate with each other and within themselves, such is not the case for communication with the outer circle  where individuals and units operate autonomously and yet, in sync with the larger organisational priorities.

Blinded by apparently nihilistic violence, it can often be tempting to dismiss IS as a group without any overarching strategic vision. Part of this denial is psychological: To accept that the group may indeed have a grand strategy, may feel like giving IS too much credit. And yet, the fact of the matter is that the writings of post-9/11 jihadi theorists reveal a remarkably sophisticated understanding of the means and ends of global jihad  IS (as 'Al-Qaeda 2.0') indeed has a strategy for its present and future.

Just ask al-Suri.

The author is a fellow at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), New Delhi. This article is based on the authors research paper, The Strategist: How Abu Musab al-Suri Inspired ISIS, published by ORF. He tweets @AbhijnanRej
Tehran: Iran executed a nuclear scientist convicted of spying for the United States, an official said Sunday, acknowledging for the first time that the nation secretly detained and tried a man who was once heralded as a hero.

Shahram Amiri defected to the US at the height of Western efforts to thwart Iran's nuclear programme. When he returned in 2010, he was welcomed with flowers by government leaders and even went on the Iranian talk-show circuit. Then he mysteriously disappeared.

He was hanged the same week that Tehran executed a group of militants, a year after Iran agreed to a landmark accord to limit uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Amiri first vanished in 2009 while on a religious pilgrimage to Muslim holy sites in Saudi Arabia. A year later, he reappeared in a series of contradictory online videos filmed in the US He then walked into the Iranian-interests section at the Pakistani Embassy in Washington and demanded to be sent home.

In interviews, he described being kidnapped and held against his will by Saudi and American spies. US officials said he was to receive millions of dollars for his help in understanding Iran's nuclear program.

Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejehi said Amiri "had access to the country's secret and classified information" and "had been linked to our hostile and No. 1 enemy, America, the Great Satan".

The spokesman told journalists that Amiri had been tried in a death-penalty case that was upheld by an appeals court. He did not explain why authorities never announced the conviction, though he said Amiri had access to lawyers.

News about Amiri, born in 1977, has been scant since his return to Iran. Last year, his father told the BBC's Farsi-language service that his son had been held at a secret site. Ejehi said Amiri's family mistakenly believed he received a 10-year prison sentence.

On Tuesday, Iran announced it had executed a number of criminals, describing them mainly as militants from the country's Kurdish minority. Then an obituary notice for Amiri circulated in his hometown of Kermanshah, a city some 500 kilometers (310 miles) southwest of Tehran, according to the Iranian pro-reform daily newspaper Shargh.

Manoto, a private satellite television channel based in London believed to be run by those who back Iran's ousted shah, reported Saturday that Amiri had been executed. BBC Farsi also quoted Amiri's mother saying her son's neck bore ligature marks suggesting he had been hanged by the state.

The Associated Press could not immediately reach Amiri's family.

His disappearance came as Western countries stepped up their efforts to impede Iran's nuclear program under the government of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The US actively tried to recruit nuclear scientists to defect. Later, four Iranian nuclear scientists were assassinated between 2010 and 2012, and Iran blamed the slayings on Israel and the West.

The Stuxnet computer virus, widely believed to be a joint US-Israeli creation, disrupted thousands of centrifuges at a uranium enrichment facility in Iran.

In June 2010, a shaky online video emerged of Amiri saying he had been kidnapped by American and Saudi agents and was in Tucson, Arizona.

A short time later, he appeared in a professionally shot online video near a chess set, saying he wanted to earn a doctorate in America and return to Iran if an "opportunity of safe travel" presented itself. His wife and son remained behind in Iran.

"I have not done any activity against my homeland," he said. But soon, another clip contradicted that, and he appeared at the Pakistani Embassy.

Hillary Clinton, who was then the secretary of state, stressed that Amiri had been in America "of his own free will."

"He is free to go," she said.

US officials at the time told the AP that Amiri was paid $5 million to offer the CIA information about Iran's nuclear program, though he left the country without the money. They said Amiri, who ran a radiation-detection program in Iran, travelled to the US and stayed there for months by choice.

Analysts abroad suggested Iranian authorities may have threatened Amiri's family back in Iran, forcing him to return.

On his return from the US, Amiri was greeted at airport by high-ranking government officials and was invited to TV talk shows where he explained how he bypassed a US trap to get home. Many newspapers published accounts of his return on their front pages and some suggested a movie be made from his story.

He said Saudi and American officials had kidnapped him while he visited the Saudi holy city of Medina. He also said Israeli agents were present at his interrogations and that that CIA officers offered him $50 million to remain in America.

"I was under the harshest mental and physical torture," he said.

Amiri's case indirectly found its way back into the spotlight in the US last year with the release of State Department emails sent and received by Clinton, now the Democratic presidential candidate. The release of those emails came amid criticism of Clinton's use of a private account and server that has persisted into her campaign against Republican candidate Donald Trump.

An email forwarded to Clinton by senior adviser Jake Sullivan on 5 July, 2010  just nine days before Amiri returned to Tehran  appears to reference the scientist.

"We have a diplomatic, 'psychological' issue, not a legal one. Our friend has to be given a way out," the email by Richard Morningstar, a former State Department special envoy for Eurasian energy, read. "Our person won't be able to do anything anyway. If he has to leave, so be it."

Another email, sent by Sullivan on 12 July, 2010, appears to obliquely refer to the scientist just hours before his appearance at the Pakistani Embassy became widely known.

"The gentleman ... has apparently gone to his country's interests section because he is unhappy with how much time it has taken to facilitate his departure," Sullivan wrote. "This could lead to problematic news stories in the next 24 hours."
Dallas: The family of a Muslim boy who was arrested after bringing a homemade clock to school filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Texas school officials and others, saying they violated the 14-year-old boy's civil rights.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Ahmed Mohamed, who was arrested at his suburban Dallas high school in September and charged with having a hoax bomb. He says he brought the homemade digital clock to school to show his teacher.

Irving police later dropped the charge, but he was still suspended.

The lawsuit names Irving Independent School District, the city of Irving and the school's principal. District spokeswoman Lesley Weaver said in a statement Monday that attorneys for the district will review the suit and determine a course of action.

"Irving ISD continues to deny violating the student's rights and will respond to claims in accordance with court rules," she said, adding that school officials for now will have no further comment.

The Mohamed family questioned whether the boy was mistreated due to his religion but the district has denied the claim.

The family has since moved to Qatar, citing threats and a scholarship offered to Ahmed in the Persian Gulf country. Ahmed moved back to the US last month for the summer to visit family and friends, and will do some travelling around the country.

Among the claims made in the suit, which was brought by the teen's father, Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed, is that the boy's right to equal protection under the law was violated and that officers arrested him without probable cause.

Ahmed was a victim of systemic discrimination by the school district and state Board of Education that has marginalised Muslims and other minority groups, the suit claims.

"History tells us that when we have stood tall and proud for equality and freedom, we have grown as a nation," the suit says. "When we have given in to fear and hate, we flounder."

The suit adds, "In the case of Ahmed Mohamed, we have the opportunity to take a stand for equality and for justice, two things that should prevail above all else."

Ahmed's story brought an outpouring of support from President Barack Obama, other political leaders, corporate executives and Nasa scientists.
2000 - 2022   24 .-   .       focus-news.net,                 () .                  24 .                 24      .       .       24 .
Qualcomm has signed a 3G/4G China Patent License Agreement with vivo. Under the terms of the agreement, Qualcomm has granted vivo a royalty-bearing patent license to develop, manufacture and sell 3G WCDMA and CDMA2000 and 4G LTE (including 3-mode GSM, TD-SCDMA and LTE-TDD) complete devices for use in China.

The royalties payable by vivo are consistent with the terms of the rectification plan submitted by Qualcomm to Chinas National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). Just last week, Qualcomm signed a similar deal with Chinese handset maker Oppo. Last year, the chipmaker inked a similar deal with QiKu, Haier and Tianyu in December and with Lenovo in February this year.

Alex Rogers, senior vice president and general manager, Qualcomm Technology Licensing said,

Qualcomm is committed to the continued success of Chinas wireless industry. We are pleased to sign a new licensing agreement with vivo that builds on our long standing relationship. It is exciting to see our technology enabling many large Chinese mobile device manufacturers such as vivo to become successful global players.

Shi Yujian, vice president of vivo, said,

This license agreement will allow us to have access to the latest technologies from Qualcomm and will enable us to continue to create innovative and high-quality devices for our customers. vivo has closely collaborated with Qualcomm in China and globally throughout the years. We have worked together on some of the popular vivo devices such as X7, X7Plus and Xplay5. vivo competes with innovation at its core, and holds high regard and respect for intellectual property rights.
LeEco has announced that its Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jia Yueting has become the Chairman of the Board and the Nominating Committee of Coolpad . This news comes after LeEco acquired 11% stake of the telecommunication equipment vendor Coolpad, to become its largest shareholder with a total of 28.9% stake.

Both the companies will jointly introduce a new smartphone called the Cool 1 on August 16 at an event in Beijing, they confirmed on weibo . The smartphone will come with dual rear cameras and feature a fingerprint sensor on the back. The phone is rumored to pack a 5.5-inch Quad HD screen, powered by a Snapdragon 820 processor, come with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, run Android 6.0 Marshmallow and pack a 3,500mAh built-in battery. It also surfaced on TENAA recently.

Jia said LeEco and Coolpad will adopt a dual-brand strategy, where the two brands co-exist and target at different market segments. The two will also collaborate extensively in resources sharing, business development as well as technology research. The dual-brand strategy will be applicable to LeEco and VIZIO as well for the development of TV ecosystem, following the US$2 billion acquisition of the pioneering American TV manufacturer on July 26th.

LeEco said that it has sold 700,000 units in India in six months. LeEco said that the Cool 1 smartphone is designed for the youth generation.
The archetypal character of the oil baron is nearly always characterized by some combination of greed, callousness, and a raging ego.

In this segment from Industry Focus: Energy, Motley Fool analysts Sean O'Reilly and Taylor Muckerman look at five reasons -- from a long-established history to macro-economic trends today -- why we love stories about cut-and-dried terrible oil barons.

A full transcript follows the video.

This podcast was recorded on Aug. 4, 2016.

Sean O'Reilly: So, why do you think we hate oil barons? This is a constant theme.



Taylor Muckerman: Yeah. I guess, everybody hates them except for The Beverly Hillbillies. They were probably the one oil family that wasn't evil.



O'Reilly: Oh my gosh, how could I forget?



Muckerman: Because they weren't evil, they were just...



O'Reilly: Crazy.



Muckerman: It was just dumb luck. Shooting possums out there.



O'Reilly: [laughs] In Beverly Hills!



Muckerman: Striking oil.



O'Reilly: What do they do? They hit oil, then they get in the crappy car and drive to California?



Muckerman: Yeah, they make it big. Can't forget your roots, Sean.



O'Reilly: No, you can't.



Muckerman: I don't know why they think all oilmen are evil. Maybe because a lot of it has been dumb luck, and these people just become instantly rich who weren't necessarily business-minded. They just found oil and turned it into gold, essentially.



O'Reilly: I also think, because, you remember a couple years ago, when gas prices were going up and giving $4 a high five, everybody was grumbling. The bottom line is, we need oil/gasoline to run our civilization right now, and whenever it goes up in price, people are like, "Oh, those evil oilmen, they're sticking it to us."



Muckerman: That might be why, yeah.



O'Reilly: Because it's so essential, that's basically what I'm saying.



Muckerman: Yeah. Especially back in the day, more energy, more power came from oil. Now, you have to go to developing countries to look at oil as an energy source. But, clearly, people need it to drive and get around, in the United States especially.



O'Reilly: Yeah. Completely a side note, but I wanted to mention this to you because we're here and it popped into my mind -- I just flew to Indianapolis International Airport; that's where I was last week. And there's always tons of land that's unused around airports, and it was completely filled with solar panels now. It was awesome.



Muckerman: Were they for the airport?



O'Reilly: Yes. I can't begin to tell you how many stinking solar panels there were. It was...



Muckerman: Did you happen to see a sign of who put them there?



O'Reilly: No. I probably should have -- was it SunPower, or... I'll do market research next time I'm in Indiana. I have another theory that I wanted to share with our listeners. I think it goes all the way back to your friend and mine, John D. Rockefeller.



Muckerman: Would there be an oil industry in America without him?



O'Reilly: No, because at its peak, Standard Oil controlled, like, 92% of the market here in the U.S. No one has ever come close.



Muckerman: ExxonMobil (XOM 2.60%) is --



O'Reilly: It is a fraction of what was once Standard Oil. And ExxonMobil is a $360 --



Muckerman: But wasn't it spun out of -- well, not Exxon and --



O'Reilly: Yeah. Exxon was Standard Oil of New Jersey. Mobil was Standard Oil of -- I'm butchering this and I'm sorry -- Louisiana or something.



Muckerman: Some other state, yeah.



O'Reilly: And they eventually merged. BP (BP -0.62%) bought what was once Standard Oil of Ohio.



Muckerman: You know you're a monopoly when you have to get broken up by state.



O'Reilly: Yeah. You had Teddy Roosevelt in there doing his trust busting. Rockefeller was the poster child for this. You had Ida Tarbell writing History of the Standard Oil Corporation [Company], which, of course, contributed to the case for breaking it up and antitrust legislation. Fun fact our listeners may not be aware of: Ida Tarbell's dad was put out of business by Rockefeller back in the day, and that is why she hated --



Muckerman: It was a little bit of revenge, huh?



O'Reilly: Yeah. He had a refinery and he just got run into the ground by Rockefeller.



Muckerman: Interesting. The power of the word.



O'Reilly: So, you have that. What did you say to me when we were brainstorming? You were like, "Oil execs are not doing themselves any favors." Then I mentioned that, after the Deepwater Horizon spill that BP experienced, CEO Tony Hayward took that little sailing trip -- right after.



Muckerman: Yeah, why not? Had to clear his head. Lot of pressure.



O'Reilly: Like, dude, don't do that. [laughs]



Muckerman: Well, it was probably already planned. He didn't want to have to pay the fee to break his tickets. Who knows?



O'Reilly: I don't know. There are certain responsibilities a CEO has when things go bad.



Muckerman: He was probably sailing to check on other rigs, Sean.



O'Reilly: Yeah [laughs]...in a catamaran.



Muckerman: Well, you have to get there quickly.



O'Reilly: Fine. [laughs]



Muckerman: Come on.



O'Reilly: You, of course, had Andy Hall, the oil trader who made a $230 million bonus as part of Citigroup (C 1.65%) during the financial crisis. That totally went over well. Jean Paul Getty, he was always wacky. It's kind of like, we need a villain in culture, and often that's business in America.



Muckerman: Yeah. Even though that's the American Dream, it's vilified when you get too big.

O'Reilly: That's actually a good point.



Muckerman: If you dream too big, your dreams become other people's nightmares.



O'Reilly: You flew too close to the sun. [laughs]



Muckerman: Exactly right.
Image source: Getty Images

If you leave a job, or retire, you'll have a decision to make in regards to your 401(k). You can leave your account alone, transfer it to your new employer, cash it out, or roll it over into an IRA. Here's what rolling over your 401(k) could do for your retirement planning, and whether or not it could be the best move for you.

What does it mean to roll over your 401(k)?

In a nutshell, rolling over your 401(k) means moving your retirement assets into another account, typically a traditional IRA. You can roll over your 401(k) into a Roth IRA, but unless the contributions were originally made on an after-tax basis, doing so can result in a pretty hefty tax bill.

A 401(k) and traditional rollover IRA have some similar features. For example, contributions are made on a tax-deferred basis, which means that you won't have to worry about capital gains or dividend taxes on every year -- you simply count your withdrawals as taxable income. And, with both account types, you can take money out penalty-free after you turn 59-1/2 years old.

There are a few advantages to rolling over that you should be aware of. Perhaps the most significant is the increase in available investment choices. While most 401(k) plans have a selection of investment funds to choose from -- perhaps a dozen or two -- with a rollover IRA you can choose to invest in any mutual funds, stocks, or bonds you want. If you want to put some of your retirement savings in say, Apple stock, you are free to do just that. Or, if you want to continue to invest in funds and leave your retirement saving on auto-pilot, you can do that too. Plus, you can shop around for funds and might even be able to find lower-cost options to invest in.

Additionally, IRAs have some different ways than 401(k)s to use your money earlier without paying the IRS a penalty. Most notably, you can use up to $10,000 for a first-time home purchase or any amount for college expenses at any time, regardless of your age.

Other options

Now that we've seen an overview of what it means to roll over your 401(k), let's take a look at the other three options available.

1. Cash it out-- This is rarely, if ever, a good idea. Unless you're suffering an extreme financial hardship and have no other options, it's not a good idea to withdraw your retirement savings. For one thing, you'll have to pay taxes and penalties, which depending on your tax bracket can easily take 35% or more of your money. And, you'll effectively be robbing your future self. Just as an example, if you're 35 years old and have $25,000 in your 401(k), cashing it out would give you $16,250 assuming you're in the 25% tax bracket. On the other hand, leaving that amount invested until you're 65 could result in an account value of more than $190,000, based on 7% annualized returns. That seems like a no-brainer to me.

2. Leave it alone-- As long as your account's value is greater than a certain threshold, you're allowed to leave your money invested in your former employer's plan. And, if you're happy with your 401(k)'s performance and investment options, there's nothing wrong with doing this. I'd suggest at least comparing the fees charged by your plan's fund options with some alternatives, but this is a completely valid option. It's also worth mentioning that there are some advantages to a 401(k) over an IRA, such as the ability to borrow money from your account and the ability to get penalty-free withdrawals after age 55 if you're no longer working, as opposed to waiting until 59-1/2 with an IRA.

3. Combine it with your new employer's plan-- If your new employer offers a 401(k), chances are good that you have the ability to move your old 401(k) into your new plan. Doing so can make perfect sense, as it can be convenient to keep all of your retirement savings in the same place. Before doing so, compare the fees charged by your new plan's fund options with your old ones. If your old plan is cheaper, it's probably best not to transfer the funds.

Who should roll over?

Simply put, you should consider rolling over your 401(k) if the benefits of an IRA outweigh those of a 401(k) for your personal situation. Specifically, if the idea of researching, choosing, and managing your own investments appeals to you, or if you'd like to use some of the money to pay for your first house or send your kids to college, a rollover IRA could be the best option for you.

On the other hand, if you don't have the time or desire to invest your retirement savings, or prefer some of the advantages of 401(k) plans I mentioned, there's nothing wrong with leaving your account alone or moving it into your new employer's plan. The most important point is to leave it invested. Whatever you do, don't cash out unless you have no other alternative.

The $15,834 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $15,834 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after.Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies.

Matthew Frankel owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool has the following options: long January 2018 $90 calls on Apple and short January 2018 $95 calls on Apple. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Image source: Getty Images.

Millions of Americans switch jobs every year, and that can be a good thing for those who move up the ranks to positions of better pay and more responsibility. But there's a potential downside to mobility: the forgotten 401(k).

The more frequently workers hop around, the greater the chance they will leave behind 401(k) accounts that might be neglected or even lost over time. From 2005 through 2014, more than 25 million employees have kept at least one retirement account with a previous employer, and millions of workers have left two or more, according to Social Security Administration.

It's easy to lose track of 401(k) accounts if you don't take them with you. As the years go by, companies might be restructured, sold, or go out of business. As a result, their 401(k) plans might get folded or merged. At the same time, employees might change their contact information and fail to update a past employer.

"I've seen it happen," said Mike Piper, a CPA and the author of the blog Oblivious Investor. "People change jobs, they never roll over [their retirement accounts], and they don't know where their money is."

Leaving money behind can make sense, but out of sight shouldn't be out of mind

It might make sense for you to keep your 401(k) with a past employer if you're happy with your investment options and are comfortable with the fees associated with your plan.

If you choose to leave your retirement account behind, it's important to monitor your investments and be sure they match your goals and risk tolerance, as these are considerations that might change over time.

And make sure your plan has your current contact information and that you stay on top of your past employer's status, writes Jeanne Medeiros, director of the Pension Action Center at the University of Massachusetts Boston. You'll want to know if they have merged with a new company, or are facing financial difficulties.

If you aren't up to the task of keeping up with the former account, it's important to note that you do have other options, including rolling over your 401(k) to your 401(k) account with your new employer or to an individual retirement account (IRA).

Sometimes employers will call the shots for you

Keep in mind, if you don't stay active in monitoring your retirement accounts, then a past employer might make decisions on your behalf.

If you have less than $5,000 in a previous employer's retirement savings plan, and you don't indicate what you want done with the money, then a plan can roll over your money into an IRA -- a move that may or may not make sense for you. And if you have less than $1,000 in your account, then a plan can simply write you a check. This could trigger taxes and penalties.

The bottom line: "It's your money," Piper said. "It's up to you to make sure you know where it is and that it's invested appropriately."

Have you lost track of a 401(k)? Here are some tips for tracking it down

If you lose track of your 401(k), you might need to do some hunting to find it.

A good place to start is with your former employer. Contact the human resources or accounting department and be ready to provide your Social Security number and your period of employment.

Most employers are required to file an annual report on their 401(k) plans -- ERISA Form 5500 -- with the Department of Labor. Using the name of your past employer, you can do a free search for those filings on efsast.dol.gov, a search engine run by the Department of Labor.

A plan's Form 5500 will provide the identity of the plan's service providers, said Richard McHugh, vice president of Washington affairs for the Plan Sponsor Council of America, which represents employers who sponsor 401(k) plans.

In some cases a 401(k) plan might be abandoned or "orphaned." This might happen because the plan sponsor has filed for bankruptcy, or a company's owner has died or been jailed.

The Department of Labor runs an Abandoned Plan database. This site helps plan participants learn if a plan is in the process of being shuttered or has already been terminated. You can search the site for the name and contact information for a "Qualified Termination Administrator" -- a custodian, such as a bank or insurance company, that might have been assigned to terminate the plan. You can then contact this party and seek help in finding your lost retirement account.

An Alert Investor is a smarter investor.

The $15,834 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $15,834 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after.Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies.

This article originally appeared at The Alert Investor.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
He'll drink your milkshake, and liquidate an entire city's economy for access to the well it's built on...

In this clip from Industry Focus: Energy, Taylor Muckerman and Sean O'Reilly list off as many evil or off-their-rocker oil tycoons they can think of from popular culture, and touch on what this bizarre trope means.

A full transcript follows the video.

A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here.

{%video%}

This podcast was recorded on Aug.4, 2016.

Sean O'Reilly:It's pop-culture week here on Industry Focus, and for today's show, we're seeking to answer the eternal question, why are oil barons always the bad guy?Taylor Muckerman:That is a good question. They're not all bad.O'Reilly:You would not know that, looking at pop culture. Actually, I was pretty proud of how you and I prepared for this show. We did a lot of research this week.Muckerman:Well, it's something we don't already know a lot about.O'Reilly:Right. You stepped up to the plate with some of these names. Just going down here, we came up with every evil oil guy or gal or whatever we could think of. I'm sure there's more. And they're not always evil, but they're sometimes just weird. When we came in here, I was thinking about the Texas oil guy in TheSimpsons, with the giant 10-gallon hat, and he's like, "Yee-haw!"Muckerman:You're either evil or you're a big joke.O'Reilly:Yeah, that's the bottom line. And then, of course, there's the other Simpsons episode where there's oil underneath the school, and they have all this money to do education and Mr. Burns steals it all.Muckerman:A nuclear baron.O'Reilly:Perfect, same thing. Actually, we should add that to the list. Anyway. When we were brainstorming for this week, the first guy that came to my mind was Daniel Plainview of There Will Be Blood.Muckerman:Obvious choice, yeah.O'Reilly:"I drink your milkshake." You saw that, right?Muckerman:Yes. I didn't for a while, and I was an energy analyst at Fool.com, and Joel South and Robert Coleman...O'Reilly:Made you watch it? [laughs]Muckerman:...berated me until I watched it. Every week: "Have you watched it?" "No." "Have you watched it? Oh my God, watch it."O'Reilly:It's awesome, but that ending, man. I'm not going to spoil it for anybody, but...hoo boy.Muckerman:Tweet us your thoughts.O'Reilly:Tweet us your thoughts and don't go bowling. The Muppets, that Jason Segel Muppet film that came out in...2011?Muckerman:It was fairly recent.O'Reilly:Yeah. Tex Richman, he's actually the villain.Muckerman:Great name, by the way.O'Reilly:Yeah, points for originality.Muckerman:Low-hanging fruit, there.O'Reilly:Oil was underneath the Muppets' studio, so of course you have to bulldoze it. He's not quite a villain, but he's interesting. J.R. Ewing of Dallas. I never actually watched that, because I was 2. Actually, I was googling for this show, and there's actually a musical artist called Evil Oil Man.Muckerman:Why not? That has to be some Texas cover band.O'Reilly:I think, it's techno-y hipster-type stuff.Muckerman:Oh yeah?O'Reilly:Yeah, it was weird. Elektra King in the Bond film The World Is Not Enough -- it's a horrible film; don't see it -- she kills her father to take over his oil business and then destroys Istanbul to monopolize the oil market.Muckerman:That's no small feat, destroying the biggest city in Europe.O'Reilly:No, it's really tricky, setting off a nuclear weapon and all that.Victor Mattiece in The Pelican Brief. I've never seen that, either. You came up with this one. Do you like Aquamancomic books? How did you find this? [laughs]Muckerman:No, just Google.O'Reilly: Alright. Jordan Wiley is an enemy of Aquaman, and he is, of course, a deep-sea oil driller, which messes up Aquaman's home.Muckerman:Yeah, so they try to destroy his offshore oil rigs.O'Reilly:This character was created in the '80s, but it really hits home with the Deepwater Horizon.Muckerman:I can only imagine how unstable offshore oil rigs were back in the '80s.O'Reilly: Oh, you're right! Has safety improved a bunch since then?Muckerman:Yeah, of course.O'Reilly: That actually hits close to home.Muckerman:And they're not being attacked by a mischievous, mysterious superhero who lives underwater.O'Reilly: And can talk to fish. And, I'm sure there's more, but the other one we came up with was the villain in the animated film Cars 2, who was basically big oil.Muckerman:Big oil vs. renewable energy, yeah.

O'Reilly: Oh dear.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Image source: Howard Hughes Corp.

Condo units at Howard Hughes' (NYSE: HHC) Wards Village project in Hawaii continue to be popular. To date, buyers have snapped up more than 90% of the available units at the company's first two towers. That said, while Wards Village was the highlight of the quarter, it was not the sole driver of the company's success.

Howard Hughes results: the raw numbers

Data source: Howard Hughes Corp.

What happened with Howard Hughes this quarter?

All three of Howard Hughes' operating segments contributed this quarter:

Net operating income from the company's income-producing operating assets was up 27.4%, thanks to the continued stabilization of its properties. The company added new tenants to several properties over the past year, including itsDowntown Summerlin and Hughes Landing retail properties, its ONE Summerlin and Two Hughes Landing office properties, and its One Lakes Edgemultifamily property. In addition to that, it commenced rent collection at two new hospitality properties: The Westin at The Woodlands and Embassy Suites at Hughes Landing.

Land sales closed in the company's master planned community segment slumped 27.6% to $33.9 million. This decline was due in part to a slowdown in residential land sales at The Woodlands community resulting from the impact that low oil prices are having on the Houston housing market. That said, revenue from land sales rose 34.5% to $61.1 million after the company recognized deferred revenue from closings that occurred during prior periods.

Sales of condominium units within the company's strategic development segment were strong, with revenue up 44.6% to $125.1 million.

What management had to say

CEO David Weinreb,commenting on the company's results, said:

Howard Hughes' Wards Village project in Hawaii is an important driver for the company at the moment. The company already has 90.8% of the units in its first tower, Waiea, under contract, with the $403 million project on pace to be complete by the end of the year. Meanwhile, 92.1% of the units at its second tower, Anaha, are under contract, with that $401 million project expected to be complete by the second quarter of next year. The company has two more projects in development as part of the first phase of Wards Village. Construction has already started on Ae'o,which is more than 50% pre-sold and is expected to be complete in late 2018. Meanwhile, Ke Kilohana pre-sales have been robust since starting in March. That said, neither project is far enough along in the process to allow the company to recognize any revenue just yet.

Looking forward

While Wards Village remains one of the most significant growth drivers for Howard Hughes, it is just one of several strategic developments the company currently has underway. This quarter the company highlighted the progress of its Downtown Columbia project. The company is currently constructing One Merriweather, which is a class-A office building that is already 49% leased to a leading regional heathcare provider and is expected to be complete by the end of this year. Additionally, the company plans to start construction of Two Merriweather in the third quarter, with that project already 57.7% leased. Finally, it began construction of a large multi-family project in Columbia earlier this year, and it expects to start renting space next year.

With so many projects under development, Howard Hughes has plenty of visible growth in the pipeline.

A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here.

Matt DiLallo has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Howard Hughes. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 2022 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. FAQ - New Privacy Policy
The archetypal character of the oil baron is nearly always characterized by some combination of greed, callousness, and a raging ego.

In this segment from Industry Focus: Energy, Motley Fool analysts Sean O'Reilly and Taylor Muckerman look at five reasons -- from a long-established history to macro-economic trends today -- why we love stories about cut-and-dried terrible oil barons.

A full transcript follows the video.

A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here.

{%video%}

This podcast was recorded on Aug. 4, 2016.

Sean O'Reilly: So, why do you think we hate oil barons? This is a constant theme.Taylor Muckerman: Yeah. I guess, everybody hates them except for The Beverly Hillbillies. They were probably the one oil family that wasn't evil.O'Reilly: Oh my gosh, how could I forget?Muckerman:Because they weren't evil, they were just...O'Reilly: Crazy.Muckerman:It was just dumb luck. Shooting possums out there.O'Reilly: [laughs] In Beverly Hills!Muckerman:Striking oil.O'Reilly:What do they do? They hit oil, then they get in the crappy car and drive to California?Muckerman:Yeah, they make it big. Can't forget your roots, Sean.O'Reilly: No, you can't.Muckerman:I don't know why they think all oilmen are evil. Maybe because a lot of it has been dumb luck, and these people just become instantly rich who weren't necessarily business-minded. They just found oil and turned it into gold, essentially.O'Reilly: I also think, because, you remember a couple years ago, when gas prices were going up and giving $4 a high five, everybody was grumbling. The bottom line is, we need oil/gasoline to run our civilization right now, and whenever it goes up in price, people are like, "Oh, those evil oilmen, they're sticking it to us."Muckerman:That might be why, yeah.O'Reilly: Because it's so essential, that's basically what I'm saying.Muckerman:Yeah. Especially back in the day, more energy, more power came from oil. Now, you have to go to developing countries to look at oil as an energy source. But, clearly, people need it to drive and get around, in the United States especially.O'Reilly: Yeah. Completely a side note, but I wanted to mention this to you because we're here and it popped into my mind -- I just flew to Indianapolis International Airport; that's where I was last week. And there's always tons of land that's unused around airports, and it was completely filled with solar panels now. It was awesome.Muckerman:Were they for the airport?O'Reilly: Yes. I can't begin to tell you how many stinking solar panels there were. It was...Muckerman: Did you happen to see a sign of who put them there?O'Reilly: No. I probably should have -- was itSunPower, or... I'll do market research next time I'm in Indiana. I have another theory that I wanted to share with our listeners. I think it goes all the way back to your friend and mine, John D. Rockefeller.Muckerman:Would there be an oil industry in America without him?O'Reilly: No, because at its peak,Standard Oil controlled, like, 92% of the market here in the U.S. No one has ever come close.Muckerman:ExxonMobil(NYSE: XOM) is --O'Reilly: It is a fraction of what was once Standard Oil. And ExxonMobil is a $360 --Muckerman:But wasn't it spun out of -- well, not Exxon and --O'Reilly: Yeah. Exxon was Standard Oil of New Jersey.Mobil was Standard Oil of -- I'm butchering this and I'm sorry -- Louisiana or something.Muckerman:Some other state, yeah.O'Reilly: And they eventually merged.BP(NYSE: BP) bought what was once Standard Oil of Ohio.Muckerman:You know you're a monopoly when you have to get broken up by state.O'Reilly: Yeah. You had Teddy Roosevelt in there doing his trust busting. Rockefeller was the poster child for this. You had Ida Tarbell writing History of the Standard Oil Corporation [Company], which, of course, contributed to the case for breaking it up and antitrust legislation. Fun fact our listeners may not be aware of: Ida Tarbell's dad was put out of business by Rockefeller back in the day, and that is why she hated --Muckerman:It was a little bit of revenge, huh?O'Reilly: Yeah. He had a refinery and he just got run into the ground by Rockefeller.Muckerman:Interesting. The power of the word.O'Reilly: So, you have that. What did you say to me when we were brainstorming? You were like, "Oil execs are not doing themselves any favors." Then I mentioned that, after the Deepwater Horizon spill that BP experienced, CEO Tony Hayward took that little sailing trip -- right after.Muckerman:Yeah, why not? Had to clear his head. Lot of pressure.O'Reilly: Like, dude, don't do that. [laughs]Muckerman:Well, it was probably already planned. He didn't want to have to pay the fee to break his tickets. Who knows?O'Reilly: I don't know. There are certain responsibilities a CEO has when things go bad.Muckerman:He was probably sailing to check on other rigs, Sean.O'Reilly: Yeah [laughs]...in a catamaran.Muckerman:Well, you have to get there quickly.O'Reilly:Fine. [laughs]Muckerman:Come on.O'Reilly: You, of course, had Andy Hall, the oil trader who made a $230 million bonus as part ofCitigroup(NYSE: C) during the financial crisis. That totally went over well. Jean Paul Getty, he was always wacky. It's kind of like, we need a villain in culture, and often that's business in America.Muckerman:Yeah. Even though that's the American Dream, it'svilifiedwhen you get too big.

O'Reilly: That's actually a good point.Muckerman:If you dream too big, your dreams become other people's nightmares.O'Reilly: You flew too close to the sun. [laughs]Muckerman:Exactly right.

Sean O'Reilly has no position in any stocks mentioned. Taylor Muckerman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of ExxonMobil. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
At the annual Gender Odyssey conference this week in Seattle, parents and healthcare providers who care for transgender and gender-nonconforming children are receiving a crash course on a world often left unexplored.

Gender Odyssey began 15 years ago in Seattle as a collection of people discussing transgender and gender-nonconforming issues, but it has since ballooned to include programming specifically for families and healthcare providers. This week, more than 1,200 attendees are expected.

"I wanted us to come together and give and take," said Aidan Key, who founded the conference.

The goal of the professional programming is to advance medical standards and guidelines. Meanwhile, the family programming focuses on parents' and children's experiences, and their future.

Parents "feel like they're having to advocate for their children in an arena they never thought they'd have to navigate," Key told Reuters Health.

"At the very least, what I want them to know is that their child can have a fantastic future," said Key. "I want them to be able to leave and have a connection that will help sustain them throughout the year."

After not finding the right fit among a few support groups, Evelyn Montanez, a mother and teacher from Redmond, Washington, came to Gender Odyssey in 2015 at the suggestion of a family member.

This year at Gender Odyssey, Montanez said she'll be paying special attention to sessions about medical care and insurance as her son, who is transgender, enters college.

"It's an incredible safe space to talk about our experiences and a space to share positive things," said Montanez.

"Last year was positively overwhelming," she said. "There was so much information I was learning. All the workshops were amazing, but what stood out to me was the student panel - the kids. It was really good for me as a mom to see where the kids are at different stages."

There are no national estimates of the number of transgender or gender diverse youth in the U.S., but The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law says about 1.4 million U.S. adults identify as transgender.

This year, medical professionals attending Gender Odyssey are offered sessions on barriers to care for transgender and gender-nonconforming youth, talking to young children about gender, and hormone use among gender diverse youths.

Medical school curricula currently devote only about five hours to issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, said Dr. Aron Janssen, who is clinical director of the gender and sexuality service at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.

"As physicians at least we have an ethical responsibility to treat the patients who come through our doors," said Janssen. "It's not an excuse to say you haven't been trained."

Janssen said healthcare providers, parents and children can all benefit from conferences like Gender Odyssey, but for those who can't attend, online resources are available. He usually recommends Gender Spectrum (www.genderspectrum.org) and TransYouth Family Allies (www.imatyfa.org).

According to Key, one of the most powerful and consistent benefits for children and families is meeting other people with similar backgrounds.

"You can immediately find kinship and find someone who understands your experience," he said.

Montanez said her goal this year is to exchange phone numbers and email addresses with two families at the conference who live outside the Seattle area.

"I think now that I'm going to be an empty nester, I want to be more involved with communities and families," she told Reuters Health. "I think it's important to hear they're not alone and they have friends going through the same thing."

Every person develops a gender identity, Janssen said, and that identity doesn't always align with what is typically portrayed in the media and online.

"There is beauty in that diversity," he said.
As more and more sick patients are going online and using social media to search for answers about their health, it's raising a lot of thorny ethical questions for doctors.

"The internet and ready access to vast amounts of information are now permanent aspects of how we live our lives, including how we think about and deal with our health problems," Dr. Chris Feudtner, director of medical ethics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, said by email.

Social media in particular can affect how patients interact with doctors and what type of care they expect, Feudtner and colleagues write in an article about ethics in the journal Pediatrics.

"Clinicians should ask about what patients and families have read on the Internet, and then work through that information thoughtfully, as sometimes Internet information is not helpful and sometimes it is helpful," Feudtner said. "Doing this takes time and effort, yet trust is built with time and effort."

To explore the ethical challenges posed by patients' virtual lives, Feudtner and examined a fictional case blending elements of several recent real-life situations.

In this hypothetical case, the parents of a 10-year-old boy hospitalized with cancer started a blog. Doctors, nurses and other hospital staff were among the 1,000 subscribers to his blog.

A year after his hospital stay ended, the boy relapsed, and his parents launched an online petition seeking access to an experimental cancer treatment that was only available through clinical trials. No trials were accepting new patients.

The petition draws 60,000 supporters in just 48 hours, and news crews descend on the hospital.

Aside from the obvious pressure this puts on one team of clinicians at one hospital to help one very sick child, this situation raises broader ethical issues about how treatment decisions should be made.

Fairness issues arise because not all families have the same access to social media or skill at using online communities to advocate for the care they want to receive, doctors argue in the article.

Hospitals and other healthcare institutions need to have policies in place to handle situations when patients' social media posts go viral and take steps to respond proactively. Clinicians need to know they will be supported for providing appropriate care even when this clashes with what patients and families advocate for on social medial.

The case also serves as a reminder that doctors need to work with patients to keep the lines of communication open, said Dr. Robert Macauley, medical director of clinical ethics at the University of Vermont Medical Center.

"More and more often, patients are not only exploring potential treatment options on the Internet, but using web-based resources for determining diagnosis and prognosis," Macauley, who wasn't involved in the ethics article, said by email.

Especially when doctors know there's a lot of inaccurate information online, they should be pro-active about asking patients and families what they've learned from the web, Macauley said.

"Open-ended questions designed to identify alternate (and potentially misleading) information that the patient has received-whether through the internet, social media, old-fashioned reading, or conversation with others-will help dispel misperceptions and ensure that both physician and patient are starting with the same set of facts," Macauley added.
next Image 1 of 2

prev Image 2 of 2

Lots of women enjoy getting dolled up, but wearing red or nude lipstick and a stylish outfit offer more than amusement for 36-year-old Sarah White looking her best gives her strength to continue fighting for her life.

After beating the disease in 2013, the special education teacher saw her triple negative breast cancer return and spread to her chest wall, spine and lungs in October 2015. The news was ill timed: White had been on her 10th year of teaching those students, and she had given birth to her second child only six months prior to her diagnosis. To prepare for more treatment and shield her fragile immune system, she went on medical leave and soon after fell into a funk, she said.

When I found out its back at stage 4, I kind of did the bucket list thing, and my husband said, I dont want to hear this, White told FoxNews.com.

But ultimately, taking that approach helped White rediscover one of her childhood passions beauty pageants and rediscover herself. The endeavor not only helped her cope emotionally, but it also has provided a vehicle to inspire and educate other women battling disease.

I am a person

After a friend encouraged White to participate in the Miss All-Star United States Pageant, a national beauty pageant for women of all ages, White won the title of Mrs. West Virginia in April, and in July she competed for the national title. White used her cancer battle as a platform to raise awareness of the disease, propose new breast cancer-related legislation in West Virginia, and educate the public about clinical trials like METRIC, a national ongoing study in which she participates at the Cleveland Clinic.

Although results have not been finalized, so far the IV treatment is showing promise for White, who makes the five-hour drive from her hometown of Huntington, West Virginia, to the Cleveland Clinic, once every three weeks. The study is randomized and controlled, and White received the study drug, not the placebo.

We saw near-complete disappearance of her lesions in the bone and lung and chest wall. Its really working for her now, Dr. Jame Abraham, director of the breast oncology program at the Cleveland Clinic, and Whites doctor, told FoxNews.com. The trial began about a couple of years ago, and Abraham estimated it will end in one year.

Triple negative breast cancer, which affects about 15 percent of breast cancer patients, is known to be aggressive. White had already undergone a double mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy the first time she fought the disease. Prior to seeking another opinion at the Cleveland Clinic about a year ago for her second battle, White said her doctor in Columbus told her that, if chemo stopped working, she had two to five years to live.

She should have never put it in those words, White said. She put me as a statistic, and I am not a statistic. I am a person.

Her husband, Nestor, filled out an online referral form for the Cleveland Clinic, where she was later tested for GPNMB , a protein present in about 20 percent of triple negative breast cancer tumors. White tested positive for the protein and enrolled in the study in December 2015.

The targeted treatment belongs to a new class of drugs that kill only diseased cells, not healthy cells as in chemo, and it has enabled White to travel for the Miss All Star United States Pageant albeit with some fatigue.

Nestor, 42, was reluctant when his wife first suggested participating in pageants because he was concerned for her physical wellbeing, but he said Whites passion for inspiring others has always been reflected in all aspects of her life.

She was a special education teacher, and she chose that specifically because she had had teachers as a kid that gave her negative feedback, so she wanted to make sure that when she dealt with [her students] she was giving them positive feedback and let them know that they were going to make their way in the world, Nestor, who works in banking, told FoxNews.com.



She amazes me every day with her outlook and her response, he said.

Recently in Savannah for the pageant, White competed with 49 other contestants for the national title. Although she didnt win, White said the opportunity helped teach her children, Raegan, 7, and Benjamin, 3, an important lesson about life.

Im trying to teach my kids that no matter what happens good and bad things happen, there are winners and losers, people get cancer, other people dont get cancer its a part of life, White said. Im hoping that by being the way I am that Im teaching my children to be strong.

People will listen

The pageant gave White a platform to promote proposed legislation in West Virginia for which shes now recruiting delegates. The bills would improve standard of care for patients with aggressive breast cancer and aim to aid in earlier diagnoses, as well as provide better mammogram coverage for women who want them or women who are at-risk. Another bill would restrict access to tanning beds for minors, as excess sun exposure is proven to increase the risk of cancer.

White has already garnered some supporters, including the American Cancer Society and her support group, the Sisters of Hope.

One of the reasons I did the pageant was obviously to have something to focus on, but another reason is if I was standing on the street without a sash and without a crown talking about self-checking and breast cancer awareness or whatever, I might get two people who might listen to me, maybe five, she said. But if I have a sash on  you get a following, and people will listen.

Tammy Johns, national director of the Miss All-Star United States Pageant, described White as fantastic.

She truly does not let her illness hold her back or stop her, Johns told FoxNews.com in an email. She graced the stage with poise and elegance. Sarah's attitude and endurance is wonderful a true queen.

White also participated in the pageant to show other women with breast cancer whats possible.

Just because I have cancer and its stage 4 doesnt mean Im wallowing in it, she said. I dont have to lay down and die. I could walk into the Cleveland Clinic and wear my PJs, and Id look like death and feel like death, or I could put on a wig and my jeans and my Michael Kors sandals and lipstick.

To continue inspiring patients like herself, she volunteers monthly for the American Cancer Societys program Look Good Feel Better, where she teaches other women how to draw on their eyebrows, and put makeup on and tie their scarves.

I show up with my wig and I take it off. When I show them that, the relief on their faces is unbelievable its like, Wow, youre not just some Joe Schmo whos showing me how to do that  that makes me feel good.
Dear Mr. Trump,

Apparently you didnt get the memo  the one that told you the difference between competing in the primaries and running in the general election. Heres the bottom line: you are now facing off against Hillary Clinton, and the media is no longer in your corner.

If youre wondering why The New York Times ran a piece about the Khan family a full 10 days after the Gold Star father spoke out against you at the Democratic convention, even though there is no breaking news on that damaging fracas, it is because they do not want you to win. If youre marveling at how quickly the explosive leaks about the DNC sabotaging Bernie Sanders campaign vanished from headlines  here it is: you are on the wrong side of the progressive press.

For months, as you duked it out against sixteen other candidates hoping to be the GOP nominee, the liberal media cheered you on. That wasnt because they like you or approve of your message. No, they gave you enormous free air time and press because you drove ratings and spiced up what would otherwise have been a dreary march to a conventional convention. (Think Jeb Bush, non-lethal drone.)

And, they did not take you seriously; they thought you a boorish clown doubling down on reality TV. They imagined that if some unimaginable shifting of tectonic plates made you the nominee, Hillary Clinton would crush you.

Today, the liberal establishment is wary, and so the entire firepower of the mainstream media is arrayed against you. Everything you say (like your wisecrack about Russia revealing Hillarys deleted emails) will be taken out of context and spun. Stories about GOP defections and hypotheticals about you dropping out of the race will grab headlines. The New York Times will run gratuitous stories like the recent one quoting hateful things said by people attending your rallies. There are no names, of course, no real proof that these things were said. They dont have to supply meat; their readers will blindly consume the sauce. They wont question why this vacuous story was published or whether the vile kill the pigs chants of Black Lives Matter will receive equal treatment.

The media will faithfully echo Democrat messaging  like Hillarys line that (You are) not someone who should ever have the nuclear codes. This refrain will be driven home through stories like the one in Politico concluding that a president would be free to launch a civilization-ending nuclear war on his own any time he chose. As though you might do that in a fit of pique.

Not only will you not be treated fairly, but the media will pull out all stops to celebrate President Obama, knowing that unpopular Hillary Clintons best shot at winning the Oval Office is to convince voters they want four more years. Puff pieces that show Obama thoughtful and so disciplined that his evening snack consists of seven  only seven  almonds (New York Times) will buff his image, and by comparison spotlight just how sloppy you are.

The media will generously help Obama turn out black voters, some of whom are rightly disappointed in the past eight years. They will highlight targeted measures like Obamas record pardoning of 214 convicts. The headlines will gloss over the reality that more than 50 of those commutations were for people convicted for firearms-related offenses, in addition to their drug crimes. Obama argues that those pardoned are part of the huge number unjustly locked up for minor drug-related offenses -- those young people who made mistakes that arent that different from the mistakes I made. This narrative is false. More than 90 percent of U.S. inmates are in state prisons; 95 percent of those locked up for non-violent crime have long rap sheets, averaging more than 9 prior arrests. Less than 4 percent of state-held prisoners are in jail for drug possession  and most of those have pleaded down from trafficking or are repeat offenders. Less than 1 percent of those convicted for drug-related crimes in federal courts in 2014 were locked up for possession, and generally that was the result of a plea deal.

The liberal press will extol good news about the economy, and bury the bad. The robust July jobs number got great play; near-recession level growth is ignored. They will play down the disintegration of ObamaCare, and the fraudulent Iran deal. The cash for hostages story? It will be gone within a week.

What to do Mr. Trump? Will you continue to bawl about a fixed election or whine about how people are treating you unfairly? If so, youre doomed, and Hillary Clinton  arguably the most corrupt candidate to ever run for president, will soon occupy the Oval Office. All because you could not control yourself and could not out-think the Clinton machine.

Its not over, but time runs short. Here is what you have to do:

1) Stay on message. Talk ONLY about law and order, job creation, illegal immigration and ISIS. Thats it. All other topics are off the table.

2) Get data points on each topic and know your facts.

3) Stop responding to ad hominem attacks. People like John Allen are looking at your campaign and deciding Hillary will win. They want to be part of that victory. Dont take it personally.

4) Keep reminding voters of just how dishonest Hillary Clinton is. Use facts.

You can do this, Mr. Trump. Millions hope you will. Welcome to the big time.
With the world preoccupied by Americas raucous election, the U.K.s vote to exit the E.U., and continued terrorism in Europe and the Middle East, North Korea fired a missile Wednesday more than 600 miles into Japanese waters, just 155 miles off its shores.

The launch defied a resolution approved in March by the United Nations, the fifth since 2006, that bars development of nuclear and ballistic missile technology and applies broad sanctions. In recent weeks, North Korea and China have been protesting plans by South Korea to deploy a missile defense system developed by the United States, and the missile launch may have been a reaction. But it seems much more.

North Korea and China have been deploying a strategy of undermining cooperation between the two largest democracies in the region, South Korea and Japan, which comprise the fulcrum for the Obama Administrations pivot to Asia. Attacks on this alliance will almost certainly intensify as we approach Aug. 15, the 71st anniversary of the surrender of Japan, ending World War II.

In December, the United States played a key role in helping South Korea and Japan forge an agreement to end a dispute involving so-called comfort women that had been festering for decades. The Japanese government agreed to compensate Korean women who were used for sex by Japanese troops, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe renewed an apology.

The agreement had far broader implications. It was a major step in ending the animosity between the two countries that had seriously infected economic and security relations. Between 2012 and 2014, for example, Japan-South Korea trade fell 17 percent, and tourism dropped sharply.

In headlines, the Guardian newspaper of Britain called the so-called comfort women deal a triumph for Japan and the U.S., and The Washington Post concluded that it offers strategic benefit to U.S. in Asia-Pacific. President Obama intervened several times personally during the two years of negotiations, trying to bring Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-hye closer to together. He phoned to congratulate the two on the agreement, praising them for having the courage and vision to forge a lasting settlement to this difficult issue.

Also facilitating the agreement was Mark Lippert, the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, who was slashed in March 2015 by a knife-wielding attacker.

According to the BBC, the accused South Korean man, Kim Ki-jong, attacked the Japanese ambassador to South Korea in 2010 and later tried to erect a memorial altar in the heart of Seoul to the late North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il.

Obama brought Park and Abe together during a nuclear summit meeting at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador to The Hague in 2014. It was the first time the two Asian leaders had met despite being in office for more than a year. North Koreas aggressive policies were the backdrop for the comfort women talks.

Abe and Park spoke within 24 hours of a North Korean nuclear test that occurred shortly after the comfort women agreement. That contact showed that working through the wartime claims deal had helped establish a relationship of trust, said a special adviser to Abe.

But trust and unity between South Korea and Japan, especially with U.S. encouragement, is precisely what the North Koreans oppose, and they continue to try to drive a wedge between the two nations. North Korea immediately attacked the December agreement and mobilized its allies.

The Association of Koreas in Japan for Peaceful Reunification, for example, issued a statement saying: For South Korea, there is no more humiliating diplomacy than to reach such a deal with Japan.

Now, more than seven months after the agreement was reached, the response to an issue that the Korean media often treated as central to South Korean identity seems to have dropped out of the newspapers, according to Robert Kelly, who teaches at Pusan University.

The truth is that the comfort women issue has been a favorite hot-button issue for politicians across Asia, but now that its been settled in South Korea and Japan, you can still expect North Korea and China to exploit it.
Theres been quite a bit of scuttlebutt lately over whether the Democrats are going to try and steal the presidential election.

Donald Trump is all but certain thats exactly whats going to happen.

Click here to join Todds American Dispatch: a must-read for conservatives!

"I'm telling you, Nov. 8, we'd better be careful, because that election is going to be rigged, he told Fox News Channels Sean Hannity. And I hope the Republicans are watching closely or it's going to be taken away from us.

Would Democrats do something so nefarious? Would they really try to rig a presidential election?

Anybody want to wager how Bernie Sanders might answer that question?

Left-wingers have dismissed Trumps concerns as fear-mongering.

One cable news organization, known affectionately as the Clinton News Network, rebuked one of my Fox News colleagues for advancing what they called conspiracy theories.

But protecting the integrity of the ballot box is hardly a conspiracy theory. And based on what happened four years ago, the Trump campaign has some valid concerns.

Click here to get Todds guide to making America great again!

In 2012 Mitt Romney got zero votes in 59 Philadelphia voting divisions. ZERO!

CBS News said at first blush -- it seemed almost impossible. Philly.com called the results head-spinning.

Mitt Romney received not one vote. Zero. Zilch, the newspaper wrote.

Larry Sabato, the renowned political scientist, said such claims deserved to be investigated.

Not a single vote for Romney or even an error? Thats worth looking into, he told Philly.com in 2012.

The same thing happened in Ohio -- another battleground state.

Politifact Ohio reported that Romney was shut out in 17 Cleveland precincts -- and one precinct in East Cleveland.

And Lord only knows how many folks in Chicago cast their votes from the Hereafter.

As suspicious as it sounds, some political scientists said they were not surprised by the results in Philadelphia or Cleveland.

But some political scientists dismiss fears of voter fraud. They say its not unusual for Democrats to sweep urban areas.

We have always had these dense urban corridors that are extremely Democratic, Stanford University political scientist Jonathan Rodden told CBS News. Its kind of an urban fact, and you are looking at the extreme end of it in Philadelphia.

In other words, its a scientific fact that there are a lot of dense people in the City of Brotherly Love.

Former Trump adviser Roger Stone warned that any attempt to steal the election would be met with the direst of consequences.

The government will be shut down if they attempt to steal this and swear Hillary in, he told Breitbart News. No, we will not stand for it. We will not stand for it.

Is it possible that Donald Trump is advancing a harebrained conspiracy theory? Is it possible the Democrats will abstain from Election Day dirty tricks?

Well -- I suppose anything is possible.

Then again, its about as possible as Hillary Clinton telling the truth about her emails.
Hillary Clinton clashed from afar with Donald Trump on the economy Monday, accusing him of peddling old, tired ideas that benefit the really wealthy  after the Republican nominee hammered the Democrats' job-killing agenda in a speech of his own where he unveiled a revised plan to jolt the economy by slashing taxes and regulations.

Trump delivered his economic address early Monday afternoon in Detroit, touting a plan he called a "night-and-day-contrast" with the job-killing, tax-raising, poverty-inducing Obama-Clinton agenda.

Clinton returned fire hours later during a rally in St. Petersburg, Fla., saying her GOP rival has simply hired advisers trying to make his old, tired ideas sound new.

His tax plans will give super big tax breaks to large corporations and the really wealthy, she said. "He wants to repackage trickle-down economics."

Clinton said economists have already warned Trumps policies would throw us into recession.

The sparks mark an abrupt return to the economy on the campaign trail, after a post-convention week during which Trump was caught up in controversies that had little to do with policy.

Perino & Stirewalt: Ill Tell You What At The Hinge Point

Despite Clintons accusations, Trump insisted Monday that his proposals would help lower- and middle-class Americans the most.

And he used the setting of the speech  Detroit  to draw a stark contrast with his rivals approach.

Detroit is a living, breathing example of my opponents failed economic policies, said Trump, arguing bad international trade deals like NAFTA have resulted in record unemployment for the city and made a total disaster of the entire U.S. economy.

Detroit is still waiting for Hillary Clintons apology, he continued.

Trump vowed to create 500,000 jobs annually in the first seven years of his administration, while cutting business taxes and reducing federal regulations. Trump touted his plan to eliminate the estate tax, put a moratorium on new federal regulations and reduce the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 15 percent, in his speech at the Detroit Economic Club.

He also vowed to re-negotiate the decades-old North American Free Trade Agreement and warned that Clinton, if elected, would enact the Obama administrations Trans Pacific Partnership, which critics argue would create even more disadvantages for the United States in international trade.

We cannot let her win because that will be disaster for Detroit and everybody else, Trump said. Hillary Clintons Trans Pacific Partnership will be even bigger and even worse than NAFTA.

Clinton says she opposes the TPP in its current form.

In an appeal to unemployed steel workers, miners and other blue collar workers whom Trump hopes to win over in Rust Belt states, the GOP nominee also vowed to end federal regulations that have throttled coal plants and eliminated jobs.

The Obama-Clinton [agenda] has blocked jobs through anti-energy regulations, he said. The Obama-Clinton war on coal has cost Michigan jobs. Clinton said she will put coal miners out of business.  A Trump administration will end this war on the American worker and unleash an energy revolution that will bring vast new wealth.

The businessman and first-time candidate hopes to steady his campaign after a rough week in which he was criticized for comments about a Muslim-American family whose son, an Army captain, was killed in the Iraq War and for temporarily withholding his endorsement of House Speaker Paul Ryan in Tuesday's Wisconsin primary.

The Clinton campaign ripped into the proposed Trump plan earlier Monday morning, saying his tax breaks are only for the wealthy and includes no paid family leave or increase in the federal minimum wage.

We wanted to offer a look at how a Trump presidency would cause damage to the American economy and working families, the campaign said in a 7-point memo. We can be certain of this because weve read Trumps plans, listened to his words, reviewed what analysts have to say about what he wants to do. And it's the only logical conclusion.

Trump, though, hammered Clinton Monday for seeking tax hikes as part of her economic agenda.

Clinton indeed has proposed raising taxes on the highest-income earners, including a surcharge on multimillionaires, but analysts have found lower-income earners would see little change beyond measures like additional tax credits for expenses like out-of-pocket health care costs.

In his speech Monday, Trump also announced his plan to allow parents to fully deduct the cost of childcare from their taxable income. He also called again for boosting domestic energy production -- a plan his campaign estimates can add $6 trillion in local, state and federal revenue over the next four decades.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Erlanger offers online childbirth education class. The online class is an easy-to-understand interactive program that includes more than 70 videos, animated illustrations, downloadable PDF files, review quizzes and information specific to Erlanger East and Erlanger Baroness birthing services. By choosing the online childbirth program, participants will have access to all the information for six months. The cost for the courses is $25.

For more information on the online childbirth program and other classes and events mentioned below, call Erlangers HealthLink at (423) 778-LINK (5465), seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to midnight. HealthLink Plus is a free membership program open to adults 18 and older.

Sunday, August 14

Stork Scoop

2:00-3:30 p.m.

Erlanger Baroness, (Downtown)

Get the scoop on all things expecting new baby, laboring, delivery and postpartum for mom. Learn the basics from experts who bring you Erlangers childbirth and breastfeeding classes. The session is free but registration is required. Call Erlangers HealthLink at (423) 778-LINK (5465) to register.

Monday, August 15

Bariatric Support Group

5:30  6:30 p.m.

Erlanger East (Gunbarrel Road)

Bariatric Support Group meetings are for individuals scheduled to have Bariatric surgery or who have already had weight loss surgery. Call Erlangers HealthLink at (423) 778-2906 for more information.

Tuesday, August 16

Monogrammed Maternity

10 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

4 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Erlanger East (Gunbarrel Road)

Monogrammed Maternity at Erlanger East Hospital provides a personalized approach to childbirth education and is tailored to each couples' unique needs. Registration is recommended around 36-weeks gestation; and is for patient's delivering at Erlanger East. This one-on-one session with our Prenatal Educator provides couples with the opportunity to privately discuss their personalized birth plan, begin the admission process for delivery, visit with a lactation consultant if needed for breastfeeding preparation, ask questions, and receive assistance in making those all important decisions that help make the birth experience less stressful and uniquely their own. The session is available every Tuesday and Thursday. Space is limited. Registration is required. Registration fee is $40. Call Erlangers HealthLink at (423) 778-LINK (5465) to register.

Breastfeeding

6:30  9:00 p.m.

Erlanger Baroness (Downtown) Womens Services

This class is designed to help participants make an informed choice about breastfeeding. Learn breastfeeding basics, what to expect the first few weeks and special tips for success. Concerns about returning to work/school will also be discussed. This course is coordinated by a board-certified lactation consultant. Registration fee is $30. Call Erlangers HealthLink at (423) 778-LINK (5465) to register.

Thursday, August 18

Diabetes Education Class

1:30  4:30 p.m.

Erlanger Chattanooga Lifestyle Center

This class will explore ways to manage diabetes. Call 778-9400 for more information on physician referral and insurance reimbursement.

Monogrammed Maternity

10 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

4 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Erlanger East (Gunbarrel Road)

Monogrammed Maternity at Erlanger East Hospital provides a personalized approach to childbirth education and is tailored to each couples' unique needs. Registration is recommended around 36-weeks gestation; and is for patient's delivering at Erlanger East. This one-on-one session with our Prenatal Educator provides couples with the opportunity to privately discuss their personalized birth plan, begin the admission process for delivery, visit with a lactation consultant if needed for breastfeeding preparation, ask questions, and receive assistance in making those all important decisions that help make the birth experience less stressful and uniquely their own. The session is available every Tuesday and Thursday. Space is limited. Registration is required. Registration fee is $40. Call Erlangers HealthLink at (423) 778-LINK (5465) to register.

Friday, August 19

Cancer Support Group

10:00  11:30 a.m.

Ronald McDonald House

Have you or someone you know been touched by cancer? Erlanger Cancer Center and Pastoral Care services offers a cancer support group open to patients, family members and friends and offers education through self-care topics and support with discussions and fellowship. A cancer navigator and pastoral care representative will guide attendees through topics that include navigating through a cancer diagnosis, management of cancer treatment, emotional support and much more. For more information on the support group, call 423-778-5030.

Saturday, August 20

Minority Health Fair

9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Eastgate Town Center

Brought to you by Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi Fraternities, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the 28th Legislative District, the Minority Health Fair offers over 100 vendors providing health information, health screens, give-a-ways, and hands-on activities. Registration for the fair and prostate and/or cholesterol screenings is required. Call Erlangers HealthLink at (423) 778-LINK (5465) to register.
The Iranian scientist executed by his own government after being convicted of spying for the U.S. seemingly was discussed in emails that crossed Hillary Clintons private server, fueling Republican accusations about how reckless the former secretary of states server set-up truly was.

Iran confirmed Sunday that Shahram Amiri was hanged last week  years after he defected to the U.S.; later returned home, where he was heralded as a hero; and then was tried and convicted of spying for the U.S.

While there are conflicting accounts of Amiris odyssey from Iran to the U.S. and back, he did appear in a video in 2010 while living in the U.S. claiming to have been kidnapped by American and Saudi agents. He walked into the Iranian-interests section at the Pakistani Embassy in Washington later that year and demanded to be sent home.

But there are reports going back years that Amiri, despite his claims to the contrary, was being paid to provide the CIA with information about Irans nuclear program.

And, un-redacted Clinton server emails released last year appear to refer to Amiri as our friend  though its unclear whether those references put him at any additional risk.

An email forwarded to Clinton by senior adviser Jake Sullivan on July 5, 2010  just 10 days before Amiri returned to Tehran  says: "We have a diplomatic, 'psychological' issue, not a legal one. Our friend has to be given a way out."

The email by Richard Morningstar, a former State Department special envoy for Eurasian energy, concludes, "Our person won't be able to do anything anyway. If he has to leave, so be it."

Another email, sent by Sullivan on July 12, 2010, appears to obliquely refer to the scientist just hours before his appearance at the Pakistani Embassy became widely known.

"The gentleman ... has apparently gone to his country's interests section because he is unhappy with how much time it has taken to facilitate his departure," Sullivan wrote. "This could lead to problematic news stories in the next 24 hours.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., speaking Sunday on CBS News Face the Nation, cited those mentions in renewing concerns about Clintons server set-up.

In the emails that were on Hillary Clinton's private server, there were conversations among her senior advisers about this gentleman, he said. That goes to show just how reckless and careless her decision was to put that kind of highly classified information a private server. I think her judgment is not suited to keep this country safe.

The issue could cause renewed problems for Clinton in the campaign, after the FBI and Justice Department cleared her and decided not to pursue charges over her private email use.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump retweeted a story about the email references to the scientist. Trump backer David Clarke, Jr., told Fox News on Monday that the references are extremely problematic.

If people dont trust you, theyre not going to work with you.  We have to rely on informants, he said. The biggest concern of any informant is they dont want to be outed.

A Clinton spokesperson pushed back after Cottons comments.

"The Trump campaign has never met a conspiracy theory it didn't like. He and his supporters continue to use increasingly desperate rhetoric to attack Hillary Clinton and make absurd accusations because they have no ideas for the American people, the spokesperson said. It's pretty remarkable to baselessly claim that Hillary Clinton is responsible for this tragic death."

The Clinton campaign pointed to a Washington Post column backing up their view.

A State Department spokeswoman also argued Monday that the execution had nothing to do with the references in the Clinton server emails, since the scientists case had already been discussed publicly going back years.

Amiri was hanged the same week that Tehran executed a group of militants, a year after Iran agreed to a landmark accord to limit uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Amiri first vanished in 2009 while on a religious pilgrimage to Muslim holy sites in Saudi Arabia.

In interviews, he later described being kidnapped and held against his will by Saudi and American spies. U.S. officials, though, said he was to receive millions of dollars for his help in understanding Iran's nuclear program.

Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejehi said Amiri "had access to the country's secret and classified information" and "had been linked to our hostile and No. 1 enemy, America, the Great Satan."

The spokesman told journalists that Amiri had been tried in a death-penalty case that was upheld by an appeals court. He did not explain why authorities never announced the conviction, though he said Amiri had access to lawyers.

Hillary Clinton, while she was secretary of state, publicly commented on Amiris claims at the time, stressing that Amiri had been in America "of his own free will."

"He is free to go," she had said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hillary Clintons decision not to seek the endorsement of The Fraternal Order of Police is a sign that the Democrat presidential nominee leads an anti-law enforcement party, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said on Sunday.

Giuliani, who supports Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, said on Fox and Friends that he sees an anti-police atmosphere developing in America, and he blames Clinton and the Democrat Party for fomenting those feelings.

It comes right from the top, it includes Hillary, and shes made herself a part of it, Giuliani said. You dont even go talk to and seek the endorsement of one of the major police unions in the country?

During her campaign, Clinton has voiced support for the Black Lives Matter movement, which grew out of recent controversial shootings of black men by police officers. Clinton also invited mothers whose sons were killed by police officers to speak on stage at the Democratic National Convention  though the same convention also featured a speech by Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez.

Still, Clinton's decision not to seek The Fraternal Order of Polices stamp of approval makes Clinton just the second Democratic presidential candidate in at least the last 20 years not to do so. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee, also did not seek the endorsement of the union, which represents 335,000 members. The FOP endorsed Bill Clinton in 1996, but has given the nod to Republicans in 2000, 2004 and 2008. The union did not endorse any candidate in 2012.

We were talking to the highest levels of the campaign, and we had all indications that she was going to return the questionnaire, FOP President Chuck Canterbury told The Hill on Friday. And on the deadline date we were advised that they declined.

Clintons campaign, speaking to The Hill, did not directly address why the form wasnt submitted, but instead focused on how Hillary and her team had engaged law enforcement throughout the campaign.

As she said from the beginning of her campaign, across the country, police officers are out there every day inspiring trust and confidence, honorably doing their duty, putting themselves on the line to save lives, Clinton spokesman Jesse Ferguson said. She believes we must work together to build on whats working and to build the bonds of trust between police and the communities they serve  because we are stronger together.

Trump has submitted his endorsement paperwork, and Canterbury stressed Trumps long history of being friendly to law enforcement.

Giuliani said the choice not to submit the FOP questionnaire is indicative of the extreme left swing of the current Democrat Party and its presidential candidate.

I think this only makes the point that the Democratic Party has gone so far to the left now  so far to the left  that it wont even seek the endorsement of the major police organization in the country, Giuliani said.
Khizr Khans now-famous moment at Julys Democratic National Convention, in which he brandished a copy of the Constitution and urged Donald Trump to read it, has spurred a surge in sales for the 'pocket' document  but with a twist.



Khan, a Muslim whose son died in Iraq in 2004, waved a copy of the document at the convention last month while objecting to Trumps rhetoric and policies on Muslim immigration.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the "Pocket Constitution" soon topped Amazon's list of top sellers. But here's the twist: the newspaper reports that the version selling like wildfire is one favored by "armed militias" and put out "by a right-wing religious group."

The publisher, The National Center for Constitutional Studies, also has been called a conspiracy-prone think tank by the left-wing Southern Poverty Law Center.

The National Center for Constitutional Studies (NCCS) in Idaho, though, rejects these characterizations.

Spokesman Dan Sheridan described the group as non-partisan and said it has had nothing to do with Mormon founder and controversial conservative author Willard Cleon Skousen since he died 10 years ago.

I represent the organization and I dont hold conspiracy theories, and Im not a Mormon, Sheridan told FoxNews.com. Sheridan said the group sees the Constitution as something to unite all Americans.

It has distressed me that only one side has stressed the Constitution and personally when [Khan] held up that document I was so excited as it proves what I have said -- that document should unite us as a people, as it protects all of us, he said.

Sheridan said he believes their version is popular because, unlike other versions, it just includes the text of the document and the Declaration of Independence, as well as a short chapter of quotes from the founders.

The Times noted that the NCCS version, which even surged past the latest Harry Potter book to become Amazons biggest seller in the wake of Khans comments, was used by Cliven Bundy during the standoff over federal rangeland in Nevada two years ago.

The Times also cites constitutional scholars who say a number of the quotations in the NCCS version are taken out of context or altered to give the message that the U.S. is a Christian nation not to be ruled by a single government. The Times points to one quote from John Adams.

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people, the version quotes Adams in an addendum. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

"Well, thats what he said," Sheridan said when asked about it by FoxNews.com. Im not going to rewrite the history of John Adams, thats what he says.

The groups website says it has given away 15 million copies since 2004, and Sheridan said the group is delighted with Khans use of the document. As for the Bundy connection, Sheridan said that simply cant be helped:

The NCCS does not get involved with that kind of stuff. Thats his business, whatever version he uses is the one he uses.

FoxNews.com's Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
The parents of two of the four Americans who died in the Benghazi attack in 2012 filed a lawsuit Monday against Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, alleging her "reckless handling" of classified information contributed to their deaths.

The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by Larry Klayman of Freedom Watch USA on behalf of Patricia Smith, the mother of Sean Smith, and Charles Woods, the father of Tyrone Woods, for allegedly wrongfully causing the death of their sons as well as for defamation and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

The lawsuit suggests that Clinton's use of a private email server contributed to the deaths of Smith and Woods, adding that terrorists were able to "obtain the whereabouts of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and thus the U.S. State Department and covert and other government operations in Benghazi, Libya and subsequently orchestrate, plan, and execute the now infamous September 11, 2012 attack."

"Having used a secret private email server that we now know was used to communicate with Ambassador Christopher Stevens with confidential and classified government information, and which we also now know was likely hacked by hostile adversaries such as Iran, Russia, China and North Korea aligning with terrorist groups, it is clear that Hillary Clinton allegedly negligently and recklessly gave up the classified location of the plaintiffs' sons, resulting in a deadly terrorist attack that took their lives, Klayman said in a statement announcing the suit.

In addition to the wrongful death and negligence charges named in the suit, the parents also claim that Clinton defamed them in statements to the media, according to court documents.

"During her campaign for President, Defendant Clinton has negligently, recklessly, and/or maliciously defamed Plaintiffs by either directly calling them liars, or by strongly implying that they are liars, in order to protect and enhance her public image and intimidate and emotionally harm and silence them to not speak up about the Benghazi attack on at least four separate occasions," Klayman wrote in his complaint.

Patricia Smith has previously spoken out against Clinton, most recently at the Republican National Convention in July.

Clintons campaign pushed back Tuesday on the latest allegations.

"While no one can imagine the pain of the families of the brave Americans we lost at Benghazi, there have been nine different investigations into this attack and none found any evidence whatsoever of any wrongdoing on the part of Hillary Clinton, spokesman Nick Merrill said in a statement.

In an interview last week on "Fox News Sunday," Clinton denied telling family members of those killed that the attack was sparked by an anti-Islam video, and was not terrorism.

She instead suggested the family members misunderstood her because they were overwhelmed by grief.

I understand the grief and the incredible sense of loss that can motivate that, Clinton said. As other members of families whove lost loved ones have said, that's not what they heard. I don't hold any ill feeling for someone who, in that moment, may not fully recall everything that was or wasn't said.
Hillary Clintons jobs record as a New York senator  which her campaign has made a centerpiece of her pitch to voters  is coming under fresh scrutiny, with a new report claiming her economic initiatives fell flat for workers, while benefiting deep-pocketed donors.

The Washington Post report found that, as a senator from 2001-2009, the now-Democratic presidential nominee was unable to pass big ticket legislation that she introduced to benefit upstate New York, as job growth stagnated and manufacturing jobs fell by almost 25 percent.

The Post cites U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers showing upstate New York lost jobs during Clintons first term, with Albany losing more than 31,000 payroll jobs between October 2001 and December 2006.

Former officials told the Post that smaller-scale projects also fell flat despite positive news coverage, with jobs failing to materialize and others leaving the state ahead of her failed 2008 presidential run.

Republican rival Donald Trump seized on the report Monday, citing the devastating findings as he delivered an economic address in Detroit.

She was all talk, no action, he said.

The report casts doubt on Clintons claim to be a pragmatist who can overcome Washington gridlock and give the economy a lift. Her campaign has cited her work in New York as a blueprint for her presidency, and has used her record to try and neutralize Trumps selling point that he has a record as a job creator and knows how to boost the economy.

Further, the Post notes that a number of the companies Clinton worked with in upstate New York also contributed to her campaign and the Clinton Foundation  the Clintons' charitable wing that has come under scrutiny for its financial dealings amid accusations of pay-to-play.

In the Senate, for instance, Clinton struck up a relationship with Corning  an upstate glass and high-tech product manufacturer. The Post reports that while Clinton helped steer money to Corning through legislation and federal grants, Clintons efforts did not reverse the economic decline of Steuben County, where Corning is based.

Meanwhile, employees of the company have donated to Clintons campaign; the company paid $225,500 for her to speak in 2014; the chief executive co-hosted a 2015 fundraiser for her; and the company has given over $100,000 to the Foundation, the Post reported.

Clinton also cited her role in creating an eBay university to train budding entrepeneurs to sell products on eBay. The relationship with the company followed a similar pattern  then-CEO John Donahoe hosted a 2015 fundraiser for Clinton; eBay paid $315,000 for a 20-minute Clinton speech in 2015; and eBays charitable wing gave more than $50,000 to the Foundation.

Campaign spokesman Glen Caplin told the Post: Its no surprise that people who saw that work wanted to support her election campaigns and efforts to make a difference in peoples lives around the world.

Click for more from The Washington Post.
Call it the revenge of the conservative nerds.

Commentators on the right, who fiercely opposed Donald Trump during the primaries, are now savaging him in harshly personal terms. They are having an I-told-you-so moment.

With Trump going through the roughest stretch of his campaign, many of these commentators seem to feel vindicated. We might have expected them to mute their criticism once Trump won the Republican nomination, or grudgingly argue that he is at least preferable to Hillary Clinton.

Instead, they are doubling and tripling down.

Heres why it matters: At a time when liberal commentators are outright mocking Trump and the mainstream press is downgrading his chances, the erosion on the right has left him with few defenders. The columnists who might help defuse the political and journalistic bombs being hurled at him instead are firing their own ammunition.

Trump, of course, managed to win the GOP nomination over the opposition of the National Review and Weekly Standard crowd. His supporters dismissed the conservative elite as out-of-touch intellectuals who spent their time at conferences and cruises. And the candidate won nearly 14 million primary votes.

But just when he needs to expand his base, and is slipping in the polls, hes taking heat from the right as well as the left.

Now Trump has some conservative defenders like Laura Ingraham, who spoke at the Cleveland convention, Sean Hannity, Hugh Hewitt and others. But some of those with mighty megaphones are far louder.

I offer these excerpts not because I agree with them, but to convey the tone of these assaults.

One who admittedly went over the top was Red State founder Erick Erickson, now blogging at The Resurgent. He slammed Trumps supporters:

Donald Trump wants to turn NATO into a damn shakedown scheme and you people are cheering him on. You should be ashamed of yourselves. You should be ashamed of the fact that your cult leader who claims to have been personally affected by 9/11 does not even know our NATO allies protected his [butt] that day...

You people reflect the evil character of your god...You disgust me in cheering him on.

Erickson realized he had gone too far and apologized on Facebook.

David Brooks unloaded in the New York Times:

With each passing week he displays the classic symptoms of medium-grade mania in more disturbing forms: inflated self-esteem, sleeplessness, impulsivity, aggression and a compulsion to offer advice on subjects he knows nothing about.

His speech patterns are like something straight out of a psychiatric textbook.

Wow.

He also cannot be contained because he lacks the inner equipment that makes decent behavior possible. So many of our daily social interactions depend on a basic capacity for empathy. But Trump displays an absence of this qualityHe is a slave to his own pride, compelled by a childlike impulse to lash out at anything that threatens his fragile identity.

Charles Krauthammer, perhaps Trumps most prominent critic on Fox, seemingly uses his training as a psychiatrist to diagnose the candidate:

Its that he cant help himself. His governing rule in life is to strike back when attacked, disrespected or even slighted. To understand Trump, you have to grasp the General Theory: He judges every action, every pronouncement, every person by a single criterion  whether or not it/he is nice to Trump.

This is beyond narcissismHis needs are more primitive, an infantile hunger for approval and praise, a craving that can never be satisfied. He lives in a cocoon of solipsism where the world outside himself has value  indeed exists  only insofar as it sustains and inflates him.

Some of Krauthammers words on Fox are being used in a Hillary ad.

The Wall Street Journal's Peggy Noonan has jumped on the crazy train:

"Here is a truth of life. When you act as if youre insane, people are liable to think youre insane. Thats what happened this week. People started to become convinced he was nuts, a total flake."

George Will, who took the step of leaving the Republican Party, accuses Trump of practicing post-factual politics:

He seems to understand that if you produce a steady stream of sufficiently stupefying statements, there will be no time to dwell on any one of them, and the net effect on the public will be numbness and ennui. So, for example, while the nation has been considering his interesting decision to try to expand his appeal by attacking Gold Star parents, little attention has been paid to this: Vladimir Putins occupation of Crimea has escaped Trumps notice.

Will says politics is being poisoned by the injection into its bloodstream of the cynicism required of those Republicans who persist in pretending that although Trump lies constantly and knows nothing, these blemishes do not disqualify him from being president.

And Bill Kristol, who led the search for a third-party alternative, even trying to recruit NRs David French, says Trumps Republican supporters, are in a pathetic and contemptible placeAll of these Republicans have expressed support for Trump. They're prominent people with access to Trump. They should persuade him in private to improve his campaign. Or they should give up and go on a long vacation. Or, if they have come to the belated realization that Donald Trump should not be the next president of the United States, they should stand up and say so. And Kristol tells them to stop whining to the press.

Who needs liberals when your own side is indicting you this way?

The opposition is rooted in ideology, in that these pundits dont believe that Trump is a real conservative. But it has mushroomed into something far deeper and more personal, a crusade to stop Trump at all costs.

None of these commentators is a fan of Hillary Clinton, but these attacks help her nonetheless.

Perhaps none of this matters. Trump is running against the media establishment in the same way that he ran against the political establishment.

But there is an animosity here that may have its roots in a sense of betrayal, the sense that the GOP betrayed them by nominating such a person. They sound even madder than the liberal pundits that Trump could win the White House.
A comet with a death wish met a truly fiery end on Thursday when it was destroyed by the sun after diving toward the star at a truly jaw-dropping speed. It is one of the brightest sungrazing comet events in over two decades, one scientist says.

Video of the comet's death dive into the sun was captured by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) between Tuesday and Thursday. It shows the comet zooming toward the sun at nearly 373 miles per second (600 kilometers per second). That's a mind-boggling 1.34 million mph!

Comets like the one swallowed by the sun are known as Kreutz sungrazers, and are characterized by orbits that take them incredibly close to the sun. Kreutz comets are believed to be fragments from a single large comet that broke up into smaller pieces thousands of years ago when it got close to the sun and the ice binding it together evaporated.

"This is one of the brightest Kreutz sungrazers we've seen over the past 21 yrs. Awesome!" astronomer Karl Battams tweeted. Battams also said that the comet was the "fastest object in the solar system" when it was destroyed by the sun.

Battams, who operates the NASA-funded Sungrazing Comets Project, provided regular updates on the sungrazer's recent encounter with the sun, which ended with the comet being vaporized.

"This comet didn't fall into the sun, but rather whipped around it  or at least, it would have if it had survived its journey," Sarah Frazier of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland wrote in a statement. "Like most sungrazing comets, this comet was torn apart and vaporized by the intense forces near the sun."

You can see another video of the comet from SOHO here. The view also includes a view from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (another sun-watching spacecraft) as the moon crossed in front of the sun as seen by the observatory.

Kreutz comets travel along what is called the Kreutz path, a single orbit that takes 800 years to complete. Kreutz comets pass by the sun and disintegrate almost every day, and while most go unnoticed, larger fragments such as the recent sungrazer can be spotted more easily, according to Spaceweather.com.

SOHO has been keeping a close eye on the sun's activity for more than 20 years. The satellite is a joint mission between NASA and the European Space Agency. While the mission's intended goal was to better predict space weather  such as solar flares and auroras  the satellite has made several discoveries about the sun and spotted thousands of these sungrazer comets.

Original article on Space.com.
The Milky Way has a huge region that is evidently no place for youngsters. The center of our galaxy has an enormous void that surprisingly lacks young stars, astronomers announced last week.

Using a telescope in South Africa, the astronomers focused their study on a type of star called cepheids. These are youthful stars just between 10 and 300 million years old, compared to the 4.6 billion years our Sun has under its belt. Cepheids are a key type of star for scientists to study, because they pulsate, and the pulsation time is linked to their brightness, allowing astronomers to figure out how far away the star is.

But when the scientists studied the inner part of our galaxy, they discovered a dearth of these young stars in a huge portion of the Milky Ways center outside of its core.

"We already found some while ago that there are Cepheids in the central heart of our Milky Way (in a region about 150 light years in radius), Noriyuki Matsunaga, a professor at the University of Tokyo and the leader of the team behind the discovery, said in a statement. Now we find that outside this there is a huge Cepheid desert extending out to 8000 light years from the centre.

The finding gives scientists more information about the structure of our galaxy an enormous spiral, made up of billions of stars, that measures about 100,000 light years across. The Earth is located about 26,000 light years from the center.

"The current results indicate that there has been no significant star formation in this large region over hundreds of millions years," Giuseppe Bono, a coauthor of the new study, said in the statement. "The movement and the chemical composition of the new Cepheids are helping us to better understand the formation and evolution of the Milky Way."

The study was published in the journal the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Follow Rob Verger on Twitter: @robverger
Whale watchers off the coast of Washington saw a welcome sight last weeka killer whale nicknamed "Granny" who is believed to be an astonishing 105 years old, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

Granny's more formal name among scientists who have studied her for decades is J2, and a post at the Orca Network uses both names in the original post about her sighting: "J2 Granny (oldest southern resident orca) looking gorgeous. She and J27 spent more time out of the water than in it!" The link includes multiple photos of her leaping from the water.

Female orcas typically live about 50 years, notes a post at the NOAA, but a rare few have been been known to reach 100. Granny appears to be in this category, or at least close to it.

As the Chronicle explains, researchers who first spotted her in 1971 pegged her age at 60. The Orca Network tells KIRO-TV that the margin of error is 12 years, meaning she could be a youthful 90.

Given the playful new images, she's doing pretty well for a creature who, if the older figure is correct, entered the ocean around the same time as the Titanic and made it through two world wars, notes the Charlotte Observer.

Why, she's even the honorary mayor of Eastsound, Washington, and you can read her June "mayoral address" here. (Researchers have found humpback whales deliberately save other creatures from killer whales.)

This article originally appeared on Newser: Whale as Old as the Titanic Spotted in the Pacific

More From Newser
What if machines could outsmart would-be attackers to protect national security?

A system called "Mayhem" has clinched the $2 million top prize in DARPAs Cyber Grand Challenge in a competition to use software that automatically defends networks against attacks.

In the Cyber Grand Challenge, DARPA challenged the world to create software that can defend networks against attacks without a human typing at a keyboard. This software is designed to identify threats and react to, defend, and seal off vulnerabilities from future attacks.

Last week, the Paris Las Vegas Conference Center became the battleground for the world's first all-machine hacking tournament, the culmination of three years of development and qualifiers. The cyber challenge took place on the eve of the famous DEF CON tournament, where top code slingers from around the world converge annually.

The winning system, Mayhem, was created by a team called ForAllSecure, and scored $2 million in prize money. Xandra (made by TECHx) and Mechanical Phish (created by Shellphish) came in second and third and won their human creators $1 million and $750,000 respectively.

The results of the competition were clear. Computer systems  all by themselves thanks to the extraordinary human talent that created them have the potential to become a powerful force to defend the United States against cyber attacks.

Seven computers face off

Seven high-performance computers played an all-machine Capture the Flag contest for the nearly $4 million in prizes. The competing teams were comprised of white-hat hackers, academics, and private-sector cyber systems experts developed the computers.

Set against Vegas-style glamour, huge machines dominated the stage and commanded the action. The all-day intense competition drew thousands of spectators, and commentators provided analysis as the battle unfolded. The systems for this battle required more power than the entire hotel itself takes to run.

It also required engineering feats to pull of the event itself, as the machines ran so hot that DARPA was running thousands of gallons of cooled water to keep them fighting fit.

The machines did things like probe the security of opponent software, reverse engineer unknown binary software, defend and generate patches  all by themselves without humans directing their responses in real time.

Whats the threat?

From allegations that Russian hackers are influencing a presidential election by hacking the Democratic National Committee to security concerns over the vulnerability of Hillary Clintons personal server, the threat of hacking has been in the news a lot lately.

Adversaries come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it is nation-state actors with advanced abilities and resources, or individuals with rudimentary capability, tens of thousands attacks are launched every single day against just the Department of Defense systems alone, for example.

Attacks are not limited to government systems and military platforms. Attacks are also launched against U.S. companies and even home computers and appliances  anything connected to the internet can make Americans vulnerable to all sorts of damage and loss.

Bugs can go undetected for years and do vast damage in that time. One example is Heartbleed. It rendered an estimated half million of the internets secure servers vulnerable to theft and beyond for about two and half years before it was caught.

The machine advantage?

Currently, the world relies on talented cyber experts to hunt down and capture bugs. Hunting and defeating bugs, hacks and other infections could be characterized as an art that requires intellect, expertise, imagination, extraordinary problem solving, determination, and out-of-the-box thinking and begs the question whether a machine could ever do it.

Defending against threats and scouring millions of code lines to identify and fix vulnerabilities takes massive amounts of man hours and there are a limited number of humans with the skills to do this. Sometimes it can be done very quickly, but more often it can take a year from detection to solution.

And the time to discovery and defeat is something that adversaries can exploit.

By automating the cyber defense process with machines that can discover, confirm and fix software flaws in real-time, would-be hackers would lose a lot of the advantages they currently exploit.

So the seven competing teams had to successfully tackle the monumental task of creating and training machines to do just that. If machines could accelerate the speed of effective response, then they could lead to a powerful force against cyber attacks.

As Program Director Mike Walker noted, "Challenges work not because of the many who can imagine, but because of the few who dare."

DARPA challenges are renowned for sparking leap aheads in innovation, and the Cyber Grand Challenge seems to have done just that.

Walker explained, For two decades the hacker community has been perfecting a skills contest that lets their best compete head to head: Capture the Flag. Yesterday, we let machines play this contest in a league of their own. We don't know if this new generation of automated security machines will ever stand up to the abilities of the best hackers of the world, but a spark was lit and the road from here will be exciting to watch."
Girls Preparatory School announces new faculty and staff for the 2016-17 school year. Three classroom teachers joined the World Languages department, and five new employees add their talents to the business, admission, and communication and marketing areas.

New faculty members include the following:

Erin Bas is teaching Spanish in the Upper and Middle School. With experience from novice levels to advanced honors classes, she has a reputation for collaboration with colleagues, writing and winning a five-figure travel grant to attend the International Forum on Language Training. She is a graduate of the Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tenn., and holds a masters in secondary education from UTC.

Katie Kerekes, who is also teaching Spanish at both levels, earned her M.A. in education from Union University. She comes to GPS from Schilling Farms Middle School in Collierville, Tenn., where she taught Spanish Honors classes and led student trips to Costa Rica and Belize. A member and leader of several faculty committees, she was honored by the local Rotary Club as Teacher of the Month

Dr. Cindy Lepore is teaching French in beginner and advanced classes. Dr. Lepore has taught in multiple environments, from classroom instruction to online settings. Most recently she taught linguistics and foreign-language education for teacher candidates at Lee University. She earned her doctorate in romance languages in 2014 from the University of Alabama, during which time she taught at the Institut de Touraine in Tours, France. She has made multiple presentations at language and interdisciplinary conferences and is a peer reviewer for System, an international journal.

Three new staff members joined GPS in August:



Joining the Information Technology Department as an assistant is Holly Busch. She is utilizing her analytical skills to help students and staff with computer hardware and software issues. She holds an associate of science certification in engineering of information systems, with a concentration in network management. In her previous position with Russell Cellular, she earned the Gold Circle Award.

New to the GPS Admission staff is Kelsey Brock. As associate director of Admission, she will become a familiar face to new applicants. Ms. Brock holds a masters in counselor education from the University of Alabama Birmingham, where she was president of the UAB chapter of the National Counseling Honors Society. She has previous experience directing family education programs and recruiting new students. She is a member of the Chattanooga Junior League Event Planning and Fund Development committee.

Kendra Stanton Lee is the new associate director of Communications and Marketing. With a background in journalism and freelance writing, she was most recently an assistant professor of journalism at Southern Adventist University. She graduated magna cum laude from Allegheny College and received her masters in liberal arts from Harvard. She has contributed columns to Nooga.com and feature articles to McSweeneys and other publications.

Two new administrators in the Development and Business offices joined the school last spring.

Angela Johnson is the assistant head of School for Advancement. A graduate of St. Andrews-Sewanee and Wellesley College, Ms. Johnson has had successful fundraising experience as associate director of Harvard Universitys Law School Fund, director of Annual Fund and Special Gifts at Mount Holyoke College, and as an associate vice president for the United Way of Massachusetts Bay in Boston.

Mark Vosskamp is the chief financial officer. Formerly the CFO and treasurer of HumanKind in Virginia, he provided business acumen and collaborated with program managers and Board members in the management of the operating budget, endowment, and real assets. He holds a bachelors degree in mathematics from Duke University and a masters of business administration from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
You know what your lavish vacation is missing? Drone footage.

And thats exactly what you will get if you decide to go with a new option offered by luxury bespoke travel provider Black Tomato with its Drone The World service.

You are already getting an extravagant experience with Black Tomato offerings. But now you can really archive the moment with a video offering that will lend Hollywood-like aerials to your vacation movies.

The following video highlights what a video might include in breathtaking views of the Mergui archipelago taken high above the landscape thanks to a trusty drone.

Now imagine this kind of footage peppering a holiday video you can show off to amazed friends and family.

Now thats what we call some beautiful B-roll.

Via release, Tom Marchant, Black Tomatos co-founder, explained that there has been a rise in travelers who would desire a service that takes the work out of gorgeous holiday mementos such as this: Weve been seeing the rise of technology playing an important role in the tailor-made and unique travel offerings weve been putting together for clients for a while. Whilst people are becoming more comfortable taking their own still photography and footage on their phones and cameras, we have seen a rise in clients wanting to professionally capture their travels.

The website explains how easy it is to procure the service. Essentially, you request to drone your holiday once you book your trip and from there get to meet the photographer who will be the magic man or woman behind the scenes.

This way you get the exact type of shot that will bring your vacation to life many months from now when you sit on your couch a relive the experience.

Merchant continues, We looked at our own network of cameramen and photographers and have slowly been offering people the opportunity to capture these incredible destinations from a new perspective and a new height. In order to deliver truly one of a kind travel experiences with a difference were now offering all clients the chance to travel with famous drone cameramen to add another new dimension to their holidays.

More from TravelPulse

Hopeless Romantic Waits 10 Days At Airport For Woman He Met Online

Five Things to Like About CHIC Punta Cana

This Swiss Hotel Is Literally Just a Bed Someone Stuck On a Mountain

Moorea, One Of The Crown Jewels Of French Polynesia

Inside the Great Markets Of Mexico

The website also has a list of the top 10 destinations where you might want to infuse the dazzle of drone footage such as the previously mentioned archipelago in Myanmar, Jokularson lagoon in Iceland, the Gobi Desert and the expanse of Thailand.

The possibilities are as diverse as you would imagine from such a travel service, capturing the sweeping landscapes of a desert scene or the lush verdant expanse of a Thailand valley.

Black Tomato explains what kind of high-end footage you are really getting here.

The example it uses is a family that visited Myanmar only to have Tim Browning take the aerial footage.

Brownings credits include working on Star Wars and James Bond films. And, perhaps, that roll may one day include your own familys journey too.
Im not a T-Mobile customer. In fact, Ive been with AT&T Wireless for as long as I can remember. But, that is about to change and it isnt due to poor service or an attempt to save money every month. Its because of the companys CEO, John Legere.

Ive always noticed how active he was on social media, but I never had any personal interaction with him until a few weeks ago. Im involved in a project that was soliciting T-Mobile to be the exclusive sponsor. I sent Legere a question in the form of a tweet, not expecting much. Within seconds I had a reply from him and a Direct Message conversation was initiated. I was impressed.

Not all CEOs operate on the same wavelength that Legere does, which is undoubtedly responsible for the companys strong second quarter. Here are five lessons every entrepreneur can learn from Legere.

1. You have to eat, sleep and breathe your brand.

I cant think of a time Ive seen Legere wearing something that wasnt branded with the T-Mobile logo or its magenta color. He loves the brand, believes in the brand and eats, sleeps and breathes T-Mobile.

While some of his actions can be controversial at times, his love for the brand is something that cant be denied. T-Mobile has someone irreplaceable at its helm, responsible for taking the company to the top. If you take the same pride in your brand that Legere has for T-Mobile, you cant lose.

2. Make yourself easily accessible.

Consumers arent going to connect with a politically correct robot CEO, and they surely arent going to follow them on social media. Legere has amassed quite the social following -- 2.8 million on Twitter, 43,000 on Facebook and 27,000 on Instagram.

Related: T-Mobile's Latest Attack on Verizon Is a Masterful Marketing Maneuver

He frequently responds to his following, as I experienced first-hand, and he isnt afraid to engage in an occasional Twitter battle or drop an F-bomb. He doesnt try to hide behind a corporate fabricated persona -- what you see is what you get. Consumers appreciate authenticity and T-Mobile benefits because of how its CEO presents himself.

3. Humble brags arent bad, if backed by facts.

Legere isnt afraid to heckle T-Mobiles rivals, most notably AT&T and Verizon, pointing out poor numbers, while praising his company when they crush goals and expectations. In a world where kids nowadays are under the impression that everyone deserves a participation trophy just for showing up, its refreshing to see someone that is ultra competitive and wants to win so bad.

Related: 22 Qualities That Make a Great Leader

Since Legere took on the CEO role in 2012, T-Mobile has doubled its customer base to 66 million. While its an incredible accomplishment, and one that Im sure he is incredibly proud of, I am sure he is not satisfied and will continue to push the envelope until T-Mobile captures an even larger market share.

4. Humanize your brand to connect with consumers.

How many CEOs do you know that are highly engaged with their customers every Sunday afternoon? Im willing to bet the number is very low. Legere hosts something he calls #SlowCookerSunday, where he prepares a new slow cooked meal every Sunday, engages with his social media followers and shares the recipe -- all via live Facebook video streaming.

Its a concept so simple, yet brilliant at the same time. Hes in his kitchen, complete with a T-Mobile apron and connecting with T-Mobiles customer base on a very personal level. Find a clever way to humanize your brand and watch how well you can connect with your customers -- in addition to attracting new ones.

5. Strive to make changes for your customers.

T-Mobile was the first U.S. wireless provider to ditch two-year contracts and reduce global roaming fees. This is something that Legere started three years ago and at the time T-Mobile was the only carrier offering a no contract cellular plan. Everyone else eventually rolled out the same option, but it was pioneered by Legere.

Related: 5 Unforgettable Leadership Qualities for Successful Entrepreneurs

By offering something that would benefit their customers, T-Mobile was able to keep their current customers happy and also attract a large subscriber base away from the competition. Dont be afraid to disrupt your industry -- bold changes that provide value will often be rewarded.
In stark contrast to the recent words of Pope Francis, His Excellency Gyulia Marfi, Archbishop of Veszprem, Hungary, said Muslim migration is motivated in part by the "desire for conquest."

To the confusion and anger of many Christians worldwide, Pope Francis has defended the mass migration of Muslims to the West and denounced those who would speak truthfully about the clear link between Islam and terrorism. This has created consternation within much of the clergy, many of whom wish Pope Francis would choose his words more carefully.

"Jesus said, 'Be meek as doves,' but he also said, 'Be wise as serpents,'" Archbishop Marfi said in an interview with the publication Riscossa Cristiana. "Just because we love wolves inasmuch as they are God's creation, we don't let them loose among the sheep -- even if they arrive dressed like sheep."

"The Holy Father ought not state certain things in a strong manner, as then the Muslims may take revenge on the Christians of the Middle East," Marfi added.

"There have always been environmental disasters and wars, but the fact that there is enormous pressure on Europe cannot be accidental. The desire for conquest may play a part. For this, the Arab banks provide support. They don't let them into Qatar or the United Arab Emirates, but instead give them money and urge them to immigrate here," the archbishop noted.

The archbishop cautioned, however, that Muslims cannot be blamed entirely for the migrant crisis, and criticized globalists for the fact that the West presents such a willing and easy target to its would-be conquerors.

"Migration doesn't only have causes, but has also some objectives ... The multinationals have need of cheap labor -- in other words, modern slaves," Marfi said, criticizing those who would see their own countries destroyed just for a little extra profit.

Marfi's words highlight the growing disillusionment with the liberal Pope Francis among the more conservative Catholics of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Catholics of a more traditionalist bent worldwide.

Pope Francis' recent visit to Poland for , was met by reactions ranging from icy indifference to outright hostility by many of the country's staunchly socially conservative Catholics. Indeed, in the letter issued by the Polish prelature publicizing the event, Pope John Paul II was praised three times -- Pope Francis wasn't mentioned once.

"It is no secret that the message of Francis is ignored by the Polish clergy," wrote Jaroslaw Makowski for the Polish edition of Newsweek magazine in May. But indeed, some clergy go as far as to directly challenge that message.

"When I went to Warsaw in late 2015 to promote the Polish translation of my Francis biography, 'The Great Reformer,' I was stunned by the level of suspicion and criticism leveled against him," wrote Francis biographer Austen Ivereigh for Politico. "Francis, I was told, was 'causing confusion' with his statements, giving succor to the church's critics and in general letting down the church."

"[Secularism] is a leftist policy in which all religions and cultures are equally important, but not the one they grew up in. Christian, of Christ," said one Polish bishop during a sermon recently.

Marfi also warned of the dangers of the corrosive effects that liberal modernism and multiculturalism have on Western civilization -- and illustrated how those disastrous consequences effectively made the globalists' need for cheap labor inevitable.

"In Europe even now everything speaks of Christianity ... We can see it all around us, in the architecture, in the arts, in literature and music, and everywhere we are aware that the most determining values are those born of Christianity," Marfi said.

"If we throw all of this away, nothing will be left for us and our culture will have lost its sense. An even graver problem is that if we renounce our moral values, then sexuality, love, affection, and life are all separated from each other. This creates not only an ideological vacuum but also a demographic one. And so the immigrants arrive."
A national watchdog group uncovered what it called a "disturbing trend" of anti-Semitic behavior on the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with several students' social media posts denigrating the Jewish faith and praising Adolf Hitler, The Algemeiner reported.

Canary Mission blamed the so-called "cesspool" of anti-Israel behavior on the university's branches of Students for Justice in Palestine and the Muslim Students Association, according to last Thursday's report.

One student, Jordan Welsh, was accused of making anti-American statements while bragging about his assault weapons and posting a photo describing Hitler as "The Original Emo Kid."

A sophomore with ties to the MSA, Hesham Annamer, reportedly tweeted in 2014, "Hitler had a lot of great ideas. We need a guy like that in the white house." A member of SJP named Mohamed Ali tweeted in 2012 that he'd written about Hitler for a class "cuz he's a boss."

Eyad Hijr, a graduate affiliated with the MSA, told one social media user in 2014, "I already hate you. You dirty filthy Jew. All your people do is f----- s--- up. Wish hitler was still around to show you guys," according to the report.

Meanwhile, the founder of SJP at the university, Amira Sakalla, referenced the First Intifada in a 2013 tweet and claimed it was "about time" for another Palestinian uprising, The Algemeiner added.

There was no immediate response from the university.

A Canary Mission representative said members of SJP "usually attempt to clothe their hatred with a thin veil of human rights. In the case of the University of Tennessee, there is no veil, just raw bigotry."

Click for more from The Algemeiner.
As Father Josiah Trenham prepared to read the Gospel, several parishioners discreetly scooped up their babies, retreated up the aisles of St. Andrew Orthodox Church and out into the spring air, so as not to allow the crying of little ones to disturb the divine liturgy.

The time-honored tradition was shattered when a car passed by the Riverside, Calif., church, slowing down as the front passenger leaned out of his window and bellowed menacingly through a bullhorn, according to witnesses.

Allahu Akbar! the unidentified man repeated several times as the unnerved parents drew their infants close and exchanged worried glances.

Witnesses were able to give Riverside police a description of the green Honda Civic, but not of the three occupants. Some told police they believed one or more of the men may have been taking photographs, according to Officer Ryan Railsback. Although Trenham insisted multiple congregants heard the Arabic phrase, Railsback noted no mention of it was in the police report.

Whatever the case, no law was broken  even if an unmistakable message was sent and received.

Be calm and to keep a special vigilance over the property and our children while we are at church, Trenham wrote in an email to parishioners in which he recounted the disturbing event. Pray that these provocative young men might repent of their intimidation and be saved.

Trenham told FoxNews.com last week the situation remains tense and tenuous, and said the church now has security officers on hand for all regular services.

"It is a deep sorrow to live this way in the 'new America, he said.

The incident took place on April 12, some four months after a terror attack left 14 dead in nearby San Bernardino, and just over three months before a French priest was killed by ISIS-linked jihadists in his church. The events, whether far or near, underscore a grim new reality for pastors such as Trenham: Instead of offering sanctuary from evil, churches could in fact be attractive targets for terror.

"Many churches are now hiring self-defense instructors for classes or security guards that include off-duty police," said Ryan Mauro, a professor of Homeland Security at Liberty University and national security analyst for the Clarion Project. "If you are an Islamist terrorist seeking self-glory, executing a priest will bring you more attention than executing an average civilian."

While no lethal terror attacks have occurred inside a U.S. church to date, experts like Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern, notes the threat tally is growing.

"I'm pretty sure there will be attacks in the future, King said. Until [radical Islam is defeated], we can expect Christians, including in the West, to rationally tighten security measures and try to protect themselves from attack."

In February, Khial Abu-Rayyan, 21, of Dearborn Heights, Mich., was arrested after he told an undercover FBI agent he was preparing to "shoot up" a major church near his home on behalf of ISIS. A month earlier, the Rev. Roger Spradlin of Valley Baptist Church  one of the biggest congregations in Bakersfield, Calif.  told attendees that they had received a threat written in Arabic.

"Undercover officers were then placed during worship services, Valley Baptist spokesman Dave Kalahar said. The FBI continues to investigate along with the local task force."

Last September, an Islamic man clad in combat gear was charged with making a terrorist threat after entering Corinth Missionary Baptist Church, in Bullard, Tex., and claiming that God had instructed him to kill Christians and "other infidels." A year earlier, police were called to Saint Bartholomew's Catholic Church in Columbus, Ind., after the house of worship was vandalized with the word "Infidels!" along with a Koranic verse sanctioning death for nonbelievers. Similar graffiti was found that same night at nearby Lakeview Church of Christ and East Columbus Christian Church.

St. Bartholomew Pastor Clem Davis said he doesnt know if the threat was legitimate, but said little can be done to harden a target whose mission is to welcome all.

"I don't know that there is any real protection against the 'lone wolf' mentality, not without infringing on everybody's freedoms," Davis said. "We don't have metal detectors, people go in and out. Churches are family-orientated, public, tax-supported spaces; so they may appeal to some as a target."

Synagogues have faced increasing threats in recent years, too. Earlier this year, the FBI disrupted a plot by a Muslim convert to blow up the Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center, in Aventura, Fla. A 2014 audit by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that anti-Semitic incidents rose 21 percent across the country that year.

Eastern Orthodox Christians, who in many cases suffered persecution at the hands of radical Muslims in their Middle Eastern homelands, believe they may be singled out because of their heritage. Mass at St. Andrew typically attracts up to 400 worshippers with roots in Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Russia and Greece.

"We have guards now; we never used to have guards, said St. Andrew attendee Solomon Saddi, a Syrian-American Christian. They keep an eye on everyone and talk to the faces that aren't familiar," he continued, referring to the aftermath of the April incident. "It is a very dangerous time for us even in America."

In San Diego's Iraqi-Christian community, known as Chaldeans, many local churches have had to dip into their collection baskets to hire security.

"There is a concern over attacks," said a parishioner at St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Church. "Everyone knows that a church, especially like St. Peter, is a risk. But everyone tries not to let their fear get in the way of their faith."

The July 26 murder of the Rev. Jacques Hamel, in the Normandy town of St.-Etienne-du-Rouvray sent shock waves around the world, and signaled to U.S. law enforcement that it could happen here, said Horace Frank, assistant commanding officer of the Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau of the Los Angeles Police Department.

"We see things happen in other countries and worry about them happening here," Frank said. "You always have to be worried about copycats. That's why we focus on prevention, trying to look ahead."

Franks division works with Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh groups to discuss such topics as terrorist reporting, suspicious activity and active shooter training.

"We reach out to churches and they reach out to us. You have to be aware, you have to be vigilant," Frank said. "It's a concern not just in Christian communities, but all faith communities."

Jamie Brennan contributed to this report
The chancellor at University of California Berkeley has an exit plan in case student protesters storm his office.

Nicholas Dirks, the school's chancellor, installed a $9,000 escape hatch in a hallway outside his office to "provide egress" if potential student protesters descend on the administration building, according to the campus newspaper, The Daily Californian.

The emergency exit -- built late last month -- was ordered in response to an April 2015 protest during which students stormed the chancellors suite and staged a sit-in outside his office, the paper reported. Students reportedly banged on desks and chanted loudly before being escorted out of the building, some in handcuffs.

Campus spokeswoman Claire Holmes confirmed construction of the door inside California Hall, telling the paper it was installed as a safety measure to "provide egress to leave the building."

The new door did not sit well with some students at the public university.

"There has to be other ways to handle student concerns and protests than simply building ways to avoid them," ASUC Senator-elect Chris Yamas told the paper.

"The chancellor seems elitist and out of touch and inaccessible to the students," Yamas said.

Student protests have erupted on the grounds of the California university for decades, but none ever resulted in a chancellor being physically harmed, Yamas said.

Funds for the escape hatch were approved by the school's president under Be Smart About Safety, a university-wide pool of money set aside for risk prevention.

The door was also roundly criticized in an Aug. 1 staff editorial published by the school paper.

"The money used to construct the exit, while not substantial relative to other UC construction projects, came from a pool of funding to be allocated toward risk services, including protections for campus employees," the editorial said. "Its concerning that, at a time when campus safety is a national issue and UC Berkeley affiliates are frequently the victims of crimes on and near campus, campus is focusing risk prevention efforts at the uppermost level."

The new escape door was installed four months after the school finished building a $700,000 security fence around University House, Dirks' private residence, to keep out student protesters.

The Daily Californian reported that student activists protesting for workers rights marched to the chancellors house last November and jumped over the fence while it was still under construction. The protesters proceeded to vandalize the property -- with some throwing burning torches.

University officials, meanwhile, have insisted that he door was requested by the staff, not Dirks, according to multiple reports. University spokesman Dan Mogulof told The Guardian that the term "escape hatch" was a "concoction of a 19-year-old headline writer."

"Its a door," Mogulof told the website.
The husband of an Ohio schoolteacher, who was severely injured when four men dropped a rock on her car from a highway overpass, killed himself late Saturday night  and the prosecutor who jailed the rock-throwers blames them for Randy Budds suicide.

Budd, 55, was pronounced dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Ohio residence, Harry Campbell, chief investigator for Ohios Stark County Coroners office, told the AP on Sunday.

Randy Budd did not die from a gunshot, Union County District Attorney D. Peter Johnson told pennlive.com. He died when those kids threw a rock through his windshield.

Johnson added: They killed him like they killed her.

Sharon Budd, who lives at the couple's Uniontown home, suffered catastrophic head injuries when a 5-pound rock dropped from an overpass crashed through the windshield of her family's moving car on Interstate 80 in central Pennsylvania in July 2014.

After his wife's accident, Randy Budd became an advocate for requiring fencing on overpasses. Earlier this year, the Budd family helped push through new rules in Ohio requiring any new or rehabbed bridges over most busy highways to be topped with chain-link fencing to deter vandals.

Fewer than three hours before he shot himself, Randy Budd texted State Senator Gene Yaw to Please get the fence issue settled.

Randy Budd said in January that his wife had seven major surgeries and lost part of her brain and one of her eyes. Because part of her brain was affected, he said she would require constant care at home for the rest of her life. Sharon cannot make her own food, take her medications or work a remote control, her daughter Kaylee Budd told pennlive.com in September.

I kept thinking, this had to happen for a reason. Why would this happen? Randy Budd said in January. There has got to be something good to come out of this, and it happened. Now it's going to have an impact in Ohio for years and years to come, and somebody else won't have to go through what we're going through  or even death.

Four young men  Brett and Dylan Lahr, Keefer McGee and Tyler Porter  were convicted and sentenced to prison sentences ranging from 11  months to 4  years in a case that attracted national attention.

Ohio transportation officials said it means at least 108 bridges or overpasses will get fencing 6 to 8 feet high in the next few years without significant added costs to the projects.

The Budd family are all together and are grieving the loss of their dad, husband and brother, a statement from the Budd family said. We deeply appreciate the tremendous support our family has received from the Massillon, Canton and Hartville areas over the past several years. We ask for your prayers and some privacy as we deal with our loss.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A man was been shot and killed by police in Louisville early Monday morning, authorities said.



Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad told news outlets the shooting happened about 1:30 a.m. Monday.



Officers responded to an apartment for a domestic dispute when Conrad said a man came out of the home armed with a knife and another machete-like weapon.



Conrad said officers ordered the man to drop the weapons but he did not.



He said the man then advanced toward the three police officers.

Conrad said two of the officers shot at the man, killing him.



Officials have not released the man's identity.



Police said all three officers were wearing body cameras.



The shooting remains under investigation.
A new law in the Lone Star State allows certain students to bring guns into college classrooms -- and supporters of the law say that in an age of mass shootings, concealed weapons are a preventative measure.

So, in essence, college and university students in Texas will now have a fighting chance should an armed killer bent on wreaking death and chaos perpetrate an attack on their campus.

The new state "campus carry" law, which went into effect Monday, allows people ages 21 and older with a concealed handgun license to carry pistols in classrooms and buildings throughout public colleges.

The law took effect on the 50th anniversary of one of the deadliest U.S. shootings to occur on a college campus -- in 1966, a student named Charles Whitman killed 16 people by firing from the clock tower at the University of Texas at Austin, the state's flagship public university.

Enrollment at UT now sits at over 214,000.

One Lubbock, Texas, father and grandfather supports the new concealed-carry law. "In this day and age -- I've got grandkids ages four and two who I worry about every day -- this allows students on campuses a fighting chance," he said. "I'm sorry, but have our leaders given us any reason to assume that violence will somehow stop, or even slow down, in America? If violence ramps up, personal defense must ramp up, too. We have rights guaranteed to us under the Constitution."

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott supports campus carry as well. "What campus carry does is that it only authorizes those who go through the special training and background" to carry firearms, he was quoted as saying, according to Reuters.

A 30-year-old landscaping company manager in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, told LifeZette that just knowing college students might be carrying could possibly deter a shooter from taking the risk of opening fire.

"Look, since when is it bad to defend ourselves?" he said. "The more people who are armed legally and trained responsibly, the safer we all are. There won't be young kids carrying guns with the law -- you have to be 21 to even qualify to carry. And maybe that shooter will just think twice."

University of Texas professors lobbied to prevent the law, arguing that the combination of youth, firearms, and college life could make for a deadly combination, according to Reuters. University President Gregory Fenves reluctantly allowed campus carry, saying he was compelled to do so under the new law.

Last month, three professors filed a lawsuit to block the law, saying it could have a chilling effect on academic freedom.

"That is rich," said the landscape manager, laughing. "'Academic freedom'? What about the micro-aggressions that stranglehold students who can't make a move without being pegged as intolerant? I am suspect of anything a liberal professor says today about society, frankly."

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, said the law is constitutionally sound and that he would defend it.

The law allows private colleges to opt out, and most of Texas' higher-profile private universities have done so, saying the measure does not protect student safety.

One hopes their opinions will never be tested with a real-life shooting by an armed killer bent on extinguishing as many lives as possible. There were 23 college campus shootings in 2015 alone.

Texas joins seven other states that allow people to carry concealed weapons on public post-secondary campuses. They are Colorado, Kansas, Oregon, Utah, Mississippi, Wisconsin, and Idaho.
A New York City woman visiting her mother in Massachusetts was killed Sunday while jogging through the woods near her home, law enforcement officials said Monday.

Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said that 27-year-old Vanessa Marcotte was reported missing after she failed to return from a Sunday afternoon run in Princeton, Mass.

Her body was found Sunday night by a state police canine unit about a half-mile from her mother's home, according to Early.

Early added that investigators do not know if the killing was a "random act," and that authorities are asking residents of surrounding communities to remain vigilant.

"People should be concerned," he said at a news conference.

Early added that there is nothing at this point to connect Marcottes killing to the murder last week of Karina Vetrano, who was killed while jogging near her home in Queens, N.Y.

Boston University spokesperson Colin Riley told Fox 25 she graduated from the school in May 2011 with honors from the College of Communication.

"We're so terribly sad for her family and friends. They're in our thoughts and prayers," Riley said.

Police said Marcotte was a Leominster native, and her LinkedIn lists her as graduating from The Bancroft School in Worcester in 2007. According to her LinkedIn page, Marcotte worked for Google in New York City.

Neighbors said they received an automated call from Princeton Police around 8 p.m. Sunday. Massachusetts State Police troopers said they arrived to an already active scene around 10:30 p.m.

The rural town of Princeton has about 3,500 residents and is 40 miles west of Boston. Early said that Marcotte grew up in the nearby town of Leominster.

Joanne Kay, manager of a bakery and cafe in Princeton, told the Boston Globe she plans to give authorities surveillance video from her store because joggers, cyclists, and hikers are frequent customers.

Its devastating, Kay told the newspaper. Its like your own daughter.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from Fox 25.

Click for more from The Boston Globe.
A college professor known for "repugnant" rants on social media, including one blaming Israel for the 9/11 attacks, won't be holding court in a classroom when school begins this fall.

Officials at Oberlin College announced last week that Joy Karega, assistant professor of rhetoric and composition, is suspended with pay from the prestigious Ohio liberal arts college while the administration reviews her Facebook posts.

Karega came under fire in February after posting comments on the social media site blaming Israel and Jews for everything from 9/11 to the creation of ISIS. At the time, Oberlin President Marvin Krislov appeared to defend Karega's freedom of speech in a letter to the college community.

But on Wednesday, Scott Wargo, Oberlin's director of media relations, released a statement on behalf of the college, saying the school had been considering carefully the grave issues surrounding the anti-Semitic postings on social media by Oberlin faculty member Dr. Joy Karega."

"In March, in consultation with President Marvin Krislov, the Trustees of Oberlin College asked the administration and faculty to 'challenge the assertion that there is any justification for these repugnant postings,'" the statement said.

"The College initiated its faculty governance process to review Dr. Karegas professional fitness in light of these postings," it continued. "The faculty governance process that began thereafter is ongoing, and the Oberlin administration will continue to respect this process as it plays out. Until that process is complete, Dr. Karega has been placed on paid leave and will not teach at Oberlin."

In a posting Friday on her personal Facebook account, Karega thanked her supporters and attached a NewsOne.com article quoting her representative, identified as Chui Karega, who said the school is "being used as a personal tool of religious extremism by a small number of people.

"Oberlin administrative officials have stated that Dr. Karega has performed exceptionally as an educator on the faculty at Oberlin. Her record of teaching has been unblemished," Chui Karega told the website.

"Nevertheless, Oberlin's administration, pandering to the dictates of a handful of vocal and wealthy religious zealots, has set out to push Dr. Karega out of her faculty position at Oberlin," he said, adding that the professor was placed on administrative leave with "no justification."

The NewsOne.com article, however, includes a photograph of the wrong college.

In February, the news site, The Tower, published controversial posts made by Karega in early 2015. The posts claimed Israel secretly planned the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris and that Mossad, Israels national security agency, formed Islamic State.

At the time, Krislov responded in a letter to the school community by writing, "I am a practicing Jew, grandson of an Orthodox rabbi. Members of our family were murdered in the Holocaust."

"As someone who has studied history, I cannot comprehend how any person could or would question its existence, its horrors and the evil which caused it. I feel the same way about anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Regardless of the reason for spreading these materials, they cause pain for many people  members of our community and beyond, he wrote.

Krislov didnt mention Karegas name in the letter, but said backing the right to freedom of speech was parallel to the colleges mission.

Cultivating academic freedom can be difficult and at times painful for any college community. The principles of academic freedom and freedom of speech are not just principles to which we turn to face these challenges, but also the very practices that ensure we can develop meaningful responses to prejudice," he said.

Days later, however, Clyde McGregor, the board chairman, wrote in a statement on behalf of the colleges board of trustees that these grave issues must be considered expeditiously.
A brutally abused infant girls incarcerated parents  who have been charged with her vicious assault  were allowed a final visit with their daughter on Monday in a Georgia hospital before doctors removed the baby from life support.

The girl, Dinah Paige Whited, had been on life support for three months at the hospital in Monroe, ever since the then-7-week-old girl suffered a beating that resulted in bleeding on the brain, two broken collar bones and several broken ribs, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.

Dinah was taken off life support on Monday afternnon, according to The Journal Constitution.

Justin Whited, Dinahs father, has been charged with the attack. Jamie Cason Whited, Dinahs mother, is charged with child cruelty. Prosecutors claim Jamie did not adequately protect Dinah.

The mother, who had previously faced charges for possession of methamphetamine, told police in April she had noticed bruises on Dinah before the April 23 attack that landed the girl in the hospital. But she said she refused to take Dinah to a doctor out of fear the state might take away her child.

Jamie and Justin deny abusing Dinah, The Journal Constitution reported. Justin could face a murder charge once Dinah dies.

Each parent was set to receive a half-hour visit with Dinah on Monday morning, according to an order from Walton County Juvenile Court Judge David Dickinson. Afterwards, doctors were instructed to remove all life support measures, and to allow Dinah Paige Whited to die.

Baby Dinah, as the little girl has become known, has no brain activity at all, according to a GoFundMe page set up by Dinahs grandparents, Paige and Johnny Barrett.

This baby will never live a normal life, she will never walk, talk or play, wrote the grandparents, who referred to themselves as Gammy and Granddaddy. She has no quality of life.

Money received through the fundraising website is set to be used for burial expenses.
A Southern California woman and her 4-year-old daughter were shot and killed late Saturday as they came home from grocery shopping.

Long Beach police said Sunday that officers responded to a report of a shooting at around 10 p.m. The woman, identified as 26-year-old Carina Mancera, was pronounced dead at the scene and the girl, identified as 4-year-old Jannebel Anaya, was wounded and transported to a hospital where she later died, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

Police said they have no information on the possible shooter or shooters and a motive was unclear.

The husband and father of the victims, Luis Anaya, 27, said he had just parked the car after returning from the store. He said his wife and daughter had just crossed the street when he heard the gunfire.

I ran over and tried to save them, but it was too late, he told the paper. I couldnt.

Anaya said he saw the man run down the street and the assailant fired shots at him but they missed. He said he didnt know the man and wouldnt know what a possible motive would be.

I dont know why he did it, why he came after my family, he added. I dont have any problems with anybody.

Family and friends lined the street where the shooting occurred. Flowers decorated the sidewalk as well.

A GoFundMe was set up to help Anaya with the funeral costs.

Our family is heartbroken with this tragic event, and we hope that you can help us give these two beautiful souls a graceful resting place, the page reads.

Long Beach police have urged anyone who had witnessed the murders to come forward and contact authorities.

Click for more from the Long Beach Press-Telegram.
A stowaway kitten made a remarkable trip to Minnesota before her consistent meowing kept the neighbors up on a Minneapolis street. In all, the cat likely spent two days and more than 200 miles hiding in a car.

The meowing began Thursday, when the relatives of a neighbor drove from South Dakota and parked their car; the pair then flew to Alaska. Shauna Sperber said her aunt and uncle first heard meows in South Dakota, but the sounds went away before they began driving from their farm near Brookings.

When I brought them to the airport, they jokingly said, in case you hear a cat, dont be alarmed, Sperber told Fox 9.

As neighbors heard the meows, they started inventing methods of getting the cat to come outside.

[We] spent four or five hours on Friday trying to coax the cat out with tuna, salmon, a box to climb into  with no success, Matt Larson told Fox 9.

But on Saturday afternoon, the neighbors popped the hood and could see a foot and tail. They removed a small piece of the engine compartment, and Mike Nash grabbed the cat.

I knew in my mind, if I pulled her out, Id probably keep her, Nash told Fox 9.

Nash said the decision to keep the cat was easy, but picking the name is a little more difficult.

Click for more from Fox 9.
Nearly 54 years after a young woman died in southwest Louisiana, her husband is going on trial, accused of killing her.

Jury selection begins Monday in the second-degree murder case against Felix Vail, 76, who faces life in prison if convicted on that charge. He has asked Judge Robert Wyatt to move the trial out of the southwest Louisiana parish where Mary Horton Vail died.

Public defender Andrew Casanave said in an email that he won't speak to reporters until after a verdict because there already has been "excessive publicity" which he believes will make it hard to seat a fair jury. He referred a reporter to an earlier statement that a grand jury in 1963 found too little evidence to prosecute Vail, and all of the people who investigated him then are now dead.

"Further, law enforcement lost every witness' statement, investigative report, and almost every photograph," the statement said. "The claim that there is evidence on which to prosecute is an insult to those good people who are now gone."

Without the people, the investigators' reports and witness statements can't be brought in as evidence anyway, said prosecutor Hugo Holland. He said his 21 witnesses include a woman who was a stenographer for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office in 1962 and will testify about what she recalls Vail saying.

Mary Vail had been homecoming queen at Eunice High School. She married Felix Vail on July 1, 1961. A year later, they had a son. She died on Oct. 28, 1962. She was 22 years old.

Vail said she fell into the Calacasieu River while they were setting trotlines -- unattended baited hooks dangling from a long line that is strung across a waterway, generally under water. He was arrested, but the coroner ruled the death an accidental drowning and a grand jury declined to indict. Vail, a native of Mississippi, was freed.

In November 2012, The Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, Mississippi, published a series about Mary Vail's death and the disappearances in 1973 of Vail's girlfriend Sharon Hensley and in October 1984 of his second wife, Annette Craver Vail.

The series quoted a pathologist who said photographs in Mary Vail's autopsy report indicated homicide: her neck and legs were bruised, and four inches of her scarf were in her mouth. Relatives told the newspaper that Mary Vail was afraid of water.

That prompted the current Calcasieu Parish coroner, forensic pathologist Terry Welke, to examine photos of Mary Vail's body being pulled out of the river and review the 1962 coroner's report. "At a preliminary hearing, Doctor Welke testified that although he could not determine the cause of Mrs. Vail's death, the manner of death was a homicide," the state's 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal wrote.

Vail was indicted in June 2013.

Holland said witnesses will include forensic pathologist Michael Baden, who testified in O.J. Simpson's trial and was brought in by Michael Brown's family to perform an autopsy after the 18-year-old was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.

Prosecutors also plan to bring evidence tying Vail to the disappearances of Hensley and Annette Vail, who married Vail in August 1983, when she was 17 and he was 43.

The 3rd Circuit ruled in November 2014 that Wyatt was correct to allow the evidence into court, and the state Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal.

A member of each woman's family -- Annette Vail's mother and brothers of the other two women -- will testify, Holland said.

"Defendant's first wife is dead," Judge John Saunders wrote for the appellate court. "Two other significant women in Defendant's life, Ms. Hensley and Ms. Carver-Vail, have not been seen in forty-one and thirty years, respectively. In all three incidences, Defendant allegedly was the last person to ever see them alive."

Prosecutors say Vail had a reason to get rid of Hensley: the couple had been arrested after Mary Vail's son, Billy Vail, then 8 years old, walked into a police station and said "he had overheard his father tell Ms. Hensley that he murdered his wife," Saunders wrote.

Wyatt ruled that prosecutors cannot use a copy of a taped statement which Billy Hensley made shortly before his death.

Vail had written Hensley's mother in 1974, telling her that he last saw Hensley in Florida in 1973, and "she had boarded a sailboat with another couple and sailed away to cruise the world," according to the 3rd Circuit ruling.

After Annette Vail's mother filed a missing person's report in October 1984, Vail told police that he had dropped the young woman off at a bus station in St. Louis so she could travel to Mexico.

Under the "doctrine of chances," Saunders wrote, the more often a defendant is involved in an "out-of-the-ordinary event," the less likely it is that they occurred by chance.
Police were justified in shooting and critically wounding a 17-year-old Somali refugee in a confrontation that sparked unrest and protests in Salt Lake City earlier this year, a Utah prosecutor decided Monday.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said officers acted appropriately when they fired at Abdi Mohamed because police believed the teen was about seriously injure or kill another man with a metal stick.

The teen was struck twice in the torso on Feb. 27, and the shooting became a flashpoint in the nation's discussion about police use of force against minorities.

Police have said that two Salt Lake City officers intervened as Mohamed and a second person beat a man with metal sticks. The officers fired when Mohamed moved menacingly toward the victim instead of obeying orders to drop the object.

His family disputes that account. His cousin Muslima Weledi has said that witnesses told her Mohamed had a broomstick and misunderstood the command.

The beating victim didn't need medical attention. Mohamed was hospitalized in a medically induced coma but survived.

The shooting touched off unrest in the bustling downtown area near the city's main homeless shelter and not far from the arena where the NBA's Utah Jazz play. The public outcry persisted as police refused to release video from the officers' body cameras until the investigation was complete.

Mohamed came to the U.S. with his family in 2004 from a refugee camp in Kenya, Weledi said.

Court records show he started getting in trouble with police at age 12 and spent time in juvenile detention centers for theft, trespassing and assault, most recently in September.

Click for more from Fox 13.
Firefighters were battling a wildfire in Southern California on Monday that grew to more than 2 square miles in mere hours and forced the evacuation of homes near a reservoir.

The fire, which broke out Sunday afternoon in the San Bernardino National Forest, prompted the evacuation order of the sparsely populated Summit Valley area east of the dam.

The fire was burning about 55 miles east of Los Angeles in a remote area near Silverwood Lake, a state recreation area, near the small mountain community of Crestline.

U.S. Forest Service spokesman Robert Taylor said 20 mph winds pushed a huge plume of smoke north toward the Mojave Desert.

Officials warned that air quality may reach unhealthy levels in the areas affected by the smoke.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Social media is in everyones pocket nowadays. And this phenomenon can potentially lead to distractions in the workplace, a fear that has prompted many employer to institute policies to minimize social media use at work. But just how effective are these policies?

Related: Craft a Legal, Effective Employee Social Media Policy With These 5 Steps

Apparently not very: In a June 2016 survey from Pew Research Center, 77 percent of 2,003 American workers surveyed reported that, despite their employers' policies against social media use, they still used it anyway.

Given such resistence, maybe its time to train employees to use social media in a productive manner. Here are some of those potential productive ways:

1. Implement social media breaks.

Breaks are vital to maintaining a high level of productivity. In fact, 57 percent of employers and 64 percent of employees surveyed by Staples this year said that taking adequate breaks was a key factor to their overall productivity.

By giving employees the chance to unplug from work mode, companies are starting to see a positive impact -- the June 2016 survey from Pew Research Center found that 54 percent of employees agreed that social media breaks helped them recharge at work.

Employees, then, should be encouraged to step away from their workstations and spend some time out of the office. If they like going on social media, breaks, enable them to stay connected on their profiles during the workday without those same social media hindering their attention to a task.

Breaks should be dedicated times employees can look forward to, without having to sneak glances at their newsfeeds and Snapchat messages in the middle of a project. Such multitasking hurts productivity and throws their concentration off. But, when employees know they will have time allocated for leisure time, they will be less prone to check every phone buzz.

2. Conduct research and seek advice.

The Pew Research Center survey from June also found that 56 percent of workers believed that using social media ultimately helped their job performance. After all, these platforms aren't solely for sharing kitten videos and inviting friends to Candy Crush.

In fact, employees can use social media to help with their daily tasks, such as researching specific questions or concerns. For example, marketing experts on Twitter tend to post articles on best practices. If employees are stuck on designing a new campaign, they can seek out some actionable advice.

They can use sites like Quora to see what the online community is discussing about a specific topic or a question. These types of Q&A sites are good for various perspectives on any subject.

Outlets like Periscope and Facebook offer live streaming video. Organizations may livestream informative talks and seminars, which employees can also tune into.

Related: The Jury Is Still Out on Texting for Professional Communication

3. Expand professional networks.

Social media can help connect professionals with colleagues in the same industry. As an employer, you can help them leverage LinkedIns features to share ideas and meet new people. For example, provide a list of important groups or organizations they should join and follow.

Employees can share posts, comment on other peoples posts, send direct messages to colleagues and even attend webinars for leading industry insights. Professional organizations provide a lot of great content that can benefit employees on all levels.

Your talent acquisition team can further benefit from employees expanding their professional networks on social media. The more connections employees make, the more options they have to help with recruiting through an employee-referral program.

4. Recruit new talent.

In the Global Recruiting Trends 2016 report from LinkedIn, 47 percent of the 3,894 hiring managers surveyed called social media the most effective employer branding tool. The various platforms there provide unique features that are perfect for spreading brand awareness and attracting top talent.

So, why not conduct seminars and training bootcamps to show employees how to use social media, to spread the positivity associated with your brand? This should all be a part of your employee-referral program.

Tools like StrongIntro streamline this process. StrongIntro trains staff on how to source their connections, then helps them submit referrals who are qualified, by using a simple interface.

5. Engage in team-building.

In its simplest fashion, social media connects coworkers on a personal level. They can communicate with one other after hours and create a strong friendship. Social media can also be used as a support system, enabling employees to send positive messages to someone, for example, who is out sick or experiencing a traumatic life event.

Additionally, social media can be helpful in developing the employer-employee relationship. Companies can use these public forums to recognize and celebrate an employees performance and achievements, which is just as effective as making announcements at meetings.

Instead of sending still more internal emails to employees (which may get lost in an overflowing inbox), create a specific event page on Facebook to keep everyone informed about an upcoming meeting, seminar, office party or other work-related function. This means of communicating will be more direct and less likely to be overlooked.

Related: Are Small Businesses Spending Too Much Time on Social?

In sum, the term social media may make some managers shudder. However, its a powerful tool that should be used to help employees with development of their careers and performance and to also guide their employers to better recruiting practices.
There's A Petition To Rename Humboldt Park As Harambe Park

By Stephen Gossett in News on Aug 8, 2016 8:25PM



Bronze statue of gorilla at Cincinnati Zoo / Getty Images / Photo: John Sommers II

It's been over two months since zoo workers fatally shot Harambe, a gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo, after a 3-year-old climbed into the primates enclosure. And while the moral outrage subsided, the bizarre Harambe memes continue unabatedeven right here in Chicago.

In death, the late, great silverback became exaggeratedly, ridiculously greatat least in the hands of 2016 Internet culture. As the Washington Post points out, there were popular-song rewrites (think "I'm goin' Harambe in a Temple of the Dog voice), a deliberately stupid rallying cry (dicks out for Harambe) and think pieces about the memes.

Here in Chicago there's a Change.org petition posted on Saturday by Peter Bono (a.k.a. Vince Mici, 21) to change the name of Humboldt Park to Harambe Park. It is already past the halfway point to its goal of 500 supporters. Bono insists it's more than just a non-sequitur goof and claims there's a moral component to the meme.

"The whole Harambe sensation not only plays an important role in 2016 internet culture but it also works as social commentary on modern society as a whole," he told Chicagoist via direct message.

"You see the popular internet joke that Harambe should be recognized as a heroalthough extremely over-exaggerated[showed] his death was extremely important. It shed light on the way humans cruelly imprison these animals This all could have been avoided if the guardian of the child payed more attention so as he would not have crawled into the gorilla exhibit," he added.

At the same time, Bono with the other hand also plays up the memes nature as a mirror to meaninglessness. How else to explain this retweet, in which a commenter responds to an (over?) earnest claim of insensitivity by proclaiming Harambe has a sick jump shot? Its an anti-PC piss take in the eyes of the initial Twitter poster, but it could equally mean nothing at all in the world of Haramabe.

Still Mici finds a point in it all. (We think?) Although we poke fun through memes and renaming parks and other various official landmarks, it gets you thinking he said. Maybe Harambe is the hero we need to highlight the importance of leaving wild animals (out) of captivity.

So, the moral concern merely changed shape and took the Internets preferred form of lol-able random!-ness? It seems like a stretchand even posing the question almost feels like a punchline weve been tricked in to deliveringbut stranger things have happened. (Clearly.) Whatever the case may be, one of our city's fair parks is just the latest focus in the surprisingly long-lasting, oddball world of Harambe.
Five gunmen wearing Afghan military uniforms have abducted an American and an Australian in the Afghan capital, Kabul, a security official said Monday.

The two foreigners were taken from their SUV while driving on Sunday night on a main road near the American University of Afghanistan, according to Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry. They are believed to be employees of the university and were traveling between the university and their residence, he said.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Sediqqi also added that initial reports show that up to five armed men stopped the foreigners' vehicle and carried out the kidnapping. The two abducted are both men, he said. He did not reveal any more details except to say that an investigation is underway.

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul issued a brief statement confirming the kidnapping of an American citizen but gave no further details "due to privacy concerns."

"U.S. Embassy security officials are working closely with Afghan law enforcement and security colleagues and AUAF to assist in the investigation into the kidnapping," it said, referring to the American University of Afghanistan.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also issued a statement confirming "the apparent kidnapping of an Australian in Kabul." No further details were released, also for privacy concerns.

"We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation, including the serious threat of kidnapping," it said.

Senior staff at the university in Kabul could not immediately be reached for comment.

Kidnappings are not uncommon in Afghanistan. Three other foreigners who were kidnapped in Kabul over the past year have all been released, including an Indian woman, Judith D'Souza who was freed last month after being held for more than a month.

An Australian woman, Kerry Jane Wilson, was abducted in the eastern city of Jalalabad in April. Her whereabouts are unknown.

Sediqqi said that kidnappers in all the Kabul cases, including Monday's, had been wearing military uniforms, establishing a pattern and hinting at some form of organized gang activity.

Most of the thousands of foreigners living and working in Kabul are largely confined to their embassies or, in the case of those working for the United Nations or other non-government organizations, to their residential compounds, with limited movement permitted.

The abductions heighten the risk for the few foreigners, including journalists, who move with relative freedom across the Afghan capital in order to do their work.

Residents of the capital complain that crime has risen in recent months, especially robbery and car theft. The apparent rise coincides with an economic crisis as the government has not been able to create jobs or stimulate growth.

President Ashraf Ghani took office in 2014 promising jobs and peace, but has provided neither as the war with the Taliban grinds on for its 15th year.

The police, however, deny a spike in crime.

On Sunday, a court in the western city of Herat sentenced 14 people to death for kidnapping and murder. Another three, including a woman, were handed prison sentences of between six and 20 years.
Islamic State jihadis in the Philippines are plotting to attack the Miss Universe contest that will be held in their country in 2017, according to a secret jihadi social media channel accessed by The Foreign Desk.

In a thread posted to a Telegram Messenger group called IS Philippines supporters, a jihadi, noting next years pageant, encourages everyone who can to launch attacks at the event.

Addressing brothers who love martyrdom, the author inspires followers to target the blood of foreigners whose nations have participated in the war against ISIS.

ISIS leaders have long been encouraging supporters to launch local attacks in their native countries if the possibility of traveling to fight alongside the Islamic State in the groups Syria and Iraq Caliphate is not feasible.

The Miss Universe contest is scheduled for January 2017 in the Philippines, where the pageant was last held in 1994.

The pageant, which brings together women from around the world, was founded in 1952 by Pacific Knitting Mills, a California-based clothing company. Most recently, Donald Trump bought the entire stock of the Miss Universe Organization from NBC in September 2015, and after three days sold all shares to talent agency William Morris (WME/IMG).

The post offers a downloadable video on how to assemble a suicide belt, as well as a 49-page guide in English on how to manufacture explosives.

Click for more from The Foreign Desk


Burger 21 Beefs Up Atlanta Presence With Signing Of New Franchise Agreement For Two Restaurants

Award-Winning Fast Casual Chain to Bring Chef-Inspired Burger Creations to Duluth and Sandy Springs

TAMPA, Fla. - Aug. 8, 2016 // PRNewswire // - Burger 21, an award-winning, "beyond the better burger" fast casual franchise, announced today the signing of a multi-unit franchise agreement to develop two restaurants in the Atlanta area to further develop the brand's presence. Father-and-son franchisee team Dwight Pearson and Jamion Ridon plan to open two restaurants in Midtown and Sandy Springs over the next two years. Burger 21 currently has 24 open restaurants, including four restaurants across Atlanta, and approximately 20 franchised locations in development nationwide.

"We're thrilled to bring Burger 21 to the local communities in Midtown and Sandy Springs," said Mark Johnston, Burger 21 founder and president. "Atlanta has been a target market of ours since launching our aggressive growth initiative nearly five years ago, and it's great to expand our brand presence in the area with new franchise partners such as Dwight and Jamion, who bring years of foodservice experience to the business. We're confident they will bring that same success to our new restaurants in Midtown and Sandy Springs."

Local entrepreneur Dwight Pearson has significant industry experience, having worked in various positions at the restaurant-level for well-known brands such as Ted's Montana Grill, Ruby Tuesday's, Applebee's, and TGI Fridays. He and his son Jamion currently own four combination gas stations and convenient stores throughout Atlanta and wanted to re-enter the foodservice industry with a growing restaurant concept. Together, the father-son duo plan to open their first Burger 21 location in Sandy Springs by fall 2017 and a second location in Midtown the following fall.

"Jumping back into the restaurant industry was always a goal of mine, but the right opportunity never presented itself," said Pearson, Burger 21 franchisee. "After experiencing firsthand Burger 21's high-quality food and excellent customer service, I knew it was the opportunity I had been waiting for. The brand's unique concept and exceptional dining experience is truly unmatched in the better burger industry, and Jamion and I wanted to be part of the company's growth in Atlanta."

Burger 21 is actively seeking qualified franchisees to expand its national footprint across the country. Those interested in development opportunities with the brand should visitburger21franchise.com/ApplyNow.aspx and register to receive access to an informational franchising webinar. For more information, please contact Ashley Sawyer, director of franchise development for Burger 21, at 813-327-7881 or asawyer@burger21.com or visit burger21franchise.com.

Recognition for Burger 21 includes being named one of Entrepreneur magazine's Top New Franchises andRestaurant Business' 50 Fastest-Growing Small Restaurant Chains of 2016. Additionally, the company has been ranked on Fast Casual's Top 100 "Movers and Shakers" for the last three consecutive years, while Burger 21 Founder and President Mark Johnston was acknowledged as one of Fast Casual's "Top 25 People" of 2014 for his strategic leadership in the brand's growth and development. Burger 21 also was named one of QSR's "Best Franchise Deals" of 2014.

As the brand continues to expand across the U.S., Burger 21 is seeking single- and multi-unit operators with restaurant experience to join its upscale fast casual dining concept. Franchisee candidates should have a minimum net worth of $600,000 and liquid assets of at least $250,000 per unit. Burger 21 will be developed through both single-unit agreements and Area Development Agreements. Depending on the real estate site selected, franchisees can expect the total investment for one restaurant to be approximately $428,247  $1,085,164. The initial franchise fee is $40,000; however, reduced franchise fees apply for veterans, minorities and Area Development Agreements of four or more units.

To learn more about ownership opportunities with Burger 21, contact Ashley Sawyer, director of franchise development for Burger 21, at 813-327-7881 or asawyer@burger21.com or visit burger21franchise.com.

About Burger 21

With 24 locations now open in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Texas, and approximately 20 in development in six states, Burger 21 is a "beyond the better burger" fast casual franchise concept founded in 2010. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Burger 21 is a chef-inspired brand with offerings including 21 unique burger creations ranging from hand-crafted, freshly ground Certified Angus Beef to chicken, turkey, vegetarian, shrimp and tuna burgers, fresh salads, all-beef hot dogs, chicken tenders and an extensive shake bar including hand-crafted shakes, floats and sundaes. Since its inception, the company has provided more than $127,000 in contributions as part of its "B Charitable" initiative, in which it donates 10 percent of its restaurants' sales to local schools and charities on the 21st of each month. For more information, visit http://www.burger21.com.

SOURCE Burger 21

Contact:

Jessi Nunez

Fish Consulting

(954) 893-9150

jnunez@fish-consulting.com

###

Comments:

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

Disqus
12 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week



Dos Santos play at Millennium Park on Thursday.

Another week, more summer fun. Check out what events we've got lined up for you this week.

MONDAY AUGUST 8

CHICKEN + CHAMPAGNE CAMPAIGN: Honey Butter Fried Chicken and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh host a Fried Chicken Champagne dinner benefiting Pilot Light at 7 p.m. Chefs from Yusho, Billy Sunday, Lula Cafe and more will create a menu pairing bubbly with the delicious fried main dish. Tickets are $85.

TEQUILA DINNER: Enjoy a five-course dinner inspired by Mexicos Jalisco region. The Clase Azul Tequila Dinner at Mercadito will feature dishes like Ceviches estilo Puerto Vallarta and Jericalla custard from Chef Patricio Sandoval. Tickets are $85. For reservations, call 312.329.9555.

TUESDAY AUGUST 9

GREASE IN THE PARK: Sing along with hundreds of other musical fans at the Millennium Park showing of Grease. The classic high-school musical film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John starts at sundown as one of Chicago Parks Movie in the Park. Free.

SUMMER BEER DINNER: Get set for a fruity Summer Beers Dinner at Beef & Barley at 7 p.m. Chef Cecil Rodriguez will prepare a private dinner for participants that pairs with Off Color Yuzu Fierce, New Belgium Tart Lychee, 21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon and Aver Liliko'i Kepolo. Tickets are $45.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10



Photo courtesy of Andersonville Chamber of Commerce by Aville Chamber.

TASTE OF ANDERSONVILLE DINNER CRAWL: Get to know Andersonville neighbors and restaurants at the annual Taste of Andersonville Dinner Crawl from 6 to 9 p.m. There are two crawling routes to choose from: the Salt route, which is vegetarian friendly and stops at Andies Restaurant, Elixir and Fireside Restaurant among others, or Pepper which hits Appellation, Pork Shoppe and more. Don't worry, both crawls include drinks from Koval Distillery. Tickets are $35 in advance.

SOUND OPINIONS BBQ: The popular WBEZ radio show Sound Opinions hosts its Summer BBQ at 7 p.m. on the studios terrace. Meet hosts Jim DeRogatis & Greg Kot, and talk rock while enjoying meats and desserts from The Butcher and Larder, Bang Bang Pie Shop and more. Tickets are $40.

ROCK OUT: From 8 a.m. to noon at Green City Market this Wednesday, families can try their hand at being a rock star thanks to Chicago drummer John Yost of Rhythm Revolution. The new "drummer workout" gets the whole family in on the program. Check them out at the Abbott tent for free.

THURSDAY AUGUST 11

NERD COMEDY FEST: Nerd culture has become huge, and the 4th Annual Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival at Stage 773 shows just how big it is. Shows, panels and workshops make up the festival with Jackson Bird and the online comedy sensation Team StarKid as the headlining act. Expect cosplay, improv, sketch and more, and those who dress up get a cos-play discount. Tickets start at $10 per show.

DOWNTOWN MUSIC SERIES: Get down to some African dance music at the Millennium Park Summer Music Series this week. Mbongwana Star, from Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will perform. Also playing are pan-Latin American dance group Dos Santos: Anti-Beat Orchestra from right here in Chicago. 6:30 p.m. Free.

FRIDAY AUGUST 12



Photo via Retro on Roscoe's Facebook page.

RETRO ON ROSCOE: Its the 20th year for Retro on Roscoe, the street festival that celebrates all things throwback. Many decades are represented from the gearheads of the '50s to coverbands of the '80s and '90s like 16 Candles and Too White Crew. Enjoy neighborhood food and other vendors at this family friendly street fest. Entry is a $10 donation benefiting Roscoe Village Neighbors.

CHICAGO BUZZ: New event space Hip Cat hosts Chicago Buzz, an evening with 100 Things to Do in Chicago author Molly Page at 7 p.m. Theyll also have complimentary wine and coffee to sip while you peruse photos by local photographer Elliot Vernon among their regular collection of art and antiques.

BEER COLLABORATION RELEASE: Lumpen Magazine and Half Acre Beer celebrate their beer collaboration with a release party at Half Acres Lincoln Brewing facility at 11 am. and then again at 5 p.m. at Marias Package Goods and Community Bar. Omnolithic, as the Imperial Red Lager is called, also marks the 25th anniversary of the magazine, and theyll be giving away back issues at both events. Free.
Rahm Says He Supports Suspension Of Officers In O'Neal Shooting

By Stephen Gossett in News on Aug 8, 2016 6:24PM



Rahm Emanuel / Getty Images / Photo: Chip Somodevilla

Mayor Rahm Emanuel had been curiously mum about the fatal police-involved shooting of Paul ONeal and the subsequent video dump released on Friday by Chicagos police oversight agency that captured events before and after the shooting. He finally (albeit briefly) broke his silence on Monday morning when he told reporters he supports Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnsons decision to suspend police powers of three involved officers. At the same time. He refused to go much further, saying hes reserving any judgment while the investigation continues because theres a lot of questions, according to reports from the Sun Times and the Tribune.

Theres a loss of life and its a tragedy," he said after speaking at an economic conference on Monday. And I dont want to make any further judgment until (the Independent Police Review Authority) are concluded with their investigation.

Emanuel also equivocated after reportedly being pressed about the operational failure of the body camera that was worn by the officer who fired the fatal shot.

"It's a fair question," he said, according to the Tribune. But, Emanuel said he will withhold judgement until Johnson and IPRA finish reviewing the shooting.

ONeal was shot in the back by police after he fled the scene of a crash in which his allegedly stolen Jaguar was rammed and sideswiped police vehicles. The 18-year-old was unarmed. Graphic video captured by dashcams and body cams were released by the Independent Police Review Authority were released on Friday. They showed highly controversial police reactions, including one officers blithely commenting, Fuck man, Im going to be on a desk for 30 day.

Activists galvanized on Sunday evening to protest the ONeal shooting, plus police brutality and systemic oppression in general. Hundreds joined the march, which proceeded around the Loop and through downtown. (Chicagoist photographer Tyler LaRiviere documented the protest.) During portions of the march, activists called for Emanuels resignation.

Chants of "Rahm Emanuel has got to go" echo off buildings on State Street. #BLMChiYouth #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/d29tYgRcWc  Tyler LaRiviere (@TylerLaRiviere) August 8, 2016

Chicagoist has reached out to the mayor's office for further comment and will update this post as necessary.
Whether the casting is historically accurate or racially blind, Hollywood screen choices will be dictated more by market forces.

A still photo of a European mercenary played by Matt Damon in Zhang Yimou's new film "The Great Wall." The film will hit Chinese screens on Dec. 16, 2016. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The release of a trailer for the upcoming Zhang Yimou film, The Great Wall, has whipped up a storm that centers on its casting choice for the lead role. The trailer opens with Matt Damon and, even though it squeezes in many of the big stars in its lineup, the Hollywood actor remains the marquee name.

Of the immediate reaction, some in China felt slighted that a big Chinese film would have an American as the male lead. Actually, this is more of an American film that hired a Chinese director and set the story in China.

But the Chinese response was obviously less about the film, which nobody has seen, than about the sentiments left over from the recent South China Sea arbitration.

Across the Pacific Ocean, Asian-Americans also protested over this casting choice. I can totally understand why they have reacted so strongly because they are fighting for job opportunities.

A similar controversy erupted in the 1990s when the mega-musical Miss Saigon moved from London to New York. Asian-American artists felt they were shortchanged when the male lead, a Eurasian role, was given to a Caucasian actor.

The level of racial sensitivity varies from country to country when it comes to screen or stage casting, and it varies from era to era.

On the Chinese screen, Han Chinese have played Tibetan roles all the time, and in recent years as more Tibetan talents have emerged they have also taken roles that are 100 percent Han. There is no political innuendo whatsoever. It is usually the style of the film that determines whether casting should be racially authentic.

On the Chinese stage, we have always resorted to the practice of "white face"Chinese actors putting on a fake big nose and other makeup to pretend to be Caucasians. Chinese dancers also paint their skins black to perform African dances. There is no mockery or caricature involved. And that's why most Chinese would not bat an eye when they hear Asian-Americans protesting "yellow face" (white actors playing Asian roles).

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
When the firehouse catches fire

Early in his career, Coreys work on the first antiviral treatment for herpes paved the way for HIV therapies that in 1996 turned the virus from a certain death sentence to a chronic disease. But while antiretroviral drugs lower the level of HIV to undetectable levels, they are not a cure. The virus persists in a dormant state in reservoirs throughout the body. If therapy is stopped, HIV roars back.

One of the challenges of boosting the immune system to attack that HIV reservoir is that HIV attacks the immune system first. It targets a type of helper T cell involved in initiating an immune response.

HIV kills the human cells that normally control infections, said Dr. Thor Wagner of the University of Washington and Seattle Childrens Hospital, who, with Corey, is working on the defeatHIV CAR T-cell project. Its like a firehouse that catches on fire. Its a tough fire  or infection  to fight.

Still, Wagner said, its feasible to engineer T cells that can both kill HIV-infected cells and be resistant to HIV infection, adding that such CAR T cells in combination with other strategies might help achieve HIV remission.

Scientists already have proof that the immune system can cure HIV or at least drive it into long-term remission. Just as bone marrow transplantation provided the first definitive example of the human immune systems power to tame  and even cure  cancer, it did the same for the first  and so far only HIV cure, that of Timothy Ray Brown.

In 2007 and again in 2008, the Seattle-born Brown, living in Berlin, underwent two grueling bone marrow transplants to treat acute myeloid leukemia. Because he also had HIV, his German doctor sought out a stem cell donor who carried two copies of a rare gene mutation that confers natural resistance to the virus. Brown stopped taking antiretroviral drugs after the first transplant in 2007 and continues to show no signs of HIV.

Until now, attempts to duplicate Browns cure in other people with HIV who also needed a bone marrow transplant for cancer have not been successful; most of the very ill patients died either of the cancer or the transplant. But new information presented at the conference in Seattle and last month at a large AIDS conference in Durban, South Africa, offers hope that Browns cure can be repeated.

You turned my sadness to pride

A transplant, already a high-risk procedure for cancer patients, is even risker for people who also have HIV, with mortality rates approaching 60 percent, according to Dr. Annemarie Wensing, a clinical virologist at the University Medical Center in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Thats why Wensing and others, including Dr. Gero Hutter, the oncologist who cured Brown, formed a collaborative project called EpiStem to guide clinicians throughout Europe doing stem cell transplants in people with both cancer and HIV.

The project also studies the effect of bone marrow transplantation on HIV. In Durban and again in Seattle, Wensing reported on three patients who survived both the cancer and the transplant. Two now show no signs of HIV after extensive and sensitive testing and one shows just traces of the virus. Because just one patient had an HIV-resistant donor, Wensing hypothesizes that graft-vs.-host disease may have helped clear or at least reduce the HIV reservoir, much as a graft-vs.-leukemia effect is critical in achieving a cancer cure or remission.

But while the three EpiStem patients HIV may be cured or in remission, the only way to tell for sure is to take them off their antiretroviral medication, as was the case with Brown. But that has not yet been done, in part due to lessons learned about the physical and emotional effects of stopping the anti-HIV drugs.

In March 2013, as part of a carefully monitored research study at Bostons Brigham and Womens Hospital, Gary Steinkohl went off antiretroviral therapy three years after having a bone marrow transplant for cancer. His hopes of becoming only the second person in the world after Brown cured of HIV were dashed when the virus came back eight months later.
USGFX Teams Up With PsyQuation

USGFX, a leading Australian forex broker, is pleased to announce that it has partnered with PsyQuation, a developer and provider of behavioural analytical software, to give traders valuable insights into their trading patterns and habits.

--

PsyQuation offers a state-of the-art alert system designed to help forex traders maximise profits by eliminating costly trading mistakes. It provides traders with a visual display of their progress by analysing their trading behaviour and pointing out the mistakes, with a scoring algorithm rewarding the traders' willingness to accept and fix corrective suggestions.

C.E.O. of PsyQuation Dr. Michael Berman said "I am excited about the partnership with USGFX and that it was a pleasure to work with a progressive and client-orientated forex broker."

"Our software is designed by traders for traders with the simple objective to help them eliminate their trading mistakes" said Dr. Berman. "USGFX is a progressive and client-focused broker and it gives me immense pleasure to be teaming up with a broker of such calibre to deliver our service to their clients".

Mr. Shay Zakhaim, C.E.O. of USGFX said, "We are delighted at the partnership with PsyQuation as both companies are aligned in helping traders make better trading decisions."

"At USGFX we strive to empower our traders with the best market research, tools and signals to allow them to make better, more informed trading decisions" said Mr. Zakhaim. "Our partnership with PsyQuation allows us to take this commitment to the next level with their behavioural alert system and I am pleased to be able to provide this very insightful software to our clients. PsyQuation is a forward thinking company with a vision to help traders and I'm delighted that we are aligned in that goal".

Dr. Berman is the former CEO of an online emerging manager incubation platform and hedge fund manager for more than a decade. He has also been a director of a public company and worked for a number of leading South African investment banks. To learn more about PsyQuation visit the website here: https://psyquation.com

USGFX is an award-winning Australian forex broker head-quartered in Sydney and provides it's traders with direct access to the markets, along with industry leading tools and services, market analysis and a structured forex educational program.

For more information, please visit https://www.usgfx.com

Contact Info:

Name: Justin Pooni

Organization: USGFX

Address: G03, 135 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

Phone: +61 2 9251 1395

Release ID: 126839

For more information visit r



Recent Press Releases By The Same User

Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)
Horse Assisted Therapy Louise Kropach Your Equine Superstar New Book Launched

A new equine assisted therapy and learning practice book has launched, written by Louise Kropach, the horse whisperer and human facilitator. Called "Your Equine Super Star", it offers guidance on how to choose the right horse for the job.

--

Louise Kropach, the horse whisperer and human facilitator, has launched a new book called "Your Equine Super Star". The book is described as a definitive new guide on how to choose the right horse for established practitioners, those new to the area, and for those curious to learn more about what to focus on when selecting one of the most important assets in an Equine Assisted Therapy or Equine Assisted Learning program.

More information can be found on Louise Kropach's website at: http://louisekropach1.weebly.com.

Louise Kropach is the creator of the Horse Sense for People program and a number of other horsemanship based training schemes, which, over recent years, have been successfully helping hundreds of people refocus and create more meaning and purpose for themselves. She also helps people to connect the dots between themselves and their horses both personally and professionally.

She explains that the driving force behind her programs and classes is the feeling when clients experience a true heart based connection between themselves and the horse, experiencing the harmony, trust and love of the bond.

Her book, called "Your Equine Super Star", is aimed at those who want to run high calibrate, profitable and in-demand equine assisted therapy and learning programs. In these programs, she explains, horses are crucial to the success of the business.

Through reading the book, interested parties can discover what type of horse they need to achieve a safe, nurturing environment that will ensure clients enjoy the experience and want to come back again.

In addition to this, readers can discover how to measure program results and ensure they are consistent, dependable, and rich, allowing the program owner to relay important and easily digestible information back to their clients.

Louise Kropach said: "Every successful equine assisted therapy and learning practice relies on three key things. An excellent program, experienced and top notch facilitators, and great horses. Without these three ingredients, long term success will be difficult."

As part of the launch, the book is available at a large discount. Full details can be found on Louise Kropach's site.

For more information, please visit http://www.louisekropach.com

Contact Info:

Name: Louise

Organization: LouRoss Technology Pty Ltd

Address: 10 Larkins Road, Tyalgum NSW 2484, Australia

Phone: +61266793784

Release ID: 126852

For more information visit r



Recent Press Releases By The Same User

Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)
Learning Labs Limited Launches FlashSticks in the United States

UK-based Learning Labs Limited releases its language learning system, FlashSticks.

--

Learning Labs Limited, a UK company, creates complementary instructional products to help language learners of all ages. FlashSticks and the FlashAcademy app utilize a variety of paper, digital, and mobile technologies to enhance language acquisition, retention, and application.

FlashSticks creator, Richard Allen, was working in the tech sector in Spain several years ago and was surprised to discover that not everyone he worked with spoke English. In a crunch, Allen needed to boost his Spanish skills and did what countless other language students have done--he wrote words on sticky notes and posted them around his flat and office.

A time-honoured tradition, language educators and students have long-relied on visual aids to reinforce and increase language development and proficiency. As Allen scribbled on his hundredth sticky note, he wondered if there was an easier way...if preprinted vocabulary sticky notes already existed. They did not, and Allen's curiosity led to the development of FlashSticks.

In a new, educational video, FlashSticks explains the benefits of using their patented language learning system to help anyone, from primary students to seasoned professionals, learn a foreign language:

https://youtu.be/J6E5KuEhQw4

FlashSticks help make language learning a part of everyday life and perfectly complements a student's language learning program. FlashSticks are preprinted, ready-to-use foreign language vocabulary Post-it Notes and are

Supported by Learning Labs Limited free pronunciation app, available for phone or tablet

Perfect for teachers, adults, professionals, and students of all ages

Currently available in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, and English

Split into 3 levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced

Color-coded for gender association

Veejay Lingiah, FlashSticks CEO, shares that FlashSticks learners benefit by 1) returning to the basics when learning a language, and 2) expanding study with additional cognitive resources. Lingiah explains, "FlashSticks are a tool that anyone can use and are designed to supplement a student's existing language curriculum to boost vocabulary and easily identify a word's gender and function, such as noun, verb, etc."

FlashSticks can be purchased on Learning Labs Limited's website or in Learning Labs Limited's Amazon Store.

About FlashSticks:

FlashSticks, an interactive language acquisition company, is located in Birmingham, UK. Each FlashSticks (international patent application no. PCT/GB2013/052837) pack contains ready-to-use foreign words printed on Post-it Notes. Each FlashSticks note has the proper spelling, a visual cue, a simple phonetic transcription, and is coloured to help learn gender effortlessly (pink notes for feminine nouns, blue notes for masculine nouns, green notes for non-gendered words, e.g. verbs). FlashSticks can be used with the free-to-download FlashAcademy App; when downloaded and activated, an online tutor demonstrates exact pronunciation. FlashSticks can be contacted at (+44) 0843 289 7447 or visit http://flashsticks.com/.

Visit http://flashsticks.com/ for more information.

For more information, please visit http://flashsticks.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Veejay Lingiah

Email: team@flashsticks.com

Organization: FlashSticks

Address: Birmingham Science Park Faraday Wharf, Holt Street Birmingham, B7 4BB

Phone: (+44) 0843 289 7447

Video URL: https://youtu.be/J6E5KuEhQw4

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/learning-labs-limited-launches-flashsticks-in-the-united-states/126749

Release ID: 126749

For more information visit r



Recent Press Releases By The Same User

Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)
Thermalabs to Launch a Lavender Body Scrub Exfoliator

Cosmetics firm Thermalabs is in the final stages of launching a top-line body scrub exfoliator.

--

Thermalabs has said that it's in the conclusive stages of launching a brand new, premium body scrub exfoliator. This will be a top of the line, natural and organic formula laced with unique salts and mineral salts from the Dead Sea. The product will help exfoliate dead skin cells and remove them from the outer layers of the skin. It will also repair and nourish damaged skin by triggering cell regeneration. Thermalabs new exfoliator will also moisturize the skin, and leave it with a soothing and relaxing fragrance.

Thermalabs is a major American cosmetics player that was established about three years ago. The company has made a name for itself in the general beauty products niche. Ever since it opened its doors, Thermalabs has furnished the global skincare market with at least 20 top-notch products. These include organic self-tanning aids, moisturizes, and skin-care products for use at the beach. Thermalabs ability to focus on quality and product effectiveness has helped it tackle existing competition from big brands in the industry. The company is headquartered in New York City but owns a number of production plants in other countries around the world (including its main factory in Israel).

The new product is released as part of the Supremasea brand. In 2015, the firm announced that it would be launching a private collection of powerful skincare products based on the immense benefits of mineral salts extracted from the Dead Sea. Going by the name Supremasea, this new sub-brand was seen as a way by the company to expand its influence beyond its dominance in the self-tanning space. Supremasea had by last month launched one successful product - Tan Enhancer. This was an after-tan lotion and moisturizer that kept the skin supple and protected it from environmental pollutants and free radicals. It also contributed to that perfect after-tan glow that most users look for. The product's success in the market set the stage for the proper launch of new cosmetics from this brand.

According to Thermalabs, their Lavender body scrub exfoliator will be an ideal pick for individuals who are looking for an organic and aromatic product. It delivers maximum moisturizing results while at the same time leaving a mild fragrance on its user's skin. Most people understand the importance of exfoliating regularly. It's an essential part of maintaining a healthy skin. But the particular product used to exfoliate can go a long way towards determining whether the user reaps these benefits. Thermalabs lavender exfoliator will especially be helpful for individuals trying to get rid of eczema, skin burns, acne, insect bites and tired muscles, among other conditions. It is formulated from unique ingredients that include Wheat Germ Oil, Calendula Oil, and Sweet Almond Oil. It also contains microscopic grains of Dead Sea minerals salts. According to Thermalabs, this product will be available in the market any time from now. Hopefully, the company will first launch the exfoliator on Amazon.com, as is the tradition.

For more information, please visit http://www.thermalabs.com/home

Contact Info:

Name: Jennifer Parker

Organization: Thermalabs

Address: 450 West 58th Street New York, NY 10019

Phone: (877) 266-6257

Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1ODftW8Utk

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/thermalabs-to-launch-a-lavender-body-scrub-exfoliator/126956

Release ID: 126956

For more information visit r



Recent Press Releases By The Same User

Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)
Life Insurance Comparison NZ SMART Brokers New Zealand Site Launched

A New Zealand life insurance service has launched a new site. SMART deals with numerous providers to ensure people get the best life insurance policies for themselves and their family.

--

A family life insurance service called SMART has launched a new site, offering mortgages, insurance for customers' lifestyles and future, and life and insurance for family members. SMART works directly with a number of insurance companies, which allows them to get the best possible solution for the prospect and their families. The company cares for clients when it comes to claim time by assisting them with their claim at what is always an uncertain time, ensuring a safe non-pushy environment.

More information is available on the SMART life insurance website at: http://smartbrokers.co.nz.

The site explains that SMART can help to cover the most important people in a prospect's life, offering peace of mind that they are protected in the event of a crisis. It says that protecting family, income earners, and important business people allows for more certainty so the prospect can focus on building the life that they want.

Life insurance can often be confusing, but SMART advisers help interested parties to understand the risks and put intelligent protection in place, assuring peace of mind and security while families are living their lives.

SMART's insurance for important people makes sure that if the prospect is not around, the people who matter to them are looked after. The site explains that a number of options are available to take care of this, with life insurance being the most obvious choice, but the best option depends on the prospect's situation. SMART's team of experts will help to track down the best possible option for the prospect's family when they need it.

A full feature on SMART life insurance is available on site, helping interested parties to understand what they're signing up for. The site underscores how important it is for interested parties to get good advice, because there are numerous different policies out there, and property structured life insurance is crucial.

Interested parties wanting to find out more about SMART life insurance can get in touch using the contact details provided on site, and take advantage of the free no obligation review and check to make sure they have the cover they need.

For more information, please visit http://www.smartbrokers.co.nz

Contact Info:

Name: Rohit Ranchhod

Organization: SMART - Mortgage & Insurance Brokers

Address: 5 Pokapu St, Titirangi, Auckland

Phone: 09 940 5801

Release ID: 126642

For more information visit r



Recent Press Releases By The Same User

Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)

Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17)
You are here: Home

 Flash

Two Chinese workers who were kidnapped in central Nigeria's Nasarawa state have been rescued, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria said Sunday.

Zheng Jun, an official with the embassy, told Xinhua that the two Chinese were rescued Saturday night, and are currently in sound condition.

Local police said earlier that two Chinese workers were ambushed by unknown gunmen at about 2:28 p.m. local time Saturday in Nasarawa while on their way to the capital Abuja.
Free Freightnet Membership

List your company in the Freightnet directory. It's Free, it's Easy and your company can be displayed in front of potential freight buyers within 24 hours.
 Flash

Chinese and United States top diplomats are due in Kenya on separate dates this month as the East African nation intensifies her foreign engagements, a Kenyan official said on Sunday.

State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu told journalists in Nairobi that China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Kenya from Tuesday, noting that Wang's visit will focus on trade and investment.

He said Beijing is a big trade partner, and has supported a number of significant initiatives in the country's infrastructure sector.

Esipisu said that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected in the country within the month.

He said the exact dates of Kerry's visit, which is expected to focus on regional issues, will be confirmed in due course.

"Matters we expect to be discussed at his meetings with our president and foreign affairs minister Amina Mohammed will include security, regional and international relations, and especially the recent upheaval in South Sudan as well as the developments in Somalia," he said.

"Both China and the United States are allies and friends of long standing. I am sure Kenyans will welcome their representatives most warmly," Esipisu said.
Neuberger Berman has launched a global high-yield bond fund in the latest extension of its $38bn (29bn) range of offerings in the asset class.

The Dublin-domiciled Neuberger Berman Global High Yield Bond vehicle, managed by Patrick Flynn, launched on August 4. The firm did not disclose the products ongoing charges.

The asset managers high-yield franchise already spans the US, Europe and emerging markets.

Tom Douie, the firms head of intermediary, Emea, said: At Neuberger Berman we have a deeply established high yield franchise, built up over many years, as well as an extensive emerging market debt platform with over $9bn in assets under management.

Global high yield offers an attractive income stream, which has increased in importance in recent times as investors face the reality of a yield-constrained world.
The result of the EU referendum has surprised many analysts and investors. Undoubtedly, Brexit presents challenges to the European and UK funds industry. However, these may not be as material as people think.

According to Thomson Reuters Lipper data, there has been a considerable risk-averse reaction. The pan-European mutual fund market suffered net outflows of more than 20bn (16.9bn) in June.

The month saw a massive inflow of funds into Dublin-based money market funds, with 14bn going into US dollar-denominated funds at the expense of European and global equity funds.

Despite these flow figures, equity markets have been surprisingly buoyant, with the MSCI World index reaching a five-year high in sterling terms. Short-term volatility for UK-domiciled funds has returned to pre-vote levels after almost doubling immediately after the outcome of the vote.

Of all the industries affected by the ramifications of Brexit, the mutual funds industry is one of those best placed to deal with the challenges. Whatever comes of Brexit will be small fry in relation to the changes fund houses have already had to contend with since the financial crisis

For UK-domiciled funds, net outflows in June were nearly 3bn, with most of this coming from commercial property funds.

This sounds considerable but, by way of comparison, in the China-induced summer wobble last year, the UK fund market suffered net outflows of 11bn. During the oil price shock in January and February 2016, net outflows were nearly 16bn.

Fund houses constantly deal with such contrasting market dynamics  outflows in a rising market, inflows in a falling market and all combinations in between.

In 2008, the European fund market experienced nearly 600bn of outflows, but then collected 200bn in 2009. The Greek crisis in 2011 resulted in 100bn of outflows but more than 200bn flowed into funds in 2012.

Fund groups have endured myriad legislative reforms since 2009. Consider the acronym-heavy direct touchpoints: Mifid II, AML, KYC, Emir shareholdings. Indirectly, add Basel III, Solvency II, CRD, Dodd-Frank and AIFMD. Whatever comes of Brexit will be small fry in relation to the changes fund houses have already had to contend with since the financial crisis.

Many UK-based fund groups will have been inoculated by the Scottish referendum in 2014, which forced them to examine potential multi-region domiciles and operational bases.

For many years, fund houses across all domiciles have been getting fitter via the competition provided by a truly global and diversified industry.

The Brexit result will potentially see a short-term slowdown in new launches. Of the 350 UK-domiciled fund launches year to date, a significant proportion have been absolute return offerings. This may now be a saturated market.

In a lower-for-longer rates environment, fund groups need to ensure they can meet the demand for income. The investors flocking to Dublin-based money market funds in June wont want to stay there for long.

The managed funds industry is dynamic, innovative and far more resilient than a local geopolitical event. June European fund flows dont paint a particularly pretty picture but the industry has experienced much, much worse before.
Tesco Bank has joined Openworks mortgage panel, further expanding the reach of its new brand Tesco Mortgage Intermediaries.

The supermarket chains financial services arm launched the adviser channel back in April , initially available through brokers London & Country, along with Legal & Generals key account firms, including Nouveau Group, Mortgage Advice Bureau, John Charcol and Stonebridge.

The service includes a number of features to help brokers make the transaction as straightforward as possible, including searchable lending criteria, webchat, the ability to scan and upload documents and track the status of applications from any device.

David McCreadie, managing director at Tesco Bank, said: The addition of Openwork to our broker panel will ensure that Tesco mortgages are available to even more customers.

Openworks mortgage proposition director Paul Shearman added: Not only does Tesco Bank offer a well-known and respected brand, it has invested heavily in designing its intermediary portal that addresses many of the issues that prove challenging for advisers.

Openwork expects to surpass more than 10bn of mortgage business this year, after lending surged almost 50 per cent year-to-date compared with the same period last year. It also exceeded 3,000 advisers across the group for the first time in its history, in July.

Tescos offering for intermediaries includes a range of two, three and five-year fixed rates, along with some two-year tracker products.

Product Max LTV Fee Product Product Fee APR No Fee Product APR 2 year fixed until 30/09/2018 60% 75% 80% 85% 90% 95% 1.67% 1.74% 1.84% 1.89% 2.28% N/A 1,300 1,300 995 995 995 N/A 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 4.0% 4.0% N/A 1.97% 2.04% 2.14% 2.19% 2.58% 3.74% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 4.0% 4.0% 4.3% 3 year fixed until 30/09/2019 60% 75% 80% 85% 90% 95% 1.99% 2.09% 2.34% 2.34% 2.99% N/A 995 995 995 995 995 N/A 3.8% 3.8% 3.9% 3.9% 4.0% N/A 2.19% 2.29% 2.54% 2.54% 3.19% 3.99% 3.8% 3.8% 3.9% 3.9% 4.1% 4.4% 5 year fixed until 30/09/2021 60% 75% 80% 85% 90% 95% 2.07% 2.34% 2.44% 2.64% 3.24% N/A 995 995 995 995 995 N/A 3.5% 3.6% 3.7% 3.7% 4.0% N/A 2.19% 2.46% 2.56% 2.76% 3.36% 4.29% 3.5% 3.6% 3.7% 3.7% 4.0% 4.5% 2 year tracker until 30/09/2018 60% 75% 80% 85% 90% 1.22% (BoE* base rate plus 0.97%) 1.29% (BoE base rate plus 1.04%) 1.44% (BoE base rate plus 1.19%) 1.59% (BoE base rate plus 1.34%) 2.25% (BoE base rate plus 2.00%) 995 995 995 995 995 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 4.1% 1.52% (BoE base rate plus 1.27%) 1.59% (BoE base rate plus 1.34%) 1.74% (BoE base rate plus 1.49%) 1.89% (BoE base rate plus 1.64%) 2.55% (BoE base rate plus 2.30%) 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 4.1%

All products will move onto a standard variable rate of 4.24 per cent at the end of the initial fixed rate period.

Tesco Bank mortgages also reward the loyalty of customers with Clubcard points as they repay their mortgage.

peter.walker@ft.com
Embark Groups chief executive has called on the Financial Conduct Authority to go beyond planned rules and demand self-invested personal pension increase the amount of capital they hold even further.

In January this year , the regulator revealed it was ready to wind up Sipp providers who fail to meet its expectations once the new rules come into force in September.

Phil Smith, boss of the group that oversees Sipp providers Hornbuckle, Rowanmoor and Avalon, told FTAdviser he believes the regulator should go a step further.

I wholly advocate what the FCA is doing, I was one of the standard bearers to say this is absolutely right for the sector, but I think it might need to go another level personally.

He argued there is a difference between simply having the required regulatory capital and having available cash so smaller players can avoid business failure.

Regulatory capital is a calculation based on things on a balance sheet, so I might have 100bn regulatory capital because I own a building or technology or other things, but none of those things help me if my business is falling over and I need cash to pay bills.

He suggested the regulator focus on the Sipp providers cash reserves next, after clamping down on firms full of illiquid assets.

David Fox, director of sales and marketing at Sipp provider Dentons, said with consolidation in the industry continuiong apace, the current rules are doing their job.

Last month, Embark Group bought fellow Sipp pension provider Rowanmoor Group.

Later the same month, Talbot & Muir bought the Sipp and Ssas administration business of Attivo Group for an undisclosed amount.

Mr Fox said if the market is achieving its aim at the moment then there should be no need to alter the capital adequacy rules. If Sipp providers can still carry on accepting poor quality assets and remain profitable, then regulation would need to look at it again.

Im confident that based on current rules in the medium term only well-run, compliant and profitable companies will be left in the market.

Alan Chan, director at London-based IFS Wealth & Pensions said from an advisers perspective, it is important that any Self-invested personal pension provider recommended to clients is financially stable and viable in the long term.

Its not so much the case of big versus small players in the market, but rather its the riskier ones that have a large proportion of non-standard assets who will be required to have higher capital adequacy requirement because of the additional risks that they pose.

This may mean that the number of Sipp providers may shrink as a result of some going into administration or be forced to sell their business to another provider. The challenge will be for the FCA to strike the right balance so that the market is still competitive.

If the regulator does move into the cash arena then this will provide greater transparency on the Sipp providers liquidity, which is probably a good thing in todays market.
Wheat quality looks good on early-harvested grain on one Cambridgeshire farm with yields looking likely to hit the farms long-term average of about 10t/ha.

Andrew Tetlow, partner at AWT Farming, says early winter wheat results show yields at 9t/ha with a specific weight averaging 77kg/hl, although no results for protein and hagberg were available.

He has been cutting the milling variety Edgar, which is being grown on light land as a second wheat, but expects yields to rise as he moves on to heavier, more fertile, wheat land.

See also: Harvest 2016: Winter barley is 60% combined, oilseed rape 40% cut

It has been a slow start to harvest because of recent rain but it has also been quite an early start as well, and we are hoping for yields of about 10t/ha as we moved on to heavier land, he tells Farmers Weekly.

The group has only cut a fraction of its 1,400ha of wheat comprising milling varieties Edgar, Skyfall and Crusoe, with the feed variety Diego also grown across the 2,000-plus hectares of land it farms in Cambridgeshire, Essex and Suffolk.

He started wheat harvest on Sunday 31 July, as compared with 5 August at Wadlow Farm, about eight miles east of Cambridge.

The oilseed rape harvest is complete with yields hit by flea beetle down at 2.5t/ha as compared to a farm average of 3.75t/ha across 116ha, while winter barley averaged about 8t/ha across 280ha in the first year of growing the crop.
 Flash

Iran's Judiciary on Sunday confirmed the execution of Iranian nuclear scientist Shahram Amiri on espionage charges, state IRIB TV reported.

This file photo taken on July 15, 2010 shows Iranian nuclear scientist Shahram Amiri (L) standing with his father upon his arrival at Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran. [Photo/Xinhua]

"This person had access to the classified information of the establishment and had availed them to the enemy," Iran's Judiciary Spokesman Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei told reporters.

"He was tried in the competent courts and was sentenced to death," Mohseni Ejei was quoted as saying.

Mohseni Ejei said the U.S. authorities were deceived by Iranians over Shahram Amiri, adding that Iran's intelligence service was cognizant of what is happening between Amiri and the U.S. agents and was monitoring the process of transferring him to Saudi Arabia.

In June 2009, Amiri went missing during pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

One year later, he emerged in the Pakistani Embassy in Washington where he was taking refuge, and demanded immediately return to Iran.

Upon his arrival in Tehran in July 2010, Amiri said that he was abducted by the U.S. intelligence service Central Intelligence Agency and thanked Iranian authorities for returning him home.

The U.S. denied the claims and said Amiri willfully defected to the U.S. and later chose to

leave.
Story Highlights Almost half of those in the kingdom are thriving

Nationals see most improvement in life evaluation after Vision 2030

Saudis less optimistic than in 2015 about current economic conditions

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In Saudi Arabia, residents' ratings of their own lives climbed noticeably between 2015 and 2016. Gallup's most recent poll in the country, conducted in the spring of 2016, found that nearly half of adults (48%) rate their lives well enough to be considered "thriving," up significantly from 35% a year earlier. While more than half (51%) in 2016 give mid-level life ratings that classify them as "struggling," only 2% of respondents rate their lives poorly enough to be considered "suffering."

For the past decade, Gallup has asked residents of Middle Eastern countries and the rest of the world to evaluate their lives on the Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale, where "0" represents the worst possible life and "10" represents the best possible life. Gallup classifies people as "thriving" if they rate their current lives a 7 or higher and their lives in five years an 8 or higher, and "suffering" if they rate both their current and future life situations a 4 or lower. Those in the middle are "struggling."

Nationals' Boost in Life Evaluation May Reflect Rising Hope for Future

Such a large shift in thriving rates in a single year is rare in any country. Gallup's 2016 survey in Saudi Arabia was conducted just after the highly publicized launch of "Vision 2030," a roadmap designed to include a series of economic and social reform objectives. This included the National Transformation Plan for boosting the role of the private sector and making the kingdom a more attractive location for investment. Vision 2030 is aimed at shifting away from the kingdom's economic dependence on oil and bolstering its leadership in a destabilizing Middle East.

Life evaluations are now particularly high among Saudi nationals (as opposed to the country's large expatriate community), with 52% falling into the thriving category. This may be a reflection of the optimism many have felt with the renewed energy for future reform in the kingdom.

Percentage "Thriving," Saudi Nationals vs. Expats Saudi Arabia life evaluation 2015 2016 Difference % % pct. pts. Saudi nationals 38 52 14 Arab expats 30 40 10 Non-Arab expats 33 42 9 Gallup World Poll

Increased Optimism Not Reflected in Short-Term Economic Perceptions

However, perceptions across the kingdom on jobs and economic conditions do not mirror the improvements in Saudi residents' overall life evaluations. While most (59%) in 2016 say now is a good time to find a job in their area, this is slightly lower than in 2015, when 64% said the same. Similarly, while two-thirds of Saudi residents (67%) have a positive view of the outlook for the national economy in 2016, this figure is down significantly from 79% in 2015.

Bottom Line

Despite a series of security and economic challenges facing Saudi Arabia, residents of the country -- and Saudi nationals in particular -- now express a heightened sense of optimism about their lives. While excitement and public discourse about the Vision 2030 unveiling may have affected how the kingdom's residents, especially nationals, rate their current and future lives, perceptions of the national economy and local job market highlight deteriorating conditions in the shorter term. Delivering on the heightened hopes that the new national vision seems to have triggered will be critical for the country's future success and well-being.

Stephanie Holgado contributed to this report.

These data are available in Gallup Analytics.

Survey Methods

Results are based on landline and mobile phone interviews with 1,001 adults, aged 15 and older, conducted March 17-April 30, 2016, in Saudi Arabia. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is 3.8 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

For more complete methodology and specific survey dates, please review Gallup's Country Data Set details.

Learn more about how the Gallup World Poll works.
Story Highlights New low of 26% of smokers report smoking a pack or more a day

More than three in four smokers have tried to quit

64% of former smokers quit after one or two attempts

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The percentage of smokers in the U.S. who light up a pack or more of cigarettes a day has fallen sharply over the past decade and is now at an all-time low of 26% in Gallup's seven-decade trend. The figure topped 30% as recently as 2012 and routinely exceeded 50% until the late 1990s.

The latest findings are from Gallup's annual Consumption Habits poll, conducted July 13-17. The trend shows a continuous decline in the percentage of heavy smokers over the years -- with a particularly sharp drop since the late 1990s, when public smoking bans were implemented in many states and municipalities.

The decline in the percentage of heavy smokers somewhat mirrors a long-term decline in the overall percentage of Americans who smoke. Gallup's data show that 19% of Americans report having smoked cigarettes in the past week, similar to recent years and well below the levels of 40% or higher in the 1940s to early 1970s.

Most Cigarette Smokers Have Tried to Quit

The percentage of current smokers would be even lower if smokers had their wish, as most (74%) say they would like to give up smoking, and the vast majority have made some attempt at kicking the habit. Smokers surveyed in 2013 and 2016 who have tried to quit are split between those who have tried once or twice (39%) and those who have made even more attempts (43%).

Number of Times Smokers Say They've Tried to Quit How many different times in your life, if any, have you made serious attempts to quit smoking? [Open-ended] Never Once or twice Three to 10 times More than 10 times % % % % 2013, 2016 17 39 38 5 Averages of polling from July 10-14, 2013, and July 13-17, 2016; Gallup

Six in 10 Former Smokers Kicked the Habit in One or Two Tries

Twenty-five percent of those interviewed in Gallup's 2013 and 2016 surveys say they are former smokers. The majority of this group, 60%, report that they were able to do away with their smoking habit in one or two attempts, with the rest saying it took more tries.

Number of Attempts It Took Former Smokers to Quit How many different times in your life did you make serious attempts to quit smoking? [Open-ended] Once or twice Three to 10 times More than 10 times % % % 2013, 2016 60 31 5 Averages of polling from July 10-14, 2013, and July 13-17, 2016; Gallup

The fact that so many former smokers were able to quit in only one or two attempts, while current smokers have tried and failed multiple times, underscores the dilemma public health officials face when trying to further reduce the smoking rate. Those who continue to smoke apparently have an addiction to nicotine that is particularly acute.

Bottom Line

The laws and attitudes surrounding smoking in the U.S. have changed over the past several decades, and so have smoking habits. Public health officials have reason to be encouraged by record lows in both the percentage of Americans who smoke and the percentage of heavy smokers.

Though a strong majority of Americans who used to smoke were successful at quitting in their first or second attempt, four in 10 current smokers have tried to quit more than twice and still have not been able to. While tobacco may be a substance that is easy for many Americans to stop using, it's a heavier lift for the majority who still use it.

Historical data are available in Gallup Analytics.

Survey Methods

Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted July 13-17, 2016, on the Gallup U.S. Daily survey, with a random sample of 1,023 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is 4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. All reported margins of sampling error include computed design effects for weighting.

Each sample of national adults includes a minimum quota of 60% cellphone respondents and 40% landline respondents, with additional minimum quotas by time zone within region. Landline and cellular telephone numbers are selected using random-digit-dial methods.

View survey methodology, complete question responses and trends.

Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works.
Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth Engaged: Exchange of Vows Happening In Australian Beach? Wedding Details Revealed

Miley Cyrus, 23, and Liam Hemsworth, 26, have reportedly set the date for their wedding. Rumors are rife that "The Last Song" stars are definitely tying the knot very soon after months of being separated.

Recent reports are saying that both Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth are very much excited for their upcoming wedding. In fact, a source told Hollywood Life that the huge event is going to be a very warm one.

Insiders claim that the Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth wedding could take place at the beach in the "Paranoia" star's native land, Australia. The same source added that the plan of having "a small wedding" is currently "going great."

Additionally, according to reports, Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth do not want to be opening a lot of gifts on their wedding day. Instead, the couple wants their guests to donate to a charity of their choice.

Despite the fact that only a few guests will be invited in the wedding. Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth are reportedly planning to convince their guests not to bring gifts anymore. "They're asking to expect all of their guests to donate to a charity they pick out," an insider told Us Weekly.

Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus is reportedly preparing her wedding with the help of Simon Jacquemus, who is a French designer. Rumors say that the designer is helping out Liam Hemsworth's fiancee find series of unique outfits.

Miley Cyrus has reportedly stated that she will be having a total of five outfit transformations throughout her wedding day, which will have a pink motif. Reports also revealed that the "Wrecking Ball" songstress' mother, Tish, is helping also her daughter organize for the much-awaited romantic event.

Though these reports could be true, neither Miley Cyrus nor Liam Hemsworth has confirmed anything as of yet. Stay tuned to GamenGuide for more news and updates on Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth wedding.
'Iron Man 4' Release Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Star To Play Riri Williams Already Chosen? Find Out Who!

Ever since the existence of "Iron Man 4" was realized, the highly-anticipated film has been plagued with shocking rumors. One of those rumors is that a teen girl will replace Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man! As if that wasn't enough, a new report has now revealed that an actress is already chosen to play the controversial character in "Iron Man 4," Riri Williams.

READ: 'Iron Man 4' Release Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Will Robert Downey Jr. Play Support Role in Next Installment?

Games Radar reports that Nathalie Emmanuel, who plays Missandei in "Game of Thrones," expressed her interest in join the "Iron Man" films. Is this a hint from Nathalie Emmanuel that she wants to play Riri Williams in "Iron Man 4"?

"I quite like the Iron Man films," the "Game of Thrones" star said during the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con panel. "There seems to be this issue of women in technology and science films and things like that, and I think the idea of playing some sort of science whiz that also kicks butt like Iron Man could be fun."

Get ready for a new generation of Marvel BAMF... pic.twitter.com/nMChfQkh0n  Robert Downey Jr (@RobertDowneyJr) July 7, 2016

READ: 'Iron Man 4' Release Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Comic-Con 2016 Revealed Fourth Installment in Jeopardy?

In the Marvel Comics, Robert Downey Jr. a.k.a Tony Stark a.k.a Iron Man will pass the baton to a 15-year-old African-American, Riri Williams. The Marvel Comics had Tony Stark and Riri Williams meet up after the beloved Avenger learned about the young girl's ability which she "reverse-engineered one of his old armors all by herself in her dorm room," the Marvel writer Michael Blendis told TIME.

Is Marvel Studios really ready for a drastic change? Does this mean that "Iron Man 4" is still not 100% fixed? Unfortunately, these questions regarding the much-hyped "Iron Man 4" will maintain a mystery for now.

READ: 'Iron Man 4' Release Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Marvel Confirms Robert Downey Jr.'s Exit?

A lot of things are still uncertain regarding "Iron Man 4," but for now we can still see Robert Downey Jr. in his famous red suit when "Avengers: Infinity Wars Part 1" debuts in 2018 and "Avengers: Infinity War Part 2" releases in 2019.
Google Nexus 2016 Release Date, News & Update: Expect More Powerful Devices With Night Light Mode! More Specs & Features Revealed

It's almost a given that Google Nexus 2016 handsets will be released this year. For the past years, Google has been consistent in the introduction of its latest smartphones as a way to showcase the feature being introduced in its iteration of its operating system.

Now that the company is in the polishing stage for its brand new Android Nougat, anticipation of the upcoming Google Nexus 2016 release is increasing as well. Luckily, rumors about the upcoming Google Nexus handset have started to surface.

According to Google Nexus 2016 rumors, there will be two main flagship models this time. The higher end among the two is called Google Nexus Marlin 6016, while the lower end version is called Nexus Sailfish and a Nexux 6.

Google Nexus 2016: Nexus 6 Specs & Features



Among the upcoming Google Nexus 2016 smartphones is the Nexus 6. According to PC Advisor, the upcoming Nexus 6 is rumored to have a powerful processor this time, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor to be exact. In addition, it will come with an Adreno 530 GPU which is touted to be 40 percent more efficient than previous models.

The upcoming Google Nexus 6 specs will have an X12 LTE modem, which is said to be 15 more efficient in terms of power consumption while at the same time gives 40 percent enhanced performance. The upcoming Google Nexus 2016 device will also possess a quad-code Kryo CPU and Hexagon 680 DPS which will give it two times performance and power efficiency compared to previous models.

Google Nexus 2016: Nexus Sailfish Specs & Features



Another Google Nexus 2016 handset is the Nexus Sailfish. For the specs of the upcoming Google Nexus Sailfish, the device will have a 5 inch full HD screen. Its computing power will be provided by a 2.1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad core processor.

In addition, the upcoming Google Nexus 2016 device is said to feature a sizable RAM at 4 GB with memory of 32 GB as well as two cameras; 12 MP for the rear and 8 MP for the front capable also of 4K video.

Google Nexus 2016: Nexus Marlin Specs & Features



Another upcoming Google Nexus 2016 device is the Marlin. The upcoming Marlin specs will have Android 7.0 as its operating system. It will be more powerful than the Sailfish with its new Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 quad core processor.

For its storage the upcoming Google Nexus 2016 Marlin will have 4 GB of RAM just like Sailfish. With a multi-core score of 4969 points, the upcoming Google Nexus flagship phone is rumored to be faster than iPhone 6 but a little slower than OnePlus 3 and Samsung Galaxy S7.

Google Nexus 2016 Additional Features

The upcoming Google Nexus 2016 gadgets are rumored to come with additional features as well. For instance, they will have a Night Light Mode according to Android Police.

The Night Light mode will make the Google Nexus 2016 smartphones easier on the eyes during evening. They could be scheduled by user preference or can be set to work in synch with local time data.

In addition, the Google Nexux 2016 devices could have the Ambient Display mode. Instead of fully waking up the phone, users can just double tap the black screen to display the relevant info on screen.

Google Nexus 2016 Release Date

This one is indeed exciting. If these speculations are indeed correct, buyers may have the next generation of Google Nexus devices this month. Stay tuned to Game & Guide for updates on Google Nexus 2016 specs and release date.
'Teen Wolf' Season 6 Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Dylan O'Brien Not Yet Filming Show, 'Maze Runner 3' Star Shooting For 'American Assasssin'?

Dylan O'Brien fans were recently elated when a photo of the "Maze Runner 3" star circulated on Twitter. The image confirms that O'Brien is in California and might finally be filming for "Teen Wolf" Season 6! But is it possible that the actor is actually working on his new film "American Assassin" instead of the MTV series?

"Maze Runner 3" Star Dylan O'Brien Spotted In California! Is He Filming For "Teen Wolf" Season 6 Or "American Assassin"?

At this point, anyone who is a Dylan O'Brien fan has seen that photo of the actor that was tweeted by a fan who works for a Jamba Juice in Sherman Oaks, California. The fan confirmed the location in response to a comment on her post. So does this mean the "Maze Runner 3" star is well enough to start filming for "Teen Wolf" Season 6?

MY LIFE HAS BEEN MADE, meeting you was the best thing ever @dylanobrien pic.twitter.com/iRLGy30RxM  nessaaa (@VanessaDenegri) August 1, 2016

Some people aren't so sure about that. There are speculations that Dylan O'Brien might be shooting a different project because of the amount of facial hair found in the picture. Is the "Maze Runner" actor actually working on "American Assassin" instead of "Teen Wolf" Season 6?

It was previously reported that Dylan O'Brien will star in the live action adaptation of Vince Flynn's novel "American Assassin". According to Deadline, the film will begin shooting "in the fall" and will work around O'Brien's recovery from his "Maze Runner 3" accident. So is it possible that the actor hasn't started working on "Teen Wolf" Season 6 just yet?

Dylan O'Brien's appearance in the Twitter photo doesn't look anything like his characters in "Maze Runner 3" and "Teen Wolf" Season 6. There is a possibility that O'Brien's new look might be for "American Assassin".

"Teen Wolf" Season 6 will air on MTV on November 15 while "Maze Runner: The Death Cure" is scheduled for release on January 12, 2018. There is no premiere date yet for Dylan O'Brien's new film "American Assassin".
iPad Pro 2 Release Date, News & Update: Apple Launching Premiere Tablet to Counter Microsoft Surface Pro 5? More Specs & Features Revealed

As Microsoft releases its newest invention to the world, Apple strikes back with the iPad Pro 2 that will hit next year. Apple is also rumored to be working on the iPad Pro 2 to compete with Microsoft's Surface Pro 5.

Could it be true? Here are details regarding the upcoming iPad Pro 2 and its official release.

iPad Pro 2 latest news and update

There are a lot of reports about the iPad Pro 2, but most of it are merely unconfirmed rumors. However, avid Apple fans were shocked on the leaked iPad Pro 2 photos posted by Apple Insider on its official Twitter account.

Not much were seen in the photos, but the post suggests that the leaked snaps were taken fduring the pre-production of the iPad Pro 2. The photos sent by an anonymous Chinese source clearly hints that the iPad Pro 2 could really be in the works. Adding fuel to the speculations is the model number that read MH1C2CD/F, which, according to the website, follows Apple's identification system.

iPad Pro 2 specs and features

Not much is revealed of what will iPad Pro 2 could offer. However, with the fact that it is the second flagship of Apple's premium tablet, it is expected to come with a much-improved processor, graphics and sound quality.

Rumors are rife that iPad Pro 2 will have a 64GB base model, Mirror reports. Aside from that, the forthcoming premium tablet is also said to be ditching the headphone jack, following the iPhone 7.

As for its size, the iPad Pro 2 is expected to come with a 12-inch screen that would feature adaptive display. This feature is said to let the device automatically adjust the brightness and color of the screen.

Other rumored features of the iPad Pro 2 include an smart connector and Quad-speakers. Also, the premium Apple tablet is arriving with Apple Stylus Pencil and a Smart Keyboard setup.

iPad Pro 2 official release date

No official word has been made public as of yet regarding the official release date of the iPad Pro 2. However, sources claim that it will be launched alongside iPad Mini 5 and iPhone 7. Stay tuned to GamenGuide for more iPad Pro 2 news and updates!
LEBANON  The Lobby, a new bistro on Main Street, actually sits in the lobby of the former Lebanon Hotel, and there are nods to the past on display, such as a telephone switchboard for the rooms.

But owner Brock Byers has his eye on the future. Besides serving great coffee and food, Byers wants the Lobby to become a hub of artistic and civic activities and help the downtown area grow.

The business motto is Feeding the Good Life, and the Lobby held its grand opening in late July. The bistro, at 661 S. Main St., is in the space previously occupied by the Kings Coffeehouse.

The Lobby offers a revamped menu, however, and Corvallis CoffeeWorks is now providing the java. Its the best coffee around, Byers said. Weve drawn a lot of new people.

The menu features build your own sandwiches and salads for lunch, along with bagels and other breakfast options.

We definitely have the best scones around, Byers said.

The hottest item on the menu, said Dani Rau, manager of the Lobby, is the turkey gobbler sandwich. Its like people are starving for Thanksgiving, she said.

Breakfast burritos also are big sellers, added Rau, who has more than 20 years of food service experience, including at Oregon State University.

The Lobby also offers catering services, and delivers free for all of downtown. The latter service is critical for some shop owners, who might double as the sole worker at their business on any given day, Byers said.

Byers added that he started the Lobby after becoming friends and business partners with Rio Martinian Prince, owner and roaster for Corvallis CoffeeWorks. The two were developing sales and business models when Byers saw the Kings Coffeehouse for sale in Lebanon.

It was kind of spur of the moment, Byers said.

The Lobby has about 15 part-time workers, and high school students make up a majority of the employees.

Marketing director Tamara Mullen said that Lebanon is experiencing a change in demographics thanks to the medical college, and the expansion of Linn-Benton Community College and Samaritan Medical Services in the area.

Youre seeing this influx of a lot of young people. In addition, you have a lot of artists, she added.

And that presents opportunities to provide a space for studying, or bringing residents and visitors together.

We also embraced the long-time customers that Kings Coffeehouse had, Mullen said.

Were kind of transitioning what the coffee house was to provide a much broader venue for people to do things at, Byers said.

Lebanon Downtown Association meetings already are held at the Lobby, Mullen said.

Eventually, Byers plans to offer wine and beer and tapas dishes and stay open later at night to cater to medical school students.

The Lobby is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, call 541-258-1597 or go to the Lobbys Facebook page.
Like everyone else, I was born inquisitive. It was this mind that led me to ask my first questions, and it's the same mind that has supported me as an adult who holds near to his heart the desire to understand who he is and where he comes from, as well as the more unfathomable what anything is, how it came to be, or even what being is (dont even get me started on outer space). As an atheist I look to reason and science for a road map, but the conscious experience of the desire to know, to understand ... that belongs to no one.

I became interested in the concept of belief in general by the time I was 14. Atheism was a natural landing zone for me, as I hadnt experienced anything that suggested anything otherwise. However, despite being rooted in curiosity and truth, it mixed poorly with teenage angst and became very black and white, even militaristic. To be an atheist at the time was to be a member of what felt like an extreme minority  one that, for example, would never see an atheist president elected. There was a lot of hate and discrimination, and it made it really easy to give as good as I got. Of course what I didnt realize at the time was that nobody should be giving that at all, no matter who was being marginalized (and it surely wasnt just us).

Moving forward, I got into Richard Dawkins, an ethologist and evolutionary biologist who really clarified things for me, in particular with his Spectrum of Theistic Probability, which breaks belief down into a spectrum. I myself fall under the category of a 6, which is a person who, for lack of a more detailed explanation, believes that he or she has not witnessed any evidence for God, making Him improbable, and therefore lives a life based on that assumption until something changes it. Most atheists believe this, despite the God isnt real, end of story, no matter what stereotype. Dawkins would refer to this "no matter what" person as a 7, or someone who leaves open no possibility for new evidence. While there are undoubtedly people who fall into this category, the acceptance of absolutes and denial of possibility is very much in contradiction of the highly skeptical, but evidence-based approach of atheism itself.

As dry and dissected as that all seems on the surface, the point Im trying to make is that I believe there is a continuum of belief, one that we all fit into, no matter how different we seem to be. One of my best friends is a nondenominational Christian, and has provided the best theological- philosophical discussion Ive ever had.

Its important to understand each other so that we may better understand ourselves. So what if I think it is unlikely his God exists, and he feels absolutely sure of it? This is a false paradigm that fills people with hate and prevents them from learning from each other.

The purpose of everything Ive said here was to maybe break a few atheism stereotypes, yes, but also to recognize the necessity of understanding. This seems especially important as globalization brings us so much closer together in terms of what we think and feel, as well as how we encapsulate those things within our culture. I believe that religion and philosophy should be at the forefront of these commonalities, not commanding the space from which we conduct cultural warfare. Six hundred words may not be enough to even start the discussion, but heres to our shared quest just the same.
This log includes incidents in which there might have been a public disturbance or a risk to the public. Information comes from the Corvallis Police Department, the Benton County Sheriffs Office and Oregon State Police. It does not include all calls for service. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate. People arrested or suspected in crimes are considered innocent until proven otherwise.

Corvallis Police Department

THURSDAY, AUG. 4

DUII: 3:25 a.m., 300 N.W. Third St. An officer responding to a report of an intoxicated driver in the McDonalds drive-thru arrested Tyler John Harney, 23, no address listed, for charges of DUII and driving while suspended. He reportedly had a blood alcohol content of 0.07 percent and provided police with a urine sample because a drug recognition expert was not available.

TUESDAY, AUG. 2

METH: 3:10 a.m., 910 N.W. Kings Blvd. An officer was reportedly driving behind Rices Pharmacy and heard snoring coming from a dumpster and found Dalton James Davis-Williamson, 25, no address listed, sleeping in a rolled-up carpet. The officer reportedly found a glass pipe that had methamphetamine residue on it in his bag. The officer arrested him for charges of second degree criminal trespassing, unlawful possession of methamphetamine and a probation violation.

Benton County Sheriffs Office

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3

WATER RESCUE: 2:30 p.m., Irish Bend Park, Monroe. The marine patrol was called out to rescue a 20-year-old woman who reportedly went into the river to retrieve her dog when it got stuck in a current while swimming. The woman and dog were swept downstream and were unable to get back to their friends, and the marine patrol had to pick her up and take her back to the park.

TUESDAY, JULY 26

RECKLESS BURNING: 8:30 p.m., 24800 Highway 34, Philomath. During a traffic stop, Karla Michelle Melson, 38, a transient, reportedly exited the passengers seat of the vehicle and started a fire. A deputy arrested her for charges of reckless burning, resisting arrest, interfering with a peace officer, disorderly conduct and three felony warrants.
It seems astonishing, the amount of attention this Measure 97 already has attracted throughout Oregon, especially when you consider that three months remain until Election Day.

But the news about the measure formerly known as Initiative Petition 28 just keeps coming. And there is this as well: For Oregon voters, this proposed increase in corporate taxes is the most important issue on the November ballot.

In case you've been out of the state for the last six months, this is the measure that potentially would raise $3 billion in taxes each year from the state's largest companies. The measure mandates that certain corporations would be charged a 2.5 percent tax on gross annual sales in Oregon above $25 million. Proponents of the measure say that the proceeds would help fund traditionally underfunded areas of state government such as K-12 education and health services. Opponents say the measure would hand a blank check to the Legislature and that affected companies would pass along at least some of their increased costs to consumers, as frequently happens with gross receipts taxes. Reports have estimated that a typical Oregon household would pay hundreds of dollars more each year as a result of this tax.

The latest bit of news on the measure came Friday, when the Oregon Secretary of State's office confirmed that Initiative Petition 28 would be dubbed Measure 97. (The state portion of your ballot will include seven separate measures, still a load but not the traffic jam at the bottom of the ballot that we were expecting; of course, most voters will be pondering additional local measures as well.)

That particular announcement was widely expected.

And so was the Thursday announcement from Gov. Kate Brown, who said that she was endorsing Measure 97 after months in which she supposedly was deliberating. But seeing how she previously had outlined plans for how to spend the money, Brown's endorsement wasn't exactly a surprise.

Brown said the measure, if passed, would give the state "fiscal stability," and it is true that the additional revenue would move state government away from its boom-or-bust fiscal cycle.

But we're puzzled by her assertion that the gross receipts tax, a regressive tax by any definition, would address what she called the "basic unfairness" of Oregon's tax system.

However, give credit to Brown for taking a public stance on the measure, even though you'd hardly call her decision unexpected. And it does highlight a key difference between Brown and her Republican opponent in the gubernatorial race, Bud Pierce, who's against the measure.

One last bit of Measure 97 news to report: The state's legal counsel last week confirmed what anyone who's read the measure knows  although proponetns say the money will be spent on K-12 education and health care and similar areas, the Legislature will have the final decision. In a recent debate on the measure, state Rep. Peter Buckley, a Measure 97 proponent, suggested taxpayers look at where the Legislature has spent money in the past as a general guide to where the revenue would go. And Brown herself said she "will make sure" the money is spent as voters expect.

If those assurances satisfy you, fine. If not, may we suggest that you cast a skeptical eye on Measure 97 in the months to come.
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.
Mi Umbrella:

Xiaomi recently launched the Mi Umbrella, which is capable of shaking off all the water droplets. Made using a Taiwanese carom cloth, and boasts an additional Teflon coating along with water resistance, which can protect user from harmful UV rays.

Mi VR Play headset:

Last week, Xiaomi also unveiled its first-ever virtual reality (VR) headset, called VR Play headset. The device is made using materials like Spandex and Lycra, but work like Google Cardboard. It has a zipper design.

Portable Mosquito Repeller:

For those of you who have not already heard about it, you read it right! Xiaomi has a portable mosquito repeller to keep those annoying mosquitoes away and to combat them. However, it does not use sound technology, as it works using a mosquito mat inserted inside the device. Measuring in 4.6cm in diameter,it is a portable device that been launched for less than Rs 300, if you convert its price to Indian currency.

MIJIA Pen:

Xiaomi also has a pen named Mi Pen, which is a regular refillable pen with Swiss PREMEC refills. It can be used with Japanese mikuni quick-drying ink, which not only dries up easily, but does not ever fade or break. The Mi Pen is available in two colors, black and white. It costs about Rs 200.

Mi Rice Cooker:

Xioami launched an electric rice cooker that comes with smart features. Xiaomi's Mi Rice cooker uses electromagnetic heating technology, along with a magnetic relief valve to control the inside pressure. It can also recognize the type of rice and automatically adjust the cooking methodology. The Mi Rice Cooker has been priced for around Rs 10,000.

Mi Kettle:

If a rice cooker is not enough, Xiaomi also has a kettle to help you in kitchen. The Xiaomi Mi Kettle might sound like a regular electric kettle that can boil water, however it is much smarter. You can operate it and change its settings with the help of a smartphone, using the Mi Home app. The kettle is priced around Rs 2,000.

Mi Water Purifier:

Xiaomi in partnership with Yunmi Technology came up with its smart water purifier, called the Mi Water Purifier, earlier this year. The USP of its water purifier is that it can purify, filter and desalinize water using Reverse Osmosis (RO) process. This portable device is capable of giving 400 gallons of pure water in a day. The device cost around Rs 13,000.

Li-Ning smart shoes:

Well, Xiaomi also has sports shoes that come with smart features. The company along with Li-Ning developed a range of sports shoes, called the Xiaomi Li-Ning smart shoes. These can be connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth. The shoes come with sensor fitted in the sole to track number of steps, calories burnt and other fitness-related data. These smart shoes start can be bought for price starting from Rs 2,000.

Ninebot Mini:

Xiaomi has a Segway-like self balancing scooter called the Ninebot Mini. It can be connected to a smartphone to show speed and other traffic data. You can travel at speeds up to 16km/h, and go up to 22km on a single charge. The Xiaomi Ninebot Mini is comes with a price tag around Rs 20,300.

Yeelight Bedside Lamp:

Xiaomi also has a bedside lamp developed by Yeelight, which is a part of the company. The lamp can be controlled using a smartphone. It has 16 million colors, and can use gestures to change colors, brightness levels and more. The Xiaomi Yeelight Bedside Lamp is priced around Rs 2,500.
Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime (2016) Spotted Online: 5 Things to Know About Upcoming Smartphone Features oi -Abhinaya Prabhu

If you thought that the rumors and speculations about Samsung will come to a halt for sometime as the Galaxy Note 7 is now official, well, it never stops.

There are already speculations about the pricing and availability of the Galaxy Note 7 in the global markets and it is reported that the smartphone will arrive in India on August 11.

Also Read: This is How to Samsung Galaxy S8 Will Look Like

Following that the rumor mills are churning out information about the another upcoming Samsung phone, that is Galaxy Grand Prime (2016). The Galaxy Grand was launched a couple of years back and Samsung skipped to upgrade the device in the last year. Now, it seems like the South Korean tech giant is working on one as per the Zauba listing.

Also Read: Samsung planning to kill the flat-screen Galaxy S Smartphone Variants

Appears on Zauba thrice The smartphone with the model number SM-G532 has appeared thrice on Zauba that is an import/export tracking website. The listings are dated July 12, August 4, and August 6 respectively. On the whole, 8 units have been shipped to India and it is alleged to carry a price tag of $103 (approx. Rs 7,000) per unit. But, one of the listings show a price tag of Rs 13,000. Model number points at Galaxy Grand Prime successor The Galaxy Grand Prime that was launched in 2014 carries the model number SM-G531. The device that appeared on Zauba has the model number SM-G532 and this tips that it could be the Galaxy Grand Prime (2016). To sport a 5-inch display While the Zauba listing does not divulge more details other than the price of the Galaxy Grand Prime (2016), it shows that the smartphone might boast a 5-inch display that is a standard size for the entry-level and mid-range phones launched these days. We can expect it to be a HD display with 1280x720 pixel resolution. 4G cannot be ruled out When it comes to connectivity, we cannot rule out the fact that 4G support is becoming a mainstream feature in the smartphones as everyone wants superfast connectivity. Like wise, the Galaxy Grand Prime successor is also comes with 4G support. Android Marshmallow expected The Galaxy Grand Prime (2016) might be launched with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on board topped with the company's own TouchWiz UI and customizations.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications
Samsung Galaxy S8 Gorgeous Concept Hits Online: This Is How The Next Flagship Will Look Like Features oi -Abhinaya Prabhu

With the launch of the Galaxy Note 7, the next big thing to arrive from the stable of Samsung is the Galaxy S8, reportedly in early 2017.

If you think it's too early to talk about the Galaxy S8, you need to know that the upcoming flagship is already in rumors and some of its potential specifications are already making rounds on the internet.

Also Read: Samsung planning to kill the flat-screen Galaxy S Smartphone Variants

Even concepts of the Samsung Galaxy S8 have hit the online world, as some designers have come up with the renders of what the device might look like. Recently, designer Steel Drake came up with a slew of concepts of the Galaxy S8.

Check out the video of the Galaxy S8 concepts from Steel Drake from the video below.

Notably, the Galaxy S8 came up with a slew of improvements and noticeable changes such as the addition of an iris scanner, dual-curved edges, an enhanced S Pen, a new TouchWiz interface, waterproof build, etc.

Also Read: Metal bodied Samsung Galaxy On7 spotted on benchmarking site

With the next generation Galaxy S smartphone, we can expect a lot more improvements. The concepts by Steel Drake resemble an excellent piece of art. It looks too premium with curved screen edges that are discrete. Dive into the beauty of the Galaxy S8 concepts from below.

Edge-to-edge curved design The Galaxy S8 seems to feature an edge-to-edge curved screen that bends from the back to front and the vice versa. Top and bottom bezels are too narrow The bezels at the top and bottom of the Galaxy S8 seem to be ridiculously narrow. The edges seem to have got a serious design cut. There's a projector above the main camera! The smartphone seems to arrive with a new feature that will project content as it includes a projector above the rear camera. The projector seems to be embedded into the flash module at the rear of the device. Retail box too looks impressive Though this is just a concept, the retail box designed by Drake for the Galaxy S8 seems fantastic with an elegant and attractive look. Large wireless charging pad The concepts include the picture of a large wireless charging pad that is likely to be called a charge translator. Get more power with the wall charger It also comes with a wall charger that looks splendid with the ability to beam more electricity to the smartphone. Its known that the wall chargers will supply more power than the other ways of charging. Placement of buttons on the sides The placement of the raised and smooth volume rocker and the power button on the metallic sides of the Galaxy S8 gives a great look to the phone. A nice rounded silhouette The rounded design with the presence of a curved display that bends from the front to back gives a great silhouette to the smartphone. UHD 5.5-inch display to be a reality The Galaxy S8 is likely to bring UHD 2160p into reality with a 5.5-inch screen that has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. Fingerprint scanner is at the back Also, the device's fingerprint scanner of the Galaxy S8 seems to be transferred to the back due to the lack of space at the front, but there's no sign of an iris scanner that might also makes its way on the upcoming phone.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications
Is the phone overheating frequently?

It is known that the lithium ion batteries generate heat as they are charged. However, the batteries are optimized to manage the heat and shielding it from becoming noticeable. If it starts becoming too hot to touch your phone even on moderate usage pretty often, it means its time to look for a battery replacement.

Check for a bulge in the battery

It is easy to spot a difference in the battery. You need to just remove the battery from your phone (if it is a removable one) and look for bulging or corrosion near the terminals. If the battery is bulged, you need to take it to the vendor for advice if it has to be replaced. Don't use the damaged battery as it might cause harm to the circuitry of the phone.

Keep a check on the battery life

You need to diagnose the battery's health by monitoring how fast the battery level drops. You shouldn't notice more than two percentage of the battery level instantly. If the battery level drops from full charge to zero in a few hours even while you haven't used the phone for intense activities, you need to consider replacing the battery.

Check the water strip

Normally, the water strip on the battery will be white in color and it will turn pink or red when it is exposed to water. If the strip has turned to a a different color, it means that your phone's battery may have water damage and needs to be replaced. Aside from exposure to water, this damage can occur due to the condensation if you regularly move between warm and cold locations.

Its Dead: Your phone doesn't turn on at all

This is an obvious indication pointing to the replacement of your phone's battery. If your phone is not turning on due to the dead battery, it needs a battery replacement. However, you need to first try to charge the phone and if it doesn't turn on and show no signs of power such as lights, sounds, etc. it needs a permanent battery replacement.
Orkut founder says hello to social networking world once again: More details here Features oi -Harshita

Have you heard of Orkut? A little before Facebook gained popularity as a social networking site, there was another site called Orkut that had ruled the roost. Orkut was a social media platform that won many hearts for 5-6 years. During its peak days, it had over 300million subscribers, but it soon faded out with Facebook gaining limelight, resulting in Orkut's shut down in 2014. However, company's founder Orkut Buyukkokten doesn't seem to have given up as he has bigger plans.

Buyukkokten has come up with another social network called hello to take on the likes of Facebook. The social network targets users on the basis of their passions and obsession, by letting users show their interest areas. They can choose their personas under various categories.

SEE ALSO: Sony Might Launch Another Xperia X Smartphone at IFA 2016

What is hello app?

Buyukkokten writes in a blog post that "After witnessing the evolution of social networking over the past 16 years, Orkut (Buyukkokten) was inspired to help bring people together around their common interests - a vision that changes how the world does social. As a token of gratitude, I am making a new social network just for you.

SEE ALSO: Metal bodied Samsung Galaxy On7 (2016) spotted on benchmarking site: Top 7 Expected Specifications

I'm not so good at goodbyes, so I'm calling it hello. hello is the first social network built on loves, not likes. hello is the next generation of orkut.. I designed hello to help you connect with people who share your passions. hello connects us all. Think about it: you can say 'hello' in any language and people will understand. 'Hello' is probably the most widely spoken word in the world after 'Okay'. Alo, halo, allo, alo, hallo, allo, hello. Fear and hatred have no place when you make such a simple and friendly gesture to someone else. So come join me, and make some new friends. Say hello, and love your world."

How to Sign up?

After knowing about the site, some of you might take interest in signing up on the hello app. It works like any other social networking site. You can register yourself using an email address. Considering that the site is based on sharing your passions with others, it will show you a list of 'personas' and ask you to select five of these that meet your interest. You can change these personas later, if you want to. On the basis of the personas you chose, you can meet more people who share similar interests.

SEE ALSO: Top 10 Mid-Range Smartphones Launched in India in July 2016

Availability:

hello is available in three languages, including English, French and Portuguese, as of now. Currently, the company has launched hello app for iOS and Android. It is available in the US, Canada, France, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Brazil. As far as its India launch is concerned, it is intended to be launched in India, along with Germany and Mexico, sometime this month.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications
Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan vow to create NSTC

Iran Press TV

Mon Aug 8, 2016 6:27PM

Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan have vowed to work together to prepare the grounds for the construction of a North-South Transit Corridor (NSTC) which is expected to provide a faster and more efficient trade connectivity between Europe and South East Asia.

The three countries announced in a joint statement at the end of a historic summit of their presidents in Baku that they will take the required measures for the materialization of the NSTC with the ultimate objective to exploit the economic opportunities that it creates.

The statement was read out after the summit in which Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev had participated.

The three presidents also emphasized that their respective countries will try to increase their own shares in efforts to create the NSTC "based on their common interests".

The NSTC is a multi-model route to link India and the Middle East to the Caucasus, Central Asia and Europe.

The ship, road and rail route connects India's Mumbai to the Iranian port of Bander Abbas and further to Baku in Azerbaijan as well as Astrakhan, Moscow and St Petersburg in Russia before stretching to northern Europe and Scandinavia.

Besides Iran, India and Russia, countries that are on board to integrate into the transit network include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Turkey, Tajikistan, Oman, Syria and Bulgaria.

Dry runs of the route were conducted in 2014, from Mumbai to Baku and Astrakhan via Bandar Abbas. Results showed transport costs had been reduced by $2,500 per 15 tons of cargo.

The NSTC was a central theme in the summit of Putin, Rouhani and Aliyev.

"Our talks will focus on a flagship project  the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor with a total length of 7,200 kilometers," Russian President Vladimir Putin quoted as saying by the media before leaving for Baku.

"It aims to provide the best possible opportunities for transporting transit cargo from India, Iran, and the Persian Gulf states to Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation and further to northern and western Europe," he said.

The three presidents also agreed to cooperate over the area of natural gas industry. They said in their statement that they will specifically work together over the transfer of technology as well as the shipment and delivery of gas.

Putin, Rouhani and Aliyev also voiced support for efforts to connect the power grids of their respective countries  what they said would contribute to the sustainable development of the region.

Banking issues was also a key area that the three countries said they stand ready to work together as a necessary move specifically needed for plans to attract investments and bring in new technologies for their development projects.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Echoes of War: Norway Counting on NATO to Sweep WW2 Mines

Sputnik News

17:08 08.08.2016(updated 17:09 08.08.2016)

Although World War II ended over 70 years ago, its bitter memories continue to haunt the countries that Germany occupied. Thousands of mines were laid out along the coast of Norway during World War II, and in the next two weeks, nine NATO ships will be deployed for a major minesweeping operation off the country's northern shores.

In total, around 15,000 mines are expected to be still lurking in Norwegian waters. Up to 7,000 of them are believed to be left in the waters off Norway's shores north of Bod. Remarkably, the minefields were laid by both the Allies and the Axis powers.

"There are really a lot of explosives left behind, so we need a comprehensive plan to remove them, and here is where the NATO force will step in, Are lberg, the commander and liaison officer in Norway's Armed Forces, told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.

According to Are lberg, the places that are earmarked for investigation have earlier been mentioned in historical accounts of WW2, captain's logs or witness reports.

"It may also be possible that fishermen or others have made various discoveries in the area," lberg pointed out.

After a mine has been located, a mini-submarine will be sent down to take pictures for documentation. Afterwards, divers will descend to put in an explosive charge, rush to safety and successfully detonate the mine.

The mine-sweeping maneuver commenced at 10 o'clock on Monday at the port of Hammerfest, located just south of the North Cape. After two weeks of activity, ships will call in at the port of Trondheim, whereupon the search along Norway's coast will continue.

Earlier, a government report estimated the bitter WW2 legacy: 200,000 metric tons of explosives still lie scattered in Norway and its waters, posing both health risks and environmental hazards. Remarkably, most of the abandoned explosives (up to 80 percent) are expected to be buried at sea.

In total, Norwegian defense forces perform around 250-350 explosive clearing missions a year. Awareness campaigns are being routinely carried out among locals to report suspected explosive remains to the authorities.

In April 1940, German forces invaded the neutral Scandinavian country of Norway. Germany stationed approximately 300,000 troops in the country, which at the time had a population of only three million people. Conventional armed resistance to the invasion ended in July the same year, and Norway remained under German rule until the capitulation of the German forces in Europe in 1945.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Taliban Pledges Support to Afghanistan in Anti-Daesh Fight

Sputnik News

15:24 08.08.2016

The Taliban is supporting Afghanistan in its fight against the Daesh jihadist group, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The spokesman stressed that most Daesh members present in Afghanistan are foreigners and occupy a small territory in the east of the country with no presence elsewhere.

"In cooperation with the nation, [the Taliban] has prevented the terrorist group from gaining a foothold in Afghanistan," Mujahid added, in an interview with the Iranian Tasnim news agency.

The United States and the Afghan government have used Daesh to exaggerate Afghanistan's problems as a pretext for the further occupation of Afghanistan, he added.

Afghanistan is experiencing political, social and security instability, as the Taliban movement and other radical extremist organizations, such as Daesh, which is prohibited in many countries, including Russia, continue staging attacks against civilian and government targets.

The Afghan wing of Daesh was formed in 2015, when infighting between Taliban factions broke out.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






South Korea's reckless decision on THAAD is irresponsible: People's Daily

People's Daily Online

(People's Daily Online) 09:48, August 08, 2016

As dissenting voices increased over the decision between Seoul and Washington to deploy Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system, the South Korean government and media have been making pale explanations and rebuttals.

Some quibbled that "South Korea has no choice but to install the THAAD system as a self-defense measure. It does not target any third country", while some others said that "China was fully accounted for when choosing the site for the THAAD system. The detection range of the missile defense system does not reach into China's territory."

Some made groundless claims that "China should rethink about its obligation fulfillment on the settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue." Some others even claimed that "China dares not to pressure South Korea as it will push the country closer to the US".

It is not hard to see that South Korea is playing the "victim card", but this scheme did not go all the way. It finally revealed the trump card that "its fearless provocation comes from its strong ally".

Honesty goes a long way. South Korea should be aware of this common sense. Insincere words cannot persuade anyone and will even damage one's own reputation. Careless remarks on security issues that concern core national interests can easily become a laughing stock. As everyone knows, there is nothing as crystal-clear as security issues.

Anyone who has some knowledge about the THAAD system knows that with a radar range of 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers, it is designed to shoot down missiles at a relatively high altitude of 40 to 150 km. Given the geographical conditions of the Korean Peninsula, it is ridiculous to use the THAAD missile defense system to "deter nuclear threats from North Korea".

The US did not start to seek strategic advantage by deploying anti-missile systems yesterday. The superpower also cited nuclear threats posed by Iran as an excuse when it built the missile defense complex in Eastern Europe, but it did not stop its scheme even after an agreement on settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue was reached.

To convince China that the THAAD deployment does not affect its interests, the South Korean government has gone at length into technical details. However, the THAAD system employs the AN/TPY-2 X-band radar, which is the world's largest and the most powerful ground-transportable radar.

Although the US military claims the radar range is only 500 kilometers, given its close correlation with the radar cross-section of the object, the range is above 2000 kilometers for ascending mid-long-range missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles that have not separated from the shell body.

When deployed in South Korea, the THAAD system can reach deep into the hinterlands of Northeast Asia with its radar. During peacetime, it can acquire intelligence of regional countries and collect data on target signature. In wartime, the system can be used as a preliminary identification and tracking facility and significantly improve the missile interception rate.

This will seriously undermine China's strategic deterrence and pose security threats to China. Even if South Korea truly cares about China's security interests, it does not have the right to operate the THAAD system as it is well-known that South Korea has no military autonomy as a follower of the US.

Linking the THAAD deployment with China's actions regarding the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is more than far-fetched. South Korea has no rights to damage China's security interests simply because China does not make South Korea "more comfortable".

Has China acted in a shady way on the peninsula issue? Has China failed to earnestly implement a single one of the resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council? Without China's role at key moments, the Korean Peninsula situation would be very different. Does South Korea really want a taste of that?

As for whether China will do nothing after the THAAD deployment, the people who made the above remarks know better than anyone. As a neighbor of China, South Korea should be aware of China's determination to safeguard peace and stability.

Neighbors should straighten out their issues with a peaceful mindset, especially on the root causes. Even with support from its patron, it is quite irresponsible for South Korea to behave emotionally or act recklessly.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






N Korea Instructs Embassies to Use THAAD in South to Pit China Against US

Sputnik News

18:56 08.08.2016

North Korea's Foreign Ministry allegedly ordered its diplomats in overseas missions to emphasize the threat of US missiles in Korea to China's security in a bid to widen the rift between Beijing, Seoul and Washington, South Korean media reported Monday.

TOKYO (Sputnik)  Last month, Seoul and Washington agreed to place Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems in the South with a stated goal of countering Pyongyang.

"North Korea's foreign ministry recently handed out the guidelines to embassies and consulates overseas, in which it defined the THAAD issue asa threat to the North East Asian region's security," a source in the know told the Yonhap news agency.

According to the source, diplomatic missions were instructed to frame the missile deployment as US military buildup in the region in order to "instigate a confrontation" between the United States, Japan and South Korea on one side and China on the other.

The THAAD system is designed to intercept short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles at the terminal incoming stage. The announcement of its upcoming deployment was met with criticism from Beijing and Moscow.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iraq Receives Four Additional F-16 Jets Over Weekend

Sputnik News

17:52 08.08.2016(updated 17:53 08.08.2016)

Iraq received another F-16 jets, the US anti-Daesh envoy said.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The Iraqi military received an additional four F-16 fighter jets over the weekend, US Presidential Envoy for the global coalition to counter Daesh Brett McGurk said on Monday.

As part of its ongoing fight against Daesh, Iraq has ordered 36 F-16s from the United States, at a cost of more than $2 billion. The last delivery was made in February, when the United States delivered two F-16 jets.

The international US-led coalition against Daesh includes more than 60 nations and has been conducting airstrikes against the terrorist group in Iraq and Syria since August 2014.

Daesh is outlawed in Russia and numerous other countries.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Suicide Attack Kills Dozens At Hospital In Pakistan

August 08, 2016

by RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal

A suicide bomber has killed at least 70 people at the main gate of a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan, where lawyers had gathered to honor a prominent colleague who was shot dead earlier the same morning, authorities said.

The extremist group Islamic State and a faction of the Pakistani Taliban issued conflicting claims of responsibility for the August 8 attack that also wounded more than 100 others, many critically, in the capital of the southwestern province of Balochistan.

The bomber struck shortly after the body of Bilal Kasi, president of the Balochistan Bar Association, was brought to the hospital.

Police said most of the victims were lawyers who had gathered at Civil Hospital to honor Kasi, who was gunned down by unknown assailants on his way to Quetta's main court complex.

Mohammad Din Kakar, one of the lawyers at the hospital gate, told RFE/RL that he had come to grieve for Kasi and was caught in the blast:

"I arrived [at the hospital] around 9:45 a.m.," Kakar said. "I saw Kasi's dead body, many lawyers were standing around [and] a lawyer asked a policeman on duty not to let people in and to close the doors. Then we walked out and the blast occurred. I lost consciousness after that."

Anwar ul-Haq Kakar, a spokesman for the government of Balochistan Province, said the attack at the hospital appeared to have been "preplanned."

As many as 200 people had gathered at the hospital to pay respects to Kasi when the suicide bomber struck.

Sarfraz Bugti, the provincial interior minister, denounced the attack as an "act of terrorism."

Hours after the attack, there were conflicting claims of responsibility.

The Islamic State (IS) extremist group said that it carried out the bombing. If so, it would be the first that IS has claimed an attack in Balochistan, though it has been behind previous attacks in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani Taliban faction Jamaat-ur-Ahrar also claimed responsibility. The group's spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan, said it would release a video of the bombing soon.

Television footage from the hospital showed scenes of chaos, with panicked people fleeing through debris as smoke from the explosion filled the corridors.

"I was coming for my shift at the office [and] as soon as I reached the gate, there was a blast and people came running out," an unidentified witness told Reuters. "I left my bike there, and as I entered, I saw dead bodies scattered all over the place. There was blood all over. The injured people were covered with blood. "

Many of the dead appeared to be wearing black suits and ties, the traditional uniform of lawyers in Pakistan.

Pakistani lawyers' associations have announced seven days of mourning and a one-day boycott of courts nationwide to protest the bombing.

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has major oil and natural-gas resources but is afflicted by Islamist militancy, sectarian violence between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims, and a separatist insurgency.

Quetta has also long been regarded as a base for the Afghan Taliban, whose leadership has regularly held meetings there in the past.

Pakistani hospitals have been targeted by militants previously.

In 2010 a bomb killed 13 people outside the casualty department of a hospital in Karachi, where victims of an earlier attack were being treated as relatives gathered.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/pakistan- quetta-hospital-blast/27906993.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






On Friday, the Chilean Agriculture Minister Carlos Furche said that Chile hopes to export its food to China in the near future.

Before a major food expo in China scheduled in the next two weeks, he remarked "We already have a complete free trade zone and in terms of food and forest products, the FTA has had extraordinary results."

The country has signed a Free Trade Agreement with China in 2005, causing Chilean exports for forest and agricultural products to China to amount to almost $400 million in 2005 and by 2015, it is now worth $2.4 billion.

Minister Furche also added "What is going to happen is that, in the next decade, China will become the first destination for Chilean food exports, a position that the United States currently occupies."

Currently, cherries, grapes, pork and wine are the major food exports from Chile to China while Chile receives exports of textile, furniture and shoes from China.
Police Say Dozens Killed After Deadly Bomb Hit Pakistan Hospital

by Ayaz Gul August 08, 2016

A powerful suicide blast in a hospital complex in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta Monday killed more than 60 people and wounded at least 160 others, witnesses and police said.

Hospital officials say that more than two dozen of those wounded are in "critical condition," and fear the death toll could rise. Most of the victims are lawyers.

The blast occurred shortly after dozens of lawyers gathered in Quetta's Civil Hospital to protest and mourn the killing of their provincial bar association's president in an early morning drive-by shooting by unknown gunmen.

Journalists and television cameramen covering the lawyers' rally were also among those killed and wounded.

A splinter faction of the extremist Pakistani Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) claimed responsibility for both killing the bar association president and the subsequent deadly bombing. A spokesman for the group said that a suicide bomber was deployed at the hospital anticipating lawyers and government officials would gather in large numbers.

There was no independent confirmation of the claim. JuA claimed responsibility for an Easter attack in the second largest Pakistani city of Lahore in March in which more than 70 people were killed.

The United States last week designated JuA as a global terrorist organization.

Speaking to VOA, the provincial government spokesman, Anwar ul-Haq Kakar gave details of Monday's attack in Quetta.

"This morning, unfortunately, one of our very distinguished lawyers, Bilal Anwar Kasi, was targeted and he was martyred in the early hours of the morning. As soon as his dead body was received by the lawyer community there was a huge blast. As a result we have got a huge number of injuries and many deaths."

Provincial government and officials of the bomb disposal squad in Quetta have now confirmed the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber, saying they have recovered head and legs of the attacker form the site of the blast.

Government spokesman Kakar said the violence appeared to be in a reaction to Pakistan's counter-terrorism and counter-extremism efforts.

"The same terrorist groups which are religious and sectarian-inspired, we are suspecting that they are behind such heinous acts," he said.

In Washington, the U.S. State Department condemned "in the strongest terms" Monday's attack in Quetta.

"Today, terrorists targeted a hospital, as well as the judiciary and the media, two of the most important pillars of every democracy," a statement said. "These brutal and senseless attacks only deepen our shared resolve to defeat terrorism around the world and we will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism."

At the United Nations, a statement by Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said "the targeting of mourners at a civilian hospital makes the attack particularly appalling."

Quetta is the capital of Baluchistan province, where ethnic Baloch separatists and religious extremists routinely carry out such attacks.

VOA UN correspondent Margaret Besheer and VOA State Department correspondents Nike Ching and Steve Herman contributed to this report

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russia's Admiral Nakhimov Nuclear Cruiser to Gain New Information System

Sputnik News

13:05 08.08.2016(updated 13:09 08.08.2016)

Russia's Kirov-class Admiral Nakhimov nuclear-powered battlecruiser will be equipped with a new management information system, United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation (UIMC) spokesman Leonid Khozin said Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Admiral Nakhimov is currently being refitted at the Sevmash shipbuilding company in the city of Severodvinsk, with the works planned to finish in 2018. Earlier, the Russian Navy said the battlecruiser would join the Northern Fleet by 2020.

"The United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation is creating a new management information system for the Project 1144 Orlan heavy nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov as part of the works on refitting and upgrading the military ship," Khozin told RIA Novosti.

The new system is set to increase the comfort of the crew's work, boost the speed of decision-making and information transfers as well as improve the management efficiency of the ship, he added, noting that the vessel is currently fitted with a reference system that possesses a limited number of parameters.

"It is assumed that we will significantly increase its capabilities. A substantial administrative network is being created, which includes internal communications, databases, video broadcasting and an intelligent decision-making support system," Khozin said.

The Admiral Nakhimov, formerly named the Kalinin, is the third of the four Kirov-class heavy guided missile cruisers that was in service with the Soviet and subsequently the Russian Navy from 1980 to 1998. The vessel is capable of providing air defense and anti-submarine defense. It has a displacement of 25,800 tonnes and a crew of 759, including 120 officers.

Russia is currently implementing a large-scale rearmament program, announced in 2010, to modernize 70 percent of its military hardware by 2020.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Erdogan Goes To Russia: Turkish Leader Seeks To Mend Fences With Kremlin

August 08, 2016

by Mike Eckel

What a difference a few months can make.

Last November, a day after Turkish jets shot down a Russian Su-24 along the Syrian border, an angry Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out, calling the incident "a stab in the back by the terrorists' accomplices."

His Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, responded with his own chest-thumping and finger pointing: "I think if there is a party that needs to apologize, it is not us. Those who violated our airspace are the ones who need to apologize."

Fast forward to August 9, when Erdogan is to meet in St. Petersburg with the man he called "my friend Vladimir" in an interview with Russian state news agency TASS ahead of the trip. "This will be a historic visit, a new beginning," Erdogan said.

After several weeks of contrite signals like that from Ankara, the Kremlin is confident that Erdogan wants to bury the hatchet and restore what had been a relatively robust trading relationship between the two Black Sea neighbors.

"This testifies that the Turkish partners are indeed interested in the renewal of multifaceted cooperation with our country," Putin's foreign-policy adviser, Yury Ushakov, said -- friendly language that indicates Russia is equally eager to mend ties.

Economic Incentive

Economically, Turkey has largely been on the losing end of the standoff with Russia, which, among other punitive measures, barred its citizens from flocking to Turkey's Mediterranean beaches.

Russians were the second-largest group of tourists, after Germans, and spent an estimated $3 billion in 2014, or around 0.4 percent of the country's gross domestic product, according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), fueling a vital tourism industry.

Russia also banned many Turkish food and consumer goods, cut permits for truck traffic, and took other measures that the EBRD estimated would, taken together, shave between 0.3 and 0.7 percentage points off Turkey's economy over 2016.



By contrast, Russia would see minimal economic impact from the standoff, the bank said.

Turkish leaders "really did underestimate the Russians last year," says Halil Karaveli, a Stockholm-based analyst who heads the Turkey Initiative, a program affiliated with Johns Hopkins University.

For many Turkey watchers, what will matter most is the geopolitics bubbling under the surface of the Putin-Erdogan meeting, along with the attempted coup in Turkey that Erdogan and his allies managed to put down last month.

Both Putin and Erdogan hope to advance their interests -- with each other's help.

"This isn't about one having an upper hand; they're really working in tandem here," says Anna Borshchevskaya, a scholar at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "The coup is helping Erdogan consolidate power, and he is essentially blackmailing the West, moving closer to Putin, and all of this works to Putin's advantage."

Complex Calculus

Turkey's overtures to Russia insert new variables into the complex calculus of Middle Eastern politics, Karaveli says -- particularly where Syria is concerned.

Erdogan has long been a vocal foe of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whom Russia has backed in the more than five-year civil war and saved from potential defeat with a bombing campaign that began in September 2015.

Ankara's opposition to Assad, plus Turkey's membership in NATO, has motivated its involvement in the U.S.-led fight against Islamic State extremists -- and its support for anti-Assad rebels.

But Erdogan, and much of Turkey's security establishment, also opposes the growing prowess of Kurdish militias, whom the United States has relied upon heavily to wage the ground fight in Syria.

That suits the Kremlin, which has given some support to at least one Kurdish militia but would be happy to have a stalemate that would leave the Assad regime in place.

Russia's stepped-up battlefield support for Assad's forces has made that outcome more likely than it looked a year ago, seemingly strengthening Russia's hand and weakening Turkey's. In the TASS interview published on August 8, Erdogan was quoted as saying, "Without Russia's participation it's impossible to find a solution to the Syrian problem."

Also, like Erdogan, Assad fears a stronger Kurdish presence that could result in carving out a state from territory in Syria, along with Turkey and Iraq.

Fraying Relationship

Meantime, the failed coup has created a potential wedge for Russia to use to its advantage against the United States.

Amid a flood of conspiracy theories, some members of Erdogan's government have suggested the United States had a hand in the coup attempt, pointing to the fact that some jets from the Incirlik airbase, where thousands of U.S. troops and dozens of aircraft are housed, helped fuel Turkish F-16 that attacked sites in Ankara during the coup.

In a nod to Moscow, Erdogan went so far as to accuse the pilots who shot down the Su-24 on November 24 of being involved in the coup plot. And Prime Minister Binali Yildirim last week gave voice to the conspiracy theory that American one-dollar bills were somehow instrumental to the coup plotters, including a reclusive cleric living in self-imposed exile in the United States.

"With one American dollar, this organization turned the children of this country into monsters," Yildirim said on August 4.

Comments by the head of U.S. Central Command, who publicly fretted that that mass purges in the Turkish military could weaken the campaign in Syria, also outraged Turkish government officials.

Not one to miss an opportunity to turn a foreign crisis to his country's advantage, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov voiced strong support for Erdogan in the wake of the coup attempt -- and likened it to the Euromaidan protests in Ukraine that forced the country's president, Viktor Yanukovych, to flee in 2014. Yanukovych was considered an ally by the Kremlin.

Adding to Turkey's gripes is the cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania and whom Ankara claims was behind the uprising. The United States has repeatedly rebuffed Turkish demands for his extradition.

Worries about a fraying relationship with Erdogan's government was what motivated the top U.S.military officer, General Joseph Dunford, to visit Turkey on August 1.

"This is the subtext...of the meeting" between Putin and Erdogan, Karaveli says: "Demonstrating to Washington that 'Hey, we can also talk to others, you are not our only option.'"

It will serve a similar purpose where Europe is concerned, says Lilia Shevtsova, a Moscow-based analyst with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Grappling with millions of refugees fleeing war-torn Syria and elsewhere, European leaders brokered a deal to earlier this year that essentially pays Turkey -- around $6.8 billion -- to accommodate the refugees, primarily from Syria.

Erdogan "understands that the West is dependent on him, and it cannot fight back. America needs NATO bases in Turkey and its membership in the alliance," she wrote in a commentary on her Facebook page. "Europe is even more dependent, for it is Erdogan who has built a wall that will save the Europeans from millions of refugees."

"If he wants to open the border, then what will Europe do?" she said.

With reporting by Reuters and TASS

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-turkey- erdogan-visit-putin-petersburg/27908642.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Turkey Urges India to Shut Down Gulen-Connected Institutions

Sputnik News

17:41 08.08.2016

Ankara urged Delhi to shut down institutions connected with Fethullah Gulen following a thwarted coup.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Turkey requested India to close all institutions connected to the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO) following military coup attempt, Turkey's Consul General Erdal Sabri Ergen said Monday.

"We have requested Indian and Maharashtra government that all institutions in Mumbai and elsewhere, connected with this network be closed," Ergen told journalists as quoted by PTI news agency.

He added that Ankara provided New Delhi with many evidence proving that FETO is "an illegal network with a sinister design in mind."

On July 15, the Turkish authorities said that an attempted coup was taking place in the country. Over 13,000 people have been detained in connection with the coup, while about 250 people died during the coup attempt.

Ankara has accused Fethullah Gulen and his followers of playing a key role in the coup. Gulen, who has lived in the US state of Pennsylvania since 1999, has denied allegations that he orchestrated the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






EU Human Rights Groups Warn Turkey on Death Penalty

by Luis Ramirez August 08, 2016

Human rights groups in Europe are urging Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan to exercise restraint as he pushes to implement the death penalty in the wake of last month's failed coup against him.

The call for reinstatement of the death penalty has become frequent in the weeks since the failed coup attempt as Erdogan carries out a massive purge of those suspected of taking part it in it.

The purge has mostly targeted members of the military, police and intelligence services, journalists, and academics belonging to the outlawed movement headed by cleric Futhullah Gulen, a U.S. resident. Tens of thousands have been arrested or suspended from their jobs.

Istanbul rally

Millions attending a rally Sunday in Istanbul heard the Turkish president repeat his support for legalizing executions in the country for the first time since 2004 if the Turkish parliament decides to introduce a such a measure.

"The U.S. has it, Japan has it, China has it. Most of the world has it. So they are allowed to have it," Erdogan told the rally. "Sovereignty belongs to the people, so if the people make this decision I am sure the political parties will comply," he said.

Amnesty International officials in London said Monday the organization is "alarmed" by the statements, which the group sees as a clear suggestion that the death penalty would be meant to punish those responsible for the July 15th coup attempt. More than 200 people were killed in the failed coup, some of them by putschist soldiers who fired at civilians taking to the streets to stop the coup.

"The appalling violence committed by those behind the 15 July failed coup led to the tragic loss of more than 200 lives and the Turkish government must bring all those responsible for these crimes to justice. However, this should be done through fair trials not subject to the death penalty," said Fotis Filippou Amnesty International's Deputy Europe Director.

'Traitors' cemetery

Istanbul officials have set aside a plot of land for what they dubbed a "traitors' cemetery" next to a dog shelter in the outskirts of the city. In announcing the plans for the cemetery, Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas said, "May every passerby curse them and not let them rest in their tombs." Topbas said those buried at the cemetery would not receive rites according to Muslim tradition.

The cemetery has only one grave, Mehmet Karabekir, a military officer accused of taking part in the coup attempt and who died in it. Reports said his family refused to accept the body out of shame, and possibly fear.

In contrast to the cheers that Erdogan's calls received at Sunday's rally, the plans for the cemetery and the mayor's harsh words have been reason for pause among some Turks. Officials have largely distanced themselves from the plans and have removed a sign that that read "Traitors' Cemetery" from the plot, reflecting what analysts say could be growing unpopularity of Erdogan's retaliatory actions that some see as cruel and extreme.

"Reintroducing this ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment would be a major setback for human rights," said Amnesty's Filippou.

EU prospects

Erdogan's support for reintroduction of the death penalty pushes Turkey even farther away from the possibility of joining the European Union, an effort that had only recently been re-energized by a migrant-swapping deal that promised, among other things, eventual visa free travel for Turkish citizens in Europe in exchange for billions of dollars in EU aid to handle the migrants.

EU officials quickly made it clear that a return of the death penalty will kill Turkey's prospects for membership. Turkey is bound by the European Convention on Human Rights, and "no country can become an EU state if it introduces the death penalty," said EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry last month.

Erdogan has threatened to pull out the EU migrant deal, saying the deal "might not be possible" if the EU does not honor its commitments, including those on visa-free travel.

Analysts have long believed Turkey's EU accession bid is dead and the Turkish leaders' iron-fisted approach will only push Turkey farther away from Europe.

"Erdogan's endorsement of the death penalty might signal the end of Turkey's [already nearly non-existent] EU accession prospects and a more troubled relationship with Europe and the U.S.," writes Fadi Hakura, a Turkey specialist at Chatham House.

"This uncompromising approach in the post-coup period will have profound negative implications on Turkey's domestic politics, security and foreign policy in the foreseeable future to the detriment of its stability and prosperity," Hakura said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Tensions High Amid Russian Military Buildup In Crimea

August 08, 2016

by RFE/RL

Tensions are reportedly high among residents of northern Crimea as long convoys of heavy Russian weaponry continue to be sighted not far from the occupied peninsula's border with the Ukrainian mainland.

Crimean Tatar activists have reported armed checkpoints being erected at scattered sites around the peninsula, and unusually large concentrations of Russian hardware in northern regions.

The border crossing between Ukraine proper and the Russian-annexed peninsula had been shut for several hours on August 7, causing long backups of traffic.

Photos and videos posted on the website of the Crimean Human Rights Group, a local nongovernmental organization, showed Russian military trucks being transported on trains on August 6 near Kerch, an eastern port town that is opposite Russia's Stavropol territory.

Vadim Skibitsky, a representative of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's military intelligence division, told the online news portal Ukrayinska Pravda that the movement of troops and equipment appeared related to upcoming a major Russian military exercise called Kavkaz 2016 slated to begin next month.

He also tried to play down any immediate danger to local inhabitants.

Russia seized Crimea in March 2014 in the aftermath of the so-called Euromaidan protests in Kyiv, that forced President Viktor Yanukovych to flee.

Moscow later declared it had annexed the peninsula, a move that has been rejected across the globe. Its naval base at Sevastopol is the home for the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Krym.Realii and Ukrayinska Pravda

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-russia- crimea-military-buildup/27909236.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Alan Burkitt-Gray speaks to Don MacNeil, chief operating officer of GTT, about its company restructuring after coming out of Chapter 11 and its strategic roadmap for the next 12 months.
This is the latest in a new series of letters home from a local Marine getting ready to be deployed to the Republic of Georgia to train the Georgian army for their mission in Afghanistan:

The Georgian battalion, along with all of the American imbeds as well as the training staff, are now in Germany going through their final certification before they go to Afghanistan.

The training here in Georgia is complete, but they do not have to facilities here to accurately evaluate the skills of the battalion. It is for this reason that they go to Germany for the final evaluation. After over 12 years of war, we have built training and evaluation facilities that mimic the mission and are staffed with personnel dedicated to ensuring the most current tactics and techniques are trained and evaluated.

I am still here in Georgia ensuring that the camp is maintained and the phones are answered. We are now in a reset phase where we are fixing equipment that was broken during training and preparing to turn over to the next rotation. We have done a good job of keeping things up so we do not have much to do.

Life has degraded to what most people who have served recognize. Your life revolves around standing duty, going to chow, and rack time. Spare time is spent in the gym or contributing to the atrophy of your brain by watching movies.

We have a month to go before they return from Germany, and we can get on with the turn over. Idle hands are the devils playground so it is a challenge to keep people between the navigational beacons.

Combat leadership is not hard; it does get difficult when people are board. It is a lot like having kids. I will have to come up with activities to keep them busy. When I was a Lance Corporal, I wondered why they had us do stupid things like paint rocks and rake lines in the sand. As soon as you are put in charge the answer is clear.

This series began in the March 20 edition of The Dunn County News and can also be found at www.dunnconnect.com
With recent polls consistently showing him trailing Russ Feingold, Wisconsins ethically- and intellectually-challenged senior senator seems to be pulling out all the stops. Here, by the numbers, are some of Senator Ron Johnsons biggest flops:

1. He tried to sneak an amendment into a budget bill that would have prevented the Department of Justice from enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act in private schools that receive public funding. This would have meant taxpayer-funded voucher schools could refuse to provide necessary educational services to disabled students.

In addition to the harm such discrimination would cause the students, it would also harm the already-underfunded public schools by making them absorb the higher costs of educating a disproportionate number of students with special needs.

2. Johnson played a key role in scuttling a reasonable bill that would have prevented the sale of guns to people on the no fly terrorist list, and expanded background checks on the sale of guns. The author of this common sense legislation, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, one of the more moderate GOP senators, specifically blamed Johnson for defeating her legislation. Russ Feingold called out Johnson for his shameful obstruction of this worthy bill.

Johnson claimed that expanding background checks would be going down a slippery slope. In my opinion, the real slippery slope is what political hacks like Johnson are standing on when they do the bidding of the NRA. The next time there is a shooting rampage, we will have Sen. Johnson and the NRA to thank for their pro-gun policies that enable such tragedies to occur.

3. When asked what he thought about the possibility of regulating the heavy use of groundwater by industry and Big Ag, his response was that more regulations were not necessary and would only hurt the economy. In other words, corporate profits take priority over our rights to abundant, clean, and safe water.

4. He has been artfully sly in his attempt to justify the refusal of GOP senators to vote on President Obamas nominee for the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland. He brazenly claims that he wants to give the citizens more opportunity to weigh in on the nomination by waiting for the presidential election.

This baloney and the motive behind it is transparent to anyone with normal intelligence. The GOP is scared witless that they are about to lose their 50-year run of influence over the Supreme Court along with everything it will mean in terms of wealth and power for the ruling elite.

5. He was named to the Dirty Dozen by the League of Conservation Voters. This means that Johnson has established himself as one of the most strident anti-environment voices in Congress.

Out of 68 votes rated by LCV as crucial for the health of the environment and future generations, Johnson came down on the wrong side 65 times. And dont forget, this is the same clown who told us that sunspots were a cause of global warming.

Johnson has had almost six years to demonstrate the qualities of character we hope to see in U.S. Senators; unfortunately, he has failed this test miserably. In my opinion, his lack of intellectual and moral integrity is deeply rooted in his personality and is not compatible with honorable public service.

The coming election is an opportunity for the State of Wisconsin to begin reclaiming its past reputation for good government. We can all help this happen by voting for Russ Feingold for U.S. Senate. His intelligence and integrity are beyond reproach.
My mother has said I am a lot like my grandfather  if he didnt have something to worry about, he would find something.

I take that as a compliment because I adored my grandfather and I remember that he quite adored me. I certainly didnt inherit his talent at the piano and organ, so if his worrying gene is what I got, well, I guess Ill have to embrace it.

Its probably not such a good thing, though. A meme on Facebook, that great collection of philosophy and inspiration, said recently that with both faith and fear you choose to believe in something you cant see, then asked which was the better choice to make. I guess worry goes into the fear camp.

But I woke up this morning worrying about what to write a column about and writing about worrying seemed to be the answer, so Ill consider worrying for a bit then give it up forever. Perhaps. I worry thats impossible.

Some things are good to worry about, though. For instance, when you have 25 grandchildren between the two of you, shouldnt you worry about their safety? And when your daughter moves into a new house, shouldnt you worry about her children burning it down?

Of course, my daughter, Mary Susan, worried I was going to chip a piece out of her granite countertop when I was gently breaking a bag of shredded carrots with the end of a table knife and I wasnt going to, but that was the typical first home syndrome grown kids have, a particular kind of worry.

Thats when they and then the grandkids have destroyed your home throughout their childhoods but when they buy their first home, they worry you dont know how to take care of a home.

When one of my sons moved into his first nice apartment, I said I would come visit him and he said, As long as you dont mess it up.

I replied, You mean I cant leave a pile of wet towels in the bathroom, leave the bed unmade and a pile of dirty clothes on the floor and all my junk spread all over the living room??

But my little 6-year-old granddaughter Ali thinks Im too much of a worrier. She has thought this for a while as I have gasped in horror when she climbs trees and does gymnastics on scary playground equipment.

When I visited them in Utah three weeks ago in their new house, I helped her with a lemonade and popcorn stand to replace the money she lost when the movers stole her piggy bank and the $35 she had saved. (Mean movers.) Two days after the sale, we were sitting on the porch and spied one little popcorn kernel on the sidewalk. She picked it up.

Several minutes later I realized she and her 3-year-old brother, Parker, were nowhere to be seen. I left Mary Susan and new baby and older baby on the porch and went inside to find them, worrying about what they were up to. You worry if they are too quiet, if youre smart.

As I went inside I smelled heat. Hurrying to the kitchen, I smelled hotter. There were Ali and Parker standing on kitchen chairs staring at the microwave.

What are you doing? I said, not calmly.

Were popping popcorn, Ali answered.

I rushed over and felt the microwave. It was hot. Yanking it open, I saw the one little unpopped popcorn kernel sitting in the microwave. The inside was very hot.

I launched into the You cant cook in the kitchen/turn on the microwave/cook popcorn without an adult lecture rather frantically as I took them down from the chairs.

I think I was having flashbacks to when my 7-year-old son set a fire in our garage one week after we moved into our new house in 1987. (And I have no reason to ever worry?)

Ali calmly said, Oh, Grandma, you worry about everything and headed outside.

I shooed Parker away and hid the offending kernel at the bottom of the trashcan.

When I got back outside, Mary Susan said, What happened in there?

What did Ali say? I asked, worried.

She came out and put her hand on my shoulder and said, You know, Grandma just worries about everything, Mary Susan said.

Well, some things are made to be worried about. I preferred to think of myself as a hero. I saved their house from being burned down. Plus Ive saved kids from injury multiple times and even possible death and drowning.

Ive decided that its not that I should stop worrying. I should just be appreciated more for the vital role I play in my family.

If I told you all the stuff Im worrying about right now, youd be amazed!
As classes in both Danville Public Schools and Pittsylvania County Schools prepare to begin, school leaders said they are looking forward to another year of progress and growth.

Our mission is very simple: how do we improve learning not only for our students but for ourselves as those who deliver instructional strategies? said Danville Superintendent Stanley Jones.

With Danville and Pittsylvania County students returning Wednesday, school district leaders said the schools would continue to improve instruction and options available to students.

Jones  who arrived in Danville a little more than a year ago  said he was amazed by the support and dedication of both the school system staff and the Danville community.

The basic tenants of any good system are a dedicated community, Jones said.

After a year with the school district, Jones said there was beginning to be some progress on instituting a strategic instructional framework across every school in the district.

We have very, very good kindhearted people who embrace our children and love them every day, but we had no strategic direction as an organization, Jones said. What is changing is exactly that.

Jones said professional development, staff reorganization and other strategies were all beginning to have an effect on the schools. However, he said time and patience was still needed as the schools moved forward this school year.

The superintendent also praised the work on discipline issues in the schools. Jones said last year, expulsions were down 40 percent and infractions were down 12 percent.

Pittsylvania County Superintendent Mark Jones said he also was proud of the dedicated staff in the school district.

The credentials and work ethic of staff is very good, he said. Thats across the board at every level.

Jones is looking forward to continuing using testing data and other metrics to determine what areas to focus on this year.

We want to look the number of options available to students when they get in high school, Jones said.

This included career and technical studies, dual-enrollment options and STEM (science, technology, engineering and match) Academy programs, Jones said.

Dual enrollment opportunities in high school are very important, Jones said.

The school district also will finish a study to realign the teacher salary scale so it more closely matches the surrounding school districts.

We began that and selected a company, Jones said. We probably will have that complete that by November.
Boise, Idaho (FSCwire) - Thunder Mountain Gold Inc. (the Company or Thunder Mountain) (TSX-V: THM; OTCQB: THMG) announces that pursuant to its Corporate Stock Option Plan, the Company has granted 2,775,000 stock options to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and its affiliates to purchase common shares in the capital stock of the Company. The options are exercisable on or before July 20, 2021 at a price of $0.10 per share. In total the Company has issued 4,765,000 stock options equal to 9.4% of the issued and outstanding stock.

The Company is also pleased to report that at the end of July, it has received a total of $61,000 and has issued a total of 610,000 common shares as a result of the early exercise of share purchase warrants. These warrants were granted in conjunction with the October 3, 2013 Private Placement. Each Unit consisted of one share of the Companys common stock and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional share of common stock of the Company at a price of $0.15 for a period of 18 months. This Private Placement closed on November 24, 2014. These warrants were set to expire on May 24, 2016, but were extended for six additional months to November 24, 2016, and also discounted from the issued strike price of $0.15 down to $0.10. There were no fees paid in association with the exercise of these warrants.

Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc, is a U.S.  based exploration company founded in 1935, with direct ownership interest in two U.S. precious and base metal projects. The Companys principal asset is The South Mountain Project  a former producer of zinc-silver-gold project with copper and lead, located in southern Idaho`s Owyhee County. The Company`s Trout Creek Project is a grass roots gold target, drill ready, and located in the Eureka-Battle Mountain trend of central Nevada, currently under Joint Exploration Agreement with Newmont Gold. For more information on Thunder Mountain Gold, please visit the Companys website at www.Thundermountaingold.com, or follow on Twitter @THMG1.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. The forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, which could change materially in the future. By their nature, forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

Cautionary Note to Investors

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. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (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.

For further information, please contact:

Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc.

Eric Jones Jim Collord President and Chief Executive Officer Chief Operating Officer eric@thundermountaingold.com jim@thundermountaingold.com Tel: (208) 658-1037 Tel: (208) 658-1037

To view this press release as a PDF file, click onto the following link:public://news_release_pdf/ThunderMountain08082016.pdfSource: Thunder Mountain Gold Inc. (TSX Venture:THM, OTCQB:THMG)

To follow Thunder Mountain Gold Inc. on your favorite social media platform or financial websites, please click on the icons below.

Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com

Copyright  2016 Filing Services Canada Inc.
After splashing $2 million on construction, Paddington new arrival Tequila Mockingbird will need to move a mountain of its $9 broccolini mole with cured egg yolk to reward its owners' faith.

The restaurant-bar is certainly in good company, with Justin Hemmes opening a posse of venues up the hill on Oxford Street. Tequila Mockingbird co-owner Michael Fegent explains the meticulous re-tooling of the Five Ways building started from the ground up.

Its Latin American "with a twist" menu is tackled by a polished crew. Gabriel Valenti is out of the kitchen at Maido in Lima (No. 44 on the World's Best List), his co-head-chef Matt Taylor-Watkins has Bentley and Monopole on his CV, and executive chef and co-owner Regan Porteous guides the food at Riley Street Garage.

White fish tiradito, pickled jicama and corn textures served at Tequila Mockingbird in Paddington. Photo: Dominic Lorrimer

"We stock 34 tequilas and 10 mezcals. Not sure if it's the most in Sydney, but it'd be up there. We also have about 130 wines in stock, but there's a really noticeable early appetite for cocktails," Fegent says.

The menu certainly covers some turf and price points, from entry-level cerviche taco ($7) to a top-end rib eye with garlic jalapeno butter ($55). The 111-seater, designed by Luchetti Krelle, spreads over multiple levels, and has a retractable rood for the months when Sydney swelters like Mexico City.

"There's a bit of all us in it. I was influenced by my travels and Latin and South America and one of my favourite restaurants in New York City," Fergent says.

Open Wed 4pm-10.30pm; Thurs 4pm-11.30pm; Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat 11.30am-midnight; Sun 11.30am-10pm



6 Heeley Street, Five Ways, Paddington, 02 9331 6749, tequila-mockingbird.com.au
Use waiting time, such as when your computer is loading, for meditation and mindfulness. (Fotolia)

SHARE

By Alison Bowen Chicago Tribune (TNS)

Waiting for your computer to load can be frustrating.

Author and science writer James Kingsland recommends using that waiting time for meditation and mindfulness.

It used to be a source of frustration, having to wait for my old computer to boot up, he said.

With meditation, he added, its kind of a way of rebooting your mind while your computer is booting up.

Most experts consider mindfulness to be thinking through what youre feeling and taking in surroundings through your senses.

Even just in that 15 to 30 seconds, I could use that time to sit back, relax my shoulders and focus on the sensation of my feet on the floor, of my body on the chair and perhaps close my eyes and start to focus on my breath as it goes in and out of my nostrils, said Kingsland, who is based in London and author of Siddharthas Brain: Unlocking the Ancient Science of Enlightenment.

Gently focus on your breath, he said.

This exercise allows you to begin the day with calm and focus.

Just use it as a way to break the usual flow of thoughts and frustrations and impatience, he said.

Also, it might help to notice posture and make any tweaks before starting the day hunched over.

Check your shoulders, for example, he said. When Im not being mindful my shoulders tense; in fact, the whole body tenses, he said.

For Kingsland, meditation transformed his thinking of similar small moments from wastes of time to opportunities.

I found it was tremendously calming, he said. Instead of allowing my frustration to steadily boil up, the computers grinding along and getting slower and slower day by day, instead it was a chance to focus my attention.

Plus, he added, You can do this at any time during the day when youre having to wait.
Program your thermostat to a few degrees warmer or cooler than normal when on vacation. (Angie's List)

SHARE

By Courtney St. Onge Angies List (TNS)

Before you leave on your last, late-summer vacation, dont forget to give your HVAC system a break too.

Turning your thermostat up a few degrees while youre gone in the summer will surely save you some dollars from not running your air conditioner, but is there an ideal temperature for your home while youre away?

Yes, according to Wesley Brookover, service manager at McClintock Heating, Cooling and Electrical in Charlotte, North Carolina.

SUMMER VACATION TIPS

His suggestion for your air conditioning needs: Add four degrees to the temperature you normally set for your house while youre on summer vacation. So, if you normally set it to 73, bump it up to 77 degrees.

But dont get greedy. If you set the thermostat too high, you might find your own temperature rising when you see your next electricity bill.

Four degrees is the sweet spot, Brookover says. More than that and you may spend what you save trying to cool it back down.

Brookover cautions theres an even bigger threat from leaving your house too warm. You could damage wall compounds in Sheetrock if its too hot and humid in the house, he says.

Excessive humidity also could lead to mildew in the house, and Brookover says hes even seen refrigerators sweating when the house is too hot and humid. So you do want to keep your A/C running at a reasonable pace.

WINTER VACATION TIPS

A similar rule applies in reverse for cold weather, with one exception.

Take four degrees off your normal home temperature when you leave for a few days on winter vacation, Brookover says.

Avoid the temptation to shut the whole system down while youre gone: Any more than four degrees, and your heat pump or heater has to work too hard to get things toasty again when you return from out of town.

The exception: If you have a gas furnace, which requires less work to heat homes, you can set the temperature six to eight degrees lower.

REPLACE YOUR THERMOSTAT

Want to save even more money? Talk to an HVAC company about upgrading your thermostat.

Newer thermostat systems give you the power to change your homes temperature remotely with smartphone apps, allowing you to adjust based on changing temps outside. At the least, you can enter a new setting as you head back from vacation, so you dont walk into an uncomfortably muggy or chilly home. Instead, your A/C or heater will be busily plugging away to get to the new temperature while you travel back.

Thats the best thing, Brookover says. Many people are going to systems like that.

Even without an app, many programmable thermostats have hold settings or day and time selections that will allow you to begin the cooling process again a few hours before you return.



Courtney St. Onge is a reporter at Angies List
SHARE

West Texas cotton farmers are having withdrawal pains about coming anywhere near predicting fall harvest yields after weeks of triple digit temperatures which has put the crop in a state of stress from heat and lack of moisture.

Statewide, persistent high temperatures and dry weather stressing the cotton crop represents a trend, and nobody likes such a trend, according to the AgFax Southwest Cotton Reports. For dryland fields that don't receive a rescue rain, the prognosis is quick and deadly.

"It's hot and dry and we're starting to kick off some fruit," reports Brad Easterling, integrated pest manager for Glasscock, Reagan and Upton counties. "We're holding on by the skin of our teeth and waiting on rainfall. The majority of the dryland and most of the irrigated cotton is at cutout. Some dryland is blooming at cutout."

Cutout in cotton is the final stage of the plant growth before the boll opening.

Across the Concho Valley, some early planted cotton is approaching cutout," said Joel Webb of Ballinger, integrated pest manager for Runnels, Tom Green and Concho counties.

"Most cotton is in early bloom and white flowers are everywhere," he said. "Unfortunately, we keep missing a chance for rain."

Despite the hot, dry weather, a lot of dryland fields on the South Plains around Lubbock still look pretty good, said Seth Byrd, cotton specialist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

"Everything is blooming and many fields are at peak bloom, which is the highest water demand level," Byrd said. "Some rough looking fields have done what they are going to do production-wise, but the vast majority of dryland could benefit from rain and put on additional fruit.

"In irrigated fields, the subsurface drip fields look good," he said. "With the hot and dry July and parts of June, fields lost a lot but the drip helped fill that void of soil moisture."

Cotton needs heat units to grow, but we don't need them all in one or two days a farmer told me the other day.

Actually, heat units are measured by the number of days with temperature above the threshold of 60 degrees during the development stages of the cotton plant. From planting to harvest, cotton should reach from 2,200 to 2,600 heat units in 130 to 160 days.

Meanwhile, farmers can expect prices to hover between 65 cents and 78 cents over the next few months, according to John Robinson, cotton economist at Texas A&M University in College Station.

"The Texas cotton crop has been hit hard with excessive hot, dry weather over the past 30 days," he said. "Harvest projections for Texas are seven million bales on the upside. The low side would be the five-year average for Texas, excluding the 2011 drought, of about 5.5 million bales.

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture has forecast 6.6 million bales in 2016, which is splitting the difference," Robinson said.

Just the mention of 2011  the worst drought year in Texas history  brings about sudden chills to cotton farmers (and ranchers, too).

Cotton production across the 12-county Southern Rolling Plains totaled 26,526 bales in 2011. Excluding that worst production year, the five-year average since record keeping started in 1990 was 160,478 bales. Cotton production in 2007 was a record breaker at 301,848 bales.

The Southern Rolling Plains region comprises Tom Green, Runnels, Concho, Coke, Coleman, Brown, McCulloch, Mason, Menard, Irion, Schleicher and southern Taylor counties.

Jerry Lackey is the agriculture editor emeritus. Contact him at jlackey@wcc.net.
SHARE

By The Associated Press

HOUSTON  A federal prosecutor says the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas is in "absolute chaos" after nearly 75 people were convicted following a six-year investigation into the white supremacist gang, but others warn the crime network won't be brought down by a single bust.

The U.S. Justice Department secured a combined total of 900 years in prison time for the convicted Aryan Brotherhood members after a federal probe that began in 2008, the Houston Chronicle reported Sunday. A review of records, court documents, transcripts and interviews by the newspaper found that the roughly 2,000-member gang is now struggling to rebuild.

"They are in chaos, absolute chaos," said David Karpel, a Department of Justice attorney who spearheaded the prosecutions. "It has reduced their power; they don't know who to trust."

The Aryan Brotherhood has a history of crimes in Texas that includes robberies, burglaries, kidnappings and murders. Formed in the 1980s in the Texas prison system, its members are all white, heterosexual felons. They can never have served in law enforcement, been an informant or been convicted of child molestation.

But the Anti-Defamation League compared the resiliency of the gang to a Mafia that keeps operating, even when its leaders are swept up.

"The Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, like any other large gang with strong street presences, is not going to go away because of a single bust, even if it is a very large one," said Mark Pitcavage, senior research fellow at the ADL.

The sweep began In November 2012 and indictments spelled out alleged murders, attempted murders, kidnappings and beatings. One attack involving a member who was burned with a blowtorch inspired a 2014 episode of the television show "Sons of Anarchy."

More than three dozen members who were arrested cooperated with authorities in exchange for leniency, federal prosecutors said.
SHARE

By Greg Stohr, Bloomberg News (TNS)

WASHINGTON  Voter-identification laws are suddenly in peril.

In agreeing last week to relax its voter-ID requirements for the November election, Texas showed how far the legal climate has shifted with respect to the wave of state laws enacted over the last decade. The agreement came less than two weeks after a federal appeals court said Texas's ID law was racially discriminatory.

Only two years ago, a divided Supreme Court let the Texas law take effect for the 2014 election. That was before Justice Antonin Scalia's death left the high court without a reliable majority to uphold ID laws.

It was also before opponents in some lawsuits had a chance to marshal their evidence against the measures. With evidence in hand, courts also blocked voting restrictions of various types in North Carolina, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Ohio over the past two weeks.

"The last week or so has demonstrated that the tide has turned on these cases," said Danielle Lang, a lawyer with the Campaign Legal Center in Washington and part of the legal team that fought the Texas law. "Litigants and advocates have built really strong records to demonstrate the burdens of these laws."

Even with the latest rulings, 15 states will have new voting restrictions for the first time in a presidential election this year, according to New York University School of Law's Brennan Center for Justice, which opposes many of the changes. Supporters of the measures say they are valuable tools to prevent voter fraud.

Without them, "we may have people vote 10 times," Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump told The Washington Post this week. "It's inconceivable that you don't have to show identification in order to vote or that the identification doesn't have to be somewhat foolproof."

Federal judges increasingly are disagreeing with that stance. A federal appeals court said North Carolina's requirements, which also include restrictions on early voting and same-day registration, "target African-Americans with almost surgical precision."

A different federal appeals court, the generally conservative 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, said Texas's ID law had a disproportionate effect on racial minorities. A trial judge had found that more than 600,000 Texans, including a disproportionate number of blacks and Hispanics, lacked one of the forms of identification required under the law.

The measure lets voters use driver's licenses, military IDs and concealed-handgun permits, but not student or employee IDs.

Under the state's agreement with the Obama administration and voting-rights advocates, people lacking one of the required IDs will have more options in November. They will now be able to provide voter registration cards, certified birth certificates, utility bills, government checks, pay stubs or bank statements with their names and addresses on them.

"The agreement fully protects the citizens of Texas," Lang said.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said the accord is an interim agreement that doesn't prevent the state from appealing to the Supreme Court or continuing to defend the law. He alluded to a 2008 Supreme Court ruling that upheld an Indiana voter-ID law.

"The U.S. Supreme Court said that voter ID is a legitimate means of preventing voter fraud, and Texans widely support it to defend the integrity of our elections," Paxton said in an emailed statement. "This case is not over. "

U.S. Justice Department spokesman David Jacobs said the department didn't have any comment on the accord, which still needs court approval.

Although Texas could have asked the Supreme Court to intervene, Scalia's death made that a tougher task. Blocking the appeals court ruling would have required the support of at least one of the court's four Democratic appointees, all of whom have shown skepticism toward voter-ID laws.

Rick Pildes, an election-law scholar who teaches at New York University School of Law, said that while Scalia's death might change the dynamics on the Supreme Court, it's not the reason the laws are being struck down.

Even before the recent burst of decisions, judges had begun to strike down or soften voter-ID laws in lower-profile decisions, he said.

"The cases are being much better litigated, with more extensive factual records being developed to identify the number and types of eligible voters who do not possess the required forms of photo identification," Pildes said.
The Partners of HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital announced the group's six 2016 scholarship recipients at their annual meeting July 13.

The following people were given scholarships: Tiffany Berg, a St. Joseph's Hospital colleague enrolled at Brescia University Net Class Room in Wensboro, Kentucky; Scott Reiter, a 2000 Chippewa Falls High School graduate; Marissa Ruf, a 2016 Bloomer High School graduate; Megan Sarauer, a 2016 Bloomer High School graduate; Saige Sikora, a 2016 Cadott High School graduate; and Christopher Suilmann, a 2012 Chippewa Falls High School graduate.

The scholarships were awarded in the amount of $1,000 each and are funded through Partners' annual steak fry and book sales throughout the year.
Associated Press Photos Fabiola Vejar (right) helps Stephanie Cardenas register to vote in front of a supermarket in Las Vegas. Shielded from deportation under an Obama administration program that protects those brought to the country illegally as children, Vejar, 18, cannot vote. So she volunteers with Mi Familia Vota, encouraging others to be heard at the ballot box.

SHARE Gil Cadena wears buttons supporting Hillary Clinton during a watch party in San Antonio on July 26. Hispanics now represent the nation's largest ethnic community with some 55 million people, but many are not registered voters. ADVANCE FOR USE MONDAY, AUG. 8, 2016 AND THEREAFTER-In this June 14, 2016 photo, members of the Culinary Union Local 226 celebrate as they hear results during a primary election in Las Vegas. Half of the union's predominantly-immigrant members are Hispanic, and it has harnessed Sin City's housekeepers, cooks and janitors and turned them into an electoral powerhouse. (AP Photo/John Locher)

By Sergio Bustos And Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press

LAS VEGAS  It's a paradox in American politics: Many Hispanic families have an immense personal stake in what happens on Election Day, but despite numbers that should mean political power, Hispanics often can't vote, aren't registered to vote, or sit it out.

Enter Donald Trump, and the question that could make or break the election in key states. By inflaming the anti-immigrant sentiments of white, working-class men, has the Republican nominee jolted awake another group  27.3 million eligible Hispanic voters?

"A lot of times you hear this rap about how politics doesn't affect their life," says Yvanna Cancela, political director of Las Vegas' largely immigrant Culinary Union. "But that changes when it's personal, and there's nothing more personal than Donald Trump talking about deporting 11 million immigrants."

Hispanics now represent the nation's largest ethnic community with some 55 million people. More than one-third of them are U.S.-born, and the others immigrants who are citizens, legal residents or here illegally. Most trace their familial roots to Mexico, one of Trump's favorite targets.

A cornerstone of Trump's platform is building a wall along the Southwest border  and forcing Mexico to pay for it by threatening to cut off remittances those living in the U.S. send to relatives. He questioned the impartiality of an Indiana-born federal judge hearing a lawsuit against him because of the judge's Mexican ancestry. He's complained Mexico has sent "rapists" and "criminals" illegally to the U.S.

Now some Republicans worry Trump is creating more people like John Herrera, 38, who signed up to vote in June in Las Vegas.

"I've never really voted until now, only because of Trump being against Hispanic people," he said. "I didn't think my vote would count before but now I want to make a difference."

Republicans blame a 1994 ballot measure targeting illegal immigrants in California for alienating that state's growing Hispanic population and turning it solidly Democratic.

"With Trump saying the things he's saying, we might see this same thing again," says Jody Agius Vallejo, a University of Southern California sociologist and author of "Barrios to Burbs: The Making of the Mexican American Middle Class." ''Only this time, it would be nationally."

There is reason, though, to be skeptical. Overall, the Hispanic voting record is not good.

The first obstacle is that more than half of the nation's Hispanics cannot vote because they are either under age 18 or not citizens. Relatively few of the Hispanics who are eligible to vote actually register and then cast ballots. Their turnout rate in the 2012 was lower than that of blacks and whites.

In Texas, where 39 percent of the population is Hispanic, Democrats have been shut out of statewide elections for decades. During 2014's elections, fewer than 2.3 million Texas Hispanics reported being registered to vote, or about 46 percent of the nearly 4.9 million who were eligible, according to U.S. Census Bureau surveys.

"We've been spending our money wrong," concedes Crystal Zermeno, director of special projects for the Democratic field organization Texas Organizing Project. "For the past 15 to 20 years, we've been focusing on moving swing white voters. If you talk to Hispanic voters, they say, 'No one has asked me to vote.'"

There are success stories. In Nevada, Latinos have demonstrated the power they wield when they either turn out or stay home. In the 2014 midterms, for example, Hispanic turnout plummeted, and Republicans swept every statewide office and won control of both houses of the Legislature for the first time since 1929. But in 2008, 2010 and 2012 they helped deliver the state for Democrats.

"When you have the resources put in, you see turnout that favors the Democrats," says David Damore, a political science professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. "But you need to put resources in the community. It's not just going to happen."

This year  with Trump priming the pump, and with former state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto running to become the first Latina senator  resources are flowing.

In June, two days after graduating from high school, Fabiola Vejar stood outside a Latin grocery store on a sweltering afternoon quizzing a parade of customers in Spanish: "Are you registered to vote?" Most shook their heads no. Vejar followed up: "Are you eligible?" Again, most responded in the negative. One man laughed and bellowed: "Soy Mexicano!" I'm Mexican!

Vejar cannot vote. Now 18, she came from Mexico with her mother when she was 2 years old.

So she volunteers with Mi Familia Vota, encouraging others to be heard at the ballot box.

"I don't have that voice," she says, "but there's other people ... who feel the way I do. They should vote."

Xiomara Duenas will. She immigrated legally to the United States from Cuba in 1996 to join her father. She had always believed that her shaky English prevented her from becoming a citizen. She was resigned to the idea that immigrants didn't have the same rights as native-born Americans  until Trump's candidacy.

Last November, she became a citizen. This November, she plans to act.

"I didn't want him to become president, but I couldn't do anything," says Duenas. "But now, I can vote."
The past year has seen no shortage of political scandals involving state officials. Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard was convicted on 12 felony counts connected to using his office for personal gain. New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos were convicted on corruption charges. Five Pennsylvania state representatives were convicted on bribery, corruption, extortion and conflict-of-interest charges. And Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox pleaded guilty to wire fraud, bribery and filing a false tax return.Scandals like these are troubling in both their substance and frequency and have contributed to historically low levels of trust in government. Corruption cases involving public officials leave citizens with the distinct impression that their voices matter less than those of the wealthy. Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is a case in point: Even though the U.S. Supreme Court recently vacated his 2015 corruption conviction, the fact that he accepted $177,000 in gifts and loans from a wealthy businessman who was seeking high-level political access certainly doesn't sit well with the average citizen.Had McDonnell publicly disclosed the gifts and loans he received, would it have made a difference to voters? An equally important question is whether publicly disclosing the gifts, including designer clothes and a Rolex watch, would have made him think twice about accepting them in the first place.Strong disclosure laws help keep elected officials accountable. Many states require some level of gift disclosure , and 47 states require some level of financial disclosure . Although no states currently require public officials to make their tax returns public, this information would provide voters with another important way to compare a lawmaker's words against his or her record. Presidential candidates are expected to disclose their tax returns ( not that all of them do ). Why not ask the same of all candidates running for public office?We expect elected officials to act within the law. But campaigning and serving in an open and honest way often requires going beyond what the law requires. Too many states draft ethics rules that encourage lawmakers to disclose the bare minimum of what is legally required. On the heels of the McDonnell scandal, Virginia lawmakers placed annual limits on what lobbyists and people seeking to do business with the state can give to public officials. But at the same time, they exempted gifts from vaguely defined "personal friends." This means that lawmakers can opt out of disclosing gifts from friends who also happen to have an interest in state laws and regulations. McDonnell, by the way, described the businessman who gave him $177,000 in gifts and loans as a close "family friend."While weak ethics laws encourage weak disclosure, it's important to recognize that lawmakers have a choice. They can, for example report all gifts (over a nominal value) they receive, regardless of what the law requires. Proactively making this information available to voters signals a willingness to serve openly and honestly.Having a full picture of an elected official's finances also can help voters understand the range of interests that may inform a candidate's political and policy choices. While states vary in the level of asset disclosure they require, lawmakers in Idaho, Michigan and Vermont are not required to disclose any assets -- but that doesn't mean they shouldn't. Robust financial disclosure encourages public officials to be mindful of any conflicts of interest their holdings present. A lawmaker's source of earnings, investments and properties should not influence what bills he introduces or how she votes.A similar argument can be made for why public officials should make their tax returns public. Lawmakers stand to gain or lose by the tax policies they enact, and their tax records offer voters one way to determine whether they are benefiting from their own actions. Tax returns also shed light on the charitable contributions public officials make, as well as the actual amount they receive in investments and other unearned income. Even though state officials are not required to disclose this information, doing so would demonstrate a meaningful commitment to transparency.Voluntarily committing to comprehensive disclosure of gifts, assets and taxes requires little more than a willingness to be transparent. Weak ethics rules are problematic, but they are not a hindrance. Democracy is best served when voters are able to make informed choices on Election Day and hold those who serve them accountable.
Vermont Republicans are hoping that history will repeat itself. Since 1968, every time the governorship has been left open by retirement, it's been taken over by the other party.Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin, who was nearly defeated in 2014, decided not to run again. And even though Vermont is one of the bluest states in the nation, the GOP is optimistic about its chances this fall.One big reason is Phil Scott, Vermont's lieutenant governor. Scott is an almost universally well-liked personality in the state and is just the sort of moderate Republican who can still win in New England. But first he has to get through Tuesday's GOP primary.His opponent is Bruce Lisman, a former Wall Street executive. Lisman has no prior government experience, but he has spent so freely on the campaign that the primary will be less of a coronation for Scott than originally expected."Lisman is on track to spend what I think will be $100 per vote," said Eric Davis, a retired Middlebury College political scientist. "He'll have spent more than anyone per vote in the history of the state, and more than almost anyone in the history of the country."The situation remains murkier on the Democratic side. A total of five candidates are running, but only two have a real chance at this point: Matt Dunne, a Google executive who has served in both chambers of the state legislature, and Sue Minter, a former legislator who served in Shumlin's cabinet as transportation secretary.As expected in Bernie Sanders' home state, the Democratic frontrunners have each taken liberal positions on a number of issues, such as increasing the minimum wage and offering free or reduced tuition for college students."They have to come out in favor of some of these proposals Sanders has pushed," said Bert Johnson, another Middlebury College political scientist.The question is whether the Democratic nominee will have taken policies that are too progressive, even for Vermont. Both Dunne and Minter have called for universal background checks for gun purchases. In a rural state where crime is not much of a problem, the idea of passing restrictions on guns is rarely discussed, let alone formally debated in the legislature."Gun control has not been a winning issue for Vermonters," said Rich Clark, director of the Castleton Polling Institute. "We saw Bernie struggle with it in the Democratic debates."On the Republican side, Scott has stressed that he'll be cautious about launching pricey new initiatives. That could sit well with many Vermont voters -- even Democrats -- who may have grown skeptical about funding new programs or looking for government interventions, in light of the state's troubled health insurance exchange and abandonment of universal health care after spending lots of time and money on it.Scott has also not associated himself with divisive social issues, and he said early on that he would not support Donald Trump for president.Scott will be "the clear favorite to win the governorship," said Garrison Nelson, a professor at the University of Vermont.Dunne, of Google, is making his third run for statewide office but has sought to position himself as the progressive outsider in the race. He took a blow recently after he released a statement saying that if communities voted against a major wind project, he "would use all the power of the governor's office to ensure that is the end of the project."Wind energy is a contentious issue in Vermont, but what hurt Dunne most was the perception that he had flipped on the issue. That's a charge his campaign has denied, saying the statement was simply a "clarification" of his position.Dunne's statement, however, has cost him the support of environmentalists, such as Bill McKibben, who switched his endorsement from Dunne to Minter. Similarly, the group Vermont Conservation Voters endorsed Minter after having been neutral in the race. But it's not yet certain that Minter will come out ahead."I am not sure if the loss of environmental support will be enough to tilt the race to Minter. But in a low-turnout contest, anything is possible," said Nelson.Minter has the backing of former Gov. Howard Dean and several dozen sitting legislators. She has won praise for helping lead the state's recovery from Hurricane Irene in 2011."My bet is that it is Scott and Minter" who win the primaries, said Clark.Vermont voters have not shied from splitting their tickets. Vermont was one of President Obama's best states during both his runs for the White House. He carried the state with 67 percent each time. But Jim Douglas, the state's last Republican governor, won re-election easily in 2008, even with Obama at the top of the ticket."The idea that we are internally a completely blue state I think is overblown," said Clark.Nevertheless, running as a non-incumbent Republican will be a bit of a tough sell during a presidential year. One big question looming over the race is how the presidential vote will go."Scott will need split-ticket voters in order to win," said Davis. "But if Hillary ends up getting 60 percent, he'll need a lot less than if she gets 70 percent."
Wisconsin authorities have issued a statewide crime alert for a Chippewa Falls woman who went missing in Minnesota in June.

Shannah Boiteau, 23, is described by the Wisconsin Department of Justice as 5-foot-7 and 135 ponds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She has been missing since June 22, when she was seen near Interstate 94 in St. Cloud, Minn.

At that time she was wearing a tan tank top, black leggings and no shoes. Police do not believe she has a cell phone, and she was possibly heading to California.

The St. Cloud Times reported June 30 that a witness saw a distraught woman in a bikini top who matched Boiteaus description enter the woods near an intersection. The witness said a maroon Prius had been following her before she went into the woods.

Police say they dont have any leads. Anyone who has any information on this matter is urged to contact the Chippewa Falls Police Department at 715-723-4424.
A hurricane hasn't hit Florida on Gov. Rick Scott's watch, but he finds himself trying to guide the state through a more insidious and nearly invisible public health threat.Call it Hurricane Zika.As mosquitoes spread the virus in Miami-Dade County, it falls on the governor to show steady leadership, manage an effective response and allay public fears.At times, Scott has convincingly played that role. For months he has called attention to the threat, declaring a state of emergency in February, demanding more federal aid, and offering free Zika testing for pregnant women statewide.Yet his response at key moments has been just as tentative. Even though he promised $26.2 million to combat Zika in late June, the state had released only $1.9 million by Friday, according to Department of Health documents.Of that, $316,800 went to Miami-Dade County and $221,635 went to Broward. The rest went to 24 counties where no local transmissions of Zika have been reported.Most of the money given out thus far is for prevention, health department spokeswoman Sarah Revell said. If new outbreaks occur, the state is ready to spend more."The department understands their needs will increase and we are prepared to support counties by providing additional resources and funding," Revell said.The Zika threat is a major test of Scott's communication skills.He has yet to use his bully pulpit to talk directly to Floridians, unedited on live TV, as his predecessors did during hurricanes.But he has appeared on CBS, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC and CNN, and each time, he chided the feds for not doing more."We're just the tip of the spear," Scott told CNBC. "They should be our partner, and they haven't been our partner so far."Some experts say the state can do a better job making sure people know how to prevent the outbreak from spreading: get rid of standing water, wear bug spray and know the symptoms."The response publicly has been probably more hand-waving than putting boots on the ground," said Paul Linser, a biologist and member of the Florida Coordinating Council on Mosquito Control. "Awareness is extremely important, but awareness has to go beyond the panic of, 'Oh, my gosh, this disease is here.' "Linser said information from state and local governments has been informative but he worries it hasn't been effective at changing behavior.State Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, a Republican whose district includes part of the Wynwood neighborhood where nearly all of the cases have been reported, said the state response has been generally good but said there's a need for more support to stop the virus' spread."We clearly need as many [resources] as possible to keep it from spreading," he said. "So I'm making as much noise and asking for as much as possible."By year's end, Miami-Dade is supposed to receive an additional $740,000 from the state, said state Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip, who was in Miami all week to coordinate state and local response.Early in Scott's tenure as governor, mosquitoes weren't a pressing priority.In 2011, Scott and the Legislature cut the state's mosquito control budget by $872,800 to $1.3 million. That year, Scott also vetoed a $500,000 grant for a mosquito research lab at Florida A&M University, which led to its closure.Mosquito control funding has more than doubled since then. This year, the state budget includes $2.8 million in aid to local governments, more than it ever included under Gov. Charlie Crist, Scott's predecessor.That's in addition to the $26.2 million in emergency money Scott promised in June.Walter Tabachnick, director of the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory in Vero Beach, wrote a 2011 blog post charging that Scott's veto could have negative long-term effects on the state's ability to stop mosquito-borne diseases. But Tabachnick told the Herald/Times in June that state support for mosquito control has recovered."That was a bad period when this all happened," Tabachnick said. "These funds have been more than amply restored."Mosquito control officials across the state say Zika planning and coordination among governments has been generally good. Dennis Moore, Pasco County's mosquito control director, said the state has helped set up planning exercises and provided free mosquito traps.Moore said he expects to have Zika spread to Tampa Bay."We have no way of knowing, but I wouldn't be terribly surprised if we do," Moore said.So far, it's difficult to measure how effective the state and federal response has been.Dr. Scott Weaver, director of the Institute for Human Infections and Immunity at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, said there's a lag time of at least a week between infection and diagnosis."It's important to know how many more people have been sampled outside [Wynwood] and how much information there is about where the virus has spread beyond that point," Weaver said.Not until Thursday -- six days after cases of locally transmitted Zika cases in Miami were announced -- did Scott himself visit the stricken area.Instead, he attended events in faraway Pinellas Park and Panama City and spoke with leaders in Miami by phone. His delayed presence at Zika's Ground Zero was notable for Scott, whose personal jet allows him to cross the state quickly.But it's not as if Scott is disengaged on the issue.Since declaring a public health emergency in February, he has held 11 roundtable talks with local leaders. In May, he went to Washington to meet with members of Congress and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell.The meetings with local governments have helped, said Rob Krueger, an entomology and education specialist with Pinellas County Mosquito Control."Having the governor personally stop by your county to make sure you're good to go, that's a good thing," Krueger said. "As far as Pinellas County is concerned, I don't see any negligence on [the state's] part whatsoever or anything extra they could be doing."Scott is winning praise from at least one high-profile observer."You have a great governor who's doing a fantastic job, Rick Scott, on the Zika," Donald Trump told CBS12 of West Palm Beach. "He's going to have it under control. He probably already does."
Description

GIS  08 August 2016 : The Trust Fund for Specialised Medical Care is creating a database of children with congenital heart defects living in Mauritius and Rodrigues with a view, among others, to improve patient care through early diagnostic and timely cardiac intervention and surgical repair.

The announcement was made at a press conference pertaining to children with congenital heart defects living in Mauritius and Rodrigues held at the Cardiac Centre in Pamplemousses on 5 August 2016 by the Minister of Health and Quality of Life, Mr Anil Gayan. The Executive Director of the Trust Fund for Specialised Medical Care, Ms Vijaya Sumputh; the Director Cardiac Services of the Trust Fund for Specialised Medical Care, Dr T. K. Gunness; the renowned specialist in paediatric cardiology and paediatric cardiac surgery, Dr Bernard de Geeter, and other personalities were also present.

Congenital heart defects are malformations of the heart, heart valves or major blood vessels which are present at birth and can affect the structure of a baby's heart and the way it works. They range from simple defects such as holes between chambers of the heart to very severe malformations with severe, life-threatening symptoms, such as complete absence of one or more chambers or valves. In Mauritius, the infant mortality rate stands at 12 per 1,000 live births, with congenital heart defects being among the main causes of death.

At the press conference, Mr Gayan underlined the commitment of his Ministry to ensure high-quality medical care for the benefit of the citizens as well as foreigners. He recalled Governments objective to make of Mauritius a medical centre of excellence in the region and stated that as from 1 August 2016, health care professionals are required to undergo continuous training. According to the Minister, in the field of medicine where new developments are constant, health care professionals have to be up to date with latest medical techniques and standard of care as it is a matter of life and death.

The Trust Fund for Specialised Medical Care has requested cardiac and paediatric units of regional hospitals across the country to refer young patients with congenital heart defects to the Cardiac centre so that the children get the care they need. A total number of 106 children have thus been registered and examined by a medical team with the assistance, and under the supervision of Dr Bernard de Geeter.
Description

GIS - 08 August, 2016: A sensitisation workshop on the SADC Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation (MRE) System of the SADC Trade Protocol and Non-Tariff Barriers organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade in collaboration with the Customs Department and the SADC Secretariat opened this morning at the Customs Department of the Mauritius Revenue Authority, Mer Rouge. A sensitisation workshop on the SADC Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation (MRE) System of the SADC Trade Protocol and Non-Tariff Barriers organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade in collaboration with the Customs Department and the SADC Secretariat opened this morning at the Customs Department of the Mauritius Revenue Authority, Mer Rouge.

Mauritius signed the SADC Trade Protocol in 1996. However, its implementation started in 2000. Since then, tariffs have been gradually eliminated which culminated in the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) in 2008.

As part of the Trade Protocol, work is being pursued on the consolidation of the SADC Free Trade Area, elimination of non-tariff barriers, harmonisation of SPS and TBT measures and negotiation on Trade in Services, amongst others.

According to the MRE Cycle, Member States are requested to submit annual reports accompanied by draft annual plans for each reporting year. For the first cycle of the self-reporting (2015), Member States were expected to submit annual reports showing progress made on implementation of the Protocol relative to status reported during the previous year as well as implementation plans for 2016.

Mauritius had submitted its annual report pertaining to implementation of the SADC Trade Protocol in 2015, and is now preparing its annual plan for 2016. The aim of this workshop is to assist Mauritian stakeholders to identify implementation gaps and prepare the annual plan for 2016.
(TNS) -- Even before the plane left the runway, it was clear the crew of researchers examining the fallout from Californias historic drought would not return with good news.A column of gray smoke from a smoldering brush fire was visible from McClellan Airfield outside Sacramento, a reminder of the threat that the hot, dry weather posed for the states forests  the subject of the high-flying mission.The four crew members were halfway through two weeks of flights over landscapes shifting ominously from green to brown, and already theyd begun to draw their conclusion: The mind-boggling number of trees that have died in California due to drought  an estimated 66 million over five years  is only the beginning.The death toll will probably rise by tens of millions of trees, even if heavier rains come this year, said Greg Asner, head of the team from Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, D.C.Using technology that has diagnosed problems in the Amazon rain forest and the jungles of Borneo, the researchers are learning that Californias unprecedented tree die-off is moving well beyond its origins in the southern Sierra Nevada and along parts of the southern coast. Its creeping farther north, and to higher elevations, not only providing tinder for wildfires, but also obstructing the forests fundamental ability to provide clean water and absorb carbon dioxide.Its not just the numbers of trees lost.  Its the implications, said Asner, who works out of Stanford University when hes not in the air. The scientist in me is quite happy that we have a predictive capability, but the human in me and the naturalist in me is quite shocked.On this particular day, late last month, the plan was to jet south from Sacramento to ground zero of the epidemic, then turn and head north, where the flyover would yield a clearer picture of just how high and far the problem extends.Youre not really seeing anything yet, said Asner, as he peered out the window at a splash of amber in an otherwise green canopy of trees shortly after takeoff. Wait until we get farther along.Flying in the Carnegie Institutions 54-foot, custom-built, twin-turboprop plane can be unnerving.Its not that the scientific instruments take up so much room that theres no bathroom, requiring six hours of discipline on the part of crew members. And its not the turbulence, because the ride is surprisingly smooth, much like a small commercial aircraft. A sign in the cockpit reads, No acrobatic maneuvers, including spins, approved.Whats daunting is the remarkable ability of the plane to collect data on nearly every tree it flies over  from 7,700 feet above  and use the information to foretell the grim future of the forest.Aboard the Carnegie Airborne Observatory is a one-of-a-kind imaging spectrometer that uses sunlight to measure the molecular composition of trees. By determining water content, the researchers can pinpoint which trees are becoming too dry to survive, even when they may appear perfectly healthy.Even though it looks green to the naked eye  those trees are departed, theyre gone, said Asner. Youre in the presence of technology that many people dont think exists.The crews forecasts have proved extraordinarily accurate. Last year, when the team flew a similar mission in California, the researchers identified 58 million trees that were dead or close to dying, just shy of the 66 million casualties cited in a U.S. Forest Service count released this summer.I was told by a lot of people that it wouldnt ever spread as far, said Asner, as he mapped the die-off on his onboard computer with crewmate Joseph Heckler. But look what were flying over. Most of this was all fine last year.As the aircraft pushed to the southern Sierra, not far from Fresno, clover-green hillsides gave way to sprawling patches of yellow, orange and cinnamon. High-elevation lakes, like Shaver Lake in Fresno County and Bass Lake in Madera County, were almost completely surrounded by dead trees. Wooded canyons in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks appeared rust-colored. Mountains east of Bakersfield were bronze.The plane veered toward the coast, flying over the Los Padres National Forest near Santa Barbara. It was more of the same.On this particular afternoon, the skies were unusually smoky above Southern California. Airspace had been closed near Los Angeles to accommodate planes doing battle with a 41,000-acre blaze north of the city. The Carnegie Airborne Observatory was forced to make a slight change to its flight plan.The potential for catastrophic wildfire, Asner said, is the most immediate danger presented by dying trees.The U.S. Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which fight the bulk of the states wildfires, are helping fund the Carnegie Institutions flights, along with the National Park Service and David and Lucile Packard Foundation.Prediction will give the agencies a chance to be less reactive, said Asner, noting the ability of fire officials to start prescribed burns and forest thinning in more vulnerable areas.But the repercussions of the tree die-off dont end with fire.Rivers and lakes whose water is naturally filtered by forests are likely to become more degraded as trees perish, potentially hurting water supplies. Meanwhile, the carbon stored in trees is released into the atmosphere when they die, contributing to the buildup of greenhouse gases and global warming.Ultimately, the magnitude of tree mortality may signal a wholesale transformation of the forest. Some scientists speculate that woodlands, in many areas, will disappear and give way to brush and grasses that are more tolerant of hotter, dryer weather.Noah Diffenbaugh, a climate expert who works with Asner at Stanford, sees the drought as the beginning of a future full of similarly arid periods, which could reshuffle the geography of plants and animals.Theres mountains of evidence that climate shifts have led to changes in ecosystems, Diffenbaugh said.As the plane curled back toward the Sierra, Asner wondered aloud whether the forests had already begun to radically change.The die-off that started with mostly ponderosa pine at roughly 6,000 feet, along with cedar and oaks, is moving to trees at higher elevations such as sugar pine and red and white fir. Little of the forest appears immune, he said.Is it a drought or is it a mega-shift? Asner asked.The trees are not only compromised by thirst, but also a lack of strength to fend off beetle attacks, which are responsible for a great deal of the deaths. The trees are several years short of water, according to the researchers, so dry that they need the nourishment of at least two or three wet years to begin reversing the decline.The latest species experiencing problems is the western white pine. The crew recently found stands of those trees as high as 8,000 feet struggling.Before the plane climbed to survey a tall mountain pass, pilots Don Koopmans and Devon Woodward slipped on their oxygen masks.I dont know if those trees are going to die, said Asner, having recorded the water content of a number of white pines. But theyre stressed.One of the few trees that remains unaffected by drought is the giant sequoia. The titans of the forest can live 3,000 years, and theyve seen plenty of dry periods before.While few parts of California have escaped the die-off, the vast tracts of dead trees visible in the southern Sierra are not as prevalent to the north. The Bay Area, for example, has seen relatively little damage.Still, as the plane sped along the western edge of Yosemite National Park, back to McClellan Airfield, Asner pointed to several brown areas.What were seeing is a movement of the wave of tree mortality up north as you go up the Sierras, he said.Asners crew recently found swaths of lifeless trees around Lake Tahoe, and the water measurements suggest more will emerge. Even trees near Mount Shasta and along the northern coast are dying, though in smaller numbers.Asner anticipates his research will show the impact of the drought and beetle infestation to be double what it was last year  not necessarily twice as many dead trees, he said, but twice as much stress on forests. The extent of the problem will be detailed in a paper that Asner plans to write after the flights, which concluded Friday.The spreading of dead trees has been much faster than I thought would happen, he said, before the plane began its final descent.By the end of the day, news emerged that the states budding wildfire season  fueled by dying trees  had claimed its seventh life when a bulldozer overturned in a firefight along the Big Sur coast.Gov. Jerry Brown has streamlined funding to remove dead and fire-prone trees under an emergency order issued last year. But the few hundred thousand that have been felled so far will have limited benefit. The cutting isnt likely to keep up with the die-off.If it doesnt rain or snow, it will just keep going, Asner said. Im not optimistic.
Next steps

(TNS)  WASHINGTON, D.C.  Accomplishments made with unmanned aircraft systems in North Dakota were recognized recently during a workshop hosted on the White House campus.The "Workshop on Drones and the Future of Aviation" assembled leaders from areas of industry, academia and government to outline the future of integrating unmanned aircraft, also known as drones, into the national airspace and discuss necessary policies to ensure that happens, according to a news release."Recognizing the fact that North Dakota as a test site is helping to pave the way for regulations really solidifies the reason why it was important that we were there," said Nicholas Flom, director of safety for the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, who attended the workshop.The North Dakota test site is one of six designated by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct research into drones' airspace integration.The test site received recognition for requesting permission to fly drones beyond the line of visual sight at the Grand Sky business park on Grand Forks Air Force Base.The test site is seeking to fly the aircraft up to 29,000 feet above ground without the use of a chase planes. These planes are tasked with tailing a drone during flights beyond the sight of the drone's pilot, which is otherwise prohibited.Another effort highlighted was the test site's success in securing a block of spectrum from the Federal Communications Commission for transmitting commands and data during drone flights. Accessing spectrum an increasingly challenging feat nationwide, Flom said."Spectrum is not readily available throughout the country," he said. "One of the things they were discussing was airspace might be a challenge to get, but what we're finding is dedicated spectrum is even more difficult."Spectrum will play a large role in beyond-line-of-sight commercial drone flights, which could utilize secure transmission bands for their control systems.Flying beyond the line of visual sight  along with accompanying sense and avoid technology  is considered by many in the industry as the next significant step needed to fully integrate commercial drones into the national airspace."Safely integrating drones into our airspace is one of the FAA's top priorities, and we're determined to get it right," Michael Huerta, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, told the workshop crowd. "It's essential for our economy and our role as a global aviation leader."Also speaking were representatives from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Intel, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Edison Electric Institute.The Edison Electric Institute, which represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies, highlighted its work with Sharper Shape, an aerial inspection company with a research office in North Dakota.Sharper Shape and EEI announced a partnership in March that will work to develop capabilities for beyond-line-of-sight flights for electrical companies to use to inspect infrastructure. Part of that will include seeking approval to bring a beyond-line-of-sight demonstration to the FAA."That was a great plug for a North Dakota company doing great things," Flom said.The workshop was co-host by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Foundation.In addition to Flom and other test site representatives, stakeholders from organizations such as Trumbull Unmanned, Lockheed Martin, Google and the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership were present.The workshop comes a few weeks prior to the effective date of new federal regulations for commercial and governmental drone use. The rules, known as Part 107, will be implemented Aug. 29."The White House has really not been involved with this but, now that we have set rules, they wanted to learn as much as possible," Flom said.
home Faith 1,000 young Christian leaders gather for Lausanne convention in Indonesia

Approximately 1,000 young Christian leaders from more than 160 countries gathered in Jakarta, Indonesia for the Lausanne Movement event that takes place at least once in a generation.

The Lausanne Movement first took place in Singapore in 1987 and then in Malaysia in 2006. That makes the Younger Leaders Gathering 2016 (YLG2016) held Aug 3-10 as only the third of such event. The participants invited would be trained in various ways to prepare them as future leaders for a global mission. The event also serves as a "springboard" for an initiative and a ten-year commitment called the Younger Leaders Generation (YLGen).

This year's theme, "United in the Great Story," takes a look at how people from across the continent and across history could be part of God's "Great Story."

Richard Coleman, speaker care coordinator and the event's co-emcee with Sarah Breuel, another member of the YLG planning team, talked about how today's environment places millennials under constant "pressure to follow feelings and the culture at the expense of millennia-old truths."

"There is so much social pressure for inclusion into any and everything," Coleman said in an interview. "To take a stance against anything carries the risk of being labeled as 'narrow-minded' or 'judgmental.' Add to that the almost immediate persecution through social media, and it can become quite intimidating to proclaim the truths of scripture."

Yet he expressed his hope that the young Evangelicals can make "great things happen" once they become passionate on something.

Coleman also revealed that they originally intended to hold the one-time event in Kiev in the summer of 2015 until the conflict broke out in Ukraine. They eventually decided on Jakarta after an Indonesian leader made the suggestion to Michael Oh, Lausanne's chief executive officer.

Meanwhile, Pastor Kong Hee of the Harvest Church in Singapore declared Indonesia as a "big harvest field" for Christianity when he toured Southeast Asia to teach churches about Home Cell Group Leadership.

He noted that 10 percent of Indonesia's population identify as Christians making it the second-largest Christian population in Southeast Asia.

"It is so necessary for church-building work to be done in this wonderful nation, and that is why I love doing missions in Indonesia," wrote Pastor Hee on Facebook.
home Faith 'Church should not intervene with political struggles,' says Hong Kong bishop

Bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal John Tong, defended the Vatican for not openly criticizing China's records on human rights and said the Church should not intervene in politics.

Cardinal Tong argued for the Vatican in his article "The communion of the Church in China with the universal Church," released July 31, where he acknowledged that many people in mainland China expressed their concerns that Vatican officials, including the Pontiff, might be going "against the principles of the Church" as the Holy See and the Chinese government finally reach a seeming mutual agreement on the appointment of Catholic bishops.

The bishop also considered it "unfair" that Chinese Catholics criticized the Holy See for not openly condemning the Chinese government for its human rights abuses.

"The mission of the Catholic Church is not to change the institution or administrative agency of nations," wrote Cardinal Tong. "It cannot and should not intervene in political struggles. Rather, it should realize the above targets through rational thought and the awakening of spiritual power."

He also cited Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in a 2007 letter that the Church "will not give up striving for social justice, but the Church should not confuse its duty and jurisdiction with that of the government."

Cardinal Tong praised Pope Francis for respecting the Chinese people by giving them time "to understand" that the Catholic Church "is not an enemy of the country or an outside invader" and that the Church "has no hostility towards them.

The communist state recognizes the state-run Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA) as the official Catholic Church in China while 12 million Chinese Catholics attend an "underground" church that remains loyal to the Vatican.

Chinese authorities arrested Msgr. Thaddeus Ma Daqin, auxiliary bishop in Shanghai, after he publicly revoked his allegiance to CCPA during his Episcopal ordination at St. Ignatius Cathedral in Shanghai in 2012. Ma was reportedly subjected to weeks of interrogation. He was stripped of his title as bishop, and he was forced to undergo communist indoctrination classes.

A blog post attributed to Ma that circulated in June showed the latest revelation as a turnaround for the detained bishop who recanted his renunciation of CCPA. However, some cast doubts on the authenticity of the blog.
The Counseling and Education Center at Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro will host Yoga for Managing Grief Stress from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Aug. 23 at the Lusk Center, 2501 Summit Ave. in Greensboro.

Becky Scoggins, a registered yoga instructor, will guide participants through simple stretches, movement and breathing exercises to release tension and increase energy.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required; call (336) 621-5565 or email thecenter@hospicegso.org.

***

Thanks for customers hearing aid donations, The Hearing Solutions will give away 30 hearing aid units this month to eligible people.

Appointments for a free hearing exam are required. To make an appointment, call (336) 854-5429.

The Hearing Solutions is at 2823-A Spring Garden St. in Greensboro.

***

The Center for Outreach in Alzheimers, Aging and Community Health, in collaboration with Merrill Lynch, will hold a discussion about the devastating effects of Alzheimers disease on the African American community and its financial implications.

The event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at the center, 2105 Yanceyville St. in Greensboro.

Participants will receive a tour of the center, engage in conversation with leading researchers and enjoy heavy hors doeuvres before the presentations.

For information, call (336) 402-1726.

***

Glenn View Baptist Church will offer GriefShare from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Aug. 31-Dec. 7. The church is at 4271 Glenn High Road in Winston-Salem.

GriefShare is a Christian support group for those who are grieving the death of a loved one.

It is a 14-week curriculum that uses DVDs (of internationally known grief experts), workbooks for personal daily grief work/journaling and small group discussions. Confidentiality and privacy are honored.

The cost is $20. Registration is required, call (336) 788-2569. For information, visit www.griefshare.org.

***

Hospice of Randolph Countys signature Auction and Barbecue event will be Nov. 5 at Southwestern Randolph High School in Asheboro.

Donations are needed for the silent auction, which will be from 3 to 6 p.m. The live auction will begin at 6:45 p.m. The donation deadline is Sept. 30.

Donations of desserts are also needed. Contact Lisa Huffman by Sept. 30 by calling (336) 672-9300.

Tickets are $10 a plate, which includes barbecue, sides, drink and a dessert.

To donate items or buy tickets, call (336) 672-9300.

***

Since 2006, Cleaning for a Reason has cleaned houses for more than 22,000 women diagnosed with cancer.

Ford is partnering with the group to provide 500 free house cleanings for women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Maid Right, a home cleaning company in Greensboro, will participate in this cause by providing free home cleaning to women in the community with breast cancer.

For information, visit www.cleaningforareason.org.

***

The Adult Center for Enrichment is offering the caregiver education session, Legal Planning for Family Caregivers: Advance Directives and Powers of Attorney, from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Aug. 25,at Well Spring Services, third floor conference room, Battleground Corporate Park, 3859 Battleground Ave. in Greensboro.

Elizabeth Thames, an attorney with the Elderlaw Firm, will share information about powers of attorney, living wills and most forms.

To register, contact Jodi Kolada at (336) 274-3559 or education@well-spring.org. Or, visit www.ACE care.org.

This session is free. Donations are accepted. Let Kolada know by Aug. 18 if care is needed for a loved one during this time.
Since City Council members Jamal Fox and Sharon Hightower love that money pit (the International Civil Rights Center & Museum) so much, why dont they donate their salaries to it?

Councilman Mike Barber is on the right track in seeking a clear answer on ownership of the property.

Sell the thing and recoup our tax dollars while you can.

Grady Hudson

Greensboro
GREENWICH - One of the three periods of the year where crow hunting is legal in Connecticut is about to begin.

On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from August 13 until October 7, hunters in Connecticut will be allowed to shoot crows. There is no bag limit, and hunting hours extend a half hour before sunrise and after sunset. Hunting on private property requires verbal consent from the property owner.
First published June 29, 2006

As lawyers for creditors looked on, the uncle of slain real estate developer Andrew M. Kissel's widow yesterday was appointed to oversee the dead man's estate, beginning the division of assets between his heirs and those he swindled.

Peter Wolff, of Manhattan, will serve as executor of Kissel's estate and handle the division of Kissel's assets, which are encumbered by millions in judgments and claims by mortgage companies. Hayley Wolff, his widow, was in the midst of divorcing Kissel and is the sole beneficiary of the estate, but declined last month to act as executor. Neither Wolff was present at yesterday's hearing at Greenwich Town Hall.

"Mr. Wolff is appointed and will accept the position of trust," Probate Court Judge David Hopper said at the outset of the hearing. "Hayley Kissel, who now goes as Hayley Wolff, declined to serve as executor and that declination is on file with the court."

Kissel's body, bound hand and foot and stabbed multiple times, was found in the basement of his 10 Dairy Road mansion on April 3, days before he was to be sentenced on bank fraud charges.

Hopper ordered Peter Wolff to make as complete an inventory of the estate's assets as possible within two months, and scheduled a meeting of creditors and other parties involved for Aug. 29 to update progress on that task.

Patrick Gil, Peter Wolff's Greenwich-based attorney, said he expected his client would welcome help from creditors to marshal information on assets of the estate.

"This is going to be a very difficult case for the fiduciary to gather assets," Gil said. "I think we will be helped by the creditors who at this point probably have a better idea than we do."

Hopper denied two motions. One was for a brief postponement by Mark Katz, a Stamford attorney representing Kissel's father, who is concerned about the validity of the will. A second motion was made by a mortgage company's lawyer who asked the court to order Wolff to get a bond to ensure he would not mishandle or disappear with the money.

Hopper took a brief recess to allow Katz a quick review of Kissel's will to uncover any obvious arguments against its admission for probate. But he denied Katz's motion, saying the attorney would have 30 days to seek Peter Wolff's removal as executor if his client wished to.

"While Mr. Kissel is obviously a family member, he does not have the status of an heir at law," Hopper said.

James Powers, a New Milford attorney representing Vermont-based CCO Mortgage Company, filed a motion requiring Wolff to obtain a bond to ensure to creditors the assets of the estate would not disappear.

The company is seeking to foreclose on Kissel's Stratton, Vt., vacation home, Powers said, and the estate owes the company about $1 million in mortgage payments.

Hopper denied the request, on the basis that the premiums would drain the estate, reducing the amount of money paid to creditors and heirs. But Hopper said a bond could be ordered later if any of Wolff's transactions appeared irregular.

Hopper admitted the estate into probate.

John Meerbergen, a Greenwich attorney, has been appointed by the Probate Court to represent Andrew Kissel, his daughters, Dara and Ruth Kissel, and Hayley Wolff. The girls are named as beneficiaries should anything happen to their mother. Kissel last year pleaded guilty to using fraudulent mortgage documents to secure millions in loans using property that he didn't fully own.

Among the creditors of the estate are several mortgage companies, including Stewart Title, Kissel's former business partner David Parisier and his estranged wife. The will, dated Nov. 5, 2001, was submitted late last month by the Southport-based firm of Pepe & Hazard, with a letter notifying the court of Hayley Wolff's decision not to serve as executor.

Although Wolff filed for divorce in March 2005, she and Andrew Kissel lived together until days before his murder, police have said.

Howard Graber, who was representing Andrew Kissel in the divorce, attended the hearing yesterday, and said he filed a motion Monday to dismiss the divorce case in state Superior Court in Stamford, arguing that continuing divorce proceeding in the wake of Kissel's death is unlawful.

Attorneys for Hayley Wolff have argued that the divorce proceedings should continue because Wolff was defrauded by her husband's financial crimes, according to court documents.

"No power can dissolve a marriage that has already been dissolved by an act of God," Graber said. "I've never been in this position before where a divorce has continued in Connecticut despite the death of one of the parties."
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Show More Show Less 2 of 3 / NYPD Show More Show Less 3 of 3





GREENWICH  A suspected bank robber accused of robbing a Greenwich bank is also facing scrutiny by New York City police, who are eyeing her as a potential suspect in another bank robbery last week.

Meighan McSherry, 46, an attorney and former public defender, was apprehended Thursday after Greenwich police said she passed a note to a teller at a Wells Fargo Bank on West Putnam Avenue and claimed to have a weapon. It was the same tactic that a blonde woman used in an attempt to hold up a Chase bank on Broadway and 79th Street in New York City two days before. No money was taken. The Chase branch is just blocks from McSherrys residence.
Take the A train to Africa. Photo: Bobby Doherty/New York Magazine

Harlems African-restaurant scene has been fairly insular, mainly attracting immigrants homesick for their native dishes. And as upper Manhattan continues to gentrify, beloved neighborhood spots clustered around 116th Streets Little Senegal have been displaced. The good news is that several have reopened nearby, joined by newcomers serving food beyond West African, from places like Somalia and Ethiopia. And the appeal of these diverse cuisines has begun to grow outside immigrant enclaves as American chefs like Sean Brock of Husk in Charleston and the Cecils Joseph JJ Johnson take inspiration from the African diaspora and the aftermath of the slave trade on foodways and culinary traditions throughout the world. You may not yet have heard of mafe, but then you hadnt heard of Thai larb 20 years ago. And dont be surprised to see ingredients like red popping sorghum and nutrient-rich fonio on supermarket shelves sometime soon.

The Cecils prawns with peanut sauce. Photo: Bobby Doherty/New York Magazine

Afro-Asian-American

The Cecil

210 W. 118th St., at St. Nicholas Ave.; 212-866-1262

Chef JJ Johnson meditates on Ghanas rice culture in one dish (lamb plus rice), then invokes Nigerian suya in a grilled-short-rib appetizer. He sears immense, head-on prawns plucked from the Gulf of Guinea and serves them with fried curry leaves brined in palm sugar. The buttery, coral-red sauce that covers the shellfish riffs on groundnut stew, albeit one smoothed out with chicken stock and invigorated with shallots and ginger.

Senegal

Pikine

243 W. 116th St., nr. St. Nicholas Ave.; 646-922-7015

Pikine, which opened last fall, serves regulars who settle into its dinerlike booths at lunch. Most opt for hearty portions of thiebou djeun, Senegals beloved national dish of broken rice simmered with tomato and brimming with planks of carrot and cassava and whitefish. Dibi lamb is an impressive allotment of browned chops that comes with boiled egg, couscous, and a mess of onions.

Safaris hanger steak with chapati and bananas. Photo: Bobby Doherty/New York Magazine

Somalia

Safari

219 W. 116th St., nr. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.; 646-964-4252

When Somali-born Maymuuna Birjeeb opened her place in 2015, she stocked the kitchen with mangoes for curry and adorned her dining-room walls with the Osmanya alphabet. Blistered chapatis and flaky fried sambuzas resemble their counterparts from India, but birds-eye chiles and fragrant berbere make their meat fillings stratospherically buoyant. Kalankal, or hanger steak browned in ghee, is meant to be eaten piecemeal with thinly sliced banana, like most Somali dishes.

Africa Kines chicken yassa. Photo: Bobby Doherty/New York Magazine

Senegal

Africa Kine

2267 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., nr. 133rd St.; 212-666-9500

A beloved Little Senegal fixture since 1995, Africa Kine relocated farther uptown two years ago after being priced out of 116th Street, but co-chefs Samba Niang and Kine Mar have ensured the restaurant remains an institution. Smoky slow-braised chicken drumsticks smothered with citrusy yassa onions appear only on Fridays and Saturdays, the fish meatballs (domada djen) on Saturdays only. Big bowlfuls of lamb mafe, cooked with peanut butter and spiced tomato paste, are as good as ever.

Senegal/West Africa

Chez Alain

2046 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., nr. 122nd St.; 212-678-7600

In daylight, the festive dining room has the feel of a Dakar disco during bar-restocking hours, down to the Wally Ballago Seck music videos flashing across the flat-screen. But plates of accara, a kind of black-eyed-pea fritter, hop with enough life of their own, and the thiebou djeun overflows with two-tone habaneros and jumbo fillets of red snapper. Suppu kandje is a funky masterpiece of okra and fish and fatty lamb half-obliterated in sauce and suspended in an ether of thick red palm oil, the essential flavor conduit of Senegalese cuisine.

Tsion Cafes injera rolls. Photo: Bobby Doherty/New York Magazine

Ethiopia

Tsion Cafe

763 St. Nicholas Ave., nr. 148th St.; 212-234-2070

Co-owner Beejhy Barhany came to New York via Ethiopia and Israel, where she served in the army. Which might explain the smoked salmon in the injera-wrapped mound of scrambled eggs, not to mention the malawach, a Yemeni flatbread. Live music and plenty of art have made the cafe a gathering place, and no wonder: Its Hamilton Heights address was once Jimmys Chicken Shack, where Charlie Parker worked as pot walloper.



Abyssinias vegetable combo. Photo: Bobby Doherty/New York Magazine

Ethiopia

Abyssinia

268 W. 135th St., nr. Frederick Douglass Blvd.; 212-281-2673

Like Africa Kine, the Ethiopian restaurant Abyssinia has recently rebooted; chef-owner Frehiwot Reta doubled her dining-room footprint and hung the walls with Ethiopian art. The vegetable combo is still a legume-heavy gauntlet of stewed lentils, meaty cabbage, and gomen  garlicky chopped collard greens cooked somewhere between al dente and squishy.

La Savanes fried guinea fowl. Photo: Bobby Doherty/New York Magazine

Cote dIvoire

La Savane

239 W. 116th St., nr. Frederick Douglass Blvd.; 646-490-4644

Partner David Dembele opened La Savane when he realized there was no reliable source of food from his native Cote dIvoire in New York. Fried pintade is guinea fowl in possession of the sticky, salty richness of good duck confit, and its served with attieke, a kind of fermented cassava thats a doppelganger of couscous but with a sour flavor that can be dialed out with minced Scotch-bonnet chiles and the foil-wrapped Maggi cube served on the side for DIY seasoning.



*This article appears in the August 8, 2016 issue of New York Magazine.
Google now lets you order out or book a table from Search in India

Google has partnered with service providers in India to let you order your food or a book a table at a restaurant from within the Google Search app on Android and iOS.

Now, when you search for a restaurant, you will see the option to book a table there or order food online. For the restaurant booking, Google has partnered with Dineout and Bytplus, and for ordering food, Google has partnered with Zomato and Swiggy.

For now, this service only works with select restaurants in select locations. It will be rolled out in other regions and for other establishments in future.

Source
These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales.




Haiti - News : Zapping politics...





An agreement prevents any local monopoly

According to the Electoral Adviser Frinel Joseph, speaking about printing ballots "the process is still ongoing. Everything was done to favor the local market but an international agreement with the UN and the Haitian government prevents any local monopoly," adding that several Haitian policy makers" are desperate to eliminate local businesses."



Integration of the diaspora in national life

The president of the lower house Cholzer Chancy and Steven Benoit, Deputy of Petion-ville called for the integration and involvement of the Diaspora in all spheres of national life, in a meeting with a delegation from the diaspora, it was an opportunity for deputies to reflect on the need for a new law on nationality.



Jovenel Moise in Les Cayes

Jovenel Moise, presidential candidate of the Haitian Tet Kale Party (PHTK) was in pre-election campaign tour in the South department. He met the candidates of PHTK to the different level of electoral competition, of socio-political and allied organizations that share its vision of development. Jovenel Moise took the opportunity to visit the merchants of Marche en Fer of the third city of country.



An opportunity for the Haitian diaspora



According to the judge Yonel Jean-Baptiste, President of the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti, it is necessary that Haitians living abroad join forces to serve the country, saying the non-funding of 2016-2017 elections by the international community is an opportunity for the Haitian diaspora, to bring its part.



Monitoring Meeting

A follow-up meeting of the Working Committee on the migration issue with the Dominican Republic was held August 5, 2016 to the Primature.



4th Coordination Council at the FAES

The Directorate General of FAES held its fourth regional offices coordination council Thursday, August 4 at the institution's conference room. The Director General, Mr Lucien Francoeur, takes stock of the various strategies to improve the situation in the regional offices in the departments where FAES runs its programs. The Director General has emphasized the development plan of the Turtle Island, the project financing prospects and the open door day.



Change of address

The Permanent Mission of Haiti to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva announced that as of August 8, 2016 its new address will be : Rue de Lyon 89-1203 Geneva.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news

Login Sign Up

 New Ad-free Subscriber Login

Email

Password

Password Username Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password.

Stay logged in

Help
Published on 2016/08/07 | Source

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday awarded a W500,000 allowance to some 2,800 handpicked young unemployed people (US$1=W1,118).

Advertisement

The Ministry of Health and Welfare immediately condemned the move, which went ahead despite increasingly frantic attempts by the ministry to stop it.

The ministry said it "cannot allow" what it called "populist" welfare policies aimed at bribing young voters. It gave the city government an ultimatum of 9 a.m. Thursday to cancel the policy and threatened to revoke the city's powers.

Seoul city officials countered by threatening to take the ministry to court.

The unemployment allowance is paid for up to six months to select young people between 19 and 29 who have lived in the capital for more than a year and work less than 30 hours a week. The aim is to help them out as they search for jobs.

The city has set aside W9 billion this year and hopes to expand the number of recipients in the future.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, a top presidential contender in the liberal camp, has repeatedly vowed not to back down.

The city received 6,309 applications and last week chose 3,000 of them based on their household income, duration of unemployment and number of family members.

The payments started immediately to 2,831 people who signed an acceptance form.

The ministry had apparently hoped to stop the payments at the last minute, but too late.

A ministry official warned, "This could prompt other regional governments to undertake similar policies aimed at wooing voters".
This website uses cookies primarily for visitor analytics. Certain pages will ask you to fill in contact details to receive additional information. On these pages you have the option of having the site log your details for future visits. Indicating you want the site to remember your details will place a cookie on your device. To view our full cookie policy, please click here. You can also view it at any time by going to our Contact Us page.
With Australias presently aging workforce, HR departments have to step up and bring in policies that take care of employees in their golden years.



HC chatted to Westpac and Australia Post to see what these organisations were doing for their older staff.



Grandparental perks



Westpac has a range of policies in place to support older workers including grandparental leave where grandparents can take up to 52 weeks unpaid leave to be the child's primary caregiver up to their second birthday, said Ainslie Van Onselen, director of women's markets, inclusion and diversity, & Australian financial services.



We also support our older employees while they transition to retirement with flexible working arrangements in their existing role or a new role, as well as three days of paid leave during their transition time to pursue activities related to their retirement.



These policies have been positively received by the Westpac workforce, she said, with 83% of staff supporting flexible working.



Seventy-four per cent of staff work flexibly and 90% will require flexibility in the next three years, she added.



Our people aged 50 plus are a vital part of our workforce, and hold a significant amount of skills, company knowledge and experience. With more than 20% of our people in this group, we want to ensure we support those who are planning their next career move and those who wish to transition to retirement.



Transitions to retirement



In 2014, Australia Post launched an internal careers program, Post People 1st, which helps staff identify career goals including planning for retirement, a company spokesperson told HC.



Post People 1st offers its employees flexibility in the way they seek out career support information. Australia Posts focus is on supporting its people with good information to enable informed career choices.



Policies specifically aimed at older workers include a Transition to Retirement where employees over 53 can request a change in working conditions, the spokesperson said. This can include changes such as:
In the race of life, you can all be running at the same speed but some have many, many barriers in their way and others dont.



Mariam Veiszadah  lawyer, anti-hate speech advocate and President of the Islamophobia Register Australia  spoke on Thursday evening at an event hosted by the Diversity Council of Australia (DCA), Tackling Islamophobia and creating more inclusive workplaces for Australian Muslims.



Islamophobia at its heart is rooted in fear and ignorance of the unknown, she said. It is a dread or hatred of Islam which leads to the fear or dislike of all or most Muslims.



One of the main hurdles for Australian Muslims at work lies in the recruitment process where applicants are typically disadvantaged due to unconscious bias.



Veiszadeh referred to an ANU study done in 2009 which found that Australian Muslims with Arab sounding names had to apply 64% more times than those with more western names to get the same number of call backs for an interview.



Before theyve even entered the interview room, this is a hurdle theyre facing.



Within the interview, unconscious bias also emerges, Veiszadeh said.



Research has shown that a decision is made about hiring in the first 10 seconds. [The interviewer] then uses the rest of the interview time  to justify in their own heads why they would hire this person.



She stressed that this all happened unconsciously without the individual knowing they were thinking along these lines.



Our brains are wired to think that people that look like us are more likely to do a better job, she said.



[For instance] men are wired unconsciously to think that other men that look like them can do a better job. So think about positions in society and who sits at the helm of that organisation. Whos in the decision-makers seat? And if unconscious bias operates in the way that we think it does, who are they most likely to hire?



She recalled personal anecdotes of recruiters who were friendly, funny and even cracked jokes while talking over the phone but whose attitudes changed when they met face-to-face.



Id walk into an interview room and several times their face just dropped. It was a split second reaction. I had it many times. And thats because they didnt expect the voice on the phone to look like me.




per Mines of Tasmania (CMT) has pleaded guilty in the Burnie Magistrates Court to a workplace safety charge over two deaths that occurred in December 2013, according to a report by ABC News.The two workers, Craig Nigel Gleeson and Alistair Michael Lucas, died after falling 22 metres from a mine shaft platform at Mt Lyell. The unfortunate incident occurred after a linkage assembly fell onto the platform, causing it to break away.After an investigation by Worksafe Tasmania last year, the firm was charged with failing to provide a safe workplace.General manager of care & maintenance at CMT, Peter Walker, said the company highly regretted the incident. The company had been in contact with the workers families to inform them of the plea, he said.The case has now been adjourned for sentencing in November.CMT is also going through court as the result of the death of a third worker, Michael Welsh, who died in a separate mud rush incident in January 2014 which has since suspended operations at the mine."CMT is continuing to offer support to the families and friends of three employees who died in two incidents at the mine in 2013 and 2014," Jared DeRoss, the firms Mt Lyell site manager, said in a previous statement to News Corp."Our thoughts always are firmly with the families of our lost workmates. We recognise that hearings of this nature are very difficult times for families and friends of the deceased and we want to support them as much as we can.CMT had also conducted a detailed structural safety audit of the shafts and hoisting system after the incident, DeRoss added.
Releases from NASA, NASA's Galex, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, HubbleSite, Spitzer, Cassini, ESO, ESA, NASAs Chandra X-ray Observatory, Royal Astronomical Society, NRAO, Astronomy Picture of the Day, Harvard-Smithsonian Center For Astrophysics, Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Gemini Observatory, Subaru Telescope, W. M. Keck Observatory, Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, JPL-Caltech, Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, ICRAR, etc
The party, he points out, has according to a recent study on disparities in political participation seen its support rating plummet by nearly 10 percentage points among blue-collar workers, 14 percentage points among self-employed people, 11 percentage points among managerial staff members and 13 percentage points among business executives.

The Social Democratic Party has been unlucky with its recent leadership choices, says Pertti Timonen, an adjunct professor of political science at the University of Tampere.

The SDP is in danger of becoming the Anttila of politics, he writes in a column for Aamulehti.

Both Jutta Urpilainen and her successor at the helm of the Social Democrats, Antti Rinne, endured slow starts to their tenures, the former losing momentum to the Finns Party and the latter to the Green League, highlights Timonen.

As [Prime Minister] Juha Sipila (Centre) was contemplating between the Social Democrats and National Coalition during coalition formation, it was to be predicted that neither Alexander Stubb (NCP) nor Antti Rinne (SDP) would be able to retain the post of chairperson for four years in the opposition. Stubb failed to do so even in the Government, and now the countdown seems to be on for Rinne, he says.

It is understandable that if a chairperson proves to be an obstacle to increasing the popularity of a party, as studies indicate has taken place in the case of Rinne, the chairperson should step down.

Related posts: - SDP scrambling to find a candidate to take on Rinne (21 July, 2016)

The Social Democratic Party is scheduled to convene for its next party conference in February to overhaul its platform.

Rumours circulating in the media, however, indicate that a leadership re-shuffle is also a possibility as long as a viable candidate to taken on the incumbent chairperson emerges. One of the deputy chairpersons of the party, Sanna Marin, told Uusi Suomi in July that her party comrades have enquired into her willingness to throw her hat in the ring.

I'm not considering the issue, she said.

Timonen points out that the plight of social democracy is evident also elsewhere in Europe.

In Germany, the Social Democrats have been overrun by the Christian Democrats led by Chancellor Angela Merkel. In the terrorism-afflicted France, President Francois Hollande has been unable to rise up to the demands of the situation and establish himself as the father of the nation. In England, Jeremy Corbyn is at risk of sinking in the wake of Brexit despite the excitement that surrounded his appointment, he reminds.

Social democrats may not have invented globalisation, but the verdict at polling stations has been crushing.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Irene Stachon  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
Gardai foiled a planned gangland hit after recovering an assassination kit complete with two handguns, ammunition and a can of petrol from a stolen car in north Dublin.

Officers from Finglas Garda Station made the discovery on Saturday afternoon after searching a vehicle that had been reported stolen two weeks previously.

Gardai on routine patrol - supported by members of the Finglas Detective Unit - searched the vehicle and found two handguns, ammunition and a canister of petrol.

The incident occurred shortly before 3pm on Saturday in the Casement Park area of Finglas.

The items had been concealed in the blue-coloured Nissan Pulsar 15-D, which had been reported stolen from the Dublin 13 area a fortnight ago.

Seizure

Last night, sources stated that the discovery "bore all the hallmarks of a planned 'hit' in its advanced stages" and that gardai are satisfied they prevented a gangland shooting.

"It was a lucky but great catch by gardai. For one, it takes two weapons off the streets of Dublin, and it also prevented what was a planned gang shooting.

"The fuel canister in itself suggested that individuals were preparing to carry out a hit," a source said.

No arrests have yet been made in relation to the seizure of the firearms, and investigations are ongoing.

The two firearms, bullets, the car and its remaining contents were seized for technical examination. Forensic officers will attempt to recover DNA and fingerprints from the items in an effort to establish the identities of the gang.

The Herald understands the car - which was stolen from Donaghmede in north Dublin - had been in the area for at least a week.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information, particularly those who may have seen the blue Nissan Pulsar being driven in the Finglas area or elsewhere, to contact them.

It is not yet known if the incident is linked to the Hutch/Kinahan feud, which has so far claimed nine lives.

Gardai have foiled a number of murder attempts in the capital since February, with the most recent occurring in the north-inner city.

The Garda Crime and Security section received intelligence that a 'hit' was to be carried out on Patrick 'Paddy' Hutch Snr, the brother of 'The Monk'.

However, gardai from Store Street supported by local detective units, rushed to Patrick Hutch's Champions Avenue home before a shooting was carried out. It is believed that the quick response from gardai prevented an attack.

He had been warned two weeks previously that his life was in danger after being issued with a Garda Information Message form.

Assistant Commissioner Michael O'Sullivan, who was in charge of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, previously revealed how gardai had foiled five murders in a four month period.

Incident

There were several cases where people's lives had been saved through proactive policing operations and, in some of these, the details had not made the newspapers because of the nature of the garda operation, said Mr O'Sullivan.

The assassinations were thwarted by overt and covert operations by garda units with the aid of criminal intelligence.

Assistant Commissioner John O'Mahony, responsible for Crime and Security, also previously revealed how the determined work of gardai had foiled serious attempts to hurt or kill. In one incident, Mr O'Mahony said that the intended target "would probably never know" they were the target of a gang hit.
The man being rescued by a member of the fire brigade

A man was rushed to hospital after being rescued from the River Liffey by a former Liffey Swim champion.

The man entered the water near Capel Street Bridge before 6pm yesterday.

Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) dispatched significant resources to the scene, including a female Swift-Water Rescue Technician - a fire officer who has specialist training.

The woman swam out to the man's aid and tended to him until the DFB river boat arrived on the scene.

The officer previously won the Liffey Swim's female event and took part in the event in the city on Saturday, according to DFB.

Two ambulances, three fire engines and a boat responded to the scene.

The man was brought to St James's Hospital where his condition was not thought to be serious.

Dramatic

A source told the Herald that it appeared the man jumped into the water.

It is the second dramatic rescue from the river in recent days. Last Friday, a man was rescued after he and a pal jumped into the river from the boardwalk between the O'Connell and Ha'Penny bridges.

It is understood that those men had been drinking and entered the river voluntarily before one of the men got into trouble.

The men, believed to be from Eastern Europe, entered the river at around 3pm in full view of tourists. They were only in the water a short time before one of them got into trouble.

The men were described as "intoxicated" and one of them was transferred to hospital with low levels of oxygen, while the other was taken into garda custody at Pearse Street Station.

That dramatic rescue was also engineered by DFB.

Swimmers

The annual Liffey Swim has been taking place in the capital for 97 years, and on Saturday dozens of swimmers turned out for the event.

The 2.2km race began at the Rory O'Moore Bridge and finished at North Wall Quay in front of the Customs House.

This year's female winner Jennifer Gilbert completed the race in 31 minutes and 29 seconds.
Its fashionable  perhaps even accurate  to declare that Americans face a dreadful choice this November. One candidate is considered untrustworthy; the other is considered a buffoon, perhaps even dangerous. Out of nearly 325 million people, these are the best two options we have?

Has the United States ever faced such unsettling prospects?

Yes  yes, we have.

Today, we kick off a periodic series of editorials examining some of the bad choices that previous generations have faced, and how they resolved those  in hopes that the history might somehow illuminate the present.

The first of these focuses on the election of 1800, which pitted President John Adams against challenger Thomas Jefferson. These may be giants of American history, revered as Founding Fathers. Nevertheless, the campaign that their two sides waged that year painted the nations choice in apocalyptic terms that threatened to tear the young nation apart.

Today its easy to laugh at the overblown rhetoric, but at the time the fate of the republic really did seem to be at stake.

It wasnt just the name-calling, though that was certainly colorful. Jeffersons side accused Adams of being a blind, bald, crippled, toothless man who is a hideous hermaphroditical character, which has neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman.

Adams camp responded that Jefferson was a mean-spirited, low-lived fellow, the son of a half-breed Indian squaw, sired by a Virginia mulatto father. Jeffersons deist beliefs were easy to mischaracterize as atheist, and Federalists gleefully did so. Jefferson will destroy religion, one line of attack went. A prominent New York minister declared: What is a man who writes against the truth of Gods words; who makes not even a profession of Christianity . . . What is he, what can he be, but a decided infidel?

Both sides accused the other of not simply being wrong on the issues of the day  but of endangering democracy itself.

Jeffersons Democratic-Republicans claimed that Adams tried to arrange to marry his son to the daughter of the despised King George III for the express purpose of importing Monarchy, by wholesale, into the country. In some more colorful versions of the story, only George Washington  dressed in his Revolutionary War uniform and wielding a sword against the president  had been able to stop the re-imposition of monarchy. Never mind that none of this was true; this was what voters were led to believe.

Adams Federalists were quick to use their own scare tactics against Jefferson. None other than the president of Yale University declared that if Jefferson were elected we would see our wives and daughters the victims of legal prostitution. One Connecticut newspaper prophesied that under Jefferson murder, robbery, rape, adultery and incest will openly be taught and practiced, the air will be rent with the cries of the distressed, the soil will be soaked with blood, and the nation black with crimes. A Jefferson presidency would surely lead to the Civil War and ruin.

To voters that year, the choice was between a weak-minded tyrant (an interesting contradiction) who wanted to reinstitute the monarchy and an atheist libertine who would cheer on moral degeneracy.

Surely our choices this year arent that bad. Then again, they werent really that bad in 1800, either  no matter what voters were led to believe. (Well concede that the stakes are higher now; the president then did not have access to nuclear codes. Voters back then had more margin for error, something we should keep in mind today.)

The history buffs among you know that the election of 1800 led to a constitutional crisis, but not between Adams and Jefferson.

Weve mentioned voters several times but there were actually very few voters that year. As we all know, presidents are actually elected by the Electoral College and in 1800, many states chose through electors through the state legislature. Only a handful of states had popular elections. In fact, some states in 1800 took away the right to vote  fearful that the people would not vote the correct way. This was a tendency that infected both sides. Legislatures in Georgia (Jefferson), Massachusetts (Adams), New Hampshire (Adams) and Pennsylvania (split) all voted to repeal previous decisions to hold a popular vote.

Virginia was one of the few states that did hold a popular election but the pro-Jefferson General Assembly gamed the system by deciding Virginia would choose its electors on a winner-take-all basis, thereby potentially depriving Adams of one or two votes he might have gotten in the part of the state that is now West Virginia. (Virginia was the electoral heavyweight then with 21 votes, more than any other state).

In the end, Jefferson won  sort of. The Constitution  written before the rise of political parties  then called for the runner-up to become vice president. Democratic-Republicans had intended to withhold one electoral vote from their vice presidential candidate, Aaron Burr, to make sure Jefferson finished first. They messed up. The result was a tie  between Jefferson and Burr. That threw the election to the House of Representatives, where many Federalists so despised Jefferson that they voted for Burr instead. The result was 35 ballots with no winner.

Those familiar with the popular Broadway musical Hamilton know what happened next. The musical follows the Federalist Alexander Hamiltons lifelong rivalry with Burr  and his intense dislike of Jefferson. As Hamiltons character sings at the climactic moment: I have never agreed with Jefferson once / we have fought on like 75 different fronts / but when all is said and all is done / Jefferson has beliefs and Burr has none.

Jefferson, the actual Hamilton concluded, might be completely wrong, but he was by far not so dangerous a man as the plotting, self-centered Burr. Hamiltons argument carried the day (though it cost him his life; Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel and shot him in the gut).

The question for voters 216 years later: How would you apply Hamiltons reasoning to this years choices?
More women, juveniles help drive need for more space at the jail
What's the secret to Small Favors' sell-out pizza?

Bottle Shop Mondays include options for wine carryout curated by owner Nick Detrich and his staff. However, the real star is the pizza pie.
U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn scheduled a hearing for Monday in Asheville in part to consider a motion by the state to dismiss their lawsuit altogether. Separately, Republican legislative leaders and some magistrates also want to be added as defendants as the case, saying they don't trust Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper to defend the state law.

Three couples  two lesbian and one heterosexual  say taxpayer dollars are being spent to implement the 2015 opt-out law that treats them as second-class citizens and favors one set of religious views over another.

"It allows judicial officers to opt out of upholding the constitution," said Jake Sussman, one of their attorneys. "We don't believe that the law appropriately balanced issues of religious liberty and these constitutional obligations."

Now that Mississippi's broad religious-objection law is blocked in court, North Carolina and Utah are the only states enabling government officials to recuse themselves for religious reasons, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

If the law is struck down, religious freedom would be harmed not only in North Carolina but nationwide, particularly after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationally, another attorney says.

"What the United States Supreme Court did last year was a sea change," and the government officials affected have a right to be protected, said Mat Staver, founder of the Florida-based Liberty Counsel. The legal aid group is representing Alexander County Magistrate Brenda Bumgarner, who wants to enter the lawsuit.

Bumgarner is among the 31 of the state's 670 magistrates who now have invoked the law. It exempts magistrates and certain workers in Register of Deeds offices from all marriage transactions  gay and heterosexual  for at least six months if they fill out a religious objection form. In North Carolina, Registers of Deeds offices issues marriage licenses while magistrates can officiate over a civil marriage.

State lawmakers approved this opt-out procedure in June 2015 after several magistrates resigned, feeling the state court system would punish or fire them if they didn't officiate at gay marriages. While the magistrates took oaths to defend the constitution and carry out laws, supporters of the law say they shouldn't have to scrap their strongly-held religious views at the same time.

The law provides for a chief District Court judge or county Register of Deeds  both elected officials to carry out marriage transactions if no one else is available. Additional workers also can be brought in adjoining areas to fill in.

That's what's happened in McDowell County, just east of Asheville, where all magistrates opted out, according to the lawsuit. One of the lesbian couples who sued lives in McDowell County but is already married.

The lawsuit doesn't allege any delays or denials of marriage licenses due to the opt-out law, but says the second lesbian couple who sued is engaged and wishes for a magistrate to officiate in their marriage "untainted by the stigma of animus" arising from the recusals.

House Speaker Tim Moore, Senate leader Phil Berger, Bumgarner and other named magistrates argue that Cooper's public opposition to the law makes him a poor advocate to defend it. A federal magistrate judge disagreed in July, saying Cooper's office was mounting a vigorous case. Cooper is running this fall against Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, who vetoed the law but was overridden by the GOP-led legislature.

Cogburn, an appointee of President Barack Obama, was the first judge to formally strike down North Carolina's gay marriage ban in October 2014.
This domain has expired. If you owned this domain, contact your domain registration service provider for further assistance. If you need help identifying your provider, visit https://www.tucowsdomains.com/
Tausif Ahmad, who worked with a mobile phone company in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, was arrested from Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh, on August 4. Ahmad, a native of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir, has been charged under Section 124 (A) of the Indian Penal Code and sent on 15-day judicial remand for forwarding, sharing and liking these [anti-India] posts. According to Amresh Mishra, Superintendent of Police, Durg, the serious charge of sedition was slapped on Ahmad for one (Facebook post) [that] represents India as a mouse, while another shows China recognising Kashmir as disputed. The police, it seems, did not have much clue about Ahmads anti-India activities, it was the hyperactive local VHP  the group that raised sedition charges against student leader Kanhaiya Kumar couple of months ago  that filed the complaint, saying that Ahmads Facebook timeline is filled with posts asking for Kashmirs freedom.

Interestingly, in an interview to a national daily, Mishra said that the polices main point of investigation is to find out who posted these items, and [since] it is a cyber-based investigation, it will take some time.

If thats so, what was the hurry in slapping the sedition law on Ahmad?

Read: J&K man booked for sedition in Chhattisgarh held in MP

Condemning the arrest, Amnesty Internationals Arijit Sen said: The right to freedom of expression extends to speech that may be considered offensive by some. A criminal case for such conduct is not justified.

The organisation also said that courts have ruled that expression can be restricted on grounds of public order only when it involves incitement to imminent violence or disorder. In 2015, the Supreme Court struck down Section 66A of Information Technology Act, a provision which placed vague and overbroad restrictions on online expression, observing: Mere discussion or even advocacy of a particular cause howsoever unpopular is at the heart of the right to freedom of expression. Court stated that advocacy could be restricted only when it reaches level of incitement.

Ahmads case is however not the first time the State has abused its power. In 2012, two Palghar-based girls were arrested for their FB posts criticising the shutdown of the city for Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackerays funeral. In the same year, two more cases showed governments irrespective of their political colour can be equally vicious: A chemistry professor from Jadavpur University in West Bengal was arrested for posting a cartoon lampooning chief minister Mamata Banerjee on social media and a businessman was held in Puducherry for making allegations on Twitter against Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union finance minister P Chidambaram.

In March this year, a month after the arrest of Kumar on charges of treason that lead to a political outcry, the Narendra Modi-led government admitted in Parliament that the sedition law  Section 124 (A)  was a broad-brush measure and needed a review.

Read: Definition of sedition law is very wide, admits Modi government

The law panel too has conveyed that it has identified certain focus areas and formed subgroups to deliberate on allegations of abuse and arbitrary use of the law.

Read: Law panel to study Sec 124(A) to curb alleged abuse of sedition law

Under the colonial era sedition law anybody who by words  either spoken or written  brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government can be sent to jail for life.

In 1962, the Supreme Court had, however, read down the provision even as it upheld the constitutional validity of Section 124(A) despite it restricting the right to free speech and expression:words and speech can be criminalised and punished only in situations where it is being used to incite mobs or crowds to violent action. Mere words and phrases by themselves, no matter how distasteful, do not amount to a criminal offence unless this condition is met, the top court had ruled, holding the restrictions are within the ambit of permissible legislative interference and in public interest.

Going by this definition, Ahmads case is one more instance of abuse of the sedition law by a police team operating under political pressure.

Twitter: @kumkumdasgupta

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
When it comes to addressing centuries-old and deeply-ingrained societal practices  that of distinguishing and discriminating against people on the basis of their caste Rajya Sabha MP and Dalit ideologue Narendra Jadhavs idea of dropping surnames is facile and impractical. He plans to bring about a private members Bill to this effect.

Jadhav is a powerful voice for the Dalit community and his efforts towards eradicating caste discrimination should be on more constructive lines.

He is right when he says that no one can physically distinguish among castes. He is also right in being anguished over the attacks on Dalits by gau rakshak vigilantes. Caste does indeed derive its sanctity from religion but dropping surnames will not get people to change their minds on this issue.

Read | PM Modis remarks on Dalits motivated by vote bank politics: Mayawati

Even if a Dalit were to drop her surname, she is known by her caste in the locality where she lives and where she probably faces discrimination. In any event, everyone is entitled to their surnames and there can be no blanket ban on using these.

However, where Jadhav should lend his support is in the manner in which Dalits have been organising themselves to resist this caste oppression  a massive Dalit march is underway at the moment  and the refusal of Dalits in many areas, especially in Gujarat to carry out duties traditionally considered to be in their domain. Among these is the removal of cow carcasses. No one can find fault with the Dalits argument that if the cow is considered the mother of Hindus, then upper caste Hindus can also deal with their carcasses.

Read | Vegetable vendor ties 2 kids to pole, thrashes them, on suspicion of theft

As a law-maker, he should press for the strict implementation of laws which the cow custodians are violating in order to carry out their activities. In many cases, they are nothing more than criminals masquerading as religious activists.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made his sentiments on this clear with his words against these fake cow vigilantes. Jadhav should drum up support in Parliament, and this will not take much doing as no one can openly support this violence against Dalits, except the very few, and see to it that this issue does not fade away as other things take centre-stage. This would be a more feasible way of dealing with casteism than dropping surnames.

lalita.panicker@hindustantimes.com

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Electoral reforms are crucial to enable governments to deliver and fast-track progress by ensuring that the wheels of administration move at a fast clip and do not get bogged down by prolonged elections.

Successive governments have been working towards making the conduct of elections free, fair and relatively seamless. As a result, electoral malpractices like rigging, booth capturing, impersonation and the use of money power have been curbed to a large extent.

However, one of the most worrying threats to our democracy is the brazen distribution of money by candidates to voters. A method has to be evolved to tackle this growing menace.

The lure of money can at times tip the balance in favour of a candidate who gets an unfair advantage vis-a-vis more able opponents with fewer monetary resources.

Read | Shah writes to House panel backing simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls

One of the crucial reforms that needs all-party consensus is the proposal to hold simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Frequent elections, as we see today, disrupt governance by bringing development to a standstill. It is not only these, but elections to municipalities, panchayats or even cooperative keep the political parties and politicians occupied.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently flagged the issue of simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies and wanted the Election Commission to look into the feasibility of synchronising them. The main reason for this is that holding frequent elections imposes an onerous burden on the countrys exchequer.

However some people have raised doubts about this proposal. It cannot be anybodys case that development will not suffer if frequent elections have to be held.

One of the negative fallouts of frequent elections is that political parties will always look for short-term gains through populist schemes rather than coming up with long-term, development-oriented programmes.

Read | Simultaneous General and assembly elections is not a workable idea

On countless occasions, the laying of foundation stones for important projects or even calling tenders have to be put off when the Model Code of Conduct comes into force. Similarly, no new schemes are announced and transfers are put on hold. On the face of it, these decisions might appear to be routine, but the virtual suspension of administration hampers development.

Former deputy prime minister and veteran BJP leader, LK Advani had once pointed out that for those running the government, this vast country of ours with its huge population is in a perpetual election mode. He had also observed how impending elections even in a remote corner of the country influences decision-making in New Delhi.

Advani had also met President Pranab Mukherjee and the then prime minister, Manmohan Singh and made a suggestion that both Lok Sabha and state assemblies should have fixed tenures and that there should be no midway dissolution of these institutions.

While simultaneous elections were held for Lok Sabha and state assemblies from 1952 to 1967, this process was disrupted from 1971 when the then prime minister Indira Gandhi dissolved the Lok Sabha and advanced the elections, which were scheduled to be held in 1972 along with state assemblies. This set in motion a long cycle of holding separate elections.

Regarding doubts on the feasibility of having fixed tenures for Lok Sabha and Assemblies in the context of a ruling party losing its majority in the House, I feel that after the no-confidence motion, a confidence motion should also be allowed. That is to express faith in an alternative dispensation to ensure that there is no breakdown in governance.

Read | Why we need to change how elections are held

Simultaneous elections would also help in keeping down expenditure for both the government and the political parties. It would make political parties come out with distinct strategies for addressing national and local issues, making it easier for the voter to choose suitable candidates.

The switch will also help leaders to devote time and energy towards good governance and development instead of bothering too much about electoral strategies.

It will be a huge task in terms of numbers and logistics. But there would not be a need to deploy security and election personnel time and again. Similarly, the need for duplication would be avoided when it comes to transporting polling material, EVMs and setting up polling booths, if the elections are held simultaneously.

My suggestion is to have a fixed timeline and wrap up all elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities and panchayats within a month. Besides, the law should be amended to ensure that nobody has the right to postpone elections except under extraordinary circumstances like a threat to national security or an unprecedented natural calamity.

Holding elections at the grass-roots level should not be left to the whims and fancies of state governments. There have been numerous instances in states when municipal and panchayat elections were not held on one pretext or the other for several years. If democracy has to flourish, this kind of situation should not be allowed.

M Venkaiah Naidu is Union minister for urban development and information and broadcasting

The views expressed are personal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conciliation personified during his intervention in the Lok Sabha debate on the Constitution amendment that will enable the roll out of the goods and services tax (GST).

In the speech that stood out for its sobriety sans the belligerence of the past, the PM was generous in his praise of political parties, the two Houses and the previous UPA regime that conceptualised the omnibus indirect tax. He hailed the amendments passage as a victory of the countrys high democratic traditions.

Read | Parliament clears GST bill, Modi calls it a great step towards transformation

Parliament set aside political differences to become the national forum that it is, Modi told the House. He said the unprecedented consensus on GST would be a great source of energy for the country. It wasnt a journey to assert majority, it was a journey to achieve unanimity.

The objective was to build trust between the Centre and the States to strengthen the federal structure, the PM continued. The question isnt as to who won or who lost. Together weve addressed many drawbacks in the legislation, he argued, recalling his meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh.

In inviting both of them, I gave equal importance to both Houses, noted Modi, taking exception to the Congresss V Moily calling Lok Sabha the junior House in his speech. On the Congresss claim to original authorship of the GST, he lightheartedly drew a parallel with lord Krishna who wasnt brought up by parents to whom he was born.

Modi underscored the historicity of the occasion by pointing out that the Quit India movement was launched on August 8 in 1942. On the same day, our Parliament is collectively moving to bring GST. I thank all parties and state governments for the legislation that will end tax terrorism, he said.

In setting the stage for GST thatll simply the indirect tax regime, protect small enterprises and curtail corruption, Parliament was sending out the message that the consumer was the king, he averred. Weve proved that rashtraniti is above rajniti..

He was disarming in his response to the Oppositions darts that he opposed GST as chief minister of Gujarat. There were doubts (about the tax regime). I too had doubts. As PM it was easier for me to address issues that had caused me concern as CM.

In giving Opposition the credit for the bills passage, the PM compensated for not showing up in the debate in the Upper House where the NDA lacks a majority. We can be legitimately proudEverybody contributed creatively.
In the late 19th century, a set of ideas known together as the Teutonic germ theory held sway over academic circles in Britain and the United States. It laid out a racial explanation for the evolution of democracy. According to the theory, the origin (or germ) of democratic institutions lay in the ancient Teutonic forests of Germany, from where it migrated with the Anglo-Saxons to Britain and then to America. Only Anglo-Saxons, the reasoning went, were properly able to extend democracy and freedom around the world.

Proponents of the theory venerated the Battle of Teutoburger Wald (which took place in 9 AD) as a pivotal moment in world history, when rugged, individualistic Germanic tribes defeated the legions of despotic Rome. The British historian EA Freeman believed so strongly in the superiority of his primordial Germanic heritage that he insisted on speaking a distilled English, shorn of its many borrowings from Latin and Romance languages.

This interest in the past wasnt simply historical obscurantism. It coloured the way scholars and policy-makers looked at the peoples around them. Herbert Baxter Adams, the chief American advocate of the theory, tutored future US president Woodrow Wilson. Coupled with other faddish concepts of the time like social Darwinism and eugenics, the belief in the innate virtue of the Anglo-Saxon stock deeply affected how Americans perceived newcomers.

Unsurprisingly, this period in American history was a time of tremendous migration. Waves of people from southern and eastern Europe arrived in the US during the latter half of the 19th century. They were often met with disdain as beaten men from beaten races; representing the worst failures in the struggle for existence. Italians were described as the refuse of the murder breeds of Southern Europe, while Jews were an aberration of the evolutionary process, like vermin capable of living under conditions that would exterminate men whom centuries of natural selection had not adapted to endure squalor. American nativists viewed the new arrivals as a fundamental threat to the Anglo-Saxon spirit of the nation.

Read | A contagion of nativism is oddly spreading in a globalised space

The nativists lost, and the Teutonic germ theory fell out of vogue in the 20th century as Germany became an enemy of both Britain and the United States. Social Darwinism, eugenics and the belief in the superiority of the Teutonic or Aryan race were all perfected with cosmic ferocity in Nazi Germany, resulting in the Holocaust. Thereafter, American scholars found it difficult to invoke the virtues of Germanic identity.

But the nativism inherent to the theory didnt disappear. It mutated and adapted to changing conditions in the United States. Where once Irish, blacks, Italians, and Jews were the subjects of its scorn, Latinos, Asians, and now Muslims became the targets. Nobody (except for seriously fringe white supremacists) talks any more about guarding the purity of Anglo-Saxon Protestant America, but people do fret about the future of the Christian, English-speaking, white or European civilisational character of the country.

Read | White male grievance is shaping the US presidential election this time

Former presidential candidate and right-wing ideologue Pat Buchanan was the most prominent critic of immigration at the end of the 20th century. The Whites may discover what it is like to ride in the back of the bus, he wrote recently, suggesting that only non-whites should ever sit in the back. We have only sought to preserve the country we grew up in. Harvard political scientist Samuel P. Huntington (he of the controversial Clash of Civilizations thesis) gave anti-Hispanic xenophobia a scholarly gloss, echoing his 19th century forebears in lamenting the poverty, fertility rates, and cultural difference of Mexican immigrants.

For decades, this kind of anti-immigrant thinking enjoyed some currency in American politics, but it was usually kept at arms-length from the centre. The rise of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has changed that. Trump has fomented and courted nativism, making it the central animating force of his campaign. I feel like hes the last chance we have to establish law and order and preserve the culture I grew up in, a white Trump supporter told the New York Times. Immigrants from Africa, South America, some parts of Asia and the Middle East come from failed cultures, another commented, worrying that a United States with more of such people will fail, too.

Read | So how did Trump happen?

It doesnt matter that their concerns are unfounded (growing numbers of Spanish-speakers dont tear the fabric of the nation; immigration from Mexico has tailed off in recent years; Muslims form a wealthy, well-assimilated, infinitesimally small percentage of the population; white people retain the vast majority of positions of political, economic, and cultural power). Nativism is the product of emotions, not facts. But it is damning that the language of the 19th century has resurfaced in this electoral season. No matter whether Trump or Clinton win in November, this snarling energy, this forceful fear of the other will remain a threat to the open and embracing ethos of the United States.

Kanishk Tharoor is the author of Swimmer Among the Stars: Stories

The views expressed are personal

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
At least seven people died in incidents caused by rain in different parts of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, while streets and homes in the state capital were flooded after days of continuous downpour.

The seven deaths over the 24 hours preceding Sunday puts the death toll from monsoon-related incidents to 55 in the state.

In Bhopal, roads were waterlogged and homes flooded after heavy rain over the past two days.

The city received 54.3 mm rainfall on Sunday, according to Meteorological department here, which warned of more rains in the coming week.

Among the casualties was 15-year-old Digvijay Singh, a resident of Gurh in Rewa district, who drowned in the swollen Son river when he was on a picnic with friends. Two of his friends were rescued when they were caught in the current as they attempted to bathe in the river.

In similar incidents, two youth were swept away in flooded waters in Bamauri area of Raisen and Mandla district and a 7-year-old boy was lost in a flooded nullah in Badarwas area of Shivpuri district.

In Vidisha district, an unidentified middle-aged man was buried alive in a wall that collapse after being weakened by rain in Samadpur area of Sironj town.

An elderly woman was killed when she was struck by lightning in Tikaria area of Mandla.

The Indian Meteorology Department centre Bhopal has issued high alert for heavy rainfall on Monday in districts that include Guna, Jabalpur, Vidisha, Rajgarh, Hoshangabad and Balaghat. IMD has also issued an alert for heavy rainfall in districts that include Bhopal, Mandla, Agar, Raisen, Sagar, Dewas, Indore, Shahjapur, Ujjain, Dindori and Khandwa.

Water overflowing from choked drains in Bhopal flooded many roads, including some which have trenches dug up for laying of pipes, causing traffic to slow down and creating jams at several places.

Roads in Kolar witnessed knee-length water as residents complained of poor drainage system while flooded roads and ditches caused chaos in Karnod.

The problem is that most of the city roads turn into a pool whenever there is heavy rainfall. This has become a tiresome experience every year as we struggle to negotiate the roads flooded with rain water and sewage, said Illaina Syed, a resident of Jehangirabad.

Water-logging has affected areas such as Rajeev Nagar, Sanjay Nagar, Banganga, Old City, Mahamayi Ka Baag, Moti Masjid, and Jehangirabad due to poor drainage and sewerage network system. Water has entered many houses in low-lying slum areas of Mother India Colony, lower parts of Idgah Hills and Shahjanabad.

Our entire grain storage and electronic equipments have gotten spoiled. Rains have cost us dearly this year, said Bajrangpal Deshmukh, who has a kuccha house in slum areas along Jail road. The tall claims of Bhopal Municipal Corporation have fallen flat as not enough measures have been taken to check water logging, observers said.
Actor Ajay Devgn says he has no intentions to compete with Hollywood through his upcoming film Shivaay, but wanted to make a movie which matches global standards.

The action-adventure project features Devgn in the lead role and will see him doing high-octane stunts shot in India and Bulgaria.

Watch trailer here:

When asked if Shivaay can give competition to Hollywood, Devgn told reporters, The intention is not to give tough competition to Hollywood, but to raise our bar. If they can make it at that level, we can also make it at that level. That is the intention.

The 47-year-old actor was speaking at the trailer launch of Shivaay in Indore on Sunday.

Read: Shivaay trailer is very long, but full of Ajay Devgns daredevil stunts

It was the idea of several fan clubs to launch the trailer like this, with them. They came to me with this idea, called me, and here I am. They executed it and I just helped them a little bit, he said.

Embarking upon our final journey for unveiling the Shivaay Trailer. Heading to Indore. pic.twitter.com/0vXj7F5yKO  Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) August 7, 2016

Devgn was asked about the status of his much awaited film with wife Kajol and the actor said they will start working on the project by the end of this year.

The film is our home production. It will start by the end of this year.

Shivaay has been produced and directed by Devgn. It is his second directorial venture after the 2008 romantic-drama U Me Aur Hum.

Read: Shivaay poster - Complaint against Ajay Devgn for hurting sentiments

Facing the Faceless. 1 Day To Shivaay Trailer. Mark 7th August. pic.twitter.com/ZkSg9QSAGD  Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) August 6, 2016

The movie marks the acting debut of Sayyeshaa Saigal, grand niece of veteran actor Dilip Kumar.

Shivaay is scheduled to release on October 28.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
In a stark reminder of how unsafe are our cities, a new Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report has revealed how fire safety norms are ignored in eight cities, including Mumbai, in Maharashtra. Other cities mentioned in the report are Thane, Navi Mumbai, Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad, Amravati and Nagpur.

The report states that between 2010 and 2015, 78% of the amount reserved for upgrading fire-fighting systems was unspent, resulting in a severe shortage of equipment and infrastructure.

In case of fire tenders, which play a crucial role during fire-fighting operations, the CAG noted that there was a 78% shortage in the eight cities, severely affection the ability to tackle fires. The number of fire stations in the cities was also way below what is required. Instead of 175 fire stations across the eight cities, with one every 10 sq km, the cities have only 70 fire stations, a shortfall of 60%.

Whats worse; the shortage of apparatus and equipment was even scary, putting lives of firefighters at risk. The CAG report found that only 8% breathing apparatus vans, used for treating survivors and firefighters, were operational, with the rest 92% not even bought.

While Mumbai fared relatively better than the other cities, the CAG found that only 12% of hydrants  1,260 of 10,637  in the city were functional. Indicting the civic body for this, the CAG said, Non-functional courtyard fire hydrants was one of the reasons that severely impaired firefighting capabilities of the fire department in tackling three major accidents  Garib Nagar slums, the Mantralaya fire and the one at Andheris Lotus Business park.

The CAG, however, has rapped the state government for refusing to learn from its mistakes, which led to the Mantralaya fire in 2012. The CAG said that against rules, two canteens were being illegally operated using LPG cylinders on the 5th and 12th floors of the new state administrative building. It also said the lift lobby, on various floors, was found to be blocked by wooden and steel cupboards, leading to a possible tragedy.
KOKRAJHAR: Police believe the National Democratic Front of Bodoland( Songbijit) militant group, reduced to 10-12 men operating from adjoining Bhutan, had sent a lone gunman to strike at soft targets for reviving its extortion industry.

The outfit, however, denied its hand in Fridays killing of 14 people at a weekly market near Kokrajhar, the headquarters of a tribal council, 236km west of Guwahati.

The gunman, identified as Mwdwn alias Manjay Islary, went on a shooting spree for more than 30 minutes. Security forces felled him after he killed 14 people of different ethnicities, including the ethnic Bodos, in the council that has had a history of communal clashes.

NDFB(S)s denial is typical of extremist groups when they end up killing people of their own community, director general of police Mukesh Sahay told HT.

The outfit, led by Ingti Kathar Songbijit  not a Bodo, but a Karbi tribal  wants to cleanse the areas inhabited by Bodos of non-Bodos. The group seeks secession of Bodo-inhabited areas, which it feels is a better deal than the autonomous Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) that its disbanded rival, Bodoland Liberation Tigers (BLT), got.

Inspector general of police LR Bishnoi said Songbijit  believed to be in Myanmar with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang ) ceases to be in control.

The group is being commanded by G Bidai and Batha, who are operating from Bhutan and have at most 10 men.

The NDFB(S)s desperation stems from reverses it suffered since massacring 78 Adivasis in December 2014, Sahay said. Police data say 40 members of the group were killed, and more than 300 arrested till this month.

This could be a revenge killing, possibly timed with August 15, around which extremists tend to step up their activities. But it appears they are choosing soft targets to strike fear for extortion because the rebels are running short of money, Sahay said.

The outfit, also running out of support, has been targeting impression able minors to train for random terror strikes .Our men have so far prevented the outfits agents from smuggling 100 teenagers, many of them girls aged 16-17 years, in the past few months, Sahay said.

Four teenagers were rescued from Chirang district this month, from a spot between Fridays massacre site and Bhutan border 45km away.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
CHANDAWALI: A village in Haryanas Faridabad district is under 24X7 CCTV surveillance, thanks to the efforts of its 22-year-old sarpanch  an MA student.

Anju Yadav has always wanted to improve Chandawali. As a student, she couldn t do much, she felt.

When Haryana government made it mandatory for panchayat election contestants to have completed at least Class 10, her qualification became her trump card.

She contested the poll six months ago, won it and set about installing 72 CCTV cameras in all the lanes and crossings of Chandawali, which has a population of 10,000. She used panchayat funds for the project.

Though our village had always been peaceful, I thought we should make our village safe. I planned to cover the entire village through CCTV cameras, said the second-year MA (Hindi) student at Aggarwal College, Ballabgarh.

She discussed the idea with her parents, friends and neighbours. They all agreed with her plan, mainly because the Haryana government had carved out an Industrial Model Town (IMP) close to the village.

Industries are coming up and the number of outsiders coming to the village is on a steady rise, she said. The villagers realised this may pose a security problem in future, she said.

I visited localities with my father and selected lanes and crossings. I got in touch with a company that deals in CCTV cameras, and we went ahead with the project, said Yadav.

Further, she persuaded her parents to spare a room to setup the control room .My family and I monitor the live feed from 48 cameras.

When I am at college, my parents monitor the feeds. When I return home, I take up this responsibility, said Yadav, whose father is a farmer and mother a homemaker.

Two more control rooms have been set up in the houses of other villagers who monitor the feeds from the remaining cameras.

Her effort, she said, has garnered praise from her friends, teachers and neighbours.

A resident of the village, Anuradha, said ,We are happy that our village has found place in digital map of India. We feel safe and secure after CCTVs installation.

Ch and aw ali is a pioneer among villages for its project, said Faridabad police commissioner Hanif Qureshi. He inaugurated the project. The trend of installing CCTV cameras has been seen in urban areasWe encourage this initiative and many other villages have drawn inspiration from Chandawali, he told HT.

Following Chandawalis lead, Machgar village has also installed CCTVs cameras.

However, this is not Chandawalis only glory. While metro cities still struggle to light up all streets during night, there is hardly a road in this village that is not well lit. Even during power cuts, they work well because they run on solar power.

Some high-mast lights will also be operated on solar system, Yadavs father Giriraj Yadav.

The amendment in Haryana Panchayat Raj Act has brought this change where educated people got the opportunity, won and are now bringing in changes in their villages, said Faridabad deputy commissioner Chander Shekhar.

And Yadav is busy planning more advancement projects to give wings to her dream of seeing her village flourish.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
NEW DELHI: After 37 years, a murder convict will face trial again after CBI filed a charge-sheet against him for allegedly securing release from an Uttar Pradesh jail under dubious circumstances in 1979.

The bizarre case is of Krishna Dev Tiwari who was sentenced to life imprisonment by Allahabad High Court but was released from Basti prison in 1979 under mysterious circumstances.

Tiwari had claimed that he had served his term till 1996. But CBI, which probed the case on the orders of Supreme Court in 2015, found that he did not serve his full term and his version was found to be contradictory.

The CBI sources said, in the charge-sheet it filed in Lucknow on July 29, that his release from Basti Jail was dubious.

Based on the CBI report, Supreme Court directed Tiwari and his brothers Nand Kishore and Rama Nand to surrender before the competent court by Monday to face trial.

Tiwari along with his two brothers was convicted by a trial court under charges of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, which was challenged by the accused before the Allahabad High Court.

The high court upheld the conviction of Krishna Dev while his brothers were acquitted of murder charges, but were sentenced to six months under different sections of IPC on October 16, 1978.

Upon confirmation of sentence, Krishna Dev was moved from Basti prison to Varanasi Central Prison. He was moved back to Basti prison on December 4, 1978, and was released from there on January 1, 1979.
NEW DELHI: The AAP government has told the Delhi high court that it has set up its own panel to regulate advertisements as per a recent Supreme Court order.

The submission came in response to the contention made on behalf of Congress leader Ajay Maken that Delhi government was setting up its own panel in violation of the apex court directions.

The Delhi government told a bench of chief justice G Rohini and justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal that it received a letter from the Centre in May which said all states have to set up their own panel to implement the apex court guidelines on government advertisements.

TheDelhi government contended that setting up its own panel was permitted as per the apex courts order of April 28. Makens lawyers, on the other hand, said they were not aware of any such order and added that only the Centre had the power to set up the expert panel.

In view of the opposing views, the bench directed the Delhi government to place before the court the April 28 order of the Supreme Court and listed the matter for further hearing on August 10.

Makens lawyers contended in court that the AAP government was callously using Delhi publics funds to issue advertisements across India to get a footprint in other states.

He has sought that the issue of advertisements by the AAP government outside Delhi should be prohibited.

The court was hearing four PILs, including one by Maken, that have alleged that AAP government was issuing ads in violation of the guidelines.
HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke out on Sunday against mounting atrocities on Dalits across India, condemning caste discrimination and lashing out at self-styled cow protectors accused of targeting Muslims and scheduled castes.

If you want to attack Dalits, attack me first. If you want to fire at Dalits, fire the first bullet at me. But the nation will not forgive us if attacks on Dalits continue like this, Modi told BJP workers in Hyderabad.

The Prime Minister described attacks on Dalits as blot on humanity but said the assaults were being exploited by some leaders for political gains.

His comments come roughly a month after four Dalit men skinning a dead cow were flogged by alleged cattle protectors in Gujarat.

A video of the incident went viral, triggering massive protests and hurting the BJPs chances in assembly polls next year in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat  where the sizeable Dalit community may vote against the party.

Earlier on Sunday at a separate event, Modi said fake cow protection vigilantes should be exposed and punished, asking state governments to take action against such elements.

These so-called gaurakshaks( cow protectors) have nothing do with cow protection. All they want is to create tension in society , the PM said. This was the second time in 24 hours that he had lashed out at self-styled cow protectors.

Opposition parties have repeatedly alleged that Modis silence on the mushrooming cow protection vigilantes and Dalit atrocities encourage fringe groups to take the law into their own hands.

Last year, a mob lynched a Muslim man in Uttar Pradesh over suspicions of cow slaughter. Since then, cow protection vigilantes have attacked many people across India  especially in BJP-ruled states  on similar rumours with most of the victims either Muslims or Dalits.

Dalits form almost a fifth of Indias population and have traditionally stayed away from the BJP, which is seen as a party of dominant castes. But in the past two years, the saffron party has repeatedly attempted to reach out to the scheduled caste community with funds, programmes and induction of Dalit ministers in the cabinet.

The outreach plan, however, hit a rough patch in January when PhD student Rohith Vemula committed suicide at the University of Hyderabad after alleged caste discrimination. The death sparked massive nationwide protests and allegations that the BJP was anti-Dalit.

But in Hyderabad, Modi defended his governments record on Dalit empowerment, saying the issue was being politicised to malign the NDA administration.

We are ensuring all central schemes reach every Dalit family. The Opposition fears that if it happens, the NDA will remain in power for another 50 years, he said.

He also regretted Indias centuries-old caste system, saying it was unfortunate that untouchability was still prevailing at a time India was advocating the concept of treating the world as one family.

Dalits had been subject to discrimination for ages. This has to go and we have to protect their rights, he said.

He said recalled that during his visit to the United Nations, he mentioned the services of not only Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi, but also BR Ambedkar.

The NDA government, along with the Maharashtra government bought Ambedkars residence in London. We have constructed Ambedkar memorial in Mumbai. When we celebrated Ambedkar birthday as the national festival, the opposition parties were shaken, he said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
NEW DELHI: Delhi University (DU) will be forced to scrap the popular evening classes at its law faculty and trim student intake by around 800 this year after an adverse report by the Bar Council of India (BCI) that regulates legal education.

The report  which was sent to the university on August 6  is expected to resolve a legal tangle and pave the way for admission counselling to begin at the law faculty after two postponements.

The matter has been approved in the academic council of the university and we have decided that we will follow the BCI rules and recommendations, said a senior university official.

The university law faculty runs three centres  Law Centre I(LC-I), Campus Law Centre( C LC) and Law Centre II (LC-II)  and is considered one of Indias top destinations for legal education.

But it ran into controversy in 2014 when the BCI refused to enrol the law facultys students as advocates because DU had not applied for inspection and affiliation despite reminders.

The BCI said the law faculty ran without affiliation for three years between 2011 and 2014, when it gave provisional affiliation to the law faculty. It then conducted a survey and submitted a report that detailed instances of shoddy infrastructure and poor facilities at the faculty.

In its recent report, the BCI approved eight sections with 60 students each  a total of 1,440 students that is inclusive of the 49.5% quota for scheduled caste, tribe and other backward classes.

Till last year, nearly 2,200 students were granted admission in the faculty  without approval from the BCI, the report said.

The university misread section 5 along with section 2 (c) of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act 2006 and it committed default in admitting excess students, read the report. The BCI said it doesnt allow more than five sections but made an exemption for DU.

The report also said the university violated legal education rules by conducting classes after 7pm. The DU conducted classes from 5.30pm to 8.30pm at LC-II, which functioned out of the Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma Colleges campus in south Delhi.

The BCI advised that students already enrolled in these classes be provided special tutorials of 5.5 hours each.

It also said LC-I and LCII will function from a new building under construction and the CLC from the same premises in at DUs north campus. This ended confusion over the exercise after a student challenged in court the decision to move the centres.

To see that students who have already graduated from evening classes didnt have problem in enrolling as advocates, the BCI ordered DU to deposit Rs 2 lakh each for a year per centre.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
NEW DELHI: Jawaharlal Nehru sent a baby elephant named after his daughter Indira to Japan in 1949, former President Shankar Dayal Sharma was gifted an African tusker by Zimbabwe and Prime Minister Narendra Modi a Mongolian horse during his visit to that country.

Animal diplomacy has been an important tool in strengthening relations between countries and the Delhi zoo, battling a spate of animal deaths in the past few months, wants it pursued with renewed zeal.

Shankar, the African male elephant at the zoo here, is named after former President Shankar Dayal Sharma. The pachyderm was gifted to him by the Zimbabwe government. He gave the animal to us, Riyaz Khan, the zoo curator said.

The zoo, which attracts lakhs of visitors annually, is in dire need of giraffes, ostrich, zebra, kangaroo, white bucks and other exotic varieties of birds and animals.

Though animal diplomacy is considered a potent tool in engaging different nations, it also does wonder for the wildlife of the respective countries. The leaders generally donate the animals to the zoos. But of late not many Indian leaders have taken an active interest in this practice, a zoo official said.

A case in point is the culling of kangaroos in Australia to reduce its population. Why these cant be gifted to countries like us? he asked.

The official said Indian ministers should revive this tradition and not refuse the animals gifted to them by the foreign governments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was gifted a horse by his Mongolian counterpart Chimedi in Saikhanbileg in 2015. The horse, however, could not be brought to the country due to different climatic conditions in the two countries.

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal was gifted goats of Nachi breed by Pakistan in 2014, so was his deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal, who got six buffaloes of Ravi breed from across the border.

China has long been known for its panda diplomacy. Mao Zedong, the legendary Chinese Communist Party leader, used the cuddly pandas as a diplomatic initiative in the 1950s.

Mao Zedong sent pandas across the world on the diplomatic charm offensive. The first panda he sent was a gift to Russia for recognising the Peoples Republic of China as a country.

The United States received its pandas in 1972 after President Nixons historic visit to China resulted in establishment of official diplomatic relations between the two countries.
NEW DELHI: A day after a 45-year-old woman and her brother-in-law were found dead in west Delhi, police arrested two men. On Saturday, Sunita was found murdered with her brother-in-law Rajesh at their house in Vikas Nagar, Ranhola.

Police said one of the arrested men Amit is Sunitas brother. Amit took his friend, Sumits help to murder his sister and Rajesh. Amit is learnt to have told police that on Friday, Amit came with his friend to his sisters house to solve a property dispute. Amit is learnt to have told police that when he reached Sunitas house, he saw her drinking with her brother-in-law Rajesh and attacked them in a fit of rage. An officer said that Amit hammered and later stabbed them.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government will re-designate 1,000 doctors as professors and junior professors, said Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain on Sunday at a Delhi Medical Association (DMA) conference.

This move is an attempt to reduce corruption in medical education, he said.

According t o the MCI (Medical Council of India) guideline, any doctor who has experience of 18 years or more is eligible to become a professor. And, we have several doctors who have been working in our hospitals for more 30 years. We will make them professors, associate professors and additional professors to reduce the artificial scarcity of teaching doctors, Jain said.

He also urged the MCI to at least double the number of postgraduation seats in India.

Currently, there are around 52,000 MBBS seats in the country and only about 15-20,000 PG seats. The students spend their last years in the MBBS course and the internship period preparing for postgraduation and end up losing out on practical experience. And, the number of seats have been kept less deliberately, so that they can be sold to candidates, the minister said.

The candidates have to pay between Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore for a seat, in addition to the Rs 1  1.5 crore course fee for the three years, the health minister alleged.

If the students take a loan of ` 3 crore, they will have to pay at least a few lakhs every month. But, they get a job for less than a lakh. This needs to be rectified. There should at least be as many PG seats as the MBBS seats, if not more for students coming from other countries. And, the students should have to undergo only one admission process during their MBBS, the minister said.

The number of PG seats in the government sector can be doubled over-night, without much investment.

The education for post-graduation students is mostly practical and in government hospitals there are usually three patients on a bed. There is no shortage of patients in the government sector, Jain said.

In June, Jain had asserted that the MCI was a major road block in the country for medical education, while calling on the course for MBBS to be reduced from five to three years.

Explaining the reason behind his demand to make the change in the duration of the course, Jain said the students pursuing the five-year MD course will be able to practice simultaneously.

The minister also alleged that the MCI works less for students education and does everything else instead.
NEW DELHI: The Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) will run five rehabilitation centres for the mentally ill, where they can stay for free.

The half-way homes or short-stay centres will provide in-patient lodging and day-care facilities to those who need supervision for a few hours.

They will also provide vocational training to inmates to work at eateries, garment manufacturing units, etc., to help them reintegrate into the society. In some cases, patients can stay there for up to two years.

The centres  two in Sector 3 in Rohini and one each in Sector 22 in Rohini , Sector 3 in Dwarka, and IFC Narela  can admit 120-150 people.

The capacity is only one hundredth of a technical committees estimate in 2010, which said 15,000 mentally ill patients require residential rehabilitation facilities in Delhi.

The ce n t r e s h ave be e n unused for nearly two years because Delhi governments social welfare department could not decide who would run them best.

In a letter dated July 4, the department directed the IHBAS to r un the homes. Earlier, the institute was only supposed to provide technical support to the social welfare department, an official said.

The people coming to halfway homes will need medical care and not just lodging and boarding. The social welfare department does not have the capability to provide specialised and quality care. So the institute was asked to run these homes with funding from the welfare department, said social welfare department secretary Ashni Kumar.

Since it is now clear who should run the homes, they may be inaugurated soon, he said.

These homes were created on Delhi high courts direction in 2009 after a public interest litigation was filed. The project has been on hold because the government could not decide who should run them  NGOs with the necessary expertise or government with technical support from the IBHAS.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
PATNA: Barely a month after Union minister Ravishankar Prasad launched a scheme for the doorstep delivery of Ganga water (or Gangajal) in Patna, supply to post offices in Bihar has trickled to a halt.

The demand for Gangajal from Rishikesh and Gangotri was so high that over 1,553 bottles were sold within 15 days of the scheme being launched on July 10. But post offices have run out of stock over the last 20 days, and officials dont know when supply of the sacred commodity would resume.

The stocks come from (the bottling and distribution centre in) Delhi. We have requested that fresh stocks of bottled Gangajal be sent to us as soon as possible. But we have no idea when this will happen, said Abhijit Bhattacharya, chief postmaster, Patna General Post Office (GPO).

Two varieties of Gangajal  one bottled in Gangotri and the other in Rishikesh have been made available for sale under the scheme. While a 500ml bottle of Gangajal collected from Rishikesh bears a Rs 28 price tag, the same amount of water sourced from Gangotri  the rivers point of origin  costs as much as Rs 38. Gangajal can also be bought through the India Post e-portal.

The government also plans to acquire Gangajal from Sultanganj after the completion of the Namami Gange project. Sources said it cannot bed one now because the Ganga water in Bihar is still too impure for distribution.

The government has launched over 300 projects, aimed at cleaning and protecting the 2,500-km-long Ganga, along its banks.

Many Hindus believe water from the holy river has the power to wash away their sins.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
PILKHUWA: Police have so far failed to arrest anybody in Friday nights rape case of a five-year-old minor Dalit girl in Khera village.

Police said that the girl was sleeping with her 10-year-old sister outside her house when she was kidnapped and raped on Friday. She was found dumped near a tube well, barely 100 metres from her house on Saturday morning.

Following information, the police later lodged an FIR against unidentified persons under section of rape and also under relevant provisions of the SC/ST and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act at Pilkhuwa police station.

A mob of angry villagers had also blocked NH-24 highway for over two hours on Saturday morning.

Her father is a daily wager and a poor man. On the night of the incident, there was no electricity and the family was sleeping outside their house. When the girl went missing, the entire village launched a search for her, but couldnt locate her. She was later found unconscious and in a pool of blood behind a tube well. We informed the police, but they arrived nearly one and hours after the call, said Raj Pal, a local resident.

Victims father said that the police had so far picked up three persons all known to them on the basis of suspicion.

The police should launch a hunt for people who have gone missing since the incident. The girl has shown signs of recovery but has not been able to tell us what happened or who was involved, he added.

Police officers said that they wouldnt be able to disclose any information about the suspects.

We have identified one suspect, said Shailendra Singh Rathore, circle officer, Pilkhuwa.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
NEW DELHI: A trial court judge must not sit as a silent spectator in cases where children are victims of crime but participate actively for the purpose of eliciting the truth, the Delhi High Court said.

The court s statement came while dismissing a mans appeal against his five-year jail term for sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl.

Justice SP Gupta said trial court judges are expected to remain sensitive while recording statements of children. Their participation during the trial should be within the boundaries of law to bring on record the relevant facts. The judge upheld the 42-year-olds conviction under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, a special and stringent law to deal with cases where the offence is committed against a child.

The HC held the sentence awarded to the 42-year-old man was based upon fair reasoning and the crime committed by him was horrible as he had ravished the child who was like his own daughter. He rejected his defence that the child recorded the statement at her mothers behest.

The accusations (against the accused) are very specific, certain and clear. What else can be expected from a child aged around five years? Her statement on material and vital facts remained unchallenged, the judge noted in his order. The man, as per allegations, assaulted the child in April 2014 when she had gone to his house.
NEW DELHI: A man with a Rs 1-lakh bounty on his head, allegedly involved in over 50 cases of murder, attempt to murder, snatching, auto theft, robbery and offences under the arms act, was arrested on Saturday.

Police received a tipoff on Saturday that Amit Kumar would come near a dairy outlet in Pandav Nagar, Delhi. An anti-auto theft squad was stationed at the location.

The team tried to get Kumar to surrender, but he fled. After a chase, he was arrested near the underpass close to Mangalam Hospital signal, said police.

During the chase, the police vehicle hit him and he lost balance. To avert arrest, he took out his weapon and started firing. He fired four shots and they hit the bullet proof jacket of the officers, said deputy commissioner of police (east) Rishi Pal.

The police party also fired three shots in self defence. Kumar was finally overpowered by the police and a pistol with three rounds in the magazine was seized.

Kumar is wanted in a case of murder reported from Nand Nagari in October in which a gangster, Sonu, was killed during a fight among the criminals.

Kumar is a member of Satprakash gang of Nand Nagri. He is also wanted in an attempt to murder case reported from Krishna Nagar in December, where he fired at the police while he was being chased.

His aide, one Deepak Jhanji, was arrested, but he had managed to escape.

He is a habitual criminal who specialises in street crime, which includes snatching and daylight robbery. He does not hesitate to fire at the victim and even at police when challenged. His previous involvements included 30 cases of snatching, six cases of robbery, five cases of auto-lifting, two cases of murder, and a case of attempt to murder. He is involved in a total of 52 cases, Pal said.
NEW DELHI: A 23-year-old refugee from Myanmar was allegedly molested by three minors in southwest Delhis Dabri on Friday night. The woman was also allegedly hit on the head with a brick when she tried to resist.

According to the police, the woman, who is pregnant, was walking towards her Sitapuri Extension home with her husband when three minors on a two-wheeler, crossed them and passed lewd remarks.

The minors then turned back and one of them allegedly touched the woman inappropriately. When her husband resisted, one of the three allegedly picked up a brick and hurled it at the woman.

The minors were on a two-wheeler and misbehaved with the couple. One of them touched the woman, while others passed remarks, a senior police officer said.

When they tried to flee, the womans husband chased them and managed to catch one of them. He then raised an alarm and gathered local residents. The police were informed. While one minor was apprehended from the spot, two others were picked up later, the officer said.

We recorded the detailed statement of the womans husband who is an eyewitness in the case, he said.

The woman was rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay hospital for treatment. She had started bleeding from her head and since she was pregnant, the situation could be critical. She was discharged after treatment and her condition is stable, a senior police officer said.

A case was registered under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC at Dabri police station and the minors will now be produced before the Juvenile Justice board.

The woman had reportedly come to India in 2009 along with her two sisters and mother.
NEW DELHI: The National Population Register (NPR) is as good as dead, and the Rs 4,800 crore invested in the project might just go down the drain.

The Centre has made it clear that the home ministry-run population register should not expect the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to give it the biometric data of millions of people, collected for the purpose of obtaining the 12- digit Aadhaar number. Without it, the NPR database  once touted as a way to prevent Bangladeshi migrants from settling in becomes a mere list of names with some demographic details of Indian residents thrown in.

The UIDAI  which collects photographs, iris scans and fingerprints from citizens  uses the biometric data to identify duplicates. It has generated 1.04 billion Aadhaar numbers, and plans to cover the countrys population by March 2017.

Last year, the home ministry had launched a door-to-door survey to collect Aadhaar numbers from people across the country, and pull out biometric data from the UIDAI database. However, the Aadhaar law passed last month barred the UIDAI from sharing the data  throwing a spanner in the works.

The home ministry has the biometric details of only 280 million people  those who turned up at its camps over the last few years, said a government official familiar with the project. However, this will only go waste unless you have the complete database.

Nearly Rs 4,800 crore of the Rs 6,600-crore approved project cost has already been spent.

The NPR project, inspired by a citizenship card project conceived by BJP leader LK Advani, was launched during former home minister P Chidambarams tenure in 2009-2010.

The idea was to freeze the population register after giving people three chances to enrol. Anyone who came to get enrolled later would have to explain the delay. Advani had hoped this would make it difficult for fresh immigrants to get into the register.

The progress of the two overlapping identity databases was stymied by a tug of war between the home ministry and the UIDAI, after both tried to independently procure biometric data.

Led by founder chairman Nandan Nilekani, the UIDAI hit the ground running  leaving the bureaucracy-driven NPR far behind.

NPR was also slow because it enrolled people in accordance with households, not just individuals.

A government official said it was ironical that the primary utility of the NPR database would lie in improving that of the UIDAI  a rival entity with which it once fought many bitter battles for survival.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police have launched a 24/7 public facilitation desk that will serve as a one-stop window for redressing public grievances.

To run in all 182 police stations across the city, the desk will work like a reception counter. It will provide quick, hasslefree services to people visiting police stations.

A team of five to six police officials are being formed at each police station to manage the public facilitation desk. Members of the team have been trained in soft skills and public interaction by professionals.

The brain child of SBK Singh, special commission of police (law and order, North), the soft launch of the public facilitation desk was done at 89 police stations in the eastern, central and northern ranges last month. Positive feedback from the public impressed Delhi Police chief Alok Kumar Verma so much that he directed all district DCPs to start a one-stop desk across all police stations.

Singh told HT that visitors will be greeted at the desk and served a glass of water by the desk in-charge.

The next step will be to politely ask the visitor the purpose of visiting the police station and address his/her grievances patiently and professionally. The idea is to make people feel that they are welcomed at police stations, he said.

Apart from addressing grievances of visitors, the public facilitation desk will also guide them on routes to reach their destination and also help them locate a particular spot, like a market, shop, or residential lanes and colonies, he said.

According to Madhur Verma, DCP (north), a person visits the police station mainly to file a complaint or FIR. The cop managing the public facilitation desk will direct the visitor to the SHO or the police officer concerned for registration of the complaint, Verma said.

The public facilitation desk will also have an intercom facility though which the desk in-charge can directly connect to IOs and other personnel at the police station. If the visitor comes and asks for any particular police staff, the desk in-charge will connect the visitor to the staff using the intercom, Verma said.

If the police staff concerned is not there, the help desk staff will note down the details of the visitor, along with his/her contact number and the purpose of the visit, in the public facilitation desk register. The desk in-charge will also prepare a written note on a self duplication slip, mentioning the visitors details. The slip will be handed over to the staff concerned once he/she is back at the police station.

The police staff receiving the slip is required to call the visitor, inquire into and resolve his/her issue, reducing the complainants visits to the station . The action taken by the police officer on the visitors grievance will then be updated in the register.

The register will be examined by the SHO, ACP and the district DCP concerned.

With this new step, visitors to police stations will never become unnoticed or unregistered, Singh said.
NEW DELHI: A retired Delhi Police assistant commissioner of police allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of a train at Tilak Bridge railway station early morning on Sunday.

According to the police, RS Bhasin (61) had been depressed over his prolonged illness. A suicide note saying he was tired and wanted to end his life was also recovered from the spot.

A station master noticed a mutilated body on the tracks. He informed the Government Railway Police, said a senior police officer. Bhasins family members told the police that he was depressed over his illness for the past few months.
NEW DELHI: The law ministry has informed the government that televangelist Zakir Abdul Karim Naiks Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) could be banned, a move seen as an attempt to corner the controversial physician-turned-preacher accused of motivating terrorists.

Also, to bolster its case, the government has compiled a list of FIRs registered against Naik  especially one filed in 2005 and another in 2012. The law ministry considered these FIRs before giving its opinion.

The home ministry has been informed that the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), founded by the Mumbai-based Naik in 1991, could be declared unlawful under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The law ministrys opinion makes a clear case of banning the IRF by declaring it an unlawful organisation, a senior home ministry official said.

Such a move will mean no person can be a member of the IRF  whose website says it is a registered non-profit public charitable trust  hold meetings or collect funds. A ban under UAPA is valid for five years. The law ministry has informed the government that televangelist Zakir Abdul Karim Naiks Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) could be banned, a move seen as an attempt to corner the controversial physician-turned-preacher accused of motivating terrorists.

Also, to bolster its case, the government has compiled a list of FIRs registered against Naik  especially one filed in 2005 and another in 2012. The law ministry considered these FIRs before giving its opinion.

The home ministry has been informed that the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), founded by the Mumbai-based Naik in 1991, could be declared unlawful under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The law ministrys opinion makes a clear case of banning the IRF by declaring it an unlawful organisation, a senior home ministry official said.

Such a move will mean no person can be a member of the IRF  whose website says it is a registered non-profit public charitable trust  hold meetings or collect funds. A ban under UAPA is valid for five years.

Naik, who is said to be currently in west Asia, is accused of dodging police after allegations that his sermons influenced a terrorist killed in the July 1 Dhaka siege. Bangladesh has banned Naiks Peace TV, saying it incited the attack on a Dhaka cafe in which 22 people were gunned down.

His trouble compounded after suspicion that his speeches inspired 20-odd people, who disappeared from Kerala and feared to have joined the Islamic State terrorist outfit.

His media adviser Aarif Malik defended the preacher on Sunday, saying no government agency has sent any notice or summons to Naik.

Naik has no plans to return to India at least this year due to his prior engagements (abroad). But he has promised to cooperate in any probe by the government, he said.

Zakir Naiks advocate Mubin Solkar told HT it is totally unjustified to propose a ban against IRF. There is absolutely no evidence and material against Dr Naik, which can show he has ever promoted terrorism or he has been ever involved in any terrorist activity. Provisions of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) can never be applied against him because ingredients which are required for such a draconian law are never made out, Solkar said.

If the UAPA is invoked to ban the organisation, the government will have to prove its charges in a specially appointed tribunal.

The law says an outfit can be called unlawful if there are allegations that its activities are prejudicial to national integration, or promoting enmity between groups on the grounds of religion and race, and doing acts intending to or supporting secessionism.

Naiks media adviser says the preacher and his foundation has worked to promote harmony between religions. The IRF is a research body engaged in publishing research work and promoting greater awareness on and comparative religion.

Naik and IRFs activities have been questioned after the Dhaka attack, although the qualified doctor has been under surveillance since the 2003 serial blasts in Mumbai, when his name cropped up.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A couple who had gone out for an evening stroll at a park was allegedly stabbed and their throats slit with a sharp weapon in Outer Delhis Prashant Vihar on Sunday.

Kanchan Bhutani (59) and KR Bhutani (62) were found bleeding on a bench by a woman around 9 pm. She raised an alarm and informed the police.

Kanchan was declared dead on arrival and KR Bhutani, who sustained multiple stab wounds in his abdomen, is undergoing treatment at a hospital. His condition is stable.

The couple, who owned two floors at the Luxmi Apartments complex in the neighbourhood, stepped out of their house around 6 pm to take a walk. The other family members had gone for a movie, police said.

They went to a juice shop in the area and then headed to the childrens park in Sector 13.

After a while, they sat on a bench to relax when two persons came from behind and held their arms. They slit the couples throat thrice and even stabbed them multiple times, police said.

CCTV footage accessed from the area shows the couple walking through the pathway.

The area is under CCTV surveillance and the footage shows the couple going to the juice shop and heading to the park. The cameras do not cover the spot where the couple was sitting and so we do not have any clue about the killers. We hope to make arrests soon, a senior police officer said.

Investigators suspect it to be a case of personal enmity. Bhutanis phone, wallet and his wifes jewellery were not stolen. If they had been killed for resisting robbery, then the valuables would have been missing. Prima facie it appears to personal rivalry. It may be related to family issues or Bhutanis business, a police officer said.

Bhutani owned an electric cable-manufacturing unit at Badli and his son Mayank assisted him in the business. A case of murder has been registered.

The police have detained six persons for questioning.

Investigators said they have made a list of possible suspects, including some relatives and business rivals of the Bhutani family. His call detail records are being checked.

It is possible a business rival may be behind the murder. We are checking his call detail records to see if he was being threatened by someone. We suspect a known person could be behind the murder. We are investigating the case from all possible angles, a senior police officer said.
The Delhi Metros Delhi Gate station is getting ready to welcome bookworms, sport and heritage enthusiasts and adventure lovers.

When the metros heritage line from ITO to Kashmere Gate -- part of phase-3 -- opens in November this year, it will provide the ideal opportunity to explore the Walled City.

The Delhi Gate station in particular will take people closer to Ambedkar and Feroz Shah Kotla stadiums, popular book stores in Daryaganj and Lok Nayak and GB Pant Hospitals.

Trial run on this line is expected to begin anytime this week.

Read | ITO-Kashmere Gate: Delhi metros heritage line begins trial run this week

The first station of this line is Delhi Gate. The station will have five entry /exits that will open to Daryaganj, LNJP Hospital, Ambedkar and Ferozeshah Kotla stadiums and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg.

Four subways will allow passengers to cross the road without entering the paid area of the metro station.

The Delhi Gate station is the next station after ITO in the 9.37-km Central SecretariatKashmere Gate Metro corridor. The Central Secretariat-ITO section is already open. This station is near Delhi Gate, a 17th-century monument built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, said a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) spokesperson.

The area around the metro station is surrounded by Maulana Azad Medical College and Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. Other buildings include LNJP Hospital, Ambedkar stadium and Asaf Ali Park.

The station is situated right below the extremely busy Netaji Subhash Marg that connects New Delhi and Old Delhi.

The interior of the station is being done in granite and steel and stainless steel canopies at the entry/exit will give it an aesthetic look. The station has panels depicting the history of Delhi Gate and Shahjahanabad, the spokesperson added.

The DMRC, in collaboration INTACH, has installed 48 3D panels depicting the transformation of Old Delhi over the years.

The flooring of the station is inspired by Mughal architecture. The paintings have been taken from various agencies. For the first time, we have used texture paint. To cater to patients going to hospital, the lift on the hospital side is broader than the usual lifts of Delhi metro, said a Delhi metro official.

Read | New Delhi Metro line raises to bring hospitals, stadiums closer to commuters

The panels have been designed to capture the essence of the bustling city in all its forms -- its street character, food, arts, crafts and indigenous trades, and the distinctive built morphology of the Walled City, including its planning, its landmarks, and the transformations that these have been subjected to over the years.

The first panel will showcase the key ingredients of the experiential fabric of Shahjahanabad -- elements and attributes of the streets. It will give visitors a tour of the famous streets of Old Delhi such as Chawri Bazaar, Phool Mandi, Parathe Wali Gali.

The morphology of Shahjahanabad will find place in the second panel, which will start with an extruded Nolli plan of the city of Shahjahanabad highlighting the morphology of the city and decoding its planning. This panel will include all the existing and lost landmarks of Old Delhi that are still famous because of the history associated with them.

The panel will also capture the transformation of some important old buildings through time and usage, such as Bhagirath Palace (Begum Samru Palace) and the Chunamals Haveli. Some very interesting buildings like the clock tower (which do not exist anymore) will add an element of surprise to the narrative.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Monday directed all Delhi government departments to review decisions taken over the past one-and-a-half year and send all files for which approval has not been taken, to his office.

The decisions comes three days after the Delhi high court ruled that the lieutenant governor is the administrative head of the Capital.

A senior Delhi government official said the AAP government would soon move Supreme Court against the high courts order and that it will bring clarity on the issue.

In a memorandum to the Delhi chief secretary on Monday, the secretary to L-G, Vijay Kumar, said that in light of the high court order, all decisions that need his approval suffer from legal infirmities and will have consequential repercussions.

The L-G directed the departments that no order will be issued in the future without the approval of the competent authority as per the prevailing constitutional scheme.

Read| After high court ruling, L-G Jung has a message for Delhi CM Kejriwal

The high court had on August 4 said the L-G is the administrative head of National Capital Territory of Delhi. It said the AAP governments contention that he is bound to act on the advice of council of ministers was without substance.

The decision came after a long turf war over administrative jurisdiction between L-G Najeeb Jung and chief minister Arvind Kejriwals offices.

All principal secretaries/secretaries/HODs and all heads of autonomous bodies/corporations/boards/institutions, etc., concerned should immediately review all such orders issued and identify, by August 2016, those cases where prior approval of the Lieutenant Governor though required was not taken, the order said.

All such cases may immediately be placed with appropriate proposal before the lieutenant governor, individually in the concerned file through proper channel and with the opinion/vetting of law department, wherever required, it said.

The L-G office said the departments need to review all orders that need the L-Gs approval, including those related to statutory notifications, conferment of statutory powers, amendments to acts/rules/statutes, constitution/reconstitution of various boards/commissions/ committees and appointment of chairman/members.

Read| Delhi cant be a full state, it must remain a Union Territory: L-G Jung
With Independence Day round the corner, its that time of the year when colourful kites take over the Delhi sky, but not without injuries from the manja (string used to fly a kite). No more casualties, it seems.

From kite-sellers in Lal Kuan to kite-flying enthusiasts, the city has welcomed Delhi Governments recent proposal to ban Chinese manja  a sharp, glass powder-coated, nylon manja capable of causing fatal injuries to humans, birds and animals.

Read: Nylon thread used for kite-flying to be banned, Delhi govt tells HC

Mohammed Salim of Naeem Kite House says the ban was long overdue. Apne shauk ke liye kisi aur ki jaan khatre mein kyu dale (Why risk others lives to fufill our desires?), he adds.

Nylon manjas are coated with crushed glass powder to give them a cutting-edge, literally. (Shivam Saxena/HT Photo)

Mohammed Salman of Kallu Bhai Patang Vale is happy that Bareilly manja  a handmade, cotton manja  will now be in demand. Log shuru se wahi lete the, but fir Chinese manje chal pade. Accha hua ban lag gaya (Cotton manjas were a hit, but then Chinese manja came about. Good theyre banned), he says.

Himanshu Gupta of Bishan Chand and Sons, however, says: Bareilly manja costs thrice as much (Rs 300-400 for a roll as opposed to Rs 100 for Chinese manja roll). Not everyone can afford it.

Read: Kite string slits bikers throat, found dead on Ghaziabad flyover

Volunteers and NGOs couldnt be happier about the proposal. Mohammed Saud of Wildlife Rescue, says, Nylon threads cause severe injuries to birds as they do not break easily. When nylon manjas get tangled in trees, they remain there for a long time as they do not decompose. When birds get stuck, they cant break free and die of hunger and injuries.

Manta Sidhu of Angel Eyes Bird Rescue feels that even if the ban on Chinese manja is implemented, people will continue using it. Ban manja altogether, as even the cotton saddis are coated with crushed glass. People who are involved in betting dont care if the manjas cause injuries to birds. The bans are only passed on paper, but not really followed, she says.

Kite flying is synonymous with Independence Day celebrations in the Capital. (Arun Sharma/HT)

Kite-flying enthusiasts, who organise local events around Independence Day, make their own manjas by coating saddis in glass. So in this scenario, is the ban really effective? Anshu Hafiz, says, Manje se kisi ka bhi accident ho sakta hai, humara bhi (Anyone can get hurt with the manja, even humans). And because Chinese manja is strong and sharp, the injuries are worse. Im glad there are plans to ban it, but I dont know how many will follow it.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Delhi Metro begins this week the trial run of its much-anticipated heritage line that will take thousands of commuters into the heart of the centuries-old walled city and add three new stations to the network.

The new 5.1-kilometre-long stretch known as the Purple Line will connect ITO to Kashmere Gate via Jama Masjid, Delhi Gate and Red Fort  and is likely to become the favourite mode of transport for tourists hunting for a slice of history.

The line, part of the Metros Phase III and expected to open by November, is also set to ease congestion in the old city.

Related stories

New Delhi Metro line raises to bring hospitals, stadiums closer to commuters

Delhi Gate station: Gateway to the walled city

The heritage line is only a slice of Delhi Metros grand plans over the next year when it throws open Phase III, adding 15 stations and 4.7 million passengers to the citys transport lifeline.

When Phase III ends in December, Delhi Metro would have added 142.7 km of new lines to its existing 190-km network, surpassing mass-transit systems in Moscow, Seoul and Tokyo and be the worlds fourth-largest metro network.

Millions of citizens will be added to be grid with several new interchange points -- such as Dhaula Kuan, Mayur Vihar, Okhla and Greater Kailash.

As the Metro takes a leap into the future, HT will be your guide over the next few months to analysing the expansion, understanding the challenges and exploring expert advice on addressing problems.
In 2015, the University of Marylands Global Terrorism Database  one of the worlds most comprehensive sources of information about terrorism  ranked India 6th out of 162 nations most-affected by terrorism in 2014.

While such rankings put things in perspective and push states to improve their security apparatus, India has been a slow learner on this count despite the challenges it faces. This uncomfortable truth has been revealed by Hindustan Times seven-part series, How Safe Are We?. Taking a cue from the recent attacks in various places across the world  airports, malls, religious sites, office buildings and public recreational locations  the series does a rapid assessment with the help of security experts on the vulnerability of similar places in India that are frequented by thousands of people daily.

Read | Vulnerable to terror threats, Kolkata metro a daily risk for commuters

While the places chosen are varied in terms of their nature and usage, certain aspects stand out: First, in many of these sites, basic precautions such as frisking are not done; requests for anti-terror infrastructure such as metal detectors and trained staff are not met quickly, and when it comes to responsibilities, there is a serious lack of cohesion among different departments managing security.

For example, in the busy Mumbai airport, a security official refused to investigate a car parked in the wrong place, saying that it was the work of the police. At Lucknows Bara Imambara, the HT team found, there was hardly any frisking at the gates. On the other hand, the famous Meenakshi temple in Madurai has several layers of security but lacks the preparedness to deal with new and evolving forms of extremism such as lone-wolf attacks.

Read | Madurais Meenakshi Temple not equipped to handle lone-wolf attacks: Experts

Experts say this holds true for other national centuries-old temples and heritage structures that dot the state and the country. Other than killing people, terror attacks can damage the economy and so it is also imperative that our critical economic zones are safeguarded properly. Even though many such economic hubs have functional CCTV cameras and security layers, they too are vulnerable. A case in point is Cyberabad IT Park. The 109-acre IT SEZ has state-of-the-art electronic surveillance systems with over 150 high-definition CCTV cameras being monitored by a team of experts at a command and control centre in the main building of the corporate office. But, the most glaring security lapse is at the main entrance where there is no physical checks of vehicles or frisking of people.

Read | 9 blasts, 60 deaths later, Jaipur is yet to get its security act together

What needs to be done is not rocket science. Bureaucrats know it, security experts know it and politicians know it. But even at the sake of repeating ourselves, we will say it again: The national affliction of burying our heads in the sand has to end to fortify India against terror attacks. We need to plug the loopholes now and not wait for another attack to happen.

Read | Cyberabad IT Parks guards cant hold off terrorists for even 3 mins: Expert

Read the full seven-part series: How Safe Are We?
Multiple questions in civil services prelims on the pet schemes of Narendra Modi government have stumped candidates.

At least 13 of the 100 questions were on schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Stand-up India Scheme, Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY), Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM), Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana and Atal Pension Yojna.

Its hard to understand why questions based on government schemes were given prominence by leaving out important topics like modern history, geography, polity and others, said Indores Vineet Kumar, who has been preparing for civil services for the last two years.

The civil services exam is conducted by Union Public Service Commission to select candidates to fill administrative positions in different all-India services and central civil services, including IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and IRTS.

Read more: UPSC panel wants govt to reduce age limit for civil services exam

Swati Mishra from Bhopal said barring one question on the reason behind the split in Indian National Congress in Surat in 1907 there was hardly any question on modern history in the paper.

Overall, this year, questions were asked more on current affairs, system and governance, law, social and economic law. 18 questions were asked to test candidates knowledge on current affairs. Few questions were asked in the polity section.

Questions on import cover, transcriptome and Project Loon in the in the news section also left candidates in a tight spot.

Bhopals Aniket Kumar, who was taking the exam for the fourth time, said: This year general knowledge paper was purely based on current affairs. A large number of questions were asked in the news sectionSome questions relating to science also left candidates disturbed.

Only 25% take test

Only 8,988 of the 34,744 candidates from Bhopal who had applied appeared for the exam on Sunday.

Exam coordinator ML Tyagi said for the last few years the number of aspirants appearing in the exam (compared to the applicants) remained low at 35-45%, but this year it came down to 25%.

He attributed the poor turnout to heavy rainfall in the state capital.

Many outstation candidates who had planned to reach Bhopal on Sunday morning to take the test faced trouble due to the rains. Frequent power failures hassled candidates at several test centres.

The preliminary examination was conducted in two phases -- the first phase started from 9.30 am and continued till 11.30 am while the second phase commenced on 2.30 pm and continued till 4.30 pm.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Emojis are hot in fashion right now.

Perhaps its a designers way of telling millennials, Hey, we get u or its an easy route to Instagram-worthy accessories and apparel; either way, its a playful nod to the tech language were all enthusiastically fluent in.

The new range, which includes sneakers, sweatshirts, T-shirts and hats, features various emoji food illustrations, including hotdogs, hamburgers, microphones, bananas, and doughnuts, among others. (Acne Studios)

So why not plaster the symbols on graphic tees?

Read: Emoji is a digital and cultural phenomenon. Just deal with it

That was seemingly the thought process behind the new Acne Studios capsule collection featuring embroidered sweatshirts, tees, sneakers, and caps with more detailed versions of the ever-popular doughnut, banana, and microphone emojis.

The other emoji food-inspired illustrations, include hotdogs and hamburgers. Frankly, were feeling emojinal about it.

The other emoji food-inspired illustrations, include hotdogs and hamburgers. Frankly (Acne Studios)

The just-launched collection, with prices ranging from $150 to $480, is available on the brands website and in Acne stores.

Acne Studios is based in Stockholm, Sweden with own-brand retail stores in locations around the world. Unfortunately, they are not available in India yet. But you can always look at these designs, because why not?

(All photos: Acne Studios)
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and low night-time oxygen are associated with the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults, a new study conducted by an Indian-origin researcher has suggested.

According to the study, published in the Journal of Hepatology, obstructive sleep apnea and low night-time oxygen may also be important triggers in the progression of paediatric NAFLD to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) -- a type of fatty liver disease, characterised by inflammation of the liver with concurrent fat accumulation in the liver.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the accumulation of extra fat in liver cells in people who drink little or no alcohol.

Read: Sleep apnea worsens non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adults

Although isolated hepatic steatosis is considered a less aggressive form of NAFLD, patients with NASH can eventually progress to severe fibrosis and cirrhosis, with development of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults.

There is emerging evidence that obesity-related obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and intermittent nocturnal hypoxia are associated with NAFLD progression. Paediatric NAFLD patients with OSA/hypoxia have more advanced liver disease and fibrosis, supporting a role for OSA/hypoxia in the development of NASH, said Shikha Sundaram, Researcher at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, in the US, in the study.

Investigators studied 36 adolescents with NAFLD, along with 14 lean controls, to assess if oxidative stress induced by obstructive sleep apnea and low night-time oxygen promoted the progression of paediatric NAFLD.

Read: Women who struggle to sleep or sleep too much have high diabetes risk

NAFLD patients had significantly raised aminotransferases (a marker of hepatocellular injury), inflammatory markers, and evidence of metabolic syndrome, compared to lean controls. Patients underwent a standard multi-channel sleep study (polysomnogram).

Investigators found that patients with the most severe NAFLD experienced more severe sleep-disordered breathing and significantly higher apnea/hypopnea index scores compared to those with less severe NAFLD.

Patients with OSA/hypoxia also had more severe fibrosis or scar tissue in their livers than those without OSA/hypoxia. They also found a clear correlation between severity of the indexes of oxidative stress both systemically and in the liver and the severity of the indexes used to evaluate OSA.

These data show that sleep-disordered breathing is an important trigger of oxidative stress that promotes progression of paediatric NAFLD to NASH. We showed that obese adolescents with NAFLD who have OSA and low nighttime oxygen have significant scar tissue in their livers, added Sundaram.
Pakistan has directed a top official to follow up with India the matter of sending 24 witnesses of the Mumbai attack on 26/11 to their country to record their statements so that the trial could be completed.

The foreign ministry has written to its director general South Asia to take up the matter of sending 24 Indian witnesses to Pakistan for recording of their statements in the trial court in the Mumbai attack case here with the Indian Government, Prosecution chief Chaudhry Azhar told PTI.

He said earlier the foreign ministry had directly requested the Indian Government on the issue.

We have already made it clear that the Mumbai case cannot move forward unless India sends its witnesses here to record their important statements, he said.

According to the prosecution, all Pakistani witnesses have recorded their statements.

The ball is in Indias court. If it wants early conclusion of the Mumbai case it will have to send its witnesses here, Azhar, who is also a special prosecutor of the Federal Investigation Agency, said.

Recently the foreign office of Pakistan said it had asked India to provide additional evidence for the early completion of the Mumbai attack trial.

India has been urging Pakistan to complete the trial at the earliest. It has said that enough evidence has been shared with Pakistan to prosecute the accused.

Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum are accused of abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the Mumbai attack.

Lakhvi is living at an undisclosed location after he got released from jail on bail a year ago. The other six suspects are in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.

The case has been going on in the country for more than six years.
Members of two religious groups clashed on Monday morning after the arrest of a private schools manager for allegedly disallowing the singing of the national anthem at his institution in this Uttar Pradesh city.

Authorities controlled the situation, tightened vigil, and arrested five people after clashes outside the school, located in the Bada Baghara locality.

Zia ul Haq, the manager of MA Convent School, was arrested on Sunday night on charges of banning the national anthem in the morning assembly, and running the institution illegally without permission from the education department.

Trouble began on Friday when the school principal and eight teachers quit in protest against the alleged ban imposed by Haq. They alleged that Haq disallowed the singing of the anthem as the phrase Bharat Bhagya Vidhata went against the tenets of Islam.

As news of the ban spread, supporters of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and many residents staged a protest march outside the school on Sunday evening.

Haqs arrest later at night aggravated the situation. His supporters marched to the school on Monday morning, and clashed with people who had gathered in protest against Haqs ban.

Authorities rushed forces to control the situation.

We are taking preventive measures to avert a communal clash. Security personnel are carrying out a flag march in the area. The situation is tense, but under control, said chief development officer Andra Vamsi.

The district administration constituted a three-member team to probe the incident, and an order has been issued to seal the school.

The education department has been requested to arrange shifting of nearly 300 students enrolled there to some other school so that their studies do not suffer, Vamsi said.

Moreover, the schools manager has reportedly said he has never allowed recital of the national anthem ever since the school started.

A magisterial probe has also been ordered to look into how the school was allowed to run for two decades without any clearance from authorities.

(With agency inputs)

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The daughter of an Indian businessman kidnapped in Bihar was rescued in eastern Nepal and one of her abductors arrested on Monday, police officials said.

Six-year-old Sparsha Agrawal was abducted from Kursela in Katihar district while returning from school on Wednesday and taken to Nepal. Nepal Police said a former bus driver of her school, Mithun Paswan, was behind the kidnapping and had sought Rs 1 crore as ransom from the girls parents.

Sparsha was initially taken to Biratnagar, a city in Nepal located near the border with India, and then to Bhedetar, a popular hill station. She was being held in a house at Pathari in Morang district when she was rescued. Nepali national Dinesh Gupta, who was holding the girl, was arrested. Paswan is still at large.

Nepal Police launched an operation to free the girl after receiving an alert from their Indian counterparts. It took just 18 hours to crack the case, said a Nepal Police officer.

Police officials said they had handed Sparsha over to her father Bhanu Agrawal, who owns a petrol pump in Katihar.

We are happy the child has been freedShe is safe, Purnia range deputy inspector general Upendra Kumar Sinha said.

A sub-inspector at Katihar said a joint team of Bihar and Nepal police had acted on information provided by two men arrested earlier and rescued the girl. The arrested men, including the son of former Rajya Sabha member Naresh Yadav, had on Friday phoned the girls father and demanded Rs 25 lakh as ransom.

Though it was hoax call, their interrogation gave the police authentic information about the abducted child, the police officer said. The MPs son has nothing to do with the kidnapping but he knew about the gang behind the abduction.
Three days after the state government suspended 11 station house officers (SHOs) for not doing enough to enforce the liquor ban in Bihar, the simmering discontent in the police appears to be snowballing.

Backed by some 200 SHOs of different police stations, the Bihar Police Association (BPA) on Monday issued an ultimatum to the police headquarters to withdraw the suspension, or face a long agitation.

If the suspension is not revoked by August 28, around 21,000 police officers, from assistant sub-inspector (ASIs) to inspector rank, will go on one-week mass leave, said BPA general secretary Mritunjay Kumar Singh.

Read | Bihar goes dry: Five things you must know about liquor ban

Singh, who met Bihar DGP P K Thakur in the afternoon, said the latter had advised that the 11 SHOs should give application through their SPs concerned for revocation of their suspension and the police headquarters would look into the matter.

Singh said that over 200 SHOs had already communicated to their SPs that they would not like to continue on the post. In a weeks time around 8,500 other officers will follow suit, owing to undue pressure, he added.

Singh said recovery of over 1.5-lakh litres of liquor within four months could not have been possible without active policing by the force. No excise official has been suspended, though it is their job. Police have to deal with law and order, crime, investigation and more, he added.

The BPA has said the suspension of SHOs will demoralise the police force that has been working hard to implement the liquor ban in the state. The association has called a meeting on August 28 in which all district presidents and others will be present to decide the future course of action.

Sources in police headquarters admitted that SHOs of districts along the Indo-Nepal and Bihar-Jharkhand and Bihar-UP borders have requested their respective SPs to re-assign them from their SHO duties.

Meanwhile, several womens organisations that were the real strength behind chief minister Nitish Kumars decision to bring in prohibition, have opposed the new provisions of the law.

Read | Why Bihars new prohibition law is draconian

Womens organisations fought a long battle for prohibition, but the new law has several shortcomings. If these are not rectified we will start a movement. Women will be victimised for an offence they are not a party to, said Sushila Sahay, president of Bihar Womens Network at a press conference on Monday.

(With inputs from Bhabua)
Taking suo motu cognisance of the recent gang rape of a woman and her minor daughter in Bulandshahr, the Allahabad High Court has decided to hear the matter on Monday.

The case will be heard by a division bench comprising chief justice Dilip Babasaheb Bhosale and justice Yashwant Varma.

Another petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the incident had come up before the Lucknow bench of the High Court on Friday. The matter has now been posted for further hearing today.

The incident took place on July 29 when the mother-daughter duo, accompanied by four other family members, was dragged out of their car on the highway and raped in a nearby field.

Read: Bulandshahr gangrape case: Cops pick up 11 suspects for questioning
Communists have no objection to yoga, which helps to maintain sound health, the CPI-M says, adding the opposition is only to a religious colouring being given to it.

The party journal Peoples Democracy says in its latest issue that yoga has become popular in the world not just because many of the asanas have proved to be beneficial to those suffering from ailments.

Even for people who do not have any physical problem, regular yogic exercise has been seen to be extremely conducive to maintaining good health and improving flexibility of the muscles, it said.

The journal was responding to a query from a Communist Party of India-Marxist member on why Left-led governments in the country promoted yoga in schools and whether this amounted to saffronisation.

The breathing asanas and the yogic methods of relaxation and meditation are also widely practised and contribute to general well being, the Peoples Democracy said.

There can, therefore, be no objection to the promotion of yoga among the general public and school going children and young people as long as certain very important points are kept in mind and implemented.

The CPI-M then underlined where its objections lay.

The Hindutva forces want to project yoga as a part of the Hindu cultural heritage and give it a religious colouring, it said. We are against this approach.

The party also said that asanas should not be taught to very young children and yoga classes should be started only after students are at least 10 years old.

Also, yoga teachers must be appointed only after they have taken proper and rigorous training, it said. And yoga teachers must discuss individual problems with each person in the class.

There is a great danger that in their enthusiasm for the promotion of yoga, governments and government institutions will not pay attention to these essential issues and in the process more harm than good will be done and yoga will itself be blamed for their shortcomings, it said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the goods and services tax bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday, saying GST is an important step towards freeing the nation from tax terrorism. Here are the top quotes.

Read | As it happend : Moment by moment how the GST debate unfolded



* GST is a great step by Team India, great step towards transformation, great steps towards transparency.

* GST will also help curtail black money; traders will be compelled to give proper bills. We speak a lot about corruption but we also need to build a strong anti-corruption system.

* Consumer is the king, Modi said, and added: With GST, we intend to bring uniformity in taxes.

* Our strength lies in small businesses and they will feel more secure with GST, the PM said. Consumer and small businesses will gain tremendously.

* States in our country are not self-sufficient, but interdependent, Modi said. He stressed that GST will boost the economy of underdeveloped states help them earn more revenue.

* He said GST will act as a catalyst to help strengthen the trust between Centre and states. Tension between the Centre and states is generally over natural resources or share of funds, the PM added.

* We have always tried to discuss this with everyone, the PM said, adding that question of treating the Lok Sabha as junior house did not arise. Rashtraneeti (national policy) is bigger than rajneeti (politics).

* Today, an important move to free the nation from tax terrorism has begun, Modi said. He reached out to the opposition, saying: This cant be seen as a victory of a party or government, it is a win for the democratic ethos of India and a victory for everyone.
Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu lashed out at Syed Salahuddin on Monday for threatening nuclear attack on India.

Naidu said the Hizbul Mujahideen chiefs assertion was aimed at gaining publicity and asked Pakistan to seriously ponder whether it was right to encourage such people.

They keep talking bad just for publicity. Who is he and who has given him the right to speak about Kashmir? Is it correct to propagate such information? Naidu told the media in Delhi.

Stating that three wars have already been fought between the two neighbours on the Kashmir issue, Salahuddin earlier threatened a nuclear attack on New Delhi.

Pakistan is duty bound, morally bound, politically bound and constitutionally bound to provide concrete, substantial support to the ongoing freedom struggle on the territory of Kashmir. And if Pakistan provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between the two powers, Salahuddin told the media in Karachi.

He said that he can predict a fourth war with certainty because the Kashmiris are no longer willing to compromise under any circumstances.

The Salahuddin further said the Kashmiri people have reached this conclusion that they have no second option except to go ahead with an armed struggle and an armed jihad.
Congress members in Rajya Sabha on Monday accused the government of misleading the Parliament on the issue of 39 Indian youths going missing in Iraq two years ago.

Raising the issue of the missing Indians during the Zero Hour, Pratap Singh Bajwa (Congress) charged External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj with having misled Parliament and the nation on the issue.

In June 2014, he said 40 people, mostly from Punjab, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh, were kidnapped by the ISIS.

Bajwa said one Harjeet, belonging to Gurdaspur district, had managed to escape and later gave a statement that all the Indians were killed before his eyes.

The Congress MP said Swaraj had then assured Akali Dal leaders that the government had information from six sources which confirmed that all these people were alive.

Asking the Prime Minister to send an all-party delegation to Iraq to know the ground reality, Bajwa said if the abducted youths were alive, they should be brought back or else their parents should be informed that they are no longer alive.

We have been taking the nation and Parliament for a ride for two years, he added.

Senior party MP Ambika Soni also said: We want to know what has happened to those 39 people.

Associating himself with the sentiments of the Congress MPs, Naresh Gujral, member of NDA partner Akali Dal, demanded that the External Affairs Minister make a statement on the issue.
The Opposition in the Rajya Sabha urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to break his silence on the ongoing unrest in Kashmir and demanded the Centre initiate a political process to defuse the crisis that has claimed more than 50 lives.

Cutting across party lines, Opposition leaders urged the Centre to stop the use of pellet guns  that were considered non-lethal weapons but have already killed five people and left hundreds with serious injuries -- on protesters and send an all-party delegation to the state.

Hindustan ka taj jal raha hai, par uski garmi Delhi tak nahi pahuchti (Indias crown is burning but the heat hasnt yet reached Delhi), Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said, urging Modi to speak on the violence in Kashmir.

The month-long violence was triggered on July 8 after security forces gunned down top insurgent leader Burhan Wani, a popular figure in the Valley. His death sparked massive protests with tens of thousands of Kashmiris clashing with security forces.

Read: Posters warn Kashmiri Pandits to leave Valley or face death

The police have clamped a curfew for almost an entire month and chief minister Mehbooba Mufti appealed for peace but anger continues to simmer in Kashmir.

Mufti met Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Monday to discuss Kashmir issue while the opposition has demanded a discussion in Parliament.

Raising the issue in the Zero Hour, leader of opposition Azad said no state in independent India has seen 30 days of continuous curfew. He said it has paralysed the administration, shut down educational institutions and led to near zero attendance in government offices.

In such circumstances, we want to awaken the government ... We feel the government and the prime minister are watching the situation deteriorate like a silent spectator, he said.

Over 8,000 people, including security personnel, have been injured while 410 eye surgeries and 1,650 other surgeries are reported to have been done because of the use of pellet guns on protesters, Azad said.

He said 1018 incidents have been reported, and more than 1000 youth are in prison.

Please do not consider this as a law and order issue. It is a political issue too, Azad said.

Citing social media comments on Modi not making any statement on the Kashmir unrest, Azad said people are eager to listen to his views on the situation.

Read: Kashmir discussed at pro-BJP think tank meet? Ram Madhav says no

He asked the prime minister to call an all-party meeting where political leaders can offer solutions and express their sympathy with the people of Kashmir. This should be followed up with an all-party delegation visiting Kashmir to assuage the feeling, the senior Congress leader added.

Sitaram Yechury of the CPI-M said there was nothing working in the Valley except armed forces.

More than 1000 incidents of firing have happened. More than 8000 are injured and 60 dead, he said describing the use of pellet guns and inhuman and criminal, he said.

Yechury said even Israel does not use pellet guns against Palestinians and argued the situation couldnt be solved by law and order machinery alone.

D. Raja of the Communist Party of India also said the use of pellet guns should be stopped.

Samajwadi Party member Neeraj Shekhar said, The youths killed were Indians or not? There is no statement from the prime minister or home minister... What message are we sending?

Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav said that the governments silence on this issue is hurting.

Minister of state for parliamentary affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government is ready to debate the issue.

We want peace in Kashmir... and people of Kashmir have repeatedly defeated powers that have tried to disrupt peace. We are ready to debate on the issue, Naqvi said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Days after posters threatening Kashmiri Pandits surfaced near their transit accommodations in south Kashmir, militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) on Monday blamed it on Indian agencies to portray Kashmirs freedom struggle as communal.

The outfit distanced itself from the unsigned posters, issued under the name of Lashkar-e-Islam, which had appeared in Pulwama and warned Pandits to leave the Valley.

In a statement mailed to media organizations in Kashmir, deputy Ameer(deputy chief) of HM, Saifullah Khalid, claimed Indian agencies are once again trying to play Pandit card to show that our freedom struggle is terrorism and communalism.

Police officials were sceptical that the posters were by any real militant organization. They said that the posters could be the handiwork of miscreants to create fear among the minority community.

Khalid said that Pandits should not fall prey to these tricks. No outfit by the name of Lashkar-e-Islami existed. Indian agencies are using these fake names to defame the freedom movement, he said.

Many migrant Pandits, who had returned to Valley to get government jobs under the Prime Ministers package, have been living in transit accommodations in south and central Kashmir. They have however been demanding their transfers back to Jammu and other parts of the country.

The name of Lashkar-e-Islam started making rounds last year after posters appeared in north Kashmirs Baramulla district asking telecom vendors to shut shops saying that Indian armed forces were using mobile phone services to track militants.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday met Union home minister Rajnath Singh to discuss Kashmir issue while the opposition has demanded a discussion in parliament on the ongoing unrest in the valley.

Mufti arrived in Delhi a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the Kashmir situation with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Rajnath Singh.

Opposition members, including Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, called for an all-party meeting on the situation in the valley which has been on the boil for the past month -- since the July 8 killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.

Earlier on Monday, opposition parties also condemned the silence of the central government on the situation in Kashmir.

The government, in response, said that it was ready to discuss the issue.

We want peace in Kashmir... and people of Kashmir have repeatedly defeated powers that have tried to disrupt peace. We are ready to debate on the issue, minister of state for parliamentary affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

Over 55 people have been killed and over 5,000 people injured in clashes between the security forces and protesters in Kashmir Valley.
One militant and two BSF soldiers were killed along the LoC in north Kashmir on Monday, army said.

In an infiltration bid, BSF and Indian army encountered militants in Machhil sector and a gun battle ensued.

The operation is in progress.
The Centre has urged the Assam government to hunt down those involved in the attack near Kokrajhar that killed 14 people and bring them to justice.

Making a suo motu statement in Lok Sabha, home minister Rajnath Singh said he has already taken up the matter with the state government.

I have taken up with the Assam government and the security forces in the state to track down the militants involved in this attack, so that they are brought to justice for this crime against humanity, he said during Zero Hour.

Giving details of the August 5 incident, the minister said there was a militant attack at a crowded weekly market at Balajan Tiniali in Kokrajhar district of Assam.

Quoting available information, he said the militants, reportedly wearing army-like fatigues, set ablaze some houses and shops which led to a cylinder blast and fire in the area.

This was followed by indiscriminate firing on the crowd of shoppers by the militants.

14 innocent persons -- 8 Bodo men, one woman, one child and four others lost their lives in the attack. 19 persons were seriously injured who are under treatment in various hospitals of the district and the state capital, he said.

Singh said the state police and security forces reacted swiftly and neutralised one militant whose identity is yet to be established.

From the slain militant one AK 56 rifle, two magazines of live ammunition and one grenade were recovered.

The exact number of militants and the militant group involved in the attack is being investigated, the Home Minister said, adding the state government has made satisfactory arrangements for the treatment of those injured in the attack.

Exgratia relief of Rs 5 Lakh has been provided to the next of kin of those killed, Rs 1 lakh to those seriously injured and Rs 20,000 to those with simple injuries. A criminal case has been registered at Kokrajhar Police Station to investigate the militant attack.

I condemn this dastardly attack on innocent persons who lost their lives and on behalf of this August House, convey heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray to the almighty to give them strength in this difficult moment.

On behalf of all the members, I also pray for the early and full recovery of those injured, Singh said.

The issue was also raised in the Rajya Sabha by Congress member Santiuse Kujur saying that in December 2014, the Centre had launched an Operation All Out to eliminate NDFB(S) militants. However, the operation was later withdrawn. The Congress member asked the Centre to re-launch the operation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to speak on the Constitutional Amendment Bill for ushering in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) when it comes up for passage in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

The bill, which was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, is expected to sail through the Lower House where it is being tabled again due to the amendments passed by the Rajya Sabha. It was passed by Lok Sabha last year.

Dubbed the biggest economic reform since 1991, and nearly a decade in the making, the GST regime will replace a mesh of different state and local taxes with a single tax and turn India into a unified market. The new taxation regime is expected to boost the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

GST will bring financial equality to make Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat: PM Modi

Modi, who was criticised by the Opposition for not being present in the Upper House when the GST Bill was discussed on Wednesday, is likely to intervene during the debate on the bill in Lok Sabha.

The Congress, which has said it will support the bill, has directed its lawmakers to be present in the House on Monday when it is taken up.

Hoping for early implementation of the GST regime, senior Union ministers have spoken to the chief ministers of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-ruled states to ensure that the constitutional amendment is ratified by state assemblies at the earliest.

The chief ministers are learnt to have assured the Centre that if required, they will call a special session for the passage of the bill in their state assemblies. The GST Bill has to be ratified by at least 16 states in 30 days after it is passed by Parliament.

Revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia told Hindustan Times in a recent interview that the GST council, which will be mandated to set the rate of the tax, will have to work overtime to meet the expected roll-out deadline of April 1, 2017.

Read: Serious differences between states and Centre over fixing GST rate: Chidambaram

Yes, we are hopeful and positive (about the April deadline). About the administrative work of the central government, I am 100% confident, but it would be difficult to give similar guarantee in respect of the time taken in the process of achieving consensus on various issues. That is crucial, he said.
COLUMBUS  A 45-year-old Columbus man appeared in county court Monday for a bond review hearing on suspicion of distribution and possession of child pornography stemming from a police raid of his home on Friday.

Platte County Court Judge Frank Skorupa set bond for Jeffrey Hemmer at $150,000, 10 percent allowed for release, during the brief hearing. The defendant appeared via video link from the county jail.

Skorupa scheduled Hemmer for a felony first appearance hearing Aug. 17. The defendant had not been formally charged by the prosecution at the time bond was set.

If released from custody, Skorupa ordered the bonds terms to include that Hemmer have no access to computer devices or the internet.

Court documents in the case detail an investigation that got underway July 1 when the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office initiated a case involving the downloading and sharing of child porn to a Columbus address.

During the investigation it was determined that the online address was in use by an account for Hemmer in Columbus, Investigator Edward Sexton of the attorney generals office wrote in his probable cause statement supporting the defendants arrest.

The AGs office and Columbus Police served a search warrant Friday at Hemmers Sixth Street home aimed at the defendants computers, electronic devices and digital storage devices.

The defendant was home when the warrant was served.

A laptop computer was located in the living room area of the house with an external hard drive attached, Sexton wrote in his statement. The external hard drive was previewed and found to have in excess of 38,000 files of interest in the investigation, he said.
At first glance, the Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadus Madurai city is a model of foolproof security.

Policemen armed with machine guns and walkie-talkies guard the main entrances to the iconic 1,400-year-old structure, all pilgrims pass through metal detectors and no vehicles are allowed near the temple that receives 15,000 visitors daily.

But dig deeper and the problems start to emerge. Despite local police claiming a three-minute response time to terror threats, experts say the temple is poorly prepared to deal with lone-wolf attacks like the kind witnessed last month in Frances Nice, where a man driving a truck ploughed through a holidaying crowd, killing 85 people.

Depending only on state police may not be such a wise thing to do. The state government should cast its net wide and get expert advice, said former Central Bureau of Investigation director RK Raghavan.

Local authorities also arent equipped to deal with a suicide-bomber attack, despite being located in a state where former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in 1991 in a similar fashion.

Neither Tamil Nadu nor any police force in India is equipped to handle suicide attacks or hostage situations. Neither do we have professional negotiators in place, like in other countries that take such matters more seriously, Raghavan said.

Read all stories in the series here.

This lack of preparedness to deal with new and evolving forms of extremist attacks make a national treasure such as the Meenakshi Temple vulnerable to terrorist strikes. Other national treasures  such as centuries-old temples and heritage structures that dot the state  are similarly exposed, analysts say.

But despite the concerns, the local police appear confident in the security apparatus.

Officials say theyre given the latest gadgets to leverage technology for policing while involving the local population to keep an eye out for suspicious elements, not just around the temple but also the city. Police have even developed an app that citizens can use to report threats.

The moment the button is pressed, the headquarters receives a signal, along with the geographical coordinates as well as a satellite image of the spot from where the call originated, said city police commissioner Shailendra Kumar Yadav.

Read: 9 blasts, 60 deaths later, Jaipur is yet to get its security act together

Police say they carry out a weekly review of the security arrangement and ask even residents to keep their vehicles out of the high-security zone. No bags are allowed inside and even shopkeepers have to get their stocks checked and physically carry them for the last 200 metres.

A Raghavan, a 26-year-old businessman, said, They do not allow even a key chain inside. People may get irritated, but it is necessary for safety.

Police vehicles and fire service and ambulances are the only vehicles that can enter the zone, after going through check points.

The temple and the city are absolutely safe and we are geared up to face any eventuality, Yadav said.

But Raghavan warned against over-confidence and said authorities needed to be vigilant as extremists were constantly evolving their tactics

Just because nothing has happened here, we should not be complacent. It does not mean that nothing can happen in the future, he told HT.

Read: Cyberabad IT Parks guards cant hold off terrorists for even 3 mins: Expert

This is especially crucial as Tamil Nadu is a treasure trove of architectural marvels in ancient temples and the loss due to their destruction after any attack will be incalculable.

It may be a good thing to revive an old idea of having a special Temple Protection Force, charged with the specific purpose of safeguarding the temples, he said.

The local police are doing a good job but the Centre should pitch in for more counter-terror experts because the threat from outfits such as the Islamic State is different from older organisations such as the al Qaeda, he added.

The IS promises a separate country for its followers, which is very appealing for the youth who are drawn to it. And India can be a potential target, he said.

A mix of human intelligence along with new technology would be crucial to ward off extremist attacks, Raghavan said, citing examples of the Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati and Mumbais Siddhivinayak Temple as having made innovative use of crowd-control and baggage scanning techniques.

This is where rigorous training, re-training and exposure to international practices would come in handy, he said. Of course, security is a costly affair. But costs should never come in the way of increasing security, he said.

Read: Red alert: Why alarm bells should be ringing at Mumbai airport

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The main accused in the Bulandshahr gangrape, Saleem Bawaria, was arrested by Uttar Pradesh police on Monday, after nearly 10 days and the concentrated efforts of about 180 specialised police officers.

The prime suspect in the July 29 Dostpur highway robbery and gangrape incident, apart from several other cases, Bawaria was nabbed along with two accomplices.

The accused had forced a family of six off the road into the fields, tied the men up and gangraped a 35-year-old woman and her 13-year-old daughter, besides robbing them.

Inspector general (Meerut zone) Sujit Pandey confirmed the arrests and said that Saleem was nabbed along with his accomplice Zuber and one other.

We expect that with Saleems arrest, nearly 20-22 cases would be opened up that have taken up in neighboring states. We also have recent cases like the one at Dostpur which was performed by Saleem and his men, the IG said.

Read| Cops wrong, Saleem not a Bawariya tribe member, claim community leaders

Uttar Pradeshs director general of police, Javeed Ahmad had earlier tweeted, Remaining 3 accused in Bulandshr case arrested after week long chase across east India (sic).

The police had already arrested three persons  Raees, Shavez and Jabar Singh.

Police sources said that Saleems gang travelled by buses and trains to evade police patrols and check points instead of using light vehicles to quickly cover large distances, as most highway robbers do.

The gang is also known to assault women during these robberies after separating men and women found travelling together.

As a modus operandi, they keep iron rods, rinch cutters and other similar material to stop moving vehicles and hold them captive on gun point before performing robberies and other crime, a police source said.

Read| I want to punish attackers with my own hands: Bulandshahr rape victim
Prime Minister Narendra Modis statements castigating cow vigilantism and attacks on Dalits may have won over some, but RSS workers have taken exception to them.

Modis speeches over the weekend were hailed as stern messages to fringe elements of the RSS, the BJPs ideological mentor, which are accused of aggressively enforcing a ban on cattle slaughter and beef trade in several states.

Read | Attack me, shoot me if you want, but dont attack Dalits: PM Modi

The RSS brass too issued statements, which appeared to second Modis concern over anti-social elements masquerading as gau rakshaks or cow protectors, and atrocities on Dalits.

But sources in the Sangh assert the mood is far from conciliatory.

The cadre feels the government should have dealt with both issues as a law-and-order problem, which is what it is. The PMs words have alienated karkyakartas (workers) who devote time and resources to protect cows, a source told Hindustan Times.

The RSS cadre is unhappy at being labeled anti-social, and perceives the statements as an effort to undermine the work they do for cow protection and spearheading social harmony.

The issue is expected to come up for discussion at a meeting of the RSS prant pracharaks on Tuesday morning in the Capital.

A message circulating on social media, to an extent, hints at the simmering anger at Modis speech for it demands an apology.

Abhi Samay Hai, Maafi Mango, Waqt Nahi Barbad Karo. Ganga KI jaldhara Budhi Ka Kachra Saaf Kardeti Hai, Gaiya Ma Hai, Bacchon Ki Har Galti Maaf Kar Deti Hai (There is still time, say sorry, dont waste time. A trickle of water from the Ganga cleanses the mind; cow is a mother and forgives all mistakes).

The RSS general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi on Sunday attempted to distance the Sangh from the vigilantes, urging people to expose anti-social elements spreading violence and trying to disturb social harmony in the name of cow protection.

The Sangh leader underlined the need to view the incidents as the handiwork of some political parties and communal groups to create friction between upper caste Hindus and Dalits.

The Sangh does not need lessons in protecting Dalits  The Sangh has always fought for the consolidation of Hindus, and any step that creates a wedge between Dalits and upper castes will not bode well for the BJP in upcoming state assembly polls, a source explained.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to heal wounds and win hearts in her state, where month-long public unrest over a militant leaders death has left more than 50 people dead.

The embattled chief of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which rules the state in alliance with the BJP, invoked former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to push for peace talks with the people of the Kashmir Valley.

There is a need to take the same initiative of winning the peoples heart, which was taken during Vajpayeejis tenure, she said.

The NDA government headed by Vajpayee had initiated a process of dialogue and engagement with the Kashmiri leadership  separatists and political parties alike.

Mufti, who was in the national capital for a meeting with home minister Rajnath Singh, said the Centre should take bold and tangible steps to reach out to the people of Kashmir, and try to reduce the cynicism and alienation among the youth.

The Kashmir Valley has been on the edge for the past one month after the killing of popular Hizbul Mujahideen militant leader Burhan Wani. Large tracts of the Valley are under curfew since July 9, while hospitals are struggling to treat thousands of people wounded in the security crackdown.

Mufti rushed to Delhi for talks with central leaders as protests in the Valley showed no signs of abating.

Besides home minister Singh, defence minister Manohar Parrikar, junior minister in the prime ministers office, Jitendra Singh, national security adviser Ajit Doval, home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, and several senior bureaucrats were present at the meeting.

Kashmir was a talking point in Parliament too, with opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha urging Prime Minister Modi to break his silence on the deteriorating situation.

Opposition leaders urged the Centre to send an all-party delegation to the state, and stop security forces from using pellet guns on protesters. Security forces use pellet guns as a non-lethal weapon in mob control.

Hindustan ka taj jal raha hai: Oppn urges PM Modi to speak on Kashmir

But in Kashmir, many people  especially children  have died or were blinded for life by these pellets. Leader of the Opposition, Ghulam Nabi Azad, said no state in independent India has seen 30 days of continuous curfew. Hindustan ka taj jal raha hai, par uski garmi Delhi tak nahi pahuchti (Indias crown is burning, but the heat hasnt reached Delhi), said the Congress leader from the state. The home minister might make a statement in Parliament on Tuesday, according to a government official.

Chief minister Mufti stood by her partys stated line for a dialogue with the protesters to bring normality to the state. She said Modi should harness the situation to initiate a dialogue and win peoples hearts, the way Vajpayee had done. It is an opportunity to reach out to the people through tangible confidence-building initiatives and provide much-needed healing touch to tide over the trust-deficit, she added.

Also, she pointed out that her state could become a bridge between India and Pakistan.

There is a need to apply balm to the wounds of the Kashmiri people  These are our own people. If a dialogue can improve the situation in the Valley, we should do it, she told reporters. She did not meet Modi and returned to Srinagar in the evening.
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear the interim bail plea of Vikas Yadav, who is serving a 25-year jail term for the murder of Nitish Katara in 2002, on the grounds that he has business obligations to fulfil.

A bench of justices Dipak Misra and C Nagappan said the appeal against Delhi high court order awarding 25 years jail to him without any remission may be listed for August 29.

Senior advocate UR Lalit appearing for Yadav, son of former parliamentarian DP Yadav, said the application for interim bail has been moved as he has already undergone over 14 years of sentence. He sought time from the court for detailed hearing of the appeal against the sentence awarded to Yadav by the high court.

The bench then posted the matter for further hearing after senior counsel Dayan Krishnan, appearing for Delhi government, did not oppose the request for additional time for hearing on the matter.

The Delhi high court on February 6 rejected the plea for death sentence and had enhanced the life imprisonment of Vikas Yadav and his cousin Vishal to 25 years in jail without any remission, and an additional five years for destruction of evidence in the killing of Katara. The court held that the murder of Katara, who was in love with Vikas sister, was an honour killing which was done in a very carefully planned and premeditated manner with extreme vengeance.

Read | Nitish Katara murder case: SC upholds conviction of 3 convicts

Yadavs acquaintance Sukhdev Yadav alias Pehelwan was also awarded an enhanced life sentence of 20 years without remission by the court which held that the crime fell in rarest of rare category, but saved them from the gallows saying possibility of their reformation and rehabilitation is not unforseeably foreclosed.

The high court decided to enhance the trial courts sentence to the trio, saying amplitude of the gravity of the offence... cries for the need that they be adequately punished. It also enhanced the fines imposed on Vikas and Vishal by slapping an amount of Rs 54 lakh each on them.
The monsoon session is turning out to be a watershed. Not because the Rajya Sabha finally gave the nod to the bill that will pave the way for the goods and services tax (GST) and, also not because this session has seen the least disruptions in four years.

It is a watershed because the BJP, for once, is acting like the ruling party. And the Congress, for a change, is thinking beyond being the perpetual opposition party.

Dont think we are going to be the party that is always in opposition. We will come to power sooner or later. We cannot come in the way of a legislation that is of crucial national importance, a senior party leader quoted Congress president Sonia Gandhi as saying on the GST bill.

Ahead of the session, the enforcement directorate had registered an FIR against former Haryana chief minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Hooda for alleged irregularities in the allotment of land to The National Herald newspaper.

A two-way street

It was expected that the BJP would corner the Congress over the case in which Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi have been accused of misusing party funds to float shell companies and illegally gain control of assets belonging to the now-defunct National Herald.

But to everyones surprise the BJP and even its MP Subramanian Swamy, a Gandhi baiter who has filed the case, have been silent, so far. The BJP seems to have also forgotten the AgustaWestland scandal, which dominated the last session.

The new parliamentary affairs minister, Ananth Kumar, is often seen walking over to the Opposition benches in the Lok Sabha to have a chat or dropping in the Central Hall of Parliament to have tea with opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge.

During an interaction recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorted senior Congress leader KV Thomas to support the GST bill, saying it was the child of the UPA government. Thomas told Modi that the BJPs repeated talk of Congress-mukt Bharat irked his party. Modi didnt say anything but one doesnt hear this slogan from BJP leaders any more.

A BJP floor manager conceded there was a conscious attempt not to rile the main Opposition party. Our priority is to get the bills passed and not to score political brownies, he said.

The realisation might have dawned a bit late but the new approach, if carried on, will help the government deliver on its promises.

Change is here

It is not just the BJP, the Congress, too, seems to have done a rethink. It was evident when the Lok Sabha discussed changes to the lokpal and lokayukta act to extend the July 31 deadline for the declaration of assets by public servants, NGO office-bearers and their spouses.

As some Trinamool Congress and Left members objected, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, too, asked party members to stand up and oppose the proposed amendments.

A colleague was quick to point out that party leader Digvijaya Singh was part of a delegation that called on the Prime Minister to demand the changes. Rahul Gandhi, who had publically berated the Manmohan Singh cabinet for an ordinance that would have helped convicted law-makers, made a quiet retreat.

A Congress leader admitted the BJP had outwitted them. When the BJP was in the opposition, it forced House washouts and went on to justify the disruptions as a parliamentary tactic.

But when the Congress sought to do the same, the BJP accused it of stalling development. The fact is the BJP succeeded in spreading this propaganda, projecting us as anti-development, the Congressman said.

The BJP and the Congress might have their own reasons for changing their parliamentary tactics but they seem to agree, even if by default, to give a legislative push to the agenda of governance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday afternoon is likely to speak on the goods and services tax bill in the Lok Sabha, which is to vote on the bill passed by the Rajya Sabha to pave the way for the roll out of Indias biggest tax reform.

The speech will be the PMs first address to the House this year. Modi, who completed two years in office in May, has spoken in the Lok Sabha nine times and thrice in the Rajya Sabha.

On some occasions, Modi took on the Opposition, on others, he talked consensus. Violence against women and minorities and ties with Pakistan were also addressed by him. He has also snubbed the hot-heads in the party and the government for fanning communal trouble.

But, two issues have been a constant: The Dalits and the poor.

A look at some of his Lok Sabha speeches:

June 6, 2014: A first-time MP, Modi addressed the Lok Sabha 10 days after he took oath as the Prime Minister. The House had unanimously elected Sumitra Mahajan the Speaker. Modi while congratulating Mahajan, urged the members to shun some traditions such as disruptions and make a new start. With 315 members making their debut, Modi said the House almost felt like the first Lok Sabha.

June 12, 2014: Replying to the motion of thanks on the presidents address to Parliament, Modi said, Poor people have the first right over this country. Condemning rape and violence against women, he said, I want to appeal to all people that please stop psychological analysis in incidents of rape.

December 5, 2014: As a storm raged over minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyotis Ramzaade vs Haramzaade comments, Modi told the Lok Sabha he disapproved of the remarks, which were made during an election rally in Delhi. I have told her not to use such language and I strongly disapprove use of such language, he said. A day earlier he had addressed the Rajya Sabha on the same issue.

December 19, 2014: Two weeks later, Modi spoke in the Lok Sabha again. A Pakistani court had given bail to 26/11 mastermind and Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and the opposition wanted a statement from the PM. We have conveyed our message in strong words. After so many children were killed by terrorists in Pakistan, such an incident (granting bail) shocks humanists all over the world, Modi said, referring to the Pakistan Taliban massacring 132 children in a Peshawar school.

March1, 2015: Replying to the motion of thanks on the presidents address, Modi talked about violence against Muslims and said, No one has the right to take the law into his own hands, discriminate on the basis of community.

November 27, 2015: Commemorating the Constitution Day, Modi highlighted the contribution of BR Ambedkar. Babasaheb witnessed so much yet there was no bitterness in him and it did not reflect in the Constitution, Modi said, describing the Constitution as a social document. He also tried to reach out to the Opposition, which had been making its numeric strength in the Rajya Sabha count, saying consensus was the greatest strength of a democracy.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Prime Minister Narendra Modis maiden visit to the tribal heartland of Madhya Pradesh was caught in a controversy on Monday after a goof-up in a full-page advertisement published in major Hindi dailies by followers of a local BJP leader.

The advertisement by the Sanstha Saadgi Kapil Chaudhary Mitra Mandal on the occasion of former Indore legislator Jitu Jiratis birthday described Modis visit to Bhabhara as a celebration of Adivasi Unmoolan Diwas or Tribal Eradication Day and not the World Tribal Day.

The advertisement carried the photographs of Modi, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP president Amit Shah, senior party leader Kailash Vijavargiya and Jirati.

Jirati remained incommunicado on Monday and his mobile phones were switched off.

On the other hand, local BJP leaders are now caught in a desperate face-saving exercise as Modi is set to visit Alirajpur on Tuesday to celebrate the World Tribal Day.

I spoke to the people who inserted the advertisement in the newspapers. They claimed it was a mistake of proofreading, and the word Unnayan got replaced with Unmoolan, local BJP spokesperson Alok Dubey told Hindustan Times.

Sachin Jain, a social worker, said the tribals will soon draw a connection to the attacks on Dalits in some of the BJP-led states.

It may be a mistake, but it is a matter of serious concern because it gives a message that tribal society might be facing a planned threat, Jain said.

Moreover, how can you write wrong Hindi in Indias Hindi-heartland? Jain said.

Modi will also pay his respects to revolutionary freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad, who was born in Alirajpur districts Bhabhara village in 1906, by launching Yaad Karo Kurbani, a nation-wide campaign to commemorate the valour of freedom fighters.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati said on Monday that Prime Minister Narendra Modis statements on Dalit atrocity was notorious (shsraratpurn) and motivated by vote bank policy.

They were in slumber like Kumbhakarna, but now their eyes have opened, because there are assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and some other states and they knew it well that Dalits were not going to vote for them. Thus, the Prime Ministers statement was aimed at winning Dalit votes, Mayawati told reporters outside Parliament.

We have been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Modi in Parliament against atrocities on Dalits across the country. But he could not muster his confidence to make a statement in the House, and thus, he made statements outside, said the BSP chief taking strong exception to the Prime Ministers statements at the town hall meeting in Delhi and BJP workers meeting in Hyderabad.

Two years on, since this government came to power at the Centre; and for the past two years, first, people of the Muslim community were targeted in the name of cow protection, and now Dalits are being targeted on one pretext or another, as the case of Rohith Vemula is before you. But the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government, especially Prime Minister Modi, remained silent for the past two years, she said criticising silence maintained by the Prime Minister after lynching of 52-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq Saifi in Uttar Pradeshs Dadari and suicide committed by research scholar Rohith Vemula on the Hyderabad University premises.

Mayawati said, Dalits, who are subjected to atrocities across the country, dont need sympathies of the BJP, the Centre and the Prime Minister; they want strict action against people involved in their atrocities.

When asked about former BSP MLA Swami Prasad Maurya joining the BJP, she said she doesnt want to waste her time and energy by commenting on such people.

In an unusual expression of solidarity with the Dalit community that faced the wrath of so-called cow protectors in Gujarat recently, Prime Minister Modi on Sunday went hammer and thongs at them, saying if they want to shoot, they should shoot him, but not his Dalit brothers.
A boy, who had suffered pellet injuries last week in Shopian, died at a hospital here on Monday, taking the toll due to pellet guns to five and total deaths in Kashmir unrest to at least 58.

The death of the 17-year-old due to pellet wounds busts the governments stance that the controversial weapon is non-lethal.

This comes on the day CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told the Rajya Sabha, Even Israel does not use pellet guns against Palestinians.

Amir Bashir Lone, a resident of Sedow area in Shopian, was injured when forces fired pellet guns in retaliation against a massive civilian protest in the area. According to the family, Lone had gone out to offer Friday prayers.

Friday had seen massive clashes leading to three deaths and over 300 injured people in the Valley. Lone died at the Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar where he had been admitted on August 5 and was lying unconscious at the ICU since then.

In pics: Of barbed wire and fierce protests: Life under lockdown in Kashmir

Sources at SKIMS told HT on the strict condition of anonymity that Lone had multiple injuries in his head and brain due to the pellets leading to his death.

They added the pellets had ruptured Lones brain and bone fragments had also gone inside. His grievous injuries included compound fractures in which a bone fracture causes an open wound through which bones protrude and haematoma which is characterised by collection of blood outside the vessels.

Lone used to work as a welder at a blacksmith shop in Shopian. He had taken leave for Eid and was supposed to report to work today. But he is dead now, Zahoor Ahmad Ahanger, the owner of the shop, told HT. Of the five deaths reported last week, two were due to pellet injuries.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Delegation interacts with MWC officials to understand success of Public-Private Partnership model in development of an integrated business ecosystem

Mahindra World City Jaipur Ltd. (MWC Jaipur), a joint venture between Mahindra Lifespace Developers Limited (MLDL) and Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO), recently hosted a delegation of senior government officials representing the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh. Organised by the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA), the government body responsible for the development of hi-tech parks and IT parks in Bangladesh, the objective of the delegations visit was to acquire a deeper understanding of the strategy, approach and best practices deployed in the creation of integrated industrial ecosystems developed as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The delegation included Hosne Ara Begum  Managing Director, BHTPA; Mahbooba Panna  Deputy Secretary, Information and Communication Technology Division; Masoma Zaman - Senior Assistant Secretary, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division; Abdun Nur Mohammad Al Firoz - Law Officer (Deputy Secretary), Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Shohid Mohammad Saidul Huq - ADC (Education & ICT), Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Sylhet; Barrister Md. Golam Sorwar Bhuiyan - Project Director, Sylhet Electronic City Building Project, BHTPA; Md. Aminul Haque - Senior Assistant Secretary, Posts & Telecommunication Division; Md. Mahafuzul Kabir - Assistant Director, BHTPA; and Shoaib Ahmad Khan - Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Land.

As the delegation toured MWC Jaipur, studying its design and scope with respect to infrastructure solutions and IT facilities, Hosne Ara Begum, Managing Director, BHTPA, commented, I am delighted to see how well-planned, world-class infrastructure, when combined with favourable conditions for business and industry, can successfully drive holistic growth for all stakeholders in a PPP-driven industrial ecosystem. MWC Jaipur is a unique model of sustainable urbanisation, a strong testament to the foresight of the Govt. of Rajasthan and the Mahindra Group, and their combined vision for the creation of an integrated business city focused on improving the lives of stakeholders. The BHTPA will take the relevant learnings as considerations in our plans to cater to opportunities that Bangladesh has to offer and consider best model for benefit of Industry.

Extending a warm welcome to the delegation, Sanjay Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer, Mahindra World City, Jaipur added, The concept of Mahindra World City as an integrated business city designed to drive a balance between Livelihood, Living and Life is globally relevant; it is built on the foundation of economic and social development in harmony with local communities and the environment. Mahindra World City, Jaipur has driven industrial growth and created employment opportunities, at the same time leveraging the strengths and knowhow of stakeholders, thereby creating a win-win environment for all.

Comprising three operational multi-sector SEZs (IT/ITeS, Engineering & Related Industries, Handicrafts) and a Domestic Tariff Area (also operational), and with Social & Residential infrastructure planned for, MWC Jaipur is today a preferred business destination for 65+ clients; these include MNCs like Infosys, JCB, Perto, Ball Corporation, Deutsche Bank, Genpact and MetLife, among others. The world class plug-n-play infrastructure at MWC Jaipur offers significant advantages to global companies looking to expand their businesses in India.
The Modi governments toilet-building mission has been exceeding targets, but getting people to use them is proving difficult. Assessments show that culturally entrenched habits linked to poor sanitation mean rural households still prefer doing it in the open, despite having access to loos.

As India carries out its largest exercise to end open defecation, two surveys conducted to assess the situation show rapid expansion of toilets relative to targets  especially in 300 worst-affected districts. Thats about half of India.

However, usage patterns tell a different story.

Mass open defecation has been linked to the spread of infectious diseases, poor health among children, and even deaths. According to World Bank estimates, losses from poor sanitation shave off about 6% of Indias GDP.

Read| Lack of toilets: Our women are forced to go out in the open

A state-initiated rapid survey found rural India a big behavioural challenge. In the countryside, 52% of the population still defecates in the open. Another ethnographic study by demographers quoted 47% of rural households in five states as saying that they prefer open defecation because it was pleasurable, comfortable or convenient.

The NDA governments Swachh Bharat or Clean India Mission aims to end open defecation by October 2, 2019  Mahatma Gandhis 150th birth anniversary. On paper, the accomplishments look good. In 2014-15, the government built 5.8 million toilets against a target of 5 million, exceeding it by 16%. In 2015-16, 12.7 million loos were built against a target of 12 million. Since the start of the mission in 2014, 21 million toilets were installed in rural areas  covering 53.6% of the population.

However, cultural preferences remain a stumbling block. We are fully aware of this, and are fine-tuning our monitoring strategy accordingly, said Ashutosh Ranjan, the coordinator for a key resource centre in Bihars Araria district.

Read| Swachh Bharat mission needs a peoples push

Apart from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana, Bihar shows a revealed preference for open defecation, says Dianne Coffey, a demographer who studied defecation habits.

Many considered open defecation as the way to a wholesome, healthy, virtuous life, while others said evacuating bowels in the open enabled them to take in fresh air, Coffey  who led the study  said.

The renewed strategy addresses the need for monitoring the outputs (toilets) and outcomes (toilet usage) through key resource centres that help collectors and panchayat (village councils), an official said.

Read| Over 5 lakh defecate in the open due to lack of toilets in Delhi

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Police killed a former Maoist and gangster involved in over 100 criminal cases, including the murder of a former IPS officer, in a shootout in Telanganas Mahbubnagar district on Monday.

Police sources said a Greyhounds team - an elite anti-extremist force of Telangana police - surrounded a residential neighbourhood in Shadnagar town, about 50km from Hyderabad, in the morning on a tip-off. They also vacated surrounding houses as a precautionary measure.

Mohammed Nayeemuddin, alias Nayeem, and his accomplices shot at police, who returned fire. After a gunfight that lasted around 10 minutes, police entered the hideout and found Nayeem in a pool of blood. His followers are learnt to have fled the spot.

Police recovered a few weapons from the spot. Further details are awaited.

Nayeem, who belonged to Bhongir town in Nalgonda district, worked for the Peoples War Group in the late 1980s.

He was allegedly involved in the killing of Indian Police Service officer KS Vyas on January 27, 1993. He was arrested for the murder but got bail and turned a gangster.

He was also involved in 20 murder cases, including that of surrendered Maoist Sambasivudu, his brother Ramulu, another ex-Maoist Patlolla Goverdhan Reddy and civil liberties leader Purushottam.

He and his gang were involved in land settlements, real estate dealings, illegal arms supply and extortions.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A minor boy has been taken into police custody on charges of raping a five-year-old Dalit girl at Kheda village in Hapur district.

The accused, also a Dalit, was known to the girls family and visited her home often, SP Alankrita Singh told PTI from Hapur over phone.

The girl has identified the youth who has confessed, Singh said.

The girls clothes have also been recovered from him, she said, adding a medical examination of the girl confirmed rape.

The accused will be produced before a juvenile court on Monday, Singh said.

Meanwhile, a three-member team of doctors is attending to the victim at a hospital in Meerut. Gynaecologist professor Kirti Dubey said the girl is running a minor fever and will be fine in 1-2 days.

The incident took place on Friday night when the girl along with her family was sleeping outside their house. At around 1.30am the family members found the girl missing as they got up to go inside after it started raining.

The girl was later found unconscious and naked near a tubewell in a forest near the house. Angered by the incident, villagers had blocked the NH-24 on Saturday.

The Uttar Pradesh government has come under flak over a string of rape incidents, including the gangrape of a woman and her daughter who were dragged out of their car by the accused on National Highway-91 in Bulandshahr.

Hapur is around 65km from Delhi.
A woman was allegedly paraded naked and her head partially tonsured at the behest of the panchayat at Munni Baigra village under Pear police station of Muzaffarpur district, 72km north of Patna, on Saturday.

The incident came to light when the victim, Sukhiya, 38, (name changed) reached the womens police station to lodge a complaint against her husband, sarpanch and other people present in the panchayat.

In her written complaint to the police, Sukhiya alleged that her husband used to force her into prostitution. When I objected to it, he beat me mercilessly. He also beat up my son, who took my side, said Sukhiya.

She said that in order to teach her a lesson, her husband alleged that she was involved in an illicit relationship with another man, and took the matter to the village panchayat.

When I reached the panchayat on Saturday, the panchs (members of village court) passed an order to strip and parade me through the village streets, Sukhiya said in her complaint.

The local police initially refused to take my complaint. Finally, when I met the senior superintendent of police (SSP), he directed the womens police station to register my complaint, the victim told newspersons.

Muzaffarpur SSP Vivek Kumar said he had ordered a probe into the incident. He assured the woman that all culprits would be booked soon and justice dispensed to her.

I have asked the SHO of Pear police station to arrest the sarpanch, womans husband and 26 others accused in the case, the SSP told HT.
In the last five minutes of his speech at a public meeting in central Gujarats Dhanduka tehsil, the voice of Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani becomes shriller.

Around 200 members of the Dalit community form the audience for Mevani, who is leading a 10-day march from Ahmedabad to Una, at a dimly-lit assembly hall of a government school. The 350-km march has been organised to galvanise Dalits to protest the atrocities against the community in the state.

More than half are women and could be seen with their faces covered with the end of their sari.

It is time to give the enthralled audience something they could go home with. Repeat after me, says Mevani, convenor of Una Dalit Atyachar Ladai Samiti. Gaaye nu puchhdu taame rakho, amne amaari jameen aapo (You keep the cows tail, give us our land).

He has hit the core and a deafening sound reverberates across the venue.

In the current wave of Dalit anger that was triggered by the Una incident, protesters in Gujarat have been using puns, jokes and wordplay to signify the distinctive nature of their unrest. They are assertive, inclusive and have concrete demands, indicating a shift from rhetoric and symbolism.

Here are some of the slogans heard at the ongoing march to Una:

1. Gaaye nu puchhdu taame rakho, aamne amaari jameen aapo (You keep the cows tail, give us our land)

Subodh Parmar of the Samiti, the group leading the foot march, says someone from the crowd came up with this slogan at the Dalit mahasabha in Ahmedabad on July 31.

Cows tailis a metaphor for the traditional job that many in the community still follow: Skinning of dead bovines and disposing of carcasses. After the Una incident, Dalits have been taking a pledge to boycott their job and demanding land for alternative livelihoods.

2. Lathh le kar jayenge, jameen khulli karaenge (We will go with sticks to get hold of our land)

This is the only slogan that was drafted by Samiti members while planning the July 11 gathering.

Demanding land for Dalit families is a key demand of protesters.

The Samiti and members of the Jan Sangharsh Manch, a civil society organisation, have been working for land rights for Dalits in Gujarat. They have highlighted cases where land has been allotted to the community members on paper but they are either not aware of it or their land was encroached upon.

We are saying that if upper caste people use violence on a Dalit to ensure that he is unable to use the land that belongs to him, he should retaliate with violence, Mevani says.

3. Gujarat model fail, fail

It is a slogan that has been raised in almost all the protests in Gujarat in the last two years.

Since Narendra Modi was anointed as the Prime Minister, his close aides and his PR machinery have been harping about the Gujarat model referring to the governance in the state which had Modi as the chief minister from 2001 to 2014.

Protesters have been questioning the model saying it is a failure as it could not ensure the safety of Muslims and Dalit communities. The idea is to convey that atrocities on Dalits are not confined to Una and the trend is widespread across the state.

4. Gaaye jiski maata hai, saand uska baap hai (One who considers cow as his mother should treat the bull as his father)

As villagers in Dholka tehsil joined the march, they came up with wordplay that is undoubtedly the most assertive response of the community members to those who consider cow as sacred.

As we tried to find the genesis of this one, we were told that the killing of Mohammad Ikhlaq in Uttar Pradeshs Dadri village over rumours that he ate cow meat, prompted a wave of reaction on social media. One of the most viral messages on these social media platforms was to suggest cow sympathisers to establish a mythological connection with the bull.

It is cultural resistance, Ahmedabad-based sociologist Ghanshyam Shah, who has closely watched Dalit movements across the country, says.

Ours is a diverse country. Different sects and communities have different food habits and multiple choices when it comes to worship. Dalits want to express that they are alright with someone worshipping the cow. But it should not be imposed on them as it is not part of their culture, he adds.

5. Hamein chahiye azadi (We want freedom)

Meena Mashal is a Dalit activist from Haryana. She used this slogan as she joined the march on Sunday. Within moments, she drew large crowds of girls and women in the village.

Used mostly by residents in Kashmir, the slogan is a favourite among student leaders in Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University. In February, the slogan caught the imagination of the country after Jawaharlal Nehru University students union leader Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested and charged with sedition by Delhi Police for allegedly raising anti-India slogans.

In the backdrop of the Dalit protests in Gujarat, it denotes freedom from casteism.

Academic and activist: Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani rises in Gujarat

Dalit freedom march begins in Gujarat, with promise of change

Ahmedabad to Una: The great Gujarat Dalit march for freedom

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Yemeni security officials say at least 10 fighters from a pro-government militia have been killed when suspected al Qaeda militants targeted their convoy with two car bombs.

The officials say the attack took place late on Sunday in the Yafea area in Lahj province, where Yemens al Qaeda branch controls several areas, including a large base in which it has stockpiled heavy weapons looted from army depots elsewhere.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media.

Al Qaeda has taken advantage of Yemens civil war to gain a foothold in several southern Yemeni areas.

The war pits troops and militiamen loyal to the internationally recognized government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, against Shiite Houthi rebels and a former presidents loyalists.
The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition are now in a tussle over the Quit India movement.

On the anniversary of the 74th anniversary of the Quit India movement that was launched in 1942 during the struggle for independence, the BJP government has planned a `Quit India 2 campaign to fight corruption, illiteracy, farmer suicides, addiction and water wastage.

The state government has issued an advertisement in newspapers on Monday announcing the campaign that will be launched by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at the August Krant Maidan on Tuesday. It was the same place where Mahatma Gandhi had called for the Quit India Movement against British rule.

The Congress has strongly criticised the BJP for using the Quit India movement background and legacy for political gain. The party said the BJP or ideological fountainhead Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were never associated with the movement and the saffron partys attempt to use the movements name will belittle its importance.

City unit chief of Mumbai Congress Sanjay Nirupam questioned the saffron partys right to use the movements legacy.

The RSS was never associated with the Quit India movement that Mahatma Gandhi launched on August 9, 1942. In fact, the RSS had opposed the movement. By using the name and claiming to launch the second phase, I think they are ridiculing the legacy of the movement, said Nirupam.



He further said that the RSS was never active during the fight for freedom.

They have never given due importance to Independence Day either. It is for the first time that the BJP-led government was seen celebrating the Quit India movement anniversary at the Gowalia tank, he said.



The Mumbai Congress has also announced a protest against the state government for not allowing it to celebrate the anniversary. The party claimed that it was denied the permission, despite having asked for it well in advance and despite the fact that the Congress celebrate the day every year at the ground. Nirupam also alleged that the BJP has raised its pandal illegally and the Congress would raze it if not given permission.

After we applied for permission for the programme on July 18, the Mumbai Police and the Archeological Survey of India have granted it to us, but the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, on the behest of the BJP leaders, have denied us permission. On the contrary, the BJP put up a pandal there illegally. Such is the high-handedness of the ruling party, he added.
Mumbai: The Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) on Monday arrested a fourth accused in its ongoing nationwide crackdown against Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) recruits from India. The accused, Raisuddin Siddique, 37, a teacher from Hingoli area in Maharashtra, was arrested for his alleged links to the Parbhani ISIS module.

Police sources said Siddique was detained for questioning on Saturday, after they received information on his role in the conspiracy to carry out strikes at the Aurangabad police headquarters and at a senior IPS officers residence.

Siddique worked in an Urdu medium school at Hingoli where he taught English. ATS sources said Siddique came from a well-educated family in Parbhani; his brother is a doctor and his father a contractor. Siddique, who was addressed as commander in the Parbhani module, used to chat online with the three other members.

ATS will now verify the details by inspecting the computers at the school where he teaches.

The ATS has previously arrested three other suspects from Parbhani  Naser Bin Yafai Chaus, a 31-year-old civil contractor, on July 14; Shahid Khan, 24, an ITI drop-out, on July 24; and Iqbal Ahmed Kabir Ahmed, 28, employee at a mobile shop, on August 7.

All four suspects met at often in Noor-Ul-Quran masjid near Madina Pati, where they discussed their plan, said ATS sources.

ATS began cracking the module when it started questioning Chaus and Khan. Through their interrogation, the police arrested Ahmed from Gulzar colony near Noor-Ul-Quran Masjid in Parbhani. Ahmed was produced in court at Aurangabad and was remanded in police custody till August 12.

Chaus and Khan have told police, during their interrogation, that there are other people involved in the planning in the Parbhani module. Ahmed and Siddique were part of the plan from beginning, said ATS sources. The agency is also probing the role of other persons associated with the module.
Travellers frequenting the Western Express Highway and western suburbs, particularly between Andheri and Dahisar, need to brace for more traffic snarls from Monday, as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Developing Authority (MMRDA) plans to barricade the roads for construction of the Metro 7 corridor.

Three contractors are going to barricade a one kilometre stretch each at three different locations. M/s Simplex will barricade the stretch from Hub Mall to the beginning of Aarey flyover; M/s J Kumar will barricade between Pathanwadi and Pushpa Park; while M/s NCC will do it between Metro Mall and Devipada.

The planning and developing authority for Mumbai Metropolitan Region further added that the barricading work will take about 10 to 12 days after which utility wrenching will begin on around August 20.

MMRDA is building the elevated corridor between Andheri (East) and Dahisar (East). The estimated cost for this project is Rs 6200 crore. It will have 30 stations.

The corridor is expected to severely affect traffic movement on Western express highway and western suburbs. According to commuters, in normal traffic conditions, it takes at least 1.30 to 2.30 hours to travel from Bandra to Dahisar via Western Express Highway. Barricading of a total of three kilometres is expected to bring down the speed of traffic, leading to the rise in travel time.

Taking this into consideration, MMRDA appealed to citizens to cooperate with them. We request people to cooperate with us to complete this mega project in time, which will relieve traffic congestion on WEH. The corridor will also save time, energy, fuel and improve environment, said Pravin Darade, additional Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA.
The Mumbai crime branch did not file a reply today in the Hema Upadhyay-Haresh Bhambani double murder case on an application filed by accused Pradeep Rajbhar that he confessed to the crime because of police threats.

In June, Pradeep told the sessions court that he confessed under duress. Pradeep had recorded his confession before a magistrate under provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

The Kandivli police, while filing the charge sheet in May, had attached Pradeeps confession, where he stated he committed the crime on the directions of Hemas estranged husband Chintan Upadhyay. Pradeep said the confession was extracted out of him under pressure.

Prosecutor Datta Mudiganti, however, told the Dindoshi sessions court on Monday, It is yet to be decided whether the Kandivli police or the crime branch will file a reply.

While the Kandivli police have filed a charge sheet in the case following the arrest of five accused, the case was transferred to the Mumbai crime branch following an arbitrary order by police commissioner Datta Padsalgikar.

The court also asked the police to file a reply in the matters where the mother of absconding accused Vidhyadhar Rajbhar has filed application requesting custody of the Charkop warehouse. The police have stated in the charge sheet that Upadhyay and Bhambani were murdered at the warehouse.

The property belongs to the absconding accused and investigation is on as a result it cannot be returned to the kin of accused, Kadar Sayani argued appearing for Borivli Advocates Bar Association.

So far, the police have arrested five people, including Chintan and the four Rajbhars  Pradeep, Vijay, Shivkumar and a minor accused. In the charge sheet, the Kandivli police submitted that Vidhyadhar along with Pradeep, Shivkumar and the minor accused killed Hema and Bhambani at the Charkop warehouse on December 11 last year. Their bodies were dumped in a nearby drain and recovered a day later.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A look through the long waiting lists for organs at civic hospitals across the city made more than 200 students from a south Mumbai college sign a pledge to donate their organs.

Encouraged by the response, the management of Lala Lajpatrai College in Haji Ali has decided to take the campaign outside its campus to woo other Mumbaiities to join the cause.

Our students have planned an entire campaign which started by sensitising our college mates and then encourage other people to become an organ donor. Over the weekend our students were spread across the city taking this awareness programme to the masses, said Sangeeta Makkad, coordinator. bachelors of mass media,

At MD College, Parel, National Service Scheme (NSS) students tied up with a non-governmental organisation, Mohan Foundation, in conducting a workshop on campus. We were hoping to explain to students how this process works, but many have agreed to pledge for the cause without even consulting their parents. Awareness is of utmost importance, said T Ghule, principal, MD College.

The group was engaged in similar programmes with other institutes across the state.

While awareness programmes on campus include discussions and interactive sessions, some stage street plays to put the point across. BMM students of Nagindas Khandwala College in Malad have invited experts to sensitise their students. Students then used the knowledge to plan street plays which will be enacted across Mumbai this week. Instead of simply pledging to become an organ donor, we want to make sure that the youth understands why this is a very important issue. We want them to know why they need to be aware and how they can help. Our camping aims at awareness and we hope to reach out to as many people as possible, said Preethi Rao, BMM coordinator of the college. RD National College in Bandra directed its awareness campaign towards parents.

For 20-year-old Arishti Sheth, attending a workshop on organ donation encouraged her to take this message to her friends and teachers in college. We think of organ donation as a concept that can happen to others, but not about how we can help in this cause. I convinced our professor to work a campaign around this issue and through social media weve reached out to more students from other colleges, said the thirdyear BMM student of Lala Lajpatrai College. Students from other colleges such as Narsee Monjee College, Mithibai College ( both in Vile Parle) and St Xaviers College in Dhobi Talao have adopted similar awareness campaigns.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
faisal.malik@hindustantimes.com

Mumbai: Four of Maharashtras 288 MLAs have assets worth more than Rs100 crore, 10 more than Rs50 crore, and 80 more than Rs10 crore. In fact, 88% the MLAs (253) have assets of at least Rs1 crore. Yet only one of them, the independent Bachu Kadu, on Monday refused the huge pay hike legislators had given themselves on Friday. Four MLCs too turned down the bounty.

The pay hike will cost the state Rs166 crore more when it has a debt burden of Rs3.5 lakh crore and poor anganwadi workers who earn a few thousand rupees a month are denied the paltry hike they want.

MLAs monthy pay went up from Rs70,000 to Rs1,50,000 and that of ministers from Rs57,000 a month to Rs2 lakh.

Major general (retd) Anil Verma, national head of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), which calculated the legislators wealth by examining election affidavits filed by them in 2014, criticised the more than 100% hike the legislators gifted themselves.

He demanded a mechanism on the lines of the pay commission to decide salary of legislators. For instance, the UK has a special set up that decides salaries of lawmakers.

The ADRs analysis also suggested that the average assets of MLAs rose from Rs4.99 crore in the 2009 assembly elections to Rs10.87 crore in the 2014 assembly elections.

MLAs with assets in excess of Rs100 crore are the BJPs Mangal Prabhat Lodha (Rs198 crore), the Samajwadi Partys Abu Asim Azmi (Rs 156 crore), the BJPs Tukaram Mulik (Rs105 crore) and the Bahujan Vikas Agadi Hitendra Thakur (Rs100 crore). They were not among the five legislators who refused to accept the pay hike.

A party wise break-up indicates that 85% of the BJPs 122 MLAs, 86% of the Shiv Senas 63 MLAs, 91% of the 42 Congress MLAs and 95% of the 41 MLAs from the NCP, declared assets more than Rs1 crore.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Ghaziabad district administration hiked circle rates of residential areas by 2 to 5% for 2016-17, effective from Monday. The rate hike for residential areas last year averaged at around 5%.

Based on the present hike, Kaushambi is still the prime residential locality with the highest rates among residential areas, ranging from Rs.72,500 to Rs.79,700 per square metres (sqm). The varied rates are based on whether the property is located on a road up to 30-metres-wide, 31 to 60-metres-wide or above 60-metres-wide.

Kaushambi is followed by the eight sectors of Indirapuram where the new rates stand between Rs.66,500 and Rs.73,100 per sqm, based on road widths. The locality earlier had an average rate of nearly Rs.72,600 per sqm.

The rates in nearby Vaishali have now gone up to between Rs.67,500 and Rs.74,200 per sqm based on road width. The rates here averaged nearly Rs.73,700 per sqm previously. Similarly, circle rates in Surya Nagar, Ramprastha and Chander Nagar have also been brought at par with Vaishali. Their rates stood at around Rs.73,700 per sqm on average until recently. The circle rates in Vasundhara will now go from Rs.61,600 sqm to between Rs.56,500 and Rs.62,100 per sqm.

The rates have been increased marginally from Rs.500 to Rs.1,000 per sqm as compared to previous years. There has been no increase in industrial and commercial property rates this year. The rates will come into effect from August 8. There are several villages whose residents had opted for higher circle rates, so several villages were given a hike of 10% as compared to previous years, said Rajesh Sharma, assistant commissioner (stamps).

The hike has been marginal in residential areas this year and most of the objections from the public were accepted before deciding on the final rates. We are still open to accepting objections from commercial property owners if their land cost and carpet areas differ. They should come with documentary evidence and submit it to us for any revision, he added.

The circle rate hike comes despite a slump in the real estate market. In contrast, a couple of months ago, the Gurgaon district administration had proposed a 15% reduction in circle rate across all segments for the 2016-17 fiscal.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Star Indian shooter Abhinav Bindras quest for a second Olympics medal ended in heartbreak as he missed a medal by a whisker in a tense shoot-off in the mens 10m air rifle event on the third day of competitions at the Rio Games in Rio de Janeiro on Monday..

Bindra, the countrys lone individual Olympic gold medallist, lost the shoot-off against Ukrainian Serhiy Kulish after both were tied for third place at 163.8 points after 16 shots.

Bindra, who was playing in his fifth and final Olympics, was deprived of a fairytale ending of his glorious career as he was the fifth shooter to be eliminated in the race for the podium. He could at least have bagged a bronze had he won the shoot-off.

The 33-year-old Indian, who won a gold in 2008 Beijing Olympics in the same event, was at the second spot at one time but lost places later on. He was fourth at first elimination round but jumped to second after the second elimination round.

For LIVE Coverage: Rio 2016 Live: Abhinav Bindra finishes fourth, India lose nailbiter to Germany

Bindra scored a fantastic 10.7 in his 11th shot to jump to second spot but moved back to third after the third elimination round.

Two mediocre shots took him to fourth spot after the fourth elimination round but he bounced back in the next round with scores of 10.6 and 10.2.

But that was not enough for Bindra to stay clear in the top three as he was tied at third spot with Ukrainian Kulish at 163.8 points.

Despite a strong backing of Indian supporters cheering him, Bindra just could not make it count in the shoot-off as he was beaten by his opponent and with it ended his dreams of becoming a double Olympic medallist and join wrestler Sushil Kumar.

Italys Niccolo Campriani, silver medalist in the London Games four years ago, won the gold while Kulish and Russian Vladimir Maslennikov took the silver and bronze respectively.

Earlier in the day, Bindra had qualified for the finals at seventh spot while London Olympics bronze-medallist Gagan Narang missed out after finishing at a lowly 23rd position.

Bindra had scored 625.7 to book a berth in the finals. This is the only event Bindra is competing in the ongoing Olympics.
Uncertainty prevails over the number of bullets that Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) leader Brig Jagdish Gagneja (retd) took. A senior doctor of Jalandhar-based Patel Hospital, where Gagneja was operated upon immediately after the attack, has claimed that the RSS leader had four bullets and five wounds in the upper half of his body.

Our team spotted five wounds on Gagnejas body. Three wounds were between the lower abdomen and chest, two were on the back. In the X-Ray on Sunday, four bullets were visible. I dont know about the rest of the body, Dr SK Sharma told HT.

Read more | Jagdish Gagneja: A low-profile, yet powerful RSS leader in Punjab

He clarified that number of bullets could have been of importance for the media and the police, but Gagneja doctors first concern was to make his blood pressure and other vitals stable.

Thats why after seeing the seriousness of the case, we decided not to waste time in getting an X-ray or CT scan done and went for the surgery, the doctor said.

I dont know from where this theory of three bullets came. We did not have any idea about the number of bullets till X-ray was done on Sunday. Thereafter, the patient was referred to Dayanand Medical College (DMC), Ludhiana, said Dr Sharma.

Also read: Punjab RSS leader critical, put on ventilator in Ludhiana hospital

Till the RSS leader was referred to DMC, Ludhiana, senior BJP leaders and the officials present at Patel Hospital, Jalandhar, said the assailants had fired three bullets at the RSS leader.

Two of them have been removed while one is still stuck in the liver of Gagneja, commissioner of police, Jalandhar, Arpit Shukla, had told mediapersons outside the hospital.

State BJP chief Vijay Sampla at 1:15 am had told the media that Gagneja took three bullets.

DMC has confirmed three bullets: Kalia

Former minister and BJPs Jalandhar Central MLA, Manoranjan Kalia, who was among the first to reach injured Gagneja, told HT that on Monday afternoon, the DMC doctors told him that there were three bullets.

In the presence of deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, I asked doctors and they said three bullets were in the body. Police are claiming that five shells were recovered from the crime spot, said Kalia.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh left his interaction with the public midway on Monday to protest at a police station in Bathinda district after an elderly Congress worker alleged that he had been booked in a false case at the behest of local ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders.

Amarinder arrived at the police station in Sangat Mandi town of Bathinda district and warned the police officials against implicating Congress workers in false cases. In a strong and powerful message to the party workers that he stood by them, Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh stormed into the local police station to protest against the registration of a false case against one of the party workers, Baldev Singh, who broke down while narrating his story during the Halke vich Captain programme, a spokesman said.

Respect the uniform you are wearing and ensure that you resort to no injustice at the behest of the Akalis, whose days are numbered now, Amarinder told the police officials present there.

Congress worker Baldev Singh crying at Captain Amarinders programme in Bathinda on Monday.. (Sanjeev Kumar/HT Photo)

Baldev Singh broke down while narrating the story of the persecution and false case registered against him at the behest of the Akali leaders after a scuffle between two groups of people in November 2015.

Amarinder said that he continued to receive complaints from party workers across Punjab that they were being implicated in false cases by police at the behest of Akali leaders. There are 125 complaints related to false cases having been registered in Sangat Mandi police station only. People are being harassed just because they were Congress workers and supporters, he claimed.
Without directly mentioning Pakistan, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday said the attack on RSS leader Jagdish Gagneja could have been orchestrated by a neighbouring country to create law and order problems.

Law and order problem can be created either by internal forces or by external forces. This (attack on Gagneja) appears to be a case of the second type where the hand of a neighbouring country could not be ruled out, he said after visiting the RSS leader who is still critical.

Instead of criticising one another, we should maintain unity and brotherhood, Badal said.

Also read: Punjab RSS leader critical, put on ventilator in Ludhiana hospital

Badal also met members of Gagnejas family in the hospital and talked to the doctors about the RSS leaders condition.

Earlier, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal had also enquired about the health of Gajneja. He said that ten special police teams had been formed to nab the criminals behind the attack.

Dont miss| Attackers of RSS leader Gagneja will be arrested soon: Sukhbir Badal

Gagneja, the vice-president of RSS (Punjab), was shot at on Saturday by bike-borne persons at Jyoti Chowk area in Jalandhar when he had gone shopping with his wife, leaving him seriously injured. A four-member SIT has been formed to probe the attack.

RSS functionaries meet Badal

Demanding speedy investigations into the murderous attack on their senior leader, RSS functionaries on Monday met Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal and expressed displeasure over what they termed deteriorating law and order in the state.

Demanding the arrest of the culprits responsible for the attack on Gagneja, the delegation sought immediate action in the matter.

A delegation of Punjab BJP leaders, including Union minister and Punjab BJP president Vijay Sampla and Prakash Jha, who is in charge of the partys affairs in Punjab, also met the CM.
Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday said several teams of police were on a hunt to nab the culprits who attacked vice-president of the Punjab unit of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Brigadier Jagdish Gagneja (retd).

Read: Jagdish Gagneja: A low-profile, yet powerful RSS leader in Punjab

Badal, who visited the Hero DMC Heart Institute in Ludhiana, while talking to media said, Police teams comprising of best officials have been formed to crack the case as soon as possible.

Read: Attackers untraced, bike had fake registration number

Badal reached the hospital at 2.35 pm and went to visit Gagneja, who has been kept at ICU number 2. He discussed the medical condition of Gagneja with senior doctors of the institution.

Badal said there was no law and order problem in the state and police were working day and night to arrest those who attacked Gagneja.

Director general of police Suresh Arora at Hero DMC Heart institute prior to Sukhbir Badals visit in Ludhiana on Monday. (JS Grewal/HT Photo)

Elaborate security arrangements were put in place as chief minister Prakash Singh Badal is also scheduled to visit DMC at 4.30 pm.

Meanwhile, there was no improvement in the condition of Gagneja who was on ventilator at the hospital.
Police have booked Shahbad village sarpanch, his son and three others for attempt to murder.

According to information, local BJP leader and sarpanch Harvinder Singh, his son Hussandeep Singh and others barged into an eatery at the Urban Estate locality of Batala around 10.30pm on Sunday and allegedly opened fired at the owner, Karandeep Singh, of Suniya village. The eatery is just 100 meters from the Civil Lines police checkpost, but the attackers fled in their Verna car leaving Karandeep injured in the leg.

While fleeing, they also fired shots at an advocate, Ranjeet Singh Boparai, who tried to reverse his car after hearing the gunshots. A bullet hit the windscreen of his car.

In his complaint to the police, Karandeep, who runs a burger outlet in the Urban Estate market, alleged that he had a dispute with sarpanchs son Hussandeep. A compromise was struck after the intervention of the police, but on Sunday night, Hussandeep, his father and his three aides Kaka, Gurpreet Singh and Avtar Singh came to his shop and started firing at him. Two bullets missed the target but the third hit his leg. Nearby shopkeepers rushed to Karandeeps rescue and the assailants fled after firing shots in the air, he alleged.

Civil Lines station house officer Lakhwinder Singh said a case under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object) of the Indian Penal Code and 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act had been registered against the accused, who are on the run.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has told the Punjab and Haryana high court that degrees awarded to students under the distance education programme, examination for which are conducted by the university outside its territorial jurisdiction without the UGC permission, is illegal.

The UGCs response came in a case wherein around 1,000 teachers of Punjab with such degrees were denied promotions by the government. The affected teachers had moved court in July.

The UGC referred to its communications to the universities in the past issued under the UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulations, 2003, and submitted that the postgraduate degrees awarded by the universities at centres outside their territorial jurisdiction are illegal.

The high court bench of justice Jaswant Singh, however, differed from UGC and observed that regulations did not point towards restraining/prohibiting state universities from imparting degrees through distant education mode for courses recognised by the commission, examinations for which were held outside their territorial jurisdiction.

...What was prohibited was commercialisation of education through outsourcing by establishing the study centres or franchises outside the territorial jurisdiction of the universities concerned, the high court bench said, adding It was for the first time a specific stand had been taken by a university in a July 2016 communication.

The high court has now sought fresh reply from the UGC, preferably through its secretary, asking him to indicate rules and regulations, if any, requiring the universities to seek prior approval from the UGC for establishing exam centres outside state. The high court has also issued notice to Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, Annamalai University and Madu Rai Kamraj University, Tamil Nadu, from whom such degrees were obtained by teachers, by August 10.

A bunch of petitions were filed by affected teachers stating that their juniors have been promoted to lecturers in their respective streams of mathematics and commerce by ignoring their claims on the ground that they have obtained their postgraduate degrees through distant mode with exam centres outside the state. Following the petitions, the high court had stayed 2,200 promotions of teachers in Punjab government schools. The government notification on promotions was stayed on July 14.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
An engineer and a Class-12 passout who used their technical knowledge for vehicle theft finally found themselves in police net at the Hallomajra light-point on Saturday night.

The crime branch of the UT police nabbed Harpreet Singh alias Smarty (24) and Ramjeet Singh alias Ram (22) and recovered eight stolen high-end luxury cars. Four of the cars were stolen from Chandigarh.

A vehicle belonging to Punjab excise and taxation officer Hukam Chand Bansal, of Sector 15, has been recovered.

Harpreet is a BTech from the Regional Institute of Management and Technology(RIMT), Mandi Gobindgarh, while Ramjeet is Class-12 pass. Both are unemployed and reside in Delhi.

A Fortuner, four Innovas, an i-20, one Pajero and a Cruze valued at around Rs 1.1 crore in total have been recovered.

UT SSP Sukhchain Singh Gill said the two-member gang targeted luxury cars and their most recent theft was a Cruze from Sector 44.

We received a tip-off that the accused planned to strike in the city. A crime branch team comprising DSP(crime) Pawan Kumar and inspector Gurmukh Singh nabbed the accused near the Manimajra light-point. They were coming from Zirakpur in a white Hyundai i-20 (PB-10EU-0605), the SSP said.

The accused could not provide the papers of the car, the SSP claimed and were arrested.

The accused have a criminal record and have theft cases registered against them at Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi. Harpreet faces 20 cases and Smarty faces 16 cases.

The accused used to enter Chandigarh from Delhi by car and did a recce of areas before striking.

The stolen vehicles were sold in other states by tampering with the engine and chassis number.
The United Front of Indian Ex-Servicemen (Jantar Mantar) has formed Fauji Janata Party to fight assembly elections in the state. The front has already applied to the Election Commission of India for its registration. This was announced at meeting of the front here on Sunday. As many as 50 representatives of the front from across the state attended the meeting. The front comprises many associations of ex-servicemen.

Chairman of the front, Maj Gen Satbir Singh (retired) said they had taken the decision to fighting the elections to protect the honour and rights of ex-servicemen. We are aiming to show the presence of ex-servicemen from the panchayat to Parliament level, said Satbir Singh.

We have been fighting for the one rank, one pension scheme (OROP) for the past eight years, but the government has failed to take a satisfactory decision on the issue. He said the front has also formed an 11-member election committee, headed by Captain Chanan Singh Sandhu (retired), to prepare for the elections. Satbir said that the front proposed to contest around 60 winnable seats in the elections.

The army fraternity both retired and in service comprises more than 50 lakh voters in the state, claimed Satbir Singh.

Satbir Singh said the front can fight in elections independently or by forming an alliance with other parties. He expressed interest in having an alliance partnership with the Aam Aadmi Party or with the Congress. He said they could also form an alliance with the BJP, if the BJP-led government at the Centre agrees to accept their demands.
The flogging of a group of men, belonging to Dalit castes, in Gujarats Una town was no isolated incident. Much before Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke against the self-styled cow-protection groups, or gangs of men who call themselves gau rakshak (cow protectors)  and one such Punjab leader, Satish Kumar, and his men were booked on Sunday  their violent projects were up on the internet, on websites such as YouTube. A simple search shows dozens of videos from some years back too, while there are several recent videos too.

Dont miss | Punjab: After PMs call, cow protection group chief booked for beating truckers

One such video uploaded by Gau Raksha Dal India, set to upbeat Punjabi music, shows gau rakshaks beating up, blackening faces, whipping and kicking those allegedly caught smuggling cows and/of beef. It also shows dead cows. The graphic video further shows men being forced to lie down as rakhshaks hit their soles with what appears to be bamboo sticks. It also shows a man, tied and hanging upside down, being flogged. Bio under the YouTube video redirects one to a web page that declares war against cow killers. The blog also has a slideshow consisting of images of cow slaughter and various pictures of Satish Kumar.

See video here:

HT Poll below:

Do you think Punjab police are correct in lodging a case against 'gau rakshaks' (cow-protection vigilantes)?  HT Punjab (@HTPunjab) August 8, 2016

In another such video, uploaded by YouTube user ddrana1, a group of 10-odd men get into an SUV-cum-mini truck and are shown chasing down a truck that has cows inside. The cows are concealed behind plastic crates which the armed men remove. At the beginning, many of them have swords, sticks and rifles, while several have pistols and are wearing what appear to be bullet-proof jackets. After the truck is topped, they take down a young man who is beaten up with sticks, with a man appearing to be the leader of the group using a fat log to hit him repeatedly on his legs. Then they lay him face down and at least two men hold up the victims feet up, and the group leader uses the log to hit him on his bare upturned feet. The man is visibly writhing in pain.

Yet another video published by the account Gau Raksha Dal India shows a man holding up a rifle as text on the screen says sirf bhagwa, na hara, na shwet (only saffron, no green, no white), apparently referring to the Indian national flag, the tricolour, that in some laymans terms signifies Hindu for saffron, Muslim for green and the rest are clubbed in white.

Also read | Gau rakshaks harass us, cops shield them: Punjab traders point at Hindu Right

Then it has a slide of Satish Kumar, the group president  who has been booked on Sunday by the Rajpura police in Patiala district  receiving some awards and honours. It has a song Jatt Punjabi playing in the background and a subtitled sequence in which a truck is stopped and their drivers and occupants thrashed.

It ends with a shot of a truck set on fire and a phone number displayed in case you need to call the group for action.

Dont miss | Engineers, realtors: Gau rakshaks in Gujarat just a WhatsApp message away
With the release of the fourth volume of Vishav Sahit de Shahkar Novel (classic novels of world literature), former bureaucrat Jung Bahadur Goyal has brought the readers of Punjabi the very soul of 56 celebrated classics of the world. These are also the novels that Goyal read with passion and wanted to share them with those who do not read English.

Fourth volume of Vishav Sahit de Shahkar Novel (classic novels of world literature). (Book cover)

His choice of novels is wide and varied. If he retells the adventures Don Quixote, penned by the Spanish writer Cervantes in the 17th century or French author Gustav Flauberts debut novel of the 19th century which dealt with female desire and was charged with obscenity, he also picks out Russian writer Maxim Gorkys revolutionary novel Mother published in 1906.

American bestseller Gone with the wind, written by Margaret Mitchell, from the position of the one who owned slaves and published in 1936, as well as One hundred years of solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez that was published in 1967 and tells the Latin-American story with magic realism are a part of the collection.

Two Indian novels are also part of his repertoire  the Bengali romance by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyays Devdas, published in 1917, and Prem Chands celebrated Hindi novel Godaan, published in 1936, and telling the story of economic deprivation of the Indian peasantry.

American writer Mark Twain, who wrote several classics himself, had described a classic as a book which people praise but dont read. Goyal, a voracious reader since childhood, however, disagrees: A classic makes its home forever in the heart of a reader because of its timeless value and highest quality. Many books come and go, but it is the classics that we return to each time.

Goyal says, I cannot say if more will come. (HT Photo)

Goyal belongs to the market town of Jaitu Mandi and lived down the street from the famous Punjabi writer Gurdial Singh. Goyal got the love for literature from his eldest brother who did his masters in English literature from Lahore in 1946. He was 20 years older to me and my ideal. We were seven brothers and we all followed him doing MA in English literature as he had got us reading classics from a very young age, says Goyal.

The four volumes in Punjabi on world classics, which have been much applauded, started with a newspaper article that he wrote on Don Quixote in a Punjabi newspaper after his retirement in 2006. There were no full-stops after that and the first volume of re-telling classics came out in 2008. Two more followed in 2010 and 2012.

With the fourth volume released on Sunday, the question that poses itself is that do the readers look out for more. Goyals reply is: I cannot say if more will come, but this is something that I have enjoyed doing. I work 12 hours a day on this mission. Goyal adds that he feels hurt when someone calls his works as translation, for these are certainly not that. Goyal picks a classic, writes about the author, his times and other works and then, in his own words tells the essence of the story as simply and spontaneously as sitting under the old banyan tree in a village.
Two broad daylight murders during the past two months, regular snatching incidents and a murderous attack on vice-president of the Punjab Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh Brig Jagdish Gagneja (retd) on Saturday, the heart of the city that comes under the jurisdiction of police station-4 has become a hotbed of criminals.

The spot where bike-borne assailants shot at retired brigadier Gagneja near the Red Cross market was just a few meters from the permanent police checking point at the Jyoti Chowk. Three to four policemen always remain at the police booth established at the chowk.

Read: Attackers untraced, bike had fake registration number

On Saturday night, there was also a naka at the Skylark chowk from where the attackers fled after firing Gagneja.

Rainak Bazaar, civil hospital, Saidan Gate, Milap Chowk, Phagwara Gate, Jyoti Chowk to Nakodar Chowk, Doordarshan Kendra, Skylark Chowk to Guru Nanak Mission Chowk, Gymkhana Club, old Baradari locality, civil lines, Dilkusha Market, Company Bagh Chowk to BMC Chowk and other areas come under the jurisdiction of police station-4.

On June 3, when two unidentified assailants gunned down money-changer Anil Kumar Billa in his Toyota Fortuner near the Company Bagh Chowk in full public view around 10.30 am, a flag march was being conducted by the police near the spot. The incident had raised questions on the functioning of the city police.

The cops at the Company Bagh Chowk also failed to notice the crime. It was only a bank employee, who raised an alarm after the murder. The case is yet to be solved.

On July 21, 26-year-old youth Rimple was shot dead near Dhobi Ghat by some car-borne assailants in the evening in full public view. Two days after the murder, the police had arrested property dealer Gagan Sidana of BSF Colony, Sumit Nayyar alias Bawa of Basti Guzan, Amit Kumar Goldy of Gulab Devi road and others for the crime.

Besides, snatching incidents take place regularly in these areas and most of the victims are those who come to the markets for the shopping. A few days ago, bikeborne youths snatched a purse from an NRI woman outside V-Mart when ADCP (traffic) Ravinder Pal Singh Sandhu was giving instructions to PCR bikers at the Jyoti Chowk.

Rohit Sharma, a Maqdoompura resident, said that police should increase patrolling and CCTV cameras in these areas to keep a tab on the criminals.

A senior official of the city police claimed that police station-4 has most crucial and important areas in its jurisdiction. He said that there is the need to take strict steps for improving policing in these areas.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
In a convention organised by the Association For Democratic Rights (AFDR) Punjab and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Vichar Manch, Umar Khalid, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student union leader expressed concerns over the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), on Sunday.

He termed the recent killings of civilians in J&K as extrajudicial killing.

The aspirations of Kashmiri people need to be brought to the centre stage rather than using pellet guns against them, added Khalid.

More than 60 civilians have lost their lives in past one and half month while thousands have been injured in J&K, said the student leader.

Releasing an official diktat and forcing citizens in a democratic country is certainly not a resolve to the issue. The barbaric episode like blinding of a14-year-old girl with pellets will further escalate the problem, it is unacceptable, he said.

The social fabric of the country has taken a seri- ous beating as union gov- ernment is leaning on the corporatisation of eastern and central Indian states, he added.

Our struggle is against the oppression meted out to the lesser privileged, Dalits, Adivasis and civilians of Jammu and Kashmir, added Khalid.

If there is a war, then it has to be war of opinions and this basic human right must not be subverted at any cost, the student leader further said.

Present on the occasion was Malini Subramaniam, a journalist who works in insurgency hit Bastar district in Chhattisgarh.She also hit hard on Union government for ignoring the interests and basic rights of people living in the region for decades and now suddenly developing these areas to favour big corporate houses of the country.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has not given approval to masters degrees of public administration, sociology and education run by the Punjabi University under the distance education mode.

The university has been running these degree courses since 2012.

As per the gazette notification of the government of India, all the degrees, diplomas, certificates awarded through the distance education mode will be recognised for the purpose of employment under the central government, provided they have been approved by the UGC.

The last effort of the Punjabi University to get ex-post facto approval for these degrees from the UGC has not yielded any results. The UGC, while approving all courses started before 2012, did not accord recognition to these three degrees, apart from the post graduate diploma in HIV/AIDS counselling and post graduate diploma in forensic science, which the university also offered under the distance education mode.

Facing embarrassment, the university has now refunded fees of nearly 400 students who were enrolled in these courses for the current academic session. T

This administrative lapse of the university staff has also perturbed vice-chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh, who is now personally motioning the every issue related to UGC approvals.

Notably, the Union ministry of human resource development, in an order in 2012, transferred the regulatory authority of distance education from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to the UGC.

The UGCs disapproval to three masters degree courses has brought the working of Dr Zamshed Ali Khan, former head of distance education department of Punjabi University, under the cloud as he had started these courses without the prior approval. He even did not write for approval even after starting courses.

Sources said Dr Khans role was also under scanner for launching MA (education), without the UGC approval, in order to increase the strength of the faculty, in which his wife was appointed as assistant professor by violating the UGC norms. This selection has already been challenged in the Punjab and Haryana high court. Khan was not available for comments, despite repeated attempts by HT.

Dr Balbir Singh, head of distance education department, said that as the UGC didnt approve these courses with retrospective effect, the university has scrapped the MA degrees in sociology, education and public administration under the distance education mode. Student are advised to shift their courses or claim their deposited fee from the department, he said. He said the university will make a fresh request to the UGC in October to start these courses from the next academic session.
Nearly a month after, 27 eye infection patients were discharged from the Advanced Eye Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical College and Research (PGIMER), the HT correspondent interacted with 15 infected patients and found out that the improvement is not as remarkable as claimed by doctors.

While five-six patients have said that there is an improvement from 40% to 60%, the rest could hardly notice any improvement.

How will I earn my livelihood if my vision is not restored? asked Swaran Singh (42), labourer from Palsora. He is diabetic and was suffering from poor vision from two-andhalf months.

Prior to the infection, I could go to work, drive scooter and do outdoor tasks, but things have changed now. I cannot go to work and am surviving on the earnings of my mother, he said.

Surjit Singh from Mohali said that there is 5%-10% improvement in his vision. 61-year-old diabetic patient was undergoing treatment from the last three months. This was the first infection and the experience was bitter. But I have nothing to complain against doctors, as they are putting their best efforts, he said.

Harjinder Singh (47) from Moga, is a tailor whose shop is closed from the last three months. There was problem with my vision and my work was being impacted; hence I visited the PGI. The doctors assured me that after four injections, my vision will be improved, but it deteriorated after the first injection. Earlier I used to see with my right eye, but now I can hardly see, he said.

Tara Dutt Sharma from Kharar said that prior to infection, he could drive his vehicle but now he cannot and has a difficulty in recognising faces.

Harbans Singh, husband of Malkit Kaur said, She had undergone seven injections, with which there was an improvement in her vision. But after the 8th injection on July 12, her vision has badly deteriorated.

Meanwhile, some patients are showing good improvement. Krishan Kumar (48) from Rajpura is a diabetic and is undergoing eye treatment at AEC since last year.

Post-injection, I suffered severe pain, swelling and redness in my eyes. My vision was almost gone, but after the treatment, my vision has restored. There is almost 60% improvement.

Anis Ahmad (67) Saharanpur said, There is 50% improvement and doctors have said that it will take 10 more days for further improvement. The doctors are putting their best effort and are treating us on priority.

The treatment of three years of my father at PGIMER has gone in vain because of that one injection. But, there is some improvement post surgery, earlier he would not recognise me but now he does, said Gagandeep Singh, son of Pal Singh who got infection.

WHAT DOCTOR HAS TO SAY?

Dr MR Dogra, professor, Advanced Eye Centre, PGIMER said, The patients are improving and they are being regularly examined. The infection is resolved and in many cases the vision is almost back to normal.

When asked that the many patients are talking of no or slow improvement, he said, The treatment is minimum six weeks long. Moreover, the patients are confused. Patients already had poor vision that is why they came to AEC and were given Avastin injections. Now, those who have developed eye infection want their vision to improve 100%, but their vision was already poor. We can only control the infection and restore their vision to the level at which they had reported to us.

THE CASE

On July 12, 30 people developed eye infection after they were injected with Avastin drug at the Advanced Eye Centre, PGIMER.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Vij and his favourite tea stall

Health minister Anil Vij misses no opportunity to remain in the news. The latest is about his habit of going to his favourite tea stall in his hometown, Ambala, every morning. Vij, one of the senior-most members of the state cabinet, could not attend the four-day training camp of the BJP at Surajkund due to health reasons. He went to PGIMER, Chandigarh, medical checkups and tests and was advised rest. The minister did rest until one fine morning when he, as is his routine on most days, decided to go to the tea stall in Sadar Bazaar, Ambala Cantonment. His driver informed him that the car had a flat tyre. Though the driver said he would replace it within minutes, Vij got his scooter out and rode it from his residence in Shastri Colony to his favourite destination, much to the amusement to his supporters who expect him at the tea stall whenever he is in town.

Masterji to control power body

Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal (HT File Photo)

Little-known Akali Jathedar Master Balwinder Singh, who belongs to Jalalabad assembly constituency represented by deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal, isnt good news for Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). He recently took charge as chairman of Power Disputes Redressal Authority in Guru Har Sahai without any official order or notification. A retired school master, Singh, who served as district chief of the Akali Dal for many years, says he has been rewarded now. But the problem is Masterji does not know the regulatory processes or power sector regulations. Sukhbir Badal asked me to take charge to weed out rampant corruption from the corporation, he said. But the corporation top brass calls his appointment as a new low, seeing it as the start of a new phase of interference in day-to-day functioning.

Capts age jibe at Badal

He loves to take a dig at the age of Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal. But Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh went on to call Badal a kharab sa budha (old oldie) during a press conference on Sunday. The context was a query on attack on a RSS leader. Amarinder blames the CM for fanning religious tensions --- from sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib at Bargari to that of Quran at Malerkotla. He can do anything as elections near to polarise voters. He is a kharab budha, Amarinder said. As youth becomes flavour of the upcoming elections, expect some more geriatric attacks from leaders.

Comments not welcome on Jakhars WhatsApp group

Congress leader Sunil Jakhars social media team set up a WhatsApp group recently, but wants it to be one-way communication. It expressed its reservation over the comments of people from different political ideologies on SJ News 33. In face of comments on the Congress and other political parties, the groups admin wrote: No comments or views from your side please. This hasnt gone down well with some who quit the group.

Sukhbir gets taste of selfie craze

Politicians do not mind selfie-crazy supporters going gaga over them, but things can get out of hand sometimes. Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was at a function in Raikot on Thursday to distribute cycles to school-going girls and descended from the stage after concluding his speech to mingle with the crowd. But he was swarmed by people who wanted a selfie with him. The deputy CM had no choice but to oblige them.

Khattar, the storyteller

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar (HT File Photo)

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar likes to tell stories sometimes. At a meeting with represen-tatives of private schools last week to encourage them to share their good practices with government schools, doubts were expressed about the willingness such institutes to learn. When his turn came to speak, the CM narrated the story of a buffalo suffering from aphara (indigestion). The cattle owner took it to a veterinary doctor who gave him medicine. When he said the buffalo doesnt open its mouth, the doctor handed a small pipe. He was told to place the medicine in the pipe, put it into buffalos mouth and then blow air into it from his mouth through the other end. A few days later, the owner came to the doctor again. Asked about the buffalo, the owner said he did as told, but couldnt blow air into the pipe. The buffalo beat him to it and he swallowed the medicine. Bhains ka toh pata nahin, par mera aphara theek ho gaya, the CM said, telling private schools to teach their good practices to state-run schools. But dont get influenced by them, he said to guffaws from those present.

Haryana ministers weird take on skewed sex ratio

Haryana education minister Ram Bilas Sharma makes bizarre statements sometimes. He has blamed foreigner virus for skewed sex ratio in Haryana and parts of the country. Sharma, who was addressing a gathering at Kurukshetra University the other day, said: We, Indians, are not to blame. There is a virus in neighbouring countries that is disturbing India and also responsible for the declined sex ratio. He said people of those countries want to know sex of unborn baby and the same is now being repeated in India with the help of their techniques. The efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Manohar Lal Khattar are improving things here, though, he added. Only he knows how he discovered the cause of the problem.

HP guv blasts subsidy culture

Himachal Pradesh governor Acharya Dev Vrat (HT File Photo)

Himachal Pradesh governor Acharya Dev Vrat never misses any opportunity to show his love for Kuru-kshetra. He attends almost all official functions in the city where he was principal of a Gurukul for 34 years. On his latest visit, Dev Vrat, who belongs to Samalkha, asked the people not to depend on subsidies meant for the poor. People have developed a culture of begging in the name of subsidy that has made them dependent on the government, he said while addressing a gathering on the martyrdom day of Shaheed Udham Singh. People should leave subsidy and come forward to contribute in the development of the state by paying their pending electricity bills, he said.

Virbhadras tense trips to Capital

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh (HT File Photo)

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singhs visits to Delhi have been causing anxiety in political circles of the state lately. The reason is the ongoing cases involving his family. The CMs latest trip to the national capital has come at a time when his wife Pratibha Singh has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate and his LIC agent Anand Chauhan is struggling to get bail in a money laundering case. A former MP, Pratibha will appear before the agency on Monday. The CMs aides and friends will be watching the proceedings with bated breath.

Nadda bats for Nurpur ex-MLA

Sidelined by the BJP leadership for almost 10 years, former Nurpur MLA Rakesh Pathania was back in the limelight when he held a massive welcome rally for Union health minister JP Nadda in Nurpur town. Though he was expelled by the block unit a few months ago for openly opposing former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and his son Anurag Thakur, Pathania proved he was the only hope for the party in Nurpur. Nadda also asserted that the party needed people like him. Pathania would not miss the train (ticket) this time, he said, giving a new lease of life to the former two-time legislators political career.

BJP legislators flag faux pas

The first-time BJP legislator from Churah (Chamba district), Hansraj, triggered an unnecessary controversy the other day. Presiding over a function in a government college in his constituency, Hansraj likened the green colour in the flag of Congress youth wing National Students Union of India (NSUI) to that of Pakistan flag. A furious NSUI activist interrupted the MLAs speech without wasting any time, asking him: What colours are there in the national flag. Taken aback, the young legislator not only avoided giving any response, but also changed the course of his speech. However, angry NSUI activists continued their aggressive protest outside the venue.

(Contributed by Gurpreet Singh Nibber, sukhdeep kaur, chitleen k sethi, Aneesha Sareen, Navneet Sharma, Rajesh Moudgil, Neeraj Mohan, Gaurav Bisht, Naresh K Thakur)
William Shakespeares Hamlet has inspired many interpretations across the world. Now, it is the turn of award-winning director Bengali director Anjan Dutta to recreate the intense drama on celluloid, though with a contemporary spin.

Anjans Hamlet called Hemanta, which is the second adaptation of the age-defying drama in recent times after Haider by Vishal Bhardwaj, deals with socio-political crisis and violence against humanity.

Shakespeares Hamlet suffered from a basic crisis and I wanted to define and interpret that crisis in my own way, said the director.

Read: Anjan Dutt, Aparna Sen and Srijit set to adapt Bards tales

Hemanta stars Parambrata Chatterjee, Jisshu Sengupta and Saswata Chatterjee in the lead roles. (Pfc.parambrata/Facebook)

Actor Parambrata Chatterjee will portray Hamlets character Hemanta. Anjan said he himself would play the character if he were a little younger.

Had I been a little younger, I would have done the role and my wish to portray Hamlet got shape through Param, he said.

Read: Dibakars Byomkesh is punk and edgy, mine is more noir, says Anjan Dutt

Anjan said that his Hemanta couldnt care less about the situation around him, unlike his contemporaries who were largely insouciant about violence next door and busy with personal affairs.

I had long been thinking I should not confine myself to Byomkesh exploits and urban relationship and musicals. I thought there is an imperative need to have a hard look at the present time through my protagonists eyes, he said.

Hamlets character has many layers. Some put his crisis at sexual level, some talk about his anguish and hatred towards the stinking political situation in Denmark about 500 years back. But for me it is more of his angst towards the situation prevailing all over the world, Anjan said.

Watch the trailer of Hemanta here:

Parambrata said he had to cut himself off all other projects for one and a half months to study the character over and over again.

Though I had read Hamlet during college days as a student of English literature, I needed time to grasp the contemporariness of his character, the ace actor said adding it is an actors dream to work in projects inspired by Chekov, Tagore and Shakespeare.

Jisshu Sengupta is playing Horatios role while Saswata Chatterjee plays Cladius.

Hemanta returns to his home in Kolkata after graduating from New York Film School and gets the news that his film producer father has committed suicide because his mother Gayatri is set to marry uncle Kalyan (Cladius), which triggers a series of murders and mysterious deaths.

ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop
Actor Ritu Varma has come up for much praise after the runaway success of romantic comedy Pellicho opulu. She has now been roped in to the play leading lady opposite actor Adivi Sesh in upcoming Telugu spy thriller Goodachari.

Ritu has been signed on and has already been paid the advance. The makers fell in love with her performance in Pellichoopulu, and felt shed be perfect for the leading role in their film. Principal shooting will start from October or November, said a source from the films unit.

Read: Adivi Seshs next Telugu film wont be directed by Kshanam director

Read: Prominent Telugu stars praise Adivi Sesh-starrer Kshanam

To be helmed by director duo Rahul Pakala and Shashikiran, the film is tipped to be an out-and-out spy thriller.

It will be a bonafide spy thriller. The final draft of the script is not yet locked and the makers are busy finalising the rest of the cast, the source said.

The film will be produced by Abhishek Pictures.

ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop
Ahoy! Looking for something different this year? Why not head to one of the worlds weird and wonderful beaches? Heres a look at some of the most unusual, magnificent and unique beaches, all of which make intriguing destinations in their own surprising way.

Today were heading to the Bahamas, more precisely to the Exumas archipelago, where visitors can take a dip alongside the local population of wild pigs.

Where to find it

Pig Beach is located in the Bahamas, on the island of Big Major Cay in the Exumas archipelago. The site is popular with divers who head there to explore the blue holes and caves, and get up close with sharks and coral reefs.

Unusual feature

While travelers often think of the Bahamas as a place to enjoy clear turquoise waters, theyll no doubt be surprised to learn that its also a great place to go swimming with pigs. A colony of around 20 feral pink and black pigs live on the otherwise uninhabited island of Big Major Cay. Tourists can easily approach the pigs, who are used to human contact, and even swim alongside them in the sea. In fact, the islands porcine population happens to have excellent swimming skills. These local celebrities are so used to human visitors that theyre perfectly tame and arent considered dangerous. There are several theories about how the pigs ended up on the island. One widely held belief is that they were stored on the island by sailors who intended to come back and cook them but who never returned. The islands piggy population has since grown.

Read: Want to travel on a shoestring budget?

How to get there

Pig Beach (not to be confused with Pig Island in the Crozet Archipelago in the Indian Ocean) can be reached by boat. Trips run from Great Exuma, the archipelagos main island, or from Staniel Cay.

Best beach activity

The swimming pigs are the main attraction on this Bahamas island. In fact, Big Major Cay is otherwise uninhabited and has no particular features of interest for travelers, other than its natural beauty and stunning waters. Visitors can spend several hours watching the pigs from a boat and feeding them. Tour operators recommend taking bread and vegetables to feed the pigs. Visitors can lounge next to the animals on the white sands, pet them and take dips with them in the Caribbean Sea, where they swim right up to tourists. Just watching the islands pigs is a fascinating activity but swimming alongside them is an even more unique experience for curious travelers.
About 50 people were killed in weekend clashes in Ethiopia between police and anti-government demonstrators, opposition and diplomatic sources told AFP on Monday.

Protests swept the vast Oromia region and even reached the capital Addis Ababa, a rare event in a nation with a government considered among the most repressive in Africa.

We have reports of between 48 to 50 protesters killed in Oromia. This death toll might be higher because there were a lot of wounded, said Merera Gudina, leader of the opposition Oromo Peoples Congress.

A diplomat confirmed that 49 people were killed across Oromia, a region straddling central-western Ethiopia, and in Amhara, in the north.

With at least 27 million people, Oromia is the most populous of the countrys federal states and has its own language, Oromo, distinct from Ethiopias official Amharic language.

Among the towns worst hit by the violence were Nekemte, a town in western Ethiopia where 15 people were killed, the diplomat said, while 27 died in Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara region.

Several thousand people had gathered in Bahir Dar on Sunday.

- Brutal response -

They appear to be low level, quite disorganised protests scattered all around..., the diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The brutal response of the government risks provoking more anger and making it worse.

The authorities have since Friday blocked access to social media, the activists key channel for such rallying calls.

Unrest has increased in recent weeks in Amhara after the attempted arrest of local leaders who opposed a government move to merge two neighbouring districts.

Police were out in force on Saturday when about 500 people gathered in Addis Ababas main Meskel Square, shouting slogans such as we want our freedom and free our political prisoners.

Police swiftly moved in to break up the protest.

Between them the Oromo people, who inhabit the Oromia region, and the northern Amhara form the vast majority of the population.

They often claim they are discriminated against by the minority Tigreans, who dominate government and the security forces.

A previous wave of protests earlier this year was sparked by a since abandoned plan to expand the capital into outlying farmland, which was followed by a swift crackdown.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn had on Friday announced a ban on demonstrations which threaten national unity and called on police to use all means at their disposal to prevent them.
Bangladesh has kicked out a North Korean diplomat after he was caught smuggling more than one million cigarettes as well as electronics into the country in a shipping container, Dhaka officials said today.

Han Son Ik, the first secretary of the North Korean embassy in Dhaka, has been ordered to leave the country after failing to declare the goods worth nearly half a million dollars to customs.

Bangladesh foreign secretary Shahidul Haque confirmed the order had been made to the North Koreans, but declined to give a timetable for his departure. Local media said he had been ordered to leave by today.

We have asked North Korea to take him back for violating diplomatic norms, Haque, Bangladeshs top foreign bureaucrat, told AFP, declining to give details.

A senior customs official told AFP the North Korean used his diplomatic immunity earlier this month to import the goods which were suspected destined for the blackmarket.

The diplomat declared that his cargo contained food and soft drinks. But when we opened the cargo, we found 1.6 million stalks of expensive cigarettes and electronics, Moinul Khan, head of intelligence at Bangladesh customs, told AFP.

At market prices these products are valued at 35 million taka ($430,000). We suspect that he brought the products to sell to local smuggling gangs, he said.

AFP was unable to immediately contact the North Korean embassy for comment.

In March last year, another North Korean diplomat was forced to apologise after he was caught at Dhaka airport trying to smuggle nearly 27 kilogrammes (60 pounds) of gold, worth $1.7 million, into the country.

In 2012, customs authorities issued a 2.5-million taka fine after seizing illegal wines from another North Korean envoy.

Last year, a North Korean restaurant in Dhaka was shut down after officials found it was selling wine and drugs such as Viagra without permission.
A suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest amid mourners gathered at a hospital in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta on Monday, killing 63 people and injuring dozens more in one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent years.

The bomber struck as more than 100 mourners, mostly lawyers and journalists, crowded into the emergency department of the Civil Hospital to accompany the body of Balochistan Bar Association president Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was shot and killed by two unidentified gunmen while on his way to Quettas main court complex.

Senior police officer Zahoor Ahmed Afridi said bomb disposal experts had informed him that the attackers remains had been found at the scene.

The motive behind the attack was unclear and no group claimed responsibility for the bombing. Reports suggested the Khorasan branch of the Islamic State had claimed the attack but this could not be independently confirmed.

The toll made the attack the second deadliest in Pakistan this year, after a bombing in a crowded park in Lahore over Easter killed 75.

Two journalists  Dawn News cameraman Mahmood Khan and Shahzad Khan, a cameraman associated with Aaj TV  were killed by the blast.

Abdul Rehman, the director of Quettas Civil Hospital, said 92 injured people were being treated at the state-run hospital. He said most of the victims were lawyers.

Ali Zafar, the top leader of Pakistans main lawyers association, denounced the bombing as an attack on justice. He said lawyers across the country will observe three days of mourning and stay away from court appointments to express solidarity with those killed.

There are many wounded, so the death toll could rise, said Rehmat Saleh Baloch, Balochistans health minister.

Television footage showed scenes of chaos, with panicked people fleeing through debris as smoke filled the hospital corridors. The footage also showed bodies strewn on the ground, some still smoking, amid pools of blood and shattered glass.

Many of the dead were wearing the trademark black suits and ties of lawyers. A large burn mark against white brick appeared to indicate where the bomb went off.

Police cordoned off the Civil Hospital after the blast and the military was deployed in and around Quettas hospitals.

Anwar ul Haq Kakar, a spokesman for the Balochistan government, said: It seems it was a pre-planned attack.

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has major oil and gas resources but is afflicted by Islamist militancy, sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shias and a long-running separatist insurgency.

Quetta has long been regarded as a base for the Afghan Taliban, whose leadership regularly held meetings there in the past. In May, Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed by a US drone strike while travelling to Quetta from the border with Iran.
Delta Airlines Inc experienced what it called a major system-wide network outage on Monday which delayed flights worldwide and said technicians were working to resolve the computer problem as soon as possible.

Flights scheduled for departure were not taking off, but those already in the air were operating normally, Delta said in a statement.

Delta operates 5,000 departures a day and is a member of the SkyTeam alliance alongside airlines including Air France-KLM.

Delta experienced a computer outage that has impacted flights scheduled for this morning, said Delta, the worlds second largest airline measured by revenue passenger kilometres flown.

Our systems are down everywhere. Hopefully it wont be much longer, the airline said on Twitter.

The outage was affecting flights globally, a London-based spokeswoman for the airline said.
The family of Ahmed Mohamed, a Muslim boy who was arrested after his homemade clock brought to school was mistaken as a bomb, filed a federal lawsuit on Monday against Texas school officials and others, saying the incident violated the 14-year-old boys civil rights, prompted death threats and forced them to leave the United States.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Mohamed, who was arrested at his suburban Dallas high school in September and charged with having a hoax bomb. He says he brought the homemade digital clock to school to show his English teacher.

Ahmed showed off the clock, made out of a plastic pencil box and electrical wire and other hardware salvaged from his parents garage, on Monday during a news conference with his parents and attorneys.

Irving police later dropped the charge, but he was still suspended for three days. He never returned to the school; his family opted to have him take classes elsewhere.

The lawsuit names Irving Independent School District, the city of Irving and the schools principal, and asks a jury to determine the damages. In November, the family asked the district and city to pay $15 million or else face a suit. District spokesperson Lesley Weaver said in a statement on Monday that attorneys for the district will review the suit and determine a course of action.

Irving ISD continues to deny violating the students rights and will respond to claims in accordance with court rules, she said, adding that school officials for now will have no further comment.

The Mohamed family questioned whether the boy was mistreated due to his religion but the district has denied the claim.

The family has since moved to Qatar, citing threats and a scholarship offered to Ahmed in the Persian Gulf country. Ahmed moved back to the US last month for the summer to visit family and friends, and will do some traveling around the country, but will return to Qatar next month to start 10th grade at Qatar Academy, a private school in Doha.

Read | Obama backs Muslim boy held for bringing homemade clock to school

The family of Ahmed Mohamed, who was arrested after bringing the homemade clock to school, and charged with having a hoax bomb, filed a federal lawsuit against Texas school officials and others on Monday, saying they violated the 14-year-old boy's civil rights. (AP)

For the safety of my family, I have to go back to Qatar, because right now its not very safe for my family or for anyone whos a minority, Ahmed said during Mondays news conference.

While in Texas, Ahmed said, he has to wear a hat, sunglasses and a hoody. I cant walk out of the house without being covered up because I might get shot because that happens here, he said.

The teens parents, Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed and Muna Ibrahim, have not found work yet in Qatar, so the family of eight is living in government housing and on food vouchers.

Among the claims made in the suit, which was brought by the teens father, is that the boys right to equal protection under the law was violated and that officers arrested him without probable cause.

Ahmed was a victim of systemic discrimination by the school district and state Board of Education that has marginalized Muslims and other minority groups, the suit claims.

History tells us that when we have stood tall and proud for equality and freedom, we have grown as a nation, the suit says. When we have given in to fear and hate, we flounder.

The suit adds, In the case of Ahmed Mohamed, we have the opportunity to take a stand for equality and for justice, two things that should prevail above all else.

The Irving school district is also under investigation by the US Department of Justice over an alleged pattern of discrimination against minority students.

The district in February sued the Texas Attorney General to keep the justice departments investigation private.

Ahmeds story brought an outpouring of support from President Barack Obama, other political leaders, corporate executives and NASA scientists.

When I went to the new school, they asked me, are you that clock kid? I told them yeah, I was. My identity was stripped, Ahmed said.
Iraqi air force has received a new batch of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from the United States. This bolsters the countrys fledging air force fighting with the Islamic State group for more than two years.

Iraqs defence ministrys spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Tahseen Ibrahim, told The Associated Press that the new batch consisted of four fighter jets. Ibraim did not give more details or say when the next shipment will be delivered.

With the new arrivals, Iraq has now eight F16s in service, out of 36 fighter jets the US agreed to sell to Baghdad.

Also Monday, a bomb went off at an outdoor market in the town of Youssifiyah, 20km south of Baghdad, killing four shoppers and wounding 11, a police officer said.

Two more civilians were killed in another bomb explosion in a commercial area in Baghdads western Eskan neighbourhood. That attack also wounded eight people, another police officer said.

Medical officials confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, but they bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State group, which often targets commercial areas and large gatherings.

Iraq has been going through its worst crisis since summer 2014 when IS militants captured much of the countrys north and the west, including the second-largest city of Mosul. Despite major ground loses since last year, IS still controls key areas.

Iraq heavily depended on aging Russian-made Sukhoi Su-25 jets. In 2014, the country received Sukhoi Su-25 jets from Russia and Iran to help combat IS.
Japan ordered its military on Monday to be ready at any time to shoot down any North Korean missiles that threaten to strike Japan, putting its forces on a state of alert for at least three months, a defence ministry official and media said.

Up to now, Japan has issued temporary orders when it had indications of an imminent North Korean missile launch that it has cancelled after a projectile had been launched. However, because some test firings are hard to detect, it has decided to put its military on standby for a longer period. The order will be reviewed after three months, state broadcaster NHK said.

On August 3, North Korea had fired a ballistic missile directly into Japanese-controlled waters for the first time, drawing an outraged response from Tokyo and ramping up tensions with the United States and South Korea.

The US military said the North had actually launched two Rodong intermediate-range missiles simultaneously, but one appeared to have exploded on take-off.

Its a serious threat against our countrys security, prime minister Shinzo Abe told reporters at the time. This is an outrageous act that cannot be tolerated.

The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting regarding the missile launch, at the request of US and Japan.
A Chinese tourist got tangled up in the red tape of Germanys migrant influx after being mistakenly sent to a refugee home for nearly two weeks, media reports said on Monday.

The 31-year-old backpacker, who spoke neither German nor English, wanted to report his wallet missing to police in the southwestern city of Stuttgart but ended up at a different municipal office which handed him an application for asylum.

After unwittingly signing the request, the man, who was not identified, was swiftly placed in a shelter in the western city of Dortmund where his passport was taken from him.

Machinery kicked into gear from which he couldnt immediately escape, Christoph Schluetermann of the German Red Cross told news agency DPA.

Public broadcaster WDR said the man complied with standard procedure for refugees including allowing his fingerprints to be taken, undergoing a medical examination and accepting pocket money.

But staff eventually noticed that the man was unusually well-dressed for an asylum seeker and when the likelihood of a mistake dawned on them, sought help at a local Chinese restaurant.

The owners suggested Schluetermann try using a Mandarin smartphone translation app and it soon became clear that the man didnt want asylum but to continue his European tour.

I want to go walking in a foreign country, one of the translated messages said, WDR reported.

Twelve days into his stay, the man was able to set off for France and Italy.

Germany let in nearly 1.1 million migrants and refugees last year, posing an enormous challenge for its overstretched bureaucracy.
Syrian regime forces and rebel factions sent hundreds of reinforcements to Aleppo on Monday as both sides braced for a crucial battle to control the countrys second city.

Fighting for Syrias former economic powerhouse is intensifying after an opposition advance at the weekend broke through a three-week government siege of the citys rebel-held east, dealing a major setback to regime troops.

Rebel forces on Sunday announced a bid to capture all of Aleppo city, which if successful would mark the biggest opposition victory yet in Syrias five-year civil war.

But forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad are putting up a fierce fight and have begun pouring in reinforcements.

The main opposition coalition said Monday it was only a matter of time before rebels take all of Aleppo, but the United States warned there would be no quick victory.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said some 2,000 pro-regime fighters from Syria, Iraq, Iran and Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah had arrived in Aleppo since late Sunday.

Both sides are amassing their fighters in preparation for the great battle of Aleppo, said Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based Observatory.

(AFP)

The Monday edition of Al-Watan, a Syrian daily close to the government, reported that the army had received the necessary military reinforcements to launch the battle to retake the areas from which it withdrew.

It said a military operation by Syrias armed forces was imminent... and inevitable.

Aleppo has been roughly divided between government forces in the west and rebel groups in the east since fighting first broke out there in mid-2012.

New phase

An AFP correspondent in the eastern districts said shelling and sporadic clashes were hitting Aleppo but there were no signs yet of significant new offensives.

After years of stalemate, fighting for the city entered a new phase last month when government forces took control of the last supply road into rebel-held areas, leaving some 250,000 people in eastern districts surrounded.

In a desperate bid to break the siege, a coalition of rebels, Islamists and jihadists overran a series of buildings in a military academy on the southwestern edges of Aleppo on Saturday before linking up with rebel groups inside the city.

Emboldened by the victory, the fighters -- largely grouped under the banner of the Army of Conquest -- set their sights on recapturing all of Aleppo.

An image grab taken from a video released on Saturday by Fateh al-Sham Front, the former Al-Nusra Front, which renamed itself after renouncing its status as Al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, shows a still from drone footage of smoke billowing from an artillery school south of Aleppo as Islamist rebels captured two military academies and a third military position. (AFP)

In a statement Sunday the Army of Conquest announced the start of a new phase to liberate all of Aleppo, pledging to double the number of fighters for this next battle.

In Istanbul, Syrian National Coalition chief Anas al-Abdeh told AFP he was confident the whole city could now be taken.

I think it is just a matter of time. It will happen, he said.

We see very clearly the regime forces are not able to resist.

Washingtons UN envoy Samantha Power told the Security Council: Despite the overwhelming force of the Assad regime, Russian, Iran and Hezbollah on one side, neither side will be able to win a swift or decisive victory in the battle for Aleppo.

Abdel Rahman told AFP that hundreds of opposition fighters had arrived in Aleppo from the surrounding province and neighbouring Idlib.

Most were from the Fateh al-Sham Front, formerly Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front, that leads the Army of Conquest.

Food and fuel

Opposition fighters listen to a speech at an armament school after they recaptured the military facility south of Aleppo on Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. (AFP)

Whoever wins (in Aleppo), the war will not end. It is however an important battle, the result of which will set the course of the conflict, said Thomas Pierret, a Syria expert at the University of Edinburgh.

Pierret said a rebel win would confine the regime to an arc of territory between the western coastal areas and the Golan Heights, while a regime victory could lead to the collapse of the insurgency.

The rebel advance at the weekend cut off a key regime access route on the citys southern edges, previously used to bring in supplies for the estimated 1.2 million residents of western districts.

Overnight, regime forces brought in dozens of trucks carrying food and fuel into western neighbourhoods via the northern Castello Road, the Observatory said.

This is the new route that the regime forces are securing as a temporary alternative to the route they previously depended on, Abdel Rahman said.

More than 290,000 people have been killed since Syrias conflict erupted in March 2011, the Observatory said in a new toll on Monday.

The deaths included more than 84,000 civilians.

International efforts to resolve the conflict have repeatedly failed, although the UN is hoping that peace talks can resume later this month.
A suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest in a crowd of mourners at a hospital in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta on Monday, killing 70 people and injuring more than 100 in one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent years.

The blast, followed by firing, occurred as some 200 people, mostly lawyers and journalists, gathered at Quettas Civil Hospital to accompany the body of Balochistan Bar Association president Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen while on his way to work.

The bomber blew himself up near the emergency services ward and the mourners appeared to be the target, government spokesperson Anwarul Haq Kakar said. It seems it was a pre-planned attack, he added.

Abdul Rehman Miankhel, a senior official at the Civil Hospital, told reporters at least 70 people had died and 112 were injured.

Two journalists  Dawn News cameraman Mahmood Khan and Shahzad Khan, a cameraman associated with Aaj TV  were killed. Several lawyers, including a former president of the local bar association, were injured.

The attack was claimed by both Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban, and a branch of the Islamic State.

Pakistani security officials and lawyers gather around the bodies of victims killed in a suicide attack at the Civil Hospital in Quetta on Monday. (AFP)

In a phone call to local journalists, a spokesman for IS Khorasan Province warned of similar attacks across Pakistan. The spokesman said the strike in Quetta was the first of many, according to Newsweek Pakistan.

In an email statement, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan said their men killed Kasi and then targeted the mourners at the hospital. He vowed more attacks until the imposition of an Islamic system in Pakistan.

The claims could not be independently verified. The Jamaat-ul-Ahrar is believed to have claimed responsibility for attacks in the past that it was not involved in.

If the IS claim is verified, this would be the first attack carried out by the group within Pakistan since its chapter for Khorasan, an area encompassing Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of India, was formed in January last year. The IS earlier claimed an attack on Pakistans consulate in the Afghan city of Jalalabad in January this year that killed seven people.

Television footage showed scenes of chaos, with panicked people fleeing through debris as smoke filled the hospital corridors. The footage also showed bodies strewn on the ground, some still smoking, amid pools of blood and shattered glass.

Many of the dead were wearing the trademark black suits and ties of lawyers. A large burn mark against white brick appeared to indicate where the bomb went off.

Pakistani men comfort a lawyer after the death of his colleagues in a suicide attack at the Civil Hospital in Quetta on Monday. (AFP)

Balochistan chief minister Sanaullah Zehri condemned the attack and told the media that Indias Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was behind terror incidents in Quetta.

This was a security lapse, provincial home minister Sarfaraz Bugti said, adding he was personally investigating the attack. He said the hospital had not received any threats in the past.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast and expressed his deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives. Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif travelled to Quetta and visited the injured in hospital.

The toll made the attack the second deadliest in Pakistan this year, after a bombing in a crowded park in Lahore over Easter killed 75.

Abdul Rehman, the director of the Civil Hospital, said 92 injured people were being treated at the state-run hospital. Police official Zahoor Ahmed Afridi said most of the victims were lawyers.

Ali Zafar, the top leader of Pakistans main lawyers association, denounced the bombing as an attack on justice. He said lawyers across the country will observe three days of mourning and stay away from court appointments to express solidarity with those killed.

There are many wounded, so the death toll could rise, said Rehmat Saleh Baloch, Balochistans health minister.

Mondays bombing can be traced to an earlier attack on lawyer Jahanzeb Alvi, who was shot dead by unidentified men in Quetta on August 3. Kasi had strongly condemned Alvis murder and announced a two-day boycott of courts proceedings.

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has major oil and gas resources but is afflicted by Islamist militancy, sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shias and a long-running separatist insurgency.

Pakistans largest province has experienced incidents of violence and targeted killings for more than a decade. More than 1,400 incidents targeting the Shia and Hazara minorities have been recorded in the province during the past 15 years.

Quetta has long been regarded as a base for the Afghan Taliban, whose leadership regularly held meetings there in the past. In May, Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed by a US drone strike while travelling to Quetta from the border with Iran.

(With inputs from agencies)
KABUL: Thousands of people are fleeing the conflict roiling Afghanistan, but American backpacker John Milton recently made the reverse journey to the war-ravaged country -- for a holiday.

Armed with little more than travel guidebooks and an unflagging spirit of adventure, hardy bands of war tourists such as Milton visit Afghanistans pristine mountains and medieval ruins every year, ignoring warnings of kidnappings and bombings.

An attack on Thursday on a group of American and European tourists in western Herat province, which left some of them wounded, has brought into focus such global thrill-seekers who imperil their lives to vacation in war zones.

Visiting conflict zones and off-the-beaten-path destinations is so much more rewarding than the usual global tourist destinations, said Milton, 46, a former investment banker who visited Afghanistan in June this year and has also vacationed in Somalia and North Korea.

(My) family and friends think I am a fool to take such risks but... if you are not willing to risk the unusual, then you will have to settle for the ordinary. I just dont want to die without having any scars!

Thursdays attack prompted scorn on social media, with many questioning why the tourists were travelling overland at a time when most Western embassies warn their citizens against all travel in the country.

The owner of Hinterland Travel, a Britain-based adventure travel agency which reportedly organised the tour, was also said to be among the injured and was pilloried for what was widely perceived as recklessness.

But warzone tourism is hardly limited to Afghanistan.

In 2013, Japanese trucker Toshifumi Fujimoto, bored with his humdrum job, jaunted through the war-torn Syrian city of Aleppo, telling AFP that his previous adventures had taken him through Yemen among other Middle East hotspots.
KANDAHAR: A senior Afghan police official regarded as one of the countrys most powerful men has banned the use of the Pakistani currency in the key southern province of Kandahar. The police chief of Kandahar, General Abdul Raziq, said he has declared the use of the Pakistani rupee in business transactions a crime. The rupee is widely used in Afghanistans eastern and southern provinces bordering Pakistan.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
TOKYO: Japan has filed a protest to Beijing after the discovery that China installed radar equipment in a gas exploration platform close to disputed waters in the East China Sea, a Japanese foreign ministry spokesman said on Sunday.

Japan fears that the radar, a type commonly found on patrol ships and not necessary for gas field development, could be a sign that China intends to use gas exploration platforms in the disputed waters as military stations, Japanese media said.

According to the spokesman, Japan discovered the radar in late June and issued a protest on Friday through its embassy in China, urging Beijing to explain the purpose.

Japan has been calling on China to halt construction of oil-and-gas exploration platforms in the East China Sea, accusing it of unilateral development despite a 2008 agreement to maintain cooperation on resources development in the area, in which no official border between the two countries has been drawn.

On Saturday, Japan issued another protest to Beijing after Chinese coastguard ships and about 230 fishing vessels sailed close to what Tokyo considers its territorial waters around disputed islets in the East China Sea.
BRUSSELS: A machete-wielding man who wounded two policewomen in Belgium was a 33-year-old Algerian, prosecutors said on Sunday as the Islamic State, behind a string of deadly attacks in Europe, claimed the assault.

Quoting an unidentified source, Islamic State-linked Amaq Agency said the attack by one of the groups soldiers came in response to calls to target citizens belonging to countries in a US-led coalition bombing the jihadists in Syria and Iraq.

The assailant died on Saturday after being shot by a third policewoman.

Belgian prosecutors said on Sunday that the man, whose initials were given as K.B, was already known to police.

He had a criminal record but was not known for terrorism, they said, adding that he had been living in Belgium since 2012.

Ahead of the IS claim, Prime Minister Charles Michel told reporters that an investigation was under way for attempted terrorist murder, hard on the heels of a meeting of Belgiums security services.

Michel saluted the courage of the police officers and repeated indications from investigators on Saturday that the attacker had shouted Allahu Akbar (God is greatest) during the assault in front of a police station.

Charleroi police confirmed the attacker was killed and that the two injured policewomen were out of danger, though both were placed in an induced coma.
LONDON: Family members of six Britons sentenced to jail in India for allegedly carrying unlicenced arms aboard a merchant vessel have urged Prime Minister Theresa May to intervene forcefully with Indian authorities to seek their freedom.

The six are among 35 members of American anti-piracy vessel MV Seaman Guard Ohio that was intercepted by the Coast Guard off Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, on October 12, 2013. Britain has since taken up their case with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others.

Over 375,000 people have signed an online petition, seeking freedom for the six Britons, who were sentenced to five years in prison in January.

Lisa Nunn, sister of Nick Dunn, one of the six, has urged May and foreign secretary Boris Johnson to step up efforts to secure their release, stating the mental state of the arrested had begun to deteriorate in jail.

Nicks always maintained that he feels abandoned and betrayed by the government and the country that he once servedThere is overwhelming evidence that supports the men and proves that they were not involved in any wrongdoing, Nunn told The Guardian.

Britains head of export controls reportedly confirmed to the court in Tamil Nadu that the arms and ammunition carried by the American company owning the vessel had been given licenses in 2012 and 2013.

Dunn added: I appreciate and understand that the government have spoken to various Indian counterparts... (but) its beyond belief that our government hasnt pushed harder.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: Our staff in India and the UK remain in regular contact with all six men and are continuing to support them and their families.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
BANGKOK: Thai voters on Sunday overwhelmingly approved a new junta-backed constitution that lays the foundation for a civilian government influenced by the military and controlled by appointed  rather than elected  officials.

With 91 percent of the ballots counted, 62 percent of voters in the referendum said they approved of the new constitution, while 38 percent rejected it, Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn told reporters.

The referendum was seen as a test of the popularity of the military government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a retired army general who has severely curtailed dissent since coming to power in a 2014 coup. But his rule has also brought a measure of stability and ended the frequent street violence and divisive politics that had frayed Thailands social fabric for years.

That veneer of stability could help explain the yes vote for the new constitution.

In addition to asking for an opinion on the constitution, the referendum also asked a supplementary question on whether voters wanted an appointed Senate to choose a prime minister. That question elicited a less enthusiastic approval  58 percent yes and 42 percent no, Somchai said.

Although no irregularities were reported in the voting process, critics are likely to point out that the no camp was denied the opportunity to present its case.

The junta imposed severe restrictions in the run-up to the referendum, banning political rallies, independent campaigns and open discussion about the draft constitution. Criticism of the draft was made punishable by 10 years in jail. Critics say the restrictions ensured that most people were unaware of the pitfalls of the charter, and were probably anxious to get the long-drawn process over with so that they could move on.

There was also the allure of new elections that Prayuth has promised to hold in 2017, after the approval of the new constitution, although hes said he would call the vote even if the referendum was defeated.

Some 50 million voters were registered for Sundays referendum, but only about 55 percent of them voted, Somchai said.

Analysts had said that a yes vote would be a setback for democracy in Thailand.

If you say yes to the constitution, it means you agree with the content of the constitution ... what makes matters worse is you also give legitimacy to the coup, to the coup makers, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, an associate professor at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies of Kyoto University in Japan, said on Friday.

Pavin, a Thai and a vocal critic of the junta, told The Associated Press that a victory in the referendum would give the junta the reason to tell the world dont you dare criticise us anymore because we have the legitimacy.

Thailand has endured 13 successful military coups and 11 attempted takeovers since it replaced an absolute monarchy with a constitutional one in 1932. This would be Thailands 20th constitution.
Darkness made it difficult for Colonel Henry L. Abbot of the 1st Connecticut Artillery to determine the precise makeup of the Confederate naval force moving past his position above Virginias James River at 8 p.m. on the evening of January 23, 1865. It was vital, however, that he do so. Abbot was the commander of Fort Brady, the large, earthenwork fortification that was the key to the Union defenses on the James. His ability to identify the force passing below could be crucial to the ultimate outcome of the war.

At the moment, that stretch of the James River was one of the most significant places in the war-ravaged nation. Upriver a few miles from Fort Brady stood the besieged Confederate capital, Richmond. Downstream, Northerners relied upon the river as well. The food, ammunition and supplies necessary to support the Federal armies in Virginia moved through the large supply base at City Point, only a few miles downstream from the fort at the confluence with the Appomattox River.

The Southern flotilla passing Fort Brady was clearly an imposing force. Northern lookouts identified three of the vessels as large, ironclad rams and also made out the wooden gunboat Drewry, and a small steam-driven torpedo boat. Possibly even more vessels were passing in the darkness, Abbot later reported. It was hard for the observers to tell.

Despite their formidable armaments, the batteries at Fort Brady fired only a few fleeting rounds at the passing Southern force. Their targets obscured by the darkness, Northern gunners did little real damage. Nonetheless, by running the fort the Confederates put the Federal forces along the river on alert. Something big was underway. Without knowing it, Abbot and his men were witnessing the beginning of the Confederate Navys last, desperate effort to break the Unions ever-growing stranglehold on the Confederate capital. It would become one of the last important naval engagements of the Civil War  the battle at Trents Reach.

The importance of the James River to the Richmond defense cannot be overstated. In April 1861, the mere rumor of the approach of the Federal warship Pawnee provoked near panic in the city. As if playing a scene from a comic opera, the population turned out en masse to defend the city from the imaged threat of the Union warship. From that time forward, the Southerners worked diligently to secure the city from any attack by way of the river.

The powerful batteries at Drewrys Bluff were one formidable deterrent to Northern naval operations on the James. In May 1862, for instance, its guns pounded a powerful Northern naval squadron so decisively that afterward the Federals were reluctant to approach the Confederate capital by river.

The Southerners, however, did not rely solely upon shore batteries to defend Richmond. In fact, their crowning defensive achievement was undoubtedly the formidable naval squadron built to guard the river approaches to the capital. The backbone of the fleet consisted of three powerful ironclads. The flagship of the James River Squadron was CSS Virginia II, namesake of the most famous Confederate warship of all time, the same ironclad that took part in the famed battle with the Union warship Monitor at Hampton Roads in 1862. Like her predecessor, Virginia II was a formidable warship. Built at Richmond in 1864, the warship drew 13 feet of water and carried a battery of four heavy guns.

The flagships consort, CSS Richmond, was equally powerful. Also patterned on the original Virginia, Richmond was, like the flagship, 180 feet long, drew 16 feet of water, and carried four guns. The third Confederate ironclad, the ram Fredericksburg, drew 11 feet of water and carried four guns. These three formidable ironclads did not go into battle alone. To supplement the trio of large fighting ships, the Confederates had gathered a variety of lesser warships, including gunboats, torpedo boats and tugs. Altogether, the Confederated had assembled a powerful squadron for the defense of their capital.

In one sense, the Confederates James River flotilla had performed its task too well. The Northern navy was hesitant to challenge the daunting combination of warships and shore batteries guarding the James. Therefore, by early 1865, the Confederate naval force assembled to defend Richmond sat virtually idle while Northern ground forces closed in on the Confederate capital. With General Robert E. Lees Army of the Northern Virginia besieged at Petersburg, however, pressure grew to use the Southern naval force to help lift the Federal siege.

In January 1865, the opportunity to mount just such an operation presented itself. Despite the rivers strategic importance to Union operations, Northern naval forces on the James were badly depleted. The Norths largest naval operation of the war, the attack upon Fort Fisher, the guardian of North Carolinas Cape Fear River and the largest fortification in the Confederacy, was no underway. Federal naval units throughout the South had been stripped to the bare minimum to provide the ships for the massive naval armada that accompanied the expedition, and the James River force was no exception. This was exactly the kind of opportunity the Confederates had been seeking, and they moved quickly to take advantage of it.

The plan was a straightforward one. The naval force would move downriver to destroy the Union supply depot at City Point, an ideal target for offensive Southern operations. The supplies that maintained U.S. Grants army at Petersburg passed through the depot at the mouth of the Appomattox. If Northern supply lines could be broken there, the planners reasoned, they could break Grants siege. One obstacle, however, stood between the Southern ironclads and their objective. To prevent just such a move, the Northerners had built obstructions and had fortified a stretch of the river known as Trents Reach.

The Confederate fleet left its anchorage at Chaffins Bluff, just after dark on the evening of January 23, 1865. Federal forces witnessed the flotillas progress down the river. First the Confederate fleet passed the Northern artillery batteries and sharpshooters stationed at Signal Hill. Union artillery batteries at Fort Brady, about four miles upstream from Trents Reach fired about 25 rounds as Southern warships passed the Northern artillery batteries and sharpshooters stationed at Signal Hill. Union artillery batteries at Fort Brady, about four miles upstream from Trents Reach, fired about 25 rounds as the Southern warships passed. Such token resistance, however, did little damage to the naval force.

By 10:30 p.m., the Confederate flotilla had reached Trents Reach. There, two of the ironclads, Virginia II and Richmond, anchored about half a mile above the obstruction. While this maneuver was taking place, the third ironclad, Fredericksburg, with Confederate squadron commander John K. Mitchell on board, continued downriver with some of the flotillas smaller vessels to clear a way through the barrier.

It was not an easy task even though the obstructions had been damaged by recent high water in the river. The Federals had mounted a spar between two hulks to prevent passage through the barrier. While men from Fredericksburg worked to remove the barrier, the Southern torpedo boats, under the command of Lieutenant C.W. Read, made a reconnaissance of the channel, preparing the way for the passage of the larger ironclads.

Union fire from the shore heated up as the flotilla approached the obstruction. In all, three Federal artillery batteries commanded Trents Reach, and each kept up a steady fire on the Confederates. Northern riflemen deployed along the shore also opened up on the Southerners.

The fire was particularly hazardous for the Confederates working in the open to clear a passage through the obstructions. Lieutenant Read described the situation as a perfect rain of missiles. Nonetheless, this superior, squadron commander Mitchell, was fearless in the face of the Northern fire, and his leadership inspired his men to clear a way through the barrier.

Despite Northern resistance, the work went on, and by 1 a.m. Fredericksburg had cleared the barrier. All was now ready for the Confederate flotilla to advance downriver against City Point.

By this time, the Confederates had long since lost the element of surprise. The Union warships assigned to the defense of Trents Reach had heard the firing from Fort Brady hours earlier. And by 10:30 p.m., they had received a dispatch warning that the Rebel boats were clearing a way through the obstructions at Trents Reach.

Despite these warnings, the Union naval force was ill prepared to meet the Confederate warships. The defenders were clearly no match for the powerful Confederate flotilla. Their most formidable warship was the 1,250-ton, twin-turreted monitor Onondaga. Apart from this ironclad, the Union force consisted of only two unimpressive wooden vessels, the 974-ton double-ender Massasoit and the 5,188-ton converted ferryboat Hunchback.

Nevertheless, the Union forces orders were explicit: Stop the Confederate advance down the James at all costs. The picket boats must always be kept in readiness at night, with torpedoes ready for instant service, and if an ironclad should come down they must destroy her, even if they are all sunk, Rear Adm. David D. Porter had written to the Union commander, a New Hampshire man named William A. Parker. For reasons that have never been clear, however, Parker and his force did not contest the Confederate advance at the obstructions. Instead, Onondaga withdrew downriver a few miles to a pontoon bridge new Deep Bottom. Parker later explained that he ordered the withdrawal to a place where the monitor would have more room to maneuver. I though my chances of capturing the whole fleet would be increased by allowing them to come down river to the bridge, where I intended to attack them, the Federal commander later said in defense of his actions. Many, however, were critical of Parkers failure to fight, including Lt. Gen. U.S. Grant, commanding general of the Union armies.

Grant received word of the Confederate attack on the obstructions at Trents Reach at 9:30 the following morning. He immediately saw the danger posed to his supply base at City Point by the Rebel advance down the James. There are three of these ironclads in view, and I am inclined to believe they will make an effort to get down here to destroy our store, Grant reported to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Gustavus V. Fox in Washington from his headquarters at City Point.

To safeguard his supply lines, Grant wanted Parkers force to meet the Confederate flotilla at the obstructions. At first, the general appealed to Parker directly. When this failed to provide satisfactory results, Grant took it upon himself to send orders directly to individual gunboat commanders. He also expressed his frustration in a telegraph to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles: I have been unable to get Captain Parker, by requesting, to assemble his gunboats near the obstructions in the James River. He seems hopeless.

Disapproval from someone of Grants stature was dangerous even for an officer in the Navy. In response to Grants concerns, the Navy Department immediately sent orders relieving Parker of his command. Washington sought a replacement suitable to General Grant. President Abraham Lincoln suggested no less a commander than Admiral David G. Farragut, the victor of the greatest naval battles at New Orleans and Mobile Bay. To stabilize the situation on the James River while Farragut was en route, the command was turned over to Commodore William Radford, commander of the USS Ironsides at Norfolk.

Such complex arrangements, however, did little to solve the immediate crisis facing the Federals on the James. Action would be necessary long before an officer could arrive from some distant station. For the time being, Grant expressed confidence in the squadrons second-in-command, Commander E.T. Nichols. Commander Nichols will no doubt do, Grant assured Washington. Such maneuvering by Grant and leaders in the Northern capital would have come far too late had the Confederates moved quickly against City Point, and this was exactly what the Confederates had intended to do. But it was Southern misfortune, not Northern reactions that turned the tide of battle at Trents Reach.

At 1:45 a.m., Mitchell returned to the Rebel squadron from clearing the obstructions. All was ready for the Confederate force to continue downriver and make a move against City Point. However, Mitchell discovered the disaster had struck the flotilla during his absence.

When Virginia II had anchored in Trents Reach at about 10:30 p.m., she sat in five fathoms of water. During the hours that followed, however, the tide had continued to ebb. By 1 a.m., the water was too shallow to float the Southern warship.

Virginia II was not the only vessel left stranded by the falling tide. By 3:30 a.m., Richmond, Drewry and one of the torpedo boats, Scorpion, were also reported aground. Examination of the stranded vessels was not encouraging. They could not be refloated before the next high tide, which would come at about 11 oclock in the morning.

The delay for the Confederates proved to be both long and perilous. Northern batteries and sharpshooters stationed along the south side of Trents Reach maintained a steady fire upon the stricken flotilla throughout the night. During the darkness, the shore fire had been ineffective. In the growing daylight, however, it became increasingly deliberate and deadly. By dawn, it was having a devastating effect upon the stranded gunboats.

From the beginning, Richmond and Drewry were the main targets of the Northern cannon fire. The ironclad Richmond withstood the bombardment, but the unarmored vessels were quickly torn to bits.

Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, the Confederates evacuated the crew from the unarmored Drewry to the ironclad Richmond at 6:55 a.m. It was not a moment too soon.

Just 15 minutes after the evacuation, a Northern shell struck Drewrys magazine, blowing the gunboat literally to pieces. The explosion of Drewry did nearly as much damage to the Southern flotilla as did the Union cannon fire. Commander John McIntosh Kell, captain of Richmond, later reported that the shock felt on board the Richmond was terrific. Pieces of the exploded Drewry, he noted, littered the deck of the Confederate ironclad, causing some damage.

Such damage, however, was not confined to Richmond. Two crew members were killed on board the torpedo boat Scorpion, anchored nearby. Scorpion was so badly hammered by Drewrys explosion that it could not be refloated, and it was abandoned by the Confederates.

But the biggest surprise for the Confederates was yet to come. Just when it seemed that nothing more could go wrong for the flotilla, two Northern ships, a double-turreted monitor and a double-ender, appeared from the lower reach of the river and began to close on the stranded Confederates.

Parker had not completely given up the fight after all. At 8:30 a.m. on January 24, Onondaga weighed anchor and, with the aid of the tugboat Scorpion, made her way upstream toward the obstructions. Accompanying the monitor were the gunboats Massasoit and Hunchback and the torpedo boat Spuyten Duyvil. The Northern flotilla made its first appearance at the obstructions at about 10:30 a.m. By 10:45, Onondaga had engaged the grounded Confederate ironclads at a range of about one-half mile.

The Confederates were truly helpless in the face of the new threat. Immobilized, they could not train their guns on the enemy. During the whole time while aground, neither the Richmond nor the Virginia [II] could get a gun to bear upon the enemy, Mitchell later reported.

Yet just when it seemed that the Confederates had run out of options, fortune inexplicably turned in their favor. As the Northern vessels were closing in, the Confederate warships began to float free. The tide had been rising for several hours, and by 11 a.m., it lifted the stranded rams off the bottom.

Onondaga fired about seven rounds at Virginia II, but the refloated Confederate ironclad brought her 9-inch gun to bear and fired a single shot, that according to Mitchell, was observed to take effect upon the monitor.

The engagement between the warships did not last long. By mutual consent, it was broken off as the Confederates withdrew upstream and the Northerners moved off downstream. The ordeal at Trents Reach left the Confederate flotilla seriously weakened, having lost Drewry and a torpedo boat to the fight. A second torpedo boat had been disabled, and Virginia II was badly damaged. She had received 70 hits during the engagement.

Even if it was weakened, however, the Southern flotilla was still a formidable fighting force. Virginia IIs damage, though severe, had no effect on her fighting capacity. Her big guns and armor were still intact. In addition, Richmond emerged from the engagement with little or no damage at all. That encouraging situation prompted Mitchells decision to make a second attempt downriver as soon as the tides permitted a nighttime advance.

However, the second Confederate advance at Trents Reach fared no better than the first. At 9 p.m., the squadron attempted to get back underway, but pilots aboard Virginia II found the ironclad unmanageable. Damage sustained during the bombardment caused steam to leak from the ironclads deck, so obscuring the pilots visibility that he was unable to maneuver the vessel.

To make matters worse, the Federals had installed Drummond lights during the day on the south bank of Trents Reach near the obstructions. The large lights, Mitchell complained, would have permitted the Northern artillerymen to direct their fire almost as well as night as by day.

Mitchell and his commanders held a council of war and decided to forego further operations a Trents Reach. At 2:45 a.m., Mitchell and his flotilla retreated, rerunning the gantlet of Northern fire as they made their way upriver. The squadron suffered little additional damage. By 8:30 a.m., the squadron had returned to its anchorage below Chaffins Bluff.

The battle at Trents Reach did not enhance the career of either commander. A naval court-martial later found Parker guilty of an error in judgment in withdrawing his force from the obstructions at Trents Reach. Federal Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles later dismissed the sentence of the court-martial on a technicality. Nonetheless, Welles placed Parker on the Navys retirement list. The Confederate commander fared little better. Perceived as being too timid for not renewing the attack at Trents Reach, Mitchell was relieved of this command of the James River Squadron within three weeks and replaced by Confederate naval hero Rear Adm. Raphael Semmes, the former commander of the famed raider Alabama.

The batter at Trents Reach proved to be the swan song for the ironclads of the Confederacys James River squadron. Even with its new commander, the squadron did not attempt another foray against the Union forces on the lower James River. In February 1865, the Northern flotilla on the James was reinforced by the formidable Union warships Atlanta and New Ironsides. The Federals never again offered the Southerners the same opportunity for a decisive victory on the river below Richmond that they had had in late January. Misfortune and miscalculation had also cost the Confederates their best opportunity to break the Petersburg siege. Had it not been for happenstance, the little-known battle at Trents Reach might have changed the course of the Civil War. As it was, the war flowed swiftly to an end, as surely as the James River flows to the sea.

This article was written by John D. Pelzer and originally appeared in the September 1995 issue of Americas Civil War magazine. For more great articles subscribe to Americas Civil War magazine today!
After the North Vietnamese Air Forces first intercept of U.S. aircraft in April 1965, Hanois leaders feared U.S. bombing strikes on their planes on the ground. Unaware that U.S. Rules of Engagement precluded an immediate counterstrike against the interceptors launch airfield, NVAF leaders ordered the planes to be moved to the mountains north and northeast of Hanoi shortly after landing, a challenge for transportation units and ground and air crews. Fortunately for them, Hanoi had just received some Soviet-built Mil Mi-6 Hook heavy-lift helicopters, which at nearly 20,000 pounds had enough lift capacity to transport a fully fueled and armed MiG-17, -19 or -21 to and from distant dispersal areasespecially critical when the rules of engagement for the air war relaxed in later years.

The gas-turbine-powered Mi-6, the Soviet Unions first true heavy-lift helicopter, initially flew in September 1957 and entered production in 1961. Sturdily built, its transmission was actually heavier than its engines and could withstand tremendous punishment. The Mi-6 went into service in 1962 as the worlds largest and fastest helicopter and was unique at the time with its short, removable wings, which reduced the lift-load on the rotors during horizontal flight. It could transport up to 71 fully equipped infantry soldiers or 41 stretcher cases. Although it was rarely used to transport field artillery or mortars, the Hooks cargo bay was large enough to carry any mortar then in the North Vietnamese inventory and any artillery piece except the M-46.

With its arrival in 1964, the Mi-6 Hook gave the NVAF a helicopter that was superior to any U.S. helicopter then in service. Its first operational missions began in mid-1965, and although Hanoi never employed the Hook in airmobile or air assault missions, it played a small but key role in North Vietnamese military operations.

With American fighters prohibited from shooting them down, Hooks became the transport of choice for high-priority, heavy-delivery requirements inside North Vietnam and eastern Laos, transporting SA-2 surface-to-air missiles, antiaircraft artillery and other heavy materials. They were critical to aircraft dispersal activities, conducting more than 400 lifts of MiG-17s alone during the war. They were also used for delivering critical supplies and equipment to Pathet Lao and NVA forces in Laos. The Hook soldiered on in Vietnamese service until well into the 1990s.
Court-Martial of Van Dorn

As the result of his actions before, during and after the Battle of Corinth, the Confederate Army court-martialed Earl Van Dorn. Though other generals had lost battles, Van Dorn had the singular misfortune of having a vocal critic who was so dissatisfied with Van Dorns performance that he preferred charges against him.

Brigadier General John Bowen was a brigade commander in Lovells division. An 1853 graduate of West Point, Bowen was an army engineer for only two years before resigning his commission. When the Civil War broke out, he went from the Missouri State Guard to the Confederate Army.

When Bowen preferred charges, the president of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, ordered a court of inquiry to investigate. Bowen made two charges against Van Dorn: neglect of duty and improper treatment of his men.

Specifications under the first charge included attacking Corinth without due consideration or forethought, failing to attack on the night of the 3rd, and allowing reinforcements to reach Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans.

Specifications under the second charge included causing long, tedious, and circuitous marches and allowing at least one train of wounded to spend the night in Water Valley unattended. Later a charge of drunkenness was added.

As it was, there was little doubt of the outcome of the inquiry. Davis liked Van Dorn, and stacked the court in his favor. President of the court was Maj. Gen. Sterling Price, with Brig. Gen. Dabney Maury another member. Both appeared as witnesses in Van Dorns defense. The third member of the court was Brig. Gen. Lloyd Tilghmann, who also was a defense witness, though he was not even present at the battle.

Given the opportunity of prosecuting the case, Bowen backed down, allowing the court recorder to handle the questioning. His own testimony failed to substantiate all his claims, and defense witnesses refuted others.

Van Dorn concluded his defense by personally refuting each charge. Gentlemen of the court, I am a Mississippian by birth, he said. The ashes of my parent repose in her soil. It has been my pride to serve her.My blood has always been ready for her, yet in the midst of my struggles for her my name has been blighted by her people.

It did not take the court long to find him innocent of all charges. But, though vindicated legally, Van Dorn was never again trusted with command of an army. He was transferred to command of the cavalry, and a few months later was shot dead by a jealous husband in Tennessee.

[ Top | Cover Page ]
Students snag chance to probe Camp Misery

As if the indignity of losing at Fredericksburg were not enough, 100,000 Union soldiers (and 90,000 of their counterparts from the South) settled in to spend the winter along the banks of Virginias Rappahannock River at a site that would become known tellingly as Camp Misery. The savage winter of 1862 was about as brutal and deadly as the battlefieldsperhaps more so. According to the Virginia Department of Historical Resources, Pneumonia, cholera, smallpox, dysentery, malaria and other diseases spurred by close contact, poor nutrition, and inadequate clothing and housing joined to ravage the camps.

Construction of a new high school will destroy any remaining clues about life in Camp Misery, but first, DHR, the Archeological Society of Virginia, students and researchers from James Madison University, and the Stafford County School System combined forces to excavate a street in the old Union camp last fall. Artifacts discovered were sent to JMU for processing and interpretation.

Were going to find out some significant information, said Clarence Geier, professor of anthropology at James Madison University. Geier said he expects a report to be written in the coming year.

According to DHS, What was an army of 100,000 men became a vast temporary Union city in which the Corps, Divisions, Companies and Regiments were the spatially arrayed political subdivisions. The name Camp Misery, given by some of its occupants, evokes a soldiers life of cold temperatures, snow, freezing rain and sleet, and lots of mud. Companies of men were aligned in communities with streets made up of crude huts arranged in rows. For the common soldier life was unpleasant and held the prospect of sharing a partially below ground structureof a size smaller than many of todays walk-in closetswith four people in fair weather and foul, in sickness and in health, and for a duration lasting weeks and months.


The Fighting Irish

Upon reading James Callaghans article Red on Green (December 1998), I was amused to see a mention of the wounding of Lieutenant Seneca G. Willauer of the 116th Pennsylvania during the Unions ill-fated assault at Fredericksburg. Seneca survived this wound, was promoted to captain three months later, and went on to earn a brevet as a major just before the end of the war. He lived until the ripe old age of 82. His brother, Sam, a corporal in the 116th, died of wounds received in the same battle. I also would like to thank Mr. Callaghan for mentioning that the 116th did not fight under a green flag at Fredericksburg. To this day there is a reenactment group that insists on using an incorrect green flag.

James Willauer

Warminster, Pennsylvania

I just finished reading James Callaghans article Red on Green. While the article was excellent, I was taken back by one of the photo captions, which read, at the battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, the legion was decimated; its few survivors joined other units. Few things can be further from the truth. The Corcoran Irish Legion survived intact as a brigade for the duration of the war, despite grievous losses. Furthermore, when the Irish Brigade was disbanded in June 1864, the Irish Legion was the only Irish brigade in Federal service during the summer and fall of 1864. The remnants of the Irish Legion were mustered out of Federal service in June 1865 under Brigadier General J.P. McIvor, who had been captured at First Bull Run at Michael Corcorans side.

Christopher-Michael Garcia

Aboard the U.S.S. Saipan

in the Adriatic Sea

I dont believe the men in the photo on pages 60 and 61 in the article Red and Green to be Michael Corcorans officers. They seem to be dressed in their best military uniform of the time. Look at their boots; they shine. These men are being schooled on gun placements. I think these are men in officers training before being assigned to their units. Look at the officer second from right with his right forearm in his coat. I strongly believe this man is George Armstrong Custer. What do you think?

Otie Turner

cst@top.net

Not So Statuesque

I am a big fan of General James Longstreet. I begged my parents to take me to Gettysburg so I could see the new memorial. When I saw it, I was disappointed. The man on the horse looked nothing like Longstreet, the body was not in proportion to the horse, and the monument was not even on a pedestal. A great general like Longstreet should have a respectable monument and be honored appropriately.

Christopher Chadzutko

Bay Shore, New York

Whats In The Name?

In reading Custers First Stand (My War, December 1998), I was struck by the name of his company commander, Major Innis Palmer. The commanding general of Fort Bliss, Texas, in 1941 was Major General Innis Palmer Swift. Possibly he was a distant relative of Major Innis Palmer, or perhaps Swifts parents had been impressed by the major.

Tom Flammang

El Paso, Texas

Another Famous LeMat

Id like to add an addendum to Stuart W. Sanderss excellent article LeMat (December 1998) that perhaps the most (in)famous owner of a LeMat on the Secesh side was Captain Henry Wirz of Andersonville Prison. It was often mentioned by writers of the time and place.

Dan Morrison

Demarest, New Jersey

Lunch At The Trenches

It was with great pleasure that my husband and I read David A. Norriss article on the battle at Boons Mill, North Carolina (Battle in the Buff, December 1998). For the past 12 years, we have been driving down North Carolina Route 158 to Jackson, and we have always timed our ride so we could eat lunch at the trenches at Boons Mill. Our only knowledge of the battle was the highway marker, but we had enough curiosity to climb over the guardrail across the road and poke around in the underbrush. Now, thanks to Mr. Norris, we know something of the action there and who was involved.

Carolyn B. Rawlings

Roanoke, Virginia

A Call For Help

On behalf of the Burrillville Historical and Preservation Society in Rhode Island, I am requesting information on how to acquire a Civil War monument for our community. While many communities throughout New England boast Civil War monuments on their village greens, our community has none. We have no idea where to look or even begin this process. Any information that could help us would be greatly appreciated. Please contact us at the society at P.O. Box 93, Pascoag, RI 02859.

Mark A. Pierre
An Unstoppable Confederate War Machine Meets Its Match

BY MICHAEL MORGAN

It was the Unions turn to suffer. For three years its forces had steadily grown stronger along the North Carolina coast. Federal soldiers occupied most of the eastern part of the state. Few ports remained open, and even those were increasingly restricted by the dishearteningly effective Union blockade. Now, it was early 1864, and Confederate North Carolina was in dire straits. As their once consistent stream of supplies slowed to a trickle, Confederate leaders sought a way to break the Union blockade. Their solution came in the form of a mammoth ironclad ram named after the Albemarle Sound, where she had been built and where she would terrorize Union ships for months to come. She was the Albemarle, and there was not a Federal vessel afloat that could stop her.

The Confederates had been working on the Albemarle since 1863. Gilbert Elliott, a 19-year-old marine engineer and native North Carolinian, had been awarded a contract to build an ironclad ram capable of driving the Yankee invaders from his home state. Working under the direction of James W. Cooke, who was to command the ship, Elliott set up his shipyard in the cornfield of a Peter Smith on the west side of the Roanoke River, not far from Hamilton. The site was ideal: close to raw materials and able crewmen yet far enough upstream to be safe from surprise Union patrols. While Cooke collected the necessary men and equipment, Elliott scavenged for whatever iron he could find. After a year of dogged work, the hull of the Albemarle slid out of Smiths cornfield and into the river.

Designed by John L. Porter, the chief constructor of the Confederate navy, the Albemarle was 152 feet long with a draft of slightly less than 9 feet. Her two deadly Brooke guns were mounted on pivot carriages that allowed each gun to fire through three different gunports. These two guns, along with the ships four-inch-thick iron plating and heavily reinforced bow, made the ram the nemesis of the wooden ships of the Union blockade on the Albemarle Sound. As if that were not enough, the Albemarles shallow draft enabled her to ply the waters of North Carolinas inland bays where the larger and more powerful Union monitors would run aground.

By 1864, the Union forces had moved across the sound and established a strong base on the Roanoke River at Plymouth, some 40 miles downstream from Hamilton. In April, the Albemarle was ordered to participate in a combined river and land attack on that base. As the ram floated down the Roanoke to meet the enemy, blacksmiths and carpenters were on board, still putting the finishing touches on the Confederate warship.

Afternoon was turning to evening on April 17 when the Confederates neared Plymouth. The Union army forces on shore anchored their lines flanks on the Roanoke River, where the Federal navy was assumed to be superior to the approaching Rebel flotilla. Even so, Lieutenant Commander Charles W. Flusser, who was in charge of the Union naval squadron at Plymouth, knew the Albemarle spelled trouble. Federal ships had placed obstructions in the Roanoke, and Flusser had two of his vessels, the Miami and the Southfield, chained together to ensnare the ram between them.

As the Confederate land assault commenced, Cooke steered the Albemarle down the Roanoke. On April 18, during a night of heavy rain, Cooke learned of the obstacles in the river and sent Elliott ahead to reconnoiter. Elliott studied the obstructions from his small boat, carefully gauging the depth of the water; the heavy spring rain had caused the river to rise, and Elliott was satisfied that there was enough water for the ram to pass safely. He reported this to Cooke, who ordered the Albemarle forward.

By daybreak, the ship had glided safely over the obstructions. A short time later it was spotted by Union troops manning a battery at Warrens Neck. The gunners opened fire on the Confederate vessel, but their shells bounced harmlessly off her thick hull. One sailor inside the Albemarle recalled that the noise made by the shot and shell as they struck the boat sounded no louder than pebbles thrown against an empty barrel.

Cooke continued down the river, wasting no ammunition on the insignificant fort. After the ram quietly passed a second Union fortification at Boyles Mill, the Confederates spotted the Miami and the Southfield. Cooke deftly maneuvered the Albemarle close to the shore, out of the reach of the Union vessels with their deeper drafts. Then he aimed her at those vessels and plunged full speed ahead. The iron ram that protruded from the Albemarles bow struck the Southfield and drove deeply into the wooden ships side. The Southfield began to settle quickly, but not before the two vessels had become entangled. As the Southfield sank, she dragged the Rebel ironclads bow beneath the surface. Water gushed in through the Albemarles gun ports, and her crew feared she was lost. But as the Union ship hit bottom, she rolled over on her side. The Albemarle broke free and bobbed back to the rivers surface.

Standing on the deck of the nearby Miami, Flusser tried to take advantage of the Albemarles temporary entanglement with the Southfield. He ordered a 10-second fuse to be affixed to a cannon shell, yanked the gun lanyard, and fired directly into the Albemarles hull. But the shell simply bounded off the iron plating and came back toward the Miami. Flusser watched with horror as the shell, its fuse still burning, landed at his feet; it blew up and tore him apart.

The Miami withdrew immediately. The Union naval squadron had been effectively neutralized, and the Federal land forces flanks and rear were suddenly unprotected from the Rebel gunboats fire. The overconfident Federals had counted on being able to bring reinforcements up the river, but now that option was no longer open. On April 20, the Union garrison at Plymouth surrendered. The next day, Major General Benjamin Butler, commander of the Union Department of Virginia and North Carolina, sent a terse dispatch to Washington, D.C., from his headquarters at Fort Monroe, Virginia: Rebel ram came down the Roanoke, passed Plymouth, sunk the Southfield, disabled the Miami, and has gone into the Sound. Flusser is killed. Great consternation there.

The Confederacy had seemingly found its savior. Many elated Southerners believed the Albemarle would enable the Confederates to reclaim the barrier islands and reopen the coast as far south as Wilmington. On May 5, 1864, Cooke took the ship and two tenders down the Roanoke River, but a Union flotilla of seven wooden gunboats blocked her path to the sound. Then, at 4:00 p.m., the Northern ships steamed directly at the Confederate vessel. Closing to within 100 yards of the ironclad, the Yankee gunboats poured a heavy fire into the ram for nearly an hour.

By 5:00 p.m., the commander of the Federal gunboat Sassacus saw an opportunity and ordered: Crowd waste and oil in the fires and back slowly! Give her all the steam she can carry! The Sassacus charged directly at the point where the Albemarles casemate joined the hull. With full steam and open throttle the ship sprang forward like a living thing, a Union sailor recalled. Cooke was unable to maneuver the Albemarle out of the way.

As the Sassacuss large paddle wheels drove her forward, the guns stopped firing and the smoke cleared. The Northerners watched as the Albemarle turned to avoid their headlong rush. An officer aboard the Sassacus called out to the crew: All hands lie down!

With a shock that ran through both vessels, the Sassacus struck the Albemarle squarely. The force of the collision splintered the Federal ships wooden bow. Even as the Union vessel rested on the Confederate ram, its paddles continued to splash. Water rushed into the careened ram, and this time it seemed the Albemarle really might sink. Coolly, Cooke called out to the crew: Stand to your guns, and if we must sink let us go down like brave men.

The Sassacus rode the ram for more than 10 minutes. One Union sailor remembered: I saw the port of the ram not ten feet away. It opened; and like a flash of lightning I saw the grim muzzle of a cannon, the straining of the guns-crew naked to the waist and blackened with powder; then a blaze, a roar and rush of the shell as it crashed through, whirling me round and dashing me to the deck. The cannonball struck the Sassacuss boilers, and scalding steam filled the vessel. One sailor was killed, and many more were horribly burned. Amid the chaos, the Albemarle managed to slide from beneath the Union ship.

Unable to penetrate the Albemarles iron plating, the remaining six Federal ships played out a net to foul the rams propellers, but a line parted and the ploy failed. An attempt to sink the ram with a torpedo also failed. In several hours of desperate combat, only a single Southerner had been lost; this unfortunate Confederate had carelessly stuck his head out one of the rams gunports to watch the battle, and a Union pistol shot had ended his life.

The Albemarle remained afloat, but she had taken a pounding. Her smokestack was riddled with holes and some of her iron plates were beginning to peel from her sides. The warships aftergun had broken off 18 inches from the end, but the undaunted Southerners had continued to fire it.

At dusk, as the Albemarle returned to Plymouth for repairs, it seemed that the Confederacys new war machine was achieving everything its owners had hoped it would. Union operations in eastern North Carolina had to be suspended until the ram could be dealt with effectively. Acting Rear Admiral Samuel Lee, who commanded the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, believed a daring raid undertaken by a daring leader was the only way to defeat the Albemarle. A young Union navy lieutenant came to mind; Lee had read of William Cushings commando-style exploits behind enemy lines and his bold but unsuccessful attempt to capture Confederate Brigadier General Paul Hebert early in 1863. The rear admiral barked to an aide: Get Lieutenant Cushing!

The brother of the late Lieutenant Alonzo Cushing, killed while heroically commanding a Union battery at Gettysburg, William Cushing had been a close friend of the late Lieutenant Commander Flusser of the Miami. The mission Lee offered was dangerous, but Cushing jumped at the chance to avenge his friends death.

First, Cushing headed to New York City to find the right sort of vessel for navigating the Roanoke River. He learned that the navy was tinkering with steam launches outfitted with torpedoes. Small and maneuverable, these boats were less than 50 feet long with a draft of about three and a half feet, and two of them had been completed by the time Cushing arrived in New York. Each launch had been fitted with a small davit, and upon each davit hung a torpedo. The davit allowed the bomb to be lifted over the side and hurled forward a few feet toward an enemy ship. After the torpedo was released, a tug on a line caused a ball inside the torpedo to fall onto a percussion cap. The resulting spark detonated the bombs explosives. It was a tricky device that required dexterity and daring of the user, but Cushing ran the launches through several successful trials in New York Harbor and decided they would be adequate for the mission.

As Cushing made his way south by rail, the two steam launches traveled through inland waterways toward North Carolina. On the Chesapeake Bay, however, they became separated, and one blundered into Rebel-held territory in Virginia and was captured. The second launch rendezvoused with Cushing at Norfolk, Virginia. Although the young commander was distressed by the loss of one of his launches, he continued the expedition. Impossibilities are for the timid, he later commented. We determined to overcome all obstacles.

Cushing guided the single launch through the Chesapeake and Albemarle Canal on October 27 and met up with the Union flotilla, which was cowering at the mouth of the Roanoke River, dreading the reappearance of the Albemarle. In addition to the crew he had assigned to the torpedo launch, Cushing had gathered a second group of raiders who would be towed in a cutter; if nothing else, he believed, the extra men could help his crew board and seize the ironclad. At nightfall, the two vessels began the slow voyage up the Roanoke. Every care was made to pass quietly up the river, and a rain storm helped cover their movements. Without the element of surprise, the expedition would be doomed to failure.

On the way to their target, Cushing and his saboteurs steamed past the wreck of the Southfield. The upper works of the sunken Union vessel protruded above the surface of the river, and the Confederates were using the ship as a lookout post. If he could not slip by unnoticed, Cushing hoped to run some of the men from the cutter onto the Southfield; they would silence the lookouts before any alarm could be spread. But the steam launch chugged by the Confederate pickets without being seen.

Early on the morning of October 28, heavy rain made it nearly impossible for the Union raiders to see more than a few feet ahead. When the weather cleared, Cushings men saw an imposing sight; the Albemarle, protected by a pen of logs that extended about 30 feet from the vessel. So far, his vessel had not been discovered by the Confederates. If he could capture the Albemarle, Cushing thought the rams iron plating would protect his men as they sailed triumphantly back to the Union fleet.

It was a glorious fantasy, but the voice of a Confederate sailor hailing the steam launch snapped Cushing back to reality. There would be no surprise attack now. Cushing ordered his cutter back downriver and called out defiantly to the Albemarles crew, Leave the ram or Ill blow you to pieces. Instead, reported one Union sailor, the rebels sprung their rattle, rang the bell and commenced firing.

Cushing steered his launch directly for the wooden barriers that encircled the ram. The logs, he reasoned, must have been submerged for some time and, as a result, must have become slimy. If he hit the logs with enough force, Cushing believed, the launch might ride right over them. As his launch gained speed and drove toward the Albemarle, the Rebel gunboats men opened fire, but by then the Union launch was too close to allow a clear shot. The Confederates on shore, however, had no difficulty firing on Cushing and his boat.

Several shots passed through Cushings coat as he stood in the bow of the launch, steadying the torpedo davit. In one hand he held the line that would lower the torpedo; in the other he held the detonating line. Nearby lines would allow the lieutenant to signal steering instructions to the man at the tiller. Cushing somehow kept his balance as the launch struck the protective logs and, as he had guessed it would, slid over them.

The launch closed to within a few feet of the ironclad, and Cushing lowered the torpedo. A hail of Confederate bullets rained around him, but Cushing waited to pull the line that would release the detonating ball until he knew the bomb had settled beneath the rams protective shield. Finally, Cushing tugged on the line, and in seconds the torpedo exploded.

Men, save yourselves! shouted Cushing after the shock of the blast had passed. Slipping off his coat and shoes, he dove into the cold Roanoke River. Several Union sailors followed, but most were captured immediately by the Confederates.

Cushing had no clue whether his mission had succeeded or failed as he swam for land. When he finally drew his exhausted body onto the shore, he was still several miles from the Union fleet. He was lying quietly in reeds near the rivers edge when several Confederate soldiers passed close enough that he could hear them commenting on how it had been done. Their words encouraged him, but he was not convinced his mission had succeeded until a black man gave him the news that the Albemarle had been sunk.

With newfound energy, Cushing continued to make his way toward the Union flotilla. He stole a small skiff and paddled downriver, and after a few hours he was picked up by a Federal vessel. While the fleet celebrated the news of the Albemarles destruction, the exhausted Cushing rested. The dreaded ironclad that had been forged in a North Carolina cornfield and had terrorized an entire Union fleet had come to an end.

Once he had restored himself, Cushing turned with special relish to the writing of his report on the mission. He began: I have the honor to report that the rebel ironclad Albemarle is at the bottom of the Roanoke River. When Federal naval forces recaptured Plymouth days later, the Albemarle, which lay in shallow water with her casemate peeking above the surface, was raised and condemned as a prize of war. From the Union viewpoint, the captured ship was a fitting tribute to one determined mans victory over an ironclad giant.

Michael Morgan is a freelance writer from Crofton, Maryland. This is his first feature for Civil War Times.
Brigadier General John Kings disciplined brigade of Union Regulars found itself tested as never before at Chickamauga. For two bloody days, the Regulars dashed from one endangered spot to another, seeking to save their army from annihilation.

In the cold, clear predawn of September 19, 1863, the last of some 1,500 men of the Regular brigade filed into position near the Kelly farm in northwest Georgia, 13 miles south of Chattanooga in the valley of West Chickamauga Creek.

Comprising five infantry battalions and a battery, the brigade was the largest body of U.S. Regulars west of the Appalachian Mountains. Although some of the officers and sergeants were veterans of the prewar army, most of the troops had no previous military experience. The soldiers accepted the stern ways of the Regulars because their state regiments had no vacancies or were slow to be mustered into state service. The battalions themselves were New Army outfits formed in the 1861 expansion of the standing army.

The Regulars comprised the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, XIV Corps, of the 57,000-man Army of the Cumberland. The army had been fighting in the Western theater of the Civil War since 1861 to prevent the Southern occupation of Kentucky and to dislodge the Confederates from Tennessee. During June and July 1863, army commander Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans had maneuvered the Confederates out of central Tennessee in the brilliant and nearly bloodless Tullahoma campaign. In August 1863, the Cumberlanders advanced to give battle over the prize city of Chattanooga, a rail hub linking Virginia to Georgia and situated at a gap in the Appalachian Mountains that was the gateway to the lower South. Possession of the city would deprive the Confederacy of a vital conduit for foodstuffs and military stores and give the Federals access to central Georgia.

The Confederate Army of Tennessee, commanded by the bilious General Braxton Bragg, opposed Rosecrans army. Braggs combination of physical debilities and personal deficiencies, plus the touchiness and insubordination of his subordinate commanders, threatened to fracture the chain of command. His army had already been driven out of Kentucky and Tennessee. This dearth of success, plus Braggs harsh views on discipline, hardly endeared him to his 71,000 soldiers.

On August 16, Rosecrans moved south from Tullahoma. To confuse Bragg, Rosecrans divided his four army corps, moving the XXI Corps, commanded by Maj. Gen. Thomas Crittenden, north of Chattanooga to threaten Braggs right flank, while the XIV and XX corps traveled in an arc south of the city through northeastern Alabama and into Georgia. A reserve corps under Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger followed to reinforce the army. By September 8, Rosecrans had forced Bragg to evacuate Chattanooga.

Seeking to further damage the Confederate army, Rosecrans began a risky pursuit, during which he failed to keep his corps in supporting distance of one another. Twice the Confederates missed a chance to destroy the widely separated Union columns, and reports of the Rebels proximity made Rosecrans realize that Bragg had ceased to retreat and had concentrated his army to give battle. At that point, Crittendens XXI Corps was in contact with Confederate forces on the banks of West Chickamauga Creek, near Lee and Gordons Mill. Major General George Thomas XIV Corps was six miles southwest at Pond Springs, and Maj. Gen. Alexander McCooks XX Corps was 10 miles away, on south Missionary Ridge. During the next six days both armies began to concentrate in the area north of La Fayette, Ga.

Brigadier General John Kings Regular brigade, under the divisional command of Brig. Gen. Absalom Baird, was among the many brigades that left their bivouacs early on the morning of September 18 and plodded northeastward as the army consolidated. Both Thomas and McCook were moving toward Crittenden to ward off what Rosecrans correctly perceived as a threat to his left flank and main supply route through Chattanooga.

Bragg had determined to fight to protect his supply train and artillery park. He hoped to cut off the Union army from Chattanooga and drive the Northerners back across the Tennessee River.

The Regulars and the rest of the Union army had no idea what the terrain was like on the battlefield. From their new position in the Kelly farm field on the La Fayette Road, Kings men could see little ahead of them, and their officers had no chance to perform reconnaissance.

The terrain was thickly wooded all the way to Chickamauga Creek. In fact, Thomas described it in his official report as original forest timber, interspersed with undergrowth and in many places so dense it was difficult to see 50 paces ahead. Visibility would be worse during the battle, with gun smoke hanging at ground level in opaque clouds. Unit commanders were unable to see both ends of their line of battle, and the artillery had a difficult time functioning. While the trees provided concealment, when hit by shellfire their wood and bark burst into hundreds of lethal fragments. Sparks from rifles and cannons would also ignite the underbrush, causing fires that immolated the wounded.

Small farms dotted the area, and their namesKelly, Poe, Brotherton and Snodgrasscame to be associated with some of the bloodiest fighting in America. Chickamauga Creek flowed along the east side of the battlefield. Studded with fords, it was easy to cross, but the few poor roads that traversed the battlefield made the massing of troops difficult and their movement slow.

The battlefield was bisected by the La Fayette Road, which provided good north and south movement. The road was not only connected to the fords on the Chickamauga, but was also the principal artery running to Chattanooga via the Rossville Gap, about eight miles from the battlefield. If the Rebels cut that road, the Union army would be cut off from Chattanooga.

The western boundary of the battlefield was Missionary Ridge, a huge mass of rock running 30 miles southwest from the Tennessee River. Only two gaps in the ridge, McFarlands and Rossville, allowed passage from the battlefield to Chattanooga. If they were captured, the Army of the Cumberland would be pinned against the ridge and crushed.

While Rosecrans consolidated his army, Bragg planned a holding attack around Lee and Gordons Mill by one of his army corps. Three others would cross the Chickamauga north of the mill via Thedfords Ford, Alexanders Bridge and Reeds Bridge, sweeping west and south to seize the La Fayette Road and cut the Yankees off from Rossville Gap.

While the armies moved, Union cavalry stood watch on Chickamauga Creek around Reeds Bridge, and a small clash occurred in the vicinity on September 18. The next day, Saturday, September 19, Colonel Daniel McCook engaged some troops of Confederate Maj. Gen. Bushrod Johnsons division. McCook believed a Rebel brigade was alone west of the stream. Burning to attack, he noticed dust clouds rising off the La Fayette Road around 6 a.m. The troops raising the dust were at the head of Bairds division, moving into position at the Kelly farm. McCook rode to find Thomas and informed him of his estimate of the situation. Thomas could not resist the temptation to capture the Confederate brigade; he agreed to supply infantry for the operation.

As Bairds division moved into line of battle, the third of Thomas divisions, commanded by Brig. Gen. John M. Brannan, moved past their rear and fell in north of Baird. Kings Regulars, on the left of Bairds line, were soon ordered to move east in search of the enemy. About three-quarters of a mile into the dense forest, Brannans men initially found Rebel cavalry, swiftly reinforced by the infantry brigades of Colonel Claudius C. Wilson and Brig. Gen. Matthew D. Ector.

The sounds of battle soon alerted Thomas to the fighting, and he ordered Baird to move forward and reinforce Brannan. Bairds three brigades plunged into the dense forest, Kings brigade on the left, the brigade of Colonel Benjamin F. Scribner on the right and the brigade of Brig. Gen. John Starkweather trailing, also on the right.

As the Regulars moved forward, each battalion detached a company of skirmishers who formed a line 375 yards wide, about 250 yards ahead of the main body. Left to right, the first in line was the 1st Battalion, 19th U.S. Infantry, commanded by Major S.K. Dawson. Next was the 1st Battalion, 16th U.S. Infantry, its 308 men led by one of the few West Pointers of the brigade, Major Sidney Coolidge. On the right was the 300-man 1st Battalion, 18th U.S. Infantry, Captain G.W. Smith commanding.

This two-rank line of battle was followed by the 130 men of Lieutenant H.M. Burnhams Battery H, 5th U.S. Artillery. One hundred fifty yards to the rear, moving in column to provide support, was the brigades second line. Captain Albert B. Dod formed his 276-man 1st Battalion, 15th U.S. Infantry, on the left. To his right was the 2nd Battalion, 18th U.S. Infantry, 287 men strong, commanded by Captain Henry Haymond. King and his staff rode in the formation, ready to direct the actions of his five battalions.

The advancing Federals met the Confederates several hundred yards northwest of Jays Mill. King later recalled admiringly that as his Regulars moved through Brannans position and attacked the Rebels, they began pushing everything to the front, my first line driving the enemy three quarters of a mile. As Wilsons Georgians and Louisianans fell back, so did Ectors brigade on Wilsons right flank. Major Dawson ordered his men to open fire, and the 9th Texas, passing in front of the Regulars, fell apart, most running away but some joining the 200 prisoners bagged by the Union that morning.

Disordered by moving through the heavily wooded terrain, the Regulars began torturously advancing their right flank to the south to seal off their portion of the Union right. Battery H was unlimbered and the 16th Infantry was in position to support it when Scribners brigade suddenly poured through the woods, closely followed by the pursuing Confederates of Colonel Daniel C. Govan and Brig. Gen. Edward C. Walthall.

The 16th Infantry was first to feel the weight of the Confederate counterattack. Lying in front of the guns, the battalion was confronted by five regiments of screaming Mississippians who burst from the trees like wildfire. Ordered to support the battery, the 16th met the onslaught and was overwhelmed. Nearly 200 Regulars were captured. King stoically reported, I lost the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry.

King ordered Burnhams gunners to limber up, but it was impossible. The Rebels were immediately in the midst of the guns. Musketry killed or wounded 31 cannoneers, including all three officers, and 65 of 117 horses. Another 13 men were captured as they vainly struggled to save the guns.

Walthalls attack lost impetus as the Southerners sought to haul off the Union guns and loot the prisoners. The commanders of the four remaining Regular battalions felt the lessening Rebel pressure and disengaged. Through the chaos of Bairds dissolving division, gun smoke, flying bullets and wood splinters, the Regular brigade retired 400 yards to a hill behind the right flank of Brannans division. Eventually, the Confederate attack was repulsed.

The attack also cost the Confederates heavy losses. The commander of the 29th Mississippi reported severe casualties, and the 34th Mississippi lost seven killed and 54 wounded. In captivity, the men of the Regular brigade continued to deceive their captors. Walthall and his division commander, Brig. Gen. St. John Liddell, recalled capturing prisoners who claimed to be in six Regular regiments that were not even on the field.

Following the repulse of the Confederate avalanche, Bairds division was ordered to the Reeds Bridge Road, southeast of the McDonald farm. This positionthe extreme left flank of the armythey were ordered to hold to the last extremity. The Regular brigade consolidated and reorganized after its battering earlier in the day. Only 62 men of the 16th Infantry remained with the brigade, and King consolidated the survivors within the 19th Infantry. Second Lieutenant Robert Ayres reported losses totaling 67 men, including Major Dawson. The other battalions had suffered similarly, and their battery was out of the fight. But here the training and discipline of the Regulars paid off. They had stuck together before through rough times at Shiloh and Stones River. Although chagrined at the outcome of the present fight, they were not discouraged.

Fortunately for the Regulars, the battle moved well to their right. About 1 oclock, the Confederates made six separate attempts to pierce the Union line from the Reeds Bridge Road to the Viniard farm. The Army of the Cumberland, however, was determined to hold the La Fayette Road. In one or two places, the Rebels actually crossed the road, but were driven back. When darkness fell the road was still secure.

In the desperate fighting along the La Fayette Road, Rosecrans was able to feed brigades into the fight where they were most needed. Although these tactics allowed him to hold the road, his battle line was disrupted. Corps commanders were stripped of their brigades for emergencies in another part of the line, and they were reinforced in turn by other commands when the firestorm of Rebel attacks reached their fronts. It became increasingly difficult for divisional commanders to know where their forces were at any one time, and almost impossible to efficiently transmit orders.

As the fighting sputtered out around 7 p.m., both sides began planning for the next days fight. Rosecrans primary concern was the safety of the army and the possession of Chattanooga. To protect the vital roads, he ordered Thomas to maintain his position on high ground east of the La Fayette Road. McCooks corps would stretch from Poes field southwest to the Widow Glenn cabin. Crittendens corps would station itself on higher ground northwest of the cabin and be prepared to move to the assistance of either Thomas or Crittenden. The Reserve Corps, from its position well to the north, was guarding Rossville Gap.

Braggs plan was to attack the Union line in the north around Reeds Bridge Road, turning Rosecrans left flank. The attack was designed to push the Union troops south into McLemores Cove and seize the La Fayette Road and Rossville Gap. As the Federals gave way, the impetus of the attack would be kept up by a series of attacks running the length of the Union line. Bragg divided his army, placing one wing consisting of two corps under Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk. He would attack at daylight and be followed by the right wing under the newly arrived Lt. Gen. James Longstreet, who would command his own corps and one other.

The initial Confederate attacks were to fall on Thomas, who took the position delegated him by Rosecrans to help hold the gap. The attacking Confederates would be moving uphill from the West Chickamauga Creek valley. Thomas was responsible for a 2,200-yard front manned by five divisions. On his extreme left was the Regular brigade. King had been ordered to extend his line as far as McDonalds, but because he was down to 1,000 men, his line fell one-half mile short.

In order to accomplish his mission, King organized his brigade in four lines. The 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, was in front, behind breastworks of logs two feet high. Next was the 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry, with orders to support the front line. The third and fourth lines were made up of the 15th and 19th infantries, respectively, with orders to support the front line or to wheel to the left to protect the open flank. The 18th sent skirmishers to the front, while members of the 19th Infantry took up position about 400 yards off the left flank.

Breastworks were constructed to fortify the Union position. Confederate Lt. Gen. Daniel H. Hill reported that the ringing of axes could be heard in our front all night. The labor made the cold night more bearable for the healthy, but for the wounded there was no respite. Unattended on the field, they could find no relief from the chill night air or their relentless thirst.

The only sources of water were at Lee and Gordons Mill and the Widow Glenn homestead. So many wounded crawled to the pond at the widows homestead that their blood stained the waterit was thereafter called Bloody Pond.

The Confederate chain of command, already attenuated by jealousy and faction, was further weakened by the casualties of the 19th and finally snapped under the strain of Braggs reorganization. His generals failed to get their troops ready on time, and the dawn attack was delayed almost two hours while the Federals worked vigorously to improve their positions.

Second Lieutenant Ayres reported that action commenced on the picket line about 7 a.m., as the Confederates moved into attack position in front of the Union lines. Polk had organized his wing into two massive lines of battle. The first line, extending north from opposite the Poe house to Reeds Bridge Road, was composed of the divisions of Maj. Gens. Patrick Cleburne and John C. Breckinridge. Breckinridges three brigades were commanded by Brig. Gens. Ben Hardin Helm, Daniel W. Adams and Marcellus A. Stovall. Their line extended well beyond the Union left, with Helms brigade opposite the Regulars.

From their attack position about 700 yards from King, Rebel skirmishers moved out to probe the Union line and quickly engaged the skirmishers of the 18th Infantry. Helm was compelled to reinforce his line with the 4th Kentucky, a move that cost him time in launching his assault.

About 9 a.m., the enemy drove in my skirmishers and advancing in force attacked my front and flank, reported King. The two battalions of the 18th met the assault and were warmly engaged, while the 15th and 19th wheeled to the left to ward off a flank attack. Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. John Beatty had moved away toward the McDonald farm, leaving a large gap between his brigade and the Regulars. They had no choice but to refuse their left flank.

The Regulars began their methodical destruction of the Confederate attack as Helms brigade cleared the trees and surmounted the high ground about 120 yards to their front. Crouched behind their breastworks, the Regulars poured a galling fire into the hapless Confederates. Since Cleburnes division had not yet attacked on Breckinridges left flank, Scribners brigade on the Regulars right was able to enfilade the Rebel line, trapping them in a murderous fire. The assault was repelled, but the Confederates came on again, only to be repulsed once more. A third time they advanced into the terrible fire, which finally destroyed their assault and killed General Helm (President Abraham Lincolns brother-in-law). As the Rebels retreated, King shuffled his battalions. The 15th moved forward and relieved the 18th, which moved to the left to protect the flank.

The Confederates advanced through the woods about 400 yards, the La Fayette Road forming a boundary between them and acting as an arrow pointing to the heart of the Union rear. Colonel Joseph B. Dodges brigade gave way under the attack and added to the welter of retreating Federals on the north side of Kellys field. The 18th U.S. Infantry moved back as well to a second line of defense.

The 47th Georgia entered Kellys field but was driven back by a Union counterattack. During the Confederate attack, the consolidated 1st and 3rd Florida, commanded by Colonel W.S. Dilworth, became separated from their brigade by a rivulet. Captain G.W. Smith of the 18th Regulars laconically reported, I charged the enemys line advancing about 600 yards. King noted: This charge was the most gallant act of the day. The enemy was again repulsed and my brigade retained its original position.

While the Confederate generals bickered over their roles in the battle, the Union generals strengthened their lines. Dodges brigade was moved to Kings left, and the Regulars contracted their own line, concentrating their firepower. The luckless 24th North Carolina was inauspiciously sited to receive the Regulars volleys, and one-third of the command was either killed or wounded. The mangled Confederate brigade fell back, and the door to Rossville Gap remained barred to Braxton Bragg. Still, as Baird recorded, Immediately after this attack on my left ceased, the sound of a tremendous conflict reached us from the southwest.

The sound was the unraveling of the right wing of the Union army and the military career of William Starke Rosecrans. Misled by the quiet on this front and Thomas requests for reinforcements, Rosecrans had issued orders for much of his army to close on and support the hard-pressed army commander. Rosecranswho was having a difficult time keeping track of his fluid brigades and believed a gap existed in his line where none actually didordered Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Wood to move out and plug the phantom opening, inadvertently creating a real gap in the Union line.

Longstreet chose that moment to launch a five-division attack aimed precisely at the gap. Across the Brotherton farm, Lytle Hill and the Dyer field rolled the Confederate assaults. From 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., they destroyed or brushed aside Northern units in their path, curving northward toward Rossville. Finally, the attack slowed at Snodgrass Hill, where Thomas had coalesced his line.

Thomas had no idea what had befallen the rest of the army, but he knew that he had to hold out on Snodgrass Hill to ensure a safe passage for the retreating troops. Around 4 p.m., Thomas received orders from Rosecrans, now in Chattanooga, to assume a threatening attitude at Rossville. Given positive orders to withdraw and form a defensive line, Thomas decided to withdraw the Kelly field line first, starting with Reynolds division. Last to go would be Baird.

The struggle at Snodgrass Hill did not mean quiet on the Kelly field line. Heavy skirmishing continued along my entire front during the entire afternoon, until about half past four oclock, King reported. The enemy again made an attack on my front and flank, my command being exposed to a terrific fire of musketry and canister. Once again Regular discipline prevailed, and their fusillades pinned down the attacking Confederates.

Just before the final Confederate assault, Baird received Thomas orders to withdraw and sent out aides to deliver the order to his brigade commanders. As they held their position, Bairds men were passed by the divisions of Maj. Gen. John M. Palmer and General Johnson. It was now time for the Regulars to go. As they pulled out, the Confederate brigades of Brig. Gens. George Maney, Marcus J. Wright and Colonel Randall L. Gibson charged with a deafening hurrah and rapid shock and tore into the retreating Regulars.

Gunfire, surging lines of soldiers and shouted commands made the fighting so confused that Lieutenant A.B. Carpenter of the 19th Infantry could locate only six men of his company. In the 15th, one company pulled out of line heading for rear and 1st Sgt. John Mars tried to steady the men. Captain Dod headed them off and ordered them back. Mars saluted and reported that his company was out of ammunition. Dod ordered, Go back and fix bayonets. Mars, a Shiloh veteran, obediently headed back but was killed almost immediately. Both battalions of the 18th pulled out and marched over a cornfield, then faced about, fired and moved to the rear. The 19th did not receive the order to retire, and they continued to fight until all were killed or captured.

For about two hours, fighting continued on Snodgrass Hill as the six remaining Union brigades held the attackers at bay. At dusk, Thomas ordered them to retreat, and they followed the rest of the army to Chattanooga. By 10 p.m., the Battle of Chickamauga was over.

Soldiers in the Army of the Cumberland were stunned. Never before had they been compelled to leave a battlefield and abandon their dead and wounded. The army had suffered a staggering 16,000 casualties. A defensive line was formed at Rossville, and the army moved back to Chattanooga to lick its wounds and reorganize. General Rosecrans lost his job over the debacle. He was relieved of the command of the Army of the Cumberland in October and replaced by Thomas. In November, Thomas helped plan and lead the operation that broke the Federals out of Chattanooga.

The Army of Tennessee was also stunned after Chickamauga. The Confederates found themselves unexpectedly in possession of the battlefield, but the armys squabbling chain of command failed to organize a timely pursuit. More than 18,000 Confederate casualties lay on the field, intermingled with dead and wounded Northerners, and precious days would go by before the army was ready to move.

For the Regular brigade, the battle had been disastrous. Casualties ranged from 20 percent in Battery H to 42 percent in the 19th Infantry. One-third of the officers in the brigade were lost. Ayres found himself in command of a battalion totaling three officers and 51 men. Although the numbers of those killed and wounded were low in the 16th Infantry, 58 percent had been captured on the morning of the 19th. In all, 497 Regulars had been captured during the battle. Only 36 officers and 573 men remained with the colors.

Never again would Kings Regulars fight as a separate brigade. Reinforced with volunteers, however, they would continue fighting from Missionary Ridge to Atlanta, and they would play a major role in crushing Confederate Lt. Gen. John B. Hood at Jonesborough, Ga., in October 1864. That fall, they would be withdrawn from combat along with other Regular regiments to ensure there would be a standing army to occupy the South and reoccupy the West after the war was over.

The Regular army regiments went on to fight their way across Europe and Asia during the nations ensuing wars. Mementos of all their campaigns are displayed on their coats of arms, but most prominent are those commemorating their Civil War service. Both the modern 15th and 19th infantry prominently display The Rock of Chickamauga on their crests. Also emblazoned on the 19ths emblem is the shoulder strap of an infantry 2nd lieutenant, a symbol of Ayres gallant stewardship of the regiment and the courage and tenacity displayed by the U.S. Regular Army in helping to preserve the Union.

Retired U.S. Army Major James B. Ronan II of Charlotte, N.C., frequently writes about the U.S. Regulars in the Civil War. For further reading, see: This Terrible Sound, by Peter Cozzens; or Chickamauga: Bloody Battle in the West, by Glenn Tucker.
As World War II veterans fade away, the impulse grows to honor these heroes while we can. That impulse suffuses but also subverts Victory Remembered, a one-hour homage to bravery and international cooperation hiding inside a meandering two-hour exercise. Too much in love with his material, producer and director Les Owen sabotages his subject with redundancy and digression, excusable only on grounds of noble intent. Owens topic is the First Special Service Force (FSSF), an all-volunteer commando unit German foes have nicknamed the Black Devilsmore famously known as The Devils Brigadefor their burnt-cork camouflage and facility with stilettos. These tough, valorous Canadian and American troops left blood, dead buddies, and liberated Italian and French civilians across southern Europe.

The films brightest presence is Eugene Gutierrez (right), a Texas-born radioman and one of the few surviving Black Devils healthy enough to participate in a tour the filmmakers chronicled; he also makes a post-credits cameo well worth the wait. Victorys most telling line comes from a Frenchman listening as a commandos heir describes monuments the old man built to the FSSF around his native Nice. Make it quick, says Raymond Gatti. Because Im 93.

Michael Dolan is the editor of World War IIs sister publication, American History.

This review was originally published in the September/October 2016 issue of World War II magazine. Subscribe here.
A letter from a young Michigan cavalryman gives a vivid

if ungrammaticalaccount of Gettysburg and its aftermath.

Submitted by Nancy Ronemus

[Ed. note: In order to give the full, authentic flavor of Rices letter, editing has been kept to a minimum. Punctuation and paragraph breaks have been added to make the letter easier to read, but Rices highly individualistic spelling has not been changed, since part of the fun is deciphering exactly what he meant at any given time.]

Oak Grove, Virginia

August 25

Mr. Abram Wear

Dear Friend,

It was with much pleasure that I perused the contents of a leter that I received from you a short time since I had often wondered whare you ware and what you ware busing yourself about, so one evening while in camp siting around the fire talking with difer nt ones, Fransis Blanchard and me got to talking about old accuaintses in St. Clair and he said he had just received a leter from home and I requested him the next time he wrote to have his mother write whether you ware there or not so that I could write to you but it seems that you wrote yourself instead of her which I am very glad of and I hope that I may hear from you often for it affords a soldier great pleasure to hear from our friends and accuainteses.

You requested me in your leter to give you a full history of what I had passed through since I had bin a soldier, but to give you a full detail of everything would take up a great deal of time and space. But then I will try and give you a record of the transactions as near as I can remember. It will be a year the 7 of next month since I inlisted. I inlisted in Lexington, was thare about a week and then the company came together and we all went to Grand Rapids to drill and be mustered in to the United States service.

Well, abot the midle of Desember we started for Washington. We had a good time coming through and got thare all safe and sound. Thare we went into winter quarters about a mile from the city whare we remained until abot the midle of March. I was sick the most of the time while in Washington and was glad to get away from thare. When we left thare we came to Fairfax, abot 25 miles this side of Washington. Thare we went on raides and done picket duty until the 20 of June. Then we made a raide out to Bull Run and so on to Fredericksburg. Was gone four days and then returned and on the 25 started for Mariland and Pensilvania. We crossed the Potomac that night at 12 oclock. We forded it and I never shal forget that night either, for we had had no rest to speak of for four days and nights and after we got over the river the guide that was with us did not understand and do his business very well and we got lost and it was as dark as pich and raint like fury.

We rambed abot untill about 2 oclock in the morning when we turned in to a piece of woods and laid down until daylight. I was that sleepy that I had slept on my horse for the last two hours before we stopped, so when we stopped I piled off my horse and hiched him to a tree and took my ponshow and blanket and laid right down in the mud and slept the best that I ever did in my life. Talk about feather bedsthare nothing compared to a mud hole when a man is real tired I had often heard the soldiers tell about laying in the water where it was a foot deap but I never believed it untill I see it and then I had to believe it.

In the morning we started and travled all day and in fact we travled most of the time for a week. On the 28 day of June which was on Sunday we went in to Getisburg, but we did not stay thare long. We went out of the town a short distance to bait our horses while the scout went out to see what they could find. They soon came in with the news that thare was about 60 thousand of the Rebs about 2 miles from thare, so we just dug out as fast as possible and it was a lucky thing two for we had not bin out of the town more than an hour when all of Stewarts Calvry came in.

If we had all bin together, that is the whole division, we would have stood our grounds but they ware divided up into brigades and ware scouting around to see what they could find, so we retreated back about 5 miles and laid all night. The next morning we started for Hanover. Thare we had a prity smart batle but I was not in the first batle. Our first lieutenand with four men was detailed back to get forage for the regiment, so we went back some five miles to a mil and got 100 bushels of corn, 40 bushels of oats, and while we ware weighting for the grain to be loaded up the infantry and artilery commenced passing by. This was about 11 oclock in the four noon and they did not get by until in the night some time, so you may make up your mind thare was a right smart lot of them.

When they commensed passing I sat down by the side of the road to look at them to see if thare was not someone amongst the many that I would know. Regiment after regiment passed and I see no one that I knew and I was just going away when lo and behold whom should I see jump out of the rank and grab me by the hand and say hallow old chap what are you doing here. It was no one else but Anthony Herschl. He is in the 24 Michigan Infantry. He looked tough and harty. This was before the Batle at Getisburg. I have seen him three times, once in Pensilvania, once in Mariland and once since we came back into Virginia. He was in the whole of the three days batle at Getisburg and came out safe and sound. He says their regiment sufered very much. They went into the batle with six hundred and fifty men and came out with 95. Thare was only 5 left in his company.

When we got our grain load up we started for the regiment, but when we got to whare the regiment was left they had gone. It was then about 9 oclock in the evening, so we unloaded our grain and laid down for the night. The next morning we got up early and started in pursuit of the regiment. We went on to a place called Mn. When we got thare the folks ware all leaving the town and we soon found out that they ware fighting a short distance from thare, so we got on through the place full split to join our regiment.

We got about a mile and a half when we heard an awful yeling. It was a body of calvry coming up the road as tight as they could run. Our lieutenant sais to me thare comes the Rebs, so we wheeled to run. We went about 10 rods and turned round to see if they ware our men or Rebs but they td to be our men. The Rebs had come round and cut of[f] the lead horses and ware trying to charge in to the town, but when they got up near town a company of our men ware dismounted and in a field ready for them and when they came up they let sliver on them. They turned and run and another company of our men shased them on horseback about four miles and took several of them prisoner and killed some of them.

By this time our regiment had gone on some 5 miles to Hanover and the Rebs ware between us and our regiment, so we remained thare until near night when the Rebs left and we went on to our regiment. The road was strewn with clothing of all description and onse an a while a dead Reb. We got to our company about dusk and found them all safe and sound. Had give the rascals a right good licking and not one of our men hurt, only some horses killed. Our first lieutenant had his horse killed and also one of the privates lost his horse so we staid thare that night and the next day until near night we started for Getisburg, but we went only about 5 miles and stopped for the night.

The second day of July we came up near Getisburg. They ware a fighting like fury. The division all halted for a few minutes, then we struck off to the right and came round to a place called Huntstown. We arrived thare about 3 oclock. We passed through the town about a half a mile. Our regiment was in advance and the first thing we knew Co A was ordered to charge, companies D and C to dismount to fight on foot.

We went down through a wheat field in front of the batery towrds a barn. We had nearly reached the barn before our men came up the road as tight as they could come and the Rebs mixed all in with them, cuting and slashing and firing their pistols at our mens heads. Our old general came near having his head off for thare was a Reb right behind him with his sabir raised to cut him down when on of the men that was in the wheat field drawed a bead on him and that was the last of mr Reb.

Out of about 50 that charged up in amongst us not one of them got away. I counted 6 Reble Ofiser dead an wonded with in a short distance of each other. I heard on[e] holering for a drink of water a short distance from me. I asked him who he was. He said Oh I am on the rong side, but I gave him a drink of water and left him for I had to look out for my own head. That young man you spoke of being fetched home by the name of Cox was orderly sargent on our Company. I was right by the side of him when he was shot. Our own men shot him. Thare was a company behind us and they fired on us from one direction and it was a great wonder that we was not all killed for the Rebles ware firing on us from one direction and our men from the other and I tell you the shots came in on us like hale stones, but by good luck thare was no one else hurt.

We staid thare until after dark when every thing was quiet and then we started for Getisburg for we was not fools enough to stay thare for old Lea sent a whole core of infantry to help his calvry. And that was whare the old chap fooled himself, for when the infantry got thare we dident happen to be thare. We traveld all night and about 8 oclock we got to our place of destination on the right of Getisburg. So we dismounted and two regiments ware deploid as skurmishers. We could see them of[f] in the edge of a peice of woods, but they did not show themselves much until in the afternoon about one oclock it was discovered that they ware trying to come round on our right so we ware ordered to our horses and went round to the right on a road.

The battery was planted and the fun commensed. My company and D supported the batery while two went down to our right and left and felt of them. Then the canons apered on both sides and thare was a prity lively time for a spel. Then the 7th Michigan made a charge and got all cut to pieces. It was the first charge they ever made and they made awful work. Then the first Michigan was ordered to charge and away they went over a stone wall like wildmen and they cut the Rebs all to pieces and drove them into the woods.

Prity soon thare was a body of thier infantry came out on our left. Our men were ordered on and if thare wasent some prity sharp work for a while thare come very near being some. They soon got tired of that fun and got back in the woods again for they did not like the contents of our 9 shot Spenser rifles. We faught until dark and held the ground that we first went on to. We lost considerable many men but the Rebs lost a great many more than we did.

But what was the main army doing all this time? They were doing their best. You would have thought so if you had heard the report of the canons. For about 5 hours it was on continueal roar of canon. It was averaged at 4 a seckund. Old Lea consentrated al his canon on our senter in order to brake our lines, but he could not come it. Thare was one whole divisions was ordered to charge on to us. They ware told that they ware nothing only malitia, but when they got up to our men they found something more than malitia to deal with, and the result was thare ware 6000 prisoners in a short time.

After that thare was to[o] much more fighting, for old Lea began his retreat and we after him. This was on the fourth of July. We rode all day through the awfullest rain and mud that I ever see. Just at dusk we entered the gap and commenced asending the mountain. We rode on prity briskly some 5 or 6 miles when all at once the column halted and my company with three others ware ordered to the frunt with drawn sabirs. Just immagine your self on a dark night, so dark that you could hardly see the next horse to you, to be placed in a narrow road just wide enough for four horses to march abrest with a ledge of rocks on one side and a steap bank on the other and to be called forward with a drawn sabir in hand and ordered to charge, no knowing what you was going in to and when you had gone a short distance have the bulits come whiring about your ears like a lot of beas after honey and your horse rearing and pransing half scart to death.

I say immagine all of this and then you can form some idea of what we trapsed through on the fourth of July night 1863. We faught nearly all night. We captured 250 wagons & ambulants and 1200 prisoners. Our regiment passed over the road that they ware on and it put me in mind of a fourth of July spree to see the wagons all strung along the road, the wheals choped to pieces, tungs cut off, barels of liqer smashed in and the wagons set afire. We took about 40 wagons to a small place some 10 miles from the mountain and examined them, and what things we wanted in the shape of clothing we took and the rest we burnt and that learnt our ofisers something to see the stuff that they had taken in Pensilvania. All the litle trinkets that you could think of litle babies play things not worth 3 sents.

I tell you when we came back in to Virginia things was a litle different than they ware when we ware here before. Our old general called us together and sais to us now boys you have seen the proseedings of the rascals while on your jorney in to Meriland and Pensilvania, therefore it is needless for me to explain it to you but I will simply say this if you see anything that you think you want dont steal it but do as the boys used to say cramst it but be shure and not steal anything but take all you want. The Boys give the general three chears and the primise of a fine piese of beaf for super, and since that time we have had plenty of fresh meat.

But I must bring this to a close for I have not got time to write any more at preasent. Thare is a great many things that I misst write if I had time. Thare is the Batle of Hagerstown and the Batle of Wiliamsport and the Batle of Fallingwaters and in the Shanandoa Valey and at Thorntons Gap. Was all of them prity hard batles and I have bin in them all and am still unhurt, but I never want to be in as tight a place as we ware in in the last Batle. The darned cuses got us hemed in on all sides and they had four times as many men as we had for we only had a brigade with us and they had a whole division of infantry but they cant cetch old Kill devel. That is what they call him. His name is Killpatric. He is a real comical looking sort of a chap with his hat drawd over on one side and one pants leg stuck in side his boot. He looks more like some old farmer.

We ar now in campd with in about 4 miles of Fredricksburg. We make a raide onseanawhile down to Falmath and on down the river. We have some of our Reble friends come over and give themselves up every day. They tell a prity hard story. Night before last thare ware three ofisers came in and gave themselves up. Thare was two lieutenants, one first and the other seckond and also a colnel. I am with the Provose gard. We take care of the prisoners and gard them. I have talked with more than 50 diferant ones and they all seem to tell the same story. They say that all they get for a days rations is half a pound of rusty bakon and a pound of meal or flour, no Cofy or shugar, and they say thare is whole brigades would come over and give themselves up but their ofisers tell them that if they do that will confiscate all their property and kill them, but they say that a great many of them will come over before long any way for they think they may as well be killed as to stay thare and starve to death.

But I must close for I have wrote more now than will interst you, I am afraid. Give my respects to Isrial Pense and tell John Wies that if I ever ketch him round my hous after dark swinging on our seler dore that it may go hard with him if he cant show the papers to prove that he has a write thare. Tell An that I want her to send me a cupp of coffey and a pankake. You will be twice glad when you get this wee bit of a leterglad when you get it and glad to get red of it. I will inclose in this leter one dolar which I wish you would get me some postage stamps, 50 sents in Canida stamps and 50 sents in 3 sents stamps, and oblige me you will please answer this soon.

Yours truly,

Allen Rice

[ Top | Cover Page ]


Abraham Lincoln (Tom Amandes), Billy Herndon (Michael Maize) and Ward Hill Lamon (Lea Coco) encounter pro-slavery "border ruffians" in 1856. Saving Lincoln LLC.

Hard on the heels of Steven Spielbergs justly acclaimed Lincoln, with its Hollywood stars and megabudget, comes Salvador Litvaks Saving Lincoln, an independent flick with heart and brains.

Like Spielbergs movie, Saving Lincoln peels back myths and preconceptions to expose the complex, earthy man, with his love of language, raunchy frontier humor, and delighted willingness to plunge into bruising political scrums. Here we see Lincoln (Tom Amandes) through the sympathetic, watchful eyes of US Marshal Ward Hill Lamon (Lea Coco). Lincolns long-time friend turned bodyguard, Lamon is the movies narrator. He gives us an intimate view of Honest Abe, from his rise in Illinois politics to just before his assassination, when Lincoln, peacefully fatalistic about dying now that his mission to restore the Union is accomplished, orders Lamon to go Richmond over his furious protests.

The Virginia-born Lamon is an inveterate joker and a banjo picker with a head full of old-timey tunes and a dislike of slavery, all of which immediately endears him to Lincoln. The pair become buddies and law partners. After Lincoln is elected, Lamon, well aware of the rising threats to his friends life, becomes the presidents zealous, tireless bodyguard, constantly dealing with his charges (often successful) attempts to give him the slip. Lincoln finds Lamons entertaining talents an increasingly welcome distraction from heartache, self-recrimination, and despair as his generals dodge directives to attack, the Confederacy keeps winning, the death tolls and bitterness mount, and his son Willie dies.

But Lamon is no mere court jester. The president trusts and confides in him: we see Lincolns shrewd, calculating mind and moral sensibilities at work as he discusses the war and tests evolving arguments and positions on slave emancipation, just as he had when the pair rode as partners on the Illinois circuit courts rounds. Through Lamon, we savor Lincolns homespun wit, sly self-possession, periodic rages, bouts of moodiness, depression, and self-deprecation, restless drive, nagging uncertainties, and deep love for his family. It is a thoughtful and moving portrait.

Saving Lincoln is well researched and historically credible. Its narration and dialog come from period sources. Its striking sets are actually vintage photos made three-dimensional by a suite of techniques the director calls CineCollage; the actors were shot on a green-screen stage. The results are generally very effective, though there is one small technical glitch: backdrops can go slightly out-of-sync when the actors are riding in a buggy or train. Well-acted, charming and gripping, Saving Lincoln is a small, shining gem.

Gene Santoro

[nggallery id=129]
STAMFORD, Conn. --

POINT 1: Four Points, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announced that it will celebrate International Beer Day, August 5, at its 200+ locations around the world and continue for the entire month of August. Occurring the first Friday of every August since its inception in 2007 in Santa Cruz, California, International Beer Day has become a worldwide party, with the purpose of uniting the world under the banner of beer by celebrating the beers of all nations together on a single day. Four Points, with its passion for beer and its signature Best Brews program, is the perfect location around the world to celebrate and toast this holiday.

POINT 2: Every one of the Four Points brand's 200+ hotels around the world features a destination pub where guests and locals can enjoy the signature Best Brews program that highlights one great local craft brew unique to the locale. Each brew is strategically chosen for its unique flavor, popularity and quality ingredients. A sample of beers on tap at Four Points hotels around the world include Tourist Trappe, a Belgian Tripel style beer from MIA Beer Co, at Four Points Miami Beach; Club Colombia, a pale lager beer by Grupo Empresarial Bavaria, at Four Points Bogota in Colombia; Cristal and Bucanero at Four Points Havana; Paulaner Wheat Beer and Paulaner Lager on tap at Four Points Munich;Tsingtao at Four Points Shanghai; Little Creatures Pale Ale at Four Points Perth; and much more.

POINT 3: To celebrate International Beer Day, all Four Points travellers will receive a coaster upon arrival. The coaster can be redeemed for Buy 1  Get 1 complimentary swag including a Best Brew, specialty coffee, signature treat or snack (each hotel will only offer one perk). All hotels are also giving away koozies, bottle openers and other fun items while supplies last.

POINT 4: "From BBQs and tailgates, to festivals and Oktoberfest, Four Points celebrates beer everyday by constantly thinking of new ways to provide guests with access to some of the best beer in the world," said Paige Francis, Vice President, Global Brand Management for Four Points. "We are excited to participate in International Beer Day this year and continue to show appreciation for great, local craft beer that is unique to each destination."

For more information on Best Brews, click here

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels &

Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 1,300 properties in some 100 countries and approximately 188,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences under the renowned brands: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le Meridien, Sheraton,Tribute Portfolio, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft, and Element, along with an expanded partnership withDesign Hotels. The company also boasts one of the industrys leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG). Visit www.starwoodhotels.com for more information and stay connected @starwoodbuzz on Twitterand Instagram and facebook.com/Starwood.

Ashley Chapman

Global Public Relations, Aloft, Element & Four Points

212-380-4015

Starwood
SAN ANTONIO, Texas and MCLEAN, Va. -- Homewood Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton Worldwide's (NYSE: HLT) industry-first All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Homewood Suites by Hilton San Antonio Airport. Offering 112 new suites, the hotel continues the brand's robust expansion after reaching its 400th property milestone.

"San Antonio has been ranked among Lonely Planet's top 10 unexpectedly exciting places to see in the United States in 2016*," said Mario Garcia, general manager. "This new hotel will meet the growing demand for accommodations with comfort, value and the amenities Homewood Suites guests expect and appreciate."

Developed and owned by Baywood Hotels, Inc., Homewood Suites San Antonio Airport complements the city's vibrant local culture and growing tourism industry, attracting more than 26 million visitors annually.**

The new hotel offers a combination of studio and one-bedroom accommodations, featuring fully-equipped kitchens, and separate living and sleeping areas. Guests are also provided with the essentials they need for a comfortable and convenient stay - complimentary daily full-hot breakfast, evening social Monday-Thursday, Wi-Fi and grocery shopping service***. Homewood Suites by Hilton San Antonio Airport also makes it easy for travelers to unwind with a fitness center and indoor pool.

Located at 8531 Broadway Street, Homewood Suites San Antonio Airport offers guests convenient access to local corporations like Clear Channel, Whatabrands, Inc., Lockheed Martin, IBM and Accenture. Additionally, the hotel is just a short drive from local attractions in downtown San Antonio including San Antonio River Walk, the Alamo, the Tower of the Americas, the Majestic Theatre and the San Antonio Museum of Art. Guests can also enjoy complimentary shuttle service to the airport and destinations within a three mile radius of the hotel.

Homewood Suites San Antonio Airport participates in Hilton's award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key. For more information or to make a reservation, visit Homewood Suites by Hilton San Antonio Airport or call +1 210 804 0100.

Read more about Homewood Suites by Hilton at www.homewoodsuites.com and news.homewoodsuites.com.

*SOURCE: Lonely Planet

**SOURCE: San Antonio Area Tourism Council

***Guest pays for groceries. Other restrictions apply.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,800 properties and more than 1 million rooms, in 122 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2021 World's Best Workplaces list and been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for five consecutive years. In 2021, in addition to opening more than one hotel a day, Hilton introduced several industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the nearly 128 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

Kristen Wells

Senior Manager, Brand Public Relations - Hilton Worldwide

+1 703 883 5826

Hilton
Mantra Group properties and team members from all around Australia have united to raise $79,265 in the past year for the Luke Batty Foundation, the Group's official charity partner.

The FY16 donation, which was presented to Rosie Batty at a fundraising event at Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas on 5 August, will help the Luke Batty Foundation continue their important work of building awareness of family violence in our community.

Luke Batty Foundation CEO and 2015 Australian of the Year Rosie Batty said the Foundation depends on businesses and the community for assistance and support.

"We are very appreciative of the continued support Mantra Group provides to the Foundation," said Rosie Batty.

"It's so important for corporate Australia to get behind social issues like family violence.

"This donation will deliver long lasting benefits to the community by supporting our efforts to put victims at the center of the conversation on how to address the family violence epidemic.

"The Luke Batty Foundation and the Never Alone campaign aims to lead the way for prevention in Australia through awareness raising and education partnerships."

Mantra Group Executive Director Human Resources Cherie McGill said the Group is focused on supporting charities and community organisations through various programs and initiatives.

"It's all about knowing what matters to our team and the communities in which we work and live," Cherie said.

"Our team is incredibly proud of this donation, which reflects our long-standing commitment to supporting charities that make a big difference in the community."

The relationship between the Luke Batty Foundation and Mantra Group was formed following Rosie Batty's inspirational presentation at Mantra Group's company conference one year ago, where her spotlight on family violence and messages of overcoming adversity resonated with team members.

The partnership also creates a platform for Mantra Group's 4,300+ strong team members across its Australian hotel network to actively undertake fundraising activities throughout the year in their respective regions.

Mantra Group is a proud supporter of the Luke Batty Foundation, as passionate advocates against family violence. The foundation brings awareness to the social issue of domestic violence. It works to achieve empowerment of women, give voices to the children and hold accountability to the perpetrator through education, advocacy and campaigning. For more information on the Luke Batty Foundation visit www.lukebattyfoundation.org.au

About Mantra Group

Mantra Group is the leading Australian-based hotel and resort operator. Mantra Group's portfolio consists of 128 properties with more than 21,000 rooms in properties under management, across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Hawaii. Operating three well-known and trusted brands  Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree - MantraGroup operates the second largest network of accommodation properties in Australia (by room number). The Group is positioned to offer both leisure and business style accommodation ranging from full-service city hotels and self-contained apartments to luxury resorts and retreats. The Group successfully listed on the ASX in June 2014 and in its first year as a public company was elevated to the ASX 200:

www.mantragroup.com.au; www.peppers.com.au; www.mantra.com.au; www.breakfree.com.au

Naomi Hammond

Public Relations Manager

Mantra Group
It looks like you've reached a page that doesnt exist (anymore).

Please use the navigation or search above to find content on Hospitality Net.

Go back to home
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Binghamton, N.Y.

The company now boasts 6,346 rooms in its portfolio of select- and full-service hotels across the country.

Marshall Hotels & Resorts today announced that it has signed 14 third-party hotel management agreements in a total of seven different states since January of this year. The company now boasts 6,346 rooms in its portfolio of select- and full-service hotels across the country.

Averaging two hotels a month since January, we are on pace to enjoy record growth in 2016, said Mike Marshall, president and CEO. These new additions are a mixture of existing hotels seeking better results and new builds looking to ramp up quickly, a testament to our ability to operate virtually all segments in all stages of a hotels lifecycle. We continue to have a healthy appetite for underperforming hotels that will benefit from improved management and cash infusions.

Our aggressive growth strategy taps into all major U.S. markets, with our sweet spot tending to be in the Mid-Atlantic and surrounding states, added Marshall. We target markets with high barriers to new growth with multiple demand generators. We are confident that our operating expertise, excellent relationships with leading hotel brands and proven track record managing independent resort and urban properties will allow us to continue our aggressive growth goals.

Marshall Hotels has signed management contracts for the following properties in the first half of 2016:

1. 207-room DoubleTree by Hilton in Binghamton, N.Y.

2. 112-room Staybridge Suites Royersford Valley Forge, Pa.

3. 88-room Four Points by Sheraton Long Island City Queensboro Bridge, N.Y.

4. 81-room Holiday Inn Express Rehoboth Beach Hotel, Del.

5. 100-room Holiday Inn Express Bethany Beach, Del.

6. 103-room La Quinta Inn & Suites Cleveland Airport West in North Olmsted, Ohio

7. 88-room Hampton Inn by Hilton Clemson-University Area, S.C.

8. 124-room Altoona Grand Hotel in Altoona, Pa.

9. 162-room Riverfront Hotel Grand Rapids, Mich.

10. 98-room Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham in Winston Salem, N.C.

Additionally, the company has opened the following properties:

11. 56-room Appomattox Inn & Suites in Appomattox, Va.

12. 16-room Anchored Inn at Hidden Harbor in Deale, Md.

13. 61-room Best Western Plus Hammondsport Hotel, N.Y.

14. 50-room Wyndham Garden Rego Park, N.Y.

The company is on schedule to transition into the second half of the year with equal fervor in growth prospects.

Salisbury, Md.-based Marshall Hotels & Resorts, Inc. has special expertise operating three- and four-star branded hotels and resorts, averaging 100 to 500 rooms, in urban and central business districts, as well as suburban/drive-to and resort locations. In addition, the company has a proven track record managing independent resort and unique urban properties. Marshall Hotels & Resorts has managed a wide array of leading hotel brands, including those under the Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, InterContinental Hotel Group, Hyatt, Carlson, Choice, Best Western and Wyndham flags.
University named a preferred education supplier for the global hotel company

Best Western Hotels & Resorts and University of Phoenix today announced a partnership that will provide customized hospitality education certificates and tuition reductions to both corporate employees and those employed by Best Western-branded hotels. University of Phoenix has been named a preferred education supplier for Best Western, and is designing customized hospitality certificates with course sequences that reflect the hotel chains needs.

Helping to recruit and retain skilled employees with a passion for the hospitality industry and helping them grow in their careers are critical to delivering exceptional guest experiences, said Bruce Wienberg, vice president of operations for Best Western Hotels & Resorts. Best Western strives to be a leader in hospitality workforce development and assist the hotels where we can with their staff skill levels, and the collaboration with University of Phoenix allows us to enhance our educational offerings to ensure they are industry-aligned and relevant for our workforce. With University of Phoenixs vast alumni network, faculty members who are working in hospitality today and relevant educational programs, we are confident both our corporate and hotel employees will obtain an education that can help them thrive in their careers with Best Western and in the hospitality industry in general.

University of Phoenix will offer employees reductions on educational programs, including individual courses, certificates and degree programs. Students seeking Hospitality Fundamentals and Hospitality Management certificates will get the sixth and final course free to recognize their achievements. These certificates offered through the partnership also can be earned en route to an undergraduate degree.

People are the primary drivers in the service economy, and Best Western has shown an impressive commitment to helping its current and prospective employees acquire the skills needed to compete and be successful in the hospitality sector, said Ruth Veloria, executive dean, University of Phoenix School of Business. "Our partnership is a great step toward encouraging Best Western corporate employees and the employees of the independently owned and operated hotels to pursue ongoing professional development, and gain the skills needed to continue growing with the company.

Best Western corporate and hotel employees across Best Westerns more than 4,100 hotels in more than 100 countries will be eligible for tuition reimbursement and reduced tuition to help enhance their hospitality careers. Best Western students will also have an assigned team of service professionals and extensive self-serve resources to help throughout their program progression.

We hope to inspire high levels of employee engagement and satisfaction at our corporate offices and throughout Best Western-branded properties, and be universally recognized as one of the best companies in hospitality for employee development, concluded Wienberg.

For more information about each of these programs, including on-time completion rates, the median debt incurred by students who completed the program and other important information, please visit: phoenix.edu/programs/gainful-employment.
The investment is for Ps. 67.0 million, plus Ps. 3.7 million in taxes, acquisition-related expenses and corresponding VAT expenses.

Deutsche Bank Mexico, S.A., Banking institution, Trust Division F/1616 or Fibra Inn (BMV: FINN13, ADR OTC: DFBRY) announced that it has signed a binding agreement for the acquisition of the Best Western Valle Real Hotel located in the city of Monterrey, in the state of Nuevo Leon. The hotel currently has a total of 85 rooms and operates in the limited-service segment.

The investment is for Ps. 67.0 million, plus Ps. 3.7 million in taxes, acquisition-related expenses and corresponding VAT expenses. The transaction will be paid using the resources obtained from the bank loan. The Company expects a projected cap rate of 9.6% for 2016. The hotel will be operated by the Hotel Manager, a Fibra Inn related party, and with the significant synergies at this location.

Oscar Calvillo, Fibra Inns Chief Executive Officer, stated: The agreement we announced today expands the range of our portfolio and reiterates our position of undisputed leadership in Mexico as owner of business hotels with global brands. This agreement is a good example of the efficiency of the acquisition team to acquire hotels at the right prices in strategic areas.

The business reasons for Fibra Inn to sign this binding agreement are the following:

U.S. Consulate: This is the closest hotel to the new U.S. Consulate in Monterrey, which is one of the nine U.S. consulates in Mexico and the fifth most-active in the world in terms of visa issuances. This consulate covers the states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Zacatecas, Durango, San Luis Potosi and Nuevo Leon, with a total of 400 thousand annual requests.

This is the closest hotel to the new U.S. Consulate in Monterrey, which is one of the nine U.S. consulates in Mexico and the fifth most-active in the world in terms of visa issuances. This consulate covers the states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Zacatecas, Durango, San Luis Potosi and Nuevo Leon, with a total of 400 thousand annual requests. Industrial Sector Strength: Industrial activity in the Santa Catarina industrial area is the result of the high business activity in Monterrey.

Industrial activity in the Santa Catarina industrial area is the result of the high business activity in Monterrey. Land Value: The area in which the hotel is located has high real estate value, which is an entry barrier for other hotel investments.

The area in which the hotel is located has high real estate value, which is an entry barrier for other hotel investments. Weekend occupancy: The hotel is located next to event venues that generate high demand during weekends, which keeps occupancy rates stable.

This property is located in the heart of the city, 10 minutes away from the U.S. Consulate, 2.5 kilometers away from the Spanish Consulate and only a few minutes from the Santa Catarina industrial area. In 2015, the property reached 63% occupancy, an average daily rate of Ps. 869 and a RevPar of Ps. 545.

To date, Fibra Inn has a total portfolio of 43 properties; of which 31 hotels are in operation and two are under a binding agreement. The total is 7,112 rooms, of which 6,654 rooms are operating, 237 are under a binding agreement and 221 are currently under construction.

Fibra Inn is a Mexican trust formed primarily to acquire, develop, operate and rent a broad range of hotel properties in Mexico aimed at the business traveler. The Company has signed franchise, license and brand usage agreements with international hotel brands for the operation of global brands as well as the operation of national brands.
The inmate accused of attacking the notorious Charleston church killer, Dylann Roof has been freed after an anonymous person posted his $100,000 bond, presumably as a thank you for his efforts.

26-year old Dwayne Stafford had served 18-months at Charleston County Jail for first-degree assault and strong armed robbery charges, but once he got his hands on that scumbag Roof, someone quickly posted his six-figure bond.

Authorities said that although Roof is in protective custody, he was assaulted last Thursday while heading to the shower thanks to a mistake which led to Staffords cell being unlocked during the transfer.

Dwayne Stafford ran down the stairs from his cell after Roof went into the shower around 7:45 a.m. Thursday and hit him, bruising Roofs face and back, according to a police report. Officials are investigating how Stafford managed to get through a cell door to reach Roof. The two detention officers assigned to the unit are being interviewed. Officials also are looking into the possibility of an electronic malfunction, Cannon said. The 22-year-old Roof was examined by jail medical personnel and then returned to his cell, Charleston County Sheriffs Maj. Eric Watson told The Associated Press. While authorities earlier said Stafford would be charged with assault, Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon told reporters that Roof and his attorneys dont want to press charges.

Roof faces the death penalty for the June 2015 murder of nine black church goers during a Bible study at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. His trial is set for November.

[Via]

Item #1
Don't miss what is bound to be an evening filled with uproarious laughter.

Barry Crimmins has led an illustrious career. He is well known for his turns as a political satirist, political activist, writer and all-round interesting chap.

He has so many strings to his bow. He has performed in tours with Billy Bragg and Jackson Browne, and has brushed shoulders with the likes of comedic genius Bill Hicks and off-beat writer Kurt Vonnegut.

And it does't stop there. For his work as an activist, he has received impressive accolades such as the Peace Leadership Award, and had Dr. Maya Angelou herself present him with the Courage of Conscience Award. He has written for TV and radio and has lit up CNN, CBS and MSNBC with dazzling performances. For the podcast fans out there, you can also catch him on The Joe Rogan Experience, The Greg Fitzsimmons Show and The Dana Gould Hour.

Somewhere in the middle of all that success, he manages to find the time to write his new book for 7 Stories Press, which is due in 2016.

Advertisement

Most recently, he has been the subject of Bobcat Goldthwaits Sundance critically acclaimed debut film and award-winning documentary, Call Me Lucky, now streaming on Netflix all over the world. The documentary has received glowing reviews from the New York Times, the New Yorker, Variety, and Rolling Stone.

Now on September 27, we will have the opportunity of enjoying an evening with this incessantly talented and interesting individual.
A law banning  from August 1  amplifiers in Temple Bar, was recently passed by Dublin City Council. The controversial decision has exacerbated a long-running conflict between the citys buskers and the residents of what is a key tourist area.

The motion to ban amplifiers was proposed by Green Party councillors during a Dublin City Council meeting in June. It was a move that took buskers  who had been campaigning, under the Dublin City Buskers umbrella, for Temple Bar Square to be designated an Amplified Busking Zone  by surprise. In response to the ban, Dublin City Buskers have mounted a boycott of the councils current system of busking permits, currently priced at 60 per artist.

AN ATTACK ON ART
This article can only be read with a Premium Account
It looks like it's going to be a hectic autumn at the pop-up venue

District 8 announces its September to December lineup. The pop-up club has lined up an impressive array of DJs and live electronic acts to perform throughout Autumn/Winter.

The full schedule of events can be found on our webside www.district8dublin.com or in the attached document. Here's the full list of artists performing in alphabetical order:

Ansome / Ben Klock / Blake Baxter / Blawan / Daniel Avery / Dense & Pika / Dimitri From Paris / DJ Deece / Ejeca / Etapp Kyle / Happa / Hunter Game / Huxley / Jeff Mills / Jeremy Underground / Jonas Rathsman / Joy Orbison / Kerri Chandler / Lady Starlight (Live) / Luke Slater / Mano Le Tough / Matador Motor City Drum Ensemble / Mr. G / New Jackson Pantha Du Prince / Patrick Topping / Paul Woolford / Perc / Psyk / Sam Paganini / Shadow Child / Steffi / Sunil Sharpe / Surgeon / The Drifter / Tommy Four Seven / Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs / Voyeur / Will Bankhead
Following widespread and wide-ranging debate, prompted by the publication of the first instalment of the John Halligan interview in the pages of Hot Press, additional material from the exchange with the Minister for Training, Skills and Innovation, John Halligan TD will be revealed tomorrow, on hotpress.com.

The Hot Press interview with the independent Waterford TD, John Halligan, printed in the current issue of the magazine, has caused tremendous controversy, debate and conversation, with the Minister's views on prostitution and assisted suicide  as well as his endorsement of Simon Coveney as the next Fine Gael leader  prompting a huge level of discussion in the media.

The full and frank exchange with Hot Press' Jason O'Toole was a long and wide-ranging one. It was only possible to include some of this hugely fruitful exchange in the current issue  and so, tomorrow will see lots more from the revelatory interview published on hotpress.com.

At 10am, we will reveal the Ministers views on Donald Trump; US military flights landing in Shannon; the tax regime for US and other multi-nationals in Ireland; his behind the scenes work during the Brexit referendum; the mistreatment of young people in Ireland by the political system; the squabbling that weakens left politics in Ireland; his background in the Workers Party and their relationship with North Korea; the campaign to prevent Sean Garland being extradited to the US; Irish neutrality  and lots more besides.

Advertisement

The interview published in Hot Press is hugely impressive for its honesty and conviction, says the magazine's editor, Niall Stokes. But John Halligan also comes across as being really likeable  not least because you can see that he has a sense of humour. He takes the big issues seriously, of course  but he doesnt take himself too seriously. I think people will see more of the same in the second part, which is certain to spark further debate."

Already hailed as one of the most forthright, honest and controversial interviews with an Irish politician in years, don't miss the second part of John Halligan's incredible Hot Press Interview; it's live on hotpress.com from 10am tomorrow.
A 3 night Festival of top class vintage Roots, Swing, Rockabilly, Skiffle & Country from both sides of the Atlantic featuring Americas King of Western Swing - Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys and the UK's number 1 Jive band - The Jive Aces.

Taking place in The Grand Social over 3 nights in mid August 19-21, the Summer Swing also showcases great home grown roots talent like the brilliant New Orleans style boogie woogie piano chops of Gavin Povey & His Fabulous Oke-She-Moke-She-Pops, the electric folk cowboy Jem Mitchell, the swinging skiffle of The Louisiana 6, Rockabilly heroes The Slick Hicks and the sweet country rock sound of The Annulments.

On DJ duties we have DJ Mouse, one of the UK's finest and a man who launched some of Londons best Rock N' Roll club nights over the last four decades. Down from Derry for the weekend are the Rumble Club DJ's who play a swingin' mix of rockabilly, surf & exotica.

Friday August 19th:

The Jive Aces

Doors: 8pm.

Adm: 12 (in advance online: www.tickets.ie + booking fee)

DJ Mouse (from 11pm  2.30am. Free admission)

Advertisement

Saturday August 20th:

Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

Doors: 8pm.

Adm: 20 (in advance online: www.tickets.ie incl booking fee)

Special guests: Gavin Povey & His Fabulous Oke-She-Moke-She-Pops.

Rumble Club DJ's: 11.30pm  2.30am. Free admission.

Sunday August 21st:

Sunday Summer Swing (Free Closing Party & BBQ)

The Slick Hicks, The Louisiana 6, Jem Mitchell, The Annulments & Rumble Club Djs.

Doors: 6pm

Adm: Free
The Maccabees have announced that they are breaking up, confirming the news in a statement released today.

The London band released four albums since forming in 2002. Their most recent record Marks To Prove It, was released in July 2015, followed on from Given to the Wild (2012), Wall of Arms (2009) and debut Colour It In (2007). The band headlined Latitude Festival in July.

In a statement posted to social media, the band write of their split: "There have not been fallings out and we are grateful to say that we are not leaving the group as a dividing force".

The group also state that the members will "continue making music" and promise farewell shows for later in the year.

Read the statement in full below.

Advertisement
A new report warns that a potentially fatal virus is being spread at UK music festivals this summer.

Measles (OK, it's not Zika) is a highly contagious viral infection that causes a rash, fever and cold-like symptoms. In some cases, it can be fatal. There have been 234 cases of measles reported in the first six months of this year in the UK, a big increase from the 54 cases reported in the first half of 2015.

Public Health England has now warned of music festivals and other big public events being an "ideal place for the infection to spread". 36 reported cases of measles were linked to UK music festivals in June and July, with 16 cases reported at Glastonbury alone.

The festivals where bouts of measles have been linked to are:

Glastonbury festival: 16 cases

NASS festival: Seven cases

Triplicity Music and Arts Festival: Six cases

Tewkesbury Medieval Festival: Three cases

Nozstock: The Hidden Valley: Two cases

Noisily Festival: Two cases

Secret Garden Party festival: One case

Yeovil Show: One case

Advertisement

The report reads: "Young people planning to attend other festivals over the summer are in particular urged to follow this advice. Measles is extremely infectious and events where people are mixing closely with each other provide the ideal place for the infection to spread."

"Measles can be more severe in teenagers and adults, with some of the recent cases needing hospital treatment. People are urged to be aware of the symptoms of measles, such as a high fever and rash, and not to attend festivals if they are unwell."
Now, people look to the upcoming Wonder Woman movie, directed by Patty Jenkins and starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine, to do what Suicide Squad could not. But maybe fans are getting ahead of themselves. Weve already had three movies set in this fictional universe, including Man of Steel and Batman V Superman  which had lukewarm and poor receptions respectively. Usually, at this point, most studios would deem the project a failure, but the problem is that Warner Brothers already has a Justice League film in development, in addition to the aforementioned Wonder Woman. Theres simply too much money already into this to stop now. So, how can a studio build a franchise if it cant even get off the ground? Lets go back in time to see how a movie franchise was born

Its 1977. It was a long time ago on this very rock called Earth, and all people could talk about was this new film called Star Wars. What made this film resonate with everyone was how it fleshed out its characters into living, breathing characters. We cared about Luke, Leia, and Han. We watched them grow over the course of the film. Even though the film ended with the promise of more, it still managed to deliver a complete narrative, and it worked.

But heres the thing; unlike the DC movies, Star Wars had no source material to work from. Sure, it drew from many places, both real and fictional, but thats how all fiction works; its not the same as adaptation. But thats not to say that only wholly original works can turn into franchises. Otherwise, the Marvel movies and Disneys Princess brand wouldnt be the cultural juggernauts they are today. So what do these all have in common?
7up Free and Happenings are to screen The Big Lebowski later on this week

Make the most of what little summer weather we have left by heading to Fitzwilliam Square to watch the screening of the legendary Cohen brother's comedy The Big Lebowski

Settle into a billow bag (a sort of blow-up bean bag) and get your complimentary 7up Mojito and get cosy in the city centre for the latest Happening screening.

Tickets are 5 euro on the door but be sure to arrive early as space is limited and is sure to be hotly contested. 7 up will be giving you the chance to win tickets to this exclusive screening.

Advertisement

The Happeing's screening is Thursday 11 at 10pm in Fitzwillam Square Dublin 2
The band celebrated Neil's birthday in style in Germany...

If youre sluggish waking up today, heres something guaranteed to get the blood pumping - Therapy? doing their time-honoured thing at Germanys Wacken Festival.

It was drummer Neils birthday, and the chaps gave it extra socks.

Get eye and earfuls at [link]concert.arte.tv/de/therapy-wacken-open-air-2016[/link]
Authorities are searching for a man they say burglarized a building earlier this year along the 610 Loop in northwest Houston.

The burglary happened about 4:45 p.m. May 28 in the 1900 block of the North Loop West, according to the Houston Police Department.
A Google Maps error has been sending tourists seeking "Mt. Rushmore, SD" to the wrong location for nearly five years now. Storm Mountain Center, a retreat center located some 13 miles from the real Mount Rushmore, has repeatedly asked Google Maps to update the "Mt. Rushmore" address. But whatever fixes proved temporary for unknown reasons -- and as of this writing, the address is still wrong.

Eventually, the center has resorted to installing a large sign at the front of their driveway instructing travelers that their electronic devices are wrong about Mount Rushmore's location. Despite this, guest services manager Ashley Wilsey told the Kansas City Star that she regularly encounters a near-constant flow of tourists mistakenly navigating to the center.

Although Google Maps is fast becoming the ultimate authority on navigation, the program is proving vulnerable to mistakes and hackers with results that at times can be catastrophic.

One of the latest blunders involved a company accidentally bulldozing the wrong house due to faulty Google Maps directions. Google took responsibility for the maps error. In this case, two different houses were shown as being in the same location, a Google spokeswoman told CNN.

Then there was the case of a seemingly random Wisconsin murder that investigators say might be due to a Google Earth mix up. Police say that they discovered that the murdered couple's address was switched with another house on the online map - that of the president of a local bank who had received death threats. In 2010, Nicaragua blamed an accidental invasion of Costa Rica on incorrect Google Maps information.

These cases shed light on the software's susceptibility to errors and hacks. Google Maps is built on layers on information obtained from satellite images as well as photographs taken by Street View cars, which have driven and photographed more than 7 million miles of roads. Google also crowdsources location information through Map Maker, which allows users to directly update local addresses and details. An unknown number of people are employed by the company to comb through these maps for inaccuracies.

But despite this multi-faceted system, location bugs and mistakes still happen. Trolls and pranksters have taken advantage of the crowdsourced feature by changing businesses to offensive names or by doodling on the map interface. One showed the mascot for Google's mobile operating system, Android, urinating on the Apple logo in an area of Pakistan.

More explicit hacks have also proved that Google Maps is easily accessible to outsiders. Bryan Seely revealed vulnerabilities in Google Maps in 2014 when he hacked into Google Map's business listings and changed the phone number for the San Francisco FBI office and Washington D.C. Secret Service. In a Gizmodo article, Seely described a world of con artists who exploit the feature's vulnerabilities with ease by switching business listings and conning unsuspecting callers. He blames Google's less-than-stellar verification system. "Who is gonna think twice about what Google publishes on their maps? Everyone trusts Google implicitly and it's completely unwarranted and it's completely unsafe," Seely told Valleywag in an interview last year. He also mentioned that he has been paid by companies like Microsoft to spam Google Maps in the past.

Then there's the human error element, such as the case of American tourist, Noel Santillan, who drove six hours in the wrong direction in Iceland through wintery conditions due to a small spelling error he entered into Google Maps. For those misguided Mount Rushmore tourists, even a large metal sign instructing them to turn around couldn't deter them from total GPS obedience. Some researchers have suggested that GPS dependence is becoming more and more common, and are worried about unforeseen effects. Are we collectively losing our learned sense of direction?

Neuroscience studies suggest that yes, Google Maps and GPS systems may indeed be negatively impacting our brains. Research at McGill University compared the brains of GPS versus non-GPS users and found that non-GPS users had more gray matter and higher functionality in their hippocampuses than those that relied on their devices. The hippocampus is responsible for memory and spatial navigation, the latter of which uses visual cues to create a cognitive map that assists with directionality. An earlier study showed that London taxi drivers, well-versed in the complex map of the city, had much larger hippocampuses than non-taxi drivers. There is also some correlation between those with a more developed hippocampus and lower chances of Alzheimers.

Veronique Bohbot, a neuroscientist who worked on McGill's GPS study, suggests that we limit our GPS use to new destinations only and attempt to build up our cognitive maps by navigating to frequently visited destinations on our own, she said in an article on Phys.org.

Given recent errors, our memories might wind up being more accurate than Google Maps itself.
Drug smugglers enlist all manners of trickery - including most recently hiding a stash on a toddler en route to Houston - to try to sneak past U.S.-Mexico border inspectors.

A couple was arrested late last week for allegedly hiding 7 pounds of methamphetamine on their 19-month-old, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Orlando Ramirez and Cynthia Uresti were stopped Thursday after they walked across an international bridge that connects Brownsville with Matamoros, Mexico. The drugs were "hidden on" Uresti and the child, who were reportedly on their way to Houston, according to an affidavit filed in connection with the arrest.

The couple remained in custody and is due in court Tuesday in Brownsville for a preliminary hearing before a magistrate judge.

The arrests were the latest in a string of instances in which smugglers are accused of using children to try to outwit U.S. authorities. Border Patrol agents last week in Southern California arrested a woman for allegedly smuggling bundles of cocaine while traveling with two children, a 2-year-old boy and 11-year-old girl.

"The kids are the cover for the dope to reduce any suspicion," said Special Agent Wendell Campbell of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Houston Division, which reaches to the border. "It is definitely happening - cartels and independent traffickers are leveraging children to help them mask loads coming into the United States."

Three bundles were stashed inside the front passenger seat, where the boy was sitting, according to federal authorities. Eight packages were hidden in the back seat where the girl was sitting.

In late July, also in California, a woman was arrested on suspicion of carrying 20 bundles of methamphetamine and heroin hidden in a vehicle she was driving with her 11-year-old daughter.

Eulalio Elizondo was sentenced earlier this year at the federal courthouse in Houston to 14 years in prison for a scheme in which he allegedly tricked his own brother and brother's family into driving from Mexico to Houston in a car secretly carrying 15 pounds of methamphetamine.

Elizondo admitted to the trafficking and said his brother and family, which include two young children, did not know about the drugs.

George Diaz, an assistant history professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, said women who are smuggling drugs while traveling with children are counting on drawing less attention from border officers because they don't look suspicious.

"Smugglers try to be inconspicuous; that is how they succeed," said Diaz, who recently published the book "Border Contraband," a history of smuggling. "They want to fly under the radar."

He stressed that far more smugglers are believed to get past agents than the number who are caught.

"We only have records of those who are apprehended," he said. "The best smugglers are never caught, so that means you could be absolutely excellent and there would be no record of you at all."

In El Paso, Claudia Hernandez was sentenced in December to nearly three years after being arrested for having three bundles of cocaine hidden in a car she was driving. Hernandez had two children with her, including her son. When she was first stopped, she said she was taking him to Texas to buy sneakers.

"It is very sad to see innocent children entangled in this shameful attempt to smuggle illicit narcotics," said Thomas Blanks, a California-based Border Patrol agent.
The family of a Muslim boy who was arrested after bringing a homemade clock to school has sued Texas school officials, saying they violated the 14-year-old boy's civil rights.

The lawsuit was filed Monday on behalf of Ahmed Mohamed. The teen was arrested at his suburban Dallas high school in September and charged with having a hoax bomb. He says he brought the homemade clock to school to show his teacher.
The City of Houston is holding a public forum Monday night to receive input for a proposed assisted living facility in town.

Ron Reed, economic development director, said members of the community are encouraged to share their opinions on the matter beginning at 7 p.m. tonight at city hall. Information gathered at the meeting will be part of the citys presentation in front of the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee on Sept. 12 in Jefferson City.

Reed said a 10-year process to bring an assisted living facility to Houston is nearing completion as ownership, the location and even the name have been decided. Next is receiving a certificate of need from the state board.

Reed said the proposed 22,000 square foot facility  Country View Assisted Living  will be 40 beds on a 5  acre lot on Industrial Drive. The owners and administrators will be Rubert and Karen Smith of Solo. They will also build the facility, he said.

If the project receives approval from the state, Reed said ground breaking could begin in early 2017.

As we get through the process and receive the blessing to build it, Reed said, it will be something the community can be really proud of.

Part of the citys pitch, Reed said, is proving a need to the state board. Although there are facilities in Licking and Cabool, there is nothing within a 15-mile radius of Houston  a benchmark required on the state application.

Upon receiving state approval after submitting a 47-page application, Reed said the next step is completing a full architectural design of the facility. Archer-Elgin of Rolla is the architect. Reed said initial drawings will be available to view at the public meeting.

Reed said the cost to live at the private-pay facility will be $75 per day. He anticipates it will create 12-15 new jobs.

Anyone with questions or comments, including those interested in living at the facility, should call Reed at 417-967-3348.

Name: Country View Assisted Living

Size: 22,000 square feet with 40 beds

Location: Industrial Drive in Houston

Owners/administrators: Rubert and Karen Smith

Whats next: Public meeting on Aug. 8, then state presentation Sept. 12 in Jefferson City.
The following are excerpts from reports generated by the Houston Police Department:

Patrick A. Dodson, 35, of 309 S. Second St. in Houston, was arrested Aug. 4 for having an active City of Houston warrant for stealing under $500.

An officer who had been advised of the warrant made the arrest at Dodsons residence. He was taken to the Texas County Jail, where he was unable to post $400 bond.

An officer was dispatched to Texas County Memorial Hospital at about 9:25 p.m. July 31 regarding a man wanting to commit his brother-in-law for a 96-hour mental evaluation.

The officer made contact with the man, who said his 25-year-old brother-in-law wanted to hurt himself. A routine computer check revealed that the brother-in-law had an active Phelps County warrant for failure to appear on a theft charge.

Blake D. McCormick, 25, of Mountain Grove, was arrested and taken to jail, where he was unable to post $2,500 bond.

Felicia D. Batchelor, 29, of 611 Hawthorn in Houston, was ticketed on July 23 for displaying plates of another.

Cynthia L. Postelwait, 46, of 8855 Highway 17 in Houston, was cited for following too closely after a two-vehicle accident on U.S. 63 at about 12:10 p.m. July 28.

Donna Garcia, 35, of Littleton, Colo., was issued a citation for stealing under $500 after allegedly shoplifting a bottle of whiskey from Walmart at about 10:30 p.m. July 27.
Anna Marie Boden, 74, of Licking, passed away Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, after a lengthy battle with leukemia.

She was an Army wife. She married Staff Sgt. Colin C. Boden III while living in Texas. She was assistant manager of the Pattonville Thrift shop outside of Stuttgart, Germany, and on another tour of duty to Germany was manager of the Wildflecken Thrift Shop. In 1993, after her husband, Colin, retired from the Army, they sold their house in Texas and moved to Licking, near where her family had lived years before.

Her favorite hobbies were cross-stitching and playing cards with some of her closest friends.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Jesse F. Woodruff in 1971; and two brothers, Frank Newcomb and Richard Newcomb.

Survivors include her second husband, Colin C. Boden, III; four children, Allen Woodruff of Arizona, Daniel Woodruff of South Carolina, Shirley Camp of Licking and Mickey Grubbs of Tennessee; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and many other family members.

Services are Wednesday, Aug. 10, at Fox Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Lindy Hardwick officiating.

Online condolences may be made at www.foxfh.net.
Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print.

Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition.

If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create.
As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content.

When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to.

After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS!

OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK

The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those.
Donald Trump's attempt to reset his presidential campaign with a serious economic speech has spurred more mockery after another strange moment.

In an address to the Detroit Economic Club Monday, read from a teleprompter and interrupted 14 times by protesters, Trump appeared to say his plan would bring trillions of new dollars "into titties like, right here in Detroit." At least, that's what those watching on CNN and C-SPAN heard.

Advertisement

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump waves after delivering an economic policy speech to the Detroit Economic Club, on Aug. 8, 2016. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP)

According to his prepared remarks, Trump was supposed to say "cities." And a feed from The Detroit Free Press suggests that is indeed what he said.

Many on social media seized upon the apparent tech glitch, including Daily Beast editor Andrew Kirell, who produced a Vine video.

Advertisement

Donald Trump's economic plan rated PG-13: https://t.co/YwTaUHFWI0  Andrew Kirell (@AndrewKirell) August 8, 2016

There are also several other clips online.

And a "Saturday Night Live" fan has already given the clip the "Celebrity Jeopardy" treatment.

Into titties, like right here in Detroit. ~ Donald Trump https://t.co/gZ1YovOgwU  Ben Howe (@BenHowe) August 8, 2016

Unsurprisingly, Trump mocked his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, who recent polls suggest is well ahead of him.

"Recently, at a campaign event, Hillary Clinton short-circuited again  to use a now famous term  when she accidentally told the truth and said she wanted to raise taxes on the middle class," Trump said.

Advertisement

But CBS News reports that Clinton actually said "we aren't going to raise taxes on the middle class" at a rally in Nebraska earlier this month.

That didn't stop the Trump campaign from releasing an ad online Saturday asking if "robot Hillary" is melting down.

Trump's speech reiterated his pledge to undo U.S. President Barack Obama's climate-change regulations. He also called the U.S. unemployment rate of roughly five per cent "one of the biggest hoaxes in modern politics."

Though he did not mention the Keystone XL pipeline, The Canadian Press reports a highlights package distributed with the speech made clear a President Trump would ask Calgary's TransCanada Corp. to re-submit its proposal for the stalled pipeline, if elected.

Advertisement

With files from The Canadian Press

Clarification: This post has been updated to include a link to the Detroit Free Press' feed of Trump saying "cities."

Also on HuffPost
The decline of newspapers and the rise of the brave new world of digital news  where cat videos fight it out with politicians for attention  has got John Oliver worried.

The host of HBOs Last Week Tonight launched his segment on the scary future of journalism with, well, a dig at the publication youre reading right now.

Advertisement

Papers have been closing and downsizing for years, and that affects all of us, even if you only get your news from Facebook, Google, Twitter or Arianna Huffingtons blockquote junction and book excerpt clearinghouse, Oliver told his audience on HBOs Last Week Tonight Sunday.

Hilarious, but ouch.

Oliver makes a point that many of us in journalism have been concerned about for years: As newspapers decline, coverage of local and political issues declines, and TV and online media are not filling the void.

Those places are often just repackaging the work of newspapers, Oliver noted, admitting that stupid shows like his own are often guilty of the same thing.

Advertisement

Oliver left it to David Simon, creator of HBOs The Wire and a longtime veteran of the Baltimore Sun, to explain exactly why we should fear the void being left by newspapers  fewer and fewer reporters are paying attention to what politicians are actually doing.

The next 10 or 15 years are going to be a halcyon era for state and local corruption. It is going to be a great time to be a corrupt politician. I really envy them.

Oliver cited data showing that newspapers business models are crumbling: In the past decade, U.S. papers have added $2 billion annually to their digital revenue  but have lost $30 billion in print ad sales.

Advertisement

Here in Canada, the situation looks little better. Many of Canadas big-city newspapers were brought together under one roof when National Post owner Postmedia bought the Sun newspaper chain in 2014.

But that doesnt seem to have stopped newsrooms from shrinking. Postmedia announced earlier this year it would consolidate newsrooms across the country, cutting 90 jobs. The company recently proposed a restructuring plan that would cut its $648-million debt in half.

A 2013 study found Canada had lost 10,000 media jobs in the previous five years  6,000 jobs in print and 3,700 in broadcast.

So whos responsible for this mess?

A big part of the blame is on us  people consuming news for free, Oliver said, adding that malfeasance will run amok without journalists holding politicians to account.

Either we are either going have to to pay for journalism, or we are all going to pay for it.

Also on HuffPost

Billionaires Who Own Newspapers See Gallery
If you're looking to experience Europe without the passport, you can always count on Montreal's Old Port to deliver.

The Old Montreal neighbourhood serves as a popular tourist spot for anyone seeking the look and feel of France within Canada. There's plenty of history among the cobblestone roads, culture amidst the buskers and vendors, and let's not forget about the art.

Advertisement

"[It's] the most beautiful section of Montreal. Every building here is a piece of art on its own," says Matthew, who recently moved to the area.

While the idea of living in a neigbourhood in the thick of tourists might be off-putting for some, it's one of the selling points for Matthew and his Montreal loft.

To see how he plans to bring his love of the area with his love of art, check out the video above.

More From I'm Sold Canada:

Also on HuffPost
As the debate in Carlisle over the Human Relations and Citizen Participation Commissions proposed non-discrimination ordinance continues, similar action in other municipalities offer a glimpse into what could be waiting for the borough.

In Pennsylvania, 35 municipalities have passed ordinances that create a commission to review allegations of discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity, which is similar to the one proposed in Carlisle.

Allentown, West Chester (on whose ordinance Carlisles is based), Doylestown and Susquehanna Township are just some of those municipalities with non-discrimination ordinances in place.

Adrian Shanker, founder and executive director of the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown, was a member on the citys Human Relations Commission from 2009 to 2012. He believes that the biggest challenge with such ordinances is that action is forced at the local level, when it should be the state or federal governments instilling such protections.

Some people believe that its more the responsibility of the state and federal governments, and I agree, Shanker said. Theyve failed in their responsibility to protect citizens, but because they havent and theyve stalled for so many years, its important that municipalities take it upon themselves to protect their own citizens.

And thats why the ordinance was proposed: to protect a class thus far unprotected within the borough, according to officials.

Some of the feedback borough officials in Carlisle have received, and have even voiced themselves, is the fear of costs to staff, manage and support a possible Human Rights Commission. However, Shanker said that during his stint with Allentowns HRC, costs were never an issue, and that for a municipality like Carlislemuch smaller than Allentownracking up expenses is even less likely.

Carlisles HRC would function without paid staff, according to the boroughs ordinance, but they may be paid expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as approved by the borough council.

Typically, there would be access to the boroughs solicitor if there are questions, and for a borough the size of Carlisle, youre not going to see the kind of influx coming in that would be cost burdened to the borough, Shanker explained. A lot of it, if theyre standard, those cases will get referred to states HRC; if its something that needs to be dealt with on the local level, those are reasons why borough may need to speak with borough solicitor.

It is not a very costly commission, and it hasnt been in number of boroughs that have already done this.

Nearby example

It took Susquehanna Township nine months to pass its non-discrimination ordinance, but according to Diane Bowman, former president of the townships board of commissioners, they went about the process a bit differently than Carlisle.

Bowman said the township put together a team of staff and residents to discuss putting together an ordinance that used the best language of multiple ordinances already approved in the state, before finally voting and approving it in December 2011.

Carlisle has already had three meetings where the ordinance was discussed by officials and residents, yet Bowman said Susquehanna Township flew a little more under the radar than Carlisle.

At some point in July (of 2011) my board approved drafting this ordinance, and we didnt open it up to everyone, she said. We posted the minutes and the ordinance online, so anybody that wanted to know could know, and we didnt open it up for discussion until we came to the vote.

Doing it that way allowed for less of a challenge in getting the ordinance passed, whereas in Carlisle, the open discussions have caused a dialog to begin that started from the moment the boroughs ERCP introduced it.

After Susquehanna Township passed its ordinance, it did get some public response, but Bowman said that response was far from what Carlisle has seen in its packed meetings.

And like Shanker, Bowman said theres been little to no cost in establishing and managing their HRC. In fact, that HRC hasnt had one case brought before it in the five years since it was established.

Everyone thinks youre going to get bunch of complaints, but the HRC only accepts ones for the LGBTQ community, she said. I know for a fact theyve not spent one dime of township taxpayer dollars to support this ordinance. They may have paid out something for brochures, but other than that, nothing.

Ted Martin, executive director of Equality Pennsylvania, a statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization, said the ordinances already approved by 35 other municipalities and considered in Carlisle now, send a bigger message to the state legislature that it may be time to make some bigger changes.

He also believes that these ordinances are the only way at this point to establish these protections for the LGBTQ community until the state or federal governments implement change.

The state legislature can pass legislation that can amend human relations act that would prohibit discrimination, so yeah the legislature could pass legislation, that would solve the problem in many ways, Martin said.
Princess Beatrice and her long-term love, Dave Clark, have called it quits.

Hello! magazine reports that Clark, 32, and the Princess of York, who turns 28 today, made their decision after taking a month-long break amidst a serious discussion about their future.

"After ten years together, Beatrice and Dave had to wonder why they were not married," a source close to Beatrice told The Mail on Sunday.

Advertisement

The same source also noted that the princess' mother Sarah, Duchess of York, is very sad about the split and 'feels as though she has lost a son,' The Daily Mail Online reports.

But it might be too soon to lose all hope  friends of the couple say the split was amicable and mutual and that they are open-minded about the future, People magazine reports.

So who knows, we could be looking at a Will and Kate-style story. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge broke up for a few months in 2007 before getting engaged in 2010.

The Princess and Clark  who is now the senior advisor to the CEO of Uber  met during a study abroad program with the University of Edinburgh. However it was Prince William who introduced Clark to his cousin and they hit it off immediately.

Advertisement

Over the years, Clark and the Princess have been seen out and about in London, San Francisco and New York City with the Royal Family and celebrity friends like Uber investor Ashton Kutcher and his wife Mila Kunis.

Check out the slideshow below for photos of the couple in happier times.
P&G

Winnie Harlow may be one of the most influential models in the world right now, but dont call her a role model.

The 22-year-old Mississauga, Ont. native has defied traditional beauty ideals by taking on the fashion industry and not letting her vitiligo (a condition characterized by the depigmentation of skin) get in the way of success. But she still doesnt see herself as someone to look up to.

Advertisement

"People may choose to see me as that, but its not how I identify or label myself, she says in an interview with HuffPost Canadas Partner Studio. A role model is someone who should be copied and emulated, and I dont believe that people should copy anyone.

Instead, Winnie says we should be appreciating our individuality.

We should just be who we are and always focus on our uniqueness and our opinion of our self.

We should just be who we are and always focus on our uniqueness and our opinion of our self, she says. And by that I dont mean that others opinions of you arent important; simply that your opinion of yourself is far more important.

Harlow advocates for self-confidence and has become an inspiration for women all over the world. Her face alone is the face of a no-nonsense attitude and influence beyond measure. But getting to that place didnt come easy. As a kid, Harlow was bullied and called names like cow and zebra by her peers. The verbal abuse forced her to change schools multiple times, drop out of high school and led to a point in her life where she felt very low.

My low self-esteem and self-consciousness didnt necessarily stem from how I saw myself, but how others saw me and my skin condition, she says. I made the mistake of thinking that other peoples opinions of me were more important than my opinion of me. It made me believe that my value depended on the opinion of others.

Advertisement

Its the same message Dove is trying to combat with their #MyBeautyMySay campaign, a venture Harlow is a spokesmodel for. It's the latest iteration of the Real Beauty campaign, but this time around the beauty brand looks at media's trivialization of women and encourages them to celebrate their own unique beauty on their own terms.

A survey conducted by Dove found that women's confidence in their bodies is on a steady decline. Women are told theyre too pretty to be smart and receive compliments and criticisms based on appearance alone.

To call attention to the issue, Dove launched a global interactive campaign with an animated billboard in Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square, which broadcasts real-time commentary from media outlets in several English-speaking countries that spotlight a female athletes appearance over her achievements. Canadians are encouraged to have a say in this conversation by visiting the real-time online aggregator at Dove.ca/HaveYourSay and to tweet at media outlets directly using #MyBeautyMySay. And while it's a project and brand that Harlow supports, Winnie believes that the conversation is broad and that women are key agents of change.

The emphasis should be on making sure that we personally teach young girls how beautiful and valued they areand we should make sure that media reflects that belief, she says.

Advertisement

Empowering and positive messages are important, but...you have to believe that message yourself and take it home to your children and your immediate environment. We have the power to force media to show us what we want to see.

And we want to see more of Harlow. More of people who dont fit traditional beauty ideals. It's exactly what Dove tries to do with the Dove Self-Esteem Project, a global initiative that tries to ensure the next generation is confident and able to reach their full potential.

Harlows placement on magazine covers and fashion ads has changed the conversation on what it means to be beautiful and helps us get closer to that goal. Her spot in Beyonces Lemonade, one of musics most celebrated pieces of work this year, doesnt hurt the cause either.

In that respect, Winnie Harlow is more than just a model. Shes redefining what it means to be beautiful and paving the way for others to do the same.
The failed military coup attempt in Turkey comes with many lessons. The courage and sacrifice of the Turkish people in answering the call from their democratically elected leader to take it to the streets against the military might was remarkable. The Turkish people are honourable people who can't be intimidated with the barrels of guns.

One would only hope to see such mobilization of force and power of the people taking place in Egypt when the country went through a similar ordeal about three years ago.

It also shows the hypocrisy of the West, which was silent during the turmoil.

Instead of condemning the coup attempt and blaming those who intended to destabilize the country, they have vehemently criticized the Turkish president for cracking down on the culprits and accused him of overreacting.

Advertisement

They have probably forgotten what the word means. The U.S., for instance, has abandoned all its principles of justice after the 9-11 terrorist attacks. It had occupied entire countries, killing and displacing thousands. How then could the U.S. accuse Turkey of overreacting when its own country has gone wild in violating human rights and the dignity of humans, occupying foreign lands, holding prisoners in Guantanamo Bay without due process and indiscriminate killings with its drones?

If the U.S. had done what it did as a result of a terrorist attack, how far would it have gone if its own military had waged a failed coup like what took place in Turkey?

As the Australia's Independentreported, observers have pointed out that such condemnation looks like hypocrisy, as the same leaders have allied themselves with autocratic regimes elsewhere in the world and in the Middle East, in particular.

How far would [the U.S.] have gone if its own military had waged a failed coup like what took place in Turkey?

It also didn't escape notice, as the newspaper alluded, that the U.S. didn't publicly comment on the coup until it became clear that it had failed.

It is utterly shameful to see the Western world embracing a military dictator in Egypt who had overthrown the legitimate government. I wonder how the U.S. expects to be trusted and revered around the world when it acts in such hypocritical and shameful manner.

The remarkable victory to stop the cowards and traitors was a result of the courage of people who love their leader and their country. When people unite they can achieve a lot. They represent a force to be reckoned with in spite of the many obstacles that might be against them.

Western leaders ought to feel ashamed of themselves for their hypocrisy and double standards. Their words about supporting democracy and freedom around the world are nothing but empty slogans.

As Middle East Eye editor in chief David Hearst wrote:

"If you want to know why Europe and the U.S. are a busted flush in the Middle East, why they have lost all moral authority, indeed any authority at all, and why they are no longer the candle bearers of democratic change, look no further than the three hours of silence as they waited to see which way the wind was blowing in Istanbul and Ankara."

The people of Turkey have shown unity and courage, which should be a lesson for the entire world. Their stand against the occupying forces and subsequent defeat of the coup should be studied and pondered upon. It was a remarkable achievement that should be commended and celebrated by the peace loving everywhere. They didn't hide, but went into streets to say no to occupation, no to foreign intervention and no to military dictatorship.

Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook

MORE ON HUFFPOST:
Danny Moloshok / Reuters Cast member Cobie Smulders poses at the world premiere of the film

To the eyes of anyone who grew up in Vancouver decades ago -- like me -- the city has changed so much as to be almost unrecognizable.

Perhaps one of the most notable: The sheer number of world-class hotels. These days there are so many five-star accommodations, offering such a stunning array of luxury amenities, that it seems like they pop up on every block.

Advertisement

But which one stands out? I asked a few celebrities about their favourite places to stay when visiting the Best Coast.

Bif Naked, Musician (@bifnaked)

Favourite hotel: Wedgewood

"I have been a fan for over two decades, since I moved to Vancouver. As a young punk trying to navigate very grown up business meetings, I would often take meetings and interviews in the hotel's famous Bacchus Restaurant, and would linger for hours over their fine teas.

"As a vegan my life is often annoying, educating others on why I try and eat compassionately, and at the hotel they were always so respectful and bend over backwards to accommodate me. They have a salad with fennel, watermelon, and beets that they make vegan for me, and they always make me feel very respected and cared about.

"The rooms are magnificent, and the staff is utterly elegant. It is definitely a destination hotel and lucky for me, it's a few blocks from my Vancouver residence. We simply stroll down the street to this special place. A Vancouver treasure, founded by an incredible woman, the late Eleni Skalbania."

Advertisement

Mira Sorvino, Actress (@mirasorvino)

Favourite hotel: Sutton Place

"The rooms on the more residential side are ideal for medium-length shoots with the family, because they have nice modern kitchens. I also love the indoor pool, because you can use it in any weather.

"It is very centrally located, so you can walk out and be close to great dining and shopping. There is even an awesome community center with great dance and exercise classes, which is just half a block away.

"And the bar makes great cosmos!"

Cobie Smulders, Actress (@cobiesmulders)

Favourite hotel: Four Seasons Whistler

"When I get a chance to go to my home province, I love going up to Whistler. During both summer and winter, I find the Four Seasons to be such amazing spot.

"The staff is ridiculously accommodating. They are happy -- or at least, do a wonderful job pretending to be happy when you arrive with young humans. The food is delicious, and the beautiful mountains are right outside your door. Heaven."

Spencer O'Brien, Snowboard Champ (@spencerobrien)

"My favourite hotel in Vancouver has to be the Shangri-La, located right downtown on Georgia Street. Large, elegant rooms with insanely comfortable beds and beautiful light-filled bathrooms.

Advertisement

"I never wanted to leave -- except to check out the outdoor pool with views of downtown Vancouver. And to dine at Market, of course, where the food is exceptional. I only stayed one night, but was ready to move in by check-out time."

Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook

MORE ON HUFFPOST:
Green Party leader Elizabeth May supported a move to broaden language found in the blogger's original resolution to call for any charitable organization's status to be revoked if they are in violation of Canadian or international law.

Recently, two Holocaust survivors and human rights activists died, both having lived long and fruitful lives.

Advertisement

Over the course of his life, the writer Elie Wiesel received many prizes and much praise for his activism, including speaking out for the beleaguered peoples of Bosnia and Rwanda. Hedy Epstein was no less passionate an advocate; at the age of 90, she was arrested for protesting the fatal shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown by police in Ferguson, Missouri.

But it was the conflict in the Middle East that flamed Ms. Epstein's social justice passions the most, using her pulpit as a survivor of the atrocities committed against the Jews in the Second World War to encourage people to help stop the sufferings of Palestinians caused by Israel's occupation.

As a Jew committed to tikkun olam, the ideals of social justice that I learned from my parents, I follow the Hedy Epstein school of Holocaust lessons: two wrongs do not make a right.

It is why I decided to submit a resolution to the Green Party to revoke Revenue Canada's charitable status of the Jewish National Fund of Canada, and why I co-sponsored the resolution calling for the boycott, divestment and sanctioning of Israel until they end their occupation of Palestine.

Advertisement

While both resolutions have been roundly condemned by some as anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli, including the former president of the Green Party, Paul Estrin, I have chosen to heed the words of Ms. Epstein: "Remember the past, don't hate, but don't be a bystander."

I am proud of my Jewish heritage and traditions. My actions do not make me anti-Semitic or anti-Israel.

The policies of the JNF are well documented. Both the UN Committee for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the U.S. State Department have called the JNF discriminatory because of its practice of selling or leasing land only to Jews. But more important, the Attorney General of Israel -- in a 2005 ruling against the JNF -- stated that their practice of refusing to sell or lease their lands to non-Jewish citizens of Israel amounts to discrimination.

Even a JNF official has acknowledged that "a large portion of JNF parks are on lands where Palestinian villages used to stand, and the forests are intended to camouflage this" (page 43).

In Canada, the JNF has raised money for its project in Israel, Canada Park. A beautiful 80,000 acres of lush greenery, this oasis of rest and recreation also happens to sit atop the ruins of the Palestinian villages of Deir Ayyub, Imwas and Yalu. The residents of the latter two villages along with those of neighbouring village, Beit Nuba, were forcibly expelled from their homes and the villages deliberately destroyed during the 1967 war. The villagers played no role in the fighting and held aloft white flags when Israeli soldiers entered their communities.

Advertisement

Under the guise of "greening" the area, the seized land was then given to the JNF, which conveniently built Canada Park a few years later. This contravenes Canadian government policy, which does not recognize permanent Israeli control over lands occupied since 1967, as well as international law.

CBC's Fifth Estateproduced a documentary ("Canada Park: A Park with no Peace," 1991) about the forced expulsion, the deliberate destruction of the villages and the establishment of the park. In the words of former Israeli parliamentarian Uri Avnery, "By putting that park there and calling it 'Canada Park', you give a Canadian cover-up to a war crime."

As a party that emphasizes our commitment to the environment, neither should the party stand idly by... when such abuses are subsidized by our taxpayer dollars.

To this day, there has never been any acknowledgement or recognition of the actions by the Israeli government or compensation given to the nearly 10,000 people who were forced out of their homes, and who have not been granted the right to return, as stipulated under international law, while Canada Park physically prevents any return from taking place. Yet, because of JNF's charitable status, the park continues to be subsidized by the Canadian taxpayer.

It is not easy to move forward in the face of such sustained, yet patently false, attacks. I am proud of my Jewish heritage and traditions. My actions do not make me anti-Semitic or anti-Israel. Neither are the Green Party and its leader anti-Semitic or anti-Israel. The Green Party and its leader are absolutely not anti-Semitic or anti-Israel.

Advertisement

But as a party that emphasizes our commitment to the environment, neither should the party stand idly by while grave human rights abuses are done in the name of environmentalism, particularly when such abuses are subsidized by our taxpayer dollars.

On Saturday, my proposed resolution on the JNF was ultimately defeated in the thrust and parry of party politics by turning the motion into a generic call for any charitable organization's status to be revoked if they are in violation of Canadian or international law. But on Sunday, the Green Party stood by its principles and voted overwhelmingly in favour of the BDS motion.

The debates, carried out in a public forum with media and observers present, and the passing of the BDS motion signals that although one battle may have been lost, ultimately the war has been won in the march towards a just peace in the Middle East.

I like to think that Hedy Epstein, whose memoir was titled Remembering Is Not Enough, would have been proud of my actions.

Updated and reprinted from the Hill Times, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016 6:51 a.m.

Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook

MORE ON HUFFPOST:

Gaza-Israel Rally At Queen's Park, Toronto See Gallery
Design Pics via Getty Images Young first nations girl

Indigenous youth are one of the fastest growing cohorts in Canada, yet they are among the most vulnerable. At 4.3 percent of Canada's population, an increase from 2.8 percent in 1996, the diverse indigenous population of First Nations, Metis and Inuit share a commonality: almost half of the population is under the age of 26. Although the degree of socioeconomic challenges and lack of opportunity varies among Canada's Indigenous communities, there is little doubt that the effect of lower socioeconomic outcomes is felt most acutely among aboriginal girls and boys.

Poverty rates among First Nations children living on reserves remain staggeringly high at over 45 percent in remote communities. Furthermore, First Nations youth have had significantly lower attendance and graduation rates from schools due, in part to chronic underfunding. Subsequently, limited employment opportunities have left youths feeling that there is little prospect for a better future.

Advertisement

We might all ask ourselves, as did Charlie Angus, Member of Parliament for Timmins-James Bay, "how a country as rich as Canada can leave so many young children and young people behind?"

The plight of the aboriginal people of Canada seems to only be given the attention and resources it needs when a crisis emerges. Attawapiskat should serve as a wakeup call. It is no longer acceptable to wait for a state of emergency for Canadians to have their basic needs met.

Among those basic needs, few are more fundamental than education. Too many First Nations children do not have access to an education comparable to that of other Canadian children. The Canadian Centre for the Study of Living Standards has calculated that $71.1 billion would be added to Canada's economy if aboriginal people attained the same educational levels as other Canadians.

Advertisement

Young people need hope and opportunity and a first step towards that would be to close the funding gap in education. Investing in youth, including aboriginal girls empowers entire communities to find solutions from within. While our current federal government has taken a positive step in committing $8.3 billion over 5 years, increased funding alone cannot eliminate generations of neglect. Sustained action and resources will be needed in order to avoid more preventable crises.

While Canadian society seeks to achieve economic parity among men and women broadly, the challenge is even greater in indigenous communities, particularly for women and girls. Canada has recognized the value of supporting women and girls in developing countries, and we must place equal emphasis on not only the education, but also health and wellbeing of indigenous women and girls here at home.

As Canada's 2016 G(irls)20 representative, I believe that people are to be valued equally regardless of ones gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious belief. Collectively, we need to translate that belief into ensuring that every indigenous girl and boy has the same opportunities that we afford other young Canadians across the socioeconomic strata. In tandem with equal funding in education for indigenous youth, this will require a constructive dialogue and a renewed relationship built on trust, partnership and reconciliation.

By Pippa McDougall, G(irls)20 Delegate, Canada
Former Prime Minister Paul Martin once described Canada as a nation of minorities. His observation was a variation on the way in which the United States has occasionally been described. Underlying the description is the idea that there is a greater degree of empathy for vulnerable communities within society and a better understanding of the challenges that sometimes accompany belonging to a minority (some may insist that empathy is in short supply in the United States given the current state of race relations).

There are multiple ways to identify as a minority in Canada with language, ethnic, religious and/or racial/racialized status amongst the principal basis. Even if in certain situations you identify as a minority, that may not be how you're seen by others and/or how you feel in day-to-day interaction. In my home province of Quebec on the basis of language, at times, opinion leaders will describe francophones as a national minority within Canada and a tiny minority in English North America.

Advertisement

Francophone minority affirmation makes English Canadians part of the country's majority and the latter group includes much of the indigenous population, many members of visible and religious "minorities" and the province's English-speaking population.

To add to the confusion, in Quebec, the English speakers see themselves as part of a minority on the basis of their first language. Anglophones recognize their Quebec francophone counterparts as part of the majority (something about which they are frequently reminded). In sum, most Quebecers can be designated as members of both the minority and the majority on the basis of language.

What about the province's allophones (persons whose first language is neither English nor French)? The government legitimately promotes their acquisition of the French language so as to expedite their integration with Quebec's francophone majority while diminishing the insecurity of the minority francophone population in North America (inside and outside of Quebec some anglophones wrongly see the allophone newcomers adoption of the English language as integration and the adoption of the French language as assimilation).

On the island of Montreal, some demographers point out that the non-francophones are a near majority. To arrive at this conclusion they have to combine the Island's anglophones with the allophones into one group despite the fact the latter possess a multitude of language backgrounds. Many Quebec allophones end up acquiring both English and French languages and by consequence feel as though they're part of the minority within a majority that sees itself as part of a minority (we'll let you guess whether I am referring to anglophones or francophones).

Advertisement

Like many other Quebecers, I experience the occasional identity crisis or what I'll call a bout of "multiple identity-itis." The language I first learned and still understand is Yiddish, which would make me an alllophone; the language I used most frequently in school and later at work was English; and I speak a fair bit of French at home with my spouse. As a result I'm mostly Anglophone, partly allophone and a bit francophone. During our emotional language debates a part of my language persona is often unhappy and/or in a dispute with the other part.

Elsewhere in Canada, language is much less important in defining who we are than are racial, ethnic or religious identification. University of Toronto Professor Jeffrey Reitz has said that "we have difficulty with that subject (race) as a country... 25 years ago they were issuing reports on how cities like Toronto were no longer majority British... Now the Italians and the Poles are considered part of the dominant population, the non-visible minority European-origin population. So the story is we're moving away from a population dominated by people of a European background."

Over the past decade, opinion leaders in Toronto and Vancouver have referred to visible minorities as part of the majority. In 2011, Statistics Canada revealed that in the city of Markham the visible minority population accounted for approximately 72 per cent of the population, some 66 per cent in Brampton, nearly 54 per cent in Mississauga and 49 per cent in the city of Toronto. Within Vancouver's Census metropolitan area, in 2011, the municipalities of Richmond (70.4 per cent), Burnaby (59.5 per cent), Surrey (52.6 per cent) and the City of Vancouver (51.8 per cent) had higher proportions of visible minorities. Many persons of African, Asian or other origins would surely be surprised to learn that they are part of the majority group.

A poll conducted back in 2004 by the firm Environics for the Association for Canadian Studies reveals that some three-quarters of the population tend to view themselves as part of a cultural majority while approximately one in five Canadians feel that they are part of the minority (only one per cent said they were both). Some segments of the population view themselves as a minority with 57 per cent of non-Europeans declaring such status.

Do Canadians regard themselves as part of a minority in a nation that presumably embodies them? If so, there is little evidence to support the claim.

Advertisement

Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook

MORE ON HUFFPOST:
Keith Levit / Design Pics via Getty Images Rooster

Almost no one wants to be bitten by a mosquito. The itching is bad enough but a number of infections may come with that unfortunate bite. Infections such as malaria, West Nile Virus, Dengue, and now Zika can turn that annoyance into a potentially life-threatening condition.

While Canadians may not have as much to worry about as other nations, people still have interesting means to prevent a bite. Long clothing is an obvious choice as is the use of mosquito repellents such as DEET. But some people turn to more inventive methods such as the use of mosquito nets and the extracts from certain plants to veer away insects.

Advertisement

Now there may be another mosquito-preventing option in the works based on a recent study from an Ethiopian group of researchers. Their focus relies less on synthetic insecticides or physical barriers. Instead, they appear to have found a means to keep those mozzies away using a rather odd source: chickens.

The study was supposed to focus on the food preferences of a particular type of mosquito. It's officially known as Anopheles arabiensis and is widespread in Africa. It's known as one of the most important carriers of malaria and its control is vital to public health in these areas. For the authors, understanding which animals were more likely to be seen as food could help in developing control strategies.

The team went to three villages in Ethiopia to collect mosquitoes. They focused on areas rich in certain types of animals such as humans, cattle, goats, sheep, and chickens. When the collection was over, all of the areas contained mosquitoes -- they were everywhere. But when the actual type of blood was examined, there was one particular species missing. Chickens, it turned out, were not considered to be a source of food.

The strange mix of mosquito presence and yet no feeding suggested the insects were avoiding the chickens. For the authors, this meant something was acting as a repellent. However, as to what exactly was behind this protection was a mystery. The most likely option had to be odour yet until this study, there had been no such evaluation.

Advertisement

The group had to figure out how to bring the odour to the lab without actually bringing the animal. They eventually decided on taking hair, wool, or feathers from the animals and sealing them up in a bag. Once they were in the lab, the chemicals causing the smells were isolated and then analyzed.

As expected, chickens had a few unique molecules associated with their feathers. They included names such as hexadecane, which smells a little like gasoline; isobutyl butanoate, which has a fruity aroma; trans-limolene oxide, which has a minty-citrus scent, naphthalene, which is used in mothballs, -myrcene, which gives off a clove-like odour, and a few unknowns.

With the chemical constituents known, the next step was to test them in the presence of mosquitoes. They did this by baiting traps with synthetic versions of the compounds identified. As a control, they used the natural source of the chemicals -- a chicken -- to see if any of the compounds could compare to the real thing.

When the results came back, the trap with the chicken, despite its obvious ability to repel, did not have the fewest number of mosquitoes. That belonged to the traps containing the synthetic limolene oxide and the -myrcene. This suggested individual chemicals -- not the chickens -- were the reasons behind the repulsion.

Chemically speaking, the findings make sense. Both limolene oxide and -myrcene are already known as insect repellents yet they hadn't been tested against mosquitoes. Perhaps even more importantly, these two chemicals have a rather long range in terms of odour distribution. They could potentially keep mosquitoes far enough away to prevent any chance of being trapped.

Advertisement

For the authors, the results point to the potential for the development of novel mosquito repelling agents. Although these chemicals are naturally made, they could be developed synthetically for use in a variety of products including one for people. While this may still be years away, the mere discovery of a new direction is significant in light of the fact many mosquito species are growing resistant to insecticides.

In the meantime, the best options to keep free of bites continue to be long clothes and insect repellent.

As for housing chickens, it's best to avoid this practice. The upkeep for these animals is rather intense and should be limited to those who are prepared to keep and care for them.
There will be two simulated emergency exercises this week in Shippensburg, which will give first responders and officials with the Shippensburg school district and university the opportunity to practice their plans for dealing with large-scale disasters.

According to the Shippensburg Fire Department, both events will be held during the morning Thursday.

A mass casualty drill simulating an explosion with multiple victims will be held at the Southampton Township, Franklin County, municipal complex on Orrstown Road.

A tabletop exercise focused on responses to an active-shooter scenario will be held at the Grace B. Luhrs University Elementary School at Shippensburg University.

The three fire companies, Shippensburg Area EMS and Chambersburg Hospital, assisted by the Cumberland County Department of Public Safety and Franklin County Department of Emergency Services, will participate in the drill at the Southampton complex. The scenario will be a natural gas leak and subsequent explosion, with injuries ranging from minor to fatal.

The fire department said nearby residents and motorists will see multiple fire engines and ambulances at the scene and at the hospital, which will test its plans for receiving and treating a large number of victims simultaneously.

Our main goal is to strengthen our first responders skills in providing the highest quality immediate care to victims of a disaster, thereby saving lives, Shippensburg Fire Chief Randy ODonnell said in a news release. While this type of emergency is rare, we need to be as prepared as we can if it does happen.

During the tabletop exercise at Luhrs Elementary, school district officials and the university will discuss a range of possible active-shooter scenarios with first responders and state and local police. The exercise will help with plan assessment in preparation for a full-scale drill at a later date.

No fire, EMS or police activity will take place on the university campus during the tabletop exercise.

You never want the worst-case scenario to happen in your school or on your campus, but it is vital that we test our plans periodically, SU Police Chief Cytha Grissom said in a news release. The multiple agencies and municipalities that would be involved in such an emergency must have coordinated plans so our responses are as fast and precise as possible.
sturti via Getty Images businesswoman admires her new empty offices

Canada has one of the strongest tech markets right now; with hundreds of new software and startup companies all looking for strong market capitalization and rapid growth. While the dream for many startup founders is to reach that point of rapid trajectory, the irony is sometimes that growth comes as a double-edged sword.

Founder CEOs are the rock stars of the tech world, but ironically when these rock star founder CEOs do really well, that also increases the chances that they're going to be replaced. Transitions between founder CEOs and non-founder CEOs are one of the least talked about aspects of a maturing software industry, but also one of the most important.

Advertisement

Typically, early in the life of a company the founder is the best person to be leading the company with their vision in mind. However, when that initial milestone is reached, when the founder CEO has successfully led the company in its most important task, the challenges within the company change so dramatically that the person who was best suited to lead the early stage of company development may no longer the best person to continue leading the company.

In 2011, I was asked to join ACL, a software company with big potential and a strong legacy. Like many other incoming CEOs, I would be tasked with leading an amazing group of talented people to a vision of wider scale growth and markets. The only catch was that I'd be taking the reigns from the company's founder, the person who had spent years of sleepless nights, hard-fought wins and personal toil to build his company from the ground up. Scary proposition for both parties, but one that sometimes is an absolute necessity for a tech business to thrive.

When the time comes to bring in new leadership, that transition can be fraught with tension, frustration and power struggles that come with "breaking up the band." But it doesn't have to be that way. With humility, smarts, and understanding, non-founder CEOs can create massive success through collaboration with their founders. Focusing on a few key pain points will help alleviate the nature growing pains associated with this change:

Culture fit

We discovered quite early on that we had to be aligned with values and vision. Not only the outgoing founder and myself, but also our board and organization as a whole. If we couldn't get along as people, we weren't going to get along as business associates.

Advertisement

Role clarity

By overtly mapping our respective "day jobs," boundaries were clearly set at the beginning. These are constantly revisited and evolve year after year as the company progresses. Our founder plays an immensely strategic role as executive chair of the board, yet is definitively out of the day-to-day operations allowing those responsibilities to fall on trusted team members such as myself.

Building Relationships

A transformation of this nature is going to affect more than just the incoming and outgoing CEOs. The entire company has to adjust, which requires the incoming CEO to build strong relationships with employees new and old. Part of building these relationships comes with developing an understanding of what's been working from a culture perspective, and not being afraid to introduce fresh ideas. We recently moved into a new office space that has given the entire staff a new energy, while keeping hold of our previous value system.

Being Honest

Objectively, a founder CEO may agree that bringing in a new CEO adds new skill sets and clarity that they may not possess, but emotionally they are still very attached to the company they founded. Honest dialogue helps set the appropriate boundaries and fosters an environment of trust.

Picking your Battles

As a new CEO taking the reins, there will likely be a number of changes you'll be looking to sink your teeth into. However, not every battle is a winning one, and knowing which ones to see through and which ones to let slide will be key in navigating this new landscape. Pick two or three areas that truly matter, and fight for those.

Building a company is a deeply personal endeavor, especially for founder CEOs. Their company is like a child, having spent thousands of hours nurturing and helping it grow. The trick is knowing when to let go, and give that child an opportunity to grow independently and learn from other mentors and role models. If the founder CEO is willing, and the incoming CEO is able, then the transition can be a huge milestone for the company's growth.

Advertisement

Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook

MORE ON HUFFPOST:
Peter Dazeley via Getty Images Out of date rotting food in dustbin

How can a country with so much abundance also have such great need? As with any problem that is so enormous in scale, the reasons are complex, the impacts are wide-ranging, and the solutions are far from easy.

Advertisement

Why do we have so much waste?

Food waste is a systemic problem, and it happens along every step of the food chain, from field to fork.

Take your average tomato. Before it can get to you, it has to go through dozens of obstacles to prevent it being wasted. On the farm, it must not fall susceptible to pests or disease, be bruised or damaged in the picking process, be missed when harvesting, or be the wrong shape and size to fit on a grocery store shelf.

Once it leaves the farm, any number of calamities can happen to the tomato. It may be damaged in transport, contaminated when handling, improperly dated in inventory management, over-ordered by a retailer, or just not chosen by the customer because of a small imperfection. Portion sizes, changes in demand, and mistakes in preparation can also mean that tomato is thrown out on the restaurant or food service level.

But the biggest culprit in food waste is the average consumer. Individuals are responsible for nearly half of all food wasted. Just think of all the bananas we've let go brown, soggy lettuce we forget about in the crisper, or loaves of bread that went moldy in the cupboard.

Advertisement

What Impact Does Food Waste Have?

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization says that if food waste were its own country, it would have the third-largest carbon footprint after the U.S. and China, thanks to both the resources used in producing, transporting and storing food that is never eaten, and the potent methane emissions created by food decomposing in landfills.

While food waste is an undoubtedly enormous and complex problem, it also happens to be one with a lot of opportunity for change.

Food waste also impacts the bottom line of farmers and the food industry. Farmers are responsible for the cost of growing and raising all of their crops and livestock, but only get paid for the amount that they sell. It cuts into the profits and sustainability of companies along every step of the food chain. These costs reverberate throughout the economy.

Some of these costs are passed onto the consumer. Back in January, the skyrocketing price of food in Canada dominated the news cycle. These increases put further stress on both people who were already finding it difficult to afford food and the food banks who were trying to buy food to assist them. While there are many reasons for food becoming more expensive, it's estimated that food waste equates to a 10 to 20 per cent increase in the price of food paid by consumers.

How Can We Solve The Food Waste Problem?

While food waste is an undoubtedly enormous and complex problem, it also happens to be one with a lot of opportunity for change. The spotlight on the problem of food waste in recent years seems to slowly, but surely, be bringing about change in government policy, the food industry, and consumers.

Advertisement

Waste audits such as the Guelph Food Waste Research Project and apps that track food waste at the restaurant and institutional level can raise awareness of exactly how much and what kind of food we are throwing out, and spark change on a larger level.

Changes in consumer and retailers' attitudes around what food "should" look like can create a market for food that would otherwise have been wasted, such as Loblaws' Naturally Imperfect line, which sells less-than-perfect produce at a reduced cost. The National Zero Waste Council in Canada has proposed a federal tax incentive for corporations that donate nutritious food to charity.

Most people don't know that "best before" dates are only a guide for food quality, not food safety, which can lead to unnecessary food waste. Other measures such as planning meals, having smaller and more frequent grocery shopping trips, and recipes on using up leftovers can go a long way towards reducing the amount of food rotting in the back of the fridge.

Across the globe, countries and communities are coming up with innovative solutions to address food insecurity. France made headlines earlier this year with their decision to ban food waste at supermarkets, making it mandatory for the retailers to donate their food. In the UK, the Courtauld Commitment for food manufacturers and retailers has already cut down waste by 8.8 per cent, and their Love Food Hate Waste public education campaign reduced household food and drink waste by 21 per cent.

Take Action Now Join thousands of Canadians calling on our governments and grocers to help reduce food waste. Sign a petition at Change.org

At the Ontario Association of Food Banks, we work with farmers and food companies to rescue good, surplus food from being wasted, and ensure it gets to our 125 member food banks and 1,100 affiliate hunger-relief agencies. In Ontario, we passed the Food Donation Tax Credit for farmers who donate agricultural products to food banks and other hunger-relief charities.

Food Banks Canada, our national counterpart, works with the food industry on a national level to rescue a large quantity of non-perishable products. On the local level, the vast majority of our food banks have developed relationships with their local farmers, retailers, and restaurants to receive excess good food that might otherwise go to waste.

There is no reason that a country with so much food should have the issue of hunger as well. It is up to us to come up with solutions that both address food waste as well as increase the accessibility of fresh, nutritious food for all Canadians.

To support the Ontario Association of Food Banks' mission to get more good food to Ontarians in need, please give today at oafb.ca/donate

Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook

ALSO ON HUFFPOST:

Advertisement
Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images Team of doctors having a meeting in the meeting room

The Ontario health-care world is abuzz about the latest development in the ongoing battle between the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), its members, particularly those who are opposed to the tentative Patient Services Agreement (PSA), and the provincial government.

Yesterday, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued Justice Paul Perell's complete ruling on the court challenge that the Ontario Association of Radiologists (OAR) had launched against the OMA for the way in which it had called the General Meeting, scheduled to take place on August 14, 2016.

Advertisement

More specifically, the OAR requested interlocutory relief on the following:

1. an Order directing the OMA and Mr. (Tom) Magyarody to deliver a new notice of the general meeting (which is scheduled for August 14, 2016) in the form attached to the Applicants' July 22, 2016 Notice of Motion as Schedule "A";

2. an Order directing the OMA to deliver a form of proxy that allows members to direct their proxyholder's vote on all of the resolutions set out in the Applicants' form of notice (i.e., the aforesaid Schedule "A");

3. an Order directing the OMA to provide a membership list that includes, in addition to the information already provided about names, addresses, and email addresses, information about the members' phone numbers including cellular phone numbers; and

4. an Order appointing a neutral chair to preside over the meeting of the members scheduled for August 14, 2016.

Advertisement

Justice Perell dismissed the first, third, and fourth request but granted the second. If we are keeping score as you do in war, then it appears as though the OMA emerged victorious. OMA 3, doctors 1. This is certainly how the OMA has chosen to frame it.

However, if you look beyond the numbers and focus on Justice Perell's reasoning and reprimanding tone towards the OMA, there's no question that this could be considered a victory for the opposing doctors, even if just a small one. As the National Post's Terence Corcoran writes, Justice Perell's decision "has the potential to undermine the credibility of the Ontario Medical Association".

In his ruling, Justice Perell says "in my opinion, the Executive Committee (of the OMA) has abused the authority provided to it..." Furthermore, he characterizes the way in which the proxy vote was prepared as "unfair and confusing if not somewhat sneaky" and "is a catalyst for a governance meltdown at the upcoming general meeting."

He goes on to say "the propriety of the proxy form is not a trivial matter in corporate law. The proxy system is a fundamental instrument of shareholder or member participation in the affairs of the corporation, be it a business corporation, a not-for-profit organization, a non-governmental organization, or an association like the OMA that plays an extremely important role in civil society."

Regardless of who can be considered the winner and loser in this case, this ruling needs to be treated as a serious wake-up call signaling that there is something very wrong with this system.

As a result of this ruling, the OMA has been ordered to reissue a new proxy form that includes all three resolutions for members to vote on:

1. Resolution to ratify the 2016 Physician Services Agreement (as defined in the Notice of Meeting).

2. Resolution that in the future the Directors and/or Council should not negotiate an agreement with the Ministry that does not include a right to refer disputes concerning implementation of the agreement to binding arbitration.

3. Resolution that in all future negotiations between the Association and the Ministry every OMA Section Chair should be kept fully apprised throughout the negotiations of the ongoing discussions including the issues, the proposed terms and the status and that each should be given timely and meaningful opportunities to provide input on such issues and terms as the discussions evolve, and again before the Association agrees to a form of Agreement.

While this ruling immediately satisfies the OAR's request regarding the proxy form, I would go one step further and ask: why not have every Section Chair be part of the bargaining team? They are the ones who know exactly what issues and challenges each medical specialty faces and what is required for specialists to do their jobs properly. They also understand how Ontario's changing demographics will impact service and care in the future.

Regardless of who can be considered the winner and loser in this case, this ruling needs to be treated as a serious wake-up call signaling that there is something very wrong with this system. The very fact that a profession must litigate against its own bargaining unit to ensure that they get a fair and unbiased voting process is shocking and appalling. And quite frankly, the government should be embarrassed that they have allowed this to happen.

Advertisement

Ever since the OMA was mandated by the government to act as the bargaining agent for Ontario doctors, this profession has been subjected to undemocratic and disrespectful disregard by both the government and the OMA, which is supposed to be fighting for them from their corner, not fighting them in a courtroom.

In the normal course of action, it is acceptable for a union to urge its members to support a deal that it feels is in their best interest but when there is a significant portion of the membership that has legitimate concerns, then it should be taken to a general meeting and the union should let its members "vote their conscience" instead of trying to silence them. Or in the case of the OMA, push them to vote yes with convoluted instructions, aggressive PR tactics such as robocalls, and rigging votes.

When you consider that our physicians spend decades on education and training, graduate with mountains of debt, and dedicate their lives to saving others, yet are being denied access to basic democratic rights such as choosing their own bargaining agent or negotiating with provisions for binding arbitration, then sadly, there is no question who the losers are.

Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook

ALSO ON HUFFPOST:
For women living in rural locations in Ghana, portable ultrasounds may be a useful tool in preventing pregnancy complications. Although the World Health Organization recommends that pregnant women have at least four antenatal care visits and skilled attendants at birth, many pregnant women in rural communities in low-income countries do not meet these recommendations.

Researchers affiliated with the University of Ghana, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, ETH Zurich, and Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia recently published the results of their 11-month pilot study.

The aim of the study, which focused on 323 women from four rural communities in the Central Region of Ghana, was to increase the number of antenatal care visits, reduce home deliveries, and supplement care given by antenatal clinics. They tested a system of care based on low-cost mobile phones and portable ultrasound scan machines in the pilot. In each community, at least one community health worker was trained and equipped with a mobile phone to promote antenatal and hospital deliveries.

Advertisement

For women who could not attend antenatal care, technicians acquired scans by using portable ultrasound machines, which they sent in near real time to be analyzed by a gynecologist working in an urban hospital. Though they received training, the technicians who performed the ultrasounds were not medical doctors nor had they received a full education as sonographers.

Overview of the project and technology used. Image Credit: Dr. Alessandro Crimi.

Dr. Alessandro Crimi, one of the researchers, explained that he and his team had decided to conduct a research project using medical imaging, but as MRI machines were too expensive, they opted for portable ultrasound machines and to focus on prenatal care.

By offering professional monitoring and supervision in rural areas where antenatal care was previously difficult, the project shows promising results. Conducting ultrasounds can allow early detection of specific adversities - such as ectopic pregnancies or breech presentations - which enables medical care to be sought earlier and potentially save lives.

Advertisement

An ultrasound scan is conducted using a portable machine. Photo Credit: from IEEE EMBC.

"The people of the rural communities were very happy and communications through the community health workers were very effective. Most of the Chiefs (or community kings) were enthusiast,'" explained Dr. Crimi. "However, the people of the community were sad when we told them that we were closing the project because it was just a pilot."

Dr. Crimi and his team have sent the documentation of the study's findings to the Ghana Health Center and proposed that the project be integrated in the national health care policies. They are seeking funding to hold additional studies, in the same location or using the same technology, and hope that the model can be extended to help more pregnant women in need.
Getting an au pair can be a fantastic, entertaining and relatively inexpensive idea. But listen to the advice of others and prepare assiduously to avoid a load of potential problems.

Maybe I'm being a bit of a princess since my husband moved abroad to work, but I don't think that I can manage a very full time job, two children, housework and all of the other mum stuff without some help. I looked into lots of different options, and finding an au pair seemed like the perfect solution.

In the UK you can invite an au pair to stay in your home on a cultural exchange. The au pair usually helps you with your children for 25 to 30 hours a week and perhaps with some basic housework. In return you provide accommodation, meals and some 'pocket money' each week - usually about 70 or 80.

Advertisement

To find my first au pair I contacted a reputable agency and paid a fairly hefty fee to bring over a French 23-year-old girl. We interviewed her on Skype and she seemed really friendly but quite shy. Her English was very basic but we were assured that it was of an 'intermediate' level and that she would become more confident when she got to know us. We weren't overly worried as we all speak a bit of French and thought that we'd improve our language skills as a result of the exchange.

This was clearly a mistake....

The French girl hardly spoke any English and we spent a week communicating via Google Translate. When I mentioned to her that it seemed particularly hard for her to communicate with my two year old she suggested calling her boyfriend in Tahiti to translate each time that she needed to speak to him. Hmmmm.

She came out of her room every morning with a see-through top on and my children tried to avoid looking at her nipples.

She refused to cook anything, she wouldn't eat at all unless I made the food and served it to her. She wouldn't clean or iron and after venturing out twice and declaring it was bloody freezing in this country she also refused to go outside.

Advertisement

I made dinner one night and put it all out on the table and she used the loo which adjoins our dining room - with the door open! Then she told me that she would need pudding. I offered yoghurt or ice-cream and she said "I want cake after each meal". I'm not sure whether something was lost in translation but it was allez vous for this au pair I'm afraid.

Since then we've had some great (and some not so great) experiences and we are learning new lessons every day. My current au pair is a lovely Spanish 18 year old who is close to my daughter's age and will hopefully keep her entertained for the long summer holiday. Apart from microwaving a metal container last week she's getting on really well.

Here are my suggestions for avoiding nipples, agoraphobia, unhappy children and unhappy au pairs:

If you can't meet your potential au pair in person, hold a virtual interview on Skype or FaceTime. Have a list of questions prepared and trust your instinct.

See if there is a local Facebook group of au pairs. This is how I found my most recent au pair and we avoided a big agency fee.

Take up references and check dates.

Explain as much as possible about your family and what you hope that your au pair will do for your children during their stay.

Check that they are happy to help out with housework and discuss any specific jobs that you'd like them to do.

Talk about your pets, the room that they will be sleeping in and the bathroom arrangements.

Find out whether they will be able to cook simple meals for the children.

Talk about any childcare or first aid experience that they have.

Be clear about how much pocket money you will provide and when you will hand it out.

Once you've found the right au pair:

Make them a booklet explaining everything. You can include maps, useful telephone numbers, household routines, how you're planning to organise the household washing, the children's like and dislikes and maybe some simple recipes (none of my au pairs have had any cooking experience at all). This will mean that the au pair can go through it and look up any words that they don't understand in their own time.

Put a light-hearted list of household rules on a chalk board in a communal area: offer to wash-up after others have cooked, close the door when you use the loo, keep the loo seat down and so on.

Keep a diary or chalkboard of what everybody is doing each day so that the au pair can keep checking it and won't be confused.

Give your newly arrived au pair an induction to your home, include where everything is, how to use appliances and where all of the food and drink is kept. I also write this stuff into the booklet.

Find lots of activities for the au pair to do with the children.

Find things for the au pair to do to meet other young people. Your au pair might want to join a language school in which case they will meet lots of potential friends. But many au pairs can't afford expensive tuition fees and so you'll need to be more creative.

Explain what to do in an emergency and how to call for emergency services. Write this information into your booklet too.

Be patient, take time to settle your au pair in and lastly, make sure that you know the difference between an au pair and a nanny.
As the new UK Government navigates a course towards a new economic and political relationship with Europe and the rest of the world, UK businesses and their leaders must adopt a firm stance focused on keeping the British economy successful, open and innovative.

Britain's technology sector plays a critical role in its economy, comprising 10 per cent of UK GDP and boasting a growth rate faster than the economy as a whole. This growth needs to be consolidated, incubated and accelerated to enable the UK to retain its position as one of the world's leading digital economies.

To that end, the Government should pursue opportunities to influence and participate in the EU Digital Single Market strategy and preserve the UK's leadership in innovation and long-term support of the digital economy after the UK finally separates from the EU.

Advertisement

First, Westminster should seek to retain access to the EU Single Market, including the Digital Single Market, ensuring the continued free flow of data and services between the UK and the EU.

It should also maintain as much access as possible to the advanced skills the British economy needs to sustain its growth. Harmonised rules which permit the free flow of data are vital in delivering value from innovative technologies such as cognitive computing and cloud services.

To be effective, a new trade deal with the EU must include services, as the service sector accounts for 80 per cent of the UK economy and a growing portion of the UK's exports. Shutting off the flow of data, talent and expertise from the EU would deprive tech firms in the UK of an essential ingredient for sustained growth, which would be potentially damaging for both Britain's new generation of young tech start-ups and global enterprises with deep roots in the UK.

Second, the UK Government should pursue a bilateral 21st century, pro-data trade agreement with the US. Why? Because the flow of data between Europe and America is the world's most important digital trading relationship.

Advertisement

Preserving the UK's access to this critical stream of transatlantic digital commerce will sustain an environment in which UK entrepreneurs can develop innovative new services and drive long-term economic growth. These negotiations with the US should begin at the earliest opportunity, and both sides should work to rapidly conclude a wide-ranging agreement.

Third, with EU research funding in jeopardy, the UK Government should quickly find ways to support domestic innovation and research programmes without cutting itself off completely from EU-based skills and expertise critical to success.

Britain's universities and research labs have been highly productive: with just four per cent of the world's scientists, the UK produces almost 16 per cent of its most cited research papers. Dynamic innovation and research programmes encourage entrepreneurship, which has shown itself to be an important boost to the British economy  500,000 new businesses were started in the UK last year alone.

By preserving strong research programmes, London will maintain its status as a digital hub and the UK will continue to be an attractive place for foreign tech firms to invest at scale, whether it's part of a supra-national body like the EU or not.

The Government should prioritise these three initiatives thereby injecting much-needed clarity to stabilise the economy and encourage growth and investment.

Advertisement
And the uncertainty continues ... despite the fact that the EU Referendum is now almost six weeks old. Our Prime Minister has been doing the rounds in key EU countries as she pursues her charm offensive and attempts to acquaint herself with her European counterparts let alone explore creative ways in which it might be possible to square the circle and decide on the appropriate time for triggering Article 50 TEU.

Mind you though! A cross-party coalition of peers in the House of Lords has also been discussing options to 'revisit' the referendum result in the hope that any delay would "give time for Britain's membership of the EU to be put to the public again in either a second referendum or general election". Theirs is a persuasive strategy (otherwise known as a delaying tactic) since the Government can resort to the nuclear option of using the 1911 Parliament Act to allow legislation to be pushed through via the Royal Assent. In blunt words, the elected House of Commons has the ability - eventually - to overrule the appointed House.

In the meantime, we are reassured to learn that we need not subscribe nostalgically to Nigel Farage's irascible comments and change any time soon our burgundy passports for the old blue ones again. But the Brexit machinery is in full swing, not least with those who think they have much to say to us - us being the largely spoon-fed public - such as by Craig Oliver, David Cameron's former spin doctor, who is busily writing Unleashing Demons to inform us on the behind-the-scene discussions of the referendum campaign.

Advertisement

However, this is also where the courts step in. And being an international lawyer myself, I am biased enough to aver that the judicial process could now separate the chaff from the wheat and judge on the best way forward. This is why the courts have already been seized to determine whether a Prime Minister can use the Royal Prerogative to trigger Article 50 or whether it needs ab initio a vote in the House of Commons.

In my opinion, and despite some media speculation, the issue is not to challenge the outcome of the plebiscite itself. I have previously articulated my serious reservations in the way this vote was choreographed and later conducted by some Leavers. For now, though, the real argument for me is as follows: if and when the Government decides that it will trigger Article 50 and start in earnest the two years of very laborious negotiations with the taskforce of an EU Commission headed by a tough Michel Barnier (dubbed le cretin des Alpes in some quarters), should it rely on the Royal Prerogative and proceed simply with a letter from 10 Downing Street informing Brussels that the UK formally withdraws from the EU? Or should there be a debate in the House of Commons, a subsequent free vote and a parliamentary Act?

According to Dr Thomas Horsley, an expert on EU law from Liverpool Law School, the challenge to the prime minister's ability to trigger Article 50 without the prior approval of Parliament is "based on a particularly wide reading of a set of cases on limits to the exercise of prerogative powers". In lay terms, Parliament must be consulted at the very least - if not also the public in a General Election.

Advertisement

I have two moots on this legal question. On the one hand, triggering Article 50 would ipso facto override the European Communities Act 1972 whilst it is a legal convention that Parliament alone can change its own legislation. [And incidentally, the European Communities Act 1972 legislated for the accession of the UK to the EEC (the Common Market) and for the incorporation of EU law (then Community law) into domestic UK law.] Withdrawal would render the 1972 Act hollow as it would cut across Parliament's intent in enacting the ECA. Since Parliamentary intention trumps prerogative power, the latter cannot be used to initiate the withdrawal process. Instead, it must be the role of Parliament to fulfil its constitutional duty.

Besides, and assuming for one short minute that we go down the road of the Royal Prerogative, what next? "Brexit means Brexit" is a dandy slogan but it is void of legal definition and does not provide any indices whatsoever on how we see the way forward. Nor does it shed light on the mechanics of withdrawing from the EU and untangling ourselves from thousands upon thousands of laws that have been sewn together over four decades. Surely, Parliament should have a say on how we plan to forward the UK with 'brexit'?
The first question I was asked at my medical school interview was 'how would you deal with stress?' It is no secret that medical schools actively seek potential students who have shown an ability to balance academic activities with non-academic pursuits outside medicine, coupled with a high degree of resilience. Speaking as someone 33 years down the line from my own medical school interview, there has rarely been a time that I have not needed to use this resilience to cope with stress and burnout.

From December 2018, the State Pension age for both men and women in the UK will start to increase and is expected to reach the dizzy heights of 66 by October 2020. This retirement age does not differentiate between individual professions. On the face of it, that shouldn't really worry me. After all, rates of unhealthy behaviours in doctors, such as smoking, have gone down over the years and the average age at death for doctors is not much different from the general population. But wait, that doesn't necessarily mean that doctors will suddenly be more able to maintain both their resilience and their general health for over 5 years more than their predecessors. In fact, we know that some groups of overseas doctors die 6 years earlier compared with doctors qualified in the UK. We also know that that certain specialties with high levels of stress and/or unpredictable working hours are sent to an early grave an average of 3 years earlier than the overall medical workforce. This is most striking for emergency medicine, psychiatry and anaesthetics. Although life expectancy for doctors qualifying outside Europe has increased over the past 10 years, there has been little change in the comparative life expectancy of doctors working in the above fields.

Advertisement

Are health problems always linked to the type of medical specialty practised? Well, that may be the case for early deaths, but there is now growing evidence for increasing rates of stress, burnout and depression across all specialties. A lack of autonomy over the job and long working hours also contribute to such health problems. With hours spent crouched over the operating table, it may be no surprise to find high rates of musculoskeletal problems among surgeons. You may do more than raise an eyebrow at the fact that one mental health service for doctors has witnessed a 400% increase in referrals over 10 years. This also includes GPs, who are faced with unrealistic targets and an older population with increasing health needs.

Let's now bring the message sharply into focus to the here and now. With financial austerity and an expectation for the NHS to deliver both routine and emergency services throughout the week, all eyes are on junior doctors. Although the new contract includes the overseeing of their working hours by a Guardian, that does not detract from the fact that the European Working Time Directive means frequently changing rotas and an unpredictable work-life balance. This may also eat into training opportunities to improve their knowledge and skills and add to the problems that they already face in financial pressures from a housing market that is out of reach and debt from tuition fees.

Faced with longer working lives and an uncertain future, an increasing number of doctors have 'portfolio careers', with more having career breaks, taking up part-time work and going into non-training posts, so that they do not get burnt out across a considerably longer vocation than those in the middle and end of their careers.

Doctors will continue to face an NHS that will inevitably metamorphose into several forms over the coming decades. There is sure to be no let-up in the hard slog through training, continuing into senior roles until what may even be a retirement age approaching 70 by the time 2040 is upon us. The fact is that we are not machines and will all succumb to the aging process that affects us all.

Advertisement

There could possibly some solutions to the problem, such as doctors taking on fewer clinical and more managerial responsibilities after the age of 60. But a forward thinking approach to the government's horizon scanning for answers to this vexed question is sorely lacking.
There I was happily gulping down my morning coffee when I was confronted with a penis! No, I hadn't had a run in with the local flasher, nor had my neighbour forgotten that his blinds were open.... again. I was sat in my house, on my phone, reading the news when WHAM there it was. Now I would like to say that I was immediately outraged when I realised that poor Orlando Bloom had been photographed with his willy hanging free. A willy that was now being seen by millions the world over. I was outraged.... eventually.... after some mutterings of -

"Oh my, oh my. Who knew. Such an Adonis"

Then I told my inner perv off and reminded myself that what I was doing was a gross invasion of privacy. There were photos of Orlando on holiday, paddling away with his girlfriend. He was clearly very hot (as in temperature) as he had removed all of his clothes. His very pert posterior is on display as is his perfectly proportioned penis. Apparently. I averted my eyes very quickly so I wouldn't know *cough*. I did not get lost in some fantasy involving me swimming/drowning in the sea, and a stark naked Orlando coming to my rescue - Baywatch stylee. No, this did not happen. I have respect for the man!

If Orlando wants to strip off then it is his prerogative to do so. However, did he wish for all of us to see him in the nude, paddling away? No, I don't think so. I have become alarmed by the sexist attitude towards Orlando. I have seen whole newspaper articles dedicated to Orlando's willy. There are wars going on; people being killed, but we all need to know if Orlando's willy is an aubergine or a chipolata - apparently he is an aubergine. The world has gone mad for Orlando's aubergine and that is sexist.

Advertisement

If we had a female celebrity who had been photographed with nothing on and the newspaper decided to run an article on whether she was a pair of choux buns or a couple of fairy cakes, how would we react? We would be outraged! We would accuse the newspaper of objectifying the lady. We would shout that it is typical of the sexist society we live in. Should the media really be celebrating Orlando's willy? Should we not be a little bit ashamed of ourselves for having a look? Here we are snooping on a man who has been caught with his pants down.

Yes, he might have the body of an adonis. However, if we spend our time drooling over his pixellated penis, then we can't get upset when some men choose to drool over pictures of female celebrities sunbathing topless. This picture of Orlando was taken without his permission or consent. Therefore, we should respect his privacy. We should avert our eyes. Step away from the internet. We should also ask ourselves what our reaction would have been if it had been his girlfriend - Katy Perry, that had been photographed naked. I suspect that there would have been more of an outcry, more shouting about it being a gross invasion of privacy. If men and woman are equal, then why are we not getting upset by Orlando's willy being out in the newspapers?
I've recently been researching RAF drone (or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - UAV) piloting for a play currently on at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, called 'Swivelhead'. While quite a lot is known about the psychological impact of UAV flying from the American perspective (due to young ex-recruits who have gone public about their experiences), less is known about the British experience. The RAF, as might be expected, has a more professional/closed ranks feel (although there are online forums where personnel are freer with their thoughts). I've been speaking with pilots (ex-fighter and ex-drone), academics, a government advisor, psycho-analysts and people with first hand experience of PTSD.

Until relatively recently only experienced fighter pilots flew UAVs in the RAF, but there is now a new breed of pilot officers being trained solely for UAV flying. As might be expected (and according to online banter), an ex-single-seat fighter pilot with 10 million-worth of training behind them will be held (or possibly hold themselves) in higher regard than a newbie 'desk-pilot' in the 'chairforce'.

It takes two people to fly a UAV: the Pilot, who flies it, and the Sensor Operator, who operates the systems - cameras, lasers, weaponry. RAF Waddington, in Lincolnshire, is the home of 13 Squadron, flying Reapers in ISR (Intellingence/Reconnaissance/Surveillance) and combat (Armed Overwatch) missions, in a variety of theatres of war. Their drones are called 'Reapers', carrying a payload of 'Hellfire' missiles, and the insignia is Lynx's head over a dagger.

Advertisement

So far, so war-like. So Old Testament, God-like Avenger. Yet the Squadron motto translates as 'We Assist By Watching', and it is a measure of the mixed identity of drone flying that 'Reapers' might yet be renamed 'Protectors'.

It is this question of identity that interests me as a writer. There is evidence that it affects pilots too. A body of responses to ethical questions, collected from UAV pilots by an RAF chaplain, suggested a need to have their side of things heard. Interestingly, in response to a 'what keeps you awake at night' question, rather than it being images of carnage (one of the by-products of operating a UAV is that Pilot and S.O. are able to keep a motionless watch over the aftermath of their strikes), some answered that it was the inability to protect their fellow ground-forces, due to the current stringency of the Rules of Engagement (ROE). These dictate a zero collateral damage policy, i.e. there is no engagement if there is a perceived risk to nearby civilians (although, in practise, in our current very messy combat arenas, this is difficult to adhere to). In fairness, over recent years, civilian casualties have been steadily decreasing.

Nonetheless, there is an enemy out there threatening the national interest. So there are targets. High-ranking ISIS personnel, IED factories, munitions dumps, training camps. All of which brings the bigger question: if you're a UAV pilot, to what extent are you still a 'knight of the sky'? In styling oneself as a combatant, does there have to be some form of potential jeopardy involved, simply by dint of being present on the field of battle? Military historians argue that there has rarely been a fair fight in any battle. This is why one side loses and the other wins. But is it a fight, if there is no jeopardy to one combatant whatsoever? And if it isn't a fight, what is it?

Advertisement

How does someone sitting holding a joystick in a metal box in Lincolnshire, and occasionally, when ordered, killing someone far away (even a 'legitimate' target) come to see themselves? If you take out a target under those circumstance, does that make your role any different from that of an executioner, or assassin? These are loaded words, but people have an emotional need to define themselves through what they do, and how they relate what they do to the opinion of the wider world. At the end of their shift, they'll drive home through leafy Lincolnshire countryside, go to the pub, have dinner with their families. The difference between that and a torn-up stretch of desert, culturally, aesthetically, emotionally, physically, couldn't be greater. There is no dirt under the nails.
The critical moment when a gunman opened fire on two San Diego police officers, killing one, may never be seen. The surviving officer only activated his camera after the wounded shooter was running away.

San Diego is among departments with policies calling for officers to turn on cameras before initiating contact with a citizen in most cases. But like other departments, compliance is less than perfect.

The result is inconsistent use of an increasingly common tool meant to give investigators and an often-skeptical public a fuller picture of police actions.

The main motive of body cameras is to provide openness and transparency, and build trust in the police, said Samuel Walker, a retired criminal justice professor at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

If officers are not turning cameras on, well, youre not going to build trust, he said. Youre going to reinforce the cynicism that already exists.

He pointed to a study that showed across-the-board low compliance rates of officers in one high-crime Phoenix neighborhood between April 2013 and May 2014, the most recent information available. Officers only recorded 6.5 percent of traffic stops even though the departments policy required cameras to be activated as soon as it is safe and practical, according to the study, conducted by Arizona State Universitys Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety.

The biggest part of the problem, Walker said, is a lack of discipline.

Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New Orleans, New York, Oakland and San Diego are among the cities that dont specify penalties when officers fail to record, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York Universitys School of Law.

The American Civil Liberties Union has studied the issue and said clear policies are vital, along with punishment for failure to comply.

Departments cant look the other way when officers fail to activate body cameras in critical incidents, or they become useless for accountability, said Peter Bibring, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Southern California.

San Diego police have been criticized for failing to record a number of high-profile shootings. That prompted the department to revise its policy to stipulate that officers must turn on their cameras before most types of contact with citizens, but violations have continued.

Last week, the two San Diego gang unit officers on nighttime patrol pulled up next to a pedestrian on a darkened residential street, and the man almost immediately opened fire, police said. The suspect, Jesse Gomez, shot Wade Irwin as he got out of the patrol car and then fired through the open door and fatally wounded Irwins partner, Jonathan De Guzman, according to police.

Irwin fired back and started manually recording after the shooting, but police havent said what was captured.

The cameras are on before an officer hits record, and have a recall function to get video from shortly before an officer starts recording. That function allows 30 seconds to be retrieved, without audio.

Its unclear if Irwin activated that feature.

Both Irwin and Gomez were seriously wounded and remain hospitalized.

The Alameda County Sheriffs Department changed its body-camera policy following a highly publicized incident last November where two deputies were caught on surveillance video using their batons to beat a car theft suspect in the middle of a street in San Franciscos Mission District.

Eleven officers in all responded and 10 failed to turn on their body cameras. The one who did activate his did so by accident.

Three officers were placed on leave, including two who are charged with assault under color of authority.

No one was disciplined for failing to turn on their cameras because the departments policy at the time encouraged, but did not require, their use, said Sgt. Ray Kelly, an agency spokesman. The agency now requires deputies to use the cameras in most circumstances and lays out the discipline for failure to comply.

The department hasnt had a problem with compliance since, Kelly said.

Some departments are tapping new technology to take the human factor out of body cameras. Los Angeles will be among a handful of departments nationwide to deploy cameras made by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Taser International that begin automatically recording once signaled, such as when a patrol cars siren is turned on or when a shotgun is taken out of its mount.
ASSOCIATED PRESS

The current political crisis is, in essence, a crisis of democracy. The EU referendum represented a rare opportunity for people to radically change the country - and people grabbed it with both hands. The opportunity to make a difference was more important than the cause in question. There were precursors of this for anyone who wanted to see them: the Scottish referendum, the collapse in support for both main parties in favour of the Ukip, the SNP and the Greens in 2010 and 2015, and the election of Jeremy Corbyn last summer, against the wishes of the entire media and political establishment. The referendum was a release mechanism - real choice had been denied for so long, and this was one of the few elections in which every vote really counted.

But if the crisis is one of democracy the solution has to be more democracy, not less. The Conservatives have failed to recognise this: crowning Theresa May is effective in the short term but is ultimately a mistake, just as it was a mistake for Labour to crown Gordon Brown in 2007 without a contest . The right wing Labour party machine also fails to understand the logic of the moment -- excluding 150,000 of new voters from voting, as well as reportedly excluding up to 50,000 registered supporters. Had Corbyn's opponents on the NEC not imposed these anti-democratic rule but instead allowed time for all sides to recruit, the party would surely have 1 million members by now. But too many in all parties see their membership as a problem to be managed, and seek to give members as little power as possible.

Advertisement

If, as seems likely, Jeremy Corbyn wins the leadership election, Labour will be in the same position as it has been in for the past year. But we cannot go on as we have done -- another year of attempting to overthrow the elected leader will surely be catastrophic for all wings of the party. The solution is relatively clear; if there are up to 172 MPs who have no confidence in their elected leader and who are unwilling to fully leave the party, they must form their own parliamentary faction. The new faction would elect its own leader and have its own shadow front bench. But both factions would be identified with the Labour party. This is hardly uncommon in modern democracies: the larger faction (presumably the anti-Corbyn one) would get the title of official opposition, but other duties and privileges of opposition (questions to the prime minster, select committee posts, a share of official funding) would need to be divided up between the two factions, as they already are between the Liberal Democrats and SNP. It would be a little complex but Parliament could cope. The ability of both sides to put out policy statements, and express themselves clearly would be far less chaotic than the status quo.

This could only ever be a temporary solution. The biggest question would be which candidates to stand at the next general election, now likely to take place well before 2020. This issue should be solved by appealing to democracy, this time on the local level. An agreement would be needed in which there is an open selection in every constituency, with local members able to decide which candidate (including the former MP) is likely to be most popular in their constituency. Where possible, open primaries with online voting would be ideal, opening up the decision to the entire local electorate, not just to party members. The winning candidate would have won the support of a substantial number of local voters, and would thus have a high chance of winning the seat.

Advertisement

This approach would mean that that each constituency got the kind of candidate it needed to win. This is important - Corbyn supporters are correct to say that in many seats, a firmly socialist platform is needed to overcome both apathy and Ukip. But the right of the party also have a point in that there are many seats in which Ukip are irrelevant and the key is getting voters to switch from the Tories to Labour, particularly in seats not currently held by Labour and with a largely middle class electorate. Appealing to those kind of swing voters probably does require a centrist candidate. Local party members are best placed to make these choices.

The result would be a very diverse set of candidates from two (or more) factions - but they would never directly stand against each other, avoiding the split vote problem which occurred in 1983. There would be a central Labour manifesto - containing just the issues that both sides could agree on, and then separate manifestos from each faction outlining the issues they would be fighting for if the combined Labour party had a majority. There would have to be multiple leaders - if Labour won, the leader of whichever faction gained the most seats would be prime minister, with the other as deputy. Labour has always been a broad coalition - bringing together near-Marxists with near-Conservatives - this would simply formalise that situation.

If there was a broad electoral pact encompassing Labour, the Greens, SNP, Plaid and the Liberal Democrats, exactly the same process would be required; local primaries to find out which candidate/party would be most successful in each constituency, and other parties then not standing in order to create a fair fight between a centre-left candidate and the Tories/UKIP (who would surely form their own electoral pact in response). Such a pact would need to combine economic and constitutional issues: EEA membership (remaining in the single market and preserving freedom of movement), constitutional reform (proportional representation, english devolution, democratisation of the House of Lords), basic income, an end to public sector cuts and a focus on investment and infrastructure.
Many Millenials now complain that they don't have sufficient sex according to a recent US report. I wonder why, because this contradicts the perception of the Millenials as the 'hook-up' generation.

Could it be related to the fact that so many are continually connected to their mobile devices and hence social media app. Phubbing is now the norm: Even when in the same room, rather than talking face-to-face it is not uncommon for people to connect with each other via social media apps such as What's App. As a result, as noted by Sherry Turkle, many have lost the art of conversation. The art of letter writing too is a dying one with many of the young generation unable to use cursive writing. And indeed in some schools it is not even taught anymore. Sleep deprivation too has been noted as one of the side effects of being constantly connected. And so the list goes on because of course sleep deprivation leads to lower performance both at home and work.

However a recent report from Ofcom (the UK telecoms regulator) suggest that all is not lost as people are increasingly ohttps://s-i.huffpost.com/gen/1935283/images/s-EMAIL-FULL-small.jpgpting for a digital detox by which they disconnect for a period of days to weeks.

Advertisement

The report focused mainly on social aspects of digital connectivity. Nonetheless there are some very important lessons for business too if we are really to try to stem the ever burgeoning effect of information overload on our well-being and ability to perform effectively at work.

First we need to dig deeper into why business people feel they must stay connected and often shun the notion of a digital detox. Amongst the most central are:

Feeling insecure - either as a basic personality trait or because the world we live in is in such turmoil and especially since Brexit. Turmoil and uncertainty within an organisation are known to drive the volume of email.

Organisational culture - some organisations create a culture, often driven from the top where you are expected to be available 24x7x365. As Bataris points out your behaviour and attitude effects mine. When challenged such CEOs often reply with 'that's how our business is these days'.

Advertisement

Addiction - many openly admit that they are now addicted to email and especially social media. Some have noted checking their phones even during intimate moments.

All three of these reasons are worrying and not least because unlike substance addiction there is no medical cure. Having a digital detox is one way to start regaining one's life and re-engaging with the real world through the six sense with which we were born. The need for a digital detox is not new and has been talked about for over ten years when email overload fist started to become a problem.

However, with so may of the world's economies in such a finely balanced state between recession and stagnation, now is a good time for business leaders to look for any avenue which might help improve performance. Tackling the time wasted on email and social media is one.

How can business capitalise on the results of this study and what is happening socially? First, CEOs and their leadership teams need to lead by example and establish a clear policy about disconnecting when on leave. They themselves should take the email free vacation pledge. This will enable people both to re-charge their personal batteries and re-connect with their relations. Some organisation such as Daimler have already made a start and France and Germany are trying to introduce a law which makes it unacceptable to expect employees to deal with email outside normal working hours. Maybe a sledge hammer to crack a not but if businesses can not put their own house in order so be it.

Most business digital detox programmes have focused on email as the starting point and in doing so have banned email in favour of collaborative social media platforms. This is not the solution as it basically compounds and exacerbates the problem because now one has multiple channels to which you must remain connected. That is unless, second the organisation addresses it use of digital media and is clear about what is used how and when.

Advertisement

Third, organisations, need to include help for dealing with digital addiction (be it email and/or social media) in their well-being programmes just as many now do for depression.

Fourth, organisations should provide training to enable people to prepare for a digital detox, for example how to clean up the inbox before going on leave, pre-schedule blogs etc.

Fifth, there must be a strategy for handling the digital backlog be that email or blogs etc. Why, because another often cited reason for staying connected is the mountain of digital information awaiting one on one's return.
ASSOCIATED PRESS

When the former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell talked about Aleppo being the "new Srebrenica" last week there was ... a reaction. Not much of one, perhaps, but a ripple of one nevertheless.

After all, it's an arresting - if inaccurate and in the end ill-fitting - comparison. The genocidal slaughter of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys by Serbian army units under Ratko Mladic's command in 1995 is notorious as both the worst single massacre in Europe since the Second World War, as well as for the total failure of UN peacekeepers in preventing mass murder in a supposed "safe area".

Advertisement

In truth, though, Aleppo is nothing much like Srebrenica. The UN doesn't have peacekeepers in Aleppo, and fighting has already been raging in and around this large landmark city for longer than the duration of the entire Bosnian war.

The appalling massacre in the small town of Srebrenica over two decades ago still stands out now because of its scale and speed - thousands systematically executed in just a few sordid days during the middle of July 1995. With Aleppo, though there have been fears of an outright "massacre" for years, what we've seen instead is a sort of slow-motion massacre. Thousands of Syrian government barrel bombs and other ordnance have rained down on the city for months on end. People have died singly, or in groups of ten, 20 or even 100. And others have died through malnutrition or lack of medical care. But, in the absence of a one-off catastrophic event, the plight of Aleppo has to many people come to seem a deadening, unchanging story. Terrible, no doubt, but with the never-ending bombings, the years-long government blockade of much of the metropolis, and the ebb and flow of fighting within its ruined streets, Aleppo has only fitfully managed to capture the world's attention.

Which, sad to say, is understandable. The world is full of catastrophes and there's always the latest bombing or headline-grabbing outrage to report on, read about, and to some extent ... mentally file away/forget about. And, in any case, the sum total of suffering in Syria is obviously far greater than the tragedy of Aleppo. Siege Watch estimate that no less than a million Syrians are currently trapped by military sieges (some of course maintained by armed opposition groups), while it also reckons a further 1.4million people are eking out a precarious existence in "siege-like conditions". That's a huge chunk of the entire Syrian population. Meanwhile, atrocities like the bombing of a maternity hospital in Idlib province or the longterm stranding in dire conditions (including searing temperatures of up to 50 degrees) of 75,000 people at the Jordanian border are generally only meriting a passing media mention. Such is the severity, scale and overall horrendousness of the Syrian calamity.

Advertisement

But still. Aleppo is Syria's largest city and the suffering there is immense. Andrew Mitchell might have been playing fast and loose with history, but he was right in trying to wrench attention onto what's unfolding in Aleppo.
Sitting on a bus yesterday, I was surrounded by people. Most were staring at their phones. Based on the regular gasps of delights and groans of disappointment, it was clear that many were also playing Pokemon GO. At one point, a teenage girl leapt from her seat and got off the bus to chase down a Pikachu she'd spotted out the window. I looked around and realised that, despite all of us being on the same bus, going in the same direction, not all of us were inhabiting the same world.

The rise of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) has hit people's consciences in a big way this year, thanks to the Pokemon explosion. But it's been creeping up on us for a while. Apps like Blippar and Snapchat have been integrating increasing amounts of AR into their offerings. Engineers and architects are starting to use VR headsets to demonstrate what finished projects will look like for clients, hotels are able to show potential guests what their room will look like, and countless start-ups are honing the tech which is making all this, and more, possible.

As a tech CEO, I'm excited about what these developments might mean. Companies will be able to offer a full sensory experience to customers, we'll be able to explore places thousands of miles away, and doctors and scientists will be able to deploy this tech for public good.

Advertisement

But what does the rise of VR and AR mean for our society more widely? I can't help but feel uneasy as people around me escape into other realms, pursuing personal quests with their heads down, eyes averted. Will VR mean we don't need to make real friends to socialise, leave the house to travel, or be in this world at all? And with the inventor of the terrifyingly realistic Scarlett Johannson drone releasing a manual on how to build one yourself, will romantic relationships with other humans soon become redundant too?

Whilst these scenarios might see like something from the plot of Her or an episode of Humans, this new reality is within touching distance. Our tech is becoming more advanced by the second and we are adopting it at an increasingly early age. Some kids are learning to navigate iPads before they can construct full sentences: a 2015 French study found that 58% of under-twos had already used a tablet or mobile phone.

With technology being embraced in this way, there is much to cheer about. It is helping bring education, healthcare and knowledge to billions across the globe. Pokemon GO is already being lauded as a tool to combat anti-depression and agoraphobia; helping people get out the house and into their communities. But as these virtual and augmented reality offerings become more advanced and increasingly life like, we run the risk of carrying out the rest of our days in virtual worlds. Cut off from normal social interaction, we'll be chatting with our bespoke drones over dinner before hopping on a dragon for a midnight flight over Siberia.

So, whilst we develop this tech and put it to work, let's try and remember that there's a time and place for virtual and augmented reality. When it stops enhancing and starts replacing our world, it's probably time to take a step back.

Advertisement
Shout out to anyone who watches films on the move, to creatives who love doodling, to snap-happy Instagrammers who dig an edit suite, and to gamers who love the big screen experience. This is your moment.

The just-launched Samsung Galaxy Note 7 - smartphone of the moment - is a pocket-defying 5.7 inches.

Not only is it big - phablet sized big - it's primed to stream HDR video so when you're watching the latest blockbusters on your commute, you'll experience brighter colours.

And if you want to delve into the Note 7's Game Pack, you'll be immersed like never before, especially if you want to purchase the compatible virtual reality headset and take advantage of the device's Super AMOLED screen.

Advertisement

The Galaxy S7 edge was roundly beloved so it's not surprise that its super-sized Note 7 incorporates that same unique curved edge.

Another unique selling point is the Note's inclusive S-Pen stylus, which enables the satisfying scribbling of handwritten notes and, if you're blessed with artistic flair, Samsung has optimised the S-Pen's tip so you can create detailed illustrations.

Beyond that, the Note's freshest offering has to be its iris scanner, which allows you to unlock your handset "in the blink of an eye", as Samsung puts it. Although we've seen features like this before in other Androids - the ZTE Grand S3, for example, or Microsoft Lumia 950 - it's fair to say these brands have beaten Apple to the finish line on eye-identification functions. But how practical will it really be?

Unleashing the full power of your spanking new phablet at a glance is an inviting prospect, but observers say you shouldn't expect much if you're wearing glasses or sunglasses, contact lenses, or the ambient light is too bright or low. So just to be safe, the Note 7 will provide a fingerprint function to step in when the troubled iris scanner needs a hand (literally).

Advertisement

It's worth mentioning that the phablet is compatible with the Oculus-powered Gear VR, which connects via a USB-C port and will create virtual reality experiences pretty much anywhere.

But many of the most exciting features are all too familiar: we've already encountered them in the Galaxy S7 edge.

Like the S7 before it, the Note 7 boasts a glass and metal frame; water and dust resistance (it can survive at a depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes); a super AMOLED display; and an incredible camera, which uses dual-pixel sensor technology, wide aperture and fast autofocus to deliver high quality pictures even in low lighting.
The history of nepotism probably began fifteen seconds after the first man gained a position of power. It's a deeply uncomfortable word, personifying both the best and worst of humanity. It captures a deep seated desire to improve the lot of those we hold dearest, which manifests itself in taking advantage of position, power and privilege.

So the only surprise from David Cameron's parting honours list should have been how unsurprising it was. Given the political and media firestorm which this announcement has sparked, you'd have expected something akin to the renaissance Papacy, an institution which really knew how to do nepotism.

The College of Cardinals was littered with the nephews and "nephews" of previous popes, newly appointed countrymen and laymen. Benefices and titles were little more than bargaining chips for the next election. Pope Innocent VIII appointed a 13 year old Giovanni de Medici (later Pope Leo X) as a cardinal. His successor Alexander VI, better known as the notorious Rodrigo Borgia (made a Cardinal by his uncle), aroused even more scorn when his openly acknowledged son Cesare was given, and then relieved of a red hat as it suited him.

Advertisement

By contrast, 21st century British politics look remarkably tame. But amidst a mood of anti-establishment fervour, the Honours list has become the latest sacrificial lamb for the much deeper seated political malaise afflicting country.

Compared to any comparable honours list, a smorgasbord of several prominent cabinet ministers, including Defence and Foreign Secretaries who just happened to have campaigned a certain way in the European Union referendum, large political donors and advisers critical to the Cameroon political machine don't really seem that unusual. Outliers such as Samantha Cameron's adviser (or stylist) deserve the ridicule they've received.

But scrapping the current system, as some elements of the Labour Party have suggested, would be a tremendous disservice to the formal recognition of the achievements, efforts and service bestowed on their recipients. Meanwhile, as other strands of Labour continue to their efforts to recreate The Thick of It as a live action stage show, the proposals for a revised honours system nominated by the public could well turn out to most closely resemble Nicola Murray's 4th Sector Pathfinders, immortalised as 'Quiet bat-people'. More disquietingly, it could turn the system entirely into a popularity contest, guaranteeing that those out of the public eye are stripped of this opportunity.

My view on this is undeniably personal. Nearly five years ago, my mother received an MBE in the New Year's Honours list for her actions while serving as Deputy High Commissioner in Malta.

Advertisement

Discovering the Foreign Office press release announcing the award brought back floods of memories. As civil war in Libya loomed in 2011, she worked 20-21 hour days for over a week, and 16+ hour days for many months, coordinating the emergency evacuation and its aftermath. Her actions helped to evacuate over five hundred British citizens and more than 1000 people overall, to Malta and beyond. As I sat revising the logistical operations to combat the Berlin blockade during that February, she was managing a relief operation of her very own, from negotiations with the Maltese authorities, to standing on the dock at 4am to meet the first evacuees rescued by HMS Cumberland - the first of many such landings.

She has never flaunted the three letters that she could put after her name. But those three letters mean a great deal to her. She and so many other recipients deserve this small dose of recognition for their efforts.
"Laughin' at the grammar cause they didn't understand us

Must've thought we slow, but little do they know

I came up in here to take advantage of that shit y'all take for granted"

When you've grown up in the UK with it's cult of coupons, money saving expert's, and meal deals, the abundance of money that is evident in so many places in Manhattan takes some getting used to. And once you get invited to the right parties, it's like visiting another planet.

I arrived in New York on Friday, and somehow got into a loft party in a $4 million space, on the 32nd floor of a gigantic building. The audience there was somewhat alien to me: They were all models, artists, in the fashion industry, or in finance (so much money in this town).

Two girls taller than me put their arms round each other and strike a pose for the official photographer next to one of the pieces of artwork. Perfect genes, perfect life. I smiled as that Billy Bragg lyric came to mind: "For the girl with the hourglass figure, time runs out fast." The DJ plays a dance remix of Lana Del Rey's "Born to die" as I take a photo with "Rossco" and "Skye", who are the two people everyone wants to fuck. You can see the rest of the room follow them around with their eyes as they laugh and do shots with the bartenders. I come close to asking them about Zoolander 2, but it seems to be an obvious thing to talk about.

Advertisement

Just as I had hoped, everyone is working on something interesting or exciting. And honestly, it feels so good that the networking is with good-looking people. (This isn't the case with technology startups, the normal networking events I attend). Tonight, my eyes AND my brain are simultaneously stimulated. I talk to a fashion editor about helping her get traffic for her new magazine. I speak to a video editor about doing some fun stuff with his green screen in his studio this week. I'm in the smoking room with three artists. None of us know each other, and we're grinding into the familiar gears of New York social etiquette. Then I ask "What do you think of life so far" and watch everyone's eyes momentarily dart to each other looking for social queue for the appropriate way to respond. No-one expects existentialism after midnight at busy parties. A girl with full red lips replies "I don't...know..." These conversations are something of a social experiment. I wheel out a few of my favorite one-liners throughout the night. I make a friend and we meet another finance bro. I get to use Mike Skinner's classic "We first met through a shared view...she loved me and I did too." She hasn't heard the song, but she laughs. Damn, that line is just too good.

America is an ongoing juxtaposition of all the movies I watched when I lived with my parents in the suburbs, meeting the onslaught of reality. Oftentimes, the depictions are a lie (with the insanity of Hollywood Boulevard being the ultimate example). The silver lining is: When you're with the right people in the right places, the fantasy becomes real. You're the star. How you gonna write the script, kid? Being amongst the money, the models, and the high-rise apartment looking out over Battery Park and South Cove bay onto the water, Manhattan-based movie American Psycho came to mind. It's author Bret Easton Ellis recently looked back on the book, and its' protagonist, Patrick Bateman, and stated: "American Psycho was about what it meant to be a person in a society you disagreed with and what happens when you attempt to accept its values and live with them even if you know they're wrong. Well, insanity creeps in and overwhelms; delusion and anxiety are the focal points. In other words, this is the outcome of chasing the American dream. Isolation, alienation, the consumerist void increasingly in thrall to technology, corporate corruption... Despite the idea of interconnectivity via the internet and social media, many people feel more isolated than ever, increasingly aware that the idea of interconnectivity is an illusion." the more I spend time in America (and honestly, NYC is edging over L.A. right now as where I'd want to live) the more I realize this is the world I want to be a part of.

Advertisement

Perhaps I'm banking on intense self-awareness to save me from the fate of so many who chase this dream and forget who they are because of it (and there were more than a few at the party last night). I try and remember I'm sharing the same skies as so many others who have arrived on the east coast with a head full of ideas and dreams of making it, just like the number of entrepreneurs dreaming of the investment cheques which will make everything okay. Less than 1% will make it. It's post-industrial American natural selection.
A day in the life of a child can be very long, intense and memorable. Hopefully most readers can remember some wonder-filled days from their childhood. Special days out with family or adventures with friends, these hours become indelibly imprinted on our minds. They become part of us.

Unfortunately, it is the same with bad experiences. Experiences of child abuse, for example, can remain with the individual for life, casting a shadow over the world. These experiences can also have a detrimental impact on relationships - with relatives, oneself and with society itself - including social institutions that are meant to be trusted.

Therefore, when survivors of abuse have courageously disclosed their experiences (often to then be dismissed), campaigned relentlessly and repeatedly returned to horrific events in a quest for justice, being let down by a public inquiry is a betrayal. But this is exactly what has happened, again and again and again.

Advertisement

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), was finally established as a statutory inquiry in early 2015, after decades of allegations about children abused within institutions. After the death of BBC presenter and prolific paedophile Jimmy Savile, in 2011, there was a flood of reports of his crimes and those of other abusers in positions of influence. As well as allegations about individuals, a broad range of institutions were accused of failing to protect children and covering up abuse. Politicians were among those accused of abusing children and aiding cover-ups.

When it emerged that more than 100 files pertaining to abuse by 'VIPs' had gone missing from the Home Office, then prime minister David Cameron made the outrageous suggestion that those alleging abuse and a cover-up are 'conspiracy theorists', Theresa May, home secretary at the time, was less dismissive, stating: "There might have been a cover-up. I cannot stand here and say the Home Office was not involved in a cover-up in the 1980s, and that is why I am determined to get to the truth."

This was followed by what seemed like an interminable time, in which politicians and the media languidly discussed what sort of inquiry would be required to look into the large scale abuse of children over decades. In the meantime, those who had been abused, whether decades or months ago, risked being triggered by abuse being all over the news, while little progress was being made with an inquiry.

Two attempts, in 2014, to get the inquiry off the ground failed in troubling circumstances. Two chairs in a row quit as a result of links to people alleged to be involved in cover-ups and abuse. The first chair, retired judge Baroness Butler-Sloss, was appointed by Theresa May, but after a few days stepped down. Her late brother, Sir Michael Havers, a former attorney general, had attempted to prevent diplomat and intelligence operative Peter Hayman from being prosecuted for exchanging images of child abuse.

Advertisement

A fresh chair, corporate lawyer Fiona Woolf, was subsequently appointed, but she quit within weeks. Woolf's reason for quitting was eerily similar to Butler-Sloss', which raises questions about May's vetting procedures. Woolf had been a social acquaintance of Leon Brittan, who was home secretary when a dossier about 'VIP' child abusers went missing and also had been linked to child abuse and an alleged rape.

One of the most troubling things about political discourse after Woolf quit was the suggestion that it would be hard to find a qualified person to lead the inquiry who doesn't have links to those under scrutiny. Even if it were true that any notable lawyer is embedded in the establishment, it surely cannot be impossible to find someone who not linked to those accused of abuse or cover-ups. But rather than identify such a person in the UK, Theresa May, in February 2015, appointed New Zealand judge Dame Lowell Goddard, who suddenly stepped down last week.

Having waited decades, in many cases, to be listened to, many survivors are outraged and also worried that the inquiry could fail. Prominent campaigner Ian McFadyen, who was abused at Caldicott Preparatory School, where a paedophile ring operated, told Channel 4 News that May must take some responsibility for the inquiry having no chair.

He said: "I and many other survivors have invested ourselves and our lives in trying to ensure that an inquiry would be set up and would be fit for survivors' purposes. We have fought hammer and tooth over this, and so I'm actually really beyond disappointed. I'm so angry with what's happened here. I am angry that, if Justice Goddard was fit for purpose for this role, she would still be in place. So Theresa May has to bear some consequences for this."

In relation to who should be appointed chair of the inquiry, Mr McFadyen went on to say: "We need somebody who survivors feel they can trust and has demonstrated that they will go the distance with regard to inquiries, and I think Michael Mansfield would be my choice."

Advertisement
Note: Our accounts contain the personal recollections and opinions of the individual interviewed. The views expressed should not be considered official statements of the U.S. government or the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training. ADST conducts oral history interviews with retired U.S. diplomats, and uses their accounts to form narratives around specific events or concepts, in order to further the study of American diplomatic history and provide the historical perspective of those directly involved.

Congressman Charlie Wilson was a twelve-term United States Democratic Representative from Texas from 1973-1997 who was known by his (in)famous nickname "Good Time Charlie." A self-proclaimed "ladies' man," Wilson embraced his hard-partying image, claiming that his constituents knew they were not electing a "constipated monk."

Despite his playboy persona, Wilson was known for his passionate anti-Communism. He famously fought to increase U.S. funding and support for the Afghan Mujahideen in their fight against the Soviet Union after the 1979 invasion of Afghanistan, which was later described in a book and movie, both titled Charlie Wilson's War. Congressman Wilson made several trips to neighboring Pakistan on fact-finding missions - sometimes accompanied by one of his attractive "Charlie's Angels."

Advertisement

This moment was compiled from an interview by ADST with Alan Eastham (beginning in July, 2010), Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan from 1984-1987. This moment was edited by Jake Silverman.

The Time Charlie Wanted to Borrow a Military Aircraft

EASTHAM: I really liked Charlie. Charlie was a neat guy and Tom Hanks played Charlie to perfection in Charlie Wilson's War. It was interesting I didn't see it from the same angle. A fellow by the name of George Crile wrote the book Charlie Wilson's War. Crile is dead now but I knew him; he came out to Peshawar, usually when Charlie was there, to film stuff and he was there occasionally. He was more or less an independent video producer who did some work for CBS.

Charlie was such a vivid character, he was about 6'4", thin and he had fought alcohol all his life. He had had a drinking problem, he was famous for the pretty girls that he had working in his office and all that stuff. Charlie hated the Soviet Union; he was an anti-Communist, absolutely to his core.

I'll tell you a couple Charlie Wilson stories. Charlie came out one time and he brought a beautiful young woman with him. There are some pictures in various books of this woman in an ankle length fur coat in the arms bazaar at Darra Adam Khel.

Advertisement

I was there; I was the host for that visit. It was a party of three, Charlie and the woman and the colonel, there is a U.S. Army Colonel who just died [in 2010] who was his regular military escort. They arrived in Peshawar on the U.S. embassy defense attache plane which was a C-12, it's a Beech King Air military version.

At that time, there were two of these aircraft in Islamabad, one assigned to the Defense Attache and another attached to the Office of Defense Cooperation, the military aid office. We did the usual things. We went to Darra Adam Khel, the famous gun-making town. We met with the various Afghan resistance leaders. We went to the ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross] hospital where they were doing all this repair work on wounded Afghans. It was normal Charlie stuff. Then Charlie said, "I need to straighten out this airplane business." He phoned the Ambassador at the time who was Deane Hinton and, well, there was some back story. Before he left Washington Charlie had gone to the Pentagon and said, "You know I've got this really complicated schedule in Pakistan. I need to go from Islamabad to Peshawar to Lahore to Karachi and the Pakistani International internal flights don't work for me so can I use the defense attache plane?"

No less a person than the military assistant to Secretary [of Defense Caspar] Weinberger, one General Colin Powell, had told Charlie, "Yes, Congressman, you may use the plane, your military escort may use the plane but the woman can't go. She is not an official member of the delegation, not your wife, she is no relation, she is not official, and we can't let her ride on the plane."

So Charlie had arrived in Islamabad and he went to Ambassador Hinton and he said, "Deane, I don't want to go on that Pakistan International Airline flight. Can you get the plane to take me over to Peshawar?"

Advertisement

Charlie Wilson and "Angels"Ambassador Hinton, of course, always an accommodating fellow said, "Sure." And they put him on the C-12 and sent him to Peshawar. When the colonel who flew the plane sent in his mission report, he got a rather tart message back from the Office of the Secretary of Defense saying, in essence, "Don't do that again. Don't take the woman."

Then ensued the most violent tantrum that I've ever seen from a grown man. Charlie was on the phone with the Ambassador, yelling at him about the airplane. The Ambassador did not give him satisfaction about the C-12 coming to pick him up the next day to take him to Lahore.

Charlie hung up the phone with such violence that he knocked the lamp off the table and he broke the phone. Then he went on strike and he said, "I'm not going to the dinner hosted for me by the governor of the Northwest Frontier Province, I'm not going."

So about ten minutes later, Ambassador Hinton called back and he said, "Let me talk to Charlie."

I handed the phone to him and Charlie said, "Uh huh, yeah, yeah okay." He hung up the phone. The upshot was that the Ambassador had arranged for President Zia's Falcon jet to come pick Charlie up the next day and take him to Lahore.

Of course, Charlie couldn't turn down an offer by his good friend President Zia-ul-Haq of the offer of the presidential aircraft but Charlie did get his revenge. He thought for a couple of minutes. He called the Ambassador back and he said, "I want your plane, too, and I will meet the restriction and we won't put her on it."

Advertisement

So the next morning we went to the airport and parked on the apron were President Zia's Falcon jet and the U.S. embassy's C-12. Charlie and the woman got in the Falcon jet and the colonel got in the C-12 and Charlie made that airplane follow him from Peshawar to Lahore to Karachi with the colonel on board. His parting words as reported to me by the colonel when Charlie left the country are quite profane, and I don't think I will repeat them for the tape, but it had to do with "You better enjoy that airplane while you got it because that is a line item." A line item meaning something that Charlie in his position on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee could delete or move.

Sure enough in a subsequent fiscal year, if I'm not mistaken, I know for a fact that the plane moved. It was transferred mysteriously in the appropriations bill from an appropriation for an airplane in Islamabad to an appropriation for an airplane in Cairo.

So Charlie got his revenge.

The Time Charlie Tried to Go To Afghanistan

Another Charlie story. Late in my tour, this would have been around 1987, here comes Charlie again. My guidance was this was going to be a low-key visit; he is alone, no escort, everything is fine, and he will be there a couple days.

So I went out to the airport, pulled up on the military side of the parking lot; there lands a Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft, steps come down, and here comes Charlie alone.

So I walked him over to the car and we got in the car and driving back to the consulate and I said, "Charlie, we'll go get some coffee or something." It was a little before eight in the morning, it as pretty early for him.

Advertisement

He said, "Al, I'm going to do something and you can't stop me."

I said, "What is that Congressman?"

He said, "I'm going to Afghanistan and there is nothing you can do about it, you can't stop me."

I said, "Congressman, you are the Congressman, I'm not. You do what you want."

We got back to the house and at that point I'd had some time to think about it and as we sat down to have a cup of coffee, I said, "Congressman, there are two things I'll ask of you. One is to tell me who you're going with and, two, tell me when I should start to worry, if you don't come back."

He said, "No, I'm not telling you anything. You might try to stop me."

So I said, "Okay, fine." So I'm scrubbing the schedule now, I've got a whole schedule arranged for him but he is leaving, going to Afghanistan. A few minutes later somebody came up from the front gate and said, "There is a car here to pick up Mr. Wilson."

I said, "Okay, Charlie I'll see you later." I shook his hand and saw him off. The car drove away. Then I asked the gate guard whose car he had boarded, and the guard named the Afghan Resistance guy who usually went around in that car. I had a "Plan B" in my head to find out, but didn't have to use it. So it wasn't a secret. He just didn't understand that it could not be covert for him to go with the resistance to Afghanistan.

I had invited 30 people to come for dinner that night so I'd decided to go ahead and have the dinner even though he was not going to be there. We were all sitting around the living room having a drink before dinner and in comes Charlie. It was almost like a cartoon character; he had this big cloud over his head, he was not happy.

He came in and he came into the living room and he said, "I don't know who's done this to me."

I said, "Well, what's happened?"

He told me that on the way down to Kurram Agency, where they planned to cross, he had passed through the gun town of Darra Adam Khel. The Afghans he was with said they wouldn't issue him a weapon, so he made them stop and he bought a 9-millimeter Makarov pistol because, as he put it, by golly, he was going to shoot at a Russian if he saw one.

Advertisement

They got into Kurram Agency on the way to the town of Parachinar and an Afghan that he knew came from the other direction. The Afghan said in effect, "Congressman, it is too dangerous, you can't go down here. The Shia and the Sunni are fighting; there is communal unrest, you can't go, you have to turn around."

This was an Afghan of some note, and after arguing for a while, Charlie turned around and came back to Peshawar. Well, it was very clear what had happened and Charlie very well knew what had happened.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (L) and vice presidential candidate Mike Pence attend a campaign event in Roanoke, Virginia, U.S., July 25, 2016. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

Donald Trump does not have a political record. The fleeting glimpses we are offered into his own policies are further muddied by his own ideological inconsistencies and unpredictable temperament. A better lens, then, into his policies may be through the company he keeps. In terms of policy, understanding, and regard for public health -- Mike Pence is by all counts an unmitigated disaster.

Pence's public record reveals a misunderstanding of basic science. The field of public health is dedicated to identifying and minimizing risk factors that negatively impact human health. Perhaps the most basic and fundamental example of this is the impact of smoking. The Centers for Disease Control have stated that smoking is the number one preventable cause of death in the United States, responsible for nearly half-a-million deaths annually. While the data couldn't be more clear, Pence penned an op-ed in 2001 refuting basic medical science at a time when tobacco products were being considered for regulation by the FDA. He wrote, "Time for a quick reality check. Despite the hysteria from the political class and the media -- smoking does not kill." Pence has no excuse -- the link between smoking and health has long been considered doctrine in the United States since the landmark Surgeon General report in 1964.

Advertisement

Further, not only has Pence failed to fight tobacco, his policies have historically been so lenient as if to support tobacco companies at the expense of American lives. Pence has defunded smoking prevention and cessation programs and also opposed Republican led legislation to increase the tobacco tax in Indiana by $0.05, despite Indiana having one of the highest rates of smoking and one of the lowest tobacco taxes in the country. At best, these efforts reveal a gross misinterpretation of history and science. At worst, however, this willful ignorance is a manifestation of a willingness to hurt the health of his constituents for corporate special interests.

In numerous instances, Pence's policies have served to further marginalize the health of populations whom are already vulnerable -- particularly women, the LGBTQ community, and those at risk for HIV. When Pence took office as Governor of Indiana in 2013, he led a crusade to defund Planned Parenthood. By 2014, state funding for Planned Parenthood had been cut nearly in half from 2005 levels forcing the closure of small clinics. This funding drought no doubt affected women's access to both primary as well as reproductive health care.

But the effects of this policy went further. One particular clinic, in rural Scott County, was closed in 2013, leaving the county without an HIV testing center. Less than two years later, the county became the center of an HIV epidemic affecting nearly 200 residents of Austin, Indiana, a town of 4,300, and leading to the highest incidence of new HIV infections in the country. Testing is not the only intervention to prevent HIV transmission, there's also strong evidence for providing clean needles via needle exchange programs. But until this crisis in his own backyard, Pence had been a lifelong, vocal opponent of needle exchange programs.

Advertisement

Perhaps most controversial of all, in early 2015 Governor Pence signed into law the Religious Freedom Restoration Act which effectively allows business owners to cite their religious beliefs as right to refuse services to members of the LGBTQ community. Discrimination, especially the state-sponsored type like this, can have serious public health consequences. Discriminatory practices and social stigma in the LGBTQ community have led to significant health disparities and to higher rates of depression, substance abuse, and suicide. While prudent public health policy would work towards lowering barriers of access to care, this legislation -- to use the campaign mantra -- does no more than build walls. Worse, it allows for and even may encourage further stigma.
LaShun Roy supports a ban on semi-automatic weapons and more comprehensive background checks. But the 21-year-old gun owner from rural Texas doesnt consider gun-control measures a top priority in this years elections.

For Keionna Cottrell, a 24-year-old who lives on Chicagos South Side and whose brother was shot and killed this year in another Illinois city, few things are more important than limiting access to guns.

So many people are dying here because there is no control of the weapons out on our streets, said Cottrell. Young men ... have real military guns and theyre not scared to use them.

Although their lives and experiences differ, the young womens shared support for additional policies to curb gun violence reflects the feelings of many Americans between the ages of 18 and 30, regardless of their backgrounds, according to a new GenForward poll.

About 9 in 10 young adults say they support criminal background checks for all gun sales, a level of support that remains consistent across racial and ethnic groups. Stiffer penalties for violating existing gun laws are supported by 9 in 10 young adults, including about 9 in 10 whites, Asian-Americans and Latinos, as well as 8 in 10 African-Americans.

Fifty-seven percent of young Americans support a ban on rapid-firing semi-automatic weapons, with support especially high  74 percent  among Asian-Americans, the poll found.

GenForward is a survey by the Black Youth Project at the University of Chicago with the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The first-of-its-kind poll pays special attention to the voices of young adults of color, highlighting how race and ethnicity shape the opinions of a new generation.

Roy, a full-time college student who learned to handle assault rifles while serving in the National Guard, said its possible to protect the rights of gun owners and implement safeguards. That puts her among the 54 percent of young adults  including 61 percent of Asian-Americans, 57 percent of African-Americans and 52 percent of Latinos and whites  who say laws limiting gun ownership do not infringe on the publics right to bear arms.

I think its important to make sure the government isnt going door to door saying, Let me see your guns and ammo, said Roy, who is black. But I think its really important to have background checks ... and make sure a felon cant get a gun.

She also believes a new Texas law that permits the open carrying of guns on college campuses is a bad idea.

What if someones not doing well in class or a family member dies? she asked. Whats to stop them from pulling out a gun and shooting the teacher or people in class. She said: You just have so many different emotions and types of people you go to school with.

The poll underscores the differences in young Americans personal experiences, which they say helped shape their attitudes toward guns.

More than a third of African-Americans  37 percent  and nearly a quarter of Latinos say they or someone they know has experienced gun violence in the last year, compared with only 12 percent of whites or Asian-Americans.

About 4 in 10 young adults say they live in households where someone owns a gun, including 21 percent who personally own one. Among young whites, 52 percent live in a gun-owning household, with 29 percent owning one themselves. Twenty-four percent of young blacks, 23 percent of young Latinos, and 19 percent of young Asian-Americans live in gun-owning households, though just 10 percent of Latinos and Asian-Americans and 11 percent of African-Americans say they own one personally.

Yet more than half of Americans age 18-30 say its more important to control gun ownership than to protect gun rights. That includes 76 percent of young Asian-Americans, 63 percent of African-Americans, and 60 percent of Latinos. Young whites are divided, with 53 percent saying its more important to protect gun rights and 46 percent saying its more important to control gun ownership.

Saajan Bhakta, 21, of Wichita, Kansas, says he doesnt oppose gun ownership, but believes gun violence needs to be addressed very promptly with new laws restricting access for people with criminal records and some mental health problems and a ban on some semi-automatic weapons. He says the recent killings of police officers in Dallas, where he has close friends and family, showed that it could happen anytime, anywhere, with anyone.

Human behavior is predictable to a level, but also unpredictable, said Bhakta, who runs a humanitarian nonprofit organization and hopes to earn a doctorate in psychology. Being on top of it from the beginning helps prevent unnecessary events.

Hes among the majority of young Asian-Americans, 62 percent, who think owning a gun does more to put peoples safety at risk than to protect them from crime.

On the other hand, 59 percent of young adults overall say owning a gun does more to protect a person from being a crime victim, including nearly two-thirds of young whites, almost 6 in 10 Latinos and a slim majority of African-Americans.

Roy, the Texas college student, said there always has been a rifle in her familys home for self-defense, but she still believes guns pose a greater threat to most owners than criminals do.

A lot goes into handling one safely, she said. And a lot can go wrong if you dont know what youre doing.
In January 2015, Jennifer Reingold wrote an article for Fortune magazine that she titled, "Everybody Hates Person." Here are some more reasons why to hate the British publishing, testing, and educational imperialist giant.

Pearson PLC's semi-annual report to stockholders advised the company was "trading in-line with the expectations set in February." It repeated earlier claims that "Our growth and simplification plan is on-track and our 2018 goals are unchanged. If current exchange rates persist until the end of 2016 the earnings per share guidance range will increase . . ."

But stock analysts and stockholders didn't buy it. Sales had declined 7%. Revenue was down 11%. Operating profit was down 39m or $50 million from the previous year. Liberum, London-based investment bankers, were skeptical of the company's "forecasts" and issued a "sell" rating on Pearson stock. They project "The risk of another profit warning for Pearson for FY16 appears relatively high."

Advertisement

In response, on July 29, 2016 Pearson stock plummeted by 10% on the London exchange. Pearson was the biggest loser on the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index. In a show of corporate desperation, Pearson fired its senior North American division leader, moved him to a "senior business development role," and replaced him with Kevin Capitani, a former tech exec with no education experience, who had basically been unemployed for the previous two years, "Taking time with my family."

Some of Pearson's moves to keep afloat would be laughable if they were not so grotesque. I thank Angelo Gavrielatos of Education International for bring this to my attention and hopefully a broader audience.

At a September 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Summit world leaders adopted a series of goals including the promise that by 2030 they would "ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education" and that they would "substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries."

What did Pearson and corporate and foundation friends who supposedly support the goals do? First they stepped up efforts to market for-profit education in the Third World direct contradiction to the goals they supposedly endorsed. Then they formed a private corporation, Project Everyone, and copyrighted the icons and summary titles being used to promote the United Nations initiative.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, two of global education's biggest corporate imperialists, Sir Michael Barber, Pearson's Chief Education advisor, and Joel Klein, former New York City Schools Chancellor and former Chief Executive of Amplify, a Murdoch ed/tech company that was sold because of slow growth and a dismal profit outlook, announced a partnership "to spark innovation in education." Of course their model of innovation means "opening up systems," read school systems, for exploitation by profit seeking companies like Pearson through out-sourcing school management, curriculum development, testing, vouchers for private schools, and the creation of private and charter schools. Translated their call for "Unleashing Greatness" means that as our business ventures fail governments and foundations should support our efforts to further destroy public education.

THIS JUST IN: New York city and state politicians have been chest-bumping each other because of higher student passing rates on Pearson designed Common Core aligned high-stakes assessments administered last spring. State Education Commissioner Mary Ellen Elia put a bit of a damper on the celebration when she pointed out that the tests were shorter and students had extended time, so results were not comparable to past tests. Now NYS Allies for Public Education has discovered a new problem with the reported test results. According to their press release the "raw points necessary to achieve proficient performance (level 3) were lower on eleven out of the twelve 2016 NYS Common Core tests." They are demanding to know if this one done to artificially raise scores so politicians can claim the testing regime is a success.
On Nov. 13, 1986, President Reagan declared in a national address, "We did not -- repeat -- did not trade weapons or anything else for hostages -- nor will we." His assertion ran counter to covert operations that had been ongoing for several years. ... Reagan found himself in the midst of a crisis that threatened his presidency. Covert arms transactions with Iran and the diversion of profits of the sales to the Contra guerrilla force in Nicaragua lay at the heart of the controversy. ... They were carried out by members of the National Security Council, including National Security Advisors Robert McFarlane and John Poindexter and Lt. Col. Oliver North, an NSC staff member. On account of the Iran-Iraq war, restrictions on arms sales to Iran were in place at the time of the weapons transfers. Members of Reagan's own administration and members of Congress believed that the administration's decree that there should be no deals with terrorists was being adhered to.

In Central America, different challenges faced the president. Congress had enacted several restrictions on the nature of government aid that could be supplied to the Contras, a guerrilla army fighting the leftist Sandinista government in Nicaragua. The Boland Amendment specified the volume of funds that could be spent on this cause and the type of assistance that could be provided. The Contra cause was passionately supported by Reagan. Beginning in 1984, members of the National Security Council, particularly North, began seeking alternative non-U.S. government sources of support. King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, for example, provided a million dollars per month from May to December 1984. The upkeep of the Contras continued in a covert fashion, with support from a disparate array of U.S. government officials, opportunistic middlemen and operatives in the NSC and CIA. In essence, Reagan's foreign policy was being privatized and shielded from both Congress and the American people.
By Hong Soon-do, Beijing correspondent, AsiaToday - It seems South Korean stars are getting blacklisted in China over THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) deployment. Although it's not official, China is seemingly banning South Korean actors and entertainers from the mainland as a reprisal move. As a result, upcoming Korean drama "Saimdang, the Herstory" starring Lee Young-ae and Song Seung-hun, which was expected to become a hit in China, would face setbacks.

[A poster for upcoming Korean drama "Saimdang, the Herstory", which would be directly hit by THAAD deployment./ Source: Chinese internet portal Sina]According to a well-informed source on Saturday, there had been fierce competition in China to purchase copyright for "Saimdang." This was obvious. The main leads were Lee Young-ae, one of the original Hallyu superstar actress who appeared in the Korean historical drama Dae Jang Geum, and Song Seung-hun, who is in romantic relationship with Chinese actress Liu Yifei.

However, things have changed now. There is a list of 42 Korean stars who have been banned from Chinese media or at least that's what the rumors are saying. Obviously, it's hard for 'Saimdang' to freshen up the atmosphere. Things will definitely get tougher considering the fact that China will take aim against Hallyu after THAAD. If this is true, Lee Young-ae's hope to show off her power as original Hallyu star with 'Saimdang' will naturally fade away.

Advertisement
I gathered with hundreds of people to worship and pray on a Wednesday night not long ago. Only a handful of us spoke fluent English and about the same number were legal US citizens. I spoke to them while a young woman stood next to me in the pulpit, interpreting my words into Spanish. Moments earlier, she had led us as we sang "The Revelation Song" in the same language. I was only 20 minutes from my home and my church.

That night, I again realized my city was more diverse than the mostly white, middle-class suburbia where I spend most of my time. That night, in my own city, I suddenly felt like the outsider, invited into a gathering where culture and language divided us. Our only common denominators were the scriptures we studied, the Christ we followed and the communal prayers that echoed upward into the cold night air.

These were not hardened criminals on the run, but families who had worked all day and studied in classrooms since early morning. They were grandparents, high school students, and married couples. I did not hear all their stories that night, but I heard a few. I met men who had built a successful landscaping firm with hundreds of clients and there was a woman who went from cleaning a few homes to running her own business with multiple employees. Her pastor had told her that America rewards honest, hard work. She believed him.

Advertisement

I found new friends that night and a new viewpoint. God knew I needed a new frame of reference in order to get a new perspective on the plight of immigrants in our country. I know many of my friends and those in my congregation will argue that "our laws need to be followed" and "we need those jobs for our own citizens". I understand the anger and frustration caused by the broken promises from politicians and fanned by the fear-mongering from pundits on TV. I just wish you had been with me that night.

Everyone does not fit neatly into my story. There are bad people who have come to our country illegally and have committed atrocities. They need to be deported and sentenced. Those are the few, though, and do not represent the remaining 11-million living here peaceably and quietly.

When I am caught in this tension, I sit still and listen to Jesus speaking to me in the scriptures. I know for certain he loves them as much as me. He wants them to thrive and not be subjected to threats and pain. He has watched them die from dehydration in the deserts. He hears their prayers and knows them by name. He speaks their language and understands their dilemma. He knows they miss their families and they feel unwanted and rejected in the only place they can go for help. Jesus also had to flee his country once and live in a distant Egypt. I am sure he and his teenage parents broke some immigration laws along the way. I am also certain someone in Egypt helped them because no one survives long in a distant land without some new friends.
The Constitution's architects unanimously agreed on the allocation of war powers. They unanimously agreed that only Congress should be entrusted with decisions to initiate war under Article I, section 8, clause 11. (The President would retain authority to "repel sudden attacks").

The architects made Congress the exclusive steward of the war power because legislators have nothing to gain and everything to lose by gratuitous belligerency. No war monument has ever been erected to immortalize a legislator; and, the powers of Congress recede during wartime.

The opposite is true of the executive branch, whose personality salutes Mars and scorns Minerva. James Madison, father of the Constitution, elaborated:

Advertisement

In no part of the constitution is more wisdom to be found, than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace to the legislature, and not to the executive department. Beside the objection to such a mixture to heterogeneous powers, the trust and the temptation would be too great for any one man; not such as nature may offer as the prodigy of many centuries, but such as may be expected in the ordinary successions of magistracy. War is in fact the true nurse of executive aggrandizement. In war, a physical force is to be created; and it is the executive will, which is to direct it. In war, the public treasures are to be unlocked; and it is the executive hand which is to dispense them. In war, the honours and emoluments of office are to be multiplied; and it is the executive patronage under which they are to be enjoyed. It is in war, finally, that laurels are to be gathered, and it is the executive brow they are to encircle.The strongest passions and most dangerous weaknesses of the human breast; ambition, avarice, vanity, the honourable or venial love of fame, are all in conspiracy against the desire and duty of peace.

Future Chief Justice of the United States, John Jay, similarly remarked in Federalist 4:

[A]bsolute monarchs will often make war when their nations are to get nothing by it, but for the purposes and objects merely personal, such as thirst for military glory, revenge for personal affronts, ambition, or private compacts to aggrandize or support their particular families or partisans. These and a variety of other motives, which affect only the mind of the sovereign, often lead him to engage in wars not sanctified by justice or the voice and interests of his people.

The reasons advanced by Madison, Jay, and others against presidential wars did not pivot on the state of weapons technology or speed of travel, but on eternals of human nature, including the incorrigibility of the executive branch in craving war for the sake of war with ulterior motives pernicious to liberty.

Advertisement

In serving as megaphones for an extra-constitutional American Empire and multi-trillion dollar permanent global presidential wars, the New York Times and the Washington Post propagate myths about the war powers worth more than two carrier battle groups to the Pentagon.

Myth 1: Article II of the Constitution empowers the President unilaterally to initiate war--including nuclear war--without a legislative mandate enacted by Congress.



Article I, section 8, clause 11 of the Constitution unambiguously entrusts to Congress--not the President--exclusive responsibility for deciding to take the nation from a state of peace to a state of war. Every participant in the drafting, debating, and ratifying of the Constitution shared that understanding, including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, father of the Constitution, future Justice of the Supreme Court James Wilson, United States Chief Justice John Marshall, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. James Madison expressed the national consensus in a letter to Jefferson: "The constitution supposes, what the History of all Governments demonstrates, that the Executive is the branch of power most interested in war, and most prone to it. It has accordingly with studied care vested the question of war in the Legislature." That consensus was neither disturbed nor violated for 163 years. Beginning in 1802, for instance, Congress enacted ten statutes expressly authorizing military action by Presidents Jefferson and Madison against the Barbary States. That consensus also shipwrecked President Woodrow Wilson's League of Nations' treaty, which would have obligated the United States to defend the boundaries of other nations without congressional declarations of war. To obtain Senate ratification of the United Nations Treaty, Article 43, paragraph 3 specifically requires a congressional declaration of war before the President may use our armed forces to implement a U.N. Security Council resolution. From Potsdam, President Harry Truman cabled Senator Kenneth McKellar: "When any such agreement or agreements are negotiated [to use the United States Armed Forces under Article 43 of the United Nations Treaty] it will be my purpose to ask Congress for appropriate legislation to approve them."

In sum, there is no intellectually respectable support for the theory that the Constitution authorizes presidential wars.

Myth 2: Treaties ratified by the United States Senate can constitutionally obligate the United States to conduct war on behalf of foreign nations without a congressional declaration of war.



Advertisement

Treaties are subordinate to the United States Constitution, including Article I, section 8, clause 11. Justice Hugo Black elaborated in Reid v. Covert (1956):

"Article VI, the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, declares:

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof, and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; . . .

There is nothing in this language which intimates that treaties and laws enacted pursuant to them do not have to comply with the provisions of the Constitution. Nor is there anything in the debates which accompanied the drafting and ratification of the Constitution which even suggests such a result. These debates, as well as the history that surrounds the adoption of the treaty provision in Article VI, make it clear that the reason treaties were not limited to those made in "pursuance" of the Constitution was so that agreements made by the United States under the Articles of Confederation, including the important peace treaties which concluded the Revolutionary War, would remain in effect. It would be manifestly contrary to the objectives of those who created the Constitution...to construe Article VI as permitting the United States to exercise power under an international agreement without observing constitutional prohibitions.

Accordingly, Article V of the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) which purports to require to the United States to defend all 28 NATO members from attack, including Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, is unconstitutional. The House of Representatives is excluded from the treaty process, and its concurrence is necessary for a congressional declaration of war. James Wilson, future Justice of the United States Supreme Court, underscored the importance of that requirement to the Pennsylvania ratification convention:

Advertisement

"This system will not hurry us into war; it is calculated to guard against it. It will not be in the power of a single man, or a single body of men, to involve us in such distress, for the important power of declaring war is vested in the legislature at large;--this declaration must be made with the concurrence of the House of Representatives; from this circumstance we may draw a certain conclusion, that nothing but our national interest can draw us into a war."

Article V of NATO marked the first occasion in 163 years in which a treaty purported to require the United States to conduct war on behalf of other nations without congressional declarations.

Myth 3: Unconstitutional presidential wars have become constitutional by dint of longstanding practice beginning in 1950 with President Harry Truman's war in Korea without a congressional declaration.

Constitutional transgressions are not excused because they have been repeated for long years. The United States Supreme Court held in Erie Railroad v. Tompkins (1936) that for a century since Swift v. Tyson (1842) federal courts had been unconstitutionally creating federal common law to govern lawsuits between citizens of different states. The Court similarly held unconstitutional the use of the legislative veto to invalidate executive action in INS v. Chadha (1983), notwithstanding hundreds of such provisions enacted during the previous 54 years with the consent of the President.

The Court explained in Myers v. United States (1926) that great weight is to be given to the practices and understandings of early administrations and Congresses populated by many who had participated in the 1787 constitutional convention. They were uniformly against presidential wars. President George Washington, who presided over the 1787 convention, voiced the standard view: "The Constitution vests the power of declaring war with Congress. Therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they have deliberated upon the subject, and authorized such a measure."

Advertisement

Myth 4: Presidential wars are constitutionally permissible because Congress repeatedly acquiesces.

It is true that presidential wars without congressional declarations have been chronic since 1950, including but not limited to: President Truman's war in Korea; President Lyndon Johnson's Vietnam War; the Secret War in Laos conducted by Presidents Johnson and Richard Nixon; President George H.W. Bush's war in Panama; President William Clinton's wars in Bosnia and Serbia; and, President Barack Obama's wars against Libya and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) anywhere on the planet. And it is equally true that Congress has generally acquiesced in these usurpations because terrified of being held politically and morally accountable for matters of supreme significance to the nation and our armed forces. But the Supreme Court has held that the Constitution's separation of powers does not permit one branch to surrender its powers to another branch, for instance, a line-item veto invalidated in Clinton v. New York (1998). Chief Justice John Roberts elaborated in Wellness International Network, Limited v. Sharif (2015): "[W]e have emphasized that the values of liberty and accountability protected by the separation of powers belong not to any branch of the Government but to the Nation as a whole. A branch's consent to a diminution of its constitutional powers, therefore does not mitigate the harm or cure the wrong."

Myth 5: The President is entitled to flout the Constitution's allocation of war powers and conduct presidential wars because changes in technology and the obligation of the United States to exercise world leadership have made the Constitution obsolete in foreign affairs.

The Constitution's authors were long-headed. They knew experience and unforeseeable changes in circumstances might dictate a need for constitutional alterations or adaptations. Thus, Article V was written to authorize amendments supported by two-thirds majorities in Congress and three-fourths of the state legislatures. The very first Congress proposed the Bill of Rights, which was ratified by the States. No amendment has ever been proposed, however, to disturb the Constitution's assignment to Congress of exclusive responsibility for decisions to cross the Rubicon from peace to war.

Justice Black denied that the mushrooming United States role in international affairs since the Constitution was ratified in 1787, simpliciter, authorized the exercise of extra-constitutional powers in Reid v Covert:

Advertisement

If our foreign commitments become of such nature that the Government can no longer satisfactorily operate within the bounds laid down by the Constitution, that instrument can be amended by the method which it prescribes. But we have no authority, or inclination, to read exceptions into it which are not there.
Time and time again, Pope Francis reveals the clash of two sides of the same man: the Pope of love and tolerance versus the Pope who closes the door on the possibility of change, and sees the world through the eyes of a 79-year-old celibate cleric.

Those contradictions are most evident when the Pope addresses the arena of sexual morality, particularly when it touches on the church's position on homosexuality.

In 2013, he was the Pope who, when asked about the church's position on homosexual priests, responded, "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" It wasn't a reversal of church policy, but it seemed to open a door towards less condemnation and more acceptance.

Advertisement

In 2015, during his visit to the U.S. the Pope cordially met with a same-sex couple - a former high school student of his and the student's male partner.

And last June, the Pope acknowledged the link between prejudice against homosexuality, and the violence at an Orlando gay nightclub where 49 people were murdered, and scores more injured by a lone gunman. The Pope agreed that the church should apologize for its intolerance not only to the gay community but also to others, among them women and children, who have been exploited and marginalized.

However, just when his attitudes seem to signal that Pope Francis has his priorities right: that he cares more about poverty and pollution than he does about what happens in Catholics' bedrooms, he veers away from tolerance.

For example, in his apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, published this spring, he wrote that same-sex unions were "not even remotely analogous to God's plan for marriage and family."

Advertisement

And news accounts last week even more dramatically revealed the Pope's judgmental side, when he suggested that unnamed funders in the developed world are conditioning their aid to needy countries by making them accept an "ideology" that will cause kids to switch genders willy-nilly.

"Today children - children! - are taught in school that everyone can choose his or her sex," Francis told the bishops of Poland on July 27. "Why are they teaching this? Because the books are provided by the persons and institutions that give you money. These forms of ideological colonization are also supported by influential countries. And this [is] terrible!"

Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA, was appalled by the Pope's remarks, saying they showed "a lamentable and dangerous ignorance."

She observed that "what many, including Pope Francis, do not yet understand is that people do not 'choose' their genders. A gender is assigned at birth, and some people discover that they were incorrectly classified. The narratives of many transgender and gender nonconforming people show that this often begins long before they go to school. For most, the reality of their identity not matching their assigned gender persists despite incredible social, cultural, familial, and, yes, religious pressures to conform."

She added that the Pope's words could jeopardize the safety of transgender persons, particularly in countries with repressive laws and cultures.

Advertisement

Ironically, the transcript of his entire remarks to Polish bishops, largely reflects a Pope who embraces the social gospel. He cites the problems of joblessness and blames much of the world's ills on the "idolatry of money," which exploits both the poor and the environment.

He urges priests to think of "creative" ways to reach the unchurched. He talks about the need to reform parish life, so that priests are "close" to people. He says that parishes should be welcoming and accommodating, and offer children places to play. He asks whether parishes are doing enough to reach out to the imprisoned, aged, and infirm. He suggests that parishes in big cities be open for confessions round the clock, so penitents can always find someone to approach.

It is only at the conclusion of his remarks, almost as an afterthought, that the stern Francis steps in. I think he was influenced by the retired Benedict XVI. One can hear Benedict's fear of the world, his sense that the church is an "embattled minority" in an increasingly secular world.

And, indeed, Pope Francis, did refer to Benedict when he ended his speech with his ugly non sequitur about this ill-defined conspiracy to have children switch genders. "In a conversation with Pope Benedict, who is in good health and very perceptive, he said to me: 'Holiness, this is the age of sin against God the Creator.' He is very perceptive. God created man and woman; God created the world in a certain way... and we are doing the exact opposite. ... Pope Benedict's observation should make us think."

The Pope's discomfort with changing attitudes, and emerging science, about gender identity keeps his instinct for generosity and kindness in check. Having Benedict reinforce that streak in his successor is very disillusioning.

Advertisement
2016 will be remembered as the year Democrats captured the flag.

The face of the Grand Old Party is now Donald Trump, so many thoughtful Republicans are simply refusing to pay attention to the man behind the curtain. They are joining forces with rational independents and reasonable Democrats, all of whom are liberated this year to be fiscally conservative, socially liberal and deeply devoted to democracy together.

Pride in America and core values of honor and duty have been reclaimed by the masses. No longer is patriotism the exclusive province of the Republican Party.

The election this year is often described as divisive, and it is in many respects. But not everything is being split open. When it comes to being political, a new entity is forming. It's a coalition with many different ingredients that, mixed together, are quite good. Like an extra-large doughnut hole -- the middle of a big glazed chocolate one, for example, separated from a very thin outer ring.

Advertisement

Moderates are that doughnut hole, or maybe they just share a common enemy. Even people who disagree all the time about everything agree that as president, Trump would be a disaster.

In politics this year the middle is untethered from the pull of what used to be Republican virtues because Trump is the antithesis. He's not conservative, and he's not even trying to be like Ronald Reagan. Businesspeople like Warren Buffett, Michael Bloomberg and Meg Whitman are running away from Donald Trump in horror. It's like escaping from a burning building, coughing and gagging, but happy to be alive as the structure collapses and turns to rubble.

Buffett, Whitman, Bloomberg and all those who want to be like them are running to the Democrats because over there, at least, it appears the adults are in charge. The Democrats' big tent is open, the lights are on and the flag is blowing in the wind. They look like a diverse group with the same blood type: rational and red.

To support the Democratic candidate for president this year is the American thing to do. It's an easy choice when political choices are impossible too often. Who isn't pro-life?

Advertisement

Issues get framed in a damned-if-you-do and damned-if-you-don't kind of way, but not everything is binary or black and white.

There is gray, and most things -- ideology, intelligence, gender -- exist on a spectrum. Most people are both pro-life and pro-choice. They want to reduce discriminatory policing and protect police. Why not immigration reform and secure borders? A robust economy and a thriving environment?

Most people want the absence of war and the unquestionable ability to win all wars. Most recognize the Second Amendment and need for gun safety laws.

Most American are deeply passionate about what makes this country great, and it's the Democrats who own the flag this year.

Now the flag is a symbol of the collective mass that makes America great right now, not the ultra-right conservative wing of the Republican party who want to take us backward. The flag isn't for white people only. It belongs to everyone now.

Advertisement

While Hillary Clinton rejoices in what's good about our country -- its military strength, Yankee ingenuity, diversity, grit and moral high ground -- Trump spits at Uncle Sam and wipes his feet on Old Glory. For Democrats long saddened by their banishment from the ideological homeland of patriotism, the return feels good. Flag pins for all. Pocket-sized Constitutions in every purse.

The American flag has being wrestled from the hands of white nationalists by Americans of all stripes. This banner of equality, opportunity and freedom is being passed to all kinds of people who believe in its future promise and who are willing to pass it on to the next relay runner looking to find the American dream.

Voters who harbor racial prejudice can't look for people with flags this election to identify cohorts because the flag has been liberated. It belongs to all who make America great right now.

The flag belongs to Humayun Khan, an Army captain gave his life in service, and his Muslim-American parents. The flag belongs to the mothers fighting for criminal justice reform and an end to gun violence. The flag belongs to the rich and poor, young and old, the sick and the weary.

This election in sound bites is easy. It's the flags against the guns. Believers in democracy versus skeptics. Eggheads versus pinheads. Those who like babies versus those who don't.

Advertisement
Citizens of any nation will naturally rally around their flag when they believe they are under attack, have been offended, or want to flex their muscles. Doing so has implications well beyond their borders when the country in question happens to be a global power, such as in the case of China and the United States (U.S.). That said, there are a variety of dynamics at play that help to shape public opinion, particularly when 'flag waving' is at the heart of the issue. Citizens of any country tend to react when they believe they have common cause, their beliefs are correct, and others' beliefs are wrong.

Deng Xiaoping, the chief architect of modern China, said "the China-U.S. relationship can never be too good or too bad", meaning their leaders and people should be realistic about how close their bilateral relationship can be at any given point in time, and should never let their disagreements get so out of hand that it threatens the general peace and prosperity of the two nations. While seemingly simplistic, the quote does accurately encapsulate the general nature of relations between the two nations since Richard Nixon and Mao Zedong first commenced the modern bilateral relationship in 1972.

As noted by Singapore's former foreign minister George Yeo, China is not by self-proclamation a missionary power like the U.S.; While both nations have much in common, this is sometimes lost in the bigger picture. As the number one and two economies, the world relies on them, and vice-versa, for national and global economic prosperity. They both compete, in a variety of ways, in the economic, political and military spheres. Both nations have strategic interests and global reach, although they may go about achieving them in different ways. They share an obligation to act responsibly and reasonably toward their neighbors and the world more generally. They also share an astonishing trade and investment relationship with the rest of the world.

Advertisement

While China recognizes America's unique position as the world's sole superpower, its political orientation and national pride dictate that it pursue its own political and developmental path, and an independent foreign policy that it believes is ultimately aimed at achieving peace - with its neighbors and the world. Many countries in Asia, and the world, are highly skeptical about this so-called "peaceful development", pointing to China's unilateral actions in the South China Sea (SCS) as contrary to that objective. In spite of the recent ruling at The Hague against China, the Chinese government, and most of its people, believe that the country's actions are consistent with both recent regional history and international law, based on their own unique perspective of history and international relations.

Part of the reason for the vastly different perspectives on this issue has to do with a genuine belief on the part of both sides that each side is right. China points to previous maps and maritime practices, which were at the time unopposed by other nations. The U.S. (and other nations) see this as inconsistent with modern international maritime law as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which, ironically, China signed on to the very day it first became a legal instrument in 1982 (one contradiction), while the U.S. failed to become a member of UNCLOS (another contradiction).

From the Chinese perspective, the SCS is seen as vital to China's ability to project its naval and air power. Historically and culturally, China has been particularly sensitive to territorial issues, adhering to its long-held principle "we will never yield an inch of land". Deng Xiaoping's diplomatic philosophy can be simply summarized as the "Eight-Character Mantra" -- tao guang yang hui, you suo zuo wei -- meaning, "hide one's capacities, bide one's time, and seek achievements". That was why, during his time as China's premier, Deng chose to temporarily "set aside disputes and pursue joint development" vis-a-vis territorial disputes such as those involving the SCS and Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands. Deng's successors -- Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao -- followed this economics-focused approach to diplomacy, which enabled China achieve its "peaceful rise" in a relatively short time.

Advertisement

From the Chinese perspective, the Thucydides Trap - wherein a rising power causes fear in an established power, which escalates toward war -- is not inevitable, because China views itself and the U.S. as "different, but not distant", and because the Confucian philosophy advocates "accommodating divergent views" (he er bu tong). Chinese President Xi Jinping repeatedly said that "the broad Pacific Ocean is vast enough to embrace both China and the U.S.", and proposed a new model of international relations aimed at avoiding confrontation and conflict, respecting one another's political systems and national interests, and pursuing win-win cooperation.

That all sounds good on paper. The question becomes whether and how Confucian philosophy may become more consistent with current international law, whether both sides can reach an understanding about how China's rise may coincide with America's gradual decline as a global power, and how China's neighbors see ongoing territorial issues. As we are at a critical juncture -- given The Hague ruling, China's decision to continue what it is doing in the SCS, and uncertainty about how other regional powers may react in the future - much will depend on how far all sides are willing to reach across the table and genuinely compromise.

In the case of the Philippines and China, given that former Philippine president Fidel Ramos, has become the government's special envoy to China to negotiate SCS issues, a serious effort is being put forth from the Philippine side. If that is met with equal vigor on the Chinese side, there is at least a reasonable chance they can reach an accommodation. However, China's dual strategy of claiming to want to pursue diplomatic negotiations on the SCS dispute while simultaneously continuing its unilateral construction activities on its islands creates an environment unconducive to honest and meaningful negotiation. It remains too early to say how well the talks may develop -- with the Philippines or any other party to the dispute.

It is well understood by the current leaders of both China and the U.S. that it is in their mutual interest, as well as that of the world, that both nations consistently strive to achieve a degree of harmony in their overall relationship, and avoid open conflict, in spite of their many disagreements. President Obama's simple philosophy of "not doing stupid stuff" easily translates into avoiding conflict where it is not absolutely necessary. That has clearly been a guiding principle from the U.S. government's perspective since 2009.

Advertisement

Will that change when either Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Trump take over in the White House in January? Clinton may be expected to maintain a similar approach to China as that of Obama (balanced and measured), while Trump will clearly become more aggressive toward China. Should Trump assume office, it will ultimately be up to China to determine how to respond. We would hope that the Chinese government will choose to take a measured approach and resist the temptation to want to engage in tit-for-tat exchange with the U.S., which would not be in anyone's long-term interests.

It is also our hope that Chinese leaders and people will continue to maintain equilibrium between themselves, their neighbors, and the U.S. Whoever takes over the reins in the White House, maintaining balance with China should remain a priority, in spite of any rhetoric or vitriol that has accompanied the presidential election race. Sino-U.S. relations will remain the world's most important bilateral relationship for many years to come, with implications for the entire world. At the end of the day, the Chinese and American people have much more to gain by maintaining a friendly and cooperative relationship with each other, than the other way around.

It is worth remembering that, in his wisdom more than 200 years ago (when China was the world's largest economy), George Washington said "Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all." Those are words to the wise today on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. It is also worth pointing out that in Chinese, the Pacific Ocean ("tai pin yan") means "an ocean of peace". It will clearly take a great degree of wisdom, an appreciation of history, and a willingness to compromise on all sides, to maintain peace in the ocean of peace.

Daniel Wagner is CEO of Country Risk Solutions and co-author of "Global Risk Agility and Decision Making". Follow him at: www.countryrisksolutions.com. Sun Xi is a China-born independent commentary writer based in Singapore. Follow his blog at: www.sgwritings.com/113579.
Fighters from the former Al-Nusra Front -- renamed Fateh al-Sham Front after breaking from Al-Qaeda -- advance at an armament school after they announced they seiged control of two military academies and a third military position on August 6, 2016, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Jabhat Fateh al-Sham announced having captured two military academies and a third military position as they seized key poisitions south of Aleppo in a bid to break the government siege of the city. / AFP / Omar haj kadour (Photo credit should read OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

The beheading of a child and use of poison gas in Syria ought to awaken Obama and Putin to the dangers of sticking with their chosen allies. But it won't happen.

The other day I saw the horrific video of Syrian guerrillas from an anti-government group called the Nour al-Din al-Zinki Movement as they gleefully beheaded a boy of about 12 years old. It was one of the most horrific scenes, of which there have been plenty, to have come out of the multiple Middle East wars underway. I don't recommend watching. To add to the disgust, for an American, is the realization that the Obama administration provided financing to this particular group of criminals up until at least September 2015, and still funds others of its ilk. Close U.S. allies Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia continue direct support to Zinki.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Syrian coin comes word that the government of President Bashar al-Assad used chlorine gas to incapacitate insurgents in a town near Aleppo. Also available on video. While not as shocking as the images of victims of the rocket-borne poison gas attack in Damascus back in August, 2013, it provided evidence enough that the regime of Bashar al-Assad is capable of indiscriminate killing from its planes and troops on the ground. Vladimir Putin's Russia, which has lent its own air power to Assad's arsenal, is more than willing to sanction it all.

Use of gas bombs was supposed to end after Putin persuaded Assad to give up the worst of his chemical weapons arsenal. Never mind. The world has gotten accustomed to the wanton destruction of Syria and the deadly toll on civilians.

To summarize: Obama and Putin, for different reasons, are willing to back allies who have shown themselves capable of the most frightful wartime acts. Is there no shame?

Actually, no.

Take Obama first. In Syria, he has carried on parallel policies: to help so-called moderate forces unseat Assad; and to destroy the Islamic State, a dangerous global terror group that is also one of the regime's enemies. ISIS is guilty of beheadings, crucifixions, the stoning of women and persecution of religious minorities as well as majority Sunni Muslims it judges insufficiently loyal. Yet, the U.S. ignores similar crimes committed by the many other equally horrendous U.S.-backed militias tormenting Syria.

Advertisement

Given the shifting loyalties of insurgent groups, Washington does not seem to know where the arms it supplies, or even the soldiers it trains, end up. Take the Nusra Front. The State Department complained recently that U.S.-authorized rebels have been "co-mingling" with Nusra, an al-Qaeda affiliate, meaning they basically work together. Why is that bad? Because Nusra has been guilty of a vast array of human rights abuses and war crimes, including wanton killing of civilians, expulsion of minorities, including Christians from their homes, kidnappings and all sorts of summary executions, including beheadings.

And get this: Nusra is changing its name to Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (the Conquest of Syria Front) and has asked permission from al-Qaeda to sever its relations with the jihadist terror group. The name change might make ex-Nusra appear more interested in Syria than in al-Qaeda's global aspirations. Maybe its angling for respectability -- and aid from Assad donors. The new label doesn't mean an end to its nefarious and cruel practices, as far as anyone can tell.

Much of the horror is out of public view. Few reporters work in ultra-dangerous Syria. Obama's preference for covert operations helps keep domestic pressure off him for waging continuous wars (the U.S. is bombing targets in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya). It somehow preserves Obama's reputation as a peacemaker.

After a Pentagon briefing the other day, Obama noted that "a big chunk" of his graying hair had come from having to deal with Syria. Imagine how the Syrians feel.

Secrecy covers up US failures and rebel atrocities not only in Syria, but Iraq. In Iraq, where the Administration is supporting the Baghdad government's army in efforts to crush a Sunni Muslim rebellion and oust the Islamic State from cities in the center of the country. At the same time, Obama turns a blind eye to the assaults on civilians carried out by Iranian-backed pro-government militias involved in the same campaign.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Russia justifies its involvement in Syria on an invitation from Assad to intervene. That Assad has repeatedly and indiscriminately bombs civilian cities, starves out whole towns and disappears and tortures prisoners bothers Putin not at all. The tactics are similar to ones he himself used in 1999 and 2000 to quell a rebellion, part conventionally secular, part viciously Islamist, in Russia's province of Chechnya.

Neither Obama nor Putin seem much concerned with the Syria that will emerge from all this. The country is in ruins, with major towns badly damaged by bombing and artillery. Millions of refugees, lives disrupted for five years running, have taken refuge inside and outside Syria. In a culture with a long tradition of blood revenge, there is plenty of hatred to fuel a century of vendettas.

Obama seems to think that intolerant Islamist forces will simply fade away once Assad is ousted. Putin seems to believe that the country can be tranquilized in a return to a police state and run like Chechnya by a venal client, secret police and intelligence services.

Putin and Obama, through their intermediaries Secretary of State John Kerry and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, are supposed to be working together end the war. Anyone remember the cessation of hostilities agreement of last February, brokered by this pair? It ceased no hostilities.

For some reason, no one seems to mention Iran in the equation. Iran supplies both weapons and solders to the pro-Assad cause yet Obama carries on as if the Islamic Republic is not a factor. On the contrary, Iran's place as a regional power and sponsor of its client Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia, depends on keeping Assad in power.

Advertisement

It's time to put an end to more fantasies about US-Russia interim agreements and Iran's good will. There ought to be a concerted drive to form a national unity government to represent , Islamist groups not involved in war crimes, non-Islamist Sunnis who oppose Assad, and Sunni communities that support Assad along with minority Christian and Alawite communities who are fearful of an fundamentalist takeover if he falls.
One year has now passed since the P5+1 powers signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran and the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2231 adopting the deal. It is no secret that Israel strongly opposed this deal with one of the world's most dangerous regimes. Regardless of one's opinion about the nuclear deal, however, it is now clearer than ever that there were many justifications for our concerns. Now, it is up to the international community to act appropriately to mitigate the dangers emanating from Iran.

Much of the analysis of the JCPOA on this anniversary has focused on the Iranian nuclear program. Proponents of the deal have repeatedly pointed out that Iran is complying with this core element of the agreement. Israel's concerns, however, are not alleviated by Iran's seemingly compliance with the deal. From our point of view, even if Iran fulfills every element of the agreement, it is merely delaying the day they obtain nuclear weapons, not denying them this dangerous capability.

Moreover, lost in the rush to celebrate the agreement two key elements of Security Council Resolution 2231, which adopted the JCPOA, that are equally, if not more, concerning have not received the attention they deserve. First and foremost is Iran's continued development and testing of mid and long range ballistic missiles. Resolution 2231 clearly states that Iran is "Not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology."

Advertisement

We now know that Iran has defied this resolution at least four times by testing such missiles. Iran even had the audacity to write on one of these missiles that "Israel should be wiped off the Earth." The last missile test took place just a few days before the world marked the anniversary of the agreement.

Iran's defiance is not just an Israeli assertion, it is the view agreed upon by the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France. Even Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who is usually in search of balance and objectivity, ruled in a recent report that the Iranian missile tests are not in the "spirit" of the JCPOA.

Another key area of concern is Iran's continued arming and funding of terrorists throughout the Middle East and worldwide. Annex B of the resolution 2231 bans the "transfer of arms or related material from Iran." During a recent meeting of the Security Council, I shared with my colleagues that our intelligence assessment that there are now over 120,000 Hezbollah rockets and missiles in Lebanon aimed at Israeli population centers.

It is no mystery how this terrorist organization orchestrated its military buildup. Hezbollah head Hassan Nasrallah himself admitted that "Hezbollah's budget and its expenses are coming from the Islamic Republic of Iran." Nasrallah then further clarified that Iranian funds are, quote "coming to us in the same way we receive our rockets with which we threaten Israel."

Advertisement

Iran's defiance and violation of the 2231 should not just be an Israeli concern. The Ayatollah's do not need long-range ballistic missiles to threaten Israel. It is apparent that that have targets further away in Europe and the United States in mind.

Similarly, Iran's export of arms and funding of terrorists is not limited to Israel's enemies. A few months ago, American forces intercepted a significant Iranian arms shipment that was intended for the Houthis in Yemen.

We also know that Iran's intentions do not stop at the edge of the Middle East. Argentina recently marked twenty two years since Hezbollah's bombing of the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that killed eighty five innocent people, and we have every indication that Iran's proxy continues to make inroads throughout South America.

Faced with these transgressions, the full Security Council must unequivocally declare Iran in defiance of resolution 2231's missile-testing ban and in violation of the prohibition to export arms. Attempts to soften language in order to avoid confrontation with Iran only lessens the effectiveness of the Security Council.

While the next steps must be debated, when faced with situations in the recent past where member states defied Security Council resolutions, this important body knew to act swiftly and appropriately. In one such instance, the Council agreed by consensus to impose strict new sanctions including inspection on all imports and the halt the sale of aviation fuel to the offending country.

Advertisement

Obviously each case is different and the solution for one country that defies the international community is not necessarily the same as another. Nevertheless, it is clear that if the Security Council is to remain a relevant enforcer of international norms, and if the international community is serious about holding Iran accountable, we cannot make do with reports that are long on words but short on concrete actions.
If Donald Trump could just let it go once in a while, the national media might actually report on Hillarys crass lies at the Democratic National Convention. But, no, Trumps a natural performer in the style of Kardashian and Jersey Shore reality stars, reacting foolishly to verbal slights.

This week, the press could be reporting on the news that Hillary Clinton lied in her convention speech about helping a little girl in a wheelchair who couldnt go to school due to a lack of wheelchair-accessible walkways and buses.

Thats not going to happen, because Trump wrapped his gummy lips around the baited hook thrown his way by Khzir Khan, an immigration lawyer reportedly specializing in Muslim immigration to the U.S.

Khan has deep ties to the Clintons, but that has been overshadowed by Trump questioning why Ghazala Khan, whose son was killed by an IED while serving in the U.S. Army, did not speak at her convention appearance.

Ghazala said its because she misses her son so much that she would not be able to speak.

Trump questioned if Khzir wrote the speech himself, which he says he did.

Khan trolled Trump directly, holding a pocket edition of the U.S. Constitution in his hand and waving it in the camera, saying, Donald Trump, youre asking Americans to trust you with their future. Let me ask you, have you even read the United States Constitution? he said. I will gladly lend you my copy. In this document, look for the words, look for the words, liberty and equal protection (under) law.

You have sacrificed nothing and no one.

Confronted with this on ABC, Trump responded in his usual thickheaded way, mumbling about making some sacrifices and saying Khan had no right to question his knowledge of the constitution.

Trump was cringingly wrong on both points.

You dont have to be a seasoned politician skilled at weasel-wording answers to recognize immediately that any sacrifice you have made building a successful business has no comparison to a family that has lost a loved one in battle.

Trump somehow doesnt get it.

And because of that, too few Americans will know that Hillary lied about helping a little girl in a wheelchair in 1973.

In her convention speech, Hillary mesmerized her tearful audience when she claimed she went to work for the Childrens Defense Fund in New Bedford, Mass., going door-to-door on behalf of disabled kids denied the opportunity to go to school:

I remember meeting a young girl in a wheelchair on the small back porch of her house. She told me how badly she wanted to go to school  it just didnt seem possible in those days. And I couldnt stop thinking of my mother and what shed gone through as a child.

It became clear to me that simply caring is not enough. To drive real progress, you have to change both hearts and laws. You need both understanding and action.

So we gathered facts. We built a coalition. And our work helped convince Congress to ensure access to education for all students with disabilities.

In New Bedford, the story seemed fishy to some people, including Chris McCarthy at WBSM.McCarthy contacted John Markey, who was mayor back in 1973, the time when Hillary said she saved this little girl from a lifetime of ignorance.

Mayor Markey said, We had a budget for vans with drivers and provided services to students with disabilities....I actually spent an entire day in 1973 in a wheelchair to better understand the challenges they face everyday. Soon after that we were cutting out sidewalks for wheelchairs and doing things in New Bedford before the laws ever compelled us to.

Now, Hillary is also running around claiming the FBI said she told them the truth about her illegal email server, while the real truth is that Director Comey said just the opposite; that she did not tell the truth.

If only Trump could put a sock in it, the world would know shes still a dangerously compulsive liar.
After the Amazon series Transparent launched in February 2014, Jeffrey Tambor says he could hear the murmurs.

Tambor, who has since won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his portrayal of transgender Maura Pfefferman, told television writers Sunday that "when we first started off, there was that stray comment that 'Hmm, that's not particularly correct, what we are doing.'

"But that's happening less and less and less. Because not only our show, but the times, they are a-changing, and thank God. The knowledge and the zeitgeist is happening."

Advertisement

With the third season of Transparent set to drop on Amazon Sept. 23, and a fourth season already ordered, Tambor and his colleagues said they're delighted not only with the success of the show, but with the way it has joined in the surprisingly rapid march toward LGBTQ rights.

Transparent "is a representation of our community that is very, very rare and truly blessed in some kind of divine intervention," said Alexandra Billings, who plays Davina. "This isn't about an actor who puts on a wig. This is about somebody who holds our community with great care and respect. What Jeffrey does is affecting a part of society in such a way that it's changing the political climate when we talk about gender. That's not just a television show. It's a movement of sorts, and it's adding to the revolution."

Tambor says the show has changed his own thinking on gender issues large and small.

"It made me more aware of women being judged by their looks first," he said. "I was watching a politician the other day and I was watching what she was wearing, and I was saying something about that. And I went, 'Oh, I'm right in the bag. I'm doing exactly what you don't do.' And so I'm very much aware of that."

There's a responsibility to being on this show and playing this character, Tambor said. "I always have some trepidation about doing it right. . . . But I have more confidence this year because I was in Germany and I was in London making films, and people are coming up and talking about Transparent. So you think, 'Oh, this is going in.' "

Advertisement

He also suggested that as the show has run more episodes, its message has become clearer.

"At first, some people called the reaction of the kids [to Maura's transition] selfish," he said. "But what's so beautiful about the writing is that they righted themselves gorgeously. Now we see that one marble got loosened and everybody needs to take authorship of their own life."
Theres a certain numbness that sinks in when we continually witness tragedies. The United States is a big place with an equally large population, yet this doesnt excuse the frequency with which these crimes occur. Mass shootings routinely flood news channels and school rapes appear commonplace. No one can ever give back what has already been taken away. Nothing can undo what Brock Turners victim suffered when he maliciously raped her. Sexual violence on college campuses has become a sickening trend that we are all accountable for ending. Justice is too frequently stymied by abuses of power that shift the blame.

The rhetoric associated with these and other heinous crimes is divisive. Making sense of these situations is made more complicated by ulterior motives and narratives. In the Stanford rape case, most of the public has united in condemnation. This response stands in stark contrast to the way the defense presented Brock Turner. His legal team positioned him as an impressionable and talented young man who got drunk and had a night of consensual sexual relations. The testimonies of the men who found him atop the victim paint a very different picture. Moreover, the 12-page testimony of the victim was released to the public and allowed millions to share in her pain. The general consensus? Mr. Turners 6 month punishment was lenient, permissive, and facilitated by a judge that felt more sympathy for the rapist than his victim. Comments from Brocks father further illustrate this frightening lack of empathy. Two things help facilitate these attitudes and crimes: privilege and victim blaming.

Advertisement

Much is the same in the case of mass shootings. Mental illness is promoted as the cause, we collectively wring our hands, and move on. Look no further than the Washington Post poll where 63% of respondents blame mental illness as the cause of gun massacres. However, uneducated opinions are not facts. According to a study by the American Public Health Association, less than 5% of all gun homicides between 2010 - 2011 were committed by the mentally ill. Those with mental illness are statistically 10x more likely than the general population to become victims of violent crime. There is very clearly a disconnect between public perception and the reality of how the mentally ill are policed.

Was Brock Turner a mentally ill young man who snapped, a misguided youth who simply demonstrated poor judgment, or just another privileged rich kid who thought he could get away with it? The details that emerged through the course of the trial revealed his past predatory behavior and penchant for partying. The defense used a variety of excuses to shift the blame from rapist to victim. Attempts were made to disparage the victims reputation, create empathy toward Brock by highlighting his career as a promising athlete, and distort the testimonies to create doubt in the minds of the jury. Isnt that type of victim blaming what happens in many shootings?
When I lost my mom to Alzheimer's disease, one of the things I vowed was that I wouldn't wait to fulfill my "bucket list" items. At the moment, I'm spending the summer with my family in New York City, where we're seeing as many Broadway shows as we can -- checking off another item on that bucket list. Seeing yet another Tony Award-winning show was part of our itinerary this week.

I'd heard that the play was full of humor, that it cast a spotlight on family dynamics and sometimes the darkness that lies beneath, that it was earning rave reviews and had a stellar cast. What I did not know was that the play features a grandmother with a dementia-related illness. I don't think one character in the play ever uttered the word "Alzheimer's," but I know Alzheimer's when I see it.



Originally posted on Caring.com here.

One actress in the production was not only playing the role of the beloved family matriarch, she was also accurately portraying every bit of the last six months of my mom's life. Each behavioral detail was spot-on, right down to the words she repeated over and over. It was eerie how much she looked and sounded like Mom. While my fellow audience members were no doubt taking in the play as a whole and watching the other characters, I couldn't take my eyes off of this woman.

Advertisement

Towards the end of the play, the character has a violent outburst. That explosive behavior was the most striking similarity in the show to my own experience. In my mind, the woman onstage was no longer a character in a play. She became my mother, Fran Nicholson.

SEE ALSO: Find Memory Care Near You

That's because much to my dismay, Mom became increasingly physically aggressive in the last year of her life, culminating in a very violent outburst directed at me. But as I learned later, I was far from alone in experiencing this type of frightening, upsetting behavior.

Anger and aggression among Alzheimer's patients

Among the many difficult behaviors Alzheimer's caregivers must cope with, verbal and physical aggression may be one of the most upsetting. Aggressive behavior isn't uncommon among dementia patients. Geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Gary Moak, author of Beat Depression to Stay Healthier and Live Longer, says verbal and physical aggression affects as many as 90 percent of people with dementia at some point during the course of the illness.

"When surroundings and situations that should be familiar instead feel strange and bewildering, people with dementia may become emotionally overwhelmed, and they may lose control," Moak says. "They may not understand that their caregivers are trying to help them, instead reacting as if they are under attack."

Advertisement

Tracy Lawrence, founder of long-term care planning service Grand Family Planning, saw her mother become physically aggressive during the later stages of her dementia.

During that time, her mother suffered from a psychotic break that included paranoia and delusions, she says. She would throw punches at fellow residents in her assisted living facility and at one point was ejected from a hospital for threatening staff and other patients with knives, Lawrence recalls.

As with my own mother, the behavior was all the more shocking because it was completely out-of-character.

"It was a big surprise for me because my mom was a very demure lady throughout her life," Lawrence says.

Causes and triggers

Experts say common triggers for physical aggression in those with dementia include fear, confusion and an inability to communicate verbally, leading to frustration and anger. Some aggression may be the result of other medical problems, such as poorly managed diabetes or urinary tract infections, Moak notes.

Advertisement

This was often the case for Lawrence's mother, who would lash out physically when she was experiencing discomfort, especially in the form of a urinary tract infection.

"A lot of times when someone has dementia, when they can't articulate what they want, it makes them angry - so they're going to express their discomfort and anger in the ways they can, which a lot of times is physical violence," she explains.

Moak notes that any change in routine can trigger disturbed behavior in dementia patients, including violence. Difficulty with mundane processes that no longer make sense can also prompt a feeling of a loss of control, which then leads to aggression.

"Television programs that the person with dementia cannot understand, kitchen appliances they no longer know how to work, or family conversations they are unable to follow, also can lead to trouble," Moak explains.

Likewise, if the person with dementia senses that someone around them is anxious, tense or irritable, it can also trigger aggression, he says.

Advertisement

Understanding what triggers your loved one's outbursts can help you react appropriately and possibly prevent physical aggression. For example, Lawrence and staff at her mother's assisted living facility noticed that her mother tended to lash out at one particular resident in the community - so the staff ensured they remained separated and her mother's behavior improved, she says

How to respond to physical aggression

When your loved one with dementia does lash out physically, there are a number of things you can do to help keep you both safe. Dr. Moak recommends the following when a violent outburst due to dementia occurs.

Back off, if possible, and avoid acting defensively or angrily yourself

Use a calm, soothing voice

Resist the urge to convince your loved one that their reasons for aggression are wrong

Go along with the person, if necessary, as long as it's safe to do so. (For example, if your loved one demands to be taken home when they're already home, offer to take her home, but find a good excuse to delay doing so. If she still insists, take her for a drive around the neighborhood and return home).

The doctor notes that some medications' side effects may also contribute to aggressive behavior in dementia patients. He advises having your loved one evaluated by a healthcare professional with expertise in dementia management for possible treatments.

According to Moak, the best treatment for aggressive behavior may be in the caregiver's hands, as they can make changes to their own style and behavior that make for a less stressful environment for their loved one.

"This involves adopting a calm, lighthearted demeanor, learning to adjust style of interacting with the demented person, and learning specific behavioral approaches for troublesome behavior," he says.

Advertisement

---

During the play the other night, my 16-year-old son kept reaching out and touching my hand -- he was worried for me. When the show was over, he asked with such concern in his voice, "Are you OK?"

I actually felt fine, but what surprised me was how some of our neighboring audience members turned around and looked at us with somber, knowing smiles -- as if they'd been through this experience themselves and needed someone to check if they were OK, too.

I'm fairly certain at some point in the next few weeks I will walk past the theater where we watched the play on my way to another show and will absolutely lose it. If I do, just ask if I'm OK. Sometimes I still believe Mom attacked me because I didn't handle this journey correctly for her.

---
According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly one-fourth of American adults have some form of foot pain, and the tendency to suffer from foot ailments increases as we age.

If you have arthritis, your chances of having foot problems are increased still further. Many forms of arthritis can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the heel, the joints and the ball of the foot. According to the Arthritis Foundation, 50 percent of Americans over the age of 65 suffer from arthritis foot pain.

In this article, we will look at how arthritis affects the foot and then at some strategies for handling the foot pain that comes with different forms of arthritis.

Advertisement

Forms of Arthritis and What it Does To Your Feet

In osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones where they meet to form joints is worn down. As a result, the bones can rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness and loss of the joint.

Osteoarthritis often affects the big toe joint, causing loss of range of motion in addition to pain and stiffness. The mid foot and the arch also can be affected by osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints, can affect the small joints of the feet. People with rheumatoid arthritis often develop corns and bunions, and their toes can curl and stiffen resulting in hammertoe or claw toe.

Juvenile arthritis, a term used when arthritis begins before age 16, can cause pain and swelling in the joints of the feet.

Advertisement

Gout, a form of arthritis that occurs when excess uric acid is deposited as monosodium in the joints and other tissues, can cause pain and swelling in the big toe. After years with the disease, gout sufferers may find that lumps of uric acid form beneath their skin in different parts of the body, including their feet.

Reactive arthritis, a form of arthritis that often occurs after an infection of the genital, gastrointestinal system or urinary system, can cause a rash or hard nodules to develop on the palms of the hands or on the soles of the feet. Reactive arthritis also can affect the ankle, the heel and the toes, causing pain and swelling.

Psoriatic arthritis can affect the toes. The skin disease associated with this condition can affect the skin on the feet and cause the toenails to thicken and even separate from the nail bed.

Infectious arthritis (or septic arthritis), which is caused by an infection within the joint, can cause pain in the joints of the feet.

Signs of Foot Problems Associated with Arthritis

Now that we have discovered the different types of arthritis, it is important to know the different common symptoms you may be experiencing.

Advertisement

Stiffness. As arthritis wears away the cartilage between your joints, your tissue can become inflamed and your joints can become difficult to move.

Swelling. All types of arthritis can cause joint inflammation and noticeable swelling. For example, your big toe may look red and feel warm and tender as inflammation brings more blood to your toes swelling can make it difficult to put your shoes on, especially in the morning.

Clicking and Popping Sounds. Noises similar to the sound of knuckles cracking may occur in your feet when you walk. These sounds are caused by the bones in a joint, which were once protected by cartilage, rubbing together. Bone spurs, outgrowths of bone that can occur along the edges of a bone, also can cause clicking and cracking sounds.

Locked Joint. When the joint is no longer able to bend due to swelling and stiffness, it can have a tendency to tighten or "lock up." It may take some walking or manipulation of the joint to loosen it up again.

Walking Difficulty. When the above symptoms occur, your gait is affected, as you try to compensate for the pain. You may walk differently, adjusting your normal movement to keep your weight off your painful toes, for instance. These changes in your walking pattern can throw your entire body off kilter, causing hip or back pain or even weight gain.

Advertisement

Plantar fasciitis. Arthritis patients are prone to develop plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of thick stretch of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, from the toes to the heel bone. Plantar fasciitis can make routine walking painful and difficult. Sufferers often say it feels as if the arch of the foot is tearing.

Relief for Arthritis-Related Foot Problems

The first step is to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis of your foot problems. If you have arthritis, it is important to have your feet checked at least once a year by a podiatrist or a rheumatologist.

Talk with your doctor about some simple stretching exercises you can do to help increase the flexibility of your toes and your feet. In addition, you or your partner can provide relief by massaging the balls of your feet as well as your individual toes. Start at the top of your toes, gently kneading as you go, and work down to the heel.

Comfortable, supportive shoes are the next step to treating painful feet associated with arthritis. Here are some tips:

Pay attention to shoe width as well as length to allow your toes the space they need.

Avoid wearing high heels as they can add pressure to the sensitive balls of your feet.

Look for shoes that provide firm arch support and stabilize joints.

Ask your doctor about orthotics or shoe inserts for better support and/or better weight distribution.

Some over-the-counter topical medications can provide relief from the foot and toe pain caused by arthritis.

Talk with your doctor about capsaicin, a natural ingredient found in chili peppers that can be effective in relieving pain, and about anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, which can help reduce swelling and pain from arthritis.
The freshman year of college is a time of transition from adolescence to adulthood. Living independently for the first time and directing your own life -- academically, socially and organizationally -- can be daunting but it need not be a time of upheaval. With planning and forethought, freshmen can be empowered to own their own destiny and achieve success independently on both the personal and professional levels.

To help freshmen rise to the myriad challenges that await, I'd like to offer five suggestions to keep in mind during the first semester and beyond:

1) Set goals: While you do not need to settle on a career from day one, take these few weeks before you arrive on campus and make a list of what you want to get out of college. The list should include both long- and short-term goals. If it's a high GPA, write down a number to aim for; if you're interested in activism, list the causes you're passionate about and see which clubs you can join that will enable you to turn that passion into action.

Advertisement

2) Find Balance: In college, and like many things in life, it's as much about the journey as the destination. Many believe the purpose of college is for students to learn the skills they'll need for their professions after graduation. And that's accurate, but it's not the whole truth. In fact, your primary objective is to learn; it's called a college education, not a career education. Someone who's pre-med shouldn't only take courses in science; if you're planning to be an accountant there's nothing that says you can't take an English or history class, in addition to those in math and economics; and an aspiring psychologist can always enroll in the humanities. For one, it's important for everyone to broaden their intellectual horizons. For another, employers have complained loudly in recent years that new hires just out of college are lacking critical thinking skills. Challenging yourself by engaging in subjects outside of your comfort zone is key to developing those skills. And you never know, this supposed diversion from your plans may lead you to something you like even more.

3) Pace yourself: Don't feel like you have to get the full college experience right off the bat. Usually it takes four years to finish college, but even if you're planning to accelerate your education, you'll still have plenty of time to get the lay of the land, hone your interests, choose a major, make friends and, of course, learn about yourself and what you want to accomplish in life. You'll reach your goals faster if you try to tackle them deliberately, taking short breaks when necessary and dividing the work when you can. If you rush into it, not only are you less likely to succeed, but you won't have much fun, either. And make no mistake, despite the hard work required and the stress it can induce, college is supposed to be fun, too.

4) Don't Panic: The weight of what you need to accomplish in college and all that you have to do can be overbearing. Remember that this feeling is not unique to you; every student experiences it from time to time and the feeling is both normal and expected. After all, college is a huge lifestyle change, usually one that comes at a relatively young age during which most freshmen are getting their first real taste of independence from their parents. It can be freeing, but it's also daunting to realize you are in charge of your own life. However, it's these increased responsibilities that will teach you to manage your time efficiently and provide you with the tools you'll need to complete all your tasks. Your professors understand the pressures students are under and if you give them enough lead time, they might be willing to give an extension or make some temporary accommodation to make your life a little bit easier. So take a deep breath. It's going to be OK.

Advertisement
Here we go again.

Late last month, the board of trustees fired Suffolk University's president, Margaret McKenna, for cause.

The six-month saga had more thrills, spills, and missteps than the Republican National Convention in Cleveland and has become something of a spectator sport in Boston. Ms. McKenna, a civil rights lawyer, foundation head, and former university president, is much respected and widely known throughout American higher education. The Board hired an independent investigator and found breaches in her employment agreement and fiduciary responsibility that justified the termination, according to an email from the board.

Ms. McKenna released her own statement saying that she was given three reasons for her termination. The Board complained that she had inadequately communicated with the board about university accreditation officials, improperly provided information to the accreditors, and participated in a meeting with the Boston Globe's editorial board when the first effort to oust her occurred in February.

Advertisement

The Board released its email to a largely empty campus and terminated Ms. McKenna well before the start of the new academic year. It appointed the provost as the interim president and named a trustee to head the search committee for a new president.

The Boston Globe fired back in a blistering editorial opening with "well, excuse us." In a fairly balanced opinion, the Globe reported on the achievements of Ms. McKenna and the trustees. Yet the Globe concluded: "But now that the board has fired her, it owns the consequences, and must ensure that the university gets the fully empowered, long-term leader that an institution so important to Boston's future needs."

Let's be clear about the principal issue facing Suffolk University. It's no longer about shutting down the friendly fire nor is it about contributing further to the ceaseless gossip in the growing "she said . . . they said" debacle. Indeed, both sides need to get past what happened quickly and reach an accommodation immediately. If all parties love Suffolk University - as they profess they do - then the University community must move forward to understand the root cause of the mess they have created.

The point is that it is pointless to litigate Suffolk's crisis in the court of public opinion. What is essential, however, is that the shared system of governance at Suffolk - or what is left of it - must begin to function again.



The actions by the University's board of trustees indicate at the moment that the board does not understand that it is the problem. The board's actions have been vindictive, exceedingly public, secretive, lacking transparency, and hopelessly insular. Its recent actions are like watching the captain on the Titanic rearrange the deck chairs moments before the ship collides with the iceberg. Anyone could see it coming.

Board Has Completely Lost Its Credibility

Let's state the obvious - the board has completely lost its credibility. It is divided, badly factionalized, and hopelessly out of touch with how American higher education works. The terms of the February agreement keeping Ms. McKenna in place for almost 18 months effectively set up her to fail by not crafting a corresponding climate to ensure her authority, and therefore, her success.

To fix Suffolk University, the board must begin by acknowledging its own mistakes. It cannot correct from within by appointing trustees, no matter how well regarded, to begin a new executive search. To regain credibility, the Suffolk Board must also reach out in full transparency to faculty and remaining senior staff - the three legs of shared governance in higher education - to describe a transparent and believable search process around which the Suffolk University community can rally.

It must also conduct a nationwide search that does not presume that local candidates best suit the needs of a national university. These conversations must go well beyond the boardrooms and legal offices populating Boston's skyscrapers where much of the mischief began. For the moment, Suffolk's trustees will need to borrow against the credibility of respected national voices to have any hope of attracting a deep pool of qualified candidates.

Perhaps the greatest mistake that Suffolk's trustees can make in the coming months is to fail to understand that American higher education is watching.

They will face difficult, painful angry conversations with faculty, students, alumni, donors, and other key stakeholders. It is likely a given that donor support - especially among alumni and parents -- will take a hit.

But what should worry trustees the most is Suffolk's loss in national standing due to the damage that they have inflicted on its reputation. American colleges and universities take decades to burnish their academic standing among their peers. It usually takes as long for the standing to decline as inattention, board overreach, or weak administrations - or some combination of all three - extinguish the reputational flame.

But Suffolk's trustees have managed to diminish the standing of the institution that they are obligated to protect with a parochial swiftness that is almost breathtaking in its arrogance and insularity.
I am confident that Donald Trump has never heard of Berezina. But he seems to have met his last month. (Berezina, the battle between Napoleon's retreating Army and pursuing Russian forces in November 1812 resulted in heavy French casualties, although the French Army managed to escape across the Berezina River. Ever since, "Berezina" has become a synonym for "disaster" in the folklore of French history.)

What Trump did, as the possessor of five deferments, was to denigrate an American immigrant family, the head of whom had spoken out against Trump at the Democratic National Convention in July. Khizr Khan, who presented himself as a hyper U.S. patriot, withdrew from his jacket a pocket version of the American Constitution. (According to a lengthy profile in The New York Times, Khan had used this device several times in visits to the ROTC program at the University of Virginia, where his son Humayun was studying.) Khan said he wondered whether Trump had ever read the Constitution. In his ensuing days' reply, Trump speculated that Khan's swaddled wife had sat silently beside him on the stage because such a comportment was required by the Muslim religion. (Khizr Khan later disclosed that his wife had written his speech!)

Advertisement

But worst of all, Humayun Khan, one of the family's three sons, was a U.S. Army Captain who had been killed in Iraq. Ironically, this is a Punjabi Muslim family, prized by the British at the time of the Raj as a martial class and the group best equipped to defend British security in India. (Photos of Humayun Khan look every bit the part.)

The lesson for Donald Trump in all this is you don't touch a third rail in American politics that is a Gold Star Mother.
We all know that living under stressful conditions has serious emotional, even physical, consequences. So why do we have so much trouble taking action to reduce our stress levels and improve our lives?

Researchers at Yale University finally have the answer. They found that stress reduces the volume of grey matter in the areas of the brain responsible for self-control.

So experiencing stress actually makes it more difficult to deal with future stress because it diminishes your ability to take control of the situation, manage your stress and keep things from getting out of control.

Advertisement

A vicious cycle if there ever was one.

But don't be disheartened. It's not impossible to reduce your stress levels; you just need to make managing stress a higher priority if you want to reverse this effect. The sooner you start managing your stress effectively, the easier it will be to keep unexpected stress from causing damage in the future.

"The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another." -William James

Luckily, the plasticity of the brain allows it to mold, change, and rebuild damaged areas as you practice new behaviors. So implementing healthy stress-relieving techniques can train your brain to handle stress more effectively and decrease the likelihood of ill effects from stress in the future.

Here are seven strategies to help you fix your brain and keep your stress under control:

1. Say No

Saying no is indeed a major challenge for many people. "No" is a powerful word that you should not be afraid to wield. When it's time to say no, avoid phrases such as "I don't think I can" or "I'm not certain." Saying no to a new commitment honors your existing commitments and gives you the opportunity to successfully fulfill them.

Advertisement

2. Disconnect

Technology enables constant communication and the expectation that you should be available 24/7. It is extremely difficult to enjoy a stress-free moment outside of work when an email that will change your train of thought and get you thinking (read: stressing) about work can drop onto your phone at any moment.

Taking regular time off the grid helps you to keep your stress under control and to live in the moment. When you make yourself available to your work 24/7, you expose yourself to a constant barrage of stressors. Forcing yourself offline and even--gulp!--turning off your phone gives your body and mind a break. Studies have shown that something as simple as a weekend e-mail break can lower stress levels.

If detaching yourself from work-related communication on weekday evenings is too big a challenge, then how about the weekend? Choose blocks of time where you will cut the cord and go offline. You'll be amazed by how refreshing these breaks are and how they reduce stress by putting a mental recharge into your weekly schedule.

If you are worried about the negative repercussions of taking this step, try first doing it at times you are unlikely to be contacted--maybe Sunday morning. As you grow more comfortable with this, and as your coworkers begin to accept the time you spend offline, gradually expand the amount of time you spend away from technology.

3. Neutralize Toxic People

Dealing with difficult people is frustrating, exhausting, and highly stressful for most. You can control your interactions with toxic people by keeping your feelings in check. When you need to confront a toxic person, approach the situation rationally. Identify your own emotions and don't allow anger or frustration to fuel the chaos. Also, consider the difficult person's standpoint and perspective so that you can find solutions and common ground. Even when things completely derail, you can take the toxic person with a grain of salt to avoid letting him or her bring you down.

Advertisement

4. Don't Hold Grudges

The negative emotions that come with holding onto a grudge are actually a stress response. Just thinking about the event sends your body into fight-or-flight mode, a survival mechanism that forces you to stand up and fight or run for the hills when faced with a threat. When the threat is imminent, this reaction is essential to your survival, but when the threat is ancient history, holding onto that stress wreaks havoc on your body and can have devastating health consequences over time. In fact, researchers at Emory University have shown that holding onto stress contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease. Holding onto a grudge means you're holding onto stress, and emotionally intelligent people know to avoid this at all costs. Letting go of a grudge not only makes you feel better now but can also improve your health.

5. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a simple, research-supported form of meditation that is an effective way to gain control of unruly thoughts and behaviors. People who practice mindfulness regularly are more focused, even when they are not meditating. It is an excellent technique to help reduce stress because it allows you to reduce the feeling of being out of control. Essentially, mindfulness helps you stop jumping from one thought to the next, which keeps you from ruminating on negative thoughts. Practicing mindfulness might even increase your score on an emotional intelligence test. Overall, it's a great way to make it through your busy day in a calm and productive manner.

6. Put Things In Perspective

Our worries often come from our own skewed perception of events. So before you spend too much time dwelling on what your boss said during the last staff meeting, take a minute to put the situation in perspective. If you aren't sure when you need to do this, try looking for clues that your anxiety may not be proportional to the stressor. If you are thinking in broad sweeping statements like "Everything is going wrong" or "Nothing will work out" then you need to reframe the situation. A great way to correct this unproductive thought pattern is to list the specific things that actually are going wrong or not working out. Most likely you will come up with just one or two things--not everything. The key to keeping your cool is to remember that your feelings are exaggerating the situation and the scope of the stressor is much more limited than it might appear.

7. Use Your Support System

It's tempting, yet entirely ineffective, to attempt tackling everything by yourself. To be calm and productive you need to recognize your weaknesses and ask for help when you need it. This means tapping into your support system when a situation is challenging enough for you to feel overwhelmed.

Everyone has someone at work and/or outside work who is on their team, rooting for them, and ready to help them get the best from a difficult situation. Identify these individuals in your life and make an effort to seek their insights and assistance when you need it. Something as simple as talking about your worries will provide an outlet for your anxiety and stress and supply you with a new perspective on the situation. Most of the time, other people can see a solution that you can't because they are not as emotionally invested in the situation. Asking for help will mitigate your anxiety and strengthen your relationships with those you rely upon.

Bringing It All Together

As simple as these strategies may seem, they are difficult to implement when your mind is clouded with stress. Force yourself to attempt them the next time your head is spinning, and you'll reap the benefits that come with disciplined stress management.


EF Summit attendees got their creative juices flowing as they worked to prototype solutions to human rights challenges via a "brain break" dance party. Photo credit: Sara Vanderhorst

By Erin Hudgins

Point A: the universal starting point, a stepping stone on a path, the beginning.

My computer whirred but the wheels in my mind spun faster than my laptop's processor.

Congratulations, you have been selected to attend the 2016 EF Global Student Leaders Summit... I had just won a scholarship to attend an intensive student conference, which attracts teenagers from all over the globe who share a passion for human rights. This was it -- my point A.

Advertisement

International education company EF Education First hosts the Global Student Leaders Summit yearly in various countries around the world. Past Summits have looked at the future of energy, education, and global business -- but during a time marred by devastating acts of terror, including the abduction of hundreds of schoolgirls in Nigeria and wars that have forced thousands to flee their homelands, the 2016 Summit on Human Rights was particularly timely. Nearly 1500 students (and their teachers) from diverse backgrounds traveled to The Hague, Netherlands to participate in the discussion this year, following treks through various historical sites in Europe to prepare them for this exciting learning opportunity.

But why? Why would a group of media obsessed, sarcastic and disinterested teenagers, spend a portion of their summer vacation at an educational summit focused on human rights? Why care at all?

In reality, today's teens do pay attention to societal struggles. Young people have grown up to understand that one person can make an impact; and, for many student attendees, the Human Rights Summit served as the stepping stone to help them begin identifying the role they hope to play in addressing these pressing global challenges. To better understand the motivations that brought this group of students together, I asked several about their own ties to human rights.

Mara Cruz, a student from Round Rock, Texas, heard about the Summit and was immediately interested. Cruz's dad, a Nicaraguan immigrant, was drafted into the army at just fifteen years old and never had the opportunity to return to his education.

Advertisement

"I've grown up seeing how much this affects him," Cruz said. "He's not as confident in his abilities as he would have been with a degree. That right was taken from him."

Similarly, Visvajit Sriramrajan of Chicago, Illinois joined the conference as a response to the injustices his family has witnessed in India."It saddens me to see the inequality of people in society that comes from [the] ... caste system. My father emigrated to the United States ... to receive better educational opportunities to advance his knowledge and career. When I heard the Summit theme of 'human rights' it instantly clicked with me."

Around the time that applications for the trip were released, I had learned of global medical mistreatment. My brother, recently returned from a mission trip in Haiti, described to me nightmarish tales of people whose lives were cut short because medical care was not accessible in their region. I yearned to open my eyes further into this hidden world. The more research I did, the more appalled I became. But what could I, a shy 15 year old teen, do to change this?

The Summit became my beacon. If I could make it there, surrounded by hundreds of kids with this same hunger for change, I knew I might refine my ideas about how I could make a difference.

Teens' passion for human rights isn't increasing by chance. Due to the somewhat recent proliferation of new technologies that allow cross-border interconnections in ways that were previously not possible, teens from around the world have better opportunities to reflect on the basic rights that many take for granted. This spark of passion is growing rapidly, spreading across social media and generating more attention than ever before.

Advertisement

Sheryl WuDunn, the first Chinese-American Pulitzer prize winner and former New York Times journalist, spoke of her delight in this realization throughout the Summit. "There is much more of an interest in [the topic of human rights]," said WuDunn. "This is a very special moment in time."

WuDunn is spot on. Members of my generation are known for their innate curiosity and the desire to do meaningful work that leaves a lasting positive impact. So it's no surprise that this Summit's central theme spoke to so many young people from so many different U.S. states and international countries.

The curiosity extended to our pre-Summit travels. While touring historical sites such as Dachau and the Anne Frank House, I was amazed by my peers' abilities to tie every destination back to a current crisis: Anne Frank and Syrian refugees, re-education camps and warlord takeovers. These teenagers drew parallels that spanned 70 years. Simple textbook lessons came to life and seemed more pertinent to me than ever before.

This is the power of our generation. Our curiosity opens doors to potentially powerful new ideas. My generation is not only aware of our surroundings, but we are bold and determined. We plan on making a difference.

But our Summit experience wasn't only about exploring and discussing global human rights challenges, the EF event organizers also sought to impart the practical skills we'll need to prototype solutions to these challenges and put a plan in motion. They did this through a process called design thinking, which was new to many of the student Summit attendees. Design thinking is a group approach to solving complex problems that emphasizes empathy, creativity, and solving for the end-user. We were challenged to prototype a solution to a human rights challenge of our choosing using the design thinking method, and then present our solutions to each other at the capstone Innovation Village, where two winning teams were selected.

Advertisement

I left the Summit with a greater sense of empowerment to bring my ideas into reality. In the future, I will join an international medical association and deliver aid to the neglected. I will teach communities about the importance of medicine and educate them on how to care for themselves and their families.

Yes, I am a teenager. But that does not handicap me in any way. My passion will not be tamed, nor will any of my peers. We will tell our stories. We will shine the light. As Sertan Aldogan of the Netherlands, said so eloquently: "You are never too young to change the world."

We have every intention of doing just that.

Erin Hudgins is a rising senior from Round Rock, Texas.
In the aftermath of recent global shootings, bombings and terrorism, many wonder how to prevent future violence. Now recent research reports group meditation can decrease and prevent violent crime, terrorism and war.

The researchers suggest positive societal trends may be created in a unified collective consciousness when large groups of people practice meditation.

Here's an antidote to the world's insanity and a way for us to heal the planet.

Meditation Decreases Violent Crime

A 2016 study published in SAGE Open found group practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM) was linked with decreased homicides and violent crime in the U.S during the 2007-2010 study period. Scientists theoretically predicted that the square root of 1% of the U.S. population (about 1,725 people) meditating together would create a nationwide positive effect.

Advertisement

From January 2007 through 2010 over 1,725 participants gathered to practice group Transcendental Meditation at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa.

Researchers found there was an 18.5% drop in violent crime nationwide at the end of the study. Statistical and independent analyses showed the rising trend of U.S. homicides during 2001-2006 was reversed during the 2007-2010 study period. Other variables were ruled out such as the economy, demographics, and law enforcement.

"I understand it's a new hypothesis in the social sciences that meditation could have a stress-reducing and coherence-creating effect in society," said lead author Dr. Michael Dillbeck in a news release. "But such research is increasingly suggesting that there's a field effect of consciousness. If you get a large enough group together practicing this technique to experience the field quality of consciousness, these extended 'field-like' effects are expressed in society."

Group Meditation Promotes World Peace



In a December 3, 2015 International New York Times Open Letter to world leaders the Global Union of Scientists for Peace (GUSP) offer an alternative plan to world peace. Their scientifically-validated solution to violence and terrorism is to establish a permanent group of peace-promoting meditators to defuse global social stress.

Advertisement

The GUSP cites 23 scientific published studies showing TM practice by a subportion of the population can defuse societal stress, reduce associated violence, conflict, war and terrorism, and promote peace.

Once the meditation plan is implemented, the scientists predict a significant reduction in terrorism and social violence within 60 days. Furthermore, the meditating participants will experience improved health and well-being.

"There is nothing to lose and much to gain," the scientists write. "The costs are negligible: for less than the cost of a military foray, enough troops or policemen can be trained - or factory workers, civil servants, or students at one or more universities - that a marked and demonstrable effect of peace will be seen immediately."

For more about the Global Union of Scientists for Peace go to GUSP.org.



To learn more about meditation and yoga for stress relief, download a free sample from Elaine Gavalas' books, THE YOGA MINIBOOK FOR STRESS RELIEF and THE YOGA MINIBOOK SERIES RENEWAL SET.

Elaine's the author of numerous books, articles and podcasts including "Yogi in the Kitchen", "The Yoga Minibook for Weight Loss", "The Yoga Minibook for Longevity", "The Yoga Minibook for Energy and Strength", "The Yoga Minibook for Stress Relief" and "Secrets of Fat-Free Greek Cooking." You can buy Elaine Gavalas' books here.

Advertisement

Watch Elaine's Meditation Videos here.

Elaine Gavalas is founder of GalenBotanicals.com, co-founder of Simply Centered and an exercise physiologist, nutritionist, yoga therapist, weight management specialist, and healthy recipe developer. Visit ElaineGavalas.com for more of Elaine's books, videos, podcasts, articles, recipes, and natural remedies.
Technology companies today relentlessly promote the concept of digital transformation. This buzzword is used all the time to describe the idea that technology is at the center of creating an innovative customer experience, letting a company leap ahead of its competition. Think back to the huge impact of Amazon's "Recommendations for you" feature, or how Facebook changed social communication.

As the Chief Customer Officer at technology company SAS, I certainly believe in technology improving the customer experience. We even use our own big data and analytics technology to send customers more relevant and timely communications, just one use among many others.

But the 30+ years I've spent focusing on customers has given me a broader perspective. It's become clear that technology can only go so far. Ultimately, a good customer experience is an emotional response. Customers may feel everything from delight if the experience is good, to anger or disgust if it isn't. And while technology can make a company seem cutting edge or trendy, it won't show customers that your company has a heart. That only comes from meaningful interactions with people. It's the human touch that makes the biggest difference when it comes to customer experience.

Advertisement

Consider one customer's experience with an online marketplace. While that marketplace certainly offers features that make it easier to buy products, employees are also tremendously important. A friend recently ordered a college textbook for her daughter from one of the marketplace partners on the site. Days later, when the textbook didn't arrive and she got no response to emails, my friend called customer support for the marketplace. Within minutes, a new textbook was on its way via next-day air with free shipping. Needless to say, she was pleased with her experience.

As we've reviewed our own experiences in different countries and regions, it's become obvious to me that all employees play a vital role in delivering the customer experience. Regardless of their department or job title, regardless of the channel they use to reach the customer, all employee actions--large and small--have an outsized impact not only to customers in their local region, but across geographic boundaries.

Every job is customer service

One thing I tell people is that regardless of your position, you have an impact on the customer experience. While sales or customer service staffs obviously serve customers, even behind-the-scenes roles, such as administration, billing, IT, research or design, contribute to the way the customer sees the company. For example, a billing clerk who takes pains to carefully explain line items on a bill can put a customer's mind at ease while an incorrect bill or one with surprise charges is annoying and frustrating. That means every employee needs to understand how their job contributes to the company's mission and purpose, and act accordingly.

Every employee should be part of the solution

When a challenge arises, it's critical for every employee in every department to own the problem. For instance, when we have a weak spot in our sales pipeline, teams such as sales, marketing, professional services, and alliances come to the table and work together to develop a plan to fix it. That's our way forward.



Every channel is created equal

Like most companies, we use many channels to reach customers--email, phone, online chat, social media, or even an invoice. It's the sum total of these multiple touchpoints that together make up the customer experience. As a result, all touchpoints should follow consistent branding to promote a unified vision and avoid confusing the customer. At the same time, the service provided on each channel should exhibit the same high level of quality.

Advertisement

Little things mean a lot

Companies can have many interactions with customers. But in our daily contact with customers, one action by one person can be the one thing that causes the customer to think that the company is either great to work with or one to avoid. It's up to all of us, then, to be aware of our actions, whether that's greeting someone who comes to our office, the way we cut the grass, or how we sell someone an education course. Treat a person the way you'd like to be treated. Try to do right by the customer and you'll never be wrong.

The butterfly effect

What we do in one location can have an impact in other locations, even halfway across the world. For example, our Japanese employees aren't the only ones impacting Japanese customers. The actions of someone in the U.S. can have an impact on a customer in Japan.
By Terry J. Soto, Author and CEO, About Marketing Solutions, Inc.

Much talk has surfaced lately about the whether it makes sense to move towards a "total market" strategy approach; one which considers all potential consumers' needs, culture and behavioral characteristics in the development of a company's strategy. All the while, companies are seeking ways to streamline and find efficiencies in their approaches often disregarding the differences. This runs counter to becoming relevant to diverse customers and it underemphasizes and even ignores the nuances that work to powerfully connect consumers to their brands.

The urgency of understanding and applying this approach is in knowing that more than ever in our country's history, we face an ever more diverse and diversity influenced environment and marketers must "step up" their competence to maintain or improve effectiveness. Doing this effectively, requires gaining cultural and behavioral knowledge and leveraging diverse expertise internally. To be fair, few marketers have yet developed a clear understanding of today's consumers, but it does beg the question of whether being an effective marketer implies knowing one's consumer however evolving, and leveraging the right tools and resources to do so. So, one might wonder are marketers wearing blinders voluntarily?

My approach with consulting clients includes helping them see the value of full integration of Diverse consumers, employees and vendors into business planning and implementation so my clients avoid or put a stop to the vicious cycle of ill-fated attempts, false starts and stops and the revolving door of frustrated and demotivated internal diversity champions and consumers.

Advertisement

Know that coming out ahead in this regard is easier than it seems, but it begins with sincerity, integrity and a genuine desire to be curious and to put the business ahead of personal beliefs and opinions. I will share with some fundamental steps I share with my clients to move them closer to profiting from today's diverse markets in the short and long term. I advise you to reflect on and consider the following:

Take a conscientious view of your attitudes, beliefs and comfort level when thinking about, understanding and reaching out to consumers, employees and vendors who are different from you Think honestly about your ability to adopt a more realistic and global view of today's consumer landscape Take an objective approach in identifying and profiling consumers, employees and vendors who represent viable buyers of your products or services, and valuable resources regardless of their culture or ethnicity Think about how applicable and accessible your company's brand promise, strategy and tactics is to all your buyers / employees and vendors Seek out and acknowledge the changes required to ensure relevance to and effectiveness to these diverse individuals and groups Take an objective business position so you act with no personal agenda, but rather with an eye on the business opportunity they represent

Growth will not come to those who wait and dig their heel in what is comfortable and familiar; it will come to those who take off the blinders, are willing to feel out of their element for a bit and those who take the required steps to move towards it.

Advertisement
The intersection of my identities are that I am black, female and muslim. Many people usually think of muslims as Arabs first and other ethnicities and races before they think of black muslims. There is a false perception that black muslims are a minority in Islam but in reality that is completely false. The large percentage of muslims worldwide are actually black. Islam is a religion that has followers of many ethnicities and cultures. However many black muslims still face discrimination and racism in their own communities. History shows that people of with darker skin are disportionately treated unfairly and discriminated against across many cultures and countries. This is a fact that society needs to face together. The reality of racism is real and the way people who are black are treated needs to be acknowledged and fixed.

Racism is still a problem here in the United States and abroad. The anti -blackness that exists in many communities today is shameful. The skin that I wear is an important part of my identity and many other people who also identify as black. The intersection of not only being black but a black muslim is a part of who I am. The difficulty of being a visible muslim women who wears hijab is a choice I make everyday. To live my life peacefully, pray, give charity, work and go to college is my hope and life. To deal with islamophobia and this false idea that all muslims are radicals or terrorists from people who are in my community is so disheartening . The vast majority of muslims are not radicals and are having a blanket thrown over them and somehow all being represented by a tiny percentage of actual radicals who hijacked and distorted the religion of Islam and morphed into something completely different to further their own agenda and ideas. I am an unapologetic black muslim women. I believe that my culture and race as a black person should be celebrated. It should not be a reason for discrimination. I believe that I should be able to be muslim without having to be perceived as "dangerous" or "suspect".

Advertisement
"I'm willing to say on behalf of our organization that his comments were not nearly as strong as we would hope," said Susan Sutherland, vice president of Colorado Right to Life. "He was just trying to play a little bit of political maneuvering there."

Republican U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner ran into a similar situation in 2014 when he defeated incumbent Democrat Mark Udall. To defeat Udall, Gardner walked more to the middle on the abortion issue, attempting to distance himself from personhood.

Glenn proudly leaned to the right during the primary, which helped propel the relatively unknown El Paso County commissioner to success in a crowded GOP field.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - AUGUST 03: People listen as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks during his campaign event at the Ocean Center Convention Center on August 3, 2016 in Daytona, Florida. Trump continued to campaign for his run for president of the United States. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The disparate problems facing us today can seem overwhelming in their diversity and magnitude. Our political foundations seem to be crumbling. Polarization has reached extremes on both right and left, yielding a rift in society perhaps not seen since the Civil War. For many, the rise of Donald Trump is simply inexplicable, an example of a world gone mad. Those who hate Hillary Clinton cannot comprehend how she could reach the Oval Office.

I submit that that most of the ills we suffer, and much of the political mayhem we are witnessing, all spring from a common source: we no longer share a unified understanding of reality. Society has diverged from an evidence-based worldview accepted broadly by most to a community rent asunder by the ascendance of opinion alone as the new gold standard of proof.

Advertisement

Denying the reality of climate change and its cause, questioning the validity of evolution, promoting an anti-vaccine agenda and fighting blindly against every GMO are all products of the same culture in which objective reality is a quaint notion from the past. Scientific illiteracy has reached that catastrophic point where science transmutes from a search for objective truth to just another opinion, carrying no more weight than the blathering of a talking head with an opposing view. In this brave new world, the collective opinions of thousands of professional meteorologists have been equated to nothing more valid than the uneducated opinion of a radio host. Such false equivalency is a sure sign we are in deep trouble. Reproducible evidence is given the same weight as unsubstantiated opinion, and when that happens there is no means of arbitrating between conflicting claims. The common language of a shared reality has gone the way of Latin.

We cannot solve disputes because we can no longer agree even on what is the issue. If we all agree the sky is blue, we have a common basis for discussing why it is blue, or if its color has significance, or if god made it so. But if I say the sky is blue and you counter that the color is green, we have lost the ability to discuss the significance of its hue because your opinion about green has the same weight as the evidence I provide that we all see blue. There is no common ground, and therefore no ability ever to have a dialogue about the consequences of a blue sky. When opinion is confused with fact, when belief alone becomes sufficient proof, anything goes.

That is why those who oppose climate change become authorities in meteorology and climatology; they can hold opinions that mean as much as the expertise of a scientist who has devoted her life to the subjects. In the absence of a shared reality, deniers magically know more than thousands of qualified scientists from nearly 200 countries. Logic and reason have no currency. Think about this: many doubters cite the Earth's past cycles of glaciation and warming to discount what we are seeing today as nothing but natural variation. How do the skeptics know of that climate history? From the very scientists whose conclusions they now doubt! As if the scientists themselves are unaware of their own conclusions about the earth's past, or if they are aware, did not take that history into account. Deniers preferentially believe one set of facts from those scientists but dismiss other facts as liberal nonsense. This is what happens when we no longer share the same sense of objective truth. We are just a few votes shy of descending into another Dark Age in which ignorance and faith triumph completely over reason and fact.

Advertisement



Objective truth does not yield to the whim of opinion, but our society has tragically forsaken that fundamental foundation.



But, but, but, opinions are not facts, no matter how much one might claim otherwise. The sum of two plus two equals four; that is not an opinion open for discussion or debate. You can claim that the sum of those numbers equals five, but you would be wrong. Period. You are free to make the claim, to create a church based on that belief, to become a radio host dedicated to proving your point, to organize a new political party to support candidates who believe your brand of addition, but you are still wrong. You can hate those liberal "crooked 4s" and warn they will burn in hell for eternity. But you are factually incorrect; your claim about addition is demonstrably false. There are not two sides to the debate; your opinion does not deserve equal time. There is no room for arbitration: the sum does not equal 4.5 because we feel compelled to split the difference.

Objective truth does not yield to the whim of opinion, but our society has tragically forsaken that fundamental foundation. Facts matter. Experience matters. Education matters. Reality matters. Would you have your plumber perform brain surgery on your wife? Or have an accomplished Shakespearean actor with no flight training pilot the Boeing 747 you are taking across the Pacific? How about hiring a shark biologist to design and build your house? These suggestions are clearly absurd, but why? Because reality is not an abstract concept to be discarded without consequence.

Advertisement

Vaccines offer the perfect example of how conflating opinion for fact is deadly, and not something abstract or distant like climate change may seem to many. Every year vaccines save approximately 3 million lives among children younger than five years old every year by preventing diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and measles; if adults are included, vaccines save up to 6 million lives annually. In opposing vaccinations your "opinion" would lead to the death of an additional 3 million children every year. The Third Edition of the State of the World's Vaccines and Immunization reports that, "Between 2000 and 2007, the number of children dying from measles dropped by 74 percent worldwide, from an estimated 750,000 to an estimated 197,000 children. In addition, immunization prevents sickness as well as lifelong disability, including measles-related deafness, blindness, and mental disability."

The study also states that, "In 1988, polio was endemic in 125 countries and paralyzing an estimated 350,000 children every year (close to 1000 cases a day). By the end of 2007, polio had been eradicated in three of WHO's six regions -- the Region of the Americas, the European Region, and the Western Pacific Region. Following implementation of the rubella elimination strategy in the Americas, the number of reported cases of rubella declined by 98 percent between 1998 and 2006. By 2000, 135 countries had eliminated neonatal tetanus and by 2004, annual deaths from neonatal tetanus had fallen to an estimated 128 000, down from 790,000 deaths in 1988."

If you oppose vaccinations, try to justify that position with the reality that in the absence of vaccinations polio would paralyze 10,000 children every year; German measles would cause birth defects and mental retardation in as many as 20,000 kids, and diphtheria would be a common cause of death in school children. Anytime you have an urge to oppose vaccination, think of your kid dying of diphtheria. If you oppose vaccinations, your "opinion" could be responsible for 10,000 kids each year becoming paralyzed.

So why do people oppose vaccines? Largely from just one paper published in 1998 in the medical journal Lancet, subsequently withdrawn for suspicions of scientific fraud, and fully discredited by later study. Repeat after me: there is no evidence, none, zero, absolutely nothing, to link vaccinations with autism. It is a myth, a fallacy, factually incorrect. Two plus two does not equal five, no matter your claim otherwise. Yet tens of thousands of parents risk their children's health by withholding critical vaccinations. Many parents still to this day insist that vaccines cause autism, even in the complete absence of any evidence to support the claim with the withdrawal of the original paper. You might as well claim that vaccines cause baldness. No, no, I've got the perfect claim: vaccines are ineffective in preventing disease but prove there is no global warming! In that we combine belief in something for which there is no evidence and disbelief in another other for which there is indisputable proof. Perfect.

Advertisement

And now we come to Donald Trump. He is the political equivalent of the anti-vaccine movement. His candidacy makes no sense in a rational world. He is the ultimate consequence of our conflating evidence and opinion. With Donald Trump, we the voters have become as removed from a rational grasp of objective truth as villagers stoning medical workers to death in Africa: eight health care workers combating the Ebola epidemic were killed by an angry mob who believed the doctors and nurses were infecting people with the virus. The population most in need of help killed the only people who could provide assistance. We have become that mob, our deeply-held beliefs divorced from the real world. Sitting in the comfort of our homes we can easily see these horrible killings as ridiculous, obviously counterproductive to the killers, and dangerous to people globally with an increased risk of a broader epidemic. After all, the terrible episode is based entirely in the transparently false idea that doctors were spreading the disease, a notion borne of ignorance of basic biology. While the killings in Africa are easy to condemn, and rightfully so, we in the West are guilty of a deep scientific illiteracy of a magnitude similar to what we saw in Africa, with equally lethal results. It is transparently false that Donald Trump could be a viable president, so how are those supporting him any different in their worldview than those frightened villagers who acted on the basis of pure ignorance?

We know that two plus two equals four, that the sky is blue, that vaccines are safe and effective, and that Donald Trump is not remotely qualified for the presidency. But in a society in which facts do not carry any more weight than myth, we get a bigoted megalomaniac with multiple failed marriages as the conservative family value candidate. Just as we have people opposing vaccines for reasons divorced from truth, or villagers killing health workers sent to help them in a paroxysm of hateful misunderstanding, we have voters willing to elect as the leader of the free world a failed businessman who mocks the disabled. This is only possible because we no longer share a common understanding of reality. Science, reason and evidence are no longer commonly accepted as the path to elucidate an objective truth because we no longer believe there is such thing. Our truth is whatever we believe it to be, evidence be damned. Hence Donald Trump.

The end of our Republic might be nigh not because of ISIS or a nuclear attack, but because the voting public can no longer distinguish between opinion and fact such that simply stating the sky is green or that Trump is a viable candidate makes it so.
Whether you like Hillary Clinton and will vote for her or not, her career has culminated in breaking the biggest glass ceiling yet for women: becoming the first official female nominee for President of the United States of a major political party.

It's still harder for women to achieve career heights than it is for men. The obstacles are at times subtle, structural, financial, internal and cultural, and sometimes all of the above.

It's particularly hard for women in middle management. Middle managers (male and female) have to deliver on the promises their higher-ups make, often without the authority and/or budget, and yet with more demands on their time and fewer resources to juggle it all satisfactorily, especially women. Having a middle management job in any sector is the same game of influence management, strategic choices, and communication.

Advertisement

So, what can women learn from Hillary's (HRC) journey? Here are my thoughts:

1.Over-prepare: Do your homework and walk in more prepared that you think you need to be. It'll give you confidence as well as credibility, and you can address anything thrown in your path with aplomb.

2.Be over-qualified: Women have to be far more qualified than their male counterparts in order to ascend professionally, unfortunately. Like her or not, HRC's resume shows she's eminently qualified to be President.

3.Reinvent yourself: As circumstances, players and your priorities change, be flexible and take on new projects, new jobs, new relationships and new perspectives in order to grow and succeed. Changing your mind on issues as you have new experiences and information means you're growing.

4.Stretch yourself: Take on and ask for assignments and jobs that will challenge you. Women tend to be promoted on performance (vs. men on potential, don't get me started on that), so women need to prove their ability to do "it." Think differently, ask for stretch projects and jobs, and develop new skills.

Advertisement

5.Consider the consequences: Actions, choices and decisions have consequences, some predictable and others not so. Even HRC has said in retrospect that having a private email server as Secretary of State was a dumb idea, but she should have known that before she made the decision; after all, she's not a political/ government novice and she had run for president by then. What's the worst case scenario of your decision? Do the benefits outweigh the risks?

6.Admit mistakes: We all make them, and admitting them will put the fire out faster and make people feel you're authentic. It's disarming and human.

7.Create and nurture relationships: Have advisors, engage people who disagree, network, and nurture people. Smart advisors make you smarter and more successful. I believe in multiple mentors, much like a political candidate or leader has experts in energy, foreign policy, education, healthcare, or the economy. Everyone has their own strengths and perspectives and having multiple ones helps you see various sides of an issue, especially what may derail it, and help you find your own internal GPS. Also, "make new friends and keep the old," as the Girls Scout song says, and support their goals, especially when you don't need their help. You won't agree with them 100 percent of the time, and that helps you both.

8.Engage male champions: Whether it's your COO, your VP, a male boss, professor or colleague, or your husband, women who excel have men who go to bat for them and support them. (Choose your mate especially carefully).

9.Be okay with "likeable enough"*: Being a strong, accomplished woman means some people won't like you. Get over it. You'll take stands and make decisions that will upset some people's agendas and they will, ahem, show their displeasure. Agree to disagree, stay the course you believe in, and accept that you won't please everyone. (Traditional cultural mores about women die hard.)

Advertisement

10.Stay focused: Your goals matter and you're the only one who makes them happen. Every goal takes steps and tasks that aren't always fun, so focus on the endgame and know those steps are leading there. Other people's agendas (reflected in your email inbox and social media!) will try to distract you, so notice when they do (and when that's okay. Notice how you spend your time. Writing that novel or business book on weekends will get it done too, for example.

11.Remain calm in the storm: Stuff happens, so find a way to keep your center. Exercise is my magic wand for stress management, so is quality sleep. In addition, keep an invisible field around you, like a moat, a space to evaluate "in-coming fire" before you respond. Responding is very different from reacting (if you're watching this presidential season, there are endless examples). It'll help you manage your time and focus too.

12.Develop your own style and systems: From communication, to clothing and hair, to how we manage our time and systems, these are all personal styles. You'll find those that work best for you, and they will likely evolve as you do and as your goals evolve. HRC's style: highly productive use of time, a communication style that's a little stiff for some people, and she made pantsuits classy.

13.Show your sense of humor and be authentic: A gentle wit disarms situations, cools rising tensions and helps most people feel more comfortable around you, want you to succeed, and support you more often (you'll never win over everyone). Smile!

What management or career lessons have you gleaned from the ascension of Hillary Clinton to presidential nominee? Share them below in the comments, or tweet them to me @joanmichelson.

Advertisement

If you read this far, check out my previous Huffington Post blog on why "Every Woman Deserves Applause" not just Hillary - it may surprise you.
People wave placards during senator Ted Cruz's (R-TX) speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, U.S., July 20, 2016. Picture taken July 20, 2016. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

Fox News and CNN have given plenty of coverage to Donald Trump's attempt to swing Bernie Sanders voters to his campaign, despite Sanders' support for Clinton. At the same time, Trump is insulting Ted Cruz and ignoring the Texas senator's backers, at his own electoral peril.

Most folks were familiar with Cruz's Republican National Committee (RNC) speech in Cleveland, when he refused to endorse Trump. Noted author Richard North Patterson wrote that Cruz's speech was "capped by imploring conservatives to vote their conscience in November. He might as well have said that any conservative with a conscience should never vote for Trump....Delegates booed the apostate vociferously. So visceral was the atmosphere that Heidi Cruz had to be escorted from the floor."

Advertisement

Patterson added "An observer might have seen his moment of payback as simple justice. It was Trump, after all, who mocked his wife's appearance in a tweet, and who linked Cruz's father to the JFK assassination -- low points even in a year where The Donald dragged our politics into the primordial ooze." Now the boos for Bernie Sanders seemed mild by comparison.

Rather than simply speculate, Huffpollster did look at how many Sanders supporters might defect. Natalie Jackson and Janie Velencia reported that 90 percent of Bernie backers will vote for Clinton, and eight percent will go for Trump, not the big haul the Republican had hoped for. And that poll was taken before Sanders endorsed Clinton. In other words, it might be smaller than eight percent.

But Trump backers were not that dismayed. "If Bernie Sanders supporters were to be disenchanted with their nominee and throw support behind Donald Trump, you bet that's totally in play, and we know that the margins will be very small come fall," said Utah state GOP representative Keith Grover. So every vote matters, right?

But how about those Cruz supporters? The boos that Ted Cruz got at the RNC in Cleveland got a lot of attention, but how do Republicans feel about him now?

Advertisement

Public Policy Polling (PPP) has looked at that very question. They found that Cruz did have fairly low approval ratings. Among Republicans, he only had a 23 percent approval rating, and a 61 percent disapproval rating. "We asked GOP voters who they would support in a hypothetical primary contest between Trump and Cruz, and Trump wins out 61-19," wrote PPP. I participated in an nj.com poll, where Cruz got 43 percent support. He doesn't have a majority, but he has a significant minority.

I attended a Ted Cruz event for a local Congressional candidate (State Senator Mike Crane) in Newnan, Georgia, on the outskirts of Atlanta, two days after his speech in Cleveland. To my surprise, he was very warmly received, without a single protester at the open event in the audience (though the police protested the congressional candidate at the event over comments about guns and resisting "no-knock" warrants), and the crowd did everything they could to shake his hand, and pose for pictures. Attendees shared with me their disgust with both nominees, and their desire to vote for Libertarian Gary Johnson, start a new political party (called "The Freedom Party") or stay home on Election Day.

Grover is right...the election could come down to the margins. And Trump can't afford to snub Cruz and his supporters this campaign season, while trying to appeal to some populist socialism.
When President Harry Truman brought forward a proposal for national health insurance in 1945, he emphasized that this was only a financing mechanism, and that the delivery of health care would remain in the private sector's marketplace of hospitals, other facilities, physicians and other health professionals. As he said at the time:

Socialized medicine means that all doctors are employees of the Government. The American people want no such system. No such system is here proposed. (1)

But Dr. Morris Fishbein, then the president of the American Medical Association, quickly countered with this extreme reactionary overstatement:

Advertisement

[This] is the first step toward the regimentation of utilities, of industry, of finance, and eventually of labor itself. This is the kind of regimentation that led to totalitarianism in Germany and the downfall of that nation . . . no one will ever convince the physicians of America that the . . . bill is not socialized medicine. (2)

Since then, conservatives have repeatedly condemned any mention of national health insurance (NHI) as socialized medicine, as an intentional and uniformed way to block debate over the issue.

This myth is generally based on misunderstanding of what socialized medicine means. England is a good example of socialized medicine, with the government owning hospitals and other facilities and employing physicians and other health professionals. Despite some of its critics on this side of the border, Canada does not have socialized medicine, since its public, single-payer financing system is coupled with a private delivery system.

Our own Veterans Administration (VA) has already qualified for many years as an example of socialized medicine, with ownership by the government of facilities and employer of health professionals. There is no way that we would want to eliminate it on this basis, despite the attempts of many conservatives to privatize it. Privatization would bring less efficiency, higher costs, restricted services, and new overhead costs and profits, not improved health care for veterans.

Advertisement

In his 2011 book, The "S" Word: A Short History of an American Tradition . . . Socialism, John Nichols, Washington correspondent for The Nation magazine, brings this important insight:





This country, which was founded on a radical interpretation of enlightenment ideals, which advanced toward the realization of those ideals with an even more radical assault on the southern aristocracy, which was made more humane and responsible by the progressive reforms, the New and Fair Deals and the wars on poverty and inequality of the first three quarters of the twentieth century, is now tinkering around the edges of the challenges posed by the twenty-first century. Our dumbed-down debate is narrower, more constrained, and more meaningless than at any time in our history. One need not embrace socialism ideologically or practically to recognize that public-policy discussions ought to entertain a full range of ideas -- from right to left, not from far right to center right. Historically, America welcomed that range of ideas, and benefited by the discourse. (3)

Since it was first introduced by presidential candidate Theodore Roosevelt in 1912, opponents of NHI have defeated it through recurrent bitter debates featured by demagoguery and disinformation. NHI was never on the table in the last go-around over health care reform that brought us the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, when powerful economic and political interests of the corporate medical industrial complex prevailed. As a result, what we now have is a government subsidized private insurance industry that largely calls the shots, loss of free choice of physician and hospital through narrow networks, no significant containment of prices or costs of health care, growing unaffordability of care for much of the population, consolidation of hospitals and other facilities with more market share and less competition, almost two-thirds of U. S. physicians employed by others (especially expanding hospital systems), increasing dissatisfaction and burnout of physicians dealing with the growing bureaucracy of some 1,300 private insurers, and corporate profiteering on the backs of patients, their families, and taxpayers.

NHI would bring us public financing tied to a private delivery system, not a government takeover as conservatives claim. So it is long overdue to ask these kinds of questions when opponents of NHI (Medicare for All) again trot out the claim that it is socialized medicine. Is it socialized medicine to:

want health care to be available and affordable based on medical need, not ability to pay?

believe that all Americans should have free choice of physician and hospital wherever they live?

think that everyone should pay into the system based on a progressive tax system and ability to pay?

replace the wasteful multi-payer, for profit financing system with a simplified, not-for-profit single-payer system that will cost 95 percent of Americans less than they already pay for health insurance and actual care?

want the most efficient and least bureaucratic system possible?

want a large risk pool -- our entire population -- that most effectively shares risk for whatever health care all of us will need?

combat health care fraud by close oversight and stewardship of taxpayer dollars?

expect that health care services that are provided have been found to be effective and cost-effective by the best available scientific evidence?

accept health care as an essential human right, as most industrialized countries have long recognized, as well as the United Nations since 1948 and the World Health Organization in later years?

If NHI were to be decided upon through a democratic process, instead of through the political power and lobbying of corporate stakeholders in the status quo, we would have had it long ago. We have seen majority support for NHI based on public surveys for some 50 years. As one recent example, a national Gallup poll two months ago found that 58 percent of more than 1,500 adult U. S. respondents favored Bernie Sanders' federally-funded Medicare for All proposal; that number included 73 percent of Democrats/Leaners and 41 percent of Republicans/Leaners. A Kaiser poll in December, 2015, also found that 58 percent of Americans want NHI, compared to just 40 percent favoring the ACA. (4) Another recent Kaiser survey found that 54 percent of enrollees in the ACA's individual plans rate their coverage as "only fair" or "poor", while almost one-half are dissatisfied with their plans' annual deductibles. (5) As for physician support for NHI, a 2008 national survey of more than 2,200 U. S. physicians in all specialties found that 59 percent support NHI. (6)

The November elections give us an important opportunity to move toward real health care reform. Hillary Clinton once believed that the momentum for single-payer would sweep the country, as she said to a group at Lehman Brothers Health Corporation in 1994 before the Clinton Health Plan died in a congressional committee:





If there is not health care reform this year, and if, for whatever reason, the Congress doesn't pass health care reform . . . I believe that by the year 2000 we will have a single payer system. . . I don't even think it's a close call politically. I think that the momentum for a single payer system will sweep the country . . . it will be such a huge popular issue . . . that even if it's not successful the first time, it will eventually be.(7)

We need to hold her to her words since she tells us how much she knows about health care in this country. This will require her to move farther left than the current Democratic platform and endorse single-payer NHI as a part of her Party's platform. She talks support for universal access, which the ACA will never accomplish. Now is the time for her to walk the walk.

References:

1. Truman, HS. Special Message to the Congress Recommending a Comprehensive Health Program, November 19, 1945.

http://www.trumanlibrary.org

Advertisement

2. Fishbein, M. As quoted in "Fishbein assails new health plan, Truman's national program condemned as 'socialized medicine' at its worst." New York Times, November 19, 1945.

5. Hamel, L, Firth, J, Levitt, L et al. Survey of non-group health insurance enrollees, Wave 3. Kaiser Family Foundation, May 20, 2016.

7. Clinton, H. speaking to a group at Lehman Brothers Health Corporation, June 15, 1994, as reported by Health Care for All-WA Newsletter, Winter 2015, p. 9.
Yes, I do. And look at it from Putin's perspective, right. He's a trained intelligence officer, worked for the KGB, very talented, manipulated people much smarter than Donald Trump. He played this perfectly, right.

He saw that Donald Trump wanted to be complimented.

He complimented him. That led Donald Trump to then compliment Vladimir Putin and to defend Vladimir Putin's actions in a number of places around the world.

And Donald Trump didn't even understand, right, that Putin was playing him. So, in Putin's mind, I have no doubt that Putin thinks that he's an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation, although Putin would never say that.
The emergence of Israel as a small but significant player on the world stage is one of the remarkable developments at the end of the post-Cold War era. The slow economic growth of the United States and Europe has shown the weakness of the status quo powers. The American semi-withdrawal from the Middle East and the British withdrawal from the European Union have opened the door to new powers.

The chaos in the Middle East and the rise of revisionist authoritarian states such as Russia, China and Iran and democratic states like India raise the possibility of a new world order. This would be partly dominated by hardline conservative nationalism, charismatic leadership, slow economic growth, and hostility to the old globalist order.

With eight million people Israel can only play on the fringes of a new global order. But, it has a flourishing economy of $300 billion and nearly $40,000 GDP/capita. Its democratic, liberal politics and growing economy make it able to play both sides of the street.

Advertisement

Its military was rated by the Institute for the Study of War as "pilot to pilot and airframe to airframe" having "the best air force in the world" and the best army in the Middle East. Israel's extensive work on air defenses (Iron Dome, David's Sling, Arrow 2 and soon Arrow 3), carried out with the United States, makes it a serious military power. Its 80-100 atomic bombs put it in a rarified club of nine states in the world. Its intelligence capabilities (Shin Beth and Mossad) are formidable.

With over 250 foreign companies creating research facilities in Israel, its strong high-tech capability has been rated by the University of Lausanne as one of the top five world powers in this key area. While foreigners in 2015 invested $4 billion in Israel, Apple alone has invested over a billion dollars in creating a hardware development center with 800 Israeli employees. The Israelis, who created drip agriculture, are exporting $2 billion a year in water technology and recently hosted the leading international water conference

Three of the world's most powerful countries have invited Israeli companies to work with them in high-tech. The Americans have paired Technion with Cornell University in the new high-tech university in Roosevelt Island in Manhattan. The Russians have asked Israeli high-tech to help develop their new Silicon Valley in Skolkovo in the suburbs of Moscow. The Chinese have asked Technion to work with them to create a Shantou-Technion School of Technology in Guangdong Province.

Israel has, despite its poor past relationship, developed excellent relations with Russia. There are over one million Russian immigrants in Israel and all seven of Israel's early long serving Prime Ministers before 2005 were either from Russia or spoke Russian. Israel's kibbutzim, moshavim and Histadrut owe their creation to Russian socialist ideas. Bibi Netanyahu has visited Moscow four times in the last year; Putin has visited Israel twice. While the two countries differ over Moscow's support for Iran and selling them the S-300 anti-missile defense system, Israel has sold $1 billion of drones to Russia over the years. It has $3 billion in trade and shares a desire for peace in the region.

Advertisement

The Israelis, who also did not have diplomatic relations with China until 1992, have seen their relationship expand strongly. Today their trade is expanding to $10 billion a year. Chinese investors have been looking to invest billions of dollars in Israel. Israel is looking to export their water technology to a country with 400 million people living in arid regions.

Israel is also developing a strong relationship with India. It has $5 billion in trade with India which could multiply to $15 billion if the two sides decide to create a free trade zone. Israel is the second greatest exporter of arms to India, preceded only by Russia. India's Foreign Ministry visited Israel in January and proclaimed that there was a "very high importance" to their new relationship. Prime Minister Narenda Modi is also scheduled to visit Israel.
Vijay Rupani takes oath as new Chief Minister of Gujarat

Published: August 8, 2016

Mr Vijay Rupani (60) has sworn in as the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat after Anandiben Patel had resigned from the post on August 3, 2016.

He was administered the oath of post and secrecy by the Gujarat governor O.P. Kohli at the ceremony held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhi Nagar.

Besides, senior most cabinet minister in Anandiben Government Nitin Patel took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister.

Along with them, new council of ministers consisting of 25 ministers also took oath. Out of them 9 Ministers are cabinet Ministers, while 16 ministers are Minister of state (MoS).

About Vijay Rupani

Born on 2 August 1956 in Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar) in a Jain Bania family. His family moved to Rajkot (Gujarat) in 1960 due to political instability in Burma

Currently, he is a member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly and represents Rajkot West and presently the state president of the BJP.

He was inducted as minister in the first cabinet expansion by Chief Minister Anandiben Patel in November 2014.

He had held the Ministry of transport, water supply, labour and employment in Anandiben Patel Government. Earlier, he had served as MP of Rajya Sabha for Gujarat from 2006 to 2012.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2016

Topics: Chief Minister  Gujarat  Persons in News  States  Vijay Rupani

Latest E-Books
Goodbye Koh Tao. Thank you for some of the best memories of my life and some of the worst. With half sadness to leave such a wonderful island and half happiness to start fresh in a new place, we boarded our Lomprayah ferry at 9:30am. We went from Koh Tao to Koh Phangan to Koh Samui via boat then boarded a bus to Krabi and finally a shuttle to Ao Nang. Another long day of travel but I really don't mind it, especially when everything goes smooth and is somewhat on time.

We arrived at the Ban Sainai Resort around 5:45pm and were kindly greeted with an ice cold washcloth, a refreshing Butterfly Pea Flower Tea welcome drink (never heard of it but according to Bon Appetit magazine "it is the next big thing in the exotic beverage category") and a much appreciated free upgrade. We are paying $78 a night here but will be sleeping in a $120 a night room. I just love when that happens. Ban Sainai is a breathtaking resort surrounded by limestone mountain cliffs, lush greenery, lakes and a lovely salt water pool. Not to mention, a ridiculously happy, friendly, helpful staff. They give Thailand the nickname "Land of Smiles". When we got to our cottage, I noticed they provide you with homemade complimentary plantain chips, a beach bag filled with beach towels, a fruit platter and a wide variety of toiletries. Keep in mind this hotel is a 3 star, not a 4 star or 5 star. But so far, it's impressing me to that level for sure. Something tells me the next 6 nights are going to be fabulous.

Advertisement

After we unpacked, walked around the resort and got our bearings, we headed to the onsite restaurant for dinner around 7:30pm. Since we are a 20 minute walk to the town/beach, we decided to have a low key night and "stay in", especially when the hotel's restaurant is right on a lake in the middle of nature. However, I couldn't handle being outside in the heat. There is something about the hot air that wakes up my bed bug bites and it becomes the most uncomfortable feeling in the world. I am now at 126 in total but who's counting (I sure am). Unfortunately, I got my food to go, left Vinny high and dry and ran as quickly as possible towards the air conditioning in hopes of some relief. This sucks.

Day 2 - April 16th

We had a lazy daisy kind of day today which predominately consisted of laying by the pool. But it's not just any old pool. You are constantly captivated by the picturesque landscape surrounding the area. The limestone cliffs are calling your name in a very deep, overwhelming yet soothing, calming voice. The palm trees are swaying back and forth providing you with a nice, cool breeze. We had lunch, listened to music, talked then didn't talk, went swimming and ordered mango smoothies. No day is fully complete in Thailand without a mango smoothie.

After a few hours, we headed back to the room and caught up on some "past due" things such as planning a few day trips while here in Krabi, booking our Chiang Mai AirBnB and applying for our Vietnam visas. That's the thing about traveling, there is always something that needs to be done. At night, we took the hotels complimentary shuttle into town, walked around for a little and bought myself a bottle of calamine lotion for only 27 THB (about $0.77 USD) because the cream I currently have is doing absolutely nothing for me. Here's hoping this is the magic potion. Poor Vinny has to drown me in it. Since he refused to touch the bites, he ended up putting one drop on a Qtip 126 times over again. Although he does huff and puff, I know he's more than happy to help me out (or at least that's what I try to convince myself).

Advertisement

Day 3 - April 17th

Yet another lazy day laying by the pool and catching up on a few things. We are really taking this vacation from our vacation serious finally. Around 6pm, we went into town and watched the sunset from Ao Nang Beach. Observing the people around us was incredibly entertaining. It was like a crayon box with all different colors and shapes. Some sharp, some not so sharp. Some colorful, some dull. Some new, some old. Some in perfect shape, some a little more damaged. I just love how different we are yet we all have two eyes, two ears, a mouth and a nose. With every inch that the sun dropped down, it continuously changed the sky's appearance. These pictures almost resemble a few different nights but they were actually taken in a span of 15 minutes.

Ao Nang Beach, which is in the province of Krabi, reminds me a lot of Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii. There is a main strip consisting of super duper touristy shops, chain establishments such as Starbucks, McDonalds and Subway, restaurants trying to recruit you to eat there and a "book your ferry/activity here" type of place every other blink. The lights, the noise and the commotion all send an energy shock through your veins and really make you come alive. It's fascinating. The first four countries we visited were so underdeveloped, poverty stricken and foreign to us. But here in Thailand, it doesn't feel that much different than what we are used to, for good or for bad. There's a 7-11 on every corner. English is widely spoken. Tourists outweigh locals, which certainly wasn't the case in India, Nepal, Bhutan or Myanmar. It's definitely a nice break from feeling so removed from the rest of the world but it's also sad because it almost seems as though Thailand has lost itself to tourism. It seems to lack culture. Maybe it's just on the islands though, we'll see.

That night we had dinner at Diver's Inn and ordered Pad Thai (duh) and chicken in garlic and pepper with of course, some rice. Rice is with every meal - breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rice, rice, rice, rice, rice.

Day 4 - April 18th

After a lovely few days of lounging around, we decided to get our lazy butts off the pool chair and do some exercise (in a fun way of course). I had read that Krabi has some of the best rock climbing in Asia so why not see what all the hype is about. We decided to go with Krabi Rock Climbing (I wonder how long it took them to think up this name), which is owned by a local husband and wife. They picked us up from our hotel at 8am, drove us to the nearby dock, we boarded a long tail boat and made our way to Railay Beach, about 15 minutes away. The scenery heading over there was exactly what I had envisioned for Thailand. Teal blue waters with gorgeous limestone cliffs. No picture can really ever do the beauty of this place justice.

Advertisement

Once we arrived in Railay, we then walked 15 minutes to Phanang Beach where our rock climbing adventure took place. Vinny used to do some indoor courses when he was in high school and I went rock climbing once before in Alberta, Canada - 7,000 feet above ground. But that was considered "via ferata" which means there are metal foot placements in the rocks to make it a little easier. This time around, there is no help. You have to find your own crevices to put your hands and feet. The only thing saving me from freaking out is that you are in a harness which has a rope that the rock climbing guide is holding on to just case you slip or lose strength. You have to put so much trust in that person because your life is literally in their hands. It was definitely harder than it looked. You have to use so many muscles in your legs and arms to hold yourself up, glue yourself to the rock and stay focused on the mission. When you finally get to the top and take a minute to look around, it's amazing. High above ground, high above everyone else, you enter a world of your own. You see people taking photos of you as you are taking photos of them. I would go and then Vinny would go. It would have been more fun we could have climbed together, side by side, in a race but I'm sure either way it would have ended in a Thai (you get it?).

This is where we started, at the bottom...

Vinny looking up with fear...

Not a bad place to be...

Here I am, gearing up in my harness...

Don't mind the nasty bites on my upper left thigh, I promise I'm not contagious...

Sometimes you just want to hide in a rock from the rest of the world...

And then sometimes you just want to hug a rock, hoping it hugs you back...

Getting a good stretch in while I can...

When you finally make it to the top...

And then look down, trying to appreciate the beauty surrounding you from afar...

Go Vinny, Go!

He makes it look so easy...

Check out those muscles (hehehe)...

I spy with my little eye...

Now that my legs were weak and my arms were sore, we decided to grab some lunch to pump some energy back into us. Before we did that, we met an awesome family from India who were visiting Thailand for their parents 60th wedding anniversary. We got to talking about Incredible India, our experience there and how much we genuinely fell in love with the country and the culture. It's always so fun reminiscing on those 7 weeks because it feels as though they were forever ago. After shoving our faces with food, we headed toward Railay West and laid on the sand under a tree with a handful of other people. It wasn't overly impressive of a beach but I think that's because the tide was fairly low. And the water was at boiling temperature. If I would have thrown in a bag of penne pasta it would have cooked in less than 5 minutes. Not very refreshing when it's 100+ degrees outside. It was still beautiful though. No matter how crowded, rocky or dirty a beach in Thailand may be, it will always have a certain glow to it.

We took a long tail boat back to Ao Nang Beach, walked around the town, bought a new hat to help protect my face from looking 62 and had dinner at the hotel. We had such a fun day taking our relationship to new heights...

Advertisement

Day 5 - April 19th

Now it was Vinny's turn to buy a hat. But he didn't go for style like I did. He went for functionality and ended up with an awful looking fisherman's hat. I couldn't persuade him otherwise.

Today we embarked on a full day snorkeling trip with a company called Thalassa. We met at 9:45am (Burger King was the location, I promise we didn't choose that spot on our own) and boarded their speed boat shortly thereafter. We then picked up a few people at Railay West and it was so much better than yesterday. The water was gorgeous and the tide was high. Crazy how just a few hours and a few minor elements can change the vibe. There were 13 people in total in our group. A family of 5 from Italy, a couple from Canada, a couple from Germany and then two girlfriends (friends that are girls) from I believe Sweden or Norway. Our main guide was local and our co-guide was from Spain.

We went snorkeling in 2 different spots and saw clown fish (aka Nemo), a sand shark, barracudas, etc. I brought the wrong GoPro case with me today so unfortunately I couldn't capture any of the beauty from the underwater. I was so bummed. Such an amateur move.

Here we are at Maya Bay, which is where "The Beach" with Leonard DiCaprio was filmed back in 1999 I believe. Can you say touristy and overcrowded? But I closed my eyes and envisioned this island with just us on it. Perfection.

Phi Phi Don & Phi Phi Lei...

Bamboo Island, where we had a home cooked Thai lunch that consisted of noodles, fried rice, stir fry chicken and veggie spring rolls. A very remote island and once all the Asian tour groups left, you felt you were alone. Crystal clear water.

Advertisement

Chicken Island (can you see why it got its name)...

Searching for the meaning of life....

"Sailing takes me away to where I've always heard it could be. Just a dream and the wind to carry me. And soon I will be free" - Christopher Cross

That one time you decided to wear matching bathing suits...

We ended the day back at Phra Nang Beach (where we went rock climbing yesterday). There was an 8 person wedding happening next to us, with a playlist that consisted of 4 songs on repeat for at least 2 hours.

An entertaining girl having her boyfriend take risky photos of her...

Fish out of water...

Who needs food trucks when you can have food boats

Training for the Olympics maybe?

And an epic sunset to close out this epic day...

Day 6 - April 20th

Our last day was spent exactly how we wanted it to be. Just another lazy, uneventful, relaxing day in paradise.

Overall, we loved Krabi. It's overcrowded and touristy but there's always something to do, something to see and somewhere to be. The day trips help you escape the chaoticness and enter a world of tranquility. These last handful of days were the perfect recipe. A cup of doing absolutely nothing, a tablespoon of adventure and exploration with a pinch of sugar and spice and everything nice. Ban Sainai Resort is one of our favorite new hotels on this trip. The location is amazing, the food is delicious, the room was big and clean, the shower was heavenly, the service was incredible and they don't charge 3% for using a credit card. I highly recommend this place if you are planning a trip to Thailand. Four thumbs up.
In my April blog post about the limitations of college rankings, I wrote that "the best colleges produce graduates who will make a difference in the world." One of the key areas where graduates can make a difference has been on full display these last few weeks as the two major political parties of the U.S. formally named their nominees for the presidency.

Building the next generation of politically involved and engaged citizens is among the most important roles higher education plays. According to Census Bureau statistics for the November 2012 election, 81.7 percent of those with a bachelor's degree reported that they were registered to vote, compared to only 63.7 percent of those with a high school degree.

Higher education clearly contributes to building an engaged citizenry, and I would argue that a liberal arts education at a small residential campus is particularly suited to this important task.

Advertisement

A liberal arts education requires all students:

To learn to read a text closely and question an argument, a skill that is foundational to analyzing a law, a referendum, or a candidate's position.

To demonstrate proficiency in quantitative reasoning. The ability to understand and use data for decision-making is as critical to weighing political proposals as it is to growing a business.

To understand the past and other societies. Our graduates don't look at an issue in isolation. Instead they see things as part of a continuum and can contextualize what's happening today relative to past events and through various cultural lenses.

To reflect on the way that an individual's behaviors will be understood and accepted by their community.

With its commitment to developing all of these capacities in its graduates, liberal arts education helps to shape citizens who will bring varied and complex skills and perspectives to citizenship and voting.



Experiencing liberal arts education at a small residential college in turn builds practice in governance, and offers the lived experience that active involvement in building community really makes a difference. This is the education that students at small residential colleges gain outside of the classroom when they are both encouraged to participate in some form of student government, serve as leaders of their residential experience, or create organizations, clubs or other extracurricular experiences that contribute to a positive campus community.

While these opportunities exist at larger universities, they are much more central to the student life at smaller schools. On a small campus, almost every student is asked to engage in the difficult, often messy, and ultimately rich experience of creating a democratic and ethical community.

At Bryn Mawr, for example, as well as nearby Haverford, the entire student body is asked by student government leaders to come together once a semester and vote on resolutions put forth by their fellow students. If these plenary sessions do not gain quorum--sufficient voter participation--then proposals cannot come up for a vote. On our campuses and at many other residential liberal arts colleges, dorm leadership teams create educational programming in response to campus issues and organize activities to promote a sense of connection and community. Students often have responsibility for the complicated task of allocating funding among clubs and organizations.

Advertisement

Like many forms of governing, it can be an inefficient process. Change tends to happen slowly. Students have to wrestle with challenging questions. Who is involved in decision-making? How do they create interest among their peers in participation in student government? How should resources be allocated? How do they work with other constituencies on campus when governance for decision-making is shared?

At a small residential college, students live the importance and power of contributing to their community (as well as the frustrations). Individual voices can be heard. Students must practice the skills of organization, negotiation, and conflict-resolution. Proposals are amended and brought up for a vote again. Students try to influence administrators and faculty members on policy and practice. Students experiment with the effectiveness of inducements and consequences for non-participation.
It is refreshing to have an outspoken feminist in the White House. President Obama's recent treatise in Glamour was an open call for all men to join him in his feminism. And, we should. What is feminism other than believing that women should have social, financial and political equality? It really is an easy concept to get behind -- especially for those of us who have strong women in our lives. All of my life I have been surrounded by strong women -- first my mom, my grandmothers, then also my step mom, the women I have dated, my mentors, my business partners and coworkers, my friends- that have played a role in shaping my view of the opposite sex. I am a feminist and I respect President Obama's feminist chops. And, I respect his call for men to join the fight to end sexual assault. All men and parents of boys should answer his call to end sexual assault.

The president certainly has a strong feminist background. I will not list all of the women that have played a role in getting him to the White House or the ones that have continued to play a role now that he is president. I will also avoid topics he covered in his piece like his wife and daughters. Instead I will highlight some of the president's accomplishments that he did not mention himself in Glamour. In 2009 the president created the White House Council on Women and Girls that was tasked with ensuring that women and girls are taken into consideration in policy decisions made at every level of the administration. Also in 2009 Vice President Biden appointed the first ever White House Advisor on Violence Against Women. In 2010 the administration hosted the first ever White House roundtable on sexual assault. In 2011 the Vice President and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan released new guidelines that help schools and colleges respond to sexual assault. The very first bill the president signed into law was the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. And, he has consistently supported a woman's right to make decisions for her own body. And, there is more.

Advertisement

One accomplishment the president mentioned in his piece in Glamour was his It's On Us initiative to stop sexual assault. The organization has a range of partners, operates on hundreds of college campuses and has run PSAs on national television bringing attention to the movement to end sexual assault. Some of us at home may be wondering what we can do to also join this movement to end sexual assault. I think it is quite easy actually: do not rape and teach your sons not to rape. Overwhelmingly men are the perpetrators of rape. In cases where a woman was raped, a man was the perpetrator 98 percent of the time. And, in cases where a man was raped a man was the perpetrator 93 percent of the time. Instead of teaching women all of the various ways that they can avoid being raped, would it not be more effective to teach men not to rape? We are clearly the problem. We should not have to live in a world where rape is expected and the best a woman can hope for is to flip like a gymnast through a gauntlet of potential rapists.

I will not suggest how you talk to your sons. I am not a parent and there are plenty of experienced parents writing about how one would teach their boys not to rape. I also will not suggest to you that consent laws are the answer. A recent study from a self-proclaimed feminist researcher at San Francisco State University's Center for Research and Education on Gender and Sexuality suggests that "yes means yes" laws do not work in practice. In a survey of college freshman at a Bay Area university the most frequent response to the question of how the students agreed to have sex was: "it just happened." The answers are not necessarily out there yet. But, it is clear to me that if men and parents took it upon themselves to stop rape, the end of sexual assault would come about a lot quicker.

Advertisement
When united educated Afghans rise against injustice, inequality and discrimination, hope for peaceful and democratic Afghanistan rises as well.

I am a Hazara girl from Afghanistan. Currently, I am a college student in the United States and that is why I am not able to be physically present in the protests in Afghanistan. However, I have always felt the pain that my people have experienced, and continue to experience. Thus, I have chosen writing, as many of my fellow Afghans have done as well, as a tool to advocate for my people who have faced discrimination and injustice throughout our country's history. The Enlightenment Movement pushback is but one unjust behavior by a disappointingly corrupt Afghan government.

The Enlightenment Movement was started by the Hazaras, the minority Shia Muslim ethnic group of Afghanistan. The movement was sparked when the government made changes to the planned Uzbekistan-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TUTAP) electricity project, which was intended to help coalesce Afghanistan's disparate electrical grids. Originally, the line was to pass through Bamiyan, a predominately Hazara ethnic province in north-central Afghanistan. However, the government changed the route and now intends it to pass through Salang. This project will have tremendous economic development benefits, especially for the region that the route will transverse. This change has negative repercussions for the Hazara people, who have routinely been excluded from the development process. Despite the fact that Bamiyan is one of the most historic and touristy provinces of Afghanistan, and is known to much of the world as the site of the ancient Buddhas, destroyed by the Taliban in March of 2001, it is one of Afghanistan's poorest provinces which our government has often neglected. Our government has failed, consistently, to implement projects which would improve the living situation of all people in the province.

Many people in Bamiyan live in these manmade caves in the mountains without any basic living needs such as water and electricity. Source

However, the movement and the protests have gone beyond Bamiyan and the electricity project. In the recent protests, participants raised their voices against the systematic discrimination that Hazaras have faced in Afghanistan throughout history. On Saturday, July 23rd, suicide bombers created death and destruction during a peaceful protest, which killed more than 80 people and injured over 200, some of whom are dying due to lack of medical attention. The pain and sorrow of their families, friends, and those of us who share the same ideals for equality, are absolutely indescribable. Although ISIS claimed responsibility, there are those, such as the organizers of the protest, those who participated, the family and friends of the victims, and Afghan justice advocates, who remain skeptical and are demanding that an "impartial international committee" investigate the explosions.

After the bombings, it was not just the Hazara people, but people from other ethnic groups, who joined the Enlightenment Movement by giving blood to those who were injured and by spreading the movement's goals of, and demands for, justice and equality. Some non-Hazara, ethnic groups spoke of their admiration for the civil and peaceful protests by Hazaras on social media platforms. And many Afghans from different ethnic groups participated in the Enlightenment movement on Twitter through the hashtag Roshnayee (light).

Movements such as the Enlightenment Movement are setting an example for Afghans to exercise their civic rights. And that is why these uprisings must be taken seriously because we believe that, in the long term, they will have effective results. This "young unity" among educated Afghans is a spark of hope in today's Afghanistan, where each ethnic group's corrupt leaders clash with each other over authority. This unity among the new generation is one of the greatest factors that makes Afghanistan hopeful for a better and brighter democratic future, a future in which all ethnic groups rise together against discrimination, injustice and inequality, and one which does not allow the people in government and those with power to treat a fellow Afghan as a second class citizen. With this unity we can ensure that all provinces like Bamiyan are treated fairly and afforded equal development opportunities.

The protesters that are moving forward and the little boy that a lamb has been drawn on his cheek symbolically and on his forehead in Farsi it is written 'Enlightenment' Source: Social Media.

Afghanistan's history, from brutal monarchies to the invasion of the British and the Soviet Union to Civil War to the Taliban regime and to the current unstable and insecure situation, has made life exceptionally difficult for its citizens. Throughout history, the avaricious ethnic leaders played dirty political and social games for entitlement, money, and power. The victims of these games are consistently innocent Afghan civilians. Now it is up to us, the young and new generation, to stop them from going further down this road. Our generation, with our knowledge and our educated judgment, must get behind the wheel and drive Afghanistan in a direction that gives our generation, and the generations after us, prosperous lives; lives in which all ethnic groups will live beside one another, respecting and rejoicing in each other's similarities and differences, and creating a government that will work towards developing every province fairly and treating every citizen equally. We, the educated Afghan generation, must not be trapped in the footsteps of the corrupt traditionalist ethnic leaders. For a democratic Afghanistan, Afghans need to put their prejudices behind and move forward with unity, education and consciousness!

The Enlightenment Movement is a beacon of hope, an example of the new generation of Afghanistan's vision and determination, a generation that has invested in education and forward thinking and action. It is our responsibility, as Afghans, along with the international community, to not allow the blood of those who were killed and injured on July 23rd to be wasted. As a member of the Enlightenment Movement, I call upon my government to talk with, and listen to, us. It is time to negotiate and reason, not to use guns and bullets. We know the way forward is together and we demand that our generation have its fair share in the government based on our merit. Together, we will ensure a secure and democratic Afghanistan. Our Enlightenment Movement is just the magnificent beginning.
As we enter the month of August, the dog days of summer, I share this essay from my collection entitled Terribly Strange and Wonderfully Real. As an aside, "dog days" refers to the time of year when Sirius, the Dog Star, rises at the same time as the sun, not when dogs are panting from the heat, as I always believed. But I digress. August is not my favorite month no matter how you slice it...

I should love August. I was married August 18, 1968, and am getting close to celebrating the 50-year mark. But I have always disagreed with T. S. Eliot who proclaimed in his poem The Wasteland that, "April is the cruelest month." For me it's August.

I'm sure T. S. Eliot, who was depressed, found the springtime month of April difficult. A month known for "mixing memory and desire," and "stirring dull roots with spring rain" was hard for him to celebrate in his state of mind. But anyone with kids knows it's August that is really the pits.

Advertisement

Here's what I associate with August: high heat and humidity. Kids no longer delighted by a trip to the beach or running through a sprinkler. Boredom (not always a bad thing, but the whining and sibling fights that accompanied it drove me up a wall). Dread (for the kids) that summer was almost over and school was just a calendar page-flip away. August was the month when summer vacation felt stale. Even beautiful weather left me uninspired as I noted with envy that other families seemed to be taking actual vacations.

I remember reading the book August by Judith Rossner back in 1983 when my kids were 12, nine, and six, and I thought my brain was about to explode. The book was about August in New York when all of the shrinks leave town for a month-long vacation. I guess the culture in Chicago was different, as my shrink husband could only manage a week off. By the end of that August, I was ready to move.

Actually, the beginning of this August won't be too bad for me. My husband and I will be attending our nephew's wedding in Michigan and stopping at our good friends' summer cottage on the way home. So now we are up to August 4. There will still be many days left to help my daughter who lives near me. Her August looks like the recipe for disaster I remember so well:

Take three kids-who-have-nothing-to-do. Fold in the fact that Mom needs to work. Mix with babysitters on their own vacations or leaving for college. Add a grandmother about to turn seventy to the mixture. Bake in high heat and humidity sprinkled with thunderstorms.

Yes, she is also taking a week's vacation, which is great. Actually, vacation is the wrong word. It will be a family trip driving to South Dakota in a minivan. Change of scenery but still dealing with three kids who need to be entertained. Perhaps my daughter's family should leave our no-vacation-nation and move to France. I hear they still take August off in Europe, even those who are not shrinks. And, unlike my daughter, they get paid. Just kidding. I would really miss them.

I looked at the long-range forecast for August the other day. There is a bright sun and an 84-degree high predicted for August 1. After that, I see lots of those little clouds with rain. At least climate change has resulted in fewer days above ninety degrees. And there is that first day of school looming at the end of the rainbow. Like a pot of gold.

I invite you to join my Facebook community, sign up for my newsletter, visit my website, and check out my book.

Earlier on Huff/Post50:
The tension between Israel and Iran appears to be heightening. Hossein Salami, deputy commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), recently said: "Hezbollah has 100,000 missiles that are ready to hit Israel to liberate the occupied Palestinian territories if the Zionist regime repeats its past mistakes."

He added: "Today, the grounds for the annihilation and collapse of the Zionist regime are [present] more than ever." Salami warned that if Israel made the "wrong move," it would come under attack.

A few weeks ago, a senior adviser to the IRGC's elite Quds Force, Ahmad Karimpour, said Iran could destroy Israel "in less than eight minutes" if Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei gave the order.

Advertisement

Rhetoric and Iran's Military Capabilities

There are several reasons why Iran's repeated anti-Israel statements may be pure rhetoric. They are most likely meant as a type of psychological warfare, because Iran cannot afford direct conflict with Israel.

Although Iran is larger geographically and in terms of population, its military capacity is inferior. Even regarding missile capabilities, which Iranian generals boast about, Israel's are greater in range and number.

What fundamentally changes the balance of power is Israel's nuclear capacity. It is widely believed to have some 200 nuclear warheads that can be used with intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as nuclear-armed submarines.

As such, Iran's policy toward Israel is to not strike first, as doing so would be suicidal for the ruling political establishment, whose main objective is to maintain power. It would be more effective to fight Israel via its Lebanese Shiite proxy Hezbollah.

Advertisement

Tehran's repeated boasting about IRGC capabilities is aimed at invoking nationalist sentiment among the public, because Iranian leaders know that the overwhelming majority of Iranians are dissatisfied with the hardliners and the political establishment.

Kazem, 29, PhD student majored in public health, pointed out "I would like to see a regime change in Iran, but I want Iran, ruled by any government even the current clergies, to be stronger than any country in the region including Israel. Iran should be the most powerful nation in the region militarily, technologically and economically as it was under Shah era or thousands of years of the Persian empire".

In addition, IRGC attempts to maintain and increase the budget allocated to it by showing that it is an indispensable and a must-have force to protect Iranians.

This method has been successful, as polls have repeatedly shown that many Iranians who oppose the political establishment still favor their country becoming a nuclear power or being more powerful than any other country in the region.

Finally, Khamenei and senior cadre of IRGC are appealing to the nationalistic sentiments of Iranians to win their votes by showing that IRGC is a must-have force to protect Iranians and project Iran's prowess. They are also recalibrating the domestic balance of power, making it clear that they are the final decision-makers. They are appealing to their hardline social base by showing it that they continue to prioritize the values of the 1979 revolution (such as opposing Israel and the US) over other issues, including national interests. And, they are sending a message that the nuclear agreement does not mean Iran would make fundamental changes in its socio-political and socio-economic policies.

Advertisement

_____________________

Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is an American political scientist, business advisor, best-selling author, and the president of the International American Council on the Middle East. Harvard-educated, Rafizadeh serves on the advisory board of Harvard International Review. An American citizen, he is originally from Iran and Syria, lived most of his life in Iran and Syria till recently. He is a board member of several significant and influential international and governmental institutions, and he is native speaker of couple of languages including Arabic and Persian. He also speaks English and Dari, and can converse in French, Hebrew.

You can sign up for Dr. Rafizadeh's newsletter for the latest news and analyses on HERE. You can also order his books on HERE.

You can learn more about Dr. Rafizadeh on HERE.
Donald Trump is the reincarnation of P.T. Barnum and knows exactly how to exploit the "sucker that is born every minute" in "Make America Great Again's" clothing.

Say what you will about Donald Trump being ridiculous or foolish, but stupid he is not and wily and canny he is. He is also someone who can't stand to lose and has a track record of not losing even during down times or business catastrophes that hurt everyone else. He has even bragged about his business acumen in coming out well in the face of the Atlantic City debacle.

What's becoming clearer by the day is that he is someone who doesn't care whether he wins or loses the Presidential election. How could he think such a thing?

Advertisement

For one thing, he is not a lifetime politician having to worry about his political future. Unlike long-term politicians, he doesn't have to worry about facing the fate of "old soldiers" -- and un-elected or un-reelected lifer politicians -- that Douglas MacArthur explained, "Old soldiers (and politicians who lose), never die. They just fade away."

He doesn't have to worry about being a Bernie Sanders who served successfully for decades as an Independent, then stirred the hearts of like-minded anti-establishment voters only to now fade back into... exactly what has he faded back into?

Is Bernie a Democrat now that his bid is gone or is he really an Independent? It's quite possible that his neither "fish nor fowl" position will cause him to fade more into oblivion than had he remained true to his core identity as an Independent. That's because, hard line Democrats are not likely to embrace him -- tolerate him politely, yes -- but embrace him and give him a bully platform within their bully pulpit? I don't think so.

My prediction is that poor, good intentioned Bernie will be cast aside by the Democrats as soon as they see they can no longer use him or need him to grab some of his followers.

Advertisement

And regarding Bernie's anti-establishment, Independent base? They are not likely to want him back now that he has gone "pro-Hillary." But don't worry. There are worse places to retire and fade into the sunset than Vermont.

Trump on the other hand can stay true to his outlandish message and claim that he will never bend, capitulate nor cow-tow to the "rigged" political system.

That represents a "no lose" proposition.

If he loses the election, he can claim he was true to his message and supporters and never caved in like Bernie did. And in a matter of fact way he can simply say, "Well it looks like the voters have made their choice. Do I think the election was rigged? Quite possibly, but I would just tell my supporters, 'Rigged or not, Hillary is America's President, and it would probably not be a good idea to undermine her, since she's got enough to deal with both outside and inside our country. Do I think she'll succeed? No. Do I wish her luck? Yes. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my businesses which I put on hold to give my best effort to being YOUR President."

Might he add, "Don't come crying back to me if Hillary blows up the whole country!" I hope not, but if he'd like a bump to his notoriety a couple years from now because he misses the spotlight, you never know with Trump.

His followers will then claim, "At least Trump stayed true to everything he said rather than give into establishment pressures and cave like Sanders did." So he'll continue to win with his supporters who might show their appreciation by buying some of his properties and investing in his other schemes.

Advertisement

Even those who were against him from the GOP and from the Democrats will say, "Well thank God he lost, but the guy did stay true to his message all the way through. There's something to be said for that kind of stamina and tenacity." So he may actually win implicitly with them especially when they're relieved to be rid of him.

But then of course, there might be the unlikely possibility of his winning the general election. If that happens, and if it's agreed that the "people have spoken," the government can then scurry around to somehow make it happen after his coup succeeded.
Voting booths in polling place

In 1928, despite Democrat Al Smith's loss to Republican Herbert Hoover, political scientists found critical changes in American electoral and demographic patterns that began the reversal of the three decade Republican lock on party identification. These changes led to a restructuring and realignment of the major American political parties that lasted for generations. I believe that the 2016 and 2020 elections can repeat the sequence of the 1928 and 1932 resulting in sustained Democratic political domination and a potential long-term hemorrhage of Republican party support on the national level.

There are three reasons for the realignment that is already underway. First, the new demography of the United States is dramatically changing party identification and the current Republican Party doesn't look or think like the new America. Second, the Trump phenomenon has ruptured the Republican political brand and accelerated the party's fatal weaknesses with the expanding constituencies of this new America. Third, the coincidence of the 2020 decennial census and a presidential election will swell Democratic turnout for down ballot elections of Governors and state legislatures that will subsequently redistrict the House of Representatives for a decade.

Advertisement

The 1928 campaign of Governor Al Smith of New York expanded the demography of the Democratic Party to embrace urban voters, workers, blacks, academics, the senior citizens and Jews. The campaign began to uproot the Republican political dominance that had been in place since 1896. Political scientists label 1928 a "critical election" because it signaled the beginning of a structural change that culminated in the 1932 "realigning" election of Democrat Franklin Roosevelt.

Data on the American electorate since 1988 shows a dramatic demographic shift that has now reached critical mass: the white electorate has shrunk from 88% of overall turnout to an anticipated 69% this year. Blacks, Hispanics and Asians are expected to comprise 31% of the 2016 electorate, with Hillary Clinton expected to receive between 80-92% of the non-white vote. Voters under 30 have single digit support for the Republican ticket and single women are repudiating not only Trump, but traditional Republican ideology by dramatic margins. These increasingly powerful demographic constituencies identify and vote significantly Democratic, thus making a Republican national election victory -- even if Republicans had a strong, non-controversial candidate -- improbable.

The Republican Party conducted an "autopsy" after its 2012 defeat. That RNC report concluded that the Party must reach out, programmatically and symbolically, to blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and women. Yet, the only response by Republican State parties to these recommendations has been not to reach out to these growing constituencies, but rather to adopt voter suppression legislation to prevent them from voting. And as the Republican base of old white men dies off, the demographic base of the Democratic Party continues to attract the expanding constituencies of the new American electorate.

The votes of the Electoral College states that consistently vote Democratic has now swelled to a reliable 244, just 26 electoral votes from the majority needed to win. For Republican presidential candidates to prevail in the Electoral College, they must thread the needle of marginal "purple" states, needing to win ALL of them to succeed.

Advertisement

Current demography makes a Republican win increasingly difficult, exacerbating recent historical trends. In the last six presidential elections Republicans have lost the popular vote five times. They prevailed in the Electoral College in 2000 and 2004 with 284 and 286 Electoral College votes, a margin of 14 and 16 electoral votes out of 538. In the last four elections won by Democrats, they received 370 Electoral College votes in 1992, 379 in 1996, 365 in 2008 and 332 in 2012, margins of victory ranging from 52 to 109. Democrats can afford to lose almost all purple states and still top 270.

The Trump-ization of the Republican Party in 2016 makes the future of the party even more problematic. The outlook for Trump's candidacy points to the same losing Electoral College pattern -- or worse -- with even the "red" states of NC, AR, GA and MO now in play. And demographic projections currently predict that Texas, the most critical Republican prize of all, with 32 electoral votes, will slip from "red" to "purple" to "blue" within two cycles as a result of of the rapid acceleration of the Hispanic electorate. When -- not if -- Texas turns blue, the Republicans, under the best of conditions, will cease to be a competitive national political party in presidential elections.

But what about the future control of the House of Representatives? The Republicans, principally because of skillful redistricting, have a 30-vote majority. This is where the coincidence of the census and presidential elections comes into play. The Republican Party, in the tsunami of the 2010 midterm election, took control of 22 state legislatures. In the reliably blue states of MI, PA and WI, Republicans seized control of the redistricting process. They also controlled redistricting in the purple states of OH, FL and NC. In these six states combined, the Republicans gerrymandered the map to create 34 new (and non-competitive) safe Republican House seats.

For example, as a result of this off-year election gerrymandering, in blue Pennsylvania Republicans control 13 of the 18 House seats despite the fact that Democrats cast 100,000 more popular votes for House candidates than Republicans in 2014. In Florida, Republicans have 63% of the House seats, in Michigan 64%, in OH 75% in NC 77% and in WI 63%. A Democratic controlled redistricting in some or all of these states after the 2020 elections and census could very well reverse party control of the House of Representatives for at least a decade.

All of these factors make it reasonable to predict that 2016-2020 will give political scientists what they have not seen for almost a century: a "critical election" (2016) followed by a "realigning election" (2020) resulting in Democratic domination on the national level of the emerging era of American politics.
My husband and I have not had television for a few years now. One of the things this has done is to shield us from all of the devastation, pain, and loss being constantly highlighted on the news. We stay in touch with important topics, but we are able to pick our news source and the amount of time we stay tuned in. This has made it very easy to shield ourselves from unnecessary anguish and fear.

On my recent visit to Chicago, I was inundated by television news. Some of it was benign celebrity sightings, but most of it was either real world disasters like the attack in Nice and the death toll in Chicago or editorial news shows bent on instigating and provoking their watchers. Both are very painful to watch. One because of the sadness I am powerless to directly affect. The other because it is vile emotionally-charged hatred. Adding to the negativity being broadcast on this visit, I also experienced the real pain of a family member taking his own life and the death of one of my clients.

Feeling firsthand what many experience daily either in their lives or by watching the current turmoil in the world, I searched for the right message to share. The answer came back in something I consistently preach. Focus on what you want to experience.

Advertisement

Responding to terrorist attacks with fear only breeds more attacks. Responding to loss with inconsolable grief only adds more grief. Responding to hate with hate only creates more hate. Our response to events creates our experience and also determines if we continue the cycle or if it ends with us. We don't always have the ability to change people and events, but we can change our experience of them.

Respond to aggression with compassion. No one causes pain unless they are in pain. A recent client of mine was extremely abrasive when we first met. She constantly attacked everyone who wronged her. Over time, she finally revealed that not only had she spent too much time in an extremely toxic work environment but had been abused by her first husband. My client had been acting out to protect herself. Once she realized she was safe with me, she was a completely different person. The fear was gone and so was the aggression.

Respond to loss with acceptance. Honest grief is understandable and necessary when we lose someone dear. Trying to hold on to a life that is no longer there or filling ourselves with could have/should have guilt, causes pain. Through acceptance of our new situation and of the inability to go back, we can receive some relief.

Respond to hate with love. Hate is based on fear. Fear of those different than us. Fear of being vulnerable. Fear of being attacked. Focus on love not hate. Find common ground. Look for unity not separation. Release a focus on differences and seek out similarities. Hating those who disagree with our views only creates more hate. Instead, love those with different opinions and see if that opens an opportunity for true dialogue.

Advertisement

The one tool we always have is to create peace within ourselves. We can not change circumstances or the choices of others. We can, however, always choose peace for ourselves. Calm your mind and your thoughts. Center yourself in peace. Then notice how when you release yourself from the chaos around you and focus on peace, you not only feel better but many times, you can send peace to those nearby.

Original post at It's My Life, Inc.
The problem for a campaign and political party where you seem to be way ahead is the tendency to get cocky and begin to coast. There is great danger in such a moment, especially for a party in need for a historically big victory, as Democrats are right now. Now is the time to work with even greater urgency and aggressiveness to win this campaign, and hopefully win it by a big enough margin that we crush Trumpism and throw it into the dustbin of history. But right now we are at a particularly dangerous moment. Democrats should take nothing for granted and work our hearts out to make damn sure this moment and this potentially historic victory does not slip away from us.



Before talking more about 2016, let me go back in time and remind everyone of some presidential elections in past years. In 1976, Jimmy Carter came out of the two conventions with a huge lead, more than 20 points in many polls. Jerry Ford was burdened with the residue of Watergate, his pardon of Nixon, and an especially nasty recession over the previous couple of years. Had Carter won that race by a big margin, building on the Republican wipeout in 1974, Democrats would have had enough votes and momentum to easily pass sweeping legislation on health care and labor law, and change the political dynamics in the country for a long time to come. Instead the Carter campaign played it safe and coasted, and the lead kept shrinking. In the end, Carter won by only two percentage points. Had a very close Ohio result gone the other way, he would have lost the race entirely. There were no coat tails, no political momentum, and Carter's early mistakes led to a very weak presidency. In 1988, Dukakis led by 18 points after his convention, with voters tired of a lack of pay raises and massive deficits over the last 8 years. Dukakis took a long August vacation, didn't respond to the infamous Willie Horton attacks, was awful in the debates, and ended up losing by six points. And in 2000, Gore came out of the conventions up by five points, and I remember Democrats in D.C. being surprised when I said it would be a close race coming down to a few votes in a few states. But Gore was weak in the debates, Karl Rove ran a very effective campaign, and we end up with the Supreme Court giving the election to Bush.



Presidential races can change in a heartbeat or alternatively go slip sliding away. An over-confident campaign can lose its edge, become too cautious and be reluctant to aggressively answer attacks, all of which combine to gradually cause the campaign to lose momentum. In the 1992 Clinton campaign (which, full disclosure, I was a part of), there was never any chance of us losing our edge because we had all just lived through the horror of watching an over-confident and slow to respond Dukakis let his big August lead be reversed. And I have a feeling that Hillary Clinton, being the steely competitor that she is, won't let her team get over-confident. But the entire Democratic party, from elected officials to grassroots activists, are going to need to, in the old Obama campaign's signature phrase, stay fired up and ready to go. Never forget that in politics, it is the aggressor who usually wins. Especially in an unpredictable, anti-establishment year, where the pundits and the polls have been proven wrong repeatedly, we must make sure we don't let Trump, the ultimate unpredictable anti-establishment guy, get a second life.



At the same time we need to fight with the same urgency as if we were in a dead heat or even a little behind, Democrats should be working hard to create the biggest, most sweeping wave election possible. This might seem like a contradiction but it isn't. Both scenarios demand that we keep our edge and stay aggressive; both scenarios require that we leave no stone unturned to get out every vote possible and persuade every swing voter we can. In fact, I would go so far as to argue that the two most likely scenarios in this election are a Democratic wave and a narrow Trump victory -- the latter coming if Hillary's campaign loses their edge and aggressiveness, and if Democrats in general don't put enough resources and passion into turning out the Democratic base vote.



Here's the other thing: Democrats should work toward a wave election with a great deal of urgency, because we are in big need of one. Two of the last three elections have been massive Republican wave elections up and down the line, giving them the biggest margin in the House since the 1920s and most of the governorships and state legislative chambers. We desperately need to build a counter-wave to make up at least some of those numbers, especially considering that off-year turnout in 2018 isn't going to be demographically as favorable as in a presidential year. And think about how much more Hillary and Democrats can get done if we get a big enough wave to retake the House as well as the Senate, which is a lot more possible in a wave election than conventional wisdom would allow. To actually have at least two years where we could try to pass some good legislation and a decent budget rather than constantly dealing with Republican threats to shut down the government would be a pretty phenomenal thing. One more note: if this turns into a close race, Trump is going to stoke up the "we were robbed" theme and we could have ugliness and violence in this country not seen since the Civil War. If we win big, on the other hand, Trump is humiliated, and Trumpism goes into history's dustbin.



Such a big year up and down the ticket is in fact made possible by this year's unique Trump dynamic. It is important to understand the recent history of wave elections: Republicans have been able to keep from losing as many seats in a wave election against them as Democrats have because they have maintained party unity and focused on turning out their base vote. In the 1994 election, Republicans won 52 House seats; in 2010, they won 63. In the 2014 blowout, the only reason they didn't pick up those kinds of numbers in the House was because they had already won so many two cycles before, and hadn't lost all that many in 2012, but in statewide races and races further down the ballot they dominated us. By contrast, Democrats only picked up 31 seats in 2006 and 20 more in 2008, both very good years up and down the ballot for Dems. The reason that Democrats tend to get blown out in down years is because they have historically shown much more disunity in bad years, running from their president and their party's historic message and platform. The result is the Democratic base turnout tends to be abysmal in those kinds of years. Republicans in Democratic leaning years, on the other hand, have doubled down on the historic anti-government, anti-tax, traditional values rhetoric of their party in order to keep their base from deserting them, and thus been able to cut their losses -- in 2006, for example, we actually lost more House close races than we won, missing our chance at a much bigger wave.



This year, the Trump factor turns this traditional GOP unity on its head. As Glen Bolger, a Republican pollster working on many of this year's races asked in an important NYT article,
A Baton Rouge Sheriffas Deputy badge is seen with a black band before the funeral of Deputy Brad Garafola at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. July 23, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Bachman

Tuesday night Trumpo got a big roar out of the Crowd in Jacksonville when he said that he would make America "safe" for the cops. Now I was always under the impression that the cops were supposed to make America safe, but obviously the shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge have changed all that. Or at least changed it in the minds of the crowd that showed up to chant about building a wall in front of their beloved Mister Trump.

How bad is the problem of cops getting killed on the job? According to the FBI, 51 police were feloniously killed in 2014, of whom 46 lost their lives to assaults involving guns. After Dallas and Baton Rouge, the number of cops shot to death this year jumped to 37; last year at this point only 20 officers had lost their lives to gunfire. But 2015 was an exceptionally safe year; in fact in 2011 there were 73 fatal law enforcement gun deaths, in 2010 it was 60 police gun deaths. Notwithstanding recent events, the number of cops getting shot has been drifting downward over the last ten years.

Advertisement

I wish I could say the same thing about civilians who are shot by cops. This number appears to be going up. According to the CDC, which tracks gun deaths attributed to the actions of law enforcement as 'legal intervention,' the average yearly toll between 2005 and 2009 was 340, from 2010 through 2014 the yearly average was 440 -- a yearly increase of 30 percent! The CDC data also shows that over the last ten years, African-Americans were 26 percent of the total of legal interventions, which happens to be twice the percentage of African-Americans in the population as a whole.

So what we have when we look at the trends of gun violence involving police is that the number of cops getting shot on the job, this year's tragic events notwithstanding, has been going down, the number of civilians shot by cops has been going up. Meanwhile, police deaths from accidents, which along with shootings comprises more than 95 percent of all on-the-job police mortality, have also been declining, the result of better training. So what's up with guns?

Not only can't I answer that question, but I'm not sure that the numbers produced by the FBI or the CDC on police use of lethal force bear any resemblance to reality at all. And if they don't, then how can we even begin to talk about what needs to be done, or should be done, to bring this situation under control. Donald Trump can scream out from today to next year that under his rule cops will be protected and safe. But you can take that statement about as seriously as you can take anything else he says, except when he admits that he was always looking for an 'easy' way to be awarded a Purple Heart.

According to our friends at the Gun Violence Archive, 168 people were shot and killed by police between June 25 and August 3 of this year. That's more than 4 per day. At that rate, the yearly total of cop shootings would come to more than 1,460. Is that possible? Can the number of people killed by cops amount to three times the number given by the CDC? Not only is it possible -- it's probable because the Washington Post also tracks police shootings through media reports and says that the 2016 number is up to 564. Another online tracker says the number stands at 690 for this year.

Advertisement
Ron Carrico began Kavita Krishnaswamy's private tour of the San Diego Air & Space Museum near a replica of Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, describing the torturous 33-hour flight across the Atlantic in such a way that isn't printed in history books. As the two made their way through the facility, Krishnaswamy, a doctoral candidate in computer science, waved hello to fellow patrons and paused to see the planes hanging from the ceiling. The only thing atypical about her visit was that she wasn't technically at the museum, which is located in Balboa Park, Calif. Extraordinarily, she was more than 2,600 miles away sitting in front of a computer in Baltimore County, Md, controlling a five-foot-tall, roving BeamPro robot equipped with a wide-angle camera and a 20-inch screen that projected her face at eye level.

Originally built to automate industry, to ease business interactions for remote employees or to simply entertain, robotic technologies are taking on a significantly nobler purpose: assisting those with disabilities in their day-to-day lives. Text-to-speech capabilities on iPhones allow the blind to read anything online. Doctors and therapists use robots to make virtual rounds to patients who cannot physically leave their homes. And at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, which received a $25,000 grant from the NBCUniversal Foundation, people with severe disabilities can use innovative "telepresence" BeamPro devices to partake in a historical and cultural adventure they'd never be able to experience otherwise.

Advertisement

APPLY: The San Diego Air & Space Museum is an NBCUniversal Foundation 21st Century Solutions grant winner. Apply to the 2016 program today.

The museum keeps two robots charged at all times, ready to give BEAM tours to those who can't make it to Southern California. Katrina Pescador, the museum's archival director, saw the robotic technology's potential after the manufacturer held a conference nearby, quickly signing up to offer virtual museum tours to people who are hospitalized or mobility challenged. "I want people to have the freedom to experience the world and not be locked up some place," says Pescador, whose daughter has a disability. "But it's also important that people in the world see other people with disabilities. All of us need to be interacting together."

The device provides those with physical disabilities a unique opportunity to explore the world in a way that clicking through images on Google never can. The BeamPro allowed Krishnaswamy, who has spinal muscular atrophy, to enjoy a rare experience of free movement. "It gave me an immersive experience like I was physically there," she recalls. "I could move around. I had the ability to turn. I could see people and interact with people," she adds. "Just moving around on my own without any limitation and seeing somebody eye-to-eye: that's really a new experience."

Pushing application of the technology even further, Carrico's colleague Ross Davis is attempting to use the BeamPro for virtual school field trips. Davis, the museum's education resources coordinator, believes it's the ideal way for budget-conscious schools to engage students. Educators can log on and within seconds, get kids excited about the physics involved in getting 1,500-pound object soaring through the air. "We want to make it easy. We like easy," Davis, a blunt former Navy pilot, says. (Offering top students a chance to command a robot is a sure-fire way to motivate a group of kids, he adds.) Even better is a virtual field trip's ability to host low-income children. "We want to bring in the [kids] who wouldn't get to visit, whose parents are too busy and don't have time or money to buy tickets," Davis says.

Advertisement

The school tours are still a project in process. Davis has tried at least three times to connect with one classroom, but the San Diego public school system has a firewall he hasn't yet been able to circumvent. Once that basic connectivity issue is fixed, Davis has big plans: He envisions integrating 3-D diagrams, YouTube clips and sound bites into his guided tour to bring some of the aircraft hanging in the museum roaring into motion. From there, he'll offer telepresence tours to anyone in the nation -- enabling those with limited financial resources to have the same learning opportunities as their wealthier counterparts.

If the school visits work as well as Krishnaswamy's tour, the program will be a success. Months later, she still raves that, "It was one of the best experiences I've ever had." A graduate student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Krishnaswamy studies how technology can assist others with disabilities like herself. The BeamPro is a prime example of what she wants to develop: a device that let her experience life in a different way.

As Krishnaswamy viewed the exhibits with Carrico, she thought about how quickly technology advances. In 1903, the Wright Brothers could barely keep a plane off the ground for more than a few seconds. Fast forward to 1969 when men rocketed into space and landed on the Moon. In a way, it's fitting that Krishnaswamy is using a robot to experience the history of progress on display. In comparison to how fast she can jet into the museum from across the country, a trans-Atlantic flight feels like no big deal. If Lindbergh could see the BeamPro today, surely he would feel a twinge of jealousy.
For many American citizens, we have arrived at a somewhat unexpected and clearly undesirable moment in relatively recent American political history. The Republican Presidential nominee is comfortable using explicitly bigoted language and describes his plans in the least detailed manner conceivable. He either fails to recognize or is unperturbed by the logical incoherence of his various policy positions over time or even at one time. Though this turn of affairs may represent a culmination or even just a mere continuation of long-recognized trends and not a true discontinuity in our political evolution, it is worth noting.

My purpose here, as suggested by the title, is to explore a couple of the important trends that characterize the current political and cultural scene and provide essential context for understanding why our political system has evolved (devolved?) to this point. While I am aware of the dangers of employing neologisms, I am willing to gamble that in this instance I can convince at least some readers of the justification for inventing a new word (clearly related to an old word) and tinkering with a well-established word for the article title because I view both as highly relevant to our current political and social climate. But before defining or otherwise characterizing "trumphalism" and "pre-achievement" some stage setting is necessary.

Increased opportunities for communication, both personal and impersonal, based on technological advances and coupled with the arguably increasing intensity of now global competition among nations, corporations, educational institutions, medical centers, law firms, and other entities have put a premium on realizing and publicizing superiority in one or another domain of activity. An additional incentive for being the best or at least being perceived as the best derives from the widely noted recent tendency for one or a few organizations or institutions in a number of arenas, such as business, to achieve massive dominance (e.g., Amazon or Google). Consequently, the intertwined processes of technological, economic, and cultural evolution have spawned a sometimes-desperate search by the leaders of organizations and institutions for ways to guarantee success as measured by one metric or another. One approach (1) to assuring the best possible outcomes focuses on the substance of whatever activities a given enterprise pursues. Of course, this strategy typically requires enormous and, most likely, continuing investments of time, effort, expertise, and likely, sizable financial resources.

Advertisement

A second approach (2), now widely employed, is based on modifying practices and policies designed solely to improve apparent performance as defined by one or a few specific measures used in external assessments or rankings. That this approach can succeed in some degree has been demonstrated, but it is also well documented that this approach can encourage ethically questionable behavior.

A third approach (3), not necessarily mutually exclusive with the first two, focuses not on the "upstream" factors, i.e., the actual details of performance, or performance as measured but on the "downstream" factors, i.e. the perceptions of those outside of the organization or institution regarding the end products of performance. The advantages of manipulating and thereby improving the image of an operation, as opposed to actually improving the operation, are obvious to many: less investment up front with greater control of the ultimate product, i.e. the image of spectacular achievement as opposed to actually spectacular achievement. Thus, have we entered the world of faux achievement or pre-achievement (i.e. pre-determined achievement) whereby the pinnacle of accomplishment is proclaimed from the start of an enterprise, or at least at the present moment, and in perhaps in some instances, well into the future or in perpetuity, without much commitment to continued monitoring and improvement of ongoing performance. No doubts about the eventual outcomes need be entertained given that continuous "excellence" is ordained.

Advertisement

Of course, the success of marketing efforts of most organizations using strategies (2) and (3) above depends on some combination of the following in the members of the target audience: willing suspension of disbelief, a relative lack of or indifference to knowledge of the relevant facts, or deficient critical thinking skills. Sadly, the above applies to every sort of organization including those, such as universities, that are nominally dedicated to inculcating the desire to seek out relevant information and employ critical thinking.

It is reasonable to suppose that uncritical evaluation of news by voters has significant consequences for political campaigns both in the short-term and in the long-term. When polls routinely reveal that addressing critical political issues in their full complexity involving multiple causes that interact in ways that can be difficult to disentangle, politicians are incentivized to frame their messages in simplistic ways even at the cost of obscuring useful responses. We have been living with the baleful consequences of this process as John Dewey might have predicted. Dewey argued fervently that educating all citizens to think for themselves was essential for the maintenance of democracy.



In this context, consider that the National Institutes of Health began making awards, some years ago, to large consortia of investigators at multiple institutions to pursue research questions related to infectious disease and a number of other research fields. These centers were officially designated "Centers of Excellence in ..." It is fair to reward the impressive past research performance of the investigators and the quality of the application, but wouldn't it be enough to simply award a grant to a center focused on a given problem? In the 21st century American zeitgeist, it has become necessary to pre-judge future performance explicitly, thereby nominally assuring that the participants in any Center of Excellence would continue to produce ground-breaking results to justify the substantial financial investments involved. On the program's website (see link directly above), it is noted that all 10 of the centers funded in 2003 (8) and 2005 (2) were refunded in 2009. Perhaps they all continued to be "excellent," but were they all equally impressive? One might ask: How is "excellence" defined?

Similarly, the U. S. Department of Education makes awards to so-called Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence. While these awards are meant to reward prior academic performance or improvements in academic performance, as above, they may have the effect of conferring an aura of quality that could persist for longer than the high achievement. These comments are not meant to criticize the schools themselves, many of which may have been performing outstandingly, but to point out that it used to be sufficient to reward great performance after the fact. Until recently, only CEOs (and perhaps athletes) could be lavishly rewarded for future performance.

So what is "trumphalism"? I offer my own definition of the new term immediately after defining the well-accepted and extremely similar word ("triumphalism").

Advertisement

triumphalism - exuberant celebration and boastful proclamation of absolute superiority after a victory.



trumphalism - exuberant celebration and boastful proclamation of absolute superiority before a victory.

As of the night of July 21, we have a nominee for President of the United States who declares his coming victories as President well before actually being elected to the most consequential office in the land. For many years, politicians have routinely spoken with maximal optimism about their electoral prospects and plans for their first 100 days. They may have also promised to take certain actions after the initial few months. What makes the present Republican nominee different at least in degree is that he proclaims that as President he will secure endless triumphs, so numerous as to lead to mass boredom with, as he likes to put it, "winning."

Not surprisingly, in the universe of trumphalist pre-achievement there is no need for bothering to articulate, even in rough outline, the strategies and tactics that will undergird such unlimited besting of any and all opponents irrespective of the complexities of the challenges. Trade-offs, limits, compromises are presumably only for "losers." Victory is guaranteed to be continual and become absolutely routine.

The trumphalism of the nominee is just one aspect of his penchant for uttering statements made without regard for the truth or flat-out untruths. He could be regarded as the logical conclusion of the arguably expanding tendency for speaking nonsense without interest in pertinent facts, i.e. what Harry Frankfurt has defined as "bullshit" in his popular if extremely brief 2005 book on the topic. In fact, this nominee has become the embodiment of several themes dominating recent American culture: 1) the worship of the wealthy, 2) the obsession with celebrities, and 3) the growing production of diverse forms of BS.

Abetted by diverse technological advances and multiple cultural trends, America is becoming a nation in which we prize above all else not merely actual but potentially messy victory, but the glorious and inevitable 'massaged' image of victory ("airbrushed victory"), perfect in every way and everlasting. We are at risk of becoming a nation populated by ever greater numbers of aspiring emperors parading in what they maintain are their spectacular "new clothes" when in fact they may mostly be walking around in their undergarments.

Advertisement
By Randal Jeffrey, General Counsel, New York Legal Assistance Group

Ever since the Supreme Court handed down its landmark 1963 decision in Gideon v. Wainwright establishing the right to counsel at state expense in criminal cases, those concerned with access to justice have advocated for an extension of this right in civil cases.

While the Supreme Court has extended the right to counsel past the specific holding in Gideon, including to certain "quasi-criminal" cases, it has never interpreted the United States Constitution to require that the government provide a lawyer in purely civil cases. Thus, the provision of counsel to those who cannot afford an attorney has long been left to a patchwork of programs throughout the country. In recent years, however, the right to counsel movement has gained increased attention throughout the United States.

In 2014, several bills were introduced to the New York City Council providing for the right to counsel in Housing Court. While none has been enacted (cost continues to be a factor), the advocacy surrounding the right to counsel in housing court has informed the dramatic increase in funding for legal services. In stark contrast to the federal government, whose funding for legal services has remained flat for years, there has been a renaissance in funding in New York State.

Advertisement

Former Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman led the charge by steadily increasing Judiciary Civil Legal Services funding, set to reach $100 million annually in State fiscal year 2017. New York City has dramatically increased its budget for eviction prevention and anti-harassment tenant protection legal services, and for legal services for the working poor, while the State has increased funding for legal services for homeowners at risk of foreclosure and those seeking disability benefits.

It is beyond dispute that it is better for someone with a legal issue - whether it is an adversarial case in court or an out-of-court legal matter - to have full representation by a lawyer than to be unrepresented. But even if right to counsel efforts are successful for certain types of cases and funding for civil legal services increases even more substantially than it has already, the majority of New Yorkers who cannot afford an attorney will continue to go without full representation for the foreseeable future. This does not mean, though, that they have no options. There are programs in place that can and do play an important role in bridging the justice gap.

A View From the Field

New York State, with the judiciary at the helm, has been a leader in establishing programs that provide legal information to a large number of litigants and limited representation to others, recognizing that current resources are insufficient to provide full representation in all cases, and that alternatives can have a positive impact. Each of these programs is unique, filling a niche within the broader effort to improve access to justice. NYLAG has participated in many of these efforts.

Legal help desks represent the highest volume of legal assistance to unrepresented litigants. Housing Court Answers, for example, has been providing information and assistance to housing court clients since 1981. With so many unrepresented litigants in the courts and before administrative agencies, help desks play a pivotal role in ensuring that these litigants have access to at least some legal information to assist them with their cases.

Advertisement

Other valuable programs include the Court Navigators Program in Brooklyn the Bronx, whose services range from what can best be termed as moral support to explaining the court process to litigants, and Legal Hand, an initiative to provide legal information, assistance, and referrals at neighborhood storefronts in areas with a high need for legal services.

The Mobile Legal Help Center (MLHC) was launched by the Access to Justice Program in partnership with NYLAG in 2012. The first of its kind in the country - a law office on wheels - the MLHC provides direct community access to legal services at a different location, every day. Another Access to Justice initiative, Court Do-It-Yourself forms, offers pro se litigants 24 interactive programs for the drafting of forms for various court actions.

The Volunteer Lawyer For a Day program, launched by Access to Justice in 1997, provides limited scope representation to pro se litigants who are being sued for consumer debts. Pro bono attorneys and student volunteers advise clients under the supervision of an attorney from one of several legal services agencies, including NYLAG. Since its inception, the program has represented over 20,000 litigants.

A final program of note began in the wake of the Great Recession, when New York State instituted settlement conferences as a mandatory first step for mortgage holders pursuing foreclosure litigation. Representation in settlement conferences has proven to be an effective means to resolve some foreclosure cases without the need for full litigation.

Alternatives to Full Representation in Practice

Advertisement

Beyond the direct impact these programs have on improving outcomes for litigants, they also place lawyers directly on the ground, where they become aware of systemic problems both with the administration of justice and in the substantive areas of law. For example, lawyers providing limited legal services in court have been instrumental in changing the culture of the courtroom, ensuring that represented plaintiffs do not take advantage of unrepresented litigants. Similarly, help desk staff have identified trends and problems that the courts have then been able to address.

It is important to note that, just as seeking the right to counsel in certain limited types of cases does not diminish the argument or necessity for seeking this right for other types of cases, so too the provision of less than full representation for some clients does not diminish the argument that full representation should be provided in those types of cases in the future. Judge Lippman has advocated for such an incrementalist approach, while recognizing the benefits of full representation. Under this approach, the courts, in partnership with the legal services community and the bar more generally, pursue a wide range of initiatives that allow us to "incrementally move closer to a civil Gideon."



Ultimately, there should be a greater investment in continuing to review these programs in order to more fully appreciate their impact. Such evaluations will go far to confirm what those involved in these programs already know: in a world where low-income families and individuals face pervasive civil legal services needs - and resources are limited - alternatives to full representation play an important and effective role in expanding access to justice.
Margot Wallstrom, you are one of Sweden's top diplomats, and internationally renowned for your work in global affairs. During your tenure at UN you made us proud and became a voice to unheard women in the world who were abused, raped, and tortured. When you became Sweden's minister of foreign affairs, you fought for a seat at the UN Security Council, and when Sweden won we asserted a unique position internationally.

However, today, five months later, this action has yet to be taken. Instead we are witnessing terrorist acts all over the world by the same monstrous sect as the ones trying to wipe out the indigenous people of Iraq and Syria.

Advertisement

The EP resolution was written by Lars Adaktusson, a Swedish MEP, so it's not an exaggeration to say that Sweden also played a role in the recognition made by the US House of Representatives, US Secretary of State, and, for example, the UK House of Commons.

Margot Wallstrom, you have now a chance to make us Swedes even more proud: There is evidence to confirm that ISIS has committed acts of torture, mass murder, kidnapping, sexual enslavement, systematic rape and sexual abuse of girls and women, predominately belonging to religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syra. ISIS has documented its specific intent to destroy Assyrians/Chaldeans/Syriacs, Armenians, Yazidis and Shia Mulims such as the Shabaks and the Turkmens.

In response, the UK, the US and Russia have commenced military intervention to stop ISIS, therefore it is likely that a resolution targeting ISIS and referring the crimes committed by ISIS to the International Criminal Court (ICC) would be welcomed at the UN Security Council.

The UN Security Council was specifically established to maintain international peace and security. This role cannot be fulfilled if they remain silent, respond inadequately, or take action too late in response to these reports of genocide.

Advertisement

The ICC was specifically established to investigate and prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression. However, if the ICC continues to rely on the argument of "too narrow" jurisdiction, the ICC will become an empty symbol of justice.

To learn more about how this steps work in practice, ADF International, a NGO which focuses on atrocities against Christians, has released a book called "Never Again" written by their legal counsel Ewelina Ochab. The book illustrates the proper steps necessary to stop the genocide and prosecute the perpetrators. What the author advices the UN Security council are two different approaches to the situation in the Middle East. First, it could establish a commission of experts on genocide for the Middle East to consider the available evidence, collect further information and prepare an opinion. If the commission confirms that the atrocities amount to genocide, the UN Security Council would likely pass a resolution establishing an ad hoc criminal tribunal.

A month ago, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (the Commission of Inquiry) released the report "They came to destroy: ISIS Crimes Against the Yazidis", recognizing ISIS atrocities against Yazidis as genocide. This is a major step forward as the commission is the first UN body to clearly brand ISIS atrocities as genocidal. The commission indicated that they managed to collect enough evidence to help with future prosecutions.

This is also something that should be done in relation to other groups persecuted by ISIS as well. As far as genocide is concerned, each case (in relation to each protected group) has to be considered individually. Therefore, the next steps would be to ensure that the commission or any other UN body considers the atrocities committed against other ethnic and religious minorities. The report of the commission called upon the UNSC to refer the situation to the ICC or to establish an ad hoc tribunal. Additionally, convening and supporting prosecutions on the National level would allow victims in countries such as Iraq, Syria, and others to seek justice and restitution for the atrocities which they have suffered.

A portion of the commissions report was presented at the UN Security Council on June 23rd, however no indication was made whether the steps to bring the perpetrators to justice will be undertaken.

Advertisement

Author of "Never Again" Ewelina Ochab and me at the book launch

Sweden will be at the UN Security Council in 2017-2018 (as a non-permanent member). Author Ewelina Ochab:

"Sweden does not have to wait until January 2017 to act. Sweden may also propose a draft resolution (re either of the two approaches) for the UN SC. Such a resolution would be tabled so long as the draft is supported by at least one of the members of the UN SC. If Sweden's draft resolution is supported by a member of the UN SC, the draft resolution would be tabled and voted upon."

Throughout history Swedes like Dag Hammarskjold, Secretary-General of the UN from 1953-1961, and Raul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat known for saving thousands from being killed during the Holocaust, have shown great courage to make the world a better place. They showed that Swedish people can be leaders for justice. Margot Wallstrom, you have been given a unique opportunity to stop a genocide and bring the perpetrators to court and grant the victims justice. I urge you to seize this historic moment.
American history is anything but a stodgy affair; it's exciting, tragic, suspenseful, and horrifying. Probably even more surprising is that it can make you laugh--if you have the right teacher, that is. And Sarah Vowell, author of the new Lafayette In The Somewhat United States and former editor of "This American Life," is a great teacher. Her previous book, Assassination Vacation, is the perfect example of how history, especially when it is not about the victors, is fascinating, funny, and heartbreaking.

I first read Assassination Vacation in high school, for no other reason than I saw Sarah Vowell promote it on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and she made me laugh. Like most people, I knew only a bit about the two most famous presidential assassinations: the confusing conspiracies surrounding Lee Harvey Oswald, and the belief that John Wilkes Booth was an arrogant actor jealous of his more talented older brother. The other two presidents who were assassinated were nameless ghosts. The tragedy of Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy's deaths seem to weigh heavily on American consciousness, and if you had asked me to name the other two victims of presidential assassination, I would've drawn a blank.

Assassination Vacation not only explained who those two men were but illustrated the very real and poignant tragedies of the deaths of Presidents James A. Garfield in 1881 and William McKinley in 1901. Vowell does not, however, simply recite facts or clarify misconceptions; she brings these men and their assassins, Charles Guiteau and Leon Czolgosz respectively, to life. And throughout it all, she celebrates American history and patriotism, albeit in a book about death and violence.

Advertisement

Vowell doesn't just like history, she lives it. Assassination Vacation is a travelogue of her "vacation" throughout America to research, see, and even touch the places and artifacts related to the first three presidential assassinations. Her enthusiasm for the subject is infectious, and her biting wit makes you laugh aloud even as you mourn what could've been had Lincoln opted not to go to Ford's Theatre that night, had Guiteau gotten help for his mental illness, had Czolgosz not learned of the assassination of the Italian king by an anarchist in 1900.

Despite these grim events, this book is light, joyful, and incredibly hopeful. It's the sort of book you read on the subway, only to get odd looks from your fellow passengers because you're laughing aloud way too hard. It's also the sort of book that will make you want to read more about these tragic presidents and their strange, egotistical, and occasionally tragic assassins.

This book taught me to love presidential history and be fascinated by it, to read anything I could get my hands on about it, and to remember that, yes, America has a complex, violent, and astonishing past. But when told by the right author, it's never boring.

Kerry Fiallo is a New York native and copywriter at Simon & Schuster.
Being excluded is one of the worst feelings in the world. Ask any middle schooler and they will tell you it's the thing they fear most - it's not getting bad grades or angering their parents - it's being deemed an outsider at school, not worthy or altogether forgotten. When we think back to our early school years, most of us can remember the painful experience of being excluded at one time or another. It may have been not getting an invitation to a party, or being left out of a game on the playground. Or it was much worse: systematically being bullied and shunned by classmates.

You would think that being excluded would be an experience that disappears as we age. When we get older and wiser, we are more thoughtful and inclusive, right? Not always. In fact, it often continues into adulthood and has some familiar emotional pangs. It can bring up a lot of painful feelings of being unwanted and unworthy, and as adults (just like kids), it can be experienced as alienation and loneliness.

A bright, outgoing professional woman came to see me for therapy not long ago. Despite having a rewarding and good paying job, she was feeling increasingly unhappy at work. She believed that she knew why she was feeling that way, but was embarrassed to even admit it. Several of her office mates would regularly go out to lunch together, without including her. My client would even go as far as saying, "have a nice lunch!" as they departed, but inside she was feeling like the 12 year old girl left out on the playground.

Advertisement

Same awful feeling.

My client felt like an outsider with no tribe of her own. It brought back memories of her childhood, being the daughter of an army officer who moved around a lot. She never had an enduring friendship. Each school year brought another round of "Who are you? Where are you from?" She was always the outsider.

Hearing my client's story, I reflected on my own experiences of exclusion. However, instead of remembering times when I had been excluded (and I did have them), my attention was brought to a time when I had excluded others. On one occasion, I had purposely not invited someone to a party I was having. I felt that since it was my party, I had the right to only invite the people I preferred. In all honesty, I did not feel good about my decision during the party, nor afterwards. Other party guests inquired about the excluded person and I gave my reasons for not inviting. It felt so lame though. Couldn't I have chosen the higher road? How awful would it have been if that person had been there? I realized that by not inviting that person, I was showing myself to be selfish and uncaring. This was not how I wanted to be seen, nor how I saw myself.

At a gathering recently, I asked people about a time in their lives when they felt excluded. The words loneliness and shame came up quite a bit. Being excluded made many of them feel alone and unconnected, but more importantly they felt ashamed of themselves - that being excluded made them feel that there was something wrong with them. If somehow they were more attractive, more successful, funnier, smarter, and so on, then they would have been included. Some people also shared memories of when they had excluded others. They too felt ashamed of themselves for being so thoughtless and mean-spirited. They felt remorse over hurting others' feelings, some even wishing that they could apologize to the people that they had hurt long ago. I felt the same way. How interesting that excluding others had negative repercussions on both sides of the equation.

Advertisement

I have always contended that most of human suffering is the result of disconnection from others. I see it in my practice every day. When people feel that they belong, their depression, anxiety, and feelings of alienation begin to subside.

Back to my client's dilemma: perhaps the easy answer would be for her to ask if she could join her co-workers for lunch. But what if they said no? Or what if they agreed, only to have the lunch be incredibly awkward and uncomfortable? So, how do we recover from exclusion? How can we be more inclusive? Here are some ways - perhaps you can think of others:

Find your own tribe. Seek out others that may share your interests - or better yet, seek out others that have different interests.

Seek professional help if feeling excluded persists into your adult life. Very often there are unresolved feelings from the past that are getting in the way of you being able to move forward. Getting therapy will help you face your feelings of shame and rejection.

Advertisement

Invite the people who exclude you to a lunch or gathering of yours. My client could ask her co-workers out for a particular occasion - to celebrate a work anniversary or a completed project. Once you break through that initial wall, it's easier to be included for future events.

If you regularly go out with a certain group of people and want to maintain that membership, at least once in a while have a "guest appearance" by someone that you purposely invite. Rotate the honors among people in your group. The invited person is apt to feel appreciated and grateful, even if they are not "a regular".

Remember the saying, "the more, the merrier"? There's a reason why it's a popular phrase. The more people that are included, the more chance of having stimulating conversations, learning new things, and making connections that could lead to a new job, a romantic interest, or a new hobby. If you're always going to lunch or socializing with the same group of people, you are limiting your possibilities.
Why is gun control such a divisive issue in American politics? originally appeared on Quora - the knowledge sharing network where compelling questions are answered by people with unique insights.

Answer by Hillary Clinton, Senator, Secretary of State, 2016 presidential candidate, on Quora:

It's not that we can't find common ground. It's that our lawmakers need to find the courage to stand up to the gun lobby, respect the will of the American people, and do what it takes to save lives.

The overwhelming majority of Americans support comprehensive background checks and other commonsense reforms to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals. That includes Republicans and Democrats, gun owners and non-gun owners alike. In reality, we're not divided on this issue. Americans know that we can respect the rights of responsible gun owners and enact commonsense gun reforms to keep our communities safe.

Advertisement

And yet the politics of gun violence prevention have become poisonous. Congress is so intimidated by the gun lobby that they won't even prevent suspected terrorists from buying assault weapons. It's unfathomable--just as it's unfathomable that legislation to require comprehensive background checks would fail, despite overwhelming public support. And it's unfathomable that we can't keep keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.

We need to elect leaders with the courage to stand up to the gun lobby. That is one of the reasons I admire Tim Kaine. As governor of Virginia, he took on the NRA in their own backyard--and he won. And now he's fighting for gun reforms across the country as a senator, as we saw recently when he joined other Democrats in a 15-hour filibuster to demand a vote on the issue.

That's the kind of resolve we need if we're going to work together to keep our communities safe from gun violence. The fight is too important to concede.

...

Answer by Tim Kaine, Democratic candidate for VP and Senator from Virginia, on Quora:

The day of the Virginia Tech shooting was the worst day of my life. As Governor of Virginia, I found myself trying to comfort a traumatized community and families of victims who were suffering the worst imaginable tragedy--and I knew I had to do something to make sure a tragedy like that never happened again.

Advertisement

That's why I worked so hard to close the loophole that let the Virginia Tech shooter purchase his guns, strengthening the background check system to keep guns from dangerously mentally ill individuals.

Guns have a long tradition in American life. I know that from my home state--and also as a gun owner. But the truth is, the vast majority of gun owners support positive reforms to keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them--people who put our kids, our loved ones, and themselves at risk. We're simply not as divided on the issue as our representatives in Congress make the country out to be. Take the recent filibuster in the Senate, for example. 90 percent of Republicans and 85 percent of Democrats in America are in favor of preventing suspected terrorists from buying a gun. But was that reflected in the vote on the Senate floor? No.

So why is it such a divisive issue? I agree with Hillary--the real answer here is that it's not. It's just that the gun lobby, and in particular the NRA, has spent decades using money and influence to cause gridlock in Washington. Too many elected officials are scared to prioritize the safety of our communities over the profits of the gun lobby for fear they'll lose their jobs. Look, I know the NRA. They're headquartered in my home state, and they've campaigned against me in every statewide race I've ever run. I promise I'll continue to stand up to their bullying.



It's time for elected officials to stand up to the gun lobby, and pass the commonsense laws that Americans are asking for and that our communities need.

originally appeared as part of a

on

- the knowledge sharing network where compelling questions are answered by people with unique insights. You can follow Quora on

,

, and

. More questions:
When the tsar Vladimir Putin meets with the sultan Recep Tayyip Erdogan next week in Moscow in the latter's first foreign visit following the failed coup attempt, the Russian president will feel like a vindicated peacock before a cowering turkey. But they are both apprehensive men, concerned for their repressive authorities and powers. They are both afraid of the quagmires lurking for them: Erdogan in his vendettas in Turkey and Putin in his Syrian adventures. Aleppo will be present at the summit. The battle for the city is a fateful one and its outcome will be contingent in part upon the putative deal between the two enemies, now turned friends of necessity. The battle for Aleppo also has implications for Iran and her militias, the regime in Damascus, and Gulf capitals and their options after Erdogan's about face on Russia amid continued American reluctance to offer serious support for Syrian rebels to survive the battle. Aleppo, a major Sunni city, is of invaluable importance for all players in Syria. But capturing it is no easy feat and may well become a predicament that exhausts the might of both Russia and Iran. Perhaps the goal is to turn gains on the ground into bargaining chips for the negotiating table and it is possible that these gains have been made easier by Erdogan's coming concessions to Putin in Syria. However, there are tensions between the US and Russia at present, resulting from Moscow's alleged meddling in US presidential elections and Moscow's circumvention of john Kerry's ambiguous understandings with his Russian counterpart Lavrov on the Syrian issue. Washington is also apprehensive about Moscow's cooptation of the new Erdogan and sees it as a loss of a major card in the equation with Russia: Namely, Turkey's membership of NATO which Washington wanted to use in negotiations on Syria. Today some equations may have changed yet some strategies remain the same and Aleppo is in the heart of all of them. In February, I quoted in this column high level Russian sources as stressing Moscow's insistence on the importance of winning in Aleppo, no matter the cost in favor of the regime axis. That is, Russia will not ease its airstrikes and support for the pro-regime ground offensive until victory is secured in Aleppo and the rebel supply lines to Turkey are cut off. Moscow believes that a full regime victory in Aleppo will boost its morale and allow it to resume the Russian-led fight against Islamic groups there Moscow designates as terrorists. It was clear from the start of the year that Aleppo will be a vital milestone for Russian strategy, and that Russia will not stop its bombardment there for anything, be it the Russian-midwifed Vienna process, European reaction over more waves of refugees, or US reaction to the Russian ploy Washington is now sensing. Some have strongly claimed that Iran is the key power behind the Aleppo offensive rather than Russia and that it was Tehran that persuaded Moscow of fighting the battle to advance its strategic objectives. What is new here is the Turkish U-turn and its impact on Syria in general and the battle for Aleppo in general. There is even talk of a new tripartite axis as a result of Erdogan's new course which started with him apologizing to Putin before the failed coup, and which is culminating with the visit to Moscow. Indeed, in addition to this landmark visit, the Turkish FM has met with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif this week in what appears to be the precursors of the emergence of a Turkish Russian Iranian axis. Erdogan has changed the equation in Syria: in that he could concede Syria in return for consolidating his power in Turkey. He is also prepared to settle scores with the US and Europe through the Russian gateway. In other words, Erdogan is prepared to offer Putin his 'revengeful services', mostly through Syria: by cutting off supply routes to the Syrian rebels; by joining the Russian-Iranian axis in Aleppo; and by reaching a deal on keeping in power Bashar al-Assad, who Turkey had long insisted -- but no more -- must step down. Furthermore, Turkey can use the refugee card to destabilize Europe, especially if Turkey's doors are opened without restrictions or checks on who is a refugee and who could be a terrorist claiming to be one. Turkey could escalate against the US and end cooperating with the coalition it leads against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. And there are many more ways Erdogan will not hesitate to deploy to secure his hold over power Yet Erdogan, despite his heavy handed response to the coup and his assault on the constitution, the army, journalists, and judges, is a worried man. He is now facing a real coup of his own making. In truth, it may be too late now for him to save himself from inevitable revenge. Yet until the summit takes place, all stakeholders impacted by Erdogan's about turn must revisit their strategies especially in Iraq and Syria. This concerns the Gulf countries first and foremost; for if a Russian Turkish Iranian axis emerges in Syria, the matter will have grave consequences for them. Some believe the fate of Assad is merely a bargaining chip for Russia. That the fate of Erdogan is fragile and his regional ambitions over. Or that Iran and her militias can never recover from the battle of Aleppo no matter the outcome. Regardless, however, what is happening in Aleppo and Syria is a fateful fork in the road for the country and all parties involved. To be sure the cost of the war is too high even for the Russian army, now for the first time fighting against a major Sunni Arab force an open war on the latter's own turf. This investment will be costly especially if the battle becomes protracted urban showdown.Iran will also pay a heavy price in Aleppo if perceived as a Shia Persian force invading a major Sunni Arab city amid massacres with cover from its sectarian militias. The cost is too high whether an inconclusive victory or a protracted quagmire are the outcome. Naturally Russia's weight far surpasses Iran's in the battle for Aleppo. But they have different goals there. Iran wants total victory, a goal linked to its expansionist strategy in Iraq Syria and Lebanon. But Russia may want different things: It may seek to shore up the regime with a limited victory as a negotiating tactic to impose its vision for a solution in Syria. With Erdogan's U-turn, Russia may be in a position to impose a strategic blockade in Syria with implications for relations with the US. These are all questions that are the key to understanding what is about to happen in Syria especially Aleppo. Erdogan's visit to Moscow will shed some light but it is the duty of Gulf leaders to radically take stock of the Turkish developments and consider their options to avoid becoming de facto partners in the plots being woven at their expense, that is unless they want to be deliberately absent from their historic responsibility vis a vis Aleppo and Syria. Translated from Arabic by Karim Traboulsihttp://www.alhayat.com/Opinion/Raghida-Dergham/16767995/%D8%A3%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B2-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AB%D8%A3%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A7-%D9%88%D8%A3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9 1


August 08, 2016

No: 560-LR-5052

His Excellency Matteo Renzi

Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy

Palazzo Chigi

Rome, Italy

Re: Refugee Status and Asylum protection for human rights activist Mehdi Khosravi



Your Excellency,

I would like to bring to your attention an urgent matter concerning the refugee and asylum protection of Mr. Mehdi Khosravi who was arrested by Italian authorities on August 6, 2016, as he was entering Italy from the United Kingdom. He was reportedly detained because his name was on an Interpol list of names submitted by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

We urge and request your intervention on behalf of Mr. Khosravi on humanitarian grounds. Mr. Khosravi is an Iranian-born human rights and democracy activist who was residing in the UK as a political refugee, having had to flee Iran shortly after the 2009 election demonstrations and uprisings. In addition, Mr. Khosravi has been the Executive Administrator of the Iran National Council for Free Elections for the past three years.

Any attempt to force Mr. Khosravi's return to Iran will lead to his incarceration, torture and possible conviction and execution as a political and human rights opponent of the regime.

This critical humanitarian matter requires your indispensable intervention so that Mr. Khosravi can return to the United Kingdom.

Advertisement

Your prompt attention to this most pressing issue is deeply appreciated and urged. Yours sincerely and respectfully,

Yours sincerely,

Reza Pahlavi
         :          , CCTV  
A combination photo shows U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (L) and Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump (R) in Los Angeles, California on May 5, 2016 and in Eugene, Oregon, U.S. on May 6, 2016 respectively. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (L) and Jim Urquhart/File Photos

This was going to be a tough election for Hillary Clinton. She represented continuity and establishment politics, at a political moment when unhappy voters wanted change.

She was pushing 70. Most of her prospective GOP opponents were more youthful, some of them a whole generation younger, reinforcing the image of Clinton as a candidate of the past.

Advertisement

She had a lot of baggage -- Bill's affairs, potential embarrassments from Clinton Foundation deals, a very long public record of public service, with inevitable gaffes and contradictions as targets. Even her strength in national security and foreign policy was blemished by misadventures such as the email mess.

And then along came Trump.

At first, it seemed as if Trump, in the role of faux populist, tribune of working class discontent, and media genius, might mean big trouble. But lately, Trump has been making Clinton look not just presidential; compared to Trump, she's Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt.

Consider:

He's older than she is! So age is off the table.

Bill Clinton may be an odd first spouse, even a risky one. But ever since her plagiarism episode, Melania Trump has been missing in action. It now appears that she may have worked illegally for years in the U.S. on a tourist visa before she got her green card, which takes a certain zing out of Trump's anti-immigrant rants.

The Clinton Foundation may have done some dubious deals. Clinton's Wall Street speaking fees may have been outlandish. But compared to what? Trump's stiffing of small business contractors? Trump University? His refusal to release his taxes? His serial bankruptcies?

Advertisement

The biggest worry for Clinton has been the risk of some major terrorist attack, which might drive voters to Trump as the strong hand in a crisis. But after last week, voters will have second thoughts about who has the steadier hand on national security.

Trump, himself a draft-dodger, insulted gold star families, and wouldn't let up. He didn't know that Putin had invaded Ukraine. He made casual comments about using nuclear weapons and abandoning NATO allies. On foreign policy, he reveals himself as an impulsive fool.

Republicans usually begin as the party superior at the mechanics of politics and the use of media. But Trump's impulsiveness disdains professionalism, undermines the consistency of his campaign, and demolishes those structural advantages.

For one speech, on Friday, Trump actually managed to stay on message, After intense pressure from RNC chairman Reince Priebus, his own campaign staff, and anyone else who could get through to him, Trump reversed himself and announced that he was endorsing House Speaker Paul Ryan, and Senators John McCain and Kelly Ayotte after all. He even managed to avoid continuing the disastrous insults to the Khans and other gold star families.

But that discipline is very unlikely to continue. There has been a charming debate in the media about whether Trump's bizarre character more closely corresponds to the American Psychiatric Association's textbook definition of narcissistic personality disorder (grandiosity, self-absorbtion, lacking in empathy) or mania (inability to control outbursts, obessive "flights of ideas").

Advertisement

I'd vote for both.

In the past week, Hillary Clinton and the Democrats had some potentially awkward moments such as her mischaracterization of FBI Director Comey's view of her truthfulness, and the revelation that the Administration had paid $400 million in cash to Iran as part of a prisoner exchange . But Trump, in his obsessive sensitivity to slights, managed to keep the (negative) spotlight on himself, and keep potentially damaging Clinton stories off the front pages.

Until a couple of weeks ago, Trump's penchant for stealing attention was a positive--billions of dollars in free media. Now it's a clear negative.

In the Democratic convention speech by Khizr Kahn and its aftermath, the Democrats stumbled on a strategy that will serve them well throughout the fall campaign: Goad Trump into responding with insults to a criticism on which Democrats clearly have the high ground, knowing that he is incapable of not taking the bait.

As the ancient Greeks put it, character is fate. It took a while for Trump's true character to be revealed. But there it is, rampant, florid, and repulsive. Those who live by tweets perish by tweets.

In all likelihood, Trump will continue to amplify the splits in the GOP. The spotlight will stay on him -- pulling younger voters, independent voters, sane Republican voters, and Bernie voters tempted by Jill Stein back into the Hillary camp.

Advertisement

All of this should be cause for relief, but not complacency. After all, a competent demagogue with greater mental stability -- channeling racism, misogyny, white working class economic rage, anti-immigration anxiety and fear of terrorism -- could well have beaten Clinton. Those demons will not be quelled any time soon.

--

Robert Kuttner is co-editor of The American Prospect and professor at Brandeis University's Heller School. His latest book is Debtors' Prison: The Politics of Austerity Versus Possibility.
Republican U.S. Presidential nominee Donald Trump attends campaign event at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin August 5, 2016. REUTERS/Eric Thayer

"Without a border, we just don't have a country," Donald Trump says repeatedly. For him, the biggest threats to American sovereignty are three-dimensional items that cross our borders, such as unwanted imports and undocumented immigrants.

He's wrong. The biggest threats to American sovereignty are invisible digital dollars wired into U.S. election campaigns from abroad.

Advertisement

Yet Trump seems to welcome foreign influence over our democracy.

Sovereignty is mainly about a government's capacity to govern. A government not fully accountable to its citizens won't pass laws that benefit and protect those citizens -- not just laws about trade and immigration but about national security, the environment, labor standards, the economy, and all else.

To state it another way: Without a functioning democracy, we just don't have a country.

Trump's recent public request that hackers connected to the Russian government sabotage his opponent Hillary Clinton is the tip of a Trumpian iceberg of foreign influence.

He's also been actively soliciting campaign funds from officials of foreign governments - in the United Kingdom, Iceland, Australia, and elsewhere.

Terri Butler, a member of the Australian parliament member was surprised to receive fundraising solicitations from Trump at her official government email address, asking her to make a "generous contribution" to the Trump campaign.

Advertisement

Bob Blackman, a member of Britain's House of Commons, who has also received fundraising requests from the Trump campaign, says "I did not sign up, these are sent unsolicited."

Another member of the U.K. parliament, Peter Bottomley, has received three such solicitations. "Neither [Trump's] sons nor anyone else has answered my questions about how they acquired my email nor why they were asking for financial support that I suppose to be illegal for [Trump] to accept," he says.

In Iceland, Katrin Jakobsdottir, chair of the Left-Green Movement, a democratic socialist party, has "no idea" how she got on Trump's fundraising list.

Someone should let Trump know it's illegal for candidates for federal office to solicit foreign money, regardless of whether the donations ever materialize. In addition, foreign individuals, corporations and governments are barred from either giving money directly to U.S. candidates or spending on advertising to influence U.S. elections.

Why hasn't Trump been held accountable? Because the Federal Election Commission, charged with enforcing the law, is gridlocked by its Republican appointees.

Advertisement

So we're left with a presidential candidate screaming about threats to American sovereignty from trade and immigration, who's simultaneously urging officials of foreign governments to compromise American sovereignty.

The hypocrisy doesn't end there. Leading Trump supporters like Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary committee, is quick to blame global American corporations for disregarding American borders.

"There just seems to be this view, particularly in much of our business community -- they've already transitioned to a trans-national status," Sessions says. "They just see the world differently. Borders are just impediments to them."

Yes, but the only way Americans have a fighting chance of getting trade deals that are in our interest -- or, for that matter, any other kind of legislation that helps the vast majority -- is by restricting the flow of global corporate money into American politics.

Yet Sessions is one of the staunchest defenders of the Supreme Court's "Citizens United" ruling, which held that corporations are people under the First Amendment and can therefore contribute to election campaigns. (He's even favorably compared"Citizens United" to "Brown v. Board of Education.")

Advertisement

Not incidentally, "Citizens United" opened a back door for global corporations to influence American elections.

Just last week "The Intercept" reported on two Chinese citizens living in Singapore who own a U.S.-based firm called American Pacific International Capital, on whose board Neil Bush (Jeb's brother) serves. Last year, the corporation donated $1.3 million to the Jeb Bush super PAC.

There's reason to believe a lot more foreign money is being funneled into American election campaigns, either through tax-exempt entities that don't have to reveal the identities of their donors, or via super PACs. So far in the 2016 election there's been a surge of contributions to super PACs by so-called "ghost corporations" whose ownership remains unknown.

The underlying problem is even larger, because almost all large publicly-traded American companies have some foreign ownership. The Treasury Department estimates that about a quarter of the total market value of public U.S. corporations is owned by foreign nationals.

So whenever these corporations make campaign donations they in effect funnel some of their foreign shareholders' assets into American politics.

Advertisement

That wouldn't matter so much if these global corporations cared about America. But they don't. They care only about their global bottom lines. As an Apple executive told The New York Times, "We don't have an obligation to solve America's problems."

Donald Trump is right to worry about American sovereignty. But the real threat to our sovereignty isn't imports or immigrants. It's global money influencing our politics.

Protecting our democracy requires two steps that Trump and his leading supporters oppose: First, enforce our laws against soliciting or receiving foreign money in our election campaigns.
China is a country that is both mysterious and high on the radar of the world. It's packed with distinct culture and a way of doing things so unique that it sometimes can feel like a foreign planet to visitors. Alongside a stroll on the Great Wall and a view from atop Shanghai's infamous Pearl Tower, make sure to get in these top six activities to have a well balanced journey to one of the world's most interesting destinations.

Taste The Tea

Tea is a way of life in China and without making time for a taste, you are significantly missing out on the culture. From tea tasting tours led by a guide to wandering into tea houses on your own, there will be plenty of opportunity to try a little cup. Oolong, White Pu'er, Green and Red are some of the top teas try; each with a different flavor and purpose. Head to Wuyishan in Fujian Province, a town based around the tea trade or get yourself invited in to the home of a local for the real deal.

Go City Hopping

China is packed with some of the world's best cities. If you have the chance to see a few on your visit, you should certainly take it. Each city offers something different and while Beijing is full of historic sites, Shanghai offers counter culture and an upscale nightlife. Xi'an is the home to ancient sites while Harbin has a culture all of its own and holds one of the largest ice sculpture festivals in the world.

Advertisement

Take a Guided Tour

China is huge and its interesting sites are spread all throughout its vastness. If you want to get around while experiencing the sites in a care free way, consider taking a guided tour. Visit The Great Wall, view the Terracotta Warriors or head off on an expedition through the mountains. You won't have to worry about language barriers, figuring out currency conversion or trying to navigate on your own.

Eat Street Food

Don't be put off by warnings you may have heard about eating the street food in China. Gathering at street side vendors, especially at night is a weekly ritual for the locals and all for good reason. Head on over to any cluster of street vendors that seem to be getting business and get ready to feast. Try the BBQ where you get to choose your own skewered meats, seafood and vegetables or try the standard but delicious fried rice and noodles.

Play Dice in a Bar

You're bound to see them in nearly every bar you end up in; the ultimate drinking game for Chinese club goers. These saucers with dome shaped lids contain a handful of dice and are shaken to mix up the numbers. Players must either tell the truth or bluff about their number matches and if another player calls their bluff and is right, the bluffing player loses.

Wander Around a City Park
By Rob Waters



Mick Phillips didn't think much about it when he started coughing a lot in the fall of 2009. He'd been doing a lot of yard work at his home in Appleton, Wis., and thought he might be reacting to leaf mold. In fact, he had stage 3 lung cancer. Though his doctors didn't tell him this, his odds of living for five years were vanishingly small.

Chemotherapy and radiation worked for a time. But his doctor warned him each round would be less effective.

So Phillips came up with a new plan: Cuba.

Even as the US-Cuba relationship changes, bringing a growing numbers of tourists, the island remains in many ways frozen in time; when Phillips was last there in the spring, he was driven around by a cabbie in a '55 Buick. But a striving, modern biotech enterprise thrives in Cuba, too. It's a legacy of the US embargo: With drugs from the US unavailable, Cuba had to develop its own pharmaceutical industry. Among its biggest accomplishments is a novel treatment for lung cancer called CimaVax.

Advertisement

The Cuban data on CimaVax is promising, prompting an American oncologist at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., to make plans to submit an application to the Food and Drug Administration this summer for a 70-patient trial to test the drug's safety -- in what would likely be the first-ever US clinical trial of a Cuban therapy.

For now, though, CimaVax is out of reach -- at least for most patients. Doctors can't prescribe the drug in the US because it hasn't been FDA approved. And with an embargo still in place, American patients can't legally fly to Havana for treatment.

That did not stop Phillips.

In July 2011, two weeks after completing a second round of chemotherapy, he and his wife, Maya, boarded a plane for Lima to get CimaVax treatment in Peru, where it's legal. Later, they'd come up with a way to sneak CimaVax into Wisconsin from Cuba.

His oncologist hadn't heard of the drug before Phillips told him about it. Five and a half years later, he's a believer.

Advertisement



Phillips, 79, is one of a small number of intrepid lung cancer patients from the US who has traveled to Cuba to get CimaVax or, more recently, a second cancer treatment called Vaxira that works in a different way.



"Outside of divine intervention, this guy shouldn't be living right now," Dr. Timothy Goggins said. "If you believe in God, it's God. If you believe in science, it's CimaVax."

"Outside of divine intervention, this guy shouldn't be living right now. If you believe in God, it's God. If you believe in science, it's CimaVax," said Doctor Timothy Goggins.

Phillips, 79, is one of a small number of intrepid lung cancer patients from the US who has traveled to Cuba to get CimaVax or, more recently, a second cancer treatment called Vaxira that works in a different way. The patients, not all of whom have done well on the drug, share information through social media, especially a website for cancer patients.

"We find CimaVax to be incredibly exciting," said Dr. Kelvin Lee, the Buffalo oncologist planning the US study of the treatment. "It's inexpensive, it's easy to give, and it has very little toxicity. And the Cubans have done a whole series of clinical trials which have shown that CimaVax increases overall survival."

Advertisement

A Cuban study of 405 patients published earlier this year in the journal Clinical Cancer Research found that those who were given CimaVax lived about three months longer than those in a control group who got standard care only. More importantly, after five years, 23 percent of the patients who took the vaccine were still alive. None in the control group survived that long.



Taking a risk to beat a tough foe



CimaVax aims to mobilize the body's immune system to fight cancer by reducing levels of epidermal growth factor, or EGF, a protein that fuels the proliferation of cells, including cancer cells. Several cancer drugs already marketed in the US -- including Erbitux, Tarceva, Iressa and Tykerb -- also target EGF, but in a different way. All of them cause more frequent and serious side effects than CimaVax, according to Lee.

CimaVax was approved by Cuban medical regulators in 2008 and is also approved in Venezuela and Peru, with clinical trials underway in Europe and Malaysia. Lee has made 11 trips to Cuba over the past four years to meet with scientists from the Cuban Institute for Molecular Immunology, which developed the vaccine. He calls the institute's manufacturing facilities "world class."

Mick Phillips had pretty modest goals when he and Maya decided to make the trip to Peru and give CimaVax a try.

His first post-chemotherapy remission had lasted 10 months before the cancer returned; his hair grew back and he returned to his job managing a company that sells and repairs industrial pumps. But Goggins, his oncologist, had warned that future remissions would be much shorter. Phillips hoped the drug would stretch them out.

Advertisement

Goggins didn't tell him this part: "He probably had six months to one year [to live] at that point, depending on his response to chemotherapy. And after a recurrence, survival for five years is zero percent."

Despite those odds, "I had no reason to think [the Cuban drug] was a good option," Goggins said. "But they researched it and decided to do it. I don't try and stop people from doing things like that."

In Lima, Phillips got one round of chemotherapy and then was injected with CimaVax every two weeks -- one shot in each shoulder, one shot in each hip. The treatment caused minimal side effects, mostly a mild fever and chills that once left him shaking and clutching surgical gloves filled with hot water. After two months, he and his wife, a native Peruvian, returned home with supply of CimaVax in their suitcase.

Between travel and drug costs, Phillips estimated they spent $50,000 for that first year of treatment.

Back in Wisconsin, Phillips found a nurse friend to come to his home each month to inject him with CimaVax. Meanwhile, Maya continued to do research and found that they could get the treatment in Cuba for a lot less than in Peru.

Advertisement

Mick Phillips has now made five trips to Havana, some with Maya, some alone, and the most recent one with his grandson. He gets treated at Centro Internacional de Salud La Pradera, a hotel-like hospital for foreign medical tourists located on the outskirts of Havana, by Dr. Ruben Elzaurdin, chief of oncology services.

On each trip, Phillips brings gel ice packs and cash -- Americans can't use ATMs or credit cards in Cuba due to the continuing embargo. At the end of each stay, he packs vials of CimaVax with the chilled gel packs into an insulated lunch box to make the trip home. He flies to Toronto, then drives 11 hours back to Wisconsin.

He does not tell US customs agents that he's carrying medicine made in Cuba.

Phillips continues to see Goggins, who performs regular scans and has found no sign of cancer returning.

More than one way to kill a cancer cell

The idea for CimaVax was born in Havana in the 1980s.



Lee, the Buffalo oncologist, says the Cuban medication -- which is called a vaccine, though it's a treatment -- is quite different from the immunology-based cancer therapies developed in the US.





At the time, scientists were unraveling the role of the EGF system, one of the key forces driving the uncontrolled proliferation of cells that occurs in cancer. They knew this proliferation is enabled when ligands -- specialized molecules that circulate in the blood and other places -- bind with EGF receptors on the surface of cells.

Advertisement

"In cancer cells you have a thousand times more EGF receptors than in normal cells. We knew that more over-expression leads to worse prognosis," said Gisela Gonzalez, a scientist who worked on CimaVax for decades as part of a team at the Center for Molecular Immunology in Havana before moving to Miami three years ago.

Researchers around the world were looking for ways to prevent ligands and EGF receptors from binding. In the US and Europe, most targeted the receptor side of this pairing, leading to the development of so-called EGFR inhibitors, now on the market to treat certain types of breast, colon, and lung cancer.

The Cuban scientists decided to take a different tack: "We thought, 'Why not try to block the ligand, the protein in our blood, instead of the receptor on the cells,'" Gonzalez said.

Lee, the Buffalo oncologist, says the Cuban medication -- which is called a vaccine, though it's a treatment -- is quite different from the immunology-based cancer therapies developed in the US.

"Most initiate an immune response that kills cancer cells," Lee said. "CimaVax is designed to initiate an immune response that depletes EGF out of the bloodstream."

Advertisement

Although extensive testing has been done only in lung cancer, CimaVax also has the potential to be used against other EGF-dependent solid tumors, including some forms of breast, prostate, colon, and head and neck cancer, Lee said. And because it is relatively inexpensive to produce, doesn't need to be kept frozen, and causes few side effects, it can be used in primary care clinics by family doctors, not specialists.

That also raises another possibility: that the vaccine could be used to prevent recurrence. With lung cancer screening gaining wider use, more people are going to be found with early stage cancer and will have their tumors removed.

"These people are technically cured." Lee said, "But we know that 50 percent of them will get a second lung cancer within five years. If we could actually vaccinate those patients with CimaVax and reduce their risk of a relapse, that would be a significant step forward."

"If we could actually vaccinate those patients with CimaVax and reduce their risk of a relapse, that would be a significant step forward," said Dr. Kelvin Lee.

To develop CimaVax, Gonzalez and her colleagues devised a biological compound that could effectively interfere with the binding process and tested it in mice and, later, monkeys. They learned that it worked to reduce levels of EGF in the blood. And lower levels of EGF seemed to be correlated with longer survival in animals with cancer.

Advertisement

The first group of 10 people with lung cancer was treated in 1994 to test the safety of CimaVax. Since then, about 4,000 people have taken the drug.

The other lung cancer therapy that American patients travel to Cuba to get was jointly developed by the Center for Molecular Immunology and researchers from Buenos Aires University in Argentina and was approved in Cuba 2013. Called Vaxira, it targets a specific antigen that is attached to lung cancer cells and recruits the army of cells in the body's immune system to attack it.

Vaxira is "completely novel and captivating," said Dr. Thomas Rothstein, an oncologist and research scientist recently recruited to head up a new Center for Immunobiology at Western Michigan University School of Medicine.

Rothstein spent the last decade as a senior investigator at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset, N.Y., and has maintained a research collaboration with a team at the CIM in Havana since 2008. He visits the country frequently.

"It's amazing what they accomplish there, working in difficult circumstances and with limited resources," he said.

Advertisement

"It's amazing what they accomplish there, working in difficult circumstances and with limited resources," said Dr. Thomas Rothstein.

A small number of American patients have gone to Cuba to take Vaxira. Many more have taken CimaVax. According to Gonzalez, the longest-living patient is a young man from Spain who has survived for 10 years. Mick Phillips is believed to be the longest-surviving American, a distinction he's quite proud of.

"I'm elated that it's done more that we ever expected it to," Phillips said. "I think I'll die of something different than lung cancer -- probably my hard head."

In truth, said Phillips, a lifelong smoker, the biggest threat to his health is another lung disease, COPD, which recently led to a bout of pneumonia. He has since recovered. "I'm back to doing two flights of stairs," he said, "but not carrying a laundry basket."



Evangelist with a cause

On Inspire, the patient social network, Phillips is a bit of an evangelist for CimaVax, sharing his experience with other cancer patients and letting them know what he learns. He knows of patients who have had poor results, including one who died about a month after getting treated.

Advertisement

But he's persuaded others to gamble on Cuban medicine.

One regular reader of the website, a technology worker who asked to remain anonymous to guard his family's privacy, was inspired by Phillips's experience to take his mother, a retired physician from Pakistan, to Cuba. They spent a week this summer in Havana while she was treated with CimaVax.

A year of chemo with a variety of drugs had weakened his mother, who is 78. Worst, none of it seemed to reduce a fluid build-up in her lungs that made it hard to catch her breath. For the better part of the past year, she'd been having regular lung taps -- a painful procedure that uses a needle through the ribs to suck fluid out of the lungs.

"They pulled a liter of fluid from her lungs every two weeks without fail," the son said.

They left Havana with an eight-month supply of CimaVax at a cost of about $10,000 -- a significant amount, but a fraction of what new cancer drugs cost in the US. Since no medical professional would agree to be liable for a drug that's not approved in the US, the son has been giving his mother her bi-weekly injections himself.

She said he's pretty good with a syringe. "He learned from Google," she said.

Six days ago, she had her first lung tap since she went to Cuba. Nurses pulled out only a fraction of the amount of fluid they had in the past, her son said.
Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton arrives with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) for a rally at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 357, union hall in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Thursday, August 4, 2016. REUTERS/Steve Marcus

For decades, Democrats proudly claimed to be a big tent party. This big tent, in which opposing views are acknowledged, respected, and coexist, is the very essence of liberalism. After the Democratic Party convened in Philadelphia to nominate Hillary Clinton as their presidential candidate, one has to wonder if this big tent still exists.

On issues such as war, abortion, the working-class, and religious liberties, some Catholics who identify with the Democratic Party may be experiencing a certain degree of exclusion or marginalization. That a party which once prided itself on inclusion and free thought has now stifled ideological dissent. Is this true? And if so, can this exclusion and marginalization be mended?

Advertisement

At certain points of the convention, I witnessed delegates shout "no more wars" only to be drown out by chants of "USA" or "Hillary." Among Catholics, there's a debate raging on the morality of the just war theory. Recently in Rome, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Pax Christi International urged Pope Francis to renounce just war theory and replace it with "just peace." As the fallout from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have shown, winning a war can be easy, winning the peace isn't.

Also prevalent throughout the convention were anti-Trans-Pacific Partnership protesters.

This indicated to me that some delegates feel the Democratic Party has lost touch with working-class America. That elitism, not working-class values, shapes the economic policies of the Democratic Party. Secretary Clinton candidly admitted Democrats need to do a better job reaching out to and understanding the concerns of the working-class. When three fifths of Americans have no college degree, economic policies can't focus mainly on the college educated. Nor should a narrative be pushed that suggests a college degree means a good job and success while a high school degree means a bad job and failure. Democrats should borrow inspiration from Pope Francis, who has rightly called on those in government and business to promote the dignity of work for all and reject an economy that excludes.

If you drove down I-95 South past the Wells Fargo Center, you may have noticed a sign claiming one third of Democrats, an estimated 21 million people, identify as pro-life. This begs the question, can Catholic and others with the Democratic Party feel free to express their pro-life views without condemnation and marginalization?

To be clear -- too many pro-lifers I talk to are simply pro-birth and not truly pro-life. More people in the pro-life movement need to embrace pro-life policies like greater maternity rights for women and increased investments in early childhood education. In fact, one of the primary reasons women seek an abortion is because they don't believe they can afford or properly care for a baby. Economic and social policies must be crafted in the pro-life movement to combat this mindset.

Advertisement

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and Jesuit-educated Catholic, admitted he's personally against abortion but won't "weaken or subvert the basic holding of Roe v. Wade." Perhaps Kaine is hoping that through his personal example, less Americans will choose abortions and that the pro-choice movement will work with pro-lifers to lower the number of abortions. Otherwise, continued militancy on both sides of the abortion issue will likely ensure further loss of innocent life.



Last but not least is an examination of LGBT rights in relation to religious and civil liberties. Whenever discussing LGBT rights, I make a clear distinction between religious and civil liberties. I can't force the Catholic Church to change their official stance on the LGBT issue any more than the Church can impose their beliefs on a pluralistic civil society. Still, through persistent encounter and dialogue and an open heart and mind, I hope the Church will come to find God in all things -- including our LGBT brothers and sisters.

That being said, it's unfortunate that before the DNC convention, Philadelphia's Mayor Jim Kenney, an Irish-Catholic Democrat, publicly blasted Archbishop Charles J. Chaput for releasing what he viewed as "not Christian" guidelines in relation to Pope Francis' Amoris Laetitia. Conversely, Archbishop Chaput has a history of trying to politically influence elected officials on matters concerning LGBT civil rights. As an elected official and religious leader respectively, both Mayor Kenney and Archbishop Chaput are wrong to publicly interfere and question one another's beliefs and liberties.

In my own analysis of Archbishop Chaput's guidelines, I outlined some of the noticeable shortcomings and blatant hypocrisies of the Church on the LGBT issue without resorting to attacks on someone else's Christian faith. Furthermore, I contend change within the Church isn't going to happen from high profile individuals like Pope Francis, Archbishop Chaput, or Mayor Kenney, but from everyday rank and file Catholics.

At the end of the day, Democrats like Mayor Kenney, however well-meaning, can't impose their social views on Archbishop Chaput and the Church anymore than Archbishop Chaput and the Church can impose their religious views on a pluralistic civil society. All either side can really do is learn and grow from each other through continued encounter and dialogue.

Advertisement
Down the street from the RNC in Cleveland was an event without the theatre of politics, protests or Donald Trump. The Purple Tent, a 2500 square foot civility destination (purple for a blend of the red and blue), dealt with the substance of how "we the people" can better get along and build a nation of values. Sponsored by Purple America/Values-in-Action Foundation in conjunction with the Bridge Alliance, its objective was to bring together thought leaders from media, politics, business and education to discuss how to achieve civility in politics, communities, schools and life.

Many observers said that the Purple Tent was more substantive than the political conventions themselves; that devoid of Hillary-bashing or Donald-bashing, thoughtful people, engaged in civil dialogue, were able to discuss issues objectively. The methodology was to focus, first, on our shared values and, then, to discuss significant matters within the context of those values.

Starting with leaders from Northeast Ohio, the first two panels focused on Northeast Ohio as a model of civility. The leaders, two council members from Cuyahoga County Council, the head of government advocacy for the Cleveland schools, two former state representatives, two leading educators, the publisher of a community newspaper, and a prominent judge spoke about the culture and values that proclaim loud and clear, "Let's set our differences aside and get the job done for our community's greater good."

Advertisement

In line with this values statement, Cuyahoga County was able to reform its government from a pay-to-play system to a responsive county council and executive. Two council members, one from the inner city and one from the suburbs, one Republican and one Democrat, swapped districts for a day so they could walk in each other's shoes and better collaborate. With shared responsibility, the Cleveland School District was able to change state law and local work rules, collaborate with the teachers union, combine levy initiatives with the dominant charter school, and pass a long overdue school levy.

Following the Northeast Ohio examples, panelists spoke about "Is Civility Dead," How to Achieve Common Ground," "Engaging Millennials," and "Polling and the Media," all within the context of shared values and shared responsibilities.

In the safe space of the Purple Tent, Conservative Republican Grover Norquist (Americans for Tax Reform) and liberal Democrat Rick Ungar (Sirius XM) discussed "Finding Common Ground," and Ohio Democratic Chair David Pepper, Independent Matt Dowd (ABC Chief Political Correspondent), former RNC Chair Michael Steele and nationally-syndicated talk show host Michael Medved discussed "Is Civility Dead and What Can we Do About It?"

Dr. Ben Carson spoke about our shared values, similarities and common responsibilities. What emerged was a feeling that we are able to get to know one another and get things done through conversation and the lens of our shared values. Panelists on the "Engaging Millennials" panel pointed out that the Millennial Generation is driven by values of social conscience, community and fairness, as evidenced by their live conversations on Facebook and overwhelming support of Bernie Sanders.

Advertisement

Can our shared values guide us to conversation, consensus and positive results?

Leaders at both the RNC and DNC conventions spoke about values. Looking objectively at Melania Trump's plagiarism of Michelle Obama's speech, one can clearly argue that both women agreed about the timeless values of hard work, fairness, integrity and the American Dream. They agreed on values -- get them in a room together, and maybe they could be friends!

Both parties spoke about freedom. Ted Cruz at the RNC: "America is more than just a land mass between two oceans. America is an idea and ideal. Freedom matters .... We will unite the country by believing in our shared values." Ivanka Trump said that her father instilled in her "... positive values and a strong ethical compass (and that) there's nothing you can't accomplish .... Judge him by the values he instilled in his children."

At the DNC, Senator Cory Booker said that, "We gather in the City of Brotherly Love to reaffirm our values." Rev. William Barber II called for "... a moral revolution of values. Some issues are not left versus right or liberal versus conservative. They are right versus wrong." General John Allen said, "We are all of us together, pursuing our common values." And Gold Star parent Khizr Khan declared that, "We don't take these values lightly -- we are testament to the goodness of this country .... Republicans and Democrats are as patriotic as anyone else."

The common ground of America -- that oasis where we can have civil and productive dialogue -- may not be through our politics but can be through our shared values. Our politics may divide us, but our values can unite us. In the Purple Tent, liberal Richard Ungar and conservative Grover Norquist were able to discuss guns, gun control and community. Ben Carson, coming right off of his "Lucifer speech" the night before was able to speak beyond partisanship about the values that make America America.

I dream of an America that recognizes these similarities and responsibilities: that the other side is not, by definition, evil; that churches, temples, synagogues and mosques, schools, companies, colleges and communities sponsor honest and collaborative conversations about who we are and what we stand for; that we recognize that no political party, religion, race, club or community has a cartel on values. We all do.

Advertisement

Under our respective "purple tents," we can all recognize that America is more united than divided, that thoughtful people can have thoughtful dialogue, and that disputes can get resolved and urgent issues solved.

According to ABC's Matt Dowd, speaking in the Purple Tent, "Civility isn't dead, it's just in the hospital." With that predicament in mind, it's incumbent on all of us to do our part to triage and heal civility by recognizing our similarities, having conversation and using our shared values as our guides.

One citizen, Jack Born of Parma, Ohio, in a letter to the editor of The Plain Dealer, eloquently summed this up:

"We are all the same within. The only difference is whether we understand that or want to remain ignorant. We all bleed the same color and we go to war together, so why can't we live together in brotherhood and respect for one another. These are troubled times and we need to resolve our differences before it's too late."

Whether America "is already great" or "needs to be great again," talking heads will light up the airwaves by arguing their respective positions. But, only by engaged citizens working together to make America civil again, will both slogans converge and ring true.

Advertisement

To see all the content of the Purple Tent or to download an "I Stand for Civility" poster, go to www.purpletent.us
Schools in at least sixteen states are planning to ring morning bells later this school year to improve student sleep, health, and learning.

While some of these schools will still be starting classes too early, or moving high schools later by moving other kids earlier, every one of these bell time delays is a move in the right direction. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), five out of six middle and high schools in the United States currently start class too early in the morning to allow for healthy sleep - even when students go to bed at reasonable hours.

With the American Medical Association (AMA) now joining the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics in calling for classes no earlier than 8:30 a.m. for middle and high schools, we can expect even more schools to join the Start School Later Movement.

Advertisement

The Sweet Sixteen

Schools reportedly planning to start later in the morning for the 2016/2017 school year include, by state:

California: Morago Middle School

Florida: Leon County Schools (offering optional late arrival)

Illinois: Normal (Unit 5), Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire)

Indiana: Monroe County Community Schools

Iowa: Iowa City

Maine: Biddeford, Saco, Dayton, Orchard Beach districts, Cumberland/North Yarmouth, plus the Thornton Academy

Massachusetts: Canton, Hanover, Walpole

Michigan: Ewen-Trouth Creek Schools

Minnesota: Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools, Wayzata

North Carolina: Durham

Rhode Island: East Greenwich

South Carolina: Charleston County

Tennessee: Germantown

Vermont: Bennington

Virginia: Montgomery County

Washington: Bellevue, Seattle

Many of these school districts are working directly with local chapters of Start School Later or have used resources available on its website. Start School Later regularly tracks progress toward healthier school start times and provides support to communities making these changes.

A Trend?

It's hard to say if these changes are part of a "trend" because there is no official tracking of changes in school hours over time. Also, schools routinely change their hours every year for many different reasons, so it's hard to say definitively if schools overall are moving later, or moving for the sake of teen sleep, health, and learning.

Advertisement

The real trend is the growing number of school leaders and policymakers who are finally paying attention to these changes on a national level. More and more districts are considering changes to allow for healthy sleep, and working to raise awareness in their communities about sleep health. As more people understand why later start times are a necessary part of healthy sleep, we can expect healthier school hours nationwide.
You know, the irony is that what's actually hurt coal is not any EPA rules as much as it is any really cheap natural gas that has come from fracking, a new technology that we developed that allowed the United States to become the leading producer of natural gas in the world. And those gas-fired plants -- natural gas-fired plants are now so much more efficient that even if there were no rules whatsoever, coal would be replaced by natural gas in terms of generating electricity. Natural gas is a little cleaner than coal, and what we are saying in the same way that natural gas has replaced a lot coal-fired plants, well, let's see if we can get that same kind of progress on solar and wind and, you know, hydro and other clean energies that are sustainable over the long term.

And what we to then do is invest in those communities that used to have a lot of coal miners, which was a tough, dirty job. Let's retrain them so that they're the ones who are installing wind turbines. Let's retrain them so they are getting jobs in the solar industry. And that's the nature of American innovaton and American change. We used to have a lot of folks who worked on farms. Farms became really efficient here in the United States, and what we did then is said, let's set up public schools and let's set up community colleges and land-grant colleges and let's have them work in the factories. And then now we're having them work in the digital world.

And you know, we can't abandon those communities, and there's still some market for coal. And I'm still investing, by the way, in technologies that could potentially pull the carbon out of coal so that -- there's a lot of coal here in the United States as there is in China and India. If we could figure out a way to do that cleanly, that should be part of our smart energy mix. But we can't stand still. America never has, it never will.


By Ari Berman





THE SECOND EMANCIPATION



In December 1964, Lyndon Johnson was in a jubilant mood. He'd just routed Barry Goldwater by twenty-three points, winning 486 electoral votes to Goldwater's 52, the most lopsided victory in U.S. presidential history to date. Five months earlier, on his daughter Luci's seventeenth birthday, he'd signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a sweeping law that desegregated schools, restaurants, hotels, parks, and many other public places. When John F. Kennedy's advisers urged LBJ not to push the bill following the assassination, the new president replied, "Well, what the hell's the presidency for?"

Johnson's commitment to civil rights surprised his critics on the left and the right. He was the first southern president since the Civil War. His first vote in the House of Representatives in 1937 came against an antilynching law. His first major speech in the Senate was a defense of the filibuster, which had been used so often by southern Democrats to block civil rights legislation. He'd voted against every civil rights bill in Congress from 1937 to 1956. JFK put him on the ticket to win the southern segregationist vote.

Yet LBJ hadn't had a change of heart so much as a change of circumstances and constituency. He was no longer a congressman or senator from Texas, but the president of the United States. He was now free to say what he believed.

Advertisement

Johnson could be crude and manipulative, but he was also unexpectedly compassionate. After graduating from Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, LBJ taught fifth through seventh grades at a segregated Mexican-American school in the south Texas town of Cotulla, where his students showed up barefoot because they were too poor to afford shoes. LBJ cried when he told the story. "It was a genuinely uncontrolled emotion," said Deputy Attorney General Ramsey Clark, a fellow Texan. "It was pretty deep and pretty impressive."

Now Johnson wanted to cement the civil rights revolution by giving African-Americans and other long-disenfranchised minority groups the right to vote, a goal that previous civil rights legislation in 1957, 1960, and 1964 had not accomplished. The ballot, the president believed, would give Mexican-Americans in Cotulla and blacks in Selma the power to change their circumstances. The vote was "the meat in the coconut," he liked to say.

"I want you to undertake the greatest midnight legislative drafting that has happened since Corcoran and Cohen wrote the Holding Company Act," the president instructed the acting attorney general, Nicholas Katzenbach, on December 14, 1964, referring to an obscure New Deal bill in 1935 regulating electric utilities that was written by two senior aides to Franklin Roosevelt. LBJ wanted "a simple, effective method of gettin' 'em registered." He urged Katzenbach and the top lawyers in the Justice Department to "scratch their tails" and "get me some things you'd be proud of, to show your boy, and say, 'Here is what your daddy put through in nineteen sixty-four, -five, -six, -seven.'"

Katzenbach, who'd succeeded Robert Kennedy as the nation's top law enforcement official after Johnson's archrival left to run for the U.S. Senate in New York in the summer of 1964, was not thrilled with the new assignment. He'd spent eight months on Capitol Hill lobbying for the Civil Rights Act, which endured a fifty-seven-day filibuster by southern Democrats, the longest in Senate history. The office of Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen of Illinois had practically become his second home. Strong voting rights provisions were stripped from the bill to win congressional support.

Advertisement

"The 1964 Civil Rights Act was exhausting," said Ramsey Clark. "It about expended our goodwill with the Senate and the House. President Johnson insisted we were going to have another round of civil rights legislation, this time on voting ... There was no enthusiasm in the Justice Department, but Johnson insisted on it."

At the end of December, after consulting with lawyers from the Appeals and Research Section at the DOJ, Katzenbach sent LBJ three options, in order of preference, "to overcome voter apathy and discrimination." Katzenbach's top choice, a constitutional amendment prohibiting states from employing devices like literacy tests and poll taxes that disenfranchised minority voters, "would be the most drastic but probably the most effective of all the alternatives," he wrote. It was also the most "cumbersome," he admitted, because a constitutional amendment needed to be ratified by two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of states. The second option would be to create a federal commission that would appoint federal officers to register voters for federal elections. The third option would be for the federal government "to assume direct control of registration for voting in both federal and state elections in any area where the percentage of potential Negro registrants actually registered is low."

Civil rights activists favored the last option. "This approach would quickly provide political power to Negroes in proportion to their actual numbers in areas in which they are now disenfranchised," Katzenbach wrote. "On the other hand, its effects on general voter apathy would be relatively minimal ... Moreover, its constitutionality is more dubious than that of the preceding suggestion."

In his State of the Union address a week later, Johnson vowed to "eliminate every remaining obstacle to the right and the opportunity to vote." Inside the White House, a debate raged among Johnson's inner circle over how and when to push voting rights legislation. "Certainly I have absolutely no problem with the desirability of such legislation, but I do have a problem about the timing and the approach," Lee White, one of LBJ's top advisers on civil rights, wrote to the special assistant Bill Moyers on December 30, 1964. The Civil Rights Act was less than a year old, White argued, and the prospects for passing voting rights legislation did not look particularly favorable. White proposed that 1965 "be a year of test" on civil rights.

Advertisement

Horace Busby, a Johnson aide since 1946 from Texas, was less charitable. "To southern minds and mores," he wrote to White and Moyers, "the proposals of this message would represent a return to Reconstruction."

The mercurial Johnson wanted to keep his legislative options open. Four days after talking with Katzenbach, LBJ met at the White House with Martin Luther King, Jr., who'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize that week. King told Johnson that he would soon be launching a voting rights campaign in Selma, where only 2 percent of blacks were registered to vote. He asked the president for his support.

"Martin, you are right about that," Johnson replied. "I'm going to do it eventually, but I can't get voting rights through in this session of Congress." The president's ambitious Great Society agenda took priority. "I need the votes of the southern bloc to get these other things through," Johnson said. "And if I present a voting rights bill, they will block the whole program. So it's just not the wise and the politically expedient thing to do."

King left the meeting dispirited. His voter registration drive in Selma would be aimed as much at the federal government as at the segregated South. "I think we've got to find a way to get this president some power," King told Andrew Young as they departed the White House.

* * *

The Alabama senator William Rufus King founded Selma in 1820, naming it after the Ossian poem The Songs of Selma, about a town on the high bluffs above a river. "Selma," wrote the historian and LBJ adviser Eric Goldman, "was straight out of a thousand novels about the unreconstructed South, lovely to look at and ugly just beneath the surface." In the 1800s, white planters flocked to the Black Belt, which spanned from Texas to eastern Virginia, to grow cotton in its rich soil, bringing with them many slaves. Selma became a major slave-trading port. The city passed twenty-seven ordinances regulating the behavior of slaves, stipulating, for example, that "any Negro found upon the streets of the city smoking a cigar or pipe or carrying a walking cane must be on conviction punished with 39 lashes."

Advertisement

During the Civil War, Selma manufactured weapons for the Confederacy and was commanded by Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, the first Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan. The city was torched during the Battle of Selma in April 1865 and occupied during Reconstruction, when federal troops registered seven hundred thousand emancipated slaves across the South from 1867 to 1868. Following the Civil War, Selma elected numerous black officials, including two congressmen and thirteen state legislators.

Sign up for more essays, interviews and excerpts from Thought Matters.

ThoughtMatters is a partnership between Macmillan Publishers and Huffington Post

Reconstruction prompted a vicious white backlash, which gained traction following the disputed election of 1876, when the Republican Rutherford B. Hayes pulled federal troops out of the South in return for the electoral votes of Florida, South Carolina, and Louisiana. Segregationist whites, known as Redeemers, regained power and quickly targeted black voters, first through violence and fraud and then via devices like literacy and good character tests, poll taxes, and stringent residency requirements. Mississippi became the first state to change its constitution to disenfranchise black voters in 1890. Every other southern state quickly followed. Black voters disappeared seemingly overnight.

"When you pay $1.50 for a poll tax, in Dallas County, I believe you disenfranchise 10 Negroes," Henry Fontaine Reese, a delegate from Selma, argued at Alabama's Constitutional Convention of 1901. "Give us this $1.50 for educational purposes and for the disenfranchisement of a vicious and useless class." Reese represented what Ralph McGill of the Atlanta Constitution called "Black Belt thinking," which infected not only Selma but so much of the South. After adoption of the 1901 constitution, the number of black registered votes in Alabama fell from 182,000 to 4,000.

Following the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954 ordering the desegregation of public schools, Selma became the Alabama headquarters of the White Citizens' Council, regarded by civil rights activists as the white-collar Klan, which maintained segregation through political and economic power. The city embodied the southern Democratic policy of massive resistance to civil rights. Its native sons included the Birmingham sheriff, Bull Connor, and the Dallas County sheriff, Jim Clark, who vied for the title of Alabama's most tyrannical segregationist. Clark fashioned himself after Gen. George Patton, carried a cattle prod as a weapon against civil rights activists, and wore a black-and-white pin that read "Never" ("Clark's rejoinder to 'We Shall Overcome,'" wrote Ramparts magazine). The Dallas County board of registrars used every device imaginable to keep black voters off the rolls, most notably a literacy test that required them to name all sixty-seven county judges in the state.

Advertisement

Two days after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Sheriff Clark arrested four SNCC workers for trying to desegregate the Thirsty Boy drive-in restaurant. Days later Clark arrested John Lewis (his thirty-seventh arrest) and seventy blacks who attempted to register to vote at the Dallas County Courthouse, on one of the two days each month the board of registrars was open. The Circuit Court judge James Hare, who compared blacks with "backward" jungle tribes in his courtroom, issued an injunction banning any meeting of three or more African-Americans in Selma, which effectively ended all civil rights protests.

King had come to Selma to challenge that injunction. "Today marks the beginning of a determined, organized, mobilized campaign to get the right to vote everywhere in Alabama," King told a packed house at Brown Chapel on January 2, 1965, the 102nd anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. "If we are refused, we will appeal to Governor George Wallace. If he refuses to listen, we will appeal to the legislature. If they don't listen, we will appeal to the conscience of the Congress in another dramatic march on Washington." He repeated the refrain from his first major speech on voting rights in 1957 at the Lincoln Memorial: "Give us the ballot."

Beginning on January 18, SNCC and King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) teamed up to lead joint voter registration marches to the Dallas County Courthouse, which Clark had guarded like a prison since becoming sheriff in 1955. He'd even moved his family into the county jail next door when the demonstrations began so that he'd be closer to work, where he could spy on the SNCC office across the street from his jailhouse window.

On day one, the six-foot-two, 220-pound Clark, wearing his trademark Eisenhower jacket and military helmet, herded four hundred prospective black voters into an alley behind the courthouse, where they waited all day without ever making it inside to register. When they returned the next day, he arrested sixty-two blacks for unlawful assembly and five more for "criminal provocation." He yanked Amelia Boynton, the stately godmother of Selma's voting rights movement, by the collar of her jacket and threw her into his squad car. The photo appeared on the front page of The New York Times.

Advertisement

Clark's crackdown increased pressure on the president to expedite his timetable for voting rights legislation. On February 1, King and five hundred schoolchildren were thrown in jail. "All of us should be concerned with the efforts of our fellow Americans to register to vote in Alabama," Johnson said at a news conference while King sat in his cell.

The turning point in the fight for the right to vote came on February 18, thirty miles from Selma, in the small town of Marion, Coretta Scott King's hometown. Beneath a full orange moon, two hundred blacks held a rare night march from Zion United Methodist Church to the Perry County jail to protest the arrest of the SCLC worker James Orange, who was behind bars for "contributing to the delinquency of minors" after encouraging students to sing freedom songs outside the courthouse.

In a precursor to Bloody Sunday, Alabama state troopers attacked the marchers with nightsticks, sending them fleeing for safety. Jimmie Lee Jackson, his mother, Viola, and his grandfather Cager Lee hid in Mack's Cafe. Ten state troopers entered and beat Jackson's mother to the ground. When Jackson lunged to protect her, a state trooper shot him point-blank in the stomach. "For the state troopers the action in Marion was like a shot of amphetamine to a speed freak," wrote the civil rights activist Chuck Fager.

In a final indignity, Col. Al Lingo of the Alabama Department of Public Safety served Jackson in the hospital with a warrant for assault and battery with the intent to murder an Alabama state trooper. Jackson died a week later, the "first martyr of the current campaign for the vote," wrote Taylor Branch.

Four thousand people attended two funeral services for Jackson, in Selma and Marion. RACISM KILLED OUR BROTHER, said a large banner on the front of Brown Chapel. Jackson was given a "freedom funeral" in a small tract of woods alongside County Road 183; he was buried in blue denim overalls, a blue denim jumper, white shirt, and necktie-the uniform of the SCLC.

Advertisement

At a mass meeting in Selma, the King aide James Bevel first suggested the idea of marching from Selma to Montgomery to protest Jackson's death at the state capitol. "We are going to bring a voting bill into being in the streets of Selma, Alabama," King vowed.


A Southern cotton plantation. By Currier & Ives. Image is in the public domain via Wikimedia.com

By Daniel Blake Smith

Anyone observing America's ongoing culture wars, especially as they surface in the current presidential election cycle, is forcefully reminded that we are not a country divided by red and blue states; it's an urban-rural divide that represents the political and cultural fault lines in the nation. The difference is no longer where people live, it's about how people live: in widely-dispersed, open rural areas with plenty of privacy or in high population density, diverse urban areas where tolerance becomes almost mandatory among its residents.

According to many contemporary political observers, people don't make cities liberal--cities make people liberal. The gap is so stark that some of America's bluest cities are located in its reddest states. For example, all of Texas' major citiesAustin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antoniovoted Democratic in 2012; likewise, other red-state urban areasAtlanta, Indy, New Orleans, Birmingham, Tucson, Little Rock and Charleston, South Carolinaalso voted Democratic.

Advertisement

But how far back does the urban-rural divide go? Before the Civil War, our political and cultural differences fell mostly along state and regional borders. Worldviews and politics followed a mostly north-south direction. For example, the city of Charleston was as staunchly anti-northern as most plantation areas. Economic energies, moral perspectives, and life-ways changed above the Mason-Dixon line, where the North began.

Sign up for more essays, interviews and excerpts from Thought Matters.

ThoughtMatters is a partnership between Macmillan Publishers and Huffington Post

But even in the early 19th century, one can spot the primitive origins of the town-country, urban-rural divide that has become so pervasive in modern America. This was powerfully driven home by the Fletcher family, a clan initially rooted from the colonial era in Massachusetts and Vermont but after the Revolution descendants spread into the South and West. In looking at the lives of the two most prominent brothers who left their Vermont home in the early 1800s (Elijah Fletcher heading South to become a tutor in slave-holding, plantation Virginia, and his younger brother Calvin, who migrated as a teen into Ohio, then settling permanently in Indianapolis) we can glimpse how these New England plowboysraised on Congregational tenets and antislavery valuesdeveloped wildly different social and political values in large part because of where they lived in antebellum America.

A graduate of the University of Vermont, Elijah left the mountains at age 20 in 1805 intent on becoming a school teacher in the South, a common enough ambition for young educated New England men determined not to become mired back home as impoverished plowboys. He made his way into southwest Virginia near Lynchburg where he eventually took over as a tutor in a plantation neighborhood. After marrying into a prominent slave-holding family, Elijah stunned his entire antislavery family back in Vermont by abandoning the teaching business to become a slave-holding planter himself. "You must not think too badly of slaveholders," he cautioned his doubtless disapproving father back in Vermont, "for your son is one." While he owned a political newspaper, The Virginian, Elijah stayed mostly out of politics preferring, like many of his fellow planters, to adopt a detached worldview, focusing on conserving the slave-holding, rural way of life. Reform and change, he came to believe, were disruptive, unwelcome elements in his pastoral world.

Advertisement



Elijah Fletcher was heavily impacted by the urban-rural divide. By Unknown - Sweet Briar College. Image is in the public domain via Wikimedia.com

Meanwhile, his younger brother, Calvin, also restless with the dim prospects awaiting farm boys in New England, left home at 17 and journeyed west, landing with a new bride and few prospects in Indianapolis in 1821. Unlike his slave-holding Virginia-based brother Elijah, Calvin, living in a growing urban center amidst other settlers as well as immigrants from Germany and Ireland, along with a sprinkling of free blacks, felt the need to remake the world in his own eyes. And so, like other city dwellers, Calvin found himself increasingly immersed in a precarious, conflicted public world. By the 1840s Calvin had grown into a much more vocal opponent of slavery, even as public opinion, especially in the expanding slave-holding South of his brother Elijah doubled down on their defense of slavery.

When Texas was admitted into the Union in January 1845, Calvin saw the moment as Judgment Day: "I fear it is to hasten the punishment for the national sins & the greatest is negro slavery." Living in a city where he came to know the prominent minister and activist Henry Ward Beecher (who pastored an Indianapolis Presbyterian Church), Calvin's antislavery advocacy grew even more forceful. Calvin passionately supported other reforms too, including the temperance movement and the common school reform, first initiated by Horace Mann.

Advertisement

Meanwhile Elijah's reaction to Calvin's relentless reform activities was to demean them as "hobbies"a dismissal that reveals as much about Elijah's own detached, laissez-faire worldview as it does about Calvin's reforming zeal. As Elijah explained to his brother, "You are constituted with a zeal for the welfare of mankind that renders you peculiarly fitted for public employment. . . I have not gifts that would make me useful in many things like yourself. I was destined for an unobtrusive, retired life." But for Calvin, like so many progressive urban dwellers, moral uplift and civic improvement were simply part and parcel of a well-lived life: "I can leave no better inheritance to my children," he observed, "than a moral, intelligent, religious community & I cannot be an indifferent spectator to these matters & to the interests of this my adopted state."



Early Indianapolis settler, Calvin Fletcher Sr. (from Greater Indianapolis, 1910, Chicago, by Jacob Piatt Dunn). Image is in the public domain via HistoricIndianapolis.com
People holding mobile phones are silhouetted against a backdrop projected with the Twitter logo in this illustration picture taken in Warsaw September 27, 2013. Twitter Inc, the eight-year-old online messaging service, gave potential investors their first glance at its financials on Thursday when it publicly filed its IPO documents, setting the stage for one of the most-anticipated debuts in over a year. Picture taken September 27. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel (POLAND - Tags: BUSINESS TELECOMS LOGO)

The Canadian philosopher Marshall McLuhan once said that "the medium is the message." When he said that, he wasn't writing an insightful tweet or witty aphorism; he was suggesting that the medium an artist chooses is as important as the message itself. In fact, he suggests that a message is so distinct to its medium that it cannot be conveyed in another medium without some essential change to it.

This is something that ancient philosophers understood and grappled with and what 20th century philosophers like Walter J. Ong built their careers upon. What these philosophers sought to understand was how the dominant medium of an age defined that age. This proposition has major implications for a world that is dominated by social media. Centuries ago, Plato lamented the death of oral traditions and cultures by the hand of writing because the spoken word is a personal medium that lacks the written word's sense of commodity and permanence. Perhaps those very virtues associated with oral traditions -- like unfiltered transience -- have become realities in the newest medium, the online social world. All of which begs the question, are your Facebook friends Platonic?

Advertisement

At the end of the Phaedrus, Plato puts a fable in Socrates' mouth about the invention of writing. Much of the dialogue until that point focuses on writing itself, what it means to communicate and how to communicate effectively. The short version of Socrates' fable goes like this: Thamus, an Egyptian king, invents writing. Thamus takes his invention (writing) to show the god Theuth how wonderful it is. Theuth replies that writing isn't an invention that fosters knowledge but that, rather, it makes people forget. Writing, according to Plato, isn't the source of knowledge but only the appearance of it.

McLuhan at New York University on June 14, 1966. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)

Plato suggests that as humans moved away from oral traditions to written ones, something important was irrevocably lost. Until writing was invented, memory was all people had for what we call storage today. Someone actually had to remember all 12,000 lines of the Odyssey. For centuries after Homer, the Odyssey and other epic poems in the cycle (there were several) were memorized because alphabetic writing didn't yet exist. It has been theorized, and substantiated, that these oral recitations often varied and were not standardized like they are today.

For a number of good reasons, we no longer have to memorize the Odyssey. Most importantly, we have books. Books are wonderful. They hold information for us and never forget like humans do. However, Plato thought that the capacity to remember was lost to books and that was an irreversible mistake. First, there are many millions of unique books. More than a person could ever read in a lifetime. And second, reading a book isn't quite like speaking to its author. A person can be argued with and sometimes even reasoned with. A book, on the other hand, is dogmatic and static in a way that a dialogue is not.



Writing, according to Plato, isn't the source of knowledge but only the appearance of it.



Plato isn't the only philosopher to bemoan the fate of oral traditions. Ong wrote his seminal work, Orality and Literacy, on how written cultures had displaced oral ones. In fact, according to Ong, written works were privileged at the expense of oral ones by the academies. This is because academies and written works serve the same purpose. They are the formalization of their respective antecedents. This formalization has a tremendous potential. Writing makes it possible to extensively study an idea that was previously restricted by the limits of a voice. According to Ong, writing makes abstract thought possible on a level not possible in a purely oral culture. In an oral culture, abstraction is extraordinarily difficult because words and definitions are dynamic rather than static. Writing has the permanence and practicality that makes abstraction possible. And as stories and ideas were set in stone, the permanence of writing also created the concept of orthodoxy.

Advertisement

According to Ong, oral cultures "live very much in a present which keeps itself in equilibrium." There is no way to speak in the past or future. On the other hand, books are written for a future audience and have no immediacy. The invention of writing and subsequently print make it possible to transmit your message over time and distance but, as a consequence, loses the immediacy of the spoken word. Books can be read in another country and they can even be read long after the author has died. Oral communications depend on time and space but writing is detached from it. Writing's independence from time and space was so revolutionary that it drastically changed the nature of ideas.

What does any of this have to do with you and your Facebook friends? The answer is more than you'd think. Social media isn't a new fad -- it's a whole new way to communicate. It synthesizes components of oral and written traditions. It is instant and unfiltered. It is independent of both time and space. And, regardless of your personal opinion of social media, it is necessary to admit that it has had a tremendous impact on the world. For one, it has increased the amount of information that billions of people consume and create. For another, it has decreased the amount of time we spend consuming and creating. However, if we have finite capacities and we reach a place where the amount of information we consume every day exceeds the amount that we can remember, then do we cease to comprehend it? If there is nothing to comprehend in a message, is there any message at all?

The Snapchat logo, reflected in a pair of sunglasses. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty)

Let's take a step back. At one point, a quantitative change equaled a qualitative one. When print made it possible to reproduce books cheaply, it completely changed how ideas were learned and conveyed. Therefore, at one point, the amount of information changes the nature of ideas. In fact, if we are not comprehending the information that we consume then the more information there is, the less comprehension there is. This is another way of saying that more information does not equal more knowledge. If it did, then an individual who knows how to Google would be considered to know everything. Or, an individual who re-posts an article would be considered to have written that article. Sharing is not creating; access to information is not predicated on understanding that information. If, as Ong said about the written word, "It separates the knower from the known," and we are able to share enormous swathes of information without comprehension, then social media has further separated the act of understanding from knowledge. Perhaps the medium has no message at all.

Advertisement

If print resulted in the business of words or in the commodification of words, and social media doesn't sell books or words or substance but still creates enormous revenue, then it is because social media is the commodification of people. As creators and consumers, the users are the product. For example, Facebook has about 1.7 billion active monthly users and generates an annual revenue of nearly $18 billion. Dividing that annual revenue into months and then by the number of unique visitors shows that a human equals less than a dollar for Facebook's advertisers and accountants.

This piece is not a polemic for neo-Luddism. Nor do I suggest that you memorize the Iliad. However, it is necessary to consider how social media has changed how we communicate. This piece, for example, was written and shared using technology. Or, as Ong wrote, "Once the word is technologized, there is no effective way to criticize what technology has done with it without the aid of the highest technology available." This is to say that, despite whatever negative effects the internet has had on our mental capacities, it is here to stay. That's how technology works -- it overwhelms its predecessors and replaces them. Plato evidently knew this too because, although he lamented the rise of writing over the spoken word, he wrote things down.



Sharing is not creating.



To be clear, I come to praise social media, not to bury it. I praise it for its capacities like instant connectivity and mass dissemination. Nothing in the history of humanity has had such a tremendous impact on public participation, public awareness and the exchange of information.

However, do these capacities come at a price? At the very least they come with a mass of content. That now ubiquitous word, content, represents how words and ideas are commodities. Content is branded, sold, sponsored, advertised and, finally, archived and forgotten. Everyone writes and shares and thereby adds to the already oversaturated world of information.

Advertisement

Online communities are made of groups of friends and similarly minded individuals but are not limited to people you know or even who you share interests with. These online communities refuse to find common ground, to cooperate. Some communities seek to villainize and ostracize others, some seek to exploit and commodify. Few seek to create meaningful conversation and share ideas in a rational and dialectical manner.

The Death of Socrates, oil on canvas by Jacques-Louis David, 1787. (Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty)

Like Athens's agora, the internet is made up of individuals who stand and deliver speeches and those who consume them. However, Plato's friends, ostensibly, were interested in truth and beauty and discussed these ideas at length. Their discussions were candid, guided by Socrates and aimed at the truth. Their interests were neither ephemeral or fiscal in subject. Their dialogues were progressive and constructive rather than reductive and destructive. In fact, those interlocutors who sought to destroy a dialogue through ad hominem attacks, false dichotomies and rhetorical tricks were uninterested in the same ends as Socrates and his friends, who dismissed them as sophists.

A medium can only convey a message that is intrinsic to it. Social media can only convey short-form information with immediacy. Any other substance is foreign to it. Philosophy, for example, could only have been developed through writing, since it is writing's nature to convey long-form analytic information. If philosophy had developed through social media it would be composed of anecdotes, quote cards and aphorisms. Therefore, social media is not Platonic but, as a vehicle for sharing, can be an instrument to disseminate information.



Few online communities seek to create meaningful conversation and share ideas in a rational and dialectical manner.



I would be remiss to leave the conversation here without any suggestions of how to escape the low orbit in which we have found ourselves. What is the exit velocity necessary to escape this eternally decaying conversation? How are we to salvage meaningful conversation? How can we aspire to truth? The only suggestion I can make is a very small one. So small, in fact, that it can actually be put into practice by you and me (which, after all, is the only place real change comes from).

The answer to the glut, the vanity, the emptiness, is to strive for quality rather than quantity. To live and think well is based upon self-discipline, consideration and cooperation. None of these tenets are antithetical to social media, only unutilized. This suggestion is based on the idea that Hegelian synthesis does not currently exist on social media. People rarely come to new understandings based upon arguments read and shared over social media. They choose their micro-culture, their feed and they gorge intemperately from it.

My perhaps sorry suggestion is to make yourself more flexible, to provide your understanding and listen to others' understanding in order to make it part of your own. To utilize digital communications like social media for purposed, rational, and cooperative dialogue that creates mutual understanding and is focused on longevity and quality. Social media is capable of creating instant, worldwide communities that are concerned, synthetic and informed. Social media is currently limited by its excesses of immediacy and transience but as part of the internet itself -- or as antecedent to a more serious and considerate medium that seeks to organize, cultivate and comprehend -- it has the potential to be the future of dialogue.

So to answer the anachronistic question in the title: Not yet, but maybe one day.


Photo credit: Matthew Wiebe/Unsplash.

The world is not nearly as dangerous and depraved as most people think. Recent events have more than one person I know worrying about where the human race is headed, but this popular notion is unfounded. Take a step back and it's easy to see things are actually relatively calm compared to decades and centuries past. It's only upon inching closer, and examining events from around the world in more granular detail -- thanks to HD video, social media, and around the clock 'shock doctrine' news -- that things seem to be spiraling out of control.

However, it would be naive to think we aren't faced with potential instability in this world. Change, sometimes unexpected change, is the one constants in life. The key is to calculate these risks with accuracy: worry about the risks which are more likely to actually occur, and put the things out of your control and/or unlikely to happen on the backburner of your mind. This prioritized way of viewing danger and threats makes for more efficient and effective decision making in life and business.

Here are a number of high profile risks, whether they're worth worrying about, and if so, what can be done about them.

Advertisement

Cyber security

Unlike some of the other risks on this list, cyber security failures are unlikely to lead to death and destruction. However, damage from stolen or otherwise compromised data is very real, and typically takes a huge financial toll. Recent events have outlined the risks associated with data breaches among large entities and institutions, but these risks threaten virtually everyone with something to lose digitally, be it a small business or household. So, in short, cybersecurity is a risk worth worrying about for just about everyone.

Getting in the way of addressing the concern is the increasing complexity of data security requirements, thanks to data being shared across a plethora of devices and networks.

Cybersecurity specialists are attempting to simplify the process by offering integrated data loss prevention solutions for businesses and individuals. "All in one" services for cybersecurity are going to remain in demand as time goes on, as more devices and networks are added to the fold every year.

Economic uncertainty

Fear of the next bubble or recession runs deep. In fact, millions of people still haven't completely recovered from the last time the global economy took a hit in 2007-2009. Is a house of cards once again being built, only to come crashing down on us? It's a troublesome prospect, one which would affect the lives of just about everyone on the planet. Is it something we should really be worried about?

Advertisement

Again, we have a risk worth keeping in mind as you choose to make financial decisions in business and your personal life. The unprecedented actions taken by the world's leading central banks, though crucial in providing stability in the short term, may very well have negative consequences down the road. With that said, potential bumps in the economy's future are unlikely to be anything equaling or surpassing the Great Recession, or even close. Far too many institutions continue to play their cards close to their chests for a crash of historical magnitude to happen like it did in 2008.

Political instability

Ten years ago, few would have anticipated the souring relations between the United States and Russia or the revolutions underway in the Middle East. No one would have guessed the British would vote to leave the European Union, and everyone would have laughed at the idea of Donald Trump being an election away from becoming President of the United States. Yet here we are, proving politics are about as predictable as the Super Bowl winner five years out.

Is it something to worry about? That depends on where you, your loved ones, and interests reside. Just keep this in mind: the world has seen far more wild rides of political upheaval in the past and managed to survive. World War Two, arguably the greatest political failure of the last 100 years, saw atrocities and destruction on an unmatched scale, yet involved only three to five percent of the world population. Life goes on, at least it has so far.

Surveillance abilities

The aforementioned array of internet connected devices and technology is paving the way for a new revolution in tech. It's called the Internet of Things. All manner of objects from water pipes to microwaves to cars are becoming connected to the web. By allowing these ordinarily non-computerized objects and appliances to collect and share information, public works, house chores, and transportation -- plus a whole host of other routine processes -- can be streamlined for unprecedented efficiency.

The drawback to this is the potential for vast amounts of data to be misused or otherwise abused. Intimate details about a person can be surmised by a collection of data points, ultimately creating an unauthorized peek into private lives. For those looking forward to outfitting themselves with the latest IoT-enabled devices in the years to come, the risks of unwanted surveillance via the generated data are worth worrying about. No doubt, cyber security companies will be migrating into the world of IoT to meet this rising demand.

Advertisement

Terrorist acts

Man-made disasters, including terrorism, frequently make the list of worst fears, especially in the United States. A series of recent terrorist attacks around the world have undoubtedly led to many of us worrying about the chances of ourselves or loved ones falling victim to such atrocities. Are these amped up worries a reasonable reaction to the real risks of terrorism?

Not at all, since a person is as likely to be killed by furniture as by terrorism. However, it's not easy to think in these terms when violent acts of mass assault and mass murder seem to make the news every day. Many people recommend turning away from the news, but that boils down to the unhealthy "ignorance is bliss" mindset.

Instead, try and think of these seemingly common tragedies in a new light; for every attacker, billions of people never let hate and anger get the best of them. We are an overwhelmingly peaceful species, never forget that.
Vince Russo's THE BRAND which could be both SEEN and HEARD daily on the RELMNetwork.com and PodcastOne.com, was highlighted this week by an interview with Current TNA Knockout and original member of the Doll House, Marti Belle and the ORIGINAL wrestling journalist, the ONE and ONLY Mr. Bill Apter.

On this week's episode of Vixens Who Rule, Vince is joined by the beautiful, talented and VERY EXOTIC Marti Belle, who talks about her roots growing up in the heart of New York and her path into professional wrestling.

Here's an excerpt of Marti discussing her unique hairstyle and whether it's been a help, or hinderance to her wrestling career:

Advertisement

"Let me give you the kicker about my hair and wrestling. When I first started wrestling...I was told I had to straighten my hair. I was told that my hair, like this, did not look good.....he flat out told me that does not look good, that does not look professional."

In the first part of this extremely unique and special interview, Vince chats with Bill Apter, the ORIGINAL wrestling journalist. The heart of Pro Wrestling Illustrated going all the way back to the early 80's, Bill Apter covered pro wrestling in the days of kayfabe when NOBODY went near the locker room. His stories are absolutely legendary, and in the first part of this interview he covers: having heat with "Classy" Freddie Blassie, Ernie Ladd asking a waitress to sit on his face, first magazine shoot interview EVER with Bruno Sammartino and the night the "Macho Man" Randy Savage almost killed him. If you are a wrestling fan---this is an ABSOLUTE must listen!

In this excerpt, Bill discusses that infamous Macho Man Story:

"Randy Savage was very, very sensitive about his age. So we came up with an angle where a fan yelled out 'old man'.....the story comes out, and I'm in California....and Eric Bischoff comes in the front door and he has some words with me. And he said 'Oh, by the way, Randy Savage wants to kill you'."

Last, but not least, be sure to check our Vince Russo's new reality TV series, The Business of the Business, where he brings the cameras BEHIND THE SCENES of the wrestling promotion where he is currently working, The Rocky Mountain Pro. This is FREE on his YouTube Channel. Here is the link:

Advertisement

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRxrTzSuEFLI3YEBjEzI22A

You can listen to Vince Russo's THE BRAND on Podcast One every day FREE Monday through Friday, while having the option of enjoying the videos on The RELM Network a day earlier. All the information is at RussosBrand.com
Despite the pessimism in today's media and political discourse about the future and potential of this country, the opportunity for real and impactful change does exist in today's America.

Head Start, for example, stands as a beacon of hope for the most vulnerable among us. For over fifty years, Head Start programs have been at the forefront of ensuring that children and families in the country's poorest communities are getting the Head Start advantage, which they need for success in life. Head Start is more than just ABCs and 123s. The Head Start approach - comprehensive and two-generational - includes home visits, health screenings, and community resourcing. Each element of the approach is intended to get at-risk children ready for Kindergarten and set families on a stable path toward self-sufficiency. The needs of both children and families are addressed with respect, and connections with their communities are established and nurtured so that they can feel safe and supported inside the classroom and out.

Advertisement

Take for example, the East Side House Settlement in the Bronx. The community-based organization runs a vibrant Head Start program and makes continuous efforts not only to give community members a voice, but also bridge the gaps between the community and police. Police officers and members of the Mott Haven community regularly join forces to raise awareness about the community's concerns. The annual Community Safety Walk is one result of this partnership, during which residents walk the streets of their neighborhood, side-by-side with the police, in a joint effort to improve the safety of the neighborhood and foster community-police relations. This event also gives residents a way to advocate for change in their community around topics that are most important to them, with safety heading the list.

This partnership with The New York City Police Department has become a successful way to better the neighborhood and foster respect and trust. Regular community outreach efforts like this strengthen connections between police officers and community members. Head Start parents now report their children are no longer afraid of the police, neighbors are coming together as a community and demonstrating strength as they work cooperatively with the police for a safer, more supportive place for families and children.
The Bonne Terre City Council and Desloge Board of Aldermen meet tonight in regular session.

Bonne Terre City Council

The Bonne Terre City Council will meet in regular session today at 6 p.m. at city hall, located at 118 North Allen Street in Bonne Terre.

Listed under new business, the council will discuss and approver several ordinances. One is to approve the first amended budget for the 2016 fiscal, another to grant authorization to Jim Eaton to enter into an agreement with the Missouri Highways Commission to conduct a consultant selection process for maintenance to the Bonne Terre Airport.

They will also approve ordinances to grant authorization to Jim Eaton to execute the proposal from M. Miller Asphalt Paving, Sealing and Hauling and to execute the proposal from Vern Bauman Contracting, Co and to enter into a contract with the Missouri Department of Transportation for the construction of Route E.

Also on the agenda, the council will discuss a quarter of one percent tax that can be used for general capital improvements and they will discuss the amount the city will pay for septic issues at the Bonne Terre Airport.

The council will hear department reports from the Police Department, Fire Department, Municipal Court, Library and Nutrition Center reports.

The meeting is open to the public.

Desloge Board of Aldermen

The Desloge Board of Aldermen meets in regular session tonight at 7 p.m. at city hall, located at 300 N. Lincoln St.

According to the tentative agenda, the board will be considering two ordinances. The first would authorize the city administrator to execute a contract between the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for improvements along Highway 8. The second would authorize the city administrator to execute a contract between the city and SC Engineering, LLC DBA Cochran Engineering.

The board will also consider bids for the flooring of the board room and street overlays, as well as a request for a permit to have chickens on a property within the city limits and several liquor license requests.

The meeting of the board of aldermen is open to the public.
Meeting Kansans at Carolyn's Essenhaus in Arlington

Sawyer believes ethanol is a key factor of growth for farmers and the state
42 Injured In Railing Collapse At Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa Live Nation Concert, Venue Reopens Next Day

The collapse of a railing at a Live Nation produced Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa concert in New Jersey injured at least 42 people, at least 1 critically. But despite the tragedy, the next day's show was held as planned.





_______________________________

A railing collapse at a concert headlined by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa at BB&T Pavilion in Camden, NJ injured at least 42 people, authorities said.

The collapse occurred just before 10:30 p.m. when one of the railings on a platform in front of the stage snapped, according to Camden County police. It is unclear at this time what caused it to break.

The injured fans, many of whom had piled on top of each other, were taken to area hospitals, police said. Some fans fell 10 feet onto a concrete walkway below.

According to Camden County Police spokesman Dan Keashen, one person was in serious but stable condition after suffering from an upper-body injury. The injured person was taken to Cooper University Hospital.

Other injuries included broken bones, according to authorities.

The artists were escorted off the stage after the collapse, and organizers halted the concert about 20 minutes after the railing collapse.

Snoop Dog or Wiz Khalifa was on the secondary stage at the venue at the time of the collapse and was gesturing people to move toward the stage on the lawn and when fans rushed toward the railing, it snapped and collapsed, according to Keashen.

An I Love the '90s concert featuring Salt NPepa, Vanilla Ice and others was held on Saturday night as planned.

Share on:
Blockchain Tech: A Solution For Music At Political Events?

As inevitable controversy continues to erupt between artists and politicians regarding the use of music at political events, George Howard takes a closer look at exactly what rights these artists have, and how Blockchain Technology might be used prevent such tension in the future.

_____________________________

Guest Post by George Howard on Forbes

Every election cycle since Reagans 1984 campaign has included  to a greater or lesser degree  tension around the use of music by candidates during their events. In fact, while Reagans misguided use of Born in the USA was the first truly memorable and visible kerfuffle, its likely that, to paraphrase, Raymond Kurzweil, its not that the (mis)-usage of music is getting worse, but that our information with respect to reporting it has gotten better.

In any case, here we are again, and nary a day goes by when there arent pleas/demands from artists for politicians to stop using their music, and the media seems to be more engaged than ever in reporting this phenomenon. Yours truly was even recently on NECN discussing Donald Trumps use of music during the RNC, and  at only a slightly more visible level [wink]  John Oliver devoted a large portion of his weekly show to the subject, and even created a song  featuring artists like Josh Groban, Usher, Sheryl Crowe, and others  that articulated these artists frustrations around the issue (Ive written about how problematic this song is in terms of the artists seeming misunderstanding of the rights issues, entitled, Do Artists Like Usher And Josh Groban Really Not Know How They Make Their Money?).

With respect to whether or not politicians can use artists music: Briefly, if these artists are the songwriters and have affiliated with a Performance Rights Organization (PRO), like ASCAP, SESAC, or BMI, and the venues in which these events are taking place have purchased a blanket license to publicly perform the songs that are in the catalogs of these organizations, these candidates are within their rights to do so.

While in most other countries creators of works can rely on Moral Rights, the United States does not recognize this concept. This concept of Moral Rights is succinctly summed up by Betsy Rosenblatt from Harvard Law School:

the ability of authors to control the eventual fate of their works. An author is said to have the moral right to control her work. The concept of moral rights thus relies on the connection between an author and her creation. Moral rights protect the personal and reputational, rather than purely monetary, value of a work to its creator.

While authors in the US can conceivably rely on claims such as False Endorsement, to stop those who are using their works against their wishes, this approach is time-consuming and costly, and certainly victory is not guaranteed.

Thus, there is currently no practical legal mechanism for artists to avail themselves of in order to stop the unwanted use of their work. The problem, however, is less a legal one, and more a systems problem.

The reason, for instance, that Queen doesnt just withdraw their music from the PRO with whom they are affiliated, and thereby force candidates and/or venues to directly license their work, is because this would also preclude them from collecting the massive amounts of money their songs generate via usages that one assumes they are OK with.

Undoubtedly, the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, where the RNC Convention took place, has blanket licenses with the PROs in place. And, certainly at some point after the RNC Convention ended, some other event took place in this arena  perhaps a sporting event  during which songs like We Are the Champions and/or We Will Rock You were played (because one or both of those songs are always played at a sporting event), and the members of Queen who wrote those songs would eventually receive compensation for the public performance of those songs via a percentage of the blanket license fees collected and distributed by their PRO (this, of course, also means they will eventually receive payment for Trumps usage).

This issue  Queen and most other artists being stuck in a dynamic where they can not feasibly select where, when and how their music is publicly performed  highlights how we must aggressively move from a system of modeling to one of measuring. This from modeling to measuring phrase was coined by my brilliant friend, Kelly Olson from Intel INTC +1.13%, and it succinctly sums up the problem [disclosure, Intel is a client of my consulting firm].

Think of it this way: For decades (and for many still today), your electricity usage was modeled. That is, very occasionally, the energy company would send a representative out to take a meter reading, and, based on these periodic readings, the energy company would model (estimate) a bill for the other months when they didnt (because it wasnt technologically/economically practical to do so) take actual readings (i.e. measure).

As technology advanced, of course, energy companies have been able to move from a modeling approach of approximation, to a measuring approach of knowing precisely how much energy you are using.

Certainly, music being played at arenas  particularly pre-recorded music  could easily be measured, rather than still being modeled. For example, a Shazam-like listening device could be deployed to capture which songs are being played in real time.

In this manner, artists would know precisely when and in what context their music is being used. This would not only allow for artists to have better information, but for venues too to be able to have a better sense of the precise cost related to their music use.

In other words, currently venues must pay a blanket license fee that allows them to publicly perform anything in the PROs catalogs. Of course, they play only a fraction of the songs in the catalog, even though theyre paying for the right to play everything. But, if, instead, they could simply choose the precise songs they want to play, they could do a cost/benefit analysis, and pay for the songs they perceive as creating value, and not pay for the ones they dont desire to use.

The artists could add conditions  for example, they might refuse to allow to have their music publicly performed during political events  and, via this measuring approach, the artists would know if these explicit conditions had been violated, and be able to take legal action, and/or raise their prices to address these unwanted usages.

Of course, there are issues with this approach. Dominantly, that while this modeling approach appears to be technologically feasible for recorded music at venues, this type of usage is only a fraction of the total usages  music in restaurants; small clubs; live music, generally, etc.  that require licenses. Certainly, blanket licenses (i.e. the modeling approach) was, and still may be, the most efficient way to address these types of usages.

However, as technology continues to advance, the ability to measure rather than model will become more pervasive, and even music performed live in small clubs will be able to be accurately tracked.

In this manner, actual free markets  rather than markets governed by Consent Decrees [see HERE and HERE]  could emerge.

Would such a measuring model obviate the PROs? Perhaps. I suggested as much over a year ago in an article in this space entitled, Bitcoin Cant Save The Music Industry Because The Music Industry Will Resist Transparency. But, perhaps not. The PROs  like any other firm  must innovate or die. Certainly, they could play the dominant role in leading this change, and, in so doing, secure their places going forward via adding value.

With respect to specifics around howBlockchain Technology would come into play, there are several reasons why this techwould facilitate this measuring approach in a superior way to a simple database solution:

First, the distributed nature of Blockchains would ensure that the data is immutable, and therefore difficult to be altered/co-opted. Second, the potential for a more transparent record of the usages would allow for both those using music and those whose music is being used to not only know with some degree of precision the types of usage, but  through this knowledge  to more efficiently price the usages and provide evidence in the case of disputes. Third, via the smart contract functionality related to Blockchain Tech, a set of rules and requirements could be created by both those who desire their music to be used, and those who desire to use music, and  when these requirements are met  transactions could occur in real time with more efficiency. Fourth, new value could be created around the use of music, in particular with respect to those currently left out of the equation: Performers. Currently, if a song is publicly performed, for instance in a venue, only the writer is compensated; the performer of the song is not (when Whitney Houstons version of Dolly Partons composition I Will Always Love You is plated at a stadium, Dolly Parton is paid, Whitney Houstons estate is not). Rightsholders could require  via contract  that both performers and writers be compensated. Fifth, dynamic pricing could emerge. As an example of going from modeling to measuring, think of how Uber dynamically raises their prices (the dreaded surge pricing)  via measuring  when demand exceeds supply, while the taxi industry dominantly uses a modeling approach, and does not dynamically alter their pricing. Music could do the same.

Were moving from a society that models to one that measures. We see data going from unstructured to structured in everything from wearable health to sleep to productivity; soon well quantify virtually everything in our lives in order to optimize our usages. Music will  sooner or later  move to this measuring approach as well, and  at that point  musicians will have vastly more degrees of not only control of how/when their music is used, but also how to monetize these usages.

Share on:
Obama, Meet Kafka [Chris Castle]

This piece examines how the Obama years have affected the music industry as well as how, according to Chris Castle, a suspiciously close relationship between the White House and Google has been to the detriment of musicians and other creatives.

_____________________________

Guest Post by Chris Castle on Music Technology Policy

Someone must have been telling lies about Josef K., he knew he had done nothing wrong but, one morning, he was arrested.And why am I under arrest? he then asked. Thats something were not allowed to tell you. Go into your room and wait there. Proceedings are underway and youll learn about everything all in good time.

From The Trial, by Franz Kafka.

It occurs to me that President Obama will go down in history as the American president who hurt artists and songwriters more than any other. And I cant help noticing that right from the beginning of his Administrationperhaps even before he took officeGoogle has been an overwhelming influence on all aspects of his decision making. It should not be lost on anyone that the consistent beneficiary of the economic and emotional devastation visited upon artists and songwriters has been Googlestarting with this gathering of the tribes barely a fortnight after President Obama took office held at the swank San Francisco pied a terre of Googles head lawyer:

Whether its the Administrations abject failure to stop Googles profit from brand sponsored piracy, Obamas miserable record on protecting the property rights of creators to Googles benefit, or the latest insult today from the Obama Justice Department on 100% licensing, it is clear that we seem to always come out on the short end of the stick when it comes to Barack Obama. And I could go on, its not just these three points.

Realize thisits not political. Clearly. Some of President Obamas biggest contributors and most loyal supporters are from the music business, so unless there is some wild disparity in campaign contributions or other consideration coming from Silicon Valley in general or Google in particular, its clearly not political.

Google clearly has an inside track on this Administration, however. In case you missed it, take a look at the number of White House visits by Googles chief lobbyist Joanna Shelton (courtesy of the Google Transparency Project):

Thats rightGoogles lobbyist has more access to the White House than the insurance industry, Exxon, Microsoft or Comcast.

And that doesnt even count the famous Google revolving door:

This is all of a piece. It is what perpetuates that ennui of shadows, that foreboding that somehow, some way we have done something wrong. For why else would they persecute us so? Dont you wish they would just tell us what it is rather than bleed us from 1,000 cuts with DMCA takedown notices or todays absurd through the looking glass ruling by the Obama Justice Department on 100% licensing?

As NMPA CEO David Israelite said in his statement about the bizarre ruling today, this contradictory mishmash that suggests an innate lack of the ability to think sequentially, this too leads back to Google and corrupt government run amok:

After a two year review of the consent decrees that govern ASCAP and BMI, career lawyers who were never elected nor confirmed to their positions, led by a lawyer who previously represented Google, determined that songwriters should have even fewer rights, less control over their intellectual property and be treated more unfairly than they already are.

The lawyer referred to is Renata B. Hesse, and we will have more on her in the coming days, including her violations of White House ethics rules (rules that dont seem to apply to Google) and other odds and ends. Hers is a timeline replete with strange coincidences, secret White House meetings, and missing chunks of resume, all held together by a common thread: Whenever Hesse is around, Google seems to benefit.

Its so blatant, you have to ask yourself why would government bureaucrats like DOJ antitrust lawyer David C. Kully stick their necks out so far in broad daylight. Easy answerbecause theyre not sticking their necks out. These jobsworths are doing what they know the higher ups want them to do, and maybe even demand that they do. Now where have we heard that defense before?

Of courseif you read the DOJs ruling, you wont find one single name of anyonenobodymentioned in the text. Nobody takes ownership of it. Theres not even a name in the document metadata.

If these lawyers were so confident of their work product, wouldnt they have pride of authorship? Wouldnt they want to be cited, quoted, pointed to? Apparently not. You dont suppose thats a sign of true cowardice, do you?

But remember thisits not just Renata Hesse. There are hundreds of Google people planted in the government, and hundreds of government people planted at Google. This is worse than Halliburton, Brown & Root, United Fruit, IT&T or Teapot Dome. The difference is that it is extremely unlikely that anyone will ever investigate any of it.

What has happened today is that the Obama Administration hasto the great benefit of Google and the MIC Coalitionkicked the can down the road.

The Obama Administration have successfully managed to trick the entire music industry into believing that their intentions were good with a two year delay (at least) of reviewing thousands of aspirational comments from songwriters about how to make the consent decrees work better for everyone.

You will hear people say that the Justice Department acted in good faith, that they meant well, that they just couldnt find one single proposal to adopt from the public comments including those made by the Copyright Office. But remember you heard it here first

Thats bullshit.

I dont know how these people sleep at night, but its bullshit. This game was rigged from the beginning. Its the only explanation that makes any sense.

Songwriters are now faced with having to dig into meager royalty payments (more meager than seven years ago due in large part to the inaction of the Obama Administration) to sue a defendant that literally prints moneythe Obama Justice Departmentjust to get something that approaches justice.

So stay tuned, I will have a lot more to say about this corruption. But if you have a vague foreboding that youve done something wrong but no one will tell you what it is, youre right.

Mr. Obama, meet Mr. Kafka, the author. Youll remember Mr. Kafka from the Google Books case.

He was on to you years ago.

Share on:
Insurance agents with commercial clients heading to Rio de Janeiro during the Olympics in coming weeks would do well not to settle for typical business travel insurance plans, says one leading industry executive.Whether its from a property/casualty standpoint or an accident/health standpoint, standard coverage is lacking, Frank DAncona, senior vice president at Chubb , told Insurance Business America. From a broker standpoint, I would recommend taking time to evaluate the business travel accident form to determine whether it covers all exposures [related to international travel during the Olympics].Chubb is frequently involved in insuring business travel related to the Olympics, including members of the media and others organizations planning trips around the event. This years 16-day competition holds unique risks, however, including instances of civil unrest and political upheaval as well as petty and violent crime in certain Rio neighborhoods.There is also the ongoing scare over the mosquito-transmitted Zika virus. Though global health officials have declared the area safe for travel, some women may elect not to attend. In this case, more comprehensive cancel-for-any-reason coverage is needed.In the event of illness of any kind, or a serious accident, policies will also need to cover major medical overseas  not a provision typically included in standard accident and health policies.Of course, theres a cost associated with adding that comprehensive coverage, DAncona said.One other concern is potential evacuation, whether for political, natural disaster or medical reasons. DAncona says the cost of evacuating immediately can sometimes exceed $100,000, and it is better to have the associated costs covered in advance to ensure the appropriate services are rendered.Agents working with business clients hosting guests on a Rio trip will also need to make sure coverage is extended to all groups. Such guests could include spouses, dependents, directors and officers and clients of company.You should design a plan including coverage for these individuals, because gaps in medical coverage could exist, DAncona explained. Costs for medical care or cost for evacuation can be insured to cover these expenses at the point of service, so that care can be received without delay."All told, agents should be mindful of three components of international business travel that may not be included in standard policies: medical coverage, comprehensive evacuation coverage and travel assistance services.These latter risk management resources are included with many policies, and include up-to-date information on any health, safety, security or political conditions that could have bearing on an individuals trip. It should be utilized before, during and even after a trip  say, if you were infected with Zika or a similar virus during a trip but did not exhibit symptoms until returning home.There is quite a bit going on in Rio, and you have to take it all under consideration, DAncona said. Its most important to get familiarized with the area youre traveling to  understand whats happening. Its key not to access the information once youre there, but to use the tools before you travel.These risk management resources
Mayor Linda Tyer, Police Chief Michael Wynn, Fire Chief Robert Czerwinski, and Health Director Gina Armstrong started the conversation about what the group will be in the future on Thursday.

Pittsfield's Public Safety Advisory Committee To Get Fresh Start

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Public Safety Advisory Committee is going to get a fresh start.

The committee is successor of the Police Advisory Committee, which was re-formed in 2012. Last year, the committee was expanded to include all of public safety.

But that was before the election that ushered in a change of leadership in City Hall. Many of the members of the committee resigned with the induction of Mayor Linda Tyer; she has appointed some new members but there are still vacancies. The new group met in May and determined it needed more direction from the administration.

Tyer and the leaders of the three public safety departments  Police, Fire, and Health  met with the group on Thursday to give an overview of the public safety structure and to start the process of determining what the committee's role will be moving forward. The next meeting will focus on revisiting the ordinance that created it, as well as briefs on the Open Meeting Law and ethics.

Tyer hopes that this series of meetings will bring both the administrators and the committee to a common understanding of obligations and responsibilities. On Thursday, Tyer and the chiefs said they'd like the committee's help in advocacy for projects and review of complicated issues such as new ordinances.

"We're hoping we can turn to you for advocacy," the mayor said.

The Police Advisory Committee had that role as well and has been credited with helping to bring on a crime analyst, put up fencing on East Street to stop jaywalking, review fines for parking and other violations, and urging support for more police officers and a new police station.

"The most valuable role is advocacy when we are working on things that are not well understood or controversial," Wynn said, adding that the group can serve a role in understanding the array of public safety issues and explaining it to people who may not be as in tune with all of the details.

Understanding all of the details begins with taking a ride alone with police officers, and diving deep into understanding issues in the city such as the opioid scourge.

Committee member Kathy Lloyd, who is knowledgeable about the issue, said it is certainly a role she can take and went on to tell a story about how she went to an area littered with used heroin needles to clean it up, not realizing that the precautions she took with rubber gloves and a specialize container wasn't enough to prevent catching a disease.

"I had zero idea what kind of danger I was putting myself and my children in just by cleaning," Lloyd said.

So what should people do if they see used needles? Call the Health Department or an ambulance service that will come pick it up and dispose of them properly.

Health Director Gina Armstrong said many people are unaware of the hazards associated with used needles and their removal should left to her department. The committee can help advocate to expand programs such as that and communicate with the public to help protect citizens.

"The city does have a 24/7 plan in place where you can report that if you become aware of discarded needles," Armstrong said.

Armstrong also urged the members to watch PCTV's recording of the documentary "Heroin: Cape Cod USA" and the panel discussion among local officials regarding opioid epidemic that was held at Berkshire Community College last month. Combating opioid abuse transcends public safety realms, she said.

Fire Chief Robert Czerwinski said his firefighters will be carrying the overdose reversal drug Narcan in the next month or so. Firefighters have answered some 8,000 calls a year; 64 percent are medical calls. Understanding and advocating for that program is a role the committee could serve, he said..

There are other jobs in public safety that transcends disciplines as well. Czerwinski said he works with the mayor and Armstrong in emergency preparedness. The Fire Department will coordinate with police on investigations and serve in helping to get them tools and equipment needed.

"We all kind of fit under this emergency management umbrella," Czerwinski said.

Further, the Fire Department is trained for an array of hazardous materials incidents, technical rescue, confined space rescue, structural collapses, trench rescue, and handles many types of inspections. The department will inspect oil burners, propane tank installations, and be present for firework displays. Those tasks might not all be known to the public.

The Police Department also has many overlapping responsibilities  even responsibilities outside of the city at times. The Berkshire County Special Response Team is under Police Chief Michael Wynn's command and if there is a large-scale issue in a neighboring town, officers will go there to help out.

While the public knows about the patrol officers and what they do, many don't know the various other tasks from drug enforcement officers to detectives to a full-scale crime scene services unit. The city is one of the few municipalities that handle homicide investigations in house instead of passing them off to the state police. And few departments have crime scene services.

Beyond that, there are school resource officers, intelligence, youth services, public relations, information technology, dispatch for police, fire and emergency medical services. Wynn is also oversight on firearm permits as well.

In the Health Department, the most known work is inspections of restaurants and housing but Armstrong says there is a lot more to the job. The inspections also include mobile homes, septic systems, body art studios, and tanning salons. The department has launched a partnership between local groups for projects to promote healthy living. The public health nurse plays a role in planning for sheltering in case of emergencies as well as monitoring and investigating communicable diseases.

The Health Department also heads the anti-blight program through which it fields complaints about tall grass, illegal dumping, unsanitary conditions, or residents putting trash out before trash day (including nearly a full apartment worth of stuff littering a curbside for days).

Thursday's conversation was the start in taking all of those responsibilities and finding a role for the Public Safety Advisory Committee to play.

"This is not going to be somewhat encapsulated, it is going to be somewhat broad," said Chairman Larry Tallman.
Ophira Eisenberg, host of National Public Radio's 'Ask Me Another' and the author of the comic memoir 'Screw Everyone: Sleeping My Way to Monogamy,' will be at the '62 Center on Monday night.

Comic, NPR Personality Eisenberg Coming to Williamstown Theatre Festival

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Williamstown Theatre Festival in August welcomes a red-hot stand-up comic, an accomplished storyteller and a game show host  all rolled into one.

Ophira Eisenberg is a Canadian-born, New York-based comedian, the host of National Public Radios "Ask Me Another," and the author of the comic memoir "Screw Everyone: Sleeping My Way to Monogamy."

During a recent visit to Boston for a stand-up date, Eisenberg talked with iBerkshires.com about her Aug. 8 performance on the Main Stage at the '62 Center for Theater and Dance and the intersection of her different professional personae.

"I feel like they all work together," she said. "But they feel like three very distinct career paths and Id probably be much less tired if I just said, 'No, I'm a radio host.

"I feel like my creative desires are fulfilled in different ways. Primarily, I see myself as a stand-up because thats where I started. I sort of go standup comic, storyteller mostly known for 'The Moth [another NPR program] and then 'Ask Me Another.  Thats mostly chronologically.

"People know me from different things, which I think is cool."

Question: Thanks for fitting this telephone interview in. I know its a busy week for you and a busy summer of tour dates. Is this as hectic as it gets in terms of travel?

Answer: Its usually way more hectic. I have 7-month-old baby now, so I had to scale back a little.

Boy or girl?

A: Hes a boy. He is with me right now and will definitely be traveling to Williamstown.

Is it a lot harder to work on the road as a mom?

A: It definitely makes it a little more complicated. Its just the moving around of the stuff. Hes on a schedule, but hes pretty fun baby.

We took the Amtrak [to Boston] today, and felt he was very low key on the Amtrak. I never feel like you want to count on that, though. It's like stand-up  youre only as good as your last gig.

When do you find time to write and work on new material?

A: You do it constantly. I feel like at this point in my career, its just a constant thing. Youre thinking and going through life, and youre also half aware that something is material to be explored

When Im not traveling, doing gigs in New York, where I can try out stuff. 'The Moth' and story slams are a great time to test stuff.

The only way you can work on it is on stage. You can't say it 15 times in front of a mirror, and what kills at the dinner table has no bearing on what will work in front of an audience.

For someone, like me, who knows you from 'Ask Me Another,' is the standup act youre performing on Aug. 8 very different in tone or sensibility? Im guessing it's less 'NPR-ish.'

A: There will be some stories  a much more poignant heartfelt story that will weave in between the standup.

I'm one of the few people wandering around stupid enough to do all these things at the same time. It's quite challenging to marry standup with story-telling, especially when marrying it with something a little deeper.

I've done it a couple of times. I've done it in an hour show format three times. When it's successful, the audience appreciates it in a way thats really gratifying. It's a skill that I have honed thats a little more unique that I can present.

With the radio show, even though a lot of comedic elements, a lot of that is improv, working off what contestants say. It has a comedy vibe, but I often meet people who see me at 'The Moth or at a stand-up gig, and they tell me they didnt know I did ['Ask Me Another']

Theres a long tradition of being a comic and doing game shows.

And of being a Canadian and doing quiz shows. Have you had ['Jeopardy host Alex] Trebek on as a guest?

A: We havent, and I don't know if weve ever discussed that. I don't know how much of a trivia person he is.

I know for myself, as someone who has the answers, I wouldnt want to play half these games. I wouldnt mind doing it, but Id fail seriously. I'm in awe of these people who do play well.

How has 'Ask Me Another changed since it debuted [in 2012]?

A: Not only has it evolved just in terms of figuring out the format and how to pick great contestants and what variety of games we need and the difficulty of games  but because its a live show [usually taped at a Brooklyn comedy venue], we had to translate that to something people want to just listen to.

Thats a challenge.

One thing weve been working on steadily that you can hear is the number of voices on stage. We have one 'puzzle guru now. We used to have two. We used to have so many more voices

As a little tease, we are going to play with format once again and try something where we have fewer contestants. The audience will have a chance to know a fewer number of contestants, and [contestants] will have to play more than one game to show off their cleverness

When I decided to pursue this interview, I had to check to see when my readers can hear 'Ask Me Another' on the radio, and they can't. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard you on the radio. I only listen to podcasts ... How much is that changing the industry and allowing for a new generation of shows  'The Moth,' 'Ask Me Another,' 'Invisibilia,' etc...

A: It's amazing because, for example, we're not on [the radio] yet in San Francisco, and we traveled there three years in a row and did a live show. We got an audience just because of our podcast numbers.

It's scary in a way, because you want terrestrial radio to be relevant, but were thankful its available on podcast because it allows us to have an audience.

We get people from all over the world who come to New York for vacation and come to a taping, and theyre fans  people from Australia, China, Russia.

Podcasting, I would argue, really revitalized standup comedy. People wanted to see live standup all of a sudden because of being exposed to different comedy from around the country through a podcast

I still don't want it to replace terrestrial radio.

Another thing I did getting ready for this interview was I read your book ['Screw Everyone: Sleeping My Way to Monogamy'] ... And I've been trying to decide for myself, so I'll ask you: Cautionary tale or how-to book?

A: Laughs  Neither. Its definitely not a how-to. But I've had a lot of women say to me they like thinking of it as a how-to. I don't know how to take that.

Its a cautionary tale. I dont mind that

My story is meant to make you laugh about the dumb, ridiculous, potentially at times slightly dangerous things I did ... and still ended up OK. I never tell anyone here's how you should do it. I never wrote it with the intention of a message. But if there was a message, it's just allowing your personality to develop. I like the idea of trying things until you find the right one.

That's something, especially as women, of breaking with the tradition of every woman should fall in love when she's 18 and every woman is dreaming about her wedding every day.

Do you have another book in you?

A: Maybe .. it's possible. Right after I wrote that, people would say, 'Are you going to write a book about your life now?' I was like, here's the thing ... if I say want to tell you this story about dating this guy, that's funny. If I want to tell you about me and my husband having sex, people say that's disgusting. That's not under 'Humor' [in the book store]. that's under 'Wellness' or something like that.

Now that I've become a mother late in life  it ended up being something that was require a lot of thought and action. Ive been writing a lot about that
Three Farmington residents were injured in separate motorcycle accidents that occurred over the weekend.

On Friday at 6:15 p.m., a man lost control of his motorcycle while traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 67 at state Highway V in Jefferson County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred when a 2003 Harley Davidson VRSCA, driven by Don I. Leslie, 39, was traveling northbound in the left lane of Highway 67. The Harley traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a cable median barrier.

Leslie reportedly received serious injuries in the crash and was taken by Survival Flight to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis for treatment.

According to the patrol report, Leslie was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

In another accident on Saturday at 2:05 p.m., two people sustained serious injuries after being ejected from a scooter motorcycle. The crash occurred at Hillsboro and Pratte roads in St. Francois County.

According to the MSHP, William H. Penrose, 25, and his passenger Stephanie M. Colon, 24, were both ejected from a 2008 Taizhou scooter after Penrose lost control of it and it overturned.

Colon was taken by Survival Flight to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis and Penrose was taken by Air Evac to Barnes Jewish Hospital for treatment.

According to the patrol report, neither Penrose nor Colon were wearing safety equipment.

In a one-vehicle crash on Sunday at 5:14 p.m., a Fredericktown man was injured while driving on Route J in Madison County.

According to the MSHP report, 51-year-old Thomas C. Abernathy was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe on Route J, six miles east of Fredericktown. As Abernathy applied the brakes to avoid a collision, the Tahoe ran off the roadway, overcorrected and then overturned.

He was taken by ambulance to Madison Medical Center in Fredericktown for treatment of moderate injuries.

According to the patrol, Abernathy was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.

On Friday, an Ironton man was injured when his Jeep hit a tree in a crash that occurred at 8:20 a.m. Friday on Highway 21, six miles south of Arcadia in Iron County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred when a 2006 Jeep Cherokee, driven by McCoy T. Kelley, 17, of Ironton, crossed the center line and struck a 2016 Chevrolet Canyon driven by Marissa L. Cooley, 46, of St. Louis. After striking the Canyon, the Jeep ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree.

Kelley reportedly received moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to Iron County Hospital for treatment.

According to the patrol report, Cooley was not injured and was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. The report also stated that Kelley was not wearing a safety device when the wreck occurred.
North Adams Native Serving on Navy Ballistic Missile Submarine



Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeffrey Strange, a graduate of McCann Technical School, is serving aboard the USS Henry M. Jackson, named for longtime Washington state congressman and one-time presidential candidate 'Scoop' Jackson.

BANGOR, Wash.  A 2011 McCann Technical School graduate and North Adams, Mass., native is serving in the Navy as part of a crew working aboard one of the world's most advanced ballistic missile submarines, the USS Henry M. Jackson.



Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeffrey Strange is a missile technician serving aboard the Bangor-based boat, one of 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines.



A Navy missile technician is responsible for maintaining ballistic missiles and their launching systems.



"This job is not something everyone get to do," said Strange. "There is a small population in the military and even smaller in the submarine force. I love being a part of that."



Measuring 560 feet long, 42 feet wide and weighing more than 16,500 tons, a nuclear-powered propulsion system helps push the ship through the water at more than 20 knots.



The Navy's ballistic missile submarines, often referred to as "boomers," serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine launched ballistic missiles. They are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles if directed by the president. The Ohio-class design allows the submarines to operate for 15 or more years between major overhauls. On average, the submarines spend 77 days at sea followed by 35 days in-port for maintenance.



According to Navy officials, current ballistic missile submarines, commissioned between 1987 and 1997, are reaching their end of life. Leveraging more than 50 years of ballistic missile submarine design and operational experience, the Ohio replacement submarine will be a cost-effective recapitalization of sea-based strategic deterrence. The Ohio replacement also leverages Virginia-class submarine capabilities.



Lead Ohio Replacement construction must begin in 2021 in order for the first new submarine to commence its first strategic patrol in 2031, Navy officials explained. Ohio replacement ballistic missile submarines will provide the nation's survivable nuclear deterrent through the 2080s. The plan includes 12 Ohio replacement submarines, each with 16 TRIDENT II (D5) missiles and a 42-year service life. The 12 Ohio replacement submarines provide the same at-sea presence as 14 original Ohio submarines saving $20B (CY10) over the life of the class.



"Every day I am extremely proud to lead and serve alongside the exceptionally talented men and women of the submarine force," said Capt. Mark Schmall, commodore of Submarine Squadron 17, of Bangor. "Our team is filled with dedicated, hardworking, and highly qualified professionals who hold uncommon levels of responsibility and accountability in support of our nation's strategic deterrence mission. Their work ethic, commitment, and enthusiasm are second to none!"

Provided by the Navy Office of Community Outreach.




iciHaiti - Culture : Elie Fleurant finalist of Prix Insulaire Ouessant 2016





The Haitian poet, Elie Fleurant is finalist of Prix Insulaire Ouessant 2016 for his collection "Epitres du Centaure". The award ceremony will take place Wednesday, August 17, 2016 in the island of Ushant, France.



Should be noted that the "Prix Aime Cesaire CEPAL 2015" (European Centre for the Promotion of Arts and Letters) and the "Prix UNICEF Europoesie 2014" for "Les Yeux de la Nuit" have already been awarded to him.



The collection "Epitres du Centaure", is a real wreath, is a implementation epistolary sewn of esthete, panaceas and ontology. This poetic argues that it should not exist controversy between poetry and philosophy, if not a ephemeral disagreement leading to a compromise or clemency. The themes have the color of travel of a poem to another like from one country to another : sometimes, that's the beauty of Cuba that deepens inspiration, sometimes odysseys in China, in the Alps or in the old streets of Saint-Isidore-de-Clifton.



Learn more about Elie Fleurant :

Fleurant Elie was born in Cap Haitien, is a poet-philosopher, educator, inventor, historian, in 1969 he emigrated to the United States. The poet holds a license in psychology and education from Oswego State University of New York and a Master of Philosophy and School Administration of St John's University.



Elie Fleurant is also the creator of the philosophy of Diaphaneisme a poetic of reason, humanism, positive emotions, of Collective Welfare and Social harmonic.



Fleurant Elie was a founding member and executive director of Haitian Academic Forum, an academician and cultural organization.



In 1999 he published his first collection of poems, "A Cur Nu".



Learn more about the "Prix du livre Insulaire" :

Established in 1999, in connection with the "Salon International du Livre Insulaire" of the Ushant Island, the 18th ISLAND BOOK AWARD will be awarded in August 2016. It comes with prize for works published between 1 April 2015 and 30 April 2016. The allocations are given to authors. The laureates are chosen by three juries composed of personalities from the insular literature. he award ceremonies are held during the "salon d'Ouessant".



IC/ iciHaiti


















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
Country

Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Canada Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cuba, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Dominican Republic Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Haiti, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Jamaica Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Mexico, United Mexican States Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Virgin Islands Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
The content you are trying to view is exclusive to our subscribers.

To unlock this article:
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Hondas automobile business unit in the Philippines, supports Team FD Philippines on its 10th anniversary celebration last July 30, 2016 at Blue Bay Walk, Pasay City.

The Honda Civic Club 10th anniversary celebration was headed by Team FD Philippines, one of the official subgroups of Honda Club of the Philippines (HCP). In this years celebration, a total of two hundred eighty seven (287) guests attended the event  eighty-three (83) of which joined the car show competition, while twenty-two (22) participated in the car display.

All attendees took part in the celebration to share their common affinity and enthusiasm for the eighth generation Honda Civic. The car show and car display participants eagerly showcased their modified and accessorized Civic vehicles, which also allowed them to embody their love for the Honda brand.

In this years celebration, Mr. John Morenos eighth generation Civic was awarded Best of Show for presenting originality in the design and upgrades he developed for his Civic. The use of Honda genuine accessories, parts, and engine truly made Mr. Morenos Civic even more distinctive.

The attendees further expressed excitement with the recent launch of the tenth generation All-New Civic, which was also on display during the event. According to the Group Head of Team FD Philippines, Mr. Jess Miano, It is a one of a kind tenth generation Civic. Comfort and performance are what our members look for.

HCPI extends support to HCP as they continuously aim to organize and implement activities, programs, and projects, to foster respect, camaraderie, and teamwork with every member.

HCP is a non-profit, non-stock organization where members share common knowledge and passion about Honda cars. The members common interest brought about the growth of the organization in the past ten years, which they continue to develop further in the coming years ahead.

Back to top
Imperial Valley News Center

Microbial engineering technique could reduce contamination in biofermentation plants

Cambridge, Massachusetts - The cost and environmental impact of producing liquid biofuels and biochemicals as alternatives to petroleum-based products could be significantly reduced, thanks to a new metabolic engineering technique.

Liquid biofuels are increasingly used around the world, either as a direct drop-in replacement for gasoline, or as an additive that helps reduce carbon emissions.

The fuels and chemicals are often produced using microbes to convert sugars from corn, sugar cane, or cellulosic plant mass into products such as ethanol and other chemicals, by fermentation. However, this process can be expensive, and developers have struggled to cost-effectively ramp up production of advanced biofuels to large-scale manufacturing levels.

One particular problem facing producers is the contamination of fermentation vessels with other, unwanted microbes. These invaders can outcompete the producer microbes for nutrients, reducing yield and productivity.

Ethanol is known to be toxic to most microorganisms other than the yeast used to produce it, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, naturally preventing contamination of the fermentation process. However, this is not the case for the more advanced biofuels and biochemicals under development.

To kill off invading microbes, companies must instead use either steam sterilization, which requires fermentation vessels to be built from expensive stainless steels, or costly antibiotics. Exposing large numbers of bacteria to these drugs encourages the appearance of tolerant bacterial strains, which can contribute to the growing global problem of antibiotic resistance.

Now, in a paper published today in the journal Science, researchers at MIT and the Cambridge startup Novogy describe a new technique that gives producer microbes the upper hand against unwanted invaders, eliminating the need for such expensive and potentially harmful sterilization methods.

The researchers engineered microbes, such as Escherichia coli, with the ability to extract nitrogen and phosphorous  two vital nutrients needed for growth  from unconventional sources that could be added to the fermentation vessels, according to Gregory Stephanopoulos, the Willard Henry Dow Professor of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at MIT, and Joe Shaw, senior director of research and development at Novogy, who led the research.

Whats more, because the engineered strains only possess this advantage when they are fed these unconventional chemicals, the chances of them escaping and growing in an uncontrolled manner outside of the plant in a natural environment are extremely low.

We created microbes that can utilize some xenobiotic compounds that contain nitrogen, such as melamine, Stephanopoulos says. Melamine is a xenobiotic, or artificial, chemical that contains 67 percent nitrogen by weight.

Conventional biofermentation refineries typically use ammonium to supply microbes with a source of nitrogen. But contaminating organisms, such as Lactobacilli, can also extract nitrogen from ammonium, allowing them to grow and compete with the producer microorganisms.

In contrast, these organisms do not have the genetic pathways needed to utilize melamine as a nitrogen source, says Stephanopoulos.

They need that special pathway to be able to utilize melamine, and if they dont have it they cannot incorporate nitrogen, so they cannot grow, he says.

The researchers engineered E. coli with a synthetic six-step pathway that allows it to express enzymes needed to convert melamine to ammonia and carbon dioxide, in a strategy they have dubbed ROBUST (Robust Operation By Utilization of Substrate Technology).

When they experimented with a mixed culture of the engineered E. coli strain and a naturally occurring strain, they found the engineered type rapidly outcompeted the control, when fed on melamine.

They then investigated engineering the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to express a gene that allowed it to convert the nitrile-containing chemical cyanamide into urea, from which it could obtain nitrogen.

The engineered strain was then able to grow with cyanamide as its only nitrogen source.

Finally, the researchers engineered both S. cerevisiae and the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica to use potassium phosphite as a source of phosphorous.

Like the engineered E. coli strain, both the engineered yeasts were able to outcompete naturally occurring strains when fed on these chemicals.

So by engineering the strains to make them capable of utilizing these unconventional sources of phosphorous and nitrogen, we give them an advantage that allows them to outcompete any other microbes that may invade the fermenter without sterilization, Stephanopoulos says.

The microbes were tested successfully on a variety of biomass feedstocks, including corn mash, cellulosic hydrolysate, and sugar cane, where they demonstrated no loss of productivity when compared to naturally occurring strains.

The paper provides a novel approach to allow companies to select for their productive microbes and select against contaminants, according to Jeff Lievense, a senior engineering fellow at the San Diego-based biotechnology company Genomatica who was not involved in the research.

In theory you could operate a fermentation plant with much less expensive equipment and lower associated operating costs, Lievense says. I would say you could cut the capital and capital-related costs [of fermentation] in half, and for very large-volume chemicals, that kind of saving is very significant, he says.

The ROBUST strategy is now ready for industrial evaluation, Shaw says. The technique was developed with Novogy researchers, who have tested the engineered strains at laboratory scale and trials with 1,000-liter fermentation vessels, and with Felix Lam of the MIT Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, who led the cellulosic hydrosylate testing.

Novogy now hopes to use the technology in its own advanced biofuel and biochemical production, and is also interested in licensing it for use by other manufacturers, Shaw says.
Ability to quit smoking differs by race

Ann Arbor, Michigan - When it comes to quitting smoking, older African-Americans and Latinos have an edge over whites, according to a University of Michigan researcher and colleagues.

In a study of nearly 3,000 smokers, researchers at the schools of public health at U-M and the University of Texas found that blacks and Latinos are more likely to quit successfully after 20 years than whites.The quit rate was about 20 percent and 50 percent higher for blacks and Latinos, respectively, compared with whites.

"While black youth have a lower tendency to smoke than white youth, this difference almost disappears by adulthood because smoking starts later in life for blacks than whites," said Dr. Shervin Assari of the U-M School of Public Health Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health, and the Department of Psychiatry. "The general belief is that black smokers are less likely to quit. Our study questions such a traditional assumption by showing that after age 50, blacks are more likely to quit."

The researchers said the size of the habit impacted how easy it was to quit.

"This was explained by lighter smoking, since blacks and Latinos are lighter smokers and lighter smoking translates to more successful quitting," said first author Frank Bandiera, assistant professor of epidemiology, human genetics and environmental sciences at the UT School of Public Health.

On average, whites in the study smoked 23 cigarettes per day, compared to 16 for Latinos and 13 for African-Americans.

The researchers used data from the Health and Retirement Study 1992-2012, a longitudinal study conducted at the U-M Institute for Social Research. The landmark survey has followed a nationally representative sample of adults born in the U.S. between the years 1931 and 1941.

They gathered information on smoking at baseline and then every two years. At 10 years, the quit rate for Latinos changed significantly at 52 percent, compared with nearly 46 percent for whites. The quit rate for blacks did not outpace whites until 20 years out.

"The higher quit rates in Latinos and blacks may explain why mortality rates are lower in Latinos than whites, and why the mortality rate gap between blacks and whites is getting closer," Bandiera said.

Previous research has shown that blacks suffer from poorer health and die earlier than whites due to a number of health conditions and life circumstances.

"Health disparities researchers have traditionally conceptualized minority status as a proxy of higher adversity, risk and vulnerability. Being minority, however, has another side to it, which is resilience," Assari said. "As this paper shows, when it comes to drugs and substances, for many outcomes, it is whitesnot blackswho are at higher risk and vulnerability."

The researchers say the results showing that lighter smokers fare better at quitting is promising for future public health cessation efforts, as American smokers in general steadily have cut back on the number of cigarettes they use daily.
Ancient Chinese flood is latest to match oral, geologic histories

Seattle, Washington - A paper published this week in Science finds evidence to support stories that a huge flood took place in China about 4,000 years ago, during the reign of Emperor Yu. The study, led by Chinese researcher Qinglong Wu, finds evidence for a massive landslide dam break that could have redirected the course of the Yellow River, giving rise to the legendary flood that Emperor Yu is credited with controlling.

An accompanying commentary by David Montgomery, a UW professor of Earth and space sciences, discusses how this finding supports the historical basis for traditional tales about Chinas Great Flood. It even explains some details of the classic folk story.

A telling aspect of the story  that it took Yu and his followers decades to control the floodwaters  makes sense in light of geological evidence that Wu et al. present, Montgomery writes.

The study showed that an ancient landslide dammed the Yellow River on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau. When the dam broke in about 1922 B.C., the authors found, it created an enormous flood that coincided with a period of major social disruption, suggesting that the Yellow River overflowed its banks and had to set a new course.

It would have taken considerable time for a large river to adjust to such a change and the associated sustained flooding would fall in the right time and place to account for Yus story  including the long time it took to control the floodwaters, Montgomery commented.

UW geologist David Montgomery is the author of a 2013 book that looks for the geological basis for Noahs flood and other traditional stories.

The discovery is the latest in a series of efforts to link geologic and oral histories, including the biblical tale of Noahs flood.

Great floods figure prominently in some of humanitys oldest stories, Montgomery said. In researching my book, The Rocks Dont Lie, I found that while the idea of a global flood was soundly refuted almost 200 years ago, many of the worlds flood stories have their roots in real catastrophic events  like tsunamis, glacial dam-break floods and disastrous flooding of lowland valleys and areas along major rivers.

The Pacific Northwest is home to one prominent example. Montgomery notes UW research that has linked Native American tales about shaking and flooding to the 1700 earthquake and tsunami along Washingtons coast, for which no written records exist.

Now it appears that we can add Chinas story of a great flood to the growing list of legends of ancient catastrophes that may be rooted in real events, Montgomery said.
Carbon nanotube stitches strengthen composites

Cambridge, Massachusetts - The newest Airbus and Boeing passenger jets flying today are made primarily from advanced composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic - extremely light, durable materials that reduce the overall weight of the plane by as much as 20 percent compared to aluminum-bodied planes. Such lightweight airframes translate directly to fuel savings, which is a major point in advanced composites favor.

But composite materials are also surprisingly vulnerable: While aluminum can withstand relatively large impacts before cracking, the many layers in composites can break apart due to relatively small impacts - a drawback that is considered the materials Achilles heel.

Now MIT aerospace engineers have found a way to bond composite layers in such a way that the resulting material is substantially stronger and more resistant to damage than other advanced composites. Their results are published this week in the journal Composites Science and Technology.

The researchers fastened the layers of composite materials together using carbon nanotubes  atom-thin rolls of carbon that, despite their microscopic stature, are incredibly strong. They embedded tiny forests of carbon nanotubes within a glue-like polymer matrix, then pressed the matrix between layers of carbon fiber composites. The nanotubes, resembling tiny, vertically-aligned stitches, worked themselves within the crevices of each composite layer, serving as a scaffold to hold the layers together.

In experiments to test the materials strength, the team found that, compared with existing composite materials, the stitched composites were 30 percent stronger, withstanding greater forces before breaking apart.

Roberto Guzman, who led the work as an MIT postdoc in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AeroAstro), says the improvement may lead to stronger, lighter airplane parts  particularly those that require nails or bolts, which can crack conventional composites.

More work needs to be done, but we are really positive that this will lead to stronger, lighter planes, says Guzman, who is now a researcher at the IMDEA Materials Institute, in Spain. That means a lot of fuel saved, which is great for the environment and for our pockets.

The studys co-authors include AeroAstro professor Brian Wardle and researchers from the Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab AB.

Size matters

Todays composite materials are composed of layers, or plies, of horizontal carbon fibers, held together by a polymer glue, which Wardle describes as a very, very weak, problematic area. Attempts to strengthen this glue region include Z-pinning and 3-D weaving  methods that involve pinning or weaving bundles of carbon fibers through composite layers, similar to pushing nails through plywood, or thread through fabric.

A stitch or nail is thousands of times bigger than carbon fibers, Wardle says. So when you drive them through the composite, you break thousands of carbon fibers and damage the composite.

Carbon nanotubes, by contrast, are about 10 nanometers in diameter  nearly a million times smaller than the carbon fibers.

Size matters, because were able to put these nanotubes in without disturbing the larger carbon fibers, and thats what maintains the composites strength, Wardle says. What helps us enhance strength is that carbon nanotubes have 1,000 times more surface area than carbon fibers, which lets them bond better with the polymer matrix.

Stacking up the competition

Guzman and Wardle came up with a technique to integrate a scaffold of carbon nanotubes within the polymer glue. They first grew a forest of vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes, following a procedure that Wardles group previously developed. They then transferred the forest onto a sticky, uncured composite layer and repeated the process to generate a stack of 16 composite plies  a typical composite laminate makeup  with carbon nanotubes glued between each layer.

To test the materials strength, the team performed a tension-bearing test  a standard test used to size aerospace parts  where the researchers put a bolt through a hole in the composite, then ripped it out. While existing composites typically break under such tension, the team found the stitched composites were stronger, able to withstand 30 percent more force before cracking.

The researchers also performed an open-hole compression test, applying force to squeeze the bolt hole shut. In that case, the stitched composite withstood 14 percent more force before breaking, compared to existing composites.

The strength enhancements suggest this material will be more resistant to any type of damaging events or features, Wardle says. And since the majority of the newest planes are more than 50 percent composite by weight, improving these state-of-the art composites has very positive implications for aircraft structural performance.

Stephen Tsai, emeritus professor of aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford University, says advanced composites are unmatched in their ability to reduce fuel costs, and therefore, airplane emissions.

With their intrinsically light weight, there is nothing on the horizon that can compete with composite materials to reduce pollution for commercial and military aircraft, says Tsai, who did not contribute to the study. But he says the aerospace industry has refrained from wider use of these materials, primarily because of a lack of confidence in [the materials] damage tolerance. The work by Professor Wardle addresses directly how damage tolerance can be improved, and thus how higher utilization of the intrinsically unmatched performance of composite materials can be realized.

This work was supported by Airbus Group, Boeing, Embraer, Lockheed Martin, Saab AB, Spirit AeroSystems Inc., Textron Systems, ANSYS, Hexcel, and TohoTenax through MIT's Nano-Engineered Composite aerospace STructures (NECST) Consortium and, in part, by the U.S. Army.
Chemical mystery cracked

Cambridge, Massachusetts - When Martin McLaughlin 15 arrived at MIT as a freshman in the fall of 2011, he had a plan in mind. McLaughlin wanted to work in the lab of Catherine Drennan, an MIT professor of biology and chemistry, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator, who uses X-ray crystallography to study proteins.

And so McLaughlin, with Drennans approval, started doing research in addition to taking a normal course load, as part of MITs Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). The project he focused on was challenging: figuring out precisely how an enzyme called lipoyl synthase (LipA) acts as a catalyst in reactions that produce lipoic acid. Our metabolisms need lipoic acid to convert food into energy, but the process through which it is naturally produced has been unclear.

Specifically, McLaughlin, as part of a larger research team featuring scientists from MIT and Penn State University, was trying to understand one thing above all. LipA inserts sulfur into the reaction that produces lipoic acid. But where does the sulfur come from in the first place?

Now McLaughlins work has produced a notable answer, in a paper published today. LipA, in an unusual chemical arrangement, removes the sulfur from an iron-sulfur cluster that it already contains. In effect, LipA cannibalizes itself to catalyze the reaction that produces lipoic acid.

The enzyme is actually cannibalizing its own cluster, pulling it out and putting in sulfur, Drennan explains. The definition of a catalyst is that its not being consumed. So this goes against all the fundamentals really, that the enzyme would just destroy itself. Yet that is what the results show.

The finding could have long-term applications in medicine and agriculture, and is also generally significant within biochemistry research, since solving the LipA mystery suggests a means by which other enzymes use sulfur in similar settings.

It just wasnt understood how nature inserts sulfur into unactivated carbon centers, says Squire Booker, a professor of chemistry and of biochemistry and molecular biology at Penn State, and an HHMI investigator, whose own research group made essential contributions to the finding. Booker, who as it happens received his PhD from MIT in 1994, adds: We knew how the process takes place for incorporation of oxygen, for example. But we didnt know how the sulfur goes in, and we didnt know what the source of the sulfur was.

The new paper, Crystallographic snapshots of sulfur insertion by lipoyl synthase, is being published today in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science (PNAS). The authors are McLaughlin; Nicholas D. Lanz, a graduate student at Penn State; Peter J. Goldman, a former Drennan lab graduate student; Kyung-Hoon Lee, a researcher in Bookers lab; Booker; and Drennan.

Arrive at MIT on Thursday; start research on Monday

Remarkably, McLaughlins work on LipA predates his time at MIT. McLaughlin was a student at State College High School in State College, Pennsylvania, and already interested in science, when he decided to see if he could volunteer in a lab at nearby Penn State. Before long, McLaughlin had connected with Booker, who was amenable to showing high school students the research ropes.

Squire said, Sure, you can work in my lab, McLaughlin recounts. So we met and he told me Id be setting up crystallization trials in an anaerobic chamber. I had no idea what that meant.

It meant McLaughlin would be using a biology glove box  putting on gloves and reaching into a small, oxygen-free box to try to crystallize proteins. That is, researchers put proteins in solutions which evaporate, and under certain circumstances the proteins will crystallize in a way that allows them to be further analyzed.

My job was to set up all of these crystallization experiments, says McLaughlin. I got lucky and got crystals for a few of those proteins, and one of them was lipoyl synthase.

Martin really was somebody very different, Booker says. He was aggressive, in a good way, incredibly motivated. He was so excited about science. Within a week, he said, Im going to need a key to the lab.

By the time he graduated from high school, McLaughlin had become proficient in doing the lab work, and had also gotten accepted to MIT. Booker and Drennan were already collaborating on the project, so Booker, acting as a catalyst, suggested to McLaughlin he could work on the sulfur problem with Drennan at MIT.

Martin emailed me that hes coming to MIT for undergrad, and asked if he could work in my research group, Drennan recalls. And I said Absolutely. He said, Well, okay, I might need a little time to settle into MIT. So Im thinking sophomore year, or something. Then he said, I arrive on Thursday, I unpack on Friday. Could I wait until the following Monday to start in the lab? Which is a week before classes start. He shows up in the lab apologizing for how long it took him to arrive.

In the meantime, an important advance had been made by Nicholas Lanz, a Penn State graduate student, who found that in certain circumstances, molecules containing carbon form a bond with iron-sulfur clusters in such a way that an iron atom disappears  leaving an extra sulfur atom available for another reaction. In a sense, this showed that the conditions for the chemical cannibalization existed.

For us, this was an important discovery, because it showed that the iron-sulfur cluster actually can be cannibalized in the reaction, Booker says. We saw it.

Lanz prepared a version of this molecule and turned it over to McLaughlin, who then crystallized it and was able to perform the analysis of the structures and mechanisms showing that LipA, a bit counterintuitively, was indeed using its own sulfur atoms to help produce lipoic acid.

Crystallography is a little unusual in that its very difficult to tell if youre going to get any interesting results until you get them, McLaughlin says. You spend months or years working on getting a single crystal. I always hoped it would work, but I definitely wouldnt say I knew it would work. It was an interesting enough system that I was willing to spend years on it, if thats what was needed.

Notably, when McLaughlin started at MIT, Drennan adds, her lab workers had been trying to get high-quality crystals of LipA for many years. My graduate students had all but given up, and then Martin arrived, she says.

No boring conversations allowed

The researchers emphasize that there are still many things about LipA that must be studied further  including how the iron-sulfur clusters get rebuilt after being cannibalized. That said, there are many potential applications that could come from understanding the natural production of lipoic acid.

Lipoic acid is an incredibly important cofactor, Booker says. You cant have aerobic life without lipoic acid.

A synthetic version of lipoic acid is currently manufactured and used as a medical supplement in some countries, to combat diabetes, among other conditions. But it is also possible to envision drugs that target the reaction in order to stop multiple diseases, including some cancers and tuberculosis. (The molecule used in the research came from a tuberculosis bacterium, in fact.) Lipoic acid is also a livestock feed supplement manufactured in a costly multistep synthesis, the researchers point out in the paper, which could become simplified.

For now, the researchers are pleased to have made the current advance, and McLaughlin  who is now a doctoral student at the University of Illinois  emphasizes his good fortune in having been in the middle of the LipA story.

Im so grateful to Squire and to Cathy, McLaughlin says. They let a high school and undergraduate student work on some of their coolest projects. Both of those labs are great places to become a scientist. And, he adds: MIT is a very intellectually rich environment. Its very difficult to have a boring conversation at MIT.

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Meryl and Stewart Robertson UROP Fund, the MIT Energy Initiative, and the DeFlorez Endowment Fund. The work was also based on research supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Attack on Quetta Hospital - Pakistan

Washington, DC - The United States condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks today in Quetta, including the bombing at the Civil Hospital that killed dozens of Pakistanis and wounded many more, and the murder of Bilal Anwar Kasi, president of the Baluchistan Bar Association. We send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, and we offer our assistance to Prime Minister Sharif as his government investigates and works to bring the murderers to justice.

Today, terrorists targeted a hospital, as well as the judiciary and the media, two of the most important pillars of every democracy. The victims at the Civil Hospital, many of them lawyers and journalists, were gathered as free citizens to mourn the murder of Mr. Kasi. These brutal and senseless attacks only deepen our shared resolve to defeat terrorism around the world, and we will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism.




This Isnt Our Last Love Letter



Dear Don Don,

Way back in 92



I walked into the room and knew



Never felt this way before



I shook your hand while gazing into your eyes



And the feeling grew



As I took a seat I knew



A love that would have my heart



Forever



I knew



Way back in 92





They say love at first sight doesnt always last or isnt true



We were the exception to that rule



Our love had no where to hide



A spark set fire



As if this is how the universe started





I never doubted our love or what we could do



Together we grew



Forming a bond everlasting



That became our glue



My euphoria was YOU



Im eternally grateful for the love and life we shared



For how fortunate we were :



to have and to hold

through sickness and in health

Til death do us part



Until we are together again



This isnt our last love letter



I love you with all my heart and soul



Yours forever,



Deirdre (Mrs. Hank Snow)





Im fortunate to have fallen in love with, marry and make a life with the sharpest, coolest, funniest, most rare, bad ass, tender loving, loyal man on the planet, my husband Don Imus.









A True American Hero

I dont know why it has been so hard for me to write about my dear friend Don Imus.



I certainly know what he meant to me, my family, my charity, my hospital and the millions of fans that listened and loved him for so many years.



I keep reading all the beautiful condolences that people are writing about how much a part of their lives were effected by listening to him over the years.

But what most people dont talk enough about is what he did for all of us.

In every sense of the word, he was an American Hero. His work with children with so many different illnesses and his dedication to their future was unmatched by anyone I have ever known or heard about.



Besides raising over $100,000,000 for so many causes, he took care of young people for over 20 years in a state where he could not breathe. Along with his incredible wife Deirdre, he created a world where children were not defined by their disease. That was a miracle! He was a miracle.

I will miss him ever day for the rest of my life.

I was blessed to be a part of his and Deirdes life.

No one will ever do what he did.

I love you Don Imus - A TRUE AMERICAN HERO





David Jurist

IMUS IN THE MORNING

FIRST DAY BACK!
WATCH: This Restaurant in Pune Are Run by Speech and Hearing Impaired People
Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Superhero films are currently all the rage in Hollywood; currently sitting atop the box-office is Suicide Squad, which managed to gross over $250 million worldwide in its first weekend.

One common complaint is that the market is oversaturated with the genre, mainly in thanks to three studios - Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros - pumping out numerous DC/Marvel films every year.

Behind X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Deadpool is Fox, who previously announced they were working on another spin-off, Gambit, with Channing Tatum as the lead.

However, earlier this year, it was announced that Gambit has been delayed for the foreseeable future for relatively unknown reasons. Simon Kinberg - writer and producer of various X-Men films - has given some insight into why the film has been delayed, citing tone as the main reason.

33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 Show all 34 1 /34 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 1. Captain America: Civil War Release date: 6 May 2016. Iron Man and Captain America are set to face off in this superhero blockbuster that will feature nearly all the Avengers but wont be an Avengers film. It will also mark the first time Spider-Man will feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Sony having made a deal with Marvel Studios. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 2. X-Men: Apocalypse Release date: 27 May 2016. Following the success of Days of Future Past, Apocalypse will follow the young X-Men team as the battle against Oscar Isaacs titular villain as he gathers his four horsemen; Magneto (Fassbender), Angel (Hardy), Storm (Shipp), and Psylocke (Munn). Expect carnage and no Wolverine. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 3. Suicide Squad Release date: 5 August 2016. The first supervillain film, Suicide Squad is also based in the DCEU (DC Extended Universe, where Batman and Superman live) and will introduce the world to Margot Robbies Harley Quinn and Jared Letos Joker. One of the more exciting upcoming DC films thats for sure. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 4. Doctor Strange Release date: 4 November 2016. Benedict Cumberbatch will debut in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe, where Captain America and Iron Man live) as the Sorcerer Supreme. The film already has an incredible cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachael McAdams and Tilda Swinton. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 5. Untitled Lego Batman film Release date: 20 February 2017. Kicking off 2017 is the Lego version of Batman, who will lead his own spin-off, having already featured in the amazing Lego Movie. Will Arnett voices the titular character, while Zach Garfianakis - from the Hangover - will voice The Joker. But will he better than Leto? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 6. Untitled Wolverine film Release date: 3 March 2017. Having not starred in X-Men: Apocalypse, Wolverine will return to the big screen in a solo film which was recently made R-Rated following the success of Deadpool. It is expected to be Hugh Jackmans last outing as the titular character. Fox 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 7. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Release date: 5 May 2017. Chris Pratt and the crew are returning to space in the sequel to the surprisingly successful Guardians of the Galaxy. According to director James Gunn, the film will not feature Thanos, even though he will to play a major role in phase MCU Phase 3. Cast includes newcomers Kurt Russell and Pom Klementieff, as well as, rumour has it, Sylvester Stallone. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 8. Wonder Woman Release date: 23 June 2017. Gal Gadot is returning to the DCEU in her very own film, marking the first female-led superhero film on this list. Chris Pine is on board to play Wonder Womans love interest. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 9. Untitled Spider-Man reboot Release date: 7 July 2017. Yes, it is another Spider-Man reboot, having previously been redone with Andrew Garfield as the lead. However, this time it is part of the MCU, with Tom Holland as the titular character, and a heavily rumoured cameo by Iron Man could be in the pipeline. We can dream. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 10. Untitled Fox film Release date: 6 October 2017. In a strange announcement, Fox decided to withhold the release of Gambit until a future, as-yet unannounced date, which could be here, or this could be a completely separate project. Many suspect Deadpool 2 could nicely fit here, Fox capitalising on the success of the first film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 11. Thor: Ragnarok Release date: 3 November 2017. Chris Hemsworth will be returning as the Norse God in his third solo MCU film. Flight of the Conchords Taika Waititi is on board to direct, and promises a fun adventure that will likely lead into Marvels next project, Infinity War. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 12. Justice League Part One Release date: 17 November 2017. Hot on the heals of Thor comes Justice League Part One, the first DCEU team-up flick which will see Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg work together to fight bad guys. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 13: Untitled Fox film Release date: 12 January 2018. Kicking off 2018 will likely be the second Deadpool film, but then again, this could very well be another X-Men team-up. Theres also talk of an X-Force film, with Deadpool and other mutants teaming up to fight evil. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 14. Black Panther Release date: 16 February 2018. The first non-white male-led superhero film in the MCU comes in the form of Black Panther, with Chadwick Boseman reprising the titular role, having also starred as the Panther in Civil War. Creeds Ryan Coogler is on to direct what could be a very exciting film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 15. The Flash Release date: 16 March 2018. The Flash will be the first DCEU film since Justice League, and sees Ezra Miller take the lead. Phil Lord and Chris Miller were supposed to pen the film before Disney snapped them up for the Han Solo-film, leaving Seth Grahame-Smith to take charge. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 16. Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 Release date: 4 May 2018. And so, we finally get to the point of all these Infinity Stones! Thanos will be the big bad, with the Avengers needing to team up to defeat their biggest foe yet. It has previously been described as the end of the Avengers as we know it. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 17. Ant-Man and The Wasp Release date: 6 July 2018. Peyton Reed will be back to direct this surprise sequel to one of the better received MCU films. While the name is ridiculous, at least Marvel are finally having a leading female superhero. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 18. Untitled Fox film Release date: 13 July 2018. Again, not much word on this one except it is thought to be X-Men spin-off New Mutants, something Josh Boone has been hit up to write. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 19. Animated Spider-Man Film Release date: 20 July 2018. Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and Amy Pascal - the team behind the live-action Spider-Man films - are producing this unrelated animated adaptation of the hero. Because you can never have too much Spider-Man, right? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 20. Aquaman Release date: 27 July 2018. Another Justice League spin-off, Jason Momoa plays the leading man. Furious 7s James Wan is on to direct, but little else is known about the film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 21. Captain Marvel Release date: 8 March 2019. Weve hit 2019, and the first confirmed superhero film will be the first proper female-led MCU film. No-one is confirmed to be in the titular role of Carol Danvers just yet. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 22. Shazam Release date: 5 April 2019. Dwayne Johnson stars as the villain in this DCEU film which will be somewhat separate to the other DC films. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 23. Avengers: Infinity War Part 2. Release date: 3 May 2019. The conclusion to the long drawn MCU saga. Expect a big finish with at least a few planets being destroyed. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 24. Justice League Part Two Release date: 14 June 2019. Soon after the Infinity War story reaches its conclusion, so will the Justice Leagues. Not much is known, except Darkseid will likely be the villain for at least one of the parts. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 25. Inhumans Release date: 12 July 2019. The concept of Inhumans (or Marvels mutants) has already been introduced in TV, through Marvels Agents of Shield, yet the film is expected to introduce the Royal Family who have yet to be seen in the show. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 26. Cyborg Release date: 3 April 2020. Having debuted in Justice League Part One three years previously, Cyborg will finally be making his own outing, with Ray Fisher as the titular character. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 27. Untitled MCU film Release date: 1 May 2020. The first of three untitled Marvel films. There are a couple of contenders, the first is a likely sequel to Spider-Man with Sony, or a third Guardians of the Galaxy film, thus finishing the trilogy. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 28. Green Lantern Corps. Release date: 19 June 2020. Before you start to worry, this has nothing to do with the Ryan Reynolds-starring flick that hit cinemas a little while ago. Instead, this will be another DCEU film that will likely spin-off from Justice League after the Green Lantern Corps cameo in one of the parts. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 29. Untitled MCU film Release date: 10 July 2020. As well as Spider-Man or Guardians of the Galaxy sequels, a Doctor Strange or Black Panther one could fit in nicely here. Or perhaps Black Widow may finally get the solo-film she deserves. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 30. Untitled MCU film Release date: 6 November 2020. Some speculators also think a Blade film could fit in here, marking over 20 years since the first Blade. But many believe the character may be better suited to a Netflix series, as with Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Theres also talk of a Runaways film reaching cinemas at some stage. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 31. Untitled Ben Affleck Batman film Release date: TBA. Now were onto the TBA release dates, the first of which is a Batman solo film, written and directed by Ben Affleck. When this is due, no one is quite sure but expect it sooner rather than later if Batman v Superman is a success. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 32. Suicide Squad 2 Release date: TBA (rumoured 2017). A sequel to Suicide Squad is expected to come in 2017 according to recent reports, but nothing has been confirmed. If the first is successful, it should come as no surprise for Warner Bros to rearrange their schedule to fit in this surefire hit. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 33. Venom Release date: TBA. This is an odd one, as it has been confirmed Sony are wanting to release a Venom film completely unrelated to the upcoming Spider-Man reboot. Venom, as you may know, is a Spider-Man villain, intrinsically linked to Spider-Man, so it seems odd they would release a film unrelated to the rebooted project and not linked to the MCU. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 Anything else? Well, now you mention it, theres also that sequel to Fantastic Four that has seemingly been dropped by Fox. Plus, theres the Gambit film which has been put on hold (but will likely fill an untitled Fox slot so we havent added it extra). Then again, it could be shoehorned in somehow Marvel

I think the truth is when you have these movies that need a very special and unique tone, it takes a little while to find that tone," he told /Film. "Deadpool feels like it exploded out of nowhere, but it was a 10-year development process on that movie. I think it was honed over those 10 years.

I hope that Gambit doesnt take 10 years, but it takes a little honing to get that tone and that voice exactly right.

"The character has such a specific voice in the comic in the same way that Deadpool has a specific voice in the comic, that we want to make sure that we capture that voice on the page. Really its just about getting a screenplay that is worthy of that character, and I think were really close right now.

For those in need of their next X-Men fix, the third Wolverine film is set to hit cinemas next year, with Hugh Jackman reprising his role as the clawed mutant.
Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Science has finally made a pretty self-evident truth empirical: sharks are scarier when set to ominous background music.

In a study literally called: The Effect of Background Music in Shark Documentaries on Viewers' Perceptions of Sharks researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego showed over 2,000 participants 60-second video clips of sharks swimming - one silent, one set to uplifting music and one set to ominous music.

This is the first study to demonstrate empirically that the connotative attributes of background music accompanying shark footage affect viewers attitudes toward sharks, said lead author Andrew P. Nosal.

The scientists set up a control involving audio-only treatments to prove the negative response was not simply based on the soundtracks alone.

It might be an obvious finding, but the study carries an important message.

Despite the ongoing need for shark conservation and management, prevailing negative sentiments marginalize these animals and legitimize permissive exploitation, Nosal wrote.

These negative attitudes arise from an instinctive, yet exaggerated fear, which is validated and reinforced by disproportionate and sensationalistic news coverage of shark attacks and by highlighting shark-on-human violence in popular movies and documentaries.

Given that nature documentaries are often regarded as objective and authoritative sources of information, it is critical that documentary filmmakers and viewers are aware of how the soundtrack can affect the interpretation of the educational content.
Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Millennials are having less sex than previous generations, according to a recent study published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior.

The study, conducted by researchers at Florida Atlantic University, found that 15% of millennials aged 20 - 24 said they had no sexual partners since turning 18; for people the same age who were born in the 1960s, just 6% said they hadn't had sex.

While some experts believe that better sex education and access to pornography could explain this statistic, Dr. Helen Fisher, an anthropologist and Chief Scientific Advisor to Match.com, suggests millennials aren't sleeping with each other for two key reasons.

First, because millennials are more ambitious in their careers, and second, because they are more cautious about getting into relationships.

Today's young people are a very ambitious generation, Fisher told Business Insider. She believes that millennials are focusing on their careers over sex and love, and holding off on having regular sex until they're ready to commit to a serious relationship.

The more you have to offer a person in terms of education and earning power and social net worth, the more likely you are to find a partner of higher 'mate value,' Fisher said. She describes 'mate value' as a person's worth in a relationship, measured by how much they can give to a partner romantically. Millennials could be avoiding sex because thats one of the first steps of a relationship, and they are looking to increase their 'mate value' first, Fisher said.

Young people are also putting their careers ahead of getting married. In the past, in order to be a grown-up, you really had to be married, the expert said. This generation is not interested in getting married. While having an active sex life doesnt mean being interested in marriage, Fisher said that having sex makes people more susceptible to becoming attached and falling in love.

When you have sex with someone you can catch the feelings of romantic love, she explained, adding that having an orgasm triggers hormones that inspire feelings of attachment, like oxytocin  a hormone released by both sexes when they orgasm. The bottom line is, casual sex is not casual. It leads to relationships.

I asked Fisher about online dating apps and sites, and why it is young millennials are meeting more people online but having less sex. The biggest problem with online dating is cognitive overload, she said. The human brain cant cope with that many choices ... The more people you meet, the less likely you are to go out with any of them.

Millennials are more cautious, more careful, more picky, and more ambitious, she explained, adding that one reason young people are so selective is that many of them come from single-parent homes or have divorced parents, and want to avoid getting divorced themselves.

The sex is going to come along, they know that. Its everywhere for them when they want it, Fisher said. Theyre choosing not to have this because theyre trying to do something else.

Read more:

 This chart is easy to interpret: It says we're screwed

 How Uber became the world's most valuable startup

 These 4 things could trigger the next crisis in Europe

Read the original article on Business Insider UK.  2016. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The leader of the Scottish Labour party Kezia Dugdale has announced her engagement to her long-term girlfriend.

Ms Dugdale has been in a relationship with lecturer Louise Riddell since 2008. She revealed she was in a same-sex couple for the first time in April and she and Ms Riddell were pictured together casting votes at the Scottish elections a month later.

The leader of Scottish Labour said the couple couldnt be happier after getting engaged on holiday in Mallorca recently.

She also said she and her fiancee will be celebrating by toasting those who campaigned for same-sex marriage.

Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Show all 29 1 /29 Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Caitlyn Jenner "Why do people think it's OK to ask deeply personal questions when you're transgender?" Reuters / Vanity Fair Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Kanye West "Look, I can be married to the most beautiful woman in the world, and I am. I can have the most beautiful little daughter in the world, and I have that. But I'm nothing if I can't be me. If I can't be true to myself, they don't mean anything," the rapper said about Jenner. Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Stephen Fry "Homosexuals are not interested in making other people homosexuals. Homophobes are interested in making other people homophobic." Rex Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Hillary Clinton "Gay rights are human rights." Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Anderson Cooper - Journalist and TV host The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldnt be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud. Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Laverne Cox - Actress '"We are not what other people say we are. We are who we know ourselves to be, and we are what we love." Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights PM David Cameron "I am proud that we have made same-sex marriage happen. I am delighted that the love two people have for each other  and the commitment they want to make  can now be recognised as equal." AFP/Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Kellie Maloney "We don't have a choice. People think we wake up one morning, put a dress on and be a woman. I knew about it when I was very young but I was brought up in a male world and had responsibilities, I was frightened and I wanted to beat it. I didn't want to lose my friends. In the end I was so depressed and so desperate, I tried to commit suicide about three times." Getty Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Ellen DeGeneres - comedian and TV host "To me beauty is about being comfortable in your own skin. It's about knowing and accepting who you are." Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights President Barack Obama "Just to prohibit somebody who cares about another person, it just seems to me that's not what America's about. Usually, our constitutions expand liberties, they don't contract them." AFP/Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Zac Efron - Actor "To me, being gay was just another way that you can be." Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Lance Bass - former NSYNC member "The thing is, I'm not ashamed - that's the one thing I want to say. I don't think it's wrong, I;m not devastated going through this. I'm more liberated and happy." Larry Busacca/Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Ed Miliband - former Labour leader "Whether you're gay or straight, you should be able to signify your commitment, your love, with the term marriage." Reuters Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Kate Bornstein - Author "Gender is not sane. It's not sane to call a rainbow black and white." Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Adam Levine - Maroon 5's singer "Maybe we should make straight marriage illegal. It doesn't seem to have a very high success rate." GETTY IMAGES Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Tom Daley - Olympic diver "I felt so alone and trapped in who I was... for people to be so supportive about it has been amazing." Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Kurt Cobain - Former musician "I'm not gay, although I wish I were just to piss off the homophobes." Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Jay-Z - Rapper "You choose to love whoever you love. It's no different than discriminating against blacks." PA Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Brittney Griner - Basketball player "I am a strong, black, lesbian woman. Every single time I say it, I feel so much better." Rex Features Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Daniel Radcliffe - Actor "You don't have to be gay to be a supporter, you just have to be human." Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Nick Jonas - musician "My thoughts on gay marriage are that everyone has the right to love and be loved, and that's the position I take." Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Elle Page - Actress "I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission... I suffered for years because I was scared to be out... I'm gay." Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Michael Sam - NFL player "I want to own my truth... No one else should tell my story but me." Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Pink - singer "I think the best day will be when we no longer talk about being gay or straight... It's not a gay wedding, it's just a wedding. It's not a gay marriage, it's just a marriage." Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Jason Collins - former NFL player "When I acknowledged my sexuality, I felt whole for the first time." GETTY IMAGES Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Ricky Martin - singer "Acceptance has to come from within and this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn't even know existed." Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Frank Ocean - Musician "I believe that marriage isn't between a man and a woman; but between love and love." Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Neil Patrick Harris - Actor "I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest." Getty Images Inspirational quotes about LGBT rights Elton John "So I am deeply saddened and shocked over the current legislation that is now in place against the LGBT community here in Russia. In my opinion, it is inhumane and it is isolating." Getty Images

Im utterly thrilled to be marrying the love of my life and we cant wait to start planning, she told the Daily Record. We hope this news brings a smile to a few peoples faces and well certainly be toasting all those campaigners and activists who made marriage equality possible.

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson, who announced her engagement to partner Jen Wilson in May, led the congratulatory messages on Twitter.

In April, Ms Dugdale, 34, credited her relationship with providing her with a haven away from her public role.

I have a female partner. I dont talk about it very much because I dont feel I need to, she told the Fabian Review. And theres something too about how meteoric my career has been. I am generally calm, almost serene. I dont get easily stressed or battered. But I need a bit of stability to do that, and that means my private life is my private life. Thats the thing I just have to have that nobody gets to touch, and that gives me the strength to be calm elsewhere.

Ms Dugdale is one of four openly LGB Scottish party leader alongside Scottish Tory leader Ms Davidson, Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie and David Coburn, the leader of Scottish Ukip.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

When Leonardo DiCaprio won an Academy Award in February this year, after many years of near-misses, the internet reacted with delight.

Following years of memes about DiCaprios perceived lack of good fortune when it came to Oscar gongs, new joyous memes were created and shared and social media exploded with heartfelt praise.

While this internet reaction might have been expected following a win by the popular actor, another effect was also felt on the internet.

When the Revenant actor delivered his rousing speech which stressed the need to take climate change seriously, searches around the topic spiked significantly a new study has found.

The study, published in the peer-reviewed science publication PLOS ONE, said: Social media engagement on climate change spiked after DiCaprios speech even though news coverage of climate change did not statistically significantly increase.

In his speech, the 41-year old said: Climate change is real, it is happening right now. It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating, before calling on world leaders to tackle the issue.

Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Show all 26 1 /26 Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, at one of many outrageous parties in Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street AP Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Margot Robbie and Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill in a scene from The Wolf of Wall Street Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo-DiCaprio Leonardo DiCaprio and Matthew McConaughey in The Wolf of Wall Street Rex Features Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the famous scene from Titanic Reuters Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures 'I'll never let go, Jack': Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslett in Titanic Rex Features Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's hand in his Titanic sex scene with Kate Winslet is iconic in itself Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio and Clare Danes in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet 20th Century Fox Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Another scene from Romeo and Juliet 20th Century Fox Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio star and Matt Damon star as an undercover cop and police force mole in crime thriller The Departed IMDB Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio stars as director and aviator Howard Hughes in Scorsese drama The Aviator IMDB Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Miramax Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Martin Scorsese directs Leonardo DiCaprio and Jim Broadbent in 'Gangs of New York' Rex Features Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Glitter bugs: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire and Joel Edgerton in 'The Great Gatsby' Bazmark Film III Pty Limited Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo Di Caprio playing Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Luhrmann's 'Great Gatsby' Warner Bros Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio starred as con artist Frank Abagnale in the film Catch Me If You Can Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Virginie Ledoyen and Leonardo DiCaprio starring in 'The Beach' AP Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio in the puny sci-fi thriller Inception Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures ANDREW COOPER Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Sir Ben stars alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in Shutter Island Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio in the Revolutionary Road Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures FRANCOIS DUHAMEL Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Winslet and DiCaprio in the Revolutionary Road AP Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCaprio's career in pictures Leonardo DiCarprio in the documentary 11th Hour (2007)

The next day, tweets mentioning climate change or global warming were 636 per cent higher than the day before the Oscars. When compared to Earth Day, which took place on April 22 this year, tweets were 5.3 times larger and compared to the the COP climate change conference in Paris at the end of last year tweets were 3.2 times larger.

The effects werent just felt on social media, Google searches from users keen to find out more about climate change increased immediately the hour [after] DiCaprio spoke", according to the study. Climate change on Google rose by 261 per cent compared to the day before and the search for global warming rose 210 per cent higher the day of the speech.

DiCaprios speech was a major moment for climate change advocacy, inspiring record levels of social media engagement and near record levels of online information seeking for climate change, apart from any similar increase in traditional news coverage, the report said.

DiCaprio has long championed the need to take climate change seriously and is an avid environmental campaigner. He launched the Leonardo DiCaprio foundation, which has a mission of protecting the worlds last wild places in 1998 and earlier this year spoke about climate change at the UN.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The actor Lord Brian Rix has changed his mind to support assisted dying after his terminal illness left him wanting to end his own life.

Lord Rix, once one of Britains most popular stage and television actors with a long-running stint for the BBC, is a campaigner for people with learning disabilities and the president of Mencap.

The 92-year-old became a cross-bench member of the House of Lords in 1992. He has previously opposed assisted dying and voted against the 2006 Bill. Last year, another bill which was presented to the second chamber didnt pass the second reading debate. In September, MPs in the House of Commons voted against changing the law on assisted dying.

Lord Rix has now written to the speaker of the House, Baroness DSouza, asking her to raise the issue again in the House of Lords and detailed how his own experiences of being terminally ill have led him to change his mind.

My position has changed, the letter said. As a dying man, who has been dying now for several weeks, I am only too conscious that the laws of this country make it impossible for people like me to be helped on their way, even though the family is supportive of this position and everything that needs to be done has been dealt with.

Ambassadors For Assisted Dying Show all 10 1 /10 Ambassadors For Assisted Dying Ambassadors For Assisted Dying Actor Sir Patrick Stewart Getty Images Getty Images Ambassadors For Assisted Dying Actor Hugh Grant Getty Images Getty Images Ambassadors For Assisted Dying South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Ambassadors For Assisted Dying Author Sir Terry Pratchett Getty Images GETTY IMAGES Ambassadors For Assisted Dying Stephen Hawking Getty Images Getty Images Ambassadors For Assisted Dying Cilla Black PA PA Ambassadors For Assisted Dying Lord George Carey Getty Images GETTY Ambassadors For Assisted Dying Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne Getty Images Getty Images Ambassadors For Assisted Dying Actress Kim Cattrall Getty Images Getty Images Ambassadors For Assisted Dying Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan PA

Unhappily, my body seems to be constructed in such a way that it keeps me alive in great discomfort when all I want is to be allowed to slip into a sleep, peacefully, legally and without any threat to the medical or nursing profession.

Lord Rix says he has been dying for two months and receives round the clock care at his retirement home. He said his illness makes him feel "like a beached whale".

I have been dying now for two months or more and that is a very, very long time, he told the Press Association. I have wrapped up my affairs and I am ready to go and I cant do anything but lie here thinking, Oh Christ, why am I still here? They wont let me die and thats all I want to do.

I have no fears of dying because it will put an end to this misery, this pain and discomfort. I am constantly woozy and hazy but I cant sleep. The doctors and nurses do their best for me, but their best is not good enough because what I want is to die, and the law stops them from helping me with that.

Lord Rix said doctors have not provided him with an estimate of how long he will live and he wants to speak out not only for himself but for others in the same position.

I think its wrong that people like me are stranded like this, he said. "I'm not looking for something that helps me only, I'm thinking of all the other people who must be in the same dreadful position.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Police have arrested 14 men on suspicion of arson after a fire broke out at a south London nightclub.

Around 100 firefighters rushed to tackle blaze at the Studio 388 nightclub in Greenwich, near the O2 arena, at around midday on Monday.

A man was rushed to hospital with severe burns and is currently in a critical condition.

Around a dozen people are believed to have escaped from the blaze by jumping from the roof.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said a large part of the ground floor of the club and part of the first floor were burning when they arrived.

A warehouse next door was also completely ablaze and a scrap paper processing yard was partly alight nearby.

Plumes of smoke could be seen across the capital and many posted images of it on social media.

Station manager Winston Douglas said: "Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued a man from the nightclub building and he has been taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service (LAS) suffering from burns.

"This is a large fire and the smoke could be seen from across London, meaning our 999 control officers took over 50 emergency calls.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters 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

"Our firefighters are making steady progress but they will be at the scene for the rest of the day, and possibly into the evening, so please try and avoid the area if possible."

The fire brigade put a safety cordon around the surrounding streets and told local residents to keep windows and doors closed because of the smoke.

Ben Cross, a founder of the Idiot Savant collective, called the fire a tragedy for the London music scene.

Idiot Savant held a 2,500-person event at 338 in June - the first foray into events for lifestyle brand SBTV, founded by Jamal Edwards - and were due to host another major event at the club in late August.

He told The Independent: It's such a tragedy because 338 were becoming such a big presence in the London club scene."

The fire could be seen from across London. Pictured in Canary Wharf (Chris Gunns/Twitter)

Really Im just happy that most people are safe and that it isnt more of tragedy.

He said he was unsure about what his company will do but they have been contacted by other venues who have offered them their space for free because they knew what happened.

Mr Cross said: There has been a really nice response from other venues in London.

We have people messaging us saying 'weve got this venue and we would like to offer you free use because we heard about your situation'.

So the industry is moving to respond, both to help out us, because obviously if you have such a big event and this happens then this is a massive problem, but also because they want to promote the scene.

There is actually quite a lot of love shared between venues and promoters even though, of course, there is competition - it is all about building a music scene.

Recommended Read more At least 26 killed in fire at Colectiv club in Bucharest

A spokeswoman for Scotland Yard said: Police were called to Boord Street, Greenwich, by London Fire Brigade at 11:55hrs on Monday, 8 August, to reports of a fire in progress.

London Ambulance Service was also called to the scene.

One man was taken to a south London hospital. He is in a critical condition.

Fourteen men were arrested on suspicion of arson. They are in custody in south London police stations.

Additional reporting by PA
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

British police have stopped their forensic investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

Operation Grange was launched five years ago into the disappearance of the three-year-old who vanished in 2007 from her family's Portuguese holiday apartment.

Earlier this year, extra funds were allocated by the former Home Secretary and current Prime Minister, Theresa May. The additional 95,000 allocated to the search for Madeleine brings the total spend to 12 million  amid brutal cuts to police budgets.

The whole operation to find the child is expected to be shut down in the autumn.

A source told the Sunday Mirror the decision to stop forensic work came after the most recent tests didnt take us forward.

The final forensics were carried out about three months ago but, sadly, they didnt take us forward. There are no plans for any further forensic work to take place, they said.

It was hoped hairs found in the apartment where Madeleine disappeared could create more leads.

Madeleines parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, issued a statement in response to the decision: Until we have answers, until there is news, there will always be hope and we will do everything we can to help find Madeleine.

The couple are currently embroiled in a legal battle with Goncalo Amaral, a former detective who claimed they covered up their daughter's death.

Before the Metropolitan Police inquiry began in 2011, Ms McCann had been harshly critical of the Government, who she said were "giving up on Madeleine".
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Police investigating the murder of Stephen Lawrence have released digitally enhanced CCTV images in the hope of identifying a witness to the attack.

Lawrence, 18, was stabbed to death by a gang of six white youths in an unprovoked racist attack as he waited at a bus stop on Well Hall Road in Eltham, south-east London, with a friend on 22 April 1993.

Witnesses previously reported seeing a man in a distinctive green jacket with the "V" emblem on it in the vicinity of Well Hall Road roundabout around the time Stephen was attacked. He was seen in an off-licence on Well Hall Road around two and a half hours before the attack took place.

The man was seen in an off-licence on Well Hall Road around two and a half hours before Stephen was attacked (Metropolitan Police)

Police previously released an e-fit of the man's jacket (Metropolitan Police)

Officers digitally enhanced the CCTV footage and have released it in a public appeal to speak to the man or anyone who knows him.

Gary Dobson and David Norris were jailed for life in January 2012 for their role in the attack.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Le Pere, the officer in charge of the investigation into the murder, said it was important that police speak with the man.

"We are appealing for this man to come forward so that we can speak to him to establish if he can assist with our enquiries, or if we can eliminate this strand of the investigation," he said.

He added: "The investigation remains open. Two individuals were found guilty of murder, but officers continue to follow lines of enquiry.

"We are hoping that over the passage of time allegiances may have changed, people may have moved away and feel more confident coming forward."
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

An aspiring author lay dead at home for four months while a letter from a publisher accepting her first novel sat unread on the doormat, an inquest has heard.

Former teacher Helen Gradwell was found dead in her home in Heaton, Greater Manchester in April after neighbours raised the alarm.

The inquest at Bolton Coroners Court heard that it is likely the reclusive 39-year-old died around four months before her body was discovered, as there were Christmas decorations still up around the flat and her two pet dogs were found dead in the same room.

Ms Gradwell was found face down and was badly decomposed. She was wearing pyjamas and it is thought she was sleeping on the sofa as there was a quilt and a pillow.

She suffered from intense hemiplegic migraines - which were so severe they could cause temporary paralysis down one side of her body - and pathologist Jonathan Pearson said it was likely she had accidentally overdosed on painkillers.

He told the court the decomposition of her body made it difficult to be completely certain how she died but there was no evidence of assault by another person.

Toxicology tests also found high levels of the powerful pain medication Tramadol in her body, he added.

He said: "It is the only evidence we have of something abnormal that could explain the sudden death.

"I accept entirely it is not conclusive, but on the balance of probabilities it is the best evidence we have to explain the death."

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters 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

Ms Gradwell had trained as a teacher but was forced to give up her full-time career when the migraines took hold. Instead she began tutoring and had been secretly writing her novel.

She was unmarried and lived alone. Her family said she had distanced herself from them so they were unaware that she had taken up writing.

After the inquest, her stepmother, Bronwen Gradwell, told the Bolton News Ms Gradwell had sent a synopsis and the first three chapters of her book - which her family believe she completed - to a London publisher.

Mrs Gradwell said: We know it must be out there somewhere. If we found it, we would love to publish it and donate the proceeds to animal charities.

"At her funeral donations were for the Destitute Animal Shelter. Animals meant everything to her  they were her world."

Assistant Coroner Timothy Brennand recorded an open verdict saying there was no evidence to suggest she had meant to take her own life.

He said she had recently purchased new clothes and had left no note - but what made him think her death was accidental was her well-documented love of her two dogs.

To my mind, she would do nothing that would put the lives of her dogs in peril," he concluded.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The battleground for the most political industrial dispute since the miners strike comprises some of the leafiest and richest parts of Britain.

Ever since the Southern Railway was electrified in the 1930s, Surrey and Sussex have been perfect commuter territory. From towns such as Redhill, Lewes and Eastbourne, the train lines into London Victoria and London Bridge have offered swift and usually reliable transport to the capital. As a result, property prices have soared. A four-bedroom semi-detached in Redhill is currently on the market for 725,000.

On a normal day, Redhill can be less than half-an-hour from London - making the journey time shorter than from many outlying Tube stations. But the bitter dispute between Southern and the RMT union has caused frequent cancellations, with journey times on overcrowded trains typically twice as long as usual.

During the current five-day strike aimed squarely at wrecking the travel plans of commuters, the train operator says: Trains on these routes are likely to be extremely busy and Southern cannot guarantee you space to travel.

At least Redhill commuters stand some chance of getting to work and back; the next station down the line, Earlswood, will see no trains until Saturday at the earliest.

British rail travel through the ages Show all 30 1 /30 British rail travel through the ages British rail travel through the ages 1875 The general view of St Pancras station in London British rail travel through the ages 1880 The locomotive which plunged off the Tay Rail Bridge into the Firth of Tay after its recovery from the estuary. The disaster occurred when a section collapsed during a storm in 1879 and 75 passengers were killed British rail travel through the ages 1885 An East Coast Express train at King's Cross Great Northern Railway, London British rail travel through the ages 1890 A porter directing a passenger on the platform of a station on the outskirts of Liverpool British rail travel through the ages 1900 Passengers sitting in the observation car on the Llandudno to Llanberis line in Wales British rail travel through the ages 1910 A London and North Western Railway worker in the slip-coach of a train, which detaches at a station that the rest of the train is not stopping at British rail travel through the ages 1914 French people leaving Victoria Station in London on the boat train to Paris, at the start of World War I British rail travel through the ages 1916 A female guard on the Metropolitan railway with her emergency lantern British rail travel through the ages 1925 Holiday crowds at King's Cross railway station, London Getty Images British rail travel through the ages 1928 A young Easter holiday maker tries to reach up to the ticket office window to buy his ticket British rail travel through the ages 1928 The luxurious first class lounge on board a London Midland and Scottish Royal Scot train. Known as the travelling hotel the train has a lounge, bar and private boudoir British rail travel through the ages 1929 Two young women pushing their luggage on a trolley at Paddington station during the holiday rush out of London British rail travel through the ages 1930 A worker sitting astride a locomotive whilst cleaning the boiler British rail travel through the ages 1930 A third class Southern Railway carriage being hoisted at Southampton Docks in Hampshire British rail travel through the ages 1930 The Bennie railplane being demonstrated at Glasgow, Scotland. It consisted of self-propelled passenger cars driven by air screws, suspended from a steel girder British rail travel through the ages 1930 Seven of the new King Class steam locomotives Getty Images British rail travel through the ages 1930 Passengers on the Bennie Railplane in Glasgow; the inventor George Bennie stands at the end of the carriage British rail travel through the ages 1930 Port of London Authority workers unloading a shipment of bananas from a train British rail travel through the ages 1931 London and North-Eastern Railway petrol train in Yorkshire British rail travel through the ages 1931 Railway workers turning the LNER 'Hush Hush' locomotive No. 100000 on a manually operated turntable while a man films the operation with a hand cranked camera British rail travel through the ages 1931 On the Great Western Railway, a film crew film the automatical train control in action British rail travel through the ages 1931 Racing driver Lord Howe driving his Mercedes sports car onto the float at Dover, ready to be hoisted on board the Southern Railway's cross-channel steamer 'Autocarrier' British rail travel through the ages 1933 Passengers making enquiries at one of the new Southern Railway information points on Waterloo concourse British rail travel through the ages 1933 Fireman Blackett of the LMS railway saying farewell to his workmates and officials at Carlisle before finishing duty. He was off to America to assist on the Royal Scot which is touring the USA after appearing at the Chicago World Fair British rail travel through the ages 1935 A steam train crossing the Darwood Viaduct, Cornwall British rail travel through the ages 1937 A group of schoolboys examining a streamlined Coronation Class locomotive of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) at Euston Station Getty Images British rail travel through the ages 1938 A member of the Berkhampstead Riding School tests her riding prowess against the Carlisle Express in a field that adjoins the LMS railway at Tring, Hertfordshire British rail travel through the ages 1956 Women seeing off loved ones on a troop train at Woolwich railway station in south London. The men, of the Royal Artillery, are bound for Salisbury Plain for retraining because of the Suez crisis British rail travel through the ages 1968 The 'Flying Scotsman' steam locomotive leaves a station to travel to Edinburgh Getty Images British rail travel through the ages 1972 The Brighton Belle train leaving Victoria Station, central London

The middle classes of Surrey and Sussex find themselves caught between two intransigent foes in a battle that has echoes of the 1980s. A row that is ostensibly over whether the train driver or guard should open and close the doors on a fleet of expensive new trains has triggered the longest industrial action from transport unions in half a century.

Barely had the 300,000 passengers who use the Southern network each day adjusted to an emergency timetable cutting hundreds of trains from the daily schedules, than a further two out of five departures were cut because of the strike.

 Protests over Southern rail

Now estate agents are warning that house prices could be hit if the dispute drags on. Luke Brightman, negotiator for the James Dean estate agency in Redhill, said: If it goes on longer that will definitely affect the market.

The picture is similar in Lewes, a historic town normally 70 minutes from Victoria. James Cooper, senior negotiator for Rowland Gorringe, said: One of the biggest reasons people move to Lewes is the train line.

If there are ongoing issues [in the dispute], there is every chance it may start affecting life.

The bitter dispute between Southern and the RMT union has caused frequent cancellations (PA)

Will Harrington, consultant for Town Property in Eastbourne said the housing market is tougher in any event because of Brexit, and that the rail dispute could be a contributing factor.

Most of the areas affected are staunchly middle class, Conservative constituencies. Chris Philp, Tory MP for Croydon south, said: Southern Rail has been one of the biggest problems facing our neighbourhood for some time now. The constant delays, overcrowding and cancelled trains have blighted commuters and leisure travellers for two years now. He has joined the London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, in calling for Southerns parent, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), to be stripped of its franchise.

Their voices are unlikely to be heard. It is difficult to imagine that any serious organisation would want to take over the franchise in its present state, and the Government certainly does not want to take back control and be held directly responsible for the collapse in much of the commuter service south of London.

Just as the Thatcher government was content for the National Coal Board to take on the National Union of Miners, so the present Government is sub-contracting its pursuit of the modernisation of Britains railways to Charles Horton, the beleaguered chief executive of GTR. In just under two weeks time (21 August), he intends to impose the new policy regardless of any agreement with the union.

Both the RMT and the drivers union, ASLEF, are threatening the nuclear option of a work-to-rule in which the driver personally checks every door on the train is closed before returning to the cab and moving off. That would effectively shut down much of the network.

The damage done to the UK economy will rise, and house prices in the serene lanes of south-east England may fall. But the Government shows no sign of compromise.
Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The courts have been kind to Jeremy Corbyn lately. Two arguments over ground rules for a leadership contest have ended up in court, and both times the judge has, in effect, ruled in Mr Corbyns favour.

Todays judgement  unless it is overturned on appeal  gives 130,000 additional Labour Party members an automatic right to vote in the current leadership election whom the partys national executive had voted to exclude.

Though the judge, Mr Justice Hickinbottom, said in his judgement that he had no evidence before him whether this result would be good or bad for Mr Corbyn, all the anecdotal evidence suggests that the Labour leader has received a huge boost, courtesy of a high court, and that his challenger, Owen Smith, faces an even more uphill battle than he was already.

This was evident in the contrasting reactions form the two camps. A delighted John McDonnell, who is running Mr Corbyns campaign, hailed the decision as a huge victory for Labour Party members and party democracy." He added: The decision taken to freeze out new members since January was an affront to democracy and went against everything the party stands for. We are pleased the High Court has seen sense today by coming to the right decision.

The initial response from Mr Smiths spokesperson was more subdued. He said: The party will want to study the judgement and determine its next steps. Owen is getting on with the job of putting his case to Labour members and supporters across the country.

The court judgement reverses a decision that Labours national executive made during its long and fraught meeting on 12 July, to set a "freeze date" of 12 January. This meant that the only party members with an automatic right to vote in the leadership contest would be the 388,407 who were already party members before that date.

That decision was made towards the end of a meeting that went on for about six hours. Earlier, there had been a much more highly publicised row over whether Jeremy Corbyn had an automatic right to be on the ballot paper in the leadership contest, or whether the rules required him to collect nominations from 50 Labour MPs and MEPs, as his challenger had to.

When that vote came, Corbyn supporters outnumbered his opponents on the executive by 18 to 14, so he got the result he wanted, which was later upheld by a judge when a party donor opposed to Mr Corbyn took the case to a high court.

But having won that victory, Mr Corbyn and others rather unwisely left the meeting before it was over, leaving his opponents with a majority. This was when they decided on a cut off date of 12 January, as well bumping up the charge for supporters who wanted to register to vote from 3 to 25.

Actually, the executive did not really need to choose 12 January as a cut-off date. It would have served their prupose almost as well to have chosen 12 June, because what concerned them was the vast number who signed up to join Labour after the June 23 referendum, and the sacking of Hilary Benn from the shadow cabinet, when it became fairly obvious to anyone following the news carefully that there was an attempt underway to lever Jeremy Corbyn out of office, one or way another. In a matter of days, the paid up membership of the Labour Party shot up by around a quarter, to 515,000.

The rationale behind the executives decision was that some of these people may not have been joining out of any real commitment to the Labour Party, but purely because they wanted a vote in the leadership contest  which they could get anyway, by separately paying their 25 and signing up as supporters. The party had machinery in place to vet those who registered as supporters, and weed out unsuitable applicants, such as members or known supporters of rival parties. In 2015, they caught a Tory MP, Tim Loughton, and several other known Conservatives who had signed up intending to vote for Jeremy Corbyn, believing he was the candidate most likely to make Labour unelectable.

But this argument failed to convince the judge. His whole focus was on the Labour rulebook, and on the law which governs relations between associations like political parties and their members. On the Labour Party website there was an unambiguous promise that joining the party would give a new member the right to vote in a leadership election, with no suggestion that there would be a six-month wait before that right came into force. Mr Justice Hickinbottoms ruled that taking this right away from the new members, the party was breaking a legally enforcable contract.

One detail that is not entirely clear is whether those who paid to join the party after January and then, in their determination to take part in the vote, parted with another 25 to register as supporters, are now entitled to claim their money back. The judge has told the Labour Party that three of the five new members who brought the court case must be reimbursed 25 each. If Labour headquarters is now inundated with demands from others who want their 25 back, it is going to add one more complication to what, for hard pressed head office staff, is already a nightmarish summer.
Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Muslim women should be stopped from wearing the Islamic face veil in public places, according to a contender for the Ukip leadership.

Lisa Duffy is demanding women should not be allowed to wear the cloth, called a niqab, in public buildings, on transport or in shopping centres.

The Ukip councillor, who launched her leadership bid with the claim she wanted a modernised version of British Islam, has also asked for an end to sharia courts and a total ban on Muslim state schools. She said the measures would tackle extremism in the UK.

She claimed banning the burka would help Muslims integrate and promote womens rights.

She asked: "Why should I, as a white, Christian woman, effectively enjoy greater civil and human rights and freedoms than others?", she said.

My ambition is that everyone, from every community, should be able to enjoy the same rights and have the same independent control over their lives and their bodies as I do."

She described the veil as a symbol of aggressive separatism that can only foster extremism.

During her speech she rejected comparisons made between her policies and that of Donald Trump, who controversially called for a ban on Muslims entering the US.

President of the Muslim Association of Britain, Omer El-Hamdoon told The Independent: "Ms Duffy said she's not chasing the bigot vote, but in fact she is.

"Her whole narrative is undermining civil liberties

"It will marginalise Muslims and we know this puts them at greater risk of radicalisation."

Mr El-Hamdoon added that Islamic schols were essential to bringing up young Muslims who would contribute to the UK.

Lisa Duffy has grassroots party support (PA)

"By teaching young people about Islamic values and morals, you will get a generation of Muslims who feel proud to be British and be better citizens," he said.

The resignation of Mr Farage after the UK voted to leave the EU triggered a fiercely contended leadership race, with six candidates in the running.

Ms Duffy is thought to be second favourite for the leadership role to Diane James, but she has strong support from the grassroots of the party.

The councillor in Ramsey also has the backing of Suzanne Evans, who said she represents the common sense" needed for the future of Ukip.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters 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

Ms Duffys remarks contrast with the stance held by fellow leadership contender Bill Etheridge. Launching his leadership campaign, Mr Etheridge will say that focussing on small issues like Islam makes the party look small minded, the Guardian reports.

But banning the burka, along with the reintroduction of the death penalty, remain at the centre of Mr Etheridges campaign.

The next leader of the party will be announced at Ukip's annual conference on 15 September.
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The family of the teenager that was arrested and accused of bringing a homemade bomb to class has filed a lawsuit against the school.

Ahmed Mohamed, then 13, who brought a ticking clock to his class that was mistaken for a bomb, has accused the school of violating his civil rights in a lawsuit that was filed in Irving, Texas.

MacArthur High School suspended the teenager for three days even though they dropped the charge - a possession of a hoax bomb.

The lawsuit cites a number of severe disciplinary actions against black students and a history of anti-Muslim feeling in Irving to support the case that Ahmed was racially profiled and discriminated against.

The school gets a 'D' for anti-Muslim sentiment and politicising history, it gets an 'F' for continuing a long tradition of racial disparity in student discipline, the lawsuit read.

His case even prompted president Barack Obama to write it was a "cool clock" on twitter: We should inspire more kids like you to like science. Its what makes America great.

The science fan was interrogated alone by police and the school principal, Daniel Cummings, for over an hour before he was arrested.

Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary

I have lost my innocence. I can never look at the world in the same way, the teenager recently told The Independent.

I like science, but I look like a threat because of my brown skin.

The family moved to Qatar in October, but came back to Texas over the summer and hired the law firm Hutchinson & Stoy, the same company representing a Baylor University student whose school reportedly told her that she had violated the school's "honour code" after she reported her alleged rape.

The Irving Independent School District and city officials have not yet commented on Ahmed's family lawsuit, which does not include a specific figure of compensation.

In November his family demanded $15 million compensation and written letters of apology, otherwise they would file a lawsuit.

Ahmed was invited to meet the president at the White House, as well as the offices of Nasa, Google and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The effort to plant the seeds of white nationalism in the political mainstream, where they might blossom into pro-white political coalitions that appeal to a broader swath of white voters, will not be easy, according to the chairman of the American Nazi Party.

But Rocky Suhayda thinks there is one political figure who presents a real opportunity to lessen the load.

Who is it? Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president.



Now, if Trump does win, okay, its going to be a real opportunity for people like white nationalists, acting intelligently to build upon that, and to go and start  you know how you have the black political caucus and what not in Congress and everything  to start building on something like that, Mr Suhayda declared on his radio program last month.

It doesnt have to be anti-, like the movements been for decades, so much as it has to be pro-white, he added. You know what Im saying? Its kinda hard to go and call us bigots if we dont go around and act like a bigot. Thats what the movement should contemplate. All right.

Audio from the radio program was posted by BuzzFeeds Andrew Kaczynski, who noted that Suhayda has in the past avoided making statements about Mr Trump out of concern that he might harm the businessmans candidacy. Yet, Mr Kaczynski reported, in an American Nazi Party report from September, the chairman argued that Mr Trumps rhetoric revealed the secret popularity of the partys messages.

We have a wonderful OPPORTUNITY here folks, that may never come again, at the RIGHT time, Mr Suhayda wrote, according to BuzzFeed. Donald Trumps campaign statements, if nothing else, have SHOWN that our views are NOT so unpopular as the Political Correctness crowd have told everyone they are!

Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall  and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY

Mr Suhayda is far from the first avowed white supremacist to publicise his support and enthusiasm for Trump.

Earlier this year, Rachel Pendergraft  the national organiser for the Knights Party, a standard-bearer for the Ku Klux Klan  told The Washington Post that the KKK had begun using Trumps candidacy as a new conversation starter to recruit followers.

She said this has been discussed on a private, members-only website and in e-news, stuff that goes out to members.

In addition to opening a door to conversation, she said, Mr Trumps candidacy had electrified some members of the movement.

They like the overall momentum of his rallies and his campaign, Ms Pendergraft said. They like that hes not willing to back down. He says what he believes, and he stands on that.

On his radio show in February, David Duke  a former Ku Klux Klan leader and a current US Senate candidate from Louisiana  encouraged listeners to cast their ballots for Mr Trump, saying that voting against Donald Trump at this point is really treason to your heritage.

 Trump endorses Paul Ryan

This week, Mr Duke told NPR that he is 100 percent behind Mr Trumps political agenda.

As a United States senator, nobody will be more supportive of his legislative agenda, his Supreme Court agenda, than I will, Duke said.

Donald Trump is not a racist, he added. And the truth is  in this country, if you simply defend the heritage of European American people, then youre automatically a racist.

Mr Duke told NPR that polls among Trump supporters in Louisiana showed that 75 to 80 per cent would back his Senate run.

You think Trump voters are your voters? asked Steve Inskeep, the host of NPRs Morning Edition.

Well, of course they are! Mr Duke replied. Because I represent the ideas of preserving this country and the heritage of this country, and I think Trump represents that as well.

Jared Taylor, editor of American Renaissance, a white-nationalist magazine and website based in Northern Virginia, told the New Yorker magazine that Mr Trump may be in denial about the makeup of his base.

Im sure he would repudiate any association with people like me, Mr Taylor told the magazine, but his support comes from people who are more like me than he might like to admit.

Mr Taylor told The Post in February that he finds Mr Trumps rhetoric on immigration appealing, even though he does not particularly care for the candidates brash style.

I think what hes done is a very important thing, Mr Taylor told The Post. Hes the first candidate in decades to say almost explicitly that immigration should be in the interest of Americans and not just immigrants.

He added, Hes attractive to many Americans who see their country slipping through their fingers. You dont want to end your days living in an outpost of Haiti or Guatemala, do you?

During his radio program last month, Mr Suhayda said he was confident that Mr Trump would emerge victorious in Novembers election.

Mr Trump, he noted, has tapped into the frustrations among a large segment of white voters who have been forgotten.

I think its gonna surprise the enemy, because I think that they feel that the white working class  especially the male portion of the working class and with him his female counterparts  have basically thrown in the towel, Mr Suhayda said. Given up hope of any politician again standing up for their interests.

The Washington Post
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The Pentagon is investigating how a US soliders identification cards and sensitive military equipment fell into the hands of Isis fighters in Afghanistan.

Isis is circulating images of weapons, ammunition and communications gear it claimed were obtained after clashes on the battlefield. The images were shared on social media over the weekend by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors ISIS and other such groups.

The organiation said the images were originally published by Amaq, Isiss own news agency, after ISIS fighters confiscated the equipment and documents in Afghanistans Nangarhar province.

The identification cards bear the name of Specialist Ryan Jay Larson. A Pentagon spokesman on Monday told The Independent that Mr Larson was currently with his unit in Afghanistan, and had not been captured by Isis.

Spokesman Robert Stump said that some equipment had been lost and an investigation was underway to determine how this had happened.

He is not captured. He is with his unit, he said.

 Syrian women burn burkas to celebrate liberation from Isis

The Military Times said US special forces troops were operating in Nangarhar province, which borders Pakistan. The region has become a stronghold for the estimated 1,000 to 1,500 Isis militants in Afghanistan, most of whom are believed to be disaffected Taliban who were forced out of Pakistan.

In late July, five American troops were wounded there during separate engagements with Isis fighters, the top US commander in Afghanistan, Army Gen John Nicholson, said recently.

The Americans were accompanying a group of Afghan troops on what Mr Nicholson described as a clearing mission intended to help the Afghans reclaim territory lost to Isis.

Among the items contained in the photographs is a M72 single-shot rocket launcher and a spare barrel for an M240 machine gun. There are 40mm grenades, a hand grenade and smoke grenades, and 5.56mm rifle rounds and bigger 7.62mm rounds, which are fired from M240s and sniper rifles.

Also in the images are a backpack, body armour, knee pads, eye goggles, gauze, tourniquets and other medical supplies, a radio and flex cuffs used to detain prisoners.
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A Catholic priest who sexually abused maybe 20 boys was instructed to say prayers to repent for his crimes.

The 95-year-old admitted to molesting boys on Guam, a US island in the Pacific, and said he got the impression that kids liked it.

According to Mr Brouillard, other Church members at the time knew about the abuse but they did not tell him to stop. Instead they told him to pray.

Under the current law, Mr Brouillard cannot be prosecuted for the crimes to which he confessed. The statute of limitations for child molestation stands at two years.

Reverend Louis Brouillard served on the island between the 1940s and 1970s, during which he taught at two schools.

"At that time, when I was that age, I got the impression that kids liked it, so I went ahead. But now of course, I know it's wrong and I'm paying for it," Associated Press reported.

Leo Tudela, who is now 73, accused Mr Brouillard of sexually abusing him while he was an altar boy during the 1950s.

Testifying at a public hearing for a bill that would lift the statute of limitations on child molestation, Mr Tudela described abuse by Mr Brouillard and two other members of the Catholic Church.

Mr Tudela said he was woken one night at the Santa Teresita Church Rectory in Mangilao when Mr Brouillard started to touch him sexually, Pacific Daily News reported.

Recommended Read more Pope Francis promises justice to victims of priest sexual abuse

The 95-year-old said he does not remember Mr Tudela but said it was possible he sexually assaulted him. He said he could have up to 20 victims, although he was not sure.

Mr Brouillard was removed from his position on the Island 30 years ago, but said he still received money from the Roman Catholic church.

Mr Tudelas accusations are the latest against members of the Catholic church on the Pacific Island.

Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Live and let live.' GETTY IMAGES Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Proceed calmly" in life' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Be giving of yourself to others' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Even though many parents work long hours, they must set aside time to play with their children' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Sunday is for family' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Respect and take care of nature' OSSERVATORE ROMANO/AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Stop being negative' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: Respect others' beliefs' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet, but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive' FP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness AFP/Getty Images

Many of the most recent claims have been made against Archbishop Anthony Apuron, who is being investigated by the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis has called for severe punishment of paedophiles. This year he revealed a new church law that would punish bishops if they failed to fire paedophile priests.

Bishops have long been accused of moving church members who molest children to other parishes, rather than reporting them.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Donald Trump would be the most reckless president in American history, according to 50 senior Republican national security officials who have signed a letter that claims he would put the countrys national security at risk.

In perhaps one of the most damning criticisms of Mr Trumps abilities to date, the officials said the Republican candidate had repeatedly shown poor judgement and a lack of awareness.

From a foreign policy perspective, Donald Trump is not qualified to be president and commander-in-chief, says the letter. Indeed, we are convinced he would be a dangerous president.

The letter says that none of the officials will vote for Mr Trump

Among the many high-profile signatories are Michael Hayden, former director of CIA and National Security Agency, John Negroponte, who was the first director of national intelligence, Robert Zoellick, former deputy secretary of state and Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff, who are former secretaries of homeland security.

 Trump says Clinton is 'founder of ISIS'

The letter says Mr Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he has little understanding of the nations vital national interests, its complex diplomatic challenges, its indispensable alliances and the democratic values on which American policy should be based. And it added that Mr Trump has shown no interest in educating himself.

None of us will vote for Donald Trump, the letter states, though it says that many Americans have doubts about Hillary Clinton, as do many of us.

The New York Times said the letter not only underscored the ongoing concerns about Mr Trumps candidacy, but a split within the Republican establishment about whether anything can be done to stop him.

It said that many of those who signed it had declined to add their names to a similar open letter released in March. But a number said that they changed their minds once they heard Mr Trump invite Russia to hack into Mrs Clintons email server  a comment he later said was just a joke.

On Monday night, Mr Trump issued a statement in which he dismissed the 50 Republican officials as members of the "the failed Washington elite (who) deserve the blame for making the world such a dangerous place".

He added: These insiders  along with Hillary Clinton  are the owners of the disastrous decisions to invade Iraq, allow Americans to die in Benghazi, and they are the ones who allowed the rise of Isis
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Donald Trump has outlined a populist economic vision  promising to cut taxes and renegotiate trade deals and vowing to jump-start America.

In a speech in Detroit that was  to his clear annoyance  repeatedly interrupted by a succession of apparently coordinated protesters, Mr Trump carefully sought to target the American middle class and workers. He said he would provide a tax credit for working parents who spent on childcare, and said he would walk away from trade deals such as NAFTA, if they were not renegotiated to Americas advantage.

We now start the conversation about economic renewal, he said, speaking the Detroit Economic Club, a traditional venue for political candidates to discuss their economic vision. Its about making America great again.

A total of 16 people were led out of the venue (AP)

During the 45-minute address, he proposed cutting the number of federal income tax brackets from seven to three and reducing the top rate to 33 per cent from 39.6 per cent. He had previously said he would drop that rate to 25 per cent, an idea many tax experts said would dramatically reduce government income and balloon deficits, Reuters said.

While Mr Trump was speaking from a tele-prompter and did not veer much from his remarks to comment on the series of protesters who were led from the hall, he did find time to take aim at his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

She is the candidate of the past, he said. Ours is the campaign of the future.

He added: We will make America grow again.

At one point, he said of the protesters: Its all very well planned out....I will say, the Bernie Sanders people had far more energy and spirit.

His address to the Detroit Economic Club, was probably his most detailed attempt so far to lay out a coherent plan for how he would manage Americas economy. It was also the first speech he has delivered since the announcement last week of a 13-strong pool of economic advisers  all of them white men, ranging in age from 50 to 74.

On Sunday, economist David Malpass attributed the lack of diversity to how quickly the team was put together.

The campaign is moving very fast. This is not something that Trump planned to do for a long time. Hes not a career politician, he told CNN.

What were doing is building very quickly and announcing the details of the economic program in stages.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The anti-Trump ferment continues inside the Republican Party amid the launch on Monday of an independent presidential bid by a little-known conservative activist and parallel grassroots efforts to force party officers to draft a replacement nominee.

Evan McMullin, 40, who formerly worked for Goldman Sachs and is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where Donald Trump also studied, was being drafted by a group called "Better for America".

Recommended Read more Mutiny in the Republican Party fires up again as rebels head to Vegas

The group, led by Republican consultant Rick Wilson and Florida-based pollster and operative Joel Searby, had been trying for months to find a suitable candidate to make an independent run. Mr McMullin is a former CIA operative who has also advised Republicans on Capitol Hill.

In a year where Americans have lost faith in the candidates of both major parties, its time for a generation of new leadership to step up, Mr McMullin told ABC News. Its never too late to do the right thing, and America deserves much better than either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton can offer us. I humbly offer myself as a leader who can give millions of disaffected Americans a conservative choice for president.

In the meantime, two separate attempts are being revived this week to seek ways to displace Mr Trump or at least change the rules so a candidate of his ilk never emerges again.

Prominent party activists with a group called Delegates Unbound, led by Dane Waters, are to gather this week in Las Vegas to discuss ways of reigniting their campaign to stop Mr Trump, The Independent can reveal.

Additionally, The Washington Post reported a push by another group of rebels called Free the Delegates, that aims to force an emergency meeting of the Republican National Committee, RNC, chaired by Reince Priebus, in the hopes that it would vote on stripping Mr Trump of his status as party nominee for president and finding someone to replace him.

Both things  the McMullin campaign and the new spasm of activity by Free the Delegates  smack of desperation. There is zero indication that the RNC would have any appetite at so late a stage to throw out their partys presidential nominee.

NYET!! Bruce Ash, an RNC member from Arizona replied after receiving an email over the weekend asking for the special meeting, the Post reported. You will not succeed. You are totally self-absorbed. How embarrassing for you. When our nominee defeats Clinton you will try, no doubt, to claim success. If we fail to win your second-guessing and lack of support will not be overlooked.

Nor is there any obvious path for Mr McMullin. While he apparently gave one TED talk at the London Business School in April on the topic of genocide, he is hardly a household name. He has over the weeks unleashed various caustic tirades against Mr Trump on Twitter and on Facebook. But if that qualified people to run for president the line for the White House would be long indeed.

"What an absolute waste of time and resources," Mr Waters said of the McMullin bid.

As a symbol of lingering dismay within many parts of the Republican Party with Mr Trump and his performance so far, a filing of papers by Mr McMullin could have some potency, however. The conservative flank of the party has long been suspicious of Mr Trumps bona fides.

On top of that, those who were already worried that Mr Trump would both lose the race against Hillary Clinton and inflict lasting damage on the Republican Party fell into even greater despair in the past couple of weeks as the New York billionaire has made numerous missteps, which in turn has seen him slip dangerously behind in the polls.

Most startling was his decision to pick a fight with the father of an American military hero who had questioned his own grasp of the US Constitution speaking at the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia as well as his dithering over whether or not to endorse the re-election bids of House speaker Paul Ryan and Senator John McCain.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Its curious, but a certain George Bush is reportedly breaking with the rest of his family and urging fellow Republicans to vote for Donald Trump for president in November.

This would be doubly shocking were the George in question either one of the familys two former presidents. Best anyone knows, however, George HW Bush and George W Bush both remain firmly disinclined to show any kind of support for the partys current nominee.

Recommended Read more Mutiny in the Republican Party fires up again as rebels head to Vegas

Which leaves George P Bush, 40, currently in the position of Land Commissioner of Texas and someone widely believed to be aching for his own opportunity one day to revive the Bush dynastys grip on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Still, endorsing Mr Trump would seem insensitive given that his father is Jeb Bush, the former Governor of Florida, who was forced to give up his own bid for the 2016 nomination in February after Mr Trump had essentially made a laughing stock of him branding him low energy Jeb.

But the son of Jeb did it nevertheless, reportedly telling a group of Republican supporters in Texas over the weekend that it was time to put old grievances aside. And he happily acknowledged that no family had more reason to hold grievances than his own.

Jeb Bush was driven out of the campaign by Donald Trump's jibes (Reuters)

From Team Bush, it's a bitter pill to swallow, but you know what? You get back up and you help the man that won, and you make sure that we stop Hillary Clinton, Mr Bush, who is also chairman of Texas Republican Victory Committee remarked, according to a report by the Texas Tribune.

I know a lot of us in this room had dogs in the fight in the primary, he went on. But you know what? Its time to put it aside.

Does his sudden declaration of love for the billionaire from New York presage a change of heart from others in the Bush clan? That seems unlikely. No senior Bushes made it to the Republican Convention in Cleveland. Among those notably absent was also his grandmother, Barbara Bush, who until this year hadnt missed a convention for more than two decades.

His father, meanwhile, has continued to speak out against Mr Trump, even months after abandoning his own bid for the nomination. He recently predicted on the MSNBC cable news channel that followers of Mr Trump were destined to be disappointed were he ever to become president.

There isnt going to be a wall built, he said in an interview. And Mexicos not going to pay for it. And theres not going to be a ban on Muslims.  People are going to be deeply frustrated, and the divides will grow in our country.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

We should be monitoring every mosque. We should be monitoring all social media.

Not the words of Donald Trump, but the words of Paul Nehlen, the man who is competing against Paul Ryan for Wisconsin's first Congressional district.

The primary election on 9 August took on national significance last week when Mr Trump initially refused to endorse Mr Ryan, who as Speaker of the House of Representatives is the Republican Party's most senior elected official.

And a look at Mr Nehlen's policies explains why Mr Trump might have been impressed by the longshot outsider - and was not only motivated by his cool relationship with Mr Ryan.

In fact Mr Trump helped get Mr Nehlen's campaign moving when he thanked him for his kind words on twitter.

The show of appreciation will be important for the 47-year-old, shortly before the Wisconsin Republican primary on 9 August.

His campaign has also tapped into many Americans concerns about immigration, security and terrorism.

In an interview with a Chicago radio show last week, Mr Nehlen said he still supported Mr Trumps call to ban Muslims from entering the US.

He said that Congress should debate deporting all Muslims, and he advocated monitoring Muslims places of worship and their social media.

I'm suggesting we have a discussion about it. That's for sure, he said on 560 AMs Morning Answer show.

His views may sound alien to some but are in lock-step with other high-profile and controversial Republicans and Trump supporters, including former house speaker Newt Gingrich, Alabama senator Jeff Sessions and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.

In a campaign video on his website, Mr Nehlen, who works for a water filtration and disinfection company, talked of little girls dreaming about heir future and those dreams being destroyed by Paul Ryans failure to enforce immigration reform and secure the US border.

Maybe shell be killed by an illegal immigrant in a car crash or a home invasion, or a vicious, violent assault - the kind that happens to men and women all across this country each year, he warned.

On his twitter profile, Mr Nehlen said he is driven by coffee and optimism.

I have been honoured and privileged and humbled to spend time with mothers who have lost their beautiful American children to illegal immigrant violence, enabled by sanctuary cities, which Paul Ryan has funded, and allowed in by open borders that Paul Ryan has left open, he continued in the video.

At a rally in Janesville, Wisconsin, at the weekend, he welcomed right-wing columnist and author Ann Coulter to the stage. Ms Coulter said the US could save loads of money on Muslim vetting/surveillance/resettlements costs.

Mr Ryan, although he endorsed Mr Trump, has publicly opposed the ban on Muslims as recently as June this year, some seven months after Mr Trump first proposed it after the terrorist attacks in November 2015.

Mr Trump has defended his proposal many times since November, pointing to so-called terrorist and Isis-related or inspired attacks in San Bernardino, Istanbul, Paris and Brussels.

The subject of anti-Muslim sentiment gained traction around the time of the partys convention after Khizr and Ghazala Khan, parents of a fallen Muslim solder in the Iraq War, spoke at the Democratic National Convention and urged Mr Trump not to smear Muslims characters and to read the US Constitution.

On the Chicago radio show, Mr Nehlen said circumstances had changed since Humayun Khan died serving his country.

"More Muslim Americans - 20 - have been killed since 9/11 fighting for Isis than have been killed fighting for America," he said.

Mental health research has discovered that an increasing number of Americas 3.3 million Muslims are suffering trauma due to Donald Trumps anti-Muslim rhetoric.

A total of 89 per cent of 200 participants reported that Islamophobia during the 2016 presidential election caused some or extreme negative impact on them and their families, as reported by the Observer.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A suicide bomb attack in the grounds of a government-run hospital in the southwestern Pakistan city of Quetta has killed at least 70 people and injured more than a hundred others.

The explosion occurred as mourners, mostly lawyers and journalists, gathered to accompany the body of Bilal Anwar Kasi, a prominent lawyer, who was shot and killed in the city earlier on Monday.

More than 50 mourners were entering the emergency department of the hospital, accompanying Mr Kasi's body, when the bomb went off, Faridullah, a journalist who was at the scene, told Reuters.

Hours after the attack, a breakaway faction of a militant Taliban group claimed responsibility. In a statement, Ahsanullah Ahsan, spokesman for Jamaat-ul-Ahrar militant group, also said their men killed Mr Kasi, the president of Baluchistan Bar Association, and then targeted the mourners who had gathered at the government-run Civil Hospital. The group has been behind several attacks in Pakistan in recent years. The claim could not be independently verified.

A Pakistani man who survived the bombing described a horrifying scene, saying there were bodies everywhere after the blast.

In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack A man reacts after his relative was killed in a bomb blast in restive Quetta EPA In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack Residents light candles to honour victims of the blast in Quetta during a candellight vigil in Peshawar Reuters In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack People carry the coffin of a victim of suicide bomb attack at a hospital for burial in Quetta REUTERS In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack Pakistani victims injured in a suicide bombing are treated at a hospital in Quetta AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack A lawyer who was injured in a bomb blast wait to receive medical treatment in restive Quetta EPA In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack A doctor treats an injured lawyer at the scene of a bomb blast in restive Quetta EPA In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack People comfort a man mourning the death of a family member who was killed in suicide bombing, at a funeral in Quetta AP In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack People transfer an injured man from the blast site in Quetta Rex Features In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack Pakistani security officials and lawyers gather around the bodies of victims killed in a bomb explosion at a government hospital premises in Quetta AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack The scene following a bomb blast outside a hospital in Quetta Naseer Ahmed/Reuters

Waliur Rehman said he was taking his ailing father to the hospital's emergency ward when the explosion shook the building. He said the blast  which struck at the gates of the building  was so powerful that they both fell down.

Mr Rehman said when he looked up he saw bodies of the dead and heard the wounded crying out for help.

It was a suicide attack, said Zahoor Ahmed Afridi, a senior police officer. Afridi said the attacker struck shortly after Kasi's body was brought in.

Abdul Rehman, the director at the Civil Hospital, said earlier the bombing had killed 67 people, mostly lawyers. Two journalists working for Pakistani news channels were also killed in the attack, according to Shahzada Zulfiqar, the President of the Quetta Press Club.

Television footage from the site showed scenes of chaos, with panicked mourners fleeing through debris as smoke filled the corridors of the hospital's emergency ward.

Police cordoned off the hospital following the blast, restricting access to the area.

Anwalullah Kakar, the government spokesman in southwestern Baluchistan province, said an investigation is underway. Sarfraz Bugti, the provincial interior minister, denounced the attack as an act of terrorism.

Sanaullah Zehri, chief minister in Baluchistan province, said both the bombing and Kasi's slaying seemed to be part of a plot to disrupt peace in the provincial capital.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast in Quetta and expressed his deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives in the attack, in which several senior lawyers were also killed.

No one will be allowed to disturb the peace in the province that has been restored thanks to the countless sacrifices by the security forces, police and the people of Baluchistan, he said in a statement. Mr Sharif asked the local authorities to maintain utmost vigilance and beef up security in Quetta.

Later on Monday, the prime minister travelled to Quetta to meet the wounded and assess the situation.

General Raheel Sharif, Pakistan's powerful army chief, also visited the hospital, and met with the wounded. According to a military statement, he ordered intelligence agencies to track down and apprehend all those linked to Monday's attack.

Ali Zafar, the head of the country's main lawyers' association, condemned the blast as an attack on justice. He said lawyers will observe three days of mourning and will not appear in court in solidarity with their colleagues and others killed in the attack.

Quetta and the rest of Baluchistan province have long been hit by insurgency. There are several ethnic Baluch separatist groups operating in the resource-rich province, but al-Qaeda, the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups also have a presence in the region.

Reuters with Associated Press
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A faction of the Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for bombing a hospital in Quetta.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility for the suicide attack, which killed at least 64 people and wounded dozens.

In a statement, Ahsanullah Ahsan, spokesman for Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, also said their men killed Bilal Kasi, the president of Baluchistan Bar Association, and then targeted the mourners who had gathered at the government-run Civil Hospital.

The group has been behind several acts of terrorism in Pakistan in recent years. The claim could not be independently verified.

The bomb exploded as mourners, mostly lawyers and journalists, gathered to accompany the body of Bilal Anwar Kasi, a prominent lawyer, who was shot and killed in the city earlier on Monday.

More than 50 mourners were entering the emergency department of the hospital, accompanying Mr Kasi's body, when the bomb went off, Faridullah, a journalist who was at the scene, told Reuters.

Mr Kasi, the chief of the province's bar association, was shot and killed by gunemn earlier on Monday as he was on his way to his office.

He was among the most outspoken lawyers in the province and was popular for campaigning for improvements in the lawyers' community.

In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack A man reacts after his relative was killed in a bomb blast in restive Quetta EPA In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack Residents light candles to honour victims of the blast in Quetta during a candellight vigil in Peshawar Reuters In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack People carry the coffin of a victim of suicide bomb attack at a hospital for burial in Quetta REUTERS In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack Pakistani victims injured in a suicide bombing are treated at a hospital in Quetta AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack A lawyer who was injured in a bomb blast wait to receive medical treatment in restive Quetta EPA In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack A doctor treats an injured lawyer at the scene of a bomb blast in restive Quetta EPA In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack People comfort a man mourning the death of a family member who was killed in suicide bombing, at a funeral in Quetta AP In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack People transfer an injured man from the blast site in Quetta Rex Features In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack Pakistani security officials and lawyers gather around the bodies of victims killed in a bomb explosion at a government hospital premises in Quetta AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pakistan hospital attack The scene following a bomb blast outside a hospital in Quetta Naseer Ahmed/Reuters

It was a suicide attack, said Zahoor Ahmed Afridi, a senior police officer said of the bombing.

Mr Afridi said the attacker hit shortly after Mr Kasi's body was brought in and that it seemed the two events were connected.

Noor Ahmed, the hospital's deputy chief surgeon for victims of violent crime, said they were treating about 50 wounded in the bombing.

Pakistani security officials and lawyers gather around the bodies of victims killed in a bomb explosion at a government hospital premises in Quetta on 8 August, 2016. (AFP/Getty Images)

Targeted killings have become increasingly common in Quetta, the capital of a province that has seen rising violence linked to a separatist insurgency as well as sectarian tensions and rising crime.

Anwalullah Kakar, the government spokesman in southwestern Baluchistan province, said an investigation is underway. Sarfraz Bugti, the provincial interior minister, denounced the attack as an act of terrorism.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast in Quetta and expressed his deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives in the attack, in which several senior lawyers were also killed.

No one will be allowed to disturb the peace in the province that has been restored thanks to the countless sacrifices by the security forces, police and the people of Baluchistan, he said in a statement. Sharif asked the local authorities to maintain utmost vigilance and beef up security in Quetta.
A blog about life under, and resisting, a dictatorship
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A Chinese tourist who tried to report a stolen wallet during a visit to Germany unwittingly signed an asylum application that got him stranded as a refugee for two weeks in the country's burgeoning asylum bureaucracy.

The well-dressed 31-year-old, known as Mr L, spoke only Mandarin. German authorities only discovered their mistake after turning in desperation to a local Chinese restaurant to interpret for them, a Red Cross official said on Monday.

"He didn't speak any German or English -- only Mandarin," Christoph Schluetermann, head of a Red Cross refugee centre in the northern town of Duelmen, told Reuters after the man from Beijing was released to resume his tour of Europe.

"He spent 12 days trapped in our bureaucratic jungle because we couldn't communicate," he said. "Germany is unfortunately an extremely bureaucratic country. Especially during the refugee crisis I've seen how much red tape we have."

After being robbed in the tourist town of Heidelberg, the man went to city hall, which he thought was a police station, where he signed an asylum application. He was then taken 220 miles to a refugee shelter in Duelmen and given food and spending money like other refugees.

More than one million refugees have arrived in Germany in the last year, fleeing war and poverty in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. There has been only a tiny number of Chinese asylum-seekers over the years, Schluetermann said.

Refugees settle in Germany Show all 12 1 /12 Refugees settle in Germany Refugees settle in Germany Germany Mohamed Zayat, a refugee from Syria, plays with his daughter Ranim, who is nearly 3, in the one room they and Mohamed's wife Laloosh call home at an asylum-seekers' shelter in Vossberg village on October 9, 2015 in Letschin, Germany. The Zayats arrived approximately two months ago after trekking through Turkey, Greece and the Balkans and are now waiting for local authorities to process their asylum application, after which they will be allowed to live independently and settle elsewhere in Germany. Approximately 60 asylum-seekers, mostly from Syria, Chechnya and Somalia, live at the Vossberg shelter, which is run by the Arbeiter-Samariter Bund (ASB) charity 2015 Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany A refugee child Amnat Musayeva points to a star with her photo and name that decorates the door to her classroom as teacher Martina Fischer looks on at the local kindergarten Amnat and her siblings attend on October 9, 2015 in Letschin, Germany. The children live with their family at an asylum-seekers' shelter in nearby Vossberg village and are waiting for local authorities to process their asylum applications. Approximately 60 asylum-seekers, mostly from Syria, Chechnya and Somalia, live at the Vossberg shelter, which is run by the Arbeiter-Samariter Bund (ASB) charity Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Kurdish Syrian asylum-applicant Mohamed Ali Hussein (R), 19, and fellow applicant Autur, from Latvia, load benches onto a truckbed while performing community service, for which they receive a small allowance, in Wilhelmsaue village on October 9, 2015 near Letschin, Germany. Mohamed and Autur live at an asylum-applicants' shelter in nearby Vossberg village. Approximately 60 asylum-seekers, mostly from Syria, Chechnya and Somalia, live at the Vossberg shelter, which is run by the Arbeiter-Samariter Bund (ASB) charity Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Mohamed Ali Hussein ((L), 19, and his cousin Sinjar Hussein, 34, sweep leaves at a cemetery in Gieshof village, for which they receive a small allowance, near Letschin Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Mohamed Zayat, a refugee from Syria, looks among donated clothing in the basement of the asylum-seekers' shelter that is home to Mohamed, his wife Laloosh and their daughter Ranim as residents' laundry dries behind in Vossberg village on October 9, 2015 in Letschin, Germany. The Zayats arrived approximately two months ago after trekking through Turkey, Greece and the Balkans and are now waiting for local authorities to process their asylum application, after which they will be allowed to live independently and settle elsewhere in Germany Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Asya Sugaipova (L), Mohza Mukayeva and Khadra Zhukova prepare food in the communal kitchen at the asylum-seekers' shelter that is their home in Vossberg village in Letschin Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Efrah Abdullahi Ahmed looks down from the communal kitchen window at her daughter Sumaya, 10, who had just returned from school, at the asylum-seekers' shelter that is their home in Vossberg Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Asylum-applicants, including Syrians Mohamed Ali Hussein (C-R, in black jacket) and Fadi Almasalmeh (C), return from grocery shopping with other refugees to the asylum-applicants' shelter that is their home in Vossberg village in Letschin Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Mohamed Zayat (2nd from L), a refugee from Syria, smokes a cigarette after shopping for groceries with his daughter Ranim, who is nearly 3, and fellow-Syrian refugees Mohamed Ali Hussein (C) and Fadi Almasalmeh (L) at a local supermarket on October 9, 2015 in Letschin, Germany. All of them live at an asylum-seekers' shelter in nearby Vossberg village and are waiting for local authorities to process their asylum applications, after which they will be allowed to live independently and settle elsewhere in Germany 2015 Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Kurdish Syrian refugees Leila, 9, carries her sister Avin, 1, in the backyard at the asylum-seekers' shelter that is home to them and their family in Vossberg village in Letschin Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Somali refugees and husband and wife Said Ahmed Gure (R) and Ayaan Gure pose with their infant son Muzammili, who was born in Germany, in the room they share at an asylum-seekers' shelter in Vossberg village on October 9, 2015 in Letschin, Germany. Approximately 60 asylum-seekers, mostly from Syria, Chechnya and Somalia, live at the Vossberg shelter, which is run by the Arbeiter-Samariter Bund (ASB) charity, and are waiting for authorities to process their application for asylum 2015 Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany German Chancellor Angela Merkel pauses for a selfie with a refugee after she visited the AWO Refugium Askanierring shelter for refugees in Berlin Getty Images

The man was fingerprinted and given a medical exam, but drew the attention of staff partly because he was well-dressed.

"But he (also) acted so differently to other refugees," said Schluetermann. "He kept trying to talk to people to tell his story but no one could understand him. He kept asking to get his passport back, which is the opposite of what most refugees do."

 Video shows what life would be like if British refugees were fleeing a UK civil war

Red Cross staff tried to get translation help from online apps but only learned the truth when they finally turned to a local Chinese restaurant.

"It was an extraordinary moment for us all. He said Europe was not what he had expected," said Schluetermann, adding that the man was happy to leave but not upset.

"What would you expect if you had come to Europe as a tourist and spent 12 days sleeping on a camping bed in a refugee centre?"

Reuters
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The brother-in-law of one of the men who attacked the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris has been detained in Bulgaria on suspicion of trying to join extremists in Syria, authorities have confirmed.

Mourad Hamyd was initially arrested as a third suspect involved in the January 2015 attack on the magazine, suspected of acting as a getaway driver.

He was released without charge after his classmates launched a social media campaign to clear his name - saying he was in class at the time of the attack.

The Paris prosecutor's office told AP someone "close to Hamyd" flagged his probable trip to Syria, and he was detained near the border in late July.

In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Show all 25 1 /25 In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting Police investigators search for evidence as an unidentified man is detained (L) during an operation in the eastern French city of Reims, after the shooting against the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting A bullet impact is seen in a window of a building next to the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo's office, in Paris AP In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting Police set up a piece of cloth at the back of a truck as they carry out a body from the offices of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris Getty Images In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting Police block the roads next to the 'Charly Hebdo' headquarter where a shoutout occurred in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting A truck tows the car used by armed gunmen who stormed the Paris offices of satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo Getty Images In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting An injured person is evacuated outside the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo's office in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting French former Youth and Associations Junior minister Jeannette Bougrab (C) is comforted by an unidentified person outside of the headquarters of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting French Justice Minister Christiane Taubira reacts outside of the headquarters of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting French soldiers patrol in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris as the capital was placed under the highest alert status after heavily armed gunmen stormed French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and shot dead at least 12 people in the deadliest attack in France in four decades In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting Firefighters carry an injured man on a stretcher in front of the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting A victim is evacuated on a stretcher after armed gunmen stormed the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting A French Policeman is shot in the head in the street as two masked gunmen stormed the Charlie Hebdo headquarters, opening fire on staff In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting A bullet's impact on the window of the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, after armed gunmen stormed the offices leaving at least 10 people dead In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting A police car riddled with bullets during an attack on the offices of the newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting French President Francois Hollande (C) arrives after a shooting at the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting France's interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve (C, L) and Paris' Mayor Anne Hidalgo (C, R) arrive at the headquarters of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting Firefighters and police officers gather in front of the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting Firefighters and police officers gather in front of the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting Armed gunmen face police officers near the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting A police officer stands next to the bicycle of a police officer who was hit by a car near the shell of a bullet (bottom R) not far from the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting Firefighters carry an injured man on a stretcher in front of the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting Police forces gather in street outside the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting Firefighters carry an injured man on a stretcher in front of the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting Firefighters carry an injured man on a stretcher in front of the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris In pictures: Charlie Hebdo shooting Charlie Hebdo shooting Police officers and firefighters gather in front of the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, after armed gunmen stormed the offices leaving "casualties", according to the publication's cartoonist, and "six seriously injured" police officers according to City Hall

Hamyd was arrested in Turkey on 28 July as he tried to travel to Syria to join Isis, the French Journal du Dimanche reported. He was later deported to Bulgaria.

No weapons were found in his possession, the weekly paper reported, but a military uniform, gloves and sturdy shoes were found in his backpack.

Said and Cherif Kouachi, aged 34 and 32 (PA)

Speaking to AFP at the time of his arrest in January 2015, Mr Mourad described himself as a normal 18-year-old who lives with his parents, saying he had nothing to do with this whole thing and hopes it will not affect his future.

I was stunned, completely overwhelmed by the events, he told AFP in the presence of his lawyer and family members.

I'm in shock, people said horrible and false things about me on social media even though I am a normal student who lives quietly with his parents."

Hamyd's sister was married to Cherif Kouachi, one of two brothers who carried out the deadly attack at the Charlie Hebdo offices which killed 12 people.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Istanbuls Ataturk Airport is not shut, officials have confirmed.

'Unfounded' reports circulated on social media claiming the Turkish capitals airport was closed following a security alert.

Flights are operating as normal.

Hoax claims circulated that tourists were being stopped from entering and exiting the building.

They were retweeted and reposted hundreds of times before being debunked by officials.

The airport's official Twitter account sent a tweet in Turkish which translated to: "News on the internet that people were stopped from entering and exiting Ataturk Airport is unfounded."

Gunmen laden with explosive belts killed 45 people at the airport on June 28.

The triple-suicide bombing by men all thought to be from the former USSR was claimed by Isis.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Four policemen cooked pasta for an elderly couple after their loneliness and television news caused them such distress they were overheard crying.

Eighty-four-year-old Jole and 94-year-old Michele told police that no one had visited them in months and they were desperately saddened by the state of the world.

Yet in a rare break from fighting crime in one of Italy's best-known tourist - and mafia - hotspots, four policemen called to their door stopped to comfort them by cooking them up some of the country's most famous exports: pasta and parmesan.

Their team posted the incident on the force's Facebook post, where it has been shared more than 23,000 times and liked, loved or cried over using the site's emojis more than 64,000 times.

The almost-poetic description of the incident laid out the scene in the moments before the policemen - named Andrea, Alessandro, Ernesto and Mirko - were called out.

"It is not always an easy life. Especially when the city is empty and the neighbours are away on vacation. Sometimes the loneliness melts into tears. Sometimes it's like a summer storm. It comes suddenly and overtakes one," said the statement.

 Kitten saved from drowning by Italian Coastguard

"Jole and Michele, they love each other. But when the loneliness is a burden on the heart, it may happen that they lose hope.

"Can happen, like this time, that they scream so loud in their despair that, in the end, somebody calls the state police."

The couple told the policemen that Jole had become overwhelmed by the tales of abuse and war on the television and begun to desperately cry, with her partner despairing at her grief and becoming upset too.

"There isn't a crime. Jole and Michele are not victims of scams, as often happens to the elderly and no burglar came in the house. There's no one to save," continued the post.

Heartwarming news stories from around the world Show all 30 1 /30 Heartwarming news stories from around the world Heartwarming news stories from around the world A boy who saved the life of a suicidal man by simply asking him "Are you okay? has said he did it because he likes to help people who need help. Jamie Harrington, from Ballymun, Dublin, told the Humans of Dublin project about a meeting with a man in his 30s sitting on the edge of a bridge and about to jump off it. After sitting down and speaking to the stranger for 45 minutes, 16-year-old Jamie persuaded the man to go to hospital and seek treatment Heartwarming news stories from around the world This little boy loves books so much that he cries when his mother stops reading to him A good book can keep a child entertained for hours, but there aren't many that can actually make babies cry when they end. That's exactly what happened to one little boy, who looks completely engrossed while his mother reads him the book 'I Am a Bunny', a classic children's book about the pattern of the seasons. However, when the story ends and his mother closes the book, he immediately begins crying. The only thing that seems to placate him is opening the book at the beginning and reading the story again. It's heartening to see such a little child so completely in love with a book, but it must get a little wearing for his parents after a while Leesedanielle/YouTube Heartwarming news stories from around the world Tattoo with a hidden message highlights the invisible battle faced by people with depression A young woman has brought attention to the invisibility of depression - by getting a tattoo which sends out two opposing messages depending on how you look at it. The tattoo on her leg appears to say "I'm fine" when read by someone looking at her, but reveals its true secret to its wearer when she looks down at it, reading "Save me" instead. Bekah Miles, a 21-year-old US student who has struggled with depression for some years, got the inking on her leg to start a conversation about mental health and give voice to her experience Facebook/Bekah Miles Heartwarming news stories from around the world Teen goes to extraordinary lengths to give autistic twin the high school graduation to remember A teenager has earned herself an army of fans after she finally reached her goal to help her severely autistic twin brother across the stage at their high school graduation. Anders Bonville, 18, from Birmingham, Alabama, was diagnosed with autism when he was two, which left him non-verbal but  along with his sister, Aly  the pair developed their own unique language and set out to alter perceptions of the condition. Aly was called first on-stage to receive her diploma. With her brother being walked quietly behind a curtained area in his wheelchair to keep him calm, she quickly exited to get him before his name was called out. Aly zoomed down the hallway with her brother in his wheelchair so that he would be happy when the big moment came. Although the principal had ordered the audience to hold all applause until the end  the moment Aly took her brothers hand and led him across the stage  the entire hall rose to its feet and erupted into applause  including the principal herself Benida Pillitary Bonville via Facebook Heartwarming news stories from around the world 'Forrest Gump' completes 42 back-to-back marathons A man has completed 42 back-to-back marathons  while dressed as Forrest Gump. Ewan Gordon, 42, from Oxfordshire, copied the popular film character by growing out his hair and beard to complete the 1,050-mile challenge in memory of nine-year-old Thomas Laurie who died last year. Thomas suffered from Cockayne Syndrome  a rare premature ageing disease  which is known to affect just 100 youngsters in the UK. Mr Gordon, a civil servant, ran about 26 miles each day (42km)  the equivalent of a marathon a day  for 42 days, from John OGroats to Lands End. He said he was inspired to adopt the quirky persona following a bet when a friend said he would sponsor Mr Gordon more money for his charity run if he did @OxLightBlues/Twitter Heartwarming news stories from around the world Charity shop thanks 'true gent' who donated late wife's wedding dress with heartfelt message A charity shop in Leeds has tracked down the elderly man who donated his late wifes stunning 1950s wedding dress with a heartfelt note. St Gemmas Hospice, which runs a speciality bridal shop in Garforth, described the man as a true gent while appealing for help finding him on social media. The stunning vintage gown has a lace bodice and sleeves and full embroidered skirt. A note attached to it read: I wish any lady who takes this dress to have a life with her loved one 56 years like I did. Happy years. I was a lucky man to marry a lady like mine" St Gemma's Hospice Heartwarming news stories from around the world Blood donors in Sweden get a text message whenever their blood saves someone's life With blood donation rates in decline all over the developed world, Swedens blood service is enlisting new technology to help push back against shortages. One new initiative, where donors are sent automatic text messages telling them when their blood has actually been used, has caught the public eye. People who donate initially receive a 'thank you' text when they give blood, but they get another message when their blood makes it into somebody elses veins Getty Heartwarming news stories from around the world Guide dog jumps in front of oncoming bus to save blind owner When Figo the service dog saw an oncoming mini school bus heading for Audrey Stone, the blind woman he was trained to guide, the golden retriever's protective instincts kicked in: He threw himself at the closest part of the vehicle he could. Police photos show the result: fur stuck to the front driver's side wheel and in the middle of Michael Neuner Avenue in New York, where the bus came to a stop after striking the pair. The driver of the Brewster school bus, carrying two kindergartners to St. Lawrence O'Toole Childhood Learning Center, told police he didn't see the pair crossing the road as they made their way home at about 8:15 Monday morning. But Figo saw the bus coming and leapt into action AP Heartwarming news stories from around the world Florida boy grew his hair for two years and endured bullying to donate it to charity After more than two years growing his hair, a boy from Florida has donated his locks to charity, despite being bullied along the way. Christian McPhilamy, an eight-year-old from Florida, began growing his hair after seeing an advert about paediatric cancer and has now donated four locks, each measuring over 10 inches, to charity Facebook Heartwarming news stories from around the world A police officer who told a student his parents were killed surprised him at his graduation ceremony Kazzie Porties parents, Riley and Emily, were killed by a drunk driver. Eric Ellison, an officer at the Orange Police Department in Texas, broke the news to the couples five children and told the youngest hed be by his side during graduation Heartwarming news stories from around the world Cafe asks customer to leave after he tells breastfeeding mother to cover up An Australian cafe has been praised for sticking up for a breastfeeding mother after a customer told her to cover up. Jessica-Anne Allen, owner of Cheese and Biscuits Cafe in Queensland, Australia, has described how she was approached by a male customer in the cafe on Thursday to complain that he was upset by a woman in the coffee shop breastfeeding her child nearby. The customer asked the cafe owner, 29, to tell the mother to cover up. When Mrs Allen refused to do so, he took matters into his own hands and challenged the woman himself. Staff at the cafe then asked the man to leave Heartwarming news stories from around the world Dog with cancer completes bucket list When their dog was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Cocos owners put together a bucket list and made sure their hound experienced an exciting few weeks before she died. Before she was put down on 5 May, Coco: visited a beach; took a ride in a helicopter; went in a fire engine; ate a steak at the pub; and also had a Big Mac from a McDonalds Drive Thru, amongst other activities https://www.facebook.com/symon.spencer.9 Heartwarming news stories from around the world Elderly cancer patient who rang 911 because he had no food is inundated with donations from well-wishers An elderly cancer patient who called 911 because he was hungry and had no food is receiving donations from hundreds of people across America who were moved by his story. Clarence Blackmon was discharged from a private hospital in Fayetteville, in North Carolina, on Tuesday after spending months there for cancer treatment. The 81-year-old returned to his house without any supplies and anyone close by to call for help, leading him to call 911 in desperation and ask for food. An hour-and-a-half later, Marilyn Hinson, the operator who answered that call, arrived at his front door with police carrying bags full of food and made him some ham sandwiches Heartwarming news stories from around the world Son receives touching 30th birthday card from father who died in 1999 A son has revealed how he only just received a birthday card from his dad who died from cancer over a decade ago, with the father having the foresight to mark his children's milestone birthdays before passing away. It was inscribed with a simple 'Love ya - Dad', and was written such a long time ago that even the corny joke on the inside feels quite charmingly dated ChrisBenRoy Heartwarming news stories from around the world Chinese student carries disabled friend to school every day for three years so he doesn't miss class A teenager has been hailed as the most beautiful student in China after spending three years giving piggy-backs to his disabled friend so that he doesnt have to miss a class. The story of 18-year-old Xie Xu, who volunteered to look after his 19-year-old classmate Zhang Chi, has been shared widely on Chinese social media and received widespread local media coverage Heartwarming news stories from around the world Teenage Aldi worker Christian Trouesdale walkes an old man home A young man from Horwich in Greater Manchester has become an unexpected internet sensation after he was photographed walking a frail old man home from the supermarket. Aldi worker Christian Trouesdale, 18, said he had received a crazy reaction with messages of support flooding in from as far afield as Dubai, Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand. The image of Mr Trouesdale hand-in-hand with a 96-year-old customer on the street outside the shop was first shared by nearby worker and Horwich resident Samantha-Jayne Brady, 23, who said it was a lovely thing to witness Samantha-Jayne Brady Heartwarming news stories from around the world 8-year-old survivor of abuse writes inspirational 'thank you' letter to social workers An eight-year-old girl who was abused as an infant has written a thank-you letter to social workers and detectives who helped to rescue her from a home where she had been left paralysed as a result of beatings. Marie Suprenant is not able to walk as a result of the injuries that she sustained before she was taken under the care of a foster parent. I want to thank you for making me happy by giving me a new warm and safe environment, she writes. Now I have a home that is nice and I have three nice meals a day Heartwarming news stories from around the world Woman praised for defending Muslim woman 'harassed on train for wearing a hijab' An Australian woman has been described as a hero for challenging a train passenger who was allegedly being abusive towards a Muslim woman sat in the same carriage. Stacey Eden claimed an older woman was accusing the unidentified Muslim woman and the man sat next to her of being an Isis supporter because she was wearing a hijab. Ms Eden, from Sydney, said the alleged tirade began "a good ten minutes" before she started filming the woman, later uploading the video on to her Facebook page. Footage from the alleged incident began as the unnamed passenger asked the woman, who was also sat with a pram on the opposite side of the train, "why do you wear it [a hijab] for a man that marries a six year-old girl?" The woman and the man remained silent, but Ms Eden responded: "She wears it for herself, OK? She wears it because she wants to be modest with her body, not because of people like you who are going to sit there and disrespect her" Heartwarming news stories from around the world Loving parents have got matching tattoos of their daughters huge red birthmark Honey-Rae Phillips was born with the large strawberry mark covering half her body. The Daily Mirror reports that Mum Tanya Phillips and dad Adam Philips, who are both from Grimsby, got the tattoos after people starting making comments about it in public. We wanted Honey-Rae to feel special, that her birthmark was something to feel proud of and not embarrassed by, Ms Phillips told the newspaper Heartwarming news stories from around the world James Robertson who walked 20 miles to work every day for nine years is gifted new car James Robertson  who was unable to afford a new car after his last one broke down nine years ago  was recently awarded more than $310,000 in donations by kind strangers who learned of his daily difficulties. Even though the money raised was meant for a new vehicle, a car dealership decided to give him a new one worth around $37,000 (around 24,000) for free in his preferred colour, red Reuters Heartwarming news stories from around the world Stranger gives Kindle to homeless man An anonymous do-gooder has shunned praise after he gave a homeless man his Kindle. The man from San Diego, California, was visiting Las Vegas last month, when he met a homeless man named Paul, who had read the same, worn book, each time he passed. The man said he had also been down on his luck in the past, and decided to give Paul his Kindle e-reader. A moving photo showing Paul with his Kindle has been viewed over 2 million times on Imgur Mjuad/Reddit Heartwarming news stories from around the world Attacked pensioner Alan Barnes crowdfund passes 200,000 in donations Pensioner Alan Barnes was mugged outside his home in Gateshead last week in an attack that left him with a broken collarbone and too scared to return to his own house. Katie Cutler, who lives nearby to Barnes, set up a crowdfunding page intending to raise 500 to help the disabled pensioner find a new home. Her efforts have led to more than 200,000 in donations being made Heartwarming news stories from around the world Man reunited with stolen dog during search for new pet Richard Brower was heartbroken after his dog, a German shepherd called Dozer, was stolen from the Yard of his Alberta home, and his endless searching proved fruitless. But he had no idea that when he started searching for a new German shepherd, he would experience the closest thing to a miracle in his life  the Claresholm Animal Rescue Society, unbeknownst to its organisers, had Dozer safe and well, and now hes back at home Global News Heartwarming news stories from around the world Bart the 'zombie cat' set to make full recovery following his unlikely return from the grave Bart, the Florida cat who was buried after his owner found him lifeless in a pool of blood after being hit by a car, is set to make a full recovery when he returned from the grave five days later. Upon his return owner Ellis Hutson took the cat for surgery to remove his eye and have his jaw re-wired, and Bart is expected to return home soon Reuters/Humane Society of Tampa Bay Heartwarming news stories from around the world Friendship Nine's civil rights-era convictions overturned by South Carolina court It is 54 years since the Friendship Nine walked into McCrorys in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and sat down at the whites-only lunch counter in a sit-in that inspired non-violent protests across the South that were an integral part to the civil rights movement. The nine were arrested and convicted of ignoring a segregation order and sent to jail for 30 days, but this week their convictions were finally overturned Reuters Heartwarming news stories from around the world 'Humans of New York' blog raises over $1 million for Brooklyn school Humans of New York, the photo blog that aims to capture daily glimpses into the lives of New York inhabitants, has raised over $1 million dollars for a school in one of the most-crime ridden parts of the city this week, all because of the story of 13-year-old Vidal. The money is for Vidals school to be able to make contributions towards its pupils college tuition and to fund trips for sixth-graders to tour Harvard University IndiGoGo/Humans of New York Heartwarming news stories from around the world Mystery man who gave heart-warming note to young mum on train to 'put a smile on her face' has been identified The stranger who handed a small piece of paper and a 5 note to a 23-year-old mother just to tell her what a great mum she is has been identified, after recipient Sammie Welch was so overwhelmed by his kindness she started a Facebook search just to be able to thank him. Ken Saunders, 50, said he just wanted to put a smile on Welchs face PA Heartwarming news stories from around the world Father calls out his daughters racist bullies in emotional video A father has taken to YouTube to shame bullies who bombarded his daughter with racist abuse on social media. Mr Knudsons daughter, from Prior Lake in the US state of Minnesota, was adopted and is of African American descent. He recounted how he approached the parents of the twin bullies only to be told that there was nothing wrong with the abuse. I have a beautiful African American daughter who I love more than life itself and would do anything for, he said in the video Heartwarming news stories from around the world This kid thought the postman should get post too It must be kind of lonely being a mailman, all this correspondence running through your hands every day but none of it addressed to you. It must be kind of lonely being a mailman, all this correspondence running through your hands every day but none of it addressed to you absofaluminium Heartwarming news stories from around the world Student raises thousands of pounds for homeless man who offered her 3 for a taxi Christmas is a traditionally a time for giving, particularly to the less fortunate members of society, but one homeless man was prepared to hand over everything he had. The man, named Robbie, offered a 22-year-old student 3 to help her get home safely after a night out - and now she is hoping to raise enough money to help him off the streets Rex

"This time, for the boys flying over, there is a more difficult task to perform. There are two lonely souls to reassure.

"[...] They ask for permission to access the pantry. Improvise a little dinner. A bowl of pasta with butter and cheese. Nothing special.

"But with a precious ingredient: inside it is humanity."
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Turkish authorities have arrested at least 10 foreign nationals as part of the crackdown following last months attempted coup, the countrys deputy prime minister has said.

Numan Kurtulmus told reporters that at least four people had been arrested pending trial, accused of aiding Fethullah Gulen, a US-based Muslim cleric accused of masterminding the bid to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on 15 July.

A fifth person was released and at a least one foreign national is on the run, he said in a press conference after a Cabinet meeting on Monday.

One of those detained on Saturday night had tried to enter Turkey illegally from Syria, Mr Kurtulmus said.

Around 18,000 people have been arrested since the failed coup which saw some sections of the army blockade both bridges on the Bosphorus, the main airport in Istanbul and took over the state broadcaster.

A further 70,000 people have been suspended or dismissed from their jobs in the civil service, judiciary, education, police, healthcare, the military and the media.

On Thursday, an Istanbul court formally ordered the arrest of Mr Gulen despite his insistence that he had no knowledge of the coup.

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

The country has demanded his extradition but Washington has said it will need to see evidence of his involvement in the coup before complying.

Turkey deems the Gulenist movement, which runs charities and schools across the world, as a terrorist organisation.

Western leaders have expressed their concern about the severity of the crackdown and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has warned Mr Erdogan that Turkey will not be able to join the union if he follows through on his threat to reinstate the death penalty.

Since the attempted coup, there have been frequent rallies in the streets of Istanbul and the capital Ankara in support of Mr Erdogan.

Mr Kurtulmus, citing police figures, claimed five million attended a mass rally in Istanbul on Sunday which he said showed they wanted Mr Gulen to go back to Turkey to face trial.

He has also called for the return of several other US-based Gulen supporters.

He said:"I have no doubt that U.S. officials will review their stance.

"Either they will continue to protect three or five bandits, or they will act in a way that will allow them to win the hearts of a nation of 79 million people."

Additional reporting by AP
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The streets of Istanbul were overflowing with supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday night with more than a million people attending a rally in the wake of last months failed military coup.

Turkish government sources said five million people arrived to support the president, and the event was broadcast to thousands more at smaller rallies across the country.

Speaking to the crowd, Mr Erdogan lashed out at Fethullah Gulen, the former imam and founder of the Gulen movement, which Turkish authorities have blamed for the insurrection, and said he would approve the return of the death penalty in Turkey if that was what the people and parliament wanted.

If the nation makes such a decision [in support of death penalty], I believe political parties will abide by this decision, Erdogan said

As the sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation and as you request the death penalty [for the coup leaders], the authority which is going to decide on this issue is Turkeys National Assembly. If our parliament takes such a decision, the necessary step will be taken. I am expressing in advance, I will approve such a decision coming from the parliament.

He added: They say there is no death penalty in the EU... Well, the US has it, Japan has it, China has it, most of the world has it. So they are allowed to have it. We used to have it until 1984. Sovereignty belongs to the people, so if the people make this decision I am sure the political parties will comply.

Human rights groups have condemned any move Turkey makes in seeking to reinstate the death penalty.

The reintroduction of such legislation would also seriously damage any outside hope the country had of joining the EU.

Amnesty International said Mr Erdogans statements on the death penalty in the wake of the failed coup, in which at least 270 people died, are a significant concern.

The organisations deputy Europe director Fotis Filippou told the Independent: Amnesty International is alarmed by statements that the death penalty could be reinstated retrospectively as a punishment for those responsible for the coup attempt. Such a move would violate international human rights treaties to which Turkey is a party, as well as Turkeys own constitution.

He added: The appalling violence committed by those behind the 15 July failed coup led to the tragic loss of more than 200 lives and the Turkish government must bring all those responsible for these crimes to justice. However, this should be done through fair trials not subject to the death penalty.

Turkey abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 2004 and is one of 103 countries to have done so. Reintroducing this ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment would be a major setback for human rights.

Emma Sinclair-Webb, Human Rights Watch's Turkey director said: Bringing back the death penalty in Turkey would be a shocking backward step at a time when most of the world is on a trajectory towards total abolition of a form of punishment unique in its cruelty and finality.

Human Rights Watch opposes capital punishment in all cases. It is a punishment inevitably and universally plagued with arbitrariness, prejudice, and error. The death penalty is widely rejected by rights-respecting democracies around the world, including all 47 member countries of the Council of Europe.

Since the uprising, about 18,000 people have been detained or arrested, and tens of thousands of public sector workers have been fired or suspended.

The government has repeatedly blamed the Gulen movement for having a role in the coup, and at the rally, Turkeys prime minister, Binali Yildirim described Mr Gulen as the leader of a terrorist group, and said he would be brought to Turkey to pay for what he did.

Mr Gulen, a preacher and former imam, was a close ally of President Erdogan until 2013. The relationship turned sour after a corruption scandal implicated Mr Erdogan, who then accused Mr Gulen of being behind the corruption investigation.

He is now on Turkeys most-wanted terrorist list and the country has demanded his extradition from the United States where he is in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania.

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

The Gulen movement teaches a moderate Islam which believes in science, multi-party democracy and interfaith dialogue between the Abrahamic religions.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Rebels breached the Syrian government siege on opposition neighborhoods in the city of Aleppo, opening a corridor in the south and marking a major military breakthrough. The push prompted an intensive airstrike campaign Sunday as insurgent groups put up a massive defense to protect the new corridor and gain new ground.

The battle for Aleppo, Syria's largest city and former commercial heart, is pivotal for the Syrian civil war. It is not clear whether the rebels would be able to keep their new gains, but the breach causes a dent in the Syrian government's new confidence and territorial expansion, bolstered by Russian air support.

In a major offensive Saturday, an alliance of over two dozen rebel groups pushed government forces and allied fighters out of parts of the southern Ramouseh district, including from a number of military colleges, a bakery, a post office, a parking lot and a section of the highway.

The rebels hailed the breach as a major collaborative achievement a week after launching their counteroffensive. Fighters besieged in the city coordinated with the Army of Conquest alliance, which includes the Levant Conquest Front, the rebranded al-Qaeda branch in Syria, based in neighboring Idlib province. The Levant Conquest Front had announced it was breaking ties with the global terror network a week earlier, citing as a motive the desire to improve coordination with local rebel groups.

The media arm of Lebanon's Hezbollah, the Shiite militant group fighting alongside the Syrian government, conceded the rebels' advance, adding that airstrikes leveled one of the military colleges after forces withdrew. Syrian State news agency SANA denied the siege was broken and said the government had declared that operations were still ongoing in the area. It said warplanes targeted rebel vehicles and locations in the area Sunday.

The Levant Conquest Front posted pictures of loot from one of the military academies, the artillery school, including armored vehicles and ammunition.

"The turning point was the fall of the artillery school," said Islam Alloush, spokesman for the Jaysh al-Islam rebel group and a former Syrian army officer, who said artillery was always viewed as "god of war" in the military. Alloush said the rebel groups put in massive efforts and ammunition into the battle, adding that his group which is strongest near Damascus had mobilized fighters from five neighboring provinces to take part.

He said it is expected the government and allied troops will fight back, but added rebels will protect their hold on the strategic corridor which would allow for a new lifeline for the rebel-controlled part of Aleppo, in the east and north.

Another rebel commander, Hossam Abu Bakr from Ahrar al-Sham, a major faction in the Army of Conquest alliance, said his fighters are working to secure the corridor by expanding their hold.

"The worst method the regime uses is not chemical weapons but it is the sieges, the slow death," Abu Bakr said, speaking via Skype from the frontline. "We will not allow the repeat of the tragedy of sieges imposed elsewhere in Syria."

The UN says there are about 18 besieged and hard-to-reach areas, almost all encircled by government forces. Last month, the Syrian government seized the Castillo road, the only route into rebel-held areas in Aleppo. The UN said 300,000 people were trapped inside, making eastern Aleppo one of the largest besieged areas in Syria. The government and major ally Russia had offered safe corridors for residents to leave rebel-held areas, an offer met with skepticism from the locals who viewed it as an attempt to depopulate the area.

The rebel advance in the Ramouseh district now threatens a major highway linking the government-controlled part of Aleppo to the outside world, leaving an estimated population of 1.2 million at risk of losing a supply line. The Castillo road remains under government control but activists say it regularly comes under fire.

Rami Abdurrahman, head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said food prices in government-held parts of Aleppo have already gone up. He said some 700 fighters from the government and the insurgent side were killed in the week of fighting. State news agency SANA said one girl was killed in rebel shelling of government areas near the frontline.

A doctor in rebel-held Aleppo, Farida, who declined to give her last name out of concern for the safety of her family in government held-areas, said an intense bombing campaign is taking place inside the city. She said there were reports that one truck carrying vegetables had entered the besieged area, but said she had not seen it, suspecting the vegetables were quickly sold. She said residents have a great need for basic commodities and fuel.

Associated Press
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Q: What is the dispute about?

A: Superficially, it looks like an old-fashioned demarcation dispute about whether the guard or the driver should be responsible for opening and closing doors on trains. In short: the train operator says if drivers close the doors, guards will be able to deliver better customer service, but the union insists the move will endanger passengers.

Southern Railway, which primarily runs trains from London Victoria and London Bridge to Surrey and Sussex, wants driver-only operation (DOO) on all its services; at present on three out of five of its trains, the guard opens and closes doors.

Southern says its plans are not about job cuts; guards staff numbers and salaries will be unaffected. Without the door duty, it claims, guards will be better able to help passengers. There will be a small but significant reduction in dwell time, which should accelerate trains on one of the most congested networks in the world. In addition, trains will be able to run if a guard is unavailable, cutting the number of cancellations. This last issue appears to be the key sticking point.

The RMT insists: Members are taking strike action and losing pay because they are concerned about passenger safety. It says there should always be a guard on board to protect the safety of the train and passengers and also assist passengers in the event of an incident, accident or emergency.

Q: How dangerous is driver-only operation?

A: The RMT union says that a 64 per cent rise in Southerns passenger numbers over the past 15 years increases the risk to passenger safety at the platform/train interface and that more staff are needed. But in June, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said we have found no evidence to suggest that driver-only operated trains cannot be dispatched safely.

Whats particularly odd about the dispute is made clear on platform 4 at Gatwick Airport station several times an hour. On Thameslink trains to East Croydon, which are part of the same franchise as Southern, the driver closes the doors. Three minutes later, on a Southern train to East Croydon, the guard closes the doors.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters 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

Q: What do the passengers think?

A: Most of them couldnt care less who presses the button to open or close the door. They just want to be treated decently - to receive a reliable service that enables them to commute to work, visit friends and family, or attend hospital appointments.

All I want to be able to do is to get to my place of work and earn the money needed to feed my family and pay my bills, says Bill Swan, who pays 6,500 annually for the privilege of commuting from Cooden Beach in Sussex to London. But it is now almost impossible to hold down a job if reliant on Southern Railway. I honestly cannot remember when my trains last ran to time. When I do get a train it is usually late and often so overcrowded that I have to stand for at least large portions of my journey.

Even before this all-out strike, a large number of services have been cancelled at short notice every working day. The train operator says an unusually high level of sickness among guards is to blame, but the union insists there is a chronic staff shortage at Southern and any extra sick days are due to the stress generated by the dispute - which has seen guards spat at, verbally abused and assaulted.

Since last month, an emergency timetable has been running in a bid to reduce the number of last-minute cancellations.

Q: What effect will the strike have?

A: Some lines are closed completely: Havant to Chichester, Redhill to Tonbridge, Hurst Green to Uckfield and Eastbourne to Hastings (including Mr Swans station, Cooden Beach). Elsewhere, many long-suffering passengers will barely notice: the main London to Brighton line is expected to have a reduced service and overcrowded trains, which is par for the course. On other lines, services will start later and finish earlier. This could particularly affect airline passengers and aviation workers trying to get to or from Gatwick, though the Gatwick Express is likely to run normally (or rather abnormally, with the usual four-times-an-hour service cut back in the emergency timetable).

The cost in lost productivity will run into tens of millions of pounds, with Southern - and ultimately the taxpayer - losing additional millions in revenue.

Q: With such economic and social damage, why is the dispute dragging on?

A: Because the real issue goes far beyond who presses a button. Southern commuters are the unwitting pawns in a much bigger argument about the future of the railway in Britain. The rail unions fear there is a deeper agenda at work, with echoes of the Thatcher government's confrontation with the miners in the 1980s. They are right to be worried. While passenger numbers have doubled in the past 20 years, the industry remains scandalously inefficient. In his Rail Value for Money study, Sir Roy McNulty concluded that UK passengers and taxpayers are paying at least 30 per cent more than their counterparts in comparable European countries.

Train passengers may be astonished to learn how many working practices still seem rooted in the age of steam. For example, the majority of Sunday services rely on staff working overtime - an antiquated and expensive arrangement given the seven-day society in which we now live.

 Protests over Southern rail

Working anti-social shifts in a difficult environment is undoubtedly challenging. But even militant staff may privately concede that some of the working conditions they enjoy are unusually benign. For example, drivers are assigned generous Walking Time Allowances simply for reaching the train from their crew room, as well as ample Physical Needs Breaks.

The unions are understandably keen to retain their hard-won benefits and protect their members against detrimental changes. But the Government believes that a fight has to take place to drag the railway into the 21st century, and Southern provides the battleground. So rather than than stripping the train operators franchise, it is watching the dispute play out. Southern passengers are regarded as necessary cannon fodder, caught up in a war of attrition that will ultimately benefit future travellers and taxpayers.

Q: Surely anything that distracts the driver from his or her key role is a bad move?

A: Were money no object, we could have a dedicated door-opener-and-closer on all trains. But in the real world, train drivers in different countries have a wide range of responsibilities. On rural routes in Scandinavia, for example, you might find the driver selling you the ticket as well as operating the doors, helping disabled passengers, handling parcels and driving the train. There is inevitably a trade-off between staffing and safety, and as a society we must decide where that balance should be struck.

Q: Will the dispute spread?

A: The same fundamental issue has already led to strikes on Scotrail. Guards on Great Western Railway have also taken industrial action because of the companys plans for driver-only operation on the new high-speed trains that are due to enter service in the next few years.

It could get a lot worse before a settlement is reached. The RMT union, and the drivers union, ASLEF, have warned that they could tell members to conduct a comprehensive final safety check before a driver-only operated train departs. That would mean, says the RMT, that the driver physically leaves the cab and checks each door. On a 12-car train, that could add many minutes to each stop, effectively bringing parts of the network to a standstill.

It's the nuclear option, and it may not be far away.

Click here to view UK Tours and Holidays, with Independent Holidays.
Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Nadine White Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter The Race Report Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

The Race Report email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

For many years I have fought discrimination and wrongdoing within the police force. I have done this on the inside as an officer, and on the outside as a civilian, campaigner and writer. But when I saw a video yesterday showing officers in London coming under attack while trying to detain two people, it reminded me that policing, for all its mistakes, is still a difficult and dangerous job.

Policing is challenging and in some communities  especially those of colour  trust and confidence in the force is at an all-time low.

Before writing this article, I asked an acquaintance if he had heard about the police incident in Shadwell, Tower Hamlets and, if so, what he thought about it. He had, yet his response shocked me  more so, because he is someone I would consider a respectable, middle class, law-abiding person.

He told me that its about time the police got some of their own medicine because they dish enough of it out.

 Met Police under attack in Shadwell

What struck me was that he isn't the only person who thinks like this. Many are frustrated and angry with the police, and the attack in east London echoes the situation in the United States, where violent attacks on police officers are becoming more common. I have witnessed the same relationship between the police and communities deteriorate here in the UK.

With the explosion of social media, many people see those who are meant to uphold the law as its chief law-breakers. We are seeing more and more negative interactions between officers and the public, especially non-white communities. I have lost count of the number of videos I have seen in America in which a black person has been shot dead by officers. Britain is not immune when it comes to police violence, and brutality. Since 1990, 1500 people have died in police custody and not one officer has been held accountable for those lost lives.

But does all this mean open warfare on the police is justified? Absolutely not. Attacking officers  even if its because you don't agree with what they have done to you or are doing  is never acceptable. Do we really want to live in a world in which we no longer care for our police?

Recommended Read more We will fight until Britain recognises that black lives matter

My own experiences of Londons police, both as a former officer and a black person who lives in the capital, means I, too, no longer trust the force. I would think twice about calling them in my time of need. But I wouldn't wish harm upon any individual.

For many, however, lashing out is the only way they know to express their frustration when they feel they are being oppressed. That can often occur at the moment of arrest.

There are some who say you should always do what the police tell you to do  but not all police action is lawful. Equally, you have to question the motive of those making such statements. The relationship between police officer and citizen is more complex and fraught than ever, and it must be acknowledged that the criminal justice system doesnt work for all people.

For many young black men in Britain, their first interaction with police is with stop and search, which overwhelmingly leads to no arrest. After the third or fourth time youre stopped, you're left dehumanised. But these are the same people the force later tries to recruit; its a vicious circle of anger and discrimination.

There are some people who simply hate the police. Hate is a strong word, but we have to look at the reasons why it is used. There are reasons for harbouring contempt towards those who are employed to protect us. For example, Ive seen people who have been stopped by officers but have known and exercised their rights as a citizen, later find themselves failing what is known as the attitude test, leading to an arrest. However, there is no offence of contempt of cop when ensuring your human rights are not breached. Respect should be afforded to officers for the job they do, but that respect is a two-way street.

No reasonable person could justify the callous attacks we have seen of late on the police in the UK and America. The resistance towards the police is growing in Britain, but much of it is peaceful, such as the Black Lives Matter protest at Heathrow Airport last week. The killing and harming of police and peaceful protesting against police brutality are two different things.

People are fed up with the police, especially the black community, and given the dynamic between the two parties, I have no doubt the police are fed up with them. The police are paid public money to do a necessary job. They must be called to account, but they are not fair game for mindless violence.
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The EUs 2009 Slaughter Regulation requires all animals, including poultry, to be stunned before slaughter. Stunning is defined as any intentionally induced process which causes loss of consciousness and sensibility without pain, including any process resulting in instant death.

The UK has invoked the religious exemption from the EUs slaughter directive and in practice now carries out more halal slaughter than the rest of Europe. Traditional halal meat is expected to be killed by hand and must be blessed by the slaughterman. The exception allows for animals to be slaughtered without being stunned first.

The halal market is worth 2.6bn in Britain alone, and the export market is also growing particularly in the Middle East. Most of us eat halal meat unwittingly on a daily basis, since it is sold in most major outlets, including big brand-name supermarkets, without being labelled as such.

No one knows at present what form Brexit will take. Will we still be part of the single market and therefore bound by common rules? Will we, on the contrary, be free to develop our own set of rules and standards, even if these go beyond EU requirements?

Personally, I much regret that the UK invoked the religious exemption in the first place. I dont believe that religious convictions, however deeply held, justify unnecessary cruelty to animals  a position which, I am glad to say, has been vigorously maintained for some time by organisations such as the British Veterinary Association, the Humane Slaughter Association and the RSPCA. I would be happy to see specific UK legislation, drafted to replace the EU slaughter directive, explicitly preclude the religious exemption from pre-stunning requirements.

I recognise, however, given the strength of feeling in some quarters (and given the explicit commitments in the Conservative 2015 Manifesto to protect methods of religious slaughter), that dropping the religious exemption may be difficult to achieve in the present context, however desirable in the long term.

But there is, happily, another way of rapidly achieving an important step forward as far as the halal issue is concerned and that is to introduce in the UK a mandatory labelling scheme whereby any and all halal meat offered for sale (including for exports) would be clearly labelled as such.

The EU Commission at present is investigating just such an option but its likely to be a long time coming. Nor do individual EU member states have much freedom in this area to take unilateral action. Mandatory labelling schemes devised by individual EU member states for application in their own territory are almost always struck down by the EU authorities as being contrary to the principles of the Common Market. And, of course, EU-wide labelling schemes may no longer affect us at all.

Mildreds and Vanilla Black's vegetarian recipes Show all 8 1 /8 Mildreds and Vanilla Black's vegetarian recipes Mildreds and Vanilla Black's vegetarian recipes Mildreds Mildreds' primavera salad contains broad beans, sugar snap peas, baby peas, asparagus and pea shoots Jonathan Gregson Mildreds and Vanilla Black's vegetarian recipes Mildreds Holly's version of Mildreds' primavera salad Mildreds and Vanilla Black's vegetarian recipes Vanilla Black Vanilla Black's courgette, marjoram and toasted almond salad Emma Lee Mildreds and Vanilla Black's vegetarian recipes Vanilla Black Holly's courgette, marjoram and toasted almond salad Mildreds and Vanilla Black's vegetarian recipes Mildreds Mildreds' laksa is wholesome and cocooning Jonathan Gregson Mildreds and Vanilla Black's vegetarian recipes Mildreds Sunday supper: Holly's version of Mildreds' laksa Mildreds and Vanilla Black's vegetarian recipes Vanilla Black Vanilla Black's leek, lemon and pine-nut tart Emma Lee Mildreds and Vanilla Black's vegetarian recipes Vanilla Black Holly's version of Vanilla Black's leek, lemon and pine-nut tart

But as far as the halal issue is concerned, Brexit might allow us to devise and implement precisely such a national labelling scheme. The key building block here is of course the operation of informed consumer choice. If the consumer actually knows what he or she is buying, we would  I believe  in very short order see in a major reduction of halal products without at the same time offending the sensibilities of religious groups.

More generally, well-judged post-Brexit action by the UK in the field of animal welfare and the environment may act as a spur and a stimulus to our continental, but no longer-EU, partners to up their own game.

Many years ago, the UK banned the rearing of veal calves in crates. The EU eventually followed suit. UK rules on animal experimentation were eventually followed by EU directives. We may no longer be able to throw our weight around in the EU, but there is a wider world out there  UN specialised agencies, for example  dealing with international animal welfare and environmental matters where we should be proud to take a lead.

Stanley Johnson is a former Conservative MEP, author and journalist. He was the Founder-Chairman of the European Parliament's Intergroup Group on Animal Welfare and holder of the RSPCAs Richard Martin Award for Outstanding Services to Animal Welfare
View Posts by Date October 2022 (27) September 2022 (30) August 2022 (31) July 2022 (31) June 2022 (30) May 2022 (31) April 2022 (30) March 2022 (31) February 2022 (28) January 2022 (31) December 2021 (31) November 2021 (30) October 2021 (31) September 2021 (30) August 2021 (31) July 2021 (31) June 2021 (30) May 2021 (31) April 2021 (30) March 2021 (31) February 2021 (28) January 2021 (31) December 2020 (31) November 2020 (30) October 2020 (32) September 2020 (30) August 2020 (31) July 2020 (31) June 2020 (30) May 2020 (31) April 2020 (30) March 2020 (31) February 2020 (29) January 2020 (30) December 2019 (31) November 2019 (30) October 2019 (31) September 2019 (30) August 2019 (31) July 2019 (31) June 2019 (30) May 2019 (31) April 2019 (30) March 2019 (32) February 2019 (28) January 2019 (31) December 2018 (31) November 2018 (30) October 2018 (31) September 2018 (30) August 2018 (31) July 2018 (31) June 2018 (30) May 2018 (31) April 2018 (30) March 2018 (31) February 2018 (27) January 2018 (31) December 2017 (31) November 2017 (30) October 2017 (31) September 2017 (30) August 2017 (32) July 2017 (31) June 2017 (30) May 2017 (31) April 2017 (30) March 2017 (31) February 2017 (28) January 2017 (31) December 2016 (31) November 2016 (30) October 2016 (31) September 2016 (28) August 2016 (31) July 2016 (31) June 2016 (30) May 2016 (31) April 2016 (30) March 2016 (31) February 2016 (29) January 2016 (31) December 2015 (31) November 2015 (30) October 2015 (31) September 2015 (30) August 2015 (31) July 2015 (31) June 2015 (29) May 2015 (30) April 2015 (30) March 2015 (31) February 2015 (28) January 2015 (31) December 2014 (31) November 2014 (30) October 2014 (31) September 2014 (30) August 2014 (32) July 2014 (32) June 2014 (30) May 2014 (31) April 2014 (30) March 2014 (31) February 2014 (28) January 2014 (31) December 2013 (31) November 2013 (30) October 2013 (31) September 2013 (30) August 2013 (33) July 2013 (31) June 2013 (30) May 2013 (32) April 2013 (30) March 2013 (31) February 2013 (28) January 2013 (31) December 2012 (33) November 2012 (30) October 2012 (31) September 2012 (30) August 2012 (31) July 2012 (31) June 2012 (30) May 2012 (31) April 2012 (30) March 2012 (33) February 2012 (29) January 2012 (33) December 2011 (33) November 2011 (32) October 2011 (31) September 2011 (31) August 2011 (31) July 2011 (31) June 2011 (30) May 2011 (31) April 2011 (31) March 2011 (31) February 2011 (29) January 2011 (31) December 2010 (35) November 2010 (30) October 2010 (32) September 2010 (30) August 2010 (32) July 2010 (31) June 2010 (30) May 2010 (33) April 2010 (32) March 2010 (33) February 2010 (31) January 2010 (40) December 2009 (35) November 2009 (34) October 2009 (32) September 2009 (30) August 2009 (32) July 2009 (34) June 2009 (30) May 2009 (31) April 2009 (31) March 2009 (34) February 2009 (29) January 2009 (32) December 2008 (41) November 2008 (46) October 2008 (41) September 2008 (31) August 2008 (32) July 2008 (31) June 2008 (30) May 2008 (32) April 2008 (30) March 2008 (33) February 2008 (37) January 2008 (33) December 2007 (23)
Celebrity chef Dylan McGrath was forced to close one of his restaurants for one day last month because of a problem with drains.

Fade Street Social in central Dublin was shut for 24 hours under a closure order issued by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) after issues arose at the entrance on Drury Street.

Billy Creaney, group marketing manager at Prime Steak Ltd which runs the McGrath operations, said the decision to close the restaurant for the night was taken jointly with inspectors from the Health Service Executive (HSE).

"We had a drainage issue. We had a third party company who we thought had taken care of the problem," he said.

"It turned out it had not been done correctly. We jointly decided to close on the day."

Mr Creaney said the kitchens and restaurant floor of Fade Street Social had not been affected by the issue and apologised to customers who were turned away on the day.

The closure order was issued on July 15 and lifted the following day, the FSAI said.

It did not publish the reason for the temporary shut down as it has a policy of not releasing the findings of inspections.

Closure orders can refer to the immediate closure of all or part of the food premises, or all or some of its activities.

But under the FSAI Act 1998 it is only served if "there is or there is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health at or in the premises; or where an improvement order is not complied with".

Fade Street Social was one of several premises hit by closure orders last month.

The others included Majas Virtue food stall in the Farmleigh Estate in Dublin's Phoenix Park which has been shut from July 3; Blueberries Pop Up on Lower Cork Street in Mitchelstown, Co Cork which was served with the order on July 30; The Spice House on Church Street in Cavan which was closed for two days from July 13; and the Nite Star take away in Glenties, Co Donegal which was closed for a week from July 13 .

Seven orders were issued over regulations on the control of foodstuff.

Chen's Chinese Take Away, Parnell Street, Mountmellick, Co Laois was closed for one day from July 27, the Cashel Take Away Foodstall on Achill Island closed from July 27 and The Jolly Roger on Sherkin Island off Cork had its food business shut from July 19.

Others included the Sandyford House in Dublin which had its kitchen and food service areas shut for three days from July 15, the Azeem Meat and Grocery butchers in Pound Street, Edgeworthstown, Longford was shut for two weeks from July 12, the Lucky Dragon take away on Fassaugh Avenue, Cabra, Dublin was closed for three days from July 6 and Craigs Fresh wholesalers in Drumnabratty, Raphoe, Donegal was closed from July 4.

Elsewhere, Kearney's Restaurant, Main Street, Tallow, Waterford was forced to withdraw baked gammons under a p rohibition order.

Chief executive of the FSAI Dr Pamela Byrne said it was "of the utmost importance" that consumers are confident at all times that the food they are purchasing and eating is safe.

"There are simply no excuses for putting consumers' health at risk through sub-standard food hygiene practices.

"The summer months are busy months for food businesses and systems must be put in place to cope with the increase in customers," she said.

"It is essential that all food businesses have the appropriate food safety management systems and procedures in place and that all staff are fully trained to ensure these systems and procedures are adhered to all times."
The US maker of a controversial $1,000-a-day hepatitis treatment may be benefiting from an Irish tax deal, a US lobby group has claimed.

Americans for Tax Fairness (ATF) has told US markets regulator the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that a tax loophole has facilitated Gilead Sciences's three-fold increase in untaxed offshore profits, which rose from $8.6bn in 2013 to $28.5bn in 2015.

Gilead is best known for its Sovaldi treatment for hepatitis C, heralded as a medical breakthrough for patients but at a price that has caused uproar in the US and abroad.

The ATF has previously claimed Gilead's profit margin had soared and its tax rate plummeted since the drug maker introduced its controversial $1,000-a-day treatment for hepatitis C. "The profits are most likely in Ireland, a tax haven," ATF claimed in a submission to the SEC.

However, it provided no proof of its allegation that Gilead has benefited from any deal with the Irish government.

Gilead could not be reached for comment. The company employs more than 200 people here, and has a manufacturing plant in Cork.

The ATF submission came after the US markets regulator solicited views regarding the modernisation of certain business and financial disclosure requirements for public companies. It could be a precursor to US companies having to reveal more details about their overseas tax affairs.

ATF has claimed that moving some of its intellectual property to Ireland had allowed Gilead to cut its US tax bill by $10bn since 2013.

ATF told the SEC that if Gilead is benefiting from a deal in Ireland, it could face a big tax assessment in the event of a European Commission investigation, similar to the current probe into tax paid here by Apple.

The European Commission is currently probing whether or not Apple secured unfair tax arrangements in return for creating jobs in Ireland, a claim rejected by Apple and the Irish Government.

Recoup

In a worst-case scenario, Apple could face a 17bn bill if the Government is forced to recoup taxes, according to a JPMorgan analyst.

Finance minister Michael Noonan has said the State here will fight any EU finding that tax wasn't properly charged here.

The US Senate Finance Committee investigated Sovaldi's pricing last year and was harshly critical of Gilead. The company's pricing decision was so focused on maximizing profits that "accessibility and affordability were pretty much an afterthought," Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, said in releasing the Senate committee's report.

Gilead now holds $28bn in earnings offshore and has paid 1pc in foreign taxes on its cash horde, according to company filings. (Additional reporting Bloomberg)
The term zero-day refers to the amount of time the softwares author has to mitigate the damage caused by the malware. Stock Image

Zero-day malware exploits a previously unknown vulnerability and uses it to attack software.

The software vulnerability can be used by hackers to attack computer programmes and adversely affect their data and networks.

The term 'zero-day' refers to the amount of time the software's author has to mitigate the damage caused by the malware.

Such attacks are treated as 'severe threats' and can occur in a vulnerability window - the time between the moment a threat is released and the development of protection against the virus, known as a patch.

The vulnerability window could range from a short period to multiple years. For instance, in 2008, Microsoft revealed an Internet Explorer vulnerability that affected a few versions of Windows released during 2001.

Given that the attacks are generally unknown to the public it is often very difficult to defend against them, increasing their threat level and potential to cause serious disruption.

Zero-day threats have previously been discovered by major companies including Adobe and Microsoft.

In June, Adobe issued a security advisory, warning of un-patched critical security holes in its popular flash-player software.

Just a month before that, Microsoft issued a statement warning of a zero-day threat for people using Microsoft Word.

Patches to deal with threats are included in monthly security updates, but these can also be rushed out in between regular updates to deal with severe threats.
Here are the main business stories from this morning's papers:

Irish Independent

* Consumers have been warned not to let their contactless bank cards out of their sight in bars and restaurants over fears that they could be scammed.

It comes as AIB has decided to wait until the end of the year before charging customers for paying with a contactless card. It was due to impose charges from this month.

* A tribunal has ordered Allied Irish Banks to pay a sacked senior manager 138,384 after finding that he had been unfairly dismissed.

In making the award to Sean McHugh, the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) described AIB's decision to dismiss him as "disproportionate".

* Irish renewable energy company Gaelectric has secured 38m in financing from AIB to build two wind farms in Co Kilkenny.

Gaelectric announced yesterday that it concluded agreements on a total of 38m in financing packages for construction of the wind farms at Ballybay and Foyle in the county.

The Irish Times

* US tourists may prefer to holiday in the UK due to the weakness in sterling, according to the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation.

The confederation is asking for action to be taken to reduce the effect on Ireland's tourism sector, which it says is already feeling the pinch from Brexit.

* A sugar tax of 10c per can of soft drink will do nothing other than increase the grocery bill of taxpayers and will not help tackle obesity, it has been claimed.

According to a new report developed by the Irish Beverage Council, sugar taxes to not help to achieve objectives set to reduce problems in public health.

* Ireland's domestic growth was around 6pc last year according to the National Treasury Management Agency.

A new document from the NTMA points out that 26pc GDP growth rate overestimates growth in activity in Ireland.

Irish Examiner

* The soft drinks industry has warned that the introduction of a sugar tax could threaten jobs, while costing them an extra 60m a year.

In a pre-budget submission the industry also warned the move would reduce revenue to the State.

* Growth in the construction industry hit a four-month high in July pointing towards no downturn to builders from Brexit yet.

The Ulster Bank Construction PMI showed a reading of 61 points, up from 59.7 points in June.

* A tribunal has ordered Allied Irish Banks to pay a sacked senior manager 138,384 after finding that he had been unfairly dismissed.

In making the award to Sean McHugh, the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) described AIB's decision to dismiss him as "disproportionate".
Gregory Peck, as Captain Ahab during the shooting of 'Moby Dick', on location at Youghal, County Cork, Ireland. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Residents of Youghal are to meet with Cork Co Council officials in a last-ditch bid to persuade them to sanction a sculpture commemorating links to a famous Hollywood epic.

Youghal residents were "shocked and appalled" over the council's refusal to allow a whale-shaped bench to be installed in the town to commemorate the local filming of the Hollywood movie 'Moby Dick' in 1954.

The film, which starred Gregory Peck, ranked alongside 'The Quiet Man' and 'Ryan's Daughter' for its cinematic impact on Ireland. However, Youghal locals argued that the seaside town hasn't done enough to capitalise on its links to the famous film.

Youghal municipal area officer Joe McCarthy explained that the sculpture, which measures 1.5m by 8m, was not deemed to be in keeping with council development plans.

This was despite the fact there was no expense to the council, with the sculpture's entire 20,000 cost having been met through fundraising.

Locals will meet with council officials in a bid to agree a compromise.
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
It's still August, but for the most part, it feels like summer could already be over. It's not all doom and gloom though, as there's a host of TV treats in store this autumn. Susan Griffin picks out the best

One of Us, BBC One

There's a lot to look forward to in One Of Us: a script by brothers Harry and Jack Williams, who wrote The Missing; an ensemble cast including Juliet Stevenson, John Lynch and Joe Dempsie; and the beautiful yet brooding Highlands as a backdrop. Over four episodes, we see how a double murder affects the lives of two families living close together in an isolated corner of Scotland. Expect plenty of twists and turns in this suspenseful thriller.

Poldark, BBC One

Whether Aidan Turner's (Ross Poldark) bare chest will make an appearance in the second series of BBC One hit drama Poldark is yet to be seen. But what we do know is there'll be plenty of drama as he traverses new family, new loves and new battles, against the stunning Cornish clifftops and countryside. Lookout for a 'charged encounter' between Ross and his ex, Elizabeth (Heida Reed), too, which has reportedly been tamed down from Winston Graham's fourth Poldark book, Warleggan.

The Crown, Netflix

It's been quite a year for Queen Elizabeth with all her 90th birthday celebrations. Even she quipped she hoped people wouldn't still be singing Happy Birthday in December. Netflix will be honouring the monarch this November with the premiere of the 10-part drama The Crown (rumoured to have cost 100 million US dollars) starring Wolf Hall's Claire Foy as Her Majesty and Matt Smith as Prince Phillip. Peter Morgan, the man behind The Audience, has written the screenplay, which goes behind the locked doors of Westminster and Buckingham Palace, as the young newly-wed faces the daunting prospect of becoming queen when the political world is in disarray.

Tutankhamun, ITV

Video of the Day

ITV's new four-part mini-series Tutankhamun is set to be a hot and sweaty historical saga. Max Irons (son of Jeremy) is sporting spiffing facial hair to play the talented and innovative archaeologist Howard Carter. Having been stripped of his licence to dig and shunned by his peers, he gets a lucky break when the eccentric and wealthy Lord Carnarvon, wittily played by Sam Neill, enlists his help. Be prepared for stunning shots of Egypt's Valley Of The Kings, a bit of romance for good measure and an intimate take on one of the greatest true stories of all time.

No Offence, Channel 4

Following its successful first series, No Offence, Paul Abbott's police drama with clout, is back for a second run and this time it sees Joanna Scanlan's plain-speaking DI Viv Deering take on Nora Attah, the matriarch of Manchester's most feared crime family. "With the limited resources at her disposal, in a community shredded by gang crime, Viv's mantra for her staff is: The least you can do for me is your very best. And they will," says Abbott, who will no doubt inject his trademark warmth into the seven new episodes - however grim it gets.

Victoria, ITV

In her first major role since leaving Doctor Who, Jenna Coleman portrays the young Queen Victoria in a lavish eight-part production. It follows the teenager's ascension to the throne, her intimate friendship with her first Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, portrayed by Rufus Sewell, which enthralled the gossip-mongers, and her marriage to first cousin Prince Albert, played by Tom Hughes. The beautiful promo shots suggest this ravishing period drama shouldn't disappoint.

Westworld, Sky Atlantic

Two distinct genres combine in Westworld, an intriguing and ambitious new 10-part series that's half western, half science fiction. Set in a futuristic theme park staffed by artificial beings, guests are told they can live out their wildest fantasies, and be whoever they want to be. That's all fine until the robots begin to run amok and guests find themselves in a whole lot of jeopardy. Executive produced by J.J. Abrams and Jonathan Nolan, it stars the likes of Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris and Thandie Newton.

Dark Angel, ITV

Golden Globe winner Joanne Froggatt leaves Downton Abbey's Anna Bates far behind as the lead in a new ITV thriller based on the first recorded female serial killer. She plays Mary Ann Cotton, a young woman who will go to great, and grim, lengths to ensure her rise through the social ranks of Victorian society. Boasting bigamy, adultery, fraud and murder, this true tale's got it all, as Mary Ann travels around the North East (cue striking and stark vistas) and charms her way into unsuspecting families. The question is, does she get her comeuppance?

Our Girl, BBC One

Michelle Keegan popped up as party girl in BBC One's Ordinary Lies and a nymphomaniac in ITV2's Plebs, but military drama Our Girl will mark her first leading role since her departure from Coronation Street. EastEnder's Lacey Turner was the central character in the previous series, but this time the focus is on Keegan's new female medic Corporal Georgie Lane, who's been posted in Kenya. Looking to earn the trust of her fellow soldiers, and the respect of her commanding officer, she sets to work in the world's biggest refugee camp.

Joanna Lumley, ITV

Following her recent escapades along the Trans-Siberian railway, the ever charismatic Joanna Lumley is set to take viewers on new adventures, this time in Japan. In the three-part documentary, the Ab Fab actress travels 2,000 miles by boat, train, plane and by foot, from the icy Siberian seas of the north to the subtropical islands of the south, as she explores some of the uncharted corners of the country's enchanting islands. "Isn't it odd," Lumley's remarked, "we feel we are so familiar with Japan, and yet when we travelled around that spectacular country, I couldn't even guess at the unknown wonders that were in store for us."
The country has been celebrating a "mirage" - because the 1916 Proclamation was "shot to ribbons" in the days after the Easter Rising, European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly has said.

In a provocative speech, Ms O'Reilly has argued that it is only when we joined the European Union in 1973 that Irishmen and Irishwomen began to share equal rights as envisaged by the leaders of the Rising.

Speaking at the Parnell Summer School in Wicklow, Ms O'Reilly said: "We had been to the 1916 party, worn the uniforms, fired the guns, sat in the jails, nursed the sick, waked the dead; the party ended and so, essentially, did we, did any possibility of playing a full and equal role in the subsequent development of this State."

Ms O'Reilly noted that, while Constance Markievicz became a minister in 1919, it took another 60 years before a second woman was appointed to Cabinet.

"It took the international world, it took foreigners and strangers, it took outsiders, to bring us back into the light, back into the dancing of the public sphere," she said.

Ms O'Reilly served as Ireland's Ombudsman and Information Commissioner from 2003 until 2013, when she was elected European Ombudsman by the European Parliament.

"I stand before you as a representative of those children of the nation for whom the Rising was, at its most benign, an important historical event in their lives, at its most venal, the raising of the flag for a period during which the humanity of every Irish woman was not just denied but actively legislated against," she said.

"In many ways we are this year celebrating a mirage, imagining, reinventing, re-imagining, whatever, something that if it ever was real was real for women only for that time between Pearse's march to surrender and the peals of rifles that stilled his voice forever one week later.

"Perhaps it was the Proclamation itself that was actually shot to ribbons in those days and weeks," she said.
Up to 200 towns and villages are to be offered grants totalling 10m to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland.

Rural Development Minister Heather Humphreys will tomorrow announce details of the scheme, which is to place a particular focus on towns with populations of less than 5,000.

An allocation of 380,000 is to be made available to each of the 26 counties.

A maximum of eight separate projects in each county can receive a grant from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs from September.

The criteria for funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme states that the project must have a "sustainable and visible impact".

"Ireland's towns and villages are at the heart of our rural communities. They are a key focus of activity for those who live and work in rural Ireland," Ms Humphreys said.

"The economic downturn had a significant impact on many of our rural towns and villages and it is important that we support them to achieve a recovery."

The type of projects funded under the scheme could include measures to:

Increase the attractiveness of the town or village as a local commercial and social centre, and increase its sustainability as a place in which to live and work;

Enhance its environment and amenity in the interests of residents, businesses and visitors;

Enhance the culture and local heritage assets of the town/village and promote tourism;

Tackle minor physical infrastructural deficits and land assembly issues.

"The central objective of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is to revitalise rural towns and villages and establish them as hubs of social and commercial activity which make them attractive for both local communities and visitors," the minister said.

The Government had originally set aside 4m for the scheme. However, the decline of rural Ireland formed a central part of the General Election debate, resulting in the creation of Ms Humphrey's wide-ranging portfolio.

An extra 6m will be confirmed in tomorrow's announcement.

"The people who live and work in our towns and villages are best placed to offer ideas to support the sustainable development of their own areas," Ms Humphrey said.

She added that the success of the scheme will rely on collaboration between communities, local businesses and local authorities in identifying and implementing projects that can make a real and lasting impact in revitalising rural towns.
A union leader has warned that commuters could face the "appalling vista" of another Luas-like campaign of industrial action as Dublin Bus drivers seek equal pay with tram drivers.

The general secretary of the National Bus and Railworkers' Union, Dermot O'Leary, said a refusal by their employer to give them a significant pay rise could spark similar strikes that would cause chaos for over 330,000 passengers a day.

He also warned that a 500m pensions deficit in the CIE Group had the potential to cause an all-out transport strike, while the threat of industrial action at Irish Rail looms after talks with the company collapsed.

Mr O'Leary was speaking after a majority of his 1,450 members at Dublin Bus had voted overwhelmingly last Friday in favour of industrial action over their claim for a pay rise of at least 3.8pc a year. The vote came after they had rejected a Labour Court recommendation for an annual 2.75pc increase.

A 3.8pc pay rise - which the court recently awarded to Luas drivers - would be the first step in the union's mission to achieve the ultimate goal of a 31pc increase that would bring their wages in line with the Luas drivers.

Mr O'Leary argued that bus and tram drivers were essentially "the same animal" as they provide a similar service, while Luas drivers work routes that used to be served by buses.

He said a bus driver's wage was in the region of 39,000 at the top of the pay scale, including shift and premium payments, compared with a tram driver's salary of 42,247, plus a 6.5pc bonus.

The latter is set to rise to 53,000 when the recent pay rise is included.

The union is also demanding a 6pc increase that remains unpaid under the last social partnership agreement.

"Despite our members' desire not to have to resort to any disruption, it is an undeniable fact that dismissing their genuine pay claim could potentially lead to the appalling vista of a series of disputes similar to that seen at Transdev," said Mr O'Leary.

"The necessity or otherwise of lengthy industrial action lies squarely with Dublin Bus and its paymasters.

"Failure to recognise that bus workers are long overdue a well-deserved, significant, pay rise will inevitably lead to an autumn of discontent."

However, 12 days of strikes may be less of a threat at Dublin Bus, given that the NBRU claim is well below the tram drivers' breathtaking opening gambit for an increase worth up to 54pc.

"My understanding of the Luas dispute is that the quantum of the claim presented its own difficulties and may have contributed significantly to the length of that dispute," he said.

"By presenting a logical claim, supported by evidence, I would not see the necessity for any dispute, never mind 12 days.

"And we were successful in getting a 20pc pay rise back in 2000 at Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann."

Mr O'Leary admits that achieving equal pay with Luas drivers "is just not achievable overnight".

However, he said that if Dublin Bus and its paymasters did not improve on the court's proposal, then his trade union would not be found "wanting" in terms of industrial action.

When asked whether it was fair to leave workers who had no chance of an 8pc pay rise without transport, Mr O'Leary said he could understand that workers in some sectors would be annoyed.

"My job is to represent my members," he said. "I don't represent the Joe Soap in the street. I can have sympathy for them. I can say that we don't want to go on strike.

"I can say to them that they're paying too much in fares as the Government stripped 140m out of transport subsidies in the last number of years.

"But ultimately, after eight years of austerity, two cost-cutting plans and pay cuts, there is a level of expectation.

"My members have seen other workers in the same sector being treated completely and utterly differently. For that, I won't apologise."

Mr O'Leary said that if you gave any group of workers the opportunity to protest at how they had been treated over the last eight or nine years, they would grab that opportunity.

Explaining why bus drivers should get the same pay as tram drivers, he said they were treated as one and the same in cities including Munich, Paris, Brussels, Lyons and Hanover.

"In actual fact, in some cases, you're driving a bus one week and a tram the next," he said.

The NBRU leader disputed the argument that Transdev employees work for a private company and therefore should not be used as a benchmark for CIE staff.

He said the Luas was more heavily subsidised than CIE companies, partly due to the infrastructure being funded by the taxpayer. In addition, taxpayers would end up paying directly for the Luas pay rise when the contract to run the service goes out to tender in 2019 and the new provider will seek to cover higher labour costs.

His members at Irish Rail are also balloting for industrial action after talks broke down with the company over issues includingtheir demand for a shorter working week.

The discussions collapsed after Irish Rail accused unions of blocking the training of Dart drivers by engaging in unofficial industrial action.

When asked if someone was lying, Mr O'Leary insisted that neither his union nor Siptu had any "hand, act or part" in orchestrating such action.

"People who are paid to manage are not necessarily managing," he added.
A 16 year old girl who is at high risk of being sexually exploited by men requires to be placed in a secure unit for troubled teenagers, the High Court has heard.

Mr Justice Bernard Barton was told that the girl's father and the Child and Family Agency were very concerned about the girls welfare, health and safety given the frequency that she has gone missing.

Judge Barton heard the girl had a history of drug and alcohol taking and had been seen in the company of older men as well as getting into cars with different men.

Both her father and those caring for her had reported the teenager at times having been in possession of relatively large amounts of cash, the source of which she would not reveal and which could not be ascertained.

Arising out of fears for her well-being the Child and Family Agency had secured a temporary High Court order allowing it to place the girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, in a secure unit for troubled girls under 18 at Ballydowd in West Dublin.

The order was secured on an ex-parte basis. At Ballydowd she will be given access to the care and counselling services she requires, the court was told in a sworn statement. Judge Barton said it was "absolutely in the interests of the teenager" that the order being sought be granted.

Barrister Sarah McKechnie, counsel for the Child and Family Agency, said the young girl had been in the care of the Agency and had been in several placements since social workers first engaged with her some years ago.

Ms McKechnie said the girl had a history of absconding, initially from her family home and then from where she had been placed by the Agency Earlier this year she had gone missing for 17 nights in a month.

She had refused to fully engage with social workers or avail of counselling services. Due to lack of engagement it had been difficult to evaluate the girls mental or emotional condition.

Her health and physical well-being has suffered, Ms McKechnie said. She has been taking drugs and alcohol and has needed medical treatment at a hospital. She has expressed suicidal intentions and there has been incidents of self harm.

Ms McKechnie told the court the girl was at risk of being assaulted and there were serious concerns about being vulnerable to sexual exploitation.

Counsel said the teenager had refused to avail of counselling services offered to her concerning sexual health matters. She said the girls father supported the Agencys application.

Judge Barton adjourned the case until September.
The driver of an unmarked police car which collided with a vehicle containing two elderly nuns was put in an impossible position, a coroner has said.

Sister Frances Forde and Sister Marie Duddy died when their Renault Clio was struck by a Mitsubishi Shogun on the A1 near Newry in September 2014.

At a preliminary inquest hearing in Belfast's Laganside House, coroner Joe McCrisken said the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) constable could have done little to avoid the nuns' car.

He said: "It seems to me you were placed in an unbelievably difficult position that day.

"I am not sure there's much more you could have done."

The nuns, from the Sister of Mercy Order in north Belfast, had been making their way to a retreat at the Dromantine College Retreat and Conference Centre when the incident occurred.

They both died at the scene.

Three male police officers travelling in a silver Mitsubishi Shogun were also treated in hospital for minor injuries.

Announcing his decision not to hold a full inquest, Mr McCrisken added: "I am not sure I could ever properly understand why Sisters Duddy and Forde attempted to make that manoeuvre.

"I am not sure an inquest would give us an answer."

The coroner said he had taken into account a detailed investigation and report from the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman which sent a specialist mapping and photography team to the scene.

He also met with Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd to discuss the PSNI's response and was "satisfied" significant measures had been put in place to limit the speed of police vehicles.

These include the placing of stickers on all vehicle dashboards and the re-drafting of a new force order, the hearing was told.

Mr McCrisken said: "It is not necessary for me to hold an inquest to answer the four statutory questions which are: who the deceased were, when and where they came to their deaths and how did they come by their death.

"Holding an inquest would be counter-therapeutic to the officers involved and to the families and friends of the two Sisters."

Among those in court for the brief hearing were Sisters Anne Brady and Paula Carron, also from the Sister of Mercy Order, who came across the crash involving their friends and colleagues.

Earlier, the Order's solicitor, Ciaran Rafferty, said they believed the matter had been "completely investigated".

Meanwhile, barrister Michael Loughrey, representing the police constable driver, said his client had been prepared to "co-operate fully" with any inquest but added: "Given the very detailed investigation by the PONI it is my view that holding an inquest would not be necessary in the circumstances and would not provide any further detail regarding the circumstances of this tragic accident."

Afterwards the two nuns embraced the police officer who had been driving the police vehicle.

The coroner expressed condolences on at the sad and tragic death of "two good women".

In a statement issued after the hearing, the Sister of Mercy Order welcomed the coroner's decision.

It said: "We, the Mercy family, are again reminded of the tragic passing of two wonderful Sisters who dedicated their lives to serving God and God's people. We remember them and the contribution they made to our each and every day.

"Our thoughts are with all those who were affected by this tragedy, especially with the Duddy and Forde families who have experienced and have had to deal with such a sudden and tragic loss."
The man wanted in connection with the horrific rape of a woman in west Dublin has fled to the UK, gardai fear.

The individual, who is from the Clondalkin area, is the chief suspect in the violent gang attack that happened on July 28.

Expand Close The ESSO Station near the scene of the recent rape on the Ninth Lough Road / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp The ESSO Station near the scene of the recent rape on the Ninth Lough Road

He is related to two men, aged in their teens and early 20s, who have already been arrested in relation to the incident. However the pair, who have a number of convictions and were out on bail at the time of the attack, were later released without charge.

Sources have said that gardai are searching for one man, but they fear he has fled the country since the shocking incident.

"It was initially thought that he was still in the country but in hiding, it's likely he has now fled to the UK.

"Local gardai have not been able to locate him despite having called to his home on previous occasions, but they are determined to catch and charge the perpetrators of this violent crime," a source said.

The Herald previously revealed how three suspects in the knife-point attack are all from the same family.

ANXIETY

Fear and anxiety has spread through the west Dublin community following the brutal rape of the young woman who was walking home from work after stopping at a nearby garage.

Read More

The woman was threatened with a knife and pulled into the bushes before she was raped by one of the men on the Ninth Lock Road at 3am.

Expand Close The scene of the attack on the Ninth Lock road, Clondalkin. Photo: Gerry Mooney / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp The scene of the attack on the Ninth Lock road, Clondalkin. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Wary residents in the Clondalkin, Rowlagh and Neilstown areas have called for action to reduce the possibility of further attacks.

Improved public lighting, more garda patrols, the cutting back of roadside vegetation, and more resources for community activity have been demanded since the horrific incident.

Residents also hope the garda investigation will lead to a swift prosecution of the three men involved.

Local women told the Herald they have been forced to become more conscious of their personal safety since the crime was committed.

"I used to go for a run along the route past where the rape happened, but I stopped using that route in the days afterwards," said a 38-year-old mother-of-two.

"Now my husband cycles beside me when I go for a run in the mornings," she said.

The woman spoke about her fears on the day she finally decided to resume running past the road-side spot where the woman was attacked.

"I'm about what happened but I've decided to return to this route for my morning runs. My parents still won't walk past the place," she said.

"I live just five minutes from where it happened. It was too close for comfort. Women are very wary now and the attack is all over social media. Women are worried about going out on their own. I think the worry will continue even if the guards get who did it," she said.

"Women should be able to feel safe where they live. I hate to imagine what that woman went through. My husband now is asking me where I'm going every time I leave the house.

WORRYING

"A lot of women are being asked by their husbands where they are going and what time they'll be back because they are worried. It's important that this crime keeps being reported in the newspapers because it may help to jog people's memories if they have any information that could help the guards," she said.

A 41-year-old mother of three said she was much more worried about the safety of her 19-year-old daughter who works in Clondalkin.

"I find it very worrying that the law is not strict enough on these type of attacks. They should get life in prison when found guilty. Why should the attackers be released from prison and come out laughing after ruining a woman's life.

"I feel very strongly about this and I think convicted rapists should not be getting free gyms in prison. It should be bread and water. Since this attack, more people are scared.

Expand Close The scene on the Ninth Lock road, Clondalkin, where an alleged sex attack on a woman took place. Picture; Gerry Mooney. 28/7/16 / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp The scene on the Ninth Lock road, Clondalkin, where an alleged sex attack on a woman took place. Picture; Gerry Mooney. 28/7/16

"A couple of years ago, a man was shot dead at a bus stop not far from where the rape happened. The road where it happened needs much better public lighting - big time.

"I would give my daughter and 16-year-old son pepper spray to protect themselves. It is terrible that a woman cannot go to the shop late at night if her family needs milk. Women should feel safe in their own communities," she said.

Andrew Kerins (26), who lives with his father in Rowlagh, said "it's completely disgraceful what has happened. We need a strong community response".

He said local people were "looking out for each other" much more since the attack.

"A stronger police presence along with trimming of hedges and more lighting are vital," he added
Senior garda management pleaded for an Armed Support Unit (ASU) in a security report that was communicated to the then government months before a deadly gangland feud erupted in the capital.

The Irish Independent has learned that senior gardai carried out a security review for Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald in the wake of the Paris terror attacks last November.

Among the key recommendations were that an armed unit be deployed in the Dublin region to deal with terror-related threats in particular.

However, senior sources have claimed that Ms Fitzgerald effectively failed to act on the recommendation until after the deadly shootings at the Regency Hotel on Dublin's northside.

"It was made clear in 2015 - months in advance of it being announced by the minister - that this unit was desperately needed," a source told the Irish Independent.

A separate source said that the recommendation was discussed by departmental officials but no decision was taken to act on the recommendation by Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan.

However, a spokesman for the minister insisted that the final draft of the report into security was not submitted until March and that the minister had responded "in the interim" by announcing the unit in February.

Read more: Task force to target organised crime nicknamed 'Dirty Thirty' by officers

The ASU was scheduled to be launched by July at the latest, but a dispute around the selection process has delayed its deployment.

A spokesperson for Ms Fitzgerald said: "There was ongoing contact between the department and An Garda Siochana in the light of a detailed review of security arrangements, which they were carrying out in the light of developments in relation to international terrorism and, in particular, the attacks in Paris.

"This culminated in a final submission to the department in March and the provision of extra funding as part of the additional 55m recently allocated to the Garda Estimate.

"In the interim, in early February, the minister met with the Garda Commissioner and other senior officers following a number of killings in Dublin.

"In the light of that meeting, she was in a position to announce funding for the establishment of an Armed Support Unit and an increased Garda presence prior to its establishment (the armed Garda presence had already been increased in the light of terrorist attacks).

"Of its nature, an armed response unit has a role to play in combating both terrorism and organised crime.

"In the circumstances, the minister was not in a position to make any announcement prior to that meeting."
Vulnerable parts of Ireland's most flood-prone city are to have their defences fast-tracked under an 80m tidal-defence scheme.

The Cork flood-relief project, whose cost is expected to spiral from 50m to around 80m, will begin construction next year but won't be fully completed until 2022.

It ranks as the single most ambitious flood-defence programme in Irish history.

However, in a major concession, the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Cork business chiefs are set to agree a deal whereby vulnerable parts of the city centre will have their defences prioritised as part of the overall scheme.

The OPW and Cork City Council have agreed that the Morrison's Island area - which has been subjected to five major bouts of flooding since 2009 - should have its relief works fast-tracked.

That is expected to offer greater protection for vulnerable parts of the city centre, including key trading areas, such as Oliver Plunkett Street, the South Mall, Winthrop Street and Pembroke Street.

It is now hoped that these flood-prone areas will have new defences in place within two years.

However, the full benefits of the OPW scheme won't be coming onstream until 2022 given the five-year construction period.

OPW Minister Sean Canney said he was confident that the scheme would deliver the protection that Cork requires.

He said: "The works will significantly reduce the frequency of tidal flooding."
A father said he was sick to his stomach when he heard his three-year-old daughter was led away to an isolated car during the kite and balloon festival in Sandycove in Dublin on July 30.

My father was with my three-year-old daughter at the kite and balloon festival when she was approached, Graham ODoherty told Independent.ie.

They were in a designated green area for flying kites and my daughter was playing with other kids.

My father was fixing a kite and keeping an eye on my daughter when he saw her take the hand of a strange woman and they walked away. By the time my father reached them the woman had joined another man and they were heading towards a parked car in a desolate car park. The car was positioned beside an exit so it could get a quick getaway."

Graham told Independent.ie that his father ran over to the couple who were in their late twenties.

The woman said oh is this your child? They were shocked that they were approached because they were walking away from all activity.

Graham said when he asked his daughter what had happened she told him the lady offered her a snowball sweet that tasted like strawberries and asked her is she wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride.

Youd like to tell yourself it was innocent but it all adds up to something sinister. My daughter, while shes only three, she wouldnt embellish the story because she didnt know anything was wrong.

It took a while for me and my wife to process it. We were dumbfounded. Its a cliche but I was sick to my stomach.

Its something youd never expect to happen so near your home. Its something that might happen on holidays.

Graham said he didnt want to cause unnecessary panic but that he urges parents to be vigilant.

Ultimately were relieved shes ok. However horrific it might have been it wasnt.

It does happen, kids can run off. My daughter is very sociable too so its something we have to be aware of without killing her spirit.

Graham said he and his wife were away for their anniversary at the time of the incident but when they returned home on Sunday July 31 they reported the incident to the gardai.

He said his mother and father made a statement to the gardai on Monday August 1.

Gardai in Dun Laoghaire said their investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Nurses at St James's Hospital are considering jobs elsewhere after losing access to up to 300 spaces on site.

The move by management is in order to facilitate the construction of the new National Childrens Hospital (NCH) which is being built on the site.

The nurses are now being told they can park at locations off-site  however some of these sites are not open by the time their shift finishes.

It is understood the limited parking available on-site was full shortly after 7am today.

Expand Close A carpark within St James Hospital which was used by nurses and staff which is now closed as construction of the ne Childrens hospital gets underway. Picture: Gerry Mooney / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp A carpark within St James Hospital which was used by nurses and staff which is now closed as construction of the ne Childrens hospital gets underway. Picture: Gerry Mooney

Read More

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) are considering taking industrial action over the issue, stating that staff safety  walking to and from the hospital  is at risk.

A spokeswoman said that nurses travelling from afar have no option other than driving to work, as modes of public transport will mean it is impossible to get to the hospital in time for their shift to start.

The spokeswoman said St James's Hospital is now facing a mass exodus of staff  who will move to other hospitals that are more convenient.

She said that nurses enjoy working at the hospital, but may be forced to leave.

Cliona OByrne, from Skerries, has been working at the hospital for more than 16 years, and told Independent.ie that she is considering moving to Our Lady of Lourdes, Drogheda, Beaumont Hospital or the Mater Hospital instead.

Theres no train and Luas that will get me into work on time for a shift at 7:30am  its just not possible for me to take public transport, Cliona said.

Were frustrated and were upset at the lack of communication and the lack of respect.

To be treated like this is very upsetting.

Expand Close Staff nurses Jo Tully and Cliona Byrne pictured outside the entrance to St James Hospital.. Picture; Gerry Mooney / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Staff nurses Jo Tully and Cliona Byrne pictured outside the entrance to St James Hospital.. Picture; Gerry Mooney

Id have to change my hours or leave  I could go to Beaumont, Drogheda or the Mater, all are closer but I love working here, she added.

Nurse, Dominica Orawska (21) from Tallaght said its unfair to expect staff to go to the Royal Hospital Kilmainham to get their car after a 13 hour shift.

In the winter, when its dark, its not the safest area to be walking around, she said.
The death has taken place of Bishop Edward Daly, the catholic bishop of Derry from 1974 to 1993.

The 82-year-old had been battling cancer in recent weeks.

Dr Daly will forever be associated with Bloody Sunday in January 1972 as the priest waving a bloodied white handkerchief as he led a small group through the streets of Derry in search of medical assistance for Jackie Duddy.

Harried by British soldiers, by the days end the troops had gunned down 13 civil rights protesters leaving an indelible scar on the city.

Although born in Beleek, Co Fermanagh in December 1933, the people and city of Derry held a special place in Bishop Dalys heart.

He was educated at St Columb's College in Derry and studied for the priesthood in the Irish College in Rome. He was ordained a priest on 16 March 1957.

He then spent 17 years of parish ministry as a curate in Castlederg and Derry and almost twenty years as bishop of Derry before ill health forced him into retirement.

Popular, within his diocese and well beyond, there was much regret at the time that a reforming voice should be lost to the hierarchy to early in his episcopacy.

In retirement, he ministered for over twenty years as a chaplain at Foyle Hospice, which provides palliative care for patients with life-limiting illnesses, while supporting their families and loved ones.

Up to last year he had ministered to over 800 people who died at the hospice since he began keeping records in in 1998.

In an interview with the Catholic Times newspaper last year, Bishop Daly admitted that while he loved his priesthood, he was a somewhat reluctant bishop.

He wrote about his years in parish ministry in his book, Mister, Are You a Priest? (2000).

He worked for a short period with RTE in Dublin in late 1973 and early 1974 before he was ordained to the See of Derry on 31 March 1974 in St Eugenes Cathedral.

He was just turned forty and he became the youngest bishop in Ireland and one of the youngest bishops in Europe at the time.

The Provisional IRA and the British Army observed an unofficial truce for the day in Derry. He was vocally opposed to the use of violence. At his first Mass as bishop of Derry he said in his homily that he deplored the use of violence of any kind. Surely it must be clear to everyone by now that violence create far more problems than it can every hope to solve.

In an interview with the Catholic Times in 2015, Bishop Daly said, when asked if he feared death, No I dont. However, he said that prior to working in the hospice what had frightened him was the mechanics of dying  not so death itself  but getting there.

But thanks to the hospice, he felt the mechanics of dying are somewhat easier and he also paid tribute to the respect that is given to each individual in the hospice. I hope we in some way bring comfort when people are coming towards the end.

Last year, Bishop Daly and his Church of Ireland counterpart, Bishop James Mehaffey, were made Freemen of the City of Derry, joining such notables as British statesman Winston Churchill, Nobel Peace Laureate John Hume and Dr Tom McGinley, a local GP who founded Foyle Hospice.

The honour was made in recognition of the ecumenism, courage and Christian values that the two church leaders had shown in helping to build bridges across divided communities and to pave the way for dialogue and peace in Northern Ireland.

In a tribute, the current Bishop of Derry, Dr Donal McKeown, described them as two courageous figures who took huge risks for peace in the most difficult years of the Troubles.

His friendship with Bishop Jim was most valuable in the aftermath of an atrocity when they would together visit the bereaved. They were able to talk to one another when either of them was having a difficult time within their own community.

After Bloody Sunday, I had a difficult time as many people in the Loyalist/Unionist community would have seen my action on that day as sympathetic to Republicans  just simply in terms of being critical of the British Army. I perceived it as pastoral ministry  dealing with people who were wounded and trying to get them to hospital and giving them the last rights and praying with them as they died. Ultimately, Savile reported on it and I think people then came to accept what I was really about  that it was pastoral ministry.

One of his great heroes was Derry native John Hume, without whom he was convinced peace wouldnt have come to Northern Ireland, as it was Humes ideas that were adopted.

The Bishop believed John Humes fingerprints were all over the Good Friday Agreement just as they were all over the Sunningdale Agreement and paid tribute to Hume whom he said had been involved in every positive thing that has happened in the North over the last 40 years.

Dr Daly was at the heart of efforts to tackle the dereliction of Derry city centre through a charitable trust which bought properties and involved local young people in redeveloping them. By the time he retired from the Inner City Trust in early 2000, it had a portfolio of property worth 25m and all its debts had been cleared.

It had seen the redevelopment of places such as the citys Tower Museum, the craft centre and the Nerve centre, a rehearsal space for music and theatre, as well as the school of animation.

A product of Vatican II, in his 2011 memoir, A Troubled See, Bishop Daly discussed ending the compulsory celibacy for priests.

In the book he argued, There is certainly an important and enduring place for celibate priesthood. But I believe that there should also be a place in the modern Catholic Church for married priesthood and for men who do not wish to commit themselves to celibacy.
St Patricks College, Maynooth, which has been at the centre of controversy over the experience of seminarians. Photo: Arthur Carron

A former seminarian at St Patrick's College in Thurles has told of the severe physical and mental abuse he endured while studying at the seminary.

'James' told the Irish Independent of the bullying he endured at the seminary - including one incident where he had a bucket of dirt thrown over him by two people wearing balaclavas.

Outlining for the first time in full his experiences of physical and mental abuse almost 25 years ago in the seminary, as he embarked on what he thought was the path to priesthood, he said, "As I now recall that year, I feel so much pain and horror for what I experienced."

"When I entered [the] seminary, I was living with over 100 students and priests and lecturers.

"These priests were there to guide us on our journey to ordination and help us discern what we truly wanted out of life. They would be our leaders, spiritual directors and brothers within whom we would place our trust and always be confident that they cared for our wellbeing," he said.

However, instead he was subject to bullying and wrongly accused of a criminal act, which his accuser later admitted was a lie - but 'James' never received an apology from the college.

"The time for secrets has ended," he stated.

The former seminarian revealed how he was forced to dress up in women's clothes for a college variety show called 'The Henry' within the first week of entering the seminary in order to entertain the college president and the seminary's priests.

"I was forcefully encouraged to put on a lady's dress and wig and go out on stage and sing like that.

"I was absolutely mortified and hated every moment. While standing on the stage, some other students got a long pole with a hook on it and tried to rip the dress off me. I got so upset, I ran off the stage to the laughter of everyone present."

His second memory of feeling shocked was the medical examination that all first-year students had to take within the first two weeks of arrival. In the infirmary, the doctor was waiting for him.

Read more: 'Seminarians going on a dating site, theres something wrong there' - Archbishop Martin

"I thought I knew what to expect. The regular checks of blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, etc, were all done and I was getting a clean bill of health.

"But what followed was a shock. I was instructed to drop my trousers and underpants. I immediately questioned this. I was told by the doctor to just do what I was told. Once everything had been removed, the doctor immediately went about feeling my penis, something I had never experienced in my life to that point.

"I was now very scared and horrified. I did ask the doctor why he was doing it. He became very abrupt with me and said that it was normal practice for any student who wanted to be a priest. They had to ensure that I was a fully functional male so that, I, the student could fully understand and appreciate what I was giving up by taking on the rule of celibacy. He further stated that this was in accordance with canon law. For me, it was a total intrusion of my privacy and almost a stripping away of what I held dear, my dignity."

Other unhealthy, boarding school-type pranks constituted bullying, he believes. They included removing all his possessions and personal belongings from his room and dumping them elsewhere, which led to the breakage of a personal photograph of his late grandmother who had passed away just two weeks after he entered the seminary.

On another occasion a bucket of muck and dirt was thrown over him as he rang the bell for the six o'clock Angelus by two people wearing balaclavas. "No one would help me, these future priests just laughed, saying 'Ah, it was your turn this time'."

The final straw came when he was accused of stealing money and questioned by a member of the local Gardai. His accuser later admitted fabricating the story when 'James' confronted him.

The other seminarian said he felt so bad about it that he had considered taking his own life. 'James' told the dean of formation that the man was feeling suicidal and the student was put under 24-hour watch and later removed from the college.

Read more: Crisis in Maynooth: Growing disquiet about scandal won't just go away

To this day, he has never received an apology.

"These events were truly the beginning of the end of my dream to become a priest. It killed my faith in people and destroyed what I had always held dear. When people talk about abuse, I am constantly aware that abuse comes in many different forms, not always sexual. But it is the secrecy and failure to acknowledge fault that is the most damning thing."

Any happy memories of his year in seminary are tarnished by the "serious bullying" 'James' claims he endured.

He added: "[These people] believed they had a vocation. My wish is nothing like [this] happens anyone again."

'James' spoke out after a former seminarian at Maynooth alleged last week that a member of staff harassed him. The man made a preliminary statement to the gardai yesterday.

He said that he will continue with his complaint and provide a formal statement this week.

"They certainly felt that a couple of isolated incidents which I mentioned did warrant investigation by them," he told the Irish Independent.

"I will be meeting them next week in person to provide a written statement concerning the above."

He said that a priest who was meant to be his "spiritual father" acted inappropriately towards him on a number of occasions.

He said that his faith was "severely shaken" and he suffered from a severe depression.
A major investigation is under way after gardai discovered a malicious cyber attack on their internal network.

It has emerged that a malware threat occurred on Thursday of last week, forcing IT staff to shut down a number of the organisation's systems.

A large amount of disruption was caused, including certain individual gardai in various Garda divisions being unable to use their official email accounts.

The security breach has been identified as a 'zero-day' attack - when malware is used to exploit a software vulnerability, which can affect programmes, data and networks.

In a statement, An Garda Siochana said that an "appropriate solution" was implemented following the identification of the issue.

"Heightened security procedures were implemented and standard protocols were enforced across all Garda ICT environments to limit any effect on our systems," a Garda spokesperson said.

"Working with security experts the threat was identified and an appropriate solution was implemented across all Garda Siochana ICT (Information and Communications Technology) systems," the spokesperson added.

"An Garda Siochana are continuing our investigation into the incident," the spokesperson added.

Specialist gardai from the Computer Crime Unit at the Garda Bureau of Fraud and Investigations are attempting to identify the source of the malware attack.

It has not yet been established if the security threat originated from within this jurisdiction or if the hack was made from outside Ireland.

The compromising of the Garda network would be disastrous for the force, with thousands of sensitive documents stored on various networks and data programmes.

Intelligence reports, as well as the personal information of victims of crime - who are referred to as an 'injured party' - are stored on the Garda Pulse system, while forensic and DNA evidence are also stored electronically. However, gardai have said no data was compromised during the security threat, and the Pulse system and the Garda website were not affected either.

The ICT office was established in July 2008 in an effort to bring all ICT functions within the organisation into a single integrated unit. Providing a service desk to more than 16,500 users, the ICT section deals with the management of emergency 999 calls, case management and character vetting.

The force's IT systems have been criticised by the Garda Inspectorate, with the independent body describing the systems as decades out of date. In its 2015 report, the Inspectorate emphasised the need for "major upgrades" in the Garda IT system.

"Contractors may be required by an organisation investing in new technology and embarking on major upgrades of existing systems," the report stated.

"According to the Human Resources Strategy for Information and Communications Technology, the best possible staffing mix within the ICT Branch is one that represents the most flexible use of personnel in terms of overall costs, service delivery, ICT development and risk management. The strategy was approved by the Commissioner [Noirin O'Sullivan], but has not yet been significantly advanced as of finalisation of this report," it added.
Millions of euro in aid has been withheld from aid agency Goal pending a US government investigation into alleged fraud.

In April the charity and others were ordered to halt procurement using some US funds as the US Agency for International Development (USAid) began an investigation into alleged bribery and bid rigging.

The enforced suspension affects about 6.2m of the 113m GOAL receives from USAid.

Read More

This morning the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed, in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Irish Times, that they had withheld 2.95m in humanitarian funding earmarked for the charity.

Goal CEO Barry Andrews was informed of the decision in June "until we have clarification on the ongoing US investigation" - the newspaper reports.

Two charity workers, based in Turkey, have already been sacked on foot of information emerging from the USAid investigation.

The 2.95m was intended for Goal programmes in a number of countries.

The records also show that the chair of Goal, Anne OLeary, apologised to the department on behalf of the board of the charity for failing to inform officials about the suspension of US funding before it appeared in the media.
The site of the 1946 plane crash in the Wicklow Mountains

High up in the Wicklow Mountains, a group of 21 French Girl Guides walked away from a plane wreck in what has become the stuff of local legend.

In the aftermath of World War II, the teenagers were flying to Dublin to meet their Irish counterparts for a holiday. Little could have prepared them for their disastrous journey there, as their old military plane crashed into the side of Djouce Mountain.

Expand Close Some of the girls involved in the crash before their flight home to France / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Some of the girls involved in the crash before their flight home to France

The crash occurred on August 12, 1946, and a group of locals now plan to visit the site to pay homage to the passengers, all of whom miraculously survived.

Suzanne Barnes, an author who has researched the story, will lead a group of locals close to where the accident happened 70 years ago.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Suzanne said the group of Girl Guides had been on a French government-funded excursion to meet Irish guides in Rathfarnham.

As part of the journey, they travelled from France in a Junkers Ju 52, a sturdy plane originally designed for German military use.

Expand Close Some of the survivors with author Suzanne Barnes in Paris in 2004 / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Some of the survivors with author Suzanne Barnes in Paris in 2004

"The weather was appalling, and the pilot was blown off course and didn't know where he was going," she said.

"There were no radar then," she added. "He was more or less relying on what he saw.

"All he knew was that he crossed the Irish Sea."

The plane soon found itself in the misty Wicklow Mountains, shortly before it crashed head long into one of its peaks.

Expand Close Locals help carry one girl to an ambulance / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Locals help carry one girl to an ambulance

The impact ripped the engine from the plane, but crucially left the fuselage behind. As the engine was quickly shorn away, the plane didn't catch on fire. All those aboard survived the impact, which Suzanne called "absolutely miraculous".

"There were terrible injuries, but the plane didn't catch fire, which was amazing," she said.

Both the pilot of the plane and the leader of the Girl Guides had minor injuries, and both left the wreckage to seek help from the local community.

"They wandered over the mountain in the mist, cold and rain and found the way to Powerscourt Waterfall," Suzanne said. "They actually managed to slide down the cliff face at Powerscourt."

The remaining 19 guides, aged between 13 and 17, huddled in the remains of the fuselage. Eight of them were seriously injured.

After six hours of wandering through the mountains, the guide leader managed to find a hotel and get help from locals.

The remains of the plane were eventually discovered 12 hours after the crash, and casualties were sent to St Michael's and St Bricin's Hospitals.

As word spread throughout the local community, residents from all walks of life came forward to lend a hand. Among them was Dominick Browne, also known as Lord Oranmore and Browne, and his wife Oonagh Guinness.

While the girls were relieved to have survived the impact of the crash, Suzanne said many were left with devastating injuries.

"One of the girls can't remember anything about it except being treated very well by the doctors in hospital," she said. "All of her childhood memories before the plane crash are gone, so it's so important that she hears the girls' memories because they are her memories.

"Another girl had at least five fractures in her leg."

Suzanne has met with several of the remaining survivors in France, as well as many of the locals who came to their rescue.

Since the 50th anniversary of the crash in 1996, the ladies continue to meet regularly in France to remember that fateful day.

In spite of the shocking events on the journey, Suzanne said that they regarded the trip as a "very positive experience."

"They had already lived through a war. Some had seen the worst of the conflict in France. Some of them were Jewish," she added.

"There was one girl who had to wear the yellow star when she was a little girl during the war."

Suzanne is now organising a walk close to the crash site to mark the accident's 70th anniversary this Friday, from Crone Wood car park at 11.30am.

"It's important to do it (remember the crash) now," she said. "The Girl Guides' leader is now 91 years old, and it could be the last time they'll be here for a big anniversary like this."

Suzanne's book, 'When Our Plane Hit The Mountain', is available from trailhead.ie for 9. One euro from the sale of each book goes towards mountain rescue.
ONE man died and another was injured after a construction accident in Cork.

The accident occurred on a construction site off the Youghal Road in Midleton, Co Cork shortly before 1pm.

It is understood both men were working at the site near machinery when the accident occurred.

Details of the accident remain unclear but both men are reported to have suffered crush-type injuries.

Emergency services raced to the scene including Gardai, paramedics and units of Midleton fire brigade.

Tragically, one man had suffered multiple critical injuries.

He was pronounced dead at the scene before he could be rushed to Cork University Hospital (CUH).

A second man suffered serious injuries and was transferred by ambulance to CUH.

Other workers, who had rushed to assist their colleagues, were later treated at the scene for shock.

Investigations are expected to be launched, as is routine in fatal workplace accidents, by both the Gardai and the Health and Safety Authority.
People were warned of the dangers of using inflatable craft by the sea after two dramatic rescues of children in Cork.

Tributes were paid to the RNLI crews in Ballycotton and Crosshaven after they rescued two children in separate incidents over the past 72 hours as small inflatable craft were swept out to sea.

In one incident, alert scuba diver Gerry Leddin immediately realised a family were in difficulty in Fountainstown.

"There were two adults, I presumed a mother and father, and a small child using a small inflatable craft. I think the Coastguard later described it as a supermarket-type dinghy," Gerry said.

Gerry watched as the vessel was launched - and, within seconds, had been swept out to sea by the combination of the ebbing tide and Force 6 winds.

He immediately raised the alarm and the Crosshaven RNLI boat was on the scene within minutes.

They successfully rescued the couple and child, bringing them back to Fountainstown shocked by unharmed.

In a second rescue, Cork mother Karen McGrath contacted 96FM to offer her thanks to the Ballycotton RNLI crew for the successful rescue of her 12 year old daughter, Emily.

Emily and three friends were playing in an inflatable craft at Shanagarry with her parents, aunts and uncles.

The adults turned away and, in seconds, the wind and tide had started to sweep the boat out to sea.

Karen's husband and her brother, Kenneth, bravely dived in to the sea and got three of the four children out of the craft to safety.

But they were unable to reach Emily given the speed with which the dinghy was swept out to sea.

"I was very distraught - my child was being swept away. But there was a lovely lady called Orla Lynch on the shore and she immediately contacted the Ballycotton RNLI crew," Karen said.

The RNLI boat was launched immediately and raced to the scene. Quick-witted Emily had stayed safe and calm within the dinghy as her family had shouted at her to do.

The RNLI crew got her safely out of the dinghy and on board the lifeboat. She was reunited with her shocked family a few minutes later.

"We're just so grateful and wanted to say 'thank you'. We were in pieces," Karen said.

"We were very, very lucky with Emily. She was really distressed afterwards. She told us afterwards she just laid inside the boat and prayed to her (late) nan to keep her safe."

"We could so easily have lost our child. But the people were fantastic to us on the beach."

Irish Water Safety, the Irish Coastguard and the RNLI urged people to exercise maximum caution near rivers, the lakes and the sea.

They also urged people to exercise maximum caution when using inflatable craft near the sea or lakes.
Working as a key player in one of Jamie Oliver's busiest London kitchens might be great for career development and learning new skills, but it's not so great for taking holidays during peak periods. Which is why Irish chef and food blogger Mark O'Brien was taking no chances this year. As far back as January, he booked time off from his post as pitmaster in Barbecoa restaurant to come home to next weekend's Big Grill festival.

Now in it's third year, this year's Big Grill is predicted to attract 20,000 visitors, having doubled in size year on year since 2014. The family-friendly food festival celebrates what festival organiser Andy Noonan describes as "the age-old art of cooking with smoke and fire". They go about this serious business with the help of spandex-clad DJs, chilli-eating competitions, craft beer pairings and lots of live fire cooking. There's even bug hunts and bushcraft workshops promised for a special kids' zone.

This year, the bill includes international BBQ experts from as far afield as Brazil alongside some of the top talent in Britain and Ireland. But it's not just the chance to catch the likes of Andre Lima de Luca (Brazil), Neil Rankin (Smokehouse Restaurant, London) and Richard Turner (Hawksmoor/Pit Cue, London) that made this year's festival a must for Mark, who will himself be demonstrating how to get great results for seafood with the use of smoke and fire. For Mark, the return to Dublin's Herbert Park is hugely personal.

"I couldn't get the time off work last year so instead I watched it all on Instagram," he says, adding that it was a killer "to see all of my friends hanging out without me". But he had been at the festival the previous year, for what was to prove a life-changing weekend that led to him landing his dream job. "The pitmaster," Mark explains of his role in Barbecoa, "is the main smoking chef in charge of all the smoked meats, dealing with the meat from the minute it comes in, from butchery and seasoning to smoking and serving."

It took a bit of meandering for Mark to find his path. An initial degree in science wasn't to be.

"I was politely asked to leave after 18 months," he admits with little regret: having spent most of that time in the college's drama society he had realised for himself that he "needed something more active and less academic".

While considering alternative careers in event management, theatre and set design, he worked front-of-house at was supposed to be an interim job in a high-octane casual eatery. He found himself falling in love with Dublin's rapidly evolving restaurant and food scene.

Cooking had always been a hobby but Mark began to consider it as a career.

"Helping my parents out in the kitchen when I was young gave me a good base knowledge. Then as a teen I realised the benefits not just of eating well but also of cooking for others," he says. "As a shyer teen it was a nice way to connect with people."

When he began to write his own food blog, he was invited by Cooks Academy to attend its three-month course and to blog about his experiences. As well as loving the course, he says "it gave me a really solid spring board to go into back of house". That training lead to a job in Dublin's buzzy Coppinger Row ("I really connected with the chef and the food") and then to a game-changing nixer.

"I was asked to work at The Big Grill as an assistant to John Relihan," he explains, referring to the Cork-born chef who was heading up the Barbecoa kitchen at the time. "We really hit it off." Throughout the weekend, Mark was regaled with tales of the extraordinary equipment in the London kitchen. "Being a Jamie Oliver restaurant means it's very well stocked," with its charcoal Tandoor ovens, Argentinian grills, wood-fired ovens, Texas pit smokers and Japanese robata making it a dream playground for an aspiring pitmaster.

An invite to visit the kitchen turned into a joke that he mightn't ever be let leave, which the resourceful Mark quickly secured as a serious job offer. "I told him to give me six months, and moved over in February 2015." Another six months later, he was promoted to pitmaster. He hasn't looked back since.

It's easy to see why next weekend's festival appearance will be an extra special one for Mark. With the help of his co-worker Sander Van Der Werf, he will head up his own demo, sharing the skills he's been accumulating since his last weekend in Herbert Park. "It's great to be giving back to the festival that started me on this life path."

They'll be focusing on seafood to demonstrate that there's more to barbecues than massive meat fests. "We're going to be doing Irish fish like mackerel and salmon and Dublin Bay prawns," he says, "both smoking and grilling, to show the different approaches, so we might grill mackerel and hot-smoke some salmon."

As someone who has blogged about his newly acquired kitchen skills from the get-go and whose work in an open kitchen regularly involves explaining the process to the public, doing a live cooking demo is a natural progression for Mark. And as someone who has always valued food as a way of connecting with other people, the evolving international barbecue scene is the perfect place for him to be.

"Food is having such a cultural moment," he says, "but a lot of people are trying to out-do themselves with new combinations and over-complicated cooking. I love that barbecuing is so simple and basic and 'clean' in terms of the ingredients used. It's tasty, social food." And it's a great leveller, he says.

"Nobody can put on pretences when covered in sauce and smoke."

On the other hand, this is a style of cooking that allows for continuous experimentation and learning. "It's still so new in Ireland and England. It's still finding its footing." He loves being part of an emerging culture that is experimenting with various approaches to find what might work here, from the open-style Argentinian barbecues and the ambient heat and smoke effect of Texas block pits to the direct heat of Japanese robata grills. "You can't write your own book on barbecue without reading the others."

Mark recommends that home cooks and pros alike identify and study particular skills before trying to master them all - a lesson he thinks we Irish need to learn. "We only get a handful of barbecue days a year here and then we try and cook all these different things at once on a kettle grill. I'm a restaurant chef and I can't do 18 things at once."

Keeping things simple will yield better results. "Decide to do burgers, for example, and do them as best as you can: maybe smoke the onions, make your own ketchup and get every element right."

Think about the type of wood you use too. "It's a bit like pairing a wine. If you're cooking a dark meat, you're best to use a dark wood like oak or mesquite, whereas fish would like something lighter like apple, cherry or willow.

"Learn one skill at a time and then the rest will come. So for example, you could decide to master the offset cooking method, where you're using two different types of heat on the one grill.

"It's about building up a repertoire and a skill set." And having a whole lot of fun while you're at it.

The Big Grill Festival takes place in Herbert Park, Dublin 4, from August 11-14.

Tickets from 15 at biggrillfestival.com, children under 12 go free.

Mark blogs at oaksmokeandbbqsauce.com

Mark's Piri Piri Wings

Piri Piri is an incredible combination of flavours that has roots in both South Africa and Portugal. The name is derived from the Piri Piri chilli, or birds eye chilli. When smothered on anything from chicken to fish to pork to roasted vegetables, its fragrant and potent blend will lift the dish to new heights.

Ingredients

12 chicken wings

2 Piri Piri (birds eye) chillies

2 cloves of garlic

The stalks from a small bunch of coriander

2 tbsp brown sugar

Zest and juice of two limes

1 small bunch of thyme

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper

Method

Firstly, prep your wings by removing the wing tips (the boney pointy bits at the end). Then cut through the skin attaching the two limbs and extend the wings out fully.

Next finely dice the chillies as small as you possibly can. Leave the seeds in for a bit of a kick. Place them into a mixing bowl.

Finely chop the garlic and coriander stalks and add to the bowl along with the sugar, lime juice and lime zest.

Strip the leaves from the thyme stalks and add to the mix.

Finish with 2 tbsp olive oil, then season liberally with salt and pepper.

Now that you have your sauce made, you just need to marinate the wings. You can cook the wings straight away but leaving them overnight will seriously help things along.

When you are ready to get going, get your grill seriously hot by placing all of your coals on one side, allowing you direct heat and indirect heat.

Fill the direct heat side of the grill with wings and allow to crisp up nicely. Turn them over and repeat.

Make sure you have good colour on the wings before transferring them over to the indirect side. Close the lid of your BBQ and allow to cook for about 25 minutes. This will give you incredibly deep flavour, perfect skin and fall-off-the-bone meat.

Finally, enjoy in whatever way you see fit.
The story of how the founder of the Console suicide charity masqueraded as a doctor in a Dublin casualty department back in 1983 caught everyone's imagination this summer. Those of us who trained at the Royal City of Dublin Hospital on Baggot Street in the 1980s were familiar with the story, though few would have believed that the bogus medic would go on to claim millions of euro from the HSE for his services to mental health.

The incident was a major embarrassment for a small hospital where just about everyone knew everyone. There were other candidates for the casualty job. Kelly was fortunate to be a local lad, and nobody rumbled his lack of a medical qualification before he started work. There was a lot going on at the time. The hospital celebrated its 150th anniversary the previous year only to find out that its long-term future was in doubt. A thrusting young Trinity Senator named Shane Ross had just been appointed to the board. 1983 saw both the retirement of the Matron after a decade in charge, and the appointment of the hospital's first ever full-time chaplain. With hindsight, the junior doctors at the time did recollect that their new casualty officer wasn't all that sociable. He tended to avoid the daily camaraderie at the doctors' residence. It was noticed that Kelly preferred the company of medical students to qualified personnel. The benefit of hindsight suggests he was trying to pick up some diagnostic tips and acumen from students, rather than imparting his own more limited clinical knowledge to them.

Ireland doesn't have a particularly proud record when it comes to detecting health fraud. In recent years we have seen cases of bogus surgeons performing home circumcisions, sometimes with lethal consequences. There was a gentleman in south Dublin who masqueraded as a family doctor for a number of years without question. He wrote prescriptions, referred patients for tests and admissions at the local hospital, and even invited a local TD to perform constituency political clinics at his surgery. He was reported to both medical authorities and the police, but it would appear that no case was ever taken against him. I don't believe anyone ever even bothered to check the care of his former 'patients'.

The mass misuse of money at Console isn't the first such scandal at an Irish charity, and it won't be the last. The bigger issue is that those who fund these organisations with millions of euro of your money need to be given a role in rationalising the whole sector. The best way to ensure good management in the voluntary sector is to insist that duplicate organisations become one. There are too many home-grown charities in our voluntary sector - foreign aid, homelessness and drugs are distinctly overpopulated fields that come to mind. But the number of 'mental health' charities really takes the biscuit. Huge amounts of money are siphoned off down the suicide-prevention sideline instead of properly funding and better organising the State mental-health services that already exist. GPs need access to a responsive psychiatric service for public as well as private patients. When I was training, there weren't enough psychiatrists to go around, but the ones we had tended to stay in their jobs for life. Access wasn't great, but continuity of care was excellent. Today the turnover of consultant psychiatrists is such that very often local GPs don't even know the name of the person they are supposed to refer to. Earlier this year I wrote to one mental-health service in Dublin and they were unable to provide me with a list of their psychiatrists available for referral. As a nation, we could spend a lot less on helplines, and more on real help when it's needed.

Theresa May's new regime across the water is determined to ensure that family doctors don't receive a penny more than the pound of flesh they are due. NHS England has hired an outsourcing company to review the patient lists of 8,000 GP surgeries across England. What they are looking for are 'ghost patients' who have not been getting sick often enough. Anyone who has not visited the doctor in the previous five years will be written to and delisted if they don't reply within six months. Some GPs are up in arms at what they call 'list-cleaning.' They claim that low-visiting groups such as older children and young men may miss out on future care. NHS England plan on saving more than 100 a year for each 'cleaned' patient. All the more to invest in outsourced management.

University Challenge is back on the box and all is well again. My hand shot up the other evening when Jeremy Paxman asked which country celebrates Respect for the Aged Day. I knew that one. It's Japan's public holiday that was originally called Old Folk's Day until the PC police got their hands on it. I was born in 1963, the year Japan started handing out silver sake cups to every citizen who reached 100. There were 153 recipients then. Last year, Japan counted almost 62,000 centenarians. Silver is on the up, and politicians are getting worried about the ever-increasing cost of the cups. They considered a proposal to make them out of a cheaper metal, or even wood. Another bright spark said that they could be replaced by a congratulatory letter instead. In the end, they took a leaf from chocolate manufacturers and decided to reduce the size of the cup. A Respect for Politicians Day could be some time off.

Dr Maurice Gueret is editor of the 'Irish Medical Directory'

drmauricegueret.com
Former RTE newsreader Anne Doyle is posing for photos on a sunny morning in St Stephen's Green. Pedestrians take a second look while passing her by and once they have determined that they are indeed looking at the woman who once read the news in their living room, they immediately smile widely.

They continue to smile as they walk away - and, in fact, mirror Anne's own smile, which is wide, warm and radiant. The biggest smile of all comes from a young man in his early twenties, who comes over and asks Anne to pose for a selfie with him. He shakes her hand and gushes about how lovely it is to meet her.

I'm worried that we'll be here all day, so I determinedly move this national treasure in the direction of the Westbury Hotel, where we settle down over coffee to have a chat about Anne's new health campaign.

She is ambassador for the new Pulse Check campaign, which aims to get us all checking our pulse as part of our daily routine.

Expand Close Anne Doyle at home in Leeson Street. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Anne Doyle at home in Leeson Street. Photo: Tony Gavin

"Research at the Mater Private National Arrhythmia Service found that one in three people in Ireland did not know how to check their pulse," Anne tells me.

"I would have been one of those one in three. I would have had a vague idea what my pulse rate should be but not a firm idea. I thought of it in the way many people do. You check your pulse and if there's a pulse you're alive and if there's not, then you're not."

Anne is very much alive, looks a picture of fitness and health and has a tan which, she tells me, is from sitting outside at her home on Leeson Street Lower.

She is elegantly dressed in black and white, and her accessories, including her Prada bag, are on-trend yet refined.

She hasn't joined a gym, mind.

"I'm a very reflective person and I think about it a lot, for about 40 years now," Anne laughs.

Expand Close Happy together: Anne Doyle and her partner Dan McGrattan have been together for over a decade. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Happy together: Anne Doyle and her partner Dan McGrattan have been together for over a decade.

She does walk everywhere and in a way she credits this for her youthfulness.

"I walk and that's because I never learned to drive," Anne says. "It was never on my agenda to drive. I simply never had any interest."

Things not being on Anne's agenda come up again and again in our conversation. But one thing is for certain, this former RTE poster girl is making some changes in her life, now that she is aged 64.

"I eat more healthily than I used to," Anne admits. "That's probably to do with being retired. The working environment, especially unusual hours, long hours, can interfere with that.

"At this age I drink less. I live a less stressful life. I simply have less pressures. I think some people by nature are just more anxious than others. I think I'm an anxious person," she says, admitting that at times she was terrified entering the news studio at RTE to do her job, especially around Budget Day.

Another change Anne is making is that she checks her pulse daily. And wearing her hat as ambassador for Pulse Check campaign, she explains: "An irregular heartbeat is a factor in about 30pc of strokes. Which is a danger to people in my age group. It is a danger in any age group, in fact.

Expand Close Anne Doyle enjoying Ladies' Day at the Dublin Horse Show in the RDS, Dublin. Pic:Mark Condren / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Anne Doyle enjoying Ladies' Day at the Dublin Horse Show in the RDS, Dublin. Pic:Mark Condren

"Around 2,000 people die a year from strokes in Ireland. That's a big figure. There comes a time in your life when you know several people who have suffered a stroke and even for those who have survived it, it is a dreadful experience," Anne says. "Checking your pulse as a preventative measure is a no-brainer."

It makes total sense, of course, and, as Anne says, "it's quick, easy and free."

What wasn't on Anne's agenda, she says, was getting married and having children, by which I understand she means that she never went out looking for these things.

She is happy in her sixties, she says, and is heading off soon to Majorca on holidays with her partner, restaurateur Dan McGrattan, whom she has been with for about 12 years.

"Sometimes, you can look at your life and think I didn't achieve very much," Anne says. "But it's only a blink of the camel's eye isn't it?" she says.

And laughs again.

Suggesting that her heart is very much in the right place and is beating away nicely.

More information on how to check your pulse is available on www.materprivate.ie.
The nearest I have been to the United States for some time has been reading Richard Ford's latest Frank Bascombe book Let Me Be Frank With You.

The four stories in the book has the former sportswriter turned estate agent retired but living again in the New Jersey suburb of Haddam amid the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. It is wonderful sparse writing of wit and candour which unmasks the frailties of American life. I can identify with Frank, for both sad and intellectual reasons, although he gave up journalism many moons ago while I still "ply my pitiful trade". He is mocked for driving a Hyundai: "A hybrid, I suppose, like you Frank," an egotistical bully who bought his old house, now destroyed by the hurricane, berates him.

I finished reading this latest Bascombe book last weekend, the same time as I was driving the Ford Edge, very much an American-style SUV which is built in Canada, coincidentally the title of Richard Ford's best-seller.

I could imagine driving the Edge through the debris left in Sandy's wake as the late-season post-tropical cyclone swept through the Caribbean and up the east coast of the United States in late October 2012.

It looks very big and is absolutely cavernous inside, although the floor of the boot is very high. Strangely for such a large vehicle it will only seat five rather than the seven which seems to be the more popular choice nowadays.

Maybe this is because of the supersized American mothers and their over-large brats (that, of course, is a dreadful and outrageous generalisation) who have been buying it since the first edition came out in 2007. It sold 225,000 units last year of which 120,000 went to the US where it is the biggest selling "Crossover/SUV", a larger vehicle concept than here.

I am not exactly compact-sized myself but it seemed my partner and I were miles apart when we went out over the bank holiday weekend with Sam. That I could get even more lost in my own reveries was not lost on her.

The Edge is far bigger than Ford's Kuga and this year's most popular new car, the Hyundai Tucson.

It seems to be aimed at more of a premium market where Land Rover, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo are scrapping it out with the latter's XC90 being the star performer. But it does remain a Ford despite the posturing and some pretty excellent capabilities. There are premium abilities but not everything has the same promise. Yet it has a permanent and very intelligent AWD system which keeps you informed just where the power is going. It made me feel very confident last weekend and I really wanted to go off-road, find a ford, that word again in its third form, to wade or storm a beach.

The interior is rather humdrum compared to its target market.

However, the version I was driving was incredibly well-equipped with voice-activated systems, automatic safety devices and a lot of sound, sat-nav and other functions which could not be mastered in a week.

Some of the controls were very messy and over-complicated to use when driving. I also found that the large air-ducts could start to freeze you like an Emperor Penguin at the South Pole.

The all-new version of the Edge was launched across the Atlantic last year and has the same underpinning as the S-Max and Mondeo, which shows how good it could drive. It isn't a fast car but will still get you to 100kmh in under 10 seconds, but it takes a lot of work and determination to get this two-tonne beast rolling.

There might be some in this world of continuing desire to go bigger and meatier who want the Edge. It looks dominant, but it's not needed here. It is fine enough - powerful, reasonably fuel-efficient and with lowish emissions - but it is a big car more suited to the US than picking up kids in Ranelagh.

The range starts at 55,700 plus p&p but the Ford Edge Sport being tested, with a massive 25 or so "features" and "additional options" one of which was the inflatable rear-seat belts, was 62,100; powered by a 2.0 turbo diesel engine with 210bhp and there is also a 178bhp available.

There's better stuff out there, more our size. But Ford should be thanked for trying.

If you want to be close to the real America, go to the Richard Ford books or those of John Updike, whose hero Rabbit ran a Lexus franchise.

Of course there's always the Ford Mustang, but that's more of a song and a feeling.
I normally get up at 7am. The first thing I do is check the phone because I do so much of my work on it. Then, by 7.30am, I'm sitting at my laptop with a mug of coffee, checking emails and going through my diary. I'll have breakfast later on in the morning. I live with my parents in Connemara, and I have a room converted into a little office. I'm a blogger, but nowadays, the term blogger seems to be progressing towards digital influencer.

Back in September 2012, I started writing a fashion blog called Penny and Polaroids. It was more like a website. I had just finished an arts degree - English and psychology - and having spent those years in academia, I wanted to do something creative. I was always interested in fashion, and I had started doing modelling two weeks before my Leaving Cert. I did it on and off through college. It was handy, and I liked it.

Then I got into reading fashion blogs, and soon I was obsessed by them. These bloggers would take photos of their outfits every day and they would share links to where you could buy the clothes. So I decided to do the same.

In the beginning, I didn't have the confidence to do it. Because I'm from a small town, I was worried what people would think. I didn't want them to think that I was just putting up pictures of myself. To this day, people still don't really understand it.

Basically, I style an outfit, take photos of it and put links on the website to the shops where I bought it, so my readers can buy the same outfit. Also, I might suggest which sandals or accessories would work best for the look. For years, people have been stopping me on the street, asking me where I got my clothes. So now, when readers log on to my site, I tell them where I bought my dress, or perhaps a cheaper version of it, and then they can buy it for themselves. They use my website as inspiration to style their outfits.

When I started doing this, I was paying for everything myself. I love shopping for clothes anyway, so it was a great excuse for me to do more shopping. Also, I already had so many clothes, so I would put some outfits together, put them on, get my photo taken and post the photo on the website. My boyfriend was always the one taking the photos. I'd make sure that my hair was done and I'd put on some make-up. I'm the worst for throwing on a pair of sunglasses, because if it's sunny, I might be squinting in the photo.

I did this for a few months, and it was just a hobby showing my personal style. Then I started to get quite a bit of recognition. A few magazines in Ireland and the UK started to use my photos. Then brands got in touch with me. They would send me some of their clothes and if I liked some of them, I would feature them on my site. But if I didn't write anything about some of the pieces, they wouldn't follow up on that.

I only say good things on my site. But the thing is - you can't buy dinner with a free jacket, and you can't pay bills with something that is free. So, if you're going to survive in this business, you have to be monetising it. Gradually I started to monetise my social-media channels. I collaborated with brands and I charge a sponsorship fee. My blog was part-time for almost three years, and now I make a full income from it. I'm very ambitious.

My website is like a magazine in that you can flick through the pages, and some of those would be ads, but not all of them are sponsored. I only work with brands that I genuinely love and the quality has to be up to standard.

The amount of money you get from a brand would depend on your reach - the number of followers you have on your social-media channels, such as the blog, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat. I have 20.5k followers on Instagram and close to 10k on Facebook. It all adds up. I prefer to work with less and charge more because I feel that if you work with a lot of brands, you spread yourself a little too thin. I don't want to dilute my opinion.

I have launched a travel section on my website. I write travel pieces and also, I'll take photos of the places I've stayed in and the outfits I've worn while away. Sometimes I will pay for these trips, but a lot of the time, I'm invited. But there is no point in inviting me on my own, or giving me a full itinerary. I need someone to take my photos - obviously I need to be in the photo - and it takes time to do that. My boyfriend is a teacher, so during his holidays, he comes on these trips and takes the photos.

Blogging is all very new. When I met with my accountants, to register as being self-employed, they thought it was really interesting, but they weren't sure about the rules. They wanted to know if I could claim clothes as an expense.

My photos have been picked up by Grazia India and Vogue Australia. They didn't pay me for the photos, but it's all publicity, which then helps with the brands. It shows you that you can do this from anywhere. Here I am in Connemara, and my photos have travelled all over the world.

The days that I am quietest on social media are usually my busiest days. I might be editing, doing bookkeeping, or up in Dublin at press events. I always get the bus so I can work on the laptop. Other days I could be at home, organising photos for the blog. The photos look so glamorous, but I would be the first to admit that there is a lot of work and time behind them. I always have a tan on, and there are so many filters used. It might take 100 photos before we get the perfect one.

When I come back from a trip, I have deadlines, so I could be at the laptop doing 12-hour days at the weekends. I go to bed around 11pm. I enjoy what I'm doing, but I find it hard to switch off. I'm self-employed, so it's up to me to get the work. But I love it. It's so diverse and exciting. You never know what email is coming in next.

See pennyandpolaroids.com
Many this year have mused about how things might have been had the seven signatories of the 1916 Proclamation survived. Perhaps we should ask instead how things might have been, and especially for women, had others not.

I am an Irishwoman with equal rights to those of Irishmen. I am a representative of those children of the nation for whom the Rising was - at its most benign, an important historical event in their lives; at its most venal, the raising of the flag for a period during which the humanity of every Irish woman was not just denied but actively legislated against.

That period ended not in 1919 or 1921 or 1926 or 1937 or 1948, but rather in 1973 when we entered what is now the European Union and our Government was forced not just to remember, reflect and re-imagine the equality they had denied, but actually to give it binding legal expression in line with the Treaty of Rome. Subsequent treaties, and 13 equality directives arising out of those treaties, finally gave to Irishwomen that which their own independent state had not.

That date in 1973 is when the Irish revolution finally happened for the women of this country. We had been to the 1916 party - worn the uniforms, fired the guns, sat in the jails, nursed the sick, waked the dead; the party ended and so, essentially, did we, did any possibility of playing a full and equal role in the subsequent development of this state. Constance Markievicz became a minister in 1919. In 1979, 60 years later, a second woman was appointed to Cabinet.

It took the international world, it took foreigners and strangers, it took outsiders, to bring us back into the light, back into the dancing of the public sphere.

As a student teacher at Trinity in the late 1970s, I wrote my HDip thesis on Pearse and St Enda's, inspired by his writings on the Murder Machine, incredulous that his outline and practice of the mode and matter of a child's education was so at odds with what had been served up in the decades since his death, even if the imposed English system was what Pearse had been decrying.

As many have pointed out, we cannot know what might have been had Pearse and others not died, neither can we know how they would have viewed our progress since 1916. All we can know is what actually happened and not what we imagine might have happened. All we can know is what those who dodged the bullet and those who came after them, actually did do.

In their 2008 work, Una Crowley and Rob Kitchin from the University of Maynooth identified more than 20 separate Government acts and reports between 1923 and 1937 that essentially saw the State join with the Catholic Church in the control of individual sexuality, a control which naturally impacted significantly more on women than on their remembered, imagined or actual sexual partners.

Women were reduced to living, breathing occasions-of-sin, such occasions to be limited as much as possible by narrowing their sphere of operation to the domestic by severely restricting their capacity to act independently through the systematic removal of their financial independence and even of their right to bodily integrity.

It would be 1990 before a man's raping of his wife became a criminal offence.

But what's interesting for us in this year is the gap between the words of the Proclamation - the guarantee of equal rights and equal opportunities for all - and what followed immediately afterwards, even if that guarantee was as revolutionary and novel in its day as the fight for independence itself.

In many ways we are this year celebrating a mirage, imagining, reinventing, re-imagining, whatever, something that if it ever was real was real for women only for that time between Pearse's march to surrender and the peals of rifles that stilled his voice forever one week later.

Perhaps it was the Proclamation itself that was actually shot to ribbons in those days and weeks.

Our entry to the EEC did bring about change, that combined with the efforts of women who essentially challenged the post-revolutionary cultural DNA.

It would be foolish to think that the motivation, at least as regards equal pay, was just some enlightened feminism on the part of the EU.

It was, more prosaically, a desire by the French - who had actually taken the equality piece of their revolutionary mantra seriously - not to be competitively undermined by the absence of equal-pay laws in a new member state.

Nonetheless, a good deal of kicking and screaming had to take place before the Irish were refused a derogation from the 1975 equal pay directive which was finally realised in 1976. Subsequent directives broadened equality and other rights in areas including social protection and maternity leave, measures that slowly enabled women to begin to explore the world outside the domestic.

Since my election as European Ombudsman in 2013, I have often said that the EU liberated my generation of Irishwomen. I tend to follow that up, however, by saying that current generations of young men and young women also need to feel that uplift in their lives and the possibilities of those lives if the Union is to gain the trust and confidence it needs to sustain itself.

When these celebrations end, let's re-imagine this island as a place where equality of possibility matters, and figure out what that actually means in practice - and not just for women, but for every child that draws breath on this island. Pearse and his colleagues died before they could do that, before we could know even if they meant it, if they willed it, if it was for them - unlike for their colleagues who survived and thrived, an integral part of the independence, of the Republic that they craved, killed, and died for.

Emily O'Reilly is the European Ombudsman. This is an edited extract from her address at the opening of the 2016 Parnell Summer School
Ireland rugby ace Jamie Heaslip kicked team celebrations into touch on Sunday night to check out Kodaline at the O2.

The Diary can reveal how the music-loving star (30) left his team-mates' celebrations in the Four Seasons Dublin to attend the Irish stars' sell-out concert.

But he wasn't there alone -- he was joined by his stunning long-term broadcaster girlfriend Sheena O'Buachalla (28) as the pair tried to enjoy some quality time together.

Hordes of rugby fans surrounded Heaslip at the gig when they realised he was there.

"The poor guy hadn't a moment's peace," said an onlooker.

"All the people sitting beside him wanted to get pictures with him and congratulate him on the match.

"He didn't seem to mind, though. He was posing for selfies with them and really seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere."

He and O'Buachalla were invited up to the VIP Audi lounge for a drink after the gig as they caught up with some friends.

A keen music fan, earlier in the month Heaslip and O'Buachalla were seen out together enjoying Hozier's gig in Whelan's in Wexford Street.

The Ireland and Leinster star has been off the market since the summer of 2010 after hooking up with the beautiful former model.

Video of the Day

However, the couple rarely pose for pictures together.

She even managed to avoid being photographed with the other wives and girlfriends who headed over to Paris to cheer on the boys in green.

The brainy Donnybrook native studied business and economics at Trinity College and described previously how modelling had been "just a bit of fun" for her.

The couple moved their romance up a notch last year and she took the big step of moving in with the Naas native -- and his beloved bulldog Jay-Z.

O'Buachalla has always been a big Leinster fan and is a regular attendee of rugby-related events.

(The Herald)
A Syrian hospital supported by the charity Doctors Without Borders and specialising in paediatrics has been destroyed in a series of air strikes which killed 13 people, including five children.

The group said two of four air strikes directly hit the hospital in Millis, in the rebel-held northern province of Idlib, and put it out of service.

Four staff members were killed and six were injured in the attack on Saturday, which destroyed the operating theatre, intensive care unit, paediatric department, ambulances and a generator.

The charity, known as MSF, said the hospital attack deprives 70,000 people in Millis and surrounding areas of essential medical care. The hospital, supported by MSF since 2014, used to receive 250 patients per day, many of them women and children

"The direct bombing of another hospital in Syria is an outrage," said Silvia Dallatomasina, medical manager of MSF operations in north-western Syria.

She called for an immediate end to attacks on hospitals, pointing out that four out of five UN Security Council members are participants in the war in Syria.

Hospitals, mostly in rebel-held areas, are regularly attacked. In July alone, the UN said it recorded 44 attacks on health facilities in Syria.

Syria's government and Russia, a major ally that has been carrying out air strikes in Syria since September, deny targeting health facilities.

In recent days, a number of attacks were reported on medical facilities amid increased violence, and ultimately increased pressure on the health facilities, in northern Syria.

AP
The lawsuit claims that executives at Bayrock, the property development firm behind the Trump SoHo hotel in New York, sought to evade tax. Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty Images

Donald Trump could be taken to court after an investigation found that the Republican presidential nominee signed off on a deal that appears to have deprived the US Treasury of tens of millions of dollars in tax.

Lawyers prosecuting some of Mr Trump's closest business associates in a civil suit, which includes these allegations, believe there may now be cause to include Mr Trump as a defendant.

The Republican presidential candidate will unveil his economic plan in a speech in Detroit today, as he tries to give fresh momentum to his campaign after a disastrous week.

Frederick Oberlander, the lawyer executing the legal action, said reports in the 'Daily Telegraph' included "new" and "relevant" information that may show Mr Trump shares culpability.

The lawsuit claims that executives at Bayrock, the property development firm behind the Trump SoHo hotel in New York, sought to evade tax.
Giuliani: There is certainly every opportunity for Trump to win this election. Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images

Republican Donald Trump's top aides and supporters have downplayed a chaotic week for the New York tycoon after a new poll showed him trailing Democrat Hillary Clinton by eight points.

A 'Washington Post'/ABC News poll at the weekend found Clinton leading among registered voters, with 50pc of support, in the week after the Democratic Party's convention, where she was formally named the presidential nominee. Trump was on 42pc.

"Everyone should calm down about it," said Trump adviser Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor. "There is certainly every opportunity for Trump to win this election."

A Reuters/Ipsos poll on Friday showed the race as being much closer, with Clinton leading by just three percentage points. The poll had a credibility interval of plus or minus three percentage points, meaning that the results showed the race as being roughly even.

Trump backers said voters were just starting to tune into the race for the November 8 election. They said Trump (pictured inset) was back on message after a week of disputes with members of his own party and the parents of a Muslim American soldier who was killed in Iraq.

Those assurances came despite Trump's tendency throughout his campaign to battle his own party and make controversial remarks.

"He is very focused. He knows what he needs to do. I am confident that he's going to start doing it," Paul Manafort, Trump's campaign manager, told Fox News, denying reports that there had been an "emergency meeting" to get Trump on message.

Leaders in Trump's own party distanced themselves from his spat with Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the Gold Star parents who criticised Trump at the Democratic National Convention.

And Republicans were incensed when he initially refused to endorse US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and two US senators in their re-election bids.

He later said that he supported all three.

Former US House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Trump backer, told Fox News that the candidate had made mistakes but that Clinton had made the greater error in her explanations of her use of a private server while she was secretary of state from 2009-2013.

Clinton said at the weekend that she had "short-circuited" a week earlier, when she claimed that the FBI Director, James Comey, had said she had been truthful to the American people about her email server.

In fact, Comey contradicted many statements that Clinton had made about the server.

"I'll take the week. She managed to trump Trump in terms of mistakes," Gingrich said.

US Senator Tim Kaine, Clinton's vice-presidential running mate, defended her email answers on NBC's 'Meet the Press'.

"The bottom line is this. She made a mistake and she said over and over again, 'I made a mistake and I've learned from it and I'm going to fix it, and I apologise for it,'" Kaine said.

Meanwhile, Hollywood superstar Will Smith has waded into the presidential election, saying he believes it is important "to speak out about the insanity" surrounding the race.

Trump had said earlier in the campaign that he would temporarily ban Muslims from entering the United States, sparking outcry, particularly in Dubai, where he has lent his name to several high-profile real-estate projects.

"As painful as it is to hear Donald Trump talk and as embarrassing as it is as an American to hear him talk, I think it's good," Smith said as he visited Dubai to promote his new movie, 'Suicide Squad'.

He continued: "We get to know who people are and now we get to cleanse it out of our country."

The actor said he believed it was his responsibility to create an impression with people "where, when they see a black man, the energy that we had can be what they remember.

"They have to know that your black skin won't hurt them," he said, recalling advice he had received years ago from the late South African leader Nelson Mandela.
All versions of Android devices are vulnerable and there is no fix until next month.

Almost one billion Android devices are affected by a serious security flaw which can give attackers access to all data and hardware, including the camera.

The vulnerability, dubbed Quadrooter was flagged by researchers from Check Point, an international cyber security company.

It affects all devices which use a Qualcomm chip  thought to be in around 900 million phones and tablets. Michael Shaulov, head of mobility product management at Check Point, told tech news website ZDNet two weeks ago of his frustration.

He said: No-one at this point has a device that's fully secure. That basically relates to the fact that there is some kind of issue of who fixes what between Qualcomm and Google."

An attacker would have to dupe a victim into installing a malicious app on the phone, by sending them a link to download, for example.

The app would not require special permissions, allowing a hacker 'root' access.

That means they could see all data and use the camera and microphone.

Qualcomm says it has issued a patch which Google will release next month in its monthly fixes update.

Nexus devices will get it first with other manufacturers expected to follow suit a few days later.

The list of popular affected devices includes but it not limited to, BlackBerry Priv and Dtek50, Google Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 6P, LG G4, LG G5, LG V10, Sony Xperia Z Ultram, HTC One, HTC M9, HTC 10, Blackphone 1 and Blackphone 2.

Apple, BlackBerry, Google, HTC, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, and Samsung were all sent letters by America's Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission earlier this month as part of an investigation into how and when they create fixes.

The agencies do not believe patches are created quickly enough, leaving smartphone users vulnerable, ZDNet reports.
The brother-in-law of one of the men who attacked the Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris has been detained in Bulgaria

The brother-in-law of one of the men who attacked the satirical Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris has been detained in Bulgaria.

Authorities say he is suspected of trying to join extremists in Syria.

Mourad Hamyd was initially suspected of a role in the January 2015 attack on the paper, but his high school classmates launched a successful social media campaign to clear his name - saying he was in class at the time.

"I am a student who lives peacefully with his parents," he said then.

The Paris prosecutor's office said that someone "close to Hamyd" flagged his probable trip to Syria, and he was detained near the border in late July.

Hamyd's sister was married to Cherif Kouachi, one of two brothers who carried out the deadly attack at the Charlie Hebdo offices.

AP
In Berlin, Angela Merkel knows that great strains have been put on the social and physical fabric of her nation by the sheer scale of immigration. Photo: AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

Germany, like much of the rest of Europe, finds itself having to make some very difficult decisions.

A string of tragedies in Germany and France has raised identity questions in Europe. An axe attack on a German train, a massacre in Munich, a suicide bombing in a pretty German market town and the murder of an elderly priest at Mass in a village in Normandy - all coming after a series of mass-casualty atrocities in Nice, Paris and Brussels.

The Continent is on edge.

Yet the reaction of governments is dramatically different. French President Francois Hollande declares that his country is "at war". But Europe's defining response will come in Germany, the country which last year officially offered open house to a million migrants. And the mood there is conflicted. Which way will it go?

In Berlin, Angela Merkel knows that great strains have been put on the social and physical fabric of her nation by the sheer scale of immigration. Yet she remains convinced that honest discipline and administrative efficiency will enable Germany to cope with the surge.

"We can do this," she says again and again. She believes that the controversial "open door" refugee policy was the right - the morally right - thing to do. And she certainly knows that Germany's own ageing demographics mean that its powerful economic machine needs the skills the migrants can bring (or acquire through its excellent apprenticeship systems).

Increasingly, however, German voters are sceptical.

The latest surveys, taken in the wake of the terror attacks, show Ms Merkel's ratings have collapsed by 12pc month on month.

Though she remains popular by standards elsewhere in Europe, just a third of people are happy with her refugee policy, and critics have seen their rating rise.

All this just a year from the German general election. Can the German chancellor respond? Even for a figure as skilful and experienced as she is, the politics of national identity remain an all but taboo topic in Germany, a country still hyper-sensitive to its Nazi past.

The problem is that if establishment politicians do not tackle this issue, other less palatable forces will. In Germany, as elsewhere, virulent resentment is growing among those who feel left behind and ignored by "elites", stirring uncomfortable memories of the Weimar years.

There is a dangerous disconnect. What seems rational to Germany's leaders - the "open door" policy - threatens the identity of many of the country's voters. Too many migrants suffer an identity crisis born of a toxic mixture of uprootedness and rejection. And too many of their new neighbours see their identity threatened by the alien cultures of others who compete for their jobs.

Too often each acts to confirm the other in their mutual fears and resentments. And for those whose living is hard, the resentment boils over into violence, because they have nothing to lose.

Germany is not unique in this. France knows it well. Terror attacks there have also been a more direct assault on a country that sees itself above all as a secular democracy, where free speech is as sacred as peaceful religious observance.

This is why the French establishment - not just the far right - has reached for the vocabulary of war. Britain knows the problem too. Brexit was in the end about identity.

An establishment reared on the principles of the European enlightenment - whether in Germany, Britain or France - finds it hard to recognise that for voters, identity runs deeper than rational self-interest.

What is to be done? For Germany, honest confrontation with the cultural and social challenges of integration is clearly going to be more important than ever. But this is not just a matter of the right policies of economics, education and care for the marginalised - important though these things unquestionably are.

Something else is called for throughout Europe, including Britain: open debate about identity.

None of us can go back to simpler times when we could take the answers for granted.

None of us can duck this debate, uncomfortable though it is. With a general election coming, this is Ms Merkel's greatest challenge yet.

Stephen Green is the author of 'The European Identity: Historical and Cultural Realities We Cannot Deny'
A local takes a photo of damaged vehicles following floods in the village of Stajkovci, near Skopje

At least 21 people have died after the Macedonian capital of Skopje was hit by torrential rain and floods.

Six people are missing and more than 60 were hospitalised, as police and army helicopters searched for survivors and evacuated hundreds from the flood zone.

Heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms hit the city and its northern suburbs late on Saturday night. Special police, army units and firefighters were sent to the worst-hit areas as well as the nearby villages of Stajkovci, Aracinovo and Smiljkovci.

Hundreds of homes and vehicles were destroyed by the floods, roads are still impassable and several areas are without electricity. Authorities said more than 1,000 people had been evacuated so far.

Mayor of Skopje Koce Trajanovski described the damage as "the worst Skopje has ever seen". Health Minister Nikola Todorov said the death toll could soon rise. He said the government planned to declare a state of emergency shortly for two weeks in the most affected region.

"We can officially report 18 people dead and just a while ago we have received the reports of three more deaths, so the total number will be probably 21 victims," Mr Todorov said.

Most victims drowned in their houses when torrents swept through the area. Meteorologists said more torrential rain and strong winds were expected late last night.

Authorities urged people to stay at home and to only drink bottled water.

Further north in Croatia, stormy winds have disrupted roads at the height of the tourist season.
A demonstrator is led away as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers an economic policy speech to the Detroit Economic Club (AP)

At least a dozen women interrupted a major economic speech by Donald Trump by jumping up and shouting in a co-ordinated effort to disrupt the Republican presidential nominee's remarks.

One at a time, women seated throughout the audience stood up and yelled "Mr Trump", but their continued shouts were quickly drowned out by boos as security led them from the room.

An organisation called the Michigan People's Campaign said it was behind the protest. It was hard to hear the women, but the group said they were yelling at Mr Trump about jobs and his comments on women.

"It's all very well planned out," Mr Trump said after security had led several protesters out of the venue in Detroit.

In an apparently separate incident, one man also stood up towards the end of the event and yelled that Mr Trump has "tiny hands". That was believed to be in reference to a sexually-tinged comment by primary rival Marco Rubio.

Protesters have occasionally disrupted Mr Trump's larger rallies, where members of the public can enter. But this was the first time he faced such sustained resistance at a policy speech delivered to a private group.

He was speaking to the Detroit Economic Club and most people in attendance were club members or their guests.

Mr Trump largely stayed on message as security removed the protesters. He paused to let the disruption subside several times and occasionally continued speaking through protesters as the audience offered him applause and standing ovations.

"The Bernie Sanders people have far more energy and spirit," Mr Trump said after one woman was taken from the room.

Several audience members shouted "we love you, Trump" and other messages of support.

In his speech, Mr Trump outlined an overhaul of the income tax proposal he unveiled during the Republican primary campaign, increasing the amount that would be paid by the highest-income earners.

He said he wants to simplify the tax code to three brackets - 12%, 25% and 33% of income.

That is a change from September 2015, when he proposed four brackets that would pay zero, 10%, 20% and 25%.

Mr Trump said the "tax simplification will be a major feature" of his plan, and called it "the biggest tax revolution since the Reagan tax reform".

He insisted: " We will make America grow again."

Mr Trump is expected to roll out a series of new policy proposals in the coming weeks as he tries to steady his floundering campaign.

He has previously largely avoided policy specifics in his campaign, focusing instead on broad goals.

Mr Trump said he will unveil a proposal to reduce the cost of childcare and increase choices for parents.

He said he has been working on the plan with his daughter Ivanka, who is one of his top advisers.

Mr Trump also said he plans to lay out an education proposal that focuses on school choice, as well as one addressing law and order that would propose new funding and support for law enforcement officers.

Outside the Cobo Centre where Mr Trump was speaking, hundreds of protesters gathered.

Some held what appeared to be sections of white sheets with bricks and "No Borders" painted on them. Another sign read: "Trump Demeans Women".

A much smaller group of Trump supporters gathered nearby. One of their banners read: "Trump, Make America Great Again!"
The opposition-held area of Aleppo got its first delivery of food in three weeks yesterday, after rebels managed to break the siege on the Syrian city.

Several trucks carrying fruit and vegetables made it through the route opened by victorious fighters.

The eastern districts of Syria's second city have been suffering severe food shortages since government forces cut the last road out on July 17. Aid agencies had warned of the risk of starvation for the remaining 300,000 residents, who have been surviving on mostly rice and lentils.

Civilians still remained trapped yesterday, however, as the road, under regular attack, was not yet safe enough for them to use.

"The Great Battle for Aleppo", as the opposition has dubbed it, saw an unprecedented alliance of around 10,000 rebels, Islamists and jihadists fighting regime troops for control of the city's southern suburbs.

Much of the manpower came from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (JFS) - until recently known as the Nusra Front and affiliated with al-Qa'ida - which brought in reinforcements from its various strongholds across the country.

Footage released by the group showed fighters from inside the city linking up with others on the outskirts after they managed to overrun the government's military complex in the Ramussa district, seizing huge caches of weapons.

Since the start of the offensive a week ago, more than 700 fighters from both sides have been killed, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor. Most have been suffered by the rebel side, which has been bombarded by Russian air strikes.

The news of the liberation was met with euphoric scenes on the streets of eastern Aleppo. But celebrations were short-lived after regime warplanes began pounding the city in retaliation.

Doctors at the Omar bin Abdulaziz hospital said patients and staff took cover in the basement for most of night.

"Everyone is staying in the safest room," said Dr Fatima AlMousalem, whose hospital has been targeted several times in recent weeks. "We expected this bloody attack from the Assad regime. It happens every time they lose ground."

The defeat is a crushing one for Assad's government, which sees Aleppo as the prize in the civil war.

Both sides have thrown everything they have at the battle for the city, as each believes its fate will decide the outcome of the conflict.

But the beleaguered Syrian army has become increasingly reliant on air support from Russia, and on Afghan recruits from the Lebanese Shia militia Hizbollah, on the ground.

The rebel advance now endangers a major highway linking the government-controlled part of Aleppo to the outside world, leaving an estimated population of 1.2 million at risk of losing a supply line. ( Daily Telegraph, London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Three other foreigners who were kidnapped in Kabul in the past year have been released

Five gunmen wearing military uniforms have abducted an American and an Australian in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

An Afghan security official said that the two foreigners were taken from their vehicle on a main road near the American University of Afghanistan. They are believed to be employees of the university.

Australia's department of foreign affairs and trade said that its embassy in Kabul was seeking to "verify reports of the kidnapping".

Three other foreigners who were kidnapped in Kabul in the past year have been released.

An Australian woman, Kerry Jane Wilson, was abducted in the eastern city of Jalalabad in April. Her whereabouts are unknown.
The alleged assault is said to have taken place at the Olympic Village (AP)

Namibia's flag bearer during the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics has been arrested in a sexual assault probe, four days after another Olympic boxer was accused of attacking two housekeepers in the Olympic Village.

Authorities said a housekeeper at the village told police she was assaulted by 22-year-old Jonas Junius, a boxer who competes in the light-middleweight division. Junius is scheduled to fight Frenchman Hassan Amzile on Thursday.

Namibia's embassy or its Olympic officials are yet to comment.

Brazilian law classifies as rape any sexual-related assault, and it is punishable with up to 10 years in prison.

Last week, Moroccan boxer Hassan Saada was arrested by police after allegedly assaulting two female cleaners.

A Brazilian judge ordered his detention for 15 days, pending an investigation, putting his appearance at the Olympics at risk.

AP
Marco Rubio, the Florida senator who dropped out of the Republican race for the White House in March, has said he does not believe pregnant women infected with the Zika virus should be allowed to have abortions  despite the risk of their babies being born with microcephaly.

"I understand a lot of people disagree with my view  but I believe that all human life is worthy of protection of our laws," he told Politico.

Expand Close South Beach, Miami. Photo: Deposit / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp South Beach, Miami. Photo: Deposit

And when you present it in the context of Zika or any prenatal condition, its a difficult question and a hard one.

"But if Im going to err, Im going to err on the side of life."

Read More

The virus has begun spreading via mosquitoes in the state of Florida, where 16 people are now believe to have caught the disease locally.

A square mile of Miami has been declared a no-go zone for pregnant women to protect developing fetuses.

Expand Close The Aedes aegypti mosquito is behind the large outbreaks of the Zika virus in Latin America and the Caribbean (AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp The Aedes aegypti mosquito is behind the large outbreaks of the Zika virus in Latin America and the Caribbean (AP)

Read More

Until now, the biggest risk to Americans has been catching the disease overseas.

The virus causes only minor symptoms in adults but has been linked to birth defects in babies, including microcephaly  abnormally small heads  which can cause seizures and developmental delays.

Mr Rubio added: "Obviously, microcephaly is a terrible prenatal condition that kids are born with. And when they are, its a lifetime of difficulties. So I get it.

Im not pretending to you that thats an easy question you asked me. But Im prolife. And Im strongly pro-life.

I believe all human life should be protected by our law, irrespective of the circumstances or condition of that life."

The Florida outbreak has sparked a huge public health response, as local workers try to eradicate the mosquito responsible.

Barack Obama asked Congress for $1.9bn of funding to help tackle the problem but it has been blocked in the Senate. House Republicans added several unrelated provisions to the bill, including a measure to defund Planned Parenthood, the women's health provider.

The Florida outbreak has sent local officials into damage control mode, as they try to protect the state's lucrative tourism industry.

Rick Scott, the governor, toured the Zika hot zone of Wynwood and insisted: "We have a safe state."
A friend said Calvin Riley was playing Pokemon Go when he was attacked

A college student has been shot dead while playing Pokemon Go at a San Francisco tourist attraction.

The a uthorities say 20-year-old Calvin Riley was shot on Saturday night by an unknown assailant at Aquatic Park near Ghiradelli Square.

The US Park Police and local homicide detectives are investigating what led to the shooting.

A family friend told KGO-TV that Mr Riley and a friend were playing the popular mobile game when someone came up and shot the young man in the back and ran away.

"From what we know there was no confrontation. There was nothing said back and forth. It was just senseless, just came up and shot in the back and ran away for nothing," John Kirby said.

He said Mr Riley and his friend had noticed someone watching them from the top of a hill that overlooks the park, but it was dark and they were mostly looking at their mobile phones.

National Park Service spokesman Lynn Cullivan said investigators believe there are witnesses to the attack because it happened in the bustling Fisherman's Wharf area.

Sgt Robert Jansing, a detective with the US Park Police, said the gunman did not take any of Mr Riley's belongings or try to rob him.

Pokemon Go has become am international sensation this summer as legions of fans visit real-world landmarks in order to find and trap cartoon creatures.

But the game's popularity has created unintended consequences in everyday life. Property owners complain of players trespassing or damaging their grounds and scores of players have been injured or robbed as they stare at their phones in search of digital monsters.

Law enforcement officials have warned about the game's possible dangers, saying players can become engrossed in the game and tune out from their surroundings.

AP
SC superintendent race: business donors, teacher's movement, fate of public schools

Millions have flowed into SC's superintendent race where a teachers' movement is up against a network of politicians and business owners
SHARE

By Kirk Brown of the Independent Mail

A 2-year-old boy, a pregnant woman and three other adults are being treated at a burn center after a boat exploded Sunday afternoon on Lake Hartwell.

All five occupants on the boat were thrown into the water after it exploded about 100 yards from shore at Long Point Recreation Area, which is 5 miles east of Hartwell, Georgia. The explosion, which happened about 3 p.m. Sunday, sent a thick plume of black smoke billowing into the sky.

People in a nearby swimming area helped bring the driver of the boat and the other passengers to shore, said Georgia Department of Natural Resources Sgt. Stan Elrod. He said the boat's occupants were from Elbert County, Georgia.

The pregnant woman was flown by helicopter to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia. The three other adults and the child were taken by ambulance to the burn center.

None of the people on the boat suffered life-threatening injuries, Elrod said. Two of the people were undergoing skin-graft surgery on Monday afternoon, he said.

Authorities believe the boat was a Sea Ray measuring 20 or 21 feet in length that was powered by an inboard motor. Elrod said the boat burned almost to the waterline.

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

Firefighters, emergency medical personnel and sheriff's deputies from Hart County joined Georgia Department of Natural Resources officers in responding to the explosion.

Follow Kirk Brown on Twitter @KirkBrown_AIM
SHARE

By Charlie Bauder, Special to the Independent Mail

Georgia Power recently announced it plans to close its business office in Toccoa.

Starting in October, Georgia Power will operate 27 business offices across the state with up to three business offices in each region, according to a news release. These 27 offices are the busiest in the state with the majority handling more than 100,000 customer transactions per year.

In northeast Georgia, those offices will be in Athens and Gainesville.

Georgia Power Spokesman John Kraft said these changes are in response to changing trends with customer payments across the state.

"One of the changes we have noticed over the past decade is that payment transactions have shifted from our traditional business offices and postal mail to electronic payments," said Kraft. "They currently account for 50 percent of all payments."

For those payments, Georgia Power has its 24-hour Customer Service line, a smartphone app, and online options at www.georgiapower.com.

But for those who want to or need to pay in person, Kraft said Georgia Power has plans to expand its network of authorized payment locations across Georgia.

"These are places that customers are likely shopping at already, such as grocery stores or pharmacies ... where you can go to the customer service counter and pay your Georgia Power bill and have it instantly credited on your Georgia Power account," Kraft said. "Currently, we have 2,700 of those and we are looking to expand that to about 5,300 locations by the end of the year."

While the Toccoa payment center and business office will close, Kraft says a presence will remain at the Toccoa office.

"If it is an operations center where trucks operate out of, lineman dispatch from, those will still be in place," said Kraft.
Nihar Info Global applies for trademark registration for 'ONVO' Nihar Info Global Limited informed to the exchanges that it has successfully applied for Trademark registration of its private label "ONVO" under the 'Trademark Classes 18 and 21. ... October 28, 2022 | 28-10-2022 2:37 pm

Rupee rises 4 paisa to 82.29/$ Early on Friday, the rupee strengthened against the US dollar by 4 paise to 82.29, helped by a weak US dollar in the international market and strong local equities. The influx of new fore... October 28, 2022 | 28-10-2022 2:30 pm

PNB Housing Finance's net profit increases by 12% PNB Housing Finance announced on Thursday that its September 20222023 quarter net profit increased by 11.7% to Rs 262.63 crore, thanks to a little increase in core income. In the same period... October 28, 2022 | 28-10-2022 2:25 pm

Dhanuka Agritech soars ~8% as board to consider buyback Dhanuka Agritechs stock surged as much as 8% in Fridays intraday session and touched a high of Rs742. The company stated in its filing with the exchanges that at its ensuing ge... October 28, 2022 | 28-10-2022 2:18 pm

Markets trade flat amid volatility; Nifty below 17,800 dragged by metals Domestic benchmark indices in a volatile session and trading flat after a gap-up opening on Friday. Both the Sensex and Nifty benchmarks are in the green during the afternoon market session ami... October 28, 2022 | 28-10-2022 2:00 pm
As of January 1, 2015, all states are somehow involved in sex education for public schoolchildren. In particular, 22 states and the District of Columbia require public schools to teach sex education. But, is this really best for our kids? And, if so, is the material taught adequate and appropriate for todays society?

You see, adolescents are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Young people ages 15 to 24 represent 25 percent of the sexually active population, but acquire half of all new STIs. Furthermore, an estimated 3.2 million adolescent females are infected with at least one of the most common STIs. (Source: Ncsl.org)

The United States still has the highest teen birth rate in the industrialized world. Roughly one in four girls will become pregnant at least once by their 20th birthday. Sadly, teenage mothers are less likely to finish high school and more likely than their peers to live in poverty, depend on public assistance and experience overall poor health. (Source: Sex-education-magnom.blogspot.com)

The main point: sexual activity has consequences. Just as we are taught to say no to drugs, our kids need to be taught to practice safe sex, act responsibly and be aware of related consequences.

A recent poll by National Public Radio, the Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvards Kennedy School of Government found only 7 percent of Americans believe sex education should not be taught in schools. Moreover, in most places there is even little debate about what kind of sex education should be taught.

While sex education is now required in our schools, we must improve and revamp exactly what is taught in schools. With so much content easily accessible through online video, cellphones and social media, our kids are often over-stimulated and faced with different challenges than previous generations. For example, more than one in 10 (13 percent) 14- to 24-year-olds has shared a naked photo or video of themselves via digital communication such as the Internet or text messaging. This type of exchange of explicit sexual messages or images, by mobile phone or email, is known as sexting. (Source: Athinline.org)

As such, educators must ensure sex education is relatable to todays kids. Karen, a high school junior from San Francisco, said the video shown in her class was too long, boring and contained an unnecessary amount of shock value. I think our sex education class would have been much more effective if it was more realistic, younger people other than their regular teachers leading the discussion, and real life students interviewed or featured in the video, stated Karen.

According to a 2011 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey, more than 47 percent of all high school students say they have had sex, and 15 percent of high school students have had sex with four or more partners during their lifetime. Among students who had sex in the three months prior to the survey, 60 percent reported condom use and 23 percent reported birth control pill use during their last sexual encounter.

I absolutely think sexual education and sexual health should be taught in school. If our kids dont get the information from school, they will get it elsewhere and it may not always be accurate, said Michele Blackburn, a mother of a 20-year-old daughter in college. In addition, todays popular culture makes sex not only the norm, but also glamorizes and minimizes it all together.

Just as some parents rely on schools to teach their kids core subjects, they must also look to schools to impart thorough and accurate knowledge around sexual activity and sexual health while recommending additional resources for support, if needed. This will, in turn, create opportunities for honest dialogue.

That is not to say that parents shouldnt play a role in educating their own kids about sex and sexual health. As with academics, it is vital that parents reinforce and discuss this delicate subject with their kids at home. Providing students with age-appropriate comprehensive sexual health education is instrumental as we strive to teach them to take personal responsibility for their health and well-being.

All kids must be armed with the critical skills and tools they need to make healthy decisions about sex, sexual health and relationships. After all, it is far more effective than denying them information altogether and telling them to simply say no to sex.

Kevin Chavous was born and raised in Indianapolis and graduated from Wabash College. He is a founding board member and executive counsel for the American Federation for Children and the Alliance for School Choice, a noted author and national education reform leader.
This Wednesday, August 10th, Congressman Andre Carson (IN-07) in cooperation with Ivy Tech Community College will host a job fair in Indianapolis.

The fair will feature 150 employers and over 3,500 open positions. Additionally, nearly half of this years participating employers will offer some form of tuition benefits to prospective employees.

Congressman Carson has made the Central Indiana Job Fair an annual event as part of his efforts to serve Indianapolis.

Putting Hoosiers back to work is my top priority in Congress, said Carson. The job market is still in flux and there are too many good people looking for work. I hope anyone who is looking for a job in Central Indiana will join me on Wednesday.

What: 7th annual Central Indiana Job Fair

When: Wednesday, August 10th 9AM-3PM

Where: Ivy Tech Corporate College and Culinary Center, 2820 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46208

For a list of featured employers click here: www.ivytech.edu/hireivy/events.
The Mohegan Tribe owns and operates the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. Photo from Facebook



I asked a Mohegan Sun spokesman if anyone wanted to comment about the ongoing protests of Chick-fil-A. I got back a statement from Bobby Soper, president of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, that said, essentially, people like the food. "The popularity of Chick-fil-A is undeniable, with enthusiastic fans driving miles out of their way to enjoy the Chick-fil-A experience," the Soper statement said. Who cares if it is run by a homophobe, he might have added. It's a crime for Donald Trump to make disparaging remarks about American Indians, as he once did about some here in Connecticut, but bring on the gay bashers. I find it curious that an American Indian tribe that has built its success on a public policy of righting past wrongs against its people would be so insensitive to civil rights complaints. Maybe some Connecticut lawmakers with an interest in civil rights will be paying attention when the Mohegans come back to the General Assembly asking for the special privilege of opening a third Connecticut casino.

Get the Story: David Collins: Skip Mohegan Sun Chick-fil-A; eat at Foxwoods (The New London Day 8/7)

Also Today: Chick-fil-A coming to Mohegan Sun (The New London Day 8/3) Chick-fil-A makes its way to Mohegan Sun (The Norwich Bulletin 8/3)

Join the Conversation
While the deaths of Kashmiris during the clashes with armed forces post Burhan Wani's encounter on July 8th are mourned and spoken about at length by country's intelligentsia, not many have given much heed to the number of soldiers getting injured with the stones that are being pelted by Kashmiris during the clashes.

BCCL

More than 3300 security personnel have got injured including the death of two J&K police personnel in over a 1000 clashes that have took place in valley since Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed by security forces in an encounter in first half of July. "Since July 2016, 3,329 personnel from Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Paramilitary Forces have been injured while maintaining law and order in the valley," a police spokesman told PTI on Sunday.

BCCL

The deaths of Kashmiris during the clashes and injuries inflicted upon them by pellet guns have invoked discourses and discussions whether India mistreats Kashmiri people while garrulously claiming them to be its own. But the pain and agony of soldiers who these stone peltors is seldom seen and understood.

"Besides two personnel from JKP were killed in the violent protests in the valley," he said. A total of 1,018 incidents of violence were reported during this period for which 1,030 FIRs were registered in different police stations of the valley.

BCCL

"As many as 29 installations including police stations, police posts and other government establishments were set ablaze and 51 damaged by the protesters," informed the police.

Though 52 young Kashmiris have lost their lives, more than 5000 have got injured and more than 1000 have been arrested for violence, but injuries to security personnel shall not be overlooked. Referring to efforts of police to end the violent protests,the officer said more than 1,000 accused have been arrested and "bound down in different police stations of the valley".

BCCL

More than 200 civilians have been hit by pellets in their eyes with many of them at the risk of losing eyesight, leading to calls for ending the use of pellet guns as a weapon for crowd control.
Terrorist and master mind of 26/11, Hafiz Saeed from his safe havens has often been seen spitting venom against India, now Hizbul Mujahideen Chief, Syed Salahuddin has also joined his league and threaten India of nuclear war over Kashmir issue. Speaking to journalists in his safe haven in Karachi, Salahuddin said that there is a great chance of nuclear warfare between two powers over issue of Kashmir.

BCCL

"Pakistan is duty bound, morally bound, politically bound and constitutionally bound to provide concrete, substantial support to the ongoing freedom struggle on the territory of Kashmir. And, if Pakistan provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between the two powers," he said. Salahuddin said that since three wars have already been fought over Kashmir between two countries, a fourth war which is likely to be nuclear in nature looks possible because Kashmiris are in no mood to compromise to Indian establishment under any circumstances; and it's Pakistan's duty to support Kashmiris even if it has wage a nuclear war against its neighbour.

BCCL

"Whether the world supports them or not; whether Pakistan stands by them or not; whether the United Nation performs its duty or not; they have taken a pledge to fight up to the last drop of their blood," said Salahuddin. He also warned International Community that if it doesn't a pay heed to voice of Kashmiris, it would be catastrophic for the region.

"If God forbid, the international community continues to cold shoulder and ignore this issue and Pakistan's efforts are not fruitful, and India does not stop its atrocities, a big incident can occur. Our base camp in liberated Azad Kashmir and the Kashmiris from this side will announce the trampling of the Bloody Line (of Control)," he said.

BCCL

Following the footsteps of Pakistan PM, Nawaz Sharif, Hizbul leader also declared Burhan Wani, a martyr.

"After the martyrdom of Burhan Muzaffar Wani, why did the entire state come out on to the streets against India? Actually Burhan is not the name of a person; it is the name of an ideology, a goal, the name of a dedication and a sentiment. At this point in time, the Indian troops are faced with Burhan in every street and lane. Every old person is Burhan, every child is Burhan, every young man is Burhan and every mother, daughter and sister is Burhan," said Salahuddin.
Coming down heavily on the perpetrators of violence on dalits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said, "If you want to attack, attack me, not dalits. If you want to shoot, shoot me".

BCCL

The Prime Minister was addressing a party meet in Hyderabad where he slammed the recent attacks on the dalit community and condemned the politics over the dalit issue. Attacking his political rivals, PM said, "Some people who thought that they control dalit votes could not digest the fact that people are now getting to know about BJP's good work."

Also Read: Dalit Youths In Bihar Thrashed And Urinated Upon For Alleged Theft Of A Motorcycle

Modi's choice of Hyderabad to denounce the attacks on Dalits is significant as his government had drawn a lot of flak following the suicide by a Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula in the city which had triggered campus unrest in several parts of the country.

BCCL

Upset over the numerous incidents of such violence, the PM evoked the 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the entire world is a family) ideology, which is the fabric of Indian culture and said that it is a shame that we are attacking our own brothers and sisters. "We are the people who talk about 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' and if we cannot embrace our dalit brothers and sisters, the world will not forgive us," PM Modi said.

"What right do we have to ill-treat our dalit sisters and brothers," he asked in his speech which lasted for about 45 minutes. I want to tell everyone that discrimination between people is not acceptable. We must stop this," he said.

BCCL

Numerous cases of atrocities against the dalit community have been reported in the recent past and the opposition parties have been questioning PM Modi's silence over the issue.

Also Read: 11 Major Incidents Of Violence Against Dalits Which Show How Badly We Treat Them

Concluding his address, PM Modi urged his partymen and country at large to protect the dalits. "We have to protect the marginalised and the dalits. It is our duty," he said.
Posters threatening Kashmiri Pandits and Hindus to leave the Valley have come up, almost overnight, near the transit accommodations for government employees in south Kashmirs Pulwama district. The posters have been made on the letterhead of Lashkar-e-Islam (Army of Islam), which is interestingly a competitor of Hizbul Mujahideen, to whom terrorist Burhan Wani had sworn allegiance.

The posters read: all migrants/RSS agents to leave Kashmir or face death.

No space for Kashmiri Pandits who want another Israel in Kashmir to kill Kashmiri Muslim, The poster has gone viral after it was shared on micro blogging site twitter by Panun Kashmir leader and film maker Ashok Pandit as message for all the pseudo liberals, white-collared terrorists & other pimps of terrorists.

To all the pseudo liberals, white-collared terrorists & other pimps of terrorists, this is for ur kind information. pic.twitter.com/XDNA6lqDRb  Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) August 6, 2016

Superintendent of Police Rayees Mohammad Bhat said that miscreants could have caused it, to create fear among the minority Hindu community, as the Lashkar-e-Islam has no presence in South Kashmir. However, Kashmir Pandit families, as well as government employees had sought to migrate to Jammu or out of J&K - they haven't forgotten the ghost of the 1990s, when "mosques issued declarations that the Kashmiri Pandits were Kafirs and that the males had to leave Kashmir, convert to Islam or be killed...to leave their women behind..."

Thousands Of Kashmiri Pandits Celebrate Kumbh Mela For The First Time In 75 Years

Threats to burn Kashmiri girls alive  for driving scooters

Recently, a hitherto unheard organization, which calls itself 'Sangbaaz Association Jammu and Kashmir, Azad Kashmir' has issued a 'Taliban-style' diktat against women and shopkeepers in the valley. The chilling warning, issued through posters threatens the Kashmiri girls of death if they would be seen driving their two-wheelers on the streets.

We request all girls, please do not use Scooty. If we see any girl who rides Scooty, we will burn the Scooty as well as the girl. Issuing a 'last warning' against shops, banks and commercial establishments against opening them "till the end of this fight." This is for the first time, the fringe group otherwise only know for stone-pelting at Indian army during protests have come out with such a stern warning.

Clearly playing the anti-Hindu game

One narrative has put the blame on the Indian army. However a recent report reveals that it is separatists who are extending a shutdown of Kashmir in the name of protests  and have even warned police officers and bureaucrats by naming them

Mosques here are blaring anti-India slogans, asking youth to join insurgency.

The Pandits speak up

In Jammu, various Kashmiri Hindu organisations came together to protest against the violence the Kashmiri Pandit community faces. "The Government of India and state government has failed to protect displaced Kashmiri Hindu employees from mob attacks and fear psychosis due to mob attacks, triggering their second migrant from valley. The government has failed to stop this migration", All Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) Chairman Vinood Pandita said.

Also read: Muslims Perform Last Rites For An 84-Year-Old Kashmiri Pandit In A Shining Example Of Humanity
Malleswara Rao, a 53-year-old businessman crashed to his death in a paragliding accident in Coimbatore on Sunday. Seconds after he had soared up, lifted by a mini-load van, he crashed to the CODISSIA Grounds. The event was organised by Coimbatore Medical College to celebrate its Golden Jubilee, and Rao had paid a Rs 500 fee to participate.

ndtv

The incident was reportedly caused by a failure in safety procedure - the safety belt did not attach to the gear. He was pronounced dead soon after he was rushed to a hospital.

#WATCH: 52-year-old dies in a paragliding accident in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu https://t.co/5dnaFtTsnB  TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) August 7, 2016

According to a report in the Times of India, the ground is located near Coimbatore International Airport. But preliminary inquiries revealed that the club had not obtained permission from the Airport Authority of India to conduct the event.
Police have arrested a school manager who banned his students from reciting the national anthem on Independence Day, a time honored moment of unity across India. Authorities have set about sealing the school, which was allegedly running illegally.

cloudfront/representative image

Is it illegal to prevent people from singing the anthem? Turns out it is - Zia-ul Haq, manager of MA Convent School in Baghara locality, was booked under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act

A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to look into how the school was allowed to run for two decades without any clearance from authorities and the allegation against the manager, they said.

indianexpress

BJP had demanded action against the school while local units of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Hindu Yuva Vahini had on Sunday threatened to launch an agitation if the school was not shut down within 72 hours.

"Orders for sealing the school have been issued.

"The education department has been requested to arrange shifting of nearly 300 students enrolled there to some other school so that their studies do not suffer," officiating District Magistrate of Allahabad Andra Vamsee said.

AFP/representative image

An FIR was filed by the education department in the matter which came to light when eight of the school's teachers, including its principal, resigned last week after they were denied permission to hold recital of the national anthem during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. The manager has already banned national song Vande Mataram and Saraswati Vandana.

Haq had defended the move, claiming that the phrase 'Bharat Bhagya Vidhata' in the national anthem's opening stanza violated the basic tenets of Islam.

The manager said the anthem goes against the community and should not be allowed to be sung in schools. The manager is running two schools and both are not affiliated. The school in Saidabad has 330 students and 20 teachers. On Friday, teachers of a particular community 'quit' their jobs in protest against the decision of the manager.

"I had said that in the National Anthem there is a line 'Bharat Bhagya Vidhata...' which was misconstrued. 'Bharat' cannot be our Almighty or master of fate and it is 'Allah', who has the power to change our future and no one else," he said.

Principal Ritu Shukla said, "I was supposed to make preparations for Independence Day programme. The National Anthem was to be sung after the unfurling of the Tricolour. We had also lined up Saraswati Vandana and Vande Mataram for the event.

ANI

The DM said, "A magisterial probe has also been ordered to look into how the school was allowed to run for two decades without any clearance from authorities. Education department officials say that recently they had even sent a notice asking them to shut down the school which was being run illegally".

"Moreover, the school's manager has reportedly said that he has never allowed recital of the national anthem ever since the school started.

ANI

"The investigation will also cover this issue and it would be probed as to whether there had been complaints in the past against the school on this count and if so what action was taken," he said.

Vamsee said that the manager was arrested when it was observed that "the controversy was creating some tension".

Basic shiksha adhikari Jaikaran Yadav said, "No school manager can stop teachers or students to sing the National Anthem or any other patriotic song. We had initiated a probe and action will be taken accordingly." It could have resulted in animosity between members of different communities, he added. Meanwhile, police and Provincial Armed Constabulary have been deployed in the vicinity of the school to prevent any untoward incident in the area, Additional SP (City) Rajesh Yadav said.

Also Read: Police Complaint Filed Against Sunny Leone For Allegedly Singing The National Anthem Incorrectly
On an ordinary Saturday morning, hundreds of Mumbaikars put aside Pokemon Go hunting for something more meaningful - collecting trash from Versova beach.

Within 5 hours, they picked up 2.8 lakh kilos (2,84,000 kg)

BCCL

The initiative involved UN representatives, including the United Nations Environment Programme-appointed Patron of the Oceans, Lewis, Versova Residents Volunteers (VRV), Students from the Whistling Woods International Film and Television Institute, lawyers from the Andheri Bar Association, members of the Koli Samaj (local fishing community) and representatives of the All India Plastic Manufacturers Association.

The trash was moved to the Deonar dumping ground.

Thousands Of Tons In Garbage At India's Biggest Dumping Ground 'Deonar' Will Help Generate Electricity!

Cleaning on the the 2.5 km beach beach has yielded almost 2 million kgs of trash - in 43 weeks.

We saw that the enthusiasm of the citizens is infectious. We had almost 500 people on Saturday and it is clear that the drive is gaining momentum, Afroz Shah, lawyer and founder, VRV told HIndustan Times.

The United Nations Patron of Oceans Lewis Pugh and his team had announced plans to visit the beach, which he says is the "biggest beach clean-up in history''.

BCCL

He had told the Times of India "Yes, I will be coming to Mumbai on August 6-7 to support the Versova Beach clean up.'' "It's incredible for a number of reasons. First, it is certainly the biggest beach clean-up in history. I understand it has been going on for over 40 weeks. Second, because it's a local initiative, not a government one.''

The Versova beach clean up began as a dream by two local residents, a lawyer Afroz Shah and another enthusiast, last year. An active mission, the Versova Resident Volunteers (VRV) roped in civic administration to help with machines and tractors, man power to clear the beach of piles of plastic and filth. Working weekends, the group rid the beach of over 1 million kilograms of litter.
Surprise! Justin Trudeau goes shirtless again - the second time in one week!

A shirtless Trudeau was spotted on a Tofino beach, smiling and looking toward a bride who was walking down the aisle. The moment - too precious to pass - was captured by photographer Marnie Recker.

Marnie Recker Photography

She wrote on Facebook:

"Justin was quickly leaving the beach at the same time the bride appeared and started coming down the stairs. It was her moment and he respectfully stood aside and witnessed her walk down the aisle to her husband-to-be."

Last week, the Canadian premier had made headlines for surprising a vacationing family by emerging from a cave in Quebecs Gatineau Park.

Without his shirt on.

Jim Godby

Though people accused the PM for stealing the bride's thunder, can we just pause and understand the fact that he was simply appreciating the coming together of two people in love. As Recker puts it, "He is a human being that is able to celebrate and empathize with others."
Today marks the day we (human beings) have used the allocated amount of natural resources for the year in what is known as Earth Overshoot Day. It took us eight months to use up nature's budget for the entire year.

inhouse.digital

This year it has moved up by five days, because last year (in 2015) it fell on August 13. Global Footprint Network, an international sustainability think tank, measures humans' demand against nature's ability to supply this demand. In 2000, Earth Overshoot Day fell in early October and since then it has steadily moved up.

As expected, carbon emissions are the biggest contributors to the overshoot. Greenhouse gases constitute 60% of the demand of humans on nature or the ecological footprint.

Reducing carbon footprint on Earth requires a change in lifestyle. Mathis Wackernagel, co-founder and chief executive of the organisation told the Irish Examiner, "Such a new way of living comes with many advantages, and making it happen takes effort.

"The good news is that it is possible with current technology, and financially advantageous with overall benefits exceeding costs."

Countries need to exert pressure, albeit in a positive and constructive manner, to reduce carbon emission and individuals need to become more environmentally aware and alter their lifestyle to cancel any negative effects they might be causing to the environment.
At least 40 people killed and 50 others were injured when a bomb exploded in Civil Hospital Quetta on Monday. The blast, followed by firing was heard after president of Balochistan Bar Association (BA) Advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Quetta.

Twitter/Nisar Mehdi

A heavy contingent of Frontier Corps and police arrived and cordoned off the area. According to police and rescue officials, the bomb exploded as lawyers brought Advocate Kasi to the hospital.

Twitter/Aditya Raj Kaul

Advocate Kasi was targeted by two unidentified gunmen who opened fire on his car near Quettas Mengal Chowk on Mannu Jan road.

Twitter/Al Jazeera News

The president was shifted to Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries. Several lawyers, including former president of Balochistan BA Advocate Baz Muhammad Kakar, was reported injured in the explosion and aerial firing could still be heard near the hospitals emergencys ward.

Twitter/Al Jazeera News

Following the incident, emergency has been declared in hospitals across Quetta. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for either attack.

Twitter/Al Jazeera News

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast, Radio Pakistan reported. Deploring the loss of precious lives in the incident, PM Nawaz directed concerned authorities to maintain utmost vigilance and beef up security for the legal fraternity and members of civil society.
The World's Best Cyber Army Doesnt Belong to Russia By James Bamford National attention is focused on Russian eavesdroppers possible targeting of U.S. presidential candidates and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Yet, leaked top-secret National Security Agency documents show that the Obama administration has long been involved in major bugging operations against the election campaigns -- and the presidents -- of even its closest allies.

The United States is, by far, the worlds most aggressive nation when it comes to cyberspying and cyberwarfare. The National Security Agency has been eavesdropping on foreign cities, politicians, elections and entire countries since it first turned on its receivers in 1952. Just as other countries, including Russia, attempt to do to the United States. What is new is a country leaking the intercepts back to the public of the target nation through a middleperson.

There is a strange irony in this. Russia, if it is actually involved in the hacking of the computers of the Democratic National Committee, could be attempting to influence a U.S. election by leaking to the American public the falsehoods of its leaders. This is a tactic Washington used against the Soviet Union and other countries during the Cold War.

In the 1950s, for example, President Harry S Truman created the Campaign of Truth to reveal to the Russian people the Big Lies of their government. Washington had often discovered these lies through eavesdropping and other espionage.

Today, the United States has morphed from a Cold War, and in some cases a hot war, into a cyberwar, with computer coding replacing bullets and bombs. Yet the American public manages to be shocked, shocked that a foreign country would attempt to conduct cyberespionage on the United States.

NSA operations have, for example, recently delved into elections in Mexico, targeting its last presidential campaign. According to a top-secret PowerPoint presentation leaked by former NSA contract employee Edward Snowden, the operation involved a surge effort against one of Mexicos leading presidential candidates, Enrique Pena Nieto, and nine of his close associates. Pena won that election and is now Mexicos president.

The NSA identified Penas cellphone and those of his associates using advanced software that can filter out specific phones from the swarm around the candidate. These lines were then targeted. The technology, one NSA analyst noted, might find a needle in a haystack. The analyst described it as "a repeatable and efficient" process.

The eavesdroppers also succeeded in intercepting 85,489 text messages, a Der Spiegel article noted.

Another NSA operation, begun in May 2010 and codenamed FLATLIQUID, targeted Penas predecessor, President Felipe Calderon. The NSA, the documents revealed, was able to gain first-ever access to President Felipe Calderon's public email account.

At the same time, members of a highly secret joint NSA/CIA organization, called the Special Collection Service, are based in the U.S. embassy in Mexico City and other U.S. embassies around the world. It targets local government communications, as well as foreign embassies nearby. For Mexico, additional eavesdropping, and much of the analysis, is conducted by NSA Texas, a large listening post in San Antonio that focuses on the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

Unlike the Defense Departments Pentagon, the headquarters of the cyberspies fills an entire secret city. Located in Fort Meade, Maryland, halfway between Washington and Baltimore, Maryland, NSAs headquarters consists of scores of heavily guarded buildings. The site even boasts its own police force and post office.

And it is about to grow considerably bigger, now that the NSA cyberspies have merged with the cyberwarriors of U.S. Cyber Command, which controls its own Cyber Army, Cyber Navy, Cyber Air Force and Cyber Marine Corps, all armed with state-of-the-art cyberweapons. In charge of it all is a four-star admiral, Michael S. Rogers.

Now under construction inside NSAs secret city, Cyber Commands new $3.2- billion headquarters is to include 14 buildings, 11 parking garages and an enormous cyberbrain  a 600,000-square-foot, $896.5-million supercomputer facility that will eat up an enormous amount of power, about 60 megawatts. This is enough electricity to power a city of more than 40,000 homes.

In 2014, for a cover story in Wired and a PBS documentary, I spent three days in Moscow with Snowden, whose last NSA job was as a contract cyberwarrior. I was also granted rare access to his archive of documents. Cyber Command itself has always been branded in a sort of misleading way from its very inception, Snowden told me. Its an attack agency.  Its all about computer-network attack and computer-network exploitation at Cyber Command.

The idea is to turn the Internet from a worldwide web of information into a global battlefield for war. "The next major conflict will start in cyberspace," says one of the secret NSA documents. One key phrase within Cyber Command documents is Information Dominance.

The Cyber Navy, for example, calls itself the Information Dominance Corps. The Cyber Army is providing frontline troops with the option of requesting cyberfire support from Cyber Command, in much the same way it requests air and artillery support. And the Cyber Air Force is pledged to dominate cyberspace just as today we dominate air and space.

Among the tools at their disposal is one called Passionatepolka, designed to remotely brick network cards. Bricking a computer means destroying it  turning it into a brick.

One such situation took place in war-torn Syria in 2012, according to Snowden, when the NSA attempted to remotely and secretly install an exploit, or bug, into the computer system of a major Internet provider. This was expected to provide access to email and other Internet traffic across much of Syria. But something went wrong. Instead, the computers were bricked. It took down the Internet across the country for a period of time.

While Cyber Command executes attacks, the National Security Agency seems more interested in tracking virtually everyone connected to the Internet, according to the documents.

One top-secret operation, code-named TreasureMap, is designed to have a capability for building a near real-time interactive map of the global Internet.  Any device, anywhere, all the time. Another operation, codenamed Turbine, involves secretly placing millions of implants  malware  in computer systems worldwide for either spying or cyberattacks.

Yet, even as the U.S. government continues building robust eavesdropping and attack systems, it looks like there has been far less focus on security at home. One benefit of the cyber-theft of the Democratic National Committee emails might be that it helps open a public dialogue about the dangerous potential of cyberwarfare. This is long overdue. The possible security problems for the U.S. presidential election in November are already being discussed.

Yet there can never be a useful discussion on the topic if the Obama administration continues to point fingers at other countries without admitting that Washington is engaged heavily in cyberspying and cyberwarfare.

In fact, the United States is the only country ever to launch an actual cyberwar -- when the Obama administration used a cyberattack to destroy thousands of centrifuges, used for nuclear enrichment, in Iran. This was an illegal act of war, according to the Defense Departments own definition.

Given the news reports that many more DNC emails are waiting to be leaked as the presidential election draws closer, there will likely be many more reminders of the need for a public dialogue on cybersecurity and cyberwarfare before November.
Fissures in the Empire By Paul Craig Roberts August 07, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - If you have been wondering what all the terror events in France and Germany are about, here is the answer : Washington has raised the cost of being a member of its Empire too high. Vassals such as France and Germany are beginning to exercise independent policies toward Russia. Observing the cracks in its Empire, Washington has decided to bind its vassals to Washington with terror. Most likely what we are witnessing in the French and German attacks is Operation Gladio. Washingtons policy toward Russia, which has been imposed by Washington on all of Europe, benefits no one but the handful of American ideologues known as neoconservatives. Neoconservatives are crazed psychopaths willing to destroy Earth in behalf of American hegemony. A delegation of members of the French National Assembly and Senate went to Crimea to participate in Russian Navy Day on July 28. Thierry Mariani, the head of the French delegation, addressed the parliament in Crimea and said that there are no reasons for France to continue to support Washingtons illegal sanctions on Russia. As the Strategic Culture Foundation reports, this is part of a trend taking place in Europe. On June 8, the French Senate voted overwhelmingly to urge the government to gradually reduce economic sanctions on Russia amid growing opposition to the punitive measures across Europe. The French National Assembly voted for lifting the sanctions in late April.

See: https://www.rt.com/news/345898-french-senate-lifting-sanctions/ Politicians in Italy, Belgium, and Cyprus are taking the same tack. Politicians in Greece and Hungary have also questioned the sanctions. So does Donald Trump, and that is why the servile American press is trying to drive him into unacceptability and out of the race. Democratic websites are spreading the rumor that Trump never intended to win the nomination. His goal was to come in second. His campaign was just an elevation of his name recognition to help him in his deals. But he and his advisors misjudged the disaffection of the voters from the Establishment parties and Trump won. Democratic websites claim that Trump is trying to get himself so opposed by criticizing Muslim families of war heros and women for abortions that he can withdraw, thus allowing the RNC to select a candidate that can rival Hitlery in appeal to the ruling oligarchs and pressitute media. Considering the degeneration of America, this could possibly be true. But for now we must doubt it and ascribe it to the effort to undermine Trump with his supporters. The evil that rules in America is determined to have in the White House its own servant, and that servant is Hitlery. Behold, a Pale Horse and its Riders Name Was Death and Hell Followed Him By Paul Craig Roberts August 07, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - I just listened to Obama give Washingtons account of the situation with ISIL in Iraq and Syria. In Obamas account, Washington is defeating ISIL in Iraq, but Russia and Assad are defeating the Syrian people in Syria. Obama denounced Russia and the Syrian governmentbut not ISILas barbaric. The message was clear: Washington still intends to overthrow Assad and turn Syria into another Libya and another Iraq, formerly stable and prosperous countries where war now rages continually. It sickens me to hear the President of the United States lie and construct a false reality, so I turned off the broadcast. I believe it was a press conference, and I am confident that no meaningful questions were asked. If Helen Thomas were still there, she would ask the Liar-in-Chief what went wrong with Washingtons policy in Iraq. We were promised that a low-cost cakewalk war of three or six weeks duration would bring freedom and democracy to Iraq. Why is it that 13 years later Iraq is a hellhole of war and destruction? What happened to the freedom and democracy? And the Cakewalk? You can bet your life that no presstitute asked Obama this question. No one asked the Liar-in-Chief why the Russians and Syrians could clear ISIL out of most of Syria in a couple of months, but Washington has been struggling for several years to clear ISIL out of Iraq. Is it possible that Washington did not want to clear ISIL out of Iraq because Washington intended to use ISIL to clear Assad out of Syria? No one asked the Liar-in-Chief why Washington sent ISIL to Syria and Iraq in the first place, or why the Syrians and Russians keep finding US weapons In ISILs military depots, or why Washingtons allies were funding ISIL by purchasing the oil ISIL is stealing from Iraq. It seems to be the case that ISIL originated in the mercenaries that Washington organized to overthrow Gaddafi in Libya and were sent to Syria to overthrow Assad when the UK Parliament refused to participate in Washingtons invasion of Syria and the Russians put a stop to it. All of the violence in the Middle East, violence that has consumed countless lives and produced millions of war refugees now overrunning Washingtons NATO vassals in Europe, is 100 percent the fault of Washington, not the fault of ISIL, or Assad, or Russia. Washington and only Washington is to blame. Washington produced this violence. Where is the question: Why, Mr. President, did Washington introduce 15 years of massive and ongoing violence into the Middle East and then expect us to believe that it was the fault of someone else? If Helen Thomas were there, she would ask the relevent questions. But the pussies that comprise the American press corps are merely an audience that validates the false reality spun by Washington by accepting it without question. Meanwhile, Moscow and Beijing have understood the message. Washington intends war. The purpose of Washingtons lies is to prepare the insouciant Western peoples for war against the two countries that Washington cannot subjugate except by victory in war. By faithful vassalage to Washington, Europe is bringing death and destruction to the world. Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and associate editor of the Wall Street Journal. He was columnist for Business Week, Scripps Howard News Service, and Creators Syndicate. He has had many university appointments. His internet columns have attracted a worldwide following. Roberts' latest books are The Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism and Economic Dissolution of the West , How America Was Lost , and The Neoconservative Threat to World Order .
Israeli Defense Minister Compares Iran to Nazis, Iran Deal to Munich Pact By Richard Silverstein



August 07, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - Over the past few days, a tempest has been brewing after Pres. Obama defended his Iran nuclear agreement by correctly noting that the entire Israeli defense and intelligence leadership acknowledges that it has improved Israeli and world security. This apparently angered defense minister Avigdor Lieberman, who couldnt leave well enough alone. As a result he felt compelled to rub Obamas nose in it with this response: The Israeli defense establishment believes that agreements have value only if they are based on reality. They have no value if the facts on the ground are opposite to the ones the agreement is based on. The Munich Agreements didnt prevent World War II and the Holocaust because their fundamental assumption  that Nazi Germany can be partner to any agreement  was false, and because world leaders at the time ignored clear statements made by Hitler and other Nazi leaders.



This is also true of Iran, which clearly and publicly declares that its goal is to destroy the State of IsraelThis is why the defense establishment, along with the entire people of Israel and others around the world, understands that agreements like the one signed between the world powers and Iran dont help, but only undermine the unwavering battle that has to be waged against terror states like Iran. So there you have it: a defense minister who compares Iran to Nazi Germany; and Barack Obama to Neville Chamberlain; who deliberately lies about the views of his own military and intelligence command in the service of his own blind ideological obsession; and who lies in claiming Iran wants to eradicate Israel.



The circus atmosphere became more pronounced when Bibi Netanyahu, who agrees completely with Liebermans views (and has made precisely the same false historical analogy), released a statement which refused to renounce his defense ministers attack. Haaretzs report falsely says that Bibi distanced himself from Lieberman, but his statement did no such thing:



The Israeli position on the Iran deal remains the same, but the prime minister staunchly believes that Israel has no ally more important than the U.S.



Apparently, the only thing Bibi objected to was the Munich reference, one that the prime minister has often made in the past. Apparently, the comparison of the Iran deal to the Munich pact was one step too far. Whats curious about this dog and pony show is that Bibi and Lieberman play good cop-bad copy when theyre both crooked cops. Its just that one talks a good game and the other would just as soon put a bullet in you as look at you. http://www.richardsilverstein.com/
Erdogans Coup: Purging Domestic Critics, Gaining External Allies By James Petras President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prepared a list of targets for arrest even before the coup (sic) was launched , European Commission official on Turkey (FT 7/19/2016). August 07, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - For the past decade, the US intelligence agencies operating in Turkey have worked closely with the increasingly influential parallel government of Fethullah Gulen. Their approach to power was, until recently, a permeationist strategy, of covertly taking over political, economic, administrative, judicial, media, military and cultural positions gradually without resort to elections or military coups. They adopted flexible tactics, supporting and shedding different allies to eliminate rivals.



In 2010 in support of Erdogan, they played a major role in arresting and purging 300 Kemalist  military officials. Subsequently the Gulenists moved to prosecute and weaken the Erdogan regime via revelations of family corruption uncovered by their intelligence officials and publicized by its mass media outlets.



The Gulenists shared several important policies with Washington which favored the convergence that led up to the July 15, 2016 coup.



The Gulenists backed US-Israeli policies in the Middle East; opposed the independent and erratic power projections of Erdogan; favored pro-Western free market policies; accepted US relations with the Kurds; rejected any accommodation with the Russians.



In other words, the Gulenists were far more reliable, dependent and subject to the dictates of EU-NATO-US policy throughout the Middle East than the Erdogan regime.



Erdogan was aware of the growing power of the Gulenists and their growing links to Washington. Erdogan moved decisively and successfully, to pre-empt the Gulenist power grab by forcing a premature coup.



Erdogan Power Bloc Defeats Gulenist Presence The Gulenists were a powerful force in the Turkish state and civil society. They had a strong presence in the civil bureaucracy; among sectors of the military, the mass media and educational installations; and among technocrats in the financial agencies. Yet they were defeated in less than twenty-four hours, because Erdogan had several undeniable strengths.



First and foremost, Erdogan was an unmatched political leader with a strategy to retain power and a powerful active mass popular base. The Gulenists had nothing comparable.



Erdogan had a superior intelligence and military command which infiltrated and undermined the Gulenists who were totally unprepared for a violent confrontation.



The Gulenists permeationist strategy was unprepared and totally incapable of seizing power and mobilizing the street.



They lacked the cadres and organized grass roots support which Erdogan had built from the bottom-up over the previous two decades.



Erdogans insider and outside Islamic-Nationalist strategy was far superior to the Gulenist insider-pro-US liberal strategy.



US Miscalculations in the Coup The Gulenists depended on US support, which totally miscalculated the relations of power and misread Erdogans capacity to preempt the coup.



The major flaw among the US advisers was their ignorance of the Turkish political equation: they underestimated Erdogans overwhelming party, electoral and mass support. The CIA overestimated the Gulenists support in their institutional elite structures and underestimated their political isolation in Turkish society.



Moreover, the US military had no sense of the specifications of Turkish political culture  the general popular opposition to a military-bureaucratic takeover. They failed to recognize that the anti-coup forces included political parties and social movements critical of Erdogan.



The US strategists based the coup on their misreading of the military coups in Egypt, Libya, Iraq and Yemen which ousted nationalist and Islamic civilian regimes.



Erdogan was not vulnerable in the same way as President Mohamed Morsi (June 30, 2012  July 3, 2013) was in Egypt  he controlled intelligence, military and mass supporters.



The US-Gulenists military intelligence strategy was unplanned, uncoordinated and precipitous  Erdogans counter-coup forced their hand and struck decisive, sweeping blows that demoralized the entire Gulenist super-structure. Thousands of supporters fell like clay pigeons.



The US was put on the defensive  the rapid dissolution of their followers forced them to disown their allies and fall back on general, unconvincing humanitarian and security criticisms of Erdogan. Their claims that the Erdogan purge would weaken the fight against ISIS had no influence in Turkey. Washingtons charges that the arrests were mistreating and abusing prisoners had no impact.



The key political fact is that the US backed an uprising which had taken up arms and killed Erdogan loyalist military personnel and innocent unarmed civilians opposed to the coup undermined Washingtons feeble protests.



In the end the US even refused refugee status and abandoned their Gulenist Generals to Erdogans fate. Only Fethullah Gulen himself was protected from extradition by his State Department handlers.



Consequences of the US-Gulen Coup Washingtons failure to bring down Erdogan could have enormous repercussions throughout the Middle East, Western Europe and the United States.



Erdogan ordered seven thousand troops to encircle the strategic NATO airbase in Incirlik, Turkey, an act of intimidation threatening to undermine NATOs major nuclear facility and operational base against Syria, Iraq and Russia.



Turkish intelligence and cabinet officials have called into question ongoing political alliances, openly accusing the US military of treason for its role in the coup.



Erdogan has moved to reconcile relations with Russia and has distanced his ties with the European Union.



If Turkey downgrades its ties with NATO, the US would lose its strategic ally on the Southern flank of Russia and undermine its capacity to dominate Syria and Iraq.



Washingtons leverage in Turkey has been dramatically reduced with the decimation of the Gulenist power base in the civilian and military organizations.



Washington may have to rely on the anemic, unstable and servile Syriza  Tsipras regime in Greece to anchor its policies in the region.



The failed coup means a major retreat for Washington in the region  and a possible advance for Syria, Iran, Lebanon and Russia.



There are two caveats to this proposition. After Erdogan completes the purge of Gulenists and condemns Washington, will he be willing and able to pursue a new independent policy or will he simply tighten internal control and renegotiate a NATO agreement?



Will Erdogan consolidate political control over the army or will the defeat of the Gulenists be a temporary outcome which will unleash new military factions which will destabilize the political regime?



Finally, Erdogan depends on Western finance and investment which is highly resistant to backing a regime critical of the US, the EU and NATO. If Erdogan faces economic pressures from the West can he turn elsewhere or will he, in the face of capitalist realities retreat and submit?



Erdogan, temporarily may have defeated a US coup, but history teaches us that new military, political and economic interventions are on Washingtons agenda. James Petras is a Bartle Professor (Emeritus) of Sociology at Binghamton University, New York.
Don't Blame the Masses

By Stephen Kinzer

August 07, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Boston Globe" - Whether or not the world is in an unusually bad state these days, it certainly seems so. Even Americans, famous for our lack of interest in world affairs, now closely follow news from far away. Much of it is frightening.

Terror attacks are claiming innocent lives around the world. Syria is being torn apart. China and Russia boldly pursue their national interests and defy American dictates. Turkish democracy is evaporating. Iran and Saudi Arabia are at each others throats. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan drag on interminably. The European Union is staggering, with Britain quitting and others perhaps to follow. Meanwhile, several European countries are drifting toward right-wing authoritarianism. Donald Trumps campaign threatens to take the United States in the same direction.

This is the opposite of what many Americans expected. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 set off a wave of triumphalism in the West. Americans welcomed the end of history and presumed that all countries would quickly adopt political and economic systems like ours. There was to be a peace dividend as tranquility settled over the globe. People would become more prosperous. Nations would cooperate. All would gratefully submit to Americas will.

Those were delusions. The world has gone in precisely the opposite direction, toward tribalism and conflict. We are now paying the price for grave misjudgments.

The first was our misunderstanding of the Soviet collapse. It was a Soviet failure, but we interpreted it as an epochal American victory. That led us to believe that in a post-Cold War world, American power would grow, turning us into a global hegemon that other countries would happily follow. This was never realistic.

Moments of change require adaptation, but the United States is not good at adapting. We are used to being in charge. This blinded us to the reality that as other countries began rising, our relative power would inevitably decline. Rather than shifting to a less assertive and more cooperative foreign policy, we continued to insist that America must reign supreme. When we declared that we would not tolerate the emergence of another peer power, we expected that other countries would blithely obey. Instead they ignore us. We interpret this as defiance and seek to punish the offenders. That has greatly intensified tensions between the United States and the countries we are told to consider our chief adversaries, Russia and China.

The ideological conflict of the Cold War was so intense that when it ended, Americans assumed tranquility would follow. In fact, the Cold War was simply a temporary phenomenon that masked centuries-old political, social, cultural, and religious conflicts. Nationalism and tribalism, which began shaping the world long before Communism was invented, have reemerged rather than fading away.

Our wrongheaded reaction to the end of the Cold War was Americas first major contribution to todays global turmoil. The next was our decision to invade Iraq. That invasion continues to shape the world. The recent surge in Islamist terror is one of its long-term results. So are the refugee flows that have destabilized Europe and contributed to the rise of extremist political movements there. It is an object lesson in the long-term effects of intervening in faraway lands  a lesson we still seem not to have learned.

Because we interpreted the end of the Cold War as the ultimate vindication of Americas economic system, we intensified our push toward the next level of capitalism, called globalization. It was presented as a project that would benefit everyone. Instead it has turned out to be a nightmare for many working people. Thanks to disruption and the global supply chain, many American workers who could once support families with secure, decent-paying jobs must now hope they can be hired as greeters at Walmart. Meanwhile, a handful of super-rich financiers manipulate our political system to cement their hold on the nations wealth.

Our leaders told us that the end of the Cold War would make America more powerful than ever, that we had to invade Iraq because Iraq was developing weapons of mass destruction, and that deregulating our economy and signing trade deals would improve the lives of ordinary people. We cannot be surprised that as the scope of those deceptions became clear, people would become angry.

American elites are hardly the only ones who have cynically misled their people. The same happened in Europe. Ever closer union was another product of the dopey optimism that infected the West in the 1990s. It ignored the evident fact that most Europeans, like most people everywhere, feel loyalty to their own nation or group, and that this loyalty is not easily transferrable to diffuse and distant conglomerations. The EU has been run largely for the benefit of the business class. Ordinary Europeans have come to realize this, and it has angered them. The same anger is enveloping countries from Egypt and Nigeria to Brazil and Venezuela.

In our complex modern age, the interdependent world does not run smoothly by itself. It requires farsighted leadership that takes the fate of ordinary people seriously and favors diplomacy over coercive force. Blaming the masses for stupidly supporting demagogic politicians is mistaken. People quite reasonably resent what their leaders have done to them over the last quarter century. They demand something different, whatever it is. That is the central cause of the new world disorder.

Stephen Kinzer is an American author, journalist and academic. A former newspaper reporter, the veteran New York Times correspondent has filed stories from more than fifty countries on five continents, as well as published several books.
Syrian Endgame: The Battle for Aleppo and Plan C By Prof. Tim Anderson August 07, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Global Research " - The battle for Aleppo has forced the al Qaeda groups into their desperate last stand, as the Washington-driven proxy war on Syria moves into its final stages. The liberation of Aleppo will be the beginning of the end. The online maps have been misleading. Even before the Russian air power intervention of September 2015 the Syrian Government controlled 85% of the countrys populated areas. But reclaiming all of Aleppo is critical for Syrian control of the north and of supply lines to the shrinking ground of ISIS in the east. Syrias major problem has been Turkeys semi-open support for jihadist armies crossing the 800km northern frontier, and the Turkey-Saudi-Qatari backed advances of ISIS from the east. In the past 10 months the Syrian Alliance has successfully pushed back on both fronts. Further, since last month, Turkey is in disarray, with its own problems. Many follow the logic of dominant forces but, to understand the endgame in this war, the logic of resistance is no less important. Syria is proving that independent peoples who unite and resist can end up with a greater say in the outcome. Washingtons war on Syria began with sectarian proxy armies sent in to topple the government in Damascus. The western media continues to speak of moderate rebels, but the evidence is clear that the US and its allies have backed every single armed group in Syria, including the western group led by the group formerly known as Jabhat al Nusra (now rebadged as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, in a futile attempt to avoid Syrian-Russian bombing), and the eastern group DAESH-ISIS. They all share a similar vicious, sectarian ideology. Despite all the bloodshed and rhetoric, Plan As aggression failed. Plan B then aimed at partition of the country using, in part, what the US saw as its Kurdish card. Never mind that any such partition is against the terms of UN Security Council resolution 2254, which reaffirms the UNs strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic. The US ignores such niceties. Nevertheless, Plan B is failing due to the coherence of Syrias communities, their support for the Syrian Army, and strong regional solidarity, particularly from Iran, Russia, Hezbollah and the nationalist Palestinian militia. Even Syrias Kurdish militia have been coordinating with and relying on the Syrian Arab Army. Whatever Syrias Kurds want, if put to a vote, Syrians would not support a federalisation which would weaken the country against its enemies. Plan C Plan C may be where forces better converge. Washingtons rogue state is a very bad loser. It took Washington seven years to withdraw from Vietnam, after it knew it was losing. However Syria has a master diplomat, in the form of the Russian President, willing and able to cloak a North American retreat with dignity. President Putin gave President Obama a way out, once before, back in September 2013, over the fake chemical weapons stunt, carried out by Jabhat al Nusra and its partners (see Anderson 2016, Chapter Nine). The dismantling of Syrias chemical weapons stockpile (held as a deterrent against Israel) prevented a US limited missile strike on Syria. We may well see a similar deal where Putin hails Obamas statesman like role in helping bring peace to Syria, allowing Washington to put Syria on the backburner, as it did with Iran last year. Of course, this will be a monstrous lie, but one that could help end the bloodshed. Regime change in Turkey would certainly help with such a plan. But whether or not Erdogan survives the mutiny of his own armed forces, a strategic and economic tide is turning against the Turkish role in Syria. As its proxy armies lose, Ankara is trying to repair its bad relations with Russia while worsening those with Washington. Erdogan, rightly or wrongly, blames the US for backing the recent coup attempt. Any Plan C, in the few months that remain for the Obama administration, would probably leave unresolved the question of the US ideological campaigns and economic sanctions against Syria, Iran and Hezbollah, Israels key opponents. The experience of Washingtons previous wars in Latin America and Vietnam tell us that the USA will try to keep alive its myths, its official history, as long as possible. Aleppo is the final turning point in this conflict because, after the liberation of Homs, Qsayr and Palmyra, definitive reverses are destroying the morale of both the jihadists and their sponsors. Not even fanatics are keen to join in an obviously losing cause. Since last year the sectarian groups have been steadily ground down in rural Damascus. The capital, with a population swollen to between 7 and 8 million people, has had very little rocketing, mortars or car bombs this year. Street life is far more relaxed. Ceasefires have worked here because the remaining armed groups (in the East Ghouta and Daraya) are substantially weakened and surrounded. Yet, while Damascus regained some sense of security, a shocking war raged on in Aleppo. As usual, the western media lied incessantly, focussing exclusively on that part of the city held by the al Qaeda groups and now including less than 200,000 people in total, including a small army of intelligence agents from the US, UK, France, Turkey and Israel, and several western NGOs such the White Helmets. In more recent days small groups of jihadists have been surrendering, to take advantage of a possible Presidential amnesty, while dozens of residents pass out through Syrian and Russian army controlled humanitarian corridors. Those checkpoints are run by commando units, including General Suheil al Hassans Tiger Forces, as check points still face jihadist suicide car-bombs, as they did in Palmyra. Typically, there have been almost no western media stories about the 1.5 million in the government held area. Over April-May many dozens of people were murdered across Aleppo as civilian areas and major hospitals were bombed by the NATO-backed rebels. They were even filmed firing their hell cannons while saying throw it on the civilians (Anderson 2016, 9 May). Nothing of this emerged in the western corporate media. In April-May the White Helmets claimed Russian or Syrian airstrikes had destroyed al Quds hospital, killing the last paediatrician in Aleppo. In fact, as Dr Nabil Antaki and the Aleppo Medical Association pointed out, that facility was not a registered hospital at all, rather a makeshift clinic in a damaged residential building in an al Nusra held area. In fact, there are dozens of paediatricians in Aleppos main public hospitals (Antaki and Cattori 2016; Beeley 2016; Makhoul-Yatim 2016). The mercenary gangs fired hundreds of rockets into the main part of Aleppo, gassed the Kurdish areas of the city and publicly beheaded a Palestinian boy, supposedly a spy for one of the Palestinian militia which fights alongside the SAA. Typically, the BBC gave prominence to jihadist claims that the publicly murdered 12 year old was a fighter (BBC 2016). Distorted coverage to the end. The western media, still on its war footing, ran false stories that all of Aleppo was under siege, or that al Qaedas field clinics were the only hospitals in Aleppo. For example, Australian state media reported: Syrian city of Aleppo running out of food as regime forces surround city. In fact, 15% of the population of Aleppo was under Syrian Army siege. At the same time the entire country of Syria is under siege by US, EU and Australian economic sanctions (ABC Radio National 2016). Those stories matter less as they are displaced by the more immediate video testimony of residents leaving the al Qaeda areas, only to praise the Syrian Army and curse the western backed moderate head choppers (Geopolitics 2016). The western backed jihadists are losing and the regions public mood is hardening. Syrian civil opposition leader Moustafa Kelechi (not allied to the armed groups) says the battle of Aleppo is a war to crush the Takfiri groups bones (FARS News 2016). The Iraqi government, once thought a mere puppet of the US, has repeatedly confirmed its close cooperation with the Syrian Governments struggle against terrorist groups (SANA 2016). The regional alliance forged during this war  Syria, Iran, Russia, Iraq, Hezbollah and the nationalist Palestinian militia  will maintain a strong role in both the Syrian endgame and across the region. Notes: ABC Radio National (2016), Syrian city of Aleppo running out of food as regime forces surround city, 20 July, online: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/syrias-aleppo-running-out-of-food/7643402 Anderson, Tim (2016) The Dirty War on Syria, Global Research, Montreal. (available online: http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-dirty-war-on-syria-washington-regime-change-and-resistance/5504372 Anderson, Tim (2016, 9 May) The Aleppo Hospital Smokescreen: Covering up Al Qaeda Massacres in Syria, Once Again, Global Research, 9 May, online: http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-aleppo-hospital-smokescreen-covering-up-al-qaeda-massacres-in-syria-once-again/5524250 Antaki, Nabil and Silvia Cattori (2016) Aleppo Doctor Attacks Western Media for Bias, Censorship and Lies, Global Research, 1 May, online: http://www.globalresearch.ca/aleppo-doctor-attacks-western-media-for-bias-censorship-and-lies/5522736 BBC (2016) Syria conflict: Boy beheaded by rebels was fighter, 21 July, online: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36843990 Beeley, Vanessa (2016) Aleppo: US NATO False Flags, Lies and Propaganda, 21st century Wire, 4 May, online: http://21stcenturywire.com/2016/05/04/aleppo-us-nato-false-flags-lies-and-propaganda/ FARS News (2016) Dissident Leader Sees Army Victories in Aleppo Syrias Winning Card in Geneva, 23 July, online: http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950502000650 Geopolitics (2016) Trapped Aleppo residents begun flowing through 1st humanitarian corridor, 31 July, online: https://geopolitics.co/2016/07/31/trapped-aleppo-residents-begun-flowing-through-1st-humanitarian-corridor/ Makhoul-Yatim, Amara (2016) Nabil Antaki, the Syrian doctor who refused to leave Aleppo, France 24, 21 May, online: http://www.france24.com/en/20160520-syria-aleppo-nabil-antaki-doctor-maristes-civilians-civil-war SANA (2016) President al-Assad receives letter from Iraqi prime Minister: War carried on by Syrian and Iraqi armies is one, 13 July, online: http://sana.sy/en/?p=82559 Click here to order Prof. Tim Andersons book directly from Global Research Publishers
Turkey: Failed Coup or Paradigm Shift in the Middle East  in the World?



By Peter Koenig August 07, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - Theories and speculations about the failed military coup in Turkey abound, ranging from a botched CIA coup; to one inspired by Erdogans arch-enemy, the self-exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, now living in Pennsylvania, USA; to a combination of both, CIA-Gulen; to a purposely failed auto-coup by Erdogan and his close military allies  and possibly many more, or combinations of different conspiracies.  The old question Cui Bono is in order. As of now, Erdogan looks like the big winner. He has regained popular support, was able to accuse his ultra-rich preacher enemy, Gulen, as well as Washington as the coup instigators, and he can pursue his new alliance with Russia and renewed friendship with Bashar al-Assad. Is it so simple? By looking closer, a failed CIA-Mossad-MI6 coup is perhaps the most realistic scenario. It appears that Russia played a crucial role in having the audacious and ill-prepared coup fall apart. Washington and its European-NATO allies are becoming ever bolder in their pursuit of attaining world dominance. The arrogance of being untouchable does not pay well with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Flash-back to the downing of the Russian Sukhoi Su-24M fighter jet near the SyriaTurkey border on 24 November 2015. It was pursued by two US-made Turkish Air Force F-16 fighters that took off from the Turkish Incirlik Air Base, also used by the US and Royal Air Forces, where the US has stationed about 5,000 servicemen, in addition to uncountable fighter jets and war helicopters. Were the pilots acting (indirectly) on behalf of US intelligence? [with a view to creating divisions between Russia and Turkey, GR Ed] One of them shot the Russian plane down. The pilot died. The CIA had dozens of their agents infiltrated into the Turkish Air Force. How did the Pentagon think the Russians were not aware of this? The Federal Security Service (FSS) of the Russian Federation, KGBs successor, informed the Kremlin. Putin knew who was behind the crime, when he cut all ties with Turkey. But he wanted Erdogan to react. Putin knew Erdogan was vulnerable. He had lost the trust of Washington and was hated by the Europeans for his megalomania, his aspirations of becoming the new Ottoman ruler. But Washington needed Incirlik and Turkey as NATOs most strategic base in the region  just between Europe and Asia. The Americans were afraid that Erdogan might move into Russias camp as his hope for a future in Europe had vanished, and he increasingly realized that he was a mere peon for Washington  facilitating, funding and arming ISIS-Daesh, aka NATOs ground troops, by keeping the border to Syria open, so ISIS could slip in and out, selling their oil stolen from Iraq, Syria and the Kurds, to such illustrious clients like Israel. By playing along with the story that the SU-24M was shot down by orders of Erdogan, Russia severed all relations with Turkey  diplomatic and commercial. The latter were significant for the Turkish economy, particularly exports of agricultural goods (annually about US$ 1 billion), Turkish construction contracts in Russia (US$4.5  5 billion) and Russian tourism in Turkey (US$ 3.5 billion). Total annual losses for Turkey were estimated in excess of US$ 10 billion. In addition, Turkey relies on Russia for 55% of its annual natural gas requirements. Russia has also suspended work on the TurkStream pipeline that was to bring Russian gas to the Black Sea for delivery to Turkey and Europe. Erdogan had a lot to lose by playing patsy for the US-EU-NATO, helping them destroying the Middle-East and turning a former friend, Mr. Assad, into his arch-enemy. The calculation was not complicated. And Washington knew it. So  Erdogan had to go, in one way or another. Once more, Regime Change was on the agenda. A coup was planned for mid-August 2016. The Pentagon-NATO-CIA had already made numerous friends in the ranks of the Turkish military, police and judiciary system. Erdogan of course knew that there were traitors within his presumed supporters. He just needed a reason to purge them. At the latest, when Mr. Erdogan called Mr. Putin to apologize for the downed Russian jet and subsequently went to Moscow to talk with the Russian leader in person, did he learned who was really behind the downing of the plane last November? He now had a confirmation for who his unreliable friends are in Washington. He hastened to solidify his new relationship with Russia (and Syria?), and Putin canceled all sanctions against Turkey. Erdogan is scheduled to meet Putin in Saint Petersburg on August 9. These were dangerous signs for the Washington-NATO alliance. The CIA-Mossad-MI6 coup had to be quickly brought forward, lest western armed forces may lose Incirlik  god forbid  to Russia! And that after losing Crimea, the Russian Black Sea port, and Jumbo Prize for putting Ukraine under Nazi rule. The emerging Middle-East / Central Europe scenario did not look good. Shortly before the quickly and poorly prepared coup was launched on 15 July, Putin informed Erdogan of the western plans. He sent a special emissary via a complex supposedly disguising detour route from Moscow to Ankara. The envoy handed Erdogan a long list of allegedly high ranking suspects in the Turkish Administration. As soon as the rebellion to overthrow Erdogan began, he immediately mobilized the Turkish people to take to the streets in his defense. Strangely and paradoxically to do so he had the help of a CNN-Turk reporter who broadcast Erdogans call for support via her smart-phone over the social media. The public Turk TRT broadcasting station was in the hands of rebel soldiers. As Erdogan fled Ankara in a helicopter, two F-16 fighters took off in his pursuit  from NATO controlled Incirlik  of all places! But to no avail. The war jets did not fire a single shot onto Erdogans helicopter. The verdict must have been already clear at that time. There are many controversies and contradiction in this strange coup story  a story that defies all logic, especially knowing that the most perfected and most practiced coup-plotters are behind it  the alliance of lies, deception and assassinations, CIA-Mossad-MI6. Most likely their arrogance prevented them from contemplating that there may be an ace chess-player out there who can outsmart them all. Erdogan did not hesitate to blame Washington for the failed putsch  which thanks to Vladimir Putins timely warning and the angry people in the streets hilariously climbing on to circulating tanks, was crushed and Recep Tayyip Erdogan emerged as the new popular leader of Turkey. For how long remains to be seen. The British Independent quotes the Turkish Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim, reporting that 265 people died in the failed coup, including about 100 plotters. Lets face it, Erdogan is no saint. His trustworthiness has a shabby record. Its like a straw in the wind. He did not lose any time to use this occasion to arrest his enemies and suspects  so far about 70,000 and counting  military, police, judges, medical doctors, professors, teachers  and reintroducing the death penalty. He knows these drastic and tyrannical measures will distance him even further from the EU, but he doesnt care. He knows first-hand how corrupt and deceptively the EU is dealing with her own people, let alone the people in the MENA Region (Middle East and North Africa). While President Putin immediately called Mr. Erdogan wishing him well and congratulating him for the crushed coup, US Secretary Kerry flew to an emergency breakfast meeting in Brussels to confer with EU and NATO leaders (sic) to discuss a unified stance on the crisis in Turkey. The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, questioned whether Turkey could remain a reliable ally and suggested that European backing of Erdogan against the putschists was not a blank check. Of course, they all knew better: The new Turkey-Russia alliance could be the death knell for US-NATOs self-declared and presstitute-propagated supremacy in the region. Kerry went even further openly questioning whether to consider expulsing Turkey from NATO. This sounded about as fake as when German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble threatens Greece to be excluded from the EU / Euro, if they dont behave and pay up. These liars know it is sheer propaganda of treachery for the people at large to swallow such statements in awe, while the masters also know that Greece and Turkey are crucial for their wars and plans of global domination, since they are both strategically important NATO countries  absolutely to be prevented from drifting east. This botched coup is BIG; much bigger than the mainstream media are making the west believe. It could definitely and irreversibly tilt the balance of power in the MENA Region, perhaps give rise to a new world paradigm, as the new and crucial Russia-Turkey alliance solidifies, Turkey may be accepted into the wider circle of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). Turkey is geographically situated at one of the most strategically important cross-roads between East and West, thereby making her a geopolitical kingpin. Turkey moving East might ruin the Wests game plan. We can only hope for that to happen. However, the masters and economic elites behind Washington, have no tendency of letting go after losing a battle. Defeat must be total. Theirs or that of the rest of the world. Its all or nothing. There is more at stake than just Erdogan and Turkeys survival as a western ally, much more. It would be way presumptuous to rest on the laurels of winning a battle against the West. There may be more in store for Turkey. Peter Koenig is an economist and geopolitical analyst. He is also a former World Bank staff and worked extensively around the world in the fields of environment and water resources. He writes regularly for Global Research, ICH, RT, Sputnik, PressTV, Chinese 4th Media, TeleSUR, The Vineyard of The Saker Blog, and other internet sites. He is the author of Implosion  An Economic Thriller about War, Environmental Destruction and Corporate Greed  fiction based on facts and on 30 years of World Bank experience around the globe. He is also a co-author of The World Order and Revolution!  Essays from the Resistance .
The Fate of Syria will be Decided in Aleppo

By Pierre Barbancey - Translated by Henry Crapo

August 07, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - Encircled in those sections of the city that they still control, the jihadistes try to break free. The Free Syrian Army is absent from the scene.

Aleppo, the true economic capital of Syria, is today the center of all battles. Half the city is in the hands of the rebels, a term that masks the reality of what they really represent. These rebels are almost exclusively islamists, grouped in different factions, of which the most important is the old Al-Nosra Front (Jabhat al-Nosra), which has recently broken off from its parent organisation al-Qaida with the permission of Osama ben Ladens successor, the Egyptian Ayman Al Zawahiri, and which now calls itself the Fateh al-Cham Front. A change of name that is, above all, strategic.

The aim, to install an islamic regime that would leave nothing to envy in Daesh, being the same thing, but which would put on a smoother face, to become an unavoidable factor in any future negociation. The collection of islamist groups, which have the use of arms captured from the camps of the Syrian Army, but are also furnished by Western nations, by the Gulf states, and by Turkey, are now encircled in those sections of Aleppo that they still hold.

But the capture, by the Syrian Arab Army, of the route to Castello, a route bringing the jihadists from Turkey and permitting reprovisioning of all sorts, has changed the balance of forces. Supported by Russian aviation, the Syrian soldiers have retaken new positions near Aleppo. A counter-offensive has reduced to nought the earlier gains made by the rebels in the offensive they launched on Sunday to break the siege. According to the pro-government newspaper Al-Watan, the troops of Damascus advanced again to the south and south-west of Aleppo after having suffered severe setbacks in their battle against the jihadist groups. The primary objective of the islamist assault was to conquer the government quarter of Ramoussa - on the south-west border of Aleppo, control of which would permit the rebels to open an axis for reprovisioning of their eastern sectors. It is also across Ramoussa that transits the provisioning of the army and civilian population of the western part of Aleppo. According to the pro-government site Al-Masdar News, the rebels had managed to enter Ramoussa by exploding a tunnel that they had dug, but they were then blocked, and had to retire after a fierce battle; the regime has complete control of that sector.

The United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia, a political rearrangement
Losing to Russia in Syria, Washington Bombs Libya By Finian Cunningham



August 07, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " SCF " - The US air strikes on Libya this week mark a major escalation of American overseas military operations. A Pentagon spokesman said, the air campaign would continue indefinitely in support of the UN-backed unity government in Tripoli against Islamic State (IS) jihadists. It was the first sustained aerial intervention in Libya since 2011 when US and other NATO warplanes conducted a seven-month bombing campaign in order to oust the government of Muammar Gaddafi. The timing of the latest US air strikes on the Libyan port city of Sirte seems significant. For nearly two months, the Tripoli-based government has been making inroads against the IS brigades in Sirte. So why should US air strikes be called in at this precise juncture? The deployment of US air power in Libya followed within days of the decisive offensive launched by the Syrian Arab Army and its Russian allies on the strategic city of Aleppo in northern Syria. As the Syrian and Russian allies move towards defeating anti-government militias holed up in Syrias biggest city that victory portends the end of the five-year Syrian war. Frustration in Washington over Russias successful prosecution of its war against foreign-backed terror groups in Syria has been palpable since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered in his forces to the Arab country  a longtime ally of Moscow  nearly ten months ago. American frustration reached boiling point when Russia unilaterally announced last week that it was proceeding, along with Syrian forces, to take back the city of Aleppo. Syrias second city after the capital Damascus has been besieged by illegally armed groups for nearly four years. With its proximity to the border with Turkey, Aleppo has been a crucial conduit for foreign fighters and weapons fueling the entire war  a war that Washington and its NATO allies and regional partners have covertly sponsored for their political objective of regime change against President Bashar al-Assad. When Russias Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that humanitarian corridors were being opened around Aleppo for fleeing civilians and surrendering fighters, the plan was mocked as a ruse by US Secretary of State John Kerry. The US ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power described the Syrian-Russian offensive on Aleppo as chilling. However, the sovereign, elected government of Syria has every right to take back control of Aleppo  formerly the countrys commercial hub  which had been commandeered by an assortment of illegally armed groups, some of whom are designated as internationally proscribed terror organizations. What the pejorative words of Kerry and Power indicate is Washingtons perplexity at Moscows success in Syria. Russias military intervention has thwarted the US-led foreign conspiracy for regime change. Washington may have got away partially with regime-change schemes in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Ukraine. But Russias intervention has put paid to a similar maneuver in Syria. Not only that, but as Russia and its Syrian ally close in for a final defeat of the anti-government mercenary networks in Aleppo, it is becoming excruciatingly obvious that Washingtons charade of moderate rebels mingling among terrorists is also exposed. For months now, Washington has procrastinated on Moscows demands that it provide clear demarcation between so-called moderates and extremists. Washington has studiously balked at providing any distinction or physical separation. As Russian and Syrian forces corner the militants in Aleppo, it becomes evident that Washington and the Western media are caught on a damnable lie, which has been used for the past five years to justify the war in Syria. Furthermore, Russia emerges vindicated in the way it has prosecuted its military campaign in support of the Syrian government. In other words, Russia is seen as genuinely fighting a war against terrorism, whereas Washington and its allies are evinced as having a mercurial, if not criminal, relationship with terror groups that they claim to be combating. On Friday, Washingtons top diplomat John Kerry was anxiously waiting for clarification from Moscow on what the Aleppo offensive was about. By Monday, it was clear that Moscow was not going to pander to Washingtons apprehensions about the offensive plan. Once again, the Obama administration appears to have been blindsided by Mr Putin, just as it was when Russia dispatched its forces to Syria in September, declared an editorial in the Washington Post on Tuesday. It was on Monday-Tuesday night that US air strikes were ordered on Libya. Washingtons chagrin over Syria is compounded because only a few weeks ago, Kerry flew to Moscow to offer a deal on joint military cooperation between the US and Russia, allegedly to fight terrorist brigades in Syria. It transpired that what the American deal was really all about was to inveigle Russias concession for Assad to stand down. That is, for Russia to acquiesce to the American goal of regime change. Russia was having none of it. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated the position that the future of Syrias presidency was a matter for the Syrian people to determine alone, without any external interference. Then the military offensive embarked on Aleppo by Syrian and Russian forces  without regard to Washingtons concerns for its moderate rebels/terror assets  was a further sign that Moscow was following its own strategic assessment and objectives. To Washington that was a stinging snub. The Washington Post editorial cited above carried the peeved headline: Stop trusting Putin on Syria. It was but the latest in a series of tetchy editorials admonishing the Obama administration for caving in to Moscow over Syria. One such earlier headline ran: Obama retreats from Putin in Syria  again. Within the Obama administration there appears to be sharp dissent over its perceived failing policy on Syria. The Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and National Intelligence Director James Clapper were opposed to Obama and Kerrys now-redundant gambit to enlist Russias military cooperation. Earlier, a list of 51 US diplomats signed a joint letter calling on the Obama administration to step up its military operations in Syria against the Assad government. It is also clear that Obamas would-be Democrat successor in the White House, Hillary Clinton, is surrounded by Pentagon aides pushing for greater American intervention in Syria  even though that poses a grave risk of confrontation with Russian forces. Facing mounting criticism for failure in Syria, it seems that the US air strikes on Libya were ordered as some kind of compensation. President Obama reportedly ordered the strikes on the advice of Pentagon chief Ashton Carter. It looks like the Obama administration is trying to fend off accusations of being soft. Secondly, by ordering air strikes against Islamic State jihadists in Libyas Sirte, that allows Washington to regain the narrative which it has lost to Russia in Syria. Russias success in Syria has seriously undermined Washingtons claims of waging a war on terror. The last stand of the terror groups in Aleppo  including militia supported by Washington and its allies  represents an incriminating moment of truth. Hence, as the net tightens on Syrias Aleppo, Washingtons hand was forced to lash out in Libya, in an attempt to burnish its tarnished claim that it is fighting against Islamist terrorism. In truth, however, the bigger net seems to be tightening on Washington. World public opinion increasingly understands that terrorism is closely correlated with everywhere Washington engages. The terrorism spawned in Afghanistan and Iraq under US occupation, was grafted onto Libya during NATOs regime-change bombing operation in 2011, which in turn contaminated Syria as part of another regime-change campaign under Obama and his then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. For Obama to now revisit Libya with further air strikes due to failure of a criminal policy in Syria  a failure resulting from Russias principled intervention  is simply plumbing the depths of American degeneracy. And the rest of the world can see it.
Julian Assange Special

Does Wikileaks Have The Email That Will Put Hillary Clinton in Prison? By Afshin Rattansi & Julian Assange Afshin Rattansi goes underground with Julian Assange. We talk to the founder of Wikileaks about how the recent DNC leaks have no connection to Russia. Plus what are Hillary Clinton's connections to Islamic State, Saudi Arabia and Russia? August 07, 2016 " Information Clearing House" - " RT " - Here are some of Assange's most insightful lines: Clinton, Saudi Arabia & jihadists The US government at the times when Hillary Clinton was in charge of the foreign policy did use Libya as a conduit to get arms to jihadists in Syria. That is well-established not just by a range of raw materials but also by  investigative reporters in the US, some of which were even published in The New York Times. La Farge, which is  giant transnational concrete company was involved in Syria. There are more than 350 La Farge related emails in our Syria emails release. The investigations by Le Monde reveals that they paid ISIS money, taxes for their operations in certain areas, were engaged in a variety of business deals with ISIS. Money from La Farge in 2015 and 2016 went to Hillary Clinton foundation. There is actually a long-term relationship between La Farge and Clinton; she was a member of the board. There is also an extensive relationship between Hillary Clinton and Saudi Arabia , between the Clinton Foundation and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is probably the largest single donor to the Clinton Foundation and you can see Clintons arms export policies when she was a secretary of state favoring extensively Saudi Arabia. On Clinton alleging Russia behind DNC email hack What [Hillary Clinton] is attempting to do is to conflate our publications of pristine emails  and whatever hacking has occurred of the DNC or other political organizations in the US by a range of actors. In this batch of documents ... there are claims that metadata after someone completed a document to PDF conversion, the language of the computer that was used for that conversion had been Russian. It remains circumstantial evidence  some Russians were involved or someone who wanted it to look like Russian was involved with these other media organizations. That is not the case for the materials that we have released. Clinton accusing Donald Trump of having ties with Russia There is a much deeper connection on record with Hillary Clinton and Russia than we are presently aware of with Donald Trump. Hillary Clinton did quite well strategically to draw a connection between Trump and Russia because she has so many connections of her own. There is no substantial connection [between Trump and Russia]. There is an extremely well-documented pattern of when Hillary Clinton was secretary of state, those people, companies, governments, who wanted a decision by the secretary of state in their favor, made large donations to the Clinton Foundation or in some other cases made business deals with people around Hillary Clinton. One particular instance is the approval by Secretary Clinton of selling 20 percent of the US-Iranian reprocessing rights to a Russian company to be exported to Russia. At that time, a large donation was made by those Russian interests to the Clinton foundation. LIKE Going Underground http://fb.me/GoingUndergroundRT
Hillary, Queen of War: The Road Map Ahead By Pepe Escobar August 07, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Sputnik " - It all starts with a Wahhabi-Zionist lovefest. The Saudi Foreign Ministry was forced to go on a non-denial denial overdrive about a visit to Israel on July 22 by a delegation led by retired Gen. Anwar Eshki. Eshki happens to be close to Saudi intel superstar and onetime close Osama bin Laden pal Prince Turki bin Faisal, who recently met in the open with former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) generals Yaakov Amidror and Amos Yadlin. While in Israel, Eshki met with Foreign Ministry Director-General Dore Gold, and Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, the top IDF honcho in the West Bank. Theres absolutely no way the House of Saud would not have given a green light for such a visit  and such high-level meetings. By the way, the Interior Ministry in Saudi Arabia bans all travel to Israel  as well as Iran and Iraq. So whats the big deal? The Israelis spun it as the Saudis  fronting for the Arab League  offering a normalization of ties with the Arab world without Israel abdicating from anything on the Palestinian front. The only thing Tel Aviv would have to do, much later, is to adopt the 2002, Saudi-proposed Arab peace initiative. Thats nonsense. For starters, the ultra right-wing Zionists in power in Tel Aviv will never accept reverting to the pre-1967 borders and recognizing the state of Palestine. What was discussed was a non-deal, even as Tel Aviv gloats, important Arab states are willing to openly embrace us even though we have not given up one inch of the West Bank and even as we continue to control Al-Aqsa Mosque. If the Arab League would ever embark in such a blatant non-deal, forever throwing the Palestinians under myriad bulldozers, chances are oligarchies/petromonarchies all across the spectrum should start booking that one-way ticket to London. That Moscow-Tehran-Ankara alliance So what did they actually talk about? Predictably, the imminent prospect of the Full Spectrum Dominatrix finally taking over the White House. Both Bibi Netanyahu in Tel Aviv and de facto House of Saud ruler and Prince of War Mohammad bin Salman in Riyadh have been reduced, under the Obama administration, to the status of proverbial, euphemistic estranged allies. Between them, they are de facto allies  even as they cannot admit it to the Arab street. Both are dead sure, under the Queen of War, there will be  what else  war. The question is against whom. Informed speculation points towards the Saudi/Israeli common enemy, Iran. Thats complicated. The joint Saudi/Israeli strategy across the Middle East is indeed in tatters. Tehran has not been trapped in a quagmire neither in Syria nor in Iraq. ISIS/ISIL/Daesh and assorted moderate rebels  covertly supported by the Saudi/Israeli axis  are on the run, even if they insist they are not al-Qaeda anymore. Prince of War bin Salman is entrapped himself in an unwinnable war on Yemen. And then theres the spectacular post-coup pivot by Sultan Erdogan in Turkey  for all practical purposes abandoning those elaborate no-fly-zone dreams of annexing a post-Assad Syria to his neo-Ottoman set up. The House of Saud is livid as Turkish diplomats have started to spread this blockbuster news: Erdogan has proposed to Irans Rouhani an all-embracing alliance with President Putin to finally solve the Middle East riddle. Whatever erratic Erdogans agenda may be, a possible ice-breaking new deal between Moscow and Ankara will be discussed de facto in the upcoming Putin-Erdogan face-to-face meeting. All geopolitical signs at this stage point  albeit tentatively  towards a revived Russia/Iran/Turkey alliance, even as a horrified House of Saud is going no holds barred to gain Moscows trust by offering untold wealth and privileged access to the GCC market. As confirmed by a top Western intel source, the Saudis are definitely keeping all contacts open with the Kremlin. The Saudi King is in Tangiers now and has met Russian envoys there. They mean what they say. But Putin will not abandon Assad. There has to be a compromise. Both need it. President Putin is in a privileged spot. Even without accepting the Saudi offer  which is just a promise, with no ironclad guarantees  Russia holds the best cards, as in a quite problematic but ultimately feasible Moscow-Tehran-Ankara alliance that is all about Eurasian integration (and a future seat for Turkey, alongside Iran, in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, SCO.) A Saudi-Moscow alliance for its part would inevitably lead a Queen of War administration towards  what else  regime change in Riyadh disguised as R2P; responsibility to protect the Saudi populace. One should expect Hillary crony Samantha Power to vehemently defend it at the UN. Its all about The Three Harpies Yet considering the Queen of Wars instincts, all signs do point towards Iran. The manual/blueprint/road map for Hillarys wars is arguably here, in this very dangerous intersection between US neocons and neoliberalcons. The CNAS think tank is led by one-third (Michele Flournoy) of what I have dubbed The Three Harpies; Hillary Clinton, Flournoy and  the most terrifying words in the English language  Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, the possible lethal trio in charge of foreign policy under a Clinton Three administration. This is in fact PNAC (the Project for a New American Century) on steroids, with echoes of the warlike 1992 US Defense Planning Guidance disguised under the soothing rhetoric of benevolent hegemony and rules-based international order. If the Trump campaign managed to restrain his motormouth and/or motortweet instincts and focus on what this warmongering opus means for the US and the world at large they would strike a chord with millions of undecided US voters. For all her bluster, and that will be elevated to unheard-of hysterical levels, the Full Spectrum Dominatrix wont be foolish enough to launch a war  which will inevitably be nuclear  against either Russia (Baltics as a pretext) or China (South China Sea as a pretext), the Pentagons top two existential threats. In Syria, on the other hand, by January 2017 al-Qaeda/not al-Qaeda goons formerly known as moderate rebels will be mostly six feet under. Erdogan may be making NATOs life in Turkey unbearable. As the Queen of War is in AIPACs pocket, and considering the Clinton Foundations by now legendary cozy ties with the House of Saud, the war target would have to be the Saudi/Israeli preferred target, on top of it pro-Damascus and in close touch with both Ankara and Moscow: Iran. But how to pull it off? One avenue, already being explored, is to bomb by all means  and not figuratively  the Iran nuclear deal. A concerted campaign in US mainstream media is already burying the deal; and even Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei  as reported in the US  is on the record saying Washington cannot be trusted; They tell us Lets talk about regional issues, too. But the experience of the nuclear deal suggests this is deadly poison and in no way can the Americans be trusted. So expect from Team Clinton the proverbial media barrage of dodgy spin, baseless accusations and the occasional, perfectly positioned false flag to lure Tehran intro a trap, like, for instance, in neoliberalcon wishful thinking, Iran reviving its nuclear program. Of course this wont happen, but a Hellfire barrage of disinformation will be used by the powerful anti-Iran lobby in the US Congress to sort of make it happen, even as an illusion. And all this while Iran, among other development matters, is busy planning a new transportation corridor from the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea, connecting to Armenia, Georgia and Bulgaria, and positioning the nation as a key trade hub connecting the Arab world in the south and west; Central Asia in the north; and Afghanistan and Pakistan in the east, all the way to Europe. Once again, Eurasian integration on the move. Tehran has myriad reasons to be on red alert if the Full Spectrum Dominatrix gets her hands on the nuclear codes (hows that not scarier than Trump?) She will act as a surefire faithful servant of the Saudi/Israeli alliance. The road map is ready. And neocons and neoliberalcons alike can hardly contain their excitement at seeing in action a force that can flex across several different mission sets and prevail.
Nigerias First Lady, Aisha Buhari on Saturday (August 6) attended the 25th-anniversary celebration of Zumunta Association, an association representing the 19 northern states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the United States of America.

According to their website, the association has advanced the sustainable development of not just Northern Nigeria, but Nigeria as a whole. As a Diaspora, they are concerned about their welfare in America and the state of affairs in Nigeria and have continued to come together to find ways and means of improving themselves and of contributing to the development of Nigeria, and their respective host communities.

The well-attended convention gala was held at Veterans Plaza  1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States.

See more photos below:
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Sunday reiterated his administrations capacity and will-power to combat all forms of crime and criminality, saying that it would not relent in its efforts until the state is rid of criminal elements.

He addressed a press conference on the safe rescue of the Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Oseni, who was seized three weeks ago by suspected kidnappers.

Ambode disclosed that in the last few weeks, there had been a coordinated onslaught by security agencies in the state against vandals and kidnappers, under the code name Operation Awatse, adding that the operation would continue until their activities were completely stamped out.

Speaking through the States Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, the governor said the kidnap of an Oba in Yorubaland was a sacrilege and a complete desecration of the cultural values of the Yoruba race, which according to him, must not go unpunished.

He said, The arrest of these suspects is a clear warning to criminal elements that we value and cherish our Yoruba tradition and will leave no stone unturned to ensure that it is protected from violation by those who have desecrated our values.

Two suspects  Isaiah Ododomu and Toba Forejo  who were arrested by the police, confessed to the crime, saying nine persons were involved in the operation that led to the kidnap of the monarch.

Mr. Ambode, who hailed the police and other security agencies for their all-round efforts in securing the release of the Oba and effecting the arrests of Messrs. Ododomu and Forejo, said the 74-year-old traditional ruler has since returned safely to his palace.

We are also pleased to announce that two of the kidnappers have been arrested and are here for everybody to see. The kidnappers are also prime suspects in the murder of two persons killed during the kidnap and they will face the full wrath of the law, the governor said.

He urged the public to continue to be vigilant and take advantage of the states emergency numbers 112 and 767 to alert security agencies of any suspicious actions in their areas, assuring that the state government would continue to support security agencies to ensure Lagosians remain safe and secure.

Speaking during the briefing, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Owoseni, said the sustained pressure and hot chase given to the kidnappers, led to the rescue of Oba Oseni.

Responding to inquiries as to whether ransom was paid, Mr. Owoseni said: We have always reiterated that it is not about whether ransom was paid or not. If it is about ransom, suspect will not be arrested and what I will say is that the pressure by the Lagos Command and the Special Response Team of the Inspector General of Police from Abuja, the combined efforts and pressure paid off and the most important thing is that Kabiyesi is in his palace.

The police boss added that the monarch was hale and hearty as at the time of his rescue, saying that he met personally with the monarch and debriefed him on his state of health.

Besides, Mr. Owoseni debunked insinuation that the state government abandoned the monarch to his fate during the period of the ordeal.

He said: As to whether the State Government did something or not, if you are seeing suspects being paraded, the security agencies are apparatus of government and that is to say that the government has worked very hard in order to get Kabiyesi liberated.

What we want to do is to also thank and appreciate the calmness and the understanding of the family who in the process of getting Kabiyesi out of the hands of the kidnappers have been very cooperative with us in order for us to get Kabiyesi out hale and hearty.

No matter the amount of money that is put to fund security, the United States has all it takes, France has all it takes but till tomorrow, you are still hearing of people being killed in Malls or whatever.

In France, some people went to church to go and kill a priest, so there is no society that you can completely eradicate crime. But for you to know, the logistics and wherewithal that the government has given all the security agencies in the State also contributed to the arrest that has been made.

All I want to say is that criminals should also know that whatever has been done, they will not go unpunished. As of now, investigation is still on and you can be assured that all the people that took part in that operation will be arrested and they will face the full wrath of the law. We will not reveal much so as not to jeopardize ongoing investigation, the CP assured.
A former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, has denied having links with the Niger Delta Avengers or any militant group.

He was reacting to a statement by one Cynthia Whyte, on behalf of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, RNDA, at the weekend, in which his name and that of several other prominent Nigerians, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, was mentioned as being sponsors of the NDA.

The NDA has claimed responsibility for bombing of oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta and has vowed not to relent until its mission to bring Nigerias crude oil production to zero level, is attained.

Dr. Jonathan, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and former Akwa Ibom State Governor now Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who were mentioned as NDA sponsors, have also issued separate statements to denounce the claim and any ties to militancy.

In his own statement, Metuh called on security agencies to immediately investigate and arrest the author of the statement linking him with the militant group and ensure that they got to the root of the matter.

The former PDP spokesman, who is standing trial for charges bordering on money laundering, described the attempt to link him with militancy as wicked, cruel and devilish.

According to him, it was wrong for anyone to link an innocent person with militancy at a time the nation was facing serious security challenges.

Metuh continued: For the avoidance of doubt, I hereby state categorically that I do not have any relationship or association whatsoever either as a sympathizer or sponsor of any militant group, including the Avengers.

I therefore find it very cruel that any person would in any manner whatsoever attempt to associate my name with anything to do with this group or its operations and I still wonder what the motive behind this sinister plot is. My only preoccupation now remains matters concerning my health and extant court trial as I continue to conduct my affairs with dignity and single-mindedness.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai, has assured residents of Jos, the Plateau state capital that they will never witness frequent Boko Haram attacks on markets, schools and worship centers as they witnessed in the time past.

The army chief gave the assurance in Jos on Monday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman, Plateau State Council of Traditional Rulers and Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Majesty, Da Jacob Gyang Buba in his palace in Jishe Jos.

The last time the city of Jos was attacked was in July 2015, when two separate bomb attacks on a restaurant and mosque, killed at least 44 people. Although no group claimed the attack, it had Boko Harams trademark style written all over it.

Gen. Buratai, who was on a familiarization tour of military units and formations under the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, told monarch that the Nigerian Army has already defeated Boko Haram and rendered the extremist group incapacitated.

He said: Your Royal Majesty Im here this morning to pay a courtesy call on you before embarking on my familiarization tour to units and formations under the 3 Division and indeed Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) here on the Plateau.

You can see that our efforts in the Northeast has really paid off as you can recall the incessant bombing of market places and different places of worships and population areas has virtually stopped now. And I can assure you and the people of Plateau state that they will never witness Boko Haram attacks like you witnessed in the past.

For a long time now we have not had any cases of that nature here on the Plateau and other parts of Nigeria, it is because of the efforts of the military in the Northeast. The Nigerian Army has not only succeeded in rooting them from their camps in the North East, we have been able to blocked these criminal elements from crossing up to this areas or building their camp anywhere in Nigeria.

I want to assure you that we would remain resolute in the discharge of our duties, I want to particularly commend you on your role as the Gbong Gwom Jos including all the moral support you gave us through wise counsel. We must acknowledge your support.

Apart from you, I want to also acknowledge the cooperation of Plateau people to the Nigerian Army, it is a fact that we have received excellent cooperation and understanding especially towards the Nigerian Army operating in Plateau State. I know there has been little challenges here and there and the most recent one is the one that happened last two to three weeks or about, but not withstanding we still got your full backing and full support and the Army in particular will ensure that we maintained the needed peace at all time.

The Commander Operation Safe Haven just assumed duty; I personally chose him to head this Command because of his experience and knowledge and diplomatic skills when he was the Chief of Civil Military Affairs in Army Headquarters. I want to assure you that the Army will give all the corporations within its duties as enshrine in the Constitution, and we want to reassure you that permanent peace will return back to Plateau State.

In his remarks, the Gbong Gwom said, The success of the Nigerian Army over Boko Haram did not come to me as a surprise because I know very well that the Nigerian Army historically has always distinguished itself wherever they have served and today, that particular history is still very much playing itself out.

Let me on behalf of Plateau State thank you and your men whom over the years have been paying sacrifices to work towards restoring peace, law and order not in Plateau State but all over Nigeria. Just some months back, Nigerians were apprehensive to whether Boko Haram will consume Nigeria or Nigeria would overcome it.

But we thank God Almighty for your efforts and that of your men by restoring hope to Nigerians. The sacrifices you have made that have translated to almost a total end to this destructive elements

We note that upon the discharge of this responsibility you have lost some men who sacrifice their lives for peace of this Country, we pray that God in his Mercy would grant them internal rest and console their families.

My appreciation goes to the President and Commander in Chief of the Army Forces, President Muhammad Buhari for waging a successful fight against insurgency in the country.
Cyprus police were investigating Monday how an officer mistakenly telephoned a Serbian who was suspected of being the ringleader in a mafia-linked assassination plot.

Police spokesman Andreas Angelides said the officer intended to call his counterpart at Interpols office in Serbia in March this year, but erroneously called the suspect instead.

An initial investigation found it was a genuine mistake and not corruption-related. A second probe will determine if the officer will face any disciplinary measures.

Cyprus police say the error happened after they were informed by Belgrade about a planned assassination attempt, but insisted the tip-off didnt specifically name anyone as the intended target.

Some have claimed that the blunder warned the plot ringleaders, who reworked their plans and postponed the assassination to June, when a 51-year-old Cypriot businessman was killed in the resort of Ayia Napa.

The debacle came to light after a paper on Monday reported that Serbian Interpol had information a Cypriot prison guard may have been involved in the case.

No one has been convicted yet of the killing of Fanos Kalopsidiotis who had also been the target of an earlier assassination bid 4 years ago.
Retired ASP Anthony Kwame, the former Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the ex-governor of Plateau State, Fidelis Tapgun was on Monday morning killed in a fire outbreak at his residence in the Jenta-Adamu neighbourhood of Jos.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Terna Tyopev, his two daughters, Theresa and Kerry, and son, Emmanuel also died in the inferno while his wife, Charity and daughter, Evelyn, survived the early morning fire disaster but sustained severe burns.

Mr Tyopev in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said: The deceased were burnt to ashes; what were taken to the mortuary of Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos were just the skeletons.

Neighbours who spoke with NAN said the cause of the fire remained unknown, but that it started around 1 a.m.

Meanwhile, the Village Head of Jenta-Adamu, Mr Kabala Bako, whose residence shares a fence with that of the deceased, said that he rushed out of his house when he heard shouts of fire.

When I rushed out, I called out other neighbours and we tried to put out the fire, but it had already engulfed the entire house and there was nothing we could do about it.

But we succeeded in making sure that that not so many houses in our area were affected.

In spite of our efforts, some adjacent houses were affected but no life was lost, he said.

The two survivors, currently on admission at Plateau Specialist Hospital, could not speak on the possible causes of the fire as they were writhing in severe pains.
An 18-year-old housemaid who stole her bosss N1.5 million within two and half hours of being employed has been arrested alongside her accomplices, her 30-year-old stepfather, Gabriel Igbang and her mother Joy.

The maid that goes by the name Happiness Gabriel, was alleged to have stolen the money at her employers residence in Lagos, then proceeded to a bush in Ogun State to bury her loot, before running away to Benin, the Edo State capital.

It was gathered that Happiness was engaged by Mrs Bolanle Ibukunoluwa sometimes in May 2016, through one Alhaja popularly known as Iya Dolapo, as a housemaid and the monthly salary agreed upon was N7, 000 to be paid at the end of the year.

On June 26, 2016, at about 5:30 p.m., the maid (Happiness) moved into her employers house, on that fateful day, the woman (Mrs Bolanle) went out and came back at about 8:00pm only to discover that her new house-help is nowhere to be found.

She forced the gate opened and then discovered that her Lenovo phone valued at N20, 000 and the N1.5m she kept in her room was nowhere to be found. She rushed immediately to her neighbours place to ask about the whereabouts of her housemaid and they told her she left before 8:00 p.m. She later went to report the incident at Central Police Station.

Happiness was later apprehended at Benin, where she ran to, after giving her step father the money she stole.

At first, her stepfather and her mother denied receiving any money from her, after much interrogation they all confessed and Happiness took the police to the bush in Ogun State where the sum of N300, 000 was recovered and another N252, 500 was also recovered at another location in the bush at Ogun State.

Delivering her judgement, Magistrate Omoyele found the first defendant guilty of conspiracy and stealing and consequently sentenced her to two and half years imprisonment without an option of fine.

Her step father was found guilty of the offence of receiving stolen property and was jailed one year without an option of fine.
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has reintroduced the War Against Indiscipline. WAI is one of Buharis creations while he was military head of state as an attempt to deal ruthlessly with acts of indiscipline.

On Monday, Garba Abari, the Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA) said the Concept of WAI is to instill discipline and orderliness in our society both in private and public life. WAI will be present in all the 36 states of the federation and the FCT to help promote values and discipline.

Not a brilliant idea

Buharis brilliant idea of revamping our economy is to relaunch WAI?? haaaa! oma se o!  FOLARIN (@datblacboi) August 8, 2016

Clueless government

When will people realize buhari z clueless about our countries economy and that he doesnt know how to prioritize. war against indiscipline?  official_Gandu (@Funomgandu) August 8, 2016

So 1 US Dollar is at 402 Naira Okay. Meanwhile, Buhari is partying in Chad.  Bill Achusim (@BillAchusim) August 8, 2016

Horrible idea

WAI infantilised, traumatised and dehumanised Nigerians. I recall it with revulsion and fear. A horrible relic unsalvageable in any form.  Funmi Iyanda (@Funmilola) August 8, 2016

For Gods sake, whats WAI got to do with anything at all NOW? And even if you say it has relevance, whos it supposed to be directed at?  Remi Sonaiya (@oluremisonaiya) August 8, 2016

Lacks creativity

So I read on @NOA_Nigeria TL that we now have a WAI-BRIGADE? God cant we get more creative? I SMH for #Nigeria sotay my head don pain TAYA  Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) August 8, 2016

Foolish

Todays foolishness is the return of WAI. Its just Monday. Who among us can confidently say essential commodities wont return by Friday?  tyro (@DoubleEph) August 8, 2016

No respect for Nigerians

I said this many moons ago that WAI would be back as a continuum of GMBs expression disdain for the Nigerian citizenry. Here it is.  SEGA Leveilleur (@segalink) August 8, 2016

WAI brigade was the face to the tyranny that was the Buhari regime in the 1980s. People were mercilessly flogged, humiliated by these thugs  The Nick of Time (@nicholasibekwe) August 8, 2016

WAI and KAI officials will work hand in gloves to ensure that unruly Lagosians are flogged till they relapse into coma. Very good feeling  IKECHUKWU (@iykimo) August 8, 2016

The relaunch of the WAI brigade is the ultimate indication that nothing good should be expected from the Buhari administration.  The Nick of Time (@nicholasibekwe) August 8, 2016
Angry students of the Niger State College of Education on Monday blocked the Minna  Suleja road after a tanker driver crushed a pregnant woman who happened to also be a student of the school to death.

The victim who was said to be in the department of Languages in the institution was on a commercial motorcycle when the tanker driver who was on top speed descended upon them

The incident which occurred right in front of the School gate infuriated students who trooped out en masse and the express road to protest the death of one of them.

However, the tanker driver who didnt stop after committing a gruesome murder was apprehended by the police in Chachanga some kilometers away from where the incident occurred.

Meanwhile, The Provost of the institution, The Police and FRSC officials came to pacify the students but to no avail.

After two hours of protesting, the Police were able to calm the students and bring the situation under control and they also tried to clear the road of traffic.
The faction of Boko Haram loyal to Abubakar Shekau, has released a video, declaring that the war against Nigeria has just begun, in defiance of claims by the Nigerian military and federal government that the terrorist group has been technically defeated.

The group also threatened to attack Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari and the entire world.

In the 24 minutes video, which first featured a masked man surrounded by armed men in an expectedly unknown location, Shekaus Boko Haram told ISIS leader, Abubakar al-Baghdadi, that it will not follow the leader he appointed for it as he doesnt follow what they call authentic creed.

The video further strengthens speculation that there is a split within the terrorist organization, following a report in the 41st edition of ISIS Al-Naba Magazine, published last week, which made reference to Abu Musab al-Barnawi, as Boko Harams governor for West Africa.

The man who, spoke in most part of the video recently released, said there several secret issues the group will not divulge to the public until they meet al-Baghdadi or have opportunity for live audio conversation with him.

After about 18 minutes, Shekau spoke for about six minutes, an in usual fashion, threatened the world and reaffirmed his position as leader of Boko Haram.

Below is an excerpt from what he said in the video:

We do not need to kill our Muslim brethren. We kill unbelievers. We dont fight anybody except those that God fight. We dont declare as apostate except he that God has declared apostate. We are on our resolve by Gods leave to follow the book and tradition based on the understanding of pious predecessors.

O our scholars, o our respected scholars be patient, patience after patience, by the leave of the most high God.

O you non-believers, die with you anguish. We shall fight you. We shall humiliate America and Nigeria. We believe in the verse of our lord. They will not harm you except for [some] annoyance. And if they fight you, they will show you their backs; then they will not be aided. (Q 3:111)

And our lord said (Q, 29 41) The example of those who take allies other than Allah is like that of the spider who takes a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew.

O you who want me dead, if my time come, I will die by the leave of God the most high: And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allah at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world  We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter  We will give him thereof. And we will reward the grateful. (Q3:145)

I am son of Muhammad before I say father of Muhammad Abubakar of Shekau leader of the people committed to tradition for preaching and jihad, I came out by the leave of God not only for Nigeria but for the whole world. De with your anguish, o you disbelievers. Glad tidings to you o, Muslim brethren. We, by the leave of God the most high, will fight the non-believers until we see that Gods word is the most high. This is what we wish to talk about by the leave of God the most high.

Oh, Buhari die with you anguish. I am alive.

Excerpts from the masked mans speech in the video below:

After that, our leader, Asshakawi, sent you different massages up to 8 explaining to you that these people that break away from us do not follow authentic creed, but creed of irjai. Then you asked him what is the meaning of irjai? Then he sent you a message explaining to you the meaning of Irjai. You didnt say anything. You kept quiet.

Then before this happened we informed you in the message we sent to you that a people have broken away from us asking to do something so that there will not be problem later. That was why we sent a message to you early. You didnt do anything about it and didnt give us any reply.

Among the messages we sent to you, there were a lot of questions, but didnt get an answer to any of them. So, we just heard that story through the media and your message. That is why we are saying we are with our Imam, Imam Abu Muhammad, Abubakar bn Muhammad Ashekawi, may Allah protect him.

After that there are several other things whose explanations are not suitable for this medium because those things require secracy. Therefore, we are saying, we have not withdrawn our allegiance to the Khalif. We are with our allegiance. However, we will not follow the person whose creed is not that of the people committed to sunnah and the mainstream.

And hence we will not allow a messenger between us and the Khalif because its the messengers that spoilt the issue till when God decree our meeting with the Khalif and we believe that what he is doing is from the Khalif or we get an audio message that we are sure is from the khalif that is where we will agree. Otherwise, we will not agree to work with those messengers of the first. That is what we said.

And when we get the opportunity to meet of (sic) a live audio message that is when we will explain certain secret issues that are not good to be explained in this type of (medium) to the world. But there are a lot of secrets that we are hoping the Khalif and those near him do not know the secrets.

Our second message to the human idols, the infidels and the apostates, especially the idols of West Africa. Do not boast about what happened between us and our brethren. These kind of things will not be strange to us in Islamic religion. Differences do occur. This type of difference is not a new thing. Even if you are happy, soon God will mend our relationship with our brethren, and you should die with your anguish by Gods will.

And we are saying, o you the human idols of the world, especially, the idols of West Africa, we are giving you glad tidings of what will make you sad. And you will see, soon you will see by the leave of God the most high what you will not expect its happening in your Nigeria, in your Cameroon, your Chad, your Niger and your Africa entirely. Especially, Buratai in Nigeria and your Kukasheka. Kukasheka is the one speaking for the army or what? Buratai, you are their leader, you are the one plotting bad things and lies? Okay, wait for what will happen to you, soon. Wait, you will see God willing. It is not by our power, but the power of God.

So we are telling you, o you Kukasheka and your Buratai with all Nigerian soldiers and all world soldiers, our coming out today is to fight the world, not just Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Chad of Africa alone. We have come out to fight the world. Hear well. We are informing that the war has just started today. Hear well. Die with your anguish.

And you should listen, O you big human idol that is called Buhari. Wait, you will soon see us in your house. Very soon you will see us in the middle of your house. Its God that will do it, not us. Dont say we cant. God will do it. With all the securities that you rely on, we only rely on God. Your security are your confidence, your soldiers that you. The weapons we are not relying on them. We rely on God. God is our strength. You will see. You will be surprised. You will see us in the middle of your house.

And listen O you all the human idols of Nigeria, very soon within these days you will see us in your capital city that you call Abuja. You will see us in it very soon. You will see us in your Abuja. We will crush unbelief. We will burn your flag of disbelief with green white green. We will replace it with black flag on which is written in white color there is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God. We will put that flag in place of that your flag of disbelief. Under this flag work will be done for God the most high. Gods law will be enforced. We will demolish all signs of disbelief.
On this day in 2011, In Nigeria gunmen killed five people and wounded four others in a nighttime attack on in Bisichi village, Plateau state, leaving the dead mutilated with machete wounds. Boko Haram attackers killed a senior prison official and a school teacher in Maiduguri.

The nighttime attack took place in Bisichi village, a Muslim community in the long-troubled state of Plateau in central Nigeria, the fault line between Nigerias predominantly Christian south and Muslim north. Attackers used gunshots to scare villagers toward other assailants carrying machetes, said Abubakar Mohammed, the chairman of a local cattle association.

The attackers stole hundreds of heads of cattle from a village, which sits in the pasturelands and mountains of the state.
The military over the weekend made giant strides in their ongoing efforts to rid South West of suspected militants attacking Lagos and Ogun State communities.

The ground troops who moved into the creeks after the Nigerian Air Force bombed the camps destroyed about ninety-seven enclaves of the militants and recovered three laptops, expended magazines, an AK47 rifle and police and military uniforms.

It was gathered that pictures and a register containing names of suspected militants were also recovered.

A source close to the operation, who didnt want to be quoted because he is not authorised to speak to the media, said stench of decomposing bodies filled some of the camps, although no bodies were found. He described this as an indication that many of the militants might have been killed from the air strikes, noting that the fleeing militants might have taken the bodies of their men.

The recovered items will aid the investigation by the DSS and enable them to go after and apprehend the suspects, said the source who added that the recovery of the pictures and names of the suspects in a register; shows that they are organised and that they usually signed in and out.

In one of the registers there are about 450 names on it.

He added that the police and army uniforms found had no names on them. We saw a lot of personal effects and I can tell you that the militants suffered casualties because of the stench coming out of the camps.

it was also learnt that the profiling of the arrested 11 suspects is ongoing. One of the revelations is that four of them have been identified as Ilaje, a development that corroborates claims from certain quarters that the gunmen were not from any particular ethnic group
Nat-Gas Prices Fall Again as Warm U.S. Weather Persists Barchart - 17 minutes ago Dec Nymex natural gas (NGZ22 ) on Friday closed -0.191 (-3.25%). Dec nat-gas prices Friday fell for the third session on expectations for prolonged warm U.S. temperatures that would reduce heating demand... NGZ22 : 5.795 (-1.36%)

Crude Oil Falls on China Lockdowns and Dollar Barchart - 41 minutes ago Dec WTI crude oil (CLZ22 ) Friday closed down -1.18 (-1.32%), and Dec RBOB gasoline (RBZ22 ) closed down -7.86 (-2.98%). Crude oil and gasoline prices Friday fell sharply on a higher dollar and on news... CLZ22 : 88.13 (-1.07%) RBZ22 : 2.5670 (-2.82%)

Stocks Rip, Commodities Pause, Here is Why Blue Line Futures - 57 minutes ago Our daily video.

Cocoa Prices Close Lower as Demand Concerns Resurface Barchart - 58 minutes ago December ICE NY cocoa (CCZ22 ) on Friday closed down -12 (-0.52%), and December ICE London cocoa #7 (CAZ22 ) closed down -15 (-0.79%). Cocoa prices on Friday were undercut by the +0.2% rally in the dollar... CCZ22 : 2,302s (-0.52%) CAH23 : 1,861s (-0.43%)

Coffee Prices Plunge on Continued Demand Concerns Barchart - 1 hour ago December arabica coffee (KCZ22 ) on Friday closed sharply lower by -9.05 (-5.26%), and Jan ICE Robusta coffee (RMF23 ) closed down -29 (-1.54%). Arabica coffee prices Friday extended the sharp sell-off... KCZ22 : 169.80s (-5.06%) RMF23 : 1,849s (-1.54%) ^USDBRL : 5.31386 (-0.47%)

Cotton Down a Limit Barchart - Fri Oct 28, 11:49AM CDT Midday cotton futures are down their 3 cent/lb limit at midday in the Dec and in the March contracts. The other nearby contracts are 103 to 250 points in the red. Cotton export sales were 68,437 RBs for... CTZ22 : 72.11s (-3.99%) CTH23 : 72.07s (-3.66%) CTK23 : 72.30s (-2.99%)

Hogs Firming up on Friday Barchart - Fri Oct 28, 11:49AM CDT After the triple digit losses on Thursday, lean hog futures are back up by 32 to 72 cents for Friday. The USDA National Average Base Hog Price fell $4.99 in the AM report to $87.63. The 10/25 CME Lean... HEZ22 : 86.100s (+1.15%) HEJ23 : 92.700s (+0.62%) KMZ22 : 96.125 (+0.37%)

Cattle Down on Stronger Feeders Barchart - Fri Oct 28, 11:49AM CDT Nearby feeder cattle futures are printing 5 to 30 cent gains through Fridays midday. Fat cattle on the other hand are down 35 to 45 cents through the front months. USDA confirmed Southern cash trade... LEV22 : 150.375s (-0.68%) LEZ22 : 153.000s (-0.28%) LEG23 : 156.325s (-0.33%) GFX22 : 177.875s (-0.14%) GFF23 : 180.375s (-0.04%)
Heres a sobering statistic: according to the Global Peace Index, only 10 countries worldwide are considered free from conflict. Iceland is ranked the most peaceful in the world due to its low level of militarization and its lack of domestic and international conflict. The country also has an elevated degree of security and pretty stable society. Unsurpisingly, Syria ranks as the least peaceful.

For the past five years, the worlds attentions have been trained on the escalating events that have led to an estimated 470,000 deaths, 1.9 million wounded, over 4 million Syrian refugees, and 7.6 million internally displaced people, to date. Regardless of the number of ongoing critical conflicts in the world todayfrom the civil war in Libya to territorial disputes in the South China Seaall eyes are on Syria.

Given the Syrian wars unmitigated path of destruction its no surprise that the crisis received the most private funding dollars in 2015, which amounted to six percent of total humanitarian funding that year. And while NGOs like Ikea, UPS, and Western Union foundations are stepping up to the plate here in a big way, most major U.S. funders remain MIA and multibillion funding shortfalls remain. Regardless, last year Syria was one of the five crises around the world that accounted for more than 50 percent of all humanitarian funding.

Related: Finally: New Data Shows That Private Funders Have Stepped Up Giving for the Syrian Crisis

Overall, this is good news, at least for the conflicts happening in Syria Yemen, South Sudan, Iraq and Sudan. But donor dollars are scarce resources and if half of those resources are being directed to just five countries, it means fewer funding dollars are available to help other regions in conflict. For example, what's up with the funding lately to address the nearly 100-year long Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

We've been wondering the same thing ourselves, so we dug around a bit to shine the spotlight on a few funders, large and small, that remain resolutely on this case.

Firedoll Foundation

Founded by two unrepentant liberals, Sandor and Faye Straus, the Firedoll Foundation is quietly waging war against policies of both the governmental and religions kind. Its Peace Process and Middle East program is based on the foundations ethos that both Palestinian and Jewish people have a legitimate claim to their common homeland. Firedoll awards grants to groups that share in its belief that the people of Palestine and Israel have the moral and legal right to share their ancient homeland in peace and security.

Related: Firedoll Foundation: Grants for Human Rights

Firedolls funding is largely focused on humanitarian assistance, economic development, and civil society in the West Bank and Gaza. The foundation also makes grants to groups that are defending the recognized rights of Palestinians living under occupation and supports outfits that are working to bring an end to the occupation.

This isnt a big foundation, assets of $10 to $12 million and grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. But this is a funder that largely favors local and grassroots groups like Anarchists Against the Wall and the Palestinian Solidarity Project, both of which are past grantees.

Foundation for Middle East Peace

The Foundation for Middle East Peace was established in the late-1970s by lawyer and philanthropist Merle Thorpe, who recognized that the Israeli-Palestinian issue was at the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict. This is another funder that likes to support smaller organizations, specifically, those making significant contributions to a solution to the conflict.

The Foundation for Middle East Peace supports educational, humanitarian, public affairs, civil rights groups, and Palestinian-Israeli reconciliation activities. On a smaller scale, it awards grants to groups addressing the needs of victims of the current and ongoing conflict in the region.

Related: Foundation for Middle East Peace: Grants for Global Security

Most grants coming out of this foundation range from $5,000 to $35,000 and go toward the general operating support of outfits like I Wage Peace, Healing Across the Divides, and Outward Bound Peacebuilding. While its true that the Foundation for Middle East Peace favors supporting smaller groups, a few larger organizations are also on the receiving end of the foundations grantmaking. In this regard, the Center for International Studies, ANERA, and Alliance for Middle East Peace, are past grantees.

Samuel Rubin Foundation

During his life, Samuel Rubin was well known for his leftist philosophies and his belief that peace would not come to the Middle East without social and cultural interaction across religions and ethnicities.

Of the three foundations highlighted here, Rubins grants are a bit less pointed in that it awards grants to groups working in relatively wide variety of matters related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the foundations grants are largely rights related, for example, it has supported Grassroots Internationals work with the Palestinian Center for Human Rights. Its also the Gaza Community Health Programs.

Related: Samuel Rubin Foundation: Grants for Global Security and Human Rights

Again, the asset size of Rubin, which is usually between $10 and $12 million, explains its favoritism toward supporting small groups. Thats not to say that this foundation doesnt make grants to larger outfits, Human Rights Watch and the Tides Center are Rubin grantees.

Open Society Foundations

We always like reminding folks that OSF is bigger than they think, with a budget of nearly a billion dollars year and offices in 37 countries. And while George Soros's philanthropy is forever associated with the former communist world, it touches nearly all parts of the world, including the Middle East, where OSF has long been involved in work on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We've described that work elsewhere, and how it has a few different pieces, including grants to pro-peace groups. In general, this is a funder that's seen as a quite sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, drawing a fair amount of fire as a result. Soros was also a key funder who helped create J Street, which has played an important role in broadening the voices in the U.S. debate over the Middle East.

Related: These Funders Haven't Given Up on the Palestinians, or Hopes of Peace

Skoll Threats Fund

Jeff Skoll was another key backer who helped get J Street off the ground, and one of the few funders to come out of Silicon Valley who's interested in the Middle East. Like Soros, he's been interested in broadening out the voices in this debate and has been cast as (too) sympathetic to Palestinians. This conflict is one of the focus points of the Skoll Global Threats Fund, but it's tricky to track what exactly this entity does or where the money goes.

Ford Foundation

Ford, as we've written before, is another big global funder that, like OSF, has been involved in work around the Palestinian-Israel conflict as part of a much larger agenda. Ford is still working the Middle East and North Africa after its reorganization, and you can see more here. What you'll notice is that this is a funder with a broad set of interests in the region.
Self-storage developer The Natchez Group plans to tear down a rundown motel in Chattanooga, Tenn., and build a mixed-use development that will include self-storage and a commercial center. The Great Value Inn, formerly known as the Cherokee Motel, at 1105 Dayton Blvd. is just north of Stringers Ridge Tunnel, a main route between Chattanooga and Red Bank, Tenn.

Natchez Group is purchasing the 2-acre tract, which includes buildings dating to 1955, from Savi LLC, a privately held company. Construction is slated to begin once the real estate deal closes in September, according to the source. The $6.3 million project will open in the spring.

The three-story storage facility will comprise 75,000 square feet of storage space in 600 units, some of which will offer climate control. The 4,500-square-foot commercial and retail component, which will front Dayton Boulevard, will be built at a later date, the source reported.

The new business will help meet a growing need for self-storage in the community, which has experienced an increase in apartment living, said John Mitchum, a real estate broker for Re/Max Renaissance Realtors. More than 2,000 new apartments will become available in the city in the next few years. People who live in apartments need somewhere to store their stuff," Mitchum said.

The mixed-use project is part of the citys ongoing effort to redevelop Dayton Boulevard, said Red Bank Mayor John Roberts. We're going to help recruit retail to the site.

Based in Nashville, The Natchez Group was founded in 2013 by local real estate investor Taylor Preston. It has additional storage projects under development in Tennessee, including a six-story, mixed-use development in Germantown, and an eight-story facility in the SoBro neighborhood of Nashville.
Update 11/4/16  StorageVault Canada has completed its purchase of the Ottawa self-storage property that was part of its Aug. 8 acquisition announcement. This includes all the self-storage assets, property and business used in the operation of the facility.

The $4.1 million purchase was paid with cash on hand and first-mortgage financing. With this acquisition, StorageVault now has 16 stores in the Ontario market. 9/1/16  StorageVault Canada has completed its purchase of the Calgary self-storage property that was part of its Aug. 2 acquisition announcement. The facility at 4810 80th Ave. previously operated as Space Place Self Storage. This is StorageVaults first location in Calgary and fifth in Alberta.

The asset includes more than 400 units and will operate as a PUP portable-storage location, according to the StorageVault website.

The $14.95 million transaction was paid with cash on hand, first-mortgage financing and the assumption of some debt.

 Canadian self-storage operator StorageVault Canada Inc. has agreed to buy a self-storage facility in Calgary, Alberta, and another in Ottawa, Ontario, in separate transactions for more than $19 million. The company also announced it is negotiating to purchase $45 million in assets from Access Self Storage Inc., one of its major shareholders, according to a press release. The Calgary and Ottawa deals are expected to close by Nov. 1.

The unidentified Calgary property will be purchased for $14.95 million, while the Ottawa asset will be acquired for $4.1 million. Both deals are subject to conditions, including environmental site-assessment reports and approval from the board of directors, the release stated. The transactions will be paid for with cash and mortgage financing. StorageVault will assume an undisclosed amount of debt in the Calgary deal and take on the current mortgage in the Ottawa transaction.

StorageVault is also pursuing Access Storage properties in Montreal and Southern Ontario. Twenty percent of the purchase is expected to be paid for by issuing common shares of StorageVault stock. No agreements of letters of intent have been signed, the release stated.

StorageVault last year acquired Cubeit Portable Storage Canada Inc. and seven storage facilities from Access in a $51 million deal.

Access Storage operates about 75 self-storage facilities comprising more than 4 million square feet and more than 1,000 portable-storage containers. It owns facilities in Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec, with its Quebec locations branded as Depotium Mini-Entrepot, according to the company website.

StorageVault operates several self-storage facilities and more than 3,200 portable-storage units in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan.
The Rio de Janeiro Olympics are now in full swing, with well-publicized facilities problems for both athletes and tourists highlighting the divide between the health of emerging and of developed economies. With export demand down by more than 25 percent over the past five years, Brazil has become a poster child for commodity-centric emerging economies that racked up rapid growth in a debt-fueled cycle of investment, then endured five consecutive quarters of contracting gross domestic product. Meanwhile, much stronger than forecast payroll figure in the U.S. and surprising resilience in activity indicators in the euro zone (despite the shock of the Brexit vote) suggest that some wealthier economies remain relatively insulated from the woes of by slack emerging-market demand. Critically, some observers note that the isolationist politics espoused by many First World leaders could exacerbate this divergence. In a note to clients over the weekend, Robert Savage, CEO of foreign-exchange hedge fund CCTrack Solutions noted, The fragility of global trade, the rising tide of national and populist politics in the U.S. and elsewhere, the ongoing rise of terror and concern about security, the rising tensions over disputed territory  from the South China Sea to the Ukraine  all this leaves clear that the peace that has held the world together since World War II is at risk in the years ahead, while adding that, the relationship of global trade to global GDP and thus to an improving world is clear from the charts.

Trump to call for halt to new financial rules. Advance copies of a speech to be delivered today by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump indicate that he will call for a temporary ban on additional financial regulation in an attempt to lower hurdles for small business operators. In the past, Trump has proposed repealing the Dodd-Frank Act. Among other pro-business proposals Trump is expected to call for corporate tax rates to be lowered significantly and to streamline intellectual property laws.

Mattress merger. On Monday, South African retailer Steinhoff International Holdings announced an agreement to acquire Houston, Texas- based Mattress Firm Holding Corp. in a deal valued at $2.4 billion, or more than $3.5 billion, including assumed debt. For Mattress Firm shareholders, the deal represents a robust premium a bit over twice the closing price of Mattress Firm on Friday. In late 2015, Mattress Firm acquired rival discount retailer Sleepys to create a company with nearly 3,500 locations.

Wal-Mart said to announce Jet.com acquisition. In a move that appears to be a defensive reaction to Amazon.coms growing retail dominance, Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart Stores is expected to announce a deal to acquire Hoboken, N.J. startup Jet.com in the coming days, according to multiple reports. Jet.coms strategy to date has involved discounted shipping through higher volume per-customer and rewarding payment methods without chargebacks to sellers. Wal-Marts online sales by notional value are currently less than 15 percent of those of Seattle-based Amazon.

Chinese FX reserves flat for month. In a statistical release on Sunday, the Peoples Bank of China indicated that capital outflows have remained steady, with currency reserves for July stabilized at $3.2 trillion, roughly in line with consensus economist forecasts. Strengthening yen and euro valuations may have aided the stockpile, helping keep the decrease over the prior month to slightly more than $4 billion.

Factory activity picks up in Germany. Data released on Monday by the Statistisches Bundesamt Deutschland revealed stronger than forecast activity on factory floors in Germany in June. The headline production index increased by 0.8 percent for the month. Despite resilient signals from the sector, many economists anticipate that initial GDP figures for the second quarter slated for release on Friday will indicate muted growth during the period for the euro zones largest economy.
This content is from: Opinion

Cryptos descent into hell, rather than sending institutional investors straight for the exits, has triggered a hunt for the next big bet.(Part of the crypto column series.)
Its been a busy week of earnings reports from several major insurers including AXA and Aviva . Now it is Allianz s to take the spotlight  and the international insurance giant has suffered a significant 17% profit slump.The company, which offers financial services across Europe and is based in Munich, delivered 2.4 billion euros of operating profit through the second quarter of the year  but this represented a 17.2% fall, largely due to the impact of natural catastrophe losses and other exceptional effects. Overall, its total revenues were down 2.5% to stand at 29.4 billion euros for the second quarter.The focus of the difficulties was the companys property and casualty segment. In the first six months of 2016, gross premiums written declined slightly to 28.9 billion euros compared to 29.2 billion euros previously. Adjusted for foreign exchange and consolidation effects, internal growth was 3.1%, with Turkey, Germany and Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty ( AGCS ) driving the majority of this increase.More notably, however, operating profit fell by 16.2% to 2.5 billion euros compared to the first half of 2015, due to a lower underwriting result and lower investment income. The prior-year result was also supported by the net gain from the sale of the Firemans Fund personal insurance business. The combined ratio worsened by 0.8 percentage points to 94.9%. Meanwhile, gross premiums written decreased by 2.0% to stand at 11.6 billion euros in the second quarter of 2016  this was largely due to negative foreign-currency effects. Operating profit fell by 37.0% to 1.1 billion euros in the second quarter of 2016. The underwriting result was negatively impacted by a strong increase in claims from natural catastrophes as well as higher large and weather-related losses, partly offset by elevated run-off.There was better news in its life and health insurance business, however, with operating profit increasing by 18.3% to 1.0 billion euros compared to the prior-year quarter.Speaking about the results, Oliver Bate, CEO of Allianz SE, described the performance as solid highlighting a successful shift in its life insurance segment to capital efficient products, which led to a decline in total revenues but marked a rise in profitability in new business.Allianz is transforming itself into an organization that is closer to its customers, is more capital efficient, enjoys higher profitability, and were doing this in a difficult environment, he said. The second quarter in particular was shaped by markedly higher damages from heavy floods and storms in Europe this spring. We were happy to support our customers in those difficult times.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court reversed the decision of an Oklahoma Workers Compensation Commission administrative law judge and ruled that a workers comp claim for a slip and fall on an icy sidewalk next to an employers parking lot is compensable.

The case involved an employee of Oklahoma State Universitys Oklahoma City campus (OSU/OKC), Annette Legarde-Bober, who slipped and fell on the curb of an icy sidewalk next to the parking lot on OSU/OKC premises where she was assigned a parking space.

The Supreme Courts unpublished decision, issued on June 28, states that OSU/OKC initially determined Legarde-Bober was in the course and scope of her employment when she fell and provided treatment and temporary total disability benefits.

When Legarde-Bober applied for additional workers comp benefits, however, the university denied the claim, saying her injury didnt arise out of her duties on the job. The ALJ agreed.

On appeal, the state Supreme Court saw things differently.

In the Courts written opinion, it recognized that Oklahomas Administrative Workers Compensation Act (AWCA) states that any injury occurring in a parking lot or other common area adjacent to an employers place of business when an employee is not at work is not compensable. The parking lot in question, however, was on the employers premises, right next to the building in which the claimant worked. That was a deciding factor in the Courts view. In the majority opinion, the Court pointed out that the definition of the term, course and scope of employment, in the AWCA, includes activities conducted on the premises of an employer.

Additionally, the injury occurred near the building where she worked, just minutes before her work shift began.

The parking lot and sidewalk were in fact on the premises of the OSU/OKC campus, which Employer admitted in the Employee Injury Report, the Courts decision states.

The court concluded that because Legarde-Bobers actions at the time of her injury were related to and in furtherance of the business of her Employer OSU/OKC, and Petitioner was on the premises of her Employer when she fell, she was in the course and scope of her employment as defined in the relevant section of the AWCA.

The decision was not unanimous as three of the nine Court justices disagreed with the majoritys view.

In his dissent, Justice Winchester took issue with majoritys opinion that the parking was part of the employers place of business, stating that the legislature had intentionally excluded the parking lot from the jurisdiction of Workers Compensation law.

The case is Bober v. Oklahoma State University, Case Number: 114038.

Topics Workers' Compensation Oklahoma
Munich Re has partnered with New York City-based insurtech startup Slice Labs Inc. as Slice prepares to launch its first on-demand, per-use insurance product.

Slice and Munich Re said they have agreed to an ongoing roll-out of products and territories with Slice supplying the technology platform to deliver the products directly to the consumer. Slice will also handle service and processing of claims.

The Slice digital platform will include automated underwriting rules agreed upon by Munich Re.

The two companies are working together to implement Slices first product in the U.S., which Slice said in March would be a proprietary pay-per-use policy for Uber and Lyft drivers that covers drivers from the time they turn on their rideshare app until they turn it off.

Slice Labs earlier this year secured $3.9 million in seed funding led by Horizons Ventures and XL Innovate. The venture capital fund XL Innovate is financially backed by insurer XL Catlin Group and invests in companies developing new capabilities in the insurance sector.

Slice is headquartered in New York City and is so far licensed to conduct business in California, Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington.

The Slice founders include Timothy Attia and Ernie Hursh, both formerly of Bolt Solutions, a digital distribution platform for property/casualty insurance carriers.

Tom Hutton, managing partner of XL Innovate, is on Slices board. Prior to XL Innovate, Hutton was CEO at Risk Management Solutions and White Mountains Re.

On Munich Res part, the deal is being handled by a new division, Digital Partners, where Andrew Rear is chief executive.

Digital Partners is a new Munich Re global venture designed to partner with disruptors who are changing the way insurance is experienced by customers, said Rear in a statement. We are looking forward to helping Slice re-imagine and redesign insurance to support the on-demand economy.

Asked about Munich Res working with an insurtech that is being funded by another insurer, in this case XL Catlin, Rear said he sees venture capital funding and business partnerships as separate activities. If successful, our partnership with Slice will generate a lot of value for them, and therefore for their investors, he told Insurance Journal.

Slices Emily Mertz agreed that the insurance and venture capital operations are independent. She described XL Innovate as not part of XL Catlins insurance operations. Because of the breadth of product and scope of opportunity, Slice needs multiple global players to meet the potential product and capacity needs. XL Innovate and Munich Re are both strategic to Slice, she stated.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions InsurTech
New requirements regarding the implementation of changes in workers compensation loss costs have been passed by the South Carolina Legislature, and the insurance department is reminding insurers to ensure they follow the new filing rules as loss cost increases will take effect Sept. 1.

The South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) approved a loss cost increase of 2.5 percent put forth by the National Council of Compensation Insurers (NCCI) for workers comp policies in the state as of Sept. 1, 2016. NCCI, South Carolinas workers comp insurance rating organization, files prospective loss costs with SCDOI for approval. Once approved, insurers writing workers comp in the state must adopt the new loss costs. Loss costs represent claims experience, which is a main driver of workers comp costs. Claims experience is measured by the number of workplace injuries and the average cost of injuries.

The exact loss cost changes for South Carolina vary depending on the following classifications:

Higher medical costs are the main reason for the increases

In a July 6 bulletin from SCDOI Director Raymond Farmer, all insurers transacting workers comp insurance business in South Carolina were notified of the loss cost changes, as well as changes passed by the Legislature this year regarding new procedures for workers comp insurers filing loss cost adoptions or loss costs multipliers.

Insurers writing workers comp in the state must now file their intent to adopt NCCIs filing within 60 days of the approval date of the new loss costs in accordance with the new law. Insurers must also now implement the latest NCCI loss costs within 120 days from the new loss cost effective date. SCDOI approved NCCIs South Carolina loss cost filing on June 21, giving insurers until Aug. 20 to make their filing to adopt the new loss costs and until Dec. 30, 2016 to implement the loss costs adoption.

The new law, which amends the 1976 Code of Laws of South Carolina relating to rate filing requirements, also requires an insurer to file its multiplier for expenses, assessments, profit and contingencies within 60 days before using a new multiplier. The section relating to the filing requirements for rating organization members was also amended to establish that an insurer writing workers comp insurance may satisfy its filing obligation by becoming a member of or subscriber to a licensed rating organization.

SCDOI recommended the legislative changes in its Workers Compensation Insurance Coverage: The State of the South Carolina Market report released in Dec. 2015, saying they would regulate the marketplace in a more efficient manner and codify the current regulatory practice.

SCDOI has posted a timeline in Rates, Rules & Forms Filings under the Insurers section on its website (www.doi.sc.gov) to help insurers understand the deadlines of the new requirements, as well as information on the new procedures. It also directs insurers to how they can prepare and complete rate, rule and form filings, which are submitted via the State Electronic Rate Form Filing (SERFF) system. Filings must be submitted by insurer and by line of business.

Farmer said the overall loss cost increase of 2.5 percent comes on the heels of the 1.9 percent increase in 2015, and he hopes that its not an indication of a trend towards future increases, despite some concerning factors.

We have had higher medical costs here for the last several years  that is the main reason for the increase, Farmer said. Medical costs, whether for individuals or group or workers comp continue to rise, so when you look at that and review, it isnt a surprise.

Rate levels for the states assigned risk plan, which is also administered by NCCI for employers who are unable to procure workers comp coverage in the voluntary market, were also approved to be raised by an overall 6 percent. The increase was in response to a revision request by NCCI for corrective action because of excessive losses within the assigned risk plan that jeopardized the ability of the plan to operate as a self-funded mechanism. South Carolina law requires the assigned risk plan be able to operate on a self-funded basis. Accordingly, rates may be adjusted to the assigned risk plan as necessary to ensure that it can continue to operate in such a manner.

Topics Carriers Trends Legislation Workers' Compensation Profit Loss South Carolina
A Connecticut woman who found her 77-year-old husband crushed to death under an all-terrain vehicle when she brought him lunch at his job cannot sue his employer for severe emotional injuries she suffered, the state Supreme Court ruled recently.

Justices issued a unanimous decision in an appeal filed by Jenny Velecela. Her husband, Austin Irwin, was under the large ATV doing repairs at All Habitat Services in Branford on July 16, 2011, when it slipped off a lift and killed him. Velecela found him a short time later.

In an agreement with All Habitat Services, Velecela received $300,000 in workers compensation benefits for her husbands death, but she also filed a lawsuit against the company alleging it was responsible for the emotional injuries she suffered when she found her husbands body.

The Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that Connecticuts workers compensation law bars people from suing for negligent infliction of emotional distress if they receive workers compensation benefits.

The decision was similar to one the high court issued last week. In that case, justices said two workers injured in a power plant explosion that killed six other people in Middletown in 2010 could not sue a contractor for negligence because they had received workers compensation benefits.

Velecelas lawyer, Kevin Dehghani, argued that the state Workers Compensation Act does not cover bystander emotional distress, so Velecela should be allowed to sue the company. Barring such claims would leave a whole class of injuries uncompensated in Connecticut, Dehghani wrote.

Dehghani said that he was disappointed with the courts decision and the precedent it sets.

Velecela could not be reached. A phone listing for her could not be found.

An official with All Habitat Services did not immediately return a message Monday.

The companys lawyer, Michael Deakin, said he and company officials express sympathy to Irwins family. Deakin said the issue in the court case was straight forward. He said that under Connecticut and most other workers compensation laws, people who receive workers compensation benefits give up rights to pursue other claims against employers.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Workers' Compensation Connecticut
Insurers who sell policies limiting executives liability from lawsuits have seen a surge in business thanks to a sprawling Brazilian corruption probe involving state-controlled Petroleo Brasileiro SA and a rash of corporate bankruptcies.

The countrys so-called directors & officers (D&O) insurance market has more than doubled in value since 2011 based on the volumes of premiums paid, rising to 370 million reais ($114 million) last year, according to data from industry regulator Susep, the most recent available.

Such policies, which cover claims against senior executives for the decisions and actions they take as part of their management duties, typically cover legal bills arising from a criminal investigation. However, if the defendant is convicted and criminal intent is proven, then the insurer may demand repayment of those costs, says Juliana Casiradzi, D&O manager at Marsh.

Together with the sweeping Petrobras probe, a severe recession has contributed to a surge in claims to about 47 percent of premiums by 2015, Susep data show, up from just 9 percent in 2011. Typically, bankruptcies trigger tax, labor and environmental liabilities against companies and their executives.

But even the higher rate of claims is considered relatively healthy for the industry as it lags the overall claims to premiums ratio of 65 to 70 percent for the domestic market, said Flavio Faggion, owner of Siscorp, a Sao Paulo-based insurance market analysis firm.

Yet the spike in claims did catch some insurers by surprise.

For example, Zurich AGs local unit saw claims exceed premiums by 53 percent in 2015, according to Susep. Zurich declined to comment on the data.

Some insurers trying to manage soaring claims have resorted to barring firms with severe financial woes or links to corruption probes, said Marshs Casiradzi, adding that companies with extensive government contracts were seen as particularly hard to insure.

Premiums have also soared, with some clients paying up to 50 percent more to renew their annual policies, she said.

Danger Sign

But the market, which remains underpenetrated by global standards, is expected to expand at an annual rate of at least 15 percent, Fator Corretoras D&O manager Luis Rosanelli said.

D&O premiums represent 0.2 percent of Brazils $58 billion insurance market whereas in the United States and Europe penetration is between 1 and 3 percent, said Alvaro Igrejas, corporate risk director at broker Willis Towers Watson PLC

A large number of privately owned and family businesses lack coverage, and certain big companies, including state-run power generator Furnas Centrais Eletricas SA, only bought their first D&O policy a year ago, Rosanelli explained.

Beneficiaries may include Chubb Ltd, which grabbed about 55 percent of Brazilian D&O premiums last year after buying Itau Unibancos large corporate risk portfolio in 2014. Smaller players such as Frances AXA and U.S.-based Travelers Cos. also stand to gain. While in 2015 AXA paid no claims, Travelers kept claims below 8 percent. Both declined to comment.

Blocked Account

Even excluding the vast Petrobras bribery and corruption probe, D&O is virtually indispensable amid Brazils labyrinthine+ labor, tax, regulatory and environmental-laws.

Former TIM Participacoes CEO Mario Cesar de Araujo said legal cases stemming from his job with the company six years ago still haunt him, with judges regularly blocking access to his bank account.

I never suffered any personal loss but it is an inconvenience, Araujo told Reuters, adding that he had had cash blocked from a personal account, though all such funds were eventually unfrozen.

Often used as a bargaining chip when executive compensation is being negotiated, D&O policies are widely used in the Brazilian market, says Guilherme Petreche, associate director at Page Executive, the global headhunting firm.

Multinationals also occasionally buy local D&O policies for their executives to insulate them from domestic legal claims.

However, given higher premiums, a recent study by headhunting firm Page Executive with 1,000 top ranking executives in Brazilian companies showed a 3 percent drop in executives covered by a D&O policy in 2015.

($1 = 3.1887 Brazilian reais) (Reporting by Ana Mano; editing by Christian Plumb, Bernard Orr)

Topics Claims Market
An Illinois think tank has issued a report expressing support for a workers compensation opt-out system, stating that it would give employers the ability to lower costs and allow for a more flexible workforce.

In its report, Fixing Illinois Outdated Workers Compensation System, the Illinois Policy Institute also asserts that the current, state-run workers comp system does a poor job of serving the majority of workers, especially parents and other workers who need flexibility to work hours outside the traditional workday and in off-site locations such as their own homes, and prioritizes the financial interests of groups such as lawyers and workers compensation doctors over the needs of both workers and employers.

Instead of forcing employers into a one-size-fits-all system that it says is one of the most expensive in the country, the institute proposes that workers and employers should be allowed to opt-out and craft their own agreements around their particular circumstances  rather than forcing all workers and employers to adhere to rigid regulations that often no longer serve their purpose.

At least one insurer trade group thinks thats a bad idea.

In response to the July 20 article written by Mark Adams for the institute, the American Insurance Association (AIA) issued a statement saying that advocating that employers would be able to control costs by opting-out takes the wrong approach to reforming the workers compensation system in Illinois.

AIA was disappointed by the Illinois Policy Institutes report, said Stephen Schneider, Midwest region vice president for the AIA.

He said opt-out creates a separate and unequal system of work injury benefits, an un-level playing field among employers who will be incented to opt-out to minimize their work injury costs.

Schneider said the AIA has proposed meaningful reforms to reduce costs and not harm the benefits to workers injured on the job. These reforms include addressing abuses associated with the practice of dispensing prescription drugs in non-pharmacy settings and examination of the present medical fee schedule, suggesting as an alternative the use of a Medicare rate-based schedule.

According to Illinois Policy Institute, the states workers comp system was designed for an industrial workforce and has not evolved to keep up with modern workplaces, which are inherently safer, employ more women and take advantage of technology to allow for more flexibility in both workers time and their working environments.

The report pointed out that Illinois does not allow for exemptions for small businesses or domestic workers, which hurts increasing numbers of workers who must balance work with child or elder care. As with telecommuting, this can affect all workers, but it disproportionately affects women, who tend to spend more time caring for children. And while not everyone can afford a live-in nanny, reducing impediments to hiring domestic help makes it easier for women to hold more senior positions.

Under the current system businesses also are less likely to give workers flexibility to work at home, or when employers do, to let workers set their own hours, because of the vulnerability to workers compensation claims.

Employers have little control over possible costs if the employee is injured at home, and the broken workers compensation system gives employers an incentive to take away flexible working arrangements for fear of legal liability, the report states.

Texas Nonsubscription

The report cites the advantages to employers of the Texas workers comp system, which allows employers to opt out, or nonsubscribe, entirely.

Critics of the Texas system allege this has led employers to cut services, but the evidence suggests employers prefer to save money by cutting areas prone to fraud, while often increasing benefits employees value. Employers often provide better benefits than required for the same reason they offer flextime: to recruit the best employees at the lowest cost, the report states.

Though the numbers fluctuate, the Texas Association of Responsible Nonsubscribers (TXANS) estimated in 2014 that approximately 114,000 employers operate as nonsubscribers in Texas, or about a third of the businesses in the state, according to Texas Department of Insurance  Division of Workers Compensation. While many nonsubscribing businesses have developed their own plans for compensating injured workers not all nonsubscribing businesses carry insurance to cover worker injuries, according to TDI-DWC. Those that do create voluntary benefit programs must do so under federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA, guidelines.

According to TDI-DWC, the top three reasons employers cite for not subscribing to the comp system were the perception that they had too few employees, they had few on-the-job injuries, and that they were not required to have workers compensation insurance by law.

While proponents of workers comp opt-outs assert that employer developed plans offer benefits that are equal or better that those offered in the workers compensation systems, an analysis published by the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) in May 2016 asserts that the quality of any employer-run plan depends on the specifics contained in the individual plan.

This lack of uniformity and consistency has drawn sharp criticism from the workers compensation community because equity in benefits and the treatment of employees, irrespective of employer, is a core value in workers compensation, said Gregory Krohm, author of Understanding the Op-Out Alternative to Workers Compensation.

Oklahoma lawmakers approved legislation in 2013 allowing the creation of an opt-out system in that state. Unlike in Texas, Oklahoma employers are still required to provide protection for injured workers, the Oklahoma Option, as it is sometimes called, allows employers to develop an ERISA-based plan that must be approved by the state insurance commissioner.

Oklahomas opt-out portion of the 2013 workers compensation act has been subject to numerous legal challenges and was declared unconstitutional by the Oklahoma Workers Compensation Commission, in a case that is now being considered by the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

The Institute

The Illinois Policy Institute describes itself as an independent research and education organization generating public policy solutions aimed at promoting personal freedom and prosperity in Illinois. It is a member of the State Policy Network, a network of politically conservative research organizations.

Related:

Topics Legislation Texas Workers' Compensation Illinois Oklahoma
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a rally of millions of people in Istanbul on Aug. 7 that he would approve the death penalty if parliament voted for it, following last month's failed coup. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a rally of millions of people in Istanbul on Aug. 7 that he would approve the death penalty if parliament voted for it, following last month's failed coup.





Erdogan started his speech at the "Democracy and Martyrs' Rally against the July 15 coup attempt by thanking the people who stood against the tanks and planes used by the coup plotters.





He wished his condolences to the 240 people killed by coup soldiers, of whom 172 were civilians, 63 were police officers and five were soldiers. He also wished speedy recovery to the 2,195 wounded.





During Erdogans speech the crowd repeatedly shouted that they wanted death penalty to be reintroduced.





If the parliament accepts the reintroduction of death penalty, I will accept it, he told the crowd, adding that the death penalty exists in the U.S., Japan and many other countries.





If the people want death penalty, I think the political parties will also accept it, he also said, as he noted that the death penalty existed until 1984 in Turkey.





Erdogan said the network of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is blamed for the coup attempt three weeks ago, must be destroyed within the framework of the law.





Saying that the people showed that they wont accept slavery on the night of the failed coup bid, Erdogan added that Gulen movement calculated many mischiefs, but couldnt take the people into account.





Night of July 15 coup bid showed this country cannot be undone, Erdogan said.





Our presence today upsets our enemies just like it did on the morning of July 16, he said.

Erdogan renews death penalty call amid Austria war of word

Turkey's president has renewed calls to reintroduce the death penalty amid a growing spat with Austria over EU membership.





Some 1 million people on Sunday (7 August) in Istanbul rallied in support of Turkey's government following last month's failed military coup.





Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's president, told the so-called democracy and martyrs rally he would back capital punishment should the public and parliament approve it.





"It is the Turkish parliament that will decide on the death penalty... I declare it in advance, I will approve the decision made by the parliament," he said.





But this brings into doubt what a senior Turkish MP from the ruling government party told EUobserver last week, that the death penalty was not on the table.





"It is not on our agenda at the moment, it is not on the agenda of the parliament," said Sena Nur Celik, an MP from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) during a visit to Brussels.





Celik said "emotions are very high" over the issue given the almost 240 people killed and over 2,000 injured during the July 15 coup attempt.





Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004 as part of a bid to join the European Union.





Any reintroduction would put an end to talks and further cloud a migrant swap deal signed with Ankara in March. Part of that deal included accelerating membership talks by opening Chapter 33 on budgetary issues.





Turkey's accession talks kicked off in 2005; but, only 1 of 35 chapters has so far been concluded.





The deal also promised to lift short stay visa restrictions on Turks should Ankara meet outstanding requirements imposed by the EU.





Death threats for Austria





But any prospect of Turkey's bid to become an EU member, regardless of Erdogan's death penalty, appears increasingly dim.





Austria's foreign minister Sebastian Kurz on Friday threatened to scupper expansion talks with Turkey.





"I have a seat and a vote in the [EU] foreign ministers' council. There the question is whether new negotiation chapters will be opened with Turkey, and I am against it," he said in an interview with Austrian daily Kurier.





Kurz also said the criteria for visa liberalisation "will not be fulfilled by Turkey."





Kurz's comments follows similar calls by Austria's chancellor Christian Kern.





The chancellor said he would start discussions among other EU states to put an end to accession talks, given the democratic rollback in Turkey.





Kern has since received death threats, reports AFP.





"Threats, even death threats, from the right wing and the radical part of the Turkish community have become reality for me, he is quoted as saying in Osterreich daily.





Turkish foreign minster Mevlut Cavusoglu also shot back on Kern.





On Friday, he called Austria the "capital of radical racism", saying Kern should keep to his own affairs.





The purge in Turkey against people affiliated with the outlawed Fethullah Gulen group continues.





Turkey's government says Gulen, a Muslim cleric who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1991, is the mastermind behind the coup, a charge he denies.





Some 70,000 people have so far been sacked, arrested or detained since mid-July.





Erdogan, for his part, has promised to drop lawsuits against some 2,000 people who had insulted him.





The move is seen by critics as part of a government-led effort to create a new narrative for Turkey with Erdogan at its centre.





Russian news agency TASS reports that Erdogan will visit St Petersburg, on Tuesday, to smooth over ties with the Russian government.





Erdogan said his planned visit will "mark new page in bilateral relations" between the two nations after Turkey downed a Russian jet fighter last November.

 | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; send a submission; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE!

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." - Oscar Wilde

Source: Hurriyet , August 7, 2016Source: Eurobserver , Nikolaj Nielsen, August 8, 2016
A Pennsylvania steel company named in a lawsuit over a fiery oil tanker train derailment near Casselton, N.D., says it should not be held liable for the 2013 accident.

Standard Steel and BNSF are named in a complaint filed by Bryan Thompson, the engineer who was at the helm of the train when it derailed. Thompson says Standard Steel produced a defective axle that contributed to the crash, which he says left him with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The steel company said in court documents that the axles were properly designed and manufactured and that the suit should be dismissed.

Standard Steel admits that it knew its axles would be used on railcars, but denies that any of its axles were improperly designed or manufactured, and further denies that any of its axles created a substantial risk of harm, says Elizabeth Sorenson Brotten, an attorney for the company.

A National Transportation Safety Board investigation did not pinpoint the broken axle as the cause of the crash, but the NTSB ordered the industry to recall 43 axles made by Standard Steel in the same 2002 batch.

Thompsons suit says the axle was in an unreasonably and dangerously defective condition when it was sold and that the company failed to adequately warn Thompson or BNSF.

The accident near Casselton on Dec. 30, 2013, happened when a train carrying soybeans derailed in front of Thompsons train, causing the oil tanker train to also derail. The crash spilled about 400,000 gallons of crude oil and set off a fire that could be seen for miles. No injuries were reported.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Self-driving trucking start-up Otto is poised to put its software in the hands of long-haul truckers by the end of this year for testing, its co-founders said on Thursday.

Otto, co-founded by Google car and map project veterans Anthony Levandowski and Lior Ron, will also begin testing five retrofitted Volvo trucks at Northern Californias autonomous vehicle testing grounds, GoMentum Station, in coming weeks.

By the end of the year, small owner-operators and larger commercial partners will begin using Ottos self-driving kit, Levandowski told Reuters at the facility in Concord, north of San Francisco, adding the company has a target of thousands of testers by 2017.

Otto has not yet announced when the technology will be ready for sale.

Launched in May, Otto focuses on maximizing the efficiency and safety of long-haul trucks, which spend much of their time on the side of the road as drivers rest.

The Otto trucks are equipped with a series of sensors and mapping technology to allow them to gauge their position on highways and make real-time driving decisions.

Its unknown just how Ottos partners will test the trucks, but Ottos vision allows the driver to leave the wheel, similar to a planes autopilot system.

Many experts believe full self-driving technology will first roll out in the trucking sector, rather than in passenger cars. Autonomous driving lends itself to highways, where trucks do not have to contend with pedestrians and the myriad distractions of city streets.

Ron said trucks fitted with Otto software can drive more than double their normal daily mileage. There is a very strong return on investment, he said.

Since its launch, Otto has received hundreds of emails from mom-and-pop owner-operators around the country asking to use the technology, Ron said.

Ottos staff has more than doubled to 90 employees from 40 in May, and the self-funded company now has a fleet of five test trucks.

(Reporting By Alexandria Sage; Editing by Bernard Orr)

Topics Personal Auto Trucking
Two business groups sued the Obama administration on Thursday over a crackdown on U.S. companies that try to reduce their U.S. taxes by rebasing abroad in a process known as inversion.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Association of Business filed a lawsuit in Texas federal court that said a regulation from the U.S. Treasury Department in April exceeded what the law allows the department to do.

The lawsuit was the first to challenge a rule on inversion. The deals are legal, but have drawn criticism from some politicians who say U.S. companies that do them are avoiding their tax obligations. A wave of inversions largely ended after Treasury moved against the deals.

The rule targeted by the lawsuit is aimed at transactions involving non-U.S. companies, such as Ireland-based drugmaker Allergan Plc that have grown through a series of acquisitions.

It helped scuttle what had been a planned $160 billion combination of Allergan and U.S. drugmaker Pfizer Inc in what would have been the largest inversion ever.

Treasury and the IRS ignored the clear limits of a statute, and simply rewrote the law unilaterally. This is not the way government is supposed to work in America, Tom Donohue, head of the chamber, a business lobbying group, said in a statement.

A Treasury spokeswoman said in a statement that its action was based on strong policy interests and clear legal authority. It said the department would continue to defend the regulations to slow the erosion of the U.S. corporate tax base.

UPHILL BATTLE

Lawyers with expertise in tax law have said such a lawsuit would face an uphill battle against Treasury, which has a strong record in court. The 1867 Anti-Injunction Act says that, in general, no legal challenge can be brought against a tax until it is assessed. So the administration of President Barack Obama could argue that the law bars a lawsuit for now.

I would be quite surprised if this case survived the obvious defense by the Justice Department that this is an attempt to short-circuit the regular course of tax collections, said Edward Kleinbard, a law professor at the University of Southern California.

The chamber and the Texas Association of Business argue, though, that the Treasury and the tax-collecting Internal Revenue Service must still follow a different law, the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). That law spells out the process agencies must follow before they impose regulations.

According to the lawsuit, the Treasury rule violated the APA because Treasury lacked authority to act, its rule was arbitrary and capricious, and it did not permit public notice and comment.

Allergan and Pfizer are not parties to the lawsuit, but the lawsuits cites their failed merger as an example of the harm done by the rule.

Representatives of the companies declined to comment on the litigation.

Pfizer is a member of the chamber and the Texas Association of Business. Allergan is a member of the chamber and the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, which in turn is a member of the Texas group, the lawsuit said.

The two drug companies would actively explore merger opportunities if the rule were set aside, the lawsuit said.

DOZENS OF DEALS

Dozens of U.S. companies have done inversions since 1983, when the first such deal was completed. Treasury has periodically moved to curb the flow of deals because inversions erode the U.S. corporate income tax base.

Treasury unveiled a package of rules in April meant to further discourage the deals, which typically involve a U.S. multinational buying a smaller company in a foreign country with lower corporate taxes and then rebasing there, if only on paper.

Inverting U.S. companies usually leave their core U.S. operations at home, transferring only their legal tax domicile to the home country of the acquired company. Recent popular destinations for the deals are Ireland, Britain and Canada.

Fast food chain Burger King inverted to Canada last year; medical technology group Medtronic to Ireland in 2014; drug maker Mylan Inc to The Netherlands that same year.

The lawsuit challenges a specific rule that imposed a three-year limit on foreign companies such as Allergan bulking up on U.S. assets to avoid ownership thresholds for a later inversion.

In April, Treasury defended its regulation in a statement that said it was not consistent with the purposes of federal law to permit a foreign company to bulk up so quickly and then enter into another inversion.

Texas federal courts have been a friendly venue for groups suing the Obama administration. A judge there blocked the presidents proposed overhaul of immigration.

More litigation is expected in the months ahead as Treasury moves to finalize another anti-inversions rule targeting earnings stripping, a tax-avoiding practice in which a foreign parent lends money to a U.S. unit, which sends U.S. profits back as partially U.S. tax-deductible interest.

Republicans, and at times Obama, have pushed for a comprehensive tax code overhaul that would fully address inversions, but Washington for decades has lacked the political will to tackle such a complex project.

(Reporting by David Morgan in Washington and David Ingram in New York; Additional reporting by Bill Berkrot; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Grant McCool)

Topics Lawsuits USA Legislation Texas
If your flight has an emergency and youre told to evacuate, be certain that at least two things will happen. Youll experience the adrenaline rush of a lifetime, for one. But youll also hear the urgent commands of flight attendants telling you to leave your bags behind. Yes, all of them. Laptops and purses, too.

Maybe the adrenaline is causing temporary deafness. Materialism has been winning out over self-preservation as air travelers often ignore the order to drop everything, a fact illustrated in recent years by laden passengers fleeing a burning 777 in San Francisco or a Delta Air Lines Inc. jet that skidded off a snowy New York runway. The latest example came on Wednesday, when an Emirates Airline flight crashed on landing in Dubai, followed by a severe fire that consumed much of the Boeing 777-300. Video showed some travelers collecting luggage before they escaped. All 282 passengers and 18 crew survived, but an airport firefighter died while battling the blaze.

The scramble for luggage makes flight attendants, pilots, and safety experts apoplectic. What many passengers fail to realize is that pausing to pull out a bag endangers not only them, but everyone behind them. U.S. regulators require that aircraft be evacuated in 90 seconds in an emergency, a standard thats taken hold across most of the globe. Some airlines have also incorporated the notice about discarding belongings into the preflight safety briefing passengers receive.

Yet, despite the shock from a crash or skid or cabin smoke and the looming potential for fire, bags remain a powerful lure, seen by some as too precious to leave.

Flight attendants have said they have had to physically grab bags from people and throw them into the galley to get them away from the evacuation, said Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. Theres a lot of problems with those bags.

One of the most dangerous arises from bottlenecks that occur while flight attendants manage flow control. This includes helping passengers jump into the emergency slide correctly, said Michael Massoni, operational safety chairperson for the Transport Workers Union Local 556 and a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines Co. Theres all kinds of potential for nonsense if there are a lot of bags.

In the worst scenarios, some of that nonsense can end with injury or death.

Putting more bags into cargo holds could lessen the problem, but airlines want to decrease the load of each plane to save on fuel, and passengers dont want to pay those fees or leave things at home. It turns out that, for both passengers and airlines, when its your money or your life, money wins.

Is there a regulatory fix? Fines or prosecution of crash survivors? Overhead bins the crew can lock if an emergency is declared? Any potential remedy comes with an array of potential problems, from costs, to legal issues, to operational glitches. Some bins, for example, hold items a flight attendant might need in an emergency.

The possibility of a huge fine would stick in their mind and cause passengers to leave their bags as directed, Nelson said. Yet flyers may simply assume those rules are unenforceable unless busy emergency personnel on the ground helped enforce them. In the chaos of an evacuation, where youre trying to get everyone off an airplane in 90 seconds, youre going to have a hard time identifying who had the briefcase, who had the big bag, and they didnt follow my order, Massoni said.

A study on emergency evacuations in 2000 by the National Transportation Safety Board found that almost 50 percent of people in an evacuation had tried to take a bag. The report examined 46 aircraft evacuations and included surveys of passengers and flight attendants on those flights. Two-thirds of the 36 flight attendants who responded said that carry-on bags were an obstruction during the evacuation. The main reasons passengers gave for grabbing their bags was money, wallets, or credit cards, followed by work materials, keys and medication.

Although not everyone attempts to retrieve and take carry-on baggage during an evacuation, everyone in the airplane could potentially be affected by these attempts, the study noted.

To date, the Federal Aviation Administration has not pursued civil penalties against anyone who has taken luggage during an evacuation in violation of crew instructions. I think we could pursue a penalty if failure to obey a crew members instruction resulted in a significant safety issuesuch as blocking an exit so other passengers could not get out in a timely way, FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said in an e-mail.

Nelson, the flight attendants association chief, is a 20-year veteran who works at United Continental Holdings Inc. She likens the bag-evacuation issue to smoking on an aircraft, which the FAA banned in 1990. Without stiff sanctions, people will continue to grab bags despite flight attendants entreaties. Today, both smoking on board and tampering with aircraft smoke detectors invite federal prosecution and steep fines.

Smoking is not allowed because it can jeopardize the lives and the health of other passengers and the lives and health of the crew, she said. And carrying your bag could have the same consequence.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Aviation
An unarmed black therapist is suing the Florida police officer who shot him while he tried to protect his autistic client.

The Miami Herald reports Charles Kinsey filed a federal lawsuit August 4 against North Miami officer Jonathan Aledda, accusing him and other officers of using excessive force and false arrest.

The 47-year-old Kinsey is seeking unspecified damages. Aledda shot Kinsey in the leg July 18 as he lay in the street next to his 27-year-old client. Arnaldo Rios had walked away from the group home where he lives. Kinsey was trying to coax him back when a woman called 911 saying a suicidal man was walking down the street with a gun. Rios was actually carrying his toy truck.

A cellphone video captured events leading up to the shooting.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Florida
Two south-central Kentucky farmers have pleaded guilty to crop insurance fraud.

The U.S. attorneys office says 53-year-old David Manion and 48-year-old Henry Manion of Allen County admitted making false statements and reports on applications for insurance.

The prosecutors office said in a news release the defendants made false statements to influence insurance payments of the Federal Crop Insurance Corp. and Producers Agriculture Insurance Co. The release said David Manion also had insurance provided by Rural Community Insurance Services.

The violations occurred between August 2009 and February 2012. The men each admitted intentionally overstating crop damage resulting in losses of more than $1.1 million.

Terms of the plea agreement say prosecutors will recommend sentences at the lowest end of the guideline range and the men will be required to make full restitution.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Fraud Agribusiness Kentucky
North Carolinas insurance commissioner had plenty of justification to reject a 2014 request by insurers to raise homeowners premiums by an average of 25 percent, the state Court of Appeals ruled August 2.

Instead, Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin imposed a zero-percent overall increase beginning in June 2015 by increasing rates for renters and condominium policyholders while lowering them for homeowners.

Goodwin determined appropriately in late 2014 that insurers were achieving a fair and reasonable profit after North Carolina homeowners saw rates rise 7 percent on average beginning in 2013, the court said.

Goodwin was acting under established law by considering only what insurance companies were earning from policies, and excluding the gains or losses they made by investing the money, the court said.

The order reflects a careful, thoughtful, and thorough consideration of the evidence, Judge J. Douglas McCullough wrote for the three-judge panel.

Its too early for insurance companies to say whether they will appeal to the state Supreme Court, North Carolina Rate Bureau General Manager Ray Evans said Tuesday.

The Rate Bureau sought an overall increase of about $500 million in homeowners premiums in 2014 to cover expectations of a sharp rise in repair and replacement costs and the growing risk of catastrophic losses from severe weather. Insurers complained that premiums were inadequate to make their risk worthwhile.

None of this has stopped insurers from raising rates meanwhile. Insurers have increasingly refused to issue policies unless homeowners sign an agreement accepting rates higher than those set by Goodwins office.

Such policies expanded in 2013 to 30 percent of North Carolinas $2.4 billion homeowners market, up from 23 percent in 2010, according to state Insurance Department data.

In a statement released by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Goodwin said the ruling represented a victory for consumers in the state.

I rejected the insurance industrys proposed rate increase because I felt it was unjust and I am very pleased that the Court agreed with my ruling. This action will save homeowners hundreds of millions of dollars in insurance premiums, Goodwin said.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Carriers Trends Pricing Trends Homeowners North Carolina
RFIB Group Limited, the international Lloyds insurance and reinsurance broker, has appointed Glenn Jackson as a managing director of RFIB Americas. He takes up his position with immediate effect reporting to Nick Foden-Pattinson and will be based in the Tampa office.

Jackson has 11 years of experience in the insurance-linked securities (ILS) market to RFIB. He joins from Beach Re, formerly known as Axiom Re, where he served as a senior vice president advising capital market participants and insurance and reinsurance companies in the structuring, modelling and execution of alternative reinsurance transactions. Jackson began his reinsurance career in 1982 at Intere Intermediaries, before holding a series of reinsurance broking positions, including at Aon Re and Willis Re.

RFIB is an independent international insurance and reinsurance broker. It is headquartered in London with eight offices in major international centers.

Topics Florida Reinsurance Talent Human Resources
Residents of Billings, Mont. have a new way to catch a ride as Uber has launched in the city.

The Billings Gazette reported that Billings Mayor Tom Hanel took the services ceremonial first ride last week to celebrate the services arrival.

Uber has already rolled out in Missoula, Great Falls, Helena, Butte and Bozeman.

Brian Gebhardt, general manager of Uber Montana, said Uber does not release driver figures, but that all Montana cities have a comparable fleet. He says Billings had higher interest in the service compared to some other cities, judging by inquiries online.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A Portland, Ore. woman has filed a $10,000 lawsuit against a parking garage owner after alleging that a mysterious liquid dropped onto her forearm while standing next to her parked car.

According to the lawsuit filed last week, Shoshanna Doty says that the liquid landed on her right arm after parking her car in a Portland parking garage last year. Doty argues that the liquid later resulted in unexplained injuries, such as muscle spasms, swelling and numbness.

Dotys Portland attorney, Mark Ginsberg, told The Oregonian/OregonLive that the Bill Naito Company has not identified the source of the liquid. Instead, Ginsberg says that the parking garage owner admitted that they had been paying claims for a liquid that had been damaging peoples cars.

Bill Naito Company did not return requests for comment.

Doty is seeking nearly $400 in lost income and more than $8,000 for pain and suffering. Her suit also seeks attorneys fees.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Oregon
Death row isolation cells on Nusakambangan penal island

Jakarta. The National Anti-Narcotics Agency, or BNN, will summon a former chief warden of the Nusakambangan Prison, Liberty Sitinjak, as part of its investigation into a testimony from executed drug trafficker Freddy Budiman made public by human rights activist Haris Azhar, an official said on Sunday (07/08).





Haris, coordinator of the Jakarta-based Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), had revealed the explosive testimony which contained allegations of complicity by state officials in a drug trafficking syndicate.





Officers belonging to the National Police, the anti-narcotics agency and the Indonesian Military (TNI) allegedly helped Freddy to operate his drug business from inside the prison. Haris published Freddy's testimony a day before the drug lord faced the firing squad alongside three African drug convicts.





"We plan to question [Liberty Sitinjak] at 9 a.m. on Monday," BNN spokesman Slamet Pribadi told Kompas.com on Sunday.





Liberty will be asked to explain several details in Freddys testimony, which when published carried the title "The Story of a Bandit: testimony from a meeting with Freddy Budiman in Nusakambangan Prison (2014)."





In the testimony, Haris said that Liberty had worked very hard to improve security at the notorious prison and protect the integrity of its wardens.





According to the article, Liberty once installed two CCTV cameras inside Freddys cell but high-ranking officers from the BNN had ordered him to remove the surveillance cameras.





"I thought that was strange, why would the agency object to the surveillance cameras? Isnt Freddy a high-profile criminal who must be monitored strictly?" Haris wrote in the article.





In the article, Freddy claimed that Indonesian law enforcers  especially officers from the National Police and BNN  had helped him run his drug trafficking business whose profit ran into billions of rupiah.





Freddy had reportedly given more than Rp 450 billion ($34 million) to BNN officers and Rp 90 billion to high-ranking officials in the National Police as kickback payment, the article said.





Source: Jakarta Globe, August 7, 2016

AG Supports Probe Into Freddy Budiman's Testimony, Calls for Evidence

Jakarta. Attorney General H.M. Prasetyo has voiced his support of a probe into the statements of Haris Azhar, activist of the Jakarta-based Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence, or Kontras, after he alleged several law enforcement officials received bribes from executed drug convict Freddy Budiman.





"I fully support the inquiry into this case. However, the parties who provide the information, even if it came from the drug lord, should supply the evidence to ease the investigation," the attorney general said in Jakarta on Friday (05/08).





In addressing Haris Azhar's statement, Prasetyo deplored that the information was revealed after Freddy's execution.





"The information has been delivered too late. If it were revealed earlier, as it has been said that it was conveyed in 2014, why would he [Haris] reveal it after the execution and to the public?" Prasetyo said.





As the case involves many parties, Prasetyo believes Haris is obliged to provide evidence.





 | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; send a submission; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE!

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." - Oscar Wilde

Source: Jakarta Globe, August 5, 2016
The Idaho Supreme Court has affirmed a jury verdict for $3.8 million against a southwest Idaho doctor following the death of a woman who underwent a liposuction procedure.

The court ruled Thursday in the wrongful death and medical malpractice case against Silk Touch Laser and it owner, anesthesiologist Brian Kerr, the Idaho Statesman reported.

Krystal Ballard, 27, underwent the liposuction and fat-transfer procedure in 2010 and died less than a week later from septic shock caused by bacteria.

Her husband, Charles Ballard, filed a wrongful death lawsuit, and a jury in 2014 awarded him about $2.5 million in economic damage and $1.3 million in non-economic damages.

Kerr appealed with several challenges. But the court said there is substantial evidence supporting the verdict.

We are pleased with todays decision, which affirms the verdict reached by an Ada County jury in this lawsuit, said Scott McKay, attorney for Ballard.

Kerr said hes sad about the death, but he wishes Krystal Ballard had taken advised precautions to prevent infection.

One of the things that kind of gets lost in this is the patient, Kerr said. And I certainly feel badly for Charles and his loss  and certainly the passing of Krystal. I dont want to, as I make comments, I dont want to be at all disparaging about her.  I think my sadness is I wish that she had done what we had asked her to do (for infection prevention), and the only thing we have changed about our practice is to put more of an emphasis on that.

Kerr said patients have asked him about the case, but it hasnt affected his business. He said the business had no previous incidences of infections like Ballards, and he believes the equipment used during the procedure had been properly disinfected and sterilized.

Related:

N.Y. Plastic Surgeons Insurer to Pay for $2.3M Settlement in Death Case

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Even six years after the Panama Papers leaked a confidential list of offshore accounts held by the global elite, tax morality is still very much on the table.
Un ottobre da sogno per Antonio Conte: lex ct della Nazionale italiana, attualmente alla guida del Chelsea, nelle ultime quattro gare di Premier League ha collezionato solo successi, conditi da 11 reti segnate e addirittura nessuna incassata. Numeri da record che non sono certo passati inosservati alla Federazione inglese, la quale ha conferito al tecnico leccese lambito premio di Manager del mese.

Unavventura oltremanica iniziata in sordina, quella di Conte, pur a fronte di tre vittorie nelle prime tre gare di campionato. A far vacillare, anche se solo per un momento, le certezze del patron del club londinese, Roman Abramovich, i risultati conseguiti tra la 4a e la 6a giornata, coincisi con un pareggio sul campo dello Swansea City e, soprattutto, con le due pesanti sconfitte subite dal Liverpool, sul terreno casalingo di Stamford Bridge, e dallArsenal. In particolare, la debacle interna coi Reds, aveva irritato non poco il numero uno russo, poiche occorsa proprio nel giorno della sua 250esima partita da presidente della societa.

Come detto, solo un momento. Dopo lincontro dellEmirates, il tecnico salentino cambia modulo, adottando un piu equilibrato 3-4-3 e inserendo elementi di corsa come lo spagnolo Pedro. Una svolta totale perche, di li in poi, il Chelsea inanellera solo e soltanto vittorie: 2 gol allHull City e al Southampton in trasferta, 3 ai campioni dInghilterra del Leicester e 4 allo United in casa, con un meraviglioso numero zero nella casella delle reti subite. Un fantastico poker, ottenuto tra l1 e il 29 ottobre. Un cambio di marcia sbalorditivo, confermato dal 5 a 0 rifilato ai toffees dellEverton nel primo match di novembre, e una scalata che, man mano, ha portato i blues al secondo posto in classifica, a soli 2 punti dal Liverpool capolista.

E allora, non poteva mancare il riconoscimento di migliore allenatore del mese, ottenuto surclassando tecnici del calibro di Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) e Mark Hughes (Southampton). Tanta, ovviamente, la soddisfazione: E un grande onore e voglio condividerlo con i giocatori e con la societa  ha dichiarato Conte sul sito ufficiale della Premier League -. E la prima volta che lavoro in un altro Paese, con una cultura diversa, e portare la propria filosofia non e facile, ma ora sono contento di questa scelta.

A completare la festa, la premiazione del fantasista belga, Eden Hazard, come miglior giocatore di ottobre. Due risultati importanti per il club, ottimo incentivo per la rincorsa al trono dei campioni, occupato dal Leicester di Ranieri. Il prossimo appuntamento per l11 di Conte sara al Riverside Stadium, tana del Middlesborough neopromosso. Il tempo di festeggiare e gia finito.
What Is an S Corporation (S Corp)?

An S corp or S corporation is a business structure that is permitted under the tax code to pass its taxable income, credits, deductions, and losses directly to its shareholders. That gives it certain advantages over the more common C corp, The S corp is available only to small businesses with 100 or fewer shareholders, and is an alternative to the limited liability company (LLC).

Both S corps and LLCs are known as "pass-through entities" because they pay no corporate taxes but instead pay their shareholders, who are responsible for the taxes due.

Key Takeaways An S corporation or S corp, also known as an S subchapter, is one type of legal business structure common among small business. A limited liability company (LLC) is another.

Requirements of an S corp give a corporation with 100 shareholders or less the benefit of incorporation while being taxed as a partnership.

Both S corps and LLCs are pass-through entities, meaning that they dont pay corporate taxes, and both offer limited liability protection for their owners/principals. However, LLCs are more flexible.

S corporation shareholders must be individuals, specific trusts and estates, or certain tax-exempt organizations. LLCs arent subject to the same Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules governing the number and type of members, who are typically sole proprietors or small groups of professionals.

Understanding an S Corporation (S Corp)

S corporations get their name from Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code, under which theyve elected to be taxed. The key characteristic of a corporation filed under Subchapter S: It may pass business income, losses, deductions, and credits directly to shareholders, without paying any federal corporate taxmaking it something known as a pass-through entity. This gives it some special tax benefits under 2017s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. However, it is liable on the corporate level for taxes on specific built-in gains and passive income.

Aside from its tax status, an S corp is similar to any other corporation, or C corporation as theyre officially known. Its a for-profit company, incorporated under and governed by the same state corporation laws. It offers similar liability protection, ownership, and management advantages as a C corporation. It must also observe internal practices and formalities: Have a board of directors, write corporate bylaws, conduct shareholders meetings, and keep minutes of significant company meetings.

The main difference between an S corp and a C corp is how each is taxed: Profits from a C corp are taxed to the corporation when earned, then taxed to the shareholders when distributed as dividends, creating a double tax. An S corp may pass income directly to shareholders without having to pay federal corporate taxes.

IRS Requirements for an S Corp

To qualify for S corporation status, a business has to meet certain Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirements. It has to be incorporated domestically (within the United States), have only one class of stock, and not have more than 100 shareholders. In addition, those shareholders must meet certain eligibility requirements, which means that they must be individuals, specific trusts and estates, or certain tax-exempt organizations [501(c)(3)]. Partnerships, corporations, and nonresident aliens cannot qualify as eligible shareholders.



S corp shareholders report income, gains, and losses from the corporation on their individual tax returns, and they pay taxes at their ordinary income tax rates. Since the money comes to them free of corporate tax, they avoid double taxation on any income or earnings from the corporation.

How to Set up an S Corp

To create an S corporation, a business must first be incorporated.

It then must file Form 2553 with the IRS. Known officially as Election by a Small Business Corporation, the form states that the IRS will accept the S corp status only if the business meets all the qualifications for the status, all shareholders have signed the consent statement, an officer has signed below, and the exact name and address of the corporation (entity) and other required form information have been provided.

Advantages and Disadvantages of S Corporations

Advantages of Registering as an S Corp

The big advantage is the tax benefit: not having to pay federal taxes at the entity level. Saving money on corporate taxes is beneficial, especially when a business is in its early years.

Saving money on corporate taxes is beneficial, especially when a business is in its early years. S corp status can lower the personal income tax tab for the business owners as well. By characterizing money they receive from the business as salary or dividends, S corp owners often lower their liability for self-employment tax. The S corp status generates deductions for business expenses and wages paid to their employees. There are also tax benefits for pass-through entities that apply to S corp owners.

S corp shareholders can be company employees, earn salaries, and receive corporate dividends that are tax free if the distribution does not exceed their stock basis. If dividends exceed a shareholders stock basis, the excess is taxed as capital gainsbut these are taxed at a lower rate than ordinary income.

Other advantages include being able to transfer interests or adjust property basis without facing adverse tax consequences or having to comply with complex accounting rules.

S corporation status may help establish credibility with potential customers, employees, suppliers, and investors by showing the owners formal commitment to the company.

Disadvantages of Registering as an S Corp

Because S corporations can disguise salaries as corporate distributions to avoid paying payroll taxes, the IRS scrutinizes how S corps pay their employees. An S corporation must pay reasonable salaries to shareholder-employees for services rendered before any distributions are made.

When it comes to making those distributions to stakeholders, the S corp must allocate profits and losses based strictly on the percentage of ownership or number of shares that each individual holds.

On rare occasions, the IRS may terminate an S corps Subchapter S status if an S corp either doesnt properly allocate profits and losses or makes any other noncompliance moves, such as mistakes in an election, consent, notification, stock ownership, or filing requirement. However, a quick rectification of noncompliance errors can usually avert any adverse consequences.

The business of setting up an S corp requires time and money. The business owner must submit articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State in the state where their company is based. The corporation must obtain a registered agent for the business and pay other fees associated with incorporating itself.

In many states, owners pay annual report fees, a franchise tax, and other miscellaneous fees. However, the charges are typically inexpensive and may be deducted as a cost of doing business. Also, all investors receive dividend and distribution rights, regardless of whether the investors have voting rights.

The limits on the number and nature of shareholders might prove onerous for a business thats growing rapidly and wants to attract venture capital or institutional investors.

Pros Tax benefits: no or lesser corporate and self-employment tax for owner, no double taxation for shareholders

Protections of incorporation: limited liability, transfer of interests

Prestige, credibility Cons Costs of incorporation

Complex compliance rules

Potentially growth-inhibiting qualifications to maintain status

S Corp vs. LLC

A limited liability company (LLC) is another type of legal business entity. Like the S corp, its a common go-to structure for small businesses.

LLCs and S corps share other characteristics as well. Both are pass-through entities, meaning that they dont pay corporate taxes, and both offer limited liability protection for their owners/principals, meaning that the owners personal assets cant be touched by business creditors, nor can they be held personally responsible in lawsuits filed against the company. As a pass-through entity, LLC owners also have tax benefits under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, just as S corp owners do.

However, LLCs are more flexible than S corps. They arent subject to the IRS regulations concerning the number and type of shareholders/owners (called members) or to other federal or state rules regarding governance, procedure, and distribution of funds. They can allocate their profits and losses in whatever proportions the owners desire.

Easier to establish than S corps, LLCs typically are formed by sole proprietors or small groups of professionals, like attorneys, doctors, or accountants. However, their financing options are more limitedgenerally, to bank loans, as opposed to equity investors. This can limit their potential for growth.

U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation

Although they are largely exempt from corporate taxes, S corporations must still report their earnings to the federal government and file tax returns.

Form 1120-S is essentially an S corps tax return. Often accompanied by a Schedule K-1, which delineates the percentage of company shares owned by each individual shareholder, Form 1120-S reports the income, losses, dividends, and other distributions that the corporation has passed onto its shareholders.

Unlike C corps, which must file quarterly, S corps only file once a year, like individual taxpayers. Form 1120-S is simpler than tax forms for C corporations, too. The version for 2021 ran five pages.

As long as a company elects S corporation status (and the IRS has accepted that election), it must file Form 1120-S. The form is due by the 15th day of the third month after the end of its fiscal yeargenerally, March 15 for companies that follow a calendar year.

Like individuals, S corporations can request a six-month extension to file their tax returns. To do so, they must file Form 7004: Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns by their returns regular due date.

Why would you choose an S corporation (S corp)? S corporations can be the best of both worlds for a small business, combining the benefits of corporations with the tax advantages of partnerships. Specifically, S corporations offer the limited liability protection of the corporate structuremeaning that an owners personal assets cant be accessed by business creditors or legal claims against the company. But like partnerships, they dont pay corporate taxes on any earnings and income that they generate. They can also help owners avoid self-employment tax, if their compensation is structured as a salary or a stock dividend.

What does S corporation stand for? An S corporation is named for Subchapter S of Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). It is taxed under this provision of the IRC. S corps are also known as S subchapters.

How does an S corp work? In many ways, an S corp works as any corporation does. Operating under its home states corporation statutes, it establishes a board of directors and corporate officers, bylaws, and a management structure. It issues shares of company stock. Its owners cannot be held personally or financially liable for claims by creditors or against the company. S corps are distinguished by the fact that they are not federally taxed on most of the earnings that they generate and distribute, leaving more money to pass to shareholders (who do pay taxes on the funds, at their ordinary income rates). The funds must be allocated strictly based on the shareholders equity stake or number of shares. S corps must restrict their number of shareholders to 100 or less, and these must all be individuals, nonprofits, or trusts. These stockholders, along with the corporation itself, must be U.S.-based. Come tax time, S corps must distribute the Schedule K-1 form to shareholders, indicating their annual profits or losses from the company, and file Form 1120-S with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Which is better, a limited liability company (LLC) or an S corp? Whether a limited liability company (LLC) or an S corp is better depends on the size and nature of the business and its aspirations for growth. An LLC tends to be preferable for sole proprietors or enterprises with just a few partners, due to its flexibility and ease of establishment. If a business is largeror aspires to bethen an S corp might work better. S corps have more financing options: Unlike LLCs, they are allowed to offer equity stakes to investors in return for capital, for example. And if their operations are complex, they would benefit from establishing the formal structures, compliance procedures, and other protocols required of corporations.

What is the difference between an S corp and a C corporation (C corp)? One key difference between S corps and C corporations (C corps) can be expressed in one word: taxes. In a nutshell, C corps pay them and S corps dont (mostly). C corps pay corporate taxes on their earnings, the way individuals pay income taxes. (In the U.S., corporations are currently taxed at a flat rate of 21%.) Any dividends or other profits are then distributed to shareholders with after-tax funds. S corps, by contrast, are exempt from federal tax on most earningsthere are a few exceptions on certain capital gains and passive incomeso they can distribute more gains to stockholders. In return for this tax benefit, S corps face certain IRS-mandated restrictions. They and their shareholders must be domestically based. They can have no more than 100 shareholders, whose ranks are limited to individuals, nonprofits, trusts, and estatesno institutional investors, in other words. And they can issue only one class of stock. C corps do not have to comply with any of these restrictions. Generally (though not always), an S corp is smaller than a C corp.

The Bottom Line

S corporations are a common type of legal entity recommended for small businesses. They carry the tax advantages of partnerships while providing the limited liability protections of corporations. Sort of a corporate lite structure, they are easy to establish and simpler to maintain than regular C corporations.

S corps require many of the protocols and incur many of the costs associated with regular corporationsstarting with the fees and formalities associated with incorporation. They are definitely more expensive to establish and time consuming to maintain than LLCs, another popular small-business structure.

Though advantageous for fast-growing firms, they are also subject to certain restrictions on their size and shareholders by the IRS, which could eventually inhibit their expansion. The good news is that its relatively easy for an S corp to change to C corp status, should business conditions prove favorable to do so.
The price of a stock is not necessarily indicative of the company's quality. However, looking at some of the highest stock prices ever can be educational for those interested in the history of the stock market. From chocolate candy makers to mining companies, the list of stocks that command top dollar is as long and diverse as those that don't. Here are 10 of the highest stock prices in history.

Key Takeaways Warren Buftet's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A) commands the number one position, with an impressive near half-million-dollar stock price.

Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Sprungli holds steady at number two with its six-figure stock price of $118,400.

Calumet and Hecla, a now-defunct mining company, topped the charts with a historic stock price of $1,000 in 1907.

British retailer Next PLC edges out most of the competition with its peak stock price of $8,484.

Internet phenomenons Amazon and Google make the list with stock prices soaring in the thousands.

Investopedia / Sabrina Jiang

1. Berkshire Hathaway ($445,000)

Berkshire Hathaway is the holding company of billionaire investor Warren Buffett. The stock hit $445,000 per share in May 2021.

Notable companies under the Berkshire umbrella include GEICO Auto Insurance and Helzberg Diamonds. Berkshire is also a shareholder of Apple (AAPL), Bank of America (BAC), and Coca-Cola (KO).

Buffett's success as an investor led to a fantastic increase in Berkshire's share price. Berkshire Hathaway A shares (BRK.A) trade at $402,836 per share as of Oct. 11, 2022. For individuals interested in investing in Berkshire, the company's B shares (BRK.B) are much more affordable, coming in at $267.31 per share as of Oct. 11, 2022.

2. Lindt & Sprungli ($118,400)

Lindt & Sprungli (0QKN) is a Swiss chocolatier established in the 1800s. Most famous for its Lindt Gold Bunny, truffles, and smooth chocolate-filled chocolates, it has expanded its footprint well beyond its European borders.

Lindt & Sprungl's brand includes well-known Russell Stover, Lindt, and Ghirardelli. The company employs over 14,000 employees and boasts sales of more than $4.6 billion for 2021.

On Nov. 9, 2021, the company's stock reached an all-time high of $118,400, a six-figure mark that not too many have claimed. The price dropped slightly, reaching a value of $97,750.64 at the end of the trading day on Oct. 11, 2022.



3. Next PLC ($8,484)

Next (NXT) is a British clothing retailer developed in 1981. Established under the J Hepworth & Son, Gentleman's Tailors' umbrella, it sells more than 1000 third-party brands online and operates more than 500 retail stores in Europe, as well as 190 franchised stores in 36 countries.

On Sept. 30, 2021, Next PLC hit a record-high stock price of $8,484. As of Oct. 11, 2022, its stock remained strong at $5,017.67.

Can't afford to buy a single share of any of these stocks? Consider investing in mutual funds. A single mutual fund share gives you exposure to multiple stocks at once at a cheaper price.



4. NVR ($5,308.48)

NVR (NVR) is a homebuilder operating under the names of Ryan Homes, NVHomes, and Heartland Homes. It markets in many states, building and selling homes, as well as offering mortgage financing and title insurance.

NVR hit an all-time high of $5,308.48 in mid-2021. The global crisis took a toll on the company, reducing its price by almost 50% in March 2020. However, it recovered most of those losses within a few months. As of Oct. 11, 2022, the company's stock hit $4,167.68.

The company may have benefited from the historic increase in home prices and the seller's market of homes in the U.S. during the pandemic and its related shortage in lumber and construction materials."



5. Seaboard ($4,699)

Seaboard Corporation (SEB) is a multinational corporation that focuses on agriculture and transportation. The main focus of the company is pork and ocean transport.

Seaboard Foods, one of the company's major businesses, is one of the largest producers of grain and agriculturally derived products in the U.S. The marine division provides shipping services to the Caribbean, as well as Central and South America. Seaboard milling facilities process and sell grain products worldwide. The company may be best known for its large stake in Butterball Turkey.

In April 2019, the company's stock price reached its record high of $4,699 per share. As of Oct. 11, 2022, the company trades at $3.519.77.

6. Amazon ($3,773)

Amazon (AMZN) was still hitting new highs as of July 2021. The company's stock suffered an initial pullback during the 2020 bear market. However, it soon became clear that Amazon would benefit from the crisis as consumers shifted their shopping online.

The online bookstore-turned-everything store recovered from a terrible plunge below $10 a share after the dot-com bubble burst.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is the second wealthiest person in the world.

7. Alphabet ($2,670)

Technology giant Alphabet (GOOG), which is best known for its Google search engine, reached a record high of $3,037 in November 2021. Google produces revenue through advertising, publishing tools, and the Android operating system.

Driving Google'srevenue growth is the continued adoption of advertising, which accounts for 80% of Google's revenue (notably its AdSense and AdWords platforms). Google is part of the global super apps and FAMGA club.

Google's suite of products is too long to listjust open the waffle on the google home page and you will get an idea. Google leads education, GPS navigation, global business mapping, web conferencing, cloud storage, email communication, and even autonomous transportation, along with a giant host of other products and services.

8. Calumet and Hecla ($1,000)

Calumet and Hecla was a copper mining business that was established in Houghton County, Michigan. In 1906, the company exceeded all expectations when it produced nearly 100 million pounds of copper. That propelled the company's stock price to $1,000 in 1907. However, in the 1930s, Calumet and Hecla Mining Company closed permanently.



9. Apple ($702.10)

Apple (AAPL) passed Exxon as the largest company in the world in 2011. It reached its all-time high in September of 2012 on the back of a 2012 gain of more than 70%. After reaching all-time highs, the maker of the iPhone, Macintosh computers, and the iPad, saw a severe pullback. The company had a 7-to-1 stock split in 2014 before the share price could fully recover.

On a split-adjusted basis, Apple repeatedly hit new record highs between 2014 and 2020. However, $702.10 remained the all-time price high for Apple without adjusting for splits.

10. General Motors ($697)

General Motors (GM) had a stock price under $30 as of June 2020, but the history of the iconic automaker is long and storied. According to The New York Times, GM was the largest automaker in the world from 1931 to 2008, when Toyota passed it.

GM led the way in automobile innovation but also in creating complicated corporate structures. In September 1916, GM hit a record high of $697 per share but collapsed shortly after because the market for new automobiles dried up. In 2009, the Great Recession forced GM to file for bankruptcy. It later reemerged, but with the federal government holding 500 million shares.



What Is the Highest Stock Price Ever? Berkshire Hathaway holds the title for having the highest stock price$445,000.

What Was Apples Highest Stock Price Ever? Apple's highest stock price was $702.10 in September 2012.

How Can You Find a Stocks All-Time High and All-Time Low? Stock tracking and financial websites, such as Yahoo Finance provide historical data for most stocks. Some allow users to specifically submit queries for specific price ranges, maximums, and minimums.

The Bottom Line

In the eyes of an investor, price does not necessarily reflect value. A more expensive stock does not always translate to a better company. Instead, these stories relate the journey from idea to incomefrom genius to growthall laid out on a tapestry woven by the ever-evolving machine of American capitalism.

On the front of investors affording to buy these stocks, this problem is currently solved thanks to fintech and technology. All stocks now can be fractioned and the investor can buy any portion they can afford. So, a stock split event is not as important and useful as it used to be.

Investopedia does not provide tax, investment, or financial services and advice. The information is presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.
Trying to choose a name for your dog? Why not draw some inspiration from Ireland and the Irish language!

From fearsome hounds of Irish lore to beloved Irish figures, there are many great options for Irish dog names.

Read more Ireland's most famous dog breeds

Here's IrishCentral's official list of the best Irish names for your pup:

1. Bran

Name of great Irish warrior Fionn Mac Cumhails dog, who was actually his nephew turned into a hound by a sorcerer. There is a long history of calling Irish wolfhounds, Bran.

2. Sceolan (skol awn)

The second dog of famous warrior Fionn Mac Cumhail, who was also his nephew.

3. Cuchulainn (Hound of Culainn)

Cuchulainn was the greatest Irish mythical warrior. He got his name from slaying a dog owned by the blacksmith Culainn, which was threatening to devour him. Cuchulainn offered to become the mans watchdog and the name Cuchulainn (Ku-Kullen) stuck.

4. Morrigan

Goddess of war in Celtic mythology, yet a noble creature. Female Celtic hounds were often named after her.

5. Seamus

Want to be part of the cool political set? Both Bill Clinton and Mitt Romney had, and in the case of Clinton have, dogs named Seamus, which means James in English. The Clintons have three dogs and fond memories of another, Buddy, who passed away. Bill Clinton said it was his worst day since he left the White House.

6. Finian

After "Finians Rainbow," which played for 725 performances during its first time on Broadway. Its about an Irish family seeking their crock of gold in America.

7. Conan

Conan is the name of a saintly Irish monk who helped spread Christianity after the Dark Ages. He became Bishop of the Isle of Man. In Ireland, the name is a popular one for dogs

8. Madra

The Irish (Gaelic) word for dog. Variations of it are found all over the Celtic languages and countries. Madra (Mod-Rah) is most common in Ireland.

9. Cu (KU)

Literally means hound and used to mean dog as well in Irish. One of the most famous figures in Irish mythology was, again, Cuchulainn.

10. Brandon

Called after one of Irelands tallest mountains, in County Kerry  beautiful, wild scenery.

* Originally published in Aug 2016. Last updated in September 2022.

Read more This farm dog in Co Mayo might be the oldest dog in the world
NCRI  Four prisoners were executed on Saturday, August 6, in Lakan Prison in the northern Iranian city of Rasht.





The state broadcaster IRIB quoted Ahmad Siavoshpour, the head of the regimes judiciary in Gilan Province, as saying that the victims were between the ages of 26 and 65 and one of who was an Afghan citizen. They were accused of drugs-related charges.





On August 3, eight prisoners were hanged by the mullahs' regime in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, north-west of Tehran. The names of the victims were not released.





On the same day, two other prisoners were executed in Qazvin Central Prison, north-west of Tehran. Neither victim was named.





The state-run YJC News Agency quoted the regimes prosecutor in Qazvin, Ismaeil Sadeqi Niaraki, as saying that two other prisoners were executed in Qazvin Central Prison on Saturday, August 6. The victims were only identified as Mojtaba N. and Majid H.





Sadeqi Niaraki added: "The sentence of these two accused was confirmed by the Prosecutor Generals Office and the Head of the Judiciary and was carried out in Qazvin Central Prison this morning."





In addition to these executions, prison guards are attempting to create a climate of fear for the prisoners in Tehrans notorious Evin Prison and Gohardasht (Rajai-Shahr) Prison, situated in Karaj.





According to received reports, the mullahs judiciary intends to execute another 18 political prisoners. The families of the prisoners talk about the brutal tortures inflicted on their children by the regimes notorious Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS).





Other sources say that six prisoners in Karoon Prison in the south-western Iranian city of Ahvaz are at imminent danger of execution.





On August 3 and 4, the six prisoners were sentenced to execution and transferred to solitary confinement cells in Karoon Prison.





One of the prisoners named Behrouz Shahriari was less than 18 years old at the time of his alleged offense.





Another report indicates that two young Iranian men are at imminent risk of execution in the Central Prison of Zahedan, south-east Iran. One of the prisoners has been identified as Youness Jamshid Zehi who is in his late twenties. He has proclaimed his innocence.





Last Tuesday, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, described the mass execution of Sunni prisoners in Gohardasht Prison, carried out on the anniversary of the 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran, an appalling crime against humanity. The regime is trying in vain to contain the volatile social atmosphere and popular protests by terrorizing the public, she said.





The time has come for the UN Human Rights Council and the UN Security Council to end their silence and bring the record of the Iranian regime's crimes before the International Criminal Court. Ali Khamenei and other leaders of the regime as well as direct perpetrators of these crimes must be brought to justice, Maryam Rajavi reiterated.

Shahram Ahmadis final message prior to his execution by Iran regime

Shahram Ahmadi

NCRI - On August 2, 2016, Shahram Ahmadi was executed with more than 20 young political prisoners in Gohardasht (Rajai-Shahr) Prison in Karaj, north-west of Tehran. During an interview before his execution, Shahram Ahmadi said: "Judge Moqiseh said to me that I have committed three crimes: being a Kurd, being Sunni and working against the regime. Each of these three crimes carries the death sentence."





Shahram Ahmadi added: "Here is Hall 10 of Ward 4 of Rajai-Shahr Prison, 40 inmates of this ward are sentenced to execution. They threaten us repeatedly not to take part in an interview. I have lost my brother and I have nothing more to lose. I am indeed innocent and I only want people to know about my innocence before the time of my execution."





Shahram Ahmadi talked about the tortures inflicted by the wardens in the prison, stating: "The most brutal torture, which we suffered from, was the electric shockers. The physical tortures such as flogging or slapping us did not inflict as much pain; however, the hardest punishment for us was to hear that our families have been threatened. Actually, the hangmen carried out one of the threats and arrested my brother while threatening him that they will also arrest the other members of my family. In order to torture us more, they used to heat up the heating in the summer and turn on the cooler in the winter."





Last Tuesday, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, described the mass execution of Sunni prisoners, carried out on the anniversary of the 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran, an appalling crime against humanity. The regime is trying in vain to contain the volatile social atmosphere and popular protests by terrorizing the public, she said.





The time has come for the UN Human Rights Council and the UN Security Council to end their silence and bring the record of the Iranian regime's crimes before the International Criminal Court. Ali Khamenei and other leaders of the regime as well as direct perpetrators of these crimes must be brought to justice, Maryam Rajavi reiterated.

 | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; send a submission; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE!

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." - Oscar Wilde

The names of the political prisoners are:1. Zanyar Moradi2. Loghman Moradi3. Ali Ahmad Soleyman4. Mohammad Abdollahi5. Ebrahim Issapour6. Bakhtiar Memari7. Reza Mollazadeh8. Houshang Rezai9. Mostafa Salimi10. Abdollah Sarvaryan11. Anwar Rostami12. Seyed Sami Hosseini13. Seyed Jamal Mohammadi14. Saber Sheikh Abdollah15. Hossein Osmani16. Diyako Rasoulzadeh17. Hassan Faraji18. Habibollah LatifiSource: NCRI , August 7, 2016Source: NCRI , August 7, 2016
More than 10,000 refugees have been rescued from the Mediterranean Sea by Irelands Naval Service since they were first deployed to the area in May of last year, Newstalk.com reports.

The LE James Joyce rescued 594 migrants during the last week of July, including a young woman who named her newborn baby after the ship that rescued her off the coast of Libya.

The woman, who gave birth after being rescued, named her daughter Joy after the LE James Joyce and in honor of its crew that gave her medical attention on board, reports the Irish Examiner.

A young woman went into labor on board (LE James Joyce) and was transferred, under medical supervision, to the Italian Navys ITS Bettica, the Irish Navy told its Facebook followers.

The admiral in charge of Operation Mare Sicuro presented his compliments to Officer Commanding LE James Joyce this morning and advised him that the young woman transferred to ITS Bettica (Thursday) had been safely delivered of a healthy baby girl. She has chosen to name her Joy.

The post was greeted with many good wishes and praise to the crew.

A big well done to all crew members of the LE James Joyce. All your families are so proud of you. Keep up the good work. 61 days until ye are home to us, wrote one.

Flying the flag with pride and compassion, said another.

Paul Kehoe, Minister of State for Defence in the Irish government, praised the Naval Service for their role in assisting with the migrant crisis.

"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 your efforts, he said.

"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," he added.
ARE YOU A TOP COMPANY?

What it Really Means to be a Top Company!

To be a Top Company in Irish Construction Industry Magazines Top Companies listing means far more than just a rank and position in an ordered catalogue of names. To us, it means that your efforts to be the best you can be and to excel in your industry and sector have been effective and have paid dividends. To us, it means that your determination and commitment to develop and instil a positive work culture and environment have brought your business due success plus satisfaction. We see it as you being a supportive and inclusive place in which to work that strives to bring the best out of everyone across every level of the organisation.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
What exactly is Moon Express?

Well, Moon Express is a company that is taking the real moon-shot. That is, making it affordable and making it possible for humanity to go to the moon.

As a private company what it really means to us is that today a small group of entrepreneurs are capable of something that traditionally only the superpowers of the world could do.

So when we land on the moon, not only will we be the first company ever to do so, we will become the fourth superpower.

By that, I mean that the power has shifted away from individual countries to people who have access to information and to technologies that can allow them to do the things that were considered impossible not so long ago.

It shows the creativity and power of entrepreneurs who set out to achieve big things.

So where does this quest for the moon come from?

Well if I could edit John F Kennedys famous quote  We choose to go to the moon, not because it is easy, but because it makes good business sense and good business sense is what makes entrepreneurs tick.

Everything that is scarce on Earth is in abundance in space. If you look at the Earth we are a tiny pale blue dot in the middle of a vast galaxy. So, think of all the things that we find on our planet.

Now think of how much more of those resources are in space. We fight over land, we fight over water, we fight over energy and all of those things are in abundance in space.

Many people estimate that the natural resources contained within the moon amount to about 16 quadrillion dollars.

Thats just one celestial body in our own solar system. For example, a small amount of Helium 3 could provide Earth with the clean energy it needs for generations to come. So not only is what were doing going to benefit humanity, at the same time were providing a plan B for humanity.

What kind of hurdles do you need to get over to get permission to do this?

It was more than hurdles. Just think of the concept for a moment. This is something that has never been imagined, asked for or approved. You have something like the International Space Treaty which outlines the behaviours countries should have when undertaking missions into space.

However, there is no department for approving lunar missions. So, we had to go around to individual states and get approval from them.

Funny thing, there is nothing in the charter for approving missions, but there are lots of points in there for not approving missions. So they could come up with ten reasons why you cant go, so you go back and fill the criteria for each one of those. That wouldnt make a difference because there is nothing that allows them to approve space missions.

So, we took our case to the White House and they called all the relevant departments together.

They sat them down and said, look, these guys want to do something different, something that could have a real benefit for all of us. The administration also realised that space explorations future lies with private companies.

It takes the financial implications for the government into private companies  taking the burden from the taxpayer and putting it onto companies who can use their own resources to explore space.

If you look at Moon Express and what we have done you get a good idea of this. Lunar missions were usually big undertakings costing billions and billions of dollars. Today we are using an innovative approach and have rockets that cost just $5m.

That means the marginal cost of going to the moon is around $10m. Suddenly it starts to make a lot of business sense to start doing this because the costs are so low.

In the years to come that cost will only go down. The same concepts and ideas that are making your iPhone thinner and your cars more autonomous are the same ones that are helping to shrink the costs of going to the moon, while still having something that is better than what came before it.

This is going to democratise space as well. So in time space exploration will be accessible to everybody, not just the super-rich or those that can afford it. Well see it as just another trip. Like getting on a plane from Dublin to Sydney.

Everybody needs inspiration and to me, landing on the moon would show that anything is possible.

I came to the US with $5 in my pocket. People can say here is someone from a different culture and a different language who now has an opportunity to go to the moon. That is what moves society and humanity forward.

Its about inspiring others to find their own moon-shot and I hope everybody reading this goes and tries to find their moon-shot.

The minute you think something has become impossible, it becomes impossible for you and not for someone else.

Dream so big that people think youre crazy and never be afraid to fail. You only fail in life when you give up, everything else is just a pivot.

What next for Moon Express?

Well, were going to begin exploring resources on the moon and look at how were going to bring those resources back. Well continue to build the business of taking the payloads up and bringing the resources back.

In the meantime well also be looking at setting up a habitat on the moon which will enable humans to become a multi-planetary society.

Were working on creating fuel depots which will help to bring costs down further. We are also part of BlueDot which is a company working on solving humanitys biggest problems.

Could we cure the biggest disease on the planet, ageing? Can we find a way to make sure people dont die of ageing?

There are a lot of these really big fundamental questions which are staring us in the face and sooner or later we are going to have to tackle them. Were aiming to do it sooner rather than later.

By tackling these big problems we will need entrepreneurs with the vision and character to go after those problems. We need to inspire young people to be the leaders of today, not the leaders of tomorrow.

The name came about from listening to Carl Sagan talks about our place in our solar system. BlueDot is taking the moon-shots here on Earth in an effort to make life better for everybody here. If we fail at that, well also have the plan B for it. We can take you to the moon.
Farmers have many questions on the 150m voluntary milk production reduction element, and the 350m farmer adjustment aid element. IFA National Dairy chairman Sean OLeary outlines what is known, and what the IFA expects.

150m milk production reduction

The highest-profile element of the package is the 150m scheme which promises to compensate by 14.4c/l the farmers who reduce their production in the final quarter of 2016, and possibly the subsequent months.

This scheme was a political response to intense pressure from some member states who felt that rising post- quota EU milk production was the cause of the slump.

Production growth was not limited to the EU and lower purchases from China, the extended Russian ban and lower oil revenue all impacted markets.

How will it operate?

Farmers who wish to avail of the scheme will have to apply  presumably through their co-ops  documenting production for October to December 2015, or one of the subsequent three-month periods corresponding to that for which the farmer plans to reduce production in 2016.

Once approved  and this may involve adjusting the planned reduction if the scheme is oversubscribed  farmers will proceed with the reduction.

This is a first- come, first-served scheme across the entire EU, so it is vital that the department works with co-ops to ensure an efficient and speedy application process.

Within 45 days of the end of the period, farmers will claim their payments, proving the reduction with milk statements. The department will issue the payment once the claim is verified.

Who might it suit?

Farmers will need to think carefully before applying for this scheme. Some farmers may have contractual obligations  say liquid milk producers, participants in a fixed-price contract, or a peak-management agreement or forecasting requirement.

Some may be able to reduce production and get paid for it, but will have to bear in mind that it might interfere with those obligations.

It may suit some suppliers to dry off cows earlier or perhaps introduce once-a- day milking to meet the schemes requirements.

All farmers will need to weigh up potential additional cashflow from high constituent autumn supplies versus compensation payments which could be five or six months coming.

Supplies have already started to fall in the EU and globally, and dairy market prices are starting to recover which will make farmgate price increases possible over the coming months.

350m exceptional adjustment aid

Irelands share of this fund is 11.1m, which can and must be matched by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to a total of 22.2m, to optimise the value of the aid for Irish farmers.

The draft scheme is targeted to support dairy and other livestock farmers.

Unconditional payments, such as were made last year, are not allowed under this scheme.

The IFA has stressed that, with all agricultural produce prices at historically low levels, cashflow shortages remain the single biggest issue for farmers in all sectors.

We have called on Mr Creed to secure maximum flexibility in Europe to be able to use the scheme to introduce the IFA proposal for state-backed loans, or otherwise reduce the cost of farmers cashflow finance.

IFA proposal for state-backed loans

Earlier this year, the EU gave member states concessions on state aid rules to support farmers cashflow, with possible aid of up to 15,000 per farmer to cover the cost of loans or guarantees.

The IFA has been lobbying the minister and his officials to deliver short-term, low-cost, cashflow loans under this provision for farmers in the dairy, pig and horticulture sectors, and under the ordinary state aid rules for farmers in all other sectors.

Our proposed loan scheme would allow farmers to package exceptional merchant credit, utility, superlevy and other bills for a period, with repayments starting when product prices have recovered.

The response to our proposal from the minister and his officials has been constructive, but it now needs to be delivered urgently.

Farmers are increasingly contacting the IFA outlining the financial and emotional strain they and their families are experiencing.

Action is needed now: the minister must respond.
Since it was founded in Make-A-Wish Ireland has granted wishes to over 1900 children in Ireland with life-threatening illnesses.

Make-A-Wish Ireland grants wishes for children aged between 3 and 17, with a life-threatening medical condition. Once a child is nominated to Make-A-Wish Ireland the team of staff and volunteers take over to work with the child, their siblings and family to help make their wish come true.
However, Agriculture Minister Michael Creed, said many live export markets are open including Libya, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Serbia, Algeria and recently Turkey. We need to be careful not to talk down the price of cattle, he said.

Mr Creed accepted that open markets do not mean that cattle will move because a whole series of variables needs to fall into place.

For example, the price for cattle must be right, currency fluctuations must be favourable and boats must be available, he said. He said his department is key in the licensing of boats and insists on the highest standards in respect of animal welfare.

The bad publicity associated with an inappropriate incident could quickly close down the live exports market. We have the highest standards and nobody complains, he said.

Saying the challenge now is for the industry to step in, Mr Creed said he appreciated there must be a margin for industry players.

He said his department will work with the industry to facilitate the export of the maximum possible number of cattle because that safety valve is needed to ensure the maximum return for beef producers.

Labour TD Willie Penrose said the animal Identification and Movement database signals that 80,000 or 90,000 extra cattle will come on stream in the autumn.

Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill said the opening of markets was welcome but beef farmers will not have confidence until they see cattle moving.

Unfortunately, once the kill goes over 30,000 heads, the factories will do what they always did and try to trample farmers into the ground. We do not have to talk down prices; it is being done for us by processors, he said.
Tom Hannon, who provides employment for eight drivers at Tower Cabs, said the cheapest quote he got to insure the companys eight vehicles was 53,000, from a UK firm.

The offer is 3,000 less than the 56,000 he was quoted to renew his policy with his current Irish insurance provider, Liberty.

Speaking at his home in Garryowen, Mr Hannon said he was flabbergasted by the skyrocketing price hike. He never had a claim on the 11-year-old policy.

Mr Hannon, 62, said: Its crazy. Id eight cars insured for 7,000, then it went to 14,000, 16,000, and then last year, it went to 56,000. There was no explanation.

I rang [Liberty] up, and they said to me thats the way insurance is gone.

Mr Hannon said he did not expect to be in business next year if his companys insurance premium continued to shoot up.

I cant see myself in the taxi business, if it continues like this Ill have to let the business go  its too hard, he said.

I considered the option of putting eight drivers out of business, but Im going to try and continue a little bit and see how this year goes.

He said he was worried and stressed.

Its even affecting my health. Im feeling miserable, stressed the whole time, and depressed.

Mr Hannon, who has 30 years trade experience, said there were loads of other taxi drivers in similar situations.

Last week, another Limerick cabbie, Alfie Earls, went public with his story after his insurance premium jumped 2,000 in one year with no accident or claims pending. While Mr Earls called for a national protest at rising insurance costs, Mr Hannon called on the Government to intervene.

He estimated that around 90 taxi drivers in the Limerick area alone had left the industry in the past 12 months.

Im working at a loss this year, between insurance, licence renewal, tax, service and maintenance, and radios, he said. I wont be making anything out of it.

Mr Hannon is currently paying about 2,300 to insure his own taxi with Axa.

Tony McNamara, the mid- west representative of the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation, said the rising cost of car insurance for taxi drivers had left the industry in serious decline.

In my opinion, whats going to happen is there wont be enough taxis around because drivers cant afford to pay the insurance, he said.

For example, a married man with a couple of children, on the social welfare will take home nearly 400 a week. For him to make that 400 in a taxi, hed have to take in over 1,000, which is very, very hard to do.

Mr Hannon is to appear in a UTV Ireland television documentary tonight discussing his experience of the motor insurance industry.

Insight: Motor Insurance, Why Are We Paying Too Much? at 8pm, UTV Ireland.

Editorial: 10
Provisional figures show, however, the numbers of people diagnosed with breast cancer diseases is on the rise.

In 2015, 694 people died of malignant neoplasms of the breast, or breast cancer, according to initial figures from the Central Statistics Office.

A total of 692 of those who died were women, while two were men.

About 70 of the deaths took place in Cork county, while 19 occurred in Cork city, according to provisional figures.

A total of 106 deaths were in Dublin.

The areas with the lowest breast cancer mortality rates were Longford and Laois, where seven deaths were recorded in each county last year in relation to breast cancer.

With a total of 694 breast cancer deaths last year, 2015 marked the first year in four years that the numbers of women dying from breast cancer decreased.

Between 2010 and 2014, the number of deaths caused by breast cancer has been increasing.

In 2011, 697 people died of breast cancer and in 2012, 698 people died. For 2013, the figure jumped up to 713, while in 2014, it peaked at 728.

However, the 2015 number is still higher than the number for 2010, in which 659 people died of breast cancer.

Robert OConnor, head of research at the Irish Cancer Society, said that the overall numbers of cancer, including breast cancer, are increasing, with 40,000 cases expected to be diagnosed this year.

Despite advances in diagnostics and treatment, the number of people diagnosed with cancer is increasing for two main reasons, according to Dr OConnor: People are living longer  and cancers often occur later in life  and our unhealthy modern lifestyle.

We know now that 40% of cancers are preventable but, unfortunately, our lifestyle hasnt adjusted to that, said Dr OConnor. He said a decrease in mortality rates is down to a number of factors.

Decrease in deaths is down to a collection of things, said Dr OConnor. Its down to better detection and better sophistication in our delivery of cancer treatment.

Modern treatments, diagnostics, catching breast cancer earlier are all having an impact on survival.

If any cancer is caught earlier, the chances of survival are typically better. So all of those things are coming together to give patients a better outcomes.

If we have good detection, and good treatment services and access to the latest medicines and so on, one might expect that that will translate into better survival and longer survival.

The decrease in deaths comes as a ground-breaking Irish project into the early detection of breast and prostate cancers received State funding.

Last week, the Irish Cancer Society announced that 2.5m in Government funding is to be put towards finding ways to improve the personalised treatment of breast and prostate cancer patients.

It is hoped that this, in turn, will lead to better survival rates.

William Gallagher and William Watson, both professors at University College Dublin, will receive the Science Foundation Ireland grant for their four-year Opti-Predict project.

Currently, doctors do not have an accurate way of knowing whether many cancers will reoccur once the tumour is removed.

The results of the research could allow doctors to recommend patient treatment that is better suited to the needs of the patient, and avoiding more aggressive treatments for low-risk patients.

Steps to take to reduce cancer risk

There are a number of straightforward steps each of us can take to reduce the risk of cancer. They include:

Get physical:

We should all aim to be moderately physically active for at least 30 minutes each day.

People arent exercising enough  exercise can be a potent method to reduce the risk of cancer, said Robert OConnor, head of research at the Irish Cancer Society.

Quit smoking:

When it comes to smoking, were starting to see in men a reduction in lung cancer rates because males have gotten the message, said Dr OConnor.

"Theres always a delay  the lung cancer rates take 10 to 20 years to mimic the actual smoking rates because lung cancer takes 10 to 20 years, sometimes longer, to form.

Unfortunately, woman havent adjusted their lifestyle.

Even if you arent a smoker, reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.

Eat well:

We have all heard it before, but its still true: Increasing your consumption of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and pulses, while reducing sugars and bad fats, can help each of us stay healthier and avoid cancer.

Breastfeed your baby:

For women, breastfeeding for prolonged periods of time reduce the risk of breast cancer in later life.

Maintain healthy weight:

People are taking in too many calories and theyve often got increasingly obesity issues, said Dr OConnor. Obesity can be a significant driver.

Avoid alcohol:

Alcohol is linked to a number of cancers, including breast, liver, mouth, throat, oesophagus and large bowel cancer.

Reduce sun exposure:

Dr OConnor highlighted the fact that sun exposure leads to skin cancer, the most common form of cancer.

Over 10,000 people this year will get skin cancer, he said.

Get screened for cancer:

There are breast and cervical cancer screening programmes for women, and bowel screening programmes for both genders.
Khizr Khan Challenges Donald Trump To Take A Naturalization Test

I challenge Trump to take the naturalization test with me any day. His is demagoguery and pandering for vote. A divider like Trump can never be the steward of this country, he said.

Khizr Khan, the father of a Muslim American war hero who gave Donald Trump a lesson on citizenship at the Democratic convention last month, wants the GOP nominee to take the U.S. naturalization test.Khan, who became a United States citizen after emigrating from Pakistan in 1980, issued the challenge on Monday in reaction to a Trump foreign policy address in Youngstown, Ohio, in which the businessman proposed instituting an ideological test to visa applicants before allowing them to enter the country. Under the test, Trump said, applicants would be subjected to extreme, extreme vetting in order to screen out any who have hostile attitudes toward our country or its principles.But Khan, who lives in Virginia with his wife Ghazala, rejected such rhetoric.This is my country too, Khan told The Huffington Post in an email. We must make it safe  as Muslim Americans it is our obligation to keep our country safe. We reject all violence. We support better immigration policies. We stand as a testament to assimilation and being part of patriotic America as anyone else.He then challenged Trump to take the U.S. naturalization test along with him.
He said: "In a quiet sort of way he had a real influence on the course of events here, the way the IRA campaign ended and the perception people had of the British Army.

"I think that in terms of the immediate impact of Bloody Sunday, especially in the early stages where there was a lot of spin about what had happened, Eddie Daly was adamant and clearly insistent about what had happened. It had a significant effect.

"He was a priest, clearly distressed, describing the killing of Jackie Duddy and saying he did not have a gun and he did not have a petrol bomb.

"I think his words (then) were more influential than just the photograph. He would also criticise the IRA afterwards over the years.

"He was credible. He was quite a conservative man and not a radical priest."

1.25pm: Kate Nash, whose 19-year-old brother William was killed on Bloody Sunday, said Bishop Daly was dedicated to non-violence.

She said: "He has spoken out loudly and bravely on non-violence. He knew what happened on Bloody Sunday and said often that it was murder and he understood the struggle for justice."

She said he and those carrying Jackie Duddy's body could have been shot.

"He was a very brave individual doing that because soldiers were firing at everybody really, he was definitely in danger of getting shot that day."

12:50pm: The sister of Jackie Duddy, the man who was at the centre of the iconic picture in which Bishop Edward Daly was seen waving his white handkerchief on Bloody Sunday has paid her own highly personal tribute to the late Bishop.

Speaking on BBC radio Kay Duddy, the sister of Jackie Duddy, said her and her families hearts were broken.

"Throughout his life he did everything he could to help people. For us it was such a comfort to know he was with Jackie in his dying moments ... and he had always said he would fight until his dying breath to clear his name."

Kay went on to say the Bishop was "a lovely person and not only did he help people throughout his life as a priest even when retired .. he still carried on trying to help."

She concluded: "For me he was a saint and should have been acknowledged as a hero ... but he was so modest it did not occur to him. He was special friend to us ... and will forever be in our hearts."

Humes deeply saddened by death of dear friend Bishop Edward Dalyhttps://t.co/V8G7qxdRbi pic.twitter.com/9KlDuOTPfR  The SDLP (@SDLPlive) August 8, 2016

12pm: The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, has paid tribute to the late Bishop Edward Daly and said he will be will be remembered throughout the country as a fearless peace-builder and a holy and humble faith leader.

Bishop Daly, who famously went to the aid of civil rights protesters gunned down by British soldiers during Bloody Sunday died last night.

The Bishop famously waved a blood-stained white handkerchief as a symbol of ceasefire as he attempted to help a fatally injured demonstrator in Derry in January 1972.

He led the church in the city through some of the darkest days of the conflict and believed the violence of the Troubles was futile and morally unjustified.

Archbishop Eamon Martin went on: "Bishop Edward will be remembered as a fearless peace-builder - as exemplified by his courage on Bloody Sunday in Derry - and as a holy and humble faith leader."

Archbishop Martin said the late clergyman took a personal interest in those who suffered miscarriages of justice.

"His untiring advocacy for the Birmingham Six, the victims of Bloody Sunday and for the families of those murdered by paramilitaries earned him respect from some, suspicion from others.

"As a gifted spiritual leader and communicator, his words touched the hearts of many people, but his ministry was not confined to preaching.

"He walked with his people in their struggles and joys and was most at home out in the streets, parishes and communities of his diocese."

Dr Daly had served in the city since 1962, walking its deprived streets whose inhabitants suffered decades of underinvestment amid violence and political manoeuvring.

He was Bishop of Derry from 1974 until 1993, stepping aside after suffering a stroke. In recent years he has battled a long-term illness.

The clergyman was awarded the freedom of the city last year alongside his Church of Ireland counterpart and close friend Bishop James Mehaffey, hailing the rich "tapestry of cultures" which made up his adopted home.

Archbishop Martin added: "Bishop Edwards bravery was also apparent in his lived conviction that violence from any side during the Troubles was futile and could never be morally justified.

"He was courageous in speaking out against injustice and took many personal risks for peace and reconciliation."

The cleric was a prolific writer and in latter years helped the dying in his role as chaplain at Foyle Hospice in Derry.

Archbishop Martin said: "He was a gentle shepherd whose immense contribution to the spiritual and moral well-being of the people of Derry diocese during a troubled time shall never be forgotten. He had a sensitive heart and generous disposition; ever caring to the sick, the bereaved, and to victims on all sides of the Troubles."
Figures released to the Irish Examiner under Freedom of Information show that in 2014 and 2015 there were seven cases of alleged bullying investigated, with as yet no disciplinary action resulting.

Five of those cases were based on allegations registered in 2014 and the investigations have concluded with no action taken.

Two cases from last year are still being investigated.

The Defence Forces did not release details as to the nature of the allegations, or the ranks of those making the allegations of bullying and against whom the allegations were made.

The general secretary of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDForra), Gerry Rooney, said the Defence Forces did not necessarily have higher incidences of bullying than any other profession.

But he suggested the figures reported appeared infinitesimal.

From our experience people touch base with us all the time regarding things like that and especially with allegations of bullying.

Referring to the figures released under FOI, he said: That is people who have formally gone into the system.

I would say they are only a small proportion regarding circumstances where people feel they have been bullied.

It is not the case that it is always bullying  the typical working day and arrangements and circumstances that we work under are not typical.

He said younger people, in particular, may perceive that the treatment they are receiving is bullying, whereas it might not be.

But he said: It does not surprise me there was no disciplinary action because most investigation is done internally. Generally they look to protect the system and those in the hierarchy of that system.

In its response the Defence Forces said all cases in relation to claims and allegations of bullying are investigated in accordance with regulations, namely Admin Instruction A7 Chapter 1.

It is the official practice of the Director [of] Military Police not to release military Investigation reports other than to the Unit Commander who has authorised the Investigation Report, it said, adding that it had deferred to the Department of Defence any questions over any possible compensation paid out.

Mr Rooney said the Defence Forces were hierarchical and rightly so and said any organisation with 10,000 people working within it was likely to have some issues with bullying. But he said the fact so few cases were investigated and the fact none resulted in any disciplinary action so far probably shows that is not possible.

He said it was a confidence issue and if people saw that certain issues were being addressed then it was possible more people would come forward.

I am not suggesting the Defence Forces has any more bullying than any other organisations, he said.

He said a big difference between the Defence Forces and their counterparts in the UK was fewer members in Ireland lived in barracks.
In total, it is providing 10 specific courses to assist people to get into employment.

They also include mobile software development, data science and analytics, as well as biopharmaceutical manufacturing, lean six sigma methodologies, ICT project management, architectural technology and interior architecture.

The courses are backed under the Governments Springboard initiative to help jobseekers get qualified for expanding high-tech companies, many of which are based in the Cork region.

A CIT spokeswoman said the courses are designed and developed, in collaboration with industry partners.

She said they would provide a dynamic pipeline of job-ready graduates, with up-to-the-minute skills, and valuable qualifications for sectors of the Irish economy that are expanding and recruiting.

Since 2011, the Government has invested 113m in the Springboard initiative which has led to around 30,000 jobseekers participating in such courses.

The CIT spokeswoman said the college already has an excellent record of success under Springboard, with very positive outcomes for many of its students.

A management graduate, Michael, who is also a qualified engineer said: I found the course to be interesting and informative and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in data and numbers, be it as an avenue to a career change or as a supplement to a current career.

Details on available courses, eligibility are at www.springboardcourses.ie
In the first hints of how Enda Kennys minority government may be salvaged if it falls apart, Mr Creed said that its survival was inextricably linked with getting on with a handful of Independents.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, he also said reopening Irelands embassy in Iran would be a game changer in the post-Brexit climate and allow access to quarter of a billion people.

Changes to trade, fishing stocks, depleted funding for farmers, and accessing new markets are all issues on the Cork TDs plate as Ireland attempts to prepare for Brexit shocks ahead.

Mr Creed spoke candidly about how the Fine Gael- Independent minority Government was coping and how such administrations are now here to stay.

The Governments survival is inextricably linked with getting on with a handful of independents outside of those who are currently signed on, said Mr Creed.

I think this Government will sink or swim on the basis of how it embraces minority government status and its openness to work in a collegiate fashion with all Oireachtas members.

I say this whether its the Anti-Austerity Alliance, which I get ideas from that I could implement, or any other quarter. If I get a good idea and it stands up to scrutiny, Ive no problem running with it and giving credit where it is due.

However, asked what the Government would do if Independent ministers were to fall out with the Fine Gael side, the minister admitted there were options there to patch up the minority Government.

This includes doing special deals with non- government Independent TDs, such as Roscommon-Galways Michael Fitzmaurice, Dublin Centrals Maureen OSullivan, or Galway Wests Noel Grealish.

All three TDs were among a cohort of Independents who originally participated in government formation talks but ultimately decided against backing Mr Kennys administration.

There are obvious ones who are a better fit for the government, so yes, these are ones we could do deals with, he said.

Recent tensions among Fine Gael and Independent ministers have thrown up fresh questions about how long the minority government will last. This included rows over whether Independent ministers Shane Ross and Finian McGrath could back proposals to liberalise the abortion laws.

Shane Ross and Finian McGrath

Junior minister John Halligan also said last week that he backed legalising prostitution, decriminalising drug use, and euthanasia, issues which conservative Fine Gael figures would likely oppose.

Mr Creed remains focused on his portfolio, which includes protecting Irish farmers, the food industry, and fisheries from any shock hits after Brexit.

Irish negotiators, when Britain triggers its exit, intend to highlight Irelands excessive dependence on the UK market, he said.

The value of beef trade with Britain is 1.1bn, while dairy is just under 1bn.

Mr Creed said Britain contributed 10bn annually into the EU, 40% of which goes to farmers.
The Department of Social Protection has been given a slightly reduced budget of 38.8m this year for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, on which it spent over 40m last year.

The allowance is worth 100 for primary school pupils and 200 for older students in low-income families to assist with costs.

A reduction last October to a 35.5m allocation for 2016 was attributed to expected further falls in numbers of applications this year as the Live Register continues to fall.

However, that budget has subsequently been increased by nearly 10%. Most of the payments are issued to families with children who are in receipt of any of a range of social welfare payments, saving parents having to apply and wait for their income to be assessed.

Last year, such automatic payments were made to more than 105,000 families, who received over 26.3m from the Department of Social Protection. But, despite the expected drop in eligible numbers, 3,000 more families than last year have received automatic payments.

A department spokesperson told the Irish Examiner it paid 27m during the second week of July to over 108,000 families who did not have to apply. The payments were in respect of 193,000 children.

The amount paid for each child was cut by 100 across a number of budgets during the recession, meaning the total cost to taxpayers has fallen from a height of nearly 70m in 2009 as unemployment rates soared.

However, Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar has given no commitment yet to providing any increases in Octobers budget.

Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar

The Barnardos 2016 school costs survey last week showed an average cost of nearly 400 to send a fourth-class pupil back to school, and close to 800 for students entering first year.

For those families who are not automatically eligible, applications have been open since June 10 and 37,379 were received up to last Thursday. More than 5,000 have come in each full week since the scheme first opened.

Up to last Friday morning, 13,644 applications had been processed, resulting in payments being awarded to 12,423 families, meaning nearly one-in-10 have not been successful. These were valued at 3.7m, bringing total payments so far this summer to nearly 31m.

In order to qualify for the BSCFA, as well as being in receipt of certain social welfare or HSE payments, a familys weekly income has to be inside certain thresholds.

It depends on the family type and numbers of children, but a 593 limit applies for a couple with two children, or 440 for a lone parent of two. However, certain payments like child benefit or family income supplement are not counted against the income limits.
Kieran Horgan is the youngest of a four-member Irish team taking part in the International Olympiad in Informatics, a schools competition for young programmers held every summer.

The 15-year-old student of Davis College in Mallow was selected in June at a national event in Dublin City University.

The Mallow Davis College student joins three others  Eoin Davey from Summerhill College Sligo, Teofil Camarasu from Dundalk Grammar School in Louth, and John Ryan, St Josephs College, Thurles  to vie for top honours with more than 80 teams from around the world, gathering on Friday.

The competition takes place throughout next week at Kazan University in the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan in southern Russia.

The event is all about problem-solving and computational thinking.

The Irish team is up against programming super-powers like China, the United States and host nation Russia.

Ireland will pit their wits against the best young minds in the world. We are sending our top programming students to this competition, after making the selection from a very high-quality field, said Gary Conway, programme manager of the All-Ireland Programming Olympiad.

Following the national event at DCUs school of computing in February, the four-member team was selected at a boot-camp over three days at the end of June.

It will be Kierans first time competing at the international Olympiad, in which contestants are given three tasks to complete in five hours on each of two competition days.

Strict rules mean they are not allowed contact with others familiar with the tasks or their delegation leaders from the time they are given their tasks the evening before they must complete it.

Tadhg OShea, vice-president of software engineering at AIPO event sponsors Fidelity Investments, said the programme is a great way to support young students develop their technical skills and encourage them to consider a future IT career.
The 12-day trip is coming to an end on Wednesday when the Taule-Leikangers head home after enjoying the hospitality of Dunmanway and the wider Cork area over the last week.

Their weekend included yesterdays trip to Blarney Castle, world-famous for bestowing the gift of the gab on those who kiss it.

For parents Linda and Viggo, and children Pernilla, Magnus, and Nora  all aged under 10  it was the latest trip on a whirlwind itinerary of attractions of Co Cork.

They got a taste of Irish traditional music in Baile Mhuirne on Saturday night, and were looking forward to spending last night in the pods at the Top of the Rock facility near Drimoleague.

They have been looked after in local B&Bs, and got to enjoy Dunmanways historic Ballabuidhe horse fair last week.

Catherine Crowley and her family have been among the locals helping organise events during the visitors stay. It was her telephone number that they called after finding a note inside a balloon that had made its way all the way to Norway.

Linda and son Magnus were hiking in mountains when they found the balloon, and the family has done plenty of hiking in the past week, including through the parks around the source of the River Lee in Gougane Barra.

The Taule-Leikangers Viggo, Linda, Pernilla, Magnus, and Nora size up Blarney Castle during their visit yesterday. Picture: Eddie OHare

Theyre really enjoying their stay, and theyve loved stopping and talking to people who recognise them on the street or when theyre out to eat, said Ms Crowley.

Other trips on the itinerary before leaving from Cork Airport on Wednesday include a visit to the Toy Soldier factory in Cill na Martra.

Ms Crowley said the visiting children have made many friends and the visit has helped develop the towns tourism appeal.

The Message in a Balloon was the idea of Dunmanway Chamber of Commerce, and the note found by Linda was tied to a balloon released in the town last Christmas.

It explained that whoever found it would be welcome to enjoy a host of prizes offered through sponsorship from local businesses.
The Department of Defence has refused to comment on claims by a number of Irish Examiner sources that an agreement was reached some years ago between the Irish and British governments about protecting this countrys airspace from terrorist threats.

Five well-placed sources in Ireland and one in Britain have pointed to the agreement being in place, with a number saying the Defence Forces was not involved in negotiating it, despite the RAF asking for its inclusion.

Civil servants from the Department of Defence and Department of Foreign Affairs with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) entered into a bilateral agreement with British counterparts: the RAF, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Ministry for Defence, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The agreement permits the British military to conduct armed operations in Irish sovereign or Irish-controlled airspace in the event of a real time or envisaged threat of a terrorist-related attack from the skies on either this country or a neighbouring state.

The Department of Defence refused to comment on a number of questions posed by the Irish Examiner about the agreement.

It said that primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and the gardai, and that it is the long-standing practice of the department not to make any comment on operational or security matters that may affect the State.

One British source said that if a plane coming from the US was hijacked close to this country the Irish would expect British help.

The Air Corps has no jet fighters which would be capable of shooting down commercial jets.

The lack of such firepower was made abundantly clear when it was confirmed that Air Corps planes could not climb high enough or go fast enough to intercept ageing propeller-driven Russian bear bombers which came close to Irish sovereign airspace on a couple of occasions in early 2015.

The Russian bombers were reportedly playing Cold War-style cat-and- mouse games with British fighter aircraft. On one occasion, on February 18, 2015, two of the Tu-95 Russian bombers flew cloaked with their transponders turned off, just 40km off the coast.

RussianBearAircraft_large.jpg[#embed2]

They criss-crossed into major civilian airline traffic lanes and the IAA was forced to divert commercial jets in midair or else prevent them from taking off to avoid potential collisions.

Earlier this year, then Minister for Defence Simon Coveney published the white paper on defence, which set out a 10-year strategy for the Defence Forces.

Despite there being calls for jets to be purchased for the Air Corps, there was no mention in the white paper of this happening any time soon, even though the threat of 9/11-style hijackings had risen with the emergence of fundamentalist terror group Islamic State, which has carried out several attacks on mainland Europe in the last 12 months.

Instead, the white paper said the Air Corps will continue to operate a range of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.

The seven existing Pilatus PC9 aircraft provide a very limited air-to-air and air-to- ground capacity and these are due for replacement in 2025.

The development of a more capable air /intercept capability will be considered as part of the white paper update, the next of which is likely to take place in 2019.

The Air Corps currently provides surveillance capacity primarily through two CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft and five Cessna aircraft. The CASA 235s are due for replacement in 2019.

The white paper added that should additional funding become available, the development of a radar surveillance capability is a priority for the Air Corps.
Tell you what. IF, and that is a big IF Trump can actually start hammering in the rust belt over trade agreements and jobs coming back, he very well could win the rust belt. I do not think he is capable of it. Trumps strongest point is his trade idea's. Imo he is spot on. Ironically it is very similar to Bernie's and many of the progressives. But, what makes me sick of ******* liberals is they will kick that good idea to the curb in order to win. Its party first and country second with those fools. Makes me sick to my stomach.
The centre will offer support for cancer sufferers, family members, and carers every Monday at the Dungarvan Alternative Clinic on Main Street.

Solas Cancer Support Centre manager Tracy McDaid says the move will enable Solas to assess the areas requirements, with a view eventually to expanding the service full time.

The initiative comes amidst belief that many cancer sufferers in west Waterford find the 150km round trip to the city too daunting. Of the over 2,500 people who came to us in the five years we have been in Waterford, just 170 travelled from the west of the county, says Ms McDaid.

Solas, which is predominantly community funded, engages over 90 staff in Waterford, 60 of whom are volunteers and work-scheme staff.

The centre opens weekdays 9am-5pm with a 9pm close on Wednesdays. It provides free, hour-long counselling, relaxation therapies, and group support services in an atmosphere where clients can also simply talk things over, and relax.

While working under the banner of the South-East Cancer Foundation, clients are accepted from outside the jurisdiction.

The service also strives to ensure that clients have access to the best medical treatment and help towards early diagnoses. It further supports participation in studies to improve cancer research and treatment outcomes and it campaigns towards ensuring cancer services in the South-East are both world class and accessible to all.

Solas will replicate its Waterford service in Dungarvan, albeit on a smaller scale, with treatments to include counselling, group therapy, yoga, and meditation, alongside touch therapies such as massage and reflexology. Legal advice and other related services will also be available.

The Dungarvan branch will avail of contracted therapists, voluntary staff and counsellors from across the west Waterford region.

Our first, important point of contact would be filled by a volunteer receptionist, as happens in Waterford, says Ms McDaid. Volunteers typically work a four-hour shift per week.

While Waterford operates on a drop-in basis, the manager recommends Dungarvan clients arrange appointments in advance.

Solas will commence its Dungravan service at 12 Main Street from Monday, September 5.

Enquiries to 051-3046044. See also www.solascentre.ie
As her Cursed Child stage play takes over London, the legacy of her Harry Potter books, including two Wizarding World theme parks, has seen Rowling leap from seventh to third place, although her estimated earnings of $19m (14.2m) remain the same as for 2015.

Crime writer Patterson is the highest-earning author in the world for the third year in a row with $95m (71.2m) pre-tax.

Five years since their last wizarding fix, Harry Potter fans now have two films to look forward to.

Movie bosses have announced that work on a darker sequel to upcoming flick Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them is under way  before the new story has even hit screens.

The first instalment in the Harry Potter spin-off, starring EDDIE REDMAYNE, KATHERINE WATERSTON and EZRA MILLER, is out on November 18 and will be JK ROWLINGs screen writing debut.

Based on her 2001 novel of the same name, the story follows Newt Scamander, a magizoologist on a mission to catalogue otherworldy creatures in New York, Warner Bros said the second outing for Redmaynes Scamander will also be penned by the author and is expected to have a darker edge, but fans will have to hold on for two years before the sequel reaches cinemas.

London-born actress and star of US series The Good Wife, CUSH JUMBO, believes British television doesnt represent the country we live in.

Jumbo, 30, revealed how she had been told her mixed-race background made her unsuitable for several roles she had auditioned for on British TV.

In an interview with PHIL WILLIAMS on BBC Radio 5 Live she said: You get feedback from auditions  and they might say something along the lines of, Were only casting fully black or fully white people for this particular project, and because youre mixed (race) that doesnt work.

She added: Its not that I think those people are racist or dont like me, its that we have an idea in our heads here of... you know, representation on TV  and it doesnt represent the country we live in... and it should.

I would like it to more. I would jump at the chance for there to be more parts for me here.

EMILIA FOX, SHEILA HANCOCK and IAIN GLEN will be sinking their teeth into the script for DAWN FRENCHs new drama Delicious.

French and Fox last starred opposite each other in JAMES CORDENs comedy, The Wrong Mans, but their reunion will be less pleasant as they play warring women both betrayed by the same man in the Sky 1 show.

Passionate cook Gina (French) was once married to successful chef and hotelier Leo Vincent (Glen), and is annoyed his business has gone from strength to strength since he left her for the glamorous Sam (Fox).

When Sam confides in Gina that she thinks Leo might be having another affair, she discovers his ex-wife herself is the other woman, leaving the two women to either build bridges or tear each other apart.

Fox said: Im absolutely delighted to be part of Delicious. Its heaven to be working with Dawn French and Iain Glen again.
A combination of heat and moisture has led to a proliferation of ferns, briars, wildflowers and various trees, to the extent that some country roads are now dangerous for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Views are obstructed, you have to edge out onto hazardous junctions and, in some byroads, theres hardly space for one vehicle to pass, as the hedges are growing outwards by several feet.

At the same time, environmental groups such as Birdwatch Ireland, An Taisce, the Irish Wildlife Trust and the Hedge Laying Association are running a campaign against proposed changes in the Wildlife Act by Heritage Minister Heather Humphreys.

Controversial changes to Section 40 of the Act, due to come before the Oireachtas in October, would allow for gorse fires on the mountains in March and the cutting of hedgerows in August.

Theres been strong pressure from some politicians and farming organisations for changes in the law which currently allows such activity only from September to February.

Commonsense must come into play here, especially on roadside hedges.

Its the land- owners responsibility to cut hedges, though local councils also act when there are obvious traffic hazards.

This summer, some roads have become so dangerous that landowners are just going out and cutting back vegetation to prevent serious accidents.

If they didnt do that, the roads would be almost impassable.

The environmental groups have collected almost 20,000 signatures in support of their anti slash and burn campaign.

They argue the cutting of hedgerows, in August, would have a detrimental impact on wildlife and sustainable farming in Ireland.

They also claim theres no scientific basis for the changes.

While agreeing that proper management of hedgerows is needed, they say landowners and farmers must be supported to manage them in a way that works for farming, road safety and wildlife.

However, people must be able to travel roads and the conflicting interests need to find a practical solution.

Lorraine Bull, of the Irish Wildlife Trust, says August is a crucial month for wildlife.

A number of wildflowers are flowering in August, providing vital food resources for our bee and butterfly pollinators.

Birds, such as the yellowhammer, nest well into September and chicks sitting in the nest can be disturbed and killed as heavy hedge-cutting machinery fires small pieces of debris straight into the hedge at great velocity, she says.

In 2007, the European Court of Justice ruled against Ireland for, among other things, failure to protect birds in the wider countryside.
THE spend by the State on protecting snails, frogs, corncrakes, and freshwater pearl mussels can sometimes raise eyebrows among a disbelieving public.

Against the background of almost weekly stories of trauma for patients waiting on trollies in hospital A&E departments and the unending homeless crisis, a combined spend of almost 1m in 2015 on only two protected birds, the hen harrier and the corncrake, may appear hard to justify.

However, the Department of Arts and Heritage has pointed out on a number of occasions that there is a legal obligation under EU law to spend the money on conservation measures, warning that if the money isnt spent Ireland would have a much larger spend on fines imposed.

An Taisces natural environmental officer, Fintan Kelly, makes the argument that not enough money is provided for conservation of these protected species claiming that due to political wrangling the money available for conservation has been spread too thinly.

He claims: The conservation measures themselves have consistently been watered down to such an extent that by the time it comes to implementation they cannot deliver meaningfully.

The farming lobby is also not happy with aspects of the Governments plan for conserving protected species.

The natterjack toad is rare in Ireland, limited to parts of Co Kerry. Ireland spends 48,000 a year on its protection.

IFA SAC project team chairman, Tom Turley, said IFAs view has consistently been that the implementation process for designations does not protect landowners. The process of consultation has also fallen far short of what is required.

He said: IFA has called for a proper consultation with an effective appeals system. The main concern of the IFA centres around the restrictions imposed and the lack of a proper compensation mechanism. Management plans have not been put in place. As a result, farmers and landowners have seen their incomes affected by designations with a devaluation of their land.

Mr Turley added: IFA has called on Minister Heather Humphreys to initiate discussions on a new process of consultation, appeals and a proper compensation mechanism. Areas that are currently designated should be examined as to whether they should remain designated.

However, Mr Kelly pointed out: Many of Irelands most threatened habitats and species are of poor and declining conservation status. In 2013 a report by the National Parks and Wildlife Service revealed that only 9% of the 58 habitats that were assessed were found to be in favourable conservation status, 50% as inadequate and 41% as bad.

The hen harrier is considered to be one of our at-risk species but farmers in areas designated for its protection have long been calling for support

He stated: Some of our most threatened species such as vertigo (snails), freshwater pearl mussel and hen harrier continue to decline at an alarming rate. Even once common species may not exist as breeding species in Ireland in the near future.

There have been significant declines in their long-term breeding distribution: Corncrake (92% down), curlew (89%), whinchat (77%), grey partridge (74%), woodcock (68%), lapwing (56%), red grouse (52%), and redshank (50%).

He said: There is no evidence that there will be any major decline in pressures over the next decade. Pollution and the intensification of the agricultural and forestry sectors are threats for species moving forward. Climate change will also bring its own challenges.

Mr Kelly claimed: Agri-environment schemes in Ireland have in the main failed to halt biodiversity loss. This is despite vast sums of taxpayers money being invested.

For example 2.18bn has been given to farmers in Ireland under CAP environmental schemes between 1994 and 2006, these schemes, have failed to deliver sufficient protection for Irelands biodiversity. This situation makes a mockery of Irelands current branding of our food and drink sector as green and sustainable under Bord Bias Origin Green marketing campaign.

The number of calling males is down 20%

Mr Kelly said documentation which An Taisce got access to via Freedom of information requests reveal the NPWS agrees.

He pointed out: In the documentation the NPWS expresses understandable frustration that its past submissions to the Department of Agriculture have not particularly influenced the selection of measures for Natura lands, despite the fact that the NPWS is the responsible body with direct expertise.

Mr Kelly said that the farmers in hen harrier designated sites have been crying out for support for years.

It would have benefited these hill farming communities and Irelands hen harrier population which is undergoing a collapse in its breeding population within these protected sites due to inadequate habitat management and due to pressures such as inappropriate forestry and windfarm development.

Brendan Dunford, BurrenLife director, in the Burren with delegates from the EUFRAS/IALB (European Forum for Agricultural and Rural Advisory Services) Conference in June. He says the BurrenLife programme has had a phenomenal impact on the Burren landscape. Picture: Valerie OSullivan

Mr Kelly claimed that there is inadequate enforcement of environmental law in Ireland. He said: The NPWS are critically underfunded and have seen their budget repeatedly slashed. For example, in December 2010 it was announced that the NPWSs budget was to be cut by a huge 56%.

As a nation we need to wake up to the current environmental crisis we are living through.

Farmers get 641k for hen harrier preservation

A select group of farmers received 641,000 from the State in 2015 for implementing measures aimed at conserving the protected hen harrier bird on their lands.

In total, since the scheme commenced, farmers have enjoyed a 13.6m pay-out. However, the payout in 2015 was significantly down on the 1.86m paid out in 2014.

The Department of Arts and Heritage regards the EU-protected hen harrier as one of Irelands and Europes most spectacular yet rarest and most threatened birds of prey.

In response to a freedom of information request, the department said it has spent a total of 729,000 on all measures conserving the bird in 2015.

A breakdown of the costs show that along with the 641,439 paid to farmers an additional 63,439 was spent on a national hen harrier survey along with a further 20,000 spent on scientific report.

According to the department figures, the highest amount received by any participating farmer was a Tipperary farmer who received 14,594; followed by farmers in Tipperary and Limerick who all received figures in excess of 12,500.

The highest proportion of farmers in the scheme are based on the Midwest, with 96 in Limerick and 86 in Clare. The breakdown shows that there are 60 farmers based in Kerry, 53 in Cork and 32 in Galway and Tipperary.

However, one of those farmers in the scheme and member of Clare County Council, Pat Hayes (FF) said that only now is the designation of lands hitting home with the devaluation of the lands in question: The designation is having a terrible impact on land values and I believe that there should be a more long-term compensation scheme put in place.

The largest concentration of hen harriers is in the Stacks to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills, and Mount Eagle SPA where 29 pairs are located with the next highest amount located in the Slieve Aughty mountains in northeast Clare-south Galway.

The hen harrier habitat mapping work that will inform part of the States threat response plan for the conservation of hen harrier.

The department has stated previously that without the traditional type of hill farming in hen harrier areas being supported, it would be expected that the hen harrier population would decline and possibly become extinct.

It further stated: The hen harrier is a magnificent bird of prey and a beautiful part of Irelands natural heritage. The Hen Harrier Farm Plan Scheme run by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht  National Parks and Wildlife Service  has been important in helping maintain and enhance habitat for this rare and vulnerable native Irish bird in areas that have experienced significant losses in habitat and where this species faces extinction.

The department said the scheme has supported farmers to stay on the land.

The general trend in the absence of such a scheme has been land abandonment and rural depopulation, and without this scheme it is likely more high nature value farmland and habitat would have been lost.

The department said that in the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme payments have been made since 2008.

The farmer is paid for works done, e.g. the creation of hedgerows, improvement of hedgerows, design of scrub habitat, management of rushy/tussocky fields, change in stocking rate, controlled burning, creation of small mammal habitat, etc.

2.6m Burren scheme is hailed a success

A model scheme that has paid Burren farmers more than 2.69m over the past six years to create the conditions to grow rare and wild flowers to prosper has had a phenomenal impact.

Brendan Dunford, BurrenLife director, in the Burren with delegates from the EUFRAS/IALB

Pointing the way forward for future interest heritage schemes reliant on farmers for their success, over the past five years, farmers participating in the BurrenLife Programme have received 5.79m in payments for their role in the improved environmental health of the Burren.

Figures provided by BurrenLife show that 2.69m of those payments were for the management of species-rich grassland where the Burrens famous flowers grow.

Director of the scheme, Brendan Dunford  who last year gave Prince Charles a tour of a Burren farm  said the goal of the programme is that every farmer in the Burren who wants to be included will be included.

The most recent programme involved 160 farmers participating covering 45% of the protected areas in the Burren and Mr Dunford said that it is the programmes ambition to include 100% of protected areas such as special areas of conservation (SAC).

Mr Dunford said that the programme has had a phenomenal impact on the Burren landscape and the environmental health of the Burren is increasing year by year.

The Burren in Co Clare remains one of Irelands unique protected landscapes.

He said: The BurrenLife will leave a fantastic legacy and it proven to be a very good value for money model  and we believe is the best model around. The programme is jointly funded between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Arts and Heritage.

Mr Dunford said: The programme has a lot of support at national and European level.

He said that people can see for themselves the increasing environmental health in every Burren field under the programme. The success of the programme has now resulted in the creation of a new six-year programme entitled the Burren programme and it is envisaged 500 farmers will be included in the scheme by 2020.

2m to preserve iconic corncrake

The State has spent 2m over the past four years in its battle to save the corncrake from national extinction.

The number of calling males is down 20%.

However, divisional manager with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Denis Strong, points out that a large proportion of the monies in the scheme is paid to farmers.

Last year (2015), the State spent 338,032 in the latest round of its corncrake battle  the bird is going tough times with numbers down 20% to 183 calling males.

Mr Strong pointed out that of the 338,032 spent, 177,675 was paid to farmers: The money goes directly back into rural Ireland and to the farmers.

The spend of 338,032 in 2015 followed a spend of 362,111 in 2014, 597,779 in 2013, and 722,237 in 2012.

Speaking on the 2015 spend, Mr Strong said: The scheme offers good value for money to the taxpayer. The amount spent is a very, small, small contribution on an iconic species that has been here for so long.

He added: It is important that we maintain that and protect what we have from a biodiversity point of view. Also, as a member of the EU, we also have a legal obligation to protect and enhance species such as the corncrake.

The protection measures are in place as mechanised farming decimated the Irish population of the corncrake which was once widespread across the country. The bird migrates here each summer from Africa to breed before returning to the warmer climate for the winter.

The numbers of the bird increased in 2013 and in 2014 to record levels of 230 calling males before last years census that found no sign of any corncrakes in the Shannon Callows. The bird has also disappeared from Co Sligo, North Mayo mainland and Achill Island, and Connemara since last year.

The largest concentration of corncrake in the country are the islands of Donegal where 86 calling males were detected during the summer, including 43 detected on Inishbofin and Inishdooey. The 2015 figures show that 55 corncrake males were detected in west Connacht, including 34 on the Mullet peninsula. The bird is now confined to Co Donegal, Co Mayo, and islands off Connemara.

The corncrake is an Annex I species on the EU Birds Directive, requiring that the highest conservation measures be put in place.

500k contracts to save pearl mussel

The State has entered contracts worth more than 500,000 in a bid to conserve our panda  the critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel.

The freshwater pearl mussel is present in 150 rivers around the country and can produce valuable perals

Figures provided by the Department of Arts and Heritage in response to a freedom of information request show that the department entered six contracts worth a total of 512,000 with a number of the contracts stretching through to 2017 and 2019.

The department confirmed that 38,176 was spent last year (2015) on freshwater pearl monitoring with a further 19,804 being spent on a separate study.

The most lucrative contract was won by Richard OCallaghan, who is providing ongoing scientific support relating to the departments projects concerning freshwater pearl mussel species.

The mussel has existed virtually unchanged for around 50m years and has survived in Ireland in large numbers and high densities across many rivers, and has existed in some lakes for in excess of 10,000 years.

The mussel can live to 120 years; is present in 150 rivers around the country and is not edible.

Authority on the mussel here, Evelyn Moorkens, says: They are a very special species. The mussel is both a keystone species  if you lose it, you will lose a whole series of species and it is an umbrella species in that it offers protection to everything else around it.

Ms Moorkens previously described the mussel as our tiger, our panda. The information shows that Ms Moorkens has scooped three of the six contracts with a combined value of 252,000. The work involves her providing, in one case, surveillance on 21 pearl mussel sites between 2014 and 2017 and in another, monitoring of pearl mussel sites in Co Kerry from 2014 to 2019 as part of an EU Life project.

Ninety percent of all freshwater pearl mussels  which can actually produce valuable pearls  are known to have died out across Europe during the 20th century.

The figures show that Philip Farrelly & Co Ltd was the other pearl mussel expert to scoop a large contract after he secured a 94,770 contract for a Fresh Water Pearl Mussel Farm Planning Protocol.

In July of last year, the presence of 7,000 pearl mussels on the Doonbeg river helped US billionaire and Republican candidate for president, Donald Trump, blow plans for a giant windfarm near his Irish golf resort at Doonbeg off course.

250k on endangered toad is money well spent, says expert

Department spending 48,000 per year for five years on native species

Ireland could face legal action and be subject to fines from the EU if we did not take action to protect the habitat of the native toad.

The State is spending 250,000 over five years in a bid to restore Irelands only native toad, the natterjack, to its former glory.

The endangered natterjack is confined to a small area in Kerry and one site in Wexford.

Currently, the State is committed to spending 48,000 per annum to a small group of farmers and landowners who manage new breeding sites for the natterjack in Co Kerry.

Last year, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht confirmed that it was seeking tenders from parties in respect of a monitoring project for the natterjack until 2018.

The natterjack is protected under the EU Habitats Directive that requires member states to carry out a series of strict protective measures to ensure that the species has a favourable conservation status.

Expert on the natterjack, Prof Mark Emmerson of Queens University said that the spend on the natterjack toad study is money well spent. He said: There is a legal requirement on states in the EU to improve the status of natterjack toads.

Prof Emmerson said that if the money is not spent and the population of the natterjack declines, Ireland risks facing legal action and potential fines from the EU. The academic said that the chirruping of the natterjack can be heard from more than 1km away, while the mating calls of the male can be heard from great distances.

Adult natterjacks are 60mm70mm long and are distinguished from the common toad by a yellow line down the middle of the back. They can live up to 15 years, feeding on insects.

The natterjack toad is rare in Ireland, limited to parts of Co Kerry. Ireland spends 48,000 a year on its protection

The current population of natterjack toads is estimated to be around 9,000 adults and it is the only toad species found in Ireland. Prof Emmerson said Kerry provides a great refuge for the toad.

A spokesman for the Depatment of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht stated: Considerable efforts have been made in recent years to start restoring the toad to its historic range. This has involved the construction of approximately 100 new breeding sites for the species around Castlemaine Harbour and at Castlegregory in Co Kerry.

He said: The ponds are dug and managed by 48 local landowners under five-year agreements with the department.

The cost to the department of this scheme in each of the last two years has been 48,000. It is hoped to continue this scheme to the end of the current five-year agreements, subject to exchequer funds being made available.
So inflamed was Longos narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), he pretended to be a New York Times journalist  a real one called Mike Finkel.

Longo was arrested in Cancun, not for impersonating a journalist, but because he had murdered his family.

The existence of his wife and three small children had been obstructing his view of himself as a dashing, talented individual, so he killed them.

NPD is different from digital narcissism  and by different I mean incomparable.

Nor does it make you a murderer  Longo is an extreme case  but can it make you a presidential nominee? With potential access to nuclear weapons, a potential mass murderer?

The symptoms of NPD, according to the current Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders  the DSM-5, published by the American Psychiatric Association  include having an exaggerated sense of self-importance, expecting to be recognised as superior even without achievements that warrant it, exaggerating your achievements and talents, [and] being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate.

Sounds familiar?

America is in thrall to an individual with Godzilla levels of NPD.

Someone who insists his name appears in giant letters on top of everything he owns.

Someone who makes statements about loving non-educated people  so long as they continue to wave his banners.

Someone whose inherited wealth and privilege he tries to pass off as his own.

Who rates half the population  guess which half  on how they look, and is so consumed by narcissism he has no conception of the whole world laughing at his hair.

Its as though, in allowing Donald Trump centre stage, America wishes to give the world an increasingly unsettling masterclass in NPD.

The DSM-5 symptoms read like a Trump online dating profile: Requiring constant admiration, having a sense of entitlement, expecting special favours and unquestioning compliance, taking advantage of others to get what you want, having an inability or unwillingness to recognise the needs and feelings of others, being envious of others and believing others envy you, and behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner,

You dont need Washington Post op-eds to confirm how Donald Trumps mental health is unravelling in front of us. So advanced, unfettered and untreated  and formally undiagnosed  is his NPD that he is lashing out indiscriminately, even at such sacred American cows as dead soldiers, while grasping the war medals of others for himself.

There is even a petition, #DiagnoseTrump.

Obviously, this is not about stigmatising mental illness.

Far from it.

But for the Republicans to allow such an openly crazed individual access along the path to global power is in itself insanity. Power madness.

Grotesque irresponsibility.
The first image from the British sitcom revival has been released ahead of the one-off special, which will pick up where the show left off.

With a new all-star cast, the sitcom follows the staff at fictional London department store Grace Brothers.
A Washington Post-ABC News poll released yesterday found Clinton leading among registered voters with 50% of support in the week after the Democratic Party convention where she was formally named the presidential nominee, compared to 42% for Trump.

Everyone should calm down about it, Trump adviser Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor, told ABC News yesterday. There is certainly every opportunity for Trump to win this election.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday showed the race closer, with Clinton leading by 3 percentage points. The poll had a credibility interval of plus or minus 3 percentage points, meaning the results showed the race roughly even.

Trump backers said voters were just starting to tune into the race for the November 8 election. They said Trump was back on message after a week of disputes with members of his own party and the parents of a soldier killed in Iraq.

Those assurances came despite Trumps tendency throughout his campaign to battle his own party and make controversial remarks.

He is very focused. He knows what he needs to do. I am confident that hes going to start doing it, Paul Manafort, Trumps campaign manager, told Fox News, denying reports that there had been an emergency meeting to get Trump on message.

Leaders in Trumps own party distanced themselves from his spat with Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the Gold Star parents who criticised Trump at the Democratic National Convention.

And Republicans were incensed when he initially refused to endorse US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan.

Former US House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Trump backer, told Fox News the New York businessman had made mistakes, but he said Clinton had the greater error in flubbing explanations of her use of a private server while she was US secretary of state from 2009-2013.

Donald Trump's no good, horrible, very bad week. https://t.co/MtgwywgJ3q  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 7, 2016

Clinton said on Friday she short-circuited a week earlier, when she said FBI director James Comey had said she was truthful to the American people about her email server.

Ill take the week. I think she managed to trump Trump in terms of mistakes, Gingrich said.

Tim Kaine, Clintons vice presidential running mate, defended her email answers on NBCs Meet the Press.

The bottom line is this. She made a mistake, and she said I made a mistake, and Ive learned from it, and Im going to fix it, and I apologize for it, Kaine said.
People are putting more carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere than the forests and oceans can absorb, and catching fish and cutting down forests more quickly than nature can replenish them.

As a result, the world will reach Earth overshoot day today, the point in the year when humans have exhausted annual supplies such as land, trees and fish, and outstripped Earths capacity to absorb greenhouse gases.

The problem is worsening, with the planet sliding into ecological debt earlier and earlier.

The day on which the world has used up all the natural resources available for the year has shifted from late September in 2000 to August 8 in 2016.

? Soon we will be living on resources taken from future generations. 8 August is Earth #Overshoot Day. RT https://t.co/jcxLNzmQZ1  WWF (@WWF) August 6, 2016

But the rate earth overshoot day is creeping up the calendar has slowed in the past few years, according to the Global Footprint Network, the organisation behind the measurement.

Carbon emissions are the biggest contributor to the overshoot, with the greenhouse gas now making up 60% of humanitys demand on nature, or the ecological footprint.

To meet goals to tackle climate change agreed at United Nations talks in Paris in December, the worlds carbon footprint must fall to zero by the second half of the century.

Meeting the goals will require a new way of living on the planet, the Global Footprint Network said.

Mathis Wackernagel, co-founder and chief executive of the organisation said: Such a new way of living comes with many advantages, and making it happen takes effort.

The good news is that it is possible with current technology, and financially advantageous with overall benefits exceeding costs.

It will stimulate emerging sectors like renewable energy, while reducing risks and costs associated with the impact of climate change on inadequate infrastructure.

The only thing we need more of is political will.

The organisation said some countries were already embracing the challenge, pointing to Costa Rica which generated 97% of its electricity from renewable sources in the first three months of this year.

The UK, Germany and Portugal are also setting new records for renewables, while Chinas government has outlined a plan to reduce its citizens meat consumption by 50%, which could cut the emissions from the livestock industry by a billion tonnes by 2030.

In the UK, solar outperformed coal over the course of a month for the second month on record in July, while overall renewables contributed a quarter of the countrys electricity generation in 2015.

The Global Footprint Network is also urging individuals to take action to live more sustainable lives.
The referendum, in which people can vote on a series of changes to the countrys constitution, will be a big test for Prime Minister Matteo Renzis government.

Renzi has said he would resign if people voted against the reforms, one of the main pillars of the agenda of his center government.
imaginethat said:



Well, when you put it like that....



Tightening up immigration standards, or perhaps merely applying them to refugees, a specific case immigrant, makes sense. Well, when you put it like that....Tightening up immigration standards, or perhaps merely applying them to refugees, a specific case immigrant, makes sense. Click to expand...

Where we have the power to control our destiny we are the worst of fools not to. Immigration policy always should be designed to benefit the host nation first.



The War on Terror has become the War on Islam. We may as well just say it. Click to expand...

its not that its a "good" thing to do. the problem with islam is that it doesnt leave you with good options, islam forces you do choose between different types of wrong. strict immigration control, and particularly strict against anyone who is probably a follower of islam, is not "good", but it is neccessary. its neccessary because of the ideology they follow. and its defensible if the ideology is exposed. indeed once it is exposed, it makes no sense to fail to control islamic immigration.of course we should be saying it. when there is a terrorist attack, newsreaders should be quoting the quran in their story by way of explaining why it happened. the crimes of muhammad should be required reading in every school curriculum.islam is the problem. its been the problem for 1400 years. pretending it isnt is both dishonest and stupid.
Shortly before the claim, Belgian prosecutors had identified the assailant as a 33-year-old Algerian, K B, who had lived in Belgium since 2012, saying that he may have been inspired by terrorism.

The attacker, who shouted Allahu Akbar (God is greatest) during the assault on Saturday, was shot by police and died of his injuries. He was carrying a rucksack but no explosives or other weapons were found.
The Paralympic gold medalist, who had his term for the Valentines Day 2013 killing of Reeva Steenkamp increased to six years in July, denied he had tried to kill himself, the spokesman for the department of correctional services said yesterday.

South African prosecutors have said they will appeal against the six-year term, which they called shockingly lenient.
The Democracy and Martyrs Rally at Yenikapi parade ground, built into the sea on the southern edge of Istanbuls peninsula, marks the climax of three weeks of nightly demonstrations by Erdogans supporters, many of them wrapped in the Turkish flag, in squares around the country.

Banners read You are a gift from God, Erdogan or Order us to die and we will do it.
Pro-government media outlets denied the siege had been broken and a US State Department official said the situation was too fluid to comment.

The heavy fighting and air strikes reported from the area seemed to indicate any passage that may have been opened would be far from secure enough for civilians to travel through.

Rebels have been trying to break through a thin strip of government-controlled territory to reconnect insurgent areas in western Syria with their encircled sector of eastern Aleppo, in effect breaking a government siege begun last month.

The offensive against the governments Ramousah military complex, which contains a number of military colleges, began on Friday.

Taking control of Ramousah and linking up with eastern Aleppo would isolate government-held western Aleppo by cutting the southern route out toward the capital Damascus.

It would also give rebels access to armaments stored in the base the Syrian army has used in the five-year conflict as a strategic platform from which to shell opposition targets.

Two rebel groups and a monitor said on Saturday they had broken the siege, but pro-government media outlets denied the claim and said the Syrian army was in fact regaining recently-taken territory from rebels.

Weve seen reports but the situation is fluid and we arent going to provide battlefield updates, the State Department official told Reuters.

Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, formerly the al Qaeda- affiliated Nusra Front, said in an online statement: Fighters from outside the city met their brother fighters from inside the city, and work is under way to establish control over remaining positions to break the siege.

A commander from a more moderate rebel group also told Reuters the siege had been broken but said matters were not easy.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said intense fighting and heavy air strikes meant no secure corridor had yet been established between the two rebel-held territories.

In another report, the Observatory said an air strike near a hospital in Syria on Saturday killed 10 people,including children, and damaged the hospital.

July was the worst month yet for attacks on medical facilities in the country, a medical charity said, with 43 recorded attacks on healthcare facilities in Syria.

The hospital is in Meles, about 15km from Idlib city in rebel-held Idlib province.

Syrian government and allied Russian warplanes operate in Syria but it was not known which aircraft carried out the strike.

Meanwhile Pope Francis has said civilian victims of Syrias civil war are paying the price for the the lack of desire for peace by the powerful.

The Pope, speaking yesterday after the traditional Angelus prayer, said that its unacceptable that so many helpless  including many children  must pay the price of the conflict, the price of closed hearts and the lack of desire for peace by the powerful.

He cited in particular the suffering around Aleppo.
Leonard Cohen sent a touching final letter to his dying muse Marianne Ihlen, the subject of his song So Long Marianne.

Ihlen, who was also the inspiration behind Bird on the Wire, died in Norway on July 29 at the age of 81.

Cohen met Ihlen  then Jensen  in Hydra, Greece in the 1960s. They became lovers, staying together for a decade.

Her close friend Jan Christian Mollestad told Canadas CBC radio he had contacted Cohen, 81, to tell him Ihlen was dying of leukaemia and had only a few days to live.

He recalled: It took only two hours and in came this beautiful letter from Leonard to Marianne.

We brought this letter in to her the next day and she was fully conscious and she was so happy that he had already written something for her.

Mollestad, a documentary filmmaker, read the letter to Ihlen before she died.

He recalled: It said, Well Marianne, its come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon.

"Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine.

And you know that Ive always loved you for your beauty and for your wisdom, but I dont need to say anything more about that because you know all about that. But now, I just want to wish you a very good journey.

Goodbye old friend. Endless love, see you down the road.

Mollestad told host Rosemary Barton that when he read the line stretch out your hand, Ihlen had stretched out her hand.

It was a very nice gesture from both of them, he said.

Only two days after, she lost consciousness and slipped into death. And when she died, I wrote a letter back to him saying in her final moments I hummed A Bird on the Wire because that was the song she felt closest to. And then I kissed her on the head and left the room, and said So long, Marianne.

Reflecting on Cohen and Ihlens relationship over the years, Mollestad recalled: What Marianne said, was Leonard was the one who loved her for herself, who opened her up and let her feel that she was worth loving, not only because she was beautiful outside, but he really was interested in her.

This story was originally published on Monday, August 08, 2016

READ MORE: Tributes pour in for 'cherished artist' Leonard Cohen
Foreign minister Sebastian Kurzs comments, published yesterday, risk exacerbating a row between Austria and Turkey that flared last week when Austrian chancellor Christian Kern suggested ending Turkeys EU membership talks altogether because of the countrys democratic and economic deficits.

Talks on Turkish accession have made slow progress since they began in 2005, with just one chapter concluded of 35 such policy areas where Turkey must implement EU rules.
Burma NLD Expels Township-Level Executive Committee Members in Election Controversy Aftermath

The National League for Democracy expels 12 senior members in Mandalays Yamethin Township for reportedly failing to follow party regulations during the 2015 campaign.

RANGOON  Burmas ruling party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), has expelled a dozen township-level central executive committee members in Mandalay Division for reportedly failing to follow rules and regulations during campaigns for the 2015 general election.

The news was relayed by Htun Htun Win, who once had his eye on a Lower House seat, but like all four of the NLD parliamentary candidates contesting in Mandalays Yamethin Township, he was defeated in the November race. He added that the townships vice-chairman for the NLD, Kyaw Than, was among those removed; the townships NLD chairman, Myo Thein, was already dismissed in November.

Others, including Hla Thaung and Aung Myo Oowho contested for regional parliamentary seatsalso blamed their upset on the practices of the 12-member central executive committee.

Hla Thaung, who contested for Yamethin Constituency (1), went as far as alleging that some of the now-ousted NLD central executive committee members joined rallies of the NLDs military-backed competitor, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), and spread misleading information about their own candidates.

Regional parliamentary candidate Aung Myo Oo said that seven of the townships central executive committee members reportedly convinced village tract level NLD leaders to oppose their own candidates rallies, and collaborate with members of Buddhist ultranationalist group Ma Ba Tha, who were known to support the USDP over the NLD in the countrys election.

In his constituency, Aung Myo Oo says he was banned from campaigning by a local NLD leader, who represented one of an estimated 50 villages that the central executive committee members instructed to give their ballot to other parties.

At that time, the situation was totally unpleasant. Some villages did not allow me to hold a rally, he said.

Aung Myo Oo also said that he believed the Yamethin Township central executive committee members dissatisfaction began as early as the process of candidate selection made at the NLD national headquarters.

Han Win Naing, one of the ejected central executive committee members, confirmed as much to The Irrawaddy, adding that the discontent was a long story which began before the 2015 election.

Before the candidate selection process, Han Win Naing explained that the Yamethin central executive committee had already formed a campaign committee with 15 senior members who they felt could accelerate support for the party in the election. They traveled to many villages to open local NLD offices. However, the senior Yamethin members were shocked when the NLDs Union-level central executive body in Rangoon did not list them in their selection of local candidates.

The problem began there. They renewed the committee and members, and then, without any explanation, they cut communication with us, Han Win Naing said, adding that NLDs losses in the township could be attributed to that internal division. However, he dismissed accusations made by losing candidates, such as Aung Myo Oo and Hla Thaung, as attacks.

Quoting a Burmese proverb, Han Win Naing said that the central executive committee members are not the kind of men who would set out to undermine others efforts.

In recent months, Aung Myo Oo and Htun Htun Win filed a complaint with the Union Election Commission accusing rival USDP members of exploiting issues of race and religion during the campaign period. The final verdict on the case has not come out yet, but a judge has ordered both sides to present their final arguments to the court on August 11.
Burma Suu Kyi Happy With Workload and Full of Vigor: Win Htein

Despite recent concerns, Aung San Suu Kyi is not overburdened by her multiple high-level functions, NLD spokesperson Win Htein tells The Irrawaddy.

NAYPYIDAW  State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi is not overburdened with steering the cabinet and performing her various high-level executive functions, National League for Democracy (NLD) spokesperson Win Htein told The Irrawaddy.

Win Htein was speaking in response to concerns flagged in a report by the Brussels-based International Crisis Group released at the end of last month: that Suu Kyi is shouldering an overwhelming array of responsibilities and must learn to delegate more authority, and consult more widely, in pursuing her reform agenda.

I dont think she feels pressured by her workload because she is merely applying now what she has learned throughout her life. She always seems to be at ease whenever I see her. Sometimes, she even cracks jokes, said Win Htein.

As state counselor, foreign minister, NLD chairperson, and chair of the high-level committees overseeing the peace process with ethnic armed groups and the frozen religious conflict in Arakan State, leadership on Burmas most pressing crises and reform initiatives falls on Suu Kyi.

Win Htein said Suu Kyi is not only capable of meeting all her responsibilities but she is always found to be happy while doing so; the 71-year-old is full of vigor despite her age.

It seems that she made a resolution to stay healthy. She is even healthier than me, said Win Htein, who is known to meet Suu Kyi at least two or three times a week.

Regarding the appearance of Suu Kyis name on an (unverified) hit list sent to police in Malaysia on August 1, which purported to be from the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, Win Htein reiterated earlier government claims that Suu Kyis personal security would be increased.

IS has made a threat, but the governments security apparatus has taken responsibility for her [safety]. This makes us feel relieved. But we [the NLD governing executive] still have responsibility for her security, he said.

All the security agencies in Burmaincluding the policeand the government departments related to defense and security are under the control of the military, in accordance with the military-drafted 2008 Constitution, without civilian oversight.

At a socio-economic development forum held in Naypyidaw on Saturday, Win Htein admitted that the NLD government had been unable to make significant progress in improving Burmas economy in the first four months of its administration.

However, he cited key differences between the conduct of the current government and its military-backed predecessor: both the central and the state and division governments are not corrupt, and the government does not oppress the people at all.

Those appointed by the NLD government try not to make mistakes, Win Htein said. We monitor them. We are not hesitant to correct or replace them if they make mistakes, even if their intentions are good. This is the policy adopted by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, he told reporters.

He added that some office-holders have deviated from the NLDs goals: some become arrogant and some seek popularity. Whenever we see such things, we note them down and try to correct them.
Burma Suu Kyi to Visit China Next Week

Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmas state counselor and foreign minister, will visit China for four days from Aug. 17, according to the Presidents Office.

RANGOON  Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmas state counselor and foreign minister, is scheduled to visit China for four days from next week, according to the Presidents Office.

Presidents Office spokesman Zaw Htay confirmed that Suu Kyi would travel to China on Aug. 17. He declined to offer further details, saying that more would be announced soon.

Chinas Minister of State Security Geng Huichang invited her to visit China during a meeting in the Burmese capital of Naypyidaw on July 8.

It will be her first foreign visit since her name appeared on a (unverified) hit list sent to police in Malaysia on August 1, which purported to be from the Islamic State terrorist group.

Since the National League for Democracy (NLD) formed a government at the end of March, Suu Kyi has made two foreign trips: to Laos in May and to Thailand in June.

As NLD chairperson and leader of the opposition, Suu Kyi visited Beijing in June 2015 at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party, meeting with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

Suu Kyi has accepted an invitation from President Barack Obama to visit the United States before his presidency ends. There has been speculation that the trip would coincide with the session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.

Suu Kyis decision to visit China before the United States will be framed within the broader challenge her administration faces of rebalancing relations with China, on one side, and the West, on the other.

China is Burmas foremost trading partner and a key source of foreign direct investment. Large Chinese-backed energy and resource-extraction projects in Burmamost prominently the Myitsone Dam in Kachin Statehave been met with sustained popular resistance in recent years. The NLD government has yet to formulate a clear policy towards them.
SHEDD  At Pugh Seed Farm last week, a farm worker in a combine harvested wheat, and nearby sat another piece of agricultural equipment thats common in the mid-Willamette Valley  a 2,200 gallon water truck similar to the tenders used by fire agencies.

Last year we used it a lot, far more than we would have liked. This year, we only used it once, knock on wood, and it was on an adjacent farmers land, said Alex Ingram of Lebanon, a Pugh Seed Farm maintenance worker.

In that blaze, at Stalford Seed Farms, agricultural workers were able to control and extinguish most of the flames before local firefighters arrived, said several sources.

Farmers and their water tenders and brush rigs are often the first line of defense against field fires in Linn County.

Combines are the number one cause of field fires. If you dont have any kind of fire protection equipment out there, its kind of ridiculous, said Harry Stalford of Stalford Seed Farms.

The Pugh Seed Farm water truck can blast 100 gallons of water per minute on flames.

If you can get right on top of a fire, sometimes you dont even have to call the fire department, said Denver Pugh of Pugh Seed Farm, who also is a volunteer station captain for the Halsey-Shedd Rural Fire Protection District.

Local fire chiefs said they appreciated the extra help.

Halsey-Shedd Fire Chief Skip Smith said that farmers with water rigs usually can do a good job of keeping the flames from spreading much.

We look at them as part of the team, and we hope they are on board with working together and keeping everybody safe, said Tangent Fire Chief Scott Casebolt.

We all have the common goal of putting the fire out before it gets any bigger or causes any more damage. These fields are their livelihood, and the more it burns, the more they lose, Casebolt added.

Stalford said his first concern in any blaze was the safety of the workers, and second was removing farm equipment from the field, as rigs could catch fire and fuel tanks could explode.

But keeping farm machinery safe from the flames also is critical for another reason, Pugh said.

When your combines are $350,000 a pop, you want to protect them, he added.

More than five years ago, Smith put together a power point presentation on how farmers could work together with fire agencies, and that has been given to local farmers throughout the area.

We dont have any communication with them. They dont carry our radios, so thats where having a pre-planned method helps. Otherwise, were just guessing what were going to do, said Lebanon Fire Chief Gordon Sletmoe.

In general, local departments want farmers to work around the flames in a counterclockwise movement, and when fire agencies arrive, the farm rigs fill in behind and hit hot spots or retreat to protect structures.

We all get in line and go through. It works real slick, Pugh said.

Stalford, however, said hed generally just try to stay out of a fire agencys way once they arrive because they have the better equipment. Theyre kind of like a hose and were a squirt gun, he added.

After a blaze, local fire departments will even top off the farmers firefighting equipment with water so the rigs can stay out in the fields, sources said.

Part of what makes cooperation occur naturally in Linn County, especially in small communities, is that many volunteers are farmers or worked on a farm at some point in time. Pugh estimated that about a fifth of Halsey-Shedds volunteers were farmers or associated with a farm, and said that other local agencies likely had a higher percentage of agricultural workers.

They make some of the best firefighters, because they can drive just about anything, they know whose field it is, they know whose crop it is and they know how to avoid creating more damage. Its kind of a trick to know where to drive so you dont do more damage to the crops, Smith said.

But that cooperation doesnt always exist with other agencies throughout the state.

Some departments dont want the farmers out there at all. They dont want them in the way. I contend thats more help. They know where all the ditches are. They know where all the fences are. Thats easy to see when theres no fire, Smith said

Sletmoe said that knowing how to get in and out of fields to fight the blazes is critical, especially when smoke is obscuring visibility.

There are conflicts when fire agencies and farmers mix at the scene of a blaze, to be sure. In smoky conditions, collisions can occur if people are driving carelessly or without a plan.

Many of the water trucks used by local farmers are holdovers from the days of field burning. Fire agency responses to field fires are significantly down from those days, Smith said.

It used to be a farmer would burn a field, and a whirlwind would set down flames in another field, he added.

Smaller grass and wheat farms without much manpower typically are the only ones without water rigs, nowadays, but water isnt the only way to fight fires.

If a farmer has the right equipment ready, they can plow in front of the path of the fire to try to keep it from spreading, Smith said.

A farmer in the Monroe area on Thursday mowed down crops in the path of a fire to rob the blaze of fuel. About 100 firefighters battled the flames in southern Benton County that night.
Burma Three More Children Succumb to Measles Outbreak in Naga Region

Authorities confirm that the mystery illness which has now claimed 41 lives in the Naga Self-Administered Zone is, in fact, measles.

Three more children reportedly died over the weekend in the eastern region of the Naga Self-Administered Zone after contracting measles, raising the number of victims of the recent outbreak to 41.

The total number of those who have died has reached 41, said Thein Zaw, the assistant director of the Naga Self-Administered Zone, who confirmed that the once-mysterious illness has been identified as measles. Now, we almost have control over the situation.

Thein Zaw told The Irrawaddy that approximately 100 people have been infected by the disease from two townships, Lahe and Nanyun; the vast majority are from Lahe, with 15 patients reportedly from Nanyun.

On August 5after media, including The Irrawaddy, reported on the outbreak, relaying what was locally perceived as an ineffective governmental responseauthorities from the Naga Self-Administered Zone sent around 20 medics to the Lahe village of Thankholama to treat the victims and identify the illness. After locals tested positive for measles, the medics began administering vaccines to villagers on Saturday, August 6; it was in Thankholama where the disease first appeared in June.

The medics gave out vaccines in the villages where the disease broke out, and even gave vaccines to [other] villagers who stay in the nearby area, Thein Zaw said.

Lahe Townships Naw Aung Sann, the general secretary of the Council of Naga Affairs, said that of the three children who passed away on August 6 and 7, one was two years old and another was a two-month-old baby. Both victims were from Thankholama village, where The Irrawaddy reported on August 5 that most of the communitys 50 households had been affected by the outbreak. At the time of reporting, no information was available about the third young victim.

Naw Aung Sann said that both the medics and the authorities had stopped villagers from traveling outside of their communities, lest they possibly spread the disease to other unvaccinated individuals.

The rural areas of Lahe and Nanyun townships have little to no health care or transportation infrastructure, and are incredibly difficult to access. The Naga Self-Administered Zone, populated by the Naga ethnic group, is considered one of the poorest and most under-developed areas in Burma.

The government has not been able to provide enough medics, and no one wants to stay in these areas, as it is hard to live and travel there. So the local people have poor knowledge of health care, Naw Aung Sann explained.

If the government could have provided vaccines on time, measles would not have broken out, he added.

Measles is caused by a virus and spreads when an infected individual coughs or sneezes, making it highly contagious. It is widely prevented by the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is delivered in infancy. According to the World Health Organization, high rates of vaccination worldwide have greatly reduced the number of outbreaks, but deaths from measles still occur throughout Africa and Asia. Treatment includes supportive care, such as rehydration and control of the patients fever.
Burma Union Peace Conference Set to Begin on August 31

The announcement was made by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi during a meeting of the peace conferences central committee in Naypyidaw.

Burmas Union Peace Conference will begin on August 31, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi announced during a meeting of the conferences central committee in Naypyidaw on Monday.

According to the Facebook page of the State Counselors Office, during the meeting, Suu Kyi also instructed government ministries and officials to collaborate on the tasks of convening the peace conference.

The central convening committeeformed on August 3 by an order from the Presidents Officeis chaired by the State Counselor, who is also the head of Burmas peace negotiation center. Kyaw Tint Swe, Minister of the State Counselors Office, is the vice chair of the newly-formed committee, which also includes Union ministers and deputy ministers. Khin Maung Tin, Deputy Minister of the State Counselors Office, serves as the committees secretary, and former Lt-Gen Khin Zaw Oo is the joint secretary.

Under the central committee, working committees are also formed with respective ministers and departmental heads. Since May, the new government has formed multiple committees dedicated to peacebuilding, involving a variety of stakeholders.

A series of meetings on the political dialogue framework review and the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee are also scheduled to be held within three weeks of the conferences August 31st start date.

Also on Monday afternoon, Suu Kyi met with Burma Army chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing at the Presidents Office. They reportedly discussed issues ranging from a potential ceasefire in Kachin and northern Shan states, to national reconciliation and the rule of law, to preparatory issues related to the upcoming peace conference.

Other meeting participants were Burma Army Vice-Snr-Gen Soe Win, Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Ye Aung, Attorney General Tun Tun Oo, peace commission chair Dr. Tin Myo Win, Lt-Gen Mya Tun Oo from the Burma Army commander-in-chiefs office, and Lt-Gen Soe Htut, the military attorney general.
Burma Veteran Activists Call for August 8 to be Burmas Democracy Day

At a ceremony in Rangoon, 88 Generation activists call for a national day to commemorate the birth of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising.

RANGOON  88 Generation Peace and Open Societyan activist group led by former student leaders of the 1988 pro-democracy uprisinghave called on the government to formally recognize August 8 as Burmas Democracy Day.

The call was made at a ceremony commemorating the 28th anniversary of the general strike that launched the uprising, held on Monday morning at the Dhamma Piya Monastery in Rangoon.

The 88 Generation statement said that the movement, known as 8-8-88 to mark the date on which it was launchedwhen hundreds of thousands of people, led by students, hit the streets to call for an end to the 26-year military dictatorship of Ne Winwas of great historic but also symbolic importance to Burmese society.

The four eights democracy movement occupies a noble place in Burmas political history, the statement said. We urge the government to officially recognize August 8 as Burmas Democracy Day.

The events of that day in 1988 culminated in a bloody military crackdown, centered outside Rangoons City Hall, as protestors converged on Sule Pagoda in the heart of the city.

Estimates of the death toll from the crackdown, as protests extended across the country, go well beyond 3,000, although the figure remains contestedthe government claimed only 350.

Min Ko Naing, a former student activist and leading member of 88 Generation, said the uprising should be commemorated on a far grander scale than it is now.

We want to bow our heads and honor the sacrifices of our fallen colleagues, who died holding our revolutionary peacock flag, he said.

We want to grandly commemorate the day so that the public, including the generations born since the uprising, know its value, he said.

Tin Oo, patron of the now-ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), attended the commemoration, saying that the 88 Uprising was an unimaginable revolution.

He said, Students with no weapons, and only holding pens, took to the streets in a protest demanding an end to the oppressive military dictatorship. They proved that the country needed a multi-party democratic system.

He also encouraged those attending the ceremony to continue fighting for a genuine democratic government.

Activists from 88 Generation and the NLD were joined at the ceremony by members of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), among others who also took part in the uprising.

The SNLD chairman Khun Htun Oo spoke at the ceremony, saying that the public had proved their hunger for democracy 28 years ago, but political leaders have not fulfilled their responsibility to the country.

It was an act of the public condemning its ruler, he said. Our goal of democracy has not been fully accomplished even after 28 years.

An annual commemoration such as this would make us reflect on how much we have fulfilled our responsibilities towards our country, he said.
Ethnic Issues Govt, Rice Federation Prepare Contingency for Paddy Flooding

Preparations are being made to support farmers with seeds and fertilizers, and to monitor water levels, after paddy fields become inundated.

RANGOON  The Myanmar Rice Federation, farmers associations and the Department of Agriculture is preparing to support farmers with seeds and fertilizers, and to monitor water levels, after flooding nationwide has begun to inundate paddy fields.

Attention has been focused on the Irrawaddy Delta, whose 3 million acres of monsoon paddy accounts for a large portion of Burmas rice production.

Were now monitoring water levels in paddy fields. Paddy is resistant [to current levels] but if water keeps getting higher, paddy will be damaged. Weve made preparations for this [potential] loss, said Myanmar Rice Federation spokesperson Ye Min Aung.

In Burma, monsoon paddy is mostly planted between June and August, and is harvested through the cool season, starting from October. Dry season paddycultivated in smaller quantities due to the lack of irrigation in many areasis planted largely between November and December and is harvested from April.

Recently, paddy fields in Upper Burma have been flooded but our particular concern is the Irrawaddy Delta. Working with the government, we are preparing to provide paddy seed, fertilizer and other necessary things for farmers, Ye Min Aung said.

In flooding last yearcaused by torrential rain that peaked in late July and early Augustmore than 1.3 million acres of paddy were swamped, out of 20 million acres being cultivated across Burma.

At that time, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and farmers associations disbursed paddy seed so that farmers could re-sow their crop before the end of the planting season.

Soe Tun, chairman of the Myanmar Farmers Association, said that the concern was less with rice productionwhich was not notably affected last year despite the inundationsbut the welfare of individual farmers, many of whom were left with crippling debts.

Farmers lost many things in their lives, he said. Thats why were preparing to provide paddy seed to support farmers.

Soe Tun added that increases in rice prices were not a concern, because of adequate rice stores.

Ye Min Aung added that less than 30,000 acres of paddy in Upper Burma had been flooded so far, concentrated in Sagaing and Magwe divisions.

If we compare this to nation-wide paddy acreage, its not that much, but if the Irrawaddy Delta is flooded, it would have serious implications for rice production this year, he said.

Htin Lin, a resident in Nyaungdon Township of Irrawaddy Division, said the Irrawaddy River had swollen this week near the town; paddy fields in villages by the river have started to flood.

Farmers can do nothing but wait and see what will happen, he said.

Ye Min Aung said that the Myanmar Rice Federation and the government need to actively prevent rice traders from playing the market during times of floods.

So far, rice stores for local consumption are sufficient, he said.

Last year, despite the floods, 1.3 million tons of rice were exported during the 2015-16 fiscal year, ending in March. The Myanmar Rice Federation says it expects 1.5 million tons to be exported over the current fiscal year.

The consequences of last years flooding were believed to have been more indirect. The World Bank put economic growth at 7 per cent for 2015-16, against a projected mid-term growth average of 8.2 percent. Floods were blamed for much of the shortfall.
Burma The Day a New Burma was Born

Exactly 28 years ago, a democratic uprising took off in Rangoon that would sweep the country but end with a bloody crackdown by the military.

Exactly 28 years ago, on Aug. 8, 1988, a popular democratic uprising took off in Rangoon that would sweep the country but end with a bloody crackdown by the Burma Army. In this article, which first appeared on Aug. 8, 2012, participants in the uprising recall the heady days of revolt and its tragic ending.

RANGOON  When he woke up early on a drizzling Monday morning in August 24 years ago, Sanny, then 21 years old, probably had no idea that the day would end in tragedy. He was in high spirits when he left home at 7:30 to attend a downtown demonstration. He wasnt worried about a thingjust very excited.

It was August 8, 1988, or 8-8-88 as its widely known, when hundreds of thousands of Burmese from all walks of life joined a popular protest in the former capital Rangoon to topple the dictator Ne Wins single party rule that had oppressed them for 26 years.

Even today I have no regrets about joining the demonstration at that time. I was doing something I felt I had to do, said the then third-year physics student at Rangoon University, who later received a long prison sentence for his participation.

Twenty-four years later, the day still stands as an important milestone in modern Burmese historya day that marked the emergence of a full-fledged democracy movement that managed to topple Ne Wins regime, only to see a new junta seize power and spend the ensuing decades relentlessly suppressing its leaders, including Burmas newfound democracy icon, Aung San Suu Kyi.

It was a day of hope, bullets, blood and tears.

Whenever he thinks about that day, the first thing that comes to Sannys mind is the huge column of demonstrators shouting anti-Ne Win slogans and the people on both sides of the road who expressed their full support for the protesters.

The road was packed with people as far as the eye could see. There were countless people lining the sides of the roads, giving us food, drinking water and cigarettes. They said May your cause succeed, he recalled.

It made me cry, and what I learned on that day was that people are always ready to be with you when you stand on their side. With that much popular support, I was convinced that we would easily win, he added.

But the military crackdown on thousands of protesters at Rangoon City Hall that night proved he was wrong.

Pyone Cho, a leading member of the 88 Generation Students group, was among the demonstrators near the City Hall a few minutes before the army opened fire. He was 22 years old at that time, doing his masters degree in geology at Rangoon University.

Around 11 pm, someone informed us that we were surrounded. The army gave us three warnings to disperse. Then came a sudden blackout and the bullets started to fly in. I was lucky to narrowly escape, he recounted.

Pandavunsa, 55, has a vivid memory of how bloody the crackdown was.

When they began shooting, I was in total shock. Then two guys near me fell down. So I grabbed them and started to run for my life, remembered the Buddhist monk, who took part in the protest as a member of the Rangoon Young Monks Organization and was later a leading figure in the monk-led Saffron Revolution in 2007.

A few minutes later I stopped to find out that the head of the man I carried away was open. His brains were like smashed tofu. The other one, a monk, had been shot in the stomach. I could see his intestines. He was already dead, too, he said.

The next morning, an eerie silence descended on the whole of Rangoon and there was no trace of the previous nights mass killing in front of the City Hall. The number of casualties still remains unknown.

Dr. Tin Myo Win, now the Aung San Suu Kyi-led governments chief peace negotiator, was a surgeon at that time at Rangoon General Hospital, where he treated many wounded protesters.

Although he also has vivid memories of that day and its aftermath, he said he is reluctant to recount them, lest he reignite public resentment over the crackdown and cause any obstacle to the national reconciliation process that Suu Kyi is now working on. He acknowledges, however, that the 8-8-88 uprising has had an indelible impact on the country.

Nobody can deny that it brought out leaders and players for todays Burmese politics. The uprising opened our eyes to the need for national reconciliation and unity, which are the essential forces to complete our mission that originated 24 years ago, he said.

Pyone Cho said the 88 movement was the mother of all subsequent uprisings, all of which have had only one strong message that still echoes today: People want democratic changes.

After our repeated demands for change, the government is now doing some reforms. But I have to say, theres a long road to the change we want. Take the Constitution, for example. If we all take part in the reform process, as we did in 1988, we will win, said the 46-year-old ex-political prisoner who has spent nearly 20 years behind bars.

For Pandavunsa, Burmese democracy begins with the 88 movement.

It was the very first time we Burmese collectively fought against the dictatorship. It was the first time we talked about democracy. Anyone in their right mind knows todays changes are the long awaited results of the 88 uprising, the monk commented.

Tin Myo Win said it was the 88 spiritworking for the peoples interests and having comradeship among protestersthat toppled single party rule 24 years ago.

If we were able to work together even at that time when the doors to change were closed, why cant we reapply that spirit now, when changes are visible and our goal is in sight? he said, adding that the goal is a long way to go.

Meanwhile, the 24th anniversary of the 8-8-88 uprising has revived Pandavunsas memories of that fateful day.

I still remember the faces of people on that night. Even in their death, I felt hope for change was written on their faces, said the monk.

We have sacrificed a lot. I saw comrades die young. I pray for no repetition of that day.
ALBANY POLICE

Theft arrest  5:36 p.m. Saturday, Linn County Jail. Marco Trapala-Gomez, 32, of Salem, was lodged in jail on a count of first-degree theft and warrants for four instances of failure to appear. A no-bail hold was placed on him at the jail and he was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

LINN COUNTY SHERIFF

Sex crime arrest  11:20 p.m. Friday, Linn County Jail. David Nils Lejon, 44, of Sweet Home, was arrested on a charge of second-degree encouraging child abuse. His initial bail was set at $6,000, and he was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Assault arrest  11:53 p.m. Friday, Linn County Jail. Kevin Lee Hashman, 40, of Lebanon, was arrested on charges of third-degree assault and felony fourth-degree assault (domestic violence). His initial bail was set at $100,000, and he was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Canoe theft  12:36 p.m. Saturday, Sunnyside County Park, 44930 Quartzville Road. A caller reported that a green canoe, two paddles and a lifejacket were stolen.

Littering  9:55 a.m. Sunday, 46700 block of Lyons-Mill City Drive. A caller reported that there was a hot tub tires and other items dumped in the road and they were blocking the roadway.
Monday, August 8th, 2016 (10:59 am) - Score 1,216

Fibre optic developer Cityfibre has issued an update on the 5.6m deal with Edinburgh City Council in Scotland, which is extending their existing Gigabit capable Fibre-to-the-Premise (FTTP) broadband network in the city to around 150km. The work is now expected to complete by the end of next month.

The 7-year deal, which includes an option to extend to 19 years and potentially grow in value to 16 million, began its 100km Edinburgh CORE network extension in September 2015 and at the time they indicated that the roll-out would be completed within 12 months. Today Cityfibre has confirmed that theyve successfully held to that target.

Once complete the new 1Gbps+ capable FTTP network will be able to reach around 7,000 local businesses and more than 300 public sector sites, such as schools, libraries and office buildings. The deployment is being supported by Cityfibres local ISP partner, Commsworld.

The developer claims that this will turn Edinburgh into the UKs largest Gigabit City.

James McClafferty, CityFibres Head of Development in Scotland, said: Reaching 100km is a significant milestone for the project, which has been a truly collaborative process, working with our partners, Commsworld. Spanning 150km, which stretched out would take you from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, the completed network will establish Edinburgh as the UKs largest Gigabit City which is a real coup for its businesses and services.

Iain Ross, Director of Finance at The Festival and Kings Theatres, said: When faced with the failure of our original supplier to provide a dedicated fibre network to allow us to host a major conference at the Festival Theatre, we turned to CityFibre and Commsworld who have delivered impeccably across all areas. They ensured our public WiFi network was installed in time and as a result, we were able to provide an outstanding service to over 800 attendees, each using multiple devices. We have no doubt that the Edinburgh Gigabit City project will be of major benefit to Edinburgh and businesses operating in the city, and are delighted to have found such reliable and focused partners to provide exceptional public WiFi in our theatres.

The good news is that Cityfibre wont stop at 150km and there is already a hint of ambitious plans to roll-out even further, although its too early to talk about the details. Cityfibre also has a similar network in the Scottish cities of Aberdeen and Glasgow.

The original contract itself was part of a wider 186 million outsourced ICT procurement for the council won by global ICT firm CGI, which aimed to create the single largest pure fibre city roll-out in the United Kingdom.

Some 150 engineers and workers were involved during the projects peak and at the time of writing around 126km of the total network has already been completed.
Earlier this month, Apple released an advertisement for the iPad Pro. In it, Apple compared the tablet to a computer. At face value, the Cupertino-based company seems to be taking jabs at other hybrid gadgets, like the Microsoft Surface Pro 4. However, the successful marketing of the upcoming iPad Pro 2 could spell disaster for the 2016 MacBook Pro.

As Forbes points out, Apple's CEO Tim Cook has admitted that he himself only carries around an iPhone and an iPad during travels. However, the iPad Pro currently runs on iOS, which has its limitations when compared to the MacBook Pro's MacOS. For example, there are more editing tools and work software that are designed for the MacBook Pro. In addition, some websites that publish written work, like WordPress, have limitations on the iOS, which cannot be removed no matter how large a device's screen is.

However, the publication goes on to state that the market momentum is with iOS. It is, as users know, simpler to use. In addition, the publication quotes a source as saying that so much more could be done with iOS in the near future. To be more specific, the source says that Apple is looking into developing an operating system that has the "look and information density and multiple windows of OS X" and "the simplicity and superiority of iOS."

On the other hand, Design & Trend offers two other alternatives. One is that the upcoming iOS 10.2 will come with more MacOS X-like features. The other possibility is that the iPad Pro 2 will run on MacOS X completely. The second option, if taken, would definitely support Apple's claims that the tablet can run just like a laptop.

The iPad Pro 2 is expected to come in a 12.9 inch variant. It will come powered by Apple's A10 processor and will arrive with the Apple Pencil stylus as well. Further, it is expected to come with a Smart Connector and Smart Keyboard.

Meanwhile, The Next Web notes that the 2016 MacBook Pro will come with a new butterfly keyboard design, four USB Type-C ports and a Force Touch trackpad. It will be powered by the Intel Kaby Lake processors. Two variants are expected to arrive, the 13-inch and the 15-inch, both of which will be 4K video compatible.


Google Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P chargers, or at least a number of them, have been reported as defective by an independent product reviewer on August 3. These defective items have the potential of damaging other devices as well.

Last week, Nathan K. uploaded a YouTube video describing the test he conducted on the chargers of the Nexus 5X and 6P. He also posted his findings on Reddit. These particular chargers would not destroy the Nexus phones, according to Phone Arena, but it can possibly damage users' phones or other devices if used incorrectly.

The presenter claimed that the charger for the Google Nexus 5X will continue to release a 5V/3A charge as long as it's connected to a power outlet. This is true even if the phone is not connected to the USB end.

Experts have already warned users not to leave their chargers hanging in the wall socket for safety concerns. Furthermore, the Nexus 5X charger is also exclusive to the phone itself. Users should not use the charger to any other device or they run the risk of damaging it, according to Life Hacker.

The charger for the Nexus 6P does not have a continuous output problem like the Nexus 5X. However, the 6P charger does not do well with a smart cord. For example, the iPhone's lightning cable should not be used with this charger. Once these two accessories are plugged into a wall socket, the charger will instantly transfer electricity regardless if there is a device at the other end of the USB cord or not.

For now, it is recommended that users should only stick using the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P chargers with their respective phones only. Other devices and accessories should not be included in the mix, or else, users face the danger of damaging them.
Samsung has announced that the company remains interested in the concept of foldable phones, but such a smartphone would be still difficult to design, produce and launch.

Many customers are waiting intently for the rumored Galaxy X, which allegedly features a foldable 4K display and was supposed to be launched by Samsung in 2017. The bad news is that the South Korean high-tech giant has delayed its plans to launch foldable handsets.

PhoneArena reports that President of Samsung Mobile Koh Dong-jin announced recently that it is still not possible to produce consumer-ready foldable phones using current available technology. He added that the company is definitely planning to launch a foldable phone in the near future, because such a new device would bring great innovation in the phone industry.

Koh explained that in order for an innovative foldable smartphone to be designed and manufactured, some serious "changes in software and user experience" are needed. He added that the smartphone industry will take time before it manages to implement these kinds of changes. Koh's statement has been made at a press conference during the Unpacked event for the Galaxy Note 7.

According to ZDNet, there were speculations earlier in June suggesting that Samsung is preparing to launch a foldable smartphone in 2017. However, in order to produce a foldable smartphone, Samsung needs to utilize a very different UX and software. The South Korean company has conducted multiple tests in order to evaluate if it can prepare a foldable phone by the end of this year.

Samsung Electronics' display making division called Samsung Display keeps showing foldable mobile screens at trade shows. The interest for foldable headsets remains high. But mass producing a smartphone with a folding display remains difficult. Producing the foldable display at a cost that justifies mass production is actually the biggest challenge in this initiative.

For the moment, the South Korean tech giant is focusing its resources on increasing capacity for the production of small-sized OLED panels. The overall cost will go down once more lines dedicated to the production of curved displays become operational. With just a few tweaks, these production lines dedicated for curved displays can be changed to produce foldable displays.

One of the issues in producing a foldable mobile screen is that the durability becomes an issue the more bendable the screen becomes. The whole concept of a foldable smartphone will change depending on how bendable it is. For instance, the foldable smartphone could allow being folded and placed on the deck of a car like a stand. Or, it could be folded in half so that its users can put it in their jacket pocket.
Samsung is doing the best they can to make a big push into virtual reality with their Gear VR headset. This requires sharp screens on their devices. Their current QHD, as what the Samsung Galaxy S7 features, is more than sharp enough when it is applied to a phone but it is not great for VR. Perhaps Samsung will have a strong push on upgrading their resolution for the future Samsung Galaxy flagships.

With their brand new Bio Blue technology, there is a possibility that Samsung could fit a 5.5 inch 4K UHD screen for their upcoming Samsung S8 and S8 Edge devices. Based on the reports from Yibada, the tech giant recently revealed their new Bio Blue technology that is proven to have greater power efficiency and more vivid compared to their existing Super AMOLED screens. This would prove that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy flagship will have a better display board.

With both S6 and S7 having quite a lot in common in terms of their design, fans would like to see some improvements particularly on the design of the new smartphones. Tech enthusiasts expect a more refined body for Samsung Galaxy S8, probably more curve for its Edge version or a thinner phone.

According to Tech Radar, the tech giant is reportedly working on a new camera, which ranges between 18-24 megapixels that has an f/1.4 aperture, a little wider than the latter f/1.7 of Samsung Galaxy S7. A wider opening on the camera allows more light to enter for more detailed images and boost the megapixel count. But there is no confirmation if this new camera links to the new Galaxy device.

The next Samsung flagship will probably come with 6GB of RAM and run on a Snapdragon 830 chip, which is smaller, faster and more efficient than Snapdragon 820. However, the Snapdragon 830 name is not official yet but it has been rumored. According to Tech Radar, people could also see an iris scanner on this new phone. Samsung is also seemingly working on a new feature called 'Smart Glow' which can flash different colors for various notifications. There is no exact date of release for Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Edge but it is likely to be launched in early 2017.
Vertu recently announced the release of its newest luxury smartphone line. At $4,200 per unit, these are currently the cheapest models coming from this luxury smartphone manufacturer.

The new smartphones come in three colors namely, black, blue and pink. All three bears the trademark "Chevron" pattern using "Italian canvass fabric". The official Vertu site claimed that the leather-bound smartphones are not for everyone. However, the $4,200 price tag would probably be the biggest reason why most would balk in ordering such a "work of art".

Despite its upscale appearance, the specs of the luxury Chevron smartphones are quite dated by today's standards, according to The Verge. It is a surprise to many why would Vertu launch an elegant $4,200 luxury smartphone but not bother updating its specs.

Its processor is a Snapdragon 801 for Qualcomm, according to Phone Arena. It was a top of the line processor when it was first installed in the Samsung Galaxy S5. The "luxury" Chevron smartphone is still using the Android Lollipop version. The newest luxury smartphone has only a single rear camera at 13MP. The Chevron has a maximum internal storage of 64 GB and is equipped with 2 GB of RAM. It could also be charged wirelessly.

These new smartphones are quite a bargain by Vertu's standards. Some of the manufacturer's smartphone models can range from more than $7,000 to $10,000. For the super-rich, these luxury smartphones may not be expensive enough.

Vertu has largely been considered as the ultimate luxury smartphone. Currently, the British luxury smartphone brand is available in the United States. It's supported by both American carriers AT&T and T-Mobile. However, the Chevron smartphone lines are not U.S. LTE network-ready.
A search for a missing hiker in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness Area was called off on Saturday, after public safety workers and volunteers spent a week scouring the rugged terrain.

The Linn County Sheriffs Office, Benton County Sheriffs Office and Corvallis Mountain Rescue were among the groups that searched for Riley Zickel, 21, who is from the Portland area.

Altogether, more than 340 searchers dedicated approximately 5,000 hours to search 350 square miles of the Willamette National Forest north and south of Mount Jefferson. That area is heavily forested and has many ridges and valleys. Areas of snow complicated the search, and in spite of the snow, daytime temperatures occasionally reached 90 degrees.

The Marion County Sheriffs Office coordinated the search efforts, which included helicopter and airplane flyovers.

It is a very difficult decision to withdraw resources from this search. Our SAR teams and staff worked tirelessly to find Mr. Zickel. Were very grateful for the assistance provided by our public safety partners, and our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Zickels family, said Marion County Sheriff Jason Myers, in a news release.

Hundreds of hikers also were contacted during the search and missing person flyers were posted at trailheads along the Pacific Crest Trail as far south as Big Lake Youth Camp and at to the north at Timberline Lodge.

Zickel entered the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area on July 27, heading into the woods from Breitenbush Lake Road on the Pacific Crest Trail. He intended to hike for one day and return the following day to visit friends in Seattle. He was last seen on the Pacific Crest Trail just north of Jefferson Park where he visited with another hiker along the trail.

The search for Zickel will remain open, and those with information about his whereabouts should call the Marion County Sheriff's Office at 503-584-7724.
Liam Allan doesnt tell stories about the AS/400s he has known. Hes never worked on an iSeries or even a System i. At just 19 years of age, his brief adventures in the IBM midrange, he knows only the IBM i. The 2016 COMMON conference gave him a stage. Two weeks ago, he started a new job with Profound Logic, an IBM i vendor with a knack for hiring high profile talent. Allan was pretty much an anonymous member of the IBM i community when we were all buying our 2016 calendars. But after he joined the Team Seiden chat page for PHP on i developers, he came to the attention of Trevor Perry, who was impressed with Allens work on a virtual machine that retrieves data from a physical file and his creation of a unique programming language that he calls TOP. Liam Allan, a bright young and innovative talent with an IBM i future. (Photo by Tony Rose/COMMON)

Perry encouraged him to apply for the COMMON Student Innovation Award, because at that time Allan was a student at Fareham College in Hampshire, England. Allans work proved worthy of the award and it brought with it a registration to the 2016 COMMON Annual Meeting and Exposition, plus travel and lodging expenses. At COMMON, Allan received the Innovation award and he also presented two sessions, which included the details of the project that won the award. It didnt take long before the young RPG programmer was being mentioned in conversations throughout the conference. Alex Roytman, CEO at Profound Logic, was particularly intrigued. After a series of conversations, Roytman understood much of Allans experience and passion is tethered to open source. Puzzle pieces started to put in place as Roytman explained that Profound has a Node.js. open source development team that he considers bleeding edge. Its development processes and practices rely more on experimentation and is working with a handful of Profound customers. The conversations led to a job offer, which Allan accepted. He follows in the footsteps of other popular IBM i community members who have joined Profound: Scott Klement, Brian Mayboth IBM Power Championsand Ted Holt, the senior editor of IT Jungles tech tips newsletter Four Hundred Guru. It wasnt necessarily the Node experience that Liam had. It was the work he had done at the code level in converting RPG to C# (a conversion process that Allan figured out on his own because it seemed interesting to him). Its the same type of process that we are working on with Node, Roytman said during an interview with IT Jungle last week that included Allan, who was getting a first look at Profounds facilities in Orange County, California, as well as offices in Dayton, Ohio, and Starkville, Mississippi. I was pretty excited, Allen said about the job offer. Theres been a fair amount of progress. Ive been writing a fair amount of code every day. The collaboration process is good. The key thing with the team Liam works on, Roytman says, is that we have people on the team with experience on the business side of development with RPG and database-driven skills. Some with understanding more on the compiler level. This in not just business programming. Its tools development and it requires knowledge of what goes on deep in the operating system. There are people on the team who have been with Profound for years and know the product line very well. The jury is still out on whether Node.js and other open source development will become mainstream for the majority of traditional RPG developers, but Roytmans observation is that companies are bringing new people onto the platform and those people are more likely to be familiar with the open source languages. Theres a transition happening, he says. Allan agrees that the interest in open source at traditional IBM i shops is not huge, but it is growing among developers who are mindful of current trends. I do know a lot of RPG developers who are interested in open source. (He still collaborates with other open source advocates on the Team Seiden chat site.) Often it comes down to whether their employer gives them the opportunity to try to use open source development or not, he says. In his new job with Profound, Allan will be working from his home in the south of England. Hell be back in the U.S. in October, however, as a speaker at the RPG & DB2 Summit in Chicago. Apparently he also made a good impression on Jon Paris, Susan Gantner, and Paul Tuohy, the team that presents the Summit events when they met Allan at the iUG conference. The reaction of attendees to him and his sessions were extremely positive, Tuohy said in an email. Of course, the big thing is that he is a 19-year-old who is articulate and has a passion for the platform. We folks in the IBM i community have a natural tendency to look at the age of people who work on the platform and think of it, and everything associated with it, as being old and staid. Liam and his ilk show us a very different perspectiveand that is contagious. An outbreak of enthusiasm sparked by a 19-year-old programmer? Who would have predicted that? RELATED STORIES IBM i Open Sourcerers Profound Logic Taps Node.js and COBOL For New Directions The Rewards of IBM i Community Engagement A Peek At Upcoming Open Source Enhancements In IBM i The Job Market For The People Who Make The IBM i Go First Open Source Conference For IBM i Shops Planned
If you cant afford a nice, very fast Radeon RX 480 it's smaller sibling, the 4GB, GDDR5 RX 470, is the next best thing. At US$179, it has all of the Polaris 10 features the average gamers will need  until the next upgrade.

AMD has publicly stated it is out to win in graphics and the RX 470 is a key part of that policy, as will be the even lower-cost RX 460 which is still in the pipeline.

Early overseas reviews state that the Radeon RX 470 is an extremely capable 1080p, up to 100 fps, performer  even doing well at 1440p  but as most gamers only want 1080p this is the right card for them. It also comes from AMD as a chip only, allowing its OEMs to add a little flair to the designs (by comparison the RX 480 comes as a finished board, and OEMs cant do too much to it).

AMD says that in comparison to the RX 480, there is about a 10% reduction in SPU and TMUs and the same ROP. In other words, it is pretty close at 4.9 TFLOPS versus 5.8.

We are delivering the next chapter of the Radeon rebellion with the new Radeon RX 470, a GPU which offers brilliant HD gaming and is packed with future-proof technology at an impeccable price, said Raja Koduri, senior vice-president and chief architect, Radeon Technologies Group, AMD. Weve defined the Radeon RX lineup with feedback from gamers and enthusiasts who use our graphics technology. They have spoken, and we have listened. The Radeon RX 470 is a premium card with compelling features that will entice enthusiasts worldwide.

The Radeon RX 470 dramatically outperforms AMDs previous generation in gaming with its 32 compute units, 2048 stream processors, and up to 4.9 teraflops processing power with typical board power draw of 120 watts. This produces outstanding gaming with greater than 60 fps at ultra settings on a wide variety of the latest game titles.

Radeon RX 470 Features

Gamer optimised  Powered by 4th generation Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture featuring asynchronous shaders and an enhanced geometry engine, it offers exceptionally smooth gameplay at HD resolutions on the latest DirectX 12, Vulkan, and e-Sports titles.

Cool efficiency  It features FinFET 14nm technology bringing new levels of performance and low system power requirements.

Stunning HDR pixels  Supports the new generation of HDR content and displays for video and gaming.

Game changing control  Radeon software drivers enable the ultimate in performance, features, and stability to ensure an exceptionally smooth and fast out-of-box experience. The latest Radeon settings give per state control overclocks and voltage.

Quiet Gaming  It has silent gaming features that dynamically optimise sound volumes based on actual temperature and workloads.

Availability

It is available now from retailers and e-tailers. Australian and New Zealand distributors include Ingram, Synnex, Dove, PB Tech, Rectron, Leader, and Mittoni.
Australian battery technology company, Nano-Nouvelle, has established agreements with specialist US manufacturers to test how its innovative 3D nanotechnology can improve the performance of their batteries.

Under the agreements, two (unnamed) companies, which produce high-performance batteries used in specialised industries such as aerospace, have agreed to test how Nano-Nouvelles Nanode nanomaterials work with their batteries.

The chief executive of the Sunshine Coast-based Nano-Nouvelle, Stephanie Moroz, says the company is developing world-leading nanotechnology that can boost the energy storage capacity of lithium ion batteries by as much as 50%.

An important part of Nano-Nouvelles strategy involves working out how to implement its innovative nanotechnology into current manufacturing processes.



Moroz, who two years ago in Chicago met executives from the two companies at the18th International Meeting on Lithium Batteries  a biennial symposium which attracted more than 1500 delegates from Europe, Asia and the USsaid the high-performance battery manufacturers were ideal partners for the companys technology. They provide a great initial entry point for us, she said.

Its hard to go from zero to high volume production, however Nano-Nouvelle is in a good position to support field trials by specialist companies, which work at smaller volumes, are less cost sensitive and are incredibly focused on improving the performance of their batteries.

As Tesla proved with its Roadster EV sportscar, this sort of low-volume, high-margin starting point can provide a high visibility platform to demonstrate the benefits of innovative technology, which can accelerate its adoption by mass market manufacturers.

According to Moroz, the focus of battery research has undergone a noticeable shift since the 2014 conference. "Whereas two years ago, it was mainly about portable electronics and wearables, the focus is now on batteries for EVs and energy storage.

"People want to drive EVs and put energy storage batteries in their homes, but the delay between a scientific breakthrough and a commercial product can take as long as 10 years. The good news for us from this conference is that the battery industry has stopped chasing blue sky technologies to focus on improving lithium ion performance, which is where our products can deliver real value.

Moroz says Nano-Nouvelles core technology, the Nanode, overcomes the current limitations of high energy and high power batteries and by using nanotechnology to create a conductive membrane with complex 3D surfaces, the companys patent-protected technology pushes the boundaries of high performance battery electrodes, effectively laying the foundation for a new generation of high capacity batteries.

Nano-Nouvelle is already working with battery companies globally, from specialist manufacturers to mass market companies, to demonstrate that its technology both improves battery performance significantly and could be deployed easily into existing production systems.

We're looking to make it plug and play for battery manufacturers, Moroz said.

Our goal is for them to take our electrode, match it with their other components and run it through their standard assembly processes. While they end up making higher performance batteries, the actual production deployment will require minimal effort on their part.
As Windows 10 is now one platform, pretty well everything you have read about the Windows 10 Anniversary Update will flow to Windows 10 Mobile (W10M).

It is rolling out the Anniversary Update from 9 August for unlocked devices, but dont expect telcos to release it for a couple of weeks.

Windows 10 Mobile is an enterprise operating system  it officially has three Lumia models (950/XL and 650) and the HP Elite x3 is coming in September and other brands are gradually emerging. It also supports many of the older Windows 8.x Phone handsets (from Lumia 430 upwards) but with reduced functionality  mainly the Continuum dock and Windows Hello features.

The list of changes and added features is huge. In a preliminary look, the following features stand out.

Perhaps the biggest difference between Windows 10 Mobile and iOS or Android is Tiles versus icons. Its single home page holds (typically) 15 full-sized tles or up to 45 quarter-sized ones. You swipe left for the app list, and a new action centre is accessed by swiping down  all very logical and neat.

Cortana has been beefed up and can do basic functions from the lock screen. But she can also access Office 365, and search across a wider range of data on and off the phone.

The camera now has a shutter button on the lock screen.

Edge Browser is now 100% touch optimised, including swipes and using the phone soft control buttons.

Settings have been extensively expanded.

Continuum now has USB Ethernet support.

Up to 16 apps can run in the background.

Battery performance has been increased by tighter background app management, including choosing on a per app basis.

Kids corner has been removed in favour of using different user profiles.

Some features like FM radio are now apps to improve cross-device compatibility.

Skype app has received major treatment, it is now a Universal App, and will Incorporate Messaging Everywhere.

Fingerprint readers supported on device and external keyboards.

Windows Hello compatible devices will have enhanced login to websites (in conjunction with Edge browser).

Comment and update

I have been using the Windows Insider version (as close to release as possible) on a Lumia 950XL (iTWire review here), and it seems a little faster and slicker. Continuum, although quite good to start with, seems more polished too. As a corporate user I cant help but like this OS and the hardware it runs on.

But I also use an Android 6.x handset when I need consumer apps and a family member has an iPhone 6S Plus so I see all sides to the mobile story.

I would not write Windows 10 Mobile off yet, or ever as some pundits are suggesting.

Firstly, Windows is now one platform, and that makes it easy to, for want of a more accurate word, cross-compile to run on ARM-based mobile processors. W10M is not going away, and development costs are very low.

Secondly, without exception system administrators are praising its out-of-the-box security (sandbox, VPN, and no malware), manageability (as one platform) and Continuum features. These are compelling reasons to adopt it at the corporate level.

Continuum has also had an unexpected boost by its hardware support for virtualised and remote access systems. It works amazingly well with Citrix Web Access (Receiver for HTML5), TeamViewer and other remote apps offering a full remote Windows experience including using the touch screen as a mouse. Sure you can do that using Android and iOS clients, but it is messy  W10M and the dock support it very well. It has addressed the market for a good, lower cost, thin-client.

The lack of millions of iOS or Android apps simply has not been an issue at the corporate level  in fact; the more tightly controlled environment means few, if any security issues.

After Ballmer made his famous US$7.2 billion blunder it has taken the new guard time to get Microsofts involvement in mobile right. It is starting at the top with the huge corporates  those that run Windows, Office, use Azure and are happy with that ecosystem. I am frequently made aware of deals where hundreds to thousands of W10M phones are issued to staff. MS win hearts by demonstrating Continuum, but its the total cost of ownership, lower data costs, and more manageability that win hard-nosed procurement over.

It is winning enterprise sales mainly from Android  system administrators have long said it is easier just to roll out corporate phones on one platform. Android is fragmented, prone to security issues, and increases remote management workloads.

Apps are coming. Corporate apps are fastest because they realise the appeal of one universal app (like Dropbox) across all devices. But more importantly is the relative ease of converting existing software to Universal apps and running an enterprise app store where virus and malware do not exist. A recent VisionMobile survey says that W10M now has a 34% mindshare with developers (mostly enterprise) against 52% for iOS and 79% for Android (mostly consumer).

Consumer apps are slowly coming  Uber, Starbucks, Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, Shazam, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Crunchyroll, Expedia, Facebook, Dropbox, GoPro, FitBit, Box, and thousands more are already there.

Sales are happening. Following the bloodbath discounting to clear a plethora (11 different Lumia 8.x Phone) of devices last year it now has three W10M handsets - this years sales numbers cannot be compared. Suffice to say that on essentially three models Microsoft sold a respectable 13.8 million units in its first W10M year.

HP expects to sell several million of its Elite x3 Windows 10 Mobile that also includes a Continuum dock, or a Notebook dock, and has later technology than the 950/XL. Pre-orders start on 5 September.

AdDuplex which measures Web served advertisements says W10M now has 11.9% of Windows Phone volumes with the rest using older hardware that cannot upgrade. The interesting thing will be to see what those users buy when it's time to upgrade.

Germany leads Windows 10M adoption with UK, Italy, US, Brazil, and Australia not far behind. The $679 Lumia 950 is the leader by sales volume followed by the $299, 650 and $849, 950 XL. Interestingly The 950 XL is the phone that Windows enthusiasts want/buy and that is probably because for a long time it came with a complimentary Continuum Dock.

The consumer race winner is still Android, by a country mile, and iOS is holding in its special niche. Microsoft realise that and are rapidly expanding their influence there via Apps  most of which are category killers.
New Zealand-based broadcast and telecommunications company Kordia has consolidated its trans-Tasman management team with the appointment of Scott Bartlett as group chief executive.

Bartlett, who is CEO of Kordias New Zealand operation, now adds responsibility for the companys Australian business to his responsibilities.

He has been CEO of New Zealand since 2013 and previously served as CEO of New Zealand telecommunications and Internet services provider, Orcon.

Kordia Group chair Lorraine Witten says Bartletts appointment results in the formation of a single group leadership team across Australasia with a more centralised management structure supported by decentralised decision making.

It is the boards intention to build an integrated and agile leadership team and business to take Kordia forward, Witten said.

She says Kordia has a huge number of opportunities across both New Zealand and Australia.

The board believes that through our trans-Tasman operations working together we can maximise those opportunities.

The recent successful integration of our New Zealand and Australian maritime operations has demonstrated the power of this strategy.
Linn County deputies arrested a man on Sunday night who allegedly intentionally smashed a van into an apartment east of Corvallis and then led authorities on a pursuit to Albany before police punctured the tires of his vehicle.

The crash was reported at about 10:40 p.m. in the 33800 block of Melody Lane, and though the apartment was occupied at the time, no one was injured, according to a news release.

Steven Ray Pugh, 35, of Corvallis, was charged in Linn County Circuit Court on Monday afternoon with first-degree criminal mischief, recklessly endangering another person and felony attempt to elude.

Pugh is a resident of the apartment complex, but the unit he smashed into was not his own.

"He was having some sort of issue with the folks who lived there," said Prosecutor Michael Wynhausen, during Monday's court hearing.

Wynhausen added that the crash did an estimated $30,000 in damage to the apartment building.

Judge Thomas McHill set Pugh's bail at $10,000. "The court is concerned with public safety," he said.

McHill appointed Heidi Sternhagen as defense attorney in the case.

According to the news release, Pugh had driven his gold 1999 Pontiac Montana van around to the back side of an apartment complex and onto the lawn. He then smashed into the back wall of the apartments, causing extensive damage before leaving the scene.

The gas line of the apartment was ruptured, and the Corvallis Fire Department responded to the scene to shut the gas off.

As authorities investigated the case, Pugh drove back to the apartment complex. Deputies attempted to pull him over, but he refused to stop and headed east on Highway 34, reaching top speeds of 55 mph.

When he reached the city limits of Albany, the van was spike-stripped by members of the Albany Police Department. The pursuit continued east on Queen Avenue to Pacific Boulevard, and then east on the Santiam Highway, where Pughs tires began to fall apart.

Pugh lost control of his vehicle and stopped in the parking lot of Pick-A-Part, 4646 Santiam Highway S.E. in Albany.

The Corvallis Police Department, Benton County Sheriffs Office and Oregon State Police also assisted in the case, which remains under investigation.
Four vulnerabilities have been discovered in premium Qualcomm LTE, 4G chipsets that can give an attacker complete control of an Android smartphone or tablet.

Enterprise security vendor Check Point has disclosed details about a set of four vulnerabilities affecting 900 million Android smartphones and tablets that use Qualcomm LTE chipsets. It calls the set QuadRooter and presented its findings at DEF CON 24 in Las Vegas.

Before you say it is Androids fault  it is not. Qualcomm is the worlds leading designer of LTE chipsets with a 65% share of the LTE modem baseband market. If any one of the four vulnerabilities is exploited, an attacker can trigger privilege escalations for the purpose of gaining root access to a device.

In theory, an attacker would simply have to use a malicious app requiring no special permissions to exploit the security holes. QuadRooter vulnerabilities can give attackers complete control of devices and unrestricted access to sensitive personal and enterprise data on them. Access could also provide an attacker with capabilities such as keylogging, GPS tracking, and recording of video and audio.

Some of the latest Android devices use these chipsets, including:

BlackBerry Priv

Blackphone 1 and Blackphone 2

Google Nexus 5X, Nexus 6 and Nexus 6P

HTC One, HTC M9 and HTC 10

LG G4, LG G5, and LG V10

New Moto X by Motorola

OnePlus One, OnePlus 2 and OnePlus 3

Samsung Galaxy S7 and Samsung S7 Edge

Sony Xperia Z Ultra

The problem is that these vulnerabilities are closely linked to the chip design. New device drivers will need to be developed and will need to be incorporated into the version of Android on each affected device, tested by carriers, and finally rolled out. In other words, the entire supply chain from chip to the carrier needs to co-operate, then users need to install the patches  a big ask.

Check Point has provided advice on Android security

Download and install the latest Android updates as soon as they become available. These include important security updates that help keep your device and data protected.

Understand the risks of rooting your device  either intentionally or as a result of an attack.

Examine carefully any app installation request before accepting it to make sure its legitimate.

Avoid side-loading Android apps (.APK files) or downloading apps from third-party sources. Instead, practice good app hygiene by downloading apps only from Google Play.

Read permission requests carefully when installing any apps. Be wary of apps that ask for permissions that seem unusual or unnecessary or that use large amounts of data or battery life.

Use known, trusted Wi-Fi networks.

End users and enterprises should consider using mobile security solutions designed to detect suspicious behaviour on a device, including malware that could be obfuscated within installed apps.

It has provided an app to check if a device is at risk: Use the tool here.
Microsoft last week bolstered its claim that Windows 10 will be its last operating system by extending the OS's support lifetime to 2026.

After the release last week of Windows 10 Anniversary Update -- officially known as 1607 using the year and month label the company has adopted -- Microsoft refreshed the Windows support lifecycle database to signal a one-year extension to Windows 10 Enterprise.

Enterprise is the only SKU (stock-keeping unit) that comes in a static version that does not change during its lifespan. Dubbed "Long-term Servicing Branch," or LTSB for short, the version is intended for systems for which stability and longevity trump the latest features and the newest shiny thing.

The first LTSB build was also the first public release of July 2015, and thus identified as 1507. That version, like others launched then, was guaranteed support until Oct. 14, 2025.

But last week's 1607 was also designated as an LTSB build; Microsoft had said it would periodically label new upgrades as LTSB so that corporations could update if they wished. This newest LTSB, based on 1607, will be supported through Oct. 13, 2026, or just over 10 years from its release.

Meanwhile, consumer- and small business-grade versions, such as Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro, remain wedded to support lifecycles that will end in October 2025, even though they, like Enterprise, were just refreshed with 1607.

The addition of a year to Windows 10 Enterprise's lifetime validated a prediction made more than a year ago by Steve Kleynhans, a Gartner analyst who focuses on Microsoft and its operating system. "At some point [Microsoft] will have to reset the clock to start another 10 years [of support] and mark some kind of stake in the ground," Kleynhans said in a July 2015 interview.

At the time, Kleynhans speculated that a new LTSB would be that stake.

Customers who adopted the original LTSB will receive security updates until October 2025. To obtain patches for the additional year, IT staffers will have to replace LTSB 1507 with this year's 1607.

Extending Windows 10 support to 2026 gives credence to Microsoft's touting the OS as "the last version of Windows," a phrase that, while perhaps not technically true, was meant to emphasize the software-as-a-service pivot.

More information on Windows 10's support lifecycle can be found on Microsoft's website, including dates when various versions exit "mainstream" support and when they drop off the support list.
Email

Links to our top local news stories of the day, Monday through Saturday.
Reddit Email 0 Shares

TeleSur |  

Donald Trump also recently asked a national security expert three times why, since the US has nuclear weapons, it cant use them.

Japan marked the 71st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Saturday as its Prime Minister Shinzo Abe advocated for eliminating nuclear arms.

We must not have the tragic experience of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 71 years ago repeat itself, Abe said. It is the responsibility of those of us who live in the present to keep on working without cease toward that aim.

The United States dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, killing thousands of people instantly and about 140,000 by the end of that year.

Meanwhile, U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said earlier this week that he would consider letting Japan and South Korea build their own nuclear weapons, rather than rely on the United States for protection against North Korea and China.

But Tomomi Inada, Japans new defense minister and an Abe ally, said on Wednesday she did not believe Japan should consider possessing nuclear weapons.

It is terrifying that Donald Trump, the Republican Partys nominee to be our next Commander in Chief, is so anxious to use nuclear weapons.

Donald Trump also recently asked a national security expert three times why, since the US has nuclear weapons, it cant use them.

It is terrifying that Donald Trump, the Republican Partys nominee to be our next Commander in Chief, is so anxious to use nuclear weapons, Rev. Robert Moore, Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) executive director, said in a statement released on Thursday.

The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain the only use of nuclear weapons for warfare in history.

Via TeleSur



Related video added by Juan Cole:

Imagine Donald Trump With The Nuclear Codes | The Last Word | MSNBC
Reddit Email 0 Shares

By Abbas Djavadi | ( RFE/RL ) |  

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan travels to St. Petersburg on August 9 to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They will focus on improving cooperation in two main areas: the effort to find a shared and joint solution to the Syria crisis, and in business and energy, including a full resumption of tourism from Russia to Turkey, trade, and construction projects that were halted during a monthslong spat between the two nations.

Both sides, it appears, are using the recent Turkish coup attempt to mend their relations.

This is Erdogans first visit to a foreign country since the July 15 effort to overthrow his government. The coup attempt was rebuffed by a majority of Turks and clamped down by security forces. It was followed by the detention, arrest, and dismissal of tens of thousands of people accused of being members or sympathizing with Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish preacher who has been in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999. He is accused by the Turkish government of building a secret network infiltrating the army, the justice, education, and media sectors, and the business world.

The St. Petersburg visit will also be the first meeting between the Turkish and Russian presidents since Turkey downed a Russian attack aircraft near the Syrian-Turkish border in November. Erdogan strongly defended the action at the time, saying that the Russian aircraft  which was participating in Russias bombing campaign in Syria  had violated Turkish airspace.

In the Syrian conflict, Turkey started in the early 2010s to support armed rebel groups, including extremist Islamists, against the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad. Russia took sides with the Assad government and actively entered the war in September, 2015. This created a regional confrontation between Russia and Turkey, who had to that point enjoyed good relations.

Following the incident, relations between the two countries reached a historic low. Putin called the downing of the Russian aircraft  which led to the killing of its Russian pilot after he parachuted to the ground in Syria  a war crime and demanded an apology by Erdogan. Russia also initiated a number of punitive measures against Turkey  including ones preventing Russian tourists from traveling to Turkey, and a ban on Turkish food imports  that strained Turkeys economy.

Then, in an about-face, Russia announced in June that Erdogan had sent a letter of condolence to Putin over the downing of the Russian jet and the two sides agreed to resolve their issues, find common ground in the effort to end the Syrian crisis, and improve their relations.

Formidable sticking points remain, however, particularly when it comes to Syria and the future of Assad.

Speaking about Erdogans upcoming visit, Ibrahim Kalin, the spokesman for the Turkish president, said that Turkey wants to work together with Russia to find a political transition [of power] for Syria, a democratic and pluralist political structure acceptable to all Syrians. However, he added, such a solution, that is in the interest of both Russia and Turkey, will be not possible with Assad remaining in power.

It seems the resumption of better economic and energy relations is already in progress. The delivery of Russian natural gas to Turkey was never interrupted in the first place, so not much ground was lost. The resumption of Russian tourism to Turkey is trickier, in part due to the deadly terrorist attack against the Istanbul airport in June as well as the recent coup  both of which badly damaged Turkish tourism during high season.

Foreign policy seems to be at the top of the upcoming Erdogan-Putin meeting. Obviously, Syria policy is to be a main part of the two leaders discussions. A goodwill coordination of positions on Syria would seem to be a potential rebuff to U.S. efforts in support of armed groups and Kurdish rebels in Syria against Assad, a scenario that would be complicated by Russias own support for the Kurds.

But Russia also appears to be using two issues related to the recent coup attempt to deepen the current Turkish-U.S. and generally Turkish-Western atmosphere of accusatory distrust, and bring Turkey closer to Russian foreign policy coordinates.

From the beginning of the coup attempt, Turkish officials and media have maintained that the West  notably the United States, a NATO ally  has been slow and reluctant in condemning the coup attempt. Erdogan and many other Turkish politicians and media have not shied from public claims that the West, notably the United States, was behind the coup attempt. Secondly, the Turkish government has been insisting on the extradition of Gulen  who is considered to be a terrorist by Ankara and who Turkey accuses of being the mastermind of the coup attempt  from the United States to Turkey. Washington, while dismissing accusations that it had any role in the coup attempt, has asked for concrete evidence of Gulens personal involvement in the attempt and said that the government will act on the extradition request based on the final legal assessment  a process that can take years.

Meanwhile, Moscow is presenting itself to Turkey as a good friend who condemned the coup attempt from the beginning and offered Erdogan its full support. Russian lawmakers have claimed that the U.S. will never extradite Gulen because the CIA was behind him and his coup attempt, and bombastic politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky went so far as to say that Gulen and the U.S. are Turkeys enemies.

Despite Erdogans initial defense of the downing of the Russian jet, since the coup attempt Turkey has tried to blame the incident on pilots who are alleged to have been Gulen sympathizers. Even more, just on the eve of the Erdogan-Putin meeting, rumor-based reports are making waves in Turkish media that the Gulen movement was trying to provoke a Russian-Turkish war and that this alleged CIA-MI6-Mossad plan was hatched to distance NATO-member Turkey from establishing close relations with Russia. A French newspaper report is frequently quoted as a reliable Western source, claiming that on the night of the coup attempt U.S.-supported jet fighters tried to bomb Erdogans hotel, where he was on vacation, while Putin ordered his Russian jet fighters to defend Erdogan.

It seems that apart from the effort to develop a common Turkish-Russian position on Syria, the meeting will be cause for celebration  with Erdogan thanking Putin for his support following the failed coup attempt, and Putin assuring the Turkish leader of future Russian support.

Analyst and columnist Kadri Gursel summarized it this way, In order to frighten the West, Erdogan will show that Turkey is getting increasingly closer to Russia.

In reality, however, Russia does not have much to offer to Ankara in terms of investment, technology, defense, and trade. Turkey has a deep and interdependent relationship with the West. A Turkey decoupled from the West is bad for NATO and bad for the West, but much worse for Turkey itself.

Via RFE/RL

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.



Related video added by Juan Cole:

TRT World:  Turkey-Russia Relations: President Erdogan to meet Putin in August, Julia Lyubova reports
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Aug. 8, 2016) -

Highlights:

Currently evaluating three near surface exploration targets within short trucking distance of existing processing plant: Nkran Extension, Adubiaso Extension and Akwasiso.

Nkran Extension resource estimate completed: Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources 758,658 tonnes at 1.76g/t for 42,930 contained ounces of gold at 0.8 g/t cut-off.

Adubiaso Extension resource estimate previously announced: Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources 628,600 tonnes at 1.89 g/t for 38,250 contained ounces of gold at 0.8 g/t cut-off.

New larger target, Akwasiso, focus of current drilling with 4,200m drilled to date and a Mineral Resource Estimate expected in Q4 2016.

Supplementary Environmental Impact Studies for Adubiaso Extension submitted to relevant Government regulatory bodies, Nkran Extension scheduled for submission by end of Q3 2016. Permits expected in time for commencement of mining in early 2017.

Asanko Gold Inc. ("Asanko" or the "Company") (TSX:AKG)(NYSE MKT:AKG) provides an update on near mine exploration activity focused on identifying additional oxide resources withing short trucking distance of the existing operations at the Asanko Gold Mine in Ghana, West Africa.

Peter Breese, President and CEO, commented "The three current exploration targets offer immediate, low-cost, incremental ounces that will keep our "hungry" mill full for the next two years while we develop our Phase 2A expansion project. These near-surface deposits are now being incorporated into our Life of Mine Plan, with mining targeted to commence in early 2017.

Akwasiso is an exciting new target which is in close proximity to the Nkran Extension and is an important addition to our satellite deposit project pipeline. We are targeting an initial Mineral Resource Estimate during Q4 2016."

Nkran Extension

The Nkran Extension (Annexure 1) is located on the Nkran shear structure, approximately 1.5km from the Nkran pit, and runs for 900m North-South adjacent to the existing Tailings Storage Facility ("TSF"). The zone of interest was originally indicated from sterilization drilling for the TSF in 2013.

During Q1 2016 the zone was infilled by RC drilling on a heel-toe 40m x 20m grid. Following the completed assaying of the 29 RC drillholes (approximately 2,200m), a classified Mineral Resource has been estimated. Given these additional resources are part of and not a material addition to the estimated Asanko Gold Mine resources, no separate technical report will be prepared for them.

Table 1: Nkran Extension - Measured and Indicated Resources

Cut-Off (g/t gold) Tonnage Grade (g/t) Gold Ounces 0.5 1,001,515 1.49 47,967 0.6 913,008 1.58 46,414 0.7 830,438 1.67 44,691 0.8 758,658 1.76 42,960 1.0 631,098 1.94 39,294

Table 2: Nkran Extension - Inferred Resources

Cut-Off (g/t gold) Tonnage Grade (g/t) Gold Ounces 0.5 1,033,300 1.36 45,303 0.6 899,110 1.48 42,924 0.7 810,495 1.58 41,077 0.8 740,643 1.65 39,386 1.0 610,805 1.82 35,671

Notes: All figures are in metric tonnes and columns may not add up due to rounding. A gold cut-off grade of 0.8 g/t has been used. The Mineral Resources are stated as in situ tonnes. Individual densities were used per ore domain. The tonnages and contents are stated as 100%, which means no attributable portions have been stated in the table conversion from grams to ounces - 31.10348.

Adubiaso Pit Extension (previously announced, see press release dated April 27, 2016)

The Adubiaso pit (Annexure 1) is a previously mined satellite pit at the Asanko Gold Mine which is estimated to contain 1.8 million tonnes of Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at 2.07 g/t gold(1). These Mineral Reserves lie predominantly under the old pit and form part of the current life-of-mine plan for the Asanko Gold Mine(2). In 2015, mineralization in two zones over a 300m strike length extending to the North-East of the existing pit were identified based on an analysis of historical drill hole data.

In the first quarter of 2016, the Company drilled 20 holes (approximately 2,100me) of Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling and delineated a classified Mineral Resource, as per the tables below. Given these additional resources are part of and not a material addition to the estimated Asanko Gold Mine resources, no separate technical report will be prepared for them.

(1) Asanko Gold Mine Definitive Project Plan as filed on SEDAR on November 13, 2014.

Table 3: Adubiaso Extension - Measured and Indicated Resources

Cut-Off (g/t gold) Tonnage Grade (g/t) Ounces 0.5 992,408 1.43 45,612 0.6 833,738 1.60 42,812 0.7 714,505 1.76 40,320 0.8 628,602 1.89 38,249 1.0 482,590 2.19 34,034

Table 4: Adubiaso Extension - Inferred Resources

Cut-Off (g/t gold) Tonnage Grade (g/t) Ounces 0.5 406,846 1.69 21,394 0.6 328,860 1.96 20,042 0.7 269,528 2.24 18,815 0.8 239,597 2.42 18,086 1.0 191,347 2.79 16,657

Notes: The cut-off grade used for the Asanko Gold Mine - Phase 1 Project resources (Nkran, Adubiaso, Abore, Dynamite Hill & Asuadai) was 0.8 g/t. Columns may not add up due to rounding. All figures are in metric tonnes. The Mineral Resources are stated as in situ tonnes. Individual densities were used per ore domain. The tonnages and contents are stated as 100%, which means no attributable portions have been stated in the table conversion from grams to ounces - 31.10348.

Adubiaso and Nkran Extensions Development Timeline

Work is nearing completion on the Mineral Reserve Estimates for the two extensions, based on Whittle pit designs, waste dump planning and water management programs. The permitting process is also making good progress. As both deposits are located on the Company's existing Abriem mining lease, permitting only requires that a supplementary Environmental Impact Study ("EIS") be submitted to the relevant government regulatory bodies. The supplementary EIS for Adubiaso Extension has been submitted and the Nkran Extension permit applications will be lodged with the relevant regulatory bodies by the end of Q3 2016. The requisite permits are expected to be granted during H2 2016.

Mining operations are expected to begin immediately following the receipt of the permits. As such, the two extensions have been incorporated into the new Asanko Gold Mine Life of Mine plan, which is expected to be announced in Q3 2016 as part of the Definitive Feasibility Study for the Phase 2 expansion project.

Akwasiso Satellite Deposit

The Akwasiso deposit (Annexure 1) is located on the Nkran shear corridor and lies approximately 2km north of the current Nkran pit, immediately north of Nkran Extension and approximately 5km south of the Dynamite Hill deposit. Until recently the area was designated as Small Miner's Concessions. Asanko recently obtained the rights to the mineral concessions, which are contained within its existing Abriem mining lease.

The Akwasiso target area is particularly prospective as it was previously drilled by the past owner of the mineral concessions and has a known non-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate. Asanko is completing a 5,000m diamond drilling program primarily designed to validate the geology and grade continuity of mineralized zones defined by the previous operator's campaign in 2000 and 2001. The Company expects to publish an initial NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate during Q4 2016.

To date a total of 3,500m of diamond drilling has been completed with assay results pending. Visual inspection of the current program's core shows similarities of the mineralization style to Nkran and other satellite deposits, with intrusive granite, a mixed sedimentary package, with altered and mineralized sandstone units with silicification and quartz veining. The historical drilling only evaluated the deposit to a depth of 100 metres. The current program will incorporate deeper drilling to more fully understand the potential of the deposit. Drilling results will be announced as they become available.

Qualified Persons Statements

The Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for the Nkran Extension was prepared by Joseph Mamphey, Diploma Geological Engineering, MSc Geostatistics, MRM Asanko Gold Mine, and audited by Charles J. Muller, B.Sc. Geology (Hons), PR.Sci.Nat., MGSSA, a Director of CJM Consulting Pty Ltd. ("CJM") of Johannesburg, South Africa. The MRE is reported in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 requirements and the South African Code of Reporting of Exploration Results (SAMREC), which is consistent with the CIM Estimation Best Practice Guidelines in Canada. Philip N Bentley, PR.Sci.Nat., FGSSA, MSc, MSc (Minex), Executive Geology and Resources for Asanko is a qualified person with respect to NI 43-101 and has supervised the scientific or technical information for this press release.

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 commenced gold production in January 2016 and declared commercial production on April 1, 2016. Ramp-up to steady state production of 190,000 ounces per annum was achieved in Q2 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. 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).
[JURIST] The UN Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF) [official website] warned [press release] on Thursday that the ongoing conflict in South Sudan has caused the number of malnourished children in the nation to dramatically increase. While South Sudans population suffered [UN News report] malnutrition prior to the conflicts inception in 2013, UNICEF stated that seven of South Sudans ten states have now passed the malnutrition emergency threshold, meaning that at least 15 per cent of the population is malnourished. With more than one third of the population suffering food shortages, approximately 120,000 children have been treated for malnutrition since January, and UNICEF expects to support 250,000 malnourished children this year. The ongoing conflict, however, has hindered the agencys efforts and forced food supplies to be distributed via air transport. UNICEF is trying to raise $154.5 million to help provide the population with healthcare, education and basic necessities, but the agency has only raised about $52 million thus far.

Children have been at-risk groups in various conflicts worldwide. In June, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon denounced [JURIST report] the increasing number of children recruited and killed in armed conflicts in Afghanistan, Yemen, Iran and South Sudan. In March, the Myanmar government released [JURIST report] 46 underage and child recruits from the military as part of a UN joint action plan made in 2012. In February, the UNs Leila Zerrougui reported [JURIST report] that children worldwide continued to face human rights violations in 2015, particularly in Middle Eastern and African countries. Also in February, Human Rights Watch declared [JURIST report] that hostiles in eastern Ukraine had damaged or destroyed hundreds of schools, many of which were being used for military purposes. Furthermore, UN human rights experts in Nigeria urged [JURIST report] the government to guarantee the safety of areas liberated from Boko Haram. Also earlier that month, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Raad Al Hussein, expressed [JURIST report] utmost alarm at the worsening situation in Syria and said that parties were constantly sinking to new depths attacking women, children, the sick and the elderly.
NEWSLETTER

Sign up

Tick the boxes of the newsletters you would like to receive.

Just Drinks Daily News

The top stories of the day delivered to you every weekday.

Just Drinks Weekly News

A weekly roundup of the latest news and analysis, sent every Monday.

Just Drinks Magazine

The industry's most comprehensive news and information delivered every quarter
Simplot, the US-based agri-food group, has acquired three cooking sauce brands in Australia held under licence by UK food business Symingtons from Unilever.

The deal, struck for an undisclosed sum, for Chicken Tonight, Raguletto and Five Brothers was a strategic acquisition, Terry OBrien, MD of Simplots Australian arm, said.

It will allow us to be an even more effective competitor within the Australian pasta sauce market and provides opportunity through innovation to meet emerging consumer preferences in Australia, New Zealand and Asia, OBrien said. Simplot already owns the Leggo pasta sauce brand in Australia.

OBrien added: The purchase of Chicken Tonight will also deliver growth for the business with a new entry into the simmer sauce category of wet cooking sauces.

Symingtons took on the licence to the three brands in Australia and New Zealand from Unilever in 2013. The deal was the first major international venture by Symingtons. The sauces are currently produced at Unilever s factory in Tatura in the state of Victoria.
Photo Credit: Margaret River

When most people think of Australia, they probably think of the Great Barrier Reef, surfing and the beach. Those places are distinctly Australian vacation spots, but there are other options when it comes to picking the perfect place to get married and honeymoon. Australia offers some of the most romantic, unusual, and secluded wedding destinations in the world. There is someplace for every taste that not only provides a beautiful wedding backdrop, but also plenty of beautiful landscapes for your honeymoon, whether you seek adventure or relaxation. See below for four distinctly different Australian wedding destinations.

Photo Credit: Margaret River

Margaret River

The Margaret River Region is located in Western Australia to the south of Perth. The region is known for wine, waves, and caves. The location makes for a great variety of honeymoon activities to do and different backdrops to choose from for your wedding. The wine and food of the region is world famous, so you know you will be eating and drinking well no matter what you do or where you go in the region. Once your beautiful wedding and reception are complete, the fun begins with these options for honeymoon activities:

Taking a tour through the 3 caves and learn about the geology and ecology

Food and wine tours

Learning to surf in the calmer sections of the coast

Visiting Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park for hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing, and more

Whale watching or salt water fishing

Hiking through the Bonarup Karri Forest

Photo Credit: Tamborine Gardens

Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsunday Islands are all about love and weddings. After all, the Heart Reef itself is located right in the middle of the Whitsunday Islands. You cant argue with Mother Nature, and she obviously intended for love to be here in the 74 island chain located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. It offers a variety of breathtaking wedding backdrops of white sand beaches and beautiful blue waters to traditional chapels. When the wedding and reception are over, the newlywed couple have unlimited choices of activities to do there (including nothing but relaxing on secluded beaches!) If you are up for activities, here are just a few of many options for honeymoon adventures:

Yachting in the yacht capital of the world

Whale watching in June through September

Crocodile safari cruises in the Proserpine River Wetlands

Swimming in the natural pool at Cedar Creek Falls

Pampering at one of the many spas in the islands

Photo Credit: Tamborine Gardens

Snowy Mountains

When you think of weddings in Australia, you may start to realize that it is not all about surfing and beaches. The Snowy Mountains are located in New South Wales and the climate features 4 season changes. Australian summers in the mountains are still temperate and comfortable, with temperatures ranging up to 21 degrees Celsius (up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit). Destination weddings are available at all of the ski resorts in the Snowy Mountains. Ski lodges can host your wedding and also assist you with accommodations and tours. In addition to tours, you can also do the following:

Horseback riding or Brumby horse watching

Tour the 440 million year old limestone Yarrongobilly Caves

Trout fishing

Mountain climbing

Kayaking, boating, and river rafting

Photo Credit: Hamilton Islands

Daintree Rainforest

From the oceans to the rainforest, you can choose your favorite type of location to be married in. About a two hour drive north of Cairns in Queensland is the Daintree Rainforest. Daintree is an amazing destination for any occasion, but not many can say they were married in the oldest rainforest in the world. There are several different locations within the rainforest or in the surrounding lodges and hotels that can serve as the wedding venue. The Daintree Rainforest also has much for you to explore during your honeymoon including:

Seeing the rainforest from above the canopy on the skyrail

Learning from aboriginal people about traditions and cultural history on guided tours

Walking tours and cruises that focus on exploring the biodiversity of the rainforest

Nocturnal tours allowing you to see a different side of the rainforest at night

Boating in the Coral Sea right alongside of the Daintree

Weddings and honeymoons in Australia afford you beautiful landscapes that make your day as special and amazing as it should be for you, the couple and all of your family and guests. As you can see, there are four very distinct types of locations in Australia: secluded islands, wine country, rainforests, or mountain retreats. There is something for every type of taste. Since Australia is so diverse, having your own rental car will ensure you can visit more than one type of climate during your honeymoon.
Photos Credit: Emerald Guitars

With his sophisticated guitars now being played by such world-famous artists as Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams and Sinead OConnor, Irish luthier Alistair Hay is enjoying ever-greater success.

Having taken on very unusual projects over the last 15 yearsincluding building luxury 26-string double neck guitarsno design challenge seems impossible for the amiable founder and owner of Donegal-based Emerald Guitars, which specializes in carbon fiber instruments.

He first broke into this highly competitive sector when he produced an intricately-designed guitar for American rock musician Steve Vai. The design, based on his The Ultrazone album cover which showed a half-alien, half-human cradling a highly-decorative one, was presented personally to the star in Los Angeles after 1,000 hours of dedicated work.

Since then, he has produced a dragon-shaped electric guitar, now simply known as Bahamut, for one of Asia's biggest pop idols, Wang Leehom. Traveling to Malaysia to see the artist perform in Kuala Lumpur, Alistair was left delighted. It was my first time experiencing what Leehoms live shows were like, and it was amazing. There were close to 50,000 people chanting Bahamut, calling for the guitar I had made back home in my workshop in rural Ireland. It was a wonderful feeling.

It was more than obvious that Leehom was pleased, too. I had never seen a guitar like this. In Ireland, there is a master; every guitar he makes is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece made by his own hands, he said. His name? Alistair Hay.

Recently, Alistair completed a guitar for Brendan Lewis, a Chicago client, with an intricate design based on Taoist philosophy regarding water. He traveled to the Tibetan region of China accompanied by cameraman, Alan McLaughlin, to have it custom-decorated with Eastern art by Canadian artist Kristel Tenzin Dolma Ouwehand, whom he had met previously in Donegal. Ouwehand was teaching at the Amdo Art Project, in the monastery town of Labrang. We chose a Shan Shui-style with a flowing river as the central theme, based on a 300-year-old mural inside the monastery itself, he said.

It has been a long learning curve for Alistair over many years. He began designing childrens toys, including slides and go-karts with his father, Bobby, then later speedboats in the US, and finally guitars. My father was a natural, skilled handyman who started his own engineering company, he recalls. He encouraged me ever since I was child to experiment with different materials.

Alistairs big break arrived while studying polymer engineering at the Institute of Technology in Athlone, through which he got the chance as a to go to St Louis, Missouri, to learn the American way.

It was a remarkable period for me, he recalls about the experience he gained working with Bill Seebold Jr., a legendary US Formula One boat racing world champion. He took me under his wing, bringing me to lunch many days, teaching me, inspiring me to achieve something with my life. One day he told me, Anybody can be a world champion, if they find what they can be a world champion in. That made me think about what I could be best in the world at.
Getting Ready for Your First Grad Student Semester

Organized by the Graduate School

All offerings of this session have concluded, but you may request access to a recording from the link below.

Session Topics

New Student Set-Up and Preparing for Grad Life

Guidance on getting started tasks to address this summer as you prepare for your first semester as a K-State graduate student.

Preparing for Your Assistantship

Preparation for your role in an assistantship position (graduate assistant, graduate teaching assistant, or graduate research assistant).
Protesters holding up pocket constitutions are now a signal for enraged Trumpanzee fans to start booing and frothing at the mouth. It had to come to that eventually. Several sitting Republican congressmen have publicly told their constituents they will not vote for Trump. Richard Hanna (R-NY) has said he'll vote for Hillary. Scott Rigell (R-VA) endorsed Libertarian Gary Johnson on Friday evening. "Ive always said I will not vote for Donald Trump and I will not vote for Hillary Clinton," Rigell told an interviewer, "Im going to vote for the Libertarian candidate... When [other Republican officials say] own conscience is seared by some statement that Trump has made, I have encouraged them to be direct and also, in a timely manner, repudiate what he said. People will respect it if you have a reason and you put it out there."





NY Times yesterday that "for Republicans in close races, top strategists say, the issue is no longer in doubt. One House Republican [Colorado's Mike Coffman] has already started airing an ad vowing to stand up to Mr. Trump if he is elected president, and others are expected to press similar themes in the weeks ahead." Paul Ryan has already done this but they reported that "in the world of Republican 'super PACs,' strategists are going even farther: discussing advertisements that would treat Mr. Trumps defeat as a given and urge voters to send Republicans to Congress as a check on a Hillary Clinton White House. The discussions were described by officials familiar with the deliberations, several of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity about confidential planning. For now, some of the partys most vulnerable incumbents are simply hoping to avoid what they see as the taint of association with their standard-bearer." Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns reported in theyesterday that "for Republicans in close races, top strategists say, the issue is no longer in doubt. One House Republican [Colorado's Mike Coffman] has already started airing an ad vowing to stand up to Mr. Trump if he is elected president, and others are expected to press similar themes in the weeks ahead." Paul Ryan has already done this but they reported that "in the world of Republican 'super PACs,' strategists are going even farther: discussing advertisements that would treat Mr. Trumps defeat as a given and urge voters to send Republicans to Congress as a check on a Hillary Clinton White House. The discussions were described by officials familiar with the deliberations, several of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity about confidential planning. For now, some of the partys most vulnerable incumbents are simply hoping to avoid what they see as the taint of association with their standard-bearer."

Plans for ads that distance congressional candidates from the top of the ticket have accelerated. You will see them by early to mid-September now, even before the first debate on Sept. 26, predicted Scott Reed, the senior political strategist for the United States Chamber of Commerce.



...What stops Republicans from disavowing Mr. Trump en masse is that they fear alienating his voters, who may be crucial to the partys efforts to retain its congressional majorities. In an era in which fewer voters split their tickets, it is important to Republican leaders that Mr. Trump at least run competitively with Mrs. Clinton to avert a down-ballot wipeout.



Do we run the risk of depressing our base by repudiating the guy, or do we run the risk of being tarred and feathered by independents for not repudiating him? asked Glen Bolger, a Republican pollster working on many of this years races. Were damned if we do and damned if we dont.



...Jay Bergman, an Illinois oil executive and major Republican donor, said Mr. Trumps clash with the parents of a slain soldier had been a sharp reality check. Mr. Bergman said he had previously viewed Mr. Trump as a loose cannon like a fox-- calculating his inflammatory comments to drive his message. That view was harder to sustain after Mr. Trumps latest eruption, he said.

Worse yet, focus groups show that that particular eruption against the Khan family has so unalterably turned off persuadable voters that they will no longer hear any of his messaging. They're done with him. Republicans talk about Hillary's big gains in recent polling changing. That's not far-fetched-- but it is probably as likely that the changes will increase her lead over the Trumpanzee than even it out.





The widespread and instant fact-checking on his latest ad-- fact checking that found it completely untrue and purposely deceptive -- isn't going to matter to delusional Trumpists but delusional Trumpists aren't even going to swing the election for Mr. Trumpanzee in deep red states like Georgia, Utah and Arizona. But normal voters see Trump in action with his staff willing to alter a tape to twist the facts changing "we aren't going to raise taxes on the middle class," to "we are going to raise taxes on the middle class." PolitiFact, which hired forensic phonetics specialists to study the tape for tampering, rated it a "Pants On Fire" lie. Trump has more Pants on Fire ratings than any other American politician in history.









Salon tonight about Worth reading Andrew O'Hehir's essay attonight about Mr. Trumpanzee's suicide mission , a suicide mission he wants to bring the rest of us along on. "Trump,' hr wrote, "is on a suicide mission, acting out a deep-seated national desire for self-destruction that runs alongside Americas more optimistic self-image and interacts with it in unpredictable ways."
CORTLAND -- A retired University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor and former head of the High Plains Regional Climate Center has been arrested on a felony warrant from California on suspicion of sexual assault of a child.

Kenneth G. Hubbard, 67, was arrested Tuesday at his home in Cortland, Nebraska, a community south of Lincoln, in Gage County. He was arrested by deputies from the Gage County Sheriffs Office and taken to the county jail. He could not be reached for comment.

On Thursday, Hubbard appeared in Gage County Court and waived extradition. He isnt facing charges in Nebraska  he has been charged with three counts in California.

County Attorney Roger Harris said Hubbard is accused of committing three counts of lewd acts upon a child in the town of Martinez, California.

Hubbards UNL biography says he came to the school in 1981 as a professor of applied climate science in the School of Natural Resources.

Were aware of the arrest and are evaluating the appropriate steps, said Steve Smith, a UNL spokesman. He retired June 30, 2015, and has not been teaching at the university.

According to the UNL biography, Hubbard was granted emeritus status upon retiring and retained an office in Hardin Hall.

In 2008, Christy Carlson, a climatologist at UNL sued the High Plains Climate Center and the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, alleging that Hubbard treated her differently from her male co-workers and that he retaliated against her after she questioned how funds were being distributed.

A federal jury agreed on the retaliation charge, but not the discrimination complaint, awarding Carlson $280,000.

U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf threw out the verdict, finding the award excessive and not based on the evidence. Subsequently, the university settled with Carlson for $25,000.
LINCOLN  Nebraska lawmakers have limited options when it comes to dealing with misbehavior by one of their own.

Impeachment may be an option. Expulsion is another. A third would be a letter of censure.

Impeachment: State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha argues for impeachment as the best way to respond to Papillion Sen. Bill Kintners use of a state computer for cybersex.

He already is drafting a resolution of impeachment and has said that he would introduce the resolution in January if Kintner has not resigned by then.

Similar to an indictment, an impeachment resolution spells out the reasons for impeachment. The resolution requires 25 votes to pass, after which the matter would go before the Nebraska Supreme Court for a trial.

If the court finds an official guilty of an impeachable offense, that person is removed from office and barred from holding any other office in the state.

Expulsion: Speaker of the Legislature Galen Hadley of Kearney said he favors expulsion, because he is getting conflicting legal advice about whether lawmakers can impeach colleagues.

The Nebraska Constitution requires 33 votes to expel a state senator. The expulsion would not prohibit the expelled member from running for public office again, including the office that he or she was expelled from.

Censure: A third possibility would be a letter of censure, which would allow Kintner to stay in office.

Although legislative rules permit Nebraska lawmakers to censure a colleague, it appears that has happened only once: In 1955, Sen. Sam Klaver of Omaha was condemned on a 37-2 vote for seeking compensation to defeat a bill.
Taxpayers Lives Matter, a rapidly growing group of concerned taxpayers, is questioning the Central Platte NRDs claim that it is lowering its tax asking for the next fiscal year.

When reading the news release, it says it is increasing its spending from $20 million to $23 million. Since all of its revenue comes from taxpayers in one form or another, a 15 percent increase is not a decrease.

Since the NRDs tax asking from property owners this year is $6 million, Taxpayers Lives Matter is calling on the Central Platte NRDs board of directors to amend its budget. Instead of a $9,000 decrease in its property tax asking, the group is requesting a $600,000 decrease.

This will mean a 10 percent decrease in the taxes paid by property taxpayers.

The news release by the NRD is an excellent example of what Taxpayers Lives Matter refers to as the Nebraska Tax Two Step. The Nebraska Tax Two Step is the way officials from all taxing entities can dance around the truth while explaining the how and the why of their budgets. It is the way tax spenders can call a 15 percent increase in spending from one year to the next a decrease, and do it with a straight face.

Over the last 10 years, the Central Platte NRD has increased its tax asking from property owners in Dawson County from $484,301 in 2006 to $1,202,932 in 2015. Taxpayers Lives Matter contacted the NRDs General Manager, Lyndon Vogt, and he did confirm that the board of directors has voted to increase its planned spending by $3 million for the next year.

He reiterated that while it is increasing its spending, it is planning to lower its tax asking from property owners by $9,000. He also wanted us to know that more of its revenue raised through property tax comes from municipalities as opposed to ag land.

Taxpayers Lives Matter is a group of concerned taxpayers who are calling on all taxing entities to reduce their budget requests, funded by property taxes, by 10 percent for the next fiscal year. They do not want to hear the Nebraska Tax Two Step about valuations and levies. They simply want the taxes they pay to go down 10 percent next year, and they really dont care what has to be cut to make this happen.

Taxpayers Lives Matter contends the way Nebraska landowners have been abused by the tax spenders over the last 10 years is a disgrace.

Alan Rickertsen, Cozad
Both presidential candidates have received high negative approval ratings the old-fashioned way: They earned them.

Though the Republican and Democratic nominees each have millions of supporters, at least 20 percent of voters remain undecided and must now choose the lesser of two evils. To help make that determination, lets grade the nominees using what I call the 10 Commandments of Presidential Leadership:

1. Who is better suited to serve as conscience-in-chief, like George Washington, who epitomized integrity? Alas, this years candidates bring up the rear.

2. Who is more likely to build consensus, as Thomas Jefferson did in bringing the country together after the Sedition Act? Though Trump prides himself as a deal maker, he appears to have no interest in building any type of political consensus. Clinton is a former U.S. senator, suggesting that at least she recognizes the need to engage with those across the aisle.

3. Who is likely to follow James Madisons example and partner with the best and brightest advisers? Trump and Clinton can probably choose a solid advisory team, so the question becomes: Who is more likely to listen to advisers? Trump has presented himself as someone who thinks he doesnt need advisers, while Clinton appears open to considering input.

4. Who has shown more capacity to triumph over setbacks, as Franklin D. Roosevelt did in defying polio? Trump has shown a measure of resilience by bouncing back from occasional downturns in business, while Clinton has never let controversies, her troubled marriage or past political failures lessen her drive.

5. Who is more likely to play hardball skillfully when necessary, like President Eisenhower quelling instantly the 1956 Suez Crisis? Trump talks like he intends to play geopolitical hardball, though given his lack of experience in international affairs, its unclear whether he will know how to play it well. Although Clinton has significant experience, her lack of diplomatic achievement as Secretary of State should give voters little confidence.

6. Who is more likely to remain calm and make good decisions in a crisis, like John F. Kennedy in the Cuban Missile Crisis? Trump has weathered storms and made many good business decisions, though whether that translates into politics is unknown  particularly given his tempestuous political personality and refusal to provide any plans for the execution of his objectives. Clintons record in crisis decision-making during her time as senator and secretary of state is, at best, undistinguished.

7. Who has a better sense of good timing when pursuing initiatives, as Lyndon Johnson did with Civil Rights legislation? Trump has a good record of making real estate deals that is usually tied to good timing  though hes also had several business failures. Clintons lack of success as a senator and secretary of state proves this trait isnt in her toolkit.

8. Who is the better communicator and can follow through, as President Ronald Reagan did with his speeches and action on ending the Cold War? Trumps political rise demonstrates he can communicate better than his Republican competitors, though he has major problems after changing positions on key issues. Clinton has always been an uninspiring communicator.

9. Who is more likely to put the nations interests above personal interests, as George H.W. Bush did when he hiked taxes to cut the federal deficit? Trumps refusal to release his tax returns and his public statements raise questions about how his business dealings with Russia would affect his presidency. Using her personal email server to process confidential information and her record of bestowing business and diplomatic favors on donors are clear examples of Clinton favoring herself.

10. Who is more likely to fully grasp public sentiment and devise a successful strategy for molding it, as Abraham Lincoln did in guiding the nation to end slavery? Trump grasps the sentiments of his share of the electorate, and Clinton does the same with hers.

With this difficult choice, discernment by the undecided may arise only after they pursue an unlikely but wise course of action before casting their ballots in November: engaging in earnest prayer.

Talmage Boston is a Dallas lawyer and historian. He wrote this for the Dallas Morning News. Readers may email him at TBoston@winstead.com.
In this grab taken from video provided by Tiergarten Schoenbrunn on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, Yang Yang the panda cradles her new cub. Vienna Zoo is celebrating the birth of a rare giant panda. The baby bear was born Sunday to mother Yang Yang and father Long Hui. It's their fourth cub, after Fu Long, Fu Hu and Fu Bao. (Tiergarten Schoenbrunnn via AP)
A long time to wait: 'Sex and the City' quietly returns to Vietnam

Vietnam Television has put it back on air as abruptly as they pulled the plug on it.

Sex and the City - the American series documenting a group of New York womens sex lives - returned to VTV2 unannounced at 10:45 p.m. on August 1.

In October 2014, Sex and the City was aired for the first time on VTV2, the educational channel of state-run Vietnam Television.

The decision to air the series created mixed reaction from the audience in a country that is still dominated by Confucian social mores.

The proponents argued that it was time to change public views on sex education in Vietnam, while the opponents based their reasoning on the difference in culture and attitude between East and West. Some even went the extra mile, advising against the screening of adult content amid soaring abortion rates among adolescents.

On the other hand, many expressed disappointment over the over-censoring and cutting of sensitive scenes.

Following complaints, in December 2014 VTV2 decided to pull the plug on the series just after six episodes.

VTV has stopped airing 'Sex and the City' due to various reasons. Once the series is back, VTV will make an announcement, Nguyen Ha Nam, a senior managing editor of VTV, said back then.

So far VTV has failed to give any explanation for putting the Emmy-winning show back on the air.

"Sex and the City" is a rom-com television series produced by HBO. The series was aired in the U.S. from 1998 to 2004, spanning 94 episodes. It was listed by Time magazine in the 100 best series of all time.

Related news:

> Vietnamese television halts Chinese movie starring actor who protests intn'l court ruling

> Could reality shows corrupt celebrity children? Thoughts from a Vietnamese singer
49 Shares Share

It is a master of stealth, stretching less than half an inch long and weighing in at 2.5 milligrams with as estimated air speed of 1 to 1.5 miles per hour. It is virtually soundless in flight, registering zero decibels from ten feet. Its tracking systems hone in on targets by detecting infrared radiation from warm bodies, chemicals such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid, body odors from as far as a hundred feet, as well as movement from fidgety hosts. It can carry an impressive array of payload: up to 32 different types of viruses, many of which are lethal to humans. And it protects itself from the same viruses with a well-developed immune system that provides a highly effective antiviral defense mechanism. The Aedes mosquito, insect vector for dozens of viruses including the Zika virus, is a near-perfect drone.

If you think about the number of human casualties caused by disease-bearing insects throughout the ages, its not hard to see why their potential use as a weapon was not lost to military strategists. In 1942, an entomological institute was created at the Dachau concentration camp under the orders of Nazi Schutzstaffel (SS) head Heinrich Himmler. An article by Klaus Reinhardt pointed to Nazi research protocols involving malaria-bearing mosquitos being tested for air-dropping.

The horrific Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army dropped bombs loaded with plague-infested fleas on Chinese cities, killing hundreds of thousands of civilians. At the tail end of the Second World War, Japan planned to send kamikaze pilots to attack San Diego and cause an outbreak of plague. The operation, dubbed Cherry Blossoms at Night was never carried out. Japanese generals also considered sending balloons armed with plague or anthrax to the U.S. mainland.

In the 14th century, the Mongol army did not lob plague-ridden fleas into the Crimean City of Caffa, instead they catapulted scores of rotting corpses infested with Yersinia pestis. Italian Gabriele de Mussis memoir described the siege: what seemed like mountains of dead were thrown into the city, with the hope that the intolerable stench would kill everyone inside. As repulsive as the stench must have been, it was the subsequent bubonic plague, sweeping through Europe, North Africa, and the Near East, that decimated up to a third of the population.

An unclassified document from the United States Army Chemical Corps in 1960 described aspects of its chemical and biological warfare efforts. It revealed that In 1953, the Biological Warfare Laboratories in Fort Detrick established a program to study the use of arthropods for spreading anti-personnel BW agents. The report cited the advantages of using insects: They inject pathogens directly into the body so wearing masks would not be protective, and they will remain alive for some time, keeping an area constantly dangerous. Such an attack would have been difficult to detect, and even if discovered, the disease would have already broken out.

The program studied the use of Aedes aegypti and yellow fever virus. During this Cold War era, the obvious target was the U.S.S.R.; as the report noted, Yellow Fever has never occurred in some areas, including Asia, and therefore it is quite probable that the population of the U.S.S.R would be quite susceptible to the disease.

Between April and November 1956, the Corps released uninfected female mosquitos in a residential area in Savannah, Georgia. The report indicated that this was carried out with the cooperation of the neighborhood residents who helped estimate how many mosquitos entered their homes and bit people. In the same period, a similar test was performed at the Avon Park Bombing Range in Florida. They learned that within a day, mosquitos had traveled one to two miles and had bitten many people.

A 1958 test in the same area confirmed that mosquitoes could be spread over areas of several miles by means of devices dropped from planes or set up on the ground. And while these tests were made with uninfected mosquitoes, it is a fairly safe assumption that infected mosquitoes could be spread equally well. According to the report, testing of the Yellow Fever Virus itself remained confined to the lab and utilized monkeys and mice. The Corps proposed the construction of a large-scale facility to produce the Aedes-Yellow Fever Virus combo that could be disseminated with bombs.

Interestingly, the actual introduction and establishment of the Aedes mosquito into the U.S. mainland occurred after World War II. The hardy insect managed to sneak in inadvertently through used tires imported from Asia. Inspections of 11 shipments containing tires arriving at the Port of Los Angeles between 1945 and 1946 revealed immature mosquitoes in water in 4 of the shipments. Three of these included living larvae and adults from mosquito species that were not indigenous to the U.S.

A 1972 article by Richard Eads of the CDC reported that used tires were especially high risk cargo for the dissemination of the mosquito. Eads noted that tires containing water provide ideal sites for egg-laying and that even when the tires arrived dry in the U.S., the mosquito eggs remained viable for months. In the 1960s, large amounts of military shipments called retrograde cargo were entering the U.S. from Vietnam. While the cargo shipped in U.S. government-owned vessels were required to be treated with larvicides, such regulation did not extend to the civilian contractors shipping surplus materials via commercial vessels.

Evidence that the mosquito had established itself in the U.S. mainland was finally confirmed in the summer of 1985. Aedes albopictus (Skuse), the supposedly less fearsome Aedes species as compared with Aedes aegypti, was found breeding in several tire dumps in Harris County, Texas. Currently, the CDCs map reveals a wide distribution of both species across the southern U.S. and extending as far north as Vermont, New Hampshire, and southern Minnesota for Aedes albopictus.

The establishment and spread of Aedes albopictus, the Asian Tiger mosquito, has worrisome implications. While its contribution to the spread of epidemics has not been as significant compared with Aedes aegypti, in instances when its more notorious cousin is absent, the Asian Tiger mosquito may assume the primary vector role for transmission. Moreover, its ability to survive in more temperate climates effectively extends its range. The recent introduction and spread of the Zika virus has not only understandably caused considerable concern, but has also reinforced the risk of both Aedes species potential to transmit multiple diseases.

Rod Tanchanco is an internal medicine physician and a writer. He blogs at rodtmd and can be reached on Twitter @rodtmd.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
The neighbors face up to 20 years in jail if faulty construction work was the cause.

Police in Hanoi have decided to launch a criminal investigation into a house collapse that killed two people and left four others injured last week.

A three-storey building in the city's Old Quarter gave way early last Thursday after work on the adjacent property is believed to have made the ground unstable.

The initial investigation has found that the collapse was caused by faulty construction work on the adjoining house.

According to police, torrential rain from Typhoon Mirinae that hit Hanoi just a few days before may have also contributed to the tragedy.

Neighbors also said the collapsed house had signs of structural flaws, probably caused by the stress of time.

The owner of the adjoining house to the one that crumbled is Nguyen Thi Van, 82. Her son Truong Quoc Hung, 43, said the house was built 36 years ago and has been derelict for many years.

Van and her son had hired contractors to knock down the old house and build a new one having received approval from local authorities.

Ba Dinh Districts housing officials said the approval was granted on the provision that the owners must assess the condition of adjacent properties and would be held responsible for any damage incurred.

Neighbors said they were shaken awake at 3.30 a.m. by a rumbling sound while pilings were being driven deep into the ground to set the foundations for the next-door house.

Prosecutors said the owners of the house next door might face charges for criminally negligent homicide. The offense can carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, according to lawyers.

Following the incident, Hanois mayor Nguyen Duc Chung asked agencies to examine the structure of old houses nearby following suspicions that the foundations of the house at 43 Cua Bac were undermined by the work next door.

According to official figures, Hanoi is home to nearly 1,600 villas and properties from the French colonial era, aged from 60 to 100 years old.

Vietnam lists these colonial villas in Hanoi as heritage buildings that are subject to protection, meaning the architecture cannot be repaired or altered in any form.

The flip side of this regulation, according to experts, is that it has hampered the overhaul process and discouraged homeowners from making any renovations.

Last September, a 110-year-old villa also collapsed in downtown Hanoi, leaving two dead and six injured. In the wake of the collapse, Hanoi officials launched large-scale inspections of the city's colonial buildings.

Related news:

> 2 dead after 3-storey colonial house collapses in Hanoi
SHARE TOM DOMS Violinist Ray Chen is among the performers for Week 1 of the Olympic Music Festival, newly relocated to the Joseph F. Wheeler Theater at Fort Worden State Park.

By Kitsap A&E Staff

PORT TOWNSEND  The Olympic Music Festival opens its 33rd season Aug. 13 and 14 not in the Barn, but in the 275-seat Joseph F. Wheeler Theater at Fort Worden State Park, in partnership with Centrum.

The festival, which conducted its first 32 renewals on founder Alan Iglitzin's repurposed dairy farm north of Quilcene, begins a five-week residency at the Wheeler with the first of two weekends celebrating the Iglitzin Chamber Music Fellowship. The Philadelphia String Quartet violist, who grew the festival out of retreats he hosted for his Philadelphia String Quartet, provides critical performance experience to outstanding young musicians on the verge of a professional career. The Iglitzin Fellows gain invaluable experience by rehearsing with experienced festival artists who mentor them through the challenges of a grueling schedule that professionals face regularly. This is the second season of this program.

"The four Iglitzin fellows were selected after a highly competitive audition process and they are truly the future of classical music," said Julio Elizalde, who took over Iglitzin's role as the festival's artistic director in 2014. "We have been so impressed with the dedication and passion that these young artists have consistently demonstrated. This was such an outstanding success last season and I'm certain that we'll be experiencing some deeply meaningful music making over the next two weeks."

Guest artists for the Aug. 13 and 14 programs include world-renowned violin virtuoso Ray Chen; newly appointed Cleveland Orchestra Assistant Concertmaster Jessica Lee; San Francisco Symphony principal violist Jonathan Vinocour; returning cellist Matthew Zalkind; and Elizalde on piano.

The four Iglitzin Chamber Music Fellows include violinist Hannah Tarley, violist Meredith Kufchak, cellist Yi Qun Xu, and pianist Rieko Tsuchida. Kufchak studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Tarley, Xu, and Tsuchida are graduate students at the Juilliard School in New York City.

Both weekend programs are 2 p.m. matinees. The Aug. 13 program, titled "The Romantic Generation," will include works by Dvorak (selections from Cypresses for String Quartet), Brahms (Piano Quartet No. 3 in minor Op. 60) and Schumann (Piano Quartet in E-flat major Op. 47). The Aug. 14 "Creative Genius" program features Bach (Keyboard Concerto in E major BWV 1053), Stravinsky (Divertimento from "The Fairy's Kiss" for Violin and Piano) and Mendelssohn (String Quartet No. 2 in B-flat major Op. 87).

During its 32 years of "Concerts in the Barn," thousands of people annually attended performances, seated either in the dairy barn converted into a concert hall or outside on a grassy berm. As it gained status as one of the world's top such gatherings, it attracted world-class performers and drew attendees from as far away as Asia and Europe. For many years, festival performances have been rebroadcast by Classical KING-FM.

From 2011 to 2014, Iglitzin transitioned the leadership of the festival to Elizalde. The next year, Iglitzin retired as executive director and requested that the 55-acre festival grounds be reverted into a private property that he and his family could enjoy throughout the year.

The 2016 festival continues Aug. 20 and 21 with a second weekend of Iglitzin Fellows, and runs through Sept. 10-11, with a recital by jazz pianist Fred Hersch.

Information: 360-385-9699, olympicmusicfestival.org
The Bainbridge park district is trying a high-tech solution to the age-old problem of finding injured hikers: rescue locators across its growing network of interconnected trails.

For those who suspect they have fallen victim to a group of South Kitsap burglars who were caught in the act early Monday, the Kitsap County Sheriffs Office released information on getting property returned.

Bremertons use of blue in parking enforcement signs downtown violates state law, a judge rules.

Kitsap A&E blog Garrison Keillor sets an Admiral Theatre date Tickets are on sale at the Admiral Theatre for an April 15 appearance by writer-humorist-storyteller Garrison Keillor, of A Prairie Home Companion fame.

Bainbridge City Council considers boosting car tab fee The Bainbridge Island City Council is considering doubling the car tab fee to $40 from the current $20.

Vets can find needed legal aid The Northwest Justice Project's Veterans Project provides civil legal services for those who cannot afford to hire a private attorney.

Jury convicts man in fatal shooting at Seattle university The King County jury found Aaron Ybarra guilty of first-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder and one account assault for the attack at Seattle Pacific University.
North Kitsap Fire and Rescue firefighters work to squelch remaining embers after a fast-moving fire gutted a family's Jefferson Beach home on Sunday. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

SHARE

By Kitsap Sun Staff

KINGSTON  A Sunday afternoon fire destroyed a Virginina Avenue home and a vehicle stored in the garage, but residents and their pets made it out safely.

Crews were dispatched just after 1 p.m. after several calls to 911 reporting smoke and flames coming from the two-story house in Jefferson Beach Estates, according to a press release from North Kitsap Fire and Rescue. Those first on scene found half the home consumed by flames.

The occupants of the house, a couple, reported that they were in their bedroom when they heard smoke alarms go off. They opened the bedroom door and were met with heavy smoke coming up the stairs. A neighbor working on his roof called 911 after spotting flames and smoke, and his son headed to the home to help those inside. Heat and smoke prevented him from entering.

The couple and their dogs escaped. The home's two other occupants were not home at the time of the blaze.

The damage to the structure was so great that when crews arrived, they could not enter the home, according to NKFR. They worked into Sunday evening to put out hot spots. The road was blocked in both directions for several hours.

An investigator with the Kitsap County Fire Marshal's Office has not yet determined the cause of the blaze.

In addition to NKFR, crews responded from the Poulsbo and Puget Sound Federal fire departments.
Stuff reports:

There is more bad blood over the Wellington mayoralty after a Labour MP was told to pull out of a speaking engagement alongside mayoral candidate Nick Leggett. Napier MP Stuart Nash had been billed as a guest speaker along with Leggett and blogger Phil Quin, who was seen as a flag bearer for the right wing of the Labour party till he resigned from the party in protest at its campaign targeting house buyers with Asian-sounding names. But guests at the event were told that Nash was no longer speaking after Labour leader Andrew Little intervened because Leggett was a former party member running against Labours hand picked candidate, Justin Lester. The event was to mark the opening of a new Auckland pub and billed as a talkfest about the US election.

This is incredibly petty.

If it was a an event in Wellington where Leggett is standing, I could understand.

But it was a talk in Auckland on the US election.

Leggett, currently Porirua mayor, is standing as an independent after resigning his Labour Party membership because of party rules that he could not run against a Labour endorsed candidate. Little confirmed he spoke to Nash after seeing a flyer advertising the triple billing and told him it wasnt a good look to share a stage with Leggett and Quin. Nick has decided to stand for the mayoralty against a Labour endorsed candidate and Phil Quin on social media is quite vitriolic about Labour and a lot of Labour MPs. I spoke to Stu and said look how do you think it would look if youre on the platform with people who are acting against what many other Labour Party members and activist supporters are doing in other parts of the country? Its not going to look flash. Little said Nash had agreed and was happy to pull out after their talk. Nash did not return messages. But Leggett said he considered Littles intervention a bit sad. It confirms the problem with Labour, and a kind of heretic hunting culture thats crept into the party. Anybody with a different view or position is excluded or pushed out. As a Labour MP Stuart Nash would be going to forums in Napier and around the country where there are National party politicians, where there are people who have different views from him and the party and thats the nature of politics thats what we do. To single this one out just makes me sad really.

It is sad.

Myself and a former President of Young Labour once set up a group in Wellington to discuss US politics and have guest speakers  The American Politics Appreciation Society. Would Little ban that?

What about Labour MPs taking part in celebrity debates with National MPs? Also to be banned?

Share this: Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Reddit

WhatsApp

More

Pinterest

Print



Tumblr


The Herald reports:

Dame Lowell Goddard, the New Zealand judge who resigned on Thursday as chair of the 100 million (N$183.5m) Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), did not leave her post voluntarily but was effectively fired, The Mail on Sunday has learned.

Dame Lowell, appointed by then-Home Secretary Theresa May just over a year ago, had already lost the confidence of senior staff and members of the inquiry panel, according to two well-placed legal sources.

After she gave a stumbling performance at a preliminary hearing on the case of former Labour politician Greville Janner, when she appeared not to understand her own legal powers, this was picked up by Mrs Mays successor as Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, and her advisers.

The final straw was the disclosure  prompted in part by questions from this newspaper  that in her first year in the job, she spent 30 days on leave and 44 days supposedly working in Australia, although in all that time she held only two meetings with members of a child abuse inquiry underway there.

A Home Office spokeswoman last night insisted it was her decision to offer her resignation. But asked whether this had been suggested to Dame Lowell by officials because her position was becoming untenable, she refused to comment.
The Kori nuclear power plant in Busan, southeast of Seoul. Photo by Reuters

Vietnam has satisfied strict requirements to seal a contract with a South Korean conglomerate.

Vietnam is to begin manufacturing and exporting equipment for nuclear power plants following a contract signed with South Korean industrial group Doosan.

The contract involves fabricating and supplying four storage tanks for reactors at the 1,400 megawatt Shin-Kori nuclear project in Busan. The fabrication will take place at Doosan Vinas facility in the central Vietnamese province of Quang Ngai.

Yeon In Jung, general director of Doosan Vina, said in a statement that this agreement marks a historical moment because it will be the first time nuclear power equipment will be made in Vietnam with Vietnamese technicians involved in the production.

He said to get license to produce the equipment, the company had to satisfy strict requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), which specializes in examining and certificating companies who want to produce nuclear power equipment.

Doosan Vina, with nearly 2,500 employees. is located in a hi-tech industrial complex in the Dung Quat Economic Zone in Quang Ngai. The company was founded in 2007 based on Doosan Heavy Industries Group's globalization strategy with total investment of US$300 million.

The company supplies mega infrastructure products for thermal power plants, desalination plants, cranes and chemical processing equipment.

Vietnam is currently working towards its first nuclear power plant in the central province of Ninh Thuan, which is likely to begin commercial operations in 2027 or 2028, about six years behind schedule.

The delay is mainly due to the Vietnamese erring on the side of caution with regard to seismic and geological risks following the Fukushima disaster in Japan in 2011.

Related news:

> Vietnams Russian-funded nuclear power plant faces six-year delay

> IAEA helps Vietnam detect nuclear terrorism risks
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
August 8, 2016 | 04:08 am PT

The scene of the accident where a Vietnamese cop allegedly slammed his car into two motorbikes on Sunday, killing one. File photo

One man died after the officer allegedly slammed his car into two motorbikes.

Police in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang said Monday they have pressed criminal charges against a local officer after he allegedly ran over a man and killed him while under the influence of alcohol.

But the police did not say if they have arrested the officer. The provincial prosecutors' office is considering ratifying the charges.

Initial investigations found that Nguyen Son Thanh from their Mobile Police Divisionwas intoxicated when he drove a car carrying three passengers across the central reservation and slammed into two stationary motorbikes on Sunday.

(In Vietnam, the mobile police division is a permanent taskforce that can be assigned to work independently or cooperate with other divisions against a wide range of crimes, from causing public disturbances to terrorism.)

A man riding one of the two motorbikes, identified as Bui Minh Phung, 32, from Tien Giang's Chau Thanh District, was killed. Police said Thanh had only recently obtained his driving license.

One officer said that Thanh stank of alcohol while being questioned at police headquarters after the accident.

Last September, a Hanoi court sentenced a drunk-driving policeman to four years and six months in prison after convicting him of killing a woman and injured another in a crash in December 2014.

Since 2012 many provinces across Vietnam have issued a ban on civil servants from drinking during lunch on working days.

Related news:

> Probe underway after Vietnam cop is filmed assaulting car driver

> Vietnam cop kung-fu kicks high-speed bikers
In this photo taken on Dec. 3, 2015, former Malden Mills owner Aaron Feuerstein poses at his home in Brookline, Mass. After one of the worst fires in the history of New England leveled most of Malden Mills (now Polartec) on Dec. 11, 1995, the company's chief executive officer, Feuerstein, kept nearly 3,000 workers on the payroll and paid for their health insurance. (Amanda Sabga /The Eagle Tribune via AP)

SHARE Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 8/8/16. Michael Bondi works in the dye lab while at Polartec's new Cleveland, Tennessee, textile plant on Monday, August 8, 2016. Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 8/8/16. Armando Vega checks product as it makes its way through a drying machine while at Polartec's new Cleveland, Tennessee, textile plant on Monday, August 8, 2016. Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 8/8/16. Senator Bob Corker, left, and Gary Smith, CEO of Polartec, converse after a ribbon cutting for Polartec's new Cleveland, Tennessee, textile plant on Monday, August 8, 2016.

By Chambers Williams of the Knoxville News Sentinel

A Massachusetts manufacturer that developed a special fleece fabric used in popular outdoors and military winter clothing sold by L.L. Bean, The North Face and other retailers has followed through on its promise to relocate its main production facility to Cleveland, Tenn., bringing at least 150 new jobs to the community.

On Monday, Polartec LLC, formerly known as Malden Mills, held a ribbon cutting to celebrate startup of production at the former United Knitting L.P. plant in Cleveland. Polartec bought United Knitting in late September 2015, and said shortly thereafter that it would be moving some production and equipment there from its home base in Massachusetts.

"We're exited to be in Tennessee for the friendly business community that includes competitive energy rates and a flexible, highly skilled workforce" Polartec President Gary Smith said. "Polartec has been warmly welcomed by the community, as well as the federal, state, and local officials. Despite a tight labor market in the area, we have already doubled employment in the plant, and plan to reach over 200 employees in the near future.

"I can't say enough good things about the 'can do' attitude of the employees here, and the efforts of elected officials to create jobs," Smith added.

The company said in December that it would close its original factory in Lawrence, and move all of its production to Cleveland and another plant in New Hampshire.

Company officials said Monday, however, that they are still negotiating with the union representing the Massachusetts workers on possibly retaining some of the work at that facility if the workers would agree to some changes in their contract.

Polartec's December announcement that the Lawrence mill  which had famously been rebuilt while all its workers continued to be paid after a 1995 fire  would be closed took the community by shock, according to various media and union reports.

Former Chief Executive Officer Aaron Feuerstein kept the nearly 3,000 workers on the payroll and paid for their health insurance during the rebuilding after the fire destroyed the plant.

For Cleveland, though, Polartec's purchase of United Knitting came at a good time for the Cleveland plant, as its workforce had been dwindling over the past eight years, and had dropped to about 50 after the latest layoffs in 2012. It had as many as 125 workers as late as 2007.

The plant had been producing stretch fabric under contract for Polartec for the past decade or so, according to industry reports, so its purchase by the Massachusetts company was seen as a strategic move.

The Cleveland plant will be operated by Polartec Tennessee Manufacturing, or PTM, officials said Monday prior to the ribbon cutting, which was attended by U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and other federal, state and local officials.

Polartec said it planned to have total employment at the Cleveland facility ramped up with 200 workers by year's end.

Polartec was acquired out of bankruptcy in 2007 by the private equity firm Versa Capital Management of Philadelphia, Pa., which also owns such companies as Wet Seal, Bell and Howell, Sport Chalet, Black Angus, Avenue, Heartland Publications, Civitas Media and others.

In a statement released by Polartec in December, the company acknowledged "its intent to consolidate its U.S. manufacturing in Hudson, N.H., and Cleveland, Tenn."

"As part of that consolidation, the company anticipates winding down operations in Lawrence over the next few years," the company said, giving no specific timetable.

The change of production sites was "the result of global marketing pressures, customer needs, and an overlarge facility in Lawrence that cannot be made to support Polartec's production need, " the company said. "In its most productive year, the company has only been able to use 25 percent of its Lawrence facility."

On Sept. 30, Polartec issued a release saying it had "acquired the operating assets of United Knitting, L.P., a leader in the production of performance stretch fabrics for the outdoor, fitness, military and work wear markets."

Union officials at the Lawrence plant said they had been told as recently as early November that their plant would not be closing. Ironically, the announcement of the pending shutdown in Lawrence came on the 20th anniversary of the fire that destroyed the previous factory.

The company was founded in 1906 as Malden Knitting. It originally made military uniforms and other woolen apparel before expanding into synthetic fabrics. In 1979, the company introduced its polar fleece, which became established worldwide in a new outerwear garment category, according to the publication "Knitting Industry."
Passengers in the Delta Air Lines boarding area at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas are jammed in to wait as Delta says all its flights are grounded due to a system outage, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Delta Air Lines says it is has grounded flights after experiencing unspecified systems issues. (AP Photo/Bree Fowler)

SHARE A check-in kiosk at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport on Monday morning, Aug. 8, 2016. (Mizell Stewart III/USA TODAY NETWORK)

By Ben Mutzabaugh, Bart Jansen and Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA TODAY

Tens of thousands of people were stranded Monday after Delta Air Lines flights were grounded around the globe due to a system outage.

Delta said that systems were back online by 8:40 a.m. ET, but warned disruptions would continue amid a "limited" resumption of departures.

"Customers heading to the airport should expect delays and cancellations," Delta warned in a statement. "While inquiries are high and wait times are long, our customer service agents are doing everything they can to assist."

McGhee Tyson Airport arrivals and departures

The airline also advised fliers there may be "some lag time in the display of accurate flight status at delta.com, the Fly Delta App and from Delta representatives on the phone and in airport."

As for the cause of the snafu, Delta pointed to an overnight power outage in its hometown of Atlanta that it said "impacted Delta computer systems and operations worldwide, resulting in flight delays." The glitch appeared to knock Delta's automated check-in kiosks offline, forcing agents at ticket counters to manually check-in some passengers.

FLIGHT TRACKER: Is your flight on time?

"Large-scale cancellations are expected today," Delta said in an earlier statement from 7:30 a.m. ET.

Fliers took to social media with images of growing lines at a number of locations served by Delta.

The timing of this problem is particularly bad because Monday morning is one of the busiest times for both airlines and travelers as business travelers begin their work week, Daniel Baker, CEO of flight-tracking service FlightAware, said Monday.

In response to the disruptions, Delta is waiving change fees for customers ticketed to travel this week. The airline says customers booked on a flight from Monday through Friday can make one change to their itinerary without paying the standard fee, which ranges from $200 domestically to as much as $500 on some international itineraries. Delta says rebooked travel must be for flights no later than Friday.

@Delta computers down at FCO and hundreds standing & waiting at airport! Help! pic.twitter.com/WP1bauyi69  Javier Rosenberg (@RosenbergJavier) August 8, 2016

Delta stopped worldwide departures about 3 a.m. Eastern, according to FlightAware. From 3 a.m. ET to 6:20 a.m. ET, the airline would have typically had 192 departures, many from Europe, the eastern United States and Asia, according to FlightAware.

By 7:40 a.m. ET, Delta had 25 flights airborne. For the same time a week earlier, Delta had 290 flights in the air.

The outage will hurt Deltas reputation for punctuality and lack of cancellations.

Delta had the fewest cancellations in May at 39, which counted as a statistical zero, according to the most recent flight statistics from the Transportation Department. For comparison, the least reliable airlines cancel more than 1% of their flights.

While discussing second-quarter earnings, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said the mainline airline had 77 days during April, May and June without any cancellations, in what he called the industrys best operation. The airline had 23 days without any cancellations in the system of nearly 6,000 daily flights, he said.

The issue comes less than three weeks after Southwest Airlines blamed a router failure for starting a cascading technology glitch that knocked reservations systems offline and took several days to fully resolve. It wasn't until July 25 that Southwest said it was back to a near-normal operation, something that came after more than 2,300 cancellations -- about 12% of its schedule over the period. Flight-tracking service estimated nearly 8,000 flights arrived late.

Delta said it serves nearly 180 million customers annually, employs more than 80,000 people around the world and operates more than 800 aircraft.
SHARE

When I first heard the name of the new burger joint on Sutherland  Stock Burgers  I was concerned that people might confuse it with the more established Stock & Barrel burger restaurant on Market Square. However, as that popular tea-sipping Kermit the Frog meme on Facebook might conclude, "But that's none of my business"

The Grub Spouse and I dropped in on Stock for lunch last weekend and discovered that a number of patrons already had the same idea. We were seated and handed a menu that does indeed showcase burgers but also features chicken dishes, hot dogs and sausage-based items, and even fried seafood goodies.

Let's start with the burgers, which all cost $9. The basic Knox Burger is topped with Swiss cheese, pickles, mushrooms, caramelized onions and mayo, while the CP Burger features pepper jack cheese, mayo, chili, caramelized onions, tomatoes and jalapenos. Others include the Black & Blue, the Big Tex and the Freedom Burger, which allows you to choose your own toppings.

I was tempted to get the CP Burger, but it sounded like more of a mess than I was in the mood for, so I ordered the Sunny Side Burger, which comes with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sweet red onions, mayo, bacon and a fried egg. I chose onion rings as a side over fries, slaw and collard greens.

That left The Spouse the rest of the menu to wade through. The Spouse passed on tempting dog selections like the Cincinnati and Chicago styles as well as the New York Kraut Dog and the Bavarian Bratwurst. After skipping over several fried-shrimp and fish baskets as well, the choices were narrowed down to the Runabout Cluckers section, which offers up several variations on the chicken sandwich and chicken tenders (all $9).

The Spouse got the Knox Club, a grilled breast tricked out with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, pickles and bacon. The Spouse's side choice was the Bean's Salad (apostrophe unnecessary), which is a white bean dish served chilled. It came highly recommended by our server.

I thought the Stock crew did an admirable job on all fronts. The burger was satisfying, and I have to admit, I've become a fan of the fried-egg topping. The lightly breaded onion rings were also quite good. The Spouse and I agreed that the chicken sandwich got points for flavor, and even though a cold bean salad may not sound all that appetizing, its subtle cilantro and onion flavors did make it a good call on our server's part.

Speaking of whom, the gentleman that waited on us was super friendly and accommodating and helped make our meal a pleasant experience from sit-down to walkout.

The Spouse polished off that chicken sandwich, but my burger was too formidable for one sitting, so I boxed up half my sandwich and rings and a smidgen of leftover Bean's Salad. We were also saving room for dessert, and to that end, we decided to split the banana pudding ($2). The smallish portion was very tasty, but the consistency was more like that of a bread pudding rather than a traditional creamy banana pudding. But there were still slices of bananas and vanilla wafers for you old-school fans.

Overall, I'm not sure that Stock's patty creations stack up with the very upper tier of burger purveyors in town. But that being said, I don't think any burger fan will find Stock Burgers disappointing, and it definitely fills a restaurant niche in that particular part of West Knoxville.

---

Stock Burgers

Food: 4 stars (out of five)

Service: 4

Atmosphere: 3.5

Overall: 4

Address: 3701 Sutherland Ave.

Phone: 865-801-9116

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays

Beer service only

Kids' menu

---

Bottom Line: From beefy burgers to chicken, pork and seafood dishes, this new West Knoxville restaurant truly does have the meats.
By Jamie Satterfield of the Knoxville News Sentinel

After four days of testimony and five hours of deliberations, a federal jury served up one felony conviction for state Rep. Joe Armstrong on filing a false tax return and an acquittal on two other related felonies.

Armstrong, a 28-year veteran of the Legislature who just last week won his unopposed Democratic primary race, left U.S. District Court with defense attorney Gregory P. Isaacs following the verdict's announcement and neither took questions.

Later on Monday Isaacs said, "We were pleased the jury returned a verdict of not guilty and acquitted Rep Armstrong on two of the most serious felony counts, although he was convicted of a lesser, more technical violation of filing a false return."

Armstrong faces a maximum of three years in prison on the false tax return count, but sentencing guidelines likely will be lower.

The jury acquitted him of conspiring with his accountant, Charles Stivers, to defraud the IRS by hiding his windfall from a sin tax hike through Stivers' investment firm and of evading taxes, which, unlike the false return charge, required a "willful," or deliberate act.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Atchley Jr. said he will seek a prison term for Armstrong. "He's now a convicted felon. I certainly intend to ask for a prison sentence."

Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas Phillips set a sentencing hearing for 10 a.m. Nov. 30. Armstrong remains free under previous terms of his release.

"Based on the jury's verdict and Joe Armstrong's history of public service, we intend to ask for a significant sentencing departure, including probation," said Isaacs.

Asked if he will appeal, Isaacs responded "absolutely."

The sentencing decision ultimately will rest with Phillips, whose options range from probation to the maximum three-year prison term. Phillips also could fine Armstrong as much as $250,000 and order him to repay the IRS the taxes owed with interest and penalties.

Armstrong made roughly $321,000 when he used Knoxville tobacco wholesaler Tru Wholesale to buy cigarette tax stamps for him at the 2006 rate of 20 cents per pack and then sell them after a 42-cent hike went into effect in 2007. Armstrong voted for the tax hike.

It was not a crime for the lawmaker to profit from a law on which he voted, nor was it a crime for Tru Wholesale owners Boyd Wyatt and Roger Cox to cut Armstrong in on the deal to hoard tax stamps until the hike went into effect. Hiding the money from the IRS, however, is criminal.

Atchley said he could not speculate on why jurors acquitted Armstrong in the conspiracy and evading counts, which both carried maximum five-year prison terms. But the key witness to Armstrong's alleged willfulness to conspire to cheat the IRS and evade taxes was Stivers, who turned out to be a thief and a liar who stumbled on the witness stand several times under cross-examination, pausing for long periods before conceding he told a series of lies as the probe developed.

The false tax return charge rested more on the fact that Armstrong did not list the windfall on his return than any deliberate evasion.

Atchley said authorities first linked Armstrong to the case during an IRS audit of tobacco companies. Testimony showed agents first confronted Stivers, who lied about the source of the money his firm paid Armstrong, in October 2013. The U.S. attorney's office sent Armstrong a target letter, notifying him of the IRS probe and his role as a suspect, in December 2013. Armstrong has consistently denied he plotted to evade his taxes.

Testimony showed Wyatt and Cox paid $30,000 to Robert Carter, a friend of Armstrong's who had worked with the lawmaker at Tengasco, a Knoxville natural gas and oil company, to arrange a meeting with the lawmaker in December 2006. The pair wanted an inside man to apprise them of the likelihood a tax hike would be passed so they could begin  like a slew of other tobacco wholesalers  to hoard the stamps.

In early 2007, then-Gov. Phil Bredesen advocated for the tax stamp hike in his State of the State address, and a bill was introduced in the Legislature. Armstrong was one of 60 lawmakers who voted in favor of it.

At some point, Cox agreed to allow Armstrong to "invest" $250,000 in tax stamp purchases because he and Wyatt had tapped out all of their lines of credit and cash reserves. The pair took a $50,000 cut of Armstrong's profits and wound up making a total of $3 million from the hike.

Armstrong recruited former longtime Knox County School Board Chairman Sam Anderson to co-sign a loan with BankEast for the $250,000. Armstrong was a member of the bank's board and needed an outsider on the loan because of that. Anderson wound up getting a cut of roughly $88,000. He did not pay taxes on it, testifying Armstrong insisted the taxes had been paid. He has not been charged.

Stivers claimed Armstrong wanted to hide his windfall from the voting public and asked him to funnel the checks from Tru Wholesale into Stivers' investment firm and then back out in the form of checks written to Armstrong so that it appeared the money came from Stivers' business, not a tobacco wholesaler.

Stivers was paid $77,000. He didn't pay taxes either. He has since pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the IRS and has admitted running tax evasion schemes in Kentucky, where his firm is based, and stealing from clients. He has received immunity on those crimes as part of his federal plea deal in the Armstrong case.

Isaacs argued the $77,000 represented the amount of capital gains tax Armstrong would have owed on his windfall and a fee for Stivers. He said Stivers instead pocketed the money. Stivers insisted Armstrong paid him $77,000 to hide the money.

Stivers has not yet been sentenced. He has been stripped of his accounting license.

Atchley said he believed there was ample evidence for jurors to convict Armstrong on all three counts but did not quarrel with the jury's decision.

Armstrong, who was a member of Knox County Commission from 1982-1988, was first elected to the state House in 1988. He served as president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators from 2012-2014 and twice was named the group's Legislator of the Year.

A felony conviction disqualifies Armstrong from seeking office, and the local Democratic Party has 40 days before the Nov. 8 election to nominate a new candidate, said Adam Ghassemi, spokesman for Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett. That gives local Democrats until noon on Sept. 29, which Knox County Democratic Party Chairman Cameron Brooks called "a good amount of time."

"The folks that need to get together in the party will do what we need to do," Brooks said Monday after the verdict. "The only thing I'll say, with it all coming back pretty fast, is I just feel for Joe and his family. He is in my thoughts and prayers. "He'd been a good advocate for our community and everyone makes mistakes, I'll let the verdict speak for itself."
SHARE Shannon M. O'Regan (Facebook)

By News Sentinel Staff

A 30-year-old Kentucky man has been identified as the person shot during a confrontation with police in Scott County on Sunday.

Shannon M. O'Regan, of Pine Knot, Ky., was listed in stable condition Monday at the University of Tennessee Medical Center after being shot by at least one Oneida Police Department officer, according to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Leslie Earhart.

Multiple officers responded to a reported "domestic incident" involving O'Regan and someone else in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart on Alberta Street.

"An altercation occurred between O'Regan and the officers, which resulted in O'Regan being shot by at least one officer," Earhart said in a statement.

The TBI, which is investigating the shooting at the request of 8th Judicial District Attorney General Jared Effler, has not specified whether O'Regan was armed.

More details as they develop online and in Tuesday's News Sentinel.
By News Sentinel Staff

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is continuing its investigation into the weekend death of a recent Knoxville high school graduate on Fort Loudoun Lake.

The family of Steven Edgar Corum will receive friends 4-6:45 p.m. Thursday at All Saints Catholic Church, 620 N. Cedar Bluff Road, with a Mass to follow at 7 p.m. Bishop Richard F. Stika and Father Tony Budnick will officiate.

Corum was swimming with friends near a boat at the Cove on Turkey Creek about 6:30 p.m. Saturday when he was struck by a personal watercraft operated by another teen in the group.

Corum disappeared under the water. Knoxville and Knox County rescue divers, interrupted Saturday night by a thunderstorm, recovered the 18-year-old's body around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Initial reports described the accident as a hit-and-run because authorities had trouble finding the watercraft's operator  18-year-old Chadwick Fedderson  at the scene, and a young woman whose father owned the watercraft took it to a nearby lake house after the accident.

While the incident is no longer classified as a hit-and-run, TWRA authorities are still investigating the circumstances.

The recent Knoxville Catholic High graduate's death is the 16th boating fatality on Tennessee waterways this year and the third involving a personal watercraft, according to TWRA spokesman Matthew Cameron.

Corum was a four-year letterman with the Catholic varsity wrestling team, and a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

"Steven was a loving, kind and polite young man who brought so much joy into the lives of his large family and many friends," the Corum family said in a statement released Sunday afternoon via the Diocese of Knoxville. "We will miss him tremendously."

Survivors include his parents, Eddie and Peggie Corum; brother, Matthew Corum; and grandparents Bernadette Fitzpatrick and Opal Cooper.
SHARE

Kroger stores throughout East Tennessee are holding a food drive to help combat childhood hunger in the region.

For the food drive, Kroger will work with Second Harvest Food Bank for the "Food for Kids Fundraiser."

The drive, which is already underway, will run through Aug. 13 at all East Tennessee Kroger locations.

The aim of the program is to supply children with backpacks full of child-friendly food for them to take home over the weekend.

Currently, the program is focusing on elementary-school aged children.

In addition, Kroger stores will allow customers to become supporters of the program at every location.

Customers may make donations of any amount to support the Food for Kids program at any Kroger store in East Tennessee.

"We are proud to partner with Second Harvest of East Tennessee in this effort to provide food to kids in need," said Erin Grant, spokeswoman for Kroger, in a news release. "We know that one in four children are at risk for hunger in Tennessee, so the need is great. This is an easy way to help, so I am confident that East Tennesseans will answer the call."

Two hundred fifty-two schools in East Tennessee will also participate in the program.

Those schools account for roughly 11,122 children in the area.

"We are feeding more children than ever, but the need is growing even faster," said Second Harvest's executive director, Elaine Streno, in a news release. "We are really excited by the impact the Food for Kids campaign can have on our goal of eliminating hunger for the children of East Tennessee."

To donate money or food, visit www.second harvestetn.org.
Director of Patient Care Services Mary Alice Bozeman and President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Landsman are pictured Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. On the eve of the medical center's 60th anniversary, Landsman has announced plans to break ground on a $75 million expansion of the Heart Hospital that will add 120-125 more beds. (PAUL EFIRD/NEWS SENTINEL)

SHARE The new University of Tennessee Memorial Research Center and Hospital is under construction in this June 1955 photo. On the eve of the Medical Center's 60th anniversary, President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Landsman has announced that they are set to break ground on a $75 million expansion of the Heart Hospital that will add 120-125 more beds. (NEWS SENTINEL ARCHIVE ) The University of Tennessee Medical Center is pictured Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. On the eve of the medical center's 60th anniversary, President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Landsman has announced plans to break ground on a $75 million expansion of the Heart Hospital that will add 120-125 more beds. (PAUL EFIRD/NEWS SENTINEL) The University of Tennessee Hospital is pictured in the early 1980s. On the eve of the medical center's 60th anniversary, President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Landsman has announced plans to break ground on a $75 million expansion of the Heart Hospital that will add 120-125 more beds. (NEWS SENTINEL ARCHIVE ) The first nursing school graduates at the new University of Tennessee Memorial Research Center and Hospital are pictured on March 13, 1957. Thora Patterson gives the pledge to Mary Lee Farmer, left, Phyllis Goins, Shirley Petrogallo, Shirley Sizemore, Natalie Trent, and Joan Wyrick. (NEWS SENTINEL ARCHIVE ) Related Photos Photos: UT Medical Center through the years

By Ali James of the Knoxville News Sentinel

While the University of Tennessee Medical Center celebrates many milestones in its 60-year history this week, the focus will be on its future  just as it has always been.

When the first patients were relocated to the brand new University of Tennessee Memorial Research Center in the early hours of Aug. 9, 1956, the center was dubbed by some as the "atomic" or "isotopic" hospital.

"The hospital was really conceived as not only a place to provide cutting-edge care, but to find cures and treatments for diseases," said Joe Landsman, president and chief executive officer. "And with our relationship with Oak Ridge and the university, we were ideally positioned, we had access to great resources."

On the eve of the medical center's 60th anniversary, Landsman announced the hospital is set to break more ground.

"We are ready to embark on a $75 million expansion," he said, "building five floors on top of our heart hospital."

That means 120-125 additional beds. Hospital officials hope to break ground in September.

"It's an industry where we struggle to stay current with the technologies and maintaining the look and feel of your hospital with the volume of patients," Landsman said.

Throughout its 60 years, the hospital has gone through three main life cycles, according to Landsman.

"The first one was the establishment of the hospital," he said. "And the second life cycle was when University Health System purchased it from UT in July of 1999  I came here as financial officer then to help them with the transition. The third milestone is our 60th anniversary."

Asked how a cutting-edge hospital stays relevant despite the natural wear and tear of operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Landsman said it starts with the quality and caliber of the medical staff.

"They are incredibly committed and compassionate about advancing medical care and research on the campus," he said. "Since 1999 we have invested over $700 million in our campus in terms of facilities and technology, which has perpetuated our successes.

"At the end of 1998, before we did the spinoff  the privatization  of the hospital, we had net revenue of $258 million, and this year we are likely to be in the vicinity of $858 million of net revenue  in those years, this campus has tripled in size. We were staffing about 300 beds when we separated from the university. Now we are staffing 609 beds, and with the addition that will take us to roughly 740 beds."

Over the years, Landsman said that to provide high-quality health care, it has proven critical to look to the future and make sure the hospital was able to provide the community with the adequate number of health care professionals needed.

He said the hospital has expanded residencies and fellowships significantly since 1956.

"Even since becoming a private organization in 1999, we have added 25 additional residency slots and four or five additional fellowships," Landsman said.

Significant additions to the initial 306,000-square-foot facility, according to Landsman, have included the Boling Pavilion, the Cancer Institute building and the Heart Lung Vascular Building.

Furthermore, the hospital has expanded its operating room capacity to 13 new operating rooms. The medical center has also been at the forefront with technology as the first to use new software for cancer patient diagnosis, staging and therapy monitoring.

"We have a robust history of bringing new advancements to the industry," Landsman said.

He pointed out recent publicity gained by perinatalogists' work.

"The old thinking was that expecting mothers with an addiction, (the best thing) was to try to manage the patient and their condition until delivery and then detox after the delivery," he said. "We discovered that attempting to detox the expecting mother before delivery can result in better outcomes for mom and the baby."

In addition, researchers discovered that sharing of straws during substance abuse can spread hepatitis C.

Garnering a number of awards and top rankings has validated the way UT Medical Center delivers and cares for patients and generates better outcomes, according to Landsman. U.S. News & World Report ranked UT Medical Center as the No. 2 hospital in Tennessee and as best regional hospital in East Tennessee, based on its patient care performance and other key factors. The hospital has also been awarded the American Heart Association's Gold Plus award and Blue Distinction Center+ for Cardiac Care.

"The success of this medical center and the service we are able to provide is attributed to the rest of the team that comes to this campus every day to do what is right for our patients," Landsman said.

Mary Alice Bozeman has been on the campus ever since she entered the student nurse dorm in 1960. When Bozeman graduated from the UT Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1963, there was no doubt in her mind that she wanted to work less than a block away, at what was then known as the Tennessee Memorial Research Center and Hospital.

"I actually did not consider other options," said Bozeman. "I fell in love with nursing and the hospital as a student and it never entered my mind to look elsewhere."

Bozeman, who is now nursing director for patient care services, is currently working on several projects, including a patient-family activated rapid response team, assisting patient advocates and the clinical arm of the development office.

In a hospital with strong focuses on education, research and medical advancements, Bozeman said patient care has always been a major focus.

"I'm certainly proud of our clinical nurses and their expertise, and it's amazing the amount of lives we are saving today," said Bozeman. "Technology has come a long way in monitoring patients. As a young nurse we did not have monitors. You had to depend on your observation skills and intuition  using touch and feel. Now we have all of these monitors that sound an alarm."

Despite the growth of UT Medical Center and the technological advancements, Bozeman said the "heart of nursing" is still the same.

"It is inborn in nurses," she said. "What I haven't seen change in nursing is the compassion and love they have for the patients and their never-ending quest for patient quality care and excellence."

The major thing, according to Bozeman, is listening to patients, their families and their concerns.

One particular shift in October 2013 remains etched in Bozeman's mind. She was the on-call administrator when an influx of patients arrived after a church bus crash.

"I saw our emergency department in action, and it was amazing. We had to identify 12 patients ranging in age from 62 to 95 years  many of whom were critically ill," she said. "It was a night of profound joy and profound sadness as family members came in. Many of the patients survived and it was delightful to see them well and walking when they came back to visit."

Bozeman has seen countless changes through the years.

"When I first came here and graduated, there was only one inpatient wing, and since then we have built three more wings," she said. "I was very involved in the planning of two of those wings. There was a lot of nursing involvement in the planning, then we moved into the units while others closed  so it was all pretty seamless."

Employees will celebrate the center's 60th birthday this week with no interruption to patient care or the educational programming.

"We will have ice cream and cake parties with lemonade at a couple of our locations and during different shifts to reach as many of our team members as possible," said Jim Ragonese, a hospital spokesman.

In addition to the main hospital, the celebrations will include the Cedar Bluff location, where there is more data analysis work done, and there will be a cookout.

Hospital officials plan to take to social media throughout the month under the #ThrowbackThursday hashtag, featuring nostalgic pictures and historic facts.

"The reason why we are here and why we continue to advance is because of the people in our community and the commitment to improving patient care," Ragonese said.
SHARE Steve Cohen, left, then a state senator, is shown with Elie Wiesel in 1995 when the author was honored at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.(Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen) U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis

By Michael Collins of the Knoxville News Sentinel

WASHINGTON  U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen considers Elie Wiesel one of the greatest people to ever walk the Earth.

The Romanian-born, Jewish-American writer survived the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps during World War II, then made it his mission to never let the world forget the Holocaust.

To remind Americans of Wiesel's sacrifices  and of his contributions to the world  Cohen is leading a campaign to place a statue of Wiesel in the U.S. Capitol.

"Elie Wiesel was one of the great moral forces in the world," said Cohen, a Memphis Democrat. "He was brilliant, pure, honest and courageous."

Wiesel died July 2 in his home in Manhattan at age 87. During his long, distinguished career, the journalist, professor, author and political activist was showered with numerous accolades, including the Congressional Gold Medal and the Nobel Peace Prize.

"He was one of my heroes," Cohen said.

Just days after Wiesel's death, Cohen filed legislation calling for a statue to be placed in the Capitol in Wiesel's honor. The bill has two dozen cosponsors and has been sent to the House Committee on House Administration, where it awaits a hearing.

If the bill is passed, the statue of Wiesel would go up in the Capitol within four years. Congress would put up some of the money  Cohen's bill does not provide an exact dollar figure  but Cohen said he expects to raise much of the funding from private sources.

A statue wouldn't just pay tribute to Wiesel, Cohen said, it would remind Americans of the need to stand up against intolerance, prejudice and discrimination.

The Capitol already is chock-full of statues recognizing the contributions of influential Americans.

The largest collection is in Statuary Hall, the marble-pillared, oval room that's a favorite stop for tourists. The collection includes 100 statues  two chosen by each state to pay tribute to native sons and daughters. Some have been moved to other parts of the Capitol over the years.

Those honored include historical figures such as George Washington, Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, modern-day presidents such as Dwight Eisenhower, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, and American icons such as Will Rogers and Helen Keller. The two Tennesseans represented are Andrew Jackson, the nation's seventh president, and John Sevier, the state's first governor.

In addition, scattered throughout the building are 11 other statues, 46 busts honoring the nation's vice presidents and five busts recognizing various historical figures.

A bronze bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill reflects this country's long affinity for the cigar-smoking, wartime leader. Another honors Louis Kossuth, a Hungarian freedom fighter who in 1852 became the second foreigner to address a joint meeting of Congress. (The first was the Marquis de Lafayette from France.)

Cohen thinks Wiesel merits his own place of honor in the Capitol. He already holds a place of honor in Cohen's Washington office.

Hanging in the foyer there is a snapshot of the congressman and Wiesel. The photo was taken in 1995 when the author was honored at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

Cohen, one of just 29 Jewish members of Congress, met Wiesel several times over the years and always found him to be "an individual of such high character and intelligence."

"He was just a great human being," Cohen said, one who "never, ever changed his position and stayed true to hope and love and peace."
Those who know Hoi An only miss the fun around it.

The central province of Quang Nam is one of the brightest dots on the tourism map of Vietnam thanks to its magnet Hoi An Ancient Town. But having a star doesnt mean the rest of the cast is made up of extras. There are tens of sites whose attractiveness make perfect Hoi Ans match yet far less known. VnExpress gives you a quick tour of the five lesser known spots.

Cu Lao Cham

The pearl of Quang Nam floats 18 kilometers to the east of Cua Dai Beach in the town of Hoi An. Rarely does a trip to the ancient lack a day or two spared to pay homage to Cu Lao Cham. Cu lao means island in Vietnamese, and in the case of Cu Lao Cham, it's several small islands. The place boasts long beaches lying serenely by the crystal clear waters and coral reefs just two meters underwater that render diving for sightseeing here all the rage.

A lone dock stretching out to the sea in Cu Lao Cham. Photo by Lam Le

Ha My Beach

The tranquillity lying seven kilometers to the north of Hoi An is a must for anyone looking for a spot equally attractive yet hardly known. The place offers no more than waves, wind, sea and palm shades for a perfect tanning.

Bai Rang

Bai Rang is located near Chu Lai Airport of Tam Ky, the capital of Quang Nam, 30 kilometer to the south of Hoi An. The see-through water typical of rocky beach found right here qualifies as a standard backdrop for any Instagram picture.

Bat caves of Tien An

About 20 kilometers to the southwest of Hoi An, the two limestone caves at Tien An Commune, Tien Phuoc District have been around for millions of years. The first one is called Dong Thien (Sky Cave), the second Dong Nang Tien (Fairy Cave). The former lies at the foothill, making an easy spot for visitors while the latter is hundreds of meters deep, boasting a zig-zag path running deep down.

Photo by Tan Luc

My Son

The sacred land of My Son (as Vietnamese call it) is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes of all beholders. Moss covered brick towers have been standing guard here since the height of the Cham dynasty 600 years ago. Though left neglected for generations, the patterns engraved on them can still be felt by the visitors eager for something other than just beach and seafood on a trip to a coastal land.

Related news:

> Hoi An, an ancient outpost turned Instagram heaven

> Hoi An's beach lands in TripAdvisor's top 25

> Da Nang's dames serve up street cuisine
By Megan Boehnke of the Knoxville News Sentinel

Three names emerged Monday as potential candidates to replace Rep. Joe Armstrong on the November ballot, and the Knox County Democratic Party will decide next week if any of them will be the new nominee.

Armstrong, who had run unopposed in his primary race last week, was convicted Monday on a felony charge of filing a false income tax return, disqualifying him from seeking re-election.

Party members Monday pointed to outgoing County Commissioner Sam McKenzie, City Councilman Dan Brown and community advocate Rick Staples, who most recently lost in the March primary to replace McKenzie, as top candidates to replace Armstrong on the ballot.

Knox County Democratic Chairman Cameron Brooks said he called an Aug. 18 meeting of the Board of Governors for 6 p.m. at the party headquarters. The 16 members who live in House District 15 will nominate and vote on the nominee, he said.

"We'll take nominations and then go through a roll call," he said, adding that a majority is not required and whoever received the most votes will face perennial Independent candidate Pete Drew in the general election.

A nominee must be submitted to the state by noon on Sept. 29, which is 40 days before the Nov. 8 election, according to state officials.

Staples, a community advocate who most recently lost a Knox County Commission primary in March, said he received a message from Brooks Monday afternoon asking if he would be interested.

Staples, who does project management for Castles of Choice, a real estate firm, and is vice president of 100 Black Men of Knoxville, said he would accept a nomination if selected.

"I was working and taken off guard," Staples said of Brooks' inquiry. "I never wanted to see  Joe's been in office 31 years  and I never wanted to see a situation where he's been found guilty and facing jail time, and then my having to have this conversation. I'm very close to his nieces; they're like sisters to me."

Staples said he's long been an advocate for East Knoxville and will continue to do work for the community whether he holds elected office. Still, he said, a title like state representative would "help me get more done."

"If I was a state rep, I know I would bring something new and fresh," he said. "I think right now, maybe that's what we need  something different."

Brown, who served about a year as interim mayor of Knoxville after Bill Haslam left the post in 2010 to become governor, has less than two years left on his second term on City Council. Brown offered sympathies for Armstrong and his family after the verdict, calling him a "good public servant," but would offer only a "no comment" when asked if he'd be interested in being a state representative.

McKenzie, meanwhile, said he'd also had inquiries Monday about his interest in the seat, though he deferred when asked directly if he was interested.

"Just in the time that we've been on the phone, I've gotten texts from two others asking similar questions," he told a News Sentinel reporter.

McKenzie, whose district as a county commissioner overlaps with the House 15th District, said he has plenty of appreciation for the people and neighborhoods of East Knoxville.

"I'm honored that people would bring up my name," McKenzie said. "It's too early right now."

Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Mary Mancini said the state organization is available to offer advice if needed, but the decision is entirely up to the local party.

"They live there and they know this district better than we do," she said.

Mancini also dismissed the idea that Armstrong's conviction would blemish the party in Knox County.

"With any organization, any corporation, any small business, political party, these kinds of things happen and you deal with them in the best way possible and in the most authentic way possible and then you move on from there," Mancini said. "That's what we are trying to do. It doesn't damage the party there in Knox County because there are plenty of other really great folks either running office in that area or working hard to elect Democrats in that area."
An undercover investigator with the Humane Society of the United States alleges she documented dozens of instances where caustic chemcials were applied to horses at ThorSport Farm in Murfreesboro, Tenn., to illegally enhance the "big lick" gait of a Tennessee Walking Horse. (SUBMITTED)

SHARE

By Michael Collins of the Knoxville News Sentinel

WASHINGTON  Tennesseans will get a chance Tuesday to tell the federal government whether they support a proposal to crack down on an illegal practice sometimes used to give Tennessee Walking Horses their exaggerated gait.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has scheduled a public hearing in Murfreesboro on two major changes to existing federal law that seek to eliminate the controversial practice known as "soring."

Though already illegal under the Horse Protection Act, soring is still used by some trainers to deliberately injure the legs and hooves of Tennessee Walking Horses and related breeds to create the animals' high-stepping gait and give them an advantage at horse shows.

Chemical agents, chains, pads and other devices are used to inflict pain to the horses' legs and feet so that when they touch the ground, the animals kick up their feet higher than normal.

Federal law already bans the use of chemical agents but not the chains, hoof bands and other devices used to cause soaring.

All such devices would be banned at horse shows, exhibitions, sales and auctions under the Agriculture Department's proposal.

In addition, the Agriculture Department's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service would assume responsibility for training, screening and licensing horse inspectors.

Right now, the horse industry is responsible for training its own inspectors to look for evidence of soring. Critics say the self-policing system is ineffective because the inspectors are employees of horse-show organizations and often are exhibitors of Tennessee Walking Horses, which creates a conflict of interest and leaves them with no incentive to find violations.

The Murfreesboro hearing is one of five nationwide  and the only one in Tennessee  on the proposed changes. It will be held at 9 a.m. CT at the Embassy Suites, 1200 Conference Center Blvd.
SHARE

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," Charles Dickens wrote in describing the disparate conditions in London and Paris during the French Revolution. The phrases could also apply to the two different views of America as put forward by Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in the national political party conventions.

At the Republican National Convention, Trump portrayed an America that is economically and militarily weak, being victimized by dangerous forces from outside and from within. His speech hammered on two themes: poverty and violence at home, and war and destruction abroad. In contending that our best times are behind us, he claims that he can personally "make America great again" with his superior knowledge, skills and influence. He had earlier boasted that he would put on the "greatest convention in history." Instead, it was a disorganized mess marred by walk-outs, a plagiarism controversy and ugly chants.

At the Democratic National Convention, Clinton declared that America is "already great," pointing out that we have the strongest military in the world and the most solid economy (255,000 jobs were added in July). Contradicting Trump's xenophobic accusation that immigrants threaten our security and take away our jobs, Clinton argued that we are "stronger together" and called Trump a hypocrite for manufacturing his products overseas (in China, Japan, Honduras, Brazil, Norway, Italy and Germany).

Where Trump sees a stunted, chaotic America and stokes people's fears with angry rhetoric to build a following, Clinton sees a fundamentally strong America and offers plans to build a consensus. Where Trump couldn't run a disciplined convention, Clinton worked productively with Republicans in the Senate and was respected around the world as secretary of state. Two very different views of America, and two very different responses. We have a clear choice.

Cheryl Peyton, Loudon
By Choi Sung-jin



The strong winds of protectionism are hitting global steelmakers. China's oversupply and undervalued exports are forcing several countries to build higher import barriers, and Korean makers are not free from the same punitive actions, such as antidumping and countervailing duties either.



POSCO, Hyundai and other domestic steelmakers, which have exported half of their products, are in a state of emergency, industry sources said.



The U.S. Commerce Department decided on Friday to slap up to 61 percent of antidumping and countervailing duties on Korean-made hot-rolled steel plates. Washington is expected to levy punitive tariffs on six other steel exporters, including Japan and Brazil, but Korean makers will likely suffer more serious blows because of their high reliance on export, the sources said.



Korea exported 1.15 million tons of hot-rolled steel sheets to the U.S. last year, worth $700 million. POSCO accounted for 75 percent of the total. The nation's largest steelmaker plans to take legal steps against the U.S., including taking the case to World Trade Organization.



"We will also try to minimize damages through converting much of our U.S. exports to other markets and other measures," a POSCO official said.



Earlier, the U.S. department imposed antidumping and countervailing duties on cold-rolled plates from Korea and four other countries. In May, it slapped a whopping 522 percent antidumping duty on Chinese cold-rolled sheets, which are used for automobiles and consumer electronics.



The U.S. is not the only country that is increasing controls on steel imports. The European Union and India are also setting up high barriers to protect their domestic industries. The EU Commission recently imposed 22 percent and 36 percent of antidumping duties on Chinese and Russian cold-rolled plates, respectively. Earlier, it ruled that electric grafters from Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the U.S. had been dumped in Europe.



The rising trade barriers in major countries are due to global overproduction and major governments' policies to protect domestic industries. Since the 2008 financial crisis, cheap Chinese steel products have flooded global markets, forcing Beijing's trade partners to strengthen their protectionism. This year, the EU introduced an intensive import surveillance system on steel products produced outside the union.



When the U.S. government took a safeguard measure against imported steel products in the past, Korea's steel export to the U.S. plunged 30 percent in a year.



"As the global economy worsens, even advanced countries are showing protectionist trends," said POSCO Chairman Kwon Oh-joon in an email to executives and employees in June. "We need to improve our responses to the new trend by closely monitoring import restraints in major countries and expanding dialogue channels with foreign steel industries and trade authorities."



Domestic steelmakers are racking their brains to work out countermeasures, but are at a loss what to do when foreign partners set up barriers higher, trade experts said.



"Underneath the neo-protectionism are the supply-demand problem of global steel overcapacity and the interests of steelmakers to maintain their capacity utilization ratio," said Chung Eun-mi, senior fellow at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade. "Neo-protectionism in the steel industry will likely continue for the time being because it is a structural problem."



There are more optimistic analysts, though. Because the focus of the U.S. and European import restraints are on Chinese steel products, Korean steelmakers slapped with comparatively lower punitive duties may gain advantages, they said.



If major markets continue to step up protectionist moves, however, export-dependent Korean companies will feel a considerable loss in foreign sales. So far POSCO and Hyundai Steel have exported hot- and cold-rolled steel sheets to the U.S. free of tariffs.



"Our steel exports to the U.S. account for only 13 percent of total foreign shipments but we are more concerned about the protectionism spreading to other countries," said a Korea Iron and Steel Association official.



The steel industry remains as the core of the manufacturing industry, with large correlative industrial effects forward and backward. The crisis in the steel industry can adversely affect other related sectors such as shipbuilding, automobile, electronics and construction.



Also threatening the domestic industry is the influx of Chinese products in the face of high barriers in the U.S. and Europe. Korea's steel imports in June soared 31 percent, mainly because of the influx of Chinese products.




By Lee Hyo-sik

Park Chang-min

Daewoo E&C CEO nominee

Employees of Daewoo Engineering & Construction (E&C) are expressing displeasure with CEO nominee Park Chang-min who is backed by the builder's majority stakeholder, the state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB).

Union members and nonunion workers alike oppose the so-called parachute appointment by KDB, according to company officials, Monday.

Daewoo employees are calling on Park to voluntarily turn down the appointment, stressing that they will take all possible measures to prevent the former CEO of Hyundai Development Company from occupying the company's top office.

"It is a must for Daewoo to expand overseas ventures to achieve sustainable growth in the future," a Daewoo E&C labor union official said. "Given this, it makes no sense for someone without any experience or expertise in the overseas construction business to be appointed to lead Daewoo. He is not qualified."

Daewoo E&C earned nearly 40 percent of its revenue from abroad last year.

On August 5, Daewoo's ad-hoc recommendation committee, consisting of two KDB executives and three outside directors, decided to recommend Park as new CEO. The recommendation will be forwarded for approval at a shareholders' meeting.

For months, the committee had been unable to reach a consensus on who would replace CEO Park Young-sik, whose term ended July 14. Daewoo's outside directors, who represent the voice of company employees, sought to promote one of its own executives to CEO.

But KDB, which holds a 50.76 percent stake in the builder, wanted an outsider to take the helm.

The labor union is arguing that Park's selection will severely undermine the firm's corporate value, adding that dubious business practices in the past are likely to recur. "We cannot let Daewoo E&C become the next Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. We will mobilize all possible means to derail the parachute appointment."

Unionized workers also blame KDB for its "flawed" decision-making process.

"KDB has made all the important decisions concerning Daewoo's future behind closed doors," the union official said. "The bank should be held responsible for making the latest CEO selection more chaotic than necessary."

A nonunion Daewoo employee, who declined to be named, also said most workers do not support Park's appointment. "I don't understand why selecting the new CEO has to be this controversial. As far as I know, workers want someone familiar with the company to become the next leader, not an outsider."

The union said it will hold rallies at the company headquarters in downtown Seoul and KDB headquarters on Yeouido. It also plans to physically block Park from coming to office if he is confirmed by shareholders to head the builder.
By Kim Tae-gyu

POSCO is trying to figure out why the United States slapped the highest anti-subsidy tariff on it among a host of steelmakers including those from Brazil, Japan, Turkey, the Netherlands and Australia.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) imposed 57.04 percent countervailing duties on hot-rolled steel plates from POSCO while locking in rates of 3.9 percent to 11.3 percent on the others.

The punitive import taxes are levied when an exporter gets unfair subsidies from its government.

"A few theories have been raised such as relatively low electricity fees here or the fact that POSCO was once a state-owned corporation. But such explanations don't add up," said a professor in Seoul familiar with the issue.

"POSCO was fully privatized in 2000 and the Korean government currently has no stake. If the electricity fees are the main reason, why don't POSCO's local rivals face a similar level of duties?"

The DOC set countervailing duties for products of Hyundai Steel, Korea's No. 2 steel producer, at a mere 3.89 percent. In addition, Hyundai consumes more power because it operates energy-hungry electricity furnaces while POSCO runs only blast furnaces.












By Yoon Ja-young



Global credit rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) pulled up Korea's sovereign rating by one notch to a record-high AA from AA-, despite increasing geopolitical tensions on the Korean Peninsula.



"Korea's superior track record of steady economic growth has generated a prosperous economy, greater fiscal and monetary flexibility and continual improvements in external metrics," the agency noted. Its outlook on the long-term rating is stable.



It added that the outlook reflects its expectation that "geopolitical risk on the Korean Peninsula will not escalate beyond what we have observed since the last DPRK leadership transition in 2011."



This is the first time for Korea to be evaluated so highly, the third-highest grade among S&P's 21 evaluation grades. Now, it has the same ratings as the United Kingdom and France. China is rated AA- and Japan A+.



The Ministry of Strategy and Finance said that S&P's upgrading of Korea is exceptional when considering that sovereign ratings are heading down globally. It expected the upgrade will lessen Korea's borrowing costs overseas as well as bolster external stability.



Though Korea's GDP growth in the next three to five years will be slower than the pre-global financial crisis, S&P noted its prospects are superior to those of most developed economies.



"The reduction of short-term external bank debt and persistently large trade balances strengthened Korea's external metrics, which also enhance the sovereign credit quality," it noted.



It projected Korea's average GDP per capita to rise above $30,000 in 2019 from $27,000 this year.



"Although the Korean won's real effective exchange rate has appreciated by almost 30 percent since 2009, suggesting per capita wealth could be overstated in dollar terms, the strong currency has not hurt the competitiveness of Korean exports," it added. "We believe this reflects the advancement of its tradable sector up the value-added chain."



While exports have been lackluster in 2016 and the country's shipbuilding industry is undergoing restructuring, the agency noted "export performance has not been out of line with those of other economies in the region."



It added, "A recovery in the U.S. economy should provide support for Korean exports, partly offsetting weaker exports to China."



The government's healthy fiscal position offers further support for the sovereign's creditworthiness, according to S&P. "Including the social security fund balance, Korea has reported general government surpluses in most years since 2000," it noted.



It cited contingent liabilities and geopolitical risks on the Korean Peninsula as the chief weaknesses in Korea's credit fundamentals. It faces prospects of bearing the cost of reunification if North Korea collapses. "Periodic inter-Korean conflicts have at times affected Korea's economy and financial system. That said, Korea's strong institutions have helped to manage the spillover effects," it said, adding that the latest missile launch by North Korea into Japan's waters is "one that is not out of line with observed behavior in the past."




South Korea and Thailand agreed Monday to jointly check the feasibility of Thailand's planned water management project, a move that could also lead to Seoul's participation in the project valued at 680 billion won ($609 million), the Seoul government said.

Under a memorandum of intent (MOI) signed Monday, South Korea will help review the technical feasibility of the two-stage water management project, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The project mainly seeks to build floodways and reservoirs to help prevent annual floods, which killed more than 800 people in 2011 alone.

South Korea's state-run K-Water was tapped as a preferred bidder for the construction project in 2013, but the project was scrapped following the successful coup in Thailand the following year.

The latest agreement signed by the South Korean ministry and Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives states the sides will establish a joint working committee to discuss Seoul's technical support for the project, the ministry said in a press release. (Yonhap)
Late Korean mountaineer Park Young-seok / Korea Times File



By Lee Jin-a

A son of Park Young-seok, the famous Korean mountaineer who disappeared in 2011, is set to climb Annapurna to try to find his father, a Korean news outlet reports.

Park and two partners went missing while trying to develop a new climbing route called the "Korea Route" on the South Face of Annapurna, Nepal, in 2011. They went missing while ascending the snow-bound mountain.

After five years, Park's son has decided to climb the 8,000-meter mountain to look for the bodies, according to SBS News on Saturday.

"I would like to hold a memorial service for dad," said Park Seong-min, 22. "But I will not feel disappointed even if I fail to find him, because he liked Annapurna."

Seong-min said that when he was young he often climbed in the Himalayas with his father, but he could never tackle the high regions because of acrophobia.

To overcome his fear of heights, Seong-min trained with the search party, climbing Mount Halla on Jeju Island and taking part in a cross-country trip.

The searchers, including Park, will try until the end of this month to find the missing mountaineer and his partners, Shin Dong-min and Kang Ki-seok.

"I do have fears, but I am not worried," said the missing mountaineer's wife, Hong Kyoung-hee. "Even though my husband did not come back from his last trip, I always believed he would return safely when I sent him to the mountains."

Park Young-seok was the world's first mountaineer to complete the "Explorers' Grand Slam," which consists of climbing the Seven Summits _ the highest mountain on each continent _ as well as reaching the North and South Poles.

He is widely quoted as saying, "Mountaineers should be on the mountains. I will continue my expeditions until death comes."
By Yi Whan-woo



With the ruling Saenuri Party set to elect its new chairman in today's caucus, the voting results are expected to affect its potential candidates for the 2017 presidential race.



Currently, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and former Chairman Rep. Kim Moo-sung are regarded as presidential hopefuls from the ruling party.



According to political analysts, Ban's run for the presidency will gain steam if Rep. Lee Jung-hyun gets elected, while Rep. Joo Ho-young's win would give a boost to Kim's presidential bid. Reps. Lee Ju-young and Han Sun-kyo are also participating in the four-way leadership race.



Lee Jung-hyun is a loyalist to President Park Geun-hye, who is believed to be backing Ban as the country's next president.



The lawmaker represents Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, a stronghold of the opposition. Lee's election is expected to draw support from there for Ban, who is mainly popular in the Chungcheong region, Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province.



"Lee has guaranteed that if he becomes chairman, he will draw 20 percent of support from voters from North and South Jeolla provinces in the presidential election and his pledge is appealing to party members," said a member of the Park loyalist faction.



Joo represents minor factional members who oppose the mainstream pro-Park faction. If he is elected, Joo is likely to help the party's former chairman who had underscored an affiliation among non-Park members.



"The former chairman seems to have used all available forces to help Joo win the election," Kim's aide said.



As for Rep. Lee Ju-young, he does not belong to any factions although he served as maritime minister for the Park government in 2014, so neither Ban nor Kim is likely to gain an edge should he lead the party.



In addition to Joo, Han is also among the minor factional members. He has a very slim chance of winning after he refused to merge the non-Park candidates, according to experts.



On Friday, Joo joined forces with Rep. Choung Byoung-gug, another minor factional member, in a bid to prevent the pro-Park faction from securing the party leadership, with Lee Jung-hyun emerging as the favorite.



Lee Jung-hyun received 23.8 percent support against Lee Ju-young's 18.6 percent, Choung's 17 percent' Joo's 12.8 percent and Han's 10.6 percent in a recent survey conducted by Realmeter from Aug. 2 to 3.



"We believe it will be a three-way race among Lee Ju-young, Lee Jung-hyun and Joo, with the latter two likely to underscore how friendly or unfriendly they are with the President," a political analyst said.




A man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for swindling money from a Chinese woman. / Korea Times File



By Lee Jin-a

A Korean man has been jailed for swindling 170 million won ($155,000) from a Chinese woman, the court said Sunday.

Seoul Central District Court sentenced the man, surnamed Kim, to 18 months' jail and ordered him to compensate the woman fully.

Kim was indicted early this year for taking 170 million won from the woman between August and November in 2013 without intending to repay the money.



Prosecutors said the man borrowed the money with an "empty" promise to return the principal plus 20 percent annual interest.
School head unlikely to accept demand



By Kim Bo-eun



Students at Ewha Womans University are demanding that school President Choi Kyung-hee step down and take responsibility for the conflict surrounding an aborted night school plan.



While students are planning a massive rally against Choi if she refuses to step down, school officials say it is unlikely she will resign.



Hundreds of students began a sit-in at Ewha's main office building in Seoul on July 28, demanding the university scrap its plans to establish a night school, claiming the university merely hopes to generate revenue by luring people who need degrees from the top women's university here.



Although the university decided to drop its plans on Aug. 3, students have continued the sit-in, saying the protest will continue until the president steps down.



The students pledged to host a large-scale protest on Wednesday evening if their demands are not met.



But a university official implied Choi's resignation would not happen.



"The student demands cannot be accepted," said Jin Young-ju, the school's vice director of PR. "We recognize that the president holds responsibility (over the issue) but not to the extent of having to step down."



But Jin said discussions on the final decision about Choi's position are ongoing.



The university put pressure on the students to end their sit-in.



"The students continue to occupy the main building, and this is disrupting administrative procedures for the fall semester," Jin said.



The conflict between university authorities and students began in July after Ewha had been selected by the Ministry of Education as one of 10 schools to receive government funding to set up a night school as a means of dealing with the decreasing number of freshmen as a result of low birth rates.



However, hundreds of students began a sit-in, protesting the university's decision, denouncing the president for arbitrarily pushing ahead with the plan. With the sit-in, students blocked professors and a school worker from leaving a school building. Five of them were trapped in the building for two days until around 1,600 police were dispatched on July 30 to let them out.



After a week of protests by not only students but also professors and graduates, Ewha decided to nullify the disputed plan.



Meanwhile, students also denounced the university's mobilization of the police force.



They claimed their sit-in was peaceful, but that the university had mobilized the police to suppress them.



"According to police, the confinement of school faculty is illegal," Jin said. "We recognize it is the official duty of the police to investigate illegal acts. But the university sent a petition to local authorities not to punish the students, and is considering other ways to minimize the potential punishment for them."




By Jun Ji-hye

President Park Geun-hye criticized a group of opposition lawmakers who are visiting China for talks on the planned deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system in South Korea, Monday, saying they were sympathizing with the opinions of China as well as North Korea.

She also said there must be no differences between ruling and opposition parties, or divergent views depending on their political views, regarding a security issue where people's lives are at stake.

Her rebuke, made during a meeting with her senior secretaries, was directed at six first-term lawmakers from the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) who left for China earlier in the day for talks with Chinese officials and scholars over the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system here.

Their visit to China comes at a time when Beijing is escalating its criticism of the deployment by mobilizing the country's state-run media. They left for China despite a warning from Cheong Wa Dae that the visit will only bolster Beijing's stance over THAAD and exacerbate the growing division among South Koreans.

"Some politicians have openly made ridiculous claims that South Korea has nothing to say on the THAAD plan even if the North engages in another provocation, while some lawmakers who sympathized with China's stance, said they would visit China to exchange views on the THAAD issue," Park said.

Park reiterated the government's stance that South Korea and the United States' decision to deploy the THAAD unit in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, by next year was an "inevitable, self-defense" measure to better deter evolving nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.












Rep. Kim Young-ho of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) speaks to reporters at Gimpo International Airport in Seoul, Monday, before he and five other MPK lawmakers depart for China for talks with Chinese officials and scholars over the planned deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here. A member of a conservative civic group, behind Kim, holds up a sign in protest of their visit. / Yonhap



By Kim Hyo-jin



Six lawmakers from the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) visited China, Monday, to discuss the planned deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here with Chinese officials and scholars despite strong opposition from the presidential office and the ruling party.



Rep. Kim Young-ho, a member of the party's THAAD committee, and five fellow lawmakers  Park Jeung, Shin Dong-kuen, So Byung-hoon, Kim Byung-wook and Sohn Hye-won  met with Chinese scholars at Beijing University and exchanged opinions on the THAAD deployment and possible impact on diplomatic relations.



During the three-day visit to Beijing, the lawmakers also plan to visit South Korean residents and South Korean press correspondents in China.



They pushed ahead with the visit  although Cheong Wa Dae urged them Sunday to reconsider it  saying their trip could cause a negative impact on the nation's diplomatic relations with China.



"If Chinese media report that Cheong Wa Dae blocks opposition lawmakers from visiting the country, it will bring significant repercussions to bilateral relations," Kim said during a CBS radio interview earlier that day.



MPK lawmakers arranged the visit to China last week in a bid to gather more information about potential diplomatic and economic conflicts over the THAAD issue and exchange opinions on the matter, describing such moves as part of "parliamentary diplomacy."



However, it emerged as a hot-button issue in political circles as the ruling Saenuri Party and Cheong Wa Dae criticized the plan, saying it could strengthen China's negative stance against the THAAD deployment and widen internal division here.













Dismissing concerns over their visit, Kim argued that the trip is part of efforts to improve chilled ties with China.



He said they plan to deliver the message that the envisioned deployment of the anti-missile system should not undermine bilateral relations; to call on Chinese media to refrain from reports causing anti-Korean sentiment; and to urge the Chinese government to work closely with South Korea to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.



"It could have been quiet parliamentarian diplomacy, but Cheong Wa Dae is causing the problem," Kim said.



The ruling Saenuri Party stepped up criticizing the lawmakers' visit to Beijing, Monday, dismissing it as a short-sighted decision that will only feed into China's self interest.



"They have no qualifications to be South Korean lawmakers. From today, we have 294 Assemblymen, not 300," Rep. Ji Sang-wook, a party spokesperson, said during a press briefing.



"Chinese media are trumpeting the justification of China's opposition, mentioning their visit. The lawmakers are only being used and in the end will harm the national interest."



Ji also said, "It's a shame that they pushed ahead with the plan when interim MPK Chairman Kim Chong-in tried to stop them from going."



Kim, however, denied the media coverage about the interim leader's opposition.



The MPK has remained ambiguous over how to respond to a planned deployment of the battery with Kim Chong-in supporting the decision.



Meanwhile the minor opposition People's Party has argued the government should withdraw the decision to deploy unless it seeks parliamentary approval.
CHICAGO (AP)  Forget Fluffy and Fido. Bessie the cow just might make a healthier pet.

That idea stems from new research in two farming-based religious communities that shun modern ways but have dramatically different childhood asthma rates. The goal was to find an explanation for why asthma is so uncommon among Amish communities, where children run barefoot in dairy barns and farm fields, but much higher in the other group.

Blood samples, house dust and mice experiments revealed some tantalizing clues, suggesting something in the dust was protecting the Amish children.

The study was published in Thursdays New England Journal of Medicine. It involved 60 school-aged children  30 each from an Amish community in Middlebury, Indiana, and from a Hutterite colony near Mitchell, South Dakota. Amish and Hutterites both originated in Europe, share old-style Protestant beliefs and lifestyles and have similar genetic ancestry.

But Hutterites live on large highly industrialized communal farms, use modern agricultural machinery, and children are more isolated from livestock. By contrast, the Amish have family-run farms, they use horse-drawn plows, their barns often are located near their homes and their children have daily exposure to farm animals, the researchers explained.

Asthma is a lung disease involving narrowed airways and episodes of wheezing, coughing and breathing difficulties. Its cause is unknown but scientists believe genes and the environment play a role. Having a family history of allergy or asthma increases the risk, and pollution, dust and pet dander are among triggers in susceptible people.

No Amish children and six Hutterites had asthma. Other studies have found rates of about 5 percent in Amish school-aged children versus up to about 20 percent in Hutterites and 10 percent for U.S. kids. Reasons for the higher Hutterite rate arent known but exhaust from farm machinery is an unlikely explanation because they typically dont come in close contact with it, said study co-author Carole Ober, a University of Chicago geneticist.

Blood tests confirmed both groups of children had similar genetic profiles. But Amish children had far more white blood cells called neutrophils  important in fighting infections. Plus, these cells looked younger in Amish kids, suggesting their immune system was constantly stimulated by exposure to germs to produce more.

Other blood cells called monocytes were found in similar numbers in both groups. Previous studies suggest these cells are hyperactive in allergy-prone children but the cells showed signs of being less responsive to allergy triggers in the Amish kids, said co-author Anne Sperling, a University of Chicago immunologist.

This was a phenomenal difference, she said. We were blown away.

She said the second gee-whiz moment came after researchers collected Amish and Hutterite house dust and tested it on special mice sensitized to develop asthma symptoms. Hutterite dust triggered breathing troubles and inflamed airways in the mice; Amish dust did not.

What exactly is in Amish house dust that might protect children is not known and more research is planned to find out, but the study authors theorized it could be microbes including bacteria from dairy cows.

We could just say put a cow in everyones house and no one would have asthma anymore but of course thats not easy, Ober said with a chuckle.

But if protective germs can be identified, it might someday be possible to create an asthma blocker for all children, she said.

A journal editorial said the study bolsters evidence that exposure to germs from traditional farming may protect against asthma. The results also support the so-called hygiene hypothesis, which theorizes that relatively germ-free homes of modern society make infants more vulnerable to allergies and asthma.

Dr. Talal Chatila, an allergy expert at Boston Childrens Hospital who wrote the editorial, said the study doesnt answer when and how often exposure to farm dust might be needed to protect children and if it needs to begin before birth.

Ober noted that research has shown that infants whose families have dogs are less likely to develop asthma and allergies but that acquiring a dog later on doesnt make a difference.
By Lee Jin-a

Two Africans who pretended to be U.S. military generals have been booked for swindling, police said Friday.

According to Daegu Dongbu Police Station, a Cameroonian and a Liberian, pretending to be U.S. military generals, swindled more than 90 million won ($81,600) from a Korean woman surnamed Kim, whom they met online.

They told Kim they were U.S. military generals serving in Syria and would settle in Korea after they were discharged.

The men said that if she helped them to send their medals and gold bars to Korea, they would pay a large amount of compensation when they arrived.

"Both of them, however, have lived in Seoul since they entered the country seeking political asylum and requesting refugee status," a police official said.

"They were caught after asking the woman to send more money."
Theresa Hyun

This is the first in a series of contributions about Seoul's charms as seen from foreigners' points of view.  ED.

By Theresa Hyun

These days, it's easy to find guidebooks written in a number of foreign languages which focus on specialized aspects of Korean culture, from cuisine to nightlife to templestays. When I visit Seoul, instead of consulting the internet or flipping through the pages of a tourist pamphlet, I embark on a journey in the streets nearby my hotel.

The neighborhood is full of intriguing people. One example is the local shoeshine man who sits in his covered stand every day of the year, except Sundays and holidays, surrounded by piles of worn-out shoes. I can't help thinking that he is a kind of savior humbly polishing out the stains of our daily lives.

Further down the street is a small fruit and vegetable shop run by three generations of a family. The sprightly grandmother with curly gray hair never fails to question me about my eating habits. As she weighs my fresh carrots and radishes, I assure her that I eat kimchi regularly while I'm in Korea.



The grandson bustles about unloading crates of melons and stacking sesame oil and other condiments. At the cash register his father relates the family saga of coming up to Seoul from the countryside when he was a boy and moving from place to place until they settled on a busy corner where local housewives gather.

On days when I'm in a more adventurous mood, I head for the traditional market where, as they say, there's nothing that isn't there. Since daybreak, trucks have been unloading fresh produce from various parts of the country.



Wandering from stall to stall, I feast my eyes on a cornucopia of items to consume. One section features every imaginable type of grain, and around the bend I find wriggling octopus and claw-snapping crabs before coming face to face with a large pig head. Moving beyond culinary delights, I find an array of household items, sporting goods and electronic equipment.

The overwhelming abundance stimulates my appetite, and I turn my steps toward the rows of gimbap (seaweed-wrapped rice rolls) stands until I come to Dr. Gimbap. I'm intrigued by the precision of Yong-hee, her mom and aunt who deftly brush sesame oil onto flat pieces of roasted seaweed, press on rice, add slices of radish and carrot, roll, slice and package.

They hawk their wares with a melodious "3,500 won per bag, 3,500 won!" I purchase a warm fragrant bag, and as I munch I ask them for their recipe. They wonder if I'm in the restaurant business, but I explain that I miss Korean food when I'm home.



Since I've become addicted to gimbap, I turn up at their shop every few days and I learn that Yong-hee has been dreaming of studying dress-making overseas since high school graduation. At first she consulted several fortunetellers in the alleys in the back of the market, but finally she realized her path forward. At Dr. Gimbap, mother, daughter and aunt pave the way roll by roll, bag by bag, day by day.

The most fascinating aspects of Seoul are the Seoulites themselves.

Theresa Hyun is a Korean studies professor at York University in Toronto, Canada. She is also a Canadian Korean-language poet and honorary member of the Korea Canadian Writers' Association. Hyun is based in Toronto, but lived in Korea for more than a decade from the 1980s to the 1990s and continues to visit Seoul every year.
By Andrei Lankov

Many, if not most, Westerners with a passing interest in North Korea tend to believe that in the bygone days of the Communist bloc the Soviet Union and North Korea were close allies. This is a gross mistake.

While relations between Moscow and Pyongyang were initially quite close, from the late 1950s they deteriorated rapidly and significantly. Hence, the 1960 to 1990 period can be best described as a time of a pragmatic alliance driven not by any ideological solidarity but rather by cold, practical geopolitical concerns.

It is true that the North Korean state came into existence in the late 1940s as a result of Soviet-inspired and Soviet-controlled social engineering. It might be a bit excessive to describe North Korea in 1945-50 as a "Soviet puppet state", but the level of micromanagement of North Korean affairs by Soviet officials stationed in the country then was high.

However, it was not only the Soviets who were using Kim Il-sung, but also Kim using the Soviets, and at the end of the day, it was Kim who came out on top. In the 1950s, while still producing large quantities of pro-Soviet, politically correct rhetoric, Kim Il-sung gradually removed all officials too close to Moscow. Many of these people were former Soviet officials of Korean ethnic extraction dispatched to North Korea before the Korean War. In the late 1950s, skillfully utilizing growing hostility between the Soviet Union and China, Kim Il-sung managed nearly completely to rid his country of Soviet influence, becoming arguably the most independent of all communist rulers at the time.

Relations between Moscow and Pyongyang had turned sour, with several North Korean officials and intellectuals, including the then North Korean ambassador in Moscow, defecting and granted asylum _ much to the chagrin of Pyongyang. At the same time, purges of pro-Soviet elements continued, and the most well known were either exiled or imprisoned, but the less well known suffered much, perishing in labor camps or mining colonies. Intellectuals close to Russia were also largely purged.

In the early 1960s, the North Korean government moved to dissolve mixed marriages. Those North Koreans who had studied in the USSR and had married Soviet citizens (mainly North Korean men to Soviet women) were ordered to get divorced or be exiled. Soviet citizens were then either forcibly deported or not allowed to return when they visited relatives in the USSR.

The purge of Soviet publications also began. Most translations of Soviet fiction were suddenly found to be ideologically suspect and moved to special sections of libraries closed to the public. After 1967, it even became illegal to keep foreign (including Soviet) literature at home, though this ban ceased to be enforced in the early 1980s (maybe due to the rise of Kim Jong-il).

At the same time, academic and cultural exchanges were dramatically reduced or halted. In 1958, after the defection of some North Korean students in Moscow (all of them were granted asylum by Soviet authorities), the North Korean government decided not to allow its students to study abroad in other socialist bloc countries. In Bulgaria, then the closest Soviet ally in Europe, the group defection of North Korean students (all granted asylum by the Bulgarian government) led to a complete interruption of diplomatic relations, which remained frozen for a few years in the 1960s. Student exchanges with the Communist bloc were only resumed in the late 1970s.

In 1962-4, postal exchanges between North Korea and the Soviet Union were effectively halted, again only to resume some 15 years later in the late 1970s. North Korean letter writers sometimes got their letters back marked "addressee unknown", or just didn't get a response. Only increasingly rare visitors were able occasionally to smuggle in letters.

The Soviet Union also did not show much sympathy toward North Korea in those decades. The Soviet media remained largely silent about North Korea, while the majority of "fraternal" communist countries enjoyed extensive coverage in the Soviet newspapers of the period. In lectures for party activists and education personnel (technically off-limits to the public), selected attendees were told rather critical (if generally correct) stories about North Korea's mad personality cult and growing economic problems, as well as its rather tense relations with the Soviet Union.

Despite this, Soviet aid continued to flow into North Korea because the Soviet Union needed the country as a buffer near its eastern borders and also did not want Pyongyang to side with Beijing in the intense Sino-Soviet dispute of the period. Nonetheless, relations remained testy until the mid-1980s, when they briefly improved only to collapse again around 1990. So, it might have been an alliance, but it must have been an uneasy one.
South Korean weightlifter Yoon Jin-hee lifts a barbell at Riocentro Pavilion 2, Monday (KST). / Yonhap







By Choi Ha-young



South Korean weightlifter Yoon Jin-hee clinched the bronze medal in the women's 53-kg category at the Rio Olympics, Monday (KST).

Yoon lifted 88-kg in the snatch and 111-kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 199-kg, finishing behind silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines and Hsu Shu-Ching of Chinese Taipei who grabbed the gold with a 212-kg total.



The bronze medalist Yoon, 30, is also a mother of two children.



She came to Rio with her husband, Won Jeong-sik, a weightlifter who will compete in the men's 69-kg event on Wednesday. "I was out of my mind for five seconds when it was confirmed that she had won the medal," Won said after Yoon's competition.



Yoon retired after winning the silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and started life as a housewife after marrying Won, four years her junior.



"I lost my desire after getting the silver at the Beijing Olympics. I wondered what more could I achieve. I failed to overcome that feeling and retired," she said in a recent interview with the local media.



Yoon's absence proved to be a big loss for the South Korean weightlifters as the South Korean women's team failed to win any medals at the 2012 London Games.



Yoon said what motivated her to return to training was her husband's injury in 2014 at the Incheon Asian Games.



"When I started rehabilitation, I suggested that we train together as I had always valued her talent. This created a miracle for both of us," Won said.



At the Rio Olympics, Yoon's efforts paid off with a little bit of luck. She initially placed fourth in the competition. She lifted 199-kg in total, just one kilogram shy of a medal.



However, Li Yajun of China, the world-record holder, failed to lift 126-kg. This landed Yoon a bronze medal.



It was only in 2014 when the former silver medalist started training again. It was not easy for her to return to the sport. When Yoon suffered a shoulder injury last year, she considered giving up on the Rio Olympics.



"During those hard times, my trainer encouraged me to create a miracle at the Olympics" she expressed her gratitude to the national team trainer Kim Ah-young.



Meanwhile, Won aims to renew his personal record in Rio. "My record is not near the medal winning level but who knows, a miracle could happen, like with my wife. I will do my best on Wednesday," he said.
By Doug Bandow



Newly anointed GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump wasted no time in criticizing the foreign policy legacy of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. For decades the GOP has claimed to uniquely represent American military personnel.



Service members aren't allowed to become publicly involved in partisan politics. However, they do speak indirectly, via polls and contributions.



It turns out that they favor neither Democrats nor Republicans. Rather, they lean libertarian. This campaign a plurality is supporting the least militaristic of the candidates, Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson.



The LP is a perennial and distant third place contender. But this election might be different. Johnson has been polling in double digits and could hold the balance of power.



Especially with the help of military personnel. For instance, a July poll found Johnson well ahead of the two major party candidates.



Almost 39 percent of active duty members backed him. Just 31 percent supported Donald Trump and only 14 percent were for Hillary Clinton. Johnson carried every service except the Navy. He enjoyed the biggest margin in the Marines Corps, 44 percent to 27 percent for Trump.



This isn't the first time a libertarian led the presidential race among military personnel. Republican Ron Paul, a congressman long known as "Dr. No," was a consistent outlier on foreign policy. While the other Republicans advocated more intervention and war, Paul highlighted the problems of "blowback"  terrorism as a response to Washington's persistent willingness to bomb, invade, and occupy other nations and drone and bomb other peoples.



The conventional wisdom seemed to be that military personnel lusted for war. Yet, wrote Timothy Egan in the New York Times in 2011, Paul had "more financial support from active duty members of the service than any other politician." At one point Paul had collected 87 percent of the military contributions for GOP candidates.



As of March 2012 Paul had received more than twice the amount for Obama, almost ten times the amount for Romney, more than ten times as much as Gingrich, and about 32 times the amount for Rick Santorum, a former Senator. The latter three were inveterate war hawks who themselves never served in the military. In contrast, Obama presented himself as a critic of unnecessary war.



After Iowa soon Mitt Romney effectively wrapped up the GOP race. Military personnel shifted their financial support, but to Obama, not Romney. It turns out that when GOP candidates beat the war drums they were competing for votes from the ivory tower rather than the armed services. In March 2012 Obama collected about twice as much cash as Paul, who in turn received twice as much as Romney.



Paul even led his Republican competitors among military contractors (though he trailed Obama). Analyst Loren Thompson explained that "Just because people work in the defense industry doesn't mean that they always vote their economic interests." The GOP's presumption that war offers political benefits appears doubtful.



While service personnel are willing to serve in combat, most do not want to do so absent compelling circumstances. And few of the interests involved in Washington's conflicts can be considered serious let alone vital. A Marines Corp veteran who supported Paul told Egan that service members "realize they're being utilized for other purposes  nation building and being world's policeman  and it's not what they signed up for."



Despite the support of so many military members, Ron Paul was never able to significantly broaden his appeal. Johnson enjoys at least three big advantages over Paul.



The first is that as a former two-term governor he has practical governing experience. Second, his running mate, William Weld, also is a serious political figure. Third, the two major party contenders are widely disliked, even despised.



These may allow Johnson to build on the strong backing from those in the military who have suffered most directly from the misbegotten interventionist policies of the last three administrations. Other voters have good reason to take him seriously.



Who can keep Americans safe? That obviously is one of the most important questions this election. Uniformed military personnel are giving a surprising answer.



Doug Bandow is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute. He also is a former special assistant to President Ronald Reagan and author of "Foreign Follies: America's New Global Empire."




National interests should not be compromised



Six lawmakers from the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MBK) began their three-day trip to China, Monday, concerning the planned deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system here. Their "parliamentary diplomacy" drew attention as even the presidential office urged them to cancel their trip.



"We are going to China to contribute even a little to improving chilled diplomatic ties between Seoul and Beijing following Korea's decision to deploy the U.S.-made anti-missile battery,'' said Kim Young-ho, who is leading the delegation, before leaving for China.



During their stay in Beijing, the six first-term legislators attend meetings with professors at Peking University, Korean residents and press correspondents in China. They reportedly plan to use their China trip to stress that relations between the two countries must not be marred by the THAAD issue and will urge the Chinese media to refrain from reports that could inflame anti-Seoul sentiment in Beijing.



If their activities in China, which accuses the system of enabling the United States to monitor its airspace, are confined to these, censuring them for trying to sell the country to China is certainly overblown. But given China's unruly and unilateral moves since South Korea's THAAD decision, there is every reason to worry about their visit to China. As things stand now, chances are high that their trip would eventually help bolster the Chinese government's position and deepen our internal division.



More than anything else, China, Seoul's largest trading partner, has clearly revealed its intentions to use the lawmakers' visit as an occasion to push its opposition to the THAAD deployment. In an unusual front-page story Saturday, China's Global Times reported on a planned trip by the six opposition lawmakers in what appears to be a move aimed at helping spread negative opinion concerning the anti-missile system.



It might be naive for the lawmakers to discuss and deal with the THAAD issue with Chinese scholars on Chinese soil, given the persistent norm in international politics of giving top priority to the national interest.



China's concern about THHAD is understandable. But the hard fact is that the battery is a purely defensive system intended to keep a close watch on North Korea, not China, which will be located in South Korea's southeastern region. Chinese leaders need to be reminded that THAAD would have been unnecessary had there been no North Korean nuclear and missile threats. Seoul has no reason to introduce the battery if such threats are removed.



Given the escalating tensions between South Korea and China over the past weeks, it's doubtful if this is the proper time for the opposition lawmakers to visit China. Rather, both the ruling and opposition legislators should have made a joint trip at a most opportune time to listen to China's complaints and explain our position clearly to our neighboring superpower. That would help settle the THAAD issue reasonably.



Once the opposition lawmakers began their trip, it became imperative that they pay attention to their words and actions most carefully. But if they irrationally take sides with China to oppose the THHAD deployment, the main opposition party could face an enormous backlash.




LG Uplus employees check their IDs to report their attendance at the company's headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul, Monday. The telecom company said it has introduced flextime for working mother this month. / Courtesy of LG Uplus



By Yoon Sung-won



LG Uplus has introduced a flexible hours scheduling system, aiming at establishing a more autonomous and creative corporate culture, the company said Monday.



The nation's third-largest telecom company stressed that the flextime system has been adopted to lessen the burden of working mothers and support motherhood.



The company said it has first applied the system for pregnant employees and female workers who have children younger than 8. The system will be expanded to cover all employees, including male workers, after assessing employee satisfaction, the company said.



"The flextime system has been introduced to boost work efficiency by helping employees balance work and life through flexible time management," said Jung Jong-pyo, LG Uplus' human resources support division head.



In the system, employees can choose from seven types of flexible working hours which vary by the time of arrival between 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The new rule stipulates that employees who start working at 7 a.m. can call it a day at 4:00 p.m., whereas those who enter the office at 10 a.m. can leave after 7 p.m.



Employees can shift between the options on a monthly basis, the company said.



LG Uplus said most employees welcomed the introduction of the flextime system.



"The flextime system will allow me to lay out my own schedule to manage my time more efficiently," an employee said on the company's online bulletin board.



LG Uplus said it has adopted diverse corporate culture programs including what it calls the "Smart Working Day," in which employees can leave the office an hour early every second and third Wednesday. The company has also banned its employees from talking about work through mobile instant messaging after 10 p.m.



Also for working moms, LG Uplus operates a daycare center at the company's headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul, as well as a counseling program.
By Yoon Sung-won



Samsung SDS said Monday it is pushing to expand international distribution of its retail management system, targeting global carmakers and real estate businesses.



The system integration service affiliate of Samsung Group said it will seek to provide the retail management system, named NexshopTM, to extend distribution channels to non-Samsung affiliates. Samsung SDS currently provides NexshopTM for Samsung Electronics' mobile communication outlets around the world.



"Samsung SDS has provided the advanced retail management system for Samsung Electronics outlets all around the world, drawing attention from global enterprise customers," Samsung SDS System Business Division President Hong Won-pyo said in a statement. "We will continue to expand the NexshopTM business to diverse industries in the future."



Samsung SDS said its retail management system is designed to realize differentiated commerce experiences, tailor-made sales services for each customer, management support, systematic human resources training and digital advertising. By introducing the NexshopTM system, clients will be able to offer efficient promotion programs based on analysis of customer behavior and a purchase pattern database, the company said.



Other than the NexshopTM system at worldwide Samsung Electronics mobile outlets, Samsung SDS also provides a system called Samsung Plus, which is based on the store employee training program Nexshop Training, for more than 300,000 employees at 37 stores.



Last month, the company signed a contract to cooperate on smart business with British real estate web portal Zoopla, which holds about a 70 percent market share in the country's corporate real estate trading.



Under the deal, Samsung SDS has connected the Nexshop system to Zoopla's content to improve real estate information services. Visitors to offices can check digitized real estate offerings through tablet computers and large format displays and locations of buildings on an interactive map system and go on a virtual tour of the buildings.



Samsung SDS also said its retail management system is drawing attention from German carmakers operating in China.



With the NexshopTM system, carmakers can automatically distribute marketing content to car stores around the globe and tap into display devices including a head-mounted virtual reality (VR) device to offer a differentiated customer experience, Samsung SDS said.




Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte calls U.S. ambassador Philip Goldberg a "son of a bitch" during a speech to soldiers at Camp Lapu-Lapu in Cebu City on Friday. / Courtesy of Twitter



By Hong Dam-young

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, notorious for using derogatory terms about his political opponents, has called. U.S. ambassador Philip Goldberg a "son of a bitch."

Duterte made the comment while giving a speech to soldiers at Camp Lapu-Lapu in Cebu City on Friday.

After recalling that his recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was decent and smooth, he shifted his focus to Goldberg, whom he met to discuss the recent Hague ruling on the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) on July 19, a week before Kerry paid a courtesy call to Malacanang.

"I had an argument with that bakla'  gay' in Filipino  ambassador," Duterte ranted, according to Yonhap news agency. "That son of a bitch really annoyed me."

In April, when Duterte was mayor of Davao, he joked about the Australian missionary who was raped and killed in a jail riot in 1989, saying, "She was beautiful. I should have raped her in the first place as a mayor."

The comment sparked a national uproar and drew international condemnation.

In the midst of the controversy, Goldberg reacted to Duterte's comment by saying the U.S. did not condone statements that degraded women or trivialized serious issues such as rape or murder.

Duterte struck back, saying Goldberg "should not interfere with our national election," and threatened to cut ties with the U.S.

The Philippine president has not yet buried the hatchet, continuing to claim that Goldberg's remark was an interference in the country's national election in May.

While former Filipino president Benigno Aquino III maintained close ties with the U.S. and Japan to confront China regarding the South China Sea disputes, Duterte seems to be bonding with China.

Such a relationship could pose a threat to the U.S., which has had friendly relations with the Philippines.
RENO  Newmont Mining Corp.'s Carlin Team beat out 35 teams from 16 states nationwide to finish first at the 2016 National Metal and Nonmetal Mine Rescue Contest in Reno.

The Carlin team came in third in the field competition, first place for first aid and second for team tech (BG4) during the four-day event held July 25-28 in Reno.

Barrick Golds Turquoise Ridge Regulators from Golconda, came in first in the bio technician team competition.

Co-hosted by the U.S. Department of Labors Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Nevada Mining Association, mine rescue competitions gauge the readiness of teams and their individual members  sharpening skills and testing their knowledge in a series of simulated emergency scenarios, such as a mine fire, explosion or roof collapse.

MSHA highlighted the winner of the field competition in a press release. The Waste Isolation Pilot Plants "Blue Team" came in first in the field.

Three members of the WIPP team were represented by the United Steelworkers District 12, Local 9477  illustrating the key role labor plays in helping develop mine rescue teams across the country, said said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.

We ask mine rescue teams to respond to some of our nations most difficult emergency situations, Main said. We owe them the best training, equipment and support to help them be successful and to stay safe.

Main noted that MSHA has devoted considerable attention to developing new mine emergency response systems with the latest mine rescue communications and tracking systems, as well as mapping and atmospheric monitoring equipment, to improve and streamline communications between the surface command centers and underground mine rescue teams. The agency has located these systems at four mine emergency operations sites in Madisonville, Kentucky; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Price, Utah; and Beckley, West Virginia.

At the 2016 event, top honors also went to Doe Run Companys Gray Team from Viburnum, Missouri; and Barrick Golds Turquoise Ridge Regulators from Golconda, in the technician team competitions; and Morton Salts Team Texas from Grand Saline, Texas, in the team trainer competition. Newmont Minings Carlin Team finished first in overall standings.

In the field competition, five-member teams are required to search and account for all missing miners following standard mine rescue procedures. The two-man technician team must ensure that multi-gas and self-contained breathing apparatuses are in proper working condition. In the first-aid competition, teams must be prepared to deal with medical emergency techniques, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and control of bleeding, as well as the treatment of physical shock, wounds, burns and musculoskeletal injuries. The team trainer test consists of multiple-choice and true-false questions.

Data show that last year was the safest year on record, with the lowest number of mining deaths at 28, down considerably from 45 in 2014; fatal and injury rates are down to historic lows, according to MSHA.

We are currently working on improving related mine rescue technologies including seismic detection and the use of robotics to remotely find missing miners, and use of video communications with helmet mounted cameras for advancing mine rescue teams, Main said.

For miners emergency use there is a need to develop improved refuge alternatives and adding voice communications capabilities in self-contained rescue devices that allow miners to communicate with each other without breathing poisonous air during mine emergencies, MSHA stated.

On mine emergency response, the number of metal and nonmetal mine rescue teams has increased from 102 in 2010 to 117 in 2016. The considerable support and preparedness of metal and nonmetal mine rescue teams has been noticeable across the country, according to the agency.

However, there is real concern about the strength of mine rescue teams in the coal sector, Main said. In 2010, there were approximately 214 and that number has dropped dramatically to less than half this year, with 103 teams nationally.

The continued support for mine rescue training contests in both metal and nonmetal and coal is essential for the future of mine rescue readiness, he said.

We have achieved new levels of safety and health that rivals any we have seen in the past, Main said. Last years historical low mining deaths and injury and fatal rates, respirable coal mine dust levels and list of chronic violators have become the new benchmarks in mine safety and health. We must build upon this roadmap that has delivered those successes so miners can go to work and return home safely each and every day. We owe our nations miners that much.
ELKO  Almost two weeks after the disappearance of a Spring Creek hiker, authorities have changed the focus of their efforts from a rescue to a recovery mission.

Undersheriff Ron Supp said the search for Jacob Beetler, 20, will become more localized and on a smaller scale.

Additionally, different areas will be searched for a body over the next couple of weeks using specialized dogs.

The hiker left his residence at approximately 5 a.m. July 27 to hike the Ruby Dome area to scout for deer, according to a report from the sheriffs office.

Authorities suspended the search Thursday because of weather conditions, but prior to that, rescuers from the Elko County Sheriffs Office Search and Rescue, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Lander County Sheriffs Office, the Nevada Division of Forestry, family members, friends and many other volunteers scoured the mountain range southeast of Elko.
The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary

Read more
*Update: The Times admit the error below. Also I fixed some dates I goofed on.

Back in 2010, notorious murderer Betty Broderick was turned down for parole and San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Greg Moran wrote it up at length. Now for some reason, the Los Angeles Times has been running the exact same story all weekend in a prominent place on LATimes.com  with Moran's byline and lede as he wrote it six-plus years ago. It also ran Sunday on page 2 of the California section, under the Crime Watch label, with no hint that the story was six years old.

Broderick is listed as 62 years old in both the 2010 story in the U-T and in this weekend's LA Times story. And the parole hearing is billed as her first since the much-covered murders and subsequent books and TV movies about the Broderick case. The only change I see from the 2010 San Diego story is that the LA Times website put a new time stamp on it  Aug. 6, 2016 at 12 p.m.  and after the story was up for awhile, tweaked Moran's second paragraph to change the timing of the parole hearing from "Yesterday" to "Last week." In the print version, the same time reference is changed again to "This week," which in a Sunday story would suggest the event is still to happen in the coming days.

Stories sometimes fall between the cracks on a website (don't I know it), but this is a big crack. Especially to then appear in the Sunday paper. The original 2010 story almost certainly never ran in the LA Times  the San Diego Union-Tribune was a competitor then, and only last year was purchased and now shares the same parent company as the LA Times: Tronc. Best as I can tell by searching the U-T's website tonight, they didn't run Moran's story again. It's only on the LA Times website. I also looked on Google News to see if there was a new parole hearing for Broderick last week, but nobody else is reporting one.

This looks like just one of those oops moments. But a not inconsequential one. The online story is currently number 9 on the "Most Popular" page on the LA Times website. Google Betty Broderick and the news story in the Times is displayed prominently as some current action on the case.

The Broderick case was huge at the time, from 1989 until her conviction in 1991 of murdering her hex-husband and his new wife in their home. Amy Wallace, then a reporter for the Times in San Diego, covered the case and it was to her that Broderick admitted the killings. Wallace wrote about the impact it had on her life and career in a November 2009 piece for Los Angeles Magazine, where she is an editor. Her magazine story set up the parole hearing that the U-T covered in 2010 and the LA Times covered this weekend.

The hearing itself featured Broderick's children being divided on whether she should be freed from her life sentence, and the parole panel deciding she should remain in prison. The original story in the Union-Tribune talks about where the lawyers and judge in the Broderick case are now.

As for Greg Moran, he is now a member of the Union-Tribune's investigative reporting team. This is not his first LA Times byline. He has been getting credit on recent Times pickups from San Diego, including on the Trump University court case there.

9 a.m. Monday update: The Times acknowledges in the error in a short note on the story at 8:04 a.m. and puts a new label on it: "From the Archives."

For the record: This story was originally published by the San Diego Union-Tribune in January 2010 when Betty Broderick was last denied parole. The Times inadvertently republished it Saturday with an August 2016 date, making it appear that she had just been denied parole. Broderick is in prison today. She is now 68. The Times regrets the error.

But not before Shelby Grad, the assistant managing editor for California news, tweeted the 2010 story as new news.
PRESS RELEASE

Its Al-Qaeda That Obama Now Openly Backs in Syria

Aug. 7, 2016 (EIRNS)While there are conflicting reports in media worldwide about the fierce fighting around East Aleppo in Syria, one thing is clear. The jihadi force currently encircled in East Aleppo by the Syrian Arab Army, and also attacking that army from the Southwest to try to break the siege, is simply al-Qaeda.

A grouping of Arab-Americans called Ikras, whose intelligence is politically incorrect but accurate, reports that 85% of the "rebels" currently fighting in East Aleppo belong to the al-Qaeda formation whichuntil a few moments agocalled itself Jabhat al-Nusra, as do the jihadis fighting to break the SAAs siege from the outside. The remaining 15% belong to 22 other, often-shifting groups who fight alongside al-Nusra. The great majority have not previously lived in Aleppo, and half are not Syrians.

This then is the al-Qaeda terrorist force, the encirclement and siege of which the Obama State Department, through spokesman Adm. John Kirby, is calling on Russia and Syria to lift. Obamas discredited fraud of a UN Ambassador, regime-change war devotee Samantha Power, has been calling the Syrian government encirclement of al-Qaeda in Aleppo "chilling," and "an entrapment of 250-300,000 civilians." She has demanded those civilians not leave East Aleppo through corridors established for that purpose; and has demanded that Russia cause the Syrian government to lift the siege.

Obama said on Aug. 6 that he does not trust anything Russia does in Syria, and also said the siege of East Aleppo should be lifted.

U.S. weapons such as TOW anti-tank missiles continue to go to these al-Qaeda fighters, along with Saudi-supplied weapons, although the New York Times reports today that this flow has slowed in recent weeks as supply roads have been cut by Syrian Army and allied forces.

As the veteran NATO Military Committee Chairman Gen. Harald Kujat (German Bundeswehr, ret.) warned on Deutschlandfunk radio recently, anyone talking about defending "rebels" fighting the al-Assad government in Aleppo, is talking about supporting al-Qaeda, al-Nusra, and ISIS.

Precisely what Obama is now doing, with calls to do much more of the same from media which strongly back Hillary Clinton, such as the Washington Post today.

And as Lyndon LaRouche observed Aug. 6, at this point "Hillary Clinton should be ashamed of herself for being herself."
PRESS RELEASE

Philippine-China Talks BeginStart with Things We Agree On

Aug. 7, 2016 (EIRNS)The Rodrigo Duterte government in the Philippines announced today that former President Fidel Ramos will travel to Beijing on Monday to begin talks with China on the South China Sea on behalf of the government. While Secretary of State Kerry, who visited Manila last week, gave his full support to these bilateral talks, there is certainly pure rage in the White House and in Hillary Clintons campaign headquarters, as the entire plan for war on China launched by their "Pivot to Asia" is threatened with losing its primary ally.

Most importantly, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said that Duterte had earlier discussed with Ramos certain "principles of wisdom about how to go about the conversation," calling on him to "start with things they agree on and not necessarily begin from an adversarial or instant position."

This is critical, since Obama has been making a last desperate effort to sabotage the talks by demanding that Duterte put the Arbitration decision in The Hague on the agenda as a precondition. China, of course, has denounced The Hague process as a fraud and an imperial stunt which they will neither recognize nor follow. Duterte, by announcing that the discussions will be based on finding agreement, has rejected Obamas ploy.

Ramos has maintained close relations with Beijing since his Presidency in the 1990s. He was one of the founders of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), known as the Asian Davos, which holds an annual meeting in China bringing together world leaders to discuss economic and strategic issues. Ramos also served as its chairman at one time.

Xinhua, in announcing Ramoss Monday visit, wrote today that
In yet another attempt to reboot his presidential campaign by demonstrating that hes really a policy guy, Donald Trump on Monday unveiled a sheaf of proposals aimed at spurring economic growth.

Almost all of these will be familiar to anyone who has followed Republican economic policy over the decades. They include a moratorium on financial regulations, cutting corporate taxes, and slashing the top rate on personal income taxes.

An important feature of Trumps tax plan was highlighted by an earlier analysis by the Tax Policy Center, a joint venture of the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution: It delivers enormous benefits to members of the top 1%, like him. They get more than one-third of all the tax cuts, notching an average annual reduction of $275,257 in the first year and $407,375 by 2025, compared with current tax law; the top 20% of all earners would get two-thirds of all the benefits. The plan also would increase the federal deficit by about $11 trillion, the Tax Policy Center found.

Advertisement

Were especially interested in one element of Trumps plan: repealing the estate tax  or as its been rebranded in Republican orthodoxy, the death tax. This isnt the largest piece of the pie, as it would amount to an average $25 billion a year or so.

But to us its the most intriguing because its such a narrowly focused cut, yet one dressed up as a boon for ordinary AmericansTrump himself called it a burden on the American worker. Yet as we observed in 2009, the estate tax affects only a few thousand people at most, all of them multimillionaires with an average nest egg of more than $30 million. We can think of no better way to lay out the stupidity of the argument against the death tax than to republish the column we wrote about it on April 13, 2009.

A few things have changed since that column appeared. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) retired in 2013 and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) lost a reelection bid in 2010, though the constituencies prompting their opposition to the tax  the army of well-heeled retirees in Kyls state and the residency of Walton family members (heirs to the Wal-Mart fortune) in Lincolns  still exist.

The temporary reduction of the estate tax to zero in 2010 has passed, leaving only a Law & Order episode about rich families plotting to kill off their elders during the moratorium to remember it by. The tax is currently 40% of estates larger than an exemption of $5.45 million for individuals and $10.9 million for couples.

Other than that, all the arguments pro and con remain the same. My 2009 column follows:

===============

Death tax con refuses to die

[April 13, 2009]

Everybodys familiar with Ben Franklins old saw about nothing being certain but death and taxes. But how about the death tax?

Thats the loaded term employed by opponents of the estate tax, which has been part of the federal tax code for more than 90 years and the subject of furious repeal campaigns for almost that long.

Thanks to lobbyists and legislators looking out for the welfare of the richest Americans, the tax currently hits fewer than 3 of every 1,000 estates every year and bristles with exemptions and deferments for the rest. Its contribution to the federal treasury is about 1% of all revenue.

Yet it consumes enormous mind share in Washington. This month, a new tax-cut proposal from Sens. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) won Senate approval. The resolution would raise the exemption on taxable estates to $10 million from the current $7 million (after the death of both spouses). It also would cut the rate charged on the nonexempt portion to 35% from the current 45%.

The tax is currently set to fall to zero for 2010 and return with a $1-million exemption and a 55% rate in 2011; President Obama proposes merely making todays exemption and rates permanent.

Arguments against the estate tax rank as the most special of special pleading, considering that more than 99.7% of all estates already are exempt. Perhaps 3,000 Americans who died in 2007 left estates valued from $7 million to $10 million; Lincoln and Kyl would have extended the exemption to them. As for those left to carry the burden, the number of taxpayers who died in 2007 leaving estates worth more than $10 million was 1,700. Their average estate was $31.6 million. Lincoln, Kyl and their colleagues actually wasted time on the Senate floor to give people like this a new tax break.

But then Kyl represents a state with a lot of wealthy retired sinus patients and Lincoln a state brimming with billionaires coincidentally bearing the same last name as the founder of Wal-Mart.

Even financial planners for the affluent acknowledge that many taxpayers are excessively concerned about the estate tax.

A lot of people afraid they are going to be hit by it are completely out of the system because of the exemption, says Mary Ann Mancini, head of the private client group at law firm Bryan Cave in Washington. It resonates with people more on an emotional basis than a logical one.

See the most-read stories in Business this hour >>

No kidding. On the website of the Policy and Taxation Group, an anti-estate tax outfit founded by an Orange County wealth manager, you can find comments from taxpayers like this: If I died today, Id pay about $200,000 in death tax.

I dont want to get too metaphysical here, but if I could be in a position to pay the estate tax even after the undertaker performed his magic on my carcass, I would be happy to write the check.

Youd expect fiscal conservatives in both parties to embrace the estate tax. After all, it generates revenue today to avoid sticking future generations with our expenses, which is a conservative mantra.

The tax also upholds the cherished national principle of self-reliance. As the writers of the 2002 book Wealth and Our Commonwealth put it: There is something fundamentally American about the notion that what people do with their lives is more important than the station of birth. . . . We should strengthen the tax, not eliminate it. Lest anyone think the book was the product of wild-eyed leftist socialist types, its my duty to point out that the lead author is a Seattle attorney named William H. Gates Sr., whose son is the founder of Microsoft.

The repeal lobby has carried water for years for the biggest payers of the estate tax, wealthy families including the Gallo wine and Mars candy clans. But their strategy is to misrepresent the estate tax as something more broadly based.

One clue is the very term death tax. According to Perfectly Legal, David Cay Johnstons 2003 book about the tax code, it was seized on in the 1990s by Republican consultant Frank Luntz, a master of the black art of political newspeak, to make working-class Americans think it might apply to them.

Among the opponents key talking points is that the estate tax is unfair double taxation, because the federal government has already taken a cut out of the assets being left to heirs.

But thats a red herring. Most of the assets in taxable estates (85%, according to the IRS) are capital holdings such as stocks, bonds and other property on which the owner has never paid federal tax. In any case, so what if it were taxed twice? Its not unusual for income in the U.S. to be taxed multiple times -- dont we all pay income and sales taxes on some of the same dollars?

But the real heart of the attack on the estate tax is the claim that it burdens small family businesses and farms with an unaffordable bill when the founders pass on. A Wall Street Journal editorial retoasted this chestnut last week, stating that repeal would prevent the all-too-common and tragic fire sale of businesses and farms when a family member dies.

The truth is that real-life examples are none too common. The estate experts I talked to couldnt point to a single one.

Among other things, family farms can be valued for estate tax purposes as working farms, not as real estate, which cuts their tax liability sharply. The tax on most farms and businesses, moreover, can be paid over as much as 15 years.

And there are tools to defray any estate tax, such as taking out life insurance policies on the founders. Its not unusual to hear business owners howl about the cost of this insurance, but thats a far cry from forcing them to sell the farm to pay the tax man.

Often after the passing of a founder, there are a number of reasons to sell a business, Craig Janes, national director of estate, gift and trust services at consulting firm Deloitte, told me. But taxes are generally not the most important consideration. Among the other factors, experts say, is the heirs lack of interest or aptitude in running the enterprise.

As for parents supposed divine right to take care of their children, financial planners say the prospect of turning their heirs into slobs and wastrels by leaving them too much money is a major concern of their rich clients. To hear these advisors talk, youd think that every time Paris Hilton resurfaces in the tabloids, thousands of family wills get rewritten to pare down the kids trust funds and bulk up the bequests to save the whales and feed the poor.

So consider this a plea for Congress to drop the subject of the estate tax, already. After all, the one indisputable fact about it is that its the one tax whose payers are beyond feeling the pain.

Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.

Return to Michael Hiltziks blog.

MORE BUSINESS NEWS

Stocks edge down from Fridays record highs as investors take profits

Delta resumes flying after computer outage but warns of more cancellations

Is 5G technology dangerous? Early data shows a slight increase of tumors in male rats exposed to cellphone radiation

Donald Trump proposes repealing the death tax. Heres why thats a scam.

UPDATES:

9:44 a.m.: This post has been updated with a real-time description of Trumps Detroit talk.
As wireless companies prepare to launch the next generation of service, there are new questions about the possible health risks from radiation emitted by cellphones and the transmitters that carry the signals.

Concerns about the potential harmful effects of radiofrequency radiation have dogged mobile technology since the first brick-sized cellphones hit the market in the 1980s.

Industry and federal officials have largely dismissed those fears, saying the radiation exposure is minimal and that the devices are safe. Incidences of and deaths from brain cancer have shown little change in recent years despite the explosion in cellphone usage, they note.

Advertisement

But the launch of super-fast 5G technology over the next several years will dramatically increase the number of transmitters sending signals to cellphones and a host of new Internet-enabled devices, including smart appliances and autonomous vehicles. And the move to the new technology comes after unsettling findings from a long-awaited federal government study of the cancer risk from cellphone use.

National Toxicology Program researchers released preliminary data in May that showed small increases in tumors in male rats exposed to cellphone radiation.

The rats were exposed to nine hours of radiation daily, in 10-minutes-on, 10-minutes-off intervals, over their whole bodies for two years. The researchers found increased incidences of rare brain and heart tumors starting at about the federally allowable level of cellphone radiation for brain exposure, with greater incidences at about two and four times those levels.

Extrapolating the results to humans gets complicated, and there were some puzzling findings as well. Why, for instance, did only male rats show increased tumor rates, and not females? Final results from the peer-reviewed study wont be released until at least the end of 2017.

The study, which the American Cancer Society said marked a paradigm shift in our understanding of radiation and cancer risk, reignited debate about the potential harmful effects of cellphones on human health.

The concerns are amplified by the explosive growth in the number of cellphone subscribers over the last three decades and the increasing amount of time people are using mobile devices amid the popularity of social networks and streaming video.

Now, some experts and wireless-safety advocates are calling for more research as the nation prepares to take the leap into a 5G world that promises to offer more and faster services. And they are reiterating advice  echoed by federal officials  about steps concerned consumers can easily take to reduce their exposure to radiofrequency radiation, such as using a headset to keep the phone away from their heads.

I dont think its clear that there are health risks, but its also not clear that there are no health risks, said Leeka Kheifets, an epidemiology professor at UCLAs Fielding School of Public Health who has studied the health effects of cellphone use.

The National Toxicology Program study was just an indicator that more and better research is needed, she said.

Last month, the U.S. became the first nation to allocate a large swath of airwaves for 5G. Those services could be available to consumers by 2020, offering transmission speeds at least 10 times faster than todays 4G.

The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to allow wireless providers access to high-frequency airwaves that have had limited uses because they cant carry data very far.

Technological advances have made it possible to expand consumer wireless services into those airwaves. But to use the spectrum, wireless companies will have to install thousands of small base stations  some just the size of smoke detectors  on utility poles and buildings to pass the signals along.

The industry will spend about $56 billion to develop, test and deploy 5G services in the U.S. through 2025, according to IGR, a wireless market-strategy consulting firm.

There were about 308,000 wireless antennas on cell towers and buildings at the end of last year, double the number there were in 2002, according to CTIA, a leading wireless trade group.

Its unclear how many smaller base stations would be needed for 5G service. But its widely believed that there would need to be exponentially more because of the limited distance the signals can travel. One researcher estimated a station would be needed for every 12 homes in a dense urban area.

The prospect of more transmitters emitting radiofrequency radiation  though at much lower levels than those coming from cell towers  has alarmed people concerned about the effects on humans.

The move to 5G presents additional concerns because there will be more energy in signals traveling over the high-frequency spectrum and the smaller transmitters will be closer to where people live and work.

There is a big concern with the previous technology and its just being made worse with 5G, said Kevin Mottus, outreach director for the California Brain Tumor Assn., who attend the FCC meeting and unsuccessfully attempted to ask officials about the health effects.

These are microwave transmitters and the closer you are to them, the more problems, he said.

Desiree Jaworski, executive director of the Center for Safer Wireless, a nonprofit organization that educates the public about the potential hazards of wireless radiation, said 5G signals will be harder for people to avoid.

Right now, you dont have to live next to a cell tower. If youre concerned about it, you can move away, she said. But once they have these cell antennas everywhere, you wont be able to do that.

The FCC shares responsibility for the safety of cellphones with the Food and Drug Administration and sets maximum allowable levels for safe exposure to radiofrequency radiation  known as the specific absorption rate  that devices sold in the U.S. must not exceed. The FCC also regulates the exposures from base stations transmitting wireless signals.

In 2013, the FCC opened a formal inquiry into whether it needed to reassess its exposure limits. That proceeding remains open, the agency said.

Scientific evidence always informs FCC rules on this matter, said spokesman Neil Grace. We will continue to follow all recommendations from federal health and safety experts including whether the FCC should modify its current policies and RF exposure limits.

The FDA said it believes that the weight of scientific evidence does not show an association between exposure to radiofrequency from cellphones and adverse health outcomes. But that agency said more research is needed.

In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization, classified cellphone radiation as possibly carcinogenic to humans. There are 288 other agents with that classification, including many chemicals as well as talc-based body powder and traditional Asian pickled vegetables.

The organization said research at the time was limited, and it did not classify the radiofrequency radiation as cancer-causing or probably cancer-causing.

CTIA said the health of Americans is its paramount concern and that the industry follows the guidance of government experts.

The FCC has determined that all wireless phones legally sold in the United States are safe, the organization said in a written statement.

The FCC is developing guidance for the industry on compliance with radiation safety standards of phones and other equipment that would use 5G airwaves, CTIA said.

The wireless organization said the larger scientific community would consider the National Toxicology Program findings in the context of other studies.

The $25-million study was requested by the FDA in 1999 and was conducted using second-generation cellphone technology.

The preliminary findings were released because we felt like this was concerning enough because there was maybe some type of linkage between cellphone radiation and cancer, said Michael Wyde, the project leader for the National Toxicology Programs radiofrequency studies.

Wyde said it was up to regulators to take the studys findings and determine if safety standards needed to be adjusted. Were mostly the first step in the risk-identification process, he said.

Joel M. Moskowitz, director of the Center for Family and Community Health at UC Berkeleys School of Public Health, said there needs to be more federal funding to study the possible radiation risks.

Last year, he helped organize a letter to the United Nations by more than 200 scientists worldwide who have studied the effects of exposure to cellphone radiation and other electromagnetic fields. The scientists want U.N. officials to take more steps to protect humans, particularly children and pregnant women.

One of the few 5G studies is starting in New Zealand. Researchers from Massey University will use modeling to determine the possible health effects of many, many transmitters transmitting together, said Syed Faraz Hasan, who heads that universitys telecommunications research group.

I believe if we show that it is bad, we have room to tweak the technology, and if we show it is not bad, then users will be happy it is safe, Hasan said.

Kheifets, the UCLA professor, said its not realistic or warranted to slow down or halt 5G deployment to wait for more research, as some wireless safety advocates have demanded.

But certainly, as you are deploying new stuff, one should be measuring changes in exposure and looking at human health [effects] at the least, she said.

jim.puzzanghera@latimes.com

Follow @JimPuzzanghera on Twitter

ALSO

Five trending superfoods you need to know about

Passengers should dress appropriately for a flight, most fliers agree

Solar System: Can Tesla go from sexy car company to clean energy empire?
Ecuadorean plaintiffs cannot collect a $9-billion judgment in the U.S. against Chevron Corp. for rainforest damage, a federal appeals court ruled Monday, upholding a judges finding that the judgment was obtained through bribery, coercion and fraud.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York said U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan had the authority after a trial to rule in March 2014 as he did. It noted, however, that Kaplans decision doesnt invalidate the Ecuadoran judgment and doesnt stop the enforcement of the judgment outside the U.S.

A U.S. spokeswoman for the Ecuadoreans, Karen Hinton, said they were shocked and called it a sad day for the U.S. justice system.

Advertisement

As disappointed as we are, this ruling will not deter the Ecuadoreans, their lawyers and their supporters from aggressively seeking justice in Canada and in other countries where litigation is underway to seize Chevron assets, she said.

A Chevron vice president and general counsel, R. Hewitt, Pate, said Chevron was pleased that the truth has prevailed over fraud and corruption. He said the ruling leaves no doubt that the Ecuadorean judgment against Chevron is the illegitimate and unenforceable product of misconduct.

In a decision written by Circuit Judge Amalya Kearse, a three-judge panel rejected the argument by the Ecuadorean plaintiffs that they were not aware of wrongdoing by lawyers in the case and should not be held responsible.

There is no authority suggesting that a party ignorant of its attorneys fraudulent actions may enforce a fraudulently procured judgment, the panel said. Even innocent clients may not benefit from the fraud of their attorney.

An attorney for a New York City lawyer, Steven Donziger, who was heavily criticized by Kaplan, called the 2nd Circuit decision unprecedented in American law and vowed to explore all options on appeal.

Never before has a U.S. court allowed someone who lost a case in another country to come to the U.S. to attack a foreign courts damages award, attorney Deepak Gupta said. The decision hands well-heeled corporations a template for avoiding legal accountability anywhere in the world. And it throws the entire international judgment enforcement framework out the window.

The case resulted from a long-running court battle between Amazon rainforest residents and oil companies.

Chevron, which struck a deal to buy Texaco in 2000, has long argued that a 1998 agreement Texaco signed with Ecuador after a $40-million cleanup absolves it of liability. The San Ramon, Calif.-based firm claims Ecuadors state-run oil company is responsible for much of the pollution in the oil patch that Texaco quit more than two decades ago. The Ecuadorean plaintiffs said the cleanup was a sham and didnt exempt third-party claims.

In 2011, a judge in Ecuador issued an $18-billion judgment against Chevron in a lawsuit brought on behalf of 30,000 residents. The judgment was for environmental damage caused by Texaco during its operation of an oil consortium in the rainforest from 1972 to 1990.

In 2014, Ecuadors highest court upheld the verdict but reduced the judgment to about $9.5 billion.

When Kaplan ruled Monday, he said it did not matter that the villagers were pursuing a just cause.

There is no Robin Hood defense to illegal and wrongful conduct. And the defendants this is the way it is done in Ecuador excuses  actually a remarkable insult to the people of Ecuador  do not help them, he wrote.

Chevron stock rose 0.7% to $101.20 on Monday.

ALSO

Oil refiners agree to pay $425 million to reduce air pollution in the West

Group accuses refiners of keeping California gasoline prices unusually high

Column: Watch as four giant oil companies try to interfere with a California election

UPDATES:

3:25 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from attorneys and with Chevrons stock price.

This article was originally published at 11:10 a.m.
Clerks, meat cutters and stockers who staff some of Southern Californias largest grocery chains will vote Monday and Tuesday on a contract that includes modest pay increases and cements current health and pension benefits.

We forced them to compromise more than they wanted to, said Rick Icaza, the president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770. UFCW represents 47,000 workers in contract talks with Albertsons and Ralphs.

Californias march towards a $15 minimum wage in 2022 loomed large over the negotiations, as union officials worried that the stores would cut benefits to make up for the money theyd have to pour into pay.

Advertisement

But the stores are offering to keep the health package intact, so workers only have to pay $15 per week for full family coverage. Employers would pay more into their employees medical and pension plans through 2018.

Ralphs and Albertsons have also proposed raising pay for entry-level cashiers, who used to earn 20 cents more than the minimum wage, to 40 cents above the highest applicable wage floor. That means that new workers at Los Angeles stores will earn 40 cents more than the local minimum wage of $10.50, above the state minimum of $10.

The highest-paid butchers, cashiers and general merchandise clerks will get a 30-cent-per-hour raise this year, applied retroactively to when the last contract expired in March. Theyll earn another 30-cent raise in 2017, plus a 25-cent raise in 2018, if the current proposal is approved.

Everyone else will be entitled to a 10-cent raise roughly every four to five months. The union was unable to win bigger pay bumps for those less-experienced workers, said Kathy Finn, the director of collective bargaining at UFCW Local 770.

The union said it also got the stores to back down on their attempt to raise the retirement age to 65, from 60, and on proposed cuts to holiday pay.

We are very excited. We will be glad to get that vote done and move on, said Kendra Doyel, a spokeswoman for Ralphs. No one wins in a strike, not our associates, not our company and not our customers.

We will continue to provide retail employees with pay that significantly exceeds the minimum wage, along with comprehensive health, welfare and pension benefits, Albertsons spokesman Carlos Illingworth said in an emailed statement.

The pact is a product of five months of talks between the companies and union officials, which culminated in three intense days of final discussions in the Manhattan Beach Marriott last week.

A massive strike roiled the industry for months in 2003 and 2004, disrupting shoppers and shifting business to new entrants and ethnic grocery stores. With that precedent in mind, the federal government sent a senior mediator, Scot Beckenbaugh, to each of the four contract negotiations held since 2007, union officials said.

On Wednesday, negotiators remained at the table until 3:30 a.m., and by midday Thursday they had the skeleton of a workable contract, said officials from the union and Ralphs.

It was basically 96 hours of nonstop negotiating; I barely ever went outside, said the UFCWs Finn.

Its not terrific in terms of wages, but its acceptable, Finn said of the proposed contract. Its going to get ratified. The members are going to be happy.

Natalie.Kitroeff@latimes.com

Follow me @NatalieKitro on Twitter

MORE BUSINESS NEWS

Stocks edge down from Fridays record highs as investors take profits

Delta resumes flying after computer outage but warns of more cancellations

Donald Trump proposes repealing the death tax. Heres why thats a scam.
Lindsay Lohan is learning that love doesnt always conquer all. After two seemingly violent altercations went public, the former child star is saying she and fiance Egor Tarabasov are done.

I realize now you can't stay in a relationship just for love, she told the Mail on Sunday in an interview she said she did because there have been so many lies printed about her recently. No woman can be hit and stay with that person if that person isn't prepared to say sorry.

Lohan said she was not an angel but had tried to fix things, including by suggesting, unsuccessfully, that they seek counseling.

[B]ut there comes a time when I have to put myself first, my family, and also think about my career, which I've worked so hard for, she continued. I also don't want to let my fans down by not being the strong woman I have become.

Lohan, 30, and Tarabasov, 23, met nearly 10 months ago, and he moved in the second night, she told the Mail.

In photos and video that went public via RadarOnline on Friday, the two could be seen physically fighting July 5 after she threw his cellphone from a jeep they were in on the beach in Mykonos, Greece.

Lohan jumped out of the car and grabbed the phone and he followed, shouting at her to give it back to him. He grabbed her and pulled her arm back until she dropped the device. Ow! Ow, that hurts, she yelled. They continued fighting verbally as she got back into the jeep. Still standing on the sand, he then made a phone call.

In late June, the two were recorded fighting at the home theyve shared. Lohan sobbed, accused Tarabasov of strangling her and trying to kill her, and told him to get out of her house. She then went on a rant on social media, but later deleted her posts and asked for privacy after the images went public.

Theyd gone out for dinner and dancing that night, she told the Mail.

"When we got home I went to bed and Egor went out. A few hours later he came back and when I woke up he was standing over me. He wasn't himself, he was being very aggressive and he attacked me."

She said she didnt call police, but did go to a hotel that night, and later called on a friend to get her out of town. It's not the first time something like that happened, she said. That's the problem. But this time, someone saw.

Of the Mykonos altercation, she said only this: Egor drank too much and he went crazy.

She is, however, still wearing her 4-carat emerald engagement ring.

Follow Christie DZurilla on Twitter @theCDZ

ALSO

Lindsay Lohan has blowout fight with fiance Egor Tarabasov; asks for privacy after making things public

Fresh from prison, Cameron Douglas is now a ripped and tatted version of classic Kirk Douglas

Lindsay Lohan will turn 30 in Greece  not in rehab, which is where she turned 21
Rapper-actor Bow Wow, a.k.a. Shad Moss, sent out a series of tweets over the weekend announcing his retirement from rap 16 years after getting started as teenage hip-hop prodigy.

I always said Id retire from music before 30, Moss, 29, said in one of the tweets. I just cant see myself at 30 years old rapping.

His second career as an actor has included television and film roles in Entourage, Tyler Perrys Madeas Big Happy Family and Like Mike, and he is a regular on the CSI: Cyber series as the character Brody Baby Face Nelson.

In an additional Instagram message to fans, he said hell release his final album, NYLTH, and that the executive producer will be Snoop Dogg, who helped usher Bow Wow onto that national stage in 2000 at age 13 with his debut album Beware of Dog. He made no mention of a release date for NYLTH.

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour 

Beware of Dog included the singles Bow Wow (Thats My Name) featuring Snoop Dogg, Puppy Love and Ghetto Girls, and eventually sold more than 2 million copies.

Made over 20 million off rap. Why be greedy? Moss wrote in another tweet. Im good with everything I accomplished. I made it to the White House.

Snoop Dogg also bestowed the name Lil Bow Wow on Moss, who dropped the Lil appellation in 2002. Record producer Jermaine Dupri also was instrumental in launching Moss career, collaborating with him on the track The Stick Up, which Dupri included on the soundtrack to the Will Smith film reboot of The Wild, Wild West.

https://twitter.com/smoss/status/762296476965806080

His success as a recording artist, however, has declined since his peak in the early 2000s. His 2006 album, The Price of Fame, was certified gold for sales of 500,000 copies, but his 2009 follow-up, New Jack City II, sold just over 30,000.

His new album, Underrated, was released July 22 for the Cash Money/Universal Republic and is ranked No. 24,545 on Amazons list of best-selling pop-rap albums, and No. 795,915 in music releases overall.

Retirement only means that it is time for a new adventure, Moss wrote in yet another tweet. Over 10 million sold. This the last one. THANK YOU.

randy.lewis@latimes.com

Follow @RandyLewis2 on Twitter.com

For Classic Rock coverage, join us on Facebook

ALSO

The Smell's future looks a little brighter after artists, fans rally to save the all-ages club

Adele's flair for intimacy on a grand scale shines at first Staples Center show

Charles Aznavour, 92, to play five North American shows in October
UNDERRATED

Jeff Parkers The New Breed: Familiar to indie music fans for his bent, flinty guitar lines in the intricate framework of category-defying post-rock band Tortoise, Parker shifted to warmer, funkier ground for his latest release this summer. Steeped with humid funk and hazy electronics that reflect Parkers recent exposure to the improvisation-friendly beat scene around L.A. and featuring invigorating turns from some local favorites in drummer Jamire Williams and saxophonist Josh Johnson, The New Breed combines the soul-jazz of Grant Green with head-bobbing instrumental R&B on tracks like Get Dressed and Visions.

Constance Wu: Best known for her role in the ABC comedy Fresh Off the Boat, this Taiwanese American actress continues to act as a powerful voice advocating for change in the traditional, white male-dominated lead roles in big-budget studio pictures. Earlier this year she called out the efforts to make white actors look Asian in the upcoming Ghost in the Shell adaptation, and last week she pointed out the casting of Matt Damon to lead the upcoming Chinese-set action film The Great Wall. With Hollywood a more global business than ever, who plays the hero matters, and Wu is furthering a lesson that change only comes with awareness.

Advertisement

OVERRATED

The nostalgic hook of Stranger Things: Set in a Midwestern world just adjacent to the Dungeons and Dragons-laced bonding of Freaks and Geeks, this Netflix newcomer has become a binge-watch favorite for its haunting story line and performances that include throwback favorite Winona Ryder. But for all its addictive qualities its worth wondering if the show really needs its 80s touchstones, which after providing a tidy referential shorthand with its Stephen King typeface and foggy BMX scenes borrowed from the Spielberg playbook begins to feel like a needless crutch. Do we like this show for what it is or for what it reminds us of?

Suicide Squad: Wasnt this movie about comic book villains turned to heroes first announced sometime during the Bush administration? (The first one?) In actuality the movie finally opened Friday but by now it feels like a revival screening after an exhausting onslaught of news on Jared Letos outsized reinvention of the Joker, Margot Robbies grin and an avalanche of teasers, trailers and exclusive clips that have wallpapered the Internet on a semi-weekly basis. Sight-unseen, the studio has made a movie so inescapable it must be escaped as soon as possible.

Follow me over here @chrisbarton.
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 activists walked through the doors of Los Angeles City Hall, into an elevator and rode up to the mayors office on the third floor.

They knew Mayor Eric Garcetti wasnt there  hes attending the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and trying to rally support for L.A.s 2024 bid  but they had something they wanted to drop off: a petition urging Garcetti to fire LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.

They handed a box of signatures to a deputy mayor, who said he would pass them along to Garcetti. The activists promised they would return.

Advertisement

Were across the street, one said.

Well be there, another chimed in, until Beck goes.

Activists affiliated with the Black Lives Matter movement protest outside L.A. City Hall on Monday. (Christina House / For The Times )

Activists affiliated with the Black Lives Matter movement have spent nearly a month camped outside City Hall East, protesting killings by Los Angeles police officers and demanding that Garcetti hold Beck accountable.

We have a problem here, and Chief Beck is a part of that problem, activist and actor Matt McGorry told reporters Monday at the encampment. We need to take action.

Garcetti has recently indicated support for Beck, telling KABC-AM last month he would not fire the police chief.

I believe in Charlie Becks leadership, Garcetti said during the interview. Hes not perfect. Im not perfect. The citys not perfect. But hes somebody I strongly support and has continued to push forward with constitutional policing as a foundation for how we win trust.

Carl Marziali, a mayoral spokesman, said Monday that his office had received the petition and would share it with Garcetti.

The latest protest in L.A. comes during a time of heated national debate over how police officers use force, particularly against African Americans. Melina Abdullah, a Cal State L.A. professor and Black Lives Matter organizer, said the protesters gathered outside City Hall had lost faith in the system.

Abdullah and other activists have rallied support on social media, circulating the online petition calling for Becks firing. (The petition had almost 8,200 signatures by early Monday afternoon.) They have hosted prayer circles, meetings and other events at the encampment, including a Sunday afternoon spent with relatives of people killed by LAPD officers.

Protesters have also criticized Garcetti, saying the mayor was ignoring issues in L.A. by attending the Democratic National Convention and the Olympics.

The encampment grew out of a protest against the Police Commissions July 12 decision that an LAPD officer did not violate the departments policy for using deadly force last year when he fatally shot a black woman, Redel Jones, in a South L.A. alley.

Jones was killed after police say she moved toward an officer while holding a knife. The LAPD said the 30-year-old matched the description of a woman who robbed a nearby pharmacy about 20 minutes earlier, prompting officers to pursue her into the alley.

Siding with the police chief, the Police Commission determined in a 3-0 vote that the shooting was justified because an officer could reasonably have believed that Jones actions presented an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury, according to a written summary of the panels findings.

The decision was met with anger and tears from a crowd of peaceful protesters that had gathered at the LAPDs downtown headquarters. The group quickly moved across the street to City Hall, where activists pounded on glass doors as they were blocked from entering.

A smaller group set up camp on the steps of City Hall that night  the start of the demonstration that continues today.

kate.mather@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter: @katemather

ALSO

Corcoran prison officials investigate inmate death as possible homicide

Long Beach police search for witnesses, motive in killing of mother and daughter

D.A. declines to file domestic violence charge against Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore
Julie Faith Strauja tried everything she could conceive of  a water hose, pepper spray, loud yells  to chase off a bear after it repeatedly barged into her home in the San Bernardino Mountains, terrifying her and her three young children.

She locked up her trash after the bear got into her garage last month and was alarmed when she arrived home with her children, ages 5, 6 and 9, on July 29 to discover the bear inside her kitchen. She called 911. And when a game warden came to her A-frame cabin in the small community of Forest Falls and found damage and fur on the windows, she issued a permit to kill the animal.

The bear returned later that night, entering through a bathroom window. The next day, Strauja called a friend who is a hunter to keep watch. When the bear charged toward the house again sometime before 2 a.m. on July 31, he shot and killed the creature.

Advertisement

Since then, Strauja, 34, said she has faced an intense backlash from some residents of Forest Falls, about 75 miles east of Los Angeles, as well as harsh criticism and threats on social media.

But she doesnt regret her actions.

It was a decision I had to make for the safety and welfare of my children and my home, Strauja told The Times. I tried to use non-lethal ways of dealing with him. But nothing was stopping him, and I just didnt think there was any other option.

State wildlife officials said Strauja did nothing wrong.

The bear was inside the house, which satisfies every requirement under state law and policy for it to be destroyed, said Andrew Hughan, a spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Wildlife authorities said there has been no dramatic rise in black bear complaints in recent years despite predictions that Californias persistent drought would send droves of hungry animals into mountain communities.

Instead, the level of human-wildlife contact has been pretty normal, Hughan said. We thought the drought was going to be catastrophic, with all kinds of wildlife in houses and swimming pools, but it just didnt happen, which is good for everyone.

Hughan suspects such encounters are getting more attention not because they are more frequent but because of an increasing number of photos, videos and other accounts being shared on social media.

Also garnering media coverage recently was a video posted to Facebook by a man who found a mother bear and her cubs inside his Mammoth Lakes house.

State officials issue hundreds of depredation permits each year to California residents allowing them to kill bears, mountain lions and other wild animals if they damage their property or pose a threat to life and safety. The Department of Fish and Wildlife issued 449 permits to kill black bears in 2014, the most recent year for which statistics were available.

Strauja, an avowed animal lover who moved to Forest Falls last month, called it a tragedy that he lost his life and said she wasnt prepared for the harsh reaction she would face.

There kind of was a mob mentality, she said. People walking by my house yelling bear killer and obscenities.

Strauja collected screenshots of a series of threatening and expletive-laden Facebook messages criticizing her over the killing of the bear. Some included her home address. Others called her a flatlander with no business living on the hill, and vowed to run her out of town and make her life a living hell.

Forest Falls resident Alycia Wheeler, 48, said in an interview that she was crushed to learn of the killing when she saw a photo of the dead bear posted on Facebook. She recognized it as the animal she had seen roaming her yard almost daily and had named Big Red for the distinct color of its fur.

Wheeler doesnt blame Strauja but worries she did not exhaust all other options before going to the extreme of killing the animal.

We need to protect people, but we also need to protect the bears, said Wheeler, who has started an online campaign to raise money for educational materials, signs, bear-proof trash cans and other tools to prevent fatalities in the future.

People who are visitors or theyre new to the area, they dont understand that we cohabitate with bears  thats just the way it is up here, Wheeler said.

Hughan, of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, advised residents in bear country to take all the precautions they can, such as locking up trash bins, to keep the animals away from their homes.

Once a bear is habituated, once it starts eating people food and going into houses, its not going to unlearn that behavior, Hughan said. This is not a bear problem. This is a people problem.

Hughan also urged the public not to rush to judgment in cases like this if you dont know the facts. If you had a bear in your house and your children were with you, put yourselves in her shoes.

tony.barboza@latimes.com

@tonybarboza

ALSO

Fast-moving brush fire burns in San Bernardino Mountains

Mother and 4-year-old daughter shot to death in Long Beach; police have no suspects or motive

2 found dead at the base of seaside cliffs in San Pedro are identified by coroners office

UPDATES:

6:40 p.m.: This article was updated and rewritten throughout.

This article was originally published at 5 a.m.
An inmate at California State Prison, Corcoran may have been killed by his cellmate, officials said Monday.

Staff members found Chad Ku, 43, unconscious in his prison cell at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 2, officials said. After lifesaving measures were attempted, Ku was pronounced dead nearly an hour later at the prisons medical facility, according to a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation news release.

Kus cellmate, 36-year-old Jason Kelly, was identified as a suspect. Kelly, who is serving a sentence of 70 years to life for first-degree murder, is being held in the prisons Administrative Segregation Unit during the investigation.

Advertisement

See the most-read stories this hour >>

Ku was serving time for robbery with a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, marijuana possession, assault by a prisoner with a deadly weapon or force likely to cause great bodily injury,

The Corcoran facility is an all-male state prison in Kings County. It houses nearly 3,400 minimum- through high-security inmates and employs approximately 2,500 people.

Between 2001 and 2013, there were 182 reported homicides in California state prisons, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

ALSO

Long Beach police search for witnesses, motive in killing of mother and daughter

FAA inspects parachute after skydiving death of instructor and high school grad

Marijuana-laced gummy rings likely sickened 19 at a quinceanera party in San Francisco
The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday planned to inspect a parachute that failed to open, killing a skydiving instructor and first-time jumper in Northern California over the weekend.

An FAA inspector was headed to Skydive Lodi Parachute Center in the 23500 block of North Highway 99 in Acampo on Monday to investigate the deadly incident, agency spokesman Ian Gregor said.

The FAA is looking into obtaining a video showing the accident, he said.

Advertisement

According to the San Joaquin Sheriffs Office, the instructor and student skydiver leaped from an aircraft about 10 a.m. Saturday morning. Their parachute did not deploy until they hit the ground, the sheriffs office said.

The sheriffs office has not identified the skydivers. But the students mother told local news stations that her son, Tyler Turner, had been celebrating a birthday that day with family and friends.

Before the 18-year-old boarded the flight, Francine Salazar told the Merced Sun-Star her son said a prayer, gave her a hug, then told her, I love you, mom.

See the most-read stories in Local News this hour >>

In a statement issued Monday, the center said it was waiting for more details about the crash from the FAAs investigation.

We lost one of our skydiving brothers; two families lost their sons, the center said. We are as shocked as anybody by this tragedy.

The skydiving center extended its condolences to the families.

Our hearts and prayers are with families, friends and loved ones of the deceased, the center said. We are as stunned as you.

The center faced criticism for continuing its skydiving operations after Saturdays deadly skydiving accident.

Over the years, the FAA has investigated multiple skydiving accidents at the parachuting center, Gregor added. In these cases, the FAA usually tries to determine whether parachutes were properly packed, and if the appropriate worker packed the parachute.

In 2010, the FAA proposed a $664,000 penalty against centers operator, William C. Dause, for allegedly failing to replace required parts on a DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otter and comply with safety airworthiness directives. The FAA alleged more than 2,000 flights were conducted despite parts being well past their life limits.

At the time, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Raymond LaHood said putting parachutists at risk by neglecting to follow safety procedures is unacceptable.

Turner graduated in June from Pacheco High School in Los Banos, according to his Facebook.

Friends of Turner held a small vigil for him on Sunday night.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

For breaking news in California, follow VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.

MORE LOCAL NEWS

Pilot fire in San Bernardino County scorches 4,500 acres

2 found dead at the base of seaside cliffs in San Pedro are identified by coroners office

Why would you shoot a child? No motive or suspects yet in deaths of mother, 4-year-old daughter
Long Beach police are struggling to understand why someone opened fire on a family outside the citys downtown area Saturday night, killing a woman and her 4-year-old daughter, and have received just three phone calls offering information, city officials said Monday.

It remains unclear if Carina Mancera, 26, and her daughter, Jennabel, were targeted or the victims of a random crime, according to Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia.

Speaking to reporters at the crime scene on Monday, homicide Sgt. Robert Woods dismissed notions that the shooting was linked to gang activity and expressed disappointment that police tip lines had not been flooded with calls.

Advertisement

Interested in the stories shaping California? Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter >>

I was a little disheartened by that, he said. I thought we would just have an influx of information coming from the public. We havent had it yet.

Mancera, her longtime boyfriend, Luis Anaya, and their daughter were walking toward their Locust Avenue home at the intersection of East 9th Street at about 10:20 p.m. when they were approached by the shooter, Woods said.

After opening fire on the two decedents, he also fired a round at Mr. Anaya and then fled, Woods said, adding that the shooter headed eastbound after the attack.

Woods would not comment on the type of weapon used and said he did not want to characterize what happened as an ambush, because we dont have enough evidence to show that yet.

I will say it was at close range and very brutal, he said.

 Neighbor Robert Navarro talks with Times photographer Luis Sinco about what he saw in the aftermath of the shooting.

Police have recovered surveillance footage filmed in the area of the shooting, but Woods said the footage alone is not going to solve our case and urged more witnesses to come forward.

Anaya and Mancera both grew up in Long Beach, and had been together for at least five years, friends told The Times on Sunday. Anaya worked in construction and had no gang connections, his friends said.

Neighbors were surprised by the attack, describing the area as a residential strip where the sound of gunfire is uncommon.

This neighborhood and just this downtown area is dramatically safer than it was 10 years ago, Garcia said. This is a neighborhood that has developed. Theres a lot of folks that live there. Its a good community.

The Homicide Report: A story for every victim >>

Though the number of homicides in Long Beach has not increased significantly this year, violent crime across the city jumped by 8% in the first six months of 2016. Garcia cautioned that crime in the city was still down dramatically over the last decade, and he attributed the recent surge in Long Beach to a larger statewide trend.

We know that violent crime has been increasing in most California cities, especially the larger ones, and so were looking at that, he said. Were putting more resources to ensure the community is safe.

In response to the lack of information from the public, Garcia said he has discussed offering a reward for tips that lead to an arrest in the slaying. Police are asking anyone with information about the killings to contact Dets. Scott Lasch and Michael Hubbard at (562) 570-7244.

It is a whodunnit, and definitely motive  this one baffles me, Woods, the homicide sergeant, said. Ive been doing it for a little while, and it baffles me.

james.queally@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California.

ALSO

FAA inspects parachute after skydiving death of instructor and high school grad

D.A. declines to file domestic violence charge against Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore

Marijuana-laced gummy rings likely sickened 19 at a quinceanera party in San Francisco
There was barely any time to react.

Luis Anaya was returning to his Long Beach home after a trip to the grocery store with his longtime girlfriend and daughter, he said, when a man stepped out of the darkness near the corner of Locust Avenue and East 9th Street on Saturday night.

Anaya didnt recognize the man, whose face was all covered up, but the two had only briefly locked eyes by the time Anaya saw the gun.

I couldnt make his face, he said. When I tried to look at him, he shot at me.

Advertisement

Anaya, 27, escaped unscathed, but the volley of bullets struck his girlfriend and daughter.

Carina Mancera, 26, and 4-year-old Jennabel were both shot about 10:20 p.m. Saturday, according to a statement issued by the Long Beach Police Department. Mancera died at the scene, and the child succumbed to her injuries at a hospital a short time later, police said.

Relatives and friends pay condolences to Luis Anaya, left, whose 4-year-old daughter was shot and killed along with her mother at the intersection of 9th Street and Locust Avenue in Long Beach on Saturday night. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

As mother and daughter lay bleeding in the street, Anaya screamed so loudly that neighbor Robert Navarro said he thought the couple was having an argument.

Navarro ran out of his home and into the intersection, where he found Anaya desperately trying to comfort the mortally wounded mother and daughter.

The baby  she still had her eyes open, Navarro said. He was trying to comfort her by calling the grandmother and the grandmother spoke to the baby on the phone.

The baby  she still had her eyes open.  Robert Navarro, neighbor

Twelve hours later, the little girls grandmother was standing in the same intersection, screaming out in Spanish and English, asking over and over why her daughter and granddaughter were dead.

Investigators had yet to determine a motive or identify a suspect in the slaying, leaving neighbors to wonder why anyone would open fire on a young woman and her child.

How are you gonna see a family walking and go crazy? asked Gabriel Sanchez, 26, a longtime friend of Mancera. Why would you shoot a child? The child is just living life, innocent.

As far as their friends knew, Anaya and Mancera didnt have any enemies, and they werent involved in the gang lifestyle that sometimes drives violence in parts of Long Beach and nearby Compton. Anaya was a construction worker, and he began dating Mancera roughly five years ago after the two met at a party, friends said.

She was a real cool girl. No drama with anybody. She didnt have problems with anybody for someone to do this to her and her daughter, said Sanchez, who remembered Mancera as a mischievous and friendly presence when they met at Long Beachs Washington Middle School more than a decade ago.

Anaya and Mancera lived in an apartment on Locust Avenue , a brief walk from the intersection where the shooting took place. The couples next-door neighbor, 38-year-old Matt Milewski said he heard four gunshots in total -- an initial blast and then three shots in quick succession.

Violent crime has increased throughout Long Beach this year, up 8.2% from 2015, and the total number of homicides in the city was on pace to increase at the end of June, according to the most recent crime statistics published on the city Police Departments website.

But Milewski said gunshots and violence are a rarity in the neighborhood, which sits less than two miles from the waterfront and just outside Long Beachs downtown area.

 Neighbor Robert Navarro talks with Times photographer Luis Sinco about what he saw in the aftermath of the shooting.

The unexplained attack left residents grief-stricken.

At least two dozen people spent several hours Sunday crowded around a small memorial at the site of the shooting, placing votive candles and flowers at the base of the stop sign where Mancera and her daughter were killed. A pastor arrived to lead the group in a prayer, and several people made repeated and futile attempts to console Manceras mother, who covered her mouth and nearly fell to the ground as she approached the intersection.

This is crazy, man, said Jose Camacho, a 38-year-old neighbor who was at the scene Saturday night and saw the victims bleeding in the street. They had been shot in the back and chest, he said.

Juan Jimenez, a longtime friend of Anaya, said the two had been working construction jobs together in recent years. He couldnt explain why anyone would want to hurt his friend or his family, and said Anaya often talked about how safe their neighborhood was.

We were talking about this area and he was like, Its cool. Nobody messes with me, Jimenez said.

Navarro said Jennabel was looking forward to September, when she was supposed to start her first year in school. The little girl was very proud of the new backpack her mother had purchased for her big first day.

She got a backpack and she was very happy for the backpack. And then this happens, Navarro said, tearing up. So she wont be making it to school.

ALSO

Woman who had bear killed says she was trying to protect her kids

2 found dead at the base of seaside cliffs in San Pedro are identified by coroners office

Hollister Ranch owners are fighting the state again over publics right to use the beach
Reeling from a cascade of blunders that drove his poll ratings down, Donald Trump sought to regain his standing Monday by laying out an economic agenda of tax cuts, vast spending on public construction and a tougher posture on trade.

I want to jump-start America, and it wont even be that hard, the Republican presidential nominee said in a speech to the Detroit Economic Club.

Trumps formal presentation was a central part of his attempt to recover from campaign turmoil that left many Americans doubting his capacity to be commander in chief.

Advertisement

It came as 50 senior Republican national security officials, including several members of President George W. Bushs Cabinet, signed a letter warning that Trump would be the most reckless president in American history.

Trump, they wrote, lacks the character, values and experience to be president and would put at risk our countrys national security and well-being.

Trumps economic proposals were split between traditional GOP policies, like rolling back taxes and easing federal regulations, and ideas unpopular with the GOP majority in Congress, like scrapping trade pacts and pouring new money into railways, highways and other infrastructure.

Trumps claim that his plans would spark explosive job growth left many economists skeptical, as did the absence of detail on how he would pay for his proposals.

At some point, you cant live in a world completely divorced from economic reality, said Edward Kleinbard, a business and law professor at University of Southern California. He called Trumps simultaneous tax cuts and new spending fundamentally unrealistic.

Trump proposed tax cuts last year that would benefit primarily the wealthy and cost as much as $10 trillion over the next decade, economists say. They include elimination of the federal inheritance tax, which applies to estates worth at least $5 million.

Trump has also promised a major buildup of the military at an unspecified price, and he has vowed to resist pressure by fellow Republicans to curb Social Security and Medicare, a pledge he did not mention Monday.

It cant add up is the bottom line, said Roberton Williams, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank.

Still, the New York businessman appeared to cut the overall cost of his previous plan by making several revisions Monday.

He initially had proposed simplifying individual income tax rates with four brackets  25%, 20%, 10% and 0%. He raised those Monday to align with a House Republican plan that calls for rates of 33%, 25%, 12% and 0%.

Prior to those changes, a Moodys Analytics report concluded that Trumps economic agenda would thrust Americans into a lengthy recession, create very large deficits and burden the country with a much higher debt load.

In Detroit, Trump also proposed letting parents deduct the average cost of child-care spending. The plan risks favoring the higher-income taxpayers who most rely on itemized deductions, but the absence of specifics left the impact unclear.

Trump, who was interrupted by hecklers more than a dozen times, cast his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton as a champion of old economic ideas that have left millions of Americans unemployed or impoverished as jobs shift to foreign countries.

Every policy she has tilts the playing field toward other countries at our expense, Trump said.

He described the nations economic status as far worse than official statistics would suggest, calling the 4.9% unemployment rate one of the biggest hoaxes in American modern politics.

Trumps effort to focus on the economy comes after several weeks of lurching from one controversy to another, including his feud with the Muslim parents of an Army captain killed in Iraq in 2004, and his stoking of tensions with Republican leaders like House Speaker Paul D. Ryan.

For several days, Trump has avoided the kind of off-the-cuff remarks that have undermined his campaign. But similar periods of self-restraint proved short-lived in the past as the outspoken celebrity businessman reverted to blunt comments and personal attacks.

On Monday, Trump stuck closely to his prepared remarks. He vowed to cut government regulations massively, saying President Obama has imposed rules that hamstring business.

Trump assailed the administration for anti-energy regulations, such as those curbing the emissions of coal-fired power plants.

Left unmentioned was Trumps rejection of the science of climate change, which Obama cites as the rationale for rules curbing emission of greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

Trump hammered Clinton for backing the North American Free Trade Agreement, which links Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, and a trade pact with South Korea. He predicted Clintons campaign donors would succeed in pressuring her to renege on opposition to the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, which Obama supports.

Just imagine how many more automobile jobs will be lost if the TPP is actually approved, he told the audience in Detroit. It will be catastrophic.

Trump also vowed to bring trillions of dollars in new wealth and wages back to the United States by cracking down on Chinas theft of American intellectual property, currency cheating and other trade violations.

So simple, he said. So simple.

On Twitter, Clinton said Trumps agenda was a repackaging of trickle-down economics  and it doesnt help our economy or the vast majority of Americans.

michael.finnegan@latimes.com

Twitter: @finneganLAT

ALSO

Clinton continues to inch up in tracking poll

Are all those Trump controversies raising doubts in Trump Nation? Not really

Which Republicans are supporting Trump, and whos jumping ship?
Sherrie Varpula-Walter has spent most of the last week holed up in her apartment.

She is three months into her second pregnancy and doing everything she can to avoid being bitten by a mosquito infected with the Zika virus.

Her husband, Matt Walter, has taken charge of walking their two dogs. If she must run an errand, she sprays herself with insect repellent and puts on socks, jeans and a long-sleeved shirt  even though its 90 degrees outside.

Advertisement

In Miami, where health authorities have identified 16 cases of locally transmitted Zika, these are anxious times for expectant mothers and women hoping to become pregnant. The virus can inflict devastating damage to the brain of an infected womans fetus.

You are in the worst possible situation now, and there is not much you can do about it, said Varpula-Walter, a speech pathologist. Its just a waiting game.

Obstetricians say they have been inundated with calls from patients wanting to be tested for the virus. Gov. Rick Scott has promised that the tests will be provided for free to pregnant women across the state, but demand has so far exceeded the limited supply.

News of the outbreak has also alarmed restaurateurs, gallery owners and others who live, work or hang out in Wynwood, a hip neighborhood just north of downtown where 13 of the infections occurred.

Some #Zika humor in Wynwood, Miami: Zak the Baker set up a shrine to ward against the virus. pic.twitter.com/1UylMjxcF0  Alexandra Zavis (@alexzavis) August 5, 2016

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory last week urging pregnant women to avoid a 1-square-mile zone that includes the neighborhood, the first such warning in the continental United States.

Although activity in the area typically slows during the hot and humid summer, business and political leaders worry the outbreak could damage Floridas all-important tourism industry. Visitors spent about $89 billion in the state last year.

JetBlue has announced that passengers who booked flights to Miami before Aug. 1 may qualify for a refund.

Some tour companies have stopped bringing visitors to Wynwood, famous for the bold murals covering old warehouse walls. Several outdoor events planned for this month, among them a brewerys Beer Circus, have been canceled, and at least two businesses have temporarily closed their doors.

When the CDC gives an advisory not to come to a neighborhood, it has real effects, said Zak Stern, better known as Zak the Baker.

Normally this place is packed. You cant get a seat,  he said, motioning to the mostly empty tables at his bakery and cafe in Wynwood. Its bad enough for me to have to make schedule changes  to make sure that we can get through it.

Sherrie Varpula-Walter and her husband, Matt Walter, read to their 2-year-old, Jack. She is pregnant and spends most of her time holed up in the familys Miami apartment to avoid being infected with Zika. (Alexandra Zavis / Los Angeles Times )

At the same time, his wife is pregnant and he does not want to put their unborn child  or any family  at risk.

Im looking for the reasonable response, he said, and I dont think I have enough clarity to make that judgment yet.

Like many in the neighborhood, Stern has tried to inject an element of humor into the predicament.

On a wooden table outside the cafe, Stern set up a shrine to keep the virus at bay. There are sage sticks and healing crystals. Someone left half an orange, carefully wrapped in plastic.

I dont know what that would do, Stern said. But he appreciates the gesture. We need to stand united and fight this.

Florida officials have responded aggressively, dispatching crews to find and test people who may have been exposed to the virus, fumigate around homes and businesses, and empty the standing water where mosquitoes breed.

Gramps bar in Wynwood, Miami, has bug spray available to protect staff and patrons from #Zika pic.twitter.com/DuFcWH7xoO  Alexandra Zavis (@alexzavis) August 5, 2016

Authorities had anticipated that Zika would begin spreading in Florida, which serves as a gateway for people traveling to and from Latin America and the Caribbean, regions where hundreds of thousands have been infected. More than 350 travel-related cases have been identified in Florida, 55 of them involving pregnant women.

Federal health officials do not anticipate that infections here will rival outbreaks that have occurred in countries such as Brazil, where millions of people live without air conditioning or screens on windows and doors to fend off mosquitoes.

The species that spreads Zika, Aedes aegypti, doesnt travel more than 150 yards in its lifetime, and outbreaks of other diseases carried by the mosquito have been highly localized in the U.S.

But Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the CDC, expressed concern last week that Floridas stepped-up mosquito control measures did not appear to be working as well as hoped.

That may be partly because Aedes aegypti lays its eggs in small pools of water  as little as a teaspoon full  that can be hard to spot in a complex urban environment such as Wynwood.

A plane sprays insecticide over Miamis Wynwood neighborhood to reduce the number of mosquitoes. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images )

Frieden also suggested that the species might be resistant to the two types of pyrethroid insecticides that have been sprayed using equipment carried in backpacks or mounted on trucks.

On Thursday, Miami-Dade County began aerial spraying of the insecticide naled, which Frieden said has proved effective at killing mosquitoes that other methods dont reach.

We are very encouraged by the initial results, which showed a large proportion of the mosquitoes killed, he told reporters in Florida, where he had been observing the response.

The flights are controversial, however, with some residents saying they are more about the chemicals landing in their yards than the virus. Frieden said the tiny amounts being sprayed at dawn or dusk have no effect on people.

At the same news conference Thursday, Scott said state health officials had completed testing in a 10-block corner of Wynwood and found no evidence of active Zika transmission there.

Despite the cancellations and drop-off in business, not every enterprise there is suffering.

At the Wynwood Walls, an open-air museum showcasing street art, visitors still stream in to take selfies in front of the vibrant murals and sculptures.

Yenny Jimenez, who is 7 months pregnant, brought her two visiting sisters-in-law, one of whom is also expecting. She wasnt aware of the CDC advisory but didnt seem overly concerned.

Every time we go outside, we put repellent on, said Jimenez, before wandering off to look at more art.

Down the street, a film crew was wrapping up a shoot. As the members gathered round for a group picture, the photographer called out cheerily, Say Zika. A nearby restaurant offered pizzika on the menu.

As night fell, some popular eateries filled with diners. It was a full house over at Gramps, a bar where owner Adam Gersten was fielding calls from patrons desperate to get into two sold-out comedy shows.

He was pleased to see county workers spray the venues courtyard with insecticide and leave pellets of larvicide where water collects amid the shrubbery. He also sets out bottles of repellent for the staff and patrons.

Gersten thinks most people in Miami are taking the outbreak in stride. If its not Zika, its going to be a hurricane, he said. Its just always some kind of tropical horror.

That is little consolation to Varpula-Walter, who is expecting a daughter in January.

Although she does not live in the neighborhood, her husband helps manage an independent movie theater there, O Cinema. The virus can be spread sexually, so Walter too lathers up with insect repellent and covers himself in long clothing before heading to work.

She wishes others were so cautious -- especially when they travel to and from countries where the virus is spreading explosively.

A big problem with Zika is trying to get people who are not pregnant, and dont want to be, to care, she said. As I hole myself up in my apartment, I feel a certain amount of resentment that I cant trust people on the street to be a little more careful.

alexandra.zavis@latimes.com

Twitter: @alexzavis

ALSO

When it comes to raising a child disabled by Zika, Brazilian women often do it alone

Two babies in California born with microcephaly from Zika, officials say

Zika is now here: Mosquitoes are spreading virus in U.S.
Four weeks from the end of the legislative session it appears that lawmakers will punt, rather than vote, on one of the most important environmental decisions facing California. At stake is the states leadership role in fighting climate change.

SB 32 was envisioned as the next logical, albeit ambitious, step in Californias push to combat climate change. The bill was expected to build on AB 32, the landmark Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, which required the state to bring down greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 to what they had been in 1990. California is on track to meet that goal, and SB 32 would have set the next target: reduce emissions to 40% below the 1990 level by 2030.

Gov. Jerry Brown announced the new goal in his 2015 inaugural speech, and Democratic Sen. Fran Pavley, who wrote the Global Warming Solution Act, drafted Browns vision into SB 32. But the bill stalled last year in the Assembly amid tremendous lobbying from the oil industry. Pavley carried the bill over to the current session. Again, it has been held up by the oil industry and business-friendly Democrats in the Assembly.

Advertisement

But the bill has also faced some obstacles put in its way by Brown, who has been trying, unsuccessfully apparently, to craft a grand compromise with Big Oil and other opponents that would both set the new 2030 targets into law and safeguard the states cap-and-trade program from legal challenges. Cap and trade is the centerpiece of the states plan to cut greenhouse gases; it sets a pollution cap and then allows companies to buy permits to pollute above their specific allowances. The money the state collects from the sale of permits is supposed to be used to help reduce emissions elsewhere. Thanks to a lawsuit, the cap and trade program is currently in legal limbo, which has resulted in dramatic drop in the price of the permits and significantly less money to spend on pollution-fighting projects.

After harried negotiations in the Capitol, state leaders indicated late last week that they were unlikely to reach a deal anytime soon. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) said it wasnt imperative to pass a bill this year. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) said he wanted to pass the extension of greenhouse gas reduction targets, but he would not negotiate a bad deal just to get a deal. And in a move that demonstrates just how difficult it may be to reach an agreement, Browns office announced that the governor was prepared to bring the issue before voters at the ballot in 2018, if necessary.

Even with the apparent failure of SB 32, state leaders were quick to assert last week that California is still committed to its aggressive greenhouse gas reduction programs. No one pretends that California can reverse global warming on its own, but by demonstrating success in a state as large as this one, California has tried to persuade other governments to adopt their own aggressive climate change policies.

Browns top aide bragged that no other state or nation in the Western Hemisphere has done more to curb carbon pollution than California, and she suggested that the fate of SB 32 wont make or break the states climate agenda. That may be true. But the delay doesnt help. Having 2030 targets in place solidifies Californias commitment to cutting greenhouse gases, which gives businesses certainty on what to expect and sends a market signal that the state will continue to invest in clean technology. The longer lawmakers dither, the more the value of cap-and-trade permits are likely to decrease, meaning less money for clean-air programs.

And this is the second year in a row that oil companies and business-friendly Democrats have blocked bills aimed at ratcheting down greenhouse gas emissions. Their opposition continues despite the fact that Californias economy has grown while the state has begun reducing its greenhouse gases.Theres no reason to think it will be any easier to pass the new targets next year. Plus, recent polling shows that voters strongly support the goal of cutting emissions to 40% below the 1990 levels by the year 2030. According to a Public Policy Institute of California survey, residents support the states aggressive climate change laws even if they mean paying more for gas and electricity.

That makes lawmakers reluctance to support SB 32 all the more puzzling. The world is watching  will California continue to lead or not?

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
If Donald Trump had flamed out of the primaries as almost everyone expected, I would have proudly voted for Marco Rubio, John Kasich or Jeb Bush, and would have supported Scott Walker or Chris Christie. But compared with these candidates, Donald Trump lives on another planet. Simply put, he is not a Republican nor a conservative as we have understood those terms for decades.

Instead, I will vote for Hillary Clinton in November. I will do this knowing full well that she has more baggage than United Airlines and that she would nominate Supreme Court justices that would do violence to the 1st, 2nd and 5th Amendments to the Constitution. She flat-out lied about her home-brew server and the classified information on it, thereby imperiling national security. I recognize that she is owned in fee-simple by one of the most reactionary groups in the United States, the public employee unions. Further, I assume that the SVR, the foreign intelligence service of the Russian Federation, will cause to be released documents showing a very unsavory connection between Clintons actions as secretary of State and the Clinton Foundation.

Despite these serious flaws, Clinton believes in America and its values. Trump  who would establish religious tests for immigration and ethnic tests for judges  does not. She is open to the world; Trump is not.

Advertisement

Trump believes in only himself. As Khizr Kahn, the Muslim father of a slain U.S. Army captain noted at the Democratic Convention: Trump has sacrificed nothing.

And if we ever see the contents of Trumps tax returns, I believe they will demonstrate that he is not as rich as he says he is, has given only a pittance to charity and has played the IRS like an aria. The media should consider boycotting Trump events until he releases his tax returns, like every modern candidate for the presidency. Why do they let him get away with it?

Ive argued before that we are in the process of reliving the 1930s. Russian expansionism in the Ukraine is analogous to Hitlers moves in central Europe, and the rise of antisemitism in Europe today also has a parallel to that dark era. Trump, for his part, echoes the proto-fascist America First movement championed by Charles Lindbergh. He wants to close off America from the rest of the world.

We Republicans brought Trump on ourselves.

But unlike the America Firsters, Trumps blathering about international affairs seems rooted in ignorance rather than ideology. He quite simply doesnt have a clue about foreign policy. He has no advisors of stature, military or diplomatic  no one who can rein in his bromance with Russian leader Vladimir Putin or explain to him why we must honor our commitments to NATO.

In contrast, Clinton is a tough-minded foreign policy realist who understands the dangers we face in Putinism and Islamist radicalism.

You can believe  as I do  that Clinton has a problem with the truth, but must also acknowledge  as I must  that in that regard she doesnt hold a candle to Trumps prevarications. Simply put, as the old adage goes, How can you tell when Trump is lying? Answer: When he is moving his lips. You really cant predict what he will say from one day to the next, or if he will say the same thing again the following day. He is an unstable egomaniac who is unfit for public office, any office.

We Republicans brought Trump on ourselves. The congressional leadership, K Street lobbyists and public policy intellectuals (save a few) only talked to themselves. They had no clue as to what was going on out in the country and lost touch with the partys working-class base. Instead of the tony restaurants of D.C., I suggest they visit the fast-food joints and bars of the Midwest, the South and Californias Central Valley. Simply put, a whole lot of soul-searching is ahead of us.

David Shulman is the senior economist at the UCLA Anderson Forecast. He blogs at shulmaven.blogspot.com.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook

MORE FROM OPINION

If Hillary Clinton wins, can she claim a mandate?

Bernie Sanders: I support Hillary Clinton. So should everyone who voted for me

Clintons positive spin on the economy doesnt reflect reality
Im Christina Bellantoni. This is Essential Politics.

The week starts with questions  was Donald Trumps late Friday effort endorsing three respected members of the Republican Party enough to stem GOP defections? And how much danger does his party detect?

As the New York Times reported Sunday, some groups worried about congressional losses on Nov. 8 already are envisioning a scenario where they run political ads based on the assumption of a Clinton presidency, suggesting Republicans should get votes to be a check on a Democratic White House.

Advertisement

Javier Panzar reported on the California Republicans starting to see down-ballot effects of Trump being their nominee. The Modesto Bees editorial board said last week that it cant support Rep. Jeff Denhams reelection bid because he wont plainly say whether he supports Trump, and the Republican Mayor of Lancaster said he plans to support Democrat Bryan Caforio because of Rep. Steve Knights tacit support for Trump and because Knight supports using natural gas.

At the national level, the indications at this point in the race arent good for the billionaire businessman. As David Lauter explained on Sundays front page, Trump has seen a steep drop in support from some core constituencies, while more people have firmly made up their minds.

More than 1 in 5 white voters soured on him, for example, as did a similar share of voters older than 65, in our USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times national tracking poll. One in 5 voters overall grew significantly less supportive of Trump.

(More info on our daily tracking poll is here.)

But were still 91 days from the election, and so much of what happens will be determined on the ground in the critical swing states.

Cathleen Decker spent last week in Ohio, finding it like no other state when it comes to Republican dysfunction. The popular Republican Gov. John Kasich stiffed Trump at the home-state convention and now regularly dismisses him on Twitter. Trump has threatened to retaliate by raising money to squash Kasichs future ambitions.

Kasich on Sunday said he cant back either Clinton or Trump.

(You can track the full spectrum from all aboard the Trump Train to Republicans whove announced they are with her, on our nifty interactive.)

The states Republican Sen. Rob Portman, running for reelection, has stuck with his endorsement of the partys nominee but has yet to appear in public with him. Instead, Portman has upbraided Trump repeatedly, and his campaign recently sent aides to search for potential supporters at Clinton rallies.

Decker writes that all that would be merely familial squabbling if not for Ohios frequent role as the decider in presidential contests. It is a must-win state for Trump; a loss here would almost certainly deny him the presidency.

NOT A GOOD FORUM

Clinton struggled to reconcile her previous public statements about the handling of sensitive information over a private email server with the critical assessment offered by the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in an appearance before black and Latino journalists that could have marked the end of what has been arguably the best week of Hillary Clintons campaign.

Reporters pushed Clinton about taking more questions from her traveling press.

Trump, meanwhile, used applause at the event as evidence the media is biased for the Democratic nominee. He kept up his attacks Saturday.

Get the latest from the campaign trail on Trail Guide and follow @latimespolitics. Check our daily USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times tracking poll at the top of the politics page.

JERRY BROWNS CLIMATE FIGHT

The push to extend California climate programs is looking like a long shot this year.

Gov. Jerry Brown and top lawmakers havent reached a consensus on a strategy to push the measures through the Legislature, and some Democrats remain skeptical of the benefits. So Brown is already looking down the road to other opportunities, Melanie Mason and Chris Megerian report, including the possibility of a ballot fight in 2018.

STANFORD RAPE CASE INSPIRES DEBATE IN SACRAMENTO

The trend in California has been for lawmakers to reduce mandatory sentences for criminals, citing the proliferation of three-strikes laws and others like them to the booming prison population. But when public outrage followed a six-month jail sentence for a Stanford University student convicted of sexual assault, state Democrats decided to quickly author legislation to require mandatory prison terms for those convicted in future cases. The supporters of the new bill say sexual assault convictions should all require prison time.

News out of Sacramento is happening at a fast pace this month. Keep an eye on our Essential Politics news feed for the very latest.

TIFF OVER SENATE DEBATES

California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris campaign put out the word early Friday morning that shes agreed to two debates with U.S. Senate rival Rep. Loretta Sanchez of Orange County  and the congresswomans campaign was not happy about it.

Phil Willon reports that Sanchez political consultant Bill Carrick blasted the Harris campaign for arrogantly announcing there would be only two debates when Sanchez wants more. Harris campaign consultant Sean Clegg said Carrick should stop whining. Just imagine what the candidates will say to each other when theyre finally on the debate stage.

HANGMAN FOR HILLARY TWEET

An official with the Riverside County Republican Party landed in hot water after he sent out a tweet Wednesday, via the local partys official twitter account, showing a shrouded hangman with a noose next to the phrase Im ready for Hillary.

The next day, the man in question, Nathan Miller, resigned from his job as an aide to state Board of Equalization member Diane Harkey. The chairman of the local party, Scott Mann, initially told the Press Enterprise that the tweet was nothing more than political satire. A few hours later he changed his mind, saying he was horrified by the tweet.

LAWMAKERS MOVE TO LIMIT POLICE FROM TAKING PEOPLES PROPERTY WITHOUT A CONVICTION

Last week, major law enforcement groups dropped their opposition to a bill from state Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) that aims to make it harder for police to permanently take property without a criminal conviction, Liam Dillon reports. Mitchell agreed to amend her bill so that only property worth less than $40,000 would need an accompanying criminal conviction to be seized permanently, while amounts more than that could still use a lower burden of proof, such as those in civil cases. If the deal passes the Legislature, an expert says it will be, one of the strongest reforms enacted in any state.

MAKING IT EASIER FOR YOUNG HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS?

Taking the witness stand against abusers can cause young human trafficking victims to relive trauma and fall into deep depression, social workers and prosecutors say. Of the some two dozen human trafficking bills still pending at the state Capitol, at least one proposal seeks to ease that burden on children and teens by allowing minors 15 or younger to testify through closed-circuit televisions outside the courtroom.

The legislation has support from advocates and some law enforcement agencies, but the ACLU says it erodes the right of a defendant to confront their accusers.

PODCAST: SACRAMENTOS TO-DO LIST

As weve been reporting on our Essential Politics news feed, lawmakers are back at the state Capitol for the final big push on legislation before they adjourn for the year on Aug. 31.

John Myers leads a discussion on this weeks California Politics Podcast of the complicated politics ahead on several big issues, from climate change to affordable housing and beyond. This weeks episode also examines how lawmakers are pondering what to do, if anything, over the absence of Assemblyman Roger Hernandez (D-West Covina) in the wake of domestic violence accusations.

TODAYS ESSENTIALS

 Prosecutors in the campaign finance case against Sacramento County Rep. Ami Beras father are opposed to a recommendation that Babulal Bera be eligible for only probation. The elder Bera, who pleaded guilty to funneling money to his sons campaign, is scheduled to be sentenced next week.

 Being despondent and inactive is not going to improve anything, Sen. Bernie Sanders writes to his supporters in an op-ed for The Times.

 After Trumps rough week, we checked back in with fervent supporters from our Trump Nation series. They have not been swayed away from their man.

 A bill that aims to speed up the development of mega-projects across the state, including likely four in Los Angeles, received its first approval on the floor of the Assembly.

 The campaign committee for an initiative to legalize the recreational use of marijuana filed a lawsuit alleging the ballot arguments by the measures opponents contain multiple false and/or misleading statements.

 California voters rejected a Central Valley tribal casino project in 2014, but federal officials have nonetheless now given the project a green light. Even so, the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians still have multiple lawsuits against their effort to build a casino and hotel alongside Highway 99 outside the city of Madera.

 A group opposed to new gun control laws is suing the state for successfully demanding the removal of a blog post that listed the home addresses of legislators who voted for Californias newest measures. The lawsuit is being funded by the Firearms Policy Coalition on behalf of one of the groups members, who is listed in the lawsuit under the pseudonym Publius and writes a blog called the The Real Write Wringer. The blog recently published the names, home addresses and home phone numbers of 40 legislators who voted for a sweeping gun control package in June, saying the officials decided to make you a criminal if you dont abide by their dictates. So below is the current tyrant registry.

 Someone hacked a road sign in San Diego with a nasty message about Trump.

 Who will win the November election? Give our Electoral College map a spin.

LOGISTICS

Did someone forward you this? Sign up here to get Essential Politics in your inbox daily. And keep an eye on our politics page throughout the day for the latest and greatest. And are you following us on Twitter at @latimespolitics?

Please send thoughts, concerns and news tips to politics@latimes.com.
Gov. Jerry Browns plan for a regional electricity grid is being put on hold this year, and lawmakers are no longer expected to consider a measure that would allow California to partner with five other states in buying and selling power.

The governor and state regulators hope more interstate cooperation would eventually help spread clean energy through the region, increasing the market for renewable sources such as solar and wind. But there have been persistent concerns about whether the plan would undermine Californias environmental efforts or reduce its control over the grid, a residual worry a little more than a decade since the states energy crisis.

While very significant progress has been made ... there remain some important unresolved questions that would be difficult to answer in the remainder of this legislative session, Brown wrote in a letter to top lawmakers Monday.

Advertisement

Read more coverage about the final weeks of the legislative session. 

The plan would have allowed PacifiCorp, a utility that operates in Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and parts of Northern California, to merge with Californias electricity grid. The integration would have saved customers $1.5 billion a year by 2030, according to the California Independent System Operator, or Cal-ISO, a Folsom-based nonprofit that manages electricity markets and transmission for most of the state.

Regulators argue that a regional approach would make it easier to import and export clean energy. For example, when the wind blows in Wyoming, the electricity could power homes in California, and when the sun shines in California, it could supply the electricity to other states.

Although legislation passed last year included a provision expressing support for the big-grid idea, lawmakers would need to approve a new measure to allow the state to move forward. Thats now on hold until next year, and in the meantime Brown said his administration would keep working with lawmakers.

The goal is to develop a strong proposal that the Legislature can consider in January, he wrote in his letter. Im confident that by working together we can get the job done.

Expansion of Cal-ISOs authority would likely require a structuring of the agencys governing board to include members from other states, meaning California would possibly surrender some of its control.

Thats caused skepticism from state legislative leaders, who wrote in a February letter that Brown must not cede authority of our states cutting edge clean energy and climate policies to others who do not have the same strong commitment and legal framework to reduce climate pollution and promote clean energy.

Last week, state Senate leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) said he still had concerns.

Our climate leadership in California cannot be undermined, he said. We cant go two, three, four steps backwards to reach a deal for regionalization.

Another issue is that PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, currently produces 62% of its electricity from coal and 15% from natural gas.

Although the utility plans to retire some of those coal plants in the coming years, environmental groups such as the Sierra Club fear California would end up importing more electricity from dirty sources rather than clean ones. A law passed last year, SB 350, requires the state to produce half of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

The plan to work with PacifiCorp has raised a lot of red flags for the state and the region, said Kathryn Phillips, California director for the Sierra Club, and she praised Brown for delaying the push for new legislation.

His letter today confirms that he understands California must take the time it needs to design a regional system that stays true to our values and grows our progress, she said in a statement.

Don Furman, the manager of Fix the Grid West, an advocacy group for some environmental organizations and solar companies that support regionalization, said hes confident a plan can be developed without weakening renewable-energy goals.

Its just a matter of working out the details, Furman said.

There has also been anxiety from California labor groups, who fear that regionalization would encourage new energy projects to be built in other states where unions are weaker.

Cesar Diaz, the legislative director for the State Building and Construction Trades Council, said his organization was pleased there would be a delay.

It is important regionalization be done in a way that hundreds of thousands of jobs that would result from SB 350 would not be lost and in a way that California does not lose control of its energy policy, he said.

chris.megerian@latimes.com and ivan.penn@latimes.com

Penn reported from Los Angeles

Twitter: @chrismegerian and @ivanlpenn

ALSO:

State electric grid expansion would add coal-heavy utility

Brown wants to resurrect a plan to expand the states power grid, but some say its not that simple

Study says expansion of Californias electric grid would save consumers $1.5 billion

Updates on California politics

UPDATES:

2:05 p.m. This article has been updated with reactions from the Sierra Club and Fix the Grid West.

This article was originally published at 10 a.m.
Police arrested a man suspected of drunk driving after a brief chase in Costa Mesa and Santa Ana on Sunday morning, authorities said.

The pursuit began at 4:12 a.m. when an officer driving near Bear Street and South Coast Drive heard screeching tires and saw someone speed by, Costa Mesa police Sgt. Matt Selinske said.

The speeding driver continued north along Bear, running red lights, and when the officer caught up and tried to pull over the car, it kept going, running more red lights before continuing north into Santa Ana, Selinske said.

More officers joined the pursuit as the driver turned onto Segerstrom Avenue and slowed to about 10 mph, according to police.

Eventually, the car stopped on Pacific Avenue just north of Warner Avenue in Santa Ana, police said.

Authorities arrested Brian Reyes, 23, of Santa Ana on suspicion of felony evading police and driving under the influence, Selinske said.

According to police, Reyes had outstanding warrants in two earlier DUI cases.

Police saw damage on the front of the car that looked fresh, and Selinske said the driver admitted to investigators that he had hit a guardrail earlier in the night when he tried to get on the 405 Freeway near Bristol Street in Costa Mesa.
Anglophiles, you thought youd seen all the best photos of London. Well, you havent.

Name: Collage: The London Picture Archive, collage.cityoflondon.gov.uk

What it does: Offers more than 250,000 images of London from the collections at London Metropolitan Archives and Guildhall Art Gallery.

Advertisement

Whats hot: Travelers can hunt for photos of that special pub they caroused in or browse historical photos from Londons past. There are several ways to search, so dont feel as though you must use only the London Picture Map or the search bar. You can browse a variety of topics: royal or political events, viaducts, mythology, markets, street sellers, artists and many more. Did you find a favorite image? Collage allows you to register for free, build a list of your favorites, print the photos (with a watermark), buy a digital copy or order a print. Besides the more than 250,000 photographs, prints and drawings, there are more than 1,000 maps to view. Dont miss the Popular Searches in the left navigation bar if you need a tip on where to start.

Whats not: Make sure you know the correct spelling of your search subject  Leicester Square is tricky. The database is precise, and if you enter a typo or misspell a word youll see a page that lets you know No items were found.
Long before he became the Japanese figurehead, before he shattered centuries of tradition by marrying a commoner and certainly long before he ever dreamed of abdicating his throne, the man who would become Emperor Akihito did something else unusual.

As a young crown prince in the ruins of postwar Japan, he agreed to an interview with an American journalist  something that would have been unthinkable just months before. Attended by his royal handlers in Akasaka Palace, he professed his love of Mickey Mouse and Peter Pan, and offered greetings to American children: Lets be good friends.

I know this because the American who interviewed him was my father. The news that Akihito was considering abdication sent me rummaging through an old cigar box of my dads wartime journals, where I found the notes  the fountain-pen ink barely faded after more than 70 years  that chronicled their meeting on Dec. 19, 1945, less than four months after World War II ended with the Japanese surrender.

Advertisement

My dad, Morrie Landsberg, who died in 1993, had been an Associated Press war correspondent in the Pacific. He covered some of the decisive battles of the war  Saipan, Guam, the Philippine Sea, Iwo Jima. He was on a Navy flagship off Iwo when his AP colleague, photographer Joe Rosenthal, captured the famous photo of the flag-raising.

Morrie Landsberg, kneeling at bottom left, is shown with other journalists outside the Tokyo correspondents club on Jan. 31, 1946. (Charles Gorry / Associated Press )

American flag flies from top Mt. Suribachi, my dad wired. He was on Guam when Pacific Fleet headquarters there made the announcement that an atomic bomb had been dropped on Hiroshima. And he was on the deck of the battleship Missouri when Japan formally surrendered.

The khaki shirt of his war correspondents uniform still hangs in my closet, a reminder of a time when the separation between journalists and the U.S. military was less robust than it is today. He was probably wearing it when he interviewed Akihito.

Morrie Landsbergs World War II correspondents shirt. (Mitchell Landsberg / Los Angeles Times )

There wasnt much remarkable in what the 11-year-old prince had to say that December day. He was both young and sheltered, having been whisked out of harms way during the war and treated since birth as someone elevated from the scrum of humanity.

Still, the royal familys decision to have him submit to an interview at all was a hopeful sign that Japan was willing to accept its defeat and move forward, if necessary abandoning some of the traditions that had made soldiers willing to die for Emperor Hirohito, Akihitos father and the divine head of Japan under the ancient Shinto faith.

This was not a coincidence.

Four days before the interview, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the supreme Allied commander in Japan, had issued a confidential directive  a yellowed copy is in my fathers papers  ordering the separation of Shinto from the state; the removal of militaristic and ultra-nationalist ideology from Shinto doctrine; and the elimination of Shinto from the schools.

MacArthur had, of course, agreed to allow Hirohito to remain the emperor, at least in title, thereby ensuring some continuity of Japanese culture. But his powers were stripped; Japan was to be a democracy, remade in the U.S. image, and no longer ruled by a monarch.

A page of notes from a 1945 interview with Prince Akihito. (Mitchell Landsberg / Los Angeles Times )

What is democracy?

Those words are also in my fathers notes.

Akihito had asked that question a few weeks before, according to Baron Hozumi, the grand chamberlain to the prince. Hozumi said he told the prince that it meant governing people according to their own wishes and for the happiness of all the people.

There was nothing there about self-governance. Still, it suggested that the baron was either unusually progressive for a man in his position, or he recognized that there was a new sheriff in town. In any event, he said, the prince had liked the idea.

Akihito has seemed, in some ways, to be a man not fully comfortable with the hand he was dealt. His decision to marry a commoner  shocking at the time  certainly suggested that he was chafing at the strictures of his position. And he has gained a reputation over the years as a reformer in other ways.

He is also said to be a bit shy  no surprise, considering his childhood.

The prince, the baron said in that 1945 interview, went to the School of Peers, where he played with other children  the children of royalty, to be sure. No distinction from others, my father had jotted down, although I doubt that he fully believed that. At night, the prince spent time alone with his toys or played cards with the grand chamberlain, a man who was then in his early 60s. Hozumi has been described elsewhere as a genial aristocrat, but nowhere as an 11-year-olds ideal playmate.

The prince liked to build models  especially American ones (where he got them was not explained). And, in a sign of the interest in the natural world that would later lead him to become a marine biologist, he spoke of his private chicken coop and the swans that he regarded as his pets.

He seemed less comfortable with people. He would answer only written questions, Hozumi said, explaining: He might get flustered talking to a stranger.

It would be more than 40 years before Akihito succeeded his father as emperor. Now 82, he is reaching the final days of his reign. Somewhere in the recesses of his memory must be images of a lost world, of the boy who loved swans and of the American who came on a wintry day to meet him.

mitchell.landsberg@latimes.com

ALSO

Japans emperor addresses nation, indicates he wants to abdicate

Japans emperor will give a video speech. Whats the big deal?

Akihito Enthroned in Japan : Asia: Cheers of banzai congratulate the emperor. About 500 dignitaries from around the world attend. Leftists are blamed for 21 terrorist acts.
A suicide bombing in the emergency ward of a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan, killed at least 64 people Monday.

In a statement issued to the media, a spokesman for the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar militant group said that its fighters shot and killed Bilal Kasi, the president of Baluchistan Bar Assn., then sent a suicide bomber to target mourners who had gathered at the government-run Civil Hospital.

Previous attacks claimed by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar include the bombing at a Lahore park on Easter this year, killing 72 people.

Advertisement

A television journalist was also among the dead, and two cameramen were among the more than 40 people who were injured, many of them critically, officials said.

A number of lawyers and some journalists had gathered at the hospital, where Kasis body had been brought, said Baluchistans home minister, Akbar Harifal.

Witnesses said dozens of lawyers were entering the hospitals emergency department, accompanying Kasis body, when the powerful explosion occurred.

Saleem Shahid, a senior journalist, said by phone from Quetta that lawyers were seen fleeing the emergency department after the explosion.

Baluchistan, a large, resource-rich though largely undeveloped province in southwestern Pakistan, along the border with Iran, has been hit by a long, low-level insurgency by an array of ethnic Baluch nationalist organizations vying for self-determination.

The militant groups regularly attack trains, security forces and government installations, including hospitals in Baluchistan.

They accuse Pakistani security forces of illegal detentions, torture and executions of Baluch civilians, charges the government denies.

Following the blast, the Pakistani government declared a state of emergency in hospitals, while lawyers called a boycott of court proceedings in various cities nationwide.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif issued a statement condemning the attack.

No one will be allowed to disturb the peace in the province that has been restored thanks to the countless sacrifices by the security forces, police and the people of Baluchistan, Sharif said.

Special correspondent Ali reported from Peshawar and staff writer Bengali from Tehran. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

ALSO

A fringe Hindu group that believes in a divine kingdom is suspected in the deaths of Indian secularists

Japans emperor addresses nation, indicates he wants to abdicate

Spy saga comes to a close as Iran executes a nuclear scientist accused of giving info to the U.S.

UPDATES:

12:14 p.m.: This article has been updated with confirmation of the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claim of responsibility.

5:05 a.m.: This article has been updated with staff reporting.

4:15 a.m.: This article has been updated with a revised death toll.

3:45 a.m.: This article has been updated with additional details and background.

1:35 a.m.: This article has been updated with a revised death toll and additional background.

This article was originally published at 12:25 a.m.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton expected an approval bump following her DNC acceptance speech, but multiple national polls released this week may more favorable than she or rival Republican candidate Donald Trump expected.

Clinton holds an eight-point lead over Trump in a head-to-head race and in a four-way race featuring two independent candidates, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll published Sunday.

The former secretary of state leads 50 percent to 42 percent among registered voters asked to select between Clinton and Trump. Clinton's lead remains at eight points if Green Party nominee Jill Stein and Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson are included.

Nearly 60 percent said Clinton has the personality and temperament to serve as president, compared to 33 percent for Trump. Three-quarters of voters disapproved of Trump criticizing Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the Gold Star parents who lost their son during the Iraq War in 2004.

An NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll released Thursday has Clinton edging Trump by nine points, 47 percent to 38 percent, improving on her five-point lead of a month ago. Voters believed Clinton is better on immigration, foreign policy, racial relations, and homeland security, where she narrowly beat Trump by a one-point margin.

A McClatchy-Marist Poll released the same day found Clinton and running mate Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine carry a 15-point lead over Trump and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, a 12-point jump from July.

Clinton lead is just as considerable in swing states. On average, Clinton leads by 15 points in New Hampshire; 11 points in Pennsylvania; nine points in Michigan; and six points in Florida.

Overcoming Trust Issues

Both candidates continue to overcome image problems, though Democrats are more likely to vote for Clinton despite her controversies than Republicans are to vote for Trump. Over 60 percent of voters said Trump is neither honest nor trustworthy; about the same percentage (59 percent) though the same of Clinton.

On Thursday, Trump claimed he saw video of a U.S. aircraft delivering a $400 million cash payment to Iran, suggesting it was sent as payment for the release of American hostages. Trump backtracked a day later, clarifying that he saw video of Americans arriving in Geneva.

Clinton, known for her aversion to press conferences, met with reported on Friday to admit that her uses of the term "truthful" was misleading.

"What I told the FBI, which (Director James Comey) said was truthful, is consistent with what I have said publicly," Clinton said. "I may have short-circuited and for that I will try to clarify."

Courting Latinos

Clinton's remakes came as she addressed a joint convention of black and Hispanic Journalists in Washington D.C., where she listed African-American staffers she's had a "lifetime of friendship" with. Clinton said she hoped Democrats would win back the House in order to pass comprehensive immigration and criminal justice reform.

While Trump still leads among white voters and seniors, Clinton fared better among women, young voters, and minorities.

Latinos made up 10 percent of the NBC News poll and 12 percent of the McClatchy-Marist poll. They, along with other non-whites, told Washington Post pollsters that they would vote for Clinton over Trump by a 75 percent to 18 percent margin.
Sometimes Hollywood hits a homerun.

For example, The Big Short, the movie account of the US financial collapse of 2007-09. Its all-star cast is notable. But we were skeptical from the sound bites used in previews and other promotional blather that this would be another anti-capitalist propaganda flick. We were wrong.

Its not easy to craft a compelling drama from complex and unsexy subjects like financial markets and public policy, but The Big Short succeeds brilliantly. It uses a series of creative cameos and asides to explain in plain terms many of the complex financial arrangements underlying the mid-2000s housing bubble that contributed greatly to the collapse  while still keeping the narrative light but gripping.

Michael Burry, an insightful hedge fund manager, realizes in 2005 that too many home mortgages are being given to people without the income or credit to support them. Many of those loans had adjustable rates, and he concludes that when those rates begin to rise in 2007, the whole housing market will collapse.

He responds by buying $1 billion in risky mortgage-based credit default swaps from large investment banks, essentially betting against their investment positions. Wall Street bankers think Burry is an idiot and they happily sell him these swaps, laughing as he walks out the door.

Burrys bet is bold, risking his own investors assets on his strong beliefs, which the entire financial industry dismisses as preposterous. He especially draws derision when he asks the bankers what assurances he has of getting paid when their banks go bankrupt.

Eventually, word gets around to a small handful of others. They recognize that Wall Streeters generally dont make 10-figure bets lightly, so they do some research of their own. They conclude Burry is right, and join him in betting against the financial establishment.

As part of that research, one character, Mark Baum, travels from New York to Florida and sees many homes financed by subprime mortgages vacant and falling into disrepair. He interviews an exotic dancer and asks if shes aware that her mortgage payment could double or triple soon due to the adjustable rates. She says no and asks him if thats also true for her other houses, explaining that she owns five. The point is the system gave anyone, even a pole dancer, as much mortgage credit as shed take.

Baum interviews the brokers who arranged the mortgages for her. They smugly explain that they dont verify borrowers income or assets and it doesnt matter because they get up-front fees for making the loan. Then they sell it within days to government-created agencies. By selling it, they carry no risk for their reckless lending.

The film doesnt explain that Congress and federal regulators had set up these perverse loan resale arrangements to lend excessively in order to assure mortgages for low- and moderate-income borrowers. Bankers knew they could make an immediate profit and then pass the risks on ultimately to taxpayers. In 2005-07, bankers floated more than $1 trillion in such sub-prime loans.

Back in New York, Burry and Baums colleagues worry as the bubble continues to inflate. In real markets, such bubbles tend to spur corrective action. But the banks keep bidding up each others assets even as many subprime loans become delinquent.

When the crash finally comes, the reason for the bankers smugness is revealed. Watching the news, Baum sees Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson and Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke leaving the White House. He guesses correctly that everyone who participated in the often fraudulent collusion between banking and government is about to be bailed out by taxpayers. He realizes the bankers correctly counted on this all along.

The film concludes with Baums shock and disgust, even though his bet paid off. But these events later culminated in public outcry that led CNBCs Rick Santelli to call for a Chicago Tea Party on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Traders cheered him and a new political movement was born.

Tea parties sprang up across the country to express disgust for the bipartisan cronyism and corruption in Washington. Eventually, the movement would be co-opted by opportunistic politicians, but thats a story for another day.

Today, were long on The Big Short.
Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland, Dawn Livingstone, has launched their Heritage Plan in the presence of the Heritage Barges in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim.

Developed in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders the plan encompasses the cultural, built and natural heritage of the inland waterway corridors and aims to "identify and protect the unique waterways heritage and promote its sustainable use for the enjoyment of this and future generations." It is focused on connecting people, communities and the wider population with their local waterway and fostering a sense of place.

The heritage of the waterways encompasses the natural heritage of the landscape through which they run as well as the industrial heritage of the navigations as places of commerce and industry. The archaeology, place-names, local and oral history of the waterways all forms aspects of this Plan which are to be implemented over the next five years.

In launching the Plan, Chief Executive Dawn Livingstone said "The Waterways Ireland Heritage plan represents the first strategic framework for the integration of built, natural and cultural heritage into the future management of our waterways. I welcome the opportunity to work proactively with other Bodies to deliver on projects of shared purpose and to empower and support local communities in the protection and promotion of the waterways heritage."

Members of the public, community groups and State Agencies gave generously of their time in Heritage Plan Working Groups to develop the strategy and it is hoped to deliver the Plan in partnership with them. Implementation of this plan will require involvement from across all sectors; governmental, NGOs, businesses and local communities. In taking this coordinated approach the waterways will remain strong, vibrant places to live, each with its own local distinctiveness, offering a space for the public to stand and appreciate 'living heritage' in all its forms.
The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his palace, in Istanbul, August 6th. LAURENT VAN DER STOCKT FOR "LE MONDE"

Three weeks after the coup attempt which shook Turkey on the night of July 15, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received journalists from Le Monde, on Saturday August 6 in Istanbul. It was his first interview with the Western press since the events. Strongly criticized for the magnitude of the purges following the coup, the Turkish head of state blames both his European and American partners for their lack of  empathy  and support. Before meeting Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in Saint-Petersburg, Mr. Erdogan brings up a probable breakdown with the European Union (EU) on the migrants issue as well as on human rights.

Linterview en francais : Article reserve a nos abonnes  Les Occidentaux ont laisse les Turcs seuls 

You have said that Western leaders had  sided with the authors of the coup attempt and the terrorists . What do you blame them for?

During the coup attempt, a number of leaders of the Western world called me on the phone. It was not enough. We were not facing an ordinary terrorist attack. We have had 240 martyrs and 2,200 people have been wounded. The whole world took a stand when Charlie Hedbo was attacked. Our Prime Minister joined in the march in the streets of Paris. I wish the world leaders had reacted in the same way to what happened in Turkey and that they wouldnt merely use a few cliches to denunciate the coup. Or else they could have come here.

The Western world is not consistent here with the values it advocates. The Western world must show solidarity with Turkey, which as adopted its democratic values. Unfortunately Western leaders have prefered to leave Turkish people to themselves. Western people should not bother about the number of people that were arrested or dismissed. A state has the right to hire and dismiss its civil servants as it wishes, and Turkey has never interfered in this type of matter with its Western partners. It is up to us to decide who we want to work with and who we want to dismiss. Governments should know their place. We are struggling against a coup attempt, against terrorists. The Western world must understand what we are dealing with.

When Mr. Putin called me to present his condolances, he didnt criticize me on the number of people from the military or civil service who had been dismissed. Whereas all the Europeans asked me: why are so many soldiers detained, why have so many civil servants been dismissed? You need to really understand the events we have been through before passing a judgement: the Parliament and the intelligence services have been bombed. Even the Presidential Complex was targeted by fighter aircrafts; six martyrs lost their lives. Instead of showing empathy, Western leaders had the opposite reaction. This makes us sad and it is unacceptable.

Do you consider reshaping your relations with the Western world, whether it be with the European Union (EU), NATO or the United States?

It is the duty of EU member states to try and reassess their relations with Turkey. We have been at the gates of Europe for fifty-three years now. The EU is solely responsible and guilty for this situation. No state has ever been treated the way Turkey has. When I participated in my first European Summit, the EU had only 15 member states. The EU had a biased attitude by opening negotiations (for the membership of Turkey) that never led anywhere. It shows an obvious lack of sincerity.

The EU does not behave in a sincere way with Turkey. There are currently 3 million refugees in Turkey, and the only concern of EU member states is that those refugees do not reach their territories. The EU suggested that we accept the readmissions (of migrants coming from Turkey) in exchange for visa liberalization for Turkish citizens. The readmission agreement and the visa liberalization were to come into force simultaneously on June 1. It is now August and the visa liberalization is still pending. If our claims are not met, we will have to stop readmissions.

What about the United States?

The head of the terrorist organization (accused of fomenting the July 15 coup) has been living in the United States since 1999. I asked President Obama to extradite Gulen. He asked me for documents and evidence. I pointed out to him that when the United States asked for terrorists to be extradited, we never asked for anything and just did it. By virtue of our strategic partnership, the United States must extradite this person since Turkey has already extradited about ten terrorists to the United States. We sent 85 crates of documents to the United States. I now hope that Gulen will be extradited to Turkey as soon as possible. This would allow the anti-American feeling in Turkey to be dispelled.

On August 24, Mr. Kerry [the head of American diplomacy] will come to Turkey for an official visit. It is late, too late. This makes us sad. What more do Americans need? Their strategic ally is facing a coup and it takes them 45 days before sending anyone over? This is shocking. When the World Trade Center was attacked (on 9/11/2001), I immediately reacted: I condemned the attacks which I qualified as a terrorist crime. I would have wished for American officials to come up with stronger words and to come to Turkey earlier. Unfortunately, it didnt happen this way.

Which civilization model do you have in mind for Turkey: the European or the Arab-Muslim one?

Turkey is part of the modern world and its civilization is not restrictive. Within the United Nations, we have set up the Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) which includes 146 member states because we refuse Samuel Huntingtons theory  the clash of civilizations. Our project is neither partial nor local.

On August 9, you will meet Vladimir Putin in Saint-Petersburg. Do you feel closer to him than to Western leaders?

Do you consider Mr. Putin as an Eastern leader? I think the Russian Federation should be considered both a European and an Asian country. The Western world tried to exclude Russia; we didnt. We had this Russian plane incident (a Russian aircraft was destroyed by two Turkish aircrafts at the Turkish-Syrian border on November 24, 2015), but this August 9 visit had been planned long before the coup attempt. This meeting will mark a new step in the relations between our two countries.

Could the rapprochement with Russia change your position regarding Bashar Al-Assads regime?

Solving the Syrian conundrum requires the involvement of the most important players: Russia, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United States. We have always been in favor of a solution to the conflict through rapid common discussions. But this solution cannot be found with Bashar Al-Assad still in power. He needs to leave. When he is gone, it will become possible to find a name which everyone can agree on and if elections are organized without him participating, a transition will be possible. We have already had preparatory discussions leading to such a solution. Up to now, 600,000 people have been killed in Syria. Who is to be blame for this? Assad. We should not support the man responsible for the death of 600,000 of his fellow citizens. Yet some people do support him. If we do believe in democracy, we should not play this game. We must follow another direction. I think the Western world is trying to teach lessons on this matter. Whether it be Germany, France, or the United Kingdom, together of course with Russia who is an important player, we must all sit at the table and wonder why 600,000 people have been killed. This is very painful to me. The fact that so many people have been slaughtered in Syria should encourage us not to support Assad. Is there really no one else to run this country? Some say that if Assad leaves, Isis [Islamic State of Iraq and Sham] will come to power. This will not happen. Together we can fight against this regime as we are fighting against Isis. It is our duty to offer the Syrian people the possibility to elect the person they want. It is the only solution. We cannot declare that we dont trust the Syrian people and let other people decide the future of this country.

Is the recapture of Aleppo by the Syrian regime a red line for Turkey?

The situation is currently evolving in Syria. The opposition forces are about to gain back territory from the Syrian regime. This process is very complicated. If Aleppo falls [into the hands of the regime], it will be a big problem for Turkey. Because many of the people fleeing Syria necessarily head to our country. Many inhabitants of Turkish border towns, such as Gaziantep and Kilis for example, have relatives in Aleppo. We never said our door would be closed. If there are new flows of refugees, we will welcome them. We dont have the same attitude as Europeans on this matter. We know that those people are fleeing bombings, and our humanist concepts as well as our religious beliefs force us to let them in. We have already welcomed three million refugees. We will welcome one more million if need be. We have also welcomed refugees from Iraq: Yezidis, Muslims, Christians, we have welcomed everybody, indiscriminately. So far, the aid devoted to refugees amounts to about 13 billion dollars, and 20 billion dollars with NGO aids included. And we have projects for the future. Our brothers from Syria will have the possibility to become Turkish citizens  we are working on this.

Do you think that the people involved in the coup should be sentenced to the death penalty?

This decision must come from the people. Regarding the death penalty, I think that if a person was killed, only their family can decide what should happen to the murderers. If the family decides to pardon them, they can do so; but it is impossible for the state to take such a decision. Of course the judiciary can grant amnesty, but if millions of people in the country demand the death penalty, this request will be taken into consideration by the Parliament, which will decide if it needs to be reinstated, even if the penal code already prescribes very strict sentences against people involved in a coup. The death penalty is still effective in several states of the United States and in Japan. It also exists in Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, China and many other countries. It has been abolished mainly in Europe. It is the Turkish peoples natural right to decide if the death penalty  which has not been enforced since 1984 (and was abolished in 2004)  should be reinstated or not. If the Parliament decides to reinstate the death penalty, we will no take into account what other people think, we will implement it.

Wont the massive purges in the army, the police and the justice system weaken the state? All the more as Turkey is currently facing a double terrorist threat  as you have pointed out yourself| coming both from Isis and the PKK Kurdish rebels?

Those measures are precisely aimed at eradicating threats to security. The people arrested or dismissed who were linked to the Gulen organization shouldnt have had the positions they had in the first place. The Turkish security forces are fighting against the PKK, but some people working in the justice system were supporting the terrorists. Even the army had been infiltrated by members of the Gulen terrorist organization. We are now trying to eliminate those cancerous cells while seriously fighting against Isis and the PKK. Yet our allies supply the PYD in Syria  which is the local equivalent of the PKK  with weapons and explosives. What type of friendship is this? We dont understand this distinction between good and bad terrorists. We are told that the PYD is fighting against Isis and that this makes them good terrorists. But Al-Nusra Front is also fighting Isis and they are considered as bad terrorists. We claim that all terrorists are bad and that we need to fight together against all terrorists.

You have been the first Turkish leader to start peace talks with the PKK. Is there a chance for the negotiations to ever resume?

I want to clarify something here: I have never started peace talks with the PKK. The Turkish Intelligence Services met Ocalan [the historic leader of the PKK, currently serving a life sentence, editors note]. I have never met with terrorists, neither as Prime Minister nor as President. A state cannot negotiate with terrorists. Too many martyrs have died in this conflict with the PKK. It is not a matter of revenge, but a matter of justice. The state and all its institutions will keep on working on all levels including the development of infrastructures. For many years, the territories occupied by the terrorist organization have been deprived of investments. Private and public companies didnt want to go into these regions because of the lack of security. There were bombings and destruction. Now things are getting better. We have projects of urban transformation for the cities in the area. Buildings will be rebuilt and the people who have had to flee combat zones will be able to come back and live in modern houses, with modern schools and modern places of worship.

The opposition sided with you against the members of the coup. Their representatives were invited to the big meeting on Sunday. But the HDP pro-Kurdish party seems to be excluded from this consensus, although it has also condemned the coup. Why is that?

This party supports the terrorists and is supported by a terrorist organization  the PKK. Furthermore, this party is not the party of the Kurdish people as it claims to be. The political force which garners the largest number of citizens of Kurdish origin is the party I founded  the AKP. A misunderstanding needs to be dispelled here. It is true that the HDP is supported by some Kurdish citizens, but they are often threatened and forced to do so by terrorists. When the terrorist organization is no more, this party will disappear too. It was weakened between the June 2015 elections and the November elections because people realized where the truth lay. For example town councils run by the HDP in the South-East had trenches dug. The trenches were not designed for water or gas pipelines; they were intended to prevent security forces from being effective. As President of the Republic of Turkey, I could not invite the head of such a party supported by a terrorist organization to a meeting celebrating democracy and martyrs. The HDP leaders are free to express themselves in the Parliament, but we dont want to share the same podium with them. If we had invited them, the people would not have understood and they might have been lynched. We do not want to antagonize our people; we want to unify our nation on the path to a better future.

Traduit par Manuel Benguigui

Christophe Ayad, Marie Jego(Istanbul, correspondant) et Marc Semo
One of the key arguments made by defenders of First Past the Post is that it produces clear outcomes on which strong and stable government is based. New analysis published today by the ippr (Worst of Both worlds: Why First Past the Post no longer works) shows why this claim no longer stacks up. It shows that the last general election result was not an aberration but a reflection of long-term changes in voting patterns across the UK which significantly increase the likelihood of more hung parliaments in the future.

Britain has evolved into a multi-party system, but it still has an electoral system designed for only two parties. There is now a long-term trend in the UK of voters opting for parties other than the Conservatives or Labour  and not just for Liberal Democrats. At the 2010 General Election, 35% of the electorate voted for a range of other parties  the vote share for the two main parties was the lowest ever and has been steadily falling since its peak in the 1950s.

Parties other than the big two have also become more successful at winning seats in the House of Commons and now regularly win around 85 seats. So a winning party needs at least 86 more seats than its rival in order to win an overall majority, something that has happened in just seven of the 18 general elections since the war.

For one party to secure a workable majority of 20 seats it needs to win at least 100 seats more than its rival, something that has happened in only four of 18 post-war elections.

Support for other parties means that an increasing number of MPs will be elected on less than 50 per cent of the vote in their constituencies. In the 1950s, 86 per cent of MPs received over 50 per cent of the local vote; in 2010, just 33 per cent did.

Moreover, the number of people who were decisive in determining the outcome of the last general election is even smaller than the number of voters living in marginal seats. In the 111 decisive seats that changed hands, just over 460,000 voters  or 1.6 per cent of the electorate  gave the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats majorities in the seats they gained from Labour.

And because the current system is biased in Labours favour it could result in the wrong winner at the next election, with Labour winning fewer votes than the Conservatives but winning more seats. First Past the Post has generated the wrong winner twice before (in 1951 the Conservatives won more seats than Labour on a lower share of the vote and in February 1974 the situation was reversed, when Labour formed a government on a lower share of the vote).

Since 1945, only three new democracies have introduced First Past the Post based on the British model  Albania, Macedonia and Ukraine  and even these countries subsequently decided to switch to a different system.

Britains broken voting system needs to be fixed. Without reform, we can expect more UK hung parliaments in the future  or at the very least governments elected with small and unstable majorities. We will have a system that is the worst of both worlds: neither representative nor stable.

Nick Pearce is Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research.

The Independent View is a slot on Lib Dem Voice which allows those from beyond the party to contribute to debates we believe are of interest to LDVs readers. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in contributing.
I lost my job following the General Election of May 2015 after nearly 35 years of working in and around politics. MPs are not generally held in high esteem but in my experience, they are overwhelmingly decently motivated.

An exception is the blind spot of political parties, including on occasion the Lib Dems, for the political honours system.

Lynton Crosby, said to have been paid 500,000 for his work on behalf of the Tories and with no long term commitment to the UK was the outrage six months ago. Now we have David Camerons resignation list. And so it goes on. The other parties condemn but then go on to do the same.

Way down the honours list you find British Empire Medals. BEMs are given to individuals for dedication and hard work in their communities, typically for unpaid voluntary work, sometimes over decades. Not glamorous or high profile and certainly not profitable. Recently a 99 year old received a BEM for 50 years of service to her community. Another elderly recipient was an Auschwitz survivor who volunteers with the Holocaust Memorial Trust. Ordinary people giving their time altruistically and sometimes extraordinarily, for no financial reward.

Lynton Crosby was knighted by royalty but there is no trip to Buckingham Palace for BEMs which are presented by a Lord Lieutenant, typically at the local town hall.

Should Liberal Democrats continue to participate in the political honours system? I argue we should never honour anyone who got paid for their job, however hard they worked, and even if it was for us.

In a more just society, BEM recipients would top the honours list rather than hold it up from the bottom. At a time when respect for politicians could hardly be lower I would like to see this Party championing root and branch reform of political honours. But we should also set an example. If Tim Farron gets the opportunity to honour someone, give them a BEM. Theyll be in the best of company.

* Sandra is a member of Twickenham Liberal Democrats. She has worked for several MPs and is a former councillor.
The Sunday Telegraph has revealed that Theresa May is planning to introduce new grammar schools in England. (Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are responsible for their own education systems.) The original ban on new grammar schools was brought in by Tony Blair around 20 years ago, although he did not make it easy to close existing ones.

Tim Farron has responded:

The Liberal Democrats are the party of education and I am utterly opposed to any plan that will bring back grammar schools. I am happy to work with people on all sides, from modernising Conservatives to the opposition parties, to block this retrograde plan. The governments majority is tiny  Theresa May needs to see the danger signs. I am committed to making sure this issue is Theresa Mays first U-turn as Prime Minister. Grammar schools segregate children. By 11, when children typically sit the test for grammar schools, only three quarters of the poorest children reach the governments expected level of attainment in education, compared to 97 per cent of the wealthiest kids. The Sutton Trust found that only 3% of children at grammar schools were on free school lunches, compared with 20% across the country, so grammar schools do not help social mobility. A new generation of grammar schools would help a very small number of the richest children while ignoring the needs of millions more children who are already suffering from underfunded schools. Even some Conservatives will agree with me that this simply wouldnt be right.

Grammar schools should never been seen in isolation  they are one part of a selective system which only works if most children are assigned to schools that are not grammar schools. These used to be known as secondary modern schools, but the more anodyne term non-selective school tends to be used today. Unfortunately that term masks the very real difference between schools in areas which do not use selection  that is, comprehensive schools  and those schools in which all the pupils have been rejected by the grammar schools.

Selective systems still exist in a number of areas; in fact, according to the BBC, there are 163 grammar schools in England and a further 69 in Northern Ireland, all of which use some form of 11 plus testing to identify the pupils they admit, plus the complementary non-selective schools that take the pupils who are not admitted to the grammar schools. The latter are often the forgotten children in the debate about grammar schools.

Earlier Conservative Governments made it progressively more difficult for local authorities and the parents within them to dismantle a local selective system, and Blair did not change the rules either. There was, technically, a mechanism to do this via a parental petition and ballot  but this was a scandalously biased process which only allowed a parent to sign the petition or vote if their child attended a primary school that sent a high percentage of pupils to the grammar school. Parents in schools that sent a high percentage to the non-selective schools were not allowed to vote, even though the system affected them just as much. The local authority, and the local councillors, were also banned from involvement in any way in the petition or the decision.

Not surprisingly, not one grammar school was closed through a parental vote. That explains the anomaly that saw both Sutton and Kingston upon Thames powerless to implement comprehensive systems in their boroughs under Liberal Democrat control. As a former portfolio-holder for Education in Kingston I cant begin to tell you how deeply ironic and frustrating that was.

So by bringing back grammar schools the Prime Minister will be endorsing a system that  for all its claims to the contrary  does not enhance social mobility, but entrenches old class distinctions, as demonstrated by dozens of longitudinal studies over many years.

* Mary Reid is a contributing editor on Lib Dem Voice. She was a councillor in Kingston upon Thames, where she is still very active with the local party, and is the Hon President of Kingston Lib Dems.
A MAGICAL journey with many stops and Limericks answer to the Wild Atlantic Way.

With these glowing accolades, the Mayor of Limerick City and County, Kieran OHanlon launched the new short but colourful guide-book which takes the reader on An Architectural Tour of County Limerick, or what could be called 'The Desmond Trail'.

But the Mayor urged readers to do more than read the snappy introductions by historian, Dr Declan Downey and admire the quirky illustrations by Nesta Fitzgerald.

It looks great, it contains many stories, he said. But his hope was that the pocket-sized book would pack a big punch and become an unique selling point for Limerick, as a county of castles and tower houses, of big houses and unrivalled architectural heritage.

The beauty of this user-friendly guidebook is that it brings that list together for the first time, he said.

Tourist trails are the hottest product in tourism, the Mayor continued.

The genius of the Wild Atlantic Way is its simplicity. With this architectural necklace we potentially have our own Wild Atlantic Way, We have our own trail. They have given us this gift. It is up to us to make the most of it,  he told a very crowded Glin Castle at the launch of the book.

An Architectural Tour of County Limerick is the second in the series dreamed up by Tarbert native Dr Declan Downey of UCD and Nesta Fitzgerald, from Glin who currently lives and works as an illustrator in London.

Last summer, their first book An Architectural Guide to North and West Kerry sold out within two weeks, Dr Downey revealed with some glee. And so widespread was demand that it went into a second edition for this summers tourist season.

And both he and fellow historian, Dr Liam Irwin are agreed that the Norman legacy, with its walled towns, castles, mottes, cathedrals, monasteries, friaries, convents, has been a rich one, particularly in Limerick and North/West Kerry where the Earls of Desmond held sway, effectively establishing a Desmond Palatinate or semi-independent entity which survived from 1329 to 1583.

The Normans gave as much as they took, Dr Irwin said, addressing the gathering at Glin Castle. And apart from buildings, he cited Common Law, chancery, commerce and trade, even parliament as part of the Norman legacy.

We have in Ireland a very large and important heritage, a heritage which too often in the past and even now is ignored, diminished even repudiated, he said. Medieval Ireland is largely neglected and ignored and not taught to Irish children at all.

In this context I am welcoming the publication of this lovely book. This is a book to be read, dipped into, consulted and used. It is an absolute delight from the elegant prose of Declan Downey to the artistic talent of Nesta Fitzgerald, Dr Irwin continued.

It is a book for everybody, he added, but one which would be of particular interest to young people.

Nestas wonderful quirky illustrations, their lively sense of fun and humour, would draw in children and make them realise that studying Irish history could be fun, he said.

I have always wanted to do this, Nesta Fitzgerald explained.. I have always been looking at these places because of my dad. I have visited them all my life. I love all these places.

The idea for the series emerged as a result of lots of chats between Nesta and Dr Downey.

I have always wanted to do these little books. They are such a good size. You can take them with you, you can follow a route. Hopefully, they will trigger something in someone to take an interest in the buildings. We just want people to visit the places.

Her hope also, is that because the selected buildings are illustrated, and not photographed, it might make people see them in a different light.

There isnt one person in this part of the country who doesnt have Norman as well as Gaelic blood running through their veins, Dr Downey pointed out.

All these cultures and the mix of these people are important because they brought in different channels of culture. We see that in the wonderful legacy they have left us in the buildings as well as in our literature, our poetry, our songs our music and sporting activity, he said.

And he stressed that this would never have happened if Ireland had been isolationist. Instead, we have had very strong links with Europe.

County Limerick is one of the most unique regions in Ireland in terms of its wealth and density of medieval buildings and their associated history, legends and folklore, Dr Downey emphasised.

And he pointed out that the book takes a small but significant selection of examples ranging from the solitary drama of Shanid Motte and Bailey to the collective magnificence of the countys ancient corporate towns of Askeaton and Kilmallock.

The book is set out, as a tour, beginning with Lough Gur and taking the reader and visitor, step by step and page by page, through Kilmallock, Adare, Newcastle West, Shanagolden, Glin, Foynes and Askeaton. Each selected building gets its own pared-down history and a taster of folklore while the drawing accompanying it knits the two together beautifully.

The Desmond castles in Adare, Askeaton and Newcastle West get a look, along with the friaries in Adare, Kilmallock and Askeaton. But the post-Desmond period, from 1750 to 1900, is also covered. This was a time, Dr Downey explained, when the Fitzgeralds, Wyndham Quins, Southwells, Courtenays, OBriens and Perys renewed the regions tradition of grand edification with neo-medievalist themes, such as at Adare Manor, Dromore Castle, Glin Castle and Cahermoyle.

I am merely carrying on in the tradition of my father in noticing and appreciating the extraording castles, tower houses and religious houses that we live among here in North Kerry and Limerick, Nesta Fitzgerald said.

The first book in the series was dedicated to her father, the late Desmond Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin while the second book is dedicated to William Westropp, from Patrickswell who researched, wrote up, drew and archived the national monuments of Limerick and Clare in particular.

A third book, about the cultural heritage of Limerick city and its environs is expected next year and hopefully, Ms Fitzgerald said, they will then embark on a book on Clare.

An Architectural Tour of County Limerick is available at local bookshops and at the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum. It costs 12.
FORMER mayor of Limerick Kevin Kiely is offering himself as a compromise candidate in the contest to replace Maria Byrne on the council.

Mr Kiely, who stood down from local politics in 2014, believes he could unify Fine Gaels branches in City West, as he seeks a way back into local politics ahead of the next local election.

At present, the contest to replace Senator Byrne on the local authority is on ice as Fine Gael locally investigates allegations that some members in its city branch were ineligible to vote.

The convention at the South Court Hotel was cancelled with hours to spare at the start of June, after Fergus Kilcoyne  who was due to face city pharmacy manager Elenora Hogan  lodged a formal complaint.

With the James Reidy branch and the Patrickswell branch divided, Mr Kiely  who was first elected to the old Limerick City Council in 1985  believes it would be a good opportunity for Fine Gael to pick him.

From what I have been reading in the media over the last few weeks, it doesnt look right, and it gives a bad reflection on the Fine Gael party. People know what I can bring to the table. I have a lot of experience as one of the longest serving members on Limerick City Council, he said.

Mr Kiely is offering his services in spite of the fact that for all his political life he has represented City North  and has confirmed he will seek a Fine Gael nomination to run in this area come the next local election in 2019.

It doesnt matter what area I am in, he said, We have had occasions within the party where we have given co-options to people from various other wards. I have no problem representing people in City West.

Mr Kiely did not run in the last election on health grounds  but says he has since been given the all-clear from doctors.

Asked for comment, Ms Hogan said: I am delighted to have been nominated by my branch. After this, it is up to the national organisation.

Mr Kilcoyne declined to comment .

As well as serving almost 30 years on Limerick council, Mr Kiely was mayor of Limerick in 2009/10 and ran as an Independent in the 2011 general election.
BROTHERS Brian and Kieran Collopy are expected to appeal the severity of the sentences imposed on them for drugs offences.

Both were sentenced to eight years imprisonment, last month, after they pleaded guilty to possession of over 37,000 worth of heroin for the pupose of sale or supply.

During a sentencing hearing, Judge Tom ODonnell was told Brian Collopy, aged 43, with an address at Killonan, Ballysimon, and Kieran Collopy, aged 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 the judge 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.

Earlier, Detective Sergeant Alan Cullen, of the divisional drugs unit, 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.

John OSullivan BL, prosecuting, said the State had produced a coercive case against both men, who were caught in the act of bagging heroin for wholesale distribution.

In mitigation, the court heard the brothers had indicated an early plea of guilty and had been in custody since their arrest.

Legal sources have confirmed that prior to the beginning of the summer vacation, lawyers representing the Collopy brothers begun the process to appeal the severity of the prison sentences imposed.
LIMERICK company Teckro has announced that it has raised $6m via a Silicon Valley based venture capital fund.

The life sciences technology company, which operates out of the Bank Building in the city centre, secured the investment in a funding round led by the San Francisco based Founders Fund, which has previously invested in Facebook, Airbnb and other companies. It has developed specialist software for clinical drug trials.

This is the funds first investment in an Irish based company. It brings to the total amount of funding raised by Teckro to date to $7.8m.

Teckro, which has developed a new software platform to streamline the process of clinical trials, has already seen its technology adopted by a number of leading pharmaceutical companies around the world.

Co-founded by brothers Gary and Nigel Hughes along with Jacek Skryzpiec, the Limerick tech company uses information retrieval and machine learning technologies to improve the speed and accuracy of trial conduct.

Gary Hughes said the funding, which was supported by Enterprise Ireland, validates our unique approach, and the growth potential of the company.

Teckro is currently recruiting for staff for its Limerick office, which is the companys headquarters.

We set out to make a difference, to make it easier for drug developers, research staff and patients to connect, and to simplify every interaction in the conduct of a clinical trial, he explained.

The funding will be used to expand our product development team as we continue to digitise clinical research services.

Fundamentally, the clinical trial landscape has changed and physicians struggle with the current method of conducting clinical trials, he added.

Scott Nolan, Partner at Founders Fund, which has also been early backers in companies such as SpaceX and Palantir, said the fund was really impressed by the Teckro team and their vision for clinical research.

Theres a clear opportunity in modernizing how clinical trials are run, and Teckros mobile-first solution is informed by a firsthand understanding of the challenges involved in conducting global clinical trials, he said.

Teckro bought and refurbished the landmark Bank Bar building in the city to develop a world-class company, its founders previously told the Limerick Leader.

The ever expanding firm believes it has created a unique, if not revolutionary office environment in the city, one intended to encourage and not limit interactions between staff.

Our aim is to be very ambitious with the company. We feel we know how to create a world class, high performance culture where you get really good people together, you work on big problems, build a lot of momentum around the brand and the idea and you can make it successful, said Gary.

The scale of that success is the unknown factor. We are very ambitious, we would like to create a world-class company based out of Limerick.
LIMERICKS drive to be a centre of excellence and location for film making got a huge boost at the weekend with a multi million euro grant from the government.

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government Simon Coveney announced that the Biblical Centre on Dominic Street has been purchased to create a new training area for the film industry.

The minister confirmed that he had approved funding of 2.25 million for the purchase of the former Dominican property.

"I very much welcome this funding for Limerick. The purchase of this centre will be a key piece of infrastructure in the development of an employment creating Film industry here in Limerick, said party colleague Senator Kieran ODonnell.

Limerick City and County Council said in a statement that a new Production and Digital Skills Academy would be established to "take advantage of the opportunities being created by the opening of Troy Studios".

The Office of Regeneration and Limerick City and County Council, who have been trying to acquire and redevelop strategic sites across the city to stimulate the economic, social and physical regeneration of the city, had earmarked the Biblical Centre as a work and skills training centre to support the growing film/TV production industry in the area.

The news comes as Troy's new international 340,000 sq foot studio for film and television gears up, with construction well underway in Castletroy.

One of the major challenges facing the industry is the lack of professional staff and trades people to build sets for example, and this new training centre will greatly assist in addressing this need, said Minister Coveney.

The centre will be operated by Innovate Limerick, which was established by Limerick City and County Council in 2014 and have been tasked to design and implement a range of training initiatives to upskill potential staff and places will be specifically reserved on these courses for the regeneration communities.

Innovate Limerick will be working with Troy on the project. In addition to the training programmes, a number of other organisations will also use the centre.

The Academy is to set aside twenty per cent of their places for people from the regeneration areas of Limerick city. The council said that the plan is to have an all-Irish trained crew working at Troy Studios by 2020.

Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Kieran OHanlon said the Academy was "an important step in the social and economic transformation of our regeneration areas.

"Our aim is to target specific groups of people from the four areas to give them training and the skills they need so they can walk onto the set of any film or TV production in Limerick and start working," he said.

"The Academy is a collaborative initiative bringing together representatives from Limerick City and County Council, Troy Studios, the Film Industry, relevant statutory agencies, local education and training bodies and community partners. The partners have a proven track record in matching training and education to the specific demands of particular industries and have achieved much success through various local initiatives, he added.

Conn Murray, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council said: The purchase of the Biblical Centre is another example of the local authority putting the jigsaw pieces in place to help boost the economic capability of Limerick city centre as part of our economic and spatial plan Limerick 2030.

The Centre is a strategically important building in the overall revitalisation of Limerick and it will form an anchor for the Digital Hub which we are establishing in the area and is an ideal location for the new Production and Digital Skills Academy, Mr Murray added.

Michelle Brassil from Troy Studios welcomed the announcement.

The move by the partnership, led by the local authority, to set up the Production and Digital Skills Academy shows the joined up thinking by everyone involved. Limerick has shown that all the components are already in place for the Academy to be a success," she said.

In providing world class film studio infrastructure, Troy Studios will be the enabler for incoming productions that will seek to employ local production crews, trained to a very high standard. The Academy is a significant step forward in meeting this potential demand.
A LIMERICK woman who had hoped to grant her partner's dying wish of marrying him after two proposals has been left heartbroken that he passed away just hours before they were due to become husband and wife.

Chantal Wiernik, 52, a native of Belgium, has now issued a compassionate plea to Limerick City and County Council to allow her to remain in her late partners home in Thomondgate to allow her to grieve.

Chantal's partner of 20 years Maurice Motson, 76, passed away on July 13 last in Milford Care Centre in Castletroy. The urn containing the ashes of the English native remains in Cross funeral home in city as she said she cant bear to bring them home.

I went to the registry office months before he died to sort out the paperwork, but there were complications and delays because he was married and divorced in England years ago, and we were waiting for all the documentation to come through.

Finally it was all approved. But he passed away in Milford at 7.30 that morning, and I got a call two hours later to say we could marry, but it was too late.

It was his dying wish to marry me. He was my soulmate, my everything. We were always there for each other. I didnt know he was going to pass away so soon; I thought we would have had more time. But he got an infection recently, after being diagnosed with cancer nine months ago, she told the Limerick Leader.

I said no the first time [he proposed] because I dont really believe in marriage, but I loved him so much I said yes the second time to make him happy after he got sick. Unfortunately we didnt get the chance, but we got to say our goodbyes, and I was with him at the last minute.

Leaving her private rented accommodation, Chantal moved in with Maurice in his one-bedroom bungalow in Thomondgate months before he passed away to care for him, while he was cared for intermittently in Milford.

She is now paying some 62 a week to remain in that residence in Canon Breen Park in Thomondgate, but said she has been served with eviction notices and a locksmith came to the property to change the locks.

However, when he saw her tears and obvious grief, she said he refused to carry out the job for the council and left.

I have no job, no money, nowhere to go. Im afraid to leave the house again in case the locks are changed, said Chantal, who is in receipt of disability allowance.

Every day I say to myself Ill go and get his ashes, but I just cant bear to bring them home. I just want the council to give me six months here, or a year, or whatever they can to let me grieve a bit and be with my memories of Maurice.

Chantal is now living in the property with her two dogs, Bob and Marley, and her two cats, Napoleon and Josephine.

She also has produced a petition signed by up to 50 local residents appealing for her to remain in the modest house. Im not asking for anything for free  I have always paid my way, she said.

In addition, she produced a copy of a letter, which she claimed had been written by Maurice on July 5.

It states: My name is Maurice Motson. I have a diagnosis of terminal, incurable, oesophageal cancer. It is my last wish to marry my long time partner Chantal Wiernik, to whom I have proposed to twice before over a 20-year period. I am of sound mind to make this decision. The doctor has also confirmed this. I hope you will grant my last wish to marry Chantal. Yours sincerely, M. Motson.

There are now over 4,300 people on the councils housing waiting list, and for every single one-bedroom home there are 103 applicants. Speaking recently about the huge demand for housing, Sarah Newell, executive planner with the council, said the demand will feed in to future development plans.

Limerick City and County Council said it would not be commenting on Chantals situation.

Ms Wiernik has been in contact with former mayors of Limerick, Kevin Kiely and John Gilligan, regarding her situation, as well as councillor Frankie Daly.

Milford Care Centre confirmed that it regularly receives requests from people to facilitate weddings or civil unions on their premises.
Makeshift home in El Palmar community. Juan Carlos Toro

As recently as 15 years ago, the chances of being served a mojito in El Palmar were zero. Sunsets were not applauded, and mercifully, the term chill out was still not in use.

In those days, El Palmar was a beachside bolthole for surfers and hippies who came every summer and set up camp unobtrusively alongside the locals. Today, this former wilderness is a jumble of shacks and illegal dwellings built on land ceded to families who came here to work the land in 1931.

Inside of one of the summer barracks J. C. T.

There is no running water or sewage facilities and power cuts are frequent in El Palmar, and the local council seems unable to stop the spread of illegal and ugly constructions put up to accommodate low-cost tourism.

The local council estimates that there are around 1,000 illegal dwellings in the area, with more being thrown up each day. Paco Rosado, president of the residents association, says the boom was triggered by the opening of a beach bar in 2000, which quickly turned El Palmar into a trendy, alternative destination. Rosado, a descendent of one of the families ceded a plot of land back in the 1930s, has lived here all his life, and says the situation is now untenable.

Local governments couldnt be bothered to intervene and things have gotten out of hand, he says. We dont even have the most basic infrastructure, yet there are more and more people coming all the time. Every weekend, there are seven or eight stag parties: this is a time bomb.

Temporary shack in El Palmar. J. C. T.

In the winter months, El Palmar has a population of 1,500, but it soars to 15,000 in the summer months with additional visitors appearing in the afternoons from neighboring resorts. To house the tourists, plots of rural land are carved up and sold through private contracts. The law allows the transfer but not the subdivision. Not that it seems to matter. The buyers set themselves up in prefabricated homes with the hope that the situation will be legalized and the value of their newly acquired piece of real estate will go up.

Meanwhile, to make the most out of their investment, many rent prefabs out to tourists for as much as 200 a day. Susie and Elof, a Swedish couple who have come here for the second year running, have a former container costing them 100 a day on the dust track that leads to the campsite. With his sun hat in his hand and third degree burns on his shoulders, Elof says they love the chaos and high spirits of the place. And that pretty much sums up the general vibe.

The local mayor, Jose Ortiz of the Popular Party (PP), admits that the council lacks the resources to deal with the situation. Of the 1,000 illegal homes, only one has been demolished in the past three years. And by the time new planning rules are implemented, there will be dozens more, he observes.

El Palmar beach during the day. J. C. T.

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

It's a big problem, says the mayor. Homes are being bought to rent out or purely for speculation and, for the good of the area, we have to start clearing them. We want to impose some order but it's hard. We need reinforcements.

The illegal property practice has become so widespread that two local policemen were found to be implicated. Its disgraceful, concludes Ortiz.

The bars pose an additional problem. Legally, surf schools and kiosks are the only commercial establishments allowed, and no two similar establishments should be within 100m of each other. But the reality is that there are two surf schools side by side, with one being used as a front for a music bar. Then there are bars with swimming pools and Bali loungers, the size of Ibiza beach clubs.

The situation has gotten worse, says Rosado. Its like the wildebeests who have to cross the river altogether at the same point. But the crocodiles are waiting to eat them. The only difference is that, in El Palmar, the crocodiles havent been snapping at their heels yet.

One thing is for certain: theres no room for more wildebeest. As you approach the beach, the living conditions grow denser. On one plot, mother and daughter live cheek by jowl  Rosarios mother gave her a few meters and she fenced it off and put another prefab on it. Just next door, a neighbor has parked a lorry trailer and split it into rooms for rent. Everyone pays property tax 600 a year, in Rosarios case  and theyre not worried about being fined.

Throw me out? she cries. If they havent said anything until now, they cant. Anyway, how are they going to throw me out when I pay my tax every year?

The fact is that the council gets a significant share of its budget from the money it collects in El Palmar and from the commerce in the area, though it believes that if it could organize the situation better, it would get a lot more.

This means abandoning the current tourism model. The area is still earmarked for the construction of two hotel complexes, despite protests from ecologists, and though the project was temporarily shelved due to the crisis, the mayor believes it will soon be back on track.

So now, beyond the fear of more shacks, is a more terrifying thought still that the area will soon be devoured by yet another soulless mega tourist complex.

English version by Heather Galloway.
We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.
Chinese site Juwei has thousands of Spanish properties and businesses for sale. Samuel Sanchez (EL PAIS)

The relatively low prices of Spains still-recovering housing market are proving increasingly attractive to Chinas burgeoning middle classes, with the country now the seventh-most popular choice for private investors, according to Chinese property website juwai.com.

Spains appeal is growing rapidly among Chinese investors due to the good investment opportunities there, says Jan Kot of Juwai. He says the most popular areas are Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante, Valencia, and Marbella.

Hu Ning, a Chinese businessman, has just bought a property in Barcelona, where his wife has found work. He intends to move to Spain later this year when he has finalized his paperwork. His daughter starts at one of the citys international schools in September.

On Juwai alone there are some 15,000 properties for sales in Spain, most of them homes, but also hotels, office blocks, and even wineries

He says he looked at Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom before deciding on Spain, in large part because of the lower prices here. The most important thing for me was return on investment. Prices are low in Spain, but starting to pick up. This will be a safe investment: I might need seven or eight years, but after that the property will make me the profit Im looking for, says Hu.

Jan Kot also highlights the importance of Spains so-called golden visa system, which gives people from anywhere in the world prepared to invest more than 500,000 immediate residency and access throughout the Schengen Area. Compared to other similar programs, Spains is the simplest, not just because it costs less, but also because it is very flexible, also, it gives immediate access to free health and education.

The United States, Australia and Canada have recently toughened their immigrant investment policies, boosting interest in Europe. On Juwai alone there are some 15,000 properties for sales in Spain, most of them homes, but also hotels, office blocks, and even wineries.

But Jan Kot says that Spain needs to do more to pull in Chinese investors, and points out that for the moment, they make up barely half a percent of property sales.

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

Spain needs to increase the number of flights with China, because many investors choose Spain after they have visited the country, says Kot. Hu, who has visited the country several times, complains that he is having problems with the paperwork he needs to complete to set up his business. He also says that legislation on property needs to be translated into Mandarin, as well as pointing out the lack of transparency of many realtors in a market he describes as not well-regulated.

People have to be patient and understand that there will be some misunderstandings during the purchase of a property, largely due to cultural misunderstandings. It takes time: its not just about selling a house, but also about building a relationship and winning trust, says Kot.

English version by Nick Lyne.
Since the 2011 Egyptian revolution, political instability and a tourism decline have led to widespread looting of archaeological sites  with deadly consequences.

Children forced to work in dangerous conditions to pillage historical sites have died. Antiquities guards were gunned down within an ancient tomb they were trying to protect. Mummies have been left out in the sun to rot after their tombs were robbed. And looting pits have pockmarked ancient sites in such vast numbers that words cannot adequately describe.

A Live Science investigation found that not only were these horrific events happening but that an enormous amount of potentially looted Egyptian artifacts had made their way into the United States. These artifacts include a vast number of gold coins. [See Photos of the Looting in Egypt]

Documents obtained from the US Census Bureau by Live Science reveal that since 2011, more than $143 million worth of artifacts have been exported from Egypt to the United States. The artifacts were brought into the United States for personal or commercial use, rather than temporary display in a museum, the documents say. The documents also show that the vast majority of the artifacts were shipped to New York City, where many auction houses, antiquities dealers and art galleries are based. However, detecting a shipment of looted artifacts and proving that they were looted is very difficult, researchers and government officials told Live Science.

The influx of Egyptian artifacts into the United States shows no signs of abating. In the first five months of 2016, about $26 million worth of artifacts were exported from Egypt to the United States, the Census Bureau documents say.

Since 2011, more than 45 lbs. (20 kilograms) of antique gold coins have been exported to the United States from Egypt  that's about twice the weight of Tutankhamun's famous golden death mask. Between 1998 and 2010 only 4 pounds (less than 2 kilograms) of gold coins were exported from Egypt to the United States the documents say. [In Photos: The Life and Death of King Tut]

Deaths in Egypt

Photos provided by Egypt's Heritage Task Force, which has been tracking looting in Egypt  show children working at Abusir el-Malek, a village south of Cairo that holds an ancient cemetery with thousands of burials. In the photos, the children can be seen carrying artifacts and rummaging around in pits and shafts. The photographs show how narrow and deep the holes get, creating dangerous working conditions that have led to the deaths of children researchers have found. The photos show that the landscape the children work in is scarred by these pits and is strewn with the bones of ancient mummies.

A close-up of a mummy's head at the Bahariya Oasis. (Image credit: Photo courtesy of Egypt Heritage Taskforce)

"Children have been used primarily to reach small burial shafts and tunnels. Unfortunately, many children have lost their lives in the process," wrote Monica Hanna, an Egyptologist working with Egypt's Heritage Task Force, in a paper she published in the book "Countering Illicit Traffic in Cultural Goods" (ICOM, 2015).

In fact, more than 25 children, employed by professional antiquities gangs, died last year in shafts in Abusir el-Malek, Hanna told Live Science.

Little of the money from the sale of artifacts goes to the children's families, Hanna said. Instead, most of it ends up in the pockets of antiquities dealers and middlemen, who smuggle it out of Egypt and into other countries, such as the United States. "Many of them [the middlemen] are part of the international mafia that smuggles drugs and arms in the region," Hanna said, according to her research and that of her colleagues.

Hanna said buyers of Egyptian antiquities should know that "the object you buy does not only have a child's blood on it, but also [that] looting activities have completely destroyed the site similarly to what ISIS does to other archaeological sites in the region." [Reclaimed History: 9 Repatriated Egyptian Antiquities]

Children working in the shafts are not the only ones being killed in the looting. Two guards  Mustafa Ali, 36, and Asrawy, 56  were gunned down by a group of robbers on Feb. 20, 2016, while inside a 4,000-year-old tomb at the site of Dayr al-Barsha,according to a team of archaeologists working at the site. Both guards left behind families, including a wife pregnant with twins. (A GoFundMe page was set up by the archaeological team working at Dayr al-Barsha to help out the families of the two killed guards.)

They died in a hail of bullets. "Over 20 bullet holes impacted in the relief decoration on the walls of the exterior room and two large blackened blood stains on the floor indicate the spots [in the tomb] where Asrawy and Mustafa were murdered," the archaeological team wrote in a statement on the web page.

Tricky to catch

It can be very challenging to find looted artifacts that are being exported to the United States, sources tell Live Science.

The landscape at Abusir el-Malek, south of Cairo, is littered with ancient human bones from looted burials. (Image credit: Photo courtesy of Egypt Heritage Taskforce)

"It is extremely difficult to prove that any single artifact that arrives in the U.S. has been looted," said Erin Thompson, a professor of art crime at the City University of New York. "Middlemen are experts in making looted and smuggled antiquities look like they are part of the legitimate market by cleaning and restoring them and creating forged paperwork that makes it seem like Egypt gave permission for its export."

"Suddenly, an artifact that was ripped out of the ground last month is indistinguishable from one that's been in a private collection for decades, and which is entirely legal to export and sell," Thompson added.

Furthermore, U.S. Customs doesn't check all shipments; a spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection told Live Science that the agency conducts audits of antique shipments but declined to say how often this is done.

The spokesperson also said that it is the responsibility of the person importing the shipment to declare the shipment's value. This means that the $143 million is simply the value of the imported Egyptian artifacts being declared by importers; the actual resale value could be higher.

Additionally, the documents obtained by Live Science show only shipments that made it to the U.S., the Census Bureau spokesperson said. Because the documents don't include shipments that Customs agents stopped and impounded, the amount of Egyptian antiquities reaching the United States could be even higher.

Golden treasure

Many of these artifacts are simply declared by importers as being "antiques" that are over 100 years old, although some are labeled more specifically.

The antique gold coins are the largest category of identified artifacts recorded in the documents. The data show that before 2009, few gold coins were brought into the United States from Egypt. The number grew in 2009 and surged in the years following the 2011 Egyptian revolution.

Coins have been minted in Egypt for more than 2,000 years. Some of the earliest Egyptian coins were minted by the Ptolemies, a dynasty of rulers descended from Ptolemy Soter, one of Alexander the Great's generals. Alexander conquered Egypt in 332 B.C., and the Ptolemies ruled the country until 30 B.C., when Cleopatra VII, the last Ptolemaic ruler, died by suicide after the Battle of Actium. After Cleopatra's death, Egypt was incorporated into the Roman Empire.

One explanation for the abrupt increase in imported gold coins comes from satellite research conducted by a team led by Sarah Parcak, an anthropology professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

After examining satellite images of Egypt from the past two decades, her team found that the looters prefer portable objects from sites dating to periods after minted coins were invented. "Overall, 55% of the affected sites were of Late Period (Dynasties 26-30) to Roman-period date," Parcak's team wrote in a paper published in February in the journal Antiquity.

Some of the gold coins coming into the United States could also be forgeries, Hanna told Live Science. "A lot of local jewelers fake gold coins and sell them as antiquities," she said.

Original article on Live Science.
Cllr Peggy Nolan has called on the Longford County Council executive to examine the possibility of acquiring new land for the Mall.

The popular local amenity, which was renamed the Albert Reynolds Peace Park earlier this year in honour of the late former Taoiseach, was the recipient of a Green Flag last week, which was a source of great pride for the councillors.

The news was shared by means of a press release, sent by Community Enterprise Development Officer Frank Horne, which was read aloud by Cathaoirleach of Longford Municipal District, Padraig Loughrey at last Wednesdays meeting.

Thats great news, Cathaoirleach, and Ive always said the Mall is one of the finest inland parks, if not the finest inland park, in the country, and its a gem, said Cllr Seamus Butler. People say theres nothing in Longford, but you just have to open your eyes.

Cllr Butler then made a proposal that the council hold a flag-raising ceremony to mark the occasion, which was quickly seconded.

Expressing her delight at the news, Cllr Peggy Nolan then revealed that before the demise of Longford Town Council, planning had been done and funding set aside, pending the outcome of negotiations, to acquire extra land for the park.

I think its something that we should actively try to engage with again because the land is still available. I know that they were a local family and I know that they were quite keen to engage with the local authority, Cllr Nolan stated.

She then asked that the matter be kept on the agenda and further investigated on foot of the Malls Green Flag success.
The atmosphere in Ballymahon was extremely positive on Friday last, as the Leader popped out to hear the communitys views on the Center Parcs Longford Forest development.

The sun was shining and there were several holiday-makers already bustling around the town when we spoke to Helen, Freya, Mia and Ryan Kennedy.

I think its brilliant, Helen said. Itll put up the house prices and provide jobs.

I think its fabulous for Ballymahon, Eddie Mills enthused. Its magnificent. Its going to bring a lot of money to Ballymahon and the surrounding villages.

Living in Ballymahon for the past four years, Eddie said he was delighted when he heard that An Bord Pleanala had granted planning permission and he added; Its right in the middle of Ireland, so its easy for everyone to get to.

Peter Wood, who has lived in Ballymahon for the past twenty-five years, was likewise optimistic about the development.

Just think of all the jobs! he exclaimed. Permanent staff - and where are they going to live? Ballymahon.

Admitting that he had never harboured any reservations about the project, Peter said; I cant see anything detrimental about it, I really cant.

John Plummer believes that the development will bring great prosperity to the area, while Gemma Stroud hopes that it will help to keep the countys young people at home.

Some people dont like change but this would be good for the town and the whole area, she continued.

I think it will change the face of Ballymahon, I dont think people know how much, but in a good sense, agreed Linda Regan, who owns a business in the area. Meanwhile Carol McCann revealed that she was feeling very positive about the Longford Forest.

Its a good injection for everyone living here, she smiled, before pointing out that it might encourage Center Parcs customers to explore the well kept secrets that the rest of the county and region hold.
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.

If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .

Support our mission and join our community now.
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
Culture / Design

From Helsinki and Mexico to Vienna and London, these design festivals would appeal to the most discerning of design enthusiasts.

Aug 09, 2016 | By Shatricia Nair

Pay attention, designers and design aficionados. As global festival season approaches, cities around the world vie for top spot as design capital of the world. Here, we bring you six of the best design festivals from around the world that you should have on your itinerary, should you be lucky enough to be planning a trip abroad.

As the largest of its kind in the Nordics, the Helsinki Design Week (pictured top) is a multidisciplinary design festival that hosts close to 200 events throughout the week. Held with the aim of promoting emerging talent, trends and international design collaborations, the annual event has successfully seen crowds of up to 120,000 people turn up previously.

This Paris-wide event  organized to overlap with Maison & Objet  holds events in more than 300 venues in five areas in the city. Seven countries will participate this year, namely China, Ukraine, Estonia, Finland, the Flanders region on Belgium, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Denmark. Expect a cultural mash-up of exhibitions, cocktails and promenades as different nationalities culminate in the French capital.

Known for collaborating with museums and cultural centers in the city, London Design Festival is organised to promote the city as a creative hub and gateway to the world of design. Its Landmark Projects installations program, in particular, has seen some of the worlds best designers commission work for it, including Alex Chinnecks A Bullet from a Shooting Star in 2015.

For a design festival that draws crowds of over 360,000 visitors, it is no wonder Vienna Design Week is already into its ninth edition. The annual festival chooses a district within the city to focus on so theres something new to look forward to every year. This year, the spotlight is on the 5th Viennese municipal district of Margareten.

Like a hub that connects artists, architects, designers and entrepreneurs to the public, Mexican design week is an accessible platform of events. Its dedication to bridging this gap earned it the appointment of World Design Capital for 2018.

As the largest design festival in Northern Europe, Dutch Design Week expects more than 275,000 visitors and 2,500 designers yearly. Unlike many others, this visionary festival chooses to focus on designs on the future instead.
Lifestyle / Travel

White sands and stunning blue waters arent the only attractions in the Bahamas, now you can make a splash and chill out with native pigs on the island.

Aug 08, 2016 | By Shatricia Nair

Theres lots to do in the Bahamas  explore blue holes (thats what happens when sink holes appear on the seabed) and caves, snorkel above a bed of coral reefs and swim with pigs. Yes, a colony of 20 pink and black pigs live on the otherwise uninhabited island, situated at Big Major Cay in the Exumas archipelago. Indeed, this brings to mind the Angry Birds movie but these guys are all cuteness. No rough stuff here.

These friendly critters are so used to human contact that theyre perfectly tame; most even enjoy a swim with tourists. The curious case of their presence on Big Major Cay has been widely debated. Some believe they were transported by sailors who intended to return to cook them but never returned. The pigs have since lived their lives frolicking on the island while growing in population, as pigs are wont to do when left to their own devices.

The offbeat beach can be reached by boat, with trips that run from the main island of Great Exuma or from Staniel Cay. The only other attractions, besides the adorable pigs, are its pristine white beaches and stunning azure waters. Tour operators are on hand to provide boat rides where visitors can watch and feed the pigs. If youre feeling more adventurous, you can even lounge next to them on the beach, or swim alongside them in the Carribean Sea for a truly unforgettable experience.
Last month, Apple revealed a collection of Olympic-themed Apple Watch bands depicting the national flags, but you can only buy them from an Apple Store in Rio de Janeiro, the 2016 Olympics host city.

Now, Apple Watch wearers can show their team spirit without having to travel to Brazil. Accessories maker Casetify has an Olympic capsule collection currently on sale. These 20 bands are also inspired by the flags of national teams competing in Rio, including the U.S., Germany, Japan, Australia, and Brazil, of course. Casetifys Olympic bands costs $49, the same price as Apples official straps. The only difference is that the Casetify bands are plastic for a more athleisure style, while Apples bands are made from the new woven nylon material that the company debuted back in March.

Casetify

If you dont own an Apple Watch, Casetifys Olympic collection also includes cases for iPhones and iPods, from the iPhone 6s and dating back to the iPod touch 5. A case for an iPhone 6s Plus costs $40, while a case for the iPod touch 5 is $30.

The impact on you: Apple Watch wearers who are in Rio for the Olympics will find it worth it to try to swing by the Apple Store inside the VillageMall to purchase an official Olympic band. The fact that these are limited-edition and are only available in one Apple Store in the world means that you will be able to resell it as a collectible item. For the rest of us, Casetifys collection offers a more convenient alternative.

This isnt the first time that a third-party accessories maker has made a limited-edition Apple Watch band more accessible. Last week, Clockwork Synergy unveiled a rainbow-colored Watch band thats near identical to the promotional one Apple gave its employees who marched in the San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade in June. Both versions are made from woven nylon. Clockwork Synergys Pride band can be pre-ordered now for $25, and it will be available on August 30. You can also find Apples rare Pride band on eBay for over $400.
Michael McPhail is CTO of Moratelindo. Before heserved as Chief Technology Officer at PT. AXIS Telekom Indonesia. Michael Cruickshanks McPhail serves as Senior Vice President of Demand Management & Technology at PT XL Axiata Tbk (also know as ExcelCom).

Interview with Michael McPhail, CTO of Moratelindo



What is your overview of your sector?

The telecom industry in Indonesia is dominated by the main incumbent Telkom and Telkomsel. The other main players in the market are Indosat, XL Axiata, Three, SmartFren and STI. There has been recent consolidation in the market and I would expect this continue, there are also international companies looking to invest in this sector. There is a large push by a number of player into Fiber infrastructure, with companies launching FTTH solutions. Investment into fiber infrastructure is likely to accelerate with the introduction of LTE services and greater demand for internet services.

What are the investment opportunities (for the sector and Moratelindo)?

Moratelindo are investing to extending our submarine and terrestrial backbone network infrastructure in Java, Sumatera. We have recently won two government tenders to extend the submarine infrastructure in line with the countries broadband plan.

Can you tell us more about Moratelindo?

The core activity of the company is to provide wholesale connectivity for telco companies and internet services for enterprise customers. We currently have a large IP transit from Jakarta, Batam to Singapore, together with backbone networks in Java and Sumatera. We are in the process of deployment FTTH and FTTB, with a view to move into the consumer market, together with IPTV services. (This development is currently ongoing).

Are you looking for investors?

Currently Moratelindo is 100% owned by Indonesian shareholders, however, with our large expansion plans we would consider options for other investors.

What are your plans for the market leadership?

Moratelindo has a Singaporean subsidiary, who focus on international peering, together with our IP transit we believe that we have an advantage over most players in the market because we can offer an end-to-end service. We have also recently started a local internet exchange so that we can consolidate our position in the market and extend our local peering arrangements. Despite our capabilities we are not a large organization so we have the ability to move quickly to address or customers needs.

How do you approach CSR?

The Palapa Ring West and East projects, which we recently won are fundamental to the Indonesians government broadband plan. We are truly grateful to be awarded these projects as this will strengthen the current internet infrastructure and extend the reach of internet services across the country.

What are the main challenges for the company?

The main challenge we have is a good challenge, being able to scale-up to meet the ever growing demand of our customer and significant expansion plans.

What are your expansion plans and the vision?

As mentioned above, we have significant expansion plans for our submarine and terrestrial backbone networks which will be executed from 2016 to 2018. In addition, we will continue to invest in FTTH and FTTB solutions to grow our enterprise market reach. The company vision is To be the prominent Broadband Company in Indonesia, this is something we are working towards.

Palapa Ring paket Barat is a major milestone for the company and for Indonesia. Regions such as Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Sulawesi y Maluku will have fiber optics which should allow them to develop at a faster rate. Add 10% penetration on broadband triggers economic growth: 1,38% in developing countries (Source: Worldbank, 2010) Add 10% broadband access in a year has correlation with increasing 1,5% work productivity in 5 years (Source: Booz & Company, 2009) Increasing 1% broadband penetration in household will decrease unemployment 8,6% point (Source: Katz et al, 2012)

What are the needs you see in the Telco industry in Indonesia? What are the challenges the sector is facing today?

The largest challenge for all operators in Indonesia is the cost to deliver their services in relation to the current ARPU levels. Plus there is still quite large competition in the market with still around 7 players, so unless companies reach a certain scale they are unable to survive in the market.

Telecoms have proven to be key in uniting countries and even continents and we have seen in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It gives everyone the chance to communicate and to be informed of what is happening in the world around them. What are the benefits Telecoms have brought to Indonesia?

Indonesia has one of the largest FB users in the world currently standing at number 4 globally. The appetite for social media in the country is very large, so telecom players are helping support this ever-growing demand by allowing individuals to keep in touch with their friends/families and be even more aware of the current global condition.

Moratelindo is a major player, that has diversified into wholesale, public and private sector, education, O/G, Hospitality and more, What will be Moratelindos next step in diversification?

Our plans are to strengthen our reach in the current sectors we address by continuing to improve our quality of service and introduce new products to support SOHO and SMEs in the country. We will also extend our reach into the consumer market by offering FTTH/IPTV services.

Palapa Ring paket Barat is a major milestone for the company and for Indonesia. Regions such as Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Sulawesi y Maluku will have fiber optics which should allow them to develop at a faster rate. What is the social and economic development impact this project/infrastructure will have in these regions?

Below are extracts from the broadband plan:

Add 10% penetration on broadband triggers economic growth: 1,38% in developing countries (Source: Worldbank, 2010)

Add 10% broadband access in a year has correlation with increasing 1,5% work productivity in 5 years (Source: Booz & Company, 2009)

Increasing 1% broadband penetration in household will decrease unemployment 8,6% point (Source: Katz et al, 2012)

What can you tell us about this project? Is Moratelindo in the look for foreign investors to partner in this and in other projects?

We are currently finalizing lending at the moment, however, would also consider an option to review with potential investors.

Is Moratelindo looking for technology partners?

We are also in dialog with various technology partners regarding the solutions required for this project.

Where do the strengths of Moratelindo lay? Do you foresee better investment opportunities for the company to expand locally or regionally?

Given the current infrastructure penetration in Indonesia, we see significant opportunities in the country itself, without the need to extend overseas. However, with our subsidiary in Singapore we will continue to reach out to peering partners so that we can optimize the services that we offer.

The government has informed that infrastructure is going to be built all over the country in the coming years, from roads, to ports, airports and more. Will Moratelindo play a key role in the development of ports and airports, as these two need to have top of the line telecommunication equipment and services?

In line with our vision we expect to be a key player in the market and involved extensively in the infrastructure development in Indonesia. We believe that we can offer economic and high quality services and will naturally be present in key locations.

In line with our vision we expect to be a key player in the market and involved extensively in the infrastructure development in Indonesia.

We are seeing new projects developing all over the region. The last we heard about was the new KK - Brunei underwater cable. Should we expect to see connectivity in the region increase among the ASEAN members?

Yes connectivity in the region will continue to develop and the interconnection between countries directly will improve. We are also considering options beyond connection to Singapore and Malaysia.

Will Indonesia soon have the capacity to become a IT hub in the region? Can Indonesia become this hub? What does Indonesia need to become a IT hub?

Given Indonesias geographical footprint in the region, there is no reason not to consider Indonesia as a potential hub. The country is already making progress towards this goal with the development of the broadband plan, this should continue over the coming years to strengthens Indonesias position in the market.

Indonesia is going through tremendous changes since last year, and many more are to come. Why invest in Indonesia?

Indonesia has a large untapped potential, which will be released with the development of infrastructure across all sectors. Development is accelerating at an incredible pace, the country is going through significant governmental changes which makes doing business in Indonesia more open and transparent.
Container spot freight rates from Asia to Northern Europe fell 23.5 percent to $861 per twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), data from the Shanghai Shipping Exchange showed.



Freight rates from Asia to ports in the Mediterranean fell 13.8 percent to $865 per TEU. Freight rates from Asia to the U.S. West Coast fell 3.4 percent to $1,277 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU)



Freight rates from Asia to the U.S. East Coast fell 3.8 percent to $1,884 per FEU. Maersk Line, a unit in Danish shipping and oil group A.P. Moller-Maersk, is the market leader with a global market share of around 15 percent. It controls around 20 percent on the world's busiest routes between Asia and Northern Europe.





Reporting by Ole Mikkelsen
Helen Delich Bentley, a former journalist and a U.S. Republican congresswoman from Maryland who gained global attention by smashing Japanese goods to protest Tokyo's trade policies, died over the weekend at the age of 92, officials said.

Bentley upset a longtime Democratic congressman to win a U.S. House of Representatives seat in 1984, a year in which Ronald Reagan's landslide victory in the presidential race helped bring several new faces from the party to Congress.

The five-term congresswoman was a staunch advocate for the port of Baltimore and the state's maritime industry.

After reports that Japanese company Toshiba had sold technology to the Soviet Union to help their submarines sail more quietly, she led other members of Congress who used a sledgehammer to smash Japanese-made goods on the Capitol steps. The event came as tensions were running high with Tokyo over a widening U.S. trade deficit with the country.

She left Congress to run for governor of Maryland but lost in the party's primary.

"Congresswoman Bentley worked with tenacity, energy, and passion on behalf of her constituents, making her a rare breed in politics and a role model to public servants across Maryland," current Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, wrote in a Facebook post.

Bentley was born in 1923 in Nevada and her parents were immigrants from Yugoslavia. After earning a bachelor's degree in journalism, she found a job with the Baltimore Sun, beginning a three-decade long relationship with the newspaper in which she wrote ground-breaking stories on the maritime industry and labor, according to her congressional biography.

She died on Saturday at her home in Timonium, a Baltimore suburb, the Baltimore Sun reported, adding Bentley had been diagnosed with brain cancer.



(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
The delivery of two super post-Panamax cranes at South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) on Friday marked another step in the ports push for big ship readiness, to be followed in the coming years by the completion of the Wando Welch wharf project and harbor deepening to 52 feet.

The cranes, produced by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (ZPMC) in China, provide 155 feet of lift height from the dock to enable SCPA to work larger container cargo ships. The cranes will be located at the Wando Welch Terminal, which is undergoing a $44 million project to strengthen and upgrade the wharf and infrastructure required for handling bigger vessels and cranes. Last month the SCPA Board of Directors approved the purchase of two additional cranes of this size for delivery at the end of 2017, coinciding with the completion of the wharf project.

The delivery of the new cranes is a milestone for our Port, said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. They are integral to our future and represent a big step forward in our strategy to remain competitive in today's big-ship environment. Along with the Wando wharf strengthening project, the cranes will allow us to handle the upsizing of ships following the opening of the Panama Canal expansion in order to continue to meet the needs of our customers and enhance the crane productivity we are known for in the U.S. port industry.

SCPA said it is already seeing the upsizing of vessels in response to the Panama Canal expansion, and expects to handle its first 14,000 TEU vessel call later this year. Charleston offers the deepest harbor in the Southeast, and upon completion of its deepening project to 52 feet, Charleston will be the deepest harbor on the East Coast.

Beyond harbor deepening, SCPA has a 10-year, $1.3 billion capital expenditure plan that includes the construction of a new container terminal, the Leatherman Terminal, and the modernization of existing facilities and technology. SCPA's extensive investments ensure the Port will be competitive in the future, continuing to provide $53 billion in annual statewide economic impact and securing region's role in economic development and global trade.
Amsterdam hosted four different maritime conferences during week June 21-23, with two common exhibitions  all in the same RAI Conference & Exhibition Complex. The Autonomous Ship Technology Symposium, Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo and Marine Maintenance World Expo and Conference were organized by UKIP Media & Events while the fourth, defense related, MAST (Maritime/Air Systems & Technologies) Conference and Exhibition was organized by MAST Communications.

For an inaugural event, the three-day Autonomous Ship Technology Symposium 2016 was very well attended by a wide cross section of interested parties from the marine industry covering manufacturers, researchers, classification societies, academics, legal/law individuals, naval and harbor/pilotage authorities ensuring stimulating questions at the end of each session in addition to the panel discussions covering each days proceedings at the close of each day. Although the predominance of the 39 papers presented by variety of international organizations were from Europe, there were several presentations given by speakers from Asia and North America. The resounding success of this event looks as if it is establishing itself as an annual occurrence: next year the dates are June 6-8, also in Amsterdam.

The keynote presentation session was opened by an address made by Oskar Levander of Rolls-Royce, a company that has heavily invested in unmanned technology and is already are proposing ship designs of fully unmanned vessels. Looking to the developments in modern society toward unmanned machines, trains, aircraft and automobiles as he rightly said, looking to ships, it is not if, but when. Manning is the third largest general cargo annual cost behind fuel and CAPEX, which alone gives a strong incentive to reducing manning levels. As a practical example, for a 20,000 dwt general cargo vessel cruising at 12 kts, a 22 percent cost saving by going unmanned may be possible.

Adding safety considerations with fewer collisions, groundings and other accidents due to human error unmanned ships become increasingly attractive.

Of course it is not all that simple, and the other side of the coin are matters such as cyber security, communications and reliability thereof, rules and regulations that have to be updated and in some cases rewritten and there are liability considerations to be addressed.

Levander closed his presentation with a Roadmap proposal that by 2020 there shall be ships already with reduced crews thanks to remote support and operation of certain functions. The appearance of local vessels being remotely operated. Already by 2025 remotely controlled unmanned coastal vessels will be on the increase and five years later remotely controlled unmanned ocean going ships will be transporting cargoes. Fully autonomous unmanned ocean going ships will be operational by 2035.

Further keynote presentations were made on the subjects of autonomous navigation and autonomous technologies in naval operations, the autonomous waterborne applications initiative project, and five steps to autonomous ship operation.

A rather important item of conjecture and vagueness concerning autonomy of ships is the definition of the term autonomous. Is it remote control, or automatic with a man-in-the-loop if something goes wrong or is it a fully self-contained automatic autonomous system that knows itself what to do using AI (artificial intelligence)?

The idea of remote piloting vessels of all sizes has been around for many years and with increasing automation of bridge duties, unmanned engine rooms and general manning levels have dropped so significantly that the unmanned ship era is fast approaching. The concept of tele-presence has been with us for many years in the form of drones in the air are predominately military with access to very powerful satcom systems not yet available to commercial operators.

A key element enabling remote operation of vessels is the available bandwidth of satcom systems. The numerous monitoring requirements of propulsion, weather, navigation, radar and optical sensors require a large amount of data to be transmitted to the command and control center. And the returning command decisions/controls has to be returned on board.

As with many technologies legislation is fast being overtaken and is already trailing in some respects. Fortunately the organizations including IMO and classification societies are watching these developments and drawing up discussion documents and in some cases guidelines on this subject.

Perhaps the greatest area of concern regarding this subject is what happens when things go wrong, e.g. loss of communications, does the ship have sufficient artificial intelligence to be able to work out what to do  and avoid bumping into things. Fortunately this is also a subject of research and development by a number of companies offering insight into their solutions to this dilemma.

Producing a robotic navigation system that obeys COLREGS is one thing, but as we know from practice it is when the rules are not being followed for whatever reason that accidents happen. Therefore an unmanned vessel has to have sufficient AI (artificial intelligence) to work out a safe solution to a potentially dangerous situation. It is all very well after the incident occurs to point out that the third party was to blame, yet we know that responsibilities dictate that at all times good seamanship shall prevail.

Knowing what to do in a predictable manner if a certain situation arises is one thing but what happens when the other vessel fails to react as it should  how will the autonomous vessel behave when the other party is misbehaving? Collision avoidance is a very important part of the autonomy conundrum although a few companies do appear to offer solutions with a presentation by 5G International/Robosys demonstrating their Obstacle Avoidance System that provides a fully automatic autonomous collision avoidance capability.

The companies that deliver a compatible navigation systems able to take all these factors into account will reap the rewards of the future unmanned systems market.

The Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo, returning to Amsterdam for the third successive year, presented more than 40 papers including from two industry giants from the world of marine propulsion Kawasaki Heavy Industries and MAN Diesel & Turbo. Early next year in North America, there will be an Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo 2017 in Tampa, Fla. January 16-18, 2017. The Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo 2017 conference returns to Amsterdam on June 6-8, 2017.

The 2016 Marine Maintenance World Expo and Conference was held in adjacent halls and shared a common exhibition area with the two other conferences. A total of 38 papers were presented by a wide variety of international speaker over the three day conference and there were lively discussions at the close of each session.
A consortium of companies aims to develop an expert decision support system for improved ship efficiency and safer navigation via a two-year R&D project called iSea.

Backed by funding from the Eurostars program, the iSea innitiative is led by Danelec Marine, with other participants including Vessel Performance Solutions ApS (Denmark), i-Marine Technologies and Research Inc. (Turkey) and Deniztekno Danismanlik Bilgi Teknolojileri ve Bilgisayar San. Tic. Std. Sti (Turkey).

Set to commence the R&D program in January 2017, the iSea team will deliver a set of Expert Decision Support Systems (EDSS) for enhancing the performance and navigability of vessels. The novel EDSS will be enabled by a low-cost and low-risk telematics solution providing real-time transfer of crucial data from ship to shore. The main goals will be to increase fuel efficiency in open waters and facilitate near-shore navigation and reduce human errors, especially in difficult waters.

A critical element for an Expert Decision Support System for ship navigation is the availability of real-time data from shipboard sensors and systems, said Hans Ottosen, CEO of Danelec Marine. As a part of the iSea initiative, Danelec Marine is investigating an alternative type of communication which would give a subscriber access to real-time data within limits set by the system administrator.

The real-time data solution will leverage Danelecs VDRConnect technology, which enables remote push-through and pull-through data retrieval from shipboard systems and sensors, according to Ottosen.

Eurostars is a European joint program that supports international innovation projects by R&D-performing small- and medium-sized enterprises. It is co-funded from the national budgets of 34 EUREKA countries and the European Union, with a total public budget of 1.14 billion for the period 2014-2020. EUREKA is an intergovernmental network launched in 1985 to support market-oriented R&D and innovation projects.
Timing is all-important when repairs to a busy drillship are the order of the day. When Pacific International Drilling West Africas (PIDWAL) drillship Pacific Bora suffered damage to the starboard aft hull off the coast of Nigeria, PIDWAL called for assistance from the Harris Pye Engineering Group.



The repair was successfully evaluated; all necessary specialists and labor, steel, tools and equipment were mobilized; and the repair was made, installed, painted and tested in less than two weeks of the Harris Pye team boarding the Pacific Bora (PBA).



The Harris Pye team of one supervisor and three highly trained specialist tradesmen boarded the rig on 3 May offshore Nigeria, and sailed with it to the calm waters offshore Malabo, Equatorial Guinea where the work was successfully undertaken, and the Harris Pye crew disembarked on May 16.



We studied the repair scope, and put together a method statement to perform the repair work while the rig is afloat to avoid any dry docking and other cofferdam and divers cost, in order to bring the PBA back to 100 percent operability in under two weeks, explains Chris David, Chief Technical Officer, of the global engineering group.



PIDWAL had put together a task risk assessment for trimming the rig by forward, to maintain the dented portion 2.1m above water to enable us to proceed with the repair. They also provided all tools and consumables for the repair works, including the overhanging/ overboard scaffolding, so there were no delays due to customs holdups. The steel plate and rubbing bar for the repair were purchased by Harris Pye UK; and freight was handled by PIDWAL.



Our scope of work gives an idea of just how exacting a project of this kind can be, and how vital it is to have a good working relationship with the client and their crew. We undertook to:



Crop and remove the damaged section of the shell plating

Prepare the edges in way of cut out for the installation of new plate

Prepare new plate and edge prepare it ready for installation

Install and weld prefabricated sections of shell/transom plating

Install and weld 60 half round bar

Perform welding according to Class-approved WPS (ABS Class)

Perform NDT by client-arranged third party

Apply touch-up paint

All repair works were performed to the satisfaction of the attending ABS surveyor and Pacific Bora was ready to get back to work."



PIDWAL has an array of registered in-country and overseas fabrication/welding vendors on the companys vendor management system however with the repair scope and the possible risk involved in the hull repair, we had to scrutinize for a vendor that could deliver on time and on budget, explains Adebo Oladipo, Assistant Rig Manager, Pacific Bora.



We were sceptical initially because we werent sure of Harris Pyes experience working off the coast of Nigeria however discussions with several PIDWAL employees that have had previous relationships with Harris Pye, instilled the needed confidence.



The project was completed off the coast of Luba in an efficient manner.
Japan said on Monday it would respond firmly after Chinese government vessels intruded into what Japan considers its territorial waters near disputed islands in the East China Sea 14 times at the weekend.

Ties between China and Japan, the world's second and third largest economies, have for years been plagued by a dispute over the islands that Japan controls, and the waters around them.

The flurry of Chinese incursions into the waters follows a period of sustained pressure on China about its activities in the South China Sea, and a Chinese criticism of what it saw as Japanese interference in that dispute.

Chinese activity near the disputed East China Sea islands, known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China, has heated up since Friday, Japanese officials said, prompting repeated Japanese protests, including three on Sunday alone.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Japan would urge China not to escalate the East China Sea dispute, while also responding firmly and calmly.

Agencies including the coastguard would act closely together to deal with the situation, Suga said.

A Japanese government source, who asked not to be identified, said Japan's coastguard had stepped up its patrols in the region at the weekend but declined to give further details.

About 230 Chinese fishing vessels were in the area on Saturday, Japan's foreign ministry said.

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement on Saturday that China had indisputable sovereignty over the islands and nearby waters.

In the South China Sea, Japan has no claims and China recently rejected warned Japan not to interfere.

The United States, its Southeast Asian allies and Japan have questioned Chinese land reclamation on disputed islands in the South China Sea, especially after an international court last month rejected China's historic claims to most of that sea.

China has refused to recognise the court ruling. Japan called on China to adhere to it, saying it was binding. China warned Japan not to interfere.

The spike in tension over the East China Sea also follows a Chinese accusation that Japan's new defence minister, Tomomi Inada, had recklessly misrepresented history after she declined to say after her appointment last week if Japanese troops had massacred civilians in China during World War Two.

The legacy of Japan's wartime occupation of parts of China is another thorn in relations between the neighbours.

China, and other counties in Asia, in particular South Korea, feel that Japan has never properly atoned for its aggression before and during World War Two.

Relations between South Korea and China have also been strained in recent days by a decision by South Korea and the United States to deploy an advanced anti-missile defence system, to guard against North Korean attacks, that China fears could be used against its military.

South Korea's presidential office on Sunday rebuked China over its criticism of South Korea's decision to deploy the anti-missile defence, urging China instead to play a stronger role against North Korea's provocations.

South Korea and the United States began discussions to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) unit in the South after the North's fourth nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch in defiance of U.N. sanctions.





(Reporting by Kaori Kaneko, Nobuhiro Kubo, Tim Kelly and Kiyoshi Takenaka; writing by Linda Sieg; Editing by Paul Tait, Robert Birsel)
DNV GL has welcomed the worlds largest semi-submersible drilling rig into class recently. Ocean Greatwhite is 123 metres long and 78 metres wide and was delivered at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea. Owned by the Houston-based drilling contractor Diamond Offshore, the rig will be chartered to oil major BP and will operate in the Great Australian Bight.



Ocean Greatwhite is also the first new-build rig to receive the DNV GL Integrated Software Dependent Systems (ISDS) notation. ISDS are systems whose performance is dependent on the overall behaviour of their integrated software components. DNV GLs ISDS standard helps owners and operators minimise software integration errors and delays in projects involving complex integrated systems.



The certification ensures that software and integration issues are identified and resolved early on during the project design stages. It also represents a new approach to verification, as it emphasises a review of the working methods and processes that lead to the delivery the systems, rather than simply focusing on the final review of documents and installations to ensure they meet product requirements.



The rig is to be a new design MOSS CS60E high specification state-of- the art semi-submersible drilling unit suitable for operations in harsh environments, which is the first MOSS CS60E and the largest rig in the world.



The Ocean GreatWhite is a unique rig purposely built for drilling in harsh environments, said Karl Sellers, SVP Technical Services at Diamond Offshore. HHI and DNV GL were integral in helping us get this rig to market as we prepare for the drilling project in Australia with BP.



We have a strong relationship with both DNV GL and Diamond Offshore  and it is thanks to this good cooperation that the project went so well. We are proud to deliver the first drilling ship of this size and look forward to many more projects on this scale, Youngseuk Han, Senior Executive Vice President at HHI said. We will keep moving the boundaries of technology by completing following large-scale and innovative projects.



Ocean Greatwhite is capable of operating in depths of up to 3000 metres and can drill down to a depth of 10,670 metres. It represents the state of the art in the semi-submersible sector and we are very pleased to have been asked to contribute our expertise to this project, says Paal Johansen, Vice President and Regional Director, Americas at DNV GL.



Industry data suggests that high specification mobile offshore drilling units may experience 30 per cent down-time during their first years of operations, which makes a systematic framework for ensuring that ISDS achieve the required reliability, availability, maintainability and safety essential.



We expect that the operational performance of Ocean Greatwhite will demonstrate how the ISDS notation can contribute to increasing the reliability of the complex systems onboard, adds Paal Johansen. DNV GLs ISDS teams in Korea, Norway, and the USA all contributed to the project. DNV GL also provided advisory services to HHI on the integration of the various systems throughout the newbuilding process.


The tanker market has been suffering from rather severe summer doldrums, says Weekly Shipbrokers Reports published by Poten and Partners.

Earnings across all tanker sectors, from VLCCs down to MRs are at levels not seen since September 2014, the period right before the most recent tanker bull market.

While the summer period is historically a slow period of the year and tanker rates typically stage a recovery going into the northern hemisphere winter months, some people are concerned that this might not happen this year, at least not to the same extent.

However, as is the case in almost every market, whether the glass is half-full or half-empty depends very much on your perspective and what you see as the main drivers of the market for the future.

In todays opinion we will look at some of the factors that could shape the rate environment in the second half of 2016. We will start with the supply side of the equation. Fleet growth in the first half of this year has contributed to the pressure on rates.

In the first half of 2016, 23 VLCCs have been delivered, which is already equivalent to the full-year deliveries for each of 2014 and 2015. Another 37 vessels are scheduled for delivery in the second half of the year, so even taking into account customary delays and cancellations, VLCC fleet growth is expected to continue.

The situation in the other tanker segments is similar, with 2016 deliveries outpacing recent years additions and accelerating into the second half of the year. The main exception is the MR segment. This segment faced heavy deliveries in 2014-2015 and the inflow of new tonnage has started to slow. Can we count on significant scrapping in the coming years to offset some of these deliveries? Not likely.

Only a handful of tankers have been scrapped so far this year and given the age distribution of the tanker fleet, we dont expect a significant pickup during the remainder of 2016. The tanker supply factor that could possibly drive rates higher is increased floating storage.

How about tanker demand? Here the situation looks slightly more positive. The year 2016 started well enough. Tanker trades were supported by the re-entry of Iran in the export market as well as growing U.S. crude oil imports.

In the U.S., foreign barrels became more competitive when the Brent  WTI spread collapsed after the U.S. crude export ban was lifted. However, in the second quarter of 2016, several unforeseen events reduced oil flows worldwide.

A combination of forest fires in Canada, severe drought in Venezuela, production outages in Nigeria and strikes in France led to higher prices and inventory drawdowns, with a negative impact on the oil and tanker markets.

In addition to the usual suspects like seasonal field maintenance, these events have made it a particularly depressing summer so far.

However, many of these factors are likely to turn around in the second half of the year. Canadian production has been restored, for example, and outsized inventory draws in the U.S. are expected to come to an end as well.

There are promising signs coming from Libya, where an agreement has been announced to reopen several export terminals, while U.S. airstrikes may reduce the threat of further oil disruptions. Analysts indicate that an additional 300,000 barrels/day of production and exports is possible in the near term.

In the current oil environment, additional production will immediately enter the market and add to transportation demand. If oil production expansion exceeds demand growth, the additional barrels will end up in storage (mostly in consuming areas, occasionally on tankers).

This will provide support for the tanker market. In the longer term, world GDP growth and oil demand will be important drivers, but over the next 6 months, seasonal factors, weather, geopolitical developments and market psychology will probably be just as important as the fundamentals.

So, is the glass half-full or half empty? Hard to say, time will tell. However, at this point in the cycle there is obviously a lot more upside potential than downside risk.
Whenever a Hapag-Lloyd vessel reaches a port, a certain number of containers are usually loaded or discharged before the ship continues along its voyage to the next port. But how do you stow these containers on the ship in the safest and most efficient way possible?

Jan Bottjer, the stowage planner, at Hapag-Lloyd says: Imagine youd like to unload a container in a port and you realize its located all the way at the bottom of the ships hold, covered by an entire stack of other containers that dont need to leave the ship in this port. To get to the container you want, youd first have to restow the container tiers above it. In addition to being completely uneconomical, it also consumes a whole lot of time.

Of course, one might imagine that the ideal way to stow containers would just be to put the containers that need to leave the ship in the next port at the very top of the stacks. But, in reality, its far from that simple. Our job is much more complex, Bottjer says.

Indeed, its not for nothing that Bottjer holds a degree in nautical sciences and a so-called masters ticket, like all his colleagues at the central stowage planning office in Hamburg. Earning this license requires experience on the high seas and qualifies him to control a ship. Before becoming a stowage planner, he served as a chief mate, which made him responsible for the cargo that sailed on board several Hapag-Lloyd ships.

Having specialized nautical knowledge and experience on board is extremely important for our job, as we coordinate with captains and dockworkers in the terminals every day, he notes. Were familiar with the challenges on board and can adjust our actions accordingly.

Hapag-Lloyds seven central stowage planning offices are divided among the Regions. Though spread across the world, they work closely together. For example, a ship sailing from Hamburg toward South America will leave its final port in Region Europe at a certain point.

When that happens, Bottjer will hand responsibility for the ship over to his counterparts in Valparaiso. The information he transmits to South America will include, among other things, data on all the containers currently on board, their exact positions, details on the type of container and VGM information.

With this basic information, stowage planners in Valparaiso can likewise get started with their planning. About two days before the ship arrives in the first port of a Region, the stowage planners also receive from the agent in that port the initial load figures of the shipping companies wishing to ship cargo on this vessel. The final stowage planning for the respective port only begins 24 hours before the ships arrival.

Looking toward the future, Bottjer knows that he and his colleagues have a major challenge in front of them. Due to the merger with UASC, Hapag-Lloyd will soon have a fleet with ship capacities ranging from 700 to 19,000 TEU.

As the ship gets bigger, so does the amount of work required for each of them, he says. An 18,800 TEU ship, such as UASCs Al Muraykh, can only call at a small selection of ports due to its massive size and can spend two to three weeks at sea between ports. But then the terminals are especially busy for days because of all the cargo.

In the future, we will encounter these particularities  and we will naturally have to take this into account with our stowage planning, Bottjer says. But this is precisely the kind of variety that he likes so much about his job. As stowage planners, we face a new and exciting challenge every day  because no two ships are alike!

(Story excerpted from the recent edition of Hapag-Lloyd Insights)
1860 - Screw frigate USS San Jacinto, commanded by Capt. William M. Armstrong, captures the American slaver Storm King with 619 slaves on board, off the Congo River. A prize crew from the steam frigate sailed the captured slaver to Monrovia and turned 616 freed Negroes over to the United States agent there before proceeding to Norfolk with the prize.



1861 - During the Civil War, the frigate USS Santee commanded by Capt. Eagle captured the schooner C.P. Knapp in the Gulf of Mexico.



1863 - During the Civil War, the screw steam gunboat, USS Sagamore, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. English, seizes British sloop, HMS Clara Louisa, off Indian River, Fla. Later the same day, Lt. Cmdr. English captures British schooners, HMS Southern Rights and HMS Shot, and Confederate schooner, CSS Ann, off Gilberts Bar.



1924 - USS Shenandoah (ZR 1) secures herself to the mooring mast on USS Patoka (AO 9), making the first use of the mooring mast erected on shipboard to facilitate airship operations with the fleet.



1933 - Commander, Aircraft Battle Force, requests the authority to use variable-pitch propellers during forthcoming exercises on six Boeing F4B-4s of VF 3 based on board USS Langley (CV 1) and on one (F4B 4) of (VF 1) on board USS Saratoga (CV 3).



1987 - USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) is commissioned at Lockheed Shipyard, Seattle, Wash. The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship is named for Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Md., the fort for which its 1814 defense inspired Francis Scott Key to write the lyrics for the Star Spangled Banner.





(Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division)
Poor training can lead to catastrophic accidents both financially and with loss of life, an unavoidable fact. The maritime industry is sadly far behind its counterparts in the aviation industry with regards to the importance placed on good quality, practical, effective training, a matter that urgently needs to be addressed. But where does this start? With the crew? With the ships? With the companies? I believe it begins with the trainers; Good quality training must come from passionate, dedicated instructors who understand their responsibly to the maritime community.

Food for thought: Is a good maritime instructor someone with good maritime experience or someone with good instruction techniques that can pass on information effectively? Naturally the answer should be both, but from your experience of training schools, how many instructors exist with both attributes?

Effective training delivery has always been and will always be a deep rooted passion of a good maritime instructor, and one that I certainly refuse to water down under increasing pressure from an industry that often looks to reduce training requirements. Having looked extensively into Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as well as Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), as an industry we dont need to go anywhere near as far as this to achieve effective training as we strive to deliver motivated crews to vessels. As an instructor for more than 50 HELM courses (at both Management and Operational levels) as well as a number of IMO 6.09 Training Course for Instructors and IMO 6.10 Train The Simulator Instructor and Assessor courses over the last few years, this has thrown up many questions, but one central/pivotal question continually rears its head.

Question. As an industry are we simply looking for a financial return from sending crew members on training courses as they supposedly reduce marine risk, or, are we actually looking for a tangible improvement in the quality of the seafarer and the industry as a whole?

I would argue that it cannot be our motivation as lecturers to just read out facts and figures in a haphazard fashion, such as the tick box courses of the past. We must inject all our efforts and approach training delivery in a dynamic fashion in order that we expose  as much as humanly possible  students to a concrete learning experience that not only passes skills designed to reduce marine risk, but also make the individual a better seafarer and improves the industry long term as a whole. This approach is summarized by David Kolbs, an Education Theorist.

This is so they will know When, How and Why to apply the principles of their new found skill in a measured  autonomous fashion as opposed to a petulant Thats what the instructor told me to do mindset.

After all we must never forget we are The Guardians of the Standards for delivery of training packages in the 21st Century.

Qualities to Develop

There is one very important aid that we put in front of all students which can have more impact and influence on the effectiveness of training than any other media ... you, the maritime instructor. We can all recognize what we consider to be a good instructor and that one instructor is very different from another.

Qualities an instructor should possess:

Confidence. You need to have confidence to be fully effective; firstly confidence with the material that you are instructing and secondly confidence in your abilities to deliver that material.

You need to have confidence to be fully effective; firstly confidence with the material that you are instructing and secondly confidence in your abilities to deliver that material. Bearing. How do you appear to the class? Be aware of your image in front of the class and ensure that that image is not in itself a distraction.

How do you appear to the class? Be aware of your image in front of the class and ensure that that image is not in itself a distraction. Mannerisms. Avoid anything that could be a distraction to the students. This may be something repeatedly said such as ok or right or constantly jangling keys or coins in your pocket or pacing up and down over the same area.

Avoid anything that could be a distraction to the students. This may be something repeatedly said such as ok or right or constantly jangling keys or coins in your pocket or pacing up and down over the same area. Voice. Modulate the voice and use pauses for effect and emphasis. Varying the rhythm, speed, volume and pitch of your voice will help to keep the attention of the class.

Modulate the voice and use pauses for effect and emphasis. Varying the rhythm, speed, volume and pitch of your voice will help to keep the attention of the class. Eye Contact. Eye contact is one of the most important aspects of body language. Making eye contact with your students will help you to gauge whether your message is being truly received and understood.

Eye contact is one of the most important aspects of body language. Making eye contact with your students will help you to gauge whether your message is being truly received and understood. Conduct/Behavior. Your attitude is important as this ultimately will influence the rapport you have with your students.

Your attitude is important as this ultimately will influence the rapport you have with your students. Enthusiasm. An enthusiastic manner adopted by the instructor can have a greater effect on the learning process than any other quality. It has the ability to make a mediocre lesson into a good one and conversely, lack of enthusiasm can turn a good lesson into a poor one.

In conclusion, below is an extract from an interview with a newly qualified assistant Marine Instructor, who has never been to sea or instructed in a professional environment before.

When I joined the training center I was originally employed to manage and facilitate IT equipment, from basic desktop computers to advanced electronic programs. Based on my computing knowledge I soon found myself assisting the established Maritime Instructors with chart uploads and VRD playback. I was under the impression as I watched other instructors that lecturing was just the process for throwing a load of facts at a student, they learnt it, we test their ability to learn it and then they go back to sea. When I was approached and asked if I felt comfortable delivering part of a lesson (the technical side of the course) I jumped at the chance as I thought that that was all I had to do.... I was wrong! Previous to this I had only delivered training on a voluntary basis within my passion for technology. As a standard course of action, the company encouraged and guided me as I underwent the full remit of train the trainer courses available. I was naturally apprehensive but gained so much understanding of the industry and how it, and more to the point I, can make mistakes as a result of simple complacency. The lessons I have learnt stayed with me and I draw on those skills on a daily basis.

As a result I moved over and started to support the bridge course as the exercise controller and swiftly found myself becoming a Co-Teacher. Having now completing the IMO 6.09 Train the Trainer Course, this for me has paid dividends as it pulled all my skills together and assembled them in a more structured form as opposed to a hap hazard order. This in turn allowed me to understand how proper measured training packages are formulated and that instruction is not just a matter of regurgitating chunks of information; there is a whole thought process that goes into it which I was unaware of. The approach to teaching crew members (Adults - Andragogy) is very different to teaching children (Pedagogy). Having studied the differences extensively, I think that this (Pedagogy) is how many training packages have, or are, being delivered in some elements of our industry from my observations.

Looking back at the six-week training/education package that I received in Whiteley, Southampton, using the process of Andragogy, develop my understanding, skills and the knowledge to become an effective instructor, I am fully aware that my current skill set needs to be nurtured as I move forward as an instructor in our industry, a challenge and prospect that I am looking forward to. I am a non-mariner, and non-conventionally trained instructor, however, in the role of teaching support I can clearly see that the ability to effectively pass information is just as important as the lead instructors maritime background and teaching qualifications.

The Author

Richard (Joe) Sloly, Instructor & Customer Development Manager. Qualified as an Instructor in November 1996, Richard is qualified further as an advanced instructor assessor with a further one week course which concentrated more on assessing instructors and maintaining their standards in 2003. He has also held seven different maritime-based training positions over 15 years, teaching Deck Officers to Masters. Richard spent 21 of his 28 naval years in management. Richard has also completed a City and Guilds (Graduate ship) Leadership and Management, a City and Guilds (Graduate ship) Human Resources, an NVQ level 4 in Management and an NVQ level 4 in Administration. Richard has also passed Instructor Training Courses, Instruction Techniques Assessors Course and Simulator Instructional Techniques Course.
U.K.-based Solent Refit and global marine equipment specialists Cathelco have teamed up to help international customers meet new ballast water management regulations.

Solent Refit, at Hythe, on Southampton Water, has built its reputation on maintaining and refitting classic and modern superyachts. Now it has entered into a preferred partner agreement with water treatment systems specialists Cathelco and its Antibes based subsidiary HEM.

The move comes as owners of ocean going superyachts face the imminent introduction of International Maritime Organization (IMO) legislation governing the discharge of ballast water. The IMO expects its convention covering discharges to enter force worldwide in November 2016 following ratification by 30 of its member states and achieving 35 percent of the global tonnage. However, some industry experts expect implementation to be pushed back to early or mid-2017.

Cathelco supplies a wide range of equipment including Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) systems and Marine Growth Prevention Systems (MGPS) to protect the hulls and pipework of luxury and commercial vessels. It has also developed an innovative ballast water treatment system for larger superyachts.

The introduction of the new regulations will involve the installation of ballast water treatment systems. With its new treatment system, Cathelco is one of a few U.K. manufacturers capable of producing smaller or modular systems for the superyacht industry.

Allan Foot, managing director of Solent Refit, said: We are delighted to make it official that Cathelco is a preferred partner.

It offers our clients peace of mind to know we can offer a smooth transitional package of works to speed up refits.

With our recently secured 30 year lease for the shipyard, we are set to grow our preferred partner program to offer a multitude of services and products.

Sam Wand, sales manager of Cathelcos superyacht division, added, Solent Refit have a great location on the South Coast of England and can host as many as 16 yachts up to 65 meters in length.

The flexible nature of the yard allows us to carry out work easily and economically alongside the Solent Refit team.

Solent Refit provides 10,000 sqm of undercover working halls and waterside working areas combined with a highly skilled workforce of marine specialists.

With a strong emphasis on British craftsmanship, the companys aim is to attract a larger proportion of the refit work which is currently carried out in Mediterranean yards and elsewhere.

Foot said, If refits are of a certain size then we are willing to cover deviation fuel costs from the Mediterranean and the likes and take full advantage of the price of the Euro this winter.

Cathelco, with headquarters in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, performs in water treatment systems for superyachts and commercial vessels. Its activities in the superyacht market were strengthened in 2015 by the acquisition of HEM, manufacturers of desalinators and associated equipment, who are based in the South of France and have a well established reputation in the international superyacht market.
Earlier this year Kongsberg launched Kongsberg Digital, a new subsidiary to expand its industrial software offering, a start-up with about 500 employees. Hege Skryseth, President of Kongsberg Digital and also the Chief Digital Officer of Kongsberg shares with MR her insights on the size, shape and direction of the new entity.

You see some opportunities here, is how Hege Skryseth summarizes the potential for the digital revolution to make maritime and offshore operations more efficient. Skryseth, who previously ran Microsofts business in Norway, is a software industry veteran, with Kongsberg for about 2.5 years now. She is determined to help lead the tide of change in this pair of conservative industries, working non-stop to outfit new ships and rigs with the latest software solutions to assist in ensuring cost efficient and safe operations.

While ambitious to get the new company up and running, Skryseth is a realist regarding current market conditions pervasive in many maritime and offshore oil and gas sectors. Not deterred, long-term (and in fact, short term) she believes companies  with the new generation of internet natives joining the workforce and the real need to cut costs now  are becoming more amenable to leveraging the data at hand.

We currently see the market conditions impacting the oil and gas and maritime markets, and with that we see a willingness to change, and an openness to new systems, said Skryseth. But most companies are just at the beginning of realizing exactly what digitalization can really do for their operations. So many of the discussions center on how can we join forces to see what can be done  and I think that is a good place to start.

Kongsberg Digital

Kongsberg Digital was established as a subsidiary of Kongsberg, a new company formed to assess and capture the world of opportunities that are upon the maritime and offshore industries as the digitalization of industrial processes starts in earnest. In announcing the new company, Walter Qvam, CEO of Kongsberg said: Technologies such as Internet of Things, Big Data, automation and robotics will lead to significant changes for the industry as well as for the public sector. Kongsberg is already a digital group with world-leading products within sensor technology, electronics, software development and big data processing. Through the launch of Kongsberg Digital we take an important step in the groups strategy for developing the next generation of digitalized products and services.

With its breadth of product, service and geographic distribution, Kongsberg is many things to many people. But at its heart is software. Kongsberg is recognized as a high tech company, and it is a significant software company, said Skryseth. About 70 percent of what we do is software across multiple markets, including maritime, oil and gas, energy, renewable energy, defense and space.

Kongsberg Digital will consist of about 500 employees from existing software and simulation environments within Kongsberg Oil & Gas Technologies and Kongsberg Maritime, and from the start it will have a significant portfolio and revenues from advanced data, software and simulation products. In addition Kongsberg Digital will have a group responsibility for developing new digital solutions and related technology alliances. Skryseth said digitalization is one of the key focus areas in industry today, and it is changing the way we work in explaining the rationale to create the separate company: its tearing down walls, changing business models  and its happening rapidly.

The World: Digital & Connected

Within four years there are going to be 200 billion devices connected to the internet, and the ability to get them to talk to each other, to create value, and to create machine-to-machine communication is going to be one of our focus areas, said Skryseth. The data revolution has evoked a number of catchy names, from Big Data to The Internet of Things. But Skryseth and Olivier Cadet, Vice President  Information Management System, Kongsberg Maritime, contend that the key issue is less about the amount of data, and more about the proliferation of Smart data, meaning the ability to take vast quantities of information and put it to good use in your daily business operation.

Make no mistake, Kongsberg has its collective fingers on the pulse of vast quantities of data in this market, with more than 17,000 vessels and 10,000 oil wells today outfitted with Kongsberg equipment and software solutions onboard.

We collect a lot of data, and it is our job to ensure that we are building the right services and applications to leverage this data, said Cadet, bringing digitalization to the maritime and the O&G industries.

But in a way, the evolution of Kongsberg Digital transcends data, and truly is in step with the industrys move toward looking at vessels and rigs at sea more holistically, in the view of its role in the transport and energy production chain.

The boundaries of the industry are drastically changing, said Cadet. He said that a company such as Kongsberg used to be a provider of a single product delivered to fulfill one function. But that is changing rapidly. That product is now becoming smart with layers of functionality. For example, if you have a pipe laying vessel with a Kongberg DP system, you can have a pipe laying function; you can have a smart and connected next-gen DP system with the ability to remote in from shore. The next step really is the move toward real integrated operations, where the DP system is not simply helping its vessel keep position, but is interacting with the OSV next to it, with the ROV in the water, with the weather impacting your vessel  and the list goes on.





A Fast Start

The creation of Kongsberg Digital, which officially will go live in July 2016, comes in tandem with an overhaul of the corporate parent, no small feat. We are working on the digital strategy for all of Kongsberg, while simultaneously setting up the new Kongsberg Digital, said Skryseth. As might be expected from a global electronics and software power like Kongsberg, the goals are not modest.

First and most important is to be the performance and efficiency partner for our customers, said Skryseth. Work ongoing is focused on bringing together the collective competencies of the vast Kongsberg reach, with one eye on the present, the other scanning for future trends and competencies.

Were all about turning data into tangible, valuable actionable information that our customers can use, said Cadet. To start the Kongsberg Digital team sees three major areas of concern, or as they term them Value Creation Levers, including condition based maintenance, performance management (ie. fuel efficiency), and decision support

I think there is currently a good combination between technology push and market pull, said Cadet. The tech is at a stage where it is ready in terms of communication, data storage and data handling and analytic technique  that is the technology push. The market pull is the ever evolving needs of our customers to improve their operations. While the maritime industry is traditional, dont underestimate the younger generation entering the workforce have grown with these technologies.
Libya has begun maintenance of the port of Es-Sider, biggest in the country of the terminal on oil export as part of plans to increase output from Africas biggest holder of crude reserves, says RNS.

Exports should resume in a month once official orders are received to reopen the port, says Bloomberg quoting Galal Mohamed, head of operations at Waha Oil Co. Es-Sider is part of the plan of the authorities for increase in oil extraction.

The port belongs to the Waha Oil company. It has been closed since December, 2014 because of armed attack. In half a year after start of port the company plans to come to amount of 75 thousand oil barrels a day.

The state National Oil Corp. has engineers and other workers at the port to evaluate damages and decide when to resume exports, NOCs Ibrahim Al-Awami said by phone.

We havent received official orders to reopen the port and resume exports, but there were intensive meetings with the National Oil Corp. officials last week to discuss this, Mohamed said. Six of the ports 19 storage tanks are damaged from fighting over the last two years, he said.

Waha Oil will be able to produce 75,000 barrels a day in the first six months after resuming operations, Mohamed said. Waha fields stopped producing in 2014 after the Es Sider oil port was halted. Es Sider has export capacity of 340,000 barrels a day.
Kelvin Hughes will supply its SharpEye navigation radar for the Republic of Singapore Navy's Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) program, which includes eight new vessels to replace the current fleet of Fearless-class patrol vessels.



The lead ship of the fleet, Independence, was delivered in May of this year equipped with two I-Band (X-band) SharpEye systems. A further seven vessels will be similarly equipped with the same I-Band SharpEye systems.



With its solid-state technology, SharpEye does not require a magnetron and transmits a low power, patented pulse sequence. Doppler processing adds another dimension to the analysis of the radar returns and increases the probability of detection of targets. Through a series of electronic filters, SharpEye is able to distinguish between targets of interest and clutter caused by adverse weather conditions. Customizable waveforms can be configured for specific threats and to track specific targets, such as helicopters.
ClassNK subsidiary ClassNK Consulting Service announced that JX Ocean Co., Ltd. has selected the machinery condition monitoring and automatic diagnostic system ClassNK CMAXS LC- A for use on 310,000 dwt tanker Eneos Spirit.

ClassNK CMAXS LC- A is a solution that integrates sensor anomaly detection algorithm to analyze correlations between multiple sensor data in the engine room and detect any early signs of malfunction or potential damage to machinery. Also, the solution has a feature that automatically shows the optimum setting of the main engine, and troubleshooting instructions based on the results obtained by the analysis. The solution shows the condition of a wide variety of machinery in real- time, and provides the relevant instructions and the procedure manual for machinery based on the result of the automatic condition diagnosis. In addition to these functions, ClassNK CMAXS LC- A acts as a total support system, which allows users to centrally manage the monitoring and diagnostics functions of different types of shipboard equipment. This total support system aspect makes delivering a high level of support for a wide range of machinery not only possible, but a straightforward experience for the user.

The vessel began using ClassNK CMAXS LC- A from June 2016 after a trial installation in 2014 under the joint research project together with ClassNK and joint collaborator Diesel United Ltd. The troubleshooting function and total support system aspect were highly rated during the trial.
Severe weather has caused semi-submersible drilling rig Transocean Winner to break free from tow and run aground off the western isles of Scotland, the U.K. Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) said.

There are no personnel on board the rig and there is no risk to life, MCA said. There is 280mt of diesel on board.

The tug Alp Forward encountered severe weather west of the Isle of Lewis while towing the Transocean Winner, and remained connected to the rig overnight on Sunday but was unable to make headway with the tow. The MCAs Emergency Towing Vessel Herakles was deployed from Orkney on Sunday night to assist.

Early Monday morning, the tow line parted, and due to the severe weather conditions it was not possible to reconnect. The rig then grounded on the west side of the Isle Of Lewis near Carloway. The tug Alp Forward remains on scene to visually monitor the rig.

The MCAs counter pollution branch and the Secretary of States Representative (SOSREP) for Maritime Salvage and Intervention Hugh Shaw is now in discussions with the owners Transocean, ALP Marine and the salvors SMIT Salvage. Police Scotland and HM Coastguard Rescue Teams are also on scene.
Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship, Rich Better, collided with and sank Vietnamese squid boat BD 96660 in the East Vietnam Sea on August 2, 2016.

According to Tuoi Tre News, six Vietnamese sailors are safe and being taken to mainland China to await pick-up by Vietnams authorities.

The Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) confirmed the six aboard boat BD 96660, which was hit and submerged by Hong Kong cargo ship Rich Better in the East Vietnam Sea, had been rescued by the Hong Kong vessel and were on the way to Shanghai.

According to the Vietnam MRCC, Rich Better collided with the Vietnamese boat at coordinates 12.17oN 110.38oE, 85 nautical miles east off Nha Trang City in south-central Vietnam, at around 9:00 pm on Tuesday while the former was on its way to Shanghai.

Following the collision, the local vessel capsized and sank, throwing into the water its six crew members, who had sailed off from the south-central Vietnamese province of Binh Dinh.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., the Democratic vice presidential nominee, says he supports the policy behind Gov. Terry McAuliffes order allowing for mass restoration of rights to more than 200,000 ex-offenders  which the Supreme Court of Virginia struck down last month in a 4-3 decision.

And Kaine  who, at the end of his term as governor in 2010 researched a mass restoration order but did not take action  said the Republican Party should return to the tradition of being a voting-rights party that it demonstrated before the 2008 election of President Barack Obama.

The bottom line is, the policy is the right policy, Kaine told the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Richmond Free Press in an interview Monday after a campaign rally at Huguenot High School.

And Im heartened to see that there is now near-universal recognition  except for people who are in the General Assembly, that this policy should be changed. And once the voters start to say the policy should be changed, well get there.

Asked about GOP opposition to a mass order restoring the rights of felons who have served their time, Kaine said that up until the election of Obama, Republicans historically supported voting rights.

He cited Republican support for the 15th Amendment eliminating race-based qualifications for voting, the 19th Amendment granting voting rights to women, and the 26th Amendment, enacted under President Richard Nixon, that expanded the right to vote to Americans when they turn 18.

Its only in the age of Obama that the Republican Party has done this U-turn against all the principles of the GOP and become an anti-voting-rights party, Kaine said. And thats because theyve decided they want to reduce the franchise as much as they can.

They dont feel confident they can win elections with full participation by American voters, Kaine added.

Im praying that the party comes back to the tradition of that party, from 1865 to 2008. They ought to come back to it being a voting-rights party.

House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, said in a statement responding to Kaines remarks: Im disappointed by and resent Senator Kaines disingenuous comments.

Our lawsuit was entirely based on preserving the constitution and the rule of law, the same principles Kaine adhered to when he decided he could not restore rights en masse.

The suggestion that the lawsuit was racially motivated or that the thousands of Virginians who supported it are somehow racist is offensive and far beneath the dignity of both the office he holds and the office he is seeking.

When Kaine was governor, he was approached about ordering a mass restoration of voting rights. After deliberation, his administration concluded that such an act might not be possible in his time left in office.

We couldnt reach a consensus.  We made a decision we didnt think we could do it with two weeks notice, Kaine said during the interview.

We couldnt reach a feeling of certainty in a couple of weeks that we could do this, and we didnt want to create confusion.

Kaines counsel at the time, Mark E. Rubin, researched the issue and wrote a memo explaining the administrations position, concluding that while the governors powers of clemency and restoration of rights might be read to support the blanket use of these powers to benefit unnamed individuals, we think the better argument is that these powers are meant to apply in particular cases to named individuals for whom a specific grant of executive clemency is sought.

While being clear that Kaine disagreed with the current policy in the Virginia Constitution, a blanket order would be a rewrite of the law rather than a contemplated use of the executive clemency powers, Rubin concluded.

The Rubin memo was quoted in the recent Supreme Court of Virginia decision that struck down McAuliffes blanket restoration-of-rights orders in April, May and June.

Howell and Sen. Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr., R-James City, along with four other Republican voters, filed suit to block the order from taking effect. They argued it was an unconstitutional act that diminished their votes.

The state high court ruled in their favor July 22 and directed state election officials and local registrars to cancel the registrations of felons whose rights had been restored en masse. An estimated 13,000 ex-offenders had been registered to vote before the courts decision.

Virginia elections officials have set a deadline of Monday to remove from voting rolls the names of people whose rights were restored under McAuliffes mass orders.

The governor has said he will personally restore the voting rights of felons affected by the courts ruling on an individual basis. Such individuals would have to re-register to vote once they received their individual restoration order.

The restoration-of-rights issue has become particularly charged in the presidential election cycle in Virginia, a swing state coveted by Democrats and considered critical to GOP chances of reclaiming the White House in November.

Republicans have accused McAuliffe of trying to fatten the registration rolls to boost support for Democrats in general, and in particular, the presidential prospects of his friend and longtime political ally, Hillary Clinton.
They walked with smiles on Friday night, waving to everyone in that Brazilian stadium. Why wouldn't they smile? After all, they had a guaranteed roof to sleep under, food to eat and nobody was shooting at them. I looked at the refugee team and wondered what they must think of us here in America, where the smallest offense today is enough to declare we're being persecuted. It's a bit different when there's an actual gun in your face.

The caller on Friday was pretty determined to prove a point. She felt Democrats were being persecuted in this country. No, they hadn't been arrested. Yes, they were free to demonstrate and protest to their heart's content, with some exceptions. But the fact they weren't allowed to protest inside the Republican National Convention was evidence enough for her. I had another call the day before where a man asked us to do a story on how Target persecuted him. It seems he had bought something at Lowe's and attempted to return it at Target, but they wouldn't allow it. Now yes, those are two entirely different stores, but he felt they had rejected him simply because of the Donald Trump hat he was wearing.

Granted, there are completely valid examples of persecution still happening in this country, dealing with everything from someone's gender to the color of their skin. I honestly feel that we damage those legitimate cases by complaining about everyday things. It becomes a bit of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" after a while, so that people fail to believe the real situations, the true problems.

In some cases, it's just an accident that things happen, like a place closing down due to a lack of power. One person called me up after that wonderful storm a few weeks ago to complain about how he went to eat at a restaurant in Martinsville and the place was closed. Well yes, the storm had knocked out their power, so unless they were going to cook on an actual fire and have people eat by candlelight, it wasn't really an option to stay open. The person didn't see it that way, however.

I thought about all this as the refugee team was walking in Friday's Parade of Nations. I looked at the track and field star from South Sudan and the judo competitor from the Democratic Republic of Congo, both barely in their teens. In South Sudan, the former vice president lost the election and his followers refused to accept that, so they decided to rebel. Imagine training for the Olympics,only to come home and find rebels had kicked in your door, stolen what they could and burned the rest. During Rwanda's civil war, millions of members of the Hutu tribe fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, seeking asylum. Then they turned around and did exactly what was done to them in Rwanda, by attacking members of the rival Tutsi tribe. Imagine being judo competitor Popole Misenga, who had to flee his home country, just because he was born into a specific tribe.

Going through all this, they still find the strength to train and compete at the Olympic Games. And yet over here, if our coffee doesn't come out just right or it takes longer than expected to get the oil changed in the car, we see it as a personal attack. Maybe we could learn something from the refugees.

Brian Carlton is the editor of the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at brian.carlton@martinsvillebulletin.com.
TODAY'S WORD is impavid (em-pay-vid). Example: The farmer held his ground, seemingly impavid as the bull came closer.

SUNDAY'S WORD was apple-knocker (ap-el-noc-er). It means an unsophisticated person. Example: When he opened the still active fuse box to work on it, the man showed himself to be an apple-knocker.

Time to perform

Anyone feel like performing in front of a crowd? The Historic Star Theater will open its doors to musicians both young and old later tonight. The show starts at 6 p.m. at the theater, located at 318 Patrick Avenue in downtown Stuart. There will be food from Joe Hyltons Bar-B-Q and cold drinks. There is a $3 donation being asked for anyone who wants to watch the performances. That money goes to support local musicians.

Road shutting down today

Anyone heading to work in Henry County might need to know about the latest work being done by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Over on Log Manor Road, VDOT crews will be replacing a bridge. Parts of the road will be shut down for 130 days, starting this morning at 9 a.m. A detour will be in place, with signs directing traffic. Itll be late December before the full road opens up again.

Meteor shower on the way

They're coming. No, not aliens, but it is something from outer space. If you're like the Stroller's family, this time of year is when telescopes get set up on the porch and kids compete to see who can spot the first one. The Perseid meteor shower is coming this week, with its peak set to hit Thursday and Friday. During that time, if you look up in the Henry County sky, you should be able to see quite a few. On Saturday, NASA officials said there could be as many as 200 an hour coming through. The first few meteors should start falling about 10 p.m. Thursday night, but the most are expected to start raining down about midnight.

Fundraiser coming up

There will be a fundraiser Aug. 20 in memory of Junior Conner. The Bike Run starts at Big Birds, over at 6537 Greensboro Road in Ridgeway and ends at the Eagles Club, 210 Mill Creek Road in Bassett. Registration starts at 11 a.m., with the ride leaving at 1 p.m. Its not just a bike ride, as all types of vehicles are welcome. Junior Conner died on May 19, leaving behind his children Dillon, Andrea and Cody. All donations from the ride go to Norris Funeral Home to cover expenses for both the funeral and headstone marker. The cost to join in is $10.

TRIVIA QUESTION: The tax-free weekend had people pouring into stores for everything from last minute school supplies to clothes. But out of all the stores you went through this weekend, which one was here first? What store was the first one to open in America? The answer will be in tomorrow's Stroller.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Since the time we were little kids, we heard that vegetables are good for you. Also, if you were in the Strollers household, you couldnt leave the table unless they were finished. So for todays trivia, what is the most popular vegetable in America, in terms of how many get eaten each year? Well, it turns out the potato holds that title. A study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that on average, a person eats about 50 pounds of potatoes a year. Second place is the tomato, with an average of 32 pounds eaten by the average person each year. Onions were third and head lettuce was fourth.
In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. At all times we aim to respect any personal data you share with us, or that we receive from other organisations, and keep it safe. This Privacy Policy (Policy) sets out our data collection and processing practices and your options regarding the ways in which your personal information is used.

This Policy contains important information about your personal rights to privacy. Please read it carefully to understand how we use your personal data. We may update this Policy from time to time without notice to you, so please check it regularly.

The provision of your personal data to us is voluntary. However, without providing us with your personal data, you will be unable to (as appropriate): contact us; subscribe to our mailing list; subscribe to any of our publications; or receive information about In Defence of Marxism.

We collect information about you:

(1) When you give it to us DIRECTLY

You may give us your personal data in order to subscribe to a newsletter or publication, when you contact us by phone, email or post, when you sign a petition / statement, and/or when you donate money to us.

(2) When you give it to us INDIRECTLY

Your information will also be provided to us when you follow us or otherwise interact with on or via Twitter, when you like and/or join our page on Facebook or interact with us in other ways on or via Facebook.

(3) When you give permission to OTHER ORGANISATIONS to share it or it is AVAILABLE PUBLICLY

We may combine information you provide to us with information available from external publicly available sources. Depending on your privacy settings for social media services, we may also access information from those accounts or services. We use this information to gain a better understanding of you and to improve our communications and fundraising activities.

(4) When you visit our WEBSITE

We use cookies to identify you when you visit our website. Please refer to our Cookies Policy for details on the way our use of cookies affects your personal data.

What information do we collect?

We may collect, store and use the following kinds of personal data:

(1) We will typically hold your name and contact details, including telephone number, location, and e-mail address. However, we may request other information where it is appropriate and relevant, for example:

Your bank details or debit/credit card details (if making a donation).

(2) any communication preferences you give;

(3) information about your computer and about your visits to and use of this website including your IP address, geographical location, browser type, referral source, length of visit and number of page views; and/or

(4) any other information shared with us as per clause 1.

Do we process sensitive personal information?

Applicable law recognises certain categories of personal information as sensitive and therefore requiring more protection, including political opinions and trade union membership. In limited cases, we may collect sensitive personal data about you. We would only collect sensitive personal data if there is a clear reason for doing so; and will only do so with your explicit consent.

How and why will we use your personal data?

Personal data, however provided to us, will be used for the purposes specified in this Policy or in relevant parts of the website.

We may use your personal information to:

(1) Enable you to subscribe to our hard copy publications;

(2) Send you information about our work, campaigns, organisations and any other information, products or services that we provide (this will not be done without your consent);

(3) Provide you with the services, products or information you have requested;

(4) If you request, put you in touch with other supporters in your area (who have also provided such consent);

(5) Handle the administration of any donation or other payment you make via credit/debit card, cheque, standing order or BACS transfer;

(6) Collect payments from you and send statements and/or receipts to you;

(7) Conduct research into the impact of our activity / campaigns;

(8) Deal with enquiries and complaints made by you relating to the website or us in general;

(9) Make petition submissions to third parties, where you have signed a petition and the third party is a target of the campaign to which the petition relates; and/or

(10) Audit and/or administer our accounts.

Supporter Analysis

Google Analytics

We may use some of your personal information to analyse our digital performance, for example to see how our website can be improved to help us achieve the purposes set out in section 9 below, to record how you are using our website or to assess the popularity of different articles / campaigns.

For more information on how we use your personal information in relation to Google Analytics, please view our cookie policy by clicking this link cookies policy



You can opt-out of the collection of information for such purposes here: http://www.aboutads.info/choices

Communications, updates, fundraising

Where you have provided appropriate consent, we will contact you by telephone and e-mail, with targeted communications to let you know about our events and/or activities that we consider may be of particular interest; about the work of In Defence of Marxism; and to ask for donations or other support.

Donations and other payments

All financial transactions carried out on our website are handled through either:

PayPal (Europe) S.a r.l. (PayPal), a third party payment services provider. We recommend that you read PayPals privacy policy (available at https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full?locale.x=en_GB ) prior to effecting any transactions with us through PayPal; or

GoCardless Ltd (GoCardless), a third party payment services provider. We recommend that you read GoCardlesss privacy policy (available at https://www.gocardless.com/legal/privacy) prior to effecting any transactions with us through GoCardless.

We will provide your personal data to PayPal / GoCardless only to the extent necessary for the purposes of processing payments for transactions you enter into with us. We do not store your financial details.

Childrens data

We do not knowingly process data of any person under the age of 16. If we come to discover, or have reason to believe, that you are 15 and under and we are holding your personal information, we will delete that information within a reasonable period and withhold our services accordingly.

Security of and access to your personal data

We endeavour to ensure that there are appropriate and proportionate technical and organisational measures to prevent the loss, destruction, misuse, alteration, unauthorised disclosure or of access to your personal information.

Your information is only accessible by appropriately trained staff and volunteers.

We may also use agencies and/or suppliers to process data on our behalf. We may also merge or partner with other organisations and in so doing transfer and/or acquire personal data.

Please note that some countries outside of the EEA have a lower standard of protection for personal data, including lower security requirements and fewer rights for individuals. We may transfer and/or store personal data collected from you to and/or at a destination outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Such personal data may be processed by agencies and/or suppliers operating outside the EEA. If we transfer and/or store your personal data outside the EEA we will take reasonable steps to ensure that the recipient implements appropriate measures to protect your personal data.

Otherwise than as set out in this Privacy Policy, we will only ever share your data with your informed consent.

Your rights

Where we rely on your consent to use your personal information, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. This includes the right to ask us to stop using your personal information for direct marketing purposes or to be unsubscribed from our email list at any time. You also have the following rights:

(1) Right to be informed  you have the right to be told how your personal information will be used. This Policy and any other policies and statements used on our website and in our communications are intended to provide you with a clear and transparent description of how your personal information may be used.

(2) Right of access  you can write to us to ask for confirmation of what information we hold on you and to request a copy of that information. Provided we are satisfied that you are entitled to see the information requested and we have successfully confirmed your identity, we have 30 days to comply.

(3) Right of erasure  as from 25 May 2018, you can ask us for your personal information to be deleted from our records.

(4) Right of rectification  if you believe our records of your personal information are inaccurate, you have the right to ask for those records to be updated.

(5) Right to restrict processing  you have the right to ask for processing of your personal data to be restricted if there is disagreement about its accuracy or legitimate usage.

(6) Right to data portability  to the extent required by the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) where we are processing your personal information (i) under your consent, (ii) because such processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which you are party or to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contact or (iii) by automated means, you may ask us to provide it to you  or another service provider  in a machine-readable format.

To exercise these rights, please send a description of the personal information in question using the contact details in section 15 below. You can also unsubscribe from our email list by sending a blank email to news-unsubscribe@marxist.com

Where we consider that the information with which you have provided us does not enable us to identify the personal information in question, we reserve the right to ask for (i) personal identification and/or (ii) further information.

Lawful processing

We are required to have one or more lawful grounds to process your personal information. Only 4 of these are relevant to us:

Personal information is processed on the basis of a persons consent Personal information is processed on the basis of a contractual relationship Personal information is processed on the basis of legal obligations Personal information is processed on the basis of legitimate interests

(1) Consent

We will ask for your consent to use your information to send you electronic communications such as newsletters and and fundraising emails, and if you ever share sensitive personal information with us.

(2) Contractual relationships

Most of our interactions with supporters are voluntary and not contractual. However, sometimes it will be necessary to process personal information so that we can enter contractual relationships with people. For example, if you subscribe to one of our publications, or purchase merchandise online.

(3) Legal obligations

Sometimes we will be obliged to process your personal information due to legal obligations which are binding on us. We will only ever do so when strictly necessary.

(4) Legitimate interests

Applicable law allows personal information to be collected and used if it is reasonably necessary for our legitimate activities (as long as its use is fair, balanced and does not unduly impact individuals rights).

We will rely on this ground to process your personal data when it is not practical or appropriate to ask for consent.

Achieving our purposes

These include (but are not limited to) promoting socialist policies

Governance

Internal and external audit for financial or regulatory compliance purposes

Statutory reporting

Publicity and income generation

Conventional direct marketing and other forms of marketing, publicity or advertisement

Unsolicited messages, including campaigns, newsletters, and fundraising appeals

Analysis, targeting and segmentation to develop and promote or strategy and improve communication efficiency

Personalisation used to tailor and enhance your experience of our communications

Operational Management

Maintenance of suppression files

Processing for historical, scientific or statistical purpose

Purely administrative purposes

Responding to enquiries

Delivery of requested products or information

Communications designed to administer existing services including subscriptions, administration of petitions and financial transactions

Thank you communications and receipts

Maintaining a supporter database and suppression lists

Financial Management and control

Processing financial transactions and maintaining financial controls

Prevention of fraud, misuse of services, or money laundering

Enforcement of legal claims

Reporting criminal acts and compliance with law enforcement agencies

When we use your personal information, we will consider if it is fair and balanced to do so and if it is within your reasonable expectations. We will balance your rights and our legitimate interests to ensure that we use your personal information in ways that are not unduly intrusive or unfair in other ways.

Data retention

The length of time each category of data will be retained will vary depending on how long we need to process it for, the reason it was collected, and in line with any statutory requirements. After this point the data will either be deleted, or we may retain a secure anonymised record for research and analytical purposes.

In the event that you ask us to stop sending you direct marketing/fundraising/other electronic communications, we will keep your name on our internal suppression list to ensure that you are not contacted again.

Policy amendments

We keep this Privacy Policy under regular review and reserve the right to update from time-to-time by posting an updated version on our website, not least because of changes in applicable law. We recommend that you check this Privacy Policy occasionally to ensure you remain happy with it. We may also notify you of changes to our privacy policy by email.

Third party websites

We link our website directly to other sites. This Privacy Policy does not cover external websites and we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any external websites you visit via links on our website.

Updating information

You can check the personal data we hold about you, and ask us to update it where necessary, by emailing us at webmaster@marxist.com

Contact

We are not required by law to have a Data Protection Officer  however we have a Data Protection Manager.

Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com
Berkshire Gas Moratorium.png

Berkshire Gas has a moratorium on new or expanded service in eight towns, citing a pipeline bottleneck. A plan filed with utility regulators examines options for lifting the moratorium.

(Berkshire Gas)

Following a push from western Massachusetts lawmakers, the Department of Public Utilities has agreed to hold a public hearing in Greenfield on the Berkshire Gas Company and its long-range plan to serve new and existing customers.

The hearing on DPU docket 16-03, which examines Berkshire's five-year forecast and supply plan, is set for August 30 at the Greenfield Middle School starting at 7 p.m.

Berkshire in March 2015 placed a moratorium on new natural gas service in Amherst, Hadley, Hatfield and Sunderland, following a 2014 moratorium in Deerfield, Greenfield, Montague and Whately. The towns comprise Berkshire's Eastern Region.

Berkshire cited pipeline constraints. The affected towns adjoin the Northampton Lateral, a spur to the Tennessee Gas 200 Line along the state's southern tier.

The block on new service in the Pioneer Valley has been criticized by members of the business community and local officials who say it has impeded economic development.

Berkshire's long-range forecast and supply plan, filed with the Department of Public Utilities in July, addresses options for lifting the moratorium. The plan requires a public hearing, and one is scheduled in Boston on the 23rd.

Sen. President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) and Reps. Stephen Kulik (D-Worthington) and Paul Mark (D-Peru) in April petitioned the Department of Public Utilities for a western Massachusetts hearing, saying it's a matter of significant interest for the region. On July 27, the DPU agreed to the Greenfield date.

Berkshire had previously said the moratorium would stay until Kinder Morgan's Northeast Energy Direct pipeline was built. However, Kinder Morgan announced in April it would abandon the 420-mile project. Rosenberg then called upon Berkshire to devise a "Plan B."

"Unfortunately, the only solution they recognized was the proposed NED pipeline," Rosenberg said at the time. "I now urgently call on Berkshire Gas to implement industry-standard practices to lift the moratorium which constrains economic development in the region."

Pete Wilson, a spokesman for Rosenberg, said Thursday the Senate President "is pleased that the DPU heard the legislative delegation's request to hold a hearing in Western Massachusetts to listen directly to the concerns of our residents" and that he "hopes there will be robust discussion around the Berkshire Gas plan."

The 245-page plan outlines eight possible options for supplying Berkshire's Pioneer Valley customers through 2020, one of which is a "no build" scenario that assumes continuance of the moratorium.

Other options include expanding pipeline service to the region, expanding a liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facility in Whately, building a new LNG facility elsewhere, or installing more "propane air facilities." The company will evaluate displacing some service to another shipper, and look at load management and energy efficiency. The options all assume some sort of expansion of Berkshire's distribution infrastructure.

In Massachusetts, natural gas utilities must file a five-year forecast every two years, which analyzes supply and demand. Generally, the related hearings go unnoticed by the public. But this year, the moratorium has put the matter on the radar.

While pipeline foes previously charged that the moratorium was a ploy to drum up public support for the NED pipeline, Berkshire has said the Northampton Lateral is tapped out on the coldest days of the year and can not support any more customers.

Back in April, Avangrid spokesman Michael West told The Republican that the moratorium will stay in place, and that there is no "Plan B."

"The moratorium will continue for the Eastern Division," said West in a telephone interview. "The capacity constraints still exist. Northeast Energy Direct was the permanent solution that would have relieved those capacity constraints."

Berkshire's parent, UIL Holdings, last year announced it would make a 2.5 percent or $80 million investment in the NED pipeline, originally targeted for late 2018 completion. UIL, a collection of gas utilities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, is now a part of the publicly-traded Avangrid.

Last year the office of Attorney General Maura Healey said in a DPU filing that Berkshire may have overstated its future demand in seeking approval for a long-term supply contract on the Kinder Morgan pipeline.

All politics aside, the issue of expanded natural gas service to the region will likely see a full airing on the 30th. Those who wish to file written public comments with the DPU have until Aug. 16.

If you go:

What: Public hearing on Berkshire Gas Forecast & Supply Plan

When: Tuesday Aug. 30, 7 p.m.

Where: Greenfield Middle School, 141 Davis St.

Berkshire Gas 2016 5-Year Forecast by Mary Serreze on Scribd
NORTHAMPTON -- Fire investigators are expected to continue their search for a cause of the fire that destroyed a historic building once owned by the Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech through Monday.

Investigators from the Northampton Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal's office are working together to determine what caused the massive blaze on Friday night that destroyed the about 30,000 square-foot, building at 49 Round Hill Road and damaged the adjacent building at 47 Round Hill Road, said Deputy Fire Chief Chris Norris.

Investigators have been combing through the rubble on Sunday and are expected to return on Monday to try to pinpoint the cause of the fire. Nothing has been ruled out yet, Norris said.

"The origin of the fire was in 49 Round Hill Road and it spread to 47 Round Hill Road," he said.

The size, intensity of the fire and the proximity of the buildings caused it to spread, he said

There were two families living in the building at 47 Round Hill Road. Both were displaced and are being assisted by the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, Norris said.

The building at 49 Round Hill Road was vacant and was "actively under renovation" at the time of the blaze.



Historic Round Hill Road Summit -- a business entity owned by James Hebert, the president of Checkwriters; Peter Picknelly, of Peter Pan Bus Lines; and Michael Siddall, of Siddall & Siddall PC. -- purchased 11.2 acres and 11 buildings from Clark Schools for Hearing and Speech in 2013 and had plans to convert the school into luxury apartments.

In December, 2015, Herbert announced the $10 million project had been downsized but was continuing. The company planned to ask for up to $3,000 a month for rent.

The fire was initially reported at about 10:47 p.m., on Friday. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours before it was finally declared under control at about 4 a.m. on Saturday. Firefighters remained on the scene for most of the day to ensure it did not rekindle, Norris said.

About 45 firefighters battled the blaze overnight. Northampton Fire Department was assisted by firefighters from Easthampton, Amherst, Southampton, Holyoke, Greenfield, Hatfield and Williamsburg, he said.

The fire largely destroyed the upper floors of the three-story building. Engineers working with the city's building inspector are expected to determine if the building will have to be torn down, Norris said.

The question may be complicated by the fact that the building is historic, he said.

The building destroyed in the fire, Rogers Hall, was once a dormitory for Clarke Schools that also was home to classrooms, science labs, a professional and children's library, business offices and staff apartments

The school dates to 1867 and was once among the preeminent boarding schools for the hearing impaired.

The school still continues to operate programs in buildings on Round Hill Road -- none of which were damaged in the fire -- as well as at Leeds Elementary School and other sites. Educators teach children who are deaf to listen and talk.
g.jpg

Amherst School Superintendent Maria Geryk has asked to leave the Amherst district and two school committees are scheduled to approve terms of the agreement Tuesday night.

(Republican file)

AMHERST -- If the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee reaches a separation agreement with Superintendent Maria Geryk Tuesday, any money paid out would come from the district's general budget and not through insurance.

Regional School Committee member Trevor Baptiste said the money would have to come from the budget because Geryk has not filed a legal claim.

Geryk has already accepted an offer approved by committee members during an executive session in July, according to a report by the Daily Hampshire Gazette last week.

The newspaper quoted from a confidential memo in which School Committee chairwoman Laura Kent wrote: "... the superintendent has accepted our financial offer that was voted unanimously in executive session on July 13, 2016, in response to her request for separation from the district."

The separation package calls for Geryk to be paid 11/2 years of salary and benefits, according to the Gazette.

Geryk currently earns $158,000 a year under a five-year contract signed in 2013 that runs through June 30, 2018. As superintendent of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, Geryk oversees the Amherst elementary schools, the regional high school and middle school, and Pelham Elementary School.

It is unclear why Geryk is seeking to part ways with the district. Members from the regional committee and the Union 26 committee have met in three executive sessions to discuss her possible departure.

Kent has not responded to calls or emails. Regional School Committee member Katherine Appy said she could not answer questions, but said answers will emerge "over the next few weeks."

The regional committee and Union 26 are meeting Tuesday at Amherst Regional High School when, according to a posted agenda, members will conduct final negotiations with Geryk.

The meeting begins at 5 p.m. and the committees are scheduled to immediately enter executive session for the negotiations. Members will then take a vote in open session.

According to Geryk's contract, the agreement "... may be terminated prior to the original expiration date or prior to any extension [...] by mutual written agreement of the parties."

The contract states that Geryk must give the committees 120 days' notice if she decides to end her employment "for good cause" before the contract expires.

Under the contract, the school committees are supposed to conduct a "mid-cycle progress review" of the superintendent by Jan. 31 in each contract year. And, the contract states: "The Superintendent will be formally evaluated by the Committees on or before June 30 of each contract year."

Geryk has not been evaluated this year. Baptiste had asked that she be evaluated before any settlement was made.

The contract also includes an arbitration clause, stating: "In the event that there is a dispute about an express term of a specific provision in this Agreement, either party may file for arbitration of the dispute with the American Arbitration Association."

In the event of arbitration, "each party" is required to pay half the costs, including filing fees.
cutone.jpg

State Trooper Michael Cutone at press conference in March 2015 about expansion of C3 Policing program.

(The Republican/Don Treeger)

SPRINGFIELD -- State Police Trooper Michael Cutone has sued the head of State Police in Massachusetts, saying he was denied the opportunity to market C3 Policing while off duty.

The Hampden Superior Court civil suit filed July 27 is against State Police Superintendent Col. Richard D. McKeon and the Massachusetts Department of State Police.

The C3 policing program in Springfield's North End has garnered positive feedback here and gained national media attention from "60 Minutes" on CBS to the New York Times.

State Police spokesman David Procopio said the department is aware of the suit, but because the case is pending in court, there will be no comment.

The suit itself does not use a name other than C3 Policing, but previously it has been said the title refers to Counter Criminal Continuum.

Cutone, a trooper since 1999, is asking the court to order he be allowed to market the C3 Policing program while off-duty.

The suit states Cutone has served with the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) since 1986 and that in the special forces community, "Trooper Cutone is recognized as an expert on counterinsurgency operations, having served in that capacity on active duty in Haiti, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan."

The suit says, "Based on Trooper Cutone's knowledge and experience in both military counterinsurgency and civil law enforcement, he created C3 Policing which is a program civil law enforcement agencies can use to effectively combat crime in high crime areas. The program is based upon principles, strategies and tactics from counterinsurgency methods used by the U.S. Army Special Forces."

Cutone protected the C3 Policing program with two U.S. copyright registrations and the brand name, C3 Policing, is protected with a trademark issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, according to the suit.

Cutone, according to the suit, believes C3 Policing would benefit law enforcement in high crime areas throughout the country. He wants to market the program in his off-duty hours to law enforcement agencies while continuing to be a Massachusetts State Police trooper.

Cutone obtained a written opinion from the state Ethics Commission that he would not violate the state conflict of interest law by providing training in the C3 Policing program to law enforcement or other governmental agencies in the U.S. (excluding agencies and departments in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) for a fee.

He said in his request to the State Police for permission to engage in off-duty employment to provide training in C3 Policing that he would provide training while on duty as part of his State Police duties without additional compensation. He said he would continue to let the State Police and any other state law enforcement agency use his C3 Policing program without compensating him.

Cutone said he would prominently state in his written materials (for his off-duty C3 training programs) that his C3 Policing program is not sponsored or endorsed by the Massachusetts State Police in any manner and he is not acting as a representative of the MSP in training and instructing anyone in the C3 Policing program.

The suit states that on Jan. 21, McKeon denied Cutone's request to engage in outside employment. Cutone appealed McKeon's order. State law requires a hearing on an appeal request, the suit says.

McKeon appointed Major James A. Jones II, a deputy division commander of the State Police, to conduct the hearing. Jones issued a decision that there was no basis for denying Cutone's request for off-duty employment, according to the suit.

The suit contends McKeon rejected Jones' decision and again denied Cutone's request.

Cutone wants the court to annul McKeon's order and issue a declaration ordering McKeon and the State Police to grant him permission to engage in off-duty employment as stated in his request in October 2015.

He also asks the court to "grant him such other relief as the court determines is just and reasonable, plus award him his costs."
WEST SPRINGFIELD -- A West Springfield man facing federal child pornography charges involving a 5-year-old girl has been charged with sex crimes before and presents "a clear danger to the community," prosecutors said in court documents asking that he remain in custody.

Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson ordered Justin Germaine held until trial, with the possibility of bail review at a future date. He is due in U.S. District Court in Springfield on Sept. 27 for a procedural hearing.

Court documents reveal that Germaine has a juvenile criminal history of charges such as rape of a child under 16, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, violation of an abuse prevention order and assault and battery on a police officer. Prosecutors with U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz's office did not disclose details of any of those cases or their outcomes.

Germaine was arrested at his home at 119 South Blvd. on July 29 during a raid by numerous law enforcement agencies, including the federal Department of Homeland Security.

The raid was connected to an investigation of a New Hampshire man suspected of child exploitation who allegedly exchanged several emails and child pornography images with Germaine, according to court documents.

Court documents contain graphic descriptions of numerous illegal photos and at least six videos, along with portions of sexually explicit emails detailing Germaine's alleged abuse of a 5-year-old girl. One message sent by Germaine refers to an unidentified friend who also abused the victim.

The relationship between Germaine and the victim is not clear.

A Level 3 sex offender, Alexander Germaine, also lives at 119 South Blvd., but court documents make no reference to him and he does not appear to be a target of the investigation.

Justin Germaine faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. Prosecutors argued he is a flight risk because of the severity of the punishment.
Princeton scene .JPG

Massachusetts State Police still had Brooks Station Road in Princeton blocked off Monday morning after a 27-year-old jogger was reported missing Sunday night.

(Lindsay Corcoran | MassLive.com)

Massachusetts State and local police are investigating a missing person in the area of Brooks Station Road in Princeton.

A caller reported to the Princeton Police Department Sunday evening that a 27-year-old woman went for a jog that afternoon and never returned.

The investigation into the missing person has been opened by Princeton police and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early said.

The road was blocked off as law enforcement officials conduct their investigation, Fox 25 reports, and a medical examiner has been called to the scene.

Police are seeking the public's assistance for anyone who may have information about this person or activities along Brooks Station Road. Tips can be reported to 508-453-7589.


PRINCETON - The Boston Globe is reporting that the body of a missing jogger has been found in Princeton.

A 27-year-old woman went missing after going for a jog in the area of Brooks Station Road Sunday afternoon.

The Worcester County District Attorney's office said Monday that Princeton police and Massachusetts State Police detectives were investigating the missing person.

Troopers blocked off Brooks Station Road overnight and into the morning Monday. The district attorney arrived at the scene and left without making any comment Monday morning.

A press conference has been scheduled for 11:45 a.m.

The Globe is reporting that the woman's body has been found and that her death is being considered "suspicious."

Police are seeking the public's assistance for anyone who may have information about this person or activities along Brooks Station Road. Tips can be reported to 508-453-7589.
In many ways Wyoming is enamored of its past, with cowboy culture still a defining element. But for technology entrepreneurs, this can be frustrating.

"Ive always had this feeling that Wyoming has always been 10 years behind everything," said Eric Trowbridge, who spent eight years at Apple before returning to Cheyenne. Now Trowbridge is working to start Wyomings first coding and technology school, with an eye toward bringing the state up to speed.

Array School of Technology and Design http://www.arrayschool.com/

Arno Rosenfeld 307-266-0634, [email protected]

Full Story: http://trib.com/business/a-technology-school-in-cheyenne-hopes-to-develop-local-industry/article_3aa2de1a-62a4-5e32-be7f-2a912d6a2343.html
The Special Technical Committee last met on 11 December 2019 and recommended that 10% of the total estimated population be controlled
Quatre motions privees pour un vendredi, tel est lagende des parlementaires le 16 Aout 2019 avant les vacances et le nomination Day au No 7.



1.Announcements

2.Papers

3.Question

4.Private Members Motion

(No. 1)The Honourable First Member for Savanne and Black River (Mr Ganoo)

This House resolves that, in the context of the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the Mauritian Republic and the attainment of 50 years of independence, the Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius be enacted by the sovereign Parliament of the country and should also consider the introduction therein of the following new provisions 

(a)limitation of the tenure of the Prime Minister;

(b)anti-defection provisions to deter the practice of crossing the floor;

(c)gender quota for fairer representation of women in the National Assembly;

(d)review of the powers of the Electoral Boundary Commission with regard to the delimitation of constituencies;

(e)recall mechanism for the parliamentarians who are failing in their duties as elected representatives;

(f)the introduction of second generation development and environmental rights; and(g)enhanced process of appointment of the President for institutions designed by the Constitution and the laws of the country to maintain democracy, uphold good governance and the rule of law. (Resumption of Debate)

(No. 2)The Honourable First Member for Port Louis South and Port LouisCentral (Mr Uteem)

That this Assembly is of opinion that a Commission of Inquiry be set up to inquire 

(a)into circumstances under which companies or entities directly or indirectly owned or controlled by Mr Alvaro Sobrinho have obtained investment banking licences, management licences, global business licences and other licences issued by the Financial Services Commission;

(b)into the circumstances under which companies or entities directly or indirectly owned or controlled by Mr Alvaro Sobrinho have been authorized by the then Board of Investment, now Economic Development Board, to acquire immovable properties in Mauritius; and

(c)as to whether any Member of Parliament and/or public officer or their respective relatives or entities directly or indirectly owned or controlled by them have received any form of gratification in money or in the form of any other asset, whether in Mauritius or abroad, from Mr Alvaro Sobrinho or from companies or entities directly or indirectly owned or controlled by Mr Alvaro Sobrinho,and that the inquiry be held in public and that it reports its findings and makes recommendations as it may deem necessary or desirable.

(No. 3)The Honourable Second Member for Vacoas and Floreal (Mr Baboo)

That this Assembly is of opinion that contracts for the procurement of goods and services, for the sale or lease of assets by Government, parastatal bodies and Government-owned Special Purpose Vehicles, should not contain confidentiality clauses.

(No. 4)The Honourable First Member for Savanne and Black River (Mr Ganoo)

That this Assembly resolves that, in view of the numerous cases of dispossession of land, including those highlighted in the Report of the Truth and Justice Commission, a Select Committee be appointed to consider and examine allthe reports and available information with a view to establishing a 

(a)Land Commission which will be responsible to provide assistance to the claimants and carry out research and preparation work as may be necessary;

(b)Land Court in Mauritius to hear cases of alleged dispossession of land; and

(c)Special Fund to fund the services of law practitioners who will represent the claimants before the Land Court

Partager et informez vous aussi......

0 shares Share

Tweet

LinkedIn

Articles similaires
by Aaron Baar , August 8, 2016

Believe it or not, oral health is an indicator of school performance. As U.S. families prepare to return to school this month, Procter & Gambles Crest toothpaste wants parents to know about the connection.

According to company research, kids with poor oral health are three times more likely to miss school and kids with toothaches are four times more likely to have a lower grade-point average. Thus, the company has teamed with Feeding America and the national PTA to launch the Healthier Smiles Project, to raise awareness of these statistics via meetings and school activities and donate hundreds of thousands of toothpaste tubes to needy families.

Its a way to educate people about the importance of oral health and the importance of an oral health routine, Dennis Legault, North American marketing director for oral care at Procter & Gamble, tells Marketing Daily. We wanted to create a program that had full national exposure as well as a grass-roots [element].

advertisement advertisement

The program launches this week with a television commercial that will air during the Olympics. The spot, from Publicis, features William Shakespeare speaking about a girl, Sarah, who is missing out on the rich classroom discussion of Hamlet because of tooth pain. Using the vernacular of the current times, the Bard says its Hashtag: Not cool. Hashtag: Remedial reading, and drops his quill to the ground as a metaphor for her falling GPA.

If you dont take care of your oral health, it will affect your performance at school, says David Corr, executive creative director at Publicis. Shakespeare seemed to be [effective] because of his ability to deliver the message in a wry way.

As an Olympics sponsor, Procter & Gamble already has a big presence during the event broadcasts this summer. The confluence of the event and the back-to-school season made the timing perfect, Legault says.

Back-to-school is a time when parents are looking for ways to have their kids be successful, he says. And the Olympics are a high-profile event that a lot of families and kids will be watching.
by Karlene Lukovitz @KLmarketdaily, August 8, 2016

PepsiCos SoBe beverages brand is throwing itself a 21st birthday party in Las Vegas, featuring a Charli XCX concert, to promote the launch of two new flavors.

The #SoBeNotSorry campaign is kicking off with a sweepstakes with a grand prize of a trip for two to attend the concert/party, to be held on September 3 at the SLS Las Vegas. Ten first-prize winners will receive prize packs with SoBe-branded items, including an iPod Nano.

Fans can enter through August 15 on the sweeps site by following @DrinkSoBe and @SLSLasVegas on Instagram; taking a photo with a SoBe Elixir or tea product (or with the word SoBe on a piece of paper); and posting it on their personal Instagram accounts using #SoBeNotSorry and #SLSLasVegasSweeps.

advertisement advertisement

The brand has partnered with the Elite Daily site, which calls itself The Voice of Gen Y, to produce other events and to create sponsored content for SoBes Instagram, Twitter and Facebook channels, Christine Ngo Isaac, SoBe brand lead, tells Marketing Daily. The native advertising, distributed through a custom Snapchat filter, will be themed around celebrating a 21st birthday in Las Vegas -- a subject that connects with young adults, she says.

In addition, SoBe is working with Quickframe, an on-demand marketplace for original UGC video, to have video influencers go on adventures in the U.S. and elsewhere -- with bottles of SoBes new flavors in hand.

Those new flavors are Midnight Mojito, with blackberry flavor and a hint of mint, and En Fuego, with lime flavor and a bit of jalapeno for heat.

In extensive testing, Millennial consumers were particularly taken by the novelty of the spicy beverage, a concept that is truly innovative in the non-alcoholic beverages sector, says Isaac.

But these and other SoBe varieties are also designed to work as mixers. On its recently redesigned Web site and in a national sampling tour that launched in June, the brand is promoting a number of cocktail recipes -- including the Laughing Lizard and the Howling Mojito, which include the new flavors.

Taste differentiation  and the versatility of both daytime and party consumption  are advantages in the growing but increasingly competitive flavored waters and teas beverage segments.

SoBe recently updated the graphics on its packaging, as well as its site, to feature fanciful characters and revive its fantasy names, such as fan favorites Morning Patrol (strawberry banana) and Lizz Blizz (pina colada).
by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, August 8, 2016

The title of the HBO documentary Hitchcock/Truffaut implies a film version of the famous book of the same name first published in 1966 from the interviews Francois Truffaut conducted with Alfred Hitchcock in 1962. Like the book, the documentary you would expect would perhaps have the voices of Truffaut asking his questions in French (and then having them translated by the third party to these interview sessions, interpreter Helen Scott) and then Hitchcock giving his answers juxtaposed with clips from the movies they are discussing.

The makers of this documentary apparently had access to the audiotapes that were recorded during this week of interviews in Hollywood. And they also seem to have obtained the rights to use clips from as many Hitchcock movies as they needed.

advertisement advertisement

But despite this seemingly ample supply of fascinating material, the makers of Hitchcock/Truffaut decided to conduct additional interviews with a number of other prominent directors who all get to expound on the Hitchcock style. Much of what they say is repetitive and unnecessary. Its as if the makers of the documentary had no confidence that the Truffaut/Hitchcock interviews themselves would have been more than enough to carry this 80-minute film.

Instead you have a contemporary director such as Richard Linklater, for example, expounding awkwardly on Hitchcocks mastery of time at a point in the documentary in which Truffaut and Hitchcock say essentially the same thing, and a lot more eloquently too.

Hitchcock, in a way, was the master -- lets say sculptor -- of moments in time to take you through a sequence or direct your perception in a way where he could elongate time or telescope it, Linklater says listlessly.

The visuals are so graphic and precise! Theres a lot to learn from that! goes another shallow insight from director Wes Anderson.

What he has to say in Hitchcock/Truffaut resonates for me as a filmmaker, Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa informs us. This leads to two questions: Who cares? And who on Earth is Kiyoshi Kurosawa? (Feel free to leave a comment below about my evident lack of film knowledge.)

At the outset of the documentary (premiering Monday night), some of the directors are seen talking about the significance of the publication of Hitchcock/Truffaut on their lives and careers. So then, after they all make this point about the books importance, this documentary about that very book becomes clogged with these director interviews.

Even Martin Scorseses interview segments are unnecessary here, despite his infectious enthusiasm, prodigious knowledge and keen insights. With all due respect to him, this documentary would have been a lot better if it had relied solely on the enthusiasm of Truffaut and the insights of Hitchcock -- the two men it was supposed to be about.

To be clear, there is plenty of material from the original interviews. Theres just not enough of it. My own recollection of the book (I own two different editions of it) is that Hitchcocks own analysis of his fears and daydreams was more than adequate to hold a readers interest.

But in the documentary, we have to have director Paul Schrader telling us that ropes, garrotes and other instruments of strangulation that appear repeatedly in Hitchcock films have a Freudian weight to them. And so, Paul Schrader is positioned as an expert on Freud.

Well, maybe he is. But thats not what Hitchcock/Truffaut was supposed to be about. Let Paul Schrader, Martin Scorsese, Richard Linklater and the rest have their own documentary. None of their names are in the title of this one. So what are they doing in it?

Hitchcock/Truffaut premieres Monday (Aug. 8) at 9 p.m. Eastern on HBO.
by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, August 8, 2016

Harry Potter took a long absence but returns in J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" -- which isn't a novel, but rather a rehearsal script for the play that just opened in the Palace Theatre in London.

The Cursed Child is billed as the eighth and last Harry Potter book, but critics don't feel as if its connected with the epic story that Rowling told during the prior seven novels.

Nonetheless, bookstores like Barnes and Noble are betting big on Harry Potter, buying up keywords with the release of the latest book, according to SimilarWeb.

Barnesandnoble.com experienced a spike in traffic on July 31 in the U.S. -- the day the book was released -- with more than 1.1 million visits. Now when querying "harry potter" the bookseller appears three times on the first page of google.com search results. It's the No. 1 keyword during the past 28 days that returns harry potter and the cursed child book linking to Barnesandnoble.com, pre SimilarWeb data.

advertisement advertisement

The big increase in search traffic coming from keywords containing the words harry potter began lifting in June, but really spiked in the past 28 days. In June, "harry potter" contributed 2% to the site's search traffic, but during the last 28 days it spiked to 7% of search traffic.

Although amazon.com with 289 million received significantly more traffic from search in the past 28 days compared with barnesandnoble.com with 6 million, barnesandnoble.com easily beat amazon.com for search traffic coming from keywords containing "harry potter."

Here are the numbers based on percentage: Barnesandnoble.com took 74.10% of the search traffic share, whereas amazon.com took 25.90%.

In organic search query results for the term "Harry Potter and The Cursed Child" during the past three months, Wikipedia made up 37% share of all traffic generated by these keywords; HarryPotterplay.com 16.03% of all traffic for these terms.

Barnes & Noble ranked No. 4 at 16%; Pottermore.com, 2.89%; The Daily Beast, 2.72%; wikia.com 2.6%; and amazon.com, 2.05%.

In paid search for the term  which generated only 4.3% of traffic compared to organic traffic for the term  barnedandnoble.com secured the most traffic from paid traffic, at 22.5%, followed by StubHub with 8.28%; amazon.in, 7.53%; bol.com, 6.3%; target.com, 2.65%; and bookdepository.com, 2.5%, according to SimilarWeb.
by Thom Forbes @tforbes, August 8, 2016

Steinhoff, a discount retailer based in Cape Town, South Africa, with global ambitions, is buying Mattress Firm Holding Corp., the Houston-based company that in February closed a deal with HMK Mattress Holdings LLC, the holding company of Sleepy's, for $780 million.

That transaction has bolstered sales but also resulted in rising costs for Mattress Firm, reports Alexandra Wexler for the Wall Street Journal. It warned in June that it expected a loss for the fiscal year as it moved to rebrand all its stores under the Mattress Firm banner.

Indeed, shares of Mattress Firm had declined 52% in the past year as slumping demand for retail products and discounting weighed on its results. The company had a market capitalization of about $1.11 billion, Bloombergs Julie Johnsson writes.

advertisement advertisement

Steinhoff is paying $64 per share  a premium of about 115% over Mattress Firm's Friday close  in a deal valued at $3.8 billion including debt, according to a release announcing the deal, which is expected to be completed around the end of the third quarter.

Mattress Firm, founded in 1986, has approximately 3,500 stores across 48 states with 80 distribution centers, reports Reuters Mike Stone. Steinhoff is a German-listed $22 billion furniture conglomerate led by South African retail mogul Christo Wiese who is also Steinhoff's chairman and largest shareholder.

It owns more than 40 brands in 30 countries in Africa, Australia, the U.K. and across Europe, and last month agreed to pay nearly $800 million for British-based discount chain Poundland after two previous attempts to expand in Europe fell through this year.

Called Africas Ikea, it was founded in 1964 by Bruno Steinhoff, who started by selling cheap furniture from West Germany to East Germans in 1964, reports the WSJs Wexler. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 put Mr. Steinhoff in a position to tap a growing consumer class in Eastern Europe. In 1997 it acquired a stake in a South African furniture company and got listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange the following year.

This transaction will allow Steinhoff to not only enter the U.S. market with an industry leading partner and a national supply chain, but it will also expand Steinhoffs global market reach in the core product category of mattresses, Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste says in the release.

Mattress Firm will operate as a subsidiary of Steinhoff and remain in Houston. Steve Stagner, its executive chairman and chairman of the board, and Ken Murphy, who succeeded Stagner as president and CEO in March, will remain in their positions, with Stagner joining Steinhoffs executive committee.

Mattress Firm has 3,594 locations across the country and about a 25% market share amongst mattress specialty retailers in the U.S. with 2015 sales of nearly $3.81 billion, reports Olivia Pulsinelli for the Houston Business Journal. Besides Sleepys, it acquired Mattress Giant in 2012 and Sleep Train and other companies in 2014.

After reporting a $119 million loss in the first quarter, Murphy outlined plans to close some of its inefficient and often duplicative stores. In Houston, and many other markets, there are Mattress Firm stores within blocks of each other, points out Ileana Najarro for the Houston Chronicle.

Besides the overabundance of physical outlets, the stores face stiff online competition.

Ecommerce sales are expected to increase by 13% in 2016, while overall U.S. retail sales are projected to rise by just 2%, according to a report by eMarketer, points out Arash Massoudi for Financial Times.

And prices can be substantially lower online.

The mattress industry is largely a sales job, the Houston Chronicles Najarro continues, reporting that margins are as high as 50%. One of Mattress Firm's marketing strategies is Replace Every 8, telling customers they should replace their mattresses every eight years.

And to help consumers do so, we even put a delivered-on date on all our new mattresses, so youll know when its time to replace it in the future, the voiceover tells us in this spot for its Dreams brand in the U.K.

A bit fluffy, no?
by Ben Frederick @mp_benfred, August 8, 2016

Apple has reportedly acquired machine learning and artificial intelligence startup Turi for $200 million.

Turi is a Seattle-based company that has created a software platform for other companies to build apps that utilize machine learning and AI.

Customers have used the platform to build recommendation engines and fraud detectors, as well as apps that predict customer churn, run sentiment analysis, and segment customers. Companies like Google and Facebook use machine learning to speed up searches and classify images/facial recognition, among other things.

advertisement advertisement

The company has raised $25.25 million in two funding rounds, the most recent in January 2015.

Seattle is apparently a hub for the burgeoning machine-learning industry, with several companies in the space headquartered there. Apple has been building up a presence in the Northwest  after buying Union Bay Networks in 2014, the company opened an engineering office in Seattle.

The CEO of Turi, Carlos Guestrin, is also the Amazon professor of machine learning at the University of Washington  a position endowed by Jeff Bezos, Amazons CEO.

Turi originally was an open-source project at Carnegie Mellon that Guestrin headed up. The project followed him to Washington when he joined the faculty there and was subsequently spun off into its own company.

Apple has purchased other similar machine learning companies in the past, including Perceptio and VocalIq, and will most likely continue to be actively engaged in M&A.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, August 8, 2016

Google researchers worked with experts at New York University (NYU) to analyze deceptive installation practices of unwanted ad injectors that insert ads into Web pages, and browser setting hijackers that change search settings without the content of the user.

The one-year study by Google and NYU Tandon School of Engineering of affiliate networks running pay-per-install programs (PPI) found that nearly 60% of offers bundled with these programs are flagged as unwanted, and that in aggregate drove 60 million weekly download attempts with tens of millions of installs detected in the last year. These sites can run ad injectors.

The study shows that about 50 PPI affiliate networks support and distribute unwanted software that includes ad injectors, browser-setting hijackers, and system utilities. The study estimates that about 2,518 publishers are in the ecosystem, and some may participate unwillingly or unknowingly in multiple PPI networks distributing through 191,372 Web pages.

advertisement advertisement

The browser-setting hijackers modify a victims default browser behavior, typically to change the default tab or search engine to a property controlled by the hijacker. They sell the traffic to search engines and potentially track user behavior. The study points to Conduit Search, which came pre-installed on Lenovo machines in 2014, but also says that some hijackers profit by doubling as ad injectors.

The ad injectors modify a users browser to replace or insert additional advertisements that otherwise would not appear on a Web site. Every PPI network monitored participates in the distribution of ad injectors. The study identifies Wajam, Canada; Eorezo, France; and Crossrider, Israel. These ad injectors recoup costs by using display ads until searchers finally click on the link.

The findings suggest that users searching for freeware, video games, torrents, cracks, and anti-virus software are highly likely to encounter PPI downloaders. About 58% of the sites cater to English-speaking audiences, followed by 10% from Russian-speaking audiences. The top five include: Freeware and Shareware at 11.8% share, followed by video games at 10.6%; file sharing and hosting at 7.3%; online video at 7%; and operating systems with 4.3%. The remainder of the list can be found here.
Photo: VNA



At the talks following the welcoming ceremony, General Lich considered Ryacudus official visit an important contribution to the traditional friendship between the two armies and peoples, so as to boost their strategic partnership in a result-oriented manner.

He said Vietnam attaches importance to bilateral relations for the peoples interests and for peace, stability, cooperation and the development of the ASEAN Community, the region and the world.

The Indonesian official also said his country wants to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam for the sake of their peoples.

The two sides noted the continuous development of their defence ties, which has reaped substantive outcomes under a memorandum of understanding signed in October 2010, especially in delegation exchange, naval cooperation and personnel training.

They agreed to continue fully and effectively implementing the document, increase all-level visits, and set up a defence policy dialogue mechanism.

Vietnam and Indonesia will also reinforce connections between their navies, and on personnel training, the defence industry and experience sharing on humanitarian aid, disaster relief and joining UN peacekeeping missions.

The countries will actively consult, cooperate and support each other in issues of mutual concern and at multilateral forums, particularly regional defence-military cooperation mechanisms such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting and the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus.

The Indonesian official is making his first Defence Minister visit to Vietnam from August 7th - 9th./.
by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, August 8, 2016

After skewering obvious targets like politics, sports, and the advertising industry, it was only a matter of time before newspapers came in for the John Oliver treatment, meaning a good 20 minutes of extended explanatory mocking on his HBO news comedy show Last Week Tonight.

While most of the segment was actually sympathetic enough, the acerbic Brit couldnt resist drive-bys on some of the industrys worst self-inflicted wounds, including -- oh, joy! -- the massively misconceived rebranding of Tribune Publishing as tronc (a word that media bloggers are gradually realizing will always need to appear in quotation marks).

As noted, the sassy Englishman had mostly good things to say about newspapers, though not the state of the business.

For example, he hammered away at newspapers' importance as the primary producers of the news media food chain: a quick roundup of clips from TV news programs shows how much broadcast reporting is based on newspaper journalism. Oliver gives a nod to the new generation of digital news sites, but notes that the number producing original journalism remains relatively small, and is nowhere near enough to make up for troubled newspapers.

And oh, such troubles they are. The brutal numbers cited by Oliver toward the beginning of the segment dont lie: while newspapers added about $1.4 billion in digital ad revenues from 2004 to 2014, they lost a cool $30 billion in print ad revenues, a dynamic which Oliver likened to finding a lucky penny on the sidewalk, on the same day your bank account is drained by a 16-year-old Belgian hacker. No surprise, then, newspapers have been cutting staff left and right and giving their remaining personnel more and more duties, from blogging and social media to video production -- and, in at least one case (the Boston Globe) actually delivering the papers.

Oliver also explains some of the more insidious effects of the drive for clicks, including the dumbing down (my phrase, not his) of news with social media-friendly non-stories about cute pets and the like. This part of the rant provides a perfect opportunity to revisit one of the last decades great moments in journalism, when Sam Zell, who helped steer the old Tribune Co. into bankruptcy, effectively told a reporter at the Orlando Sentinel that stories about puppies are as important as news about Iraq, before capping it off with the pithy rejoinder, Fuck you.

Tragicomically, that was just the beginning of Tribunes woes, as Oliver goes on to explore the train wreck of a rebranding recently foisted on the company by its new owner, tech entrepreneur Michael Ferro. Tronc, short for Tribune Online Content, sounds more like the noise an elephant would make during an orgasm, according to Oliver (and here he is probably being too kind). An even richer target is the inane video that accompanied the rebranding, laden as it was with media tech gobbledygook about funnels, engagement and optimization, all explained by mystifying digital animations.

What comes next for Tronc is anyones guess. More troubling, as Oliver notes, is the fate of another newspaper bought by a rich owner, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, acquired by casino magnate and GOP mega-donor Sheldon Adelson in rather sketchy fashion late last year. In case anyone was wondering whether Adelson intended to use his ownership of the newspaper to influence the newspapers editorial approach, the answer is a resounding yes, according to former employees who spilled the beans about how coverage is manipulated at Adelsons behest.

So whats the solution for all this? Oliver wisely doesnt pretend to have all the answers, but suggests that a big part of it will involve news consumers -- at which point he indicates us, the audience -- paying for news. In my humble op-ed, it might have been a good opportunity to also mention the importance of not using ad blockers, but despite this omission, the segment ends on a high note with a great satirical trailer for an updated version of the movie Spotlight, starring comedian Jason Sudeikis as a newspaper editor who nixes coverage of municipal corruption in favor of, yes, cat videos.
by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, August 8, 2016

In the last 12 years, contact lens seller 1-800Contacts has become infamous for aggressively policing the use of its trademarks online. Now, the Federal Trade Commission says 1-800Contacts went too far in its efforts to control how its name is used by competitors.

The FTC alleged in a complaint unveiled today that 1-800Contacts violated antitrust laws and engaged in an unfair business practice by preventing other companies from using the term 1-800Contacts in ads.

The complaint deals with business practices that allegedly began in 2004, when 1-800Contacts first sued or threatened to sue a competitor for allegedly infringing trademark by purchasing the term 1-800Contacts as a trigger for pay-per-click search ads. From 2004 through 2013, the company allegedly sued or threatened to sue at least 15 competitors over trademark infringement on search engines. Of those rivals, only Lens.com fought the lawsuit, which ended in a ruling largely in Lens.com's favor.

advertisement advertisement

Fourteen other retailers targeted by 1-800Contacts entered into agreements to restrict the use of the company's trademarks in search ads. Those agreements "unreasonably restrain both price competition in search advertising auctions and the availability of truthful, non-misleading advertising," the FTC alleges in its complaint.

The agency says that the company's contracts with competitors have distorted prices in search-ad auctions, and in some cases, resulted in higher prices for consumers.

The complaint specifically notes that 1-800Contacts' contract with competitors require them to use "negative" keywords -- which direct search engines not to display ads in response to queries with the term 1-800Contacts. "Even if a user enters a query for 1-800 Contacts cheaper competitors, the user will see advertisements only for 1-800 Contacts," the FTC alleges.

This case isn't the first time the FTC has targeted companies that agree to restrict advertising, but does appear to be the first time the agency has moved against a company for allegedly restricting a competitor's search ads.

Santa Clara University law professor Eric Goldman, who has frequently criticized 1-800Contacts' position regarding search ads, notes that the FTC's complaint presumes that companies don't infringe trademark by using a brand name to trigger search ads. What's more, the FTC's complaint suggests that efforts to stop a competitor from using a trademarked term to trigger an ad may violate antitrust principles.

"If the FTC's position is that keyword advertising is legitimate, both in terms of the consumer benefit and in terms of trademark law, then efforts to suppress trademark advertising could be anticompetitive," Goldman says.

Despite the tone of the FTC's complaint, judges have struggled with questions involving the use of trademarks in search advertising. Google and Yahoo have prevailed in several lawsuits alleging that they wrongly allowed a trademarked term to trigger pay-per-click ads, as have several advertisers. But judges have allowed several other lawsuits between advertisers to proceed to jury trials. A federal judge in Connecticut just ruled two weeks ago that the gift-basket company Edible Arrangements could move forward with a lawsuit against rival Provide Commerce for allegedly infringing trademark by using variations of "edible arrangements" to trigger search ads.

The FTC is seeking an order prohibiting 1-800Contacts from engaging in a host of activity, including attempting to restrain competition in search ad auctions. The matter is slated to go to trial before an administrative law judge on April 11, 2017.
In 2014, a study published in the journal Science claimed that new neurons created through physical activity erase old memories. Now, new research by scientists from Texas A&M College of Medicine finds this is not the case.

Share on Pinterest Researchers say exercise does not harm memory, contrary to one study from 2014.

Published in the Journal of Neuroscience, the study reveals that physical activity does fuel the development of new neurons  or nerve cells  in a brain region crucial to memory, but that these newly formed neurons do not hinder memory recall.

It is generally accepted that exercise is beneficial for cognitive function, due to the abundance of studies that have demonstrated as such.

But in May 2014, research from the University of Toronto in Canada suggested that, when it comes to memory, physical activity could do more harm than good .

It stunned the field of hippocampal neurogenesis, says Ashok K. Shetty, Ph.D., co-author of this latest research and a professor in the Texas A&M College of Medicine Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine. It was a very well-done study, so it caused some concern that exercise might in some way be detrimental for memory.

In the 2014 study, researchers found mice that exercised demonstrated greater development of new neurons  known as neurogenesis  than those that did not exercise.

However, they also found that memories the mice formed prior to exercising were erased after exercising. Upon removing the newly formed neurons, these old memories were restored.

The mice who exercised had a large number of new neurons, notes Shetty, but somehow that seemed to break down the old connections, making them forget what they knew.
Although the idea of regrowing an amputated limb sounds like science fiction, some experts believe that, one day, it could become science fact. According to recent findings, the answers may be glimpsed in genes that we share with our very distant relatives. Share on Pinterest Limb generation may be a long way down the road, but genetic studies give a glimmer of hope. Although humans cannot regrow lost limbs, there is a range of species that can regenerate lost appendages. These animals include echinoderms, such as starfish and sea cucumbers; amphibians, including the axolotl and newt; and certain fish species. Although these animals are considered to be far-removed from humanity, because we all evolved from a joint ancestor, we still share large quantities of genetic information. And, humanitys ability to regenerate has not been completely lost. Although it is now limited to regrowing fingertips and healing wounds, similar genetic mechanisms are thought to be at work.

The genetics of regrowth Recent research, published in PLOS One , used sophisticated genetic and computational techniques to investigate tissue regeneration in three species. A team from MDI Biological Laboratory in Maine studied the regrowth of axolotls forelimbs, zebra fishs caudal fins, and a ray-finned fish called the bichirs pectoral fins. The team of scientists, led by Benjamin L. King, Ph.D., and Voot P. Yin, Ph.D., searched out the genetic signature of the mechanisms responsible. After tracking down the genes and processes responsible for tissue regeneration, the researchers were surprised by the results. We didnt expect the patterns of genetic expression to be vastly different in the three species, but it was amazing to see that they were consistently the same. Benjamin L. King, Ph.D. The axolotl, zebra fish, and bichir are not near relatives  their last shared ancestor lived on earth around 420 million years ago. That they all share a similar mechanism is a fascinating discovery. Of particular interest to the team was a mass of cells called a blastema. The blastema contains cells that have not differentiated into different types and acts as a reservoir for regenerating tissues; it is a vital first step in the regeneration process. Within these blastema, King and Yin found a set of genes in each of the three species, all of which are controlled by genetic regulators called microRNAs . MicroRNAs are a relatively recent discovery; they are short sections of RNA that do not code for specific proteins and are responsible for fine-tuning and regulating the expression of genes.
New research from University College London, Moorfields Eye Hospital and Duke University School of Medicine has identified a gene that drives scarring, together with a rapidly translatable therapy, for the UK's most common cause of blinding conjunctivitis. The results demonstrate that the drug disulfiram, licensed for the control of alcohol abuse, normalises human and mouse scar making cell (fibroblast) functions and inhibits mouse ocular mucosal (conjunctival) scarring. Fight for Sight, UCL Business, and Moorfields Eye Charity funded the study, which is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight.

Scarring conjunctivitis is a major cause of chronic pain and sight loss. The conjunctiva is the membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the eye. In health, it helps lubricate and protect the eye, but in conditions such as ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (ocular pemphigoid), severe eye allergy, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and trachoma inflammation trigger rapid pathological scarring, which often persists after the inflammation has gone destroying the protective functions of the conjunctiva.

Ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid was chosen for current investigations because mucous membrane pemphigoid is a prototypical immune mediated mucosal scarring disorder (that affects other mucosal sites at the orifices as well as the conjunctiva). It is also the most common immune mediated scarring conjunctival disease in the UK. Standard treatment for both mucous membrane pemphigoid and its ocular form is to suppress the immune system. This controls inflammation when it works, but there are unpleasant side effects and it has little effect on scarring. Approximately 1 in 5 people with the ocular form go blind.

In the current study, the research team screened for genetic activity linked to scarring in conjunctival tissue, and in the scar making cells (fibroblasts) grown from this conjunctiva. The aim was to identify potential therapeutic target molecules and provide a test bed for treatment.

Professor John Dart and Professor Julie Daniels, both of NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, were joint research leads, together with Professor David Abraham at UCL Royal Free Campus.

Results show that the aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) family of enzymes is more active in tissue and fibroblasts from people with ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid compared to controls. ALDH1 is an enzyme that's critical for one step in the process of turning vitamin A into retinoic acid - a key protein in immunity, inflammation and scarring.

Conjunctival scarring like that seen in ocular pemphigoid arises in a mouse model of severe allergic conjunctivitis previously developed by study co-author Dr Daniel Saban's team at Duke University School of Medicine. Following the ALDH1 results in tissue and fibroblasts, these mice were treated daily with eye drops containing disulfiram for 7 days after the induction of immune mediated conjunctivitis.

Disulfiram is a drug that's licensed for treating alcohol abuse. It works by blocking ALDH activity, including ALDH2, which processes alcohol. Treatment reduced eye surface inflammation in the mice and prevented scarring compared to controls. Ocular pemphigoid fibroblasts were treated with disulfiram to test its effect on ALDH inhibition in these human scarring cells. In keeping with the in vivo results, disulfiram treatment of human ocular pemphigoid fibroblasts, significantly inhibited their abnormal behaviour in a range of tests.

Dr Sarah Ahadome at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology is the study's first author. She says: "Our results have demonstrated that inhibiting ALDH1 activity with disulfiram effectively reduces inflammation and prevents scarring in vivo, and significantly reduces the signs of scarring in vitro, in human ocular pemphigoid fibroblasts. It may be that this approach will be more effective at scar prevention when there is active inflammation, but this is an important proof-of-concept that currently untreatable scarring conjunctivitis may respond to eye drops or other topical application of a drug that can be repurposed."

A companion study from Dr Saban's lab at Duke University, in collaboration with Dr Virginia Calder's lab at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, is being published at the same time. Professor Dart commented on results from both studies: "Collectively there is evidence from our data, and from that of Dr Saban's team, that aldehyde dehydrogenase has critical roles in inflammation and conjunctival fibrosis, and is produced by the dendritic cells of the immune system and by fibroblasts. We suggest that progressive scarring in ocular pemphigoid results from fibroblast self-regulation, mediated by ALDH, through its metabolite retinoic acid (Vitamin A). These findings suggest that the repurposing of disulfiram, for the topical treatment of mucosal scarring in ocular pemphigoid and similar disorders such as severe eye allergy, may result in effective anti-scarring therapy and provide justification for a randomised controlled trial of disulfiram therapy for scarring in OMMP"

Fight for Sight's Director of Research, Dr Dolores M Conroy said: "This is very important work given the devastating impact of progressive scarring on the eye and other organs. There is currently just one licensed drug for fibrosis and that is for lung disease. Mucous membrane pemphigoid affects the eye in 7 in 10 people with the condition, with 1 in 5 going blind. The potential for disulfiram as an effective treatment is very exciting, particularly as we know that it may be closer to the clinic than a drug developed from scratch, and especially if it can also find an application in trachoma, which affects 40 million people around the globe.

Professor Phil Luthert, Director of the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology stated:"Scarring remains a major problem in eye disease, and in many other conditions, and uncontrolled conjunctival fibrosis is terrible to live with. This breakthrough offers new hope and is a great example of how discovery science can come together with smart repurposing of existing drugs to reach a solution for patients."

Articles: Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition blocks mucosal fibrosis in human and mouse ocular scarring, Sarah D. Ahadome, David J. Abraham, Suryanarayana Rayapureddi, Valerie P. Saw, Daniel R. Saban, Virginia L. Calder, Jill T. Norman, Markella Ponticos, Julie T. Daniels, and John K. Dart, Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight, doi:10.1172/jci.insight.87001, published 4 August 2016.

Classical dendritic cells mediate fibrosis directly via the retinoic acid pathway in severe eye allergy, Sarah D. Ahadome, Rose Mathew, Nancy J. Reyes, Priyatham S. Mettu, Scott W. Cousins, Virginia L. Calder, and Daniel R. Saban, Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight, doi:10.1172/jci.insight.87012, published 4 August 2016.
Oral and genital herpes are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which both cause lifelong infection. HSV-2 infection is associated with increased risk for HIV infection. HSV2-infected women pose a risk of transmitting this dangerous infection to newborn babies; therefore, avoiding herpes infection during pregnancy is very important.

In this issue of JCI Insight, researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine report a promising vaccine strategy for immunizing against both HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections. Led by Betsy Herold and William Jacobs Jr., the researchers expanded upon previous work from their group indicating that a vaccine made from an engineered HSV-2 virus that lacks expression of glycoprotein D could protect against infection with a single strain of HSV-2 in mice.

The current report shows that vaccination protects mice from multiple clinical isolates of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection. Mice rapidly cleared virus after infection and did not develop long-term latent infections. These studies provide exciting preclinical support for a new vaccine strategy to prevent infection by herpes viruses.

Article: HSV-2 gD elicits FcR-effector antibodies that protect against clinical isolates, Christopher D. Petro, Brian Weinrick, Nazanin Khajoueinejad, Clare Burn, Rani Sellers, William R. Jacobs Jr, and Betsy C. Herold, JCI Insight, doi:10.1172/jci.insight.88529, published 4 August 2016.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) afflicts over 14 million women in the United States. The disorder increases the risk of endometrial cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, asthma, obesity, depression and anxiety, as well as infertility and a variety of reproductive disorders.

Despite its prevalence, no one has fully understood the origins of the syndrome nor has come up with any effective early treatment strategies for it - until now. Thanks to some long-time collaborating researchers in Wisconsin, Illinois and California - as well as their students, who have gone on to become better enlightened physicians and researchers themselves - the veil over understanding and treating PCOS is finally lifting.

A review published in Current Pharmaceutical Design bundles those decades of research and education into overall progress toward improving the lives of women with PCOS: better counseling and managed care, new directions in genetic testing, new diagnostic tests, and earlier tests, such as measuring finger length ratios, and taking hormone samples from hair strands plucked off the heads of newborn girls. The diagnostic hormone hunting doesn't stop there: The review chronicles 114 scientific and clinical articles that have turned up suspected PCOS biomarkers in everything from head to tailbone.

"With so many different symptoms, it took a long time for physicians to identify the disease as more than infertility," explains David Abbott, professor of OB/GYN at the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. Abbott's office and lab are at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, where he has been tackling the PCOS problem for more nearly 30 years. He has hardly worked alone. His long-time clinical colleagues have included Daniel Dumesic, professor, physician and chief of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Division at UCLA; Andrea Dunaif, professor of endocrinology and metabolism and physician at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Jon Levine, who previously studied the neuroendocrinology of PCOS in rodents at Northwestern and is now director of the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, where he continues his active research program as well.

Toni Ziegler and Amita Kapoor, scientists with the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center's Assay Services Unit also recently completed the world's first study showing that testosterone can be measured in the hair of newborn monkeys, to show if and when the monkeys were exposed to abnormal levels of testosterone while they were developing in the womb. "The hair sample test has the potential to become one of several pre-diagnostic tools for human infants suspected to be at risk for PCOS due to genetic or other factors," Abbott points out. "Earlier diagnosis will help physicians focus on pre-pubertal interventions to ameliorate PCOS onset."

From rodents to nonhuman primates to humans, these hormone hunters performed the breakthrough experiments that implicate fetal origins of PCOS. They discovered that, even though PCOS symptoms do not appear until puberty, the disease may be programmed in the fetus during the second trimester of pregnancy. The collaborators next revealed an even clearer picture of PCOS by identifying specific genetic and epigenetic pathogenic components shared among monkeys and women.

"Too many women are being treated for diabetes, excess body hair, obesity and other clinical presentations, but not the underlying problem," Abbott says. "From other investigators, we also know now that PCOS is highly heritable, and prospective gene candidates are emerging."

The monkey studies, in particular, implicate altered gene expression related to a constellation of genes suspected to play a role in PCOS, as well as in dysfunctional fat storage, regulation of blood sugar by the pancreas, and brain regulation of the menstrual cycle.

"This forward-thinking approach that the disease may be programmed in the fetus during intrauterine life promises to expand our understanding of how the maternal-fetal environment affects the health of women and their offspring over the next generations," says Dumesic.

"Today, thanks to researchers and doctors working together on all aspects of this problem, many more clinicians cross-refer to one another, and catch more of the specific pathologies that can lead to a PCOS diagnosis and better care," adds Abbott.

Article: Translational Insight Into Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) From Female Monkeys With PCOS-like Traits, Abbott, D.H. et al., Current Pharmaceutical Design, doi: 10.2174/1381612822666160715133437, Volume 22, 46 Issues, 2016.
A team of urologists, neuroscientists and psychiatrists from the US Navy has reported in a new review published in Behavioral Sciences that sexual difficulties appear to be increasing sharply among young men (under 40) in recent years. For example, 15 years ago erectile dysfunction rates were negligible (2-5%) in sexually active men under 40. Now, researchers are reporting rates as high as 30% in this same age group. Many of these men are able to attain erections and ejaculate when viewing porn, but experience sexual dysfunctions (difficulty climaxing, low sexual desire, sexual dissatisfaction, ED) during partnered sex.

The rapid increase in sexual dysfunctions in men under 40 cannot be adequately explained by smoking, diabetes, obesity, or cardiovascular disease, factors commonly associated with such problems in older men. These factors have not increased proportionately. However, a major change in men's sexual environment has been the advent of streaming porn at the end of 2006.

Kinsey Institute researchers were among the first to report porn-induced erectile- dysfunction (PIED) and porn-induced abnormally low libido. In 2007, they noted that high exposure to pornography videos apparently resulted in lower sexual responsivity and an increased need for more extreme, specialized or "kinky" material to become aroused, but did not investigate further. More recently, a series of papers and various experts have pointed to a link between sexual difficulties and internet pornography use. These are discussed in the review.

This paper is important because it proposes an etiology (cause of disease) for how internet porn use could create problems even in healthy viewers, especially those who start using it during key developmental periods of puberty and adolescence. Research is showing that the younger the age at which men are first exposed to internet porn, the greater their preference for it over partnered sex, the less enjoyment they report from partnered sex, and the more porn they use. This suggests that today's internet porn may be conditioning sexuality in unanticipated ways, which in some men shows up as sexual dysfunctions during partnered sex and debilitating distress.

Citing extensive neuroscience research, the authors hypothesize that today's internet porn users may become hyper-reactive to porn-related cues, such that the motivational systems of the brain assign undue salience (importance) to porn. This, in turn, can set up what is called a "negative prediction error" when users engage in sex with a partner. This results in partnered sex failing to meet users' artificially induced expectations of endless novelty, a voyeur's perspective, particular acts, etc. If real sex, even with a desired partner, registers as disappointing in comparison with internet porn use, the sexual centers of the brain may not produce adequate neurochemical response to attain and maintain an erection or climax without difficulty.

Research shows that video erotica is more arousing than still images, and novel sexual visuals trigger greater arousal, faster ejaculation, and more semen and erection activity compared with familiar material. The video format and endless novelty of internet porn not only make it potentially more compelling, but Cambridge researchers have also shown that novelty speeds habituation and tolerance in some porn users, which could fuel escalation to more extreme material. Indeed, a 2016 study reported that half of respondents had escalated to pornographic material that was once uninteresting.

The authors call for intervention studies, which would clarify whether the activity of internet porn viewing is potentially risky for some, otherwise healthy, users. Researchers have not yet asked groups of subjects to remove the variable of internet porn use to investigate its possible effects on sexual health, as the doctors did of their patients in clinical reports included in the review.

The authors also warn that healthcare providers should be cautious of assuming that poor mental health is the cause of otherwise unexplained sexual dysfunction in men under 40. If a man can achieve and sustain a satisfactory erection and climax as desired when masturbating without using internet porn, and only has difficulty when with a partner, his issue is likely be classic "performance anxiety," and not porn-related. However, if he cannot sustain an erection and climax without internet porn, he may want to take an extended timeout from porn use to see if his sexual difficulties clear up.

Without employing such a test, there is a risk of false diagnoses of "performance anxiety," and a risk of prescribing needless psychoactive medications and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, such as Viagra or Cialis. The latter may ultimately not provide relief of symptoms if the underlying cause of the dysfunction has not been addressed.

Article:Is Internet Pornography Causing Sexual Dysfunctions? A Review with Clinical Reports, Brian Y. Park, Gary Wilson, Jonathan Berger, Matthew Christman, Bryn Reina, Frank Bishop, Warren P. Klam and Andrew P. Doan, Behavioral Sciences, doi:10.3390/bs6030017, published 5 August 2016.
Researchers from the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), in collaboration with Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI), have discovered a new way in which the development of lung cancer can be stopped. In a study published in Science Translational Medicine, the researchers found that inhibiting a protein called BMI1 was able to impair tumour growth in lung cancer. The study was led by Professor Daniel Tenen, Director of CSI Singapore and his associate at HSCI, Dr Elena Levantini, and included Dr Kol Jia Yong, a former CSI Singapore graduate student of Prof Tenen. Dr Yong is one of the co-first authors of the study.

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world, accounting for 30 per cent of tumour-related deaths. Like many solid tumours, lung cancer is very heterogeneous (consisting of cancer cells which behave and respond differently) and hence there is currently no single efficient drug which is able to treat all patients.

Prof Tenen has worked on the differentiation factor C/EBP for several decades, demonstrating that it is an important tumour suppressor, first in acute myelogenous leukemia, and subsequently, in studies in collaboration with Dr Levantini, in lung cancer. In addition, loss of C/EBP has also been found to have a role in the development of other cancer types such as hepatic, squamous cell, and prostate cancer. Despite this, the ways in which C/EBP suppresses tumour formation still remains unknown.

In the past few years, Dr Levantini continued the investigation of C/EBP in lung cancer. She confirmed that one subtype of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) frequently expressed low levels of C/EBP. Low or absent C/EBP resulted in poorer survival when they corresponded with a reciprocally high expression of BMI1, a gene implicated in the development of tumours of colon, breast, and stomach, as well as some forms of leukemia. Dr Levantini then went on to conduct a pre-clinical study in which deleting C/EBP resulted in NSCLC. Analysis of this study led to the discovery that C/EBP suppressed lung tumour formation by inhibiting the expression of BMI1. Dr Levantini then demonstrated that reducing the levels of BMI1 by genetic means, or by using a drug reducing expression of BMI1, led to inhibition of tumour formation.

"This study has established an important link between C/EBP and BMI1 for the first time. Furthermore, these findings suggest that assessment of expression levels of these proteins could be used as a way to predict which patients might benefit from drugs which inhibit BMI1, some of which are currently being evaluated in clinical trials," said Prof Tenen.

Moving forward, knowing the substantial role that BMI1 plays in the formation and development of aggressive lung cancer types, the findings of this study will contribute to the development of better therapies for cancer patients.

Article: Targeted BMI1 inhibition impairs tumor growth in lung adenocarcinomas with low CEBP expression, Daniel G. Tenen, Elena Levantini et al. , Science Translational Medicine, doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aad6066, published online 3 August 2016.
CHICAGO

Aug. 8, 2016

United States

Michelle Kuiper

Julie Smolyansky

Washington State

Tina Orwall

Tim Stacy

Julie Smolyansky

Jason Burdeen

Michelle Kuiper

Washington State

Tina Orwall

Kentucky

Washington State

Tim Stacy

11AM to 12PM

Martin Luther King Jr.

the United States

/PRNewswire/ -- Test400k, a national rape kit reform advocacy organization, stood with sexual assault survivors and elected officials today to launch a dynamic new campaign, calledJust Track It," by sending everygovernor a rape kit via two-day delivery and releasing the kit's tracking codes to encourage the public and media to follow their delivery. The campaign was launched at the McCormick Place Hyatt to coincide with the kickoff of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) annual conference, where leading state policy makers will converge from August 8-11.Speaking at the launch and awareness event will be rape survivor, Co-Founder of Test400k,Representative(D-WA), andof STACS DNA.The Just Track It campaign highlights how easy and common it is to use tracking codes for packages sent around the world, but this courtesy shockingly evades most rape victims when it comes to their rape kits. This situation has forced many victims to anxiously wait months, years or even decades to receive information about the status of their rape kit, and provides no mechanism to hold law enforcement accountable for their pursuit of the investigation. Lack of such information significantly slows the rape kit process and can result in lost kits. This antiquated approach re-traumatizes victims who are awaiting results and limits the actions of the law enforcement and prosecutors who need the data to arrest offenders and protect the public.Each Test400K Just Track It package contains a standard rape kit as used in police investigations across the country, as well as a request that all governors sign and endorse the Test400K National Call to Action for three rape kit reforms: 1) Test every rape kit; 2) Test every rape kit within 15-30 days; and 3) Implement a Victim Notification & Rape Kit Tracking System. The packages will also include a unique login code for each governor to tour an online demonstration of the nation's first and only rape kit tracking system that offers a portal for victim notification among hospitals and law enforcement agencies."Just Track It calls for an end to the systemic de-prioritization of the sexual violence that disproportionately impacts women and girls in our nation. The existence of an estimated 400,000 untested rape kits collecting dust across our country, and that few states provide sexual assault survivors with any form of notification about the status of their kit is outrageous. We hope our nation's governors will let us know that they feel the same way by endorsing our Test400K Call to Action within two weeks," said Test400K Co-Founder, who is also the CEO of Lifeway Foods and an Executive Producer ofdocumentary."Statistics show that only three out of every 100 rapists will ever see a day in prison in the U.S., yet a significant majority of rape kits are never processed for DNA," said Test400K Co-Founder. "Faster processing with tracking means rape cases are investigated before any statute of limitations and ideally before a rapist brutalizes another innocent person. Our mission with 'Just Track It' is to bring awareness to politicians and the public about the enormous backlog of untested rape kits and how technology, such as an online tracking system, can streamline the testing process, establish accountability and make all of our communities safer."Joining Test400K to launch "Just Track It" and endorse the Call to Action were, the survivor of a 1994 sexual assault in college and who was stalked and terrorized until her kit was matched to a serial predator in 2011; andRepresentative, who sponsored the nation's first law that requires the establishment of a statewide rape kit tracking and victim notification system."I was never able to fully live a life, without fear of my perpetrator finding me, until he was caught almost two decades later. A victim of their rapist not only has to survive the actual violence of rape itself, every feeling, thought, sound, image and smell but, they have to figure out how to survive that trauma and their life after. I will never be fully healed, until I am in Heaven," said Kuiper, who championed a series of reforms in Kentucky. "Had my state ofhad in place the very simple systems being called for in the Test400K Call to Action sooner, maybe what happened in my case would have been different... maybe the other two victims would have been spared the pain that I have endured. I ask our nation's Governors to take a very close look at that Sexual Assault Forensic Exam kit, or S.A.F.E. kit they receive this week and realize that it is not only a "box," but someone's life in front of them, someone who "gave up" that evidence off their body in hopes for justice. Every governor has the opportunity to change a survivor's life for the better after a horrific tragedy has impacted them. Because one kit, one person, is one far too many.""I support the Test400K Call to Action to eliminate the backlog of untested rape kits and ensure justice for sexual assault victims," said Rep. Orwall. "I am pleased that we passed inthe first-in-the-nation legislation to create a statewide tracking system for rape kits that allows law enforcement and victims to track the status and location of kits. This bill is about justice and transparency, and it's a critical step in rape kit reform to support survivors of sexual assault."The final speaker at the event will befrom STACS DNA. He will show how it is now easy for survivors to obtain information about rape kit status and how law enforcement can better track the kit's progress from the hospital, to the crime lab, and back to law enforcement using the Track-Kit system. He will also discuss how STACS created the nation's first and only system that currently includes a victim notification component."Every governor will receive a unique login code to experience a Track-Kit demo. They can see for themselves how tracking could work for their state to support survivors. At any time, survivors can access resources and vital information regarding the completion of their case," said Stacy.Test400K will be releasing links to all the tracking codes for each governor on their website www.test400k.org. Throughout the next two weeks, the organization will also provide updates on which governors have endorsed the Test400K Call to Action.MCCORMICK PLACE, Burnham A2233 S. Dr.Dr.The mission of Test400k is to eliminate the backlog of 400,000 untested rape kits in, and empower healthy and safe communities by ending violence against women and children. Step 1 is to provide accountability and justice to victims. For more information, visit http://test400k.org.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/test400k-launches-dynamic-just-track-it-campaign-to-highlight-appalling-treatment-of-rape-kit-evidence--a-national-call-to-action-300310414.html



SOURCE Test400k




Advertisement

The study,, which was presented at the annual American Psychological Association conference in Washington D.C., says there were significant differences between those who use Tinder and those who don't on how they looked at and felt about their body.Professor Jessica Strubel of the University of North Texas said 'Tinder users reported having lower levels of satisfaction with their faces and bodies and having lower levels of self-worth than the men and women who did not use Tinder."The study involved 1,044 women and 273 men undergraduates who completed questionnaires about their Tinder use, body image, perceived objectification and psychological well-being. One in ten used Tinder and both male and female users reported less satisfaction with their bodies and looks, compared to non-users.However, only male Tinder users reported lower levels of self-esteem. One reason for this could be the ratio of user's gender on it. There are twice as many men as women, according to the study.Prof Strubel added "We found that being actively involved with Tinder, regardless of the user's gender, was associated with body dissatisfaction, body shame, body monitoring, internalisation of societal expectations of beauty, comparing oneself physically to others, and reliance on media for information on appearance and attractiveness."She argued the way people select possible dates means persistent users may begin to feel depersonalised and disposable in their social interactions and develop heightened awareness and criticism of their looks and bodies.Typically, men are more likely to swipe right than women. So simply saying "yes" with the flick of a finger leads to the likelihood of higher rejection rates. Previous research has found men like to send a lot of messages or swipe right to attractive female users, but they don't get a lot of responses because they are more focused on their own interests, and are oblivious of their attractiveness to potential dates.On Tinder, men are being placed in a position that women often find themselves in, especially in the dating scene. Now, men are being evaluated and analyzed whether or not they have the qualities to be someone's potential match.Being active on social media, including dating apps, regardless of gender, is linked to body dissatisfaction, body shame, body monitoring, and internalizing societal expectations of beauty. It also lends itself to comparing ourselves physically to others. It can even lead us to question our own self worth.Tinder users should apply the adage, "it's not me, it's you", when they get a left swipe.Prof Strubel said that the study represents one of the first to examine the connection between Tinder use and men's and women's psychosocial functioning. The findings suggest that being involved with Tinder is associated with decrements in psychosocial functioning and these negative effects exist equally for male and female users.Dr Jess Carbino, Tinder's in-house sociologist said "Given the small sample size and unrepresentative nature of the sample, no actual findings can be established from an empirical perspective. Moreover, any serious social scientist would strongly question and doubt the validity of their results."Additional research is needed to help psychologists better understand the immediate, and perhaps long-term, effects of individuals' involvement with social media platforms. This might help compare the influences of different types of sites, in relation to each other as well as traditional media, on psychosocial functioning and body image.However just because users tended to have lower self-esteem, this doesn't necessarily mean that the app is causing it. Those with lower self-esteem are simply drawn more to these types of apps, she suggested.Going forward, researchers want to look into other aspects of psychological well-being like depression, narcissism and eating disorders.Source: Medindia
On July 16, 2016, Hamas's military wing, the 'Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, launched its annual "Pioneers of Liberation" summer camps in Gaza. This year's camps were dedicated to the "Al-Quds Intifada" (i.e., Jerusalem Intifada), which is the Palestinian name for the wave of attacks against Israelis, especially in Jerusalem, in the past few months. The camps lasted two weeks and were attended by some 30,000 children and youths; activities included firearms training and other military training, civil defense exercises, and lessons in religion and in battle heritage. According to 'Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam officials, "the goal of the camps is to stoke the embers of jihad among the generation of liberation, to inculcate Islamic values and to prepare the army of victory for liberating Palestine."[1]

The camp activities were documented on special social media accounts and under dedicated hashtags such as #Pioneers-of-Liberation. These accounts feature numerous posts and photos; the faces of the camp organizers and counselors, all of them Al-Qassam fighters, are often blurred to prevent recognition.



Symbol of one of the "Pioneers of Liberation" camps (Image: Alqassam.ps, July 16, 2016)

For a MEMRI TV clip about the camps, click below:

The Camps, Named After Terrorists And Stabbing Operations, Included Training With Knives

The names of the camps reflected the "the Al-Quds Intifada" theme: one was called the "Knife Camp," after the stabbings that have been a prominent feature of the current wave of attacks; another was called "Soldiers of Al-Quds," and a third was named after Baha 'Aliyan, a terrorist who participated in a combined stabbing and shooting attack on a Jerusalem bus on October 13, 2015, in which three people were killed and nine were wounded.



Children display poster of terrorist Baha 'Aliyan, captioned "The Martyrs Never Die; Their Blood Illuminates the Revolution" (Image: Facebook.com/aqsatvchannel, July 20, 2016)



Parade in honor of terrorists who carried out stabbing operations in Al-Quds Intifada (Image: Facebook.com/896180390525345, July 29, 2016)

Camp Slogan: "O Al-Aqsa, We Shall Redeem You With Blood"

According to the Hamas mouthpiece Al-Risalah, the camps' slogans included "O Al-Aqsa, We Shall Redeem You with Blood"; "Free the Prisoners from the Jails," and "Defend the Holy Places." A 19-year-old camper, Ahmad Sami, said that the camp activities included physical fitness exercises and instruction in martial arts and first aid, and added that he had enrolled in the camp because of his "intense desire to join the ranks of the resistance in the future, when he finished his university studies, and to participate in liberating Palestine from the occupation."[2]

As part of the "Al-Quds Intifada" theme, this year's campers received training in the use of knives in addition to firearms training. The following are photos of the camp activities:

Training with knives:[3]

Training with firearms:[4]



(Image: Alresalah.ps, July 18, 2016)



(Image: Alresalah.ps, July 18, 2016)



(Image: Twitter.com/GazaCamps2016, July 20, 2016)

Weapons assembly and disassembly:[5]

Training in tunnels:

(Image: Alqassam.ps, July 16, 2016)



(Image: Alqassam.ps, July 16, 2016)



(Image: Twitter.com/GazaCamps2016, July 23, 2016)

'Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Weapons Exhibition

At one of the camps, the Al-Qassam Brigades held an exhibition open to the public featuring weapons used by Hamas in operations against Israel. The weapons on display included sniper guns, mortars, anti-tank mines, Gaza-manufactured short-range Qassam rockets (types 1, 2 and 3), longer-range rockets (type M75, R160 and J80), and a Hamas-manufactured UAV. Also on display were an Israeli UAV and other Israeli gear and parts of gear that had fallen into Hamas hands. In addition, visitors were also invited to tour a tunnel dug especially for training the campers.[6]



Rockets displayed in the exhibition (Image: Palinfo.com, July 22, 2016)



Visitors touring the tunnel (Image: Palinfo.com, July 22, 2016)

Hamas Mouthpiece: The Camps Lay The Foundations For Broad Popular Army

Ibrahim Al-Madhoun, a columnist for the Hamas mouthpiece Al-Risalah, wrote: "This is the third year running in which the Al-Qassam Brigades have been calling to participate in the Pioneers of Liberation camps, and the response has been massive... We have a golden opportunity to realize the dreams of this generation to join the training, prepare [for battle] and carry arms, and to imbue [this generation] with national values, engage it in the Palestinian cause and transform its passive [stance] into a proactive one... Resistance is spreading from the elites to the general public, in an attempt to create an entire generation of resistance [fighters] that can defend itself. The camps expand the [circle of] popular involvement in the resistance... The Al-Qassam Brigades are forging the Palestinian people into a solid rank of resistance [fighters] who take part in repelling the enemy, [acting] as a large, unified body... Our Palestinian people are jihad fighters by nature, who rise up and aspire to take part in armed combat. Ever since the Al-Qassam Brigades' quality victory in the Third Gaza War [in July 2014], the public, in and out [of Palestine], has been begging its leadership to [be allowed to] take an active part in the ranks of the resistance. These camps will lay the foundations for building a broad popular army embracing many sectors [of society]."[7]

Hamas officials visited the camps, including Mahmoud Al-Zahhar and Hamas Internal Security Chief Fathi Hamad, who visited one of the camps on July 21.



Hamas officials Mahmoud Al-Zahhar and Fathi Hamad visit one of the camps (Image: Twitter.com/GazaCamps2016, July 21, 2016)

The Camps' Graduation Ceremonies

The camp's graduation ceremonies included speeches by Hamas officials, as well as displays of the campers' marksmanship, weapons assembly and troop landing skills.[8] The Hamas officials spoke in praise of armed resistance and the war to liberate Palestine, and commended the camps for preparing "the generation of liberation." A recorded speech by Hamas Political Bureau head Khaled Mash'al was played at the graduation ceremony of a camp in Dir Al-Balah on July 22. He said: "Hamas has two main goals: liberating Palestine and resisting the occupation... There is no room in Palestine for the Zionist entity, and the only way to remove it is though armed resistance." Mash'al praised the Al-Qassam Brigades for "preparing the [young] generation by means of the Pioneers of Liberation camps, and [preparing] the steadfast and determined Palestinian people to liberate its land, its prisoners and its holy places, chief of them Al-Aqsa."[9]

Hamas official Ahmad Bahar, deputy speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, said at a camp graduation ceremony that "the next war against the occupation will be a war to liberate our cities and villages from which we were expelled. The resistance is preparing the generation that will liberate Jerusalem, the generation of victory that will lead the war to liberate Palestine . The option of resistance is the quickest [way to achieve our goals] and the only [way to] liberate all the occupied lands and free all the prisoners from the jails of the occupation." He too praised the Al-Qassam Brigades for the high quality of training at the camps.[10]



From left to right: Mahmoud Al-Zahhar, Isma'il Haniya and Ahmad Bahar at a camp graduation ceremony (Image: Alqassam.ps, July 23, 2016)



Camp graduation ceremony (Image: Twitter.com/GazaCamps2016, July 22, 2016)

Endnotes:
Independence Day is around the corner and most of you might have already made your travel plans for the extended weekend. But, its high time that you ditch those regular tourist destinations that you have already visited more than 10 times with your friends and family; if you visit those places any more you might just get hired as a tour guide.

If you are living in or around Delhi and looking for some exotic destinations, check out these 7 offbeat places that you can travel to for the weekend.

Kasol, Himachal Pradesh (486kms from Delhi approx.)

 wikimedia

Kasol is one place that will never disappoint you, irrespective of whether you are a regular traveler or visiting that place for the first time. You can embark on some amazing treks around Sar Pass, Pin Parbati Pass and Kheerganga. If trekking is not your cup of tea, then you can take a stroll in Chalal which is 30 minutes away from Kasol. Camping, hiking, trekking and the sumptuous Israeli delicacies are a few of the things that will attract you towards Kasol.

Kotdwara, Uttarakhand (225 kms from Delhi approx.)

 wikimedia

We all know about Lansdowne, some of you might even have it on your travel list this year, but this time travel a little ahead to Kotdwara, a beautiful and serene town of Uttarakhand. Apart from the beautiful landscapes, Kotdwara is also known for its surrounding attractions like Siddhibali temple, Durga Devi temple, Jim Corbett National Park and Kanvashram. In fact, if you visit Kotdwara, do not miss its railway station which also happens to be one of the oldest railway stations in the country that was established in 1890 by the British.

Neemrana, Rajasthan (139 kms from Delhi approx.)

 wikimedia

Famous for its Neemrana Fort palace, Neemrana is sure to make you feel every bit royal once you visit this place. In fact, the palace is one of the oldest heritage luxury hotels. Whats more, you can also enjoy some of the mouth-watering Rajasthani delicacies like Dal Baati Churma, Pyaaz Kachori and Mirchi Bada. Apart from getting mesmerized in the history and beauty of this place, you can also indulge in activities like zip-lining and swimming. Also, do take out some time for visiting places like Baori, Sariska National Park and Bala Quila.

Bir, Himachal Pradesh (489 kms from Delhi approx.)

 wikimedia

Bir is an exotic location best known for Paragliding, so it would seriously be a waste if you visit Bir and dont try this. Apart from this you can also indulge in hand-gliding, Nature walks and meditation at the Sherab Ling Monastery. Bir is also known for its amazing Indian and Continental cuisine which is reasonable as well. Since this place is majorly dominated by the Tibetan settlement, so you will get an unmatched experience of Tibetan cuisine and culture as well.

Ranikhet, Uttarakhand (343 kms from Delhi approx.)

 Flickr

Also known as the Queens Farm, this place definitely lives up to its name. One cannot resist but fall in love with the serenity and picturesque view of this place. You will get to experience the richness of Chinese, North Indian, Asian, Tibetan and European cuisines, which makes your trip deliciously memorable. Do visit the popular tourist spots like the Bhula Devi Temple, the Bhalu Dam and the Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum. The amazing view of Nanda Devi Peak is what makes the visit memorable for a long time.

Chakrata, Uttarakhand (327 kms from Delhi approx.)

 wikimedia

Get ready with your DSLR cameras to get some amazing shots for your DP and profile pictures. Chakrata, situated in Dehradun, is an offbeat and secluded hill-station which is an amazing weekend getaway destination from Delhi. Trust us this place is exactly what you need to relax and free yourself from the shackles of your daily hectic routine. Monsoons are the best time to visit this place and will provide you an unparalleled view of the mountains that play hide and seek with the clouds.

Kangojodi, Sirmour District (275 kms from Delhi approx.)

 Camproxx

Waking up in the lap of lush beautiful forests surrounded by Deodar and Pine trees and walking across the natural water springs, will definitely make you forget all your worries or work pressures. In fact, this place is sure to keep you captivated with its beautiful landscapes and serenity. For all those who are into adventure sports, Kangojodi, which is spread over 7 kms, offers activities like Trekking, Rappelling, Rope Balancing at the Burma Bridge and Commando Crawling, to name a few. Camping is the best thing about this place.
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko and Ambassador of Israel to Ukraine Eliav Belotserkovsky have discussed the topical aspects of bilateral cooperation, in particular investigation into the crimes committed by the former high-ranking officials of Ukraine and their environment, according to the official website of the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO.

The sides discussed the issues of international cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine and Israel and noted the need to establish close human and professional relations between them.

"We cannot use bypass roads any longer, it's high time to look for the right ways. The Ukrainian society expected results from us yesterday," Lutsenko said at a meeting with the ambassador on August 5.

The parties also discussed the possibility of signing an agreement on cooperation between the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine and the Justice Ministry of Israel and agreed that its signing will stimulate a new round of cooperation between the countries in law enforcement.
About 400 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) soldiers will deploy from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to Iraq this summer to bolster Iraqi Security Forces at a northern base called a "springboard for the planned offensive to retake Mosul from ISIS.

The soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team will join another 1,300 soldiers from the same unit who deployed to Iraq in the spring, the Army said in a statement last Friday.

"We call these soldiers the Strike Ready Force. They have remained prepared to deploy and join the team in Iraq at a moment's notice," said Lt. Col. Eric Lopez, 2nd Brigade Combat Team provisional brigade commander. "These soldiers are trained and ready to join the fight."

The Fort Campbell soldiers are deploying as part of an additional 560 troops for Iraq approved by President Obama to bring the authorized number, or Force Management Level, to 4,657.

The exact number of U.S. troops in Iraq at any given time varies due to rotations and troops sent there on special assignments.

In a briefing to the Pentagon last week, Army Col. Chris Garver, a spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, said that none of the 560 additional troops authorized by the president has arrived in Iraq yet.

Once the 560 arrive, the plan is to send them to an airfield about 40 miles southeast of Mosul called Qayyarah West, or Q-West by the military, which ISF recently retook from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, supported by numerous coalition airstrikes, Garver said.

At Q-West, ISF forces "are now preparing for the next big fight, which as we know is  going to be on the way to Mosul, Garver said. As for the 560 U.S. troops slated for Q-West, "we're going to bring them in in stages and not take them directly to Q-West from somewhere in the United States."

"What they're going to do is, when they get in there, they're going to start -- first, you've got to fix up the base so that the Iraqis can live there," Garver said, likening the support role to what U.S. troops did in helping the Iraqis set up a base at Makhmur, south of Q-West.

"We built basically  [a] llife support area for the Iraqi forces that were going to live there. You gravel, you put in tents, you put in places for them to eat, use the facilities, those sorts of things. ... You're going to build in where you're going to store your ammunition. You've got to build in your force protection piece of that," Garver said.

Army Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, the commander of CJTF-OIR who will soon be replaced by Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of the XVIII Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, told reporters last month that the forces deploying to Q-West would include an airfield operations team, logistics and communications specialists, command and control elements, and a security detachment, Stars & Stripes reported.

The 400 2nd BCT soldiers deploying to Iraq will come under the command of Army Maj. Gen. Gary Volesky, commander of the 101st Airborne and of CJTF's Land Component Command.

In a virtual town hall to Fort Campbell last month, Volesky gave an upbeat assessment of the progress in the campaign against ISIS. He said that ISIS "has lost anywhere from 45 to 50 percent of the terrain they claimed in 2014. They lose more terrain every single day.

"That is why they are going to these attacks in Brussels, Paris, California," Volesky said. "They are trying to export it to keep people's attention off of what they are losing here in Iraq."

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
The new chief of the National Guard Bureau said he plans to focus on its role as an operational force.

"The development of our most important assets, our people, will be our foremost task," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Joseph Lengyel, who was installed last week as the 28th chief of the National Guard Bureau and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at a Pentagon ceremony.

One of his priorities will be to make deployments more predictable, he told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing in June. Another priority will be to focus on the responsibilities of the National Guard's adjutant generals, the senior military officers of the National Guard in each of the states, territories and the District of Columbia, Lengyel said.

Much of the attention at the ceremony focused on Lengyel's legendary father.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter singled out in the audience retired Air Force Lt. Col. Lauren "Laurie" Lengyel, a Vietnam POW for six years who returned to the skies after his release and flew missions during the fall of Saigon in 1975.

Carter first paid tribute to Lt. Gen. Lengyel. "He's logged over 3,000 hours behind the controls of an F-16. His 34 years of distinguished military service includes operational, staff and command assignments that included services in Desert Storm, Provide Comfort, Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom, among others."

"But perhaps most importantly, Joe knows what it means to be a military family. He knows the meaning of service, sacrifice and separation."

When Lauren Lengyel was shot down over Vietnam in August 1967 and held prisoner for six years, "it fell to Joe's mother Margaret to raise Joe, his sister Dottie, and his brothers Dan and Greg, who is now a major general in the Air Force," Carter said.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Lengyel, a career special operations pilot and veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, now serves as deputy commanding general of Special Operations Command.

"Well, Joe's entire family served through those long years of uncertainty and strain, and they continued to serve when Joe's dad returned to service in Vietnam in 1975, one of only two former POW pilots to do so," Carter said.

"Joe's parents are here today, as is his brother, and I want to take a moment to thank them for their service and sacrifice. We pray that no military family ever has to go through Joe's experience growing up again," Carter said.

Joe Lengyel took over the National Guard from retiring Gen. Frank Grass, the first National Guard Bureau Chief to serve a full term on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In his time on the JCS, Grass helped "to form the most integrated and Total Force in our history. He's helped increase our rapid deployment capability to respond to any crisis, and strengthened the Guard's partnerships at the local, state, federal and international levels," Carter said.

Carter noted that Lengyel was taking command of a National Guard that has sent more than 767,000 troops to Iraq and Afghanistan since the terror attacks of Sept. 1, 2001.

"You keep our skies free from danger. You respond to disaster with compassion and professionalism at a moment's notice. You stand watch at home and around the world. You responded when we needed you during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan," Carter said of the National Guard.

The Guard is also heavily involved in meeting current challenges across the globe, Carter said.

"We don't have the luxury of choosing between these challenges. We have to do it all. And all around the world, the Guard does it all -- from Eastern Europe, where the North Carolina National Guard, equipped with HIMARS [rocket artillery], participated in exercises with 24 nations in Poland, to the Pacific, where the Hawaii National Guard 204th Airlift Squadron stands ready to respond throughout [the] Pacific rim."

The challenges for the National Guard extend to the Mideast, Carter said, "where 8,000 National Guard members are currently deployed in the air and on the ground, including the Wisconsin National Guard as it supports the 101st Airborne's mission to enable local forces" in the campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

At his confirmation hearing in June, Lengyel said that, "Although we are proud of our heritage and our past, I am more excited about our future," adding that "the skill and devotion of citizen-soldiers and airmen since 9/11 has transformed the National Guard into an operational force at home and overseas."

At the confirmation hearing, Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican and a retired Navy captain who also was shot down over Vietnam and spent more than five years in captivity, gave Lengyel some wry encouragement.

"I hope that, unlike your father and me, the number of landings have matched the number of takeoffs," said McCain, prompting laughter from other committee members.

Lauren Lengyel began his career with the Massachusetts National Guard in 1957 and went active duty with the Air Force in 1964, serving until his retirement in 1990.

On Aug. 9, 1967, Lengyel was flying an RF-4, an unarmed photo reconnaissance version of the F-4 Phantom, with the 16th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron out of Tan Son Nhut Airbase in South Vietnam when he was shot down. It was his 40th combat mission. He was released with nearly 600 other POWs during Operation Homecoming in 1973.

Lengyel was briefly in the hospital at Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts and then returned to active duty, flying C-141 Starlifter transport aircraft with the 86th Military Airlift Squadron at Travis Air Force Base in California from 1973 to 76. During that time, Lengyel flew combat airlift missions during the fall of Saigon in 1975.

At his home in near San Antonio, Lengyel keeps more than 50 "POW/MIA bracelets" with his name on them -- returned to him by people who wore them during his captivity. Occasionally, someone still stops by to give him another.

One of them was Vicki Adams of Yorba Linda, California, who kept the Lengyel bracelet through the years and only learned in 2013 that he had come home, the Orange County Register reported. Vicki and her husband Rick, an Air Force veteran, made a special trip to the Lengyel home. "He hugged me for wearing it," Vicki Adams said. "It just meant so much to us."

Lengyel later told the Orange County Register of his meeting with the Adams family that, "It was emotional for me. Just the thought that, with all that's going on in this country, there are still people who support the military, and who would take the time to return this to me, it means a lot. I'm very grateful."

-- 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.
Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers has increased the cost of coal used for calculating subsidies by 30.5% or UAH 467.10, to UAH 2,000 per tonne.

An Interfax-Ukraine correspondent has reported that the decision was made at a government meeting on Monday.

"If a household receives 2 tonnes of coal, it will receive UAH 4,000 (earlier around UAH 3,000)," Social Policy Minister Andriy Reva said.

Along with the cost of coal, the government also increased the price of liquefied natural gas (LNG) taken into account in subsidies, from UAH 196.70 to UAH 200 per container.

The decisions made require the subventions from the national budget be increased by UAH 1.3 billion, to UAH 2.5 billion. Expenses will be covered thanks to redistribution of funds, without increasing expenses.
The Astros announced today that infielder Yulieski Gurriel has been promoted to Double-A Corpus Christi and will join that affiliate tomorrow. Since signing a five-year, $47.5MM contract with Houston last month, Gurriel has played six games between Houstons Gulf Coast League and Class-A Advanced affiliates, going 8-for-21 with a homer, three doubles and five strikeouts. MLB.coms Brian McTaggart tweets that Double-A is expected to be Gurriels final stop before arriving in the Major Leagues. Its not entirely clear what type of alignment the Astros will utilize to work the 32-year-old Cuban star into the lineup, but Alex Bregmans struggles upon his first taste of the Majors may have made it easier for manager A.J. Hinch to work Gurriel into the mix.

A bit more from the American League
WYOMING - Renewal of the Wyoming Public Schools operating millage by voters will mean continued as well as improved programming for students, the superintendent says.

Superintendent Thomas Reeder praised voters for renewing the district's 18-mill operating millage on the Aug. 2 ballot. Voters approved the renewal 1,888 to 836 votes.

The operating millage replaces the current tax levy, which expires this year, and will cost owners of nonhomestead property $18 for every $1,000 of taxable value for 10 years.

The levy is expected to bring the district about $5.99 million in 2017, which Reeder said is about 12 percent of the district's operating dollars.

Reeder said he appreciates the community's ongoing support.

"This allows us to continue all our current programming and look for additional areas to improve academic and co-curricular opportunities," he said. "Wyoming school board and administration will continue to be efficient and responsible with our funding."
DETROIT -- Demonstrators for and against a Donald Trump presidency intermingled Monday in a bizarre scene outside the Cobo Center, standing side-by-side with opposing signs and chants.

While Trump spoke inside the building to a Detroit Economic Club crowd in a speech focused on economic policy, protesters shouted and occasionally jostled for position on the outside.

The two sides generally remained civil, chanting and waving contradictory slogans and signs, at times face to face.

Protesters decried Trump's perceived sexism and racism. Supporters spoke out against illegal immigration, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's email scandal and other greatest hits from the Trump campaign.

But a few incidents did cause some back-and-forth between the two groups, with one exchange ending in police intervention.

Police handcuff a Trump supporter with his own Confederate flag after opposing protesters pushed him around.

A man waving a Confederate flag at the protest was booed and surrounded by anti-Trump demonstrators before Detroit police escorted him from the crowd.

The man was waving the flag above protesters, who grew angry with him and began to push him around. Officers maintaining security at the protest grabbed the man and took him away from the crowd, and then wrapped the flag around his wrists to restrain him.

A police spokesperson later said there had been no reports of any arrests outside the Trump appearance.

MLive photographer Junfu Han contributed to this report.
Court decides to arrest some accounts in Cypriot branch of PrivatBank in embezzlement investigation

Kyiv's Pechersky district court on July 29 approved four rulings that arrest some accounts in the Cypriot branch of the largest bank in Ukraine  PrivatBank (Dnipro)  as part of an investigation into embezzlement of UAH 19 billion of refinancing funds issued by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU).

According to the rulings posted on the website of the public ruling register, the chief investigation department of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine is conducting a pretrial investigation in criminal case No. 42014000000001261 (recorded on November 13, 2014) into the embezzlement of NBU's funds by managers of PrivatBank.

"During the pretrial investigation it was established that managers of PrivatBank abusing their powers in 2014 embezzled UAH 19 billion issued by the NBU to refinance PrivatBank," the rulings said.

According to the documents, managers of PrivatBank issued credits which cost was in the range from $18 million to $73 million to affiliated companies using ownership rights to commodities as collateral. Then the company signed deals (settling 100% of advance payment) to receive the commodities and sent the funds to accounts of nonresidents: Teamtrend Limited, Trade Point Agro Limited, Collyer Limited, Rossyan Investing Corp, ZAO Ukrtransitservice Ltd and Milbert Ventures Inc.

According to the rulings, the commodities have not yet been delivered and the funds have not been returned.

According to the documents, the account opened for Trade Point Agro Limited, Milbert Ventures Inc., Rossyan Investing Corp, ZAO Ukrtransitservice Ltd (all based in Britain) has been arrested.

As reported, last summer PrivatBank said that the bank is cooperating with investigators as part of the criminal case on the embezzlement of NBU refinancing worth over UAH 19 billion.

PrivatBank was founded in 1992. It ranked first among 109 operating banks as of April 1, 2016, in terms of total assets estimated at UAH 276.55 billion, according to the National Bank of Ukraine.

As of January 1, 2016, its largest shareholders were Hennadiy Boholiubov with 33.2525% of shares owned directly and 8.3346% indirectly and Ihor Kolomoisky with 41.6572% owned directly and 8.3346% owned indirectly.
DETROIT - A sizable group of protesters gathered outside of Detroit's Cobo Center on Monday, Aug. 8, to oppose a noon visit by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Trump was giving a speech on his proposed economic policy in a meeting of the Detroit Economic Club.

His running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, took the stage at 12:10 p.m., followed by Trump about 12:20 p.m.

The speech was being streamed live, here.

Protestors -- including civil rights groups and a few Detroit labor unions -- held signs and shouted chants, all aimed at what they called racist and fascist rhetoric.

Some signs alluded to Trump's call to build a wall on the Mexican border, while others called him sexist and xenophobic.

Others pointed to his recent gaffes involving the Khan family, a Gold Star military family who spoke at the Democratic National Convention.

Cheryl Addington focused on his treatment of the Khans, carrying a sign that read: "I'm With Khan."

"I want Mr. Trump to know that Detroit is against his racism and his policies and his division," said Addington, 59, from Royal Oak. "I think what Mr. Trump did to the Khan family was despicable and I want to make it very clear to him that that's not how we operate."

She wore a T-shirt supporting former presidential candidate and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Addington said she has "no choice" but to vote for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

"There's a lot more on the line this time," she said. "I don't view my vote as for a candidate but as a vote for saving democracy."

Clinton's campaign and supporters held a press conference outside the venue earlier in the day.

Early reports of protests said some would would build a human "wall" outside the venue. A line of Detroit police on horseback prevented such a wall.

A few carried wall-designed banners, with some emblazoned with the words "Wall Off, Trump!"

Katie Ninivaggi held a different sign, one with Trump next to the Statue of Liberty and bold, black words. The sign read "Trump Hates You."

Ninivaggi said her sign represents a call to action opposing Trump as a threat to not only democracy, but the moral framework of America.

"Elie Wielsel said the worst thing about the Holocaust was the silence," Ninivaggi said. "That people were present and they didn't do anything."

Ninivaggi, 51, of Grosse Pointe Farms, said she hasn't been this involved in politics since 1992. She considers herself and unaffiliated swing voter, choosing candidates instead of issues or parties. She voted for President Barack Obama twice, but also voted for former President George W. Bush.

Ninivaggi voted for Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the primaries just to oppose Trump. She is now voting for Clinton to do the same.

"I think we're at a critical moment in this country where people are watching Donald Trump and saying 'oh I hate to talk about politics,' or, 'I hate when people post political things on Facebook,'" she said. "And yet, they're all sitting by watching this awful, divisive, racist, sexist man come to power in the United States.

"It's very important this time that we speak up and get involved. Not just to not vote for him quietly, but to say out loud that he's a dangerous man."



Both Addington and Ninivaggi said they are in Detroit today because of their very real fear that Trump could be elected president.

Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton, plans to visit Michigan on Thursday.
HOWELL TOWNSHIP, MI - A vehicle reported as stolen drove over the center line and went through a red light while trying to evade a Michigan State Police trooper, according to footage from the trooper's in-car camera.

The video shows the moment the trooper used a bumping tactic known as a precision immobilization technique, or PIT maneuver, to stop the vehicle, ultimately sending it off the road.

Police were called about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, to a report of subjects attempting to break into a vehicle in the 2800 block of Ontario Court in Howell Township in Livingston County, according to a press release from Michigan State Police.

The subjects were reported to have left in a white vehicle, police said. A responding trooper witnessed a white vehicle leaving the area and attempted to pull it over, but it kept going.

Police said the trooper pursued the vehicle for about two miles and the suspect vehicle attempted to enter westbound I-96 from Pinckney Road.

There, the video footage shows the trooper struck the vehicle on its right rear side, causing it to go off the road and down into a grassy ditch. Police said the vehicle rolled over.

Although the speed of the chase was not immediately available, Michigan State Police Sgt. Mike Foley said PIT maneuvers are only done at speeds less than 40 mph.

Of the three men located in the car - a 20-year-old, 19-year-old and 18-year-old from Lansing - one suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to an area hospital. The other two suspects were lodged at the Livingston County Jail.

The 2007 Mercury Milan had been reported stolen out of Lansing, police said.

Darcie Moran covers cops and courts for MLive and The Ann Arbor News. Email her at dmoran@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter @darciegmoran.
YCS board.jpg

Ypsilanti Community Schools board of education held a budget hearing on Monday, June 27, 2016. The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, 2016.

(The Ann Arbor News file)

YPSILANTI, MI - Ypsilanti Community Schools board of education is expected to finalize the details of its 2016-17 bus routes at a regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 8.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at YCS central office, 1885 Packard Road. At its July 25 meeting, the board approved a proposal from Durham School Services that set the bus routes and pick-up and drop-off times for most of the school district.

At that time, the board decided to table the "standalone" routes that run for students at Washtenaw International Middle Academy, Washtenaw International High School and ACCE, the alternative high school program.

Some board members expressed concern at the last meeting about having WIMA, WIHI and ACCE students on the same buses, so they asked Durham employees to present some alternative options at Monday's meeting.

Also, the board will vote on the hire of a a new assistant principal at Ypsilanti Community Middle School and a new assistant director at Beatty Early Learning Center.

Those positions were left open when the previous administrators took on new roles in the district for 2016-17. Current YCS employees have been re-assigned as the assistant principal and assistant director, though the board packet did not name the individuals ahead of Monday's meeting.

Continue to check this post for updates from Monday's meeting in the comment section. Other items the board is expected to vote on include:
BAY CITY, MI -- The older brother of a Bay City teen who accidentally shot himself in the head is heading back to prison for having a stolen gun.

Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran on Monday, Aug. 8, sentenced Justin J. Palmer, 24, to three concurrent terms of 46 months -- or 3.8 years -- to 20 years in prison. The judge gave Palmer credit for 237 days already served.

Palmer in June pleaded guilty to single counts of receiving and concealing a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and felon in possession of a firearm. Palmer had to plead as a habitual offender with a fourth-offense sentencing enhancement.

In exchange, the prosecution dismissed two counts of felony firearm, as well as unrelated misdemeanor counts of domestic violence, malicious destruction of a building less than $200, and assault and battery.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 15. Police responded to Justin Palmer's residence on South Farragut Street after Bay County Central Dispatch advised them Palmer allegedly had a gun and was involved in an altercation. Officers saw that two bondsmen had Palmer handcuffed and lying on the lawn, court records show.

The bondsmen told police Palmer was on bond and that they were looking for him as he failed to appear for a court hearing. They had received a tip that Palmer had a gun and was in the area. The two bondsmen detained Palmer as he left his house and was getting into a vehicle, which was driven by a woman, court records show. With Palmer cuffed, the bondsmen searched him and found a semiautomatic 9mm Smith & Wesson pistol in the right-front pocket of his sweatshirt, court records show.

The gun was loaded with 10 rounds, according to court records. Police found an additional 9mm magazine in the vehicle. The handgun had been reported stolen Nov. 24, court records show.

Palmer had a centimeter-long cut above his right eye, sustained in his scrap with the bondsmen, according to court records. Officers took him to McLaren Bay Region hospital for treatment. While they waited for a doctor, Palmer repeatedly told the officers one of the bondsman was lucky, as he (Palmer) should have killed him, court records show.

At his arraignment on Dec. 16, Palmer said he "never knew those guns were stolen." He then went on to beg and plead for District Judge Mark E. Janer to release him on bond so he could be present for the birth of his first child.

Janer read aloud Palmer's juvenile record, which includes court action on retail fraud, resisting and obstructing police, malicious destruction of property, larceny in a building and multiple counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle. His adult record, which Janer also read aloud, includes convictions of resisting and obstructing police, brandishing a firearm in public, unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle and furnishing contraband to prisoners.

When Janer set Palmer's bond at $75,000 cash-surety, the defendant began sobbing and removed his shirts. Jail staff took Palmer from the room.

The Michigan Department of Corrections discharged Palmer on April 10, 2015. A Bay County judge in April 2011 sentenced him to 23 months to five years in prison on a conviction of unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle. In August, Palmer was arraigned in Bay County District Court on charges of domestic violence and assault and battery, but bench warrants were issued for him in those cases in September when he failed to appear for scheduled hearings.

While Palmer sat in jail, his 18-year-old brother Shawn M. Palmer in wee hours of Sunday, April 10, shot himself in the head with a pistol while attempting to demonstrate to friends that the gun was fake. Police have said witness Edward E. Williams Jr., 17, called 911 to say someone else had shot his friend, then drove Palmer to McLaren Bay Region hospital.

Williams later told police Palmer was the victim of a drive-by shooting, a version Palmer himself later echoed to officers. Williams is now charged with false report of a felony, which is itself a four-year felony, and is set for trial Tuesday, Aug. 9.
Nicholas Tanner.JPG

Nicholas J. Tanner in court for his sentencing on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016.

(Cole Waterman | The Bay City Times)

Nicholas J. Tanner

BAY CITY, MI -- A 28-year-old man who broke into churches, a bingo hall, a tattoo parlor, and a Mexican restaurant to fuel his drug habit is heading to prison, but he has a church's support system waiting to help him upon his release.

Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran on Monday, Aug. 8, sentenced Nicholas J. Tanner to three concurrent terms of two to 10 years in prison, with credit for 145 days already served. Sheeran also ordered Tanner to pay $35,946.54 in restitution.

Tanner in June pleaded guilty to three counts of breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny. In exchange, the prosecution dismissed three counts of larceny in a building.

The charges stem from a rash of break-ins between mid December and early March. Tanner targeted Carmona's Cocina, 1406 N. Henry St.; Victory Life Worship Center, 512 Germania St.; VooDoo Tattoo, 312 Lafayette Ave.; Zion Lutheran Church, 510 W. Ivy St.; and the Village Hall owned by St. Joseph's Church at 1338 N. Johnson St.

Police developed Tanner as a suspect and interviewed him. When a detective asked him if he remembered taking money from the churches, Tanner replied, "I know I've probably received money, yes. I know I was on a mission to get crack. I'm almost 100 percent sure that I broke into any door possible."

At his Monday sentencing, defense attorney Andrea LaBean said Tanner previously completed the county's felony drug treatment court. However, he relapsed because he did not have a solid support system, LaBean said.

"He does have the skills and does have the ability to remain sober," she said.

Tanner told the judge he was taking full responsibility for his crimes.

"I am sincerely remorseful," he said. "I have been battling my addiction for about 12 years of my life. I know my biggest mistake was I stopped attending meetings. I felt alone and began isolating myself and didn't reach out for help. I'm blessed to be alive today. I am ashamed and embarrassed to say I am 28 years old, have a wife and family, and am struggling to support my five minor children. It's not too late to ask for help to better my life, to rehabilitate myself, to carry out my sentence, and get back to my wife and children. If I can't help myself, I can't help my family."

Bay County Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Stroud said a prison sentence was warranted, stating Tanner had wreaked quite a bit of damage on the community.

"It's clear this has to stop," Stroud said.

Just before Judge Sheeran imposed the sentence, Paul Kruse, the pastor at Zion Lutheran Church, spoke up.

"I have visited Nicholas a couple of times in jail and I've had an opportunity to chat with him and pray with him and for him," Kruse said. "He has indicated to me he desperately desires some rehabilitation. We believe at my church that we'd like him to walk in through our front doors than the windows, and we will do whatever we can to support him once he's released from custody. I want you to know he will have a support system from us in this community."

Sheeran thanked Kruse for his voice of support for Tanner. He then spoke to Tanner directly.

"You are blessed to be alive and we want you to stay alive," he said. "The only way stay alive is to keep yourself off those drugs. I hope you don't look at this sentence as though society has given up on you. We're not."
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump says he's starting a national conversation about "how to make America again ... especially for those who have the very least."

"The city of Detroit, is where our story begins," Trump said during a nearly one-hour speech to 1,500 members of the Detroit Economic Club and their guests at Detroit's Cobo Center on Monday.

"Detroit was once the economic envy of the world. The people of Detroit helped to power America to its position of global dominance in the 20th century."

As he completed the sentence, a protester began to shout mostly inaudible statements. The crowd booed and then cheered loudly upon her removal. At least 14 people would be removed for outbursts during Trump's speech.

Trump noted Detroit is run by Democrats as he listed grim statistics regarding Detroit's economy and crime.

"Detroit was absolutely booming," he said. "Engineers, builders, laborers, shippers and countless others went to work each day, providing for their families and lived out ... the American dream, but for many living in this city that dream has long ago vanished when we abandoned the policy of America first.

"We started rebuilding other countries instead of our own. The skyscrapers went up in Beijing and many other cities around the world while the factories and neighborhoods crumbled right here in Detroit.

He noted Detroit's per capita income is less than $15,000, about half of the national average.

"Forty percent of the city's residents live in poverty, over 2 1/2 times the national average," Trump said. "The unemployment rate is almost twice the national average. Half of all Detroit residents do not work.

"Detroit tops the list of the most dangerous cities in terms of violent crime."

Another protester interrupted, standing atop her chair and shouting.

After touting his new tax reform plan, which Trump says will reduce the number of tax brackets from seven to three and be the "biggest tax reform since Reagan," he said his policies will "help America grow again."

"In short, the city of Detroit is the living, breathing example of my opponent's failed economic agenda," Trump said.

Hillary Clinton supports high taxes, "radical regulation" that "forces jobs out of the community," trade deals like the North American Free Trade Agreement that move jobs to Mexico, immigration policies that strain the local budget and policy that strips parents' educational choices for their children, Trump said.

Trump's Detroit stop is his fifth Michigan appearance since he first announced his campaign and his first since he accepted the Republican presidential nomination. He also participated in the Republican presidential debate hosted by Fox News in Detroit shortly before Michigan's March 8 presidential primary.

Tickets to the event were sold exclusively to Detroit Economic Club members -- typically area business people -- and their guests at a cost of $45 to members and $55 for their guests.

In the aftermath of both the Republican and Democratic national conventions hosted last month, Trump has weathered waves of controversy and poor polling numbers against Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

Trump in recent weeks has been criticized for his response to Gold Star parent Kazir Khan's speech at the Democratic National Convention, as well as his delays in endorsing U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan and U.S. Sens. John McCain and Kelly Ayotte in their primaries. Recent remarks on foreign policy have also led critics to question his fitness to be president.
delta airlines.jpg

A Delta Airlines plane flies into Portland International Airport in Portland, Ore.

(AP File Photo)

DETROIT - Delta flights are slowly resuming at Metro Detroit's airport after a power outage for the airline in Atlanta grounded its flights worldwide.

As of 8:40 a.m., the airline said a "ground stop" that had taken effect earlier Monday morning had been lifted, and a limited number of departures are resuming globally.

At Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, or DTW, crowds of delayed travelers are beginning to thin as flighys resume.

"The terminal was pretty packed earlier this morning," DTW spokeswoman Erica Donerson said. "Things are starting to return to normal now."

DTW is a major hub for Delta Airlines, with 455 peak-day departures and 127 destinations served.

Delta said the power outage began at about 2:30 a.m. EST and impacted computer systems worldwide. Flights that were already in the air when the outage happened were unaffected.

Delta said customers should expect delays and cancellations throughout the day.

There may also be a lag time for accurate information on flight statuses at delta.com, so Donerson suggested passengers call Delta customer service (1-800-455-2720) before heading to DTW.
DETROIT -- Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump gave an uncommonly specific, policy-focused speech Monday afternoon, Aug. 8 in Detroit.

Though his speech was interrupted more than a dozen times by protesters, Trump stayed away from insults and opted to quietly thank his staffers for removing the activists.

His one jab at protesters called Hillary Clinton supporters less energetic than those of Bernie Sanders.

Trump was introduced by his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, around 12:15 p.m. and kept talking until a little after 1 p.m.

Here are some Twitter reactions that sum up the 70-year-old's economy-focused speech:
Shooting scene at MLK and Dayton

A man was shot and killed in the early-morning hours of Friday, Aug. 5 in the parking lot of a liquor store at the corner of Martin Luther King Avenue and Dayton Street.

(Dominic Adams | MLive.com)

FLINT, MI - Two people were killed and four others shot in the city in the last three days.

While the spree started with a homicide early Friday morning in the parking lot of a liquor store, it ended with a triple shooting in the early morning hours of Sunday, Aug. 7, in the 1000 block of East Baker Street.

Police have not said if any of the shootings were connected.

Two men were critically wounded in a shooting at 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, in the 1000 block of East Baker Street, Flint police said.

A third man who also suffered gunshots wounds was in good condition following the shooting, police said in the statement.

A man was shot and killed about 11:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6, in the 1000 block of Ridgecrest Drive.

Flint police arrived at the scene and found one man dead from multiple gunshot wounds, according to a statement. The man's name was not released.

Two suspects were taken into custody, police said.

Flint police were called to the Liquor Plus Mini-Mart at the corner of Dayton Street and Martin Luther King Avenue on Friday, Aug. 5, around 9:54 p.m. for a shooting.

Police say the victim was taken to an area hospital where the teen was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

It was the second shooting at the store in 24 hours.

A man was shot to death about 12:30 a.m. on Friday at the same location.

Flint police responded to the 2400 block of Martin Luther King Avenue at Dayton Street and found a man dead from multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot of the Liquor Plus Mini Mart.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said he has discussed the recent shootings at the liquor store with police Chief Tim Johnson.

Anyone with information is asked to call Flint police at 810-237-6800, or to submit an anonymous tip call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - No "cheap, mass-produced American beers" will be available at a new brew store proposed at Klingman Lofts across from the Downtown Market.

Craft Beer Cellar instead will serve and sell what its name suggests: craft beer.

Thirty-something Massachusetts transplants Brian Beaucher and Jessica Beeby hope to open their bar/retail store this fall.

"You can come on in, sit at the bar, drink a pint and grab a six-pack on the way out," said Beaucher, who left an antique map store in order to open the beer business in Grand Rapids with his wife, Beeby, a Michigan native who was a college administrator.

"We're beer geeks and want to just be geeky about beer. The beer scene (in Grand Rapids) is awesome. We're not going to be filling our cooler with Bud, Coors and Miller. It's just going to be craft beer. We'll have imported Belgians to whatever brewery down the street."

Hello! We are Craft Beer Cellar Grand Rapids. We are bringing a relatively new concept to downtown Grand Rapids; a craft... Posted by Craft Beer Cellar Grand Rapids on Wednesday, July 27, 2016

In addition to on-site beer service - as well as some wine and liquor - Craft Beer Cellar will sell packaged booze for off-site consumption in the 2,400-square-foot space at 404 Ionia Ave. SW, at the southeast corner of Wealthy Street. Plans call for 34 seats and a food menu limited to bar snacks.

A Grand Rapids Planning Commission hearing is 1:20 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at the city's Development Center, 1120 Monroe Ave. NW. The business is seeking a waiver to provide zero on-site parking spaces, instead of 11 spaces required by city code.

"Customers can utilize the existing metered parking on Ionia," the permit application states. "We also plan to work with the Downtown Market to offer validated parking in their private lot."

$24M lofts offer rent breaks in downtown's hottest new neighborhood

Parking was a point of opposition for some people who live near a proposed 7 Monks Taproom that received city planning approval last month to open at 616 Lofts, 740 Michigan St. NE.
Turkish Ambassador to Russia Umit Yardim sees no prospects for Moscow and Ankara signing an intergovernmental agreement on the Turk Stream gas pipeline any time soon.

"The negotiations were held and continue now but we are far from signing any intergovernmental agreement at this point," Yardim said on the Rossiya-24 television when commenting on the situation around the Turk Stream gas pipeline thought to be laid on the seabed of the Black sea.
GALENA, MO - The family of a Northern Michigan couple killed by two teens who escaped from a juvenile rehabilitation camp in Missiouri are suing the camp and employees for inadequately supervising the escapees, the Associated Press reported.

Anthony Zarro of Spring, Texas, and Christopher Allen of Nashville ran away from the Lives Under Construction facility in early 2013 and killed Paul and Margaret Brooks, of Baldwin, at a cabin where they were staying in Lampe, Mo.

The Brookses' family is alleging Lives Under Construction, a Christian camp for at-risk youth, poorly supervised the teens and failed to alert authorities or residents in the area of their escape, according to the AP.

The camp offers a religious residential treatment program, including biblical counseling, for about $3,800 a month per child, according to its website.

The lawsuit alleges Zarro and Allen were taken off psychiatric medication without consulting a doctor.

John Schultz, an attorney for Lives Under Construction, said people associated with the camp have the "deepest sympathy" for the couple's family.

"The lawsuits seek to hold Lives Under Construction, its employees and Board of Directors responsible for crimes committed by the boys two days after they left the Ranch," Schultz said. "Lives Under Construction, its employees and Board of Directors played no role in these crimes."

Zarro and Allen were 16 and 15, respectively, when they murdered the couple in January 2013. They pleaded guilty and are serving life in prison for the murders.

The Brookses, originally of Canada, would have celebrated a 50-year wedding anniversary in July 2013. They had three sons, three daughters-in-law and nine grandchildren. One of their children is from Grand Rapids.

The couple moved to Baldwin after Paul Brooks retired from the auto industry in Detroit and they officially became U.S. citizens.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Sixteen-year-old Seth Reynolds says he went to a few different high schools before finally landing at Heartside Ministry's "Bridging the Gap'' GED and literacy program this spring.

Last week, Reynolds was among three to graduate with their GED (General Education Development) credentials. More than 40 students have graduated this year, the most since the program launched in 2014.

Related: See how Heartside Ministry's GED test-passing rate is beating state, national average

The program's success hasn't gone unnoticed. In April, the Steelcase Foundation awarded the ministry a three-year, $90,000 grant to continue to develop and expand its offerings.

"My advice to others is don't stop trying," said Reynolds, who said the traditional high school was not a good fit for him but people must keep trying to find a situation that works. "I'm going to enroll in GRCC (Grand Rapids Community College) now. I have an interest in theology and music."

The Steelcase Foundation also gave the program the funds to initially launch. In 2014, there were 17 graduates, followed by 30 last year and around 45 so far this year.

Tyshawn Ezell, 20, who graduated with Reynolds, plans to enroll in GRCC's criminal justice program. She said she has always worked since leaving high school in 2013 to have her child but finding work became difficult without a GED, degree or certification, so she sought out the free program.

"I made good grades in school," said Ezell, who said the fact that the Heartside program was free and flexible allowed her to complete the program.

Jamie Rykse, education program coordinator for Bridging the Gap, said they are very intentional about making the program flexible for students who work, have kids or other responsibilities that can be a barrier to them receiving their GED.

"This program is meaningful to this community because it is helping people change their lives," Rykse said. "Getting their GED improves our students self-esteem, opens up the possibility of college and creates more job opportunities."

Aton White, 19, who also graduated last week, says he is excited about the future.

"I messed up in my past and had a hard time at school, but I always knew I had the potential to be successful in college," said White, who plans to study business, psychology or engineering at GRCC. "I have a lot of interests."

"There is something in me that says I need to be a leader and an example for people of my generation and younger.''

Rykse said participants run the gamut in terms of age, race and reasons for pursuing a GED. She said the program isn't structured like other programs.

She said a student can come in and start right away by taking four pretests to determine their readiness for taking the GED tests. She said if they pass all four they will pay for them to take the GED, but if they have a weakness in one of more subjects they are assigned a tutor.

Classes are held at Heartside Ministry, 54 Division Ave. SE, Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. but Rykse said students don't have to come every day. The GED test is given on Friday.

The program aims to help address the education and employment gap that is often at the heart of financial and social problems that afflict those who are unemployed and homeless.

The Rev. Andy DeBraber, chief executive officer for Heartside Ministry, said they launched the program because they that a gap in education with people lacking basic skills but having a desire to learn and move ahead. He said there were also limited programs due to fewer resources being allocated at the time.

"We hope to help break the cycle and have engaged citizens in meaningful employment, who are able to raise their children with the kind of skills, knowledge and education they wanted," he said.

Some of the goals of Bridging the Gap are:

 Offer a safe, accepting and comfortable learning environment to engage students who have been largely divorced from the education system.

 Assist each adult learner to identify, plan, and pursue their education and career goals.

 Improve the basic reading, writing, and math skills of each adult learner.

 Advance adult learners into GED programming.

 Aid in development of work readiness skills.

The program's 86-percent pass rate exceeds the national average of 65 percent and Michigan's average of 70 percent, according to data from the Workforce Development Agency.

In 2014, a more rigorous GED test was implemented that was administered by computer only and included more writing and critical thinking components. It was designed to more closely mirror the changes to the high school curriculum and better prepare students for college and the workforce.

As of March 1, residents have to score at least 145 to pass the test, down from 150. The scoring change was recommended by the GED testing service. The earlier changes had resulted in a drop in both the number of people who took and passed the exam.

Related: Two years after rigorous GED implemented, passing score is lowered

.

Last summer, Heartside Ministry became an official GED testing center and also began offering prep courses for the National Career Readiness Certificate.

The certificate is based on an individual's performance on three WorkKeys(r) skills assessments: Applied Mathematics, Locating Information, and Reading for Information - skills that are deemed important to a majority of jobs in the workplace.

Rykse said the program is looking for partners in business and industry to help their graduates. She also said they are in need volunteers. Contact Rykse at 616-235-7211, ext. 118 or by email at education@heartside.org.
GR_Mayoral_Candidate_Forum_09

Candidates, Rosalynn Bliss, Robert Dean, and John George listen to questions being asked during the Grand Rapids Mayoral Candidate Forum, hosted by Michigan Radio, The Grand Rapids Press and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in the Meijer Theatre at the Grand Rapids Public Museum in Grand Rapids, Mich. (Taylor Ballek | MLive.com)

(Taylor Ballek)

Oodles of nominees from last week's primary elections have advanced to ballots for the general election in November. In addition, scores of other candidates who didn't need to go through the primary process also will be up for election Nov. 8.

Among them is former Grand Rapids mayoral candidate John George. The 65-year-old finished a distant third last year behind winner Rosalynn Bliss and runner-up Robert Dean, a former state representative.

George now is running as a Libertarian for election to the 76th District Michigan House seat that represents part of Grand Rapids. Also on the ballot are incumbent state Rep. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, Republican nominee Casey O'Neill, and U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate Brandon Hoezee.

"I got more than enough (of election campaigning last year), but I guess I made a little name for myself," George said. "(The Libertarian Party) was trying to get candidates on the ballot where they can and let people know there's an alternative."

George is part of a slate of Libertarians on the ballot for state- and federal-level elections. Kentwood city commissioner Erwin Hass, for example, is running for Congress as a Libertarian alongside U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, and Dennis Murphy, a Democrat from Grandville.

While George campaigned last year to remove fluoride from Grand Rapids city water, his state House platform centers on limiting the size of government.

"All levels of government are just too big," George said. "We've gone light years beyond what (the country's founders) intended. I think we're going down a pretty scary path."

Elsewhere, there's a Libertarian candidate named Bill Gelineau on the ballot for state House in the 74th District, where state Rep. Rob VerHeulen, R-Walker, is the incumbent, and a Libertarian candidate named Bill Gelineau on the ballot for state House in the 86th District, where state Rep. Lisa Lyons, R-Alto, is being term-limited out of the seat.

One is the father and one is the son.

"We kind of fill some slots if we live in the right place," said the elder Gelineau, who is Michigan Libertarian Party chairman and running in the 86th District. "You get kind of the googly eye from people when the find out, but the reality is the Dems and Republicans do the same thing. They want to make sure they're in every race as much as possible."

STATE HOUSE (two-year term)
Byron Center Retail Stores_080116.jpg

Subway, ChowHound and Verizon Wireless have moved into a newly completed strip mall in Byron Township. (Courtesy photo)

WYOMING, MI -- Subway, ChowHound and Verizon Wireless have moved into a newly completed strip mall in Wyoming.

The 10,000 square-foot retail space, at 5811 Byron Center Avenue, is located off the M-6 highway.

The newly opened Chowhound is the pet supply chain's ninth West Michigan location.

The store's interior and updated self-dog wash will become standard for the West Michigan retailer going forward, said Greg Keane, ChowHound president. stores going forward.

"We've already experienced a huge response from the neighborhood," said Keane. "People have been waiting for a pet supply retailer to come into the area and we expect this store to be a big hit.

The Verizon Wireless store is also new design for Verizon, says Darryl Bartlett, president of 4 ONE Enterprises, which owns the franchised location that will open later this month.

"We'll be one of just four stores in the U.S. built to showcase a wide range of devices running off wireless services that customers can touch and interact with," Bartlett said.

The retail center was developed by First Companies to draw new retailers to the Byron Center market, said Jeff Baker, First Companies' chief executive officer.

"We were able to purchase the land, build the shell, and attract quality tenants, with Verizon and ChowHound hiring us to complete their build-outs," said Baker, adding the company will also serve as the development's property manager.
LAKE SUPERIOR- Two missing boaters and a dog, who failed to return to Little Sand Bay after a day of boating in the islands, were found early Sunday, Aug. 7, according to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Officials said a search began at about midnight on Saturday, Aug. 6 for the people and dog who were on a 20-foot vessel. Their location was unknown by the individual who reported them missing.

The people and dog were found at about 3 a.m. on York Island by the U.S. Coast Guard's helicopter, with help from the Coast Guard's Air Station in Traverse City. No injuries were reported.

Officials said mechanical issues with the boat caused a delayed return.

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore encompasses 21 islands and shoreline in northern Wisconsin, where it meets Lake Superior.
BEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP, MI -- The victim of a fatal car crash over the weekend in Kalkaska County has been identified as Jeffrey Allen-Kilroy Krueger.

The 60-year-old was driving northbound on Swamp Road when he lost control of his 1998 Jeep Wrangler just before 7:14 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, sheriff's officials said.

Krueger weaved off the road to the right, then back onto the road, then off the road again, where the Jeep hit a tree, authorities said.

The collision caused Krueger to be ejected from his vehicle, then hit another tree, according to police. Krueger, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was found 25 feet south of where his Jeep landed.

The crash remains under investigation.
EMMET COUNTY, MI - A 61-year-old woman was hit by a car and killed while riding her bicycle on Sunday, Aug. 7, according to the Emmet County Sheriff's Office.

Tracy Butler, of Petoskey, was travelling on the paved shoulder of the northbound lane on U.S. 31 when she was struck by a northbound car driven by Frank Veraldi, 66, of Petoskey.

The crash happened near the entrance to the Fotchman Industrial Park at about 12:48 p.m.

Police said Butler was transported to McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

It is unknown if Veraldi suffered any injuries.

Police said the crash remains under investigation.
DETROIT, MI -- While outlining his plans for economic reform, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump kept on coming back to the city of Detroit.

In an address to the Detroit Economic Club at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Trump told a crowd of about 1,500 that Detroit was once the "economic envy of the world," full of people that helped empower America.

That changed, he said, when the policy of "America first" was abandoned. Instead of rebuilding cities in the U.S., American dollars were going to other nations, leaving Detroit and other cities to fall to disrepair.

"The skyscrapers went up in Beijing and many other cities around the world, while the factories and neighborhoods crumbled right here in Detroit," he said.

In between occasional intervals of protesters in the crowd shouting and getting thrown out, Trump cast his economic reform proposals in sharp contrast with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, noting that low and middle income Americans would benefit from his ideas where Democratic policies have failed to help them.

"Detroit is a living, breathing example of my opponent's failed economic agenda," Trump said to applause.

Throughout his speech, Trump railed against the Trans Pacific Partnership, or TPP, and the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, calling them a "disaster for Detroit and everybody else."

Trump's Detroit stop is his fifth Michigan appearance since he first announced his campaign and his first since he accepted the Republican presidential nomination. He also participated in the Republican presidential debate hosted by Fox News in Detroit shortly before Michigan's March 8 presidential primary.

Tickets to the event were sold exclusively to Detroit Economic Club members -- typically area business people -- and their guests at a cost of $45 to members and $55 for their guests.

In the aftermath of both the Republican and Democratic national conventions hosted last month, Trump has weathered waves of controversy and poor polling numbers against Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

Trump in recent weeks has been criticized for his response to Gold Star parent Kazir Khan's speech at the Democratic National Convention, as well as his delays in endorsing U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan and U.S. Sens. John McCain and Kelly Ayotte in their primaries. Recent remarks on foreign policy have also led critics to question his fitness to be president.
Donald Trump appears at Republican fundraiser in Birch Run

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump greets the crowd at the Birch Run Expo Center, Aug. 11, 2015. More than 2000 people attended the sold-out fundraiser.

(Jeff Schrier)

DETROIT, MI -- Roughly 1,500 people will watch Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump give his speech in Detroit today, but many of Michigan's top Republican officials will not be in the audience.

Neither Gov. Rick Snyder nor Lt. Gov. Brian Calley will be at the Detroit Economic Club's Monday luncheon where Trump will speak, their spokespersons confirmed last week.

Snyder has publicly stated he's chosen not to endorse in the race. Calley, who originally endorsed Ohio Gov. John Kasich, endorsed Trump after he became the presumptive nominee. Calley also recently stumped for Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Trump's vice presidential running mate, when Pence was in Grand Rapids on July 28.

On the legislative side, spokespersons for House Speaker Kevin Cotter, R-Mt. Pleasant, and Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive, also said the state lawmakers would not be in attendance.

Both Meekhof and Cotter supported other candidates during the Republican primary. Meekhof endorsed Kasich, and Cotter endorsed U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz -- but both have since said they would support the nominee.

Tickets were sold exclusively to Detroit Economic Club members -- typically area business people -- and their guests. Nearly 1,500 tickets were sold at a cost of $45 to members and $55 for their guests.

Trump is set to speak to the group about jobs and the economy. It's his fifth campaign stop in Michigan since beginning the campaign and his first since accepting the Republican nomination.

Come back to Mlive.com throughout the day for more on Trump's speech.
Ukraine intends to develop trade relations with Indonesia, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said.

"First the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) took effect from January 2016Duties on most categories of goods and services have been revoked. We have an absolutely fantastic logistics, and it takes 40 hours, not 40 days to reach Indonesia now," the president said at the Ukraine-Indonesia business forum in Indonesia on Sunday.

He said that goods turnover between Ukraine and Indonesia has significantly grown in the first five months of this year, and this is evidence of stepping up cooperation between the two countries.

The president said that this situation makes Ukraine more attractive for foreign investors. Indonesia could use this opened window to the EU for Indonesian business. The Ukrainian president said that in turn, Indonesia is a large market. Ukraine is ready to be present on it, he said.

Poroshenko pointed out the importance of deepening cooperation with Indonesia in various spheres, in particular, agriculture, defense and technical, pharmaceutical industries and energy equipment production.

"We have a huge potential for cooperation of pharmaceutical companies sand many representatives of pharmaceutical are present in the Ukrainian delegation. There are many pharmaceutical companies in Indonesia," Poroshenko said.

He recalled that after negotiations with the president of Indonesia, several important agreements were signed. They concern cooperation in agrarian, defense industries and the agreement on the visa-free travel for citizens of both countries who have diplomatic or service passports.
Hillary Clinton's campaign organized a press conference featuring union workers and a small business owner outside Cobo Center prior to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's speech to the Detroit Economic Club Monday.

While many in a larger group of protesters held signs opposing Trump, those at the press conference vocally put their support behind the Democratic candidate.

Tony Stovall, owner of Hot Sam's men fashion, said Clinton is the obvious choice for small business owners like himself.

"There's only one candidate who believes in equal rights and equal pay," he said.

The speakers cited Trump's business failures and anti-union rhetoric as evidence he is not good for Detroit.

"Donald Trump will do anything to get ahead," said Rick Blocker, president of the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO. "He has preyed on ordinary Americans his whole life. Donald Trump is not good for working people."

Blocker also had positive things to say about Clinton.

"She is the most qualified candidate," he said. "We have someone we can be proud of."

Stovall said Clinton's work as a U.S. senator and secretary of state gives her the experience she needs to be president. .

"If there was ever a candidate who was overqualified, it's Hillary," he said. "Here in Detroit, we believe you should be qualified to be president of the United States."

He implored Democrats to not just oppose Trump, but to head out to the polls in November.

"We need to all start voting," he said. "If we don't start voting, we will become insignificant."

June Clark, city of Detroit employee, said Trump is not the great businessman he touts himself to be.

"We've seen his disastrous business results in Atlantic City," she said. "His plans for the American economy are just as disastrous. Donald Trump should be ashamed to step foot in the city of Detroit."

The large group of protesters outside Cobo Hall was primarily anti-Trump, though a there were a few Trump supporters wearing "Clinton for Jail" T-shirts.

MLive will have more from the protests and Trump's speech throughout the day.
DETROIT, MI -- Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette sees the November 2016 presidential election as one of jobs, paychecks and change. In his mind, there's only one candidate left on the ticket who's capable of addressing those issues well.

"This is about two choices -- Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton," he told reporters prior to Donald Trump's speech given to members of the Detroit Economic Club and their guests Monday afternoon. "These are polarizing figures, sure, but the fact is people don't trust Hillary Clinton, and people want change."

Schuette was the highest-ranking Republican state official to attend Monday's event, where Trump spoke to a crowd of roughly 1,500 people -- neither Gov. Rick Snyder nor Lt. Gov. Brian Calley were in attendance.

Schuette told reporters that there's a reason Trump came to Michigan for a major economic policy speech -- there's no better place than Michigan to discuss how the economy can rebound under a Republican presidency.

Asked why he felt it was important to attend the speech, Schuette said: "He's in Michigan, for crying out loud."

"He came to Michigan to talk about jobs, talk about paychecks, talk about growth," Schuette said. "Michigan's in play."

Schuette said he's not worried about current polls showing Trump trailing Clinton in the polls -- "my heart rate's at 72 beats per minute, he joked -- and predicted the polls will likely seesaw back and forth several times before Election Day.

Trump came to Michigan to talk economic plans after a series of new controversies, including his response to Gold Star parent Kazir Khan's speech at the Democratic National Convention and his delays in endorsing U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan and U.S. Sens. John McCain and Kelly Ayotte in their primaries.

Schuette denounced those comments, but reiterated that Trump is still a better alternative to Clinton.
DETROIT, MI -- Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump churned out highlights of his economic plan in a Monday speech in Detroit, making it a point to portray himself as a president who would help bring new jobs and economic success to those who need it most.

In an address to the Detroit Economic Club at Cobo Center in Detroit, Trump used the city and its economic struggles as a backdrop for contrasting his own economic policy ideas with those of his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton.

Throughout the speech, Trump painted Clinton as a "disaster" for Michigan and other communities throughout the country, connecting her to trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, and the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, or TPP.

"She is bought, controlled and paid for by her donors and special interests," Trump said of Clinton, who came out against the TPP last year.

Trump alleged that a vote for Clinton, despite what she has said on the topic, would be a vote for TPP and NAFTA. He vowed to renegotiate the United States' participation in NAFTA, noting that he's willing to "walk away" if the right terms can't be met.

Despite a series of protesters interrupting the speech at intervals, Trump was subdued throughout his comments, focusing heavily on tax, regulatory, trade and energy reform plans that he said would benefit low and middle income Americans where Democratic policies have failed to help them.

Among his suggestions were a temporary moratorium on regulations from federal agencies, a full deduction of average cost of childcare spending from taxes, penalizing businesses that move operations out of the U.S. and putting a 15 percent cap on all business income tax. He also used the stage to call for an end to the estate tax, commonly referred to as the "death tax" because of its application to a deceased person's estate.

He also repeated his assertion that he would repeal the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare, as one of his first actions if elected to the presidency.

More details are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, Trump said during the speech.

Trump's Detroit stop is his fifth Michigan appearance since he first announced his campaign and his first since he accepted the Republican presidential nomination. He also participated in the Republican presidential debate hosted by Fox News in Detroit shortly before Michigan's March 8 presidential primary.

Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, also made a surprise appearance at the event to introduce his running mate. He was last in Michigan July 28 for two campaign stops in Grand Rapids and Novi.

Tickets to the event were sold exclusively to Detroit Economic Club members -- typically area business people -- and their guests at a cost of $45 to members and $55 for their guests.

The speech gave Trump an opportunity to shift talk away from a series of controversies in recent weeks. He has been criticized for his response to Gold Star parent Kazir Khan's speech at the Democratic National Convention, as well as his delays in endorsing U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan and U.S. Sens. John McCain and Kelly Ayotte in their primaries.

Trump's recent remarks on foreign policy have also led critics to question his fitness to be president, and his polling numbers are currently low.

Outside the event, Clinton supporters and anti-Trump protesters blasted Trump for his business failures and anti-union rhetoric.

"Donald Trump will do anything to get ahead," said Rick Blocker, president of the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO. "He has preyed on ordinary Americans his whole life. Donald Trump is not good for working people."

Some Trump supporters wearing "Clinton for Jail" T-shirts also stood outside the Cobo Center during the event.
The Jackson Police Department reports the following activities for the weekend of Aug. 5 to 7 with officers responding to 246 calls for service, made 112 traffic stops and 13 arrests.

Aug. 5.

Several employees attended the Salvation Army Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon held at the Salvation Army.

Officer Smith investigated a personal injury traffic crash at the intersection of Cooper Street and South Street. The driver of the at fault vehicle sustained a fractured arm.

Cadets Baker and Roty assisted with parking at Relay For Life.

Officer Noppe investigated threats being made towards a mental health employee by a patient. Officer Noppe was able to locate the 54-year-old man and took him to Henry Ford Allegiance for treatment.

Officer Cassidy investigated a larceny report . The stolen property was recovered at a local pawn shop.

Officer Galbreath conducted foot patrol at Blair Park.

Officer Tefft conducted extra patrol in the area of First Street and Franklin Street.

Officer Rose investigated the break-in of a residence in the 600 block of W. Monroe Street. The suspect entered through a window and stole cash. The victim believes a relative may be responsible.

Officers dispatched for an intoxicated subject in the parking lot of the Admiral Station at 846 N. West Avenue. The investigation led to a male subject being arrested for Operating While Impaired by alcohol and a 19-year-old female being arrested for Minor In Possession of Alcohol.

Officer Elston conducted a traffic stop and arrested the 28-year-old male driver for Operating While Impaired by Alcohol 3rd Offense and Driving While License Suspended.

Aug. 6.

Police were dispatched to a heroin overdose in the area of Mitchell Street and Milwaukee Street. The 60-year-old man was transported to Henry Ford Allegiance for treatment.

Officers were dispatched to American 1 Federal Credit Union for the report of a subject walking inside with a rifle. Turned out to be a bb gun that the witness saw inside a vehicle and thought the subject was going to take it inside. Determined to be no problem.

Police were dispatched to a dog bite in the 1300 block of Rhoades Street. A 36-year-old female was bit by a German Shepard. The owner of the dog could not provide proof of shots and the dog was taken to the Animal Shelter.

Officer Tefft conducted extra patrol in the area of First Street and Franklin Street.

Police were dispatched to the area of N. Waterloo Street and W. North Street at 2:50 a.m. for a report of shots fired. Approximately 10 minutes later, a traffic crash was reported near the intersection of Ellery Avenue and Porter Street. There was nobody around the vehicle when officers arrived. It was determined this vehicle was involved as it had three apparent bullet holes to the rear of the vehicle. A 21-year-old female showed up at Henry Ford Allegiance around 4:45 a.m. with a facial injury from the traffic crash. The female indicated she was in the vehicle when it was shot at but stated she did not know the two subjects she was with.

Officer Tefft conducted a traffic stop in the area of Mechanic Street and Trail Street. The 26-year-old male driver was arrested for Operating Under Influence of Drugs 2nd Offense.

Officer Grove investigated a possible assault report that is believed to have occurred in the 100 block of N. Horton Street. The 75-year-old victim was found unresponsive in his apartment by a neighbor with injuries to his face and knees. Investigation is being conducted to determine if injuries are from an assault or an accidental fall.

Aug. 7.

Officer Mosier stopped a vehicle in the area of Michigan Avenue and Gilbert Street for an improper turn. Marijuana was located and the driver was issued a citation for Possession of Marijuana.

Officer Tefft conducted extra patrol in the area of First Street and Franklin Street.

Officer Tefft conducted foot patrol at Southridge Park.

Officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Steward Avenue at approximately 8:14 p.m. for a shooting. A 20-year-old man was located at the scene with a single gunshot wound to his side. He was transported to Henry Ford Allegiance for treatment where he underwent surgery and is currently in stable condition. Witnesses described seeing two black males run southbound from the area of the shooting. The investigation is ongoing with no arrests at this time.

Officer Galbreath arrested a 25-year old female for a felony warrant and two misdemeanor warrants.
The Michigan State Police Jackson Post provided the following log of activities for the weekend of Aug. 5 to 7 with troopers investigating 77 incidents and calls for service.

Parole Absconder:

Jackson County, City of Jackson: A sergeant initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for failing to signal a turn. The driver, a 48-year-old Monroe man, was found to be a parole absconder with a valid felony warrant out of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. He was arrested and lodged at the Jackson County Jail.

Fugitive:

Jackson County, Parma Township: A trooper stopped to check on a broken down vehicle; subsequently, the driver, a 24-year-old Battle Creek man, was found to be driving on a suspended license and had a traffic warrant for his arrest out of the Michigan State Police Jackson Post. He was arrested and lodged at the Jackson County Jail.

Fugitive:

Jackson County, City of Jackson: Troopers stopped a vehicle for driving without lights. The driver, a 27-year-old Jackson woman, was found to be operating without a license. She was cited for the offense and released. A passenger in the vehicle, a 36-year-old Detroit man, was found to have a traffic warrant for his arrest out of the Michigan State Police Jackson Post and a child support warrant for his arrest out of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. He was arrested and lodged at the Jackson County Jail.

Fugitive:

Jackson County, City of Jackson: Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle as it had a defective plate light. The driver, a 26-year-old Jackson man, was found to be operating without a license and had a valid warrant held by the Michigan State Police Jackson Post for possession of marijuana. He was arrested and lodged at the Jackson County Jail.

Fugitive/Resisting and Obstructing:

Jackson County, Springport Township: A trooper responded to a residence for follow-up on a stolen firearms complaint. A male subject at the residence was found to have a warrant out of the Michigan State Police Jackson Post for larceny and a traffic warrant out of the Ingham County Sheriff's Office. The trooper made contact with the 23-year-old Eaton Rapids man and attempted to take him into custody. The subject resisted arrest and after a brief struggle, the trooper was able to take the subject into custody. The subject was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on his warrants and for resisting and obstructing arrest.

Fugitive:

Hillsdale County, City of Hillsdale: Troopers performed a traffic stop on a vehicle for improper lane driving and defective equipment. Further investigation revealed the driver, a 31-year-old Quincy man, had a traffic warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody and lodged at the Hillsdale County Jail.

Juvenile Runaway:

Hillsdale County, Somerset Township: Troopers were dispatched to a juvenile runaway report. After further investigation, the juvenile was located and subsequently returned to parents unharmed.

Fugitive:

Hillsdale County, Moscow Township: Troopers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for failure to yield. Further investigation revealed a passenger in the vehicle, a 23-year-old Quincy man, had two child support warrants for his arrest out of the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Department. He was arrested and lodged at the Hillsdale County Jail.

Additional Activities:

Troopers are investigating a larceny of firearms complaint in Springport Township, Jackson County.

Troopers are investigating a malicious destruction of property complaint in Henrietta Township, Jackson County.

Two additional motorists were cited for driving without a license and four additional drivers were cited for driving on a suspended license in Jackson County.

Troopers were dispatched to 10 separate traffic crashes in both Jackson and Hillsdale Counties.

Troopers responded to 37 non-criminal calls for service in both Jackson and Hillsdale Counties.

Troopers are investigating a harassment complaint in Scipio Township, Hillsdale County.

One motorist was cited for improperly transporting medical marijuana in Hillsdale County.

Troopers are investigating a breaking and entering of a pole barn in Amboy Township, Hillsdale County.

One driver was cited for open intoxicants in a vehicle in Hillsdale County.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said in an interview with CNN Indonesia TV that during the negotiations with Indonesian President Joko Widodo an agreement to start consolations on a free trade area between Ukraine and Indonesia was reached.

"We have agreed with President Widodo to start consultations on the free trade area," he said.

The Ukrainian president said that Indonesia is an important partner of Ukraine in Southeast Asia. The countries have large potentials in many areas.

Ukraine could be a platform for Indonesian investors to reach the European market," he said.
Indian demand for Myanmar mung beans has caused prices to jump by more than 10 percent over the past three days, while prices for other beans have also risen, exporters said.





The price of matpe has risen from K1.57 million per tonne to K1.74 million per tonne since the end of last week, said exporter U Min Ko Oo.

He did not know why demand from India, Myanmars largest export market for beans and pulses, had suddenly surged.

In July, demand was low and prices were stable, he said. I do not know why it is suddenly so strong  the news would suggest that Indian bean farms are doing well and I have not heard anything about farming problems [in India].

The price jump is not linked to flooding in Myanmar, either, he said. Flooding has made things difficult for farmers, but have not impacted the beans sector, because we dont farm beans until September.

Myanmar merchants have around 160,000 tonnes of mung beans in stock, he said.

The price of other beans has risen moderately. U Myat Soe, central executive committee member of the Myanmar Pulses, Beans and Sesame Seeds Merchants Association, said exports to India were so strong in June that demand slumped in July.

Now Indian buyers need to replenish their stock, he said, and prices have risen accordingly.





Bean prices are up because of [higher] demand, not because of the flooding, he said.

The most popular beans among Indian traders are black matpe, green mung and chickpeas, he said. Most beans are grown in Bago, Yangon, Mandalay, Ayeyarwady and Sagaing regions from November to February.
The Myanmar Cosmetics Association is demanding the government protect the industry from foreign competition, which it says could destroy small and medium-sized local firms.





The Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) provides a list of industries that foreign-owned firms can invest in, as well as those that require a joint venture with a local operator and those that are completely off-limits.

The cosmetics sector is not mentioned anywhere on that list, said U Kyaw Min, chair of the Myanmar Cosmetics Association (MCA).

That means foreign firms, by default, are allowed to enter the Myanmar market, which could put local firms out of business, he said.

We know Myanmar needs foreign investment and we welcome it in the cosmetics sector because it helps business grow, he said. But we want there to be joint ventures. Industry operators will not put up with 100pc owned foreign companies.

The MCA made its request to the MIC in June, but has yet to receive a response, he added.

U Aye Lwin, a member of the MIC, said omissions on the MIC notification list are a result of intrinsic problems in the law-making process.

Myanmar laws are not watertight, not enough time is taken to consider all the issues and some lawmakers are not businesspeople, he said.





If a sector is not covered by the list, it does allow wholly foreign-owned companies to enter that market, but U Aye Lwin said he would raise the issue for the cosmetics industry.

Ill discuss this problem in [MIC] meetings and try my best, he said.

The MIC issues notifications updating the list of sectors and the level of foreign investment permitted. The last update was in March this year.

The MCA was formed in August 2015 in order to address issues with government policy at the industry-wide level, according to vice chair U Win Naing.
Race. Sexuality. Noodle cups. No topic was off limits at the inaugural Slam Express event held in Pansuriya on August 6.





A standing-room-only crowd watched what was billed as one of Myanmars first poetry slams  an event where poets perform original, often intensely personal, works.

This is the start of something new in Yangon, said organiser Than Toe Aung at the beginning of proceedings.

And he was right. A mix of poets  both emerging and established  spent the evening railing, begging and questioning about whatever mattered to them.

I am imprisoned in the world of norms. [This] world where women and homosexuals are feeble and weak. Strong men mock at the second and third sex, one performer said.

Another described a love interest with the words when she says democracy her LOreal lipstick smells sweet.





Maung Saung Kha, the penis poet who was recently released after spending six months in jail for defaming former president U Thein Sein, returned to the stage with ease.

He read a piece written in first-person about the torture and pain that may be experienced by sex slaves.

Lines that detailed a litany of visitations  bus conductors, waiters, gamblers  had audience members on the verge of tears. It ended on the poignant note of I want to go home.

In another especially moving performance, Than Toe Aung and co-organiser Aung Kaung Myat slammed in unison about anti-Muslim sentiment, drawing directly from their own experiences.

They are subject to all the mistreatment and discrimination. Is it right for us to live like nothing is wrong in this society? the duo said.

It ended on part cry-out, part call-to-arms: Let us tell them there is no place for racism in our civilised society. It must start now and it starts with you.

The audience erupted with cheers.

In an interview with The Myanmar Times after performing, Than Toe Aung said he was very nervous in the lead-up as he was worried of being targeted by racist organisations for his words.

But I need to speak out, he said.

An event like this would have been difficult if not impossible to hold in Yangon not all that long ago.

During the military era, local poets suffered from the threat of official censorship and certain legislation that could be used to stifle their work.

Famously, poet Saw Wai was arrested in 2008 for hiding the phrase Power Crazy Senior General Than Shwe in a Valentines Day poem.

While some of the previous administrations apparatus is still in place, hopes are high for the new parliament, which reportedly has 11 poets in it.

And as Slam Express showed, poets are already beginning to revel in their newfound freedoms.

We want this to be the start of a movement  Where people can freely express their values, Aung Kaung Myat said.

It certainly appeared that way. From performers and audience members alike, the message was loud and clear: Slam poetry has arrived in Myanmar.
As reports of more deaths filter out of a remote outpost of Sagaing Region, the army has been deployed and civilian volunteers are preparing to go to the scene to render assistance. Yesterday a local MP said the death toll had risen to 40 as a mysterious disease continues to spread.





The infected area straddles Lahe and Nanyun townships in the Naga self-administered region in the mountainous northeastern corner of Sagaing Region, near the border with India. The disease, which has not been officially diagnosed, has symptoms that include skin rashes, fever, difficulty breathing and coughing up blood. About 200 people in the zone have reported suffering such symptoms.

The New York Times reported on August 6 that health authorities had determined the disease outbreak is due to measles, a vaccine preventable and highly contagious virus.

Measles vaccination is included in the routine national program, but last year a health official told The Myanmar Times that a shortage of medicines has resulted in many children missing out on immunisation in the past. As a result, 34 measles outbreaks were reported in 2011.

In the current outbreak, more than nine villages have been affected in Lahe and Nanyun townships. According to Pyithu Hluttaw MP U Thet Naung (NLD; Lahe), the most-affected area is Htan Khun Lama village in his constituency.

Naga youth and community leaders are scrambling to get help to the victims and the local administration has asked permission to cross the border and seek aid in India. The permission was reportedly denied.

Yesterday two Tatmadaw units were dispatched to provide security for the medical teams that were heading for the affected villages on motorbikes provided by the Naga zones government.





Dr Than Htun Aung, deputy director general of the Department of Public Health, said two disease control teams were on their way. According to locals in the Naga area, the World Health Organization and Medecins Sans Frontieres have also promised assistance, a claim The Myanmar Times was not able to verify by press time yesterday.

Were trying to control the disease, but it will take at least 15 days to vaccinate people in the affected areas, he said.

Naw Aung Sann, general secretary of the Council of Naga Affairs, said, The death toll has reached 40, but no new deaths were reported last night or this morning. Its too early to say things are under control.

Blood and urine samples are being examined to determine a course of treatment and doctors are on their way from the Sagaing Region government office, the army and Nay Pyi Taw, he added.

Naw Aung Sann encouraged the government to put in place a state of emergency in the area.

Local authorities have been on alert since June 14, when a girl died in Lahe township, according to a statement issued by the council. On July 9, the tract/village administrator reported the outbreak to U Myint Aung, assistant director of the Government Administration Department, but the information was not passed to the Union government level. U Thein Zaw, deputy director of the Naga GAD, said he had been informed of developments only on July 23.

One main cause of the deaths was the weakness of healthcare provision in rural areas. They didnt pass on the information because they thought the deaths were normal, said Naw Aung Sann.

Dr Than Htun Aung said, In these remote areas, there are not enough healthcare staff and transportation is very difficult.

Shanah Organisation spokesperson Yin Meko Chine said, A few of us from Yangon will be leaving for the affected area in the next couple of days, as soon as weve assembled enough aid items to distribute. What we need now is medicines and nutritional support. Our medical teams will inoculate children in the surrounding villages, but we dont know how many there are.

A medical team will stay in the area for a month to treat the disease and render general medical support, said Dr U Than Tun Aung.

Additional reporting by Khin Su Wai
A 4.6-magnitude earthquake occurred in the south of Donetsk region at around 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

The epicenter of the earthquake occurred 78 kilometers south of Donetsk and 21 kilometers north of Staryi Krym, Kalmius district, Mariupol, the epicenter was ten kilometers deep, the EMSC said on its official site.

Later there were reports of cracks appearing in some houses.

The quake magnitude reached 4.9 at times, Ukrainian state emergency officials told journalists. The last time underground tremors were registered in the region was 30 years ago, they said.

Social media users in Mariupol said two tremors were clearly felt in all parts of the town. There is no information about damage, but have been reports of trembling walls, shaking furniture and stucco cracks.

Underground tremors were also reported by users in Donetsk, Maryinka, Volnovakha in Donetsk region; Zaporizhia, Berdiansk and Melitopol in Zaporizhia region; Dnipro, Kryvy Rih and Kropyvnytsky. Similar reports were received from the nearby Russian towns of Rostov-on-Don and Taganrog.
Thailand and Myanmar must agree on a migrant worker system that does not functionally result in legal human-trafficking, activists said at a press conference last week.





The remark ignited a scuffle with owners of overseas employment agencies who disputed allegations that their business model is barely a cut above black-market human smugglers.

At the August 2 press conference in Yangon, activists from Aide Alliance Committee for Myanmar Workers (AAC) and the Myanmar Association in Thailand (MAT) highlighted continued issues with the migrant worker memorandum of understanding (MoU) inked by the Myanmar and Thai governments.

Also on hand were 23 migrants who had entered Thailand through the MoU system but were ultimately driven out of the factories where they briefly worked.

MoU migration is supposed to be a G-to-G [government-to-government] project, but currently it is more like a B-to-B [business-to-business] project, said U Kyaw Thaung, director of the MAT. Overseas employment agencies are sending migrants to Thailand by using unfair or dishonest tactics so we call it legal human-trafficking.

Activists said that they want the government to review and scrutinise the employment agencies work programs. They claim to have substantial proof  in the form of both documents and witnesses  of dishonest practices by employment agencies leading to the imprisonment of migrant workers.

In one case, they said, an agency sent 179 Myanmar nationals to a Thai factory, but when the workers arrived, they were told no employees were needed.

In 2012, embassy inspectors and AAC leaders inspected a factory and found no labourers and no need of labourers, U Kyaw Thuang said. At the police station, in front of embassy inspectors, the factory manager admitted that they did not need workers. But at the same time, an agency was sending over hundreds of migrants to that factory.





Thai brokers are buying bogus letters that claim a need for workers in factories and businesses, he said.

The 23 workers in attendance said they had recently returned home after being driven from a factory. A Myanmar agency, Mya Win, sent them with two-year contracts to work in a chicken processing factory, they said. But the contracts were changed with forged signatures in Myawady township, which borders Thailand, the migrants claimed. Instead, they were sent to work in a pineapple juice factory, they said, where they were given only a two-month contract.

Ma Khin Thida Htun said that after getting kicked out of the factory with the other 22 workers on July 18, they stayed at the employers home for 18 days.

Many times, we called and asked for help from the agencies over those 18 days, she said. But no one helped us. Finally, the AAC came and saved us. We are not satisfied with the agency. We will sue this agency if they do not solve our grievances. We have strong documents and records.

Many agencies break labour agreement contracts, activists said, and they fail to take responsibility for the consequences, which have included injury and death.

We accuse the MoU migration system of legal human-trafficking, said U Khaing Gyi, an AAC leader and member of the embassys Committee for Workers Protection. Anyone can sue us using any law that they like, if we are wrong.

He asked the Myanmar government to investigate the situation and take harsh action against wayward agencies and labour officers.

U Kyaw Zaw, general secretary of the Myanmar Oversea Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF), who also attended the press conference, told The Myanmar Times that federation members are operating on a legal business and are sending workers to Thailand according to the laws and the MoU.

He faulted business owners in Thailand who are demanding far more workers than they actually need.

We carry out our tasks responsibly, he said. But Thailands businessmen also need to carry out their tasks [responsibly]. They must pay the salaries for all the jobs they asked for from us. If every migrants association  legal or illegal  will cooperate with us, we can improve migrant affairs. If the associations help migrants in order to further their interests through good publicity, we will face more migration problems.

U Myo Aung, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, said the workers who wish to go to Thailand under the MoU system need to read their contracts carefully and report problems to the respective agencies and the government.

Do report to us, he said. We can solve the MoU workers problems with G-to-G systems. They made the wrong move by reporting this only to civil society organisations and not the government.

About 4 million Myanmar migrants  documented and undocumented  are working in Thailand, with 4000 to 5000 headed across the border every month, according to MOEAF.
Life on the sidelines is not suiting the former ruling party. After months of struggling with its much-diminished political role and watching former opposition lawmakers steer the government, the Union Solidarity and Development Party is looking to buff its reputation and reboot its image at a party conference later this month.





The USDP has been aiming to regroup, and jointly relaunch its next political chapter with a convention held at party headquarters, but the gathering has been repeatedly delayed. Initially, the postponement was attributed to waiting for U Thein Sein to be able to reassume chairing the party after handing over the presidential office.

The party was then rent with internal divisions, and a purge of former high-level members loyal to ex-Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann.

Last week, during a meeting at the partys Yangon office, U Htay Oo said the USDP is finally settling on a likely date in the third week of August.

I think we will have our party conference around August 20, he told reporters.

The party congress is widely anticipated to set off the reforms that will rebuild the party with young recruits, with an eye toward a comeback in the 2020 election.

Following a near eclipse at the ballot box last November, with voters eschewing the old guard in place of the National League for Democracys promise for change, the USDP is aware of the need for a significant overhaul, but appears to be at a loss over how to recast itself.





No longer in control of the parliamentary agenda, the USDP has failed to re-establish its voice, or to even provide checks and balances on the current administration.

Former lawmaker U Htay Oo acknowledged that the former ruling party MPs are not thriving in their newfound roles.

We do not have a policy to be an opposition, the USDP vice chair said.

An internal party report glossed the challenges and power struggles facing the USDP as weaknesses in building unity, in solidifying the party strength, in persuading voters to vote for the party, in making people understand what the party has done for the local development.

These issues, the report said, are the main reason for our election loss, though the perceived bias of the media also allegedly did not help.

Seeking to end the seismic rifts within the party, and to end the dueling poles of authority, U Thein Sein set about purging members whose loyalty he found lacking soon after he reassumed the party reins. Seventeen USDP members, including Thura U Shwe Mann, were sacked in April.

The expelled members fought back, staging a press conference at the end of May in which they termed the former presidents actions dictatorial, and demanded justice, as well as a full explanation for the expulsions. But for all their hollering, the ousted members have yet to see much traction among their former USDP peers.

Asked how the party plans to respond to the demands of the former Speaker and his allies, U Htay Oo declined to directly address the question.

Instead, he said, Our party is built on the mutual trust among its members. If a person inside the party no longer trusts the party, he automatically loses his membership. Also if the party does not trust them, they lose their membership, he said.

Whether an individual trusts his party or not can only be proved by the way they act, he added.

According to the party report, USDP members must all subscribe to the central tenant of pursuing national politics, a principal reflected in the 2008 constitution which enshrines the Tatmadaws role in politics. The USDP has long been seen as a political vehicle for the Tatmadaw. Alignment with the military establishment was one of several factors perceived as splitting the Thura U Shwe Mann and U Thein Sein camps.

But it does not appear likely that U Shwe Mann and his allies will be invited to party headquarters in Nay Pyi Taw for the coming conference.

The USDP is already moving ahead with a recasting of senior leadership roles after dropping those it found no longer desirable.

The region/state party committees and reserve committees have already been replaced, with new members having taken their oaths.

The partys conference will select the state and region chairs, as well as secretaries. The candidates nominated by the region or state party branches, the parliamentarians, and the township party offices will be vetted, narrowed to three shortlisted options, and then chosen at the partys conference.

At an August 5 assembly, the Yangon office put forward its nominations for the region chair, a position which has been vacant since U Myint Swe was appointed as first vice president. The president and vice presidents are constitutionally barred from participating in party activities. Former minister for electric power U Khin Maung Soe has been named as one of the three candidates to take over the Yangon branch.

At the August 5 meeting in Yangon, members also presented papers, trying their hand at reconstituting some of the partys policies and platforms.

Of the four research papers read at the Yangon meeting, one argued that the 2008 constitution should be amended to adopt a political system based around a federal democratic Union. In his inaugural speech, President U Htin Kyaw officially told the country that his government will prioritise reforming the constitution to guarantee a federal Union.

U Htay Oo said the political system should be based on two principles: the structure of the nation and the delineation of government powers.

For power sharing, we should examine the extent to which states and regions are controlled by the centralised government or are independent, he said.

Another paper presented at the USDP gathering criticised the current peace initiatives and argued that the first priority should be convincing the ethnic armed groups to agree to a ceasefire and to surrender their weapons.

U Htay Oo emphasised that the papers submitted represent the perspectives and ideas of individuals, and do not necessarily reflect the stance of the party.

Such debate of policy points is being encouraged however, as the party eyes a revamp. The USDP has announced plans to launch a think tank headed by former ministers U Soe Thein and U Aung Min, and has also held media training, teaching members on how to better interact with the press corps.

When he resumed heading the party in May, U Thein Sein vowed to identify and obliterate weaknesses within the party, and to reassert the USDP to its former prominence.

We have to cooperate to win the next election by examining these weaknesses and reforming the party, he said.
As a further step toward an inclusive peace process, government negotiators are today headed to Mongla to meet with three allied ethnic armed groups that have not signed a ceasefire.





The peace commission will meet with leaders of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army, U Khin Zaw Oo, one of the government negotiators and a retired lieutenant general confirmed yesterday.

We have planned to meet at Mongla in UWSA-controlled territory in the NDAAs administrative zone, he said.

We dont know yet what exactly they will discuss in the meeting, he added.

According to U Hla Maung Shwe, another of the government negotiators, the meeting with the TNLA, the AA, and the MNDAA  also known as Kokang allies after the territory where they were jointly fighting for against the Tatmadaw last year  has been in the works since July.

The powerful armed ethnic group the National Democratic Alliance Army has appealed to the government to invite its three allies currently engaged in fighting with the Tatmadaw to the upcoming Panglong Conference.

The three groups were excluded from the nationwide ceasefire last October, a major factor in the splintering of the ethnic organisations unity that led to only eight groups signing the agreement. The inclusivity of the Panglong Conference has been a major point of discussions in the lead-up to the event.

The three groups have been fighting the Tatmadaw since February 2015.The Tatmadaw has insisted that ethnic organisations wanting to participate in the peace talk must drop their weapons.





The military may want to fight every ethnic rebel that exists. So hopes for reaching a ceasefire for our people are not very high, Brigadier-General Tun Myat Naing, leader of the Arakan Army, told Myanmar Now last month.

But U Hla Maung Shwe has pledged that the government will find ways to include [all groups] in the peace process.
Relief workers from the government are teaming up with local civil society organisations to ensure the most effective spending of emergency funding. Nearly one-quarter of 1 million people are now receiving government assistance after being driven from their homes by flooding.





The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement will collaborate with civil society to avoid waste in allocating its natural disaster fund of nearly K17 billion (US$14.4 million), said Union Minister U Win Myat Aye following a meeting yesterday between the ministry and civil society groups in upper Myanmar.

Our main concern is to provide food for families in the flooded areas. We are now providing rice, canned sardines and instant noodles for 230,000 flood victims, spending K60 to K70 million a day. The government has enough funding to continue to provide food until the people can return home.

More than K2 billion of the fund, originally set at K20 billion, has already been spent on providing water to dry zones afflicted by the El Nino weather phenomenon.

Were still expanding our services to people who need help, said the minister.

U Win Myat Ayes ministry needs the help of civil society because its own staff are too few, he said. The government and civil society need to work together in providing aid to flood victims. They can combine the strengths of our respective organisations to offer more effective services, he said.

And by drawing on civil societys local knowledge, the government can be sure of getting aid to all affected populations, while avoiding duplication.

Civil society representatives who attended yesterdays meeting said they were ready to work with the government, but were finding it hard to come up with precise figures for those in need.





The Department of Social Welfare says the most-affected areas are in Kachin State and Sagaing, Magwe, Mandalay, Ayeyarwady and Bago regions. More than 300,000 people are at risk of being driven from their homes by floodwaters.

In January, a report to parliament said barely over one-tenth of the K100 billion emergency fund under the presidents control was utilised during last years severe floods. In his report to the Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, then-president U Thein Sein said he had disbursed just K12.81 billion of the K100 billion fund, of which the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation had spent nearly K8 billion.

Translation by Thiri Min Htun
Chin politicians are furious after the head of a nationalist party in neighbouring Rakhine State reopened an old territorial feud amid strides for ethnic unity.





During the Ethnic Youth Conference in Panglong, Shan State, at the end of July, U Aye Maung, chair of the Arakan National Party (ANP), delivered a contentious history of Paletwa, a border region on the Kaladan River claimed by both the Chin and the Rakhine. U Aye Maung appeared to be implying that the disputed territory rightfully belongs to the Rakhine, and was reallocated in the wake of independence.

Our hill track Paletwa became Chin territory only in 1953-54 under the Anti-Fascist Peoples Freedom League [Hpa Hsa Pa La], he said during a speech about the federal Union.

Ethnic Chin youth quickly rebuked the ANP leader for re-enflaming the long-simmering spat and demanded a retraction. On July 31, the Chin youth published a statement condemning the remarks and any attempt to reignite old territory squabbles between ethnic groups as the carving-out of a federal Union is re-examined within the framework of peace negotiations.

We want him [U Aye Maung] to take responsibility for his remarks, said Salai Joseph Tunkhuishing, a Chin ethnic youth participant. Bringing up a controversial territorial affair could spark conflict between the two ethnic groups.

After the comments also provoked uproar on social media, on August 2 the Chin League for Democracy party released an alternative perspective on the Chins historical ties to Paletwa.

Preceding British colonial rule, the Chin people resided in the area known as Paletwa, according to the statement. Then, under British occupation, Paletwa was considered a Chin hill station, dating back to 1896.





The Chin party said it will rebuke anyone who refers to Paletwa as a part, or former part, of Rakhine State.

The Chin people are the original owners of Paletwa, according to the laws of 1896, 1947, 1974 and 2008, said Chin League for Democracy chair Ngai Sak, who also called on the ANP to stop spreading propaganda.

Now is the time for trying to be united. Some things should not be said without considering the consequences first. It could cause misunderstanding between ethnic groups, he said.

Both the recent Panglong youth meet and the simultaneously held Mai Ja Yang ethnic armed group summit concluded with calls for unity and alliance among ethnic groups in the lead-up to the cornerstone of the governments peace process. The 21st-century Panglong Conference is slated for the end of this month.

When pressed about his remarks, U Aye Maung offered further evidence to substantiate his point. The 1947 constitution, part 5, specifically addressed a special division for the Chin people, comprised of the hill districts and the Arakan hill tracts, as to be determined by the president, he said.

We need to dig into the real history to understand, and must accept both the good and the bad examples as lessons if we want to form a real federal Union together, he said.

I am not asking the Chin to give it back to Rakhine, he added.

Paletwa, home to just under 65,000 residents according to census data, is among the most impoverished townships in Chin State.

A previous version of this story reported Salai Joseph Tunkhuishing's name as Salai Robert Thawng Ling. The Myanmar Times regrets the error
Tourists behaving badly are going to be put on notice, travel professionals have warned. A series of signboards are to be put up at popular tourist sites urging them to modify their conduct in accordance with local mores.





The vinyl placards listing dos and donts for visitors will be distributed wherever local and foreign visitors can be found, said the Union of Myanmar Travel Association (UMTA).

Visitors will be given instructional missives such as Do not chew betel, Please discard trash into the dustbin, No Smoking, and Do not wear clothes that are inappropriate in public sight.

Such posters were previously distributed in Yangon, Mandalay and other big cities as part of a sticker campaign, said Daw Thatoe Thuzar Aung, general secretary of the UMTA, on July 30.

We had stickers put up at major travel destinations such as Yangon, Mandalay, Inle [Lake], Kalaw and other places in Shan State as a public awareness program. Now we plan to distribute vinyl posters, starting next month after the rainy season. Were working with tourist guides and bus drivers who deal with tourists, and we will distribute them throughout Myanmar, she said.

The campaign will be implemented by the UMTA, the Myanmar Tourist Guides Association, motor vehicle associations providing services for tourists and other organisations involved with tourism.

U Ye Myat Tun, chair of the Mandalay Tourist Guides Association, said people needed to know how to behave in public places. The purpose is to raise public awareness, with help from the government and organisations involved in promoting the tourism industry.





Its important to campaign for public awareness. People are still undisciplined in public areas, despite signs reminding them to discard their trash into the dustbin. We still see rubbish littering public areas. We installed dustbins in Mingun, but a week later they were gone. We will keep trying to persuade people to enjoy their visit without upsetting anyone, he said.

Translation by Thiri Min Htun
Workers from an agriculture machinery factory at 9 Mile in Yangon Region staged a protest against the Young Investment Group Industry Co Ltd (YIG) yesterday morning, claiming the company had fired nearly all of its employees without cause.





About 100 workers and their supporters gathered at Bo Sein Hman field for a three-hour demonstration against the YIG that lasted until noon. Participants said the company in question, which inherited the previously state-run factory when it was transferred by the government into private hands in 2013, had not honoured the terms of its contract with employees by gradually terminating all but six of the 69 workers employed at the time of the transfer.

According to U Myint Lwin Oo, who led the protest as one of the workers who saw his pay change from government wage to private salary in 2013, said although the company had been authorised to take over production at the factory, since its transfer three years ago the facility remained essentially idle.

When they transferred the factory in 2013, the labour ministry, the YIG company and labour [representatives] held a discussion and made the contract, but now they are not following the contract and the ministry is neglecting it, he said. Besides, those workers for whom it is possible to be transferred back into government [employment] have been pressured to go back. And those for whom it is not possible to go back are being fired.

The YIG is a multinational firm established in 1998, operating 16 principle subsidiaries in Myanmar, China and Singapore, according to its website. The agriculture machinery factory is one of its holdings in Myanmars manufacturing sector.

We will continue to proceed if nothing changes after our protest and we will try our best to be in line with the law, U Myint Lwin Oo said of the workers plan going forward. We have already informed the ministry but they neither replied to us nor investigated the company. The last time we informed them was in April.

He told The Myanmar Times that the protesters had also sent a letter to the Yangon Region parliament through Daw Moe Moe Su Kyi (NLD; Mayangone 2), a sitting MP in the legislature.





I put forward their letter in the parliament on July 14 but nothing has so far been discussed, Daw Moe Moe Su Kyi said.

The workers are being unfairly treated by the employer and also the government. We cant stand for it, so we are here to help our friends, said Daw Win Theingi Soe, a member of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar. We will continue to help them until they succeed.

Ma Aye Myat Maw, one of the workers on the payroll at the time of the factorys transfer, said, The main thing is the company didnt follow the principles of the contract. Why isnt the [labour] ministry investigating the company? I want the ministry to take action against them. I also want stability with my job.

She told The Myanmar Times that she had been employed at the factory since 2013 but was fired on July 12, with no legitimate reason for her dismissal provided.

We want to help our friends get their jobs back, said Ko Chit Ko Ko, who joined the protest together with six co-workers from Shwe Tun Company. We will continue to help them until the end.
At first glance, there may be something unique in the Thai military junta seeking to have its action and program legitimised through approval by referendum of a somewhat undemocratic constitution. Yet, in other ways  from a long-, medium- and short-term perspective  this is in continuity with the political trajectory of modern Thailand since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.





Thailands second military coup in 1932 succeeded where the first of 1912 failed because the military leader, Phibun Songram, allied himself with a Western-educated liberal (and republican?), Pribi Banamyong, to found a political party, the Peoples Party, giving a democratic veneer to his play for power.

However, within this duumvirate the contradiction between two sources of legitimate rule remained unresolved: one was new, namely representative democracy through the ballot box, and the other linked to the ancien regime, that of the rule of virtuous men. Seen within the longue duree, the past 84 years can be described as the search for an appropriate mode of governance for the Thai nation.

This situation is not unusual. After all, it was only some 80 or so years after the French Revolution with the founding of the Third Republic that a return to absolute monarchical rule became unthinkable.

As explained by Chai-Anan Samudavanija, what nevertheless is unique in the Thai case is that 1932 was first in the vicious circles of coups, interim constitutions, permanent (sic) constitutions, elections and protests leading to further coups. The coup of May 2014 was the sixth in this series.

The draft constitution proposed for approval in the referendum yesterday will be the 21st or 22nd since 1932  something of a world record. However, when constitutions, with an average shelf-life of approximately four years, are treated as disposable nappies, is it any wonder that the notion itself of a constitutional order and the rule of law in Thailand becomes problematic, a situation exacerbated by the politicisation of independent referring bodies such as the Supreme Court?

The referendum was an attempt to show that this time, this constitution is really permanent. Alas, unlike the Peoples Constitution of 1997  the most transparent and progressive  which was the result of public debate and the fruit of a largely representative Constituent Assembly, this second draft has not been the subject of debate. Nor, more importantly, is there a sense of ownership even, it would appear, among those in Bangkok such as in the Democrat Party, who supported the military coup of 2014.





If this is the case why is the military even bothering to organise the referendum?

Here we enter a number of mid-term considerations. In organising the referendum, the military regime is attempting to draw from the lessons learned from the 2006 coup that overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra.

From the military perspective, in 2006 they failed to consolidate and legitimise their control, for within a year after the promulgation of yet another constitution Thaksins party under another name, and with his sister Yingluck as prime minister, was back in government.

This time around General Prayuth Chan-o-cha is taking no chances.

Included in the draft provisions are that for the first five years, the present governing National Council for Peace and Order selects nearly all members of the upper house including six seats reserved for the security forces and that a non-lower house member can become prime minister. Furthermore, future military intervention will be legalised in advance.

Moreover, as Allen Hicken has explained, introducing multi-member constituencies will mean it will be very difficult for one political party to have a majority of seats in the lower house. As Jim Glassman has shown, from the royalist-nationalist perspective, one of the evils of the 1997 constitution was that it led, for the first time in Thai history, to a political party, Thaksins Thai Rak Thai, having a majority in parliament in its own right.

The new draft will mean a return to the status quo ante (the quiet before the war) of weak coalition governments allowing the public service with their military and business compradors the maximum political space.

Finally, from a short-term perspective, the referendum can be seen as an exercise in political theatre to tide Thailand over as it enters a period of potential turmoil with an impending royal succession.

The countrys royalist-nationalist establishment is in a bind of its own making. Having elevated the monarchy to the position as the keystone of the Thai nation it now must cope with the unthinkable: The crown prince, as recent images emanating from Munich attest, appears manifestly unfit to take on the mantle of the dhammaraja to be bequeathed by his father, King Bhumibol.

To conclude, it is questionable whether Thai voters will effectively disenfranchise themselves, given that the draft constitution will mean the creation of a largely appointed parliament and legal prerogatives for the military to continually intervene in Thai political life.

Even if a constitutional draft  that is not only opposed by the two main political parties, Pheu Thai and the Democrats, but on which no political debate has been allowed  receives majority support among those Thais who bother to vote, it is doubtful whether this will provide the Thai military junta and part of the royal-nationalist elite with the democratic unction it seeks.

On the contrary, the referendum will not be a celebration of national unity but one that glosses over the regional, class and ideological divisions within the kingdom.

These I suspect will come to the fore with the death of King Bhumibol, once the painful moment of the royal succession comes, as it inevitably must.

 New Mandala

David Camroux is a resident senior associate at the Centre for International Studies, Sciences Po in Paris and, from September 1, professorial fellow at the Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
[August 08, 2016] Mozido Affiliate PayEase partners with South Korea's KG Inicis to provide online payment services within China and South Korea

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mozido Affiliate PayEase, China's leading payment gateway, announces it has partnered with KG Inicis, the leading South Korean payment provider, to provide electronic payment services for businesses and consumers within China and South Korea. "This strategic partnership with KG Inicis provides more convenient and secure payment services for the many businesses and consumers within both China and South Korea," said Michael Liberty, Founder and Chairman of Strategic Global Initiatives at Mozido. "PayEase is delighted to partner with KG Inicis to develop foreign markets, expand online and offline payment services, and provide customers within China and South Korea more options and better service." A KG Inicis representative said, "Partnering with PayEase is an important milestone for KG Inicis. KG Inicis will help PayEase increase market share in South Korea, meanwhile, PayEase will be able to help KG Inicis to obtain more market share within China. Eventually a broad, cross-border settlement network of e-commerce payment services will result from this key partnership." The partnership allows PayEase to assist international sellers enter the South Korean market while KG Inicis will provide a convenient payment service to consumers within China. This synergy creates fast and safe payment completion while helping businesses enter the South Korean market, solve the cross-border clearing and settlement issues, and create asystem more convenient to South Korean consumers.



About PayEase Headquartered in Beijing, PayEase, a Mozido Affiliate, currently focuses on payment service platform that covers mobile, online, call centers and Point of Sales (POS) terminals. The comprehensive payment platform has direct connections to 23 banks in China and is a member of China Union Pay. PayEase can process all debit and credit cards including China Union Pay and 4 worldwide accepted international credit cards: MasterCard, VISA, American Express and JCB cards. PayEase's major customers include the Beijing Government, Banks, Universities and Fortune 500 corporations such as Apple, Amazon, Nike, Korean Air, HP, Burberry, D&G, Bally, Armani, TravelZoo, peerTransfer, Loro Piana, Nespresso, H&M, Yoox, China Telecom, China Mobile, and China Unicom etc. For more information, please visit us at http://www.beijing.com.cn and http://www.payeasenet.com.

About KG Inicis

KG Inicis, established in 1998, is Korea's first online payment service provider, supporting accounting for 33 banks and 3 international credit cards, with more than 100,000 medium-sized enterprise institutions, government agencies, and community groups included in its large consumer base. In 2002, the company successfully listed in the Korea Stock Market (KOSDAQ 035600), and successfully acquired more than 45% market share. The company received PCI DSS security certification. In 2010, the company won the "Korean Trust Company Awards" and "Korea Credibility Award," and in November 2012, received Korean industry's highest honor - the "Chosun Ilbo President's Award." About Mozido

Mozido provides trusted digital payment and commerce solutions globally delivered as cost-effective cloud-based solutions branded for clients. Highly interoperable, Mozido solutions work with virtually any wireless carrier and mobile device, and integrate easily with ads, offers, and other products from third parties. Mozido's worldwide presence and global offerings include operations in the US, China, India, Africa, Middle East, Sri Lanka, Europe and Latin America, enabling people to manage their money, payments and other services from their mobile phones. For more information, visit us at mozido.com. Follow us on Twitter: @Mozido. CONTACT: Van Leigh, 1-512-518-2200, [email protected]

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Three Ukrainian servicemen have been killed and four injured in Donbas in the past 24 hours, according to Andriy Lysenko, a military spokesman for the Ukrainian presidential administration.

"Three Ukrainian servicemen have been killed and four sustained injuries as a result of active fighting in the past 24 hours. We express our condolences to the families of the soldiers killed," Lysenko said at a briefing in Kyiv on Sunday.

Over the past 24 hours, the enemy has breached ceasefire and shelled Ukrainian positions 53 times, including five times in the Luhansk area, 23 in the Donetsk one (including 12 times with heavy weaponry, which is supposed to have been removed) and 25 in the Mariupol area (including nine with heavy weapons), he said.

In the Luhansk area, militants breached ceasefire in the village of Krymske and Popasna district. All shell attacks were brief, with no heavy weaponry employed.

In the Donetsk area, most active fighting took place in Zaitseve, Novoselivka-2 and Avdiyivka, mainly in daytime. "On these and other areas, ATO [anti-terrorist operation] forces fired back... Overall, illegal armed formations yesterday fired across the whole front, there were no quiet spots," Lysenko said.

In the Mariupol area, main fighting took place in Krasnohorivka, Maryinka and Shyrokyne, a number of shell attacks were also carried out both near Dokuchayivsk and in Starohnativka, on the remote approaches to Mariupol. Near Maryinka, there was an armed clash when Ukrainian troops fought off an attack by a sabotage and reconnaissance group.
"At this point, so many resources have been invested into configuring lifestyles for how people live, work and play around the automobile and highway infrastructure," says Detroit planning director Maurice Cox. "We've come to not even question it. Entire generations have grown up in it and know no other urban paradigm."

Wayne Beyea, an outreach specialist in the Michigan State University School of Planning, Design and Construction, describes urban sprawl as development in "places that are otherwise not properly served by infrastructure and the critical mass for successful urban development."

In Metro Detroit sprawl dates back to the late 1960s, when residents began to flee the central city for outer-ring suburbs. That trend grew steadily over the ensuing decades, fueled by federally-subsidized highway expansion and housing development combined with racial tensions. Within forty years, hundreds of square miles of rural countryside were transformed into suburbia.





Do you think the term "urban sprawl" applies to your community? Tell us in the anonymous survey at right. We'll post your answers >>> Is this a bad thing? It depends on your perspective. Oakland County's Executive L. Brooks Patterson is famous for positing that " one man's urban sprawl is another man's economic development. " And yet there's also ample evidence to demonstrate that sprawling regions are inefficient and costly when it comes to infrastructure and service delivery. Other negative impacts include increased traffic accidents and casualties, congestion, long commutes (which are associated with negative health outcomes), poorer air quality and eroding natural resources.

A new wave of sprawl?



According to planner Richard Carlisle of , the Great Recession "did for sprawl what planners have not been able to do," slowing or halting countless new developments. But recent signs show that sprawl is creeping back into Metro Detroit. Carlisle/Wortman Associates , the Great Recession "did for sprawl what planners have not been able to do," slowing or halting countless new developments. But recent signs show that sprawl is creeping back into Metro Detroit.

Carlisle notes an "amazing coalescence" of interest in urban living in denser developments. That arrangement appeals to millennials who have less money to spend on a traditional larger home as well as boomers who no longer want the responsibility of maintaining such a home. Meanwhile, both groups are increasingly moving towards a less auto-dependent lifestyle. He says the local market still has a long way to go in addressing those shifts, however, and Cox agrees.



"The biggest city in the state still hasn't yet fully responded to the trend for more walkable urban placemaking," says Carlisle . "The pressure is now on, and the timing couldn't be better."



Investing in downtowns



City planners have debated for years on how to address sprawl.



As far as national models go, Beyea says the oft-cited (UGB) is the "poster child" for sprawl mitigation. The UGB is a literal line in the sand separating rural, low-density areas from urban, high-density ones. State legislation signed in 1973 required every Oregon city to establish a UGB, but Portland's has been particularly notable for the way it's densified and transformed the state's largest city.



"They've been able to have the critical mass necessary for light rail and vibrant entrepreneurship, in terms of new businesses and location of housing," Beyea says. "This urban service area seems to be a concept that has played out well in both larger and smaller communities as a way to curb sprawl."



It may be too late (and likely politically untenable) to draw a line limiting urban development in Metro Detroit. But building up a dense urban core is still very much a viable solution, and one that's already shown success. Downtown Detroit, of course, has seen considerable revitalization in recent years, with businesses and mostly higher-density housing proliferating.



Cox says that's been driven largely by businesses like Compuware and Quicken Loans making the move downtown. But for the city's next step, he's envisioning a much broader transformation driven by municipal policy. He notes that the city has numerous neighborhoods, from Mexicantown to the Livernois-McNichols area, that have had walkable Main Street-style communities in the past and could again.



"We have all of the infrastructures to create a different option, as well as the authenticity of the history of these neighborhoods and institutions that remain," he says.



Cox says those neighborhoods could become an attractive "antithesis" to the suburbs, guided by a placemaking plan that breaks down to three basic steps: removing blighted structures, rehabilitating existing housing stock and "greening everything else." He envisions what he describes as "20-minute neighborhoods" for Detroit, where all basic amenities are within a 20-minute walking distance.



"In the end, it was land use and zoning that created the suburbs," he says. "It's going to be land use and zoning that reshape this kind of urban, walkable place that Detroit's neighborhoods can be again."



A focus on developing walkable Main Street communities has also been a part of the playbook in some suburban communities. The Portland Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) is the "poster child" for sprawl mitigation. The UGB is a literal line in the sand separating rural, low-density areas from urban, high-density ones. State legislation signed in 1973 required every Oregon city to establish a UGB, but Portland's has been particularly notable for the way it's densified and transformed the state's largest city.A focus on developing walkable Main Street communities has also been a part of the playbook in some suburban communities. The Main Street Oakland County program has contributed to the revitalization of the county's traditional downtowns. The program claims to have attracted more than $700 million in public and private reinvestment over the past 15 years in 21 downtown communities.



One of the earliest communities to embrace its downtown was the City of Birmingham. The city undertook a unique overhaul of zoning regulations, starting with a 1996 master plan which provided for the implementation of a form-based code, the first of its kind in Michigan and one of the first in the United States. The code jettisons traditional zoning regulations, which focus on building usage, to instead emphasize the "form" of a building: its placement, scale, massing, and design.



Birmingham planning director Jana Ecker notes that Birmingham's form-based code has helped to preserve and revitalize the city's historic downtown, but it's also helped to transform areas that didn't necessarily have such a pre-existing appeal. The 2007 adoption of a form-based code in the city's Triangle District has replaced urban sprawl-style surface parking lots and strip malls with more attractive mixed-use developments. Ecker says a form-based code is "absolutely" viable for any community.



"I think a form-based code approach forces you to look more at the individual approach on the street and to look at how and where the buildings are placed and how it affects the type of environment," Ecker says. "Places with a form-based code are much more likely to be successful, vibrant places where people want to be and want to get out of their car and walk, rather than just drive through."



Other experiments in fighting sprawl



Revitalizing and densifying downtowns isn't the only solution metro-area communities have tried to the address sprawl. Some have had success with programs that work to preserve undeveloped land that surrounds sprawling areas. The preeminent such effort in Southeast Michigan is , which has purchased the development rights to 49 parcels of land totaling 4,600 acres over the past 12 years. The program is funded in part by a 30-year, 0.5-mill tax levy that Ann Arbor voters approved in 2003.



The program preserves existing farmland and other green spaces as conservation easements, allowing current landowners to maintain the properties as they usually do while prohibiting further development on the parcels in perpetuity. Thornton says the city is working hard to build up blocks of greenbelt parcels measuring 1,000 acres or more, creating green corridors around sprawling areas.



"We are getting there, but there's obviously a lot more work to do because there's still some development pressure," she says.



Another possibility lies in "retrofitting" existing sprawling developments. Consider Farmington's , a 0.75-acre park and community event space that was once a strip mall parking lot. Since its opening in 2005, the pavilion has become a community gathering place that hosts public concerts and festivals, a weekly farmers market, and private events.



Farmington Downtown Development Authority executive director Annette Knowles says projects as large-scale as the pavilion can be costly, but the city is considering redeveloping other sites to make more "pocket-sized" event centers in the future.



"You have to balance out infrastructure with opportunities to just relax and unplug from buildings and parking lots and things like that," Knowles says. "You can't just have building stock and nothing else by it." Ann Arbor's greenbelt program , which has purchased the development rights to 49 parcels of land totaling 4,600 acres over the past 12 years. The program is funded in part by a 30-year, 0.5-mill tax levy that Ann Arbor voters approved in 2003. Sundquist Pavilion , a 0.75-acre park and community event space that was once a strip mall parking lot. Since its opening in 2005, the pavilion has become a community gathering place that hosts public concerts and festivals, a weekly farmers market, and private events.



Working as a region is a must



Carlisle says he expects market demand from millennials and baby boomers will drive a shift away from sprawl, with little interference needed at the policy level. But from a public infrastructure standpoint, he says the region needs to establish a comprehensive transit system to serve denser urban neighborhoods and their car-independent residents.



"At some point in time we have to begin to understand that there's going to be a whole generation of people that either don't want to or will not be able to own a car," he says. "Frankly, that's going to cross generations."



UPDATED 8/3/16 A scuttling of a rare opportunity to advance a transit solution may have been narrowly averted this week. County executives in Macomb and Oakland counties had A scuttling of a rare opportunity to advance a transit solution may have been narrowly averted this week. County executives in Macomb and Oakland counties had put forth objections to the funding and governance structure of the



In the meantime, a project to widen I-75 in Oakland County is



Beyea says metro-area communities will need to work together to turn the page on urban sprawl. He says s ome of the groundwork for that mentality is already taking root, as some municipalities have started creating resource-sharing agreements out of financial necessity after the recession. Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan 's proposed master plan. The plan had been in development since 2012 and was set to go before voters in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties this November, pending approval by the RTA board. A vote last week failed, with representatives from Oakland and Macomb voting "No." A last-minute compromise may yet send the measure to the ballot, pending a vote by the RTA Thursday.In the meantime, a project to widen I-75 in Oakland County is expected to begin this summer.ome of the groundwork for that mentality is already taking root, as some municipalities have started creating resource-sharing agreements out of financial necessity after the recession.

But the next steps, Beyea says , are to create more mutually beneficial solutions between municipalities, continue to bolster Detroit's urban core while densifying and placemaking in the suburbs and, above all, strengthen regional infrastructure.



"It's regions, not individual municipalities, that are successful," Beyea says. "We have pockets of success for our communities. But to raise the boat for everybody, we have to be a successful region.



This piece is part of a solutions journalism series on Metro Detroit's regional issues, conducted in partnership with Metro Matters and guided by our Emerging Leaders Board



This work is funded by the

This work is funded by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan . You can view other pieces in this series here

Corridors lined for miles with strip malls. Big box stores surrounded by surface parking lots. Winding subdivisions of single family homes.This is the face of urban sprawl, a term that denotes untidy, sparse development. Metro Detroiters have lived with it for over a generation. But demand is changing, and many planners are working towards a new vision of regional life by investing in downtowns and curbing development elsewhere.
Afriyie, one of the pair that used to make up the music duo Wutah, is set to release a song this week.

He announced on Instagram that in four days, he will release a new track. The photo that was posted suggested that the track will be titled 'Here to stay.'

About Afriyie

Afriyie was a member of the group, Wutah, with Kobby. The duo broke in to the limelight in 2004 after taking part in the Nescafe Africa Revelation contest.

Wutah released some hit tracks, including 'goosie gander,' 'adonko' and 'big dreams.' 'Big Dreams' got them eleven award nominations and won them Reggae Song of the Year at the 2006 Ghana Music Awards.

There were rumors of some conflict between Afriyie and Wutah but they denied this. In 2009, they decided to break up.

By: Jeffrey Owuraku Sarpong/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Maputo (AFP) - At least 43 people were killed and 110 others injured Thursday when a truck carrying petrol blew up in western Mozambique near Malawi, the government said in a statement.

"The incident occurred when citizens tried to take petrol from a truck" in the village of Caphiridzange in Tete province, the statement said.

"Because of the heat, the truck burst into flames, leading to the deaths of 43 people and causing burns in 110 others, according to investigators' initial findings," it added.

"Ambulances and medical personnel were deployed to the scene in order to assist the victims. The injured were evacuated to Tete hospital" around 90 kilometres (55 miles) away, it said.

Authorities were probing whether the truck was selling petrol when it exploded, or whether it had been ambushed by residents, information ministry director Joao Manasses told AFP.

A local journalist told AFP the truck had crashed on Wednesday and exploded on Thursday afternoon, as scores of people tried to siphon off fuel.

The government aims to send three ministers to the scene on Friday to monitor the rescuers' work.

Mozambique is one of the world's poorest nations, according to the International Monetary Fund, and since its civil war ended in 1992 its population has suffered the consequences of a terrible economic crisis.

The government recently increased the price of fuel, after the value of the local currency -- named metical -- sunk against the dollar.
Sorry, we can't find the content you're looking for at this URL.
Taipei (AFP) - Taiwan on Monday protested Kenya's deportation of five Taiwanese citizens to China after they were acquitted of running a cybercrime cell last week, as relations with Beijing worsen under the island's new president.

Kenya's actions are just the latest in a recent spate of deportations of Taiwanese to China, with Taipei accusing Beijing of "abducting" citizens from countries that do not recognise the island's government.

A Kenyan court on Friday acquitted 35 Chinese and five Taiwanese held in custody since December 2014 for allegedly running a cybercrime cell from an upmarket Nairobi suburb on the grounds that the prosecution had failed to prove their involvement.

The group was accused of being involved in running an unlicensed telecommunication system and was engaged in organised crime -- charges they had denied.

Kenya deported dozens of Taiwanese in April also accused of fraud, after they had been cleared of charges.

Observers read the deportation cases as a Chinese bid to pressurise Taiwan's new Beijing-sceptic leader Tsai Ing-wen -- who took office in May.

But Beijing insists that Taiwanese fraud suspects be sent to China to face trial as their alleged telecom crimes largely target mainland Chinese.

The five Taiwanese were deported to China in a flight that took off from Kenya around midnight Sunday, despite the court's decision for them to be returned to Taiwan, according to officials in Taipei.

"We express strong protest to the Kenyan government... We regret that Kenyan authorities bowed to pressure from China to forcefully deport five suspects from our country to China," the foreign ministry said.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), its top China policy-making body, said it lodged a protest with Beijing over the latest round of deportations.

"The Chinese side ignored our repeated calls not to deport our people to China and seriously hurt the feelings of Taiwanese people," it said in a statement.

MAC said it will continue to negotiate with China to secure the suspects' return to Taiwan to stand trial.

The president's spokesman Alex Huang also voiced concerns over the deportations, saying it "violated human rights and international precedent".

The deportations fly in the face of condemnation from rights groups, with Amnesty International saying last week the Taiwanese face potential "human rights violations" if sent to the mainland.

Taipei has also protested the recent deportations of Taiwanese fraud suspects from Malaysia and Cambodia to China.

Relations between Taiwan and China have grown increasingly frosty since Tsai and her the Democratic Progressive Party came to power.

China insists that self-ruling Taiwan is part of its territory even though the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war.
A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, Dr Ransford Gyampo, has called for the passage of the Public Funding of Political Parties bill.

He said the Draft Bill of 2008, when passed into law, would help minimise drastically the unhealthy competition during the electioneering as 'would-be losers' know they would still survive in opposition.

If they know they will be able to run their parties and match the ruling party in terms of campaign, the acrimony, hostility and desire to win at all cost that threatens our peace would reduce, Dr Gyampo said in Accra at a roundtable on Winner-Takes-All (WTA) Politics.

The roundtable, on the theme: The Case of Public Funding of Political Parties was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).

Public funding of political parties is an arrangement that enables the state to give financial resources or indirect assistance to political parties to enable them to carry out their activities and achieve their ultimate objective of capturing political power.

Political parties in Ghana have since 1996 been given a free air time by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation to campaign and broadcast their policy prescriptions to the people.

Furthermore, from 1996 to 2008, the Government, through the Electoral Commission (EC), donated vehicles to political parties contesting elections.

For instance in 2008 the EC donated 50 vehicles to political parties that fielded parliamentary candidates in more than 10 constituencies; unfortunately, this gesture ended in 2008.

Dr Gympoh, also a Research Fellow of the IEA, said political parties in opposition clamoured for public funding but developed cold feet when they got power because they saw public funding as a dangerous arsenal to their real or perceived political opponents.

He said the proposal might be unpopular in the minds of those who did not have a full grasp of what it could do to check the divisive practice of WTA politics; nevertheless, this should certainly not be the reason why the bill should not be passed into law.

Weak parties would always produce weak and incompetent leaders who would be unable to resolve our challenges. Public funding would not only reduce fierce electoral competition, he said.

It would strengthen parties to attract the right calibre of people to lead the nation in frontally tackling the quagmires of poverty and underdevelopment, he added.

Dr Gyampo described the WTA politics as the state capture and partisan monopolisation of state resources excluding of all others, particularly the opposition and even ordinary professionals from national governance.

He said: Under the WTA politics, victorious political parties after elections quickly sweep the political and economic stakes of the state as they consolidate themselves in power.

Consequently, only the ruling party becomes more visible in between elections because of its access to state resources.

Indeed, during election campaign periods, an uneven playing field is created as the party in power exploits its incumbency and access to state resources while those in opposition operate virtually in oblivion due to limited financial resources.

The draft bill proposes two and half percent of the total tax revenue of Ghana as the principal source of money for the Fund however other corporate entities and private individuals can also contribute to it.

The Fund is to be administered by the Electoral Commission.

The Committee of Experts that drafted the 1992 Constitution recommended some form of public funding for political parties but this has not been given full attention.

Dr Gyampo said the Constitution Review Committee also made similar recommendations but in its White Paper, Government merely noted this without saying much to commit itself.

He said the Draft Public Funding of Political Parties Bill was submitted to the Presidency in 2010.

He said the fact that the draft bill had remained with the presidency for over six years without being forwarded to Parliament, perhaps indicated the extent to which ruling governments in Africa were not willing to ensure a level playing field for the opposition, in terms of electoral competition.

He said the Political Parties Act, 2000 banned parties from seeking foreign funds to run their activities and that membership dues paid to parties accounted for only two per cent of the cost of running their activities.

Dr Gyampo said even though the financial contributions of individuals and financiers in the country could account for about 35 per cent of the cost of running party activities, these contributions were made only during the peak campaign season.

He said in Africa, countries like Lesotho, Mali, South Africa and Botswana had some arrangements for public funding of political parties.

He said in those countries elections, though competitive, were not necessarily a do-or-die affair.
More than just a bank, Fidelity is making a name for itself as an employer of choice in Ghana as it honors 395 employees for outstanding performance.

At a recent event held at Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra, Fidelity Bank saluted staffers at the second annual Fidelity Stars Award program.

The performance-based incentive program gauges employees, on performance, customer service, and dedication among other factors, from across 75 branches nationwide.

Sixteen employees earned the highest rating of 5 stars. These employees were rewarded with customized Kente cloth and gold coins.

According to John Maxwell Addo, Human Resource Director of Fidelity Bank, we are an organization that believes that an empowered workforce translates into quality service delivery and that makes a successful business.

Fidelity Bank has reached where it is today because of the love, commitment and hard work of our employees.

This is a gesture to acknowledge employees who give their all and go out of their comfort zone to contribute to the companys goals and objectives. We will never lose sight of our hardworking employees. We will continue to reward them and empower them to fulfill their professional and personal goals.

Fidelity Bank believes in a firm foundation of investing in training and supporting its employees.

Mr. Jim Baiden, Deputy Managing Director of Fidelity Bank speaking at the event said We believe in investing in our people in various ways. As a Ghanaian owned bank, its in our blood to treat everyone with the best in mind, heart and actions. So from health benefits to ongoing professional development workshops, we believe in maintaining an environment that encourages our staff to stay with us, grow with us, and serve customers with the best in Ghana.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
The Secretary-General welcomes the communique of the Heads of State and Government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Plus countries. He commends the IGAD leaders for their decisive action and welcomes the Government of South Sudan's acceptance of a regional protection force. He calls on all South Sudanese leaders to set aside their personal differences and demonstrate their commitment to the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, which remains the only viable path to ending the crisis.

The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the continued fighting in the country and calls for an immediate end to the hostilities. He is outraged by the continued reports of serious human rights violations and abuses, including widespread sexual violence against women and young girls, committed by armed men in uniform. He calls on all parties to uphold their responsibility to protect civilians and demands that they take immediate steps to hold accountable those responsible for these despicable crimes.

The Secretary-General reiterates his commitment to work with all South Sudanese, IGAD, the African Union and international partners, to implement the recommendations of todays summit.
Second suspect arrested in inquiry against former Party of Regions deputy Yefremov

Another suspect, who is a former Party of Regions parliamentarian, Volodymyr Medianyk, has been arrested as part of an inquiry against the party's former parliamentary faction leader, Oleksandr Yefremov, Ukraine's Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko wrote on his Facebook page.

"The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has arrested the following suspect as part of the Yefremov case: former Party of Regions deputy Volodymyr Medianyk. Our petition for his detention will be considered by Pechersky court at 9 a.m. on Monday," the prosecutor general said.

Yefremov was arrested on July 30 on suspicion of encroaching on Ukraine's territorial integrity.

He was held at Boryspil Airport with a ticket to Vienna.

Yefremov is suspected of having committed a number of criminal offences: misappropriation; performing intentional acts with the aim to alter Ukraine's borders in breach of the Constitution, resulting in people's deaths and other serious consequences; and providing other assistance in the creation of a terrorist organization (Part 5 of Article 191, Part 1 of Article 110 and Part 1 of Article 258-3 of the Criminal Code, respectively).

On July 1 Kyiv's Pechersky court remanded Yefremov in custody for 60 days until September 28.

Yefremov's defense lawyer said they will appeal his arrest once the court ruling has been read out in full.
Four persons, including a travel and tour business operator, have been arrested by the police in the Western Region for an alleged attempt to traffic some ladies from the Sefwi area of the region to some countries.

The four suspects are Yeboah George, 22, an employee of Paradise Travel and Tour at Madina in Accra; Michael Mbrah, 25, an excavator operator at Sefwi; Joel Kwame Nsowaa Ankrah, a chef at Red Carpet Restaurant in Accra and Livingstone Defor, managing director of Paradise Travel and Tour.

The four were subsequently hauled before the Takoradi Circuit Court 'B'. Their pleas were not taken and the court, presided over by Michael Cudjoe Ntumi, remanded them into prison custody to reappear on August 8, 2016.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Indozi Addo told the court that the complainant in the case was the Unit Committee Chairman of Wassa Juabo Area 7, near Sefwi Bekwai in the region.

She indicated that during the month of July this year, the first accused person, who is an agent of Paradise Travel and Tour in Accra, went to the 2nd accused person at Juabo and they both managed to recruit some ladies in the area to be trafficked.

The victims are Barakisu Issakah, 32; Georgina Ahordzor, 29; Felicia Ayaba, 22 and two others from Area 7 community and its environs. They were later transported to Accra by the second accused person.

The victims met one Hajia, a worker at the travel and tour company who explained the details about the journey and types of work the victims would do, the prosecutor indicated.

She continued that the said Hajia explained to the ladies that she sends people to countries all over the world, but the commonest ones are China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and the United States of America.

Chief Inspector Addo added that the victims were made to pay an amount of GH100.00 each to undergo medical examination and processing of their travel documents.

On July 29, 2016, the first accused person went to the second accused again at Juabo to recruit more ladies, the prosecutor said.

But this time round the accused persons made an announcement at a local information centre that their travel and tour company wanted interested people from the ages of 20 to 35 to be taken abroad.

According to Chief Inspector Indozi Addo, elders of the town heard the information and called the recruiters and demanded documents to prove their claim.

The accused persons could not produce any document and were arrested, handed over to the police at Juabo and were later sent to the Sefwi Bekwai police station.

On August 1, 2016, the 4th accused person heard the story and asked the 3rd accused to accompany him to the police station where they were also arrested.

A search conducted in a bag of the 4th accused person revealed one biometric passport, seven police criminal checks report, quantities of medical examination report, First Choice Travel and Tour 'Work Abroad' application forms and other travel documents.

After investigations, the four suspects were charged with conspiracy and human trafficking and put before the court.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi


RESIDENTS OF Osu in the Greater Accra Region have opposed plans by the government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, to develop the beach front in Accra.

The Marine Drive Investment Project seeks to modernize the beach front in Accra with the aim of making the city a trade and economic hub in the West Africa sub-region.

The project, jointly financed by three Chinese companies, would be situated on the land stretching from the Osu Castle through the back of the Independence Square to the Arts Centre, under Executive Instrument (EI) 59.

Nii Torgbor Abrenseh III, the Shippi of Osu Anorhor  one of the four quarters of the area, who addressed the media, said, No attempt was made to engage the elders and people of Anorhor or Osu in general before the issuing of this Instrument.

He added, No respect was accorded the chiefs and people of Osu in this blatant takeover of our ancestral lands.

We consider this attempt at taking over our lands as an abuse of executive power and we shall resist the takeover in every possible way open to us.

According to him, Osu Anorhor has nowhere to resettle her citizens, even if she was minded to do so as the authorities have not seen it fit to even discuss the matter.

He indicated, We the citizens of Osu Anorhor are saying that in the name of peace, this forceful acquisition of our land must be rescinded with immediate effect. We are peace-loving people, but we hope that our peaceful nature is not mistaken for weakness.

No Benefit For Indigenes

According to him Nii Torgbor Abrenseh III pointed out that the people of Osu and the Anorhor quarter had not benefitted from governments  past and present  in the development of their communities.

He noted that the Marine Drive Investment Project would benefit only foreigners and not indigenes of Osu.

BY Melvin Tarlue
President Yoweri Museveni has arrived in the Chadian capital N'Djamena on a two-day official visit during which he will also attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Idriss Deby to his fifth term in office.

The President arrived at the NDjamena International airport this afternoon and was received by H.E. President Idriss Deby Itno and other Chadian Government officials. The President arrived to a colorful welcoming ceremony during which officers and men of the Chadian army played the African Union Anthem before the President inspected a guard of honour mounted.

Over 15 Heads of State are expected to attend tomorrows inauguration ceremony including Benins' President Patrice Talon, Burkina Faso's Rock Mark Kabore, Ethiopias Hailemariam Desalegn, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and that of Equatorial Guinea Theodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo among others.

Later, as other Presidents were arriving and before settling in, President Museveni, accompanied by Chads Minister for Petroleum, Mines and Energy, Hon. Djerassem Le Bemadjiel was flown by chopper to visit Chads Djarmaya Oil Refinery for a tour of the facilities. He was accompanied by Ugandas engineers; Irene Batebe the Principal Petroleum Engineer in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (Petroleum Directorate) and Refinery Engineer Benjamin Ariho. Chad became an oil-producing nation in 2003 with the completion of a $4bn (2.6bn) pipeline linking its oilfields to terminals on the Atlantic coast.

President Debby and his party the Patriotic Movement of Salvation won a 5th term in elections held in April 2016.

He was re-elected in a first round vote in April with 61.5 percent of ballots cast against 12.8 percent for his nearest rival Saleh Kebzabo, according to official results.

Chad is seen as a relatively stable country in volatile region with its troops involved in peacekeeping missions in the region.
08.08.2016 LISTEN

"If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher," said A. P. J. Abdul Kalam who lived from October 15, 1931 to July 27, 2015, known as son of a boatman who became the "Missile Man of India," the "People's President," and a beloved icon for India's youth.

Juxtaposing to that, most people are no longer interested to live an upright life because they have been either bamboozled by life or history, but this certainly is not what Dr. Raymond Ugba Ikemefuna Morphy is letting the world to know; he frowns at crude behaviours no matter the negative or positive lessons of life.

To the bamboozled, he or she may see it as simply too painful to acknowledge the fact that Morphy resigned from an appointment offered to him by the Cross Rivers State Government recently hinging his angst on what he said was the opaque government that characterized his home state.

Morphy, who is known for his Londoners way of reasoning is a man of many parts that range from cattle ranching, accountancy, project and strategy management, transformational leadership to media and communications, where he has put in about 35 years. He once published the Summit, based in Abuja.

On July 18 2016, the dude tendered his resignation letter from the Office of Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Strategy and National Contact. But a proof of his act when he said that pressure was mounted on him by friends and family members to detail the reason for his resignation was published on his Facebook timeline on 30 July.

It was a John Steinbeck that said, Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power. This is the lesson that the world might learn from the aesthetic Morphy who was not afraid to lose his position in the Cross River Government but actually not his power to frown at wrongdoings, nepotism and brickbats.

Morphy cried that he could not be part of a government where he never received any assignment or mandate yet he had received his remuneration from the government for 4 months, whereas there were the civil servants who put in their best, but were yet to be paid.

In this stead, one was reminded of Edward Gibbon's "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", saying, The various modes of worship which prevailed in the Roman world were all considered by the people as equally true; by the philosopher as equally false; and by the magistrate as equally useful.

To the philosopher and mystic poet like Morphy, the government he served, not paying civil servants, perhaps, for months, was immoral with the behaviour and he would not be part of that.

In his words, Added to that is that any adviser worth his salt has no reason to remain in office if his advice is neither considered nor even reckoned with. This is even more imperative if the principal is obviously not performing as well as he could have!

What this shows is that people should be principled and Morphy has created an image that should sell well. He has created an image that there should be personality attached to politics; and that every individual should focus on the personality and not on politics.

This singular act by Morphy has shown that he is not the archetypal politician who spends millions of money creating image, but by simply doing the needful, the needed image would be created by the society. Morphy has created a good image by his resignation and may be likened to a student of Mahatma Gandhi.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. He published a list he called and is known today as the Seven Social Sins in his weekly newspaper Young India, saying they are politics without principles, wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, and worship without sacrifice.

Unlike the typical Nigerian politician who thinks that creating image with billions of money is supreme, Morphy sees that behaviour as shallow, and lacks substance.

Maybe, being worried by his wards against his resignation decision, on August 6 2016, Morphy posted on his timeline, How can I serve in tainted administration when I myself formulated and led ANCOR Revolution, the official anti corruption campaign of the EFCC; an effort that we served in with vigor and commitment and with great anti corruption personalities such as Debo Adeniran. No way will I be found amongst the corrupt.

You might think that Morphy is weird or an iconoclast but he knows himself better when upon the opulence that smells around him, on returning from London to base in Nigeria, he did not only donate a hostel to a catholic church in Jos, he decided to ride a Tricycle (Keke Napep) round the towns and villages of his home state to have a feel of them.

Giving reason for his action, the baffled Morphy said, I am back and I had a lot of fun today cruising the city as a keke Operator! Lots of fun carrying passengers to their destinations and then refusing their money. Come and see surprise, consternation, wonderment and even fear!

Moreover, I had a blast speaking to passengers with an Oxford accent. Some pitied me when I told them I just returned from UK and since I had no job, I took to keke riding. Come and see sympathy. Ordinary Nigerians are truly kind and loving people! God bless you all for your kind hearts!

Morphy said that his resignation from the government didnt mean that he wouldnt serve his state and his people to the best of his knowledge, but certainly not in a corrupt government.

He added that his late father, Chief I. I. Morphy would unquestionably be against him seeing that he is part of any person or group whose credibility and integrity is in question. He said that he is a student of Light, and he must continue to hold himself to the uppermost ethical prevailing.

Odimegwu Onwumere is a Rivers State based poet, writer and consultant. He won in the digital category, Nordica Media Merit Awards 2016, Lagos; and the International Award for Excellence in Journalism 2016, Geneva. Email: [email protected]
08.08.2016 LISTEN

Like millions of other Nigerians, one is very concerned. One is concerned about the subsisting chaos in our social order. One is concerned about the turbulence in our economic condition. One is worried about the glorification of charlatanism in our political landscape. One is disturbed about the morass of our moral mill. The absence of integrity, the discountenance of dignity, the disrespect of reason and disregard of facts all combine to give one serious concerns about Nigeria.

When one traverses the social media, rummages through the newspapers, and listens to real life experiences of Nigerians, one could feel the concern of Nigerians. From discussions with variety of Nigerians, irrespective of the social, economic and political status, the concerns have been evident. One could fathom that Nigerians wanted solutions to the manifesting myriad of problems. One would come away with the fact that Nigerian are fed up with the situation in the country.

But what is not very clear is how ready are Nigerians of all hue and clime to get off the sidelines and be involved in changing the course of their destinies. Their attitude of believing in a messiah to come around and liberate them might not be the best one given what we have witnessed so far. It is becoming increasingly self evident that Nigerians have to stand up and take control of their destiny by getting off the sidelines.

It is ones belief that time is now for all of us to get off our laptops, drop our pens, stop complaining and get off the sidelines. It is time for all of us to accept the fact that we are the captains of our souls. Not all of us can be president. Not all of us can be senators. Not all of us can be governors. But certainly all of us can be active participants in the political process. Through our participation we would all be able to work together to forge a new destiny for our country, forge a new country for our children and for the posterity.

Destiny is not a matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. -William Jennings Bryan

With our active participation as individuals or as members of groups we would be able to decide on the direction of the country and the type of policies that have to be in place. We would be able to hold our leaders accountable. If someone is a local government chairman and he is not able to declare his assets, we would be able to hold him accountable or force him to leave office. Any councilor that lives beyond his means could be held accountable. House of Assembly members would be forced to be accountable on their stewardship.

The Senators who collect constituency allowance and spend such on their girlfriends would be made to answer questions. Those who become commissioners and live beyond their incomes would have some explanations to do. The political party operatives would not be allowed to get away with deceit and deception. Party platforms and promises would be seriously adhered to. Presidents or governors would not get into the office and deny their promises made during campaigns. All these could be possible only through mass participation in the political process.

Mass participation is the heart and soul of democracy. It is the life blood of freedom. It is the best check and balance for governance. Mass participation is the best form of holding elected officers accountable. If our elected officers know that we are all paying attention, they would think twice before they steal our commonwealth or engage in any other form of corruption. If our elected officers know that we are informed and very much aware of the way the process works, they would not be able to hold us to ransom or deceive us.

The refusal of those who are truly equipped to participate in the process is what is killing Nigeria. It is a tragedy that in a country like Nigeria, all we can give ourselves is a certificateless leader. And when we had someone who had a certificate, he was not in any position to justify the receipt of such a certificate. Both experiences speak volumes about the rest of the citizenship. They speak volume about what has become the state of our education and how our citizens and children were and are still being prepared for the task of nation-building. Most importantly, they speak to abysmal participation of Nigerian citizens in the political process.

A country that is endowed with so much talent in human and capital resources should be able to do better. This is a country that produced the Obafemi Awolowos. This is a country that produced the Nnamdi Azikwes. This is a country that produced the Ahmadu Bellos. This is a country that produced the Herbert Macauleys, the Aminu Kanos, the Akanu Ibiams, the Bode Thomases. This is a country that produced the Wole Soyinkas, the Tai Solarins, the Gani fawehinmis the Mokwugo Okoyes, the Bala Usmans and several great minds in several fields of human endeavour.

The present situation in which the country finds itself is caused by limited participation of its citizens in the political process. It is caused by the citizens abandoning the field to those who are morally and ethically unqualified. As a result of limited participation by citizens, a lot of riff-raffs have taken over the political space. Some pen robbers who in some cases are more destructive than actual armed robbers have taken over the reins of governance. Incompetent and horribly prepared politicians have taken over the control of our lives and the evidences are all over the place for us all to behold.

The life of a nation is secured only while the nation is honest, truthful and virtuous.

<>-Frederick Douglas

It is like every strata of our government is populated by criminals. It is like the private sector that used to hold on the light of hope has also been compromised. Integrity has no more value. Dignity has become a subject of ridicule. Hypocrisy has become a highly valued virtue. Utter shamelessness is second nature in the landscape. Illicit acquisition of money is now the focus of both the leadership and the followership. Our children are being fed with contaminated values thus further jeopardizing the future of the country. Our moral compass has been vandalized.

Those who are repulsed by the reeking dirt are staying away from politics. Their integrity and self respect make them utterly unqualified to participate. They are leaving it to people of doubtful character. People who had no intention to serve but to pillage; people who have no shame but blatant exudation of banditry are the ones in control of the inner rooms of power while their cronies walk its corridors.

One doesnt want to generalize and engage in blanket condemnation. It would amount to intellectual dishonesty not to admit that there are still few good and honest men and women. Men and women who truly want to serve; true patriots who are sincere. But they are like few sheep in the midst of many wolves. Chief Obafemi Awolowo once posited that politics is not a dirty game; it is those who play it who make it dirty. It is time for all Nigerians to get involved and get off the sidelines. It is time for mass participation in the political process. It is the only way to clear the Augean stable.

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.

<>-President Barrack Obama

If we are all seriously concerned as it seems to be, it is time for all of us to get off the sidelines. It is time for us to go back to our communities and actively participate and stop complaining. If we engage on social media from now till eternity, it would not move a needle unless we all agree to actively participate. Even, with active participation, we might be able to hold our media houses accountable through the use of our patronage. We could hold our law enforcements accountable if we all agree to be involved. Such is the limitless power of mass participation.

Please, get off the sidelines. It is the only way to move Nigeria towards the directions we all want. The time is NOW!

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility  I welcome it.

- John F. Kennedy, in his Inaugural Address January 20, 1961

Please, follow me on Twitter: @OyeyemiRemi
An uncanny election results transmission system (ERTS) move is underway. I just read a www.peacefmonline.com headline: 'EC eTransmission Was Proposed By NPP  NDC Rebuts.'

That's another curious act of congress the 'spokesgroup' for an EC. Indeed, it has been so forever. When Osono proposes positive development action, congress steals power, steals the idea and messes up disposing with it. Osono may even begin implementation, Yaanom congress will still reinvent its bastardisation.

Many, many times it has happened in the motherland. Over the last eight years, we have witnessed and experienced idea stealth, the plagiarised ending up implemented with debauchery in rotten corruption. Check out the MMT for free schoolchildren ride; school feeding (caterers are being levied for congress election war chest tax right now); NHIS jobs for the boys and girls; Northern Development Fund as decayed SADA. One can go on and on.

Yes, DI mooted e-voting (concatenation of electronic registration, verification, casting the vote, counting and tallying). With that, the only manual thing would be announcing the results which would be published on the website.

The proposal was to move the motherland into the digital realm with her election processes. Congress had resisted because they hadn't figured out software manipulation to steal.

Now, their digi-guru has taught them how easy it is to steal with an election STL formula. Congresspeople do regret the initial resistance. Now, they are ready to e-e-steal. Their digi-guru has briefed them about how easy it is. So now they are swearing they are only doing it to please the Osono people.

My compatriots, I don't believe in motherland ERTS. Votes will be worthless when e-transmitted. The transmitted will not be a count of your vote. Results collectively produced and published would have been a figment of election officials' imagination. If we would advance to join election digitised motherlands, it wouldn't be under the supervision of a biased EC bent on doing the will of one group against all others.

This is a quote from those who want to introduce ERTS for the 2016 elections:

'He added that results transmitted through the ERTS would remain provisional and does [sic.] not replace the manual collation process which requires agents of political parties to attest to the accuracy of results before declaration by presiding officers.'

I will say that is still manual counting; so don't waste money to procure ERTS. Of course, there is a hidden agenda. One of the principal ingredients of free and especially fair election is transparency. Hidden agendas are translucent. They are without the key requirement of an election process to be trustworthy. It's, so far, missing from the EC ERTS moves.

CONGRESS of many ways and varied ways and means has detected a huge loophole to exploit ERTS. Mark you me, they are going to push to get what they want. That is unless the fair-minded in the motherland mobilise and counter to pull back the congress push.

Today, they will tell you they will wait for manual count. Election day, they will say we have the results so why wait. We will declare so you go to court if you don't like that. I don't think Osono fancies that.

Many in the motherland are aware of the devil in ERTS to be weary. It is an epitome of translucency. With its garbage in garbage out button, few are they who want votes counted for whom the ballots are meant for.

It cannot be Mars all of a sudden. The election is here on motherland earth and no ERTS would be fair election. I may be a technophobe. However, human elements of the congress type readily and willingly cheated their fellow humans of the motherland with STL technology in 2012.

Let civil society mobilise to cure an ERTS disease. Peace, Christian, Muslim and all the other councils plus NMC, arise and mobilise, with representation at all 29,000 polling stations. That should provide parallel results determination (not declaration) strategy.

The alternate results will not be announced ahead of the EC's. It will serve as an accurate verifier purpose.

All things human made for good is also made for bad. ERTS was made to accurately fast-track election results publishing in a timely manner. People don't have to wait endlessly over who's won and who's lost an election. Despite ERTS being made for good, congress, who live by bad, need checking from misusing it.

Stolen election is guaranteed with an ERTS implementation in 2016 without alternate accurate handmade results.

With congress, push and pull must intersect negatively with good and bad. When progress is being pushed for good, congress pulls back into retrogress. When it's good to pull, congresspeople push for retrogress. When live goat destroys dead goat posters, it's time for goat dead for real; e-transmission notwithstanding.

By Kwasi Ansu-Kyeremeh
N'Djamena (AFP) - Chad's President Idriss Deby took the oath of office Monday for a fifth term in power, facing dogged resistance from an opposition that alleges his re-election was a "political hold-up".

With tensions high a day after the death of a protester during an opposition march, around 14 African heads of state attended the swearing-in ceremony, including the presidents of Nigeria and Niger, both, like Chad, battling the Boko Haram jihadist group.

"I am the president of all Chadians," Deby said in his inauguration speech.

The 64-year-old veteran leader promised "a relentless battle against terrorism everywhere it threatens our interests and our security".

Other Chadian allies, including leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Mauritania, gathered for the ceremony at a large hotel in the capital N'Djamena.

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian from the former colonial power also attended, sparking opposition dismay.

Deby, who first came to power in 1990, was re-elected in a first-round vote in April with around 60 percent of ballots cast, against almost 13 percent for opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo.

The opposition, which contests Deby's re-election, has vowed to maintain a general strike throughout the day following a government crackdown at the weekend.

One young protester was shot dead on Sunday, opposition and police sources said, with Kebzabo saying he had been hit by live bullets fired by security forces to disperse the protesters.

Kebzabo said he was "surprised and disappointed" by France's decision to send a high ranking representative.

The opposition wants the international community to recognise the "dictatorial nature" of Deby's regime.

He told AFP the opposition was Monday holding a general strike to create what it called a "dead city" in protest against Deby's return to power.

- 'We're in the right' -

Kebzabo had on Saturday declared: "We are in the right. It's the government that is acting illegally by preventing political parties from expressing themselves."

Opposition activists have also announced the filing of a complaint in court alleging "high treason" by Deby, claiming "illegal taking of power by violence" and "misuse of public money".

The opposition called Deby's re-election a "political hold-up", saying its own count showed no candidate won outright in the first round.

The election campaign was marred by a clampdown on demonstrations by unions and rights groups demanding a change of leadership and democratic reforms.

Arrests and disappearances of activists are common in the nation of 12 million people.

The situation in the oil-producing semi-desert country, a key player in the fight against west African jihadist groups, has been tense in recent months.

The opposition has laid partial blame on France, claiming it has turned a blind eye to alleged human rights violations.

Chad is an active ally of Western nations and its neighbours in the battle against the Nigeria-based Islamists of Boko Haram. N'Djamena is also the headquarters for France's Barkhane anti-jihadist force.

Despite the regime's strict security set-up, Chad has seen unusual social tension this year.

The gang rape of a schoolgirl by the sons of senior officials triggered angry demonstrations around the country, which were severely dealt with by the authorities.

The government has also been weakened by a difficult economic situation linked to the collapse in the price of oil. Strikes by officials over late salary payments have been growing.
Nairobi (AFP) - A British sugar trader facing charges of trafficking cocaine worth $5.8 million was bailed on Monday by a Nairobi court, with his lawyer declaring "the wrong man" was being targeted over a tampered shipment from Brazil.

Jack Marrian, 31, from an aristocratic family has lived in east Africa since early childhood. He was charged Thursday after police in the eastern port city of Mombasa seized 100 kilos (220 pounds) of cocaine hidden in a sugar consignment ordered by his firm.

Magistrate Derrick Kuto said the Briton had to post a bond of 70 million shillings ($690,600) with two Kenyan sureties and must surrender his passport given the seriousness of the charge, which if convicted could see him face a life sentence.

Dressed in a light blue suit and patterned tie, Marrian showed little emotion during the hearing, except smiling once at his parents across the packed courtroom.

Defence lawyer Sheetal Kapila told AFP he believed the case was driven by the authorities' desire "to stop Kenya being a transit point" for drugs, but added that "it's the wrong man who's been picked up."

"Unknown people have smuggled this drug into the consignment," Kapila said.

Mombasa on Africa's east coast has long been used as a hub for drugs bound for Asia and Europe.

The prosecution has appealed the bail decision on the grounds that the investigation is not yet complete and they believe Marrian is a flight risk.

The young businessman's case has caused a sensation in his native Britain, where the aristocratic background of his mother Lady Emma Clare Campbell of Cawdor and attendance of top private schools, including the alma mater of Prince William's wife Catherine, have caught the eye of the tabloid press.

His family's relationship with Kenya dates back decades, his lawyer said, as Marrian's grandfather had served as a minister in the colonial government just before independence in 1963.

His father David Marrian said he has spoken with his son daily since the arrest.

"We are pleased that the magistrate has given bail and now we have quite a lot of work to do," he told journalists after the hearing.

"I have no doubt that Jack will be exonerated," he added.
The news about Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCO) donating an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to the Ghana police service is a very refreshing one. It is timely and couldn't have come at a better time than this when we are readying ourselves for a crucial election in December.

The action by Gridco is very laudable and the company deserves commendations for taking such strategic and timely steps in supporting the service.

This gesture will definitely put the service in a better position to carry out its operations in a more detailed, accurate, specific and targeted fashion by gathering advance information on the activities of individuals who will want to disturb the peace of our country.

The coming of the drone will enhance crime combat. It will help the police to better spy on criminals in their hideouts to smoke them out before they strike.

It will be of great service in terms of the carrying out reconnaissance(recce) on the activities of criminals.

It will help monitor and police political party rallies and activities and take up to minute pictures and videos of troublemakers at search gatherings.

The future of policing undoubtedly is largely going to be driven by technology, intelligence gathering.

So it was good to learn that the Ghana police service as futuristic as its current posturing shows, acted in the best of ways by requesting for the device and Gridco responded appropriately and timeously.

Crime is evolving and so must policing,law enforcement and crime combat. The law enforcement agencies cannot allow criminals to take gargantuan steps ahead of them. They must always be a step behind the criminals if they can't overtake in order to keep them in check.

It is also heartwarming to learn that the Ghana Police Service is embracing technology in order to enforce the laws of the country and also to prevent crime. Such steps are commendable.

Going forward, it is important that other institutions recognise that crime fighting is a shared responsibility and that the police service cannot do it alone. They will need the assistance of all well meaning individual and institutions, private and public to carry out its mandate.

The coming of the drone technology means that soon, there will be the need for a massive change in paradigm in terms of HR and realignment of units or creation of new units to accommodate the drone technology.

If it is possible within the short to medium term to create a special unit for the drones to be called the drone and reconnaissance unit to give special attention to drone technology, it will go a long way keep the drones safe and well monitored.

As part of the HR realignment, the service will need to either recruit from within or without the service people with the requisite knowhow and qualifications to handle the drones.

Personnel in the service will also need to brace themselves for the future of policing by way of drone technology and learn to move away from the "macho and muscle development" to developing their minds to fit into this great future that is already upon us.

MOHAMMED ABDUL HANAN EL-SAEED

CHIRAA POLICE STATION

SUNYANI

BRONG AHAFO REGION

0244087295

[email protected]

[email protected]
Ukraine should legally protect areas in eastern Ukraine occupied presently by the Russian Federation, Deputy Chairwoman of the Verkhovna Rada Oksana Syroyid has said.

"The only way out is to take a legal decision, to lawfully recognize the occupation of some areas of Ukraine's eastern regions by Russia and to declare this, " Syroid told 112.Ukraina TV Channel on Sunday evening.

She said if Ukraine fulfills the requirements of the Russian Federation [provides special status of the part of Donbas territory, a full amnesty to militants and holds of elections in Ukraines uncontrolled part of Luhansk and Donetsk regions], it will lead to legal capitulation.

"The fact that Russia insists on it is a plan of legal capitulation. This is not the implementation of the Minsk agreements, not a legal decision of the conflict. This is a very common capitulation. And this indicates that the path that was chosen was wrong," Syroid said.

According to Syroid, Ukraine should change its strategy on settling the military conflict in the east of the country.
08.08.2016 LISTEN

Once upon a time, I wrote something about Nima on my Facebook wall. A man I give much reverence to and who I call boss commented. He stated that I have disturbed Nima a lot and that I should leave Nima alone. As funny as it was, I have always had it at the back of my head since then.

I cant leave Nima alone. That is my hometown. In 2012, I went to the passport office to get myself a passport. When the interrogator enquired about my hometown, I told him Nima. This led to a back and forth with him. I had wanted to school him with the fact that ones hometown is where one grows up to find him or herself and not where his great grandparents whom probably, he had not seen before, hailed from. Nima indeed is my hometown. That is where I found myself when I became conscious enough to. That is the part of the ecosystem where the Lord placed me. I dont think I could breathe easily and enjoy life peacefully as I do if I grew up in another part of the world. Nima gave me an identity and a place to call my environment. It behooves on me therefore to brighten the corner where I am.

There is a political malady in Nima that I am not happy with. It is the politics I describe as the realization of foolishness. Nothing more, nothing less! The political leaders of our community have times without number shown that we are not fit to live fully as human beings until we have another political leader from elsewhere coming to visit. That is when the community becomes heaven. Everything becomes spick and span. The whole atmosphere is filled with untold sanity. When the visitor leaves, we return to our pathetic and pitiful state of affairs.

The most recent manifestation of this malady was the day the President of the land, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama came to visit and subsequently inspect the ongoing construction of the Nima-Maamobi Drainage. Suddenly the street was cleared. Everything returned to normalcy. The gutter junction that had defied all sophisticated traffic-regulation mechanism interestingly sprang to life. This particular junction has shown vehement stubbornness to all road regulations and renovation such that conspiracy theorists have span wild theories to explain that. Some say there are spirits that will not allow for the tampering with the state of the road. Some say it is the meeting ground of witches and wizards hence they wont allow for its destruction. All these theories were proven wrong on that particular day because the politician had stepped in.

There is this large waste container that is seen always overflown with rubbish. Most times, you find the heap of this rubbish on the floor. On other times, it even eats into the road. That container was not at site on that particular day and that area was clearly cleared. One could tell that the sanity on the street that day was the ideal situation that we should be seeing every day. At Alaska, containers that are always on the street were nicely covered like the first meal of a new bride to her in-laws. At Maamobi market, the container was emptied and placed nicely.

Few days after the coming of the president, it was as if our minds as a people were rolled back into a catacomb. The heaven-like Nima Street became hellish.

The gutter-junction container returned with a heap of rubbish with an untold fury. At Alaska, the nicely and neatly covered container was uncovered, with rubbish sprouting along the street with no one concerned. The whole setting catapulted what could best be described as a climate of indiscipline. As I discussed this with a friend, he stated that so John Mahama must come before we live fully as human beings.?

If you are wondering why I am raising this issue then get it. The President should have been made to see the filth his representatives have supervised. Politicians in Nima are always fighting to control waste containers and public toilets. All they are interested in is the monies generated from these places. No one has profound interest in how the containers are emptied and how sane the environment is. The President should have seen the rot the dereliction of duty of his appointees and representatives supervises. This is one of the several factors why African leaders get out of touch with the reality on the ground when in office. They are not made to see the everyday mess caused by the negligence of their representatives. Hence most come out to say things that are worlds-apart with the reality on the ground.

In 1983, the then Nigerian Head of State, Shehu Shagari was reported to have said that there was corruption in Nigeria but that it had not yet reached alarming proportions. This caused a media uproar in Nigeria and the West. Chinua Achebe wrote that in his essay The Trouble with Nigeria. He stated Many Presidents, especially Third World Presidents, do not live in their country. One of the penalties of exalted power is loneliness. Harnessed to the trappings of protocol and blockaded by a buffer of grinning courtiers and sycophants, even a good and intelligent leader will gradually begin to forget what the real world looks like.

When a President sets out to see things for himself, what does he actually see? Highways temporarily cleared of lunatic drivers by even more lunatic presidential escorts; hitherto impassable tracks freshly graded and even watered to keep down the dust; buildings dripping fresh paint; well-fed obsequious welcoming parties; garlands of colorful toilet paper hung round the neck by women leaders, troupes of cultural dancers in the sun, and many other such scenes of contented citizenry. And that is exactly what we saw the day the president visited.

In 2013, together with the current Assembly man of the Nima-East electoral area, we decided to air our grievances about the management of waste containers and public toilets in our area. Those in charge were (and are still) members of the ruling government and they consider it their birthright to be in charge. We made our quest known. Our quest was to know why the monies generated from these places are not used to champion the developmental cause of the community. The response we received was shocking if not only surprising.

We were told how our mothers met our fathers and how our outdooring as babies was witnessed by them and how they were classmates with our parents and a whole lot of balderdash. I took the lions share of the insults because I was considered a traitor as a party-man then. But insults and calumnies have never shivered my heart. After all, what effect does a rain-coat have on a fish? I have developed a fervid dead-goat syndrome to insults. A man who farms at the wayside, our elders say must respond to greetings.

One of the things I find my resolve in is the hymn song by Ina D Odgon. Its a song we used to sing as a marching song way back in St. Cecilias Preparatory School. It was an inspiration and a morning spur those days. I capture it here unedited. And if your voice is as good as that of Baaban Salmu, the late Nigerian Sage, you can sing along:

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,

Do not wait to shed your light afar;

To the many duties ever near you now be true,

Brighten the corner where you are.

Refrain:

Brighten the corner where you are!

Brighten the corner where you are!

Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;

Brighten the corner where you are!

Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,

Let not narrow self your way debar;

Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,

Brighten the corner where you are.

Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,

Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;

Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,

Brighten the corner where you are.

Inusah Mohammed

[email protected]

NB: The writer is a Youth-Activist and a Student of Knowledge.
On Wednesday (27 July 2016) the Foreign Office in conjunction with PricewaterhouseCoopers held the official launch of the report Seizing the Opportunity: An economic assessment of key sectors of opportunity for UK business in Nigeria. The event was hosted by The Prime Ministers Trade Envoy to Nigeria, John Howell, MP.

During John Howells 4-day visit to Lagos, Nigeria he joined PwCs Country Senior Partner, Uyi Akpata to present the report which he described asuseful in the UKs bid to strengthen trade relations with Nigeria and other countries. He also added he was determined to ensure that the UK becomes Nigerias number one trade partner by talking to both British companies and companies in Nigeria about how they can do more business together and making them aware of the opportunities highlighted in the report.

UK government aims to use this report to build on its current prosperity efforts in Nigeria, committed to working together with Nigerian government, businesses and local stakeholders to tackle constraints to growth in Nigeria., ultimately enhancing the bilateral relationship between UK-Nigeria.
Goma (DR Congo) (AFP) - Armed groups killed 14 people in a string of overnight attacks in an area of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that has long been shaken by ethnic violence, the army and local officials said Monday.

"During the night, we counted (many) attacks" on both civilians and on military positions, Captain Guillaume Ndjike, an army spokesman in the strife-torn North Kivu province, told AFP.

Ndjike blamed the raids on Mai-Mai tribal militias and local self-defence groups often formed on ethnic lines, as well as Rwandan Hutu rebels from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

In the bloodiest single attack, seven people were shot dead or hacked to death with machetes in the town of Kibirizi, he said, confirming an earlier report by local officials.

The bloodshed was blamed on the FDLR, which has been present in eastern DRC since the end of the Rwandan genocide 26 years ago.

Another four civilians were killed in Kashalira while a soldier and a civilian were killed in Kahunga, the army official said.

A young Hutu was also shot dead by Mai-Mai fighters in Buleusa, according to a delegate from the provincial governor in the town, Roger Bihango.

Kahunga, Kashalira and Kibirizi are located in the Rutshuru territory, while Buleusa is part of Walikale. The FDLR is highly active in these two territories in the southern part of North Kivu.

Ndjike said the assailants also torched 150 houses in the spate of attacks, which came only hours after President Joseph Kabila left the region after a four-day stay.

North Kivu has been the scene of repeated clashes for nearly two decades, and hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced.

Some older members of the FDLR are accused of taking part in the massacres of about 800,000 people in neighbouring Rwanda, mainly from the Tutsi minority, over three months in 1994 before they were routed by the rebel army of current President Paul Kagame.

Several FDLR chiefs face international accusations of war crimes or crimes against humanity, but the rebels have carried out no significant cross-border operations inside Rwanda since 2001.

Dozens of people have also died since the start of the year in fighting between Nande tribespeople and ethnic Hutus.

The Nande accuse Congolese Hutus of abetting the FDLR. The Hutus, in return, say they are looking for land where they can settle for farming and accuse the Nande of trying to expel them.
The U.S. Embassy is deeply concerned with the extensive violence that occurred during protests across Ethiopia this weekend in the Oromia and Amhara regions. We have noted reports that protestors and security officials have been injured or killed, although confirmed numbers are not available.

The U.S. Embassy expresses its deep condolences to those who suffered as a result of the violence and regrets the damage to livelihoods, economic development, and the social fabric that such violence brings. We recognize that many of the demonstrations took place without authorization, and urge all parties to support those who are seeking constructive dialog and peaceful solutions. We reaffirm our call to respect the constitutionally enshrined rights of all citizens, including those with opposition views, to gather peacefully, and to express their opinions.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the National Peace Council, the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), officially launched the Regional Election Early Warning and Response Group (REEWARG) on Monday, August 8, 2016 at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi. This Group will be hosted by the Ashanti Regional Peace Council. The primary objective of the Group is to discuss, develop and recommend strategies to mitigate threats to the peaceful conduct of the 2016 elections at the regional level. At the launch, the Regional Minister of Ashanti Region, Honorable John Alexander Ackon; Chair of the National Peace Council, Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante; and the USAID representative, Ms. Nana Serwah Amoako, expressed commitment to support the Groups efforts to strengthen early response to threats around the elections and reduce the potential for conflict.

The Group will convene stakeholders from around the region, including representatives from the Ashanti Regional Peace Council and prominent persons from relevant state and non-state institutions, to complement government efforts in the prevention and mitigation of election-related violence. Through WANEPS extensive network of civil society organizations and appointed community monitors across the country, the group will be better placed to identify potential risks of election violence. If monitoring in a given area reveals a heightened risk of violence at any point in the election cycle, WANEP will develop recommendations on how it can be prevented, and will channel these recommendations to members of the REEWARG for immediate deliberation and action.

The eminent members of the Group will use their years of experience and influence to facilitate early response to conflict and early warning issues before they escalate into violence. Members of the Group will ensure that electoral conflict threats at the grassroots level receive immediate attention and response at the regional level. They will also provide direct input into the National Peace Councils activities.

Speaking at the launch event, U.S. representative Nana Serwah Amoako noted Ghanas strong democratic credentials. Ghana has been applauded for holding successful elections for many years; however, we must not be complacent, but remain vigilant of the risks of instability in the upcoming elections.
Perhaps, Williams Shakespeare was right when he said that hell is empty and all the devils are here. History and antiquity bear ample testimonies to the paradoxical and enigmatic nature of some individuals. For example, Queen Victoria (1819-1901) who hitherto loathed individuals who used cannabis dressed marijuana up in a new garment and renamed it as medical marijuana when Sir Russel Reynolds prescribed the drug for her in 1890 to relieve her of menstrual cramps.

This means that human beings have a penchant to change things to suit their own parochial whims and caprices. I cannot really fathom why Ghanas 1992 constitution that was supposed to compel the PNDC regime to adopt a more conciliatory form of government ended up legitimizing dictatorship of the executive against the other two branches of government, legislature and the judiciary. The aim of this article is to identify the association between article 72 of Ghanas 1992 constitution and the Machiavellian concept of new principality from criminals perspective.

The Italian renaissance historian and philosopher, Niccolo di Bernardo dei Machiavelli (1469-1527) and best remembered for his famous dictum: the first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him, asserted that there are four main ways of becoming a prince. These are hereditary principalities: which are inherited by the ruler, mixed principalities, territories that annexed to the rulers existing territories, New principalities which may be acquired by several methods such as ones own power, by the power of others, by criminal acts or extreme cruelty or by the will of the people (civic principalities) and last but not least, ecclesiastical principalities referring to the papal states belonging to the catholic church.

The article 72 of the foregoing constitution states among other things that (1) The President may, acting in consultation with the Council of State-

(a) grant to a person convicted of an offence a pardon either free or subject to lawful conditions; or

(b) grant to a person a respite, either indefinite or for a specified period, from the execution of punishment imposed on him for an offence; or

(c) substitute a less severe form of punishment for a punishment imposed on a person for an offence; or

(d) remit the whole or part of a punishment imposed on a person or of a penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to Government on account on any offence.

(2) Where a person is sentenced to death for an offence, a written report of the case from the trial judge or judges, together with such other information derived from the record of the case or elsewhere as may be necessary, shall be submitted to the President.

This means that the executive president regulates the judiciary: an affront to the tool of judicial review which gives power to the court to declare the unconstitutional acts of executive and legislature as null and void. Is it not quixotic for the president to wield powers to revoke the decision of the court through article 72?

I must concede that constitutions all over the world somewhat bestow to the executive president the prerogative of mercy even so the excessive powers given to the president by the aforesaid constitution is inimical to the well-being of citizens of Ghana. The doctrine of separation of powers which states that the three arms of government must differ in terms of function and personnel was propounded by the French philosophe Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755). Montesquieu erroneously studied the British system of government. During his visit to Britain, he observed that the three organs of government (Legislature, executive and judiciary) differed in terms of functions and personnel. It was revealed to Montesquieu that contrary to his convictions, the British attorney general and minister for Justices was an elected member of House of Commons, and as an attorney general he belonged to the executive arm of government and as a minister of justice he was the head of judiciary. Montesquieu reportedly propounded a new political concept known as checks and balances to amend his flaws. Checks and balances empower each arm of government to check and limit the activities of others.

Looking at the 1992 constitution from the lens of Montesquieus drawbacks regarding the doctrine of separation of powers, the president of Ghana is vested with powers to appoint about 50% of his ministers from legislature. For example, in 2006, Mr. Joe Ghartey, was a member of parliament for Essikado/Ketan constituency in the western region of Ghana, he was also appointed the attorney general and minister for Justices. As the minister of justice he was the head of the judiciary, as a minister he belonged to the executive arm of government and as elected Member of Parliament he was a member of legislature. How could he check and limit his own powers per the dictates of checks and balances? How can the court take decision against their own head of judiciary? Why cant we as a country be mindful of Lord Actons assertion that power tend to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely?

The Montie 3 petition is a necessary evil in the sense that it accentuates to us some major takeaways: the tyrant of the executive over other arms of government. The fact that the BNI initially white-washed the montie 3 reveals that the executive cannot be trusted with excessive powers it is inundated with. The president will not violate any law if he pardons the Montie 3 which, depicts the extent of inequality in our constitution. J. J Rousseau best remembered for his famous saying men are born free, yet everywhere are in chains in his theory of natural inequalities intimated that the only natural inequalities are difference in physical strength, because these are inequalities that arise in the natural state. In contemporary society, man is corrupted, and the inequalities that result from laws and property are not natural and should not be tolerated. By this article, I am humbly calling for a national debate if not a referendum (if applicable) to reduce some of the powers wielded by the executive president. Such an amendment will assure the safety of all and sundry. God bless our homeland Ghana and help us resist oppressors rule.

I know that I am intelligent because I know that I know nothing. (Socrates)

Feedbacks must be directed to [email protected]

Nana Yaw Osei (Padigo), PhD Candidate, Psychology

Arizona, USA
Presidential Staffer Clement Apaak has lambasted former GIMPA Rector Professor Stephen Adei over his claim that President John Mahama is appointing too many northerners into the public service.

According to Apaak, the claim by the academician lacks basis and has no empirical facts to support it.

Adei in a lecture in Accra said One of the things going on which is totally unacceptable is about why one out of every four public sector appointment comes from the Presidents area of origin.

That is totally unacceptable because we are a unified country, we are a country whereby if you take any major group, whether Gas, Ashantis or Ewes you can form a cabinet from it.

Reacting to the claim, Dr. Apaak told Kwaku Obeng Adjei and Kemini Amannor on the Starr Midday News that the assertion by the former rector is pedestrian and pointless.

Adei's statements came to me as a shock and I'm saddened by them but I reject his claims. What is the empirical basis for this conclusion that he is drawing?

The assertion itself is without basis and vague. It is a simple pedestrian talk seeking to cause disaffection for the President. Being an academic, he should be able to back his claims with evidence. If you were to take the list of the presidents appointees  and I know we are in excess of 4,000  and you were to analyse their places of origin, based on ethnic-linguicism, based on geography, based on gender, and even based on tribe, you cannot draw the conclusion that this president is practicing nepotism, Apaak fumed.
The Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Luxor Governorate plan to announce on Thursday the launch of their joint project Youth Employment for Socio-Economic Stability in Upper Egypt which will be implemented jointly with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in cooperation with the Japanese government.

The project targets the agribusiness, renewable energy, building and construction, creative industries, telecommunications, information technology and waste management sectors, said Trade and Industry Minister Tarek Kabil. It is part of joint efforts to support entrepreneurship and employment among youth. The Minister added that the plan will support efforts of the Government to diversify and revitalize the local economy and better integrate young women and men into the productive activities of the local economy, hence improving their livelihoods. During its one-year lifetime, the program will partner with public and private support institutions at both central and local levels and leverage the ecosystem capacity in Upper Egypt.

Mr. Kabil said the project will enhance the quality and outreach of business support services for the creation and growth of start-ups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as fostering business linkages and improving the technical and life skills of youth to match with labor market requirements. He also expects the program to develop the entrepreneurial attitude of the young generation by integrating entrepreneurship education in general, especially in technical schools.

The Egyptian Minister explained that the project will focus on a number of priority sectors where opportunities for economic empowerment, employment generation and private sector growth exist and can be further stimulated. These sectors include agro-industries, waste management, renewable energy, building and construction industry, creative industries, and information and communication technologies.

He pointed out that this new project supports the Central Bank of Egypt's initiative to develop small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as agricultural, industrial and service investments through the analysis of the value chain and also the identification of investment opportunities, preparation of a clear agenda for these investments and materialization of these opportunities through financing in coordination with the relevant banks, in order to support the economic sector, create new jobs and increase competitiveness.

On her part, Ms. Giovanna Ceglie of UNIDO stated that UNIDO has been supporting Egypts progress over the years towards the achievement of social and economic growth through the promotion of industrial development for employment generation and environmental sustainability. Ceglie, who is currently collaborating with Egyptian authorities and civil society to implement a number of initiatives to support MSMEs, indicated that UNIDO is at present engaged with the Government and civil society in initiatives that promote MSME development and job creation in sectors with high potential for inclusive industrial development, and unleash the potential for energy efficiency and renewable energies and the advancement of green industries.
08.08.2016 LISTEN

In countless times General Arts students come across the cliche Everyone is equal before the law", as a keen phrase in the study of the Arts course. A critical analysis of the happenings in our motherland makes the aforementioned cliche a mere saying that affects the minors as in the case of the animal kingdom. The prerogative power of mercy, the diplomatic immunity, veto power, free press, ex-gratia and some notable exclusivities make our law questionable when it comes to Equality".

Now, reflecting on the trending issue with regards to the three nation breakers affectionately called Montie Trio: Salifu Maase (aka Mugabe), Alistair Tairo Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn thought they could equate an FM studio console and the microphone with a gun. These press men, because of their political affiliations, forewent all the media ethics and said the very things which ruined Rwanda sometime ago. Ghanaians continue to say Ghana is a God-loving country, however, we should not forget that the war-torn countries were equally created by the same God.

The whom you know", an attitude that is killing our educational institutions in terms of admission and the job seekers has also gain a solid root in our political dispensation. Can anybody signing in the petition book of the Montie Trio" tell us what the state of this country would be if the gun rules in this modern era of globalization? We cannot build the foundation of a state without the basic principles of the Rule of Law. Prerogative power of mercy does not mean pardon of envy. Therefore, to avoid the state of anarchy, our social stability must not be threatened. When justice is more certain and more mild, it's at the same time more efficacious. We are living in a country where our fellow countrymen and women in politics live in opulence and wallow in untold riches with their mansions encased with six-feet walls to avoid the eyes of the poor.

Fellow countrymen and women, the effect of lawlessness and lack of enforcement of the Rule of Law is very grave. Therefore, in exercising this element of presidential pardon as the enemies of our society are crying for, we must not discriminate regardless of one's social status and party affiliation. We must all bear in mind that if one tramples on another's right to seek his or her own parochial interest, then he or she will be disappointed in the end. It is the duty of those in authority to help us build up this country and not to ruin it.

It's very sad and even more unfortunate that the likes of the Cabinet ministers, Lawyers, the Minister of Education, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection are all singing the petition for the release of the contemnors in the name of party politics while they relegate the interest of the society to the background. Have we forgotten the basic social contract of rights and responsibilities that binds us together as a society? Citizens and institutions make up a society and so the citizenry must not downplay the laws in order to protect the institutions like the court of competent jurisdiction as Barack Obama, the president of America posited on his first visit to Ghana that, Africa doesn't need strongmen, it needs strong institutions", and this will make our world a better place to live. I think we're lost as a nation, because the very people who must know the right thing and code of ethics have failed us. Meanwhile, peace is the most expensive thing that money cannot buy when it is lost.

At every summit of the United Nations, the members try to figure out how to restore world peace in the war-torn places, however, no proper solution has been erupted. If you don't value the peace we have as a nation then read " When Gun Rules" by Kofi A Jackson, an ex-military man in relation to the June, 4 incidents.

In a democratic dispensation like ours, equality before the law must be our topmost priority so that the right and freedom of others will be protected. Now, we are looking at the freedom of the Montie Trio whilst the judiciary is been looked down upon. Have the petitioners considered the precedence that will be set when the president pardons them? An excerpt of Kwame A plus, a renowned musician on his facebook timeline reads: .....People are organising press conferences for and against the release of the Montie Trio.

Nobody really cares about the man whose child is dying of malaria right now. No one cares about that little girl who is dying because there is no oxygen in the hospital. No one cares about the people who drink from the same pond with animals. No one cares about the thousands of people in jail. They can rot in jail because they know no big men." This is how far we've come as a nation because of politics and the dying desire to achieve dubious power to rule, loot and share the national cake to enrich themselves! Freeing the trio will not be of any importance to our democratic dispensation.

There are more innocent souls in the prisons who need this pardon than those rebellious hearts who agitated that they don't fear to be in the prisons. The only stable state is the one in which all men are equal before the law. It's hypocrisy at the apex that will make one sign for such criminal acts. As elections is just around the corner, we must condemn any act that can trigger violence. Equality, Peace and Justice is all what we need before, during and after the elections.

The law is not the private property of the executive or those in the ruling party. We must be committed to the mutual respect and the liberty of each and everyone of us. If the president pardons the Montie Trio, then another presidential amnesty must be granted to all prisoners in the length and breadth of this country because they all hail from a family, aside humanity has no boundary because we're all equal in the sight of the ultimate reality.

Akwasi Brobbey

[email protected]

0548412192

Offinso College of Education - Ofinso (OFCE)
Addis Ababa (AFP) - About 50 people were killed in weekend clashes in Ethiopia between police and anti-government demonstrators, opposition and diplomatic sources told AFP on Monday.

Protests swept the vast Oromia region and even reached the capital Addis Ababa, a rare event in a nation with a government considered among the most repressive in Africa.

"We have reports of between 48 to 50 protesters killed in Oromia. This death toll might be higher because there were a lot of wounded," said Merera Gudina, leader of the opposition Oromo People's Congress.

A diplomat confirmed that 49 people were killed across Oromia, a region straddling central-western Ethiopia, and in Amhara, in the north.

With at least 27 million people, Oromia is the most populous of the country's federal states and has its own language, Oromo, distinct from Ethiopia's official Amharic language.

Among the towns worst hit by the violence were Nekemte, a town in western Ethiopia where 15 people were killed, the diplomat said, while 27 died in Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara region.

Several thousand people had gathered in Bahir Dar on Sunday.

- 'Brutal response' -

"They appear to be low level, quite disorganised protests scattered all around...," the diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"The brutal response of the government risks provoking more anger and making it worse."

The authorities have since Friday blocked access to social media, the activists' key channel for such rallying calls.

Unrest has increased in recent weeks in Amhara after the attempted arrest of local leaders who opposed a government move to merge two neighbouring districts.

Police were out in force on Saturday when about 500 people gathered in Addis Ababa's main Meskel Square, shouting slogans such as "we want our freedom" and "free our political prisoners."

Police swiftly moved in to break up the protest.

Between them the Oromo people, who inhabit the Oromia region, and the northern Amhara form the vast majority of the population.

They often claim they are discriminated against by the minority Tigreans, who dominate government and the security forces.

A previous wave of protests earlier this year was sparked by a since abandoned plan to expand the capital into outlying farmland, which was followed by a swift crackdown.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn had on Friday announced a ban on demonstrations which "threaten national unity" and called on police to use all means at their disposal to prevent them.
SBU reports detention of group of 'saboteurs' who planned to blow up Lviv Railways in three places

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has averted explosions on three sections of the international railway in Lviv region, the SBU press center has reported.

"As a result of the special operation, operatives found and detained five members of the terrorist group who planned to blow up railways in three directions from Lviv simultaneously," the press center for the special service reported on Monday.

According to the report, one of the terrorists was detained while putting explosives on the bridge near the village of Dubliany, Lviv region. He tried to resist and opened fire, wounding an SBU official. SBU officials returned fire, wounding the man and detaining him.

The search of the detainees' residences yielded a large quantity of firearms, explosives and parts for their production, specifically, RPG-7 and RPG-26 grenade launchers, hand grenades, F-1 grenades, RGD-5 grenades, five kilos of IX 25 explosives and 600 grams of TNT, three electric detonators, three pistols and many cartridges of various calibers.

According to the report, searches and other urgent investigative actions continue.
Kumasi, Aug. 8, GNA - The Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU), has called on the government to renew its commitment to fight against the menace of 'galamsey' (illegal mining).

The Union said the practice currently threatens the survival and existence of vibrant mining industries.

Mr Prince William Ankrah, General Secretary of the Union, described the menace of galamsey as a shameful and barbaric onslaught on legally registered company's concessions.

Speaking at the just ended National Executive Council's meeting of the GMWU in Kumasi at the weekend, Mr Ankrah said the situation, which has reached uncontrollable levels, only inure to the benefit of few selfish and greedy individuals, but which is fast destroying the future of generations yet unborn.

A case in question he mentioned is the AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine gruesome attack by illegal small scale miners on its concession, which resulted in the death of a top management staff of the company.

Another mining company, he cited, is the Owere Mines in Konongo where the galamsey operators invaded and took control of the Mine's concession for weeks, while owners and union members watched helplessly.

Mr Ankrah said the safety and security of mining companies and their members could not be guaranteed anymore, given the organised, sophisticated and aggressive nature of the galamsey and their attacks on the concessions.

'Today, our cherished members are living and working in fear, not sure what the next headline story would read. Sadly, these nefarious activities are carried out in the fullest glare of the powers that be, unfortunately with impunity,' he said.

Enforcement of the law according to him still remains a major challenge and needed to be looked at closely devoid of politicisation and cronyism.

Mr Kwarko Mensah Gyarkari, National Chairman of the Union, who also addressed the situation, predicted doom for the industry and the country's revenue basket if nothing is done to check the practice.

'If steps are not taken by those who call the short to stop this wanton disregard to law and order, within the shortest time possible, the whole mining industry would be swept by these galamsayers,' he said.

Mr Mensah said the industry now sees permanent jobs being subjected to either fixed short term contract or casual work to the detriment of the working people but to the advantage of employers and particularly, multinational companies.

'This trend is inimical to our members' growth and indeed has the potential to threaten our very survival as a trade union movement.'

GNA
Kasoa (C/R), Aug. 8,GNA - A Public Relations Officer of Ghana Education Service, has urged school managers to be receptive to divergent views of parents for the growth of their schools.

Speaking at the 4th Graduation and Prize-Giving Day of Julidem Academy, a private basic school at Kasoa, Mr Anthony Amoah cautioned the managers against extortion and authoritarian tendencies.

'You should regularly organise public sessions, such as Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings, open and speech days, like what we are witnessing now, to solicit views from parents and stakeholders for the benefit of your own schools and the pupils that you educate,' he said.

Mr Amoah said there is no need for any school manager to take an offence at or victimise any child or parent over an issue raised at a PTA meeting and for which they deem contradictory to their position.

He said one of the ways for the school to perform well is for it to liaise with parents and stakeholders in sharing and adopting useful ideas using dialogue and diplomacy.

Mr Samuel Duame, the manager of the school, thanked parents for their immense support in educating their children.

'We cannot develop as a school without your support and so we appeal to you to continue to support us to train the children,' he said.

He gave the assurance that his outfit would ensure that teachers and parents continue to work together for the common good of the school and pupils.

GNA
US-based Ghanaian Professor has urged President John Mahama to pardon three pro-government communicators sentenced to four months' imprisonment for criminal contempt.

Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare who is an advocate against contempt trials says the President will not be interfering with the judiciary if he does so.

This, he argues, is because the power of pardon conferred on the president by the constitution is meant to be exercised in the exact scenario created by the incarceration of Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Maase.

The three were jailed on 27 July 2016 after they attacked Supreme Court judges and threatened rape.

There are calls within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to have the president activate his power to pardon them in accordance with Article 172 of the 1992 constitution.

In a 10-page article, Prof. Kwaku Azar condemned the comments by the pro-government communicators as "unconscionable".

He nonetheless described the conviction as signs of an emerging judicial tyranny. He pointed out aspects of the judgment which he said are hard to accept.

A second count on which the three were convicted read that they defied, insulted and lowered the authority of the Court when they stated that they will not accept the decision of the court on the voters register and they incited listeners in the general public to reject it.

Kwaku Azar who is based in the US argued that the three did not defy the court in any way.

To put it mildly, I find this count hard to fathom and the facts to sustain even more perplexing. To defy means to fail to follow the order of the Court. I cannot see the nexus between what the defendants said and defying the Court. What specific order are they defying?

Punishing someone who says he will not accept the decision of the Court is akin to the father who whips his excited son merely because the latter says he will ride the horse that the former is planning to buy.

He pointed out that under Chief Justice Georgina Wood, there has been more trials for criminal contempt than under the combined tenure of three other Chief Justices.

In the last 4 years, the Wood Court has engaged in more criminal contempt trials than the Abban, Wiredu and Acquah (AWA) Courts did in their combined 12 years.

This is not because the AWA Courts were faced with less contemptuous Ghanaians but rather reflects the sound judgment of those Courts to give the public space to operate. It is time for the Wood Court to exit the criminal contempt enterprise.

He explained that just as the Supreme Court can review decisions of the lower courts, the president also has the authority to review a decision taken by Supreme Court judges.

Arguing further, he said the Supreme Court mostly does not try criminal cases. This is usually done at the High courts and other lower courts.

If the Supreme Court now conducts criminal trials, then the president should be understood if he also exercises his power to pardon convicts, he pointed out.

To the extent that the Supreme Court has decided to engage in trials, the nation should then brace itself to Supreme Court convicts pardoned by the President

He does not see how this amounts to usurping the powers of the judiciary because the judges still retain huge powers, roles and responsibilities that are not subject to the presidents authority.

About 99% of the work done by the Supreme Court are not subject to the pardon power. The Court has the last word on constitutional interpretation.

The pardon power is not the exercise of judicial power and its exercise does not mean the President has usurped same from the judiciary.

The final judicial power still resides in the judiciary. The President does not hear from witnesses, he does not take evidence, he has no standard of proof, etc. when he exercises the pardon power, he maintained.

Prof. Kwaku Azar noted that the power to show mercy is not an evil constitutional device because it is used to check a situation where a judge acts as a prosecutor such as is the case in the trial of the Montie three.

He has consistently condemned the practice of judges summoning and prosecuting persons they believe have attacked their person.

Justice Sophia Akuffo who presided over the panel of five that sentenced the three pointed out that the court had no choice but to carry out the contempt trials because the Attorney-General failed to protect the judges by holding the three to account.

Read full article by Kwaku Asare

Story by Ghana|myjoyonline.com|edwin.appiah|[email protected]
Pro-opposition pressure group, the Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA) has rekindled the debate about the Police Service's consideration to block social media on Election Day warning that there could be an elaborate plan to implement that decision.

In a statement released by the group, the LMVC said intelligence it had picked up suggests there is an elaborate plan to block social media, jam frequencies of radio stations and interrupt mobile networks on elections day.

The group thus implored Ghanaians to protest any such move aimed at repressing freedom of expression and stifling the free flow of vital information during the election period.

The LMVCA bemoaned the fact the Inspector General of Police, John Kudalor, on two separate occasion  May 26 and July 19  threatened to block social media on the eve of, and on, Election Day amidst the backlash from civil society and other stakeholders.

The IGP's reasoning for a possible ban has been to curb the abuse of social media platforms which he said created unnecessary tension and was a conduit for the spread of false information.

The LMVCA condemned the abuse of social media to incite fear and violence in their statement but warned that a possible ban would be degenerating and backwards to the great strides Ghana has made in the process of democratisation and the entrenchment of civil liberties.

LMVC Convener, David Asante

The statement also noted that an outright ban of social media is not the panacea to false reportage.

Possible conspiracy?

The LMVCA also introduced a new dimension to the possible social media ban saying that the ban may be geared towards protecting the political interests of a particular regime.

Since access to social media is routed through local internet-based communication providers whose activities are regulated and licensed by a government entity, the National Communications Authority (NCA), it is possible to block social media sites, it explained.

We have credible intelligence that there were elaborate plans to take advantage of the November 7, 2016 election date to focus the worlds attention on the USA elections and to divert attention from our own elections.

Despite parliament voting to maintain December 7, as the Election Day, the LMVC still warned that there still existed a well-orchestrated plan for a large-scale shutdown of communication networks during the elections. This can only be part of a desperate attempt to stay in power by all means possible.

Mahama needs to speak out

With all its fears laid out, the LMVC has implored President John Mahama to publically condemn any proposed social media ban as a matter of urgency.

We also call on the President to, as a matter of urgency, make a categorical statement clearly stating that the undemocratic and diabolic act of stifling the flow of information by blocking social media and jamming media houses would not be executed.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
08.08.2016 LISTEN

The whole world over Prophet Mohammad s.a.w is recognized as the prophet through whom the Almighty Allah introduced Islam to mankind.

The religion came along with it the five pillars. These are the need to believe in the supremacy of God; pray regularly as prescribed; pay zakat; fast during the month of Ramadan and go on pilgrimage to mecca at least once in a lifetime.

Apart from the above requirement for all Muslims, the lord has given mankind some pieces of advice through the prophet of Islam, a few of which have been made available to the Muslim Umma by Ustaz

Afuwa Kasule of Uganda as indicated below;

Twelve Pieces of advice from the prophet Muhammad s.a.w. for all Muslims

1. Take advantage of your youth, health, wealth, time and life

Oh Abu Dharr! Take advantage of five things before five things seize you; your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your spare time before your being busy and your life before you death.

Oh Abu Dharr! Beware of Procrastination for you are (in) today and not (in) tomorrow. If there is a tomorrow for you, be tomorrow as you are today. If there isnt a tomorrow for you, you will grievously regret the opportunity you missed today.

Whether it be an upcoming exam or a looming work deadline, we all know the danger of procrastination. The Prophet is clearly a now person, as the following tradition also suggests:

Oh Abu Dharr! When you wake up in the morning dont talk to yourself about tonight and when night has come dont worry of the morning for surely you dont know what your state will be tomorrow.

3. Dont waste your time

And know that in you are two (dangerous) qualities; laughing at something not amusing and laziness when not tired.

In a day where social media has become the biggest procrastinator to affect us (you might have encountered this article by doing exactly this!), the Prophet warns of two potential dangers this presents. Whereas social media initially allowed friends and family to keep in touch, it is now inundated with viral videos and entertaining forwards  we are all guilty of lazing around for hours on end scrolling down and refreshing our feeds with no real purpose.

4. Admit your ignorance

Oh Abu Dharr! When you are asked of some knowledge you know not of say, I do not know! You will be saved of its consequences. Dont make judgment of that which you havent knowledge.

In an age where information is available at the fingertips, from the trusted Sheikh Google, it is easy to fall into the trap of regarding ourselves as scholars in every field, even if all our knowledge is only from a few Wikipedia searches! This quote advises us to save ourselves from embarrassment by admitting ignorance in such situations.

5. Practice what you preach

Oh Abu Dharr! There will be a day when a group of people of Paradise will be over a group of people of Hell and they will say, What has made you enter hell-fire? For surely we entered paradise by you teaching us and your disciplining (educating) us! They will say: We used to bid others to do good while we ourselves didnt do it.

This is a chilling message. Educating others but then not acting on that advice  a trap I hope not to fall into by writing this article! The Prophet here warns very clearly about avoiding hypocrisy: practice what you preach.

6. Dont belittle your sins

Surely the believer sees his sin as if it is a boulder, he fears that it will fall on him and surely the unbeliever sees his sin as if it is a fly passing on his nose. Oh Abu Dharr! Surely Allah (s), when He wills good for a servant he puts his sins before his two eyes. When he wills bad for a servant he makes him forget his sins.

Every action against the command of God should be significant for a true believer. It is dangerous when we start to disregard our sins, because either our belief is waning, or it shows a disconnection with God. The Prophet goes on to explain why each sin is significant with a quite remarkable quote:

Oh Abu Dharr! Dont look at the smallness of the sin but look at the one you disobeyed.

7. Prioritize your prayers

Oh Abu Dharr! Allahhas made me to love Salat like food is made loveable to the hungry and water to the thirsty. And surely the hungry one, when he eats, he is satiated and the thirsty one, when he drinks he is quenched but I am not satiated from Salat.

The Prophets love for prayer is outstanding  whereas we often regard Salat as an obligation or a chore, the Prophet yearns for it and this desire never subsides. He explains the importance of Salat as a medium to ask for desires:

Oh Abu Dharr! Surely, so long as you are in Salat, you are knocking on the door of the Great King, and whoever knocks much on the door of the King it will be opened for him

8. Dont become attached to this world

Oh Abu Dharr! This world is the prison of the believer and the paradise of the unbeliever.

Quality of life is now defined by our material assets and our ability to live it to the fullest, but the Prophet sees things differently. He warns of the risks where he says:

Oh Abu Dharr! Love of wealth and honour are stronger in stripping a man of his religion than two ferocious wolves in a cattle pen of sheep; so they attack in it until morning. So what will remain of it? So I said, Oh Messenger of Allah (S), the fearful humble lowly people who remember Allah much, will they be the first among mankind to go to heaven? So he said, No. But it will be the poor among the Muslims. They will come outstripping the necks of mankind. The Keepers of Heaven will say to them, Like that you are until you are accounted of! So they will say, About what shall we be accounted for, for by Allah we didnt own anything by which we could oppress or do justice and we werent given (wealth) so we could withhold or give (to others) but we worshipped our Lord until He called us so we answered.

9. Be your own accountant for your deeds

Oh Abu Dharr! Take account of yourself before youre taken account of so your accounting will be easier tomorrow. And weigh yourself before you are weighed and prepare for the great staging; the day you will be presented, not the least of a hidden thing of you will be hidden from Allah.

We already know the criteria that will be used to determine our outcome on Judgment Day, so it makes sense to evaluate our progress in this life by reflecting regularly on our actions. The Prophet shows that this is a prerequisite to piety, and that an honest livelihood is key to this:

Oh Abu Dharr! A man cannot be among the pious until his accounting of himself is stronger than the accounting a (business) partner takes of his partner. So he knows from where his food comes from and from where his drink comes from and from where his cloths come from; from a lawful means or from a prohibited one. Oh Abu Dharr! Whoever doesnt care from where he earns his money, Allah doesnt care from where He will enter him into Hell.

10. Quality is better than quantity

Oh Abu Dharr! The Virtue of knowledge is greater than that of worship. And know you that if you prayed until your back becomes bent and you fasted until you became thin as strings that would not benefit you unless it is done with piety.

We often see Islam as a list of rituals, and class the most devout in worship as the most pious, whereas this narration suggests otherwise. In another similar narration, the Prophet says:

Oh Abu Dharr! Two moderate cycles of prayer (rakat) with pondering is better than standing all night in prayer with a neglectful heart

11. Remember God in times of ease

Shall I not teach you words which may benefit you by Allahs help? I said: Yes, Oh Messenger of Allah. He (SA) said: Get to know Allah (SWT) in your time of leisure and comfort and Allah (SWT) will remember you in your hard times.

This hadith gives me goose bumps! We often fall into the trap of remembering God before an exam or a job interview, but when things are going smoothly, He is stored somewhere in the distance until we need Him again.

12. Stay away from gossip

Oh Abu Dharr! Beward of backbiting, for backbiting is worse than adultery! So I asked, Oh Messenger of Allah, and why that is? He (SA) said: Because a man can commit adultery and then repent to Allah (SWT) and Allah (SWT) can forgive him. But the backbiting cannot be forgiven until those who were offended through backbiting decide to forgive first.

Whereas most sins can be forgiven by asking God for forgiveness, the Prophet highlights that if you speak ill of somebody, they the offended need to forgive you  and we all know how embarrassing that conversation would be. The safest option, as he advises Abu Dharr, is to keep ourselves well away from gossip in the first place:

Oh Abu Dharr! Leave that which you have nothing to do with. Do not speak of that which does not concern you, and guard your tongue like you guard your money.

Executive director

EANFOWORLD FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

0244 370345 (Airtel)/ 0274853710 /0208844791 / [email protected]/[email protected]
A suicide bomb attack has killed at least 70 people at a hospital in Quetta in south-west Pakistan, officials say.

About 120 others were injured in the blast, which happened at the entrance to the emergency department where the body of a prominent lawyer shot dead earlier on Monday was being brought.

The casualties included lawyers and journalists accompanying the body of Bilal Anwar Kasi.

A faction of the Pakistani Taliban has said it was behind the bombing.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar said it had also carried out the earlier attack on Mr Kasi, who was president of the Balochistan Bar Association and had been shot while on his way from his home to the main court complex in Quetta.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos after the hospital blast, with bodies everywhere and survivors shouting for help through the smoke and dust.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and chief of army staff Gen Raheel Sharif have both gone to Quetta and will hold talks with security officials.

Gen Sharif met some of those wounded at the Quetta Civil Hospital.

Mr Sharif expressed his deep grief and anguish, adding: No-one will be allowed to disturb the peace of the province. The people, policy and security forces in Balochistan have given sacrifices for the country.

The president of Pakistans Supreme Court Bar Association, Syed Ali Zafa, denounced the assault as an attack on justice. The Pakistan Bar Council has announced a nationwide strike by lawyers on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sanaullah Zehri, said those injured should be given the best medical treatment and facilities available.

There have been a number of targeted killings in Quetta and the victims in recent weeks have included several lawyers.

Mr Kasi had strongly condemned the attacks and local media said he had announced a two-day boycott of court sessions in protest at the killing of a colleague last week.

Those killed in the hospital attack were said to include Baz Muhammad Kakar, a predecessor of Mr Kasi as provincial bar president, and 17 other lawyers.

Two journalists have also been identified among the dead  Shahzad Khan , a cameraman for Aaj TV, and Mehmood Khan , a cameraman for DawnNews.

Lawyers in Lahore staged a demonstration to condemn the attack. Some journalists also protested, demanding protection for freedom of expression.

Facebook has activated its safety check feature for Quetta, allowing users to mark themselves or others as being safe.

-bbc
08.08.2016 LISTEN

Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and their ilk have been sending feint to Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State over a supposedly trip to the United States of America, USA, by the wife of Major General Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha, on August 3 2016, but they are fighting a lost battle.

In the event leading to the hypothetically trip, Fayose had said that Aisha played a role in Jefferson bribery scandal. The ebullient governor made the comment the umpteenth time. Some links were said to have been distributed to the USA Justice department to show testimony of the odious funds that were allegedly transferred by Aisha.

The fearless and indomitable Fayose claimed that Buhari should own up that he was as corrupt just as those he was witch-hunting instead of following the rule of law. Since June 20, Fayose had not said this like one having water in his mouth; he said it loud and clear!

In the words of Fayose, Even the President cannot claim to be an angel. 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.

Nigerians cannot rule out the fact that Governor Fayose is brave, outspoken and a man who has refused to talk like a boy when others have chickened out in the Major General Buhari-led (un) democratic governance for fear of being haunted.

We are not talking about the democratic government here, but what happens under Nigerias democracy under Buhari  where Buhari cajoles lawyers and judiciary apparently  not to follow professionalism in the conduct of charges against some alleged corrupt persons, but should send such persons to prison without a trial.

Remember that Buhari on April 1, 2016 said his government was not prepared to release from detention the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Director of the Europe Based Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, for alleged treason, as well as former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, a retired Army Colonel, who is facing corruption charges.

Hear Buhari: Dasuki, who is presently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), has multiple cases in court, which he must diligently face and answer. Nnamdi Kanu has committed a serious offence and therefore government is not prepared to release him based on the numerous bail orders handed down by the different courts. In short, the governor said many things in this stead.

After Fayose made that claim against Aisha, a make-believe Aisha Buhari passport was circulated over the media, especially the online, as the one who was the culprit that Fayose was talking about, and not the Major Generals wife.

There was jittery in the presidency and it took them nearly two months or so to package news that Aisha travelled to the USA, when we were being fed that she was represented at an event in the USA by the wife of Senate President, Mrs. Bukola Saraki.

But before we could open some pictures of Mrs. Saraki with the Obamas, the image launderers of Aisha started bombarding the social media with Aisha pictures in the USA. They also sent out some videos of her in the USA without us seeing her with those that matter.

The irony is that Fayose did not gamble with his stance, but it took Aisha a conduct-of-life to come out with her USA trip story. We know that both positive and negative thinking are infectious, so Fayose was right in his thinking.

The governor triumphed over procrastination, but Aisha didnt. She showed that there could be some truth in the position of Fayose by the way she delayed, deferred, dilly-dallied, lazy, postponed, procrastinated going to the USA at the early time of the accusation.

The APC Ekiti and others insulting Fayose today ought to hide their faces in shame and apologise to Fayose. Remember that Major General Buhari and those in his bandwagon had on June 27 2016 announced that Aisha would travel to USA that day for the June 30th World First Ladies Conference holding at Colorado USA., in order to confirm that she was innocent.

Many Nigerians and onlookers were toned to that news, but what we saw were a jittered Aisha and her husbands presidency making a u-turn. They saw that Nigerians would say there is Jack in the bedroom; hence, they told us that Aisha had left for the Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj.

Their game was a bad one! There was no need keeping the travel of Aisha to the USA for so long. An innocent person would always show action, avoidance of doubt, courage, resolve to establish his or her innocence.

Aishas delay before the emergence of the news that she was in the USA in August, was habitual procrastination. Fayose showed courage which was more important than the Aishas shallow victory.

Fayose showed a sign of thinker: maturity. Fayose never gave excuses like  Aisha  that will not take anyone far. Fayose was calm, cool, humble, but Aisha and her husband's presidency showed procrastination and allowed excuses reign supreme.

They delayed justice and highly missed the scant trust that people had in them. Governor Fayose wears the crown of victory having not tarried on his goals in speaking out unlike those that have buried their joy for shying away, hence bearing the mark of untold story written all over them, because of fear of the untouchable Major General Buhari.

We know that Fayose's bribery stance will continue to bang on the doors of Aisha's heart. However, let Fayose not allow the accusations by the APC Ekiti suggesting that the rumoured trip of Aisha has exposed him as a man lacking in integrity to hold the responsible position of the governor of Ekiti State.

APC spokesman, Taiwo Olatunbosun was reported to have said this on August 7 2016. Fayose should therefore take comfort in Alan Garners The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, saying, we learned that the deed is nothing. It is the thought that breeds fear; and we achieve little by lingering.

Consequently, Aisha achieved nothing by lingering on the USA trip.

Odimegwu Onwumere is a Rivers State based poet, writer and consultant. He won in the digital category, Nordica Media Merit Awards 2016, Lagos; and the International Award for Excellence in Journalism 2016, Geneva. Tel: +2348057778358. Email: [email protected]
Merck More than a Mother (www.MerckGroup.com) initiative will support Jackline Mwende, the recent victim of infertility stigma, throughout the rest of her life after having her hands chopped off by her husband for failing to bear children. Merck aims to empower infertile women across the continent through access to information, health and change of mind-set through their initiative that been launched in June 2015 More than a Mother

JackelineMwende, a young woman of 27 years from Machakos County in Kenya whose both hands were chopped off - not by thieves but by her own husband for failing to bear children. It is so shocking that someone would go to such an extent to batter his own wife and leave her nearly dead. Infertility should never be a reason to separate, hurt or kill your partner. There are so many options out there available to manage infertility said Hon. Joyce Lay, Member of Parliament and the Ambassador for Merck More than a Mother in Kenya.

Through -Empowering Berna-project, Merck will support Jackeline Mwende throughout the rest of her life to empower and enable her to become an independent productive member in society. Merck More than a Mother initiative will provide Mwende with a monthly income of $250 , then will establish a business for her in which she will be able to generate a sustainable monthly income of not less than $250. At the same time Merck will provide her with prosthetic hands in addition to the needed physical and physiological rehabilitation to enable her to support herself and stand on her own two feet despite the challenge of her brutal disability that was caused by the stigma of infertility  even though her husband is the one who was found with the infertility problem, yet she is still the one who bore the devastating consequences of the public stigma associated with it." said Kelej.

Mwende didn't deserve what she went through and especially that her husband is the one who was found with the infertility problem and not her. Society, government and all stakeholders need to continue to join hands with Merck in their campaign to encourage the acceptance people live with infertility because the stigma associated with infertility puts pressure on them to a point where they do crazy and criminal things. We need to know that it's a shared responsibility, not just for the couple but for the society too, Joyce Lay added.

"Jackline Mwende's story is the reason all people should appreciate Merck More than a Mother initiative. No sane person should torture a woman for failing to produce children. Men should not think that their failure to be a biological father is due to women's infertility. Why torture a fellow human being and inflict such permanent bodily harm for a fault that could be yours?. No amount of justice in the courts of law will bring back Mwendes arms. Justice will only prevail if Mwendes case marks a turning point in society that appreciates one fact- "that women are women irrespective of their ability to bear children. They need to be respected," emphasized Hon. Sarah Opendi, Uganda Minister of State of Health and Uganda ambassador of Merck more than a Mother.

"This terrible violence Mwende suffered ny5tghas emphasized the significance of Merck More than a Mother initiative for Africa. Merck More than a Mother will continue working closely with partners to create a culture shift and to empower infertile women economically and socially through "Empowering Berna" Project to ensure no other woman in Africa should ever go through such violence, humiliation or misery again," Rasha Kelej emphasized.
08.08.2016 LISTEN

There are two things over which you have complete control, and authorityyour mind and your mouth (Molefi Kete Asante).

People educate each other through the mediation of the world (Paulo Freire).

THE CHICHIDODO BIRD IS A MACHIAVELLIAN POLITICAL ANIMAL

Dodowhat a bird?

They say it is extinct.

They say it means sluggard.

They say the postcolonialneocolonial politicalmindset of African political leadership is as dead as a dodo.

Dodo, an exotic idea that somehow betrays an imaginative air of onomatopoeic curiosity, also gives a false-positive sense of actionable proclivity as a bold statement of tireless, focused industry in the execution of physical and psychological mandates, of personal and collective imperatives, as in a double do, do-do!

Only in George Orwells Animal Farm, far away in the Orwellian deep caldron of Mauritius.

What is dodo doing in Ayi Kwei Armahs chichidodo? Chi-Chi-dodo? Who or what is the true nature of Armahs chichidodo?

In consequence, contemporary Africa is like the chichidodo bird. She hates excrement with all its soul. But the chichidodo only feeds on maggots, and you know the maggots grow best inside the lavatory.

Says whom?

Actually says South African philosopher Mogobe B. Ramose in the paper But the Chichidodo Feeds on Cocoa.

And chichi?

Doctrinaire ostentation, flashiness, exaggerated pretentiousnesschic!

A maggot-eating bird that is also chic, flashy, dapperstylishly stupendous! And flightlessand extinct!

And the chichidodo survives on maggots which grow best in the lavatory, Ghana?

The chichidodo is therefore a Hellerian Catch-22; a metaphor of confusion sitting on a paradoxical time-bomb of ironic hypocrisiesa wolf in sheeps clothinga ghost in human flesha doppelganger!

Very much like the apocalyptic Aryan prophet Adolf Hitler being in a romantic, even conjugal, relationship with an Eva Brauna cyanide-drinking Eva Anna Paula Hitler at the moment of defeat.

Oh yes, the chichidodo bird is an internecine amalgam, a mongrel of sainthood and devilryan Orwellian killjoy of sorts.

The euthanasic chichidodo gives birth to the beautyful ones are not yet born and then she, to borrow Ramoses phraseology, the same one goes about suffocating them to Orwellian deaths.

All because the political maggots who grow best in the foul-smelling lavatory of the Orwellian Animal Farm, will not allow the beautyful ones are not yet born breathing space to grow without the patronizing intrusiveness of moral corruption, namely to mature morally, to grow spiritually, to grow intelligently, to become a motive engine of conscionable and patriotic men and women not of mechanistic choice, not of thoughtless happenstance, but of decisive necessity.

The chichidodo is no doubt a natural antithesis of George Orwells summary assessment of Mahatma Gandhi:

Saints should always be judged guilty until they are proved innocentSainthood is also a thing that human beings must avoidthe average human being is a failed saint.

The chichidodo is a saintly devil, a failed saintcall it a failed state in progress if you likea fallen angel.

A failed state of political maggots who grow best in a stinking lavatory of moral excrement.

To Armahs flightless chichidodo therefore, the sky is not the limit as some are wont to say.

Rather, the sky is the floor!

Apparently the same floor where the stinking maggot-infested lavatory of moral excrement sits. And sits confidently and majestically here she does, we dare say.

Even so the ever-sleeping (unconscious), empty heads of political maggots are not strangers to the entire floor of the stinking lavatory of maggot-infested political geography, littered with poisonous human waste product.

Human waste product has always served as useful and timely pillows for these feces-carrying beetles we call political heads.

The political maggots have made her completely blind, almost incapable of patriotic and meritocratic thoughtfulness.

The political maggots love to sing their national anthem, Paul Simons One Mans Ceiling is Another Mans Floor, whereby they essentially see their political philosophy and concepts of national development in terms of another mans floor, that of the white man, that of the Asian!

The metaphor of the flightless chichidodo bird therefore enjoys a practical aesthetics of literal boldness in the lavatory of moral excrement.

Yet the dodo part of chichidodo bird is extinct, dead!

Yet the chichidodo hates excrement with passion though it still goes ahead to feed on maggots that grow best in the lavatory, anyway.

And here is a captivating dialogue between Dodo and chichidodo, a national introspective of sorts, of the radical nature of national soul-searching:

Dodo: Why am I still part of your being?

Chichidodo Bird: Because that part of me is extinct, dead?

Dodo: Is that why the soul of your maggot-infested lavatory is dead?

Chichidodo Bird: Maggot-infested lavatory, you mean my country?

Dodo: Exactly! What were you thinking?

Chichidodo Bird: The national psyche!

Dodo: Is the national psyche not synonymous or conterminous with the philosophical idea of the nation-state, your foul-smelling lavatory of maggots in this casethe nation-state, an invention of the white man?

Chichidodo Bird: Sure!

Dodo: That is why you stink so badly, so repulsively. I feel nauseous. I feel terrible. I feel like throwingI cant stand the euthanasic stench of national betrayal of which you unabashedly represent!

The chichidodo bird is wrapped up in stinking maggot-infested royal regalia, at least so she thinks. It is not for nothing that her maggot-infested lavatory smells so bad.

But there is too much wickedness in the ghettotoo much crying in the ghettoI dont like see the coffin, sings Culture on the track Wickedness, an existential metaphor for the chichidodo birds maggot-infested lavatory of devious politics, the same concept which controversial late rapper Tupac Shakur raises on the track:

I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto!

In the end the chichidodo bird shares this view of Eric Michael Dyson:

As a result of this stance, many rappers recognize that the difference between saints and sinners is effort, not achievement, and that explains why they often seem fixated in their raps on doing the right thing.

What have George Orwell and Mahatma Gandhi got to say about this? Let us just add that, unlike Gandhi and Orwell, the chichidodo bird is a strange universe onto herself, a devil philosophy of sorts. For we no want no devil philosophy, sang Bob Marley, an idea the masses should no doubt share in.

For whatever reason(s) the masses, regrettably, exercise no authority and control over their mouths and minds. Apparently their minds and mouths belong to someone else, the chichidodo birds self-serving orchestrated kleptomania and cronyism and nepotism and bystander apathy and partisan politics and finally, her repulsively bad leadership.

Say what?

Molefi Kete Asantes Rooming in The Masters House could not have stated the case clearer, so poignantly!

Even so a classic work such as Rooming in the Masters House belongs to a larger vision, an extensive pointillism of intellectual revolution which, includes, but not limited to, a large body of influential works spanning those of Ama Mazama, Kofi Kissi Dompere, Molefi Kete Asante, Kwame Nkrumah, Toni Morrison, Chinua Achebe, Cheikh Anta Diop, Ama Ata Aidoo, Wole Soyinka, Abdias do Nascimento, Ngugi wa Thiongo, Nurrudin Farah, W.E.B. Du Bois, Calestous Juma, and Theophile Obenga.

These works are meant to shape the thinking of humanity in general as well as to inform race-ethnic relations in particular, with the latters stupendous social-economic and political implications for improving the African world and for refashioning a new world order for the global African community. This view is not merely academic but one borne out of a radical system of pragmatic considerations. Kofi Kissi Domperes vast body of work provides useful scientific insights into the marriage between the purely academic and the purely pragmatic.

However, for the masses to exercise total control and authority over their minds and mouths means that the subjects of the chichidodo bird should take it upon themselves to pursue a radical revolution in the critical mechanics of the popular mind, of thinking generally, namely a radical revolutionizing of the minds of the masses aimed at a near-universal destination of critical consciousness.

Critical pedagogy, Afrocentric or African-centered education, linked learning (career and technical education), and scientific-technological reorienting of the African mind are critical to the success of a radical revolutionizing of the popular mind. The Freirean scholar Richard Shaull sheds light on the kind of educational philosophy we have in mind:

There is no such thing as a neutral educational process. Education either functions as an instrument that is used to facilitate the integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity to it, or it becomes "the practice of freedom," the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world. The development of an educational methodology that facilitates this process will inevitably lead to tension and conflict within our society.

This is not what the chichidodo bird has in mind. She thinks she is more endowed with innate intellectual resources than the human beings she presides over. As a result, she has purposefully kept the standard of education abysmally low just so her presiding authority over the body politic does not come under any form of popular attack from well-informed citizens. This is expected.

Further, her contribution to the corruption of the popular mind is enormous indeed and the approach has proved almost successful in de-civilizing her subjects. We clearly see how her human subjects are uncritical and hopelessly sycophant when it comes to matters of national interest and political discourse.

They have no use whatsoever for what Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie critically calls The Danger of A Single Story when it comes to national politics. Chimamandas critical commentary notwithstanding, patriotic meritocracy and selfless devotion to the national enterprise, call it nation-building, if you will, remain a far cry from what should have been a critical popular mind.

Even the clerics are not immune from this excruciating pandemia of thoughtless sycophancy, their having rather become more habituated to the stench of political partisanship than being apologetically defensive of the God they claim to worship and as well, represent in this mundane life. They have thrown liberation theology and soteriology and theodicy to the dogs while overindulging in or binging on a theology of lies, political theology and Muscular Christianity.

Add rampant corruption in the bureaucracy and the fact that her human subjects do not read, not to talk of their reading critically, to the mix and the net result is a simmering implosion in the public order. The threshold for volcanic eruption is asymptotically achievable if the right things are not done.

Yet, insofar as the philosophy of education is concerned, Ama Mazama, Molefi Kete Asante, Kofi Kissi Dompere, Cheikh Anta Diop, Howard Gardner, Jonathan Kozol, Paulo Freire and several others have given us more than adequate theoretical and pragmatic pointers to proceed toward a revolutionary radicalizing of the kind of colonial and neocolonial education the chichidodo bird has put in place.

The ball is now in the chichidodo birds court. That said, the masses may resort to coercive instruments such as force and war to bring about the change the hope for in their society. Even she, the chichidodo bird, agrees with President Barack Obama (see his Nobel Peace Prize Speech) that sometimes it takes force and war to bring about the required change humans desire:

To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicismit is a recognition of history; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason.

There will be times when nationsacting individually or in concertwill find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified

We can acknowledge that oppression will always be with us, and still strive for justice. We can admit the intractability of depravation, and still strive for dignity. We can understand that there will be war, and still strive for peace. We can do thatfor that is the story of human progress; that is the hope of all the world; and at this moment of challenge, that must be our work here on Earth

CONCLUSION

Application of the kind of force we have in mind must surely be a popular one, as it is originating from or rooted in the depths of consensus, the latter itself based on a paradigmatic set of anthropogenic-based likeminded variables, which, in turn, arise out of a popular impetus for social and moral agitation in the body politic, once again, the latter itself accruing from a model of ideological solidarity.

These propositions may require a Popperian open society as in democratic practice. Alas, the masses are merely a means to democratic practice and not an end in itself as some will have us believe. Democracy as an institutional praxis is the exclusive property of a privileged calculating few, who merely use the masses as a plank towards realizing its political and socioeconomic objectives.

In other words, the masses are merely used by the powers that be to get to that dubious destination of democratic practice.

Yet democracy is purely academic and rightly so, because in many, perhaps if not most, situations it lacks the internal logic of self-censure or an impetus for pragmatic mechanics of internal reorganization aimed at ridding democracy of its imperfections, all these mostly due to human limitations.

Open societies are therefore closed to the masses in many a situation, to the exclusive benefit of the privileged few. The mindset of the chichidodo bird is a closed sphere on this account. The humanoid avian chichidodo, thus, comes across as a trope of a deceptive grotesque caricature, of human travesty.

This is why force and war are called for in the body politic of the chichidodo bird if she continues to insist on retaining her closed-sphere mindset no matter popular agitation for revolutionary change in the status quo. We need an Afrocentric re-orientation of the popular mind!

It takes a revolution to make a solution, sang Bob Marley.

We shall return with Part 2.

REFERENCES

For Molefi Kete Asante quote, see Iyanla Vanzants Acts of Faith: Daily Meditations for People of Color.

Ayi Kwei Armah. The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born. Heinemann, UK: 1968/1969.

Mogobe B. Ramose. (1999). But the Chichidodo Feeds on Cocoa. Journal on African Philosophy, p. 1533-1067.

Eric Michael Dyson. When Gangstas Grapple With Evil. March 30, 1997. The New York Times.

For Richard Shaull quote, see his Forward in Paulo Freires book Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Retrieved from http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon2/pedagogy/pedagogyforeword.html
08.08.2016 LISTEN

While preparing for the Universities Matriculations Examinations (UME) (now known as the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations) in 2005, I came across one new fact reading the book A Course Text on Government by Oghenekaro Ogbinaka. I learnt that the word State can be traced to an Italian philosopher known as Niccolo Machiavelli. The fact that Machiavelli has a birthdate which is not older than 1469 makes this whole matter more intriguing and fuels my appetite to get to know more.

Ogbinaka did add to my excitement when he recalls that in his most famous book, The Prince, Machiavelli actually recommends several amoral principles for the leaders of modern state, which he calls Prince, to do everything within his power to maintain the state using any means, including every means!

Before reading Ogbinakas book, all I knew about politics and political philosophy was how to make societies better often through democracy. My young mind never conceived of how anyone and a philosopher for that matter will advise a leader on how to be ruthless and amoral. I thought the likes of Mussolini, Hitler and Franco were possessed by evil spirits. Nothing in my innocent mind ever believed anyone will just intentionally want to self-destruct. All that changed the moment I read that Machiavellis forbidden book!

For those who know, Machiavelli was born during a tumultuous era where popes waged acquisition wars against city-states and people. Cities often fell from power as France, Spain, The Holy Roman Empire and Switzerland all battled for regional influence and control. This period was also characterised by military alliances which produced mercenary leaders who changed sides without warning and the rise and fall of many short lived governments. These were perilous times for Italy as the country was divided into principalities (Milan, Venice, Naples, Florence, Rome and others) often at war with each other and often under attacks from external forces from Spain, France and Germany.

These events and more inspired Machiavelli to pen down his most read book.

The Prince unlike what many people may think provides a new understanding of politics and political ethics. It contains Machiavellis philosophy about leadership and how a leader should gain, use, manipulate and consolidate power. It explored the causes of the rise and fall of states and the factors for political success. It is viewed as a manual in which Machiavelli outlines amoral principles on how political power may be gained, expanded and retained.

Though he has been frequently criticized for his sadism and his perceived love for violence as an honourable means of acquiring and retaining political power, Machiavellis influence transcend even his famous critics.

Whenever I come across someone make statements like You are a liar referring to another person, I sometimes sincerely wonder what they mean. Modern politicians will often argue that they have never told a lie all their lives, yet that statement contains the biggest lies falsehoods told to man. When caught in the acts of lying they quickly make us understand that the changed their minds. Why really do men who before their ascension to political offices were good men end up turning beasts?

One morning in August, 1971, nine young men in the Palo Alto area received visits from local police officers. While their neighbors looked on, the men were arrested for violating Penal Codes 211 and 459 (armed robbery and burglary), searched, handcuffed, and led into the rear of a waiting police car. The cars took them to a Palo Alto police station, where the men were booked, fingerprinted, moved to a holding cell, and blindfolded. Finally, they were transported to the Stanford County Prisonalso known as the Stanford University psychology department.

The suspects were willing participants in the Stanford Prison Experiment, one of the most controversial studies in the history of social psychology. The study subjects, middle-class college students, had answered a questionnaire about their family backgrounds, physical- and mental-health histories, and social behavior, and had been deemed normal; a coin flip divided them into prisoners and guards. According to the lore thats grown up around the experiment, the guards, with little to no instruction, began humiliating and psychologically abusing the prisoners within twenty-four hours into the study. The prisoners, in turn, became submissive and depersonalized, taking the abuse and saying little in protest. The behavior of all involved was so extreme that the experiment, which was meant to last two weeks, was terminated after six days.

Other, more subtle factors also shaped the experiment. Its often said that the study participants were ordinary guysand they were, indeed, determined to be normal and healthy by a battery of tests. But they were also a self-selected group who responded to a newspaper advertisement seeking volunteers for a psychological study of prison life. They recreated the original ad, and then ran a separate ad omitting the phrase prison life. They found that the people who responded to the two ads scored differently on a set of psychological tests. Those who thought that they would be participating in a prison study had significantly higher levels of aggressiveness, authoritarianism, Machiavellianism, narcissism, and social dominance, and they scored lower on measures of empathy and altruism.

The lesson of Stanford isnt that any random human being is capable of descending into sadism and tyranny. Its that certain institutions and environments demand those behaviorsand, perhaps, can change them. Men do not just turn out to be evil in politics; other things bring out the tendencies in them.

As the Stanford Prison Experiment have shown, the modern state, and by extension, all political relationships, are based on power. Machiavelli instead of using a formal experiment like Philip Zimbardo, the Stanford Prisons lead researcher used the actors in the state as the objects of his experiment which has come to shape our understanding of the modern state. This was the central message in Machiavellis The Prince.

Olalekan Waheed ADIGUN is a political risk analyst and independent political strategist for wide range of individuals, organisations and campaigns. He is based in Lagos, Nigeria. His write-ups can be viewed on his website http://olalekanadigun.com/ Tel: +2348136502040, +2347081901080

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Follow me on Twitter @adgorwell
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko has stressed the likelihood of extradition of MP Oleksandr Onyschenko from the UK is much higher than from the Russian Federation where the deputy was initially.

"What do you think, where will Onyschenko be extradited from more quickly? From the hero-city of Moscow, where he was at that time, or from the capital of the United Kingdom, where he is now. Tell me, extradition from which country will be quicker? I state the likelihood of extradition from London is higher," he said at a briefing in Kyiv, commenting on further possible actions of the investigating authorities with respect to prosecution of MP Oleksandr Onyschenko.

The prosecutor general said the UK "with its high legal culture" has never refused extradition of criminals on the basis of valid documents.

"I do not know such cases," he said.
Johannesburg (AFP) - The ruling African National Congress' historic losses in South Africa's local elections have called into question the leadership of President Jacob Zuma as head of the continent's most industrialised nation.

The ANC last week suffered what analysts called a "savage indictment", garnering less than 54 percent of ballots cast -- an eight-point drop from the last local poll in 2011 and its worst showing since the fall of white-minority rule in 1994.

Of the country's six most populous cities, the ANC won an outright majority in only one: Durban, Zuma's traditional stronghold.

But it suffered embarrassingly in the capital Pretoria where it came second to the main opposition Democratic Alliance, which also scored big in Nelson Mandela Bay, a southern municipality named after the country's iconic late leader.

The election was largely seen as a referendum on Zuma's rule, but it also highlighted the declining popularity of the party that led South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle.

And as Mandela's party reels from weak leadership and political divisions, some in the ANC admit that all is not well.

"There is something wrong on a national level that we are not paying attention to," the party's Secretary General Gwede Mantashe said at the weekend.

- 'Big trouble' -

Analysts say the party leadership has been stubborn in refusing to rein in its controversial president.

Zuma, who has three more years to serve out his term, has been dogged by scandal throughout his presidency.

Last month, South Africa's highest court ruled he pay back $500,000 of public funds spent upgrading his private Nkandla residence with facilities including a chicken coop and a swimming pool.

The ANC has staunchly defended him.

But after the poor showing at the polls, the party would be "much more open to a change of leadership than they would have a been one week ago," said Richard Calland, a political analyst at the University of Cape Town.

"Urgent steps must be taken (to) tackle the elephant in the room. It is clear that President Jacob Zuma has become a huge liability," wrote columnist Onkgopotse Tabane in the Business Day newspaper on Monday.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa -- an anti-apartheid heavyweight -- is the presumed frontrunner to replace Zuma should he be forced out before the end of his term.

"Where we have shown areas of weakness, we are going to get better and improve -- that's who we are," the unionist-turned-businessman said last week as the poor results poured in.

Critics say urban and middle class voters have begun to tire of the continuous controversy surrounding 74-year-old Zuma, and warn of a serious backlash if the ANC fails to act fast.

"The ANC is in big trouble," analyst Koffi Kouakou told AFP.

"The only way to perhaps attempt to save the ANC is by having President Zuma resign and having the team that surrounds him cleaned up. If not, the ANC is in real big trouble in the long term."

But Zuma, who has thus far survived every curveball thrown his direction, may not be on his way out just yet.

"I don't think he is likely to go without a fight," said Calland.

"It's more likely he will survive until the end of next year," Calland said -- when the ANC may vote to recall him at its next national elective congress.

In the meantime at least two rival ANC camps will start wrangling to succeed Zuma -- one in support of Ramaphosa, and the other backing Zuma's ex-wife and outgoing chairwoman of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

In the meantime, "political uncertainty will drive continued policy confusion in the mining, energy, power, private security, and agriculture sectors, while frustrating cost-cutting measures," said EXX Africa.

A downgrade of South Africa's debt by at least one credit ratings agency to junk status "is almost inevitable this year," the intelligence company warned.
I am and I have been an ardent advocate of lawful procedure and processes of law. Right from legon as a brand new first year student I couldn't resist my intuitive inclination to stand up against what, in my estimation , was grave injustice. Not even the authoritarian,highhanded and repressive leadership style of the University of Ghana authority could tame this intrinsic soul. In fact, my aversion for injustice seems to be innate. It is instructive to note that the relationship between the authorities and the students in Legon is like the Bully and the Bullied so much so that student activism is tantamount to belling the cat. Academic freedom is virtually stifled to strangulation. Opposing University policies can fetch you a contrivance of rustication.

Yet, under this totalitarian set up yours truly remained unfettered and undaunted . I opposed obnoxious and hostile legislations emanating from the university authority with a vehemence ! I led the impeachment, of perhaps more students' leaders than any other student who passed through the pearly gates of legon , anytime they stood against the overarching interest of the entire student body. I led several legal students demonstrations in legon to pave the way for fairness and justice to prevail. I cannot fail to recognize the contributions of my contemporaries like Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, Lord Hammar, DN Ofori Atta and several chief Vandals like Chief Shaban for the same course of ensuring the protection of students' rights .All these was done in consonance with and under the ambit of the law !

I am recounting this trajectory to establish that not withstanding the draconian climate in Legon I never succumbed to injustice from on-high and I did that through the legally laid down channels. Yet the authority did not take kindly to this and I had my share of the raw deal which is often doled out liberally by the powers- that- be to any student who drew their ire . Can you imagine that the University of Ghana, which is inundated by so many legal luminaries have no modicum or scintilla of respect for laid down legal processes and procedures? This accounts for the cornucopia of ignominious court debacles of the University.

One would have thought that a prestigious University like Legon would stop witch hunting student activist and muzzling free speech and academic freedoms.

Permit me to aver without mincing words that concepts as injustice, Justice ,procedure, processes , law , jurisprudence, constitution are neither unfathomable to the average Ghanaian nor are they comprehensible to only the lawyers , judges and the whole rigmarole of the judiciary chain. In fact , any person with a smattering of education and who is capable of reading and writing should be able to get to grips with the issues of law. After all , most, if not all the originators of the foundations of law and legal thought were not members of the legal fraternity yet they defined the parameters and domain of jurisprudence .

It is crucial to reiterate that Law as a concept is not defined , appreciated,understood by solely the judiciary. It is not the preserve or sole turf of the judiciary,it is intrinsically human to be legal.

It is therefore highly presumptuous and indeed hypocritical for judges to pooh poor the rest of us with deliberately obfuscated verdicts from their Ivory Tower of sacrosanct learnedness !

To say that I am discombobulated by Sophia Akuffo's judgement would be tantamount to stating the blatant obvious. I am cocksure that, with the benefit of hindsight , she should be drenched in shame for erring so egregiously in sentencing the Montie trio to prison terms. Every sane soul should feel apprehensive and befuddled by the creeping judiciary dictatorship in the guise of verdicts and constitutional interpretations and the rule of law! Recourse to chapters and clauses of the constitution or quoting copiously from legal authorities in the passage of judgements does not necessarily guarantee fairness and justice. I think Shakespeare captured this sentiment more succinctly when he said in his book the Merchant of Venice that " the Devil can cite scriptures for his purpose".

In fact, no argument can assuage my evidence based suspicion that Sophia Akuffo's judgement was politically motivated. I am not putting this suspicion down to merely her legal connection to the NPP flag bearer and for that matter the NPP : but the nature of the sentencing and its unhidden intention to make the trio ineffective for the most significant part of the electioneering campaign cannot be coincidental but premeditated!

To me , the discretionary power which is invoked in passing judgements in contempt cases, must have precision. Sophia should have been abreast of the fact that discretion goes hand in hand with responsibility, precision and fairness to all. This legal truism has been captured succinctly by Aristotle in his assertion that " Injustice arises as much as from treating equals unequally and as much as from treating unequals equally ".

This quotation clearly enjoins those who seek justice and fairness to treat those who offend the same law, equally. Permit me to use a simple illustration to drum home the purport of this Aristotelian quotation. If A is convicted to a prison term of 7 years for stealing a bicycle, the expectation is that if B is convicted of the same crime of stealing a bicycle he should be sentenced to 7 years. In the same vein if A is made to pay a fine for the crime , the same should hold true for B. This ,to Aristotle ,is justice and fairness, anything short of that amounts to grievous injustice!

Let us advert our minds to the instant case of the incarceration of the montie trio for contempt ,against the backdrop of the Aristotelian conception of justice and of course against the the background of similar cases .

During the needless and gratuitous election petition case at the supreme court , a spree of cases of contempt emerged . In fact, similar , if not worst statements were made by the general secretary of the NPP, Sir John and his ilk yet they were made to laugh home after paltry fines were paid. Why weren't the Montie trio, in fairness, subjected to a similar fine ? We were all witnesses to President Kuffour's Judiciary meddling and how he packed the judiciary with Judges and Lawyers of NPP extraction. If this notion of intrusion was only suspicion , the capriciousness of judgements, in respect of contempt cases , is beginning to lend credence to the perception that we are contending with an NPP saturated judiciary.

Candidly ,I am not prepared to allow the contents and character of my thoughts as reflected in my speech to be determined, shaped and controlled by a judiciary that had over 30 of its members exposed for stinking corruption.

To tell you my mind, I have the intuitive feeling that if Sophia Akuffo had been part of the judges that Anas made the bribery overtures to, she wouldn't have had the opportunity to sit on the instant case.!

If the intention of the judiciary by being harsh on the Montie trio is to forestall potential turmoil that could emanate from intemperate and abusive language, then why did they acquit Kennedy Adjepong of his genocidal comments on Ewes and Gas? Or is the judiciary ready to bite if only its members are involved ?

I was quite flabbergasted to hear ludicrous comments to the effect that the minister of education, the minister of gender and a host of other dignitaries should have known better and for that matter shouldn't have signed the petition asking President Mahama to invoke article 72 of the constitution to grant amnesty to the Montie trio. Since when have the usage of constitutional processes of redress like petitions become anathema?

Finally, if the rationale behind Sophia Akuffo,s verdict is to detract from the NDC's constituency through the capricious application of the law then she has misfired bigtime!

ANUGA FORTUNATE. 0508704434.
The Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA) has welcomed governments decision to regulate the importation of cement  describing it as timely for not only growth in their sector but the economy as a whole.

The Import and Export Regulations Bill which matured Friday, August 5 requires importers of cement outside the ECOWAS region to apply for renewable licenses.

A ban will also be imposed on the bagging of the cement not produced in Ghana.

President of the Association Dr Dawson Amoah says this should curb the unfair competition from cement importers ultimately to the benefit of the economy.

"Government is now aware after a series of meetings with local cement manufacturing industry that they have the adequate installed capacity to produce and sell cement in Ghana. So this law comes as a protection to the local cement producers who have employed a large number of people adding value to production," he said.

According to him, they are not against competition which keeps them on their feet to produce to quality and standard, but rather the competition must be fair.

Meanwhile, Nigeria-based cement manufacturing company, Dangote has backed the Import and Export Regulations Bill.

There have since been fears among some customers Ghana could return to the days of shortages on the market as Dangote Cement is also a major importer of the product.

But Media Relations Manager Etornam Komla Buami tell Joy Business all its cement products are imported from Nigeria which is in the ECOWAS Sub-region.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com | Abubakar Ibrahim


Richard Owusu-Akyaw, Kumasi

The Municipal Chief Officer for Obuasi, Richard Akwasi Ofori Boadi is uneasy after he was exposed by The Chronicle for opening his mouth too wide, describing chiefs as noise makers.

He has now turned to God for relief.

In an interview on Obuasi-based Shaft FM, Ofori Boadi, known as King Zuba, sang gospel tunes half way through the interview, saying that, The Chronicle want his downfall, but God is on his side.I am not afraid of the consequence because I know the God that I worship, he said.

Among some of the songs he quoted was Mama Esther's Asemfofrona aba.

Denying his own words, which is on tape, the embattled MCE told the listeners: I am not mad, I don't smoke wee. What do I want in the world that would lead me to say these words.

In what could be described as a self consolation, King Zuba told the interviewee: Do you recognise Daddy Lumba's 'bisanyame' track.

He sung it briefly, saying if you hate or envy me and, therefore, want my downfall because God has honoured me and lifted me up as a young MCE, that is your problem.

Not satisfied with the aforementioned tunes, King Zuba also told the interviewer, Awuley, that there is a tune which lyrics go like; my faith is built on nothing, but Jesus Christ is my sweetest friend and solid rock.

Last Wednesday, Zuba went haywire and tagged Adansi Traditional leaders as noise makers in their quest to ensure sanity and uprightness among government officials for national development.
you are here:
business Startup Action: Silicon Valley's AngelList enters India Silicon Valley based AngelList, an online platform which allows startups to raise capital from accredited investors, has finally entered India and online taxi aggregator Uber plans to hire over 150 people in the next few months to ramp up its customer support operations in India, reports CNBC-TV18s Syna Dehnugara.
The chronicle of a life split between urban Manhattan and rural Montana.
Ukrainian National Guard First Deputy Commander Oleksandr Kryvenko and a United States delegation met in Kyiv to discuss global nuclear security.

Kryvenko's working meeting with Jonathan Epstein of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and James Finch, the U.S. Defense Department's Principal Director for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, took place at the National Guard's Main Directorate as part of Ukraine's global nuclear security program, the National Guard spokesperson said on Monday.

"The meeting focused on implementation of a joint project to integrate Ukraine's physical nuclear security system into the global physical nuclear security structure, and other areas of cooperation," the statement said.
An agreement was reached to exchange two 'separatists' for two captured Ukrainian citizens, Nadiia Savchenko, Ukrainian parliamentarian of the Batkivschyna faction, said.

"There is now an agreement on exchanging two for two  it has to be done now. It has to be done by the president by his decree, not through courts and investigation  it will continue half a year, it will become redundant in half a year, those people will just die there," Savchenko told a rally demanding the prompt release from captivity of citizens of Ukraine held in central Kyiv on Monday.

It is not the only proposal, the parliamentarian said.

She said she has given Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko a letter from the relatives of the Ukrainian citizens held by the militants with a demand for their prompt release. "The letter was registered, I will be expecting a meeting with the president to give him the lists [of prisoners] and the [prisoners'] mothers will also be expecting a meeting with him," Savchenko told reporters.

The parliamentarian said she will meet with Poroshenko this week and that the president will meet with the prisoners' mothers and relatives this week.

"I believe the president can speak with the mothers [...] at least with five a week, so that he can see every mother, look into her eyes and understand that he has no right to do nothing or do something for so long," Savchenko said.

People are demanding that the president's report on the authorities' actions to release captured Ukrainian citizens, Savchenko said, adding she would continue "fighting for our guys."

From four to seven people are now working on the release of prisoners as volunteers and "the exact number of the prisoners held by the militants or the separatists detained by the Ukrainian special services is unknown," she said.

"How many prisoners? The official lists state 114 or 107 confirmed [persons]. In actuality, no one can know how many of them are there because there are many dead and missing people. The SBU is not saying how many separatists we have, either," Savchenko said.
On Wednesday, August 10, at 10.30, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference by members of volunteer battalions on illegal surveillance and provocation by the chiefs of the Ukrainian police and the presence of organized criminal groups within the Interior Ministry who are engaged in political repression. The participants will include member of the Myrotvorets (Peacemaker) regiment Serhiy Bondar, lieutenant from the Harpoon battalion Oleksandr Voitko; former head of the platoon of the OUN volunteer battalion, who was wounded in the fighting near the demolished Donetsk airport, Kyrylo Babentsov (8/5a Reitarska). Admission requires press accreditation. Additional information by phone. +38 093 703 8896 (Serhiy Bondar).
Jeremy Glaser: For Morningstar, I'm Jeremy Glaser. The U.S. economy added a much larger than expected 255,000 jobs in July. Here is Bob Johnson, he's our director of economic analysis, see what this means for the economy and the Fed.

Bob, thanks for joining me.

Bob Johnson: Nice to be here today.

Glaser: So let's look at this 255,000 number. Stronger than expected, stronger than you expected, is this a sign that jobs growth is off to the races or a continuation of trends that we've seen?

Johnson: Well, this was a nice report, and we saw decent job growth in the month of June, and we thought maybe that was a little bit of bounce-back from a bad May and now we've got a second month of above 200,000 jobs added. So that was a great number to see. It was supported by a strong government number, where we added about 38,000 jobs in the local government side.

So that's probably a little bit of a fluke when you see that big a number, but it was still a very nice report, especially on a month-to-month basis. Now, one thing I do want to caution--I love this report, there's a lot to love in this report and we can talk about it--but on a year-over-year basis, we've still got this same trend where we're slowing overall employment growth.

We started out probably at something that looked like a 2.1% overall, everything in, payroll growth a year ago and now we're kind of down to about 1.7% growth. So we've slowed quite a bit there on that and that's the thing to keep in mind. We've got a very strong second-half comparison from last year, where we added some incredible numbers, especially in November. So it'll be interesting to see what happens in the second half.

Glaser: And that slowdown really is just about the economic reality that the economy isn't just growing this fast.

Johnson: Absolutely. I think that we've said for a long time that GDP growth is coming in a little bit and, for a while, we actually had employment growing a little bit faster or the same as GDP, which is bit unusual and not necessarily healthy. And so now I think we've backed off a little bit and the numbers are more in line. Today's job report again shows that the employment growth is probably a little bit stronger relative to GDP.

Maybe the GDP numbers are a little bit off and that we're going to have a great GDP month here somewhere, it's kind of what the employment report seems to suggest. I noticed the GDP now, in their forecast, which is kind of a statistical compilation, suggests that they think that the economy may grow as fast as 3.5, 4% in the third quarter.

Glaser: Let's look at wages. That's been a big story in a couple months now, increases there. Is that sustainable, to see that kind of wage growth?

Johnson: Yeah. Well, that wage growth that we're talking about, we grew about 2.6% year-over-year, both on a three-month moving average basis and a single point basis, so the trends are good there. It's certainly better than we've seen over last couple of years, so it's a great number to have. And as a matter of fact, if you look at that over the last year, wage growth has kind of gone from about 2.2% to 2.6%.

So if you look at total wages, we've got employment slowing down a little bit and the wages per hour going up, and you put the two together and they about cancel each other out. So we've only got a modest slowing in overall wage growth. So, it's a very interesting phenomena where we're seeing the amount of employment not grow as fast as it did, but what people are getting paid is going up.

Glaser: What do you think is driving that? Is it more jobs being added in high-paying sectors, is it minimum wages going up? What do you think is the biggest factor here?

Johnson: It's a combination. At that lower end, we have got some movement in the minimum wage. We've got some movement to better sectors. I think this month in particular, we didn't lose as many manufacturing construction jobs, so that certainly helped the data. Professional business services was the very strongest category in the report, and that's one of the better paying categories. So, you roll a few of those things together and they're all helping out.

Glaser: So when you look at the unemployment rate then, that stayed steady as more people entered the workforce. Is that a positive sign?

Johnson: Absolutely, because I've been worried deeply recently that really, the reason the jobs report hasn't been better some months is because I don't think there's enough available workers. And the reason I say that is because of the JOLTS report, the Jobs Openings Report, showing that there's all these openings and nobody to fill them.

And I think that if we get a higher participation rate, that certainly will help alleviate some of those shortages that we've seen. And certainly one of the interesting trends, that we notice that the over-65 group, the participation rate went up quite bit year-over-year. And so that gives us a little bit of flexibility.

If people retire at the same age as they always did, we've really got some trouble in terms of the economy. We're just not going to add much to the workforce over the next five years, because of all those baby boomer retirements. But if they stay in the force a little bit longer and a few more people can be lured back into the workforce, then maybe we'll overcome some of those demographic headwinds that are so hefty.

Glaser: Well, Bob, as always, I appreciate your analysis this morning.

Johnson: Thank you.

Glaser: For Morningstar, I'm Jeremy Glaser, thanks for watching.
Maintaining independence and editorial freedom is essential to our mission of empowering investor success. We provide a platform for our authors to report on investments fairly, accurately, and from the investors point of view. We also respect individual opinionsthey represent the unvarnished thinking of our people and exacting analysis of our research processes. Our authors can publish views that we may or may not agree with, but they show their work, distinguish facts from opinions, and make sure their analysis is clear and in no way misleading or deceptive.

To further protect the integrity of our editorial content, we keep a strict separation between our sales teams and authors to remove any pressure or influence on our analyses and research.

Read our editorial policy to learn more about our process.
Combo photo shows Sun Yang (L) and Mack Horton.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 7 -- China's Olympic swimming team has demanded an apology from Australian gold medallist Mack Horton after his "malicious personal attack" on rival Sun Yang.

Horton described Sun as a "drug cheat" last week and refused to retract the comments after defeating his rival in the 400m freestyle final at the Rio 2016 Games on Saturday.

"We have been noticing what has been said in the past two days by Horton, who launched a malicious personal attack [on Chinese swimmers]," Chinese swim team manager Xu Qi said on Sunday.

"We think his inappropriate words greatly hurt the feelings between Chinese and Australian swimmers. It is proof of a lack of good manners and upbringing. We strongly demand an apology from this swimmer."

Sun, who won gold in the 400m freestyle and 1500m freestyle at the London 2012 Olympics, served a three-month ban in 2014 after testing positive to a banned substance.

The 24-year-old said he unwittingly took the drug as part of treatment for a chronic heart problem.

After winning the gold medal race on Saturday, Horton said: "I used the words drug cheat because he tested positive. He's one of the athletes here who has tested positive."

The Australian's comments prompted a heated response on social media, where many Chinese fans describing the remarks as unjustified.
At 2016s midpoint, the Midland-Odessa regional economy continues the contraction fueled by the sharp drop in oil prices and oilfield activity.

But there is a growing sense the end is out there, said Karr Ingham, the Amarillo economist who prepares the Midland-Odessa Regional Economic Index for the Midland Development Corp.

Ingham reported that the June index is down 12.2 percent from year-ago levels and, nearly a year and a half into the economic slowdown, has fallen by nearly 16 percent on the heels of a five-year, 70 percent economic expansion.

He said the rate of decline slowed in June, falling by less than a point from May to June after averaging a decline of more than 2 full points and by 2.4 full points this year alone  at least through May. In addition, he said, the index declined at an annualized rate of 8.8 percent compared to the 12.2 percent rate of decline over the last 12 months.

While things are not dramatically better, the contraction has slowed, Ingham commented. Clearly, its still in contraction, obviously still in a state of general downturn. But we have the sense, both data-driven and intuitively, that the end is out there. Its foreseeable and hopefully its not too far off.

Its also not that surprising, Ingham said.

The economy wont contract to zero. All jobs wont be lost and all dollars spent wont just disappear, he said. Even under the direst economic circumstances, a downturn ends somewhere, he said.

Offering support to the overall economy is crude oil prices, which had essentially doubled by June from their 13-year low of $26 in February. Though prices have given back some of those gains, Ingham pointed out they are better than at the first of the year.

Midland and Odessa continued to shed jobs amid the downturn, with Ingham estimating total payroll employment in the two cities has fallen by an estimated 14,300 jobs since peaking in November 2014. The estimated rate of job loss narrowed to 2.5 percent in June, down from 8 percent in late 2015 and averaging a 4.4 percent decline in the first five months of this year. Ingham said he believes that decline rate is too narrow, explaining economic indicators arent solid enough to narrow that much year-over-year as they have. He predicted that decline rate will increase in upcoming data revisions.

Unemployment in the second quarter is up 33.6 percent over the second quarter of last year and so far this year is 39.3 percent above the first six months of 2015.

In Midland, the second quarter job count was 2.3 percent below last year and is down an average 3.7 percent in the first half of this year compared to the first half of last year.

Consumer spending continues to fall with second quarter retail spending down 21.6 percent from last year and down 21.1 percent in the first half of 2016 from the first half of 2015. In Midland, second quarter spending is down 20.4 percent compared to a year ago and so far this year is down 19.9 percent compared to the first six months of 2015.

Automotive spending also continued to sink, falling 15 percent in the second quarter and down 20.4 percent in the first half of 2016 compared to the first half of 2015. In Midland, second quarter automotive spending is down 11.8 percent from last year and to-date in 2016 is down 15.5 percent from the first half of last year.

Ingham reminded that consumer spending comes not just from individuals but businesses as well.

Ingham said building permit activity in the second quarter fell to its lowest level since the recession year of 2009, with the valuation of all building permits down 34.6 percent in the second quarter compared to the 2015 second quarter. Year-to-date, valuations are down 34.9 percent from the first half of last year. In Midland, second quarter valuations sank 45.6 percent from second quarter 2015 levels and year-to-date valuations have plunged 50.6 percent compared to the first half of 2015.

An exception is new housing permits issued in June. Midland and Odessa issued 139 new housing permits in June, up 28.7 percent from 108 last June. In the second quarter, the two cities issued 305 permits, up 3.7 percent from 294 in the second quarter of 2015. So far this year, the two cities have issued 511 permits, down 11.1 percent from the 575 issued in the first six months of 2015, which was down about 11 percent from the first half of 2014.

In Midland, 82 new housing permits were issued, up 10.8 percent from 74 last June. In the second quarter, 186 permits were issued, down 2.1 percent from 190 last year. Midland has issued 292 new housing permits this year, down 22.5 percent from 377 last year.

There were 343 homes sold in June, up 3 percent from 333 last June. In the second quarter, 856 homes were sold, down 2.6 percent from 879 in the second quarter of last year. So far this year, 1,431 homes have been sold, up 1.1 percent from 1,415 in the first half of 2015.

In Midland, 221 homes were sold in June, up 1.4 percent from 218 last June. In the second quarter, there were 527 homes sold, down 5.6 percent from 558 in last years second quarter. For the year, 887 homes have been sold, up 2.1 percent from 869 last year.

The average sales continues to decline, averaging $238,243 in the second quarter, down 4 percent from $248,053 last year. In the first half of the year, the average sales price of a home has averaged $238,094, down 1.2 percent from $241,023.

In Midland, the second quarter sales price averaged $274,083, down 2.1 percent from $279,871 last year. The year-to-date sales price averaged $272,278, down a mere 0.9 percent from $274,773.

On balance, the economy looks like its expected to look like in response to the dramatic circumstances surrounding oil prices, Ingham said. Its responded as expected and appropriately.
The current oil downturn, which has lasted a year and a half and counting, has often been blamed on OPEC. The cartel has been accused of attempting to upend the North American oil industry by keeping production levels high and, thus, driving prices down.

In the second part of his interview with the Reporter-Telegram, Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton gives his perspectives on the U.S. as an OPEC competitor and who he thinks the cartel is really at war with.

Coming Tuesday, Sitton shares insight into the controversial Trans-Pecos pipeline, which will deliver natural gas to Mexico though the Big Bend region. On Sunday, Sitton talked DUCs, gluts and why it seems the RRC is always being reviewed for sunset.

MRT: The talk is that OPEC is fighting a war with American producers. Whats your perspective?

Sitton: First of all, I agree that its not possible for OPEC as a group to knock out Texas oil producers because the Texas oil producers can produce oil cheaper than a large portion of the OPEC producers. Venezuela is a huge OPEC member produces millions of barrels of oil. Their cost of production is more expensive than Texas. However, Venezuela subsidizes its production, and its production has scaled way back because it doesnt have the cash to develop based on current oil prices.

When you talk about guys in the oil business why companies like Concho and Diamondback are doing well, they say, very simply, Theyve got the best rocks. When you go into the Midland and Delaware basins, companies can get high production and long-term production with the wells theyre drilling, and the economics are still viable even at $40 a barrel.

So, OPEC as a group cannot take out our producers.

MRT: Is the U.S. OPECs biggest competitor?

Sitton: I believe that the bigger competition is not between OPEC as a group and the Texas oil producer -- its within OPEC. In other words, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the (United Arab Emirates) -- which are the only countries in OPEC that have any sovereign wealth -- are trying to get the other OPEC nations to actually regulate their production. What has happened historically is that the Saudis have said theyre going to cut back production to maintain prices. The others have said that sounds great but dont cut back their own production.

The big story a few months ago is that Saudi Arabia a few months ago replaced its oil minister (with Khalid al-Falih). Did you know hes a proud Texas A&M Aggie? Hes an Aggie mechanical engineer and was educated in the United States. The event that happened just before they replaced the old oil minister was that Saudi Arabia couldnt get the deal done that they wanted to get done. So the takeaway is that among the OPEC nations as a whole, theres quite a bit of strife there. Theyre competing internally trying to see who will be held accountable for actually cutting production and curtailing instead of just asking Saudi Arabia to be the only one who does.

So in the midst of all that is while those guys are fighting amongst themselves and Venezuela and other countries that dont have cash are pulling production offline, the opportunity for North America as a whole is to take a big leap forward in our leadership in the energy markets around the world. As a group, Canada, Mexico and the United States could easily push its production to 15 million barrels of oil per day. If the OPEC nations broke up, we as a network could become the largest oil producing organization in the world.

MRT: With Venezuelas troubles, have there been any issues at Venezuela-owned refineries on the Gulf Coast?

Sitton: As far as I know, there arent any operational issues, but well see.

Like Trevor on Facebook and follow him on Twitter at @HowdyHawes,
A man was arrested Sunday after allegedly choking a woman, according to court documents.

Amado Soto, whose age was not included in the arrest affidavit, was being held Monday on a $15,000 bond for a third-degree felony charge of assaulting a family or household member impeding breath.

Midland County sheriffs deputies were dispatched in reference to a disturbance Sunday at about 11:05 a.m.

The woman was asleep and woke up to find Soto choking her, according to the arrest affidavit. The woman said Soto confronted her about messages in her cellphone.

Soto struck the woman with a closed fist on her right side and dragged her to the kitchen, according to the affidavit. The woman was able to break away and flee to a neighbors house.

If found guilty of a third-degree felony, Soto could face up to 10 years in prison.
VIENTIANE, Aug. 6 -- After 25 years of fruitful dialogue relationship, China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are looking forward to fostering stronger ties especially in economic and trade fields in a time of global economic uncertainties and instabilities.

As ASEAN economic ministers met in the Lao capital this week for the 48th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting (AEM) as well as talks with their partners, China and ASEAN took the opportunity to reiterate their will to further boost cooperation.

The China-ASEAN relations have grown to a level that exceeds the expectations 25 years ago, said Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng after meeting with his ASEAN counterparts.

"Our developments, from economic to social fields, are tightly bound to one another," he told reporters on the sidelines of the AEM meeting.

Chinese leaders have vowed to build a community of common destiny with ASEAN as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue relationship. Bilateral trade reached 472 billion U.S. dollars last year, up from 7.96 billion U.S. dollars in 1991, with an annual growth rate of 18.5 percent.

Despite the uncertainty in the global economy, China maintains its position as ASEAN's largest trading partner while ASEAN is China's third biggest. By the end of May, their two-way investment exceeded 160 billion U.S. dollars.

The two sides, which signed an agreement to upgrade their free trade area (FTA) late last year, are targeting bilateral trade at 1 trillion U.S. dollars by 2020.

It is timely to further strengthen ASEAN-China trade and economic cooperation, economic ministers from both sides said in a statement issued after their meeting.

Gao said participants at the meeting shared the same concern over the slow recovery of global economy and the increasing emergence of new challenges, who jointly called for more attention on global cooperation and warned against excessive trade protectionism.

In a move to enhance bilateral cooperation, ministers from both sides also agreed to recommend the adoption of a joint statement between ASEAN and China on industrial capacity cooperation as a deliverable of the commemorative summit marking the 25th anniversary for China-ASEAN dialogue relationship in September.

This is in line with a five-point proposal raised by the Chinese side, who also vowed to work with ASEAN on the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, enhance regional integration and expand new cooperation areas.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, is aimed at reviving ancient trade routes which span Asia, Africa and Europe.

Ministers from both sides agreed that China's cooperation proposal is in the right direction for jointly combating economic downside pressure and pushing forward regional cooperation, according to Gao.

"We all agree that globalization is still a trend that benefits all countries and brings them closer ... only prosperity and close relations would make this world a safer place," he said.

on and warned against excessive trade protectionism.

In a move to enhance bilateral cooperation, ministers from both sides also agreed to recommend the adoption of a joint statement between ASEAN and China on industrial capacity cooperation as a deliverable of the commemorative summit marking the 25th anniversary for China-ASEAN dialogue relationship in September.

This is in line with a five-point proposal raised by the Chinese side, who also vowed to work with ASEAN on the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, enhance regional integration and expand new cooperation areas.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, is aimed at reviving ancient trade routes which span Asia, Africa and Europe.

Ministers from both sides agreed that China's cooperation proposal is in the right direction for jointly combating economic downside pressure and pushing forward regional cooperation, according to Gao.

"We all agree that globalization is still a trend that benefits all countries and brings them closer ... only prosperity and close relations would make this world a safer place," he said.
Moving a nanosatellite around in space takes only a tiny amount of thrust. Engineers from Michigan Technological University and the University of Maryland teamed up, put a nanoscale rocket under a microscope, and watched what happened.

To Infinity and Beyond with Nanosatellites

When a satellite is placed into orbit by a rocket, its journey has only just begun. Released into space on its own, the satellite needs an on-board thruster so it can navigate to its desired location and then remain there despite the many things that do their best to kick it off course.

"Space isn't the empty vacuum of nothingness many of us assume," says Kurt Terhune, a mechanical engineering graduate student and the lead author on a new study published in Nanotechnology this week. "Space actually has a small amount of atmosphere that causes drag, solar winds that push satellites off course and space debris that present a constant hazard."

Using electrospray thrusters, like this one, space researchers could navigate with nanosatellites in space.

This is especially important in the new era of space exploration. Dozens of companies plan to launch thousands of tiny satellitessome as small as shoe boxeswithin the next five years. Each of these nanosatellites will need its own tiny thruster. One solution comes in the form of an electrospray thruster that Terhune studies along with his advisor, L. Brad King, the Ron and Elaine Starr Professor of Space Systems Engineering. The propellants for these thrusters are called ionic liquids, which are room-temperature liquid salts.

"Much like the sodium chloride table salt many of us enjoy on French fries, ionic liquids are comprised of roughly equal numbers of positively and negatively charged ions," Terhune says, explaining that electric fields, supplied by spacecraft batteries, can exert forces on these ions and eject them into space at great velocity. The emitted ion beam can provide the gentle thrust that the nanosatellite needs.

Electrospray Engines

Many of these tiny electrospray thrusters packed together could propel a spacecraft over great distances, maybe even to the nearest exoplanet. Electrospray thrusters are currently being tested on the European Space Agencys LISA Pathfinder, which hopes to poise objects in space so precisely that they would only be disturbed by gravitational waves.

Using a scanning electron microscope, aerospace engineers examine the needle-like tip of a stream of ions in a jet fuel designed for nanosatellites.

But these droplet engines have a problem: sometimes they form needle-like spikes that disrupt the way the thruster worksthey get in the way of the ions flowing outward and turn the liquid to solid. Terhune and King wanted to find out how this actually happens.

"The challenge is obtaining images of a material in the presence of such a strong electric field, which is why we turned to John Cumings at the University of Maryland," King says, explaining that Cumings is known for his work with challenging materials. To make things harder, the tip of the droplet can move around by a few microns while the thruster is operating. A few microns is a small distance, but compared with the features that the team needed to observe, this made the experiment like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

"Finding the actual nano-scale tip of the droplet with an electron microscope is like trying to look through a soda straw to find a penny somewhere on the floor of a room," King says. "And if that penny moves, like the tip of the molten salt droplet doesthen it's off camera, and you have to start searching all over again."

At the Advanced Imaging and Microscopy Lab at the University of Maryland, Cumings put the tiny thruster in a transmission electron microscope (TEM)an advanced scope that can see things down to millionths of a meter. They watched as the droplet elongated and sharpened to a point, and then started emitting ions. Then the tree-like defects began to appear.

Watch Radiation Induced Solidification of Ionic Liquid Under Extreme Electric Field video Watch Radiation Induced Solidification of Ionic Liquid Under Extreme Electric Field Expand

Back in Orbit

The researchers say that figuring out why these branched structures grow could help prevent them from forming. The problem occurs as the microscope's high-energy electron beam exposes the fluid to radiation, breaking some of the bonds between atoms in the ions. This damages the molten salt's molecular structure, so it gels and piles up.

"We were able to watch the dendritic structures accumulate in real time," Terhune says. "The specific mechanism still needs to be investigated, but this could have importance for spacecraft in high-radiation environments."

He adds that the microscope's electron beam is more powerful than natural settings, but the gelling could affect the lifetime of electrospray engines in deep space and geosynchronous orbits where most of the planet's satellites circle. And you don't have to be a rocket scientist to know figuring out the physics to improve that lifetime is a good idea.

Grant Information NASA Space Technology Research Fellowship NNX13AM73H Michigan/Air Force Center of Excellence in Electric Propulsion under Contract Number FA9550-09-1- 0695 NSF MRSEC under grant DMR 05-20471 DOE Science of Nanostructures for Electrical Energy Storage, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, and Office of Basic Energy Sciences under Award Number DESC0001160 About the Researcher Kurt Terhune PhD Candidate

Mechanical Engineering Research Interests Electric propulsion

Electrospray thrusters

Ionic liquid ferrofluids

Electron microscopy

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigans flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
In the run up to last months ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague on the South China Sea, several African states backed Chinas push for dialogue to solve the simmering row.

Just days to the much-awaited ruling, a list of countries said to favour Chinas position had about 60 countries, including at least 35 African states.

Africas diplomatic support to China did not seem to go unnoticed at the recent meeting in Beijing that brought together over 100 ministers from Africa.

The coordinators meeting was meant to review progress on the implementation of resolutions of the Johannesburg summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The State Councilor, Yang Jiechi applauded Africas solidarity with China on the hair-rousing sea dispute saying the two sides need to uphold mutual support for their common interests.

African countries have voiced support for Chinas just position on the South China Sea issue and rendered invaluable support to the Chinese side. It is greatly valued and appreciated by China, Yang Jiechi stated at the opening of a meeting of the FOCAC coordinators meeting.

Foreign minister, Wang Yi described also Africas backing for Chinas position on the dispute as a sign of enhanced political mutual trust on issues regarding their core interests.

African countries have openly endorsed Chinas position on the South China Sea. China deeply appreciates such valuable support, Wang Yi stated.

In 2013, Philippines filed a compulsory arbitration claim before The Hague tribunal to challenge Chinas South China Sea claim under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On July 12, the Arbitral Tribunal ruled in favour of the Philippines, challenging Chinas claims to the South China Sea.

China remains opposed to the ruling on account that the tribunal has no powers to arbitrate sovereignty disputes and that its judges are biased in favour of the Phillipines.

It is not the first time that Africa has spoken out in favour of China; African nations endorsed Chinas re-entry into the United Nations Security Council in the 1970s.

The council, set up in 1946 by victors of World War II comprises 15 members, five of them permanent members (China, US, Britain, France and Russia), while 10 are non-permanent members and serve for two years on a rotational basis.

Africa, an entire continent of 54 states, has no representation in the UN Security Council, the UNs most powerful organ with powers to make decisions that shape global affairs.

Within the UN, China has entreated the international community to pay more attention to Africa in resolving conflict, development and support for regional organizations.

China firmly supports African countries independently exploring a development path suited to their own conditions and speaks out on international occasions, Wang Yi told delegates.

In 2015, President Xi Jinping elevated China-Africa relations to a "comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership" with 10 new broad areas of cooperation.

The partnerships five pillars of political equality and mutual trust, win-win economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, mutual security assistance and solidarity in global affairs.

President Xi, in his written message to the FOCAC meeting delivered by Yang Jiechi, describes China and Africa as good friends, good partners and good brothers.

We must stand shoulder to shoulder and march forward hand-in-hand. As a Chinese saying goes: unity of two brothers gives them strength to cut through metal, he wrote.
Liberias Minister of State, Sylvester M. Grigsby, has hailed the Government of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) for its increasing support to his country and Africa.

Representing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the recent coordinators meeting on the implementation of the 2015 Johannesburg FOCAC Summit outcomes in Beijing, Grigsby said since the FOCAC project was launched in 2000, Chinese-funded landmark projects have sprouted in Liberia and the entire African landscape.

We remain grateful to the government and people of China for the enormous support given us in combating the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the region two years ago, he said.

The Liberian minister said ECOWAS was delighted that the Johannesburg Action Plan (2016-2018) incorporates post-Ebola recovery efforts that will bring an end to the plague. ECOWAS is the Economic Community of West African States, a regional economic body formed in 1975.

He also urged China investment more in medical and healthcare services as well as to improve healthcare infrastructure through construction, renovation and equipping of health facilities in the region in Liberia.

The minister also noted that the previous efforts of the Chinese government and private investors have made positive impacts and also have been put to the best use for the improvement of the country.

Also in a message on behalf of President, as chair of the Heads of ECOWAS, Grigsby said the Beijing gathering reaffirmed the longstanding strong bond of friendship and cooperation between Africa and China based on equality and mutual respect. He added: The level and quality of representation today of over 300 hundred delegates including 100 of Ministerial rank bear testimony to the strength and intensity of the Africa-China relationship.

Grigsby recounted the numerous projects by Chinese investors in Africa including railways, highways and industrial plants which bring light and better livelihood to millions who otherwise would never have benefited from such amenities in their lifetimes if investment were to be determined strictly by the traditional profit motive. He stated that the underpinning Chinas development assistance has overwhelmed Africa and Africans, when other donors classify as risky investment Chinese assistance sees as response to real human development need.

He further said, as China has increasingly become the engine of growth for the global economy, so has Chinas development assistance graduated from being perceived as a source of alternative development. Today, Grigsby said, China is a major donor partner, being an architect of the China/Africa Development Fund, the Asia Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB) and the BRICS Bank.

Grigsby also used the occasion to commend China for its contribution to regional security and its strong and continued engagement in security cooperation with ECOWAS that has great wealth of experience in dealing with regional security including peace keeping. Terrorism has become a serious menace to our region and indeed to the entire Continent and the world. This peril is manifesting itself on land, in the air and on the high seas. It must be confronted collectively and decisively, he indicated.

Meanwhile, the Liberian Minister has called on the Chinese Government to help contribute to balanced regional development in Africa. According to him, West Africa is the most integrated region on the Continent with decades of experience in successful visa free movement of people and a common ECOWAS Passport. He mentioned regional role peacekeeping and collective security around the region is unparalleled.

We have made impressive progress towards adopting a common eternal tariff (CET) and have developed a roadmap entitled Vision 2020 for the development of highways and railways connecting all the countries in the region; regional power grid; telecommunications and agriculture and regional industries for value addition with a market of more than 400 million people. We invite China to undertake some pilot projects with us in these endeavors. ECOWAS would like to encourage public-private partnership with Chinese enterprises in industry and infrastructure development, Grigsby maintained.
We were not bribed to drop ...
As dissenting voices increased over the decision between Seoul and Washington to deploy Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system, the South Korean government and media have been making pale explanations and rebuttals.

Some quibbled that South Korea has no choice but to install the THAAD system as a self-defense measure. It does not target any third country, while some others said that China was fully accounted for when choosing the site for the THAAD system. The detection range of the missile defense system does not reach into Chinas territory.

Some made groundless claims that China should rethink about its obligation fulfillment on the settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. Some others even claimed that China dares not to pressure South Korea as it will push the country closer to the US.

It is not hard to see that South Korea is playing the victim card, but this scheme did not go all the way. It finally revealed the trump card that its fearless provocation comes from its strong ally.

Honesty goes a long way. South Korea should be aware of this common sense. Insincere words cannot persuade anyone and will even damage ones own reputation. Careless remarks on security issues that concern core national interests can easily become a laughing stock. As everyone knows, there is nothing as crystal-clear as security issues.

Anyone who has some knowledge about the THAAD system knows that with a radar range of 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers, it is designed to shoot down missiles at a relatively high altitude of 40 to 150 km. Given the geographical conditions of the Korean Peninsula, it is ridiculous to use the THAAD missile defense system to deter nuclear threats from North Korea.

The US did not start to seek strategic advantage by deploying anti-missile systems yesterday. The superpower also cited nuclear threats posed by Iran as an excuse when it built the missile defense complex in Eastern Europe, but it did not stop its scheme even after an agreement on settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue was reached.

To convince China that the THAAD deployment does not affect its interests, the South Korean government has gone at length into technical details. However, the THAAD system employs the AN/TPY-2 X-band radar, which is the world's largest and the most powerful ground-transportable radar.

Although the US military claims the radar range is only 500 kilometers, given its close correlation with the radar cross-section of the object, the range is above 2000 kilometers for ascending mid-long-range missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles that have not separated from the shell body.

When deployed in South Korea, the THAAD system can reach deep into the hinterlands of Northeast Asia with its radar. During peacetime, it can acquire intelligence of regional countries and collect data on target signature. In wartime, the system can be used as a preliminary identification and tracking facility and significantly improve the missile interception rate.

This will seriously undermine Chinas strategic deterrence and pose security threats to China. Even if South Korea truly cares about Chinas security interests, it does not have the right to operate the THAAD system as it is well-known that South Korea has no military autonomy as a follower of the US.

Linking the THAAD deployment with Chinas actions regarding the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is more than far-fetched. South Korea has no rights to damage Chinas security interests simply because China does not make South Korea more comfortable.

Has China acted in a shady way on the peninsula issue? Has China failed to earnestly implement a single one of the resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council? Without Chinas role at key moments, the Korean Peninsula situation would be very different. Does South Korea really want a taste of that?

As for whether China will do nothing after the THAAD deployment, the people who made the above remarks know better than anyone. As a neighbor of China, South Korea should be aware of Chinas determination to safeguard peace and stability.

Neighbors should straighten out their issues with a peaceful mindset, especially on the root causes. Even with support from its patron, it is quite irresponsible for South Korea to behave emotionally or act recklessly.
Update: Detective Horn reports the missing man, Scott Kerfoot has been found. Detective Horn says, After about two weeks he appeared out of the bushes. He walked up to a vehicle passing by. Kerfoot told officers he was disoriented and had been eating bugs and drinking out of the stream.

Original story posted Aug 8, 2016 at 9:36 pm: West Point, CA  Law enforcement officials have been investigating the mysterious disappearance of a man who resides near Sacramento.

The El Dorado County Sheriffs Office reports that 53-year-old Scott Kerfoot was last seen on July 25 leaving a friends home in Modesto on his way back home to Cameron Park, outside of Sacramento. Kerfoot was driving his white 1999 Isuzu box truck, but never arrived home.

Last week the truck was located in Calaveras County near the community of West Point. The abandoned vehicle was blocking a Forest Service road. The Calaveras County Sheriffs Office, and the CHP, searched the area by air and ground but could not locate Kerfoot. Anyone with information on Kerfoots whereabouts should contact Detective Rich Horn with the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office at 530-642-4729. Kerfoot is 510 and weighs approximately 215 lbs.
Mack Horton of Australia poses with his gold medal during the Men's 400m Freestyle Victory Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 6, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

RIO DE JANEIRO - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it will look into the unfriendly comment Australian swimmer Mack Horton made on Chinese rival Sun Yang before it gave any comment.

IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said on Sunday that he did not konw the incident until reporters told him that Horton called defending 400m freestyle champion Sun a "drug cheat" before and after the men's 400m freestyle final at the Rio Olympic Games.

"I didn't know the incident. I need to look into it," said Adams.

Sun missed the 400m title on Saturday evening by the length of a finger tip behind Horton who clocked 3 minutes, 41.55 seconds in the Rio Olympic swimming final.

After the race, officials from the Chinese Swimming Association rang their Australian counterparts, asking for Horton to make an apology to Sun Yang.
Hillary Clinton came to Florida Monday with promises of jobs within the first 100 days of her presidency.



Former first lady, secretary of state to talk about jobs, Zika

Clinton last came to Central Florida more than 2 weeks ago

She was in St. Pete before coming to Kissimmee

Clinton spoke to a crowd of around 3,000 at a campaign rally at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee Monday -- 1,600 in the main room, plus another 1,500 in an overflow room.

Clinton specifically talked about pushing infrastructure jobs, what she calls the largest investment in jobs since World War II in her first 100 days.

Our roads, our bridges, our tunnels, our ports, our airports, our water system, our sewer systems, they are in desperate need, Clinton said.

She said thats where millions of good paying jobs will best serve our country. But to make that possible, education will require the same investment.

By 2020, which is not very far away, more than half the jobs in America will not require a college degree, but they will require certain skills, Clinton said. So lets make community college free! Lets get tech education back in high school!

Clinton also promised to cut taxes and reduce red tape specifically for small businesses.

"I want to be the small business president," Clinton said.

Clinton also hit Donald Trump supporter and Florida Gov. Rick Scott on climate change, saying by avoiding the topic state lawmakers are ignoring the great potential for jobs they provide.

"Climate change is real whether your governor or Donald Trump want to admit it or not," she said.



The first spectators began arriving at about 9 a.m., more than nine hours before the rally was scheduled to begin. The Hubers got up early and drove an hour from their Polk County home to be there early.

When we found out Hillary was coming to Kissimmee, we signed up," Eileen Huber said. "We said we want to be first in line.

She said she wanted to come in order to honor her father, who passed away in June.

He had a Hillary Clinton bumper sticker on his truck, and he was one of her biggest fans as well, Huber said.

Clinton is expected to talk about her first 100 days in office if shes elected. Her campaign says she plans to make the biggest investment in good-paying jobs since World War II.

Naveen Kirshman, a first-time voter from Orlando, said he's looking forward to hearing more about it.

"I hope that when I graduate in four years I can benefit from certain policies that get enacted," Kirshman said.

The visits underscore the importance of Florida, especially Central Florida, in deciding who will become the next president.

It was just last week that her running mate, vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine, visited the area, speaking at Daytona State College. A day later, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump spoke at a rally in Daytona Beach.

Clinton herself last visited Central Florida just more than two weeks ago when she announced that Kaine would be her vice presidential running mate.

Earlier Monday, Clinton was in St. Petersburg, where she toured the 3 Daughters Brewery and attended a rally at the Coliseum.

Clinton told the crowd that she talked to owners Mike and Leigh Harting about what businesses policies programs have worked for them and what haven't, and what needs to be done for small businesses to grow and employ more people.

On Tuesday, shell visit a health care clinic in Miami to raise awareness about the threat of the Zika virus.
With Central Florida in back-to-school mode, getting your child to and from school again becomes a cause for concern.

Traffic Reporter Ryan Harper has tips for walking kids to school safely

Florida law requires drivers to stop for school crossing guards

Motorists should know when speed limit drops, heed signs



Deborah Bracey from Orlando writes in to us this week:

"I'm a little concerned with my kid walking to school for the first time this year. We are fairly new to Central Florida, and all I hear about is how dangerous is to walk around here. Any tips?"

Real Time Traffic Expert Ryan Harper recently visited with Sgt. Kim Montes of the Florida Highway Patrol to get some answers.

But first, the National Safety Council has said that more pedestrian-involved accidents involving children occur near schools more than anywhere else. With school beginning in some areas across Central Florida in just a couple of days, this makes it more important to be reminded of this fact.

For example, one of the most common offenses is when a driver fails to acknowledge the presence of a crossing guard at a crosswalk.



"It's a moving violation. It's 3 points on your license," Montes said. "Depending on which county, it's a minimum $60 fine. And that's even without getting into a crash. So people need to realize that they can be ticketed for not yielding to a crossing guard."

At Wetherbee Elementary School in south Orlando last October, two children were struck by vehicles whose drivers failed to pay attention to a crossing guard who cleared the children to pass.

"Under Florida law, you are required to stop for a crossing guard," Montes said. "The children actually ran into the side of the car and were both injured. It could have been much more serious."

Here are just a few tips from the Florida Highway Patrol on how you can make sure you pass through a school zone safely.

Go the posted limit. Rremember that during certain times during the day throughout the school year, the normal limit is dramatically reduced. Pay attention to the crossing guard. Consider the guard as a traffic signal. Children are unpredictable. Don't be distracted in a school zone, no matter whether there is a crossing guard.

As for child pedestrians? Montes says it's fairly simple.

"As they get older, the children need to remember the basics. You look left, you look right, you look left again before crossing. You cross at a designated area so that drivers know and expect those pedestrians crossing at either a marked or unmarked intersection or at a crosswalk," she said.

Hope that helps, Deborah.

If you at home have a traffic issue you want addressed, let us know about it! Go www.mynews13.com/trafficinbox and fill out the simple form.
Sitting across the room is a young boy playing Minecraft talking to his mom and dad in their Grand Prairie home. Hes swinging his legs back and forth while sitting in the chair and bouncing around energetically. Hes giddy and full of life, just like any other kid at his age.

His favorite things are reading books like the Divergent series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, math books, watching Cosmos and traveling with his family.

Although he appears to be an average, everyday kid, there is nothing average about him. His name is Jeremy Shuler, and he is about to embark on an adventure only a rare number of kids his age has done before.

Just a few months ago he visited Texas Tech University for a graduation. No, it wasnt for an older brother or sister; it was for him. At just 12 years old he graduated with his high school diploma from Texas Tech University Independent School District (TTUISD), a flexible online education program that allows K-12 students to earn credits at their own pace.

His new adventure, you ask?

Well, hes going to college this fall but not just any college. Cornell University, an Ivy League institution in Ithaca, New York.

The son of two aerospace engineers, Jeremy was a good, curious baby and began reaching his milestones a lot quicker than the average infant.

At 6 months, he began to talk. At 8 months, he could name certain things. At 18 months, he could read Korean as his mother grew up in Seoul, South Korea.

When he was 2 he had learned both the Korean and English languages and could read books all on his own. About the time he was 8 years old, he was working on high school curriculum.

Harrey, his mother who quit her career to focus on Jeremy, said it was difficult to keep Jeremy challenged academically due to how quickly he was able to learn things.

Early on we realized Jeremy wasnt really ordinary, said Harrey. We briefly considered sending him to a charter school or a school for the gifted and talented, but in the end there wasnt much of a choice because he was way too advanced to be enrolled in any traditional schools. So I quit my career to dedicate my time to teaching Jeremy myself. I have been homeschooling him ever since.

While homeschooling Jeremy, Harrey, who has her doctorate in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas-Austin, assisted him in his studies, but there were some courses she didnt have to assist him with.

One of those courses was chemistry, which Jeremy taught to himself.

At the age of 11, Jeremy had completed all of his high school courses and was ready for the next stop on his education journey: college. The only problem though was that he needed a high school diploma or a GED, but due to his age he couldnt get his GED because he wasnt 18.

His father, Andy, and Harrey knew they needed to figure out a way to move Jeremy on to his college education because there wasnt much they could do for him anymore. When they began researching other education programs, they stumbled upon TTUISD.

Jeremy and his family traveled a lot due to Andys job with Lockheed Martin as an engineer, which is why homeschooling worked so well with their lifestyle. When Andy and Harrey began searching for another high school program, they thought TTUISD would be a good fit as it would continue to work with their on-the-go lifestyle.

When we were looking at different programs we wanted some place that would acknowledge his achievements already so he wouldnt have to go through several years of learning the same things over and over again, Harrey said. When I looked at TTUISD, their curriculum had more variety, offered the flexibility we wanted for travel and recognized the work Jeremy had already completed.

The Shuler family worked closely with TTUISD instructors and counselors, including Lisa Stone, Jeremys academic adviser.

I contacted Lisa a lot, especially when it came time for Jeremy to apply to colleges, Harrey said. During Jeremys time at TTUISD, we talked to her so much over the phone and through email, but had never met her and the other TTUISD staff until Jeremys graduation. It was a good experience, because we felt like we had already known them even though we had never met them before.

From courses to credit by exams and applying for college, Stone and other TTUISD staff helped the Shuler family through it all.

Jeremys intelligence and passion for learning is truly inspirational, Stone said. I feel honored I was able to play a small part in Jeremys academic journey, and I really enjoyed working with such a special family.

The two years Jeremy was enrolled at TTUISD, he said, was a good experience that made him a better person.

The variety of courses TTUISD offered helped him become a more well-rounded student as he took courses in web design, music history, astronomy, economics, government, physical education and more.

Some of the courses called for a lot of writing, which ended up helping Jeremy prepare for college as he enjoys math and science way more than English and writing.

The curriculum was well-designed, Jeremy said. I learned a lot of new things, especially writing skills from English to astronomy courses. Before TTUISD I was mostly a math and science person, but at TTUISD I learned a lot of curriculum in other subjects.

His favorite part about TTUISD was walking across the stage at graduation.

I loved graduation, he said. It was cool seeing all of the other students graduating alongside me and meeting all of the TTUISD people.

I really enjoyed TTUISD because it allowed me to get an actual high school diploma to be able to go to college, but it had the flexibility we needed for me to finish school. Overall, it made me a lot more experienced and prepared me for college.

At the age of 10, Jeremy began preparing for college by taking the SAT and advanced placement (AP) exams. Jeremy took the SAT exams in 2014, placing in the 99.6 percentile for all college-bound seniors that year. Andy and Harrey said Jeremy did better than they expected, but his elite-level success was one of the reasons they thought he was ready for college in the near future.

Jeremy also took seven AP exams and aced them all, receiving college credit in calculus, chemistry, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, statistics, microeconomics and macroeconomics. He was awarded AP Scholar with Distinction from the College Board for his effort in the seven exams.

In the fall of 2015, Jeremy began applying to various schools, including Cornell University, where Andy earned an engineering degree. Prior to his acceptance, Jeremy had a video interview with the Director of Engineering Admissions and the Assistant Dean for Student Services in Engineering. He was admitted to Cornell Engineering in March through the regular admissions process with special consideration given to his level of maturity and with the condition that his parents move to Ithaca to live with him.

I was excited when I found out I got accepted to Cornell, Jeremy said. It is the best choice for me.

When the acceptance letter came, Andy and Harrey were grateful to the university for being willing to take the chance on a 12-year-old boy.

Cornell Engineering Dean Lance Collins said the school believes Jeremy is ready for this opportunity.

We have accepted Jeremy into our undergraduate program here at Cornell Engineering, he said. He is a very advanced student for his age who already has demonstrated an incredible ability to learn at the collegiate level.

While this is highly unusual, we feel that with the strong support of his parents - who will be moving here to provide him a place to live and study - and his unusual talents and thirst for knowledge, he will be able to thrive as an engineering student and take advantage of all that Cornell has to offer.

Though some people may be concerned about letting their kids go to college, no matter the age, Andy said it was time for Jeremy to go to college as Cornell will give him the chance to grow.

He got through all of the math we could teach him by the time he was 10, Andy said. The chance for him to learn advanced math and physics will be really great to see. We love to see him grow, be challenged and excited about learning.

It will be a change though. He will have to realize that he may not be the smartest person in the classroom anymore, but that will help him grow. If hes up for the challenge, I think it will be good for him.

Going to college doesnt mean Jeremy will be living the life of an average college student. Due to his age, he will be required to live at home throughout his college years.

Thankfully, Lockheed Martin has a branch near Ithaca, so the family was able to transfer Andys job from Texas to New York easily. The Shulers have plans to live close to campus so Jeremy will be able to walk to and from class every day.

Following in his parents footsteps, Jeremy plans to major in applied and engineering physics and minor in mathematics. For the fall semester he plans to take courses in multivariable calculus, physics in mechanics and spatial relativity, Introduction to Computing with MATLAB and introduction to linguistics or intermediate Latin, depending on his Latin placement test result.
Its enough to make grown men cry. This goes for grown women, too, as well as others licensed to drive in this land of the free and the home of roads under construction. (OK, throw in the unlicensed drivers, too.)

Weeping may be the least we can do. Health professionals confirm that gnashing of teeth and grabbing for flying insects that arent there -- as well as unintelligible babbling -- are symptoms on a lengthening list.

Sales of medications to calm nerves are at an all-time high. Down deep -- and often high up -- we are given pause, wondering if it is really worth it to get from point A to point B. Usually, we think it is, eager to add points all the way to Z.

Some take to blogs to express frustration, as does Jen Hatmaker, author/speaker/wife/mom and unapologetic Christian. She lets it all hang out in her response to a billboard on Interstate Highway 35, a stretch she reviles near Austin. Its message reads: One day you will love I-35. Until then, drive safely.

Jen begs to disagree, saying, . . . I have lived along the I-35 corridor since 1987. I will tell you when I will love this highway: Never. Never is when we will love this stretch of grief and broken dreams.

Oh, but thats just the beginning.

She has kept stats, claiming her loss of salvation 28,307 times. Her new highway boyfriend is the nearby toll road, where the speed limit is 80 MPH and no one is ever on it.

Jen admonishes the getting together of its act, and, not to be under construction for once in your natural born life. Stop making good Christians curse and swear. Just act right . . . Quit drinking and get your life together. If the middle wants to get to my beautiful, perfect city, they have to come through you, and you are making people want to break up with Austin.

Then she blurts, How dare you? So no, I dont believe you. One day we will NOT love I-35 unless it goes to counseling, repents for its sins and cleans up its life.

Jen should never think she has the hate franchise for I-35 construction. Folks on the same highway entering Fort Worth from the north have similar beefs, and many drivers using the segment daily have few options. Some have none. News recently released that the project will be completed by 2018 offers little consolation.

Maybe drivers stuck in traffic should find ways to use their time creatively. How about nail clipping? (No, not toenails, unless your name is Jack, and you are both nimble and quick.)

Be on the look-out for creative billboards. Some of the best are by funeral homes, including: Dont text and drive. We can wait. Another claims, Let us urn your business. Still another: Put down the guns, stop doing drugs, and dont drink and drive. We dont want your business. We can wait. Finally, this one, for reverse psychology, I suppose: Text and drive.

Another option is to print a bunch of those old Burma-Shave fence post ads. Just pull em out for pleasant perusal when traffic is at a standstill. A favorite: Within this veil -- of toil and sin -- your head grows bald -- but NOT your chin.

Consider copying some of Jens blogs. Her creative writing is in the vein of the late Erma Bombeck. (Thats a strong endorsement.) Think, pray, ponder, organize and forgive when everything stops. Try to rank t-shirt messages, such as: Behind every successful principal is an exhausted assistant principal.

How about a quick daydream about being one of the 5,000 folks who live in McGregor? A road sign -- in place there for decades -- reads: Highways are hazardous. Holy cow! If you lived in McGregor, youd be home now. And a warning in Hondo pulls no punches: This is Gods country. Dont drive through it like hell. A gentler message has made west Texas motorists smile for generations. The sign reads: Stanton, Texas. Home to 3,000 friendly people and a few old soreheads. Finally, this oldie from the 1940s: Speed Limit: 60 MPH; Studebakers, do the best you can.

Dr. Don Newbury is a speaker/author in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Inquiries/comments to: newbury@speakerdoc.com.
The international community space is creeping with tension. It is charged, bleeding and sagging at the ends. Its like a super saturation that is not ready to take more troubles.

The world seems to be living at the most troubled times with heightening terrorism everyday. Within the axis of Europe and North West Asia, the world has lost count of terror attacks with the last at Nice, France on July 14 with casualty index of about 90 deaths.

The threat for the collapse of the delicate balance of peace at the Korean Peninsula is already a handful for the East Asia as North Korea toys with nuclear armament and a counter action planned by the South Korea, Japan and the United States. That is enough tension and needs no addition.

That is why many watchers of the international space got uncomfortable over the turbulence in the South China Sea by countries that have no business there other than the business of peacemaking in matter that had been pending before the arbitral tribunal, The Hague for three years until the decision on July 12.

There are reasons why the matter never deserved the frontline discourse it enjoyed especially given the slant towards crisis.

By every assessment, that piece of land of questionable economic value is too infinitesimal to be a prime concern of the state of Philippines battling for the basics of existence.

With 101m mouths to feed and economic strength of about $741b GDP, the country needs peace and friendship more than any dispute over a tiny spot of land that would not impact better life of the poor citizens. It is also too tiny to make China lose its status and reputation as pacifist world power that is not identified with ruffling feathers. No matter how viewed, the island or best stated, a portion of it, is far in essence, less than the peace and good neighbourliness of the two nations involved.

Now, enough energy has been dissipated and it seems commonsense is about to rule the day after the drama that was never worth the sweat.

The arbitral tribunal has given a ruling, and China that refused to join issues with Philippines in the arbitration has flatly refused the decision. In municipal litigation, a declaratory decision is not enforceable. In this case at the arbitral tribunal, the matter was unilaterally initiated by Philippines and fully financed by it. That implied from the beginning that whoever paid the piper dictated the tune, thereby destroying the foundation of neutrality on which fair justice is premised.

All along, China hinged her argument for non-participation on grounds that the arbitral tribunal lacked jurisdictional competence to be seized of the matter for two major reasons - Philippines acted in scorn of her international obligation via a bilateral treaty between the two in respect of the same matter. They had agreed that whenever disputes that arise regarding territorial issues and maritime delineations, the two neighbours would resolve it through negotiations; Secondly, the ASEAN states also have another agreement on peaceful resolution of disputes through negotiations by states directly involved instead of recourse to a third party. Based on the two, China insisted her neighbor broke its own promise by approaching the arbitral tribunal over the same matters. That implies Philippines has no reason not to abide by the Bilateral Treaty it entered into with China over the South China Sea disputes.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, faced with a bill that would put the Alamo under state control, are mulling whether to relinquish their duties as Alamo caretakers or work with a state agency.

Some members are tired of operating the Alamo entirely, (and) want to give it up and concentrate on DRT and the group's vision for a new headquarters-museum complex in Austin, DRT President General Karen Thompson wrote in an email to the DRT board just hours after the Legislature passed the Alamo bill on Sunday.

The bill, which would give the General Land Office oversight at the Alamo, has been sent to Gov. Rick Perry.

Under the bill, the land office would take over the Alamo if it can't reach an agreement with the DRT by Jan. 1 for management, operation and financial support of the site.

Kathleen Carter, a local DRT member, said she's dumbfounded that a small faction, no more than 20 to 30 members from Houston, Austin and other areas outside San Antonio, has talked about abandoning the Alamo.

I'm appalled at the email, Carter said. Certainly, if the DRT feels that way, we can't function as custodians. To give up the Alamo is to give up everything we've worked for.

State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, who led the bill's passage, said some Daughters are having difficulty accepting it. But Alamo employees are excited about the level of professionalism that will come from the state, with the DRT remaining as caretakers, she said.

To ensure their custodianship and secure a long-term future for the Alamo, this is the best course of action, the San Antonio Democrat told the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board on Wednesday.

Amid a turbulent period for the DRT, a small bloc of members has said the group's obligations at the famed Alamo detract from efforts to raise $10 million for the Austin project, billed as the DRT's Vision for the 21st Century.

The DRT has collected more than $500,000 to buy a $1.4 million tract by the French Legation Museum  another state-owned site, which the group has managed since the 1950s.

Other DRT members wanted an earlier version of the Alamo bill that would subject the Daughters to reporting requirements but not put the Alamo, which draws about 3 million visitors annually, under state control.

At the DRT's annual convention in San Antonio May 12-14, more than 500 of the group's roughly 7,000 members passed a resolution directing DRT leaders to enter a contract with the state that is acceptable to the DRT for the management of the state-owned Alamo complex.

But in her message Sunday to the DRT's 26-member board  half of which is newly elected  Thompson said the group has been pressured to accept the bill to avoid being sued by the Texas attorney general's office.

It has been a sort of blackmail. Of course we don't want to end up in court, wrote Thompson, who is from Austin. She had no comment Wednesday.

Another option she offered in her email, which has circulated among legislators, was a DRT effort to urge Perry to veto the bill and resume talks during a special session. Perry has until June 19 to sign or veto the bill, or let it become law.

Lucy Nashed, Perry's deputy press secretary, said the governor will thoughtfully review this bill in its final form and make a decision.

The AG's office has said findings in its nearly yearlong investigation of the DRT are excepted from provisions of the Texas Public Information Act.

A report by the AG's consumer protection and public health divisions will be released after the probe is completed, officials said.

But in a 16-page statement on April 12 to a Senate committee, the AG's office reported numerous concerns with the DRT, including a slow response to engineers' reports on the Alamo's leaky roof; a serious lack of transparency in answering questions about its financial dealings; and possible misappropriation of state funds.

In May 9 testimony to a Senate panel, T.J. Higginbotham, a pro bono lobbyist representing a small dissenting DRT faction, said the AG's office has documented serious DRT misconduct and problems, which will become public one way or another.

Carter, who has applied for one of four vacant seats on the new board, challenged Daughters at last month's convention to demand better leadership, so legislation affecting the shrine wouldn't be necessary.

Daughters voted not to support the board's handling of a controversial Alamo promotions contract, but ratified most of the board's other decisions of the past year.

Some Daughters have since sent emails saying the DRT needs to fight for the Alamo, Carter said.

I've said, I'm sorry ladies, it's too late. It's done,' she said. We've done it to ourselves.

Observers have questioned whether Thompson, who declared herself at an April 12 legislative hearing to be a very dramatic person, will work well with the state. Karen Clogston, the outgoing treasurer, ran against Thompson for president last month, but lost in a vote of 253 to 191.
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas would remain Alamo custodians but have a new set of financial accountability and transparency standards under a bill State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte filed last week.

She also filed a separate bill aimed at clearly defining roles of the DRT and state agencies in caring for the shrine. Both bills give the DRT the option of charging an admission fee at the Alamo.

Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, said her main concern is the DRT's trouble raising funds for new projects, while faced with the need to repair or replace the Alamo's leaky roof. She said she's talked to Daughters statewide, including several on key committees who are delighted with her bills.

The Daughters might feel they're all on the same page. They're not, she said. But in every discussion, they've pleaded with me to remain the custodians of the Alamo.

The DRT, caretakers of the state-owned shrine since 1905, have had increasing internal unrest for two years.

A member of the Texas attorney general's office raised concerns at a hearing in Austin on Wednesday about the DRT's understanding of its fiduciary role as a trustee of the state.

First Assistant Attorney General Daniel Hodge told the Texas House Committee on Culture, Recreation and Tourism that the DRT had an inadequate or unfocused approach in fundraising and preservation.

More Information Texas House Committee on Culture, Recreation and Tourism See More Collapse

State Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City and chairman of the committee, filed similar Alamo bills in the Texas House.

Van de Putte said the bills filed late Friday would aid creation of a state-run foundation to raise and allocate funds, similar to the partnership between the Texas Historical Commission and the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg.

The Admiral Nimitz Foundation, which supports the World War II museum, recently got Charity Navigator's top four-star rating. Charity Navigator is an independent evaluator of nonprofits.

Under one bill, the DRT would send annual reports to the historical commission, governor's office and state comptroller's office. The reports would include copies of budgets, audits, meeting minutes, receipts, invoices, general ledgers, contracts and documents concerning archaeological permits.

Van de Putte said she's grateful for the DRT's 106 years of care at the Alamo but has questions about a recent $900,000 contract with William Morris Endeavor to promote the shrine. The Daughters canceled it a few months after it was signed and have said the DRT is no longer under any obligation.

Van de Putte said she also doesn't agree with the DRT's claims that the AG's ongoing civil investigation and negative publicity caused the DRT's fundraising challenges.

The Daughters, though saddened, are not surprised by the bills filed nor by the authors and are studying the bills, DRT President General Patti Atkins said Saturday.

In short, we feel the Alamo would not receive the personal attention' from a professional staff that it receives now if it were to be put in the care of a state-administrated committee, Atkins said in a statement.

The DRT remains ready to work with the committee and Sen. Van de Putte on a resolution that maintains the (DRT's) stewardship of the Alamo, she said.

Kathleen Carter, a DRT member and former Alamo Committee chairwoman, said passage of the bills and election of a new slate of DRT officers in May could give the group a fresh start.

It is my sincere hope that the governor and Legislature will give the DRT a chance to correct the problems that have been identified, she said.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

A power outage early Monday that took down Delta Air Lines computer systems made for a day of headaches at Bay Area airports, grounding at least five flights and delaying several more in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose.

Worldwide, the company scrambled to assist passengers from more than 870 canceled flights and hundreds more that were delayed. Though computer systems were back on line by Monday evening, Delta was anticipating another 100 cancellations and about 200 delays Tuesday morning.

Deltas troubles  along with a computer meltdown that caused Southwest to cancel 2,300 flights over four days two weeks ago  illustrate the fragility of the air travel industrys heavy reliance on technology that controls everything from when and where planes are dispatched to consumer websites.

Industry experts say the collapses are reminders that when it comes to airplane travel, customers should be prepared for best-laid plans to change  and should not expect airlines to give up much to compensate them for their troubles.

The Delta outage began at 2:30 a.m. in Atlanta (11:30 p.m. PDT) and affected the breadth of the airlines operations. The company offered a travel waiver to customers whose flights were impacted. Monday evening, many Delta flights were still delayed at Bay Area airports but the airline appeared to be catching up.

Three flights that were supposed to leave late Sunday from San Francisco International Airport were grounded until the morning. Those three flights and a fourth, which was supposed to depart in the morning, were heading down the runway hours later. They were bound for Atlanta, Minneapolis, New York City and Seattle, according to an airport manager. Another two flights were canceled altogether.

Inside the airport, people stood in line for more than two hours to reschedule flights as Delta employees handed out bottled water and breakfast bars and kept candy bowls at the counter.

Theyve been really nice, said Susan Kalmbach, 53, an attorney from Baton Rouge, La., who was in San Francisco for a conference with her husband, Fred Kalmbach. Theyre doing their best to keep people happy. She added with a shrug, Stuff happens.

The delay out of San Francisco meant the couple would miss their connecting flight in Atlanta, said Fred Kalmbach, managing editor of the Advocate newspaper. They were hoping to get a different flight out of Georgia to avoid what would be a seven-hour drive to get home.

Other passengers were also trying to fix soon-to-be missed connecting flights. The line for assistance stretched from the ticket counter into the hallway outside Terminal 2.

Carlos Diaz, 37, a veterinarian in Miami, was flying home with five relatives, some of whom were planning to depart to Colombia to visit a family member with cancer. But as they waited in line to try to rebook the second leg of their trip, it looked as though they would have to stay in Atlanta for the night.

I have work tomorrow, Diaz said. I have a surgery scheduled, so thats a problem.

At Oakland International Airport, three Delta departures  headed for Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Atlanta  saw delays, too. Two others, going to Minneapolis and Salt Lake City, were canceled.

An arriving flight from Los Angeles and another from Minneapolis were delayed coming into Mineta San Jose International Airport Monday morning, and an afternoon departing flight for Salt Lake City was canceled.

Delta flights leaving Bay Area airports were expected to be delayed throughout the afternoon. The company warned passengers that flight status information on its website and phone app might have inaccurate details due to a time lag.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian went on camera to apologize to customers, saying operations and customer service employees were working to fully restore the system.

But airlines are not required to compensate travelers for many of the expenses delays can cause, an industry expert said.

They are not responsible for any kind of incidental damage you suffered, says Christopher Elliott, the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine and a syndicated columnist. Technically, the airline isnt required to keep its schedule.

According to Deltas online conditions of carriage: Schedules are subject to change without notice. Delta is not responsible or liable for making connections, or for failing to operate any flight according to schedule, or for changing the schedule or any flight.

So, while Delta is offering refunds for flights that were canceled or significantly delayed, as well as one-time ticket changes without a fee, its extremely rare for airlines to cover any other delay-related loss, such as missed reservations, not boarding a cruise or a lost day at a resort.

In general, said Elliott, fliers dont have many rights, and its usually only when there might be bad publicity that airlines are willing to bend their own rules.

Its really up to Delta and up to you on what youre able to negotiate with the airline. Hotel, meal voucher, phone card  those are all things you can ask for, he said. You can get on the phone, you can connect to the website, you can be standing in line. You can be working three different options at the same time. Whichever person gives you the best answer is the one to deal with.

Michael Cabanatuan, Kimberly Veklerov and Spud Hilton are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com, kveklerov@sfchronicle.com, shilton@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan, @kveklerov @SpudHilton
Persistent nudist Gypsy Taub bared her body alongside fellow naked activists Sunday in honor of the late, famously free-wheeling Grateful Dead musician Jerry Garcia.

The march from the Castro district to the Haight-Ashbury, which was permitted by the city, had been promoted as a nude Summer of Love parade.

The group of about two dozen people congregated and disrobed in Jane Warner Plaza before hiking up Castro Street under sunny skies.

As they trudged up the hill, they waved flags and signs that read clothing optional and nude is not lewd. Taub, meanwhile, shouted various chants through a handheld microphone, including Ho ho, hey hey, body freedom is here to stay and Hey there, dude, youre no prude, get in the mood, join us nude.

Our bodies are not something to hide or be ashamed of, Taub said before the march to both participants and a slew of passersby who stopped to take photos and videos. Our bodies are meant to be celebrated.

Several years ago, San Francisco banned public nudity except at events whose sponsors obtained permits.

Taub has denounced the ban as body shaming and has been arrested for flouting the rules, including in December 2013 after she was married naked on the steps of City Hall. Roughly a year later, fellow veteran public nudity protester George Davis warned in another nude protest that the city was becoming too conservative and turning into Milwaukee.

Since then, however, Taub and other self-styled body freedom activists have trodden more official routes to public nakedness.

Last fall, a federal judge ordered the city to issue Taub and others a parade permit for a nude in and naked march. In February, Taub obtained another permit for another nude love parade, that one to celebrate Valentines Day.

Still, Taub and her group took a moment before the march to ding Supervisor Scott Wiener, who ushered through the ban, turning around in unison and mooning the assembled pedestrian paparazzi.

Cynthia Dizikes is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cdizikes@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @cdizikes
LONDON  Delta Air Lines delayed or canceled hundreds of flights Monday after its computer systems crashed, stranding thousands of people on a busy travel day.

Limited flights resumed about six hours into the outage, but passengers remained stranded by ongoing cancellations and flight delays.

A power outage at an Atlanta facility around 2:30 a.m. Eastern started the cascading meltdown, according to the airline, which is also based in Atlanta.

Flights that were already in the air when the outage occurred continued to their destinations, but flights on the ground remained there. Over the next several hours, only a handful of flights took off instead of the usual hundreds, according to flight-tracking services.

The line at the Delta counter at the San Antonio International Airport was about 40 people deep and growing early Monday morning. Passengers in line didnt know what's going on with their flights.

Panhaj Kumbhat, a resident of Dubai who visited San Antonio as part of a trip to see the United States, was told that his flight to Atlanta will be delayed at least 2 hours. He was originally supposed to reach Miami, his final destination, at 5 p.m. Monday, but now it will be 11 p.m. at the earliest, he said.

"They are not sure if the flight will be on time or not," he said. "I'm just hoping that I'll make it."

Airlines depend on huge, overlapping and complicated technology systems to operate flights, schedule crews and run ticketing, boarding, airport kiosks, websites and mobile phone apps. Even brief outages can snarl traffic and cause long delays.

A spokesman for Georgia Power told The Associated Press that the company believes failure of Delta equipment caused the airlines power outage. He said no other customers lost power.

A Delta spokesman said he had no information on the report.

In Richmond, Virginia, Delta gate agents wrote out boarding passes by hand. In Tokyo, a dot-matrix printer was resurrected to keep track of passengers on a flight to Shanghai.

Technology that appeared to be working was sometimes giving inaccurate information. Flight-status systems, including airport screens, incorrectly showed flights on time, something the company said it was trying to fix.

Not only are their flights delayed, but in the case of Delta the website and other places are all saying that the flights are on time because the airline has been so crippled from a technical standpoint, said Daniel Baker, CEO of tracking service FlightAware.com.

Delta issued an apology to customers and said teams were attempting to fix the problem as quickly as possible.

Many passengers, like Bryan Kopsick, 20, from Richmond, were shocked that computer glitches could cause such turmoil.

It does feel like the old days, Kopsick said. Maybe they will let us smoke on the plane, and give us five-star meals in-flight too! "

In Las Vegas, stranded passengers were sleeping on the floor, covered in red blankets. When boarding finally began for a Minneapolis flight  the first to take off  a Delta worker told people find friends who had wandered away from the gate area, or who might be sleeping off the delays.

Early confirmation of the troubles first came in an official account that responds to customers via Twitter. The company had said its IT systems were down everywhere. Several applications were affected, including the companys website.

Among those affected was Tanzie Bodeen, 22, a software company intern from Beaverton, Oregon. She left home at 4 a.m. to catch a flight from Minneapolis and learned about the delays only when she reached the airport and saw news crews gathered at the door.

Bodeen said that passengers were taking the matter in stride. It doesnt seem really hostile yet, she said.

The company said travelers will be entitled to a refund if the flight is cancelled or significantly delayed. Travelers on some routes can also make a one-time change to the ticket free of charge.

Computer outages are a periodic plague for airlines. Last month, Southwest Airlines canceled more than 2,000 flights over several days after an outage that it blamed on a faulty network router. Unions called for the airline to replace the CEO, but the board gave him a vote of confidence.

Investors shrugged off Deltas IT mishap. In morning trading, shares of Delta Air Lines Inc. rose 43 cents, to $38.10.

Staff writer Richard Webner contributed to this report.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Retired Spurs forward Tim Duncan has settled a lawsuit over an altered photograph showing him as an unpaid pitchman for a real estate agent with Keller Williams in San Antonio.

Agent Robert Elder, who was the agent that repurposed a Duncan photo for the Realtors professional Facebook page, has resigned from Keller Williams in the wake of the fiasco.

In an email, Keller Williams spokeswoman Sarah Marshall said the incident was a very unfortunate situation and no disrepect or harm was intended by the agents actions. In fact, the agent is a huge fan of Mr. Duncan.

We worked closely with Mr. Duncans legal team to resolve the matter in a quick and professional manner and the suit has now been settled, she said, adding that the firm takes responsibility for the unfortunate misuse of Mr. Duncans image.

Elder joined Bradfield Properties Inc. on Thursday, according to the Texas Real Estate Commissions website. He declined to comment when reached by phone Monday.

Duncans lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case Monday in Bexar County District Court. One of his lawyers, Michael Bernard, confirmed the settlement.

I think the issue is over, Bernarnd said. Elders apologized for his actions, and I think were satisfied and moving on, Bernard said

The photograph in question wont be appearing on real estate agent Robert Elders professional Facebook page again, Bernard said A nominal amount was paid under the settlement to cover Duncans legal expenses, Bernard added.

For a short time following Duncans retirement announcement on July 11, a picture of him holding a framed sign featuring Elders logo and web address was posted to the agents professional Facebook page.

Duncan, though, never agreed to be photographed holding the sign or to endorse Elder.

On July 15, Duncan sued Keller Williams, Elder and others for misappropriation of the hoop stars name and image.

The lawsuit alleged that the defendants altered an image of Duncan taken by San Antonio photographer Sara Brooke Lyons for her 1005 Faces project, which featured subjects in black-and-white photographs holding placards with a short personal message.

Duncan participated in the project, holding a handwritten message that said, Good, Better, Best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is your best.

The altered version of the photograph was posted to Elders professional Facebook page at 11:21 a.m. on July 13. A caption that appeared with the photograph said, Wow! Just WOW! TD took the time to give us some love! Thanks Tim! We love you too man!

The photograph was subsequently removed after Duncans representatives asked that it be taken down.

The Facebook account was temporarily suspended. Before the page, which has more than 4,100 followers, was suspended, it also showed pictures of actors Eva Longoria, Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne The Rock Johnson each holding a sign with the agents logo and phone number. They appear to have been removed since then.

Duncans efforts to protect his image earned kudos from Lyons.

Thanks for having my back Tim! she wrote on her Facebook page after the suit was filed. I know he's got more important things going on. What an incredible guy to be willing to fight for image rights; a battle photographers are constantly at odds with.

Duncans lawsuit sought unspecified financial damages from the defendants.

pdanner@express-news.net

Twitter: @AlamoPD
Chen Man(Left) and his brother, Chen Yi are testing SUV.

Chen Man, 53, served 23 years behind bars for the crimes of arson and murder. After Chen's wrongful conviction came to light, he was released in February and awarded compensation of 2.75 million yuan ($429,000) in May.

On Aug. 7, Chen said in an interview with Chengdu Economic Daily that he had put nearly all his compensation money in the bank. His only purchase was a 300,000-yuan SUV, which he bought for his parents. I owe so much to my parents, and I hope to help them get around with this SUV, Chen explained.

Over the past 23 years, Chens parents have worked non-stop on their son's appeal. After years of emotional upheaval, my father finally gets to relax. But already he has some ailments to deal with. It is hard for him to walk now, Chen said. In June, Chens father was hospitalized and sent to Chengdu for more advanced treatment. Reflecting on this incident, Chen said, It would have been much easier if we had had a car.

Buying a car was also Chens fathers wish. My father is a man who likes traveling but had no chance to do so because of my brothers case, said Chen Yi, Chen Mans brother. My father always wanted to visit the sea of bamboo in Yibin.

After the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, Chens parents moved from Mianzhu to Yibin, Sichuan. My parents finally lived near the sea of bamboo, but my father was so occupied with my brothers case that he never got the chance to see it. Father still occasionally mentions it, recalled Chen Yi.

In early July, Chen enrolled in a local driving school to prepare for the drivers license test.
HARTFORD  A wide-ranging group of advocates, some from underperforming schools in Bridgeport and Danbury, urged a Superior Court judge on Monday to drastically alter how Connecticut funds and oversees education in the state.

The state should not stop the case simply because there are no issues to consider here, said Joseph Moodhe, a lawyer representing the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, which filed suit against the state in an effort to force changes.

There are questions that need to be addressed by the court, Moodhe said. What we are arguing here is for the court to find that the system is unconstitutional because it is inadequately funded and inequitably administered.

The CCJEF lawsuit, filed on behalf of parents, educators and school districts, asks the court to rule that the states education system, funded by a mix of local and state money, has failed to meet its constitutional mandate to provide equal education for all students and order remedies, such as changing the funding mix.

The lawsuit notes that education spending across the state varies dramatically between rich and poor school districts and that the resulting poor performance by underfunded urban systems is inherently unfair.

The state should be applying a standard, Moodhe said. It impairs the ability of citizens to get something guaranteed by the constitution. I think we do prove our case beyond a reasonable doubt and the evidence shows a constitutional violation.

In briefs filed with the court, lawyers for the state argued the case should be thrown out, noting previous legislative reforms have addressed many of the issues raised by the lawsuit, that local school districts are separate entities not under the control of the state, and that the state is providing adequate funding for an equitable education system.

The state is expected to present its closing arguments Tuesday.

The stakes are high in the decade-old lawsuit. The judge could rule that the states education cost sharing formula and overall educational system is unconstitutional and order remedies. The Legislature would then be tasked with fixing the system.

Rich and poor

CCJEF introduced reams of data during the trial showing a huge disparity in funding, test scores and performance rates between urban districts such as Bridgeport and affluent towns such as Greenwich and Darien.

But Hartford Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher, who is presiding over the nonjury case, pointed out the states funding formula actually sends more money to poor districts than rich ones.

Richer towns were tilted by the formula, Moukawsher said. If you are looking at the formula and where the state spends its money on education, and looking for disparity, the disparities all favor your plaintiffs. For purposes of inequity, there is a disparity that that is in favor of your clients.

Moodhe noted the state constitution mandates an equal and adequate education for everyone, not just those in richer towns.

What we have argued is you have to give the tools and resources to get an adequate education, he said.

Moukawsher pressed Moodhe on the definition of an adequate education, asking if the state has to make up the difference between spending levels in rich and poor communities.

The goal of an education system is to give everyone opportunity to be college- and career-ready, Moodhe said. The evidence shows certain districts lack the resources, that they are maybe getting more dollars than Darien, but still not getting that opportunity.

Equal for everyone

Asked if spending has to be equal between rich towns and poor cities, Moodhe said he is not saying it has to be equal.

The equity analysis comes in when looking at what the state is doing to resolve the situation, he said.

Moukawsher pressed Moodhe, asking if money going to Darien should instead be going to Hartford.

I have a concern about the court setting spending levels beyond a minimum level of adequacy, the judge said. You dont need the equity argument to look at the rationality of the system.

Moodhe said the larger point is that the state is responsible for leveling the playing field between richer and poorer school districts.

The point is, if Darien is using whatever resources it has, and if Hartford is well below an adequate education, the state has to marshal resources to close the disparity that exists, Moodhe said.

Moodhe noted the court could rule in favor of the lawsuit and  while not saying how much money is necessary to fix the unconstitutional conditions  order the Legislature to solve the problem.
DANBURY - A judge has barred a conspiracy theorist from intervening in a lawsuit the families of two victims of the Sandy Hook massacre have filed against Newtown and the school district.

Superior Court Judge Dan Shaban ruled that the request to intervene in the case by conspiracy theorist William Brandon Shanley of New Haven was unwarranted.

[T]he court finds that the information proposed for submission is neither useful or otherwise necessary to the issues pending in this matter, Shaban wrote in an Aug. 3 ruling. The court has neither requested the input...nor appointed (Shanley) to file one, as there is no controversy between the parties that (Shanley) seeks to address.

Shanley had written to the court earlier this summer for permission to argue that the slaying of 26 first-graders and educators at Sandy Hook School on Dec. 14, 2012, was a federal drill.

He appeared in court in Danbury on Aug. 1, claiming that the Sandy Hook School been closed since 2008, and that the massacre was actually a fabricated event to further the gun control agenda.

During that hearing, an attorney representing the families said he didnt want to dignify Shanleys remarks by commenting. An attorney for the town and the school district said he was exercising all the restraint he had not to challenge Shanleys argument point-by point.

Two families are suing Newtown and the school district, claiming insufficient security measures were in place when a 20-year-old Newtown resident shot his way into a locked Sandy Hook School and committed the worst crime in Connecticut history.

Shanley is the third Sandy Hook conspiracy theorist to make local headlines since the beginning of the year.

 In April, a New York banker accused of angrily confronting the family of slain Sandy Hook teacher Victoria Soto and claiming the massacre never took place pleaded guilty to interfering with police, and is currently on probation.

 In January, a university professor in Florida was fired after parents of a slain Sandy Hook first-grader complained that he had contacted them, demanding proof that their son ever lived.

Shanley, who identified himself in court as a media analyst, had no stake in the families claim. But in court cases people with no stake in the case may intervene under specific circumstances - such as to clear up a controversy - by filing what is known as an amicus brief, or a friend of the court brief.

Here, (Shanleys) purpose appears to be more to intervene as a party and contest the evidence in an adversarial manner than act as a friend of the court, Shaban wrote in his ruling.

rryser@newstimes.com; 203-731-3342
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Albany

The developer of a proposed fresh food market in the city's emerging warehouse district is planning to open this coming spring in the Nipper building.

Ross Goodman, a Niskayuna attorney who is shepherding the project called the Good Market, said he has signed a letter of intent to lease first-floor space in the building at 991 Broadway, which is best known for its 28-foot fiberglass statue of the RCA "Nipper" dog that was installed on its roof in 1958.

Creation of the market, which would feature individual stalls of local businesses selling meat, produce, baked goods, cheese and more, was already well-known, but its location hadn't been finalized. The concept is inspired by famed markets in America's largest cities, like Chelsea Market in New York City and Reading Terminal in Philadelphia.

Goodman, who is also a food aficionado, said he will enter into a lease with developer Bill Barber, who is acquiring the Nipper building from Arnoff Moving & Storage.

Barber had already detailed plans for a $70 million development of the Nipper building that would call for constructing a new building next door, with both buildings offering more than 200 apartments, retail space and at least two levels of indoor parking.

In April, Sen. Charles Schumer said he will urge the National Park Service and the state Historic Preservation Office to add the Nipper statue to the National Register of Historic Places  which would make federal historic tax credits available for an adaptive reuse of the building. If such historic tax credits are used, the outside of the Nipper building would have to remain as it looks now. The building, constructed in 1906, was initially the American Meter Co. until the 1950s when an RCA distributor took it over.

The Good Market and proposed apartments are part of continuing redevelopment in an area that was once simply an industrial part of Albany. Barber is also converting the nearby former Rodgers Liquor Co. warehouse at 960 Broadway into a restaurant and apartments. Nine Pin Ciderworks at 929 Broadway also recently announced a 7,000-square-foot expansion at the location that it leases there.

Goodman said he hopes to open Good Market in May or June with a dozen dedicated vendor spaces, adding eight or more vendors in the following months as the market grows. Vendors will be satellite locations of local purveyors and restaurants, including produce and meat farmers, a bakery, wine shop and others. Among those with whom Goodman says he has had in-depth talks is Fin  Your Fishmonger in Guilderland, which is interested in opening a market selling fresh seafood, grab-and-go meals to cook at home and a raw bar with a liquor license for on-premises dining.

A similar concept, Galleria 7 in Latham, opened earlier this year and has stalls selling seafood, baked goods, meats, pizza and more.

The budget for the Good Market project is about $600,000, Goodman said, with up to 20 percent of that coming from the state's Regional Economic Development Council awards.
NORWALK  People living near Fodor Farm soon could get relief from flooding that strikes their neighborhood every time it rains heavily.

On Tuesday evening, the Common Council will consider hiring M. Rondaro, Inc., for a sum not to exceed $365,495, to install storm drainage improvements at Fodor Farm, Aviation Court and Soundview Avenue.

The Storm Drainage Improvement Project at Fodor Farm, Aviation Court and Soundview Avenue is a flood relief project that is being done to eliminate the flooding of private properties on Pogany Street, the City owned parcel of property known as Fodor Farm and to eliminate flooding within the City Right-of-Way on Pogany Street and Aviation Court, wrote Paul L. Sotnik, the citys senior civil engineer, in a memorandum provided to the council. This area is one of the six (6) areas of the City that was studied as part of the 2013 Norwalk Drainage Study prepared by Milone & MacBroom.

Under the proposed contract, M. Rondano would build a stormwater detention basin on Fodor Farm near Pogany Street, an outlet control structure, approximately 795 feet of storm drainage pipe of various sizes, and a manhole and catch basins on city streets within the city right-of-way and on the Fodor Farm parcel.

Sotnik said the area floods during heavy rainfall.

If you get three-quarters of an inch of rain in 15 minutes, its going to look like this, said Sotnik, pointing at photos of flooding on the property at 7 Pogany St. near Fodor Farm.

M. Rondano was one of three Norwalk companies to submit bids for the drainage improvement project. AMEC Commercial, LLC, proposed performing the work for $499,283. Deering Construction, Inc., offered to build the improvements for $476,395, according to the Norwalk Department of Public Works.

Pending council approval, M. Rondano would begin the storm drainage improvement project this fall and hopefully complete it by years end, Sotnik said.

In 2013, the Common Council approved a $300,000 drainage study to help alleviate flooding in six Norwalk neighborhoods.

Under the approval, Milone & MacBroom, Inc., of Cheshire, evaluated the storm drainage systems in six areas of Norwalk.

The areas were the Betts Brook watershed as well as the Oak Hills, Lloyd Road, Lawrence Street Pump Station, Park Hill and Jackson Drive, and Fodor Farm neighborhoods.
ISLAMABAD, Aug. 8 -- At least 40 people were killed and 50 others injured when a bomb went off inside the emergency ward of a hospital in Pakistan's southwest Quetta city on Monday morning, local Urdu media and officials said.

Sanaullah Zehri, Chief Minister Balochistan with Quetta as capital city, said that the blast happened when a large number of lawyers and journalists were gathering in the Civil Hospital to collect body of a local law association chairman.

He said that most of the injured people included lawyers while the dead also included lawyers and two journalists.

He said that militancy has seeped into the province like cancer and the terrorists are getting foreign funding to deteriorate law and order situation in the province.

Three-day mourning was announced in the province.

Express News said that 40 people were killed and 50 others injured in the blast that was apparently carried out by a suicide bomber.

Bomb disposal squad said that eight to 10 kg of explosives were used in the blast.

The squad said that they have found limbs from the blast site, which might be of the bomber, but more investigations are being made to further confirm the nature of the explosion.

The slain lawyer Bilal Kasi was President of Balochistan Bar Association who got killed when some unknown gunmen opened fire on his vehicle when he was on his way to office at Manno Jan area of Quetta.

The gunmen fled the scene after the attack.

Rahmat Baloch, provincial health minister said that the death toll is feared to rise as 20 among the injured people are said to be in critical condition.

He said that the emergency ward of the civil hospital was completely destroyed in the blast.

Baloch said that some of the injured have been shifted to Bolan Hospital and military hospital of the city as the Civil Hospital ran out of beds and other services to accommodate the blast victims.

He said that a state of emergency has been declared in all hospitals of the city to ensure the best possible medical treatment to the injured people.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

A heavy contingent of police and paramilitary troops rushed to the site and cordoned it off for investigations.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast and vowed to root out militancy from the country.

Following the attack, the lawyers in the province boycotted court procedures.

The explosion caused a chain reaction from the circles of lawyers from the country.

Lawyers in Balochistan and the country's southern port city of Karachi boycotted court proceedings.

The Pakistan Bar Association condemned the attack and announced a three-day mourning.
PRINCETON, Mass.  A woman out for an afternoon jog was found dead in Princeton on Sunday night after her family reported her missing. A state police source told NewsCenter 5 that the woman's body was found naked and burned.

Vanessa Marcotte, 27, a Google employee who lived in New York, was found dead in a wooded area near Brooks Station Road, about a half-mile from her mother's Princeton home.

"A preliminary review of the body has led detectives to believe this is a homicide investigation," District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said. "We do not know if this is a random act."

A state police source at the scene told NewsCenter 5 that it was not immediately clear if Marcotte was assaulted, but she was naked. The woman's hands, feet and part of head were burned, the source said.

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Show More Show Less 3 of 3





Early said Marcotte went out for a walk at about 1 p.m., and when she did not return, her family reported her missing. Her body was found about seven hours later.

"We are asking (residents) to be very careful. Right now we have an active homicide investigation going on. You can't be too careful," Early said.

Marcotte, who grew up in Leominster, was working as an account manager for Google, Early said.

"Vanessa Marcotte was a much loved member of the Google team, working in our New York office for the last year and a half, and known for her ubiquitous smile, passion for volunteer work, and love of Boston sports," a Google spokesperson said. "We are deeply shocked and saddened, and our thoughts are with her family and friends."

Anyone with information is urged to call Massachusetts State Police at 508-453-7589.
When Shahram Amiri emerged from the shadows into the spotlight six years ago, he was a young Iranian scientist who suddenly appeared on YouTube from a safe house, telling a bizarre story of having been kidnapped by the CIA.

Then, in another video that quickly followed, his story changed: He had come to the United States voluntarily to study, but desperately missed his son back in Tehran.

Soon, father and son were reunited in Iran, in a joyous scene broadcast by the Iranian government.

Then Amiri disappeared, amid rumors that he had been imprisoned. Questions, of course, went unanswered: Was he a spy, recruited by the United States for his insider knowledge of the Iranian nuclear program? Or a double agent, sent by Tehran to spread disinformation, or to learn what the Americans knew?

On Sunday the case took what appears to be its final turn.

"Shahram Amiri was hanged for revealing the country's top secrets to the enemy," Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, a spokesman for Iran's Justice Ministry, told reporters in Tehran, according to international news services and the country's state news agency. Those stories confirmed initial reports from Saturday that quoted his mother saying she had seen his body.

The American, Israeli and European search to understand the scope of Iran's nuclear program  an intelligence effort that continues  has taken many bizarre turns that have become the stuff of books and film. And the drama of Amiri's apparent double defection came in a summer of espionage efforts against Iran gone wrong. The Stuxnet computer virus was then replicating itself around the world, which ultimately revealed the sophisticated U.S.-Israeli cyberattack on Iran's nuclear facilities that many today see as a turning point in the use of cyberweaponry.

But few stories were as confusing, and at moments heart-rending, as Amiri's.

Among the side players was Hillary Clinton, the secretary of state, who said as Amiri was returning to Iran: "He's free to go. He was free to come. Those decisions are his alone to make."

Some of her emails, made public last year during the controversy over her private email server, show that her top foreign policy aide warned her that the story was about to break, but they give little insight into what happened behind the scenes.

Weeks after Amiri returned to Iran, U.S. intelligence officials described the events on ground rules of anonymity to a small group of reporters. Their story was that Amiri had been a voluntary recruit, interviewed and then placed in the agency's equivalent of a witness protection program. When he first told his CIA handlers that he planned to return, they warned him, according to the intelligence agency's account, that it would probably end with his head in a noose.

Amiri was 32 years old in 2009 when he left a university post to go on what he declared was a pilgrimage to Mecca. He disappeared when he got to Medina, in Saudi Arabia. He had left his shaving kit in an empty hotel room, and the Iranians guessed he was with the Americans  and they accused the United States of kidnapping.

He was an unlikely spy, a bit bumbling and nervous. By all accounts, Amiri was not in the inner circle around Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the scientist who had run the weapons side of the Iranian nuclear program. But Amiri had seen a lot; he worked at the academic center of research for the Iranian program. It now appears he may have begun work as a U.S. source while he was still in Iran.

As a specialist in measuring nuclear radiation, he had been to a number of sensitive Iranian sites, all of great interest to intelligence officials. According to officials familiar with his debriefing, he was among the sources who told the Americans about the internal Iranian debate over whether the country needed a nuclear weapon or just a "threshold capability" to build one on short notice without violating the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and inviting a military backlash.

By 2009, the CIA had apparently decided that the chances he would be detected were rising, and offered to get him out of the country. The agency promised him $5 million and a new identity. Amiri believed his estranged wife would never leave Iran, and he decided to go alone, without his son.

After he was interviewed in Washington, he ended up near Tucson, Arizona, under the agency's national resettlement program, which provides cover and protection for cooperative foreign spies.

He was warned of what had happened to Soviet defectors  prison and potentially execution  who had returned.
Moscow

Vladimir Putin may be on the cusp of a pivotal victory in Syria's civil war that would make it much harder for the U.S. to achieve its goal of ousting President Bashar Assad without a major military escalation.

Assad's troops, backed by Russian air power, are bearing down on rebels entrenched in Aleppo, Syria's most populous city before fighting erupted in 2011. Reclaiming Syria's commercial capital would give Assad control over all major population centers and cement his hold on land from Turkey to Jordan that makes up almost half of the country.

"Russia will stick to its guns in Syria and show the whole world we are right," said Frants Klintsevich, deputy head of the defense committee in the upper house of the Russian parliament. Driving the last rebel groups out of Aleppo within a few months is now "quite realistic," he said.

It's been almost a year since Putin stunned the U.S. and its allies by entering the conflict to battle Islamist militants and prop up an old ally, turning the tables on Western and regional powers intent on regime change. What started as a crackdown on peaceful protesters developed into a multifaceted proxy war that triggered Europe's worst migrant crisis since World War II and facilitated the rise of Islamic State.

Opposition militias in Aleppo over the weekend managed to open a route out of besieged eastern neighborhoods where about a quarter of a million people live, but renewed strikes by government and Russian forces are preventing them from securing it, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war through activists on the ground.

The joint siege of Aleppo got an unexpected boost last month when a failed coup in neighboring Turkey accelerated a rapprochement between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Putin, who called Turkey's downing of a Russian fighter near the Syrian border last year a "stab in the back."

With authorities in Ankara accusing the U.S. of complicity in the attempted coup and U.S. and European Union officials condemning Erdogan's resultant purge, the Turkish leader is turning to Putin to forge a new strategic partnership. The two leaders will meet in St. Petersburg Tuesday, a day after Putin holds talks with the president of Iran, Assad's other major benefactor.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Washington

Donald Trump is trying to shift from a disastrous stretch of his presidential campaign to one focused on policy and party unity. But even as his allies speak of lessons the political newcomer has learned, two of his staunchest Republican critics warn that he could be heading for losses in a pair of battleground states.

Trump is set to deliver an economic speech on Monday to the prestigious Detroit Economic Club. Democrat Hillary Clinton is expected to deliver her own economic plan to the club on Thursday.

The dueling Detroit addresses come as new polls show Clinton gaining ground on economic issues.

Aides say Clinton will outline her economic plans and argue that Trump is only focused on the wealthiest Americans.

At campaign events last week, Clinton questioned Trump's commitment to creating American jobs by highlighting his use of outsourcing at his companies.

Trump's populist economic message includes a vow to revive manufacturing jobs and renegotiate trade deals to benefit American workers.

"Mr. Trump on Monday will lay out a vision that's a growth economic plan" that will focus on cutting taxes, cutting regulation, energy development and boosting middle-class wages, campaign chairman Paul Manafort said in remarks broadcast Sunday on Fox Business. "When we do that, we're comfortable that we can get the agenda and the narrative of the campaign back on where it belongs, which is comparing the tepid economy under Obama and Clinton, versus the kind of growth economy that Mr. Trump wants to build."

What came before Monday's speech, Manafort suggested, doesn't count in the race to Election Day on Nov. 8. "It's a three-month campaign," he said.

Trump may have done irreversible damage in two critical states, Arizona and Ohio, with an approach to immigration reform that some say is divisive, two fellow Republicans say. Trump wants to build a wall between the United States and Mexico and now says he wants to suspend immigration from "terror countries"  though he has yet to say what those are.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who lost the Republican nomination to Trump, has not endorsed the billionaire and skipped the party's convention in Cleveland, said Trump faces a difficult climb in a state that's a must-win for Republican presidential candidates.

"He's going to win parts of Ohio, where people are really hurting. There will be sections he will win because people are angry, frustrated and haven't heard any answers," Kasich said on CNN's "State of the Union." "But I still think it's difficult if you are dividing, to be able to win in Ohio. I think it's really, really difficult."

In an interview on CBS's "Face the Nation," Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said, "Yes, it is possible" that Clinton could beat Trump in his state, noting that Bill Clinton won Arizona in 1996 and that Hispanics represent about a third of the Arizona population.

"You can't just throw platitudes out there about a wall or about Mexico paying for it and then be taken seriously here," Flake said.

Clinton is who Republicans want to see Trump fighting, not Republicans and others.

It's a message furious senior members of the party carried to Trump privately and publicly in the days after Trump last week refused in a Washington Post interview to endorse the re-election bids of House Speaker Paul Ryan, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire.
HK woman jailed in New Zealand for smuggling drugs in pork tins

WELLINGTON, Aug. 8 -- A Hong Kong woman was jailed Monday for smuggling 1 million NZ dollars (713,100 U.S. dollars) worth of methamphetamine hidden in pork cans into New Zealand.

Sui Man "Christine" Ip was sentenced at the Auckland High Court to nine years and three months in jail for importing the drug, said a statement from the New Zealand Customs service.

She would have to serve at least half her jail-term before facing deportation.

Ip arrived in New Zealand on Jan. 20 and moved into an Auckland home the same day.

Two weeks later, a package of assorted food items mailed from Hong Kong was x-rayed and Customs found three cans labeled "stewed pork ribs" were actually filled with a total of just over 1 kilogram of methamphetamine.

Customs investigators linked the package to Ip, and she was arrested at Auckland International Airport in early March as she tried to leave the country.

Customs investigations manager Maurice O'Brien said it was not uncommon for offenders to come into the country solely to "catch" and redeliver drugs.

"Customs is well aware of the tricks criminals use and has systems in place to catch them - however the drugs are canned," O'Brien said in the statement.

"We work closely with our border partners in Hong Kong to tackle shipments at the supplier end, and this is very successful."

Earlier this month Customs said a Hong Kong man could face life in a New Zealand prison after officers seized drugs worth 20 million NZ dollars (14.26 million U.S. dollars) being smuggled in sets of spatulas.

Customs officers intercepted an air cargo shipment from Hong Kong of 80 boxes of 24-piece spatula sets at the end of July, and each set came with a 250-gram methamphetamine packet hidden under the box, totaling about 20 kilograms.
SEOUL, Aug. 8 -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye appears perplexed at six first-term lawmakers of the main opposition Minju Party who left for China as they are against the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

The six anti-THAAD lawmakers reportedly left for Beijing on Monday morning to exchange opinions with Chinese experts about the THAAD deployment in South Korea. During the three-day stay, they are set to hold a meeting with South Koreans living in China and South Korean correspondence there.

The lawmakers were scheduled to meet South Korean ambassador to China Kim Jang-soo right after arriving in Beijing, but the meeting was reportedly canceled as President Park criticized their visit to China.

During her meeting with senior presidential secretaries on Monday, Park denounced their visit as it split public opinion further over the THAAD deployment. Park said she is ready to receive any criticism as she believes THAAD is aimed at protecting South Koreans from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK)s nuclear and missile threats.

Her comments were based on a wrong belief that THAAD can be a cure-all. Seoul and Washington agreed early last month to install one THAAD battery, composed of six mobile launchers, 48 interceptors and an X-band radar and a fire control system, by the end of next year.

The THAAD battery is incapable of fending off all DPRK's missiles targeting South Korea, while excluding Seoul and its adjacent metropolitan areas from the protection coverage as the battery is to be installed in Seongju county, some 250 km southeast of the capital city. THAAD interceptors have a maximum range of 200 km.

It is absurd to claim that the THAAD battery is aimed at defending from the DPRKs nuclear and missile threats as South Koreas most populous regions are excluded from protection. Rather, it indicates South Korea joining the U.S. Pivot-to-Asia strategy to supervise and check China and Russia.

THAAD in South Korea triggered strong oppositions from China and Russia as the X-band radar can peer into Chinese and Russian territories. Seoul claims it will adopt the radar with a detectable range of 600-800 km, but it can be converted at any time into the radar spotting at least 2,000 km.

As the THAAD battery is to be operated by U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), South Koreas military will have no right to intervene in the U.S. operations and will never know what is happening inside the U.S. missile base.

The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Sunday that China should pose a problem on the DPRK more strongly for its nuclear development, seeking to shift responsibility for the DPRKs nuclear program to China. Seoul has claimed that if the Korean peninsula is denuclearized, the THAAD battery will not deployed in its territory.

Such claim is ridiculous as the DPRKs nuclear development came amid hard-line policies from the United States and South Korea. As Seouls former unification minister said in a recent interview with Xinhua, the only way to denuclearize the peninsula is to hold peace talks between the U.S. and the two Koreas and change the armistice treaty after the 1950-53 Korean War into a peace treaty.

Jeong Se Hyun, who served as unification minister for two and a half years from 2002, said South Koreas super hard-line policy toward the DPRK led Seoul to be caught in a snare laid by the U.S., which he said means the U.S. military strategy in East Asia to check and pressure China and Russia together with South Korea and Japan.

President Parks office asked the anti-THAAD lawmakers to call off their visit to China. If the visit was cancelled, it would have caused more serious troubles as it means President Park blocking a try from the political circle to find a breakthrough in the THAAD issue.

Calls to review the THAAD deployment decision are running higher in the political circle. Shim Sang-jung, chief of the minor Justice Party, said on Monday that Seouls diplomacy completely got lost, criticizing the government regarding those against THAAD as pro-DPRK followers or betrayers.

Floor leader Park Ji-won of the Peoples Party, which exercises a casting vote between the ruling and the main opposition parties, said the presidential office must not ruin diplomatic relations between South Korea and China, calling for the Cheong Wa Dae to consider what is in Seouls national interests.
A 45-year-old woman has died and a motorcyclist is in critical condition after a Sunday night crash in New Braunfels, according to police.

Lisa Ann Durocher, of New Braunfels, was pronounced dead at Resolute Hospital, a news release said Monday morning.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

BOERNE  Buc-ee's is seeking economic development incentives from Kendall County and the City of Boerne to open a family travel center beside Interstate 10 at U.S. 87, a project thats forecast to cost $40 million and generate 175 or more jobs.

We think Interstate 10 in Boerne is an ideal location, Arch Beaver Alpin III, who founded the chain with Don Wasek in 1982, told county commissioners at their meeting Monday. We think this would be a fabulous market.

After a lengthy executive session that included discussions of other topics, commissioners voted unanimously to authorize County Judge Darrel Lux and County Attorney Don Allee to negotiate with Buc-ee's, according to Allee, noting Lux was cleared to sign the incentive agreement when talks conclude.

We very much welcome the opportunity, Lux said in the meeting, before the executive session.

The company is asking Kendall County to rebate to the firm one-half of the county's share of sales tax revenues to be generated by the project over the next 20 years, or a quarter of one percent.

Based on an estimated $25 million in annual sales, the amount rebated annually would be $62,500, or $1.25 million over the duration of the rebate, according to forecasts.

If the project proceeds, it would be built near the former Jennings-Anderson Ford site on the south side of I-10 on the east end of Boerne, according to Misty Mayo, president of the Boerne Kendall County Economic Development Corp.

This is, from what I understand, the largest economic development deal ever worked together, Mayo told commissioners. The Boerne City Council is scheduled to consider the incentives at its meeting Tuesday.

She said the sales tax rebates requested would cover not only the 50,000 square foot Buc-ee's store that would have up to 120 gas pumps, but also taxes generated by four pad sites at the location for which Buc-ee's would seek other tenants.

The Buc-ee's would cost about $20 million to construct and work on the four related developments would push the bottom line for the entire project to about $40 million, she said.

The City Council's meeting agenda doesn't mention the chain by name but features a possible action item to authorize the City Manager Ron Bowman to enter into an incentive agreement.

Mayo, who said Texas Department of Transportation officials are also involved with the project, said a press briefing may occur Wednesday if the unspecified loose ends come together by then.

The deal's not done, she cautioned outside the commissioners court meeting Monday. There are gigantic pieces of the puzzle that are still missing.

The chain famous for its plentiful and clean restrooms was started in Lake Jackson and now has more than 30 stores in Texas, including one that opened in 2012 on Interstate 35 in New Braunfels.

zeke@express-news.net
SAN ANTONIO  A 19-year-old man is dead and another is in critical condition following an overnight shooting Monday on the Northeast Side, according to police.

Delvonte Deon Kirk was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot twice in the head and once in the neck, according to the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office and an officer at the scene.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

A woman suspected of selling her now 15-year-old niece to a man for $6,000 is behind bars after she was arrested in Hays County last Tuesday and charged with trafficking a child.

Gloria Elizabeth Romero Perez, 31, is accused of paying for her niece to be smuggled into the U.S. from Honduras and selling her to a man, Julio Amilcar Jimenez-Ramirez, 34, who is also behind bars, Comal County Sheriff's Office Detective Anthony Moreno said.

An investigation began in April when Romero Perez called Kyle police to report that her teenage niece had run away, Moreno said.

RELATED: Feds: 2 arrested for attempting to smuggle 69 pounds of liquid meth across Texas-Mexico border

Comal County police officers located the teen at Jimenez-Ramirez's house and while authorities transported the teen back to the custody Romero Perez, the teen told police her aunt had sold her to the man and produced receipts.

The teen showed detectives two receipts from payments toward the $6,000 figure dated from Nov. and Oct. last year totaling $1,600.

Jimenez-Ramirez was subsequently arrested on April 1 for harboring a runaway child and was charged with sexual assault of a child and trafficking a child when it was found that the teen was pregnant with Jimenez-Ramirez's child.

Further investigation from the Comal County Sheriff's Office also revealed that the teen's aunt and Jimenez-Ramirez had entered into an informal pen-paper contract that stated the girl would be paid for in $600-$700 payments each month.

RELATED: Traffic stop leads to discovery of 25 migrants in South Texas stash house

The contract between Jimenez-Ramirez and Romero Perez was initiated sometime last year, Moreno said, but Romero Perez purportedly became impatient when the teen moved in with Jimenez-Ramirez and threatened to call police on the man.

"(Jimenez-Ramirez said) the aunt was extorting the money from him and he was threatened that she would tell the police and call immigration on him," Moreno said via phone Monday.

Jimenez-Ramirez is from Guatemala and is suspected of living in the country illegally.

Moreno said wire transfers indicate the teen's aunt paid approximately $6,000 for her to be smuggled into the U.S. and that Romero Perez paid an additional amount to smuggle her mother into the U.S. as well.

It appeared the woman was attempting to re-gain costs of smuggling the teen into the country, Moreno said.

RELATED: Feds: Parents used 19-month-old to help smuggle meth into US

The teen and Jimenez-Ramirez met through an aunt or family friend at a church in Hays County and began their relationship last year, according to Moreno.

The teen, who recently gave birth, is being held in Child Protective Services' care and Moreno said the child is a citizen of the U.S.

It's unclear if the teen will remain in the U.S. with her child, or if she will return to Honduras.

Jimenez-Ramirez remains at the Comal County Jail on a $523,000 bail while Romero Perez is held on a $500,000 bail.

MMedina@mySA.com

Twitter: @MMedinaNews
Joe M. Galo Jr. learned how to gamble from the best.

Working at the now-defunct Doyles Billiards in the early 1970s, Galo accompanied his boss, professional gambler and odds-maker Tony Salinas, to Las Vegas for more than a year, working as one of his runners and learning to play poker.

Salinas took him under his wing  showed him the ropes, his daughter Erika Galo said. My dad was really good  he knew when to play and when to stop.

Returning to San Antonio, Galo went on to create an investment company and start a family, but he continued to play poker regularly.

He had a couple of groups hed play poker with, his wife, Alma Avila Galo, said.

One of the groups included recently retired Spurs forward Tim Duncan, whom Galo described as a shy guy, but didnt like to lose, Alma Galo said.

Although he later gained the nickname Crazy Joe Galo, after the New York City gangster Joey Gallo, Galo was known for his even temper.

He knew how to  just let it go, Alma Galo said. Joe never really ever had anything bad to say about anybody, nor them about him.

Galo, 65, died after suffering a heart attack July 29.

More Information Joe M. Galo Jr. Born: July 17, 1951, San Antonio Died: July 29, 2016, San Antonio Preceded by: Parents Joe and Clara Gallo; mother-in-law Rebecca Avila. Survived by: Wife Alma Avila Galo; daughter Erika Galo and her fiance Wesley Drew; stepson Zachary Avila and daughter-in-law Robin; two grandchildren; father-in-law Rogelio Avila; a sister and a brother. Services: Visitation and service were Saturday. See More Collapse

A 1971 graduate of Jefferson High School, Galo started working at Doyles in his early 20s, making many friends, including members of the San Antonio Police Department.

A natural salesman, Galo was working at a restaurant supply company when he met his future wife at a birthday party on the Guadalupe River.

Everybody else was on the river tubing, Alma Galo said. We hung out together watching and talking.

Galo began working in his future father-in-laws pawnshop, Imperial Jewelry and Loan, about six months after meeting the woman who was to become his wife.

He was interested in sales so much, he wanted to learn the business, his wife said.

Galo later helped open a second location on the near North Side, managing it with his wife for 28 years.

A doting father, Galo was close to his daughter, often taking her to work with him on Saturdays.

He set up a little area for me, Erika Galo said. We bonded over music and musical instruments in the shop.

A talented cook, Galo enjoyed whipping up meals for visitors.

Anytime my friends came over  he fed us, Erika Galo said. We always looked forward to our Paul Bunyan breakfasts, which featured a large variety of foods.

Galo also had a special plan for his daughters 21st birthday.

He surprised me with a trip to Vegas, Erika Galo recalled.

Providing the full experience, Galo transported his daughter around town in a limousine, took her to shows and taught her how to win at slot machines.

I have all these little tricks I learned from him, Erika Galo said. He had feelings for it; he always enforced that if you dont feel lucky, do not play.

The trip became an annual tradition.

I was very fortunate to have such a great father, Erika Galo said. He was definitely one of my best friends.

Back at home, Galo and his wife invested in a couple of apartment buildings around 2006, doing renovations after a full day of work at the pawnshop, sometimes until 2 a.m.

We were together, even if he was doing construction, Alma Galo said. People kidded us that it must tax the relationship sometimes.

mheidbrink@express-news.net
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

On a day-to-day basis, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol reports agents seize 9,435 pounds of drugs and $356,396 in undeclared or illicit currency.

Often hiding contraband in shipments and truckloads of fruits and vegetables, the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank revealed what's done with the hundreds of pounds of fresh produce that is also confiscated in contraband seizures.

"When there's a confiscated load of any kind of illegal materials over the border or seized during law enforcement procedures, if the load doesn't have a valid destination then that food is delivered to the food bank," RGV Food Bank's Manager of Communications and Advocacy Omar I. Rodriguez said.

RELATED: 25 undocumented immigrants found behind false door on tractor trailer in South Texas

Rodriguez said the RGV Food Bank serves up to 42,000 people on a weekly basis and their informal partnership with law enforcement makes that assistance even more possible with the donation of once criminally-purposed produce.

The agreement between border law enforcement and the Pharr-based Food Banks is something that Rodriguez said is growing in frequency, but not quite a commonality among food banks and state law enforcement agencies.

"We're lucky that those things happen from time to time," Rodriguez said of the re-purposed gains. "We have had some cases where a stash house that has food is part of a smuggling effort, and we get those foods donated to us."

RELATED: Nearly $5 million in meth found in trucks hauling jalapenos, cucumbers to Texas border

While Rodriguez said the produce donations have helped, he also mentioned the produce can't always be given to families in the valley due to rotting or contamination.

One thing Rodriguez said would greatly serve the food bank is to donate the big rigs the contraband is transported in.

Rodriguez couldn't put a figure on the amount of fresh produce the food bank receives from law enforcement but estimated it ranged between "a few hundred to a few thousand pounds" of food.

RELATED: Border agents find 5 people trying to sneak into United States under 900 lbs. of oranges

The latest shipment of produce came in late June when 25 people suspected of entering the country illegally were found in a false door of a tractor trailer with a few pallets of onions.

While San Antonio does not see as many attempted smuggling cases, Michael Guerra, chief development officer for the San Antonio Food Bank, said the Bexar County Sheriff's Office is a "great partner" of the food bank, also pointing the charity in the direction of any extra food or produce they may come by in their criminal cases.

That, however, is infrequent. Instead, the instance of greater frequency is when area law enforcement contacts the food bank to assist food insecure people they have met that day.

While the agreements exist informally, Rodriguez said he hopes the state will develop a formal program designating confiscated produce for donation to food banks.

MMedina@mySA.com

Twitter: @MMedinaNews
According to an Aug. 8 report in the Beijing Morning Post, HIV is spreading faster among Chinese youth, especially via male-to-male transmission. This information comes from an official with the Center for Disease Control.

Wang Lu, an employee of the National Center for STD Control, explained that in 2013, only five provinces reported more than 100 HIV-positive students; in 2014, the number of such provinces exceeded 10, and it continued to go up in 2015.

In 2014, a total of 100,400 new HIV-positive patients were reported in China, representing a two-fold increase from 2008. But in that same period, the number of HIV-positive young people increased almost four-fold. Male-to-male transmission also increased from 58.5 percent to 81.6 percent of all youth cases in 2015.

Over the past five years, the average age of HIV-positive patients in China has been lowering. The annual growth rate of reported HIV cases in students between the ages of 15 and 24 has reached 35 percent.
Re: The other insults spewed by Trump didnt cross a line? O. Ricardo Pimentel, Saturday:

Mr. Pimentel posits that Republicans are agonizing over whether the final line has been crossed that warrants abandoning Donald Trump. As an independent, with Democrats as friends, I would add that many non-Republicans are battling the same issue. As has been said many, many times already this election season, theres not much to choose from for president from either major party.

To be fair, we would like to see Mr. Pimentel author a similar column on Hillary Clinton. This is a serious request. There is plenty of material to work with, as there was with Trump.

I dont know if experiencing Barack Obama as president for the last 7 years has simply lowered the bar to the point that no self-respecting American wants to run for office. But our country is in a serious dilemma with seemingly no way out.

H.A. Kreger

Income growth

Re: No revolution if theres no civilization, Brian Chasnoff, July 28:

Brian Chasnoff wrote, (Bernie) Sanders repeated on Wednesday that the top 1 percent earns 85 percent of income, although that claim is outdated; in the past two years, it fell to 52 percent, according to Politifact.

That claim is actually for the share of growth in income since 2009, not total income at any one point in time. This makes a big difference.

Politifact gets its information on this from a report by the Economic Policy Institute. It says (right in the first full paragraph) that the top 1 percent captured 85.1 percent of total income growth between 2009 and 2013 (and that share has now fallen to 52 percent).

Notice it says income growth, not income. What it discusses is the share of new income going to the top 1 percent. They mean the share of income growth.

When the Census Bureau reports on incomes every year, usually the top 20 percent of households have 50 to 55 percent of the income. So the top 1 percent would have much less than that in total income share. Onpage 9, it shows that the top quintile in 2014 had 51.4 percent of all income.

Cyril Morong, Ph.D., associate professor of economics, San Antonio College

Messenger blamed

First Bill Clinton meets with the attorney general for a half-hour on her plane and wants us to believe that conversation was about their grandchildren. Sure.

Then a Supreme Court justice gets on TV, attacks the Republican candidate and says she will not excuse herself if there are any disputed election outcomes. Sure.

Then the HUD secretary violates the Hatch Act. Then the chairman of the DNC leads a sabotage of Bernie Sanders to rig the nomination. Sure.

And now they blame Russian spies for hacking their emails. Sure, kill the messenger.

These folks are all graduates of prominent law schools. Several are even law professors. What insane stuff are they teaching by doing these unethical acts? And Julian Castro, the HUD secretary, does not know of the federal Hatch Act limits? Unbelievable!

And, as always, the Clintons plead ignorance and blame others for their actions. Remember I did not have sex with that woman? They havent changed.

How sad. How shameful.

John Sanchez

Democratic blinders

Re: Rep. Castro: Cruz, Texas GOP gave birth to Trump, Brian Chasnoff, front page, July 30:

Really! What about the Republicans from all the other states who supported him? And doesnt President Barack Obama deserve some, or most, of this credit?

Joaquin Castro has the usual Democrats blinders on: See no evil, hear no evil. Wish he was a more intelligent representative.

Refugio Fernandez

A new tomorrow

The racial issues must end. Blacks must respect whites. Whites must respect blacks. Love must replace hate. The past must be let go.

Prayer services must replace rallies. Authorities must treat all lives the same.

The entire world must respect authority. Forgiveness must come before pride.

Tomorrow must be a new day.

Helen Dugosh, Boerne

What price growth?

Re: Development regulations cost consumers, Scott Farrimond, Other Views, Aug. 1:

According to Mr. Farrimond, we are just devastating the San Antonios labor force by having regulations forced onto the innocent, development sector. It creates all these jobs and everyone gets a cut. Its win-win!

Clean air and available water are valuable resources that, once lost, cannot be regained easily. Developers seem compelled to pave and build over every square bit of land until there is no more. Poor planning, in pursuit of short-term profit, has decimated cities facing challenges from climate change and denser populations. If added cost is the only way to force developers to slow down and consider long-term consequences, so be it.

Traffic, infrastructure and city services are considerations conveniently missing from this commentary. Another thing missing is his optimistic assumption of great incomes in San Antonio. Texas still maintains a poverty-level minimum wage of $7.50 an hour, and nearly half of Texans have no access to affordable health care because of the states refusal to expand Medicaid. So we have a poorer, sicker population, and no amount of development will change that.

There is more to economic output than development. Slanted arguments to benefit a small slice of industry, while many are mired in working poverty without health care, is a blatant lobby for a higher profit margin. As for me, more unaffordable housing for the many is not worth losing irreplaceable land, water and air resources.

Teri Frey
There is, in an exhibit at the former Federal Reserve Building that is now Bexar County property, a 1717 letter from Spanish Capt. Juan Manuel Rebolledo outlining why the site that is now San Antonio should be turned into a settlement. A map, on loan from Spain, sits across the exhibit room. It paints a picture of what he was proposing.

This is history. And how it is exhibited, and the level of public access to it, is a model for how the 39,000 pieces of the Daughters of the Republic of Texass own collection of Texas history should be shared.

Those who care about San Antonio and Texas history can be reasonably assured that this will be the case. Concern for the future of the collection followed a DRT/state conflict over ownership, which resulted in the collection moving from its old home at a library on Alamo grounds.

The DRT and Texas A&M University-San Antonio have entered into an agreement that loans the collection to the university, this after the DRT won a settlement in court that the collection did indeed belong to it and not the state.

Bexar County has negotiated a two-year lease with TAMUSA  with three one-year renewals possible  to store the collection in the 90,980-square-foot building, which the county bought in 2014 for $6.5 million.

County commissioners are set to approve the agreement this week. If approved, a new treasure will be housed in a vault where billions in U.S. currency was once stored.

After a tour of the facility last week, we believe this is an appropriate site, with all the features  climate control in the vault and in exhibit spaces, and room for exhibit and research  suitable for archiving the valuable collection.

To secure artifacts from Spain for an exhibit now under way in the building, the county had to meet standards set by the American Museum Association. This is why its certain that the building is also suitable for the DRT collection. County and university officials have pledged controlled and safe access for the public, students and researchers.

It is a tribute to County Judge Nelson Wolff, Commissioner Paul Elizondo, Bexar Heritage & Parks Department Director Betty Bueche and County Clerk Gerry Rickhoff that they stepped up after it became clear that a proposed home for the collection at Centro de Artes on Market Square wouldnt do.

And it is a credit to Texas A&M-San Antonio President Cynthia Teniente-Matson and the DRT that theyve finalized their own agreement and found a good home for the collection. Teniente-Matson said she intends that the former Federal Reserve Building be the collections permanent home.

The DRT collection is expected to be moved there in six months. The DRT has said the collection is now stored safely. An added benefit to the cultivation of the building as suitable for museum-quality storage and exhibit is that the county can confidently ask the University of Texas at Austin for the return of Bexar County documents loaned to it years ago.

This comes in time for San Antonios 2018 tricentennial celebration and will be a win-win  if pledges are honored, archiving and exhibit standards maintained, and public and researcher access assured.
Pushing backward beyond the penal substitution atonement theory we reach back all the way to Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury (1033  1109). In 1098 he published his views on the atonement in Cur Deus Homo (Why Did God Become Human?) in which he proposed what became known as the satisfaction atonement theory. Anselm felt that the commonly accepted christus victor theory which had been around for a thousand years of Christian history no longer communicated the gospel clearly to his contemporaries. He also felt it granted too much power and authority to the Devil.

The satisfaction atonement theory can best be understood when seen in light of the historical context in which it emerged. The dominant social structure of the time was the feudal system; a carefully managed series of reciprocal obligations. Lords living in castles offered protection to villagers (vassals) and kept the community in order by maintaining justice and the rights of the people. In return, vassals honored their lords by paying homage in words, deeds and the payment of money or goods. On the religious scene, it was a time in which penance was practiced as a way of obtaining forgiveness for sins committed.

Although Anselm may not have been conscious of it, he framed his theological beliefs about atonement according to the worldview of his culture and contemporary church experience. So the hypotheses of the satisfaction atonement theory are quite predictable: God, the Lord, provided a perfectly balanced world for humans to inhabit. Yet, by disobeying God, humans offended his honor and sent the universe spinning out of kilter. In order to escape punishment in hell, humans must satisfy the debt due Gods offended honor which will allow God to restore order to the universe. However the problem is that an offense against an infinite God can never be paid by a finite person; it had to be paid by another infinite person  which would need to be God himself. That is why God sent the God-man, Jesus, to suffer and die in order to provide satisfaction to God and restore his honor, although Anselm insisted that the divine part of Jesus was spared the suffering. What makes this theory operative is that this excess penance is then transferred to all who believe this narrative and the need for punishment is eliminated. Fait accompli!

There are some positive things to be said about this theory. Anselm succeeded in explaining to his contemporaries what Jesus accomplished on the cross using images easily intelligible to them. Furthermore, his theory deals with sin in an objective way and on a cosmic level by offering a psychologically plausible way of confronting the problem; it appeals to common human perceptions of right and wrong, guilt and innocence, and punishment and pardon. And, unlike in the penal substitutionary theory, Anselm does not present a wrathful God intent on punishing sin, but focuses on Christ willingly satisfying or paying the debt we owe.

But there are some significant weaknesses in the satisfaction atonement theory as well. One of the most significant is that it forms the basis for the penal substitutionary theory that emerged in later centuries. While it can be argued that Anselms theory portrays God in a more positive light, it was not a big step to move from the Lord whose honor was offended to a stern Judge intent on punishing sin. But there are other problems with the satisfaction atonement theory itself:

It makes God subservient to an order in the universe that requires him to demand satisfaction, and that in a violent manner. Virtually all of Anselms images are drawn from his environment and little attempt is made to synchronize them with biblical language. Two texts frequently used to defend this theory are Romans 3:21-26 and Hebrews 9: 7-12. However, close scrutiny of these texts reveals that the focus is on the process of cleansing or purification of sin; there is not even a hint of satisfaction rhetoric present. It presents a non-biblical quid pro quo dynamic; we did something bad to God, so now God must make us suffer in return. This concept is antithetical to Jesus teachings about how forgiveness works. Once a debt is paid and the books are balanced, what is there to forgive? By focusing so intently on dealing with the debt of sin, there is little emphasis given to the impact of a restored relationship and what impact that will have on relationships with others. For Anselm, redemption is all about gaining freedom from indebtedness, whereas the biblical concept of redemption is about gaining freedom from slavery to sin; once freed from sin we become servants of God. It makes God complicit with evil. According to this view God needed the violent death of an innocent man, so he ordained it and saw it through. However in the process he uses evil men with their evil devices. Does that mean that Christs followers can also participate in evil if we hope to bring some good out of it in the end? As in the penal model, this theory alienates the persons of the Trinity from one another, this time in the process of restoring honor. This is an illogical notion of a kingdom divided against itself? By insisting that on the cross it was only the human Jesus who suffered, Anselm places Jesus divinity in a protective bubble and so does violence to the whole concept of the incarnation. By rooting his understandings in feudalism, the penance system and Greek philosophy, Anselm reinforces the notion of an angry, demanding God. This theory privileges the concept of retributive justice over restorative justice.

More than a millennium after Jesus death, Anselms satisfaction atonement theory opened the door to a second millennium dominated by thoughts of divine punishment for human sin as the only way to avoid eternal damnation in hell. So our search for more satisfactory atonement rhetoric continues.
Zheng shakes dust out of a large dustpan. Her skillful movements make it look easy. (Photo/Chongqing Commercial Daily)

Zheng cuts a sweet potato to make hog feed. (Photo/Chongqing Commercial Daily)

Zheng eats lunch. (Photo/Chongqing Commercial Daily)

Zheng watches a TV series. (Photo/Chongqing Commercial Daily)

Zheng threads a needle. (Photo/Chongqing Commercial Daily)

As incredible as it may seem, a 109-year-old woman still participates in farm chores in her home in Chongqing. The Chongqing Commercial Daily recently profiled Zheng Shixiang, who lives in the city's Tongnan district. Born in 1908, Zheng turned 109 on July 31.

Zheng lives with 28 of her children, grandchildren and other family members. Together, her household spans five generations. Zheng's loved ones often remind her to take it easy and leave the farm chores for younger workers. However, even then, Zheng does the work secretly.

"I still feel healthy. I would feel uncomfortable if I sat still and didn't do anything," she explained.

"My mother can never be idle. She has worked hard her entire life," said Ji Shengyan, Zheng's 73-year-old son. According to Ji, Zheng still helps to harvest pumpkins and ragweed, wash dirty laundry and with various other tasks. "She even did farm work on her birthday," Ji added.

Ji told the reporter that Zheng enjoys watching TV, especially Kung Fu and war series. She sometimes watches her favorite programs until midnight.

According to the town's governor, there are currently four centenarians living in the area. Zheng is the oldest one.
Thieves use Bluetooth devices to steal consumer card data while filling up at the pump.

DALLAS  A local Dallas news station reports that police have uncovered Bluetooth skimming devices from five gas stations.

The Dallas Police Departments Financial Crimes Unit has recovered five devices that capture credit/debit card information, as well as the PIN and zip code, of cards used at gas pumps. These devices were inserted inside of the pumps and therefore not identifiable to customers, and the data is transmitted to a laptop located in a vehicle on the stations lot or in a nearby lot.

Lt. Tony Crawford told the news source that what makes these skimming devices scary is the Bluetooth capability, meaning the thief does not have to retrieve the device to recover the data. To prevent skimming from occurring, the police department says that businesses should physically inspect pumps on a regular basis and place tamper evident seals on them.

"When it gets to the point where the bad guy doesn't even have to be there to get the information, it's disconcerting," Crawford said.

Crawford noted that the thieves break into the pump with one of several keys used by station attendants or federal and state officials conducting inspections.

"As technology advances, so should your knowledge of how to protect yourself from high-tech criminal behavior," Crawford said.

Skimming is a top concern for fuel retailers. NACS (in conjunction with Conexxus) and The Pinnacle Corporation have launched the SkimDefend app that works alongside tamper-evident NACS WeCare decals. Together, the decals and app help retailers identify potential security breaches when fuel dispensers or other unattended PIN-entry devices are opened to install skimming mechanisms.

Convenience store operators can download the SkimDefend app free of charge for Apple and Android mobile devices, and the NACS WeCare decals can be purchased at nacsonline.com.

For more on skimming and gas stations, read Secure Your Pumps from the May issue of NACS Magazine. Additional skimming resources are also available at nacsonline.com/skimming.
 . If you do not agree with the blocking, please use the Access to the chat has been blocked for violating the rules . You will be able to participate again through:. If you do not agree with the blocking, please use the feedback form

The discussion is closed. You can participate in the discussion within 24 hours after the publication of the article.
KANSAS CITY  The Kansas City Star reports that the McDonalds of the Future officially opened its doors in St. Joseph, Missouri, complete with table service and all-you-can-eat fries.

Im an entrepreneur, and its about being creative and taking risks, McDonalds franchisee and owner of the new restaurant, Chris Habiger, told the new source. The demand has been off the charts, and we are doing the best we can to take care of our customers as quickly as possible. But it has been outstanding how many people are as excited about the McDonalds of the Future as we are.

Menu items offer more grilled options and gourmet sauces like pico guacamole, and toppings allow for customization of burgers and chicken sandwiches. Customers can place their orders via large kiosks or from the traditional counter; and there is a separate counter for McCafe beverages and a new dessert bar, which features signature sundaes, twist cones and a variety of toppings.

The restaurant offers armchairs and couches for patrons to relax, and an interactive play area for kids is three stories with digital and projection games.

Habiger held a press conference back in April announcing the new McDonalds concept, and a Facebook page has plenty of video and pictures that showcase the restaurant from its ground-breaking to the grand opening.
The convention was an overwhelming experienceand a deeply sleep deprived one, sleep deprivation on the new-parent scale. Only now am I able to process a bit, and I invite you to join me.

I headed into the convention with no expectations; I had never been to one before, and wasnt sure that past conventions would be much guide, anyway. But the fact that I had no expectations is actually important, because it reflected to me the failure of Bernies campaign to organize, train and/or instruct us much as we headed into the convention. In the vacuum, we self-organized. We created a Facebook page closed to all but delegates. We created Google groups; we created Slacks; we created grassroots whips.

But we had no unity of vision about our purpose as delegates; we had no guidance on the possible, or on what Bernie wanted us to do. Sure, he held a couple of conference calls in the run up to the convention, telling us in the end that we might have a floor fight about rules, but nothing else, the platform and nomination was set. And the floor fight on the rules may not be necessary, Bernie told us. Why then, was it so important for us all to be there?

By and large we really were ordinary people, true grass roots, for whom the costs of the convention were very high; why did we have to goas Bernie kept telling us to goif we werent going to fight for his nomination, his platform, a rules change? Were we simply leverage in the committee negotiations?

Rumors flew: Was the lack of a minority report on the platformspecifically on the TPPa deliberate choice by the campaign, or an accident? No minority report foreclosed the opportunity for floor action. Should we lobby superdelegates, try to get them to flip for Bernie? Or would we just piss people off? Should we object to being human props in a four day Clinton commercial, and if so, how? Quietly opt out of applause, quietly protest, or be more disruptive? Not only was there discord on tactics across state delegations, there was discord within delegations as to the proper way to behave.

In the days before the convention I opted into helping organize an action I found on a Facebook postthe neon Bernie shirts for the night of Hillary Clintons acceptance speech. The point of the shirts was to be visibleboy, were they visible in the endand to be pro-Bernie without being overtly anti-Clinton. On front and back the shirts said: Enough is Enough Bernie Sanders and had a Bernie birdie. The original concept had been rather confrontational; to put them on suddenly when Clinton began speaking Thursday night. Instead many arrived for the seven-hour stretch in the convention center already wearing them. To me they were a marker of the strength of the Bernie wing of the party, a sort of visual reflection of the coalition he was pitching instead of our being subsumed into the mainline party.

We successfully distributed some 800 shirts, probably 750 of which went to delegates, and the rest to spouses/kids. Fewer than that were worn on Thursday, because some shirt-possessors left early; some because they hadnt realized the shirts were for Thursday and wore them early, some because they chickened out. Others were very disappointed to only at the last minute clue into the opportunity, when all the arrangements had been finalized a week before the convention. Still, we were visible enough to make the news, and many of us appreciated seeing Dennis Kucinich don one.

I realize the shirts read like a digression from my riff on: Why were we there? But it was a tangible answer I could relate to: We were there to be visible; we were there to show our commitment to issues and values we didnt believe the national party or our nominee embodied. We were there to insist enough really is enough.

Heading into the convention, this was my answer; but we were 1800 delegates, and many had other answers. California came organized for protest, leading many chants, holding many signs. California was stashed in a corner that made it less visible in general camera sweeps, but the news found them anyway. New Yorkvery visibly on the floor, front and center, because New York is Clintons home statehad some who booed, some who protested with signs, some who joined chantsbut in all it was a much tamer delegation than California, more cowed by all the DNC and Clinton people coming to get them in line, get them on messageand to block them with bodies and official signs when the New Yorkers had the temerity to hold up anti-TPP or anti-fracking signs.

On Thursday night, California had been infiltrated such that Clinton delegates received counter chant instructions for Clintons speech; the idea was for them to drown out CA-inspired protestors. Protest chant first, then the counter chant:

No More War vs. USA

Walk the Walk vs. Hillary

Stop the TPP vs. Hillary

Ban Fracking Now vs. Hillary

Twice the instruction was to join in:

CAB: Love is Love vs. HD: Love is Love

CAB: Black Lives Matter vs. HD: Black Lives Matter.

(An aside about chants; Ive participated in hundreds over the years, the first being One Two Three Four US Out of El Salvador back in the mid-70s, and Bernie delegates used three tautologies that just really irked me: Love is Love, Walk the Walk, and The People United Will Never Be Divided. That last bothered me the most, because the original: The people, united, will never be defeated actually means something; its a call to ordinary folk to have the courage to face power. Similarly people dont Walk the Walk unless were talking dance moves; Walk the Talk is all about integrity and also has a purpose. And whats the point of Love is Love?)

Speaking of walking the talk, during Hillarys speech New York had a chant and self-made signs that was neither drowned out nor hidden, either because it threaded the needle between protest and support or because it was so impotent (it didnt catch on much past the delegation). Regardless, the chant was: Get It Done, and was used for Clinton applause lines like building an economy that works for everyone not just those on top. It was a riff on her mantra that shes a Progressive Who Gets Things Done but was also really a way of saying Walk Your Talk. Official Together signs became, with a bit of construction paper, marker and tape Get It Done Together signs.

The National Nurses came with Robin Hood hats for the Bernie delegates, a couple thousand in all, and I wore mine with pride daily. The point wasnt just general redistribution, we were to use the hat as a way to talk about a financial transaction taxBernies tax on Wall Street Speculation.

The angrier Bernie delegates, and some of the resigned but issue-committed, looked to Californias militancy with longing and respect. Others questioned their judgment; I spoke to one Bernie delegate who was a state legislator in her day job, and said California was being counterproductive. She told me a tale of a prized progressive policy that died in her state house because of the disruptive protests and rude protestors on the hearing day (Im being deliberately vague because I didnt ask permission to use her story publicly). Now the topic is taboo, not because of the merits, but because of the protestors. Nor was she anti-agitation as a whole; she admitted that sometimes shed call up grass roots allies and ask them to make noise, to demand policy progress, because it helped her move things forward. Her critique was more time and place, more tactical, and she pointed out the Clintons long memories.

This protest disunity was reflection of the Bernie campaigns failure to organize us and, frankly, of the grass roots activist nature of much of the delegation. Bernie spoke to us at breakfasts, and sent us messages, telling us that we should not protest from the floor. But a significant number of delegates dismissed the dont protest from the floor message as coming from his staffers who were newly loyal to Clinton, and not from him; others simply didnt care, feeling his endorsement of Clinton was a betrayal that freed them from following his direction; others were sure he understood that his delegates would protest; rumors had it that he sat near California and gave them thumbs up.

Regardless of the wisdom of the tactics, anti-TPP protesters couldnt understand the backlash against themprotesters were threatened with and occasionally faced the loss of their credentials, their key to the door to the convention. After all, the platform and Clinton are officially anti-TPP, so why were they off message? I mean, we Bernie delegates understood that Clinton is not to be trusted on the TPP even before Terry McAuliffe opened his mouth, but still, officially anti-TPP signs should have been on message. The fact that they were treated as treasonous reflected the commitment to controlling the optics and THE message.

How dare delegates want to be anything on the floor beyond human props? Of course, they couldnt enforce prop-dom; enough Bernie delegates avoided the card trick at the end that the cameras didnt show it, and they couldnt make us hold up the forest of signs they kept giving us. Still, we were constantly disabused of any notion that we were present for a meeting of a political party having a substantive conversation, and the only way to opt out completely of being extras in the commercials was to simply leave, which many did.

The most dislocating experience was General Allens speech, with so many military brass on display, and the fight between No More War and USA. That was chilling. Note, No More War is not: War Criminal! Or similarly disrespectful stuff; its simply a demand not to make our present worse with more hawkish interventionist regime change wars and war-actions.

In many ways the highlight of the convention for me happened on Thursday, but not at the convention proper. Bernie delegates were welcomed to a panel of speakers that included Ben Jealous, Nina Turner, Larry Cohen, Rosario Dawson, and two others whose names Im blocking on; she was newly-made national co-chair of the Working Families Party, and he was a young activist entertainer. There in that room of a few hundred Berners, hearing these organizers and leaders, I renewed my commitment to continuing the revolution. I was with my tribe, I felt the love, the purpose, the commitment.

As the panel said: So, now its true we have to play defense: the threat of a Trump presidency must be defeated, which means electing Clinton.* But were not going to just play defense. Were in this struggle to make America ever more just, and that requires offense: changing the terms of the debate; setting the agenda; electing people who will carry out the agenda. We can play both defense and offense simultaneously; and Team Bernie is in it to win it.

*I agree with Bernie and his surrogates that Trump must be defeated. Yes, I think Clintons election risks more war, reinforces our grotesque political economy status quo, and risks the TPP. I am enraged she is my choice. But Scalias seat is open, and the courts majority hangs in the balanceis Kennedy the swing vote, or someone to his left?even if the other aged justices stay on the bench through the next presidency. And some may not. Equally motivating for me, Trump inflames our racists and xenophobes, hurting our nation. I believe we must soundly reject the hate on election day. Finally, I think his fragile ego and impulse control issues make for dangerous recklessness.

And, Ill admitthough it does not motivate my voteIll be glad weve had a woman president, albeit the wrong one, because I believe it matters. And not just to my nine year old daughter. Ill never forget, when I was gathering signatures to be a Bernie delegate, the 97-year old woman who refused to sign saying: I dont care if shes wrong, I want to see a woman President before I die.

I realize many of you disagree with my decision to help elect Clinton. Im not interested in arguing with you. Vote your conscience.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

As Obamas second term winds down, hes been burnishing his legacy. (For a suitably jaundiced take, see Black Agenda Report here, here, here, here, and here.) One such legacy, for good or ill, is Obamas eponymous ObamaCare, and the Journal of the American Medical Association recently allowed him to burnish that program on its own glossy pages. I touched on Obamas JAMA write-up briefly here, but I think this is a sufficiently important topic  and the piece so full of falsehood, meretricious reasoning, and erasure  for a full post. Heres the whole piece: United States Health Care ReformProgress to Date and Next Steps (JAMA. 2016;316(5):525-532. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.9797).

In a past life, I used to read style guides for a living (really!). And style guides are especially important for medical journals: Their articles are highly structured so that time-pressed professionals can scan for information quickly; but the structure, the typography, the layout, and especially the lavish footnotes also function as a sort of trade dress, guild vestments, an impervious cloak of credentialed professionalism. So when Obama presents his Abstract in structured form, as the JAMA Style Guide demands, using the headings Importance,  Objectives,  Evidence,  Findings,  and Conclusions and Relevance hes speaking as a professional, to professionals, and conforming to a professionals ethical and technical standards. (But wait: Since when  lets be frank here  does an opinion piece on political economy have findings? Does Thomas Friedman have findings? Paul Krugman?)

The JAMA editors classified Obamas article as a Special Communication (at top left of page). Here are the requirements the JAMA Style Guide lays on Special Communcations:

Note: JAMA publishes very few of these types of articles: ordinarily, fewer than 6 per year. These manuscripts describe an important issue in clinical medicine, public health, health policy, or medical research in a scholarly, thorough, well-referenced, systematic, and evidence-based manner. Depending on the content, either a structured abstract or unstructured abstract is required. Maximum length: 3000 words of text (not including tables, figures, or references) with no more than a total of 4 tables and/or figures and no more than 50 references.

I contend that Obamas Special Communication is not scholarly, not thorough, not well-referenced, and not evidence-based.[1],[2] In addition, I believe that Obamas policy recommendations (Conclusions and Relevance) are wrong. Because these points are all so obvious, this will be a very short post!

Obamas Special Communication is not Scholarly

To me, the essence of scholarship is disinterest, in the old school sense of the word: Not lack of interest, in the sense of indifference, but freedom from interest, in the sense of not being invested in outcomes. (Last week there was a wonderful long-form article in the Times, The Brain That Couldnt Remember, that turns on just this point.) A scholar will follow where the evidence leads; the ideal scholar is ruled by curiosity, not merely by ambition, and certainly not by greed or lust for power. (See, e.g., Shevek in Ursula LeGuins The Dispossed, or the protagonists of C.P. Snows The Affair, where a miscarriage of justice in a case of scientific fraud is rectified through the discovery of new evidence, followed by the cut and thrust of academic politics.) It must be said that not all academics are scholars[3], which is why paradigm shifts take so long, and why science proceeds one funeral at a time! Of course, these days, when university administrators think of themselves as executives, and have structured teaching and research like a tournament where only a few stars collect winnings in the form of corporate funding, my idea of scholarship may seem old-fashioned, even naive or quaint. But thats the concept I grew up with and Im sticking to it.

Assuming, then, this understanding of scholars and scholarship, I dont see how Obamas piece can possibly be scholarly. I am not making the argument that Obama is directly or formally conflicted as JAMA editors understand the term. Obama, in common with all JAMA authors, submitted the required ICMJE Conflict of Interest form (PDF), and although the form is kept private, the editors must have approved it. The form focuses heavily on Relevant financial activities outside the submitted work, and Obama submitted his financial disclosure form at whitehouse.gov (PDF). However, the form also includes Relationships not covered above:

Use this section to report other relationships or activities that readers could perceive to have influenced, or that give the appearance of potentially influencing, what you wrote in the submitted work.

So, when a President, who is also the head of his party, writes a piece on statute that bears his name, in an election year, against an opponent he and his party are depicting, rightly or wrongly, as a dangerous lunatic, and against a party that wants to repeal that statute, there are no relationships or activities that give the appearance of potentially influencing what he wrote. If thats how it is, fine. Editorial judgement controls. But can Obama possibly be disinterested? No. Exactly as, in a campaign, the candidates time is the most valuable asset the campaign possesses, so too with a Presidents time, when governing. Its simply not credible that the White House would invest Obamas time in this article, in the midst of a campaign, with no political end in view. I grant that Obamas article is not as gross as a pharmaceutical salesmans puffery; but despite the trappings of scholarship, this Special Communication is not scholarly. As we shall see when we look at what Obama omits.

Obamas Special Communication not Thorough and not Well-Referenced

Is Obamas communication thorough? Here are Obamas policy recommendations. From the Abstract:

Findings The Affordable Care Act has made significant progress toward solving long-standing challenges facing the US health care system related to access, affordability, and quality of care.  Despite this progress, major opportunities to improve the health care system remain. Conclusions and Relevance Policy makers should build on progress made by the Affordable Care Act by continuing to implement the Health Insurance Marketplaces and delivery system reform, increasing federal financial assistance for Marketplace enrollees, introducing a public plan option in areas lacking individual market competition, and taking actions to reduce prescription drug costs. Although partisanship and special interest opposition remain, experience with the Affordable Care Act demonstrates that positive change is achievable on some of the nations most complex challenges.

Nowhere in the article does Obama discuss single payer programs. Its as if a simple, rugged, and proven single payer system for provisioning health care did not exist sixty miles north of Burlington, Vermont, and Canada was just a blank space on Obamas policy map. Besides Canada, Australia, Spain, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom all have health care systems that fall on the single payer, universal health care spectrum. And yet Obama, who purports to discuss review the factors influencing the decision to pursue health reform, does not mention them.[4] Obamas meretricious approach is about as thorough as that of a phlogiston advocate who omits to discuss oxygen. Fine, advocate away, but lets be clear that advocacy, and not scholarship, is whats going on.

Is Obamas communication well-referenced? We apply the same logic; scan the notes, and you will find no references to single payer systems (simple, rugged, proven) in other countries at all. Its as if Obama was writing a paper on public policy for sepsis, had his own theory, and refused to cite the work of Semmelweis, because Austria was the blank space on that policy map. Could such a paper be said to be well-referenced?

Obamas Special Communication is not Evidence-Based

Its hard to see how an article that is neither thorough nor well-referenced could be evidence based, and so this section would be redundant, were it not that Presidential candidate Hillary Never, Ever Clinton also claims to take an evidence-based approach to health care. However:

[CLINTON:] Its important to be guided by evidence about what works and what doesntnot ideology or personally held beliefs.

Clinton then proceeds, exactly as Obama does, to entirely erase single payer from the discussion. As I wrote then:

[S]ince the mid-70s, when Canada adopted its single payer system, weve conducted the largest controlled experiment in the history of the world. Weve had two political systems spanning the same continent, both nations of immigrants and once part of the British empire, both mainly English-speaking but multicultural, both with Federal systems, and both with a free market system backed by social insurance. And the results of the experiment? The evidence? Canadian-style single payer wins hands-down.

How can any Special Communication that ignores such evidence be evidence-based? Again, tendentious advocacy is fine  thats what Viewpoints are for  but surely JAMAs editors could have avoided the deceptive labeling?

Obamas Proposed Public Option is a Terrible Idea

Finally, the public option always pops up when single payer gets traction, and liberals always suck all the oxygen away from single payer by pushing it, making single payer politically infeasible. For those unfamiliar with this ugly history, the links here and here are must-reads. From the first:

The people who brought us the public option began their campaign promising one thing but now promote something entirely different. To make matters worse, they have not told the public they have backpedalled. The campaign for the public option resembles the classic bait-and-switch scam: tell your customers youve got one thing for sale when in fact youre selling something very different. When the public option campaign began, its leaders promoted a huge Medicare-like program that would enroll about 130 million people. Such a program would dwarf even Medicare, which, with its 45 million enrollees, is the nations largest health insurer, public or private. But today public option advocates sing the praises of tiny public options contained in congressional legislation sponsored by leading Democrats that bear no resemblance to the original model. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the public options described in the Democrats legislation might enroll 10 million people and will have virtually no effect on health care costs, which means the public options cannot, by themselves, have any effect on the number of uninsured. But the leaders of the public option movement havent told the public they have abandoned their original vision. Its high time they did.

And so, again, Obamas is the very reverse of disinterested; in fact, he could be said to be giving certain factions of the political class a set of very familiar marching orders.

My own view is that the public option is, in fact, incredibly dangerous. Its a classic neoliberal approach, that puts government provisioning of services within, and in competition with, market forces. Presumably, the public option would be one of the services available on the ObamaCare website. Now transpose that implementation to the provision of dignity in retirement, and imagine a Retirement Marketplace with Social Security as the public option right next to the various heavily marketed 401(k) plans. Can you imagine  even, in your minds ear, hear  the drooling from Wall Street at that prospect?

Conclusion

I probably took more time pointing out Obamas failures as a putative scholar than I should have, but as a child of scholars, I experience the crapification of scholarship keenly, and to see the trappings of scholarship used to cloak a public relations effort thats part of a political campaign fill me with disgust. Again, advocacy is fine, but label it as such.

But the public option is also a sort of policy earworm, impossible to get out of your head once you hear it. It sounds like such a good idea, and I can even imagine that the Clinton administration would propose legislation for in 2017. But its no substitute for single payer, and I argue that creates a very dangerous precedent.

NOTES

[1] Obamas Special Communication also has 64 footnotes, not no more than 50, but what editor would not eagerly defer to a sitting President on such a trivial matter?

[2] Therefore, I believe that JAMAs editors misclassifed Obamas piece, which should have been a Viewpoint. Here are the requirements for a Viewpoint article, again from the Style Guide:

These papers may address virtually any important topic in medicine, public health, research, ethics, health policy, or health law and generally are not linked to a specific article. Viewpoints should be well focused, scholarly, and clearly presented and must have no more than 3 authors. The text should include the full name, academic degrees, and no more than 2 institutional affiliations for each author. Maximum length: up to 1200 words of textor 1000 words of text with 1 small table or figureand no more than 7 references. Viewpoints not meeting these guidelines will not be considered.

You will note that the requirements that Obamas Special Communication does not meet  thorough, well-referenced, and evidence-based  are not levied on the authors of Viewpoints. Further, since Obamas article transparently pushes a view  and the political view of one faction of the Democrat party, if it comes to that  it might as well go under the heading for articles that do such things. And for the sake of not degrading the piece to the Piece of My Mind content type, Ill issue a good-for-one-time-only pass on scholarly.

[3] Nor are all scholars are academics; they arent.

[4] Single payer advocates were certainly factors influencing the decision; erased then, erased now:

NOTE

I want to thank Roy Poses of Health Care Renewal for correspondence on this matter that helped me clarify m views. It is only fair to say that he disagrees.
A pioneering patent for free-floating graphene production technology (Nanowerk News) A novel process for producing single layer graphene sheets has been invented by CRRs chief scientist, Larry Fullerton. Cedar Ridge Research (CRR) has received U.S. patent 9,334,168 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the process. It leverages the diamagnetism properties of graphene to synthesize defect-free monolayer graphene as a free-floating structure. The new patent is CRRs third patent for its free-floating graphene production technology to be issued by the USPTO since May of 2014 and the second to issue within the last six months.

CRRs process for generating a floating continuous graphene film builds upon the traditional chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The process involves generating an even plasma distribution to produce a glow discharge of ionized carbon atoms at a desired rate that controls the continuous growth of a graphene film suspended over an alternating polarity magnetic structure having a sufficient gradient to float graphene in a stable manner. The free-floating growth process requires virtually no raw materials or surface preparation and eliminates the metal etching and transfer issues that lead to atomic-scale flaws that reduce efficiency. Graphene film produced using this process can be free of undulations, grain boundaries or defects that may cause uneven build-up of the graphene into a polycrystalline structure.

The process also enables processing of the graphene during its production including using lasers to draw conductive circuit board traces, applying other atoms using stereo lithography to build nanostructures, and activating carbon and mixing impurities to produce semiconductors.

Our initial investigations have demonstrated an effective technique to economically produce high quality commercial scale graphene without the use of any growth substrate simply by utilizing the interplay between a magnetic field and the diamagnetic nature of graphene. This permits the growth of pristine defect-free films and alleviates the need to remove a film from a substrate after it has grown to its desired size and shape, said Larry Fullerton.

CRRs free-floating graphene production technology has the potential for substantially increasing the rate of graphene adoption by enabling volume production of high quality graphene sheets as well as graphene sheets tailored to meet specific application requirements.
'It just flipped': Busch details final season with Joe Gibbs Racing in 'Race for the Championship' In the latest episode of USA Network's "Race for the Championship," Busch describes the change at JGR and is introduced with a new team.
As part of its ongoing fight against Daesh, Iraq has ordered 36 F-16s from the United States, at a cost of more than $2 billion. The last delivery was made in February, when the United States delivered two F-16 jets.

The international US-led coalition against Daesh includes more than 60 nations and has been conducting airstrikes against the terrorist group in Iraq and Syria since August 2014.
Tipperary's Padraig McCarthy is out of the Olympic Games in Rio after a fall on Monday afternoon in the cross country section of the Three day Eventing.

The fall rules the Grangemockler man out of the rest of the event, which finishes with the showjumping.

McCarthy later told RTE that he was hugely disappointed at the fall and subsequent disqualification.

However he confirmed that both he and his horse were fine after the heavy fall.

While he was disappointment to be first out of contention, especially as the team had performed so well in the opening dressage event, he was confident that the remaining members of the team would continue to perform well at the event.

It just didn't work out for me and puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the team but they have huge experience and I'm sure they wil make up for my blunder, he said.

McCarthy said the fall wasn't as bad as it may have looked on television and he didn't require any medical attention after it.

The cross country was a very tough course but that's what you expected in Olympics, he said.

He said he was disappointed to be the first of the Irish team out of the event as a lot of hard work and preparation had gone into getting the team to Rio.
The former officers and directors for Midwest Bank & Trust have reached a $26.5 million settlement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. over charges of negligence during the financial crisis.

The settlement, reached late last month, puts to bed another one of the slew of legal cases stemming from the mortgage bust. The agreement was reported by Crain's on Thursday and confirmed by an FDIC spokesman Friday.

None of the 18 former officers and directors are said to have admitted liability in the Chicago-based bank's failure, which occurred in May 2010. The agreement did not specify whether any of the defendants would contribute to the settlement from insurance policies, the Crain's story said.

The April 2013 lawsuit charged Midwest leadership with making $100 million in bad loans, and for not properly analyzing whether the borrowers could repay.

Additionally, the suit claimed that bank held "unusually" large investments Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities, which were wiped out in 2008 when the firms were placed into conservatorship.

Midwest, which $3.2 billion in assets at the time of its failure, was absorbed by the $26 billion-asset FirstMerit in Akron, Ohio.

First Merit is currently in the process of selling to the $72 billion-asset Huntington Bancshares in Columbus.

Kristin Broughton contributed to this story
"Our website is unblocked in Turkey. Starting 10 a.m. Moscow time we began to receive messages from users that the website is accessible again. We started checking this information and it is actually working," Mahir Boztepe said

The website of Sputnik's Turkish bureau was blocked on April 14 by the Turkish telecommunications regulator. Turkey's Golbasi District court backed the decision. The former chief editor of Sputniks Turkish bureau, Tural Kerimov, was denied entry to Turkey, stripped of his accreditation and residence permit in the country.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Anvar Mammadov - Trend:

Financial Monitoring Service under Azerbaijans Financial Market Supervisory Body has added Turki Mubarak Abdullah Ahmad Al-Binali (Bahrain), Faysal Ahmad Bin Ali al-Zahrani (Saudi Arabia), Tuah Febriwansyah (Indonesia) and Husayn Juaythini (Palestine) to the list of legal and physical persons, who are subject to international sanctions for their support of terrorism, said the report of Financial Monitoring Service posted on its website.

Moreover, Algerian citizen Farid Aider and German citizen Daniel Martin Schneider have been removed from the list.

These changes were made in accordance with the updated international list of the Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council against ISIL (Daesh) and 'Al Qaeda'.

The list is updated in accordance with the UN Security Council's decisions and the information received from regional organizations.

According to an order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan, the international list is approved and updated by the Financial Monitoring body on the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The service also makes the approved list available for the monitoring and supervisory bodies. In the case of detection of properties and money belonging to legal entities and individuals specified on the list, these subjects of monitoring and supervisory bodies must inform the Financial Monitoring Service, without performing any operations with these properties and funds.

Financial Monitoring Service was established February 23, 2009.

The monitoring of the service covers activities of credit, insurance and reinsurance organizations, professional participants of the securities market, pawn shops, investment funds, transactions with precious metals and stones and purchase products from them, activities of non-governmental and religious organizations, organizers of lotteries, people providing services of the real estate sales, as well as lawyers, accountants, real estate transactions, client money, securities and property, client bank and deposit accounts.
(NaturalNews) Here is a quick pop quiz. What happens if we lie to the government? What happens if the government lies to us? Does it matter who does the lying? (Story by Andrew P. Napolitano, republished from https://www.lewrockwell.com/ .)Last year, the Obama administration negotiated an agreement with the government of Iran permitting Iran to obtain certain materials for the construction of nuclear facilities. It also permitted the release of tens of billions of dollars in Iranian assets that had been held in U.S. banks and that the courts had frozen, and it lifted trade sanctions. In exchange, certain inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities can occur under certain circumstances.During the course of the negotiations, many critics made many allegations about whether the Obama administration was telling the truth to Congress and to the American people.Was there a secret side deal? The administration said no. Were we really negotiating with moderates in the Iranian government, as opposed to the hard-liners depicted in the American media? The administration said yes. Can U.N. or U.S. inspectors examine Iranian nuclear facilities without notice and at any time? The administration said yes.It appears that this deal is an executive agreement between President Barack Obama and whatever faction he believes is running the government of Iran. That means that it will expire if not renewed at noon on Jan. 20, 2017, when the president's term ends.It is not a treaty because it was not ratified by a two-thirds vote of the Senate, which the Constitution requires for treaties. Yet the Obama administration cut a deal with the Republican congressional leadership, unknown to the Constitution and unheard of in the modern era. That deal provided that the agreement would be valid unless two-thirds of those voting in both houses of Congress objected. They didn't.Then last week, the president's deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, Ben Rhodes, who managed the negotiations with Iran , told The New York Times that he lied when he spoke to Congress and the press about the very issues critics were complaining about. He defended his lies as necessary to dull irrational congressional fears of the Iranian government I am not addressing the merits of the deal, though I think that the more Iran is reaccepted into the culture of civilized nations the more economic freedom will come about for Iranians. And where there is economic freedom, personal liberties cannot be far behind.I am addressing the issue of lying. Rhodes' interview set off a firestorm of criticism and "I told you so" critiques in Capitol Hill, and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee summoned him to explain his behavior. It wanted to know whether he told the truth to Congress and the public during the negotiations or he told the truth to The New York Times last week.He apparently dreads answering that question, so he refused to appear and testify. One wonders how serious this congressional committee is because it merely requested Rhodes' appearance; it did not subpoena him. A congressional subpoena has the force of law and requires either compliance or interference by a federal court. Rhodes' stated reason for not testifying is a claim of privilege.What is a privilege? It is the ability under the law to hide the truth in order to preserve open communications. It is a judgment by lawmakers and judges that in certain narrowly defined circumstances, freedom of communication is a greater good than exposing the truth.Hence the attorney/client and priest/penitent and physician/patient privileges have been written into the law so that people can freely tell their lawyers, priests and doctors what they need to tell them without fear that they will repeat what they have heard.Executive privilege is the ability of the president and his aides to withhold from anyone testimony and documents that reflect military, diplomatic or sensitive national security secrets. This is the privilege that Rhodes has claimed.Yet the defect in Rhodes' claim of privilege here is that he has waived it by speaking about the Iranian negotiations to The New York Times. Waiver  the knowing and intentional giving up of a privilege or a right  defeats the claim of privilege.Thus, by speaking to the Times, Rhodes has admitted that the subject of his conversation  the Iranian negotiations  is not privileged. One cannot selectively assert executive privilege. Items are either privileged or not, and a privilege, once voluntarily lifted, cannot thereafter successfully be asserted.The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee should subpoena Rhodes, as well as the Times reporter to whom he spoke, to determine where the truth lies It is a crime to lie to the government when communicating to it in an official manner. Just ask Martha Stewart. One cannot lawfully lie under oath or when signing a document one is sending to the government or when answering questions from government agents. Just ask Roger Clemens. Stated differently, if Rhodes told the FBI either what he told Congress or what he told The New York Times  whichever version was untrue  he would be exposed to the indictment.Ben Rhodes is one of the president's closest advisers. They often work together on a several-times-a-day basis. Could he have lied about this Iranian deal without the president's knowing it?Does anyone care any longer that the government lies to the American people with impunity and prosecutes people when it thinks they have lied to it? Does the government work for us, or do we work for the government?Read more at: https://www.lewrockwell.com/
The D.U.M.B. Virus = Deformations (from) Unbelievable Mosquito Bites

(NaturalNews) Zika virus doescause birth defects in human babies. This hoax is now officially debunked. Zika virus was discovered about 70 years ago, and since then, no deformations of human babies have ever been associated with it.Think of zika as the new swine flu, where the CDC is pushing propaganda to scare everyone into an upcoming mass vaccination program that brings in millions of dollars for the biotech, pharma and vaccine industries, including Monsanto, Bayer and most likely Merck. Remember last year when the CDC admitted that the flu shot contained the wrong strains, but told everyone to "get in anyway," just in case? They sold over 200 million shots, filled with mercury, MSG, aluminum and formaldehyde. Here are the facts about zika on a timeline for your educational convenience:1947: Zika virus is discovered in the Zika forest in Uganda, Africa. An arbovirus of the genus, zika is similar to dengue and yellow fever, and the first human cases are described. Identified outbreaks in Southeast Asia and Oceania follow, and cases in Africa are documented by the early 1960s.2007: Yap epidemic (an island in Pacific Ocean) documents first large scale epidemic, where three quarters of the local population are infected with zika, butbirth defects are reported.Genetically modified version of the zika virus is developed by a British biotech company called Oxitec (Oxford Insect Technologies), with funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.October, 2009: Beginning of the first outdoor trials of GM transgenicmosquitoes on the Caribbean island of Grand Cayman. Genetically engineered mosquitoes allegedly fight the spread of dengue fever, yellow fever, chikungunya and zika virus June, 2014: Sumitomo Chemical Company, associated with Monsanto, manufactures and releases pyroproxyfen chemical larvicide and weed killer for distribution in Latin America, because Roundup is no longer killing the weeds. Pyroproxyfen produces malformations in mosquitoes.August, 2014: WHO (World Health Organization) recommends spreading deadly poison pyroproxyfen on state drinking water in Brazil to combat mosquito problem, because mosquitoes are breeding in standing water supplies.Massive spreading of pyroproxyfen using planes over poverty-stricken areas ensues.May, 2015: WHO and the Ministry of Health estimate more than 1 million "suspected" cases of zika "virus disease" occurring in Brazil.By the end of 2015: Up to 4,000 children in Pernambuco are born with congenital malformations, including microcephaly (small heads).February, 2016: Physicians in Brazil report benign disease dengue-zika is spreading among the population, and is being transmitted by themosquito.March, 2016: Brazilian Ministry of Health jumps to make the assertion that the rise in microcephaly cases in newborns is directly linked to the zika virus.Research reveals (but is buried by mass media) that previous zika epidemics didcause birth defects in newborns, even though affecting certain countries  like Columbia  at a rate of 75 percent of the population. In fact, there are zero records of microcephaly on record.Brazilian doctors confirm that chemical "control" is not decreasing the number of mosquitoes.Zika virus is detected in 18 of the 26 states in Brazil.The Gates Foundation releases GM "genetically modified" male mosquitoes to breed with females to produce malfunctioning babies that are deformed and can't reproduce.Here is why you're better off just getting the zika virus than risking taking an experimental vaccine: Zika "disease" is really more of a minor flu, usually accompanied by a low-grade fever, minor joint pain, headache and rash. Some people experience diarrhea, abdominal pain or constipation. Microcephaly was never associated with zika, until the latest hoax spread across the mass media. Remember the swine flu hoax? Millions of people ran out to get the vaccine, only to find out it didn't work, and actually caused horrific side effects.Beware! Population control is being applied across the world, and the main form of "contraception" is delivered by toxic inoculation of teenage girls and pregnant women: from the toxic HPV vaccine, to the hoax swine flu, and soon to mass zika (DUMB) shots for all the terrified, feeble-minded sheeple. What's next, a common cold vaccine?These vaccinations are disguised as infectious disease immunizations, but in reality, they are nothing more than severe health detriment, income for Big Pharma and population control mechanisms, with a goal of immediate population cessation and reduction by the billions. The U.S. government infiltrates with this agenda across the globe, in countries where there are population overloads and where non-white, low income families are the majority, such as in African nations, India, Brazil and inner cities of the United States.
Vermont was the first state in the nation to enact GMO-labeling

Corporate interests 'watered' down Vermont's clear labeling law

Survey shows Americans unlikely to check QR codes for GMOs

(NaturalNews) Vermont announced on Tuesday that it is no longer enforcing GMO-labeling following the passing of a federal law that gives food companies the option to disclose the controversial ingredients through digital, off-package labeling. Vermont said mandatory labeling in the state will stop immediately despite the fact that the new federal law will not go into effect for two years.The news serves as a detrimental blow to consumers and health food advocates who fought tooth and nail for the right to know whether their food has been genetically altered with another organism's DNA.In 2014, Vermont became the first state to enact GMO-labeling. Though victorious, the achievement was short-lived. The legislation requiring companies to disclose GMOs on food package labels went into effect July 1, 2016, before being repealed just one month later.The Grocery Manufacturers Association, a front group for Big Food, fought hard to destroy the law, filing a lawsuit in federal court challenging it as unconstitutional. However, the suit is now irrelevant and will likely be thrown out.Some say Vermont's implementation of GMO-labeling was the catalyst for the federal government to quickly outlaw true labeling before other states followed suit. Dozens of states were considering GMO-labeling proposals, while others such as Maine and Connecticut had actually passed such measures.Vermont's Attorney General, William H. Sorrell, said that although GMO-labeling is no longer mandatory, he hopes companies will continue to disclose the controversial ingredients."We successfully defended our law for two years, and as a result many companies are now disclosing that their products are produced with genetic engineering," said Sorrell."We hope they will continue to do so going forward, not because our law requires it, but because it is the right thing to do."The AG expressed disappointment over the fact that Big Food clearly influenced the legislation passed at the federal level."It is unfortunate that corporate interests were ultimately able to water down Vermont's clear disclosure standard through the passage of this federal law."Sorrell said that Vermont plans to stay involved in the process of GMO-labeling. "My office intends to take an active role as the labeling fight shifts from the legislative process in Congress to the regulatory process at the USDA."The federal law, drafted by Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and ranking Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, allows food companies to disclose GMO ingredients through digital QR codes accessed by a smartphone.The law is seriously flawed for two reasons. Firstly, most consumers do not have the time or desire to scan food packages with their smartphones to try and decipher which ingredients are GMO . This is impractical for even health conscious consumers eager to know if their food is genetically modified.Secondly, the percentage of GMOs in a food product that qualifies for QR code labeling will be decided by the future USDA Secretary. The person in this position is almost always (no matter which party is elected president) supportive of the chemical and agriculture industry.In other words, they will have little incentive to label GMOs transparently.As predicted, a recent poll found that most Americans are "highly unlikely" to use their smartphones to determine whether a food product has GMO ingredients.Out of the approximately 1,000 adults surveyed, 21 percent said it is "not too likely" that they would check QR codes with their smartphones, while 38 percent said it's "not likely at all."Thirty-one percent of surveyors also said that if they could see clearly that the food contained GMOs, they would be "much less likely" to buy it.Big Food of course knows this, which is why they fought so hard to squash genuine GMO-labeling.
All of this for a virus that has been here for decades and is patented?

Creating 'sub-populations' of tougher to kill mosquitoes?

(NaturalNews) The state of Florida is about to make a decision that it can't take back: Releasing scores of genetically modified mosquitoes in a bid to wipe out other mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus.Following approval by the Food and Drug Administration, a field trial that would see the release of the GM mosquitoes is set to take place in the Florida Keys. While Gov. Rick Scott has been vocal in his demand that federal agencies step up their efforts to help eradicate the virus-carrying insects, the way in which the government is set to approach the problem could be disastrous.Late last week, the FDA released a final environmental assessment of the trial (see how fast the bureaucracy moves when an administrationit to?), issuing a finding that GM mosquitoes "will not have significant impacts on the environment." The project, which is being led by Oxitec, a biotechnology firm focusing on insect control, calls for releasing thousands of GM malemosquitoes. These are bred in a lab to kill off as much of a local mosquito population as possible, through the passing on of a gene that is fatal to any offspring of wild females.But despite the FDA's approval of this experimental procedure, the agency doesn't have the final word on the matter. Oxitec must still win approval from the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, which will vote on the issue after surveying local residents later this fall.Past surveys have shown support for the experiment from a majority of respondents, but there have also been some very vocal opponents. Those critics believe that there could be major environmental implications after the mosquitoes eliminate much of the local mosquito population.The truth is, however, that the Zika virus has been around for a while. And there is little evidence that the virus is the cause of a spike in cases of microcephaly, asfounder/editor Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, reported just days ago . As further noted by, the virus has been around for about seven decades now. Not only that, but the virus is marketed by two companies, and the Rockefeller Foundation owns the patent on the virus. LGC Standards (headquartered in the UK) and ATCC (headquartered in the US) are the two marketing firms.As for the field test of GM mosquitoes in Florida, they have already been trialed. reported that, in fact, the Zika outbreak is in the same area in Brazil where GM mosquitoes were released in 2012 the current viral spread. In July 2012, reports, the GM mosquitoes  from Oxitec  were deployed to combat mosquito-borne Dengue fever. Those particularmosquitoes were engineered to pass on a gene that caused the vast majority of offspring to die before they matured. The operation was generally successful.However, Dr. Ricarda Steinbrecher published concerns in a 2010 study that a known survival rate for the GM mosquitoes of 34 percent meant that there should be further study before they were released. Other scientists shared her concerns then and since, but they have been ignored.They shouldn't have been. Later reports noted that Brazil is third in the world in its use of tetracycline  an antibiotic, in its food animals. Research has shown that food animals excrete about 75 percent of what they are given, meaning tetracycline is omnipresent in Brazilian soil.Enter Oxitec's GM mosquitoes. In its own report , the biotech company said that even a small presence of tetracycline could dramatically increase the survival rate of the offspring mosquitoes  to as much as 15 percent. That means that the GM mosquito plan could be a lot less effective than hoped.But even without the tetracycline, Steinbrecher explained, a "sub-population" of genetically modifiedmosquitoes could theoretically develop and thrive  and cause even greater problems.Is Florida about to open itself up to a strain of genetically modified mosquitoes that will both spread diseasenot respond to biotechnology?
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

The physical volume of exports of Azerbaijani goods to Russia increased significantly in 2016, Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Russia Alexey Ulyukaev said.

He made the remarks in Baku at the first meeting of the Azerbaijani-Russian and Russian-Azerbaijani Business Council.

Trade between our countries experiences a number of difficulties due to the fluctuation of exchange rates and decrease in energy prices, Ulyukaev said. But along with this it should be noted that the physical volume of exports of Azerbaijani goods to Russia, in particular of plant production, has grown. We attach great importance to the expansion of economic cooperation with Azerbaijan.

He said that the use of business opportunities is a worthy response to price volatility in the energy resources market.

Our economies need to gradually move away from dependence on oil and gas, Ulyukaev said.

Economic cooperation between the two countries actively develops not only in the energy sector but also in other areas, in particular in the financial sector, he added. Activity of VTB Bank in Azerbaijan, as well as investment of State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) into the Russian banking sector and real estate are a clear example of this fact. Such mutual activity is very important for the expansion of our cooperation.

SOFAZ invested $540 million, or 1.4 percent of the portfolio in VTB Banks shares, while $133 million, or 0.4 percent, were invested in the acquisition of the Gallery Actor trade and office center in Moscow. SOFAZ has a 2.95 percent stake in the second largest Russian VTB Bank.

VTB Bank JSC is represented in Azerbaijan through its subsidiary VTB Bank (Azerbaijan) JSC. VTB Bank (Azerbaijan) provides services to corporate business small business clients and private clients. Today the bank is represented by 14 subsidiaries and Customer care office at the head office.

In the first six months of 2016, exports to Russia fell by 4.72 percent compared to the same period last year, while imports - by 4.59 percent, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan.

Russia continues to remain one of the main trade partners of Azerbaijan - in the last six months of 2016, Russia took the second place in the trade turnover of Azerbaijan, the first place in terms of imports and the sixth place in terms of exports.
A lunar artifact used in NASA's Apollo 11 mission has reportedly been sold off at an auction - by mistake. Now, the artifact has been thrust at the center of a legal dispute against the director of Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, Max Ary.

The lunar artifact, which is a national treasure according to government officials, is none other than the bag used by Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. This was used in the Apollo 11 mission almost 50 years past. It was used to contain the first samples of rocks from the moon.

Despite its historical importance, the bag was mistakenly sold at a government auction in 2015. It was reportedly Ary who had stolen and sold off a number of space artifacts from NASA, most of which were on loan for the Cosmosphere and Space Center. Investigations claim that the bag was discovered during a search of Ary's premises in 2003.

A decade later, the bag was said to have been sold to an Illinois resident, Nancy Carlson. Carlson had bought the lunar artifact for $995. It was then sent to NASA's Johnson Space Center for proper authentication. Once NASA had been notified of the sale, the artifact was withheld from Carlson, who had sued the agency in hopes of acquiring the bag back.

Apparently, there were two bags which had the same inventory identification numbers which caused the confusion. The other bag was used for the Apollo 17 mission, which was aboard the Lunar Module Challenger. It was this bag that Ary had sold during the 2001 auction for a price of $24,150. This bag was recovered by the government.

Now, federal prosecutors are seeking aid from the federal judge from Kansas, who had handled Ary's case, to rescind the sale and offer a refund to Carlson for the lunar artifact. On the other hand, Ary has been released after being imprisoned from 1976 to 2002. He still claims innocence for the lunar artifacts sold from his home.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved of the genetically modified mosquitoes on August 5.

According to The Scientist, Hadyn Parry, the CEO of Oxitec, the firm that is producing the GM mosquitoes stated that "We've been developing this approach for many years, and from these results we are convinced that our solution is both highly effective and has sound environmental credentials"

Though FDA has approved the use of the mosquitoes, it does not mean that they are approved for commercial use. The agency has specifically stated that the mosquitoes "will not have significant impacts on the environment."

As per the field trial that was conducted by Oxitec in Brazil, the release of the GM mosquitoes helped drop the dengue cases up to 90 percent.

The British company, Oxitec also explains that the male mosquitoes are made in such a way that their offspring will cease to live even before they reach an adult stage. This way, the population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, that cause diseases like dengue and Zika, can be reduced to a great extent.

For further understanding, Oxitec wants to perform a field trial in Florida Keys to check whether the GM mosquitoes help in effectively bringing down the Aedes aegypti population.

According to the FDA, "Oxitec is responsible for ensuring all other local, state, and federal requirements are met before conducting the proposed field trial, and, together with its local partner, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, to determine whether and when to begin the proposed field trial in Key Haven, Florida." The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District will also decide when and if the field trial should be done in Key Haven, Florida.

However, it has been noticed that the people in the Florida town are not too keen to have the test in their locality.
Do black holes have an exit? Or do they lead to another universe? A recent study says black holes can be "back doors" to other areas in the universe.

CLAIM: Black holes 'back doors' to other parts of universe... https://t.co/ReDkIXwrCA  DRUDGE REPORT (@DRUDGE_REPORT) August 5, 2016

Understanding black holes and the mystery of the black "void in space" has been the target of many scientists. Even cosmologist, Stephen Hawking wanted to redefine black holes by saying that there is a possible exit when something fell into them and there's a possible way to escape.

Although not at all similar to what Hawking believes, another theory suggests that there can be an exit to a black hole and it may be a "back door" to different areas of the universe.

The recent study by physicists from the Institute of Corpuscular Physics in Valencia was published in the journal Classical and Quantum Gravity. The study looked into the center of "motionless" black holes. According to the research, the black holes have anomalies and capabilities that might lead to a back door to other parts of the universe.

"Just as crystals have imperfections in their microscopic structure, the central region of a black hole can be interpreted as an anomaly in space-time, which requires new geometric elements in order to be able to describe them more precisely," Gonzalo Olmo, a Ramon y Cajal researcher at the University of Valencia said in an interview.

Initially, it is believed that whatever falls into the center of the black hole won't be able to survive. But testing the gravitational singularity and the space-time curves, some say it is not the case. The recent study suggests that black holes can be wormholes that can lead to other parts of the universe and that there might be a way out in the center of black holes.

But, it is only possible for objects that will survive the "horrific" process where the object will be extremely stretched in order to travel through the black hole's "back door." But any object that will pass through and was stretch are said to regain back its normal size upon reaching the other side or the universe and after passing through the black hole that serves as a wormhole.

Some might not believe this possibility, but some experts say that in order to understand the behavior and capabilities of black holes, it is worth to know that the laws of physics that the Earth knows doesn't apply to black holes. Because of the properties of black holes, that defy the logic of physics, it is a good medium for scientists to study and explore possibilities unknown to men before. "Black holes are a theoretical laboratory for trying out new ideas about gravity," Gonzalo Olmo said in a statement.

Although theoretical in nature, the result of the study will pave the way in understanding more mysteries of the universe including quantum entanglement also known as the nature of elementary particles.
Villagers in Thailand are using an unlikely alternative source of energy: cow poop.

Thailand is known to be one of the big consumers of fossil fuels in Southeast Asia. But the residents of Pa Deng village, which is nestled in one of Thailand's rural forests far from electrical grids, are advocates of clean energy. Apart from using solar panels to light up their homes, they use cow dung to fuel their stoves.

Wisut Janprapai, 44, found out from a friend from Myanmar that cow manure could be used as fuel for a cooking stove. With no access to power lines, Wisut and his neighbors decided to give the idea a try.

According to Phys.org, nearly 100 families in the rural network are running their small stoves on blue bio-gas balloons fed with cow manure and other organic waste. The balloons made of polyester create methane gas after bacteria break down the organic wastes inside, and the methane powers the resident's stove.

The alternative fuel source is healthier and more sustainable than burning wood, and villagers will no longer need to look for kindling, a resident said.

Being an off-the-grid village, Pa Deng had only experienced its first spark of electricity 10 years ago when solar panels were installed in the village. The residents were instructed and educated about maintenance and repair of solar panels, trading their crops with academics in exchange for information on how to use renewable energy sources, Inhabitat reports.

According to Phys.org, successive governments have warned of a potential energy crisis in the country unless people start harnessing new power sources. Most of Thailand's energy is funneled to Bangkok, where some of its luxurious malls consume more energy than an entire province.

But the country is now investing in renewable energy sources and plans to increase its use of clean-burning fuels by 25 percent in the next five years.
Its widely known, especially since 9/11, that surveillance cameras are everywhere. Many Bay Area police departments use a network of security cameras to keep the public safe.

But the use of surveillance technology is coming to a head in Orinda where one vocal critic says public cameras are violating privacy rights of residents and people who visit the small East Bay city. He also contends that their use is fraught with potential danger because they provide a way for someone to amass license plate numbers of cars caught on camera, which he says can be used to track people.

The Orinda Police Department began installing 16 Reconyx brand portable surveillance cameras at public intersections starting last July. The city hasnt disclosed the locations of the cameras, but they are easy to spot. They look like little gray boxes, and theyre attached to stop signs and traffic poles. The Investigative Unit found cameras at major intersections and residential streets.

Several other East Bay cities, including nearby Lafayette and Danville use the Reconyx cameras, too. The cameras are intended to assist law enforcement by capturing images of fleeing thieves. But since the cameras are motion activated, they snap pictures of anything in their path. That includes joggers, dog-walkers, and schoolchildren.

NBC Bay Area

City Policy Makes Pictures Public Records

According to Orindas policy, the photos captured by the cameras are considered public records accessible upon request. That means someone can obtain a cache of pictures of people going about their daily routines.

A request for photos submitted by the Investigative Unit produced 5.7 million pictures covering a 90 day period  the length of time the city maintains the records.

NBC Bay Area

That volume is staggering to some, including Orinda resident, Jack Paulus.

Given what people can do with access to millions of these images, he said, this is not something that the government should be collecting.

He says because the photos are date and time-stamped, anyone can click through the photos to determine when and how children walk to school, for instance.

Whats more alarming, Paulus says, is that anyone can apply computer software to the photos to search for cars and determine when theyre caught on camera. He says it allows someone to determine a persons travel patterns. He calls the photos dangerous information to release to the public.

If I can go ahead and search on anyones license plate number and see their commuting schedule and who travels in their vehicle and see their children walking to school, Paulus said, that is an invasion of privacy.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a San Francisco-based privacy advocacy organization that opposes mass surveillance, believes the public should be worried about the use of cameras in cities across the Bay Area. Senior attorney Adam Schwartz acknowledges the importance of access to government records, but not at the expense of peoples privacy.

We think its critical that the government not make it easier for private actors to surveil us, Schwartz said. We think the best way for the government to do that is to not gather this information in the first place.

Cameras Work as Crime Fighting Tools

Orinda Police Chief Mark Nagel disagrees that the cameras jeopardize privacy because he says they only capture photos in public places. He says the cameras are critical crime fighting tools in his community, which has been rocked by a wave of residential break-ins.

A picture of a white Lexus led to the arrest of an 18-year-old man who pistol-whipped a woman and ransacked a house last December. According to Nagel, earlier this year the cameras linked a prolific residential burglar to a home that was hit, which allowed police to add charges and bring resolution to the victim.[[389537861, C, 620, 620]]

Nagel says the solve rate increased from 5 percent to 25 percent after the city installed the cameras. Crime data analyzed by the Investigative Unit shows residential burglaries decreased by 54 percent in the 11 months after the Reconyx cameras became operational compared to the 11 months prior.

I think the value of the cameras being in the community for safety and solving crimes is really necessary to keep our numbers low, Nagel said.

Many residents like the extra set of eyes over their city. Elisabeth Jewel says people feel like they have targets on their backs and that many nervous residents support the use of the cameras to deter would-be burglars.

I just dont think that anybody should live in fear, Jewel said. Its a terrible way to live and anything we can do to reduce that is a good thing.

Other Cities Use Surveillance Cameras

Other Bay Area police departments use surveillance cameras, but the type of technology and public disclosure polices vary, the Investigative Unit found.

Danville uses Reconyx cameras, and like Orinda, the city releases copies of images upon request. Lafayette uses them, too. But the city does not consider the pictures to be public records.

Here is a sample of other Bay Area communities that use surveillance cameras. Like Orinda, some cities allow the release of images and footage under their public records policies.

Antioch, Pittsburg and Palo Alto say depending on the circumstances, photos and video may be released in response to public records requests. Richmond refuses to release pictures or footage.

Critic Says Photos Let People Surveil the Public

While Paulus understands why police want to utilize every tool at their disposal to fight crime, he doesnt believe the public fully realizes whats possible with all of this surveillance going on right now.

Using the pictures he obtained from the city of Orinda, and a free computer program he downloaded, Paulus says he created a way to search for license plate numbers. He says his system is similar to controversial automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology widely used by law enforcement in Northern California.

These plate readers are small machines mounted to squad cars and street poles that scan license plates and log when and where a vehicle is spotted. Police use the technology to identify cars connected to crimes, but critics say the system also collects information about innocent people.

The Reconyx cameras themselves are not an automated license plate reader system, Paulus said. But with a tiny bit of effort, you can easily turn all of these images into a searchable database that functions very much like an ALPR system.

NBC Bay Area confirmed that his system worked.

With the police chiefs permission, the Investigative Unit used a computer program to locate a picture of an Orinda Police car by searching the system for its license plate. Nagel acknowledges that its possible to convert photos of license plates into a searchable database, but downplayed the relevance of being able to pinpoint when someones car was caught on camera.

In terms of tracking somebody, I dont think we are there in terms of knowing exactly where someone will be on a given day, Nagel said. I dont think thats there.

Residents Call for More Protections to Cameras

Several residents have proposed ways to add protections to the Reconyx photos, such as encryption, so only law enforcement would have the ability to view the images.

Nagel says he is open to reducing the amount of time the city retains the photos. Currently, the pictures are deleted after 90 days.

I have always felt that 90 days might be a little excessive  but its not for me to say, he said. Im still in support of the system and having them in the streets. Its more important for me to keep the community safe and solve these crimes.

As more police departments contemplate the installation of surveillance technology in their cities, Paulus encourages residents to get educated and be vocal.

I believe the police are examining and looking only at the pros of this information and not the cons, he said. The cons to me outweigh the pros. But I think this topic is serious enough simply for a public discussion.

If you have a tip for the Investigative Unit, email theunit@nbcbayarea.com or call 888-996-TIPS.
In the restaurant world, reputation is everything, especially when it comes to health inspection records.

We have peoples lives in our hands, said Alexis Solomou, the owner of Seven Hills in San Francisco. You could get people very, very sick very, very quickly.

Solomous restaurant boasts a near perfect health inspection score  98 out of a 100. He says he has worked hard for it and was upset to learn about a loophole that allows restaurant owners in San Francisco to essentially wipe away their old inspection records and health code scores from the citys website.

Theres no reason why anybody should hide their health inspection score or wipe it clean unless theres something theyre trying to hide, said Solomou.

Websites such as Yelp take restaurant inspection scores from the citys public database and post them online to give customers easy access to the information. But those scores cant get posted if the city erases the information from its online database.

In May, the Investigative Unit discovered that the San Francisco Department of Public Health deletes old health inspection records from its website if a restaurant files a change of ownership with the city. The application process costs restaurants roughly $600 in city fees but offers new owners a clean slate so they are not saddled with the old health inspection scores from the previous restaurant owner.

However, the Investigative Unit revealed that even after a restaurant files an ownership change with the city, the same people can continue to run the restaurant as long as the owners list a new corporation name as part of that application.

Even in situations when new restaurant owners are listed in the application, the Investigative Unit discovered those owners are still allowed to work for the same corporation that owned the restaurant previously. So while a restaurant may have strong ties to its previous ownership, San Francisco still agrees to delete that restaurants old inspection records from the citys online database.

Thats exactly what happened at a dim sum restaurant in the Diamond Heights neighborhood. All Season Restaurant, which is officially known as Harbor Villa on city documents, had its history of repeated high-risk violations wiped clean online, even though inspectors found dead cockroaches on utensils and plates.

[[37918831, L, 300, 225]]

Its not for me to make sense of it; it is what the law requires us to do, said Stephanie Cushing, director of San Franciscos Department of Environmental Health.

Cushing and her team of 30 inspectors are in charge of permitting the roughly 7,400 restaurants and caterers throughout San Francisco. In May, Cushing told the Investigative Unit that state and local laws require her department to remove a restaurants old inspection records from the citys website once they file a change of ownership application.

State Law on Restaurant Inspections

Thats simply not true, according to the California Department of Public Health. Nowhere in Californias retail food code does it state a local health department must delete a restaurants old health records from its website.

The law doesnt specify whether a historical record associated with a prior owner of a business goes with a new company or doesnt go with a new company, said Pat Kennelly, Californias Department of Public Health Food Safety Manager. The law is silent on the issue.

Kennelly said there is nothing to keep local health departments from shutting down a restaurant for repeated health violations.

They have the authority under existing law to be able to take action against them, to fine them, penalize them, impound their equipment, impound product, and ultimately suspend or revoke their permits if they cant comply with the rules, Kennelly said.

San Franciscos Department of Public Health stopped including a restaurants previous ownership records online about 10 years ago. A spokeswoman for the department said consumers only wanted to see the most current score. She went on to say that posting the information now would make it very difficult for people to navigate.

That response frustrates Solomou.

To say that San Francisco diners, in particular, are not savvy enough to digest that information is incorrect, Solomou said. I dont know why anyone would want the wool being pulled over their eyes.

Solomou said the issue is also one of fairness since his own restaurants inspection history is posted online, even though his violations were deemed low-risk, including a peeling wall. He wonders why restaurants with far more serious violations are allowed to wipe their records clean, regardless of how dirty those record may have been over the years.

To think that someone can come in and change their name  and get any blemishes squashed is scary, Solomou said. It really is.

Santa Clara County Restaurant Inspections

In Santa Clara County, any changes in restaurant ownership are clearly posted on the health departments website. Patrons can even check a restaurants old health records under previous owners.

The countys Dine Out website lists more than 6,500 restaurants. Over the last three years, about 1,400 restaurants have filed for a change of ownership.

Santa Clara County appears to be the exception rather than the rule. In checking other Bay Area county websites, the Investigative Unit did not find any other examples of health departments providing consumers online access to research a restaurants old inspection records under previous owners.

That is not to say, however, that counties do not have that information. In the case of San Franciscos Health Department, customers can file a public records request to get the last five years of health records for any restaurant, regardless of ownership changes.

______________________________________

Watch the entire series in this NBC Bay Area investigation:
What to Know In California nearly 70,000 firearms went missing or were stolen between 2010 and late 2015.

Typical wait from when a gun is reported lost or stolen and when police seize it is 227 days.

Several stolen guns were used two or three times in two or three different crimes.

Standing in the driveway to his home on Sacramento Street in Stockton, California, 13-year-old Rashawn Harris says goodbye to his daddy.

Love you, see you when you get home.

Moments later bullets from a gun owned by Anthony Silva, the Mayor of Stockton, tear through his body, killing him instantly.

Anthony Silva, the Mayor of Stockton, didnt pull the trigger when Rashawn was killed last February. Police say they are still looking for who did.

My babys gone...aint nothin to be done, said Willis Harris, Rashawns father.

The gun used, a .40 caliber Beretta Px4 Storm semi-automatic pistol, belonged to Silva. It was reported stolen last March, after police say it was used to kill Rashawn and in one other shooting in January at a Stockton home. That time no one was injured.

Whenever I see a stolen gun, I see a future robbery, I see a future homicide, I see a future assault, Graham Barlowe, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, says. People dont steal guns for their collection. They steal guns to use those guns.

On a typical day, at least 34 guns are reported as lost or stolen in California.

The daily toll adds up to a much bigger number. According to data from the California Department of Justice, nearly 70,000 firearms went missing or were stolen between 2010 and late 2015.

In a joint investigation, NBC TV stations in California obtained trace data, including gun serial numbers, from 72 California law enforcement agencies.

The serial numbers serve as unique identifiers for weapons, like a persons social security number.

An analysis comparing serial numbers in the California DOJ database with serial numbers in the 66,000 crime records obtained through the California Public Records Act found 4,346 matches. The data shows 2,655 of the guns reported lost or stolen were used in crimes ranging from murder to grand theft.

Click here or look below to see how many guns were reported lost or stolen to California law enforcement agencies from 2010-2015.

84-year-old Olga Dinelli is one of those victims.

It was a senseless act of violence that just doesnt make any sense, said Larry Dinelli, Olgas 74-year-old brother.

Olga was found shot in the head last February, strapped to a chair with duct tape in her Sonoma County home, west of Napa.

Police say Stephanie Lejean Hill, 37, and Victor Silva, 26, were on the run after stealing firearms from a Marin County home, just south of Sonoma. They shot and killed Olga before fleeing in a stolen car and leading police on a high speed chase that crossed state borders, ending in Arizona.

Hill was shot and killed by police. Her boyfriend, Silva, was arrested and awaiting trial.

Police seized three stolen guns in connection to Olgas death and the chase, but have not released information on the gun used to kill Olga.

Larry says Olga would have given them anything they wanted.

In October, police say, one gun, stolen from a parked car in San Francisco, was used to kill two people, days apart.

Lokita Carters husband, 67-year-old Steve Carter, is one of those victims.

Having police stand outside at three in the morning saying, We have some unfortunate news for you, your husband was shot dead a few miles away, was a bad nightmare, Lokita says.

Steve was a tantra yoga instructor. On Oct. 5, he was gunned down while walking his dog on a remote hiking trail in Marin County, police said.

Two days before, 23-year-old Audrey Carey, visiting San Franciscos Golden Gate Park from Canada, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the back of the head.

Police say the same stolen gun was used to kill Steve and Audrey.

Three transients were arrested in Portland in connection with their deaths: Sean Michael Angold, 24, Morrison Haze Lampley, 23, and Lila Scott Alligood, 18.

Data shows the vast majority of the nearly 70,000 guns in the database were reported stolen, not lost.

Through public records requests, NBC was able to link 750 of the stolen guns to police reports to help determine how they were stolen. According to the analysis, nearly 550 of them were taken in burglaries, close to 200 were taken in simple thefts and a handful were stolen in face-to-face robberies.

Click here to read more on how the data was analyzed and how agencies across the state responded.

Lokita, who now lives in Denmark recovering from cancer and the loss of her husband, says she was shocked to learn how prevalent the loss and theft of guns really is.

Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones says he isnt.

Quite a few of the firearms that we find or discover in a crime, we find that they were reported stolen at some time, he said. It is definitely frustrating when we've got so many guns being stolen and used in crimes.

He says firearms have a long shelf life and suspects the numbers are actually a lot higher.

Click here to see how stolen guns are impacting the Bay Area.

Barlowe and other law enforcement leaders say they agree.

I think theres even more, he says. According to Barlowe, many gun owners dont immediately notice or fail to report when a gun is missing or stolen, sometimes waiting months or even years.

Very often we find that people who own firearms are not aware of the serial numbers, said Barlowe, who is based at ATFs Sacramento Field Office. We know that people sometimes have guns stolen or pilfered from their collection by, say, family members and theyre not even aware that its missing.

This was the case for Silva, the mayor of Stockton.

Shortly before his run for mayor in 2012, Silva moved from Morada, northeast of Stockton, to a new home within the Stockton city limits. He says he didnt take his guns with him; they were left behind in the Morada home.

On March 22, 2015, Mayor Silva reported the Beretta semi-automatic pistol missing to the San Joaquin Sheriffs Department. Other items were also reported missing, including a generator, a camera and a 100-quart cooler.

Almost a year and a half later, the Beretta pistol was found.

Stockton Police officers collected the pistol as evidence two months ago, on June 9, after responding to a domestic disturbance in Northern Stockton.

The serial number on the weapon matched the same one registered to and reported missing by Silva. After conducting preliminary tests, police traced the ballistics to the shooting death of 13-year-old Rashawn and the January 2015 shooting where no one was injured.

Click here to read more on the timeline of the loss of the Beretta pistol.

Words cannot describe my sorrow and heartbreak for the victim and his family, Mayor Silva said in a statement. I feel terrible and I feel sick to my stomach. Obviously this was my worst possible fear. I will be in shock for a long time. Click here to read his complete statement.

Everybody that I know that owns firearms would be horrified, absolutely horrified to know that a firearm they owned was later used in a murder or a robbery, Barlowe says. Stolen firearms are a big problem, (they) are of high value to people in the criminal community.

Click here or look below to learn more about stolen guns being used in homicides in California, including where they were reported stolen and how long they were missing.

Evin Johnson grew up around gang violence and guns in Sacramento. Even as a youngster Johnson says he knew how to buy a gun off the street.

Being around guns and stuff, it was just something normal for me growing up, he said. At an early age you just kind ofyou get used to it.

According to California DOJ data, Evins hometown is a hotspot for stolen guns. The Central Valley is second behind the Los Angeles area in lost or stolen guns, according to the data analysis.

Click here to see how stolen guns are impacting the Sacramento area.

The NBC data analysis shows several stolen guns are used two or three times in two or three different crimes. Barlowe says this doesnt surprise him.

Firearms, especially we see gangs acquire firearms, will pass a gun around between gang members, Barlowe said. They use it like a community gun so thats its available for more than one person and it also lessens the responsibility of one person if they are caught with it.

Most of the time, according to the data, when a weapon is reported missing or stolen, its found in the same region where it was lost or stolen with many flowing between Los Angeles and San Diego counties in Southern California and between San Joaquin and Madera counties in the Central Valley.

Barlowe says his experience has shown that a county's proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border can increase the number of firearms reported stolen.

Some do move long distances though, according to the data, particularly from rural counties to urban areas. This includes weapons reported missing or stolen in Lake County, three hours north of San Francisco. Guns stolen or missing in Lake are showing up in Riverside and San Diego counties, according to the data.

Once they go missing, the data shows guns stay that way for months or years. The typical wait from when a gun is reported lost or stolen and when police seize it is 227 days -- a little longer than seven months. According to the data, in a quarter of the cases, guns are in the wrong hands for 600 days or more.

Barlowe says ATF sees similar trends and keeps track of them.

It tends to be very situational depending on the criminal organizations and depending on the success of the criminal organizations, he said.

ATF uses trace data, he says, to determine the story of how every gun has been used.

Trace data helps us to identify straw purchasers, he said. Trace data helps us to identify these trends when firearms are coming from one region into another. Trace data helps us to determine if dealers have disproportionate number of firearms coming from their stores that are used in crimes.

Jones says standardizing this information and the databases is critical.

We are seeing gaps between the way we track them federally as well as statewide and jurisdiction to jurisdiction, he said.

Since 2004 federal legislation has prohibited ATF from sharing information tracing individual guns to crime scenes with the public.

Many California law enforcement agencies, including some of the largest in California, Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Sheriffs Department, refused to share the requested data with NBC. The agencies cited investigatory exemptions in the state public record act.

Click here to read more on how the data was analyzed and how agencies across the state responded.

Its very man-power intensive, Barlowe said. We dont have a lot of manpower. So, we do the best that we can with the resources that we have.

Jones agrees and says keeping stolen or lost guns from getting into the wrong hands will take time.

We know gangs use guns, Jones said. So, the bigger picture is how do we get those guns from getting into the wrong hands to begin with.

This story was a joint collaboration between NBC 7 Investigates, NBC Bay Area Investigates, KCRA 3 Investigates, NBC 4 I-Team and KSEE. The following journalists contributed to the story: Stephen Stock, Michael Bott, Ron Campbell, Lynn Walsh, Mari Payton, Jay Yoo, Dave Manoucheri, Matthew Glasser, Chad McCollum and Felipe Escamilla.
Daniel Bates of Oakland was supposed to be at a family reunion in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Instead, he was in line early Monday morning with hundreds of strangers at San Francisco International Airport. He was waiting to get re-booked onto a flight after spending the night sleeping in a chair.

Bates is just one passenger grounded by a power outage that shut down Delta Airlines for nearly six hours starting just after midnight Pacific Standard Time. The airlines resumed a limited number of flights just after 6 a.m. PST.

Adding insult to injury, Bates has not flown since the 1990s.

I have to decide, whether to go home and say 'never mind' on the family reunion or wait here for another flight, he said.
The gummy rings that sickened 19 people  including a 6-year-old  at a quinceanera in the Mission District were laced with pot, the San Francisco Public Health Department announced Monday, after a dozen patients tested positive for the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

Spokeswoman Rachel Kagan said that the final lab tests on the gummy rings have not yet come back yet from Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. But she said that 12 of the 19 people hospitalized after the party at the Women's Building on 18th Street had THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, in their systems.

All of the 19 patients were discharged by Monday morning, officials added. The patients ranged in age from 6 to 18, doctors said. It's unclear if the birthday girl was a patient or not.

Dr. Tomas Aragon said they suffered from rapid heart rates, high blood pressure, dilated pupils, dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, lethargy and confusion.

Aragon and others are now trying to figure out how the candies got to the party, catered by an Oakland company. The question remains, where did the candies come from? said Aragon. We are working with the catering company and our colleagues in Alameda to find out. It's also quite possible a guest brought the candies to the party.

The catering company was not named, but it was revealed that the food was prepared at La Placita, a community kitchen in Oakland. Officials with the Alameda County Health Department inspected the kitchen and did not find any evidence cannibis was used there.

Aragon urged people to be very careful with "edibles," especially when the drugs are contained in bright-colored candies and passed around at family parties where young children and teenagers are in attendance.

A situation like this, where they were consumed by unsuspecting people, and many children, is greatly concerning, Aragon said.

Paramedics and firefighters raced to the quinceanera in San Francisco on Saturday night, where a 15-year-old girl was feted - a major rite of passage in the Latino community.

Security guard Raul Hernandez recalled how the party got chaotic and people got violently ill. He called 911 and recounted how scary it was. Some guests left foaming at the mouth.

"It was just one after another and another," Hernandez said. "A gentleman was holding his chest. The young lady, she couldnt talk and was gasping for air."

NBC Bay Area's Mark Matthews and Jean Elle contributed to this report.
Details added (first version posted at 14:30)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

The physical volume of exports of Azerbaijani goods to Russia increased significantly in 2016, Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Russia Alexey Ulyukaev said.

He made the remarks in Baku at the first meeting of the Azerbaijani-Russian and Russian-Azerbaijani Business Council.

Trade between our countries experiences a number of difficulties due to the fluctuation of exchange rates and decrease in energy prices, Ulyukaev said. But along with this it should be noted that the physical volume of exports of Azerbaijani goods to Russia, in particular of plant production, has grown. We attach great importance to the expansion of economic cooperation with Azerbaijan.

He said that the use of business opportunities is a worthy response to price volatility in the energy resources market.

Our economies need to gradually move away from dependence on oil and gas, Ulyukaev said.

Economic cooperation between the two countries actively develops not only in the energy sector but also in other areas, in particular in the financial sector, he added. Activity of VTB Bank in Azerbaijan, as well as investment of State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) into the Russian banking sector and real estate are a clear example of this fact. Such mutual activity is very important for the expansion of our cooperation.

SOFAZ invested $540 million, or 1.4 percent of the portfolio in VTB Banks shares, while $133 million, or 0.4 percent, were invested in the acquisition of the Gallery Actor trade and office center in Moscow. SOFAZ has a 2.95 percent stake in the second largest Russian VTB Bank.

VTB Bank JSC is represented in Azerbaijan through its subsidiary VTB Bank (Azerbaijan) JSC. VTB Bank (Azerbaijan) provides services to corporate business small business clients and private clients. Today the bank is represented by 14 subsidiaries and Customer care office at the head office.

In the first six months of 2016, exports to Russia fell by 4.72 percent compared to the same period last year, while imports - by 4.59 percent, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan.

Russia continues to remain one of the main trade partners of Azerbaijan - in the last six months of 2016, Russia took the second place in the trade turnover of Azerbaijan, the first place in terms of imports and the sixth place in terms of exports.
Florida officials urged residents and businesses Sunday to prepare for heavy rain leading to widespread flash floods this week along the entire width of the Panhandle, NBC News reported.

A low-pressure system was stalled over the northern Florida peninsula, fueling a chance of heavy showers and thunderstorms.

Flood watches were in effect Sunday night for the Florida Nature Coast and Big Bend all the way into Tuesday.

The system is also forecast to drive temperatures up, with heat indexes predicted to hit 102 to 107 degrees across the state from Pensacola to Jacksonville.
Demonstrators took to the streets of Chicago for the third consecutive day on Sunday, protesting the fatal police shooting of a Chicago teenager.

Protesters met at Millennium Park at 5 p.m., then began marching through downtown Chicago, chanting, shutting down traffic at points, and staging sit-ins. Hundreds of people sat in the intersection of State and Lake St in the Loop, shouting "Hands up! Don't shoot!"

Shortly before 7:30 p.m., demonstrators moved north to Michigan Avenue, causing rolling street closures.

Protests began following Friday's release of graphic video in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Paul O'Neal on July 28.

"I especially am disturbed because of the videos, they're like really disturbing, not in terms of gore it's not like gruesome but what they said and how they disrespected his body after," Eva Lewis, a member of the Black Lives Matter Chi Youth, said during Saturday's march.

Video being described as "horrific" and "graphic" was released Friday in connection with the shooting. The videos do not show the gunfire that killed O'Neal, but show the events leading up to and after the shooting, including officers firing at a moving car and O'Neal bleeding on the ground.

O'Neal was killed July 28 in the city's South Shore neighborhood. Officers saw a Jaguar S-Type convertible that had been reported stolen from Bolingbrook, according to police. Police said they "attempted to curb" the car near 74th Street and Merrill Avenue when the Jaguar sideswiped the police vehicle and another nearby parked car.

In the footage, a Jaguar is seen scraping a squad car and another vehicle as an officer opens fire. At one point, someone is seen running from the vehicle and officers follow on foot. The suspect then disappears from view and gunshots are heard.

Autopsy results show O'Neal died of a gunshot wound to the back.

Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said the dashcam and body camera videos suggested departmental policy was violated in the shooting. Three officers have since been "relieved of police powers."

Protesters Friday accused Johnson of being Mayor Rahm Emanuel's "puppet" on Friday, and prevented him from speaking outside CPD headquarters.

"Today is the last day," a protester shouted. "No more Paul O'Neal, no more Laquan McDonald, no more Sandra Bland, no more Rekia Boyd. We want more than these officers getting desk duty."

Demonstrators also marched to 14th Ward Alderman Ed Burke's office in Gage Park on Saturday, calling for a stop to his "Blue Lives Matter" proposal in City Council.

Burke introduced the proposed ordinance in June that would expand Chicagos hate crimes law to protect current and former police officers, firefighters and emergency medical crews.
A 29-year-old Hamden man is accused of exposing himself to two women in their 60s in a five-day span.

A 68-year-old woman was standing by her vehicle around 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1 at Circular Avenue and Church Street when a man exposed himself to her.

Police identified the suspect as Tyrone Harris, 29, of Hamden, arrested him at his Bank Street home and charged him with public indecency, breach of peace and simple trespass.

Police responded to Chester Street at noon on Friday to investigate public indecency and learned that Harris had gone into a backyard, walked onto the back deck and exposed himself to a 66-year-old woman who lives there. Police again arrested Harris at his Bank Street home and charged him with public indecency, breach of peace and simple trespass.

He was held on a $5,000.00 bond for the first incident, and is scheduled to appear in court in Meriden on Aug. 17.

He was detained on a $5,000 bond for the second charges and hes scheduled to appear in court in Meriden on Aug. 19.
A Connecticut State police trooper was taken to the hospital after being rear-ended on Route 8 in Waterbury Monday.

State police said the trooper, who has not been identified, was stopped in a cruiser conducting traffic enforcement on the soutbound side of Route 8 near exit 34 when the accident occurred around 5:20 p.m.

The trooper was transported to the hospital for evaluation of minor injuries.

More information was not immediately available.
Dallas County health officials confirm the first death related to West Nile virus for the 2016 season in North Texas.

The victim  a person in their 60s  lived in the 75006 ZIP code in Carrollton and was previously diagnosed with the West Nile neuroinvasive disease, officials said in a press release Monday afternoon.

No other identifying information was released due to medical confidentiality reasons.

Symptoms of West Nile neuroinvasive disease include neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. The neuroinvasive form of the disease can be deadly.

The city of Carrollton said it conducted ground-based spraying in the area where the victim lived on Tuesday, July 19, which was the same day the illness was reported.

The same area was retreated on Aug. 3 and 4 after another positive test was confirmed nearby, the city said. The positive mosquito sample was collected in the area located between Belt Line Road, Broadway Street, Keller Springs Road and Josey Lane.

How to Protect Yourself From Mosquito Bites

Dress in long sleeves, pants when outside: For extra protection, spray thin clothing with repellent.

in long sleeves, pants when outside: For extra protection, spray thin clothing with repellent. DEET : Make sure this ingredient is in your insect repellent.

: Make sure this ingredient is in your insect repellent. Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood: Mosquitoes can develop in any water stagnant for more than three days.

It has been recommended in the past that to avoid mosquito bites you should avoid being outdoors during Dusk and Dawn (the 4 Ds). While this is true for mosquitoes that commonly carry the West Nile virus, other types of mosquitoes that are more likely to carry Zika, dengue and chikungunya are active during the day. When outdoors, no matter what time of day, adjust your dress accordingly and wear insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus as your first line of defense against insect bites.
The lockdown at James Bowie High School in Arlington has been lifted, school officials say.[[389504651,C]]

According to officers, someone with a weapon was reported at the school Monday at about 11 a.m.

Police searched the campus and the surrounding area, but no one was found.



Students and family were at the school for senior registration, which has since resumed.

Check back and refresh this page for the latest update. As this story is developing, elements may change.
Sunday marked a month since the police shootings in downtown Dallas, the deadliest attack on law enforcement since 9/11.

The horrific events thrust Dallas' Mayor Mike Rawlings and Police Chief David Brown into the national spotlight at a painful time.

Rawlings sat down with NBC 5's Meredith Land to recount the events of that night, how decisions were made and the overwhelming community response that followed.

He said on July 7 he got the call about gunfire in Dallas.

"I immediately went to my closet, and said, 'this is going to be a long night.' I knew this was serious after I talked to Chief Brown and he told me the first two officers had been killed. So, I was immediately heartbroken," Rawlings said.

Rawlings said he and Brown watched the horrific events unfold underground in Dallas' Emergency Operations Center.

"He [Brown] would get information from the field and give it to me. I wasn't upset. I was more heartbroken. I quickly got upset as the evening went on and the sobriety took over with what had happened," Rawlings said.

The mayor said the unknowns that night were the most difficult part.

"Were we being attacked as a city? We didn't know those facts," said Rawlings. "The first thing was the heartbreak for the officers and the families."

Mayor Rawlings said very early on, he and Brown formed a united front, together making decisions and visiting the officers' families at hospitals.

Throughout, he said Brown was calm and an extraordinary leader.

"He had a, 'just the facts' attitude about this. He didn't have time to be emotive in a moment like that. People's lives were on the line," Rawlings said.

Rawlings said Brown ultimately made the call to send in the robot armed with explosives that killed the shooter.

"We heard it was executed correctly and it was a big relief," said Rawlings.

Rawlings spoke boldly on television about how they wiped the shooter off the face of the earth, a comment he doesn't regret.

"That was a little bit my anger coming out," said Rawlings. "He had destroyed dozens and dozens of lives, not only killed five people, but changed the lives of so many people. It was so unfair and it was pure evil."

Straight talk, Rawlings acknowledged is what he has become known for as mayor.

"I found out a long time ago communication is about communicating, being straightforward. A lot of times you need a very simple word," he said. "If I'm gonna tell you something, I need to be straightforward and tell you how I feel."

As for his relationship with Brown, Rawlings said he gained an enormous about of respect for the chief.

"I'm not sure I could have done the job he has done," he said. "To realize that leadership is a painful thing at times, but that's why you need great leaders and he is one."

When asked what he will remember most about July 7 and the days and weeks that followed in Dallas, Rawlings said, "I am so proud of Dallas. The love, the support, the prayers, the money. The city just reacted in a marvelous way. It was wonderful."
Dallas Police unions are warning the City Council that many more officers will leave the department in the next few months, unless changes are made in the proposed budget for next fiscal year.

Officers say low pay is one of the biggest reasons why they go elsewhere. Police and firefighters cover nearly two-thirds of the city's budget, but starting pay is about $12 to $15,000 less than other North Texas departments.

Nearly 220 Dallas police officers already have left the department this year. That includes retirements, relocations and officers leaving for a career change. But based on an analysis of data provided to NBC 5 after an open records request, 40 percent of the officers who have resigned in recent months have done so to become a police officer somewhere else in North Texas.

And unless even more police officers are offered raises next fiscal year, the Black Police Association of Greater Dallas and other police associations say dozens more officers could soon leave.

Dallas is a much safer city than it was five years ago by any metric measuring violent crime or non-violent, property crime. And there are several hundred fewer officers patrolling the streets now than there were a few years ago.

But it comes at a price. The Dallas Police Department has spent twice its projected overtime budget this year. Overtime alone this year is costing taxpayers $32 million.

Police commanders say the overtime has gone toward special crime-fighting initiatives that have kept crime down. The City Council says the missed projections can't happen again next year.

"The question becomes can we afford our police force? At $460 million [for the department budget], you had 100-percent miss of the value of overtime," said Dallas City Councilman Philip Kingston at Monday's Public Safety Committee meeting. "We have an existential question, don't we? If we can't get better safety results than this, I don't know. Can we continue to exist as a city?"

There are more than 3,400 sworn officers. The city manager wants to hire 200 new officers next year and give raises to two-thirds of officers, who have not "topped out" at the step-raise for their current rank.

That still leaves about 1,000 officers who would be ineligible for the pay raise  the city's most experienced and veteran officers, who've maxed out at their ranks.

"If we want to stop the officers from leaving, we've got to pay them," said Sheldon Smith, with the Black Police Association. "I'll tell you right now, officers are waiting on the decision to leave or not based on the decisions in this budget. They're waiting."

The city manager's proposed budget calls for hiring 200 new police officers, but Smith says the priority should be using revenue to make sure all current officers get a boost in pay.

"Those are the officers that have fought for us for the last 12 years to get us the reduced crime we have now, and they're the ones who won't see a dime more," he said. "And they're not playing, they're leaving. They're leaving in mass numbers."

"Other departments less than 30 miles away have exclusive classes of Dallas police officers that transferred to their department. They have lateral transfer classes there," he added.

The Dallas Police Department has received more than 500 applications in the last four weeks since the deadly ambush shooting that killed five officers. The department is still sorting through paperwork and background checks among the applicants, and the next testing dates at Dallas Police Headquarters for potential new recruits is in 10 days.

"We need those officers, there's no doubt about it. But those recruits, it's going to take them a minute to go through the academy. Within a year-and-a-half they'll be out on the streets," Smith said. "But our officers need help now."

Councilman Kingston said he's troubled by the department's overtime expenditures so far this year, and how they missed the mark on their projections.

"The issue becomes, is that going to happen every year? And at what level does our public safety spending become unaffordable? We're already at 64 percent of the budget going for public safety right now," he said. "And we've got to be better than missing the [overtime] projection by $15 to $17 million."

Kingston believes the budget plan for next year will improve morale and stop attrition.

"I'm not that concerned about [more officers leaving]. I think the extra attention DPD has received nationwide in response to the incredible way it handled the shooting tragedy, I think that's increased interest," he said. "And if we can increase the young and rookie officer pay, then we'll be more competitive with any big city around."

"We have a competitive advantage," he added, "I think people who want to protect other people want to do it in the biggest, most challenging departments. We may lose officers from time to time to suburbs, but they're probably not doing work that's as interesting as we can offer here in Dallas."
A major computer failure is causing worldwide travel headaches.

A computer failure at Delta Air Lines stranded thousand of passengers Monday.

It started with a power outage at Delta headquarters in Atlanta just after 1:30 a.m. central time Monday.

Other than flights already in the air, all operations were stopped, included Delta flights at D/FW International Airport.

By Monday afternoon, more than 450 flights had been canceled and hundreds more delayed.

What was supposed to be a long day of travel to Europe for the Levinson family of Plano instead turned into a long day of waiting.

Our entire trip has been sort of unraveled, Robin Levinson told NBC 5 as she waited with her family.

We got a notification this morning that some of the flights were delayed, but our flight was only delayed about 30 minutes and we came on to the airport, got checked in," Levinson said. "The flight kept getting pushed back, so we thought to check what was happening to the flight to Rome from Atlanta and come to find out that flight never left Rome.

On the heals of a similar computer shutdown at Southwest Airlines, Rick Seaney, Founder and CEO of Dallas based farecompare.com, said this points out how dependent we are on technology.

It really highlights that we are so tied to our digital nature that if anything goes wrong, especially with the power grid or networking equipment or a variety of these other services that are out there, it can completely cripple one of the most important business aspects around, said Seaney.

He believes airlines need to begin investing recent profits to make sure their networks are up to date.

Youve made lots of profits the last 18 months or so. You should be pulling the power on all your services and make sure all your backup and redundancy works, Seaney explained.

Delta CEO, Ed Bastian, has publicly apologized, but not offered any details on what caused the outage.
A federal prosecutor says the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas is in "absolute chaos" after nearly 75 people were convicted following a six-year investigation into the white supremacist gang, but others warn the crime network won't be brought down by a single bust.

The U.S. Justice Department secured a combined total of 900 years in prison time for the convicted Aryan Brotherhood members after a federal probe that began in 2008, the Houston Chronicle reported Sunday. A review of records, court documents, transcripts and interviews by the newspaper found that the roughly 2,000-member gang is now struggling to rebuild.

"They are in chaos, absolute chaos," said David Karpel, a Department of Justice attorney who spearheaded the prosecutions. "It has reduced their power; they don't know who to trust."

The Aryan Brotherhood has a history of crimes in Texas that includes robberies, burglaries, kidnappings and murders. Formed in the 1980s in the Texas prison system, its members are all white, heterosexual felons. They can never have served in law enforcement, been an informant or been convicted of child molestation.

But the Anti-Defamation League compared the resiliency of the gang to a Mafia that keeps operating, even when its leaders are swept up.

"The Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, like any other large gang with strong street presences, is not going to go away because of a single bust, even if it is a very large one," said Mark Pitcavage, senior research fellow at the ADL.

The sweep began In November 2012 and indictments spelled out alleged murders, attempted murders, kidnappings and beatings. One attack involving a member who was burned with a blowtorch inspired a 2014 episode of the television show "Sons of Anarchy."

More than three dozen members who were arrested cooperated with authorities in exchange for leniency, federal prosecutors said.

"One of the things they prided themselves on is discipline and loyalty, but it turns out half of them cooperated with the government," said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Leslie Caldwell, who leads the Justice Department's criminal division in Washington.

Among those convicted was Larry Bryan, a senior Aryan Brotherhood general who was in state prison when federal prosecutors brought new charges of racketeering. Bryan admitted to using a smuggled cellphone to lead the group from behind prison bars, but his attorney downplayed the success of the federal sweep.

"I can understand why the Department of Justice hopes and thinks they advanced mankind's goals, but in reality the only thing they accomplished was transferring prisoners from state prisons to federal prisons," said Houston attorney James Stafford. "They did nothing to break the back of the brotherhood organization."
Pursuing its social activities, PASHA Insurance is pleased to announce new social contest Step up for health!

Hence, the goal of the contest is to promote healthy activities and lifestyles for everyone. The contest will be launched on the Facebook page of PASHA Insurance on August 8th, which will continue until September 4th.

Those who want to participate in the contest should download any of health or fit applications (such as, Apple Health, Fun Fit) compatible for their mobile operating system. After a day with full of action, participants can go to the application, screenshot the daily summary, and post the screenshot in comment of the Saglamlq Ucun Addmla! post. Each participant can share his/her result more than one time. During 4 weeks of the contest, each week 3 participants with the highest result will be announced as a winner and awarded with Amburan beach club coupon for two persons.

Official Facebook page of PASHA Insurance: https://www.facebook.com/pasha.insurance/

PASHA Insurance has been operating in the insurance market since 2006. As a member of PASHA Holding group of companies, PASHA Insurance offers 36 types of compulsory and voluntary insurance services for both individual and corporate customers. During 10 years of its activity the insurance company has indemnified its customers insurance claims, total amount of compensation coming out to 115 890 100 AZN. PASHA Insurance is the leader and the biggest insurer of the Azerbaijani insurance market for the amount of share capital (50 million AZN), volume of insurance premiums and compensated insurance claims and other financial and non-financial indicators.
North Texans were glued to their televisions Sunday night, not just to watch Michael Phelps, but also two north Texas swimmers.

The cheers were likely loudest in Fort Worth where a watch party was held for Dana Vollmer.



She won the bronze medal it the 100 meter fly, the race she won in 2012.



Rio is Vollmers third Olympic games but perhaps her most meaningful.



She walked away from swimming after the 2012 London Olympics.



She gave birth to a baby boy in 2015. It was during pregnancy that Vollmer says she decided to make a comeback.



The story is inspiring swimmers worldwide, especially young swimmers in the Fort Worth Area Swim Team, or FAST. Its the same team Vollmer was on before she became a decorated Olympian.



Members met at Buffalo Wild Wings in Fort Worth on Sunday to cheer Vollmer to victory.



It's amazing. She's given so much to the team and seeing how she's been progressed, its phenomenal, said 18-year-old swimmer Jack Lawrence.



While it wasn't another gold, for the FAST members, that isn't what matters.

To them, its the story of Vollmer's incredible Olympic comeback that is still sinking in.

After how many years she swam, had a baby and then to rebuild from baby body to Olympic swimmer body, and to still get bronze medal and to represent the USA and represent swimmers all over the world. She swims with so much beauty and grace, its just unbelievable to watch, parent Katie Lawrence said.
Police said they're searching for a man who led officers on a brief chase before crashing into a ditch in Dallas Monday morning.



Dallas police said they came across a suspicious vehicle near the intersection of Hermosa Drive and Easton Road at about 7 a.m. and tried to pull it over.

The man driving the vehicle fled from officers, driving recklessly until he crashed into a ditch. Police said the man ran away and was not found.

Police said they took a female passenger into custody and interviewed her.

Officers found drugs in the vehicle, according to authorities.

No further information was released.
Amy Maybury has bought and sold antiques at the Antique Mall of Mansfield for nearly two years because she never knows what will turn up.

"I find so many things from my past that make me dig deep inside and bring out memories that I forgot," she said. "It's just a lot of fun. It's not even work."

Maybury now runs a booth there called "Ruby Love." To help keep her shelves stocked, she occasionally buys storage units in auctions.

After a recent auction, she sent her husband to go check out the unit she won and bring back what was inside. That's when he made an unexpected discovery.

"He came across the medal case," said Maybury. "He knew immediately it was a medal and so he opened it and just was floored."

Inside the case was a purple heart.

"Everybody just sort of flocked around," said Maybury. "There are so many avid collectors out there, you could sell it right now. People wanted to buy it right then and there."

But when Maybury started selling antiques, she told herself that she would never sell any family photos, documents or other personal items she came across. Instead, she would try to return those items to their owners.

"Years ago, my home was burglarized and I lost precious things that meant a lot to me," she said. "It was important to me to give [this medal] back."

Fortunately for her, the medal came with a picture and a name. It was awarded to Clifford Audinet, who was killed in action in 1945.

When she and her husband searched his name on the Internet, they discovered a book had been written about him by his son, who was only 3 years old when his father died.

"We then reached out to the son on Facebook and confirmed that it was, in fact, his father and it was, in fact, his father's medal," said Maybury. "And he was so grateful that we had found it and were willing to give it back."

It turns out, he'd been searching for the medal for years. He believes a relative who lived in Texas had it before it ultimately ended up in the storage unit.

The Mayburys overnighted the medal to him in California.

"It felt really good," said Maybury. "I'm glad we found him."

NBC 5 attempted to contact Audinet's son for comment, but was unable to reach him.
It was the moment young Jake Rogers had been longing for.

"[I haven't seen him] since April," said Rogers.

Monday morning, he joined hundreds of happy families on the tarmac at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, waiting for a very special plane to arrive. He could hardly contain himself as he proudly waved a handmade poster and an American flag.

"I'm extremely excited," said Rogers. "Literally."

His father, Staff Sergeant Joshua Rogers, was on board that plane -- one of 222 Airmen and women from the 301st Fighter Wing returning home from a three-month deployment to Afghanistan.

Cheers erupted when the plane landed -- and got even louder as the men and women on board began filing out of it.

Rogers made a few passes through the crowd before he spotted his dad. But when he did, he immediately jumped into his arms and hugged him. Tears were pouring down his face.

"It was amazing," said Joshua Rogers. "I wasnt expecting to see my son. I was thinking I was going to have to see him in a couple of days. So when I saw him out here it was a complete surprise. Im just blown away. The excitement is incredible.

That joy was contagious. Every direction you looked, there were only smiles.

You know the time that our airmen spend away from their families is time they cant recapture," said Colonel John Breazeale, Commander of the 301st Fighter Wing. "But theyre great patriots and they love serving their country.

Now, Staff Sergeant Rogers is focused on making up for that lost time with his son -- who already has some ideas about what they should do.

"I want to do whatever I can [with my dad]," said Rogers. "A Cowboys game?"
The death of 10-year-old Kansas boy Caleb Schwab on the world's tallest waterslide raised concerns again Monday about the loosely regulated amusement park business, which isn't overseen by any federal agency.

Caleb, the son of Kansas state Rep. Scott Schwab of Olathe, died Sunday on the Verruckt ride at the Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kan.

An autopsy showed that Caleb, who was in a carriage with two women, died of an unspecified neck injury at the end of the ride in the water pool, Kansas City police said. The two other riders, who weren't identified but who were described as not being related to the Schwabs, were treated for minor facial injuries, police said.

Kansas City police said they were investigating the case as an accident, NBC News reported.

Clint Sprague, lead pastor of LifeMission Church, where the Schwabs are members, said the family almost didn't go the park, which was holding "Elected Officials Day" on Sunday.
A man was arrested Sunday in connection to seven arson fires at La Verne businesses, police said.

Alan Cheng, a 19-year-old transient from Pomona, was booked on multiple counts of arson and vandalism by La Verne police.

Someone recognized Cheng as the person described by police accused in the arson fires.

When police arrived at Mr. D's Diner on Foothill Boulevard, they found Cheng still wearing the same clothes from the surveillance footage. He was also positively identified by someone who witnessed the crimes, police said.

Cheng was caught on surveillance video setting a grease container on fire at the back of a La Verne restaurant on Tuesday, after which he went inside and ordered a steak.

The diner was one of the seven locations in the area that he targeted in the span of an hour, according to police.

Cheng was also caught on camera smashing statues and windows at Outdoor Elegance, an outdoor furniture business.
A pursuit through Monterey Park ended Monday morning with a crash involving a police car and the driver officers were pursuing, police said.

Just before 9 a.m. officers with the Monterey Park Police Department tried to pull the car over for a traffic violation. The short pursuit ended on the westbound 60 Freeway near the 710 transition when the two cars crashed, according to Monterey Park police.

The driver threw a gun out of the car window onto the freeway, and was taken into custody, police said.

Around 9:20 Monday morning, the transition from the westbound 60 freeway to the 710 freeway was closed, but was expected to reopen after the crash investigation, according to a spokesman for the Los Angeles County California Highway Patrol.

No one was injured.
Police have made an arrest in a Little Haiti murder case that started when a young child was found wandering the streets.

Derrick Barrett, 46, who was found inside the home in late July with a gunshot wound to his head, was charged with second degree murder in the death of 28-year-old Natasha Bolton, his girlfriend and the mother of the three-year-old child.

After police discovered the child, who answered to the name David, near NE 2nd Avenue and 49th Street during the late hours of July 21st, the search begin to find his parents. Detectives went to a home off NW 3rd Avenue and 43rd Street the following day after receiving a tip.

Once at the home, no one answered but police saw the body of Bolton  who was pronounced dead at the scene  on the ground and Barrett bleeding on a nearby couch with a gun at his side. Officers believe it was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot.

Barrett was arrested on Saturday, but remains hospitalized under police supervision. Its unknown if he is the father of the young child.

Barrett was reportedly seen by a witness assaulting Bolton in a nearby park that evening, before gunshots were heard later at the home they shared around 8 PM. The child was found in the streets around 9 PM.
Broward Sheriff officials are investigating a deadly two-vehicle crash that happened early Sunday morning in Tamarac.

Conan Acevedo, 40, was driving west on West McNab Road in an Isuzu Rodeo SUV around 2:30 a.m. when he drove through a red traffic signal at Northwest 70 Avenue, police say.

Acevedo's SUV crashed into the drivers side door of a Honda Civic sedan. The car, driven by 18-year-old Nicolas Garcia, was headed south on Northwest 70 Avenue.

Garcia was transported by BSO Air Rescue to Broward Health Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Acevedo refused treatment on scene. He exhibited signs of impairment and was found to have a blood-alcohol level of 0.18. He was subsequently arrested.

Authorities are continuing their criminal investigation.
The wind blew in from the west, sending the clay targets bobbing and bouncing through the air.

In case that wasn't enough, the microphone used to pull the targets repeatedly malfunctioned, causing clays to shoot out randomly or not at all.

Catherine Skinner had just enough patience  and a bit of anger  to ride out the difficulties and earn a gold medal in her first Olympics.

The Australian survived a shoot-off in women's trap to get into the final round and hit 12 of 15 targets in the gold medal match to beat New Zealand's Natalie Rooney on Sunday.

"It made me a bit more angry instead of being nervous and locking up," Skinner said of the difficulties. "It made me just want to see and smash."

Skinner hit 67 of 75 targets in qualifying, tying her with Canada's Cynthia Meyer. Both women hit their first shots in the shoot-off, but Skinner hit and Meyer missed, sending the Australian into the final six.

Skinner navigated the gusting wind well in the semifinals, hitting 14 of 15 targets to earn a spot in the gold-medal match. Rooney won a shoot-off with American Corey Cogdell-Unrein after tying for second to set up the finals showdown.

Skinner started slow, missing two of her first four shots in the gold medal match, but hit seven straight as Rooney twice missed consecutive shots. Skinner missed her 12th shot, but could still clinch gold by hitting her final three shots.

She did, making Rooney's final shot moot, and threw her head back after taking home gold in her first Olympics.

"I can't really say there was emotion; it was kind of like a shock," Skinner said. "Even now, I can't really believe I have this (medal) in my hand."

Cogdell-Unrein qualified fourth in her third Olympics, but opened the semifinals with a miss. She recovered by hitting her final nine shots, only to miss in the shoot-off with Rooney.

Cogdell-Urein met Spain's Fatima Galvez in the bronze medal match and again was faced with a shoot-off after both shooters hit 13 of 15 targets. Cogdell-Unrein hit her shot and Galvez missed, giving Cogdell-Unrein a bronze to match the one she earned at the 2008 Beijing Games.

"Missing my first target out was definitely not a good feeling," Cogdell-Unrein said. "But I knew if I smoothed out and do what I normally do, I could still continue to shoot a good final and that's what I did."

Defending gold medalist Jessica Rossi of Italy hit 10 targets in the semifinals and finished sixth.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

Trend:

The priority direction in cooperation between Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran in energy sector is the realization of projects on exploration and development of oil and gas fields, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He made the remarks Aug. 8 at a trilateral meeting with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Iran in Baku.

Putin said Russia is also ready to discuss mutually beneficial scheme of joint use of pipeline infrastructure for transportation of extracted resources.

He also noted that Russia hopes the trilateral dialogue on the Caspian Sea issue will contribute to the soonest finalization of the convention on the legal status of the sea.

I am sure the signing of the convention and implementation of its provisions is of interest for all the five Caspian littoral countries, said Putin.

Russias president said the perspectives of cooperation between the three countries in transportation infrastructure are very promising.

In particular, he mentioned the North-South transportation corridor, which is meant to connect Northern Europe to South-East Asia.

Further speaking about the relations between the three countries, Putin noted that more attention should be paid to cooperation in culture, tourism, education, as well as development of direct links between the regions of the three countries.

He expressed confidence that the cooperation between Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran will further be mutually beneficial and will meet the fundamental interests of the peoples of the three countries, create new opportunities for a dynamic development of the Caspian region.
Delta Air Lines resumed a limited number of departure flights shortly before 9 a.m. Monday, nearly six hours after after a power outage hit its computer systems at its Atlanta headquarters and grounded flights globally.

The airline warned passengers headed to airports to expect cancellations and delays that may persist. It also said there may be lag time in the display of accurate flight status at delta.com, the Fly Delta app and from Delta representatives on the phone and in airports.

Passengers may opt for a full refund of their ticket price if their flight was delayed or cancelled, Delta said. Passengers with flights scheduled between Aug. 8 and Aug. 12, who wish to change their ticket, may due so without incurring change fees. [[389455061, C]]

The Atlanta-based carrier said the outage began at around 2:30 a.m. Eastern. Flights which were already en route were operating normally, but others were delayed or cancelled.

"We apologize to customers who are affected by this issue, and our teams are working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible," the company said in a statement.

It noted that flight status systems, including airport screens, were incorrectly showing flights on time, something the company was trying address.

The massive outage threw the airline back to the days of yore in aviation travel, where many things were done manually. In Richmond, Virginia, boarding passes were written out by hand. In Tokyo, a dot-matrix printer was resurrected to keep track of passengers on a flight to Shanghai. [[389455201, C]]

Early confirmation of the troubles first came in an official account that responds to customers via Twitter. The company had said its IT systems were down "everywhere" and "hopefully it won't be much longer." Several applications were affected, including the company's website.

Among those affected was Tanzie Bodeen, 22, an intern at a software company who lives in Beaverton, Oregon. She had left for Minneapolis St. Paul airport at about 4 a.m. and learned about the delays only upon her arrival  when she found news crews gathered at the door.

"Delta didn't really say anything," she said.

Bodeen said that passengers have been taking the matter in stride. "It doesn't seem really hostile yet," she said. [[389455501, C]]

People all over the world were affected. Stephen Smith, 32, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, had been stuck on the ground for hours at Tokyo's Narita Airport on a flight that was supposed to go to Shanghai.

Smith took solace in the fact the air conditioning on the plane was working and said it seemed everyone on board was fine.

"Waiting game at this point," he tweeted to The Associated Press.

The company said travelers will be entitled to a refund if the flight is cancelled or significantly delayed. Travelers on some routes can also make a one-time change to the ticket free of charge. [[389455201, C]]

Delta shares were down 2 percent in pre-market trading.

Computer outages have caused major headaches for airlines and travelers before. Southwest Airlines was forced to cancel more than 2,000 flights across the U.S. last month after technology problems prevented many travelers from checking in or boarding flights. [[389457852, C]]
From 1892 to 1954, Ellis Island was the gateway for more than 12 million immigrants entering into the United States. And on Monday, the famed institution will be the grounds for another series of immigrant stories, when it hosts a concert version of the Broadway musical "Ragtime."

The 1998 musical stage adaptation of E.K. Doctorow's historical novel -- which details the conflict between classes of immigrant groups in early 20th century America -- will be the first musical of its kind to take the New York Harbor.

It will take place in Ellis Island Registry Room, where immigrants passing through were traditionally inspected and registered by immigration officers.

Presenting producer Suzanne Friedman is using the "developmental concert" as a workshop for "an immersive, full production of the acclaimed American musical" on Ellis Island in 2017, its website says.

"The questions of what it means to be part of an immigrant narrative are just as prevalent now as they were in 1902, and in asking those questions in the very room where so many of our ancestors discovered the answers, 'Ragtime on Ellis Island' offers an unprecedented opportunity to bring history to life in new ways," the site explains.

Brian Stokes Mitchell, who starred in the original Broadway production, will narrate the evening. Andy Mientus (NBC's "Smash"), Laura Michelle Kelly ("Finding Neverland"), Brandon Victor Dixon ("Hamilton") and Michael Park ("Tuck Everlasting") are just a few starring in the show.

After the show, audience members can explore the main building and two of its museum exhibits. The private ferry taking them home will take a detour by the Statue of Liberty.

"Ragtime" features a score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, with a book by Terrence McNally. Sammi Cannold will direct the concert.
What to Know The body of 27-year-old Vanessa Marcotte was found in the woods in Princeton, Massachusetts, on Sunday evening.

Her mother reported her missing after she didn't return from a run that evening.

Authorities said that there didn't immediately appear to be any connections between the deaths of the two runners.

A New York City Google employee was found dead after leaving to go on a run while visiting her mother in Massachusetts appears to have died in a homicide.

Law enforcement sources told NBC 4 New York sister station NECN that the body of 27-year-old Vanessa Marcotte was found naked and burned about a half-mile from her mother's home in Princeton, Massachusetts, on Sunday evening.

Marcotte, who lives in New York City and has worked at Google's Chelsea offices for 1 1/2 years, was reported missing by her mother after she failed to return from the run that afternoon, according to Worcester District Attorney Joe Early.

Her body was found Sunday evening, and an autopsy will be performed to determine how the woman died.

It's not clear who may have killed Marcotte, but Early said that police cannot yet rule out random violence. He was asking residents to "use an abundance of caution."

Marcotte is an account executive at Google and grew up in in Leominster, about 10 miles from Princeton. The two towns are about 60 miles west of downtown Boston.

Google said in a statement was "known for her ubiquitous smile, passion for volunteer work and love of Boston sports."

"We are deeply shocked and saddened, and our thoughts are with her family and friends," the company said in a statement.

Her death comes about a week after the body of Karina Vetrano was found in the weeds near Jamaica Bay in Queens. Authorities said that Vetrano put up a "ferocious" fight before an attacker sexually assaulted and strangled her in an apparently random act of violence.

Early said that there didn't immediately appear to be any connections between the deaths of the two runners.

Another official briefed on the investigations told NBC 4 New York said that NYPD detectives will be compare case notes with police in Massachusetts to see if there is any connection between the deaths of Marcotte and Vetrano but that there's nothing to suggest the killings are connected.
A 69-year-old athlete competing in a triathlon on Long Island died Sunday while swimming in the event, authorities said.

Vincent Fleck, of Mount Kisco, died after a lifeguard noticed him in distress during the 500-meter swim, said Suffolk County police.

A lifeguard brought him in a canoe to a rescue boat, where he received first aid. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

The incident occurred during the Smith Point Spring Triathlon in Narrow Bay.

The Suffolk County Medical Examiner was set to do an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
AT&T will pay $7.75 million after a federal investigation found it allowed unauthorized third-party charges on its customers' telephone bills, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission said Monday.

The company allowed "scammers to charge customers approximately $9 per month for a sham directory assistance service," the FCC said Monday. The fraud was uncovered by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration while investigating two Ohio companies for drug-related crimes and money laundering, the FCC said.

The settlement includes $6.8 million in refunds and a $950,000 federal fine. AT&T did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Reuters reported.
Belgian prosecutors on Sunday identified the machete-wielding man who attacked two policewomen as a 33-year-old Algerian known to police for criminal offenses but not for terrorist acts.

The Saturday attack was initially was being treated as a terrorist incident, notably because the man shouted "Allahu akbar!" as he slashed at the officers outside the main police station in the city of Charleroi, Prime Minister Charles Michel said. The assailant, shot by a third officer, died later in a hospital.

The Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office said Sunday that the attacker, who it identified only as K.B., had lived in Belgium since 2012.

"Since there are indications that the attack may have been inspired by a terrorist motive, the federal prosecutor's office decided to take over the investigation from the district prosecutor's office of Charleroi," the federal office said.

The federal prosecutor's office said two police searches were carried out overnight in the Charleroi area, but said no further information about the investigation would be made public.

Michel said the prosecutors were investigating a possible case of "attempted terrorist murder."

The prime minister spoke to reporters following an emergency meeting with top Belgian law enforcement officials on Sunday morning. Michel cut short his vacation in the south of France to hurry back to Brussels following the attack in the southern Belgian city.

"We must keep a cool head," he said. "We must avoid panic, of course  not give in to terror. That's the trap that has been set for us."

Belgium has been on high alert since the March 22 suicide bombings claimed by Islamic State extremists that killed 32 people in Brussels. Many of the perpetrators of the Nov. 13 carnage in Paris that killed 130 people were also residents of Belgium.

"We know we must be constantly, constantly vigilant," Michel said.

Belgian Defense Minister Steven Vandeput said the government's Crisis Center would meet to determine if additional measures should be taken to protect police buildings and staff.

On Sunday, Charleroi police posted a request on their Twitter account asking reporters not to divulge officers' identities.

"We are targets," Charleroi police explained.
A teenage girl accused in a deadly assault of her high school classmate is expected to face a judge in Delaware on Monday.

The 16-year-old girl is charged with negligent homicide in the death of Amy Joyner-Francis, also 16, who died after she was beaten in a bathroom at Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington in April.

Two other teenage girls also face charges in Joyner-Francis' death. NBC10 is not naming the suspects because they are juveniles.

The judge on Monday will weigh whether the teen charged with homicide should face trial in a higher court.
Philadelphia's powerful electricians union is blasting the state attorney general's office after a report surfaced Sunday about an supposed investigation into union intimidation.

Frank Keel, spokesman for IBEW Local 98, said in a statement it was "troubling and inappropriate" for the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office to be speaking about an ongoing investigation.

Keel was referencing a story in The Philadelphia Inquirer, which cited anonymous sources, about the expansion of a state grand jury investigation into allegations of the union putting pressure on contractors to use union workers.

The Inquirer said the investigation began as a probe into an alleged fight between IBEW union boss John Dougherty and a nonunion electrician earlier this year. It was later expanded, the report said.

The attorney general's office has not confirmed the investigation's existence or commented on either the Inquirer's report or union's statement.

"Any allegations that the union engaged in threats or intimidation are utter fabrications," Keel said. He added that the union is cooperating with authorities.

The apparent state investigation is separate from a federal probe made public Friday after FBI agents carried out a coordinated raid operation at nine locations across Philadelphia and South Jersey.

Agents removed documents from the IBEW local headquarters, searched the homes of Dougherty and his family and Councilman Bobby Henon's city hall office.
A patriotic barbecue restaurant chain has joined the growing roster of tenants at the upcoming King of Prussia Town Center.

Eight restaurants have already signed on so far to open as part of Chevy Chase, Maryland-based JBG Cos.' vision for the 260,000-square-foot King of Prussia Town Center to create a unique dining destination. The first restaurant tenant, Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao, opened late last month.

The latest addition to the culinary scene at the Town Center is Mission BBQ, which is set to open in spring 2017. The Town Center location will be the Maryland-based brand's fifth Pennsylvania location.

Mission BBQ's Pennsylvania restaurants are located in Whitehall, Wyomissing, York and Philadelphia.

To read the full article, click here.

For more business news, visit Philadelphia Business Journal.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

Trend:

Armenian armed forces have 19 times violated the ceasefire on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops over the past 24 hours, said Azerbaijans Defense Ministry Aug. 8.

Armenians were using large caliber machine guns while firing at Azerbaijani positions.

Armenian armed forces, stationed in the nameless heights of Armenias Ijevan district opened fire at Azerbaijani positions located on the nameless heights of Gazakh district.

Azerbaijani positions in the Munjuqlu village of Tovuz district also took fire from the positions located in the nameless heights of Armenias Berd district.

Azerbaijani positions also underwent fire from the positions located on the nameless heights in Goygol, Goranboy, Fizuli and Khojavand districts, as well as near the villages of Medhili of Jabrayil district and Merzili of Aghdam 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.
August 15, 2015: DA confirms Megan Short and the couple's children were shot to death by husband Mark Short. Read those developments here.

UPDATE: NBC10 Investigator George Spencer delved into the Short family's back story. Watch the video and read the story here.

Megan Short, who died alongside her husband, Mark, and the couple's three children in an apparent murder-suicide over the weekend, had been planning to leave her husband, according to Mark Short's relatives.



Mark Short's cousin and aunt told NBC10/Telemundo62 reporter Andrea Cruz that Megan and Mark Short had been going through a tough separation recently, and that Mark had been trying to keep the family together.



"He was a family, family guy. He was all family. He worked himself to death to try and keep his family together," James Short, Mark Short's cousin, said. "It was just work, work, work and family. That was it."

Megan Short, though, alleged on Facebook that her husband was abusive, a friend told the Reading Eagle. She posted about her desire to leave the marriage on her Facebook profile, the friend said.

Mark Short's relatives, who live in Folcroft, Delaware County, where he grew up, said that he took his wife and their children, 2-year-old Willow, 5-year-old Mark Jr. and 8-year-old Liana, to Disney World in February in hopes of improving his relationship with his wife and convincing her to stay together. That didn't help, though, the relatives said, and Megan Short still planned to leave.

Police have said their investigation revealed the couple had "domestic issues," but they have not provided additional details.



[[389410721, C]]

On Saturday, police found 40-year-old Mark and Megan Short, 33, along with their three children and the family's dog, all dead of gunshot wounds in the living room of their home in the Berks County Borough of Sinking Spring. Officers paid a visit to the stately single home where the family lived on Winding Brook Drive when one of Megan Short's relatives called them, concerned after she failed to show up for a planned lunch, authorities said.



Police have not yet said who they believe did the shooting, but said investigators did find a "murder-suicide note" in the home, along with a handgun near one of the adults' bodies. Authorities called the family's deaths "an apparent tragic domestic incident."



Mark Short's relatives described him as a laid-back man who worked in the real-estate industry and would do anything for anyone, particularly his family.



"He was just a really good guy. You wouldn't think he would do this kind of thing, but in the situation he's in right now, you never can tell with people," James Short said of his cousin.



"Don't think any less of him, because he's a really, really good guy. He would do anything for anybody," James Short continued. "You don't know the situation, so don't try to judge."



James Short and other relatives said that Megan Short began dating Mark, who was seven years her senior, when she was just 17 years old, and that the couple had a child and married not long after that.



The family struggled with serious health issues in their youngest child, Willow, who was born with a congenital heart defect that required her to have a heart transplant when she was just days old. Articles in both the New York Times and the Reading Eagle chronicled the Shorts' struggles with Willow's health problems.



Megan Short also recently wrote about the post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety she suffers due to dealing with her young daughter's illness in a blog post on the Philly at Heart blog.



"There are very few moments when you can clearly see your life as separated into the before and after," Megan Short wrote. "Having a child born with a severe congenital heart defect has been the most significant shift of my life."



She wrote that she began taking medication and going to therapy for her PTSD in the blog post, which was published in April.



Despite the family's struggles, their Facebook pages seem to tell a different part of the story.



Mark and Megan Short's profiles both show dozens of photos of them together and with their blond-haired children, smiling.



On a photo of Mark Short and Megan posted on his page in December, he wrote, "She's still the most beautiful girl I've ever met ... I'm the luckiest guy in the world to have her as my wife and the mother of my three amazing children."



Mark Short's relatives said they expected his body to be released Monday afternoon following an autopsy, and that they plan to have his funeral in Delaware County. They said Megan Short's family is handling arrangements for her and the children.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Philadelphia's Criminal Justice Center will be open for business Monday after an elevator mishap last week left a sheriff's sergeant critically injured, court officials said.

The city hired experts to inspect the 17-story building's elevators over the weekend and determined them to be safe, a spokesman for the First Judicial District said Sunday.

The elevators involved in the incident will remain out of service for some time, officials said.

Anyone involved in an ongoing trial should report to the CJC on Monday, officials said. Those who were scheduled to appear on Thursday and Friday will have their proceedings rescheduled for a later date.

The building, officially known as the Stout Center for Criminal Justice, was evacuated Thursday after a staff elevator carrying a sheriff's sergeant shot up to the penthouse level, breaking through the shaft ceiling and into the machine room.

Sheriff's Sgt. Paul Owens was thrown around the car suffering several broken bones in his back. Debris from the crash fell down the elevator shaft and crushed another car on the first floor. A woman inside that car suffered minor injuries.

Philadelphia Sheriff's Office

Investigators have not said what may have caused the malfunction. They closed the building to inspect all the elevators. Records showed a state-certified inspector cleared the lifts in June.

Owens remains in critical condition at Hahnemann University Hospital.
Prosecutors say an arrest has been made in the fatal shootings of a couple at their Camden home earlier this year.

Gary Johnson faces two counts of murder in the deaths of 23-year-old John Valerio and 25-year-old Aleshia Hill.

Police found the couple inside their city home on April 4, and the pair were pronounced dead there a short time later. Officers had gone to the residence after receiving a 911 call.

A motive for the shooting has not been disclosed.

Johnson was arrested late Thursday night in Pennsauken and remained in custody Sunday. He's due to be arraigned Tuesday.

It wasn't known Sunday if the 37-year-old Camden man has retained an attorney.
An American professor and his Australian colleague have been kidnapped in the Afghan capital, Kabul, an official at the American University of Afghanistan confirmed to NBC News.

The two foreigners were taken from their SUV while driving on Sunday night on a main road near the university, according to Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Sediqqi also added that initial reports show that up to five armed men stopped the foreigners' vehicle and carried out the kidnapping. The two abducted are both men, he said. He did not reveal any more details except to say that an investigation is underway.

Attempts to recover the kidnapped professors are underway, Kabul police chief Gen. Abdul Rahman Rahimi confirmed to NBC News. He declined to comment further amid the ongoing investigation.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement confirming "the apparent kidnapping of an Australian in Kabul"

"Due to privacy and security considerations we will not be commenting further. We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation, including the serious threat of kidnapping," it said.

Senior staff at the university in Kabul could not immediately be reached for comment.

Kidnappings are not uncommon in Afghanistan. Three other foreigners who were kidnapped in Kabul over the past year have all been released, including an Indian woman, Judith D'Souza who was freed last month after being held for more than a month.

An Australian woman, Kerry Jane Wilson, was abducted in the eastern city of Jalalabad in April. Her whereabouts are unknown.

Sediqqi said that kidnappers in all the Kabul cases, including Monday's, had been wearing military uniforms, establishing a pattern and hinting at some form of organized gang activity.

Most of the thousands of foreigners living and working in Kabul are largely confined to their embassies or, in the case of those working for the United Nations or other non-government organizations, to their residential compounds, with limited movement permitted.

The abductions heighten the risk for the few foreigners, including journalists, who move with relative freedom across the Afghan capital in order to do their work.

Residents of the capital complain that crime has risen in recent months, especially robbery and car theft. The apparent rise coincides with an economic crisis as the government has not been able to create jobs or stimulate growth.

President Ashraf Ghani took office in 2014 promising jobs and peace, but has provided neither as the war with the Taliban grinds on for its 15th year.

The police, however, deny a spike in crime.

On Sunday, a court in the western city of Herat sentenced 14 people to death for kidnapping and murder. Another three, including a woman, were handed prison sentences of between six and 20 years.
A six-month investigation found nearly 70,000 guns were lost or stolen in California over the last half-decade and many of those same guns were later used to commit other crimes. Thats about 34 guns every day that are stolen from legal gun owners.

Some were later used to kill innocent people across the state.

People like Olga Dinelli, 84, who was tied up and shot once in the head in her Sonoma County home last year. Police seized multiple stolen guns from her suspected killers.

Gun theft isnt as prevalent in the Bay Area as it is in other parts of California, but stolen guns have played a central role in some of the regions most high-profile murders.

From Kate Steinle, killed with a gun stolen from a Federal law enforcement agent on San Francisco's Pier 14, to Steve Carter, the tantra yoga instructor killed on a Marin County hiking trail by three transients with a gun grabbed from a parked car in San Francisco, stolen guns have left deep and personal scars.

It was just devastating, said Lokita Carter, Steve Carters widow. She was in the middle of a battle of cancer when she learned of her husbands death. Having cancer is one thing. Having rare, invasive cancer is another thing. Having police standing outside at 3 in the morning saying, We have some unfortunate news for you, your husband was shot dead a few miles away, was a bad nightmare.

Click here to see the complete story about stolen guns and their impact on the Bay Area.

The Bay Area isnt a hot spot for gun theft, although more than 10,000 guns were reported lost or stolen across the nine Bay Area counties between 2010 and late 2015. In comparison, the Los Angeles area and some Central Valley communities have far more stolen guns. For example, more than 4,600 guns were reported lost or stolen to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department alone.

Just outside the Bay area, stolen guns have helped fuel an epidemic of violence in Stockton.

According to police data compiled by the NBC stations, stolen guns have been seized in connection to more than 400 crimes in Stockton since 2010, including at least 12 homicides.

More than 1,350 guns were reported lost or stolen in Stockton over the same time period, according to California Department of Justice data.

The San Jose Police Department took 1,452 lost or stolen gun reports over the same time period, the most of any Bay Area law enforcement agency. Since 2012, data from the San Jose Police Department shows at least 85 stolen guns were seized in connection to crimes in the city, including two homicides, five shootings and a rape.

The Oakland Police Department was second, taking nearly 1,000 stolen or lost gun reports. San Francisco police only took 412 reports over the same time period, ranking the department 31st in the state.

Yet stolen guns have left a dark, indelible mark on the Bay Area.

In 2015 alone, five high profile homicides involving stolen guns made headlines across the region. They include:
Community members will come together Monday to celebrate the life of an officer killed in the line of duty five years ago.

San Diego Police Officer Jeremy Henwood, 36, died after a man pulled up next to his patrol car in City Heights and shot him in August 7, 2011, exactly five years ago. He had served with the department for four years and had also been a Captain in the United States Marine Corps Reserves.

The anniversary of Officer Henwood's death comes just days after hundreds came together to honor the life of SDPD Officer Jonathan De Guzman, buried Friday.

San Diego Police Officer Ed LaValle knew Officer Henwood as a man always willing to help others out, maybe even a little too much.

He still remembers seeing him the night before he died.

"My last words to him probably weren't very nice," LaValle admitted. "I told him basically to get the blank out of my face, and go help somebody else, because he was being a little bit of an annoying person that night, but I wish he was here and I could take that back."

It's a regret Officer LaValle carries five years later even as he struggles to cope with yet another officer's death.

"I think other officers, it will hit them some way as it will with (Officer) De Guzman," he said.

Officer DeValle said in light of fallen Officer De Guzman, killed in the line of duty July 28, and wounded Officer Wade Irwin, this anniversary will hit the community particularly hard.

Monday, thousands are expected to gather for a free barbecue to celebrate the life and legacy of Officer Henwood, a legacy that was in part cemented with his final act of kindness. He was seen on a McDonald's surveillance camera minutes before losing his life, buying food for a child.

"Knowing that his last act of kindness was buying McDonald's for a child who wanted some food, it's his generosity that will inspire us and generations to give back," said Mark Arabo, a local business owner who is involved in Monday's barbecue.

By hosting a free Barbecue in San Diego's Mid-City neighborhood Monday, the San Diego Police officers Association and Arabo say they want to continue that legacy of giving.

The celebration of life will take place at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park in City Heights, dedicated in 2014 by local leaders, law enforcement and family members.

Organizers will also be accepting donations for the San Diego Police Officer's Association Widows and Orphans Fund.
Delta passengers around the world including those arriving and departing San Diego experienced delays Monday due to a system-wide computer failure.

Delta Air Lines resumed a limited number of departure flights shortly before 6 a.m. PT, nearly six hours after after a power outage hit its computer systems and grounded flights globally.

At San Diego International Airport, officials couldnt tell NBC 7 if flights leaving our area would be affected. Travelers heading to Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis, JFK , Detroit and Atlanta may see delays or a cancellation.

Delta advises customers heading to the airport to expect delays and cancellations.

There may also be some lag time in the display of accurate flight status at delta.com, the Fly Delta App and from Delta representatives on the phone and in airport, according to a company statement.

Passengers may opt for a full refund of their ticket price if their flight was delayed or cancelled, Delta said. Passengers with flights scheduled between Aug. 8 and Aug. 12, who wish to change their ticket, may due so without incurring change fees. [[389455061, C]]
A local church honored the memory of the victims of a recent string of homeless killings with a memorial service Sunday.

Angelo De Nardo, the first victim of the attacks last month, attended the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) of San Diego in Clairemont for years.

"We welcomed him into our midst and we celebrate diversity and we recognized him as a child of God and were grateful that this was a place that he could find refuge and solace," Rev. Dan Koeshall of the MCC San Diego, said.

De Nardos badly burned body was found by Police in Bay Ho on July third. Two of the other victims were found dead the same week.

De Nardo, 53, had family in Pennsylvania, police said.

Victims Shawn Longley and Dionicio Vahidy were also remembered during the service.

Although the memorial was sparsely attended, church officials said its not the amount of people that matters.

"We wanted to say their names and to honor them, and we're grateful for that energy that can go out from here, mighty in love, maybe small in numbers but mighty in love, Koeshall said.

Koeshall said he was shocked when he heard homeless men were being targeted in San Diego, and it pierced his heart when he found out De Nardo was one of the victims.

What was unique about Angelo is that when he would come to receive a sack lunch he insisted on always giving a dollar, Koeshall remembered. He would never just take it. He says I want to give something in return, and that touched our hearts.

Coming out here and showing our respect for his life and honoring the life of, not only Angelo, but the other men who were killed, was also a call to action. We need to do more for homeless people in San Diego, retired assembly member Lori Saldana told NBC 7.

Jon Guerrero of San Diego was arrested on July 15 and is charged with three counts of first degree murder. He could face the death penalty if convicted.
The mayor of the City of Fairfax, Virginia, has announced his resignation after he was arrested for allegedly giving methamphetamine to an undercover detective in exchange for a sexual encounter.

According to a press release from the City of Fairfax City Council, R. Scott Silverthorne will resign from his position, effective Thursday, Aug. 11 at noon. Silverthorne appointed Councilman Jeff Greenfield acting mayor, but city council has scheduled a special meeting Tuesday night.

"It has been an honor and priviledge to serve our community, which has been my lifelong home," wrote Silverthorne in his letter to city residents and the member of the City Council.

Silverthorne waived his formal arraignment, which was scheduled for Wednesday.

Silverthorne was arrested Aug. 4 at a Tysons Corner hotel after police received a tip that he may have been trading meth for sex on a website used to arrange casual sexual encounters between men.

An undercover detective created a profile on the website, and Silverthorne contacted him within a few days, according to police.

Silverthorne allegedly told the detective he could provide meth "in exchange for sexual encounters," police said. The detective agreed to meet with Silverthorne, who agreed to bring other men to the engagement, according to police.

Police said Silverthorne brought the meth to the Chain Bridge Road hotel on Thursday. He was arrested and charged with felony distribution of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Authorities said they don't know how long Silverthorne was on the website, which police did not identify.

"I know he had one other relationship on the website besides us," Capt. Jack Harden with Fairfax County police said during a news conference Friday.

Police said Silverthorne also served as a substitute teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools. A spokesman for the school district told NBC News that Silverthorne worked "briefly" as a FCPS substitute teacher starting in April 2016 and that he has been let go.

Silverthorne's arrest comes amid a trying year for him. He lost his full-time civilian job, lost his home and was diagnosed with cancer.

In May, he was re-elected to a third term as mayor after being elected to the position in 2012.

Investigators also arrested Silverthorne's alleged suppliers, Juan Jose Fernandez, 34, and Caustin Lee McLaughlin, 21.

Fernandez was charged with felony distribution of methamphetamine, felony possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

McLaughlin was charged with felony distribution of methamphetamine, felony obstruction of justice, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

Trend:

Status quo in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is unacceptable and the conflict should be resolved in line with international law and within Azerbaijans territorial integrity, said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

He made the remarks addressing the trilateral meeting with his Russian and Iranian counterparts, Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani, in Baku Aug. 8.

President Aliyev pointed out that Iran and Russia respect Azerbaijans territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty, and both countries have repeatedly emphasized the necessity of resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in line with international law.

International community and organizations recognize Azerbaijans territorial integrity and support the fair settlement of the conflict in line with international law, added the president.

The UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, the OSCE, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other international organizations unequivocally support Azerbaijans territorial integrity, said President Aliyev.

First of all, Azerbaijani lands should be liberated for the settlement of the conflict, added President Aliyev. Azerbaijans territorial integrity has been violated for many years and 20 percent of our lands are under occupation. Over a million Azerbaijanis are suffering from this occupation.

The UN Security Council has adopted four resolutions on the conflict. Those resolutions demand the unconditional withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the occupied lands. Regrettably, these resolutions have not been fulfilled for over 20 years, said President Aliyev.
The driver involved in a car crash that killed three family members pleaded guilty Monday to three counts of vehicular manslaughter, the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office says.

Olgucan Atakoglu, 20, of Potomac, Maryland, was traveling 115 mph in a 45 mph zone when he slammed into a family's car along River Road in Bethesda on Feb. 27.

Michael Buarque de Macedo, 52, his wife Alessandra M. Buarque de Macedo, 53, and their son, Thomas, 17, all died in the crash. Helena Buarque de Macedo, 15, survived the crash.

The family was on their way to see a play at Walt Whitman High School, Helena and Thomas' school.

Each count of vehicular manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. In this case, the recommended sentence is three months to four years for each count, the State's Attorney's Office said in a statement.

The family had been trying to make a left turn at the intersections of River and Pyle Roads, near the back entrance of the high school. After the crash, community members renewed pleas to extend the median and prevent left turns onto Pyle Road, which some have called a dangerous intersection.

"We predicted this would happen," said community activist Richard Boltuck at Whitman in June. "We felt each day it didn't happen, we were lucky. We were fortunate. Maybe, we were even wrong. But eventually, our fears have proven to have been well-founded."

A day after community members gathered at the school to call for change to the roads, parents and educators again gathered to celebrate the school's graduates, including Thomas Buarque de Macedo, who was a senior.

His sister, a sophomore, and their uncle accepted the young man's honorary degree and a certificate that recognized his standing in the top five percent of his class on his behalf.

Atakoglu's sentencing is slated for Nov. 7. He is being held on no bond pending his sentencing, the statement said.
Authorities say an off-duty police officer with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission shot a man who illegally entered his Maryland home.

Agency spokeswoman Ayoka Blandford says in a statement that the suspect was shot in the arm Sunday afternoon in Laurel, about 20 miles southwest of Baltimore, and has been apprehended. She says his injuries are not life-threatening.

Prince George's County Police Officer Tyler Hunter says his agency will likely release more details Monday. He declined to disclose the races of the suspect or the officer.

Blandford says the officer has served with the sanitary commission for one year. She says he worked for the University of Maryland-Baltimore for 20 years.

WSSC is a water and wastewater utility serving 1.8 million residents in Prince George's and Montgomery counties.
The latest slowdown of Metro's 9-month maintenance blitz will be more disruptive than initially planned.

Red Line trains will continuously single-track between the Shady Grove and Twinbrook Metro stations starting Tuesday.

On weekdays, trains will serve the Shady Grove and Rockville stations every 18 minutes.

All other Red Line stations will have near-normal service, WMATA said.

Additional trains will operate between Twinbrook and Glenmont and between Grosvenor and Silver Spring during the morning and afternoon rush.

Midday and evening trains between Shady Grove and Silver Spring will operate every 18 minutes. Between Grosvenor and Glenmont, trains will operate every 12 minutes, WMATA said.

After 10 p.m., trains between Shady Grove and Glenmont stations will run every 20 minutes, according to WMATA.

WMATA is encouraging ridingers to avoid the Shady Grove and Rockville stations, if possible.

Weekend train schedules may change to coordinate with other planned track work on the Metrorail system, WMATA said.

The work zone will be extended the weekend of Aug. 13 and Aug. 14, to include a line segment shutdown between Shady Grove and Grosvenor-Strathmore stations. Free shuttle buses will replace the trains.

On Aug. 20 and Aug. 21, free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Grosvenor and Shady Grove stations. White Flint, Twinbrook, Rockville and Shady Grove stations will be closed during this time.

Additional weekend service information will be posted here.

Red Line track disruption will last through Thursday, Aug. 18.

Travel Alternatives

A map of SafeTrack Surge 7 alternatives, including MARC and Metrobus routes, can be found here.

MARCs Brunswick Line: This MARC train will take riders from Rockville or other MARC stations to the north to Union Station. The Maryland Transit Administration is planning to add an extra car per train to accommodate more riders.

Ride On: Montgomery Countys bus system, will provide a free weekday rush hour shuttle bus service between Shady Grove and Grosvenor stations.

Bus Options: Metrobus offers several bus routes. The Q1 and Q2 runs from Shady Grove and makes stops at Rockville, Wheaton, Forest Glen and Silver Spring. The Q4 runs from Rockville to Silver Spring. The Q5 and Q6 runs from Shady Grove, making stops in Rockville and Wheaton.

Biking: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation released resources, including bike maps, for getting around by bike.

Lyft/Uber: Use ride-hailing apps like Lyft or Uber to get around. Find the Lyft app here for either iPhone or Android, and the Uber app on iTunes here or on Google Play here. Lyft said it will offer Metro riders discounted rides throughout SafeTrack's phases; see discount zones and info here. Uber says UberPOOL, in which passengers share cars, will be available across the entire D.C. area through the year of SafeTrack.

Taxi: You can, of course, hail a cab on the street, but you can also order one online or by phone. DC.gov has a list of District taxi companies online here.
Prince George's County police are searching for a 79-year-old woman who has been missing for three days.

Mary Butler was last seen in the area of Indian Head Highway in Fort Washington at 10:25 a.m. Friday.

Butler is 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 115 pounds. Police did not have a description of what she was last seen wearing.

Police say Butler could be driving a silver Toyota Corolla with Maryland tags 5BX1273.

Anyone with information that can help police is asked to call 301-749-5064.
State authorities confirm one person died in a fire in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, early Monday morning.

The 2-alarm fire broke out at 264 Mattfield Street around 5:09 a.m.

The victim has been identified as Robert Murphy, age 54, who resided in the first floor apartment of the two-family home.

The family living on the second floor told investigators they attempted to alert Murphy to the fire before they escaped.

Murphy's body was transported to the Medical Examiner's office where an official cause of death will be determined.

A state Fire Marshal investigator is still at the scene but has determined the fire is not considered suspicious and no foul play is suspected.

The fire gutted the two-family home.

The State Fire Marshal's office determined the origin of the fire to be in the kitchen of the first floor apartment.

The cause was ruled accidental.

Due to the extent of damage, it is unclear what activity or appliance started the fire.

The fire was investigated by State Police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office, the West Bridgewater Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal's Office.
Police in Farmington, New Hampshire, are searching for a suspect they say shot a man during an argument Monday morning.

According to necn affiliate WCSH, the shooting happened outside a home on Ridge Road.

The victim was taken to a hospital. His current condition is unknown.

Police have identified the suspect and are still looking for him.
An episcopal church in Connecticut has been targeted for taking a stand against social injustice.

In 2014, Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford put up a Black Lives Matter banner on the fence of their property. The banner has been vandalized four times, most recently last Thursday.

The word black was cut off the banner leaving it to say lives matter.

The head of the church says she knew taking a stand would not be without controversy.

You expect responses. You expect reactions, said the Very Rev. Miguelina Howell, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. When we say 'black lives matter' we are not negating that all lives matter. God created us all equal and black lives are not treated equal in this nation.

Howell, who hails from the Dominican Republic said she is undeterred by the recent vandalism. She said the church will keep replacing the signs until the vandalism stops.

Pat Rice, an African-American member of the church, believes the Black Lives Matter movement is misunderstood by some, especially given the recent peaceful protest in Dallas that turned violent against police.

People are frightened by the sign. Its an emotionally charged sign, said Rice.

In a separate incident, the original doors of the building were slashed. Howell says it will cost a fortune to have them replaced.

Christ Church Cathedral has stood on the corner of Main and Church streets for nearly 200 years, a witness to history, good and bad. Each week, it attracts all walks of life into its pews to pray.

"When I come here I know that it's a completely diverse in every single way community, said parishioner Wendy West.

West, who is white, says she is completely comfortable with the message behind the Black Lives Matter sign, and says she believes the sign is appropriate in front of her church.

"I am imagining that that person [who vandalized the sign] maybe believes that they understand but hasnt had the benefit of the types of conversations that I've been able to have, added West.

West, who has participated in several peaceful protests for the Black Lives Matter cause, said conversations with fellow parishioners, like Rice, have opened her mind to see the inequality African-Americans face.

"I'm the mother of a grandson who's a young black male. He may be stopped and he may be looking at the end of the gun. So, we have that conversation all the time, just be careful don't make sudden moves, explained Rice.

Leaders say they hope this is the last time the sign is vandalized but wont be surprised if it happens again.

I have to admit its discouraging, said Rev. Jay Cooke. My courage comes out of the discouragement actually, to continue to witness to our faith.

Parishioners hope the message of acceptance and equality rooted in their teachings will grow outside their church's walls as well.
A Monday morning crash caused fuel to pour off the Tobin Bridge in Boston.

State police confirm a box truck crashed into a jersey barrier on the bridge separating Boston from Chelsea, Massachusetts, around 11 a.m.

An estimated two gallons of fuel leaked onto Chelsea Street at the Charlestown Memorial Center.

Crews from MassDOT prevented the fuel from entering storm drains. Boston Fire also responded.

No one was injured in the crash.

Delays were expected. Plan ahead by checking our traffic page.
A 50-year-old New Haven man was killed in a stabbing Sunday morning.

Police said James Edward Foley, of State Street, died at Yale-New Haven Hospital after he was stabbed in an apartment on Saltonstall Avenue.

The incident occurred around 5:36 a.m. Police believe the victim was likely targeted. Police said there is no threat to the public. The investigation is ongoing.

Police have not released any further details at this time.
Connecticut state police are investigating after a Bridgeport police officer shot a woman suspected of leading police on a chase in a stolen car on Sunday, according to state police.

Bridgeport police tried to stop the driver of a 2016 Nissan Sentra at 6:40 p.m. on Sunday because the car was reported stolen out of Bridgeport earlier in the day, but the woman driving led officers on a chase from Bridgeport into Stratford and wouldnt stop, police said.

The chase finally ended in the parking lot of a junk-hauling business on Seymour Street and the driver, Josephine Cepeda, 26, of Bridgeport, intentionally hit two Bridgeport police cruisers, police said.

An officer fired his department-issued gun and hit Cepeda at least once, according to police.

After a brief struggle, police took Cepeda into custody and she was taken to Bridgeport Hospital.

Her injuries are not life-threatening and no police officers were hurt, according to a news release from police.

State police said the Western District Major Crime unit was called in to investigate around 10 p.m.

Bridgeport Police Chief, Armando "AJ" Perez, defended the officer and said officers are authorized to use in certain cases.

I stand firmly behind the actions of the Bridgeport police officers involved in this incident last night. As is our protocol, we refer any incident in which a person is struck by the discharge of a service weapon fired by a Bridgeport police officer for investigation by the local State Attorney and the Connecticut State Police, Perez said in a statement. This matter is now under investigation by the office of Bridgeport State Attorney John Smirga and the Connecticut State Police. As such, we can have no further comment on any details related to this matter, pending the outcome of the state investigation.

Police have not released the name of the Bridgeport police officer.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug.8

Trend:

Three Azerbaijani sportsmen will take part on the fourth day of the Olympic Games in Rio.

Fencer Mikina Sabina will begin her participation on fighting with the representative of Tunisia Azza Besbes at the Olympics

Judoka Rustam Orujov will perform on the mat in the category of 73 kg.

Boxer Abdulkadir Abdullayev will fight with Frenchman Paul Omba Biongolo in the category of 91 kg.

Fifty-six athletes are representing Azerbaijan at the 2016 Summer Olympics, underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The games, which kicked off on Aug. 5, will end on Aug. 21, and will be followed by the 15th Summer Paralympic Games on Sept. 7-18.
Vermont State Police are asking for the public's help in locating a missing woman who was last seen about a week ago.

Police said Rachel Daniel, 30, of Manhattan, Kansas, was in Vermont for the Rainbow Gathering in Mount Tabor. She last had contact with her family on July 31 and told friends she planned to return home to Kansas by August 1.

Authorities said Daniel's cell phone was last pinged to Lincoln, Vermont, but is currently shut off.

Daniel is described as bi-racial, 6' 0", between 250-280 pounds, and has long, black curly hair with brown eyes.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Vermont State Police at 802-388-4919 or submit an anonymous tip by texting "CRIMES" (274637) with keyword: VTIPS or online at http://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
Retired Connecticut State Supreme Court Justice David Borden died Sunday morning, according to the state judicial branch.

Borden was appointed to the Connecticut Supreme Court by Governor William A. ONeill in 1990 and served until his retirement in 2007. Prior to that he served on the Connecticut Appellate Court, as a Superior Court judge, and as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas.

After he retired, he served as a judge trial referee on the Connecticut Appellate Court.

Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers released a statement on Bordens passing, which read in part:

It is difficult to find the right words to describe the incredible legacy of Justice David Borden. First of all, he was a brilliant scholar whose body of work will have a lasting impact upon the law in Connecticut. Justice Borden believed deeply in the rule of law, open and transparent courts, and access to justice for all.

To that end, he left indelible prints wherever he served during his remarkable judicial career. No legal issue was too challenging for him, and he never lost sight of the importance of a case to an individual party. Moreover, Justice Borden was an extraordinary mentor to his law clerks over the years; they not only thrived under his leadership but also viewed him as a family member. Judges too viewed Justice Borden as a mentor, and many sought his wise counsel over the years, including myself.

Rogers went on to say that Borden was a family man that loved life and had a great perspective on what was important.
The worst rabies outbreak in the Berkshire County town of Sheffield, Massachusetts, in nearly a quarter of a century has the local animal control officer warning residents to keep a close eye on pets and children.

Animal Control Officer Martin Clark tells The Berkshire Eagle that rabid foxes, skunks and even a woodchuck have been spotted over the past few weeks.

He says rabies hasn't been this bad in town since 1992.

Clark says there might be more cases in the coming weeks. He cautioned the public to take care and call him if they see a rabid animal.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the brain of mammals. It is transmitted through saliva, usually by bites, and is recognizable by the aggression of the infected animal.
It may be about time to finally declare a winner in the long and sometimes bitter battle for mobile dominance between Apples iOS and Googles Android. According to a recent survey of thousands of developers around the world, Android is increasing its lead for developer mindshare, eroding the long-standing maxim of creating apps for iPhone first.

Android sets a record

In Developer Economics: State of the Developer Nation Q3 2016, released last week, VisionMobile reports Android now has a whopping 79 percent "mindshare" among mobile developers, the highest for any platform the company has measured since it began its quarterly surveys back in 2010. The record comes as the mindshare for iOS has consistently tracked at 51 percent to 55 percent since 2013 (although that figure rises to 61 percent for professional developers).

More important, perhaps, almost half (47 percent) of professional developers now consider Android their primary platform, up seven points in just six months. Apple, meanwhile, is going in the opposite direction. The number of mobile developers who consider iOS their primary platform dropped eight points, from 39 percent to 31 percent.

In some sense, this dramatic leap seems inevitable. Android has long outsold iOS by a wide margin, but many developers clung to iOS because of its early dominance and wealthier installed base that led to greater familiarity, more app downloads and greater revenue opportunities. But the ever-growing disparity in sheer numbers of users seems to finally have caught up with the developer community. Androids ascendance appears due both to many developers changing their allegiance and to large numbers of new, professional, Android developers entering the field to join what had been an area dominated by hobbyists (52 percent of whom favor Android as a platform).

+ Also on Network World: Google and Apple: Apple could be the next AOL +

Another factor, according to the reports authors, is the changing nature of app monetization. As the mobile market matures, the trend is away from direct monetization through paid downloads, in-app purchases and advertising toward apps that support wider business goals. In that environment, Androids vastly larger market share is increasingly difficult to ignore.

Geography as destiny

This dramatic change isnt always visible from the U.S. perspective. Mobile platforms, like the future, are not evenly distributed. The survey showed a strong bias toward Android in the East and a slight bias toward iOS in the West. Specifically, iOS holds a one-point lead in the U.S., and the two platforms are running even in Western Europe.

But in regions such as Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and South America, Android enjoys a huge 20-point lead. Apples efforts to court developers in China has had some success, the report concludes. iOS is the top choice of 17 percent of Chinese mobile developers, which is higher than the platforms market share in the country.

China's ascendant

The Chinese market is particularly important, and not just because of its vast size and even bigger growth potential. Several factors increasingly point to the rise of mobile innovation in China outstripping its Silicon Valley competition.

On top of San Francisco ride-sharing giant Uber losing its battle for the Chinese market to Didi Chxing, The New York Times last week declared that China, Not Silicon Valley, Is Cutting Edge in Mobile Tech.The evidence for that is still largely anecdotal, but the long-term trend seems difficult to dispute.
The quickest way to launch the cyber equivalent of a nuclear war is for the targets of cyberattacks to try to hack back against their tormentors.

Or, maybe not.

The debate over that has raged for decades, with a majority of security experts arguing that the difficulties of attribution and the dangers of escalating retaliatory counterattacks make hacking back a losing proposition.

But what if it didnt involve trying to corrupt or destroy an attackers network? What if it wasnt exactly kinder, but was a bit gentler, involving intermediate-level responses like so-called naming and shaming of perpetrators, or blocking access to U.S. markets of foreign companies that benefit from cyber espionage?

A recent paper by father and son, Jeremy and Ariel Rabkin, titled "Hacking Back Without Cracking Up," seeks to make that case  that it is not only possible to hack back (what some call taking active defense measures) without prompting a catastrophic cycle of retaliation, but necessary given that annual losses to American businesses from criminal hacking were estimated at $100 billion two years ago and has increased since then.

They cite former National Security Agency (NSA) head Gen. Keith Alexanders declaration in 2012 that the cybertheft of U.S. intellectual property is, "the largest transfer of wealth in world history," as evidence that the status quo is unacceptable.

Even more compelling, they say, is that government has not demonstrated the ability to protect private-sector intellectual property.

They contend that passage last year of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA), vaguely refers to defensive measures but neither authorizes nor prohibits actual hack-back tactics. In brief, more talk, no more action.

This, they wrote, has apparently left the Obama administration, intellectually exhausted by its effort to assure everyone it is taking the problem seriously  without offending anyone.

The father and son go to considerable lengths to distance themselves from supporting lawless, Wild West-type counterattacks by proposing that the response be done not by the victims, but by hired professionals  forensic cyber experts with government-approved law enforcement certification, so the retaliation will be measured and much more likely to be against the actual perpetrator.

They cite the cybersecurity firms CrowdStrike and Mandiant, which in 2014 outed different hacking groups affiliated with Chinas Peoples Liberation Army.

The senior Rabkin, a professor at George Mason School of Law, and his son, a software engineer at Cloudera, liken it to a retail store hiring security guards, who have some law enforcement authority against shoplifting or other criminal acts.

In a podcast interview with Stewart Baker, former NSA general counsel, former assistant secretary for policy at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and now a partner at Steptoe & Johnson (and an outspoken hacking back advocate), they argued that merely exposing perpetrators could be an effective deterrent  perhaps even spur the federal government to more aggressive action.

You might say this isnt going to have a big effect on China or Russia or Iran, Jeremy Rabkin said, but its worthwhile if it just raises the profile of these concerns to the government.

If a company could say, We know whos doing this. Here are their names and addresses. By the way, heres his sister, his girlfriend, heres his mother  you now have all this information and you put it on a website. I think it would be harder for government to shrug this off in the way that it has, he said.

You might say this isnt going to have a big effect on China or Russia or Iran, but its worthwhile if it just raises the profile of these concerns to the government.

Jeremy Rabkin, professor, George Mason School of Law

The two say that besides exposing foreign hackers personal information, the U.S. government could take other measures short of cyber retaliation  denying travel permits, denying access to the U.S. banking system, imposing commercial sanctions on firms that do business with the hackers or even suing companies that get trade secrets from hackers.

They say they know their proposal is not a panacea, but they say it is a starting point.

The timing of their paper is interesting, to say the least, since it was published by the Hoover Institution about a month before Wikileaks published a trove of emails from the Democratic National Committee (DNC)  an event that has even outspoken opponents of hacking back calling for the U.S. government to impose some kind of retribution against the hackers who stole the documents.

Russian hackers are widely suspected, although that is still being debated.

Whoever did it, hacking back opponents like Bruce Schneier, CTO of Resilient Systems, have called for retaliation. In a blog post, Schneier called it, an attack against our democracy, and said the U.S. should confront the perpetrators and, make clear that we will not tolerate this kind of interference by any government. He did not specify how he thought the U.S. should make it clear.

However, calling for government to retaliate against a state-sponsored attack is not an endorsement of the private sector doing the same thing, even at a moderate level.

Dmitri Alperovitch, cofounder and CTO of CrowdStrike, even though his firms outing of a Chinese hacking group was cited in the Rabkins paper as an example of what they advocate, was brief and blunt. CrowdStrike does not hack back and does not support such activities, he said.

Robert M. Lee, cofounder and CEO of Dragos Security and a former U.S. Air Force cyber warfare operations officer, was also unconvinced. He first objects to the use of the term active defense when describing hacking back. Active defense is not hacking back, he said. It's a misunderstanding in the community that's been pushed out by media reports and isn't the actual strategy.

CrowdStrike does not hack back and does not support such activities.

Dmitri Alperovitch, cofounder and CTO, CrowdStrike

Lee, who has lectured and written extensively on securing networks and teaches a SANS course on active defense and incident response, contends that the reason so-called traditional defense is failing is because, we dont do traditional defense.

He argues that security begins with architecture and what he calls passive defense, and said that, if you dont know your network, theres no way to defend it. The adversary is going to learn what you have, but if you already know that, youre two steps ahead of them. Im not saying its easy, but its doable.

Beyond that, he said the cycle of active defense involves the use of threat intelligence, asset identification and network monitoring, incident response and threat and environmental manipulation.

This, he has written, may involve counterattacks, but, only inside the defended area and against the capability, not the adversary.

He likened it to ICBM defense, where the goal is to destroy missiles, not people or cities.

Beyond all that, however, he said hacking back, is an extremely inappropriate usage of resources. It doesn't return a lot of value.

Ariel Rabkin, in an interview, said while he agrees that good architecture improves security, the reality is that it would be very expensive to fix the security flaws in large systems.

In many cases, changing the architecture of a computer system means rewriting it entirely, he said. This is very expensive, takes a long time, and incurs all sorts of additional technical risks.

The cost of a hack back, he said, does not depend on the complexity of the system being defended. It depends on the intruder's level of talent and the robustness of their systems. As a result, there should be some crossover point where it becomes cheaper to hit back than to strengthen one's passive defenses.

But Anthony Di Bello, director of strategic partnerships at Guidance Software, said he thinks it is both infeasible and very risky to deputize expert civilian security vendors to hack back against suspected attackers.

He acknowledged that the U.S. government has accused hostile nation states (China, North Korea, Iran) of specific attacks, but said he doesnt think the private sector has that kind of capability, and should not be given law enforcement powers.

Getting attribution down to the level of identifying a specific individual? I dont believe many, if any corporations have the technology or skillsets to do that in a repeatable, defensible manner, he said. Its way too easy for attackers to spoof the source of their attacks.

And he said the escalation risks from hacking back dont need to be violent to be damaging. It could result in strained trade relations, disrupt other political negotiations that are ongoing or introduce a lack of trust in technology that my country exports, he said.

He agreed that government should do more to deal with cyber crime, but said he still believes that, as is the case with other types of crime, private citizens cant take the law into their own hands.

If I found evidence that a specific person broke into my house yesterday, am I able to go to that individuals place of residence and take action? No. I must engage the relevant law enforcement agency, he said.

This story, "A gentler way to hack back" was originally published by CSO .
While the big security news was happening in Las Vegas at conferences, security researcher Ivan Kwiatkowskis story was too funny to pass upat least if you loathe scareware scams.

After only 30 minutes on a new computer, his parents surfed to an online tech support scam that claimed their PC was infected with Zeus.

Ivan Kwiatkowski Fairly atrocious attempt at scareware by tech support scammers

Of course, he fixed his parents browser, but the truth is that people who are not especially tech-savvy can find trouble online almost immediately. For example, my moms very first download on her new computer was a malware-infected version of Chrome; she had clicked on one of the top search results and then freaked out and called me.

At any rate, Kwiatkowski decided to bring on the pain; he fired up a virtual machine to run Windows XP and called the fake tech support scammers. Hes French, and the tech support chick was not fluent enough for her to go off-script. However, she was able to berate him after he said he used no antivirus, since Google Project Zero security researcher Tavis Ormandy keeps exposing holes in them; that reference soared over her head.

She attempted to scare him into believing his box was infected with 1,452 viruses and his IP had been hackedall could be remedied by $189.90 to purchase exclusive software supposedly offered through Microsoft premium partners and secure channels.

The free 15 minutes of tech support was up, so she called him back from a Pennsylvania phone number. Her next terminal trick was an attempt to scare him into believing the person in Delhi connected to his computer at that moment wasnt her. He called her on that lie, but she claimed to be localhost, which meant secure connection. Remember, this guy is a security researcher. By the time the call ended, she sounded fairly frustrated.

Fast forward a little bit, and Kwiatkowski called the number again. This time he totally trolled the fake tech support scammer, who seemed to be more experienced and offered to sell an even higher-priced version of software to fix all of the alleged problems with Kwiatkowskis PC. This time Kwiatkowski agreed to buy it. He gave the scammer a valid yet fake credit card number. Then surprise, surprise: the transaction wouldnt go through no matter how many times the scammer asked for the information.

Then he gave a second fake credit card number (testing number) to the scammer. Hit by a stroke of genius, Kwiatkowski pulled a sample of Locky ransomware from his junk email folder; it was a .zip file that contained JS script to download the ransomware. He renamed it and then uploaded the archive via the remote-assistance client to the fake tech support scammer, saying he had taken a picture of his credit card so the scammer could enter the details.

Kwiatkowski said the scammer finally admitted: I tried opening your photo, nothing happens.

Kwiatkowski, trying not to laugh, then asked if the scammer was sure.

The tech support scammer claimed, Your pictures are corrupted because your computer is infected. This is why we need to take care of this.

Meanwhile, as a background process quietly encrypts his [scammers] files, they continued to go back and forth with credit card information so the purchase would go through. The frustrated scammer gave up, telling Kwiatkowski to call his bank about the credit card problem. Imagine how frustrated the fake tech support dude was after his PC was locked down by Locky.

Kwiatkowski concluded, Whenever one stumbles on an obvious scam, the civic thing to do is to act like you buy it. ...Their business model relies on the fact that only gullible people will reply.

Scamming the scammers takes up so much time that it makes the scams unprofitable. After giving the fake tech support phone number, he encouraged the tech-savvy to take 15 minutes to try to social engineer them into doing something funny.

I highly you encourage you to read Kwiatkowskis full accounting of how he tricked the phony tech support scammer into infecting his own PC with Locky.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

Trend:

Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Baku Aug. 8.

The presidents made speeches during the meeting.

Welcoming Putin and other guests, President Aliyev said this is the third visit of Russian president to Azerbaijan in the last three years and this itself shows the high level of relations between the two countries.

I also often visit Russia. We have recently met in St. Petersburg in June. Frequent meetings naturally give a new momentum to development of our relations which have long ago reached the strategic partnership level and cover almost all spheres of our life, said the president.

We actively cooperate on international platforms. The political dialogue, the economic relations are strengthening. There are good results in the transportation and energy spheres and the humanitarian cooperation is developing, added Azerbaijans president.

President Aliyev pointed out that in September, Baku will host the next humanitarian forum, which is held under the auspices of Russia and Azerbaijan.

All this creates new preconditions for the development of our relations, he added.

President Aliyev also pointed to Russias role in the process of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

We value this role. Your personal participation plays an important role in making progress in the settlement process, President Aliyev said addressing his Russian counterpart.

The meeting in St. Petersburg in June was primarily dedicated to this issue and I express my gratitude to you for your personal active participation in this process, added President Aliyev.

The president reminded that the first trilateral meeting with his Iranian and Russian counterparts will be held today in Baku.

This is a new format. It is a promising format and has potential within the bilateral cooperation, he added. Important issues of the regional cooperation will be discussed today. I believe that this will contribute both to the economic development of our countries and strengthening the security system in our region.

President Aliyev once again welcomed his Russian counterpart.

Putin, in turn, thanked President Aliyev for the invitation.

I would like to fully agree with the characteristics you gave to our relations, said Russias president, adding that the relations between the two countries have really reached the strategic partnership level not on paper, but in practice.

It is very important that our relations are quite diversified and are developing in all spheres, he said.

He pointed out that almost 600 Russian companies operate in Azerbaijan and the volume of direct investments stands at $1.4 billion.

However, as Putin said, the trade turnover between the two countries has decreased in monetary terms due to a number of reasons such as the crisis in the world economy, the decrease in prices for traditional export goods and the problems related to the exchange rate differences.

It will be very timely to talk about this, to seek the ways of resolving these issues. In reality, a very good basis has been created, said Putin. We have promising good projects not only in the energy sphere, but of course in other areas, such as mechanical engineering and high technologies. I believe this is very important.

He pointed out that Azerbaijan and Russia continue to cooperate on the Caspian Sea and in the military sphere.

Thank you very much for organizing meetings in the trilateral format. This is also your initiative and we really have something to discuss in this format. There are and can be new projects on the Caspian Sea in a wider aspect, such as transportation, energy, and diversification of our trilateral trade and economic relations, said Russias president.

You mentioned Karabakh. This is really a problem that we got from our Soviet past. I know how acute this issue is for both Azerbaijan and Armenia, Putin said.

We will do everything possible so that Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a compromise acceptable for both sides, so that the two countries peoples win from this, and so that both countries feel that they have resolved this difficult issue in the interests of current and future generations, he noted.

Russias president once again thanked President Aliyev for the invitation.

I am confident that our joint work today will be positive, fruitful, and will create conditions for further development of bilateral relations and improvement of the situation in the region, he added.
Details added (first version posted on 16:03)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

Trend:

Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Baku Aug. 8.

The presidents made speeches during the meeting.

I would like to emphasize Russias role in the process of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, said President Aliyev addressing the meeting. We appreciate this role. Your personal participation plays an important role in making progress in the settlement process.

The meeting in St. Petersburg in June was dedicated to this issue and I express gratitude to you for your personal active participation in this process, added President Aliyev.
Details added, (first version posted on 16:03)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

Trend:

Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Baku Aug. 8.

The presidents made speeches during the meeting.

Welcoming Putin and other guests, President Aliyev said this is the third visit of Russian president to Azerbaijan in the last three years and this itself shows the high level of relations between the two countries.

I also often visit Russia. We have recently met in St. Petersburg in June. Frequent meetings naturally give a new momentum to development of our relations which have long ago reached the strategic partnership level and cover almost all spheres of our life, said the president.

We actively cooperate on international platforms. The political dialogue, the economic relations are strengthening. There are good results in the transportation and energy spheres and the humanitarian cooperation is developing, added Azerbaijans president.

President Aliyev pointed out that in September, Baku will host the next humanitarian forum, which is held under the auspices of Russia and Azerbaijan.

All this creates new preconditions for the development of our relations, he added.

President Aliyev also pointed to Russias role in the process of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

We value this role. Your personal participation plays an important role in making progress in the settlement process, President Aliyev said addressing his Russian counterpart.

The meeting in St. Petersburg in June was primarily dedicated to this issue and I express my gratitude to you for your personal active participation in this process, added President Aliyev.

The president reminded that the first trilateral meeting with his Iranian and Russian counterparts will be held today in Baku.

This is a new format. It is a promising format and has potential within the bilateral cooperation, he added. Important issues of the regional cooperation will be discussed today. I believe that this will contribute both to the economic development of our countries and strengthening the security system in our region.

President Aliyev once again welcomed his Russian counterpart.

Putin, in turn, thanked President Aliyev for the invitation.

I would like to fully agree with the characteristics you gave to our relations, said Russias president, adding that the relations between the two countries have really reached the strategic partnership level not on paper, but in practice.

It is very important that our relations are quite diversified and are developing in all spheres, he said.

He pointed out that almost 600 Russian companies operate in Azerbaijan and the volume of direct investments stands at $1.4 billion.

However, as Putin said, the trade turnover between the two countries has decreased in monetary terms due to a number of reasons such as the crisis in the world economy, the decrease in prices for traditional export goods and the problems related to the exchange rate differences.

It will be very timely to talk about this, to seek the ways of resolving these issues. In reality, a very good basis has been created, said Putin. We have promising good projects not only in the energy sphere, but of course in other areas, such as mechanical engineering and high technologies. I believe this is very important.

He pointed out that Azerbaijan and Russia continue to cooperate on the Caspian Sea and in the military sphere.

Thank you very much for organizing meetings in the trilateral format. This is also your initiative and we really have something to discuss in this format. There are and can be new projects on the Caspian Sea in a wider aspect, such as transportation, energy, and diversification of our trilateral trade and economic relations, said Russias president.

You mentioned Karabakh. This is really a problem that we got from our Soviet past. I know how acute this issue is for both Azerbaijan and Armenia, Putin said.

We will do everything possible so that Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a compromise acceptable for both sides, so that the two countries peoples win from this, and so that both countries feel that they have resolved this difficult issue in the interests of current and future generations, he noted.

Russias president once again thanked President Aliyev for the invitation.

I am confident that our joint work today will be positive, fruitful, and will create conditions for further development of bilateral relations and improvement of the situation in the region, he added.
Details added, first version posted 16:03

Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

Trend:

Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Baku Aug. 8.

The presidents made speeches during the meeting.

Welcoming Putin and other guests, President Aliyev said this is the third visit of Russian president to Azerbaijan in the last three years and this itself shows the high level of relations between the two countries.

I also often visit Russia. We have recently met in St. Petersburg in June. Frequent meetings naturally give a new momentum to development of our relations which have long ago reached the strategic partnership level and cover almost all spheres of our life, said the president.

We actively cooperate on international platforms. The political dialogue, the economic relations are strengthening. There are good results in the transportation and energy spheres and the humanitarian cooperation is developing, added Azerbaijans president.

President Aliyev pointed out that in September, Baku will host the next humanitarian forum, which is held under the auspices of Russia and Azerbaijan.

All this creates new preconditions for the development of our relations, he added.

President Aliyev also pointed to Russias role in the process of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

We value this role. Your personal participation plays an important role in making progress in the settlement process, President Aliyev said addressing his Russian counterpart.

The meeting in St. Petersburg in June was primarily dedicated to this issue and I express my gratitude to you for your personal active participation in this process, added President Aliyev.

The president reminded that the first trilateral meeting with his Iranian and Russian counterparts will be held today in Baku.

This is a new format. It is a promising format and has potential within the bilateral cooperation, he added. Important issues of the regional cooperation will be discussed today. I believe that this will contribute both to the economic development of our countries and strengthening the security system in our region.

President Aliyev once again welcomed his Russian counterpart.

Putin in turn touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

You mentioned Karabakh. This is really a problem that we got from our Soviet past. I know how acute this issue is for both Azerbaijan and Armenia, he said.

We will do everything possible so that Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a compromise acceptable for both sides, so that the two countries peoples win from this, and so that both countries feel that they have resolved this difficult issue in the interests of current and future generations, he noted.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

Trend:

Baku is hosting a summit of the presidents of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran, Ilham Aliyev, Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani.

The summit is planned to discuss cooperation in fighting terrorism and drug trafficking, adoption of a convention on the Caspian Seas legal status, strengthening cooperation in banking sector, energy and transportation with an aim to develop regional and international energy and transport corridors.

Besides, the summit is planned to mull the International North-South Transport Corridor projects implementation, a trilateral format of cooperation in culture, tourism and business, cooperation on the youth exchange, consular and customs problems, intensification of relations between regions and provinces of the three countries, as well as further visa facilitation for the three countries citizens.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

Trend:

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has said that his trilateral meeting with Iranian and Russian counterparts in Baku is a historic event.

Today, Baku is hosting the trilateral meeting of Iranian, Russian and Azerbaijani presidents for the first time in the history, said President Aliyev addressing the event. This is a historic event. A new cooperation format between the three countries is being created today.

President Aliyev expressed gratitude to his Russian and Iranian counterparts, Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani, for accepting his invitation to participate in the summit.

I should mention that the foreign ministers of the three countries met in Baku in April 2016 at Azerbaijans initiative, said the president. I am confident that todays summit will give a new momentum to the regional cooperation.

Our peoples, who have been living side by side throughout centuries, are bound by common history and geography, said President Aliyev.

Azerbaijan has close friendship relations both with Iran and Russia. These relations have even more developed in recent years and have reached the strategic partnership level, said the president.

Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan successfully cooperate within international organizations and our countries always support each other in the UN and other international organizations, said President Aliyev.

He noted that Azerbaijan successfully cooperates with Iran within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Economic Cooperation Organization and with Russia in OSCE, CIS, Council of Europe and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization.

The three countries always support each other in these organizations. Azerbaijan has opposed the international sanctions imposed on Iran and Russia and has repeatedly expressed its position openly, said the president.

Azerbaijan pursues independent policy and this policy is based on international law, justice and national interests of our country, said President Aliyev. Close relations with our neighbors fully meet our national interests.
Details added (first version posted on 19:53)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

Trend:

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has said that his trilateral meeting with Iranian and Russian counterparts in Baku is a historic event.

Today, Baku is hosting the trilateral meeting of Iranian, Russian and Azerbaijani presidents for the first time in the history, said President Aliyev addressing the event. This is a historic event. A new cooperation format between the three countries is being created today.

President Aliyev expressed gratitude to his Russian and Iranian counterparts, Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani, for accepting his invitation to participate in the summit.

I should mention that the foreign ministers of the three countries met in Baku in April 2016 at Azerbaijans initiative, said the president. I am confident that todays summit will give a new momentum to the regional cooperation.

Our peoples, who have been living side by side throughout centuries, are bound by common history and geography, said President Aliyev.

Azerbaijan has close friendship relations both with Iran and Russia. These relations have even more developed in recent years and have reached the strategic partnership level, said the president.

Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan successfully cooperate within international organizations and our countries always support each other in the UN and other international organizations, said President Aliyev.

He noted that Azerbaijan successfully cooperates with Iran within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Economic Cooperation Organization and with Russia in OSCE, CIS, Council of Europe and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization.

The three countries always support each other in these organizations. Azerbaijan has opposed the international sanctions imposed on Iran and Russia and has repeatedly expressed its position openly, said the president.

Azerbaijan pursues independent policy and this policy is based on international law, justice and national interests of our country, said President Aliyev. Close relations with our neighbors fully meet our national interests.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 9

Trend:

The agreements reached during the summit of Azerbaijani, Russian and Iranian leaders will strengthen the stability in the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said at a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani and Russian counterparts Elmar Mammadyarov and Sergey Lavrov.

He said the summit of the leaders of the three countries in Baku and negotiations were very productive. Zarif noted that the heads of the three countries agreed to intensify cooperation in the areas of security, energy, transit and others.

He said the transportation sphere was widely discussed.

Bandar Abbas [port] will be linked by rail to St. Petersburg. The issues of cooperation in the energy sector, on the Caspian Sea, the fight against terrorism and extremism, cultural and tourism spheres were also discussed, and certain agreements have been reached. We are confident that the three countries will cooperate on a broad spectrum of all directions, Zarif said.

Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in turn, said the whole spectrum of opportunities offered by new format is reflected in the summits final declaration.

He said the leaders of the three countries have agreed to set a trilateral mechanism for cooperation at the ministerial level and at the level of relevant ministries.

Energy issues, the situation in the Caspian region, have been discussed. The parties stressed the importance of a speedy agreement on the convention on the Caspian Sea, and the foreign ministers were instructed to intensify the preparation of the fifth Caspian summit. The new format will have a positive impact on regional processes. We gratefully accepted the invitation to hold the next summit in Iran, Lavrov said.

Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, in turn, said that by President Ilham Aliyevs initiative a meeting of ministers has been also held today.

We discussed the North-South project, and today, as you can see, the joint declaration was signed. The cooperation between the three countries will expand from energy and transportation sectors. The relations will deepen. Electricity swap, Rasht-Astara railway were seriously discussed, Mammadyarov said.
Details added (first version posted on 20:25)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

Trend:

Azerbaijan and Iran are good neighbors and important partners of Russia, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He made the remarks Aug. 8 at a trilateral meeting with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Iran in Baku.

We have accumulated rich experience of fruitful cooperation with each other, Putin said. Today we are turning, of course, a new page in relations, and are giving a start to cooperation in trilateral format.

Russian president noted that the demand for this format is obvious.

The three countries are connected by the willingness to coordinate their approaches to a wide range of regional and global issues, and by the desire to further strengthen multifaceted practical cooperation in trade and economy, he said.

Putin also noted the need to build closer cooperation in order to find solutions to problems that pose a threat, such as zones of instability, hot conflicts, growing threat of terrorism, especially by the Islamic State (IS, aka ISIL, ISIS or Daesh) and other terrorist organizations.

He said Russia considers it reasonable to intensify the exchange of information on the activities of international terrorist organizations.

This is needed for a more effective prevention of the transit of militants, weapons, drugs through the territories of our countries, added Putin.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

Trend:

President Ilham Aliyev has said that the trilateral format between Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia will create good opportunities for bringing the economic cooperation between the three countries to a higher level.

He made the remarks addressing the trilateral meeting with his Russian and Iranian counterparts, Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani, in Baku Aug. 8.

The Caspian Sea, which unites us, is our common wealth, said President Aliyev. The Caspian Sea is a sea of peace and cooperation and it should remain so.

Protection of the ecosystem of the Caspian Sea is the common task of all the littoral states. Azerbaijan makes contribution in this sphere, added the president.

Russian and Iranian companies have been involved in the development of oil and gas fields in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea for 20 years and make great investments, added President Aliyev.

Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR, for its part, is interested in participating in the work carried out in Iranian and Russian sectors of the Caspian Sea, he said.

Russia and Iran are among our main partners. I am confident that the trilateral format will be useful for our countries business structures as well, said the president. Increasing the volume of the trade turnover, mutual investments and expanding the mutual export opportunities is of great importance for economic cooperation.

President Aliyev noted that there are good prospects for cooperation in the spheres of finance, banking and insurance.

Given the broad financial opportunities of our countries, we can also participate in joint investment projects in other states, said the president.

He pointed out that favourable conditions have been created in Azerbaijan for making investments.

The president said that $200 billion worth of investments have been made in Azerbaijan over the last 20 years and half of this volume accounts for foreign investments.

Agriculture, tourism, telecommunication spheres have great potential for making investments, added the president.

Azerbaijan ranks 40th in the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) of the Davos Economic Forum, he said.

President Aliyev further emphasized the successful cooperation in power industry. Azerbaijan has connected its power transmission lines with that of Iran and Russia and the volume of power exchange of both countries is increasing year after year, added the president.

In accordance with the energy agreement with Russia, Azerbaijans power system operates in parallel operation mode with Russias unified power system, he said. The Khachmaz, Darband and Yalama power transmission lines connect the power systems of the two countries.

Currently, energy exchange with Iran is ensured via Parsabad, Astara-Astara and Julfa power transmission lines. The power transmission line between Imishli and Parsabad was connected several days ago, while the power transmission lines between Masalli and Astara cities will be put into operation in the near future, said President Aliyev.

Azerbaijan has already turned from an electricity importing country into its exporter, he said, adding that the countrys export potential has increased.

I am confident that with joint efforts, we will achieve the creation of a reliable energy corridor. This corridor can ensure the energy exchange between the three countries and the access to new markets.

President Aliyev also said he is glad that there is a reliable cooperation in the border protection.

Border service heads of Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan met in Baku at Azerbaijans initiative, he said. Intensification of cooperation in this sphere, joint exercises, as well as joint measures in the Caspian Sea, operative information exchange will even more strengthen the security of our countries.

President Aliyev said the cooperation in transportation has a very good and promising future.

Azerbaijan is the only country in the world to have borders both with Iran and Russia. Currently, there is a railway service between Russia and Azerbaijan, said the president.

We decided this year to extend Azerbaijans railways to Iranian borders in the near future, said the president. Hopefully, we will achieve this in the near future.

President Aliyev reminded that a groundbreaking ceremony has been held recently for a railway bridge across the Astara River on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border.

These infrastructure projects are a part of the North-South international transportation corridor, said the president, adding that the North-South corridor is a strategically important transnational project.

Many countries will use this corridor in the future, said the president, adding the North-South corridor can bring great economic benefits and this route is very advantageous in terms of time of transit cargo transportation.

I hope that with joint efforts, we will achieve the implementation of this project soon, added the president.

Fortunately, our countries have no national or religious problems. This is the value and wealth achieved by our countries, said President Aliyev.

He pointed out that Azerbaijan has been the place of various religions, cultures and civilizations throughout centuries.

We are not only the geographical, but also cultural bridge of between the East and West, said President Aliyev. Representatives of various religions and cultures have lived in Azerbaijan in the atmosphere of peace and brotherhood throughout the history.

Multiculturalism is lifestyle in Azerbaijan, said President Aliyev. Azerbaijan is a multinational country and 2016 has been declared the year of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan.

President Aliyev pointed out that Azerbaijan is one of the few countries represented both in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and in the Council of Europe.

Our countries successfully cooperate within these organizations. The trilateral cooperation format has great potential. This is a very important new initiative, said the president.

The trilateral cooperation will serve for ensuring peace, security and stability in the region, said the president.

The economic cooperation, the trilateral cooperation in transportation and energy will ensure the improvement of our peoples well being, said the president.

This format will hold a rightful place on international arena, said the president.

We showed an example of good neighbourliness today, he said. Today, we proved that if there is mutual respect, goodwill, if our wishes are sincere, we can protect our countries from risks in the unstable region full of crises and conflicts, strengthen the stability and intensify the cooperation.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

Trend:

Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev has said that the joint declaration signed between Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran on Aug. 8 reflects the work done by the parties, their intentions, positions and visions for the future.

The president made the remarks in his final speech at the summit in Baku Aug. 8.

President Aliyev said that meetings in bilateral format have been held in the last two days.

I met with Irans President Hassan Rouhani yesterday and Russias President Vladimir Putin today. Russian and Iranian presidents met today. Thats to say, these meetings have great meaning. In reality, the trilateral format is created on the basis of bilateral relations, he said.

I am glad that Azerbaijans relations with Russia and Iran, as well as Russias relations with Iran are at a very high level and the development of those relations makes it possible for us not only to talk, but also create the new cooperation format today, said the president.

The region where we live is very complicated and is full of risks and threats. Unfortunately, these risks are not decreasing, but increasing, said President Aliyev. In this case, the trilateral cooperation is the basic condition for the regional security.

He pointed out that the trilateral cooperation between Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan is a stabilizing factor in the region.

The North-South international transportation corridor project will ensure both the security and economic interests of our countries, said President Aliyev.

In many opening remarks, I noted that our sincere relations, good will are the basis of our cooperation. We show and prove that this is possible, said the president.

Sometimes, neighbors have problems and conflicts. Fortunately, our relations have been built only on the basis of friendship, mutual understanding and mutual respect, he added.

We support each other, believe and rely on each other. We show a very good cooperation format both to the region and to the world, said the president.

He expressed confidence that the results of the summit will be very successful and all the tasks reflected in the summits declaration will be fulfilled.

Todays meeting is a historic meeting, because it is based on history, as the peoples of the three countries have always been together throughout centuries, and at the same time, this meeting is the first-ever in the history, according to President Aliyev.

I am confident that this meeting will have continuation and further cooperation between our countries will be intensified, he added.
What if one blood test could screen for more than 50 types of cancer?
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug 9

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today invited President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to tea at his house.

The presidents had a warm conversation at the tea table.

They noted that the Trilateral Summit of the heads of state of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia successfully wrapped up in Baku.

The heads of state expressed confidence that the summit would play a key role in strengthening the cooperation and developing ties between the countries and in the region.

The two presidents noted that based on strategic partnership, Azerbaijani-Russian ties were developing in all areas, and also discussed prospects for relations.
Introduction

Patient care

Patient advocacy

Planning of care

Patient education and support

Nursing in the COVID-19 pandemic

Future outlook for nursing

References

Further reading

Introduction

Nurses serve their communities in many ways and have essential roles in healthcare. Nurses promote healthy lifestyles, advocate for patients, provide health education, and directly care for many patients. The exact functions of nurses have changed somewhat over the years; however, their importance in healthcare remains evident.

Since the advent of modern medicine, nurses' role has shifted from being comforters to modern healthcare professionals who provide evidence-based treatment and wellness education. Nurses have a multifaceted role as holistic caregivers, patient advocates, specialists, and researchers.

Image Credit: Gorodenkoff / Shutterstock

Patient care

The primary role of a nurse is to be a caregiver for patients by managing physical needs, preventing illness, and treating health conditions. To do this, nurses must observe and monitor the patient and record any relevant information to aid in treatment decision-making processes.

Nurses care for injuries, administer medications, conduct frequent medical examinations, record detailed medical histories, monitor heart rate and blood pressure, perform diagnostic tests, operate medical equipment, draw blood, and admit/discharge patients according to physician orders. Nurses also ensure patients' comfort, change bandages, report any changes in a patient's condition to other nurses or doctors, document patient activities, and assume other relevant tasks.

Nurses must often pay close attention to every detail of the patient's treatment and how they respond. If a problem is identified, nurses will often be the first to notice; thus, they must be able to quickly report a problem, particularly in the event of an emergency, to a physician.

Throughout the treatment process, the nurse follows the progress of the patient and acts accordingly with the patient's best interests in mind. The care provided by a nurse extends beyond the administration of medications and other therapies. Nurses are often responsible for the holistic care of patients, which may encompass the individual's psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs.

Patient advocacy

In addition to their role as a clinician, nurses often provide emotional support for their patients and families. This can include ensuring that the patient understands and is prepared for their treatment, listening to patients and assessing their physical, emotional, cultural, mental, and spiritual needs.

Nurses often help patients and their loved ones process their feelings and frustrations towards their illnesses. Through counseling and patient education, nurses may also be of assistance in explaining treatment options to patients and their family members, as well as advocating for the health and well-being of their patients.

A nurse often serves as a patient advocate in protecting a patient's medical, legal, and human rights. Since many sick patients may be unable to comprehend medical situations and act accordingly, it is often the nurse's role to support the patient.

This may involve representing the patient's best interests, especially when treatment decisions are being made. Furthermore, nurses will often inform and support patients when they have questions or are apprehensive about treatments, procedures, or any other aspect of their care. Nurses may also make suggestions for patients' treatment plans in collaboration with the patient, their families, and other health professionals.

Planning of care

A nurse is directly involved in the decision-making process of treating patients. Thus, it is essential that nurses think critically when assessing patient signs and identify potential problems to make the appropriate recommendations.

Although clinicians like physicians, physician associates, and nurse practitioners typically make final treatment decisions, nurses also have a crucial role in patient treatment plans. This is because nurses are typically most familiar with the individual patient, as they monitor their signs and symptoms on an ongoing basis. Thus, nurses should collaborate with other medical team members to promote optimal patient health outcomes.

Patient education and support

Nurses are also responsible for ensuring that patients can understand their health, illnesses, medications, and treatments to the best of their ability. This is particularly important when patients are discharged from the hospital and are responsible for continuing their treatments at home.

A nurse should take the time to explain to the patient and their family or caregiver what to do and expect when they leave the hospital or medical clinic. Nurses should also ensure that the patient feels supported and knows where to seek additional information if needed.

In every aspect of healthcare, nurses provide education, promote healthy practices, share their expertise, and help patients heal. By guiding patients and their families, nurses can also provide patients with appropriate referrals for other services, resources, and classes.

In addition to when patients leave the hospital, nurses also educate patients about their care plan daily. This is essential for the success of the treatment, as patients must be prepared for all steps of their treatment and recovery. Nurses are also responsible for training and helping other nurses.

Nursing in the COVID-19 pandemic

Throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, nurses have remained at the front line of hospital patient care. In addition to their everyday responsibilities, nurses have also acquired various additional roles to mitigate the transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for COVID-19.

Image Credit: Halfpoint / Shutterstock

For example, during the numerous waves of COVID-19, wherein community transmission rose, and hospitalization rates subsequently increased, nurses were often responsible for assisting in the planning of how these outbreaks would be managed at the patient level. This often involved maintaining the supplies and appropriate usage of sanitation materials and personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as offering patients screening information, quarantine guidelines, and triage protocols based on the most recent guidance.

Since nurses often have immediate contact with potentially infectious COVID-19 patients, they have frequently been at risk of infection throughout the pandemic. Thus, nurses must abide by specific infection prevention measures to protect not only themselves against infection, but also their families, co-workers, and other patients. Some of the PPE limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to nurses caring for COVID-19 patients include ventilators, masks, robes, goggles, face shields, and gloves.

Due to the spread of misinformation that has become increasingly prevalent throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses have also been considered distinguished healthcare workers capable of discrediting myths and other conspiracies. Thus, nurses have also increased public awareness of effective disease prevention methods, guided others to available healthcare services, provided evidence-based patient care, and practiced important infection-reducing measures.

The increased demand for healthcare services throughout the pandemic led many clinicians to transition their services to virtual visits. Thus, nurses must now possess a wide range of technical skills that allow them to provide patient care through these different avenues. Nurses should also have the communication skills that will enable them to assess and support their patients through various media sources.

As patient advocates, nurses must also be aware of the potential risk that certain patient groups, particularly those of older age or lower income, may not be comfortable with technology-mediated healthcare services. Thus, in these situations, nurses should continue to ensure that patient-centered care is achieved by adapting the treatment approach to accommodate each patient's specific needs, abilities, and characteristics.

Future outlook for nursing

The demand for qualified nurses is growing in many regions worldwide, particularly in light of nursing shortages that increased throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the increasingly complex role of nurses following the pandemic, allocating specific roles, such as medication administration and patient education, to specific nurses may reduce burnout among current nurses while also allowing nurses to focus their efforts on specific aspects of patient care that they are most suited for.

In addition to a growing aging population, the demand for nurses will also increase due to the increasing number of patients who have contracted COVID-19 and now experience long COVID, as well as patients who will still contract COVID-19 and require hospitalization. Furthermore, it remains unclear how delayed care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic will affect inpatient hospitalizations in the future, as well as outpatient procedures.

It should be noted that COVID-19 has taken the lives of over 6.4 million individuals throughout the world to date, with millions of individuals who have recovered from the disease, despite experiencing severe effects. Thus, it is inevitable that nurses, as well as many other healthcare professionals, have experienced a wide range of psychological and physical effects from their experience in caring for patients during this global health emergency.

As a result, it is vital that hospitals and clinics offer comprehensive support for the existing nurse workforce to retain current nurses, as well as encourage others to pursue this profession. Several different initiatives have been proposed to reduce the burden on nurses through digital, clinician, regulatory, and labor union collaborations.

The Role of the Nurse | Brigham Health Play

References

What Do Nurses Do? [Online]. Available from: https://www.gmercyu.edu/academics/learn/what-do-nurses-do#whatisnursing.

Fawaz, M., Anshasi, H., & Samaha, A. (2020). Nurses at the Front Line of COVID-19: Roles, Responsibilities, Risks, and Rights. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 103(4); 1341-13342. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.20.0650.

Barrett, D., & Heale, R. (2021). COVID-19: reflections on its impact on nursing. Evidence-Based Nursing. doi:10.1136/ebnurs-2021-103464.

Assessing the lingering impact of COVID-19 on the nursing workforce. [Online]. Available from: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/assessing-the-lingering-impact-of-covid-19-on-the-nursing-workforce.

The Role of a Professional Nurse Today [Online]. Available from: https://degree.astate.edu/articles/nursing/role-of-professional-nurse-today.aspx.

5 Important Roles for License Practicla Nurses [Online]. Available from: https://penncommercial.edu/5-important-roles-licensed-practical-nurses/.

What is the Role of Nurses in the Community? [Online]. Available from: https://penncommercial.edu/5-important-roles-licensed-practical-nurses/.

Further Reading
On January 24, 2013, Iris Vega-Figueroa's life changed completely.

That's the day she gave birth to her twin girls, Iris and Geraldine. The twins were monoamniotic-monochorionic, meaning they shared one amniotic sack and one placenta in the womb. These rare pregnancies are considered high risk because of the uneven blood flow that occurs between the infants through the placenta.

Other serious complications include cord entanglement or compression, which one of Vega-Figueroa's daughters had already begun experiencing. Due to the tightness of one of the girls' umbilical cords, the identical twins were born at 27 weeks and 4 days.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a preterm birth occurs when an infant is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Although preterm births happen for different reasons, one thing these babies do have in common is their need for constant care and attention during this critical stage of life.

"These little babies' lives are about connection the moment they come out," says Andrea Duncan, M.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

In the last weeks of pregnancy, organs such as the brain, lungs and liver are still being developed. For babies who are born before 30 weeks, the chances of lung disease, heart complications, brain injury, cerebral palsy and other developmental delays are increased. Premature births also increase the chances of the child repeating a grade or struggling in school.

The very premature are often facing an even greater chance of long-term neurological disabilities, breathing and feeding difficulties, and possibly even death.

"The difference between 24 and 26 weeks can be huge," Duncan said.

Even though these issues can be the results of preterm birth, thanks to the resources and expertise available at the Neonatal High Risk Clinic and Tiny Tot Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Health Clinic, part of UT Physicians, parents can find medical and neurobehavioral help.

The Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth operates the Neonatal High Risk Clinic and the Tiny Tot Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Health Clinic

"These smallest of patients have to have very close follow-up," Duncan said.

Both clinics focus on treating premature children who are at high risk of having complications from their early birth. The Neonatal High Risk Clinic sees patients as soon as they are discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) until they are 2 years old. The Tiny Tot Clinic, which recently opened July 15, treats patients from the Neonatal High Risk Clinic and other at-risk children starting at four months until they are five years old. Supported in part by Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, it extends the medical services traditionally offered in primary and developmental care to help children with neurodevelopmental and behavioral issues.

"The clinics are special because of the comprehensive nature of the care," says Duncan, who is the Medical Director of both clinics and an attending physician in the NICU at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. "Patients in the Neonatal High Risk Clinic have 24/7 access to their clinic medical provider and the Tiny Tot staff knows the patients and families from the NICU on. They really need specialized care for both medical and neurodevelopmental challenges and most high-risk kids don't get this degree of specialized long-term follow-up in the same place," said Duncan.

Vera-Figueroa learned soon after her twins' birth how much she would need that help. Her mother had planned on traveling from Puerto Rico to Houston to help care for the twin girls. However, she died unexpectedly from a heart attack just nine days after the birth of her granddaughters. This unexpected tragedy meant Vega-Figueroa had to mourn her mother's death while learning to rely on others for help, including how to feed the twins, change their diapers and care for them.

"The clinic staff took care of me. They taught me how to do everything," Vega-Figueroa said of the clinic staff and physicians. "They became my family."

Iris and Geraldine spent 70 days in the NICU at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, where they were monitored by UTHealth physicians and neonatal specialists. After making significant progress, they went home when they were about 2 months old on April 15, 2013. Although the twins still visit high-risk doctors who closely monitor their growth and development, they are doing really well at 3 years old, Vega-Figueroa said. Other than being treated for respiratory issues, including asthma, the girls are healthy and active. They take ballet and do a good job at keeping mom on her toes.

Frightening for a first-time mom

Like Vega-Figueroa, Lara Broussard was diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy. At 13 weeks, an ultrasound revealed that her twin daughters, Rachel and Rebekah, had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a disease that affects identical twins and causes uneven blood flow and nutrient sharing.

"Rachel was getting really big, while Rebekah was small," Broussard said.

Because there is no specific cause for TTTS, this made the diagnosis even more frightening for Broussard, who was a first-time mom.

"It was hard," Broussard recalled with tears. "No one I knew had ever had identical twins."

Broussard went to UT Physicians and The Fetal Center at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital weekly for close monitoring by a McGovern Medical School team of maternal-fetal physicians that included Kenneth Moise, M.D., Ramesha Papanna, M.D., and Anthony Johnson, M.D.,

At 32 weeks, doctors determined it was time for Broussard to deliver. One of the twins wasn't getting any blood flow through her umbilical cord, so through a caesarian section, Broussard gave birth to two tiny baby girls on May 4, 2014. Rebekah was 2 pounds, 2 ounces while Rachel weighed 3 pounds, 12 ounces.

"I didn't know you could be that small and still survive," Broussard said.

Even though Broussard describes this part of her life as the "best experience rolled into the worst experience," she credits the NICU nurses and doctors at Children's Memorial Hermann who worked tirelessly to provide the best care possible.

"How they took care of Rebekah and Rachel was incredible," said Broussard. "They were always available for the girls. They never made me feel like I was an annoyance to them."

Rebekah has a slight speech delay and there is a two-pound difference between them, but they both share an insatiable love for dinosaurs. Broussard said she's thankful to everyone who helped her twins transition to this point. Her treatment team included Tina S. Reddy, M.D., and Fatima Boricha, M.D., with the High Risk clinic.

"I'm so grateful to live in Houston and to be in such a great medical community," Broussard said. "I love the high-risk clinic, I love the NICU nurses. How do you say thank you to people who literally saved your daughters' lives?"
Long before Zika virus made it a household word, the birth defect called microcephaly puzzled scientists and doctors -- even as it changed the lives of the babies born with it during the pre-Zika era.

But new discoveries reported by an international team of scientists may help explain what happens in the developing brains of babies still in the womb, causing them to be born with small brains and heads.

The findings may also help scientists who are frantically trying to figure out why the Zika virus causes the same issue in some babies born to mothers who catch the virus from a mosquito bite.

In two new papers in the American Journal of Human Genetics, the researchers report new findings about a key protein involved in the process that generates the many new cells required to build a normal size brain. Though the new studies didn't involve Zika-related microcephaly, they may provide clues that other scientists can use to investigate how Zika virus disrupts brain development.

Stephanie Bielas, Ph.D., a University of Michigan Medical School assistant professor of human genetics who helped lead the new research, says the findings also provide insight into what is required for brains to develop normally.

"There's so much we don't understand about human brain development that we're just starting to uncover," she says. "This shows the devastating impact of interrupting cell biology critical for this process."

Interrupted cell division

Both of the new papers focus on the role of citron kinase, a protein important during the process of mitosis, where one cell divides to make two cells. Cell division is the foundation of normal growth and development.

CIT, as the protein is called for short, helps in the final stages of cell division that separates the two "daughter" cells, called cytokinesis. That's when the two new cells, each with their own copy of the DNA from the original "parent" cell, sever the connections between them.

Years ago, research in animals showed that problems with the gene that contains the instructions for making the animal form of citron kinase could lead to microcephaly. But until now, that link hadn't been proven in humans. The researchers now say that CIT is critical to building a normally sized human brain.

To make this discovery, the researchers turned to families from Egypt, France and Turkey that had one or more microcephalic babies. Some of them died soon after birth, the others developed intellectual disabilities that result from having a too-small brain.

Studying these babies' genes and brain tissue gave clues to the importance of CIT, and the problems that arise when the CIT gene is mutated. Where normal brain cells have only one nucleus - the pouch containing the DNA and other important structures - many cells in microcephalic brain tissue had multiple nuclei. This suggested that something had happened to prevent new cells from dividing properly.

Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today

Stem cells help the search

Another tool helped the researchers take the study even further: stem cells. With the parents' permission, they obtained skin cells from the surviving children and used relatively new techniques to transform them into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This essentially turns back the clock on the cells, making them able to develop into nearly any type of cell.

The researchers then grew the iPSCs under special conditions that coaxed them to develop into neural progenitor cells - the kind of cells that in a developing embryo grow and divide rapidly to become the future child's brain.

"There's a lot of evidence now that in microcephaly, there aren't sufficient numbers of neural progenitor cells to build the normal-size brain," says Bielas. "Since the cells that form the structures of the brain, and develop into the different types of cells are born from this pool of actively dividing cells. This aspect of human brain development is a key issue to study."

Bielas points out that studying rare spontaneous cases of microcephaly - such as those in the families that took part in the study - offers a chance to identify genes important for brain development and understand the impact of deleterious small genetic mutations.

"Often in genetics, we identify seemingly obscure genes as the genetic basis of disorders; we don't know what they do or where and when they're active," she notes. "But in the case of citron kinase, we knew what a mutation in the gene did in animal models. These newly published findings confirm that CIT mutations are not only linked to severe microcephaly in humans, but are also associated with a smooth, unfolded brain surface - a condition known as lissencephaly - that isn't usually seen in brain disorders linked primarily to defects in neural progenitor cell mitosis."

Bielas and her colleagues are now growing brain "organoids" - balls of brain tissue grown from iPSCs or human embryonic stem cells with edited genes - to study this issue further. The hope is that by studying microcephaly's origins in human cells that mimic the developing brain, they can see what might be going on more clearly in human brain development that wouldn't be detected in animal models. Some Zika researchers are also using this promising model system to study the virus's effect on human neural progenitor cells.

Bielas is also seeking more families whose babies have been born with non-Zika microcephaly, to contribute skin and DNA samples that may yield even more clues about the condition's origins. "We need to know how microcephaly genes are contributing to such a profound human disorder," says Bielas. "It's a puzzle. So let's figure it out."
Scientists working out of Trinity College Dublin, Maynooth University, and Queen Mary University of London have unearthed a potential new preventative option to combat Ascaris roundworm infection. Ascaris lumbricoides is an intestinal parasite that results in severe health consequences, including growth retardation and impaired cognitive development. The infection, which affects an estimated one billion people worldwide, is particularly common in Third World countries and is estimated to be responsible for 60,000 deaths per annum.

Ascaris infection is treatable, but individuals who have overcome the infection naturally -- or with the help of drugs -- do not develop resistance and can be easily re-infected. Susceptibility to Ascaris infection differs between individuals but heavily infected individuals have more severe symptoms and higher morbidity. Therefore, understanding host resistance could lead to the development of better ways to prevent and treat Ascaris infection.

Based on prior work, scientists from Maynooth University, Trinity College Dublin, and Queen Mary University used a proteomics approach to study the differences between two different mouse strains. They have just published their findings in the international journal, PLOS NTDs.

Mice can be infected with Ascaris eggs, but unlike humans or pigs, they do not support the full life cycle of the parasite (ingested egg to larva to adult which produces a new round of eggs, which leave the host with the feces and start the life cycle again). Ingested Ascaris eggs in mice do hatch and, as larvae, start their normal migration to the liver and lungs, where the larvae do develop further to adults.

Professor of Zoology at Trinity, Celia Holland, has spent over a decade developing this mouse model to study Ascaris infection and has previously demonstrated that susceptible mice have more than ten-fold higher larval numbers in the lungs than resistant ones. The difference in susceptibility between the two strains, however, is first visible in the liver of infected mice.

Following infection with identical numbers of Ascaris eggs, mice from the resistant strain show an earlier inflammatory immune response coupled with more rapid tissue repair in the liver compared with susceptible mice. The researchers therefore set out to investigate the differences in the liver proteomes (via a broad analysis of liver proteins) of both uninfected control mice and infected mice, for each strain.

Professor Holland said:

By focusing on the liver we aimed to target the metaphorical front line in this particular host-parasite interaction.

The proteomic study was conducted in collaboration with former TCD graduate Dr Jim Carolan, now of Maynooth University, and Dr Joe Colgan (QMU London) utilising the core facilities of the MU Biological Mass Spectrometry Unit including the Science Foundation Ireland-funded ThermoFisher QExactive high resolution mass spectrometer.

The researchers identified and quantified thousands of proteins from highly complex samples and found that hundreds of liver proteins differed substantially between the two strains, even without Ascaris infection. The resistant strain showed generally higher levels of proteins involved in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ascaris infection increased the levels of these proteins in both strains, supporting their role in the defense against the parasite and suggesting that resistant mice have a better defense at the earliest stages of infection.

Other proteins were seen only in infected mice; these included proteins involved in a part of the immune response. Two of these proteins were absent from both strains before infection but among the highest expressed proteins in both strains following infection. Interestingly, proteins involved in translation were of lower abundance in all infected mice livers, which suggests either a broad response in the host to the presence of Ascaris or a specific targeting of the protein synthesis machinery by the parasite itself.

Lead author Gwen Deslyper said:

Given our findings and the central role of the liver in the Ascaris migratory pathway, we suggest a potentially novel research direction to develop alternative preventative control strategies for Ascaris. It seems that the key determinant in murine resistance to Ascaris may lie in highly oxidative conditions that presumably restricts and arrests successful larval migration within the hepatic environment  at least of the resistant strain. By manipulating the hepatic ROS levels in the susceptible mouse strain we hope to determine the importance of intrinsic ROS in conferring resistance to Ascaris.

Professor Holland added:
The Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing (GGHSON) at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso) has received a $430,780 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide long-distance health education to underserved communities in rural West Texas. TTUHSC El Paso is the only institution in the state to receive one of the USDA's 45 distance learning grants.

"I grew up in a small town and I understand what rurality is," says Associate Professor and Assistant Dean Penny Cooper, D.N.P., R.N., the primary investigator who is leading the project. "Rurality impacts poverty and knowledge base, and ultimately, health."

The grant will fund free health education services via interactive, live video conferencing for 10 West Texas communities. The target communities include Hudspeth, Presidio, Yoakum and El Paso counties, all of which have been labeled StrikeForce counties by the USDA  rural U.S. counties plagued by persistently high poverty rates. Forty-three percent of individuals living in Hudspeth and 21 percent of individuals living in Presidio live below the U.S. poverty line. In addition to staggering poverty rates, these communities face low levels of educational advancement. Only 2.6 percent of Hudspeth's residents and 10.9 percent of Presidio's hold a bachelor's degree.

The GGHSON has already developed relationships with school districts in the 10 communities. While the program focuses primarily on elementary through high school students, education courses may be extended to the broader community, including parents and senior citizens. The project's first step will be to determine the unique health education needs of each site.

"Each site will decide its own needs because they are the ones that know their region best," Cooper explains. "Whether they need education on street safety, oral health, nutrition, obesity, exercise, chronic disease  we'll be there to collaborate with them."

In partnership with University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC), the GGHSON will also provide Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) courses to nurses in rural hospitals and medical centers. Practicing nurses are required to take 20 hours of CNE courses every two years; however, this requirement may be challenging to meet in rural settings.

"Some forms of CNE may not be offered in rural areas, so nurses have to travel to attend them  creating unwanted travel expenses and work absences, and draining facilities that already run on limited nursing staff," says Professor and Associate Dean Wm. Michael Scott, D.N.P., R.N., FAANP, co-investigator of the project. To help ease this strain, CNE courses will be live streamed from UMC to Pecos County Memorial Hospital and Permian Regional Medical Center.

The GGHSON team hopes the two-year health education project will ultimately improve the health of West Texas' rural communities. The team also hopes to inspire young students to consider careers in health care.

"The job potentials for many of these communities are limited to prison guards, farmers and border patrol agents," Cooper says. "We want to inspire younger generations to think outside the box and realize there are other possibilities  like nursing, medicine and dentistry."
French auto major Renault is looking to enhance exports from India to neighbouring countries and Africa as it seeks to make the country a manufacturing hub. "Last month we started exporting Duster and Kwid to Sri Lanka. This month we will be entering Nepal while we also prepare to enter Bhutan," Sumit Sawhney, country CEO and managing director, Renault India Operations, told PTI.



Not only the neighbouring countries, Renault will be looking to tap opportunities in Africa as well. "We are working on a strategy for exports to South Africa, hopefully, it will be finalised soon. Besides, we are looking at other countries in Africa," Sawhney said. Even to Brazil, where the company's small car Kwid will be manufactured and sold, Renault will be looking to export components. "Certain sets of components will be supplied from here in India," he said.



As per SIAM data, Renault India has exported 441 units so far in the April-June period this fiscal, as against just 56 units exported in the same period last fiscal. Keeping in view the increased demand for Kwid in the domestic market and plans for exports, Renault India has also increased production of the small car.



"We have started the third shift at our Chennai plant. We are producing about 9,000-9,500 units of the Kwid now," Sawhney said.



In the domestic market, Renault India's cumulative sales in the January-July period stood at 73,863 units as against 25,032 in the corresponding period last year, a growth of 195 per cent.
Y-Job, the world's first concept car, is being added to the National Historic Vehicle Register (NHVR). A cross between the Automotive Hall of Fame and a Library of Congress, the idea behind the Historic Vehicle Association's NHVR is to preserve for eternity the most significant cars in US motoring history. Very few cars can claim to have as much cultural or historical influence on the shape of the US motoring industry than the car that was called Y-Job by the Buick engineers and designers that created it in 1939 and as "The Car of The Future" when General Motors unveiled it to an unsuspecting public in 1940.



The car's creation was overseen by legendary designer Harley J. Earl, the man responsible for the Chevrolet Corvette, the wraparound windshield, two-tone paint finishes as a standard production car feature, tailfins and the use of clay to create physical models of cars before going into production, Y-Job really was the shape of things to come.'



It was low, wide, did away with running boards, boasted retractable headlamps, the tailfins that would become the iconic design feature of 1950s American cars, and its convertible top disappeared completely into the body.



"Harley Earl and the Buick Y-Job expanded the boundaries of car design and drew the blueprint for concept vehicle design and execution," said GM Global Design Vice President Michael Simcoe. "We thank the HVA for ensuring the world's first concept car is documented and preserved for future generations."



As well as recording and preserving every document and piece of engineering data associated with the vehicle, the Y-Job has also been digitally scanned and photographed so that a perfect virtual 3D model of the car will be preserved in perpetuity. The Y-Job is just the 14th car to be added to the register, which is supported by the US Library of Congress and is the first to have been digitally preserved at the new HVA National Laboratory in Allentown, Pennsylvania. As well as scanning and photography studios, the new facility also has a test track that the HVA will use to capture the unique sounds and aerodynamic movements of legendary cars as part of the preservation process.
Kathmandu: Seven people, including a new-born baby, are feared killed when a private chopper crashed in a forest area in Nepal's Nuwakot district on Monday.



The Fishtail Air helicopter lost contact with air traffic control tower shortly after it took off from Gorkha this afternoon.



The chopper, which was flying the new-born for a treatment in Kathmandu with her mother, crashed at Bhatine Danda area in Nuwakot district, 150 km west of Kathmandu, officials said.



All seven people, including the pilot, on board the 9N-AKA helicopter are presumed dead, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Caan) said.



A Nepal Army team and other rescue officials have been deployed at the crash site, said Devendra KC, spokesperson of the Caan.



"Bad weather has been preventing the search operation," he said.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Samir Ali  Trend:

The Baku Court of Appeal has considered the plaint regarding the decision to prevent journalist Khadija Ismayilova from leaving Azerbaijan.

A decision was made at the hearing, and the period of conditional arrest of Khadija Ismayilova has been reduced from 3.5 years to two years and three months.

Earlier, Khadija Ismayilova appealed to the Baku City Binagadi District Court in connection with the lifting of the ban on her leaving Azerbaijan. The court didnt satisfy her complaint. Then Ismayilova filed an appeal against this decision.

In December 2014, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced Khadija Ismayilova to 7.5 years in prison.

She was charged for misappropriation and embezzlement, illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion and abuse of official duties.

Ismayilova's lawyers then filed a cassation appeal against the decision.

The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan made a decision on May 25, 2016 to release Ismayilova.

The Supreme Court sentenced her to conditional imprisonment term of three years and six months.
New Delhi: The Election Commission has urged the government to amend the electoral law to bar political advertisements in newspapers 48 hours before the day of polling on the lines of the restriction on electronic media.



The move came as the poll panel had to use its constitutional powers to ban such newspaper advertisements on a case-by-case basis during the Bihar Assembly elections in October-November 2015.



In a meeting with Legislative Department of the Law Ministry in May, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and fellow Commissioners AK Joti and OP Rawat said print media should also be included in Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act so that campaign or political advertisements are barred from appearing 48 hours ahead of polling day.



As of now, political advertisements are barred in electronic media, including TV, radio and social media platforms.



During Bihar Assembly elections, the EC had used its constitutional powers under Article 324 to impose a ban on political advertisements in newspapers in various districts of the state. The EC had said the advertisements were divisive in nature.



This proposal was first mooted by the Commission in April, 2012 and has the backing of the Law Commission.



After banning the advertisements in Bihar, the EC had ensured that newspapers do not carry advertisements which are not certified by Media Certification and Monitoring Committees ahead of each phase of assembly polls in Assam and West Bengal held in April.



On October 30 last, the Commission had clamped a ban on publication of two controversial advertisements printed by BJP in Bihar during Assembly polls.



One of the advertisements alleges that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar are "snatching the plate of dalits" by planning to transfer the quota meant for dalits and EBCs to minorities.



Another advertisement dealt with 'vote ki kheti' or votebank politics. It alleged that some parties were "giving sanctuary" to terrorists to appease a particular community for votes.
Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh governments plan to build a greenfield capital city Amaravati has hit a green hurdle, with the Centres forest panel rejecting the proposal which lacks a suitable land-use plan and a compensatory afforestation scheme.



The proposed new capital which will come up on the banks of river Krishna between Vijayawada and Guntur, may now have to fight a legal battle before its construction begins.



Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had sought forest clearance for diversion of 13,267.12 hectares of forest land in favour of Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRD) for building the city, which is to come up at an initial cost of Rs 27,000 crore.



A revised proposal regarding the same, was submitted on April 25. The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC)  the highest body in the Union Environment Ministry that assesses proposals for diversion of forest lands  examined the Andhra Pradesh governments revised proposal on July 12.



In a recent meeting, the FAC examined the proposal. It heard the state governments request to exempt the land-use plan, among others. After detailed deliberation, the FAC asked the state to submit the detailed land-use plan, a senior Environment Ministry official said.



Reacting to this Naidu said he was confident of clearing all hurdles, and the construction of the new capital would not be affected in any manner. The minister had even discussed the special status for Andhra Pradesh with the Prime Minister, during his recent visit to the capital.



The state government was informed that the purpose-wise breakup is of particular significance in decision-making. On whether to permit the diversion of entire forest land sought, or whether smaller land could be utilized; or whether no land would be permitted for the activity, the official said.



The FAC has also asked the state government to clarify as to how much land has been sought for Amaravati city and for the Andhra Pradesh capital region, separately, the official said.



The main opposition, YSR Congress Party led by Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, has been attacking the project, calling it a land-grabbing scheme. It is alleging that parts of the new city is being built on flood plains of Krishna River without any scientific study, and could be disastrous in the future.



Top real estate firms, meanwhile, are predicting that Amaravati property prices will match those of other top cities in India.



(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: Intervening the discussion on GST in Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the new indirect taxation regime, which will subsume 7-13 taxes, will help end corruption as traders will be compelled to give proper bills and the consumer will be the "king".



"It will also help reduce the problem of black money and lead to generation of jobs by benefitting the small traders and entrepreneurs," Modi added.



Noting that the GST bill had been firmed up after thorough "churning of ideas", Modi "humbly" expressed happiness that it was being passed through an unprecedented consensus of parties.



He said he had held consultations with his predecessor Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi on the issue.







"Rashtra Niti (national policy) is above 'Raj Niti'(politics)....I thank all political parties, as also state governments run by different parties. We are taking such a decision.. we have reached here after churning in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, 29 states, their representatives and 90 parties. We are putting a stamp on the final decision," Modi said.



Underlining that the development marks the "recognition of One India" and strengthens this concept, Modi said that we are aligning ourselves with a new taxation regime and the GST is a new 'moti' (bead) in this 'maala' (necklace)."



He coined the GST in a new manner -- 'Great step by Team India', 'Great Step towards Transformation', 'Great Step towards Transparency'.



Responding to Congress' contention that GST was its idea being implemented by the NDA government, he acknowledged that all political parties and previous governments had contributed to making of the bill.



In this context, he quipped, "janam koi de, lalan palan koi kare. Krishna ko janam kisne diya, bada kisne kiya? (somebody may give birth, but someone else may nurture. Who gave birth to Lord Krishna and who brought him up?)"



At the same time, he said, "we do not have 'guroor'(arrogance) that his bill is the perfect one" even though "so many brains have made an effort which will have results"


A suspected gangster has been killed in an ongoing gunfight with police in Shadnagar in Mehbubnagar district of Telangana.



The police have cordoned off the area and search is on for accomplices.



Alleged gangster Nayeemuddin is supected to have been involved in killing some top former Maoists. He was hiding in the house in Millennium Township in Shadnagar in Mahabubnagar district, about 60 km from Hyderabad.



The operation began on Monday morning when police were conducting searches in the town.



Armed policemen surrounded the house, following a tip-off about presence of the gangster.


New Delhi: 'Gau rakshaks' and many right-wing organisations across the country have hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comments against cow vigilantism, with the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) even thinking of sending him a legal notice.



The ABHM protested against the Prime Minister's comment that 80% of those "masquerading" as 'gau rakshaks' were anti-socials by night.



"Narendra Modi is not worthy of being Prime Minster. He will return just like Vajpayee had to in 2004. Hindu Mahasabha is holding Buddhi Shuddhi Yaga across India to give better sense to the PM," ABHM, national president Chandraprakash Kaushik told CNN-News18.



Kaushik said the organisation was in touch with its legal team whether they can send PM a legal notice or not.



ABHM chief Swami Chakrapani, said, "We condemn the Prime Minister's statement on those who devoted their life to preventing cow slaughter in India."



A Gau Raksha Dal (Cow Protection Group) in Mysuru wrote to the PM demanding a central anti-cow slaughter act and to impose stricter punishment for those flouting the ban.



Modi's statement was backed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) saying no one should take law in their hands in the name of cow protection and states should act against such miscreants.



The PM had hit out against cow vigilantes in his interaction at the MyGov Town Hall on Saturday and at a speech at Telangana's Medak district the next day.







"Fake gau rakshaks have nothing to do with cows. They want to create tension in society. If you go through their antecedents, you will find 80% Gau Raksha Dal have a criminal background," Modi said.



They also demanded that PM Modi implement a central anti-cow slaughter act to protect cows across the country.
New Delhi: Bovine meat exports from the country dipped as much as 15% last year, the government told Lok sabha on Monday while confirming there was no move to lift the ban on shipping out beef.



The government told the Lower House in reply to a written question that there was no proposal before it to relax the ban on exporting cow meat.



The sale of buffalo meat fell by 15% last year - down to 3.9 billion USD from 4.5 billion USD - compared to 2014-15 when India had pipped Brazil to become the largest exporter.



The issue came up in Parliament on a day when the Narendra Modi government was engaged in a war of words with aggressive cow vigilante groups who want a central law banning cow slaughter.



The surge in export in the final years of the Congress government had prompted Narendra Modi to famously call it the pink revolution and use it as a campaign point in the Lok Sabha polls.



The fall in figures will be good news for the BJP and other members of the Sangh Parivar who are not comfortable with India's status as the world's largest carabeef exporter.



According to the existing meat export policy, export of beef - meat of cow, oxen and calf - is prohibited. Only the meat of male and female buffaloes, known as carabeef, and the meat of goat and sheep can be sold abroad.



The dip in terms of quantity is 13%, from 1.5 mn tonnes to 1.31 mn tonnes. Since buffalo meat makes up 90% of India's meat exports, the overall figures have come down concomitantly.



The provisional figures for the month of April-May this year is pegged at 567M USD, which is not a very promising rate of export.



The government told the House that it receives representations frequently from various religious organisations demanding a ban on the export of meat and its products.



In 2007, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to review its meat export policy within the framework of Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution.



The current policy, the government said, is in the interest of farmers, livestock producers, meat consumers, traders, stake holders and stake holders of other sectors such as dairy farming and leather manufacturing.
Here are some important reports from the biggest newspapers of India.



1.) Tagore may have lost his life to prostate cancer



Despite the fact that Rabindranath Tagore is one of the most researched figures in Bengal, very little is known about how he died and the ailments that started immobilising him from 1940 onwards. On Sunday, Rabindra Bharati University, which is the custodian of Tagore's ancestral house, decided to re-construct the incidents that led to Tagore's death in 1941, reports The Times of India.



Not only has the flow of events been charted on the basis of historical documentation, but leading doctors have been roped in to examine the medical papers and observations of medical experts who treated Tagore. Till date, Jorasanko Thakurbari, which is also a museum of Tagore memorabilia, did not have any exhibits recording the last days of the poet. The room in which he breathed his last has been maintained, but beyond that, visitors are not told what his ailments were. Initially, the general rhetoric was to worship the poet almost like a god and not dwell on his mortality .





2.) Strikers on The Streets of Kashmir: Four weeks and Burning



Vocabulary in south Kashmir, epicenter of ongoing uprising in Valley, it seems, has reduced to just three words, Pakistan, Freedom and Burhan. All major roads, walls and signboards in most of the villages in Kulgam, Bijbehara and Anantnag have been painted with different forms and expressions of these three words, reports The Economic Times.



Since the killing of Hizb-ulMujahideen commander Burhan Wani, on July 8 evening in Kokernag area, J&K police and paramilitary forces have not entered most of these south Kashmir villages during the day. In night they manage to enter a few, where they have either killed and injured people or arrested few others. The government forces only try to sanitize and secure the National Highway , passing through south Kashmir, which connects Valley with Jammu, for smooth movement of Amarnath Yatra, which has been going on without any hindrance.





3.) Roster Ready for Ministers' I-Day Activities



Ministers will be travelling across the country, picking spots from Siachen Glacier to Port Blair to commemorate Indian freedom struggle heroes while special events like an evening Mashal Yatra (Torch March) on August 14 and a Prabhat Pheri (early morning song march) on August 9 will take place in major cities and villages.



The big 'Yaad Karo Kurbani' celebrations on the 70th Independence Day will be kicked off by PM Narendra Modi on August 9 when he will visit freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad's birthplace in Bhavra in Madhya Pradesh, thereby giving top-most importance to Azad's sacrifice in the freedom struggle. A detailed exercise has been done to draw up a roster of minister visits from August 9-23, reports The Economic Times.





4.) Ego clashes and streetfighting: The lawyers-media standoff in Kerala



An extraordinary standoff between lawyers and the media in Kerala has gone on for three weeks now. The two sides have brawled, the High Court has shut down the media room, and barred reporters from judges chambers and the steno pool to obtain details of proceedings. The court has asked for a judicial probe, and the government has ordered that a committee headed by the Advocate General, and comprising representatives from both sides, be set up to investigate the matter. Whats happening?



On July 14 night, Government Pleader Danesh Mathew Manjooran was arrested in Kochi for alleged molestation. But he was granted bail after the complainant gave an affidavit saying it was a case of mistaken identity. But the police still rushed the woman to a magistrate to record her statement under Sec 164 CrPC, after which they allegedly leaked her statement to the media. Manjooran and his supporters have argued they did this to settle scores in a dispute he had with an officer, The Indian Express reported.





5.) JNU withdraws Kanhaiya's private security cover



The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration on Thursday withdrew the private security cover provided to students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar. The university sent a notice to Kumar stating that the security will be continued only after dues of Rs 5 lakh are paid, The Times of India reported.



The decision to withdraw the security cover to Kumar came after JNUSU joint secretary Saurabh Kumar also wrote to the vice-chancellor requesting personal security as his life was under threat. The letter stated that Kumar had already been provided security cover by Delhi Police on orders from the HC.





6.) J&K pupils got scholarships worth Rs 75 crore this year



HRD minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday said the special scholarship scheme for Jammu & Kashmir students was a huge success this year. He said Rs 75 crore worth of higher education scholarships were given out in 2016.



Javadekar ascribed the success of the scholarship scheme to awareness workshops in Kupwara, Anantnag, Srinagar, Pulwama, Jammu, Doda, Rajouri, Kathua, Kargil and Leh in May. More than 5,000 students in J&K had applied for this scholarship, The Times of India reported.





7.) 10-man cell looking to revive Assam terror, extortion industry from Bhutan



Police believe the National Democratic Front of Bo do land (Songbijit) militant group, reduced to 10-12 men operating from adjoining Bhutan, had sent a lone gunman to strike at soft targets for reviving its extortion industry.



The outfit, however, denied its hand in Friday s killing of 14 people at a weekly market near Kokrajhar, the headquarters of a tribal council, 236km west of Guwahati, The Hindustan Times reports.



8.) IS recruit says 40 jihadis trained at Kerala camp



Anarrested Kabul-bound womans disclosure has prompted police surveillance on some 19 people in Kerala and neighbouring Karnataka, after she alleged they attended jihadi classes by a suspected Islamic State terrorist group recruiter.



Yasmin Ahmad, a 28-yearold schoolteacher in Kerala, told investigators that Abdul Rashid, a fugitive IS recruiter from Kerala who is now operating from Afghanistan, indoctrinated about 40 people, The Hindustan Times reports.



9.) Law students of Delhi University left in a fix



The Bar Council of Indias new recommendations to Delhi University, stating that they are not following the Legal Education Rules, 2008, has caused concern among students, mostly those awaiting admission to the Faculty of Law, The Hindustan Times reports.



According to the BCI rules, there should be only five sections with 60 students each in the first year of the law faculty. A special exception has been made for Delhi University, which has been allowed not more than eight sections with 60 students each, reads the report.



10.) Battling animal deaths, Delhi zoo bats for animal diplomacy



Jawaharlal Nehru sent a baby elephant named after his daughter Indira to Japan in 1949, former President Shankar Dayal Sharma was gifted an African tusker by Zimbabwe and Prime Minister Narendra Modi a Mongolian horse during his visit to that country, The Hindustan Times reports.



Animal diplomacy has been an important tool in strengthening relations between countries and the Delhi zoo, battling a spate of animal deaths in the past few months, wants it pursued with renewed zeal.



The zoo, which attracts lakhs of visitors annually, is in dire need of giraffes, ostrich, zebra, kangaroo, white bucks and other exotic varieties of birds and animals.


New Delhi: The AAP government on Monday expressed its inability before the Delhi High Court to come out with an order before Independence Day prohibiting use of 'Chinese manja', a nylon thread coated with powdered glass, for flying kites.



After the submission was made by the Delhi government, a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal asked the government to come up with suggestions to prevent accidents due to use of Chinese manja in the days running upto Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan.



"You (government) come up with suggestions to prevent accidents caused due to the Chinese manja, as kites are flown extensively during Independence Day and Raskha Bandhan (in this month)," the bench said.



It asked the Delhi government's senior standing counsel Rahul Mehra to give the suggestions on August 10 so that it can pass some directions keeping in mind the festival.



"The court will issue directions to see that no untoward incident occurs this year during kite flying, as the Delhi government is about to come out with their notification. Maybe from next year the rule would be in place," the bench said.



The observations came after Mehra informed the court that the Delhi government has issued a draft notification for banning Chinese manja and only allowing kite-flying with a cotton thread or natural fibre, "free from metallic or glass components".



The government said that the draft notification was in the public domain inviting objections from the stakeholders. "To implement it (the notification) in next four days is next to impossible.



We need time. May be keeping in view the Independence Day we can issue advertisements and put hoardings to make the public aware about disadvantage of Chinese manjas," it said, adding that "it will surely take the issue forward".



The AAP government's response came in the backdrop of the court's August 2 order as to when it will issue a notification banning threads coated with powdered glass.



The court was hearing a plea by Zulfiquar Hussain who has alleged that earlier "victims" of the synthetic thread were birds, "but now humans are also under threat" and referred to a recent death of a 28-year-old man in East Delhi whose throat allegedly got slit by such a thread while riding a motorbike.
Srinagar: More than 3,300 security personnel have been injured in over 1,000 violent incidents in Kashmir since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8, police said.



"Since July 2016, 3,329 personnel from Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Paramilitary Forces have been injured while maintaining law and order in the valley," a police spokesman said on Sunday.



He said out of these injured personnel, many have suffered grievous injuries including multiple fractures.



"Besides two personnel from JKP were killed in the violent protests in the valley," he said.



The spokesman said a total of 1,018 incidents of violence were reported during this period for which 1,030 FIRs were registered in different police stations of the valley.



"As many as 29 installations including police stations, police posts and other government establishments were set ablaze and 51 damaged by the protesters," he said.



Referring to efforts of police to end the violent protests, he said more than 1,000 accused have been arrested and "bound down in different police stations of the valley".



Fifty-two persons -- mostly young boys -- were killed and more than 5,000 others injured in clashes with security forces.



More than 200 civilians have been hit by pellets in their eyes with many of them at the risk of losing eyesight, leading to calls for ending the use of pellet guns as a weapon for crowd control.
New Delhi: A high drama was witnessed at Jantar Mantar on Sunday when a 50-year-old woman climbed a tree and threatened to commit suicide if her son's killers were not arrested, police said.



Baccha Devi, a native of Bihar who lives in Maharashtra, demanded justice for her son who was murdered in Bihar in October 2015.



As she scaled up the tree, people gathered and urged her to come down. She came down after police persuaded her.



She alleged that Bihar Police was not arresting the main accused in the murder case.



Devi said that she came to Delhi for meeting leaders so that her case could be heard.



She was being questioned by the police.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

Azerbaijan is aimed at increasing export and investments to Russia, said Azerbaijans Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev.

Mustafayev made the remarks Aug. 8 during an expanded meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia and Russia-Azerbaijan business councils in Baku.

Azerbaijan-Russia relations are developing successfully  our countries are strategic partners, noted the minister.

Mutual investments and the trade turnover are growing year by year, he added. It pleases us, but our potential is much greater.

Mustafayev said that the aim of holding sessions of business councils, various business forums is to increase Azerbaijani export and investments to Russia, as well as attracting investments in the non-oil sector of Azerbaijans economy.

It should be considered that Russian market is very important for us, said the minister. For this reason, Azerbaijans export potential should be expanded and the export to Russia should be promoted.

Meanwhile, it is necessary to promote mutual investment, he noted.

Im confident that the created business councils will contribute to the implementation of these goals, added Mustafayev.

Total volume of Russian investments in Azerbaijans economy amounts to $3 billion. More than 600 enterprises with Russian capital have been registered in Azerbaijan.

Over $235 million of the total volume of Russian investments accounted for Azerbaijani economys non-oil sector, while Russia invested $2.8 billion in the countrys oil sector.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan invested more than $1 billion in Russian economy. Russian companies are also contractors of 10 projects, which are being implemented by public investments.

More than 170 agreements were signed between Azerbaijan and Russia to date, over 50 of which were signed in economic sphere.

Russia is one of Azerbaijans main trade partners  over the past six months of 2016, Russia have been holding the second place in Azerbaijans trade turnover, the first place  in import, and the sixth place  in export.
Rio de Janeiro: Abhinav Bindra narrowly missed out on a medal after finishing fourth in the final of the men's 10 metre air rifle final at the Olympic Shooting Centre here on Monday.

Bindra started well, but a couple of wayward shots cost him dearly as he lost in the bronze medal play-off to finish fourth with a total score of 163.8 points.

Monday's disappointment will see the curtains come down on the glittering career of the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist -- India's only individual Olympic gold -- as he had earlier announced that he will announce his international retirement after the Rio Olympics.

Participating in his fifth Olympics, the 33-year-old got off to a good start with scores of 29.9 and 30.2 in the first two series placing him in the top three.

He fell to the fourth spot after a relatively poor 21.1 in the third series with a total score of 81.2. But luck favoured Bindra in the fourth series as he climbed to second with 21.5 as the other shooters in the top four also faltered.

However, Bindra seemed to let the pressure get to him as his performance started to go downhill from there. The former World Champion registered progressively poorer scores of 20.8, 20.2 in the next two series.

A brilliant series of high 10s saw him go up to second after 11 shots and third after 12.

He maintained the position till the 14th shot but a couple of poor shots saw him score 20.1 in what would eventually be his final series and tied at fourth with Ukranian Serhiy Kulish after the 16th shot.

In the shoot-off that followed, Bindra could manage only a 10.0 while the Ukranian shot a brilliant 10.5 to move ahead, thus relegating the Indian to the fourth place.

"I think I did my best but a medal was not to be. It was a tough field. Somebody had to finish fourth and I did. Well I think thats the way it is. I gave it all. It was good day a hard day. Could have been better with a medal," a dejected Bindra said later.

Earleir, Bindra finished seventh to qualify for the 10 metre Air Rifle quarter-finals at the Rio Olympics while it was heartbreak for Gagan Narang who finished a lowly 23rd in the qualification round.

Bindra shot a cumulative score of 625.7 to end at the seventh spot and book his berth in the last eight, the competitions for which will be held later in the day.

Bindra found himself at the 10th spot after scoring 104.3 at the end of the first series but dropped to 11th in the second with a cumulative score of 208.7.

Bindra picked pace in the third series to vault to the second position with a score of 314.6 but drastically dropped after sixth with some poor shots.

At the end of the fourth series, Bindra moved to fifth to be on course for qualification. However, the fifth round went horribly wrong for India's flag-bearer in the Rio opening ceremony, who slipped to 10th.

In the final series, he brought himself back in contention to sit at eighth after a 10.8 in his sixth shot to finally book his berth for the quarter-finals.
Croatian army officer Josip Glasnovic won a tense shoot-off to secure men's trap gold at the Rio Olympics on Monday, then disclosed his winning secret - 'keep it simple'.

The 33-year-old from Zagreb, tied at 13-13 in the title match against Italian Giovannni Peliello, held his nerve to claim the sudden-death phase 4-3.

"I just focus on the target, keep it simple," he explained when asked how he kept his hands from trembling with tension.

"I shoot very well, very concentrated. I give all the best," he added.

Somerset farmer Edward Ling finished third for Britain, outpointing David Kostelecky of the Czech Republic 13/9 in the bronze medal match.

For 46-year-old Peliello this was his third silver medal finish after Beijing and Athens, not forgetting a bronze in Sydney.

The man who beat him four years ago, Giovanni Cernogoraz, failed to make it out of qualifying, finishing ninth with only the top six progressing.

The 2004 champion Alexey Alipov missed out by one spot but Beijing winner Kostelecky did squeak through in fifth place.

Peliello had topped the qualifying sheets.

Glasnovic cruised through the semi-finals to the gold medal match with a perfect 15 out of 15 score. Peliello only failed to hit the bright orange target once en route to the climax.

There, Glasnovic blinked first, missing his sixth effort, but then Peliello failed to connect with his next two shots.

With Glasnovic adding a second miss the two shooters were tied at 13-13, requiring a shoot-off to determine the outcome at the Deodoro range.

The winner said he was spurred on by the support he received from the stands.

Even though he once again missed out on the title Pellielo meanwhile was savouring silver.

"Its special because it arrives at 46 years old," he smiled.

On the shoot-out he reflected: "This is like the 'golden goal'. I missed only one target, so I got very close to it and things are like this."

He added: "Each time that I go on a podium, its very important and each time it is different than the previous one."

He refused to countenance hanging up his shotgun before another tilt at Olympic glory in four years time in Tokyo.

"If I am alive, I will go on. I will compete."

Third-placed Ling said he'd felt like "jelly" with nerves.

"But I'm really, really pleased with the outcome," he said, before mapping out his plans for the immediate future.

"Its just been nail-biting, it really has. It's a dream come true. I never thought this day would come.

"But now I'll go home, help on the farm, just do what I did."

Except this time, ,he has a bronze Olympic medal round his neck.
Rio de Janeiro: Katie Ledecky of the United States crushed her world record in the 400m freestyle to win Olympic gold on Sunday and jump-start a potentially historic Rio campaign.

The American phenom -- targeting a rare 200m, 400m and 800m Olympic freestyle treble -- surged home to touch the wall in 3min 56.46sec, smashing her own world record of 3:58.37 set in the Gold Coast, Queensland in 2014.

Ledecky, who has gone from strength to strength since her surprise win in the 800m free as a 15-year-old in London, has now broken 12 world records since then.

"A goal I set after Barcelona in 2013 was 3:56 or better so to see 3:56 feels really good," said Ledecky, who beamed when she saw the time.

She had come within a whisker of the world mark in the afternoon heats, clocking 3:58.71 -- the second-fastest ever until her gold medal swim.

"It felt pretty identical to this morning with a little more pop on the back half. It just felt great."

Jazz Carlin of Great Britain won silver -- her 4:01.23 leaving her 4.77 seconds adrift. American Leah Smith took bronze in 4:01.92.
Punjab Pradesh Congress (PPC) chief Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday stormed into the Sangat Mandi station in Bathinda after locals claimed that fake FIRs were being against them in the state.



During the event, Halke Vich Captain, in which he meets locals to discuss their grievances, more than 60% of the complaints were over allegedly fabricated FIRs filed against people by the system.



An outraged Captain left the event mid-way to meet the Station House Officer (SHO) over the issue.



Petitioner Baldev Singh and his daughter from Bhatinda were among those who complained about their land being grabbed and claimed that consecutive fake FIRs were being filed against them.



The campaign, Halke Vich Captain, strategised by Prashant Kishor's Indian Political Action Committee (IPAC) aims to take Amarinder to every Assembly constituency (Halka) in the state to establish a direct contact with the voters.



Amarinder has promised to set up a task force to address the noted issues within 100 days if Congress comes to power in the state elections scheduled for early 2017.
Mau/Lucknow: After walking free from jail, expelled BJP leader Dayashankar Singh today fired a fresh salvo at Mayawati claiming she "auctioned" tickets and dared her to fight against his wife on any unreserved seat in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections next year.



Singh demanded that a CBI inquiry be ordered into the allegations against Mayawati or else he would file a PIL on the issue.



The leader, who was arrested for allegedly making derogatory comments against the BSP chief last month, was today released from Mau jail, a day after a local court granted him bail.



He was nabbed by UP Special Task Force with the help of Bihar Police from Buxar on July 29 after being on the run for nine days.



After his release from the jail, Dayashankar paid obeisance at a temple and soon left for Lucknow, where he addressed a press conference.



"I am firm on my statement that Mayawati sells tickets. At that time I used a word, over which I expressed regret the very same day," he said.



Singh threw a challenge at the BSP supremo to contest election against his wife from any seat.



"I challenge Mayawati to select any unreserved seat and contest elections against my wife. The BSP leader will come to know the reality when she loses," he said.



Singh also demanded a CBI probe into alleged "auctioning" of party tickets for elections.



The former BJP state vice-president said, "My party removed me from the post and expelled me, but it failed to satisfy Mayawati and an FIR was lodged against me."



He said that on July 21, BSP workers led by senior BSP leaders Naseemduddin Siddiqui and Ram Achal Rajbhar, targeted his elderly mother, minor daughter and wife and used derogatory language against them.



"While police launched a man-hunt against me as if I was Dawood, the BSP leaders, who used derogatory language are roaming freely, despite the Chief Minister's statement condemning the remarks made by them," he said.



"I will file a PIL seeking a CBI probe. Mayawati is the 'mother' of corruption," he alleged and also targeted her brother and Siddiqui.



Asked about BSP's stand that it will challenge the bail order in the High Court, Dayashankar earlier said in Mau, "I accept all the challenges of BSP. I will not talk much. I am going to Lucknow to meet my daughter, ailing mother and family members."



Ahead of his release, a number of supporters and BJP workers from Mau and neighbouring districts gathered outside the jail premises.



Singh said that BJP has expelled him, but he has not distanced himself from the party.



"I have been associated with the RSS and BJP for a very long time. It is in my veins," he said.



The FIR against Singh was registered on July 20 under the the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and other provisions.



The complaint, which was lodged by BSP national secretary Mewalal Gautam, alleged that Singh's remarks in Mau on July 20 had hurt the feelings of BSP workers and the Dalit community across the country and were aimed at provoking them.



Singh said that the CM was also in "double mind", as he was afraid that action against Siddiqui would affect the Muslim vote bank.



He said in Mau, he was kept like any other prisoner. Singh wife, Swati Singh said that while media supported her all through, there was no cooperation from police and administration.



"The day Siddiqui was provoking BSP workers, the DM and the SSP were present on the spot. Later when I asked them to examine the CD, I was told that there were other issues of priority," she said.
New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open a dialogue process with the people of the state.



Talking to reporters after a two-hour meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Mehbooba also hinted at resuming a dialogue with Pakistan on Kashmir issue saying the state could act as a "bridge" between the two nations.







"I believe there is a need to heal the wounds of people, to initiate dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. These are our own people. If process of dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir can improve the situation in valley, we should do it," she said and adding, her state could become a bridge between India and Pakistan.



"There is a need to apply balm to the wounds of Kashmiri people," she said.



Mehbooba, who has been facing difficulties in restoring normalcy in the Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8, said only the process of dialogue with the people of Kashmir can help improve the situation.



The Chief Minister said during the one month of unrest, which started after the killing of Wani, 55 people lost their lives and referred the deceased as "our own boys".



"People will keep dying if we don't take initiative to bring normalcy. We want peace. There is an opportunity for dialogue and we should avail it," she said.



"We have seen agitations in the past like in 2008 (Amarnath land row) and 2010 (over fake encounters by army). Our children have been killed. Our families have suffered. I don't wish to see any more killing.



"Our Prime Minister has a huge mandate in the present Lok Sabha and he should seize the opportunity created by the unrest to win the hearts of the people and solve their problems, the way former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee did," she said.



"I am hopeful that the Prime Minister will take this as an opportunity to initiate dialogue with people to address their problems. There is a need to take the same initiative of winning hearts of people, which was taken during Vajpayee jis tenure," she said after the meeting which was also attended by National Security Advisor A K Doval and other senior officials of Home, Defence and Finance Ministries.



The meeting took place on a day when month-long curfew in Kashmir echoed in Parliament with Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad raising the matter during Zero Hour and demanding a statement from the Prime Minister about the steps being taken by the government for restoring normalcy.



"In such circumstances, we want to awaken the government ... We feel the government and the Prime Minister are watching the situation deteriorate like a silent spectator," he said, adding he wanted to know why Modi has not spoken on the grave situation in Kashmir so far.
New Delhi: After passing the Rajya Sabha hurdle, the Constitutional Amendment Bill for the introduction of Goods and Service Tax was taken up in Lok Sabha on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the GST in the Lok Sabha and thanked the opposition for the support in passing the bill.

Ultimately GST proves Consumer is King, says PM Modi in Lok Sabha.

GST, the biggest economic reform since 1991, is likely to sail through smoothly in the Lower House. It will replace a draft of different state and local taxes with a single unified value added tax system to turn the country into worlds biggest single market.

The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha in 2015 and now it has to go back to the Lower House for incorporating the amendments approved by Rajya Sabha.

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here.
Allahabad: Politics is now being played over national anthem in Allahabad after the school manager banned its recital on Independence Day. The administrator of MA Convent School has been arrested and a sedition case has been registered against him.



The principal and seven other teachers have resigned after the administration banned singing of anthem for August 15 celebrations.



The Bharatiya Janata Party workers demanded strict action against the school management.



"If anyone desires to run a country on any religion then he or she should move to that country. If anyone wants to kick the Constitution but demands the rights under the constitution that will not be acceptable," BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said.



On the same page with BJP, Congress leader RPN Singh said, "Kisi bhi educational institute me national anthem par rok nahi lagna chahiye. Jaanch ho aur action lia jaye. (There should be no ban on singing national anthem in any educational institute. A probe should be conducted and guilty should be punished)."



A three-member committee is probing the incident against the school in Baghara locality of the city and maintained that it was not recognised by the education department.



The school has refused to allow recital of the national anthem by students and staff members on Independence Day, claiming that its words violated the tenets of Islam.



Zia-ul Haq, the school manager, told the teachers that singing of the national anthem could not be allowed as the phrase 'Bharat Bhagya Vidhata' in its first stanza went against the tenets of Islam, according to the teachers who resigned two days ago.



The manager said that if they were not in agreement with this "policy" of the school, they could leave.







"Most of us have been working here for not a very long time. We were shocked to learn from the management that the school has never allowed the singing of national anthem in the last 12 years.



"Since we had been asked to fall in line or leave, we chose a decision based on our conscience," Ritu Tripathi, who was the principal, said.



The school has around 300 students.



She said, "Seven of my colleagues have put in their papers in protest against this attitude of the school management".



Haq, on his part, stuck to his guns asserting "only Allah can be the Bhagya Vidhata, which means the one who decides our destiny. How can we call Bharat our Bhagya Vidhata?"



The Basic Shiksha Adhikari of Allahabad, Jaikaran Yadav, said, "We are surprised to learn that the school is still running.



"It is not duly recognised by the Basic Shiksha department and we had sent its management a notice to close the institution about a week ago."



He said a probe is on in the matter and action will be taken as per law.



(With inputs from PTI)
After Gujarat, BJP in tandem with its ideological mentor RSS has decided to bite the bullet to sort out its other 2G problem which has been festering for long - Gau raksha.



With situation fast slipping out of hand the party has had to call for an intervention at the highest-level to temper a fast-deteriorating situation on both fronts.



That cow vigilantes have been on a prowl is not a recent development.



In the last one year, sporadic yet numerous incidents of zealots taking law into their hands have been reported from across the country.



Two cattle traders were hanged in Latehar district of Jharkhand in March this year. Dadri lynching vicariously creeps into the political discourse every now and then.



All this while, India's export of bovine meat - mind you all this is buffalo meat for India does not export cow meat - has come down by 15 percent to 3.9 billion USD in 2015-16 from 4.5 billion USD the year before that. The 'pink revolution' is clearly on a decline.



And then just before the Monsoon Session of Parliament was to begin last month, Una happened.



The medieval justice meted out through public flogging of Dalits in Gujarat was captured by mobile cameras.



Social media disseminated it far and wide. A week later when Parliament met, BSP leader Mayawati, who is battling to keep her flock together in faraway UP, struck and struck hard. By the end of the week, the Dalit czarina had moved in quickly to cement a Dalit-Muslim combination. Both BJP and SP were caught unawares.



It is this formidable socio-political combination of the two communities which has the potential to topple BJP's applecart in the high-stake UP polls next year.



Not surprisingly, the BJP has been forced to take an unambiguous position on cow vigilantes.



If one were to look at UP's demographic spread, Muslims and Dalits together constitute a formidable alliance in many assembly segments across the state. BJP's electoral strategy in UP generally hinges on the division of Muslim votes and a broad consolidation of Hindu voters.



In the given circumstances, if Muslims votes get divided among three claimants- SP, BSP and Congress- it helps BJP's cause no end.



Concurrently, if BJP is able to wean away a section of Dalits and backward communities to its fold, it is advantage BJP by far. Conversely, if Dalits and Muslims are mobilised by an Una-like episode, there is no stopping Mayawati.



BJP in UP - or for that matter in any other part of the country - does not want a redux of Bihar.



In the aftermath of the Dadri lynching and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's interview on quota, beef and reservations dominated the political discourse in the state assembly polls last year. Social groups came together and mobilised against the BJP. The result was for everyone to see.



The damage has been done. But the BJP has learnt its lesson from Bihar. This is why damage control has been initiated without any further delay. And it has six months to do that before elections are called in UP early next year.
Kuala Lumpur: After years of battling bureaucracy, about 7,000 Indians who were born in Malaya before its independence from Britain have at last obtained Malaysian citizenship.



S Subramaniam, president of the country's largest ethnic Indian political party Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), said about 7,000 Indians have obtained citizenship so far but a lot more people have yet to register.



"On average, probably more than 15,000 Indians have yet to register to obtain the citizenship. So, this process will be continued to solve this issue. We will find ways to solve this immediately," he said after attending a religious ceremony 'Kalvi Yathirai' organised by the Sri Murugan Centre on Sunday.



Prime Minister Najib Razak said recently that those yet to obtain citizenship should redeem their right.



Subramaniam hoped the government would refine the citizenship registration process for ethnic Indians by reducing the existing bureaucracy to expedite the process.



"Many have repeatedly applied but failed due to the bureaucracy. I admit the main problem is documentation whereby, their birth records have been missing. If the bureaucracy is reduced, we target this issue will be solved by this year," he said.



Malaya becomes independent from Britain in 1957.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug.8

By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend:

The North-South international transportation corridor, which is being implemented by Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran, will be the main topic of discussions during the summit of the three countries presidents in Baku Aug.8.

Earlier, this information was confirmed to Trend by high-ranking officials of the three countries railway authorities  deputy head of Azerbaijan Railways Igbal Huseynov, first vice-president of Russian Railways Alexander Misharin and vice-president of operation and international transportation of Islamic Republic of Iran Railways Hossein Ashoori.

Moreover, all three sides admit and emphasize the great importance of the North-South project and Azerbaijans role in its implementation.

Igbal Huseynov has said that Azerbaijan is especially interested in this projects implementation, since as a country located at the crossroads of the main international transportation corridors running from the north to the south and from the east to the west, it has played a role of a bridge throughout centuries.

Hossein Ashoori, for his part, has confirmed that Azerbaijan has a serious attitude towards the development of the North-South transit corridor. He pointed out that the representatives of Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan hold meetings every month to discuss this project and Baku plays a key role here. Ashoori also noted that Iran is interested in the settlement of all the issues related to the project during the trilateral meeting of the presidents.

The North-South project will give a serious impetus to the effective economic development of not only the three main participants of the project. Other countries can also join this project and this will make it possible to establish solid trade turnover between North Europe and South-East Asia.

If the North-South corridor operates at full capacity, it will create an opportunity for European countries, Russia, Caucasus and Central Asian countries to get access to the Persian Gulf and India and for intensifying the relations between Caspian Sea countries and Black Sea ports.

Moreover, the Russian side believes in the need to attract new members to the project, in particular India. Alexander Misharin told Trend that it will allow studying comprehensively the whole range of issues related to the transportation of goods, as well as simplifying the process of coordination and approval of the agreements reached between all participants. It is obvious that all parties of the project are making significant efforts to create the necessary conditions for attracting cargos to the international transportation corridor.

Finlands involvement in the project is also under discussion. Igbal Huseynov said that at the meeting of the heads of railway authorities of Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran and Finland Javid Gurbanov, Oleg Belozerov, Mohsen Pour Seyed Aghaei and Mikael Aro  on June 2 in Russias Sochi within the 11th International Rail Business Forum, Finlands representative noted that his country is interested in the transportation corridor.

The importance of Indias involvement in the project is also supported by the fact that the first test train from this country to Russia will be launched on the North-South route in the near future.

Ashoori said that Tehran and Delhi held two meetings in 2016 to discuss Indias participation in this route, since Iran would like to start to develop a combined transit system. The first experimental cargo transiting from India to Russia through Iran and Azerbaijan will be carried out in August.

The cargo will be shipped from India to Bandar Abbas port by the Persian Gulf, then it will be transited via rail to the city of Qazvin, then carried by trucks to Azerbaijan's city of Astara near the border with Iran. Finally the cargo will be delivered to Russia via the Azerbaijan-Russia railroad, added Ashoori.

First Vice President of Russian Railways Alexander Misharin added that a corresponding working group was created to solve this task. Currently, the containers are in India; a transport scheme, including alternative solutions on cargo transportation through Iran, has been prepared. Test launch of the container train on the Bandar Abbas-Moscow route will reveal possible issues and bottlenecks of the transportation via this route, he said.

Following the trains run, we believe it will be possible to generate proposals regarding unified conditions of customs clearance of goods, terms, cost of delivery, as well as terms of transit passage of cargo via the International North-South Transport Corridor through the territory of Azerbaijan, Misharin said.

Deputy Head of Azerbaijan Railways Igbal Huseynov said that a new multi-modal route which includes the use of marine, rail and road transport, will make it possible to reduce the delivery time of goods from India to Russia from 40 to 14 days, and the test train will deliver the goods to Moscow on a particular tariff agreed by the participants of the corridor.

The process of implementation of the project wont encounter any obstacles also because the key issue of such projects, i.e. their funding, has been solved.

In particular, the section of the Rasht-Astara railway will be constructed under the joint cooperation of Azerbaijani and Iranian companies, and the two countries will invest in this project. It is expected that the document on this cooperation will be discussed at a meeting in Baku, which will become the beginning of a new stage of implementation.

Azerbaijan agreed to allocate $500 million for this project. The agreement regarding this was reached, and a specially created working group is holding talks on the details.

It is obvious that all the three sides attach great importance to the North-South project, which is important for them, and the work on which is currently being carried out rapidly. The summit of heads of the three countries will become a catalyst for the projects implementation to be further accelerated.

---

Maksim Tsurkov is Trend Agencys staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov
Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri blamed the Indian intelligence agency RAW, saying it was responsible for incidents of terror in Quetta.

Zehri's comments about the RAW came even before the police could say who was responsible for the horrific attack.



Video footage showed lawyers rushing with stretchers to help the wounded. Samaa TV said bodies were strewn on the floor, some still emanating smoke, "amid pools of blood and shattered glass".

"No one will be allowed to disturb the peace in the province that has been restored thanks to the countless sacrifices by the security forces, police and the people of Balochistan," Sharif said in a statement.



It was the worst terrorist attack in Pakistan this year since the March 27 bombing at Gulshan-e-Iqbal park in Lahore that left 75 people dead.



The deafening blast that ripped through scores of mourners in a Quetta hospital on Monday has killed at least 93 people, mainly lawyers, in this year's bloodiest terror attack in Pakistan even as a Balochistan minister blamed the Indian intelligence agency RAW for the incident.Balochistan Health Minister Rehmat Baloch meanwhile blamed a suicide bomber for the carnage that took place when a large number of lawyers had gathered at the Civil Hospital with the body of a lawyer shot dead hours earlier.The hospital superintendent confirmed the toll, ARY News channel reported. Two legs of a body found at the site were likely to be that of the suicide bomber, it said.The massive explosion occurred when nearly 100 lawyers and some journalists reached the Civil Hospital with the body of Bilal Anwar Kasi, president of the Balochistan Bar Association who was killed earlier.Police officer Zahoor Ahmed Afridi said most of the dead were lawyers. Several lawyers, including Baz Mohammad Kakar, the former president of the Balochistan Bar Association, were injured, Dawn reported.Gunfire was heard shortly after the explosion. Shahzad Khan, a cameraman with Aaj TV, was also killed in the explosion while the cameraman for Dawn News was severely injured, Dawn said.A stampede broke out after the bombing, causing chaos at the hospital, witnesses said. Smoke filled the corridors of the emergency ward.Shocked and dozed survivors wept and comforted one another, journalists at the site said. Many of the dead wore black suits and ties.Officials said as jammers were activated immediately after the blast, it became difficult to contact officials at the site.Police surrounded the hospital and an emergency was declared in all Quetta hospitals. Senior military officers also rushed to the hospital."This was a security lapse and I am having this personally investigated," Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said.Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who left Islamabad for Quetta, condemned the killings and expressed his "deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives".Former Chief Minister Abdul Malik called it the "blackest day" in the history of Balochistan.Lawyers have been targeted several times in recent months in Balochistan.One lawyer, Jahanzeb Alvi, was shot dead on August 3. Bilal Kasi, who himself was shot dead on Monday, had condemned Alvi's murder and announced a two-day boycott of courts.The principal of University of Balochistan's law college, Barrister Amanullah Achakzai, was also shot dead by unknown assailants in June.Balochistan has experienced violence and targeted killings for more than a decade.Pakistan's largest province by area, Balochistan is home to a low-level insurgency by Baloch separatists. Al Qaeda-linked and sectarian militants also operate in the region.
Headline changed, details added (first version posted on 13:50)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

The Russian-Azerbaijani Business Council (RABC) plans to initiate up to five joint projects in 2016, said RABC Chairman Petr Fradkov Aug. 8 in Baku.

Despite the fact that the council was created in May, there is already a preliminary plan of action for the remaining part of 2016, noted Fradkov.

Currently, the business council includes about 30 companies representing various sectors of economy, noted Fradkov. Of course, both energy and agriculture can be in Russia and Azerbaijan called the most attractive sectors.

He said that to date 10 projects, worth over $380 million, have been supported by the Russian Export Center.

These projects cover the railway and land transportation, radio engineering and electronics, pharmaceutics, metallurgy, food processing and other sectors, he said.

Moreover, 15 more projects for delivery of cars, railway and land transportation means, products of chemical industry, agricultural sector, metallurgy and other sectors, are under elaboration, added Fradkov.

He also noted that it is planned to create the business councils website until late 2016.

Moreover, we plan to take part in the 16th session of the Azerbaijan-Russia intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, he added.
Hawk Claus spreads Christmas cheer in DC's Grifter Got Run Over By a Reindeer first look

Take a look at two stories from the DC holiday special including the titular chapter and a Hawkwoman and Hawkman tale
The immortal message

FOR THE most part Marcus Garveys accomplishments are showcased during Black History Month. They have also been featured in the lyrical compositions of musical outfits such as Burning Spear. But for all our efforts, we are yet to grasp the magnitude of this political icon.

Fortuitously, The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey has been republished. It is a voluminous work that underscores Garveys piercing insight and profound understanding of the social, political and economic problems of his time. Remarkably, Garveys thesis is more relevant today than ever before.

We live in a time when social activists are challenging police misconduct in black communities in the US; and a time when high unemployment among blacks persists despite a two-term black president.

Equally alarming is the debilitated state of black Africa, and a black diaspora that is still divorced from the levers of economic power.

Garvey has long offered tangible solutions to these nagging issues.

As early as the 1920s he set the tone with a slew of businesses in Harlem.

During this period, the establishment of the United Negro Improvement Association, and the boldly ambitious Black Star Line Shipping Corporation served as the bulwark of his economic enterprise. His message has always been definitive: the black race must achieve economic independence or forever be slaves to monopolistic powers.

Garveys vision Garvey goes further, though. He envisions an independent Africa, an Africa that serves as a protectorate for millions of blacks in the diaspora. Skilled blacks were asked to emigrate and build Liberia. This undertaking would have served as a model for the rest of the continent.

Not a far-fetched idea by any means.

Today, the Ooni of Ife has expressed similar sentiments, and so has the governments of the Gambia and Benin.

Also, the African Union (AU ) has redefined the African continent into six regions: North Africa, South Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and the diaspora  the aim being to merge all six regions into a single constitutional entity.

The industrialisation of Africa is a matter of exigency, according to Garvey. It is existentially significant to the diaspora. His writings on this subject demand reflection: Do they lynch Englishmen, Frenchmen, Germans or Japanese? No. And why? Because these people are represented by great governments, mighty nations and empires, strongly organised.

Yes, and ever ready to shed the last drop of blood and spend the last penny in the national treasury to protect the home and integrity of a citizen outraged anywhere. He never stops demanding justice, mindful of the exploitative seed in the hearts of men. [So] long as the strong continues to oppress the weak; so long as the powerful nations arrange among themselves to oppress the weaker ones, and to keep the more unfortunate of humanity in serfdom, and to rob and exploit them, so long will be the cause of war be fed with the fuel of revenge, of hatred and of discontent. Man know thyself And ever so prophetic, Garvey cites racial dialogue as paramount to stability. The 2016 conference at the White House to address racial tension in the United States only lends credence to the efficacy of Garveys pronouncements. In another script, Garveys angst is almost palpable: The number of blacks in jails, prisons, and reformatories of the United States, the British West Indian, and other colonies and countries, the protectorates and dominions of Great Britain and France in Africa, is shamefully in excess proportionately, of all other race groups to the populations. Something is wrong. Nearly 100 years after Garveys statement the US is still grappling with a skewed judicial system as addressed in Michelle Alexanders 2010 classic, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. On many levels, Garvey transcends the social sciences.

His counsel is clothed in practical mysticism. He decries supplications to God without action. We are co-creators in a divine plan, he posits.

We create our own reality.

In Man Know Thyself he forays into the far reaches of human consciousness.

For man to know himself is for him to feel that for him there is no human master, he pens.

For him, Nature is his servant, and whatsoever he wills in Nature, that shall be his reward. If he wills to be a pigmy, a serf or a slave, that shall he be. If he wills to be a real man in possession of the things common to man then he shall be his own sovereign. Man has no master but God [and] man in his authority is a sovereign lord. Still, he acknowledges the psychological lassitude of many in his race and more disturbingly, their willingness to sabotage unity as evident in his own legal travails. The greatest weapon used against the Negro is disorganisation, he says, and later, laments, The trial of my case has added to my knowledge new information of the depths to which members of my race will descend to injure each other in the rivalry for place, patronage and position. But his Mosaic stance is stirring: I have one consolation  That I cannot get away from the race, and so long as I am in the race and since I have sense and judgment enough to know what affects the race affects me, it is my duty to help the race to clear itself of those things that affect us in common. One love Interestingly, there is a poetic, artistic side of Garvey hitherto unexplored.

In one of his many epigrams Garvey muses on the complexity of love. [Love] is all joy, he writes, it sweetens life but it does not laugh. It comes and goes but when it is active there is no greater virtueWe cannot hold our love, but there is one love that never changeth or is mistaken, and thats Gods. The longer we hold our love, the nearer we approach like unto our Creator. And on death he offers, he who lives not uprightly dies completely in the crumbling of the physical body, but he who lives well, transforms from that which is mortal to immortal. The Opinions and Philosophy of Marcus Garvey is a literary monument; an oeuvre of immense importance to a beleaguered people.

In August 2014, the Jamaican Government announced that Garveyism will be introduced in schools, a transformational step that will undoubtedly reap manifold benefits.

Surely, a radical approach to veritable sovereignty and empowerment is long overdue, and as a new chapter begins the compelling words of Garvey resound, A race that is solely dependent upon another for its economic existence sooner or later dies.

so will we in the future suffer, if an effort is not made now to adjust our own affairs. Send feedback to glenvilleashby@ gmail.com of follow him on Twitter@ glenvilleashby The Philosophy & Opinions of Marcus Garvey  2015 Copyright 1923 by Amy Jacques-Garvey Publisher: Miguel Lorne Publishers and Frontline Books, JA ISBN: 978-976-8166-13-5 Available at Amazon Rating: Essential
POLICE ARREST 3 BIG GUN HAUL IN PIPARO

According to police reports, on Friday last, police officers, led by Sgt Ramlogan and other officers of the Princes Town Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Criminal Gang Intelligence Unit, raided two homes at Piparo Main Road, Lower Piparo.

They found a total of 6,800 rounds of .22 and .25 ammunition hidden in boxes and biscuit tins and also seized five firearms.

It is believed that the shipment of ammunition and firearms recently arrived in the country hidden in a crate which Newsday learnt had a false bottom.

A relative of the suspects said to be living in the United States is also assisting police with investigations and was expected to arrive in the country last night.

During the five hour exercise in Piparo that ended around 5.30 pm on Friday, the officers executed a search warrant at the pensioners home where they found a large quantity of ammunition along with two rifles, a 16 gauge shotgun and a nail gun for which the owner must have a firearm users licence.

A warrant was also executed at the relatives house and one .22 rifle and more ammunition were found. The ammunition at both locations amounted to 6,800 rounds.

One senior officer who spoke to Newsday said the haul represents one of the largest ever.

He explained: One of the firearms is a pellet gun but our laws in Trinidad states that a pellet gun must be .177 calibre and this gun is a .22. Also, a pellet gun in Trinidad must be a smooth bore but this one is a spiral bore which makes it deadly. There it had a .22 rifle. There was also a dismantled 16 gauge shot gun. Inside the house he had a nail gun that works with ammunition. You must have a firearm users licence to operate that and they had none.

If persons are saying these guns are used for hunting then, if it could take down an animal, it could take down a person. Snr Supt Dookie, ASP Gheeshawan of the Fraud Squad and other officers also assisted in the police operation.

Once charged, the suspects will appear in later this week before a magistrate in the Princes Town Court.
Couva Corporation employees in court

Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard,SC, yesterday gave instructions to Snr Supt Totaram Dookhie and Insp Ramdhanie Dipchand, Cpls Seelal and Bassarath shortly after 1 am to charge the five.

The corporation employees and a contractor were arrested on Friday following extensive investgations by Fraud Squad officers.

Completion certificates allegedly signed off on two incomplete playground projects in Caparo, are what triggered investigations into the allegations which led to the arrest of four senior officials on Friday by the Fraud Squad.

According to police sources, charges are to be laid as they probe a $150,000-contract that was given to a contractor from 2014/2015 budgeted funds, for the supply and installation of outdoor exercise equipment on concrete slabs at the Todds Road Recreation Ground.

That contract was at $63,250.

The other signed-off contract being investigated, involved the San Pablo Recreation Ground which was valued at $86,250.

Newsday further learned that the Fraud Squad detectives are also probing payments allegedly made for work which was not done, or left incomplete.

It is alleged that questionable contractual arrangements were put in place during a period of time and that there were requests for payments for works that had not been completed.It was also alleged that there was pilfering of material from the corporation.

The Fraud Squad officers also arrested a contractor in a sting operation for allegedly offering a bribe of $2,000 to a councillor as an inducement, for the particular councillor to approve box drain works, though there were questions raised about the poor quality of work.

Yesterday, head of the Fraud Squad Senior Supt Dookhie denied reports that the investigation was initiated because of the input of any politically aligned person.

He also denied that any councillor tipped off the police which led to the arrest of the contractor or the police raid on the corporation.

On Friday, following the arrests of the officials and a contractor for allegedly conspiring to defraud the State in the granting and paying of state contracts, ILP councillor Sunil Ramjitsingh, Peoples National Movement councillor Alif Mohammed, and alderman Beeran Rambarran, issued a joint statement expressing pleasure that finally some action has been taken to combat the scourge of institutionalised corruption that they say has been bleeding the corporation of critical resources necessary for servicing the needs of the hundreds of thousands of burgesses, and, averting the perennial hardships and suffering they face.
Details added (first version posted on 14:12)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

Azerbaijan is aimed at increasing export and investments to Russia, said Azerbaijans Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev.

Mustafayev made the remarks Aug. 8 during an expanded meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia and Russia-Azerbaijan business councils in Baku.

Azerbaijan-Russia relations are developing successfully  our countries are strategic partners, noted the minister.

Mutual investments and the trade turnover are growing year by year, he added. It pleases us, but our potential is much greater.

Mustafayev said that the aim of holding sessions of business councils, various business forums is to increase Azerbaijani export and investments to Russia, as well as attracting investments in the non-oil sector of Azerbaijans economy.

It should be considered that Russian market is very important for us, said the minister. For this reason, Azerbaijans export potential should be expanded and the export to Russia should be promoted.

Meanwhile, it is necessary to promote mutual investment, he noted.

Im confident that the created business councils will contribute to the implementation of these goals, added Mustafayev.

Total volume of Russian investments in Azerbaijans economy amounts to $3 billion. More than 600 enterprises with Russian capital have been registered in Azerbaijan.

Over $235 million of the total volume of Russian investments accounted for Azerbaijani economys non-oil sector, while Russia invested $2.8 billion in the countrys oil sector.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan invested more than $1 billion in Russian economy. Russian companies are also contractors of 10 projects, which are being implemented by public investments.

More than 170 agreements were signed between Azerbaijan and Russia to date, over 50 of which were signed in economic sphere.

Russia is one of Azerbaijans main trade partners  over the past six months of 2016, Russia have been holding the second place in Azerbaijans trade turnover, the first place  in import, and the sixth place  in export.
Four drown on the weekend

A nine year-old girl and her 75 year-old grandfather drowned in Mayaro while in Manzanilla a 13 year-old girl and her 50 year-old father drowned after getting into difficulties in the water.

In the first incident Renisha Basdeo and her father Deoraj Harridath, of Tableland, drowned while on an family excursion at Manzanilla beach in vicinity of Mitan River.

Basdeo was swimming when she got into difficulties, prompting her father to spring into action.

In trying to save her, Harridath also got into difficulties.

Police said the water was turbulent and the Airguard and Coast Guard were alterted.

Their bodies were not retrieved and the search continue today.

Almost two hours later, grandfather, Morris Selwyn Sammy, 75, saw granddaughter Anastacia Misha Ali found themselves in distress in the waters off Coconut Avenue, Grand Lagoon, and made a desperate attempt to save her. Strong currents, however, pulled both of them beneath and they drowned, while two other girls who are friends of the family, managed to swim safely to shore.

Sammy is from Texaco Old Road, Claxton Bay, and granddaughter Anastacia, who is a pupil of the St Gabriels Girls RC School, in San Fernando, lived at Gopaul Circular Drive, Marabella, with her parents and five yearold brother, Zayne.

At about 10.25 am yesterday some of the family members went into the water for a mid-morning swim and according to a police report, Anastacia was bathing a few metres from the shore, with two other young girls, between the ages of nine and 14 yearsold, when persons on the beach heard the childrens screams.

The police report stated that Sammy, who was also in the water, dived in and tried to rescue Anastacia, as well as the two other girls.

He and his granddaughter dissappeared beneath the waves.

Police said that it appeared that a strong current developed within minutes. Sammy and Anastacia vanished and within minutes, resurfaced.

Yesterday, Sammys son, Robert, told Newsday his father was an excellent swimmer, but strong undercurrents, coupled with the fact he was much older, may have been  too much.

Robert said his father was pronounced dead on the beach while his niece, Anastacia, was rushed to the Mayaro District Health Facility where she was pronounced dead.

Anastacia would have entered Standard Three on the reopening of school next month.

Sammy, also called Shac Shac and Bouji, was a bass guitarist with the now defunct Ansel Wyatt Combo, a popular band of the 1960s and 1970s.

Sammy was a father of five and grandfather of 18.

Autopsies are expected to be performed today at the Forensic Sciences Centre today.

Investigations are continuing.
Dumas: Rowleys health is no private matter

Rowley left Trinidad last Thursday for California, in the United States, for what has turned out to be a vacation/ health check up .

It was reported that Rowley, 66, was scheduled to check into a clinic today (Monday) to undergo required tests .

Speaking to the Newsday, yesterday, Dumas said that with Rowley being the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, his health was a matter of concern to citizens .

Dr Rowley is the Prime Minister and the health of the Prime Minister, who that happens to be, has to be a matter of concern to the population. I fully appreciate his dealing with a private mater .

The point is while you occupy such a position in this country or any other country, your health is no longer a private matter because it can have an impact on a number of things .

Including the way that the international agencies or possible foreign investors would see the country .

If they feel the Prime Minister is not well, should we put our money there? Dumas noted .

He said while he appreciated Rowley wanting to treat his health privately, Dumas said the PM should issue a message to the citizens .

I have to say that he doesnt have to go into any details, but once he gets his tests and he gets his diagnosis, he should tell us whether things are all right, or if they are not all right .

If they are all right, no problem, I am happy to hear that. If they are not all right, he doesnt have to go into any details, but he can say doctors discovered a particular situation or condition and I would need further treatment, Dumas said .

Rowleys health issue comes on the heels on the death on former prime minister Patrick Manning who died on July 2 .

Manning had been hospitalised since June, 2016, after he suffered a stroke .

Only one day before his passing on July 1st, 2016, it was revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer, acute myeloid leukaemia. This was announced by his widow, Hazel Manning .

I guess I understand Dr Rowleys desire to be private, but Dr Rowley is the Prime Minister .

When you are the Prime Minister, unfortunately you dont have too much privacy, you are very much in public life and therefore a statement, however carefully phrased, should be made once the medical tests have been completed, Dumas said .
Free classes for adults

Classes are free for persons 21-years and over in Mathematics and English. If there is sufficient enrolment of persons for other subjects, the OLI has highly- qualified teachers on stand-by to teach.

The brainchild behind OLI is mathematics teacher and author Dr Fayad Ali, who conceptualised the idea, said all systems are ready for next months launch of the programme in San Fernando and in Penal. Former San Fernando mayor Dr Navi Muradali and former vice-president of the senate Lyndira Oudit are co-ordinators as well.

Ali, who authored several mathematics textbooks and is an icon in the field of teaching the subject, will teach for two hours each week, in preparation for adult learners sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations in May/ June next year.

Already 25 adults, who were forced to give up secondary schooling due to economic circumstances, and who are way past the age of 21, have signed up for the classes.

Speaking to Newsday about the OLI which he hope would one day grow into a national programme, and for free, Ali said, People who cross a certain age and who did not complete their secondary school education, or did not gain the pass they had hoped, feel stuck.

We will help them, so they can advanced in their jobs. When you have a pass in Mathematics and English in particular, it is a great leap forward. Muradali said that the OLI is an adult learning programme designed for the elder adults persons who did not complete their secondary school education and are willing to do so in under one years time.

The former mayor said, The entire initiative is volunteer-based, and, we cater for students who could not get their full secondary school certificate, either due to personal or financial reasons. We are hoping that persons who want a job promotion, seeking higher education, or just wishing to help their children with their homework, can benefit from this free initiative. Naparima College principal Dr Michael Dowlat has agreed to provide use of classrooms.

The OLI facebook page says 25 adults have already enrolled and registration forms are available at The Urban Curry Cafe at Gulf City Mall, La Romaine
US soldiers visit TT

Both groups will be participating in joint projects and develop- mental exercises.

The Delaware National Guard and the TTDF formalised a relationship in 2005 under the Guards State Partnership Programme and have been conducting exchanges over the past 11 years.

This event will be the largest exchange and will be the first time the Delaware National Guard will conduct a deployment of this size for training in Trinidad and Tobago. a statement said.

The group arrived in Trinidad yesterday.

According to Maj Gen Frank Vavala, Delawares Commanding General, The benefits we reap from the programme are immeasurable and we could not be more proud to have the great people of Trinidad and Tobago as our partners.

Transporting Delaware National Guard Soldiers and Airmen on one of our own Lockheed C-130 aircraft to conduct multiple exchanges with our partners in Trinidad has been my dream since the inception of the programme.
US: We See

No Signs

Putin Will

Use Dirty Bomb
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug.4

By Aygun Badalova  Trend:

The Turkish Stream gas pipeline project, which has been widely discussed after the normalization of relations between Turkey and Russia, may get a new impetus next week.

The project is expected to be one of the topics of discussions during the meeting of Russian and Turkish Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan in St. Petersburg Aug.9. That will be the first meeting after the incident with the downed bomber, resulted in deterioration of relations between the two countries.

Prior to the meeting, some statements have been made from both sides, demonstrating the interest and readiness to resume negotiations on the projects implementation.

Russia and Turkey are discussing the construction of two branches of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said in an interview with Russia 24 TV channel.

Moreover, tha information has been published in Russian media with the reference to Gazprom Management Committee Deputy Chairman Alexander Medvedev, that the agreement has been reached on the creation of the working group of the energy ministries of Russia and Turkey in order to return the project to the implementation stage.

Meanwhile, the source in Gazprom told Trend that it is early to talk about the prospects of the project, and it needed to wait for the results of the upcoming meeting of the presidents.

Any progress is possible only after the meeting of the presidents on August 9, the source said.

Does Turkey need it?

Turkey imported 19.94 billion cubic meters of gas in January-May 2016, of which 16.22 billion cubic meters were delivered via pipelines, while 3.72 billion cubic meters accounted for the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Russia accounted for 50.84 percent of the total volume of Turkeys gas import in January-May 2016.

Gas consumption in Turkey has decreased by 2.4 percent and stood at 43.6 billion cubic meters in 2015, according to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2016.

Turkey has imported 39.7 billion cubic meters of gas via pipelines in 2015, according to BP.

Analysts believe that there is a need for additional gas in Turkish market.

Turkey could certainly use the extra gas.However, Ankara will soon be getting some gas from the TANAP with the promise that volumes, including for Turkish consumption, will increase from that pipeline in the years to come, Bruce Pannier, US expert on Central Asia and energy issues told Trend.

Turkey could use the gas, but with TANAP due to come on line in 2018, I think Ankara will want to prolong discussions with Russia on Turkish Stream until Turkey starts receiving gas from TANAP. It would strengthen Turkeys position at the bargaining table with Gazprom, expert added.

Meanwhile, the scientific adviser for 21st Century Turkey Institute, energy expert Tugce Varol believes that Russian Turkish Stream project is illusory for Turkey.

She told Trend that aside from TANAP, there are no other energy projects which are expected to be implemented in a short time in Turkey, because the increasing terrorist attacks and latest developments in Turkey affected Ankaras plans on becoming the regions energy hub.

Expert also believes that using the Turkish Stream only for gas supply to Turkey would be unprofitable for such a huge project.

What about Russia?

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on the Energetics program on the Rossiya 24 TV channel that the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project becoming more attractive for Turkey and Russia because of the rising cost of gas transit through Ukraine.

The minister said added that the project provides for the construction of at least one line of the pipeline with the delivery of 15.75 billion cubic meters of gas per year. This volume is intended for Turkish consumers.

Though some obstacles exist on the way of the projects implementation, most of the experts, interviewed by Trend, believe that Russia is interested in it.

Russias Gazprom PJSC is implementing a strategy to minimize transit risks and it should be interested in the construction of pipelines, which will ensure the delivery of Russian gas directly both to North and South Europe, such as the Turkish Stream, senior analyst of VYGON Consulting Maria Belova believes.

Therefore, the Turkish Stream is the companys major project, and the work to coordinate its details, frozen in November 2015, will be continued, she told Trend.

The current situation indicates that Russia wants to restart the overall project, Cyril Widdershoven, Middle East geopolitical specialist and energy analyst, partner at Dutch risk consultancy VEROCY and SVP MEA-Risk, believes.

"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.

Gareth Winrow, independent analyst on Turkey also told Trend that the laying of the first line of the pipeline across the Black Sea would enable Russia to bypass troublesome Ukraine to deliver significant gas volumes to Turkey.

Moreover, the expert noted that Russian officials appear hopeful of building a second pipeline of similar capacity to carry Russian gas to south-eastern Europe via Turkey.

Russia is still interested in Turkish Stream pipeline project, but it is unlikely that the project will be implemented, Amanda Paul, analyst at the European Policy Centre (EPC) and expert on Turkey believes.

Given the state of the Russian economy, I doubt the Kremlin has billions of dollars to throw at this project, Paul told Trend.
(Newser)  A mother of three has provoked a backlash for having a bear shot after it repeatedly broke into her Southern California mountain home, the AP reports. "I haven't regretted my decision at all. But the way the people in this town initially responded was initially disheartening," Julie Faith Strauja tells the San Bernardino Sun. "I've had death threats and my address posted all over social media." Strauja moved to this community of about 1,000 in the San Bernardino Mountains last month. A self-proclaimed animal lover, she became worried after a bear repeatedly entered her home two weekends ago. "I have three little kids, and it was pretty terrifying to come home to a bear in the kitchen," Strauja tells KABC-TV.

Strauja got a depredation permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and a friend shot the animal after it tried to enter her home for the third day in a row. "I understand that people are upset," department spokesman Andrew Hughan says. "The fact is this bear was inside the residence and had been inside the house several times." But some residents say Strauja should have used other means. "Go to a neighbor. Get in a car. They don't hurt you as long as you leave them alone," Pennie Justin says. "My son walks home at two o'clock in morning. No problem." Strauja says she tried taking her trash indoors after the bear broke into the garage and using mace to chase it off. Hughan said some people in the community may have illegally fed wild animals, which can cause them to lose their fear of humans. "At the end of the day this is not a bear problem, it's a people problem," he says. (Read more California stories.)
(Newser)  The world's tallest waterslide has been shut down indefinitely while authorities investigate the tragic death of a lawmaker's son. Caleb Thomas Schwab, 10, died Sunday afternoon on the "Verruckt" waterslide at the Schlitterbahn waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas. The boy, son of state Rep. Scott Schwab, was at the park for "Elected Officials Day," a day of fun the park held for lawmakers and their families, the Kansas City Star. Authorities haven't said whether the boy fell from the 168-foot slide, which opened in 2014. "We honestly don't know whats happened," a park spokeswoman told reporters. "Thats why a full investigation is necessary. We have to understand whats happened."

State lawmakers say their prayers are with Schwab, a Republican from Olathe. "As we try and mend our home with him no longer with us, we are comforted knowing he believed in his savior, Jesus, and they are forever together now," Schwab said in a statement, per Reuters. "We will see him another day." The slidewhich is taller than the Statue of Libertysends riders down secured with straps in three-person rafts. It is "safe dangerous" and designed to attract the "thrill-seekers of the world," co-creator and park co-owner Jeff Henry told USA Today after it first opened. According to the park's website, riders are required to be at least 54 inches tall. The park shut down after the boy's death and will remain closed Monday. (Read more tallest water slide stories.)
(Newser)  We may never know the full story of Iranian nuclear scientist Shahram Amiribut we know it ended very badly for him. Iran confirmed on Sunday that it had executed the 38-year-old, who disappeared on a 2009 trip to Saudi Arabia, was named as a defector to the US months later, and returned to Iran in July 2010 after surfacing in Washington, claiming he had been kidnapped and interrogated by the CIA. In reality, he appears to have been a genuine defector, who was warned by the CIA that he would be hanged if he returned to his homeland but went back anyway because he missed his young son, and possibly feared for the boy's safety after threats from Tehran, the New York Times reports in a look back at what it calls a "confusing, and at times heart-rending" saga.

After Amiri returned to Iranand was photographed having a joyous reunion with his 7-year-old sonUS authorities said he had been given $5 million to defect, but he left the money behind when he went home, fearing for his family's safety. The AP notes that Amiri's case was apparently referred to in Hillary Clinton emails released by the State Department. "We have a diplomatic, 'psychological' issue, not a legal one. Our friend has to be given a way out," wrote senior adviser Jake Sullivan just before Amiri's return to Tehran. "Hes free to go," wrote Clinton. "He was free to come. Those decisions are his alone to make." The Times notes that weeks after his return, Amiri disappeared. His mother told BBC Farsi that a 10-year prison sentence was recently changed to deathand when the family was given his body, he had rope marks around his neck. (Read more Shahram Amiri stories.)
(Newser)  An Australian man has been ordered to pay $114,000 to the motel owner whose life he wrecked with a single post on Facebook. Kenneth Rothe, a 74-year-old motel owner and former deputy school principal, was threatened repeatedly and beaten so badly he spent six months in the hospital after electrician David Scott falsely accused him of renting accommodation to pedophiles, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. "Pedophile warning:- Nambucca has been used as a relocation for these monsters  blue dolphin nirvana hotel and above the Indian restaurant! Bus stops are right out front of theses hotels for our children?" Scott posted in 2014. He was not accused of the threats or the assault.

Rothewho owned the Blue Dolphin Motel and Nirvana Village Motel in Nambucca Heads, around 300 miles north of Sydneysaid he sometimes offered crisis accommodation after family disputes, but never made a deal to house pedophiles or other ex-prisoners. He said he begged Scott to retract the post, but he never did. The Facebook attack was "made on him out of the blue, with no prior inquiry of any kind by any person," said the judge. The internet can be a "dangerous tool in the hands of persons who see themselves as caped crusaders or whistleblowers," he warned. In court, Scott unsuccessfully argued that it was his duty as a father to warn the public of potential dangers. (Read more Facebook stories.)
(Newser)  A New Jersey lawmaker wants to slap stiff fines on motorists guilty of distracted driving, which his bill defines as "any activity unrelated to the actual operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle." A story at NJ.com translates that to mean anyone caught drinking, eating, grooming, or reading an e-device, which in turn has led to a spate of stories suggesting that coffee will soon be outlawed in cars across the state. Not so much, reports the AP. Democratic Assemblyman John Wisniewski says his bill never mentions the beverage, adding that he'd be stunned if police pulled over a driver just for taking a morning sip. "It was the 'ham sandwich bill' last time," he says, referring to a previous iteration of the bill. "Now it's coffee."

Still, he says he's serious about distracted driving, which was blamed for 400,000 accidents and 3,000 deaths in 2014, ABC7 reports. First-time offenders risk being slapped with a fine of up to $400and $800 for a subsequent breach, plus a 90-day license suspension. Some critics say the legislation, inspired by a similar bill in Maine, goes too far. Steve Carrellas of the state National Motorists Association chapter told NJ.com that existing laws already cover unsafe actions, like swerving or crossing a line. He added, "Would [the bill] make changing the radio station or adjusting the volume illegal?" There's time to figure all that out: The measure has yet to come up for a vote even in committee. (A new report calls attention to drowsy drivers.)
(Newser)  Evan McMullin, an anti-Trump Republican, is launching a third-party bid Monday, reports BuzzFeed. Its never too late to do the right thing, and America deserves much better than either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton can offer us," McMullin said in a statement to ABC News. "I humbly offer myself as a leader who can give millions of disaffected Americans a conservative choice for President." Though he's believed to be working with Better for Americaa group calling for an independent bidand GOP strategist Rick Wilson, the CIA veteran is a long shot. He's young, unmarried, has never held elective office, "has virtually no public profile," and had only 135 followers on Twitter before his bid, reports BuzzFeed. Those followers, however, have been privy to his attacks on Trump for months. McMullin recently labeled him an "authoritarian" and has demanded that he release his tax returns.

Joe Scarborough of MSNBC's Morning Joe says "this has more to do with stopping Donald Trump than actually electing the president" but McMullin "sure has more credentials to run a government than Donald Trump right now," per the Washington Post. McMullin currently holds the post of chief policy director of the House Republican Conference and previously worked on a commercial fishing boat, as a volunteer refugee resettlement officer for the UN, an operations officer for the CIA, and an investment banking associate at Goldman Sachs, reports Politico, via his LinkedIn page. He also has an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and gave a TEDx Talk on genocide this past April. Sources say he has the support of key Republican donors. (Read more presidential bid stories.)
(Newser)  The family of a Muslim boy who was arrested after bringing a homemade clock to school has sued Texas school officials, saying they violated the 14-year-old boy's civil rights. The lawsuit was filed Monday on behalf of Ahmed Mohamed, reports the AP. The teen was arrested at his suburban Dallas high school in September and charged with having a hoax bomb, though he says he brought the homemade clock to school to show his teacher. The charge was later dropped, but he was still suspended.

The lawsuit names Irving Independent School District, the city of Irving, and the school's principal. A district spokeswoman didn't immediately return a phone message seeking comment Monday morning. The family has since moved to Qatar, citing threats and a scholarship offered to Ahmed in the Persian Gulf country. The family had previously sought $15 million and an apology. (Read more Ahmed Mohamed stories.)
(Newser)  American Lilly King has her sights set on winning Olympic gold and she's not about to let anyone get in her way, especially not world champion breaststroker Yulia Efimova of Russia. King made that clear in a finger-waving display worthy of Dikembe Mutombo as she disparaged the Russian for doping. When Efimova waved a No. 1 finger after her semifinal on Sunday, King leaned back and gave her own version toward Efimova's face on a TV monitor. ""You're shaking your finger No. 1, and you've been caught for drug cheating. I'm just not a fan," King told reporters who asked about the gesture, reports CBS News. King then qualified fastest for the eight-woman 100-meter breaststroke final in 1 minute, 5.70 seconds, just ahead of Efimova's time of 1:05.72.

Efimova is being allowed to compete at the Rio de Janeiro Games following a 16-month suspension for doping and despite another positive test this year for the now-banned substance meldonium. (That's the drug that got Maria Sharipova a two-year doping ban.) The 24-year-old Russian is a flashpoint in her country's doping scandal because of her two infractions, reports the AP. Efimova's positive test for meldonium was placed on hold while world anti-doping officials conduct further studies on the drug. "If that's what she feels she needs to be able to compete, whatever, that's her deal," King told reporters. "I'm here to compete clean for the US and that's what I'm going to do." The two women square off in the final Monday night, swimming next to each other. (Read more 2016 Olympics stories.)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

Iran believes it is necessary to expand the energy cooperation with Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR, said Irans Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, read a message from SOCAR.

Zanganeh made the remarks during a meeting with SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev in Baku Aug. 8.

During the meeting, Abdullayev pointed to the rapid and successful development of Azerbaijani-Iranian relations, which even more accelerated after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs visit to Iran in February.

SOCAR president expressed confidence that the official visit of Irans President Hassan Rouhani to Azerbaijan will become a new stage in the development of bilateral relations.

He noted that the relations between SOCAR and Irans oil and gas companies have become even more intensive recently.

Zanganeh, for his part, said Iran attaches great importance to expansion of relations with neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the issues of mutual interest and the prospects for cooperation.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov
(Newser)  Donald Trump often accuses the Washington Post of being out to get him, but on Monday, the newspaper turns a critical eye toward his opponent. Specifically, the Post looks at Hillary Clinton's track record of creating jobs in New York state while she served as a senator from 2001 to 2009and it comes away underwhelmed. "Nearly eight years after Clintons Senate exit, there is little evidence that her economic development programs had a substantial impact on upstate employment," writes Jerry Markon. "Despite Clintons efforts, upstate job growth stagnated overall during her tenure, with manufacturing jobs plunging nearly 25 percent, according to jobs data."

Clinton has made jobs creation a centerpiece of her 2016 election's economic policy, but the Post suggests she has little to brag about. Before election to the Senate, she made a bold promise to create 200,000 jobs in upstate, but never came close. In fact, most analyses say upstate actually lost jobs in her first termin the midst of a recession though it posted an uptick of 0.2% in her second. (She left in 2009 to become secretary of state.) The story also accuses Clinton of touting "cosmetic" projects, often involving campaign contributors and backers of the Clinton Foundation, that resulted in few jobs. A Clinton spokesman counters: Facing the stiff head winds of the [George W.] Bush economy, she never gave up and never stopped fighting for New York jobs." The full story. (Read more Hillary Clinton 2016 stories.)
(Newser)  Not in dispute: Glen Race killed two men in his native Canada in 2007, then a US man at a remote cabin in New York state as he made his way south toward Mexico. Also not in dispute: Race, 26 at the time of the killings, has a history of schizophrenia dating back to his early 20s, with multiple hospitalizations and a documented downward spiral before his killing spree. Race stood trial in the US for the murder there, and in Canada for his killings there, but as the Toronto Star explains, the outcomes could not have been more different. In Canada, he was declared not legally responsible. In fact, it was a slam dunk, with the prosecutors agreeing after an in-depth psychiatric analysis. In the US, however, Race was sentenced to life without parole at Attica, where he is now incarcerated.

The two nations have near identical laws regarding mentally ill criminals, but Race's story "shows how a person found legally insane on one side of the border can be deemed perfectly culpable on the other," writes Amy Dempsey. The problem in the US was a defense strategy that was at least chaotic, if not botched, as Race's family asserts. Race's lawyer asked for a continuance late, saying he'd been too swamped to review newly presented evidence, and when the judge denied his request, he abruptly changed the defense from insanity to he-didn't-do-it. That backfired badly. Race's family is fighting for a new trial, ultimately hoping to have him transferred to a mental institution in Canada. Click for the full story, which includes an interview with Racehe refuses to believe he is mentally ill, a hallmark of schizophrenia. (Read more mental illness stories.)
(Newser)  Five gunmen wearing Afghan military uniforms have abducted an American and an Australian in Kabul, a security official said Monday. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the abduction, reports the AP. The two foreigners were taken from their SUV while driving on Sunday night on a main road near the American University of Afghanistan, according to Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry. They are believed to be employees of the university and were traveling between the university and their residence in the Afghan capital; both are men, he said.

The US Embassy in Kabul issued a brief statement confirming the kidnapping of an American citizen, but gave no further details "due to privacy concerns." Sediqqi said that kidnappers in all the Kabul casesthree other foreigners who were kidnapped in Kabul over the past year have all been releasedhad been wearing military uniforms, establishing a pattern and hinting at some form of organized gang activity. Most of the thousands of foreigners living and working in Kabul are largely confined to their embassies or residential compounds, with limited movement permitted. The abductions heighten the risk for the few foreigners, including journalists, who move with relative freedom across the Afghan capital in order to do their work. (Read more Kabul stories.)
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
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.
Tehran, Iran, August 8

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Iran and Afghanistan have signed an agreement that allows unique transport benefits to Afghan tradesmen.

According to the document, Irans Port Chabahar will be considered as the hub for importing and exporting goods to/from Afghanistan, Mehr news agency reported August 8.

Signed by Iranian Customs Administration Masoud Karbasian and his Afghan Counterpart Ahmad Reshad Popal in Tehran, the agreement will help Afghan tradesmen a great deal by reducing the time they need for transiting goods.

The two countries also agreed to create better business opportunities for each other around their shared border, including in Malik, Mahirud, Dogharoon in Iran, and Herat, Nimrooz, and Farah in Afghanistan.

Karbasian said the two countries are preparing a draft on new customs cooperation, sharing customs data, staff education, and creating border checkpoints.

Popal for his part said, We feel Port Chabahar belongs to us and are planning how the government could use the opportunity.

Iran, Afghanistan, and India signed a trilateral deal in May to turn the Iranian southeastern port of Chabahar into a regional transit hub.
London:

Britains Serious Fraud Office has said on it had opened a criminal probe into Airbus Group, investigating allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption. These allegations relate to irregularities concerning third party consultants, the SFO said in a statement yesterday.

The authority said it opened the investigation in July and asked anyone with relevant information to come forward.

A spokesperson for the SFO said additional details of the probe would not be made public until charges were brought or the investigation is dropped.

European planemaker Airbus said it was aware of the probe and the aviation firm was working with investigators.

Airbus Group has been informed by the SFO that it has opened a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption in the civil aviation business of Airbus Group relating to irregularities concerning third party consultants, the company said in a statement.

Airbus Group continues to cooperate with the SFO, the statement concluded.

The company was informed on Friday that the authority had launched an investigation, an Airbus spokesman told AFP.

We ourselves detected this issue and self-disclosed it to the authorities.

This is as an effort of our enhanced anti-corruption (policy). Management has taken robust action and is determined to resolve this issue in cooperation with the authorities, spokesman Jeremy Greaves said.

Airbus informed authorities of the irregularities in April. The same month the UK Export Finance decided to suspend export credits to the firm, a move followed by France and Germany.

The aviation firm said at the time it hoped to resolve the financing problem as soon as possible.

The current SFO investigation is expected to take years.

The probe was described by the Financial Times newspaper

as a severe blow to the European aircraft maker which would be exploited by its US rival Boeing.

Airbus is the largest commercial aerospace company in Britain and last month said its net profit rose 15 per cent in the first half of the year.

Profits were up 1.76 billion euros (USD 1.94 billion), but the gain was due to exceptional items that masked a slide in operating earnings.

The company was hit by charges of just over 1 billion euros related to its troubled A400M military cargo transporter programme, while adverse currency movements and charges on its widebody A350 aircraft totaled nearly 900 million.

However these were compensated for by the sale of shares in Dassault Aviation and the creation of a rocket launcher joint venture with Safran that generated a net gain of nearly 1.9 billion euros.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Jamnagar:

The country's second largest private sector refiner Essar Oil has chalked out plans to invest Rs 1,600 crore to upgrade its Vadinar refinery in Gujarat and boost gross refining margins over the next two-three years.

"Our 20 MMTPA Vadinar refinery is looking at earning an additional USD 1.50 (per barrel of crude) on its Gross Refining Margin (GRM) on the back of Rs 1,600 crore of investments.

"We have already invested Rs 400 crore during a 28-day planned shutdown of the refinery in September-October last year," Essar Oil Managing Director and CEO Lalit Kumar Gupta told PTI here.

"A further Rs 1,200 crore will be invested to make additional upgrades in the various refinery units over the next 2-3 years," he said. The project will be funded through internal accruals only as company generates USD 1 billion EBIDTA and saves good amount of money every year, Gupta said.

The shutdown or turnaround activity involved not just routine inspection and maintenance, but also entailed the conversion of the VGO-HT unit into a mild hydrocracker (MHC) unit and the setting up of facilities to process High Acid (TAN) crudes.

Ever since, the refinery has been able to convert its entire VGO (vacuum gas oil) production into higher margin products, he said.

Over the next 2-3 years, Essar Oil will invest Rs 1,200 crore to upgrade its naphtha hydro treater (NHT), isomerisation unit, continuous catalytic reformer (CCR) units and also facilities for further recovery of sulphur to improve its margins.

According to C Manoharan, Director-Refinery, Essar Oil, "Post the shutdown, we have been able to modify our crude blend to process higher quantities of ultra-heavy and high TAN crudes, and increase the production of high value distillates.

This has enabled Essar Oil to improve its crude and product mix significantly, which is reflected in our financial performance."
New Delhi :

Telecom major Vodafone launched a new initiative, offering free 10-minute talk time to customers whose conversations get interrupted for any reason.

Under Vodafone Delights bonanza - free 10-minute talk time (will be given) to all customers whose conversation gets interrupted for any reason, Vodafone India said in a statement.

To avail the benefit, customers will have to SMS BETTER on 199 and the 10-minute talk time will be credited, it added.

Customers in the country have been facing the menace of call drops across operators. The government has held meetings with operators and issued instructions to improve the situation.

Each conversation on our network is important and must carry on uninterrupted. At times, however, conversations do get interrupted. To continue such conversations, we are offering 10-minute talk time benefit, no questions asked, Vodafone India Director (Consumer) Sandeep Kataria said.

However, the credit can be availed once during the month long offer period and is applicable only within the same circle on Vodafone to Vodafone calls.

For prepaid customers, the free minutes will be valid till next day midnight and for postpaid customers, till the end of the billing cycle.

Vodafones rival, Airtel today launched an unlimited voice-calling for postpaid users for Rs 1,199 onwards.

Earlier this week, Vodafone had also come out with promotional schemes offering up to 67 per cent more data of 2G, 3G and 4G services at same price during this month.

These announcement come ahead of the impending launch of Reliance Jios 4G service. Reliance Jio launch is expected to cause a massive disruption in pricing of data and voice-calling services.
New Delhi :

Major tax reform the GST bill will be taken up by Lok Sabha on Monday, with virtually all political parties backing this legislation.

GST, the biggest economic reform since 1991, is likely to sail through smoothly in the Lower House. It will replace a raft of different state and local taxes with a single unified value added tax system to turn the country into worlds biggest single market.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to intervene during the debate on the Bill in Lok Sabha.

The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha last year and now it has to go back to the Lower House for incorporating the amendments approved by Rajya Sabha.

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said the party will support GST Constitutional Amendment Bill and has issued whip to all its MPs to be present in the House on Monday where it is scheduled to be taken up for passage.

Aiming for early implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), senior Union ministers have spoken to chief ministers of NDA-ruled states to ensure that the constitutional amendment is ratified by state assemblies at the earliest.

The chief ministers have assured that, if required, they will call a special session for the passage of the Bill in their state assemblies.

The GST Bill has to be ratified by at least 16 states in 30 days after it is passed by Parliament.

After facing fierce opposition over the Bill for almost a year, the government succeeded in bringing all major opposition parties, including Congress, on board and it was passed in the Upper House with an overwhelming majority on August 3.

The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014, that would lay the ground for roll out of GST regime, was passed by the opposition-dominated Upper House after the government moved four amendments.

Once implemented, GST will subsume various taxes, including excise, services tax, octroi and other levies, and the proceeds will be shared between the Centre and the states.

Under the new GST regime goods would be taxed at the point of consumption, instead of the goods being taxed multiple times at different rates.

The GST, which was first proposed a decade back, is seen as potentially transformative for Indias economy, adding as much as 2 percentage points to the GDP while also improving the ease of doing business and encourage investment in manufacturing.

It is also expected to result in greater tax compliance, boosting government revenues.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Terror outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen leader Sayeed Salahudeen did not rule out today indicated possibility of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan over raising Kashmir issue. He claimed that armed jihad is the only option left with Kashmiris to come out of the current situation.



"Kashmiris have reached this conclusion that they have no second option except armed jihad", News Agency quotes Sayeed Salahudeen.

Kashmiris have reached this conclusion that they have no second option except armed jihad: Sayeed Salahudeen pic.twitter.com/OAoceIGY7n  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

"I can predict a 4th war with certainty because Kashmiris are no longer willing to compromise, come what may," said Sayeed Salahudeen.

Whether world or Pak supports or not; UN performs duty or not, Kashmiris have pledged to fight up to last drop of their blood: SSalahudeen  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

(Also Read: Curfew in Kashmir Valley continues on 31st day, one more dead)



Pakistan is duty bound, morally bound, politically bound and constitutionally bound to provide concrete, substantial support to the ongoing freedom struggle on the territory of Kashmir. And, if Pakistan provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between the two powers, tweeted ANI as Salahudeen's remark.

Pak is duty, morally, politically, constitutionally bound to provide substantial support to ongoing freedom struggle in Kashmir: SSalahudeen  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

He also claimed that Kashmiris are in "no mood to compromise under any circumstances". According to him India and Pakistan have already fought three wars over the Kashmir issue and there is a certainty over the fourth.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Lucknow:

Two middle aged men have been caught on CCTV footage while they rob a jewellery showroom in Agra.



In the video, they can be seen looting jewellery and roaming at different parts of the showroom with their covered faces.



UP cops are trying to identify the culprits and nab them at the earliest.



Watch Video Here:

#WATCH #CaughtOnCamera Jewellery show room being robbed by thieves in Agra (UP) (07/08/2016)https://t.co/8bodovjD2c  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 8, 2016

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday made remarks in the Lok Sabha on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill. He credited all sections of the polity for the passage of the Bill. "After close to 70 years of Independence, an important move to free the nation from tax terrorism has begun," said PM Modi.



"GST means 'Great Step by India''. It means 'Great Step Towards Transformation'. It means 'Great Step Towards Transparency'," he said.

Earlier on Monday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tabled the GST Bill in Lok Sabha. The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha in 2015 and now it has come back to the Lower House for incorporating the amendments approved by Rajya Sabha.



Highlights of PM Modi's speech in Parliament:

18:34pm

#Most of the things that can impact consumer inflation have been kept out of the ambit of #GST

18:32pm

#The 'kacha bill' and 'pakka bill' system in our country has helped mobilise black money. GST will help put an end to this

18:31pm

#We say a lot about corruption but to eradicate corruption it is important to strengthen our system as well

18:30pm

#'Economic development of poor' & 'Educational development of poor'-2 ways with which we cn build an Army of poor that'll fight agnst poverty itself

18:26pm

#Our aim is "Economical and educational empowerment of the poor". GST can help us achieve this aim

18:22pm

#'Faith' very important to strengthen federal structure of India. #GST will act as a catalyst in this regard

18:21pm

#It is true that consumer States will benefit more from GST but Centre will compensate manufacturing States in case of losses

18:18pm

#GSTBill will act as catalyst to help strengthen trust between Centre and States

18:15pm

#States in our country are not self sufficient but are interdependent. GST will boost economy of under developed States

18:14pm

#'Rashtraneeti' is bigger than 'Rajneeti'

18:13pm

#GST will send across a message that 'Consumer is the King': PM Modi in Lok Sabha

18:09pm

#With #GST we intend to bring in uniformity in taxes. The message is clear that the 'consumer is the king'

18:08pm

#I had called Sonia Gandhiji & Manmohan Singhji to talk about #GSTBill. We have always tried to discuss this with everyone

18:07pm

#'Lok Tantra' is not just a game of mandate, it is also a journey of forming consensus

18:06pm

#GST-ek moti hum maala mein piro rhe hain jo 'Ek Bharat' ko taakat deta hai

18:05pm

#My experience as CM has helped me understand the problems of the states very well

18:04pm

#This is not a victory of a particular party.It's a victory of high democratic principles,victory of all political parties

18:03pm

#GST means 'Great Step towards transformation', 'Great Step towards transparency' in India

18:02pm

#It's true that someone gives 'birth' while someone else 'nutures it' (on GST Bill). It is not a victory of a particular pol party

18:01pm

#This example is good enough to understand the ups and downs nation has seen with respect to tax situation

17:59pm

#You might know that some time ago an issue regarding tax came up in SC. Issue was Coconut should be considered a fruit or vegetable

17:50pm

#PM Narendra Modi speaks in Lok Sabha on GST Bill

Highlights of proceedings in Parliament:

03:03pm

#We agree division of states has caused unfairness to Andhra Pradesh and that has to be compensated: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley



03:00pm

# If one pays tax at one stage, they wont have to give another tax on that tax component. So tax on tax will be eradicated: Arun Jaitley



01:00pm

# Congress walk out of Lok Sabha in protest against atrocities faced by Dalits in the nation.



10:20am

#Congress gives notice in Rajya Sabha on J&K unrest issue.



10:15am

# Congress strategy meeting took place in Parliament.

Final week of #MonsoonSession begins today. Scheduled business for the day in both houses pic.twitter.com/q74FZ6XdWh  PRS Legislative (@PRSLegislative) August 8, 2016

The Congress will support GST Constitutional Amendment Bill and has issued whip to all its MPs to be present in the House on Monday where it is scheduled to be taken up for passage.



The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014, that would lay the ground for roll out of GST regime, was passed by the opposition-dominated Upper House after the government moved four amendments. (Also Read: Serious differences between Centre, states on finalising GST, says Chidambaram)



The 66-year-old Constitution, which gives power to the Centre to levy taxes like excise, and empowers states to collect retail sales taxes, was amended though the 122nd Constitution Amendment Bill on Wednesday. The Bill amends the Constitution to introduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST)--one nation one tax regime.



Aiming for early implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), senior Union ministers have spoken to chief ministers of NDA-ruled states to ensure that the constitutional amendment is ratified by state assemblies at the earliest.



GST Bill passage: Who said what



The chief ministers have assured that, if required, they will call a special session for the passage of the Bill in their state assemblies.



The GST Bill has to be ratified by at least 16 states in 30 days after it is passed by Parliament.



Once implemented, GST will subsume various taxes, including excise, services tax, octroi and other levies, and the proceeds will be shared between the Centre and the states.



(With inputs from PTI, ANI)

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Lucknow:

BSP supremo Mayawati on Monday Morning lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for showing sudden sympathy to Dalit community.



"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is speaking in favour of Dalits to gain political mileage for upcoming Assembly Polls in Uttar Pradesh," said BSP supremo Mayawati.



On Sunday, PM Modi had decried the attempts to politicise the issue and said he is ready to get "shot and attacked" in place of his Dalit "brothers".



Read Full Story: Attack me if you want, but stop attacking Dalit brothers, says PM Narendra Modi



He also stressed that society should not be allowed to be divided on the basis of caste and community.



"If you want to attack, attack me, not my Dalit brothers. If you want to shoot, shoot me, not my Dalit

brothers, stop politics over Dalits. This game should stop," Modi said in an aggressive way, while addressing a public meeting of polling booth workers of BJP at a "Maha Sammelan" at Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad.



His comments come at a time when the NDA government is facing flak over incidents of violence against Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes in various states including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The Parliament also witnessed stormy scenes over the issue.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Heavy security forces were deployed and one house was surrounded in Shadnagar on the outskirts of Hyderabad on Monday morning.



A suspected Maoist was shot dead in the operation carried out by the Telangana Police.



MoS Home Kiren Rijiju said: "It's a serious matter that our security forces are engaging with the militants."



"We should not speak anything, or speculate when an incident is going on," said on Hyderabad encounter.



More details awaited

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Karachi:

At least 75 people were killed and 115 others injured today when a suicide bomber struck mourners, mostly lawyers, gathered at a hospital in Pakistans restive Balochistan province in an attack claimed by both the Taliban and the Islamic State terror groups.



The bomber struck at a time when over 200 mourners had gathered at the government-run Civil Hospital in Quetta where the body of prominent lawyer Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was shot dead earlier in the day, was brought. Kasi was the president of Balochistan Bar Association.



Both Islamic State and a faction of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.



The Islamic State group today claimed it was behind a suicide bombing.



A martyrdom bomber of the Islamic State detonates his explosive belt on a group of personnel belonging to the Ministry of Justice and the Pakistani Police in the city of Quetta, the IS-linked Amaq news agency said.



A spokesman for Jamaatul Aharar, a faction of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, said that his faction accepts responsibility for the attack in the southwestern city of Quetta and vowed more attacks until the imposition of an Islamic system in Pakistan.



The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ur-Ahrar takes responsibility for this attack, and pledges to continue carrying out such attacks. We will release a video report on this soon, spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan said in an email to media outlets.



A loud explosion was heard at the emergency department where Kasis body was brought for an autopsy.



Gunfire followed the explosion. Police said it was a suicide attack where eight kilogrammes of explosives were used.



No crater found at the site of the attack and it appears the bomber had the explosives strapped to his chest, a police officer said.



Bomb Disposal Squad officials also confirmed the explosion was a suicide bombingone of the deadliest terror attacks in the country this year.



Soon after the attack, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of army staff General Raheel Sharif reached the city and visited the hospital to take stock of the situation.



Prime Minister Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain strongly condemned the attack. Sharif ordered the provincial government to arrest the culprits.



No one will be allowed to disrupt the peace of the province, Sharif said.



He said all state security institutions must respond with full might to decimate these terrorists.



Doctors and rescue officials put the death toll at 75 and said the number could increase as the condition of some of the injured was very critical. They said 115 people were injured in the attack.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Baku, Azerbaijan August 8

By Farhad Daneshvar, Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Iran has urged cooperation with Caspian Sea littoral states, Azerbaijan in particular, to fight the environmental damages that threaten the sea.

There have been four protocols to a convention that was signed in 2003 on protecting the environment, only one of which has been implemented. We hope that through cooperation with Azerbaijan, we will manage to carry out the rest, Irans Environment Department chief Masumeh Ebtekar told Trend August 8.

The most urgent need is to think something about the contamination of the water that is caused by oil explorations in the area. We should make due arrangements to create rapid response facilities to be used to contain pollutions upon maritime accidents, she said while in Baku accompanying President Hassan Rouhani on a two-day visit.

In this trip we insisted that the convention be activated and start operation as soon as possible.

The Caspian Sea is a closed body of water. It has had a rich variety of aquatic creatures, which is still partially the case, but it has been harmed greatly.

Ebtekar noted that since the two neighbor countries share large portions of the coastline, their environmental efforts will be vital to the Caspian Sea. In Iran some 10 million people live in the vicinity of the Caspian coastline. Baku also is situated by the sea. So, the two countries can do a lot together as regards the sea, she stated.

Rouhani arrived in Baku August 7 heading a large governmental body to discuss various fields of cooperation with Azerbaijan. The two countries on the first day of the visit signed several documents for cooperation in fields varying from industries to environment, banking, transport, etc.
Srinagar:

A youth injured during clashes on Friday succumbed at a hospital here today, taking the death toll 55 in Kashmir where curfew continued in many areas in the wake of violent protests since the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in an encounter a month ago.



Amir Bashir Lone, a resident of south Kashmirs Shopian district, succumbed to injuries at SKIMS hospital this morning, a police official said.



He said Lone had received pellet injuries on his head during security forces action against protesters on Friday.



With Lones death, the number of people killed in the unrest in the Valley, which entered the second month today, reached 55, including two police personnel.



Many parts of Kashmir, including several areas of summer capital Srinagar, continued to remain under curfew for the 31st day today.



Curfew remains in force in six police station areas of SrinagarNowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, Maharajgunj and Batamaloo -- today as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, the official said.



He said curfew was also in force in two towns of Budgam districtChadoora and Khansahiband Anantnag town.



The official said restrictions were in force in other areas of the Valley.



Restrictions on assembly of four or more people continue to remain in effect in rest of the Valley, he said.



There were reports of army being called to maintain law and order in Sopore township of north Kashmirs Baramulla district. However, a police spokesman denied it.



The army has not been called in but it is patrolling the peripheries of the town, the spokesman said.



Meanwhile, normal life in the Valley remained affected for the 31st consecutive day due to the curbs imposed by the authorities and the separatist sponsored strike.



Schools, colleges, business establishments, petrol pumps and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off the roads.



The attendance in government offices and banks was also thin, the official said.



Mobile internet services continued to remain snapped in the entire Valley where the outgoing facility on prepaid connections is also barred.



The separatist camp has extended the shutdown call in Kashmir till August 12 and has asked the people today to block all roads around Civil Secretariat Srinagar, deputy commissioners and Tehsil offices and ensure that no employee is able to join duty.



Kashmir has been rocked by violent protests after Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmirs Anantnag district on July 8.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Srinagar:

Two BSF personnel and a militant were killed on Monday in an operation in Macchil sector near the Line of Control in Kashmir.



Security forces launched an operation in Macchil sector in north Kashmir's Kupwara district following information about presence of militants in the area, an Army official said.



He said one militant was killed in the operation that was going on till reports last came in.



Two BSF personnel were also killed in the operation, he said, adding further details of the incident are awaited.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
This website uses cookie or similar technologies to enhance and improve your browsing experience. By using our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy
Lucknow:

Bahujan Samaj Party's veteran leader Swami Prasad Maurya has officially joined Bharatiya Janta Party. BJP chief Amit Shah was also present at the event held at BJPs central headquarters in New Delhi.



Maurya had call it quits from BSP on June 22 over his rift with the party supremo Mayawati. Maurya, the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly when he announced his resignation, was regarded as the OBC face of BSP.



Mauryas entry in BJP is likely to give a boost in terms of caste based politics. In an apparent attempt to reach out to the caste group, the BJP had earlier appointed Phulpur MP Keshav Prasad Maurya as its state party president.



Besides bolstering BJPs OBC base, Maurya, who practices Buddhism, could also help the party reach out to disgruntled BSP supporters.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Mumbai:

In a sarcastic take on Narendra Modi's denunciation of cow vigilantes, ally Shiv Sena today asked the Prime Minister to spell out the reasons for the "rise" of such elements in the last two years, while cautioning him that he may have to face the wrath of Hindutva supporters.

"We will not be surprised if the Prime Minister has to face the wrath of the believers of Hindutva for his comments oncow vigilantes... Our question to Modi is, why is that such people, who in the name of cow protection carry out illegal activities, cropped up in the last two years," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said.

"The voice of the cow vigilantes was so weak during the Congress rule that there was no way by which it could be heard by those in power and a law banning beef could be put in place (in Maharashtra)," it said. "Among the organisations supporting the BJP were many which stood for protection... Does the government now think that these organisations are doing illegal businesses as well? "the Sena sought to know.

It said it was "surprising" that violence was taking place in the name of cow protection in a land where aged parents are sent to old age homes, girl child is killed in the womb of mothers and newborns are thrown in dustbin to get rid of responsibility of rearing them up.

In an emotional appeal, Modi had yesterday asked perpetrators of the violence on Dalits to attack him if they wanted to, but to stop attacking his Dalit "brethren". He had also lashed out at "fake cow protectors", denouncing them for trying to create "tension and conflict" in the society and asking the states to take stringent action against them.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The long-delayed GST Constitution bill was passed by Parliament on Monday, marking a historic step for tax reforms which Prime Minister Narendra Modi said was crucial for ending tax terrorism besides reducing corruption and black money while making consumer the king.



The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha in May 2015, was taken up again by the Lower House to approve the changes made in it by the Rajya Sabha last week. The government had moved six official amendments, including scrapping of 1 per cent additional tax, to the bill which were approved by the Upper House.



After a six-hour debate, the Lower House passed the bill with all the 443 members present voting in favour after AIADMK members staged a walkout while opposing the measure.



Modi, while intervening in the debate, humbly thanked all parties for supporting the GST, saying it reflected maturity of the Indian democracy as such a crucial legislation was approved with consensus rather than on the basis of numbers.



He hailed it as a great step by team India that will help transform the economy, bring in transparency and bring in the system of one country one tax.



He emphasised that the passage of the bill by Parliament was not a victory of any party or government but was everybodys victory as it highlighted the success of the democratic ethos of the country.



Jaitley, while replying to the debate, said the tax rate under the GST regime will be kept at minimum workable rate as no state government can annoy its people by having a higher rate. He said the rate will be decided by the GST Council.



He, however, virtually ruled out an assurance that the GST legislation will not be brought as Money Bill, a key demand of opposition Congress.



The bill will now have to be ratified by at least 16 of the 29 state assemblies, which the Prime Minister hoped would be done at the earliest.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The Lok Sabha on Monday unanimously passed a constitution amendment bill that enables Goods and Services Tax bill (GST). The bill will be sent to state assemblies for approval after President Pranab Mukherjee will give it a go ahead. Here are the top 5 stories at 9 PM on August 8:

1. Lok Sabha passes amendments to GST Bill

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing gratitude to all parties for support and described GST as a crucial step towards ending tax terrorism besides reducing corruption and black money, the amendments to the Bill were passed by the Lok Sabha.

2. Abhinav Bindra fails to win a medal in 10m air rifle final

Star Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra on Monday qualified for the final of the mens 10m Air Rifle event even as Gagan Narang crashed out on day three of the Olympic Games, while Beijing Olympics gold-medallist Bindra finished seventh in the qualifying round to make the cut. However, Bindra failed to win a medal in 10m air rifle final.

3. 65 killed, over 150 injured in blast at hospital in Pakistan

At least 65 people were killed and over 150 others injured when a suicide bomber struck mourners,mostly lawyers and journalists, gathered at a government-run hospital in Pakistan's restive south-western Balochistan province in one of the worst attacks in the country this year.



4. Rio Olympics 2016: Dipa Karmakar scripts history, qualifies for vault finals

Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar scripted history as she became the first Indian to make the cut for the individual vault finals in her debut Olympic Games after finishing 8th in the qualifying round.

5. LG directs review of orders, files that required his nod

Three days after the Delhi High Court held that Lt Governor is the administrative head of the national capital, Najeeb Jung today directed the heads of all departments to review orders and identify files for which his approval was required but not taken by the AAP government.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

A clash broke out between members of ABVP and a group of Delhi University teachers when they were protesting at Daulat Ram college demanding better infrastructure and facilities.



According to Delhi University Teachers' Association, members of BJP's student wing ABVP led by Satender Awana, president of DU's student union, allegedly attacked the teachers and started abusing them, a charge denied by Awana. The two groups have also filed police complaints of verbal abuse and misbehaviour against each other.



"The two groups were protesting at the VC office when they had a verbal argument. Local police was present there and controlled the situation.



ABVP in its complaint has alleged that some of people present in the protest raised anti-India slogans with regard to Kashmir while DUTA alleged that ABVP members called them Naxals," a senior police official said.

"Awana jumped the gate and started shouting that the teachers are supporters of Kanhaiya, shout pro-Pakistan slogans and support Azadi in Kashmir. When the teachers protested his allegations he started catching them by their collar and repeated the absurd statements," a DUTA statement said.



"Awana also abused DUTA president Nandita Narain with extremely objectionable language and called her a Naxal. We want an exemplary action be taken by university authorities to prevent further recurrence of such acts of violence and lumpenism," it added.

Awana dismissed the allegations as baseless and claimed they protesting along with students to highlight the problems at Daulat Ram College.

"At VC office, the DUTA came suddenly and started saying that we are politicising the issue. There were people among them who were also present in the JNU videos but the moment I pointed at them, they escaped in the crowd. Some raised anti-national slogans," he claimed. Police officials said cross complaints have been recieved and the matter is being looked into.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Lucknow:

Three more persons, including the main accused in the Bulandshahr gangrape case, have been arrested, taking the total number of those nabbed in connection with the incident to six, a top police official said tonight. Declining to give details, he said that all the three accused were picked up by the police during raids.

Among them was the main accused Salim Bawariya, he said, but did not disclose the place from where the arrests were made.

These arrests are in addition to three persons picked up earlier.

Director General of UP Police Javeed Ahmed had earlier said, The names of other accused are almost clear and efforts are on to arrest them.

A group of dacoits had brutally raped the woman and her 13-year-old daughter at gunpoint after dragging them out of a car in Bulandshahr on NH-91 when they were travelling with their family from Noida to Shahjahanpur on July 29.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Facing a month-long turbulence and violence in the state, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open a dialogue process with the people of the state.

Talking to reporters after a two-hour meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Mehbooba also hinted at resuming a dialogue with Pakistan on Kashmir issue saying the state could act as a"bridge" between the two nations.



"I believe there is a need to heal the wounds of people,to initiate dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.These are our own people. If process of dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir can improve the situation in valley, we should do it," she said and adding, her state could become a bridge between India and Pakistan.



"There is a need to apply balm to the wounds of Kashmiri people," she said. Mehbooba, who has been facing difficulties in restoring normalcy in the Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8, said only the process of dialogue with the people of Kashmir can help improve the situation.

The Chief Minister said during the one month of unrest,which started after the killing of Wani, 55 people lost their lives and referred the deceased as "our own boys". "People will keep dying if we don't take initiative to bring normalcy. We want peace. There is an opportunity for dialogue and we should avail it," she said.

"We have seen agitations in the past like in 2008 (Amarnath land row) and 2010 (over fake encounters by army).Our children have been killed. Our families have suffered. I don't wish to see any more killing. "Our Prime Minister has a huge mandate in the present Lok Sabha and he should seize the opportunity created by the unrest to win the hearts of the people and solve their problems, the way former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee did," she said.

"I am hopeful that the Prime Minister will take this as an opportunity to initiate dialogue with people to address their problems. There is a need to take the same initiative of winning hearts of people, which was taken during Vajpayee ji's tenure," she said after the meeting which was also attended by National Security Advisor A K Doval and other senior officials of Home, Defence and Finance Ministries.

The meeting took place on a day when month-long curfew in Kashmir echoed in Parliament with Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad raising the matter during Zero Hour and demanding a statement from the Prime Minister about the steps being taken by the government for restoring normalcy. "In such circumstances, we want to awaken the government... We feel the government and the Prime Minister are watching the situation deteriorate like a silent spectator," he said,adding he wanted to know why Modi has not spoken on the grave situation in Kashmir so far.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8 By Fatih Karimov  Trend: Iran has no concern over leaking confidential information about the nuclear deal, Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said. The leaked information proves the sagacity and intelligence of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team, Salehi said, Fars news agency reported Aug. 8.

The leak of confidential nuclear document has became a source of concern and problem in the US, Salehi said, adding they say why Irans time to breakout defined as the amount of time that it would take Iran to produce sufficient weapons-grade uranium or plutonium for one nuclear weapon has decreased from one year to four months.

Last month, the Associated Press cited a classified document which said Irans scaling back of its nuclear program under last years agreement with the P5+1 group of countries will start to ease years before the 15-year accord expires. Reacting to the report, Iran said that will submit a note of protest to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), however the UN nuclear agency has denied leaking confidential information about Irans nuclear program.

Behrouz Kamalvandim, the AOEI spokesman earlier said that the parts of the document published were confidential and were supposed to remain so. Our assumption is that it has been leaked by the agency, Kamalvandi argued.
Rio de Janeiro:

Star Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra's quest for a second Olympics medal met with a disappointing end as he lost a tense shoot-off in the men's 10 m air rifle event on the third day of competitions at the Rio Games here today.

Bindra, the country's lone individual Olympic gold medallist, lost the shoot-off to Ukrainian Serhiy Kulish after both were tied for third place at 163.8 points following 16 shots.

Bindra, who was playing in his fifth and final Olympics,was deprived of a fairytale ending of his glorious career as he was the fifth shooter to be eliminated in the race for the podium.

"That's the way it is. Somebody had to be fourth and I am fourth. I did well. I gave it all and I am very very proud how I finished. It was a good day, a hard day. I put it all, gavewhat I had and ended up fourth in the world at the Olmpics to close my career. It could have been better with a medal, Icame very very close. But I am very very happy," Bindra told reporters.

The 33-year-old Indian, who won a gold in 2008 Beijing Olympics in the same event, was at the second spot at one time but lost places later on. He was fourth at first elimination round but jumped to second after the second elimination round.

Bindra scored a fantastic 10.7 in his 11th shot to jumpto second spot but slipped to third after the third elimination round. Two mediocre shots took him to fourth spot after the fourth elimination round but he bounced back in the next roundwith scores of 10.6 and 10.2.

But that was not enough for Bindra to stay clear in the top three as he was tied at third spot with Kulish at 163.8points. Despite a strong backing of Indian supporters cheering him, Bindra just could not make it count in the shoot-off.

Italy's Niccolo Campriani, silver medalist in the London Games four years ago, won the gold while Kulish and Russian Vladimir Maslennikov took the silver and bronze respectively.

Earlier in the day, Bindra had qualified for the finals at seventh spot while London Olympics bronze-medallist Gagan Narang missed out after finishing at a lowly 23rd position.

Bindra had scored 625.7 to book a berth in the finals.This is the only event Bindra is competing in the ongoing Olympics. Bindra joined Apurvi Chandela, Ayonika Paul, Kynan Chenaiand Manavjit Singh Sandhu, who have already exited from the shooting range, while Narang has two more events 50m rifle prone and 50m three position left.

Jitu Rai, who had exited in the 10m air pistol along with Gurpreet Singh, will be fighting in the 50m pistol. Gurpreet will also be seen in action in the 25m rapid fire.

Having exited from 10m air pistol, Heena Sidhu will compete in the 25m pistol. There will also be hopes from Chain Singh (50m rifle prone and three positions) and Prakash Nanjappa (50m pistol).
Baku, Azerbaijan August 8

By Farhad Daneshvar, Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Iran has urged cooperation with Caspian Sea littoral states, Azerbaijan in particular, to fight the environmental damages that threaten the sea.

There have been four protocols to a convention that was signed in 2003 on protecting the environment, only one of which has been implemented. We hope that through cooperation with Azerbaijan, we will manage to carry out the rest, Irans vice president and Environment Department chief Masumeh Ebtekar told Trend August 8.

The most urgent need is to think something about the contamination of the water that is caused by oil explorations in the area. We should make due arrangements to create rapid response facilities to be used to contain pollutions upon maritime accidents, she said while in Baku accompanying President Hassan Rouhani on a two-day visit.

In this trip we insisted that the convention be activated and start operation as soon as possible.

The Caspian Sea is a closed body of water. It has had a rich variety of aquatic creatures, which is still partially the case, but it has been harmed greatly.

Ebtekar noted that since the two neighbor countries share large portions of the coastline, their environmental efforts will be vital to the Caspian Sea. In Iran some 10 million people live in the vicinity of the Caspian coastline. Baku also is situated by the sea. So, the two countries can do a lot together as regards the sea, she stated.

Rouhani arrived in Baku August 7 heading a large governmental body to discuss various fields of cooperation with Azerbaijan. The two countries on the first day of the visit signed several documents for cooperation in fields varying from industries to environment, banking, transport, etc.
Tehran, Iran, August 8

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has written a letter to US President Barack Obama, urging him to quickly fix a US Court ruling that allowed the seizure of $1.8 billion of Iranian assets.

On June 9, 2014, a court in America, based on unfounded claims without presenting any reliable documents, issued a sentence based on which about two billion Dollars of the Iranian nations assets would be seized unlawfully which is an obvious instance of transgression. This sentence was later on upheld by the American judiciary system on April 20, 2016 and consequently those assets were seized, which has raised widespread public protests among the Iranian people nationwide, the letter reads, Dolate Bahar, a website associated with the former president reported August 8.

It is the clear expectation of the Iranian nation that the particular case of property seizure, which fully occurred during your term in office, and actually toward the end of the term, and which is counter to all international legal principles and rules, be quickly fixed by your excellency and that not only the Iranian nations right be restored, and the seized property released and returned, but also the damages caused be fully compensated for, it adds.

Though I believe the Iranian nation will itself restore its right, I passionately advise you not to let the historical defamation and bitter incident be recorded under your name, within the framework of unilateral and unjustified relations of the two states, hence deepening the historical distrust.
Tehran, Iran, August 8

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

A recent payment of $400 million by the US government to the Islamic Republic of Iran has turned into a hot issue of debate especially in the US in recent days.

Controversy rose in the US after Iran released a video which claimed the US paid Iran $400 million on January 17, the day when the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, the official name of the Iran nuclear deal) was put into action by Iran and the group 5+1 (the US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany).

Critics of the US administration called the payment a ransom, saying it was related to a hostage exchange that also took place on the same day. Presidential candidate Donald Trump said the video and that the tapes were handed over by Iran to embarrass the US.

The prisoner exchange comprised of Iran handing over four American or double-nationality people arrested by the Revolutionary Guards under charges such as espionage, and on the other side the US freeing seven Iranians it had captured on charges of having violated the nuclear-related sanctions to help Iran carry out its nuclear program.

However, the Islamic Republic says the payment related to another issue. On August 8, Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, said it was a refund for a failed military deal.

The payments coincidence with the conclusion of the nuclear deal was completely accidental, Shamkhani said.

In the late 1970s Iran paid $400 million for US fighter jets, while Tehran was still a US ally. After Iran turned into an enemy of the US in 1979, Washington was not about to deliver the jets. But, all these years later, Iran wanted its money backand with interest, which according to the deal amounts to $1.71 billion by now.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also said in an earlier statement that the payment, the JCPOA implementation, and the hostage exchange coincided quite accidentally.

In the US, media outlets supportive of the Obama administration have made similar remarks about the payment.

Against the backdrop of what critics and defendants have said, there can be a third interpretation of the whole events that went on between Tehran and Washington on that January 17.

Neither the prisoner swap nor the payment were any part of the JCPOA as was announced on the Implementation Day. But they all point to a spirit of cooperation between the Iranian and American administrations_ expressed suprasegmentally, however_ for mutual gain.

On one side, Iran had had enough of sanctions and needed a monetary relief badly enough to consider some heroic flexibility as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei had said during the nuclear negotiations.

On the other, the Obama administration needed some victory for its party a year ahead of US presidential elections, considering the fact that many of its programs had failed as badly as Obamacare had.

More indicative of the spirit of cooperation between the US administration and Tehran was the measures that followed the arrest of some US sailors as a couple of US Navy river boats strayed into Iranian waters just a few days ahead of the mysterious January 17. The sailors were set free in the course of only one day after their arrest on January 12. The swift release came as a surprise as in a similar incident, Iranian military forces had seized 15 Royal Navy personnel in 2007 and held them for 13 days, not to mention the famous Iran hostage crisis, in which 52 American diplomats and citizens were held hostage for 444 days (November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981) as Iran held charges of espionage against the US Embassy personnel.

So, the synchronicity among the JCPOA implementation, the prisoner swap, and the payment might not have been entirely an incident, but part of trust-building measures undertaken by Tehran and Washington, something both parties had frequently stressed during the nuclear talks that also included first-in-four-decades direct negotiations between the US and Iran.

Mehdi Sepahvand is Trend Agencys Tehran-based correspondent

Follow him on Twitter: @mehdisepahvand
Three states have implemented food stamp reform and the results will unsettle control freak govt. nannies

(Freedom.news) Our founding fathers understood that no matter how many amendments recognizing and guaranteeing basic liberties were ultimately ratified by the states, Americans would not be truly free unless they were also economically enabled. Thats one of main reasons why they chose a capitalist economic system, because it rewards hard work, innovation and dedication to quality in trade and craft. In short, economic independence is empowering.

Today, legislatures and governors in three states have pledged to rekindle the founding entrepreneurial spirit in their citizens by dramatically reforming their food stamp programs.

Under President Obamas big government policies, the U.S. economy has stagnated. Obama is the first president who has not had a single quarter of 3 percent growth in GDP  not one. Recovery from the Great Recession of 2008-09, such as it is, has been the longest one in modern history. If George W. Bush owned his economy as Obama said he did, then the current president certainly owns this economy.

The lack of growth and opportunity, in addition to lowering qualification standards for assistance, has led to an explosion in the countrys welfare and food stamp rolls. When former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich called Obama the food stamp president, he was spot-on.

Three states  Maine, Kansas and Indiana  have moved to reverse the trend.

Each of them has re-implemented a work requirement passed initially by Gingrichs Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in the latter 1990s. Nicknamed workfare, the law was responsible for a dramatic decrease in the number of Americans receiving government food and other benefits because it required anyone getting assistance to have a job.

But shortly before Obama was reelected, he had his bureaucracy render the requirement moot and, predictably, welfare and food stamp rolls soared.

Thats because Obama and big government regressives (not progressives like they claim) would rather Americans be dependent on Uncle Sam for their subsistence; dependency breeds compliance, buys loyalty and destroys individual liberty.

In Maine, as reported by the Daily Signal, one of the most proactive workfare reform states, its caseload for able-bodied adults without dependents decreased 80 percent within just a few moths of reestablishing the requirement.

Kansas, meanwhile, has experienced similar results. As its caseload decreased 75 percent, the state has also seen a rise in employment and earnings for able-bodied adults sans dependents.

In Indiana, there have also been similar results after the state reinstated work requirements in July 2015. Within a half-a-year, the states caseload fell 68 percent.

These are real, tangible results that not only allow these states to use savings for other necessities like infrastructure, but they empower adults to become productive members of society again and lift themselves out of their cycle of dependency. We all hear stories about welfare queens and welfare kings but the reality is, most Americans want to work because they dont want to be dependent on government and self-limiting in their success.

That unsettles the big government types who empower themselves by enslaving others.

Freedom is more than just the liberties contained in the Bill of Rights. It is also the freedom to be all you can be, achieve all you can achieve, through economic independence.

More:

Freedom.news is part of USA Features Media.

Submit a correction >>
Family Dollar being attacked for asking Muslim to not cover face after string of robberies

A 32-year-old Indiana woman named Sarah Muzdaher Safi was recently kicked out of a Family Dollar store in Gary after she refused to remove the Islamic garb that completely covered her identity.

Since she wore a niqab  a piece of traditional Muslim clothing  over her face, the manager of the store determined that Safi was a safety risk.

The store manager  who was surprisingly polite during the whole ordeal  claims that since the Family Dollar in question is located in a high-crime area and has a tendency to be robbed, a woman whose identity is covered by cloth, for whatever reason, puts them in danger. She was merely trying to protect herself and her store.

In the age of incessant pandering in regards to the religious freedom of Muslims, theres inevitably going to be a horrific amount of backlash towards both the store manager and Family Dollar as an organization  but they acted completely logically here. You couldnt walk into a store wearing a ski mask, so why is it acceptable to walk into a store wearing a identity concealer of a different kind?

At what point do religious freedoms infringe on basic human freedoms? If someone waltzed into a bank wearing a Halloween store mask, everyone would justifiably become a little more nervous. Why should other clothing items get a free pass in this regard just because they have some sort of religious value? Its absurd.

Theres a big difference between being politically incorrect and being mean to someone. Sometimes you have to make politically incorrect decisions in order to protect yourself and fight for a safer, more peaceful world. We have to be honest with ourselves and each other instead of caving to a kind of political correctness that makes the entire world a more dangerous place.

Identifying things for what they truly are and not cowering to the influence of leftist rhetoric could save us all.



Sources:

ABC7Chicago.com

WTHR.com

Submit a correction >>
H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media

Danbury is celebrating National Farmers Market Week, which kicks off Sunday, with new funding for veterans and customers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

CityCenter Danbury Farmers Market will now provide up to $20 per week for SNAP customers to purchase vegetables, fruits, and other eligible foods.
DANBURY - A city house painter was charged Monday with the murder of his 19-year-old daughter earlier this summer at her Massachusetts home.

Walter DaSilva, 45, will be arraigned on the murder charge in New Bedford once he is transferred from Bridgeport, where he was captured last week by federal agents.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Camrey DiCrosta is a typical college student off doing amazing things, according to her mother.

But only five years ago, the future didnt seem as bright.

DiCrosta struggled with anxiety until she was treated by Dr. Tarique Perera when she was 15.

Perera, 47, who has offices in Danbury and Greenwich, is one of 600 doctors in the United States licensed to treat patients with depression, anxiety and other neurological conditions with transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS.

Treatment involves shooting a noninvasive, targeted magnetic beam into a patients brain, helping to activate or suppress malfunctioning neurons. Patients undergo treatment for 30 minutes, five days a week for six weeks.

Usually by the third week, people start feeling better, said Perera, who spoke at a Rotary Club meeting in Stamford. By the sixth week, people are completely better.

Perera described TMS as the first treatment in the history of psychiatry that directly treats the circuits involved in depression and other psychiatric and certain neurological disorders.

According to Perera, TMS is safer, more effective and longer lasting than traditional antidepressants.

Almost half the patients we see regularly in our clinics have this type of depression that does not respond to antidepressants, Perera said. They may get a little better, but not completely better.

Clinical studies by the Food and Drug Administration have shown TMS treatment cures about 50 percent of patients who have been unable to find relief from antidepressants.

Pereras open label research with patients at his 10 local clinics has shown even higher success rates. Parera said patients who remain on their medication and complete TMS treatment are cured about 80 percent of the time.

Pereras practice, Contemporary Care, is participating in a study with Columbia University to research patients not cured by TMS therapy on their initial six-week regiment.

The patients enrolled in the study will be scanned with a neural navigation device, which clearly maps out the brain and helps identify improvements to allow the TMS machine to repair malfunctioning neurons.

The ultimate goal, according to Perera, is to take out the guesswork, in his treatment.

We have a treatment that works pretty quickly  pretty safely, very few side effects, he said. When (patients) do get better, they stay better.
A second person was arrested for helping scam a Redding resident out of thousands of dollars, police said.

Nnabuike Ibe, 20, of Brooklyn, N.Y. was arrested and recently extradited to Redding. The arrest stems from a February incident where an 86-year old resident was scammed in sending $50,000, police said.
Dan OGrady deserves our vote in the Aug. 9 Regional Probate Primary! I first met Dan as he was the sellers attorney for the closing when I bought my home in Bethel in 1992. As soon as the paperwork was complete, he then became my next door neighbor. I watched his kids grow, we would chat about the town and town issues. He was my neighbor and became a friend.

Dan has donated incredible amounts of time, probono legal work, personal effort, his own money and skills to the betterment of Bethel. A former Town Counsel and also a Bethel Probate Judge prior to regionalization, he is qualified (even to argue cases before the Supreme Court of the United States). This is a personal endorsement.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Seymur Aliyev, Umid Niayesh  Trend:

Irans President Hassan Rouhani has said that expansion of ties with neighboring countries is his countrys top priority.

Rouhani made the remarks addressing a trilateral meeting with Azerbaijani and Russian presidents in Baku Aug. 8, Trend correspondent reported from the event.

He said Iran and Azerbaijan have taken significant steps towards the expansion of

bilateral ties.

Bilateral ties between Iran and Azerbaijan in the fields of economy and

diplomacy have witnessed positive and constructive developments, Rouhani added.

The efforts made with an aim to expand trade and economic ties between Tehran and Baku, the MoUs on customs cooperation, selling power, linking railways of the two countries, building and getting use of dams as well as power plants of Khodafarin and Qizqalasi are notable, he said.

He further said that the ties between Iran and Russia are on the right track.

The Iranian president further offered to hold the next trilateral meeting in Tehran.

Rouhani referred to terrorism, extremism and foreign inference as the main challenges faced by the region.
TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - Callidus Capital Corporation (TSX:CBL), ("Callidus") will release its second quarter 2016 financial results on Thursday, August 11, 2016 after the close of markets.

Callidus will subsequently hold a conference call on Friday, August 12, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A question and answer session will follow the corporate update.

Conference Call Details

Date: Friday, August 12, 2016 Time: 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time Dial-in Numbers: (647) 427-7450 or (888) 231-8191 Taped Replay: (416) 849-0833 or (855) 859-2056 (available until August 19, 2016) Reference Number: 93962347

In addition, Callidus Capital Corporation invites you to visit the Investor Relations section of its website at: www.calliduscapital.ca to sign-up for email alerts and conveniently download copies of news releases and other documents.

About Callidus Capital Corporation

Established in 2003, Callidus Capital Corporation is a Canadian company that specializes in innovative and creative financing solutions for companies that are unable to obtain adequate financing from conventional lending institutions. Unlike conventional lending institutions who demand a long list of covenants and make credit decisions based on cash flow and projections, Callidus credit facilities have few, if any, covenants and are based on the value of the borrower's assets, its enterprise value and borrowing needs. Callidus employs a proprietary system of monitoring collateral and exercising control over the cash inflows and outflows of each borrower, enabling Callidus to very effectively manage risk of loss. Further information is available on our website, www.calliduscapital.ca.

SOURCE Callidus Capital Corporation

For further information: Paula Myson | (416) 945-3226 | [email protected]
Acquisition of market-leading residential solar technology platform would add new lead generation, sales, installation and financing capabilities

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR OVER UNITED STATES WIRE SERVICES/

TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - Crius Energy Trust (TSX: KWH.UN) (the "Trust") today announces the proposed acquisition by Crius Solar, LLC, a subsidiary of Crius Energy, LLC ("Crius" or the "Company") of certain assets from SunEdison Inc. (OTCMKTS: SUNEQ) ("SunEdison"), a renewable energy company in the United States, including their proprietary residential solar lead-generation platform, customer lead databases, marketing materials and human capital. The proposed acquisition is expected to significantly expand the Company's capabilities in the solar energy segment. The asset purchase agreement provides for a one-time payment to SunEdison of US$1.5 million. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions precedent, including approvals required by the SunEdison bankruptcy process.

"The proposed acquisition is expected to significantly accelerate our ability to capture market share in the fast growing U.S. solar industry," said Michael Fallquist, Chief Executive Officer of the Trust. "We expect the acquisition to increase solar sales as the technology platform acquired enables us to partner with third-parties for lead generation and sales plus new operational capabilities will result in a higher margin contribution from each solar system sold. We expect this investment to deliver significant long-term value to our unitholders through increased earnings from our solar business and continued diversification of Crius."

The expanded solar capabilities of Crius will be complemented by the existing strategic alliance with global solar energy provider Sungevity, Inc. ("Sungevity"). Crius will continue to offer residential solar energy products in all its current markets provided by Sungevity.

About Crius Energy Trust

The Trust was established to provide investors with a distribution-producing investment through its ownership interest in Crius Energy. With over 900,000 residential customer equivalents, the Company is a comprehensive energy solutions partner that provides electricity, natural gas and solar products to residential and commercial customers. The Company connects with energy customers through an innovative family-of-brands strategy and multi-channel marketing approach. This unique combination creates multiple access points to a broad suite of energy products and services that make it easier for consumers to make informed decisions about their energy needs. The Company currently sells energy products in 19 states and the District of Columbia with plans to continue expanding its geographic reach.

The Trust intends to continue to qualify as a "mutual fund trust" under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act"). The Trust will not be a "SIFT trust" (as defined in the Tax Act), provided that the Trust complies at all times with its investment restriction which preclude the Trust from holding any "non-portfolio property" (as defined in the Tax Act). Material information pertaining to the Crius may be found on SEDAR under the Trust's issuer profile at www.sedar.com or on the Trust's website at www.criusenergytrust.ca.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "Forward-Looking Statements") that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which are beyond the control of Crius, including, without limitation, those risks described in the annual information form of the Trust for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, dated March 15, 2016 (under the heading "Risk Factors"), in the MD&A of the Trust for the three month period ended March 31, 2016 and in the Final Prospectus. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words of phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be Forward-Looking Statements which involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such Forward-Looking Statements. Forward-Looking Statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of certain assets from SunEdison Inc.; the timing and ability of Crius to satisfy the conditions precedent (including the approval of the bankruptcy court), if at all, to completing the acquisition of those assets from SunEdison Inc.; the ability of the Company to integrate the acquired assets;; the expectation that the acquisition will significantly expand the Company's capabilities in the solar energy segment; and the Trust's objectives and status as a "mutual fund trust" and not a "SIFT trust". These Forward-Looking Statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Trust at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as Forward-Looking Statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Trust to materially differ from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such Forward-Looking Statements. Crius cautions investors of the Trust's securities about important factors that could cause Crius' actual results to differ materially from those projected in any Forward-Looking Statements included in this news release. No assurance can be given that the expectations set out in this news release will prove to be correct and accordingly, prospective investors should not place undue reliance on these Forward-Looking Statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release and Crius does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE Crius Energy Trust

For further information: Michael Fallquist, Chief Executive Officer, [email protected], (203) 663-7545; Roop Bhullar, Chief Financial Officer, [email protected], (203) 883-9900; Kelly Castledine, Investor Relations, [email protected], (416) 644-1753
BRISBANE, Australia, Aug. 8, 2016 /CNW/ -- ESG Solutions, an industry leader in microseismic technology and services, is pleased to announce significant changes to its Australian operations. As of August 1st, ESG has welcomed new leadership in Dr. Willem de Beer as the Senior Manager for Australia. In addition, to better support the Australasian market ESG has relocated its Australia operations from Perth to Brisbane. These changes align with ESG's focus on customer support and client-driven development while positioning the company for growth through international expansion.

Microseismic monitoring is routinely applied to underground and open-pit mine operations to enhance safety and production, decrease costs, and reduce economic, operational and environmental risk. The technology is also widely applied in the energy sector, including hydraulic fracturing, coal gasification and hydrocarbon storage for production optimization and regulatory purposes. ESG Solutions has provided industry leading microseismic services for over 20 years in over 35 countries, including Australia.

"Microseismic users are very sophisticated in Australia," says De Beer. "They are very familiar with seismicity and passive seismic monitoring and are looking for reliable and powerful microseismic solutions." ESG presents many advantages as a microseismic supplier in the Australian market. ESG's Australia operations have been staffed locally since 2014 and the recent changes demonstrate the company's commitment to the Australian market. De Beer looks forward to developing deeper relationships with clients in Australia. "We believe that leveraging ESG's microseismic experience across multiple industries while ensuring a consistent local presence of technical experts will help us to provide a much higher level of service for existing clients while reaching out to new clients in the Australasian market."

"Willem brings significant experience and expertise in mining induced seismicity and geophysics, and we are very pleased to have him on board at ESG," says Zara Hosseini, General Manager for Mining and Geotechnical Services at ESG Solutions. Willem draws on 19 years of experience in mining induced seismicity and geophysics and spent the last 12 years with Golder Associates in both New Zealand and Canada providing senior level management and technical support in geophysics and rock mechanics, designing and reviewing seismic monitoring systems, and directing consulting projects. Willem joins Wei Duan, ESG's Field Analyst who has a number of years of experience in mining geotechnical engineering, induced seismicity, rockburst and ground support and who recently completed his M.Sc. with the Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG) at the University of Western Australia. "Both Willem and Wei offer outstanding experience and technical expertise in mining induced seismicity and are positioned to provide exceptional local support to our Australasian clients," says Hosseini.

About ESG Solutions:

Founded in 1993, ESG Solutions (Engineering Seismology Group or ESG) is a pioneer and leading provider of innovative microseismic solutions for the mining, oil and gas and geotechnical industries. ESG helps operators improve safety, optimize production, reduce costs and mitigate risk associated with underground and open-pit mining, coal seam gasification, hydraulic fracturing, thermal enhanced oil recovery, waste-water injections, natural gas storage, carbon sequestration and geotechnical applications. In 2014, ESG was acquired by Spectris plc. ESG is headquartered in Kingston (Canada), with operations in Houston, Denver, Calgary and Brisbane, and sales offices in Dallas, Pittsburgh, Beijing and Dubai. For more information, visit www.esgsolutions.com.

About Spectris plc:

Spectris plc is a leading supplier of productivity-enhancing instrumentation and controls. Headquartered in Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom, the Company employs over 8,000 people with offices in more than 30 countries. For more information, visit www.spectris.com.

Contact: [email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101122/DA06004LOGO

SOURCE ESG Solutions
EDMONTON, Aug. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - In the aftermath of the devastating wildfire in Fort McMurray, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) will visit communities across Alberta to help residents better understand their insurance policies, their coverage options, and what to do when disasters strike.

"We continue to hear so many heartbreaking stories from residents of Fort McMurray as they navigate their way through this tragedy," said Bill Adams, Vice-President, Western and Pacific, IBC. "We want all Albertans, and indeed all Canadians, to have a strong understanding of their insurance policies and how best to prepare for these often-unpredictable disasters. The Fort McMurray wildfire has shown that we all need to be prepared for the risks we face to ensure we can both mitigate the impacts to our family and community, but also expedite the recovery process."

The tour officially kicked off on July 30 in Inglewood and has already made a stop in St. Albert. Over the next several weeks, IBC representatives will be travelling across the province to highlight the importance of having a 72-hour emergency preparedness plan, creating and maintaining a home inventory, and fully understanding your insurance policy and what it covers.

"The wildfire in Fort McMurray has demonstrated just how resilient Albertans are," added Adams. "It also showed us what we as an industry can do to help make sure residents have the tools they need to recover from disasters as quickly as possible."

Be sure to stop by and check out IBC on the following dates:

August 23-27 , Lethbridge

, September 4 , Calgary

, September 9-10 , Chestermere

, September 25 , High River

, October 5-7 , Edmonton

, October 21-23 , Medicine Hat

"We strongly encourage all Albertans to take a few minutes to better understand the risk they face. This includes contacting their insurance representative for information on their policies and what types of coverage best suit their circumstances," added Adams.

For more information on home, auto and business insurance, phone IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC (1 844 227 5422) or visit www.ibc.ca.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties.

P&C insurance touches the lives of nearly every Canadian and plays a critical role in keeping businesses safe and the Canadian economy strong. It employs more than 120,000 Canadians, pays $8.2 billion in taxes and has a total premium base of $49 billion.

For media releases and more information, visit IBC's Media Centre at www.ibc.ca. Follow IBC on Twitter @InsuranceBureau and @IBC_West or like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 18442ask-IBC.

If you require more information, IBC spokespeople are available to discuss the details in this media release.

SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada

For further information: To schedule an interview, please contact: Andrew McGrath, Manager, Media Relations, 416-362-2031 ext. 4312, [email protected]
Details added (first version posted on 20:04)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Seymur Aliyev, Umid Niayesh  Trend:

Irans President Hassan Rouhani has said that expansion of ties with neighboring countries is his countrys top priority.

Rouhani made the remarks addressing a trilateral meeting with Azerbaijani and Russian presidents in Baku Aug. 8, Trend correspondent reported from the event.

Iran welcomes any idea for boosting ties and cooperation with neighboring countries, Rouhani said.

He added that the trilateral meeting in Baku is a positive and valuable idea providing an opportunity for exchange of viewpoints and the meeting corresponds to mutual interests.

Iran believes that in todays world one country alone cant tackle all the challenges and enjoy the opportunities on its own, Rouhani said, adding that for the acceptable peace, welfare, development and progress for people of each country, there should be cooperation and interaction with other countries, especially with the neighbouring countries.

He further said that Irans formal foreign policy regarding the other countries, in particular the neighbouring countries, is based on cooperation, synergy, and finding ways to access to mutual interests, and this foreign policy is a win-win policy.

In this regard, cooperation with regional countries and multilateral dialogue mechanism are very useful and necessary, he added.

He also said Iran and Azerbaijan have taken significant steps towards the expansion of bilateral ties.

Bilateral ties between Iran and Azerbaijan in the fields of economy and diplomacy have witnessed positive and constructive developments, Rouhani added.

The efforts made with an aim to expand trade and economic ties between Tehran and Baku, the MoUs on customs cooperation, selling power, linking railways of the two countries, building and getting use of dams as well as power plants of Khodafarin and Qizqalasi are notable, he said.

He further said that the ties between Iran and Russia are on the right track.

The Iranian president further offered to hold the next trilateral meeting in Tehran.

Rouhani referred to terrorism, extremism and foreign inference as the main challenges faced by the region.
The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has said all police officer in the country must declare their assets. This, according ...

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has said all police officer in the country must declare their assets.This, according to him, is necessary in order to rid the Nigerian Police Force of corruption.Every police officer must declare their assets, he said at Force Headquarters in Abuja during a courtesy call on him by members of Nigerians Unite Against Terror, a civil rights organisation on Friday.The IGP warned police officers against violating their code of conduct, stressing that his administration would not spare them.The IGP said, We are going to be very tough on our police officers who go outside our code of conduct. When I took over and told people that I am declaring my assets, it looked surprising, people took it as if I was doing something magical but that is what the law says. You cannot work without declaring your assets.You must declare your assets and as policemen we are the ones checking the vices, so we cannot be part of those that are increasing the vices in the society and I still stand by my word.I have declared my assets even before and after I became IG of police because it is a constitutional requirement. I believe every police officer should do that.What kills most Nigerians is lack of contentment; you will see somebody amassing wealth that he and even his grandchildren do not need throughout their life time. I dont know what drives people like that. For me, I believe that with contentment, you will have peace of mind.Idris promised to set up a special committee comprising the police and members of the civil society organisations to develop a strategy on how to improve the image of the police.He said, We need to sit down and set up a panel; we are going to start a committee to interface on how to utilise our human resource because it is very important.It is good people hear from the CSOs who are not policemen. People should hear from you on how the public now see the police.People should give us the opportunity to prove ourselves; they will take it more serious from you.Idris called on the public to stop denigrating the police whose duty is to protect lives and properties.He said when he assumed duty as IGP, he promised to be guided by two major principles and police core values, in line with international best practices and democratic policing.The principles are that the police should be humane, that we should respect other people; and we should not look at peoples faces before we can apply the law. The law covers everybody, whether you are rich or poor, he said.
The immediate past governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan has called on the Federal Government to involve governors from the Niger Del...

The immediate past governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan has called on the Federal Government to involve governors from the Niger Delta in the efforts to resolve the crisis the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, has caused the region and the nations economy.Stressing that the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, for Niger Delta militants failed to yield results because governors from the region were not involved, he stated that the governors should participate in the resolution of militancy and other challenges causing underdevelopment in the region.Uduaghan spoke at the weekend in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, at the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE conference, where he noted that involving the regions governors would maximise the Federal Governments effort to solve challenges posed by the militants.He, however, urged the agitating youth to embrace dialogue with the government to resolve the regions crisis.According to him, The Amnesty did not achieve what it was to achieve because the governors were not involved. The states should be involved. The biggest threat in Niger Delta is that our land is seriously polluted, especially the water. In those days, you could see the sand under the water. We used it to wash our teeth. But it is not so anymore.Niger Delta Avengers are busting our pipelines for whatever reasons; anger. Nigerians are looking at it as something just affecting only the economy; it goes beyond that. Our environment is being ruined.Dealing with the Niger Delta challenge should be a carrot-and-stick approach: engagement first and force, where necessary. Engagements should be deepened. The governors should be part of it.I want to appeal to our brothers in Niger Delta Avengers that what they are doing is not just damaging the economy but the waters. I appeal to them to stop. The media should also help to appeal to them to stop it, the ex-Delta governor said.
The Federal Government has dragged the Turkish Airlines before a Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged violation of the Consumer Protec...

The Federal Government has dragged the Turkish Airlines before a Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged violation of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) law and impunity.A statement signed by CPC, said the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), filed a three-count charge against the airline and two of its principal officers, Liker Ayci and Rasak Shobowale, the airlines Board Chairman and Commercial Manager respectively before Federal High Court 11 in Abuja.The statement said, The prosecution came on the heels of the consistent refusal of Turkish Airlines to respond to lawful requests of CPC for a full situation report on the airlines alleged shoddy treatment of passengers of Flight 623 from Istanbul to Abuja on 25th and 31st of December 2015 and 9th of January 2016, which prompted the Council to approach the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for the prosecution of the airline.According to the charge list with number FHC/ABJ/CR/147/21, the Federal Government alleged that the three accused persons between the 20th December 2015 and March 2016 without sufficient cause refused to provide the Consumer Protection Council documents on Turkish Airlines policy on delayed baggage, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 18 of the CPC Act.The accused persons were also arraigned before the court for allegedly neglecting, without sufficient cause, to attend and testify before CPC on the number of passengers aboard Turkish Airlines Flight 623 from Istanbul to Abuja on 25th and 31st of December 2015 as well as 9th of January 2016, who were affected by its untimely delivery of baggage, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 18 of the CPCs enabling law.The Federal Government also accused the airline and its two principal officers of violating the same section of the CPC Act by neglecting, without sufficient cause, to attend and testify before the consumer protection agency on the detailed steps taken by the airline to provide redress and compensation to passengers aboard its Flight 623 from Istanbul to Abuja on the said dates, who were affected by its untimely delivery of baggage.The prosecution of the airline and its principal officers followed warning by the Federal Government to the airline to respond within 21 days to the Consumer Protection Councils request for full situation report on the airlines alleged shoddy treatment of passengers of flight TK 623 of Sunday December 20, 2015 and other subsequent flights during the yuletide or face prosecution.The AGF had, in a letter dated March 17, 2016, signed on his behalf by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Saidu Diri, threatened to prosecute the Turkish Airlines in the event of its failure to respond to the Councils lawful demand for the full situation report, irrespective of the airlines engagement with any other relevant agency.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has raised the alarm that his life is under threat. The former president said a list, which named ...

The former president said a list, which named him and other South-South leaders as Niger Delta Avengers sponsors, was another attempt by a group, Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, to eliminate him.A group, which split from the NDA  Reformed Niger Delta Avengers  had named Jonathan as the grand patron of the NDA.An online medium, SaharaReporters, reported that in a statement by its spokesperson, Cynthia Whyte, the RNDA also listed the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, as sponsors of the NDA.Others mentioned in the list were Chief Edwin Clark, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio; ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo); the founder, African Independent Television, Raymond Dokpesi; Kingsley Kuku; Kimi Angozi, and Patrick Akpobolokemi.According to SaharaReporters, the group said the NDA sympathisers are Daniel Alabrah; Tony Uranta, Daniel; Ms. Annkio Briggs, and a former spokesman for the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh.The Reformed Niger Delta Avengers also named Oyege Nimi Brown, VIP Timothy, Joshua Macaiver, Paul Bebenimibo, among others, as the main operatives of the NDA.It added that the President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Udengs Eradiri, aka Brig. Gen. Murdoch Agbinibo, served as the NDAs chief spokesman.But Jonathan, in a statement on Sunday by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, said the list by the splinter group was political, adding that it was part of an attempt to assassinate him.The statement read in part, Since it is not in our place to speak for all those named in the obvious fabrication, we are only intervening to the extent that its hidden intent poses a violent threat to the life of former President Goodluck Jonathan, a committed patriot.We are seized by the feeling of deja vu occasioned by the resurrection of one dim character masquerading as Cynthia Whyte, who had in the past served as the spokesperson for a notorious group that had all along shown its hand to be going after the life of former President Jonathan.The former President recalled that in 2007, after he emerged as the running mate of the late President Umar YarAdua, the group invaded Yenogoa in an effort to assassinate him.He added that the members of the group later bombed his compound in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, on a night he was scheduled to attend to an important matter in his country home.He said, Do we need to remind anybody that the so-called Cynthia Whyte is the self-declared spokesperson for the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, a violent and murderous underground group led by one Henry Okah, which has not hidden its intention to destroy the former President?According to him, the bombing that took place on October 1, 2010 at the Eagle Square, Abuja, showed that the group was violent.He stated, We have no doubt in our mind that MEND, as a group contracted to go after Jonathan with the mind of assassinating him, has yet to abandon this criminal and ignominious craving. It is in this light that we view the purported statement issued by Cynthia Whyte as not only a sadistic continuation of this sick desire, but also a futile attempt to instigate the Federal Government to needlessly go after the former President.Those who have been following the unsavoury developments in some parts of the country since the last general election would have noticed that MEND, its paymasters and other unscrupulous elements in the South-South region have been striving fruitlessly to exploit the ensuing confusion by surreptitiously working for the fulfilment of its yet-to-be declared political agenda.We are not under any illusion that more accusations and allegations of this nature would not be hurled Jonathans way in the future. But we are very positive that he can never be fazed by such negative energy.Also, Clark, who spoke through his lawyer, Mr. Dotun Sowemimo, wondered why he would be mentioned as one of the sponsors of such a heinous crime against the nation.He said, The allegation is an attempt to undermine the efforts of the Niger Delta leaders to bring true, lasting peace to the region.Clark and other leaders in the region believe in the unity of Nigeria. The list is a cheap lie, which is meant to distract the peace moves by the elders and leaders in the Niger Delta.On his part, Wike, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, said the list should be ignored by the members of the public.Dokpesi, also distanced himself from the Niger Delta Avengers.Dokpesi in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, said he remained committed to strengthening the unity and stability of Nigeria.He said, I dont know who is giving that report; I have never met any member of the NDA in my life, I have no association with them and I dont know who they are. I have been committed to strengthening the unity and stability of the country.Also denying the allegation, Metuh said he had nothing to do with the NDA.He said, Ordinarily, I would not have responded to this, but on this occasion, I have chosen to respond, as this particularly borders on matters affecting national security.This is a wicked, cruel and devilish plot to link me with such activities, especially as the claim is outright false.A former spokesman for the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, also denied being a sympathiser of the NDA.Alabrah said in a statement on Sunday that the report was a product of mischief designed to distract the Federal Government from decisively addressing the resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta.The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, denied being a sponsor of the Niger Delta Avengers or any other militant group.In a statement on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Anietie Ekong, the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State described the allegation as baseless, reckless and senseless.The statement read in part, Senator Akpabio has no link with the Niger Delta Avengers or any other militant group for that matter.Also, a former Adviser to President Jonathan, on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, denied reports linking him with the Avengers.
Details added, first version posted at 20:04

Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Seymur Aliyev, Umid Niayesh  Trend:

Irans President Hassan Rouhani has said that expansion of ties with neighboring countries is his countrys top priority.

Rouhani made the remarks addressing a trilateral meeting with Azerbaijani and Russian presidents in Baku Aug. 8, Trend correspondent reported from the event.

Iran welcomes any idea for boosting ties and cooperation with neighboring countries, Rouhani said.

He added that the trilateral meeting in Baku is a positive and valuable idea providing an opportunity for exchange of viewpoints and the meeting corresponds to mutual interests.

Iran believes that in todays world one country alone cant tackle all the challenges and enjoy the opportunities on its own, Rouhani said, adding that for the acceptable peace, welfare, development and progress for people of each country, there should be cooperation and interaction with other countries, especially with the neighbouring countries.

He further said that Irans formal foreign policy regarding the other countries, in particular the neighbouring countries, is based on cooperation, synergy, and finding ways to access to mutual interests, and this foreign policy is a win-win policy.

In this regard, cooperation with regional countries and multilateral dialogue mechanism are very useful and necessary, he added.

He also said Iran and Azerbaijan have taken significant steps towards the expansion of bilateral ties.

Bilateral ties between Iran and Azerbaijan in the fields of economy and diplomacy have witnessed positive and constructive developments, Rouhani added.

The efforts made with an aim to expand trade and economic ties between Tehran and Baku, the MoUs on customs cooperation, selling power, linking railways of the two countries, building and getting use of dams as well as power plants of Khodafarin and Qizqalasi are notable, he said.

He further said the ties between Iran and Russia are on the right track and have enjoyed good progress in the last two years.

Close cooperation and dialogue between Iran and Russia in recent years regarding the settling of Irans nuclear case and inking a nuclear agreement with the P5+1, as well as the two countries constructive cooperation in addressing the Syrian crisis is an example of cooperation that can be expanded to other joint areas and trilateral cooperation, Rouhani said.

He said the interaction between Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan in a trilateral format not only can help strengthen and develop the capacity and potential existing between the three countries in various political, cultural and economic spheres, but also can create synergies and convergence, and new opportunities to deal with challenges in the region.

Obviously such an arrangement is not against any third party or country, he said, adding it is merely a framework for talks focused on the development of regional cooperation between the three countries.

The Iranian president further proposed to hold the next trilateral meeting in Tehran.

He also underlined that despite the wide capacities for boosting economic ties between the three countries in various fields, including energy, transportation, banking sector, investment and tourism, employing this capacity has been hindered by various obstacles, which need serious will to be addressed practically.

In this regard preparing and signing basic documents and tripartite agreements have a prominent role, he said.

Rouhani further referred to terrorism, extremism and foreign inference as the main challenges faced by the region.

Undoubtedly, economic growth and social welfare requires establishment of peace, stability and security, and today our region needs that more than ever, the Iranian president underlined.

He further praised Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs role in hosting and holding the important trilateral event.
A former Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, on Sunday said two state governors and three former members ...

A former Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, on Sunday said two state governors and three former members of the House of Representatives were blocking him from meeting President Muhammadu Buhari.He added that the action was part of a perfected plot to provide a soft landing for Dogara.Jibrin did not name the governors or the former RepsHe released the statement just as the Transparency Group in the House told newsmen that members would meet on Monday (today) to review its strategies.We are meeting tomorrow (today); we will discuss and decide on our next line of action.We may want to petition Mr. President, a member of the group, Mr. Baballe Bashir, said.According to Jibrin, the governors had blocked him from having access to Buhari to tell the President his version of the crisis as Dogara did last week.Jibrin said, After three days of careful observation and receiving information from Nigerians, I discovered a grand plan by two governors and three former House members to provide a soft landing for Dogara and 12 others, give them time to clean up the mess on their desk, destroy whatever evidence in their possession and reach, spread money across members to buy signature of vote of confidence.Jibrin said he was shocked that Dogara, who initially denied that the budget was padded, later turned around to say padding is not an offence.He added, Let me make further revelations here. In addition to the allegations I already made, the anti-corruption agencies should ask Speaker Dogara why he collects N25m every month. They should also ask him to provide a proof of how he is funding his farm in Nasarawa State, which was just a few hectares six months ago and now miraculously expands to about 100 hectares with new buildings and state-of-the-art equipment worth millions of naira, as well as the mansion he has suddenly built in Wuse II within six months.Jibrin sought the intervention of former Heads of State and the diplomatic community to compel Dogara to reconvene the House immediately.He said, I am left with no choice but to plead with all our former Heads of State; Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo; Alhaji Shehu Shagari; Chief Ernest Shonekan; Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar; and Dr Goodluck Jonathan, and the diplomatic community, particularly Ambassador of the United States of America, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom, and all well-meaning Nigerians to call on Speaker Dogara and three others to reconvene the House immediately, step down and allow a thorough external investigation.Three members of the Transparency Group in the House said to be working with Jibrin, also insisted on Dogaras resignation, saying they were convinced that the speaker padded the N6.06tn budget.The three members Bashir, Agunsoye Oluwarotim  Ojo and Abubakar Chika-Adamu  in a joint statement in Abuja, said, While the entire zonal intervention for the three senatorial districts of Bauchi State and 12 federal constituencies in the state amounts to N1,666,666,666, the Speaker criminally inserted about 200 per cent of the amount, totalling N3,079,000,000 into his constituency alone.The Speaker diverted 50 per cent of the total capital projects allocated to Bauchi State, to the tune of N4,781,003,431 out of N9,231,289,842 allocated to the state, to his constituency.
The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested a 60-year-old traditional ruler, Abubakar Yau, for allegedly raping an eight-year-old prim...

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested a 60-year-old traditional ruler, Abubakar Yau, for allegedly raping an eight-year-old primary school pupil.The traditional ruler, who is the village head of Kargo in Garki Local Government Area of Jigawa State, was paraded at the State Police Command Headquarters alongside three other rapists arrested at different locations within the state.The commands spokesperson, Abdu Jinjiri, who represented the Commissioner of Police, Mr Henry Fadairo, disclosed that the arrest of the village head, followed complaints lodged by the victims mother at the Garki Police Station that her daughter was abducted on her way to school and raped by Yau.In an interview with newsmen, the arrested monarch denied the accusations, insisting that he never committed such an offence, claiming rather that he had a dispute with the mother of the said victim over a debt.According to the police spokesperson, the command has recorded no fewer than 57 rape cases from January to June this year adding that 32 of these involved girls and 25 are of sodomy against minors.
Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Usman, has called on people from the northern part of the country support President Muhammadu Buhar...

Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Usman, has called on people from the northern part of the country support President Muhammadu Buharis government instead of joining those criticising it.The monarch made the call on Saturday at the launch of a book titled Limamin Kano Muhammadu Zaharaddeen Dynasty written by Mallam Aminu Abdullahi, a former General Manager of the Katsina State Radio.The Secretary to the Katsina State government, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, and the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, have family ties with the dynasty.The Katsina monarch said, During this trying period, we as Northerners are expected to support President Buhari and his team and not to criticize them. What has been damaged for 16 years will take time to rectify. President Buhari is trying his best to rectify the situation and we must support and encourage him.Also at the event were Governor Aminu Masari, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Umar, among other dignitaries.According to the Katsina emir what should be paramount in the mind of every Nigerian now is moving the nation forward and not engaging in gossiping and rumour mongering.Usman implored the people to purify their minds and resolve to be good always for the overall development of the society, citing appropriate portions of the Quran to buttress his points.The Emir of Kano, in his brief remarks at the occasion, highlighted the importance of both Islamic and Western education, calling for the embrace of the two types of education for the development of the society.Masari also spoke about the importance of education, maintaining that appropriate education would help reduce many ills of the society.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has returned to operating losses in June, after recording a N274 million surplus in May...

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has returned to operating losses in June, after recording a N274 million surplus in May 2016.While refining capacity fell to a new low, the corporation lost N26.505 billion in June but paid N55.96 billion into the federation account.According to NNPCs June financial statement, NNPC lost N4.69 billion to the countrys underwhelming refineries.Warri and Port Harcourt refineries produced at 24.4 percent and 11.8 percent capacity, while Kaduna refinery produced at zero percent, for the month of June.The report indicates a deficit of N26.51 billion as against trading surplus of N274million reported in May, 2016. This trading surplus does not represent net profit as there are other expenses that should ordinarily have been captured.The deficit in the month of June 2016 was majorly due to decrease in revenue generation as a result of decline in PPMC petroleum products sales by 13.30% or N14.9billion and increase in products distribution costs.Also June 2016 operations witnessed the major impact of incessant vandalism, during the month more than 261 vandalized points were recorded.In NPDC a substantial portion of crude oil sales for the month estimated to be in excess of the deficit could not be realized due to Force Majeure declared by SPDC as a result of vandalized 48-inch Forcados export line.NNPC attributed its poor performance to a rise in vandalism in the Niger Delta region.Poor performance is attributable to upsurge in attack and sabotage of oil facilities in the Niger Delta.At Forcados Terminal alone about 380,000bopd were shut in since February 2016 following Force majeure declared by SPDC. A number of crude oil Liftings were deferred until the repair is completed.Other major terminal affected by the renewed spate of vandalism includes Bonny, Usan and Que Ibo terminals. Total export crude Oil & Gas receipt for the period of July 2015  June 2016 stood at $3.42Billion.NNPC said work is ongoing to run the refineries at a minimum of 70 percent capacity utilization within the next six to eight months.Co-locating smaller but cost efficient modular refineries within the existing refineries premises to boost the nations refining capacity from 445,000 barrels per day to 650,000, it said.
The All Progressives Congress has made no less than N121m from governorship aspirants in Ondo State. As of Friday when collection of t...

The All Progressives Congress has made no less than N121m from governorship aspirants in Ondo State.As of Friday when collection of the Nomination and the Declaration of Interest Forms by aspirants closed, 23 of them, including a female, had picked the forms.The Nomination Form went for N5m, while the Declaration of Interest Form sold for N500,000The forms are a prerequisite for any governorship aspirant to participate in the partys primary.The primary holds on August 27, while the election holds on November 26, 2016.Some political parties, including the APC, offer female contestants forms for free to allow for more women participation in such contests.The 22 male aspirants, who paid N5.5m each for the forms, have paid a total of N121m into the coffers of the APC.The deadline for the submission of forms is Monday (tomorrow).Some of the APC governorship aspirant who picked the forms include a former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olusola One, who contested against outgoing Governor Olusegun Mimiko (then in the Labour Party) on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2012 and scored the second highest votes; and a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association and the APC candidate in the 2012 election, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).Meanwhile, the Ondo State Governorship Screening Committee and the Appeal Committee will begin the verification of aspirants on Tuesday.The committees, which were inaugurated by the APC on Wednesday, were saddled with the responsibility of testing the eligibility of governorship aspirants on the platform of the party for the forthcoming poll in the state.The committees are chaired by the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Agunwa Anaekwe, respectively.The National Organising Secretary of the APC, Mr. Osita Izunaso, inaugurated the committees at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Governor Adams Oshiomhole to refund the illegal deductions made fro...

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Governor Adams Oshiomhole to refund the illegal deductions made from statutory allocations to the local government councils in the state.The PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, who stated this at a press briefing in Okada, Ovia North East Local Government Area, said this would enable the local councils pay all arrears of workers salaries ranging from six to 18 months.He said the deductions made at the Governors Office were enough to pay salaries of council workers and that the allocations to local councils published in the newspapers are different from what is actually released to the councils.Orbih challenged the state government to publish what has been paid to the local governments from the internally generated revenue since he assumed office almost eight years ago.He said the government would not have had difficulties paying salaries, if local councils were left to manage their allocations, including internally generated revenues (IGR).Orbih urged local council workers to protect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and to use it to vote out the APC during the September 10 governorship election.His words: We can confirm that the reason why he has refused to conduct elections to fill the vacant positions of chairmen and councilors is to enable him squander allocations due the local governments in the name of saving it for them.The truth is that rather than supporting the local government councils, Oshiomhole has impoverished them by not only denying them their full allocations as and when due, but also by denying them their share of state IGR.Head of Service, Akoko Edo Local Government Area, Mr. Tom Ebhotemen described the PDPs allegations as baseless. He said members of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) were aware that the state government does not touch local council money.His words: We are aware that the state government does not take any kobo from our allocation. The problem is that the allocation has dropped; we have been paying teachers salary and we have also been paying our own workers salaries. We have been doing projects before and paying salaries as well. The problem is that the allocation dropped sharply. Anybody who says the state government tinkers with our money is lying.NULGE is aware that the state government does not touch our money; they are also aware of the drop in allocation; all they ask is for us to alternate the payment of primary school teachers and their members, such that if we pay primary school teachers fully this month, we should pay NULGE members fully the next month.
The National Parents and Teachers Association of the Federal Government Colleges has protested against the increase in the school fees o...

The National Parents and Teachers Association of the Federal Government Colleges has protested against the increase in the school fees of unity schools by the Federal Government, describing it as commercialisation of education.The organisation warned that the new fees, if not reversed, would force parents to withdraw their children from the unity colleges.The association in a communique read to journalists by its National President, Dr. Gabriel Nnaji, at the end of its National Executive Council meeting, said the increment from N20,000 to N75,000 was untimely and insensitive by the government.According to him, the fee was increased on June 1 by the government.The communique partly read, The increase of school fees from about N20,000 to about N75,000 in unity colleges is most untimely and insensitive. An average Nigerian worker whose minimum wage is N18,000 and who has one or two children in the unity colleges will be unable to keep his or her child or children in the unity colleges.The recent increase is a negation of the policy or principle that established unity colleges which is to make basic and secondary education affordable and accessible to an average Nigerian student.The association therefore appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the members of the National Assembly to compel the Federal Ministry of Education to revert to the old fee regime as the education of Nigerian children is a right and not a privilege.The association will continue to partner the Federal Ministry of Education by complementing the efforts of the ministry in the provision of basic facilities in the unity colleges, Nnaji said.According to him, while NAPTAFEGC appreciated the Federal Ministry of Education in making the payment of insurance levy in the unity colleges optional, the association frowns on any attempt to commercialise or make the cost of training Nigerian children in the unity colleges beyond the rich of an average Nigerian parent.He said, Enough budgetary provision should be adequately made and very timely released to the unity colleges to enable students to continue to compete very favourably with students of other academically sound private colleges.The issue of security in unity colleges must be given the deserved attention and commitment all the time. Students who have paid for books should always be made to receive them in good time and not when they are no longer needed.
Former Chairman, DAAR Communications and Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has said that 99.9 per ce...

Former Chairman, DAAR Communications and Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has said that 99.9 per cent of PDP members are with Senator Makarfi, the partys caretaker chairman.He made the assertion while speaking with newsmen in Kano over the leadership tussle in PDP between former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi.According to him, only a handful who goes about with Senator Sherrif has access to the media, the court and may be the police.He however, said contrary to insinuations that there was leadership tussle between Senators Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi and Ahmadu Sherrif over who pilots the party affairs,such insinuation is not correct.Dokpesi who is running for the National Chairman of the party, was during a campaign tour to Kano state clarified this position while speaking with newsmen, explaining that what looks like a leadership issue would amicably be resolved in no time in the overall interest of the party.Let me leave you in no doubt that 99.9 percent of PDP members are with Senator Makarfi as the caretaker chairman while only a handful who goes about with Senator Sherrif has access to the media, the court and may be the police.There is no querel between Makarfi and Sherrif because it is the party at the Port Harcourt gathering that mandated Makarfi to chair the caretaker committee to organize the national convention now scheduled to hold August 17th at portharcourt.Makarfi was in Kaduna when he was called upon to take this assignment being a two term governor, two term Senator and someone who has a good knowledge of the party, so he is not contesting any position with any body, it is the party decision as taken by the overwhelming stakeholders in Port Harcourt then, he emphasised.On his chances of emerging as the National Chairman of the party among other contestants, he said, I am very ready to take on any contestant, expressing optimism that his chances of emergence were very bright.He explained that he had consulted widely and canvassed among party delegates who assured him of their support. I have gone round over 28 states canvassing for their support and their responses have been very encouraging and outstanding, so I am not afraid to take on anybody.My plans are to re-unite, re-energise, rebrand the party to its past glory, he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday launched the airlifting of Nigerian pilgrims from Sokoto to Saudi Arabia for the 2016 hajj.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday launched the airlifting of Nigerian pilgrims from Sokoto to Saudi Arabia for the 2016 hajj.The President, who was represented by the state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, restated the commitment of the Federal Government to make Nigeria a better place for all.We are fully committed to introducing policies and programmes to better the lives of all Nigerians, including generations yet unborn, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted President Buhari as saying at the forum.He charged the officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to accord priority to the welfare and consular services of the pilgrims.The officials should be diligent while the pilgrims should be law abiding.They should also be tolerant with each other and be good ambassadors of their respective families, their states and Nigeria in general, the President counseled.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug 9

By Dalga Khatinoglu  Trend:

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific Affairs Ebrahim Rahimpour has said that Irans trade ties with Russia and Azerbaijan witnessed a significant boost immediately after the removal of sanctions followed by the implementation of the joint comprehensive plan of action (JCPOA).

He also touched upon an agreement between Iran and Russia for constructing nuclear power plants in the Islamic Republic adding that Russia will build eight power plants in Iran.

Russia has constructed Iran's first nuclear power plant, Bushehr, with 1,000 megawatts capacity and it is preparing for building new plants in Iran.

Iran has planned to increase its nuclear power generation capacity to 2,000 megawatts by 2035.

Obstacles against improving Irans ties with Russia and Azerbaijan are being removed one by one, Rahimpour added.

Azerbaijan's exports to Iran in 1H16 increased 203% to $23.61 million, while its imports from Iran increased 55.5% to $66.137 million according to The State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan's statistics.

There is not any official statistics about Iran, Russia trade turnover during this period, but Iran's Ambassador to Moscow Mehdi Sanayee said earlier that the trade exchange between the two countries in the first half of 2016 registered 67 percent growth in compare to the corresponding period last year.

Rahimpour elaborated on a decision by Moscow to allocate a $5 billion loan to Tehran saying that the decision is very likely to be fulfilled in future.

The deputy minister welcomed Russia to invest in Iran saying this would benefit both, Iran and Russia.
TRENTON -- As his mother wiped away tears, Dan Liebenthal told a panel of New Jersey lawmakers Monday that falling behind on his student loan payments robbed him of a future.

Liebenthal, of Brick, took out a NJ Class loan to help cover the costs of Full Sail University, a for-profit college in Florida where he was picked by classmates and faculty as a graduation speaker, he said.

Since he graduated, Liebenthal, 27, has yet to make more than $27,000 a year and has been unable to pay the $850 he owes each month on his college loan. Denied a new repayment plan from the agency that oversees New Jersey's student loan program, Liebenthal still lives with his mother and has been overwhelmed by stress.

"It's been a complete nightmare," Liebenthal said. "Every day of my life when I wake up I have to remind myself that there's no way out of it right now."

Liebenthal joined other borrowers and their parents Monday in sharing horror stories of dealing with the state's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, the agency that oversees New Jersey's student loan program.

Lawmakers called the hearing after a joint investigation by The New York Times and ProPublica detailed how HESAA has some of the nation's strictest loan terms, and, in many cases, refuses to forgive debt of borrowers who die after college.

The investigation uncovered emails showing HESAA staffers were told not to tell families they may qualify for loan forgiveness unless they specifically ask about it.

HESAA officials declined to testify in person, saying the agency is conducting its own review of its polices and practices and it would be premature to discuss them. It has disputed the conclusions of the investigation.

In a letter submitted as testimony, HESAA Executive Director Gabrielle Charette said the agency hopes to ensure that each case is handled with "appropriate compassion for the individual circumstances of the borrower."

However, those who did testify painted a picture of an inflexible and unmerciful agency that offers no grace period after college, refuses to rehabilitate defaulted loans and leaves borrowers in financial ruin.

"They don't care," said Deborah Carney-Gumpper, a mother who said her son paid off $10,000 but was forced to file for bankruptcy after a dispute with HESAA. "They want their money, and they don't care where it comes from."

Though NJ Class loans are administered by HESAA, they are actually financed by Wall Street bonds. HESAA regulations allow for loan forgiveness only if the borrower dies and there is no cosigner, according to the written testimony submitted.

A policy adopted by the HESAA board in 2015 calls for loan forgiveness when the borrower dies and the cosigner has a financial hardship, the agency said.

Over the past 10 years, HESAA has forgiven 670 loans totaling $6.8 million, the agency said. Of those, 160 loans worth $1.7 million were forgiven even though they had a cosigner because HESAA recognized the financial hardship.

Some requests were denied because the consigner refused to provide documentation of their financial condition, the agency said.

At the conclusion of the hearing, lawmakers said they will consider wholesale changes to the state's loan program and criticized HESAA official for not attending.

"This strikes me as more of a scam than a public service," Sen. Bob Gordon (D-Bergen) said after taking testimony. "I personally am outraged by what I heard."

Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) called the absence of HESAA representatives "another indication of how irresponsible they continue to be." She introduced legislation that would require HESAA to forgive loans any time the borrower dies.

A separate bipartisan bill also introduced Monday would force HESAA to get a court order before it can garnish wages, rescind state income tax refunds or take other collection actions.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- Parking violators on Rutgers University's five campuses in New Brunswick and Piscataway paid $4.9 million in fines last year, according to a report.

Rutgers handed out about $5 million in parking tickets during the 2014-15 school year, according to a report. (Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-Ledger)

The school handed out almost 90,000 tickets in 2014-15, MyCentralJersey.com reported.

Fines have doubled or tripled for some violations since 2008. For example, getting caught not displaying a parking tag set a driver back $10 then. Now it's a $25 fee. A $50 ticket for displaying a fraudulent registration in 2008 now costs $100 to resolve.

School officials told MyCentralJersey.com a smaller percentage of students are opting to purchase permits now. Commuters would rather take a chance that they won't get a ticket instead of paying for a yearly permit that ranges from $160 to $325, the report says.

Department of Transportation head Jack Molenaar told the website that there is ample parking on Rutgers' flagship campus in Central Jersey but "people are too lazy to walk far distances."

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
petes-dragon-the-dragon-flies.jpg

'Pete's Dragon' takes wing

(DISNEY)

Can "Pete's Dragon" do for lonely dragons what "E.T." did for homesick extraterrestrials?

That's clearly the hope at Disney whose big bold new version of its 1977 movie completely rewrites the story while upgrading the silly scaly cartoon guy to a sweet fuzzy CGI character.

And while it's a remake, it may end up reminding you of more than one movie.

The original "Pete's Dragon" came before "E.T," of course, but in retrospect you can feel its influence on the Steven Spielberg classic. Fractured family, lonely kid, protective creature, stupid adults - there are a lot of the same elements. (The dragon is even named Elliot.)

What people might not remember now, though, is that - sorry to break the news - great as "E.T." was, the original "Pete's Dragon" wasn't. You may feel otherwise if you saw it as a kid, especially if you haven't seen it since. But it's too long, the animation is ugly, and the songs are painful.

What this new version does is strip away the excesses (including the music) and dig even deeper down to the same very primal feeling "E.T." did - the classic misunderstood-boy-and-his-ugly-dog story.

Except in this case the boy is an orphan living in the woods of the Pacific Northwest and the dog is actually a flying, fire-breathing beast. Although he still likes having his fur petted.

Actually, that fur takes some getting used to; it seems like a painfully obvious way to help the merchandizing department market plush toys. In fact, this time around Elliot seems less like a gargantuan lizard and more like just a very large, extra-sloppy Newfoundland.

But despite that distraction - and what seems like, especially this year, a very obvious "Jungle Book" beginning - "Pete's Dragon" eventually settles into a friendly rhythm.

Credit director David Lowery for that. At first, he seemed like an odd choice for a Disney kid's film. His roots are indie, and not particularly populist; he likes to challenge audiences. (Apart from making his own films, he also edited Shane Carruth's nearly unfathomable "Upstream Color.")

But Lowery's first film, "St. Nick," was about runaways, and his second, "Ain't Them Bodies Saints," was a rural crime story that also had a real feeling for the nation's wild spaces. A movie about a back-to-nature orphan wasn't really that much of a stretch after all.

And Lowery has responded to the material by creating a truly primordial land. (Although the film is set in America's logging country, it was shot in New Zealand.) It may seem absurd that a creature from the Dark Ages could be hiding out just a quick car ride from Portland. But then Lowery takes you into the green hush of those dark woods and you believe.

True, the plot doesn't immediately sort itself out and when it does, its politics are a little too groovily predictable (the villain is a logger cutting down old-growth trees - and a hunter, to boot). The appearance of old Robert Redford as a crafty woodsman only doubles down on the tree-hugging. Even if you agree with the film's point of view - maybe especially if you do - it feels a bit obvious.

But Bryce Dallas Howard, who's ditched the high heels she wore through "Jurassic World," is a good compassionate choice as a no-nonsense forest ranger, and little Oakes Fegley is fine as the wild child Pete. His reactions, and interactions, with Elliot feel real.

And the movie hits a real emotional point as - of course - the usual band of know-nothing adults gang up to try to hurt Elliot, or make money off him, and it's time for Pete to spring to his rescue.

Because no matter how many times a story is remade or rebooted, a few things remain eternal. The unfairness of adult punishment, the arbitrary rules that only a child knows make no sense - that's a fountain of raw emotion, and its why generations of kids have cried over Frankenstein's monster, King Kong and E.T.

Or even a giant fuzzy dragon.

Ratings note: The film contains violence.

'Pete's Dragon' (PG) Disney (102 min.) Directed by David Lowery. With Bryce Dallas Howard, Oakes Fegley, Robert Redford. Now playing in New Jersey.

Stephen Whitty may be reached at stephenjwhitty@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwhitty. Find him on Facebook.


mr0821waterLNS.JPG

Former Newark Office of Emergency Management Director Keith Isaac steps away from Echo Lake Reservoir in West Milford, one of five reservoirs in the Newark Watershed in a 2009 file photo. Isaac settled his wrongful termination suit against the city earlier this year for $380,000.

(Sarah Schillaci/New Jersey Local News Service)

NEWARK -- A former Newark official who says he was fired for "purely political reasons" settled his lawsuit against the city for $380,000.

Keith Isaac worked as Newark's Emergency Management Coordinator from Aug. 17, 2007 until Mayor Ras J. Baraka ordered him to be let go on July 11, 2014. Isaac was serving his second full three-year term at the time.

A mayor can't remove an emergency management coordinator, according to state law. Only a governor is authorized to fire someone in that position. Isaac was hired when Cory Booker was Newark's mayor.

The news was first reported by NJ Civil Settlements, which provides a partial list of settlements paid by New Jersey government agencies and their insurers to those who have sued them.

The lawsuit asserts that immediately after a staff meeting on July 11 2014, Kecia Daniels, the city's personnel director, asked Isaac to come to her office. Daniels then gave him a letter dated that day, "advising him that his services as EMC were 'no longer required,'" the lawsuit states.

"Daniels failed to provide any reasons for plaintiff's termination," the lawsuit states. "When plaintiff asked the reasons for his termination, Daniels responded, 'I don't know. They just told me to serve you this letter and let you go.'"

Newark agreed to the settlement on April 16, but failed to pay Isaac the first installment of $190,000 due to him 60 days later, according to a motion he filed. Isaac later withdrew the motion.

He is owed the rest of the money on Jan. 31, 2017.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEWARK -- Four women are challenging a New Jersey law that they say unfairly targets same-sex couples hoping to conceive a child through fertility treatments.

Erin and Marianne Krupa of Montclair, Sol Mejias of North Bergen, and Sarah Mills of Union City, filed suit on August 1 against Richard J. Badolato, the commissioner of the state Department of Banking and Insurance.

According to the suit, the women were denied insurance coverage for their fertility treatments because of the wording of an N.J. law that requires women to prove their infertility not only through medical diagnosis, but through unprotected heterosexual sex. The law, the four women argue in the suit, discriminates against infertile gay couples trying to conceive.

According to the civil suit, the Krupas have been trying to conceive a child since 2013. Fertility doctors found several benign cysts on Erin Krupas' uterus, and found that she suffered from endometriosis, making her infertile, the suit says.

State law requires large insurance providers to cover costly fertility treatments for patients medically unable to have children. The couples take issue with how the law defines infertility, which includes the inability to become pregnant after one or two years of unprotected sex, depending on a woman's age. Insurance companies have been able to deny coverage to gay patients who, although they have been medically diagnosed infertile, do not fit the definition, the suit says.

"Despite having a medical diagnosis of infertility, because, as a lesbian in a committed relationship, Erin could not show that she had unprotected sexual intercourse with a man for the requisite period, the Krupas were not protected by the mandate," the suit reads.

The Krupas, and Mejias and Mills -- who are attempting to start families with their respective partners -- are coincidentally all clients of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. All of the women were initially denied coverage, and paid for the costly procedures out of pocket, the suit claims.

After the Krupas spent more than $25,000 on failed infertility treatments, the suit says, the insurance company did agree to pay for their continued treatments. It has denied to pay for Meijas' and Mills' treatments, under the definition in the state statute, the suit said.

"Horizon covers infertility services equally regardless of sexual orientation. We interpret the 2001 New Jersey law defining infertility in a gender and orientation neutral manner and our coverage standard complies with federal non-discrimination requirements," a Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield spokesman said in a statement to NJ Advance Media Monday morning.

"Members unable to conceive due to medical or biological reasons are covered for the specific infertility benefits included in their policy. Horizon is committed to equality, values our LGBTQ members, and is sensitive to their unique healthcare challenges and needs. We regularly review our standards and procedures to ensure parity and fairness for all of our members."

The suit does not take issue with Horizon's denials, but rather the state law that inspired them, it says. The state Department of Banking and Insurance acknowledged, but did not respond, to a request for comment on the suit Monday.

Grace Cretcher, an attorney representing the women, said the suit is both personal for the plaintiffs attempting to have children, and political, working against a mandate that she called "so narrowly and specifically worded."

Given the passage of marriage equality laws and advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ rights in recent years, Cretcher said she finds that many New Jersey residents are surprised that the wording in the mandate has not been changed.

"The status quo is very powerful," she said. "Things have been this way for so long, they feel normal to us...(but if something) feels unfair, I always encourage people to question it."

As originally reported in the New York Times, New Jersey is one of 15 states that requires insurance companies to cover fertility treatments. Of those, California and Maryland have updated the definitions of infertility in those laws to be inclusive of same sex couples, the article says.

Though none of the women who filed the suit have been able to conceive yet, and all are continuing to try via various fertility methods, they say in the suit that they are hoping not only to recoup money they have spent on treatments, but change the law for future lesbian couples trying to have children.

"Every day that New Jersey law continues to exclude women in same-sex relationships from the protections of the infertility mandate, these women must either wait for the law to change as their childbearing years continue to slip away or, if they have any available resources, bankrupting themselves and their families in order to pay for fertility care that is automatically covered for straight women," it says.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8 By Fatih Karimov  Trend: An Iranian airplane traveling from the country's southern city of Bushehr to Tehran forced to make urgent landing after experiencing technical problems. The airplane made an urgent landing in Esfahan airport today morning, Irans official IRNA news agency reported Aug. 8. The Airbus 300- type airplane belongs to the Islamic Republic's flag carrier-Iran Air. Reportedly the airplane which was carrying 236 passengers faced a failure in one of its engines. Ali Mostafavi, an official with Esfahan airport said that no one was harmed in the incident, adding the aircrafts technical problem will be fixed in coming days. Iran has suffered a series of airplane crashes, blamed on its aging aircraft and poor maintenance. Western sanctions prevented Iran from updating its US aircrafts and make it difficult to get European spare parts or planes. The country has come to rely on Russian aircraft, many of them Soviet-era planes. The country needs at least 550 new passenger planes until 2025 to renovate its ageing fleet. The Iranian airlines currently have a total of 266 aircraft. Only 12 of those planes were made after 2000.
Macedonia declared a state of emergency in its capital Skopje and neighboring districts on Sunday, a day after at least 21 people were killed in flash floods caused by a storm, Reuters reported.

Torrential rains flooded homes, swept away a section of the ring road around Skopje and wrecked cars late on Saturday evening. Northern suburbs of the capital were particularly hard hit, though the city center also suffered flash floods.

Children were among those killed, a police spokesman said, adding that searches were continuing for six people who have been reported missing.

Macedonia, a small former Yugoslav republic of about two million people, has declared Monday a day of national mourning.

"This is a catastrophe of unprecedented magnitude," Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Todorov told reporters.

Special police forces and trucks loaded with drinking water were sent to the worst affected areas, where there also have been some electricity outages and where scattered debris of furniture swept away from houses could be seen on the streets, a Reuters reporter said.

The rain had stopped by Sunday morning and water levels were receding, though there was some more rain on Sunday evening in Skopje. There were no reports of further flash flooding.

European Union Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said on Twitter that the EU stood ready to help Macedonia, which is a candidate to join the bloc.

Further north in the Balkans, in Croatia, heavy winds caused disruptions on some roads, including the closure of the highway linking the capital Zagreb to southern coast for lorries and buses, local media said.
Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan have urged the international community to join efforts in the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, according to a draft declaration obtained by RIA Novosti.

The sides are determined to counter terrorism, extremism, cross-border crime, illegal arms trade, drug trafficking, human trafficking and crime in the sphere of ICT, according to the draft declaration.

The sides urge the international community to join efforts to effectively address these challenges and threats to international stability and security under the central coordinating role of the UN, read the declaration, which must be approved by the leaders of the three countries following the summit in Baku.

It is also noted that the parties strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, note the importance of bilateral and trilateral consultations to exchange views on the development of the situation and work out measures to effectively combat terrorism.

The parties recognize that unresolved conflicts in the region are a major obstacle to regional cooperation, and in this regard stress the importance of their early settlement through negotiations and based on principles and norms of international law, according to the draft declaration.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Three generals and 60 officers who are accused of involvement in the military coup attempt in Turkey, have fled to northern Iraq, the Milliyet newspaper reported Aug. 8.

The fugitive servicemen are currently hiding in the camps of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) terrorist group, according to the intelligence service and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Turkey.

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. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246 people excluding the coup plotters and over 2,000 people were wounded.

Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Joshua Every is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Taylor Friloux.
The federal government plans to pour $125 million into the fight against a mysterious disease that has ravaged corals in Florida and much of the Caribbean, and now poses a dire threat to the treasured reefs off the Louisiana and Texas coasts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Head of a large company producing vegetable oil Orkide Yaglari Ahmet Kucukbay has been detained in Turkey, the Milliyet newspaper reported Aug. 8.

Kucukbay is accused of sponsorship and having ties with the movement of Fethullah Gulen, who is involved in the military coup attempt in Turkey.

The Orkide Yaglari company was founded in 2003 and exports vegetable oil to 102 countries around the world.

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. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246 people excluding the coup plotters and over 2,000 people were wounded.

Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
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.
Welcome to nonleaguedaily.coms news provision, your go-to source for all non league updates, rumours, interviews, and much more besides.

Founded by a team with a genuine passion for the world of non league football, nonleaguedaily.com understands exactly what supporters of the so-called lower leagues are looking for. You want the high-quality reporting, in-depth analysis, and match reporting that matches that is more commonly found in the journalism for the top flights, but with the focus firmly fixed on the national leagues.

We understand that your passion, interest, and dedication is constant, and we believe you need a news service that matches that commitment with its own dedication and thoroughness  so thats what you can expect from our site.

The latest non league news, as and when it happens

Conventionally, non league news has always travelled fairly slowly, especially when compared to the instantaneous, constant breaking news cycles found in the upper leagues. Tales are told on terraces, rumours passed between pub patrons and circled between supporters at the latest game, often forced to remain somewhat local initially before word eventually spreads to other locales.

For us, this slow spread may be fairly organic in nature, but it simply isnt compatible with the modern football environment. Its also not conducive to the current fast-paced, always-available media landscape, nor the way that people tend to consume news nowadays. Thats why we have put together a non league news source that fans can turn to for the latest updates, as and when they happen, and as and when you want to read them. Non-league news now is the only acceptable speed at Betting.co.uk.

We update our non-league football news coverage constantly, bringing you all the latest developments and seeking to spread the word as quickly and accurately as possible. So if youre wondering whats happening both with your local team and with the lower leagues as a whole, you can visit us for non league news now, and be confident the stories you find are completely up to date.

News reported by passionate fans

Our efforts to bring you the very best non league football news are undeniably a professional concern, and one that we take seriously. We are  if youll excuse the uncharacteristic tooting of our own horns  good at what we do, and we know that the efforts we make in this regard are one of the reasons our site has enjoyed such success thus far.

However, everyone who writes for us also shares our readers enthusiasm for non league football. Were not just churning out content in the hopes of cashing in on a professional dream; were here because we want to be, and will always be dedicated and committed to non league football as an entity and thriving in the experience of being able to talk about our favourite subject whenever we can. We create non-league news now that is written by genuine fans and enthusiasts, for fans. We know what you want to know and what matters most to an ardent non league supporter, and we always ensure that focusing on these elements is our guiding principle as we seek to solidify our status as an online non league paper fans can always rely on.

When compiling non league news, we think with the mind of a fan first and foremost. We cover the angles and stories that we find compelling and that we know our fellow non league enthusiasts also care about. News doesnt have to be dry and formulaic, in our opinion. When its written by people who are genuinely as fascinated by the stories they are reporting on as their readership will be, we believe news can be interesting, compelling, and even have a sense of personality and humour.

News content written with passion and expertise

We believe that thanks to our dedication, insightfulness, and commitment to our subject matter of non league today, we are offering the best of both worlds to those searching for an online non league paper. We give you the professional approach we feel is appropriate for news about one of the most intriguing aspects of UK football; an aspect that we genuinely feel does not receive the interest and plaudits that it should be generating. Nevertheless, we dont let that professionalism take over everything we do: we remain committed fans, nurturing our own personal interest in non league football and ensuring every word we compose is infused with a sense of passion and dedication that enhances the posts we create.

Its therefore obvious that our non-league content today isnt ever going to be dry, basic, or put together by a tired staff writer who has never heard of any team below the Championship before they rush off to the pub for the evening. Our writers are genuine experts: were covering non league football because we want to, because we believe in it, and because its where our strengths lie. The result is informed content that capitalises on our deep knowledge of the history, as well as the present-day realities, of non league football in the UK.

Beyond news: the nonleaguedaily.com interview series

One of our goals with nonleaguedaily.com is to not just dryly report the news from an outsiders perspective, effectively regurgitating press releases that are devoid of genuinely illuminating information. We also go right to the source of the stories: the managers and club insiders who have direct experience, and often influence, on the sport and how it is managed.

We regularly conduct interviews as part of our news provision, asking the questions that are on everyones lips and providing the best possible view into the non league world. We have reporters pitchside at matches, microphone to hand and plentiful questions ready to be asked. The end result for you, the reader, is the kind of information and close-up looks into the non league world that just cant be found anywhere else.

As our commitment to providing interesting interviews amply demonstrates, we want to be involved in breaking the stories that everyone then talks about, rather than following along and focusing solely on what everyone already knows. If youre looking for leading content that you cant find anywhere else, and that goes right to the centre of the non league world, then you can turn to nonleaguedaily.com for all the benefits of a conventional non league paper, but in electronic, easily-accessed form.

A host of other content to enjoy alongside the non league today

Our focus on providing non league news will always be maintained: we consider this aspect the most important of what we do, and it will always be the recipient of our time, dedication, and interest. Well be here, a consistent and trustworthy news portal, for as long as non league football news exists.

With that said, when you have read up on the latest goings-on, were here with further content for you to enjoy. Naturally, given our partnership with leading brand Betting.co.uk, we provide guidelines for those interested in the world of sports betting. Well help you find the best UK bookmaker with our plentiful coverage of existing brands; ideal if youre looking to put your newfound knowledge, courtesy of us, about non league to use and place a few bets.

Furthermore, we also provide highlights of all the latest UK betting offers, so you can ensure youre achieving the best value with all the latest betting deals whenever youre betting on the latest non league matches. Youll find all of this coverage is as consistent and reliable as our non league news provision,

Non league features and deep dives

Returning to the world of non league football, we also provide a range of feature content that goes deeper and further into the non league world than ever before. Less instantaneously topical but still hugely relevant to the modern game, our features are the dream deep dives that we feel non league fans deserve. Were always striving to do better, offer more, and ensure that non league fans can enjoy the same wealth of content as followers of the top tiers, so you can expect top-flight content with the same commitment and dedication as found throughout the upper echelons of the sport.

So whether youre looking to find the most recent non league football news, seeking a new bookmaker for your non league bets, or hoping to delve deep into a niche non league-related topic, nonleaguedaily.com is always going to be worth a visit.

Return to nonleaguedaily.com for all your non league news needs

Weve told you what you can expect from nonleaguedaily.coms news; now we need to put our confidence where our promises are, make sure we deliver on those promises, and establish trust as an online non league paper you can trust. We look forward to welcoming you back to our news section and showcasing the best we have to offer, from exciting new non league interviews to cutting-edge news to transfer speculation. If you want to truly have your finger on the non league pulse, then nonleaguedaily.com is always going to be here for you.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

If the European Union (EU) doesnt cancel visa regime with Turkey in mid-October, Ankara wont be able to receive illegal migrants from the EU, TRT Haber news channel reported Aug. 8 citing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan said that the EU should keep its word given to Ankara.

Speaking about the attempted military coup in Turkey, Erdogan noted that Ankara didnt receive the expected and necessary support from the West after the military coup attempt.

Turkish president added that the EU left Turkey alone with its problems.

Heads of states and governments of the EU member countries agreed a joint plan with Turkey in mid-March to fight the migration crisis. It envisages, in particular, the return to Turkey of illegal migrants arrived in Greece from Turkeys territory, and receiving legal migrants-Syrians by the EU from Turkey on a one-for-one basis.

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. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246 people excluding the coup plotters and over 2,000 people were wounded.

Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Community

Its now easier than ever to connect and chat with others in your local area. You can connect with your community by asking general questions, give area updates and recommendations and even let your community know about local events that are taking place.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

The US didnt provide timely support to Turkey during a military coup attempt, Al Jazeera Turk reported Aug. 8.

After the US Ambassador in Turkey John Bass learned about the military coup attempt at 22:00 local time, he called the US State Department.

Only 40 minutes later, US Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement that the US stands for normalization of the situation in Turkey.

The statement by the US didnt contain any hint of support for Turkey's democracy, the newspaper reported, citing diplomatic sources in Turkey.

Some political circles interpreted this statement that the US was waiting for the results of the military coup attempt in Turkey.

Only at 02:05 (GMT + 3 hours), when the military coup attempt failed, the White House issued a statement in which it clearly expressed support for democracy in Turkey.

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. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246 people excluding the coup plotters and over 2,000 people were wounded.

Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

The US must make a choice between Turkey and Fethullah Gulen, said Turkeys Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus, TRT Haber news channel reported Aug. 8.

Ankara hopes that the issue of Fethullah Gulens extradition will be solved in the near future, said Kurtulmus.

Istanbul court adopted a decision on Aug. 4 to arrest Fethullah Gulen. Gulen is accused of organizing the military coup attempt in Turkey.

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. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246 people excluding the coup plotters and over 2,000 people were wounded.

Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

After the attempted military coup in Turkey, 216 servicemen fled from the country, TRT Haber news channel quoted Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus as saying Aug. 8.

Kurtulmus said that nine of the servicemen, who fled from the country, are generals.

The deputy prime minister also noted that currently, the work is being carried out to identify the whereabouts of the servicemen.

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. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246 people excluding the coup plotters and over 2,000 people were wounded.

Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
The National Wildlife Federation brings nature to life in the pages of our publications, inspiring people of all ages and reading levels to develop a deeper relationship with our natural world.

To learn more about receiving magazines from the National Wildlife Federation, please visit our subscription page.

For information about rights and permissions, visit our Permissions page or contact permissions@nwf.org.
PORTAGE  A Crown Point woman has been accused of stealing more than $900 worth of diapers from Meijer, 6050 U.S., since June 21.

It was her latest trip on Friday that got her caught.

Rachel Martin, 30, was charged with theft and transported to Porter County Jail.

Store officials caught Martin, who had her 2-year-old son with her, allegedly stealing three boxes of diapers worth $95 on Friday afternoon. Martin allegedly put the diapers in her cart with other items and when she went to pay for the other items, showed a clerk an old receipt claiming she had paid for the diapers. She was stopped leaving the store.

According to a loss prevention employee, Martin was viewed on store surveillance allegedly stealing diapers on nine previous trips to the store beginning June 21. The value of those stolen diapers was $845.
VALPARAISO  Porter Superior Court Judge Roger Bradford tossed out a jury verdict Monday against former Portage day care operator William Boyd-Radford, who was found guilty in June of battering a 6-year-old boy in his care.

This verdict is wrong, the judge said.

Bradford, who has set aside only one other criminal verdict during his 35 years on the bench, said the defense in this case was unable to effectively cross-examine the purported victim because the boy claimed at trial not to remember details about the offense. This was in contrast to a video statement taken by defense a couple of years earlier at the time of the alleged incident on July 10, 2014.

Bradford also raised concerns about the jury in the case and two jurors in particular, who he said asked questions more akin to prosecuting attorneys.

There was just something wrong with that jury and that jury verdict in my opinion, Bradford said.

Bradford set aside the verdict during what was supposed to be Boyd-Radfords sentencing hearing. The move places the case back in the hands of prosecutors to decide whether to retry the case, attempt to reach a plea agreement or dismiss the felony-level charge.

The accusations resulted after the boys mother noticed bruises on her sons chest and right ear after picking him up from the former Discovery Playhouse Daycare in Portage, according to court records.

Boyd-Radford, who maintains his innocence, told the boys parents that the child was hit in the chest with a swing when two other children were fighting over it, records show.

But the boy, who required no medical care, said Boyd-Radford injured him after he went potty in his pants during lunch on July 10, 2014. The boy told police Boyd-Radford asked questions which he couldnt answer and then walked him downstairs for a timeout.

The boy said Boyd-Radford punched him numerous times in the chest area and twisted his right ear, police said. Boyd-Radford continued asking questions the boy said he could not answer.

Boyd-Radford had the boy change into dry clothes and sent him out to play, police said.

The prosecutor in the case, Trista Hudson, recently was fired from her post after failing to reveal in an unrelated case that one of two alleged victims made up at least part of the accusations involving child molesting.

Prosecutors asked Monday for a three-year jail sentence for Boyd-Radford, with all but 90 days suspended and to be served on probation. They requested that Boyd-Radford be required to attend anger management classes.

Defense attorney Larry Rogers, who lauded Bradford for doing what he said is the right thing in the case, had asked for no jail time.

He said Boyd-Radford poses no threat to the community and already has lost his livelihood as a result of the accusations.

Rogers also asked the judge to do away with the felony count because of the limitations it would place on his clients life.

Bradford set a status hearing in the case for 9 a.m. Sept. 12 and reminded Boyd-Radford that he remains free on the conditions of his bond.
This week marks our third installment of two new podcasts from The Times.

"Byline" comes at you every Monday morning to listen to during your commute or at the office when you need some inspiration.

The podcast is an in-depth look at one story and the reporter who covered it.

"Byline's" first episode looked at federal drug sentencing changes and the effect those had on Region prisoners. Specifically, we talked to Charles "Duke" Tanner, a Gary boxer who was sentenced to life in prison in 2009.

After President Obama changed the sentencing rules for drug offenders, Tanner successfully petitioned to get his sentence reduced to 30 years.

The podcast also looks at the career of story author Elvia Malagon, who was on her way out. She started a job at The Chicago Tribune last week.

Episode two looked at millennials and home-buying in Northwest Indiana and asked the question: Are millennials choosing not to buy or are there circumstances that make it impossible? Reporter Andrew Steele is also featured.

Today we look at childhood poverty in the Region. We bring you three personal stories of those who have been affected, including Times staffer Damian Rico.

"Byline" is produced by Times Correspondents Andrew Jones and Kale Wilk.

Find all of these at nwi.com/podcasts.

The second new podcast we bring you is called "That's So Region."

It comes at you Thursday afternoons and features a look at the top headlines of the week by digital producer Matt Schubert, History and Political Editor Doug Ross, business reporter Joseph Pete and Features Editor Kerry Erickson.

The first "That's So Region" dealt with the lead contamination in East Chicago, the deputy prosecutor in Porter County who was fired and more.

The second episode looked at BP Whiting Refinery's discharging of about five times more total suspended solids than allowed, as well as a look back at Pierogi Fest and more.

Our third episode will be out Thursday.

Listen to any you have missed and keep up-to-date at nwi.com/podcasts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

By Anakhanum Idayatova  Trend:

Turkish presidents visit to Russia will be the first step towards full normalization of relations between the parties, Matthew Bryza, former US assistant secretary for South Caucasus and former US ambassador to Azerbaijan, told Trend Aug. 8.

Bryza said that in the current situation, when NATO, Europe and the US have not supported Turkey after the military coup attempt, Russia expressed support to Turkey.

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.

The diplomat that today Turkey is in a difficult situation, considering the unstable situation at its borders with Iraq and Syria, the weakened relations with Egypt, problems with Europe and the US.

Russia remains one of the few countries with which Turkey can become closer, he added.

He also noted that during the upcoming meeting, Russian and Turkish leaders will discuss a number of energy projects, including the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, issues of complete removal of sanctions on Turkey and other aspects of restoration of the bilateral ties.

Bryza said the relations between the two countries will be fully restored as soon as the parties agree on all major issues.

Erdogans visit will not bring global changes, noted the diplomat, adding that it is likely to become the first step towards positive changes.

Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Russia on Aug. 9 and will have a meeting with the countrys President Vladimir Putin.

Relations between Moscow and Ankara deteriorated when Turkey shot down a Russian Su-24 bomber with two pilots on board. On June 27, Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a letter of condolences to Putin over the death of a Russian Su-24 pilot and expressed regret over the incident. After the letter, the two countries relations began to improve.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Anahanum
GARY  In a surprise move Friday, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana board of directors accepted the resignation of its executive director and created a new management team with Harry J. Vande Velde III as interim executive director.

Vande Velde replaces Arleen Peterson, who was hired as the Food Banks executive director in March 2013 and who resigned on Friday, said Kris Parker, chairman of the board for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.

I am not at liberty to disclose details (about Petersons resignation), Parker said during a phone interview Monday with The Times.

What I can say is that the thousands of people who are helped each month by the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana and the board of directors remain grateful to Arleen for her hard work over the past three years, said Parker, regional community development educator with Purdue Extension in Porter County.

According to Petersons LinkedIn profile, she has been founder and president of ENZI & Associates from August 2004 to the present.

ENZI is derived from the Swahili language and means to EMPOWER. ENZI works with visionary nonprofit organizations to strategically and successfully manage changes and challenges in the areas of accountability, growth, sustainability, Petersons LinkedIn entry states.

Vande Velde is familiar with the Food Bank and Northwest Indiana, and brings a wealth of knowledge to the interim position, Parker said.

He was president/CEO of the Merrillville-based Legacy Foundation for more than three years from June 2010 to September 2013. That month he was named president of Andrean High School in Merrillville under the Gary Dioceses new president-principal leadership model.

Vande Velde served as president at Andrean High from 2013 until his resignation in July 2015, a little more than a week after the principals resignation.

Fairly soon, the (Food Bank) board will establish a transition team committee to search for a permanent executive director, working with Feeding America, Parker said.

The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana is a nonprofit organization that distributes food to more than 15,000 individuals each month through its more than 100 partner agencies and programs in Lake and Porter counties. It is an affiliate of Feeding America, the nations leading domestic hunger-relief charity.

According to a news release Friday, Vande Velde will work closely with Stephan Beekman, deputy director and head of development at the pantry, as well as with the board of directors to analyze and plan for its future.

The board of directors is energized by the possibilities that this new management team and the subsequent reorganization of roles and responsibilities creates for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, the release stated.
CROWN POINT  As the City Council prepared recently to consider the variance for Locked In, Mayor David Uran noted, This looks like a team building opportunity for the council.

Locked In offers groups of two to eight people a chance to try to escape from a locked room or face death. Locked In at 213 N. Main St. will have two rooms where participants try to find and fathom the clues to escape in under an hour.

Rhonda Wendt, who owns the business along with her daughters Stephanie Kimbrell and Jennifer McMullin, said one room resembles a jail from which the inmates are due to be led away for execution when the sheriff returns from lunch. The second room is supposed to be in a vampires castle and they have an hour before sunset when the vampire awakens.

All the booking for the rooms will be done online at lockedinnwi.com. The cost is $27 per person and the hours of operation will be 2 to 10 p.m. weekdays and 2 to 11 p.m. or midnight on weekends, depending on demand. The rooms will be monitored with cameras and Wendt and her daughters will communicate with participants via walkie-talkies to offer a little help, if needed.

Wendt told the council she hopes to be ready to open by the middle of the month. She said a similar business in Schererville is booked solid. She said she and her daughters, one of whom is a theater major, have created all the effects and clues, which will be changed as needed to keep people coming back.

Questions were raised about the parking because the business has 10 spaces plus access to more in the evenings. Uran said the city is doing a traffic study of Court Street to see if more spaces can be added as was done during West Street improvements last year. He said existing parking on the street, at the rear of the business, is usually full and the added spaces could help Locked In and others.

Councilman Chris Retson said hed heard from several people who were looking forward to the business coming and urged him to vote for it. The council voted unanimously to approve the use variance. Wendt said she hopes Locked In will attract people to the city, who will then patronize other businesses.

The council also approved a use variance for Jesus Garcia, who plans to move his Little Market from Winfield to 1913 E. North St. in Crown Point. The business sells Mexican specialty groceries and prepared food items for carryout. Garcia said he plans to open in September. The council asked that he include a handicapped parking space in front of the store.
"We believe in cherishing the life of our patients in the limited time they have with us. We help them live their last days and cherish the times they still have with their friends and family."
ST. JOHN  Deborah Walters was a stay-at- home mom. Now she will keep tabs on more than $3 billion in taxable value of the booming Tri-Town area.

Republican precinct committee members last week elected Walters the new St. John Township assessor. She was the only candidate for the job to replace Melody Kikkert, who resigned last month to enter the private sector.

Walters said she has attained Level II assessor-appraiser certification from the Indiana Department of Local Government Finances program to professionalize tax valuation and expects to obtain her Level III certificate early next year, qualifying her to run for the office in the 2018 election.

Walters, 61, of Schererville, said she has worked 18 years in the office, primarily as the deputy in charge of dealing with assessment of personal property, which includes farming, industrial and business office equipment.

I was the one they came to if they had a question about whether something was personal property or real property or why they have to file personal property tax forms since they already paid taxes on the equipment they brought. That is a state requirement and all businesses have to pay it, she said.

Walters said she had no experience in assessment or appraisal before she joined the office under the late Hank Adams, who captured the office two decades ago from the Democrats.

At the time, Walters was caring for the elderly mother of one of Adams friends. She applied for a vacancy at the friends urging.

Id worked at child care and elderly care and a little bit of everything so I could stay home, she said. Ive always tried to do what needs to be done. I walked in and Hank gave me a chance.

I like talking to people and helping them out and if we cant solve their problem at least direct them to who they need to talk to. Ive had my time out in the field, but mostly worked in the office.

Indiana once had more than 1,000 township officials who valued real and personal property for taxing purposes. The state and voters abolished all but five of Lakes township assessor offices in 2008 under a local government reform act. Voters passed a referendum sparking the St. John Township assessors office.
VALPARAISO  Police have arrested a man for allegedly using a stolen credit card but are now asking the public's help in identifying other items the man apparently stole but which had not yet been reported to police.

The credit card was reported stolen Friday from a vehicle parked in the 4300 block of Bedford Road. The car was unlocked and several items besides the cards were taken. The victim notified the bank of the theft and was told it had recently been used at the Wal-Mart in Valparaiso.

Police obtained video of the credit card transaction from Wal-Mart as well as a video showing the vehicle being used. A random search of area apartment complexes was undertaken by one officer, who found a car matching the one at Wal-Mart at Andover Apartments.

The officer questioned individuals in the car and one admitted using the stolen cards. Police later learned the individuals were returning from a second trip to Wal-Mart, where they again used the cards. Police charged Steven Schultz, 22, of Valparaiso, with two counts of theft and fraud.

During the investigation, numerous items were found inside the suspect's vehicle that are believed to be stolen. A video is posted on the department's Facebook page of the recovered items, and a link to the page is available on the department's website www.valparaiso.org.

Anyone wishing to claim property can contact police at 462-2135 to file a report and collect the item. The thefts investigation is continuing.
As police in Queens search for the killer of a young runner, authorities in Massachusetts are investigating a similar case also involving a New York City resident this past weekend.

Investigators say Vanessa Marcotte, 27, was visiting family in the Boston area when she disappeared after going out for a walk.

Her body was discovered just before 8:30 p.m. Sunday in a heavily wooded area near her mother's home.

"I must stress that we do not know if this was a random act," said Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. "Investigation has focused on a time frame when Vanessa went out for a walk on Brooke Station Road and when her body was found. That time frame is between the hours of 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. yesterday."

Officials say Marcotte was an account manager for Google and graduated from Boston University in 2011.

A Google spokesman issued the following statement:

"Vanessa Marcotte was a much loved member of the Google team, working in our New York office for the last year and a half, and known for her ubiquitous smile, passion for volunteer work, and love of Boston sports. We are deeply shocked and saddened, and our thoughts are with her family and friends."

Authorities stress the investigation is still in its early stages, but they have advised the public to be vigilant.



The medical examiner is working to determine the cause of death, although police already believe the case is a homicide.


A Bangladeshi immigrant charged with fighting another man on a Queens street says he was only defending himself from an attack motivated by hate. NY1's Ruschell Boone has the story.

Showing us pictures of his injuries and this police surveillance video, Gazi Rahman says his attacker should have been brought up on hate crime charges.

"He punched me and said (expletive) Indian," Rahman said.

Instead police charged both men with assault and gave them desk Appearance Tickets.

Rahman says the altercation began when he was talking on a cell phone on Hillside Avenue and a man identified as Christopher Porr approached him, asking for money. The fight broke out, Rahman says, when he said no. Witnesses tried to help.

"He started saying the same F Indian words over and over again and he was strong and big," said witness Glen Rozado. "Another guy got punched there too."

Rahman is a Bangladeshi immigrant who came to the United States 18 years ago. He suffered a broken nose and other injuries in the attack.

"The police officer said 'You are drunk,'" Rahman said. "I said in my life I never drink."

The May 7 incident has outraged many in this community who are now calling for a full investigation.

[[Fred Simmons, Far Rockaway National Action Network 00:19:30 sot]]

"Any random crime is a crime against the community," said Fred Simmons with the Far Rockaway National Action Network. "Not just that individual."

"No crime should be tolerated at all in the city but especially something that has been documented and clearly shown by NYPD security cameras that a hate crime was committed here," said Queens Senator Leroy Comrie.

Rahman's attorney believes Porr is anti-immigrant because of the incident and postings on his Facebook page.

Citing the police surveillance video, he's calling on the Queens District Attorney to throw out the case against his client and increase the charges against Porr.

"The police should have reviewed the video that they have in their custody, which I got from them, from their camera, before making a decision," said attorney Ali Najmi.

The DA's office says it is reviewing the allegations against both men.
WASHINGTON  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will have to undergo surgery to repair a fractured right elbow, caused when she slipped and fell on her way to a White House meeting on Wednesday evening, the State Department said Thursday.

Mrs. Clinton, 61, was taken to George Washington University Hospital, where doctors determined the break would require an operation, said a State Department spokesman, P. J. Crowley. She is at home, resting comfortably, or uncomfortably, he said.

Mr. Crowley said Mrs. Clinton was reading papers and making calls. But she canceled her public schedule, which included an appearance with the actress Angelina Jolie at an event marking World Refugee Day and an awards ceremony at the American Foreign Service Association.

The mishap occurred as Mrs. Clinton was walking to her car in the basement of the State Department. She was headed to a meeting with President Obama, accompanied by the administrations special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard C. Holbrooke.
In July 1969, the town of Wallkill, N.Y., dealt a potentially mortal blow to Woodstock Ventures, a group of rookie promoters hoping to organize a grand festival of rock music in rural New York.

Fearing hordes of unbathed tripping hippies and wild-eyed radicals, the towns zoning board reversed a previous decision to allow the event. This, it seemed, was the end of the road for the three days of peace, love and music that the organizers envisioned.

Enter Elliot Tiber, one of the unlikeliest heroes of the 1960s counterculture. A former yeshiva student from Brooklyn who did not even smoke marijuana, he spent his weekends helping his parents operate the shabby, money-losing El Monaco Motel in nearby Bethel. During the week, he worked as an interior decorator in Manhattan and frequented the citys gay bars, a routine that had recently plunged him into the Stonewall uprising.

As luck would have it, Mr. Tiber, in his capacity as president of the Bethel Chamber of Commerce  an absurd post, he later said, because there was no commerce  held an official permit, written by himself to himself, to hold a music and arts festival. This was the golden key that unlocked the door that opened onto one of the defining events of the era.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 8

Trend:

Ten foreigners have been detained in Turkey in connection with the attempted military coup in the country, TRT Haber news channel quoted Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus as saying Aug. 8.

Kurtulmus didnt specify the detainees nationality.

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. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246 people excluding the coup plotters and over 2,000 people were wounded.

Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.
Heres what to expect in the week ahead.

OIL INDUSTRY

Signatures due for ballot measures to limit fracking.

Monday is the deadline for environmental activists in Colorado to submit the signatures required to put two proposals on the states ballot in November. Both would restrict hydraulic fracturing in oil and gas fields. Hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking, allows oil companies to fracture shale and other hard rocks with water, chemicals and sand to free oil and gas. Environmentalists contend that the practice can pollute air and local water supplies, but the companies insist it is safe. The more aggressive of the two initiatives would amend the Colorado Constitution to outlaw fracking within 2,500 feet of occupied buildings, water resources and public spaces like parks. Clifford Krauss

Image Joseph C. Papa, Valeants new chief executive. Credit... Chris Goodney/Bloomberg

DRUG INDUSTRY

Valeant earnings may indicate if it can correct course.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals will report its quarterly earnings on Tuesday, providing new clues about how and whether the company can climb out of its current morass. One focus will be on how Joseph C. Papa, Valeants new chief executive, plans to reduce the companys debt to avoid possible violations of its covenants in 2017, according to David Maris, an analyst at Wells Fargo Securities. There is also speculation that Valeant will again reduce its earnings forecasts for 2016, having done so twice already. Mr. Papa was named chief executive in late April, replacing J. Michael Pearson, who had built Valeant through serial acquisitions and aggressive price increases on old drugs. But the once high-flying company fell to earth starting last fall as concerns arose about those price increases, the high debt from all those acquisitions and Valeants once-secret relationship with a mail-order pharmacy. Valeant faces various federal investigations and its stock has fallen more than 90 percent from its peak a year ago. Andrew Pollack

Inflation F.A.Q. Card 1 of 5 What is inflation? Inflation is a loss of purchasing power over time, meaning your dollar will not go as far tomorrow as it did today. It is typically expressed as the annual change in prices for everyday goods and services such as food, furniture, apparel, transportation and toys. What causes inflation? It can be the result of rising consumer demand. But inflation can also rise and fall based on developments that have little to do with economic conditions, such as limited oil production and supply chain problems. Is inflation bad? It depends on the circumstances. Fast price increases spell trouble, but moderate price gains can lead to higher wages and job growth. How does inflation affect the poor? Inflation can be especially hard to shoulder for poor households because they spend a bigger chunk of their budgets on necessities like food, housing and gas. Can inflation affect the stock market? Rapid inflation typically spells trouble for stocks. Financial assets in general have historically fared badly during inflation booms, while tangible assets like houses have held their value better.









ENTERTAINMENT

Iger to discuss Disneys third-quarter results.

It was the Disney earnings call that sent shock waves through the media industry: One year ago, Robert A. Iger, Disneys chief executive, acknowledged that fewer people were subscribing to ESPN as part of a traditional cable package, starting a panic about the future of television. Disneys stock has since fallen 20 percent. So, when Mr. Iger again takes the mike on Tuesday to discuss its fiscal third-quarter results, all eyes will be on ESPN. Insight into Disneys latest thoughts about piping its television networks to consumers over the internet is hoped for.
Think Tanks Become Vehicles for Corporate Influence They are regarded as research centers independent of moneyed interest, but think tanks have to chase funds, too and, in the process, have pushed the agendas of corporate donors.

Thousands of pages of internal memos and confidential correspondence between the Brookings Institution and its donors, obtained by The New York Times and the New England Center for Investigative Reporting, show that financial support bought assurances of donation benefits, which included setting up events featuring corporate executives with government officials. The donors included Lennar Corporation, one of the nations largest home builders; JPMorgan Chase, the nations largest bank; and the software giant Microsoft.

Similar arrangements exist at other think tanks. Executives reject any suggestion that they are tools of corporate influence campaigns and say they are simply teaming up with donors that have similar goals. But lawyers specializing in nonprofit law said the Brookings agreements raised questions. Tax deductions are subsidies that are paid for by all taxpayers, said Miranda Perry Fleischer, a professor at the University of San Diego School of Law. And the reason the subsidy is provided is that the charitable organization is supposed to be doing something for the public good, not that specifically benefits the private individual or corporation in the form of providing them goods or services.
When Anita Hill came out against Clarence Thomas, she got nothing and Clarence Thomas got life tenure, said Linda Hirshman, a Supreme Court biographer and former womens studies professor. If anything would make the idea of women coming forward into a real threat, it would be the wicked confluence of everybodys dad, Bill Cosby, and Roger Ailes, the scariest man in the world  the fact that those two are going down.

Still, workplace advocates caution that a greater sense of power, and even high-profile legal victories, will not necessarily lead to a significant increase in the number of women who take formal action. They note studies indicating that the great majority of sexual harassment incidents at work still go unreported.

Women might feel more qualified for lots of jobs, and they dont expect to get discriminated against, but that has not translated into complaining about harassment, said Chai Feldblum, a commissioner with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission who, along with a colleague, Victoria Lipnic, spent a year producing a report on the subject. The research shows it is unfortunately a reasonable response in most workplaces not to say anything because people will experience retaliation, Ms. Feldblum said.

That sentiment was echoed by Carol Costello, a CNN anchor who, in a segment that aired last week, said that she had been sexually harassed when she was younger. Ms. Costello said she was inspired by the Ailes and Cosby cases to step forward, and thought it was important to add my voice to the cause, but was skeptical about whether it would lead to systemic change.

I still think that there are consequences for women who come forward vocally or file lawsuits, she said in an interview. A part of me still thinks that things havent changed all that much.
For a generation of commercial-watching adolescents, it was an indelible image: an egg, sizzling in a frying pan, representing your brain on drugs. It was a straightforward message, and the ads final line  Any questions?  asked as the egg white clouded and cooked, was strictly rhetorical.

Three decades later, the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids (the group formerly known as the Partnership for a Drug-Free America) is bringing the frying pan out of retirement and firing up the stove again. But this time questions are the point.

The group hopes it can tap into the nostalgia parents may have for the old frying egg ad while also letting them know their children do indeed want answers about drugs.

Any questions was the end. Now its the beginning, said Scott Seymour, chief creative officer at BFG Communications, which created print and digital banner ads for the new campaign. The landscape of drugs has really gotten a lot more complex, so we took this idea of having a succession of questions delivered by kids, he said. The group drew on real inquiries from parents to develop the questions featured in the ads, which cover topics like prescription drugs and marijuana legalization.
A seven-year battle between preservationists and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn over the fate of a church more than a century old will likely end with the arrival of a wrecking ball.

After a series of clashes and compromises, the diocese filed an application in June with the New York City Buildings Department to demolish the church, Our Lady of Loreto, which was built by Italian immigrants in 1908 on the corner of Sackman and Pacific Streets in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn.

It has not yet been determined when the church will be razed, but Catholic Charities Progress of Peoples Development Corporation, the organization that leases the property from the diocese, estimated that it would happen within several months. Catholic Charities plans to build low-income housing on the property.

But members of Save Our Lady of Loreto are hoping to find a way to keep the church from being torn down.
The criminal trial ended more than two and a half years ago, but Judge Jesse M. Furman can still vividly recall the case. It stands out, not because of the defendant or the subject matter, but because of its rarity: In his four-plus years on the bench in Federal District Court in Manhattan, it was his only criminal jury trial.

He is far from alone.

Judge J. Paul Oetken, in half a decade on that bench, has had four criminal trials, including one that was repeated after a jury deadlocked. For Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, who has handled some of the nations most important terrorism cases, it has been 18 months since his last criminal jury trial.

Its a loss, Judge Kaplan said, because when one thinks of the American system of justice, one thinks of justice being administered by juries of our peers. And to the extent that theres a decline in criminal jury trials, that is happening less frequently.

The national decline in trials, both criminal and civil, has been noted in law journal articles, bar association studies and judicial opinions. But recently, in the two federal courthouses in Manhattan and a third in White Plains (known collectively as the Southern District of New York), the vanishing of criminal jury trials has never seemed so pronounced.
KATHMANDU, Nepal  Ten summers ago in Nepal, the Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal emerged from hiding just as the decade-long insurgency he had directed was pushing the countrys monarchy to its knees. The rebel chief was picked up by a government helicopter, then whisked to the prime ministers residence in Kathmandu to begin official peace talks.

By that time, after more than 20 years in hiding, he had become a legend, widely known by his nom de guerre, Prachanda, meaning the fierce one. Few knew what he looked like. Indias restive Communist circles came to extol and emulate his tactical prowess. He had started the civil war, which took more than 16,000 lives, with two rifles from among those dropped by the C.I.A. for Tibetan rebels three decades earlier. The brutal war finally ended when 19,000 Maoist fighters drew an almost 100,000-strong state army into a stalemate and were close to realizing their audacious demand to end the monarchy, which had ruled the country since its birth some 250 years ago.

But already Prachanda was showing signs of what some considered pragmatism and, others, capitulation. He had promised a revolution, but he delivered compromises with Nepals older political parties. They dropped their support for the monarchy; in return, he accepted democracy.

In November 2006, a few months after his emergence, Prachanda signed a peace agreement with G. P. Koirala, then the prime minister, formally concluding the war. Together, the former Maoist guerrilla and the tenacious elder statesman kicked off a historic transition to a federal democratic republic, to be enshrined in a highly anticipated new constitution. Two years later, the monarchy fell and Prachanda was elected prime minister in the Constituent Assembly, a tumultuous term that lasted just a few months.
To dramatize his cry for help, he drafted the governor himself, assigning him as counsel for an indigent man charged with assault. It strikes me that I should begin with the one attorney in the state who not only created this problem, but is in a unique position to address it, Mr. Barrett wrote in a letter to Mr. Nixon, who is a former state attorney general. Mr. Nixons office replied that Mr. Barrett had no such authority because a drafted lawyers cooperation is required under the law. While there undoubtedly are plenty of well-paid statehouse lawyers to debate that point, Mr. Barrett has succeeded in alerting the public to a critical problem that Mr. Nixon has failed to address during his seven years in office. He has rebuffed legislative budget increases across the last several years.

The public defender commission, which oversees the office, is currently suing the governor for vetoing legislatively approved budget increases. The state, which ranks near last in the nation in funding public defenders, has 376 attorneys in an office that needs an additional 270 lawyers to meet basic professional standards, according to a 2014 study.

The office caseload went up 12 percent with 82,000 defendants in the past year. This left staff members handling up to 200 cases each, and averaging about 27 fewer hours per case than is considered necessary for effective representation.

This situation is unconscionable. In Mr. Nixons first year in office, a university study warned that the public defenders caseload was a crisis that had pushed the states criminal justice system to the brink of collapse. Its nearer the brink than ever, and Mr. Nixon would be wise to see firsthand the injustice done to to indigent defendants by accepting Mr. Barretts assignment.
In municipal elections last Wednesday, South African voters handed the African National Congress, the party of Nelson Mandela, its worst setback since the end of apartheid in 1994. The vote could presage major political change when South Africans go to the polls in national elections in 2019.

A record number of South Africans, about 26 million, registered to vote. The A.N.C.s strength in South Africas rural areas helped it preserve a slight majority of municipal seats overall  about 54 percent, a big drop from 62 percent five years ago. Significantly, with nearly all the votes counted on Friday, the A.N.C. was set to lose majorities in Johannesburg and in the municipality that includes the countrys capital, Pretoria.

President Jacob Zuma deserves much of the blame. He spent millions of dollars in public money building himself a grand estate, and put cronies and relatives in senior positions. Twenty-two years after apartheid ended, South Africa remains a deeply unequal country, its black majority stuck in grinding poverty. Schools are failing, and more than a quarter of South Africans are unemployed. Voters punished Mr. Zuma in his hometown, Nkandla, where the A.N.C. failed to beat the Inkatha Freedom Party.

Many black South African voters turned to the Democratic Alliance, a historically white party that is now headed by Mmusi Maimane, who is black. Pledging accountable, effective government, the Democratic Alliance won 26 percent of the vote overall. The radical left Economic Freedom Fighters party, which wants to nationalize mines and redistribute the majority of the countrys land still in white hands to black South Africans, won only 8 percent. But it is set to play a pivotal role in forming coalition governments in municipalities where no single party won a majority, and is gaining support among young blacks.
The release of a cache of emails from the Democratic National Committee by WikiLeaks last month has raised a great many questions  about the role of the D.N.C. in trying to influence the primary and about the alleged interference of Russian intelligence in an American election.

It also raised long-debated questions about WikiLeaks itself, about how an organization dedicated to radical transparency continues to bring secretive worlds to light. And the episode reveals some of the weaknesses of WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange, like their recklessness with personal data and their use of information to settle scores and drive personal agendas.

Ive had my own run-ins with Mr. Assange. During the making of my 2013 film, We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks, I spent an agonizing six hours with him, when he was living in an English country house while out on bail. I was struck by how insistently he steered the conversation away from matters of principle to personal slights against him, and his plans for payback. He demanded personal intel on others I had interviewed, and dismissed questions about the organization by saying, I am WikiLeaks repeatedly. (Later, Mr. Assange and his followers attacked both me and my film.)

Even given that history, I believe that WikiLeaks was fully justified in publishing the D.N.C. emails, which provided proof that members of the D.N.C., in a hotly contested primary, discussed how to undermine the campaign of Bernie Sanders. They are clearly in the public interest.
Last week on Monday, Verizon announced acquisition of Yahoo's core businesses. (Photo : Getty Images)

For years, Yahoo has been making failed attempts to bring back its appeal of the olden days -- when its businesses were burgeoning. Despite the company's efforts like its big app push, acquiring and hiring spree, "mobile first" policy and others, it was unsuccessful in making any sort of progress and also in luring the users.



Advertisement

And its failure became all the more certain when it announced that it has sold its properties like mail services, media properties, advertising products and more importantly all its mobile apps to US telecommunications giant Verizon for $4.8 billion, as reported by the New York Times.



Yahoo launched apps like Yahoo Video Guide, Livetext, Yahoo News Digest, Yahoo Esports, a travel app called Radar and others in the last few years but to no avail. CEO of Yahoo, Marissa Mayer since 2012 has been insisting that Yahoo would succeed by clinging to its strengths; that is by focusing on some of its "core" businesses and by recasting its mobile business. But the latest deal suggests that it will remain now a distant dream for Mayer as the company sold most of the properties on which it was heavily relying on for future. The deal resulted in the end of an era for a company which once redefined the internet.



If we look back, most successful years for Yahoo were in the 90s and its failure can be attributed to the company's inability to keep pace with the emerging trends of the day. In recent years, dozens of apps were launched or redesigned which were complete failures and were seen as old-fashioned legacy services merely redesigned for smartphones. Meanwhile, there was nothing inspiring about its new apps either, as they failed to differ from competitors in most aspects. All this resulted in Yahoo ending up building a huge portfolio of mobile apps for which there were only a few takers in the market, the New Yorker reported.



The reason being its incompetence to come up with significant innovations when it came to new applications and sometimes mismanagement on its part. Take for an instance acquisition of Flickr which even predates Mayer's days as CEO. It remains one of Yahoo properties which had a great potential but was wasted. Yahoo somehow ignored Flickr after acquiring it -- considering it was more than a year after the arrival of the App Store that it launched a dedicated app, which in turn resulted in apps like Instagram becoming all rage among the youth and photographers.



Its downfall can also be blamed on a multitude of missed opportunities which could have changed its fortunes. Google's Larry Page and Sergey Brin in the year 1998, when they were still students at Stanford, had approached Yahoo with an offer to buy their PageRank system for only $1 million, but Yahoo at that time was more interested in luring its users to spend more time on its platform and hence declined the offer. PageRank which was designed by Brin and Page is an algorithm that ranks websites according to the sequence in which they are shown in Google search results. The system, Larry Page, as it is called is named after its creators. And it paved the way for proper evaluation of popularity of websites.



With the changing dynamics of the Internet, the third-party online advertising revenue too began to flourish. There emerged a pay-per-click service called AdWords developed by Google. Four years after being rejected, in 2002, the Google duo Brin and Page again approached Yahoo, this time attempting to raise $3 billion in funds. However, the then Chief of Yahoo Terry Semel declined the offer. Yahoo at that time was making efforts to build its own search engine in order to compete with Google. It had acquired Inktomi (a search engine) and Overture (an ad revenue maker), in order to topple Google but failed miserably.



The present scenario calls for a debate whether there was some sort of scope for the revival of Yahoo under Mayer's leadership. It is clear that raison d'etre for the company's failure was its inability to evolve with time. The company failed in identifying and adapting to the trends that shaped the mobile industry as it is today. While giants like Google, Microsoft and Facebook were investing heavily in artificial intelligence, virtual reality and what not, Yahoo still favored aesthetics over features and plain lines over innovation. Its downfall came due to its belief that merely refurbished web-based services made into mobile versions would be good enough to take the company in the right direction.



It is debatable whether "mobile first" approach would have taken the company in a different direction or what would have happened had Yahoo accepted Google's offers in its early days. It could have been a totally different story for the company; considering Google aka Alphabet is one of the most valuable companies in the world today, with its net worth touching $500 billion. While the latest deal revealed that Yahoo's core business value was mere $4.83 billion.


To the Editor:

Ruth Margalits Israel where the media is being crushed is simply one I dont recognize (Netanyahu crushed Israels free press, Opinion, Aug. 1).

The day after her piece appeared, the left-wing daily Haaretz published a column by Gideon Levy entitled Stop Living in Denial, Israel Is an Evil State. Far from fearing a knock at the door in the middle of the night, Levy is one of the papers star columnists, and is translated into English for a global audience.

Margalit also dramatically overstates what she calls the outsize influence of the free newspaper Israel Hayom, owned by Sheldon Adelson. Circulation figures show that the paper has a 40 percent market share, but its very closely followed by Yediot Ahronot at 35 percent, which she admits has taken a decidedly anti-Netanyahu line. Left also unmentioned are the numerous other newspapers, radio stations and news websites, in Hebrew, Arabic and English, offering a multiplicity of views in Israels hotly contested public space.

Finally, Margalit undermines her own argument by quoting the popular host of a 60 Minutes-style investigative program, who says that despite any pressure or attacks from the government: Israeli media remains very critical, very aggressive ... Its a kind of basic instinct thats part of our DNA.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported last week that global temperatures last year were the highest on record  and that this year is likely to be hotter still. That is a powerful reason for rich countries to begin making good on their promises to help low-lying island nations, some of the poorest countries in the world, build their defenses against the disastrous effects of climate change, which some are already experiencing.

In the Solomon Islands, receding shorelines have destroyed some villages and rising sea levels have submerged five uninhabited islands, according to a study published in May. Drinking water is becoming increasingly scarce in Kiribati, another Pacific Ocean nation, as wells run dry or become contaminated by saltwater. And droughts appear to have become more intense in Africa and the Middle East and are probably a contributing factor to the migration of millions of people to Europe in recent years.

At last years United Nations climate summit meeting in Paris, countries agreed to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels, a point beyond which the widespread drought, flooding and extinctions of species are expected to kick in. But even if the world meets that target  and the various national plans offered in Paris to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are still not strong enough to get there  many poor countries will still be vulnerable to warmer temperatures, higher sea levels and more frequent natural disasters. Some small island nations could disappear entirely in the coming decades.

While its hard to connect any single natural disaster to climate change, weather-related calamities worldwide have increased in recent years. There were an average of 335 such disasters a year between 2005 and 2014  nearly twice the yearly average from 1985 to 1994, according to a report by the United Nations and the Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters. And these disasters are more severe and more likely to displace people, according to a 2015 report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center and the Norwegian Refugee Council. Last year, about 19.2 million people fled their homes because of disasters.
WITH the impending departure of William J. Bratton as commissioner of the New York Police Department, an important chapter in American policing is about to close. Mr. Bratton  with whom I have collaborated in a Harvard program on police reform  has served with distinction as commissioner in Boston, Los Angeles and twice in New York, the nations largest department and a trendsetter in the profession. Not surprisingly, police chiefs across the country are watching the Police Department closely to see whether, and how, it moves beyond Mr. Brattons policies.

In his first term in New York, 1994-96, Mr. Bratton introduced one of his most notable innovations: CompStat, the data-collection system that used analysis of crime patterns to drive crime-reduction strategies. Precinct commanders were held accountable for producing substantial reductions in reported crime. Those who succeeded were rewarded, while those who failed were pushed to the side. As a motivating and organizing device, it was a powerful tool that became widely imitated. In the view of many experts, the system contributed to lower crime rates in many cities.

But the system also had its critics, who warned that a single-minded focus on reported crime data was not enough. Driving down reported crime was not always appropriate because more approachable police officers who engendered greater trust might actually have caused increases in crime reports in some areas. And given the pressure to meet ambitious goals, the temptation to fudge statistics grew. Cheating on crime statistics is now a global problem, particularly in departments that adopt a singular focus on driving down crime rates.
Welcome to the South, folks. And thank you very much, Chief Justice John Roberts, for your opinion in the disastrous Shelby County vs. Holder case. How did you put it: In the South, Things have changed dramatically. Yeah, right.

Then there is Alabamas western neighbor, Mississippi, which had the highest percentage of black people of any state (37 percent) in the most recent census, but which has not voted for a Democratic president in 40 years. A Mason-Dixon poll in April gave Trump only a small margin over Clinton, although FiveThirtyEight.com still gives Trump a 76 percent chance of winning it.

Lastly, theres Louisiana, probably the hardest of the hard sells, where the Trump supporter and former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke has said he is running for the U.S. Senate. In a recent poll conducted by the University of New Orleans Survey Research Center, Duke gets support from 14 percent of black voters  a figure that eclipses the support Trump gets nationally or in nearby Georgia in a new poll from that state, as The Washington Posts Philip Bump put it, giving a hat tip to tweets from The New York Timess Campbell Robertson.

(Louisiana is my home state, but dont ask me to explain this. I cant. Somebody drank all that magnolia wine.)

Now, of course, winning in many, if not most, of these states is simply wishful thinking for Democrats, mere flashes in a pan, but the fact that some of these Deep South states have showed up in any poll  even a single poll  with Clinton in the lead is noteworthy, if not earth-shattering.

The Republican Partys 2012 autopsy report said: Public perception of the Party is at record lows. Young voters are increasingly rolling their eyes at what the Party represents, and many minorities wrongly think that Republicans do not like them or want them in the country. When someone rolls their eyes at us, they are not likely to open their ears to us.
A Korean body scrub is a spa experience not easily forgotten  the intensely exfoliating rubdown requires a certain amount of grit and courage. For the Toronto native Karen Kim, 36, the memory of her Korean grandmother buffing her body when she was 5 years old left a lasting impression: The vigor and determination! she says of the sloughing technique. It was painful but effective. Years later, when she was in her 20s, Kim traveled to Seok Mo Do, a fishing island off the coast of South Korea, with her mother and five aunts. Most days revolved around trips to the public baths and cleansing rituals. Every morning, wed take our sponges and buckets, and sit in the bath all day, she says. My Korean isnt very good, so it was hard to communicate, but this was an intimate bonding moment.

Something about the purity of a simple soap and water beauty routine stuck with Kim. So much so that last spring, she left her job in fashion at La Garconne in New York City, where she worked in styling and product development, to try her hand at soap making, reinterpreting the old-fashioned traditions of Korean bath life into a line of modern cleansing goods. Called binu binu (or soap soap in Korean), it comprises six restorative bars, all made with a base of boricha, a barley tea thats prized for its detoxifying powers and served like water in Korean households, Kim says. To this, she adds nourishing oils (olive, coconut, sweet almond, caster), butters and clays to form her palm-size creations.

Image The essential oils in Binu Binus charcoal soap are often used in Korean purification ceremonies. Credit... Courtesy of Binu Binu

Each bar starts with a story, many of which include strong female characters in Korean culture. Her Haenyeo Sea Woman soap, for example, is an homage to the haenyeo deep-sea divers of Jeju Island. Theyre a group of elderly women who catch fish to sell at the markets, Kim says. Theyre all in their 60s to 80s now, and dive tank-free while holding their breath. Its incredible. Her blend of black Hiwa Kai sea salt, seaweed extract and peppermint oil riffs on the bracing feeling of plunging into the ocean. Others, like her Shaman Black Charcoal soap, conjure up the modern mudang shamans, mostly women who go about healing ailments with these ancient rituals. (The essential oils in the charcoal soap  lavender, cedarwood and clary sage  are often used in purification ceremonies and provide a deep cleanse that, she says, is akin to an exorcism for the body and soul.)
ZENA, Okla.  From the sofa in his living room, Clinton Creason can see the electric pole outside that his father staked 70 years ago to bring power to this remote area of hilly cattle pastures.

Electricity came late here but transformed life on the farm. It provided bright light to study by and freed families from the tedium of washing clothes by hand and cutting wood for the cook stove.

Last December, Mr. Creason saw a new addition to the utility pole erected by his father that may be just as transformational  a subsidiary of his local electric cooperative, Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, hung a fiber optic cable on it. That enabled Mr. Creason and the 120 residents of Zena, Okla., to pump high-speed internet service into their homes for the first time.

The cooperative is doing it again, but now the light bulb is the internet, said Mr. Creason, 82.

Mr. Creasons experience with the electric co-op puts him at the leading edge of a trend unfolding in hard-to-reach rural spots nationwide. For years, such communities have largely been left out of the digital revolution because they had only intermittent internet access, often through a patchwork of satellite, dial-up or wireless service. Telecom and cable companies shunned the areas because it was too expensive to bring equipment and service over long distances to so few people.
We can get to customers wherever they are, said Abigail Comber, who is in charge of the customer experience at the airline. Its technology thats very intuitive. What the team has managed to do brilliantly is take away everything that happens on the back end. The carrier has so far deployed its apps across 17,000 iPads, and is looking to digitize even more of its business.

Apple says it is focused on creating great devices  for all customers. Were dedicated to building products that make peoples lives better, often in ways that we couldnt have even imagined, enabling them to do things that they have never done before, Susan Prescott, vice president of worldwide product marketing, markets and applications, said in a statement. Our goal with business customers is the same  to enable them to do something great with mobile and truly modernize and transform their business.

Apples increased attention to business customers has not come without internal angst.

Apple totally recognizes that their products are being used in a workplace context and not just at home, Mr. Gillett said. But they are rabidly focused on making the world better for individual users. They have a strong fear if they begin to think too much about their enterprise customers, they will compromise the consumer experience.

Apple runs three-day boot camps for companies at its campus in Cupertino, Calif., to help them rapidly build prototype apps. But it was not an approach that could be scaled up to thousands of corporate customers.

Hence Apples decision to team up with other companies that specialize in catering to businesses. As Timothy D. Cook, Apples chief executive, quipped at an industry conference last September: Life is short. Were going to die soon. And youve got to have as many friends as you can.

IBM, Apples archrival in the early personal computer business, is now one of the companys biggest boosters. Under a two-year-old partnership, IBM, which has transformed itself into a technology services powerhouse, has developed more than 100 business-oriented apps for Apples iOS operating system that it has sold to over 2,000 enterprises. The effort brought in more than half a billion dollars in revenue to Big Blue last year.
Since November, the Justice Department has established the Combating Religious Discrimination Today campaign and taken part in a series of anti-discrimination efforts to celebrate religious pluralism. The department successfully litigated hate crime charges against a Florida man who threatened to firebomb two mosques near St. Petersburg, Fla., and against another man who ripped a hijab from a womans head on a flight over New Mexico. Federal prosecutors have filed friend-of-the-court briefs citing the religious land-use law to encourage courts in Texas and Florida to order prisons to provide halal meals and to accommodate Muslim inmates who grow beards and wear religious caps.

In mid-July, the department published recommendations from a series of discussions on how to better address modern religious discrimination. Participants voiced concerns about anti-Muslim bias in particular, Ms. Gupta said, including parking or zoning citations targeted at specific religious communities.

To the Justice Department, the Bensalem case stood out. In the past, the townships zoning hearing board granted variances to an Indian Orthodox church, two Hindu temples and several faith-based private schools, among other religious institutions.

However, when the Bensalem Masjid congregation applied for the same type of variance, it did not get one. The congregations request was officially denied because zoning hearing board members said they thought the mosque should ask for the property to be officially rezoned  a long, difficult process that other religious groups had not been asked to undertake. Along the way, the board members pressed for traffic studies and demanded more parking spots in the congregations plans. The official complaint against the township charges that such concerns were veiled discrimination.

They were scrutinized much more rigorously, said Roman Storzer, a lawyer representing the Bensalem Masjid. Then they were denied, and denied in a way that all other houses of worship had been approved.

Members of the zoning hearing board said they denied the application because the congregation had failed to meet the legal requirements to qualify for zoning relief.

For us as a board, there are five requirements that the law says that the applicant needs to approve, Albert Champion, a board member, said at the meeting where the application was denied, according to transcripts. I dont think that they have proven by the law that they have satisfied the requirements.
MEXICO CITY  At least 39 people have died in Mexico after a series of landslides caused by torrential rains from Tropical Storm Earl, government officials said, as the country braced for the arrival of another tropical storm.

The damage in Mexico, the worst-hit country in the storms path, was wrought by the remnants of Earl, which had been slowing as it swept west, battering Belize and killing nine in the Caribbean.

But record-breaking rains in the state of Puebla, where 15 of the 28 dead were juveniles, prompted landslides heavy enough to bury entire homes, the government said. The state government of Puebla asked the federal government to call a state of emergency.

The town of Huauchinango, for example, received the equivalent of a months worth of rainfall in 24 hours.
ISTANBUL  President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has always had ambitions of surpassing Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, as the countrys most consequential figure.

Now, a failed coup may allow him finally to do that.

For years, Mr. Erdogan, an Islamist, has celebrated great moments of the Ottoman past when Istanbul was the seat of the Islamic caliphate, and played down Turkeys secular history established by Ataturk. With last months failed coup, he now has his own story, and he has wasted little time propagating his own set of events and symbols to cement the narrative in the national consciousness.

A bridge over the Bosporus that was seized by renegade soldiers has been renamed for the civilians killed there. A square in Ankara, occupied by tanks as the military tried to take power, has been renamed as a symbol of democracy. Numerous street names have been changed to honor those who died defending the government.
'W' is a 2016 South Korean television series, starring Lee Jong-Suk and Han Hyo-Joo. (Photo : YouTube/JaellY)

A still image hints Lee Jong Suk's Kang Chul would be marrying Oh Sung-Moo's (Kim Eui-Sung) daughter, Oh Yeon-Joo (Han Hyo-Joo), in MBC's "W - Two Worlds."







Speculations are rife that Kang Chul and Oh Yeon Joo would get married in the upcoming episodes of the on-going fantasy drama. Recently, the drama buffs flocked to social media, claiming that show producers foreshadowed the marriage of the lead characters through a newspaper article with a headline, "J&Global's total market value is 1.8 trillion won."



Advertisement

The said newspaper shortly appeared amid "W's" episode 5, which aired on Aug. 3 with a national TV rating of 14.3 percent. According to the audience's statement, as cited by The Kpop Herald, a line from the corresponding article reads, "Oh Yeon Joo, who was a prime suspect for Kang's murder accident, turned out to be his wife."



"It has been revealed that the strongest suspect in the J&Global's representative Kang Chul's attempted murder case, Ms. Oh Yeon Joo, is actually the wife of representative Kang," the article reads. "Ms. Oh met Kang Chul in America last May and the two dated for six months before getting married."



According to the police investigations, Oh Yeon Joo ran from the site during the time of Kang Chul's assault since it was such an intense situation, enough for her to consider divorce. The article added, "Ms. Oh went with armed guards to representative Kang's prime hotel penthouse."



Reinforcing the commenters' assumption, the sneak peek of "W's" episode 7 gave fans a scene where Kang Chul and Oh Yeon Joo discussed marriage. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the said claims are yet to be confirmed.



Helmed by PD Jung Dae-Yoon, "W" follows a unique romance between a young chaebol, Kang Chul, who exist in the webtoon world and Oh Yeon Joo, a surgeon in the real world.



"It's the story of a man and a woman who discover their reason for existence while living in different dimensions in Seoul in 2016," Koogle TV quoted director Jung Dae-Yoon as saying during the drama's press conference. "There's suspense, horror, comedy and romance."



MBC's "W" premiered on July 20 with a national TV rating of 10.4 percent. Since then, the 16-episode drama continues surging in the ratings battle, surpassing KBS 2TV's "Uncontrollably Fond," which airs on the same timeslot.



Check out "W's" latest episode below:






CHICAGO  The artist Peter Doig took the stand here Monday in an odd federal court case in which the owner of a landscape painting is accusing Mr. Doig of falsely denying that he created the work while a young man in Canada.

In a brief opening statement, William F. Zieske, a lawyer for the owner, said the evidence would prove that a painting bought in 1976 by his client, a former correction officer named Robert Fletcher, and signed Pete Doige, is indeed the work of Peter Doig.

The painting was carried into the courtroom in a cardboard box and unceremoniously placed on a metal easel a few feet from the artist and his team of lawyers. This is not a work painted by someone with no artistry or no artistic talent, Mr. Zieske said. It is a work of master artistic talent.

But Matthew S. Dontzin, a lawyer for the artist, a popular painter whose works routinely fetch $10 million, argued that his client has been suffering through a nightmare of bullying tactics and money demands from plaintiffs who have not produced any documents or one witness to show that Doig painted this or Doig didnt.
Playing the harpsichord is my best expression of me liking my life, said Mahan Esfahani, 32, sipping peppermint tea at a restaurant near Lincoln Center before his stimulating late-night appearance at the Mostly Mozart Festival on Friday. I am a harpsichordist because I have to make a living, but if anything its a tool to look at everything else.

Mr. Esfahani, born in Tehran, left Iran for the United States with his family at the age of 4. But he departed for Europe a decade ago when he was told that committing to the instrument here would mean waiting for nearly nonexistent solo gigs, constantly playing continuo accompaniment and conforming to the rigid aesthetics of the early-music world.

But hes now on the verge of making it in America.

If the harpsichord is a tool for Mr. Esfahani, whos eloquent and smart, and at times angry and combative, what is it for? Its for proving us wrong.

Think the harpsichord is an inherently limited instrument, too quiet, too inexpressive, too inferior to a modern piano? That, he argues, implies asking the wrong question to begin with.
This summer, in celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Mostly Mozart Festival has been offering game audience members opportunities for immersion experiences: single evenings with three very contrasting programs in different locations at Lincoln Center. The latest one was on Saturday.

It began in the early evening under the grove of trees at Hearst Plaza, with three percussionists from the International Contemporary Ensemble playing the premiere of a 15-minute work by one of the musicians, Eli Keszler. The performance was part of a micro-concert series presented by Lincoln Center Out of Doors in conjunction with the festival.

From there many audience members moved inside David Geffen Hall to hear Paavo Jarvi conduct the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra. The program featured the charismatic Swedish clarinetist Martin Frost in a fleet, brilliant account of Mozarts Clarinet Concerto. After this the immersion concluded at the intimate Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, where the tireless Mr. Frost, joined by the pianist Roland Pontinen, played the fourth of this summers seven A Little Night Music programs, the popular, late-night, 60-minute recitals where patrons (only about 220 lucky ones) sit at cocktail tables with free wine.
Ricci Martin, the youngest son of Dean Martin, who performed a tribute show to his father and wrote a memoir about growing up in Beverly Hills, died on Wednesday at his home in Kamas, Utah. He was 62.

His family announced his death, saying the cause had not been determined.

In the 1970s, Mr. Martin released a single, Stop, Look Around, and an album, Beached, produced by Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys.

Mr. Martin joined the band Dino, Desi and Billy in the 1990s, taking the place of his brother Dean Paul Martin, who died in 1987 when his Air National Guard F-4 Phantom fighter crashed in California during a storm.

Ricci Martin later sang his fathers hits and told stories in a tribute show.

His memoir, Thats Amore, about growing up as a member of his famous family, was published in 2002.
Under Goldmans corporate bylaws in effect at the time, it was required to pay for the legal fees of an officer of the firm who was the subject of an investigation or lawsuit arising out of work at the firm. The issue is whether Mr. Aleynikovs title as a vice president prompted that benefit, and his fight for Goldman to pay the lawyers has become almost surreal in the many twists it has taken.

Mr. Aleynikov first filed a lawsuit against Goldman in the Federal District Court in New Jersey to pay for his lawyers in the two criminal cases, and the court initially found in his favor. Goldman appealed, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia reversed that decision. The appeals court found that the term officer in the Goldman bylaws was ambiguous, and therefore could only be resolved after a trial.

While that case was pending, Mr. Aleynikov filed a separate lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery seeking payment for his lawyers to defend against claims filed against him by Goldman in the federal case.

In a decision issued in July, Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster largely agreed with Mr. Aleynikovs argument that it was reasonable for a vice president of Goldman to believe that he qualified as an officer of the firm  and then ruled against him. Judge Laster noted that Goldman, like many other investment banks, granted the title of vice president quite freely, and that the line between title and responsibilities is stark, because Aleynikov did not have any managerial or supervisory responsibilities. Thus, it was a close call whether Goldman wanted every vice president to receive the benefits of indemnification.

The federal appeals court had ruled that Mr. Aleynikov bore the burden of proving that a vice president qualifies as an officer, an analysis with which Judge Laster in the Delaware court disagreed but said he was bound to follow in deciding the case. He concluded that Mr. Aleynikov failed to meet his burden and so was not entitled to payment of the fees.
In Southwests case, a backup system was in place, but the airline said that system was not triggered as it should have been when the router failed. And Delta said on Monday that it was investigating why some of its own critical operations had not switched over to backup systems.

In the case of Delta, whatever occurred was clearly a catastrophic failure, and it is alarming that the backup system didnt kick in, said Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst at Atmosphere Research Group.

Delta said the problem was touched off by a power failure about 2:30 a.m. Eastern, shutting down computers and grounding flights for about six hours before the airline began to bring its systems back online. (As it happens, the culprit inside Delta  a failed switchgear, an item similar to a circuit-breaker box in a house  is a piece of equipment typically installed to guard against breakdowns.)

Throughout the day, the consequences were playing out in human terms.

In Terminal C of La Guardia Airport, a central hub for Delta in the New York City region, it was standing room only Monday morning, with children splayed out napping on backpacks, business travelers scrambling for outlets, and many passengers leaning against the cylindrical pillars for support.

As the morning wore on and the system began to slowly reboot, occasional problems also caused more confusion.

For those of you traveling to Detroit on Flight 831, a gate agent said over the loudspeaker, you may have just received a text message saying we are departing at 9 a.m. That, she indicated, would be great, but also nearly impossible. The computer system had shut back down before the pilots papers, including the flight plan, could even be processed.

In Phoenix, Anthony Navarro, 25, was headed to Atlanta, and then to Miami for a cruise to the Bahamas. He and a friend boarded a flight scheduled to leave Phoenix at 12:35 a.m., but then sat in the plane, parked at the gate, for about five hours.
Lawyers for the former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes have agreed to keep the sexual harassment lawsuit brought against him by the former anchor Gretchen Carlson in New Jersey, according to a court filing on Monday.

Mr. Ailess lawyers had previously tried to move the case out of federal court in New Jersey and into Manhattan. Nancy Erika Smith, a lawyer for Ms. Carlson, accused Mr. Ailess lawyers of judge shopping.

With the jurisdiction settled, it will be up to the New Jersey federal court to decide whether the case will go to trial or to arbitration. Mr. Ailess lawyers have said that the dispute has to be settled in arbitration because of a clause in Ms. Carlsons contract; Ms. Carlsons lawyers have argued that her arbitration clause did not explicitly mention Mr. Ailes. She named Mr. Ailes in the lawsuit, and not Fox News.

In the month since Ms. Carlson filed her lawsuit, many other women have accused Mr. Ailes of harassment, including the Fox anchor Andrea Tantaros, according to a report in New York magazine published on Monday.
As her father lay dying at a hospital, Ms. Stepien said, her family decided to accept the inevitable and donated his organs through an organization called the Center for Organ Recovery and Education.

The organization allows donor families and the recipients to keep in touch with one another after the transplant. Mr. Stepiens heart went to Arthur Thomas, a father of four who lives in Lawrenceville, N.J., and who Ms. Stepien said had been within days of dying.

Given a diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia about 16 years before receiving the transplant, Mr. Thomas, 72, said in an interview on Monday that he was in congestive heart failure when word arrived that his doctors had found a heart.

In order to get to the top of the transplant list, you have to be really hurting, Mr. Thomas said. Once I had my transplant, I, of course, decided I would write a thank-you to the family.

From there, a relationship was forged through monthly phone calls, emails and letters. Ms. Stepiens mother, Bernice, kept in touch with Mr. Thomas, even swapping cards on Christmas and flowers on birthdays. At times, they compared parenting tips. But the families had not thought about meeting in person until Jeni Stepien, 33, became engaged to Paul Maenner, a 34-year-old engineer, in October.
HOLYOKE, Mass.  Some of the voices inside Caroline Whites head have been a lifelong comfort, as protective as a favorite aunt. It was the others  youre nothing, theyre out to get you, to kill you  that led her down a rabbit hole of failed treatments and over a decade of hospitalizations, therapy and medications, all aimed at silencing those internal threats.

At a support group here for so-called voice-hearers, however, she tried something radically different. She allowed other members of the group to address the voice, directly:

What is it you want?

After I thought about it, I realized that the voice valued my safety, wanted me to be respected and better supported by others, said Ms. White, 34, who, since that session in late 2014, has become a leader in a growing alliance of such groups, called the Hearing Voices Network, or HVN.

At a time when Congress is debating measures to extend the reach of mainstream psychiatry  particularly to the severely psychotic, who often end up in prison or homeless  an alternative kind of mental health care is taking root that is very much anti-mainstream. It is largely nonmedical, focused on holistic recovery rather than symptom treatment, and increasingly accessible through an assortment of in-home services, residential centers and groups like the voices network Ms. White turned to, in which members help one another understand each voice, as a metaphor, rather than try to extinguish it.

For the first time in this country, experts say, psychiatrys critics are mounting a sustained, broadly based effort to provide people with practical options, rather than solely alleging abuses like overmedication and involuntary restraint.
A bizarre exhibition centered on the theme of broken relationships was held in Ningbo, in east China's Zhejiang province on August 6. A total of 111 items kept from lost loves were displayed including love letters, power banks, train tickets, film tickets and mobile phones.


Across New York City, with the population above 8.5 million, foot traffic has increased across many bridges. The Brooklyn Bridge has seen its largest crowds on weekends, according to counts the city takes each May. An average of 1,917 people an hour crossed at peak times in 2015, or more than triple the 511 people in 2008. Weeknight traffic increased to an average of 1,057 people an hour at peak times from 880 people in 2008.

Bike traffic has also grown on the Brooklyn Bridge, reaching an average of 358 cyclists an hour at peak weeknight hours in 2015, compared with 185 cyclists in 2008. Ryan Russo, a deputy transportation commissioner, said that while he biked across the Brooklyn Bridge to work in the morning, he returned home on the Manhattan Bridge so as to not contribute to the crowding.

Even with more people crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, city officials point out that there are fewer than a dozen collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists reported each year. The city has already taken steps to address congestion and safety issues on the bridge, including painting a wider line between the pedestrian and bike lanes and adding more bike and directional markings.

On a recent Friday afternoon, pedestrians were crisscrossing the bike lanes as they snapped photos or took in the views. Cyclists had to steer carefully to avoid crashing into them, or the spider web of cables that runs alongside the bridge to support it.

It was quite crowded, Koen du Maine, 21, a college student from the Netherlands, said after riding a Citi Bike across the bridge to Manhattan. You have to be careful. There are always people in the bike lane.

He added that it was easier to ride in his native country because the bike and pedestrian lanes are typically separated by barriers, and are often on different levels, so there is less drifting between them. (City transportation officials have provided a conceptual rendering of a promenade expansion that would include those changes.)
Five years ago, Erin and Marianne Krupa chose to start a family. They moved to Montclair, N.J., from a more conservative environment in North Carolina, and decided that Erin would carry their first child.

Erin Krupa remembered her fertility doctor looking her in the eye and promising to help her become pregnant.

But there were complications. At an appointment with her doctor in 2013, Ms. Krupa, then 33, learned that she had benign cysts on her uterus and Stage 3 endometriosis, in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside. That meant she was infertile.

Despite her doctors assurances that insurance would pay for fertility treatment, Ms. Krupas provider, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, denied coverage. The company cited a state insurance mandate from 2001 that required most women under 35  no matter their sexual orientation  to demonstrate their infertility through two years of unprotected sexual intercourse.
For the past year, every effort by Republican leaders to topple Donald J. Trump has met with embarrassing failure. Yet, according to published reports, jittery insiders have been considering still other ways of detaching the Trump brand from the party of Lincoln. The best option is one that can avoid an ugly, and likely futile, confrontation and help both Mr. Trump and his party save face. All eyes must now turn to his running mate, Mike Pence, to do what must be done.

I say this not as a member of the so-called Never Trump faction of my party. Though Mr. Trump was not my first choice for the nomination, I found his attack on the established order appealing at times, even entertaining, and respected the wishes of a clear plurality of Republican primary voters. Americans long have been entranced with the idea of the political outsider who puts self-interest aside to battle Washingtons wrongdoers and set things right. But in recent weeks  indeed, months  the pitfalls of political outsiderdom have become plain.

Seasoned politicians learn what fights to pick, what half-victories to savor, how to make coherent points and how to increase their electoral base. By contrast Mr. Trump, an accomplished businessman unaccustomed to answering to anyone, appears constitutionally incapable of letting any slight go unchallenged. He has proved unwilling or unable to discipline himself to a consistent message or to restrain his worst impulses. He lacks an ability to form, or more important expand, a general election coalition. Whenever his poll numbers climb, as they may very well again in this unpredictable election, he is oddly more determined to test their durability.

Even if he were to win the presidency  a job that requires negotiation, diplomacy, discipline, finesse and some semblance of intellectual curiosity  it is not clear Mr. Trump will be able to master or enjoy the position. His self-destructive behavior demonstrates that on some level he knows this. Indeed, hes marveled many times that hes made it as far as he has. Now he needs someone to guide him to a graceful exit. Mike Pence is that person.
To the Editor:

Re The Case for (Finally) Bombing Assad, by Dennis B. Ross and Andrew J. Tabler (Op-Ed, Aug. 3):

Let me get this straight: We have a nonstop civil war in which many of our own weapons are being used against innocents  and nobody (including our own intelligence agencies and Defense Department) seems able to clearly define who the good guys are or who the bad guys are.

The solution proposed by Mr. Ross and Mr. Tabler is to send in more bombs and kill more innocents. This is more of the same strategy that has given rise to the Islamic State and has essentially turned both Iraq and Afghanistan into tribal, premodern warlord societies that blame the United States for disrupting, destroying and corrupting their countries.

Even more dangerous, this places us in direct military opposition to Russia, which continues to support President Bashar al-Assad.

Ignoring all recent history and outcomes, Mr. Ross and Mr. Tabler suggest that we try the same tactic in Syria, and hope for a different outcome.
To the Editor:

Re The Wet Noodle Republicans (column, Aug. 5):

David Brooks implores Republican politicians who disapprove of Donald Trumps behavior, but continue to support him, to break off that support. But Republicans first must acknowledge that they are the reason that Mr. Trump was attracted to their party in the first place.

Consider the Republican Partys past enthusiastic embrace of Richard M. Nixons Southern strategy, talk of welfare queens, Willie Horton ads, moral majority slogan, and current efforts to restrict or revoke the voting rights of Latinos and blacks who are least likely to support the party. Considering its past and present behavior, it is not difficult to see how the Republican Party attracted Mr. Trump and his doleful collection of like-minded people.

Mr. Brooks is right about Mr. Trumps not quitting. And yes, Republicans will have to get off the fence. But whatever choice they make, all Republicans are still invested in a party that exists to benefit the richest 1 percent of our population while feigning interest in the 99 percent. That Republican pretense drives the politics that empowered Mr. Trump and his acolytes and produced the four-day hate fest we saw in Cleveland.

CAROL JIGARJIAN

New City, N.Y.

To the Editor:

Re G.O.P. Candidates Aiming to Escape Trumps Shadow (front page, Aug. 7):

Voters would do well to keep in mind that the G.O.P. is in control of the current dysfunctional Congress. Ask if your candidates will support holding hearings on a new Supreme Court nominee. Ask if they supported the dead-on-arrival position expressed by some G.O.P. leaders on any legislative proposal coming from the White House. Ask yourself if this dysfunctional Congress could have contributed to the rise of Donald Trump.
People who grew up in coastal New England know this trick: To coax a periwinkle snail out of its shell, hum to it.

I learned about humming to snails from my sister, who learned about it from a student she was teaching in Freeport, Me.

If you are patient, she said, it works every time.

The common periwinkle, a saltwater snail about the size and shape of a Hersheys Kiss, clings to rocks and gobbles up algae and marsh grass along the Atlantic coast from the Bay of Fundy to New Jersey, as well as in Europe, where they originate. In tidal pools, the spiral-shelled gastropods are everywhere: In a single square foot, you can find them by the hundreds, maybe the thousands in the best habitats. Periwinkles stick around all year, but summer is the best time to observe them.

Why do people hum to snails? For some, its a childhood rite of passage. Every kid on the beach would just sit there and hum and theyd come out, said Molly Auclair, who grew up on the coast and works as an educator for the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, which runs a citizen science project that studies where periwinkles are found and other aspects of the mollusks. Theyre pretty cool.
All hospitals deliver an endless loop of drama. In Americas great public hospitals, the show is nothing short of operatic.

There have been gruesome abuses: Staff members at New Orleanss old Charity Hospital were indicted in the 1970s for running prostitution rings on the wards. There have also been stunning triumphs: The nations first blood bank was established at Chicagos Cook County Hospital in 1937. There has always been a background chorus of surprised patients lauding the care received in these infamous places.

Most chroniclers confine themselves to the human interest stories, reasoning that the funding of these hospitals is unlikely to be as gripping. It turns out thats not necessarily the case, certainly not in this first strange decade of reformed health care, as the federal government drapes the nation in a health safety net full of holes.

Where does that leave the venerable hospitals of last resort, the nets beneath the net?

Mike King probes this question in A Spirit of Charity: Restoring the Bond Between America and Its Public Hospitals. His decades of experience as an Atlanta-based journalist covering health care in the South have versed him well in the doublespeak of health care financing for Americas poor. The fact that even such an experienced observer has some difficulty describing the terrain speaks for itself: His is a moving, ridiculously complicated target. (Read an excerpt here.)
The student sitting to my left at Thursday afternoons performance of Newtons Cradle had never been to the New York Musical Festival before. At intermission, as the crowd socialized around us, she turned to me and asked, Does everyone know each other?

Thats what it can feel like at this festival, an annual gathering of the musical theater tribe where industry people and fervent fans alike traipse from one work in progress to the next. (This years festival closed on Sunday.) Onstage at this gently funny and affecting new show, though, two talented performers knew each other unusually well: Heath Saunders, who wrote the music and lyrics to Newtons Cradle, was starring in it opposite his brother Trent Saunders. Their mother, Kim Saunders, wrote the book and additional lyrics.

Directed by the Tony Award-winning actress Victoria Clark, with dreamscape choreography by Sara Brians, Newtons Cradle revolves around a tremendously endearing young man named Evan (Heath Saunders), on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum. When we first meet him, he is planning to propose to his girlfriend, Charlie (Rachel Kara Perez).

Evans past  peopled by his vigilant mother (Andrea Jones-Sojola), worried father (David DeWitt) and loving, resentful brother, Michael (Trent Saunders)  overlaps with his present in this warmhearted show. A couple of plot points defy belief, as when Michael becomes engaged without telling his fiancee (Rose Hemingway) that Evan will live with them, news that barely registers as a relationship speed bump.
This is not a new phenomenon. Back in 2012, Pews surveys showed Mr. Obama ahead by 34 to 25 among voters from 2008. If you have a really long memory, you might even remember controversy about polls that showed people recalled voting for George W. Bush over Al Gore in 2000 by a comfortable margin in 2004 polls, even though Mr. Gore won the popular vote. But its not perfectly consistent, either: With Mr. Bushs popularity flagging in 2007 and 2008, more polls started showing that voters recalled voting for John Kerry in 2004.

With these figures in mind, the U.S.C./LAT polls decision to weight its sample to 27 percent for Mr. Obama and 25 percent for Mr. Romney is quite risky. If the panelists, like those in other surveys, are likelier to recall voting for the winner (Mr. Obama), then the poll is unintentionally giving extra weight to Republican voters. Or you can imagine a counterfactual: If the poll were weighted to 33 percent for Obama and 25 percent for Romney (per the NYT/CBS numbers), then Mrs. Clinton would hold a more comfortable lead.

Now, the U.S.C./LAT survey is so different from other polls that its possible that its lean toward the G.O.P. isnt because of its use of self-reported past voting. Its an online panel, not a live-interview survey, so perhaps the bias toward the winner in a past election is less acute in that setting. In 2012, the RAND panel took a similar approach and didnt seem to have the same type of bias. Indeed, the U.S.C./LAT polls methodology report defends the decision by citing a RAND study of 2008 panelists:

In our preparation of the RAND 2012 Continuous Presidential Election Poll, we found that members of RANDs American Life Panel were very accurate in their reporting of their voting four years earlier: More than 90% of the reports in 2012 about voting in 2008 coincided with their reports immediately after the 2008 election, for those panel members that participated in both surveys (Gutsche et al., 2014; Kapteyn et al., 2012).

The 90 percent accuracy doesnt necessarily indicate that the measure is unbiased (if the 10 percent of switches were all people going from John McCain to cant remember, then weighting to the 2008 result would be very problematic). Nor would it prove that new panelists would be as accurate at recalling their vote as longtime panelists. Its even possible that the past-vote bias may be more acute this year, with enthusiasm for Mr. Obama at fairly high levels compared with 2012. But it does at least raise the possibility that the measure might be more useful in this format than in a typical telephone poll.

There are many other things that could be causing the difference between the U.S.C./LAT results and other surveys  like its unusual probabilistic measure of vote support (voters indicate how likely they are to vote for a candidate on a scale from 0 to 100) or the difficulties of recruiting and maintaining a panel.

No matter the cause, the U.S.C./LAT panel is still useful. Since it recontacts the same voters, its easier to distinguish actual shifts among voters from changes in who is responding to a poll. So while the poll may show Mrs. Clinton up by only 1 point, the trend line  an eight-point shift from Mr. Trumps seven-point lead after the convention  is still very telling.
At a time when health care spending seems only to go up, an initiative in California has slashed the prices of many common procedures.

The California Public Employees Retirement System (Calpers) started paying hospitals differently for 450,000 of its members beginning in 2011. It set a maximum contribution it would make toward what a hospital was paid for knee and hip replacement surgery, colonoscopies, cataract removal surgery and several other elective procedures. Under the new approach, called reference pricing, patients who wished to get a procedure at a higher-priced hospital paid the difference themselves.

For example, in 2011 the Calpers maximum contribution for a knee or hip replacement surgery was set at $30,000. A Calpers patient receiving knee or hip replacement surgery at or below this reference price paid the usual cost-sharing: 20 percent of the cost, up to a maximum of $3,000. But a patient electing to use a hospital that charged, say, $40,000 paid the usual cost-sharing in addition to the $10,000 above the reference price.

As Calpers initiated the new approach, 41 of the several hundred hospitals in California could provide knee and hip replacement procedures at or below $30,000 and with acceptable quality, as measured by things like low readmission rates and high rates of use of guideline infection controls. Some hospitals charged more than $100,000 for the procedures.
The Facebook app logo is displayed on an iPad next to a picture of the Facebook logo on an iPhone. (Photo : Getty Images/Carl Court)

The government in Germany has been considering creating a law for the country that would enforce social media websites such as Facebook to disclose and release user data immediately upon the request of their security services.



The reason for the German government requesting such alarming information like this, according to RT, is to be able to prevent terror attacks from groups like ISIS who have been notorious lately. With this power in hand, they can immediately act upon these terror attacks when they are hinted or implied on social media.



Advertisement

The heavy load of this request, and on such short notice, can be alarming to the citizens who enjoy using these applications. More power means the bigger propensity for abuse. While the intentions of the German government may seem nice at first glance, there is no telling if they will really strictly obey their requests for identifying terrorists, and not for anything else.



There have already been cases like this where the German government acts on what users are posting in social media. For example, last July, the police enacted house raids across the country, according to The Verge. They have been targeting people who were accused of posting and instigating hatred on social media.



The main complaint behind this is because the current steps and procedures to obtain user data from social media companies like Facebook take too long to process. "If one photo in Germany can make it to New Delhi within less than 10 seconds, Facebook should be able to answer requests from law enforcement authorities within an hour," Die Welt quoted Thomas Kutschaty, Justice Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, as saying.



Under this new legislation, the authorities will have a more efficient and faster respondent force once security threats are made by terrorists, so that it was Facebook's obligation to make its user data accessible to the country. Aside from this, the German government is also known for its low tolerance towards hatred, racism, and discrimination.



They also expect Facebook and other various social media to be prompt when it comes to deleting content that are criminal in context. For Facebook's interest in being a clean space, it does not take too much action when things like this happen, so It should only be mandatory, according to Renate Kunast. Additional details with regards to this subject can be learned from the video below.






The family of Ahmed Mohamed, the Muslim teenager who was handcuffed and suspended from his suburban Dallas high school last year after his homemade digital clock was mistaken for a bomb, sued school officials on Monday, saying they had violated his civil rights.

The episode at MacArthur High School in Irving, Tex., in September became a political flash point and President Obama invited him to the White House. But after the freshman was subjected to fevered criticism and threats, Ahmed and his family moved to Qatar.

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified monetary damages, names the school district, the city of Irving and Daniel Cummings, the school principal. It accuses the school district and Mr. Cummings of discrimination, and said the Irving Police Department arrested him without probable cause.

As a result, the lawsuit says, Ahmed has been vilified and subject to conspiracy theories, lies and hatred that no kid in this country should have to endure.
WASHINGTON  The quality of advocacy at the Supreme Court these days is quite high. We have an extraordinary group of lawyers who appear very regularly before us, Justice Elena Kagan said in 2014 at a Justice Department event.

But there was, she said, one exception. Case in and case out, she said, the category of litigant who is not getting great representation at the Supreme Court are criminal defendants.

That impression, widely shared by people who frequently attend Supreme Court arguments, has now been confirmed by a comprehensive look at a decade of data.

Criminal defendants are almost never represented by expert counsel in arguments before the Supreme Court, Andrew Manuel Crespo, a law professor at Harvard, wrote in the new study, which was published in The Minnesota Law Review.
In the speech and written materials distributed by his campaign, Mr. Trump mentioned only a tax deduction. But an emailed statement from his campaign Monday afternoon said the policy would also have elements to provide child care benefits to lower-income people. The statement said it would provide credit to stay-at-home caregivers and that to provide benefits to lower-income taxpayers who may not benefit from the deduction, the plan also allows parents to exclude childcare expenses from half of their payroll taxes  increasing their paycheck income each week.

Inflation F.A.Q. Card 1 of 5 What is inflation? Inflation is a loss of purchasing power over time, meaning your dollar will not go as far tomorrow as it did today. It is typically expressed as the annual change in prices for everyday goods and services such as food, furniture, apparel, transportation and toys. What causes inflation? It can be the result of rising consumer demand. But inflation can also rise and fall based on developments that have little to do with economic conditions, such as limited oil production and supply chain problems. Is inflation bad? It depends on the circumstances. Fast price increases spell trouble, but moderate price gains can lead to higher wages and job growth. How does inflation affect the poor? Inflation can be especially hard to shoulder for poor households because they spend a bigger chunk of their budgets on necessities like food, housing and gas. Can inflation affect the stock market? Rapid inflation typically spells trouble for stocks. Financial assets in general have historically fared badly during inflation booms, while tangible assets like houses have held their value better.









Mr. Trump also advocated reducing the corporate income tax rate to 15 percent from its current 35 percent. That proposal comes after a decade in which after-tax corporate profits have risen sharply as a share of national income and compensation for workers has fallen.

The House Republicans tax overhaul would reduce the number of federal income tax brackets to three (from seven) and eliminate many deductions. Mr. Trumps embrace of it on Monday signaled that on tax policy at least, he is aiming to align himself more closely with the Republican Party. It appeared to be a change from a proposal by Mr. Trump in September, when he said he would cut the top tax rate to 25 percent from 39.6 percent. That plan has been removed from his campaign website.

We will work with House Republicans on this plan, using the same brackets they have proposed: 12, 25 and 33 percent, he said. For many American workers, their tax rate will be zero.

Mr. Trump said, accurately, that the proposal he has now adopted would reduce federal taxes across the board. But he failed to mention that the wealthy would disproportionally benefit. An analysis by the Tax Foundation found that it would increase after-tax income for middle-income families (those in the 40th to 60th percentile) by 0.2 percent. It would increase after-tax income for the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans by 5.3 percent.

The conservative-leaning foundation found that the plan would reduce revenue by $2.4 trillion over the coming decade using static analysis, but that it would result in a comparatively modest revenue reduction of about $200 billion if you assume that lower taxes will result in much stronger economic growth.
Evan McMullin, a former C.I.A. official and a Republican who passionately opposes Donald J. Trump, announced Monday that he would run for president as an independent candidate.

Mr. McMullin, who until recently worked on policy development with the House Republican Conference, has missed the ballot-access deadlines in more than two dozen states. But Mr. McMullin, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, studied in Utah and could take votes from Mr. Trump in the heavily Mormon state.

In an interview, Mr. McMullin said he was strongly opposed to both Mr. Trump and Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee. But his harshest words, and his clearest motivation, appeared to come from Mr. Trumps candidacy.
Hillary Clinton will begin a two-day campaign swing through Florida on Monday, seeking to keep Donald J. Trump on his heels in a state viewed as central to his electoral fortunes.

Mrs. Clintons scheduled stops speak to her teams geographic strategy in the state, where the campaign has already opened a dozen offices, with plans for two more this week.

She is beginning her tour at a brewery in St. Petersburg in Pinellas County, a swing county that President Obama carried in each of his elections. (George W. Bush narrowly won the county in 2004.)

After a second event in St. Petersburg, Mrs. Clinton will go about 100 miles northeast, to Kissimmee, Fla., for another rally.
Black Protestants were by far the most likely religious group to hear political endorsements from members of their clergy. Black churches have long served as mobilization centers for political candidates and social causes, and this year appears to be no different. Nearly three in 10 black Protestants said they had heard members of their clergy support or oppose candidates in church compared with one in 10 churchgoers over all. And in black churches, Mrs. Clinton was usually the beneficiary.

The survey was conducted before both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.

Though candidate endorsements were relatively rare, clergy members spoke frequently about social and political issues, the survey found. About two-thirds of recent churchgoers said they had heard clergy members speak about  in order of frequency  religious liberty, abortion, homosexuality, immigration, environmental issues or economic inequality. The first three issues are favorite themes for conservative clergy members, both Protestant and Catholic.

Scant talk about candidates in churches is not surprising. An amendment to the tax code passed by Congress in 1954 prohibits clergy members in churches from endorsing or opposing political candidates, though there is no prohibition on discussing political issues. The Johnson Amendment  named after its sponsor, Lyndon B. Johnson, then a senator  applies to all charitable organizations that accept 501(c) tax-deductible contributions, which includes churches and other houses of worship. Those that violate the law could have their tax-exempt status revoked by the Internal Revenue Service, but it has rarely happened.
KABUL, Afghanistan  The Afghan security forces are struggling to head off an intensified Taliban offensive in Helmand Province in recent weeks, heavily relying on American airstrikes as the insurgents have again tightened the noose around Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, according to officials and residents.

Even as Afghan and American officials insist that they will not allow another urban center to fall, concerned about the political ramifications for the struggling government in Kabul as well as the presidential campaign in the United States, residents and local officials describe Lashkar Gah as practically besieged.

The main road connecting the city and the highway to the southern commercial and military hub of Kandahar has been repeatedly blocked in recent days by the Taliban, who blew up several bridges. Civilian passengers can travel on an alternate dirt road, but have to pass through insurgent checkpoints. Many businesses and nongovernmental organizations based in Lashkar Gah are trying to evacuate, and the road blockages have added to their alarm.

The Afghan forces continuous failure to hold ground in a province that has seen the deployment of a large number of troops and resources, as well as hundreds of NATO military advisers, is taking a toll on the residents of Lashkar Gah. The city has long been a haven for people displaced from other areas of Helmand by the constant back and forth between the Taliban and the coalition and government forces.
LONGCAO, China  The hardest part about getting into Longcao was not the floodwater, or the debris blocking the roads. The biggest obstacle was the cluster of police officers standing guard under the archway at the villages main entrance, peering into cars as they passed by.

If anyone asks, I dont know why youre here, our taxi driver said when we told her that we wanted to visit this place, a hamlet of 4,500 people in Chinas rural Hebei Province that was hit last month by the regions worst flooding in 50 years.

After the 15-mile drive from the nearest city center, she left us on the side of the road  out of sight of the police. We stood in the blazing sun. The villagers who had promised to escort us in had stopped answering our calls. We would have to sneak in on foot.

Longcao (pronounced LONG-tsow) was one of hundreds of villages across Hebei and Henan Provinces that were overwhelmed by flash floods the night of July 19. The authorities reported at least 164 people killed, including two in Longcao, an elderly woman and a man with disabilities. Another man, last seen trying to save his sheep, was still missing.
HONG KONG  Taiwan protested on Monday after five of its people were deported from Kenya to China, where they are wanted on suspicion of telecommunications fraud.

Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council, which handles relations with China, said the deportations show contempt for human rights and hurt the feelings of the Taiwanese people. The five men from Taiwan, along with 35 Chinese citizens who were also deported, were acquitted last week by a court in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. They were accused of running a telephone fraud ring based in Kenya that primarily targeted mainland Chinese.

The deportations follow similar ones in April, when 45 people from Taiwan, accused of being part of the same fraud ring, were sent from Kenya to China. Taiwan also protested those deportations. Some in that group had been cleared of telecommunications fraud charges, while others had yet to face trial. Some of the suspects from Taiwan were filmed barricading themselves in a jail cell in Kenya in an attempt to avoid being sent to China.
SEOUL, South Korea  A political split in South Korea over the deployment of a United States missile defense system sharpened on Monday, as six opposition lawmakers began a three-day visit to China and President Park Geun-hye accused them of siding with Beijing in a dispute of major national import.

The lawmakers, all critics of the deployment, were traveling to Beijing at a time when relations between South Korea and China are rapidly deteriorating.

Beijing has angrily opposed South Koreas decision last month to deploy the American militarys Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system, or Thaad, on its soil. Although the United States and South Korea have said the deployment is aimed solely at countering the Norths growing missile threat, China says the Americans antimissile radar will undermine its security.

The South Korean lawmakers said they did not intend to align with Beijing during their trip. Rather, they said, they would seek to meet with Chinese scholars to discuss ways of preventing bilateral relations from deteriorating further. But on Monday, Ms. Parks governing Saenuri Party called them flunkies for China.
Terry F. Kleeman is a leading scholar of the early texts and history of Chinas only indigenous religion, Taoism. A professor of religious studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder, he is the author of the recently published Celestial Masters: History and Ritual in Early Daoist Communities. This is the first work in any Western language on the founding of Taoism as a formal religious movement, rooted in earlier philosophical teachings like the Tao Te Ching, also known as the Daodejing and sometimes translated as The Way and Its Power.

In an interview, Professor Kleeman discussed how Taoism provided an alternative political model to the Confucian-based imperial order, how Taoist texts can help deepen our understanding of early Chinese history and why todays Communist government seeks to control Taoist practices.

What is Taoism?

The word Taoism is horribly vexed because it has to translate two Chinese terms: daojiao and daojia. Daojiao is the religion Taoism, while daojia refers to philosophical works associated with Laozi and Zhuangzi, such as the Daodejing.

The two are not really that closely related. Taoist priests dont carry around copies of the Daodejing, and that work has little to do with what they teach. They teach a set of rules and morality, but youll find little morality in the Daodejing.
TOKYO  The Japanese have acknowledged that their emperor is not a god and he has been stripped of all political power, but the nation still views its monarch as so central to the sense of identity that he is not permitted to resign.

Now, Emperor Akihito is suggesting that his people let him retire.

He is 82 years old. He has had cancer. He has had surgery.

So, in a uniquely Japanese moment on Monday, he went on television to hint at his desire for Parliament to change the law so he can give the job to his son.

But it is freighted. The emperor represents a postwar Japan that is committed to pacifism. The current government wants to loosen the reins on the military, and the prime minister, Shinzo Abe, is politically powerful. If Emperor Akihito steps down, will Japan lose a check on the governments drive to rewrite the past, to discard its lessons and taboos?
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan  A suicide bomber struck a hospital in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta on Monday, officials said, killing at least 74 people in another devastating attack on civilians in a city that has become a byword for massacre and struggle over the past decade.

Before the bomber attacked, dozens of lawyers had gathered at the hospital to condemn the shooting death hours earlier of a prominent colleague, officials said. They feared that the death toll from the bombing would rise, given the vast crowd of people seriously wounded in the attack.

Late on Monday evening, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the shooting and the bombing. Our attacks will continue till the imposition of the Islamic system in the country, the statement of responsibility read.

The bombing was also claimed by the regional branch of the Islamic State, according to the Amaq news agency, which is affiliated with the militant group. If confirmed, that would be a first attack by the group in Pakistan  though the claim may be related to the fact that in the past, the Jamaat-ul Ahrar splinter group has expressed support for the Islamic State.
HONG KONG  Although a proposed constitution drafted by Thailands military government has been endorsed by a majority of voters, regional returns show that deep political divides remain, analysts said on Monday.

Majorities in the capital, Bangkok, and throughout central Thailand supported the proposed constitution in a referendum on Sunday, but most voters in large areas of the far north, northeast and south opposed it, according to preliminary results issued by the election commission.

With 94 percent of the votes counted, 61.4 percent of voters supported the proposal and 38.6 percent opposed it. A second question in the referendum, on whether a junta-appointed Senate would have a role in choosing the prime minister, was endorsed by 58.1 percent and opposed by 41.9 percent. An official tally is expected by Wednesday.

The draft document gives the military a powerful role in future governments while reducing the influence of political parties and direct elections. Thailands government has been overturned by military coups 13 times since absolute monarchy ended in 1932, including the coup in 2014 that put the current junta in place.
PORTOFERRAIO, Italy  Hes a prominent billionaire politician with a reputation for provocative comments, vulgar insults and sexual innuendo, to say nothing of a hairstyle that cant be ignored.

Donald J. Trump, the Republican nominee for president? Yes, but Italians could be forgiven if they had someone else in mind. The description could easily be applied to their former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Tocca a voi is a comment Italians often make to Americans these days, which translates as It is your turn.

Europeans have been fascinated by Mr. Trumps high-voltage campaign, but they are also concerned about it. An international poll taken last spring and published in June by the Pew Research Center found that 85 percent of those polled in 10 European countries had no confidence in Mr. Trumps ability to do the right thing on the world stage.
Edward Daly, who as the Roman Catholic bishop of Northern Irelands second-largest city argued relentlessly for peace during the three decades of sectarian violence known as the Troubles, died on Monday in Londonderry. He was 82.

His death, at Altnagelvin Area Hospital, was announced by Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry, the diocese that Bishop Daly led from 1974 to 1993, when he stepped down after having a stroke. (The city, officially Londonderry, is commonly known by its shorter name.) He was hospitalized after a fall several weeks ago.

Bishop Daly served, without any concern for himself, throughout the traumatic years of the Troubles, finding his ministry shaped by the experience of witnessing violence and its effects, Bishop McKeown said in a statement.

On Jan. 30, 1972, as a 38-year-old curate at St. Eugenes Cathedral, Father Daly escorted unarmed protesters on a march toward the city center when British soldiers opened fire, resulting in the deaths of 14 people. The massacre became known as Bloody Sunday.
MOSCOW  President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, are expected to reconsider their dispute over Syria at a meeting on Tuesday in St. Petersburg, with both leaders interested in a public display of affection to show the West that strained ties have not left them isolated.

While Mr. Erdogan has long insisted that Syrias president, Bashar al-Assad, will need to cede power before any peace deal can be discussed, Russias success on the battlefield, backed by Iran, may have altered the calculus.

Mr. Erdogans visit to Russia, his first venture outside his country after a failed coup last month, is draped in symbolism because Turkeys relationships with the United States and the European Union have eroded significantly.

There is a deepening sense in Turkey that its Western allies have failed the solidarity test, given the threat to its existence posed by the July 15 coup attempt. Turkish officials are frustrated that Western capitals have focused on Mr. Erdogans purge of tens of thousands of military officers, civil servants and journalists as a worrying sign of his drift toward authoritarianism.
SANA, Yemen  A pharmacist, Sadam al-Othari, had a firsthand look at the results of the collapse in peace talks in Yemen between the Saudi-led military coalition and Yemeni militias over the weekend when a bomb exploded outside his drugstore, killing a customer and his young son and wounding Mr. Othari.

The customer and his son were among 18 Yemeni civilians killed when coalition warplanes bombed Al Madeed marketplace in the district of Nehm, about 35 miles northeast of Sana, the capital, on Sunday, said Tamim al-Shami, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health.

They targeted only civilians, Mr. Othari said. There wasnt a single gunman or military vehicle around.

Brig. Gen. Ahmed al-Asiri, a spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, could not be reached for comment.
Mr. Cobb was sitting in the bar of his hotel, the Loews Regency, between appointments during his visit to New York last month. He had on Gucci flares, a white Louis Vuitton shirt and black Saint Laurent boots. Necklaces dangled from his neck. Now and then patrons looked at him in wonder, as you would when encountering unfrozen 70s Man.

Mr. Cobb, 40, who is soft-spoken, said he arrived at his signature look many years ago through watching period films  specifically, Italian cult horror and crime movies like Four Flies on Grey Velvet and Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man.

The aesthetic in the movies is incredible, he said. All the men looked amazing. Speaking more broadly about Hollywood actors in that period, like Robert Redford and Jack Nicholson, he added, They were allowed to express themselves and be every version of masculinity.

Mr. Cobb was asked how he has been able to dress like Maurizio Merli or Robert Redford in Three Days of the Condor during the recent era of skinny jeans and shrunken suits. Does he wear a lot of vintage?

I have Saint Laurent blazers, a couple of suits, he said. With some of the blazers, the proportion of the lapels, it can almost veer into parody. You never want to be a caricature.
If Lizzie were an American teenager living in 2016, her motivating thrust might be the desire to secure admission at an Ivy League school or acquire an Apple Watch. But because it is 1977 and Lizzie lives in Leicestershire, her primary goal is to get and keep a job, for reasons both acquisitive (a desire to buy upmarket shampoo and pastel underwear printed with the days of the week) and poignant (a desire to be wanted and needed by other people). Her secondary goal is to avoid truant officers who might wrangle her back to school, thereby thwarting goal No. 1.

Supervision is generally absent in Lizzies life. Her family is  whats a good term here? Ill say chaotic. Theres a stepfather, an indistinct number of siblings, and a mother whose past is spotted with drinking, drug use, random disappearances and a slide into poverty. When Lizzie spots a sign advertising jobs at the nursing home, she decides to apply. I was longing for something that might blossom into a new phase that didnt involve horses, or school or becoming a punk, she recalls. I loved the idea of being professionally compassionate.

The home is Paradise Lodge, which is the sort of John Milton joke that could appear only in a British novel, and its operating status is best described, to use an American colloquialism, as sketchy. An estate owner, strapped for cash, has converted his manor into a holding pen for the infirm elderly. Laundry goes unwashed, dentures are accidentally switched, and the on-site morgue is located directly beside the pantry. When the kitchen runs out of everything except tinned pie filling and instant custard, patients are served dessert instead of square meals. When they ask why, they are told theyd just had shepherds pie and peas but mustve forgotten all about it. The owner walks around nude. Everyone is pretty happy.

Lizzie completes her auxiliary-nurse duties with zeal, powdering patients with an antifungal agent and administering hot bedtime drinks through sippy cups. She cleans false teeth and wipes bottoms and mops up accidents. A patient bites her. All of these experiences are more appealing to her than attending school, which implies something troubling about the Leicestershire education system.

Stibbe has a gift for summoning the high-octane low-attention-span pimplefest that is adolescence. Like all teenagers, Lizzie is part child, part adult and part monster; she cycles through moods as quickly as one cycles through socks. Her universe is vivid and studded with sociological details that may or may not signify class distinctions  this, alas, is a disadvantage that plagues foreign readers of British novels. What is a Goblin Teasmade, for example, and what kind of person owns one? What is leccy? What does gormless mean? Whats Dream Topping? Most of these mysteries can be solved with context clues, and what cant be gleaned can be Googled. Granary bread, I learned, is a brownish loaf with more folic acid than white bread. Brewers droop refers to erectile dysfunction. I look forward to incorporating the above into my everyday vocabulary.
An unfinished wooden pavilion, tilled fields, plenty of fresh produce and a cow named Berry are a few of the things that will greet you at Georges Farmers Market in LaFayette.

The market, one of many bringing local food to families' tables in the Auburn-Opelika area, held its grand opening Friday morning just in time for National Farmers Market Week, which began Sunday. The stand sells produce grown on the farm of Isaac and Bradley Robertson, the owners of the market.

In addition to the fresh tomatoes, peas, corn, squash and zucchini grown at the farm, those looking for other local flavors can buy Wickles Pickles, farm-fresh eggs, beef and other products brought in from area farmers.

Though the Robertsons didnt plan on starting the market when they began farming about a year ago, their excess led them to set up shop beneath an oak tree on the corner of their farm. Bradley Robertson even traveled to Opelika to sell her produce out of the trunk of her car.

But in February, the couple decided to go for it and began building the market.

The produce stand at 1010 County Road 16 in LaFayette sits on the familys 135-acre farm. Tractors surround the market, along with views of the produce that will one day be sold under the pavilion. Classic wire grocery baskets help customers juggle baskets full of blackberries and peaches. And a painting of a rooster done by Bradley Robertsons sister looks over the store.

The Robertsons, along with their three children, have spent their summer cultivating their new family business. Even their 3-year-old son has carried groceries to customers cars.

For Bradley Robertson, bringing another fresh-produce market to the area was about giving the community a place where they can shop and know exactly where their food has been, from the ground to their tables.

People are wanting to know where their stuff comes from, Bradley Robertson said. Its kind of been a lost trade; people werent paying attention for a while. Now, people are paying more attention I think because of illness, disease -- people are wanting to know more about where their stuffs coming from.

Whether bringing in produce from south Georgia when their crops arent producing or from a family who has a surplus of eggs, Bradley Robertson said the market will never sell anything unless they know where it came from. And her customers appreciate it.

I want to give my family the healthiest options I can, and I tend to find those at a little produce stand like this, said Shelby Levy as she perused the markets selection of heirloom tomatoes.

As the owner of a gym, Levy prioritizes giving her body what is best for her. In addition to the products, Levy said its important to her to support local businesses.

Honestly, I just love the idea of supporting someone locally thats trying to make a go at it, Levy said. I can support them and also get what I want for my family -- its a win-win.

Beyond the health factor, Bradley Robertson noted that something about farmers markets creates an environment for community connection.

I dont want people to come up here and just get groceries, although thats the biggie. I also want people to come up here and enjoy our space -- to walk down to our pond and enjoy the scenery, Bradley Robertson said.

Customers can find plenty of tomatoes, squash and more at Georges Market from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

National Farmers Market Week is an annual celebration sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to highlight the important role farmers markets play in the nation's food system.
Joe Lovvorn leads the House District 79 race in fundraising with more than $60,000 donated to his campaign.

Candidates for the special election to replace former Speaker Mike Hubbard filed their first campaign finance reports with the Alabama Secretary of States office last week.

Lovvorn raised $61,325 in the month of July and had an additional $6,949 donated in in-kind contributions.

Three political action committees donated to Lovvorn. Truck PAC, a political action committee run by the Alabama Truckers Association, donated $3,000. New PAC and Save PAC, both political action committees controlled by lobbying firm Fine Geddie & Associates, donated $2,500 each to Lovvorn.

Lovvorn said hes been overwhelmed by the support the community has given him in supporting his campaign and most of the money donated to his campaign has come from individuals in Auburn.

Any funds that were received beyond that are from any organizations or groups of people that are collectives that a lot of business owners pay into, Lovvorn said. A lot of the money received is from organizations that I contribute to personally that have common goals, sometimes its political and sometimes its just for greater goods or charitable goods. A good indicator is over 80 percent of the funds we received has been from local people and thats where are concentration is.

Alabama Farmers Federation endorsed Joe Lovvorn on July 20, according to a post on its Facebook page.

FarmPAC contributed an in-kind donation of $2,831.14 to Lovvorn for consultants or polling, according his campaign finance report.

Lovvorn also received 29 donations from individuals and businesses, including a $2,500 donation from Berkshire-Hathaway Home Services, a sister company of Berkshire-Hathaway Media which owns the Opelika-Auburn News, where Lovvorn is a realtor.

Lovvorns largest single donation was a $10,000 donation from The Halstead Family Foundation, Inc. a nonprofit company based out of Atlanta that also award scholarships to Auburn students.

Lovvorn said the donation came when a college friend and Auburn High School graduate, Patrick Klesius, who is president of the Halstead Foundation, said he wanted to help.

He knew how much this community meant to me and how much I had always given back through working at the fire department, Lovvorn said. I was overwhelmed by his loyal support and generosity towards paying for some of the needs we have in this campaign.

Brett Smith raised the second biggest total with $9,505 raised for his campaign.

Were not going to be raising any PAC money or special interests money during this campaign, Smith said. That means weve got to work doubly hard compared to those that will take that kind of money.

Smith donated $860 himself to his campaign and his law firm, Huff Smith Law, LLC., has donated $640.59 of in-kind contributions.

His campaign has received 18 individual donations from people and companies, several from family and friends across Alabama and Tennessee and three donations from individuals in Opelika.

Smith said he wasn't worried about the lack of donations from Auburn.

The support will show on Sept. 13 by gaining the vote, Smith said. I hate that we have to raise so much money for campaigns nowadays. I think whats important is getting out and getting in front of the people.

Sandy Toomer has raised $6,773 with $5,000 coming from Toomer himself.

Toomer received four individual donations with the largest being $1,000 from Auburn Land Corporation. Former Republican congressional candidate Larry DiChiara donated $100 to Toomer.

Toomer said he wont receive money from PACs because he doesnt represent the establishment.

Like Lovvorn, just to be blunt, hes taken a lot of Geddie and associates PAC money which have been very close to Hubbard and his group, Toomer said. Its pretty obvious looking at the campaign finance report who is supporting him and its the vested inside interest in Auburn.

Toomer said hes against raising property taxes because land owners are already having to pay more as land values increase in Auburn.

Im not going to get that love from the establishment because Im for the common guy, Toomer said.  Theres a lot of old people out here living on retirement, limited income. They cant afford a 17 percent property tax increase. They cant afford to have their RSA cut in half.

Jay Conner raised less than $1,000 during the month of July and didnt file an itemized report.

Conner said his next report will show his contributions.

The campaigns will have to start submitting weekly reports on Aug. 22.
Lee County Sheriffs Office

 Identity theft was reported Saturday in the 200 block of Lee Road 639 in Salem.

 Second-degree possession of marijuana was reported Saturday in the 100 block of Lee Road 130 in Salem.

 Possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia was reported Saturday on Lee Road 295/Lee Road 246 in Smiths Station.

 Fraudulent use of a credit card was reported Sunday in the 1700 block of Lee Road 39 in Opelika.

 First-degree theft of property and third-degree burglary were reported Sunday in the 7000 block of Lee Road 158 in Salem.

 First-degree theft of property was reported Sunday in the 13000 block of Lee Road 279 in Valley.

Auburn Police Division

 Terrina Lashun Melton was arrested Friday and charged with first-degree criminal trespassing and harassment in the 1400 block of Richland Road.

 Eric Lamar Nelms, Jr., 18, of Auburn, was arrested Friday and charged with second-degree rape (acquaintance).

 Lamond Lopaze Dowdell, 26, of Opelika, was arrested Friday and charged with second-degree theft of property.

 Berkley Ottie Buchanan III, 23, of Auburn, was arrested Friday and charged with driving under the influence.

 Aidan Robert Johnson, 19, of Auburn, was arrested Friday and charged with driving under the influence  alcohol under age 21.

 Johnathan Paul Dixon, 43, of Notasulga, was arrested Sunday and charged with driving under the influence.

 Cornelio Gomez-Lopez, 23, of Opelika, was arrested Sunday and charged with driving under the influence and fleeing/attempting to elude an officer.

 Raymundo G. Ramos-Chavez, 26, of Opelika, was arrested Sunday and charged with driving under the influence.

 A 26-year-old of Auburn was arrested Sunday and charged with second-degree possession of marijuana.

 Second-degree possession of marijuana was reported Sunday.

Opelika Police Department

 Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle and theft occurred at approximately 6:50 a.m. Friday in the 500 block of North Antioch Circle.

 Fraudulent use of a credit/debit card and theft occurred between July 18 and 19 at 1701 Frederick Road, Lowes.

 A burglary and theft occurred between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday in the 1700 block of Hurst Street.

 Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle and theft occurred between 7 p.m. Friday and 8:40 a.m. Saturday in the 4100 block of Academy Drive.

 A burglary and theft occurred between 10 a.m. Saturday and 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the 1000 block of Alabama Avenue.

 Christian Umuhire, 26, of Opelika, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence Sunday.

 Terry James Buchannon, II, 32, of Opelika, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence Saturday.

 Sergio Otoniel Chavez Romero, 32, of Auburn, was arrested and charged with first-degree burglary and second-degree assault Friday.

Chambers County Sheriffs Office

 Johnathan Lee Clark, 37, of Lanett, was arrested between Friday and Sunday and charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Lanett Police Department

 Marcus Anton Story, 44, of Lanett, was arrested between Friday and Sunday and charged with second-degree assault, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to appear.

 Criminal mischief/trespassing was reported between Friday and Saturday in the 800 block of South 15th Street.

 First-degree criminal trespassing was reported between Friday and Saturday in the 10 block of South 13th Street.
When Shahram Amiri emerged from the shadows into the spotlight six years ago, he was a young Iranian scientist who suddenly appeared on YouTube from a safe house, telling a bizarre story of having been kidnapped by the CIA.

Then, in another video that quickly followed, his story changed: He had come to the United States voluntarily to study, but desperately missed his son back in Tehran.

Soon, father and son were reunited in Iran, in a joyous scene broadcast by the Iranian government.

Then Amiri disappeared, amid rumors that he had been imprisoned. Questions, of course, went unanswered: Was he a spy, recruited by the United States for his insider knowledge of the Iranian nuclear program? Or a double agent, sent by Tehran to spread disinformation, or to learn what the Americans knew?

On Sunday the case took what appears to be its final turn.

Shahram Amiri was hanged for revealing the countrys top secrets to the enemy, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, a spokesman for Irans Justice Ministry, told reporters in Tehran, according to international news services and the countrys state news agency. Those stories confirmed initial reports from Saturday that quoted his mother saying she had seen his body.

Weeks after Amiri returned to Iran, U.S. intelligence officials described the events on ground rules of anonymity to a small group of reporters. Their story was that Amiri had been a voluntary recruit, interviewed and then placed in the agencys equivalent of a witness protection program. When he first told his CIA handlers that he planned to return, they warned him, according to the intelligence agencys account, that it would probably end with his head in a noose.

Amiri was 32 years old in 2009 when he left a university post to go on what he declared was a pilgrimage to Mecca. He disappeared when he got to Medina, in Saudi Arabia. He had left his shaving kit in an empty hotel room, and the Iranians guessed he was with the Americans  and they accused the United States of kidnapping.

He was an unlikely spy, a bit bumbling and nervous. By all accounts, Amiri was not in the inner circle around Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the scientist who had run the weapons side of the Iranian nuclear program. But Amiri had seen a lot; he worked at the academic center of research for the Iranian program. It now appears he may have begun work as a U.S. source while he was still in Iran.

As a specialist in measuring nuclear radiation, he had been to a number of sensitive Iranian sites, all of great interest to intelligence officials. According to officials familiar with his debriefing, he was among the sources who told the Americans about the internal Iranian debate over whether the country needed a nuclear weapon or just a threshold capability to build one on short notice without violating the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and inviting a military backlash.

By 2009, the CIA had apparently decided that the chances he would be detected were rising, and offered to get him out of the country. The agency promised him $5 million and a new identity. Amiri believed his estranged wife would never leave Iran, and he decided to go alone, without his son.

After he was interviewed in Washington, he ended up near Tucson, Arizona, under the agencys national resettlement program, which provides cover and protection for cooperative foreign spies.

But he immediately missed his young son, and began calling home. Iranian intelligence agencies pressured his family, and by one account threatened to harm his son.

They told Amiri to make a videotape claiming he had been kidnapped. He did, using a webcam to declare that he had been kidnapped in Medina in a joint operation by the terror and abduction units of the CIA and Saudi Arabias intelligence service. He said he had been drugged and tortured. Two months later, in 2010, the video showed up on Iranian state television.

The CIA made its own video with Amiri, filmed in the friendly setting of a study. In that one, Amiri contradicted what he had said in the first. I am free here, he said, and I assure everyone that I am quite safe.

His estranged wife told Iranian television that the second video must have been faked. He was reading text, she said. A few weeks later the Iranians broadcast a third video, in which Amiri returned to the story that he had been kidnapped, but had escaped his captors.

Behind the scenes, Amiri was telling his handlers that he had made a mistake by defecting, and only wanted to return to see his son. He was warned of what had happened to Soviet defectors  prison and potentially execution  who had returned.

The CIAs resettlement program has clear rules that if a defector wants to return home, there is no legal basis for the United States to force him to stay. So in July 2010, Amiri ended up in a taxi to a side office of the Pakistani Embassy in Northwest Washington, near the vice presidents residence. (In the absence of diplomatic relations between Iran and the United States, Pakistan represents Irans interests.)

Amiri returned to Tehran on July 15, 2010, and his young son was there to embrace him. The heartwarming picture was broadcast throughout the country. Amiri told Iranian journalists that he had been offered millions of dollars to stay in the United States and reveal all he knew about the nuclear program but had not done so. He told interviewers that he had never been in the two most sensitive Iranian nuclear sites, at Natanz and Fordo.

Weeks later, he disappeared.

His mother said on the BBC Persian service over the weekend that he had initially been sentenced to 10 years in prison, though Iranian officials had never announced that. Last month, she said, that punishment was changed to a death sentence. She said he had tried to console her, saying he would finally be free and at peace.
BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, Pa.  For nearly 10 months, a Muslim congregation in the Philadelphia suburb of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, pleaded with township officials to allow the construction of a mosque, paying for expensive traffic studies, repeatedly explaining Islamic practices, revising and re-revising design plans, and then receiving the final word: No.

Then last month, the Justice Department stepped in, charging that the Bensalem Township zoning hearing board had violated federal religious land-use laws by denying the congregations application after it had granted zoning exemptions for other religious construction projects.

We were just asking for our mosque, and we just wanted to be treated like everyone else, said Imtiaz Chaudhry, a physician and member of the Bensalem Masjid congregation.

As anti-Islamic rhetoric and discrimination surges this presidential election year, the Justice Department is emerging as a bulwark for embattled American Muslims. Vanita Gupta, who heads the departments civil rights division, said terrorism abroad and at home had led to an uptick in hate-related incidents against the Muslim community, a surge not seen since the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

We have to be really vigilant here at the DOJ because weve seen it happen before, she said.

The Justice Departments efforts in a series of cases like the Bensalem suit stand in contrast to the political environment in which the department operates. The Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, repeatedly denounces radical Islam, has declared that he would not allow Muslim immigrants into the country and feuded for days with a Muslim family whose son died in combat while serving in the Army.

A Republican candidate challenging House Speaker Paul Ryan in a primary in Wisconsin suggested last week that Muslim-Americans have been fighting on both sides of the war on terrorism. Shouting matches over Islam are regular features outside Trumps rallies.

Against that tide, the executive branch has tried to make the country more hospitable to Muslims. The Justice Department has taken up land-use cases like the one in Bensalem, religious discrimination in the workplace and at school, and hate-crime cases, and it has deployed community leaders to educate people on Islam.

To be sure, the department has pursued religious discrimination cases involving Muslims since the Sept. 11 attacks. But in the past nine months, after terrorist strikes in Nice, France; Paris; San Bernardino, California; Brussels; and Orlando, Florida, the tension has grown, officials say, and the Justice Departments efforts have increased.

Since November, the Justice Department has established the Know Your Neighbor campaign to celebrate religious pluralism. The department successfully litigated hate crime charges against a Florida man who threatened to firebomb two mosques near St. Petersburg, Fla., and against another man who ripped a hijab from a womans head on a flight over New Mexico. Federal prosecutors have filed friend-of-the-court briefs citing the religious land-use law to encourage courts in Texas and Florida to order prisons to provide halal meals and to accommodate Muslim inmates who grow beards and wear religious caps.

In mid-July, the department published recommendations from a series of discussions on how to better address modern religious discrimination. Participants voiced concerns about anti-Muslim bias in particular, Gupta said, including parking or zoning citations targeted at specific religious communities.

To the Justice Department, the Bensalem case stood out. In the past, the townships zoning hearing board granted variances to an Indian Orthodox church, two Hindu temples and several faith-based private schools, among other religious institutions.

However, when the Bensalem Masjid congregation applied for the same type of variance, it did not get one. The congregations request was officially denied because zoning hearing board members said they thought the mosque should ask for the property to be officially rezoned  a long, difficult process that other religious groups had not been asked to undertake. Along the way, the board members pressed for traffic studies and demanded more parking spots in the congregations plans. The official complaint against the township charges that such concerns were veiled discrimination.

They were scrutinized much more rigorously, said Roman Storzer, a lawyer representing the Bensalem Masjid. Then they were denied, and denied in a way that all other houses of worship had been approved.

Members of the zoning hearing board said they denied the application because the congregation had failed to meet the legal requirements to qualify for zoning relief.

For us as a board, there are five requirements that the law says that the applicant needs to approve, Albert Champion, a board member, said at the meeting where the application was denied, according to transcripts. I dont think that they have proven by the law that they have satisfied the requirements.

Accusations that religious discrimination is being disguised as common regulatory decision making have increased in recent months. Several mosques in Northern Virginia have reported similar denials for plans to build mosques.

At the Justice Departments round-table discussions, Christians, Jews and members of other faiths voiced worries that anti-Muslim discrimination could lead to renewed discrimination against other religions, Gupta said.

When there is an attack on one group, they can stand together, Gupta said. An attack on one religion is an attack on all of us.

Indeed, the Justice Department investigated religious land-use violations that targeted Christian churches, Jewish synagogues, Buddhist temples, Muslim mosques and Hindu temples since 2010. In 84 percent of the non-Muslim investigations opened by the department, local governments agreed to solutions outside court. But in cases involving a mosque or Islamic school, only 20 percent were resolved without the department filing suit.

The inability to build a house of worship impedes the Bensalem Masjids ability to freely practice Islam, said Chaudhry, a member of the congregation. Many congregants pray in a rented fire hall most Fridays, but the building lacks many of the hallmarks of a mosque that make prayer sacred for Muslims. It does not face Mecca. It lacks a dome and a minaret, which hold special religious symbolism, and the worshippers have no easy way to wash their hands, feet and heads before prayer, as called for in the Quran.

If anyone walks into a church or synagogue or a mosque that is properly constructed, you have a real spiritual experience just being there, said Chaudhry, who has lived in Bensalem for more than 25 years. You dont have that same experience just being in a room where things have been moved around so people can just do their prayer.

Chaudhry said the townships Muslim congregation was standing up for its right to worship.

Having a mosque there is kind of like Rosa Parks sitting in the front of the bus, he said, and they want to push us to the back.
Port Said Criminal Court upheld a life sentence against one defendant, and sentenced another to three years in prison, in relation to the "Ismailia clashes" case

Related Egypt court sentences Brotherhood leader Badie and others to 25 years in prison

Port Said Criminal Court ordered Sunday the release of five defendants, upheld the sentence against one defendant, and sentenced another defendant to three years in prison, issuing a verdict concerning seven defendants out of 36 in the retrial of the case known as the "Ismailia clashes."

The defendants were accused of killing three citizens in Ismailia governorate and attempting to kill 16 others, as well as attempting to occupy a governorate building in July 2013 following the ouster of Islamist former president Mohamed Morsi.

In May, the court sentenced the 36 defendants, which include Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie and other top Brotherhood leaders, to life in prison.

A life sentence means 25 years in jail, according to the Egyptian penal code.

The government has banned the Muslim Brotherhood, the group Morsi hails from, designating it a terrorist organisation in December 2013.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


QUETTA, Pakistan  Pakistani militants struck at the heart of the countrys legal profession on Monday, killing a prominent attorney and then bombing the hospital where dozens of other lawyers had gathered to mourn. The twin attacks killed at least 70 people, most of them lawyers, authorities said.

A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attacks in Quetta, the capital of restive Baluchistan province, which also wounded dozens of others.

In a statement, Ahsanullah Ahsan, spokesman for the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar militant group, said its fighters killed Bilal Kasi, the president of the Baluchistan Bar Association, then as dozens of lawyers gathered at the government-run Civil Hospital, a suicide bomber targeted the mourners.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has been behind several attacks in Pakistan in recent years, including a deadly March bombing on Easter Sunday in a park in the eastern city of Lahore that killed at least 70 people.

Witnesses described horrifying scenes of bodies scattered on the ground and the wounded screaming out for help.

A senior police official said Kasi was shot and killed by gunmen as he was on his way to his office. Kasi was among the most outspoken lawyers in Baluchistan province and was popular for campaigning for improvements in the legal community.

It was a suicide attack, said the police official, Zahoor Ahmed Afridi. He said remains of the attacker had been found and authorities were trying to identify them.

Ninety-two people were wounded in the explosion, according to Civil Hospital director Abdul Rehman. Two journalists working for Pakistani news channels were among those killed in the attack, according to Shahzada Zulfiqar, the president of the Quetta Press Club.

Ali Zafar, the head of the countrys main lawyers association, condemned the blast as an attack on justice. He said lawyers would observe three days of mourning and would not appear in court in solidarity with their colleagues and others killed in the attack.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau condemned the targeting of a hospital, as well as the judiciary and the media, two of the most important pillars of every democracy, and vowed to work with Pakistan to combat the threat of terrorism.

Survivors described scenes of panic as the blast ripped through the emergency room.

Waliur Rehman said he was taking his ailing father to the emergency ward when the explosion shook the building, knocking them both to the ground. There were bodies everywhere, he said.

Another witness, lawyer Abdul Latif, said he had just arrived at the hospital to express his grief over Kasis killing, and was horrified to see the bodies of dozens of other lawyers lying in pools of blood on the floor.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast and expressed his deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives.

No one will be allowed to disturb the peace in the province that has been restored thanks to the countless sacrifices by the security forces, police and the people of Baluchistan, he said in a statement. Sharif urged local authorities to maintain utmost vigilance and beef up security in Quetta.

Later Monday, the prime minister traveled to Quetta to meet the wounded and assess the situation. At a high-level meeting of security officials Sharif ordered stern action against terrorists.

Terrorists are using innovating measures by hitting soft targets and one must respond in an advanced coordinated way, he said in a statement.

Earlier, Pakistans powerful army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif also visited the hospital, and met with the wounded. According to a military statement, the army chief ordered intelligence agencies to track down and apprehend all those linked to Mondays attack.

Quetta and the rest of Baluchistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, have long been plagued by insurgency. Several ethnic Baluch separatist groups operate in the resource-rich province, as well as al-Qaida, the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups.

Lawyers have been targeted in the past by militants in various parts of Pakistan. They are considered an important part of civil society and emerged as powerful actors in 2007, when then-President Pervez Musharraf fired the chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. Lawyers launched nationwide protests to pressure Musharraf to reinstate Chaudhry. Later, political parties joined the campaign and Musharraf was ultimately forced to resign in 2008 and Chaudhry was reinstated.
Fifty of the nations most senior Republican national security officials, many of them former top aides or cabinet members for President George W. Bush, have signed a letter declaring that Donald Trump lacks the character, values and experience to be president and would put at risk our countrys national security and well-being.

Trump, the officials warn, would be the most reckless president in American history.

The letter says Trump would weaken the United States moral authority and questions his knowledge of and belief in the Constitution.

It says he has demonstrated repeatedly that he has little understanding of the nations vital national interests, its complex diplomatic challenges, its indispensable alliances and the democratic values on which U.S. policy should be based. And it laments that Mr. Trump has shown no interest in educating himself.

Among the most prominent signatories are Michael Hayden, a former director of both the CIA and the National Security Agency; John Negroponte, who served as the first director of national intelligence and then deputy secretary of state; and Robert B. Zoellick, another former deputy secretary of state, U.S. trade representative and, until 2012, president of the World Bank. Two former secretaries of homeland security, Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff, also signed, as did Eric S. Edelman, who served as Vice President Dick Cheneys national security adviser and as a top aide to Robert Gates when he was secretary of defense.

Robert Blackwill and James Jeffrey, two key strategists in Bushs National Security Council, and William H. Taft IV, a former deputy secretary of defense and ambassador to NATO, also signed.

A spokeswoman for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Bellinger said that among the signatories, some will vote for Clinton, and some will not vote, but all agree Trump is not qualified and would be dangerous.

He is unable or unwilling to separate truth from falsehood, the letter says. He does not encourage conflicting views. He lacks self-control and acts impetuously. He cannot tolerate personal criticism. He has alarmed our closest allies with his erratic behavior. All of these are dangerous qualities in an individual who aspires to be president and commander in chief, with command of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
The regions enduring hiring spree has finally nudged bosses to increase wages.

That means you should feel empowered to ask for a raise  or ponder an employer switch or career change to fatten the paycheck. A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta shows the pay-raise advantage for workers who change jobs vs. those who stay with a current employer is at a 15-year high.

Recent employment stats from several government reports suggest its a pretty good time to be a worker bee in this region. Demand for workers is up while paychecks are on the rise.

My trusty spreadsheet helped me find five reasons why you should be asking  or looking  for higher pay.

1. Raises are plentiful

Tell the boss, others are paying up.

Southern California private industry bosses paid their workers 3.7 percent more in total compensation costs  salaries and benefits  in the year ended in June, government jobs stats show. Local wages and salaries alone grew by 4 percent in the period.

These were the largest jumps among 15 major job markets tracked in this quarterly report. Detroit has the second largest gains, up 3.4 percent for total compensation and 3.6 percent higher for pay. Minneapolis fared worst, with compensation up 1.3 percent in a year; pay up 1 percent.

Workers in the five-county region have enjoyed pay hikes above the national level for seven consecutive quarters. In the year ended in June, compensation nationwide was up 2.4 percent with U.S. wages rising by 2.6 percent.

2. Hiring spree

Help Wanted signs are everywhere.

Bosses in Los Angeles and Orange counties added 171,900 workers in the year ended in June, the monthly government survey of employers shows. Thats the second-biggest jump among the 387 metropolitan areas behind New York. In all, 329 metro areas had year-over-year job gains.

On a percentage-point basis, thats a 3 percent pop  nearly double the nations 1.7 percent job growth.

That hiring pushed the L.A.-O.C. unemployment rate down to 5 percent in May , a drop of 1.3 percentage points in a year. That was the largest decline in the unemployment among the 51 metro areas with 1 million or more residents. In all, 285 out of 387 metro areas had year-over-year declines in joblessness.

PS: Government stats show an average 1.34 million job openings in 2016s first five months in western states, up 10 percent in a year and nearly double five years ago as the recession was ending.

3. Sectors with big raises

If youre in certain fields, your boss already knows that the antes been raised to retain or attract workers.

According to a quarterly government study of Orange County employers pay records, these industries are upping weekly wages quickly as of year-end 2015, the latest data available:

 Workers at information-service companies enjoyed wages rising at a 7.4 percent-a-year rate to $1,952 a week.

 Construction bosses upped pay 6.7 percent to $1,376 a week. A big reason: Jobs in this niche grew 9.5 percent in a year.

 Government workers saw wages up 6.6 percent to $1,168 a week.

 Education and health service provider up pay 5.9 percent to $1,047 a week.

 Leisure and hospitality industries upped pay by 6 percent to $495 a week.

4. Where bosses pay up

Government stats say Orange County bosses pay wages 13 percent above the national norm.

(How people afford to live in this pricey region at that slim premium pay is a topic for another column!)

According to a semiannual government salary survey of employers (the latest is for May 2015,) heres a sampling of local industries that have average hourly wages with larger premium pay than the typical Orange County workers gets:

 Healthcare practitioners and technical workers: Average $44.53 an hour  19 percent above the national rate for that work.

 Community and social services: $25.63 an hour, 16 percent above the national level.

 Education, training, and library: $29.33 an hour, 15 percent above the national level.

 Sales: $21.67 an hour, 15 percent above the national level.

 Legal: $56.86 an hour, 14 percent above the national level.

5. If not, Ill quit

The grass might be richer on the other side.

In the first five months of 2016, 3.3 million workers quit their jobs in western U.S. states, up 8 percent in a year and 12 percent above the boom days of 2006.

Quits are often viewed as a signal of worker confidence in the job market. Basically, when few job opportunities exist most folks choose to stay with their current employer.

For example, after the recession, quits were rare: western workers voluntarily departed their jobs in 2011 at a pace that was 57 percent slower than this years level.

Finally, people are getting the nerve to walk to get a better gig.

Contact the writer: jlansner@ocregister.com
SAN JOSECindy Rivera entered the family resource center in the Hillview neighborhood library at 10 a.m. and began transforming it. She replaced chairs and tables with furniture half the size, unfurled colorful round rugs, and unpacked boxes of books and blocks, clay and costumes, and math and science games.

At 11 a.m., she opened the door and greeted 13 children by name as they rushed inside, pulling a parent or grandparent by the hand behind them.

The library room is one of six pop-up preschools in Silicon Valley, so named because each is housed in a non-traditional school setting in the community. They are part of a national YMCA pilot program to provide free preschool programs for young children from low-income families.

A lot of these families here cant afford preschool and so being able to bring it to them in their community, in their neighborhood, where they would never be exposed to something like this is so valuable for them, Rivera said.

In Silicon Valley, some 50,000 children under 5 are from low-income families, according to a 2016 analysis by the Urban Institute. Low income is a federal designation given to families with two adults and two children earning $24,036 or less a year.

Such children are more likely to have immigrant parents and are significantly less likely to attend preschool than higher-income peers. The U.S. Department of Education found that 60 percent of the nations 4 million 4-year-olds lack access to publicly funded preschool. Because childrens brains develop fastest from birth to age 5, a lack of high-quality preschool puts kids at risk of starting kindergarten behind classmates.

Even though theyre playing with Play-Doh, we can talk about colors, Rivera said. Playing with blocks is an opportunity to talk about numbers. We encourage the caregivers to ask a lot of questions. How many blocks does it take to build that?

Pop-up preschool was an almost instant hit at Hillview. Two weeks after it opened, the session was full with 15 children and their parents or grandparents, and had a waiting list.

This is what I was looking for, said Lillian Agard, grandmother to 3-year-old Siena. Preschool would be too expensive otherwise, she said.

Program costs vary from site to site but average about $625 per child for two days of instruction per week for 38 weeks, including snacks, according to the YMCA. Each local branch raises its own funds through an annual campaign.

Agard, who takes care of Siena while her parents work, heard about the pop-up program while visiting the library for story time. Im always looking into things that are educational and that will help her, Agard said.

The YMCA runs 104 pop-up preschools in 27 states, serving nearly 1,900 children. Families must register in advance and attend regularly to get the full benefits.

Each program is held in the same location, with the same teacher, and on the same two days during the school year. In Silicon Valley, the six preschools will pop up again during the week of Sept. 5.

Selected sites are within walking distance for most neighborhood families. In addition to libraries, schools and churches, public housing and local YMCA centers are also popular. One Southern California program is held in a park; in Hawaii, preschools pop up on the beach.

Although the Ys program is believed to be the largest in the country, there are a few smaller efforts to bring preschool to isolated families. The Y modeled its program on Hawaiis Tutu and Me. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, it sends teams of preschool teachers into rural communities to support Native Hawaiian grandparents  tutus who are raising their grandchildren through learning activities that honor cultural values.

In Colorado, a program funded by the Aspen Community Foundation takes the idea of a moveable preschool quite literally with Gus the Bus. Its one of two school buses transformed into preschool classrooms that travel to remote ranching towns.

Parents and grandparents in the YMCA pop-up programs report that their children and grandchildren know more numbers and words, are confident and interested in learning, and show greater perseverance when learning something difficult, according to a national YMCA evaluation.

Carl Estonilo comes to the Hillview preschool with his 5-year-old grandson, Clausen. Everything that he learned here hes applying at the home, Estonilo said. If you say something the wrong way, he corrects you right away. Thats not the right way; Miss Cindy say this way, not that way.

Clausen is so eager, he lays out his clothes the night before, Estonilo said. Reminding me: Ay papa, not too much TV; remember Thursday and Friday I have school.

This story was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education.
The largest resort operator in North America is buying the continents biggest ski area, the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Vail Resorts Inc. announced Monday that it was purchasing Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc., the Canadian ski resort company, for $1.06 billion, adding to its aggressive expansion.

Located in British Columbia, Whistler Blackcomb is the largest and most visited ski resort in North America. Colorados Vail is frequently the most visited ski resort in the U.S.

Two years ago, Vail Resorts bought Utahs Park City Mountain Resort for $182.5 million and merged it with a neighboring resort. It operates nine mountain resorts and two ski areas in the U.S. and Australia.

The new deal is expected to close in the fall.

Whistler Blackcomb is one of the most iconic mountain resorts in the world with an incredible history, passionate employees and a strong community, Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz said in a statement.

Shares of Whistler Blackcomb rose above $27.36 ($36 Canadian) each in Toronto. In New York, Vail Resorts stock also was trading at the highest rate in at least a decade, reaching about $154 per share midday.

Under the transaction, Vail Resorts would acquire all the stock of Whistler Blackcomb, whose shareholders would receive $13.30 (Canadian $17.50) per share in cash and 0.0975 share of Vail Resorts common stock, for a total value of $27.36 (Canadian $36) per share.

This relationship will bring greater resources to support our current operations and our ambitious growth plans, Whistler CEO Dave Brownlie said in a statement.

Brownlie will stay on as Whistler Blackcombs chief operating officer and will become a member of the senior leadership team of Vail Resorts mountain division, the companies said.

Vail Resorts intends to retain the vast majority of Whistler Blackcomb employees, while only impacting a few select areas where there may be duplication in corporate functions, the companies said.

Whistler Blackcomb will honor the resorts existing season passes. Vail Resorts plans to integrate Whistler into its Epic Season Pass for the 2017-18 winter season.

In addition to Vail and Park City, Vail Resorts operates Colorados Breckenridge, Beaver Creek and Keystone ski resorts. In California, Vail operates Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood ski areas. It also has ski resorts in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Author Christopher Farnsworth says hed always wanted to tell a story that starred a telepath like John Smith, the protagonist of his new thriller, Killfile, which pits Smith and his special abilities against a shadowy world of computer geniuses and Big Data.

Its just a fascinating idea to me that you could read other peoples minds and know exactly what they were thinking, he says. And it doesnt seem like it would be that great of a deal.

Youd be bombarded by the thoughts of other people. It would be like having talk radio blaring in both ears while youre reading internet comments while people are arguing on Facebook all the time.

Killfile uses that jumping-off point to introduce Smith in a book that Farnsworth  whose four previous books include a trilogy starring Nathaniel Cade, a vampire and very secret agent in service to the U.S presidency  will present to readers when he comes to Huntington Beach on Wednesday for a book signing.

While he liked the concept of telepathy, and had some ideas about what kind of tricks and gimmicks such a character might employ, it wasnt until he read an article about a Goldman Sachs programmer convicted of stealing intellectual property that the final pieces of Killfile fell into place.

I thought that was fascinating, Farnsworth says of the Vanity Fair article where he learned of the investment banks computer wizards fall from grace. How do you know when somebody has stolen an idea from you?

It was interesting to take a telepath and put him up against people who are using Big Data as a weapon, he says. Were in an age where everybody knows what people are doing but not what theyre thinking.

The weird and unusual had long fascinated him, Farnsworth says. As a kid, he says, he read all the books he could find about Bigfoot and UFOs, psychics and ESP.

I used to believe all of it, he says. I used to be a diehard Bigfoot believer. Granted, I was 12.

Now hes mostly skeptical of the unexplained and unproven.

The rational part of me says, No, of course not, thats ridiculous, says Farnsworth, who worked as a business and technology reporter at the Register before leaving to write fiction in various formats. And Ive never seen any actual proof.

But again, theres that little part of me that wants to believe that I can see whats coming. Everybody likes to believe theyre a little bit psychic.

Killfile explores that tension between what the human mind can do  especially with the advantage of telepathy  and our increasing fear of what technology might one day do to humans.

I think everybody wants to believe that humanity is special, that we have something innate that makes us more valuable and makes us more real, Farnsworth says. But theres this very sort of scary idea that our technology is overtaking us. That artificial intelligence and algorithms and software is getting so good that they are getting better at doing what humans do.

Farnsworth has just finished the manuscript for a follow-up to Killfile and hopes it flourishes as has the Cade series in The Presidents Vampire trilogy, to which he hopes to return one day.

One of the reasons I stepped away was vampire fatigue, he says. There were a lot of vampires running around in popular culture.

For now, with topics such as the National Security Agency watching over our lives and data still prominent, this new world hes created feels like it has more stories to reveal, Farnsworth says.

The idea that somebody could intrude into your thoughts, either electronically or psychically, thats a very scary thought, he says.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7787 or plarsen@ocregister.com
Its a persistent paradox in American politics: Many Hispanic families have an immense personal stake in what happens on Election Day, but despite population numbers that should mean political power, Hispanics often cant vote, arent registered to vote, or simply choose to sit out.

Enter Donald Trump, and the question that could make or break this years divisive presidential election in key states. By inflaming the anti-immigrant sentiments of white, working-class men, has the Republican nominee jolted awake another group  the now 27.3 million eligible Hispanic voters long labeled the sleeping giant of U.S. elections?

A lot of times you hear this rap about how politics doesnt affect their life, says Yvanna Cancela, political director of Las Vegas largely immigrant Culinary Union. But that changes when its personal, and theres nothing more personal than Donald Trump talking about deporting 11 million immigrants.

Latinos now represent the nations largest ethnic community with some 55 million people. More than half are U.S.-born, an additional 6.5 million are naturalized citizens, and the others are legal residents or here illegally. Most trace their familial roots to Mexico, one of Trumps favorite targets.

When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best, Trump said last summer, minutes into the speech that announced his candidacy. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists.

A cornerstone of Trumps platform is building a wall along the entire Southwest border  and forcing Mexico to pay for it. How? By threatening to cut off remittances those living in the U.S. send to relatives down south.

He publicly attacked and questioned the impartiality of an Indiana-born federal judge hearing a lawsuit against him because of the judges Mexican ancestry. Hes called protesters in New Mexico thugs who were flying the Mexican flag and accused the states governor  a Republican who also happens to be the nations first female Hispanic governor  of not doing the job. Half of that states population is Hispanic, as are 40 percent of the states eligible voters.

This is hardly what the Republican National Committee had in mind three years ago when, after Mitt Romneys loss to Barack Obama, it commissioned a study about how best to bring more Latinos, blacks, women and young voters into the fold. An entire section called America Looks Different urged Republicans to engage with minority voters, show our sincerity and embrace and champion comprehensive immigration reform.

Skip ahead to 2016, and surveys that show most Hispanics plan to vote against the Republican nominee. A Fox News Latino poll conducted in May found 67 percent back Hillary Clinton and only 23 percent support Trump.

John Herrera, 38, is typical. He registered to vote in Las Vegas in June. Ive never really voted until now, only because of Trump being against Hispanic people, he said. I didnt think my vote would count before, but now I want to make a difference.

Lionel Sosa, a prominent Mexican-American advertising and marketing executive in San Antonio, was once dubbed one of the top 25 most influential Hispanics in America by Time magazine. He helped devise strategies to attract Latino voters for the likes of Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and John McCain.

That was before Trump. In a June column in the San Antonio Express-News, Sosa announced hed be leaving the party upon Trumps formal nomination.

A thousand points of light has been replaced by a thousand points of anger. In place of compassionate conservatism, our nominee promotes callousness, extremism and racism. And instead of a unifier, the party now cheers the ultimate us against them proponent. Divisiveness incarnate, he wrote.

Republican fears of Hispanic backlash are rooted in what happened after their party targeted illegal immigration in California in 1994.

Gov. Pete Wilson tied his re-election campaign to a ballot measure, Proposition 187, to deny government benefits and access to public schools to people in the country illegally. The measure passed, and though it was later struck down as unconstitutional, a growing Hispanic population was infuriated.

In the years since, more Latinos have been elected to office in the state and the GOP has dwindled to a mere footnote; no Republican has won a statewide election in California since 2006. Proposition 187 wasnt the only factor in the change  other groups in California, like coastal whites, were shifting Democratic in the mid-90s, and Latinos already leaned against the GOP. But the loss of California has become the example of the risk Republicans run alienating a fast-growing ethnic group.

With Trump saying the things hes saying, we might see this same thing again, says Jody Agius Vallejo, a University of Southern California sociologist and author of Barrios to Burbs: The Making of the Mexican American Middle Class. Only this time, it would be nationally.

There is reason, though, to be skeptical. Overall, the Latino voting record is not good.

One obstacle is some 7.2 million Latino adults are here illegally and are ineligible to vote, according to estimates from the Pew Research Center. Another 5 million, while living here legally as temporary or permanent residents, are not citizens.

Finally, nearly one-third of all Hispanics in the U.S., some 17.9 million, are under age 18  young people like Edysmar Diaz-Cruz, a high school student from Miami, whose 18th birthday comes one month after the presidential contest.

Its so disappointing because Ive been closely following this years campaign, she says.

Relatively few of the Latinos who are eligible to vote actually register and then cast ballots. In the 2012 election, only 48 percent of eligible Hispanic voters turned out, according to the Pew Research Center . Thats compared to a 66.6 percent turnout rate among blacks and a 64.1 percent rate among whites.
They say time heals or wounds, but thats definitely not true. Just ask Paul E. Donovan Jr., who admitted to repeatedly vandalizing the tombstone of a childhood friend against whom he had been holding a grudge for over five decades.

69-year-old Donovan, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of institutional vandalism of a cemetery, last week. He had been arrested and charged with theft and vandalism in November 2015, after police identified him as the perpetrator of at least four acts of vandalism against a single tombstone in the Saint Matthews Cemetery in Whitemarsh.

The investigation in this truly bizarre case began in march of 2014, when a woman reported that her fathers tombstone had the name John written over it in orange spray paint, according to the criminal complaint. On April 29, 2014, the same tombstone was vandalized again with the same name in the same color spray paint, the woman told Whitemarsh police. Then, in December, a third complaint revealed that someone had poured a tar-like substance over the tombstone, which prompted police to set up hidden cameras to catch the vandal in the act.

Photo: NBC 10 video screengrab

In May 2015, the cameras recorded someone stealing the lights that had been placed near the tombstone to deter the mysterious vandal. Police were finally able to identify Paul E. Donovan Jr. as the villain in this story, in November last year, after he covered the last name of the deceased on the tombstone with black spray paint. he immediately confessed to the crime, but his motive really shocked the police.

The suspect claims that 56 years ago when the deceased was 10 and this subject was 12, he claims that the [deceased] stole money from him and 56 years later he was getting back at him, Lieutenant Christopher Ward told NBC 10. So for 56 years he lived with this grudge. He only realized that he had passed away within the last two years. It was later revealed that the two had actually been childhood friends, until Donovan accused the deceased of stealing $300 from a wooden box in his room. I guess he never got over it.

Photo: NBC 10 video screengrab

At the time of his arrest, Donovan told police officers that he would pay back any restitution minus the $300 he was owed over 56 years ago.

Last week, a judge sentenced Paul E. Donovan Jr. to two years of probation and ordered him to pay $1,500 in restitution to the family of the deceased. He was also warned to stay well clear of the tombstone he vandalized over the last two years.

via Nothing to Do with Arbroath
Loading... OilVoice will be with you shortly...
Related Egypt court upholds ban on tycoon Ahmed Ezz from running in parliamentary elections

Mostakbal Misr (Egypt's Future) Party said it is discussing a proposal to ask Egyptian steel tycoon and former leading NDP member Ahmed Ezz to become an "honorary president" for the party.

Amr Emara, the founder and leader of Mostakbal Misr, said in media statements that the party might solicit assistance from experienced politicians.

Emara denied allegations that Ezz is the financier of the party, explaining that his name was floated for the honorary position from among a number of prominent figures in Egypt, including the late Nobel Prize winner Ahmed Zewail.

In 2015, a court banned Ezz from running in the countrys parliamentary elections.

Ezz, who was released from prison in 2015 after a lengthy trial over corruption charges, served as the top organiser of former president Hosni Mubaraks now-dissolved National Democratic Party (NDP). He also acted as the spokesperson for the NDP in parliament between 2005 and 2010.

Ezz is widely believed to have engineered massive fraud during the 2010 parliamentary elections, securing an unprecedented majority for his party in the chamber.

Ezz is the chairman of Ezz Steel and has a 55 percent stake in EZDK, the largest steel complex in the Middle East, a one-time public sector conglomerate he acquired in a privatisation scheme in 1999.

Ezz enjoyed a close relationship with Gamal Mubarak, the former president's son who many believe was being groomed to succeed his father in the post.

Correction: An earlier version of this report stated Mostakbal Misr named Ezz honorary president.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Photos of a 28-year-old Egyptian expat who was almost tortured to death by of group of Jordanian men went viral, creating uproar in Egypt

An Egyptian bodyguard brutally tortured in Jordan  who received fractures of all four limbs -- was released from hospital, the Egyptian foreign ministry said on Saturday, adding that they were carefully following the case.

Last Sunday, photos of the unconscious Mostafa Darwish who had his arms and legs in casts and his face covered with welts, went viral in Egypt and created uproar.

According to news reports, the 28-year-old who works as a bouncer in a nightclub in Jordan, was kidnapped, almost tortured to death and then dumped in the desert by a group of men working for a Jordanian businessman.

Friends of Darwish said online a day earlier that Darwish had been in a fight with the businessman's brothers at the nightclub where he was working.

Egypt's foreign affairs ministry said on Saturday that it was following Darwish's case and that Jordanian authorities were also monitoring it.

In a statement issued late Saturday, the Egyptian foreign ministry explained that Egypt's ambassador to Jordan Khaled Tharwat spoke with the Jordanian foreign minister about the incident.

The statement also said that the Egyptian embassy received a letter from Jordan's interior minister's office saying that it was also carefully following the case.

The Egyptian foreign ministry added that its embassy in Amman already hired a lawyer for Darwish whose health condition had improved, allowing him to leave hospital.

This is the second known incident in less than a year of an Egyptian expat in Jordan being mistreated.

In October 2015, a video showing a Jordanian MP and his brothers physically assaulting an Egyptian waiter also went viral and sparked anger in Egypt. The MP and his brothers reportedly later apologised to the waiter.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


As parents prepare their rising freshmen for life at college, many are leaving out a crucial piece of information: how to build credit.

The college years are the best time to begin the process. After graduation, adults with no credit history have a harder time renting apartments, obtaining car loans or, eventually, mortgages.

Nowadays, getting approved for a first credit card can be the toughest part. Back when many of todays parents were in college, issuers lined up on campus to enroll students for starter cards. Since then, changes to federal law have sharply restricted students credit access, making so-called student cards an option for fewer and fewer students.

Even so, there are still plenty of ways parents of college-age children can help them along.

Lack of credit presents challenges after college: Failing to help kids establish credit is kind of a parenting error, said Lisa Heffernan, a mother of three in Westchester County, New York, who writes a blog for parents of young adults. You dont realize it until after your kids graduate college.

For Heffernan, that realization came recently when her middle son was turned down for an apartment after graduation. Hed landed a good job and had the pay stubs to prove it, but he hadnt been working long enough to file a tax return, and he had no credit history at all. Landlords commonly check prospective tenants credit for signs that they might not pay their rent on time.

But it isnt too late for Heffernan to help her youngest get a card and build credit while hes still in college.

This is a chance for me to teach him some good finance habits, she said.

The myth of student credit cards: Most major credit card issuers offer a student credit card. Some provide perks for good grades or on-time payments, or higher rewards rates for spending at student-friendly businesses, such as restaurants and movie theaters.

The catch is that student credit cards have essentially the same requirements as regular credit cards: The federal Credit Card Act of 2009 mandates that you must be 21 or have a full-time income to get approved. The tightened rules mean most college students cant qualify for student cards on their own.

Some students qualify by showing that they earn sufficient income. Vicki Kipfmuellers son, Spencer, applied for his own student card while working at a restaurant the summer after he graduated from high school. He was approved with an initial credit limit of $300. A year later, his credit limit has been raised to $1,000 because he has handled the card responsibly. He uses it to buy groceries.

On-time payments are the single biggest element of a consumers credit score. To make sure Spencer stayed on top of his, Kipfmueller, an insurance agent in the Milwaukee area, helped him set up automatic payments from his bank account. We really stressed that one late payment or missed payment, and you could totally wipe out any of the good that were trying to do here, Kipfmueller said.

How parents can help: Even if your children cant qualify for their own credit cards, you can still give them a head start in building credit.

1. Make them authorized users: Parents with good credit can add their teenage children to an existing account as authorized users. The child will receive a card with his or her name on it, but the parent will still be responsible for the bill. Making teenagers authorized users is like giving them a set of credit training wheels, and it can help them establish a credit history.

2. Co-sign: When a parent co-signs on a students account, both of their names are on it, and theyre jointly responsible for the bills. Not all issuers allow co-signers.

3. Find them a secured credit card: These cards require a security deposit, usually equal to the total credit limit. Theyre often easier to get because the deposit reduces risk to the issuer. Like other credit cards, they have age and income restrictions, but if your son or daughter is nearing the end of college or has already graduated, one of these might be a good option.

4. Suggest a debit card: Debit cards dont help build credit, but if your student needs the convenience of paying with plastic, they can do the trick.

Passing down good credit habits to your kids is important. These practices will help them get favorable terms on their first leases, insurance policies and loans.

We do so much to try to help our kids, Kipfmueller said. I think that its important that you do try to give them this good foundation of financial responsibility  and a good credit score.
The Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman called on news outlets to show caution in reporting on the story until confirmation is received

Egypt said on Sunday that it is trying to verify reports about the abduction of a group of Egyptian citizens by armed men in Libya on Saturday.

Egypt's foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a TV interview on MBC Masr that the Egyptian embassy in Libya is conducting inquiries with Libyan officials to verify the story.

On Saturday, Egyptian newspaper Al-Youm Al-Sabei quoted the spokesman for the interim Libyan government, Hatem Al-Oreibi, as saying that 27 Egyptians were abducted by armed men and taken to an unknown place in Brega city.

Al-Oreibi said that Libyan authorities are currently preparing for military action to free the Egyptian citizens.

Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Abu Zeid said that none of the families of those believed to have been kidnapped have contacted the foreign ministry, calling on news outlets to show caution in reporting on the story until confirmation is received.

The spokesman added that the foreign ministry would release a detailed official statement as soon as the kidnapping is verified.

Egypt has repeatedly reiterated its call that all citizens should avoid travelling to Libya due to the unstable security conditions in the war-torn country.

In 2015, the Egyptian government issued a warning to citizens to avoid travelling to Libya after the Islamic State militant group killed 20 Egyptian migrant workers near Derna.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Hayneedle will continue to exist as a stand-alone brand, a Walmart spokesman said after the mega-retailer bought the parent company of the Omaha-based online purveyor of housewares.

Walmart will buy fast-growing Jet.com, which has about 400 employees in Omaha under its Hayneedle brand. Jet bought Hayneedle earlier this year.

Hayneedle will continue to operate as a distinct subsidiary of Jet.com, Walmart spokesman Randy Hargrove told The World-Herald. Jet.com also will continue to operate under its own brand.

The Omaha workforce will not be subject to cuts, nor will those at Jet.com operations in New Jersey and elsewhere, Hargrove said. It will be business as usual, he said.

Along with a home office, Hayneedle also operates a call center and photo studio in the Omaha area.

Hargrove said that Jets purchase of Hayneedle closed before Walmart started looking into buying Jet.

Walmart is paying $3 billion in cash and an additional $300 million in stock. Jet bought Omaha-based Hayneedle in February for $90 million, according to documents obtained at the time by The World-Herald.

The Walmart-Jet deal announced Monday marks a major move for Walmart. Stock analysts have that said the company needs to move more aggressively to compete in the online world.

Walmarts online business has been slowing even as it has been making big investments in new distribution centers and expanding services.

Buying Jet.com would let Walmart compete more effectively with Amazon.com and other online retailers, retail analysts say. The deal also reflects the difficulties for startups like Jet.com to make it on their own in a sphere dominated by Amazon.com, with its network of distribution hubs and the powerful asset of its Prime membership program, in which customers pay an annual fee for benefits like free shipping.

The acquisition is expected to close this year upon regulatory approval, Walmart Stores Inc. said. Talks between the companies were first reported by the Wall Street Journal last week.

The move follows a series of acquisitions by major traditional retailers of online startups in an extremely competitive landscape. In January, Hudsons Bay, which owns Saks Fifth Avenue, purchased flash-sales site Gilt Groupe. And in June, Bed, Bath & Beyond scooped up One Kings Lane.

As part of the latest deal, the companies will maintain separate brands, with Walmart.com focusing on delivering the companys everyday low price strategy. Jet.com will continue to provide a curated assortment of products. Hayneedle also will continue to exist.

By doing that, we can reach more customers, Hargrove told The World-Herald.

Using the companies technology platforms in conjunction with the mega-retailers existing infrastructure will also help lift Walmarts e-commerce proposition, Hargrove said.

Walmart said that it will incorporate some of Jet.coms smart technology that lowers prices in real time by looking for ways to cut costs.

For Jet.com, which has been pouring money into splashy TV ads and other marketing, it will provide big financial backing.

Were looking for ways to lower prices, broaden our assortment and offer the simplest, easiest shopping experience, because thats what our customers want, Doug McMillon, Walmart president and CEO, said in a statement. Its another jolt of entrepreneurial spirit being injected into Walmart.

Marc Lore, co-founder and CEO of Jet.com, said in a statement that the combination of Walmarts retail expertise, purchasing scale, sourcing capabilities, distribution footprint and digital assets together with the team, technology and business it has built at Jet will allow the company to deliver more value to customers.

Jet.com, launched in July 2015 under Lore, now sells 12 million products coming from more than 2,400 retailers. Hayneedle got its start in Omaha in 2002, doing business first as Hammocks.com and eventually expanding into other home furnishings with different websites  SimplyMirrors.com, for instance  under the umbrella of the NetShops name. It lassoed all of its 400 websites into the new Hayneedle brand in 2009.

As of last year Hayneedle was said to sell more than $350 million worth of home goods annually.

Walmart, meanwhile, reported in May that global e-commerce sales rose 7 percent in the first quarter, weaker than the 8 percent in the previous quarter and far below the 20 percent increases seen less than two years ago.

Moodys lead retail analyst Charlie OShea said that Walmart was paying a lot for Jet.com, but no one knows whether theyve paid too much or too little, he said.

In its latest fiscal year that ended in January, Walmart generated online sales of $13.7 billion, a fraction of its total revenue of $482.1 billion. And its online figure pales in comparison with Amazon.coms annual net revenue of $107 billion. Walmarts online business is ranked No. 3 in terms of sales, behind Apple.

Jet.com has faced plenty of challenges. Three months after Jet.com launched it ditched its annual membership fee of $49.99, leading critics to question the business model. So Jet.com promised to undercut Amazon and other retailers by 4 percent to 5 percent instead of larger discounts.

But Jet.com is not a discount site. It is built on a real-time pricing algorithm that determines which sellers are the most efficient in value and shipping and adjusts prices based on what items are in the checkout cart, as well as how far the desired products are from the shoppers home.

So as a shopper puts items in her cart she is encouraged to add more to build a more efficient cart and buy items labeled smart cart for more savings. A user can even further customize orders for more savings. For instance, if he waives the right to return an item  a huge cost for online retailers  prices drop even more.

In May, Lore said that Jet.com had expected to reach overall profitability in 2020 and to hit $20 billion in general merchandise value with 15 million customers.

Shares of Walmart Stores Inc. fell Monday, closing at $73.34 on the New York Stock Exchange. The broader market was flat. The retailers stock is up about 20 percent this year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact the writer: 402-444-1534; cole.epley@owh.com
Arun Garg, a Miami dentist, has three business ventures. On a given day he might take a short break between patients at his office and text one of his three sons to see how his day is going. On a given night, if his sons are preoccupied, Garg will pull out his smartphone and respond to a work email or check on who has registered for his coming workshop.

Ask Garg how much time he works per week and he is unable to answer with accuracy. Yes, Im working outside of the office, but it doesnt feel like Im working if I am doing it sporadically, he said.

Most salaried workers will say that they put in much more than 40 hours a week. But researchers found that Americans with full-time jobs spent eight hours and eight minutes a day working or traveling to work, only five minutes more than a decade earlier. So, are Americans as overworked and overloaded as they profess to be?

In our quest to find work-life balance, our time use is complicated. Some people work a lot. Some dont. And many perform interval work  switching between work and personal tasks throughout the day and night  in a pattern that makes tracking time use increasingly difficult.

You might sit down in front of your computer screen to start a project and become distracted by a new email. Then you might work for an hour and take a quick break to check Facebook.

Switching between personal and business tasks at the workplace has become so habitual that some researchers believe that Americans spend as much as two hours of an eight-hour workday doing nonwork tasks, whether or not we realize it.

Tracking time has become complicated, said Fred Krieger, founder and CEO of Scoro, a San Francisco productivity and project management software company. Companies track every small expense to the last cent, but if you look at how employees spend their time, its quite loosely managed, especially in roles that are hard to measure.

When workers are asked to track their time, productivity improves, Krieger said. Even if management doesnt look at reports, it changes the way people plan their workday.

Still, no one can work eight hours straight, and most can work only about 45 minutes without an internal or external interruption, Krieger said. Six hours of productive work a day is satisfying for most bosses.

Of course, some employees waste more than two hours a day, playing online games or chatting with co-workers.

In Sweden, some employers are trying a six-hour workday with the premise that shorter days will help workers concentrate on high-priority tasks. In America, some businesses have four-day workweeks.

Preliminary results show that workers who put in fewer hours often are more productive. Publicist Jennifer Clarin of Boardroom Communications, based outside Miami, works a four-day workweek and says doing so forces her to forgo typical workplace distractions or switching between tasks in favor of more focused work.

I have this many hours to get it done, so I do, she said, although she still may log on from home as necessary. It all evens out if you are accountable to yourself.

Whether a continuous connection with the workplace is a need, a perk or a habit, the American Time Use Survey shows more people bring work home. On the days that employed people worked in 2015, 24 percent did at least some tasks from home, up from 19 percent in 2003, the surveys first year.

However, this is mostly true for salaried or self-employed workers. Those with lower-paying jobs work less, spending more time sleeping and watching television, offsetting increased time on the job for many better-educated workers, the 2016 American Time Use survey found.

Although a service worker might send a personal text message from the sales floor, its usually under the radar.

Managers are expecting them to give their full attention to the job, said Liana Sayer, director of the Time Use Laboratory at the University of Maryland.

Going forward, Sayer said, a combination of trends will make American work hours even more difficult to track.

Standard business hours are dissolving, more stores are open longer hours, more people are working outside a 9-to-5 shift, and more people are working whenever an employer wants them to, or with the gig economy, whenever they feel like working, she said.
A Colorado man has been arrested on suspicion of shooting his wife in the head while the two were on the beach at Lake McConaughy, according to Randy Fair, Keith County Attorney.

Sean K. Long of Aurora, Colorado, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault and use of a firearm to commit a felony in the shooting of his wife Saturday night, Fair said.

Longs wife, who was not identified, was flown by medical helicopter to a Colorado hospital and is expected to survive her injuries, according to a statement by Fair.

Witnesses say the shooting occurred at about 10:40 p.m. in the Martin Bay area of Lake McConaughy. According to witnesses, a group of 12 to 14 people from Colorado and Wyoming were at the campsite near Martin Bay at the time of the shooting. Witnesses said they believed alcohol was being consumed at the campsite where the incident occurred.

Two tents, a jet ski and a jet ski trailer were still at the scene Sunday afternoon.

A Denver woman, camping with her family near the site of the shooting, said that after the gunshot went off, someone who appeared to be with the group took the gun from the suspect and began to run for help.

The incident remains under investigation.

The Keith County Sheriffs Office, Ogallala Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Keystone Lemoyne Fire Rescue and Nebraska Game and Parks responded to the scene.
A retired University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor and former head of the High Plains Regional Climate Center has been arrested on a felony warrant from California on suspicion of sexual assault of a child.

Kenneth G. Hubbard, 67, was arrested Tuesday at his home in Cortland, Nebraska, a community south of Lincoln, in Gage County. He was arrested by deputies from the Gage County Sheriffs Office and taken to the county jail. He could not be reached for comment.

On Thursday, Hubbard appeared in Gage County Court and waived extradition. He isnt facing charges in Nebraska  he has been charged with three counts in California.

County Attorney Roger Harris said Hubbard is accused of committing three counts of lewd acts upon a child in the town of Martinez, California.

Hubbards UNL biography says he came to the school in 1981 as a professor of applied climate science in the School of Natural Resources.

Were aware of the arrest and are evaluating the appropriate steps, said Steve Smith, a UNL spokesman. He retired June 30, 2015, and has not been teaching at the university.

According to the UNL biography, Hubbard was granted emeritus status upon retiring and retained an office in Hardin Hall.

In 2008, Christy Carlson, a climatologist at UNL sued the High Plains Climate Center and the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, alleging that Hubbard treated her differently from her male co-workers and that he retaliated against her after she questioned how funds were being distributed.

A federal jury agreed on the retaliation charge, but not the discrimination complaint, awarding Carlson $280,000.

U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf threw out the verdict, finding the award excessive and not based on the evidence. Subsequently, the university settled with Carlson for $25,000.

Contact the writer: 402-444-1272, kevin.cole@owh.com
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is launching a new campus program to spark conversations about diversity and inclusiveness.

Husker Dialogues will be held in two 75-minute sessions on Sept. 13 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

Chancellor Ronnie Green will speak, and students will get into groups of 10 to 12 people for discussion.

The program will replace UNLs Mid-Semester Check, an academic support program created in 2005.

Program organizers are seeking 300 volunteers to assist with the conversations. Faculty, staff and upper-class students can apply through Aug. 19.

For more information, visit diversity.unl.edu/husker-dialogues#guides.

Conference at UNK will cover early childhood topics

The University of Nebraska at Kearney is hosting an early childhood conference next month.

The conference, called Learn, Play, Grow, will take place Sept. 16-17 at the Nebraska Student Union at UNK.

The conference is open to child care home providers, child care center staff, preschool teachers and staff, Head Start staff, elementary teachers and administrators, college students, parents and anyone who cares about children.

Keynote speakers are Samuel Meisels, executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute on Sept. 16, and Kathleen Gallagher, endowed chair of UNKs Early Childhood Program on Sept. 17.

The conference will cover topics including nutrition, social work, music, and speech and language.

Registration is $50 for both days and $35 for one day. The cost will go up after Sept. 1. Students can attend for free.

For more information and to register, visit unk.edu/academics/coe/unk-early-childhood-conference.php.

UNL leaders talk about campus goals at locations across state

University of Nebraska-Lincoln leaders are traveling across the state this month to speak about the role and goals of the universitys flagship campus.

Fifteen academic leaders, including deans, will make nearly 50 stops in several towns and cities across the state, from Scottsbluff to West Point and from ONeill to Falls City.

The effort, called Blanket Nebraska, informally began in July and officially began Wednesday.

Engaging with Nebraskans is important as UNL transitions leaders, said Ronnie Green, UNLs new chancellor.

Green became UNLs 20th chancellor in May, replacing Harvey Perlman.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Forty people oohed and aahd as Suzi Parron clicked through a Powerpoint at the Grand Island Public Library last week. Bright colors and geometric patterns lit up the dim room.

Parron, author of new book Following the Barn Quilt Trail, spoke about her journey of finding barn quilts across the country.

Barn quilts are paintings, in the shape and pattern of actual quilts, that are put on barns.

Quilting is a big part of Parrons family heritage, but she didnt initially know about barn quilts. She discovered them while she was making her way from Georgia to Yellowstone. She saw a barn with a quilt painted on the side. She met the owner and asked, Why is there a quilt on the side of your barn?

Her curiosity sparked about this unique topic. She didnt find many books on it, so she decided to write one. And later, another. She lives in an RV with her husband, traveling the rural U.S. countryside meeting people and looking for barn quilts.

The barn quilts were originally put on barns to honor farm women. Parron discovered the quilts in Ohio and discovered a trail of them that led her to nearly every continental state. As far as she knows, every state except Nevada and Rhode Island have barn quilts.

She told stories of barn quilts and people she encountered. Every quilt has a story, she said.

Parron told of an Omaha lady she met who bought a pile of old quilts from a vendor. One quilt was sewn over with blue flannel. The woman ripped the flannel off to unveil an intricate, colorful quilt with more than 80 names embroidered on the border of each patterned square. The woman looked up one of the names, which was of a 100-year-old California woman. The two women met up and adored the quilt, which was made in 1936.

The elderly woman died a few months later, and the Omaha woman had the quilt painted as a barn quilt. Even after the barn was destroyed in a storm, the Omaha woman had a new barn quilt painted on the new building to keep alive the memories and history.

Its the best barn quilt story ever, Parron said.

Susan Smith, Beth Engler and Mary Lothrop attended Parrons book talk. The trio are quilting enthusiasts and are part of a quilting guild that meets at St. Leos every second Thursday of the month. Parron will hold a barn quilt painting workshop with the guild next August.

I like the simplicity of them, Engler said of the barn quilts.

Engler has one hanging up at her residence. Barn quilts dont necessarily have to be on a barn.

Smith said the barn quilts represent a sense of pride in the craft we do.

Smith said quilting is a technique thats not as common in younger generations, but she and her friends are excited about it.

Parron said the barn quilts unite people in a unique way, especially because people from all over the country have them.

Its a sense of belonging, Parron said about quilting and barn quilts. It was something thats always spoken to me.
BARTLETT, Neb.  If you wanted to see the spirit of the Wild West captured in bronze by Herb Mignery, you could travel to California, Colorado, Texas, Wyoming or dozens of other places where the sculptor has works on display that have been commissioned.

But if you ever wanted to see 22 bronzes from the Bartlett native in one place, all youd have to do is travel to his hometown of Bartlett and stop at the Wheeler County Courthouse.

Eight of his latest pieces were dedicated Saturday with Mignery giving a public presentation and answering questions. It was Mignerys first visit to his hometown in five years.

Bob Nichols of Bartlett was a classmate of Mignery and serving as a local coordinator of the Mignery sculptures. They graduated from Wheeler County High School, then both went into the U.S. Army together from 1961-63 after the Korean War.

Herb and I were born 10 days apart and less than a mile apart, Nichols said.

Mignery grew up on a ranch where his family had raised cattle for more than 100 years. Nichols said Mignery always had an interest in drawing and after he was discharged from the Army, he entered the commercial art world.

Nichols has made four trips since 2002 to Mignerys studio in Loveland, Colo., to pick up bronzes for Bartlett.

We never had to ask for one, Nichols said.

Once when Nichols was commenting to Mignery about all the people who have come to Bartlett to view the bronzes, Mignery told Nichols, Maybe I ought to bring you a couple of more.

Nichols  with help from his friend, Joe Walkowiak  have designed the layout for the sculptures around the courthouse lawn, including the displays on which they are mounted.

When I am doing something wrong, he (Walkowiak) will say Bob, we can do better,  Nichols said. He is a carpenter and so when it is something we discuss, I listen to him pretty hard.

Nichols also has raised the funds to cover the cost of the displays, including $60,000 this last time so the bronzes can be exhibited in a manner that shows the detail and precision Mignery put into them.

The latest eight feature the same Western theme displayed in earlier pieces, including cowboys, American Indians, horses and Western life.

On Sunday, Mignery was in Bancroft for two bronze statues that were dedicated as part of annual John G. Neihardt Day festivities there.

One is depicting Neihardt, the poet laureate in perpetuity of Nebraska, and the other is of Nicholas Black Elk, the Oglala Lakota holy man whose story was told in Neihardts most well-known book, Black Elk Speaks.

The heroic-sized sculptures crafted by Mignery were unveiled during the 51st annual Neihardt Day celebration.

Nichols said Mignery has developed a special relationship with his hometown, including a bronze called Helping Hand. It will be given to someone in the community who has provided a helping hand for the community.

If you win it, it will be yours to keep, Nichols said, noting that a new one will be given each year.
DES MOINES  One of the most viewed displays at the Iowa State Fair will peer into the future and celebrate the past at the same time as the popular butter sculpture exhibit features characters from the Star Trek television series.

Each year Sarah Pratt creates a cow from 600 pounds of butter for the butter cow exhibit. The refrigerated case also features a second scene which has included Elvis Presley, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and Neil Armstrongs walk on the moon.

This year standing next to the cow will be Captain Kirk, Spock, Dr. McCoy and Uhura in two scenes on the bridge of starship USS Enterprise to commemorate the original Star Trek television shows 50th anniversary.

The Iowa State Fair, which attracts more than a million people a year, begins Aug. 11.
DES MOINES (AP)  A ban on guns at the Iowa State Fair will remain in place this year. The news comes after a heated legislative committee hearing in which people argued both for and against allowing people attending the fair to carry guns.

Several people spoke Friday at a meeting of the Iowa Legislatures Administrative Rules Review Committee against allowing guns at the fair, the Des Moines Register reported.

Opponents described scenarios in which drunken and irresponsible fair guests toting handguns could create dangerous situations that could threaten innocent people.

If you allow guns at the State Fair, I may never set foot there again, said Lars Pearson of Des Moines. I suspect there are droves of Iowans who feel the same way.

But others said making the fair a gun-free zone poses its own danger. Richard Rogers of West Des Moines, a board member of the pro-gun Iowa Firearms Coalition, said he questioned the State Fair Boards authority to ban guns when the state has authorized some fairgoers to carry them.

He also said the ban provides an illusion of increasing public safety while actually diminishing it, because people are left defenseless if someone who ignores the ban brings a gun and begins shooting.

The committee never expected to take action following the hearing, which was held after an Iowa resident requested it. The committee cannot require the fair board to lift the ban or impose its own restrictions on the agency.

This years fair is set to start Thursday and run through Aug. 21.

Copyright 2016 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Egyptian MPs rejected an Irish parliament resolution calling for the release of Egyptian-Irish prisoner and alleged Muslim Brotherhood member Ibrahim Halwa

Egyptian MPs said in a statement on Sunday that they fully reject a resolution issued by the Irish parliament demanding that Egyptian-Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa be immediately released from prison.

Halawa was detained as part of what came to be known as the "El-Fath Mosque clashes" in 2013, where security forces and supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi clashed during a siege on El-Fath Mosque in central Cairo.

Egypt parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Al disclosed on Sunday that many MPs have asked him to issue a statement in response to the resolution passed by the Irish parliament on 8 July, which criticises Halawas continued detention without trial.

Halawa has been jailed for over three years along with 492 others over charges including murder and sabotage.

"This resolution directed criticism at the judicial authority and demanded that Halawa  an Irish citizen of Egyptian origin  be released at once," said Abdel-Al.

"As you all know, the dimensions of the El-Fath Mosque case could be summarised as follows; the [Muslim Brotherhood] terrorist organisation to which Ibrahim Halawa is affiliated committed a number of criminal acts that are rejected by laws and traditions.

Abdel-Al said that these criminal acts range from desecrating God's places of worship and barring citizens from performing prayers in mosques, to premeditated murder, sabotaging public and private property, thuggery, arson, assaulting police, illegally possessing weapons, disrupting traffic, and endangering the lives of citizens."

"All of these acts are criminalised by Egypt's penal code, which imposes harsh penalties in this respect," said the statement.

Abdel-Al also indicated that Halawa was one of many people referred to trial in the El-Fath Mosque case.

"They were questioned by investigative authorities and now it is only the judicial authority, which is headed by fair judges, that has the final say in terms of detention or custody," said the statement.

Abdel-Al also indicated that the Egyptian constitution, which was approved by a vast majority in a referendum on 18 January 2014, states that the judicial authority is independent and that their rulings go in line with the law.

The statement said that "nobody can interfere with the affairs of justice or judicial cases and any interference will be considered a crime."

Abdel-Aal added that "Egypt's House of Representatives is not in a position to deal with the resolution issued by the Irish parliament, which calls for the release of [Halawa] and for allowing him to return to Ireland in the nearest time upon the grounds that he is an opinion prisoner."

"This [Irish parliament] resolution directs accusations and represents an aggression against the Egyptian judicial authority and interference in the course of justice," he said.

However, Abdel-Al said that Egypt's parliament welcomes a constructive dialogue with the Irish parliament, and recommends an exchange of visits as part of the friendly relations between the two countries.

He said that such visits would be a good means for discussing issues of mutual interest and correcting positions on certain events in an atmosphere of mutual respect for judicial, legislative and executive authorities in the two countries.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


A 29-year-old Omaha woman who was walking her dog was struck by a car and critically injured Monday morning near South 90th Street and West Center Road.

The dog was killed.

The accident occurred around 6 a.m. at Paddock and West Center Roads, according to Omaha police.

The injured woman, Cheyla Pettett, was taken in extremely critical condition to Nebraska Medical Center. Police said Pettett suffered severe injuries and was in critical condition Monday afternoon.

Police said an eastbound 2007 Volvo sedan driven by Jon Thompson, 64, of Omaha struck the woman, who was walking north and crossing West Center in the left lane of the eastbound roadway.

Authorities blocked westbound West Center Road at 90th Street and eastbound West Center at 94th Street until 9:30 a.m. while the accident was investigated.
As the dog days of summer come to a close, dog owners and their furry friends are getting a chance to paddle around in city pools.

The City of Omaha, with the Nebraska Humane Society, is hosting Doggie Dips on the final days of swimming at three local pools.

On Sunday evening, a few hundred dogs joined their human companions at Lee Valley Swimming Pool near 106th and Charles Streets to cool off in the water and raise money for the Humane Society.

The Doggie Dip was held after regular hours. The pool will be drained today, said Tracy Stratman, recreation manager for the Parks and Recreation Department. Stratman said it was the perfect opportunity for four-legged swimmers.

Why not use the water one last time for people who want to swim with their dogs? Stratman said.

There are still two more opportunities to take your pooch to the pool. Cryer Swimming Pool, near 118th Street and Cryer Avenue, hosts a dip on Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and Gallagher Swimming Pool, near 54th Street and Bedford Avenue, will host one Sunday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The cost is $5 per dog, which also includes two humans.

Among the three events, Stratman said that more than $2,000 is expected to be raised for the Humane Society.

At Lee Valley, dogs of all breeds and sizes showed up. With more than an hour left, about 280 dogs had entered the pool deck. Lazlo, an 8-year-old Dutch shepherd, was playing in the water with owner Stephanie Hillier.

He loves the water, Hillier said.

Hillier is a full-time comedian and said that she doesnt schedule shows on this night each year to make sure Lazlo can paddle around.

Other dogs were less confident.

Arnie, a 15-month-old Australian cattle dog, had to be coaxed to the waters edge by owner Ryan Putz, who lives near the pool.

Weve been working on it with him, Putz said of Arnies swimming confidence.

Putz just got back from vacation, where he took Arnie to the beach to get him comfortable near water. Even so, Putz was cradling Arnie in the water.

Taylor George was with her German shepherd-husky mix, Ko-dee, who was wearing a yellow Scooby-Doo life jacket.

George said that she thinks a pool for dogs open all summer would be a hit.

Im sure theyd make a lot of money, George said.

Contact the writer: 402-444-1151, reece.ristau@owh.com
GRAND ISLAND, Neb.  The Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission has denied a Hall County petition seeking a reduction in commercial property values in downtown Grand Island.

The Hall County Board filed the petition July 26 and received the denial ruling during a budget meeting Monday.

Hall County Assessor Jan Pelland informed the board of the ruling via email.

"The commissions authority to act on a county petition in the statewide equalization process is limited to those powers granted in ... (state) statutes," the ruling read. "The commission does not have the power to create a market area or subclass."

The commission stated in the ruling that it does have the authority to increase or decrease the value of a class or subclass, but because Hall County currently doesnt classify the downtown property as its own subclass of commercial property, the state commission lacked the authority to create it for the county.

The Hall County board had also filed a petition seeking to lower the commercial values in all of Grand Island, but County Attorney Jack Zitterkopf withdrew that petition during the hearing before TERC commissioners last week.

"We pulled it for unintended consequences," Supervisor Pam Lancaster said on Monday.

She and Supervisor Gary Quandt attended the tax commission hearing in Lincoln last week along with Zitterkopf, downtown businessman Craig Hand and Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Johnson.

Lancaster said Hall County could likely have successfully had the downtown commercial property values lowered under the citywide petition that was filed, but the state commission may have offset the downtown reductions with increases in other commercial property in the city.

Lancaster said the goal wasnt to raise anyones property valuation but rather to try to get the depreciation levels in downtown reset to last years levels.

Pelland had revalued all commercial property in the city this past year by implementing an updated costing formula. She said she had been using a 2004 costing method and upgraded to a 2014 formula at the state's direction.

Pelland also implemented a new depreciation model to cap commercial depreciation at 80 percent. Those downtown businesses that had depreciation higher than 80 percent because they have vacant or unusable second stories then faced increases in overall value, which the County Board hoped to have rolled back under the petition submitted to the state.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Bryan Clauson, a popular driver considered by many to be the top dirt-track racer in the country, died Sunday night from injuries suffered in a crash during a race in Kansas. He was 27.

His death was announced Monday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"Our Bryan fought to the end with the same desire that he demonstrated behind the wheel of all the various race cars he would park in victory lane," the Clauson family said. "However, we were more proud of our Bryan that took a moment to make a young fan's day, or demonstrated his uncommon kindness and appreciation toward his friends, family and fans."

Clauson was leading the race at the Belleville (Kansas) Midget Nationals on Saturday night when he crashed while passing lapped traffic. His car rolled and was hit by another competitor. He was airlifted to Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, where he died surrounded by his family.

It was another sad blow for an auto racing community that has been hit hard in recent years. In 2013, Jason Leffler died following a crash at a New Jersey sprint car race, and the following year Formula One driver Jules Bianchi suffered head injuries in the Japanese Grand Prix that ultimately cost him his life. A year ago, Justin Wilson was killed when he was struck in the head by a piece of debris during an IndyCar race at Pocono.

Clauson was injured just 24 hours after he was involved in another crash Friday night. Afterward, he posted on Twitter his appreciation for his safety equipment, his chassis manufacturer and his team for getting his car ready for him to race Saturday night.

Clauson was on pace to compete in 200 races this year. He had 27 victories in 116 starts, and he led three laps in the Indianapolis 500 on May 29 before winning a sprint car race that night in nearby Kokomo in what he called an "Indiana Double." A four-time USAC national champion, Clauson was aiming to become the winningest driver in series history. He was a three-time winner and the defending champion at Belleville.

Clauson came from the same mold of old-school racers such as A.J. Foyt, Gary Bettenhausen and Tony Stewart  he would race anything, anywhere. He was a California native and got a USAC-IndyCar scholarship for winning the 2010 USAC national driver's title.

The scholarship earned Clauson six Indy Lights starts in 2011 in a car shared with current IndyCar Series rookie Conor Daly at Sam Schmidt Motorsports while Clauson continued to race in USAC's national series. His best finish in eight career Indy Lights races was third at Iowa in 2011.

Clauson won the scholarship award again in 2012, allowing him to make his Indianapolis 500 debut in 2012 with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing. He returned to the Indy 500 in 2015 with KVSH/Jonathan Byrd's Racing, then led his first career laps this year driving for Dale Coyne.

"Bryan Clauson combined his passion and enthusiasm for grassroots racing with a God-given talent that made him the favorite to win every time he got in a midget or sprint car," said Doug Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. "He possessed a humility and character out of the race car that made him a person that fellow competitors and fans alike enjoyed being around."

Clauson was a development driver for Chip Ganassi in NASCAR, where he competed in 26 races over the 2007 and 2008 seasons. He also spent several seasons driving for Stewart's sprint car team. Stewart said after the NASCAR race on Sunday he hoped to see Clauson's parents and fiancee, Lauren, soon.

"I don't care what happened, no matter how bad his day was, he always found a way to smile with it," Stewart said. "Him and Lauren being engaged, kid had such a bright future. It sucks when it's anybody in racing, it's hard when you lose them, but it's even worse when they're somebody as close to you as Bryan was."

Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR's executive vice president, called Clauson a friend to many in racing.

"He touched the lives of so many in our motorsports family, and his warm presence and relentless enthusiasm will be missed," he said.

Clauson is survived by his parents, Tim and Di, sister Taylor and fiancee, Lauren Stewart. Funeral arrangements were pending. A memorial service in his honor will take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at a date to be announced.
COUNCIL BLUFFS  Mike Pence says this years presidential election could impact America for decades to come  far beyond the next four years.

The Indiana governor who was tabbed last month to be Donald Trumps running mate said Monday at a Council Bluffs rally that the next president will set the course for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Its possible that the next president  whether it is Trump, a Republican, or Hillary Clinton, a Democrat  could appoint three or more justices to the nine-member court, which already has one vacancy.

We ought to think very carefully about what that means for our Constitution and our principles of government, Pence told an energetic crowd at the Mid-America Center.

For the sake of the rule of law, for the sake of the sanctity of life, for the sake of our 2nd Amendment to the Constitution ... we must ensure the next president making appointments to the Supreme Court of the United States of America is Donald Trump, he said.

Pence drew about 500 people to his Council Bluffs stop, during which he gave a punchy 30-minute speech that was briefly interrupted by about a half-dozen protesters chanting Stop the racism, stop the hate.

It was Pences second Iowa rally of the day. He spoke earlier Monday in Sioux City.

The GOP vice presidential nominee gave a solid meat-and-potatoes speech, lambasting Clinton and President Barack Obama as being weak on the economy and weak on foreign affairs, and praising Trump as a job creator who will never back down.

You have nominated a man for president who never quits, who never backs down. A fighter, a winner and, until now, it seems like he was out there all on his own. But now were united, Pence said.

He has connected with the aspirations and the frustrations of the American people like no other national leader in my lifetime, since Ronald Reagan. When Donald Trump does his talking, he doesnt go tiptoeing around those thousands of rules of political correctness.

Pence appeared to dismiss recent national polls that suggest that Trump has fallen behind Clinton. The Democrats and the media keep thinking theyve done him in, Now weve got him,  Pence said. Then they turn on television the next morning, and Donald Trump is still standing strong.

Pence followed in his running mates shoes by meeting with the family of Sarah Root, the Council Bluffs woman whom authorities say was killed by an illegal immigrant from Honduras who was driving drunk in Omaha. Local law enforcement had asked federal immigration authorities to detain the driver and were turned down. The driver later posted $5,000 bail and disappeared.

Roots case has sparked national attention since Trump mentioned her in his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention last month in Cleveland and appeared to blame Obama for her death.

One more child to sacrifice on the altar of open borders, said Trump, who had met with Roots family during a rally in May.

Pence said he met with the Root family before his rally not as a governor, not as a candidate, just as a dad. He also used the case to argue that Trump was the law-and-order candidate.

After Roots death, Nebraska and Iowa lawmakers joined together and introduced a bill known as Sarahs Law, which would force federal immigration officials to detain illegal immigrants who have been charged with a crime that results in death or serious injury.

Thanks to the strong leadership of Sen. Joni Ernst, Sarahs life and their (family) loss will change lives. Because when Donald Trump becomes the president of the United States of America, working with Sen. Ernst, we will pass Sarahs Law, Pence said.

Contact the writer: 402-444-1309, robynn.tysver@owh.com
The biggest obstacle between Midlands veterans and a modern replacement for many of the medical services provided at Omahas aging VA Medical Center is Congress.

But that hurdle no longer looks as high.

Nebraskas federal delegation, along with former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, last week hosted VA Secretary Robert McDonald. His Omaha stops included a tour of our communitys functional-but-deteriorating VA hospital.

The federal government cant afford to replace the hospital, now or in the near future. Its a problem with echoes across the country, as VA construction cost overruns in places like suburban Denver mount, swallowing a limited budget.

For years, Congress has kicked around ideas to reimagine how the VA provides health care to veterans. None has more immediate promise than an innovative Omaha proposal to use donor dollars to help build a $136 million clinic on VA property, next to the VA hospital. The 157,000-square-foot facility would focus on primary care, specialty care and ambulatory surgery.

The idea of leveraging private support to serve a public purpose is nothing new in Omaha. Its how our community built CenturyLink Center Omaha and TD Ameritrade Park and grew the Henry Doorly Zoo. Its how the University of Nebraska Medical Center became a global force for fighting disease.

But in Washington, this idea is revolutionary, says McDonald, who before becoming VA secretary was chairman and CEO of Procter & Gamble. The concept has a chance to become a national model, he says.

We think this is the right time, this is the right place, this is the right community, McDonald said Thursday. If we can get this done here, it becomes a pilot for doing it in other places.

All that remains is for Congress to give the go-ahead so Omaha philanthropists can help veterans get a facility that matches the quality of their service.

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford have introduced bills in the Senate and House that would make it legal for the VA to accept donations of property. They say they will attach the measures to must-pass legislation this year.

We are going to get this through Congress, Fischer said.

The bills have bipartisan promise because they sensibly stretch limited federal dollars to do more for our veterans than a 65-year-old hospital with heating, cooling and plumbing problems.

Local fundraising will be spearheaded by Omaha philanthropists Mike Yanney, Mike McCarthy and Walter Scott Jr.

So a great idea, with strong local support and national promise, one that could accomplish a vital federal purpose and save federal funds, is waiting on one thing. Congress should act, and soon.
Italian Senator Lucio Barani of the Liberal Popular Alliance Bloc said on Sunday evening that the Egyptian government is not responsible for the death of Italian student Giulio Regeni, saying that his visit to Egypt aims to strengthen Egyptian-Italian economic relations.

In a Cairo press conference organised by the European-Egyptian Business Council and headed by renowned Egyptian businessman Mohammed Abul-Enein, Barani criticised Italys handling of the matter, adding that Egypt's government is doing its best to investigate the murder case, MENA news agency reported.

A number of Italian members of parliament and their Egyptian counterparts participated in the conference.

Regeni, a 28-year old Cambridge PhD student, vanished from the streets of Cairo on 25 January before his body was discovered in a ditch on the outskirts of the city nine days later, showing signs of extensive torture.

Some have speculated that Egyptian authorities were behind the killing of the student, who was conducting research on trade unions in the country.

Barani also said that he would call on the Italian foreign ministry to revoke its travel warning to Egypt, stressing that Egypt is safe.

Barani said that the Italian delegation at the conference included Italian businessmen alongside the MPs, adding that there will be a meeting next September between Italian and Egyptian MPs to foster bilateral relations.

The Italian MP also said that he would hold a press conference on Wednesday in Rome announcing the results of his visit.

In April, Barani along with the Italian Senator Francesco Amoroso, the former president of the Euro-Mediterranean parliament, reiterated similar statements to Abul-Enein during an interview this week on Sada El-Balad TV.

The MPs ruled out the possibility of the Egyptian government's involvement in Regeni's murder, describing it as a "plot" to spoil the relationship between Egypt and Italy.

Abul-Enein, who is also honorary president of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliament, said on his official website in April that a number of Italian MPs assured him of the importance of Egyptian-Italian relations in spite of those who try "to trigger a crisis by exploiting the Italian young mans killing."

The Italian senate voted in June to suspend the supply of spare parts for F16 warplanes to Egypt in protest to what it says is Egypt's failure to cooperate in the investigation into the murder of Regeni.

Egypt said the Italian move was not consistent with the level of cooperation that has existed between investigative authorities in both countries since the beginning of the case."

In early April, the Italian government recalled its ambassador for consultation following a series of meetings in Rome between a high-level Egyptian security and legal delegation and Italian officials to discuss Cairo's investigation into the murder.

In May, Italy appointed Giampaolo Cantini as its new ambassador to Cairo, but said its decision to recall its ambassador, made in April, has not changed.

Egypt has vigorously denied any claims that security forces were involved in Regeni's murder.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Kintner should resign or be impeached

As a constituent of Papillion State Sen. Bill Kintner, who was fined $1,000 Friday by the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission for misuse of public resources after using a state computer to engage in cybersex, I call on the Legislature to impeach him, as he apparently does not have the integrity to resign himself.

He can no longer be effective in the Legislature.

I do not care about Kintners online activities. What concerns me is that, for several years in the Legislature, he has represented himself as a pious and forthright individual who is never shy about throwing the first stone at others. Now when caught in untoward behavior, Sen. Kintner talks as if he is a victim.

He is not. His act has run its course.

Sen. Kintner, show some class and resign.

James Harrold, Plattsmouth

The battle for voting rights continues

The League of Women Voters-Greater Omaha thanks The World-Herald for shining the spotlight on an integral issue of this and every election (Courts speak on voting laws, Aug. 4 World-Herald). Throughout our history, the right to vote has been tested through both our Constitution and human whim; even the ground-breaking Voting Rights Act of 1965 has been challenged.

In 2013, the decision in Shelby County v. Holder dealt a damaging blow to the Voting Rights Act, calling some of its measures outdated and citing impingement of states rights. As a result, voting discrimination still exists, and the actual practice of barrier-free enfranchisement continues to vary from state to state.

The League of Women Voters urges the passage of the Voting Rights Advancement Act. We consider it an improvement  one that will enable us to move closer to ensuring that every single citizen of this country can easily cast a ballot, and that no impediment to this activity is tolerated.

Elaine Johnson, Omaha

president,

League of Women Voters-Greater Omaha

Nukes still pose great danger

Seventy-one years ago, the world saw the destructive power of nuclear weapons with the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Today, with more than 15,000 nuclear weapons around the world, we must recommit ourselves to the cause of eliminating the worlds deadliest weapons.

There is no question that nuclear weapons are simply too destructive to ever be used. The devastation from the bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki would be far outdone by the even-deadlier nuclear weapons of today. Yet while the world agrees that we must never again use such horrific weapons, our actions do not match our words.

America must be a leader in ridding the world of nuclear weapons  limiting not only the size of our arsenal, but addressing the policies that keep us moments away from a nuclear war. It is past time that America abandon Cold War policies that keep our nuclear bombs on a hair-trigger, declaring clearly that America will never be the first to use a nuclear weapon.

Seven decades after the horror of Hiroshima, it is time to finally turn the page on the era of nuclear weapons.

Michael Penry, Omaha

Ashford will work across aisle

Although an independent conservative having served 27 years in the Air Force, I will vote for Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford, not Republican candidate Don Bacon, for Congress.

Why? Ashford has a can-do attitude and is willing to work with Republicans and compromise to get things done. This is important in a diverse district.

Bacon, on the other hand, represents the do-nothing attitude of the right. For example, Bacon wants to repeal Obamacare but offers nothing to replace it.

This, from someone who benefits from a very good and very low-cost government health care program. Ridiculous.

Brad Ashford has and can effectively represent a culturally diverse district. Don Bacon cannot.

Nathan Feldman, Omaha

Its not the citys money; its ours

Regarding the Aug. 3 World-Herald article, Smaller cut in property taxes could put more into street work, Omaha City Council member Ben Gray argued for a smaller property tax cut than what Mayor Jean Stothert proposed, saying nobody is going to miss the bigger tax cut.

This small thinking and arrogant mindset of council members  that they know what is best  will continue to wreck Omaha.

Gray said the city needs the revenue more than the residents who would benefit from the mayors proposed 2 percent tax cut  which would cut $15 from the tax bill of a home valued at $150,000. That should be offensive to every Omaha citizen. That $15 would buy a bag of groceries, school supplies or clothes for our kids, gas for our cars, etc.

Let Omaha taxpayers decide whether were going to miss a tax cut, not Gray and the rest of the Omaha City Council.

Stephen G. Houston, Omaha

Pope misunderstands gender issues

I have been encouraged by many of Pope Francis words and actions since his pontificate began.

But I paused in disappointment at his comments on transgender people (Pope says kids are being taught gender a choice, calls it terrible,  Aug. 3 World-Herald).

Pope Francis says, God created man and woman, God created the world this way, this way, this way, and we are doing the opposite.

Our world does include man and woman, but it also includes intersex people  individuals who are not easily placed in the male or female categories. Who, then, does Pope Francis suggest should determine the gender of these persons?

Its easy to say God created man and woman. Its a simple, straightforward and convenient way to understand gender. But unfortunately, its not the whole story.

Intersex persons know this, and they do their best to navigate a world that largely only sees the false duality that Pope Francis sees.

Joel Walker, Omaha

Fischer cant be fan of both NATO, Trump

The World-Heralds Aug. 2 editorial on the NATO charter (NATO deserves our firm support) was remarkable, but not for what it said.

Americans would readily agree that this country must honor its historic obligations to other NATO members under the treaty.

It was not remarkable that Nebraska U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer agreed we must preserve our commitment to Article 5 of the treaty, which states that an attack on one member of NATO is an attack on all.

What was remarkable about the editorial was that it did not include a single mention of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who opened this global can of worms by stating that as president he would not necessarily honor Article 5 if a member state was not meeting its financial obligations to NATO.

This was surely music to the ears of Vladimir Putin, whom the candidate openly admires and whose tanks are parked and idling at the borders of militarily weak NATO member countries in the Baltic region.

What is most remarkable is that Fischer remains a solid supporter of this candidate, revealing once again that she is truly concerned only with the politics of the moment.

G.A. Wees, Omaha

Obama caves to Iranian kidnappers

The press is doing a great job brainwashing the public. Yes, Donald Trump was wrong for his words about the family of the fallen Muslim soldier. But the coverage of it is out of control.

Will the press treat the report by the Wall Street Journal that President Obama sent $400 million to Iran to free four prisoners the same way? We do not pay ransom for captured Americans.

While Trumps words are words, Obamas sneaky actions are dangerous.

Louise Morgan, Omaha

Speed limits needed at Standing Bear

As a walker at the dam site at Standing Bear Lake, I would like to agree with July 23 Public Pulse writer Laure Grant (A path or a racetrack?) on the speed that bicyclists race through the trails.

Our dam site trail has a lot of curves, and it would be a terrible thing to hit someone you could not see around one of these curves. If bikers feel the need for speed, take it to the streets or out into the country, not where families come to see nature and walk the trails.

At Standing Bear Lake, speed is not limited to the trails; cars also drive through at speeds that are way too fast for a recreation area. There are no speed limit signs posted for cars entering the site or bikes on the trails.

It would help to post speed limits that would be appropriate for both.

Standing Bear is a wonderful way to see and appreciate nature, right in the city. It should safely be shared by all.

Cheri Tegels, Omaha
Its one of the delicious ironies of the Barack Obama presidency that a man who came into office with lofty talk on nuclear nonproliferation would oversee the biggest modernization of the U.S. arsenal since the Cold War. His administration kick-started a $1 trillion nuclear upgrade initiative that, among other things, will refurbish eight major weapons labs and prolong the lives of the Pentagons most important tactical nuclear bomb and submarine-based warhead.

For those of us who think there are more pressing issues than who gets to use what bathroom in North Carolina, this update is a legacy worth championing.

However, it is possible to have too much of a necessary thing. Case in point is a new plan by the Air Force to spend $62 billion for research and development of new nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles to replace the aging Minuteman IIIs now in silos in the northern Great Plains.

These ICBMs are the centerpiece of the land leg of the so-called nuclear triad, which also includes the Air Forces nuclear-armed bombers and the Navys Ohio-class submarines. The Minutemen are as outdated as the Soviet Union. Nuclear deterrence works only if potential adversaries actually have some smidgen of a belief that the U.S. would actually use the weapons. And, contra Donald Trumps carelessly casual remarks on pressing the button, nobody thinks the U.S. would let fly these doomsday devices in any circumstances short of a last-ditch effort to end a massive, ongoing nuclear conflict.

The 500 or so Minutemen currently in service are far, far more than enough to maintain credibility for such a far-fetched scenario. And while they have an expiration date of 2030, experts say their lifespans could be extended. Given that the land-based leg of the nuclear stool looks increasingly anachronistic, the military should be looking to phase it out entirely. Take it from someone with a bit more experience here than me, former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Admiral Mike Mullen: At some point in time . . . certainly I think a decision will have to be made in terms of whether we keep the triad or drop it down to a dyad.

But for now, at a minimum, it would be wise to save billions by taking the majority of the Minutemen out of service, refurbishing those that remain, and shutting down the silos at one or two of bases where they are stored. (Relax, you who worry that fewer missiles would give an enemy an easier time knocking them all out of the sky: The only plausible scenario in which the U.S. would use them would be after that adversarys anti-missile capabilities had been pretty much wiped out.)

Scaling back and eventually eliminating the land-based missiles would not weaken the nations nuclear deterrent. The Air Force last year gave Northrop Grumman an $80 billion contract to develop a new long-range-strike bomber for nuclear missions, to replace the B-1 and B-2 aircraft. It can also keep flying its fleet of Cold War-era B-52s until at least 2040. And the administration is spending upwards of $8 billion to upgrade the arsenal of air-carried B61 tactical nuclear weapon. (The Air Force, unfortunately, also wants to spend $30 billion on a new air-launched cruise missile that would make the world less safe.)

The Navy, meanwhile, awarded Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls hundreds of billions to develop a nuclear submarine to replace the current Ohio class, and is upgrading the nuclear-tipped Trident ballistic missiles they will carry.

The Defense Departments acquisitions board is meeting this week to review the funding plan for the Air Forces proposed new missiles. Its members should realize that, given the bow wave of costs the services will have to carry in the next decade  including purchases of more F-35 joint-strike fighters and building up to 10 of the lumbering new Ford-class supercarriers  they need to pick their priorities more carefully. U.S.-based ICBMs are an obvious candidate for budgetary triage.

In 2009, Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his vision of a world free from nuclear arms. Experience tends to make pragmatists of us all, and the president is no exception. Were all going to be safer for it.
Keep your fuzzy sweaters on the closet shelf: Autumn may feel a lot like this summer.

AccuWeather, The World-Heralds weather consultant, has released a long-range forecast for the coming fall. The forecast calls for heat waves to continue in the Midwest well into September, with temperatures possibly reaching 90 degrees during the month.

The prolonged heat is a result of the lingering El Nino, said Randy Adkins, an AccuWeather meteorologist. During El Nino patterns, the surface temperatures of the oceans off the coast of South America are higher than normal.

The result likely will be warmer, drier weather across much of the Plains, he said.

Once fall is in full force, he said, the El Nino will shift to a La Nina pattern. When those conditions take hold, cooler weather will spread across the Midwest from Canada, and autumn will be closer to normal: cool, with a lot of precipitation, Adkins said.

By late November, the increased precipitation easily could bring snow to the Midwest. However, Adkins said its too early to pinpoint whether specific locations such as eastern Nebraska will receive November snowfall.

The National Weather Service office in Valley offers a more reserved outlook for Omaha from August to October.

The weather services fall forecast calls for mostly normal temperatures and precipitation, with the possibility of above-average temperatures, meteorologist Dave Fobert said. Fobert said areas north of Omaha, including South Dakota and North Dakota, likely will see increased precipitation during the fall months.

Contact the writer: 402-444-1151; reece.ristau@owh.com
Tamil Nadu: Light to moderate rain in the next few days

How Violence Contributes to Diseases Among Sex Workers

Feature

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Anjana's working life and downward spiral began before she turned 15. With an alcoholic father, mother and two younger sisters to support, Anjana (name changed to protect identity) started working at age 14 as a local doctor's assistant in the northern Tamil Nadu town of Dharmapuri.

Later, as a housemaid at a lawyer's house, she was sexually exploited by her employer who put her in touch with pimps and made her trade sex for money. Anajana narrated her story to Sri Bhavani, a consultant with Swasti Health Resource Centre, a Bengaluru-based nonprofit.

By 17, Anjana-then a slim, quiet teenager-was a sex worker. During the course of her life, she has frequently been physically abused by clients, husband and partner, forced to have sex and today lives with HIV-AIDS, as does her husband. She now earns Rs 15,000 per month, but even this-as we shall see-is unlikely to make her life more peaceful.

Like Anjana, a fifth of female sex workers live with violence, attacked four times a month, on average, according to an analysis of data on 109,366 such workers, gathered over six months to September 2015 by Swasti as part of its work under the Avahan initiative (Phase 3).

Those with more clients and income were more likely to be attacked, the data reveal, which in turn placed them at greater risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV-AIDS. This could be because they were less likely to get tested.

As many as 24,815 women, or 22.7%, reported 92,838 bouts of sexual, emotional and physical violence against them in the six-month period of the survey, carried out in five states: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The most prevalent form of violence is physical with 39,832 incidents reported, followed by emotional (35,887) and sexual violence (17,119).

Violence increases risk of sexually transmitted infections

Violence inflicted on sex workers increases their risk of contracting STIs, including AIDS. While sexual violence has a more obvious connection to STIs, physical and emotional violence also play a major role in increasing their vulnerability.

Sex workers are among those most vulnerable to HIV infection, according to this 2005 World Health Organisation (WHO) report.

"Violence has a direct and indirect bearing on sex workers' ability to protect themselves from HIV and maintain good sexual health," said the WHO report. While direct impact involves incidents of rape and forced sex, the indirect impact of violence manifests itself in the inability of sex workers to negotiate safer sex with clients, partners and other possible sexual partners.

In India, female sex workers have the third-highest HIV prevalence-the proportion of population with a particular disease at a specified point in time or over a period of time-among key risk groups, according to the department of AIDS control's annual report, 2013-14.

Why timely diagnosis is important

Anjana knew she and her husband had HIV-AIDS because non-government organisations (NGOs) associated with the National Aids Control Programme persuaded them to get tested.

She was started on anti-retroviral therapy (ART), a cocktail of drugs that suppresses the virus and impedes HIV's progression. While her husband refused the medication, Anjana-who was pregnant by then-took it after a counsellor's persuasion. Her son, who is 10 years old today, did not contract the virus.

So, regular testing for STIs is important for sex workers and their children. But, as the Swasti study shows, violence impedes the chances that a sex worker will be tested for HIV.

While 95% of women who had faced less than six incidents of sexual violence tested for STIs/HIV, 89.5% of those who had faced more than 6 incidents did.

Women who faced lesser violence also tended to be tested as the norm requires-two times a year which means every six months.

Struggle for survival: More money, more violence, more infection

Poverty not only forces women like Anjana into sex work; it also makes them vulnerable to violence. More money and more clients, as already said, are correlated with more violence and STIs.

More than a quarter of sex workers are attacked by clients. As Anjana related, on some occasions while a single client approaches a woman, upon arrival she is confronted with the prospect of engaging with many more.

In such cases, reluctant sex workers are often forced to have sex without their consent, a fate that Anjana escaped twice. Spouses or husbands and partners or boyfriends also inflict violence.

More than half of all sex workers, 55,930, operate from home, while 15,314, or 14%, work from brothels or lodges; 4,741, or 4.3%, from bars and the remaining 32,184, or 29.4%, operate from locations that include streets and markets; some are devdasis (temple prostitutes). Those who work from brothels or lodges are at greatest risk of violence.

Sex work not a crime, so why do police and courts endanger the women?

Sex work in India is ambiguous legal territory. It is not a crime, but running brothels and soliciting clients are illegal under the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act (1956). The Act was established to curb trafficking and combat sexual exploitation for commercial purposes but police and courts increasingly interpret it in ways that lead to harassment, detention and arrest of sex-workers, endangering them further.

Anjana narrated how she has been forced to have sex with thugs and pimps, loosely called rowdies, without contraceptives, knowing the police will not step in. So, most sex workers do not report violence; if they do, between a fourth to a fifth choose community organisations-81% of sex workers surveyed were registered with such organisations-the data show.

Social support is important for sex workers to "challenge power relationships and structural barriers that contribute to their vulnerability", said this 2012 report in the British Medical Journal. It cites the ongoing Avahan initiative, to explain how community organisations empower sex workers, reduce violence and address healthcare discrimination.

Back in Dharmapuri, Anjana's priorities are to save enough for her son, whom her husband and in-laws have yet not accepted-and to live long enough to see him grow up to be a financially independent adult.

(This article was originally published on IndiaSpend.)

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, August 8, 2016, 13:37 [IST]
How police officials took down Naxal leader Nayeem?

Hyderabad

oi-Vicky

Hyderabad, Aug 8: The Telangana Police carried out an important operation on Moday in which it managed to kill one of the state's most notorious gangster, Nayeemuddin alias Nayeem. In an encounter that commenced at 8.30 am, Nayeem was killed by the police at Shadnagar which is 50 kilometres away from Hyderabad.

Nayeem has been on the wanted list for a host of cases. There are around 100 cases against him out of which 20 relate to murder alone. He had given the police a slip in 2007 while being produced before the court.

Renegade Naxal leader shot dead in Telangana

A few months back two MLAs from Telangana complained to Chief Minister, K Chandrashekhar Rao about extortion threats made by Nayeem. This led to a directive to the police to nab Nayeem.

The tip off

The police worked on several leads relating to Nayeem. A few days back, the police got concrete information about his whereabouts. As per intelligence, Nayeem would visit his house at Millenium Colony at Shadnagar either on Saturday night or Sunday.

The police kept a close tab on this area and by Sunday evening, they had established that Nayeem was indeed at his Millenium Colony House. The police informed the state's greyhounds which specialises in naxal operations. On Sunday night, a big encounter was prepared for and the police began evacuating the entire colony.

Heavy police presence was also deployed in the bordering areas to ensure that Nayeem and his accomplices do not slip out. The police were attempting to catch him alive. However, one of his gang members opened fire at the security personnel which led to a bloody encounter.

The forces managed to gun down Nayeem and another person.

Who is Nayeemuddin?

An extortionist, gangster and a former naxalite, Nayeemuddin has over a 100 cases pending against him. He is wanted in 20 murder cases which includes that of IPS officer S Vyas. He had murdered Vyas as he was involved in major anti-naxal operations.

He was part of the People's War Group. After a long stint with the naxalites, he surrendered. However, while being presented before the court in 2007, he managed to escape from the police. He had told the police that he wanted to go to the bathroom and then managed to give the slip.

He then formed his own gang. He was in fact running two gangs called the Nallamalla Cobras and the Kakatiya Cobras. He was involved in the killing of several civil rights activists. On several occasions he tipped off the police about the presence of other criminals.

One such information that he shared was regarding the presence of Sohrabbudin Sheikh-a notorious gangster killed by the Gujarat police in an encounter.

In 2011, he was rumoured to have died following a paralytic stroke. It was stated that he had undergone treatment at Kerala and had passed away there. However, later it was found that the news of his death was circulated to reduce the heat on himself.

Nayeem was also involved in several land deals in Hyderabad. In the recent past there were several complaints against him. He had started a major extortion racket and even began threatening politicians which led to a series of complaints.

OneIndia News
Hyderabad: Peer pressure forces students to become chain snatchers

Hyderabad

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Hyderabad, Aug 8: Chain snatching has been a recurrent problem in Hyderabad, but what is alarming is there are increasing number of students who have taken to this 'profession'. According to the police, of the chain snatchers arrested, 25% were students- some pursuing education and some college drop-outs.

Although most of these students belong to well-to-do families, lack of guidance and moral values lead them to this profession. And what attracts these students to such anti-social activity is easy money and a luxurious lifestyle.

A senior police officer said, "Lack of monitoring by parents and control on their desires, is making them commit such offences. In most cases, the chain snatching victims lose their mangalsutra, which they view as sacred. If the student snatchers know the value of it they will not resort to such offences."

Six students were arrested in Cyberabad West commissionerate in 2016 and 14 students were arrested in Cyberabad East commissionerate for chain snatchings.

OneIndia News
Renegade Naxal leader shot dead in Telangana

Hyderabad

oi-Vicky

Hyderabad, Aug 8: A Naxal leader, identified as Mohammad Nayeemuddin, has been killed in an encounter in Shadnagar on Monday. Nayeemuddin was a criminal wanted in 20 murder cases. He was also involved in the murder of IPS officer KS Vyas.

At 8.30 am on Monday the commandoes of the anti-Naxal force rounded off Nayeemuddin at Shadnagar town in Mahboobnagar around 50 kilometres from Hyderabad following a tip off. There was exchange of fire before the forces gunned Nayeemuddin down.

Going by the alias Nayeem, this renegade naxal leader had given the police a slip back in 2007. He was being produced before the court when he managed to give the slip.

Nayeem was a high profile criminal. Apart from being involved in a series of murders, he was also involved in several land deals in Hyderabad. Hailing from Nalgonda he also had passed on information to the police about various criminals such as Sohrabuddin Sheikh.

He was also operating some rogue outfits such as the Nallamala Cobras and the Kakatiya Cobras which was involved in the killing of several civil rights activists.

In 2011, he was rumoured to have died following a paralytic stroke. It was stated that he had undergone treatment at Kerala and had passed away there. However, it was later found out that the news of his death was circulated to reduce the heat on himself.

OneIndia News
Don't shed crocodile tears but act: Cong to PM on dalits

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Aug 8: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed those indulging in atrocities on dalits, Congress today created uproar in the Lok Sabha, saying he should "not shed crocodile tears" but "act".

Congress members demanded that the Prime Minister should speak on the issue in the House rather than "tweet". They staged a walkout later.

Soon after the Zero Hour, Congress members stormed the Well of the House when Speaker Sumitra Mahajan did not immediately allow party leader Mallikarjun Karge to raise the issue.

The Speaker said she would allow Kharge to speak but only after she finishes with the Zero Hour list as she has not got any notice. She repeatdely appealed to the Congress members to go back to their seats. "I will allow him to speak. I have never said no to it, but let me be done with the (Zero Hour) list.

There are many smaller parties here and it will be an injustice to the members," she said. Home Minister Rajnath Singh as also the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar were seen gestering to Kharge suggesting that a way could be found out through informal talks.

Congress members were unrelenting and demanded that the Prime Minister come to the House and speak on the issue. "He (the PM) should not shed crocodile tears.

He should not tweet, but act (against those perpetrating atrocities on dalits)," the Congress MPs chanted. Congress members were in no mood to relent and staged a walkout.

In an outreach to Dalits against the backdrop of the Una flogging incident, Modi, at an event in Telangana, yesterday decried the attempts to politicise the issue of atrocities on dalits and said he is ready to get "shot and attacked" in place of his Dalit "brothers".

PTI
Man booked for rape of 12-year-old after video of injured girl surfaces on internet

Former BSP leader Swami Prasad Maurya joins BJP

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Lucknow/ New Delhi, Aug 8: The former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Swami Prasad Maurya on Monday, Aug 8 joined the BJP, ahead of next year assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

62-year-old Maurya, an OBC leader, was inducted into the saffron party in the presence of BJP President Amit Shah and state party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, among other senior leaders of the party. The four-time MLA claimed that if he received ample support from the party's leadership, then it would come to power in the state with a strong majority.

On June 22, this year, Maurya had parted ways with the BSP, accusing the party supremo Mayawati of "auctioning" tickets for the 2017 Assembly elections.

Maurya, who was the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, said he was impressed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's work to empower the weaker sections.

"I have taken an appropriate decision at an appropriate time," he told a press conference.

Maurya, who is said to enjoy influence with a section of OBC voters belonging to Kushwaha, Maurya, Shakya and Saini communities, also lashed out at "communal forces" for their attempt to divide society, in an apparent criticism of cow vigilantes.

He then praised Modi's statements over the matter in the last two days. In a message to his supporters, some of whom remain in BSP, and the BJP leadership, he requested his new party to give due respect to them whenever they join it in the future.

"There are also many MLAs who will join the party," he said and took names of some former MLAs who joined BJP along with him.

He lashed out at Mayawati, saying that she has been marginalising the backwards castes and was likely to give them only 26-27 seats in the 403-seat UP assembly elections.

In the Lok Sabha polls, BJP gave members of the community 29 seats, all of whom won, while BSP gave to only 16, he said.

BSP was a movement under its founder Kanshi Ram but Mayawati has begun selling tickets, Maurya alleged.

"BSP is no longer a political party but an industrial house. It is not only an insult of Baba Sahab Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram but also our Constitution. It will not be an exaggeration to say that it is murder of democracy," he said, attacking his former leader.

Shah, who left soon after briefly sharing the stage with Maurya, did not speak. UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya said Swami Prasad Maurya's entry into the party will boost its strength and its mission to winning power in the state is close to reality.

Mayawati had slammed him as "habitual party-hopper" and said his departure was a "good riddance" as in any case she would have shown him the door for seeking tickets for his son and daughter as BSP does not promote dynastic politics.

[Former BSP leader Swami Prasad Maurya calls Sheila Dikshit a 'rejected maal']

Earlier, there were reports that Maurya may join hands with ruling-Samajwadi Party.

Former Bahujan Samaj Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya joins BJP, in presence of BJP Chief Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/Vylp6h9cLQ  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

OneIndia News
The court ruling comes after Ahmed Nazif's acquittal last May on corruption charges

A Cairo court has lifted a travel ban and unfroze the assets of Ahmed Nazif, former prime minister under ousted president Hosni Mubarak, and his family, reported Ahram's Arabic website on Monday.

The court ruling comes after Nazifs acquittal on corruption charges last May.

The acquittal comes after the former premier appealed a 2012 conviction for graft and illegal profiteering, where he was sentenced to five years in prison.

Nazif served as prime minister from 2004 until Mubarak replaced him during the popular revolution against the latter's rule in January 2011.

He was imprisoned after Mubarak's ouster and released in June 2013 because he had spent the maximum period in detention while awaiting trial for the corruption charges.

In February 2015, Nazif was acquitted in another graft case in which he and former interior minister Habib El-Adly had been sentenced to one year and five years in jail respectively over charges of illegal profiteering and squandering public funds.

Many other Mubarak-era officials have been cleared of corruption charges.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


ISIS module in Kabul attracts many from Kerala

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Aug 8: The Kerala Police have put 19 persons under the radar after it has been learnt that they had attended a camp which was aimed at recruiting people into the ISIS. Already 21 people have gone off the radar and it has been suspected that they may have joined the ISIS.

Further the police have also learnt that it is a module in Kabul headed by one Abdul Rashid which is radicalising people from Kerala and so far 40 people have fallen into this trap.

The arrest of Yasmin Ahmad, a 28-year-old school teacher has given the police more details on the missing persons. When interrogated she told the police a camp had been held and a person by the name Abdul Rashid had indoctrinated 40 people.

Yasmin, who along with her child were attempting to go to Kabul, was arrested in Delhi last week. It was said that she was on her way to Kabul where she would join Rashid. The police also found that an amount of Rs 2 lakh had been deposited into her account.

Yasmin has been non-cooperative



Following her arrest in Delhi, she was taken by the Kerala Police. During her questioning she has been vague and adamant, a police officer informed. "She tells us to prove what offense she has committed. Is going to Kabul to perform a religious duty an offense," she asks the police.

The police have however learnt that Yasmin was born and brought up in Saudi Arabia. She had come to Kerala three years back with her husband. She then took up teaching the Peace International School in Malappuram.

At the school she met Rashid. She and her husband are said to have interacted with him. Rashid would come to the school often under the pretext of training the teachers. Rashid during his interaction with the teachers would read out material put out by the ISIS.

Recruiting from Kabul

The police have learnt that Rashid left for Afghanistan and urged several people including Yasmin to join him. Intelligence Bureau officials say that Rashid is currently in Kabul and has been assigned the responsibility of recruiting people from Kerala.

"We suspect that the ISIS has a full fledged module in Afghanistan and Rashid is the leading the same. His focus has been entirely on people from Kerala and so far he has managed radicalise nearly 40 persons. Most of these persons have been recruited from the Kasargod belt which borders Karnataka," police officials say.

The police say that they are on the lookout for more such persons and in the days to come many more would be under the scanner.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, August 8, 2016, 10:30 [IST]
Kalraj Mishra hits out at Arvind Kejriwal

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Aug 7 Union Minister Kalraj Mishra today hit out at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, claiming that it was a "misfortune" of Delhi that it was handed over to a person who "has nothing to do with the Constitution and law".

Without naming the Aam Aadmi Party or Kejriwal, Mishra said, "It's a misfortune of Delhi, that we handed over it to a person who has nothing to do with the Constitution and law, who does not know what process should be adoped in a Union Territory."

"All the time, even in his dreams, he sees (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and keeps on repeating his name," the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister told a youth convention organised by Purvanchal Morcha of Delhi BJP. The governance system in Delhi has been "deteriorating" and what is needed is that "such a person" who is "defaming" Delhi is challenged democratically with the united strength of the youth, he said.

The Minister also highlighted various achievements of the Modi government, saying that it was taking a lot of steps for the youth through skill development and other schemes. BJP national general secretary Arun Singh asked the youth to join BJP as it was the party where even ordinary persons can rise in ranks and reach the top positions.

North East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari said that the Modi government was also planning a "Student City" in the national capital for providing accommodation to large a number of students.

"I met the PMO officials recently and offered 55 acre land at Gopalpur village in Timarpur for the student city for 5000 students which will come in the rule of this government," he said.

PTI
Kejriwal serious over women security? RTI info reveals he never held any meeting over law & order

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

New Delhi, Aug 8: Since taking reins in his hand, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal never held a meeting either on the law and order situation or on the women security issue in the national capital, reveals an RTI reply.

The RTI was filed by BJP's spokeperson Harish Khurana, seeking details of meetings from the period of 14 February, 2015, to 9 June, 2016. BJP leader had asked this information not only from the Chief Minister's office but also from Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.

According to an ANI report, Khurana was told that Kejriwal who always makes law and order an issue, never had any meeting on the same. BJP leader was also informed that Kejriwal never met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, or Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung in this regard.

Reportedly, Khurana had asked whether Delhi government had ever summoned Delhi top cop Alok Kumar Verma to discuss the law and order issue of the national capital.

"The information sought is not compiled and hence, not available on record", AAP government informed Khurana in the RTI reply.

Lieutenant Governor's office also refused to divulge details of such meetings, saying that information was already given to MHA.

"The RTI shows how serious Arvind Kejriwal is towards the law and order situation in Delhi and on the issue of women security in the capital", Khurana said.

He also slammed Delhi Chief Minister for targetting Centre over law and order issue and never excerising the available constitutional powers vested with him.

Arvind Kejriwal who took charge as Delhi Chief Minister in February, 2015 has been targetting Centre over the deterioriating law and order situation in national capital. He also whimphers that law and order doesn't fall under the purview of the Delhi government and has no say in the policing issues.

OneIndia News
Kuwait, not Saudi, ISIS' terror bank?

India

oi-Vicky

Bengaluru, Aug 8: The arrest of Kuwaiti national Abdullah Hadi last week, who is accused of having financed Indian recruits into the ISIS, has raised a curious question. Is Kuwait, not Saudi Arabia as believed, the great Jihad funding ground? Hadi was arrested by Kuwaiti police after a tip off from India.

Hadi's name had surfaced during the questioning of Areeb Majeed, the youth from Maharashtra who had joined the ISIS but returned complaining that Indian recruits to the ISIS were only given menial tasks -- Majeed says he himself cleaned toilets.

ISIS module in Kabul attracts many from Kerala

Hadi's arrest has brought the focus squarely on finances being generated in Kuwait for the ISIS.

Epicentre of funding

Back in June 2013, a group known as the Kuwaiti Scholars' Union (KSU) announced what it called a 'Great Kuwait Campaign' and proclaimed that it was preparing to send 8,700 'Mujahideen' into Syria.

The KSU ran a series of campaigns on television, social media and websites seeking funds to pay and arm these 'Mujahideen', actually Sunni fighters being sent out to kill Shias and weaken the regime of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

The KSU campaign collected millions of dollars, according to an Indian intelligence report that OneIndia has accessed and which speaks of a 'Great Jihad Funding Bazaar'. The KSU openly said it would use the money to buy rocket-propelled grenades and anti-aircraft missiles. The money and the arms were routed to the ISIS, some even to the al-Qaeda.

Another Kuwaiti campaign was called 'Liberate the Coast' and was aimed at collecting funds for ISIS fighters in the Syrian port of Latakia. They had been sent out to massacre Shia Muslims in the region as the ISIS had made the destruction of Shias its primary agenda.

Urged by the United States to act, the Kuwaiti establishment began a crackdown on these fund raisers, but by then millions had been raised and channeled to the ISIS.

The Indian link

The arrest of Hadi is significant in the Indian context. He is believed to have sent funds to Indian recruiters of the ISIS. Some part of the millions raised in Kuwait was sent to Hadi to fund the Indian recruitment operations.

While his name cropped up during the interrogation of Maharashtra's Majeed, the agencies are looking into whether Hadi funded ISIS recruitment in Kerala, too, where some 21 people have gone missing, at least 19 of whom are on the radar for links to the ISIS.

A police examination of the bank accounts of these people have shown unexplained deposits into some of them. The bank account of Yasmin Ahmad, who was arrested recently in Delhi while she was attempting to leave for Kabul allegedly to join the ISIS module there, had Rs 2 lakh, which the police believe was given to her by Abdul Rashid, the Kerala-based man who is accused of being an ISIS recruiter.

OneIndia News
'Another feather in cap': Mamata on WB's highest success rate in All India Trade Test

'Is this acceptable?' Mamata Banerjee on Hindu Mahasabha's depiction of Mahatma Gandhi as Asura

Mamata Banerjee leaves for Tripura to bolster TMC's stock

India

oi-PTI

Kolkata/Agartala, Aug 8: Aiming to expand the base of Trinamool Congress outside West Bengal, party chief Mamata Banerjee today left for Agartala in Tripura where she would address a rally to be attended by dissident Congress MLAs.

The Trinamool Congress has already carved a place for itself in the Marxist bastion emerging as the principal opposition party after six dissident Congress MLAs had joined it last June.

Sudip Ray Barman, who led the Congress dissidents in the sensitive Northeastern state, told PTI, "Mamata Banerjee's rally at the Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala tomorrow will be the first nail in the coffin of the corrupt and inefficient Left Front government of Tripura."

Barman said that Banerjee would give the Tripura unit 'direction' to emerge victorious in the next Assembly poll due in 2018.

"All MLAs and other leaders who have joined the TMC from other parties, including the Congress, will be present in the rally. It will be a historic rally," he said.

Barman said the people of Tripura had become fed up with the Left Front regime and disapproved of the tie-up between the Congress and the Left Front in West Bengal.

"With this, the tacit understanding between the Left Front and the Congress came out in the open. Why then will people vote for the Congress as an alternative to the Left Front in Tripura?" he wondered.

If the Left is to be ousted from Tripura, Trinamool Congress is the best option because it is the only "anti-dote for the Left", Barman said.

After her landslide victory in West Bengal, Banerjee and her trusted lieutenant Mukul Roy have been working to expand her party's influence in the Northeast with Tripura being the prime target.

The Bengali population there forms the largest ethno-linguistic group in the state with nearly about 70 per cent of the population. According to TMC sources in Kolkata, Tripura and the Northeast hold a key to TMC's pan-India political ambition with an eye on the 2019 Lok Sabha poll where TMC wants to play a vital role.

"We are already the main opposition party in Tripura and if we manage to win Tripura it will be an added advantage in 2019. The Northeastern states have mostly remained untapped politically for us," a senior TMC leader said.

PTI
Narendra Modi calls for protecting Dalits, punishing fake 'gau rakshaks'

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Hyderabad, Aug 7 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for protecting Dalits and for isolating and punishing fake "gau rakshaks" (cow protectors), saying they were destroying the country.

On his maiden visit to Telangana, Modi sent out clear messages during his speeches at two different platforms.

Making it clear that caste discrimination will not be allowed, he asked BJP workers to protect Dalits and asked states to act tough against fake cow vigilantes.

Addressing a meeting of BJP's booth-level workers of Telangana at L.B. Stadium here, he said that if the country has to progress, peace, unity and harmony can't be neglected.

He also called for putting an end to politicising the caste issue and alleged that some parties which considered Dalits as their vote bank and afraid of the initiatives taken by his government, were trying to raise such issues by somehow influencing Dalits.

"I want to tell all such people, if you want to attack, attack me, not my Dalit brothers. If you want to shoot, shoot me, not my Dalit brothers," Modi said without naming any party.

"Sometimes some incidents come to light which make heads hang in shame," he said and described such incidents as sin against humanity.

His remarks were in an obvious reference to the flogging of four Dalits by cow vigilantes in Gujarat's Una town on July 11.

"Is there any reason that we treat our Dalit brothers this way. What right we have to make these sections suffer when they are sufferings for centuries," he asked.

Terming caste discrimination as a social problem, Modi said it was his request to all those who want a solution to give up politics of dividing the society. "This is a social problem. The more we politicize it, the more it gets complicated."

Earlier, in his speech at a public meeting at Gajwel in Medak district, Modi called for isolating and punishing fake "gau rakshaks, saying they were out to destroy the social fabric.

Addressing the meeting after inaugurating the state's drinking water programme "Mission Bhagiratha" and launching other projects, he said India is a county full of diversities, different values and traditions and protecting its "unity and integrity is our prime responsibility".

"The fake gau rakshakhs have nothing to do with cows. They want to create tension in society," he said.

The PM said he salute real "gau rakshaks" and "gau sevaks" and appealed to them to come forward to expose fake "gau rakshaks". "I appeal to you to come forward lest the good work being done by you is destroyed by a handful of people for their selfish interests," he added.

Breaking his silence on cow vigilantism, Modi had in New Delhi on Saturday said he felt "very angry" at such incidents and has asked state governments to prepare a dossier of people who are "running shops" in the name of cow protection.

On Sunday, Modi also used both the platforms to highlight the achievements of his government. He also explained how the centre and states were working together in the spirit of cooperative federalism.

At Gajwel, while he lauded the initiatives taken by Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao during last two years, at the BJP workers meeting in Hyderabad, he said the party would make the state's future bright.

Central ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu, Anant Kumar, Suresh Prabhu, Piyush Goel and Bandaru Dattatreya accompanied Modi.

IANS
Infantry Day: When Indian Army chased Pak out and saved Jammu & Kashmir

'Shaurya Diwas': Rajnath Singh says J&K entered new era of peace & prosperity after Article 370 abrogation

In India terror down by 34%, civilian deaths by 90% since Art 370 scrapped: Shah

Lack of development in J&K for decades was one of the reasons behind rise of terrorism: Rajnath Singh

Nine injured in LPG cylinder blast in Jammu

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Jammu, Aug 8: Nine members of a family were injured in a cooking gas cylinder explosion here on Monday, police said.

The incident occurred in the Gorkha Nagar locality of Jammu in the jurisdiction of Dahu police station, a senior police officer told IANS.

"The injured have been taken to hospital. Doctors have described the condition of a girl as critical," the officer said.

IANS
Woman, her two children mowed down by train; Suicide not ruled out

Suspicious bird with rings on its legs caught near India-Pakistan border

Rajasthan: Rs 40 lakh looted from petrol pump employee

India

oi-PTI

Bikaner, Aug 8: Unidentified persons today robbed a petrol pump employee of Rs 40 lakh on the Jaisalmer highway here, police said.

Vinod Kumar was on his way to a bank to deposit the amount when the accused accosted him and threw red chili powder in his eyes and fled away with the money, they said.

A hunt is on to nab the accused, police said.

PTI
'We demand for RSS to be banned too', says Congress MP on PFI Ban

RSS slams attacks on Dalits 2nd time in two days

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Aug 8 Condemning the attacks on Dalits, RSS today termed as "inhuman" the violence and asked state governments to take action against elements trying to "disturb communal harmony and trust".

VHP, an RSS affiliate, however, vowed to continue its work related to protection of cow, saying they have been doing it for a long time and will continue the work.

"We appeal to all the sections of the society to remain aware of elements who want to disturb the environment of communal harmony and trust. We expect the administration to take speedy action against such individuals and groups who break the law," RSS general secretary Bhaiyaji Joshi, second in chain of command after its Sar Sanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, said in a statement.

Significantly, RSS had also issued a statement yesterday denouncing the attacks on Dalits. He said taking law in one's own hands to harass Dalits was not only illegal but also inhuman.

While declining to comment on the attacks on Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes, VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain said there was a lot of controversy over it. "We will not like to comment on the issue. However, cow protection has been going on since long. We will continue to work for it," Jain said.

The comments by RSS and VHP came in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly rebuking perpetrators of violence on Dalits in the name of cow protection, telling them, "if you have to shoot, shoot me" but stop attacking "my Dalit brethers".

Facing increasingly bruising opposition assault on his government and BJP over attacks on Dalits and on the issue of cow vigilantes, Modi had yesterday lashed out at "fake cow protectors", denouncing them for the second day running for trying to create "tension and conflict" in the society and asking the states to take stringent action against them.

Joshi said that several political parties and leaders of various castes are trying to create a situation of uncertainty through half baked information which is not conducive to harmony.

RSS also would like to appeal to political parties and various heads that there is a need to normalise the situation of uncertainty through public cooperation, Joshi said.

"By sympathising with the victims, there is a need to think that such incidents do not take place," Joshi said in the statement.

PTI
Salahuddin's nuclear threat: What did Modi-Doval do to rattle Pakistan so much?

India

oi-Vicky

Pakistan-based Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin's threat of nuclear war against India should come as no surprise. In a country where the official military nuclear doctrine itself is an irresponsible 'touch-me-not' doctrine, born of acute weakness and insecurity, the Pakistani military seems to have hit a new low using its terrorist proxies to issue such threats.

Consider the official nuclear doctrine enunciated in 2002 by the Pakistani military's Strategic Plans Division. It says, Pakistan will hit India with nuclear weapons if it feels threatened in almost any way at all:

if India conquered a large amount of Pakistani territory, if India destroyed a large part of Pakistan's conventional military, if India attempted to strangle Pakistan economically, or if India resorted to internal subversion and destabilized Pakistan politically.

It is conceivable that Pakistan should have a nuclear first-use policy, unlike India which has a 'no first use' policy. Pakistan's conventional weakness against India means it can keep India at bay only by threatening to escalate any conflict between the two immediately into nuclear war.

In nuclear parlance, it is called 'rationality of irrationality' -- behaving irrationally oneself in order to induce the enemy into behaving rationally.

It's also conceivable that Pakistan should reach for the nuclear button under the first two conditions spelt out by the SPD -- if India conquered a large amount of Pakistani territory, or destroyed a large part of its conventional military.

But to say it will nuke India if the latter even "attempted to strangle Pakistan economically" or "resorted to internal subversion and destabilised Pakistan politically" is not just an extreme version of the 'rationality of irrationality' principle, but downright irresponsible of a nation's political and military leadership.

It's Pakistan's attempt to hide under the nuclear umbrella even as it, through its terrorist proxies, does exactly that to India -- subvert and destabilise India internally.

The Pakistan military has since gone even further in lowering the threshold of nuclear conflict. Citing India's 'Cold Start' war doctrine -- in which, in the event of war, Indian strike forces are to quickly move deep into Pakistan -- Rawalpindi has embarked on making tactical nuclear weapons that it will drop on advancing Indian forces.

Salahuddin's threat of nuclear war is of a piece with this madness. The higher its own insecurity, as it battles in vain its own terror Frankenstein, the lower the Pakistani military pushes the nuclear threshold, while conveniently blaming India for doing so.

Pakistan's M-AD Calculus

The trigger for the latest round of Pakistan's nuclear sabre-rattling, it seems, is a perceived threat from India's current security managers, specifically Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. It's paranoid Pakistan's new Modi-Ajit Doval (MAD) calculus.

Salahuddin's threat is meant as a message to NSA Doval in particular, because he is said to advocate his own policy of offensive-defense in which India will strike pre-emptively at Pakistan's vital installations and terror camps across the Line of Control.

Since 2015, the Pakistani military has been nervous that the Modi-Doval duo could undertake such an exercise suddenly. Modi's several peace overtures have, ironically, only made the generals in Rawalpindi more nervous.

Indeed, the generals are said to worry that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may have lowered its nuclear guard. It is the major reason for a growing rift between the civilian government in Pakistan and the military, with fears growing that "the other Sharif", army chief Raheel Sharif is set to return Pakistan to military rule.

Getting a proscribed terrorist like Salahuddin to issue an irresponsible nuclear threat may just smooth the process for him. It is meant to give pause to Modi-Doval while at the same time heighten tensions with India.

But most importantly, it is also meant to play that old game of convincing the Americans that only a return to military rule can prevent Pakistani nukes from falling into the hands of terrorists -- such as Salahuddin!

OneIndia News
Representative of the justice ministry criticised the report by saying that the NCHR gives a false impression that Egypt does not prioritise human rights issues

An annual report by Egypt's semi-governmental National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) was criticised by the justice ministry on Monday in parliament for what it called a failure to show that the issue of human rights is at the top of the government's agenda.

The report, released in July, was discussed by parliament's human rights committee with representatives from the ministries of justice, interior and foreign affairs as well as a representative from the council, Ahram Arabic website reported.

Justice ministry representative Ashraf Hegazy criticised the report, saying that it gives a false impression to the international community that Egypt does not prioritise human rights issues.

He said the report alleges that there are high numbers of prisoners detained for long periods without trial as well as incidents of torture without citing specific figures.

Hegazy also said the report seems accusatory of the judiciary and that it suggests that judges issue politically motivated rulings.

NCHR board member Hafez Abu Saeda said during the meeting that the purpose of the report was not to only highlight the countrys positives.

On the sidelines of the NCHR releasing the report in July, the council's head Mohamed Fayek said that 20 people have died while behind bars due to deteriorating health caused by poor conditions in detention facilities.

He also said that prisons and detention facilities are overcrowded at rates of 150 percent and 300 percent respectively, which results in insufficient and ineffective medical services.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Third world war will start over cow: MP govt official

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Bhopal, Aug 8: A government official in Madhya Pradesh has predicted that the third world war would be fought over cow. This has been claimed by Mahamandleshwar Swami Akhileshwaranand Giri, chairman of executive council of the Madhya Pradesh Gaupalan Evam Pashudhan Samvardhan Board.

The board, working under the animal husbandry department, is responsible for protecting and conserving the cow in Madhya Pradesh.

"The third world war will start over a cow,'' Swami Akhileshwaranand Giri was quoted as saying by the India Express.

"The cow has always been a source of contention. There are references in mythology and the first war of independence in 1857 began over the cow," said he.

"It's natural for gau rakshaks to get angry when they see dead or injured cows packed in vehicles because it's an emotive issue for them," he said. "They should not take the law into their own hands and should wait for the police to come once they stop such vehicles. When all states pass stricter anti-cow slaughter laws, smuggling of cattle through state borders will become impossible."

After PM, RSS asks people to expose cow vigilantes

Giri has also decided to sensitise officials of the animal husbandry department.

"They can't use words like 'inspection' when it comes to visiting gaushalas, and should choose 'gaumata darshan'. Words like 'inspection' give the impression that they are superior, which is not the case. If they use darshan, their outlook will change,'' added he.

Madhya Pradesh is home to 575 recognized gaushalas.

OneIndia News
Taliban releases US engineer Mark Frerichs in prisoner swap

Are you awake?: EAM Jaishankar recalls when he got a call from PM Modi at midnight

When 'Jai Shri Ram' becomes provocative

Several Afghans on Germany's evacuation list have died

13th batch of medical assistance to Afghanistan delivered by India

Afghanistan explosion kills six

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Kabul, Aug 8: Six civilians were killed when an improvised explosive device hit a vehicle in Afghanistan's Ghazni province on Monday, police said.

The dead included three children, Xinhua news agency quoted police as saying.

IANS
Unlike father: Jeb Bush hates Trump but his son George backs him

International

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Washington, Aug 8: Jeb Bush, the son and brother of two former American presidents who failed to meet the expectations in this year's presidential race, has been consistently against Republican candidate Donald Trump but his son George P Bush has decided to back the real-estate tycoon, said media reports.

The endorsement from George P Bush, the Texas land commissioner, came despite Trump often mocking his father, a former governor of Florida, during the GOP primaries that ended in June. Jeb Bush, who was expected to do well in the primaries, didn't last in the primary race for even one month after it took off at Iowa on February 1.

George P Bush's endorsement came on Saturday (Aug 6) at a gathering of the Republican activists in Texas where the former urged all to unitedly back Trump against his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, the Texas Tribune reported on Sunday (Aug 7).

Two former Bush presidents skipped GOP convention

The Bush family has refrained from backing Trump so far and the two former presidents---George H W Bush and George W Bush---did not attend the Republian convention in Cleveland held between July 18-21.

Jeb Bush had an ugly rivalry with Trump througout this election season with both bringing charges against each other. While the former claimed that Trump's tall promises would not be real and his supporters would be "betrayed", the latter accused him of trying to block his way to secure the GOP presidential candidature.

Oneindia News
What does the US actually want in Syria?

More than 290,000 killed in Syria war, monitor says

International

oi-PTI

Beirut, Aug 8: Syria's brutal conflict has now claimed the lives of more than 290,000 people, a monitoring group said today, giving its latest death toll for the devastating five-year war.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 292,817 people had been killed between March 2011 -- when the conflict erupted -- and the end of July. The toll represents an increase of just over 10,000 people since the monitor gave its last account on May 26.

Among the dead are 84,472 civilians, including 14,711 children and 9,520 women, it said. The Observatory also documented the deaths of 50,548 non-jihadist rebels and Kurdish militiamen.

Another 49,547 extremist militants including non-Syrians were killed. A total of 104,656 pro-regime fighters were killed, among them 57,909 soldiers and 1,306 militants from the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, which is fighting on behalf of Damascus.

The monitor said that 3,594 of those killed have been unidentified. The Britain-based Observatory depends on a network of sources inside Syria to gather its information on the conflict.

It estimates that thousands more people are missing or have disappeared into detention centres run by various armed groups.

PTI
Nuclear war with India certain, says Hizbul chief Salahuddin

International

oi-Vicky

Islamabad, Aug 8: Syed Salahuddin, the chief of the terrorist outfit, Hizbul Mujahideen has threatened that there will be a nuclear war against India over the Kashmir issue. Salahuddin, who has been given an open platform in Pakistan to speak, said on Monday that he could predict a 4th war with India with certainty.

Salahuddin further said that the people of Kashmir are no longer willing to compromise. "If Pakistan gives us the support then there can be a nuclear war with India," he further said.

Reminding Pakistan of its responsibility, the terrorist further said that the country is morally, politically and constitutionally bound to provide support to the freedom struggle in Kashmir. He also added that whether the world or Pakistan supports the cause, people of Kashmir have pledged to take the fight to India.

"All of us will fight till the last drop of our blood," he further added.

And if Pak provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between two powers: Sayeed Salahudeen pic.twitter.com/hidotgYDOJ  ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2016

"For the people of Kashmir there is no other option today. Armed jihad is the only solution," he said.

The Modi government is giving no leeway. The people of Kashmir have no option but to take to armed Jihad, he added. "The days ahead for India are very dangerous. There is a new dimension to our fight which will prove to be very dangerous for India," the head of the terrorist outfit also said.

He also said that India must stop atrocities against the people of Kashmir. "We want to see how the international community reacts. Pakistan's efforts should be fruitful and if this does not happen, there will be a big incident," Salahuddin also said.

OneIndia News
Russia prefers Trump as US president since he is more 'fun', says report

International

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Moscow, Aug 8: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is more preferred as the next occupant of the White House in Russia, compared to his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for the former is more "fun" and says good things about the Russians.



A poll by the All-Russian Center for Public Opinion has revealed that 34 per cent of the respondents expected that relations between Russia and US will imporve if Trump becomes the next American president while only 6 per cent believes so if Hillary Clinton succeeds President Barack Obama, a USA Today report said.

On the other hand, while 53 per cent believed that Moscow's terms with Washington will deteriorate under a Hillary Presidency, only 12 per cent thought such an outcome could be seen if the Republican wins the November 8 election to the White House, the report said. [Hillary strengthens lead over Trump: Poll]

Trump, in fact, has arrived on the scene as a "fresh breeze", thanks to his "simplicity, rude jokes and fun", the USA Today quoted Russian journalist Dmitry Olshansky as posting on Facebook last month. He slammed Hillary on the other hand, describing her as "an astoundingly thick concentration of all the evil in this world".

Relations between Russia and the US have seen rough times of lates after the aggressive leadership of President Vladimir Putin saw the former annexing Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and the Obama Presidency strongly condemning it and even imposing economic sanctions.

Against this backdrop, Trump's praising Putin and recently remarking that he would consider accepting Crimea as a part of Russia has created quite a favourable impression of him in Russia,

A few days ago, Trump invited a controversy by remarking that Putin would not get into Ukraine despite the Russians' agression in Ukraine. Later, he gave a clarification saying that Putin would desist from a Ukraine adventure if he had become the president. [Cornered over Ukraine remark, Trump clarifies his stand]

Oneindia News
She is 21, he is 74! And they have sex almost every day love is evergreen, indeed!

Sex offences on rise in UK schools: Study

International

oi-PTI

London, Aug 8: The number of sex offences in schools in England and Wales reported to police has almost trebled in four years with children as young as five being reported for such assaults, according to a study released today.

UK-based children's charity Plan International found 10 sexual offences on school premises are reported to police in England and Wales on average each school day based on figures obtained from across the country's police forces.

"Girls experience everyday harassment  unwanted touching, groping, namecalling  that goes on day-to-day," said Lucy Russell, UK manager of girls' rights campaigning at Plan International.

"There is an indication that the very heavily sexualised messages that children are getting from online pornography and sexualised videos is impacting on their behaviour, and it is changing the expectations they have around their relationships," she said.

Girls were the victims in two-thirds of cases, and children as young as five were recorded carrying out assaults, the study said. The charity requested figures under the UK's Freedom of Information Act for arrests for rape and all other sexual crimes in schools from all 45 UK police forces for each of the last four years.

Police Scotland declined the request and 10 other police forces did not respond. Rape, child prostitution and sexual grooming were among crimes reported at schools last year. The number of reports more than doubled in four years, from 719 in 2011-12 to almost 2,000 in 2014-15, an average of 10 every school day.

Plan International is calling for mandatory sex education in all schools to help tackle sexual harassment and violence.

A UK Department for Education spokesperson said: "Sex and relationship education is already compulsory in all maintained secondary schools and many academies and free schools teach it as part of the curriculum. We are looking at all options to raise the quality of personal, social and health education (PSHE) teaching."

PTI
Ban on Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation proposed

Mumbai

oi-Vicky

Mumbai, Aug 8: The union government has proposed to ban the Dr Zakir Naik-run Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). In its opinion the Law Ministry has suggested that the IRF be banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or the UAPA.

The opinion that has been given to the Home Ministry is now being considered and if the decision is taken, then the IRF will be banned for five years. After the completion of the five year period, the same would be put up for review.

If the organisation is banned then becoming its member would be illegal. Further, the organisation cannot collect funds or conduct meetings.

The law ministry which gave its opinion took into account several aspects which also included the two cases that were booked against the foundation in 2005 and 2012.

The law ministry also took into account reports prepared by various investigation agencies which stated that the speeches made by Naik had influenced many to take up terrorism.

Naik's name had cropped up following the Dhaka attack in which it was stated that his speech had inspired one of the terrorists.

Once the Home Ministry decides to impose the ban, the decision would go up before a tribunal. Once arguments are heard the tribunal will take a final decision on the ban.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, August 8, 2016, 10:10 [IST]
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

Bihar flood situation grim, toll mounts to 95

Patna

oi-PTI

Patna, Aug 7: The flood situation in Bihar remained critical today with four more deaths reported from Katihar district, taking the toll to 95.

The State Disaster Management department said 33 lakh people have been hit by the flood in 14 districts.

Purnia district accounts for the highest number of deaths at 28 followed by Araria (21), Katihar (19), Supaul (8), Kishanganj (5), Gopalganj and Madhepura (4 each), Darbhanga (3) and Muzaffarpur, Saran and Saharsa (1 each).

The swollen Mahananda, Bakhra, Kankai, Parmar, Koshi rivers have inundated parts of Purnia, Kishanganj, Araria, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Saharsa, Supual, Gopalganj, East Champaran, West Champaran, Muzaffarpur and Saran districts affecting a staggering 33 lakh people.

The water level in the Ganga and Ghaghra river has crossed the danger mark in Bhagalpur and Siwan districts, and that in Koshi river in Katihar and Khagaria districts.

While the flood has inundated six lakh hectare area, crops were damaged in two lakh hectare and the authorities are assessing the quantum of losses, DMD said.

As many as 16,361 houses and hutments have been damaged in the deluge causing a loss of Rs 3.52 crore to the residents, while the loss to public properties was being assessed.

The state government has pressed into service 1,490 boats for evacuation of the marooned people. 6.41 lakh have been shifted from flooded areas and 3.86 lakh of them brought to 464 relief camps set up for displaced people.

Altogether 224 medical teams have been deployed to treat sick people at relief camps and around flooded areas.

Elaborate arrangements have been made so that food and other relief materials reach the affected people. NDRF and SDRF have been pressed into service for rescue and relief works, DMD said.

PTI

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, August 8, 2016, 12:07 [IST]
In a shocking incident, the London Police arrested a pedophile for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl for six years after she left school. The girl has revealed how she was raped nearly 3,000 times since then. It has also been reported that she was raped twice a day from the age of ten to sixteen. It is one of the most shocking child abuse cases this country has ever known.
Egypt parliament has decided that a legislative amendment granting president El-Sisi the right to appoint a new Higher Press Council be indefinitely postponed

Egypt parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Al told MPs Monday that an amendment aimed at granting President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi the right to appoint a new Higher Press Council will be indefinitely postponed.

Abdel-Al indicated that "parliament would rather wait until a unified law aimed at regulating the press and the media is revised by the State Council and then referred to parliament."

Article 212 of Egypt's 2014 constitution states that a new unified law aimed at regulating state-run press organisations should gain priority by a newly-elected parliament.

Abdel-Al explained that after consultation with the government, it was decided that parliament should wait until a unified press law  drafted jointly by the government and the press syndicate  is completely revised by the State council in constitutional and legislative terms.

Abdel-Al's statement came in response to a question directed by an independent MP Mostafa Bakri.

"I cannot give a definite date on when the amendment will be discussed, but the discussion will come at the appropriate time," said Abdel-Al.

The amendment, proposed two months ago by MP Bakri, aimed to change article 86 of the Press Law (Law 96/1996) to allow President El-Sisi to appoint an interim Higher Press Council until a new law on the regulation of the press is passed by parliament.

However, the amendment had never been debated by MPs, even though Abdel-Al told MPs on 20 July that the amendment would be discussed only after laws regulating the civil service and pensions had been finalised and voted on.

On Monday, Bakri told Abdel-Al that his amendment aimed to meet a pressing need.

"While the legal term of the incumbent Higher Press Council expired at the end of July, the state-run press organisations are running up huge financial losses every day," said Bakri.

"The amendment comes to meet an urgent need  that is saving public press organisations from greater financial losses and appointing a legal Higher Press Council that could appoint new editors and board chairmen for these organisations."

In response, Abdel-Al insisted that he cannot open Bakri's amendment up for debate in a plenary session.

"We have to postpone this amendment until a revision of the unified press law is finalised by the State Council," said Abdel-Al.

Osama Sharshar, an independent MP and journalist, told Al-Ahram Online that Abdel-Al's response clearly signals that the government and by extension president El-Sisi do not support Bakri's amendment.

"A unified law regulating the press is about to be finalised by the State Council, and once finalised it will be prioritised for debate."

The State Council has been revising the 227-article unified law since 9 July.

Bakri, says Sharshar, appears not to realize that Abdel-Al's rejection to open a debate on his amendment means that "President El-Sisi and the government do not have the political will to meddle in the internal affairs of journalists because they know this would be an undemocratic measure."

Bakri told Abdel-Al that he has asked Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Magdi Al-Agati when the unified law would be finalised by the state council, and "El-Agati's response was that the unified law would not come before October."

"This means that the unified law will take a long time to come to parliament, and so I see that my amendment should take priority," said Bakri.

Abdel-Al's response was that "if the unified amendment did not come at this time, we would give priority to your amendment."

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Controversial preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation might be banned for unlawful activities. The Law Ministry has informed the central government regarding its proposed move, which is seen as an attempt to corner the controversial physician-turned-preacher accused of motivating terrorists.
Prakash Javadekar Inaugurates Chhattisgarh's First IIT

Raipur

oi-PTI

Raipur, Aug 8: Stressing the need for research and innovation, Union Education Minister Prakash Javadekar called upon students to strive for excellence and innovate while inaugurating Chhattisgarh's first IIT campus.

"We did not invent Google, Facebook, Twitter, Windows and WhatsApp but many Indian youths were part of the teams which created these social media applications.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision is to promote research and innovation, therefore our Government has contemplated various programmes to give impetus to the research in various fields," Mr Javadekar said.

The minister inaugurated the Indian Institute of Technology, Bhilai, at its temporary campus at the Government Engineering College at Sejbahar.

IIT students can undertake research projects right from their hostel room, he said, adding "just come up with innovative idea, the Government will promote it".

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said the state was ready to take a giant leap in the field of higher education with the opening of IIT.

"The state has IIM, AIIMS, IIIT, Central University in Bilaspur and now IIT. It is a giant step towards success in the field of higher education," the chief minister said.

The IIT Bhilai is the first IIT in Chhattisgarh and 23rd in the country. Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering classes will commence at the outset, Javadekar said Mine Engineering course will also be launched from 2018-2019 at IIT Bhilai.

IIT at Bhilai was planned in 2007. Steel Authority of India Limited has provided 325 acres of land from its Bhilai Steel Plant for the institute.

In the current academic year, there are 118 students (105 boys and 13 girls). IIT Bhilai is being 'mentored' by IIT Hyderabad.

PTI

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, August 8, 2016, 12:22 [IST]
 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd.

All rights reserved.

One News is a registered trademark

of One News Page Ltd.
Jordan's attorney-general imposed on Monday a media gag order on a case related to the assault of an Egyptian by Jordanians in Amman, Egypts state-owned MENA agency reported.

In a document sent to Jordanian media, the attorney-general said that the gag order is to protect the secrecy of investigations in the case. The order mandates that media outlets in Jordon not publish information or news related to the case or the ongoing investigations.

The decision comes one week after photos of an unconscious 28-year-old Ibrahim Mostafa Darwish, showing his arms and legs in casts and his face covered in welts, went viral online and stirred a wave of controversy.

According to Egyptian and Jordanian news reports, Darwish, who works as a bouncer at a nightclub in Jordan, was kidnapped and tortured nearly to death before being dumped in the desert by a group of men working for a Jordanian businessman.

Friends of Darwish said online that Darwish had been involved in a fight with the businessman's brothers at the nightclub where he was working.

Egypt said on Saturday that it was following Darwish's case through its envoy in Jordan.

This is the second high-profile incident in less than a year where an Egyptian expat in Jordan was mistreated.

In October 2015, a video showing a Jordanian MP and his brothers physically assaulting an Egyptian waiter also went viral and sparked anger in Egypt. The MP and his brothers reportedly later apologised to the waiter.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Rumble 19 Oct 2022

Republican Congressman caught on hidden camera video makes the stunning confession that he'd like to do what Trump-backing..
Rumble 23 Oct 2022

britney spears,baby one more time,hit me baby one more time,my loneliness is killing me,one more time,britney spears baby one more..
A boy abducted and held hostage in an underground bunker -- how the FBI got inside the mind of his kidnapper.

CBS News 07 Oct 2020
Egyptian foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid slammed on Monday an article titled The ruining of Egypt published in The Economist magazine, calling it reductionist and biased.

The Economist issue, which featured a series of articles about Egypt published in the 6 August edition, criticises Egypts economic and political state and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's management of the situation.

"As a leading magazine in economic and financial analysis, one would expect from The Economist to provide objective, informed analysis that focuses on evaluating and assessing the merits of Egypts economic policies over the past few months," Abu Zeid said in an op-ed on Egypt's foreign ministry blog.

The Economist article's cover depicted the decline of the economy in a graph superimposed on the edge of the three Giza pyramids with a fourth downward curve.

The spokesman criticised the issue for saying that El-Sisi came to power through a "coup," stating that this completely disregards "the will of the [Egyptian] people."

He criticised that the issue attributed the "incompetence" of Egypt's economic policies to the president, overlooking that they are based on the advice of a group of prominent economic experts and Egypts well-established institutions.

"It is indeed deplorable, and even disgraceful, that such a professional magazine resorts to using subjective, insulting and politically motivated terms to characterise the economic policies of a country, attributing them solely to the head of state, let alone the poor analytical structure and superficial reading of the Egyptian economy and the nature of the challenges it is facing."

He said that the magazine failed to provide any thorough analysis or even superficial reference to those policies, saying that disagreement on the policies is most welcome in "the spirit of constructive and informed criticism."

Abu Zeid also dismissed the magazine's claim that Egypts economy is sustained only through "generous injections of cash from Gulf states (and, to a lesser degree, by military aid from America)," saying that this could not be farther from the truth.

"It seems The Economist failed to notice the decline of US aid to Egypt in recent years. We are not counting on help from anyone."

He also said that the article did not acknowledge the Egyptian governments plan for inclusive and sustainable growth by 2030.

Abu Zeid added that Egypt's discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the economic package were undermined by the article, and that they should be considered "an indication that Egypts economy is moving on the right track."

We hope that in the interest of maintaining its credibility, reputation and professionalism, The Economist will be less reductionist and biased in the future, Abu Zeid said.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Upworthy 24 Dec 2021

FRANKFURT, Germany  At least three major airlines said they have canceled dozens of flights because illnesses largely tied to..
Rumble 18 Oct 2022

When you select a congressman or senator, you want to know how they will vote on things. So what if the person asking for your vote..
Rumble 25 Aug 2022

'The Five' co-host denounces the horrors of the war on Ukraine after a pregnant woman and her baby died following..
Dr. Anthony Fauci is apparently being worshiped as a god or at least being prayed to by people on the Left. This reminds me of the..

Rumble 16 Jan 2022
Rumble 05 Dec 2019

Residents of Louisburg, Kansas, should begin to see their water running clear, a Louisburg spokesperson said Wednesday. Some..
New Zealand Herald 11 Oct 2022

The Serious Fraud Office has closed its investigation into an accounting scandal at Fuji Xerox New Zealand  saying it is not in..
Rumble 15 Sep 2022

It is a cat resting in an apartment located at the tourist attraction of Gyeongam-dong Railroad Village located in Gunsan-si,..
High rising Stanley hotel at Central Waigani, Port Moresby opens for business

THE countrys newest five-star hotel  the K500 million Stanley Hotel and Suites, opened for business last Monday.The 18-storey hotel, owned by the RH Group, will have a grand opening later.The facilities include a 429 rooms, five restaurants, two bars, 24-hour room service, parking for 500 vehicles, access to the Vision City Mega Mall, three swimming pools, 24-hour fitness centre with sauna and an executive lounge.The hotels open for business, general manager Geoff Haigh told The National last Friday.The Green House Restaurant opened on Monday.Weve only got one restaurant open. Green House is all-day dining.Well start buffets next week.Currently a la carte is on and are very popular with people.The Monsoon Bar is open for business  great atmosphere, good cocktail lounge, nice place to be.Haigh said the first week had been very quiet but expected business to pick up as word got outs about the Stanley.Very quiet as expected, he said.We think things will improve over time.Were still working on getting everything finished.Tourism Arts and Culture Minister Tobias Kulang said the Stanley was opening up a new frontierin PNGs hotel and tourism industry.Its the best so far in the country and in the region, he said.They have raised the bar to a totally new level altogether.We in the tourism industry are excited about the hotel rooms and conference facilities. Its a big investment and a vote-of-confidence in the country and the people. The Natioinal/ One PNG
Saudi Arabia, in a rare comment on its security operations, has confirmed it is working with German investigators to track Islamist militants behind bomb and axe attacks in Germany in July.

A Saudi interior ministry spokesman, General Mansour al-Turki, said Saudi and German security experts had met and exchanged information over evidence showing that one of the attackers in Germany had been in contact through social media with a member of Islamic State using a Saudi phone number.

Turki said the suspect was in an unspecified "country of conflict," but declined to say whether he was a Saudi citizen.

"The investigation is still ongoing between experts in both countries to try to find the parties to the case," Turki told Reuters in response to a question on a report by news magazine Der Spiegel.

Saudi Arabia, though it says it is always ready to work with foreign countries to fight terrorism, rarely speaks publicly on specific cases.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack in Bavaria in which a 17-year-old refugee wounded five people with an axe before police shot him dead, and for a bombing in Ansbach, southern Germany, which wounded 15 people.

The 27-year-old Syrian, who carried out the Ansbach attack, had pledged allegiance to Islamic State on a video found on his phone, investigators said.

Spiegel said traces of the chat indicate that both men had been influenced by, and taken instructions from, unidentified people before the attacks.

German foreign ministry spokeswoman Sawsan Chebli told a news conference on Monday that Saudi Arabia had offered to help Germany investigate attacks in Germany claimed by Islamic State.

"Germany and other western countries have been successfully working together with Saudi Arabia on fighting terrorism for a long time," she said. Information passed on by Saudi Arabia had been key in helping prevent terrorist attacks in Germany in the past, she said.

German interior ministry spokesman Tobias Plate said the government welcomed Saudi Arabia's offer and added that cooperation with the security authorities there was of "significant value" but he declined to comment on the status of investigations.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: Quant funds are having a bit of a moment. Returns for the cohort have been on a slight uptrend and investors are beginning to look to the strategy with fresh eyes. Historically, quant funds have been a hard sell with investors that were concerned about getting involved in a "black box" strategy. But, according to participants at the recent Opalesque London Roundtable, quant funds may be more fee efficient than other strategies and that's drawing investors. "If you look for hedge funds who have high fees and who reinvest those fees in their business as opposed to taking it out as an income to the manager, I think you find a subset of funds who have probably the most interesting business opportunities in front of them," says Keith Haydon, Chief Investment Officer, Man FRM. "Many of those guys are quant funds. Its quite hard if you run a discretionary equity long/short fund with an investment team of say three or four, and somebody says, "You have made $50 million more than you need, how do you now plan to reinvest $50 million in running your small equity long/short fund?" Thats quite difficult to do with a suitable ROE. But looking at the quant space, I have seen more creative solutions to the question about where you can go next and what you can do with regard to buying new datasets, the speed of execution, and so forth." Many quant funds including Man AHL, Winton Capital, and Aspect Capital among others are working on larger...................... To view our full article Click here
Rob Kall's OpEdNews article of July 31 -- "What Do We Do Now That the DNC Rigged & Stole the Primary" -- urges his readers to help establish a new political party. "[T]he corporations have two parties," Rob writes, concluding that we need one of our own. Rob, Kshama Sawant, and others refer to this new party as "a party of the 99%." He's right on target. Forget the shenanigans of the two major parties. What we need now is a new, independent political party of working people.

But to better understand what's going on in American politics right now, we need some historical background to help make sense of things. Take a few minutes to look up four informative items:

1) "We Need a New Political Party," an article by yours truly posted to OpEdNews in March 2013: http://www.opednews.com/articles/We-Need-a-New-Political-Pa-by-Jerry-Kann-130322-990.html

2) An Unreasonable Man, a film biography of Ralph Nader, directed by Henriette Mantel and Steve Skrovan. For some reason the full film is no longer available on YouTube but can be found on Netflix: https://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Ralph-Nader-An-Unreasonable-Man/70058893



Kshama Sawant at Occupy DNC in Philly

(Image by rob kall) Details DMCA



3) "Kshama Sawant Calls for a New Political Party of Working People," also by yours truly and posted to OpEdNews in October 2014: http://www.opednews.com/articles/Kshama-Sawant-Calls-for-a-by-Jerry-Kann-Energy-141019-920.html

4) Independent Politics: The Green Party Strategy Debate, edited by Howie Hawkins, Haymarket Books, 2006: http://www.haymarketbooks.org/pb/Independent-Politics-The-Green-Party-Strategy-Debate

No. 1 is self-explanatory. The article is brief and to the point.

No. 2 is a film about the life and career of Ralph Nader, the most important American political leader of the last 30 or 40 years, and the most accomplished progressive candidate for president since Eugene Debs. With all due respect to Bernie Sanders, it was Nader and the Greens who first stood up to the Corp'rocrats back in 1996 and 2000. If folks want to establish a political party of the 99%"and we must--then we have to know this important history about the person who stepped forward to provide leadership when almost everyone else was running away.

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Reprinted from Empire Burlesque

Note: This is my column in the latest edition of CounterPunch print magazine



National Anxiety

(Image by csuohio.edu) Details DMCA



The title of one of Christopher Logue's multi-volume reworkings of Homer's Iliad stands as the perfect encapsulation of our age: All-Day Permanent Red. We live in a time when the collective amygdala has been stoked into overdrive, sending messages of blank, blind fear that overwhelm the centers of reason, empathy and openness in our brains, propelling us into a state of inchoate anxiety that seeks release in tropes of extremist certainty and spasms of violence -- active, verbal or vicarious.

This natural human propensity -- which has waxed and waned in various forms over the centuries -- has been magnified to the nth degree by the moral and psychological disfigurements of the Terror War. Today we also have the curse of 24/7 corporate news channels and the sleepless howling of the internet to batter the mind with an unending series of "urgent" dangers to our lives, our beliefs, our identities. This produces both a threat to tribal identities (political, religious, ethnic, racial, etc.), and a constant reinforcement of them -- identities which we can see hardening across the spectrum in virtually every nation and culture.

A great deal of this is done deliberately. There are enormous profits and much power to be gained from war and rumors of war, from the militarization of society (including the police forces), and from the incessant stoking of fear at home and abroad. It is scarcely a secret that the United States has turned itself into a nation whose economic and political structures are now dependent on a globe-straddling system of military and economic domination. Over the past century, America's ruling elite have come to believe that the United States can only survive through domination, through the constant expansion of American hegemony across the earth, like a Great White shark unable to stop moving and devouring. And as we have seen over the decades, our elites are willing to kill an inordinate amount of human beings to prove their own noble commitment to the betterment of humanity. They are even willing to flirt with world-destroying nuclear war -- as Obama is doing now with his genuinely insane policy of military brinkmanship with Russia -- to keep the hegemonic shark in motion.

Deliberate, yes; but it is not -- always -- done cynically. Would to god that it were; a Machiavellian cynic might possibly pull back in time if they saw that their clever fearmongering gambit was drifting too close to catastrophe. But one of the main problems we face in the world today, especially in America, is this: elites who believe their own bullshit.

This is the only thing that accounts for much of American foreign policy at the moment (and for many years previously). They actually believe in "exceptionalism," they believe the United States must dominate the world, that it is our solemn duty to bear this heavy burden and bring American values to all peoples. Not because we are perfect -- lord knows, we have many problems and failings of our own! -- but because the American way just happens to be better than all the others, the only path to true freedom and fulfillment. Who would not want that? Who would not be a Roman, if the Empire opened its arms to you? Only the savage, the ignorant and the evil.

This is the thesis -- the doctrine, the gospel -- preached by such quintessential imperial courtiers as Robert Kagan, who has been summoned to the White House to tutor Barack Obama on waging endless war for civilization, as Thomas Meaney reports in a recent London Review of Books. Kagan, as we all know, is a neocon's neocon, one of the "intellectual" godfathers of the Iraq War crime. He is now marshaling support from his fellow extremists for Hillary Clinton. Kagan's wife, Victoria Nuland, is already one of Clinton's closest aides, and rode shotgun on the coup that opened up Ukraine to penetration by U.S military forces and corporate interests. She might well be the next secretary of state. We're about to see Washington double down on the reckless horror of its Terror War.

Fear is the best, perhaps only tactic that could drive a nation into supporting such a berserk, extremist system. And in the techno-corporate bubble in which we all now live and move and have our being, there is no escaping the imperial amygdala as it fires its malevolent electrics into our brains. Our leaders use fear, to be sure; but I think most of them have been captured by it as well. They feel the fear they help foment -- not least because it justifies their murderous actions in their own eyes. This collective madness -- theirs and ours -- feeds on itself in a frenzied positive feedback loop that in the end becomes self-sustaining, obsessive, unstoppable.

To exist in a state of permanent emergency is a kind of living death, where there can be no true progress, no true connection, no full engagement with reality; where there are only the howls of baseless, overblown fear and the agitated, aggressive attempts to dispel this painful anxiety somehow.

This is the hell we are bequeathing to our children. We can only hope they find a way to save themselves, and us, from its horror.
A New York Times investigative report shows that General Atomics helped fund the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a major think tank in Washington DC, when it recommended that the Obama administration loosen export rules to allow the company sell more remotely piloted aircraft (popularly called drones.) General Atomics manufactures the Predator and Reaper drones, the two main aircraft used by the U.S. military for surveillance and targeted killing in wars around the world from Afghanistan and Pakistan to Iraq and Syria. But with spending on such wars dropping from a high of $187 billion in 2008 to a projected $58.7 billion for 2015 , the company realized that it faced a sharp drop off in sales.

CorpWatch: Non-profit investigative research and journalism to expose corporate malfeasance and to advocate for multinational corporate accountability and transparency. We work to foster global justice, independent media activism and democratic control over corporations.

We seek to expose multinational corporations that profit from war, fraud, environmental, human rights and other abuses, and to provide critical information to foster a more informed public and an effective democracy.

Our guiding vision is to promote human, environmental, social and worker rights at the local, national and global levels by making corporate practices more transparent and holding corporations accountable for their actions.

As independent investigative researchers and journalists, we provide critical information to foster a more informed public and an effective democracy.



We believe the actions, decisions, and policies undertaken and pursued by private corporations have very real impact on public life - from individuals to communities around the world. Yet few mechanisms currently exist to hold them accountable for those actions. As a result, it falls to the public sphere to protect the public interest.

In many cases, corporate power and influence eclipses even the democratic

political process itself as they exert disproportional influence on public policy they deem detrimental to their narrow self-interests. In less developed nations, they usurp authority altogether, often purchasing government complicity for unfair practices at the expense of economic, environmental, human, labor and social rights.



Yet despite the very public impact of their actions and decisions, corporations remain bound to be accountable solely to their own private financial considerations and the interests of their shareholders. They have little incentive, nor requirement, for public transparency regarding their decisions and practices, let alone concrete accountability for their ultimate impact.


Reprinted from Strategic Culture



Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin

(Image by debate.org) Details DMCA



The US air strikes on Libya this week mark a major escalation of American overseas military operations. A Pentagon spokesman said the air campaign would continue indefinitely in support of the UN-backed unity government in Tripoli against Islamic State (IS) jihadists.

It was the first "sustained" aerial intervention in Libya since 2011 when US and other NATO warplanes conducted a seven-month bombing campaign in order to oust the government of Muammar Gaddafi.

The timing of the latest US air strikes on the Libyan port city of Sirte seems significant. For nearly two months, the Tripoli-based government has been making inroads against the IS brigades in Sirte. So why should US air strikes be called in at this precise juncture?

The deployment of US air power in Libya followed within days of the decisive offensive launched by the Syrian Arab Army and its Russian allies on the strategic city of Aleppo in northern Syria. As the Syrian and Russian allies move towards defeating anti-government militias holed up in Syria's biggest city that victory portends the end of the five-year Syrian war.

Frustration in Washington over Russia's successful prosecution of its war against foreign-backed terror groups in Syria has been palpable since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered in his forces to the Arab country -- a longtime ally of Moscow -- nearly 10 months ago.

American frustration reached boiling point when Russia unilaterally announced last week that it was proceeding, along with Syrian forces, to take back the city of Aleppo. Syria's second city after the capital Damascus has been besieged by illegally armed groups for nearly four years. With its proximity to the border with Turkey, Aleppo has been a crucial conduit for foreign fighters and weapons fueling the entire war -- a war that Washington and its NATO allies and regional partners have covertly sponsored for their political objective of regime change against President Bashar al-Assad.

When Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that humanitarian corridors were being opened around Aleppo for fleeing civilians and surrendering fighters, the plan was mocked as a "ruse" by US Secretary of State John Kerry. The US ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power described the Syrian-Russian offensive on Aleppo as "chilling."

However, the sovereign, elected government of Syria has every right to take back control of Aleppo -- formerly the country's commercial hub -- which had been commandeered by an assortment of illegally armed groups, some of whom are designated as internationally proscribed terror organizations.

What the pejorative words of Kerry and Power indicate is Washington's perplexity at Moscow's success in Syria. Russia's military intervention has thwarted the US-led foreign conspiracy for regime change. Washington may have got away partially with regime-change schemes in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Ukraine. But Russia's intervention has put paid to a similar maneuver in Syria.

Not only that, but as Russia and its Syrian ally close in for a final defeat of the anti-government mercenary networks in Aleppo, it is becoming excruciatingly obvious that Washington's charade of "moderate rebels" mingling among terrorists is also exposed. For months now, Washington has procrastinated on Moscow's demands that it provide clear demarcation between so-called moderates and extremists. Washington has studiously balked at providing any distinction or physical separation. As Russian and Syrian forces corner the militants in Aleppo, it becomes evident that Washington and the Western media are caught on a damnable lie, which has been used for the past five years to justify the war in Syria. Furthermore, Russia emerges vindicated in the way it has prosecuted its military campaign in support of the Syrian government.

In other words, Russia is seen as genuinely fighting a war against terrorism, whereas Washington and its allies are evinced as having a mercurial, if not criminal, relationship with terror groups that they claim to be combating.

On Friday, Washington's top diplomat John Kerry was anxiously waiting for clarification from Moscow on what the Aleppo offensive was about. By Monday, it was clear that Moscow was not going to pander to Washington's apprehensions about the offensive plan.

"Once again, the Obama administration appears to have been blindsided by Mr Putin, just as it was when Russia dispatched its forces to Syria in September," declared an editorial in the Washington Post on Tuesday.

It was on Monday-Tuesday night that US air strikes were ordered on Libya.

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Putting the entire DNC week into concise language is a serious challenge. So, hopefully, the addition of my smart phone photos will convey more insight, richness, and meaning.

What proved to be a dizzying array of visual and vocal contrasts, conflicts, and cohesion, the period of Saturday July 23rd to Friday July 29th proved both inspiring and enlightening. Inside the DNC convention itself, the TV viewer and delegate witnessed a well-choreographed stage show. However, because of selective and subjective editing, in most cases, the convention reflected one way on TV but a very different way for those present, fully engaged, and thinking analytically. Having now watched numerous TV clips, having read stacks of paper and periodical pieces, and having checked in with dozens of Bernie delegates from 30-plus states, it is clear to this academic and activist that there remains an unhealed rift between the Hillary Clinton campaign and the preponderance of Bernie Sanders delegates and supporters -- in spite of repeated mainstream media claims that most of the divide is now closed, the MSM's repeated assertion that 85% of Sanders' supporters now back Clinton (according to a methodologically unsound Pew study ), and convention and post-convention stories that Bernie delegates not supporting Hillary are fringe activists. My current view of Bernie delegates and supporters (13M voters), based on voluminous anecdotal evidence, is that roughly 50% of Berners are prepared to vote for Clinton (though unclear how many will be active), 15-25% are with Green Party candidate Jill Stein, 2-3% will protest-vote for Trump, and another 22-32% are potentially in play. The direction of the latter group -- the most critical for HRC -- will hinge on Hillary's ability to persuade (i.e., Is she believable and consistent ?) skeptical Berners regarding her pledges and specific party planks (to which her DNC Platform representatives agreed).

"THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE"



(Image by Chuck Pennacchio) Details DMCA



One of the first things that struck me was the reaction from street activists when they discovered I was a delegate for Bernie -- from the Saturday "Climate Emergency March" (pictured here) to a Thursday afternoon procession from Marconi Park to FDR Park in South Philly. "Thank you for your service" -- those are the exact words I heard, again and again. What a wonderful way to turn a phrase applied almost exclusively to U.S. soldiers into a phrase that recognizes the ongoing global battle for peace-over-war, diplomacy-over-drones, and democracy-over-oligarchy.

PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS NOT WELCOME!



(Image by Chuck Pennacchio) Details DMCA



Much of the tone for the convention was set before the convention officially began, on Saturday July 23, when the DNC Rules Committee convened only to lock out more than 300 pro-democracy activists. With the environmental platform on the agenda a chant went up among the excluded throng: "Hey-hey, ho-ho, fossil fuel has got to go," and "Shame on the DNC, I don't see no democracy." The lockout and demonstration went largely unreported by the mainstream media.

THOUSANDS GREET BERNIE

Sanders delegates and supporters were outnumbered inside the Wells Fargo Center, yet represented an overwhelming majority, outside, in the streets. The enthusiasm of the Sanders supporters overall made them look and sound like the majority inside and outside.



(Image by Chuck Pennacchio) Details DMCA



Thousands of Bernie supporters amassed in the streets of Philadelphia"

Next Page 1 | 2 | 3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
I

I's coming, we don't know when it will fully emerge, but it's on the way. When this rampant societal violence, and especially these tragic mass shootings and slaughter of helpless, innocent Americans continues unabated, when this government refuses to address and attack the underlying causes, we will see the emergence of an American police state.

Right now we're witnessing what might be described as a modern-day civil war within this increasingly divided society; it's not one between regions of this country but, rather, one that pits Americans vs. their fellow Americans. President Abraham Lincoln once said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." That's exactly what's taking place in this country; because the more divided we become the more violence that is generated within our society.

A large majority of Americans want something positive and meaningful done to stop this carnage. They strongly support the institution of effective gun safety measures to deal with this festering problem, but a relatively small minority of gun-obsessed Americans and a U.S. Congress filled with NRA-funded politicians block every attempt to come up with solutions that could that could greatly alleviate the situation.

It seems as if we are living in an American shooting gallery with Americans as the targets.

What this pathetic Congress refuses to do, what the people of this country don't have the power to do, to bring an end to this violence and these slaughters, this police state can and will do. The foundations for this uber-law enforcement agency are already in place and the remaining parts to make it fully operational can be added very easily.

Police swat teams are already present all over this country, in cities and towns large and small; we've seen them in action numerous times, very often in situations where there is no need for such a powerful force.

A great many police agencies across America now possess powerful armored personnel carriers which have been handed down from the U.S. military along with high-powered weaponry. The Ferguson, Missouri incident involving the deadly shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was an example of this powerful force in action. In the Dallas incident involving the sniper attack on the police we saw the use of a robot-controlled bomb which killed the domestic terrorist.

It won't be long before we'll see surveillance drones operated by the police and various government agencies in the skies over America, very likely hovering over your own backyard. Big Brother will be watching and monitoring the actions of the American people from above.

What we are seeing right now is a precursor to that eventual police state that will take control when the violence within this society becomes completely untenable. This force won't immediately blanket America but will begin operations in the most violent parts of this society such as the inner cities of Chicago, Newark and Baltimore. Chicago, in particular, continues to experience a plague of shootings and resultant deaths day in and day out, with the weekends being a virtual bloodbath.

How in the world can so many of our politicians continue to talk about our freedoms when Americans can lose their freedoms and their lives at the hands of deranged fellow Americans wielding powerful assault type weapons at any given moment?

The assassination of the 5 police officers and the wounding of 7 others in Dallas recently opened a new chapter in the commission of these terrible mass shootings. The commonly used terms commonly attributed to violent actions by foreign terrorists seeking revenge upon others are blowback and payback. Now those terms can be used here in America to describe the actions of domestic terrorists who launch attacks against citizens and police officers as a form of angry, misguided retaliation.

I've heard those 2nd Amendment gun-obsessed zealots say that the government intends to take away their weapons and that they will never allow that to happen; that they will band together and use their immense combined firepower to go up against the government; they are simply delusionary.

While these zealots express their bravado on this issue I would venture to say that the large majority of those who own most of the guns will think twice before they would take part in a firefight against a government force comprised of police departments across America, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the ATF, and even some special military units.

When this powerful law enforcement entity fully emerges then all the talk about the 2nd Amendment and the right to "Keep and bear arms" will become irrelevant because we will all be living in an American police state.

So what does the future hold, how will this all end? Well, when a great many Americans have clearly proven that they cannot control themselves, when these mass shootings continue and become a common happening and even intensify; when this society becomes ever more violent, and when we have a Congress that watches all this and does absolutely nothing, that powerful police state will take full control of this situation; and, over a period of time, most of the madness will come to an end.

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Reprinted from Common Dreams

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has recently advanced a clean energy plan which mandates that New York transition half of its energy needs to renewables by 2030. By regressive contrast, New York's Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved enormous subsidies for three aging nuclear power plants...Ginna, Nine Mile Point and FitzPatrick...located in Upstate New York. Estimates of the costs of these subsidies range from $59 million to $658 million by 2023, with specialists such as Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group predicting that costs could grow to $8 billion. New York consumers will be covering the tab via their utility bills.

Ginna and Nine Mile Point are owned by the Exelon Corporation, and Exelon has plans to purchase the FitzPatrick plant. You can be sure that Exelon is frothing at the mouth for this huge bailout that was approved without adequate public scrutiny. Approval of this plan gives New York State the not-so-honorable distinction of being one of the first states to bail-out the aging nuclear industry in our increasingly green energy age. The long-coddled nuclear industry is hoping that other states will follow suit.

Unfortunately, subsidizing the nuclear industry in the United States is nothing new. Since the first nuclear plants opened back in the 1950's, taxpayers have assumed nearly all of the financial risk. One of the most telling warning signs about the real cost of investing in nuclear power is that fact that Wall Street will not finance the construction of a nuclear plant without a full loan guarantee from the U.S. government. The reason for such caution by financial wheelers and dealers is the long history of delays, cost over-runs and reactors that never came online. Whether the plants open or not, obeisant politicians pass many of the nuclear boondoggle costs to the taxpayers.

Atomic energy is also uninsurable in the private insurance market. Under the Price-Anderson Act of 1957, taxpayers must cover almost all of the costs if a catastrophic nuclear accident should occur. Think of the devastation caused by Chernobyl, Fukushima and Three Mile Island. Three Mile Island, which experienced only a partial meltdown in 1979, cost approximately $1 billion to clean up.

The case to preserve the New York nuclear power plants is that they are an "emissions-free power source." There are, however, much better, more affordable and safer low-carbon options that would replace the need for nuclear energy in New York. These options were not even discussed or evaluated. A more sensible approach would have been for the PSC to present some alternative scenarios, so that citizen taxpayers could compare the risk and costs of a massive nuclear bailout against significant investments in other energy-generating options like wind and solar, in addition to energy conservation measures.

Consider the absurdity of the complex and expensive nuclear fuel cycle itself. It begins with uranium mining which produces radioactive tailings and dust, followed by the fabrication and refinement of fuel rods, the risky transport of these rods to the plant where they are installed, and then firing up the reactor so it goes critical with a huge amount of radioactivity. The end goal? To boil water to generate steam to turn turbines to produce electricity!

What other method of boiling water has to have specific population evacuation plans?

There is also the significant problem of spent fuel rods which are stored in pools at nuclear plants. No permanent storage sites exist for these deadly radioactive wastes, which pose national security risks, and which must be kept for thousands of years.

It's notable to point out that the Indian Point nuclear plants in New York, which are located near an earthquake fault just 30 miles from Manhattan, were excluded from the PSC proposal. Even cautious Governor Cuomo and Hillary Clinton, when she was a Senator, have acknowledged the imminent danger that Indian Point poses to the Greater New York City area and urged its closing. The 5 PM rush hour in New York's metropolitan area is bad enough without adding the chaos of a panicked mass evacuation of millions of people.

So what about those who live within the fallout zone of these three upstate plants that will be the recipients of billions of dollars of taxpayer money? Why is Governor Cuomo trying to close Indian Point while saving these other plants? One explanation could be right out of the classic nuclear industry handbook...hold the state hostage by threatening that the lights will go out if they don't pony up.

The public was given just 14 days to comment on the bailout proposal. Despite pushback from anti-nuclear activists, the nuclear industry prevailed. Is two weeks enough time for a thorough public debate on the merits of bailing out the costly, risky, dirty nuclear power industry? Shame on the indentured PSC and Governor Cuomo!

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Reprinted from Counterpunch



Recep Tayyip Erdogan

(Image by theglobalpanorama) Details DMCA



"Turkey is slowly leaving the Atlantic system. That is the reason behind this coup. That is the reason why NATO is panicking. This is much broader and much bigger than Erdogan. This is a tectonic movement. This will affect Turkish-Syrian relations, Turkish-Chinese relations, Turkish-Russian relations and Turkish-Iranian relations. This will change the world." -- Yunus Soner, Deputy Chairman Turkish Patriotic Party "It is becoming clear that the attempted putsch was not just the work of a small clique of dissatisfied officers inside the armed forces; it was rather the product of a vast conspiracy to take over the Turkish state that was decades in the making and might well have succeeded." -- Patrick Cockburn, CounterPunch

On August 9, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg The two leaders will discuss political developments following the recent coup-attempt in Turkey, tourism, and the launching of Turkstream, the natural gas pipeline that will transform Turkey into southern Europe's biggest energy hub. They are also expected to explore options for ending the fighting in Syria. Putin will insist that Erdogan make a concerted effort to stop Islamic militants from crossing back-and-forth into Syria, while Erdogan will demand that Putin do everything in his power to prevent the emergence of an independent Kurdish state on Turkey's southern border. The meeting will end with the typical smiles and handshakes accompanied by a joint statement pledging to work together peacefully to resolve regional issues and to put an end to the proxy war that has left Syria in tatters.

All in all, the confab will seem like another public relations charade devoid of any larger meaning, but that's certainly not the case. The fact is, the normalizing of relations between Russia and Turkey will foreshadow a bigger geopolitical shift that will link Ankara to Tehran, Damascus and other Russian allies across Eurasia. The alliance will alter the global chessboard in a way that eviscerates the imperial plan to control the flow of energy from Qatar to Europe, redraw the map of the Middle East and pivot to Asia. That strategy will either be decimated or suffer a severe setback. The reasons for this should be fairly obvious to anyone who can read a map. Turkey's location makes it the indispensable state, the landbridge that connects the wealth and modernity of the EU with the vast resources and growing population of Asia. That vital connecting piece of the geopolitical puzzle is gradually slipping out of Washington's orbit and into enemy territory. The July 15 coup is likely the final nail in the NWO coffin for reasons we will discuss later. Here's a clip from Eric Draitser's insightful piece titled "Erdogan's Checkmate: CIA-Backed Coup in Turkey Fails, Upsets Global Chessboard" that summarizes what's going on:

"Ultimately, the failed 2016 coup in Turkey will have lasting ramifications that will impact the years and decades ahead. With Turkey now clearly breaking with the US-NATO-EU axis, it is rather predictable that it will seek to not only mend fences with both Russia and China, but to place itself into the non-western camp typified by BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, China's One Belt One Road strategy, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, etc." ("Erdogan's Checkmate: CIA-Backed Coup in Turkey Fails, Upsets Global Chessboard," Global Research)

In an earlier part of the article, Draitser correctly identifies the followers of Fethullah Gulen as the perpetrators of the coup. As he and others have pointed out, Gulen's agents have penetrated all levels of the Turkish state and military acting as a shadow government (aka -- "parallel state") that poses a direct threat to Turkey's national security... Here's journalist Patrick Cockburn making the same point in a recent article in CounterPunch:

"There is little question left that the followers of Fethullah Gulen were behind the coup attempt, despite his repeated denials. 'I don't have any doubt that the brain and backbone of the coup were the Gulenists,' says Kadri Gursel, usually a critic of the government. He adds that he is astonished by the degree to which the Gulenists were able to infiltrate and subvert the armed forces, judiciary and civil service... "It is difficult to find anybody on the left or right who does not suspect that at some level the US was complicit in the coup attempt. Erdogan is probably convinced of this himself, despite US denials, and this will shape his foreign policy in future... "If the coup had more successful, Turkey would have faced a full-blown military dictatorship or a civil war, or both. Erdogan said in an interview that foreign leaders who now counsel moderation would have danced for joy if he had been killed by the conspirators..." ("After the Coup, Turkey is Being Torn Apart," Patrick Cockburn, CounterPunch)

If the coup had succeeded, then it is quite likely that Erdogan would have been savagely murdered like Gadhafi while the state was plunged into a long-term civil war. This is why Erdogan has removed tens of thousands of Gulen sympathizers or operatives from their positions in the state, the media, the military and the universities. These prisoners will now be charged with supporting the coup (treason?) and could face the death penalty. Critics in the Obama administration and western media have lambasted Erdogan for violating civil liberties in his effort to rid the country of fifth columnists and traitors, but the Turkish President will have none of it. He has angrily responded saying that Washington was "taking the side of the coup leaders."

"Now I ask," said Erdogan, "does the West give support to terror or not? Is the West on the side of democracy or on the side of coups and terror? Unfortunately, the West gives support to terror and stands on the side of coups...We have not received the support we were expecting from our friends, neither during nor after the coup attempt."

Erdogan lamented that "no Western leader had come to Turkey to express condolences and show solidarity with the Turkish people." (Hurriyet, Turkish Daily)

He has a point, doesn't he? While I am no fan of the autocratic and narcissistic Erdogan, it's very suspicious that Washington is so eager to criticize and so reluctant to help. After all, the two countries are allies, right?

And what does Erdogan want?

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Progressive Content Not Found

Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing.



To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here.
The first strikes of a US-led campaign against the Islamic State group were launched in Iraq two years ago on Monday, with coalition operations later expanding to Syria.

IS group overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014 and seized significant territory in northern and eastern Syria amid the chaos of that country's civil war, declaring a cross-border "caliphate".

In Syria, coalition-backed Kurdish and Arab anti-IS group forces defeated the militants in the city of Kobane and recaptured the city of Tal Abyad and the town of Manbij and have pledged to retake Raqa, the militants' de facto Syrian capital.

Iraqi forces have retaken the cities of Tikrit, Ramadi and Fallujah and have now set their sights on ousting IS group from Nineveh province and its capital Mosul, the country's second city.

In addition to air strikes, the coalition has provided advice, training and other assistance to anti-IS group forces in both countries.

Meeting in Washington last month, top diplomatic and military officials from coalition countries discussed plans that Pentagon chief Ashton Carter said would deliver a "lasting defeat" to IS.

Here are some key figures from the coalition on operations against IS group:

14,301: The total number of strikes carried out by the coalition from the beginning of the campaign to August 6. A total of 9,514 of the strikes were in Iraq and 4,787 in Syria. Coalition strikes have played a major role in Iraqi advances and have assisted anti-IS group forces in Syria.

19,000-25,000: IS group fighters estimated to be operating in Iraq and Syria. This compares to an estimated 20,000 to 31,500 in 2014.

55: The number of civilians the United States has confirmed were killed in coalition strikes in Iraq and Syria as of July 28. Twenty-nine civilians have been confirmed as injured. Some observers believe civilian casualties have been significantly higher.

5: The number of "combat-related deaths" of international coalition military personnel. Two Americans died of wounds sustained in fire fights with IS group, while rocket fire left a third dead. IS group also burned a Jordanian pilot to death in a cage in Syria, while Iraqi Kurdish forces mistakenly killed a Canadian.

47: The percentage of territory IS group has lost in Iraq, according to US Special Envoy Brett McGurk. The militants are thought to have lost around 20 percent of territory they once held in Syria.

6,500: The approximate number of coalition forces deployed in support of operations against IS group. Most are in Iraq, but some have also been sent to Syria. Some have directly fought IS militants, but most are in training or advisory roles.

13: Coalition countries carrying out strikes against IS group in Iraq, Syria or both. They are: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Department Store Retailing Market : Opportunities and Forecasts, 2014 - 2020

Department Store Retailing Market

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3337

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3337

A department store is a retail establishment that sells a wide range of consumer goods. These products include clothing, cosmetics, toys, toiletries, home appliances, furniture, sporting goods, foods, books, electronics and stationery. These products are usually separated into departments and divisions. There are different departmental divisions such as merchandising, advertising, service, accounting and budgetary control. In the recent year, number of online retailers is increasing and the competition is increasing among the online stores and department stores. Online shopping is becoming popular among the consumer due to the ease of shopping. In order to catch-up with online retailers, many department stores are going online and expanding their reach. Department store retailing market can be segmented by store types into: upscale department store, mid-range department store, discount department store and others. Department store retailing market can be bifurcated into five categories: clothing, toiletries, cosmetics, home appliances and others. Different department stores reflect different kinds of spending. Generally upscale department store carries expensive and better quality products. On the other hand, discount department store carries less expensive products.Thinking about report: Please observe the beneath the hyperlinks to satisfy your necessities; Request for the Report sample:North America is the largest market for department store retailing, followed by Europe. Asia Pacific is expected to be fastest growing market for department store retailing.Rising disposable income, increasing promotional activity, increasing consumer confidence and ever-increasing population in the developing countries are some of the major driving force for department store retailing market. With the lower effect of economic recession, employment rate and disposable income levels are raising, which allows the consumer to spend more on products such as apparels, cosmetics and toiletries. Thus increase in the confidence level of consumer which allows them to spend money easily. According to the National Bureau of Statistics China, annual per capita disposable income of urban households in China increased from USD 2,271.0 in 2008 to USD 3408.5 in 2012. The overall annual disposable income in India medium household income increased from USD 1,366.2 billion in 2010 to USD 1,587.6 billion in 2013.Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:The major companies operating in the department store retailing market include David Jones, Myer, Nordstrom, JCPenny, KOHLS, Dillards, Hudsons Bay Company, Falabella, Lojas Riachuelo and Liverpool.Key points covered in the reportReport segments the market on the basis of types, application, products, technology, etc (as applicable)The report covers geographic segmentationNorth AmericaEuropeAsiaRoWThe report provides the market size and forecast for the different segments and geographies for the period of 2010 to 2020The report provides company profiles of some of the leading companies operating in the marketThe report also provides porters five forces analysis of the market.About UsPersistence 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.ContactPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United StatesUSA - Canada Toll Free: +1 800-961-0353
Worldwide Online Advertising Market : Facts, Figures and Analytical Insights 2015  2021

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4711

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4711

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

Online advertising is likewise known as internet advertising or digital advertising which makes usage of the cyberspace to communicate the promotional marketing message to the customers.The online advertising term is broadly categorized on the basis of types of advertising which includes search engine optimization (SEO), banner marketing, search engine advertising (SEA), email marketing, online video advertising, local online advertising, social media optimization (SMO) strategies and additional types of online advertising. These online advertisings appear on the internet more often than traditional advertising media such as television and newspapers.Thinking about report: Please observe the beneath the hyperlinks to satisfy your necessities; Request for the Report sample :Search engine advertising and pay per click marketing are the fastest evolving advertising concepts for numerous assortments of businesses. Pay per clip is comparatively simple and effortless to carry out scalable, enormously cost efficient and in house. PPC is a huge component of effective and efficient online advertising for the business.Online advertising uses numerous tools and techniques for online marketing functions which include sales CRM, e-commerce, e-mail, marketing automation, WCM, social CRM and web analytics. All these software tools collectively facilitate an organization to develop and implement effective and efficient marketing strategies.The global online advertising market continues to rise in tandem with the global internet user base, social networking websites, income and widespread adoption of broadband. The industry is being motivated by mobile internet activity, increasing attractiveness and fame of mobile devices which includes tablets and smart phones that are proving to be beneficial.The main factors that are driving the online advertising market are increased focus on digital media, cost effective, smart phone penetration, advertising by content providers and rising numbers of advertisers on social networking sites. The main factor that is restraining the growth of online advertising are lack of skilled personnel and still use of tradition advertising factors such as television and newspapers. The main opportunity for the growth of online advertising in future would be the emergence of SAAS based solutions.The online advertising market is segmented on the basis of advertising sectors which include online classifieds, search, directories, and general advertising. In addition, the market is segmented on the basis of its mode of interaction which includes web sites, commercial online services, email providers, as well as other companies selling online advertising. Further, the online advertising is segmented on the basis of end use industry which includes BFSI and automotive industry among others. Furthermore, the market could be segmented on the basis of geography which includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and RoW.The North American region dominates the market of global online advertising industry and is remain the market leaders in future as well. Asia Pacific region is expected to be the biggest emerging market for online advertising because of the large customer base.Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:Some of the major companies that are dominating in the online advertising market include IBM Corp., SAP AG, Oracle Corp., Salesforce.com Inc., Aplicor LLC, Adobe Systems Inc., ComScore Networks Inc., Ebay GSI Commerce, Lithium Technologies Inc., Demandware Inc., Attensity Corp., Microsoft Corp., LongJump CRM, OpenText Corp., StrongMail Systems Inc., Percussion Software Inc., Zoho CRM Inc., Yahoo Analytics, SugarCRM Inc., Netsuite Inc. and Sitecore Inc. among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Worldwide Mobile Relay Networks Market Size 2015 - 2021

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4712

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4712

A relay network is a wide set of network topology usually used in mobile or wireless networks. In such networks the destination and source are interconnected by the help of few nodes. In such a design of network the destination and source are unable to communicate directly with each other as the distance between the destination and source is larger than their transmission range, hence the requirement for intermediate nodes to relay. These networks help to expand the distance between the source and destination by increasing the number of nodes. When a mobile relay is connected to a wireless relay network it gets converted into mobile relay network. Mobile relays are specialized nodes that travel all through the network to gather data from source nodes and convey it to the access point or destination node. They are free to follow a fixed or variable route, at variable or constant speed.Mobile relay forwarding (MRF) concept is a result of tremendous innovation done in the networking sector. There exist particular mobile relays (nodes) in the network that are used to collect transmission from the source nodes, and either delivers it to the destination or closer to the destination. The number of mobile relay in a network may differ depending on number of factors such as amount of data traffic to managed, number of regular nodes, costs and quality of service (QoS) requirements.Thinking about report: Please observe the beneath the hyperlinks to satisfy your necessities; Request for the Report sample :Some of the important factors which are used in designing mobile relay network are coordination between nodes, node mobility, mobile relay destinations, number of mobile relay and mobile relay speed among others.The major driver for this mobile relay networks is the increase network scalability by the addition of extra relay to the network structure with increasing the routing complexity. Mobility of mobile relays (MRs) can be controllable or non controllable in nature depending upon the need for deployment. These MRs can be a preexisting part of the system, or deployed just to improve routing performance. In addition, MRs usually has lesser resources availability limitation as compared to other nodes of the network. Thus, they can effectively increase connectivity of the network and data delivery in the networks.The mobile relay network market is segmented on the basis of type of mobility into task driven mobility or message driven mobility. In addition the market is segmented based on the type of routing in the network into infrastructure based and infrastructure less. Further, the infrastructure based is sub segmented into context-based and dissemination-based. On the basis of mobile relay type the market is segmented into MR as a part of the environment and MR specifically designed to be the element of the network infrastructure.Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:The key players of the mobile relay network market are Megatone Electronics Corp., Changan Group Co. Ltd, Excel Cell Electronic Co Ltd (ECE), Wenzhou Start Co. Ltd, Meisongbei Electronics Co. Ltd, Archers Electronics Ltd, Xiamen Jinxinrong Electronics Co. Ltd and Huge Electrical United Development Co. Ltd among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Worldwide Unified Communication as a Service (UCaaS) Market estimates and forecasts(2015 -2021)

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4722

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4722

Unified communication as a service is a delivery model in which collaboration and communication services and applications are outsourced to third party service provider. These services are delivered over the IP network. Unified communication as a service (UcaaS) technologies include presence technology, enterprise messaging, online meetings and video conferencing. There are two primary approaches of UcaaS namely single-tenancy and multi-tenancy. The former approach offers customized software platform to end-users, which can be integrated with on-premises applications. The latter approach offers single software platform to be shared among multiple end-users. Furthermore, enterprises have an option to adopt hybrid approach, which offers software platform that can keep a portion of their unified communications on-premises and remaining applications in the cloud. UcaaS solutions reduce cost through consolidation of equipment and services. In addition, it improves productivity, as unified communication provides common interface for employees. Above mentioned benefits are enhancing adoptions of UcaaS mainly in small and medium scale enterprises.The unified communication as a service (UcaaS) market report contains the global scenario of this market discussing detailed overview and market figures. The research report analyses the industry growth rate, industry capacity, and industry structure. The report analyses the historical data and forecasts the cyber security market size along with key factors driving and restraining the market growth.Thinking about report: Please observe the beneath the hyperlinks to satisfy your necessities; Request for the Report sample :The unified communication as a service (UcaaS) market can be segmented in three major types into components, applications and enterprise size. The unified communication as a service market can be segmented on the basis of types of components into three major categories namely unified messaging, conferencing and telephony, and collaboration applications. On the basis of applications the UcaaS market can be segment into seven categories namely banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), retail, telecom & IT, government, healthcare, hospitality and others (logistics and transportation). The unified communication as a service market can be segmented on the basis of size of enterprises which include small enterprises, medium enterprises and large enterprises. The market can also be segmented geographically into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (Latin America, Middle East and Africa).The unified communication as a service (UcaaS) market across the globe is a multi billion market and is expected to show a substantial growth in CAGR, from 2013 to 2019. There is a significant increase in the unified communication as a service market because UcaaS model eliminates cost associated with deploying own unified communication solution.The key drivers of this market include enhanced adoption of UcaaS solution in small and medium enterprises, low cost and enhanced service support, which are the biggest revenue generators for unified communication as a service market. The key restraints to this market are lack of awareness and security concerns.Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:Some of the key players in the unified communication as a services market are IBM Corporation, Abaya Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Computer Science Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Development Company, Polycom Inc., Verizon Enterprise Solutions and Voss Solutions among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Worldwide Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Market : Latest innovations and key events by 2015 - 2021

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4723

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4723

The global augmented reality & virtual reality market is expected to grow at a substantial growth rate especially in training and infotainment market. Heavy penetration is the wide spectrum of application areas for these technologies. Virtual reality application in healthcare shows a tremendous growth and driving the market for augmented reality & virtual reality. It is a field of computer research which deals with the combination of real-world and computer generated data. Augmented reality consists of various benefits which includes interactive in real time, also data can be generated in real-time. Augmented reality has various applications which include video games (physical interaction with 3D models), presentations, television, theme park, and simulations (driving, flying etc.).The report contains the global scenario of augmented reality & virtual reality market discussing detailed overview and market figures. The research report analyses the industry growth rate, industry capacity, and industry structure. The report analyses the historical data and forecasts the augmented reality & virtual reality market size, production forecasts along with key factors driving and restraining the market growth.Thinking about report: Please observe the beneath the hyperlinks to satisfy your necessities; Request for the Report sample :The global augmented reality & virtual reality market is segmented into two major categories, on the basis of technology into augmented and virtual reality technologies, on the basis of sensors and components into sensors, semiconductor components, augmented reality sensors and components, virtual reality sensors and components. The market is also segmented by application into E-commerce, gaming, medical, education, military and other industrial applications. The market is further segmented by geography into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and rest of the world regions. Among these regional markets, Asia Pacific registered the fastest growth rate during the forecast period from 2013 to 2019.The global augmented reality & virtual reality market is driven by factors such as the increasing demand in healthcare, boosting demand for smartphones. Rising Prevalence of Computer Technology and Internet Connectivity will also act as drivers for the global augmented reality & virtual reality market.Some of the factors inhibiting the growth of the global augmented reality & virtual reality market are privacy and awareness, image latency. Requirement of hardware is also restraining the growth of the global augmented reality & virtual reality market. Programming physics, costs, under development and graphics are also other factors restraining the growth of the global augmented reality & virtual reality market. The emerging applications and increase in R&D initiatives will serve as an opportunity, fuelling the growth of the global augmented reality & virtual reality market.Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:Some of the key players dominating the market are Blippar, Catchoom, Innovega Inc., Laster Technologies, Metaio Gmbh, Total Immersion, Vertalis Ltd, Augmented Pixels Co., Kooaba AG, Kishino Limited, Qualcomm Incorporated, Wikitude Gmbh and others. Earlier the global augmented reality & virtual reality market was dominated by players with relatively low brand image. However, after the entrance of new big players in the industry, the demand for augmented reality & virtual reality has increased among the consumers.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Power Rental Market Worth USD 20.30 Billion by 2020, Globally

http://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/power-rental-market

http://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/power-rental-market

http://www.zionmarketresearch.com

Zion Market Research has published a new report titled Power Rental Market by End-User (Oil & Gas, Industrial, Construction and Others) For Peak Shaving, Base Load/ Continuous Power and Standby Power Applications: Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast, 2014 - 2020 According to the report, The global power rental market was valued at approximately USD 10.02 billion in 2014 and is expected to reach approximately USD 20.30 billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of over 13.0% between 2015 and 2020.Power is generated by burning fossil fuels such coal, oil or gas to generate steam that drives large turbines that produce electricity. Power rental is referred as plant hire which provide flexibility, reliability, speed and cost-effectiveness. Power on rent can deliver complete operating power packages as well as provide scalable components within large power station installations to various industrial applications.Browse the full "Power Rental Market by End-User (Oil & Gas, Industrial, Construction and Others) For Peak Shaving, Base Load/ Continuous Power and Standby Power Applications: Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Segment, Trends and Forecast, 2015  2021" report atThe global power rental market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period on account of increasing demand for power across the globe. The increasing power consumption, development of power infrastructure, and increasing construction & development is anticipated to boost the demand of power rental in the coming years. Furthermore, increasing demand for power from oil & gas industry is also a major driving force of the power rental market. However, presence of stringent regulations coupled with rising environmental awareness may hamper the market growth in the near future. Nonetheless, increasing demand for power in emerging economics is expected to open up new growth avenues for the power rental market in the years to come.Oil & gas, industrial, construction and others are the key end-users of the power rental market. Industrial segment emerged as the leading application segment by accounting for over 22 % of the total revenue generated by the power rental market in 2014. Construction is another key outlet of power rental market and it held over 20% share of overall market in 2014. This is mainly due to growing infrastructural development in the emerging economics. Oil & gas is also expected to exhibit substantial demand within the forecast period.Based on application, the power rental market can be segmented into peak shaving, base load/continuous power and standby power. Base load/continuous accounted for 45.56% share of total revenue generated in 2014. Base load/continuous segment are expected to exhibit a significant rise in light of the increasing demand from various sectors such as oil & gas, mining and construction and others. Peak shaving is another leading application segment owing to rising awareness among energy intensive industries in order to control the charged over high energy demand during peak hours.In terms of geography, Middle East & Africa dominated the global power rental market and accounted for 31.63% of total revenue in 2014. This growth is mainly attributed to growing construction and developmental activities in this region. North America was the second largest regional market with 21.32% share of total revenue generated in 2014. Asia Pacific holds immense potential for the industry growth over the forecast period. Recently, emerging economies including India, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia have been contributing significantly to the demand for power rental in industrial sector owing to rapid industrialization.Request Sample Report @Some of the key players include in power rental market such as Atlas Copco, United Rental, Cummins Inc, APR Energy Inc, Caterpillar Inc and Power Electrics.This report segments the global power rental market as follows:Global Power Rental Market: End-Users Segment AnalysisOil & GasIndustrialConstructionOthersGlobal Power Rental Market: Application Segment AnalysisPeak shavingBase load/ Continuous powerStandby powerGlobal Power Rental Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeGermanyFranceUKAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East and AfricaZion Market Research 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. Zion Market Research experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants uses 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.Contact US:4283, Express Lane, Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803 GMTTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global silicone Elastomers Market Value is Estimated to be $6.6 billion by 2022 : Brisk Insights

http://www.briskinsights.com/report/global-silicone-elastomers-market-forecast-2015-2022

http://www.briskinsights.com/category/chemical-and-material-industry

http://www.pdfdevices.com/global-silicone-elastomers-market-is-expected-to-reach-6-6-billion-by-2022-brisk-insights/

http://www.briskinsights.com/

According to a recently published report, the silicone Elastomers Market is expected to grow at the CAGR of 5.9% during 2015-2022 and it is estimated to be $6.6 billion by 2022. The global silicone elastomers market is segmented on the basis of type, application and geography. The report on Global Silicone Elastomers Market Forecast 2015-2022 provides detailed overview and predictive analysis of the market.The global silicone elastomers market is driven by large number of factors such as superior properties of silicone elastomers such as excellent UV and Ozone resistance, easy to fabricate or process, high thermal conductivity, high gas and drug permeability, low flammability, outstanding electrical insulating properties, low compression set at elevated temperatures etc. Due these excellent qualities, silicone elastomers find their usage in a large number of sectors such as automotive & transportation, electrical & electronics, healthcare, consumer goods, and industrial machinery. Silicone elastomers are extensively used in these industries and growth in these sectors is also leading to the growth of the silicone elastomers industry. There are large number of commercial application of silicone elastomers such as structural glazing and sealants. Demand for better equipments which are safe and sterile has arrived in healthcare industries and this has boosted the demand of silicone elastomers. One of the major reason for the growth of the industry is the economic growth of developing economies of APAC region especially China. Development of the automotive sector is also driving the market.Browse Full Report with Toc :Some of the factors which are hindering the growth of the silicone elastomers industry are high investment required for the production of material and the price sensitivity of the market. These factors act as the restraint for the industry.Browse here for all category Reports :Scope of the report1. Global silicone elastomers market by application 2012 - 2022 ($ billion)1.1. Automotive & Transportation1.2. Electrical & Electronics1.3. Healthcare1.4. Consumer Goods1.5. Industrial Machinery2. Global silicone elastomers market by type 2012 - 2022 ($ billion)2.1. High Temperature Vulcanize2.2. Liquid Silicone Rubber Room2.3. Temperature Vulcanize3. Global silicone elastomers regional outlook 2012-2022 ($ billion)3.1. North America3.2. Europe3.3. Asia Pacific3.4. Middle East & Africa3.5. Central & South America4. Competitive Landscape4.1. Accurate products Inc.4.2. China National Bluestar (Group) Co, Ltd.4.3. DOW Corning Corporation.4.4. Hongfeng silicone technology Co. Ltd.4.5. IIene Industries, Inc4.6. KCC Corporation4.7. Mesgo S.P.A.4.8. Mikron Rubber Products4.9. Momentive Performance Materials Inc.4.10. Quantum Silicone4.11. Reiss Manufacturing Inc.4.12. Shen Zhen Hong Ye Jie Technology Co. Ltd.4.13. Shenzhen Hyde Technology Co. Ltd.4.14. Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.4.15. Silicone Rubber Right Products4.16. Specialty Silicone Products Inc.4.17. Stockwell Elastomerics Inc.4.18. Wacker Chemie AG4.19. Xiamen Gaodike Electronics Industry Co. Ltd.4.20. Zhejiang Xinan Chemical Industrial Group Co., Ltd.Blog :Contact Us :Jennifer SmithOffice 1094109 Vernon HouseFriar LaneNottinghamNG1 6DQUnited KingdomPhone : +448081890034 (UK)Email : sales@briskinsights.comWebsite :About Us :Brisk Insights is a global market research firm. Our insightful analysis is focused on developed and emerging markets. We identify trends and forecast markets with a view to aid businesses identify market opportunities optimize strategies.Working in a highly dynamic and multi-dimensional business makes decision making complex. Effective business decisions are a result of the synthesis of market information. Our Research and data analysis is an efficient and cost-effective way of providing robust market analysis and can yield highly valuable intelligence relating to consumers, competitors and markets.Office 1094109 Vernon HouseFriar LaneNottingham
Global ENT (Ear, Nose And Throat) Devices Market Value is Estimated to be $1.50 billion by 2022 : Brisk Insights

http://www.briskinsights.com/report/ent-devices-market-forecast-2015-2022

http://www.pdfdevices.com/global-ent-devices-market-is-expected-to-reach-1-50-billion-by-2022-brisk-insights/

http://www.briskinsights.com/

According to a recently published report, Global Ent Devices Market is expected to grow at the CAGR of 6.8% during 2015-2022 and it is estimated to be $1.50 billion by 2022. The global ENT devices market is segmented on the basis of devices, end user applications and geography. The report on global ENT devices market forecast 2015-2022 provides detailed overview and predictive analysis of the market.The global ENT devices market is expected to grow exponentially due to its wide application in number of regions such as home use, hospitals, ambulatory settings, ENT clinics etc. The increasing demand for ENT devices in various sectors is the reason for its tremendous growth. It is providing devices in almost all the sectors of the industry such as hearing devices market, hearing implants, diagnostic devices, nasal splints, voice prosthetics, surgical devices etc.Some of the other reasons for the growth of the market are increasing trend of customized implants, increase in the incidence of sinusitis. Increasing population base of geriatric people also is leading to the growth of the field. As per the action of hearing loss information more than 10 million people in UK suffer from hearing loss and in this 6.4 million belong to the age group of 65 and above. There is an increase in the number of ageing population day by day and this is also leading to the growth of the marketBrowse Here For Full Report With ToC :At the same time government is supporting the field to enhance healthcare services. ENT devices market in healthcare provides customized products such as hearing implant. Products are being manufactured depending on the patients requirement. The new technologies are safe and effective and would bolster lifestyle of the patients. ENT devices are also used for commercial purposes.Although, there are many drivers of the field but still there exists certain restraints which are proving to be hurdle for the market growth some of them are prevalence of social stigmas, high cost of procedure and instruments and lack of proper reimbursements policy.Presently, North America and Europe holds the largest market share of the field i.e. more than 60% of the market total. Followed by Asia pacific,Some of the major market players listed in the report are Stryker Corporation, Acclarent Inc. (A subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson), Sonova Holding AG, AventaMed, Hoya Corporation etc.Our Blog :Contact Us :Jennifer SmithOffice 1094109 Vernon HouseFriar LaneNottinghamNG1 6DQUnited KingdomPhone : +448081890034 (UK)Email : sales@briskinsights.comWebsite :About Us :Brisk Insights is a global market research firm. Our insightful analysis is focused on developed and emerging markets. We identify trends and forecast markets with a view to aid businesses identify market opportunities optimize strategies.Working in a highly dynamic and multi-dimensional business makes decision making complex. Effective business decisions are a result of the synthesis of market information. Our Research and data analysis is an efficient and cost-effective way of providing robust market analysis and can yield highly valuable intelligence relating to consumers, competitors and markets.Office 1094109 Vernon HouseFriar LaneNottingham
Rising Geriatric Population Base Coupled With The Increased Susceptibility To Infections Is Expected To Drive Anti-Infective Agents Market Growth Till 2024

http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/anti-infective-agents-market)is

http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/anti-infective-agents-market

The global anti-infective agents market (expected to reach over USD 111.4 billion by 2024 according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The rising prevalence of infectious diseases such as HIV, H1N1, and Ebola virus reflect the profound changes in behavioral patterns of communities over the recent decades. The societal changes and the increasing awareness levels amongst the healthcare professionals and the patients pertaining to these diseases are driving the anti-infective agents market.Organizations, such as the WHO and CDC are actively involved in spreading awareness amongst people regarding the implications of infectious diseases, which are fatal in nature and the importance of early treatment. The CDC has collaborated with the National Health Ministry (NHM) in an attempt to spread awareness and enhance the treatment rates for communicable diseases in developing countries such as Brazil, China, Nigeria, and India.However, the introduction of novel therapeutics with increased potency and efficacy and the commercialization of pipeline products, such as commercialization of Omadacycline in 2018 for the treatment of Community Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP) in the near future, are expected to favorthe market growth.Browse full research report on Global Anti-Infective Agents Market:Further keyfindings from the study suggest: The antibacterial segment was observed to account for the largest share of over 54.0% in 2015. The large market share is attributed to the fact that antibacterials are preferred as the first line of treatment for a large range of infections, the high prescription rates exhibited by this segment, and the increased accessibility of the antibacterials due to their over-the-counter status. The development of combination drugs to treat and prevent, serious and life-threatening infections is expected to accentuate the usage of anti-infective drugs. For instance, in 2012, Gilead Sciences, Inc. launched Stribild, which is a comprehensive treatment regimen inclusive of four drugs(cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) used for the treatment of HIV patients without prior retroviral treatment record. The anti-viral agents segment is expected to grow at a swift CAGR of over 3.5% owing to the high price associated with the introduction of new potent anti-viral drugs such as Vicriviroc for HIV treatment purpose North America dominated the overall anti-infective agents market in terms of revenue of over25.0 billion in 2015.The rise in prevalence of infectious diseases including hospital-acquired infections in both, children and adults, and the resultant overuse of antibiotics coupled with the increased accessibility to non-prescription anti-infectives in the market are the factors responsible for its dominance. Asia Pacific is one of the fastest growing regional segments owing to the presence of high, unmet market demand for novel drugs, rapid improvements in healthcare infrastructure coupled with the rising awareness amongst healthcare professionals as well as patients Some of the major companies operating in this market are Abbott Laboratories, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Merck & Co., Inc, Bayer Healthcare AG, AstraZeneca Plc, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Novartis AG. Effective disease management involves a range of long-term strategies such as new product development, merger and acquisitions, co-development, and expansion. For instance, in 2015, ReViral has received a funding of USD 21 million for the development of its RV521 drug by the Wellcome Trust.Grand View Research has segmented the anti-infective agents market on the basis of type and region:Anti-infective agents market type outlook, by revenue (USD Million, 2014 - 2024) Antibacterialo Cephalosporinso Penicillinso Fluoroquinoloneso Macrolideso Carbapenemso Others Antifungalo Azoleso Echinocandinso Polyenes AntiviralAnti-infective agents market regional outlook, by revenue (USD Million, 2014 - 2024) North Americao U.S.o Canada Europeo Germanyo UKo France Asia Pacifico Japano Indiao China Latin Americao Brazilo Mexico MEAo South AfricaAbout Grand View ResearchGrand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.Press ContactSherry James - Corporate Relations Specialist28 2nd Street, Suite 3036San Francisco, CA 94105United StatesPhone: 1-415-349-0058Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com
The Turkish government said Monday a total of 216 soldiers, including nine generals, were still at large after last month's failed coup attempt.

"There are 216 fugitive soldiers in total from the Turkish armed forces and the gendarmerie," Deputy Prime Minister and top government spokesman Numan Kurtulmus told reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting.

"Nine of them are generals," he added. Thirty fugitives were from the gendarmerie and 186 from the army.

Kurtulmus however dismissed claims that some of the fugitive soldiers joined the ranks of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants.

He said this was merely "speculation" following a report in the opposition Sozcu daily that 60 plotters including three generals had taken refuge with the PKK in northern Iraq.

Kurtulmus also said nine foreigners were investigated for links with US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen in post-coup inquiries, adding four of them were arrested, three detained, while one was freed and one remained at large.

Ankara has retaliated after the coup blamed on followers of Gulen, dismissing or detaining tens of thousands of people from the military, judiciary, civil service and education linked with the movement.

Turkey had in particular dismissed almost half its contingent of generals over involvement in the coup, indicating how deep the plotters had penetrated inside the military.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Market Growth, Trends, Share, Overview, Revenue, Supply, Capacity, Production Cost, Import & Export and Forecast 2016-2021

Automotive Refinish Coatings

http://www.qyresearchgroup.com/market-analysis/global-automotive-refinish-coatings-market-2016-industry-trends.html

http://goo.gl/a4weiw

Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Industry 2016 Market Size Share Growth Forecast Research and DevelopmentThe Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Industry report gives a comprehensive account of the Global Automotive Refinish Coatings 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 Automotive Refinish Coatings 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 Automotive Refinish Coatings market revenue and its forecasts. The business model strategies of the key firms in the Automotive Refinish Coatings 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 Automotive Refinish Coatings 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 Automotive Refinish Coatings 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 Automotive Refinish Coatings 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 Automotive Refinish Coatings Industry Overview1.1 Automotive Refinish Coatings Definition1.1.1 Automotive Refinish Coatings Definition1.1.2 Product Specifications1.2 Automotive Refinish Coatings Classification1.3 Automotive Refinish Coatings Application Field1.4 Automotive Refinish Coatings Industry Chain Structure1.5 Automotive Refinish Coatings Industry Regional Overview1.6 Automotive Refinish Coatings Industry Policy Analysis1.7 Automotive Refinish Coatings Industry Related Companies Contact InformationGet Sample Copy of Report @Chapter Two Automotive Refinish Coatings Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis2.1 High Purity colloidal silica Supplier and Price Analysis2.2 Equipment Suppliers2.3 Labor Cost Analysis2.4 Other Cost Analysis2.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure2.5 Automotive Refinish Coatings Manufacturing TechnologyChapter Three Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Capacity Production and Production Value3.1 Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Manufacturing Base3.2 2011-2016 Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Capacity and Production3.3 2011-2016 Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Production Value and Growth Rate3.4 2011-2016 Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value and Gross MarginAbout 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. 1-855-465-4651
GaN Technology is set to Replace Silicon Technology because of its Superior Characteristics

http://bit.ly/2b7eKuP

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/

Gallium Nitride (GaN) has a wide band gap and owing to its advanced features such as high breakdown voltage, high switching frequencies, enhanced power efficiency, high conduction and thermal stability, GaN is largely being preferred for numerous applications. These characteristics have enabled GaN power semiconductors to penetrate into various high power applications such as inverters for home appliances, inverters for trains, broadband wireless networks systems, power converter circuits, turbines, industrial and heavy electrical systems, and electric and hybrid vehicles.GaN Industrial Devices Market Description - http://tinyurl.com/jj7qpulGaN technology is set to replace the silicon technology because of its superior characteristics and increasing applications as compared to silicon. The properties of GaN allow its discretes such as FETs, HEMTs, Schottky diodes and other advanced power devices to operate at higher voltages efficiently. GaN industrial devices market is expected to progress in the coming years, with the penetration in the medium voltage power electronics market. The majority of the revenue in GaN industrial devices market is coming from the ICT sector because of increasing replacements of Si based devices with GaN. In addition, various RF devices used for communication applications are all being transformed to GaN based technology from Si technology.Transphorm, GaN Systems, Texas Instruments, Freescale Semiconductors, and NXP Semiconductors are the major participants of the global GaN industrial devices market.For the expansion of their businesses, the top companies are depending upon product innovation and mergers and acquisitions. Lets take a look at the recent moves of the major players in the global GaN industrial devices market.Transphorm Inc. is a California-based startup, operational in the semiconductor industry.> In June, 2015, the firm stated that it has generated US$70 million in order to support the expansion of the market for its power devices manufactured using gallium nitride (GaN).> In November, 2013, Transphorm announced that it is entering into an agreement with Fujitsu semiconductors and according to the agreement, they require to integrate their GaN industrial devices to supply power in huge commercial units.GaN Systems Inc. is a leading developer of GaN power switching semiconductors.> In July 2015, the firm announced the appointment of Kruvand Associates as its representative in several states of the U.S., namely Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, following the rise in sales of GaN power transistors, which replaced silicon semiconductors in power applications.> In May 2015, GaN Systems made an announcement to upgrade its most successful range of E-mode GaN-on-Silicon high power transistors. The new equipment added to the range is the GaN high-power enhancement-mode device, boasting the highest current capacity in the market at 60 Ampere and broadening the array of power switching semiconductors by GaN Systems.Why GaN Industrial Devices are Used -Texas InstrumentsTexas Instruments is a Texas-based electronics company that designs and develops semiconductors and sells them to international electronics designers and manufacturers.> In March 2015, Texas Instruments launched an 80-V, 10-A integrated GaN field-effect transistor power-stage model, the first ever of this kind, named LMG5200 GaN FET power stage. The device has been priced at US$50 per unit. The device consists of a high-frequency driver and 2 GaN field-effect transistors in a half-bridge configuration. This setup is wrapped up in a 6-mm by 8-mm easy-to-design QFN package.Freescale Semiconductor Inc.Freescale Semiconductor Inc is an American semiconductor manufacturer and NXP Semiconductors is a Dutch semiconductor manufacturing company.> In March 2015, Freescale Semiconductor announced that it has acquired NXP Semiconductors inorder to establish itself as the market leader in the mixed signal semiconductor industry. The American company has agreed to sell the Dutch semiconductor manufacturers RF power business that apply GaN HFET devices to address emerging high-efficiency, high-power RF applications, to an investment firm, owned by the Chinese government, in an effort to aid itself in gaining regulatory approval for its merger with NXP SemiconductorsEfficient Power Conversion Corp., International Rectifier, Renesas Electronics Corp., International Quantum Epitaxy, Cree Inc., Nichia Corp., and RF Micro Devices Inc. are some other prominent players of the GaN industrial devices market across the globe.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.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Anti-Snoring Devices & Snoring Surgery Market Size Is Estimated To Reach $1.8 Billion, Will Witness Rising Demand In Healthcare Sector Till 2024: Grand View Research, Inc.

http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/anti-snoring-devices-snoring-surgery-market)is

Global anti-snoring devices and snoring surgery market (expected to reach USD 1.84 billion by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The anti-snoring devices and snoring surgery market is anticipated to witness a lucrative growth during the period 2016 to 2024. The factors contributing towards the growth of the market are the growing awareness levels about the ill effects of snoring, rising elderly and obese population, the presence of an unexploited consumer base, and the increasing consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. However, factors such as the cost prohibitive nature of the products, limited efficacy of the presently available treatments, and the presence of an unpropitious reimbursement scenario are likely to hinder the growth of the market.The market is segmented into anti-snoring devices and snoring surgery segments. The anti-snoring devices segment includes oral appliances, nasal devices, position control devices, chin straps, tongue stabilizing devices, and expiratory positive airway pressure therapy devices. The surgery segment includes uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty, radiofrequency ablation, sclerotherapy, pillar procedure, and others. North America and Europe are the major shareholders of this industry due mainly to the increasing awareness associated with available treatment options and the eventual rise in popularity and adoption of these products. The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness high growth as a consequence of the untapped population base characterized with a snoring condition, higher levels of awareness regarding the effects of snoring, and the presence of well-established players in the sector.Further key findings from the study suggest: North America is estimated to lead the industry with the largest market share in 2015.This growth is attributed to the rapidly increasing popularity and the resultant high market penetration of such treatment devices. Asia Pacific is expected to exhibit the highest growth rate owing to the large untreated population and the rising awareness levels with regard to treatment options and the notorious health consequences associated with this condition. In surgery, somnoplasty is estimated to be the fastest growing segment due largely to factors, such as low cost, reduced surgical trauma, less invasive, and chances of fewer complications in comparison to the traditional surgery procedures The anti-snoring devices and snoring surgery market comprises several local as well as global players. Some key market players include Tomed Dr. Toussaint GmbH, Apnea Sciences Corporation, and Meditas Ltd., among others. The companies have adopted several organic and inorganic strategies in order to gain prominence in this sector. A few of these strategies include geographic expansion, new product launches, new product development, partnerships, collaborations, and mergers and acquisitions, among others. For instance, in March 2015, Meditas Ltd. launched nasal dilators for uninterrupted flow of air.Grand View Research has segmented the global anti-snoring devices and snoring surgery market on the basis of type and region:Anti-Snoring Devices Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2024) Oral Nasal Dilator Chin Strap Position Control Tongue Stabilizing Devices Expiratory Positive Airway PressureSnoring Surgical Procedure Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2024) Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty Radiofrequency Ablation Sclerotherapy Pillar Procedure Septoplasty Palatal Stiffening Procedures Other anti-snoring surgical proceduresAnti-Snoring Devices And Snoring Surgery Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2024) North Americao U.S.o Canada Europeo Germanyo UK Asia Pacifico Chinao India Latin Americao Brazilo Mexico MEAo South AfricaAbout Grand View ResearchGrand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.Press ContactSherry James - Corporate Relations Specialist28 2nd Street, Suite 3036San Francisco, CA 94105United StatesPhone: 1-415-349-0058Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com
Antibacterial Drug Industry - Innovation of Novel Compounds with Improved Efficacy, Reduced Time Are Expected to Offer Good Opportunity for Growth

http://www.omensol.wordpress.com

http://wp.me/P1SMn3-3n

www.omensol.wordpress.com

Antibacterial Drug Industry - Innovation of Novel Compounds with Improved Efficacy, Reduced Time Are Expected to Offer Good Opportunity for GrowthThe Global Antibacterial Drug Consumption is a comprehensive analysis of the market with a chapter wise explanation of each important aspect. The thorough analysis in this study enables one to understand the market in a better way and based on that knowledge make well-informed decisions.The Global Antibacterial Drug Consumption Market overview is given in the first three chapters. Definitions and classifications of the market are explained in this part and industry chain structure is explained. Various policies and news are also included. Various costs involved in the production of Global Antibacterial Drug Consumption are discussed further. This includes labor cost, depreciation cost, raw material cost and other costs. Along with this, the production process is analysed with respect to various aspects like, manufacturing plant distribution, capacity, commercial production, R&D status, raw material source and technology source. This provides the basic information about the Global Antibacterial Drug Consumption industry.In this special research, professionals will receive relevant material, which will be a great reference value for your Business Needs and Solution for the Sector indeed.For more information please Visit:orDirect link:Direct Contact:Mark Stainermark@idatainsights.com1866-237-2965+91 875 003 0003Portland, ORUnited StatesiData Insights which operates under Precision Research and Consulting Pvt. Ltd. is a marketing research consulting firm. Its efforts help companies to create and improve products and services based on what the market desires. We conduct both primary and secondary research. Our work does not end with research. We provide actionable recommendations and provide our expertise for business success today and tomorrow. It is our goal to be a partner to our clients in the exploration and discovery, and then be their guide in the implementation of changes that will make a difference to their bottom line.The team of highly trained syndicated research analysts create research reports, newsletters, magazines, directories and online databases which provide customers with broad technical and market trends. Their research and competitive and market intelligence studies provides specific in-depth intelligence to ensure that customers succeed in their undertaking.iData InsightsNE Airport Way, #355991,Portland, Oregon, 97230United StatesMark Stainer
Six East African energy ministries to address EAPIC in Nairobi in September

Country Spotlight sessions to showcase regional investment opportunities

http://www.eapicforum.com

The energy ministries from six East African countries: Kenya, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, including two ministers, are confirmed to address the opening address at the East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC) on 21 September in Nairobi.The high-level energy ministry representatives are:- Dr Joseph Njoroge, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Kenya- Dr. Dheu Mathouk Diig, Minister of Energy and Dams, South Sudan- Hon Irene Muloni, Minister of Energy & Mineral Development, Uganda- Prof Justin William Ntalikwa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Tanzania- H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Siraj, State Minister, Ministry of Water Resources, Irrigation and Electricity, Sudan- Mohamoud Ahmed Liban, Chairman and CEO, EEPCO and HECO, SomalilandThe ministerial opening session theme at EAPIC is From Strength to Strength: Building an Enabling Business Environment, and in what promises to be an inspiring, high-level opening to the 18th edition of this long-running, regional power conference and exhibition, Dr Albert Butare, Rwandas former Minister of State for Energy, Water and Communication, will be the session chairman. Several more energy ministers from the region have been invited to attend this annual meeting and contribute to the energy dialogue and collaboration for East Africa.Regional investment opportunitiesThis years EAPIC programme offers the East African region, as well as the individual countries, a unique opportunity to showcase their investment opportunities in the power sector. During the Country Spotlight sessions, taking place on 22 September, high-level government representatives, including some energy ministers, from Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Djibouti, South Sudan and Eritrea will address the conference.Ayuli Jemide of the specialist infrastructure advisory firm, Project & Transaction Resources (PTRL), will be the moderator of the Country Spotlight sessions. Says Mr Jemide: East African economies have worked very hard to implement institutional or regulatory reforms for improving the business environment over the last few years. Amongst countries in the world that have seen remarkable business environment improvements since 2005, Rwanda and Burundi are noteworthy.EAPIC programme highlights focused on regional collaboration and investment opportunities include: 21 September:Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) Master Plan  Reaping the Benefits of Regional Power Integration- The EAPP Ten-Year Strategic Plan and Road MapLebbi Changullah, Secretary General, EAPP, Ethiopia- Regional power integration - funding power generation and large scale regional projectsAna Hajduka, CEO, AfricaGreenCo, UK 22 September:Country SpotlightsModerator: Ayuli Jemide, Executive Chair, Advisory Board, Project & Transaction Resources (PTRL)- Country Investment Focus  Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi- Country Investment Focus  Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda- Country Investment Focus - Djibouti, South Sudan, EritreaEAPIC is expected to gather more than 2000 visitors from more than 30 countries, including from the regions leading power utilities, large industries, project developers and investors as well as dozens of technology and service providers who will showcase their products at the KICC in Nairobi from 21-22 September.Industry supportAs in previous years of this long running, flagship event in the region, EAPIC has already secured impressive industry support, including from Lucy Electric, a global secondary distribution leader in the electricity sector, who are this years platinum sponsor. EAPIC presents the perfect opportunity to showcase our products, services and leading expertise to one of our key growth markets says Phil Dingle, Lucy Electrics marketing director. Gold sponsors that have signed up so far for this years event are Poweroad Africa and Stanbic Bank.EAPIC is also endorsed by the Kenyan Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.EAPIC dates and location:Pre-conference Masterclass: 20 September 2016Conference and exhibition: 21-22 September 2016Site visits: 23 September 2016Event location: KICC, Nairobi, KenyaEAPIC is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Other flagship events in Spintelligents power portfolio on the continent are African Utility Week, the West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC), iPAD Rwanda Power & Mining Investment Forum and iPAD Cameroon Energy & Infrastructure Forum.Senior communications manager: Annemarie RoodbolTelephone: +27 21 700 3558Mobile: +27 82 562 7844Email: annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.comWebsite:Postal address: PO Box 321, Steenberg, 7947, South Africa
Global 4K TV Market 2016 Revenue, Supply, Price by Regions, Growth Rate, Production, Specifications

http://goo.gl/EdLGvf

http://goo.gl/nWfCOM

A market study based on the "4K TV Market" across the globe, recently added to the repository of QY Market research, is titled Global 4K TV Market 2016. The research report analyzes the historical as well as present performance of the global 4K TV market, and makes predictions on the future status of 4K TV market on the basis of this analysis.The report studies the market for 4K TV across the globe taking the existing industry chain, the import and export statistics in 4K TV market & dynamics of demand and supply of 4K TV into consideration.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here :The '4K TV'research study covers each and every aspect of the 4K TV market globally, which starts from the definition of the 4K TV market and develops towards 4K TV market segmentations. Further, every segment of the 4K TV market is classified and analyzed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the 4K TV market. The geographical segmentation of the 4K TV market has also been covered at length in this report.The competitive landscape of the global market for 4K TV is determined by evaluating the various market participants, production capacity, 4K TV market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the 4K TV market worldwide.Read More Research with TOC :The global 4K TV market 2016 is also analyzed on the basis of product pricing, 4K TV production volume, data regarding demand and 4K TV supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, and market attractiveness analysis has been used in the research to present a comprehensive study of the market for 4K TV across the globe.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 JohnDeerfield Beach, Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Web: QY Market ResearchEmail: sales@qymarketresearch.com
imbus goes overseas: New site in Toronto for the Canadian and US market

www.imbus.ca

Toronto, 8 August 2016  After Europe, Asia and Africa, imbus has now landed on its fourth continent: The solution partner for professional software testing and intelligent software quality assurance opens in Toronto, its first North American premise. The newly created imbus Canada Corporation is led by Sammy Kolluru.With over 20 years of proven experience, imbus service portfolio  including consulting for process improvement, software testing services, test outsourcing, test tools, and training  are now available for customers in Canada and USA.By choosing Toronto as our new site we rely on a boom region on the east coast, explains Tilo Linz, executive board member of imbus AG. It has been largely spared from the world economic crisis for the last few years. Primary industries and the energy sectors are flourishing here. Today, reliably functioning IT solutions are vital competitive factors in these presumed traditional branches, too.imbus Canadas service puts a special emphasis on the training field. We strive to improve and raise the standards of QA professionalism by training and consulting, especially in Canada, quotes Sammy Kolluru.imbus Canada offers various courses in software testing including the internationally acknowledged and standardized ISTQB Certified Tester scheme. All trainings are accredited. The first course in Toronto will begin in October.Sammy Kolluru has first-hand experience in software testing and certification: As a member of the executive board of directors at the Canadian Software Testing Board (CSTB), he actively co-creates the certification scheme for the International Software Testing and Qualifications Boards  for example in the Agile Working Group Committee. Sammy Kolluru has over ten years of experience in software testing and quality assurance field. In addition to that, he is also an avid speaker in agile software development.Please visitfor more details.imbus is a leading solution partner for professional software testing and intelligent software quality assurance.Our portfolio includes consulting for process improvement, software testing services, test outsourcing, test tools, and training.With our comprehensive know-how, the latest tools, and our proven methodology, we increase the reliability and performance of software products, software-intensive systems, and complete IT structures, and as a manufacturer-independent partner, we assure their correct functionality.Since 1992, the experienced and highly-qualified imbus team has been synonymous with across-the-board software quality assurance from a single source that covers the entire lifecycle.The expertise acquired from around 5,000 successful projects over a period of 20 years provides a solid foundation for the daily work of our experts, all of whom are ISTQB Certified Testers. Here you can find the corresponding reference projects.imbus is currently represented by more than 250 employees at locations in Moehrendorf near Erlangen, Munich, Cologne, Hofheim near Frankfurt, Norderstedt near Hamburg, Toronto (Canada), Shanghai (China), Peja (Kosovo) and Sousse (Tunisia).imbus AGPress OfficeFiona ProellKleinseebacher Str. 991096 MoehrendorfPhone +49 9131 7518-0Fax +49 9131 7518-50Mail presse@imbus.de
Chromebook Market size anticipated to exceed 17 million units by 2023

https://www.gminsights.com/request-toc/upcoming/211

Chromebook market size was estimated to witness 5.3 million unit sales in 2014 and is anticipated to exceed 17 million units by 2023. Education sector alone accumulated 72% of the overall industry share in 2014. Growing demand for these systems in education sector is likely to drive the industry growth over the forecast period. As of 2014, North America accounted for 84% of the overall industry share which was numbered at 4.8 million units with U.S. Chromebook market was the largest single shareholder, with over 60% demand from the education sector. Other business accounted for 1.1% share and consumers accounted for 38.6% Chromebook market share in the region.Rising demand for personal computers in schools across various countries is projected to drive the industry demand for the product. Proliferating adoption of these systems owing to rising demand of cloud computing among businesses & consumer as well as among retail purchases made by customers for daily computing needs is likely to positively impact the industry growth.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @Chromebooks are forecast to mark its presence in numerous application and service sectors such as banking, hotel industry, financial services and estate agents. In addition, features offered by this device such as collaboration and sharing of content are expected to impact the industry demand. These are economical devices that can offer better working platform for SMBs (small and medium scale businesses) as well as to the start-up companies which are not willing to make high investments for IT infrastructure.Cloud connectivity issues in emerging markets, limited local data storage and less powerful processors are anticipated to hamper chromebook market growth. Lack of awareness about chrome OS as well as cloud based applications is likely to hinder the industry demand over the coming years. Improving brand awareness as well as product awareness might pose colossal growth opportunities in U.S. as well as in other potential markets.Furthermore, various features offered by this product is anticipated to become justifiable choice of employees seeking secure, simple, low cost as well as easy access to new web applications and legacy systems. Owing to the rising demand, numerous companies such as Samsung and HP among others are now focusing on production of chrome systems. Google is likely to focus on enterprise market by developing dedicated features as well as services for business related applications that will be available offline in order to augment its functionality as well as accessibility.Chromebook for work offers single sign-on support, better management and optimized virtualization options for the ones using system as client. Google also offers NVidia and VMware support that enables these systems to be used for 3D modelling as well as simulation programs at an annual subscription of USD 50 per year. Amongst all, Toshiba seems to be highest rated owing to the distinct attributes offered by the company such as long battery life, brighter display. Since it is incorporated with high performance Intel Celeron processor is likely to deliver flawless performance. These systems are anticipated to pose a challenge to tablet industry owing to feasibility and convenience offered. Microsoft is likely to come up with a USD 149 per laptop in order to cater the growing market competition and maintain its presence.EMEA Chromebook market share contributed only 11% of the overall revenue in 2014 that accounted for 620,000 units out of which 72.3% were accounted for by the education sector, 26.8 % by consumers and other business accounted for 0.9% of the overall EMEA industry. Asia Pacific region along with Japan accounted for 146,000 units in 2014.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.Global Market Insights Inc.29L Atlantic Avenue,Suite L 105, Ocean View,Delaware 19970United States
FACT hails passing of GST Bill by Indian Parliament - ready to launch GST ready ERP Software for Indian Companies

www.factsoftware.com

www.factsoftware.com

FACT hails passing of GST Bill by Indian Parliament - ready to launch GST ready ERP Software for Indian CompaniesFACT Solutions India hailed the passing of the Goods & Services Tax (GST) Bill by Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) as the most progressive and far reaching tax reform measure ever undertaken by the Govt of India.The impact will be unprecedented and will transform India into a single unified marketplace, says Mr. Arvind Agarwalla, Founder & CEO of the FACT Group of Companies worldwide. He added GST will subsume the plethora of taxes at the central and state levels. This alone will add 2% to the GDP, propelling the country into double-digit GDP growth.With the government pushing for an aggressive deadline of 1 April 2017, companies in India have a very short time frame to upgrade their accounting systems and ERP Software to comply with the new GST regime. FACT Solutions India announced that their flagship FACT ERP.NG Software will be ready well in time to help companies migrate smoothly to the new tax regime.Mr. Agarwalla said We have more than 22 years of experience handling GST, having upgraded our software to comply with Singapores GST implementation as far back as 1994. He added Recently, we incorporated Malaysia GST in FACT ERP.NG, now being used by hundreds of companies in Malaysia. We have been amongst the first companies to deliver GST compliant software, both in Singapore and Malaysia.FACT Solutions India has been working with Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) to incorporate the various requirements in its ERP software. GSTN has been set up to provide IT infrastructure and services to the Central and State Governments, tax payers and other stakeholders for implementation of GST.Companies using FACT ERP.NG will be able to generate the GST Return by a simple click of a button, doing away with all manual work. Users will be able to upload the GST File straight into the GSTN System.Were proud to bring our extensive GST knowledge to India and play our role in helping Indian companies plug into an increasingly digital world, said Mr. Agarwalla, from the FACT Software Headquarters in Singapore.We are deeply committed to the India, having founded the first FACT Group company in Kolkata in 1987. As we continue to take FACT worldwide, we are focused on the Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs). We are excited at the possibilities which technology brings to the SMEs, helping them compete strongly with their much larger competitors.Mr. Agarwalla says that the Honble Minister of Finance, Mr. Arun Jaitley has his work cut out in terms of the details of how GST will be rolled out and implemented across the country.Having incorporated GST in Singapore, Malaysia and other countries we are aware that there be several changes as GST is rolled out in India. We are fully geared for it and I assure the Indian companies that FACT ERP.NG will be continually upgraded as the changes come into force.GST Tax Codes will be pre-populated in FACT ERP.NG software, meaning that SME owners will avoid making mistakes and will not need to manually enter figures into a separate GST software to prepare the GST file for upload.FACT Solutions Indias announcement follows on from Finance Ministers announcement yesterday that GST will help strengthen tax compliance and tighten the tax collection regime.Taken together, FACT ERP.NG will help SME owners run their businesses with peace of mind and meet their tax compliance obligations, says Mr. Agarwalla.A lot of FACTs innovation and research takes place in India. We are committed to bringing more innovations in compliance to the Indian market, to help Indian businesses grow and succeed. Mr. Agarwalla says.For more information about the FACT Software Group, see:You may also contact :Ms Sujata RaoGeneral Manager  PREmail : pr@factsoftware.comPhone : +65-62208832SingaporeFor over 25 years, FACT Software has helped companies become more efficient, more productive, and hence more profitable. FACT ERP.NG helps reduce duplication, processes transactions in real-time and update reports instantaneously helping management to respond quickly and confidently in a rapidly changing business environment. We have helped more than 100,000 companies world-wide to maintain their enterprise accounting and payroll.FACT ERP.NG is a comprehensive solution with integrated modules for Financial Accounting, Warehousing and Inventory Management, Manufacturing, Fixed Assets Management and Report Writing module capable of generating over 2,000 MIS reports.FACT Solutions India Pvt Ltd11 Circus Market Place, Agarwalla Chambers, Kolkata 700017, IndiaPhone +91-33-40107050 Fax +91-33-40107051URL :
Government and Municipality to collaborate with smart lighting companies to acquire their sustainable energy consumptions goals.

The Insight Partners

http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/smart-lighting-market

http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000112

http://www.theinsightpartners.com/discount/TIPTE100000112

Lighting is known to be the intrinsic fragment of any building. Today, the focus of lighting technology is shifting from traditional lighting to the upcoming connected lighting because, lighting is entitled to consume massive quantity of energy. The connected lighting also known as smart lighting system include light lamps and automated control systems that are designed and programmed to reduce the consumption of energy and maintain the standards of smart lighting system. The connected lighting is an improvised technology that utilizes smart lighting system rheostats the characteristics of light based on different considerations that are, color temperature, amount of natural light, movement and occupancy.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Smart Lighting Market to 2025 @Smart lighting claims to be the smart investment for the government entities, because most of the smart lighting systems use LED luminaires that are tested to live more than any other luminaire and also it consumes the least energy producing quality light.The government and municipality in major countries are considering to partner with the leading smart lighting providers for retrofitting the traditional streetlights with the energy efficient intelligent lighting. Countries in Europe and North America are early adopters of the smart lighting technology. The first pilot of intelligent lighting was conducted in San-Diego in 2014 which has accounted for the energy saving of $250,000 till last year. In USA, cities like Boston, Seattle, Portland and San Francisco have reached to the $10 Million of energy saving annually with the implementation of smart street lights and most recently Los Angeles came into a public private partnership with two private firms for the implementation of smart lighting in street lights as well as cell towers.Request for Free Sample @APAC is also anticipated to capture a massive share in the market in the coming years. The government bodies in APAC has already initiated the plans to implement the smart lighting project for the modernizing the streets of their cities. Recently in Taipei city government adopted smart lighting for its highways, furthermore in Taiwan 631000 HID lamps with high-quality LED lights. Looking at the current scenario the smart lighting is predicted to experience high adoption rate in coming future to meet the energy efficiency needs.It is also observed that smart lighting companies are also investing in the R&D for developing new and economic smart lighting solutions which further increases its adoption grows worldwide. Increasing involvement of government bodies in the smart lighting approach will enhance the awareness among the consumers, thereby creating demand for smart lighting systems.Avail Discounts on report purchase @About The Insight Partners:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
The Iraqi military received an additional four F-16 fighter jets over the weekend, US Presidential Envoy for the global coalition to counter the Islamic State Brett McGurk said on Monday.

"Iraq received four new F16s this weekend bringing total to ten, all playing integral role in fight against #ISIL," McGurk wrote in a tweet.

As part of its ongoing fight against the Islamic State, Iraq has ordered 36 F-16s from the United States, at a cost of more than $2 billion. The last delivery was made in February, when the United States delivered two F-16 jets.

The international US-led coalition against the Islamic State includes more than 60 nations and has been conducting airstrikes against the terrorist group in Iraq and Syria since August 2014.

The Islamic State, also known as Daesh in Arabic, is outlawed in Russia and numerous other countries.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Software as a Service (SaaS) market growing at a rapid pace as the shared infrastructure model maximizes profits for organizations

http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/software-as-a-service-saas-market

http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000113

http://www.theinsightpartners.com/discount/TIPTE100000113

A software distribution model allowing sharing of applications that can be accessed and monitored even through a remote location with the help of a web browser via a single tenant or multi-tenant architecture is SaaS. In this model, applications are hosted by a vendor and organizations are charged on pay-as-per use basis. This feature reduces the additional costs of maintaining the infrastructure for software storage which the organizations had to pay for in the traditional model of using software. SaaS is there to substitute the conventional application service provider model on account of various advantages it offers to the organizations.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Software as a Service (SaaS) Market to 2025 @Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is one of the factors driving this market, as organizations are constantly looking for opportunities to minimize their costs and maximize profits. The advantage of having deployed SaaS model for an organization is the reduction in the CAPEX for them. SaaS means paying for the usage of software only on a subscription basis and as per the amount used. The end-user using the software does not have to pay for owning the software and instead the software is owned, maintained and upgraded by a third-party vendor. This gives the organizations the leverage to divest their investments to improve their technological aspects as the competitive differentiator inside the organization and focus more on their core competencies.Request for Free Sample @Along with the purchasing price of the software, Total cost of ownership (TCO) also includes the other hidden associated costs as well. Installation with existing systems, maintenance, operations and timely upgrades can be few costs associated with the on-premise software applications. All these needs get eliminated in SaaS where sharing of infrastructure is employed. The need for servers, backups, the complexity of upgrades and version control are eliminated as well. SaaS finds its applications for many industrial applications out of which CRM, ERP and HRM are the most prominent ones.Salesforce.com is one of the pioneers in enterprise SaaS-based CRM solutions globally. Salesfroce.com is the worlds one of the largest providers of SaaS-based CRM solutions. Workday, Inc. is another one of the market leader in SaaS-based HRM applications. Both companies have established themselves as the premier players in respective SaaS-based application providers segment. Efficient CRM and HRM become one of the integral parts of any organizations success. Customers and employees, both are assets for any organization in the medium to long term for a business. Organizations thus have realized the importance of CRM and HRM are effectively employed. This need for improved customer and employee services coupled with the benefits of cloud technology would further impact the growth of SaaS market.Avail Discounts on report purchase -About The Insight Partners:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Adoption of Smart Parking Technology by municipalities for on-street parking to boost the Market Growth.

http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/smart-parking-systems-market

http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000102

http://www.theinsightpartners.com/discount/TIPTE100000102

The smart parking technology has taken the entire process of simple parking to a new level. Increasing number of vehicles on road have led to congestion on road, because of lack of parking space management in the city.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Smart Parking Systems Market to 2025 @It is observed, municipalities have been focusing on the parking management of urban cities so as to reduce congestions on road. For that reason the municipality installed parking meters where the driver parked and the payment was done by coins of 20p 30p per hour. This technology got obsolete due to many glitches in the system. As the time passed need for smart parking systems in municipalities increased due to rapidly transforming cities and as people started earning more money more vehicles got down on road and the supply of parking space started reducing which increased the requirement for modern Infrastructure and technology that could cope up with the dynamically changing environment.Due to lack of funding by government to the municipalities the implementation of smart parking solution solely by municipality was out of budget, therefore they collaborated with the private organizations for efficient management of parking spaces supply.Request for Free Sample @Government in several countries is looking forward for the implementation of smart parking system. For instance, Chile has been planning to come up with new parking law that would make Chileans pay a certain amount for parking in the glitzier malls of Santiago on hourly basis. At the same time in Chicago, city officials have leased the towns metered parking spaces to private investors for a term of Seventy Five years to attract investments to update the existing parking system and in San Francisco, local agencies are working to build a system using real-time parking data to manage congested streets and relieve a parking shortage.Furthermore, developing smart cities worldwide are also expected to demand smart parking systems. Some cities are doing exceptionally well with their parking management. The Albany Parking Authority, New York, provides a service-oriented approach. It has installed multi-space meters that utilize a slowly increasing pricing structure that allows payment for parking for up to ten hours. The customers park for, on average, a 2-hour stay, so the turnover is effective, thus generating revenue, reducing enforcement expenses and keeping the customers happy. Hence, it is clear that there is much scope for municipalities to adopt and implement smart parking in the near future, as approximately 60% of the worlds population will be living in urban areas by then.Avail discount on full report @About The Insight Partners:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Offshore Support Vessels Market Global Market Opportunity Assessment Study 2023.

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1428

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Increased offshore activities and investments in infrastructure are expected to boost the offshore support vessels market. Offshore support vessels provide services to offshore pipe laying, drilling rigs and oil production platforms utilized in exploration and production activities. Facility associated with logistics along with other supporting activities is provided by the offshore support vessels. All type of offshore support vessels has its own properties and features according to the type of operation. Offshore support vessel is resourceful and fundamental components of the oil & gas industry. Offshore support vessels provide transport facility along with activities such as support to platform, anchor management and standby capability. Crew members are taken to the offshore sites by offshore support vessels.Get free research PDF for more Professional and Technical insights :Offshore support vessels market is segmented on the basis of types. Multi-Purpose Service Vessel (MPSV), Anchor Handling, Towing and Supply Vessel (AHTS), Crew boats, Platform Supply vessels (PSV) and Standby Vessels are various types of offshore support vessels. Anchor Handling, Towing and Supply Vessel (AHTS) are designed to position the rigs anchors and tow rigs from one location to another. Anchor Handling, Towing and Supply Vessel (AHTS) support offshore construction projects and carry drilling pipe. AHTS is expected to dominate the OSV market in the coming years. Simpler tasks such as cargo runs and supply duties are performed by platform support vessels (PSV).An enormous demand is expected in offshore vessels market across the Asia-Pacific because of the increased exploration activities in the Southeast Asia. Demand of more volume of offshore support vessels are expected from South East Asia, China, Malaysia and Australia. Thus these regions provide a big opportunity for the OSV manufacturers. The key driving factors for the high growth of offshore support vessel market are offshore regions with high investments such as U.S Gulf of Mexico, West Africa and North Sea. North America and South America is expected to witness high revenue growth in coming years. Middle East is expected to be leading market for offshore support vessels market.Some of the macro drivers prompting offshore support vessels market are high energy demands, increasing offshore exploration as onshore matures and robust OSV demand. Other driving factor in offshore support vessels market is increase in the offshore rig count. Increasing marine logistics demand is propelling growth of global offshore support vessel market. Constant modifications in vessels are made by manufacturers of offshore support vessels to enhance market share to supply bulk contracts. Some strategies being followed by leading industry players are new products launched and an agreement of distribution to increase their penetration in various regions. Offshore support vessels market restraints are high maintenance cost and replacement cost of offshore support vessels. There is increasing emphasis on environmental features like clean design in some geographical regions. Regulations are expected to remain stricter in certain geographical regions, especially in the North Sea but the drift of offshore support vessels market is scattering world-wide.Some of the players in offshore support vessels market are Intermarine LLC, Edison Chouest Offshore, Gulfmark Offshore Inc., Havila Shipping ASA, Island Offshore Management AS, Harvey Gulf, Abdon Callais Offshore, Farstad Shipping ASA, and Bourbon Offshore Marine services, Bass Marine Pty Ltd, China Yantai Salvage and Rem Maritime As among others. Developments, expansion, investments, mergers, acquisition, new technologies developments, agreements and contracts are some of the strategies adopted by companies to expand their offshore support vessels market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactTransparency Market ResearchTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Proliferation of Quick Service Restaurant(QSR) is one of the key Market Drivers of Commercial Deep Fryer Market- market analysis says.

A recent market research report Global Commercial Deep Fryer Market- Strategic Assessment and forecast till 2021 published by Beige Market Intelligence has identified the Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) or the Fast food Restaurant as one of the major market driver for Commercial Deep Fryer Market.QUICK SERVICE RESTAURANT(QSR)The first fast food restaurants originated in the United States and paved its way globally. These specific type of restaurants, where food is served fast and in bulk out of a limited menu, have gained an immense popularity, particularly in the last decade. They offer consistent quality food at extremely affordable prices, suiting the budget of customers. The food prepared in these restaurants are mostly fried in Deep fryers. The use of deep fryers helps them serve their food quickly and easily. They usually run and operate in multiple locations and are part of a large chain. For a franchisee business, these restaurants are the most appropriate as they provide good business opportunities to entrepreneurs. Continuous expansion of business activities and investment in this area is being witnessed in the past decade.The QSR market in the US crossed $5 billion market in 2015, with brands such as McDonalds, Subway, and Starbucks leading the market with a majority market share says the analyst at Beige Market Intelligence.These brands also have a leading market share in the global QSR segment as well.The market research report predicts that the rising share of quick service restaurants is expected to directly impact and boost the sales of the commercial food equipment market including that of commercial deep fryers.The report also includes a detailed analysis of the other end user markets such as:Full Service Restaurants/Main Line Dining: They offer a wide range of options for food and beverage along with table servicesRetail Outlets: They are stores, which sell goods to end-user consumers after purchasing the same from wholesalers and manufacturers at a volume discount. They include supermarkets, departmental stores, and convenience stores etc.Hospitals, Schools, and Other Institutions: They typically include schools, colleges, libraries, and hospitals, which are mostly run by governments.The research report provides in-depth analysis of the present scenario and market growth till 2021. The detailed segmentation of the market by type of deep fryers, by geographic segmentation and also the key players detailed analysis has been marked in the report.Beige Market Intelligence is new-age provider of competitive business intelligence, working across various industry verticals. Our expertise and knowledge ensures that the market analysis Beige provides is comprehensive, detailed and complete. The analysis helps our client organizations become aware and make educated decisions, as far as investing or devising a marketing strategy is concerned. The actionable insights delivered through our market research provide a comprehensive market analysis for every level of market segmentation in an industry. Beige Market Intelligence is a quality driven high end Market Research organization. Our team of experts ensure the analysis you receive is not just analysed and smartly presented, but is completely customized based on the clients requirement. Our deliverables guarantee our current global client base does not look beyond Beige when it comes to any kind of industry and market analysis.Contact info:Name: Khyamaemail:contactus@beigemarketintelligence.comUS: +1 347 903 9949UK: +44 20 323 99499APAC: +91 99 012 75473 / 9986433385Address: Chinnapannahali, Bangalore-560037, India
Exciting Puja Packages from Kolkata by Flying Squirrel Holidays: Make Your Trip Now

Are you tired of pandal hopping? Then plan something more exciting this puja vacation. Flying Squirrel Holiday,s regarded as the best tour operator in Kolkata, has come up with some mind blowing packages all around the globe that has been especially tailored for you.Lands To VisitHolidays are made extra special if you are visiting some unusual or exciting place. You can visit places like the amazing Dubai to the exotic Mauritius to the land of pagodas, the mesmerizing Myanmar this puja only with Flying Squirrel Holidays.You can also witness the land of fantasy, Russia or the alluring Vietnam and Cambodia. If you are a nature lover, then do not miss a animal safari at Kenya. Flying Squirrel holidays have deals of the land of architectural delight Greece to the pristine beaches of Sri Lanka. Visit the mystical Nepal or the land of Shakespeare, London along with Scotland.Taste the World CuisineIndulge in some unusual yet delectable recipes of the world cuisine. From Greek Souvlaki/ Fish and chips, Shashlik or Khowswey you can also have the nyama choma, a Kenyan dish. You must be well acquainted with russian salad but in Russia it is something truly special. You surely cannot afford to miss the tastiest shawarmas in Dubai.Never Before ExperienceNot just the world cuisine you can also witness the excellently maintained amusement parks or stay in luxurious hotels like Armani in Dubai. Get adventurous at Myanmar in a balloon ride or go for kayaking or scuba diving in Sri Lanka.About Flying Squirrel HolidaysFlying Squirrel Holidays is a premier travel agency in Kolkata. The agency has an experienced team to guide you the best place as per your budget. Be it domestic or international, the brand takes every effort to make a trip extra-ordinary. So simply go out and visit the land that you have cherished for long in your dreams.Holidays make life worth living. Whether we are away for a night, or halfway around the world on a vacation, 'getting away' is what adds that silver lining to an otherwise humdrum existence.122A Southern Avenue1st FloorKolkata 700029 . India
The marine super glue

http://cius.univie.ac.at/

http://www.fwf.ac.at/en

http://www.prd.at/en

Barnacles exude an adhesive with exceptional bonding properties. In a project supported by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, biologists from Vienna have investigated this substance which has enormous medical and engineering potential and have thereby gained many new insights.It was a typical case of serendipity. Strolling along a beach on the Danish North Sea coast during his holidays and looking at the flotsam beneath his feet, a German scientist from the Fraunhofer Institute discovered "buoy barnacles", marine crustaceans with long, multi-articulated legs. These creatures adhered so firmly to bits of plastic, metal and other items that he found it impossible to detach them. His curiosity thus aroused, the biologist and expert for adhesives took an interest in the stalked barnacle "Dosima fascicularis" and decided to examine both the structure and the chemical composition and mechanical properties of the adhesive produced by this crustacean which had received little attention hitherto. This goal was achieved in a co-operative project between German and Austrian scientists together with colleagues from Ireland.Hydrogel with float functionMorphology, particularly research regarding structures, is the specialty of the biologist Waltraud Klepal. Supported by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, Klepal and her team laid bare the structures of the buoy barnacle down to the level of individual cells at the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna. The PhD student Vanessa Zheden studied ultra-thin sections of "Dosima", their thickness at nanometre scale, under an electron microscope. Only a few centimetres in diameter, the creature was also scanned in a computer tomograph in order to identify the position of the glands, discharge channels and pores, which create and secrete the biological super glue, conventionally known as "cement". The researchers from Vienna were rewarded with interesting discoveries. In its structure and volume, the cement is clearly different from that of all other known species. The buoy barnacle produces relatively large quantities of a foam-like hydrogel. Unlike its relatives, it uses the substance for two things: as an adhesive and as a float or buoy. This gives the sessile creature a degree of mobility and enables it to migrate to new habitats.Tough shell, soft core"The float is created when, in its larva stage, "Dosima" attaches itself to a small piece of seaweed, for instance, which it envelops with cement as an adult", explains principal investigator Waltraud Klepal. The float can be up to three centimetres in diameter, its size adapting to the barnacle. The adhesive is first discharged via pores on the antennae and, later, on the stalk of the animal which floats in the water head down. This process creates a "sphere" of concentric layers with elastic bubbles on the inside, as the researchers were able to show using scanning electron microscopy. As "Dosima" grows, new pores keep opening on the soft, flexible stalk, so as not to be "suffocated" by the cement.  This relocation of pores had been unknown to the scientists before. Another novel insight relates to the way each individual gland cell forms a discharge channel. "Individual components and organelles in the cell die off to make room for the duct through which the secretion is discharged", Klepal notes. In order to survive in a wet environment and in the open sea, the outermost layer of the sphere hardens into something like an antibacterial bark.A variety of possible applicationsSerendipity thus put researchers on the track of a substance that has many more useful properties than hitherto assumed and is a unique natural adhesive. Not only does the cement secreted by "Dosima" have extremely good bonding properties, it is also elastic and acts like a shock absorber due to its porous structure. All of this makes the material a promising candidate for medicine and engineering applications, wherever a waterproof, shock-absorbing substance is needed. "In medicine, a porous structure provides a favourable scaffold for cell growth", Klepal says in explaining possible applications. "In orthopaedics it might be used as a cushioning material, for instance as a vertebral disc." The material is also ideal because it contains no toxins, as the Vienna team was able to demonstrate in initial cell culture experiments.International co-operationKlepal's co-operation partners at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM) in Bremen examined the biochemical structure of the cement, which consists of 92 percent water. The rest is proteins and carbohydrates, likewise distinct from the cement of other species in its nature and amount. A striking feature is the lack of disulphide bridges which contribute to the stability and insolubility of adhesives in other marine animals. The gas in the bubbles is probably carbon dioxide, either a metabolic byproduct of the animal or formed when the cement, which consists mainly of acidic proteins, comes in contact with seawater. Investigations are continuing. "Our basic research has provided important input to the project with an eye to applications for the cement. The next steps will involve investigations in the direction of genetic analysis and applied research", Klepal concludes.FWF Austrian Science FundThe Austrian Science Fund (FWF) is Austria's central funding organization for basic research.The purpose of the FWF is to support the ongoing development of Austrian science and basic research at a high international level. In this way, the FWF makes a significant contribution to cultural development, to the advancement of our knowledge-based society, and thus to the creation of value and wealth in Austria.Scientific Contact:Ao. Univ.-Prof. i. R. Dr.Waltraud KlepalCore Facility Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure ResearchUniversity ViennaAlthanstrae 14 (UZA 1)1090 ViennaT +43 / 14277- 57907E waltraud.klepal@univie.ac.atAustrian Science Fund FWF:Marc SeumenichtHaus der ForschungSensengasse 11090 ViennaT +43 / 1 / 505 67 40 - 8111E marc.seumenicht@fwf.ac.atDistribution:PR&D  Public Relations for Research & EducationMariannengasse 81090 ViennaT +43 / 1 / 505 70 44E contact@prd.at
Advanced Glazing System Market : Drivers, Challenges, Historical and current Sizes (2015 - 2021)

Advanced Glazing System Market

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3781

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3781

Advanced glazing system market is expected to see a strong growth in the coming years due to the rising energy prices and uncertainties about future energy supply. Advanced glazing system has great importance due to its deep impact on total building energy performance. Thus, it will create good business opportunities for a wide variety of companies. Advanced glazing system provides several benefits such as passive solar heat gain, electric lighting power reduction and view. One of the major influencing factors for advanced glazing system market is the restructuring and refocus of the current and future construction market. In the past, code mandated building energy requirements was moderate and majority of insulated glass systems could meet these basic performance demands. However, with increase in the demand for green or high performance buildings that mandates energy efficiency beyond code minimums. In majority of cases, the total building consumption must be reduced by 15 to 40 percent. With the help of advanced glazing system it can be achieved. The other major influencing factors for advanced glazing system market are the shift from new construction to retrofit construction activity. New buildings represent only a small share of the U.S. building market, while retrofitting provides a huge market opportunity for owners, green builders and energy service provider companies. In the current scenario, energy focused and green building holds around 5% to 8% of the retrofit and renovation market activity by value in the U.S. By the end of 2014, it is projected to increase by 20% to 30%. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which will provide significant funding for renovations to federal buildings which will further, boost the market for advanced glazing system. Many other firms such as conventional window manufacturer and suppliers, metal companies, solar panel and solid-state lighting firms can be benefited from advanced glazing system market.Download TOC :On the basis of end-user type, the global advanced glazing system market can be bifurcated into three types: commercial buildings, industrial buildings and residential buildings. Based on the technology, the global advanced glazing system market can be divided into three types: dynamic glazing technologies, multi-functional advanced glazing system and next generation thermally insulated windows. Based on the materials, the global advanced glazing system is segmented into three types: sealants, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and specialist glasses.In terms of geographic, North America and Europe dominates the global advanced glazing system market due to increase demand for green and zero-energy buildings. The U.S. represents the largest market for advanced glazing system followed by Canada in North America. In Europe, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K. holds major share of advanced glazing system market.However, Asia-Pacific is expected to show high growth rates in the next five years in global advanced glazing system market.Lowering construction cost, noise reduction, increased comfort and human productivity, day lighting and HVAC energy savings are some of the major driving force for advanced glazing system market.View Sample Report :Some of the major companies operating in the global advanced glazing system market are Saint-Gobain, Alcoa, Bayer, Solar Innovations, Inc. and DuPontAbout UsPersistence 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.ContactPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United StatesUSA - Canada Toll Free: +1 800-961-0353
Automotive Seating Market Volume Analysis, Segments, Value Share and Key Trends 2016-2026

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1520

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1520

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/automotive-seating-market

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Seating systems are platform designed to accommodate the person seating in vehicle. Seating has modified through simple seating systems to complex masterpiece to fulfill the desires of both consumer and manufacturers. When OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and Tier 1 companies design the cars, the seating systems referred as expensive and heaviest interior parts. While conventional designs have been recommended throughout the industry, companies have started to design new layouts that will change the seating systems in more modified manner than conventional seating systems. Luxury modifications have been introduced into seating systems to assure the relaxing experience to customer while driving.Global Automotive Seating Market: Drivers & RestraintsRecovery in vehicle production, increasing demand for safety features, and growth of various vehicle segments are major driving factors for Automotive seating market. Government initiatives for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) supporting the automotive seating market. To develop lighter design while reduce a cost is challenge for Manufacturers. Inclining customers demand towards Luxurious seating systems creating more opportunities in Automotive seating market. Manufacturers taking initiatives in research and development activities to make product luxurious as well as more emphasis is for safely. Simultaneously changing currency exchange rates, regulations, changing consumer needs and preference are going to affect the market dynamics.Global Automotive Seating Market: Market SegmentationOn the basis of seat type, global automotive seating market is segmented into:Split seatBench seatSplit Bench seatRequest Free Report Sample@On the basis of vehicle type global automotive seating market is segmented into:PCV (Passenger Commercial Vehicles)LCV (Light Commercial Vehicles)HCV (Heavy Commercial Vehicles)On the basis of distribution channel, global automotive seating market is segmented into:OEMAftermarketGlobal Automotive Seating Market: Regional-OutlookThe global Automotive Seating market has been divided into seven key geographical regions which includes, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific will be dominating market for Automotive Seating. Emerging trends in automobile seating systems, increasing vehicle production will be major factors to drive the growth for Automotive seating market in APEC region. India, China Japan and South Korea will be prime contributors of automotive seating market. Foreign Direct Investment and Government Policies supporting manufacturers. Such strategies will play important role foster the market. Asia Pacific is followed by North America and Western Europe. Majority of top OEMs are from North America and Western Europe. Customers demand towards Luxury is creating more opportunities and challenges to manufacturers. Eastern Europe and Latin America also contribute to Automotive seating market.Request For TOC@Global Automotive Seating Market: Key playersSome of the key players identified in the global Automotive Seating market include:Johnson Controls IncToyota Boshoku CorporationTS Tech Co., LtdFaurecia SALear CorporationIFB AutomotiveMagna International IncDURA Automotive SystemsAktis Engineering SolutionsFisher and CompanyTata Autocomp Systems LimitedMarter Automotive Seating SystemsGrammer Seating SystemsTM Automotive Seating Systems Private LimitedFull Report Analysis@About Us:Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Mechanical Seals Market Segments, Opportunity, Growth and Forecast By End-use Industry 2016-2026

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1596

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1596

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/mechanical-seals-market

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Increase in production of shale gas in developing and developed countries is a major factor driving the growth of the market. New oil and gas exploration activities, coupled with extensive investments in refineries and pipelines is escalating the growth of the global mechanical seals market. Moreover, introduction of new technologies is also a major element boosting the overall growth of the global mechanical seals market.Global Mechanical Seals Market: RestraintsIntroduction of alternate methods of sealing leakages like mechanical packaging eats into the revenue share of the mechanical seals market. Furthermore, use of electronic seals in automated manufacturing units can also impede growth during the forecast period 2016-2026.Global Mechanical Seals Market: Region-wise OutlookThe highest growth is expected to be witnessed in the Americas due to increase in adoption of mechanical seals to ensure precise and prefect sealing of pipelines. Demand for mechanical seals is anticipated to remain stable in Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) is expected to offer growth opportunities to key players during the forecast period.Request Free Report Sample@Global Mechanical Seals Market: Key PlayersThe major players involved in the manufacturing of mechanical seals are AW Chesterton Company, EagleBurgmann India Private Limited, Flowserve Corporation, Flex-a-seal, John Crane Group, Bal Seal Engineering, Cooper-Standard, Federal-Mogul, Flexitallic Group, Garlock Sealing Technology, Henniges Automotive Sealing Systems, Hutchinson Sealing Systems, Timken AB, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies GmBH and Co. KG., Dana Corporation, Telleborg Industries and others.Global Mechanical Seals Market: SegmentationThe global mechanical seals market can be segmented on the basis of types, end use and geography.On the basis of types, the global mechanical seals market can be segmented into O-ring seals, lip seals, and rotary seals.On the basis of end use industry, the global mechanical seals market can be segmented into oil and gas industry, general industry, chemical industry, water industry, power industry and others.On the basis of geography, the global mechanical seals market can be segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Middle East and Africa and Japan.Request For TOC@About Mechanical SealsMechanical seals are those leakage control devices which are deployed on rotating equipment like mixers and pumps to avoid the leakage of liquid and gases from escaping into the environment. Mechanical seals ensure that the medium stays in the system circuit, protecting it from external contaminations reducing environmental emissions.Mechanical seals also helps in stopping leakage in systems that contain pressure. Before mechanical seals, mechanical packaging was used; however, it wasnt as effective as seals are.Mechanical seals often consume energy since the frictional properties of the seal has a huge impact on the amount of power consumed by the machinery on which it is used. The four major classes of mechanical seals are traditional contact seals, cooled and lubricated seals, dry seals, and gas lubricated seals.Only a flat and smooth finish on mechanical seals is eligible to prevent leakage to its full efficiency. Mechanical seals are usually made by using carbon and silicon carbide but mostly carbon is used in the manufacturing of mechanical seals because of its self-lubricating properties. The two principle components of a mechanical seal are the stationary arm and the rotatory arm.Full Report Analysis@About Us:Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Worldwide Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Market Report 2015-2025

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-953

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-953

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/therapeutic-drug-monitoring-market

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Therapeutic drug monitoring is a branch of clinical chemistry and clinical pharmacology which aims at maintaining the drug concentration levels in the body fluids within the particular therapeutic range. The purpose of therapeutic drug monitoring is refining patient care by individually adjusting the drug dosage for better outcomes.Some of the situations where measurement of drug dosage concentration is useful include, non-response at therapeutic dose, suboptimal tolerability, pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction and drug adherence. TDM is regarded as a module of personalized medicine that interacts with various other disciplines such as pharmacogenomics and pharmacokinetics. Most commonly monitored drugs are digoxin, valproate and carbamazepine.The global therapeutic drug monitoring market showed significant growth over the last few years and is projected to grow at a robust CAGR during the forecast period.Therapeutic Drug MonitoringMarket: Drivers and RestraintsTherapeutic drug monitoring is driven by various key factors which include, ageing population with better health care services, increasing demand for genetic testing, increased government and private sector participation in therapeutic drug monitoring markets, rise in drug profiling.Request Free Report Sample@Ongoing problems with reimbursement, retrenchment in the hospital fields and a weak global economy. Fluctuating exchange rates further weakens the global market.Therapeutic Drug MonitoringMarket: SegmentationGlobal therapeutic drug monitoring market is segmented on the basis of product type as following:AntibioticsAnticonvulsantsAntiarrhythmicAntineoplasticBronchodilatorsImmunosuppressiveHIV/AIDS drugsTherapeutic drug monitoring market is further segmented on the basis of technology as:SpectrometryChromatographyElectrophoresisProteomic technologyTherapeutic Drug MonitoringMarket: OverviewWith the advancement of technology and increase incidence in disease population, therapeutic drug monitoring, is gaining wide acceptance as a method of choice among patients. This market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR in the forecast period (2015-2025).In the upcoming years, the TDM market will undergo significant transformation. These alterations will be done by convergence of new and more stringent regulations improvements in diagnostic technologies, automation and system engineering.Request For TOC@Therapeutic Drug MonitoringMarket: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, therapeutic drug monitoring market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.In terms of geography, North America dominates the therapeutic drug monitoring market, followed by Europe. During the earlier stages of this market development growth rates were higher, while the value of the market was relatively low. As the market value started to rise the annual growth rate declined slightly, but is expected to increase again as the market develops and the advantages of therapeutic drug monitoring is appreciated in the established markets and as the techniques and products appear in the emerging market.Therapeutic Drug MonitoringMarket: Key PlayersCoulter, BioChem Pharmaceuticals, BioRad, OraSure Technologies,and Roche Diagnostics. The market is currently led by Some of the key players in compression therapy market are,Abbott Laboratories, Bayer AG, Beckman Roche diagnostics followed by Abbott Laboratories.Browse Full Report@ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
A Taliban suicide bomb packed with ball bearings tore through a Pakistani hospital Monday and killed at least 70 people, as witnesses described tearful staff rushing towards the smoking blast site to help the wounded.

The bomber struck a crowd of some 200 people gathered at the Civil Hospital in the Balochistan provincial capital Quetta after the fatal shooting of a senior local lawyer earlier in the day. More than 100 were wounded, officials said.

Video footage showed bodies strewn on the ground, some still smoking, among pools of blood and shattered glass as shocked survivors cried and comforted one another.

Many of the victims were clad in the black suits and ties traditionally worn by Pakistani lawyers.An AFP journalist was about 20 metres away when the bomb went off.

"There were huge black clouds and dirt," he said.

"I ran back to the place and saw dead bodies scattered everywhere and many injured people crying. There were pools and pools of blood around and pieces of human bodies and flesh."

Nurses and lawyers wept as medics from inside the hospital rushed out to help dozens of injured, he said.

"People were beating their heads, crying and mourning. They were in shock and grief."

Pervez Masi, who was injured by pieces of flying glass, said the blast was so powerful that "we didn't know what had happened".

"So many friends were martyred," he said. "Whoever is doing this is not human, he is a beast and has no humanity."

Police confirmed the attack was a suicide blast.

"The bomber had strapped some eight kilograms (18 pounds) of explosives packed with ball bearings and shrapnel on his body," bomb disposal unit chief Abdul Razzaq told AFP.

A faction of the Pakistani Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, claimed responsibility for the attack in an email to journalists.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has also said it was behind the deadliest attack in Pakistan so far this year, a bombing in a crowded Lahore park that killed 75 people on Easter Sunday.

A spokesman vowed more attacks "until the imposition of an Islamic system in Pakistan".

"The death toll has risen to 70 and there are 112 injured," the head of the provincial health department, Dr Masood Nausherwani, told reporters.

Officials said mobile phone jammers had been activated around hospitals in the area -- a regular precaution after an attack -- making it hard to contact officers on the ground to get updated information.

The crowd, mainly lawyers and journalists, had gone to the hospital after the death of the president of the Balochistan Bar Association in a shooting earlier Monday, said provincial home secretary Akbar Harifal.

Bilal Anwar Kasi was targeted by two unidentified gunmen as he left his home for work.

Pakistan is grimly accustomed to atrocities after a nearly decade-long insurgency. But security had markedly improved in 2015, when the death toll from militant attacks fell to its lowest since 2007, when the TTP was formed.

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has major oil and gas resources but is afflicted by Islamist militancy, sectarian violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims and a separatist insurgency.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and ordered authorities to tighten security. He and the head of Pakistan's powerful military visited Quetta to express their condolences.

Facebook activated its safety check for Quetta in the wake of the attack.

Pakistani hospitals have been targeted by militants before.

In 2010 a bomb killed 13 people outside the casualty department of a hospital in Karachi, where victims of an earlier attack were being treated as anxious relatives gathered.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


New Research Report on Smart Thermostat Market, 2015-2025

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1011

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1011

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/smart-thermostat-market

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Smart thermostat is the type of device used for controlling the heating and air conditioning in residential as well as commercial buildings. Smart thermostat allows user to control the temperature of the room throughout the day using a schedule, for example setting different temperature during the day time and night time. Smart thermostats are connected to with internet which enables its user to control the heating setting using different internet connected devices, like smartphones, tablets etc. It also allows user to easily switch on/off the heating or air conditioning of room even when they are not inside home or office.Smart Thermostat Market: Drivers and RestraintThe smart thermostat market is expected to grow rapidly over the period of forecast. Factors which are responsible for the growth of global smart thermostat market are increasing awareness among consumers about the various advantages of smart thermostats, technological developments, growing urbanization, rising demand of connected homes or smart homes, growing demand of energy efficient devices and availability of configurable and reconfigurable thermostats.On the other hand, factors which are restraining the growth of global smart thermostat market are incorrect triggering of switches by sensors and incongruity issues in wireless networks. However, demand for self-learning automated devices are expected to create great growth opportunity for the growth of smart thermostat market over the forecast period.Request Free Report Sample@Smart Thermostat Market: SegmentationThe global smart thermostat market can be segmented on the basis of component, network technology and application. On the basis of component, the global smart thermostat market can be segmented into display, motion sensor, humidity sensor, temperature sensor and others.On the basis of network technology, the global smart thermostat market can be segmented into wired technology and wireless technology. Wireless technology is expected to create great growth opportunity for the growth of global smart thermostat sensor market. Wireless network technology can be further sub segmented into Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, Zigbee and Bluetooth.On the basis of application, the global smart thermostat market can be segmented into residential, commercial, Industrial and others. Commercial application segment includes office building, healthcare and retail etc. Other Segment includes educational buildings such as school and colleges. Among all these application, residential applications are expected to grow significantly over forecast period because of advancement in home automation technology, growing demand of connected homes or smart homes and increasing awareness about energy saving devices among consumers.Request For TOC@Smart Thermostat Market: Region wise outlookOn the basis of region, the global smart thermostat market can be segmented into seven regions which includes, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East & Africa region. Further the market is sub-segmented as per the major countries of each region in order to provide better regional analysis of the smart thermostat market. Developed regions such as North America and Western Europe are expected to dominate the market as demand of home and office automation is high in these regions. However, Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow rapidly over forecast period.Smart Thermostat Market: Key PlayersThe major players in the global smart thermostat market are Nest Labs, Inc., Emerson Electric Co., ecobee inc., tado GmbH, Schneider Electric, Honeywell International Inc. and Carrier Corporation. Key players are focusing on product innovations to provide advanced solutions to consumers. For example, In September 2015, Nest Labs, Inc., announced the third generation of Next Learning Thermostat which is slimmer in size, has a larger & high resolution screen and updated user interface which makes it easy to read temperatures, messages and alerts.Browse Full Report@ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Shilo_Inn_Seaside_Oregon_mostevens.JPG

Shilo Inns' location in Seaside.

(M.O. Stevens/Wikimedia Commons)

A California bank has won a $20 million judgment against the high-profile, politically influential founder of Shilo Inns.

California Bank & Trust won the award in a four-year-old lawsuit alleging that Mark Hemstreet and three of his hotels defaulted on loans.

A June ruling in California Superior Court, filed in Washington County this month, finds in favor of the bank and orders that Hemstreet pay $20 million, plus 9 percent interest annually until the judgment is paid in full. The court also ruled the bank is entitled to attorney fees, in an amount to be determined later.

Hemstreet, his attorneys and Shilo Inns did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Shilo Inns, founded in 1974, has endured periods of financial struggle before: 27 of 46 locations went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2001 amid a downturn in the travel industry that followed the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The chain lists 30 locations on its website now, down from 43 when California Bank & Trust filed its lawsuit in 2012. It has hotels in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Texas, Nevada, Washington and 15 in Oregon.

In July, a former Shilo Inns executive filed a $500,000 suit against the chain and Hemstreet alleging he lost his job because he is Muslim. Shilo Inns denied the claim and promised to contest it.

Now 66, Hemstreet was politically powerful in Oregon during the 1990s when he donated to Republican candidates for the state legislature and to campaigns to limit property taxes and state employee retirement benefits. His Oregon voter registration lists a Wallowa address.

-- Mike Rogoway

mrogoway@oregonian.com

503-294-7699

@rogoway
The gas tax Portland voters approved in May likely won't go into effect until January, but city officials say that won't delay the road projects it's supposed to fund.

The ballot measure said the 10-cent-a-gallon tax would be "implemented no earlier than September 2016." Doug Kleeb, fuels tax manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation, said it likely won't take effect until Jan. 1.

That's because it will take the state's software vendor, Avalara Inc., that long to add the city to the online system gas retailers use to report their sales. The company will also charge $31,000 to add cities to the system, a price Portland will share with Reedsport and Troutdale, two other cities that recently passed gas taxes.

The two smaller cities temporarily used paper forms to collect gas taxes while awaiting the software update. But they have only a handful of gas stations compared to Portland.

"The fuels tax staff for the whole state is 15 people," Kleeb said. "I don't have the staff to do this on paper."

Portland is still finalizing its agreement with the state to administer the gas tax.

The tax is expected to bring in $64 million in the four years before it sunsets. Of that, 56 percent will go to road repairs while 44 percent will go to pedestrians and bicyclist safety projects, particularly near schools.

Major paving projects are expected to begin next spring and summer, said John Brady, a spokesman for the Portland Bureau of Transportation. Smaller projects could begin sooner.

That timeline won't be delayed by the January implementation of the tax, he said.

"The voters want to see projects they want to see these improvements," Brady said. "That's why we are making sure that we can ramp up very quickly and deliver on what the voters wanted."

The city, meanwhile, expects to name members of a gas tax oversight committee in September. The group, which is expected to hold its first meeting in October, would have to sign off on any changes to the list of projects to be paid for by the gas tax.

-- Elliot Njus

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjus
Portland Public Schools released thousands pages of emails Monday in response to a records request from The Oregonian/OregonLive. The records request followed revelations the district knew about elevated lead levels in drinking water and didn't immediately release information.

The controversy ousted longtime Superintendent Carole Smith, who resigned the same day the district released a scathing report from a local law firm hired to investigate the bungled testing.

The drinking water crisis has drawn attention to other safety hazards, such as the far more dangerous issue of lead paint in Portland's schools. District-wide water testing this summer revealed nearly every Portland public school has a lead problem.

Here is some of what The Oregonian/OregonLive has found so far:



* Portland Public Schools experienced multiple serious problems when attempting to install water filters to improve safety on school drinking fountains. Read more on the specifics of those email revelations here.

* Portland Public Schools officials knew water from district's sinks was unsafe for drinking, but declined to place explicit warnings on the fixtures as early as 2012 because they worried people might panic. Read more on the specifics of those email revelations here.



* An email on May 24, 2016, shows Portland Public Schools' senior manager for environmental health and safety, Andy Fridley, erring on the side of not immediately posting a warning sticker on a sink.



"I am also going to retest the sink in room 100B before I put a sign on it. I just seems like an outlier because no other fixtures had a 2nd draw above the standard. Hopefully it is just a sampling or lab error. I have attached a chart of the results to date," Fridley wrote. Fridley was placed on paid administrative leave because of the scandal. He remains on leave.

* A self-described whistleblower sent a lengthy, detailed email May 7, 2011, suggesting schools were intentionally allowed to fall into disrepair to justify a new bond measure. The anonymous emailer claimed to speak for multiple employees and appeared to have knowledge of the inner workings of the district's facilities operations.

* An email from Jan. 14, 2016, shows parent lead safety advocate Tamara Rubin asking for the school district to not let her children drink from water fountains due to a medical condition. This instruction was not followed, and Rubin was very angry. Fridley responded by saying it's prudent to re-sample fountains at her children's school due to provocative language of Rubin's email.



"The school building has a known history of lead in the pipes and the water filtration system (& water filter change schedule) for the PPS school system as a whole is not sufficient to protect the kids (my kids/any kids) from lead exposure from the water flowing through the pipes into the water fountains and sinks in the school," Rubin wrote. "To my knowledge there are also not filters under most of the sinks - only at the fountains - and [REDACTED] was made to drink from the sink in the gym yesterday. While of course this stands for all the children in the school - I can only request I require accommodations for my own [REDACTED] children - accommodations which I have been providing for, and which have been discussed at length with teachers."

Betsy Hammond, Brad Schmidt, Rob Davis and Fedor Zarkhin of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report.

-- Bethany Barnes
GOP's anti-gay platform: Elizabeth Hovde's column caught my eye. I read the article and followed the directions. Lo and behold, Hovde has done exactly what she complains about in the article -- misrepresentation.

Much of the article is wrapped around Hovde's statement that Log Cabin (gay) Republicans aren't happy with the party's platform. Hovde then pooh-poohs this sentiment in reviewing the platform sections about the Bible in school and children raised in a two-person household.

Ok, fine. But what about this section of the GOP platform?: "A Sacred Contract: Defense of Marriage. That is why congressional Republicans took the lead in enacting the Defense of Marriage Act, affirming the right of states and the federal government not to recognize same-sex relationships licensed in other jurisdictions. The current administration's open defiance of this constitutional principle -- in its handling of immigration cases, in federal personnel benefits, in allowing a same-sex marriage at a military base, and in refusing to defend DOMA in the courts -- makes a mockery of the president's inaugural oath."

Regardless of the interpretation of the sections on the Bible and family composition, no one should be happy about this very clear, anti-gay language in the platform.

Timothy Gardner

Southeast Portland

*

2016 presidential election: I am genuinely upset about the Democratic National Committee/Debbie Wasserman Schultz travesty. I have seen many scandals come and go in my lifetime, but this one really breaks my heart.

Every social injustice committed against our fellow man in human history has at its core a lack of impartiality. Sen. Bernie Sanders deserved an impartial, fair opportunity. America deserved Bernie to be given a nondiscriminatory fair shake. He was not treated equally. He was singled out by the DNC and treated with prejudice. I am furious and sad at the same time. I'm indignant and truly sorry that this has been Sanders' specific loss and our collective experience.

Please have courage, endurance and a resolve to break the duopoly. Join us in continuing the fight. Volunteer with our Johnson/Weld campaign efforts. We must work together to break the Democratic/Republican stranglehold on American politics to prevent this from happening again.

Scott Scrimshaw

Hood River

Scrimshaw is chair of Oregon for Gary Johnson and chaplain to the Johnson/Weld Faith Coalition.

*

2016 presidential election: It's hard for me to believe, but Donald Trump apparently sees Vladimir Putin as his soul brother. Why would a man who wants to be president of the United States see the president of Russia as his soul brother?

Of course, they're both bullies, but Vlad is a professional whose skills are world-class. Plus he has developed a fine supporting cast. Don is a minor leaguer and he's a loner. There is no doubt Vlad will eat Don's lunch when it comes to bullying.

What other interests might they have in common? Cruelty comes to mind. Don loves making fun of the disadvantaged and disabled. On the other hand, Vlad simply has them executed or sent to Siberia.

The win again goes to Vlad the Impaler.

It has been estimated that Vlad has accumulated several billion dollars in personal wealth since assuming the presidency of Russia. Although the Donald has reported his campaign has greatly improved his business income, it's difficult to see how any U.S. president could legally compete in the billion-dollar-cash-flow arena.

Once again Don loses to Vlad.

Back to my original question: Why does Don so wish to emulate Vlad? Maybe when you see someone doing things so much better than you, you either envy them or try to copy them.

After all, imitation is said to be the sincerest form of flattery.

Just imagine, we could have a Vlad the Impaler pretender as our next president.

Paul Amundson

Newport

*

2016 presidential election: I was very disappointed to read "Oregon delegates among Sanders supporters to walk out after Hillary Clinton's nomination" (July 27). I'm 65. I voted for Bernie Sanders in the Oregon primary, and I will enthusiastically vote for Hillary Clinton in the general election. The process may have been flawed. Debbie Wasserman Schultz may not have been the most honest broker of the Democratic National Committee. But she is out now. We have the two major party candidates we have. And people like Gregory McKelvey, with all due respect for their positions and passion, need to get over it, be adults, make an adult choice for Hillary, and work to ensure such flaws and favoritism are eliminated in the future. America is already great, but we're still working toward perfection.

Alan Willis

Southwest Portland
1mayday.JPG

Demonstrators gathered in downtown Portland's O'Bryant Square to rally on May Day in 2013.

(The Oregonian/OregonLive staff)

By Cathie Jo Martin

Special to The Washington Post

In the United States, the image of a powerful union connotes rapacious groups of workers, jockeying to get perks and salaries beyond what they rightfully deserve. In this zero-sum world, union gains - if unsubstantiated by productivity growth - become public losses. So why should we think that strong unions are ever a good idea?

In reality, stronger and more involved unions could help the United States develop better public policy. Elsewhere in the world, unions enjoy much higher levels of support from the public - in many countries, they cover most workers and play a crucial role in forging public policies. Paradoxically, they do this in conjunction with equally strong employers' associations.

In Nordic countries, centralized associations covering business and labor have the legal right and responsibility to negotiate employment policy. Some policies are created through collective wage bargains, which then pertain to everyone. Others are developed by tripartite committees that include representatives of the major associations, which create binding policies governing issues such as family leave, active labor-market programs and part-time work.

Because public policy in these countries is created mainly by stakeholders rather than by legislators, regulations are transparent, sensible, broadly applicable and enduring. Unions and employers' associations are given formal responsibility to negotiate workable regulations and have to live with the consequences. The "social partners" are expected to exhibit self-discipline as a prerogative of influence, and their sense of ownership makes for higher levels of compliance. In turn, this compliance can bring firms to make longer-term commitments to investments in workers' skills, because their peers are also committed.

In my study of 107 randomly selected large companies in Denmark and Britain, 64 percent of the Danish firms (compared with 40 percent of the British ones) participated in welfare-to-work programs to end long-term unemployment and to train workers with low skills. They participated because they believed that the government programs would provide them with a new labor source and would cut social assistance in the long term. One business manager explained, "It is really irritating in a fishing culture to see people on unemployment sit around and smoke cigarettes and play the guitar." He was motivated to develop an apprenticeship to effect change.

Unions and employers' associations jealously guarded their collective influence in policymaking because they did not want policy outcomes to be politicized. For example, when a former center-right Danish government sought to legislatively loosen safeguards for part-time workers, both the business and labor associations vehemently objected. They resented the intrusion of the government into labor-market policies, a domain of the social partners. Or as a representative of a major employers' association told me, "Business and labor are like Siamese twins" in their interests in retaining control over public policy formation.

Strong unions, strong employers' associations and a politics of cooperation may be good for both economy and equality. The Gini coefficient, a commonly used measure of inequality, places Scandinavian countries as some of the most egalitarian in the world - and that ranking does not seem to hurt their economic growth. The World Bank similarly ranks Denmark as the third-best country for doing business. Under Danish "flexicurity," companies can hire and fire their workers at will, but the pain of sudden unemployment is eased with extensive training programs and other social protections. After the global financial crisis, firms were allowed to lay off workers, but workers then went into training programs and the "social partners" worked together to develop job-sharing arrangements. The crisis also provided Denmark an opportunity to shift resources into new sectors, to adopt new (often green) technologies, and to make the labor force more productive.

In contrast, individual firms in the United States often lobby Congress directly with their narrow, self-interested demands, and unions often work in the same way. Both on the labor and business side, economic actors do not trust government, but they also do not trust their collective selves. Thus, most policy decisions are made by politicians, who might need to build a "bridge to nowhere" to win an election but are unlikely to be otherwise dedicated to individual workers' interests.

Americans might learn something about cooperation from countries with strong unions and employers' associations. We teach norms of cooperation to our kids and practice them in our communities, but we have forgotten how to cooperate in the political sphere. Our national politics is dominated by the kind of irresponsible bickering and verbal abuse that would make a schoolyard bully blush. Meanwhile, legislators are prone to creating policies for political contingency that are often unrealistic and difficult to implement. Strong societal groups that work for viable policy alternatives may provide an antidote to our hyper-politicized sphere of collective decision-making.

Cathie Jo Martin is a professor of political science at Boston University and co-chair of the American Political Science Association presidential task force on political negotiation. Her recent books include "The Political Construction of Business Interests: Coordination, Growth and Equality" with Duane Swank and "Political Negotiation: A Handbook" with Jane Mansbridge.
1whitman.JPG

In this Nov. 2, 2015 file photo, Hewlett Packard Enterprise President and CEO Meg Whitman is interviewed on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

(The Associated Press)

By Jonathan Bernstein

It was treated as big news earlier this week when Meg Whitman, the chief executive of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, along with a handful of other Republican figures, announced they would vote for Hillary Clinton. Whitman, who was a GOP candidate for governor of California in 2010, is a billionaire and will be raising money for Clinton. The other Republicans decamping are Richard Hanna, a New York congressman who is retiring, and at least three campaign operatives.

Some pundits were quick to ridicule the notion that such defections will affect any actual voters.

It's true that few people will wonder why Sally Bradshaw, a former Jeb Bush adviser, is switching to the Democratic ticket, for example, let alone be swayed by her decision. Indeed, most voters would say they don't care about endorsements from even the most high-profile members of their party. Some people will claim they dislike these leaders anyway.

Yet dismissing the importance of the endorsements is wrong.

In a normal election when both parties are united behind their nominee, voters will hear one message for months: that people like themselves, including the politicians they like, are supporting one candidate, while people they normally dislike or disagree with are backing the other one. Whether voters consider themselves partisans or not, that message pushes them in the "correct" direction -- to the candidate of the party they normally support.

Conventions are especially powerful in sending such signals because they dominate the news for a few days at least, drowning out the voices of the opposing party. Even after the convention, that message can be strong -- if the party is united, that is.

The muddier things are, however, the less likely voters will be pushed in the "correct" direction.

This is probably a big part of what has given Clinton a solid lead in the polls right now. The Democrats are united and sound united, while Republicans clearly are not.

When something goes wrong for Clinton, most highly visible Democrats will speak out in support or keep their mouths shut. By contrast, when something goes wrong for Donald Trump, Republican responses are all over the place, with many condemning whatever it is he said.

And the media's preference for man-bites-dog over dog-bites-man stories means that the news about a Republican operative endorsing Clinton will receive far more coverage than dozens of Republican elected officials endorsing Trump.

This provides constant cues for voters. There may be no effect on those who decided months ago to support Trump or Clinton. But many voters don't pay much attention until the campaign's final weeks. And even though most voters are (in normal elections) predictably partisan in the end, many of them don't arrive at their destination by stating their party preference and automatically choosing their party's candidate.

Instead, a lot of partisanship is activated by the events and rhetoric of the campaign. If the campaign doesn't provide the push, then many voters may get lost on the way to where they "should" be heading.

Jonathan Bernstein is a Bloomberg View columnist covering U.S. politics.

For more columns from Bloomberg View, visit http://www.bloomberg.com/view.
1trump.JPG

Flags for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump fly marking the beginning of the line for his rally at Windham High School on August 6, 2016 in Windham, New Hampshire.

(Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

By Barton Swaim

Special to The Washington Post

Those of us on the right who oppose Donald Trump's candidacy are, in one sense, to be pitied. The choice between clownish and vitriolic populism, on the one hand, and Clintonian knavery, on the other, is not one we ever wanted to make. We are bewildered and, for this election year at least, emotionally detached.

But there is something enviable in the state of detachment. Enviable because political contests - certainly this is true of the most intensely fought and consequential ones - debase emotions and sanctify dishonesty. They turn capable writers into hacks and intelligent citizens into social media bores and anonymous Internet goblins. Many bright and otherwise fair-minded people find themselves defending a favored candidate for reasons they would find silly or tendentious if that candidate weren't running for high office. If Trump had never joined the contest, would prominent Republican leaders spend any time defending his quasi-fraudulent business practices or his bigoted remarks or his vicious use of eminent domain? Of course not. If Hillary Clinton had decided to sit out 2016, similarly, the mention of her history of mendacity would strike most of those now supporting her as uncontroversial. But both are running for president, and so indefensible conduct becomes defensible and statements of the obvious provoke ferocious counterblasts. Decent people besmirch themselves with stupid arguments and outright falsehoods and excuse it all with vague references to "what's at stake."

I don't want to be too high- minded about this - I'm sure if I plumbed my conscience, which I'm not inclined to do, I too would have to admit past guilt in this regard. In any case, it all leads me to think that 2016 may be an unusual opportunity for reflection on the part of conservatives with no horse in the race. The same may be said of the (rather less populous, I suspect) "Bernie or Bust" movement, those supporters of Bernie Sanders who, despite the senator's endorsement of Clinton, still refuse to back the Democratic Party's nominee. Both these confederations, whether they're right on political and philosophical grounds, find themselves in a position to reflect on the nature of electoral politics in ways they probably never have before.

In the case of anti-Trump conservatives, we've spent the past several months watching heretofore principled conservative politicians, in some cases reluctantly but in every case decisively, endorse a man they know full well isn't qualified to be president. Marco Rubio, Scott Walker, Paul Ryan, Mike Pence: These and many others were faced with an admittedly difficult situation in which they had to choose between principle and career preservation; they chose the latter. Rubio, for instance, just a few months ago called Trump a "con artist" and an "erratic individual" to whom the "nuclear codes of the United States" should not be entrusted: comments he has not disavowed even as he has endorsed that same erratic individual on the grounds that his opponent is worse. Even the uber-principled Ted Cruz spent much of last year studiously refusing to distance himself from Trump, and his decision to withhold an endorsement seems to have had far less to do with principle than with the painful memory that Trump once made nasty insinuations about his wife.

Perhaps it's a good time for some of us to reassess the hope and confidence we're often inclined to place in politicians. We would never admit to placing hope and confidence in them, of course; we're sophisticated people, after all, and take a knowingly dim view of politicians and their motives. Well, of "politicians" in the abstract anyway. Most are vain careerists whose convictions, though frequently genuine, are also frequently temporary - we know this. Or do we? How often have I read a feature article or watched an interview with some bright young "rising star" and concluded: There's one with integrity. There's one with intellect and foresight and the capacity to lead.

And yet - here we are.

An effective politician, let's remember, is someone who has found success at convincing large numbers of people that he or she, rather than someone else, possesses sufficient sagacity and strength of character to solve some complicated set of problems. Give me power, the politician says to us, because I am honest and compassionate and capable. Without ever making it so crassly explicit, that is what it takes to win elections.

Which ought to make us ask ourselves: What sort of person would do that? And why on Earth would I trust him with more power or put her name on my bumper? If this year's all-around atrociousness prompts us to ask those questions of ourselves and one another, maybe we can redeem it after all.

Barton Swaim is author of "The Speechwriter: A Brief Education in Politics" and a contributing columnist for The Post.

(c) 2016, The Washington Post
Bangladesh has kicked out a North Korean diplomat after he was caught smuggling more than one million cigarettes as well as electronics into the country in a shipping container, Dhaka officials said Monday.

Han Son Ik, the first secretary of the North Korean embassy in Dhaka, has been ordered to leave the country after failing to declare the goods worth nearly half a million dollars to customs.

Bangladesh foreign secretary Shahidul Haque confirmed the order had been made to the North Koreans, but declined to give a timetable for his departure. Local media said he had been ordered by leave by Monday.

"We have asked North Korea to take him back for violating diplomatic norms," Haque, Bangladesh's top foreign bureaucrat, told AFP, declining to give details.

A senior customs official told AFP the North Korean used his diplomatic immunity earlier this month to import the goods which were suspected destined for the blackmarket.

"The diplomat declared that his cargo contained food and soft drinks. But when we opened the cargo, we found 1.6 million stalks of expensive cigarettes and electronics," Moinul Khan, head of intelligence at Bangladesh customs, told AFP.

"At market prices these products are valued at 35 million taka ($430,000). We suspect that he brought the products to sell to local smuggling gangs," he said.

AFP was unable to immediately contact the North Korean embassy for comment.

In March last year, another North Korean diplomat was forced to apologise after he was caught at Dhaka airport trying to smuggle nearly 27 kilogrammes (60 pounds) of gold, worth $1.7 million, into the country.

In 2012, customs authorities issued a 2.5-million taka fine after seizing illegal wines from another North Korean envoy.

Last year, a North Korean restaurant in Dhaka was shut down after officials found it was selling wine and drugs such as Viagra without permission.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Boko Haram's appointment of a new leader and his apparent rejection by the group's figurehead exposes wide divisions among the Nigerian militants as they come under pressure from the country's military.

The promotion of Abu Musab al-Barnawi, who is thought to favour more targeted attacks than the wholesale violence of figurehead Abubakar Shekau, was announced in the weekly magazine of Islamic State. Boko Haram, which has regularly staged suicide bombings in crowded areas, pledged loyalty to IS last year.

But Shekau appears to have rejected the new role of al-Barnawi, who experts say has been the group's military commander and has also been on the radar for months as head of a faction favouring attacks on the Nigerian military.

In a 10-minute audio clip on social media, a person purporting to be Shekau laid bare internal divisions by criticising al-Barnawi's reported view that Muslims can live among non-Muslims without taking up arms.

"I am against the principle where someone will dwell in the society with the infidels without making public his opposition or anger against infidels," Shekau said in the local Hausa language.

"Anyone doing such can't be a real Muslim thick and thin."

Al-Barnawi's splinter group is based northeast of Maiduguri, the provincial capital of northeast Nigeria's Borno state and the epicentre of Boko Haram's seven-year armed attempt to create a regional Islamic caliphate, one Western security source said.

From there, it has been better-placed geographically to cultivate links across the Sahara with the Libyan arm of IS although the extent of direct practical ties between the two groups is not clear. Many experts say that the links are largely symbolic.

In the past, Shekau has appeared in propaganda videos draped in ammunition belts and brandishing automatic weapons as he spouted vitriol against Nigeria and the West.

His absence from any such videos since March has sparked speculation he has been wounded, is seriously ill or may even have died.

Limiting himself to an audio clip is likely to fuel suspicions of Shekau's reduced physical or operational capacity from the wilds of the northeast's Sambisa forest, where he has been penned in by the Nigerian army.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler, took office last year on a campaign platform to wipe out the group.

"Shekau and his clique remain in Sambisa, where they are under a lot of pressure from the Nigerian military push against Boko Haram," the security source said. "It's not existential yet but they haven't got as much freedom of movement as they did."

"FADING GROUP"

Boko Haram, whose name loosely means 'Western education is sinful' in Hausa, has suffered a dramatic decline in fortunes from 18 months ago when it controlled an area the size of Belgium and had Nigeria's military on the back foot.

Under Shekau, Boko Haram killed more than 15,000 people, displaced more than two million and attained worldwide infamy with the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok in April 2014.

However since early 2015 it has suffered numerous defeats at the hands of the Nigerian, Cameroonian, Nigerien and Chadian militaries acting either individually or as part of a coordinated regional force.

Nigerian military spokesman Rabe Abubakar said the latest Boko Haram's leadership revelations were of "no relevance".

"We are just focused on clearing the remnants of the insurgents that are scattered around," he said. The leadership struggles were "the antics of a fading group", he added.

In the interview with IS Group's al-Naba magazine, al-Barnawi said Boko Haram was "still a force to be reckoned with" and that it had been receiving new recruits.

The splinter group's modus operandi appears to be targeting the Nigerian military rather than civilians.

That is in contrast to the bomb attacks on busy public places such as markets, mosques and camps for internally displaced people (IDP) that have typified its approach in northeast Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon over the last year.

"Under the Shekau reasoning, it is permissible to kill IDPs in camps," said Fulan Nasrullah, a security analyst based in northern Nigeria. Such action was not sanctioned by the IS-approved faction, he added.

But despite its set-backs, Shekau's supporters remained the largest part of the group, Nasrullah said

Search Keywords:

Short link:


As chairman and chief executive officer of The Dow Chemical Co., Andrew Liveris has received and dealt out plenty of advice to employees and his executive team over the years.

His 40-year employment with Dow was just one focus of an interview with Susan Gharib from Fortune. During the almost 4-minute video interview, Liveris discusses reinvention and the business advice he has carried with him through the decades.

I think to be a successful leader, especially to be a successful CEO, you have to reinvent yourself, constantly, Liveris said in the video, adding that he is on the fourth version of himself.

Liveris became chairman and chief executive officer of Dow in 2004, and announced in December a historic, $130 billion merger of equals with Delaware-based DuPont Co.

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. Company officials have said the combined company will be dual-headquartered in Midland and Wilmington, Del.

Eventually DowDuPont will spin into three businesses: Agriculture, based in Delaware; Material Sciences, to stay in Midland; and Specialty Products, based in Delaware.

Edward D. Breen, chair and CEO of DuPont, will become CEO of DowDuPont, while Liveris is set to lead the board of directors of DowDuPont as the new companys chairman.

When asked about how he would motivate and inspire employees in his new role, Liveris said he is looking for a mixture of skills and people who are able to focus on their jobs.

You have to actually keep it simple for everyone and actually protect everyone from the complexity, Liveris said.

There were few details about job layoffs recently announced by Dow and Dow Corning, the companys former joint venture with Corning, Inc. and no updates on the merger, which is going through regulatory processes.

To see the video, go to http://for.tn/2b2zscD.
Several B-1B Lancers and more than 300 Airmen with the 28th Bomb Wing from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Aug. 6 in support of U.S. Pacific Commands (USPACOM) Continuous Bomber Presence mission.

The B-1s last participated in the CBP mission approximately 10 years ago and are returning to support USPACOM in conducting routine, strategic deterrence and regional training missions. Incorporating the B-1 into PACOM operations exercises the Air Forces ability to integrate a unique capability with regional allies and partners in various parts of the world.

Since 2004, U.S. Air Force bombers such as the B-1, B-52 Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit have been in continuous rotations providing non-stop stability and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Air Force Global Strike Command continues to routinely deploy bombers to Guam, which provides opportunities to strengthen regional alliances and long-standing military-to-military partnerships throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The B-1 units bring a unique perspective and years of repeated combat and operational experience from the Central Command theater to the Pacific. They will provide a significant rapid global strike capability that enables readiness and commitment to deterrence, offers assurance to the U.S. allies and strengthens regional security and stability in the region. Training in a different part of the world allows the B-1 aircrews the opportunity to integrate with Pacific partners to enhance interoperability and regional cooperation.

Andersen welcomes the B-1 squadron, and we look forward to working together to provide safety and security to the region, our partners and our allies, said Brig. Gen. Douglas Cox, 36th Wing commander. The B-52s did an amazing job the past few years, and we know the B-1s will continue CBP excellence going forward."
The family of a Muslim teen arrested for taking a homemade clock to school -- only to have it mistaken for a fake bomb -- filed a lawsuit Monday claiming his civil rights were violated.

Ahmed Mohamed was 14 years old last year when he brought an alarm clock he had made at home to his Dallas-area school to show his teacher, who took the clock from him.

Hours later, Mohamed was pulled from class and arrested by police. They later called the device a "hoax bomb," even though it was a clock. The Irving Independent School District suspended Mohamed for three days, anyway.

"Those are violations of his civil rights," Mohamed's attorney Susan Hutchison said at a press conference announcing the lawsuit. "The only justice we have in our American legal system is money. So, we are suing for justice."

The family has received no apology, Hutchison said, and their previous letter requesting $15 million in compensation was rejected. The lawsuit asks for no specific dollar amount.

The incident thrust Mohamed into the national spotlight, earning him an invitation to the White House from President Barack Obama. The US Department of Justice launched a civil rights probe of the school district, which continues.

"I got a lot of support in the beginning, but it's the hate that sticks," Mohamed told the news conference.

He and his family have left Irving, a Dallas suburb, because of the incident, and now live in Qatar where he attends a private high school.

"I lost my creativity, because before I used to love building things," he said, adding that while visiting his former Texas hometown, he wears a hooded sweatshirt, glasses and hat to disguise his appearance out of fear for his safety.

"Over there, it doesn't matter what religion you are. You're still treated the same," he said.

The Irving Independent School District responded in a statement saying it "continues to deny violating the student's rights" and does "everything possible to ensure each student is achieving his or her maximum potential."

Search Keywords:

Short link:


NORMAL  As Advocate Health Care agreed to pay the largest settlement ever by a single entity alleged to violate the federal patient privacy law, Advocate asserted that stolen data hasn't been used against patients.

"While there continues to be no indication that the information was misused, we deeply regret any inconvenience this incident has caused our patients," Advocate said in a prepared statement.

Advocate agreed late last week to a $5.55 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for three alleged violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) involving electronic protected health information. HHS said the settlement was the largest to date against a single entity.

"We hope this settlement sends a strong message to covered entities that they must engage in a comprehensive risk analysis and risk management to ensure that individuals' ePHI (electronic protected health information) is secure," said Jocelyn Samuels of HHS.

The federal government began its investigation in 2013 when Advocate submitted breach notification reports involving subsidiary Advocate Medical Group (AMG), which consists primarily of physicians' practices. AMG is based in the Chicago area but has offices in the Bloomington-Normal area.

The breaches affected information of 4 million people and included patient names, addresses, dates of birth, credit card numbers and health insurance information, said HHS and Advocate.

Lisa Trafficanta Lesniak of Advocate told The Pantagraph on Monday that she didn't know how many of the 4 million patients were from Central Illinois. But she asserted what Advocate has said since 2013  that hardware and not data was targeted.

"There is no indication that patient data was misused," Lesniak said. "If patients have questions, they can call our dedicated patient privacy line at 630-929-5922."

During summer 2013, four unencrypted computers with personal health information were stolen from an Advocate administrative building in Park Ridge. Other violations involved an unauthorized person accessing the network of an Advocate business associate and someone stealing a laptop with personal information from the vehicle of an AMG employee.

HHS found that Advocate failed to recognize vulnerability of the information and failed to control access.

Advocate said "we've enhanced our data encryption measures to prevent this type of incident from reoccurring."
Delta Airlines grounded all its flights for several hours Monday because of a system-wide computer breakdown, making for a messy day at airports around the world.

Even after the US carrier lifted the order about six hours into the snafu, it warned of continued cancellations and delays, as tens of thousands of passengers around the globe were left stranded.

Travellers crowded ticket counters, lay on the ground in airports and tried to grin and bear it. Ticket agents were reduced to checking people in manually, news reports said.

The carrier blamed the computer problem on a power outage in its hub in Atlanta, Georgia.

Flights have resumed but on a limited basis, Delta said in a statement after flights had been grounded for about six hours. However, the ripple effect of the meltdown will drag on.

"Customers heading to the airport should expect delays and cancellations," the statement said.

"While inquiries are high and wait times are long, our customer service agents are doing everything they can to assist," it added.

It also said there would be "some lag time in the display of accurate flight status at delta.com, the Fly Delta App and from Delta representatives on the phone and in airport."

Luciano Resende, 40, waiting at London's Heathrow Airport to fly to San Francisco, said it was slow going.

"I guess it has been a long time since they used the manual process," Resende told NBC News.

At Los Angeles International Airport, people waiting for red-eye flights to the east coast dozed in a crowded waiting area, many of them wrapped in red blankets.

As of about 1400 GMT, the airline said it had cancelled about 300 flights. It operates more than 15,000 a day along with its alliance partners.

Nearly 400 others were delayed, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware.

"The timing of this problem is particularly bad because Monday morning is one of the busiest times for both airlines and travellers as business travellers begin their work week," said Daniel Baker, FlightAware's CEO.

Delta said the power outage in Atlanta that caused the computer meltdown began at 2:30 am (0630 GMT).

Lines of passengers backed up at Delta ticket counters at US airports.

At Los Angeles, passengers on a flight to New York had to get off their plane and return to the terminal, NBC News reported, while some people slept near departure gates at Las Vegas.

As compensation for the inconvenience, Delta offered refunds to travelers whose flights are cancelled or significantly delayed. People on some routes are being allowed to make a one-time change to their travel plans.

A vast number of flight delays normally creates a cascading problem that affects airline traffic for days.

Computer outages halting flights are not uncommon.

In May, a glitch affecting Sweden's civil aviation authority radar site disrupted air traffic throughout that country and grounded flights to and from Stockholm for several hours.

In March, a computer system malfunction forced Japan's All Nippon Airways to cancel more than 100 domestic flights, affecting some 16,000 travellers.

And in mid-August 2015, a computer problem at a regional air traffic control center delayed hundreds of flights at busy US east coast airports -- including those in the Washington and New York areas -- for several hours.

A rival US airline, United, suffered computer glitches in May and July 2015 that temporarily grounded hundreds of flights and backed up thousands of passengers.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


It seems that "Limitless" Season 2 fans are not giving up on Brian and his FBI gang. After "Limitless" got cancelled by CBS, the show is getting more popular as fans are continuously petitioning in the hopes that Netflix will give in.

While CBS has already given up on "Limitless" Season 2 as they have not provided anymore updates regarding the show after its announcement of cancellation, Netflix on the other hand, has given fans a bit of hope as they have been airing "Limitless" Season 1.

But the big question still remains is if Netflix will give "Limitless" its needed season 2. Fans who are not giving up on the show have made an online petition in the hopes that the TV networks would finally give in.

One of those sites who are aiming to attract TV networks to consider "Limitless" Season 2 is Care 2 Petitions that as of this moment has reached its 12,000 goal. While CBS may just ignore the so called petition, Netflix on the other hand can consider looking through the potential of "Limitless" Season 2.

"Limitless" season 1 that can be continuously watched on Netflix is doing pretty well in rating. However, Netflix do not normally divulge its ratings to the public and the company also mostly consider a lot of factors before they decide on continuing a season.

Also, according to a recent report from Parent Herald, the whole cast of "Limitless" are as of this moment moved on from a possible "Limitless" Season 2. While it is still possible for them to come back but after CBS' cancellation it is just natural for the whole cast to find work elsewhere.

Jake McDorman, who plays Brian, is busy with his new project, "Ideal Home. Jennifer Carpenter, who plays Agent Harris is busy with her family. Whole Seth Avett is now doing his new film "An Interview with God."

While the cast may be doing other things as of the moment, it is also safe to assume that once Netflix or if CBS agrees to put "Limitless" Season 2 back on track, the whole cast will in no doubt come back. Hopefully, there will be some positive result to the online petition so that the fans calling out for its renewal will not be in vain.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7FMcIU0JZ_w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Fans are eagerly awaiting "Rick and Morty" Season 3 but fans do not have to wait that long because Rick and Morty will definitely be back this year. Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland also discussed the storyline for the third season of "Rick and Morty" and a possible Vin Diesel appearance and Mr. Meeseeks return.

Dan Harmon said that he wanted Vin Diesel to be a guest star on "Rick and Morty" Season 3 during the most recent San Diego Comic-Con although there are no confirmation on whether he would be guesting on the third season of "Rick and Morty." However, if Vin Diesel do agrees to join in the fun of Rick and Morty, creators revealed that he would play D&D.

While Vin Diesel may be a long shot from happening, another character though may have its comeback. Mr. Meeseeks who was a fan-favorite during episode 1 may comeback on "Rick and Morty" Season 3. The blue alien who was made his debut on "Rick and Morty" season 1 only appeared in one episode but his character became one of the favorites during that season.

According to Movie News Guide, Dan Harmon already pitched for the return of Mr. Meeseeks and its return will finally happen. Dan Harmon also discussed the possible appearance of Mr. Meeseeks on Slashfilm. "However, we can also do an episode where it's not about that as a topic and just have him like Dr. Seuss, use him as a tool," Harmon said. "I guess that's some kind of guy tht says, 'I'm Mr. Meeseeks' and does his thing."

Adult Swim Co-creator Dan Harmon is just looking for a good episode for Mr. Meeseeks and he may be back for "Rick and Morty" Season 3. As of now, we will just have to wait for more developments regarding the show.

Are you excited for the possible guests for "Rick and Morty" Season 3? Share us your thoughts below.
It looks like filming for Netflix's adaptation of "A Series of Unfortunate Events" (ASOUE) is finally done. And while the streaming site has made no specific announcements in casting, it also looks like the show has rounded up an amazing group of cast, aside from Neil Patrick Harris (Count Olaf) and Patrick Warburton (Lemony Snicket).

Posts on Instagram from the actors on "A Series of Unfortunate Events" confirmed that filming is already finished. Neil Patrick Harris supposedly treated the cast to cotton candy and shaved ice to celebrate the culmination of production of the shows' 8-episode offering for the first season on Netflix.

The sign on the cotton candy truck indicated that the show deserves a second season renewal even as ASOUE still haven't started its run on the streaming service. Speculations are that the TV adaptation might begin airing in either December 2016 or early 2017.

Got to love when @NPH Buys you shaved ice and cotton candy! #aseriesofunfortunateevents A photo posted by Travis Little T Turner (@travislittletturner) on Aug 5, 2016 at 2:24pm PDT



Meanwhile, Netflix and Paramount Television have not officially released details on the other cast members that has since been added to the show. However, several reports indicate Joan Cusack, Alfre Woodard, Rhys Darby and John Desantis are also part of "A Series of Unfortunate Events."

Joan Cusack's confirmation in the cast comes from ASOUE author himself, Daniel Handler, who alluded in an interview via Matador that he has seen footage from the production and his admiration for the actress "grows steadily." It is speculated that Cusack will be playing Justice Strauss.

Alfre Woodard's participation on ASOUE was briefly mentioned in a piece on The Hollywood Reporter. The news indicated that she had been filming for the show, but it did not disclose her role.

New Zealand actor Rhys Darby has also been tagged for an "unspecified" role on ASOUE, according to Indiewire. He talked about being part of the project. "I haven't really done anything quite like it," he said. "It's like being in a big Hollywood fantasy film."

Canadian actor John Desantis has also been cast in ASOUE as recurring guest star, per KC Talent. It's speculated that he will be playing the role of one of Olaf's men, Bald Man with the Long Nose.

Rounding up the rest of cast are Louis Hynes (Klaus), Malina Weissman (Voilet), Aasif Mandvi (Uncle Monty), K. Todd Freeman (Mr. Poe), Matty Cardarople (One Who Looks Like Neither a Man Nor a Woman) and Jacqueline and Joyce Robbins (Two White-Faced Women). Luke Camirelli, Don Johnson, Elizabeth Bowen and James R. Baylis are also rumored to be in "A Series of Unfortunate Events."

An unofficial photo that was leaked from the set below also revealed what Count Olaf's house looks like from the inside. Netflix presented at the Television Critics' Association panel in the past week and official announcements from streaming site is expected to trickle down soon enough.

Netflix's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" will supposedly be based from four books in the original children's novels for its first season. Daniel Handler wrote 13 books in the series, which has been a celebrated worldwide literary success.
"General Hospital" by ABC has shockers on store for the week of August 8 to 12. Cassadine Island struck again and Dr Hamilton Finn (Michael Easton) has to save Sam Morgan (Kelly Monaco) from the same disease and Franco will struggle with a bad news.

According to We Love Soaps, the newly cleared Franco (Roger Howarth) gets his bad news right at the beginning of the week at "General Hospital." Inquistr cites reports that Franco will not be able to enjoy any freedom as "General Hospital" will not cut him any slack.

More bad news is on their way for Franco. "General Hospital" fans may begin to wonder if the end has, after all, come for Franco.

Can they rise from the ashes? https://t.co/DuFcS9fSj2  General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) August 5, 2016

Meanwhile, Sam Morgan isn't faring any better than Franco. "General Hospital" buzz notes that Sam Morgan has just become another Cassadine Island statistics.

We insist that you see this #ThrowbackThursday of Helena Cassadine and Luke Spencer. https://t.co/KE7EOiA0j6 pic.twitter.com/YuR01JOWrc  General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) August 5, 2016

In a spate "General Hospital" irony, Sam contracts the same mysterious disease from Greece's Cassadine Island that claimed the life of Hamilton Finn's wife and afflicted Finn. The deadly Cassadine Island disease is well on its way to claiming Hamilton Finn as well, unless he finds a solution rather.

For the time being, Hamilton Finn is surviving on a patchwork of addictive, illegal drugs. Likely Sam Morgan will find her fate sliding into the same path as Hamilton Finn.

According to Celeb Dirty Laundry, Hamilton Finn and Sam Morgan may find a break and a double "General Hospital" tragedy could be averted. Now that Sam is involved, Jason Morgan (Billy Miller) spells hope for funding on cure research for deadly the Cassadine Island disease.

After a series of setbacks, Hamilton Finn may find that Sam Morgan ending up on the same boat as he is the miracle he needs. Monica Quartermaine (Leslie Charleson) would finally be able to get the lab in order again as Hamilton Finn gets to work.

Nothing is ever black or white in "General Hospital" and twists are waiting along the way. Do you think "General Hospital" will lose Sam and Franco?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCSHPQsWPgE
A jury has awarded a former employee of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the District of Columbia $550,000 in total damages in a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit whose proceedings took up five years to wrap up. The former employee had claimed differential treatment and eventual firing due to her pregnancy.

"It has been five years of litigation, of being questioned and dealing with lawyers and telling a story of a very difficult period of her life-telling it and reliving it," said lawyer Christine Tschiderer, as per a report in DCist. Tschiderer is a lawyer with the Washington Lawyers' Committee.

The former Chipotle employee, Doris Garcia Hernandez, is said to be "thrilled" at winning her lawsuit against the company. She has been awarded $500,000 in punitive damages and $50,000 in compensatory damages and is reportedly expected to receive additional compensation for lost wages and lawyer's fees.

Hernandez became pregnant in 2011. Biz Journal reported as per Hernandez' suit, she informed her former manager of her pregnancy and that's when he began regulating her bathroom breaks. She had to announce that she was going to the bathroom to all employees in the Chipotle store and the manager would have to approve it first. These conditions were not required for non-pregnant employees.

The manager reportedly fired her in front of other employees in the main area of the Chipotle store a day after she left work early for a prenatal doctor's appointment. The manager had been ignoring her requests to leave early for that purpose.

Hernandez' plight inspired the Protecting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act of 2014. This mandates all employers in the District of Columbia "to provide reasonable workplace accommodations for employees whose ability to perform job duties is limited because of pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or a related medical condition." One accommodation given is for more frequent or longer bathroom breaks.
Could the MacBook Pro 2016 release date rumors claiming that the new Apple computer will be launched alongside the new iPhone 7 be true? Rumors are rife that tech junkies only have to wait for a month before they finally get their hands on the new devices.

As University Herald noted, new speculations are suggesting that the new Apple laptop could be unveiled on September. This was a bold prediction since the MacBook Pro 2016 release date remained to be a mystery for users.

The site mentioned that there have been select retailers in the U.S. that have been giving huge discounts on older models of the MacBook Pro. This has spurred Apple users to believe that the Pro 2016 release date is imminent.

However, not everyone is excited to get their hands on the MacBook Pro 2016. Previous reports claimed that the new laptop could possibly fail to deliver all the upgrades it will reportedly have.

According to The Next Web, the rumored new features such as the OLED function keys, Touch ID and the lightning port sound promising, but these would be highly unlikely to be added to the new Mac. MacBook Pro 2016 release date speculations further hint that because of the rumored thinner frame of the new MacBook, it would be close to impossible to have all the rumored features added.

Leaked images of the new MacBook Pro 2016 recently surfaced online. The alleged photos, contrary to The Next Web's report, somehow confirms earlier speculations that the new computer will come with OLED function keys.

As Cult of Mac shared, the images were sent to them by an anonymous source who claimed to work for one of Apple's manufacturing partners in China. The site also mentioned that Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities claimed that the MacBook Pro 2016 release date will have "most significant upgrade ever." The respected Apple insider also claimed that the new laptop could be lighter and thinner than its predecessors.

Stay tuned for more MacBook Pro 2016 release date rumors here!
Gas prices continue to plummet all over United States. Curiously, California's gas rate for consumers is not keeping up with the downward trend.

The questionable aspect arises from the gap of the wholesale gas price to the retail gas price. Albeit a dollar lower than last year, California's retail gas price falls at $2.69 a gallon, one of the highest in the U.S. Ironically, California oil companies buy gas at $1.26 per gallon, one of the lowest in the U.S. (via CBS News).

So why are California's gas consumers being priced at a high gas rate compared to other states in the nation? This is what Consumer Watchdog seeks to find out.

According to a trade group representing western U.S. oil companies as per CBS News, investigations and analysis have sought to determine the reason behind the California wholesale and retail gas price discrepancy. They have all concluded that market factors have caused the spiking up of gas prices in the state.

Consumer Watchdog disagrees. They deem that oil companies are manipulating the market by refining only few amounts of gas even when they can refine more. The less competitive market results to a higher retail gas price.

Nonetheless, lower wholesale prices are expected to dampen retail gas prices for about a month. No need to worry for California residents because the state's attorney general, Kamala Harris, has taken the matter to her own hands and has been investigating the price situation (via CBS News).

According to The New York Times, the oil industry in the U.S. is experiencing its sharpest price decline since the 1990s. An oil barrel that used to cost $90 or $100 is now only at around $42. It will continue to go down, as predicted by the oil market.

As per Parent Herald, a study found out the Americans are spending more than setting aside the price they save from buying low-cost gas. Instead of the saved cash reaching bank accounts, most Americans use it for other luxuries such as eating outside or watching a movie.

What do you think is the reason behind the gap between retail and wholesale gas prices in California? Sound off your thoughts in the Comments section and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
Will all hope and plans for "Iron Man 4" be finally put to rest? New rumors are starting to circulate that the end is near for Tony Stark played by Robert Downey Jr.

As Chattsportsnet reported, "Spider-Man: Homecoming" could be the last time fans will see RDJ play the genius philanthropist on the big screen. As the site mentioned, his character will meet his end in the movie, spurring rumors that a new character in an Iron Man suit will take front and center in "Iron Man 4."

As Vine Report mentioned, the comic version is gearing up to pass the suit to 15-year-old African American genius Riri Williams. Although it has not been confirmed whether this storyline will make it to the big screens, fans have started to speculate that it can eventually be used in the MCU later on.

There have been previous rumors about RDJ's involvement in "Iron Man 4." Several reports have already claimed that Marvel Studios has already axed the fourth installment, and has also considered replacing RDJ with a younger and more affordable actor.

This was not the first time "Iron Man 4" rumors suggested a reboot of some kind. The idea first surfaced after the widespread Sony hacks circulated, and an email exchange among Marvel execs leaked online.

"Question for you both: One day soon we will be rebooting the Iron Man franchise with new actors," Marvel's Alan Fine said in a leaked email addressed to Tom Cohen and Kevin Feige. "In that reboot would you change the events of the first trilogy? E.g. Obadiah becomes a true father figure to Tony. Pepper gets jealous and she becomes the one that gets him thrown out of the company and tries to kill him for walking away from defense contracts?"

Follow Parent Herald for more "Iron Man 4" release date rumors!
High school students suffering from anxiety have a chance to cope better and manage their condition through a special summer class. A program called REACH, which stands for Reward, Educate, Accept, Change, Help, is offered by the Canadian Ecology Centre to help teenagers comprehend what triggers their anxiety.0

The Canadian Ecology Centre is located near Mattawa, a town in Ontario, Canada. Bill Steer, the head of the institution, said they aim to prevent teenagers from descending further into their anxious thoughts, CBC reported.

Steer said the center helps teenagers "develop coping skills" and guides them to be "part of that solution, because they are going to be self-advocates," the news outlet added. Canadore College in North Bay, Ontario is one of the schools currently offering the two-week REACH program, which provides students with two full high school credits.

The REACH program is a combination of academic, theoretical, and outside learning. Students begin their day at 8:30 AM and ends by 10 PM. Their activities all cater to anxiousness and dealing with anxiety.

Participants of the REACH program learned how to enjoy meeting new people, form friendships, and support each other. Steer said teenagers achieved "breakthroughs" in just two weeks, adding that the youngsters began their time at the program barely talking and now they're comfortable in discussing their mental health.

According to the 2015 Child Mind Institute Children's Mental Health Report, 22.2 percent (17.1 million) of American youth will have a diagnosable mental illness with "serious impairment" before they turn 18 years old. Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety or excessive worrying, panic attacks, social phobia or social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD, and post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, KidsHealth listed.

In Queensland, Australia, an online program called The Brave Program is also helping young people manage their anxiety. The 10-session program offers self-directed tool used games, real-life scenarios, and quizzes designed to identify, describe, and cure anxiety, ABC Online reported.

The program is split into two versions: for children aged eight to ten and teenagers aged 13 to 17. Sessions can be done with a parent or teacher, or they can do it alone. In two years, more than 12,000 youngsters participated in the program.

Teenagers' stress and anxiety levels are getting worse in recent years, especially among young people in the middle class, the Daily Mail reported. Experts said this anxiety stems from teenagers' increased reliance on smartphones and tablets, as well as feeling that they have no control over their own destinies.
Transparency is a must when you're in charge of protecting a citizenry from crimes happening every day. One of the equipment that has been helping police be transparent is the body camera that seeks to build trust on how officers respond to crime by recording and storing actual footages.

According to Christian Science Monitor, many police officers have recently been reprimanded for unrecorded interactions that preceded shootings and caused human lives. It has also become a gateway for some officers to get away with use-of-force incidents and escape civilian complaints.

Body cameras turned off may also lead to wide public distrust of police authority, analysts say. The honesty of law enforcers could easily be questioned by the public as the former can manipulate body cameras to conceal the truth for personal interests. This is why strict penalties must be established to compel officers to turn their body cameras on all the time (via Christian Science Monitor).

According to another Christian Science Monitor article, a Washington, D.C., consulting group study of fifty police departments concluded that that policies for the use of body cameras should be established and that the recorded footages must be available for civilians to access. This lessens the risk of abuse on the part of policemen handling the body cameras and allows the public to hold officers accountable of misconduct, if any.

However, as per Quora, body cameras can't always be turned on by the police. If the camera is on for the entire eight to ten hour shift of one policeman, a huge amount of storage would be filled up with footage, relevant or not. Another reason is for the confidentiality of some conversations and the privacy of some civiilians that must be protected.

Know more about police body cameras by watching the video below. Sound off your thoughts in the Comments section and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
A Chinese tourist got tangled up in the red tape of Germany's migrant influx by mistake and was stuck in a refugee home for nearly two weeks, the Red Cross said on Monday.

Officials thought the 31-year-old backpacker, who spoke neither German nor English, "needed help" after landing in Stuttgart airport in southwestern Germany on July 4, Christoph Schluetermann of the German Red Cross told AFP.

The man, who had lost his wallet, was taken to a reception centre in the nearby town of Heidelberg, where he unwittingly filled out an asylum request form, following the local authorities' instructions, Schluetermann said.

Then on July 6, he was transferred to a reception centre in the western city of Dortmund, where his passport was taken from him, and then to another shelter in Duelmen near the Dutch border.

"Machinery kicked into gear from which he couldn't immediately escape," Schluetermann told news agency DPA.

Public broadcaster WDR said the man complied with standard procedure for refugees including allowing his fingerprints to be taken, undergoing a medical examination and accepting pocket money.

But staff eventually noticed that the man was unusually well-dressed for an asylum seeker and when the likelihood of a mistake dawned on them, sought help at a local Chinese restaurant.

The owners suggested Schluetermann try using a Mandarin smartphone translation app and it soon became clear that the man didn't want asylum but to continue his European tour.

"I want to go walking in a foreign country," one of the translated messages said, WDR reported.

Twelve days into his stay in Germany, the man was able to set off for France and Italy.

Germany let in nearly 1.1 million migrants and refugees last year, posing an enormous challenge for its overstretched bureaucracy.

"It isn't how I imagined Europe," WDR cited the tourist as saying.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens' reunion was expected when Disney announced that "High School Musical 4" was in the works. However, an insider claimed that the reunion between the former lovers was no longer possible because Hudgens still has some ill feelings towards the "Baywatch" actor.

"High School Musical 4" was expected to pave the way for a reunion between Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron. Unfortunately, this no longer seems to be the case. An earlier report from Hollywood Life suggests that the Zanessa reunion is unlikely to happen because the 27-year-old actress does not have a good relationship with her ex-boyfriend.

"Vanessa still has a lot of animosity towards Zac," an insider said. "He treated her like crap at the end of their relationship."

Aside from the fact that Efron and Hudgens' relationship ended on a sour note, Hudgens is also in a relationship with Austin Butler. Hudgens and Butler have been dating for over 5 years and many are speculating that it is only a matter of time before they get engaged.

Hudgens' alleged "animosity" towards Efron may also be the reason behind the "High School Musical 4" casting news. According to various reports, the upcoming "HSM 4" will feature an entirely new cast and characters.

Original cast members of the Disney movie will no longer be appearing in the sequel. This made a lot of fans and viewers who have been waiting for "High School Musical 4" disappointed.

Meanwhile, Efron also revealed in an interview with The Sunday Times that he recently joined Tinder but nobody took him seriously, reports Attitude. The 28-year-old actor admitted that everyone thought that he was a poser so nobody decided to swipe on his account.

Zac Efron dated Sami Miro but the couple dated in early 2015. The "Dirty Grandpa" star also dated a number of actresses after Vanessa Hudgens.

Do you think Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens should reunite in "High School Musical 4?" Share your thoughts in the comments section below!


Kate Middleton and Prince William are indeed one of the most followed royals in the world. As a matter of fact, they are often making headlines and now latest reports claim about a looming royal divorce after the Duchess of Cambridge was apparently caught having a "flirt fest" with British sailor Ben Ainslie during the America's Cup last month.

Oh no! Is Kate Middleton's fairytale romance with Prince William coming to an end? Well, rumors have it that the 34-year-old Duchess has been "flirting merrily" with 39-year-old competitive sailing Olympian Ben Ainslie even though the Duke of Cambridge was also present at the event.

"Kate is like a giddy schoolgirl around Ben... She totally adores him," an insider told Star magazine (via International Business Times). "[The Duchess of Cambridge] toyed with her hair and batted her eyelashes, while her husband stood by, looking a bit like a third wheel. Kate was all aglow and couldn't wipe the smile off her face."

The tabloid also added that Kate Middleton and Ben Ainslie's romantic tryst didn't start at the America's Cup in Plymouth, England on Jul. 24. In fact, Ainslie first caught Duchess Kate's attention during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London when he won a gold medal.

The rumors, however, was immediately debunked by Gossip Cop. According to the celebrity news site, the latest tabloid report about Kate Middleton and Ben Ainslie was completely fabricated and "rubbish," stressing that there was never a "flirt fest" occurred.

Gossip Cop also added that even though Kate Middleton has a penchant for sailing, the Duchess has a greater love for husband Prince William. Ben Ainslie, on the other hand, has been happily married to wife Georgie Thompson, who recently gave birth to their first child, Bellatrix, The Telegraph reported.

Meanwhile, Kate Middleton, Prince William and Prince Harry were reportedly skipping the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. But that didn't stop the British royals to star in a 90-second video released by the Kensington Palace to express their excitement and to wish the British team good luck, Daily Mirror noted.

Unfortunately, the video ignited a new wave of criticisms toward Kate Middleton. The reason? Celeb Dirty Laundry claimed the Duchess of Cambridge has mispronounced the word "British" as "Bret-is."

Aside from Kate Middleton's mispronunciation, Celeb Dirty Laundry also reported that the Duchess was furious with Prince William's cousin, Princess Beatrice. Based on the report, Princess Beatrice was reportedly "maneuvering to upstage" Kate's sister Pippa's upcoming wedding by accepting the marriage proposal of her longtime boyfriend Dave Clark.

Do you think Kate Middleton has really flirted with Ben Ainslie in front of Prince William during the America's Cup last month? Sound off below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
Last month I was too busy teaching, traveling, and doing a bit of meditation in China to write a report on the June-July readers survey of political preferences. In fact, I was a bit lax in publicizing the poll as well, which I think played a roll in the marked downturn in responses. With just 107 (self-selected, online, non-randomized) respondents and demographics roughly matching previous months polls, well jump right to the question of which candidate each respondent most supported:

Despite Clinton having the lead in pledged and super-delegates in June heading to the July convention, Sanders remained in the race. And among readers, he still had the most support, with Clinton not far behind him. This is a notable shift from the May-June poll, where Sanders had a 58%-22% lead over Clinton.

That poll mirrored in many ways the polls going back to late February , March, and April.

When asked if their preferences had changed recently, several readers reflected on their move to Clinton:

Bernie is my first choice, but if Hillary is the candidate, I will support her because at least I know what Im getting. The other candidates are frankly, unacceptable and unqualified.

Another stated:

I was somewhat undecided through most of the race, since I wasnt very familiar with Sanders prior to the current election cycle. Clinton has emerged as the Democratic favorite and has run a respectable race, so Im satisfied to support her.

Finally, one wrote:

I dont want to vote for Hillary unless absolutely necessary.

One former Sanders supporter who has switched to Stein wrote, I feel as if her platform is the most compassionate of the platforms that will be on the ballot.

~

Moving forward to the July-August survey, which I had a little (but not much) more time to promote, we find 124 responses and our first survey without Sanders as an option.

Many moved on to Clinton, while others chose Jill Stein or the Other category (with several writing in Bernie Sanders). Gary Johnson has also made gains, here with 8.9% ahead of Trumps 6.5%.

As a snapshot in time, it looks like were witnessing a move of Buddhists for Bernie toward Clinton and Stein, with greater overall numbers going to Clinton. However, Clintons support by readers here is far below the 80+% that she and Sanders combined had during the primaries. That said, readers here offer Clinton greater support than the Christian religious groups polled this week by ABC news (Catholics there being the only group favoring Clinton [51-45%]).

Looking again at some of the responses for people supporting Clinton:

Lesser of two evils Cannot let Trump win.strategy voting Shes not Donald Trump and shes extremely qualified. I supported Bernie Sanders but now Hillary Clinton is the only real chance for defeating Donald Trump. Voting for her most beneficial for advancement of my political goals given the alternatives.

A supporter of Stein wrote:

I cannot vote for Hillary as she has a clear track record of violence and dishonesty. Jill is the only candidate that is right on economics, as was Bernie, and I believe that is the most important issue, as economic inequality and suffering contributes tremendously to so many people.

Jill, like Bernie, also has a clear track record of standing up for racial equality, when other candidates words of support directly contradict their actions.

and:

Her platform is primarily the same as the platform I was supporting with Sanders before he switched sides.

And one other wrote:

Because Im sick of voting for the lesser of two evils.

A supporter of Johnson writes, Trump lacks the temperament and moral fiber to be President. Clinton is too much of a polished politician that Ive never felt Ive been able to see beyond her mask. Johnson, at least, comes across as the most genuine, authentic human of the candidates.

There was one write-in for Gloria La Riva, PSL, the socialist candidate. Another wrote in Alyson Kennedy, of the Socialist Workers Party. If there are five write-ins in the future and Ill add her to the poll.

Read more:

NYTimes, June 20, 2016: Whats the matter with polling?

A slightly altered type/school question includes Jodo Shinshu before Pure Land.
The US Department of Homeland Security awarded eight Jewish nonprofit organizations in New York State nearly $575,000 to improve their security against acts of terrorism, US Congresswoman Kathleen Rice said in a statement on Monday.

"Preventing and preparing for acts of terrorism and other emergency situations is always a collaborative effort, and one of the most effective things we can do at the federal level is help vulnerable or high-risk institutions harden their facilities and enhance their emergency response capabilities," Rice said.

The DHS awarded the funds through its fiscal year 2016 Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which provides funding for security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at a high risk of terrorist attacks.

The eight organizations include the Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway, the Merrick Jewish Centre, Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, Young Israel of Oceanside, Yeshiva of South Shore in Hewlett and the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County.

"At a time when synagogues and other houses of worship have become targets for terrorists, the opportunity this grant affords us to enhance the security of our building will make a big difference for the members of our community who gather here regularly," Rabbi Charles Klein of the Merrick Jewish Centre said.

Anti-Semitic assaults across the United States increased more than 50 percent in 2015 compared with the previous year, according to a June 2016 report issued by the Anti-Defamation League.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Someone who knows I volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center sent me a recent article from Medicine Anthropology Theory, Blessing unintended pregnancy: Religion and the discourse of womens agency in public health. Its a qualitative study of the reproductive histories and practical spirituality of women at a homeless shelter in the Southeast. The things the women say really sound like things our clients say; but what struck me most was how much of their experiences resonated with the religious experiences of gay Christians who accept the historic Christian teaching on homosexuality. For example:

# Passion is an action. The studys authors emphasize that women often dont believe in exercising the kind of careful control over reproduction that public-health workers push on them. They often dont think its right to interfere too much in Gods work of bringing children into the world. This attitude is reinforced by the fact that birth control often doesnt work for them, for a lot of reasons. Woman plans, God laughs, basically.

And yet this acceptance of Gods sovereignty is its own form of agency. Acceptance is an action the woman herself must take and own. Marys Fiat voluntas tua was an act of Marys agency. Surrender is an act. We fail to honor Gods work in our lives when we refuse to acknowledge our own participation in our salvation; our acceptance of His will is only made possible by His grace, but we still do actually have to do it.

Acceptance can feel like helplessness. It can feel humiliating, and in an American context (I dont know about other cultures) it can even feel immoral, like youre just wallowing, willfully refusing to take the steps that would improve your life and achieve happiness. This study rescues the concept of acceptance and reframes it (accurately) as a form of action and an expression of agency.

# Nobody lives Christian sexual discipline fully. The women in this study mostly share a pretty deep spirituality of acceptance and surrender, and a recognition that a child is always a blessing. But some of them have had abortions. Some of them use birth control; one had her tubes tied, and although she wrestled with the moral implications of that before she did it, she still went ahead with it.

One major lacuna in the study is the relative absence of any discussion of the morality of premarital/nonmarital sex. Its not even raised as a concern. Thats a huge disservice done to women by their culture and their religious communities. But even bracketing the question of sex outside of marriage, women under a lot of cultural and economic pressure make choices around reproduction that dont always reflect either historic Christian teaching or their own spiritualities. That doesnt make their spiritual lives insincere. It just means that its really hard and complicated to know what to do and to live it out in a culture, local subculture, and economy with little support for the Christian sexual ethic.

So too with celibate gay people. We really wrestle with whether and how to live out (what I believe to be) Gods will for us. If you interviewed the celibate gay people I know youd find stories that parallel these womens stories: Stories about dating, about trying to figure out if youre dating, about ambivalence, despair, promiscuity, seeking a church, leaving church, repentance, sacrifice, confusion, hope. Stories about wondering whether its okay to (for example) get a civil marriage license, in places where domestic partnerships and civil unions have been phased out, so that the partner/beloved friend/sister in Christ with whom you share your life can get health insurance or avoid economic ruin in other ways. Stories about dating that becomes celibate partnership, or vice versa. (NB: All of these examples have happened to more than one person/family I know.) Just a lot of complexity, all lived out by people who are trying to surrender their lives to God and trust in His tender love for them.

Sometimes I think its good that Christian sexual discipline is so incredibly hard to live out. Our repeated failures mean we can never think were capable of achieving our own salvation; I hope they humble us and make us slower to judge others. Other times I think thats a cavalier way to think about sexual sin, which often harms lots of other people and/or creates deep, degrading shame. I guess it could be both true and cavalier, Catholicism is all about the both/and. At the very least, I will say that God orders our lives so tenderly that even our sins, confusions, and defects of character can serve Him if we let them, by turning our hearts toward Him and humbling our exalted ideas of our own goodness or power.

And people who arent fully living out the Christian sexual ethic (or even their own sexual ethic!) nonetheless often make heroic sacrifices for God: In several cases, getting pregnant was, by their own account, among the reasons they became homeless. Yet these women nevertheless tended to frame motherhood as either a catalyst for positive change or as a blessing whose very nature defies human planning and control.

# We dont choose which blessings we get; we accept our vocations more often than we choose them. This is probably the biggest theme of the article. I wrote about this here.

# It is really hard to live out Gods will for you when you have no economic support. Ill be writing more on this soon, but I realized recently that seriously 99% of the abortion-minded women Ive counseled name one factor pushing them toward abortion: lack of stable housing.

And the same thing is true when you cant trust people in power. For these women it might be abusive partners or foster parents, or, in one womans case, a sexually-abusive doctor. Celibacy too is harder when youre struggling to heal from sexual abuse, or when youre coming from a church where the pastor and other leaders dont respect you and abuse your trust.

# Seek the blessings in catastrophe. The women in this studylike a lot of women Ive counseledused an unplanned/crisis pregnancy as a catalyst and a reality check. Many of them changed their lives to begin to support the child in their womb: Deshauna describes her decision to have a child at the age of sixteen as an opportunity to leave her abusive childhood home and get off drugs.

The pregnancy forces honesty about your needs and your economic circumstances, and the consequences of your actions. Beyond the obvious blessing of the child, there are many other blessings that can be found in crisis pregnancy.

I wish we saw more of this perspective in discussions of gay Christian celibacy. We didnt choose this way of life, its scary and challenging and can have severe economic consequencesbut there can be blessings here as well. People whose spirituality was overly focused on accomplishment have to accept that their sexual orientation is not something they can fix; people who viewed God as an angry parent begin to see that He can cherish them even when they dont know how to love themselves. There are blessings of community, of perspective (being marginalized is good for the soul), sometimes of radical freedom to serve. We can offer the gift of solidarity: Like one mother in the MAT study, we can tell my testimony and help others.

Tim Otto writes about the blessings of celibacy here (and he does the counterpoint here!) and see also Brent Bailey re being gay as a Christian (& his counterpoint). Id love to hear more of this stuff. And I suspect that honesty about the hardships of celibacy is a necessary precondition for finding the blessings in itthe MAT study draws that connection and I think theyre right.

Can we begin to view celibacy as an unplanned, even an unwanted honor, the way Janine in this study views her pregnancy?
Im going to take a break from my gleeful Trump posts to deal with an important issue that is coming up in the Jewish world. I apologize for the length, but I think this controversy demands a thoughtful response.

In case you missed it, the release of The Movement for Black Lives new platform, Vision for Black Lives, has raised the ire of many in the organized Jewish community.

Organizations ranging from the institutional (Boston Jewish Community Relations Council) to the progressive activist (Truah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights) have slammed the documents support for BDS, its characterization of Israel as an apartheid state, and its condemnation of Americas complicity in the genocide taking place against the Palestinian people.

Before moving on to Jewish reactions to the platform, I want to briefly address my own take on these three items.

First to BDS. I have written enough about howwhile I do not personally support boycotts, divestments, and sanctionsI have little patience with those who demonize its supporters. Now to the charge that Israel is an apartheid state. The fact is that I really dont have any other word to describe a nation with a large chunk of territory in which two populations live side by side under two completely different sets of laws. And finally, my response to describing Israels policies as genocide is that I do not believe it to be an appropriate or accurate description. Though I think there is strong evidence that Israel would love to disperse and be rid of Palestinians, I dont see any reason to use a word that describes the most horrific crimes against humanity. Calling it that only closes the eyes of stubborn people to the real injustices taking place.

So those are my particular feelings about a very small section of what is really a wide-ranging document which overwhelmingly deals with criminal justice abuses, reparations, economic justice, community control, and political power.

As I thought about what I would write here on the blogand obviously I must address thisI decided to share an exchange that I had on Facebook with one particular rabbi. I really cannot think of any better way to express what Im feeling than what I said to him. Im not going to share his name, though I will say that he is a dynamic young man from the liberal side of the Jewish divide who runs an outreach program primarily directed to young people. And also that the Forward named him one of todays most inspirational rabbis. I have slightly edited our dialogue to eliminate side issues.

It started with a post to his many Facebook followers that was a kind of open letter to Black Lives Matter (BLM) leaders:

The Inspirational Rabbi: Newsflash to the Black Lives Matter leadership: A plurality of Israels Jews are of colorto suggest its somehow a situation in Israel of white Jewish people keeping down brown Arab people is simply false. The Palestinian population has skyrocketed since 1948  to call Israels actions towards the Palestinians genocide is ridiculous, false and doesnt help those of us trying to support many of your legitimate claims. It alienates those of us who actively call for an end to the occupation, for the elimination of discriminatory laws, and for a peaceful two-state solution; not to mention making your domestic claims / demands require a more intense inspection before simply accepting them as legitimate due to a concern over rash hyperbole. How are people like me supposed to support you now The Atheist Rabbi: You write, A plurality of Israels Jews are of color. Citing Israeli demographics is not a legitimate rejoinder to the statement from Black Lives Matter. Race is constructed differently in each society according to the hierarchy it desires to maintain. In this you fall into the trap that Ta-Nehisi Coates addressed in Between the World and Me: Americans believe in the reality of race as a defined, indubitable feature of the natural world. Racism the need to ascribe bone-deep features to people and then humiliate, reduce, and destroy them inevitably follows from this inalterable condition.  But race is the child of racism, not the father. Just as America racialized whiteness and blackness (see James Baldwin) Israeli society has racialized Jewishness which they call nationality. They elevate Jews to a place of privilege above all other human beings under their rule. And lets not forget that the very same Ethiopian Jews who are always paraded around to prove that Israels not racist have suffered more than enough bigotry to retire that argument. Space does not permit me to detail other abuses directed at African refugees and, of course, Palestinians in Israel and the West Bank. It should not surprise us that black American activists would identify with the Palestinian cause. If one truly cares about black lives in this country, this should not alienate anyone. It should be viewed as an opening for dialogue, especially for those who claim that they actively call for an end to the occupation, for the elimination of discriminatory laws. (And, by the way, its not working. Were coming up on fifty years of Israeli rule over the West Bank and Israels right wing has never held more power. Is it any wonder that oppressed people would identify with the cause of the Palestinians?) Perhaps by learning more about the oppression of black Americans we might acquire increased empathy for the plight of Palestinians; empathy that extends beyond platitudes about a two-state solution. Finally, you pose the question: How are people like me supposed to support you now? The cause of Black Lives Matter is neither less honorable nor urgent because they do not see eye-to-eye with you on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Support for their cause is required by those of us who understand the ways in which black people are abused and degraded in our own American society. Since when does social justice require that victims of oppression must agree with your every cherished notion? The Inspirational Rabbi: What if BLMs platform called for discrimination against gays / outlawing gay marriage or for outlawing abortion because it disproportionately impacts the black community  are you still ready to wave their organizational signs and endorse their platform if/when it includes statements that run counter to your perceptions of right and wrong? I say wholeheartedly now that Ill never vote for a candidate whos anti-gay rights  thats a line in the sand for me  even if I love / agree with the rest of their platform. Is that not reasonable? Why different here? The Atheist Rabbi:  being an ally means listening and attempting to understand the anguish of others whom we claim to support. Behind this statement lies their pain. Thats what I choose to hear. What you asked was, How are people like me supposed to support you now?  I believe that my reply was clear. We support them because their cause is just. The Inspirational Rabbi: I suppose my follow up question would be: How do you determine what their singular cause is after releasing such a broad platform? Is Hamass cause just because in broad based terms it aims to restore Palestinian sovereignty to the land, even though their platform contains horrendous statements and an expressed desire for Jewish extermination? Do they too deserve our support because their cause is just? (Im not likening BLM to Hamas of course  just pushing the argument to see where we end up  trying to understand.) Does it not require a bit more nuance? The Atheist Rabbi: 1) I do not believe that there exist any parallels between a call to diminish the rights or dignity of LGBTQ+ people and advocacy for Palestinian rights.  2) [You ask], How do you determine what their singular cause is after releasing such a broad platform? Their primary cause is quite clear to me. It is to address police brutality and other institutional and structural racism directed at black people. This particular statements main points overwhelmingly deal with criminal justice abuses, reparations, economic justice, community control, and political power. I think its also worth mentioning that this is not some kind of official statement. Black Lives Matter is an informal designation for an umbrella movement. This platform represents a step toward organizing. It is not enforceable and does not speak for every supporter of the cause. You posed the initial question, How are people like me supposed to support you now? For what its worthand that may be nothing to many peoplemy several replies to that and your other questions are the best I have to offer.

The collective freak-out of the Jewish world about this platform does not surprise me. However, I must admit that the inability of so-called progressive Jews to contend with it does.

My interlocutor directed his followers to a piece in the Forward that he said is well put and most closely resembles how Im feeling at the moment. Heres a link to the piece, Black Lives Matter Lost Me With That Israel-Bashing Platform by Rabbi Ari Hart, a founder of Uri LTzedek: Orthodox Social Justice.

Its an expression of both how fragile ones Jewish ego can be and just how ethnocentric and conditional is the support for Black Lives Matter. And if this is how my colleague and this rabbi are responding, Im not sure they were really allies to begin with.

As for me, heres a link to another piece in the Forward that expresses a little of what Im feeling at the moment: Dont Like Black Lives Matter? Get Ready To Lose Young Jews Like Us by Ally Little and Michelle Weiser.

This piece contains some very wise words from two young people who are unconditionally committed to social justice. Its also suggested reading for The Inspirational Rabbi and all Jewish leaders who claim to care so much about both social justice and Jewish continuity. If youll pardon my crudeness, your butt-hurt reactions are not advancing either one.

(Image: the bumper of my own car, proudly expressing my continuing support for Black Lives Matterand my choice for president.)
Israeli-owned oil company ordered to pay Iran $1.2 billion after losing appeal

08/08/16 Source: Press TV

An Israeli-owned oil company has been ordered by an arbitration court in Switzerland to pay Iran USD 1.2 billion in revenues for oil supplied to Israel before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.





Laying the final part of the Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline, 1969.Daniel Rosenblum / Starfot



Laying the final part of the Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline, 1969.Daniel Rosenblum / Starfot

The Swiss Supreme Court in Lausanne ordered the Israeli firm, the Trans-Asiatic Oil Ltd., or TAO, to pay the money to the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), the website of Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Monday.

According to the Swiss court, sanctions have been lifted against the NIOC, and there is now no legal obstacle in the way of transferring the long-overdue payment.

The Israeli firm also has to pay roughly USD 200,000 in court costs.

TAO had been involved in a partnership with the National Iranian Oil Company under Iran's last monarch, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was deposed in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The Israeli firm operated a fleet of tanker ships to carry Iranian oil to European customers.

The partnership ended in 1979, but the Israeli firm refused to pay for the Iranian oil already sold to third parties.

The Islamic Republic, which does not recognize the Israeli regime, launched the arbitration process to obtain the money for the oil that had been supplied on credit under the deposed Iranian monarch.

The total sum in dispute is estimated at some USD 7 billion.

The court in Switzerland had ruled in 2015 that Israel pay Iran the money, but the Tel Aviv regime had appealed.

A series of sanctions against Iranian firms and individuals has been lifted under a nuclear deal Iran signed with six world powers in 2015.
Iran's President Rouhani heralds free trade with Caucasus and Eurasian countries

08/08/16

Report by Tehran Times; photos by Islamic Republic News Agency

TEHRAN - President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that the purpose behind development of Iran's ties with countries in the Eurasian and Caucasus regions is to move toward "free trade."





Iranian President Hassan Rohani (L) with his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev in Baku





"Proximity and development of ties with Eurasian countries, the Caucasus region, especially the country of Azerbaijan, is very important and we should move toward free trade in the future," Rouhani told a press conference with his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev in Baku.

Rouhani arrived in Baku on Sunday morning to participate in a trilateral meeting with Russian and Azeri presidents.

According to Iranian Ambassador to Baku, the tripartite negotiations will open a new chapter in regional cooperation, resulting in convergence.

Rouhani is accompanied by a high-ranking economic and political delegation.







During the meeting, the Iranian and Azeri sides also signed six memoranda of understanding on banking and automotive industry, inter alia.

Under one of the agreements, Iran's Institute of Standards and Industrial Research and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy and Industry will cooperate on quality standards.

The central banks of the two countries also signed an MoU.

Other agreements include closer ties in tourism industry, cyber collaboration, and railway transport.





Over the past years, the two countries have particularly been emphasizing construction of a railway network.

In line with this, the transportation ministers of the two countries inked a protocol for constructing the North-South corridor.

The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a multipurpose route for the transit of goods between Iran, Russia, Europe, India and Central Asia via shipping lines, railway, and land routes.

"The North-South international transportation corridor is an important project not only for our countries, but also for continents," stressed Aliyev.

Rouhani: Borders should remain as they are, calls for dialogue

During the press conference with the Azeri president, Rouhani also said regional challenges can be overcome through dialogue, insisting that Iran has always been eager to broker negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran as a neighbor to the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia has always tried to set the scene for dialogue and settlement of issues and will spare no attempt in this respect," Rouhani remarked.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have been at loggerheads over the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts, for more than three decades, with the latest clash in April.

Iran had already offered mediation between the two as President Aliyev took a formal visit to Iran in February.

In the session, President Aliyev expressed gratitude to Iran's positive role in the conflict, saying, "Iran has always and greatly respected Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and supported Azerbaijan's fair stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."

"Today, I briefed President Rouhani on how the settlement process is going on," he said. "We see that we have great mutual understanding and upon this we build our relations."
Tehran exhibition chronicles 70 years of cooperation between UN, Iran

08/08/16 Report by Tehran Times ; photos by Quds Online

TEHRAN - An exhibition of historic photos and documents illustrating 70 years of cooperation between the United Nations and Iran opened in the Iranian Artists Forum on Sunday.





The photos have been carefully selected by the UN Information Center in Tehran and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency (IRNA).





Iranian VP Abbas Araghchi opened the exhibition





The Head of the Iranian Delegation signing the UN Charter on July 26, 1945, visits of 7 UN Secretaries-General to Iran, and documents and photos related to the negotiations over Security Council Resolution 598, which was approved by Iran, are among the highlights of the exhibit, the UN Information center has announced on its website.









The exhibit will be running until August 13 at the Iranian Artists Forum located on Musavi St., Taleqani Ave.
The best 2-in-1 laptop 2022: our picks of the best convertible laptops

These are the best 2-in-1 laptops you can buy right now
Microsoft added a new tool to Windows 10 to make it easier to get up and running after a major update. If you recently installed the Anniversary Update then youve already experienced the problem this tool tries to solve. You log in after the update, excited to get going with your refreshed PC, but the update isnt finished. Instead, you have to wait through a bunch of single-color screens that tell you things like, Were just getting things ready and Your files are right where you left them.

Windows 10s new feature does away with all that by allowing your PC to sign in and automatically complete the update. That way, after a major update you dont have to log in and wait for the final stages to complete.

How it works, according to Microsoft, is that Windows creates a special token based on your sign-in info. This token can then be used to automatically sign in after a restart, finish setting up your PC, and then lock your PC to help keep your account and personal info safe.

Microsoft also recommends that anyone using this feature enable BitLocker. We asked Microsoft why it suggests that people should enable Windows built-in encryption when using the auto-login feature, and the company responded, We have nothing to share. Thanks, Microsoft.

Absent any answers from the company, Id have to guess that BitLocker encryption helps keep that login token secure and less likely to fall into the hands of malicious actors. Because the last thing you want is hackers getting their hands on something that will let them sign in to your PC.

Even though Microsoft recommends using BitLocker in concert with post-upgrade automatic logins, the feature is still available on the BitLocker-less Windows 10 Home.

Heres how to enable the post-update auto-login feature. First, youll need to be updated to version 1607, also known as the Anniversary Update.

TIP: If youre using a PC for work, keep in mind that Microsoft says the auto-login feature will not work if your PC is joined to a domain or if work or email policies are applied to your PC.

Once youve upgraded to the Anniversary Update, open the Settings menu by going to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. In the main screen of that page, under the subheading Update settings, click Advanced options.

Now, check the box labeled Use my sign in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update.

Thats all there is to it. Your next major update should be able to finish without any assistance from you.
Delta said Monday morning that its flights awaiting departure were delayed because of a widespread computer outage.

The airline did not provide details of the computer outage or of the number of flights affected, but said in a statement on its website that the problem had affected flights scheduled for the morning.

The extent of the problem appeared to be global because the airline wrote in a number of tweets that our systems are down everywhere.

The airline confirmed in an update that a power outage in Atlanta that started at 2:30 a.m. Eastern Time had affected its computer systems and operations worldwide, leading to the flight delays. It warned of large-scale flight cancellations on Monday and said that airport screens and other flight status systems were incorrectly showing flights as being on time.

Flights enroute are operating normally. Delta is advising travelers to check the status of their flights this morning while the issue is being addressed, the airline said in a brief statement.

Delta has 809 aircraft, of which 191 are leased and the rest are owned by the airline. It carried the third largest number of passengers in 2015. It carried 138.8 million total scheduled passengers last year in comparison to 146.5 million for American Airlines and 144.6 million for Southwest Airlines, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Southwest in Dallas had its own computer-related crisis last month when about 600 to 700 flights were canceled or delayed on its network because of what it described as performance issues with its technology systems.
The Ministry of Tourism, in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, launched on Sunday an online portal in 14 languages and 250 touristic attraction points.

The website can be accessed at beta.egypt.travel

It aims at promoting tourism in Egypt and showing the real image of the country, said Minister of Tourism Yehia Rashed, adding that Egypt must regain its position on the world touristic map.

The launching of the website is part of a protocol between the ministries to promote tourism.

Rashed said tourism in Egypt is characterized by diversity, which will be reflected on the portal.

He added that modernising the tourism industry is necessary for it to be sustainable.

The website is divided into four areas for attractions: the Nile Valley, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Western Desert.

The portal will be be linked in the second phase to the search engines of Google.

Minister of Communications Yasser El-Qady said the websites content will be updated regularly, will accommodate a larger number of visiting tourists and will be linked to other relevant tourism websites.

The portal will eventually allow tourists to book online for accomodation.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


A fight at a party erupted into a shooting that left one man dead and another wounded in the Bloomington area early Sunday, Aug. 7, according to a San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department news release.

Deputies based in Fontana responded at 1:23 a.m. to a report of a disturbance in the 19000 block of Ninth Street in unincorporated Crestmore east of Cedar Avenue and found the two victims.

Both underwent surgery at a local hospital and one was pronounced dead at 6:45 a.m. The second remained in critical condition, the news release stated.

Homicide investigators are looking for one or more suspects.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the sheriffs homicide detail at 909-387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-782-7463, or submit a tip to www.wetip.com
High toxin levels associated with algae growth in Canyon Lake led city officials to close the lake to recreation over the weekend.

The quarantine on swimming, boating and other activities involving water contact on the lake should remain in effect at least through Wednesday, Aug. 10, when further test results are expected to be available, said City Councilwoman Vicki Warren, who represents the city on lake issues.

We couldnt possibly leave it open, knowing we didnt have the results to back that, Warren said.

RELATED: Drinking water taste funny? Blame Silverwood Lake algae bloom

The 380-acre lake is the third water body within the last couple of weeks to be temporarily closed or restricted in use because of toxicity levels associated with blue-green algae blooms.

Lake Elsinore, which is downstream from Canyon Lake, was shut down for about a week before it was reopened Aug. 3. A warning remains in effect to avoid algae-infested areas. A similar warning went into effect last week at Silverwood Lake in San Bernardino County.

The drought is intensifying things, said Administrator Mark Norton of the Lake Elsinore and San Jacinto Watershed Authority, a coalition of agencies with stakes in Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake. Warner weather, higher temperatures and less runoff are causing more of these events to occur.  We anticipate that there will be more frequent algae blooms until Mother Nature helps by providing more stormwater flow.

The authority sponsors applications of alum to Canyon Lake twice a year to help control algae, with the next application scheduled in September. While the treatments have worked well in clearing up the lakes main body, they have been less effective in the lakes east bay because it is shallow and has many narrow inlets.

Tests performed last week by the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project in the east bay showed higher levels of the substances cylindrospermopsin and microcystins than are deemed safe for contact. Both toxins are associated with cyanobacteria, the scientific name for blue-green algae. At high concentrations, the toxins could be harmful to humans and life threatening to pets and livestock.

City officials, in consultation with the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association, decided to shut down the entire lake, including the main section, as a safety precaution.

It is my sense that the main body of the lake is in good shape and there is not a problem there, Norton said. But you still have the very shallow cove areas that, because of the stagnant nature of the water and the lack of mixing, it becomes a breeding ground for blue green algae.

Canyon Lake is home to about 11,000 residents, most of whom live behind security gates controlled by the association, which has recreational rights to the lake. While the lake is open only to residents and their guests, having it shut down on a weekend was painful to the community, Warren said.

I would consider it a significant impact because of the timing of it, Warren said. When youve got kids going back to school in the coming week, everybodys out on the lake the week before.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9690 or michaelwilliams@pressenterprise.com
A one-block stretch of Mission Trail south of Railroad Canyon Road in Lake Elsinore remains closed Sunday, Aug. 7, awaiting replacement of a utility pole after a Saturday night collision, according to Deputy Armando Munoz, Riverside County Sheriffs Department spokesman.

A motorist collided with the power pole about 11:50 p.m. and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, Munoz said.

The road in a commercial area near The Diamond stadium will remain closed until Southern California Edison replaces the pole.

The closure affects the block between Railroad Canyon and Campbell St. Traffic is being detoured from Mission Trail to Campbell to Diamond Drive and back to Railroad Canyon.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.
The Riverside County Republican Party official responsible for tweets featuring a hangman and the words Im Ready for Hillary has expressed regret for his actions and the effect on his family.

In a Facebook post Monday, Aug. 8, Nathan Miller of Corona asked for prayers for his family. I cant really describe the toll that its taken on me and much more importantly the impact that had, especially on my wife, he wrote.

We have witnessed the depths of human cruelty and at the same time, great kindness. This is a strange world that we live in. One that complete strangers feel absolutely comfortable about saying horrible and evil things to other people in. One of far less forgiveness, kindness and understanding than we hope for. Yet still I have to believe that there is light in the darkness of it all.

On Friday, Miller told The Desert Sun that he regretted putting people at the County Party in a position where they have had to deal with the consequences of my actions 

  It cost me my job, has created a considerable hardship for my family and had emboldened my political opponents.

Miller added that he couldnt judge whether the reaction to the tweets was overblown, but that he considered much of it to be political, according to The Desert Sun.

He also was quoted as saying he would not resign from the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees. Groups representing faculty and staff have called on Miller to step down and not run for re-election in November.

Miller, the county GOPs north west vice chairman, resigned from his job at the state Board of Equalization on Thursday, a day after posting two tweets from the county Republican Partys official twitter account.

The tweets, which featured a portrait of a masked hangman with a blood-stained shirt holding a noose and gallows with two empty nooses in the background, gained national attention and sparked social media-fueled outrage from critics who consider the images a threat to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

The tweets were sent in response to a Clinton campaign volunteer who tweeted at the county GOP asking where she could find Republicans for Hillary signs. Her tweet included a picture of a man holding up such a sign.

One of the hangman tweets read: sorry they never arrived but this is pretty popular.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9547 or jhorseman@pressenterprise.com
The Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Mr. Sampson Asaki has expressed disappointment in the Ministry of Trade and Industry for lifting the ban on the inland importation of rice into the country.



He said the move by government is very surprising since persons who do inland importation do so illegally.



In an interview with Kasapas Leticia Ohene-Asiedu Mr. Asaki said those who the inland importation of rice usually use the Elubo, Sampa and Nkrankwanta borders and as such do not pay tax unlike those who use the ports and pay tax to the government.



He said the Food and Drugs Authority will not be able to check whether the rice is of good quality and healthy for consumption or not since they have no personnel at the borders to do the inspection. Mr. Asaki explained further that the move will also encourage smuggling into to the country since the Ivorian taxes are cheaper than taxes collected in Ghana.



He said although some importers prefer bringing in goods through the Tema and Takoradi ports move will in influence such importers to use the borders.



The disagreement follows the lifting of a ban placed on inland importation of rice by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism that importers of rice into Ghana can now do so through the land borders from 1 st August this year.



The ban, which has been in force for about three years now, prevented the importation of rice into the country through the Elubo, Sampa and Nkrankwanta borders.



The move was to curb the numerous unfair trade practices such as evasion of import duties and other taxes, under-invoicing, infringement of trademarks and smuggling.

Source: kasapafmonline.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.

Featured Video
The Honorable Nana Oye Lithur



Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection



Ministries



Accra.



Dear Honorable Nana Oye Lithur,



When would Ghana see an end to Human Trafficking?



I bring you warm greetings from Challenging Heights.



I will like to start by acknowledging the fruitful partnership that exists between Challenging Heights and your Ministry. Through our collative efforts over 40,000 Ghanaian children are going to benefit from free shoes distribution along the coastal areas of Ghana, thanks to Tom Shoes.



This letter promises to be the longest I have ever written to you, so I hope you have ten minutes to read through to the end. I planned this letter to be a little personal, and to touch your heart, and to provoke you into action.



However knowing how charged our media landscape is, I fear that this letter could be leaked, and probably misinterpreted. I have therefore decided to direct the letter to your office, but also to copy the media, and some partners in this sector.



Before I proceed I will like to thank Ambassador Robert Jackson, the American Ambassador to Ghana, for acknowledging the work of Challenging Heights during the human trafficking symposium. Over the years Challenging Heights has worked closely with the US State Department, the Canadian High Commission, the Australian High Commission, the British High Commission, and a host of other agencies in furthering our fight against child trafficking in Ghana.



Nana, Ghanas Human Trafficking Act was passed in 2005. It took us over ten years to pass a Legislative Instrument (LI). Following the creation of the Human Trafficking Act, I am disappointed that it appears the Ghana Government has been setting up the consequential Human Trafficking board to fail.



We established the Human Trafficking Fund, and we put in only GHC100,000, and for nearly a decade no other money has been lodged into the fund. This is not only disappointing, but heartbreaking as well.



I love the warning issued by the American government, that if Ghana does not take urgent steps to address the issue of human trafficking in Ghana, we will stand a chance of losing over 500million dollars in aid. It is my hope that other governments will pile similar pressure on Ghana, in order to do what we are supposed to do for our own citizens who fall victim to trafficking.



Nana I have been so disappointed, and sometimes I feel real pains, in our government handling of the issue of Human Trafficking in Ghana. It appears it is a non issue, and therefore government is unprepared to invest any of our tax money into addressing the issue.



Nearly every action that has taken place has been because some donors have provided funding; from the Human Trafficking Act itself, to the LI, to training of the security agencies, to nearly everything. Practical actions, rescuing victims have nearly remained the effort of civil society organizations.



Although we have enacted laws, set up structures, and taken some actions, it appears to me that a lot of government officials either do not believe that Human Trafficking exists, or they do not believe that Human Trafficking is a crime.



I recall that a few years ago an MP from Sege publicly condemned the police for intercepting a truck load of children who were being sent to Lake Volta for the purposes of Labor exploitation.



Just a few months ago, the DCE of Awutu Senya threatened to arrest me if my organization, Challenging Heights, went ahead to rescue vulnerable children at risk of being trafficked to Lake Volta.



Human trafficking is an international issue, which is currently engaging the attention of every country, including the West. In the last couple of years there is hardly a month that passes by without the US State Department being involved in one discussion or the other on Human Trafficking.



The President of America, President Obama, has made Human Trafficking and Modern slavery one of his key focus areas, and regularly makes comments on the issue.



Here in Ghana there is a deafening silence on the issue throughout our governance system. The President of Ghana, President John Mahama hardly identifies with the issue.



Nana, trust me, children are being sold and bought for as little as GHC100 for purposes of Labor exploitation, and this is happening right here in Ghana. On Lake Volta we have boys and girls, some as young as six years, working day and night, some working between the hours of 3am and 8pm. They cast nets, they paddle canoes, they ply outboard motors, they mend nets, they remove fishes, and they dive deep into the lake to remove trapped nets.



We have girls who have been thrown into perpetual servitude, and they serve as sex materials for men who work for older child victims, in addition to working as fishmongers and cooks.



We have boys and girls who are oiling the wheels of Ghanas economy at the expense of their freedom, education, health, development, and future. We have children who have resigned into believing that it is okay to torture children.



Above all, we have boys and girls who are living disposable lives. These children die needless unreported deaths, some through work related risks, others through work torture, while still others die as a result of neglect.



Nana Im referring to thousands of children trapped in oblivion. A couple of weeks ago when we collaborated with the police to rescue those four boys who were sold for GHC125 each, we had a bonus child who had been in slavery for five years. Does this tell you anything about the situation?



Oftentimes I look at your Ministrys budget and I dont see enough financial commitment. Your budget does not give me any hope that we will be able to address this issue sooner.



But you need to insist on sufficient budgeting on the issue of Human Trafficking. We cannot continue to hide behind LEAP and Capitation Grants to show how we are addressing the issue of trafficking in Ghana.



We have a duty to rescue, we have a duty to rehabilitate victims, we have a duty to create awareness, and we have a duty to prosecute offenders. Therefore we have a duty to provide resources to achieve these duties. The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has a responsibility to adequately budget for the activities that will sufficiently address the issues related to Human Trafficking. The government Machinery has a duty to approve such budget, under a renewed urgency, and you have a duty to take action.



When the Human Trafficking Act was passed in 2005, the law made provision for the setting up of Human Trafficking Rehabilitation shelters, one in each of the ten Regions in Ghana. It has been over a decade now, not even a single shelter has been established.



We face a challenge; a challenge of bearing the pressure from the international community, and the embarrassment of knowing that these are our own children deserving of our support, that we are failing to act to protect them.



It appears to me that most of the work being done to address the issue of trafficking is being done by NGOs. My organization, Challenging Heights is currently running a transitional shelter. And I know that a few other NGOs are also running shelters.



So if the government does not have even a single shelter, save the Osu and Madina mixed shelters which are a pale of themselves, then should we be upset if the US government decides to punish Ghana for failing its own people?



What is more worrying in the Lake Volta situation is the dimension in the increasing number of victims who are teenage mothers, and teenage spouses. This, we have observed is deliberately done to either perpetuate the trafficking crime, or as an extension of the cultural situation.



We roughly estimate that for every 100 boy child victims who spends 10 years on Lake Volta, more than 30% of them are likely to be married off by age 17, and for every 100 girl child victims who spends 10 years on the Lake Volta, she is likely to be married off by age 14.



We also estimate that for every 100 boy child victims who spend 10 years on the Lake Volta, nearly 60 girls under 15 are likely to be married off from the source communities to 60 of those boys on the Lake.



These estimates are quite apart from the regular children married off to adults in the fishing communities were we work.



It is estimated that there are over 21,000 victims of child slavery on Lake Volta. So if this phenomena is perpetuating, then we are likely to see a multiplying negative socio-economic impact, and this definitely needs urgent attention.



Honestly Im tired and in tears that Im tired. A number of civil society actors have done everything, to support government to address this issue. I for instance had to quit a banking career, risk my life and businesses, being at the mercy of attacks, just to be at the forefront to fight this issue of child trafficking on Lake Volta.



All am looking for is a coordinated effort from the government of Ghana, addressing the issue of Human Trafficking systematically, just for me to gain hope that when the issue is done, it will be done sustainably.



Nana, respectfully, Im tired of this no money syndrome. None of the civil society actors has too much money. Challenging Heights struggles to finance its activities each year. We rely on peoples goodwill, and we struggle each year to survive our budgets.



Yet with our small resources you will agree with me that we are one of the leading antislavery organizations in Ghana. We have so far in our decade existence rescued over 1,500 children. We have supported nearly the same number of women to earn income to prevent trafficking, and we have built the capacity of many communities to resist trafficking of children in Ghana.



You will also agree with me that we have raised our voices so loud that even though no one listens to us, at least everyone hears us.



Of course we can see visible progress in reducing the numbers of children trapped in slavery on Lake Volta. This I will mainly attribute to the efforts of civil society organizations, perhaps supported by the Legislative and institutional frameworks created by the Ghana government.



Many of us civil society actors in the human trafficking sector face severe death threats. I personally, in regular instances, resign my life constantly in the hands of God, and I leave my daily life in fear.



If we had strong and well resourced Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit, we would not have to live our lives in fear, and those we face will not have been emboldened to dare our work.



Nana, we have an opportunity. Most foreign agencies in Ghana have been willing to support fight against human trafficking in Ghana. Examples of such agencies are the ILO, UNICEF, French government, the American government, the British government, the Danish government, the Canadian government, the Australian government, and a host of other governments.



The government of Ghana is about to draw its fiscal budget for the year 2017. How much would you put in your 2017 fiscal budget to address the issue of Human Trafficking in Ghana? How much would you budget for the Human Trafficking Secretariat? How much would you ask for Police-Ministry collaborative operations? How many shelters would you like to build in the ensuing year?



In effect, how many victims of child trafficking would you rescue, rehabilitate, and re-integrate in 2017, and how many traffickers would you help to prosecute?



Long live the number of our children we will save in 2017.



Long live the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.



Long live Ghana.







James Kofi Annan



(President)



Cc:



Media

Source: James Kofi Annan/ email: [email protected]









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
Some worried residents of Ashaiman have raised serious fears about plan by the Bulk Oil Storage Transport (BOST) to lay onshore pipeline of natural gas transmission utility from Aboadze power enclave in the Western Region to connect the West African Gas Pipeline in Tema.



According to them, the possibility of people tampering with the underground pipelines to steal the aluminium pipes is high and it could lead to serious disaster in the municipality since gas is flammable.



They disclosed that placing the pipelines through a densely-populated human settlement like Ashaiman is a great concern to them, as government should reconsider fixing it through non-habitable areas such as bushes instead of the township.



Some residents have also raised concerns about issue of compensation when affected with the resting of the pipelines through their properties.



This was made known during a town hall meeting organised by the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA) under the theme: The Changing Face of Ashaiman, The Role of Stakeholders held in Ashaiman.



Hajia Mamuna Gariba, the Zongo queen mother for Ashaiman, at the meeting revealed her fears, saying, What happened at the Nkrumah Circle at the filling station is a great lesson to some of us who have seen natural gas disasters in countries like Nigeria. They want to kill us. I do not eat food cook with the use of gas because I do not want to die. They should use the vast government lands in the forest to transmit the gas.



But, Akuah Oforiwa Boateng, General Manager for Access and Infrastructure for BOST who announced the project during the meeting, allayed the fear of the residents, reiterating that there is no cause for concern but the fear is natural and that is why we are engaging the communities because the more we communicate with you, the more we will explain to you what is it we are trying to do and demonstrate to you that this is what is well thought through.



She added that the pipe will be about 1.5 metre in depth, highlighting that BOST will be engaging community watchdogs to monitor the situation in case anyone attempts digging to locate the pipeline, thereby, there is no need for concern and fear.



Ms Boateng advised the residents to bring out any challenge in the area where the pipeline is going to pass for redress since BOST is currently engaging the communities to explain the details of the project, as issues of such nature is very significant.



The general manager for Access and Infrastructure for BOST pointed out that BOST will ensure that we compensate anybody who is affected and there is an entire process which the Land Commission and Attorney General is working on for the process of compulsory acquisition and we will compensate everyone who will be affected, even squatters.



The construction work of the 150-kilometre reverse flow pipeline from the Aboadze power enclave is expected to facilitate the transmission of dense gas to power thermal plants in Tema, and the project is said to be over 50 percent completed.



The project which will tie in to the transmission lines of the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) when completed will transmit about 60 million standard cubic feet (scf) of gas per stream day to the Asogli, the Kpone and the Cenit Power plants which run on gas.



The reverse flow project which is being put up as a simple reverse facility and does not require a compressor became necessary due to the Volta River Authoritys (VRAs) inability to receive the 120 million scf of gas that Ghana Gas supplies on a daily basis.



BOST which is said to have been granted the mandate by the Energy Commission to execute onshore pipeline believes that there is a critical need to develop Ghanas natural gas transmission infrastructure to connect demand with supply sources imbalances between the west and east of Ghana.



BOST as the NGTU license holder is responsible for the building and operations of Ghanas transmission network with 900 km of new gas pipelines in the country.

Source: Daily Guide









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
A total of 658 criminal cases were recorded by the Nsawam District Police in the first half of this year as against 1,248 during the same period last year, showing a decrease by 47 percent.



Some of the reported cases were rape, robbery, stealing, arson, unlawful entry and fraud.



The District Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Michael Dandy Zah who disclosed this to The Ghanaian Times yesterday, attributed the achievement to day and night patrols in the district.



He called on the public to provide credible information on criminal activities to the police to take the necessary action.



The commander said an award system was still in place to reward informants.



He urged the public to desist from election related violence and ensure peace and stability in the country.







Source: The Ghanaian Times









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
There are times women dont understand that a sexually satisfied man is usually a good provider. There are times women dont understand that. I want to give it to you again that: A sexually satisfied man/husband is usually a good provider because he will provide for his wife and try to please her out of appreciation, not out of obligation and what happens is that he becomes less tempted to lust after other women because his thoughts are always filled with her.



Men are aggressors. Even in a love relationship, men are aggressors and that is why, my brother, you should take the initiative [to proposition a woman] because men desire to conquer and subdue, they desire to succeed and prosper. In fact, it has been proven that highly aggressive men have a stronger sex drive.



Men are born natural conquerors and that is why a lot of the times, it is men who go to battle. If it were left to women alone, there would not be any war because women are peace-makers.  Bishop Agyin Asare was preaching to his congregation at the Perez Chapel on Sunday

Source: kasapafmonline









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
The festival commenced on 19 July and ran for 20 days in Cairo's theatres

The closing ceremony of Egypt's National Theatre Festival has been postponed until Tuesday at 8pm at the Cairo Opera House, which was originally scheduled to take place on 8 August.

The head of the festival Nasser Abdel Moneim announced that the rescheduling was out of respect for the national mourning of Egyptian scientist and Nobel Laureate Ahmed Zeweil, who received a military funeral on Sunday 7 August in the morning.

His wake will be on Monday 8 August in evening at El-Moshir Tantawy mosque in New Cairo.

Egypt's 9th National Theatre Festival opened on 19 July and offers 37 plays across 14 stages from 11 governorates in the country.

The winners will be announced during the closing ceremony.

This edition offers 20 prizes which in total amount to EGP 300,000, marking an increase in the value of prizes in comparison to previous years.

The Nobel Prize winner passed away on Tuesday 2 August.

Although military funerals are usually held for military personnel, Zewail received the Order of the Grand Collar of the Nile  the highest Egyptian state honour  making him eligible for the distinction.

In 1999, he received the Nobel Prize for his study of chemical reactions.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The Accra Circuit Monday morning sentenced five people to a total of 150 years in prison for conspiring to rob an employee of Koala shopping mall in Accra.



The robbers Stanley Obaliko and Okoe Quarcoe were sentenced to 39 years and 35 years respectively while Gilbert Osabutey, a supervisor at koala was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment.



Two security men at Koala, Michael Edor Ahiataku and Frederick Sedro Kwame were also sentenced to 28 and 20 years respectively.



The five individuals were convicted for conspiracy while the two robbers were also found guilty additional charges of robbery.



Obaliko, who shot the victim in the case, Lydia Horsu was further sentenced to one year and 10 months for unlawful possession of ammunition and causing harm.



Sentencing the five individuals, the presiding judge, Mr Aboagye Tandoh said the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt to establish the guilt of the five individuals.



The case attracted nationwide attention following the bravery of a taxi driver who foiled the robbery attempt.



The taxi driver knocked the robbers with his taxi whilst they were escapaing from the robbery scene. He was awarded a new taxi by koala and a house by the presidency.



Facts



On January 6, this year, Osabutey, Ahiataku and Kwame hatched a plan to rob the Shopping Centre and sought the assistance of the two others, now at large, who also recruited Obaliko and Quarcoe to carry out the act.



On January 9, at about 8am the complainant went to the Koala Shopping branch at Cantonments, but she decided to pick the Companys invoice and voucher to audit them and left for the head office at Airport.



On seeing the complainant leave the office, Osabutey alerted the accused persons through a phone call and Obaliko and Quarcoe boarded a BMW motor bike and trailed the complainant to the American Embassy area at Cantonments.



The Prosecution said Obaliko, who was then the pillion rider, alighted, drew out a pistol and pointed it at the complainant and ordered her to surrender her handbag.



Chief Supt. Tuaruka said Ms Horsu refused to comply and raised an alarm.



He said this infuriated Obaliko who pushed the complainant down and shot her twice in her thigh and calf, after which he (Obaliko) and Quarcoe sped off.



A taxi driver, who witnessed the incident, chased them with his vehicle and hit their motor bike, leading to their arrest.



Investigations led to the arrest of the other conspirators.

<iframe width="490" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o6QUTvl6BL4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Source: Daily Graphic









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
The founder and leader of Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Madam Akua Donkor has cleared the brouhaha surrounding two Pajero vehicles and a house purported to be given to her by President John Dramani Mahama.



According to her, she purchased the two vehicles herself but acknowledged the President in an attempt to 'mock' the opposition New Patriotic Party [NPP] and the leader and founder of Progressive Peoples Party [PPP], Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom.



I bought my own cars and the house, but I mentioned the Presidents name just to mock criminals NPP and Paa Kwesi Nduom. They are fools, she said in an interview with NEAT FMs 'Ghana Montie' programme.



Her comment comes after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) denied reports that President John Dramani Mahama gave the farmer cum politician two Pajero vehicles and a house.



Akua Donkor in an interview claimed that the President gave her two cars and a three bedroom house.



The GFP leader said she was given two Mitsubishi Pajeros by the President after Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom took his Tundra vehicle from her. The house, she said was located at Sakumono in Accra.



But her claims has however been denied strongly by a Deputy Communications Director of the NDC, Kwaku Boahen.







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.

Featured Video
Despite widespread reports of low patronage of the nationwide voter exhibition exercise, the Electoral Commission (EC) has described the 21-day exercise in all 29,000 centres across the country as impressive.



The exhibition of the register of voters, which began on 18 July, was to give the Ghanaian electorate the opportunity to verify their status on the roll and also help delete names of dead persons ahead of the elections in December.



Class News checks, since the inception of the exercise, revealed that there was little interest in the exercise but the Deputy Head of Communications for the Electoral Commission, Ayuba Alhassan Yusif, in an interview with Class News, said the EC was generally satisfied with the exercise, which ended on Sunday August 7.



We have been monitoring the process; weve been generally impressed with the way the exercise has gone so far. Its generally been very smooth, no report of incidences at the various exhibition centres, people have generally been calm, gone to the centres to check their names, so weve been generally satisfied with the way the process has gone so far, he stated.



Meanwhile, Mr Yusif noted that voters whose names appear on the multiple registration list, can object to it if they feel they did not do so deliberately.



When your name appears on the multiple registration list and you go to the centre, you can still object to your name [being] on the multiple registration list if you think that you did not deliberately register more than once. The objection will be sent to the district registration review officer, we will invite you, and also we will invite the person who objected to your name if that is the case. But if you did the objection yourself, we will invite you to appear before the district registration review [officer], who is normally a magistrate, and then he or she will look into your case. At the end of the hearing, if the magistrate or the registration review officer thinks that you didnt do it deliberately, then he or she will recommend that we restore your name on the register, but at the end of the hearing, if it is established that you did it deliberately, then the recommendation will be that we should remove your name from the register, he explained.

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
The flagbearer of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) has joined the St. Peters Cathedral Basilica in Kumasi to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the National Catholic Laity Council at the Churchs premises.



Dr . Papa Kwesi Nduom, in his speech advised the gathering to stay away from political malpractice in the electioneering season.



He provided a free live telecast of the convention by his popular TV station, Amansan TV and gave GHC5,000.00 to support the convention.



Dr. Nduom also visited the National Womens Movement Convention of the Apostolic Church-Ghana held at the Opoku Ware School Park in Kumasi.



He was greeted by a loud cheers. It took the intervention of the police to manage teaming crowd of the hailing Christian Women who wanted to hug him.



Speaking to the congregation, Dr. Nduom indicated that Christians should know that we are blessed as a nation so we should not allow ourselves to be manipulated by the politicians to steal out our noble peace.



He added that theres no NPPs cedi neither do we have NDCs nor the PPPs. There is no town in Ghana we can call it PPP, NDC or NPP town.



He closed by advising Ghanaians to embrace peace since it is the foundation of the nations building and supported them of GhHC5,000.00.







Source: Today









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
Patoranking has disclosed how Ghana has helped him shape his career as a Dancehall musician.



The Nigerian multiple hit maker over the weekend held a media and stakeholders launch of his album GOE (God Over Everything) at the Best Western Premier Hotel in Accra, at the launch Patoranking who was thankful to Ghanaians for supporting his music career revealed that he came into the country to pursue his education and music career, although he dropped out of school along the line, his passion for music kept him on the streets of Accra.



According to the Girlie o hit maker his stay in Ghana both as a student and a musician was tough but the lessons he gathered were worth it and it is by this training he has attained the success he is enjoying now.



Speaking at the media and stakeholders launch of his GOE album, Patoranking stated that he learnt most his musical lessons in Ghana and also discovered that the country is blessed with many music talents.



He affirmed that he moved purposely to Ghana because Dancehall as his genre of music is much appreciated in the country and it will be a great opportunity to launch his career.



Somewhere in 2009 the VP records signee moved back to Nigeria with the hopes he could re-launch since that couldnt materialize in Ghana. Low and behold he had a massive breakthrough due to the lesson he learnt in Ghana, his ground breaking hits Alubarika and Girlie o brought him back to where he picked his foundation (Ghana). I had to come back to where it all stated, he said.



Patoranking shared memories of days he had to listen to radio personalities like Blakk Rasta and Mr. Logic and Nana Kwame (Soul Man) because of the kind of songs they played and the lessons they taught in air.



Also he recollected days with stonebwoy, Jupitar and some other artistes at Bless The Mic and other radio interviews.



To Patoranking, GOE album basically reflects his hustle, the man he has grown to become and the goodness of God in his life all these years.



His GOE album features some of Africa and Jamaicas finest musicians, namely Sarkodie (Ghana), Kontians (Jamiaca), Ice Prince (Nigeria), Elephant Man (Jamaica), AKA (South Africa) and many others. Ghanas very own Ball J, CEO of New Africa Studios also produced one of the songs on his album titled Patoranking.



The event was graced by celebrities like Jupitar, Eddie Waston, Kaakie, PY, JMJ, and hosted by Joel.

Source: Nii Ayi Mensah Lartey









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
Since its release, Pokemon GO has managed to help facilitate people covering pretty much the full spectrum of Being A Complete Dickhead.

Scientists dont know whether something about the frighteningly addictive game makes ordinary people act like assclowns or whether it simply amplifies the assclownery of existing assclowns, but regardless, theres a lot of assclownery going on.

Like the two Brisbane teenagers who decided it would be a super good idea to wander into a church mid-funeral in their intrepid search for Pokemon.

The kids wandered into St Josephs Catholic Church in Corinda during the funeral of 87-year-old Neil Murphy before being shooed away by the churchs organist.

A spokesman from the church says they werent sure what the teenagers were doing but Murphys wife, Cecily, was pretty certain:

I only saw the organist shake her head and the person walk away but my friend Geoffrey, he saw the young fellow put his phone up and took a Pokemon photo.

Not quite sure what a Pokemon photo is, but thats close enough for me.

Source: ABC.
Japans Emperor has given a rare video address indicating that he might well be ready to abdicate, given his age and ailing health in recent years.

Emperor Akihito, who is 82 years old, has had heart surgery and been treated for prostate cancer, and believes he might be getting too far along to carry out the full duties required of him:

When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being, as I have done until now.

Akihito hasnt come out and said that he intends to abdicate, which is unprecedented in modern Japan, but Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported last month that he wants to call it quits in a few years.

It is only the second time ever that hes ever addressed the nation, the first being after the Fukushima meltdown in 2011.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says Akihitos comments will be taken seriously:

I will seriously consider the remarks of the emperor to the people. Considering the emperors duties, as well as his age and the burden (of the job), we have to firmly look at what we can do.

Have a cheeky watch for yourself:

Source: ABC.

Photo: Getty Images / Jun Sato.
Look, were really sorry to have to relay a news story as shitty as this one to you this late on a Monday, but its important that word is spread so police can track this dickhead down.

Victoria Police are appealing for help to find the absolute scumbag who committed an act of despicable animal cruelty in Craigieburn last week.

At some point last Tuesday, an unknown home invader gained access to the rear of a property and approached a staffy cross who belonged to the homes 71-year-old owner. The attacker has subsequently wrapped the dogs entire head in duct tape, causing the poor animal to suffocate and subsequently die.

The dog, 9-year-old Toby, was a rescue animal from the Lort Smith Animal Hospital who had been with the elderly woman for approximately 5-years, and was her only companion following the recent death of her husband.

Detective Senior Constable Lee Barton stated that it was a despicable act of cruelty:

Toby was a 9-year-old rescue dog and described as very friendly in nature. This incident has understandably caused the owner great distress and we would like to find the person responsible as soon as possible.

Meanwhile Detective Sergeant Peter Griffiths reiterated Bartons comments, noting how Tobys gentle nature enabled his attackers to commit the atrocious act.

This is a terrible crime. The dog died in a very distressed way. It was a gentle dog, wouldnt hurt anyone. Thats certainly why the offender or offenders were able to tie it up and tape its nostrils and mouth.

Police stated the property is fenced off, but does back on to railway tracks, leading them to believe this was a random attack.

If youve got any information at all  seriously, ANY  about who on earth would do such an utterly reprehensible thing, please do not hesitate to contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000.

Poor Toby. This is fucking heartbreaking. 

Source: The Age.

Photo: Victoria Police.
The migration crisis, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and censorship in Iran were among the themes woven into Shakespearean classics performed in Poland's port city of Gdansk this week at an international festival dedicated to the Bard.

"This year, political themes and accents were particularly present in pieces performed by theatre troupes from Poland, Israel or Iran," festival organiser and head of the Gdansk Shakespeare Theatre, Professor Jerzy Limon told AFP as the week-long festival wound down Sunday.

"William Shakespeare's plays can also focus on the dangers of the world in which we now live," added the scholar, the driving force behind building the city's Shakespeare theatre.

Opened in 2014, the cutting-edge venue was inspired by a drawing by a 17th century Gdansk artist detailing a humble wood-panel building used in the city for fencing and theatre.

It features an open-air courtyard, similar to London's original Globe playhouse launched by Shakespeare himself in 1599, and attracted troupes of English actors performing his works.

Performances of Hamlet had contemporary political overtones this year, according to festival jury president Jacek Kopcinski.

"HamletMachine, directed by Nava Zuckerman of Israel's Tmuna theatre, is a cry of protest against a country permanently at war," Kopcinski told AFP.

The Hamlet of Iranian Arash Dadgar, focuses on a country beset by tyranny, "where people and books disappear, where censorship is rife," he added.

Thirty-two theatres from across the globe took part in the 20th edition of the Gdansk Shakespeare festival, which this year marked the 400th anniversary of the English playwright's death.

"In previous years, Shakespeare adaptations focused on human and social matters, like love, morality and homosexuality.

"This year, we're seeing more politics," festival-goer Kalina Mielke told AFP.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

Search Keywords:

Short link:


UPDATE: Ex-Harrisburg councilman wants charges dismissed in DNC theft case

Brad Koplinski, who served eight years on Harrisburg city council, appeared in Philadelphia Municipal Court Monday morning to answer to charges of felony burglary, felony trespassing and three counts of misdemeanor theft.

He is free on $10,000 bond after being arrested in Philadelphia July 24.

Prosecutors in Philadelphia accuse Koplinski, 47, an attorney and Democratic political strategist, of using stolen media credentials to get into a media logistics center near the Democratic National Convention. Once inside, police say Koplinski pilfered parking passes and food vouchers early in the morning Sunday, before the convention kicked off.
The collection is now being unpacked and prepared for restoration at the GEM lab

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) overlooking the Giza Plateau received 418 artefacts from the collection of third dynasty King Djoser for restoration before they are put on display at their permanent location at the GEM during its official opening.

The artefacts, said Osama Abul Kheir, charge d'affairs of the GEM supervisor-general, arrived from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir and include of a collection of alabaster pots, pans and jars that belong to King Djoser, who built the Saqqara Step Pyramid.

Eissa Zidan, director-general of preliminary restoration at the GEM, told Ahram Online that the collection arrived yesterday from Tel El-Robaa in Mansoura and is now being unpacked and prepared for restoration at the GEM lab.

The collection, he continued, includes 2,500 objects from different ancient Egyptian dynasties.

Among them is a granite statue of 30th dynasty King Nectanebo I, a collection of limestone sarcophagi from the late period, as well as a collection of amulets and alabaster pots from the pre-dynastic period.

A statue from the New Kingdom of the goddess Isis breastfeeding her son Horus is also among the collection.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


UPDATE: Jury selection continues in judge's chambers

NORRISTOWN - The fate of Pennsylvania's attorney general will soon be in the hands of 12 of her constituents.

But the question Monday afternoon still remains - which 12?

Jury selection is underway in Montgomery County Court to find the 12 who will be charged with hearing the case of Kathleen Kane, who faces charges of false swearing, perjury and obstruction after she was accused of leaking secret grand jury materials to embarrass her political and professional rivals.

Montgomery County prosecutors and Kane's defense team are in the process of whittling down the 100 potential jurors brought in Monday morning to 12, along with a handful of alternates. Jury selection started after 10 a.m. and will likely continue through at least the afternoon.

The attorneys on both sides have already run the names of potential witnesses by the jurors to see if anyone knows them in order to avoid possible conflict.

Some of those key witnesses include Kane's former first deputy Bruce Beemer and current chief of staff Jonathan Duecker, as well as Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams and former state Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery.

As of 2 p.m., all 100 potentials were still in the courtroom and had not yet been dismissed.

Once the jury is seated and given their instructions, trial can commence.

One of the biggest questions that may be lingering for some is whether or not Kane, who has maintained her innocence, will testify in her own defense.

Her testimony would air another side of the story, but it would also open her up to be picked apart by prosecutors on cross-examination.

READ MORE

Much of the case prosecutors will likely present before the jury has been detailed already in charging documents, but new details of political and professional battles could emerge.

The events that led to trial can be traced back to Kane's 2012 election campaign when the Democrat promised a review of the Jerry Sandusky child-molestation investigation conducted by then-Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett.

While Kane's investigation did not show Corbett playing politics in the Sandusky case, it set the stage for a public feud with Corbett-era prosecutors. When information about a sting that Kane shut down became public in 2014, prosecutors say Kane assumed her enemies had orchestrated the leak.

And according to the prosecution's version of events, Kane returned fire by leaking information, through staff members and a political consultant, from a 2009 grand jury investigation of former Philadelphia NAACP President J. Whyatt Mondesire, now deceased, that never resulted in criminal charges.

The charges Kane is facing, though, do not come from the leak itself, but come from what prosecutors say was her attempt to cover up the scheme.

Stick with PennLive through the week for ongoing coverage of the Kathleen Kane trial.
NORRISTOWN - Some potential jurors stood and stretched. Courtroom staffers escorted others, in small groups, to the bathroom.

Some chatted. Some counted the change in their pockets. Many looked around and took in the old wood, high ceilings and paintings of past judges in Courtroom A of the Montgomery County Courthouse.

Those 100 potential jurors were, in essence, killing time as many of them were called into the judge's chambers, one by one, for individual questioning.

A staff member would pop out and announce a number.

"Juror number 23. Two three," he'd say, getting the attention of one, who would get up and make his way across the burgundy carpet, through the courtroom, and back to meet with the attorneys and judge.

Monday may have been a fairly slow day for them, but make no mistake about it - things are going to get busy. And fast.

For 12 of them, anyway.

After about eight hours of jury selections, 12 jurors, plus four alternates - evenly split between males and females - were selected as jurors in the case of Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane, who is facing charges of false swearing, perjury and obstruction after she was accused of leaking secret grand jury materials to embarrass her political and professional rivals.

Kane arrived in Norristown Monday morning in a black SUV, smiling and shaking hands with a few who greeted her and walked with her into the courthouse.

Trial will kick off with jury instructions and opening arguments Tuesday.

And it won't be a day full of old wood, paintings and chit chat. The jury likely will be wrapped up in a two-year saga in which the prosecution and defense will detail the professional and political battles coming out of the attorney general's office.

The events that led to trial can be traced back to Kane's 2012 election campaign when she promised a review of the Jerry Sandusky child-molestation investigation conducted by her predecessor, Tom Corbett.

While Kane's investigation did not show Corbett playing politics in the Sandusky case, it set the stage for a feud between Kane and Corbett-era prosecutors. When information about a sting that Kane shut down became public in 2014, prosecutors in the current case say Kane assumed her enemies had orchestrated that leak.

And according to the prosecution's version of events, Kane returned fire by leaking information through staff members and a political consultant from a 2009 grand jury investigation of former Philadelphia NAACP President J. Whyatt Mondesire, now deceased, that never resulted in criminal charges.

The charges Kane is facing, though, do not come from the leak itself, but come from what prosecutors say was her attempt to cover up the scheme.

Stick with PennLive this week for ongoing coverage of the Kathleen Kane trial.

KaneCast: Podcast summary of Day One coverage:
Jury selection will begin Monday in the criminal trial of Attorney General Kathleen Kane at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown.

Kane faces charges of false swearing, perjury and obstruction related to her alleged leak of secret grand jury material. She has maintained her innocence.

A conviction on perjury and other charges would eventually lead to her removal from office, a likely prison sentence and the permanent loss of her law license.

On Monday, prosecutors and Kane's defense team will grill prospective jurists about their biographies and biases in order to find 12 men and woman who can judge Pennsylvania's attorney general without being unduly influenced by two years' worth of media scrutiny.

Catch up on the story so far:

Kathleen Kane is on her way to trial: What to expect

A look at the key players involved

Subpoenas in Kane impeachment to follow verdict

Supreme Court denies Kane's request to drop charges

$160,000+ spent on email probe that may never see light of day

The open secret about grand jury leaks

Rampant paranoia in the attorney general's office

'This is war': Highlights from Kane charging documents

Dispatches from the scene:

KaneCast: Podcast summary of Day One coverage:

For full coverage of the day's events with dispatches from the courthouse, check back at PennLive. The Twitter feed below includes updates from our reporters and photographer in Norristown.

Live tweeting from inside the courtroom is prohibited.
PHILADELPHIA - There he sat, the former vice president of Harrisburg City Council, once a rising star of the state Democratic party, among 37 defendants here in court to face theft charges Monday morning.

Brad Koplinski, a councilman of the capital city for eight years, who also lost a lieutenant governor run in 2014, was tucked away in a small ninth-floor courtroom in downtown Philadelphia with his girlfriend and attorney by his side, hoping to get into a program that could clear the theft charges from his record.

Koplinski, 47, is accused of using a stolen press pass to enter a media center set up at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia late last month.

The attorney/political strategist allegedly stole the pass at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, where the staunch Democrat surprisingly was spotted selling Donald Trump paraphernalia. A self-professed political junkie, Koplinski said he was hawking the merchandise in exchange for a pass to get into the convention.

At the DNC, he used the pilfered press credential to steal parking passes and food vouchers early on July 25, just before the convention kicked off, the DA's office claims. The DA's office said it has surveillance footage that caught Koplinski in the act.

During this morning's preliminary hearing, Koplinski's attorney, Bryan McQuillan, asked the DA's office to consider allowing his client to enter the state's Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, which often gives first-time offenders a chance to avoid criminal records, jail time and big fines.

Just after hearing arguments in two separate shoplifting cases, Judge William Austin Martin Jr. continued Koplinski's preliminary hearing to give the DA's office time to consider his ARD request.

Koplinski, who now lives in Mechanicsburg, must report to the same court at 1301 Filbert St. at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 19, to find out whether the DA's office agrees to ARD.

Should the DA reject the request, a preliminary hearing would be scheduled, and the case could head to arraignment and trial.

Koplinski, who was charged with driving under a suspended license in April and pleaded guilty to failing to report earned income taxes in 2009, refused comment.

McQuillan told PennLive his client's request for ARD is not an admission of guilt.

"Mr. Koplinski has cooperated. He accepts responsibility for his actions. There will be no admission of guilt," he said. "If accepted into that program, he would be subject to the terms and conditions of that program, essentially stay out of trouble, pay fines and costs, community service, any conditions the district attorney's office sees fit. Upon successful completion, the charges could, and would be dismissed and expunged from his record."

Koplinski was a member of Harrisburg City Council of from 2007-2015, when he lost a re-election bid.
junior and jean taylor.jpg

Junior and Jean Taylor

(Pennsylvania State Police)

UPDATE: The missing couple has been found safely.

State police in Gettysburg have issued a missing endangered persons advisory for two Aspers residents.



State police said Junior Taylor, 93, and Jean Taylor, 88, have not been seen since they left their home Sunday morning. The couple was last seen in a navy blue Chevrolet Silverado with Pennsylvania registration YAL-8114.



Police believe the couple may be at a special risk of harm or injury. Anyone with information about the Taylor's whereabouts should call 911 or state police at 717-331-8111.
UPDATE: Man shot by Harrisburg police had knife to mom's throat: district attorney

HARRISBURG -- In the absence of concrete details, Harrisburg residents are questioning why a young man was shot and killed by a Harrisburg police officer in uptown.

The fatal shooting happened around 9:05 p.m. Sunday on the 2300 block of Green Street after Harrisburg police responded to reports of a domestic incident in the area. The shooting victim is a young man, but no other details or witness accounts have been confirmed by officials.

Many neighbors declined to speak on the record with PennLive, but at least 100 people gathered to watch the scene -- most holding up cellphone cameras whenever there was police movement. Some of the bystanders talked about taking their concerns to city hall, while others wondered aloud why police are killing the people they are supposed to protect.

"That cop needs to be in handcuffs," one bystander said shortly after the body was taken away from the scene. "It's to the point we don't know if the cops are gonna keep us safe."

The still summer night air was, at times, filled angry shouts from family members asking why the young man was killed. A woman who identified herself as the mother of the man's child tried to cross police tape to get a glance of him, but she was ultimately turned away from the shooting scene to protect evidence.

The Dauphin County district attorney's office is investigating the shooting and will hold a news conference Monday morning, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Johnny Baer. He was at the scene for several hours speaking with witnesses and assuring neighbors of the fairness of the investigation.

Harrisburg police Chief Thomas Carter did not comment Sunday but was also at the shooting scene talking to community members and attempting to ease the tensions. Carter is known as a 'peacemaker' and has pushed for community policing to make Harrisburg a safer city.

Harrisburg Council President Wanda Williams asked residents to respect the district attorney's investigation, adding that the city council will follow the process and will hold officials accountable. She declined to comment further on the killing but said she plans to speak at the news conference Monday.

Kevin Dolphin and Lamont Jones, both of Breaking the Chainz, a youth, prison, and community outreach program, said they were on Green Street trying to gather information and to keep the community updated with what was happening. Dolphin and Jones both said they will continue to do their part to bridge relations with police and the community to prevent any situations that could harm either side.

"The young guy that got killed, that was my son," Dolphin said metaphorically, referring to his love of the city and care for its residents. "I didn't know him, but he's my son."

At one point after midnight, the low tones of chatter were interrupted by several gunshots.

Harrisburg activist Chris Siennick was one of the many people on scene gathering information and witness accounts after the killing. Siennick, like Jones and Dolphin, also received several accounts of what happened, but he said none of the witnesses he spoke to would go on the record and were fearful after the shooting.

Dolphin, Jones and Siennick were a part of a group that had gathered at Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church to talk about all of the issues surrounding police shootings, the Black Lives Matter movement, action plans and how to hold police accountable for the incident. The group was still strategizing well after 1:30 a.m. Monday morning.

Jones said he and other community members will do their part to make the city better. He added that he hopes the city can avoid a situation like in Ferguson, Missouri, where people didn't trust the police and civil unrest erupted two summers ago.

"They gotta tell the people something," Jones said, adding that he hopes what witnesses told him matches what will be described at the news conference Monday morning.
samarin.jpg

Arthur Samarin arrives at the Dauphin County courthouse on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016.

(Alex Driehaus/PennLive)

UPDATE: Ukrainian man who posed as Harrisburg High student takes risk, pleads guilty with no sentencing deal

A Ukrainian man who posed as a Harrisburg High School student appeared before a Dauphin County judge on Monday morning on multiple charges, has pleaded guilty to all the charges against him except one.

Artur Samarin, 23, faced counts of statutory sexual assault and corruption of minors involving a 15-year-old girl, plus charges of tampering with public records, theft and conspiracy. The corruption of minors charge was dropped.

Samarin will be sentenced in September.

He still has pending federal charges for using a false name on passport and Social Security documents.
With no deal regarding his punishment, a 23-year-old Ukrainian man who masqueraded as a Harrisburg Hugh School student pleaded guilty Monday morning to an array of fraud and sex charges.

, who attended Harrisburg High between 2012 an 2015 under the bogus name Asher Potts, won't know his fate until Dauphin County Judge Deborah E. Curcillo sentences him in September.

The charges to which he pleaded carry penalties of up to 40 years in prison, plus $90,000 in fines, First Assistant District Attorney Fran Chardo said. Since Samarin has no sentencing deal, It will be up to Curcillo to choose his punishment, the prosecutor said.

Samarin also faces federal fraud charges and could be deported.

The thin, pale Samarin, who was dressed in a yellow county prison uniform, said little as he stood before the judge with his lawyer, Adam Klein. He said he had been speaking English for 3 1/2 years, and told Chardo he understood the charges filed against him.

Those charges include making unsworn falsifications, theft by deception, tampering with public records and conspiracy for lying about his age and identity. He also pleaded guilty to a statutory sexual assault charge for having sex with a 15-year-old girl he met through school.

Samarin lied to the girl about his age and identity when he molested her in mid-2014, Chardo said. "She would not have engaged in that conduct if she had known his actual age," Chardo told the judge. He withdrew one charge against Samarin, a corruption of minors count, because it was redundant to the sexual assault charge.

Chardo said the theft charge was filed because Samarin essentially stole a public education by posing as a minor. He said an investigation is continuing regarding whether charges should be filed against Stephayne and Michael Potts, a Harrisburg couple with whom Samarin was living.

Chardo warned Samarin that his guilty pleas may create "consequences to your staying in the United States." Klein said Samarin consulted with an immigration attorney before deciding to enter those pleas.

Also, Chardo told Samarin that any sentence he might receive on the fraud charges filed against him in U.S. Middle District Court could run consecutively to whatever punishment Curcillo imposes. The feds charged Samarin with using his fake name on passport and Social Security documents.

Klein and co-counsel Clarke Madden declined comment on Samarin's guilty pleas. They said they will reserve their arguments for this sentencing hearing.

Klein wouldn't discuss the advice Samarin received from the immigration attorney, either. "Immigration law is complicated," he said. "It's not as black and white as a lot of people think."

Investigators claim Samarin created his false identity to stay in the U.S. illegally after his visa expired. He remains in county prison in lieu of $240,000 bail pending sentencing.
UPDATE: Jury selection continues in judge's chambers

NORRISTOWN -- Judge Wendy Demchick-Alloy admonished the 100 potential jurors in the Kathleen Kane case against any out-of-court discussions Monday before recessing for lunch.

Given the media scrutiny in the case, the judge warned, it's important for jurors not to consume any media reporting of the trial or even to discuss the trial amongst themselves. Both sides are entitled to an impartial jury, she said.

"Please do not violate my order and, if you see anyone violating the order, please contact me immediately," she said, before allowing the jury pool to leave the courtroom.

The questions Demchick-Alloy asked jurors give some insight into the future of the case. Prospective jurors were given, for example, a list of possible witnesses who may appear before them to ensure they had no existing relationships that could affect jurors' impartiality.

Many of the named witnesses are already familiar to followers of the case.

They include Attorney General's Office staffers, such as former First Deputy Bruce Beemer and current Kane chief of staff Jonathan Duecker; individuals who oversaw the Kane investigation, including Judge William Carpenter and special prosecutor Thomas Carluccio; as well as other familiar names, including Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams and former state Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery, who was implicated in the exchange of offensive emails Kane publicized. McCaffery retired from the court after his involvement was publicized.

A number of journalists are also included in the witness list, including Christopher Brennan, whose Philadelphia Daily News article allegedly contained leaked material and instigated the leak probe.

Jury selection will commence again at 1:30 p.m.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
Director of U.S. Office of Indian Education visits East Jordan schools

Julian Guerrero Jr. visited the district to discuss their Title VI policies and see their Native American education opportunities.
There's no escaping the unmistakable silhouette of an Orange full-suspension bike. From their iconic monocoque down tube and swingarm, to that tried and trusted single pivot suspension layout. This is a tried and trusted design which has seen more refinement over the years than many linkage systems which trump it on complexity and intricacy. Although these hallmarks of an Orange are the first to spring to mind, we should not forget that these bikes are still handmade in Halifax, England and despite their somewhat simplistic demeanor, have one of the most loyal followings out there.



Yet the question begs to be asked: "Why" - at least by those on the periphery with little experience of Orange and their bikes. And, given their apparent simplistic design, compared to others in the marketplace, "Why do they still garner so much respect?"

Segment Details:

 Intended use: Trail riding

 Rear-wheel travel: 110mm

 Wheel size: 29"

 6061-T6 monocoque/Reynolds custom butted alloy tubes

 12x148mm Boost rear

 Five-year frame warranty

 New lightweight frame handbuilt in Britain

 Fox 34 Factory 120mm Kashima fork

 Fox Float DPS EVOL Factory shock

 Wheels: Hope Pro II Evo/Easton Arc 27 tubeless

 SRAM X01 drivetrain and Guide RS brakes

 Weight: 28.14lb / 12.76kg (tubeless & w/o pedals)

 MSRP: 4600 GBP

 Frame only: 1600 GBP (with shock)

 orangebikes.co.uk

 Intended use: Trail riding Rear-wheel travel: 110mm Wheel size: 29" 6061-T6 monocoque/Reynolds custom butted alloy tubes 12x148mm Boost rear Five-year frame warranty New lightweight frame handbuilt in Britain Fox 34 Factory 120mm Kashima fork Fox Float DPS EVOL Factory shock Wheels: Hope Pro II Evo/Easton Arc 27 tubeless SRAM X01 drivetrain and Guide RS brakes Weight: 28.14lb / 12.76kg (tubeless & w/o pedals) MSRP: 4600 GBP Frame only: 1600 GBP (with shock)

Like all things of a material nature, the beauty and desirability of something is in the eye of the beholder, but for those who have owned and ridden an Orange, that connection is seemingly far greater and one that needs to be experienced firsthand, to understand what all the fuss is about.

One of the last companies to still manufacture on home soil. One of the most iconic head badges in the business...

Frame Details

Less is most certainly more when it comes to Orange. Handmade full-suspension bikes which ooze attention to detail.

The Factory model is dripping in parts which make it look... ...anything like an out-of-the-box bike.

Geometry

Suspension

It might look dated, but when you scratch the surface, you're looking at years of refinement and one of the most effective designs out there.

Specifications

Specifications Price $4600 Travel 100mm Rear Shock Fox Float DPS EVOL Factory Kashima Fork Fox 34 Factory 120mm Kashima Headset Hope 4F 49mm Headtube Tapered Steerer Black Cassette SRAM XG-1195 11spd Crankarms Race Face SixC Direct Mount 30t Chainguide MRP 1X Guide Bottom Bracket Race Face External BB Pedals None Rear Derailleur SRAM X01 Carbon 11spd Chain SRAM Front Derailleur None Shifter Pods SRAM GX1 11spd Handlebar Race Face SixC Riser 35 Bar Bore 800mm Stem Race Face Atlas M35 Grips 2016 Strange Lock-On Brakes SRAM Guide RS 200mm/180mm Wheelset Hope Pro II Evo Black + Easton Arc 27 Hubs Hope Pro II Evo Black Rim Easton Arc 27 Tires Maxxis Minion DHF 3C Exo TR/High Roller II Exo TR Seat SDG Bel-Air 2.0 Strange Edition Seatpost RockShox Reverb Stealth Connectamajig Compare to other All Mountain/Enduro/XC



Setup

Big wheels equal big fun and this sentiment was rarely lost on the Segment which thrived when pushed hard and ridden with precision.

Climbing

The Segment is great in corners, both up and down, preferring smoothness and good line choice over a stylish flick and excessive braking.

Descending

If you relish connecting with the terrain you're riding and enjoy the buzz of pushing your limits, the Orange Segment has a lot to offer.

Component Check:

 Fox Float 34 forks and DPS shock: The Fox dampers did a superb job of unlocking the Segment's true potential, maximizing all the available travel, providing excellent balance and delivering smooth and controlled action throughout the test period.



 Hope Pro 4 hubs: Hope's new Pro 4 hubs are not for those who like to glide through the forest silently, but it's noisy freehubs for the win every time in my book. It's great to see a smattering of Hope parts on the Factory option, which only adds to the custom build feel of this top-spec bike.



 SRAM/ RaceFace/ MRP drivetrain: SRAM's X01 drivetrain is a personal favourite and never missed a beat, although the GX shifter felt stiff from the get-go. Race Face's CIXC cranks added to the bling factor and are incredibly stiff. MRP's X1 guide was an intelligent addition and finished things off nicely.



 Race Face cockpit: You know a bike means business when it has 800mm wide bars and a 50mm stem as stock. The Atlas stem and SixC 35mm carbon bars were way too stiff, lacking the compliance of other options on the market.



Pinkbike's Take:

There's a lot to be said for bikes which can unlock the fun in front of you and take you on a memorable adventure, even when you're on familiar terrain - and that's exactly what the Orange Segment does. From big days getting lost in the woods, to trying to beat your PBs on your local loop after work, the Segment rewards a rider who relishes the challenge of riding the trail well, rather than simply smashing through it. But, that's not to say it can't handle the rough with the smooth. Far from it. For a bike with only 110mm of travel, it will quickly have you fooled that it has more to give. Would I change anything? Not really, but I would definitely add some bottle cage tabs to that downtube, and let's not shy away from that price. Regardless of spec, this is an expensive bike, but for those who value things which have been lovingly fabricated and done so on home soil, Orange certainly tick all the boxes and then some. - Olly Forster

The 2016 Orange Segment is a bike that does an especially good job at defying categorization, at least at face value. With cross country travel and trail bike geometry, it really is a unique beast and on many levels. With three complete builds in the range, as well as a frame only option, ranging from the Segment Pro with Fox's 'Performance' dampers and a Shimano drivetrain and brake setup, to the Segment RS; a full RockShox affair with SRAM's X01 drivetrain and a nicely finished with a Renthal cockpit.Due to stock issues, the Segment RS (which was our chosen test bike), was at the time unavailable. So, we instead opted for the top spec Segment Factory, which at 4600 (GBP), boasts a spec that's hard to fault. From the well-chosen pairing of a Maxxis DHF front to High Roller II rear tires, to the Fox Factory dampers dripping in Kashima, Race Face carbon bars and cranks, an MRP X1 guide, RockShox Reverb dropper, SRAM's X01 drivetrain and Guide RS brakes. The list goes on, but ultimately, this bike is rock and roll out-of-the-box. But what stands out, at least from an aesthetics standing, is the color coordinated and matching Hope Tech Pro 4 hubs, seat post collar, and headset - similarly manufactured in the UK (and only an hour or so west of Orange's Halifax HQ). Add to that, the option to choose what color frame you want for a small surcharge and you're approaching an off-the-shelf bike that feels more like a custom build. This might sound very trivial to some of you, but having such an option adds a unique level customization, which similarly follows through with the spec, which can also be tailored and tweaked before ordering.Residing as the second iteration of the Segment, the new frame boasts a number of dynamic upgrades over its predecessor. Granted, the frame itself looks remarkably similar, as most Oranges do to the untrained eye, but much has been honed and improved, including the use of a thinner sheeting in the monocoque portion of the main frame and swingram, dropping a substantial 400g in weight.To stiffen things up - an essential element for all wagon wheelers, given their huge hoops - the engineers at Orange not only welcomed the new Boost standard, but also added an additional 6mm to the width of the swingarm pivot. Now let's just talk about that pivot very quickly as there's only one - which for anyone who puts in the miles and hates the prospect of bearing changes, is something to smile about. On top of that, tire clearance has also been increased to handle more aggressive rubber to better reflect the Segment's geometry and subsequent ride characteristic. Addressing the Segment's abilities has also seen a refined shock curve for 2016, which now has more progression than the previous model.For many of their fans, the geometry of an Orange is at the forefront of why these bikes continue to gain recognition from riders of all walks. Progressive perhaps, but realistically on the money. Orange's home-grown manufacturing and choosing a material to work with which doesn't control or bind their strategy (like carbon), allows them to react to changes in the marketplace and do so quickly without the need to confuse their customers.At 5-foot, 9-inches, and with a penchant for roomy bikes, I opted for a size large. With 455mm of reach, a 50mm stem, monstrous 800mm-wide bars, and a DH length 1187mm wheelbase, the Segment promised control and confidence - enough to offset the less than aggressive suspension travel. The 68-degree head angle fits in nicely, as do the 447mm chainstays. The Segment is all about superb balance and well, as I've already said; this machine defies categorization.Today's market is packed to the rafters with a host of suspension designs and systems, all boasting latest and greatest kinematics and performance attributes to exceed your wildest expectations. But, when you peel back the layers, many of those designs are essentially a single pivot with a linkage bolted in to deliver the desired spring curve. So, what happens when you remove said linkage from the single pivot suspension and want to keep the desired ride feel? Orange have played with both linkages and pivot locations over the years and in doing so have refined their design - it might look the same, but it isn't.At Orange, they found that the downtube shock position is the most critical for delivering the desired ride feel and curve, and that moving it in a given direction can produce a spring curve similar to that derived from a linkage-driven single pivot system. This does come at a cost and within Orange's iconic frame design, it means that refinements and upgrades can seem a tad on the unexciting side to the untrained eye. For 2016, the Segment received some minor tweaks to the spring curve, most notably an increase in ramp-up at the end of the stroke. When you only have 110mm to play with, you need to make sure it's there when you need it and considering how capable this bike is, you will need it.From the outset, there wasn't much I wanted to change or mess around with, especially with such a top-spec bike. I did, however, play with the tires. The Segment arrived at the end of winter/ start of spring and here in the UK, the weather can be anything but consistent. While I'm a huge fan of the Maxxis DHF front to HR II rear combo, a 3C Shorty and Minion SS soon joined the fold. These four tires allowed me to easily optimize the Segment through the months that followed and were swapped around accordingly.Setting up the Fox suspension couldn't be easier and thanks to some of the best damping circuits we've seen from Fox in years, doing little to upset proceedings and provided ample grip and support from the get-go. With 25% sag on the front with four volume spacers and around 30% in the rear with one large volume spacer, the Segment found its happy place. I cut the handlebar to 780mm wide and slammed the 125mm travel Reverb all the way down, which was right on the limit for my 30" inside leg. Opting for clipless pedals over flats for most of the test period, I found that they offered more control and coupled with the ample stand-over on offer, allowed the Segment to be easily thrown around.At just over 28lbs, the Segment is an accomplished climber and easily destroyed long, soul destroying fire road climbs. It did, however, feel slightly stretched for me and my 5-foot, 9-inch" frame, so I would have preferred a marginally steeper seat angle to add a touch more weight to the front and decrease the seated reach. I could have fitted a 40mm stem to offset this, but I prefer the feel of a 50mm stem and that would have thrown out how dialed this thing feels going downhill. Reaching down to crank up the damping with the Fox Float DPS EVOL shock's lever was handy, but it really only became a necessity if I needed to get out of the saddle and stomp up especially steep inclines. On technical singletrack climbs, the Segment's balance came into play and rewarded smooth and calculated pedaling while remaining seated.Pointing the Segment downhill was naturally where the fun kicked in. The superb balance between the front and rear wheels, coupled with the great geometry and the grip on offer from the 29 x 2.3" Maxxis rubber was an eye-opening experience, allowing me to remain relaxed and ready to react. Those elements combined would have me grinning from ear to ear and remarkably surprised that another rock-strewn descent was cleaned and I survived unscathed. But this is where the Segment can quickly get you into trouble. You have to be vigilant of where you place the wheels. Charging hard on a bike like this is easy, but dealing with the consequences of poor judgement, quickly reminds you that you only have 120mm of travel in the front, and 110mm in the rear. With the right volume spacer in the rear, it felt great, but perhaps a 130-140mm travel fork could unlock even more of what this bike can do and where it can go.While the lack of travel would occasionally detract from big gaps and super steep, rutted out trails, it added to many other situations, and that's what makes the Segment so unique and rewarding to ride. It's a bike that wants to be ridden and not aimlessly pointed at anything and everything in front of you. Being smooth and selective with your lines can get really addictive and on a fast bike like this, the Segment comes alive, prompting you to push harder and explore further. Finding that limit will, of course, depend on your skills and indeed, your better judgement. In the right hands, its limits are way beyond the norm of bikes with similar travel, but it's a bike that can, within reason, be anything you want it to be, defying categorization and blazing its own trail. @SramMedia , @foxracingshox, @raceface
Valeant Pharmaceuticals Announces Licensing Agreement With Norgine B.V. For NER1006 In U.S. And Canada

Details Category: More News Published on Monday, 08 August 2016 19:53 Hits: 1771

LAVAL, Canada I August 8, 2016 I Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE: VRX and TSX: VRX) ("Valeant" or the "Company") today announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Norgine B.V. ("Norgine"); under which Valeant has obtained the rights to develop and commercialize NER1006 Powder for Oral Solution in the U.S. and Canada. NER1006 is a novel, low-volume (1L) polyethylene glycol-based bowel preparation for cleansing of the colon in preparation of colonoscopy, whose U.S. regulatory filing is anticipated in 2016.

Norgine is a European specialist pharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing, and marketing its products in various therapeutic areas, including: gastroenterology, hepatology, and critical and supportive care.

NER1006 has been developed to provide overall bowel cleansing, with an additional focus on the ascending colon in adults. The NER1006 Phase III clinical trial program is now completed and includes three multicenter randomized parallel group studies: NOCT, MORA, and DAYB. The NOCT and MORA studies support efficacy, whereas the DAYB study contributes to the safety evaluation.

"We are excited to partner with Norgine to bring an innovative treatment to the patients that need it most," said Joseph C. Papa, chairman and chief executive officer of Valeant. "To date, NER1006's clinical results have been positive and it is an excellent strategic fit with the Salix portfolio that will enhance our gastrointestinal business. This agreement reflects our commitment to bolstering R&D and our commercial offerings as we continue to shape Valeant for the future."

Peter Stein, CEO at Norgine said, "We are extremely pleased to enter into this agreement with Valeant and build upon our successful partnership for MOVIPREP. Valeant has an established presence in gastroenterology in the U.S. and Canada and a strong portfolio of products in this therapy area. As a European specialist pharma company, Norgine is entirely focused upon the development and commercialization of products in Europe. Valeant is therefore an excellent choice as our partner for the launch of NER1006 in the U.S. and Canada."

Norgine will manufacture and supply NER1006 for Valeant. Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

About NER1006

NER1006 is a novel, low-volume (1L) polyethylene glycol based bowel preparation that has been developed to provide whole bowel cleansing, with an additional focus on the ascending colon. This low-volume solution is developed not only to support improved patient acceptability and compliance but also to contribute to effectiveness of colonoscopy procedures at detecting colon cancer and for optimized bowel surveillance, through effective bowel cleansing.

About NOCT, MORA and DAYB studies

NOCT study. A U.S. study that compares NER1006 versus a trisulfate bowel cleansing solution (SUPREP) using a 2-day split-dosing regimen in adults. Both primary endpoints were met, achieving non-inferior overall bowel cleansing success and 'Excellent plus Good' cleansing of the colon ascendens using the Harefield Cleansing Scale (HCS).

MORA study. A European study that compares NER1006 versus a 2L PEG (MOVIPREP) with ascorbate bowel cleansing solution using a 2-day split-doing regimen and a 1-day morning split-dosing regimen in adults. The study met both primary endpoints showing that when administered as either a 2-day overnight or 1-day morning split-dosing regimen, and compared to 2L PEG, NER1006 was non-inferior in achieving overall bowel cleansing, and non-inferior and superior in achieving 'Excellent plus Good' cleansing of the colon ascendens.

DAYB study. A European study that compares NER1006 versus a sodium picosulfate and magnesium salt solution (CITRAFLEET) using a day before only split-dosing regimen in adults. Although the study met both primary endpoints, demonstrating non inferiority, the data will contribute to safety evaluation only. The study used a dosing schedule for the comparator that is not relevant to current medical practice in U.S.

About MOVIPREP

MOVIPREP is a polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid for oral solution, indicated for colon cleansing as preparation for colonoscopy in adults.

About Valeant

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE/TSX:VRX) is a multinational specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of pharmaceutical products primarily in the areas of dermatology, gastrointestinal disorders, eye health, neurology and branded generics. More information about Valeant can be found at www.valeant.com.

About Norgine

Norgine is a European specialist pharmaceutical company that has been established for over 100 years. Norgine provides expertise and 'know how' in Europe to develop, manufacture and market products that offer real value to healthcare professionals, payers and patients. Norgine's approach and infrastructure is integrated and focused upon ensuring that Norgine wins partnership opportunities for growth. Norgine is headquartered in the Netherlands and its global operations are based in Amsterdam and in Harefield, UK. Norgine owns a R&D site in Hengoed, Wales and two manufacturing sites, one in Hengoed, Wales, and one in Dreux, France. For more information, please visit www.norgine.com.

SOURCE: Valeant Pharmaceuticals
Georgia Tech

Prox-1 is being developed and built almost entirely by students at the Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech. This summer, five of those students landed internships at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

Christine Gebara is the Prox-1 project manager. I reached her by phone on a Thursday afternoon, as she and Lindsey Berger, the spacecraft's mechanical and ground support team lead, kicked off a road trip from Pasadena to Zion National Park in Utah. Gebara said JPL allows interns to work 80 hours in a nine-day span, which gives them alternating three-day weekends. Gebara is an aerospace engineering student, while Berger is in mechanical engineering. Both are undergrads.

Before we spoke, Gebara took an informal survey of the Prox-1 team at JPL to ask how working on the project has helped prepare them for future spaceflight careers.

"The consensus we came to is that it gives us the language that's used in the aerospace industry," she said. "So when I'm at NASA, I'm familiar with the same problems they have when they're developing their spacecraft."

She said one example was the deceptively difficult decision of how best to secure a spacecraft's wiring. At JPL, she was working on a SmallSat named RainCube, and happened to mention something about Prox-1's wiring harness.

"One of the engineers said, 'How are you anchoring this part?' And I got to have that conversation with him," she said.

Because the Prox-1 team is relatively small and close-knit, engineers with different backgrounds get insight into all of the subsystems and procedures that it takes to bring a successful mission together.

"Interfacing with a student from a completely different engineering discipline means you get to come at a problem from different perspectives, and see how your experiences coordinate," Gebara said.

I told the two students to enjoy their trip to Zion, and Gebara said they wouldafter she called in to two Prox-1 meetings Friday morning.

Arizona State University

By the time LightSail 2 and Prox-1 are in Earth orbit, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will be on its way to visit asteroid Bennu, where it will survey the asteroid for about a year before collecting a surface sample to bring home to Earth.

OSIRIS-REx and Prox-1 have something in common: Both are equipped with heat-sensing instruments built at Arizona State University. OSIRIS-Rex will use a spectrometer called OTES to create a global temperature map of Bennu and determine which minerals are present on the surface. Prox-1's thermal camera will be used to hunt for LightSail 2 amongst the cold backdrop of space.

The similarities between the instruments are no coincidence, says Mike Veto, an ASU geological sciences Ph.D. student who built Prox-1's cameras and serves as the mission's instrument lead. Veto's academic advisor is Philip Christensen, the principal investigator for OTES.

Back when he was an undergraduate, Veto helped propose the visible and infrared cameras that would fly on Prox-1. When the mission was accepted for the University Nanosat Program, he built the imagers with Christensen's guidance, and will include the experience as part of his academic dissertation.

He even has an appropriate name for Prox-1's infrared camera: THESIS, or THermal camera for Exploration, Science and Imaging Spacecraft. The insrument was also inspired by THEMIS, an infrared imager currently flying aboard the Mars Odyssey probe.

"I've been learning from the gurus while trying to mimic their experience at a student level," Veto told me recently.

At Arizona State, he has been able to use some of the same state-of-the-art facilities and tools for THESIS that were used to build OTES. The school sees CubeSats as a way to bridge the gap between space community veterans and their students.

"There are number of new CubeSat missions in the pipeline here, like LunaH-Map, AOSat, and Phoenix," Veto said. "We're starting to build a lot of hardware as students."
Cash Game Festival Heads to Sunny Beach, Bulgaria on August 31

August 08, 2016 Jason Glatzer Editor

The Cash Game Festival is heading to Platinum Casino in Sunny Beach, Bulgaria for its third stop in 2016. The festival will host non-stop cash games in just about any poker format available for over 120 straight hours August 31 through September 4.

The history of the Cash Game Festival began in 2013 when co-founders Enri Orav and Martin "Franke" von Zweigbergk put their heads together for the birth of a new concept in poker.

Annual festivals were held in the duo's city of origin, Tallinn Estonia, until it went international in 2016 with a successful stop at Aspers Casino Westfield Stratford City in London in March and a second stop at Casino Malta in June. The next stop will kick off at the end of the month in Sunny Beach, Bulgaria with players being able to enjoy "hot" action both on and off the tables.

The main focus during every stop of Cash Game Festival is of course poker. With over 120 consecutive hours of poker, non-stop poker action awaits the players. Players will also be able to enjoy of activities away from the poker tables with every stop on the poker tour providing tremendous amount of activities to opt-in for with the festival's hospitality package.

Side activities on each stop are designed to suit the surroundings in an unique way. Previous activities have typically included different types of sport challenges, sightseeing, and an epic catamaran ride in the Mediterranean Sea outside Malta. While the cat is not yet out of the bag of what activities are planned for Sunny Beach, tournament organizers shared that for Bulgaria the non-poker related activities will improve even more.

The PokerNews Live Reporting Team will also be on hand to report on the biggest hands, great stories, and the exciting events off the felts.

Got the feeling to join for the next stop in Sunny Beach, Bulgaria? Great! Make sure to visit the partners of Cash Game Festival whom currently are running campaigns where you can get yourself to Bulgaria without any effort but playing some poker! All the partners and campaigns can be found on the Cash Game Festival website.

Are you by some reason not convinced yet? Well, let us show you what you will get when attending the event. Check out the Cash Game Fesitval Aftermovie from the Malta stop!

You can register early for whatever games you're interested in as well as share whether you wish to be part of the featured TV table or not. So what are you waiting for? Register for the Cash Game Festival now!

Want to stay atop all the latest in the poker world? If so, make sure to get PokerNews updates on your social media outlets. Follow us on Twitter and find us on both Facebook and Google+!
VIDEO: Black Labs Matter Ad in San Francisco Police Union's Newspaper Draws Fire

An ad at the back of the San Francisco Police Officers Association Journal is drawing harsh criticism from the community as many people are saying it's insensitive to Black Lives Matter.

The San Francisco POAs August 2016 Journals End Point ad shows a picture of a black lab wearing a sign that says "black labs matter" next to a picture of a yellow lab wearing a sign that says "all labs matter."

Alongside the picture were the words: "Maybe it's time we all just sit back and tone down the rhetoric."

"Insensitive, it was de-humanizing and I was appalled once again at the conduct and the actions of San Francisco Police Officers Association," President of Officers for Justice Peace Officers Association Yulanda Williams told ABC7.
Days after withdrawing a guilty plea for lying during an FBI investigation into widespread abuses at the county jails, former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca was indicted Friday on more serious charges that could bring up to 20 years in prison, reports the Los Angeles Times.

The former sheriff, who is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, faces new charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and making false statements.

Friday's indictment was the latest in a series of events that began last month when a federal judge rejected a plea agreement limiting Baca's prison time to six months on the single false statement charge.

U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson said that was too lenient for the man who led the Sheriff's Department during a period when deputies covered up for one another and violently attacked inmates.

Last Monday, Baca failed to reach a new settlement with prosecutors and withdrew his guilty plea rather than let Anderson sentence him to up to five years, setting the stage for the new charges and a high-stakes trial.

In Friday's indictment, prosecutors accuse Baca of "creating an environment" in which his subordinates viewed the FBI as an adversary and of tasking his second-in-command, Paul Tanaka, with carrying out the scheme to obstruct the federal investigation into brutality and corruption by jail deputies.

Michael Zweiback, one of Baca's attorneys, called the indictment "weak" and said prosecutors were punishing his client for going to trial.
A man was shot Sunday afternoon while trying to break into the home of an off-duty police officer for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), according to Prince Georges County police.

The man, who was shot in the arm, is expected to be OK, WTOP TV reports.

According to WSSC, the officer has been with the utility for about a year and had served as a police officer for the University of Maryland, Baltimore for 20 years.
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

Heres an example of the kind of belabored false equivalency and double standard that is pushed by Republicans and the media about Hillary Clintons trustworthiness problem. This is just one example from one show, but this narrative is being beaten to death across the mainstream media and by Republicans.

On Meet the Press, Chuck Todd was asking about Donald Trumps temperament and his comments that are in line with Putins goal to diminish NATO. Trumps surrogate, the conspiracy-fueled General Michael Flynn, got to explain by not explaining Donald Trumps position on NATO after Trump said,NATO is obsolete and its extremely expensive to the United States.

And by explain this away, I mean Flynn said nothing about Trumps actual position.

Transcript via Meet the Press, my bold:

CHUCK TODD:

Let me ask you unequivocally, where is he on NATO? Does he believe in it as a robust, important institution?

LT. GENERAL MICHAEL FLYNN:

Yeah. I mean Im going to state, just like the current Supreme Allied Commander just recently said: What NATO needs to be done with is it needs to be modernized. The organizations, the nations, that are part of NATO, they need to understand what their capabilities are. And they need to understand what their responsibilities are.

And one of those responsibilities, when you become a member of NATO and you sign up for the responsibilities that not only come with providing capability, but also, being able to have others respond for you in time of need, is to pay your bills. And I mean thats a big deal. So this doesnt mean that were not going to support our responsibilities as America. But this means people have to realize

CHUCK TODD:

He actually said that he might withhold, that you have to think about those things. I mean was that a responsible thing to say?

LT. GENERAL MICHAEL FLYNN:

Yeah, I think what we have to do is we have to make sure that we understand what our responsibilities are in an alliance like N.A.T.O.. And I think that, again, Im going to go back to what I have seen our previous, particularly our military commanders, but also, others that are part of this system, if you will, this alliance, that have said that they understand that they need to do more.

So in no way did Flynn say that Donald Trump didnt mean what he said about NATO, nor did Flynn clarify or explain Trumps actual position or why he said what he said.

Heres another way Trump put it (my bold), If we cannot be properly reimbursed for the tremendous cost of our military protecting other countries, and in many cases the countries Im talking about are extremely rich. Then if we cannot make a deal, which I believe we will be able to, and which I would prefer being able to, but if we cannot make a deal, I would like you to say, I would prefer being able to, some people, the one thing they took out of your last story, you know, some people, the fools and the haters, they said, Oh, Trump doesnt want to protect you. I would prefer that we be able to continue, but if we are not going to be reasonably reimbursed for the tremendous cost of protecting these massive nations with tremendous wealth  you have the tape going on? With massive wealth. Massive wealth. Were talking about countries that are doing very well. Then yes, I would be absolutely prepared to tell those countries, Congratulations, you will be defending yourself.

Trump is getting a pass for this? His surrogates are asked to explain something he more than suggested and they are not explaining it but no one is torturing themselves over every word spoken otherwise, Congratulations, you will be defending yourself would be trending everywhere.

In contrast, we are once again rehashing the way Hillary Clinton answered a question with Chris Wallace during a Fox News interview, which she already clarified on Friday but we are doing it again because apparently when Clinton explains things, she is untrustworthy. Yes, its about her emails. How did you ever guess?

The question is why cant Hillary Clinton perfectly answer questions about her emails without needing to clarify? I have answered this question in a way that Hillary Clinton cant here. This is not a Hillary Clinton problem any more.

CHUCK TODD:

Yamiche, she cannot seem to shes got to clarify I mean she herself just said, Ive got to clarify again. This is a year now.

YAMICHE ALCINDOR:

If youre Hillary Clinton, the last words that you want to be saying this summer are, I have to clarify, or, Im short circuited. The idea that shes still talking about this and its still mushy and people are still wondering how you havent come to a kind of clear answer on this, to me, goes to the fact that she has real credibility issues.

Speaking of credibility issues, Donald Trump is such a liar that we simply cant keep track of his lies. He makes up videos and denies saying what he is on tape saying. If anyone here has a problem with being dishonest, it is Donald Trump. That is not up for debate.

why does Trump get a pass for moving the goal posts on his platform and policies as he sees fit, but when Clinton needs to clarify an answer ten times because we are parsing ONE word, its a signal that she is not trustworthy?

The word was public. The FBI Director did not say that Clinton was truthful with the public. This is what she told Chris Wallace, but she clarified on Friday that she said that because she told the public the same thing she told the FBI.

Its Sunday and now were standing over Hillary Clintons one word conflation flub in an interview (not a written speech, where careful consideration is given to each word) and we are equating that to her trustworthiness problem?

Clinton has a trustworthiness problem because it has been built by the Republicans and aided by a press who keeps falling for Republican tips.

I get that the press is overworked with fact-checking Donald Trump. And the point here is not that Hillary Clinton should not be fact-checked. She should be. But the weight given to the fact checks must be of some relationship instead of apples to oranges.

Where does Trump stand on NATO? We know what he said and now we have some word salad gibberish that didnt disavow what Trump said earlier, just covered it in salad dressing, yet Clinton is bashed for being untrustworthy for the way she tries to explain this ginned up, debunked email controversy.
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

*The following is an opinion column by R Muse*

It isnt clear if Americans comprehend the concept of stupidity, and it is not because they lack intelligence, or the ability to learn and understand even the most basic things. Its because too many Americans are stupid themselves and comfortable being so. What defines American stupidity is the inability to think critically, sensibly, or logically and believing every ridiculous thing Republicans say.

Part and parcel of so many Americans stupidity is sheer laziness. Why would a Republican voter have to think for themselves when Fox News, Republicans, and conservative talking heads dish out all the fallacious information the base thrives on daily? Republicans understand that their base of support is inherently stupid and too lazy to be informed, and its why they lie at the same frequency that most living beings draw breath.

One of the greatest displays of stupidity during this election season is that far too many Americans lack even a fundamental understanding about, and rage against, the importance of international trade deals. During this election season the primary drivers of anti-trade agreement outrage are men like Donald Trump and Bernard Sanders who claim that income inequality, stagnant wages, declining middle class, job losses and factory shutdowns are all the result of trade deals such as NAFTA. The claim, a stunning display of stupidity in-and-of-itself, is that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is why wages are low, income inequality has ballooned, the middle class is shrinking, and why corporations packed up and moved their operations, and Americans jobs, off to China.

It is unclear why so many Americans would believe China is located in North America, but that 1990s era trade pact is between America, Mexico, and Canada; three nations that make up the lions share of North America. Claiming NAFTA is why American companies moved good jobs to China is tantamount to boasting that the benefits of Japanese, Korean auto manufacturers moving to America is because of NAFTA. Without international trade deals, including those involving the World Trade Organization (WTO), Americas economy would suffer greatly and those inexpensive gigantic televisions would be out of reach for most Americans. All economies depend on trade agreements and all but the stupidest Americans comprehend that simple fact.

Donald Trump regularly blames trade agreements for gutting the middle class, depressing wages and increasing income inequality. His solution is a solemn pledge to tear up existing agreements and make America great and every Republican voter a fabulous millionaire. Everything he says is nonsense, but thats the great thing about the Republican base; Trumps bullcrap lies have struck a chord with millions of stupid Americans. What Donald Trump and anti-trade advocates know for a fact is that international trade is not destroying good jobs, not hurting the middle class, and is not exacerbating income inequality; Republican tax and wage policy are the culprit.

However, when there is a relatively large number of Americans who are stupid, trade deals are an easy target; especially for morons who are angry they arent rich like Donald Trump; a man who has benefited greatly from those trade deals he condemns.

Like it or not, trade deals benefit every sector of the economy, some more than others, but on balance they are necessary for any nation to thrive in a global economy. What is curious is that while idiotic Republicans, and some Democrats are raging about trade deals, the same idiotic consumers benefit every day from cheaper clothes, automobiles, electronics and just about every other consumer product they buy over the Internets or at their local Walmart and Target stores. For American firms, trade deals allow them to sell more of their products overseas and thus hire more American workers.

Where trade appears to hurt some factories and workers is their seeming inability to compete with foreign, and many American, businesses that enjoy relative slave-labor wages, tax benefits and subsidies from governments, including the American government. But that is not down to any stinking trade agreement. Remember just four years ago President Obama and Democrats crusaded to eliminate Republican-enacted tax breaks and offshore shelters for American firms that picked up shop and moved to China; it was a crusade that the Republican-controlled Congress opposed out of hand.

It is also true that imports are not responsible for the loss of manufacturing jobs here at home despite what know-nothing Donald Trump says. According to economists and manufacturing experts, the greatest impact on manufacturers downsized labor force is automation, not imports. As noted in a New York Times piece, experts point out that other leading industrialized countries like Germany and Japan have lost a significant amount of manufacturing jobs regardless that they export more than they import, unlike America whose economy continues growing.

For example, in the nearly quarter-century period between 1990 and 2014, Japans manufacturing jobs fell 34 percent and Germanys fell 25 percent according to a report by the congressional Research Service. Some Democrat should inform any number of Trump supporters that neither Germany nor Japan are signatories to NAFTA, and yet they have lost as many, and in some cases many more, manufacturing jobs as America.

If Americans want to take out their rage over lost jobs, or stagnant wages, or the decline of the middle class, or the crushing income inequality plaguing the nations economy, they should focus their anger on Republicans. Republicans are blocking any minimum wage hike and killing unions with the same resolve they blocked every Democratic attempt at eliminating tax breaks and subsidies for American manufacturing companies that relocated jobs overseas and then stashed the profits offshore to avoid paying taxes.

People that are always angry and stupid generally need something unrelated to their particular problem to rage against and Donald Trump knows this well. Its why he targets international trade agreements as the source of all of his bases economic woes. Look, if Trumps base of support is too stupid to comprehend that NAFTA is not responsible for American companies moving jobs to China, the morons will believe anything Trump says, no matter how absurd.
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) expertly took apart Donald Trumps economic speech to reveal a plan that is designed to benefit only the rich and corporations.

Sen. Warren tweeted a comprehensive rebuttal to Donald Trumps economic speech in Detroit:

.@realDonaldTrump's econ plan was written by rich corporate insider advisors to make the economy even greater for rich corporate insiders.  Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) August 8, 2016

Cut regulations massively, @realDonaldTrump? No rules & no accountability means people get ripped off & markets blow up. Remember 2008?  Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) August 8, 2016

A moratorium on agency regulations means stopping new rules on shady payday lenders & too-big-to-fail banks, @realDonaldTrump.  Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) August 8, 2016

W/o rules, @realDonaldTrump, too many huge banks juiced profits by cheating ppl on mortgages, credit cards, etc, then crashed our economy.  Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) August 8, 2016

W/o rules, @realDonaldTrump, too many huge banks juiced profits by cheating ppl on mortgages, credit cards, etc, then crashed our economy.  Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) August 8, 2016

Cheating customers & gaming the system might be your business, @realDonaldTrump, but its not the way America is going to do business.  Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) August 8, 2016

And taxes? @realDonaldTrump wants billionaires & giant corps to pay EVEN LESS  so theres less money for ed, infrastructure & research.  Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) August 8, 2016

Even @realDonaldTrump's childcare plan gives billionaires w/ a nanny a tax break while millions of low-income households get nothing.  Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) August 8, 2016

.@realDonaldTrump's economics plan is all about helping rich guys like Donald Trump get richer  & leaving everyone else behind.  Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) August 8, 2016

The American people arent dumb, @realDonaldTrump. We dont trust you with our nuclear codes AND we dont trust you with our economy.  Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) August 8, 2016

Unlike Donald Trump, Sen. Warren knows what she is talking about. There wasnt a single idea in Trumps economic speech that wasnt intended to benefit the wealthy and corporations. Trump sells himself as the blue collar billionaire, but his ideas reflect the idea that government role is to help those of already have the most.

Sen. Warren took apart Trumps speech and exposed it as more of the same pro-one percenter blather that voters have come to expect out of the Republican Party. Warren destroyed Trump on the social media platform that he loves. The Massachusettes Senators message rang loud and clear. Donald Trump have demonstrated that he cant be trusted with the nations economy.
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

*The following is an opinion column by R Muse*

Although it is more symbolic than anything, another long-time Republican official came out and announced that for the first time in 40 years of voting he will be supporting a Democrat for the presidency. It is important to note that a few big-name Republicans rejecting Donald Trump over who knows what reason is not going to convince even one die-hard Republican that their fascist hero Trump deserves to lose, but it is entertaining for Democrats.

That remark, that Trump deserves to lose, is the opinion of Frank Lavin, a died-in-the-wool Republican who worked for three of the last Republican presidents. Lavin was Ronald Reagans political director, worked for George H.W. Bushs Commerce Department, and then as George W. Bushs undersecretary of Commerce for international trade. Lavin joins a growing list of Republicans rejecting Trump such as Representatives Scott Rigell (R-VA) and Richard Hanna (R-NY) and former gubernatorial candidate and current HP CEO Meg Whitman, among many others.

In an op-ed for CNN, Mr. Lavin wrote:

It might not be entirely clear that Hillary Clinton deserves to win the presidency, but it is thunderingly clear that Donald Trump deserves to lose.

From this premise, I will do something that I have not done in 40 years of voting: I will vote for the Democratic nominee for president. The depressing truth of the Republican nominee is that Donald Trump talks a great game but he is the emperor who wears no clothes.

Although Lavin noted that Trumps attack on the parents of a slain US soldier, coupled with the hotel magnates lack of character and childish behavior, disqualify him as worthy of his support, he actually cited one major flaw that should be a major issue for establishment Republicans and the base. Of course Mr. Lavin noted Trumps various crippling defects, such as being a bigot, a bully, and devoid of grace or magnanimity, qualities that ensure he would fail in office, it was his business failures that disqualify him as a Republican candidate.

Lavin believes that the real story that should resonate with Republicans is his four business bankruptcies. It is actually six bankruptcies according to Pulitzer prize-winning Politifact, but compared to most Americans who never default on their debts, any more than one bankruptcy informs bad business and bad ethics.

Lavin said Trumps business failures should certainly be:

More than a trivial matter for a party that prides itself on thrift, sound money, and prudential management.

The bankruptcies reflect a man who either lacks reasonable business judgment or reasonable business ethics. Four bankruptcies are pretty bad, but four bankruptcies and a private jet is deplorable. How can everyone lose money in the collapse of a project yet Trump flies away again and again?

It is a valid question, but one Republicans never posed to Willard Romney any more than they do Trump. Remember, Romneys company made a fortune saddling companies with crushing debt and then bankrupting them after taking all the liquidity and cash for his personal profits. Of course, although Romney was every bit as bigoted, a bully, and lied as often as Trump, he never expressed the exact same worldview as Donald Trump or establishment Republicans while on the campaign trail; otherwise, there is little difference between Trump, Romney or any establishment Republican. It is why very few currently-serving Republicans are openly rejecting Trump.

These announcements from Republican operatives and former politicians excite Democrats to no end, but it is telling that they are either operatives or former politicians. And, it is noteworthy that every time a former this or operative that criticizes Donald Trump, no matter the reason, his base circles the wagons and embraces the narrative that everyone is out to get their hero.

It may be important for former Republican officials to bail on the Party standard bearer, but it is unlikely their exodus will have much effect on Trump or the election. There is a damn good reason most current Republican officials are not openly condemning Donald Trump; they need his supporters votes in November. When Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, or any leading Republican announces that it is thunderingly clear that Donald Trump deserves to lose, it may have an effect on the outcome of the election and it will mean the end of a career for whoever condemns Trump.

Most Republicans have stayed quiet about Trump being unqualified because besides agreeing in principle with everything he says, the last thing they want to do is anger their base, something Mr. Lavin or Meg Whitman or former Republican officials dont have to worry about because they arent running for office.
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

Republicans keep flocking to Hillary Clinton, despite the best efforts of Fox News and Donald J. Trump to paint her as crooked and crazy, despite a fake scandal involving stuff she didnt do wrong during the Benghazi attack, and another focused on her emails, where again, investigations have proved she didnt do anything wrong.

It is easy to see one big reason for this: Donald Trump. Trump thinks he has Republicans trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea, but many Republicans obviously either think they can swim or that the devil aint such a bad guy (or gal, if youre a Republican).

The Republican Party is literally hemorrhaging voters.

Self-described libertarian author and wit, P.J. ORourke, is just the latest luminary to switch ranks. He says, not on account of any change in his own ideological position, but because Hillary Clinton is only the second worst thing that could happen to this country. Before you say, well, second worst is pretty bad, ORourke puts her way behind in second place.

ORourke made the announcement on NPRs Wait WaitDont Tell Me! and from his words you can see the announcement comes complete with all that Fox News manufactured baggage attached to Hillarys name:

Im votin for Hillary.

I am endorsing Hillary. And all her lies and all her empty promises. I am endorsing Hillary. The second worst thing that could happen to this country. But shes way behind in second place, you know? Shes wrong about absolutely everything  but shes wrong within normal parameters.

Normal parameters is the key phrase here. Donald Trump has taken his campaign so far outside normal parameters that we even have a sitting president breaking with tradition and criticizing a candidate.

Donald Trump is far and away the worst thing that could happen, and Trumps avowed prediction for nuking people is the chief reason ORourke gives:

I mean, this man just cant be president of the US. I mean, they got this button, its in a briefcase, hes gonna find it.

Obviously, nobody is worried about Hillary Clinton nuking anybody. And as noted above, ORourke is not alone, as even Red State and Daily Caller have rejected Trump and there seems to be a civil war going on at Fox News.

In fact, Hollywood Reporters Michael Wolff appeared on CNNs Reliable Sources Sunday and said, Clearly, I mean the conservative media is now eating itself. The Republican Party is eating itself.

The GOP is hemorrhaging pundits too. George F. Will and Bill Kristol go without saying, but the ranks of the disaffected now include Erick Erickson, David Brooks, Charles Krauthammer  and, of course, Peggy Noonan.

As Fox News Howard Kurtz, a Trump apologist, noted on Monday, this matters:

At a time when liberal commentators are outright mocking Trump and the mainstream press is downgrading his chances, the erosion on the right has left him with few defenders. The columnists who might help defuse the political and journalistic bombs being hurled at him instead are firing their own ammunition.

Of course, if Trump is left with few defenders it is because Trump has left those once-defenders with no choice. He is asking them to defend the indefensible. And we have seen Republicans are willing to do this, but we have also discovered they have limits. When Trump attacks long-time Republican positions as well as Democrat, like NATO and nukes, he leaves behind people who are willing to lie about almost everything else.

Asked by an Australian news program in July, What drives a libertarian Republican to endorse a big government Democrat? ORourke answered,

Well, you simply cant have a person with no character, no brains, no ideas, narcissistic personality disorder and were lucky if thats the least of his mental illness problems. That person cant be President of the United States. You cannot have an unstable person in that job. You cant have someone who you cant predict what theyre going to do. I said before, I disagree with Hillary. I disagree with Hillary about everything, but the likelihood that we get any surprises from Hillary is very low.

Again, it all comes down to Trumps erratic behavior. ORourke may disagree with Hillary ideologically, but shes the devil we know as opposed to Trumps behavior, which, genuinely insane or not, cannot be predicted. Trump apologists like Kurtz can whine, but this  forcing people like ORourke to choose  is something Trump has done to himself.
NEW YORK  Wal-Mart has agreed to buy fast-growing online retail newcomer Jet.com, which had launched with a splash a year ago when it announced its intention to challenge online leader Amazon.

Wal-Mart is paying $3 billion in cash and another $300 million in stock.

The deal announced today marks a major move for Wal-Mart, which is realizing that it needs to compete more aggressively in the online world. Wal-Mart's online business has been slowing even as it has been making big investments in new distribution centers and expanding services.

Last month, Wal-Mart announced that was selling its Chinese online business Yihaodian.com to the China's second-biggest e-commerce site J.D.com in a strategic partnership that it hopes will bolster its presence in the lucrative but increasingly competitive marketplace.

Buying Jet.com would let Wal-Mart compete more effectively with Amazon.com and other online retailers. The deal also reflects the difficulties for startups like Jet.com to make it on their own in a sphere dominated by Amazon.com with its network of distribution hubs and the powerful asset of its Prime membership program.

ADVERTISEMENT

The acquisition is expected to close this year upon regulatory approval, Wal-Mart said.

The move follows a series of acquisitions by major traditional retailers of online startups in an extremely competitive landscape. In January, Hudson's Bay, which owns Saks Fifth Avenue, purchased flash-sales site Gilt Group. And in June, Bed, Bath & Beyond scooped up One Kings Lane.

As part of the latest deal, the companies will maintain separate brands, with Walmart.com focusing on delivering the company's everyday low price strategy. Jet.com will continue to provide a curated assortment of products.

Jet.com has been grown fast, reaching $1 billion in gross merchandising value in its first year. The Jet.com deal will help Wal-Mart grab a higher-income customer who typically is younger. Jet.com has more than 400,000 new shoppers added monthly and an average of 25,000 daily processed orders. Wal-Mart says that it will also be incorporating some of Jet.com's "smart" technology that lowers prices in real time by looking for ways to cut costs. For Jet.com, which has been pouring money into splashy TV ads and other marketing, it will provide big financial backing.

"We're looking for ways to lower prices, broaden our assortment and offer the simplest, easiest shopping experience because that's what our customers want," said Doug McMillon, president and CEO, in a statement. "It's another jolt of entrepreneurial spirit being injected into Wal-Mart."

Marc Lore, co-founder and CEO of Jet.com, said in a statement that the combination of Wal-Mart's retail expertise, purchasing scale, sourcing capabilities, distribution footprint and digital assets together with the team, technology and business it has built at Jet will allow the company to deliver more value to customers.

Jet.com, launched in July 2015 under Lore, set out to reinvent the shopping cart. It now sells 12 million products, from jeans to diapers, coming from more than 2,400 retailers. The company, which touts its service, delivers to two-thirds of the country overnight in its purple boxes. In some high-density regions such as New York City, Jet often can offer same-day delivery at no additional cost.

Wal-Mart, meanwhile, reported in May that global e-commerce sales rose 7 percent in the first quarter, weaker than the 8 percent in the previous quarter and far below the 20 percent increases seen less than two years ago. So it trimmed its free-shipping pilot program ShippingPass to two-day delivery from three and cut a dollar off the membership to $49 a year in an attempt to answer Amazon's Prime program. But while Amazon's Prime membership costs $99 a year, it comes with a lot of perks like streaming music and video and household subscriptions.

ADVERTISEMENT

"From a competitive perspective, we believe the impact on Amazon will be fairly benign," wrote Moody's lead retail analysts Charlie O'Shea in a statement. "However, this acquisition in tandem with its joint-venture in China with JD.com, demonstrates that Wal-Mart is attacking online retail with significant zeal. As we believe 'catching' Amazon online is an unrealistic goal for any brick-and-mortar retailer, Wal-Mart now has a definite leg-up on its competitors in the very important race to be number 2 online."

O'Shea noted that Wal-Mart is "paying a lot" for Jet.com, but "no one knows whether they've paid too much or too little," he said.

In its latest fiscal year ended January, Wal-Mart generated online sales of $13.7 billion, a fraction of its total revenue of $482.1 billion. And its online figure pales in comparison to Amazon.com's annual net revenue of $107 billion. Wal-Mart's online business is ranked number three in terms of sales, behind Apple Inc.

Lore has experience competing with Amazon before, as CEO of Quidsi, whose main site was diapers.com. Eventually, it bought him out for more than $500 million back in 2010.

Jet.com has faced plenty of challenges, though. Three months, after Jet.com launched, it ditched its annual membership fee of $49.99, leading critics to question the business model. So Jet.com promised to undercut Amazon and other retailers by 4 percent to 5 percent instead of larger discounts.

But Jet.com is not a discount site. It is built on a real-time pricing algorithm that determines which sellers are the most efficient in value and shipping and adjusts prices based on what items are in the checkout cart, as well as how far the desired products are from the shopper's home. So as shoppers put items in their cart, they're encouraged to add more to build a more efficient cart and buy items labeled "smart cart" for more savings. Users can even further customize orders for more savings. For instance, if they waive the right to return an item  a huge cost for online retailers  prices drop even more.

In May, Lore told The Associated Press that Jet.com had expected to reach overall profitability in 2020 and to hit $20 billion in general merchandise value with 15 million customers. Lore said the company wanted to make sure people know about it and was taking its profit from selling products and investing it in advertising. Jet.com was also testing the sale of fresh food like eggs.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Lore will take on a senior leadership position on the e-commerce side on the company and Wal-Mart's top online executive, Neil Ashe, is expected to depart, said a person familiar with the situation. Wal-Mart and Jet.com each declined to comment on that that report.
Squirt by squirt, students in Olmsted County have been vaccinated for the flu since 2009.

The collaboration between Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center, Olmsted County Public Health and local school districts began eight years ago with just two buildings participating.

Last year, roughly 40 percent of enrolled students were vaccinated, and 47 of the 50 public and private school buildings in the county took part in the blossoming program.

However, changes are in store for this fall based on new national standards.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted in June to switch the federal recommendations on flu vaccines from nasal sprays to flu shots.

ADVERTISEMENT

That decision was based on national data from 2013-2016 that showed "no protective benefit could be measured" among children 2-17 who had received the nasal spray, according to CDC statement. By comparison, flu shots had an estimated vaccine effectiveness of 63 percent, according to CDC.

Mayo Clinic and OMC have both opted to accept that recommendation, which means altering their long-standing preference for the nasal spray flu vaccines.

In short, students need to prepare themselves for needles for the upcoming wave of vaccines that will be offered in local schools.

"We not only had the nasal spray, we preferred it," said Mayo Clinic's Robert Jacobson, medical director of Southeast Minnesota Region Immunization Program and professor of pediatrics at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. "But now the data is telling us otherwise. We're going to focus on pain reduction. We're going to work very hard with parents and kids to make this as pain free as we can."

Dr. Jacobson says that pain reduction methods will be offered along with the flu shot, including a coolant spray. He remains hopeful that the change won't negatively impact vaccination numbers, which are among the best in the nation.

The program is as simple as it is effective. Students are rotated out of class throughout a single day to receive the flu vaccinations from visiting health care professionals, with dates scheduled in September and October. Parents are required to sign up for the convenient service, which Jacobson says is fully reimbursed by insurance, at the cost of missing roughly 15 minutes of class time.

Additionally, Mayo Clinic's financial analysis of the program suggests it costs up to $80 less per dose to administer flu vaccines in a school setting than at a hospital or clinic.

Since 2010, Olmsted County has averaged 62.4 percent flu vaccination rate for children 5-9 years old. The national rate over that same time period is 55 percent, but the other 10 counties in Southeast Minnesota have averaged just 35 percent, according to data published this spring by Jacobson and other local specialists.

ADVERTISEMENT

"(Kids are) much more willing to sneeze and cough on each other," Jacobson said. "In fact, studies have shown that if you vaccinate the children, you can save the elderly from infection and possibly death."

The expansion of the local collaborative has played a key role in those numbers. After starting in just two elementary buildings in 2009, participation jumped to 30 by 2012. All but three school buildings across the county took part in 2015.

Due to the significant number of students involved, Mayo, John Marshall and Century high schools are the only local buildings not yet enrolled in the vaccination program. The full vaccination schedule is posted online , but the collaborative says its "goal for 2017 includes expanding to the last three Rochester public high schools" following a second year in the Rochester middle schools.

"We understand where they're coming from, so we really respect their decision to see how this year goes and see whether we can manage the middle schools and these larger numbers," Jacobson said. "We believe that we will get there. We all have the same vision."

RPS praised the work of the collaborative, while also confirming its goal is to eventually include all 23 Rochester buildings in the vaccination offerings.

"The middle schools were added last school year, which provided a good testing ground for how to manage schools with larger student populations," RPS said via written statement. "Everyone in the partnership has the goal of gradually adding schools until all are included in the immunization clinics."
A warrant has been issued for a man accused of sexually assaulting a Rochester girl multiple times over several months.

Gerrick Jones, 21, who lists a Chicago address, was charged last week with one count each of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and disseminating pornography, as well as 13 counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. All are felonies.

The investigation began in February, when the girl contacted law enforcement. She met Jones through social media just before Christmas 2014; she was under the age of 15, but told him she was 17.

The two first met in person in April 2015 in Rochester. They went to a hotel, where Jones wanted to engage in sexual intercourse, but the girl refused. Jones became angry, the complaint says, and "forcibly removed" the victim's pants and underwear, then sexually assaulted her.

The girl told him to stop, allegedly angering Jones even more. He grabbed her by the neck and slammed her into the wall, court documents say, then forced more sexual contact.

ADVERTISEMENT

About a month later, the two met again in Rochester. Jones had reportedly learned the girl's real age, but said they were "already in too deep," and allegedly sexually assaulted her again.

The victim told detectives that Jones remained in contact with her, sexually assaulting her about six more times, the complaint says, the last time on Dec. 31.

The girl said she tried to break off the relationship with Jones, but claimed he threatened to send explicit photographs of her to her friends and family. A forensic exam of the victim's phone contained information confirming a relationship between the two, the reports say.

A search warrant led to examinations of Jones' social media accounts, which allegedly contained multiple photos of the girl's body, as well as photos of sexual contact between the two.
A 25-year-old Rochester man sustained a serious eye injury early Saturday morning after he was assaulted outside a downtown business, officials said today.

The man was outside Top Shots, 310 Broadway Ave. S, talking with a group of people when he said something like, "all lives matter," the report says. One of the men in the group punched the victim, knocking him to the ground, then kicked him in the face, said Capt. John Sherwin.

The victim didn't remember much, but described the man who assaulted him as a black male with dreadlocks, about 6 feet tall, wearing a red shirt.

Law enforcement will review surveillance videos from the area, Sherwin said, in an effort to identify the suspect.
A 76-year-old Rochester man has been placed on probation for two years after pleading guilty to fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Dale Clinton Hall entered the plea Friday in Olmsted County District Court; in exchange, a single count of felony fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct was dismissed. He was immediately sentenced to the probation, banned from the local bus routes unless approved by his probation officer and ordered to have no contact with vulnerable adults.

The investigation began May 19, when a woman called law enforcement. She told police she'd been on a city bus that morning about 8:30 when a man  later identified as Hall  sat beside her and fondled her, said Capt. John Sherwin.

The woman is considered a vulnerable adult under Minnesota law.

Hall was arrested at his home three days later after the investigation led authorities to him.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hall was also charged in 2013 with one count of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct after a mentally disabled woman accused him of assaulting her.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim told her social worker that a man  later identified as Hall  had touched her in the lobby of her apartment building. The social worker called police.

The woman, who has Down syndrome, told investigators that she asked Hall if he had any extra change so she could buy a soda. Hall allegedly started to touch her body; the woman ignored him and he walked away.

When investigators spoke with Hall, he said a girl had approached him in the lobby and asked for change. Hall said he told the girl he didn't have any, then walked away and went up to his apartment, never touching her.

The charge later was dismissed, court documents say, when the woman's family declined to move forward with the case.
Three teenagers could face felony criminal charges after authorities say they were playing bumper cars with mobility scooters at a Rochester business, then assaulted the police officers who responded to the scene.

The incident began about 8:30 p.m. Friday, when law enforcement responded to Wal-Mart Supercenter, 25 25th St. SE, after a caller said three juveniles were riding around on the electric scooters provided by the store. The teens were "smashing into each other," the report says, in addition to striking store displays and trying to hit an employee.

When an officer confronted one of the male suspects, the teenager "took several swings" at the officer, said Capt. John Sherwin. The officer took the male down to the floor and handcuffed him, the report says.

Another suspect pushed an officer away, ran toward the exit and knocked down an officer just arriving at the scene, Sherwin said. That teenager was caught in the parking lot.

The third suspect didn't assault anyone, the report says, and was also taken into custody.

ADVERTISEMENT

The suspects are described as two 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old.

They could all be charged with fourth-degree assault of a peace officer, obstruction with force and felony fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance. The suspects all had a small amount of marijuana wax in their possession, Sherwin said.
Lake Minnetonka leaders looking to lure sailing race

MINNEAPOLIS  Community leaders are trying to lure an international sailing race to Lake Minnetonka.

Wayzata leaders are looking to host a World Match Racing Tour in 2018. The tour features races around the world in places such as Copenhagen; Long Beach, Calif.; and Perth, Australia.

City officials envision a tour stop as the signature event in a new weeklong lake festival beginning that year. Wayzata Alderman Andrew Mullin says a tour stop would be a big deal for his city. He says he believes the city has regional, national and international appeal.

The tour is hosting a sailing exhibition on Wayzata Bay this weekend. Community leaders are taking the opportunity to show off the lake. A tour stop would require $300,000 in fees, however.  Associated Press

ADVERTISEMENT

Police to announce new policies

MINNEAPOLIS  Minneapolis officials are planning to announce new policing policies designed to help foster relationships with the public.

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and Police Chief Janee Harteau will introduce four new policies today. The policies will be in line with a report from President Barack Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing and will focus on building trust, community policing, training and education.

The Twin Cities area still is reeling from the death of Philando Castile. An officer in suburban St. Anthony shot and killed Castile in July during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights.

Castile's girlfriend recorded the shooting's immediate aftermath on Facebook. She said Castile was shot while reaching for his ID after telling officer Jeronimo Yanez he was armed.  Associated Press

Dayton queues up list of schools getting preschool funding

ST. PAUL  It's almost time for Minnesota's new preschool program to launch.

Gov. Mark Dayton and his top education official were set to announce Monday what schools will receive funding to offer preschool this coming school year. Public school districts and charter schools are in the mix.

ADVERTISEMENT

It culminates Dayton's yearslong effort to expand early education options. The Democratic governor originally had pushed for a statewide voluntary preschool initiative but faced resistance in the Republican-controlled House.

The 2016 law provides $25 million for a phased-in preschool program that targets impoverished school districts without early education options. It's expected to allow about 3,700 more 4-year-olds to attend preschool.

Minnesota lawmakers passed a statewide kindergarten program in 2013.  Associated Press

2 hospitalized after Sunday afternoon shooting

MINNEAPOLIS  Minneapolis police are investigating a shooting that left two men in the hospital.

Authorities said they responded to shots fired in north Minneapolis at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Officers found two men suffering gunshot wounds inside of a parked vehicle.

The men were transported to North Memorial Hospital. One man was brought into surgery and is in critical condition. The other man was treated for a nonlife-threatening gunshot wound.

Police are encouraging anyone with information about the shooting to contact them at 612-692-8477.  Associated Press

ADVERTISEMENT

Authorities suspend search for vehicle in river

FARGO, N.D.  Authorities have suspended a search for a vehicle witnesses said went into the Red River early Saturday morning.

Officials with the Moorhead Fire Department called off the search after looking up and down the river. Teams were unable to find a sonar hit so they didn't put a diver in the water.

Witnesses told police they saw a vehicle enter the river on the Moorhead side about 2 a.m. Saturday. Searchers say the current was moving fast Saturday morning, and the vehicle could have been pulled downstream.  Associated Press
ST. PAUL  Some of Mitch Kluesner's happiest high school memories are of hanging out with Zach Sobiech during the late Lakeland teen's chemotherapy treatments.

The pair, wearing blue Forever Lazy fleece onesies with matching footie socks, would blow bubbles in other cancer patients' rooms, concoct crazy sandwiches and serenade staff and patients at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.

"It was always our time to have fun and goof off," Kluesner said of the Tuesday appointments. "I would play hooky so I could go with him. It was a fun space."

Kluesner, 21, who lives in Woodbury, met Sobiech during their first year at Stillwater Area High School  a year after Sobiech, whose hit song "Clouds" became an internet sensation, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Sobiech died in May 2013 at age 18.

"It was kind of a bromance from the beginning," Kluesner said. "He was very affable, very charismatic. It felt very liberating, in many senses, to be with someone who I could just talk about anything with. He was very open, very philosophical."

ADVERTISEMENT

Kluesner, a senior biochemistry and neuroscience major at the University of Minnesota, now is working on finding a cure for the disease that killed his friend.

Kluesner received an Undergraduate Research Opportunity to spend the summer working with researchers investigating the gene PVT1, recently linked to tumor growth in osteosarcoma.

Treatment stagnant

About 400 children and adolescents are diagnosed with osteosarcoma each year in the United States. Osteosarcoma tumors develop in rapidly growing bones during a growth spurt; boys have a 20 percent greater risk of getting them.

Survival rates depend on the location of the tumor and whether the cancer spreads. The overall cure rate is about 65 percent, but when the cancer spreads, there is only a 20 percent chance of survival.

Treatments for osteosarcoma have been stagnant for the past few decades, which is one of the reasons it is so deadly. "By understanding how PVT1 drives tumor growth, we aim to elucidate a new therapeutic target in the treatment of osteosarcoma and other soft tissue cancers," Kluesner said.

Much of their research is being funded by the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Research Fund, which has raised almost $1.16 million to date. Before he died, Sobiech asked that proceeds from the sales of "Clouds," which has been viewed more than 12.7 million times on YouTube, go to osteosarcoma research at the University of Minnesota.

One of the researchers is Branden Moriarity, an assistant professor in the hematology/oncology division of the Department of Pediatrics who heads up the team Kluesner is on. Moriarity also is working on a new therapy that utilizes the patient's immune system to attack osteosarcoma cells.

ADVERTISEMENT

A clinical trial on the new therapy, scheduled to start later this year, would not have been possible if not for the money raised from "Clouds."

"If it wasn't for the Sobiech funding, I wouldn't have this lab, and a lot of this would not have happened, or it would be very much further behind than where it is now," Moriarity said. "We published our paper last summer, and we're going to clinical trial at the end of this year. That doesn't usually happen. Usually, a finding to the clinical trial is 10 years. A lot of serendipity is involved, obviously, but the funding was critical as well to get the work done and published."

'A larger picture'

Kluesner spent part of a recent weekday morning pipetting DNA into miniature centrifuge tubes in a third-floor lab at the university's Cancer and Cardiovascular Research Building.

"We grow the bacteria in these little tubes overnight, and then we take them and spin them down in a centrifuge, really fast, and then they all fall to the bottom," Kluesner said, carefully filling a tiny tube with liquid and writing "ER1-4 #16 7/25/16 mini" on top.

The work might seem trivial, he said, but he hopes it is a "step toward a larger picture, a cure, a greater good  so that no one will have to suffer from osteosarcoma as Zach did."

Sobiech, who was diagnosed in the fall of 2009, underwent 10 surgeries, spent more than 100 days in the hospital for chemotherapy treatments and had 15 radiation treatments. Kluesner said his friend believed everyone experienced the same amount of pain in life  "it was just a matter of how spread out it was."

"I'm not sure I believe that, but what I do know is that Zach eventually suffered," he said. "There is a point where pain becomes suffering."

ADVERTISEMENT

The friends took Advanced Placement Biology together and shared an interest in chemistry, biochemistry, botany, sociology and psychology, Kluesner said.

"I remember in high school going up and talking to his doctors about what was going on," he said. "And I remember learning about specific genes or proteins in biology class, and it was actually really relevant because it was what was being treated in Zach's cancer."

Kluesner volunteers at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, tutors a cancer patient and plans to go to medical school.

Interest in science

Sobiech's friendship with Kluesner opened up an opportunity for Sobiech "to talk openly about his cancer," said Laura Sobiech, Zach's mother.

"They both had an interest in science and that world," Laura Sobiech said. "Through Mitch, Zach was able to objectively look at his cancer  through scientific eyes  and just talk about it. They could just be real with each other. There wasn't an uncomfortable elephant in the room. It was, like, 'Hey, you've got cancer. Let's talk about this and explore it.'"

Sobiech said she thinks her son would have enjoyed doing the same sort of research that Kluesner is doing this summer.

"His heart was in this kind of work," she said. "I really feel like Mitch has sort of stepped in and taken that baton where Zach just couldn't take it. In a lot of ways, I feel like they're still working together on this: Zach is still raising the money, and Mitch is doing the research."

Kluesner accompanied the Sobiech family to Italy and France in March 2012. The group visited Lourdes, France; the water from Lourdes, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in 1858, supposedly has healing powers.

Two months later, Kluesner got a text from his friend that read: "You should probably come over."

Sobiech's cancer had "spread all over, blowing up in his pelvis and lungs," Kluesner said. "They could either cut out his entire leg, and his quality of life would be sh-, pardon my French, or they could let it take its course."

The two liked to cook together, grow vegetables, play music  Sobiech played the guitar and Kluesner plays cello  and make things explode. They once accidentally set part of the road outside the Sobiechs' house on fire after mixing together powdered sugar and an unnamed oxidizer.

"It was like this fireball was burning in the middle of Lakeland," Kluesner said. "Zach's sister, Alli, came running out and started yelling at us, and we just started laughing, so that's a good memory."

Life lessons

Sobiech's death taught him the "most important thing you have in life is the relationships around you," Kluesner said.

"You can be successful. You can make money. You can have fame. It doesn't matter," he said. "At the end of your life, relationships are really all that carries weight and all that you can derive meaning from.

"I tell people I love them just as much as I can  just because it's so important, because you can lose people," he said.

"I was very fortunate to have so much time to say goodbye to Zach. As painful as it is to watch somebody die and slowly succumb to their illness, I can't imagine him dying in a car accident. Effectively Zach will always be 18 to me. He's never going to age in my mind."
Three motorcyclists were injured, and one was hospitalized, following separate crashes on state or federal highways over the weekend.

The first was reported at 2:35 p.m Saturday on Interstate 90 near Marion, according to the State Patrol. It said Paul M. Baer, 35, of Clinton, Mass., was driving west when he drifted into the grass median and got stuck in a soft spot; Baer was ejected and taken Mayo Clinic HospitalSaint Marys Campus in Rochester. He was later discharged, according to a clinic spokeswoman.

The second was reported at 3:24 a.m. Sunday and happened on Minnesota Highway 56 near Taopi, the patrol reported. It said Jacob E. Scott, 27, of Austin was driving east when he went into the right ditch and the motorcycle tipped. He was taken to Saint Marys. He is in fair condition today, according to a clinic spokeswoman.

Alcohol was detected, the patrol said, but didn't say whether it was a cause of the crash.

The third was reported at 12:09 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 90 near Dakota, the patrol reported. It said Debra L. Cooley, 44, of Hartland, Wis., was the passenger on a motorcycle being driving west by Paul Buelow, 49 of Nashotah, Wis., when the motorcycle was hit from behind by a car driven by Patrick H. Adam, 48, of Mazeppa.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cooley was taken to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis., the patrol said. She was treated and released, a clinic spokeswoman said.
The president of the Philippines has released a list of more than 150 judges, mayors, lawmakers and military personnel he says are linked to the illicit drug trade.

Rodrigo Duterte revoked the gun licenses of anyone on the list and advised them to turn themselves in by Monday for an investigation to clear their names.

The controversial leader, in his nationally televised address Sunday, also ordered police and military personnel that had been assigned to protect some of those on the list to withdraw back to their units.

Since Duterte took office at the end of June, his war against drugs have left hundreds of suspected drug dealers dead and thousands more arrested, while hundreds of thousands have turned themselves in to authorities.

Duterte was known for ruthlessly enforcing drug laws when he was mayor of Davao, the second largest Philippine city. He has vowed as president to do the same for the country to deal with the illegal drug trade.

The president said he will take full responsibility if any named on the list turns out to be innocent.

In his inaugural speech on June 30, Duterte pledged to rout corruption and drugs. Using his characteristically sharp language, he also took on the widespread suspicion that he had deployed death squads to enforce order in Davao.

"I know that there are some who do not approve of my methods of fighting criminality, drugs and corruption," he said. "In response, let me say that I have seen how corruption works. I have seen how illegal drugs ruin individuals and relationshipsI have seen how corruption bled government funds."

"As a lawyer and former prosecutor, I know the limits of the powers of the president," he added. "You mind your work and I will mind mine. I know what is legal and what is not."

As mayor of Davao for 22 years, the man known for profanity and threats when outraged about an issue, brought down crime by being unpredictable, according to Davao spokesman Leo Villareal in a comment he made when Duterte took office.
Ahead of Tuesday's primary election, 2nd District Republican candidates are making calls, knocking on doors and walking in parades in a last-minute push to win over voters.

Former state Sen. John Howe, radio talk show host Jason Lewis and businesswoman Darlene Miller all marched in Red Wing's River City Days parade on Sunday ahead of the primary. Voters in the district are also being bombarded with campaign fliers and TV ads in the lead up to the vote. With turnout during the August primary historically low, candidates are doing whatever they can to encourage voters to simply show up at the polls.

"It's going to be all about turnout," Howe said. "If you ask on the street, 'Did you know there's an election next Tuesday?' Most people don't even know."

The 2nd District race is one of only a couple dozen competitive contests in the nation. Last fall, 2nd District Republican Rep. John Kline announced he would not seek re-election, setting off a scramble for the seat. The winner of Tuesday's Republican primary will take on Democrat Angie Craig.

Lewis heads into the primary with the Republican Party endorsement. He estimates 20,000 voters in the district will end up deciding the election.

ADVERTISEMENT

"We're pushing to get out the vote hard. We think if we can turn out the base of the Republican vote, the people who endorsed me at the convention, we'll be in pretty good shape on Tuesday," he said.

Lewis is touting himself as a political outsider who has no interest in spending decades in Congress.

"We need a standard bearer who can articulate genuine conservatism, is willing to go after our political opponents and be successful at it and, most importantly, an individual who will not put party ahead of principle," he said.

It's a message he reiterates in a TV ad where he pledges to be an "independent voice" for Minnesota. Topping his political to-do list is shrinking the national debt. To do that, Lewis pledges he will work to "get a handle on spending and that means no sacred cows."

While Lewis has the party's blessing, Miller enjoys the support of Kline. She is making the most of that, airing a TV ad featuring the retiring congressman. Kline states in the ad that "Darlene Miller is the only one I trust to represent us in Congress."

Miller said she believes her experience as a business owner gives her a leg up on her competitors because she understands the interests of 2nd District voters.

"I have actually created jobs. I've actually signed the front of a check. I've actually worked with the people in the district," Miller said.

She said voters are telling her they are most concerned about public safety and terrorism. She supports stopping Syrian refugees from being allowed to enter the U.S. She argues lawmakers need to do a better job listening to military leaders. She also wants to see sanctions against Iran restored.

ADVERTISEMENT

Howe is generally seen as the underdog heading into Tuesday's contest. But the former Red Wing senator said he is working hard to win over conservatives. He recently won the endorsement of the National Rifle Association and the Star Tribune. Howe also has more money in the bank than his rivals, thanks to his willingness to self-fund his campaign.

"I have the resources, I have the endorsements that matter, and I have the best opportunity to beat Angie Craig," He said.

Howe said he is most concerned about the national debt because it is "absolutely crippling us, and I believe the national debt is the number one issue facing our country. It affects everything from how we are able to fund national security to our international trade relationships and agreements."
Lt. Gov. Tina Smith warned during a Rochester visit today that Republican Donald Trump would be bad for Minnesota-based businesses and their employees.

"Truly his approach really is to be outsourcer-in-chief. His ties are made in China. His suits are made in Mexico," she said. "And when it comes to supporting American workers, he opposes raising the minimum wage while at the same time supports a tax cut for billionaires that would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $1 million per person."

Rochester was Smith's first stop on a three-city "Made in Minnesota" jobs tour promoting Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. She said Clinton will make the key investments needed to support Minnesota's 500,000 small businesses.

"Her approach would be all about creating opportunities for America and Minnesota manufacturers," she said.

Smith's visit comes as Trump is slated to give a major speech today before the Detroit Economic Club outlining his plan to boost jobs. Clinton is also focusing on the economy this week, touting a 100-day jobs plan that would boost investments in infrastructure and scientific research while cracking down on trade abuses.

ADVERTISEMENT

Smith made her comments at Rochester Home Infusion, which is housed in the Minnesota BioBusiness Center in downtown Rochester. Joining her was the company's owner and founder, Joselyn Raymundo.

Raymundo immigrated to the United States from the Philippines at the age of 16. After serving eight years in the U.S. Navy, she earned her doctorate in pharmacy, thanks to the GI bill. She founded Rochester Home Infusion in 2014. The company helps patients receive intravenous medications from their own homes.

When it comes to encouraging entrepreneurship, Raymundo said it is critical the nation have a president that seeks to bring people together  not one that is divisive.

"What you are looking for is job creation and encourage people to take risks and to do the best they can. You can really only foster that in an environment that is very inclusive as well as very supportive," she said.

Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede also announced his support for Clinton over her Republican rival. Brede said he leans to the left politically but has voted for candidates on both sides of the aisle in the past. This election, Brede called the choice between Clinton and Trump a "no brainer."

"She is the best prepared to be president of the United States," Brede said.

Republican Party of Olmsted County Chairman Aaron Miller said he was surprised to see Brede get involved in the presidential race.

"I would have preferred to see my mayor stay out of partisan politics," he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Miller also pushed back against the idea that Clinton's policies would be better for Minnesota.

"A Clinton presidency is basically four more years of the last eight years, which is stifling federal regulation, an increasingly complex tax code and the continuation of Obamacare, which basically has created a whole class of part-time workers as employers try to stay below that 29 hours," Miller said. "That's certainly not good for business going forward."
Rank-and-file lawmakers are in the dark when it comes to negotiations over a possible special session of the Minnesota Legislature later this month.

Like most legislators, Mazeppa Republican Rep. Steve Drazkowski has heard chatter about a special session around the third week of August. But Drazkowski doesn't know what the status of those negotiations are or what a possible deal might look like.

"If there's a discussion at the cool kids' table, I'm not at it. I'm not a cool kid," Drazkowski said.

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders are trying to reach agreement on a special session to finish up the work left undone after the regular session. On the priority list is a $260 million package of tax cuts and a $1 billion public works bill. The big question is whether Dayton, Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt and DFL Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk can cut a deal to make that happen.

Drazkowski backs the idea of a special session focused on tax cuts. Dayton refused to sign the tax bill at the end of session, letting it die. He cited a wording error in the bill, which would have cost the state an estimated $100 million. The bill had broad bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.

ADVERTISEMENT

"What I'm hoping for is a special session that does something that we all agree on, and that would be the tax bill and the tax bill only," Drazkowski said.

The Republican opposes passing a large public works bill to fund construction projects across the state because it would add to Minnesota's debt.

Rep. Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester, said she has "not heard a word" from leadership about the negotiations. She would like to see a special session called, but only if the deal includes funding for Rochester International Airport U.S. Customs expansion and Rochester Community and Technical College's classroom upgrades. She also wants to see a comprehensive plan for transportation funding.

"I would love to see a good bill pass, but I don't want to just pass a bill to pass a bill if it doesn't have the things we need in it like the airport and the RCTC building," Norton said.

Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, is also keeping a close eye on negotiations. He said he has heard talk about a special session in mid- to late-August. Legislative leaders have indicated a deal may include additional funding for higher education projects that are important to the governor. What remains uncertain is whether any headway has been made on one of the biggest roadblocks to a special session deal  light-rail funding. In the final minutes of the 2016 legislative session, Senate Democrats amended the public works bill to included language to help fund the Southwest Light Rail line. House Republicans are strongly opposed to any light-rail funding being part of the deal. The bill died in the final minutes of the session.

"From my perspective, if they are going to add any sort of sales tax or additional revenue that the taxpayers have to pay (for light-rail trains), I would certainly like to see some sort of referendum. Best case scenario is the citizens in those counties would vote on it," Miller said.

Sen. Matt Schmit, DFL-Red Wing, said he wants a special session so that a bonding bill can get passed, which would fund vital construction projects across the state. But before the governor calls a special session, Schmit said there must be a firm deal in place.

"I want to make sure there is an iron clad agreement so that we know exactly what is going to be in that bonding bill before we go back in," he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Some lawmakers said they suspect special session negotiations will ramp up again after Tuesday's primary election. Daudt is facing a primary election challenge. Assuming he wins, area lawmakers interviewed said they expect the negotiations to continue.

Don't forget to vote

Tuesday is primary election day in Minnesota. Voters will help decide which candidates in federal, state and local races will advance to the November general election.

Not sure where to vote? Voters can go to mnvotes.org to find their polling place and see a sample ballot. Make sure to log on to Postbulletin.com on election night for the latest results. Post-Bulletin reporters will also be updating results in real time on Twitter using the hashtag #PBelex.
Yesterdays New York Times includes a piece by reporter Jim Rutenberg that is revealing, if perhaps unintentionally so. Rutenberg describes the question that everyone in journalism is wrestling with: how do you cover an abnormal presidential candidate? No, he doesnt mean Hillary Clinton. He means Donald Trump.

If youre a working journalist and you believe that Donald J. Trump is a demagogue playing to the nations worst racist and nationalistic tendencies.

Stop right there. Note how Rutenberg equates racism and nationalism. Racism we all consider to be bad, but what is wrong with nationalism? It is, in my opinion, a good thing that has been sorely lacking in the Obama administration. Trump is, of course, a nationalist, so equating the two relieves Rutenberg of the necessity of demonstrating that Trump plays to racisttendencies, something that I do not believe is true.

that he cozies up to anti-American dictators

Reset button, anyone? And who praised Assad as a reformer? That wasnt Trump, it was Hillary Clinton.

and that he would be dangerous with control of the United States nuclear codes

Thats what they said about Ronald Reagan, too. This relates to Trumps purported instability, which we will get to in a moment.

Because if you believe all of those things, you have to throw out the textbook American journalism has been using for the better part of the past half-century, if not longer, and approach it in a way youve never approached anything in your career. If you view a Trump presidency as something thats potentially dangerous, then your reporting is going to reflect that. You would move closer than youve ever been to being oppositional. Thats uncomfortable and uncharted territory for every mainstream, nonopinion journalist Ive ever known, and by normal standards, untenable.

Oh, please. The New York Timess editors and reporters have worked to defeat every Republican nominee since at least 1964. Oppositional? The Times is oppositional as to Republicans, not as to Democrats.

Rutenberg justifies blatant media bias by saying that Trump is an abnormal and potentially dangerous candidate. But why? Rutenberg acknowledges that the press was Trumps best friend during the primary process, giving him $2 billion in free publicity. But now [j]ournalists and commentators are analyzing his policy pronouncements and temperament with an eye toward what it would all look like in the Oval Office. Some would say its a little late for that.

Rutenbergs chief point is that Trump is unstable. Given that the man is 70 years old and has lived much of his life in the public eye, one would think that if he is unstable, the evidence should be clear. But this is the best the Times can do:

Yet there was Mr. Scarborough on Wednesday asking the former Central Intelligence Agency director Michael V. Hayden whether there were safeguards in place to ensure that if Mr. Trump gets angry, he cant launch a nuclear weapon, given the perception that he might not be the most stable guy. Then Mr. Scarborough shared an alarming conversation he said he had with a foreign policy expert who had given Mr. Trump a national security briefing. Three times he asked about the use of nuclear weapons, Mr. Scarborough said, describing one of the questions as If we have them, why cant we use them?

***

Mr. Trump has denied Mr. Scarboroughs account. (He told The New York Times in March he would use nuclear weapons as an absolutely last step. But when the MSNBC host Chris Matthews challenged him for raising the possibility he would use them, Mr. Trump asked, Then why are we making them?)

Here, Trump is right and his critics are wrong. A presidential candidate absolutely should think about the circumstances under which he would use nuclear weapons. Herman Kahn wrote a whole book about it. Indeed, I would think that a candidate who has not thought deeply about the use of nuclear weapons is unfit for the presidency.

So, what else makes Trump abnormal and unstable?

No living journalist has ever seen a major party nominee put financial conditions on the United States defense of NATO allies

So what? Millions of Americans have believed for decades that the U.S. bears too great a proportion of the Wests defense costs. What is wrong with expecting allies to pay their share? This view may be right and it may be wrongI think it is right, in generalbut it certainly isnt unstable.

openly fight with the family of a fallen American soldier

Trump fought with the Khan family because the senior Khan viciously attacked him at the podium of the Democratic National Convention. That may have been stupidI have written that it wasbut it wasnt unstable or abnormal. Hillary Clinton has battled with the families of fallen soldiers, too; namely, the ones killed in Benghazi. But she has relied on her surrogates in the press (at outlets like the Times) to denounce and smear them. Trump doesnt have any surrogates in the press.

or entice Russia to meddle in a United States presidential election by hacking his opponent (a joke, Mr. Trump later said, that the news media failed to get).

Here, Rutenberg is simply wrong. Trump did no such thing, as Scott has pointed out. This kind of misreporting exemplifies the bias that the Times and other liberal news outlets have always demonstrated toward Trump.

And while coded appeals to racism or nationalism arent new  two words: Southern strategy

There is that equation of racism and nationalism again. Mr. Rutenberg is telling us more about himself, here, than he is telling us about Trump. And who was the last Republican presidential candidate who wasnt accused of making coded appeals to racism by the New York Times? I cant think of one. The appeals are so coded, apparently, that they are visible only to liberal reporters.

overt calls to temporarily bar Muslims from entry to the United States or questioning a federal judges impartiality based on his Mexican heritage are new.

Again, two very different things are conflated. There is nothing racist about suspending immigration from predominantly Muslim countries. (Islam isnt a race, remember?) In my view, that policy represents simple prudence. Millions of Americans agree. Are we all abnormal and unstable? As for Trumps comments on the judge who is presiding over a case in which Trump was a party, they were stupid, in my opinion. But since news outlets like the Times have been smugly assuring us that Hispanics would hate Trump because of his views on immigration, I suppose Trump can be forgiven for believing them when it came to the judge.

What else is there? Thats ita mighty thin indictment. It would be far more reasonable to say that Hillary Clinton is an abnormal candidate, and perhaps an unstable one, since she is the only presidential nominee who has been the subject of a criminal investigation by the FBI. To a neutral observer, that appears a great deal more abnormal than a few ill-considered remarks about political or judicial opponents.

Interestingly, Rutenberg admits that in the press, it is open season on Trump:

The media reaction to it all has been striking, what The Columbia Journalism Review called a Murrow moment. Its not unusual to see news stories describe him as erratic without attribution to an opponent. The fact checks of his falsehoods continue to pile up in staggering numbers, far outpacing those of Mrs. Clinton. And, on Sunday, the CNN Reliable Sources host Brian Stelter called upon journalists and opinion makers to challenge Mr. Trumps dangerous claims that the electoral system is rigged against him. Failure to do so would be unpatriotic, Mr. Stelter said.

Funny how patriotic the Democrats have gotten all of a sudden. Does Obama know about this?

Rutenberg wraps up with some pretentious words about the duties of a journalist. But it is far too late in the day for anyone to take them seriously. For decades, the duty of a New York Times reporter or editor has been to elect Democrats. That hasnt changed.
Katherine Kersten of the Center of the American Experiment describes how, in Minneapolis, a lie by Black Lives Matter produced a spike in the murder rate:

[S]tarting in November 2015, Black Lives Matter and other activists wreaked havoc for weeks protesting the death of Jamar Clark. Clark was a 24-year-old with at least 20 previous arrests. He assaulted a woman; blocked paramedics from treating her; refused to comply with officers order to take his hands from his pockets, and was shot as he tried to grab an officers gun.

In the face of protests, changes of racism, and harassment of the two officers involved in the shooting of Clark, the police force changed its approach to law enforcement, just as Black Lives Matter wanted. According to Kersten:

After the Clark affair, Minneapolis police officers understood how great a risk they face of having their reputations destroyed  or even being slapped with a criminal indictment  if things go bad in a single incident. So they began to back off the sort of proactive policing  like traffic and suspicious-person stops  that prevents higher-level crimes and gets guns off the street.

The consequences were predictable:

By mid-July, shootings in Minneapolis were up 46 percent compared with the same time last year, though in the last couple weeks of July the increase dipped to 24 percent  perhaps a temporary blip. On the North Side, law-abiding citizens say that violent crime, up 11 percent, is suffocating their neighborhoods, and they plead for more law enforcement.

Just under 80 percent of the gunshot victims in Minneapolis this year are black.

Kersten also examines statistics regarding use of firearms by the police. In New York City in 2013, police officers responded to 80,000 weapons-related calls. Yet, they discharged their own weapons only 40 times.

Nor is it racist white cops who did the discharging. Kersten points out that the citys black officers were 3.3 times more likely than other officers to fire their weapons at crime scenes where gunfire is involved, according to a recent study.

In Minneapolis, according to Kersten, the police department gets about 500,000 calls for service a year. Yet its hard to find an officer who has discharged his or her weapon in the course of duty. Since May 2013, police officers have shot and killed three men  a mentally disturbed Hispanic man who was knifing another man; a black man who was firing at two officers, and the aforementioned charmer Jamar Clark.

Yet Mayor Betsy Hodges and the Minneapolis City Council have embraced Black Lives Matters the cops are racist story lie. Council Member Cam Gordon, for example, deplores the structural racism baked into our system and the new Jim Crow thats plaguing our city.

Their demagoguery has consequences. For example, the City Council has decriminalized lurking with intent to commit a crime and instituted a diversionary program (i.e., no fine or jail time) for some who are charged with obstructing the legal process (e.g., by surrounding and obstrucing officers when they try to make an arrest).

These changes embolden criminals. A retired police officer tells Kersten:

They know the cops are afraid to stop and confront them about their guns. They taunt and catcall and spit at the cops feet, and then pull out their cellphones to video any reaction. They know there will be no consequences.

As police authority ebbs, the climate of menace and intimidation grows. So too, as noted, does the murder rate.

Black Lives Matter isnt making America safer for blacks. It is making it more hospitable to violent criminals, most of whose victims are black.
The family of Clock Boy, Ahmed Mohamed, has filed a lawsuit against his former Texas school district, the principal of the high school he used to attend, and the city of Irving, Texas. Readers will recall that young Mohamed was arrested for a short period of time after he brought a suspicious-looking homemade clock to class. School officials worried that it might be a bomb.

No charges were brought against Mohamed. However, he was suspended from school for three days. To my knowledge, the school hasnt explained its reasons for suspending him. I assume this reticence is based on privacy considerations.

Whats the basis for Clock Boys lawsuit? According to the Washington Post:

Citing a pattern of disproportionate disciplinary actions for black students in the Irving Independent School District (ISD) and a history of anti-Muslim sentiment in Irving, the lawsuit alleges that Ahmed was discriminated against based on his race and religion. It also claims his Fourth Amendment rights were violated when he was interrogated by police and principal Daniel Cummings for over an hour without the presence of his parents before he was arrested.

I havent read the Complaint or researched some aspects of the applicable law. Therefore, although the suit has a frivolous feel to it, I wont opine on its overall merits.

I can say that relying on a pattern of disproportionate disciplinary actions for black students in the school district should be a non-starter when it comes to proving that Mohamed was discriminated against. For one thing, Mohamed isnt black. For another, hes alleging intentional discrimination, but disparate impact is not a theory of intentional discrimination.

In appropriate cases, evidence of disparate impact may bolster a claim of intentional discrimination, but not where the disparate impact is against another minority group. To have any plausibility, Clock Boys underlying theory of the case will have to be animus towards Muslims  Islamophobia, if you will. Thus, the way the school district has treated non-Muslim blacks will be irrelevant.

Im also interested in the damages claim. Reportedly, the Complaint doesnt specify an amount. Previously, the family had threatened to sue for $15 million.

If Clock Boy was discriminated against or if his Fourth Amendment rights were violated, he may be entitled to some monetary relief. However, the way he has described his suffering should lead to comic, not legal, relief:

I lost a lot of things in my life, Ahmed recently told The Washington Post. The number one thing people think about me is that Im living the life . . . But I cant build anymore. My dad doesnt have a job anymore. I moved from my house to an apartment. I lost my place for building things. Over [in Qatar] its very boring, I cant do anything. The only thing I can do is use the Internet.

I have several questions. First, how much space does it take to take apart a clock and stick its workings in a suitcase with some wires.

Second, and more seriously, why is it the fault of the school district or the police that his father moved to Qatar? Sure, it must be boring there. But the police didnt extradite him. The school district would have reinstated him after his three day suspension.

The fault for the move rests with Clock Boys father. Maybe the lad should sue him.

The family claims it moved because of hate mail and death threats. However, the Washington Post points out that when the family returned to Texas recently, the move was heralded to reporters with a news release sent out by the family and its supporters: Clock Boy is back, and ready to be interviewed. Thats not something one does if one is worried about hate mail and death threats.

Third, why is the fault of the school district or the police that his father doesnt have a job anymore? If an employer has discriminated against the guy, sue the employer.

Fourth, will a jury be impressed with the familys damages claim given all of the benefits he received as a result of this incident? Clock Boy himself told the Post, the number one thing people think about me is that Im living the life.'

As well they should. In the aftermath of this incident, he got to visit the White House and shake President Obamas hand. In addition, he was invited to visit top American universities, toasted by the corporate giants such as Google and Facebook, and offered a scholarship by an international business school.

Its not the fault of the school district of the police that Ahmeds family responded to the opportunities opened up thanks to his clock by moving to boring Qatar.

Fifth, how will a potential claim for damages over the school suspension be affected by Ahmeds statement at the time that Im transferring schools so it doesnt matter.

If Ahmed Mohamed is a victim, one senses hes a victim of his father who, according to the Post, plans to run (for the third time) for president of Sudan and believes the more Ahmed is seen, the better.

Its a sad story when you think about it, and one that doesnt seem likely to be made happier by this lawsuit.
Michael Ramirez isnt just the best conservative editorial cartoonist in the world, he is the best cartoonist in the world, period. Formerly with the Los Angeles Times, Michael has been drawing for Investors Business Daily. But with IBD going to a weekly format, Michael has moved to the Heritage Foundations Daily Signal. Its a coup for Heritage, and should be a great home for Ramirez. If you havent already bookmarked Daily Signal, this is a great reason to do so.

The Daily Signal welcomes Michael here. Here is his first cartoon for The Daily Signal. Click to enlarge:

The $15 minimum wage is a sort of Rorschach test; if you dont understand why it is a bad idea, you have a lot of learning to do. My think tank, Center of the American Experiment, will host a lunch forum titled Dialogue on the Minimum Wage on September 20. You can read about it here, and register if you live nearby.
We wrote here about the resignation of Lisa Phelps, a 15-year veteran prosecutor who objected to continuing the prosecution of one of the six officers involved in the arrest and/or transport of Freddie Gray. Now a second prosecutor who, along with Phelps was on the team that would have prosecuted that officer and another, has resigned.

Sarah David declined to specify her reasons for resigning. However, she did say that they are the same reasons as those reported as the circumstances behind Phelps departure.

In other words, she too was unhappy, if not disgusted, by Marilyn Mosbys handling of at least one of the Freddie Gray prosecutions.

The Baltimore Sun notes that, while Mosby and her top deputies presented a united front when they criticized the Freddie Gray trial judge Barry Williams and the police who investigated Grays death, neither Phelps nor David appeared at Mosbys news conference. Apparently, they were loath to be associated with what they probably anticipated would be Mosbys unprofessional rant.

Now, it seems, they do not want to be associated with Mosby at all. Who can blame them?

David has accepted a job as chief of staff for state Sen. Bobby Zirkin, a Baltimore Democrat who chairs the Maryland Senates Judicial Proceedings Committee. Zirkin strongly criticized Mosbys sour grapes call for changes in the rules pertaining to a criminal defendants right to a bench trial. He said, just because you lose a case doesnt mean you change the entire framework of defendants rights. He added that Mosbys idea is moronic and has 0.0 chance of advancing in the legislature.

By leaving Mosby to work for Zirkin, David isnt just making a statement; she is moving up in the world.
I have no regrets, none whatever. No regrets. I would repeat the same thing now.

 Dahiru Saleh, the judge who pronounced the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election allegedly won by the late business mogul, M.K.O Abiola. Mr. Saleh, now in retirement, said it was him, and not former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, who cancelled the election (Source: Premium Times)

Hunger (is) everywhere. As the president is fighting corruption, some of us are praying that he will equally fight hunger.

 Ejike Mbaka, outspoken catholic priest, said of President Muhammadu Buharis administration (Source: Premium Times)

If I quit a party when it was alive and seemingly united, how could I go back to a now divided, factionalized party grasping for breath?

 Former president Olusegun Obasanjo dismissing media report that suggested he attended an event hosted by his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, in Abuja, (Source: Premium Times)

I studied Law and I have been in the legislature and all this period I have never heard of the word padding being an offence under any law. If I dont know, you are the media, research the law and let me know.

 Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, addressing journalists in State House, Abuja, after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr. Dogara has been under pressure to resign, following the allegation that he attempted to inflate (pad) the 2016 federal budget by N30 billion (Source: Punch)

This party (PDP) is not for sale.

 The PDP BoT Chairman, Walid Jibrin, advising party delegates to reject people who offer them money in exchange for votes in the forthcoming PDP national convention. Mr. Jibrin spoke during the inauguration of the convention planning committee (Source: The Cable)

During (President) Jonathans time, I accused Chief Obasanjo that he was the most corrupt ex-president Nigeria had ever produced. I said that he left prison with only N20, 000, but today he is one of the wealthiest former presidents in the whole of West Africa.

 Ijaw leader, Edwin Clerk, trying to buttress a point that he has always stood against corruption in the past, when his kinsman, Goodluck Jonathan, was Nigerias president (Source: The Cable)

These (existing) states have already enjoyed what it means to be states, you cant tell them to go back to being North-east or North-west. No Yobian will accept that or Tarabian will do that. No Gombian will accept to go back to Bauchi state. It is just unnecessary and not realistic.

 Bukar Abba Ibrahim, a senator and former governor of Yobe state, taking a stand against the argument that Nigeria should revert to regional structures (Source: Leadership newspaper)

Lawmakers in the process of tinkering with the budget can pad it. If they are padding the budget for the good of their constituencies, there is nothing wrong with that.

 Godwin Obla, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, arguing that there is nothing criminal about budget padding. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has been under pressure to resign, following the allegation that he attempted to pad the 2016 federal budget (Source: Leadership newspaper)

It does not mean that Igbo really want to secede from the country. They have tried it and they know the futility of it. What they are doing is to protest against the unfairness in the sharing of the so-called national cake. And whoever introduced this experience in the sharing of the cake must take responsibility for what is going on today. We should not blame people who agitate; we should blame the people who caused the feeling of disaffection.

 Foremost constitutional lawyer, Ben Nwabueze, on the mutual suspicion that exists among different nationalities in Nigeria (Source: The Sun)

We talk so much about the #BuyNaijaToGrowTheNaira but frown upon the idea that our children should embrace Nigerian snacks and food.

 Toyin Olakanpo, a solicitor and advocate of sustainable development (Source: Twitter)
Two Chinese workers who were seriously injured in Fiji have been safely taken home with the help of Korea's Foreign Ministry and flag carrier Korean Air.

Diplomatic sources on Sunday said the two were gravely injured at a building site, prompting the Chinese Embassy there to ask the Korean Embassy for help airlift them out.

Korean Air operates direct flights from the Fijian capital of Suva to Incheon, and the workers received medical treatment in Korea.

The Korean Embassy sent an ambulance to the scene which took the workers to the airport and gave them fast-track visas.

Korean Air set up special areas on the plane to carry them, and they arrived in Incheon last Friday, where they received emergency treatment before heading to China the following day.

"Although Seoul-Beijing relations have chilled due to the spat over the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery, civilian assistance continues between the two sides," said a diplomatic source here.


A helicopter crashed in central Nepal on Monday, killing all six people on board, authorities said.

The chopper was en route to Kathmandu when it went down over the village of Balkot.

The pilot and five passengers  including a pregnant woman and a minor was on board, flight operator Fishtail Air said.

The cause of the crash was not immediately clear. Villagers reported seeing plumes of smoke from the site.

Air accidents are common in Nepal, where pilots must navigate difficult mountainous terrain.

Last week, a single-engine cargo plane crash-landed in a river in the mountains of central Nepal. The pilots swam to safety as the plane was swept away.
A defiant former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, on Sunday said he had identified two governors working to shield Speaker Yakubu Dogara from prosecution over the budget padding scandal rocking the lower legislative chamber.

He also vowed not to withdraw his corruption charges against the Speaker, saying they were too grievous to be swept under the carpet.

Mr. Jibrin returned with his attacks after briefly complying with a gag order issued by the APC on Thursday barely three days ago indicating that the fragile accord may have broken down.

Mr. Jibrins said a tentative truce prevailing on all parties to restrain from further engaging in media war had been breached by Mr. Dogaras frequent public utterances, adding that the Speaker and his supporters had continued to disparaged him in the media.

Although Mr. Jibrin largely complied with the order, refraining from personally commenting on the scandal on Friday and Saturday, a group in the House, opposed to the Speaker, issued a statement.

Transparency Group, which styled itself as forum of 206 anti-corruption lawmakers, came down hard on Mr. Dogara, levelling fraud charges against him and demanding his resignation.

Mr. Jibrin had since July 21, a day after he was removed as Chairman of House Committee on Appropriation, levelled several allegations against Mr. Dogara and more than a dozen other lawmakers, saying they fraudulently padded the budget to the tune of N40 billion.

Mr. Dogara and the lawmakers denied the allegations.

In a lengthy statement he emailed to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday evening, Mr. Jibrin said he had informed party leaders that he would not continue to take the high road and watch Mr. Dogara ridicule the partys resolution by scaling up vicious political and media attacks against him, adding that he had warned the party of the consequences of keeping a sealed lip on the development.

I called Sen. Lawal Shuaibu and complained on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. He promised to reach the Speaker. On Friday the Speaker spoke to the press after meeting the president on the matter, and they launched a massive attack on me on Saturday and today Sunday in the media, while the party is keeping a sealed lip, Mr. Jibrin said.

Nobody will blame me that I responded.

Although Mr. Jibrin used his latest statement to debunk claims that his allegations were against the executive or the National Assembly as a whole  the House and the Senate he nonetheless introduced new characters into the battle.

The unnamed individuals, Mr. Jibrin said, included two serving governors and three ex-lawmakers, who he said were working hard at shielding Mr. Dogara and covering up the scandal.

Two governors, three ex-lawmakers as mercenaries

Mr. Jibrin said a grand cover-up plan by Mr. Dogara; his deputy Yusuf Lasun; House Whip Alhassan Doguwa; Minority Whip, Leo Ogor, and the nine other lawmakers he had previously accused was being executed by a team that allegedly included two governors and three lawmakers he said he would name in earnest.

Surprisingly, they have resorted to using every tactics to narrow the allegations to only issue of padding, which in itself is a grievous offense, ignoring tens of other criminal allegations contained in my petition to the anti-corruption agencies. In doing so, they mischievously expanded the scope of the culpability to give an impression that the entire House, Senate and even the Executive arm of government and some individuals outside NASS are on trial.

This is a wicked attempt to drag many institutions and individuals into the matter to neutralize the issue, spread fear and sell the dummy that the entire country will go down if this matter is dealt with decisively.

This is the biggest blackmail I have ever seen. Nigerians should know that the whole agenda of this blackmail is being coordinated by a group of five people, two serving governors and three former members of the House. I will give their names in due course, Mr. Jibrin said.

According to Mr. Jibril, other activities the five individuals recently embarked upon for Mr. Dogara and others included providing soft-landing for them, give them time to clean up the mess on their desk, destroy whatever evidence in their possession and reach, spread money across members to buy signature of vote of confidence, try to scare and drag as many people as they can into this matter.

Mr. Jibrin said the individuals allegedly planned to carry out for Mr. Dogara the task of invading the party and top government officials and influential people that have the ears of the president and try to change the media and public narrative by embarking on very expensive media campaign to discredit and attack my person with all manner of lies they can concoct.

New allegations, more insight

Other than the multi-billion naira fraud he said Mr. Dogara allegedly oversaw during the budget vetting process, Mr. Jibrin said new evidence of hitherto unknown sharp practices by the Speaker had been allegedly uncovered, calling on anti-graft agencies to commence immediate investigation.

Let me make further revelations here. In addition to the allegations I already made, the anti-corruption agencies should ask Speaker Dogara why on earth he collects 25million naira every month just to spend it the way he wants.

They should also ask him to provide proof of how he is funding his farm in Nasarawa State which was just few hectares six months ago and now miraculously expands to about 100 hectares with new buildings and state-of-the-art equipment worth millions as well as the mansion he has suddenly built in Wuse II within six months, Mr. Jibrin said.

Mr. Jibrin reiterated his position that the Senate must be absolved of any wrongdoing in the scandal, saying budgeting responsibilities rested chiefly with the House.

It will be unfair to drag the Senate or senators into this matter. Everybody knows that it is the House that has commanding powers over appropriation. There is nothing in the senate appropriation committee secretariat, that is why I requested the protection of only that of the House when I heard Dogara was planning to destroy the computers and the hardware.

The Senate president was too busy then to even get involved. He was always receiving what I later realized was skeletal briefing from the Speaker. It is also a strong tradition of the National Assembly that in an event of disagreement between standing committee of the Senate and the House, that of the House supersedes.

That was exactly what we did on 2016 budget except that of Health, where we adopted the report of the Senate because the chairman House Committee on Health practically converted the budget to his personal estate, moving massive amount of money that made the whole exercise looked like a big joke, Mr. Jibrin said.

The dangerous quintet

Mr. Jibrin said security agencies and others concerned should be wary of the two governors and three ex-lawmakers allegedly working to save Mr. Dogara because of their bad tendencies, and offered suggestions about how they could be contained.

We may never have this kind of opportunity to deal decisively with corruption in the House. We may never! If you observe carefully, you will notice attempts last week to wickedly drag the Senate, DSS, SGF and others into this matter. This is all orchestrated by the group of two governors, three former members and Speaker Dogara and his corrupt cabal.

Nobody is in a better position than me to know who the culprits are. The next time you see them in your offices trying to blackmail you that these allegations will bring down the whole country, report them to the police immediately. These allegations are on Speaker Dogara and 12 others and will not in anyway bring down the House, the Senate or the executive arm of government as they are claiming in their widely spread propaganda, Mr. Jibrin said.

Vote of confidence, death threats and the case for outside intervention

Mr. Jibrin said he stood by his allegations that Mr. Dogara bribed lawmakers to secure a vote of confidence in order to perpetuate himself in office despite growing calls for his resignation. He also repeated claims that his life was in danger, saying Mr. Dogara and others were out to kill him because of their vested interest.

It is a fact that all the members that signed for Dogaras vote of confidence collected money in a shameful and disgraceful exercise, and despite that the consensus remains the Speaker must step aside and face external investigation, he said.

I believe Speaker Dogara, the 12 others and some vested interest within and outside the House want to kill me. I no longer feel safe. I have carefully followed their desperation to suppress what will go down in history as the biggest corruption case in Nigeria. I have prepared myself for any eventuality. I have spoken to my mum and dad extensively during the weekend. I have prepared my family. I have handed over a handwritten note and documents to a popular SAN, a man of integrity and other persons that I believe will lay it bare even if they succeed in killing me.

In his parting shot, Mr. Jibrin said former Nigerian leaders, elder statesmen and even foreign diplomats should weigh in on the matter and mount pressure on Mr. Dogara to reopen the House, saying he had been denied access to Mr. Buhari.

Finally, this cabal of two governors and three former members have blocked every avenue that I can use to reach the President so that he can get a different perspective on this issue. Iam therefore left with no choice than to plead with all our former Heads of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, Alh. Shehu Shagari, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Enest Shonekan, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the diplomatic community, particularly Ambassador of the United States of America, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom, the German and French Ambassadors and all well-meaning Nigerians to join in the call on the corrupt and fraudulent Speaker Dogara and 3 others to reconvene the House immediately, step aside and allow for a thorough external investigation and also call on the anti-corruption agencies to expedite action on investigation and commencement of prosecution in line with the anti corruption stands of this government, Mr. Jibrin said.

Mr. Dogaras spokesman, Turaki Hassan, did not respond to PREMIUM TIMES calls and text messages seeking comments for this story.
A factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Kano State, Hussaini Mairiga, on Monday came down hard on President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the president as a total failure.

Mr. Mairiga, who spoke with journalists in Kano, said from the looks of things President Buhari has betrayed the confidence of the Nigerian masses who voted for him massively into power.

The president, who was elected on the platform of the APC, assumed office on May 29, 2015.

The factional chairman said it was not an exaggeration that members of many families in the country go to bed without at least one square meal while others had fled their homes because they could no longer provide the basic needs of life for their loved ones.

Mr. Mairiga, who is known for his bluntness, expressed worry that after one year of the Buhari administration in power, there was nothing to show while poverty in the country had reached an unprecedented level.

He lamented that while a bag of rice now sold for N16, 000, prices of other essentials commodities had tripled.

Mr. Mairiga noted with dismay that prices of goods were rising at a time the ordinary man did not have money to make a living.

Another disturbing scenario, according to the factional APC chairman, was that those around the president, including his ministers, had refused to tell him the truth and advice on the reality on ground.

He reminded Mr. Buhari of his campaign promises, stating that he did not like the way the masses were allowed to wallow in destitution and penury.

He said Nigerians were in the worst condition that needed urgent attention.

The APC Chairman advised the president to stop deceiving Nigerians that the nation had no money whereas on monthly basis the federal and states governments continued to enjoy boost in their allocations.

Mr. Mairiga asked the federal government to urgently open all the closed borders with other countries to allow food into the country

He warned that if urgent steps were not taken to address the present situation in the country, Nigerians would soon begin to die of hunger on the streets.
After ceasing fire for a few days in obedience of his partys directive, a former Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin resumed his onslaught against Speaker Yakubu Dogara on Sunday.

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress had ordered him and the Speaker to stop public comment on the budget padding scandal in the House.

But in a fresh attack on Sunday, Mr Jibril accused the speaker of pocketing N25million monthly, amounts he said were never accounted for.

He accused Mr. Dogara of enlisting the support of a five-man cabal consisting of two governors and three former House members to help him shield him from possible prosecution.

The said cabal, Mr. Jibrin said, had blocked him from reaching Mr. Buhari.

I am therefore left with no choice than to plead with all our former Heads of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, Alh Shehu Shagari, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Enest Shonekan, Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar and Dr Goodluck Jonathan and the diplomatic community, particularly Ambassador of the United States of America, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom, the German and French Ambassadors and all well-meaning Nigerians to join in the call on the corrupt and fraudulent Speaker Dogara and 3 others to reconvene the House immediately, step aside and allow for a thorough external investigation and also call on the anti-corruption agencies to expedite action on investigation and commencement of prosecution in line with the anti corruption stands of this government,  he said.

Read Mr. Jibrins Full Statement

YAKUBU DOGARA, YUSUF LASUN, ALHASSAN DOGUWA AND 9 OTHERS: A LITMUS TEST FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA AND A DEFINING MOMENT FOR THE STRUGGLE TO CLEAN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF CORRUPTION AND WEED OUT CORRUPT ELEMENTS

It has once again become necessary for me to make some statements, clarifications and further revelations.

As you are aware, my party the APC has intervened in the current crisis, following allegations of corruption, embezzlement and gross abuse of office I leveled against Speaker Yakubu Dogara, three other principal officers and 9 other members, of which none had responded to any.

As I said earlier, it is only the 13 members of the House that are on trial not the House of Representative as an institution. Surprisingly, they have resorted to using every tactics to narrow the allegations to only issue of padding, which in itself is a grievous offense, ignoring tens of other criminal allegations contained in my petition to the anti-corruption agencies. In doing so, they mischievously expanded the scope of the culpability to give an impression that the entire House, Senate and even the Executive arm of government and some individuals outside NASS are on trial.

This is a wicked attempt to drag many institutions and individuals into the matter to neutralize the issue, spread fear and sell the dummy that the entire country will go down if this matter is dealt with decisively. This is the biggest blackmail I have ever seen. Nigerians should know that the whole agenda of this blackmail is being coordinated by a group of five people, two serving Governors and three former members of the House. I will give their names in due course. They have been running pillar to post and I keep wondering what really do they have to hide or are afraid of since they are not Members of the House.

The meeting with the party went very well and in all honesty they were very objective and showed understanding. I told the party that I will be part of any peaceful resolution EXCEPT on the criminal allegations I have raised against Speaker Dogara and 12 others. On that, I told the party there is no going back and further informed them that more revelations will be made once investigation commences. I also informed the party that I will stand as witness against them and provide every support that will help investigation and prosecution of these 13 extremely corrupt members. The party wrote and asked that Dogara and I should stop further public statements on this issue. I respected the party and stopped further statement but kept a close watch on what was going on. Of course I have my network everywhere.

After three days of careful observation and receiving information from very patriotic Nigerians, I discovered a grand plan by the group of two Governors and three former members designed to provide soft-landing for Dogara and 12 others, give them time to clean up the mess on their desk, destroy whatever evidence in their possession and reach, spread money across members to buy signature of vote of confidence, try to scare and drag as many people as they can into this matter, invade the party and top government officials and influential people that have the ears of the president and try to change the media and public narrative by embarking on very expensive media campaign to discredit and attack my person with all manner of lies they can concoct.

I have made it a duty to respond to all the allegations against me. The latest they brought up this weekend has already been taken care of in my soon-to-be-released memoir. But I have decided not to wait until my birthday in September to release it. I will start releasing the memoir in piecemeal any moment from now so that answers to their cheap blackmail, including the junk and lies they peddle in the media, will be provided. While I was determined to observe the ceasefire, Dogara and his group of few rogues didnt. I called Sen Lawali Shuaibu and complained on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. He promised to reach the Speaker. On Friday the Speaker spoke to the press after meeting the president on the matter, and they launched a massive attack on me on Saturday and today Sunday in the media, while the party is keeping a sealed lip. No body will blame me that I responded. Iam completely convinced that the two Governors and three former members were already at work. I know them like the palms of my hands, and I know how they operate. But Almighty God is more than them.

I was shocked and dumbfounded when I saw the Speaker on television saying padding is not an offense not because of the disgraceful contradiction after clearly stating that I was sacked for padding but I could not believe he could have the temerity to make such reckless, insensitive, arrogant and fraudulent statement right within the sanctity of the presidents Presidential Villa, a place that symbolizes zero tolerance for corruption. If you watched the Speaker on the screen talking, you can clearly see that from his face, cap, Agbada, down to his shoes, it was a radiation of corruption, dirty money, monumental fraud and abuse of office. It was irritating to see such character around the corridors of power.

He didnt know that by that statement he has clearly confirmed my allegation that he and 3 others connived with some committee chairmen to insert into the budget over 2,000 items worth 284billion naira. No wonder he refused to take action despite my complaint. Now that I have provided evidence that he and 3 others masterminded the insertion of 40 billion naira into the budget, another wasteful 20billion naira and attempt to force me to insert another 30billion naira into the budget, padding is no longer an offense???! So the Speaker is saying the nine roads he inserted into the budget which he fraudulently sandwiched into 4 roads and inserted billions into that without any design or costing is not an offense? Or the water project he hijacked from the budget and took to his farm is not an offense? Or moving ten solar boreholes to a place that probably requires just two is not an offense? This has really proved that Speaker Dogara is the son, father, grand father and great grand father of padding! Nigerians are watching!!!

Let me make further revelations here. In addition to the allegations I already made, the anti-corruption agencies should ask Speaker Dogara why on earth he collects 25million naira every month just to spend it the way he wants. They should also ask him to provide proof of how he is funding his farm in Nasarawa State which was just few hectares six months ago and now miraculously expands to about 100 hectares with new buildings and state-of-the-art equipment worth millions as well as the mansion he has suddenly built in Wuse II within six months.

It will be unfair to drag the Senate or senators into this matter. Everybody knows that it is the House that has commanding powers over appropriation. There is nothing in the senate appropriation committee secretariat, that is why I requested for the protection of only that of the House when I heard Dogara was planning to destroy the computers and the hardware. The Senate president was too busy then to even get involved. He was always receiving what I later realized was skeletal briefing from the Speaker. It is also a strong tradition of the National Assembly that in an event of disagreement between standing committee of the Senate and the House, that of the House supersedes. That was exactly what we did on 2016 budget except that of Health, where we adopted the report of the Senate because the chairman House Committee on Health practically converted the budget to his personal estate, moving massive amount of money that made the whole exercise looked like a big joke. I heard the chairman Hon Chike Okafor talking, trying to put defence on TV, and I simply said truly looters have no shame in Nigeria. The Minister of Health Prof Adewale is alive to testify and he knows the role I played to get the health budget, atleast to an implementable shape.

All government and security agencies and top government functionaries should be wary of the activities of these two governors and three former members going round trying to blackmail the Senate and the Executive arm of government in order to diffuse and neutralize the allegations that will change the history of Nigerian parliament for good. We may never have this kind of opportunity to deal decisively with corruption in the House. We may never! If you observe carefully, you will notice attempts last week to wickedly drag the Senate, DSS, SGF and others into this matter. This is all orchestrated by the group of 2 governors, 3 former members and Speaker Dogara and his corrupt cabal. Nobody is in a better position than me to know who the culprits are. The next time you see them in your offices trying to blackmail you that these allegations will bring down the whole country, report them to the police immediately. These allegations are on Speaker Dogara and 12 others and will not in anyway bring down the House, the Senate or the Executive arm of government as they are claiming in their widely spread propaganda.

Part of the grand plan is also to peg the blackmail on religious line. Speaker Dogara forgot that it was me, a Muslim from North West that spearheaded his election despite all the challenges I faced.

I believe Speaker Dogara, the 12 others and some vested interest within and outside the House want to kill me. I no longer feel safe. I have carefully followed their desperation to suppress what will go down in history as the biggest corruption case in Nigeria. I have prepared myself for any eventuality. I have spoken to my mum and dad extensively during the weekend. I have prepared my family. I have handed over a handwritten note and documents to a popular SAN, a man of integrity and other persons that I believe will lay it bare even if they succeed in killing me.

It is a fact that all the members that signed for Dogaras vote of confidence collected money in a shameful and disgraceful exercise, and despite that the consensus remains the Speaker must step aside and face external investigation.

Finally, this cabal of two governors and three former members have blocked every avenue that I can use to reach the President so that he can get a different perspective on this issue. Iam therefore left with no choice than to plead with all our former Heads of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, Alh Shehu Shagari, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Enest Shonekan, Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar and Dr Goodluck Jonathan and the diplomatic community, particularly Ambassador of the United States of America, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom, the German and French Ambassadors and all well-meaning Nigerians to join in the call on the corrupt and fraudulent Speaker Dogara and 3 others to reconvene the House immediately, step aside and allow for a thorough external investigation and also call on the anti-corruption agencies to expedite action on investigation and commencement of prosecution in line with the anti corruption stands of this government.

God bless Nigeria.

Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin

APC-Kano

Kiru-Bebeji Federal Constituency

Kano
Two residents of Iwo town in Osun State were on Monday shot by police after they clashed with officers over the custody of a suspected kidnapper.

A resident told PREMIUM TIMES that the clash began after a suspected kidnapper was apprehended by some residents and dragged to the palace of the traditional ruler of the town, the Oluwo of Iwo.

After interviewing the suspect, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale was said to have invited the police to come take over the case.

But residents, who had massed at the palace, blocked attempts by the traditional ruler to hand over the suspect to the police, a palace insider said.

They claimed that similar cases were reported to the police in the past but that suspects were allowed to go free with no charges pressed, a witness said.

One resident said a child was kidnapped in the town three days ago and that the police had failed to find the child or track the abductors.

So as the police made to go away with the suspected kidnapper, residents blocked them, stoned them, held them hostage and set up bonfires, one resident, who gave his name as Ibrahim, said.

They kept abusing the police saying they were shameless bribetakers and then they clashed with the police as the officers tried to force themselves out of the palace with the suspected kidnapper.

In the process, two persons were shot, one on the leg and the other on the waist. They were rushed to the General Hospital here.

Confirming the incident to PREMIUM TIMES, Oba Adewale said normalcy had however returned to the town and that the place was now peaceful.

See pictures below:
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Uguru Usani, on Monday said the ministry had successfully completed only one project since its creation eight years ago.

He stated this in Abuja while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria.

The ministry was created in 2008 by the late President Umaru YarAdua.

It has two ministers previously  Ufot Ekaette and Godsday Orubebe  both of who are from the oil-rich region as the incumbent.

Mr. Usani said it was regrettable that no project had been commissioned or completed since the establishment of the ministry in 2008, except a cassava processing plant in Ondo State by the present administration.

He decried the destruction of oil facilities by Niger Delta Avengers, arguing that no matter the provocation, it was wrong for the group to destroy the environment that bore the people`s heritage.

He said the region was everybodys business and that no personal or collective interest was worth the destruction of oil pipelines in the region.

Lets come together as one to protect our communities; lets preach love, peace, tolerance, patience and dialogue with one another, Mr. Usani said.

Lets convince ourselves that it is our region and that we have nowhere to go to, if we destroy it.

The minister urged the people of the region to support the President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that they had benefitted more from it him than any other Nigerian president.

He said measures were being put in place to ensure due process and accountability in the ministry, with regards to project implementation, especially in the Niger region.

Mr. Usani, therefore, urged people of the region to task themselves and take responsibility of their collective heritage.

He said, Henceforth, we must refuse to accept despair as the final response to the ambiguities of our history.

Lets embrace our heritage which defines our identities and values.

(NAN)
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has urged 11 state governments to take pro-active action against imminent flooding.

The appeal was contained in a statement signed by the Head, Corporate Communications, Public Relations Unit, National Weather Forecasting and Climate Research Centre of NiMet, Eva Azinge, in Abuja on Monday.

The affected States include: Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Kaduna, Kwara, Nasarawa, Yobe and Zamfara, she said.

Mrs. Azinge said NiMet had predicted flooding in the eleven states due to the cumulative high intensity rainfall in those parts of the country in June and July.

She added that with the current rainfall, there were prospects of flooding in August and October.

After thorough analyses of rainfall data from our observatories nationwide for June and July, soil moisture has either reached saturation, or near saturation levels, she said.

This is due to cumulative high intensity rainfall in some parts of the country in June and July.

This means that floods should be expected in these areas because the soil is no longer able to absorb more rainwater in the coming weeks which coincide with the peak rainy season.

Mrs. Azinge said many parts of the country would experience lower than normal total rainfall due to the effect of El Nino.

Flooding could still be experienced in such areas; particularly those that are naturally prone to flooding.

She recalled that the 2016 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP), identified parts of the Northwest, Southwest and low-lying areas, as particularly vulnerable to flooding during the 2016 rainy season.

According to Mrs. Azinge, these observations and projections are also in agreement with the 2016 Annual Flood Outlook that was released by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency.

NiMet advises Governments, communities and individuals in these vulnerable parts of the country to take proactive actions, such as clearing water channels, drainages and avoid activities that will block the free flow of waters.

Governments, communities and individuals in these vulnerable parts of the country are advised to take proactive actions, such as clearing water channels and drainages, and also avoid activities that block the free flow of water.

Closer attention should also be paid to NiMets daily weather forecasts and alerts. It is further advised that relevant agencies should perfect their emergency evacuation plans and activate them as soon as necessary.

Meanwhile, NiMet will continue to monitor the rainfall pattern as well as general weather conditions across the country and issue updates from time to time.

She said NiMet was also working in collaboration with the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency to monitor rainfall across the country.

(NAN)
The Nigerian government on Monday said it was teaming up with some private individuals to bring back the dreaded War Against Indiscipline previously introduced by Muhammadu Buhari during his military regime between 1983 and 1985.

The National Orientation Agency said the brigade would help curb the high rate of insecurity, violence, kidnapping and other forms of social vices.

Garba Abari, the Director-General of the agency, said this while speaking at the official relaunch of the WAI brigade in Abuja.

Its great pleasure that I have the opportunity to meet with the leadership of WAI, for the first time since my assumption of office about two months ago.

This meeting is meant to discuss the repositioning of the WAI Brigade in the current dispensation of change.

Im not only delighted with this gathering, but excited with you all for keeping faith and working tirelessly to contribute your quota to nation building as volunteers who are not being paid for over three decades, Mr. Abari said.

Mr. Abari said members of the brigade should work towards building a more orderly, secure Nigeria.

In this era of insecurity, violence, kidnapping and other forms of social vices, the role of the WAI Brigade in civil intelligence gathering cannot be over emphasized. It is in this regard that I call on you to encourage your members across the country to redouble their vigilance in the local governments, wards and their various villages, so that we can contribute our quota towards building a secure society.

Members of the WAI brigade could be seen donning a green khaki uniform at the event, which was widely publicised by the agency.

Mr. Abari said Mr. Buhari had decided to relaunch the brigade because it was particularly successfully when it was first deployed in 1983 as a way of correcting disorderly conducts of citizens, charging all members to be circumspect about happenings in their immediate surroundings..

The ills and woes that bedeviled the nation at that time are still very much with us today. That is why, when the National Orientation Agency, NOA, was established in 1983, the War Against Indiscipline, WAI Brigade was automatically drafted to be part and parcel of the agency to fight against indiscipline, disorderly behaviour in public and private places, disobedience to traffic rules and regulations, disrespect for constituted authorities, filthy environment, bribery, corruption and other social vices, Mr. Abari said.

The present administration has declared its intention to re-launch the Brigade for better performance and bring its activities to the fore. You as ambassadors of the agency, must, in your respective communities, local government areas, and states contribute your quota to make the change mantra of this administration a reality. Whenever and wherever you see something, you must say something to save our nation from decline.

But some Nigerians opposed the idea, which they described as outmoded and traumatising.

Funmi Iyanda, journalist and talk show host, said WAI infantilised, traumatised and dehumanised Nigerians. I recall it with revulsion and fear. A horrible relic unsalvageable in any form.

Pro-democracy campaigner and public affairs analyst, Kayode Ogundamisi, expressed concerns about Mr. Buharis decision to bring back WAI, saying it reeked of Mr. Buharis alleged lack of creativity.

So I read on @NOA_Nigeria timeline that we now have a WAI-BRIGADE? God cant we get more creative? I shake my head for Nigeria so much I have become totally exhausted. (Mr. Ogundamisis tweet contained pidgin words that were literally translated into English.)

A commenter, Shola Ogunsemowo, said its also a move in the wrong direction, adding that there are more pressing laws that need to be passed.

Political analyst, Demola Olarewaju, also said the relaunch of WAI was reminiscent of Mr. Buharis 1980s junta.

So Im not bothered with the return of WAI. These things were the forerunners of the dictators exit in 1985. And as it was then, it is now.

But another Twitter user, Yinka Ogunnubi, said WAI was a welcome initiate, adding that it was started by former President Goodluck Jonathan under another name, Community Support Brigade.

WAI brigade as a volunteer para-military organisation has been in place at least since 2012.

Fundamentally, it remains the same org volunteer organisation supervised by the NOA under its Do the Right Thing Campaign.
But the Korean electronics giant claimed the hack was performed in an artificial environment and Samsung Pay is safe in real life.

Security expert Salvador Mendoza showed at the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas last week that it is possible to steal a token from a Samsung Pay device and use it to make a transaction on another device.

Samsung on Sunday denied that the Samsung Pay mobile payment service is vulnerable to hacking.

The payment service works by translating credit card data into temporary tokens that are deactivated immediately after the transaction is made, supposedly so that hackers cannot steal the information.

But Mendoza activated the service on a smartphone and used a special device to wirelessly steal the token. He showed that if the service is deactivated without making a transaction, tokens in some cases remain valid for up to 24 hours and can be stolen for use in other hardware.

Samsung Pay is currently available in eight countries including Korea, China and the U.S.

Samsung said special devices like a large antenna were used in Mendoza's demonstration, and the possibility of hacking the service in real life extremely low as tokens remain valid only 30 seconds here and banks slam on an immediate break once a fraudulent transaction is identified.
This was a year of activity, presence and openness - head of the president's office Malgorzata Sadurska said Monday summing up President Andrzej Duda's first 12 months in office.

Secretary of State Krzysztof Szczerski stressed that the president's foreign policy priority over the past year was the July Warsaw NATO summit.

Recounting the president's undertakings over the past year, Sadurska mentioned his part in the introduction of Poland's new 500 Plus child benefit scheme and the abolition of compulsory schooling for 6-year-olds, the signature of land protection laws, and presidential bills lowering the retirement age and raising the tax-free allowance.

Sadurska said she hoped the retirement bill will be processed quickly after the summer recess.

Sadurska also reminded that in the past year Andrzej Duda absolved 98 official visits in Poland, including to 22 newly-formed powiats and close to 30 foreign visits. She also mentioned the president's attendance at April celebrations of the 1050th anniversary of Poland's conversion to Christianity, the July NATO summit in Warsaw and the World Youth Day festivities in the same month.

Sadurska also listed changes in the president's office, especially the formation of an office for liaison with Polish diasporas, a legal counselling office and an Office for Dialogue and Social Initiative.

Asked about Duda's role in an ongoing conflict around Poland's constitutional court, Sadurska said the clinch was neither a legal nor constitutional conflict but a purely political tussle which should be resolved in parliament. Commenting Duda's recent signature of a new set of laws regulating the court's work, Sadurska said that the president wanted to see the conflict resolved as promptly as possible.

"The president wants the conflict around the Constitutional Tribunal to end and not be incessantly fanned up for political ends, and to cease to function as a kind of lifeline for the opposition", Sadurska said.

Summing up Duda's international activity, Szczerski stressed that the president's foreign policy priority in the last year was raising national security through NATO structures. He added that Duda's strivings in this respect proved successful, as confirmed by the Warsaw NATO summit's decisions to raise military reinforcements in Central-East Europe.

Asked about the recent rapprochement between Turkey and Russia, Szczerski said that crucial for Polish interests was "to what degree we want Turkey to remain on the transatlantic community's orbit". He added that this will depend on Turkey's future moves and dependability as a stable and law-abiding state.

Commenting the president's stance towards the present migration wave to Europe, Szczerski observed that Duda had already expressed himself clearly on the matter, and quoted his words that, "no-one who willingly wishes to settle in Poland will be deprived access to asylum procedures, but there will be no agreement for the forceful resettlement of persons to Poland".

Szczerski added that forceful resettlement violated human rights, and reminded that Poland was already admitting economic migrants from the east and was involved in aiding Middle-Eastern refugee camps. (PAP)
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.




Construction of the centre utilized local materials and workforce, and offers spacious classrooms with the ability for indoor and outdoor activities, providing children attending the school with opportunities to 'learn through play,' which aligns with the Ghana Education Service's initiative to revolutionize the education sector.

Mario Lagunes, FMC Technologies Ghana Country Manager, said: "We are proud to be part of this project. Supporting work of this nature is important to us because it improves the educational foundation for Ghana's future generations.

"FMC Technologies has been operating in Ghana since 2009 with our facility in Takoradi, which currently employs more than 70 Ghanaians. We value our people and it is wonderful to see the opportunities that this new center will bring to local children, their families and the teaching staff alike."

About FMC Technologies

FMC Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: FTI) is the global market leader in subsea systems and a leading provider of technologies and services to the oil and gas industry. We help our customers overcome their most difficult challenges, such as improving shale and subsea infrastructures and operations to reduce cost, maintain uptime, and maximize oil and gas recovery. The company has approximately 16,500 employees and operates 29 major production facilities and services bases in 18 countries. Visit www.fmctechnologies.com or follow us on Twitter @FMC_Tech for more information.

Contact: Denise Pattie

Tel: +44 (0)1383 875063

Email:

denise.pattie@fmcti.com

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081222/LAM028LOGO

Related Links

http://www.fmctechnologies.com



SOURCE FMC Technologies, Inc.
Frost & Sullivan has a proud history in the capital with over 35 years in Belgravia. The new location in Chiswick Park will support the growth of the business providing a modern presence and a stunningly vibrant work location.

Commenting on the move, Senior Partner Gary Jeffery said: "Connectivity and convergence are two global mega trends that we believe are transforming the world in which we live. Chiswick Park is a living embodiment of this; being here will inspire our teams to work together to create innovative solutions, and we will forge partnerships with the world class companies that share this business park."

"In choosing Chiswick Park we have been bowled over by the stunning location, the fabulous amenities for staff and clients, and the smart location between central London and Heathrow airport," added Mr Gary Jeffery. "Frost & Sullivan helps companies grow. Our move to Chiswick Park is a crucial part of our own growth story. We look forward to continued success in our new home."

Frost & Sullivan can now be reached on +44 (0) 20 8996 8500.

For more information on Frost & Sullivan please visit www.frost.com. Furthermore, to schedule your one-on-one growth strategy dialogue with our analysts now, please click here or send an email to Chiara Carella, chiara.carella@frost.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants.

Our "Growth Partnership" supports clients by addressing these opportunities and incorporating two key elements driving visionary innovation: The Integrated Value Proposition and The Partnership Infrastructure.

The Integrated Value Proposition provides support to our clients throughout all phases of their journey to visionary innovation including: research, analysis, strategy, vision, innovation and implementation.

The Partnership Infrastructure is entirely unique as it constructs the foundation upon which visionary innovation becomes possible. This includes our 360 degree research, comprehensive industry coverage, career best practices as well as our global footprint of more than 40 offices.

For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies?

Contact:

Chiara Carella

Corporate Communications  Europe

P: +44 (0) 20 8996 8585

M: +44 (0) 753 3017689

E: chiara.carella@frost.com

http://www.frost.com

Related Links

http://www.frost.com



SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
LONDON, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Roskill examines trade trends in the first six months of the year for key commodities, including lithium, tungsten, rare earths, tantalum, salt, vanadium and molybdenum

The global commodities market saw tough conditions towards the end of 2014 and throughout 2015. As January 2016 unfolded, prices for crude oil, iron ore, copper and aluminium averaged between 21-69% of their levels when indexed against the same month of 2012. However, markets as of mid-2016 appear to be picking up; this was echoed by the World Bank in its quarterly Commodity Markets Outlook published last week, which revealed that most commodity price indices rebounded in Q2 2016. The organisation now expects a modest recovery in the majority of commodity prices in 2017, on the back of increasing demand and tighter supply.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150909/264974LOGO )



World trade patterns in some key commodities - lithium, tungsten, rare earths, tantalum, salt, vanadium and molybdenum - showed mixed performances in the first six months of 2016. Rare earths, vanadium and lithium recorded increases for some products over this period. Salt exports were 25% lower y-on-y because of falling demand in the de-icing segment, on the back of a milder winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile in tungsten, exports of ores and concentrates were stable y-on-y, though regional totals echoed the supply changes that the industry has seen in the last 18 months.

Note: All values shown below are gross weight unless otherwise specified.

Lithium

Combined exports of lithium carbonate from Chile and Argentina reached almost 45,250t in H1 2016, up 50% on H1 2015. The ramp-up at Olaroz in Argentina by Orocobre and increased output from SQM and Rockwood in Chile has all contributed to the rise, but FMC's output from Hombre Muerto in Argentina was only slightly higher y-on-y. An additional 515t was shipped from China in H1, down 37% y-on-y. Average values of exports were US$6,904/t and US$6,818/t for Argentinean and Chilean exports respectively, representing rises of around US$2,500/t and US$2,000/t on H1 2015 as 2016 contract prices witnessed a significant jump following undersupply-driven market tightness. Chinese exports at over US$25,000/t reflected limited off-contract (spot) material availability to plug the gap, having risen by around US$17,000/t y-on-y.

South Korean imports of carbonate exceeded 11,350t and Japanese imports were 9,925t in H1, up 70% and 50% respectively from 6,690t and 4,980t in H1 2015, reflecting greater requirements from two of the three largest battery/battery raw material producing countries. Chinese imports, largely from Chile, hit 6,150t, up 26% on H1 2015. The USA received 7,070t, more than two-thirds from Argentina and destined largely for hydroxide conversion by FMC, down 10% y-on-y, but Belgian imports were up 64% over the same period at 6,110t.

Exports of lithium hydroxide from the USA, China, Chile and Russia were almost 12,260t in H1 2016, down over 1,000t on H1 2015 largely on reduced US and Chinese exports, with increased Chilean exports offsetting these reductions by around 1,000t. Japanese imports of hydroxide were almost 3,340t, down 35% y-on-y, but South Korean imports were up 65% at 2,420t, as South Korean manufacturers boost output of high-nickel cathode materials. Belgian imports also rose 20%, with Russia (SQM tolling through CHMP) now the leading supplier. Average values of exports from Chile increased by almost US$1,500/t and China US$5,500/t, but Russian exports were only US$200/t higher and US exports fell by around US$500/t.

Tungsten

World exports of tungsten ores and concentrates were stable in H1 2016 compared to H1 2015, totalling just over 9,700t. The bulk of shipments were from Russia (2,100t), Bolivia (720t), Portugal and Spain (around 600t each). Exports from Bolivia fell by half y-on-y and were also lower in Russia (-7%). The largest decrease was in Canada, however, which shipped more than 3,000t of tungsten concentrates in H1 2015 but zero in 2016, following the mothballing of North American Tungsten's Cantung mine in October 2015.

A new entrant to the market was Wolf Minerals, which operates the Drakelands mine at Hemerdon in Devon, UK. Commissioning at Drakelands was completed in late September 2015 and concentrate exports were reported to be nearly 550t between January and May 2016. Wolf's June 2016 quarterly report outlined the difficulties the company had encountered as it initially mines and processes the weathered portion of the granite deposit at surface.

Portuguese shipments were higher y-o-y, growing by 29%, following the acquisition of the Panasqueira mine by Canadian-headquartered Almonty Industries in January 2016. Rwandan volumes also recorded a significant rise, growing by 30% y-o-y to reach 610t.

World average tungsten concentrate export values, which more typically reflect contract pricing, fell sharply compared to H1 2015, dropping from US$10,890/t (US$168/mtu assuming a 65% WO 3 content) FOB to US$7,100/t (US$109/mtu) FOB in H1 2016. However, monthly unit values showed signs of improvement in the latter part of the period - which will probably continue into H2.

Rare earths

In H1 2016, China - which accounts for >90% of rare earth supply - exported 23,200t REO of processed products. This was a 67% increase on H1 2015 exports, mainly as a result of consumer restocking of non-cerium compounds in the USA and Europe.

Cerium and lanthanum oxide, and lanthanum carbonate, are the most commonly traded rare earth compounds. Chinese shipments of cerium compounds rose by 49% y-on-y. Cerium is shipped for use by glass polishers and autocatalyst manufacturers, mainly from China to Japan. Lanthanum is used in FCC catalysts and NiMH batteries and shipped mainly from China to the USA. Chinese exports of all non-cerium compounds (which are largely lanthanum compounds by volume) increased by 81% in H1 2016.

Following Molycorp's closure in mid-2015, Silmet in Estonia imported compounds solely from Russia in H1 2016 having previously imported 5,300t from the USA in 2015. France does not report official data, but exports >6,000tpy of cerium compounds, mainly to Japan. Solvay Rhodia now imports an increasing quantity of raw material from Lynas in Malaysia for processing and re-export.

Rare earth metals and alloys account for a small part of rare earth trade, and are shipped mainly from China to Japan. China exported >12,000t of NdFeB magnets in H1 2016, which contained around 4,500t REO of neodymium.

Tantalum

The tantalum market remained subdued during H1 2016. Imports of tantalum-niobium concentrates into China (the largest buyer) from Africa (its largest supplier) were up by about 15% y-on-y. This has not translated into upward price movement, however. In H1 2015, the quoted price for 30% Ta 2 O 5 concentrate CIF China averaged about US$80/lb. During H2, the average dropped to US$62/lb. H1 2016 has seen an average below US$60. It may well be that buyers are in an inventory-building phase.

An interesting reported development is that buyers are becoming more aware of the value of the niobium units in the tantalum concentrates they buy. Historically, niobium contained in a concentrate where tantalum dominates has essentially been given away for free. Buyers are not necessarily now paying directly for the niobium content but they are reportedly prepared to pay a higher price for tantalum concentrate with a good niobium content.

Salt

Salt trade data from H1 2016 shows a 25% decrease in global imports compared to H1 2015. The vast majority of this deficit can be attributed to a reduction in US salt imports from Chile and Canada for de-icing during Q1 2016, which was the result of the milder weather than during the same period last year. However, even with a 42% y-on-y drop, the USA remained the largest destination for shipments in H1 2016 and Chile remained the main supplier to the USA, supplying 2.3Mt.

Exports on a global basis in H1 2016 were down 17%. Australia's exports in H1 2016 were an estimated 5.2Mt, maintaining its longstanding position as largest salt exporter worldwide. However, this is down approximately 4% y-o-y. Australia exports salt to Japan, China, South Korea and Indonesia for use in the chemicals industry. Despite closures in the Asian chloralkali and soda ash industries, increased competition from Indian salt exports was the main reason for lower Australian shipments.

With Asian imports of salt increasing yearly, the region's total salt imports have the potential to account for over half of global salt trade, which will mainly supply the growing domestic chemicals market. This is something K+S Group is looking to exploit with the May 2016 announcement of plans to develop its Ashburton solar salt project in the Pilbara region of Australia. Currently at development stage, production capacity is an intended 3.5Mtpy salt.

Vanadium

Analysis of H1 2016 trade data shows a 40% increase in imports of vanadium oxides and hydroxides over H1 2015 levels. Higher imports from the Czech Republic and the Netherlands partly explain this increase but the main factor underpinning the surge in imports is the 4,700t of Russian material shipped to South Africa. South Africa does not traditionally import vanadium pentoxide although 600t was imported in H1 2015.

Over the same period, imports of ferrovanadium dropped 18% on a global basis. This is a result of lower demand in key markets including Germany, Japan, South Korea and the Netherlands (Dutch ports are the major route to north-western European steelmakers). Chinese (-26%) and South African (-42%) ferrovanadium exports fell considerably in H1 2016 compared to the previous year. Austrian output was also down: H1 monthly exports averaged 170tpm compared to 710tpm in H1 2015, owing to the fact that Treibacher's feedstock was mostly slag sourced from Evraz Highveld in South Africa (now under business rescue) and converted to pentoxide by Hochvanadium.

Czech ferrovanadium exports rose 11% making it the world's biggest ferrovanadium exporter in H1 2016. In the Czech Republic, Evraz Nikom converts the vanadium pentoxide supplied by Evraz Vanady Tula in Russia into ferrovanadium.

Molybdenum

Global imports of ferromolybdenum fell by roughly 9% in H1 2016, compared with the same period in the previous year. Germany remained the largest importer of ferromolybdenum, though imports into Germany fell 16% compared to H1 2015 as a result of weak steel demand from European steel mills.

The Netherlands reported a 42% increase in ferromolybdenum imports between January and April 2016, though this was countered by falling imports by the North American market. Lower demand for molybdenum steels in early 2016 resulted in the USA reporting a decrease of 38%, and Canada a fall of 43%, in ferromolybdenum imports during H1 2016 compared to H1 2015.

South Korea remained the largest exporter of ferromolybdenum in H1 2016 accounting for 22% of total imports, with export volumes increasing by 2% y-on-y. Global exports however fell by 29% compared to the same period in 2015, mainly caused by fewer exports from Belgium which saw export volumes decrease by 54%. Other major exporters also reported lower shipments, with exports of ferromolybdenum from the UK falling 8% and Chile 20%, although the Netherlands reported a 17% increase in exports.

Roskill's annual Market Outlook reports on Rare Earths, Vanadium, Salt and Tungsten will be published in September 2016. Molybdenum (January 2016), Lithium (May 2016), and Tantalum (June 2016) are available now from http://www.roskill.com. To speak to the commodity specialists directly, please contact:

Lithium: Robert Baylis (@robertbaylis)

Tungsten: Jessica Roberts (@jess_roskill)

Rare Earths: Suzanne Shaw (@sueshaw_roskill)

Tantalum: Patrick Stratton (@roskill_info)

Salt: Jack Anderson (@aluminati_1)

Vanadium: Jack Bedder (@jackbedder)

Molybdenum: David Merriman (@roskill_info)

SOURCE Roskill Information Services
ALBANY, New York, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The innovation and technology-driven for armored vehicles market features a select few vendors that mostly take up contracts from government and commercial bodies, with the defense sector being the key determinant of the market's overall development, finds a new research report by TMR. Most of the market's leading and most reputed vendors are headquartered in North America and Europe, making these regions the frontrunners and leading regional segments.

The demand for integration of technologically advanced electrical, photonic, and efficient and highly secure communication components in armored fleet to maintain an edge over extremist powers is gaining strength, stimulating the need for technological transformation for the market. In the next few years, continual investment in R&D activities, development of highly advanced, and innovative technologies will be the core of growth strategies adopted by key vendors, including Oshkosh Corporation, Elbit Systems Ltd., BAE Systems plc, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and Rheinmetall Defence.

Get Sample Report Copy or for further inquiries, click here: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2774

Rising Military Modernization Activities in Asia Pacific and RoW and Focus on SWaP Specifications Key Facilitators of Growth

Rising concerns regarding security from insurgent groups and terrorist attacks in countries across Asia Pacific have highlighted the need for modernization of military groups, pressing government bodies to allot more funds to the defense sector in the past few years. Countries such as India, China, and South Korea are focusing on the procurement of enhanced armored vehicles, driving the global market. Developed nations such as UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey are also substantially increasing their military budgets and increasing the numbers of technologically advanced armored vehicles in their military troops.

The need for reducing the weight and size of vehicles deployed in the defense sector, and the demand for highly efficient, compact, and robust vehicles and weapons is also a key driver of the global armored vehicle market. Promising advancements on fronts such as communication medium, adaptability, navigation, surveillance, protection, and enhanced situational awareness are expected to appeal to an extended set of clients in the next few years.

Browse In Detail Regional Analysis: http://www.europlat.org/global-armored-vehicle-market.htm

Dearth of Regulatory Standards and High Costs of Advanced Armored Vehicles Major Deterrent in Low-income Countries

In most countries across Asia Pacific and the RoW sectors, lack of regulatory standards differentiating protection levels leads to high prices and an increased risk of fraudulence from manufacturers. These factors are also leading to the emergence of several unauthorized vehicle armoring companies in countries such as India, China, and Brazil, challenging businesses of established companies to a certain extent.

The high costs of advanced armored vehicles is also a major deterrent for the global armored vehicles market, especially when sales across cost-conscious developing economies are considered. Fluctuating raw material costs, import expenses, and a horde of taxed levied by countries often result in increased costs of end products. Maintaining a balance between the base cost of products and their quality is thus one of the key challenges for the global armored vehicles if companies wish to expand their businesses across emerging economies.

Transparency Market Research states that the global armored vehicle market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2015 to 2023. At this pace, the market, which had a valuation of US$22.73 bn 2014, is expected to rise to US$35.49 bn by 2023. In terms of technology, the market is presently dominated by the mine protection segment, which accounted for over 24% of the overall market in 2014. In terms of end-use segment, the military sector held over 62% in the global market in 2014.

Browse The Press Release: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/armored-vehicle-market.htm

This review is based on a recent market research report published by Transparency Market Research, titled "Armored Vehicle Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2015 - 2023."

For this study, the market has been segmented as follows:

Global Armored Vehicle Market, 2015 - 2023: By Technology

Active Protection System

Inter Operable Communication

Modular Ballistic Armor

Electric Armor

Situational Awareness System

Active Mine Protection

Vehicle Information Integration

Global Armored Vehicle Market, 2015 - 2023: By Type

Light Protected Vehicles

Infantry Fighting Vehicles

Armored Personnel Carriers

Armored Amphibious Vehicles

Main Battle Tanks

Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles

Others

Global Armored Vehicle Market, 2015 - 2023: By Application

Military

Law Enforcement

Commercial

Global Armored Vehicle Market, 2015 - 2023: By Geography

- North America

U.S.

Canada

Mexico

- Europe

Russia

U.K.

France

Germany

Italy

Rest of Europe

- Asia Pacific (APAC)

China

India

Japan

Rest of APAC

- Rest of the World (RoW)

Middle East and Africa (MEA)

Saudi Arabia

UAE

Israel

South Africa

Rest of MEA

- South America

Brazil

Rest of South America

Other Research Reports by Transparency Market Research:

Military Vetronics Market : http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/military-vetronics-market.html

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/military-vetronics-market.html Commercial Aviation Crew Management System Market : http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/commercial-aviation-crew-management-system-market.html

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/commercial-aviation-crew-management-system-market.html Commercial Avionics Systems Market :http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/commercial-avionics-systems-market.html

About Us:

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. TMR's 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.

Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.

US Office Contact

Transparency Market Research

90 State Street, Suite 700

Albany, NY 12207

Tel: +1-518-618-1030

USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453

Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com



Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

SOURCE Transparency Market Research
NEW YORK, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Increasing vehicle production coupled with growing sales of automobiles to fuel demand for automotive components in India

According to TechSci Research report, "India Automotive Components Market By Vehicle Type, By Demand Category, By Component Type, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011 - 2021', automotive components market in the country is expected to surpass $ 44 billion in 2016. Motorization rate in India grew from 20 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2013 to 22 per 1,000 inhabitants by 2014. Anticipated increase in motorization rate in the coming years is projected to drive India auto components market through 2021. Growing demand for vehicles in the country can be attributed to increasing population base and rising purchasing power of the people. Moreover, India is a prominent exporter of automobiles to various countries across the globe. As a result of rising demand for automobiles from domestic as well as international markets, demand for automotive components in India is expected to grow during the forecast period.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140117/663730 )



Browse 44 market data Tables and 25 Figures spread through 145 Pages and an in-depth TOC on

"India Automotive Components Market"

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/india-automotive-components-market-by-vehicle-type-pc-lcv-m-hcv-2w-3w-otr-by-demand-category-oem-vs-replacement-by-component-type-engine-parts-body-chassis-suspension-brakes-etc-competition-forecast-and-opportunities-2011-2021/749.html

Passenger car segment dominated India automotive components market and the trend is projected to continue through 2021. Major factors attributed to continuing dominance of passenger car segment include expanding passenger car fleet size, rising sales of passenger cars, growing disposable income and increasing consumer preference for passenger cars in the country. Engine parts accounted for the largest share in the country's automotive components market on account of increasing number of international automobile companies setting up their manufacturing plants in the country. As per Government of India, by the end of Automotive Mission Plan 2016-2026, automotive sector in the country is projected to contribute 12% to the country's GDP and generate total revenues of US$ 300 billion by 2026.

Download Sample Report

@ https://www.techsciresearch.com/sample-report.aspx?cid=749

Customers can also request for 10% free customization on this report.

"Availability of low cost resources coupled with various initiatives taken by the government such as 'Make in India' is attracting international automobile companies to establish their manufacturing facilities in the country. The government plans to make India a hub for foreign car manufacturers in the coming years. Consequently, several automobile companies are planning to invest in India automobile market, and this anticipated to positively influence India automotive components market over the next 5-10 years.", said Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research, a research based global management consulting firm.

"India Automotive Components Market By Vehicle Type, By Demand Category, By Component Type, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011 - 2021", has evaluated the future growth potential of automotive components market and provides statistics and information on market size, consumer behavior and trends. The report intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyzes emerging trends along with essential drivers, challenges and opportunities in automotive components market in India.

Browse Related Reports

India Automotive Spark Plug Market By Vehicle Type (Passenger Car, Two-Wheeler & Three-Wheeler), By Type (Copper, Platinum & Iridium), By Demand Category (OEM Vs. Replacement), Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011-202

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/india-automotive-spark-plug-market-by-vehicle-type-passenger-car-two-wheeler-three-wheeler-by-type-copper-platinum-iridium-by-demand-category-oem-vs-replacement-competition-forecast-and-opportunities-2011-2021/709.html

Qatar Passenger Car Aftermarket Components Market By Component Type (Batteries; Brake Pads and Shoes; Clutch; Bearings; Car Care Products; Air Filters; Spark Plugs; and Oil Filters), Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011 - 2021

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/qatar-passenger-car-aftermarket-components-market-by-component-type-batteries-brake-pads-and-shoes-clutch-bearings-car-care-products-air-filters-spark-plugs-and-oil-filters-competition-forecast-and-opportunities-2011-2021/720.html

India Tire Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2021

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/india-tire-market-forecast-opportunities-2021/672.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
A rare talent, Dr. Johnson earned a PhD from Stanford University. He held a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT, and has been a visiting researcher at the University of Stuttgart, the Xerox Research Centre in Grenoble, CSAIL at MIT and the Natural Language group at Microsoft Research. He was President of the Association for Computational Linguistics in 2003, President of SIGDAT in 2015, and was a professor from 1989 until 2009 in the Departments of Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences and Computer Science at Brown University. He is an Editor in Chief of the Transactions of the ACL and the Springer book series "Theory and Applications of Natural Language Processing." He has worked on a wide range of topics in computational linguistics, but his main research area is parsing and its applications to text and speech processing.

Catch Dr. Johnson at the ACL 2016 Conference in Berlin, Aug. 7-12 where he will be presenting on two co-authored papers:

In the main conference:



Efficient techniques for parsing with tree automata

Jonas Groschwitz , Mark Johnson and Alexander Koller

In the CoNLL conference:



Neighborhood Mixture Model for Knowledge Base Completion

Dat Quoc Nguyen 1, Kairit Sirts1, Lizhen Qu2, Mark Johnson1

1Macquarie University, 2NICTA, Australia

SOURCE VoiceBox Technologies Corporation
When completed, the 36-megawatt frequency regulation project will increase the total ESS capacity delivered by Kokam to South Korean utility KEPCO to 92-megawatts

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Kokam Co., Ltd, the world's premier provider of innovative battery solutions, today announced that South Korea's largest utility, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) (NYSE: KEP), has awarded it a contract to develop a 36-megawatt (MW) system / 13-megawatt hour (MWh) Energy Storage System (ESS) for frequency regulation at the Non-Gong substation in South Korea. The project features a combination of two unique Kokam Lithium Ion battery technologies -- its Ultra High Power Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery technology and its NANO battery technology. Work on the project began in June 2016 and is scheduled to be completed by December of 2016.

In March, Kokam announced that it had successfully deployed for KEPCO two Ultra High Power NMC ESSs -- a 24 MW system / 9 MWh and a 16 MW / 6 MWh system -- along with a 16MW / 5MWh Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) system. Together these systems currently provide KEPCO with 56 MW of energy storage capacity for frequency regulation. When the new 36 MW ESS project is completed, Kokam will have deployed 92 MW of energy storage capacity for frequency regulation for KEPCO, and the total worldwide capacity of ESSs using Kokam batteries will total 132 MW.

"We look forward to deploying this new 36 MW ESS for KEPCO and continuing to support its effort to install 500 MW of energy storage capacity for frequency regulation by the end of 2017," said Ike Hong, vice president of Kokam's Power Solutions Division. "Based on our advanced Ultra High Power NMC and NANO battery technologies, this ESS will provide KEPCO with the industry-leading performance, reliability and cycle life characteristics that they have come to expect from Kokam, enabling them to achieve a strong return on their energy storage investment."

About Kokam Co., Ltd.

With a globally acknowledged and proprietary manufacturing technology, Kokam Co., Ltd has provided a wide range of Lithium Ion/Polymer battery solutions to customers in over 50 countries and many different industries, including the military, aerospace, marine, Electric Vehicle (EV), Energy Storage System (ESS) and industrial markets. With over 150 battery-related patents and a total of 650-megawatt hours of field performance, Kokam is a proven leader in providing innovative, high-tech battery solutions. For more information, please visit www.kokam.com.

About Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO)

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) is South Korea's largest Utility established under the Korea Electric Power Corporation Act with the purpose of promoting the development of power resources, stabilizing the electric supply, and growth of the national economy. With about 20,000 employees, KEPCO supplies more than 470 Terawatts annually to South Korea for sales of $41.1 Billion. KEPCO has a total of 10 subsidiaries: 22 companies overseas and 10 domestic companies in areas of electric power generation, transmission, transformation, and distribution, as well as related marketing, research, investment, and asset management.

Press Contacts

Kokam

Ike Hong, Business Development / Marketing

Vice President of Kokam Co., Ltd

Tel: +82 (0)31 3620 137

battery@kokam.com

Cecilia Park

Strategic Marketing Manager

Tel: +82 (0)31 3620192

cecilia@kokam.com

Related Links

http://www.kokam.com



SOURCE Kokam
"We are excited to have Allen join the mimik team," stated Siavash Alamouti, President and Chief Executive Officer. Allen is an internationally recognized technologist, distinguished leader, serial entrepreneur and successful investor in the communications, SaaS and pharmaceutical industries. His entire career has been focused on cutting edge technologies with founding and leadership roles in impactful companies like Omninet, Qualcomm, NextWave, and PacketVideo, and startups like OncoSynergy, Virtuosys and Max2 to name a few. He shares our vision of digital freedom and putting people in direct control of their digital lives. I'm confident that his experience as a cutting edge technology entrepreneur and diverse background across industries will add tremendous value in deploying and scaling our distributed micro-cloud technology platform globally in order to revolutionize the way we communicate and put people in control of their digital lives.

Mr. Salmasi commented, "I'm most excited to be joining the mimik Board of Directors and support their impressive team with a game changing technology platform. mimik platform can revolutionize our digital lives which today is fragmented across incompatible networks and operating systems. mimik utilizes the power of any computing device to form an edge based distributed micro-cloud enabling incompatible devices to communicate seamlessly through micro-services. mimik access, as the first application of the platform already addresses many pain points of the casual users and exhibits the power of the platform which I believe will become even more crucial with internet of things. I'll be working with the executive team and the Board to help the company roll out this unique technology globally and across different industry sectors."

About Mr. Salmasi

Allen Salmasi is currently Chairman and CEO of NLabs Inc., a New York-based venture capital firm. Prior to NLabs, he served as chairman and CEO of NextWave Wireless Inc. (NWI), a company he formed in 2005 that was subsequently acquired by AT&T in 2013. NWI was spun-off from NextWave Telecom Inc. (NTI), a company he had founded in 1995 which was acquired by Verizon Wireless in 2005.

Prior to NextWave, Mr. Salmasi was a member of the Board of Directors, President of the Wireless Communications Division, and Chief Strategic Officer of QUALCOMM Inc. between 1988 and 1995. He initiated and led the development of wireless business, including chipset and handset products, licensing and standards programs for CDMA technology. Prior to QUALCOMM, at Omninet Corporation, a company he founded in 1984 and served as its Chairman of the Board and CEO, he envisioned and led the development of the OmniTRACS system and service, the world's first and currently the largest commercial terrestrial mobile satellite communications service. From 1979 to 1984, Mr. Salmasi was employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Mr. Salmasi is also the Chairman of the Board of OncoSynergy Inc., a San Francisco-based biotech company with a portfolio of oncology drugs under development. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Korea Information and Communications Co., Ltd (KICC), the largest payment processing company in Korea, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Barnard College of Columbia University.

Mr. Salmasi received two B.S. degrees with honors in Electrical Engineering and Management Economics from Purdue University in 1977. He also received two M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 1979 and in Applied Mathematics from the University of Southern California in 1982. Prior to the formation of Omninet, he completed his doctoral coursework at University of Southern California towards a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering (Engineer's Degree) in 1983. Mr. Salmasi received Purdue University's Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineer Award (OECE) in 1999. President William Jefferson Clinton awarded Mr. Salmasi for his innovations and contributions to wireless industry in 1999.

About mimik

mimik has pioneered a distributed micro-cloud technology that enables devices to create clusters by physically discovering and establishing peer to peer connection between one another. The technology allows discovering micro-services running on any cluster and enabling micro-service level communication. This unique capability enables ad-hoc and real-time formation of mesh networks across different devices, OS, and networks. mimik offers its platform to third-party developers via SDKs and APIs to enrich the experience for consumer, connected home, automotive, health and other vertical applications.

Available in the App Store and Google Play Store, the company launched its award winning first consumer branded applications using and extending its SDK and APIs called "mimik access". This app makes it easy to instantly access and share digital content across incompatible devices and platforms and demonstrating the power of mimik's patented, transformative edge-based micro-cloud technology.

Download the mimik access app for Android or iOS - winner of CableLabs best new product award!

For more information visit www.mimik.com

Contact:

Matt ArjMandi, Director of Marketing

Email: matt@mimik.com

Phone: +1-604-899-8843 Ext. 107

Related Links

http://www.mimik.com



SOURCE mimik technology inc.
SYDNEY, Australia, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Artificial Vision Technology Leader Provides Independence to Australians Who are Vision Impaired or Blind

OrCam Technologies, the artificial vision innovator for people who are vision impaired, blind or have a reading disability, today announced the introduction of its assistive technology device in Australia through leading assistive technology provider Quantum Reading, Learning, Vision.

The world's most advanced wearable assistive technology solution, OrCam MyEye utilises a small camera mounted on the user's eyeglass frame to instantly read any printed text in the immediate environment.

Via a discreet earpiece, the device can instantly read text from any source - including newspapers, books, computer screens, restaurant menus, and street signs - as well as recognise faces of individuals and identify products. Every OrCam MyEye device is hand-delivered by a certified OrCam Trainer who teaches each new user how to incorporate the device's technology into daily life.

"OrCam is passionately dedicated to providing independence through our unparalleled artificial vision technology," said Rami Ben Yehuda, OrCam Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations. "Whether it's reading a morning newspaper, recognizing the approach of a loved one or choosing a favourite item in the supermarket, our mission is to improve quality of life."

Demonstrations of OrCam MyEye, free of charge, are available through the assistive technology device pioneer's partnership with leading Australian accessibility product and service provider Quantum RLV (Tel 1300 883 853).

"Quantum is honoured and excited to deliver the very latest development in assistive technology to the Australian market," said Tim Connell, Quantum Managing Director. "As a 'wearable' device, OrCam MyEye can be used anywhere and at any time. It is going to provide a new level of independence for many thousands of Australians who struggle to read."

About OrCam Technologies

OrCam's mission is to harness the power of artificial vision by incorporating pioneering technology into a wearable platform which improves the lives of individuals who are blind, visually impaired, have a reading disability or people with other conditions.

Powered by leading minds in the Computer Vision and Machine Learning fields, OrCam provides a visual aid through a discreet, wearable platform and easy-to-use interface.

OrCam was jointly founded by CTO Professor Amnon Shashua and CEO Ziv Aviram, the co-founders of accident avoidance system Mobileye (NYSE: MBLY).

Please visit http://www.orcam.com and YouTube and follow OrCam on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contact:

OrCam

Rafi Fischer

media@orcam.com

US: +1-800-713-3741

UK: +44-800-358-5323

Israel: +972-2-591-7800

SOURCE OrCam Technologies
DUBAI, UAE, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

International hydroponic experts Pegasus Agriculture have announced plans to construct a large hydroponic facility in Florida, U.S.A. The company has purchased a 15 year lease on 77 acres of land in the area, with an option to extend the lease by an additional 15 years at the end of the contract. The move is designed to give the company access to North American markets, in an area that has been plagued by climate change. Pegasus Agriculture's Managing Director, Naveed Hussain, expects the development will help the company "realize its international potential."

It is well known that the U.S. in general, and Florida in specific, has been plagued by the effects of climate change over the last few years, which has led to a decrease in crop production. Pegasus Agriculture believes that their hydroponic growth technology can remedy this, and help assure regional food security over the long term.

About Pegasus Agriculture

Pegasus Agriculture is one of the leading owners and operators of hydroponic farming facilities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Their head office is strategically located in Dubai, U.A.E. and serves as the headquarters for their global growing and distribution network.

With over 150 years of combined market experience, Pegasus Agriculture leads the MENA region in its goal to attain independent food security.

For more information, please visit http://pegasusagriculturegroup.com

Pegasus Agriculture Contact

info@pegasusagriculturegroup.com

Dubai Office: +971-4-818-8300

SOURCE Pegasus Agriculture Group
TORONTO, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Richmont Mines Inc. (TSX: RIC) (NYSE MKT: RIC) ("Richmont" or the "Corporation") announces operating and financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, driven by solid results from the Island Gold Mine. The Corporation will host a conference call and webcast on Monday, August 8, 2016, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (details below). (All amounts are in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.)

Second Quarter Highlights

Company-wide production was 23,320 ounces for the quarter, an 11% decrease over Q2 2015, primarily due to the depletion of the Monique stockpile earlier this year. The Island Gold Mine produced 18,617 ounces of gold in the second quarter, a 24% increase over Q2 2015, driven by record underground and mill productivity of 911 tonnes per day and 878 tonnes per day, respectively, as well as a positive reconciliation (mined vs. reserves) of 19%.

Gold sold during the quarter was 24,888 ounces, a decrease of 10% over Q2 2015, at an average realized price of $1,628 (US$1,263) per ounce.

per ounce. Revenues for the quarter were $40.6 million ( US$31.5 million ), consistent with Q2 2015.

( ), consistent with Q2 2015. Company-wide cash costs [ 1 ] for the quarter were $903 per ounce ( US$701 per ounce), a decrease of 7% over Q2 2015 and below current guidance estimates. Cash costs for the Island Gold Mine were $766 per ounce ( US$595 per ounce), a 20% decrease over Q2 2015 and significantly below current guidance estimates.

for the quarter were per ounce ( per ounce), a decrease of 7% over Q2 2015 and below current guidance estimates. Cash costs for the Island Gold Mine were per ounce ( per ounce), a 20% decrease over Q2 2015 and significantly below current guidance estimates. Company-wide All-in-Sustaining Costs [ 1 ] ("AISC") for the quarter were $1,330 per ounce ( US$1,032 per ounce), in-line with Q2 2015 and within current guidance estimates. AISC for the Island Gold Mine were $1,038 per ounce ( US$806 per ounce), a 21% decrease over Q2 2015 and significantly below current guidance estimates.

("AISC") for the quarter were per ounce ( per ounce), in-line with Q2 2015 and within current guidance estimates. AISC for the Island Gold Mine were per ounce ( per ounce), a 21% decrease over Q2 2015 and significantly below current guidance estimates. Earnings were $2.7 million , 8% lower than Q2 2015, or $0.04 per share ( US$2.1 million , or US$0.03 per share).

, 8% lower than Q2 2015, or per share ( , or per share). Operating cash flow (after changes in non-cash working capital) of $14.9 million ( US$11.5 million ), or $0.25 per share ( US$0.19 per share), both in-line with Q2 2015.

( ), or per share ( per share), both in-line with Q2 2015. Richmont ended the quarter with an increased cash balance of $95.5 million ( US$73.4 million ), which includes net proceeds of $29.1 million ( US$22.7 million ) related to a bought-deal prospectus financing completed on June 7, 2016 and $3.0 million of net free cash flow [ 1 ] .

( ), which includes net proceeds of ( ) related to a bought-deal prospectus financing completed on and of net free cash flow . Based on the success of the Phase 1 exploration program at the Island Gold Mine, the Corporation launched an aggressive 18 to 24 month Phase 2 drilling program of up to 142,000 metres, with an estimated 39,000 metres to be completed in the second half of 2016.

Based on the strong operational and cost performance in the first six months of the year, Richmont expects to meet, or exceed, the high end of production guidance and the low end of cash cost and AISC guidance. The Corporation will determine whether a revision to 2016 guidance estimates is warranted following the completion of a scheduled 3-week electrical upgrade at the Island Gold mill and the commencement of stope mining in the Q Zone of the Beaufor Mine, both expected in August. It is anticipated that any update to guidance estimates would be released by mid-September.

[1] Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS Performance Measures section contained in the Second Quarter Management's Discussion and Analysis.

"Positive grade and tonne reconciliations, as well as record mining and milling productivities at the Island Gold Mine have driven better than expected production and cost performance in the first half of the year. For the remainder of the year, we expect Island Gold to continue its strong performance as well as see improved performance from the Beaufor Mine as stope mining from the higher grade Q Zone commences." stated Renaud Adams, CEO. He continued, "Our solid cash position and cash flow generation is expected to fully fund both our accelerated development activities and the Phase 2 exploration program that are currently underway at the Island Gold Mine, both of which could position this core asset for significant production growth and mine life extension."

Financial Highlights

Six months Six months (in thousands of $, except per Quarter ended Quarter ended ended ended share amounts) June 30, 2016 June 30, 2015 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2015 Revenue from mining operations 40,618 40,552 93,252 77,762 Net earnings per share, basic 0.04 0.05 0.19 0.14 Operating cash flow, per share 0.25 0.25 0.54 0.43 Adj. operating cash flow, per share(1)(2) 0.19 0.18 0.55 0.36 Net free cash flow, per share(2) 0.05 0.13 0.07 0.13 Revenue from mining operations (US$) 31,521 32,977 70,104 62,945 Net earnings per share, basic (US$) 0.03 0.04 0.14 0.11 Operating cash flow, per share (US$) 0.19 0.21 0.41 0.35 Adj. operating cash flow, per share(1)(2) (US$) 0.15 0.15 0.41 0.29 Net free cash flow, per share(2) (US$) 0.04 0.10 0.05 0.11

(1) Before changes in non-cash working capital.

(2) Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section contained in the Second Quarter Management's Discussion & Analysis.

Operational Highlights

Six months Six months Quarter ended Quarter ended ended ended June 30, 2016 June 30, 2015 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2015 Gold produced (oz) 23,320 26,314 55,689 52,173 Gold sold (oz) 24,888 27,566 57,127 52,357 Average cash costs per ounce ($)(1) 903 974 848 976 Average AISC per ounce ($)(1) 1,330 1,304 1,200 1,281 Average realized gold price per ounce ($) 1,628 1,468 1,629 1,482 Average cash costs per ounce (US$)(1) 701 792 637 790 Average AISC per ounce (US$)(1) 1,032 1,060 902 1,037 Average realized gold price per ounce (US$) 1,263 1,194 1,225 1,200

(1) Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section contained in the Second Quarter Management's Discussion and Analysis.

Island Gold Mine Highlights

Six months Six months Quarter ended Quarter ended ended ended ISLAND GOLD MINE June 30, 2016 June 30, 2015 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2015 Gold produced (oz) 18,617 14,997 45,206 25,761 Gold sold (oz) 20,147 15,703 46,178 24,626 Cash costs per ounce ($)(1) 766 954 714 1,120 AISC per ounce ($)(1) 1,038 1,307 935 1,501 Realized gold price per ounce ($) 1,627 1,470 1,627 1,482 Cash costs per ounce (US$)(1) 595 776 537 906 AISC per ounce (US$)(1) 806 1,063 703 1,214 Realized gold price per ounce (US$) 1,263 1,195 1,223 1,200 Underground tpd 911 759 882 656 Mill tonnes 79,924 71,584 155,830 115,369 Mill tpd 878 787 856 637 Head grade (g/t gold) 7.51 6.73 9.36 7.16 Recoveries (%) 96.5 96.8 96.4 97.0 Sustaining costs ($000's) 5,480 5,555 10,193 9,383 Project costs ($000's) 7,946 4,546 14,933 8,853 Non-sustaining exploration ($000's) 3,624 605 7,394 1,040 Sustaining costs (US$000's) 4,253 4,517 7,663 7,595 Project costs (US$000's) 6,166 3,697 11,226 7,166 Non-sustaining exploration (US$000's) 2,812 492 5,559 842

(1) Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section contained in the second quarter Management's Discussion and Analysis.

At the end of the quarter, the Island Gold Mine reported more than 5.5 years (over 2 million man hours) of operations without lost-time injury.

The Island Gold Mine produced 18,617 ounces of gold (20,147 ounces sold), an increase of 24% over the same period in 2015. As previously disclosed, the mine plan for the quarter was focused in lower-grade areas of the mine where ore development activities primarily occurred in the lower grade extensions of the second mining horizon. Overall, the operation reported a higher than planned mined grade of 7.51 g/t. The forward looking 2016 mine plan continues to forecast development and stope mining at grades of between 7.0 and 7.5 g/t gold, using the December 2015 resource model capped at 95 g/t gold.

resource model capped at 95 g/t gold. Underground productivity averaged a record 911 tonnes per day and mill processing averaged record productivity of 878 tonnes per day. The higher underground productivity and grade realized in the quarter were primarily the result of a positive reconciliation (mined vs. reserves) of 19%, comprised of 8% on tonnes and 10% on grade. As compared to Q1 2016, there was a negative impact on mined grades as a result of mining wider zones as compared to reserves. It is expected that over the coming quarters drilling patterns will continue to be evaluated to best optimize grade and tonnage profiles.

The percentage of higher cost development ore versus total ore tonnes mined was 48% for the quarter, as compared to a planned 40%. It is expected that during the second half of the year the percentage of development ore mined will decrease to planned levels of 40% as stope mining commences in the second mining horizon.

Cash costs for the quarter were $766 per ounce ( US$595 per ounce), significantly below guidance estimates and a 20% decrease over the Q2 2015.

per ounce ( per ounce), significantly below guidance estimates and a 20% decrease over the Q2 2015. AISC per ounce decreased to $1,038 (US$806) , a decrease of 21% over Q2 2015. AISC for the quarter included $5.4 million of sustaining capital, comprised of $2.0 million of underground development costs, $0.8 million in electrical upgrades, $0.8 million of delineation drilling, $0.3 million for capital lease payments and $1.5 million on other assets.

, a decrease of 21% over Q2 2015. AISC for the quarter included of sustaining capital, comprised of of underground development costs, in electrical upgrades, of delineation drilling, for capital lease payments and on other assets. As previously disclosed, a 3-week mill electrical upgrade was launched in late July and remains on track for completion in mid-August.

During the quarter, the Corporation spent $7.9 million in non-sustaining project costs related to the accelerated development of the deeper resources, which included advancing both the main access ramp ( $2.6 million ) and the east ramp ( $2.0 million ), fixed assets ( $2.6 million ), and exploration & delineation development drift on level 740 ( $0.7 million ).

in non-sustaining project costs related to the accelerated development of the deeper resources, which included advancing both the main access ramp ( ) and the east ramp ( ), fixed assets ( ), and exploration & delineation development drift on level 740 ( ). The recent final update on the Phase 1 exploration drilling program demonstrated the potential to grow production and increase mine life both laterally above the 860 metre level, as well as in the vertical extension below the 1,000 metre level. Exploration drilling costs of $3.6 million (approximately 16,800 metres) were incurred in the quarter, completing the Phase 1 drilling program. The success of the Phase 1 program supported the launch of an aggressive 18 to 24 month Phase 2 exploration program of up to 142,000 metres of drilling.

Beaufor Mine Highlights

Six months Six months Quarter ended Quarter ended ended ended BEAUFOR MINE June 30, 2016 June 30, 2015 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2015 Gold produced (oz) 4,703 7,082 9,318 15,045 Gold sold (oz) 4,741 6,888 9,778 15,719 Cash costs per ounce ($)(1) 1,486 1,062 1,441 973 AISC per ounce ($)(1) 1,899 1,259 1,812 1,113 Realized gold price per ounce ($) 1,635 1,455 1,642 1,474 Cash costs per ounce (US$)(1) 1,154 864 1,083 788 AISC per ounce (US$)(1) 1,475 1,024 1,362 901 Realized gold price per ounce (US$) 1,269 1,183 1,234 1,193 Underground tpd 286 360 304 364 Mill tonnes 28,281 36,914 57,599 66,665 Head grade (g/t gold) 5.27 6.05 5.11 7.12 Recoveries (%) 98.1 98.6 98.4 98.6 Sustaining costs ($000's) 1,958 1,358 3,632 2,198 Sustaining costs (US$000's) 1,519 1,104 2,730 1,779

(1) Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section contained in the second quarter Management's Discussion and Analysis.

At the end of the quarter, the Beaufor Mine reported 2.5 years of operations without lost-time injury.

Production for the quarter was 4,703 ounces (4,741 ounces sold), a 34% decrease over Q2 2015, primarily as a result of lower than expected tonnes and grades mined in secondary Zones M-MF and 12.

Development of the higher-grade Q Zone advanced during the quarter with stope mining planned for the third quarter, which should contribute to increased grade and ounces produced in the second half of the year.

Cash costs for the quarter were $1,486 per ounce ( US$1,154 per ounce), a 40% increase over Q2 2015. Cash costs are expected to decrease as stope mining in the higher grade Q Zone begins in the third quarter.

per ounce ( per ounce), a 40% increase over Q2 2015. Cash costs are expected to decrease as stope mining in the higher grade Q Zone begins in the third quarter. AISC per ounce for the second quarter were $1,899 (US$1,475) , a 51% increase over Q2 2015. Sustaining costs for the quarter were $2.0 million , which included $1.0 million for capitalized underground mine development, $0.4 million for expensed exploration costs and $0.6 million of other sustaining costs. AISC are expected to decrease as higher grades stope mining in the new Q Zone begins in the second half of the year.

, a 51% increase over Q2 2015. Sustaining costs for the quarter were , which included for capitalized underground mine development, for expensed exploration costs and of other sustaining costs. AISC are expected to decrease as higher grades stope mining in the new Q Zone begins in the second half of the year. Underground productivity at the Beaufor Mine averaged 286 tonnes per day, modestly lower than planned levels.

Second Quarter and Recent Corporate Highlights

On June 7, 2016 , Richmont announced the completion of a bought-deal prospectus offering (the "Offering"). Pursuant to the Offering, the Corporation issued 2,990,000 common shares at a price of $10.40 per common share for gross proceeds of approximately $31 million that included 390,000 common shares issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriter's over-allotment option.

, Richmont announced the completion of a bought-deal prospectus offering (the "Offering"). Pursuant to the Offering, the Corporation issued 2,990,000 common shares at a price of per common share for gross proceeds of approximately that included 390,000 common shares issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriter's over-allotment option. Effective Friday, June 17, 2016 Richmont was added to the S&P/TSX Global Mining Index and the S&P/TSX Global Gold Index.

Upcoming News & Events

Phase 2 exploration update ( September 2016 )

) Potential guidance update (mid-September)

Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment and Technical Session (Q4 2016)

Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis

The financial statements and related Management's Discussion and Analysis can be found on the Corporation's website at http://www.richmont-mines.com or under the Company's profile on http://www.sedar.com and with the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

Webcast and Conference Call

A webcast and conference call will be held on Monday, August 8, 2016 starting at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Senior management will be on the call to discuss the results.

Conference Call Access

International & Toronto : 1-416-764-8688

: 1-416-764-8688 Canada & U.S. Toll Free: 1-888-390-0546

Please ask to be placed into the Richmont Mines 2016 Second Quarter Results Conference Call.

Conference Call Live Webcast

The conference call will be broadcast live on the Internet via webcast. To access the webcast, please follow this link: http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=1221836&s=1&k=4BF022AEDB00EC80C28A6E55008FCE7C

Archive Call Access

If you are unable to attend the conference call, a replay will be available until 08:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Monday, August 15, 2016 by dialing the appropriate number below:

International & Toronto : 1-416-764-8677 Passcode: 882550#

: 1-416-764-8677 Passcode: 882550# Canada & U.S. Toll Free: 1-888-390-0541 Passcode: 882550#

Archive Webcast

The webcast will be archived for 90 days. To access the archived webcast, visit the Corporation's website at http://www.richmont-mines.com or follow this link: http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=1221836&s=1&k=4BF022AEDB00EC80C28A6E55008FCE7C

About Richmont Mines Inc.

Richmont Mines has produced over 1.6 million ounces of gold from its operations in Quebec, Ontario and Newfoundland since beginning production. The Corporation currently produces gold from the Island Gold Mine in Ontario, and the Beaufor Mine in Quebec. The Corporation is also advancing development of the significant high-grade resource extension at depth of the Island Gold Mine in Ontario. With 35 years of experience in gold production, exploration and development, and prudent financial management, the Corporation is well-positioned to cost-effectively build its Canadian reserve base and to successfully enter its next phase of growth.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that include risks and uncertainties. When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and apply only as of the date on which they were made. Except as may be required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation and disclaims any responsibility to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include changes in the prevailing price of gold, the Canadian-United States exchange rate, grade of ore mined and unforeseen difficulties in mining operations that could affect revenue and production costs. Other factors such as uncertainties regarding government regulations could also affect the results. Other risks may be set out in Richmont Mines' Annual Information Form, Annual Reports and periodic reports. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release.

Cautionary note to US investors concerning resource estimates

Information in this press release is intended to comply with the requirements of the Toronto Stock Exchange and applicable Canadian securities legislation, which differ in certain respects with the rules and regulations promulgated under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), as promulgated by the SEC. The Reserve and Resource estimates in this press release were prepared in accordance with Regulation 43-101 adopted by the Canadian Securities Administrators. The requirements of Regulation 43-101 differ significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

U.S. Investors are urged to consider the disclosure in our annual report on Form 20-F, File No. 001-14598, as filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act, which may be obtained from us (without cost) or from the SEC's web site: http://sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

Regulation 43-101

The geological data in this news release has been reviewed by Mr. Daniel Adam, Geo., Ph.D., Vice-President, Exploration, an employee of Richmont Mines Inc., and a qualified person as defined by Regulation 43-101.

Renaud Adams, President and CEO, Phone: +1-416-368-0291 ext. 101; Anne Day, Vice-President, Investor Relations, Phone: +1-416-368-0291 ext. 105

SOURCE Richmont Mines
BEIJING, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/-- China Wujiang Qipao Town promotion conference and press conference of International Architecture Design Competition sponsored by Wujiang District Government and organized by Wujiang Taihu Lake New City Administrative Committee and Wujiang East Taihu Lake Eco-tourism Resort Administrative Committee was held successfully in Beijing on August 3. With the theme of carrying forward the traditional culture and inheriting the craftsmanship, this conference has sent invitations to outstanding architects home and abroad for the designing of the core buildings in the Qipao Town in the purpose of selecting excellent designs combining Qipao elements with contemporary architectural features.

Qipao Town is located in the center of the downtown area of Wujiang, which has produced many famous silk craft masters, including Fei Dasheng, "Mother of Silk", Qian Xiaoping, inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage of the Song brocade and Zhu Hongsheng, "Walking Dictionary of Shanghai School of Qipao". Silk textile production has become the leading industry in Wujiang with the production capacity of hundreds of billions Yuan. Its silk products exports account for 1/6 of the national total.

Thanks to Wujiang's developed industrial hinterland and profound cultural heritage, Qipao Town is committed to carrying forward the traditional culture and inheriting the craftsmanship. In the future, it will be built into a cultural town with the theme of Qipao culture, industrial town of inheriting craftsmanship and tourist town with the picturesque South Yangtze River landscape and the brilliant vision of "Qipao is the best representative of the Chinese costumes over the past thousands of years, Wujiang is the best representative of the inheritance of Qipao" will be realized.

The dream of Qipao Town attracts the attention of fashion leaders. As the first Chinese fashion designer presented in the Paris Haute Couture Week, Lawrence Xu designed series of classical masterpieces including "Oriental Auspicious Cloud" dragon robe dress for Fan Bingbing. From his point of view, with five thousand years' splendid civilization, Qipao is the representative of Chinese costume with the oriental beauty. Qipao Town will achieve success by making innovations on the basis of absorbing essence from Chinese classics.

This design competition has invited the bidding for the core projects like Qipao Museum, Qipao themed hotels, Qipao Research Institute, Lady's College, Qipao outdoor show area and so on. The whole competition with the process of application, file receiving, assessment and conclusion will last from August to the end of 2016. Participants can register on the official website of Qipao Town(http://www.townqipao.com/). Authoritative experts in China are invited to participate in the assessment process with Zhou Chang (Secretary General of the China Association of Architecture) as Chairman of the judging panel. One First Prize, two Second Prizes, and three Third Prizes will be selected. They will be awarded with bonus and chances to participate in the construction of the town.

Related Links

http://www.townqipao.com/



SOURCE Wujiang District Government
STOCKHOLM, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Company establishes Magine Asia Unit in Hong Kong

The Swedish streaming television platform Magine AB (http://www.magine.com/global) has announced the agreement with a Beijing-based digital TV system integrator and operator to build, launch and operate an Internet-based video streaming system for the Chinese market. In parallel with this, Magine has established the Magine Asia Unit, based in Hong Kong.

The agreement comprises the establishment and operation of an internet platform to provide both video-on-demand and linear content streaming to over 100 million households. The Beijing based company has active businesses in a number of provinces in China, and close cooperation with some of the largest TV stations and operators there.

"Global expansion and deep strategic partnerships are key to Magine's growth. With this agreement, we become a leading player in the rapidly evolving Chinese streaming market," said Dr. Ambuj Goyal, CEO of Magine. "Magine's superfast, reliable and secure global internet based TV distribution platform, dubbed Magine's TV Superhighway, is transforming the way how production quality content moves around the world," says Goyal.

About Magine

The Swedish startup Magine is a pioneer within the international TV streaming market. With consumer services in Scandinavia and Germany since 2013 and with new partners operating in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, Magine is building the fundamentals of the TV Superhighway, offering a global OTT platform and an ecosystem for content providers and distributors in all parts of the world. The company has offices in Stockholm, Berlin, London and Hong Kong.

http://www.magine.com/global

SOURCE Magine
LONDON, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- VTTI Energy Partners LP ("VTTI" or the "Partnership") (NYSE: VTTI) today announced the commencement of an underwritten public offering of 5,250,000 common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership. The Partnership expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 787,500 common units from the Partnership. The underwriters intend to offer the common units from time to time in one or more transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices or at negotiated prices.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141031/155895LOGO

The Partnership intends to use a portion of the net proceeds of the offering and its general partner's contribution to maintain its 2% general partner interest to fund the purchase price of its previously announced acquisition (the "Acquisition") from VTTI MLP Partners B.V. of an additional 8.4% economic interest in VTTI MLP B.V., which owns, directly or indirectly, the interests in the entities that own the Partnership's terminal facilities, for cash consideration of $96.2 million. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used for general partnership purposes. The offering is not conditioned on the closing of the Acquisition. If the Acquisition does not close, the Partnership expects to use the net proceeds from the offering and the related capital contribution by its general partner for general partnership purposes.

VTTI B.V., our indirect parent, and its affiliates have indicated an interest in purchasing up to $25 million of the common units offered in the public offering. These common units would be purchased from the underwriters at the price per common unit paid by the public in the initial distribution. The underwriters would not deduct any discounts or commissions from the price paid by VTTI B.V. and its affiliates and, as a result, the Partnership would receive the entire amount paid by VTTI B.V. and its affiliates for such units. There can be no assurance that VTTI B.V. or its affiliates will participate in this offering, and if it or its affiliates do participate, there can be no assurance as to the number of common units that they will purchase.

J.P. Morgan and BofA Merrill Lynch are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

The offering of the common units is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form F-3, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and became effective on August 8, 2016. The offering will be made only by means of a preliminary prospectus supplement, final prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, copies of which may be obtained on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the joint book-running managers will arrange to send you the preliminary prospectus supplement and related base prospectus if you request them by contacting:

J.P. Morgan c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions 1155 Long Island Avenue Edgewood, NY 11717 1-866-803-9204 Email: prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com BofA Merrill Lynch NC1-004-03-43 200 North College Street, 3rd floor Charlotte NC 28255-0001 Attn: Prospectus Department Email: dg.prospectus_requests@baml.com

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction.

About VTTI Energy Partners LP

VTTI Energy Partners LP is a fee-based, growth-oriented limited partnership, formed to own, operate, develop and acquire refined petroleum product and crude oil terminaling and related energy infrastructure assets on global scale. The Partnership's assets include interests in a broad-based portfolio of six terminals that are strategically located in energy hubs throughout the world with a combined total storage capacity of 35.7 million barrels.

Contacts

VTTI Energy Partners LP

Robert Abbott, Chief Financial Officer

+44 20 3772 0110

Hill + Knowlton Strategies New York,

Peter Poulos

+1 212 885 0588

Hill + Knowlton Strategies Amsterdam,

Tanno Massar

+31 20 4044707

Related Links

http://www.vttienergypartners.com



SOURCE VTTI Energy Partners LP
NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The global air quality monitoring (AQM) market is estimated to grow at a high CAGR of 8.5% from 2016 to 2021 to reach USD 5.64 billion by 2021. Although the developed regions (such as North America and Europe) held large shares in the AQM market in 2016, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to grow at the highest CAGR in the next five years. Factors such as large-scale industrialization, implementation of stringent air pollution regulations across major Asian countries, growing government emphasis on industry compliance with environmental safety regulations, and continuous government support for the development & commercialization of advanced AQM products are propelling the growth of the AQM market in this region.



Growth in the global air quality monitoring market is driven by factors such as presence of supportive government regulations for effective air pollution monitoring and control, ongoing government initiatives towards the development of environment-friendly industries, increasing public-private funding, rising global levels of air pollution, and increasing public awareness related to healthcare and the environmental implications of air pollution. In addition, emerging Asian countries such as China and India, technological advancements in the field of air pollution monitoring, and ongoing expansions of petrochemical and power generation industries are offering new growth opportunities for AQM vendors in the market.



Geographically, North America is estimated to command the largest share of the global air quality monitoring market in 2016, followed by Europe. The large market share of the North American region can be attributed to the fast adoption of new advanced air quality monitoring technologies in this region. A number of factors such as ongoing technological advancements in the field of gas analyzers & particulate sensors, rising public-private funding and investments, and the presence of supporting government regulations are further stimulating the demand for air quality monitoring in North America. However, pricing pressures faced by key market players and technical issues related to conventional products in the North American region are negatively affecting the growth of the air quality monitoring market in this region.



The air quality monitoring market is competitive, with a large number of global and local providers of air quality monitoring solutions. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (U.S.), Teledyne Technologies Inc. (U.S.), and Siemens AG (Germany) were the top three players in the air quality monitoring market in 2015. These companies together accounted for 56.2% of the global market. New product launches and product enhancements; partnerships, agreements, and collaborations; acquisition; and geographic expansions are the major strategies adopted by most of the market players to achieve growth in the air quality monitoring market.



Reasons to Buy the Report:



From an insight perspective, this research report focuses on various levels of analysismarket share analysis of the top players and company profiles, which together comprise and discuss basic views on the competitive landscape; emerging and high-growth segments of the AQM market; and high-growth regions and their respective drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.



The report will enrich both established firms as well as new entrants/smaller firms to gauge the pulse of the market, which in turn will help firms in garnering a greater market share. Firms purchasing the report could use any one or a combination of the below-mentioned five strategies (market penetration, product development/innovation, market development, market diversification, and competitive assessment) for strengthening their market shares.



The report provides insights on the following pointers:



Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on AQM products offered by the top 10 players in the AQM market. The report analyzes the air quality monitoring market by product, sampling method, pollutant type, and end users across four geographies



Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on current technologies, research and development activities, and new product launches in the AQM market



Market Development: Comprehensive information about the lucrative emerging markets. The report analyzes the markets for various air quality monitoring products across four geographies (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World)



Competitive Assessment: Assessment of market shares, strategies, products, distribution networks, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players in the AQM monitoring market



Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04016190-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.



http://www.reportlinker.com

__________________________

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001

SOURCE Reportlinker

Related Links

http://www.reportlinker.com


DUBLIN, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN) today reported its second quarter 2016 continuing operations performance.

Second Quarter 2016 Continuing Operations

($ in millions, except per share amounts)

Q2 '16

Q2 '15

Q1 '16

Q2 '16

v Q2

'15

Q2 '16

v Q1

'16

Total net revenues

$ 3,684.8

$ 3,628.7

$ 3,399.3

1.5%

8.4%

Branded net revenues*

$ 3,709.2

$ 3,673.8

$ 3,431.2

1.0%

8.1%

























Operating (Loss)

$ (487.6)

$ (476.1)

$ (171.5)

2.4%

184.3%

Diluted EPS - Continuing Operations

$ (1.25)

$ (1.38)

$ (0.41)

(9.4)%

204.9%

Cash Flow from Operations

$ 1,382.5

$ 1,401.3

$ 1,218.5

(1.3)%

13.5%

SG&A Expense

$ 1,210.0

$ 1,121.1

$ 1,096.3

7.9%

10.4%

R&D Expense

$ 636.5

$ 349.7

$ 403.1

82.0%

57.9%

Continuing Operations Tax Rate

37.9%

44.7%

81.6%

(6.8)%

(43.7)%

























Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income

$ 1,860.0

$ 2,008.7

$ 1,734.1

(7.4)%

7.3%

Non-GAAP Diluted EPS

$ 3.35

$ 3.67

$ 2.99

(8.7)%

12.0%

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

$ 1,936.6

$ 2,080.8

$ 1,816.1

(6.9)%

6.6%

Non-GAAP SG&A Expense

$ 1,038.8

$ 899.4

$ 969.0

15.5%

7.2%

Non-GAAP R&D Expense

$ 345.0

$ 302.0

$ 276.5

14.2%

24.8%

Non-GAAP Continuing Operations Tax Rate

7.1%

8.0%

9.7%

(0.9)%

(2.6)%

























* Excludes the reclassification of revenues of ($24.4) million in Q2 2016, ($45.1) million in Q2 2015, and ($31.9) million in Q1 2016 related to the portion of Allergan product revenues sold by our Anda Distribution Business into discontinued operations.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150612/222796LOGO

Total net revenues of $3.7 billion, a two percent increase versus the prior year quarter, were impacted by the loss of exclusivity on Namenda IR, offset by strong performance in key brands and new product launches.

"Allergan delivered another quarter of strong operating performance, while taking important steps to advance our evolution as a focused Growth Pharma leader," said Brent Saunders, CEO and President, Allergan. "Our teams delivered strong revenues powered by robust performance from key brands, including BOTOX, RESTASIS, LINZESS, JUVEDERM and LO LOESTRIN. Our R&D teams have delivered thirteen major U.S. and international approvals, including BYVALSON and NAMZARIC, and completed nine major regulatory submissions, including XEN for glaucoma and True Tear for dry eye to the Food and Drug Administration, so far this year."

"2016 has been a year of significant, positive transition for Allergan. On August 2, we announced the completion of the divestiture of our Global Generics business, and on August 3, announced the proposed divestiture of our Anda distribution business, to Teva. These steps position Allergan as a pure branded focused business able to maximize the power of its therapeutic areas and the promise of its leading Open Science pipeline of 65+ mid-to-late stage development programs," added Saunders.

"Thank you to our more than 16,000 colleagues around the world, who have delivered strong results despite a period of significant change, advanced important innovation for patients, and are the driving force behind our therapeutic area leadership and strong connection to the customers we serve. These efforts have helped us become the most dynamic and exciting Company in our industry," said Saunders.

GAAP operating loss from continuing operations in the second quarter 2016 was $488 million. Non-GAAP operating income from continuing operations in the second quarter 2016 was $1.86 billion. For the second quarter 2016, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $1.94 billion, compared to $2.08 billion for the second quarter 2015. The decrease was primarily due to the loss of exclusivity on NAMENDA IR. Cash flow from operations for the second quarter of 2016 was $1.4 billion.

Operating Expenses

Total GAAP SG&A was $1.2 billion for the second quarter 2016 compared to $1.1 billion in the prior year period. Total non-GAAP SG&A was $1.0 billion for the second quarter 2016 compared to $899 million in the prior year period as a result of increased promotional spending to support the launches of new products including VIBERZI, VRAYLAR and KYBELLA. GAAP R&D investment for the second quarter 2016 was $637 million. Non-GAAP R&D investment for the second quarter 2016 was $345 million. R&D investment increased as a result of an increasing number of products moving into phase 3 development.

Amortization and Tax

Amortization expense from continuing operations for the second quarter 2016 was $1.63 billion, compared to $1.52 billion in the second quarter of 2015. The Company's GAAP continuing operations tax rate was 37.9 percent in the second quarter 2016. The Company's non-GAAP continuing operations tax rate was 7.1 percent in the second quarter 2016.

Capitalization

As of June 30, 2016, Allergan had cash and marketable securities of $507 million and outstanding indebtedness of $39.6 billion. "Post the completion of the Teva transaction we have made significant progress toward strengthening our balance sheet to support our long-term growth," said Tessa Hilado, Chief Financial Officer, Allergan. "Using the proceeds of the Teva transaction and cash flows from operations in the second quarter, we have repaid $9.3 billion in debt, leaving us with $33.3 billion in total outstanding debt and approximately $27.6 billion remaining in cash. We plan to commence our share repurchase program shortly with the initial focus on repurchasing approximately $5 billion in shares over the remainder of the year. Upon the conclusion of this program, we will evaluate whether to move forward and repurchase the remaining $5 billion authorized by the Allergan board. This is in-line with our larger capitalization strategy  which is focused on maximizing value for our shareholders over the long-term."

Discontinued Operations and Continuing Operations

As a result of the decision to hold for sale our Anda Distribution business as of June 30, 2016, which we subsequently announced we are selling to Teva, and the now completed divestiture of the Company's Global Generics business to Teva on August 2, 2016, the second quarter 2016 financial results of these businesses are being reported as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company's Anda Distribution results will be reported as discontinued operations until the close of that transaction. A portion of the third quarter 2016 Global Generics business results will be reported as discontinued operations in Allergan's third quarter 2016 earnings report. Included in segment revenues are product sales that are sold by the Anda Distribution business once the Anda Distribution business has sold the product to a third party customer. These sales are included in segment results and are excluded from total continuing operations revenues through a reduction to Corporate revenues. Cost of sales for these products in discontinued operations is equal to our average third-party cost of sales for third-party brand products distributed by Anda Distribution.

Continuing operations includes the U.S. General Medicine, U.S. Specialized Therapeutics and International business segments. All prior year results have been recast to reflect continuing operations results and will be available along with other earnings materials on our website at http://www.allergan.com/investors/financial-information/quarterly-results.

Second Quarter 2016 Business Segment Results

U.S. Specialized Therapeutics

(Unaudited; $ in millions) Three Months Ended June 30,

2016 (1)

2015 (1)







Eye Care $ 636.1

$ 578.6 Total Medical Aesthetics 419.8

366.2 Facial Aesthetics 320.2

263.7 Plastic Surgery 52.8

54.1 Skin Care 46.8

48.4 Medical Dermatology 97.1

120.7 Neuroscience & Urology 326.3

277.7 Other Revenues 9.6

4.5 Net revenues $ 1,488.9

$ 1,347.7 Operating expenses:





Cost of sales(2) 75.1

74.4 Selling and marketing 287.8

247.8 General and administrative 46.0

20.9 Segment contribution $ 1,080.0

$ 1,004.6 Segment margin 72.5%

74.5% Segment gross margin(3) 95.0%

94.5%







(1) Includes revenues earned that were distributed through the Anda Distribution business to third party customers. (2) Excludes amortization and impairment of acquired intangibles including product rights. (3) Defined as net revenues less segment related cost of sales as a percentage of net revenues.

U.S. Specialized Therapeutics net revenues grew 11 percent driven by strong growth in Eye Care, Facial Aesthetics and Neuroscience.

Eye Care

RESTASIS  net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $371.3 million , driven by continued strong promotional efforts.

net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were , driven by continued strong promotional efforts. LUMIGAN  /GANFORT  net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $80.6 million , impacted by modest prescription declines.

/GANFORT net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were , impacted by modest prescription declines. ALPHAGAN  /COMBIGAN  net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $96 million . Overall prescriptions remain stable.

/COMBIGAN net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were . Overall prescriptions remain stable. OZURDEX net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $21.5 million , driven by the acceleration of sales in DME following publication of new clinical data.

Medical Aesthetics

Facial Aesthetics BOTOX  Cosmetic net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $189.9 million , driven by continued market share expansion, enhanced promotional focus and overall continued strong demand for the product. Fillers net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $117.6 million , reflecting strong sales of JUVEDERM  and the continued benefit of new product introductions from the Vycross line. KYBELLA  net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $12.7 million , as we focus on developing the market for submental fullness.

Plastic Surgery Breast implant net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were stable at $51.7 million .

Skin Care SkinMedica  net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were strong at $29.1 million .



Medical Dermatology

ACZONE and TAZORAC net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $54.1 million and $23.4 million , respectively.

Neurosciences & Urology

BOTOX  Therapeutic revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $296 million , driven by continued strong growth in migraine and overactive bladder.

Therapeutic revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were , driven by continued strong growth in migraine and overactive bladder. RAPAFLO revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were stable at $29.4 million .

U.S. Specialized Therapeutics gross margin for the second quarter of 2016 was 95 percent. SG&A expenses increased 24 percent in the second quarter 2016 primarily due an expansion of the medical aesthetics salesforce and the launch of Kybella in the U.S. Segment contribution for the second quarter 2016 increased 7.5% percent versus the prior year period to $1.08 billion.

U.S. General Medicine





(Unaudited; $ in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30,



2016 (1)

2015 (1)









Central Nervous System

$ 317.5

$ 560.8 Gastroenterology

442.0

373.2 Women's Health

296.1

219.4 Anti-Infectives

63.1

44.1 Established Brands

308.5

394.5 Other Revenues

21.9

16.0 Net revenues

$ 1,449.1

$ 1,608.0 Operating expenses:







Cost of sales(2)

214.9

238.0 Selling and marketing

332.7

309.2 General and administrative

43.7

18.1 Segment contribution

$ 857.8

$ 1,042.7 Segment margin

59.2%

64.8% Segment gross margin(3)

85.2%

85.2%









(1) Includes revenues earned that were distributed through the Anda Distribution business to third party customers. (2) Excludes amortization and impairment of acquired intangibles including product rights. (3) Defined as net revenues less segment related cost of sales as a percentage of net revenues.

U.S. General Medicine net revenues were impacted by a decline in Central Nervous System and Established Brands revenues, offset by strong growth in Gastroenterology, Women's Health and Anti-Infectives performance.

Central Nervous System

Allergan CNS franchise net revenues were down 43.4% year over year reflecting the loss of exclusivity of Namenda IR in July 2015. Sales of key products and new launches continued strong performance in the second quarter 2016.

NAMZARIC  net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $12.8 million . Following approval of the expanded label, Namzaric is well-positioned to be the standard of care for patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease.

net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were . Following approval of the expanded label, Namzaric is well-positioned to be the standard of care for patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease. NAMENDA XR  net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $166.5 million , a decline of $38 million over the previous year as a result of lower net selling price and volume.

net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were , a decline of over the previous year as a result of lower net selling price and volume. Overall, NAMENDA XR  plus NAMZARIC  days of therapy volume have been stable. Decreases in NAMENDA XR  revenues were impacted by higher levels of investment to support the future of the franchise.

plus NAMZARIC days of therapy volume have been stable. Decreases in NAMENDA XR revenues were impacted by higher levels of investment to support the future of the franchise. VRAYLAR  continues to achieve rapid acceptance six months into launch with net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 of $11.1 million .

continues to achieve rapid acceptance six months into launch with net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 of . VIIBRYD  /FETZIMA  continue to perform well with net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 of $81.7 million .

/FETZIMA continue to perform well with net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 of . SAPHRIS net revenues remained stable at $41.3 million for the quarter.

Gastrointestinal

LINZESS  net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $150.5 million , driven by continued strong OTC conversion.

net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were , driven by continued strong OTC conversion. VIBERZI  net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $20.4 million . The product continues to trend at approximately 90 percent of sales for Linzess  at the same time of launch.

net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were . The product continues to trend at approximately 90 percent of sales for Linzess at the same time of launch. ASACOL/DELZICOL net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $119.8 million . ASACOL HD prescriptions declined as a result of lower promotion and formulary coverage. ASACOL HD is approaching loss of exclusivity on August 1, 2016 .

Women's Health

Lo LOESTRIN  net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $101 million , driven by continuing strong demand.

net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were , driven by continuing strong demand. ESTRACE Cream and MINASTRIN 24 net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $97.2 million and $83.0 million , respectively.

Anti-Infectives

TEFLARO, AVYCAZ and DALVANCE continue to experience strong performance with net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 of $35.2 million , $13.7 million and $10.2 million , respectively.

Established Brands

BYSTOLIC net revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $150.3 million . Overall prescriptions experienced a modest decline following reintroduction of the 20 mg dosage form.

U.S. General Medicine gross margin for the second quarter of 2016 remained stable at 85.2 percent. SG&A expenses increased 15 percent in the second quarter 2016 primarily due to incremental promotional costs in support of VIBERZI and VRAYLAR. Overall profitability decreased with segment contribution for the second quarter 2016 decreasing 18 percent versus the prior year period to $858 million.

International



(Unaudited; $ in millions) Three Months Ended June 30,

2016

2015







Eye Care $ 318.7

$ 301.7 Total Medical Aesthetics 284.1

262.2 Facial Aesthetics 240.6

215.2 Plastic Surgery 40.3

43.2 Skin Care 3.2

3.8 Botox Therapeutics and Other 141.1

129.8 Other Revenues 13.1

23.4 Net revenues $ 757.0

$ 717.1 Operating expenses:





Cost of sales(1) 115.0

111.8 Selling and marketing 207.2

196.1 General and administrative 30.9

35.0 Segment contribution $ 403.9

$ 374.2 Segment margin 53.4%

52.2% Segment gross margin (2) 84.8%

84.4%







(1) Excludes amortization and impairment of acquired intangibles including product rights. (2) Defined as net revenues less segment related cost of sales as a percentage of net revenues.

International continues to experience strong growth, driven by Eye Care, Facial Aesthetics and Botox Revenues.

Eye Care

LUMIGAN  /GANFORT  revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $94.5 million reflecting stable performance across Allergan's glaucoma product franchise.

/GANFORT revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were reflecting stable performance across Allergan's glaucoma product franchise. ALPHAGAN  /COMBIGAN  revenues in the second quarter of 2016 remained stable at $44.2 million .

/COMBIGAN revenues in the second quarter of 2016 remained stable at . OZURDEX  revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $45.7 million , driven by its launch in China .

revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were , driven by its launch in . OPTIVE revenues in the second quarter of 2016 remained stable at $26.0 million .

Medical Aesthetics

Facial Aesthetics BOTOX  Cosmetic revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $132.7 million , driven by continued international market share expansion and strong demand for the product. Fillers revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $107.3 million , reflecting continued strong performance and the benefit of new product introductions in international markets.

Plastic Surgery Breast implant revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $40.2 million .



Botox Therapeutic & Other Products

BOTOX  Therapeutic revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $84.8 million , driven by continued strong performance of Botox  Migraine and share expansion in key markets.

Therapeutic revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were , driven by continued strong performance of Botox Migraine and share expansion in key markets. ASACOL/DELZICOL revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $11 million .

International gross margin for the second quarter of 2016 remained stable at 84.8 percent. SG&A expenses increased 3 percent in the second quarter 2016 primarily due to incremental promotional costs for new product launches. Segment contribution increased 8 percent to $404 million due to higher sales of key products with higher margins, including Ozurdex.

Pipeline Update

R&D productivity continued during the second quarter of 2016. Key development highlights included:

U.S. and International Branded Product Approvals and Launches

TEFLARO  (ceftaroline fosamil) received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for pediatric patients 2 months of age to less than 18 years of age with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI).

(ceftaroline fosamil) received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for pediatric patients 2 months of age to less than 18 years of age with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). BYVALSON (nebivolol and valsartan) 5 mg/ 80 mg tablets received FDA approval for the treatment of hypertension to lower blood pressure.

JUVEDERM VOLBELLA  XC, received FDA approval for use in the lips for lip augmentation and for correction of perioral rhytids, commonly referred to as perioral lines, in adults over the age of 21.

XC, received FDA approval for use in the lips for lip augmentation and for correction of perioral rhytids, commonly referred to as perioral lines, in adults over the age of 21. BOTOX Vista  (Allergan's botulinum toxin type A product) received approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for use as a treatment for crow's feet lines (CFL).

(Allergan's botulinum toxin type A product) received approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for use as a treatment for crow's feet lines (CFL). JUVEDERM VOLITE  with lidocaine received a CE mark in the European Union.

with lidocaine received a CE mark in the European Union. AVYCAZ  (ceftazidime and avibactam) received FDA approval of its sNDA including clinical data from a Phase 3 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of AVYCAZ  , in combination with metronidazole, for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by designated susceptible microorganisms.

(ceftazidime and avibactam) received FDA approval of its sNDA including clinical data from a Phase 3 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of AVYCAZ , in combination with metronidazole, for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by designated susceptible microorganisms. Allergan and Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the FDA approved a new, expanded label for NAMZARIC (memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides). The expanded label allows patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, who are currently stabilized on Aricept, donepezil hydrochloride (10 mg), to start combination therapy directly with NAMZARIC.

Second Quarter 2016 Regulatory Milestones & Clinical Updates

Allergan announced that its New Drug Application (NDA) filing for oxymetazoline HCl cream 1.0%, a topical prescription product for the treatment of persistent facial erythema (redness) associated with rosacea in adults, was accepted by the FDA for review.

Allergan and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals announced that the FDA accepted for review its sNDA for the 72 mcg dose of linaclotide for use in the treatment of adults with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).

Allergan announced that the FDA accepted its 510(k) Premarket Notification Application for the XEN Glaucoma Treatment System (consisting of the XEN45 Gel Stent and the XEN Injector).

Allergan announced positive results from two pivotal trials for True Tear, a handheld stimulator being studied to temporarily increase tear production upon activation in patients with dry eye disease due to decreased tear production. The studies, OCUN-009 and OCUN-010, each met their primary and secondary efficacy endpoints. The Company also filed a de novo application with the FDA for True Tear in the second quarter.

Allergan announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a Positive Opinion for the Marketing Authorization of ENZEPI  (pancrelipase) in the European Union.

(pancrelipase) in the European Union. Allergan plc and Gedeon Richter announced positive results from Venus I, one of two pivotal Phase III clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of ulipristal acetate in women with uterine fibroids.

announced positive results from Venus I, one of two pivotal Phase III clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of ulipristal acetate in women with uterine fibroids. Allergan received a Positive Opinion from the Swedish Medical Products Agency (MPA) for BELKYRA (deoxycholic acid). BELKYRA will be the first prescription medicine to be licensed in Europe for the treatment of moderate to severe convexity or fullness associated with submental fat (often called double chin) in adults when the presence of submental fat has a psychological impact for the patient.

Full Year 2016 Continuing Operations Guidance1

Allergan's full year 2016 continuing operations standalone estimates are based on management's current belief about prescription trends, pricing levels, inventory levels and the anticipated timing of future product launches and events. Continuing operations includes the U.S. Specialized Therapeutics, U.S. General Medicine and International.



GAAP NON-GAAP Total Reported Net Revenues $14.65 billion - $14.90 billion $14.65 billion - $14.90 billion Total Branded Net Revenues2 $14.75 billion -- $15 billion (~10% growth*) $14.75 billion -- $15 billion (~10% growth*) Gross Margin (as a % of revenues) ~88% ~89% SG&A Expense ~$4.4 billion ~$4 billion R&D Expense ~$2.1 billion ~$1.5 billion Net Interest Expense ~$1.2 billion ~$1.3 billion Tax Rate ~57% ~9% Earnings / (Loss) Per Share3 ($1.95 - $2.15) $13.75 - $14.20 Share Count4 391 million shares 413 million shares

1 Excludes Anda from Net Revenues and expenses. Guidance based on reported net revenues.

2 Excludes revenues of Allergan products sold through Anda which are no longer included in our reported continuing operations revenue as a result of discontinued operations accounting.

* Excludes Namenda IR, divestitures and foreign exchange.

3 GAAP (loss) per share includes the impact of amortization of approximately $6.4 billion, IPR&D impairments and asset sales and impairments, net of $256 million, other income and expense of approximately $150 million and dividends on preferred shares of approximately $278 million.

4GAAP EPS shares do not include dilution of shares as earnings are a net loss. As such, the dilution impact of preferred share conversion and outstanding equity awards is not included in the forecasted shares.

Second-Quarter 2016 Conference Call and Webcast Details

Allergan will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its second quarter 2016 results. The dial-in number to access the call is U.S./Canada (877) 251-7980, International (706) 643-1573, and the conference ID is 39618168. To access the live webcast, go to Allergan's Investor Relations Web site at http://ir.allergan.com.

A taped replay of the conference call will also be available beginning approximately two hours after the call's conclusion and will remain available through 11:30 PM Eastern Time on August 22, 2016. The replay may be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 and entering conference ID 39618168. From international locations, the replay may be accessed by dialing (404) 537-3406 and entering the same conference ID. To access the webcast, go to Allergan's Investor Relations Web site at http://ir.allergan.com. A replay of the webcast will also be available.

About Allergan

Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a bold, global pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model  Growth Pharma. Allergan is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing branded pharmaceuticals, devices and biologic products for patients around the world.

Allergan markets a portfolio of leading brands and best-in-class products for the central nervous system, eye care, medical aesthetics and dermatology, gastroenterology, women's health, urology and anti-infective therapeutic categories.

Allergan is an industry leader in Open Science, the Company's R&D model, which defines our approach to identifying and developing game-changing ideas and innovation for better patient care. This approach has led to Allergan building one of the broadest development pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry with 65+ mid-to-late stage pipeline programs in development.

Our Company's success is powered by our more than 16,000 global colleagues' commitment to being Bold for Life. Together, we build bridges, power ideas, act fast and drive results for our customers and patients around the world by always doing what is right.

With commercial operations in approximately 100 countries, Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier lives.

For more information, visit Allergan's website at www.Allergan.com.

Website addresses are included only as inactive textual references and are not intended to be active links to such websites. Information contained on such websites or that can be accessed through such websites does not constitute part of this release.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Allergan's current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this release. Except as expressly required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from Allergan's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Allergan's business. These factors include, among others, the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of FDA approvals or actions, if any; the impact of competitive products and pricing; market acceptance of and continued demand for Allergan's products; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Allergan's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Allergan's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Except as expressly required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This document contains non-GAAP financial measures. The Appendix hereto presents reconciliations of certain non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

The non-GAAP measures include non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating income.

We believe these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors because these are among the measures used by our management team to evaluate our operating performance and to make day-to-day operating decisions. We believe this presentation also increases comparability of period-to-period results.

Other companies may use similarly titled non GAAP financial measures that are calculated differently from the way we calculate such measures. Accordingly, our non GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similar non-measures. Accordingly, non-measures used by other companies. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on such non-GAAP measures, but instead to consider them with the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for our results as reported under GAAP.

The following table presents Allergan plc's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.



















Table 1

ALLERGAN PLC CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited; in millions, except per share amounts)































Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended









June 30,

June 30,









2016

2015

2016

2015

Net revenues

$ 3,684.8

$ 3,628.7

$ 7,084.1

$ 5,611.7























Operating expenses:



















Cost of sales (excludes amortization and impairment of acquired intangibles including

product rights)

441.5

917.8

918.9

1,439.7



Research and development

636.5

349.7

1,039.6

667.4



Selling, general and administrative

1,210.0

1,121.1

2,306.3

2,182.5



Amortization

1,633.1

1,515.7

3,222.8

2,301.1



In-process research and development impairments

268.9

197.6

274.9

197.6



Asset sales and impairments, net

(17.6)

2.9

(19.3)

7.5





Total operating expenses

4,172.4

4,104.8

7,743.2

6,795.8

Operating (loss)

(487.6)

(476.1)

(659.1)

(1,184.1)

























Non-operating income (expense):



















Interest income

2.5

2.6

5.4

4.1



Interest expense

(345.8)

(339.9)

(678.6)

(511.8)



Other income (expense), net

150.1

(40.4)

150.6

(238.3)





Total other income (expense), net

(193.2)

(377.7)

(522.6)

(746.0)

(Loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest

(680.8)

(853.8)

(1,181.7)

(1,930.1)

(Benefit) for income taxes

(258.2)

(381.9)

(666.9)

(652.1)

Net (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax

(422.6)

(471.9)

(514.8)

(1,278.0)

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

(77.3)

230.3

271.3

524.1

Net (loss) / income

(499.9)

(241.6)

243.5

(753.9)

(Income) attributable to noncontrolling interest

(1.8)

(1.5)

(2.5)

(1.2)

Net (loss) / income attributable to shareholders

(501.7)

(243.1)

(246.0)

(755.1)

Dividends on preferred shares

69.6

69.6

0.69

92.8

Net (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders

$ (571.3)

$ (312.7)

$ (385.2)

$ (847.9)

























(Loss) / income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders  basic:

















Continuing operations

$ (1.25)

$ (1.38)

$ (1.66)

$ (4.02)

Discontinued operations

(0.19)

0.58

0.69

1.54

Net (loss) per share  basic

$ (1.44)

$ (0.80)

$ (0.97)

$ (2.48)





















(Loss) / income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders  diluted:

















Continuing operations

$ (1.25)

$ (1.38)

$ (1.66)

$ (4.02)

Discontinued operations

(0.19)

0.58

0.69

1.54

Net (loss) per share  diluted

$ (1.44)

$ (0.80)

$ (0.97)

$ (2.48)





















Weighted average shares outstanding:

















Basic

395.6

392.6

395.2

341.3

Diluted

395.6

392.6

395.2

341.3



The following table details Allergan plc's product revenue for significant promoted products globally, within the U.S., and international for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.







































Table 2 ALLERGAN PLC NET REVENUES TOP GLOBAL PRODUCTS (Unaudited; in millions)











































Three Months Ended June 30,

Global

U.S.

International

2016

2015

$ Change %

Change

2016

2015

$ Change %

Change

2016

2015

$ Change %

Change









































Botox $ 719.7

$ 631.4

$ 88.3 14.0%

$ 502.2

$ 430.1

$ 72.1 16.8%

$ 217.5

$ 201.3

$ 16.2 8.0% Restasis 390.6

325.0

65.6 20.2%

371.3

309.9

61.4 19.8%

19.3

15.1

4.2 27.8% Fillers 224.9

196.0

28.9 14.7%

117.6

104.2

13.4 12.9%

107.3

91.8

15.5 16.9% Namenda XR 166.5

204.7

(38.2) (18.7)%

166.5

204.7

(38.2) (18.7)%

-

-

- n.a. Lumigan/Ganfort 175.1

176.5

(1.4) (0.8)%

80.6

86.1

(5.5) (6.4)%

94.5

90.4

4.1 4.5% Bystolic 150.7

157.1

(6.4) (4.1)%

150.3

157.1

(6.8) (4.3)%

0.4

-

0.4 n.a. Linzess/Constella 155.1

113.2

41.9 37.0%

150.5

112.1

38.4 34.3%

4.6

1.1

3.5 n.m. Alphagan/Combigan 140.2

135.5

4.7 3.5%

96.0

93.4

2.6 2.8%

44.2

42.1

2.1 5.0% Asacol/Delzicol 130.8

149.3

(18.5) (12.4)%

119.8

134.0

(14.2) (10.6)%

11.0

15.3

(4.3) (28.1)% Lo Loestrin 101.0

79.2

21.8 27.5%

101.0

79.2

21.8 27.5%

-

-

- n.a. Viibryd/Fetzima 81.8

80.7

1.1 1.4%

81.7

80.7

1.0 1.2%

0.1

-

0.1 n.a. Estrace Cream 97.2

70.1

27.1 38.7%

97.2

70.1

27.1 38.7%

-

-

- n.a. Minastrin 24 83.6

56.1

27.5 49.0%

83.0

56.1

26.9 48.0%

0.6

-

0.6 n.a. Breast Implants 91.9

93.4

(1.5) (1.6)%

51.7

50.2

1.5 3.0%

40.2

43.2

(3.0) (6.9)% Carafate  / Sulcrate  50.9

46.9

4.0 8.5%

50.3

46.9

3.4 7.2%

0.6

-

0.6 n.a. Ozurdex  67.2

51.0

16.2 31.8%

21.5

16.6

4.9 29.5%

45.7

34.4

11.3 32.8% Aczone 54.1

60.3

(6.2) (10.3)%

54.1

60.3

(6.2) (10.3)%

-

-

- n.a. Namenda IR 4.1

232.6

(228.5) (98.2)%

4.1

232.6

(228.5) (98.2)%

-

-

- n.a. Other Products Revenues 823.8

814.8

9.0 1.1%

652.8

632.4

20.4 3.2%

171.0

182.4

(11.4) (6.3)% Adjusted net revenues 3,709.2

3,673.8

35.4 1.0%

2,952.2

2,956.7

(4.5) (0.2)%

757.0

717.1

39.9 5.6% Less product sold through our Anda

Distribution business (24.4)

(45.1)

20.7 (45.9)%

(24.4)

(45.1)

20.7 (45.9)%

-

-

- n.a. Total Net Revenues $ 3,684.8

$ 3,628.7

$ 56.1 1.5%

$ 2,927.8

$ 2,911.6

$ 16.2 0.6%

$ 757.0

$ 717.1

$ 39.9 5.6%











































Six Months Ended June 30,

Global

U.S.

International

2016

2015

$ Change %

Change

2016

2015

$ Change %

Change

2016

2015

$ Change %

Change









































Botox $ 1,357.2

$ 715.4

$ 641.8 89.7%

$ 957.7

$ 490.8

$ 466.9 95.1%

$ 399.5

$ 224.6

$ 174.9 77.9% Restasis 704.3

354.9

349.4 98.5%

670.0

338.6

331.4 97.9%

34.3

16.3

18.0 110.4% Fillers 427.7

220.6

207.1 93.9%

220.3

117.0

103.3 88.3%

207.4

103.6

103.8 100.2% Namenda XR 339.6

355.3

(15.7) (4.4)%

339.6

355.3

(15.7) (4.4)%

-

-

- n.a. Lumigan/Ganfort 344.7

197.7

147.0 74.4%

162.1

94.2

67.9 72.1%

182.6

103.5

79.1 76.4% Bystolic 314.7

321.2

(6.5) (2.0)%

313.9

320.8

(6.9) (2.2)%

0.8

0.4

0.4 100.0% Linzess/Constella 296.0

209.4

86.6 41.4%

287.6

207.6

80.0 38.5%

8.4

1.8

6.6 n.m. Alphagan/Combigan 266.9

151.5

115.4 76.2%

180.9

103.5

77.4 74.8%

86.0

48.0

38.0 79.2% Asacol/Delzicol 252.0

298.4

(46.4) (15.5)%

225.7

265.9

(40.2) (15.1)%

26.3

32.5

(6.2) (19.1)% Lo Loestrin 190.3

162.5

27.8 17.1%

190.3

161.9

28.4 17.5%

-

0.6

(0.6) (100.0)% Viibryd/Fetzima 165.1

160.3

4.8 3.0%

165.0

160.3

4.7 2.9%

0.1

-

0.1 n.a. Estrace Cream 177.8

142.0

35.8 25.2%

177.8

142.0

35.8 25.2%

-

-

- n.a. Minastrin 24 164.0

121.5

42.5 35.0%

162.6

120.9

41.7 34.5%

1.4

0.6

0.8 133.3% Breast Implants 175.0

112.9

62.1 55.0%

98.1

61.9

36.2 58.5%

76.9

51.0

25.9 50.8% Carafate  / Sulcrate  112.4

100.5

11.9 11.8%

111.3

100.5

10.8 10.7%

1.1

-

1.1 n.a. Ozurdex  127.7

58.0

69.7 120.2%

40.9

19.3

21.6 111.9%

86.8

38.7

48.1 124.3% Aczone 87.1

66.3

20.8 31.4%

87.1

66.3

20.8 31.4%

-

-

- n.a. Namenda IR 9.9

478.0

(468.1) (97.9)%

9.9

478.0

(468.1) (97.9)%

-

-

- n.a. Other Products Revenues 1,628.0

1,455.7

172.3 11.8%

1,309.3

1,241.5

67.8 5.5%

318.7

214.2

104.5 48.8% Adjusted net revenues 7,140.4

5,682.1

1,458.3 25.7%

5,710.1

4,846.3

863.8 17.8%

1,430.3

835.8

594.5 71.1% Less product sold through our Anda

Distribution business (56.3)

(70.4)

14.1 (20.0)%

(56.3)

(70.4)

14.1 (20.0)%

-

-

- n.a. Total Net Revenues $ 7,084.1

$ 5,611.7

$ 1,472.4 26.2%

$ 5,653.8

$ 4,775.9

$ 877.9 18.4%

$ 1,430.3

$ 835.8

$ 594.5 71.1%

The following table presents Allergan plc's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:













Table 3 ALLERGAN PLC CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited; in millions)







June 30,

December 31,







2016

2015



























Assets









Cash and cash equivalents

$ 489.5

$ 1,096.0

Marketable securities

17.1

9.3

Accounts receivable, net

2,490.5

2,125.4

Inventories

726.8

757.5

Other current assets

787.3

495.3

Assets held for sale

15,042.0

14,808.9

Property, plant and equipment, net

1,557.2

1,531.3

Investments and other assets

532.1

458.2

Product rights and other intangibles, net

64,460.8

67,836.2

Goodwill

46,515.8

46,465.2



Total assets

$ 132,619.1

$ 135,583.3













Liabilities & Equity









Current liabilities

$ 4,582.7

$ 4,202.3

Liabilities held for sale

2,254.6

2,228.6

Current and long-term debt and capital leases

39,581.7

42,530.4

Deferred income taxes and other liabilities

9.559.3

10,032.7

Total equity

76,640.8

76,589.3



Total liabilities and equity

$ 132,619.1

$ 135,583.3

The following table presents Allergan plc's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:























Table 4 ALLERGAN PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited; in millions)















Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,













2016

2015

2016

2015 Cash Flows From Operating Activities:













Net (loss) / income







$ (499.9)

$ (241.6)

$ (243.5)

$ (753.9) Reconciliation to net cash provided by operating activities:















Depreciation







34.8

75.3

76.9

132.5

Amortization







1,635.5

1,673.5

3,227.6

2,598.9

Provision for inventory reserve 57.7

33.1

116.9

63.4

Share-based compensation

89.8

175.2

188.8

400.7

Deferred income tax benefit

192.1

(284.6)

(327.1)

(588.9)

In-process research and development impairments 268.9

193.9

274.9

197.6

(Gain) / loss on asset sales and impairments, net (17.6)

4.3

(19.3)

58.4

Amortization of inventory step up -

493.2

42.4

706.1

Amortization of deferred financing costs 11.0

12.2

21.0

280.5

Contingent consideration adjustments, including accretion 27.2

(20.7)

60.8

8.1

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation 2.7

(0.2)

(31.9)

(36.3)

Other, net







(17.3)

70.8

(26.4)

64.3

Changes in assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions):

















Decrease / (increase) in accounts receivable, net (352.6)

(194.0)

(501.2)

(896.1)



Decrease / (increase) in inventories (34.7)

(32.1)

(183.2)

(234.8)



Decrease / (increase) in prepaid expenses and other

current assets 231.0

24.2

245.4

83.1



Increase / (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued

expenses 392.7

(247.5)

424.0

108.6



Increase / (decrease) in income and other taxes

payable (425.4)

(258.6)

(477.6)

(216.2)



Increase / (decrease) in other assets and liabilities (213.4)

(75.1)

(267.5)

(49.7)





Net cash provided by operating

activities 1,382.5

1,401.3

2,601.0

1,926.3 Cash Flows From Investing Activities:













Additions to property, plant and equipment (97.9)

(111.6)

(182.8)

(248.2) Additions to product rights and other intangibles -

(20.0)

-

(28.5) Additions to investments

-

(6.0)

-

(21.0) Proceeds from sale of investments and other assets 6.5

65.3

25.5

855.8 Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment 2.4

6.6

14.5

81.5 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired -

(463.7)

-

(35,109.9)





Net cash (used in) investing activities (89.0)

(529.4)

(142.8)

(34,470.3) Cash Flows From Financing Activities:













Proceeds from borrowings of long-term indebtedness -

0.8

-

26,456.4 Proceeds from borrowings on credit facility and other -

72.0

900.0

2,882.0 Debt issuance and other financing costs -

-

-

(310.8) Payments on debt, including capital lease obligations (2,981.4)

(1,436.2)

(3,835.6)

(4,096.2) Proceeds from issuance of preferred shares -

-

-

4,929.7 Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares -

-

-

4,071.1 Proceeds from stock plans

37.7

65.6

107.3

108.2 Payments of contingent consideration (31.5)

(67.4)

(63.8)

(92.0) Repurchase of ordinary shares

(14.1)

(36.9)

(67.3)

(101.0) Dividends









(69.6)

(68.7)

(139.2)

(68.7) Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation (2.7)

0.2

31.9

36.3





Net cash (used in) / provided by

financing activities (3,061.6)

(1,470.6)

(3,066.7)

33,815.0 Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (3.2)

1.7

2.0

(3.1)





Net (decrease) / increase in cash and

cash equivalents (1,771.3)

(597.0)

(606.5)

1,267.9 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 2,260.8

2,114.9

1,096.0

250.0 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 489.5

$ 1,517.9

$ 489.5

$ 1,517.9

We define non-GAAP adjustments to the reported GAAP measures as GAAP results adjusted for the following net of tax: (i) amortization expenses, (ii) global supply chain initiatives, (iii) acquisition, integration and licensing charges, (iv) accretion and fair market value adjustments on contingent liabilities, (v) impairment/asset sales and related costs, including the exclusion of discontinued operations, (vi) legal settlements and (vii) other unusual charges or expenses. The following table presents Allergan plc's GAAP to Non-GAAP adjustments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:





















Table 5 ALLERGAN PLC GAAP TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTMENTS (Unaudited; in millions)























Three Months Ended June 30, 2016























Net Revenue COGS Research & Development Selling & Marketing General & Administrative Amortization Asset sales and Impairments, net Interest expense, net Other income (expense) Income taxes GAAP $ 3,684.8 $ 441.5 $ 636.5 $ 866.8 $ 343.2 $ 1,633.1 $ 251.3 $ (343.3) $ 150.1 $ (258.2)





















Expenditures incurred with the Pfizer transaction - (1.5) (2.5) (12.6) (21.6) - - - (150.0) - Purchase accounting impact on stock-based compensation for acquired awards - (1.9) (10.2) (17.9) (11.4) - - - - - Severance due to integration of acquired entities and other restructuring programs - (1.4) (0.1) (6.3) (2.9) - - - - - Integration charges of acquired businesses - (0.4) (1.1) (1.5) (51.0) - - - - - Brand related milestones and upfront expenses for asset acquisitions



















Topokine - - (85.8) - - - - - - - Heptares - - (125.0) - - - - - - - Other - - (32.4) - - - - - - - Accretion and fair-value adjustments to contingent consideration - 4.8 (34.4) - - - - - - - Mark-to-market adjustments for foreign currency option contracts - - - - 8.6 - - - - - Non-cash amortization of debt premium recognized in purchase accounting - - - - - - - (10.3) - - Women's healthcare portfolio product impairment - - - - - - (24.0) - - - Osteoarthritis IPR&D impairment - - - - - - (189.9) - - - Asset sales and impairments, other - - - - - - (37.4) - - - Litigation settlement related charges - - - - (49.7) - - - - - Other adjustments - (0.1) - (0.1) (4.8) (1,633.1) - - - - Income taxes on pre-tax adjustments - - - - - - - - - 355.0 Discrete income tax events - - - - - - - - - 9.9





















Non-GAAP $ 3,684.8 $ 441.0 $ 345.0 $ 828.4 $ 210.4 $ - $ - $ (353.6) $ 0.1 $ 106.7

































































ALLERGAN PLC GAAP TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTMENTS (Unaudited; in millions)























Three Months Ended June 30, 2015























Net Revenue COGS Research & Development Selling & Marketing General & Administrative Amortization Asset sales and Impairments, net Interest expense, net Other income (expense) Income taxes GAAP $ 3,628.7 $ 917.8 $ 349.7 $ 801.5 $ 319.6 $ 1,515.7 $ 200.5 $ (337.3) $ (40.4) $ (381.9)





















Impact of selling through purchase accounting mark-up on acquired inventory - (486.2) - - - - - - - - Purchase accounting impact on stock-based compensation for acquired awards - (7.6) (37.3) (39.5) (47.1) - - - - - Severance due to integration of acquired entities and other restructuring programs - 0.1 (3.5) (5.5) (12.4) - - - - - Integration charges of acquired businesses - (0.6) (2.6) (3.4) (63.5) - - - - - Brand related milestones and upfront expenses for asset acquisitions



















Darpin - - (15.0) - - - - - - - Other - - (15.0) - - - - - - - Accretion and fair-value adjustments to contingent consideration - (4.8) 25.4 - - - - - - - Mark-to-market adjustments for foreign currency option contracts - - - - (37.7) - - - - - Non-cash amortization of debt premium recognized in purchase accounting - - - - - - - (19.4) - - Women's healthcare portfolio product impairment - - - - - - (192.1) - - - Asset sales and impairments, other - - - - - - (8.4) - - - Litigation settlement related charges - - - - (3.0) - - - - - Other adjustments (0.1) - 0.3 - (9.6) (1,515.7) - - 40.8 - Income taxes on pre-tax adjustments - - - - - - - - - 501.1 Discrete income tax events - - - - - - - - - 12.2





















Non-GAAP $ 3,628.6 $ 418.7 $ 302.0 $ 753.1 $ 146.3 $ - $ - $ (356.7) $ 0.4 $ 131.4

































































ALLERGAN PLC GAAP TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTMENTS (Unaudited; in millions)























Six Months Ended June 30, 2016























Net Revenue COGS Research & Development Selling & Marketing General & Administrative Amortization Asset sales and Impairments, net Interest expense, net Other income (expense) Income taxes GAAP $ 7,084.1 $ 918.9 $ 1,039.6 $ 1,633.6 $ 672.7 $ 3,222.8 $ 255.6 $ (673.2) $ 150.6 $ (666.9)





















Impact of selling through purchase accounting mark-up on acquired inventory - (42.4) - - - - - - - - Expenditures incurred with the Pfizer transaction - (2.2) (3.5) (21.0) (48.2) - - - (150.0) - Purchase accounting impact on stock-based compensation for acquired awards - (4.7) (23.8) (39.0) (23.7) - - - - - Severance due to integration of acquired entities and other restructuring programs - (3.3) (2.6) (5.4) (5.4) - - - - - Integration charges of acquired businesses - (2.5) 6.3 (7.4) (83.0) - - - - - Brand related milestones and upfront expenses for asset acquisitions



















Topokine - - (85.8) - - - - - - - Anterios - - (89.2) - - - - - - - Heptares - - (125.0) - - - - - - - Other - - (34.2) - - - - - - - Accretion and fair-value adjustments to contingent consideration - (3.0) (60.3) - (0.1) - - - - - Mark-to-market adjustments for foreign currency option contracts - - - - (0.2) - - - - - Non-cash amortization of debt premium recognized in purchase accounting - - - - - - - (30.3) - - Women's healthcare portfolio product impairment - - - - - - (24.0) - - - Osteoarthritis IPR&D impairment - - - - - - (189.9) - - - Asset sales and impairments, other - - - - - - (41.7) - - - Litigation settlement related charges - - - - (59.2) - - - - - Other adjustments - (0.1) - (0.1) (5.8) (3,222.8) - - - - Income taxes on pre-tax adjustments - - - - - - - - - 980.1 Discrete income tax events - - - - - - - - - (72.3)





















Non-GAAP $ 7,084.1 $ 860.7 $ 621.5 $ 1,560.7 $ 447.1 $ - $ - $ (703.5) $ 0.6 $ 240.9

































































ALLERGAN PLC GAAP TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTMENTS (Unaudited; in millions)























Six Months Ended June 30, 2015























Net Revenue COGS Research & Development Selling & Marketing General & Administrative Amortization Asset sales and Impairments, net Interest expense, net Other income (expense) Income taxes GAAP $ 5,611.7 $ 1,439.7 $ 667.4 $ 1,333.6 $ 848.9 $ 2,301.1 $ 205.1 $ (507.7) $ (238.3) $ (652.1)





















Impact of selling through purchase accounting mark-up on acquired inventory - (684.8) - - - - - - - - Unsalable inventory resulting from the sale of the Company's Respiratory Business - (35.3) - - - - - - - - Purchase accounting impact on stock-based compensation for acquired awards - (14.9) (103.6) (75.6) (243.5) - - - - - Severance due to integration of acquired entities and other restructuring programs - (11.3) (72.1) (72.3) (117.6) - - - - - Integration charges of acquired businesses - (1.8) (3.7) (4.1) (160.5) - - - - - Brand related milestones and upfront expenses for asset acquisitions



















Darpin - - (15.0) - - - - - - - Other - - (25.0) - - - - - - - Accretion and fair-value adjustments to contingent consideration - (32.5) 25.4 - 1.1 - - - - - Mark-to-market adjustments for foreign currency option contracts - - - - (37.7) - - - - - Non-cash amortization of debt premium recognized in purchase accounting - - - - - - - (31.4) - - Amortization of bridge loan commitment fees - - - - - - - - 263.0 - Women's healthcare portfolio product impairment - - - - - - (192.1) - - - Asset sales and impairments, other - - - - - - (13.0) - - - Interest rate lock impact - - - - - - - - (31.0) - Litigation settlement related charges - - - - (3.0) - - - - - Other adjustments (0.1) - 0.3 - (9.6) (2,301.1) - - 7.3 - Income taxes on pre-tax adjustments - - - - - - - - - 836.6 Discrete income tax events - - - - - - - - - 7.0





















Non-GAAP $ 5,611.6 $ 659.1 $ 473.7 $ 1,181.6 $ 278.1 $ - $ - $ (539.1) $ 1.0 $ 191.5

The following table presents a reconciliation of Allergan plc's reported net (loss) from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share to non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:













Table 6

ALLERGAN PLC

RECONCILIATION TABLE

(Unaudited; in millions except per share amounts)

























Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended





June 30,

June 30,





2016

2015

2016

2015









































GAAP to non-GAAP net income calculation





































GAAP (loss) from continuing operations $ (422.6)

$ (471.9)

$ (514.8)

$ (1,278.0)



Adjusted for:

















Amortization 1,633.1

1,515.7

$ 3,222.8

2,301.1



Acquisition and licensing charges (1) 232.2

769.9

$ 471.7

1,858.4



Accretion and fair-value adjustments to contingent

consideration 29.6

(20.6)

$ 63.4

6.0



Impairment/asset sales and related costs 251.3

200.5

$ 255.6

205.1



Non-recurring (gain) / losses (8.6)

37.7

$ 0.2

37.7



Legal settlements 49.7

3.0

$ 59.2

3.0



Income taxes on items above and other income tax

adjustments (364.9)

(513.3)

$ (907.8)

(843.6)



Non-GAAP net income attributable to

shareholders $ 1,399.8

$ 1,521.0

$ 2,650.3

$ 2,289.7





















Diluted earnings per share





































Diluted (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable

to shareholders- GAAP $ (1.07)

$ (1.20)

$ (1.30)

$ (3.74)























Diluted earnings per share attributable to shareholders  Non-

GAAP $ 3.35

$ 3.67

$ 6.35

$ 6.41























Basic weighted average ordinary shares outstanding 395.6

392.6

395.2

341.3



Effect of dilutive securities:

















Dilutive shares 21.8

21.8

22.3

15.8



Diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding 417.4

414.4

417.5

357.1























(1) Includes stock-based compensation due to the Allergan, Forest and other acquisitions as well as the valuation accounting impact in interest expense, net.

We define adjusted EBITDA as an amount equal to consolidated net (loss) from continuing operations attributable to shareholders for such period adjusted for the following: (i) interest expense, (ii) interest income, (iii) (benefit) for income taxes, (iv) depreciation and amortization expenses, (v) stock-based compensation expense, (vi) asset impairment charges and losses / (gains) and expenses associated with the sale of assets, including the exclusion of discontinued operations, (vii) business restructuring charges associated with Allergan's Global Supply Chain and Operational Excellence Initiatives or other restructurings of a similar nature, (viii) costs and charges associated with the acquisition of businesses and assets including, but not limited to, milestone payments, integration charges, other charges associated with the revaluation of assets or liabilities and charges associated with the revaluation of acquisition related contingent liabilities that are based in whole or in part on future estimated cash flows, (ix) litigation charges and settlements and (x) other unusual charges or expenses. We define non-GAAP operating income as adjusted EBITDA including depreciation and certain stock-based compensation charges.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Allergan plc's reported net (loss) from continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating income:















Table 7 ALLERGAN PLC ADJUSTED EBITDA and OPERATING INCOME, RECONCILIATION TABLE (Unaudited; in millions)





















































Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended





June 30,

June 30,





2016

2015

2016

2015







































GAAP (loss) from continuing operations

$ (422.6)

$ (471.9)

$ (514.8)

$ (1,278.0) Plus:



















Interest expense

345.8

339.9

678.6

511.8

Interest income

(2.5)

(2.6)

(5.4)

(4.1)

(Benefit) for income taxes

(258.2)

(381.9)

(666.9)

(652.1)

Depreciation (includes accelerated depreciation)

32.8

38.1

73.8

58.1

Amortization

1,633.1

1,515.7

3,222.8

2,301.1 EBITDA

$ 1,328.4

$ 1,037.3

$ 2,788.1

$ 936.8 Adjusted for:

















Acquisition and licensing and other charges

201.0

657.4

410.2

1,451.2

Impairment/asset sales and related costs

251.3

200.5

255.6

205.1

Non-recurring (gain) / losses

(8.6)

37.7

0.2

37.7

Legal settlements

49.7

3.0

59.2

3.0

Accretion and fair-value adjustments to contingent

consideration

29.6

(20.6)

63.4

6.0

Share-based compensation

85.2

165.5

176.0

508.3 Adjusted EBITDA

$ 1,936.6

$ 2,080.8

$ 3,752.7

$ 3,148.1 Adjusted for:

















Depreciation

(32.8)

(38.1)

(73.8)

(58.1)

Share-based compensation excluding restructuring

charges and purchase accounting impact on stock-

based compensation for acquired awards

(43.8)

(34.0)

(84.8)

(70.7) Adjusted Operating Income

$ 1,860.0

$ 2,008.7

$ 3,594.1

$ 3,019.3

The following table details Allergan plc's product revenue for significant promoted products within the US Specialized Therapeutic Segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.













Table 8 ALLERGAN PLC US Specialized Therapeutics Product Revenue (Unaudited; in millions)

















Three Months Ended June 30,

Change



2016 (1)

2015 (1)

Dollars

%

















Total Eye Care

$ 636.1

$ 578.6

$ 57.5

9.9% Restasis

371.3

309.9

61.4

19.8% Lumigan/Ganfort

80.6

86.1

(5.5)

(6.4)% Alphagan/Combigan

96.0

93.4

2.6

2.8% Ozurdex

21.5

16.6

4.9

29.5% Eye Drops

49.1

49.0

0.1

0.2% Other Eye Care

17.6

23.6

(6.0)

(25.4)% Total Medical Aesthetics

419.8

366.2

53.6

14.6% Facial Aesthetics

320.2

263.7

56.5

21.4% Botox Cosmetics

189.9

159.5

30.4

19.1% Fillers

117.6

104.2

13.4

12.9% Kybella

12.7

-

12.7

n.a. Plastic Surgery

52.8

54.1

(1.3)

(2.4)% Breast Implants

51.7

50.2

1.5

3.0% Other Plastic Surgery

1.1

3.9

(2.8)

(71.8)% Skin Care

46.8

48.4

(1.6)

(3.3)% SkinMedica

29.1

25.5

3.6

14.1% Latisse

17.7

22.9

(5.2)

(22.7)% Total Medical Dermatology

97.1

120.7

(23.6)

(19.6)% Aczone

54.1

60.3

(6.2)

(10.3)% Tazorac

23.4

25.5

(2.1)

(8.2)% Botox Hyperhidrosis

16.3

18.4

(2.1)

(11.4)% Other Medical Dermatology

3.3

16.5

(13.2)

(80.0)% Total Neuroscience & Urology

326.3

277.7

48.6

17.5% Botox Therapeutics

296.0

252.2

43.8

17.4% Rapaflo

29.4

25.5

3.9

15.3% Other Neuroscience & Urology

0.9

-

0.9

n.a. Other Revenues

9.6

4.5

5.1

113.3% Net revenues

$ 1,488.9

$ 1,347.7

$ 141.2

10.5%

















(1) Includes revenues earned that were distributed through the Anda Distribution business to third party customers.



































Six Months Ended June 30,

Change



2016 (1)

2015 (1)

Dollars

%

















Total Eye Care

$ 1,169.1

$ 673.3

$ 495.8

73.6% Restasis

670.0

338.6

331.4

97.9% Lumigan/Ganfort

162.1

94.2

67.9

72.1% Alphagan/Combigan

180.9

103.5

77.4

74.8% Ozurdex

40.9

19.3

21.6

111.9% Eye Drops

89.9

86.5

3.4

3.9% Other Eye Care

25.3

31.2

(5.9)

(18.9)% Total Medical Aesthetics

793.7

421.3

372.4

88.4% Facial Aesthetics

599.6

298.9

300.7

100.6% Botox Cosmetics

355.3

181.9

173.4

95.3% Fillers

220.3

117.0

103.3

88.3% Kybella

24.0

-

24.0

n.a. Plastic Surgery

100.9

68.2

32.7

48.0% Breast Implants

98.1

61.9

36.2

58.6% Other Plastic Surgery

2.8

6.3

(3.5)

(55.6)% Skin Care

93.2

54.2

39.0

72.0% SkinMedica

55.7

28.6

27.1

94.8% Latisse

37.5

25.6

11.9

46.5% Total Medical Dermatology

166.1

141.6

24.5

17.3% Aczone

87.1

66.3

20.8

31.4% Tazorac

40.5

38.1

2.4

6.3% Botox Hyperhidrosis

32.6

20.5

12.1

59.0% Other Medical Dermatology

5.9

16.7

(10.8)

(64.7)% Total Neuroscience & Urology

633.1

345.8

287.3

83.1% Botox Therapeutics

569.8

288.4

281.4

97.6% Rapaflo

62.4

57.4

5.0

8.7% Other Neuroscience & Urology

0.9

-

0.9

n.a. Other Revenues

25.6

11.0

14.6

132.7% Net revenues

$ 2,787.6

$ 1,593.0

$ 1,194.6

75.0%

















(1) Includes revenues earned that were distributed through the Anda Distribution business to third party customers.

The following table details Allergan plc's product revenue for significant promoted products within the US General Medicine Segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.













Table 9

















ALLERGAN PLC US General Medicine Product Revenue (Unaudited; in millions)



































Three Months Ended June 30,

Change



2016 (1)

2015 (1)

Dollars

%

















Total Central Nervous System

(CNS)

$ 317.5

$ 560.8

(243.3)

(43.4)% Namenda XR

166.5

204.7

(38.2)

(18.7)% Namzaric

12.8

1.6

11.2

n.m. Viibryd/Fetzima

81.7

80.7

1.0

1.2% Vraylar

11.1

-

11.1

n.a. Saphris

41.3

41.2

0.1

0.2% Namenda IR

4.1

232.6

(228.5)

(98.2)% Total Gastroenterology (GI)

442.0

373.2

68.8

18.4% Linzess

150.5

112.1

38.4

34.3% Viberzi

20.4

-

20.4

n.a. Asacol/Delzicol

119.8

134.0

(14.2)

(10.6)% Carafate/Sulcrate

50.3

46.9

3.4

7.2% Canasa/Salofalk

46.7

34.6

12.1

35.0% Zenpep

43.0

37.1

5.9

15.9% Other GI

11.3

8.5

2.8

32.9% Total Women's Health

296.1

219.4

76.7

35.0% Lo Loestrin

101.0

79.2

21.8

27.5% Minastrin 24

83.0

56.1

26.9

48.0% Estrace Cream

97.2

70.1

27.1

38.7% Liletta

5.7

4.9

0.8

16.3% Other Women's Health

9.2

9.1

0.1

1.1% Total Anti-Infectives

63.1

44.1

19.0

43.1% Teflaro

35.2

31.7

3.5

11.0% Avycaz

13.7

5.4

8.3

153.7% Dalvance

10.2

4.5

5.7

126.7% Other Anti-Infectives

4.0

2.5

1.5

60.0% Established Brands

308.5

394.5

(86.0)

(21.8)% Bystolic

150.3

157.1

(6.8)

(4.3)% Armour Thyroid

40.6

25.2

15.4

61.1% Enablex

-

18.0

(18.0)

(100.0)% Lexapro

16.5

16.3

0.2

1.2% Savella

22.3

27.8

(5.5)

(19.8)% PacPharma

14.7

26.2

(11.5)

(43.9)% Other Established Brands

64.1

123.9

(59.8)

(48.3)% Other Revenues

21.9

16.0

5.9

36.9% Net revenues

$ 1,449.1

$ 1,608.0

$ (158.9)

(9.9)%

















(1) Includes revenues earned that were distributed through the Anda Distribution business to third party customers.

















Six Months Ended June 30,

Change



2016 (1)

2015 (1)

Dollars

%

















Total Central Nervous System

(CNS)

$ 639.1

$ 1,078.4

(439.3)

(40.7)% Namenda XR

339.6

355.3

(15.7)

(4.4)% Namzaric

23.1

1.6

21.5

n.m. Viibryd/Fetzima

165.0

160.3

4.7

2.9% Vraylar

18.7

-

18.7

n.a. Saphris

82.8

83.2

(0.4)

(0.5)% Namenda IR

9.9

478.0

(468.1)

(97.9)% Total Gastroenterology (GI)

845.6

739.8

105.8

14.3% Linzess

287.6

207.6

80.0

38.5% Viberzi

24.4

-

24.4

n.a. Asacol/Delzicol

225.7

265.9

(40.2)

(15.1)% Carafate/Sulcrate

111.3

100.5

10.8

10.7% Canasa/Salofalk

87.8

67.6

20.2

29.9% Zenpep

92.6

78.4

14.2

18.1% Other GI

16.2

19.8

(3.6)

(18.2)% Total Women's Health

559.8

448.7

111.1

24.8% Lo Loestrin

190.3

161.9

28.4

17.5% Minastrin 24

162.6

120.9

41.7

34.5% Estrace Cream

177.8

142.0

35.8

25.2% Liletta

10.6

4.9

5.7

116.3% Other Women's Health

18.5

19.0

(0.5)

(2.6)% Total Anti-Infectives

114.6

86.0

28.6

33.3% Teflaro

68.6

69.5

(0.9)

(1.3)% Avycaz

22.1

5.4

16.7

n.m. Dalvance

16.4

6.4

10.0

156.3% Other Anti-Infectives

7.5

4.7

2.8

59.6% Established Brands

719.5

867.2

(147.7)

(17.0)% Bystolic

313.9

320.8

(6.9)

(2.2)% Armour Thyroid

82.7

54.2

28.5

52.6% Enablex

12.8

34.3

(21.5)

(62.7)% Lexapro

35.2

35.8

(0.6)

(1.7)% Savella

46.0

51.6

(5.6)

(10.9)% PacPharma

43.5

29.2

14.3

49.0% Other Established Brands

185.4

341.3

(155.9)

(45.7)% Other Revenues

24.2

31.6

(7.4)

(23.4)% Net revenues

$ 2,902.8

$ 3,251.7

$ (348.9)

(10.7)%

















(1) Includes revenues earned that were distributed through the Anda Distribution business to third party customers.

The following table details Allergan plc's product revenue for significant promoted products within the International Segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.













Table 10

















ALLERGAN PLC International Product Revenue (Unaudited; in millions)





















Three Months Ended June 30,

Change



2016

2015

Dollars

%

















Total Eye Care

$ 318.7

$ 301.7

$ 17.0

5.6% Lumigan/Ganfort

94.5

90.4

4.1

4.5% Alphagan/Combigan

44.2

42.1

2.1

5.0% Ozurdex

45.7

34.4

11.3

32.8% Optive

26.0

25.4

0.6

2.4% Other Eye Drops

46.0

49.2

(3.2)

(6.5)% Restasis

19.3

15.1

4.2

27.8% Other Eye Care

43.0

45.1

(2.1)

(4.7)% Total Medical Aesthetics

284.1

262.2

21.9

8.4% Facial Aesthetics

240.6

215.2

25.4

11.8% Botox Cosmetics

132.7

123.4

9.3

7.5% Fillers

107.3

91.8

15.5

16.9% Belkyra (Kybella)

0.6

-

0.6

n.a. Plastic Surgery

40.3

43.2

(2.9)

(6.7)% Breast Implants

40.2

43.2

(3.0)

(6.9)% Earfold

0.1

-

0.1

n.a. Skin Care

3.2

3.8

(0.6)

(15.8)% Boto Therapeutics and Other

141.1

129.8

11.3

8.7% Botox Therapeutics

84.8

77.9

6.9

8.9% Asacol/Delzicol

11.0

15.3

(4.3)

(28.1)% Constella

4.6

1.1

3.5

n.m. Other Products

40.7

35.5

5.2

14.6% Other Revenues

13.1

23.4

(10.3)

(44.0)% Net revenues

$ 757.0

$ 717.1

$ 39.9

5.6%



































Six Months Ended June 30,

Change



2016

2015

Dollars

%

















Total Eye Care

$ 610.2

$ 342.2

$ 268.0

78.3% Lumigan/Ganfort

182.6

103.5

79.1

76.4% Alphagan/Combigan

86.0

48.0

38.0

79.2% Ozurdex

86.8

38.7

48.1

124.3% Optive

50.1

28.7

21.4

74.6% Other Eye Drops

89.1

55.5

33.6

60.5% Restasis

34.3

16.3

18.0

110.4% Other Eye Care

81.3

51.5

29.8

57.9% Total Medical Aesthetics

529.0

295.1

233.9

79.3% Facial Aesthetics

446.1

239.9

206.2

86.0% Botox Cosmetics

237.6

136.3

101.3

74.3% Fillers

207.4

103.6

103.8

100.2% Belkyra (Kybella)

1.1

-

1.1

n.a. Plastic Surgery

77.1

51.0

26.1

51.2% Breast Implants

76.9

51.0

25.9

50.8% Earfold

0.2

-

0.2

n.a. Skin Care

5.8

4.2

1.6

38.1% Boto Therapeutics and Other

264.4

166.0

98.4

59.3% Botox Therapeutics

161.9

88.3

73.6

83.4% Asacol/Delzicol

26.3

32.5

(6.2)

(19.1)% Constella

8.4

1.8

6.6

n.m. Other Products

67.8

43.4

24.4

56.2% Other Revenues

26.7

32.5

(5.8)

(17.8)% Net revenues

$ 1,430.3

$ 835.8

$ 594.5

71.1%

The following table provides a reconciliation of anticipated GAAP loss from continuing operations to non-GAAP net income attributable to shareholders for the year ending December 31, 2016.

Table 11

$ in millions LOW

HIGH







GAAP (loss) from continuing operations $ (560.0)

$ (480.0) Adjusted for:





Amortization 6,440.0

6,440.0 Acquisition and licensing charges 712.0

732.0 Accretion and fair-value adjustments to contingent consideration 84.0

84.0 Impairment/asset sales and related costs 255.6

255.6 Non-recurring (gain) / losses 0.2

0.2 Legal settlements 59.2

59.2 Income taxes on items above and other income tax adjustments (1,311.0)

(1,221.0) Non-GAAP net income attributable to

shareholders $ 5,680.0

$ 5,870.0







Diluted earnings per share













Diluted (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to shareholders- GAAP $ (1.43)

$ (1.23)







Diluted earnings per share attributable to shareholders - Non-GAAP $ 13.75

$ 14.20







Basic weighted average ordinary shares outstanding 391.0

391.0 Effect of dilutive securities:





Dilutive shares 22.0

22.0 Diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding 413.0

413.0

CONTACTS: Allergan:

Investors:

Lisa DeFrancesco

(862) 261-7152





Media:

Mark Marmur

(862) 261-7558

SOURCE Allergan plc

Related Links

http://www.allergan.com


MORRISVILLE, N.C., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance One International, Inc. (NYSE: AOI) today announced that it will hold a conference call to report financial results for its first quarter ended June 30, 2016, on August 9, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. EDT. The dial in number for the call is (800) 533-7954 or outside the U.S. (785) 830-1924 and conference ID 3610992. Those seeking to listen to the call may access a live broadcast on the Alliance One website. Please visit www.aointl.com fifteen minutes in advance to register.

For those who are unable to listen to the live event, a replay will be available by telephone from 11:00 a.m. EDT Tuesday, August 9, 2016 through 11:00 a.m. EDT Sunday, August 14, 2016. To access the replay, dial (888) 203-1112 within the U.S., or (719) 457-0820 outside the U.S., and enter access code 3610992. Any replay, rebroadcast, transcript or other reproduction of this conference call, other than the replay accessible by calling the number above, has not been authorized by Alliance One and is strictly prohibited. Investors should be aware that any unauthorized reproduction of this conference call may not be an accurate reflection of its contents.

Alliance One International is a leading independent leaf tobacco merchant serving the world's large multinational cigarette manufacturers. For more information on Alliance One, visit the Company's website at www.aointl.com.

SOURCE Alliance One International, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.aointl.com


DENVER, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- American Growth Fund, Inc. ("AGF") has launched the first cannabis focused mutual fund.

The American Growth Fund, Series Two, uses a growth style of investing. AGF uses a consistent approach to build the Fund's security portfolio which is made up primarily of common stocks and securities convertible into common stock in companies involved in at least some way in the legal cannabis business.

AGF's Series Two is led by Mr. Timothy E. Taggart. Mr. Taggart, President of AGF, Investment Committee Member and Director, has held his securities license since 1987. His knowledge of the securities industry is vast as owner and president of World Capital Brokerage, Inc., a registered Broker Dealer, and owner and president of Investment Research Corporation, a registered Investment Advisor. Mr. Taggart is also a FINRA Arbitrator. For more information please log on to www.agfseries2.com.

For more information contact:

Chris Herrington

800-525-2406

303-626-0600

[email protected]

Related Files

s2 press release.pdf

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE American Growth Fund, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.agfseries2.com


LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage complement immunotherapy company, announced today the expansion of its executive team with the addition of Dr. Robert Kim as its Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Kim will help the company optimize its drug development strategy as its clinical programs progress toward late stage clinical testing.

"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Kim to Apellis. Bob is an experienced clinical drug developer whose deep knowledge and experience will help us prepare for our confirmatory trials in geography atrophy and the further expansion of our exciting clinical pipeline centered on the inhibition of complement factor C3," said Cedric Francois, CEO of Apellis Pharmaceuticals.

"I am very excited to be joining Apellis, a trailblazer of new therapies for patients suffering from diseases arising from inappropriate activity of the complement system," commented Dr. Kim.

Dr. Kim has over 30 years of clinical experience in ophthalmology. He received his undergraduate and MD degrees from Brown University. Dr. Kim completed his residency in ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), post-doctoral training in molecular biology at the National Eye Institute, and retina fellowship training at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London before joining the faculty at UCSF. Prior to transitioning to industry, Bob completed a MBA at University of California, Berkeley's Haas School of Business. Bob started out in the life science industry in medical devices, first at Zeiss Humphrey Systems (now Carl Zeiss Meditec) working on the Stratus OCT and then at the German venture capital firm, Earlybird. He then transitioned to drug development at Genentech, where he managed the Lucentis Phase 3 clinical program through to its first approval in wet age related macular degeneration; GSK where, as VP of Clinical Ophthalmology, he helped build an early stage clinical pipeline; Novartis/Alcon where he was VP and Head of Pharmaceutical Product Development; and most recently at retina startup Vision Medicines, where he was Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D. He is currently Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at UCSF, where he continues to see patients.

About Apellis

Apellis is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of a platform of novel therapeutic compounds for the treatment of a broad range of autoimmune diseases based upon complement immunotherapy. Apellis is designing its compounds to modulate excessive or inappropriate activation of the complement component of the immune system and to resolve the dysfunction in the immune system associated with over-activation of the complement system. Apellis is currently evaluating its lead product candidates in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), geographic atrophy in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

SOURCE Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.apellis.com


CHICAGO, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) employees are delivering $5,000 checks to non-profits around the state, which didn't know they were being considered for the grants.

The Anniversary Grants are one way the insurer is celebrating its 80th anniversary. BCBSIL president Maurice Smith wanted to mark the anniversary year by giving back around the state, especially in communities where Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has offices. Employees were asked to nominate community-based organizations that are making a positive impact on the lives of their neighbors, their friends, their families.

"Our 80th anniversary plans were inspired by the employees themselves. They are the face and the heart of our business. By asking our local teams to select organizations within their communities, we keep those connections strong and partner to serve those who need the great services that these organizations provide," said Smith.

BCBSIL employees are announcing and delivering eight Anniversary Grants of $5,000 each to:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield

New Directions Warming and Cooling Center for the Homeless, Jacksonville

Camp New Hope, Neoga

Gum Drop Kids NFP, Carterville

Rockford Rescue Mission

Boys & Girls Clubs of Danville

Friends of the Trails, Quincy

Lessie Bate Davis Neighborhood House, East St. Louis

Christopher Coleman is the President and CEO of Lessie Bates Davies Neighborhood House. He says he found out about the grant just as his organization was struggling, "We were trying to figure out a way to provide more than 1,500 of the most underserved youth and children in this community with supplies for the upcoming school year, then we learned Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois was giving us a $5,000 grant. We were speechless and words could never describe just how grateful we are."

The Anniversary Grants are just one part of BCBSIL's 80th Anniversary commemoration. Employees are also participating in 80 volunteer events  one for every year the company has had the privilege of partnering with people around Illinois. It's BCBSIL's 80 for 80 #2016SummerofService.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

Related Links

http://www.bcbsil.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BRG, BRG PrA, and BRG PrC) ("the Company") announced today its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2016.

Highlights

Total revenues grew 75% to $18.4 million for the quarter from $10.5 million for the prior year quarter primarily as a result of significant investment activity in the past year.

for the quarter from for the prior year quarter primarily as a result of significant investment activity in the past year. Net loss attributable to common stockholders for the second quarter of 2016 was $5.0 million , or $(0.24) per share, as compared to a net loss of $0.6 million , or $(0.04) per share, in the prior year period. Net loss attributable to common stockholders included non-cash expenses of $9.4 million in the second quarter of 2016 vs. $3.6 million for the prior year period.

, or per share, as compared to a net loss of , or per share, in the prior year period. Net loss attributable to common stockholders included non-cash expenses of in the second quarter of 2016 vs. for the prior year period. Adjusted funds from operations attributable to common stockholders ("AFFO") grew 42% to $4.4 million for the quarter from $3.1 million for the prior year quarter.

for the quarter from for the prior year quarter. AFFO per diluted share is $0.21 for the second quarter of 2016 as compared to $0.19 for the second quarter of 2015, and exceeded guidance of $0.12 - $0.14 .

for the second quarter of 2016 as compared to for the second quarter of 2015, and exceeded guidance of . Pro forma AFFO per share of $0.38 for the second quarter exceeded pro forma guidance of $0.27 to $0.29 per share.

for the second quarter exceeded pro forma guidance of per share. The Company paid the full amount of the second quarter's management fee of $1.4 million in LTIP Units in lieu of cash payment. This favorably impacted both AFFO per share and pro forma AFFO per share by $0.07 .

in LTIP Units in lieu of cash payment. This favorably impacted both AFFO per share and pro forma AFFO per share by . Property Net Operating Income (NOI) grew 80% to $11.0 million for the quarter, from $6.1 million in the prior year quarter.

for the quarter, from in the prior year quarter. Property NOI margins improved 150 basis points to 59.8% of revenue for the quarter, from 58.3% of revenue in the prior year quarter.

Same store NOI increased 8.7% for the quarter, as compared to the prior year quarter.

Consolidated real estate investments, at cost, increased 25% to $699 million at June 30, 2016 from $557 million at December 31, 2015 .

at from at . The Company invested in one operating property totaling 336 units for a total purchase price of approximately $74.5 million subsequent to end of the quarter.

subsequent to end of the quarter. The Company declared a quarterly cash dividend on the 8.250% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series A preferred stock") of $0.515625 per share for the second quarter, which was paid in cash on July 5, 2016 .

per share for the second quarter, which was paid in cash on . The Company declared monthly dividends for the third quarter of 2016 equal to a quarterly rate of $0.29 per share on the Company's Class A common stock. This equates to an 8.9% annualized yield based on the closing price of $13.00 for the Class A common stock as of June 30, 2016 .

per share on the Company's Class A common stock. This equates to an 8.9% annualized yield based on the closing price of for the Class A common stock as of . The Company sold 1,890 Series B Units under its offering of up to 150,000 Units consisting of 150,000 shares of Series B redeemable preferred stock ("Series B Preferred Stock") and warrants to purchase 3,000,000 shares of Class A common stock ("Series B Offering") which commenced in February 2016 .

. The Company declared monthly dividends for the third quarter of 2016 of $5.00 per share on the Company's Series B preferred stock.

per share on the Company's Series B preferred stock. The Company sold 146,460 Series A Preferred shares under its At-the-Market offering during the second quarter until suspension of selling activity for the following offerings.

On April 25, 2016 , the Company completed an underwritten offering of 2,300,000 shares of Series A preferred stock at a public offering price of $25.00 per share, including the full exercise of the underwriter's overallotment for gross proceeds of $57.5 million .

, the Company completed an underwritten offering of 2,300,000 shares of Series A preferred stock at a public offering price of per share, including the full exercise of the underwriter's overallotment for gross proceeds of . On May 26, 2016 , the Company completed an add-on offering of 400,000 shares of Series A preferred stock at a public offering price of $25.00 per share, including the full exercise of the underwriter's overallotment for gross proceeds of $10.0 million .

, the Company completed an add-on offering of 400,000 shares of Series A preferred stock at a public offering price of per share, including the full exercise of the underwriter's overallotment for gross proceeds of . On July 19, 2016 , the Company completed an underwritten offering of 2,300,000 shares of 7.625% Series C preferred stock at a public offering price of $25.00 per share, including the full exercise of the underwriter's allotment for gross proceeds of $57.5 million .

Management Commentary

"We are pleased to report our operating performance for the second quarter with same store NOI growth of 8.7% and AFFO growth of 42%, which exceeded the high end of our guidance," said Ramin Kamfar, the Company's Chairman and CEO. "With the capital raise during the quarter, we plan to execute upon the attractive opportunities in our current footprint of growth markets in the Sunbelt, from the Carolinas to Florida and Texas. Our focus remains on building one of the highest quality Class A portfolios in these markets, while growing our AFFO and AFFO per share accretively for our investors."

Pending Investments at June 30, 2016

On July 14, 2016 , the Company acquired a 90% leasehold interest in a 336-unit, Class A, mixed-use apartment community located in Atlanta, Georgia , known as Tenside Apartment Homes. The property was rebranded as ARIUM Westside. The total purchase price was approximately $74.5 million , funded in part with a $52.2 million senior mortgage loan secured by the leasehold interest in the property.

, the Company acquired a 90% leasehold interest in a 336-unit, Class A, mixed-use apartment community located in , known as Tenside Apartment Homes. The property was rebranded as ARIUM Westside. The total purchase price was approximately , funded in part with a senior mortgage loan secured by the leasehold interest in the property. The Company intends to make an acquisition of a 90% interest in a 480-unit apartment community in Atlanta, Georgia for a purchase price of approximately $69.5 million .

for a purchase price of approximately . The Company has an agreement which entitles the Company to invest in a 276-unit to-be-built Class A apartment community located in Jacksonville, Florida . This convertible mezzanine loan investment of approximately $23 million is structured to provide us with a 15% current return on investment with an option to convert into majority indirect ownership of the underlying property upon stabilization.

. This convertible mezzanine loan investment of approximately is structured to provide us with a 15% current return on investment with an option to convert into majority indirect ownership of the underlying property upon stabilization. An affiliate of the Company has a non-binding letter of intent which we expect will be assigned to us and will entitle the Company to invest in a 90-unit to-be-built Class A apartment community located in Boca Raton, Florida . Our investment will be structured as a convertible mezzanine loan investment of approximately $9 million to provide us with a 15% current return on investment together with an option to convert into a majority indirect ownership of the underlying property upon stabilization.

Second Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Net loss attributable to common stockholders for the second quarter of 2016 was $5.0 million, as compared to a net loss of $0.6 million in the prior year period. The change in net loss was primarily driven by positive increases in property NOI of $4.9 million and income of unconsolidated real estate joint ventures of $1.5 million due to the increase in the size of our invest-to-own portfolio, as offset by related increases in general and administrative expenses of $1.0 million (of which $0.8 million was non-cash expenses), in management fees of $0.7 million, interest expense of $1.9 million, depreciation and amortization expense of $4.0 million, and the Series A preferred stock income allocation of $3.1 million.

AFFO for the second quarter of 2016 increased by 42% to $4.4 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, as compared to $3.1 million, or $0.19 per share in the prior year period. The increase in AFFO from the prior year period was driven primarily by increases in property NOI of $4.9 million arising from significant investment activity in the past year and in income of unconsolidated real estate joint ventures of $1.5 million caused by expanding the size of our invest-to-own portfolio, offset by higher interest expense of $1.9 million.

Same Store Portfolio Performance

Same store NOI for the second quarter of 2016 increased by 8.7% from the same period in the prior year. There was a 6.1% increase in same store property revenues as compared to the same prior year period, primarily attributable to a 4.7% increase in average rent per occupied unit, a 142 basis point increase in average occupancy and an additional 18 units acquired at our Lansbrook property. Same store expenses increased 2.2%.

Portfolio Summary

The following is a summary of our investments, operating properties and convertible preferred equity investments, as of June 30, 2016:

Operating Properties

Location

Year Built/

Renovated (1)

Ownership Interest

Units

Average

Rent (2)

% Occupied

ARIUM at Palmer Ranch

Sarasota, FL

2016

95%

320

$ 1,114

92%

ARIUM Grandewood

Orlando, FL

2005

95%

306

1,202

99%

ARIUM Gulfshore

Naples, FL

2016

95%

368

1,096

94%

ARIUM Palms

Orlando, FL

2008

95%

252

1,182

95%

Ashton Reserve

Charlotte, NC

2015

100%

473

1,085

94%

Enders Place at Baldwin Park

Orlando, FL

2003

90%

220

1,633

95%

Fox Hill

Austin, TX

2010

95%

288

1,169

97%

Lansbrook Village

Palm Harbor, FL

2004

90%

617

1,206

91%

MDA Apartments

Chicago, IL

2006

35%

190

2,266

93%

Park & Kingston

Charlotte, NC

2015

96%

168

1,179

98%

Sorrel

Frisco, TX

2015

95%

352

1,288

95%

Sovereign

Fort Worth, TX

2015

95%

322

1,278

97%

Springhouse at Newport News

Newport News, VA

1985

75%

432

842

97%

The Preserve at Henderson Beach

Destin, FL

2009

100%

340

1,237

94%

Village Green of Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

2013

49%

520

1,184

95%

Operating Properties Subtotal/Average









5,168

$ 1,209 (6) 95% (6)



























Convertible Preferred Equity Investments





Anticipated Ownership

Interest After

Conversion (3)





Pro Forma

Average

Rent (3)





Alexan CityCentre (5)

Houston, TX

2017

17%

340

$ 2,144



Alexan Southside Place (5)

Houston, TX

2018

62%

269

2,019



Cheshire Bridge (5)

Atlanta, GA

2017

78%

285

1,559



Domain Phase 1 (5)

Garland, TX

2018

90%

301

1,425



EOS (4)

Orlando, FL

2015

26%

296

1,211

79%

Flagler Village (5)

Fort Lauderdale, FL

2020

*

326

2,483



Lake Boone Trail (5)

Raleigh, NC

2018

72%

245

1,402



West Morehead (5)

Charlotte, NC

2018

80%

283

1,601



Whetstone (4)

Durham, NC

2015

93%

204

1,325

88%

Convertible Preferred Equity Investments Subtotal/Average

2,549

$ 1,719





















Operating Properties and Convertible Preferred Equity Investments Total/Average

7,717

$ 1,384 (6)







(1) Represents date of last significant renovation or year built if there were no renovations. (2) Represents the average monthly rent per occupied unit for all occupied units for the three months ended June 30, 2016. Sorrel was in lease-up during the period ended June 30, 2016, average actual rents were $1,194, net of up-front lease-up concessions. (3) The Company has made a convertible preferred equity investment that is convertible into a common membership interest at BRG's option upon stabilization. The preferred investment earns a preferred return of 15%. Average rent is pro forma based on underwriting. (4) Whetstone and EOS are currently convertible preferred equity investments providing a stated investment return and both properties are in lease-up and actual average rents were $1,162 and $1,206, respectively, net of upfront lease-up concessions. (5) Property is currently in development. (6) Total excludes Sorrel as the property was in lease-up during the period. * The property is currently an equity method investment with common ownership.

Q3 2016 Outlook

For the third quarter of 2016, the Company anticipates AFFO in the range of $0.08 to $0.10 per share, and $0.28 to $0.30 per share on a pro forma basis. For assumptions underlying earnings guidance, please see page 26 of Company's Q2 2016 Earnings Supplement available under Investor Relations on the Company's website (www.bluerockresidential.com). Pro forma AFFO is used for illustrative purposes only, is hypothetical and does not represent historical performance or management's estimates or projections for future performance.

Dividend Details

On July 8, 2016, our board of directors authorized, and we declared, monthly dividends for the third quarter of 2016 equal to a quarterly rate of $0.29 per share on our Class A common stock, payable to the stockholders of record as of July 25, 2016, which was paid in cash on August 5, 2016, and as of August 25, 2016 and September 23, 2016, which will be paid in cash on September 5, 2016 and October 5, 2016, respectively. Holders of OP and LTIP Units are entitled to receive "distribution equivalents" at the same time as dividends are paid to holders of our Class A common stock.

The declared dividends equal a monthly dividend on the Class A common stock as follows: $0.096666 per share for the dividend paid to stockholders of record as of July 25, 2016, $0.096667 per share for the dividend which will be paid to stockholders of record as of August 25, 2016, and September 23, 2016. A portion of each dividend may constitute a return of capital for tax purposes. There is no assurance that we will continue to declare dividends or at this rate.

On July 8, 2016, our board of directors authorized, and we declared, a monthly dividend of $5.00 per Series B preferred stock, payable to the stockholders of record as of July 25, 2016, which was paid in cash on August 5, 2016 and as of August 25, 2016 and September 23, 2016, which will be paid in cash on September 5, 2016 and October 5, 2016.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The foregoing supplemental financial data includes certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe are helpful in understanding our business and performance, as further described below. Our definition and calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from those of other REITs, and may, therefore, not be comparable.

Funds from Operations and Adjusted Funds from Operations

Funds from operations attributable to common stockholders ("FFO") is a non-GAAP financial measure that is widely recognized as a measure of REIT operating performance. We consider FFO to be an appropriate supplemental measure of our operating performance as it is based on a net income analysis of property portfolio performance that excludes non-cash items such as depreciation. The historical accounting convention used for real estate assets requires straight-line depreciation of buildings and improvements, which implies that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values historically rise and fall with market conditions, presentations of operating results for a REIT, using historical accounting for depreciation, could be less informative. We define FFO, consistent with the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, or ("NAREIT's") definition, as net income, computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property, plus depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, plus impairment write-downs of depreciable real estate, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures will be calculated to reflect FFO on the same basis.

In addition to FFO, we use adjusted funds from operations attributable to common stockholders ("AFFO"). AFFO is a computation made by analysts and investors to measure a real estate company's operating performance by removing the effect of items that do not reflect ongoing property operations. To calculate AFFO, we further adjust FFO by adding back certain items that are not added to net income in NAREIT's definition of FFO, such as acquisition expenses, equity based compensation expenses, and any other non-recurring or non-cash expenses, which are costs that do not relate to the operating performance of our properties, and subtracting recurring capital expenditures (and when calculating the quarterly incentive fee payable to our Manager only, we further adjust FFO to include any realized gains or losses on our real estate investments).

Our calculation of AFFO differs from the methodology used for calculating AFFO by certain other REITs and, accordingly, our AFFO may not be comparable to AFFO reported by other REITs. Our management utilizes FFO and AFFO as measures of our operating performance after adjustment for certain non-cash items, such as depreciation and amortization expenses, and acquisition expenses and pursuit costs that are required by GAAP to be expensed but may not necessarily be indicative of current operating performance and that may not accurately compare our operating performance between periods. Furthermore, although FFO, AFFO and other supplemental performance measures are defined in various ways throughout the REIT industry, we also believe that FFO and AFFO may provide us and our stockholders with an additional useful measure to compare our financial performance to certain other REITs. We also use AFFO for purposes of determining the quarterly incentive fee, if any, payable to our Manager.

Neither FFO nor AFFO is equivalent to net income, including net income attributable to common stockholders, or cash generated from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP. Furthermore, FFO and AFFO do not represent amounts available for management's discretionary use because of needed capital replacement or expansion, debt service obligations or other commitments or uncertainties. Neither FFO nor AFFO should be considered as an alternative to net income, including net income attributable to common stockholders, as an indicator of our operating performance or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity.

We have acquired interests in seven additional properties and four investments accounted for on the equity method of accounting and sold two properties subsequent to June 30, 2015. The results presented in the table below are not directly comparable and should not be considered an indication of our future operating performance.



Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended June 30,

June 30,

2016

2015

2016

2015 Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders $ (5,043)

$ (582)

$ (9,179)

$ 2,731















Common stockholders pro-rata share of:













Real estate depreciation and amortization(1) 6,769

2,647

13,239

4,559 Loss (gain) on sale of joint venture interests -

2

-

(5,322) FFO Attributable to Common Stockholders $ 1,726

$ 2,067

$ 4,060

$ 1,968















Common stockholders pro-rata share of:













Amortization of non-cash interest expense 65

72

148

95 Acquisition and disposition costs 227

210

1,373

685 Normally recurring capital expenditures (208)

(184)

(416)

(298) Preferred stock accretion 166

-

289

- Non-cash equity compensation 2,400

927

4,218

2,292 AFFO Attributable to Common Stockholders $ 4,376

$ 3,092

$ 9,672

$ 4,742















Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted 20,688,631

16,353,209

20,611,802

14,471,856















PER SHARE INFORMATION:













FFO Attributable to Common Stockholders - diluted $ 0.08

$ 0.13

$ 0.20

$ 0.14 AFFO Attributable to Common Stockholders - diluted $ 0.21

$ 0.19

$ 0.47

$ 0.33 Pro forma AFFO Attributable to Common Stockholders - diluted(2) $ 0.38

N/A

N/A

N/A















(1) The real estate depreciation and amortization amount includes our share of consolidated real estate-related depreciation and amortization of intangibles, less amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests, and our similar estimated share of unconsolidated depreciation and amortization, which is included in earnings of our unconsolidated real estate joint venture investments. (2) Pro forma AFFO for the three months ended June 30, 2016 assumes the investment of $80 million (consisting of available cash, earnest money deposits, expected loan proceeds, and net offering proceeds) had occurred on April 1, 2016: (i) additional investment of approximately $2 million in the Lake Boone convertible preferred equity investment, (ii) investment of approximately $23 million in a convertible mezzanine loan structure in connection with a joint venture, which entitles us to invest in Jacksonville MSA; (iii) investment of approximately $15 million in convertible preferred equity in a development asset in the Dallas MSA; (iv) investment of approximately $14 million in a convertible mezzanine loan structure in connection with a joint venture, which entitles us to invest in Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and (v) investment of approximately $9 million in a convertible mezzanine loan structure in a development asset an affiliate of the Company has under binding LOI in Boca Raton MSA. Pro forma guidance also assumes that $17 million is invested 65% in stabilized properties at a nominal 5.75% cap rate with interest expense at a rate of 3.75%, and 35% invested in convertible preferred equity development assets. The pro forma guidance is being presented solely for purposes of illustrating the potential impact of these pipeline transactions, as well as future investments to be made with funds we have available for investment, as if they had occurred at April 1, 2016, based on information currently available to management and assumptions management has made with respect to our future pipeline. The Company is providing no assurances that any of the above transactions are probable, or that they will close or that management will identify or acquire investments consistent with our pipeline assumptions, and the failure to do so would significantly impact pro forma guidance. The actual timing of these investments, if and when made, will vary materially from the assumed timing reflected in the pro forma guidance, and actual quarterly results will differ significantly from the pro forma guidance shown above. Investors should not rely on pro forma guidance as a forecast of the actual performance of the Company.

Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA")

EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, calculated on a consolidated basis. We consider EBITDA to be an appropriate supplemental measure of our performance because it eliminates depreciation, income taxes, interest and non-recurring items, which permits investors to view income from operations unclouded by non-cash items such as depreciation, amortization, the cost of debt or non-recurring items. Below is a reconciliation of net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders to EBITDA (unaudited and dollars in thousands).



Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

2016

2015

2016

2015















Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders $ (5,043)

$ (582)

$ (9,179)

$ 2,731 Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest (54)

(122)

(150)

5,912 Interest expense 4,589

2,726

8,817

5,018 Depreciation and amortization 7,789

3,741

15,298

6,506 Preferred stock accretion 168

-

293

- Non-cash equity compensation 2,436

936

4,281

2,331 Acquisition costs 249

221

1,457

670 Gain on sale of unconsolidated real estate joint venture interest -

15

-

(11,292) EBITDA $ 10,134

$ 6,935

$ 20,817

$ 11,876

Recurring Capital Expenditures

We define recurring capital expenditures as expenditures that are incurred at every property and exclude development, investment, revenue enhancing and non-recurring capital expenditures.

Non-Recurring Capital Expenditures

We define non-recurring capital expenditures as expenditures for significant projects that upgrade units or common areas and projects that are revenue enhancing.

Same Store Properties

Same store properties are conventional multifamily residential apartments which were owned and operational for the entire periods presented, including each comparative period.

Property Net Operating Income ("Property NOI")

We believe that net operating income, or NOI, is a useful measure of our operating performance. We define NOI as total property revenues less total property operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization and interest. Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating NOI, and accordingly, our NOI may not be comparable to other REITs. We believe that this measure provides an operating perspective not immediately apparent from GAAP operating income or net income. We use NOI to evaluate our performance on a same store and non-same store basis because NOI measures the core operations of property performance by excluding corporate level expenses and other items not related to property operating performance and captures trends in rental housing and property operating expenses. However, NOI should only be used as an alternative measure of our financial performance.

The following table reflects same store and non-same store contributions to consolidated NOI together with a reconciliation of NOI to net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders as computed in accordance with GAAP for the periods presented (unaudited and amounts in thousands):











Three Months Ended (1)

Six Months Ended (2)

June 30,

June 30,

2016 2015

2016 2015 Net operating income









Same store $ 6,242 $ 5,740

10,496 9,651 Non-same store 4,768 357

10,555 1,755 Total net operating income 11,010 6,097

21,051 11,406 Less:









Interest expense 4,510 2,676

8,651 5,041 Total property income 6,500 3,421

12,400 6,365 Less:









Noncontrolling interest pro-rata share of property income 1,065 941

2,081 1,877 Other (income) loss related to JV/MM entities - 36

- 53 Pro-rata share of properties' income 5,435 2,444

10,319 4,435 Less pro-rata share of:









Depreciation and amortization 6,769 2,647

13,239 4,559 Amortization of non-cash interest expense 65 71

148 96 Management fees 1,394 701

2,591  Acquisition and disposition costs 227 210

1,373 2,120 Corporate operating expenses 1,666 732

2,935 685 Preferred dividends 2,924 -

4,385 1,639 Preferred stock accretion 166 -

289

Add pro-rata share of:









Other income - 51

- 68 Preferred returns and equity in income of unconsolidated real

estate joint ventures 2,733 1,286

5,462 2,005 Gain on sale of joint venture interest, net of fees - (2)

- 5,322 Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders $ (5,043) $ (582)

$ (9,179) $ 2,731











(1) Same Store sales for the three months ended June 30, 2016 related to the following properties: Springhouse at Newport News, Enders Place at Baldwin Park, MDA Apartments, Village Green of Ann Arbor, Lansbrook Village, ARIUM Grandewood, Fox Hill, and Park & Kingston. (2) Same Store sales for the six months ended June 30, 2016 related to the following properties: Springhouse at Newport News, Enders Place at Baldwin Park, MDA Apartments, Village Green of Ann Arbor, Lansbrook Village, and ARIUM Grandewood.

Conference Call

All interested parties can listen to the live conference call webcast at 11:00 AM ET on Monday, August 8, 2016 by dialing +1 (866) 843-0890 within the U.S., or +1 (412) 317-6597, and requesting the "Bluerock Residential Conference." For those who are not available to listen to the live call, the webcast will be available for replay on the Company's website two hours after the call concludes, and will remain available until October 8, 2016 at http://services.choruscall.com/links/blue160808, as well as by dialing +1 (877) 344-7529 in the U.S., or +1 (412) 317-0088 internationally, and requesting conference number 10090743.

About Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BRG) is a real estate investment trust that focuses on acquiring a diversified portfolio of Class A institutional-quality apartment properties in demographically attractive growth markets to appeal to the renter by choice. The Company's objective is to generate value through off-market/relationship-based transactions and, at the asset level, through improvements to operations and properties. BRG generally invests with strategic regional partners, including some of the best-regarded private owner-operators in the United States, making it possible to operate as a local sharpshooter in each of its markets while enhancing off-market sourcing capabilities. The Company is included in the Russell 2000 and Russell 3000 Indexes. BRG has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.bluerockresidential.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's present expectations, but these statements are not guaranteed to occur. Furthermore, the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes. Investors should not place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements. For further discussion of the factors that could affect outcomes, please refer to the risk factors set forth in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 24, 2016, and subsequent filings by the Company with the SEC. We claim the safe harbor protection for forward looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

SOURCE Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.bluerockresidential.com


DUBLIN, Ohio, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bound Tree Medical and Tri-anim Health Services, both part of the Sarnova family of companies, will distribute the ROSC-U Miniature Chest Compressor through the companies' nationwide sales teams, via a partnership with Resuscitation International.

The ROSC-U is an automated, compact CPR device that delivers chest compressions at a consistent rate and depth ensuring uninterrupted high-quality CPR. The device can be used continuously to provide uninterrupted CPR from on-scene with the first responders through the continuum of care, including admission to the ED or Cath Lab for advanced cardiac care.

With each minute quality CPR is delayed, a sudden cardiac victim's chance of survival rapidly decreases. In less than 10 seconds, the ROSC-U can be secured directly to the chest by a wide belt called a Torso Restraint that wraps around the patient. The ROSC-U automatically performs consistent, uninterrupted manual CPR with 360 compressions for more effective chest compression and improved perfusion.

"While the ROSC-U is doing the CPR all by itself, the EMS workers or medical facility staff are freed up to focus on other life-saving activities to care for that patient," said Jeff Prestel, President & CEO of Sarnova. "And given the number of challenges of trying to perform manual CPR, the device can tirelessly deliver accurate chest compressions in just about any situation."

To learn more about the ROSC-U Miniature Chest Compressor, please visit www.boundtree.com/ROSC-U.asp or https://www.tri-anim.com/rosc-u.asp.

About Sarnova:

Sarnova is the leading national specialty distributor of healthcare products in the emergency medical services (EMS) and acute care markets. The company is comprised of four major business units: Bound Tree Medical, DXE Medical, Emergency Medical Products and Tri-anim Health Services. Sarnova is a company of Water Street Healthcare Partners, a strategic investor focused exclusively on the health care industry.

For more information, visit www.sarnova.com; www.boundtree.com; www.tri-anim.com

About Resuscitation International:

Resuscitation International was formed to work with healthcare professionals to positively impact outcomes for Sudden Cardiac Arrest victims. The company has over sixty years of combined medical device experience among its key personnel, and was formed in October 2010.

SOURCE Sarnova

Related Links

http://www.tri-anim.com


TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Burger 21, an award-winning, "beyond the better burger" fast casual franchise, announced today the signing of a multi-unit franchise agreement to develop two restaurants in the Atlanta area to further develop the brand's presence. Father-and-son franchisee team Dwight Pearson and Jamion Ridon plan to open two restaurants in Midtown and Sandy Springs over the next two years. Burger 21 currently has 24 open restaurants, including four restaurants across Atlanta, and approximately 20 franchised locations in development nationwide.

"We're thrilled to bring Burger 21 to the local communities in Midtown and Sandy Springs," said Mark Johnston, Burger 21 founder and president. "Atlanta has been a target market of ours since launching our aggressive growth initiative nearly five years ago, and it's great to expand our brand presence in the area with new franchise partners such as Dwight and Jamion, who bring years of foodservice experience to the business. We're confident they will bring that same success to our new restaurants in Midtown and Sandy Springs."

Local entrepreneur Dwight Pearson has significant industry experience, having worked in various positions at the restaurant-level for well-known brands such as Ted's Montana Grill, Ruby Tuesday's, Applebee's, and TGI Fridays. He and his son Jamion currently own four combination gas stations and convenient stores throughout Atlanta and wanted to re-enter the foodservice industry with a growing restaurant concept. Together, the father-son duo plan to open their first Burger 21 location in Sandy Springs by fall 2017 and a second location in Midtown the following fall.

"Jumping back into the restaurant industry was always a goal of mine, but the right opportunity never presented itself," said Pearson, Burger 21 franchisee. "After experiencing firsthand Burger 21's high-quality food and excellent customer service, I knew it was the opportunity I had been waiting for. The brand's unique concept and exceptional dining experience is truly unmatched in the better burger industry, and Jamion and I wanted to be part of the company's growth in Atlanta."

Burger 21 is actively seeking qualified franchisees to expand its national footprint across the country. Those interested in development opportunities with the brand should visit burger21franchise.com/ApplyNow.aspx and register to receive access to an informational franchising webinar. For more information, please contact Ashley Sawyer, director of franchise development for Burger 21, at 813-327-7881 or [email protected] or visit burger21franchise.com.

Recognition for Burger 21 includes being named one of Entrepreneur magazine's Top New Franchises and Restaurant Business' 50 Fastest-Growing Small Restaurant Chains of 2016. Additionally, the company has been ranked on Fast Casual's Top 100 "Movers and Shakers" for the last three consecutive years, while Burger 21 Founder and President Mark Johnston was acknowledged as one of Fast Casual's "Top 25 People" of 2014 for his strategic leadership in the brand's growth and development. Burger 21 also was named one of QSR's "Best Franchise Deals" of 2014.

As the brand continues to expand across the U.S., Burger 21 is seeking single- and multi-unit operators with restaurant experience to join its upscale fast casual dining concept. Franchisee candidates should have a minimum net worth of $600,000 and liquid assets of at least $250,000 per unit. Burger 21 will be developed through both single-unit agreements and Area Development Agreements. Depending on the real estate site selected, franchisees can expect the total investment for one restaurant to be approximately $428,247  $1,085,164. The initial franchise fee is $40,000; however, reduced franchise fees apply for veterans, minorities and Area Development Agreements of four or more units.

To learn more about ownership opportunities with Burger 21, contact Ashley Sawyer, director of franchise development for Burger 21, at 813-327-7881 or [email protected] or visit burger21franchise.com.

About Burger 21

With 24 locations now open in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Texas, and approximately 20 in development in six states, Burger 21 is a "beyond the better burger" fast casual franchise concept founded in 2010. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Burger 21 is a chef-inspired brand with offerings including 21 unique burger creations ranging from hand-crafted, freshly ground Certified Angus Beef to chicken, turkey, vegetarian, shrimp and tuna burgers, fresh salads, all-beef hot dogs, chicken tenders and an extensive shake bar including hand-crafted shakes, floats and sundaes. Since its inception, the company has provided more than $127,000 in contributions as part of its "B Charitable" initiative, in which it donates 10 percent of its restaurants' sales to local schools and charities on the 21st of each month. For more information, visit http://www.burger21.com.

CONTACT: Jessi Nunez

Fish Consulting

(954) 893-9150

[email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130214/NY60474LOGO

SOURCE Burger 21

Related Links

http://www.burger21.com


Joseph DiCicco, DO, FAOAO, of

Orthopedic Trauma Associates of

Southwestern Ohio, is board

certified by the American

Osteopathic Association,

specializing in orthopedic trauma

and reconstructive surgery. As a

trauma consultant and product

designer he has been involved in

the development of multiple

trauma and fracture-care devices

over the last several years. Dr.

DiCicco has also written numerous

journal articles and book chapters

on trauma and fracture care, and

has lectured on a variety of trauma

topics across the country and

throughout the world.

"The recent release of Camber's Prolix has resulted in the first real

advancement in SI Fusion surgery options in years. As the first bone graft

delivery system to compliment the 'old school screws only' fix of the

past, Prolix has revolutionized this difficult diagnosis. This percutaneous

procedure has been well received by my patients, with some saying

you've changed my life forever, no longer do I need pain pills or even to

see my pain management physician!" "In sacroiliac disease, as the surgeon, it's all about patient selection. A

perfect sacroiliac surgery candidate is one who had excellent initial relief

from SI fluoroscopic injection but who slowly, over time, no longer

experienced such relief from injection therapy. When I suggest a

percutaneous, outpatient surgery to correct a commonly debilitating

diagnosis, it often brings tears to my patients' eyes. Just the option to

get long-term relief is a new hope for many of them. I am very pleased

with the results so far and will continue to offer this as a permanent fix

for my patients!" - Joe DiCicco DO
PETACH TIKVA, Israel, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE MKT: CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company with a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs being developed to treat inflammatory diseases, cancer and sexual dysfunction, announced today that the peer reviewed scientific journal, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, published data from a Phase II/III trial of Piclidenoson (CF101) in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. The study titled, "Treatment of Plaque-Type Psoriasis With Oral CF101: Data from a Phase II/III Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial," was published in the August 2016 issue of the journal.

The published study provides details regarding patient population, safety profile, and Piclidenoson's efficacy as compared to apremilast, a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat moderate to severe psoriasis and is marketed under the brand name Otezla by Celgene.

While the Phase II/III study did not meet its primary efficacy endpoint at week 12, Piclidenoson did show a statistically significant improvement on week 32 in the PASI scores (50/75/90/100), a measure of efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis. Moreover, while biological drugs have been widely used in the past two decades for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis, these drugs can cease to be effective over time, with 67% of discontinuations attributed to loss of efficacy, based on a recent study.

Importantly, data from the published study suggest Piclidenoson's efficacy continues to improve over time. The recently approved small molecule drug Otezla, appears to plateau in efficacy beyond week 16 based on data from a Phase III trial of Otezla, while the Phase II/III study of Piclidenoson shows it continues to improve in efficacy through week 32 and compares favorably to Otezla as early as week 24.

"There is a clear need for an effective, oral drug for moderate to severe psoriasis that maintains its efficacy, while also having a favorable safety profile. We believe Piclidenoson is a strong candidate to meet this need," stated Can-Fite CEO Pnina Fishman. "The publication of our Phase II/III trial results at this time in a prominent dermatology peer reviewed journal supports our efforts to inform the medical community of Piclidenoson as a potential treatment for their psoriasis patients."

The global psoriasis market is estimated to reach $9 billion by 2018 (Visiongain), and Otezla sales are estimated to be $2.35 billion by 2020 (DrugAnalyst).

About Piclidenoson (CF101)

Piclidenoson is a novel, first-in-class, A3 adenosine receptor agonist (A3AR) small molecule, orally bioavailable drug with a favorable therapeutic index demonstrated in Phase II clinical studies. Piclidenoson is currently under development for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (completed Phase II) and psoriasis (completed Phase II/III).

About Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.

Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE MKT: CANF) (TASE: CFBI) is an advanced clinical stage drug development Company with a platform technology that is designed to address multi-billion dollar markets in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disease and sexual dysfunction. The Company's lead drug candidate, Piclidenoson, is scheduled to enter Phase III trials in 2016 for two indications, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The rheumatoid arthritis Phase III protocol has recently been agreed with EMA. Can-Fite's liver cancer drug CF102 is in Phase II trials for patients with liver cancer and is slated to enter Phase II for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). CF102 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and Europe and Fast Track Designation as a second line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. CF102 has also shown proof of concept to potentially treat other cancers including colon, prostate, and melanoma. CF602, the Company's third drug candidate, has shown efficacy in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in preclinical studies and is being prepared for an IND submission to the FDA and a Phase I trial. These drugs have an excellent safety profile with experience in over 1,000 patients in clinical studies to date. For more information please visit: www.can-fite.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, about Can-Fite's expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding, among other things, its product development efforts, business, financial condition, results of operations, strategies or prospects. In addition, from time to time, Can-Fite or its representatives have made or may make forward-looking statements, orally or in writing. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," "may," "should" or "anticipate" or their negatives or other variations of these words or other comparable words or by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. These forward-looking statements may be included in, but are not limited to, various filings made by Can-Fite with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases or oral statements made by or with the approval of one of Can-Fite's authorized executive officers. Forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results as of the date they are made. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Can-Fite's actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause Can-Fite's actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the factors summarized in Can-Fite's filings with the SEC and in its periodic filings with the TASE. In addition, Can-Fite operates in an industry sector where securities values are highly volatile and may be influenced by economic and other factors beyond its control. Can-Fite does not undertake any obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact

Can-Fite BioPharma

Motti Farbstein

[email protected]

+972-3-9241114

SOURCE Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.can-fite.com


BEIJING, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors (the "Board") of China Life Insurance Company Limited (the "Company") (NYSE: LFC; HKSE: 2628; SSE: 601628) announced today that, due to work arrangements, Mr. Yang Zheng tendered his resignation as a Vice President of the Company on August 8, 2016, which took effect on the same day. Mr. Yang Zheng also ceased to act as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company with effect from the same day.

Mr. Yang Zheng has confirmed that he has no disagreement with the Board and there are no other matters relating to his resignation that need to be brought to the attention of the shareholders of the Company. The Company would like to express its gratitude to Mr. Yang Zheng for his contribution to the Company during his tenure of service.

The Company is actively seeking approval of appointment of the new Chief Financial Officer.

For further information, please contact:

Name: Li Ke

Tel.: +86 10 6363-2938

Fax: +86 10 6657-5112

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE China Life Insurance Company Limited
DALLAS, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chron Organization, Inc. (OTC: CHRO) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Zen Technologies, Inc. ("Zen") will be launching its revolutionary customer-facing e-commerce website (www.livewithzen.com) today at 2:00 PM Central. The website will be dedicated to marketing and selling Smart Home products and services to residential customers, bringing renown and progressive Smart Home systems direct to the consumer.

The Company's strategy is to make the Smart Home dream a reality for the masses. Historically, these types of technologies and home controls have been considered a luxury item. With entry-level price tags in the $100,000 range, it's no wonder that the Smart Home has only been affordable to the affluent. However, starting today, families will be able to automate their lights, locks and thermostats for a mere fraction of that cost, thanks to Zen.

Zen will offer 5 base packages to cover all types of living environments and dwelling types. These will range from a basic Home Protection Kit, all the way to the "Zen XL"  which can automate a home up to 6,000 square feet in size. Apart from these packages, customers can also select a-la-carte from hundreds of product options to complement their base system. Zen also provides various monthly monitoring service level agreements.

Byron Young, CHRON Chairman, remarked, "We are ecstatic about the launch of our Smart Home business. The Zen brand is positioned as an advanced technology company, rather than just another basic security company. The look, feel and function of our corporate and customer-facing websites, reflect that unique vision."

In alignment with Zen's mission, customers will have the option to purchase outright their Smart Home package of choice, or they can take advantage of Zen's 60-day and 90-day same as cash financing options. The Company also plans on rolling out traditional financing terms over the next 30 days.

Young added, "We have every intention of innovating and dominating this space. With today's launch of our e-commerce site, our journey toward that goal begins in earnest. We hope our shareholders will participate in this exciting launch by checking out livewithzen.com, trying our products for themselves and spreading the word about Zen."

Today's launch is focused on and limited to the Texas market; however, the Company is planning on having a robust national coverage area by the end of 2016, with new markets being added soon.

Alex Rodriguez, CHRON President and Zen's CEO commented, "Thus far, our early customer case studies have been overwhelmingly positive, resulting in referrals and outstanding reviews  I am sure we will have improvements to make over the next 30 to 60 days; however, I feel very confident that we are on the right track to start pursuing aggressive growth campaigns shortly thereafter."

ABOUT THE CHRON ORGANIZATION, INC.

The Chron Organization, Inc. (OTC: CHRO), is an entrepreneurial-minded company founded and envisioned by Mr. Byron Young and Mr. Alex Rodriguez. The Company's purpose is to develop a portfolio of highly successful and unique wholly owned businesses by providing incubation, advisory and capital services to the same. CHRON's interests include the Smart Home services, Internet of Things (IOT) platforms, deregulated energy & energy efficiency offerings. To learn more about CHRON, visit the company's corporate website at www.chronorganization.com.

ABOUT ZEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Zen Technologies, Inc. (Zen), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Chron Organization, Inc. (OTC: CHRO), is a 21st century home services company whose mission is to make the "Smart Home" a reality for the millions of homeowners and apartment homes across the United States. Zen provides homeowners with the latest in security, monitoring and automation controls enabling homeowners to have a Smart Home at an affordable price. Zen combines that with its green energy services, reducing both their carbon footprint and their monthly energy expense. The Company's plan is to capture 5% of the homeowners' market while dramatically reducing the nation's peak electricity demand. To learn more, visit www.zenhomeservices.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "should," "intend," "estimate," "projects," variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not a forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements are based upon the company's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements are risks that are detailed in the company's filings at www.OTCMarkets.com

SOURCE The Chron Organization, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.chronorganization.com


NAPLES, Fla., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Coastal Scents, an independent makeup brand, has released the newest addition to their cosmetic line: A summer inspired eyeshadow palette with a unique color selection that can be worn all year long.

"When developing the Summer Breeze Palette, our goal was to create a selection of colors that are fresh and happy, but at the same time not too over-powering," explains Dorothy Kramer, product designer and co-owner of Coastal Scents. "Bright eyeshadows have to be matched perfectly in order to work out."

Coastal Scents Announces the Launch of Summer Breeze Palette Summer Breeze Palette Summer Breeze Packaging

For over a decade, Coastal Scents has been known for its broad selection of Makeup Palettes. "Creating products that are top quality yet extremely affordable has always been our mission," says Reto Kramer, founder of the brand in 2005. "This newest addition is just another example that quality does not need to have a high price tag."

Coastal Scents designed and developed an extensive product line featuring an array of colors that fits everyone's needs. "Customers love our unique formula," says Dorothy Kramer. "With high color pay-off and very little fallout, it is one of the best paraben-free eyeshadows out there."

If you would like to know more about the Summer Breeze and other makeup Palettes, please visit www.CoastalScents.com.

Contact Information:

Coastal Scents

Patrick Sanders

Email

(800) 696-0078

www.CoastalScents.com

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOEVwvLtsYo

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/396079

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/396078

SOURCE Coastal Scents

Related Links

https://www.coastalscents.com


LONDON, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cohen & Steers is pleased to announce that James Cahill has joined its London office as Head of Funds & Sub-Advisory Sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Mr. Cahill will play a critical role in developing relationships with financial intermediaries in the EMEA region, raising awareness of Cohen & Steers' expertise in liquid real assets and income solutions, including real estate securities, listed infrastructure, natural resource equities, commodities and preferred securities.

With a career in the asset management industry spanning 28 years, Mr. Cahill comes to Cohen & Steers from Principal Global Investors, where he served as Director of European Fund Distribution. There, he developed and executed wholesale and sub-advisory distribution strategies for products covering multiple asset classes.

"We look forward to James helping to build Cohen & Steers' asset management business across Europe," said Marc Haynes, Head of Sales and Client Service, EMEA. "His extensive experience and deep understanding of the European wealth market naturally lends itself to conveying Cohen & Steers' specialist investment expertise and bringing our liquid real assets capabilities to new clients."

Stephen Dunn, Executive Vice President, Head of Global Distribution added, "James will serve a key role in developing Cohen & Steers' long-term strategic plan for the EMEA region, broadening recognition of the company's alternative investment strategies with financial intermediaries across multiple distribution platforms. He's a welcome addition to the Cohen & Steers team."

More information is available at cohenandsteers.com.

Symbol:NYSE: CNS

About Cohen & Steers. Cohen & Steers is a global investment manager specializing in liquid real assets, including real estate securities, listed infrastructure, commodities and natural resource equities, as well as preferred securities and other income solutions. Founded in 1986, the firm is headquartered in New York City, with offices in London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Seattle.

SOURCE Cohen & Steers, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.cohenandsteers.com


The series is brought to you by The Xceptional Music Company and The Santa Catalina Island Company. The stage will overlook yachts floating a few yards offshore, the bar will be open, and the music terrific!

On August 12th, Colman Hell's soaring hit, 2 Heads, has led to a new full album, much of which will be heard, some possibly for the first time, in Catalina. Enjoy Fireproof, Take Me Up, and many more. Everett Coast will open, playing, among many favorites, Hey Hey California.

And you can celebrate Labor Day by vacationing to the reggae of The Wailers, who with Bob Marley sold over 250 million albums.

Catalina has always been a favorite vacation spot of Hollywood "A-Listers", and still is, from Marilyn Monroe to Taylor Swift and Katy Perry.

When the Wrigley family of chewing gum fame bought Catalina in the twenties, they brought the biggest music of that the era. In more recent times, Catalina visitors have heard the music of Kenny Loggins and legendary surf guitar player, Dick Dale, and lately they have heard the music of our time, with recent performances by Snoop Dogg and Postmodern Jukebox at "Up For Whatever."

Catalina also offers an abundance of amenities including one of the only "on the beach" bars in California at Descanso Beach Club, the luxurious Island Spa, ocean front restaurants and shops, concerts by the sea, and dozens of activities and tours like the Zip Line Eco Tour, East End Adventure, Undersea Expedition, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, parasailing, and many more. For more information, please visit www.visitcatalinaisland.com.

Press Contact:

Ray McKewon

[email protected]

858.829.6609

The Xceptional Music Company produces concerts, festivals, and private events. On Catalina Island off the coast of California, we have produced the Xceptional Catalina Concert Series, now in its seventh season, The Castaway Series, Buccaneer Days, Shipwreck Weekend, New Years Eve in the Casino Ballroom, The Catalina Wine Mixer from the movie Step Brothers, and now [email protected] In Southern California we also produce, in addition to the San Diego Ukulele Festival, large charity events for such clients as the YMCA and the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Research Center. www.xceptionalmusic.org

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/396120





SOURCE The Xceptional Music Company

Related Links

http://www.xceptionalmusic.org


CINCINNATI, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Colerain RV ("Colerain" or the "Company"), a specialty retailer of recreational vehicles ("RVs") with five dealership and service locations in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, today announced the promotion of Wade Stepp to President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.

Mr. Stepp joined the Company in 2001 and had most recently been acting in the role of Executive Vice President of Operations. Additionally, Mr. Stepp is one of the shareholders of Colerain who reinvested in the business when it was acquired by Kidd & Company, LLC, a private investment firm, in January. Tony Castor, a Partner at Kidd & Company and Chairman of the Board of Colerain, said, "We are very pleased with the progress of Colerain since our acquisition and Wade's leadership has been instrumental in continuing to grow the business and in integrating the Lexington, Kentucky location that was acquired from Northside RVs in January. Our financial and management resources are available to him as we work together to continue the company's growth path and strategic expansion. Wade has been a terrific partner, and we trust and value his leadership and judgment."

As a 10+ year automotive industry veteran prior to joining Colerain, Mr. Stepp held various operating positions in automotive dealerships. Since joining Colerain as an equity partner in 2001, he has helped lead revenue growth, customer service initiatives, and a multi-store expansion strategy that led to the newer Colerain locations in Dayton, Indianapolis, Columbus and Lexington. Chuck Jung, Executive Vice President of Colerain, said, "Wade has been a significant contributor to our management team for the last 15 years and has led our expansion into additional locations. I look forward to continuing to work with Wade in achieving our growth objectives."

About Colerain

Founded in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1968 by Charles and Lolly Jung, Colerain RV provides sales of new and used RVs, related services, parts and accessories for RV owners and camping enthusiasts. Colerain enjoys top-tier dealer status with numerous RV manufacturers for its consistently high sales volume and stewardship of their brands, and the Company successfully continues to expand the product lines it carries. Colerain has also developed a stellar reputation among its retail customer base for delivering best-in-class sales and service. During its first 40 years, Colerain operated out of one location, but as its reputation and demand for its products has continued to grow, it has expanded and now operates five dealership locations in contiguous metropolitan markets across three states. For more information, visit www.colerainrv.com.

About Kidd & Company

Based in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, KCO traces its roots to 1976 when William Kidd made his first private equity investment. Today, KCO is the private investment arm of the Kidd Family Office engaged in sponsoring private equity transactions in the lower middle market. The firm's focus is on driving superior returns by implementing fundamental strategic and operational improvements to drive above-market growth in revenue and earnings, both organically and through accretive acquisitions. The diverse skill set of its partners allows KCO to bring management, operational, sales and marketing, corporate finance and M&A expertise to bear to substantially increase the total value of its investments. For more information, visit www.kiddcompany.com.

Contact: Chris Tofalli

Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC

914-834-4334

SOURCE Colerain RV

Related Links

http://www.colerainrv.com


BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- August 15, New Knowledge Library (NKL) releases The One God, the new book in a 40-book series it is publishing called "The New Message from God." The One God follows the first book in the series God Has Spoken Again (NKL, 2015) in revealing what Marshall Vian Summers claims is a new revelation from God for our world.

Marshall Vian Summers, "Messenger of God"

Centered in Boulder, Colorado, Marshall Vian Summers has spent the last 30 years receiving and presenting what he claims is a "New Message from God" and the next chapter in God's successive revelations for humanity. Over this period, Summers has recorded over 8,700 pages of audio and text that he says was revealed to him in a state of Revelation. He claims to be a Messenger of God bringing a revolutionary message from the Creator to humanity.

"The New Message from God" speaks on a wide range of topics from spiritual practice to relationships, religious violence, climate change and the environment, and our world's destined contact with intelligent life in the universe.

Around the "New Message from God" is a worldwide community of students, both in Colorado and in over 70 countries across the globe, with translations of his Revelation now published in 20 languages. Many in this community believe Summers is a messenger of God for our time in the lineage of Jesus and Muhammad and consider the over 40 books he has received to be both a divine communication to the world as well as the sacred texts of a new world religion.

"Marshall doesn't claim to be a messiah or guru, and his students don't worship him, though we deeply respect him and his message," says William Burrows, a coordinator in Summers' organization based in Boulder, Colorado. "The New Message is new and revolutionary. It is more than just words. It offers a new experience of God and further revelation about God and how God works in the world. It brings needed correction to the religions and teachings of antiquity and greatly refreshes the old world concept of God to serve people in our modern time."

According to Summers' organization, The Society for the New Message from God, God has spoken again because of four fundamental crises in the world today.

1. Humanity is facing powerful forces of environmental, social and economic change and upheaval that have the power to destroy human civilization. Humanity has failed to act in time to stop these great waves of change in the world.

2. Humanity is emerging into a universe of intelligent life and is now facing a dangerous intervention by forces from beyond our world. This is the greatest event in human history, yet humanity is unaware and unprepared.

3. The religions of the world are divided and in conflict with each other and are failing to support human unity at this critical threshold in history.

4. Inner spiritual poverty and widespread human suffering are growing worldwide while the deeper intelligence and power of the human spirit is suppressed, unable to emerge in enough people.

"The world is now facing catastrophic environmental change," says Summers. "The Creator of all life would not leave humanity unprepared. Therefore, God has sent a new message to protect and uplift humanity. I have been given this message yet the responsibility to bring it into the world is immense. It has been a great burden for me."

When asked if his New Message from God is meant to replace the religions of the world, Summers responds, "No, the New Message is intended to call the world's religious traditions back to their common source and their common purpose of strengthening the power of compassion, forgiveness, service and tolerance in the world as the human family faces a future of social, political and economic upheaval, climate change and the threat of intervention from beyond our world."

For more information about Marshall Vian Summers or the New Message from God, contact Reed Summers at The Society for the New Message from God at 1-800-938-3891, [email protected]. The text and audio of the New Message is free online at www.newmessage.org.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160808/396466

SOURCE The Society for the New Message from God
CIS of North Carolina and CIS of Wilkes County are two of only 18 recipients nationwide that will share in $10 million from AT&T through the Aspire Connect to Success Competition . Recipient organizations deliver integrated student supports, focus on college or career preparation, and/or provide mentoring or peer-to-peer supports to help underserved students graduate.

CIS of North Carolina will receive $750,000 to support the Powering the Future program, which serves students in grades 9 - 12, in six rural high schools in Conway, Littleton, Oxford, Warrenton, Weldon, and Windsor, where graduation rates are far below the state average and fewer than 25% of students are grade-level-proficient.

"We are passionately committed to changing the future for children," said Dr. Eric Hall, President and CEO of Communities In Schools of North Carolina. "Combining the art of one-on-one relationships with the science of proven, evidence-based programs and the power of community support, we help remove barriers that keep students from succeeding in school and life. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to make a difference for students in these six rural communities where resources are very limited."

CIS of Wilkes County will receive $500,000 to expand the Increasing Intentionality Initiative, which serves 5,516 students in grades 9 - 12, into seven high-poverty, rural high schools in North Wilkesboro and Taylorsville. Of the more than 5,500 students in grades 9-12 who will be served by this expansion, more than 1,000 will receive individualized, case-managed services.

"For far too many students, their vision of the future stops at the closest mountaintop," said Glendora Yarbrough, Executive Director of CIS-Wilkes. "By engaging caring adults and providing the link between educators and the community, we seek to encourage students to look beyond their horizon and pursue their dreams, a journey that begins with staying in school and preparing for life."

A dedicated CIS Site Coordinator will be located in each of the 13 high schools impacted by this contribution to coordinate and implement targeted and schoolwide interventions aimed at increasing graduation rates and improving student achievement.

Voices from Around the State

" North Carolina's future economic success begins with academic success today. That's why continuing to work together to reduce the dropout rate is vital. Programs like Communities In Schools, supported by the private sector, open the door to a new, positive future for students who might otherwise be left behind."  Gov. Pat McCrory

future economic success begins with academic success today. That's why continuing to work together to reduce the dropout rate is vital. Programs like Communities In Schools, supported by the private sector, open the door to a new, positive future for students who might otherwise be left behind."  "Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed and to fully realize their gifts and abilities. The CIS program makes that possible for many children who have been trapped by circumstances not of their making. I am thrilled that this program will now be coming to six schools in eastern North Carolina and look forward to the impact which it will have."  U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield (NC-1)

and look forward to the impact which it will have."  "Growing up in the mountains of North Carolina , I learned firsthand how education plays a vital role in the success of individual Americans. Education can change lives, especially when you have community support and a network of caring adults dedicated to helping all children reach their potential. That's what CIS is all about and why I am excited to see it expand in North Carolina's 5th District."  U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-5)

, I learned firsthand how education plays a vital role in the success of individual Americans. Education can change lives, especially when you have community support and a network of caring adults dedicated to helping all children reach their potential. That's what CIS is all about and why I am excited to see it expand in 5th District."  "My top goal since I took office hasn't changed: a 100 percent graduation rate. A high school diploma is the minimum requirement students must meet to land a job that will lead them into a successful career. Private-sector support, like this funding from AT&T, can help make that goal a reality."  NC Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson

"At BEST NC, we envision a North Carolina in which every student graduates from high school with the knowledge, skills and behaviors to succeed in a competitive global economy. We are convinced that every student can succeed if they are surrounded by systems of support, like those provided by Communities in Schools, and that the business community has the opportunity and capacity to increase the college and workforce readiness of all students. Initiatives like AT&T's support for the CIS program will help ensure the well-educated workforce that our businesses and economy require."  Brenda Berg , CEO, BEST NC (www.BESTNC.org)

Hundreds of organizations applied to the Aspire Connect to Success Competition, which is part of AT&T Aspire, our signature philanthropic initiative to help students succeed in school and beyond. Through a competitive request for proposal process, the 18 non-profits were selected based on their effectiveness in helping students graduate ready for career or college. Selected programs use evidence-based approaches to serve students and are able to demonstrate quantitative results.

"For every young person, a high school diploma is essential, not only for future success in academics or their career, but as a milestone which affirms they can accomplish what they set out to do," said Venessa Harrison, president of AT&T North Carolina. "At AT&T, we see young people as the future of our company, our communities, and our country. That's why, through Aspire, we support programs that invest in students, especially those who need it the most, so they can walk across the graduation stage with excitement, prepared for success in the next chapter of their lives."

About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T

AT&T is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs. AT&T Aspire is AT&T's signature philanthropic initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism, and mentoring. Through Aspire, we've passed the $250 million mark on our plan to invest $350 million in education from 2008-2017.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160808/396460

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120612/DA23287LOGO

SOURCE AT&T

Related Links

http://www.about.att.com


With this integration, Didi Chuxing users can simply connect their account with Concur, select their trip type and begin booking rides. Once travelers arrive at their destination, an e-receipt will be automatically sent to the linked Concur account, where they can directly manage ride expenses and submit for reimbursements.

"China is the third largest international market when it comes to Concur business traveler spend, and we're seeing a dramatic increase in Didi Chuxing usage which is contributing to that spend," said Mike Eberhard, president of global distribution at Concur. "This integration not only simplifies the expense reporting process for the growing number of Concur users booking rides with Didi, but also helps travel managers and administrators effortlessly keep track of employee spend."

"Didi Chuxing Enterprise has a systematic and data-driven ride hailing and management service in China, while Concur is the leader in enterprise travel and expenses management. This partnership will increase the international recognition of Didi Chuxing's convenient and efficient transportation solutions and enhance Concur users' travel experience," said Mr. Derek Du, vice president and general manager of enterprise business unit at Didi Chuxing.

Didi Chuxing is currently available in the Concur App Center.

About Concur

Concur, an SAP company, imagines the way the world should work, offering cloud-based services that make it simple to manage travel and expenses. By connecting data, applications and people, Concur delivers an effortless experience and total transparency into spending wherever and whenever it happens. Concur services adapt to individual employee preferences and scale to meet the needs of companies from small to large, so they can focus on what matters most for their businesses. Learn more at www.concur.com or the Concur Newsroom.

About Didi Chuxing



Didi Chuxing is the world's largest comprehensive one-stop mobile transportation platform. The company offers the full range of mobile tech-based mobility options for close to 300 million users across over 400 Chinese cities, including taxi hailing, private car hailing, Hitch (social ride-sharing), Chauffeur, DiDi Bus, DiDi Test Drive, and DiDi Enterprise Solutions. As many as 16 million rides are completed on Didi's platform on a daily basis in Q2 2016. A total of 1.43 billion rides were completed on DiDi's platform in 2015, making DiDi the world's second largest online transaction platform next only to Taobao.

As a practitioner in the sharing economy initiative, DiDi is committed to work with communities and partners to solve China's transportation and environmental challenges using big data-driven deep-learning algorithms that optimize resources allocation. By continuously improving the user experience and creating social values, we strive to build an efficient, collaborative, and sustainable transportation ecosystem. DiDi was named one of the Worlds Smartest 50 Companies by MIT Technology Review in 2016, and a Davos Global Growth Company in 2015.

PR CONTACT

Jessie DiMariano

[email protected]

(206) 268-2289

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160808/396238

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151103/283657LOGO



SOURCE Concur

Related Links

http://www.concur.com


MONTREAL, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - The CSL Group ("CSL"), a global leader in marine dry bulk cargo shipping and handling, today released its third annual Corporate Sustainability Report featuring highlights of the company's 2015 sustainability performance.

In the face of a global economic downturn that is hitting the shipping sector hard, CSL maintains a steady focus on advancing a performance-based sustainability culture and going beyond regulation to operate according to the highest standards of corporate social responsibility.

"CSL has the capacity to integrate and continuously improve sustainability in all aspects of the business, no matter the length and depth of the market crisis," says Rod Jones, President and CEO of CSL Group. "In fact, we believe that our unwavering commitment to safety, to reducing our environmental footprint, to investing in the development of our employees and to contributing to our communities in a meaningful way is not only right thing to do, it's good for business."

The 2015 report features CSL's progress in achieving its short- and long-term sustainability goals and commitments. Notable accomplishments by the company include:

Reducing the lost-time injury rate by 53% and the total recordable frequency rate by 54% thanks to the combined efforts of the SafePartners program, a new safety strategy and the introduction of Lifesaving Rules.

Reducing 25,903 tonnes of CO 2 emissions since 2012 and 6,250 tonnes in 2015 as a result of operational improvements and rightsizing the fleet.

emissions since 2012 and 6,250 tonnes in 2015 as a result of operational improvements and rightsizing the fleet. Achieving a top 4.57 Green Marine score in Canada and demonstrating marked improvements in all other divisions.

and demonstrating marked improvements in all other divisions. Completing the final step in the Trillium Class newbuild program with the arrival of CSL St-Laurent and the acquisition of CSL Tarantau , previously named Balto .

and the acquisition of , previously named . Consolidating ship and shore operations in Australia .

. Receiving the Lloyd's List award for 2015 Inland/Coastal Operator of the Year.

The 2015 report was prepared using the Global Reporting Initiative's ("GRI") G4 Sustainability Guidelines as a reference, and provides information on CSL's performance in the areas of governance, safety, environmental responsibility, ethics, the workplace, employee and community engagement, and value for customers.

To view the 2015 CSL Corporate Sustainability Report, visit the CSL website at www.cslships.com/en/our-values/corporate-sustainability-report. Printed copies of the report are available upon request at [email protected]

The CSL Group is the largest owner and operator of self-unloading ships in the world. Headquartered in Montreal with divisions operating throughout the Americas, Australia, Europe and Asia, CSL delivers more than 76 million tonnes of cargo annually for customers in the construction, steel, energy and agri-food sectors.

SOURCE The CSL Group Inc.

Related Links

http://www.cslships.com/en


TUALATIN, Ore., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CUI Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: CUI), today reported its unaudited financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

Second Quarter and Year-to-Date 2016 Financial Performance Summary: (Comparisons to Prior Year Periods)

Quarterly revenue increased 1% to $23.1 million versus $22.9 million . Year-to-date revenue increased 11% to $43.8 million from $39.5 million

versus . Year-to-date revenue increased 11% to from Quarterly gross profit margin was 40%, as compared to 36%, while year-to-date gross profit margin was 39% as compared to 37%

Quarterly consolidated net loss of $(1.5) million or $(0.07) per share versus $(504) thousand or $(0.02) per share. Year-to-date consolidated net loss of $(4.1) million or $(0.20) per share, versus $(4.6) million or $(0.22) per share

or per share versus or per share. Year-to-date consolidated net loss of or per share, versus or per share Quarterly adjusted EBITDA was $130 thousand , as compared to $470 thousand . Year-to-date adjusted EBITDA was $(1.2) million as compared to $(2.1) million

, as compared to . Year-to-date adjusted EBITDA was as compared to Cash and cash equivalents were $6.0 million at June 30, 2016

at June 30, 2016 Power and Electromechanical (P&EM) segment unaudited backlog was $18.3 million at June 30, 2016

at June 30, 2016 Energy segment unaudited backlog was $15.7 million at June 30, 2016

Second Quarter 2016 Highlights:

CUI Global Subsidiary Orbital Gas Systems Joins American Biogas Council

CUI Global's Wholly-owned Subsidiary, CUI Inc., Expands Agreement as the Exclusive Hardware Design Partner for Virtual Power Systems (VPS)

CUI Global Announces Award of National Grid Contract for Delivery of Gas Quality Analytical Equipment to Strategically Important Natural Gas Import Terminal

CUI Global Announces Distribution Agreement between its Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Orbital Gas Systems, and Autochim for French and African Sales of its GasPT and VE Technology Solutions

CUI Global Announces Award of $3,000,000 United Kingdom Network Innovation Competition Contract for Delivery of Gas Quality and Metering Stations within the Gas Distribution Network

United Kingdom Network Innovation Competition Contract for Delivery of Gas Quality and Metering Stations within the Gas Distribution Network CUI Global Announces Successful Delivery & Commissioning of its New GasPTi-LNG Analyzers to the Largest LNG Import Terminal in Europe

"Our strong performance this quarter reflects new contract awards, coupled with continued execution on our multi-year contract with Snam Rete Gas and ongoing disciplined management of operating expenses," stated William Clough, president and CEO of CUI Global. "Growing industry adoption of our gas systems solutions drove Energy segment revenues up 23% year-over-year. P&EM backlog was stable relative to the prior quarter despite continued weakness in the electronics industry. Subsequent to the close of the quarter, our P&EM segment entered into an expanded partnership with VPS that elevates us as the key hardware supplier enabling VPS' penetration of the data center space.

"During the quarter, we continued to drive adoption of our gas technology solutions, replicating the model we employed in securing our contract with Snam Rete," continued Clough. "Utilizing distribution agreements, such as the one we recently signed with Autochim, we are advancing opportunities with gas transmission companies throughout Western Europe. More recently, we joined the American Biogas Council to facilitate our penetration of the North American marketplace."

Concluded Mr. Clough, "Discussions with Snam Rete are scheduled for early September that will give us greater visibility into order-flow for the balance of the year and better clarity on the timing of a second purchase order. As we nurture demand across additional geographies, the growing awareness and interest we are receiving from the marketplace serves to further validate our value proposition and strategy."

For the quarter ended June 30, 2016, CUI Global produced consolidated total revenues of $23.1 million and year-to-date total revenues of $43.8 million. Total revenues for the second quarter grew 12% sequentially from first quarter revenues of $20.7 million, and 1% year-over-year when compared to $22.9 million in the second quarter of 2015. For the second quarter, the Power and Electromechanical segment contributed revenues of $15.4 million and the Energy segment contributed $7.7 million. For the year-to-date period, the Power and Electromechanical segment contributed revenues of $28.5 million and the Energy segment contributed $15.4 million. The revenue increase during the three and six months ended is primarily the result of continued sales and marketing efforts, sales through the distribution channel customers, and overall improved sales of gas related metering, monitoring and control systems, including GasPT. Revenue in the Power and Electromechanical segment was down $1.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2016 due to the timing of customer delivery schedules and sell-through activity at distributors.

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the cost of revenues as a percentage of revenue decreased to 61% from 63% during the prior-year comparative period. This improvement was due to an improved product mix including an increased volume of higher margin GasPT sales in the Energy segment. As a result of the improved product mix in the Energy segment, for the six months ended June 30, 2016, the cost of revenues as a percentage of revenue dropped 10 percentage points from 65% to 54%. This improvement helped to offset lower margins incurred in the Power and Electromechanical segment as the segment's cost of revenues as a percentage of revenue increased slightly to 64% from 63%.

Sales order backlog at June 30, 2016 was a consolidated $34.0 million. Of this, the Power and Electromechanical segment held a backlog of customer orders of approximately $18.3 million and the Energy segment held a backlog of approximately $15.7 million.

The cost of revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 was $14.0 million versus $14.6 million for the same period in 2015. The decrease when compared to the second quarter of 2015 is primarily the result of an improved product mix in the Energy segment. The cost of revenues as a percentage of revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2016 decreased to 60% from 64% during the prior year comparative period.

For the year-to-date period ended June 30, 2016, cost of revenues was $26.6 million, versus $25.0 million for the comparable period in 2015. The cost of revenues as a percentage of revenue for the year-to-date period ended June 30, 2016 decreased to 61% from 63% during the prior year comparable period. The cost of revenues as a percentage of revenue for the Power and Electromechanical segment for the three month period ended June 30, 2016 was 65% compared to 63% during the prior-year comparative period. The cost of revenues as a percentage of revenue for the Energy segment for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was 52% compared to 66% in the three months ended June 30, 2015. The improved cost percentage in the Energy segment was due to an improved product mix during the three months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2015.

Gross profit was $9.2 million, or 40%, for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 versus $8.3 million, or 36%, in the same period of 2015, and $17.2 million, or 39% for the year-to-date period versus $14.5 million, or 37%, during the prior year. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Power and Electromechanical segment generated gross profit margins of 35% and 36%, respectively, while the Energy segment generated gross profit margins of 48% and 46%, respectively.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, SG&A increased $1.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively, compared to the prior-year comparative periods. This increase is largely due to $0.5 million and $0.8 million in severance costs incurred in the Power and Electromechanical segment for the transition of the R&D team to CUI-Canada and for various positions within the Energy segment during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, coupled with increased audit and accounting fees of $0.3 million and $0.6 million included in the Other category incurred in the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively. Partially offsetting the increased SG&A for the six-month period was a $0.7 million decrease in non-severance-related SG&A associated with the activities of Orbital Gas Systems, North America, Inc., which opened in January 2015 and had increased start-up related costs in its first three months of operations. The remaining increases in SG&A during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 are associated with the ongoing activities to reach new customers, promote new product lines including Novum, GasPT, IRIS and VE-Probe, and new product introductions. SG&A increased to 39% of total revenue compared to 35% of total revenue during the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 and for the six-month period ended June 30, 2016, the percent of SG&A remained unchanged at 42% of total revenue compared to the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 due to the offsetting factors described above.

The company reported a net loss of $(1.5) million or $(0.07) per share (EPS) for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 as compared with a net loss of $(504) thousand or $(0.02) per share in the prior year period. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company reported a net loss of $(4.1) million or $(0.20) per share as compared with a net loss of $(4.6) million or $(0.22) per share in the prior year period. The net loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was primarily the result of selling, general and administrative expenses related to Orbital Gas Systems, North America, Inc. and manufacturing costs at CUI-Canada, Inc., coupled with severance costs as well as increased audit and accounting fees in the other category and the ongoing amortization of intangible assets related to the Orbital Gas Systems Limited and CUI-Canada acquisitions. The overall lower results in the three months ended June 30, 2016 compared to same period in 2015 were partially offset by continued positive momentum in the Energy segment.

The earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 were $(502) thousand and $(2.2) million, respectively. EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 was $179 thousand and $(2.9) million, respectively.

As of June 30, 2016, CUI Global held cash and cash equivalents of $6.0 million, a decrease of $(1.2) million since December 31, 2015. Operations, other intangible assets, and equipment, have been funded through cash on hand during the six months ended June 30, 2016.

Conference Call

Management will host a conference call today at 5:30 p.m. ET to discuss these results as well as recent corporate developments. After opening remarks, there will be a question and answer period. To access the call, please dial (888) 734-0328 and provide conference ID 45846078. For international callers, please dial (678) 894-3054. The live webcast of the conference call and accompanying slide presentation can be accessed via the Investor Relations section of the CUI Global website (www.cuiglobal.com).

For those unable to attend the live call, a telephonic replay will be available until August 22, 2016. To access the replay of the call dial (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 and provide conference ID 45846078. An archived copy of the webcast and slide presentation will also be available on the Investor Relations section of the CUI Global website.

About CUI Global, Inc.

Delivering Innovative Technologies for an Interconnected World . . . . .

CUI Global, Inc. is a publicly traded company dedicated to maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition and development of innovative companies, products and technologies. From Orbital Gas Systems' advanced GasPT2 platform targeting the energy sector, to CUI Inc.'s digital power platform serving the networking and telecom space, CUI Global and its subsidiaries have built a diversified portfolio of industry leading technologies that touch many markets. As a publicly traded company, shareholders are able to participate in the opportunities, revenues, and profits generated by the products, technologies, and market channels of CUI Global and its subsidiaries. But most importantly, a commitment to conduct business with a high level of integrity, respect, and philanthropic dedication allows the organization to make a difference in the lives of their customers, employees, investors and global community.

For more information please visit www.cuiglobal.com.

Important Cautions Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This document contains 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. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company may experience significant fluctuations in future operating results due to a number of economic, competitive, and other factors, including, among other things, our reliance on third-party manufacturers and suppliers, government agency budgetary and political constraints, new or increased competition, changes in market demand, and the performance or reliability of our products. These factors and others could cause operating results to vary significantly from those in prior periods, and those projected in forward-looking statements. Additional information with respect to these and other factors, which could materially affect the Company and its operations, are included in certain forms the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (loss) are non-GAAP financial measures and are reconciled in the table below. These non-GAAP financial measures do not represent funds available for management's discretionary use and is not intended to represent cash flow from operations. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (loss) should not be construed as a substitute for net loss or as a better measure of liquidity than cash flow from operating activities, which is determined in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (loss) exclude components that are significant in understanding and assessing the company's results of operations and cash flows. In addition, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (loss) are not terms defined by GAAP and as a result our measure of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (loss) might not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. However, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (loss) are used by management to evaluate, assess and benchmark the company's operational results and the company believes EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Net Income (loss) are relevant and useful information which are often reported and widely used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the Company's industry. Accordingly, the Company is disclosing this information to permit a more comprehensive analysis of its operating performance, to provide an additional measure of performance and liquidity and to provide additional information with respect to the Company's ability to meet future debt service, capital expenditure and working capital requirements. Adjusted Net Income (loss) eliminates the amortization expenses associated with intangible assets acquired with Orbital Gas Systems Limited and CUI-Canada, as well as non-cash expenses associated with stock and stock options for compensation, royalties and services during the period.

CUI Global, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets



June 30,

December 31, (in thousands, except share and per share data) 2016

2015

(unaudited)



Assets:





Current Assets:





Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,023



$ 7,267

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance of $119





and $90, respectively 12,421



14,685

Inventories, net of allowance of $616 and $483, respectively 12,593



12,321

Costs in excess of billings 2,354



1,571

Prepaid expenses and other 1,855



2,313

Total current assets 35,246



38,157









Property and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of





$3,514 and $3,126, respectively 11,317



11,950

Goodwill 20,744



21,527

Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $9,283





and $8,999, respectively 17,517



18,746

Investment 



385

Note Receivable, less current portion 349





Deposits and other assets 128



83









Total assets $ 85,301



$ 90,848









Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:





Current Liabilities:





Accounts payable $ 5,582



$ 5,806

Mortgage note payable, current portion 87



85

Capital lease obligation, current portion 53



41

Accrued expenses 4,840



5,222

Billings in excess of costs 2,491



2,190

Unearned revenue 4,551



3,711

Total current liabilities 17,604



17,055









Long term mortgage note payable, less current portion 3,394



3,439

Long term note payable, related party 5,304



5,304

Capital lease obligation, less current portion 



29

Derivative liability 726



580

Deferred tax liabilities, net 4,327



4,533

Other long-term liabilities 308



392

Total liabilities 31,663



31,332









Commitments and contingencies













Stockholders' Equity:





Common stock, par value $0.001; 325,000,000 shares





authorized; 20,887,710 shares issued and outstanding at





June 30, 2016 and 20,806,219 shares issued and





outstanding at December 31, 2015 21



21

Additional paid-in capital 150,011



149,639

Accumulated deficit (92,853)



(88,704)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (3,541)



(1,440)

Total stockholders' equity 53,638



59,516

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 85,301



$ 90,848



CUI Global, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts) For the three months ended June 30,

For the six months ended June 30,



2016

2015

2016

2015



















Total revenues $ 23,140



$ 22,872

(A) $ 43,802



$ 39,509

(A)

















Cost of revenues 13,983



14,599



26,609



25,015





















Gross profit 9,157



8,273



17,193



14,494





















Operating expenses:















Selling, general and administrative 9,009



7,894



18,247



16,579



Depreciation and amortization 616



609



1,225



1,595



Research and development 527



531



1,032



974



Provision for bad debt 42



54



49



137



Other operating expenses 











2





















Total operating expenses 10,194



9,088



20,553



19,287





















Loss from operations (1,037)



(815)



(3,360)



(4,793)





















Other income (expense) (195)



293



(271)



189



Interest expense (121)



(96)



(245)



(209)





















Loss before taxes (1,353)



(618)



(3,876)



(4,813)





















Income tax expense (benefit) 128



(114)



273



(233)





















Net loss $ (1,481)



$ (504)



$ (4,149)



$ (4,580)





















Basic and diluted weighted average common and common















equivalent shares outstanding 20,889,052



20,786,081



20,883,800



20,780,074





















Basic and diluted (loss) per share sharecommon share $ (0.07)



$ (0.02)



$ (0.20)



$ (0.22)























(A) Includes revision to previously reported amounts to reduce revenue and cost of revenues by $100 thousand and $316 thousand for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015.

CUI Global, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(in thousands) For the six months ended June 30,

2016

2015 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:





Net loss $ (4,149)



$ (4,580)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in





operating activities:





Depreciation 468



384

Amortization of intangibles 969



1,370

Amortization of investment premiums and discounts 



15

Stock and options issued and stock to be issued for compensation, royalties and services 841



707

Unrealized loss on derivative liability 146



(47)

Non-cash earnings on equity method investment 



(24)

Provision for bad debt expense and returns allowances 44



111

Deferred income taxes (43)



(212)

Impairment of intangible assets 



2

Inventory reserve 136



7









(Increase) decrease in operating assets:





Trade accounts receivable 1,672



(4,691)

Inventory (553)



(2,280)

Costs in excess of billings (985)



(27)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 583



(1,306)

Deposits and other assets (39)



21

Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:





Accounts payable (293)



1,700

Accrued expenses (612)



243

Unearned revenue 843



1,571

Billings in excess of costs 517



83

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES (455)



(6,953)









CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:





Cash paid upon acquisition, including amount refundable from escrow, and net of contingent consideration (Note 10) 



(4,285)

Purchase of property and equipment (329)



(2,400)

Investments in other intangible assets (442)



(132)

Maturities of short term investments held to maturity 



7,160

Receipts from deferred property grant 



139

NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES (771)



482









CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:





Payments on capital lease obligations (11)



(19)

Payments on notes and loans payable (43)



(40)

Payments on contingent consideration (59)





NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (113)



(59)









Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 95



(8)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1,244)



(6,538)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 7,267



11,704









CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 6,023



$ 5,166



Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (loss) are non-GAAP financial measures and are reconciled in the table below. These non-GAAP financial measures do not represent funds available for management's discretionary use and is not intended to represent cash flow from operations. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (loss) should not be construed as a substitute for net loss or as a better measure of liquidity than cash flow from operating activities, which is determined in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (loss) exclude components that are significant in understanding and assessing the company's results of operations and cash flows. In addition, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (loss) are not terms defined by GAAP and as a result our measure of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (loss) might not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. However, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (loss) are used by management to evaluate, assess and benchmark the company's operational results and the company believes EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Net Income (loss) are relevant and useful information which are often reported and widely used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the Company's industry. Accordingly, the Company is disclosing this information to permit a more comprehensive analysis of its operating performance, to provide an additional measure of performance and liquidity and to provide additional information with respect to the Company's ability to meet future debt service, capital expenditure and working capital requirements. Adjusted Net Income (loss) eliminates the amortization expenses associated with intangible assets acquired with Orbital Gas Systems Limited and CUI-Canada, as well as non-cash expenses associated with stock and stock options for compensation, royalties and services during the period.

(in thousands)



















For the Three Months Ended

For the six months ended



June 30,

June 30,



2016

2015

2016

2015 EBITDA:















Net (loss)

$ (1,481)



$ (504)



$ (4,149)



$ (4,580)

Plus: Interest expense

121



96



245



209

Plus: (Benefit) provision for taxes

128



(114)



273



(233)

Plus: Depreciation and amortization

730



701



1,437



1,754

EBITDA

$ (502)



$ 179



$ (2,194)



$ (2,850)





































Adjusted EBITDA:















Plus: Bad debt

$ 42



$ 54



49



137

Plus: Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative

38



(106)



146



(47)

Plus: Stock and options issued and stock to be issued for compensation, royalties and services

552



343



841



707

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 130



$ 470



$ (1,158)



$ (2,053)



















Adjusted net income (loss):















Net (loss)

$ (1,481)



$ (504)



$ (4,149)



$ (4,580)

Plus: Amortization expense of Orbital and CUI - Canada acquisition intangibles

337



356



673



1,094

Plus: Stock and options issued and stock to be issued for compensation, royalties and services

552



343



841



707

Adjusted net income (loss)

$ (592)



$ 195



$ (2,635)



$ (2,779)





















Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120320/FL72629LOGO

SOURCE CUI Global, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.cuiglobal.com


MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CyberHeart Inc. announced today its first development agreement in Asia, with the installation of the CyberHeart System at the National Cancer Center (NCC) in Tokyo. This is the world's first system to non-invasively treat patients with cardiac radiosurgery in Asia.

"We are excited to offer our patients the most advanced, painless and non-invasive treatment for cardiovascular conditions, and thrilled to be the first center in Asia to offer the use of this breakthrough technology," said Jun Itami, MD, PhD, and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center. "The CyberHeart System allows patients to undergo ablation for cardiac arrhythmias and other vascular conditions as an outpatient. The personalized nature of the ablation allows the treatment to be tailored to the patient's individual anatomy."

NCC expects to begin treating patients shortly, and intends to develop various treatment protocols and subsequently publish their research.

"A non-invasive treatment approach to cardiac arrhythmias should significantly benefit patients with and without malignancy, and clearly enhance their quality of life," said Masaaki Shoji, MD, cardiologist at NCC.

"The installation at NCC is the beginning of international activity for CyberHeart, as this therapy is embraced by physicians in the treatment of cardiac conditions," said Patrick Maguire, MD, PhD, President and CEO of CyberHeart. "We are delighted to work with this world-class institution to broaden the scope of therapy and bring it to additional patients."

About CyberHeart

CyberHeart is a privately held medical device company located at The Fogarty Institute for Innovation in Mountain View, Calif. The company is focused on the development of radiosurgery for cardiovascular conditions. The CyberHeart System uses image-guided tracking of intra-cardiac and other ablation targets, so clinicians can contour and target ablation sites specific to a given patient's anatomy. It is the world's first non-invasive robotic assisted ablation treatment for cardiac conditions. CyberHeart and CardioPlan are registered trademarks of CyberHeart Inc.

About NCC

National Cancer Center was established in 1962 by the Japanese government as the first national hospital and research institute specializing in cancer patient management and basic and translational research of cancer. It is one of the two hospitals of the National Cancer Center, Japan, and is supported by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of the Japanese Government. NCC in Tokyo began treating patients in 1962, and is dedicated to providing the best medical care to its patients, including those with cancer. The center offers state-of-the-art therapy in radiosurgery and a world-class R&D capability.

About The Fogarty Institute of Innovation

The Fogarty Institute for Innovation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that helps early-stage medical companies transform their ideas into medical products that improve patient care. Carefully selected medical innovators are offered workspace, research and development resources, financial aid, and world-class mentoring by physicians and industry experts to bring their products to market. The Institute was founded in 2007 by internationally renowned cardiovascular surgeon and innovator Dr. Thomas J. Fogarty, M.D., and it is based on the El Camino Hospital campus in Mountain View, Calif. To learn more, visit www.fogartyinstitute.org , and follow the Institute on Facebook and Twitter .

SOURCE CyberHeart Inc.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DCS announced today that the company was awarded an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) for KC-46A Mission Planning under the Mobility Air Forces (MAF) Delivery Order on the U.S. Air Force's Mission Planning Enterprise Contract (MPEC) II. MPEC II provides aircraft mission planning systems for the United States Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Work on the MAF KC-46A ECP will occur over a twenty six-month period and is valued at approximately $7.9 million.

Under this delivery order, DCS will provide mission planning software development and integration to create a Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) mission planning environment (MPE) for the KC-46A aircraft. The KC-46A effort builds upon other DCS-developed JMPS MPEs for the C-5, KC-135, KC-10 CNS/ATM, C-130J Block 6, C-130J Block 8.1, C-17 Blocks 15-20, and C-130 SCNS Block Cycles 7 and 8 platforms as well as the Global Flight Planning (GFP) Tool for user access to the Advanced Computer Flight Plan (ACFP) system. Work awarded under the delivery order will be performed at DCS offices in Nashua, NH and Lexington Park, MD by the Mission Planning Department, whose software engineering processes are appraised at the CMMI Maturity Level 3.

DCS is a strong advocate of designing and building "tomorrow's DoD capabilities within today's budget." In this regard, DCS will continue to form strategic partnerships with other industry members to lead successful teams to continue to provide highly-capable, low-risk, proven mission planning systems.

DCS offers advanced technology and management solutions to Government agencies in the DoD and national security sector. The transformative ideas, commitment to quality and entrepreneurial spirit that characterize our 1,000-plus employee-owners allow DCS to ensure the success of each client's mission and actively contribute to the well-being of the Nation. For more information about the work we do for the U.S. Air Force, please visit: http://www.dcscorp.com/en/Our-Customers/US-Air-Force.aspx.

Contact :

Jeff Brody

571-327-6343

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160526/372748LOGO

SOURCE DCS Corporation

Related Links

http://www.dcscorp.com


ATLANTA, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will provide $200 in travel vouchers to all customers who experienced a delay of greater than three hours or a cancelled flight as a result of today's systemwide outage.

The vouchers are available for travel on all Delta and Delta Connection-operated flights.

"We know that travelers value our commitment to excellent operational performance, and today we did not deliver on that commitment," said Gil West, Delta's Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "We want our customers to know we are thoroughly investigating the matter and that we are truly sorry."

Delta cancelled hundreds of flights and hundreds more were delayed as it worked to reset its operation following a loss of power in Atlanta that impacted Delta computer systems and operations worldwide. Systems are fully operational and flights resumed hours ago but delays and cancellations remain as recovery efforts continue.

Customers impacted by the outage and who have provided their email address will be contacted today and will receive their voucher in 7-10 business days. Customers who have not been contacted can complete a Customer Care form on www.delta.com/wecare to receive their voucher. All travel must be booked by Aug. 8, 2017.

A travel waiver is in effect: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/advisories/system-outage.html.

Delta Air Lines serves nearly 180 million customers each year. In 2016, Delta was named to Fortune's top 50 Most Admired Companies in addition to being named the most admired airline for the fifth time in six years. Additionally, Delta has ranked No.1 in the Business Travel News Annual Airline survey for an unprecedented five consecutive years. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 335 destinations in 61 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs more than 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 800 aircraft. The airline is a founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance and participates in the industry's leading transatlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia as well as a joint venture with Virgin Atlantic. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 15,000 daily flights, with key hubs and markets including Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK and LaGuardia, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Tokyo-Narita. Delta has invested billions of dollars in airport facilities, global products and services, and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Additional information is available on the Delta News Hub, as well as delta.com, Twitter @DeltaNewsHub, Google.com/+Delta, and Facebook.com/delta.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090202/DELTALOGO

SOURCE Delta Air Lines

Related Links

http://www.delta.com


LOS ANGELES, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Imagine a school in which the students all look forward to being there, gaze at their teachers with admiration and respectful silence, always turn their homework in when it is due, and don't gripe about having to get up at 5 a.m. to be there on time. Sounds like a fantasy, but that's exactly what happens at Eluanta Primary School in Kenya, according to the school's founder, Joseph Oloimooja, a Los Angeles resident who grew up in Eluanta and started the school 25 years ago.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/396032

Oloimooja, who goes by Father Joseph, is a Maasai tribal chief who dresses the part, wearing colorful robes and a beaded skull cap, a reminder of the rural, cattle raising group from which he descends. He believes that the simple school he continues to fund through his nonprofit Kindness Mission organization offers lessons American students, parents and educators may have forgotten.

He can discuss:

How the 450 boys and girls of Eluanta Primary make do with a single bathroom.

What the Maasai children can teach their American counterparts about not wasting their educational materials. Students use their pencils and text books until they fall apart.

Why the children who walk between seven and 20 miles to get to school never arrive late, while American kids frequently have to be cajoled out of bed to catch a school bus.

What we can do to improve respect for American teachers and classrooms.

How people can help Eluanta students by donating materials for his backpack project.

ABOUT JOSEPH OLOIMOOJA

Joseph Oloimooja grew up in Eluanta, Kenya, tending cows in his 2,000 person village. After graduating from the University of Nairobi with a degree in theology, he started the first school in his village. To date, 300 students have graduated from the school which combines Maasai and Western curricula. Two of those graduates teach at the school and three have become water engineers helping to solve the village's lack of potable water. Father Joseph is rector of Los Angeles' Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and serves as a chaplain at Kaiser Permanente Hospital.

More information about the primary school can be found at http://www.kindnessmission.org/School.

AVAILABILITY: Los Angeles, nationwide by arrangement and via telephone

CONTACT: Joseph Oloimooja, (323) 687-2167; Email; www.kindnessmission.org

SOURCE Joseph Oloimooja

Related Links

http://www.kindnessmission.org


SANTIAGO, Chile, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Parents naturally want the best for their children  and when it comes to language learning, nothing compares to the immersive experience offered by Ecela. Of course, being a parent means having questions and concerns. Is the program effective? How is it organized? What does the program cost? Ecela has answers to all of these questions and more, so that parents can breathe a little easier. A wealth of information for prospective students and their parents is available at https://ecelaspanish.com/spanish-immersion-no-fail-way-learn-spanish/.

Trying local dishes after a cooking class. Ecela Spanish Small Classes

"We've developed a 'no-fail' approach to learning Spanish based around travel, cultural experiences and small, highly interactive classes," says Ken Ingraham, President of Ecela. "Our goal is to help learners of any skill level rapidly expand their knowledge of Spanish, all while making memories that will last a lifetime."

Small Classes  Lots of Repetition

Ecela's classes on language fundamentals like grammar and vocabulary have no more than eight students, while the conversational classes have only four. This means students won't have the option of "hiding"  participation will be a major part of the experience. Repetition and speaking, rather than passively listening, are keys to building competence.

Just as importantly, Ecela does away with the feverish competition that's par for the course at colleges and universities. The program doesn't assign grades. Instead, students are working cooperatively to improve each other's skills, and compassionate instructors do everything to facilitate a supportive and enriching climate. Every instructor is a native Spanish speaker selected for the program based on his or her personality and "fit" with the Ecela philosophy, not just flashy credentials.

Low Cost, Invaluable Knowledge

Based on a per-hour comparison, Ecela's Spanish language-learning program costs about 80% less than a comparable program at a private institution. All of that extra money can then go toward travel and other expenses. Parents can meanwhile rest a bit easier knowing that the Ecela experience won't come at the cost of college savings.

Another way for students to save money is to choose the homestay option rather than a hotel for room and board. Living with a homestay family offers an incredible opportunity to hear and speak Spanish all day in a natural environment.

Versatile and Immersive Programs

Only half of each day with Ecela is spent in a classroom. The remaining hours consist of "free" time, during which students are encouraged to participate in any number of extracurricular activities, from museum visits to lessons on local cuisine and cooking techniques. Students are free to transition from one school to another as they travel around South America. Ecela currently has classes in Buenos Aires and Mendoza, Argentina; Santiago and Vina del Mar, Chile; and Lima and Cusco, Peru.

Many students return in later years to further enhance their Spanish skills, and add new cultural experiences to their store of knowledge. Nearly everyone who completes an Ecela program will happily sing its praises. Parents can be confident that the program will make a profound and lasting difference in the lives of their teenaged and college-aged children. Courses can be reserved today via Ecela's pre-booking form.

About Ecela

Ecela (http://ecelaspanish.com) is a Spanish language-learning program with six sites in Peru, Chile and Argentina. Thousands of students from across the globe have taken advantage of the small classes and affordable tuition to learn Spanish while enjoying everything the local culture has to offer.

Contact:

Ken Ingraham

(+1) 347-329-5506

Email

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/396157

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/396158



SOURCE Ecela

Related Links

https://ecelaspanish.com


SAN DIEGO, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Shareholder rights law firm Johnson & Weaver, LLP has launched an investigation into whether the board members of EverBank Financial Corp. (NYSE: EVER) breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed sale of the Company to TIAA.

Additional Information:

EverBank provides various financial products and services to individuals and small and mid-size businesses in the United States.

On August 8, 2016, EverBank announced it had signed a definitive merger agreement with TIAA. Under the terms of the agreement, EverBank stockholders will receive $19.50 a share in cash.

The investigation concerns whether the EverBank board failed to satisfy their duties to the Company shareholders, including whether the board adequately pursued alternatives to the acquisition and whether the board obtained the best price possible for EverBank shares of common stock. Nationally recognized Johnson & Weaver is investigating whether the proposed deal price represents adequate consideration, especially given one Wall Street analyst has a $22.00 price target on the stock. EverBank's 52 week high was $21.18.

If you are a shareholder of EverBank and believe the proposed buyout price is too low or you're interested in learning more about the investigation or your legal rights and remedies, please contact lead analyst Jim Baker ([email protected]) at 619-814-4471. If emailing, please include a phone number where you can be reached.

About Johnson & Weaver, LLP:

Johnson & Weaver, LLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm with offices in California, New York and Georgia. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in shareholder derivative and securities class action lawsuits. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://www.johnsonandweaver.com. Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Contact:

Johnson & Weaver, LLP

Jim Baker, 619-814-4471

[email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160211/332409LOGO

SOURCE Johnson & Weaver, LLP

Related Links

http://johnsonandweaver.com


DALLAS, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fibergrate Composite Structures Inc., the inventor of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) molded grating, will mark its 50th anniversary in September. The company was founded by William C. Coonrod after he created the first fiberglass molded grating panel in his Dallas garage.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/396143LOGO

Williams Fork Reservoir

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/396144

To celebrate the 50-year milestone, Fibergrate will host events for employees at its Dallas headquarters, as well as its two manufacturing facilities in Stephenville, Texas, and Queretaro, Mexico. The globally recognized brand works with clients around the world with sales and service offices on six continents. Fibergrate has more than 300 employees worldwide, including many who have been with the company since the 1970s.

At the three events, Fibergrate will commemorate the company's history and reveal the company's new tagline to employees, leading them into the next 50 years.

"I thank each and every one of our valuable employees for continuing to innovate and advance Fibergrate's international footprint," said President Eric Breiner. "While we're proud to be a global manufacturer, we find the greatest achievement is our commitment to provide personalized service with local teams who work closely with our clients on projects from beginning to end."

With a history of constant innovation, Fibergrate has expanded its selection of FRP products to provide high-performance, cost-effective engineered solutions, including custom creations, to a variety of industries ranging from architecture and food & beverage to transportation and oil & gas. Fibergrate has provided solutions for Coca-Cola, Shell, NASA, Disney, Kiewit Corporation, Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions, General Dynamics and more. Key applications include slip resistant molded and pultruded grating for flooring, stair treads, safety railings and structural components for platforms.

FRP products are typically used in place of traditional materials due to their impressive longevity. They offer a longer, lower life cycle cost and are low maintenance, corrosion and slip-resistant, and electrically and thermally non-conductive.

Fibergrate consistently exceeds safety and regulatory standards, earning industry certifications and approvals for its facilities and many of its products. Its corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities are certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for following strict requirements for customer expectations and quality management.



For more information, please visit fibergrate.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Beth Hutson

Hutson Creative

Email

817-602-0211

SOURCE Fibergrate Composite Structures Inc.

Related Links

http://fibergrate.com


AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Filtration Group Corporation is pleased to announce that it has agreed to acquire the industrial filtration business of MAHLE GmbH. The pending acquisition will add filtration capabilities across a range of applications and global markets. "MAHLE's industrial filtration business will greatly expand Filtration Group's product portfolio and customer base," according to Steve Felice, Filtration Group CEO. He added, "We are extremely pleased to be welcoming such an engaged and talented team that has built a truly remarkable business."

The acquisition will add to Filtration Group's expertise, innovation, and customer base across three primary segments: internal combustion engine, air filtration, and fluid filtration. The industrial filtration business expands Filtration Group's presence in Europe and Asia by adding over 900 employees with world-class production facilities in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Romania, the US, Japan, and China.

"In Filtration Group, we are pleased to have found a company that can give our industrial filtration business a great boost," explained Wolf-Henning Schneider, Chairman of the MAHLE Management Board and CEO.

Filtration Group

Filtration Group, an affiliate of Madison Industries, is making the world safer, healthier, and more productive by creating innovative solutions that deliver outstanding customer value. With a passionate team, global footprint, and leading technology, Filtration Group is driving innovation and developing unparalleled filtration solutions. Filtration Group serves a highly diverse set of customers with offerings that span life science, process technologies, fluid, and environmental air applications. One of the fastest growing companies in the industry, Filtration Group serves its customers from 80 facilities in over 20 countries. Please visit Filtration Group and Madison Industries at: www.filtrationgroup.com and www.madison.net.

Related Links

Filtration Group

Madison Industries

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE Filtration Group

Related Links

http://www.filtrationgroup.com


SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Finexio, the smart B2B payment network, announced today it has secured $1M in seed funding. The financing was led by James R. Heistand with participation from Loeb.nyc, and a number of seasoned angel investors from the fintech industry.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160808/396345LOGO

Currently, ACH and credit card B2B solutions contain high fees, extensive manual processes, and a confusing enrollment method that frustrate corporate buyers and suppliers alike. Consequently, 50% of the U.S.'s B2B commercial spend, worth about $12 trillion USD, remains on paper check due to the lack of an appropriately priced, effective, and efficient commercial payment solution.

Finexio's B2B payment capabilities fill the gap between these existing solutions by intelligently routing payments on and off existing ACH and credit card rails to find the best possible transaction price. This solution seamlessly integrates into enterprise accounts payables and procurement software platforms to effortlessly embed payments into the corporate buying and selling experience.

"Having spent years as financial processes consultants and working at large "Fintech" and payments companies, we experienced first-hand the paper based, slow manual delivery of "virtual credit cards". These cards are currently mindlessly printed on tens of thousands of pieces of paper monthly, then mailed or faxed to suppliers. Not only are these suppliers forced to undergo a costly manual effort to receive their money, but they also are forced to pay a 3.5-5% fee for processing costs. We knew there was a better way to both pay and get paid as tens of thousands of suppliers, many of them small businesses, deserved better," said Ernest Rolfson, CEO and Founder.

"I was impressed with the team and vision behind Finexio, the large market they were going after, and the traction developed in such a short time to tackle a clearly addressable problem," remarked James R. Heistand, CEO Parkway Properties. "Our finance team had previously tried to implement a standard credit card payables program for our company that failed to gain any traction due to the high fees it forced upon our suppliers. Today we are still printing and mailing thousands and thousands of checks annually, but look forward to applying this truly unique solution to eliminate unnecessary process and cost for both us and our suppliers."

Through a single point of contact, Finexio weaves together access to several private "closed loop" payment processing networks by collaborating with a variety of payment and billing aggregators, payment facilitators, merchant acquirers, processors, and payment networks. "We started working with large enterprise accounts payable automation vendors who realized they were leaving money on the table by sending checks to the majority of their suppliers instead of a modern electronic solution," shared CTO and co-founder David McGuerty "We started by matching up the existing paper check spend to Finexio electronic network reach. In the last several months alone we have identified several hundred million dollars of paper payments that could be shifted to a more efficient electronic payment. It's a good deal for both buyer and supplier."

This round of investment will allow Finexio to further enhance its payment platform and develop additional integrations to extend its reach beyond the several hundred thousand suppliers already payable on the Finexio rails.

Third party vendors who either make payments on behalf of buyers or process payments on behalf of suppliers interested in partnering and integrating with Finexio should visit http://www.finexio.com for more information.

About Finexio

Finexio is the smart B2B payment network. The Finexio network eliminates commercial paper check spend by identifying and routing payments through a unique "network of closed loop networks". Payments on the Finexio rails are seamlessly pushed into a supplier's bank accounts at fees substantially lower than prevailing commercial payment costs. Finexio integrates into large payment aggregators, accounts payable automation, and procurement software platforms to enable them with a more efficient payment modality.

About James R. Heistand

Jim Heistand was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Parkway in December 2011 and served as Executive Chairman of the Company just prior to his current role. Jim joined Parkway through a combination with Eola Capital and founded Eola Capital in 2000 and served as chairman since its inception. Eola acquired $1.3 billion of office assets backed by PSP, GE Capital, Lehman Brothers and others that included 13.3 million square feet in Florida, Atlanta and Virginia. Jim currently serves on the board of directors of United Legacy Bank in Orlando, Florida and is a member of the chairman's circle of the real estate advisory board for the Warrington College of Business Administration at the University of Florida.

About Loeb.nyc

Loeb.nyc is a startup lab and early-stage private investor built on the belief that aligning the right people with the right ideas creates successful companies. We've been active in the entrepreneurial community for decades, and now, our brand new space in the heart of Midtown Manhattan will carry on the Loeb Enterprises legacy of developing successful businesses. We are entrepreneurs, strategic partners, mentors, and industry experts who have launched and scaled enduring companies across industries utilizing proven strategies and techniques.

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE Finexio

Related Links

http://www.finexio.com


SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Flex (NASDAQ: FLEX) announced today that it will participate in the following investor conferences in the coming weeks:

2016 J.P. Morgan Auto Conference

Date: August 10, 2016

Location: New York City, NY

Presentation time: 7:10am-7:45am PT / 10:10am-10:45am ET

2016 Citi Global Technology Conference

Date: September 7, 2016

Location: New York City, NY

Presentation time: 10:25pm-11:05pm ET / 1:25pm-2:05pm ET

2016 Deutsche Bank Technology Conference

Date: September 13-15, 2016

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Presentation time: 11:10am-11:45am PT / 2:10pm-2:45pm ET

For more details on these events, visit the Investor Relations section of the Flex website at: http://www.flextronics.com/investors.

About Flex

Flextronics International Ltd. is the Sketch-to-Scale solutions provider that designs and builds intelligent products for a connected world. With approximately 200,000 professionals across 30 countries, Flex provides innovative design, engineering, manufacturing, real-time supply chain insight and logistics services to companies of all sizes in various industries and end-markets. For more information, visit www.flextronics.com or follow us on Twitter @Flextronics. Flex  Live Smarter.





Renee Brotherton Kevin Kessel Corporate Communications Investor Relations 1 (408) 576-7189 1 (408) 576-7985 [email protected] [email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150504/213717LOGO

SOURCE Flex
TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Franco-Nevada Corporation (TSX: FNV; NYSE: FNV) is pleased to report its financial results for the second quarter of 2016. All figures are in U.S. dollars unless noted and highlights include:

112,787 Gold Equivalent Ounces (1) ("GEOs")  a new record

("GEOs")  a new record $150.9 million in revenue  a new record

in revenue  a new record $118.9 million of Adjusted EBITDA (3) or $0.67 per share

of Adjusted EBITDA or per share $42.3 million of Net Income or $0.24 per share

of Net Income or per share $40.0 million of Adjusted Net Income (2) or $0.22 per share

of Adjusted Net Income or per share $37.7 million of funding provided to the Cobre Panama project during the quarter

of funding provided to the Cobre Panama project during the quarter $225.8 million in cash at quarter end and no debt

"Franco-Nevada's diversified portfolio continues to perform very well. With record GEO and revenue results, we are now expecting to be close to the top end of our previously provided guidance ranges for 2016," stated David Harquail, CEO. "Even more exciting for the future, we are seeing renewed activity and good news at many of our non-producing advanced and exploration assets. In addition, our investment opportunity pipeline remains very full."

REVENUES AND GEOs BY ASSET CATEGORIES















For the three months

ended June 30, 2016

For the three months

ended June 30, 2015



Revenue

(in millions) GEOs(1)

#

Revenue

(in millions) GEOs(1)

# Precious Metals - Gold

$108.2 85,724

$81.5 68,302

- Silver

23.6 18,523

6.2 5,117

- PGM

9.4 7,053

8.7 7,323 Precious Metals  Total

$141.2 111,300

$96.4 80,742 Other Minerals

1.9 1,487

2.7 2,298 Oil & Gas

7.8



10.3





$150.9 112,787

$109.4 83,040

For the second quarter of 2016, revenue was sourced 94% from precious metals (72% gold, 16% silver and 6% PGM) and 84% from the Americas (14% U.S., 19% Canada and 51% Latin America). Costs and expenses increased due to higher depletion and cost of sales as a result of the recent Antamina and Antapaccay stream acquisitions. Oil & gas production levels were stable but lower oil prices resulted in lower revenue year-over-year. Cash provided by operating activities before changes to working capital was $109.9 million.

Portfolio Updates

Precious Metals  U.S.: GEOs from U.S. precious metals assets were flat year-over-year with increases from Goldstrike largely offsetting decreases at Stillwater and Bald Mountain. GEOs received from the U.S. assets were 16,707 GEOs. Bald Mountain (0.875-5% NSR/GR)  Kinross reported that first half 2016 production was weak due to higher than anticipated stripping. It expects to almost double production for 2017 and 2018 and sees further reserve upside. South Arturo (4-9% GR with AMR)  The project currently being advanced by Barrick Gold and Premier Gold Mines is expected to contribute revenue to Franco-Nevada in the second half of 2016. Hollister (3-5% NSR)  Klondex Mines, Franco-Nevada's partner at Fire Creek/Midas, announced it is acquiring the Hollister Mine in Nevada on which Franco-Nevada has up to a 5% NSR royalty. Castle Mountain (2.65% NSR)  NewCastle Gold has raised additional funding to advance the Castle Mountain project in California. Franco-Nevada renegotiated its royalty covering the asset during the second quarter 2016 and now covers all concessions with a 2.65% NSR.





GEOs from U.S. precious metals assets were flat year-over-year with increases from Goldstrike largely offsetting decreases at and Bald Mountain. GEOs received from the U.S. assets were 16,707 GEOs. Precious Metals  Canada : GEOs from Canadian precious metals assets increased by approximately 25% compared with the second quarter 2015 to 14,919 GEOs. The main contributor to the increase was the Sudbury operation which benefitted from stronger production. Musselwhite (5% NPI)  Goldcorp has announced approval for a materials handling project which it expects will increase production by 20% over 2016-2018. Brucejack (1.2% NSR)  Pretium Resources reported an increased resource estimate for the Brucejack project and that it still expects to begin commissioning of the underground mine in mid-2017. Timmins West (2.25% NSR) and East Timmins (0.25-15% NSR)  Operatorship of several Canadian royalties moved into stronger hands with Lake Shore Gold being acquired by Tahoe Resources and St Andrew Goldfields by Kirkland Lake Gold . Hardrock (3% NSR)  A feasibility study for the Hardrock project in Ontario , which is being advanced by joint venture partners Premier Gold Mines and Centerra Gold, is expected in the third quarter.





: GEOs from Canadian precious metals assets increased by approximately 25% compared with the second quarter 2015 to 14,919 GEOs. The main contributor to the increase was the operation which benefitted from stronger production. Precious Metals  Latin America : GEOs from Latin American precious metals assets represented the largest year-over-year increase due to the addition of the Antamina and Antapaccay streams. GEOs delivered from Latin America were 60,899 GEOs. Antamina (22.5% silver stream)  Antamina delivered 11,898 GEOs during the quarter and 29,679 GEOs year to date. With the year-to-date production results from Antamina, GEOs received are now expected to be higher than Franco-Nevada's original Antamina guidance for 2016 of 40,000 GEOs. Antapaccay (gold and silver stream)  Antapaccay delivered 19,581 GEOs during the quarter with full year deliveries still anticipated within the original 60,000 to 70,000 GEOs guidance range. Candelaria (gold and silver stream)  As Franco-Nevada expected, Candelaria deliveries decreased year-over-year to 16,247 GEOs from 24,192 GEOs in the second quarter 2015 mainly due to mine sequencing. Palmarejo & Guadalupe (50% gold stream)  In the third quarter, the 400,000 ounce minimum at Palmarejo was met resulting in the termination of the original Palmarejo stream agreement and the commencement of the Guadalupe stream agreement. Under the new agreement, deliveries are based on 50% of the gold produced from the Palmarejo property (including the new Guadalupe mine) with ongoing payments equal to the lesser of $800 per ounce and the then prevailing spot price for gold. Cobre Panama (gold and silver stream)  During the quarter, Franco-Nevada contributed $37.7 million of its share of construction capital for the Cobre Panama project and now estimates total funding between $120 - $140 million in 2016, down slightly from the $130 - $150 million previously estimated. Franco-Nevada has now contributed $376 million of its total $1 billion commitment to fund the construction of Cobre Panama.





GEOs from Latin American precious metals assets represented the largest year-over-year increase due to the addition of the Antamina and Antapaccay streams. GEOs delivered from were 60,899 GEOs. Precious Metals  Rest of World: GEOs from Rest of World precious metals assets increased year-over-year mainly due to deliveries from the Karma fixed ounce obligation. GEOs from the Rest of World were 18,775 GEOs during the quarter. Karma (fixed gold deliveries & 4.875% gold stream)  True Gold, the operator of Karma, has been acquired by Endeavour Mining. 2,500 GEOs were delivered in the quarter with one month of deliveries to be carried into the third quarter 2016. The additional 1,250 GEOs will contribute to revenue in the third quarter 2016. Ity (1.5% capped NSR)  Endeavour Mining also now owns the Ity mine in Cote d'Ivoire and reported an expansion of reserves. Sissingue (0.5% NSR)  Also in Cote d'Ivoire , Perseus Mining announced plans for the full-scale development of its Sissingue project with first production expected in late 2017. Duketon (2% NSR)  Regis Resources has announced reserve increases at its Duketon belt projects. Tasiast (2% NSR)  Kinross announced that the suspension of mining and processing operations at the Tasiast mine has been resolved and that operations will resume in August. Kinross continues to advance development of the Tasiast Phase One expansion. Subika (2% NSR)  Newmont Mining is expected to make a decision in the second half of 2016 regarding an Ahafo mill expansion and the underground development of Subika.





GEOs from Rest of World precious metals assets increased year-over-year mainly due to deliveries from the Karma fixed ounce obligation. GEOs from the Rest of World were 18,775 GEOs during the quarter. Oil & Gas: Revenue from oil & gas assets was $7.8 million in the second quarter 2016 compared with $10.3 million in the second quarter 2015. Production remains relatively stable.

Dividend Declaration

Franco-Nevada is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share. The dividend will be paid on September 29, 2016 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2016. The Canadian dollar equivalent is determined based on the noon rate posted by the Bank of Canada on August 5, 2016. Under Canadian tax legislation, Canadian resident individuals who receive "eligible dividends" are entitled to an enhanced gross-up and dividend tax credit on such dividends.

The Company adopted a Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP") commencing with the October 2013 dividend. Participation in the DRIP is optional. The Company will issue the additional common shares through treasury at a 3% discount to the Average Market Price, as defined in the DRIP. However, the Company may, from time to time, in its discretion, change or eliminate the discount applicable to treasury acquisitions or direct that such common shares be purchased in market acquisitions at the prevailing market price, any of which would be publicly announced. The DRIP and enrollment forms are available on the Company's website at www.franco-nevada.com. Registered shareholders may also enroll in the DRIP online through the plan agent's self-service web portal at www.investorcentre.com/franco-nevada. Beneficial shareholders should contact their financial intermediary to arrange enrollment.

This press release is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer of securities. A registration statement relating to the DRIP has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and may be obtained under the Company's profile on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov.

Shareholder Information

The complete Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis can be found today on Franco-Nevada's website at www.franco-nevada.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Management will host a conference call tomorrow, Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review Franco-Nevada's second quarter 2016 results. Interested investors are invited to participate as follows:

Via Conference Call: Toll-Free: (888) 231-8191; International: (647) 427-7450

Conference Call Replay until August 16 : Toll-Free (855) 859-2056; International (416) 849-0833; Pass code 46496274

Webcast: A live audio webcast will be accessible at www.franco-nevada.com

Corporate Summary

Franco-Nevada Corporation is the leading gold-focused royalty and stream company with the largest and most diversified portfolio of cash-flow producing assets. Its business model provides investors with gold price and exploration optionality while limiting exposure to many of the risks of operating companies. Franco-Nevada is debt free and uses its free cash flow to expand its portfolio and pay dividends. It trades under the symbol FNV on both the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Franco-Nevada is the gold investment that works.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward looking information" and "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, respectively, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future events or future performance, management's expectations regarding Franco-Nevada's growth, results of operations, estimated future revenues, carrying value of assets, future dividends and requirements for additional capital, mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, production estimates, production costs and revenue, future demand for and prices of commodities, expected mining sequences, business prospects and opportunities. In addition, statements (including data in tables) relating to reserves and resources and gold equivalent ounces ("GEOs") are forward looking statements, as they involve implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, and no assurance can be given that the estimates and assumptions are accurate and that such reserves and resources and GEOs will be realized. Such forward looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Franco-Nevada to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from any forward looking statement, including, without limitation: fluctuations in the prices of the primary commodities that drive royalty and stream revenue (gold, platinum group metals, copper, nickel, uranium, silver, iron-ore and oil and gas); fluctuations in the value of the Canadian and Australian dollar, Mexican peso, and any other currency in which revenue is generated, relative to the U.S. dollar; changes in national and local government legislation, including permitting and licensing regimes and taxation policies and the enforcement thereof; regulatory, political or economic developments in any of the countries where properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest are located or through which they are held; risks related to the operators of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest, including changes in the ownership and control of such operators; influence of macroeconomic developments; business opportunities that become available to, or are pursued by Franco-Nevada; reduced access to debt and equity capital; litigation; title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; whether or not the Corporation is determined to have "passive foreign investment company" ("PFIC") status as defined in Section 1297 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; potential changes in Canadian tax treatment of offshore streams; excessive cost escalation as well as development, permitting, infrastructure, operating or technical difficulties on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; actual mineral content may differ from the reserves and resources contained in technical reports; rate and timing of production differences from resource estimates, other technical reports and mine plans; risks and hazards associated with the business of development and mining on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest, including, but not limited to unusual or unexpected geological and metallurgical conditions, slope failures or cave-ins, flooding and other natural disasters, terrorism, civil unrest or an outbreak of contagious diseases; and the integration of acquired assets. The forward looking statements contained in this press release are based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including, without limitation: the ongoing operation of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest by the owners or operators of such properties in a manner consistent with past practice; the accuracy of public statements and disclosures made by the owners or operators of such underlying properties; no material adverse change in the market price of the commodities that underlie the asset portfolio; the Corporation's ongoing income and assets relating to determination of its PFIC status; no material changes to existing tax treatment; no adverse development in respect of any significant property in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; the accuracy of publicly disclosed expectations for the development of underlying properties that are not yet in production; integration of acquired assets; and the absence of any other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. However, there can be no assurance that forward looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Investors are cautioned that forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Franco-Nevada cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward looking statements and investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. For additional information with respect to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of Franco-Nevada's most recent Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on www.sedar.com and Franco-Nevada's most recent Annual Report filed on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on www.sec.gov. The forward looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only and Franco-Nevada does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

NON-IFRS MEASURES: Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS. Other companies may calculate these measures differently. For a reconciliation of these measures to various IFRS measures, please see below or the Company's current MD&A disclosure found on the Company's website, on SEDAR and on EDGAR.

(1) GEOs include our gold, silver, platinum, palladium and other mineral assets. GEOs are estimated on a gross basis for NSR royalties and, in the case of stream ounces, before the payment of the per ounce contractual price paid by the Company. For NPI royalties, GEOs are calculated taking into account the NPI economics. Platinum, palladium, silver and other minerals were converted to GEOs by dividing associated revenue, which includes settlement adjustments, by the average gold price for the period. For Q2 2016, the average commodity prices were as follows: $1,259/oz gold (2015 - $1,193/oz); $17.17/oz silver (2015 - $16.41/oz); $1,004/oz platinum (2015 - $1,127/oz) and $568/oz palladium (2015 - $760/oz). (2) Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share are non-IFRS financial measures, which exclude the following from net income and earnings per share ("EPS"): foreign exchange gains/losses and other income/expenses; gains/losses on the sale of investments; impairment charges related to royalty, stream and working interests and investments; unusual non-recurring items and; impact of income taxes on these items. (3) Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per share are non-IFRS financial measures, which exclude the following from net income and EPS: income tax expense/recovery; finance expenses; finance income; depletion and depreciation; non-cash costs of sales; impairment charges related to royalty, stream and working interests and investments; gains/losses on the sale of investments and; foreign exchange gains/losses and other income/expenses.

Reconciliation to IFRS measures:



Three months ended June 30, (expressed in millions, except per share amounts)

2016

2015 Net Income (Loss) $ 42.3 $ 21.6

Income tax expense (recovery)

11.3

11.3

Finance expenses

0.8

0.5

Finance income

(1.0)

(1.1)

Depletion and depreciation

68.2

49.1

Non-cash costs of sales

1.7

2.2

Impairment charges

-

-











Gains/losses on sale of investments

(2.8)

(0.9)

Foreign exchange (gains)/losses and other (income)/expenses

(1.6)

(0.5) Adjusted EBITDA $ 118.9 $ 82.2

Basic Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

177.8

156.7 Adjusted EBITDA per share $ 0.67 $ 0.53









Three months ended June 30, (expressed in millions, except per share amounts)

2016

2015 Net Income (Loss) $ 42.3 $ 21.6

Foreign exchange (gains)/losses and other (Income)/expenses, net of income tax

0.5

(0.4)

Mark to market change on derivatives, net of income tax

-

0.1

Gain on sale of investments, net of income tax

(2.5)

(0.6)

Impairment charges, net of income tax

-

-

Indexation adjustment

-

-

Valuation allowance

(0.6)

-

Impact of tax increases

0.3

2.2 Adjusted Net Income $ 40.0 $ 22.9 Basic Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

177.8

156.7









Adjusted Net Income per share $ 0.22 $ 0.15











FRANCO-NEVADA CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars)





















June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015









ASSETS







Cash and cash equivalents (Note 4) $ 225.8 $ 149.2 Short-term investments (Notes 5 & 8)

-

18.8 Receivables (Note 8)

56.4

65.1 Prepaid expenses and other (Note 6)

36.2

41.6 Current assets

318.4

274.7









Royalty, stream and working interests, net

3,720.0

3,257.5 Investments (Notes 5 & 8)

123.4

94.8 Deferred income tax assets

18.8

16.1 Other assets (Note 7)

29.3

31.2









Total assets $ 4,209.9 $ 3,674.3





























LIABILITIES







Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 19.3 $ 18.0 Current income tax liabilities

2.9

2.8 Current liabilities

22.2

20.8









Debt (Note 13)

-

457.3 Deferred income tax liabilities

29.8

33.2 Total liabilities

52.0

511.3









SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Note 14)







Common shares

4,643.9

3,709.0 Contributed surplus

42.0

44.3 Deficit

(307.7)

(302.2) Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(220.3)

(288.1) Total shareholders' equity



4,157.9

3,163.0









Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 4,209.9 $ 3,674.3









The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements and can

be found in our Q2 2016 Report available on our website

FRANCO-NEVADA CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)





For the three months ended June 30,

For the six months ended June 30,

2016 2015

2016 2015



















Revenue (Note 9) $ 150.9 $ 109.4

$ 282.9 $ 218.6



















Costs and expenses



















Costs of sales (Note 10)

27.7

24.0



52.1

46.4

Depletion and depreciation

68.2

49.1



133.7

100.8

Impairment of royalty, stream and working interests

-

-



-

0.1

Corporate administration (Notes 11 & 14(c))

5.7

4.1



11.1

8.2

Business development

0.3

1.3



0.6

1.8



101.9

78.5



197.5

157.3





















Operating income

49.0

30.9



85.4

61.3





















Foreign exchange gain (loss) and other income (expenses) (Note 5)

4.4

1.4



6.3

(1.2) Income before finance items and income taxes

53.4

32.3



91.7

60.1



















Finance items



















Finance income

1.0

1.1



2.1

1.9

Finance expenses

(0.8)

(0.5)



(2.1)

(0.9) Net income before income taxes

53.6

32.9



91.7

61.1



















Income tax expense (Note 12)

11.3

11.3



19.4

20.3



















Net income $ 42.3 $ 21.6

$ 72.3 $ 40.8



















Other comprehensive income (loss):

















Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss:



















Unrealized gain (loss) in the market value of available-for-sale



















investments, net of income tax expense of $0.3, (2015 -income tax



















expense of $0.4), income tax expense of $0.5 (2015-income tax



















recovery of $0.7) (Note 5)

10.8

2.3



26.6

(4.4)

Realized change in market value of available-for-sale investments

(2.8)

(0.9)



(4.3)

(0.9)

Currency translation adjustment

(4.0)

14.7



45.5

(74.5)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

4.0

16.1



67.8

(79.8)



















Total comprehensive income (loss) $ 46.3 $ 37.7

$ 140.1 $ (39.0)



















Basic earnings per share (Note 15) $ 0.24 $ 0.14

$ 0.41 $ 0.26 Diluted earnings per share (Note 15) $ 0.24 $ 0.14

$ 0.41 $ 0.26



















The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements and can be found in our

Q2 2016 Report available on our website

FRANCO-NEVADA CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars) For the six months ended June 30,

2016 2015 Cash flows from operating activities







Net income $ 72.3 $ 40.8 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided









by operating activities:









Depletion and depreciation

133.7

100.8

Other non-cash items

(0.8)

0.2

Gain on sale of investments (Note 5)

(4.3)

(0.9)

Non-cash costs of sales (Note 10)

3.5

3.3

Deferred income tax expense (Note 12)

2.3

6.9

Share-based payments (Note 14(c))

2.4

2.7

Unrealized foreign exchange loss

0.2

1.8

Mark-to-market on warrants (Note 5)

-

0.3



209.3

155.9











Changes in non-cash assets and liabilities:











Decrease in receivables

8.7

20.9



Increase in prepaid expenses and other

(38.0)

(43.0)



Increase (decrease) in current liabilities

1.4

(4.3) Net cash provided by operating activities

181.4

129.5









Cash flows from investing activities









Proceeds from sale of investments

23.6

24.7

Acquisition of investments

(1.6)

(76.3)

Proceeds from sale of gold bullion

46.1

26.9

Acquisition of royalty, stream and working interests

(555.7)

(20.7)

Purchase of oil & gas well equipment

(1.3)

(1.5) Net cash used in investing activities

(488.9)

(46.9)









Cash flows from financing activities









Net proceeds from issuance of common shares (Note 14)

883.5

-

Repayment of Credit Facility (Note 13)

(460.0)

-

Credit facility amendment costs

-

(1.2)

Payment of dividends (Note 14(b))

(57.5)

(47.2)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options (Note 14(a))

15.6

0.5 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

381.6

(47.9) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

2.5

(16.4) Net change in cash and cash equivalents

76.6

18.3 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

149.2

592.5 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 225.8 $ 610.8









Supplemental cash flow information:







Cash paid for interest expense and loan standby fees during the period $ 1.8 $ 0.7 Income taxes paid during the period $ 21.4 $ 20.9









The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements and can

be found in our Q2 2016 Report available on our website

SOURCE Franco-Nevada Corporation

Related Links

www.franco-nevada.com


MELISSA, Texas, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Gardner Capital Development has been awarded a $1.3 million reservation of affordable housing tax credits from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to develop 93 independent, mixed-income, senior residences in the Melissa community of Texas. This $16+ million community will include a main three-story building with elevators and 93 energy efficient, one- and two-bedroom cottage-style apartments for seniors age 55 and older.

Part of a 35-acre planned mixed-use development that will eventually include retail components, Gala is the first mixed-income senior living community development approved in Melissa, Texas. It is also the only mixed-income property in Melissa that serves senior residents at affordable rents. With a population of approximately 9,500, the city of Melissa is located 35 miles north of downtown Dallas in the dynamic growth area of northeast Collin County.

"The Gala Community will focus on providing its senior residents not only with well-designed, affordable housing, but with numerous upscale amenities, including multi-purpose community rooms, a fitness center, resident lounges, a pool, and covered porches," said Michael Gardner, Principal and CEO, Gardner Capital Development. In addition, a full calendar of weekly and monthly senior-focused events will encourage residents to be physically and socially active.

Construction of the development is anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2017, with completion expected fall of 2018. Gardner Capital Development Texas, LLC will serve as the developer for this project. Other members of the development team include Gardner Capital Construction, LLC, Cross Architects, and Allied Orion Group property management.

About Gardner Capital

Gardner Capital is an affordable housing and renewable energy tax credit development, syndication, and investment company with primary regional offices located in St. Louis, Dallas, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Springfield, Missouri. Since 1992, Gardner Capital has invested more than two billion dollars of equity in affordable housing alone. Renewable energy development and investment has been the more recent addition to the Gardner Capital operating portfolio, bringing hundreds of megawatts of solar projects online across the United States. The principals, Mark Gardner and Michael Gardner, continue to expand the company's national footprint in affordable housing and renewable energy with multiple offices across the United States. Visit www.gardnercapital.com for more information.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151019/278129LOGO

SOURCE Gardner Capital

Related Links

http://www.gardnercapital.com


WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Values Action released a video today noting an issue on which the media has been mostly silent  Hillary Clinton's abortion extremism as seen in her own words. AVA Senior Fellow Dr. Charmaine Yoest noted a profound difference between the Democratic nominee for president and Republican Donald Trump on the life issue.

"The reality is that Hillary Clinton supports abortion through all nine months of pregnancy up to the moments before birth," said Yoest. "While the media is busy taking a joke Donald Trump made at a rally over a crying baby into national news, they are avoiding any reporting on Hillary Clinton's abortion extremism. Hillary Clinton's stance in favor of abortion rights is well known, but less well-known is just how extreme and unlimited her advocacy of abortion is. American Values Action is releasing a video today to make it easy to quickly educate on her record of promoting unfettered abortion  a position she has held over her entire lifetime."

The approximately one-minute video highlights four issues: Clinton's belief in expanding taxpayer funding for abortion; her stunning statement that "deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs have to be changed;" her assertion that unborn babies have no constitutional rights whatsoever; and her repeated commitment to appoint only pro-abortion judges to the Supreme Court.

"Make no mistake: when Hillary Clinton says religious beliefs have to be changed  she means mainstream American voter's deeply held religious beliefs, not hers," said Yoest. "On the issue of life and the kind of justices who will be appointed to the Supreme Court, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are directly opposite. This will be a mobilizing issue as more religious voters are educated about her record of abortion extremism."

To view the video, click here. It can also be seen on Facebook at Gary L. Bauer.

American Values Action is headed by former presidential candidate Gary Bauer, a well-known national conservative leader who served in the Reagan Administration, as under secretary of education and as President Reagan's chief domestic policy advisor. The Guardian called Bauer "one of the leading campaigners in the U.S. on pro-life and pro-traditional family issues."

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TELEVISION/WEB REPORTERS:

Bauer and Yoest available for interview through the American Values ReadyCam Studio.

American Values experts have immediate live TV access to global news networks using their ReadyCam studio in Washington D.C. The on-site studio enables talent to appear on live TV at a moment's notice, without traveling to a network studio. Contact Kristi Hamrick to book experts to discuss politics, family, faith, freedom and American core values for your next news story. Book the American Values ReadyCam Studio using VLGuru.com, call 617-340-4100.

SOURCE American Values Action
DUBLIN, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Germany Organic Food Market By Type (Organic Meat, Poultry and Dairy Products, Organic Fruits and Vegetables, Organic Processed Food, Organic Bread and Bakery Products, etc.), Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011-2021" report to their offering.

Organic food market in Germany is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 7% during 2016-2021

Germany is the largest European economy, and the country's organic food market is being driven by high disposable income, increasing health consciousness among consumers and growing organic farming. Additionally, rising environment consciousness among consumers is driving the shift from conventional food to organic food.

Consequently, an increasing number of organic food players are rolling out new organic food items to cater to different consumer tastes and preferences. Furthermore, implementation of stringent government regulations coupled with various initiatives by European Commission to reduce chemical content in food items is positively influencing the organic food market in Germany.

Changing food consumption patterns, consistent decline in quality of conventional food items and surging retail presence of specialist organic retailers across the country is anticipated to boost organic food market in Germany over the next five years.

In 2015, Organic Meat, Poultry & Dairy Products' segment grabbed the largest market share in the country's organic food market, and was closely followed by Organic Fruits & Vegetables' segment. Southwest region is the largest regional market for organic food in Germany, and the region is expected to continue its dominance through 2021.

Few of the leading organic food companies operating in Germany include Hipp GmbH & Co Vertrieb KG, Alnatura Produktions- und Handels GmbH, Rewe Markt GmbH, Aldi Einkauf GmbH & Co oHG, Netto Marken-Discount AG & Co KG, and KG Lidl Stiftung & Co KG, among others.

Germany Organic Food Market By Type, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011 - 2021 discusses:

Increasing Research and Development Activities

Surge in Online Retailing of Organic Food

Increasing Area under Organic Cultivation

Wide Product Offerings

Growing Demand for Processed Organic Food

Key Topics Covered:

1. Product Overview

2. Research Methodology

3. Analyst View

4. Global Organic Food Market Overview

5. Germany Organic Food Market Outlook

6. Germany Organic Meat, Poultry and Dairy Products Market Outlook

7. Germany Organic Fruits & Vegetables Food Market Outlook

8. Germany Organic Processed Food Market Outlook

9. Germany Organic Bread and Bakery Products Market Outlook

10. Germany Organic Beverages Market Outlook

11. Germany Other Organic Food Products Market Outlook

12. Germany Organic Food Supply Chain Network

13. Market Dynamics

14. Market Trends & Developments

15. Policy & Regulatory Landscape

16. Import-Export Analysis

17. Germany Economic Profile

18. Competitive Landscape

19. Strategic Recommendations

Companies Mentioned

- Aldi Einkauf GmbH & Co oHG

- Alnatura Produktions- und Handels GmbH

- Andechser Molkerei Scheitz GmbH

- EDEKA Handelsgesellschaft Nord mbH

- Gepa - The Fair Trade Company

- Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG

- Netto Marken-Discount AG & Co KG

- REWE Markt GmbH

- Rapunzel Naturkost GmbH

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/xtqzcg/germany_organic

Media Contact:

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

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

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


Goodman's North American platform continues to gain momentum with the recent lease transaction completed with Walmart for 100% of Goodman Logistics Center Fontana. This lease adds to Goodman Birtcher's growing customer base in North America including Georgia Pacific, Amazon, Safeway, CTSI Logistics and Volkswagen Group.

Brandon Birtcher, CEO of Goodman Birtcher said, "The new facility represents Goodman's third lease with Walmart and expands our existing relationship with the multinational retailer. We look forward to supporting Walmart's future growth in North America and welcome them to our modern, high quality logistics facility."

Goodman Logistics Center Fontana benefits from excellent infrastructure connections, located less than one mile from the I-10, nine miles from Ontario International Airport, four miles from FedEx's international parcel hub, and approximately 60 miles from the Ports of Los Angeles / Long Beach.

Starting on the first of August, Walmart will take occupancy of the recently constructed, Class A logistics facility. Lee and Associates represented Goodman and Walmart was advised by JLL on the lease transaction.

Goodman Logistics Center Fontana is one of a number of projects in Goodman Birtcher's US$2.3 billion identified US development pipeline, which will provide 17.7 million square feet of Class A logistics space. Goodman Birtcher continues to execute its US strategy, which is focused on growing its portfolio organically, targeting selective development and value add opportunities in the key logistics and industrial markets of Inland Empire, Greater Los Angeles, Northern New Jersey and Central Pennsylvania.

Over the last 12 months, Goodman Birtcher has completed 3.3 million square feet of Class A development product in the Inland Empire West and Greater Los Angeles logistics markets, with a further 2.6 million square feet currently under construction. This is consistent with Goodman's ongoing commitment to servicing the needs of its global customer base through the development of modern, well-located properties for long-term ownership.

About Goodman Birtcher

Goodman Birtcher is a wholly owned US subsidiary of Goodman Group, established in June 2012 and includes the former business of Birtcher Development and Investments. It is located in Irvine, California with a regional office in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

For more information: www.goodmanbirtcher.com

About Goodman

Goodman Group is an integrated property group with operations throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, the United Kingdom, North America and Brazil. Goodman Group, comprised of the stapled entities Goodman Limited, Goodman Industrial Trust and Goodman Logistics (HK) Limited, is the largest industrial property group listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and one of the largest listed specialist fund managers of industrial property and business space globally.

Goodman's global property expertise, integrated own+develop+manage customer service offering and significant fund management platform ensures it creates innovative property solutions that meet the individual requirements of its customers, while seeking to deliver long-term returns for investors.

For more information: www.goodman.com

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160808/396408

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160614/379369LOGO

SOURCE Goodman Birtcher

Related Links

http://www.goodmanbirtcher.com


ATLANTA, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Graphic Packaging International, Inc. ("Graphic Packaging"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell $300 million aggregate principal amount of its senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the "Senior Notes") in a registered public offering. The Senior Notes will bear interest at an annual rate of 4.125% and will be issued at par. Graphic Packaging expects to close the offering on August 11, 2016, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The Senior Notes will be guaranteed by Graphic Packaging Holding Company as well as by certain of Graphic Packaging's material domestic subsidiaries which have guaranteed obligations under its senior credit facilities, its existing senior notes due 2021 and its existing senior notes due 2022.

Graphic Packaging estimates that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $295.35 million, after deducting the underwriters' discount. The net proceeds from the offering will be used to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the U.S. Dollar portion of Graphic Packaging's senior secured revolving credit facility under its senior credit facility, and to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith.

BofA Merrill Lynch, J.P. Morgan, Rabo Securities, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Citigroup, TD Securities, and Wells Fargo Securities are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering and Fifth Third Securities, Goldman, Sachs & Co., MUFG, PNC Capital Markets LLC, Regions Securities LLC, SMBC Nikko, and BBVA Securities Inc., are serving as co-managers for the offering.

A shelf registration statement (including a prospectus and prospectus supplement) relating to the offering of the Senior Notes has previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and has become effective. Before investing, you should read the prospectus, the prospectus supplement and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for more complete information about Graphic Packaging and the offering of the Senior Notes. Copies of the prospectus and related prospectus supplement may be obtained by contacting any of the joint book running managers whose contact information is listed below. You may also obtain these documents free of charge by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov.

Joint Book Running Managers:

BofA Merrill Lynch

NC1-004-03-43

200 North College Street, 3rd floor

Charlotte, NC 28255-0001

Attention: Prospectus Department

Email: [email protected]

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

Attention: Broadridge Financial Solutions

1155 Long Island Avenue

Edgewood, New York 11717

Tel: (866) 803-9204

Rabo Securities USA, Inc.

245 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10167

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey

Attention: High Yield Syndicate

3333 Peachtree Road, 10th Floor

Atlanta, GA 30326

[email protected]

Citigroup

c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions

1155 Long Island Avenue

Edgewood, NY 11717

Tel: 1-800-831-9146

TD Securities (USA) LLC

31 W. 52nd Street, 2nd Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attn: Debt Capital Markets

Toll-free: (855) 495-9846

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

550 South Tryon Street 5th Floor

Charlotte, NC 2820

Attention: High Yield Syndicate

Telephone: 1-800-645-3751

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the notes, nor shall it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

About Graphic Packaging International, Inc.

Graphic Packaging International, Inc., a subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is committed to providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference. The Company is a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions for a wide variety of products to food, beverage and other consumer product companies. The Company operates on a global basis, is one of the largest producers of folding cartons in the United States, and holds leading market positions in coated unbleached kraft paperboard and coated-recycled paperboard. The Company's customers include many of the world's most widely recognized companies and brands. Additional information about Graphic Packaging, its business and its products is available on the Company's web site at www.graphicpkg.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements of Graphic Packaging Holding Company's expectations in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements, including but not limited to those regarding the offering and the use of proceeds therefrom, are based on currently available information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from Graphic Packaging's present expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions affecting the offering. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, as such statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Graphic Packaging undertakes no obligation to update such statements. Additional information regarding these and other risks is contained in Graphic Packaging Holding Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Graphic Packaging International, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.graphicpkg.com


CHICAGO and TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Harmony Health Plan, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), has presented a $2,500 Chicago Defender Charities, Inc. Bud Billiken Scholarship to DeJah Jones of Chicago.

Jones, a 2016 graduate of Lindblom Math and Science Academy, is continuing her education at Northern Michigan University and plans to study nursing.

The Chicago Defender Charities Bud Billiken Scholarship Program is designed to encourage students to further their education to advance the state of the communities in which they live. Chicago Defender Charities believes that by investing in the education of today's youth, they will have a greater potential to positively impact their communities in the future. Since its inception in 2003, more than 300 students have received more than $1.5 million in scholarships.

Scholarship applications were evaluated based on financial need and academic achievement. Applicants must also show proof of 40 hours of community service and submit an essay on the importance of community service.

"Education leads to better jobs and incomes, which is linked to people living longer, healthier lives," said Dr. Robin L. Jones, medical director, Harmony Health Plan. "We share Chicago Defender Charities' commitment to support education to improve the lives of those who live in our communities. Harmony is proud to support deserving students like DeJah Jones in achieving their dreams."

"The Chicago Defender Charities is committed to providing scholarships for our youth," said

Dr. Marc A. Sengstacke, executive director of Chicago Defender Charities. "We thank Harmony Health Plan for its efforts to support a brighter future for our youth and their communities."

For more information on Chicago Defender Charities, visit http://www.budbillikenparade.org/.

As of June 30, 2016, WellCare and Harmony Health Plan serve approximately 211,000 members in Illinois, including 168,000 Medicaid members, 15,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 28,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. WellCare serves approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of June 30, 2016. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151111/286471LOGO

SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.wellcare.com


Professor Desai is the Mizuho Group Professor of Finance at Harvard Business School and Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. He has been teaching for nearly 20 years to varied student populations, including senior executives from around the world, MBA students, undergraduates, and lawyers. He has published more than 25 case studies, a casebook, and has testified before the U.S. Congress on policy issues.

Leading with Finance is designed for leaders who need to look at their business from a deeper financial perspective and who wish to gain the skills and confidence needed to make and convey better financial decisions. This course is also for finance professionals who wish to update their knowledge of finance in order to grow their careers.

"Financial literacy is critical for leaders as they grow, and this program gives participants the foundation they need by demystifying the theory and practice of finance," said Desai. "Most people out there think finance is inert, formulaic and intimidating, but this course is attached to the real world and is designed to be intuitive and accessible."

In this six-week program, participants will gain a deep appreciation for and understanding of finance practice and theory. In addition to learning how to analyze a company's profitability and cash flow, they will explore how value is created and measured as well as how to decipher key levers that drive financial performance. The program also examines how capital markets operate and how they help shape business decisions.

Participants in Leading with Finance learn first by exploring key financial concepts through interactive teaching tools such as a spreadsheet emulator along with short, highly-produced videos. Then, in keeping with the HBS tradition of case-method teaching, which depends upon discussion and shared peer insights, they practice what they have learned through multimedia case studies focusing on a wide variety of companies which feature prominent CFOs, hedge fund managers, private equity professionals and equity research analysts who provide an understanding of the full capital markets landscape. Finally, participants apply their learnings to their own lives and organizations.

"HBX was launched two years ago with a vision toward expanding the reach of Harvard Business School," said HBX Executive Director Patrick Mullane. "Today, we build on that vision by adding Leading with Finance to our catalog. This step is particularly exciting as finance is such an important ingredient in the success and sustainability of any organization."

HBX is currently accepting applications for the first cohort of Leading with Finance, whose students will begin their studies in November. Applications for the November program are open until October 19. Successful applicants must have approximately 10 years or more of professional work experience and an undergraduate degree, or have successfully completed HBX CORe. The program is priced at $1,200, a 20 percent introductory discount. Visit the HBX website to learn more.

About HBX:

Founded in 2014, HBX  Harvard Business School's digital learning initiative  is changing the way individuals learn about business. HBX was established to expand the reach of Harvard Business School and to further the School's mission of educating leaders who make a difference in the world. While still in the early days of online learning on a global scale, HBX has a jump-start with more than 100 years of business education experience with Harvard Business School and a passionate faculty whose vision has been reimagined for the digital age. All HBX programs, including HBX CORe, a three-course credential program designed to teach the fundamentals of business, and the certificate program Disruptive Strategy with Clayton Christensen, feature Harvard Business School's signature case-based teaching approach, delivered on HBX's proprietary online learning platform. Find us online at hbx.hbs.edu.

Media Contacts for HBX:

Valerie Krempus  [email protected]

Melissa Parrelli  [email protected]; 774-773-9571 x16

Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/HBX-Finance-Promo.mp4

SOURCE HBX

Related Links

http://hbx.hbs.edu


MENLO PARK, Calif., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Heffernan Financial Services, a division of Heffernan Insurance Brokers, announced today that Anthony Calomeni has joined its team to serve as Financial Advisor in the Menlo Park branch.

Anthony comes to Heffernan with over fifteen years of extensive experience in the financial services industry. He began his career at Edward Jones before working at Raymond James Financial Services, National City Bank, Kellogg Community Federal Credit Union, and KCFCU Investment Services. Most recently, he served as Vice President and Senior Financial Advisor with Union Bank, where he provided financial planning to the private bank clients in the Greater Monterey Bay region of California. Notably, Anthony was nominated by management to the UnionBanc Investment Services Advisory Council 2015-2016 where he acted as a conduit between the field team and senior leadership to help drive initiatives and improve efficiency.

He specializes in retirement income planning strategies for working professionals, retirees, and business owners. Anthony focuses on providing his clients with a goals-based investment plan to help them achieve their investment goals, ensuring they are saving for retirement according to their individual lifestyle and goals. He works closely with his clients to help them understand the financial markets, plan investments within their risk comfort zone, and recommend ongoing adjustments to their plans as needed.

"We couldn't be happier that we were able to land someone of Anthony's caliber and talent who has such an existing knowledge of LPL Financial," said Blake Thibault, Managing Director, Heffernan Financial Services. "Anthony will fit in well with the Heffernan family and I look forward to watching him grow and expand our financial services offering."

Anthony graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Sales and Business Marketing from Western Michigan University. He holds Series 7 and 66 securities registrations with LPL Financial as well as California State Life and Health Insurance licenses.

About Heffernan Retirement Services

Heffernan Retirement Services is a full service financial advisory services firm, offering strategies and solutions for corporations, foundations and individuals. With a dedicated team focused solely on retirement plans, the group has over seventy-five years of experience in consulting and advisory services.

Heffernan Retirement Services believes that all employees deserve the ability to retire on their terms as a reward for a lifetime of hard work. They champion this cause by working with clients to create a comprehensive retirement plan. Being both vendor and investment neutral, Heffernan Retirement Services acts as your true independent consultant.

For more information, visit heffgroupfs.com.

The financial professionals at Heffernan Retirement Services and Heffernan Financial Services are also registered representatives with, and securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Global Retirement Partners, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Global Retirement Partners, LLC, Heffernan Retirement Services and Heffernan Financial Services are separate non-affiliated entities from LPL Financial.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150511/215225LOGO

SOURCE Heffernan Financial Services
MUSCATINE, Iowa, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI) announces that Kurt Tjaden, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will be presenting at the Invest Minnesota 5th Annual Investors Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, hosted by the CFA Society of Minnesota. The presentation is scheduled for August 23 at approximately 2:30 p.m. Central. The associated presentation materials will be available on HNI Corporation's website at http://www.hnicorp.com (under Investors  News Releases and Events) on August 22.

If you have any questions, please contact HNI Corporation's Investor Relations Department at [email protected].

About HNI Corporation

HNI Corporation is a NYSE traded company (ticker symbol: HNI) providing products and solutions for the home and workplace environments. HNI is a leading global provider and designer of office furniture and the nation's leading manufacturer and marketer of hearth products. We sell the broadest and deepest selection of quality office furniture solutions available to meet the needs of every customer through an extensive portfolio of well-known and trusted brands. Our hearth products are the strongest, most respected brands in the industry and include a full array of gas, electric, wood and biomass burning fireplaces, inserts, stoves, facings and accessories. More information can be found on the Corporation's website at www.hnicorp.com.

For Information Contact:

Kurt A. Tjaden, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (563) 272-7400

Jack D. Herring, Manager, Investor Relations (563) 506-9783

SOURCE HNI Corporation

Related Links

http://www.hnicorp.com


After announcing $20 million in funding in April of 2015, Honor launched service in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. Honor has developed a model that allows the company to provide high-quality care - while driving down costs for families and driving up wages for caregivers through W2 employment. Honor has also partnered with the best and brightest industry advisors and organizations, including the American Cancer Society and National Parkinson Foundation.

This new $42 million investment brings the total raised to date to $62 million. And with an exceptional team of supporters, Honor can accelerate product development and enhance go-to-market growth strategy.

"This investment means Honor can deliver high-quality, personalized home care to more people. And, we can continue to enhance our smart, easy-to-use technology that makes it fast and effective for families to receive and manage quality care," said Honor CEO and Co-Founder Seth Sternberg. "Modernizing home care does not just help our loved ones, it elevates caregivers as well. Now, more women and men can benefit from jobs that help them grow and care for their own families while they improve the lives of others."

"Honor is poised to transform the home care industry with its unique business model and unparalleled technology. Thrive Capital is proud to back this experienced team that is focused on bringing quality care to aging adults with a clear understanding of the needs of people and the challenging healthcare landscape," said Joshua Kushner, Founder of Thrive Capital.

About Honor

San Francisco-based Honor, launched in spring 2015, is the home-care solution that helps older adults continue to live and age in their own homes with greater joy, comfort, and grace. Honor currently operates in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles and combines the best care professionals in the industry with proprietary app technology that modernizes the entire home-care experience, making it more flexible and accessible for family caregivers and their aging loved ones. For more information, please visit www.JoinHonor.com.

Honor is hiring great talent including Care Pros, Care Operations managers, engineers, salespeople, etc.

Please follow Honor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

*PHOTO IMAGES AND VIDEO HERE*:

bit.ly/HonorPress

Honor Press Contacts:

Sue Kwon [email protected]

415-515-2508

Jamie Douglas [email protected]

424-244-1144

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160808/396237

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160808/396236LOGO

SOURCE Honor

Related Links

http://www.joinhonor.com


ALBANY, New York, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The growing demand for low-calorie, organic food products is a trend gaining much prominence across the globe. Looking to avoid the risk of overweight and obesity, an increasing number of consumers are now demanding organic versions of hot dogs and sausages as well. Transparency Market Research identifies this trend to be immensely lucrative for players.

The competitive landscape of most of the regional hot dogs and sausages markets is extremely fragmented, Transparency Market Research observes, with the exception of the MEA region. In Asia Pacific, the leading revenue contributor to the global hot dogs and sausages market, the top five players accounted for a share of just over 30% in 2014. These players are Shineway Group, Venky's, Goodman Fielder Ltd., Nippon Meat Packers Inc., and People's Food Holdings Ltd.

One of the leading growth strategies adopted by a number of key players in the global hot dogs and sausages market is product line expansion through constant mergers and acquisitions. A case in point would be ConAgra Food Inc. In 2014, the company acquired Ralcorp, a leading producer of private brand foods in the U.S. to strengthen its share in the packaged foods market.

Browse Research Report with ToC & Free Analysis: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/hot-dogs-sausages-market.html

"Continuously engaging in R&D activities for the development of new products in the meat and meat products segment is also a successful strategy adopted by several companies," the author of the study said. A recent example would be the introduction of hot dog ATMs, wherein the customer places their order on the screen and the selected food item is moved from the refrigerator to the microwave to deliver fresh hotdogs in just a few minutes.

Sporting Events Contributing toward Increased Demand for Hot Dogs and Sausages

Hot dogs and sausages are among the most preferred convenience foods for kids and youth around the world and as a result, households with kids and college students form the most attractive consumer group for hot dogs and sausages. The growing population of individuals between the ages of 20 and 30 is a key factor driving this market.

"The demand for hot dogs and sausages varies from region to region and by season as well," the TMR analyst observes. For instance, holiday months see a surge in demand for breakfast sausages. Major sporting events in the U.S. also contribute to the rising demand, according to a survey by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. The consumption of hot dogs and sausages during major leagues and at prominent ballparks in the U.S. is much higher than at any other time of the year.

Get Latest Industry Research PDF for more Professional and Technical Industry Insights: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=4650

Alarming Rise in Obesity Cases Likely to Restrict Demand

"The soaring incidence of obesity around the world is a key factor curbing the consumption of hot dogs and sausages as consumers shift toward healthier and less fatty foods," the author of the study finds.

The World Health Organization states that in 2014, around 1.9 bn adults were overweight and 600 mn were diagnosed with obesity. The WHO also finds an increase in the number of child obesity cases, which continues to threaten the demand for hot dogs and sausages.

Global Demand for Hot Dogs and Sausages to Grow at 1.8% CAGR over Forecast Period

In terms of revenue, the opportunity in the global hot dogs and sausages market was pegged at US$64.7 bn in 2014 and is estimated to be worth US$80.4 bn by 2021, expanding at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2015 to 2021. By volume, the market for hot dogs and sausages is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 1.8% during the forecast period.

Browse Research PR: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/hot-dogs-sausages-market.htm

Among the different types of products, cocktail sausages led the hot dogs and sausages market by volume as well as revenue in 2014. The global cocktail sausages market is likely to reach US$19.2 bn by 2021. Among the different types of meat, pork was the leading revenue generator for the hot dogs and sausages market. By geography, Asia Pacific led the global hot dogs and sausages market in 2014 and the region is expected to retain its position through 2021.

Chicken Sausages to Emerge as Most Attractive Segment as Pork Sausages Face Religious Barriers

Hot dogs and sausages are made from a variety of meats: pork, beef, chicken, mutton, and lamb. Among these, although pork led the overall market, chicken is identified as the most attractive segment for the hot dogs and sausages market due to growing health awareness among consumers. There has been a global shift in consumer preference from red meat to chicken since the cholesterol content in red meat is higher than that in chicken. Furthermore, chicken does not contain trans-fat, which is one of the main factors triggering coronary heart diseases. This is expected to increase the demand for chicken hot dogs and sausages during the forecast period.

Browse Regional Market Research Blog: http://www.europlat.org/global-hot-dog-and-sausages-market.htm

Additionally, chicken is comparatively cheaper and there are negligible religious barriers or taboos associated with its consumption. This is as an important factor in the growth of the chicken hot dogs and sausages market, especially in the Middle East. On the other hand, pork is an attractive segment in the hot dogs and sausages market in Asia Pacific, especially in China.

This review is based on the findings of a TMR report titled "Hot Dogs and Sausages Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2021."

Global Hot Dogs and Sausages Market, by Product

Pork

Beef

Chicken

Others

Global Hot Dogs and Sausages Market, by Application

Frozen Hot Dogs and Sausages

Refrigerated Breakfast Sausages

Refrigerated Dinner Sausages

Refrigerated Hot Dogs

Cocktail Sausages

Others

Global Hot Dogs and Sausages Market, by Region

North America

U.S.

Rest of North America

Europe

U.K.

Germany

France

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

APEJ

India

China

Oceania

Rest of APEJ

Japan

Middle East and Africa

UAE

South Africa

Rest of MEA

Latin America

Brazil

Argentina

Rest of Latin America

Browse Other Research Report:

Salt Additives Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/salt-additives-market.html

Food Additives Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/food-additives.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.

Contact

Transparency Market Research

State Tower

90 State Street,

Suite 700,

Albany NY - 12207

United States

Tel: +1-518-618-1030

USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453

Email: [email protected]



Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

SOURCE Transparency Market Research
All monetary amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - IAMGOLD Corporation ("the Company") today announced the commencement of a tender offer to purchase for cash from each registered holder (each, a "Holder" and, collectively, the "Holders") up to $150,000,000 in aggregate principal amount (the "Maximum Tender Amount") of the Company's outstanding 6.75% Senior Notes due 2020 (the "Notes") (the "Offer").

The Offer is being made by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated August 8, 2016 (the "Offer to Purchase") and the related letter of transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal" and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the "Offer Documents").

The table below summarizes certain payment terms of the Offer:

Description of

Notes CUSIP / ISIN Nos. Outstanding

Principal Amount Maximum

Tender Amount Tender

Consideration(1) Early

Tender

Payment(1) Total

Consideration(1)(2) 6.75% Senior

Notes

due 2020 CUSIP: 450913AC2;

C4535AAA8 ISIN: US450913AC25;

USC4535AAA81 $635,000,000 $150,000,000 $940 $30 $970

_______________________________ (1) Per $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered and accepted for purchase. (2) Includes the Early Tender Payment.

The Offer will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on September 2, 2016 (one minute after 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on September 2, 2016), unless extended or earlier terminated (such date and time, as may be extended, the "Expiration Date").

The early tender deadline for the Offer will be 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 19, 2016 (such date and time, as may be extended, the "Early Tender Time").

Holders of the Notes must validly tender their Notes at or before the Early Tender Time in order to be eligible to receive the Early Tender Payment (as defined below) in addition to the Tender Consideration (as defined below). The Notes tendered may be withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 19, 2016 (such date and time, as may be extended, the "Withdrawal Deadline"), but not thereafter, except as required by applicable law.

The total consideration for each $1,000 principal amount of the Notes is $970 (the "Total Consideration"), which includes an early tender payment of $30 per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes (the "Early Tender Payment") and a tender payment of $940 per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes (the "Tender Consideration").

The Early Tender Payment is payable only to Holders who tender and validly deliver their Notes prior to or at the Early Tender Time. Holders validly tendering and not withdrawing Notes prior to or at the Early Tender Time will be eligible to receive the Total Consideration (including the Early Tender Payment) on the Early Settlement Date (as defined below) in respect of Notes accepted for purchase. Holders validly tendering their Notes after the Early Tender Time and prior to or at the Expiration Date will be entitled to receive the Tender Consideration, namely an amount equal to the Total Consideration less the Early Tender Payment, on the Final Settlement Date (as defined below) in respect of notes accepted for purchase. In addition, Holders whose Notes are purchased in the Offer will receive accrued and unpaid interest in respect of their purchased Notes from the last interest payment date to, but not including, the applicable Settlement Date (as defined below).

Payment for Notes that are validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Time and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Withdrawal Deadline, and accepted for purchase in the Offer, will be after the Early Tender Time but prior to the Expiration Date (the "Early Settlement Date"), and is expected to be on or about August 22, 2016. Payment for Notes that are validly tendered after the Early Tender Time, but at or prior to the Expiration Date, and accepted for purchase in the Offer, will be promptly after the Expiration Date (the "Final Settlement Date", and the Final Settlement Date and the Early Settlement Date each being a "Settlement Date") and is expected to be on or about September 6, 2016.

If the aggregate principal amount of Notes validly tendered in the Offer exceeds the Maximum Tender Amount, then, subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer, the Company will accept Notes on a pro rata basis as described in the Offer to Purchase. If an aggregate principal amount of Notes that equals or exceeds the Maximum Tender Amount is validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Time and accepted for purchase, Holders who validly tender Notes after the Early Tender Time will not have any of their Notes accepted for purchase.

The Company's obligation to accept for purchase, and to pay for, the Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Offer is subject to, and conditioned upon satisfaction or waiver of, certain conditions, including the completion of the Company's previously announced equity offering, as set forth in the Offer Documents, in the sole discretion of the Company. The Offer is not conditioned on any minimum participation by the Holders.

The Company may increase the Maximum Tender Amount in its sole discretion but is under no obligation to do so. There can be no assurance that the Company will exercise its right to increase the Maximum Tender Amount.

Notes may be tendered and will be accepted for payment only in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple $1,000 in excess thereof. Any tender of Notes the proration of which would otherwise result in a return of Notes to a tendering Holder in a principal amount below the minimum denomination of $2,000 principal amount may be rejected in full or accepted in full in the sole discretion of the Company.

The Dealer Manager for the Offer is:



Citigroup Global Markets Inc.



390 Greenwich Street, 1st floor

New York, New York, 10013

U.S.A.









Attention: Liability Management Group

U.S. Toll Free: +1 800-558-3745

Collect: +1 212-723-6106



The Information and Tender Agent for the Offer is Global Bondholder Services Corporation. To contact the Information and Tender Agent, banks and brokers may call +1-212-430-3774, and others may call U.S. toll-free: +1 866-470-4500. Additional contact information is set forth below.

Global Bondholder Services Corporation

By Mail, Hand or Overnight Courier: By Facsimile Transmission:



65 Broadway, Suite 404

New York, NY 10006

USA

Attention: Corporate Actions

E-mail: [email protected] (for eligible institutions only)

+1 212-430-3775/3779

Attention: Corporate Actions

Confirmation by Telephone

+1 212-430-3774

Holders of the Notes are urged to read the Offer Documents carefully. Any questions or requests for assistance in relation to the Offer Documents may be directed to the Dealer Manager at its telephone number set forth above or to the Holder's broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer. Requests for additional copies of the Offer Documents may be directed to the Information and Tender Agent at the addresses and telephone numbers set forth above. Documents relating to the Offer, including the Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal, are also available at http://www.gbsc-usa.com/iamgold/.

This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the Notes or any other securities.

The Offer is being made solely pursuant to the Offer Documents. The Offer is not being made in, nor will the Company accept tenders of Notes from, any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. None of the Company, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., Computershare Trust Company of Canada, the Dealer Manager or the Information and Tender Agent is making any recommendations to the Holders as to whether or not to tender all or any portion of Notes. Holders must decide whether to tender Notes, and if tendering, the amount of Notes to tender.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding the terms and timing for completion of the Offer, including the acceptance for purchase of any Notes validly tendered and the expected Early Tender Time, Expiration Date and Settlement Date thereof, the potential increase to the Maximum Tender Amount, the potential extension of the Withdrawal Deadline, the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions of the Offer, the expected, estimated or planned gold production, cash costs, margin expansion, capital expenditures and exploration expenditures and statements regarding the estimation of mineral resources, exploration results, potential mineralization, potential mineral resources and mineral reserves) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "will", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "to have", "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, risks inherent to completion of the Offering, failure to meet expected, estimated or planned gold production, cash costs, margin expansion, capital expenditures and exploration expenditures and failure to establish estimated mineral resources, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, changes in world gold markets and other risks disclosed in IAMGOLD's most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

About IAMGOLD

IAMGOLD is a mid-tier mining company with four operating gold mines on three continents. A solid base of strategic assets in Canada, South America and Africa is complemented by development and exploration projects and continued assessment of accretive acquisition opportunities. IAMGOLD is in a strong financial position with extensive management and operational expertise.

SOURCE IAMGOLD Corporation

Related Links

http://www.iamgold.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ICV Partners, LLC (ICV), a leading investment firm focused on investing in lower middle market companies, announced today that it has completed the sale of its portfolio company Mallet & Company, Inc., to Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Inc., a portfolio company of The Jordan Company, L.P.

ICV invested in Mallet in 2010 in partnership with Robert Mallet, the company's Chairman whose father founded the company in 1939. Headquartered outside of Pittsburgh, Mallet is a leading manufacturer of value-added specialty ingredients including food grade release agents, specialty blends, emulsifiers and icing stabilizers. Additionally, the Company designs and builds customized spray equipment to apply many of its specialty ingredients. The Company provides best-in-class products and services to a broad range of channel leading customers, including commercial bakeries, packaged food companies, frozen pizza manufacturers, and national pizza retail chains. The Company provides high quality, process-critical ingredients that increase product quality and efficacy and lower costs by reducing waste.

Commenting on the sale, Mr. Mallet, said, "I was originally attracted to working with ICV because of their successful history of partnering with founder-owned companies and their existing knowledge of our industry, which enabled us to quickly develop a comprehensive growth strategy."

Bob Campanale, recruited by ICV to serve as CEO of Mallet, said, "ICV provided us with insights, flexibility, and resources to significantly invest in our business to drive organic growth and enhance our value to our customers by developing innovative new products such as a complete line of PHO-free products and becoming a certified Organic Food Processor. I am very pleased with what we have accomplished together and believe that Vantage will serve as a perfect home for Mallet to successfully build its next phase of development."

Ira Moreland, Managing Director of ICV Partners, said, "Since our investment in 2010 it has been a pleasure working with Bob, his leadership team and Mallet's world-class R&D group to develop exciting, new solutions for existing customers that allowed expansion into new markets, product categories and geographies. We have grown Mallet's technology and specialized manufacturing capabilities, and the combination of new product offerings and a strong management team will serve the Company well in pursuing the many opportunities for growth. We're very pleased with the outcome of these efforts for both our investors and Mallet's customers and employees."

About ICV Partners

Founded in 1998, ICV Partners is a leading private investment firm that supports management leaders of strong companies at the lower end of the middle market. The principals of ICV have crafted a strong track record of helping companies improve performance over the long term and across a variety of industries. ICV seeks to make control investments in market leading businesses with $25 million to $250 million in revenue. Additional information is available at www.icvpartners.com.

Contact:

Chris Tofalli

Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC

914-834-4334

SOURCE ICV Partners, LLC

Related Links

http://www.icvpartners.com


CAESAREA, Israel, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

InSeal Medical Ltd., a privately held medical device company, announced today that it has received CE Mark approval for its InClosure VCD, a large bore vascular closure device. The InClosure VCD is a first-in-class, intravascular closure device based on InSeal Medical's proprietary and patented technology.

Ran Kornowski, MD, Principal Investigator in the InClosure clinical study, Director of the Department of Cardiology at the Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel commented: "The InClosure VCD significantly simplified large bore puncture closure which is still one of the last major challenges in TAVR. Based on our growing experience, the InClosure VCD allows for a smoother and safer TAVR procedure without pre-procedure manipulation of the vessel. The closure procedure is simple and controlled with only few exceptions, with fast and reliable hemostasis which translates to a better recovery of the patient."

Avi Penner PhD., CEO of InSeal Medical stated: "CE mark approval of the InClosure VCD allows a safer and more effective arteriotomy closure for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement and percutaneous aortic aneurysm repair. While TAVR and EVAR systems have progressed, the procedures are still limited by suboptimal vascular closure technologies. We're very excited to help change this as the InClosure VCD becomes available in Europe."

The InClosure VCD is a dedicated vascular closure device designed to close large bore arterial punctures ranging from 12F to 21F. Such large bore delivery systems are used in various catheter based procedures, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and percutaneous endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (PEVAR).

The InClosure VCD is implanted percutaneously and requires no pre-procedure or sheath exchange. It is based on a biodegradable membrane coupled to vessel wall by a thin Nitinol frame. The flexible membrane exploits blood pressure to improve sealing, resulting in a fast and reliable hemostasis even in calcified arteries.

About InSeal Medical

InSeal Medical, Ltd. is a privately held company based in Caesarea, Israel. The Company is focus on the development of novel closure solutions for cardiovascular applications based on its patented InClosure technology and know-how.

Contact:

Avi Penner, PhD. CEO

+972-4-627-2065

[email protected]

http://www.InsealMedical.com



SOURCE InSeal Medical, Ltd.
LONDON, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The Institute of Trading and Portfolio Management has today announced a North American Seminar Tour that is set to trailblaze the United States and Canada. The ITPM North American Seminar Tour delivered by Anton Kreil and Raj Malhotra will begin in Los Angeles on September 8th 2016 and continue throughout the month of September, covering several major cities in the United States and Canada.

In September 2016, Anton Kreil, Managing Partner of the Institute of Trading and Portfolio Management and Senior Trading Mentor Raj Malhotra, will embark on a North American Seminar Tour covering six major cities in the U.S. and Canada. Anton Kreil and Raj Malhotra will tour the U.S. and Canada during the month of September, teaching Retail Traders how to supplement their 401K's and IRA's (U.S.) and RRSP's (Canada) by trading Stocks, FOREX and Options in the same way as Professional Traders so they can replicate these strategies in their Online Brokerage Accounts.

The Institute of Trading and Portfolio Management have identified two major problems in the U.S. and Canada...

Firstly, that the average American and Canadian citizen has approximately the same amount of cash in their pension as the National Annual Average salary of the country they are in. This means that if the average person in either the U.S. or Canada retired today, they would only be able to live in their current living standards for approximately one year. Secondly, that the populations of the U.S. and Canada are actually aware of the failings of their pensions systems and their own lacklustre savings ratios as individuals. Therefore, people are aware that they will not be able to retire and will have to 'downgrade' their living standards in retirement.

By having this awareness but not knowing what to do about it, this has created the second major problem in both the U.S. and Canada, i.e. a lack of access to high-quality Trading and Portfolio Management education created and delivered by real Financial Markets professionals with high levels of Trading and Portfolio Management success and experience.

The Institute claims that an entire industry of Charlatan 'Trading Educators' has emerged, trying to take advantage of the unsuspecting public. These 'Trading Educators' pass themselves off as Professional Traders (usually online) but are simply 'Snake Oil Salesmen' with inherent Conflicts of Interest. Hard working populations of the U.S. and Canada are seeking honest solutions to their retirement problems and when desperation meets Conflict of Interest, the Institute argues "only bad things can happen."

Anton Kreil and Raj Malhotra will be on tour in the U.S. and Canada during September 2016 to show people how to deal with this issue and how to take the correct steps towards making consistent money from Trading and Portfolio Management, in order to properly solve their retirement problem.

Both Anton Kreil and Raj Malhotra have the Professional Trading and Portfolio Management experience to help people achieve this. Anton Kreil is a former Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Professional Trader and is a full time Trader and Investor at his own firm out of Singapore, managing in excess of $30mln exposure at any one time. Raj Malhotra in conjunction with Anton Kreil form the perfect team to solve the retirement problem in the United States and Canada, where Options Trading is heavily used by Retail Traders as a solution to building their Trading Account wealth. Raj Malhotra is the ex-head of Index Options trading at both Bank of America and Nomura Bank. Raj also trades his own money in retirement, frequently benefiting from and making consistent money in the U.S. listed Options market.

Commenting on today's announcement, Managing Partner of the Institute Anton Kreil made the following Statement: "I can't wait to get to the U.S. and Canada to show Retail Traders how to go about solving their retirement fund issues by teaching them how to trade properly. We have a very unique approach to Trading and Portfolio Management that simply isn't available to Retail Traders in the U.S. and Canada. That's because there are very few people from the Professional world of Trading that are willing to teach and show people how to do this properly."

For further information on Seminars being held by ITPM in the U.S. and Canada and for Registration, please navigate to the following links:

Los Angeles (September 8th) - CLICK HERE

Miami (September 10th) - CLICK HERE

Dallas (September 13th) - CLICK HERE

Chicago (September 15th) - CLICK HERE

Toronto (September 22nd) - CLICK HERE

New York (September 24th) - CLICK HERE

Company Website - http://www.instutrade.com/seminars/

For all Press Enquiries

Please use this contact form: http://www.instutrade.com/contact-us

SOURCE Institute of Trade and Portfolio Management
NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo, which took place August 14 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, featured many companies vying to produce tests for the Zika virus, according to Kalorama Information. The virus, for which there is currently no vaccine or medicine, is rapidly spreading in South and Central America, transmitted mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus and infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects. The healthcare market research firm's report, The World Market for Infectious Disease Diagnostic Tests, contains detailed market estimates and forecasts for major areas of infectious disease testing

Among the companies currently working to produce U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and CE Marked (free marketability in the European Economic Area) tests for the Zika virus are Hologic/Grifols, Quest, Roche, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Artron Labs, and Primerdesign.

"Infectious disease testing is one of the most dynamic spaces in the in vitro diagnostics industry," said Bruce Carlson, Publisher of Kalorama Information. "With respect to Zika virus, the FDA has encouraged commercial diagnostic developers and researchers developing laboratory developed tests to submit Emergency Use Authorization requests."

The intensive efforts underway include the following:

In June, Hologic and Grifols announced that the FDA approved use of the Procleix Zika virus blood screening assay on the Procleix Panther system under the agency's Investigational New Drug (IND) study protocol. The assay is a molecular diagnostic tool for the qualitative detection of RNA from Zika virus in serum and plasma specimens. This allows U.S. blood centers to use the Procleix Zika virus assay to screen donated blood collected in potential endemic areas of the southern U.S., and may expand testing to other areas of the U.S. if the virus continues to spread.

In April, Quest Diagnostics received a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Zika Virus RNA Qualitative Real-Time RT-PCR test (Zika RT-PCR test). The test was developed by the reference laboratory business of Quest's Focus Diagnostics, Inc., subsidiary. The proprietary molecular test is intended for the qualitative detection of RNA from the Zika virus in human serum specimens from certain individuals. Quest Diagnostics plans to make the new test broadly available to physicians for patient testing, including in Puerto Rico , in May 2016. This test can potentially be performed at any CLIA high-complexity laboratory in the Quest Diagnostics network, which includes several dozen CLIA high-complexity labs in the United States , including in Toa Baja , Puerto Rico .

, in May 2016. This test can potentially be performed at any CLIA high-complexity laboratory in the Quest Diagnostics network, which includes several dozen CLIA high-complexity labs in , including in , . In March, Roche announced that the U.S. FDA provided approval to initiate collection and testing of blood samples for screening with the cobas Zika assay under an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) protocol. The cobas Zika test for use with the cobas 6800/8800 Systems, is a qualitative in vitro nucleic acid screening test for the direct detection of Zika virus RNA in plasma specimens from individual human blood donors.

In February, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced the U.S. availability of the EUROIMMUN (Luebeck, Germany ) Anti-Zika Virus ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) test formats in the U.S. to enable serological detection of the Zika virus in research applications. The kits can differentiate between Zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses. These tests also enable researchers to detect the virus in samples over a much longer period of time than is possible with current direct-detection assays. The tests allow researchers to detect specific antibodies (IgM and IgG) in blood samples. The EUROIMMUN antibody detection test kits can be run on fully automated analyzers, allowing researchers to work with large volumes of samples to better understand the virus.

) Anti-Zika Virus ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) test formats in the U.S. to enable serological detection of the Zika virus in research applications. The kits can differentiate between Zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses. These tests also enable researchers to detect the virus in samples over a much longer period of time than is possible with current direct-detection assays. The tests allow researchers to detect specific antibodies (IgM and IgG) in blood samples. The EUROIMMUN antibody detection test kits can be run on fully automated analyzers, allowing researchers to work with large volumes of samples to better understand the virus. Artron Lab's One Step Zika IgG/IgM Antibody Test detects for the presence of antibodies against the Zika virus.

The UK-based Primerdesign team has accelerated their molecular Zika virus detection kit into a CE-IVD marking program. The kit is available for Research Use Only (RUO) now and should be available in a CE-IVD format in the first quarter of 2017.

In the US, the FDA stands ready to work interactively with medical product developers to clarify regulatory and data requirements necessary to move products forward in development as quickly as possible.

The World Market for Infectious Disease Tests contains detailed market estimates and forecasts for identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing, immunoassays, molecular testing and blood screening. POC and home testing markets for infectious disease are also provided. Specific market details provided include ID/AST test market by type (Auto ID/AST Systems, Manual ID/AST Systems, Blood Culture, Chromogenic Media, Rapid Micro), infectious disease ID/AST sales by region  North America, Western Europe, Japan, China, India, Latin America, ROW (2015-2020), ID/AST leader market shares, infectious disease immunoassays by type (lab-based, POC, home testing), laboratory infectious disease immunoassays sales by disease (Hepatitis, HIV, Mycology, Parasitology, Respiratory, Sepsis, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, ToRCH, Others), infectious disease immunoassay sales by region  North America, Western Europe, Japan, China, India, Latin America, ROW (2015-2020), infectious disease immunoassays market share, infectious disease molecular sales by region  North America, Western Europe, Japan, China, India, Latin America, ROW (2015-2020), infectious disease blood screening sales by type  Immunoassays/NAT, infectious disease blood screening sales by region  North America, Western Europe, Japan, China, India, Latin America, ROW (2015-2020), and infectious disease blood screening test market shares.

Infectious diseases are also the frequent target of novel technology applications including PCR-alternative molecular amplification methods, next-generation sequencing (NGS), microarrays, and mass spectrometry. Advancements in instrument automated analysis and microfluidics have allowed for the proliferation of infectious disease testing across settings and institutions  from traditional sites such as reference labs through physician office laboratories (POLs) and mobile clinics in the developing world.

Sales and forecasts of infectious disease reagents are made through to 2020. Emerging products and markets are described; key players and strategies discussed and competitive trends are analyzed.

The World Market for Infectious Disease Diagnostic Tests can be found at Kalorama Information: http://www.kaloramainformation.com/Infectious-Disease-Diagnostic-9367616/.

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
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Kalray, a leading provider of acceleration solutions for data centers, will demonstrate a complete NVMeOF (Non-Volatile Memory express over Fabrics) chain from compute node to remote NVMe SSDs with SK Hynix, a leading manufacturer of DRAM, flash memory and SSDs, at the Flash Memory Summit. The remote storage system will be built around 13 SKHMS M.2 PCIe Carriers integrating 4 SKHMS PE3110 SSDs each and 6 Kalray smartNIC KONIC-80 equipped with Kalray's MPPA2-256 "Bostan" High Speed I/O Processor. The Flash Memory Summit is taking place at the Santa Clara Convention Center, in Santa Clara, Calif., from August 8-11. SK Hynix and Kalray will be exhibiting respectively at booth #107 and #908.

Data center storage is going through a major disruption with the massive introduction of SSDs, which have much lower latency than HDDs. SSD usage is putting tremendous pressure on the system to drastically decrease the latency in the transport of data, as well as in the controller itself. The NVMe protocol has been developed to take advantage of the random access property of SSDs and is already well established. The second step is to introduce, before the end of the year, innovative solutions based on the NVMeOF protocol, which carries NVMe commands and data over Ethernet using RDMA protocol (Remote Direct Memory Access) such as RoCEv2 (RDMA over Converged Ethernet).

"We have ported the RoCEv2 protocol from our partner 6WIND on our SmartNIC, the KONIC80, recently introduced in the market, which makes it, with the addition of the NVMe Direct capability already available, an ideal solution for remote low latency SSD storage," said Eric Baissus, Kalray's CEO.

"This demonstration is a major step toward the goal of introducing NVMeOF solutions as soon as possible by demonstrating a full NVMeOF chain from initiator down to SSD going through Ethernet with the active collaboration of two major players in this market," said Vice President SooHwan Choi, Head of the NAND Product Planning Office at SK Hynix.

SK Hynix's 1TB NVMe enterprise SSD is based on its own 2nd generation 3D NAND Flash and in-house controller. This cutting-edge 3D NAND based NVMe SSD supports PCIe Gen 3x4 lanes, providing higher bandwidth and lower latency to process data far quicker than SATA SSDs. Presented in a M.2 form factor, the product is ideal for open cloud servers and in compliance with OCS (Open Cloud Server) v2.1. In addition, since most of the datacenter servers presented lately by OCP (Open Compute Project) have installed PCIe NVMe SSDs, the importance of NVMe SSDs in the market is expected to increase gradually. The SSD operates at 1700MB/s with 750MB/s of sequential read/write and runs a random read/write at 160,000 IOPS and 30,000 IOPS.

Kalray's unique industry solutions deliver these SmartNIC storage functions at sub-30W power consumption, while having the capability to simultaneously implement any type of processing required in storage applications, such as logical volume management, deduplication, encryption, compression and erasure coding  all in standard C/C++ software.

The company is planning to introduce a complete family of NVMeOF storage solutions including a SmartNIC with NVMe Direct capability but also an integrated low cost NVMe SSD controller capable of 3.2 MIOPS @ 4Kb data at 10s latency, by the end of the year. These unique solutions can be found installed in data centers as early as Q1, 2017.

The solutions are all powered by Kalray's MPPA2-256 "Bostan" High Speed I/O Processor, which has a powerful architecture by connecting high speed I/O interfaces such as 2 x 40GbE and 2 x 8-lanes PCIe Gen3 directly to a large matrix of 256 computing cores, 16 system cores, 16 master cores all C/C++ programmable and 128 crypto co-processors.

About Kalray

Kalray Inc., is a fabless semiconductor company and pioneer in many-core processor solutions. Its innovative MPPA architecture uniquely delivers high-speed I/O processing, enabling real-time acceleration for cloud applications in security, networking and storage. For more information, visit http://www.kalrayinc.com

About SK Hynix

SK Hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world's top tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips (DRAM), Flash memory chips (NAND Flash) and CMOS Image Sensors (CIS) for a wide range of customers globally. The company's shares are traded on the Korean Exchange and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxemburg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK Hynix is available at www.skhynix.com

Press Contact

Sacha Arts

Bella Vista Communications

[email protected]

+1 408-458-6316

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160203/329978LOGO

SOURCE Kalray Inc.

Related Links

http://www.kalrayinc.com


WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Russian Federation has submitted the Declaration of Mr. Dmitry Gololobov in the Yukos case before the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia: Hulley Enterprises Ltd., Yukos Universal Ltd., Veteran Petroleum Ltd. v. The Russian Federation, 14-CV-1996 (D.D.C.).

Mr. Gololobov is the first key Yukos insider to come forward to speak in specific detail about the billion-dollar bribery scheme run by the former majority shareholders (the "Oligarchs") of Yukos. Mr. Gololobov has lived in London, England, since 2004, and did not agree to testify regarding his former employers' criminal activities until 2016.

Mr. Gololobov served as Yukos Deputy General Counsel and was a member of the Oligarchs' inner circle from 1995 to 2004. During that time, he learned firsthand how the Oligarchs rigged the Russian government's "loans-for-shares" auctions in 1995 and 1996 to illegally acquire ownership of Yukos.

As Mr. Gololobov testifies, his former employers were able to manipulate the privatization, in part, by promising kickbacks to the government-appointed managers (the "Red Directors") charged with administering part of the "loans-for-shares" privatization process. The Red Directors were promised 15 percent of the proceeds of any sale tied to the oligarchs' Yukos shares. Based on the price of Yukos shares, this could have amounted to between one and two billion U.S. dollars. Bank records show that at least hundreds of millions of dollars were ultimately paid under this corrupt agreement.

Andrey Kondakov, the Director General of the International Center for Legal Protection, which was formed by the Russian Federation to fight this case, said, "Mr. Gololobov's testimony represents another step forward. It confirms the corruption, fraud and bribery perpetrated by the Oligarchs at the expense of the Russian people and it validates the position that the Russian Federation has maintained throughout the Yukos case  that the Oligarchs' arguments are just lies about lies."

In fact, Mr. Gololobov's testimony chronicles the web of fraud and deception that the Oligarchs wove before, during and after their tenure at Yukos. Between 2001 and 2003, for example, the Oligarchs did not disclose material information to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and U.S. investors when they sold American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) for Yukos on U.S. securities markets. At the same time, the Oligarchs concealed information from their own U.S.-based lawyers and accountants for fear of disclosing too much regarding past illegal activities, which would have precluded the ADR sale.

As Mr. Gololobov notes in his testimony:

"One of the key questions  was how to conceal the Oligarchs' illegal activities in 1995 and 1996 (which we referred to as the 'old sins'), while still providing enough detail in the registration statements to satisfy the SEC."

These revelations demonstrate that U.S. investors were ultimately defrauded and tricked into buying property which the Oligarchs obtained through collusive bidding and corruption from the Russian people. Under the Russian Presidential Decree establishing the "loans-for-shares" program such collusive bidding rendered the transfer of shares null and void. The U.S. investors later lost billions after the Oligarchs' corrupt schemes (including their well-documented tax evasion) collapsed.

The Russian Federation will continue to use all legal avenues to prevent the Oligarchs from extracting any further money from the Russian people. Notably:

In April 2016 , the District Court of The Hague annulled the Oligarchs' arbitration awards based on the fact that the Russian Federation never ratified the international treaty under which they were rendered, the Energy Charter Treaty. This judgment deprived the arbitration awards of all legal effect. The Oligarchs have indicated their intent to appeal this Dutch judgment, and the Russian Federation will oppose the appeal.

, the District Court of annulled the Oligarchs' arbitration awards based on the fact that the never ratified the international treaty under which they were rendered, the Energy Charter Treaty. This judgment deprived the arbitration awards of all legal effect. The Oligarchs have indicated their intent to appeal this Dutch judgment, and the will oppose the appeal. Despite the annulment in The Hague , the Oligarchs have refused to drop their parallel lawsuits against the Russian Federation in Belgium , France , the United Kingdom , and the United States. During the past two weeks, however, the Oligarchs have dropped their lawsuits in Germany and India .

For media inquires, please contact:

Ruchika Budhraja at [email protected] or (202) 350-6657

Liz Sternby at [email protected] or (202) 551-9851

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160808/396438LOGO

SOURCE International Center for Legal Protection
LANSING, Mich., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Liquid Web, a $90 million web hosting and cloud services provider devoted to delighting customers, today announced it has signed an agreement to purchase Rackspace (NYSE: RAX) Cloud Sites business unit, which will remain in San Antonio.

Users of the Cloud Sites platform, who include designers, developers and digital agencies, should expect a seamless transition as Liquid Web and Rackspace work together to complete the transaction. In fact, Liquid Web plans to invest in developing innovative solutions on the Cloud Sites platform to better serve these savvy, skilled professionals who are dependent on a highly available and reliable hosting provider.

With its relentless focus on customer experience, Liquid Web ruthlessly designs its services to work for rapidly growing businesses living, building and creating on the web and in the cloud. Backed by Liquid Web's impeccable customer support, Cloud Sites will provide an all-in-one technology platform designed for high-traffic websites with easy scalability. The Cloud Sites platform-as-a-service (PaaS) product significantly augments Liquid Web's already premium portfolio, and adds capabilities to further simplify web hosting and cloud services. The Cloud Sites platform supports WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, .NET, PHP, and other development and production environments customers desire.

"With the addition of Cloud Sites, we further our mission to empower web professionals all over the world to create content and commerce without worry, free of problems and devoid of even one bit of hesitation by providing absolutely flawless web hosting," said Liquid Web CEO Jim Geiger. "Unfortunately, our industry is trending toward unsupported services, which leaves fast-growing developers, digital agencies and designers alone, without a real person to turn to when they really need help. However, at Liquid Web, day-in and day-out our people stand behind the creators of content and commerce and we're going to continue to stand behind those businesses who rely on the web and cloud. Our job is to delight and every single human being in our company is empowered to do so. Each of them has a relentless devotion to simplifying how our customers experience web hosting and cloud services."

With the acquisition of Cloud Sites, Liquid Web will grow to approximately 550 employees and 30,000 customers globally. The addition of Cloud Sites supports Liquid Web's mission to heroically empower web professionals worldwide. The company plans to invest in the Cloud Sites platform, employees and overall business. Given the clear shift in how customers want to consume web services, for example the mass adoption of easy-to-use, open-source content management systems like WordPress or commerce platforms like Magento, Liquid Web aims to continually improve the usability and reliability of the systems behind those services.

"Our No. 1 priority is making this a seamless transition for everyone involved, most importantly our customers and new team members," said Mr. Geiger. "We are committed to investing and growing the current business with plans to have the Cloud Sites team firmly rooted in San Antonio. Our goal is to be a preferred technology employer in San Antonio, while also being an engaged corporate citizen."

"As Rackspace continues to focus on delivering expertise and Fanatical Support for the world's leading clouds, and serving more enterprise customers, it made sense for us to sell the Cloud Sites business unit to Liquid Web," said Matt Bradley, vice president, corporate development and strategy, at Rackspace. "Through the transaction, we are also pleased to welcome Liquid Web to the Rackspace Partner Network as an email reseller."

About Liquid Web

Liquid Web delivers reliable, highly-available, secure and hassle-free hosting fueled by our Heroic Support. The company empowers its employees to go above and beyond to make life easier for professionals who create the content and commerce on the ever-changing web  so they can focus on the work they love. Liquid Web offers a broad portfolio designed so customers can choose their own adventure whether it is hands-on or hands-off or a hybrid of the two. The company owns and manages its own data centers providing a broad portfolio of offerings ranging from bare metal servers to managed WordPress and continues to evolve its service offerings to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers. With over 30,000 customers spanning 150 countries, the company has assembled a world-class team, global data centers and an expert group of 24/7/365 solution engineers. As an industry leader in customer service* with a 98 percent satisfaction rating, the rapidly expanding company has been recognized among INC Magazine's 5000 Fastest Growing Companies for the last ten years. Liquid Web is part of the Madison Dearborn Partners family of companies. Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC ("MDP") is a leading private equity investment firm based in Chicago. For more information, please visit www.liquidweb.com, follow us on Twitter @LiquidWeb, or read our blog posts at http://www.liquidweb.com/blog.

*Q2 Net Promoter Score of 74

Contact: Michelle Del Rio

408-380-7007

[email protected]



SOURCE Liquid Web

Related Links

http://www.liquidweb.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- To raise awareness of the importance of sustainable wood sourcing, Martin Guitar has announced it is teaming up with the Rainforest Alliance on a public engagement campaign, #FollowTheFrog. The multi-phase campaign, which launches today, will use Martin's social media platforms, Martin Ambassador James Valentine of Maroon 5, and public events to drive attention to Martin's longstanding commitment to the environment and its collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance for over two decades to protect precious forests through the practices of responsible forest management.

The multi-faceted Martin Guitar activities kick off the next Rainforest Alliance annual Follow the Frog campaign, which engages companies and consumers in the sustainability mission and communicates the positive impact of products that carry the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal. Martin Guitar is proud to begin its engagement with #FollowTheFrog today and will launch the 2nd phase in early 2017, when the Rainforest Alliance will commence its 30th anniversary year with full global Follow the Frog activation.

As part of the campaign, Martin will chronicle the manufacturing of a guitar, certified by the Rainforest Alliance for meeting the strict standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC-certified guitars must comply with the most rigorous social and environmental standards on the market, including using woods from forests where ecosystems, wildlife and communities are protected.

Martin Guitar's multiple social media platforms and corporate website will allow people to #FollowTheFrog throughout the journey of the instrument's production, from conception to the final stage of adorning it with the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal, featuring the organization's iconic tree frog inside the guitar.

When ready in early 2017, the finished guitar will be given to Martin Ambassador James Valentine, lead guitarist of the multi-platinum selling rock band Maroon 5, who will lead Phase 2 of the Martin Guitar #FollowTheFrog campaign, which will serve as an exciting key element of the global Rainforest Alliance Follow the Frog campaign.

"Martin has been deeply committed to environmental responsibility in a variety of ways for many decades, but as the world's premiere manufacturer of acoustic guitars, wood sustainability is of particular concern for us," said Chris Martin IV, Chairman and CEO, Martin Guitar. "It's important to us and it's important to our customers that we operate in a way that ensures we will have healthy forests around the world for many generations to come. We're proud to team up with an organization as respected as the Rainforest Alliance to help us continue to achieve this mission."

"By working with collaborating companies like Martin Guitar, who share our vision, we are able to promote the responsible management of forests to benefit communities, wildlife and the environment," said Nigel Sizer, President of the Rainforest Alliance. "The Martin Guitar #FollowTheFrog campaign is a wonderful way for people to get an inside look at what it really means to source wood responsibly, in a way that helps people and the planet. With the global challenges of climate change and deforestation we currently face, sustainable wood sourcing has never been more important."

The first phase of the campaign will feature special messaging on both Martin Guitar's and the Rainforest Alliance's digital platforms, as well as informational booths hosted by the Rainforest Alliance and Martin Guitar at key music festivals. To learn more about the campaign, please visit www.martinguitar.com/followthefrog.

About Martin Guitar & Martin Strings

C.F. Martin & Co. (www.martinguitar.com) has been creating the finest instruments in the world for 183 years. It continues to innovate, introducing techniques and features that have become industry standards, including X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar and the "Dreadnought" size. One of the world's leading acoustic instrument makers, Martin guitars are hand-made by skilled craftsmen and women, who use a combination of new design and techniques, along with those introduced by the company founder.

The company is also known for producing high-quality, popular acoustic guitar strings. These include the successful Martin SP LIFESPAN the fastest-growing treated string in the industry, the exciting new Retro Strings line played and loved by Tony Rice and Laurence Juber and the Martin SP line, which uses an industry leading core wire to hold tunings better.

Martin guitars and Martin strings are the instruments and strings of choice for musicians around the world, from the icons of rock, pop, country, folk and bluegrass to those just beginning their careers. They can be seen across all segments of pop culture, from television to movies, Broadway, books, online, and gracing the covers of popular magazines on newsstands everywhere. Connect with Martin and Martin Strings on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube and via www.martinguitar.com and www.martinstrings.com.

FSC C008304

ABOUT THE RAINFOREST ALLIANCE

The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization that has worked for nearly 30 years around the world to conserve forests and natural resources while advancing sustainable livelihoods. The Rainforest Alliance collaborates with foresters, farmers, businesses and workers to build healthy communities, protect habitat, and rebalance the Earth, working towards the vision of a world where planet and people prosper together. To learn more about the Rainforest Alliance, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

SOURCE C. F. Martin & Co.

Related Links

http://www.martinguitar.com


SAN DIEGO, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mast Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: MSTX), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel, clinical-stage therapies for sickle cell disease and heart failure, today reported that it received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke (NINDS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant will support investigation of the Company's lead product candidate, vepoloxamer, in combination with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in experimental models of embolic stroke. Mast will collaborate on the grant with leading stroke researchers at the Neuroscience Institute at Henry Ford Health System.

"Acute stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and represents an important unmet medical need. We are excited about the potential for vepoloxamer in this indication and gratified that the NINDS has awarded us this grant to further its development," stated Brian M. Culley, Chief Executive Officer of Mast Therapeutics.

"Our initial data suggest vepoloxamer accelerates opening of occluded vessels and expands the therapeutic window for treatment with tPA in experimental models of acute stroke," stated R. Martin Emanuele, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Development of Mast Therapeutics and Principal Investigator of the study to be supported by the SBIR grant. "This grant will further understanding of these potential benefits of vepoloxamer with an eye toward future clinical studies," continued Dr. Emanuele.

About Mast Therapeutics

Mast Therapeutics, Inc. is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company headquartered in San Diego, California. The Company is developing two clinical-stage investigational new drugs for serious or life-threatening diseases and conditions. Vepoloxamer, the Company's lead product candidate, is in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of vaso-occlusive crisis in patients with sickle cell disease and in Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of patients with heart failure. Enrollment in the Company's 388-patient Phase 3 study of vepoloxamer in patients with sickle cell disease, known as the EPIC study, was completed earlier this year. Enrollment in the Company's Phase 2 study of vepoloxamer in patients with chronic heart failure is ongoing. AIR001, the Company's second product candidate, is in Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Enrollment in Phase 2 studies of AIR001 in patients with HFpEF are ongoing, including a 100-patient, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 study in patients with HFpEF being conducted by the Heart Failure Clinical Research Network. More information can be found on the Company's web site at www.masttherapeutics.com. (Twitter: @MastThera)

Mast Therapeutics and the corporate logo are trademarks of Mast Therapeutics, Inc.

About the SBIR Grant

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in research and development that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. The grant to Mast Therapeutics (Award Number R43NS098822) was awarded by the National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke of the NIH. The research to be conducted by this grant is solely the responsibility of Mast Therapeutics and the study investigators and any reported outcomes do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

Forward Looking Statements

Mast Therapeutics cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on the Company's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," among others, and include, but are not limited to, statements relating to prospects for successful development of vepoloxamer as a treatment for stroke. There are a number of factors that could cause or contribute to material differences between actual events or results and the expectations indicated by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the inherent uncertainty of outcomes in ongoing and future studies of the Company's product candidates and the risk that vepoloxamer may not demonstrate adequate safety, efficacy or tolerability in one or more such studies; risks associated with the Company's ability to manage operating expenses and obtain additional capital as needed; the Company's potential inability to continue as a going concern if it does not raise sufficient additional capital as needed; the risk that the Company may be required to repay its outstanding debt obligations on an accelerated basis and/or at a time that could be detrimental to its financial condition, operations and/or business strategy, including the prepayment of $10 million of the principal balance of its debt facility if results from the EPIC study are not positive and/or not available on or before October 14, 2016; the potential for the Company to significantly delay, reduce or discontinue current and/or planned development and commercial-readiness activities or sell or license its assets at inopportune times if it is unable to raise sufficient additional capital as needed; delays in the commencement or completion of clinical studies, including as a result of difficulties in obtaining regulatory agency agreement on clinical development plans or clinical study design, opening trial sites, enrolling study subjects, manufacturing sufficient quantities of clinical trial material, being subject to a "clinical hold," and/or suspension or termination of a clinical study, including due to patient safety concerns or lack of funding; the potential that, even if clinical studies of a product candidate in one indication are successful, clinical and nonclinical studies in another indication may not be successful; the Company's dependence on third parties to assist with important aspects of development of its product candidates, including conduct of its clinical studies and supply and manufacture of clinical trial material, and, if approved, commercial product, and the risk that such third parties may fail to perform as expected, leading to delays in product candidate development or approval or inability to meet market demand for approved products, if any; the risk that, even if the Company successfully develops a product candidate in one or more indications, it may not realize commercial success and may never achieve profitability; the risk that the Company is not able to obtain and maintain effective patent coverage or other market exclusivity protections for its products, if approved, without infringing the proprietary rights of others; and other risks and uncertainties more fully described in the Company's press releases and periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available at www.sec.gov.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date when made. Mast Therapeutics does not intend to revise or update any forward-looking statement set forth in this press release to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof, except as may be required by law.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120612/LA22456LOGO-a

SOURCE Mast Therapeutics, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.masttherapeutics.com


LONDON, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Profiles, R&D and Revenue Forecasting for Leading Syringe, Injector and Component Producers and Contract Manufacturers (CMOs); Analysis of Products Including Glass and Plastic Syringes, Cartridges, Pen Injectors, Autoinjectors, Safety Systems and Accessories; Assessment of Companies Specialising in Ready-to-Fill Drug Delivery Systems for Vaccines, Insulin and Biological Drugs

Pre-Filled Syringes and Related Drug Delivery - Discover Leading Companies' Revenue Potentials

How are companies in the pre-filled syringe industry performing? Visiongain's new report gives you data, analysis and discussions for producers of those drug delivery devices.

Our study lets you assess companies in the pre-filled (ready-to-fill) syringe industry and market, showing you their prospects to 2026. There you see financial results, opinion, trends, opportunities and sales predictions.

That way you discover potentials of established and rising companies. Read on, please, to scan those organisations and see what their future market could be worth.

To see a report overview please email Sara Peerun on [email protected]

Forecasts and discussions to help you stay ahead in knowledge and authority

Our new study assesses 25 top companies - and analyses that overall industry - with sales results, revenue forecasts and growth rates. In our 230 page report you gain 86 tables, 30 charts and a research interview.

You also get qualitative analyses, including research and development. Our work lets you assess the most beneficial and lucrative applications of those drug delivery technologies. There you see opportunities for producers of medical injection devices and manufacturers of biologics, insulins and vaccines.

That way you stay ahead in knowledge of the industry and market for these medical devices, helping your influence. You explore leading developers, producers and marketers of these products:

 Plastic and glass pre-filled syringes

 Pen injectors and autoinjectors, including insulin delivery

 Related components and safety systems, including needles, shields, Luer fitments, plungers and tip caps

 Contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs) providing filling services for pre-filled injection devices (syringes and cartridges).

The following sections describe how our new investigation helps your work.

Company profiles - discover why firms succeed, also exploring their prospects

Our report profiles 25 leading companies worldwide across four segments of the pre-filled injection devices market. The content of each discussion differs, depending on the company. In general a profile contains the following information:

 Overview of the firm, showing its place in the pre-filled injection devices field

 Discussion of the company's product or service portfolio, including clients

 Analysis of the player's recent financial performance, esp. relevant sales

 Coverage of developments - e.g. acquisitions, R&D, expansions, launches and collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry

 Prospects of the company - strengths over competitors and opportunities

 Prediction of revenue for the period 2016-2026 (for 10 companies).

Our survey shows how product and service demand changed in recent years, as well as explaining how those needs can develop from 2016 - rising demand.

Prospects for leading pre-filled syringe manufacturers

Our study gives you discussions and financial analyses for developers and producers of pre-filled injection devices - these five leaders and other firms:

 Becton, Dickinson & Co. (BD)

 Gerresheimer

 Schott

 Nipro

 Ompi.

There you discover what the future holds for those medical device companies, seeing how they compare and compete. You find where the best prospects for business exist.

Suppliers and users of pre-filled injection systems will benefit from 2016. Next, our work analyses developers, producers and providers of associated technology.

Outlooks for manufacturers of pre-filled syringe components

The report shows you developments and revenue prospects for leading producers of syringe components and related accessories, including these companies:

 Aptar Stelmi

 Datwyler Holding

 West Pharmaceutical Services.

In our study you explore opportunities for companies making injection safety systems, plungers, needle shields, caps and related products.

Our work shows you where sales growth can occur. Many opportunities remain, with expanding revenues likely from 2016 to 2026. See what is possible.

Potentials of leading pen injector and autoinjector producers

In our study you also see commercial outlooks for top manufacturers of pen injectors and autoinjectors, including these companies:

 Haselmeier

 Owen Mumford

 SHL Group

 Ypsomed.

There you assess product portfolios, strategies and revenue prospects. You also investigate associated organisations and competition. Our work shows you possibilities for advancing technologies and raising sales.

Contract manufacturers in that parenteral drug delivery

Our work also assesses contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs) in that field. There you explore these production service providers and others:

 Catalent

 Hospira One2One

 Vetter Pharma.

That way you assess the capabilities and outlooks of healthcare CMOs in that field. You also scan applications for biological drugs (biologics), lyophilisation and dual-chamber syringes, among other advances.

Value of that market in 2020 - what sales growth is possible and why?

Our analysis predicts overall world revenues for those pre-filled injection devices - the drug delivery technology - will reach $6940m in 2020. Those sales will expand further to 2026, showing strong revenue growth. Many opportunities remain.

Greater use of biologics and vaccines raise demand for parenteral delivery systems. Many opportunities exist, especially for plastic syringes, polymers and ready-to-use containment of labile drugs and other complex pharmaceuticals. Our study explains.

What about applications? Rising incidence of diabetes and expansion of the home healthcare market stimulate demand for pre-filled injection products. Explore what is possible, staying ahead. In our study you see what those companies' futures hold.

5 ways Medical Device Leader Series: Top Pre-Filled Injection Device Manufacturers 2016-2026 helps your work

In particular our new investigation gives you this knowledge to benefit your research, analyses, plans and presentations:

 Profiles of 25 leading companies - assess their products, technologies, activities, partnerships, developments and results

 Forecast revenue to 2026 for that overall market at world level - discover expected sales rises for pre-filled drug delivery devices and services

 Predicted revenues for top companies - see potential sales to 2026 for 10 leading participants

 Competition and opportunities - explore what affects that industry, seeing forces that influence its sales and determine its future

 Opinion from an interview with a leading company - gain insight to help you stay ahead in knowledge, benefiting your reputation for insight.

That study, by our in-house analysts in the UK, has the purpose of helping your work. There you gain data and insight you find nowhere else, to help you succeed.

Independent analysis to benefit your authority on pre-filled drug delivery

Our work gives independent analysis. There you receive business intelligence found only in that report, seeing where technological and financial prospects are most rewarding, as well as companies' potentials from 2016 to 2026.

With our study you are less likely to fall behind in knowledge or miss opportunity. See how you could benefit your research, analyses and decisions, also saving time and gaining in authority. Explore that industry's future, seeing what is possible and how you can gain.

Our new investigation is for everyone assessing the industry and market for drug delivery by injection. There you find data, trends, opportunities and forecasts. Avoid missing out. Benefit in knowledge and influence by requesting our report now.

To see a report overview please email Sara Peerun on [email protected]

To request a report overview of this report please emails Sara Peerun at [email protected] or call Tel: +44 (0) 20 7336 6100

Or click on https://www.visiongain.com/Report/1704/Medical-Device-Leader-Series-Top-Pre-Filled-Injection-Device-Manufacturers-2016-2026

Organisations Mentioned in the Report

AbbVie

Actavis (formerly Watson Pharmaceuticals)

AdvalTech

Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria (ANVISA) [Brazil]

Albany Molecular Research (AMRI)

AluPlast

Amcor Glass Tubing (part of Nipro)

American Stelmi (part of Aptar Stelmi)

Amgen

Amylin Pharmaceuticals

Antares Pharma

Apax Partners

Aptar Stelmi (part of Aptargroup)

AptarGroup

Aptuit

AstraZeneca

B. Braun Medical

Balda Group (part of Ompi)

Baxter BioPharma Solutions (part of Baxter)

Baxter International

Bayer

BD Medico

Becton, Dickinson & Co. (BD)

Berlin-Chemie (part of Menarini Group)

Berry Plastics Group

Bespak Injectables

Biocon

Biogen Idec

Bionime

Blackstone Group

Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim BioXcellence

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Cambridge Consultants

CAPS (Central Admixture Pharmacy Services)

Cardinal Health

Cardium Therapeutics

CareFusion

Carl Zeiss Foundation

Carmel Pharma

Catalent Pharma Solutions

CeifiT

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [US]

Centor

Clere (part of Ompi)

Columbia Engineered Rubber

ConnectMeSmart GmbH

Consort Medical

Corning

Crucell Spain

Daikyo Seiko

Datwyler Holding

Debiopharm Group

Diagenode

Disetronic Group (part of Roche)

Dong-A Pharmaceutical

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories

DS WorldMed

Duoject

DuPont

Elcam Medical

Eli Lilly

European Commission

European Medicines Agency (EMA)

Euticals

Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks

Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [US]

Fresenius

Future Injection Technologies

Gadea Pharmaceutical Group

Genentech (part of Roche)

Genovi Pharmaceuticals Limited

Gerresheimer

Gerresheimer item (part of Gerresheimer)

GSK

Hankook Sealtech

Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co

Haselmeier

HealthPrize

HEKUMA

Hospira

Hospira One2One (part of Hospira)

Hyaluron Contract Manufacturing (HCM, part of AMRI)

Incepta Pharmaceuticals

Injectronics

Insulet

J&J

Jabil Circuit

Janssen Biotech (part of J&J)

Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA)

Laboratorios Farmaceuticos ROVI

LifeScan

Lupin Limited

McKesson

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) [UK]

MedImmune (part of AstraZeneca)

Medimop Medical Projects (part of West Pharmaceutical Services)

Medtronic

Menarini Group

Merck & Co.

Merck KGaA

MG Sterile Products (part of Nipro)

MGlas (part of Nipro)

Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) [Japan]

Montagu Private Equity

NanoPass Technologies

Nemera

Neutral Glass and Allied Industries

Nipro

Nipro Europe (part of Nipro)

Nipro Glass (part of Nipro)

Nipro Medical (part of Nipro)

Novartis

Novo Nordisk

Nuova Ompi (Formerly Ompi, Italian part of Stevanato Group)

Nycomed (part of Takeda)

Nypro

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) [US]

Ompi

Ompi of America (part of Stevanato Group)

Ompi of Brazil

Ompi of China

Optrel (part of Stevanato Group)

Origom

Osu Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing

Oval Medical

Owen Mumford

PA Consulting Group

Palatin Technologies

PATH

Pema Holding

Pfizer

Pharma-Pen (part of West Pharmaceutical Services)

PharmaTap

Pharmstandard

Phillips Medisize

Plastef Investissements

Polfa Tarchomin

Primequal

Revolutions Medical

Rexam

Roche

Roselabs Group

Roselabs Bioscience (part of Roselabs Group)

Roselabs Polymers (part of Roselabs Group)

ROVI CM (part of Laboratorios Farmaceuticos ROVI)

Rumpler Technologies

Safety Syringes (part of BD)

Sandoz (part of Novartis)

Sanex Packaging Connections

Sanofi

Sanofi Pasteur

Savient Pharmaceuticals

Schering-Plough (part of Merck & Co.)

Schott

Schott Kaisha

Sentry BioPharma Services

Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Company

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical

SHL Group

Smiths Group

Spami (part of Stevanato Group)

Square Pharmaceuticals

Stallergenes

Stelmi Asia (part of Aptar Stelmi)

Stevanato Group

Sungwon Medical

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi)

Taisei Kako

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

The Medical House

The Parker Institute (part of The Parker Foundation)

The Tech Group (part of West Pharmaceutical Services)

ThinFilm

tip-top

Tissue Repair Company (part of Cardium Therapeutics)

Tolmar

Tonghua Dongbao Pharmaceutical

Triveni Polymers

UCB

UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA),

Unilife

US Agency for International Development

Vetter Pharma

Weigao Group Pharmaceutical Packaging Products Company

West Company Mexico

West Pharmaceutical India Packaging Private (part of West Pharmaceutical Services)

West Pharmaceutical Services

Wockhardt

World Health Organization (WHO)

Ypsomed

Zeon Corporation

Zhongding Sealtech

To see a report overview please email Sara Peerun on [email protected]

SOURCE Visiongain Ltd
IRVING, Texas, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Caris Life Sciences, a leading biotechnology company focused on fulfilling the promise of precision medicine, today announced that Memorial Healthcare System, one of the largest public healthcare systems in the nation, has joined the Caris Centers of Excellence for Precision Medicine Network (Network).

"Memorial Healthcare is recognized as one of Florida's leading healthcare systems, and is a national leader in quality care and patient satisfaction. I am very excited to welcome them to the Centers of Excellence Network," said Dr. John Marshall, Chairman of the Network, Professor of Medicine and Oncology at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and Chief of Hematology/Oncology at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. "The Network continues to expand with both academic and community cancer centers collaborating to provide access to the highest quality genomic and proteomic profiling for patients."

As a Network member, Memorial Healthcare System will actively participate in the development of standards of care and best practices for integrating molecular profiling in oncology practice, while also striving to increase widespread adoption and patient access to personalized medicine in clinical settings. Memorial Healthcare System will also leverage Caris' multiple-technology tumor profiling service, Caris Molecular Intelligence, to enable the practice of precision medicine by identifying therapy options and clinical trial opportunities based on the unique characteristics of a patient's tumor.

"We are excited to join the Caris Precision Medicine Network and expand access to premier tumor profiling for patients across Florida," said Dr. Luis E. Raez, Medical Director of Memorial Cancer Institute, the cancer institute of Memorial Health Care System. "We are also eager to join the collective effort of the Network to capture and track protein and genomic information with matched clinical data on a massive level to create a robust genomic foundation and inform guidelines and standards of care for tumor profiling."

Caris Molecular Intelligence, a service that correlates molecular data from a tumor with biomarker and drug associations from the latest clinical and scientific cancer literature, is the key technology platform used across the Network to enable the delivery of precision medicine. This information is used to help inform treatment decisions by identifying therapies that have the potential to be most effective and to rule out those that are less likely to work, based on the unique molecular characteristics of an individual patient's cancer. Caris Molecular Intelligence is a patented and proprietary offering that uses multiple technology platforms combined with sophisticated bioinformatics to develop clinically actionable reports for more than 95,000 patients to date.

About Caris Life Sciences

Founded by David D. Halbert in 2008, Caris Life Sciences is a leading biotechnology company focused on fulfilling the promise of precision medicine through quality and innovation. With more than 95,000 patients profiled, Caris Molecular Intelligence (CMI) the company's patented and proprietary product offering, provides oncologists with the most clinically actionable treatment options available to personalize cancer care today. Caris Molecular Intelligence uses a variety of advanced profiling technologies to assess relevant biological changes in each patient's tumor. CMI then connects the biomarker data generated from the tumor with biomarker-drug associations supported by the evidence and in relevant clinical literature through the Company's proprietary bioinformatics rules engine. Since 2009, Caris Life Sciences has tracked clinical and outcome data for certain patients utilizing CMI, and has observed that patients treated with drugs consistent with CMI's recommendations based upon the patient's tumor profile show a significant increase in overall survival. The company is also developing its ADAPT Biotargeting System, a revolutionary and unbiased profiling platform with applications across therapy development, drug delivery, advanced diagnostics and disease monitoring. Currently being developed for cancer and other complex diseases, the ADAPT Biotargeting System is able to simultaneously measure millions of molecular interactions within complex biological systems in their natural state(s). Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Caris Life Sciences offers services throughout the U.S., Europe, Australia and other international markets. To learn more, please visit www.CarisLifeSciences.com.

About Memorial Healthcare System

Memorial Healthcare System (MHS) is one of the largest public healthcare systems in the country and a national leader in quality care and patient satisfaction. Its facilities include Memorial Regional Hospital, Memorial Regional Hospital South, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Memorial Hospital West, Memorial Hospital Miramar, Memorial Hospital Pembroke and Memorial Manor nursing home. MHS has been recognized as one of Modern Healthcare magazine's "Best Places to Work in Healthcare," Florida Trend's "Florida's Best Companies to Work For," and Becker's Hospital Review's "150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare." For more information, please visit www.mhs.net.

Media Inquiries:

Brian Stengle

Caris Life Sciences

Media Relations & Corporate Affairs

Email

214-294-5606

Memorial Healthcare System

Lourdes Rodriguez-Barrera

Email

954-265-5465

SOURCE Caris Life Sciences

Related Links

http://www.carislifesciences.com


LONDON, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- "An increasing demand for petrochemicals toward the automotive and building & construction industries is driving the demand for methanol"

The market size for methanol is projected to reach USD 54.16 billion by 2021, registering a CAGR of 12.4% between 2016 and 2021. Increasing demand of methanol from the end-use industries, such as automotive and construction is the major driver for methanol market. The automotive and construction industries is growing in the emerging markets of Asia-Pacific such as, China, India, and the other Southeast Asian countries. With the increasing usage of methanol in the production of olefins in some major economies, such as India, China, and Japan, the market is expected to grow further. Hence, the use of methanol is increasing in various end-use industries, and is expected to grow rapidly in the near future.



Automotive is the largest end-use industry for methanol

Methanol is used widely in the automotive industry. Methanol can be blended with gasoline and used in the internal combustion engines of vehicles and aircrafts, with similar efficiency to diesel engines. Earlier, methanol was also used as an anti-freezing agent in the car's cooling system, but then it has been replaced with more effective alternatives such as propylene or ethylene glycol. However, it is still popular as a windshield water fuel.



Asia-Pacific, the largest market for methanol

Asia-Pacific is the most favorable market for chemicals, power, and fuels and is anticipated to be the same in the near future. The continuous rise in the production of methanol for energy consumption within the region and for exports drives a huge demand for the feedstocks. The growing demand for bio-fuels and the rising policies including controlled emission, environment friendly products, has led to innovation and developments in the industry, making Asia-Pacific, a strong methanol derivative, and sub-derivative chemicals hub globally. The excessive growth and modernization along with the industry consolidations are expected to ascertain a bright future for the methanol industry in the region.



This study has been validated through primaries conducted with various industry experts globally. These primary sources have been divided in three categories: by company; by designation; and by region.



- By Company Type  Tier 125%, Tier 233%, and Tier 342%

- By Designation: Managers  37%, Consultants  13%, Directors  10%, and Sales Executive  40%

- By Region  Asia-Pacific  30%, Europe  27%, North America  25%, and Latin America & Middle East & Africa  18%



The report also includes company profiles and competitive strategies adopted by the key market players, such as Methanex Corporation (Canada), SABIC (Saudi Arabia), PETRONAS (Malaysia), Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company (Japan), and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Japan).



Reasons to buy the report:

- To understand the global, regional, and national scenarios

- To understand the market trends and dynamics along with key factors affecting

- To identify the present and upcoming market opportunities

- To identify the potential markets in various regions for methanol

- To track the recent developments in the methanol market

- To understand the competitive background of the industry, and positioning of participants in the market



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3999059/



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


CHANDLER, Ariz., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- (NASDAQ: MCHP) - Microchip Technology Incorporated, a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today reported results for the three months ended June 30, 2016 as summarized in the following table:

(in millions, except earnings per diluted share and percentages) Three Months Ended June 30, 2016

GAAP % of

Net

Sales Non-

GAAP1 % of

Net

Sales Net Sales $799.4

$844.0

Gross Margin $348.5 43.6% $471.1 55.8% Operating (Loss) Income $(59.1) (7.4)% $231.1 27.4% Other Expense $(31.6)

$(19.6)

Income Tax Provision $18.5

$17.6

Net (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations $(109.2) (13.7)% $194.0 23.0% Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share from Continuing Operations (51) Cents

84 Cents

Net Loss from Discontinued Operations $(4.1) (0.5)%



Loss per Diluted Share from Discontinued Operations (2) Cents











1 See the "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this release.

GAAP net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were $799.4 million, up 49.7% from GAAP net sales of $534.0 million in the prior year's first fiscal quarter. GAAP net loss from continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 was $(109.2) million, or (51) cents per diluted share, down from GAAP net income of $130.7 million, or 60 cents per diluted share, in the prior year's first fiscal quarter.

Non-GAAP net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were $844.0 million, up 58.1% from non-GAAP net sales of $534.0 million in the prior year's first fiscal quarter. Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 was $194.0 million, or 84 cents per diluted share, up 30.2% from non-GAAP net income of $148.9 million, or 69 cents per diluted share, in the prior year's first fiscal quarter. For the first quarters of fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, our non-GAAP results exclude the effect of discontinued operations, share-based compensation, expenses related to our acquisition activities (including intangible asset amortization, inventory valuation costs, severance costs, and legal and other general and administrative expenses associated with acquisitions), preclusion of revenue recognition under GAAP for inventory in the distribution channel on the acquisition dates of our acquisitions, revenue recognition changes related to Atmel and Micrel distributors, non-cash interest expense on our convertible debentures, gains on equity securities, the related income tax implications of these items and non-recurring tax events. A reconciliation of our non-GAAP and GAAP results is included in this press release.

Microchip announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of 36.0 cents per share. The quarterly dividend is payable on September 6, 2016 to stockholders of record on August 22, 2016.

"Our June quarter financial results were outstanding. Non-GAAP net sales, gross margin percentage, operating profit percentage, and earnings per share were all above the high end of our guidance from May 4, 2016," said Steve Sanghi, Chairman and CEO. "Our non-GAAP earnings per share were 9.5 cents per share better than the mid-point of our guidance, and up 19.6% sequentially from the March quarter, due to improving sales, gross margin, operating expense leverage, and accretion from both Micrel and Atmel. We achieved excellent results both from our core business at Microchip as well as from the Atmel business."

Mr. Sanghi added, "We achieved all-time record net sales and non-GAAP earnings per share in the June 2016 quarter. We are tracking well ahead of our guidance for non-GAAP earnings per share for fiscal 2017 which we commented on in our May 4, 2016 earnings conference call."

"We achieved strong revenue growth in the microcontroller businesses of both core Microchip and Atmel in the June quarter," said Ganesh Moorthy, President and Chief Operating Officer. "All microcontroller business units for Microchip, as well as for Atmel, outperformed our expectations in the June quarter. Atmel's customers felt reassured about Microchip's plans to continue to support Atmel's microcontroller products going forward and launched their new products with confidence."

Mr. Moorthy added, "Our analog business revenue excluding Atmel, as well as including Atmel were both up nicely in the June quarter as compared to the March quarter. Microchip's vast portfolio of analog products is one of our greatest growth opportunities, as our sales teams and channel partners attach them to Atmel microcontrollers at customers and applications that we otherwise did not have visibility into."

Eric Bjornholt, Microchip's Chief Financial Officer, said, "Our inventory days were well managed during the quarter, and excluding purchase accounting adjustments were 107 days, well within our target model. Additionally, the strength in our business in the June 2016 quarter has our net leverage tracking ahead of schedule to the targets we had previously outlined to our stockholders."

Mr. Sanghi added, "We expect total net sales in the September 2016 quarter including Atmel to be flat to up 4% sequentially. We expect gross margin to be between 55.6% and 56.2%. We expect overall operating expenses from continuing operations to be between 27.2% and 27.9% of net sales, marking another significant reduction in Atmel's operating expenses. We expect operating income from continuing operations to be between 27.7% and 29% of net sales."

Mr. Sanghi concluded, "Based on the rapid integration progress we made in the June quarter, we are increasing the accretion target from Atmel from 25 cents to 40 cents for fiscal 2017."

Microchip's Highlights for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2016:

Expanding on Microchip's industry leading position with LoRa  technology, Microchip released the industry's first LoRa technology evaluation kits. Driven by the LoRa Alliance, LoRa technology is able to achieve a range of up to 10 miles and 10 years of battery life. This kit provides customers with all the required components to create a Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) in Europe or North America .

technology, Microchip released the industry's first LoRa technology evaluation kits. Driven by the LoRa Alliance, LoRa technology is able to achieve a range of up to 10 miles and 10 years of battery life. This kit provides customers with all the required components to create a Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) in or . Microchip launched its lowest-power, most cost-effective PIC32 family with Core Independent Peripherals. The PIC32MM family bridges the gap between the company's popular PIC24F XLP and PIC32MX families and will be ideal for Internet of Things (IoT), consumer, industrial control, and motor control applications.

Microchip introduced a hardware cryptography-enabled 32-bit microcontroller for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The CEC1302 offers customers significant performance improvements over firmware-based security solutions.

Microchip celebrated the major milestone of shipping its two millionth development tool. Microchip's line of development tools has continued to grow and expand and can support nearly any embedded design application using Microchip's microcontrollers, digital signal controllers, or analog components.

Microchip continued to prove that MOST  technology is still a leading standard for automotive infotainment, announcing several new design wins for the technology including announcing its adoption in the General Motors (GM) global compact car platform.

technology is still a leading standard for automotive infotainment, announcing several new design wins for the technology including announcing its adoption in the General Motors (GM) global compact car platform. Registration is now open for Microchip's 20 th annual MASTERs Conference. This year, in partnership with Mouser Electronics, Grant Imahara , will be a special guest speaker. MASTERs will take place from August 17-20, 2016 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Arizona .

annual MASTERs Conference. This year, in partnership with Mouser Electronics, , will be a special guest speaker. MASTERs will take place from August 17-20, 2016 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in . Two new, next-generation Bluetooth  Low Energy (BLE) solutions with an easy-to-use ASCII-style command interface were released from Microchip. The RN4870 and RN4871 modules support the latest Bluetooth 4.2 standard and have embedded scripting capability.

Low Energy (BLE) solutions with an easy-to-use ASCII-style command interface were released from Microchip. The RN4870 and RN4871 modules support the latest Bluetooth 4.2 standard and have embedded scripting capability. Microchip announced a graphical user interface (GUI) composer tool for MPLAB  Harmony. MPLAB Harmony Graphics Composer (MHGC) is a completely free development tool for developing GUIs for all PIC32 microcontrollers through Microchip's Harmony Configurator and MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment.

Harmony. MPLAB Harmony Graphics Composer (MHGC) is a completely free development tool for developing GUIs for all PIC32 microcontrollers through Microchip's Harmony Configurator and MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment. Microchip was listed on Newsweek's Green Rankings as #286 included amongst all the largest companies in the world. This award recognizes Microchip as one of the greenest big companies in the world.

Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2017 Outlook:

The following statements are based on current expectations. These statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially. Due to our recent acquisition of Atmel and the related purchase accounting, we are not able to provide GAAP guidance at this time. We are able to provide the following non-GAAP guidance:



Microchip Consolidated Guidance - Non-GAAP1 Net Sales $844.0 million to $877.8 million Gross Margin2 55.6% to 56.2% Operating Expenses 27.2% to 27.9% Operating Income 27.7% to 29.0% Other Expense $22.0 million to $22.8 million Income Tax Expense 8% to 9% Net Income $192.7 million to $213.2 million Diluted Common Shares Outstanding3 233.4 million shares Earnings per Diluted Share3 83 cents to 91 cents





1 See the "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this release. 2 See Footnote 2 under the "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this release. 3 Earnings per share has been calculated based on the diluted shares outstanding of Microchip on a consolidated basis.

Microchip's inventory days, excluding Atmel, at September 30, 2016 are expected to be flat to down 4 days excluding purchase accounting adjustments. Our actual inventory level will depend on the inventory that our distributors decide to hold to support their customers, overall demand for our products and our production levels.

are expected to be flat to down 4 days excluding purchase accounting adjustments. Our actual inventory level will depend on the inventory that our distributors decide to hold to support their customers, overall demand for our products and our production levels. Capital expenditures, including Atmel, for the quarter ending September 30, 2016 are expected to be approximately $30 million . Capital expenditures for all of fiscal year 2017 are expected to be approximately $141 million . We are continuing to invest in the equipment needed to support the growth of our production capabilities for fast growing new products and technologies.

are expected to be approximately . Capital expenditures for all of fiscal year 2017 are expected to be approximately . We are continuing to invest in the equipment needed to support the growth of our production capabilities for fast growing new products and technologies. We expect net cash generation during the September quarter of $175 million to $200 million prior to the dividend payment, changes in borrowing levels, and any acquisition-related activities.

1 Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Our non-GAAP adjustments, where applicable, include the effect of discontinued operations, share-based compensation, expenses related to our acquisition activities (including intangible asset amortization, inventory valuation costs, severance costs, and legal and other general and administrative expenses associated with acquisitions), preclusion of revenue recognition under GAAP for inventory in the distribution channel on the acquisition dates of our acquisitions, revenue recognition changes related to Atmel and Micrel distributors, non-cash interest expense on our convertible debentures, gains on equity securities, the related income tax implications of these items and non-recurring tax events. Our non-GAAP net sales outlook for the September 2016 quarter reflects accounting for revenue for Atmel distributors on a sell-through basis. Net sales from Atmel's sell-through distributors that the distributors owned as of the acquisition date is not recognized for GAAP purposes. We believe that our disclosure of non-GAAP net sales provides investors with useful information regarding the actual end market demand for our products.





We are required to estimate the cost of certain forms of share-based compensation, including employee stock options, restricted stock units and our employee stock purchase plan, and to record a commensurate expense in our income statement. Share-based compensation expense is a non-cash expense that varies in amount from period to period and is affected by the price of our stock at the date of grant. The price of our stock is affected by market forces that are difficult to predict and are not within the control of management. Our other non-GAAP adjustments are either non-cash expenses or other expenses related to such transactions. Accordingly, management excludes all of these items from its internal operating forecasts and models.





We are using non-GAAP net sales, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross profit percentage, non-GAAP operating expenses in dollars and as a percentage of sales including non-GAAP research and development expenses and non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP operating income (loss), non-GAAP other expense, net, non-GAAP income tax provision (benefit)/tax rate, non-GAAP net income (loss), and non-GAAP diluted earnings (loss) per share which exclude the items noted above, as applicable, to permit additional analysis of our performance.





Management believes these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors because they enhance the understanding of our historical financial performance and comparability between periods. Many of our investors have requested that we disclose this non-GAAP information because they believe it is useful in understanding our performance as it excludes non-cash and other charges that many investors feel may obscure our underlying operating results.





Management uses these non-GAAP measures to manage and assess the profitability of our business. Specifically, we do not consider such items when developing and monitoring our budgets and spending. Our determination of the above non-GAAP measures might not be the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies, and it should not be construed as a substitute for amounts determined in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations associated with using non-GAAP measures, including that they exclude financial information that some may consider important in evaluating our performance. Management compensates for this by presenting information on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis for investors and providing reconciliations of the GAAP and non-GAAP results.



2 Generally, gross margin fluctuates over time, driven primarily by the mix of microcontrollers, mixed-signal products, analog products and memory products sold and licensing revenue; variances in manufacturing yields; fixed cost absorption; wafer fab loading levels; costs of wafers from foundries; inventory reserves; pricing pressures in our non-proprietary product lines; and competitive and economic conditions. Operating expenses fluctuate over time, primarily due to net sales and profit levels.



3 Diluted Common Shares Outstanding can vary for, among other things, the trading price of our common stock, the exercise of options or vesting of restricted stock units, the potential for incremental dilutive shares from our convertible debentures (additional information regarding our share count is available in the investor relations section of our website under the heading "Supplemental Financial Information"), repurchases or issuances of shares of our common stock. The diluted common shares outstanding presented in the guidance table above assumes an average Microchip stock price in the September 2016 quarter of $57.00 per share (however, we make no prediction as to what our actual share price will be for such period or any other period and we cannot estimate what our stock option exercise activity will be during the quarter).

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (in thousands except per share amounts) (Unaudited)









Three months ended



June 30,



2016

2015









Net sales

$ 799,411



$ 533,952

Cost of sales

450,921



224,935

Gross profit

348,490



309,017











Research and development

147,883



84,680

Selling, general and administrative

157,505



66,849

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

80,171



34,612

Special charges, net

22,035



1,557

Operating expenses

407,594



187,698











Operating (loss) income

(59,104)



121,319

Losses on equity method investments

(56)



(177)

Other expense, net

(31,587)



(1,577)











(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes

(90,747)



119,565

Income tax provision (benefit)

18,478



(10,895)

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

(109,225)



130,460

Discontinued operations:







Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes

(5,473)





Income tax benefit

(1,335)





Net loss from discontinued operations

(4,138)















Net (loss) income

(113,363)



130,460

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests





207

Net (loss) income attributable to Microchip Technology

$ (113,363)



$ 130,667











Basic net (loss) income per common share attributable to Microchip Technology stockholders







Net (loss) income from continuing operations

$ (0.51)



$ 0.65

Net loss from discontinued operations

(0.02)





Net (loss) income attributable to Microchip Technology

$ (0.53)



$ 0.65

Diluted net (loss) income per common share attributable to Microchip Technology stockholders







Net (loss) income from continuing operations

$ (0.51)



$ 0.60

Net loss from discontinued operations

(0.02)





Net (loss) income attributable to Microchip Technology

$ (0.53)



$ 0.60











Basic common shares outstanding

214,345



202,232

Diluted common shares outstanding

214,345



216,767













MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands)















ASSETS









June 30,

March 31,

2016

2016

(Unaudited)



Cash and short-term investments $ 601,792



$ 2,446,035

Accounts receivable, net 435,511



290,183

Inventories 518,431



306,815

Assets held for sale 18,398





Other current assets 98,856



53,680

Total current assets 1,672,988



3,096,713









Property, plant & equipment, net 732,816



609,396

Long-term investments 



118,549

Other assets 4,952,952



1,713,225

Total assets $ 7,358,756



$ 5,537,883

















LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY







Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities $ 360,114



$ 198,577

Deferred income on shipments to distributors 213,171



183,432

Total current liabilities 573,285



382,009









Long-term line of credit 1,913,745



1,043,156

Senior convertible debentures 1,227,444



1,216,313

Junior convertible debentures 195,315



193,936

Long-term income tax payable 290,742



111,061

Long-term deferred tax liability 468,563



399,218

Other long-term liabilities 157,113



41,271









Stockholders' equity 2,532,549



2,150,919

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 7,358,756



$ 5,537,883



MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES (in thousands except per share amounts and percentages) (Unaudited)



RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET SALES TO NON-GAAP NET SALES





Three months ended

June 30,

2016

2015 Net sales, as reported $ 799,411



$ 533,952

Distributor revenue recognition adjustment 44,587





Non-GAAP net sales $ 843,998



$ 533,952



RECONCILIATION OF GAAP GROSS PROFIT TO NON-GAAP GROSS PROFIT





Three months ended

June 30,

2016

2015 Gross profit, as reported $ 348,490



$ 309,017

Distributor revenue recognition adjustment, net of product cost 23,416





Share-based compensation expense 7,897



1,657

Manufacturing excursion 800





Acquisition-related restructuring and acquired inventory valuation costs 90,488



543

Non-GAAP gross profit $ 471,091



$ 311,217

Non-GAAP gross profit percentage 55.8 %

58.3 %

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES TO NON-GAAP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES





Three months ended

June 30,

2016

2015 Research and development expenses, as reported $ 147,883



$ 84,680

Share-based compensation expense (17,517)



(7,098)

Acquisition-related and other costs 1,201





Non-GAAP research and development expenses $ 131,567



$ 77,582

Non-GAAP research and development expenses as a percentage of net sales 15.6 %

14.5 %

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES TO NON-GAAP SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES





Three months ended

June 30,

2016

2015 Selling, general and administrative expenses, as reported $ 157,505



$ 66,849

Share-based compensation expense (34,165)



(5,357)

Acquisition-related and other costs (14,946)



(2,174)

Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses $ 108,394



$ 59,318

Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales 12.8 %

11.1 %

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP OPERATING EXPENSES TO NON-GAAP OPERATING EXPENSES





Three months ended

June 30,

2016

2015 Operating expenses, as reported $ 407,594



$ 187,698

Share-based compensation expense (51,682)



(12,455)

Acquisition-related and other costs (13,745)



(2,174)

Amortization of acquired intangible assets (80,171)



(34,612)

Special charges, net (22,035)



(1,557)

Non-GAAP operating expenses $ 239,961



$ 136,900

Non-GAAP operating expenses as a percentage of net sales 28.4 %

25.6 %

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME TO NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME





Three months ended

June 30,

2016

2015 Operating (loss) income, as reported $ (59,104)



$ 121,319

Distributor revenue recognition adjustment 23,416





Share-based compensation expense 59,579



14,112

Manufacturing excursion 800





Acquisition-related restructuring, acquired inventory valuation and other costs 104,233



2,717

Amortization of acquired intangible assets 80,171



34,612

Special charges, net 22,035



1,557

Non-GAAP operating income $ 231,130



$ 174,317

Non-GAAP operating income as a percentage of net sales 27.4 %

32.6 %

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP OTHER EXPENSE, NET TO NON-GAAP OTHER EXPENSE, NET





Three months ended

June 30,

2016

2015 Other expense, net, as reported $ (31,587)



$ (1,577)

Gain on equity securities and equity method investment (468)



(16,064)

Non-cash other expense, net 12,537



11,812

Non-GAAP other expense, net $ (19,518)



$ (5,829)

Non-GAAP other expense, net, as a percentage of net sales (2.3) %

(1.1) %

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT) TO NON-GAAP INCOME TAX PROVISION





Three months ended

June 30,

2016

2015 Income tax provision (benefit), as reported $ 18,478



$ (10,895)

Income tax rate, as reported (20.4)%



(9.1)%

Distributor revenue recognition adjustment 3,566





Share-based compensation expense 20,888



3,532

Manufacturing excursion 295





Acquisition-related restructuring, acquired inventory valuation costs, intangible asset amortization and other costs 11,769



3,038

Special charges, net 6,470



415

Non-cash other expense, net 4,620



4,388

Gain on equity securities and equity method investment (172)





Tax adjustment in accordance with ASC 740-270 (55,215)





Non-recurring tax events 6,877



18,723

Non-GAAP income tax provision $ 17,576



$ 19,201

Non-GAAP income tax rate 8.3 %

11.4 %

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY AND GAAP DILUTED NET (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY STOCKHOLDERS TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY AND NON-GAAP DILUTED NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY STOCKHOLDERS







Three months ended

June 30,

2016

2015

Consolidated

Operations

Continuing

Operations

Discontinued

Operations



Net (loss) income attributable to Microchip Technology, as reported $ (113,363)



$ (109,225)



$ (4,138)



$ 130,667

Noncontrolling interests 











(375)

Discontinued operations 4,138







4,138





Distributor revenue recognition adjustment, net of tax effect 19,850



19,850









Manufacturing excursion, net of tax effect 505



505









Share-based compensation expense, net of tax effect 38,691



38,691







10,580

Acquisition-related restructuring, acquired inventory valuation costs, intangible asset amortization and other costs, net of tax effect 172,635



172,635







34,291

Special charges, net of tax effect 15,565



15,565







1,142

Non-cash other expense, net of tax effect 7,917



7,917







7,424

Gain on equity securities and equity method investment, net of tax effect (296)



(296)







(16,064)

Tax adjustment in accordance with ASC 740-270 55,215



55,215









Non-recurring tax events (6,877)



(6,877)







(18,723)

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Microchip Technology $ 193,980



$ 193,980



$ 0



$ 148,942

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Microchip Technology as a percentage of net sales



23.0 %





27.9 %















Diluted net (loss) income per common share attributable to Microchip Technology stockholders, as reported $ (0.53)



$ (0.51)



$ (0.02)



$ 0.60

Non-GAAP diluted net income per common share attributable to Microchip Technology stockholders $ 0.84



$ 0.84



$ 0.00



$ 0.69

Diluted common shares outstanding, as reported 214,345



214,345



214,345



216,767

Diluted common shares outstanding Non-GAAP 230,670



230,670



230,670



216,253



Microchip will host a conference call today, August 8, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss this release. This call will be simulcast over the Internet at www.microchip.com . The webcast will be available for replay until August 15, 2016.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available at approximately 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) August 8, 2016 and will remain available until 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on August 15, 2016. Interested parties may listen to the replay by dialing 719-457-0820 and entering access code 7634449.

Cautionary Statement:

The statements in this release relating to improving sales, gross margin, operating expense leverage and accretion from Micrel and Atmel, tracking well ahead of our previous provided guidance for non-GAAP earnings per share for fiscal 2017, our plans to continue to support Atmel's microcontroller products, our portfolio of analog products being one of our greatest growth opportunities, our net leverage tracking ahead of schedule, expecting net sales in the September quarter to be flat to up 4% sequentially, expecting gross margin to be between 55.6% and 56.2%, expecting overall operating expenses from continuing operations to be between 27.2% and 27.9%, increasing the accretion target from Atmel from 25 cents to 40 cents for fiscal 2017, that our line of development tools has continued to grow, that our MOST technology is still a leading standard for automotive infotainment, our second quarter fiscal 2017 non-GAAP guidance including net sales, gross margin, operating expenses, operating income, other expense, income tax expense, net income, diluted common shares outstanding, earnings per diluted share, inventory days, capital expenditures for the September 2016 quarter and for all of fiscal 2017, continuing to invest to support the growth of our production capabilities for fast growing new products and technologies, net cash generation, and assumed average stock price in the September 2016 quarter are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to: any economic uncertainty due to monetary policy, political or other issues in the U.S. or internationally, any unexpected fluctuations or weakness in the U.S. and global economies (including China), changes in demand or market acceptance of our products (including Atmel products) and the products of our customers; foreign currency effects on our business; the mix of inventory we hold and our ability to satisfy short-term orders from our inventory; changes in utilization of our manufacturing capacity and our ability to effectively manage our production levels; competitive developments including pricing pressures; the level of orders that are received and can be shipped in a quarter; the level of sell-through of our products through distribution; changes or fluctuations in customer order patterns and seasonality; our ability to successfully integrate the operations and employees, retain key employees and customers and otherwise realize the expected synergies and benefits of our Atmel acquisition; our ability to continue to realize the expected benefits of our other acquisitions; the impact of any other significant acquisitions that we may make; our ability to obtain a sufficient supply of wafers from third party wafer foundries and the cost of such wafers, the costs and outcome of any current or future tax audit or any litigation or other matters involving intellectual property, customers, the Atmel transaction or other issues; our actual average stock price in the September 2016 quarter and the impact such price will have on our share count; fluctuations in our stock price and trading volume which could impact the number of shares we acquire under our share repurchase program and the timing of such repurchases; disruptions in our business or the businesses of our customers or suppliers due to natural disasters (including any floods in Thailand), terrorist activity, armed conflict, war, worldwide oil prices and supply, public health concerns or disruptions in the transportation system; and general economic, industry or political conditions in the United States or internationally.

For a detailed discussion of these and other risk factors, please refer to Microchip's filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. You can obtain copies of Forms 10-K and 10-Q and other relevant documents for free at Microchip's website ( www.microchip.com ) or the SEC's website ( www.sec.gov ) or from commercial document retrieval services.

Stockholders of Microchip are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made. Microchip does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or new information after this August 8, 2016 press release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

About Microchip:

Microchip Technology Incorporated is a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com .

Note: The Microchip name and logo, MOST, MPLAB, and PIC are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the USA and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:

J. Eric Bjornholt -- CFO..... (480) 792-7804

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141115/158835LOGO

SOURCE Microchip Technology Incorporated

Related Links

http://www.microchip.com


CHICAGO, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- These dog days of summer can be long and hot, but nothing beats relaxing with a cold iced tea  until now. Today MillerCoors debuts Easy Tea Co., a lightly-carbonated hard iced tea with a crisp citrus flavor, in select markets.

Over 85 percent1 of all tea poured in America is enjoyed over ice, and Easy Tea brings the familiar refreshment of the classic beverage, but with a nice kick. A distinct departure from sweet tea flavors, Easy Tea is a refined, brisk and less sweet iced tea with 5.0 percent alcohol by volume.

"We're excited to bring people a hard iced tea with just the right amount of sweetness," said Melissa Wagamon, Easy Tea marketing manager. "The name says it all. The simple, yet crisp and citrusy taste of Easy Tea makes it the perfect drink for kicking back and relaxing with a few close friends."

Easy Tea, which will be sold in 24 oz. cans at select liquor and convenience stores, will be available beginning August 1 in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin.

For more information on Easy Tea and other MillerCoors products visit www.millercoors.com/beers/great-beers.

About MillerCoors

Through its diverse collection of storied breweries, MillerCoors brings American beer drinkers an unmatched selection of the highest quality beers, flavored malt beverages and ciders, steeped in centuries of brewing heritage. Miller Brewing Company and Coors Brewing Company offer domestic favorites such as Coors Light, Coors Banquet, Miller Lite and Miller High Life. Tenth and Blake Beer Company, our craft and import division, offers beers such as Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy from sixth-generation Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, and Blue Moon Belgian White from modern craft pioneer Blue Moon Brewing Company, founded in 1995. Tenth and Blake also imports world-renowned beers such as Italy's Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the Czech Republic's Pilsner Urquell and the Netherlands' Grolsch. MillerCoors also operates Crispin Cider Company, an artisanal maker of pear and apple ciders using fresh-pressed American juice, and offers pioneering new brands such as the Redd's Apple and Redd's Wicked Apple franchises, Smith & Forge Hard Cider and Henry's Hard Sodas. MillerCoors seeks to become America's best beer company through an uncompromising promise of quality, a keen focus on innovation and a deep commitment to sustainability. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter through @MillerCoors.

1 NationalIcedTeaDay.com

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160808/396289LOGO

SOURCE MillerCoors

Related Links

http://www.MillerCoors.com


"We are excited to have Allen join the mimik team," stated Siavash Alamouti, President and Chief Executive Officer. Allen is an internationally recognized technologist, distinguished leader, serial entrepreneur and successful investor in the communications, SaaS and pharmaceutical industries. His entire career has been focused on cutting edge technologies with founding and leadership roles in impactful companies like Omninet, Qualcomm, NextWave, and PacketVideo, and startups like OncoSynergy, Virtuosys and Max2 to name a few. He shares our vision of digital freedom and putting people in direct control of their digital lives. I'm confident that his experience as a cutting edge technology entrepreneur and diverse background across industries will add tremendous value in deploying and scaling our distributed micro-cloud technology platform globally in order to revolutionize the way we communicate and put people in control of their digital lives.

Mr. Salmasi commented, "I'm most excited to be joining the mimik Board of Directors and support their impressive team with a game changing technology platform. mimik platform can revolutionize our digital lives which today is fragmented across incompatible networks and operating systems. mimik utilizes the power of any computing device to form an edge based distributed micro-cloud enabling incompatible devices to communicate seamlessly through micro-services. mimik access, as the first application of the platform already addresses many pain points of the casual users and exhibits the power of the platform which I believe will become even more crucial with internet of things. I'll be working with the executive team and the Board to help the company roll out this unique technology globally and across different industry sectors."

About Mr. Salmasi

Allen Salmasi is currently Chairman and CEO of NLabs Inc., a New York-based venture capital firm. Prior to NLabs, he served as chairman and CEO of NextWave Wireless Inc. (NWI), a company he formed in 2005 that was subsequently acquired by AT&T in 2013. NWI was spun-off from NextWave Telecom Inc. (NTI), a company he had founded in 1995 which was acquired by Verizon Wireless in 2005.

Prior to NextWave, Mr. Salmasi was a member of the Board of Directors, President of the Wireless Communications Division, and Chief Strategic Officer of QUALCOMM Inc. between 1988 and 1995. He initiated and led the development of wireless business, including chipset and handset products, licensing and standards programs for CDMA technology. Prior to QUALCOMM, at Omninet Corporation, a company he founded in 1984 and served as its Chairman of the Board and CEO, he envisioned and led the development of the OmniTRACS system and service, the world's first and currently the largest commercial terrestrial mobile satellite communications service. From 1979 to 1984, Mr. Salmasi was employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Mr. Salmasi is also the Chairman of the Board of OncoSynergy Inc., a San Francisco-based biotech company with a portfolio of oncology drugs under development. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Korea Information and Communications Co., Ltd (KICC), the largest payment processing company in Korea, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Barnard College of Columbia University.

Mr. Salmasi received two B.S. degrees with honors in Electrical Engineering and Management Economics from Purdue University in 1977. He also received two M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 1979 and in Applied Mathematics from the University of Southern California in 1982. Prior to the formation of Omninet, he completed his doctoral coursework at University of Southern California towards a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering (Engineer's Degree) in 1983. Mr. Salmasi received Purdue University's Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineer Award (OECE) in 1999. President William Jefferson Clinton awarded Mr. Salmasi for his innovations and contributions to wireless industry in 1999.

About mimik

mimik has pioneered a distributed micro-cloud technology that enables devices to create clusters by physically discovering and establishing peer to peer connection between one another. The technology allows discovering micro-services running on any cluster and enabling micro-service level communication. This unique capability enables ad-hoc and real-time formation of mesh networks across different devices, OS, and networks. mimik offers its platform to third-party developers via SDKs and APIs to enrich the experience for consumer, connected home, automotive, health and other vertical applications.

Available in the App Store and Google Play Store, the company launched its award winning first consumer branded applications using and extending its SDK and APIs called "mimik access". This app makes it easy to instantly access and share digital content across incompatible devices and platforms and demonstrating the power of mimik's patented, transformative edge-based micro-cloud technology.

Download the mimik access app for Android or iOS - winner of CableLabs best new product award!

For more information visit www.mimik.com

Contact:

Matt ArjMandi, Director of Marketing

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1-604-899-8843 Ext. 107

SOURCE mimik technology inc.

Related Links

http://www.mimik.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuberger Berman, a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager, today announced that it is significantly expanding its Insurance Solutions Group. The Group, which serves insurance companies globally, had brought on several new team members and invested in additional tools and resources.

"Insurance companies continue to seek advice and access to diverse strategies and solutions across traditional and alternative asset classes. We are strengthening our resources and investing in the business in order to further engage and support insurance companies globally," said Matt Malloy, who joined the firm in October 2015 as Global Head of Insurance Solutions and subsequently was named Head of the North American Institutional Business. Across the entire firm, Neuberger Berman has approximately $22 billion in insurance assets under management. "Our new team members will leverage our existing capabilities and strengthen the group as we expand our footprint and focus on innovative solutions in the global insurance market," Mr. Malloy noted.

Recent additions include, J.P. Sursock, who joined the firm in August as a Client Advisor focusing on U.S.-based insurance clients and prospects. Prior to joining Neuberger Berman, he served as a Fixed Income Strategist at BlackRock.

Steve Smith joined the firm in July as Head of Insurance Analytics. Most recently, Mr. Smith served as an Insurance Strategist at Goldman Sachs Asset Management.

Jason Pratt joined the firm in June as Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Fixed Income. Prior to joining Neuberger Berman, Mr. Pratt served as chief investment officer of Montpelier Reinsurance Holdings Ltd, a global insurance and reinsurance organization.

Messrs. Sursock and Smith are based in New York and Mr. Pratt is based in Chicago. All three will report to Mr. Malloy.

About Neuberger Berman

Neuberger Berman, founded in 1939, is a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. The firm manages equities, fixed income, private equity and hedge fund portfolios for institutions and advisors worldwide. With offices in 19 countries, Neuberger Berman's team is approximately 2,000 professionals and the company was named by Pensions & Investments as a Best Place to Work in Money Management for three consecutive years. Tenured, stable and long-term in focus, the firm fosters an investment culture of fundamental research and independent thinking. It manages $246 billion in client assets as of June 30, 2016. For more information, please visit our website at www.nb.com.

All information is as of June 30, 2016 unless otherwise indicated and is subject to change without notice. Firm data, including employee and assets under management figures, reflects collective data for the various affiliated investment advisers that are subsidiaries of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. Firm history/timeline includes the history of all firm subsidiaries, including predecessor entities and acquisitions.

This material is being issued on a limited basis through various global subsidiaries and affiliates of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. Please visit www.nb.com/disclosure-global-communications for the specific entities and jurisdictional limitations and restrictions.

The "Neuberger Berman" name and logo are registered service marks of Neuberger Berman Group LLC.  2016 Neuberger Berman Group LLC. All rights reserved.

Media Contact: Alex Samuelson, 212 476 5392, [email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121010/MM90850LOGO

SOURCE Neuberger Berman

Related Links

http://www.nb.com


REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nevro Corp. (NYSE: NVRO), a global medical device company that is providing innovative evidence-based solutions for the treatment of chronic pain, today reported financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

Second Quarter Highlights:

Achieved revenue of $55.4 million in the second quarter of 2016, an increase of 385% as reported, over the same period of the prior year U.S. revenue of $40.6 million for the second quarter of 2016, the fourth full quarter of commercial availability of the company's HF10  therapy in the U.S. International revenue of $14.8 million in the second quarter of 2016 increased 33% in constant currency and 30% on an as-reported basis, both over the same period of the prior year

in the second quarter of 2016, an increase of 385% as reported, over the same period of the prior year Raised gross proceeds of $172.5 million in public offering of convertible senior notes due 2021

in public offering of convertible senior notes due 2021 Publication of the 24-month SENZA-RCT results accepted by Neurosurgery, the official Journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons

"I am excited by our progress in becoming a leader in Neuromodulation," said Rami Elghandour, President and CEO of Nevro. "Our focus on improving patient outcomes continues to guide our research and commercial efforts, and we are well-positioned for sustainable success. With global adoption broadening, two-year evidence supporting the superiority of HF10 therapy accepted for publication, and growth of our team, we are raising our revenue expectations for 2016."

Second Quarter Financial Results

Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $55.4 million versus $11.4 million during the same period of the prior year, representing 385% growth as reported. U.S. revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $40.6 million in the fourth full quarter of U.S. commercial availability. International revenue was $14.8 million, representing growth of 33% in constant currency and 30% on an as-reported basis. The increase in international revenue was primarily attributable to the continued adoption of the Senza system.

Gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $36.6 million, representing a 66% gross margin, up from $5.9 million, representing a 52% gross margin, in the same period of the prior year.

Operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2016 were $42.5 million compared to $25.1 million in the same period of the prior year, representing an increase of 69%. The increase in operating expenses was driven primarily by increased headcount and related personnel costs.

Loss from operations for the second quarter of 2016 was $5.9 million compared to $19.2 million for the same period of the prior year.

Guidance for Full Year 2016

Nevro projects worldwide revenue for 2016 to be in the range of $210 to $220 million. This compares to previous expectations for 2016 worldwide revenue in the range of $175 to $185 million announced in May 2016.

Webcast and Conference Call Information

Management will host a conference call today beginning at 1:30 p.m. PT / 4:30 p.m. ET. Individuals interested in listening to the conference call may dial (877) 201-0168 for domestic callers, or (647) 788-4901 for international callers (Conference ID: 48763854), or access the webcast on the "Investors" section of the company's web site at: www.nevro.com.

About Nevro

Headquartered in Redwood City, California, Nevro is a global medical device company focused on providing innovative products that improve the quality of life of patients suffering from debilitating chronic pain. Nevro has developed and commercialized the Senza spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, an evidence-based neuromodulation platform for the treatment of chronic pain. The Senza system is the only SCS system that delivers Nevro's proprietary HF10 therapy. Senza, HF10, Nevro and the Nevro logo are trademarks of Nevro.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to our business, capital resources, strategic initiatives and growth reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including continuing adoption of, and interest in, Senza in the U.S. and international markets; our plans for continued commercialization of Senza; our progress towards becoming a leader in Neuromodulation; our positioning for sustained success; and our expectations for worldwide revenue for the full year 2016. These forward-looking statements are based upon information that is currently available to us or our current expectations, speak only as of the date hereof, and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including our ability to successfully commercialize our products; our ability to manufacture our products to meet demand; the level and availability of third-party payor reimbursement for our products; our ability to effectively manage our anticipated growth; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and proprietary technologies; our ability to operate our business without infringing the intellectual property rights and proprietary technology of third parties; competition in our industry; additional capital and credit availability; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; and product liability claims. These factors, together with those that are described in greater detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 29, 2016 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that we expect to file on August 8, 2016, as well as any reports that we may file with the SEC in the future, may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by our forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation, except as required by law, or undertaking to update or revise any such forward-looking statements. Our results for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of our operating results for any future periods.

Investor Relations Contact:

Nevro Investor Relations

Katherine Bock

(650) 433-3247

[email protected]

Nevro Corp. Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (in thousands, except share and per share data)





































Three Months Ended

June 30,



Six Months Ended

June 30,





2016



2015



2016



2015





(unaudited)

Revenue

$ 55,400



$ 11,418



$ 97,051



$ 21,080

Cost of revenue



18,842





5,508





34,506





9,381

Gross profit



36,558





5,910





62,545





11,699

Operating expenses:































Research and development



8,169





5,263





14,530





10,261

Sales, general and administrative



34,312





19,822





62,955





32,952

Total operating expenses



42,481





25,085





77,485





43,213

Loss from operations



(5,923)





(19,175)





(14,940)





(31,514)

Other income (expense):































Interest income (expense), net



(677)





(571)





(1,104)





(1,140)

Other income (expense), net



(653)





175





(163)





(835)

Loss on extinguishment of debt



(1,268)











(1,268)







Loss before income taxes



(8,521)





(19,571)





(17,475)





(33,489)

Provision for income taxes



258





155





592





297

Net loss



(8,779)





(19,726)





(18,067)





(33,786)

Changes in foreign currency translation adjustment



(67)





120





(346)





(3)

Changes in gains (losses) on short-term investments



157





164





211





85

Net change in other comprehensive loss



90





284





(135)





82

Comprehensive loss

$ (8,689)



$ (19,442)



$ (18,202)



$ (33,704)

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

$ (0.31)



$ (0.77)



$ (0.64)



$ (1.34)

Weighted average shares used to compute net loss per share, basic and diluted



28,381,253





25,564,249





28,287,855





25,208,710



Nevro Corp. Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except share and per share data)





June 30,



December 31,





2016



2015





(unaudited)









Assets















Current assets















Cash and cash equivalents

$ 50,696



$ 87,036

Short-term investments



239,791





106,634

Accounts receivable, net



36,855





22,522

Inventories, net



68,122





62,430

Prepaid expenses and other current assets



7,014





4,009

Total current assets



402,478





282,631

Property and equipment, net



6,688





5,794

Other assets



2,240





1,852

Restricted cash



906





906

Total assets

$ 412,312



$ 291,183

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity















Current liabilities















Accounts payable

$ 13,121



$ 21,887

Accrued liabilities and other



17,432





14,502

Total current liabilities



30,553





36,389

Long-term debt



134,786





19,740

Other long-term liabilities



573





462

Total liabilities



165,912





56,591



















Stockholders' equity















Common stock, $0.001 par value  290,000,000 shares authorized, 28,482,180 and 28,143,573 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively



28





28

Additional paid-in capital



454,157





424,147

Accumulated other comprehensive loss



(310)





(175)

Accumulated deficit



(207,475)





(189,408)

Total stockholders' equity



246,400





234,592

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 412,312



$ 291,183



SOURCE Nevro Corp.

Related Links

http://www.nevro.com


HONOLULU, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fun and vital travel information about the Hawaiian Islands is now a lot easier to find for visitors always on the go with the launch of the new GoHawaii mobile app.

Created by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), tourism agency for the State of Hawaii, the GoHawaii app is a one-stop mobile reference guide for travelers wanting fast, accurate and trustworthy information while exploring all that Hawaii offers.

Randy Baldemor, HTA chief operating officer, noted the travel destination app is the first one produced by the State of Hawaii. "The GoHawaii app is a fun way to learn about Hawaii while having travel and safety information that people need to know about and have access to at all times."

The GoHawaii app offers valuable travel tips for each of the six major Hawaiian Islands: Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and the Island of Hawaii. App users will discover useful information to help them enjoy Hawaii's wide variety of sites, activities, special events and cultural festivals statewide. A listing of essential Hawaii websites and phone numbers is also provided to direct travelers to other reliable sources for information and assistance.

Helping visitors experience Hawaii safely is a significant aspect of the GoHawaii app, which contains important advice for ocean activities, hiking and weather conditions on each island. "Visitors are outdoors all the time in Hawaii. This app helps keep them safe while they enjoy the beauty of our Islands," said Baldemor.

A special app feature is the "Locomoji"  Hawaii-inspired emojis that can be shared with family and friends. Locomojis include images of an ukulele, aloha shirt, erupting volcano, shave ice, and Spam musubi, among many others.

The GoHawaii app is free and may be downloaded in the Google Play Store and Apple iTunes Store. It is offered in English, German, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Searider Productions, a career development program in arts and communication at Waianae High School on Oahu, created a video about the new app. To see the video, click here.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority is responsible for strategically managing the State of Hawaii's marketing initiatives to support tourism. Follow updates about HTA on Facebook, Twitter (@HawaiiHTA) and its YouTube Channel.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160806/396183LOGO

SOURCE Hawaii Tourism Authority
IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- How will the proposed tax and spending policies of presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump affect individuals and corporations?

"The Clinton approach will mean a major increase in complexity and paperwork, for both individuals and firms. I am not at all sure what to expect with a President Trump because many positions he has staked out are quite extreme," stated Dr. Scott Sumner, Professor Emeritus of Economics at Bentley University. He has analyzed the candidates' recent public comments and policy positions outlined on their websites and prepared a summary on behalf of RCW Financial of Irvine, California (www.rcwfinancial.com).

In his analysis entitled "Economic Policy Proposals of the Presidential Candidates" (www.rcwfinancial.com/clinton-trump-economics), Dr. Sumner points out that Trump proposes to significantly increase spending in some areas while cutting the top income tax rate to 25%, and the corporate top rate would be slashed from 35% to 15% and inheritance taxes would be eliminated.

"In his convention speech he called for big increases in spending in a wide range of government programs, both military and domestic. There have been previous examples of candidates who called for much higher government spending (Lyndon Johnson), or much lower taxes (Ronald Reagan). But as far as I know, no one has ever called for both. There's a name for this sort of policy---Greece," stated Dr. Sumner.

Regarding Clinton, he does "not see any big surprises, with calls for higher taxes on the rich, more spending on social programs and a higher minimum wage rate." He predicts "these tax changes would hurt investments such as stocks, real estate, and high-end collectables.The Clinton approach will mean a major increase in complexity and paperwork, for both individuals and firms."

Dr. Sumner notes: "It's always difficult to evaluate the campaign promises of American presidential candidates, especially given the limited information provided to the public.it's normal for candidates to make promises that don't add up."

The entire 2,200 word analysis is available free online at www.rcwfinancial.com/clinton-trump-economics.

About Scott Sumner, Ph.D.:

Dr. Scott Sumner studied economics at the University of Wisconsin and received a PhD from the University of Chicago. He has done extensive research on the role of the gold standard in the Great Depression and is Professor Emeritus of Economics at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts where he has taught since 1982. Dr. Sumner received national recognition in 2012 as one of the "Top 100 Global Thinkers" by ForeignPolicy.com and was named "The Blogger Who Saved the Economy" by The Atlantic magazine.

About RCW Financial:

RCW Financial of Irvine, California provides estate planning and wealth preservation services focused on the acquisition of the most popular and exclusive numismatic rarities. For additional information, visit online at www.rcwfinancial.com, call Michael Contursi, President of RCW Financial, at 949-679-1222, or email at [email protected].

SOURCE RCW Financial

Related Links

http://www.rcwfinancial.com


SYDNEY, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --



* ASX Ticker Code: NOX

Australian drug development company Noxopharm will begin trading on the ASX on Tuesday 9th August 2016 at 11 am (AEST), after a successful Initial Public Offer raised the target figure of $A6 million.

The offer of 30 million shares at a price of $0.20 a share, which was heavily oversubscribed, was led by Asia Pacific Prudential Securities (APP Securities).

The capital will be used to begin clinical trials later this year on its frontline drug candidate, NOX66, which is a drug technology that aims to provide a means of overcoming the resistance of cancer cells to standard-of-care chemotherapies.

About Noxopharm

Noxopharm is an Australian drug development company with offices in Melbourne and Sydney. The Company has a primary focus on the development of drugs to address the problem of drug-resistance in cancer cells, the major hurdle facing improved survival prospects for cancer patients. NOX66 is the first pipeline product, with later generation drug candidates under development in an R&D program.

For further information regarding Noxopharm, please visit our website : www.noxopharm.com

SOURCE Noxopharm Limited

Related Links

http://www.noxopharm.com


Google is hosting the Flying Eye Hospital at Moffett Federal Airfield, while Orbis is meeting with technology leaders in Silicon Valley before it heads out to Asia for its first medical programs in September.

"Our mission at Orbis is to bring the world together to fight blindness. We believe that no one should go blind from conditions that are treatable or preventable," explains Bob Ranck, Orbis President and CEO. "The Flying Eye Hospital is in equal parts teacher, envoy and advocate. Technology on the aircraft and in our virtual systems plays a vital role in fighting blindness. At Orbis, we're developing innovative mechanisms to bridge the gaps between doctors around the world, providing a platform for mentorship, learning and skills transfer."

"Google extends a warm welcome to the Flying Eye Hospital at Moffett Federal Airfield," said John Igoe, Google's Real Estate & Workplace Services Director.. "Google and Orbis have a common vision when it comes to using technology to bridge gaps in access to life-affirming services for the world's underserved communities. Hosting the Flying Eye Hospital in such a visible location will help build awareness for the important work Orbis does."

More than six years in the making, the third-generation Flying Eye Hospital is the world's only mobile ophthalmic teaching hospital, on board an MD-10 aircraft donated by FedEx in 2011. The aircraft has been custom designed to provide expert, cutting edge medical training and technology for medical professionals in the developing world. It features 3D technology, and live broadcast capabilities drastically enhance the learning experience of participants. Local doctors sitting in the 46-seat classroom can observe live surgeries in 3D that are being performed and filmed in the Operating Room. This gives the participants the unique opportunity to view the procedures with depth perception (a crucial part of any microscopic surgical technique) with the same clarity and optics as the surgeon's microscope. This real world application of 3D technology marks a huge advancement in continued medical education.

"The Flying Eye Hospital, as well as the technology it contains, is a powerful tool that enables us to bring the world together to fight blindness," explains Dr. Daniel Neely, Orbis volunteer pediatric ophthalmic surgeon and Medical Advisor. "The new technologies such as the 3D broadcast capabilities of the surgical microscope allow us as teachers to share, train and interact with more of our colleagues in the developing world, giving a deeper and richer learning environment to transfer the skills to their practice. Most exciting, we are able to continue the mentorship relationships long after the plane has moved on via Cybersightour telemedicine portal."

More than 285 million people are visually impaired, and 4 out of 5 suffer from preventable conditions. Ninety percent of these people live in developing countries where they cannot access sight-saving treatments that many take for granted in the United States. For more than 30 years, Orbis has helped countries build the skills and resources they need to prioritize and deliver quality eye care to their local communities. Their team of over 400 expert medical volunteers, from 30 countries, accomplishes this by training local medical teams both in their hospitals and on the Flying Eye Hospital, emphasizing quality and safety standards for patient care.

In the past five years alone, from 2011-2015, Orbis's work has facilitated 10,000 trainings of doctors, 104,000 trainings of nurses, biomedical engineers and other health care workers, and 11.6 million screenings and eye exams either on the Flying Eye Hospital or at Orbis in-country partner hospitals.

Prior to its visit to Moffett Field, the Flying Eye Hospital has been on a highly successful six-city North American tour beginning in Los Angeles and including New York, Washington, D.C, Memphis, Fort Worth and Sacramento. Orbis thanked its supporters and offered the public the opportunity to experience the unique plane so that they, too, can join the fight against blindness.

For more information on Orbis and the Flying Eye Hospital, visit www.orbis.org or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #FlyingEyeHospital.

About Orbis

Orbis is a leading global non-governmental organization that has been a pioneer in the prevention and treatment of blindness for over 30 years. Orbis transforms lives by delivering the skills, resources and knowledge needed to deliver accessible quality eye care. Working in collaboration with local partners including hospitals, universities, government agencies and ministries of health, Orbis provides hands-on ophthalmology training, strengthens healthcare infrastructure and advocates for the prioritization of eye health on public health agendas. Orbis operates the world's only Flying Eye Hospital, a fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on board an MD-10 aircraft. To learn more about Orbis and to get involved, please visit Orbis.org/launch and follow the organization's work on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACTS

LaNor Maune

[email protected]

(650) 996-1508

Silvana Vivas

[email protected]

646-674-5507

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160808/396465

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130730/DC55542LOGO



SOURCE Orbis International

Related Links

http://Orbis.org/launch


BELLEVUE, Wash., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul Gauguin Cruises (www.pgcruises.com), operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, announces a sale on select 2016 and 2017 Tahiti, French Polynesia, and South Pacific voyages.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is offering savings of up to $4,750* per person off previously advertised rates on select cruises aboard The Gauguin when booked by August 20, 2016. Roundtrip airfare between Los Angeles and Papeete, Tahiti, is also included. On board, guests will enjoy the highest standards of luxury, quality, and all-inclusive value sailing to Polynesian destinations that are the cruise line's specialty.

Tahiti & the Society Islands (7 nights):

October 8 , 15, 2016  now from only $5,395 $4,445 per person

, 15, 2016  now from only per person December 21, 2016  now from only $5,545 $4,545 per person

 now from only per person February 18 ; March 25, 2017  now from only $5,395 $4,445 per person

Society Islands & Tuamotus (10 nights):

January 4, 2017  now from only $5,545 $4,595 per person

 now from only per person March 8, 2017  now from only $5,745 $4,745 per person

Society Islands & Tuamotus  Special (11 nights):

December 3, 2016  now from only $5,845 $4,795 per person

Cook Islands & Society Islands (11 nights):

February 25, 2017  now from only $6,145 $4,995 per person

Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands (14 nights):

January 28, 2017  now from only $6,995 $5,645 per person

On The Gauguin, nearly 70% of the ship's suites and staterooms offer balconies. Dining experiences include L'Etoile, which showcases an array of culinary creations expertly prepared each evening. The ship's other two dining venues, La Veranda and Le Grill, serve breakfast and lunch. At night, signature dishes from celebrity chef Jean-Pierre Vigato, world-renowned Chef Proprietaire of the Michelin-rated Restaurant Apicius in Paris, are offered in La Veranda, and Polynesian specialties are served poolside at Le Grill.

Les Gauguines and Les Gauguinsa troupe of Tahitian entertainersprovide enriching experiences of the destinations throughout each voyage. The Gauguin features expert lecturers on each voyage and special guests on select sailings conducting presentations on topics ranging from the history of the South Pacific to conservation, culture, marine life, and the wonders of coral reefs. A luxurious spa, fitness center, watersports marina, and expansive outdoor decks with chaise lounges and a pool are also available aboard The Gauguin.

One of the highlights of each sailing is exclusive access to Motu Mahana, the cruise line's private islet off the coast of Taha'a where guests can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, Polynesian activities, a full-service bar, a floating lagoon bar, and a delicious barbecue. In Bora Bora, guests can enjoy complimentary access to a private, white-sand beach with beach volleyball, sunbathing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and refreshments.

For more information or reservations, contact a professional travel agent, call 1-800-848-6172, or visit www.pgcruises.com.

About Paul Gauguin Cruises

Owned by Pacific Beachcomber S.C., French Polynesia's leading luxury hotel and cruise operator, Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the 5+-star cruise ship, the 332-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a deluxe cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji, and the South Pacific. Paul Gauguin Cruises accolades include being voted #2 in the category of "Top Small Cruise Lines" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2015 Readers' Choice Awards and recognition on the publication's 2016 "Gold List." In addition, the line was voted by Travel + Leisure readers "#1 Small-Ship Cruise Line" and "#1 Small-Ship Cruise Line for Families" in the Travel + Leisure 2014 World's Best Awards. Recently, readers voted Paul Gauguin Cruises "#1 Midsize-Ship Ocean Cruise Line" in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2016.

Media Contact:

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Vanessa Bloy, Director of Public Relations

(425) 440-6255

[email protected]

*All fares are per person, based on double occupancy in lowest stateroom category, and reflect promotional savings, are for new bookings only, are subject to availability, and must be booked by August 20, 2016. Offer may be combined with FREE 3rd guest in stateroom offer on 2016 sailings and applicable past guest savings but is not combinable with other offers. Port, security, and handling charges of $119-$260 per person are not included. Call for details. For full terms and conditions, visit www.pgcruises.com.

From Travel + Leisure, August 2016 2016 Time Inc. Affluent Media Group. Used under license. Travel + Leisure and Time Inc. Affluent Media Group are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of Paul Gauguin Cruises.

SOURCE Paul Gauguin Cruises

Related Links

http://www.pgcruises.com


AURORA, Ohio, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Author "Dusty" Trimmer delivers this credible PAYBACK TIME message across the VA's minefield of issues that get stepped on by veterans deserving proper healthcare access and benefits. Aging Trimmer still brings the fight! Taking careful aim and switched to automatic fire, Dusty sprays and stitches the VA with valid complaints from every direction, with a major focus on the dying Vietnam-era veterans' horrific dilemmas.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/396042

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/396086LOGO

Armed heavily with research, a useful index, and an extensive glossary, Trimmer shoots-scoots-communicates through multiple VA obstacles that returned warriors face. He lays down suppression fire to cover current-era war fighters, provides insight into the political landscape that has/will create the VA obstacles, and triggers through multiple other VA fights, including insightful views on current VA Secretary Bob McDonald. From a very personal perspective, Dusty Trimmer empties his heart out to help our veterans in a VA system that lacks much. Way to take up the battle!

www.veteransstrikeback.com

MILITARY WRITERS SOCIETY OF AMERICA  Review 97/29/16

Joyce Faulkner

Betsy Beard

MWSA Awards Directors

ASIN: 1498429769

MWSA Reviewer: Hodge Wood

Available now on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com

For Direct Orders, please contact the Author:

Earl "Dusty" Trimmer

P.O. Box 522, Twinsburg, OH 44087

Phone: (330) 995-8837

Cell: (330) 842-0359

Email

ISBN: 9781498429764

SOURCE Earl "Dusty" Trimmer

Related Links

http://www.veteransstrikeback.com


HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) today began accepting requests for various new licenses and permits authorized under Act 39 of 2016, which becomes effective today. Requests for wine expanded permits, conversions of eating place licenses into restaurant licenses, casino liquor licenses and direct wine shipper licenses may now be submitted through PLCB+, a new online licensing platform introduced earlier this year.

"Since Act 39 was signed into law two months ago, the PLCB has been hard at work developing these new licensing authorities and related business processes," said Tim Holden, Chairman of the Board. "We are proud to hit the ground running on the day the law takes effect to begin accepting requests."

In addition to adding new licensing functionalities to PLCB+, the PLCB has also implemented organizational changes to support a new class of customers  restaurant and hotel licensees, including grocery and convenience stores, interested in obtaining wine expanded permits to authorize the sale of wine to go.

"We have created a new Office of Wholesale Operations that will work directly with larger volume wine permittees so we can anticipate their product needs and make available to them the wines they want to carry in the quantities they demand," Board Member Mike Negra said. "We have been talking with chain accounts and the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association to ensure we successfully develop this new part of our business collaboratively with our wine-to-go wholesale customers."

Restaurant and hotel licensees interested in selling large quantities of wine-to-go (more than 20 cases per order from the PLCB) are encouraged to contact the Office of Wholesale Operations at 844-363-WINE (9463) or [email protected] to discuss the wines and volumes they anticipate buying from the PLCB for wine-to-go resale.

Wine expanded permit holders purchasing smaller amounts of wine may begin selling wine in August, assuming they are selling wine in-stock at Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores. Licensees requiring larger quantities of wine or certain products not currently in stock may wait longer to receive those products. The PLCB aims to begin shipping wine from its distribution centers in the October timeframe to the large-volume wine-to-go permittees.

The following permissions and fees are associated with the new license and permit types authorized by Act 39:

New wine expanded permits allow hotel and restaurant licensees that obtain them to sell up to 3 liters of wine to go per transaction. Wine-to-go sales may take place from 7 AM to 11 PM Monday through Saturday , and during limited hours on Sundays if the licensee also holds a Sunday sales permit. There is a $2,000 application fee for this permit and an annual renewal fee of 2 percent of the cost of wine purchased from the PLCB for off-premises consumption. Additionally, hotel and restaurant licensees must be certified through the Responsible Alcohol Management Program before receiving a wine expanded permit.



Licensees planning to expand the footprint of their licensed premises to accommodate wine-to-go sales can also apply for an extension of premises through PLCB+.





, and during limited hours on Sundays if the licensee also holds a Sunday sales permit. There is a application fee for this permit and an annual renewal fee of 2 percent of the cost of wine purchased from the PLCB for off-premises consumption. Additionally, hotel and restaurant licensees must be certified through the Responsible Alcohol Management Program before receiving a wine expanded permit. Licensees planning to expand the footprint of their licensed premises to accommodate wine-to-go sales can also apply for an extension of premises through PLCB+. Holders of eating place licenses, which allow for the sale of malt and brewed beverages but not wine or liquor, may now request to convert their licenses into restaurant licenses, which allow for the sale of beer, wine and liquor. The one-time fee for such a conversion is $30,000 . The licensee's premise must also meet all statutory and regulatory requirements of a restaurant license. Eating place licenses in Philadelphia may not be converted.





. The licensee's premise must also meet all statutory and regulatory requirements of a restaurant license. Eating place licenses in may not be converted. New casino liquor licenses allow for 24/7 alcohol service and permit license holders to provide free drinks to patrons attending invitation-only events. The application fee for a casino liquor license is $1 million . The annual renewal fee is $1 million for each of the first four years, then $250,000 each year thereafter.





. The annual renewal fee is for each of the first four years, then each year thereafter. Act 39 eliminates Pennsylvania's previous direct wine shipper license and replaces it with a new license that allows only wine producers to ship up to 36 cases of wine per year to a Pennsylvania resident for his or her personal use. A $250 application fee applies for the direct wine shipper license, and the license is subject to an annual $250 renewal fee. Wine sold through direct wine shippers is subject to Pennsylvania state and local sales tax and a new $2.50 per gallon wine excise tax.



New licenses for limited wineries and wine producers that were licensed previously as direct wine shippers should be approved in a matter of days, assuming the applicant meets all statutory requirements, passes tax clearances and verifies information required to be provided to the PLCB. As DWS licenses are approved, they will be viewable in the public PLCB+ license search. They will also be accessible through a page on the PLCB website explaining direct wine shipment options for consumers.

Additional details regarding these new license and permit types, as well as other Act 39 changes, are available in the PLCB's Summary of Act 39 of 2016.

In order to apply for permits or licenses through PLCB+, a licensee or interested party must first register to use the system using an access code provided by the PLCB. Licensees were provided access codes by email and letter earlier this year. Anyone without an access code may email [email protected] to obtain one.

Pending applications and permits and licenses granted by the PLCB may be searched through the public PLCB+ license search.

"Now that Act 39 is in effect, we can begin implementing all its various changes, and we're working to making wine-to-go sales a reality for Pennsylvania consumers as quickly as possible," Board Member Michael Newsome said. "The PLCB is excited and eager for this transformation of Pennsylvania's beverage alcohol industry, and we're committed to doing it right."

The PLCB anticipates announcing additional Act 39 changes later this week.

The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide and licenses more than 20,000 beverage alcohol producers and retailers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups and licensees. Taxes and store profits  totaling more than $14.5 billion since the agency's inception  are returned to Pennsylvania's General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania's schools, health and human services programs and law enforcement and public safety initiatives across the state, among other things. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit www.lcb.state.pa.us.

MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Brassell 717-783-8864

SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

Related Links

http://www.lcb.state.pa.us


SAN DIEGO, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Pfenex Inc. (NYSE MKT: PFNX) announced today that the company will regain the full rights to PF582, a biosimilar candidate to Lucentis, following our partner's strategic review of the current therapeutic focus of its biosimilar pipeline.

Figure 1: No significant differences in intra-ocular pressure Figure 2: No significant differences in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) Figure 3: Comparable decreases in central retinal thickness Figure 4: Comparable immunogenicity (anti-drug antibody formation) Pfenex logo

"With Pfenex regaining the rights to PF582 we are announcing the PF582 phase 1/2 safety and efficacy data which we believe highlights the significant value of the program," stated Bertrand C. Liang, chief executive officer of Pfenex. "We will consider strategic options for PF582 following the expeditious transition of the full development program back to Pfenex. Pfenex's development capabilities, leveraging our Pfenex Expression Technology platform, has allowed us to advance a diverse portfolio of product candidates, including PF582, which we believe will create significant value for our shareholders. We look forward to providing key updates on our pipeline progress throughout the year."

Phase 1/2 PF582 Results

Pfenex enrolled a total of 25 VEGF-inhibitor naive patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the PF582 phase 1/2 trial (13 received PF582, including 1 sentinel patient who received open label PF582, 12 received Lucentis). All patients received 3 monthly intravitreal injections. The primary endpoint of the study was safety and tolerability of PF582 compared to that of Lucentis in patients with neovascular AMD.

With respect to safety, there were no meaningful differences in intra-ocular pressure between PF582 and Lucentis at any of the timepoints (Figure 1). Additionally, there were no imbalances in local or systemic adverse events and no unexpected safety or tolerability findings in the population studied.

The efficacy and pharmacodynamic results indicated that there were no meaningful differences in best corrected visual acuity (Figure 2) and the decreases in central retinal thickness (Figure 3) between PF582 and Lucentis at any of the timepoints were also similar.

The immunogenicity results (Figure 4) showed comparable anti-drug antibody findings between PF582 and Lucentis throughout the three month study period.

This first-in-human study met its primary objective of demonstrating similar safety and tolerability between PF582 and Lucentis. Additionally, it demonstrated consistent pharmacological activity between PF582 and Lucentis.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Pfenex's future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "target," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern Pfenex's expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the return of all rights to PF582 to Pfenex; the potential value of PF582; the ability to create significant value for shareholders; Pfenex's expectation to pursue strategic options for PF582; the future potential of Pfenex's product candidates, including future plans to develop, manufacture and commercialize its product candidates, Pfenex's expectations regarding the timing of additional clinical trials and the types of future clinical trials for its product candidates, including PF582 and its other product candidate.; Pfenex's expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results in future periods are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of the uncertainties inherent in the clinical drug development process, including, without limitation, Pfenex's ability to successfully demonstrate the efficacy and safety of its product candidates; the pre-clinical and clinical results for its product candidates, which may not support further development of product candidates or may require Pfenex to conduct additional clinical trials or modify ongoing clinical trials or regulatory pathways; challenges related to commencement, patient enrollment, completion, and analysis of clinical trials; difficulties in achieving and demonstrating biosimilarity in formulations; Pfenex's ability to manage operating expenses; Pfenex's ability to obtain additional funding to support its business activities and establish and maintain strategic business alliances and new business initiatives; Pfenex's dependence on third parties for development, manufacture, marketing, sales and distribution of products; unexpected expenditures; and difficulties in obtaining and maintaining intellectual property protection for its product candidates. Information on these and additional risks, uncertainties, and other information affecting Pfenex's business and operating results is contained in Pfenex's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and in Pfenex's subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional information will also be set forth in Pfenex's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2016 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Pfenex as of the date hereof, and Pfenex disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Pfenex investors and others should note that we announce material information to the public about the Company through a variety of means, including our website (http://www.pfenex.com/), our investor relations website (http://pfenex.investorroom.com/), press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, corporate Twitter account (https://twitter.com/pfenex), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Pfenex-Inc-105908276167776/timeline/), and LinkedIn page (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pfenex-inc) in order to achieve broad, non-exclusionary distribution of information to the public and to comply with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. We encourage our investors and others to monitor and review the information we make public in these locations as such information could be deemed to be material information. Please note that this list may be updated from time to time.

About Pfenex Inc.

Pfenex Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company engaged in the development of biosimilar therapeutics and high-value and difficult to manufacture proteins. The company's lead product candidate is PF582, a biosimilar candidate to Lucentis (ranibizumab), for the potential treatment of patients with retinal diseases. Pfenex has leveraged its Pfenex Expression Technology platform to build a pipeline of product candidates and preclinical products under development including other biosimilars, as well as vaccines, therapeutic equivalents to reference listed drug products, and next generation biologics.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160806/396195

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160806/396196

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160806/396197

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160806/396198

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140715/127348



SOURCE Pfenex Inc.

Related Links

http://www.pfenex.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 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/queryform.

EXPERT ALERTS

Driverless Cars: Limitations and Wireless Connectivity

How Are Websites Performing During the Olympics?

MEDIA JOBS

Associate City Editor  Columbia Daily Tribune (MO)

Seattle Tech Reporter  Puget Sound Business Journal (WA)

News Reporter  WSNS-TV (IL)

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

Journalist Spotlight: Stacy Julien , CRUSH Fitness and AARP

, CRUSH Fitness and AARP Media Insiders Review Coverage of 2016 Political Conventions

11 Ways to Captivate Your News Audience With Snapchat Stories

-------------------------------------------------------------------

EXPERT ALERTS:

Driverless Cars: Limitations and Wireless Connectivity

Alexander Wyglinski

Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

President, IEEE Vehicular Technology Society

"Driverless vehicles cannot exist without connectedness, that's the key. When you have a vehicle acting in isolation -- it has its own sensing, its own control, and its own decision-making -- it's limited by what the car sees, which is not the entire picture. In complex scenarios such as fast-moving traffic and urban environments, vehicles will have to share information with each other in order to make the best possible decisions. In order to do that, having sensory information from as many sources as possible is vital. As the United States government plans to mandate that vehicles be connected by 2019, a sufficient amount of wireless spectrum will be required. Currently, there is an insufficient amount of wireless channels to support connectivity between all possible vehicles. Additionally, with the existing configurations of today's vehicles, we are opening a Pandora's Box for cyberattacks. Cars will be hacked just like computers in a few years."

Wyglinski is available to discuss: limitations with driverless cars -- self-driving cars, contrary to popular belief, cannot handle all driver operations independent of other vehicles; and limited wireless spectrum -- there are an insufficient number of wireless channels to support connectivity between all possible vehicles to enhance driver safety.

Website: www.wpi.edu

Contact: Kerry O'Brien, [email protected]

How Are Websites Performing During the Olympics?

David Jones

Digital Performance Expert

Dynatrace

"During the two weeks of Olympic Games, many websites and mobile apps will experience substantially greater traffic than at other times as the world follows, and engages in, all the action. For visitors within Brazil, as well as those around the world, this could mean that these web and mobile apps slow down or experience errors, causing frustration for people who expect fast digital experience."

Jones is a digital performance expert and has been with Dynatrace for 10 years. He has close to 20 years' experience working with web technologies at organizations such as S1 Corp (Atlanta), Broadvision (Bay Area), Interleaf/Texcel (Waltham), i4i (Toronto) and SoftQuad (Toronto). He is an expert in user experience management; mobile and web performance; real user monitoring and synthetic monitoring/testing. Jones is available to discuss website and mobile performance surrounding the 2016 Olympics, as Dynatrace will be monitoring the website and mobile performance of the major advertisers, broadcasters and partners of the Olympics.

Blog: http://bit.ly/28SzpRc

Website: http://www.dynatrace.com/en/

Contact: Angela Smith, [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/

Associate City Editor  Columbia Daily Tribune (MO)

Seattle Tech Reporter  Puget Sound Business Journal (WA)

News Reporter  WSNS-TV (IL)

*****************

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.

JOURNALIST SPOTLIGHT: STACY JULIEN , CRUSH FITNESS AND AARP. Each month, we highlight a journalist who uses ProfNet to find sources. This month, we caught up with Stacy Julien , a journalist with nearly 20 years of experience working in newspapers, magazines and on the web. Julien is currently the executive online health editor for AARP, and recently launched CRUSH Fitness, a fitness and health destination for women of color ages 30+: http://prn.to/2axui8l

, CRUSH FITNESS AND AARP. Each month, we highlight a journalist who uses ProfNet to find sources. This month, we caught up with , a journalist with nearly 20 years of experience working in newspapers, magazines and on the web. Julien is currently the executive online health editor for AARP, and recently launched CRUSH Fitness, a fitness and health destination for women of color ages 30+: http://prn.to/2axui8l MEDIA INSIDERS REVIEW COVERAGE OF 2016 POLITICAL CONVENTIONS. Media from all over covered the speeches, protests, official nominations and everything else that comes with political conventions. Each had its pros and cons with regards to media coverage, so we asked people who attended the conventions for their eyewitness accounts, personal experience and overall thoughts regarding what they saw: http://prn.to/2aAAbmF

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.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150416/199234LOGO

SOURCE ProfNet

Related Links

http://www.profnet.com


LAS VEGAS, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the successful run of PROJECT and MRket tradeshows in New York, PROJECT Las Vegas will open this month with compelling educational conversations and forward-thinking tech activations, offering attendees a varied approach to the tradeshow industry. The show will open at Mandalay Bay Convention Center on Monday, August 15th and will run through Wednesday, August 17th.

This season, MRket, Vanguards Gallery, PROJECT, THE TENTS, PROJECT WOMENS, CURVENV, THE COLLECTIVE and POOLTRADESHOW will run simultaneously under one roof. With a single show badge, guests will have access to all shows under the extensive MAGIC umbrella for an all-encompassing shopping experience.

Along with the new format of the floor, and under the direction of President of Men's Erik Ulin, PROJECT Las Vegas will provide exhibitors, retailers and buyers with opportunities to experience new, interactive components that offer insight into the future of fashion and wholesale industries.

One example will be partnering with WGSN, the world's leading trend authority, in conjunction with DeSL, a Fashion PLM and Augmented Reality service. Together, WGSN and DeSL will invite guests to immerse themselves in six holographic experiences, juxtaposing their real-world environments with virtual Spring/Summer '17 menswear trends. The AR environments will include: 90's Sport, Neo-Vintage, Modern Utility, Relaxed Tailoring, Retro Resort and Rebel Remix.

"We're excited to continue our partnership with WGSN to explore upcoming trends and visualizing them through The Edit. Along with all the exciting new and returning brands in PROJECT and THE TENTS, we are happy to also launch a new initiative with its own area on the show floor, P1V0T, which will highlight technology companies focused on solving the pain points of the fashion industry. We aim to continue this initiative moving forward, and to combine it with valuable insights from industry experts," says Erik Ulin, President of Men's Fashion at UBM.

"For this show, we are hosting a number of panels with tech, denim and industry power players including P1V0T, ISKO, MAVI and Adriano Goldschmied. The team has put a tremendous amount of work in creating an exciting show and we look forward to welcoming all of you there," Ulin concludes.

Highlights at PROJECT include:

Highlights at MRket include:

MOVE, a curation of the best in active and performance-base brands ; Made in Italy , features top-tailored, accessories and sportswear brands from Italy ; Coast Life , hosts a unique grouping of casual brands that embody the super-chill yet adventurous West Coast lifestyle; and Vanguards Gallery , at the center of the MRket show floor, offers directional brands at the forefront of modern menswear.

a curation of the best in active and performance-base brands features top-tailored, accessories and sportswear brands from ; , hosts a unique grouping of casual brands that embody the super-chill yet adventurous West Coast lifestyle; and , at the center of the MRket show floor, offers directional brands at the forefront of modern menswear. MRket will bring some of its greatest brands to life with fashion presentations on August 15 th , the first day of the show. Barbour will show at 10:30am ; the Best of Italy , a showcase of Italian design, will present at noon; and Michael Macko , Editor-at-Large with MR Magazine , will style his favorite pieces together in a final presentation at 1:30pm .

, the first day of the show. Barbour will show at ; the Best of , a showcase of Italian design, will present at noon; and , Editor-at-Large with , will style his favorite pieces together in a final presentation at . New and notable brands include: Baldessarini, Barbour, Blujacket, Buck's Club, Codice, Gimo's, Gitman, Gran Sasso, Lanier, Mason's, Max & Chester, PMF, Sebastien James , Sweat Tailor, Tasc Performance, Tailorbyrd, Vineyard Vines, and Vuori.

PROJECT WOMENS, the West Coast lifestyle influenced show, will offer:

Conscious Collections, the most sought-after brands in the sustainable fashion movement, OA*SIS , the premier destination for new and innovative brands and Flex, PROJECT WOMENS active area, is returning with exciting new brands including BE by Blanc Noir, O.G. Organic Garments, Sol and Selene, Vestem, Glyder Apparel and Elektrix.

the most sought-after brands in the sustainable fashion movement, , the premier destination for new and innovative brands and PROJECT WOMENS active area, is returning with exciting new brands including and 'Cupcakes and CashmereAnd Champagne, Oh My!' will have moderator Chelsea Matthews of Matte Black in conversation with Cupcake & Cashmere's Emily Schuman on blogging, designing and her book

of Matte Black in conversation with Cupcake & Cashmere's on blogging, designing and her book PROJECT WOMENS SS'17 Bloggers include: Ania Boniecka  Ania B Candice Pantin  I Like I Wear Casey Carlson  Officially Quigley Eva Catherine  The Indie Gypsie Gabrielle Lacasse  Dentelle et Fleurs Nikia Provenzano  Mad Maven Style

CURVENV , which will enable brands and retailers to build stronger relationships, discover new trends, develop the crossover between product categories and conduct business in a convenient, high-fashion-oriented environment. The show has moved to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the first time alongside PROJECT WOMENS.

, which will enable brands and retailers to build stronger relationships, discover new trends, develop the crossover between product categories and conduct business in a convenient, high-fashion-oriented environment. The show has moved to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the first time alongside PROJECT WOMENS. S'well, which will again sponsor PROJECT WOMENS water stations throughout the show floor with AFL sponsoring a nail bar were guests can receive customized prints.

PROJECT WOMENS will also welcome first time exhibitors Alliance Apparel, Cop Copine, ERIN Erin Fetherston, L'Academie, McGuire Denim, Privacy Please, Rachel Zoe , Raye, Tularosa and Z Zac Posen with notable returning brands to include: Australian Fashion Labels, Bailey 44, Cupcakes & Cashmere, For Love & Lemons, Indigenous, Kut from the Kloth, LNA, Lovers and Friends, NBD, Nic + Zoe, Rails and Ted Baker .

Meanwhile, the art and music-focused indie experience POOLTRADESHOW, which will now be located alongside Stitch and Accessories the Show, will feature:

Up and coming brands including House of Wolves, Ethic Goods, Honey Belle , Trendy & Tipsy, Woll, Swell Vision , and These are Things .

, and . The POOL Brand Design Contest: Brands will submit to be one of 5 designs screen printed live on site by AKA Screen Printing using Next Level Apparel tees (tees are complimentary to guests while supplies last).

A daily happy hour sponsored by Belvedere Unfiltered on Monday and Tuesday afternoons.

POOLTRADESHOW regulars Curbside will offer a live art installation, and Sock it to Me will host a lounge for the exchange of new socks by the brand and attendees can build their own terrarium at Makers Kit DIY station.

will offer a live art installation, and will host a lounge for the exchange of new socks by the brand and attendees can build their own terrarium at Makers Kit DIY station. POOLTRADESHOW's annual party will be hosted at the Foundation Room on Tuesday evening.

Boasting heritage and classic apparel, THE COLLECTIVE will welcome:

Money Ruins Everything showroom that will include: Fila Heritage , Primitive, Benny Gold , Raised by Wolves, Black Scale, Kennington, Pas De Mer, Asphalt Yacht Club and more.

and more. A daily happy hour with Hennessey VS on Monday and Tuesday afternoons and first time exhibitors Ecko, LTD along with Hang Ten campus and Margaritaville Apparel.

ABOUT PROJECT | Held bi-annually in New York and Las Vegas, PROJECT is the world's preeminent contemporary fashion trade event, encompassing men's, women's, accessories and footwear brands within PROJECT Vegas, PROJECT Women's, THE TENTS, PROJECT New York and PROJECT SOLE New York. Bringing expertise and relevance to the global fashion industry through a highly merchandised approach, PROJECT creates destinations where innovation, commerce and service converge. For more information, please visit www.projectshow.com.

ABOUT MRket: MRket is a global fashion trade show representing the best collections in men's clothing, sportswear footwear and accessories from the United States, Canada and abroad. MRket is the only show in North America to spotlight international groups such as Made in Italy and UK Design as well as curated brands sections: Vanguards Gallery and Modern Prep. The best men's stores in North America and over 47 countries attend MRket because it is a serious writing, networking and press event.

SOURCE PROJECT

Related Links

http://www.projectshow.com


TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Richmont Mines Inc. (TSX: RIC) (NYSE MKT: RIC) ("Richmont" or the "Corporation") announces operating and financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, driven by solid results from the Island Gold Mine. The Corporation will host a conference call and webcast on Monday, August 8, 2016, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (details below). (All amounts are in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.)

Second Quarter Highlights

Company-wide production was 23,320 ounces for the quarter, an 11% decrease over Q2 2015, primarily due to the depletion of the Monique stockpile earlier this year. The Island Gold Mine produced 18,617 ounces of gold in the second quarter, a 24% increase over Q2 2015, driven by record underground and mill productivity of 911 tonnes per day and 878 tonnes per day, respectively, as well as a positive reconciliation (mined vs. reserves) of 19%.

Gold sold during the quarter was 24,888 ounces, a decrease of 10% over Q2 2015, at an average realized price of $1,628 (US$1,263) per ounce.

per ounce. Revenues for the quarter were $40.6 million ( US$31.5 million ), consistent with Q2 2015.

( ), consistent with Q2 2015. Company-wide cash costs 1 for the quarter were $903 per ounce ( US$701 per ounce), a decrease of 7% over Q2 2015 and below current guidance estimates. Cash costs for the Island Gold Mine were $766 per ounce ( US$595 per ounce), a 20% decrease over Q2 2015 and significantly below current guidance estimates.

for the quarter were per ounce ( per ounce), a decrease of 7% over Q2 2015 and below current guidance estimates. Cash costs for the Island Gold Mine were per ounce ( per ounce), a 20% decrease over Q2 2015 and significantly below current guidance estimates. Company-wide All-in-Sustaining Costs 1 ("AISC") for the quarter were $1,330 per ounce ( US$1,032 per ounce), in-line with Q2 2015 and within current guidance estimates. AISC for the Island Gold Mine were $1,038 per ounce ( US$806 per ounce), a 21% decrease over Q2 2015 and significantly below current guidance estimates.

("AISC") for the quarter were per ounce ( per ounce), in-line with Q2 2015 and within current guidance estimates. AISC for the Island Gold Mine were per ounce ( per ounce), a 21% decrease over Q2 2015 and significantly below current guidance estimates. Earnings were $2.7 million , 8% lower than Q2 2015, or $0.04 per share ( US$2.1 million , or US$0.03 per share).

, 8% lower than Q2 2015, or per share ( , or per share). Operating cash flow (after changes in non-cash working capital) of $14.9 million ( US$11.5 million ), or $0.25 per share ( US$0.19 per share), both in-line with Q2 2015.

( ), or per share ( per share), both in-line with Q2 2015. Richmont ended the quarter with an increased cash balance of $95.5 million ( US$73.4 million ), which includes net proceeds of $29.1 million ( US$22.7 million ) related to a bought-deal prospectus financing completed on June 7, 2016 and $3.0 million of net free cash flow 1 .

( ), which includes net proceeds of ( ) related to a bought-deal prospectus financing completed on and of net free cash flow . Based on the success of the Phase 1 exploration program at the Island Gold Mine, the Corporation launched an aggressive 18 to 24 month Phase 2 drilling program of up to 142,000 metres, with an estimated 39,000 metres to be completed in the second half of 2016.

Based on the strong operational and cost performance in the first six months of the year, Richmont expects to meet, or exceed, the high end of production guidance and the low end of cash cost and AISC guidance. The Corporation will determine whether a revision to 2016 guidance estimates is warranted following the completion of a scheduled 3-week electrical upgrade at the Island Gold mill and the commencement of stope mining in the Q Zone of the Beaufor Mine, both expected in August. It is anticipated that any update to guidance estimates would be released by mid-September.

_________________________

1 Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS Performance Measures section contained in the Second Quarter Management's Discussion and Analysis.

"Positive grade and tonne reconciliations, as well as record mining and milling productivities at the Island Gold Mine have driven better than expected production and cost performance in the first half of the year. For the remainder of the year, we expect Island Gold to continue its strong performance as well as see improved performance from the Beaufor Mine as stope mining from the higher grade Q Zone commences." stated Renaud Adams, CEO. He continued, "Our solid cash position and cash flow generation is expected to fully fund both our accelerated development activities and the Phase 2 exploration program that are currently underway at the Island Gold Mine, both of which could position this core asset for significant production growth and mine life extension."

Financial Highlights

(in thousands of $, except per share amounts) Quarter ended

June 30, 2016 Quarter ended

June 30, 2015 Six months

ended

June 30, 2016 Six months

ended

June 30, 2015 Revenue from mining operations 40,618 40,552 93,252 77,762 Net earnings per share, basic 0.04 0.05 0.19 0.14 Operating cash flow, per share 0.25 0.25 0.54 0.43 Adj. operating cash flow, per share(1)(2) 0.19 0.18 0.55 0.36 Net free cash flow, per share(2) 0.05 0.13 0.07 0.13 Revenue from mining operations (US$) 31,521 32,977 70,104 62,945 Net earnings per share, basic (US$) 0.03 0.04 0.14 0.11 Operating cash flow, per share (US$) 0.19 0.21 0.41 0.35 Adj. operating cash flow, per share(1)(2) (US$) 0.15 0.15 0.41 0.29 Net free cash flow, per share(2) (US$) 0.04 0.10 0.05 0.11

(1) Before changes in non-cash working capital. (2) Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section contained in the Second Quarter Management's Discussion & Analysis.

Operational Highlights



Quarter ended

June 30, 2016 Quarter ended

June 30, 2015 Six months

ended

June 30, 2016 Six months

ended

June 30, 2015 Gold produced (oz) 23,320 26,314 55,689 52,173 Gold sold (oz) 24,888 27,566 57,127 52,357 Average cash costs per ounce ($)(1) 903 974 848 976 Average AISC per ounce ($)(1) 1,330 1,304 1,200 1,281 Average realized gold price per ounce ($) 1,628 1,468 1,629 1,482 Average cash costs per ounce (US$)(1) 701 792 637 790 Average AISC per ounce (US$)(1) 1,032 1,060 902 1,037 Average realized gold price per ounce (US$) 1,263 1,194 1,225 1,200

(1) Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section contained in the Second Quarter Management's Discussion and Analysis.

Island Gold Mine Highlights

ISLAND GOLD MINE Quarter ended June 30, 2016 Quarter ended June 30, 2015 Six months ended June 30, 2016 Six months ended June 30, 2015 Gold produced (oz) 18,617 14,997 45,206 25,761 Gold sold (oz) 20,147 15,703 46,178 24,626 Cash costs per ounce ($)(1) 766 954 714 1,120 AISC per ounce ($)(1) 1,038 1,307 935 1,501 Realized gold price per ounce ($) 1,627 1,470 1,627 1,482 Cash costs per ounce (US$)(1) 595 776 537 906 AISC per ounce (US$)(1) 806 1,063 703 1,214 Realized gold price per ounce (US$) 1,263 1,195 1,223 1,200 Underground tpd 911 759 882 656 Mill tonnes 79,924 71,584 155,830 115,369 Mill tpd 878 787 856 637 Head grade (g/t gold) 7.51 6.73 9.36 7.16 Recoveries (%) 96.5 96.8 96.4 97.0 Sustaining costs ($000's) 5,480 5,555 10,193 9,383 Project costs ($000's) 7,946 4,546 14,933 8,853 Non-sustaining exploration ($000's) 3,624 605 7,394 1,040 Sustaining costs (US$000's) 4,253 4,517 7,663 7,595 Project costs (US$000's) 6,166 3,697 11,226 7,166 Non-sustaining exploration (US$000's) 2,812 492 5,559 842

(1) Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section contained in the second quarter Management's Discussion and Analysis.

At the end of the quarter, the Island Gold Mine reported more than 5.5 years (over 2 million man hours) of operations without lost-time injury.

The Island Gold Mine produced 18,617 ounces of gold (20,147 ounces sold), an increase of 24% over the same period in 2015. As previously disclosed, the mine plan for the quarter was focused in lower-grade areas of the mine where ore development activities primarily occurred in the lower grade extensions of the second mining horizon. Overall, the operation reported a higher than planned mined grade of 7.51 g/t. The forward looking 2016 mine plan continues to forecast development and stope mining at grades of between 7.0 and 7.5 g/t gold, using the December 2015 resource model capped at 95 g/t gold.

resource model capped at 95 g/t gold. Underground productivity averaged a record 911 tonnes per day and mill processing averaged record productivity of 878 tonnes per day. The higher underground productivity and grade realized in the quarter were primarily the result of a positive reconciliation (mined vs. reserves) of 19%, comprised of 8% on tonnes and 10% on grade. As compared to Q1 2016, there was a negative impact on mined grades as a result of mining wider zones as compared to reserves. It is expected that over the coming quarters drilling patterns will continue to be evaluated to best optimize grade and tonnage profiles.

The percentage of higher cost development ore versus total ore tonnes mined was 48% for the quarter, as compared to a planned 40%. It is expected that during the second half of the year the percentage of development ore mined will decrease to planned levels of 40% as stope mining commences in the second mining horizon.

Cash costs for the quarter were $766 per ounce ( US$595 per ounce), significantly below guidance estimates and a 20% decrease over the Q2 2015.

per ounce ( per ounce), significantly below guidance estimates and a 20% decrease over the Q2 2015. AISC per ounce decreased to $1,038 (US$806) , a decrease of 21% over Q2 2015. AISC for the quarter included $5.4 million of sustaining capital, comprised of $2.0 million of underground development costs, $0.8 million in electrical upgrades, $0.8 million of delineation drilling, $0.3 million for capital lease payments and $1.5 million on other assets.

, a decrease of 21% over Q2 2015. AISC for the quarter included of sustaining capital, comprised of of underground development costs, in electrical upgrades, of delineation drilling, for capital lease payments and on other assets. As previously disclosed, a 3-week mill electrical upgrade was launched in late July and remains on track for completion in mid-August.

During the quarter, the Corporation spent $7.9 million in non-sustaining project costs related to the accelerated development of the deeper resources, which included advancing both the main access ramp ( $2.6 million ) and the east ramp ( $2.0 million ), fixed assets ( $2.6 million ), and exploration & delineation development drift on level 740 ( $0.7 million ).

in non-sustaining project costs related to the accelerated development of the deeper resources, which included advancing both the main access ramp ( ) and the east ramp ( ), fixed assets ( ), and exploration & delineation development drift on level 740 ( ). The recent final update on the Phase 1 exploration drilling program demonstrated the potential to grow production and increase mine life both laterally above the 860 metre level, as well as in the vertical extension below the 1,000 metre level. Exploration drilling costs of $3.6 million (approximately 16,800 metres) were incurred in the quarter, completing the Phase 1 drilling program. The success of the Phase 1 program supported the launch of an aggressive 18 to 24 month Phase 2 exploration program of up to 142,000 metres of drilling.

Beaufor Mine Highlights

BEAUFOR MINE Quarter ended June 30, 2016 Quarter ended June 30, 2015 Six months ended June 30, 2016 Six months ended June 30, 2015 Gold produced (oz) 4,703 7,082 9,318 15,045 Gold sold (oz) 4,741 6,888 9,778 15,719 Cash costs per ounce ($)(1) 1,486 1,062 1,441 973 AISC per ounce ($)(1) 1,899 1,259 1,812 1,113 Realized gold price per ounce ($) 1,635 1,455 1,642 1,474 Cash costs per ounce (US$)(1) 1,154 864 1,083 788 AISC per ounce (US$)(1) 1,475 1,024 1,362 901 Realized gold price per ounce (US$) 1,269 1,183 1,234 1,193 Underground tpd 286 360 304 364 Mill tonnes 28,281 36,914 57,599 66,665 Head grade (g/t gold) 5.27 6.05 5.11 7.12 Recoveries (%) 98.1 98.6 98.4 98.6 Sustaining costs ($000's) 1,958 1,358 3,632 2,198 Sustaining costs (US$000's) 1,519 1,104 2,730 1,779

(1) Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section contained in the second quarter Management's Discussion and Analysis.

At the end of the quarter, the Beaufor Mine reported 2.5 years of operations without lost-time injury.

Production for the quarter was 4,703 ounces (4,741 ounces sold), a 34% decrease over Q2 2015, primarily as a result of lower than expected tonnes and grades mined in secondary Zones M-MF and 12.

Development of the higher-grade Q Zone advanced during the quarter with stope mining planned for the third quarter, which should contribute to increased grade and ounces produced in the second half of the year.

Cash costs for the quarter were $1,486 per ounce ( US$1,154 per ounce), a 40% increase over Q2 2015. Cash costs are expected to decrease as stope mining in the higher grade Q Zone begins in the third quarter.

per ounce ( per ounce), a 40% increase over Q2 2015. Cash costs are expected to decrease as stope mining in the higher grade Q Zone begins in the third quarter. AISC per ounce for the second quarter were $1,899 (US$1,475) , a 51% increase over Q2 2015. Sustaining costs for the quarter were $2.0 million , which included $1.0 million for capitalized underground mine development, $0.4 million for expensed exploration costs and $0.6 million of other sustaining costs. AISC are expected to decrease as higher grades stope mining in the new Q Zone begins in the second half of the year.

, a 51% increase over Q2 2015. Sustaining costs for the quarter were , which included for capitalized underground mine development, for expensed exploration costs and of other sustaining costs. AISC are expected to decrease as higher grades stope mining in the new Q Zone begins in the second half of the year. Underground productivity at the Beaufor Mine averaged 286 tonnes per day, modestly lower than planned levels.

Second Quarter and Recent Corporate Highlights

On June 7, 2016 , Richmont announced the completion of a bought-deal prospectus offering (the "Offering"). Pursuant to the Offering, the Corporation issued 2,990,000 common shares at a price of $10.40 per common share for gross proceeds of approximately $31 million that included 390,000 common shares issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriter's over-allotment option.

, Richmont announced the completion of a bought-deal prospectus offering (the "Offering"). Pursuant to the Offering, the Corporation issued 2,990,000 common shares at a price of per common share for gross proceeds of approximately that included 390,000 common shares issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriter's over-allotment option. Effective Friday, June 17, 2016 Richmont was added to the S&P/TSX Global Mining Index and the S&P/TSX Global Gold Index.

Upcoming News & Events

Phase 2 exploration update ( September 2016 )

) Potential guidance update (mid-September)

Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment and Technical Session (Q4 2016)

Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis

The financial statements and related Management's Discussion and Analysis can be found on the Corporation's website at www.richmont-mines.com or under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com and with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

Webcast and Conference Call

A webcast and conference call will be held on Monday, August 8, 2016 starting at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Senior management will be on the call to discuss the results.

Conference Call Access

International & Toronto : 1-416-764-8688

: 1-416-764-8688 Canada & U.S. Toll Free: 1-888-390-0546

Please ask to be placed into the Richmont Mines 2016 Second Quarter Results Conference Call.

Conference Call Live Webcast

The conference call will be broadcast live on the Internet via webcast. To access the webcast, please follow this link: http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=1221836&s=1&k=4BF022AEDB00EC80C28A6E55008FCE7C

Archive Call Access

If you are unable to attend the conference call, a replay will be available until 08:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Monday, August 15, 2016 by dialing the appropriate number below:

International & Toronto : 1-416-764-8677 Passcode: 882550#

: 1-416-764-8677 Passcode: 882550# Canada & U.S. Toll Free: 1-888-390-0541 Passcode: 882550#

Archive Webcast

The webcast will be archived for 90 days. To access the archived webcast, visit the Corporation's website at www.richmont-mines.com or follow this link: http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=1221836&s=1&k=4BF022AEDB00EC80C28A6E55008FCE7C

About Richmont Mines Inc.

Richmont Mines has produced over 1.6 million ounces of gold from its operations in Quebec, Ontario and Newfoundland since beginning production. The Corporation currently produces gold from the Island Gold Mine in Ontario, and the Beaufor Mine in Quebec. The Corporation is also advancing development of the significant high-grade resource extension at depth of the Island Gold Mine in Ontario. With 35 years of experience in gold production, exploration and development, and prudent financial management, the Corporation is well-positioned to cost-effectively build its Canadian reserve base and to successfully enter its next phase of growth.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that include risks and uncertainties. When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and apply only as of the date on which they were made. Except as may be required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation and disclaims any responsibility to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include changes in the prevailing price of gold, the Canadian-United States exchange rate, grade of ore mined and unforeseen difficulties in mining operations that could affect revenue and production costs. Other factors such as uncertainties regarding government regulations could also affect the results. Other risks may be set out in Richmont Mines' Annual Information Form, Annual Reports and periodic reports. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release.

Cautionary note to US investors concerning resource estimates

Information in this press release is intended to comply with the requirements of the Toronto Stock Exchange and applicable Canadian securities legislation, which differ in certain respects with the rules and regulations promulgated under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), as promulgated by the SEC. The Reserve and Resource estimates in this press release were prepared in accordance with Regulation 43101 adopted by the Canadian Securities Administrators. The requirements of Regulation 43-101 differ significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

U.S. Investors are urged to consider the disclosure in our annual report on Form 20-F, File No. 001-14598, as filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act, which may be obtained from us (without cost) or from the SEC's web site: http://sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

Regulation 43-101

The geological data in this news release has been reviewed by Mr. Daniel Adam, Geo., Ph.D., Vice-President, Exploration, an employee of Richmont Mines Inc., and a qualified person as defined by Regulation 43-101.

SOURCE Richmont Mines

Related Links

http://www.richmont-mines.com


Sean Penn's humanitarian work found him in New Orleans in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and later in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. In January 2010, Penn established the J/P Haitian Relief Organization (J/P HRO), which continues to support vulnerable communities to rebuild their lives in healthier and safer neighborhoods through access to quality education, health services, improved housing and infrastructure, and livelihoods. For his efforts, Penn has received numerous honors and awards including being named Ambassador at Large for Haiti in 2012. In addition, he was presented with the 2012 Peace Summit Award at the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. At the COP21 Climate Conference in December 2015, Penn partnered with a global coalition including Segolene Royal, French Ministry for Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, to launch an initiative called "Haiti Takes Root," which is committed to reforest Haiti over the next 10 years.

While noted for his sustained work in Haiti, Penn has been a long-time activist and promoter of civil rights. In 2002, he penned a prescient open letter, which he published in The Washington Post and New York Times, to President George W. Bush against the planned invasion of Iraq. Additionally, he traveled to Baghdad and Tehran in 2002 and 2003 to report for the San Francisco Chronicle. Penn published landmark interviews with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Cuba's President Raul Castro for The Nation; Penn's interview with Castro was his first-ever with a foreign journalist. In 2013, Penn played a vital role in getting wrongfully imprisoned American entrepreneur Jacob Ostreicher released from a Bolivian prison, for which he was honored from the Aleph Institute in 2015.

In over eight years, APJ's annual Toronto event has played an integral role in fundraising for the charity, contributing to over $20 million raised for the organization since it was founded in 2009. Funds raised have supported the development of Port-au-Prince's first free public high school, the Academy for Peace and Justice. Serving over 2,600 students, 2016 marks a milestone year for the Academy, celebrating its inaugural graduating class.

This year's event co-chairs Natasha Koifman, the APJ Canadian Board Chair who helped launch the charity in 2009, and Suzanne Boyd, Editor-in-Chief of Zoomer Magazine, alongside the event committee Nicholas Mellamphy and Simona Shnaider, traveled to Haiti to commemorate the graduation. Visiting the Academy together allowed for the team to witness and experience APJ's commitment to long-term, sustainable development in direct partnership with the Haitian people, with a vision toward growing a new generation of Haiti's leaders by providing access to quality secondary and higher education.

For more information and to buy tickets and sponsorships, visit www.apjnow.org. For the latest news, please follow Artists for Peace and Justice on Twitter and Instagram @artistsforpeace.

About Artists for Peace and Justice

Founded by filmmaker Paul Haggis, Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) is a non-profit organization that encourages peace and social justice and addresses issues of poverty around the world. APJ's immediate goal is to serve the poorest communities in Haiti with programs in education, healthcare, and dignity through the arts. The organization is committed to long-term, sustainable development in direct partnership with the Haitian people. The model is simple: APJ believes in empowering local communities, fostering economic growth, and the power of education to change a nation. APJ is based in New York; David Belle serves as its CEO. www.apjnow.org

About J/P HAITIAN RELIEF ORGANIZATION:

J/P Haitian Relief Organization is dedicated to saving lives and bringing sustainable programs to the Haitian people quickly and effectively. Following the tragic earthquake of 2010, J/P HRO began working immediately to make a meaningful and lasting impact in Haiti. The goal of J/P HRO is to support the residents of the camps we manage and surrounding areas transition from life left homeless by the earthquake to durable, sustainable, and prosperous communities. J/P HRO has implemented its mission through four integrated programs: Medical, Camp & Relocations Management, Engineering & Construction, and Community Development/Education. Most recently, J/P HRO has expanded its focus to include a nation-wide reforestation effort called Haiti Takes Root, in coordination with many other governmental and non-governmental organizations. We work with the support of and in collaboration with local and national government leaders, community based organizations, other international NGOs, UN agencies, donors andmost importantlythe community members themselves. More information can be found at www.jphro.org. You can follow J/P HRO on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/JPHRO, add J/P HRO to your Google+ circles at http://bit.ly/jphroplus, and find J/P HRO on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/JPHRO.

About Bovet 1822

Founded in 1822, the House of Bovet has for almost two centuries occupied a mastery position in the world of fine watchmaking. Since Pascal Raffy's acquisition of Bovet 1822 in 2001, the charity endeavors undertaken by Bovet have been exclusively devoted to children and education. Three years ago a relationship emerged between Paul Haggis and Pascal Raffy through Bovet's support of the actions of Artists for Peace and Justice in aiding children in need in Haiti. Becoming immersed in these efforts Bovet officially continues their commitment and dedication to the children through a long-term partnership with Artists for Peace and Justice, which began this year. www.bovet.com

SOURCE Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ)

Related Links

http://www.apjnow.org


CCKC is home to three non-profit organizations that provide a continuum of services focused on the health and wellness of children from birth to age five. That includes nearly 150 preschool students participating in CCKC's Educare program, which lays a strong educational foundation for children who might otherwise be derailed by the deep and lasting implications of poverty.

"I am pleased to visit Children's Campus to see firsthand a local partnership trying new methods to teach and nurture low-income children in a facility specifically designed for their needs," Sen. Roberts said. "These children are the most vulnerable in our society, and it is very encouraging to see a community harness the resources it has, like the University of Kansas Medical Center, LISC, Wyandotte County and other organizations by working together to meet the educational and developmental needs of at-risk children. Reading to these kids is a great way to start the day, and I hope they are off to a great start for the year."

Funding gaps almost derailed CCKC before the first brick was laideven though expanding access to quality early education programs and services has been a local priority, notes Heather Schrotberger, director of Project Eagle, the University of Kansas Medical Center program that operates Educare Kansas City.

"We know that quality early childhood education can make all the difference in a child's future," she said. "It is a powerful anti-poverty strategy. Young children flourish when we create early education settings designed for their needs, with classrooms and teachers that keep them safe and engaged. That's why CCKC exists."

In other words, space matters. According to a report published by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), a facility's layout, size, materials and design features can improve program quality and contribute positively to child development, while a poorly adapted and overcrowded environment undermines it. The physical configuration of early care and education spaces directly affect adult/child interaction and influence how children grow and learn.

But financing high-quality, appropriate space for young learners  much less space that can also accommodate other family services, as is the case with CCKC  is not easy. Early fundraising and philanthropic support enabled the project to secure a conventional bank loan, but CCKC still faced a significant funding gap. The project utilized the federal New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program, which is designed to encourage private-sector investment in underserved communities, to fill that critical shortfall.

CCKC highlights an important intersection between federal policy and local impact, said Matt Josephs, LISC senior vice president of policy, who joined Sen. Roberts on the CCKC tour. "The corner of 5th St. and Minnesota Ave. might seem like it's a long way from Washington, but federal programs like the New Markets Tax Credit have a significant local impact," said Josephs, who also serves on the board of the New Markets Tax Credit Coalition. "CCKC is illustrative of how NMTCs can be used to deliver private sector investments into distressed neighborhoods, helping to not only provide critical services to community residents, but also to revitalize the neighborhoods and fuel further growth."

Stephen Samuels, executive director with LISC's Kansas City program office, notes that these kinds of investments also have significant economic benefits for the city at large. LISC helped finance CCKC as part of its comprehensive efforts to revitalize disadvantaged neighborhoods.

"CCKC allows parents to go to work without worrying if their children are in a safe, nurturing place," he said. "It has created more than 200 jobs in a community with high poverty and unemployment rates. And, it has transformed a vacant commercial corner into an active, vibrant space," he explained. "By connecting so many critical local partners and institutions, this facility is not only an imperative for our children; it is a significant, lasting asset for our community."

About CCKC

CCKC is a collaborative partnership aimed at improving outcomes for young children and their families. Three agencies representing the fields of early childhood education, parenting education, family support, health, education and research have co-located on the campus and collectively built a system of services that address the multiple needs of young children and their families, paying special attention to addressing the educational achievement gaps between low-income children and their higher income counterparts. These agencies are:

Juniper Gardens Children's Project  Juniper Gardens Children's Project, of the University of Kansas , works to improve children's developmental experiences and their academic and social achievements through research.

 Juniper Gardens Children's Project, of the , works to improve children's developmental experiences and their academic and social achievements through research. Project Eagle  Project Eagle, of the University of Kansas Medical Center , directs multiple programs on site, including an Early Head Start program (Educare of Kansas City , serving 150 students), a Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, and the Connections centralized screening and referral system for Wyandotte County .

 Project Eagle, of the , directs multiple programs on site, including an Early Head Start program (Educare of , serving 150 students), a Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, and the Connections centralized screening and referral system for . The Family Conservancy  The Family Conservancy provides mental health assessments and services, parenting education, crisis intervention, assistance to overcome poverty, and professional development to enhance the quality of early education across the community.

About LISC

LISC equips struggling communities with the capital, program strategy and know-how to become places where people can thrive. Since 1980, LISC has invested more than $16 billion to build or rehab 348,000 affordable homes and apartments and develop 56 million square feet of retail, community and educational space.

For more on the importance of developing early childhood education facilities, read Building Early Childhood Facilities: What States Can Do to Create Supply and Promote Quality, published by NIEER and authored by LISC, or visit http://www.lisc.org/our-initiatives/education/early-childhood-facilities/.

About New Markets Tax Credits

The New Markets Tax Credit was enacted in 2000 in an effort to stimulate private investment and economic growth in low income urban neighborhoods and rural communities that lack access to the patient capital needed to support and grow businesses, create jobs, and sustain healthy local economies. The NMTC is a 39 percent federal tax credit, taken over seven years, on investments made in economically distressed communities. Today due to NMTC, more than $75 billion is hard at work in underserved communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Since its implementation, Congress has made several last-minute reauthorizations, making it difficult for practitioners and communities to rely on its availability. However, Congress passed a five-year extension of the NMTC in the PATH Act, which was passed in December 2015.

Contact:

Kay Hawes, associate director of news and media relations

University of Kansas Medical Center

913-617-8698 (cell) or [email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160808/396412

SOURCE LISC

Related Links

http://www.lisc.org


WASHINGTON and OTTAWA, Canada, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is pleased to announce its annual request for proposals (RFP) for the SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program. Grants from SFI contribute to understanding the critical linkage between forests and communities across the range of American and Canadian forests, and represent SFI's long-standing commitment to forest research. These projects provide the science-based data needed by resource professionals to improve forest management and to assess conservation values. SFI community grants build engagement at the intersection of sustainable forestry, responsible procurement and thriving communities.

"With more than a quarter billion acres/100 million hectares certified to SFI, representing the breadth of our diverse forests across Canada and the United States, and millions more positively impacted by SFI Fiber Sourcing, SFI has the necessary scale to directly influence the future of our forests. This new grant cycle focuses on helping to quantify the impacts of well managed forests on water, biodiversity, and mitigation of climate change impacts." said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc. "Our community grants will build more partnerships with community organizations that work to link communities to our future forests, and help people understand the relevancy of forests in their lives."

Since 2010, SFI has awarded 85 grants worth more than $3 million to foster research and pilot efforts to better inform decisions about our forests, and to build understanding of the importance of forests to our communities. When leveraged with project partner contributions, the total investment exceeds $9.3 million. Applications will be accepted from August 8 until 11:59 pm EST, Monday, October 10, 2016. SFI grants are available to academic institutions, non-profit organizations and Indigenous groups. Download this year's RFP here.

SFI Conservation Grants focus on the connection between conservation values, sustainable supply chains and the natural resource values we care about. "At SFI, we are seeking to quantify how responsible forest management positively impacts water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk, carbon storage and resiliency to climate change," said Paul Trianosky, Chief Conservation Officer of SFI Inc. "Through research, innovation and collaboration, SFI conservation grants aim to benefit communities and the environment by building understanding of forest values." Some examples of current SFI conservation grants include:

American Bird Conservancy is spearheading pilot projects in the U.S. Southeast and Pacific Northwest to quantify and improve the value of forests certified to SFI for bird species of conservation interest.

The Nature Conservancy is teaming up with SFI to help at-risk youth prepare for jobs as forest technicians, while restoring conservation values in native forests.

The Saskatchewan Research Council in Canada is quantifying how SFI certified forests and their wetlands are helping to store carbon and mitigate climate change.

is quantifying how SFI certified forests and their wetlands are helping to store carbon and mitigate climate change. Nature Conservancy of Canada is studying how sustainably managed forests certified to SFI can offer biodiversity benefits through conservation of habitat for amphibians and salamanders in vernal pools.

SFI Community Grants bring communities and forests together to help shape a sustainable future. SFI is focused on educating youth, promoting respect for traditional Indigenous values, helping provide sustainable housing for low-income families, and funding other projects to build understanding of the importance of responsible forestry. Recent examples of SFI community grants include:

Cornell University is engaging local youth to build bird nest boxes using SFI-sourced lumber and developing a free online curriculum to engage more youth in bird conservation.

The Federation des producteurs forestiers du Quebec is using support from SFI to update forestry practices for a private woodlots field guide that could reach more than 130,000 woodlot owners in Quebec .

. The Mississippi Forestry Foundation is facilitating a course where Mississippi State University architecture students design a state-of-the-art wood building linking sustainable forest management to green building practices.

architecture students design a state-of-the-art wood building linking sustainable forest management to green building practices. The San Carlos Apache Forest Resources Youth Outreach Program is being supported by SFI to promote the link between sustainable forestry, cultural heritage and empowering Tribal youth.

Learn more about the SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program, read about current and past grant projects, and download the current RFP here.

About the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI)

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) stands for future forests. An independent nonprofit organization, SFI promotes sustainable forestry with comprehensive programs supporting ecosystem research and conservation, education and professional accreditation, community engagement, and an internationally-recognized forest certification program. Since 1995, SFI Program Participants have invested more than $1.5 billion in sustainable forestry research and more than 280 million acres/113 million hectares in the US and Canada have been certified to the SFI Forest Management Standard. In addition, SFI promotes sustainable forestry by offering the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard and the SFI Chain-of-Custody Standard to address the diversity of the forest products supply chain. SFI on-product labels help consumers support future forests through responsible purchasing decisions. SFI Inc. is governed by a three-chamber board of directors representing environmental, social and economic sectors equally. Learn more at sfiprogram.org.

SOURCE Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc.

Related Links

http://www.sfiprogram.org/


SUNRISE, Fla., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunshine Health, a subsidiary of Centene Corporation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ernest Bertha, M.D., Medical Director for Sunshine Health to the Florida Telehealth Advisory Council created in Florida House Bill 7087 and signed into law by Governor Rick Scott in 2016.

Dr. Bertha has practiced medicine for more than 30 years, has held medical licenses in nine states and is Board Certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Prior to joining Sunshine Health as a Medical Director in 2015, Dr. Bertha was the Medical Director at The Children's Hospital at Palm's West. Throughout his career, Dr. Bertha has practiced medicine via telehealth and has helped craft policies for the appropriate utilization of telehealth and telemedicine.

"It is an honor to be selected to serve as one of the 15 Telehealth Advisory Council members," said Ernest Bertha, M.D., Medical Director for Sunshine Health. "Telehealth is revolutionizing the practice of medicine across the country but Florida is lagging behind other states. I am encouraged by the Florida Legislature's interest in this important tool. I look forward to working with my peers on the Council to improve the patient experience through innovative technology."

The Telehealth Advisory Council will review what telehealth services are currently available and how the services are covered by health insurance, as well as identify the barriers to expanding telehealth in Florida. The Council will compile the recommendations and present a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by October 31, 2017. For more information about the Telehealth Advisory Council visit, www.ahca.myflorida.com/telehealth.

About Sunshine Health

Sunshine Health is among the largest healthcare plans in Florida. Offering coordinated care and a network of support, Sunshine Health is transforming the health of our community, one person at a time. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. We offer health plan benefits to children and adults who are eligible for Florida Medicaid, those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and those eligible for Long Term Care as well as Florida's Health Insurance Marketplace. Additionally, we offer a specialty Medicaid health plan for children in or adopted from Florida's Child Welfare/Foster Care system and two full pay Healthy Kids plans statewide. For more information about Sunshine Health, please visit www.SunshineHealth.com.

SOURCE Sunshine Health

Related Links

http://www.SunshineHealth.com


WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Second Quarter 2016 Highlights

Net Sales of $1.4 billion

Net Loss of $18 million , or ($0.10) per diluted share, including impairment charges of $63 million , interest expense of $50 million and restructuring costs of $9 million

, or per diluted share, including impairment charges of , interest expense of and restructuring costs of Adjusted EBITDA of $187 million

Adjusted Net Income of $49 million , or $0.27 per diluted share

Other Year-To-Date Highlights

Continued progress on Five-Point Transformation Plan objectives, including delivery of ~$100 million of cost reductions in the first half of 2016, completion of the strategic review of Chemical Solutions portfolio, commercial startup of Altamira TiO 2 capacity expansion and announced investment in additional Opteon capacity

of cost reductions in the first half of 2016, completion of the strategic review of Chemical Solutions portfolio, commercial startup of capacity expansion and announced investment in additional Opteon capacity $359 million improvement in cash flow from operating activities in the first half

improvement in cash flow from operating activities in the first half Reduced ~$100 million of long term debt year-to-date

of long term debt year-to-date Completed the sale of the Sulfur business to Veolia for approximately $325 million

Today, The Chemours Company (Chemours) (NYSE: CC), a global chemistry company with leading market positions in titanium technologies, fluoroproducts and chemical solutions, announced financial results for the second quarter 2016.

Chemours President and CEO Mark Vergnano said, "Our second quarter results reflect our focused execution against our Five-Point Transformation Plan and our drive to deliver on our commitments to all our stakeholders. We have just celebrated our first anniversary as a public company, and we are pleased with the progress we have made in that time to strengthen our business model, reduce costs, and optimize our company portfolio. At this point, we have completed the strategic review of our Chemical Solutions portfolio, closed the sale of our Sulfur business for approximately $325 million and announced the sale of our Clean and Disinfect business for $230 million. We began commercial production at our new TiO 2 plant in Altamira, Mexico and have been encouraged by improvement in the titanium technologies segment with increasing TiO 2 prices. Overall, I am very pleased that we have delivered approximately $100 million in cost reductions, improved margins, improved our working capital, streamlined our portfolio and modestly improved our balance sheet in the first half of 2016."

Second quarter net sales were $1.4 billion, a decrease of 8 percent from $1.5 billion in the prior-year quarter. Second quarter net loss was $18 million, or ($0.10) per diluted share, versus net loss of $18 million, or ($0.10) per diluted share on a pro forma basis in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was $187 million versus $127 million in the prior-year quarter. Improved profitability in Fluoroproducts and cost reductions throughout the company were partially offset by lower average prices in Titanium Technologies and Chemical Solutions along with approximately $9 million of unfavorable currency movements versus the prior-year quarter.

Sequentially, sales increased by $86 million, an increase of 7 percent from $1.3 billion in the first quarter. Second quarter net loss was $18 million, or ($0.10) per diluted share down from net income of $51 million or $0.28 per diluted share. The net loss was primarily driven by asset impairment charges of $63 million in the second quarter. Second quarter Adjusted EBITDA increased by $59 million versus $128 million in the first quarter of 2016. The improved performance was primarily driven by higher seasonal volumes in Titanium Technologies and Fluoroproducts and supplemented by higher TiO 2 pricing and lower costs. These were partially offset by unfavorable Corporate and Other expenses.

Titanium Technologies

In the second quarter, Titanium Technologies segment sales were $596 million, a 7 percent decline versus the prior-year quarter. Lower year-over-year pricing reduced net sales 6 percent and lower volume of non-TiO 2 product lines and the timing of TiO 2 shipments reduced net sales 1 percent. Strong demand in North America and EMEA was offset by weaker volumes in Asia and Latin America versus the prior-year quarter. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $111 million, a 22 percent improvement compared to the prior-year quarter. Benefits from cost reductions and operational efficiencies drove the improvement in Adjusted EBITDA, but were partially offset by the lower average prices. Currency movements contributed a moderate benefit in the quarter versus the previous-year quarter.

Sequentially, versus the first quarter of 2016, sales increased 14 percent and Adjusted EBITDA increased $57 million, or 105 percent. The increase in sales was due to seasonally stronger volumes and higher global average price increase of approximately 5 percent. Volume increased 10 percent driven by sequentially higher demand in all regions except Latin America. The benefits of global average price increases, stronger volumes, transformation plan cost savings and a $4 million impact from favorable currency movements drove the increase in Adjusted EBITDA. In August 2016, Chemours communicated to customers in EMEA and Latin America that an additional $150 per tonne price increase will be effective September 1, 2016.

Fluoroproducts

Fluoroproducts segment sales in the second quarter were $573 million, a decrease of 3 percent versus the prior-year quarter. Stronger demand for Opteon refrigerants in both Europe and the U.S. delivered a significant increase in volume that was offset by regulated volume reductions of base refrigerants, weaker demand for fluoropolymer products into consumer electronics markets and lower pricing due to product mix. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $105 million, a 94 percent increase versus the prior-year quarter. Transformation plan cost reductions, improved manufacturing operations and increased Opteon refrigerant contributions were partially offset by unfavorable mix of fluoropolymers products and approximately $11 million of unfavorable currency movements versus the prior-year quarter.

Sequentially, versus the first quarter of 2016, sales and Adjusted EBITDA increased 8 percent and 24 percent, respectively. Seasonally stronger refrigerant sales, along with continued ramp up in Opteon refrigerant volumes, more than offset weaker prices related to unfavorable mix of fluoropolymer sales. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was driven by Opteon refrigerant growth, lower costs and approximately $4 million of benefit from currency movements in the quarter that were partially offset by the unfavorable product mix.

Chemical Solutions

In the second quarter, Chemical Solutions segment sales were $214 million, a 23 percent decline versus the prior-year quarter, primarily due to pass-through impact on prices of lower raw material costs and the portfolio impact of the Beaumont, TX aniline facility sale. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $11 million, $7 million above the prior-year quarter, reflecting continued benefits from transformation plan initiatives that are lowering operating costs across the segment. The timing of the planned cyanide expansion has been pushed back due to permitting delays, and Chemours now expects the majority of capital expenditures related to the construction will take place in 2017.

Sequentially, sales decreased 13 percent versus the first quarter of 2016 primarily as a result of pass-through pricing, while Adjusted EBITDA was $1 million higher driven primarily by lower operating costs in the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the company completed its strategic review of the Chemicals Solutions segment. On July 29, 2016, the company completed the sale of its Sulfur business to Veolia for approximately $325 million. Chemours expects to close the sale of the Clean and Disinfect (C&D) business to LANXESS for $230 million in the second half of 2016. During the second quarter, activities to shut down the Reactive Metals business in Niagara, NY continued with expected closure by the end of this year.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other represented a negative $40 million of Adjusted EBITDA. Corporate and Other expenses in the second quarter of 2016 increased $18 million and $19 million versus the prior-year quarter and the first quarter 2016, respectively. The increase in expenses primarily related to performance-related compensation adjustments, litigation and other miscellaneous expenses in the quarter.

The company recognized a cash tax rate of approximately 25 percent in the quarter, excluding restructuring and other nonrecurring charges. For the full year 2016, the company expects its cash tax rate to be in the high-teens percentages, taking into consideration the company's anticipated geographic mix of earnings and additional implications anticipated with the Sulfur and C&D transactions.

Liquidity

As of June 30, 2016, gross consolidated debt was $3.9 billion. Debt, net of cash, was $3.5 billion.

Cash balances were $383 million at June 30, 2016. In the quarter, the company retired $50 million of Term Loan B and $42 million of its bonds for a combined cash amount of $85 million. An additional $8 million of bonds were retired in July 2016, completing $100 million of total long term debt repurchased year-to-date. As a result of these purchases, the company expects to save approximately $5 million annually from lower interest obligations.

Excluding the impact of interest payments in the quarter, the company continued to improve working capital performance through better inventory management and collections and payables processes. Year-to-date working capital1 performance and free cash flow improved by $219 million and $347 million, respectively, versus the prior-year, not including the benefit of the DuPont prepayment originally received in February 2016.

Outlook

"We are gaining momentum this year from the success of our transformation plan, including cost reductions, portfolio optimization, the ramp up of Opteon products and the expansion at Altamira," Vergnano continued. "We expect these initiatives along with our TiO 2 price increases will deliver full-year Adjusted EBITDA greater than 2015 and generate modestly positive free cash flow. At this point in the year, we believe that our full-year capital expenditures are tracking slightly below $400 million, primarily due to the shift in the timing of the cyanide expansion. We intend to increase our investment in our Corpus Christi site to add flexibility for our anticipated Opteon expansion. We are also investing in other high-return capital projects that will enhance opportunities in our core businesses. We have gained confidence in our ability to realize our transformation plan goals of delivering $350 million of cost reductions and $150 million in Adjusted EBITDA associated with Opteon and Altamira through 2017. We believe that we are increasingly well-positioned to continue to strengthen our balance sheet and enhance Chemours' market leadership as we move forward."

Conference Call

As previously announced, Chemours will hold a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at 8:30 AM EDT. The webcast and additional presentation materials can be accessed by visiting the Events & Presentations page of the Chemours investor website, investors.chemours.com. A webcast replay of the conference call will be available on the Chemours investor website.



1 Excludes $131 million of benefit from DuPont prepayment.

          

About The Chemours Company

The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC) helps create a colorful, capable and cleaner world through the power of chemistry. Chemours is a global leader in titanium technologies, fluoroproducts and chemical solutions, providing its customers with solutions in a wide range of industries with market-defining products, application expertise and chemistry-based innovations. Chemours ingredients are found in plastics and coatings, refrigeration and air conditioning, mining and oil refining operations and general industrial manufacturing. Our flagship products include prominent brands such as Teflon, Ti-Pure, Krytox, Viton, Opteon and Nafion. Chemours has approximately 8,000 employees across 35 manufacturing sites serving more than 5,000 customers in North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Europe. Chemours is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol CC. For more information please visit chemours.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We prepare our financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). Within this press release, we make reference to Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted Diluted Income (Loss) per share and Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Free Cash Flow is defined as Cash from Operations minus cash used for PP&E purchases. The company includes these non-GAAP financial measures because management believes they are useful to investors in that they provide for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making.

Management uses Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted Diluted Income (Loss) per share, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow to evaluate the company's performance excluding the impact of certain non-cash charges and other special items which we expect to be infrequent in occurrence in order to have comparable financial results to analyze changes in our underlying business from quarter to quarter.

Accordingly, the company believes the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, is a useful financial analysis tool that can assist investors in assessing the company's operating performance and underlying prospects. This analysis should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. This analysis, as well as the other information in this press release, should be read in conjunction with the company's financial statements and footnotes contained in the documents that the company files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The non-GAAP financial measures used by the company in this press release may be different from the methods used by other companies. For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please refer to the attached schedules or the table, "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures" and materials posted to the website at investors.chemours.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which often may be identified by their use of words like "plans," "expects," "will," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "anticipates" or other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements address, among other things, our anticipated future operating and financial performance, business plans and prospects, transformation plans, resolution of environmental liabilities, litigation and other contingencies, plans to increase profitability, our ability to pay or the amount of any dividend, and target leverage that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events which may not be realized. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements also are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements, as further described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. Chemours undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements.

CONTACT:

MEDIA:

Alvenia Scarborough

Director of Brand and Corporate Communications

+1.302.773.4507

[email protected]

INVESTORS:

Alisha Bellezza

Director of Investor Relations

+1.302.773.2263

[email protected]

The Chemours Company Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)



Three months ended

Six months ended

June 30,

June 30,

2016

2015

2016

2015 Net sales $ 1,383



$ 1,508



$ 2,680



$ 2,871

Cost of goods sold 1,116



1,282



2,212



2,393

Gross profit 267



226



468



478

Selling, general and administrative expense 174



157



307



324

Research and development expense 17



27



40



50

Employee separation and asset related charges, net 67



61



85



61

Total expenses 258



245



432



435

Equity in earnings of affiliates 4



8



9



11

Interest expense, net (50)



(28)



(106)



(28)

Other (expense) income, net (4)



21



89



14

(Loss) income before income taxes (41)



(18)



28



40

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes (23)







(5)



15

Net (loss) income (18)



(18)



33



25

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 













Net (loss) income attributable to Chemours $ (18)



$ (18)



$ 33



$ 25

















Per share data













Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock 1 $ (0.10)



$ (0.10)



$ 0.18



$ 0.14

Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock 1 $ (0.10)



$ (0.10)



$ 0.18



$ 0.14

Dividends per share of common stock 1 $ 0.03



$ 0.55



$ 0.06



$ 0.55







1 On July 1, 2015, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company distributed 180,966,833 shares of Chemours' common stock to holders of its common stock. Basic and diluted earnings per common share and dividends per common share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 were calculated using the number of shares distributed on July 1, 2015.

The Chemours Company Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)



June 30,

2016

December 31,

2015

(Unaudited)



Assets





Current assets:





Cash $ 383



$ 366

Accounts and notes receivable - trade, net 939



859

Inventories 892



972

Prepaid expenses and other 52



58

Assets held-for-sale 26



46

Total current assets 2,292



2,301

Property, plant and equipment 8,334



9,015

Less: Accumulated depreciation (5,444)



(5,838)

Net property, plant and equipment 2,890



3,177

Goodwill 153



166

Other intangible assets, net 8



10

Investments in affiliates 157



136

Assets held-for-sale 352





Other assets 369



508

Total assets $ 6,221



$ 6,298

Liabilities and equity





Current liabilities:





Accounts payable $ 875



$ 973

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt 36



39

Other accrued liabilities 533



454

Total current liabilities 1,444



1,466

Long-term debt, net 3,823



3,915

Deferred income taxes 202



234

Other liabilities 583



553

Total liabilities 6,052



6,168

Commitments and contingent liabilities





Equity





Common stock (par value $.01 per share; 810,000,000 shares authorized; 181,491,426 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2016) 2



2

Additional paid-in capital 774



775

Accumulated deficit (82)



(115)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (529)



(536)

Total Chemours stockholders' equity 165



126

Noncontrolling interests 4



4

Total equity 169



130

Total liabilities and equity $ 6,221



$ 6,298



The Chemours Company Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Dollars in millions)



Six months ended

June 30,

2016

2015 Operating activities





Net income $ 33



$ 25

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used for) operating activities:





Depreciation and amortization 139



131

Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount 11



2

Gain on sale of assets and business (88)





Equity in earnings of affiliates (9)



(11)

Deferred tax benefits (36)



(31)

Asset related charges 63





Other operating charges, net 14



2

Decrease (increase) in operating assets:





Accounts and notes receivable - trade, net (92)



(205)

Inventories and other operating assets 85



(68)

Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:





Accounts payable and other operating liabilities 6



(78)

Cash provided by (used for) operating activities 126



(233)

Investing activities





Purchases of property, plant and equipment (168)



(287)

Proceeds from sales of assets and business 150



8

Foreign exchange contract settlements 



(12)

Investment in affiliates 



(32)

Cash used for investing activities (18)



(323)

Financing activities





Proceeds from issuance of debt, net 



3,490

Debt repayments (95)





Deferred financing fees (2)



(77)

Dividends paid (11)





Cash provided at separation by DuPont 



247

Net transfers to DuPont 



(2,857)

Cash (used for) provided by financing activities (108)



803

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 17





Increase in cash 17



247

Cash at beginning of period 366





Cash at end of period $ 383



$ 247









Non-cash investing activities:





Change in property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable $ 10



$ (35)



The Chemours Company Segment Financial and Operating Data (Unaudited) (Dollars in millions)

Segment Net Sales Three months ended



Three months ended Sequential

June 30, Increase / (Decrease)

March 31, Increase /

(Decrease)

2016 2015

2016 Titanium Technologies $ 596

$ 642

$ (46)



$ 521

$ 75

Fluoroproducts 573

588

(15)



531

42

Chemical Solutions 214

278

(64)



245

(31)

Net sales $ 1,383

$ 1,508

$ (125)



$ 1,297

$ 86



Segment Adjusted EBITDA Three months ended



Three months ended Sequential

June 30, Increase / (Decrease)

March 31, Increase / (Decrease)

2016 2015

2016 Titanium Technologies $ 111

$ 91

$ 20



$ 54

$ 57

Fluoroproducts 105

54

51



85

20

Chemical Solutions 11

4

7



10

1

Corporate and Other (40)

(22)

(18)



(21)

(19)

Total Adjusted EBITDA $ 187

$ 127

$ 60



$ 128

$ 59















Adjusted EBITDA Margin 14 % 8 %



10 %



Quarterly Change in Net Sales from June 30, 2015





2016 Net Sales Percentage Change vs 2015 Percentage change due to:

Local Price Volume Currency Effect Portfolio / Other Total Company $ 1,383

(8)% (5)% (1)% (1)% (1)%













Titanium Technologies $ 596

(7)% (6)% (1)% % % Fluoroproducts $ 573

(3)% (1)% 1% (2)% (1)% Chemical Solutions $ 214

(23)% (9)% (8)% % (6)%

Quarterly Change in Net Sales from March 31, 2016





2016 Net Sales Percentage Change vs March 31, 2016 Percentage change due to:

Local Price Volume Currency Effect Portfolio / Other Total Company $ 1,383

7% 1% 6% 1% (1)%













Titanium Technologies $ 596

14% 4% 9% 1% % Fluoroproducts $ 573

8% (1)% 8% 1% % Chemical Solutions $ 214

(13)% (2)% (4)% % (7)%

The Chemours Company Segment Financial and Operating Data (Unaudited) (Dollars in millions)



Segment Net Sales Six months ended



June 30, Increase /

(Decrease)

2016 2015 Titanium Technologies $ 1,117

$ 1,187

$ (70)

Fluoroproducts 1,104

1,140

(36)

Chemical Solutions 459

544

(85)

Net sales $ 2,680

$ 2,871

$ (191)



Segment Adjusted EBITDA Six months ended



June 30, Increase /

(Decrease)

2016 2015 Titanium Technologies $ 166

$ 184

$ (18)

Fluoroproducts 190

129

61

Chemical Solutions 21

5

16

Corporate and Other (62)

(46)

(16)

Total Adjusted EBITDA $ 315

$ 272

$ 43









Adjusted EBITDA Margin 12 % 9 %



Year-to-date Change in Net Sales from June 30, 2015





2016 Net Sales Percentage Change vs 2015 Percentage change due to:

Local Price Volume Currency Effect Portfolio / Other Total Company $ 2,680

(7)% (5)% 1% (2)% (1)%













Titanium Technologies $ 1,117

(6)% (10)% 5% (1)% % Fluoroproducts $ 1,104

(3)% 1% (1)% (3)% % Chemical Solutions $ 459

(16)% (9)% (3)% % (4)%

The Chemours Company Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Information (Unaudited)

GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA Tabular Reconciliations (Dollars in millions)





Three months ended

Six months ended



June 30,

March 31,

June 30,



2016

2015

2016

2016

2015 Net (loss) income attributable to Chemours

$ (18)



$ (18)



$ 51



$ 33



$ 25

Non-operating pension and other postretirement employee benefit (income) costs

(7)



8



(7)



(14)



15

Exchange losses (gains)

14



(19)



6



20



(3)

Restructuring charges

9



61



17



27



61

Asset related charges 1

63











63





Loss (gain) on sale of assets or business

1







(89)



(88)





Transaction costs 2

12







3



15





Legal and other charges 3

13







5



19





(Benefit from) provision for income taxes relating to reconciling items 4

(38)



(15)



25



(15)



(29)

Adjusted Net Income

49



17



11



60



69

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests



















Interest expense, net

50



28



57



106



28

Depreciation and amortization

73



67



66



139



131

All remaining provision for (benefit from) income taxes 4

15



15



(6)



10



44

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 187



$ 127



$ 128



$ 315



$ 272

























_______________ 1 Includes asset impairment in connection with the sale of the Sulfur business and other asset write-offs in the Chemical Solutions segment. 2 Includes accounting, legal and bankers transaction fees incurred related to the Company's strategic initiatives, which includes pre-sale transaction costs incurred in connection with the sales of the C&D and Sulfur businesses. 3 Includes litigation settlements, water treatment accruals related to PFOA, and lease termination charges. 4 Total of provision for (benefit from) income taxes reconciles to the amount reported in the Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, and the three months ended March 31, 2016.



Adjusted Net Income diluted earnings per share is calculated using Adjusted Net Income divided by diluted weighted-average shares of common shares outstanding during each period, which includes unvested restricted shares. The table below shows a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share and adjusted earnings per share calculations for the periods indicated:









Three months ended

Six months ended



June 30,

March 31,

June 30,



2016

2015

2016

2016

2015 Numerator:



















Net income

$ (18)



$ (18)



$ 51



$ 33



$ 25

Adjusted Net Income

$ 49



$ 17



$ 11



$ 60



$ 69

Denominator:



















Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - Basic

181,477,672



180,966,833



181,281,166



181,379,419



180,966,833

Dilutive effect of the company's employee compensation plans 5

1,114,845







221,974



668,410





Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - Diluted

182,592,517



180,966,833



181,503,140



182,047,829



180,966,833























Earnings per share - basic

$ (0.10)



$ (0.10)



$ 0.28



$ 0.18



$ 0.14

Earnings per share - diluted 5

$ (0.10)



$ (0.10)



$ 0.28



$ 0.18



$ 0.14

Adjusted earnings per share - basic

$ 0.27



$ 0.09



$ 0.06



$ 0.33



$ 0.38

Adjusted earnings per share - diluted 5

$ 0.27



$ 0.09



$ 0.06



$ 0.33



$ 0.38





5 Diluted earnings per share considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities except in periods in which there is a loss because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have an anti-dilutive effect.



The Chemours Company Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Information (Unaudited)

GAAP Cash Flow to Free Cash Flow Tabular Reconciliations





Three months ended

Six months ended



June 30,

March 31,

June 30,



2016

2015

2016

2016

2015 Cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities

$ 90



$ 5



$ 36



$ 126



$ (233)

Cash flow used for purchases of property, plant, and equipment

(79)



(150)



(89)



(168)



(287)

Free cash flows 1

$ 11



$ (145)



$ (53)



$ (42)



$ (520)



_______________ 1 Cash flows from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and the six months ended June 30, 2016 include the DuPont prepayments outstanding balance of approximately $131 million and $166 million, respectively. Excluding the DuPont prepayment, free cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and the six months ended June 30, 2016 would have been negative $219 million and negative $173 million, respectively.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150715/237460LOGO

SOURCE The Chemours Company

Related Links

http://www.chemours.com


CHICAGO, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program (Clinical Psy.D.) at The Chicago School's Chicago Campus has been awarded a $1.8 million, four-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program. The grant will enable The Chicago School to offer scholarships of up to $30,000 per year to at least 15 full-time Clinical Psy.D.- enrolled students with financial need from economically and environmentally disadvantaged backgrounds to help cover the cost of their education. The Clinical Psy.D. Program at the Chicago Campus is accredited by the American Psychological Association. The Chicago School is one of the leading nonprofit graduate universities devoted exclusively to the study of psychology, and related behavioral health sciences.

The Chicago Campus' Clinical Psy.D. Program was awarded $450,000 for the July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 academic year and has been recommended for renewal through June 30, 2020.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for our students," said Kim Dell'Angela, Ph.D., department chair, Clinical Psychology Program, Chicago Campus. "We are honored to have been chosen after such a rigorous and highly competitive process. The benefit to our students and the program is immeasurable as we continue our work to educate and train the students who will shape our evolving healthcare system and return to their communities as leaders and change makers."

The SDS program is one of 12 workforce programs through which HRSA awarded grants totaling $149 million in an effort to help "prepare the next generation of skilled, diverse primary care providers to serve communities in need across the country."{HHS.gov}

Chicago Campus Dean Tiffany Masson, Psy.D. added, "Our Clinical Psy.D. Program is one of the top programs across the country with professors and students who are dedicated to using their skills to help others. The Chicago School's mission has always been one of service to the community and we attract, educate and train students who want to give back to underserved communities. I am thrilled that one of our programs has been recognized for its work in this way."

About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Founded in 1979, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is a nonprofit, private university devoted exclusively to psychology, and related behavioral and health sciences. The Chicago School is an affiliate of TCS Education System, a nonprofit system of colleges advancing student success and community impact. The university serves nearly 4,500 students across campuses in Chicago; Southern California (Los Angeles and Irvine); and Washington, D.C., as well as through online programs. The Chicago School is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, (WSCUC), and its Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in Chicago is accredited by the American Psychological Association. With more than 20 graduate degree programs, thousands of hours of real-world training, and a wealth of international opportunities, TCSPP is the leader in professional psychology education. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu.

Acknowledgment and disclaimer:

This project is/was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number T08HP30210, Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students for $450,000. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

For information on other HRSA funding opportunities, visit http://bhw.hrsa.gov/.

MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Riley

312.410.8963

[email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150707/233084LOGO

SOURCE The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Related Links

http://www.thechicagoschool.edu


SOLANA BEACH, Calif., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Take a trip around the world with Kashi's new line of foods inspired by some of the world's most vibrant food cultures and culinary traditions. Featuring native superfoods and unique flavors  such as teff, basil and berbere  the new foods offer wholesome nutrition and a tasty eating experience.

Kashi's new plant-centric foods are rooted in tradition and feature ancient grains and bold, savory flavors

From the Mediterranean to Africa to South America, Kashi looked to culinary traditions of rich cultures when creating the newest foods, which include savory snack bars, crispy teff thins and adventurous quinoa bowls. While each region is unique and different from the next, they all share a respect for the art of crafting flavor and thrive on what's native to the terrain.

"At Kashi, we are constantly inspired by some of the world's most vibrant ingredients and love bringing them together to create food that provides progressive nutrition and amazing tastes," said Jeff Johnson, surfing nutritionist and senior director of marketing and new ventures at Kashi. "From the unexpected flavors to the real, plant-based ingredients, we hope the new culturally inspired foods leave you feeling just as inspired as we did making them."

Escape From Traditional Snacking With Savory Snack Bars

Kashi Savory Bars are not your normal snack bars. These gluten-free bars are crafted with unique ingredients and savory flavors, such as smoky-sweet peppers and zesty herbs, and only 3g of sugar  making them a perfect afternoon snack. They are available in two delicious flavors: Basil, White Bean & Olive Oil, inspired by the Mediterranean region that is known for its longevity and use of plant-based ingredients; and Quinoa, Corn & Roasted Red Pepper, which combine the bold flavors and ingredients of the diverse Andean region.

A Tasty Twist on Ancient Grains

Teff, the staple grain of Ethiopia, has been around for centuries but Kashi is putting a fresh spin on it in its Teff Thins. Inspired by East African cuisine, these light and crispy crackers harness the power of teff  a gluten-free ancient grain that offers key nutrition such as fiber  and pair it with legumes, seeds and spices in three tasty varieties: Lemon Chickpea Chili, a combination of bright lemon and chili heat; Tomato Lentil Berbere, which features a zesty spice blend of chili powder, paprika and coriander that is used in Ethiopian cuisine; and Red Sea Salt, which highlights the slightly nutty flavor of the grain.

Quinoa Bowls and a Taste of South America

Another ancient grain is brought to the spotlight in Kashi's new Quinoa Bowls. These vegan entree bowls combine whole grains with hearty veggies and South American-inspired flavors in two hearty combinations: Chimichurri Quinoa and Sweet Potato Quinoa. Each bowl is made with quinoa that is grown and harvested from a collective of family farms in Bolivia, a region that's been cultivating the grain for more than 3,000 years, and offers 9-10g of protein.

The new Kashi foods are now available at grocers and natural food retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www.Kashi.com.

Click to Tweet : [email protected] takes your taste buds on savory adventure with new line of culturally inspired foods

: [email protected] takes your taste buds on savory adventure with new line of culturally inspired foods Click to Tweet : Not your average snack bars. New @KashiFoods Savory Bars are made with veggies, zesty spices and lots of flavor

: Not your average snack bars. New @KashiFoods Savory Bars are made with veggies, zesty spices and lots of flavor Click to Tweet : New @KashiFoods feature savory flavors and ancient grains like teff and quinoa

: New @KashiFoods feature savory flavors and ancient grains like teff and quinoa Click to Tweet: Did you know teff is the world's smallest grain? Check out how @KashiFoods used this ancient grain in its new Teff Thins

About Kashi Company

Kashi believes eating more plants is the catalyst for a healthier life. A natural lifestyle pioneer since 1984, Kashi produces nutritious plant-based foods including cereals, powders, entrees and snacks with curated ingredients that #GOTOGETHER. All Kashi products being made today  including its GOLEAN and Heart to Heart brands  are Non-GMO Project Verified, and Kashi is proud to partner with QAI on the industry's first Certified Transitional program, which recognizes crops in transition from conventional to organic. Kashi products are available nationwide in the U.S. and Canada. Kashi is based in sunny Solana Beach, Calif. To learn more, please visit Kashi.com, Facebook at www.facebook.com/Kashi, Twitter at https://twitter.com/Kashifoods, Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kashi/ or YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/Kashi.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160804/395843

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130927/CG87430LOGO

SOURCE Kashi Company

Related Links

http://Kashi.com


HOUSTON, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- LASH Delivery, the first and only Texas delivery service offering food and alcohol in one order, announced today that it's now serving Houston, TX residents. The app, developed in 2014 by co-founders, Manil Uppal and Arshaad Mirza, first launched in North Texas.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160806/396205LOGO

Designed to alleviate the hassle of driving to the liquor store and out for takeout, LASH drivers do the heavy lifting and bring all the goodies to you. With the touch of a finger, LASH Delivery users can explore more than 3,000 products including beer, wine, liquor, mixers, and food from local restaurants. LASH also features delivery of convenience items from local pharmacies in the area.

Although the LASH Delivery app just became accessible to Houston residents, the LASH Delivery team has been working in Houston since November of 2015 by powering alcohol delivery from Spec's and Total Wine for their partner Instacart, an on-demand grocery delivery app, and is no stranger to the city.

LASH Delivery will deliver to the following zip codes in Houston: 77042, 77063, 77024, 77057, 77056, 77027, 77046, 77098, 77019, 77007, 77006, 77002, 77010, 77025, 77401, 77005, 77030, 77054, 77004, 77021 and a map of the coverage area can be found here.

LASH Delivery provides delivery options within one hour or up to seven days for advance ordering. Delivery is available 7 days a week, 11:00am to 9:00p.m. A delivery fee of $4.99 is applied to every order with a $1.99 fee for each additional stop per order.

ABOUT LASH DELIVERY:

LASH Delivery allows users to order alcohol, food and more via the convenience of their smartphone from a menu of over 3,000 choices. Deliveries are completed in an hour or less, and have no order minimums. For alcohol products, customers must be 21 years of age or older; have a valid, government-issued ID for verification; and be home to accept the delivery. LASH Delivery is a Three Tier and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission compliant app and logistics player. LASH Delivery will refuse to deliver if the recipient appears to be intoxicated or if it's suspected that minors might be involved in the alcohol consumption. For more information or to create a free account, visit www.lashdelivery.com. On Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/lashdelivery; on Twitter, twitter.com/lashdelivery; and on Instagram, https://instagram.com/lashdelivery.

Related Links

www.lashdelivery.com

Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTanAqowc8k

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE LASH Delivery

Related Links

http://www.lashdelivery.com


BURLINGTON, Mass., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Unitrends, a leader in enterprise-level cloud-empowered business continuity solutions, today announced Paul Brady as the company's new chief executive officer. Brady previously held CEO and other senior leadership positions with ObserveIT, Riverbed Technology, Mazu Networks, Guardent, Exodus, Cohesive Technology Solutions, and Business Technologies, Inc.

"Unitrends has fabulous products, a great team, and a phenomenal market opportunity," said Brady. "Combined with a strong channel community and top-ranked customer satisfaction, I see all the ingredients for building a great global, cloud based software company headquartered here in Massachusetts- something I am very passionate about - with huge potential for scale across its operations around the world."

Digital transformation is creating an unprecedented explosion of data and is requiring IT to deploy new cloud, mobile, and social based technologies in order to gain greater flexibility and agility for their businesses. Most businesses understand that keeping their business running and protecting their ideas and data is non-negotiable. However, according to Unitrends research, over 50 percent of businesses are concerned about their ability to recover the data with their current continuity solution. Cloud empowered solutions, like Unitrends Connected Continuity Platform, enable businesses to capitalize on the agility and economics of cloud, simplify the process of backup and recovery, and gain 100% confidence in the recovery point to come.

"Unitrends gets the continuity challenges and opportunities IT managers wrestle with every day," said Brady. "Armed with the industry's broadest portfolio of continuity products, the team totally understands how best to leverage the cloud to protect organizations' data, applications, networks, and ideas. Unitrends creates solutions that serve the unique needs of individual customers  today, and as they continue to grow. This capability, combined with a community of thousands of expert partners, is truly compelling for customers."

Unitrends has received significant recognition in terms of industry awards and affirmation from the analyst community. Most recently, Gartner Inc., a leading IT research advisory firm, named Unitrends a Visionary in its 2016 Magic Quadrant for Disaster Recovery as a Service (DraaS), a category it expects to grow by more than 200% by 2020.

Brady has a track record of success in establishing, growing, and operating technology companies. Before joining Unitrends, he was the CEO of ObserveIT, a global leader in Insider Threat Management. Prior to that, he was senior vice president and general manager of the Performance Management business unit at Riverbed Technology, where he grew revenue from $12 million to $250 million in 5 years. Brady's other senior leadership positions include: President and CEO, Mazu Networks; President, Guardent; Senior Vice President, Exodus; CEO, Cohesive Technology Solutions; Founder and CEO, Business Technologies Inc.

About Unitrends

Unitrends is trusted by IT Leaders and Pros who know that in today's digital world protecting their ideas and keeping their business running is non-negotiable. To address the growing volume and value of digital information, the company's award winning portfolio of Continuity Solutions enables customers to capitalize on cloud economics, reduce their overall spend on IT, and have 100% confidence in the recovery point to come. Unitrends' Continuity Solutions are backed by a customer support team that consistently achieves a 98% satisfaction rating and are sold through a community of thousands of expert technology partners, service providers and resellers worldwide. Visit www.unitrends.com.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160308/342114LOGO

SOURCE Unitrends

Related Links

http://www.unitrends.com


BELMONT, Mass., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- VocaliD, Inc., a speech technology company that creates personalized digital voices for those living with voicelessness, launched its online BeSpoke voice studio today. The announcement was made at the Biennial Conference of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) in Toronto.

Supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, VocaliD's innovation is based on a discovery by Founder and CEO Dr. Rupal Patel and her colleagues that even a single vowel contains enough "vocal DNA" to seed the voice personalization process.

The BeSpoke process captures a recipient's unique vocal identity and blends it with recordings from a healthy speaker -- matched by gender, age and accent -- within the company's Voicebank of 14,000+ contributors. This blended voice is then used in the recipient's electronic communications device -- creating a BeSpoke voice.

"The inspiration for VocaliD came when I saw a young girl and older man communicating using their assistive devices but with the exact same adult male voice," said Dr. Patel, a professor at Northeastern University. "We wouldn't dream of fitting a little girl with the prosthetic limb of a grown man, so why then the same prosthetic voice?"

More than ten million globally are unable to speak and rely on assistive devices with a limited selection of generic, synthetic voices. VocaliD's vision is to provide affordable, personalized and natural-sounding voices for the voiceless.

For David Manzo, president of the Lexington, MA-based Cotting School for students with special needs, VocaliD is "breaking down barriers for children with complex challenges to communication."

"I'm observing first-hand the communication and self-esteem benefits of VocaliD's technological breakthrough on our students," said Manzo, recalling for one student: "First I heard her voice and then I saw the smile on her face. Thanks to VocaliD she has both her own voice and a new found confidence and pride."



Sridhar Tayur, Ford Distinguished Research Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, who serves on VocaliD's advisory board, said, "the discovery of a person's 'vocal DNA' combined with a crowdsourced Human Voicebank and development of 21st Century hyper-scalable digital synthesis algorithms is a trifecta."

The company is also exploring similar personalization for the rapidly increasing number of everyday devices currently narrated by generic voices.

Learn more at www.vocalid.co.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160806/396207LOGO

SOURCE VocaliD Inc.

Related Links

https://www.vocalid.co


Chief of Behavioral Medicine and Military Working Dog Studies at Lackland Air Force Base, Dr. Burghardt spoke at the American Veterinary Medical Association Convention held August 5-9 in San Antonio. He is responsible for approximately 2,000 Military Working Dogs (MWD) around the world.

Dogs have been serving in the U.S. military for more than 100 years, but it is less than a decade ago that their combat-related behavioral issues had a name: Canine Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). "We began identifying more and more afflicted dogs, at the height of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Dr. Burghardt. "These dogs were failing in service; they were unable to do something they were trained to do and had always done successfully."

The U.S. Army Veterinary Corps sponsored a meeting in 2010 that drew expertise in both human and veterinary medicine. The panel concluded that there was a sizeable increase in MWD with performance failure and behavioral problems in combat environments. As a result, the Corps adopted the working diagnosis of C-PTSD to identify affected dogs.

"Dogs with C-PTSD show definite signs of distress," said Dr. Burghardt. "We'll observe things like overreaction to noise, a change in response to the handler or attempts to escape or avoid a situation." It is estimated that 5 percent of MWD deployed are affected, with dogs that specialize solely in explosive detection at greater risk compared with those dual-purpose trained, such as those employed in substance detection along with controlled aggression (to bite and hold a person on command).

"Above all, the fundamental goal is to keep everyone safe," explained Dr. Burghardt. "If we have a dog with a transient response to a combat situation, we'll pull him out for a short period of time so he can be evaluated and managed. If the behavior worsens, we'll need to provide more definitive treatment."

Initial treatment involves exercise, practicing work skills and social interaction with the handler in a less challenging, quieter environment. In some cases, medications are added to the treatment plan. The dogs are rewarded when they show positive behavior.

If, after several weeks of in-theater care, a dog is still showing signs of distress, it will be evacuated and returned to home base for longer-term follow up, desensitization and counter-conditioning. The therapy is carried out in a setting similar to that which triggers the problem behavior. In addition, different medications may be administered, such as anti-depressants. This phase is limited to four months, after which non-responsive dogs will be transferred to other duties or retired through adoption.

Without intensive treatment, less than 25 percent of dogs remain in service. With a care plan, at least 50 percent of treated dogs are able to remain on duty. "It's a good outcome," said Dr. Burghardt. "The key is early identification. The quicker we can get a dog out of stress, the more successful we will be in our treatment."

Education is also vitaldeployed veterinarians and handlers now understand the signs to watch for so they can recognize when a dog is suffering from C-PTSD. Between 2013 and 2015, the newly identified cases of this disorder have decreased, as did the number of dogs deployed as explosive detection dogs and MWD in general. The bottom line is, treatment does improve an affected dog's outcome, and the research gathered by Dr. Burghardt may go well beyond the combat zones. "There are significant adverse reactions of animals to stressors, responses that are related to performance of task-related behaviors," he said. "Our work with Canine PTSD may be relevant to other animal populations."

To learn more about the AVMA Annual Convention, visit www.avmaconvention.org. For more information on media opportunities at the AVMA Convention, and to register as a press attendee, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA senior media relations specialist, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell) or [email protected]. Members of the media must register with the AVMA prior to the convention to validate their press credentials and ensure that their press badges and materials are ready for them when they arrive. Registration for the press is free.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 88,000 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety of professional activities and dedicated to the art and science of veterinary medicine.

Michael San Filippo/AVMA

847/285-6687 (office)

847/732-6194 (cell)

email: [email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160808/396373

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association

Related Links

http://www.avma.org


HOUSTON, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- W&T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE: WTI) today announced that a Special Meeting of Shareholders of W&T Offshore will be held at 8 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, September 1, 2016, at the offices of the Company, Nine Greenway Plaza, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77046. Shareholders of record at the close of business on August 4, 2016 are entitled to receive notice of the meeting and have the right to vote their shares of W&T Offshore common stock they held as of that date at the Special Meeting and at any reconvened meeting following any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

About W&T Offshore

W&T Offshore, Inc. is an independent oil and natural gas producer with operations offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. We have grown through acquisitions, exploration and development and currently hold working interests in approximately 54 fields in federal and state waters (50 producing and four fields capable of producing). W&T currently has under lease approximately 750,000 gross acres, including approximately 450,000 gross acres on the Gulf of Mexico Shelf and approximately 300,000 gross acres in the deepwater. A majority of our daily production is derived from wells we operate. For more information on W&T Offshore, please visit our website at www.wtoffshore.com

CONTACT: Lisa Elliott Danny Gibbons

Dennard Lascar Associates SVP & CFO

[email protected] [email protected]

713-529-6600 713-624-7326

SOURCE W&T Offshore, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.wtoffshore.com


CHONGQING, China, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chongqing Metro will feature 213 Xizi Otis escalators for its new Line 5 network, a major extension serving a community of 10 million residents in Chongqing, an emerging megacity in southwestern China. Xizi Otis Elevator Co., Ltd. ("Xizi Otis") is a subsidiary of Otis Elevator (China) Investment Company Ltd., which is a part of Otis, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

With a length of over 66 kilometers, Line 5 will become the longest line in Chongqing's rail transit network when completed. It will span the city's seven key administrative districts to provide a "south-north backbone" for the transit system. The line is currently under construction, with Phase 1 due to open in late 2017.

The 213 units will include the flagship XO21NP escalator, which is already in use in more than 10 cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Widely recognized for its superior performance, the XO21NP also won the Zhejiang Machinery Industry Science & Technology Award from the Zhejiang Machinery Industry Federation in 2014.

"Contributing to the development of Chongqing Metro Line 5 is a milestone for our presence in the public transport segment," said Lawrence Chui, president, Xizi Otis. "We have contributed to China's urban development by providing efficiency and comfort for passengers using our escalators and elevators, along with professional support services."

As a total solution for metro systems in China, Xizi Otis also provides customized maintenance service with dedicated mechanics stationed on-site to provide seamless service support.

Currently Xizi Otis escalators and elevators serve metro systems in 15 major cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Kunming, Changsha, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Wuhan. Xizi Otis was named the only winner from the elevator industry in the recent "RT Top 50," presented by the Organizing Committee on Evaluation of Rail Transit Enterprise Innovation, in association with trade magazine Rail Transit, People's Railway Daily and the China Enterprise Evaluation Association. The award was presented to Xizi Otis in recognition of its outstanding technologies, products and services.

About Xizi Otis

Xizi Otis Elevator Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Otis Elevator (China) Investment Company Ltd., which is a part of Otis, a unit of United Technologies Corp. Founded in 1997, Xizi Otis has two manufacturing facilities, in Hangzhou and Chongqing, as well as a testing lab accredited by the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People's Republic of China (CNAS) and dozens of branches and hundreds of service and maintenance sites all around China.

About Otis

Otis is the world's leading manufacturer and maintainer of people-moving products, including elevators, escalators and moving walkways. Founded more than 160 years ago by the inventor of the safety elevator, Otis offers products and services through its companies in more than 200 countries and territories. Otis is a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.otis.com.





Media contact: Katy Padgett

860-674-3047

[email protected]





SOURCE Otis

Related Links

http://www.otis.com


The State Council has released a series of policies in the first half to tackle seven major issues concerning peoples well-being, from hukou registration, migrant workers salary, left-behind children to poverty-stricken children.

Hukou registration

A hukou is a record in a government system of household registration required by law in China. However, it also features strict separation between urban and rural citizens in their economic rights and welfare entitlements. Some citizens often encounter difficulties in acquiring hukou due to specific policies, which in turn cause a series of problems in employment, school enrollment and health care.

According to a guideline on hukou registration reform released by State Council in January, eight categories of unregistered residents, ranging from extra births, birth out of wedlock to people who lack a hukou due to malfunction of local governments, should be registered as legal residents in China

Until this June, over 746,000 people who lack a hukou have completed their hukou registration according to a data released by the Ministry of Public Security.

Migrant workers salary

Migrant workers have often suffered from salary issues caused by their employers who fail or delay to pay them, which hurt their interests and damage the equality and stability of the society.

The State Council has released a guideline to resolve the issue by strengthening supervision over the enterprises to fulfill their salary payment responsibility with a real-name management system. And, meanwhile, the government will improve the payment mechanism, introducing advanced salary cash deposit and account only for salary management. The guideline also planned to solve the payment issue by 2020.

Provinces such as Sichuan, Liaoning, Gansu and Fujian have taken detailed measures to solve this issue. Some provinces have also launched tip-off telephone to help migrant works report their employers.

Left-behind children

The left-behind children in the rural area has become a concern in China during the development of industrialization and urbanization.

A plan released by State Council on Feb 14 has suggested to strengthen the guardianship for left-behind children and protect the legal right of minors. According to the plan, parents of minor children should fulfill their parental duty. At the same time, the grass-root government, schools and Ministry of Public Security have obligations to ensure the right of left behind children are being protected.

A month after the plan was released, over 27 related departments established an inter-ministerial conference for left-behind children. And they have also taken various measures to protect the left-behind children nationwide. For example, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Security started to build a database of left-behind children this March.

Poverty-stricken people

China has a poverty-stricken population of over 5.8 million so efforts are now called for to extend benefits to people without ability to work, without income source or those without guardianship.

The State Council released a guideline on Feb 17 to clarify the definition of people who should be included as impoverished and pledge basic living allowances including food, clothes and other necessities should be provided to those qualified.

Detailed measures have been adopted nation-wide in provinces such as Gansu, Hunan, Sichuan and Shandong to further help the poor.

Food safety

The food safety has been an issue closely connected to the peoples wellbeing. And the State Council has released a circular to make a series of arrangements on food safety in 2016, which included 11 specific requirements from speeding up the improvement on regulations on food safety, emphasizing production safety, strengthening monitoring over imported food product.

Detailed measures have been taken by local governments to protect food safety.

Seventeen ministries including the Ministry of Agriculture jointly held the China Food Safety Publicity Week from June 13 to 27.

Rental housing market

The rental housing market in China has enjoyed a continuous development since the reform and opening up while facing outstanding issues such as lack of regulations and disorderly market order.

A guideline released by the State Council on June 3 has pledged to provide policy supports for rental housing market through tax credits, financial support and improved ways of land supply. It also contained four measures to protect the legal right of the tenants by clarifying the obligations of renter, providing suitable rental sources, guarantying the right of tenants to enjoy basic public service and regulating real estate agencies.

Children in need

Children still face survival or security dilemmas due to poverty, lack of guardianship and disability.

A guideline released by State Council on June 16 specified rules to ensure basic living conditions for children in need. It urged increasing the reimbursement rates for basic medical insurance and critical illness insurance for children who suffer from serious disease or severe disability. It also called for implementing an education assistance policy to subsidized living expenses during compulsory education age for children from poverty-stricken families.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Ghaziabad, Aug 4 : Ghaziabad District Magistrate Nidhi Kesarwani has recommended the suspension of certain police officers and punitive action against at least one civil officer for their alleged lapses during an Aam Aadmi Party protest.

Kesarwani recommended the charge-sheeting of City Magistrate Brahm Dev Yadav to the authorities and suspension of Kavi Nagar police station Inspector Ashok Sishodia, Kutchary post incharge and a sub-inspector to the Ghaziabad Senior Superintendent of Police.

The AAP's Ghaziabad unit on Wednesday held the protest march and also submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate, saying that the Bulandshahr gang-rape case is a "blot" on the state government. The Uttar Pradesh government had proved incompetent to protect the women, it said.

The AAP workers also burnt Akhilesh Yadav's effigy to protest what they called the "deteriorating" law and order situation in the state. The effigy was burnt in the alleged presence of these erring officials.

Earlier, police said a case has been registered here against AAP activists for holding the march and burning the effigy of Akhilesh Yadav to protest the Bulandshahr gang-rape case.

"The AAP activists have been booked under Section 147 and 353 of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant legal provisions," Kavi Nagar police station Inspector Ashok Sishodia told IANS.

Thw women's wing of the Congress also submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate.

Bharatiya Janata Party supporters took out a candle march in the Maliwara market on Wednesday evening and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the Bulandshahr case.
Ghaziabad, Aug 5 : Five Uttar Pradesh Police personnel have been suspended in connection with the burning of an effigy of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav by Aam Aadmi Party activists here in protest against the Bulandhshahr gang rape case.

Those suspended are Kutchary police post in-charge Narendra Singh, Head Constable Ramjeet, constables Jitendra, Shishpal and woman constable Hem Lata.

Ghaziabad District Magistrate Nidhi Kesarwani had earlier recommended to Senior Superintendent of Police K.S. Emmanuel a departmental action against Kavi Nagar police station Inspector Ashok Sishodia, Kutchary post in-charge and a sub-inspector for alleged lapses during the AAP protest held here on Wednesday.

Kesarwani had also recommended the charge-sheeting of City Magistrate Brahm Dev Yadav to the higher authorities.

The AAP's Ghaziabad unit also submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate, saying that the Bulandshahr gang-rape case is a "blot" on the state government. The Uttar Pradesh government had proved incompetent to protect the women, it said.

The AAP workers burnt Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's effigy to protest what they called the "deteriorating" law and order situation in the state. The effigy was burnt in the presence of these erring officials.

During the AAP protest, the District Magistrate was away in the field, leaving City Magistrate Brahm Dev Yadav to handle the situation.

The local intelligence unit was also found lax in informing the district administration about the protest.

Earlier, the police said a case has been registered here against 25 AAP activists under Sections 147 and 353 of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant legal provisions for holding the protest march and burning the effigy of the Chief Minister.
New York, Aug 6 : Single people have richer social lives and also experience more psychological growth and development than people who are married, says an interesting study.

"The preoccupation with the perils of loneliness (associated with singledom) can obscure the profound benefits of solitude," said Bella DePaulo, scientist at the University of California-Santa Barbara.

The authors cited research that shows single people value meaningful work more than married people, as well as are also more connected to their parents, siblings, friends, neighbours and coworkers.

Conversely, "when people marry, they become more insular," DePaulo said.

For the study, the team conducted a review of recent research that examined the effects of marriage and singledom on aspects like personal growth and happiness.

They rued that research on single people is lacking.

Most of the studies found were not motivated by any desire to better understand single life, but rather to point out ways in which married people are doing better.

"It is time for a more accurate portrayal of single people and single life - one that recognises the real strengths and resilience of people who are single, and what makes their lives so meaningful," DePaulo noted.

However, the studies that did focus on single people revealed some telling findings.

For example, a research that compared people who stayed single with those who stayed married showed that single people have a heightened sense of self-determination and they are more likely to experience "a sense of continued growth and development as a person."

Another study conducted on lifelong single people, showed that self-sufficiency serves them well. The more self-sufficient they were, the less likely they would experience negative emotions. However, it is contrary in case of married people, DePaulo explained.

He also said it is striking to note that all the cultural and financial advantages enjoyed by people just because they are married is equally enjoyed by those who are single.

However, despite the advantages of staying single, the researchers don't claim that one status is better than the other.

"There is no one blueprint for a good life. What matters is not what everyone else is doing or what other people think we should be doing, but whether we can find the places, the spaces and the people that fit with who we really are and allow us to live our best lives," DePaulo stated.

The results were presented at the recently held American Psychological Association's 124th Annual Convention in Denver.
Kokrajhar (Assam), Aug 6 : Tension continued to simmer in Kokrajhar in Assam a day after militants triggered grenade blasts and shot at civilians, even as the number of dead rose to 14 on Saturday. An NIA team studied the attack site as Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited the injured in hospital.

Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that one of the injured, who was hit by bullets, died on Saturday morning, taking the total civilian death to 14.

Three members of the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) opened fire at the weekly Balajan market near Kokrajhar town on Friday, killing 13 civilians and injured 20 others. One of the militants was shot dead.

Sarma, who had visited Kokrajhar immediately after the incident on Friday, said that the slain militant has been identified as Manjoy Islari alias Maodang, a commander of the outfit.

Assam Chief Minister Sonowal and Sarma on Saturday visited Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) to meet the injured who were shifted to Guwahati last night.

A four-member National Investigation Agency (NIA) team, sent from the agency's branch in Guwahati, visited the attack site.

"A four-member Guwahati NIA team visited Kokrajhar on Saturday afternoon, but it will not take over the case from local police right now. We will wait for government's order," an NIA source told IANS.

Five of the injured brought to GMCH last night are out of danger now. Today (Saturday) five more of those injured will be shifted to GMCH said Sarma.

"The situation is normal now. We are receiving seven companies of additional forces in Kokrajhar. While a few of them have already reached, some are being sent," said Additional DGP Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) LR Bishnoi said while talking to IANS on Saturday.

He said that the process of identifying the militants involved in the killings on Friday is on. "We have called the family members of the slain militant to formally identify him and the process is on to gather details about the other two militants involved in the killings," said Bishnoi.

Meanwhile, a senior police official based in Assam Police headquarters at Guwahati said that inter-state borders of the state as well as all the entry and exit routes of the state have been sealed.

The Assam government had also sent seven companies of additional forces to Kokrajhar district to help the existing forces in carrying out the operations against the militants and also to instil a sense of security among the people of the district.
Chandigarh, Aug 7 : A special investigation team (SIT) was set up to probe the attack on a senior Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) leader and former senior Army official in Punjab's Jalandhar city late on Saturday.

Punjab RSS vice-president Brig Jagdish Gagneja (retired) was critically injured after being shot at near the busy Jyoti Chowk in Jalandhar, about 150 km from here.

Gagneja was rushed to a hospital with three bullet injuries. Doctors on Sunday said two bullets were removed from his body and that he was stable.

The right-wing leader and his wife were in his car and was shot at by two masked assailants as he got out of the vehicle.

The assailants fled from the spot after firing. They also fired in the air to scare people.

Condemning the attack, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal directed the police to track down the attackers. He said the attack was aimed at disturbing the communal harmony in the state.

The police is strengthening security around offices of right-wing organisations in Punjab. Some leaders of the RSS and Shiv Sena have already been provided security.

Shiv Sena leader Durga Prasad Gupta was shot dead in Punjab's Khanna town, 75 km from here, in April this year. Gupta, who was provided security by the police, was alone when the attack occurred.

In two separate incidents, unidentified persons fired shots at Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) activists in Ludhiana city earlier this year.

Shiv Sena leader Harinder Soni was shot at by unidentified assailants while he was on a walk in Gurdaspur town in April last year.
Chandigarh/Jalandhar, Aug 7 : Senior Punjab RSS leader Brig (retd) Jagdish Gagneja, who was shot at in Jalandhar, continued to be in critical condition and was shifted to a Ludhiana hospital on Sunday afternoon.

Gagneja was shot thrice near the busy Jyoti Chowk in Jalandhar city, about 150 km from Chandigarh, on Saturday evening.

The senior Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) leader was shifted to the Hero Heart DMC Hospital in Ludhiana under heavy security. He was earlier admitted in a private hospital in Jalandhar after the shooting.

Tight security arrangements were in place in and around the hospitals in Jalandhar and Ludhiana.

Doctors said two bullets were removed from his body early on Sunday while a third bullet was lodged near his liver.

The Punjab Police earlier set up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the attack on the former senior army officer by unidentified gunmen.

The right-wing leader was shot at by two masked assailants as he got out of his car he was travelling in with his wife.

The assailants fled the spot after firing at Ganneja. They also fired in the air to scare onlookers.

Condemning the attack, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal directed the police to track the attackers. He said the attack was aimed at disturbing the communal harmony in the state.

The police is strengthening security around offices of right-wing organisations in Punjab. Some leaders of the RSS and Shiv Sena have already been provided security.

Shiv Sena leader Durga Prasad Gupta was shot dead in Punjab's Khanna town, 75 km from here, in April. Gupta, who was provided police security, was alone when the attack occurred.

In another incident earlier this year, unidentified persons fired shots at RSS activists in Ludhiana city.

Shiv Sena leader Harinder Soni was shot at by unidentified assailants in Gurdaspur town in April last year.
Ankara, Aug 8 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he would approve the return of the death penalty if it was backed by parliament and the public.

He made the remarks during the "Democracy and Martyrs' Rally" on Sunday evening in Istanbul against the July 15 failed coup attempt, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

"If parliament accepts the reintroduction of death penalty, I will accept it," he told the crowd, adding that the death penalty exists in the US, Japan and "many other countries".

"If the people want death penalty, I think the political parties will also accept it," Hurriyet Daily News quoted the President as saying.

The death penalty existed in Turkey until 1984.

Erdogan also said the state would be cleansed of all supporters of the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen who is blamed by the Turkish government for the attempted uprising.

He has denied any involvement.

Religious figures and leaders of two of Turkey's three opposition parties attended the rally, the BBC reported.

The Kurdish party was not invited.

A total of 240 people were killed in events that led to the failed coup attempt, which triggered a government crackdown. Over 2,190 others were injured.

About 18,000 alleged supporters of Gulen have been arrested or dismissed from government jobs.
Kuala Lumpur, Aug 8 : Malaysia revoked the passports of 68 citizens, who were suspected of being involved with the Islamic State (IS) terror group and threatened legal action if they returned to the country, officials said on Monday.

"They no longer have travel documents as Malaysian citizens and if they return to our country legal action in line with the Immigration Act will be initiated against them," said Home Minister Ahmad Zahid.

Zahid said the decision was taken by Prime Minister Najib Razak two weeks ago, following intelligence reports.

He added there would be no negotiations with these people as the government does not want "ideological criminals" in the country, The Malaysian Star reported.

Zahid said two Malaysian families had sold off all their property in Malaysia before moving to Syria to join the IS, which employs them as sweepers and cleaners, and now want to return to Malaysia, but the government is unwilling to entertain people who betrayed the country and will not recognise them as Malaysians.

More than 220 jihadis have been detained in Malaysia since February 2013, and 132 Malaysians are still fighting in Iraq and Syrian territory, according to the Malaysian Home Ministry.
New Delhi, Aug 8 : The Congress on Monday staged a walkout in Lok Sabha on the issue of attacks on Dalits and hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "not being serious" over the issue.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue and sought discussion over the issue soon after Question Hour was over.

Referring to the Prime Minister's speech in Telangana on Sunday, Kharge said, "Modiji is not serious enough in combating attacks on Dalits."

The Congress members trooped into the well despite Speaker Sumitra Mahajan's assurance that she would let them have their say after the listed business.

But they did not relent and walked away.

Later talking to reporters outside Parliament, Kharge said, "Prime Minister has become helpless, he has become weak and this helplessness has forced him to say that he should be shot and Dalit brothers be spared."

Kharge demanded that Prime Minister should make a statement in the Parliament on the issue.

"Rather than giving a reply in the Parliament, he is making a statement outside the Parliament. We had asked for a discussion on the issue under Rule 193, but they did not answer," he said.

During his maiden visit to Telangana, Modi made it clear on Sunday that caste discrimination will not be allowed.

He also called for putting an end to politicising the caste issue and alleged that some parties which considered Dalits as their vote bank and afraid of the initiatives taken by his government, were trying to raise such issues by somehow influencing Dalits.

"I want to tell all such people, if you want to attack, attack me, not my Dalit brothers. If you want to shoot, shoot me, not my Dalit brothers," Modi said without naming any party.
Kathmandu, Aug 8 : At least seven persons, including an infant, were killed on Monday when a helicopter enroute to Kathmandu crashed, officials said.

Nuwakot Chief District Officer Bishnu Prasad Pokhrel told Radio Kantipur that all passengers aboard the ill-fated helicopter were killed and their dead bodies were found scattered across the crash site.

Helicopter owner Fishtail Air also confirmed the crash.

According to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal spokesperson Devendra KC, the last contact with the Eurocopter AS350B2 was at 1 p.m.

The Kathmandu-bound plane was ferrying a mother of a five-day old child and their relatives for treatment.
New Delhi, Aug 8 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday met Home Minister Rajnath Singh here to discuss the situation in the restive valley that has been on the boil for the past one month.

Mehbooba Mufti reached the Ministry of Home Affairs here in the afternoon to discuss the situation in the wake of the Kashmir uprising that was triggered by the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

The Chief Minister arrived in Delhi a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the Kashmir situation with National Security Advisor Ajeet Doval and Rajnath Singh.

Earlier on Monday, opposition parties condemned the silence of the central government over the situation in Kashmir.

Over 55 people have been killed and over 5,000 people injured in clashes between the security forces and protestors.
Itanagar, Aug 8 : The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has proposed to create 54 border outposts along the McMahon Line to further improve security in Arunachal Pradesh and along the India-China border, an official said on Monday.

On Sunday, ITBP Inspector-General Manoj Singh Rawat, who is in charge of the North East Frontier Headquarters, called on Chief Minister Pema Khandu and discussed ITBP's proposals to expand their establishment in the state in order to improve security in the state and at the border.

It also proposed a permanent stationing of one ITBP battalion at Hollongi area here in the mountainous state capital of Arunachal Pradesh.

The proposal is viewed as being essential to base the ITBP command in the state capital rather than in the faraway location in Meghalaya's capital Shillong and Assam's Tezpur for efficiency in command control.

The ITBP also informed the Chief Minister of its plan to open new sectors across the state in towns like Likabali, Pasighat and Aalo.

The ITBP officer announced that besides guarding the borders, the paramilitary force will also be deployed to guard all essential government installations, offices and institutions in the state.

Chief Minister Khandu has agreed to extend all possible cooperation to the paramilitary force in expanding its establishment in the state.

He appreciated the ITBP's role in maintaining peace and security in the state, and also lauded the humanitarian assistance extended by it during natural calamities.

Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,030-km unfenced border with China. The McMahon Line, a thick line drawn on the map of the British India that translates into an imaginary land border now known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC), separates India and China.
Islamabad, Aug 8 : A deafening blast ripped through scores of mourners in a Quetta hospital on Monday killing 93 people, mainly lawyers, in this year's bloodiest terror attack in Pakistan, officials said.

Balochistan Health Minister Rehmat Baloch blamed a suicide bomber for the carnage that took place when a large number of lawyers had gathered at the Civil Hospital with the body of a lawyer shot dead hours earlier.

The hospital superintendent confirmed the toll, ARY News channel reported.

Two legs of a body found at the site were likely to be that of the suicide bomber, it said.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri blamed the Indian intelligence agency RAW, saying it was responsible for incidents of terror in Quetta.

His comments about the RAW came even before the police could say who was responsible for the horrific attack.

The massive explosion occurred when nearly 100 lawyers and some journalists reached the Civil Hospital with the body of Bilal Anwar Kasi, president of the Balochistan Bar Association who was killed earlier.

Police officer Zahoor Ahmed Afridi said most of the dead were lawyers. Several lawyers, including Baz Mohammad Kakar, the former president of the Balochistan Bar Association, were injured, Dawn reported.

Gunfire was heard shortly after the explosion. Shahzad Khan, a cameraman with Aaj TV, was also killed in the explosion while the cameraman for Dawn News was severely injured, Dawn said.

A stampede broke out after the bombing, causing chaos at the hospital, witnesses said. Smoke filled the corridors of the emergency ward. Video footage showed lawyers rushing with stretchers to help the wounded.

Samaa TV said bodies were strewn on the floor, some still smoking, "amid pools of blood and shattered glass".

Shocked and dozed survivors wept and comforted one another, journalists at the site said. Many of the dead wore black suits and ties.

Officials said as jammers were activated immediately after the blast, it became difficult to contact officials at the site.

Police surrounded the hospital and an emergency was declared in all Quetta hospitals. Senior military officers also rushed to the hospital.

"This was a security lapse and I am having this personally investigated," Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who left Islamabad for Quetta, condemned the killings and expressed his "deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives".

"No one will be allowed to disturb the peace in the province that has been restored thanks to the countless sacrifices by the security forces, police and the people of Balochistan," he said in a statement.

Former Chief Minister Abdul Malik called it the "blackest day" in the history of Balochistan.

It was the worst terrorist attack in Pakistan this year since the March 27 bombing at Gulshan-e-Iqbal park in Lahore that left 75 people dead.

Lawyers have been targeted several times in recent months in Balochistan.

One lawyer, Jahanzeb Alvi, was shot dead on August 3. Bilal Kasi, who himself was shot dead on Monday, had condemned Alvi's murder and announced a two-day boycott of courts.

The principal of University of Balochistan's law college, Barrister Amanullah Achakzai, was also shot dead by unknown assailants in June.

Balochistan has experienced violence and targeted killings for more than a decade.

Pakistan's largest province by area, Balochistan is home to a low-level insurgency by Baloch separatists. Al Qaeda-linked and sectarian militants also operate in the region.
Bhopal, Aug 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday visit revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad's birthplace at Bhabra village in Madhya Pradesh to launch this year's Independence Day celebrations.

August 9, Tuesday, is the anniversary of the launch of the Quit India Movement by the All-India Congress Committee demanding an end to British rule in India after Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, gave a call to "Do or Die" in his Quit India speech at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai.

The day also commemorates 'Kakori train robbery' carried out on August 9, 1925, by Chandrashekhar Azad and his associates Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, and others, as part of their revolutionary struggle against the colonial regime.

Modi's visit to Bhabra village in Alirajpur district also marks the start of the government's '70 Saal Azaadi, Yaad Karo Kurbani', a 15-day campaign to commemorate India's struggle for freedom from colonial rule.

Bhabra is close to Orchha in Tikamgarh district, where Azad reportedly lived incognito in the guise of a Sanyasi (renunciate) for one and a half years.

After taking part in train robbery in Kakori (near Lucknow), whose aim was to loot money belonging to the British government, Azad had fled to Jhansi.

He lived in Jhansi for some time before moving to the forest near Satar river in Orchha. This area now falls in Madhya Pradesh's Tikamgarh district.

The Azad memorial on the bank of Satar says the revolutionary lived in this area posing as a Sanyasi called Harishankar, a name given by another freedom fighter, Rudranarayan Singh.

For one and a half years that Azad lived in the forest in Orchha, he trained himself and his associates in guerrilla fighting, including the use of fire arms. Azad also taught children in a mud hut that he made for himself. This hut still stands, albeit in ruins.

Azad had also dug a well there, which still exists, and set up a Hanuman temple.

The Azad memorial says that the freedom fighter was a frequent visitor to the nearby village of Dhimarpura, particularly to meet one Malkhan Singh Thakur, whom he had befriended.

Orchha Nagar Panchayat President Rajkumaru Yadav said the Azad memorial was inaugurated on May 31, 1984, by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The memorial building also houses a life-sized statue of Azad and a collection of books on India's struggle for independence.

Yadav said the place is eminently suitable to be developed as a tourist place anchored in the memory of the great revolutionary Azad, who shot himself dead in Allahabad on February 27, 1931, to avoid being captured by the British police.
Chandigarh, Aug 8 : Demanding speedy investigations into the murderous attack on their senior leader, RSS functionaries on Monday met Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and expressed displeasure over what they termed "deteriorating" law and order in the state.

Demanding the arrest of the culprits responsible for the attack on Punjab Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Vice-President Brigadier(retd) Jagdish Gagneja in Jalandhar on Saturday, the delegation sought immediate action in the matter.

A delegation of Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including Union minister and Punjab BJP President Vijay Sampla and Prakash Jha, who is in charge of the party's affairs in Punjab, also met the Chief Minister here.

Gagneja continues to be in a critical condition since he was shot at by two unidentified masked motorcycle-riding assailants in the heart of Jalandhar city on Saturday evening. He is on ventilator support since Sunday, admitted in a leading private hospital in Ludhiana.

"The delegation, in unequivocal terms, conveyed its displeasure over the deteriorating law and order in the state. Whether it is the attack on an RSS 'shakha' in Ludhiana or the daylight murder of (Namdhari sect head's mother) Mata Chand Kaur or incidents of kidnappings and snatching etc., the common man on the streets is feeling insecure," a press statement by the Punjab RSS said.

The Chief Minister, after meeting the two delegations, reiterated his government's resolve to continue to follow a policy of zero tolerance against attempt to disturb the hard-earned peace and communal harmony in the state.

The Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP are partners in the alliance government in Punjab since 2007.

The Chief Minister and his deputy also visited the Hero Heart DMC Hospital in Ludhiana, 110 km from here, on Monday to enquire about the condition of Gagneja.

Sukhbir Badal told the media in Ludhiana that 10 teams of the Punjab Police have been formed to investigate and unearth the conspiracy behind the attack on the RSS leader.

"Those who violated the law would be made to rue the consequences of their actions and face the wrath of law and justice," he said.

A four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Additional Director General of Police-cum-Director of Bureau of Investigation I.P.S. Sahota has been set up to investigate the attack and the circumstances leading to it, a Punjab government spokesman said here.
New Delhi, Aug 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday formally inaugurate the fortnight-long celebrations of India's 70th Independence Day from revolutionary Chandra Shekhar Azad's birthplace in Madhya Pradesh.

"The Prime Minister will visit Azad's native Bhavra village in Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh on August 9 and formally inaugurate the celebrations by paying homage to the freedom fighter," Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said on Monday.

"August 9 marks the 75th anniversary of the 'Quit India' movement. I will visit the August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai tomorrow (Tuesday), from where the movement was launched on this day," he said.

Naidu said all ministers "without exception" will visit the birthplaces of national icons and places associated with India's independence movement, such as Jallianwala Bagh (Punjab), Chauri Chaura (Uttar Pradesh), Cellular Jail (Andaman islands), Sabarmati Ashram and Dandi (both in Gujarat) etc.

He said the places each minister will visit have been finalised.

The government has planned an elaborate fortnight-long programme, being called '70 Saal Azadi -- Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani' (70 years of Independence -- Let's recall the sacrifices) to commemorate the country's 70th Independence Day.

Naidu said the 15-day event will showcase the plurality and diversity of India through various modes and platforms and incorporating the voices and sentiments of the people.

He requested all the political parties to participate in the programme.

On August 18, the Rakshabandhan day, all women Union ministers and BJP Mahila Morcha members would tie 'rakhis' on the wrists of soldiers deployed in border areas and other places, he said.

Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah will visit Kakori in Uttar Pradesh where the revolutionaries looted a train carrying government money on August 9, 1925.
Jeddah, Aug 8 : In a ray of hope for hundreds of distressed Indians and workers of other nationalities rendered jobless, Saudi Arabian King Salman has issued a series of directives to address their problems, and also earmarked Saudi Riyal 100 million ($26 million) for the workers.

According to a statement issued by Saudi labour ministry, Saudi Riyal 100 million ($26 million) has been earmarked to address the concerns of workers and end their sufferings.

King Salman instructed the labour minister to meet with representatives of the affected countries to brief them about the measures initiated by Saudi Arabia to address the issues. He also directed the Ministry of Information to highlight the efforts taken to ease the sufferings of the workers, especially Indians and Filipinos.

King Salman also announced to increase the number of labour complaint dispute tribunals to 30 in the country.

The King directed the Passport department to facilitate exit visa and other procedures for distressed workers, and in this direction Saudi authorities are joining hands with Indian officials in Jeddah to facilitate possible employment opportunities for Indian workers.

The statement also emphasized that "one particular case of Saudi Oger is not reflecting the general phenomenon of Saudi Arabia". Construction giant Saudi Oger shut down, laying off hundreds of workers from India.

The Indian government has successfully drawn the attention of the Saudi side, and several prospective Saudi employers are coming forward to hire jobless Indian nationals belonging to Saudi Oger in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi employers along with Indian diplomats and Saudi labour ministry officials are visiting the labour camps in Jeddah and meeting with job seekers. They held interviews on Sunday for some hundreds of skilled and unskilled workers.

"In a series of efforts we have launched the facilitation for prospective employer and employee, interested and agreed workers can continue their jobs with new employers with new contract," said Noor Rahman Sheikh, Indian consul general.

He declined to reveal the number of jobs offered by Saudi employers, and added that if both parties agreed on mutual terms then most of the jobless workers of the current crisis can be accommodated in new jobs.

He also hailed King Salman's prompt action to address all the aspects of the distressed workers.

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj stated in Parliament that India will make efforts to find alternative job options for those who wish to continue in Saudi Arabia and the same was reiterated by her junior colleague V.K. Singh when he visited workers' camps last week in Jeddah.

(Irfan Mohammed can be reached at telltoirfan@gmail.com)
New Delhi, Aug 8 : The Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha on Monday said that it would send legal notice to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comments against "Gau Rakshaks (cow protestors).

"We are sending a legal notice to the Prime Minister asking that on what grounds he declared 70-80 per cent Gau Rakshaks as anti-social elements," Swamy Chakrapani, a leader of Aakhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha told a TV news channel.

His remark came after Modi hit out against cow vigilantes in his interaction at Town Hall-style meeting here on Saturday and at a speech in Telangana on Sunday in both of which he asked states to probe the fake "gau rakshaks" and take strong action against them, saying they were destroying the country.

'Gau rakshaks' and many right-wing organisations across the country lashed out at Modi for his comments against cow vigilantism.

Chakrapani further said: "PM's remark (on Gau Rakshaks) are irresponsible and he should immediately resign. The BJP and RSS will have to pay the price for such statements in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections in 2017."

Lashing out at Modi, president Gau Rakshak Dal, Pawan Pandit said that whatever statements the PM had given in last two days over cow vigilante are "condemnable".

"PM Modi should apologise for his remarks over Gau Rakshaks and should also take his statements back," Pandit told a TV news channel.
House price growth in London rose by 2.4% in the final three months of 2019  the first annual increase in six quarters, analysis of LonRes prime London sales data has found.

Competition has ramped up in prime areas, with transactions across prime London rising by 34% in Q4 2019 year-on-year.

Marcus Dixon, head of research, LonRes said: The fortunes of the prime central London sales market began to turn in Q3 2019 and the announcement of a general election did little to derail momentum over the fourth quarter of the year.

In prime central London both pre and post-election activity increased, with the market at its busiest for three years. Outside central London the market was quieter, albeit with volumes still higher than in 2018.

A positive shift in sentiment resulted in more new buyer registrations and an increase in the number of properties going under offer, which continued into the new year.

He went on to say that the latest figures suggest the number of properties under offer in Prime Central London in January is 80% higher than at the same point a year ago.

Promisingly, 98% of agents felt more confident about the health of the market post-election.

Two thirds (69%) expect achieved prices to be higher in 2020, while just 5% expect further falls. Some 89% expect transactions to rise in 2020.

Dixon added: For lettings, a shortage of stock continues to support rents. Rents rose 3.5% in the final three months of the year  the ninth consecutive quarter.

Looking ahead, with optimism returning to the prime market, agents have started a new decade with renewed vigor and a positive outlook on prices, rents and activity.

This is a view we share and with buyers looking more favourably at the prime market there is an opportunity to unlock some of the significant pent-up demand which we have seen building over the last five years.

But there are a few unknowns which could prove a curveball over the coming year. We are still unsure how well the economy will react to the next stage of Brexit negotiations or if the March budget will benefit or hinder the recovery in central London.
Veriforce, the only single-source provider of integrated Operator Qualification (OQ), Drug and Alcohol, and Safety compliance management solutions for energy & utilities companies, today revealed its new company brand at the 2016 LGA Pipeline Safety Conference where the company is exhibiting and presenting. The new brand, which includes a new logo, color scheme, and design, represents the companys focus on providing integrated compliance solutions that combine software and services to help companies across all segments of the energy & utilities market meet industry regulatory requirements and enhance workforce and community safety. In conjunction with the new brand, Veriforce launched an updated website that reflects the new brand and provides an enhanced user experience.

For fifteen years, Veriforce has provided the energy & utilities industry with compliance solutions designed to enhance personal and community safety. This focus, along with increasingly complex and evolving industry regulations and client feedback, has led the company to expand its solutions portfolio over time to now provide integrated OQ, Drug and Alcohol, and OSHA Safety compliance management software, as well as complementary training solutions for clients in all segments of the energy & utilities market. The companys objective is to be the single-source vendor for companies that need to monitor contractor and employee compliance with DOT/PHMSA and OSHA regulations, deliver and track related training, maintain records, and demonstrate their compliance to regulators.

We spend a lot of time speaking to people in the market and often hear how challenging and costly it is for companies to manage their different compliance programs in support of OQ, drug and alcohol, and safety regulatory requirements using different systems and a variety of vendors, said Louie Werderich, president of Veriforce. Thats why at Veriforce we chose to take a different approach by developing an integrated compliance solution so clients could not only manage OQ, drug and alcohol, and safety compliance in a single system, but work with a single vendor to do so. This unique approach and value is now reflected in our company brand.

Along with its integrated compliance management software, VeriSource, the company also offers complementary audit services to help clients ensure the integrity of their compliance programs, as well as consulting services that help clients keep up with the ever-changing regulatory environment.

As weve partnered with our clients to understand their needs, weve also found that technology is just one piece of the puzzle in their quest to build effective and defensible compliance programs, Werderich said. Veriforces ability to provide audit and consulting services to complement our compliance management and training software helps clients create stronger, more holistic compliance programs.

The new Veriforce website, featuring the new company brand, is optimized for use on a desktop computer, tablet, or mobile phone. New client support features include a Frequently Asked Questions section and a "Getting Started with Veriforce area. A new Knowledge Center section is dedicated to providing educational resources for the energy & utilities industry and will be continually expanded. This section will provide white papers, on-demand webinars, checklists, blog articles, and more that address timely and relevant topics such as managing the complexities of regulatory changes, how to best employ technology as a part of a compliance program, and how to deal with a retiring workforce  all with the goal of helping people navigate their key business challenges.

Check the 2016 LGA Pipeline Safety Conference schedule for Veriforce speakers, who are speaking about drug & alcohol regulations and how to prepare for an audit. And visit Veriforce at exhibit booths 117 and 119, which showcase the new brand and where visitors can see a live demo of VeriSource.

About Veriforce

Veriforce is relied upon by the nations leading energy & utilities companies and contractors as the only single-source provider of the key solutions required to enhance safety for their workforce and for the communities they serve. Veriforce solutions combine VeriSource, its integrated software for Operator Qualification (OQ), Drug & Alcohol, and Safety compliance management, with value-added audit and consulting services and complementary training offerings. This uniquely integrated approach enables Veriforce clients to establish and manage defensible compliance programs more efficiently and mitigate risk more effectively. Headquartered in the greater Houston area, Veriforce serves as a trusted partner to over 140 energy & utilities companies and their network of more than 7,000 contractors. For more information, visit http://www.veriforce.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter.

Media contact: Shayne Forsyth, 832-447-1166, shayne(dot)forsyth(at)veriforce(dot)com
The acquisition of additional leak detection systems reinforces Whitehouse Labs commitment to excellence in the field of Container Closure Integrity

Whitehouse Laboratories is pleased to announce that it has acquired additional leak detection instrumentation from industry partners Packaging Technologies and Inspection in an expansion of their Container Closure Integrity Testing (CCIT) laboratory.

This expansion aims to meet growing demand due to the extensive revision to the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) general chapter 1207 Package Integrity Evaluation  Sterile Products, which became effective on August 1st, 2016. This guidance chapter will be referenced as the global standard for integrity evaluation of parenteral product packaging systems, and Whitehouse Laboratories is pleased to maintain excellence in the application of the deterministic leak test method technologies to meet the needs of our clients. The acquisition of additional VeriPac 455/M5 and E-Scan 625 detection systems significantly increases the CCIT laboratory capacity.

The VeriPac 455/M5 vacuum decay leak test system uses a pressure differential as the driving force for leak detection. The package under test is housed in a chamber that is evacuated then monitored for pressure rise or a decay of vacuum; significant pressure rise would be indicative of leakage. Vacuum decay leak detection is ideal for lyophilized products, but may not be practical for proteinaceous formulations which may clog defect pathways preventing the necessary gas exchange for leak detection.

The E-Scan 625 high voltage leak detection system relies on electrical conductance measurements through a liquid-filled, non-porous package system. The presence of a leak will cause a drop in the electrical resistance of the test sample, as evidenced by a spike in the voltage reading above an acceptance limit. Viscous or proteinaceous products are suitable for high voltage leak detection as the technology does not rely on gas passing through the defect site.

The acquisition of additional leak detection systems reinforces Whitehouse Labs commitment to excellence in the field of Container Closure Integrity. We continue to pride ourselves in offering world class customer service and technical expertise for our clients, says Justine Young, Associate Director of Container Qualification and CCIT.

"PTI continues to develop reliable and robust container closure test solutions, with a continuous focus on a scientific foundation to test method development. Our continued partnership with Whitehouse Analytical Laboratories is our commitment to bringing trusted results to high risk package applications" added Oliver Stauffer, CEO of PTI / Packaging Technologies and Inspection.

Vacuum decay and high voltage leak detection methodologies are classified as deterministic test methods, as they operate based on predictable physical phenomena and are therefore ideal for conclusive integrity evaluation. Whitehouse Laboratories continues to be a leader in offering container closure integrity test method development and validation services and supports routine testing as part of investigations or stability programs pursuant to USP 1207.

About Whitehouse Laboratories

The leader in testing, Whitehouse Labs, a division of Albany Molecular Research Inc., offers comprehensive analytical services providing support for manufacturing from development to market. From analytical chemistry and material qualification to packaging optimization, Whitehouse Laboratories is the testing partner for the world's leading Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Medical Device, Life Sciences and Consumer Products organizations.
They are an important cloud service partner for clients looking for highly customizable, fully integrated, and secure cloud solutions.

StrataCore, the premier IT consulting and brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest, has been presented with the Most Innovative Cloud Solution: Fully Managed OpenStack award from Unitas Global, a leading enterprise cloud solution provider headquartered in Los Angeles.

The partnership between StrataCore and Unitas Global has been successful as a result of the common business objective to provide clients with cost effective, easy-to-use, fully customized and integrated cloud solutions.

StrataCore has recognized that enterprise companies are frequently looking to meet an increasing need for greater flexibility and scalability. However, this need paired with the ever-evolving cloud solutions marketplace has many enterprise companies encountering challenges with a lack of implementation, monitoring and management tools, as well as security and compliance concerns. These challenges inhibit critical cloud migrations needed to accommodate the agile business requirements for many corporations.

Unitas Globals enterprise cloud offerings help these companies make their migration to open, hybrid cloud computing fast, simple and worry-free. They provide flexible, secure cloud environments that can be supported dynamically as the technology evolves.

We look forward to continued success with Unitas Global. They are an important cloud service partner for clients looking for highly customizable, fully integrated, and secure cloud solutions, said Jay Schwartz, COO and General Counsel at StrataCore.

Through our joint solutions with StrataCore, we are consistently approached with complex client challenges focusing on providing flexible and comprehensive solutions. We are proud of our accomplishments with StrataCore, and look forward to continuing to deliver flexible and cost-effective cloud solutions, commented Patrick Shutt, CEO of Unitas Global.

About StrataCore: StrataCore is the premier Data Center, IT Infrastructure, Network Connectivity, and Cloud Services agent in the Pacific Northwest. We partner with the industrys top service providers to save you time and money - while maximizing business results. We offer unbiased, custom solutions while maintaining a clear view of the competitive landscape to optimize contract terms and pricing. Our market intelligence, tools, and detailed vendor selection process provides clients with the necessary insight to make informed IT decisions. For more information, visit http://www.stratacore.com/

About Unitas Global: Unitas Global utilizes leading cloud technologies to optimize enterprise IT environments. By designing, deploying, and managing infrastructure globally, they enable clients to focus on their business. Unitas is headquartered in Los Angeles, with clients and locations spanning the globe. For more information, please visit http://www.unitasglobal.com
"A message to American youth - from the Greatest Generation."

Antil writes about growing up in the shadows of WWII. "Heroism, sacrifice and charity were all a part of the nation's fabric in the 1940s," says Antil. "That's how we were brought up."

Little York Books is making several thousand copies of the first novel in the Antil series  The Pompey Hollow Book Club - available to be divided and shipped to Veterans hospitals in all fifty states in plenty of time for Thanksgiving.

"Speaking of those veterans, hospital bound," Antil said, Its one thing to having given up your life for your country. Millions have done that. We think of those men and women often and celebrate them on special days. Its quite another thing to have survived the field of battle, to languish in hospitals in the shadows of the world you helped save. Thanks to you the world goes on living, walking, skipping rope and celebrating the very freedoms you fought for. And sometimes we forget about those still in hospital beds, still fighting. Veterans matter.

An award winning novel - The Pompey Hollow Book Club - is soon on its way. A gift to the veterans in those many hospitals.

Imagine growing up during WWII. Many cant and dont know what it was like living during a time when more than seventy million people were being killed worldwide. Jerry remembers, as do his friends. Most of them remember Pearl Harbor. Together they bring stories of tall tales rooted in the truththat get taller in the telling.

The Pompey Hollow Book Club narrated by ten year old Jerry just after his family moved from the city, Cortland to the Currier and Ives dairy farm country, Delphi Falls, of upstate central New York. You meet his family and new friends. You learn their characters, their dreams. You watch them stumble into misadventures and figure their way out.

Named BOOKS & AUTHORS  Book of the Year  2012  this novel is loved by every age, worldwide.

Antil was named Writer of the Year by a Syracuse University press.

A heartfelt story about growing up in the shadow of World War II.~ KIRKUS

it will be a hard-hearted reader who wont chuckle at least once. ~ KIRKUS

It reads like a NORMAN ROCKWELL painting. ~ Ron Masak  Actor, Author

"Mark Twain meets the Greatest Generation." ~ Horwitz
North West Roofing recently surprised local police station with an appreciative pizza and sub sandwich dinner to recognize and honor their commitment to the community and the daily sacrifices they make. North West Roofing launched a new monthly dinner program to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that officers provide every day.

North West Roofing is committed to giving back and recognizing our daily heroes. They sacrifice so much to protect us every day, and for that, we are grateful, says Tom Brown, CEO and owner of North West Roofing.

North West Roofing specializes in roof repair and roof replacement services for homes and commercial properties throughout Colorado and Kansas. North West Roofing is a trusted roofing contractor that local residential and commercial property owners look to for the highest level of quality, service, and value. Founded in 1963, North West Roofing has worked on tens of thousands of roof repairs, roof replacements, and storm damage repairs.

In lieu of all the negative worldly events, we are showing support for our local law enforcement. We need to reach out and do our part, make a difference and show them we care, says Paul Reed, Managing Partner at North West Roofing.

As a Platinum Preferred Contractor with the National Insurance Restoration Council (NIRC), North West Roofing is committed to giving back the community. The North West team hosts a monthly dinner at the Denver Childrens Home, providing children with a time of laughter, love, and delicious and nutritious meals. North West Roofing sponsors the Center for Relationship Education, a non profit that trains people to live, love, and lead well. Last year, managing partner Paul Reed stepped up to help helped a homeowner with a free roof replacement who had been a victim of fraud.

"The National Insurance Restoration Council believes that each of us, as individuals and organizations, owe our community. NIRC contractor members are the best of the best, and our vetted nationwide network is committed to giving back, not only in roofing, construction, and storm damage repairs, but also back to the communities across the nation that we live and work in," says Joe Radcliff, CEO and president of the National Insurance Restoration Council (NIRC).

Vetted and certified NIRC certified contractors adhere to a strict code of professional conduct, educate property owners about the insurance restoration process, and give back to communities. The NIRC is a consumer advocacy organization that serves the common interest of insurance restoration contractors while also protecting consumers from unethical contractors.

About North West Roofing

Founded in 1963, North West Roofing provides expert roofing repairs, replacements emergency services and maintenance programs to residential and commercial property owners throughout Colorado and Kansas. As a leading expert in the industry, North West Roofing proudly holds prestigious accreditations including Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, CertainTeed Master Shingle Applicator, Gaco Western Qualified Applicator, Certified GenFlex Roofing System Installer. North West Roofing holds an A+ rating with the BBB and is a proud Platinum Preferred Contractor with the National Insurance Restoration Council (NIRC). Learn more at http://www.NorthWest-Roofing.com.

About the National Insurance Restoration Council

Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the National Insurance Restoration Council (NIRC) is a non-profit organization devoted to protecting and educating property owners and restoration contractors when dealing with insurance claims. The NIRC acts as the principal advocate for improved legislation and case law to protect consumers and contractors when dealing with insurance claims throughout the nation. The NIRC serves the common interest of insurance restoration contractors and protects consumers from unethical contractors. Vetted and certified NIRC certified contractors adhere to a strict code of professional conduct, educate property owners about the insurance restoration process, and give back to communities in storm damaged areas. NIRC certified contractors go through an extensive background check to become members of the Diamond Standard code of business. The NIRC as a self-regulated entity and cooperates with the Department of Insurance (DOI) and other regulatory authorities throughout the United States to improve the ethics of the industry through education and high standards. Learn more at http://www.NIRC4Change.org.

Media Inquiries:

Vera Anderson

Elev8 Consulting Group

Ph: 386.243.5388

Web: http://www.elev8cg.com

###
The Society for Imaging Science and Technology (IS&T)

The Printing for Fabrication 2016 conferencethe most comprehensive conference serving the inkjet printing and digital fabrication industrymoves overseas this year to the University of Manchester in the UK. Attendees include a global community of academics, researchers, developers, manufacturers, and distributors who work in areas ranging from printed electronics and 3D printing to bioprinting and materials science.

Printing for Fabrication, the 32nd International Conference on Digital Printing Technologies (NIP), takes place 1216 September 2016, and is sponsored by the Society for Imaging Science and Technology (IS&T) and the Imaging Society of Japan. Additional funding is provided by Marketing Manchester.

This conference is the go-to meeting where thought leaders discuss the technology and science behind inkjet printing. As the printing industry has evolved, so has the conference. Traditional printing technologies have been developed and adapted to produce and manufacture two- and three-dimensional functionality for a wide range of applications from packaging to bio-mechanisms. As traditional print moves into these new areas, the conference has addressed that evolution. Programme topics this year feature the latest in digital printing technologies along with the state-of-the art in technologies and applications ranging from printed electronics and security printing to bioprinting and additive manufacturing.

Printing for Fabrication 2016 also focuses on advances in nanotechnology and materials science. Both play a role in facilitating new additive manufacturing and biofabrication technologies such as high-performance electronic and photovoltaic devices, novel sensors, smart devices, and sophisticated bio materials and structures.

One of the novel materials at the centre of this years conference is graphene, which is generating a lot of interest due to its extraordinary properties and possibilities for commercial/industrial applications. One of those applications is in the area of printed electronicsa programme track at the conference. The University of Manchester is considered the home of graphene research, so attendees are uniquely positioned to network with the graphene community in Europe. The conference features a tour of the UK National Graphene Institute.

IS&T is especially honored that Sir Konstantin (Kostya) Novoselov from the University of Manchester will present the Opening Keynote of the conference. Novoselovs work on graphene with Andre Geim earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics (2010). His talk is titled, Materials in the Flatland.

Additional keynote speakers include:



Tim Weber, Global Head, 3-D Materials and Advanced Applications (HP), HPs Jet Fusion 3D Printing TechnologyEnabling the Next Industrial Revolution

Henning Sirringhaus, Hitachi Professor of Electron Device Physics / Head of Microelectronics and Optoelectronics Group (University of Cambridge), Low-Temperature Organic and Oxide Transistors for Printable Electronics

Hideki Kyogoku, Faculty of Engineering (Kindai University), The Objectives of a National Project of Manufacturing Innovation through Development of Next Generation 3D Printers in Japan

Jurgen Groll, Chair for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry (University of Wurzburg), Materials and Fabrication Methods for Biofabrication

The strong technical program is complemented by a wide range of introductory and advanced short course and workshops in the fields of digital printing and fabrication given by internationally recognized experts. Additional tours offered to attendees include a visit to the Centre for Digital Fabrication and the 4D Imaging Centre, part of the Photon Science Institute.

And, for the first time, the meeting is being collocated with the IS&T International Symposium on Technologies for Digital Photo Fulfillment (TDPF). TDPF 2016 joins with The Royal Photographic Society to offer sessions on photobooks, other applications, and the technologies that drive the digital photography ecosystem, from capture to fulfillment.

For further information about Printing for Fabrication 2016 and IS&T, visit http://www.imaging.org/manchester and follow us on Twitter @ImagingOrg.

About IS&T: The Society for Imaging Science and Technology (IS&T) is an international professional non-profit dedicated to keeping members and other imaging professionals apprised of the latest developments in the field through conferences, educational programs, publications, and its website. IS&T programs encompass all aspects of the imaging workflow, which moves from capture (sensors, cameras) through image processing (image quality, color, and materialization) to hard and soft copy output (printing, displays, image permanence), and includes aspects related to human vision, such as image quality and color. The Society also focuses on a wide range of image-related applications, including security, virtual reality, machine vision, and data analysis.
We are excited to provide additional value, benefits, and support to SRB customers by offering them the opportunity to leverage innovative technologies from PowerSchools suite of products.

PowerSchool, the leader for K-12 education technology solutions, today announced the acquisition of SRB Education Solutions (SRB), a leading provider of complementary administrative and ERP solutions for K-12 school boards and districts in Ontario and throughout the Canadian provinces. Acquiring SRB allows the company to more rapidly expand on its mission of improving the K-12 education experience by empowering educators and driving student growth.

SRB has achieved broad adoption in Ontario and other Canadian Provincial K-12 school markets by providing robust, integrated administrative solutions such as Trillium, atrieveERP, SchoolLogic, and L4U Library management systems. PowerSchool is committed to ongoing development, innovation, support, and service of SRBs entire suite of products and will also give SRB customers the option of adopting new technologies, such as the companys flagship PowerSchool student information system, online registration, and the unified classrooma complete integrated application for grading, learning management, assessment, analytics, and special education.

SRB Education Solutions has built a great footprint across Canada by delivering best-in-class administrative solutions that meet the unique needs of a broad array of customers, said PowerSchool CEO, Hardeep Gulati. We will adopt the best of SRBs processes and technology, such as effective compliance reporting for payroll, HR, and student information for Canadian provinces. In addition, we are excited to provide additional value, benefits, and support to SRB customers by offering them the opportunity to leverage innovative technologies from PowerSchools suite of products. In particular, we believe adding PowerSchools unified classroom to current SRB solutions will help teachers in Canada more effectively instruct, assess, evaluate, and improve learning outcomes for their students.

In addition to expanding its international presence through the acquisition of SRB, PowerSchool adds a number of technology assets to bolster its portfolio of solutions. New modules include applications to help schools manage human resources, payroll, finance, and libraries to provide the most comprehensive K-12 solution for schools and districts.

We are excited about the opportunity the acquisition by PowerSchool provides our customers in terms of gaining access to innovative, market-leading technology to more effectively solve their administrative and instructional needs, said Dave Love, President of SRB Education Solutions. SRB has long been committed to delivering solutions that meet the unique needs of schools and districts. Joining the PowerSchool team allows us to further invest and achieve this mission which will ultimately benefit our customers.

About PowerSchool Group LLC

PowerSchool is the #1 leading education technology platform for K-12, serving more than 20 million students, 36 million parents, and 57 million users in over 70 countries around the world. We provide the industrys first Unified Classroom experience with best-in-class, secure, and compliant online solutions, including registration and school choice, student information systems, learning management and classroom collaboration, assessment, analytics, and special education management. We empower teachers and drive student growth through innovative digital classroom capabilities, and we engage families through real-time communications across any device. Visit http://www.powerschool.com to learn more.

About SRB Education Solutions Inc.

SRB Education Solutions empowers North American school districts in managing education delivery and student success. As K-12 education administration software and services leaders, we provide products of choice in Student Information Management, Finance, Human Resources, Payroll, Grade Book, Parent Portal and Library Automation as well as Training and Technical Services.

SRBs 35-year history of providing high-value, education specific solutions to our customers supports our commitment to provide cost effective and high quality software. This fact combined with our experience and unparalleled support in the K-12 education community assures our customers of the right solution at the right cost. Visit http://www.srbeducationsolutions.com to learn more.
The Procurement Executive Round Table (PERT)  a collaboration between The Mpower Group, Corporate United and ISM-Chicago met on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 for a 1/2 - day summit focused on the challenges of Talent Management. PERT is a relaunch of the highly successful Next Practices Xchange  NPX. It was attended by a Whos Who of the Midwests top Strategic Sourcing, Procurement and Supply Chain Executives. Over 20 senior executives met who represent over 760,000 employees and $172 billion in revenue.

Dalip Raheja, President and CEO of The Mpower Group facilitated the session. The group explored the following questions:



What roles do a Next Practice Procurement organization play today?

What competencies are required to play those roles?

What needs to change to allow a Procurement to play a more strategic role?

What does an end-t-end talent management program look like and what are the benefits?

How is competency development different from training?

How do you ensure that development of new competencies stick?

How can you get started on making your Procurement organization strategic, viable and actively supported?

Some of the conclusions reached by the group were:



Talent Management has been a HUGE issue for a number of years

Strategic competencies (e.g. communication, problem solving, change leadership, etc.) are far more important than functional competencies

Both academic institutions and professional associations (who offer training) fall short in providing strategic competency development

Everyone agreed that it was difficult to recruit and then retain top talent

The best news was that the group wanted to continue to work on the issue. As a result, a small team is being formed to come up with practical solutions to present back at our next meeting.

Carlton Adams, VP Global Category Management, Mastercard remarked: As the complexity and velocity of business transactions increases, corporations are placing greater emphasis on supply chain and procurement optimization. The PERT forum is a great way for executives to share ideas for confronting this changing landscape. The intimate setting and member-driven agenda is much more useful than any annual conference.

About PERT

Procurement Executive Round Table (PERT), is a collaboration between The Mpower Group, Corporate United and ISM-Chicago. PERT is a members-only peer -to-peer organization comprised of senior executives from Fortune 1,000 organizations. The group meets quarterly to share ideas in a forum setting, provide advanced solutions and network. Each member brings expertise and varied talents to the group which allows all members to benefit from participation. PERT addresses major Global Sourcing and Supply Chain challenges such as:



Building World-Class Sourcing and Supply Chain Organizations

Relationship Management (SRM) and Governance

Category Management

Integration of Technology into Supply Chain

Competency Based Talent Management

Managing Outsourcing Arrangements

Meeting topics will be chosen by the members and the goal is to develop a Community of Practice to enable and facilitate the sharing of Next Practices. The meetings will be facilitated by globally recognized and award-winning Sourcing, Procurement and Supply Chain consultancy  The Mpower Group.

About The Mpower Group

The Mpower Group (TMG) is a global management consulting firm. We work with Fortune 500 companies to unleash the potential in their Strategic Sourcing, Procurement and Supply Chain organizations through Strategic Talent Management, Accelerating Transformations, and Maximizing Value from large or complex transactions. TMG is in the business of Mpowering our clients to accelerate exceptional business results by unleashing the full potential of their organizations. Our expertise ranges from developing strategies and executing large, global business transformations across entire organizations to assistance with specific projects or individual transactions.
Core-apps CEO Jay Tokosch Core-apps will be the only platform in the trade show and event technology space to offer a totally integrated solution.

Core-apps today announced they have entered into an agreement with AstraZeneca to acquire the companys Conference Notes iPad app, including the associated technology.

Core-apps, the leading mobile app and event management technology platform for the tradeshow industry and AstraZeneca have a shared goal to expand Conference Notes. The acquisition will allow Core-apps to scale the technology and for AstraZeneca to continue to utilize the popular app for medical conferences and events.

AstraZenecas Digital Innovation Group (DIG) created Conference Notes to promote scientific exchange at medical conferences. Conference Notes offers meeting attendees a suite of functionality designed for planning, note taking, engagement and more.

Under the terms of the agreement, Core-apps will expand Conference Notes for use with all Android and iOS devices. Core-apps also plans to leverage its sales and technical teams to bring Conference Notes to a broader customer base, while still enabling AstraZeneca to offer the app to medical associations and at internal meetings.

Core-apps CEO Jay Tokosch said the company is focused on adding new functionality to the platform, strategic market expansion and globalization.

The acquisition of Conference Notes fits all the qualifiers for our growth road-map, especially scaling functionality based on user demand, said Tokosch. We understand that taking notes and engaging with conference content is difficult during a presentation. Attendees are limited by the sessions they can join and most notes end up in notebooks never to be seen again. Conference Notes helps solve this problem.

Our expertise can help make this tool more accessible, both within the medical industry and to markets such as life sciences, higher education and beyond. Tokosch said. There are similar standalone apps in the marketplace, but Core-apps will be the only platform in the trade show and event technology space to offer a totally integrated solution. Show organizers with a medical or scientific focus will soon be able to include this functionality as an add on to their event app.

AstraZeneca Vice President of Global Commercial Excellence John McCarthy said Conference Notes represents a success story from the forward-thinking products created by the Digital Innovation Group.

Conference Notes is one example of the digital innovation that the AstraZeneca Digital Innovation Group, in partnership with DigitasLBi, offers customers in order to enhance their experience with science and medicine. We are confident that Core-apps is the right partner to help bring Conference Notes to more industries and individuals across the globe, especially those on the front-lines of patient care.

Ewen Sturgeon, DigitasLBi International CEO and Global Executive Sponsor for the partnership between AstraZeneca and the digital agency, said;

Our partnership in the Digital Innovation Group (DIG) with AstraZeneca has given rise to some truly ground breaking services and we are extremely proud that DIG has delivered this leading piece of technology. The sale and ongoing partnership with Core-apps will help continue the scale and reach of this exceptional service."

Conference Notes is a popular and award-winning app, widely used for key medical association meetings, specifically:



2015 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, among the top 20 medical app downloads on iTunes in the U.S.

2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, seventh most downloaded medical app on U.S. iTunes and ranked in the top ten for 13 additional markets around the world

Awarded the 2015 Digital Impact Award for the best use of digital from the European healthcare sector

The deal is expected to finalize this calendar year, for an undisclosed amount. A pilot program will launch in December 2016 with a full release planned for first quarter of 2017.

About Core-apps

Core-apps is the leading event technology platform for the trade show and event industry. We provide event technology to over 50% of the Top 250 Trade Shows and are the only company that offers Event Management, Mobile Apps, Wayfinders and iBeacons as four tier-one solutions. We work with organizers of both large and small events, across the globe. Founded in 2009, the company is headquartered in Arnold, Maryland. For more information visit http://www.core-apps.com.
Lizzy is no newcomer to the business of real estate. You can say she grew up in the business. She comes from a family of Realtors, as her mother and stepfather both sold real estate in Texas. Having both excelled in the luxury home market, Lizzy acquired her skills working alongside her mother starting just at the age of 18.

Lizzy owned and operated Bull Market Properties in Nashville, TN with her husband for 12 years before finding her way to Florida. Now having lived in Florida for the last seven years she has become familiar with the luxury communities in the surrounding Palm Beach areas. Lizzys accreditations include the Accredited Buyers Representation and Certified Residential Specialist and the Graduate Realtors Institute.

Lizzy was excited to join the Engel & Volkers family. The benefit of working for a company having a true global reach is necessary in todays real estate business model, especially in Palm Beach. We are connected with advisors all over the world at the touch of a button. said Lizzy.

Working closely with the owners of the Engel & Volkers Palm Beach and wellington shops, Amy Carr and Carol Sollak, with a combined 47 years of experience in the real estate business is an added value that is priceless.

The owner of Engel & V Palm beach and Palm Beach resident, Carol Sollak national achievements include being named one of Americas top agents by The Wall Street Journal and ranked on Real Trends Thousand List. The Thousand list ranks the top real estate sales professionals in the United States based on the agents annual sales. She has also been listed on the Real Trends ranking of Best Real Estate Agents in America, since 2008. Ranking at No. 58, this top 100 spot places her in the top 1% [one percent] of more than 1 [one] million Realtors nationwide.

Now on board, Lizzys key initiatives will include developing the individual business of the Palm Beach advisors, prospecting the area for future recruits, and will being leveraging the brands many tools, beginning with its global network.

The Palm Beach Shop is located at:

150 Worth Avenue, Suite 236

Palm Beach, Florida

33480

Website: http://palmbeach.evusa.com/en/

Phone: (561) 659 3872

Email: palmbeach(at)evusa(dot)com

About Engel & Volkers

Since its beginning in 1977 as a specialty boutique providing exclusive, high-end real estate services in Hamburg, Germany, Engel & Volkers has become one of the worlds leading companies specializing in the sale and lease of premium residential and commercial property, yachts and private aviation. Engel & Volkers currently operates a global network of over 8,000 real estate advisors in more than 600 brokerages spanning 36 countries across four continents, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services. It established its North America corporate headquarters in 2007 and opened its first brokerage in the same year. Committed to exceptional service, Engel & Volkers supports its advisors with an array of premium quality business services; marketing programs and tools; multiple platforms for mobile, social and web; as well as access to its global network of real estate professionals, property listings and market data. Engel & Volkers is an active supporter of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated.
Protocol Insight announces that UFS20COMP Test Executive is now a UFSA-certified UFS compliance test tool, as well as a protocol debug and analysis tool.

UFS Test Executive is certified by the UFSA to verify compliance of UFS devices with the UFS Compliance Test Matrix v1.0 and the JESD224 Test Specification. For logo certification testing Test Executive can:



Automatically set up the analyzer, generator and DUT for each test

Allow auto-configuration and reconfiguration of speeds, link widths and LUNs during the testing process

Allow users to select and run individual or multiple CTS protocol tests

Provide detailed information for each test that has been run

Create printable PDF reports and CSV export files

Generate the UFSA Compliance Report

Protocol Insight has supported all of the UFSA IOT workshops, starting with the first in August 2015, and received certification as a UFS protocol compliance test tool after completion of the most recent IOT workshop.

The Universal Flash Storage Association is excited to announce the first UFSA-certified compliance tool for verifying UFS devices to the Compliance Test Matrix, said Lisa Rhoden, president of the Universal Flash Association. With the availability of certified test tools it becomes easier for industry to obtain logo certification for UFS devices, while ensuring industry wide interoperability of devices.

In addition to UFSA-certified logo testing, UFS Test Executive can perform protocol debug and analysis. Deep packet inspection verifies packets against the JEDEC JESD220 UFS 2.x specs. Extensive stress testing executes hundreds of thousands of tests with multiple packet inspection rules per test. And by designing custom test cases a user can perform corner case and margin testing. Test Case Builder allows complex test case creation, with device control, command and response packet construction, Data Buffer and Payload support, and Loop and Compare functions.

See us in the UFSA booth (#707) at Flash Memory Summit in Santa Clara, CA on August 9-11 http://www.flashmemorysummit.com where we will be demonstrating our UFS Test Executive with our partner Keysight Technologies and their U4431A MIPI M-PHY Protocol Analyzer.

Pricing, configuration and availability:

UFS20COMP UFS Test Executive is shipping now, and operates in conjunction with the Keysight Technologies U4431A MIPI M-PHY Protocol Analyzer. Contact sales@protocolinsight.com for pricing information or to request a demo or trail license.

About UFSA

The Universal Flash Storage Association (UFSA) was founded in 2010 as an open trade association to promote widespread adoption and acceptance of the UFS standard. Board of Director members include Keysight Technologies, Micron Technology, Montage Technology, Phison Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Silicon Motion Technology and SK Hynix. For more information about UFSA: http://www.ufsa.org/

About Protocol Insight:

Protocol Insight (http://www.protocolinsight.com) offers test and measurement software tools to customers who are developing products for the mobile computing market, and consulting and design services to engineers implementing serial protocol interfaces.

Protocol Insight is a MIPI expert, with a background in both D-PHY and M-PHY protocol exercisers and analyzers. Protocol Insight contributes to the development of the UniPro standard thru the UniPro and Test Working Groups, and serves as Liaison between MIPI and JEDEC and UFSA.

About the MIPI Alliance

The MIPI Alliance is a global, collaborative organization comprised of companies that span the mobile ecosystem and are committed to defining and promoting interface specifications for mobile devices.

The MIPI Alliance is a non-profit corporation that operates as an open membership organization. All companies in the mobile device industry are encouraged to join, including semiconductor companies, software vendors, IP providers, peripheral manufacturers, test labs and end product OEMs. Today, more than 250 member companies actively participate in the Alliance, developing interface specifications which drive consistency in processor and peripheral interfaces, promoting reuse and compatibility in mobile devices.

Contact:

Ross Nelson

+1 (503) 367-5656

rossn(at)protocolinsight(dot)com

MIPI and the MIPI logo are a licensed trademark of the MIPI Alliance.

JEDEC and the JEDEC logo are registered trademarks of JEDEC Solid State Technology Association.
A Patriots Home (APH) announces a bold initiative today to support veteran military families by providing them with mortgage free housing in the Jacksonville, IL community. The organizations mission will focus on cultivating vibrant communities and rebuilding lives by providing Veterans and their families with refurbished mortgage free homes

Starting today, APH will be launching its first State Hub in Jacksonville, Illinois. A state hub is a key location where APH will focus on refurbishing homes, supporting community service projects and developing job growth within a 30 mile radius of the hub location. By working within a 30 mile radius APH can provide resources, and help the rebuilding of smaller communities in America. APH estimates that they will be budgeting approximately $10 million dollars into the area for this program.

Research shows that the course of this year over 140,000 veterans are in need of housing each year. Plus, one out of nine veterans is a women.

I am very excited to bring this first state hub to Jacksonville, Illinois and welcoming 50 new veteran military families to this area. Over the next year, our focus will be on launching this State Hub and supporting a goal of purchasing and refurbishing 50 homes said Everett Grady, chairperson and executive director of APH. Well be using local Jacksonville contractors and suppliers with this effort. They just need to go to our website and register for more information.

Additionally, Veteran families who currently reside within the 30-mile radius of Jacksonville, Illinois can request needed support on specific home repair needs as well. They can go to http://www.apatriotshome.com

to register.

A Patriots Home will award the homes to veteran military families through national nonprofit Operation Homefront. Since 2012, Operation Homefront has awarded over 550 homes nationally through their Homes on the Homefront program. http://www.operationhomefront.net

APH also maintains and operates The Ultimate American Raffle that is one of the main funding sources for APH programs. The raffle is a nationwide raffle that is giving away a $2 million dollar home to be built anywhere in the USA by veteran builders, plus other items such as 50 cars and trucks. You can purchase raffle tickets at http://www.aphfund.com. We are giving away hundreds of prizes and the odds of winning are amazing. The raffle has a very limited number of tickets that are being sold.

About A Patriots Home:

A Patriots Home (APH) is a non-profit corporation whose objective is to provide resources for veteran families within a state hub of Jacksonville, IL. APH refurbishes housing and then donates the homes mortgage free to Operation Homefront (OH). For more information, please visit http://www.apatriotshome.com or contact Executive Director Everett Grady at everett.grady(at)apatriotshome(dot)com or at (847) 946-7237.
We are confident that APIFINY will help to address our healthcare systems demand for improved outcomes at lower costs.

Armune BioScience, the developer of APIFINY, the only cancer specific, non-PSA blood test available to assess the risk for the presence of prostate cancer, today announced its Ann Arbor laboratory has received a laboratory license from the state of Florida.

We are excited to enter the Florida market with the recent approval of our laboratory license by the state of Florida, said David Esposito, President and Chief Executive Officer of Armune BioScience. With over 7,000 tests ordered since the launch of APIFINY, we anticipate significant demand from the Florida market. Given the current concerns of PSA testing throughout the world, APIFINY is well positioned to offer clinicians additional information in the assessment of prostate cancer risk. In addition, we are confident that APIFINY will help to address our healthcare systems demand for improved outcomes at lower costs.

Armune is beginning to implement its Florida launch plan in coordination with the biopharmaceutical company Aeterna Zentaris (AEZS), which assumed exclusive promotional responsibility for APIFINY in the United States in June. Our sales and marketing team is well positioned to leverage the opportunity in the Florida market, commented Jude Dinges, Chief Commercial Officer of Aeterna Zentaris. We continue to see strong physician interest in the benefits of APIFINY in the risk assessment of prostate cancer for their patients.

APIFINY was developed based on innovative research into the immune systems response to cancer conducted at the University of Michigan. Armune is currently expanding testing throughout the United States and preparing to launch APIFINY in several markets worldwide. Armune is in the process of raising a $25 million Series B round to fund a further expansion of its marketing efforts and the development of new products in prostate, lung, and breast cancer. Armune has retained Mavericks Capital to support the Series B round.

About Armune BioScience

Armune BioScience, Inc. is a medical diagnostics company that develops and commercializes unique proprietary technology exclusively licensed from the University of Michigan for diagnostic and prognostic tests for prostate, lung, and breast cancers. Armune was incorporated as a Delaware Corporation in 2008 with corporate headquarters in Kalamazoo, MI and a research and commercial laboratory in Ann Arbor, MI. For more information, visit http://www.armune.com.

About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Aeterna Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing and commercializing novel treatments in oncology, endocrinology, and womens health. We are engaged in drug development activities and in the promotion of products for others. We are now conducting Phase 3 studies of two internally developed compounds. The focus of our business development efforts is the acquisition or license of products that are relevant to our therapeutic areas of focus. We also intend to license out certain commercial rights of internally developed products to licensees in territories where such out-licensing would enable us to ensure development, registration, and launch of our product candidates. Our goal is to become a growth-oriented specialty biopharmaceutical company by pursuing successful development and commercialization of our product portfolio, achieving successful commercial presence and growth, while consistently delivering value to our shareholders, employees and the medical providers and patients who will benefit from our products. For more information, visit http://www.aezsinc.com.

About Mavericks Capital

Mavericks Capital LLC and its licensed broker dealer, Mavericks Capital Securities LLC, specializes in advising companies on M&A, capital raises, and strategic partnerships across the healthcare sector. With a senior team having deep medical perspectives, core scientific knowledge and proprietary analytics, we help construct and facilitate innovative and lucrative solutions for our clients. Our practice areas include therapeutics, devices, diagnostics, services, and digital health. For more information, visit http://www.maverickscap.com.
ADCS Clinics (ADCS) announced it has completed the acquisition of The Philadelphia Institute of Dermatology; a dermatology practice owned by Andrew K. Pollack, M.D. with office locations in Fort Washington, Flourtown and North Wales, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Andrew Pollack is one of Philadelphia's top cosmetic board-certified dermatologists as designated by Philadelphia Magazine. He has appeared numerous times on network television and talk radio. Dr. Pollack has been featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer and has been widely quoted by several national magazines including Elle, Men's Health, and Prevention.

Dr. Pollack is the Director of the Philadelphia Institute of Dermatology. He was also the Previous Medical Director of Med-X, a prominent laser-related corporation. Dr. Pollack is a member of the Medical Staff at Abington Hospital and was the former Chief of Dermatology at Chestnut Hill Hospital. Dr. Pollack is a prominent principal investigator in many important national pharmaceutical clinical trials in dermatology

Dr. Pollack specializes in: cosmetic treatments (e.g., Restylane, Botox, Collagen, chemical peels), laser hair removal, laser treatments for wrinkles, tattoos, warts, photo rejuvenation, rosacea, scars, sun damaged skin (e.g., brown spots, freckles, veins), spider vein and leg vein treatment, skin cancer evaluation - treatment - surgery, and general dermatology for children and adults.

The team of providers with Dr. Pollack at The Philadelphia Institute of Dermatology:

Myriam Vega Gonzalez, M.D., M.P.H

Dr. Vega received her medical degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in her native Colombia, where she also completed a residency in dermatology. She moved to the States with her family, and has been in Philadelphia since 2009. Prior to residency, Dr. Vega was involved in dermatology research at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale that resulted in several peer-reviewed publications. She completed a surgical internship at Hahnemann University Hospital, and then completed her dermatology residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Dr. Vega enjoys both adult and pediatric general dermatology, and has an interest in ethnic skin, skin cancer prevention, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Vega is fluent in Spanish.

Andrew L. Kaplan, M.D.

Dr. Kaplan is a native of Woodbury, New York, where he was high school valedictorian and a National Merit Scholar. He completed his undergraduate education at Duke University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He received his medical degree from the Duke University School of Medicine, where he was the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards for academic excellence and research. Dr. Kaplan was honored with induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society. Following medical school, Dr. Kaplan completed an internship at Duke University Medical Center and a residency in dermatology at Duke University, consistently ranked among the nations top medical centers. At Duke, he was the Chief Resident in Dermatology and also served on the faculty of the Dermatology Division. Dr. Kaplan obtained specialized fellowship training in Mohs Surgery and Procedural Dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, which ranks among the worlds top academic medical centers. This intensive training program, at one of the nations leading Dermatology departments, was certified by both the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology and the American College of Graduate Medical Education. Dr. Kaplan is board certified in Dermatology

Laurel Radcliffe Schwartz, M.D.

Dr. Schwartz is a California native who was raised in Southeast Asia. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology at Northwestern University in Chicago. Following college, she worked as a laboratory scientist prior to moving to the Philadelphia area. Dr. Radcliffe Schwartz attended Drexel University College of Medicine, where she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. She served her medical internship at Abington Memorial Hospital and then attended Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where she completed her residency in dermatology and her fellowship in dermatopathology. More recently, she served as Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. She is board certified in dermatology and dermatopathology, and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Amy Levinson, MSN, CRNP

Amy has joined the group as a Nurse Practitioner. She specializes in both medical and cosmetic dermatology. Ms. Levinson brings over 12 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She completed her education and training at Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN) and Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia, PA). Ms. Levinson is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and an active member of the Dermatology Nurses Association. Ms. Levinson also received specialized training in cosmetic dermatology, and is a certified Botox Cosmetic injector.

Ms. Levinsons previous work experiences include both pediatric and geriatric care across a variety of disease processes. Most recently, she served as a Dermatology Nurse Practitioner in a busy outpatient setting. A fluent speaker of both English and Spanish, she enjoys volunteering her time in underserved areas. Additionally, she is a published author in Practical Dermatology plans to continue research in the field of dermatology.

Sharon Mohale, PA-C

Sharon has experience treating patients as a physician assistant in dermatology for close to eight years.

Sharon received both her Bachelor of Arts in Biology, and her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Chatham University, in Pittsburgh, PA. She is a member of the Society for Dermatology Physician Assistants, and Phi Beta Kappa. She ls originally from Southern Africa, and has lived in the United States for over twenty years.

In addition, the has also worked as an Adjunt Faculty member at Chatham University, in Pittsburgh, PA, teaching and facilitating general medical studies for physician assistants, and has continued her teaching as a part-time lecturer at Drexel University Physician Assistant Program, instructing physician assistant students in dermatology, whenever invited.

Sharon enjoys treating and caring for patients in all aspects of dermatology, and takes a particular interest in treating skin of color.

Amanda Murphy, PA-C

Amanda joined Philadelphia Institute of Dermatology in January, 2014 after more than 12 years of local experience as a physician assistant in dermatology. Amanda has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of skin conditions and disorders for children and adults. She is a caring professional who understands the needs of patients.

Her education includes a Masters degree in Physician Assistant studies from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and a bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware with a major in Biology and a minor in Spanish.

As an adjunct professor at PCOM and Arcadia University, Amanda prides herself in preparing the nest generation of PA's for success in her profession. She lectures on various topics, including the demonstration of dermatologic procedures, suturing techniques and clinical skill labs. She was recently recognized for the work as the 2013 Alumnus of the Year from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Debra Hrobak Omlor, PA-C

Debra received her undergraduate degree in Biology at Philadelphia University. She received her Physician Assistant training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and she did her clinical rotations at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ.

Debra has been a Dermatology Physician Assistant for the last 6 years. She has experience in all areas of dermatology including dermatologic surgery and cosmetics. Debra has also lectured nationally for several pharmaceutical companies as well as lectured at Drexel University. She currently resides in East Norriton with her husband and son.

Dr. Matt Leavitt, Founder and CEO of ADCS, said, its a privilege and honor to have the expertise of Dr. Pollack and his team at ADCS. They are distinguished providers and surgeons with expertise in various skin disease states that make them valuable additions to our practice.

This acquisition compliments our existing presence in the Philadelphia Metro Market to better serve patients and reduce patient wait times, said Dave Morell, President of ADCS.

ADCS, founded in 1989 by Dr. Matt Leavitt, is a dermatology-focused practice with over 154 clinics in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and Wyoming providing clinical, cosmetic, surgical and pathology services. ADCS also provides billing and coding management services for almost 90 third-party dermatology practices across the nation under the Ameriderm trade name.

For more information, contact: Dave Morell, President of ADCS, 407.875.2080 ext. 1244
"It is now up to the supply chain to act to ensure the adoption of this exciting new technology.

The use of niobium as a grain refiner in cast aluminium alloys allows the manufacture of lighter aluminium parts, contributing to lowering the overall weight of vehicles, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

The annual Award, now in its 38th year, is sponsored by Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineracao (CBMM). This is only the second occasion the award has been made for work on aluminium-based materials. Over the last 20 years significant progress has been made in vehicle light-weighting through the use of advanced high strength steels. This has allowed automotive manufacturers to meet increasingly stringent EU automobile emission targets. Further progress in this area will require the use of other light-weight materials, including aluminium alloys. To maximise the benefits available from the use of cast aluminium components it is important to optimise strength levels and minimise property variability. This can be achieved by refining the microstructure in the cast product.

The 2016 Charles Hatchett Award winning work focuses on the development of Nb-B based inoculants for use in the production of aluminium alloy castings. These inoculants were shown to be effective in widely-used commercial Al-Si casting alloys, especially when the Si content is higher than 5%. Above this level of Si, conventional Ti-B inoculants lose their effectiveness as a grain refiner. Significant refinement of the cast microstructure was obtained over a broad range of cooling rates, encompassing those found in common casting methods such as die- and sand-casting.

The award winners, from Brunel University London, UK were presented with their medals at the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) dinner held in London on the 12th July.

The following day, the lead author, Dr N. Hari Babu, presented the winning project at a seminar held at the Royal Society of Chemistry. The international seminar Niobium for Aluminium Cast Parts in Automotive Components, sponsored by CBMM, was attended by experts from the automotive supply chain and academia. The presentation described the fundamental metallurgy behind the design of the novel Nb-B inoculants and demonstrated their effectiveness in producing microstructure refinement at the laboratory scale.

The seminar was chaired by Dr Naila Croft from Beta Technology, the UK based company which manages the annual award process on behalf of CBMM. As International Coordinator of the Award, Dr Croft commented We were delighted to host over 40 delegates in London for our important technical seminar. The speakers have described the initial development of the novel Nb-B inoculants. However, by bringing together representatives from academia and the automotive supply chain, the route to full commercial implementation of this development has been demonstrated.

Marcos Stuart, CBMMs Director of Technology also noted This international award is part of our activities to recognise excellence in research on niobium and its applications. There is no single solution to vehicle light-weighting, the important thing is to have the right material in the right place. There are technical and cost challenges to the adoption of large aluminium alloy castings, such as engine blocks, which include efficiently filling the moulds during the casting process. The Nb-B inoculant refines the grains, improving the fluidity of the material being cast, and therefore making it easier to completely fill the moulds, leading to a higher integrity product. It is now up to the supply chain to act to ensure the adoption of this exciting new technology.
"We thank NAAMTA for the extremely thorough audit process. Achieving NAAMTA accreditation is an important milestone and another validation of Life Flight Network's high standards. Were honored to become a NAAMTA Alliance.

August 2016 Subsequent to a comprehensive audit of administrative documentation, medical practices, and operational facilities, NAAMTA is awarding Life Flight Network full medical transport accreditation for their fixed-wing, rotor-wing, and ground ambulance program.

NAAMTA accreditation is the result of compliance to standards that focus on safety and quality patient care. Life Flight Network was able to demonstrate compliance to each of the defined standards, identify best practice procedures, and demonstrate a culture of safety and teamwork. NAAMTA found their compliance to be evident through process reviews, employee interviews, and on-site evaluations, all of which were conducted using ISO 9001:2008 auditing guidelines.

As a result of accreditation, Life Flight Network is welcomed as a NAAMTA Alliance member, and is thus entitled to all associated benefits. The NAAMTA Alliance unifies accredited organizations in the promotion of continuous improvement. NAAMTA salutes Life Flight Network for achieving accreditation and looks forward to the contributions they will share with the NAAMTA Alliance.

Roylen Griffin, Executive Director at NAAMTA, stated: It is a great pleasure for me to conclude the auditing process of Life Flight Network by awarding them NAAMTA accreditation. The knowledge, experience, and dedication of each person that I came in contact with were evident. I have always said, Good equipment, good training and good people lead to good outcomes. Life Flight Network has demonstrated excellence in all three. Life Flight Network will be an extraordinary addition to the NAAMTA alliance.

Michael Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer for Life Flight Network, responded by saying: "We thank NAAMTA for the extremely thorough audit process. Achieving NAAMTA accreditation is an important milestone and another validation of Life Flight Network's high standards. Were honored to become a NAAMTA Alliance member and look forward to more collaboration in our quest for continuous improvement.

About NAAMTA

NAAMTA is an accreditation standard-bearer for the medical transport industry, offering procedures that include guidelines for developing a quality management system and focus on transport safety, patient care, and continuous improvement. NAAMTA is globally recognized by its ISO 9001:2008 QMS Certification and in the implementation of quality practices into their accreditation program.

NAAMTA has successfully made great strides in identifying key best practices to improve the standard of performance among EMS providers at the national and global levels. Through a dynamic approach to auditing and a vast array of web-based reporting and learning tools for members, NAAMTA distinguishes itself as an accreditation source interested in the improvement of medical transport organizations.

About Life Flight Network

Life Flight Network is the largest not-for-profit air ambulance program in the United States. Owned by a consortium of world class hospitals and health systems, Life Flight Network is a premier critical care transport service with fixed-wing, rotor-wing, and ground bases in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Montana.

Life Flight Network is accredited by the Helicopter Association International Accreditation Program of Safety (HAI-APS), International Standard for Business Aircraft Operators (IS-BAO), and the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS). In addition to Life Flight Network operating the majority of its own aircraft, Jackson Jet Center and Metro Aviation provide FAA Part 135 services to Life Flight Network.

Roylen Griff Griffin, Executive Director NAAMTA

P.O. Box 111

American Fork, UT 84003 (801)-756-7215

http://www.NAAMTA.com
YA, the industry market leader in delivering flawless omni-channel marketing promotions for the nations most respected brands, has announced it is tripling the size of its office space in Chatham-Kent, Ontario, and plans on nearly doubling its employee base in Canada.

For years, our Chatham-Kent office has been a critical location for our business, housing our highly professional contact center team, said YA President and CEO Chris Behrens. We realize the quality of talent in Chatham-Kent and the surrounding area and were confident we will effectively expand our business to meet our clients customer support needs. Further, we plan to leverage our Chatham-Kent, Ontario operation to scale and enable our business in the Canadian market.

YA currently employs nearly 85 people in Chatham-Kent. The workforce growth focuses on the addition of contact center agents and supervisors in support of inbound and outbound customer support. Company executives also plan on hiring additional sales and marketing talent who will be based in the Toronto area. The team additions will be completed by the end of the year as the company targets selling directly to Canadian businesses from within its market.

YA has long been a key economic partner for this area, said Geoffrey Wright, Business Development Specialist at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent Economic Development Services. Its been a pleasure to work with the YA team to bring this expansion to fruition. We appreciate the confidence Chris and his team have in the caliber of the people and the infrastructure Chatham-Kent has to offer.

The companys expanded offices will be in a newly built-out location at 730 Richmond Street, and the move-in is scheduled for September 6, 2016.

We have long supported YA clients via our Chatham-Kent operations. They have been impressed with our teams ability to effectively support their marketing programs, said Behrens. Now, were expanding our product and service offering to enable us to continue to grow our business in the Canadian market with existing and new clients.

About YA

For more than 40 years, YA has been a leader in the promotional marketing services space. We deliver flawless digital, social, mobile and traditional promotions such as rebates/rewards, enter to win and loyalty programs for the nations most respected brands. Our end-to-end management of 3,500+ promotions that reach tens of millions of consumers annually makes us experts at turning even first-time customers into loyal brand advocates. More information can be found at http://www.yaengage.com

Additional information about YA careers can be found at http://www.yaengage.com/careers

###
It was such a pleasure working with such an organized group. The Waterstone team handled all of the details regarding this transaction in a very efficient and professional manner. We would welcome the opportunity to work with Waterstone again.

Waterstone Defeasance recently closed a defeasance transaction a $6.9 million CMBS loan, secured by a multifamily property in North Carolina. Waterstone guided the owners through the defeasance process coinciding with the owners refinance of their loan.

As the defeasance consultant, Waterstone managed the activities of the numerous parties involved with the transaction in order to meet the borrowers closing schedule. Parties associated with a defeasance transaction typically include the servicer, servicers counsel, borrower, borrowers counsel, securities broker, custodian, accountant, rating agencies, and the successor borrower.

"It was such a pleasure working with such an organized group. The Waterstone team handled all of the details regarding this transaction in a very efficient and professional manner. We would welcome the opportunity to work with Waterstone again, said Anderson Neighbors with Capstone Real Estate Investments.

About Waterstone Defeasance

Waterstone Defeasance, LLC is an independent consulting firm specializing in assisting commercial real estate borrowers through the defeasance process. Since 2005, Waterstone has assisted owners and their advisors achieve the lowest possible defeasance costs. Waterstone has developed an industry-leading online defeasance calculator so clients can get a quick defeasance estimate on their website (defeasanceservices.com). Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company also has offices in New York, Dallas, and Irvine.

Contacts:

Steve Hall

704.236.4823

Brian Pedersen

704.926.6533

DefeasanceServices.com
CCHR calls for Congress to investigate the possible conflicts of interest between researchers associated with the ECT devices at NIMH and advising the FDA, and to ensure the FDA maintains a Class III risk classification for electroshock devices.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may soon be deciding on whether or not it will reclassify the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) device as low risk, which would allow broader use and, therefore, vastly increase the number of children, the elderly and the general population that could receive it.[1] International mental health watchdog, Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), established by the Church of Scientology and the late Professor of Psychiatry, Thomas Szasz, is requesting that Congress look into any apparent conflicts of interest driving the FDAs decision. This includes psychiatrists with financial ties to the ECT device makers that could be advising the FDA.

In late June, Jason Chaffetz, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform also raised concerns about how the FDA was conducting its review of ECT, writing to Sylvia Matthews Burwell, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, which oversees the FDA.[2]

Chairman Chaffetz posed a number of important questions to the Secretary writing, Given the complexity of this issue, and your admission that the long-term effectiveness of these devices remains debated, what are the known dangers for those 18 years and younger receiving ECT, how does the FDA propose to monitor the use of ECT, and what Federal tax dollars have been appropriated to pay for ECT? The lawmaker further requested information about how information on patient population or use is tracked if at all, and provide the underlying data.[2] Click here to read the letter.

On July 18, 2016, The Washington Post reported that the FDA determined that for some patients, the use of electroshockup to 460 volts of electricity through the brainmay be helpful and, therefore, justifies a lower risk classification for the shock device.[3] CCHR, along with thousands of submissions to the FDA opposing such a classification, says that this reclassification could put many thousands of individuals, including vulnerable children and elderly, at risk due to the known side effects. The FDA reports these effects to include:



Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) complications

Cognition and memory impairment

Physical trauma

Dental trauma

Prolonged seizures

Worsening of psychiatric symptoms

Death[1]

Right now, the ECT device carries the highest-risk, Class III classification, limiting who can be administered it. Reducing the risk classification could open the flood gates for wider electroshock usage. Yet, to date, the device makers have never submitted any clinical evidence to the FDA to prove that the procedure is safe or effective.[3] If the device remains as Class III, the manufacturers must provide an application to the FDA with clinical trials to prove it wont cause harm.

CCHR states that the amount of information that has not been made public about the review of the classification of ECT is astounding. For example, the FDA claims that every year 100,000 Americans are administered ECT, but this statistic dates back to the 1990s and the FDA has provided no records to substantiate such limited use, nor has it provided information as to how many children and the elderly are subjected to ECT.[4]

The Washington Posts article conceded what psychiatrists still admit after 70 years of ECT use, that the beneficial results of electroshock are for reasons not fully understood and theres been no scientific evidence to support if ECT works at all.[3]

Hot on the heels of the Posts article was a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) that found ECT to be a key component in maintaining remission in depression in the elderly. The study, called, Prolonging Remission in Depressed Elderly (PRIDE), examined 240 patients, over the age of 60, who received electroshock and the antidepressant venlafaxine, the generic of Effexor. Those that apparently bettered went on to receive either venlafaxine combined with the mood stabilizer, lithium, or underwent more ECT and venlafaxine.[5]

CCHR says that what neither the above study, nor NIMH, mentions is the potential death rate in the elderly receiving ECT, or the damage the violence of such shock treatment can cause. Consider that in March of this year, a coroner from Sunderland County in the United Kingdom determined that 71-year-old Elsie Tindle died after electroshock triggered an epileptic fit, which caused irreparable brain damage. A government pathologist concluded Tindle suffered a permanent epileptic seizure and the brain was completely starved of oxygen during the prolonged fit in 2015. After the third ECT session, Ms. Tindle fell ill the following day and died 25 days later.[6]

Additionally, in the United States, 60-year-old Peggy Salters was administered electroshock following the death of several close family members, including her husband. The psychiatrist who administered the ECT observed Salters was confused and disoriented and stopped the treatment because she was completely unable to function. Salters held a Master of Science in Nursing, had a long career as a psychiatric nurse, but lost knowledge of nursing skills and was unable to return to work after the ECT. Salters lost all memories of her husband and the births of her three children. In 2005, a jury in Columbia, South Carolina, awarded Salters $635,177, finding that the loss of 30 years of memory and cognitive impairment was due to ECT.[7]

As for teenagers, in an interview with CCHR, Kenny attests to the potential damage ECT can cause: At age 14, he suffered hypothyroidism while he also had problems at home. He was prescribed a thyroid medicine and an antidepressant. He experienced common adverse effects from the antidepressant, but was prescribed more psychotropic drugs that worsened his symptoms. After more than six years of these drug treatments, he was told he was treatment resistant and needed ECT. Kenny received ECT thirty times over the next year. He had neurocognitive tests conducted six months after the shocks and the neurologist compared these to his high school IQ, finding hed lost 50 IQ points. Kenny also saw a cardiologist for a long time because the shocks left him with heart arrhythmia. He says he suffered from severe headaches for a year and a half and went from being a high school honor student to having to be retaught how to tie his shoes. Seven years later, Kenny still suffers from a constant emotional numbness and apathy and has no memories of his childhood or high school years.

Of great importance, CCHR says that one must also consider what appear to be conflicts of interest associated with the FDAs pending decision. Furthermore, the NIMHs PRIDE study fails to fully disclose the conflicts of interest of the researchers, including any past financial links and/or affiliations with the two U.S. electroshock device makers.[5]

CCHR states that there appear to be relationships in this process that need to be reviewed and, while an FDA spokeswoman, Deborah Kotz, explained to the Post that the agency plans to review all the comments submitted before a final determination is made[2], the recent media, along with the PRIDE study lauding praise on ECT, has groups seeing this as a vested push to lower the risk classification. For these reasons and the risks to the public health, CCHR reiterates an earlier call for Congress to investigate the possible conflicts of interest between researchers associated with the ECT devices at NIMH and advising the FDA, and to ensure the FDA maintains a Class III risk classification for the electroshock device.

Read the full article here.

About Citizens Commission on Human Rights: CCHR is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious mental health watchdog. Its mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. CCHR has helped to enact more than 150 laws protecting individuals from abusive or coercive mental health practices.

References:

[1] Leslie Kux, Associate Commissioner for Policy, Neurological Devices; Reclassification of Electroconvulsive Therapy Devices Intended for Use in Treating Severe Major Depressive Episode in Patients 18 Years of Age and Older Who Are Treatment Resistant or Require a Rapid Response; Effective Date of Requirement for Premarket Approval for Electroconvulsive Therapy for Certain Specified Intended Uses, December 29, 2015, 21 Code of Federal Regulations Part 882, Federal Register Number 2015-32592, regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FDA-2014-N-1210-0001.

[2] Letter to Sylvia Matthews Burwell, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, from Jason Chaffetz, Chairman of House Committee on Oversight and Reform, June 28, 2016, oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/2016-06-28-JEC-to-Burwell-HHS-ECT-FDA-due-7-12.pdf.

[3] FDA: Electroshock has risks but is useful to combat severe depression, The Washington Post, July 18, 2016, washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/fda-electroshock-has-risks-but-is-useful-to-combat-severe-depression/2016/07/18/4a109cbc-2f4e-11e6-9de3-6e6e7a14000c_story.html?postshare=7721468884912250&tid=ss_tw.

[4] FDA Executive Summary Prepared for the January 27-28, 2011 meeting of the Neurological Devices Panel, FDA, fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/MedicalDevices/MedicalDevicesAdvisoryCommittee/NeurologicalDevicesPanel/UCM240933.pdf.

[5] Electroconvulsive Therapy Lifts Depression, Sustains Remission in Older Adults, National Institute of Mental Health, July 18, 2016, nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2016/electroconvulsive-therapy-lifts-depression-sustains-remission-in-older-adults.shtml.

[6] Petra Silfverskiold, Electric shock therapy led to Sunderland patient having permanent fit, Sunderland Echo (UK), March 10, 2016, sunderlandecho.com/news/local/all-news/electric-shock-therapy-led-to-sunderland-patient-having-permanent-fit-1-7786233; Jeremy Armstrong, Woman died after NHS electric shock therapy was given without consent or second opinion, Mirror, March 11, 2016, mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/woman-died-after-nhs-electric-7540901.

[7] Case 03CP4004797, Richland County, South Carolina, Peggy S. Salters vs. Palmetto Health Alliance, Inc., d/b/a Palmetto Baptist Medical Center; Robt. Schnackenberg, M.D., Individually, Eric Lewkowiez, M.D., Individually, Columbia Psychiatric Associates, P.A.; and Kenneth Huggins, M.D., Individually Filed October 03, 2003, Decided June 17, 2005; Landmark Decision: Jury awards $635,177 Damages for Memory Loss from Electroshock, Alliance for Human Research Protection, July 8, 2005, ahrp.org/landmark-decision-jury-awards-635177-damages-for-memory-loss-from-electroshock/.
The webcast, entitled Dynamics 365 - What Does it Mean for Dynamics ERP VAR's? will focus on the shifting landscape of Microsoft Dynamics resellers (VARs) due to the announcement of Dynamics 365 from Microsoft at WPC 16.

SBS Group, a leading information technology services and consulting firm, has announced they will be co-hosting a webcast with MSDynamicsWorld.com. The webcast will occur on Thursday, Aug. 18 at 12 p.m.

The webcast, entitled Dynamics 365 - What Does it Mean for Dynamics ERP VAR's? will focus on the shifting landscape of Microsoft Dynamics resellers (VARs) due to the announcement of Dynamics 365 from Microsoft at WPC 16. Attendees will learn how Dynamics resellers can move forward and adapt to the announcement from Microsoft.

The presenters for the webcast are Terry Petrzelka and Joseph Longo. Petrzelka is the founder and former CEO and President of Tectura Corporation, a global business consulting firm specialized using Microsoft Dynamics. Longo is Chief Operating Officer at SBS Group. Both presenters bring over fifty years of Dynamics experience combined.

Registration for the webcast is free. To register, visit http://msdynamicsworld.com/events_list_upcoming.

About MSDynamicsWorld.com

MSDynamicsWorld.com, a GuidePoint Media publication, is the leading global independent authority covering the world of Microsoft Dynamics. MSDynamicsWorld.com is the Microsoft Dynamics community's resource for news, expert advice, tips, best practices, white papers, case studies, and analysis.

About SBS Group

SBS Group is a national Microsoft master VAR (Value Added Reseller) with Gold level competency in enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM). Over the past 30 years, they have been recognized as Microsoft Partner of the Year, Inner Circle Member and Microsoft President's Club member multiple times. The company is headquartered in Edison, New Jersey and operates offices across North America. For more information, please visit SBS Group's website at http://www.sbsgroupusa.com. Follow us on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/company/sbs-group, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/sbsgroup and find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SBSGroupUSA.
The Civilian Corps of the U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) will be exhibiting at the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) 6th Annual Summit & Expo, which will be held in Orlando, FL from August 30  September 1 at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.

The Civilian Corps will be at booth 111 during exhibit hall hours from Tuesday, August 30 to Wednesday, August 31. Career consultants will be available to discuss vocational opportunities for civilian individuals with disabilities within the U.S. Army.

Utilizing the federal governments Schedule A Excepted Service hiring authority, and guided by Executive Order 13548, the Civilian Corps is dedicated to reducing discrimination against workers with disabilities and encouraging Americans with disabilities to seek employment in the federal workforce.

By filling open positions and programs with qualified professionals, the Civilian Corps of MEDCOM can continue to provide the best quality of care to U.S. Army uniformed service members, the retired service members, their families and other eligible beneficiaries, says Joseph Harrison Jr. Ph.D., Chief, Recruitment and Retention, Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Command, Civilian Human Resources Division.

The U.S. Army Medicine Civilian Corps provides rewarding career opportunities for civilians to serve those who serve their country. Civilians make up approximately 60% of the total Army Medicine workforce. Employees of the Civilian Corps are not subject to military requirements, such as enlistment or deployment, and receive excellent benefits, including flexible work schedules, competitive salaries, health and life insurances and access to state-of-the-art training and equipment at Army hospitals and clinics worldwide.

The Civilian Corps currently has hundreds of open positions in more than 70 global locations. For more information about the Civilian Corps commitment to hiring individuals with disabilities, please visit https://www.civilianmedicaljobs.com/jobs-for-individuals-with-disabilities/.
Diversified Machine Systems, a leading U.S. manufacturer of 3 and 5 axis CNC routers and machining centers, is proud to announce that they will have a significant presence at the 2016 International Woodworking Fair. DMS, and their subsidiary Freedom Machine Tool, will be exhibiting at IWF and both companies will feature live CNC machining demonstrations on site.

One of the world's largest trade shows for the furniture manufacturing, architectural woodwork, cabinetry, closet building and general woodworking industries, IWF is scheduled for August 24-27 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. With over 450 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors, the 2016 International Woodworking Fair is a must-attend event for those looking for new products and innovative manufacturing solutions.

DMS and FMT will be co-exhibiting in booth 7953, where they will offering live demonstrations of a DMS 3 axis moving table machine and an FMT Patriot 5 x 10 router. They will be cutting parts and running sample programs to illustrate their superior machine construction, accuracy, and ease-of-use. The FMT staff will be using the Patriot router to produce wooden foosball tables live on the floor, and these tables will be given away to attendees throughout the show.

DMS is partnering with Creaform to demo their Go!Scan 3D portable scanner, which will integrate with their CNC machine to quickly and efficiently import product data. This user-friendly scanner is another tool DMS customers can employ to help them go from concept to production sooner. The DMS staff will also be promoting their I4.0 and OEE expertise, with specialists on hand to discuss how this technology can be implemented to optimize production efficiency.

Our DMS and FMT CNC machines have been used extensively in the woodworking and cabinet-making industries for over 10 years with proven results said Ed Hilligrass, Executive Vice President/CSO. Our experience has given us a unique understanding of woodworkers specific machining needs and requirements, and were excited to have the opportunity to share that knowledge with the IWF attendees. This is also the perfect time to debut our I4.0 and OEE programs, as part of our ongoing objective to become a total solutions provider for our clients.

Diversified Machine Systems has also announced their trade show schedule for the remainder of 2016.

IMTS: September 12-17, Chicago IL, Booth #8790

CAMX: September 26-29, Anaheim CA, Booth #F62

About Diversified Machine Systems

Diversified Machine Systems (DMS) is a leading designer and manufacturer of 3 & 5 Axis CNC routers & custom machining centers, with headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO. With more than 30 years of innovation and industry experience as an Original Equipment Manufacturer, DMS line of CNC routers and machining centers are routinely used on materials such as wood, composites, aluminum, steel, plastics, and foams. Renowned for quality and precision, our advanced machining centers are engineered to increase efficiency and productivity, while maintaining the quality and precision our customers have come to expect from DMS.

About Freedom Machine Tool

Freedom Machine Tool (FMT), a division of Diversified Machine Systems, is a manufacturer of affordable, 3 axis CNC routers. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, FMT was started to address the need in the market for a cost-effective, industrial quality CNC machining solution. With over 25 years of combined experience building CNC routers, the FMT development team is committed to producing a value-priced router without sacrificing on quality or reliability.

For additional information about Diversified Machine Systems or Freedom Machine Tool, please visit:

http://www.dmscncrouters.com or http://www.freedomcnc.com

Contact: Ed Hilligrass, Executive Vice President / CSO

Phone: (719) 226-5066

ehilligrass(at)dmscncrouters(dot)com
SweetIQ, the leading local marketing platform provider, announces the opening of its new U.S. headquarters in Orange County, CA to accommodate the companys dramatic growth in the U.S. market. The new office will host the expansion of SweetIQs sales and customer success teams who serve the U.S. West Coast and Southwest markets.

The company has grown its U.S. business by over 400% since the beginning of 2016 with no signs of slowing down. This tremendous success follows the launch of its U.S. sales operations in 2015 and growing demand for its industry-leading analytics and marketing automation products for local marketing. With the results our Fortune 500 clients are seeing, word is spreading very quickly about how retailers are able to drive in-store foot traffic through our programmatic local marketing campaigns said Michael Mire, Chief Revenue Officer of SweetIQ. Our strategy now shifts to quickly expanding our sales operation in the U.S. to accommodate for this increasing demand and further cementing our position as the industry leader in local marketing.

Earlier this year, the company added Edwin Nissanoff from Local Market Launch and Brandify to its sales division, tasked with spearheading the West Coast U.S. sales operation. Edwin brings over a decade of experience in the local marketing industry, and has been extremely successful in his pursuits. It only made sense to rapidly build a team around him, said Jacob Lanyadoo, Director of Sales at SweetIQ.

The company is currently expanding the team in Irvine and is looking to hire 20 National Sales Representatives and 10 Inside Sales Associates before the end of the year. The new office is located at 19800 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine, California.

About SweetIQ

A leader in local search marketing, SweetIQ helps F500 retail brands grow their in-store foot traffic by improving the online findability of their brick-and-mortar stores. Turning big data into actionable intelligence, SweetIQ's marketing analytics and automation platform supports retailers and the marketing agencies that represent them in their corporate strategies, and empowers them in the reputation management of their brand. Founded in 2010, the company is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with an office in Orange County, California. Read more at sweetiq.com.

-30-

For media inquiries or for an interview, please contact:

Amanda Ierfino

Marketing Coordinator, Social and PR, SweetiQ

1.514.461.3527

amanda(at)sweetiq(dot)com
PediaPlex is here to help and support our families through the back to school transition. Our services are geared to help children be successful and navigate into the new school year more easily.

Transitioning out of summer mode and into school mode can be challenging for children, parents, and educators alike. A new school year means new classes, new teachers, new students, new material, and new routines. This can be a lot to deal with. PediaPlex understands these struggles and wants to help families and professionals feel more prepared. They will be participating in several back-to-school events in August including hosting their own Gearing Up For School event on August 9 at 6 p.m.

This event will support parents and children in getting back into the swing of things and starting the new school year off on a positive note. Its hard for children to immediately transition from summer vacation to school, so adjusting their routine slowly, starting a few weeks before the first day, can help. Slowly making changes to get kids ready can be especially beneficial for children with special needs who may thrive on predictability and routine.

In addition to helping parents establish a plan for easing the transition back to school, PediaPlex will also be offering free consultations with therapists for occupational therapy, speech therapy, play therapy, and ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy. If children are struggling in any of these areas, it can impact their ability to perform well in school. Getting the proper diagnosis and setting them up with the therapy treatments they need can help them to overcome challenges and feel more confident in their abilities.

PediaPlex is here to help and support our families through the back to school transition, CEO and Founder, Sonia Kirkpatrick said. Our services are geared to help children be successful and navigate into the new school year more easily.

Another way PediaPlex is getting involved is by serving as a sponsor for the Back-to-School Luncheon for educators and administrators on August 12, hosted by the Irving Independent School District and the Greater Irving Las Colinas Texas Chamber of Commerce, and the 29th Annual Highland Village Balloon Festival at Unity Park. The Back-to-School Luncheon will support nearly 700 educators and administrators by providing lunch, door prizes, back-to-school supply bags, and a variety of informative exhibit booths where they can learn more about community resources such as PediaPlex.

The Highland Village Balloon Festival will take place August 19-21 and feature live bands, a car show, a 5k run, dog races, a kid zone, arts and crafts, food, and a variety of hot air balloons. PediaPlex will be there to interact with the public and educate them about the services available to children and their families.

PediaPlex also has the honor of being a vendor at the Education Service Center (ESC) Region 10 Lifeskills Teachers Bootcamp on August 8 and 9. This conference will present information, strategies, and resources for working with students within life skills classrooms. This includes parents, teachers, and support staff. The goal is to equip individuals with practical strategies to promote success and independence for students with special needs. PediaPlex will be present as a valuable resource for families and educators to learn more about the services available to support students in being more successful and overcoming challenges.

We love being part of the community and supporting our families. We love to see children build their self-esteem and be successful and our services and therapies truly help this happen, Kirkpatrick said.

PediaPlex is excited to be actively involved in sponsoring and attending so many community events and spreading the word about resources and services available to children with special needs and their families. Families are encouraged to stop by PediaPlexs Gearing Up For School event on August 9 at 6 p.m. for guidance, support, and free therapy consultations to start the school year off right!

About PediaPlex:

PediaPlex is an all-inclusive diagnostic and therapeutic clinic located in Southlake, Texas. It offers comprehensive services to children with a variety of disorders ranging from autism, ADHD, and sensory-motor problems to learning disabilities, mental health disorders, and developmental delays. Therapy services include occupational therapy, speech therapy, play therapy, psychology testing, cognitive and academic assessments, counseling, and ABA therapy. The multidisciplinary team evaluates and diagnoses children to determine their individual strengths and areas of need and then creates a collaborative treatment plan to address these concerns. All services are offered in one convenient location.
'Children are the foundation of our future and at E&V, we not only care deeply about our communitys youth, but also know the value of positive influences and are devoted to helping them thrive.' -- Raphael Barragan

With a commitment to community, premium lifestyle real estate brand, Engel & Volkers Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica announce their partnership with Safety Harbor Kids (SHK)  a Malibu based nonprofit childrens organization.

Engel & Volkers is far more than just a real estate brand, says Raphael Barragan, License Partner of the Beverly Hills shop. Children are the foundation of our future and at E&V, we not only care deeply about our communitys youth, but also know the value of positive influences and are devoted to helping them thrive.

With a mission to enrich the lives of orphan, foster, and homeless children, SHK offers educational programs in the areas of college, career, music, and the arts. The organization aims to break the vicious cycle of poverty and imprisonment that plagues more than 80,000 children in Los Angeles County alone through providing its participants with the proper push in the right direction.

Engel & Volkers Santa Monica License Partner, Sandra Miller, also expressed her thoughts on the partnership. Based in one of the citys most family-friendly neighborhoods, it is important for us to set a positive example for everyone in our community by taking a leadership role in making a difference, she said.

Engel & Volkers is set to organize and participate in year-round events involving the charity to help raise awareness in the public domain, kicking off the partnership with the Annual SHK Polo event this September.

About Engel & Volkers

Since its beginning in 1977 as a specialty boutique providing exclusive, high-end real estate services in Hamburg, Germany, Engel & Volkers has become one of the worlds leading companies specializing in the sale and lease of premium residential and commercial property, yachts and private aviation. Engel & Volkers currently operates a global network of over 7,000 real estate advisors in more than 700 brokerages spanning 37 countries across five continents, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services. It established its North America corporate headquarters in 2007 and opened its first brokerage in the same year. Committed to exceptional service, Engel & Volkers supports its advisors with an array of premium quality business services; marketing programs and tools; multiple platforms for mobile, social and web; as well as access to its global network of real estate professionals, property listings and market data. Engel & Volkers is an active supporter of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated.

For more information, please contact:

Sheela Shouhed

Director of Communications

Sheela(dot)Shouhed(at)evusa(dot)com
Intelex Technologies, a global leader in the development of environmental, health, safety and quality management (EHSQ) software, is presenting a webinar on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 to provide health and safety professionals, manufacturing executives, and business owners insights into the return on investment (ROI) for safety in manufacturing.

One of the biggest roadblocks safety managers face in getting their organizations to adopt Safety Management Software is building a business case. This webinar underscores the growing amount of empirical evidence which demonstrates that implementing a Safety Management Software solution not only improves an organizations safety culture and drives adoption of its safety programs, but also protects the profitability of the business. Attendees will learn how Pace Industries, a leading North American manufacturing company, implemented Intelexs Safety Management Software to drive a culture of world-class safety and realize benefits that include turning incident rates around and reducing workers' compensation costs by $1.2 million dollars.

Kenny Sandlin, Vice President of Health and Safety for Pace Industries, will share insights into how Pace tackled safety culture challenges and used real-time data to improve safety performance and deliver measurable bottom line results, including:



An 85% reduction in Incident Severity Rate

A 62% reduction in OSHA Recordable Rate

A 75% reduction in DART Rate

A 1,161 day reduction in Lost Days

WHAT: Intelex Webinar - The ROI of Safety in Manufacturing

WHEN: Wednesday August 10, 2016, 2:00-2:45 P.M. This is a live webinar followed by an interactive Q&A session. Participants will also be able to submit questions during the webinar. Following the webinar, an on-demand reply as well as PDF of the presentation will be available to registrants.

WHERE: Free Online Webinar. To register visit: http://ilx.media/2aw0QAY

WHO: Presenter: Kenny Sandlin, Pace Industries; Moderator: John Phyper, Intelex Technologies

Kenny Sandlin is Vice President of Safety & Health at Pace Industries, North Americas largest full-service aluminum, zinc, and magnesium die casting company. Kenny is responsible for leadership, providing corporate oversight, technical assistance and advancing Paces Health & Safety Management System as well as all of their Occupational Health & Safety and Wellness programs. Pace operates 12 divisions with 21 facilities and over 4000 associates.

John Phyper is SVP of Sales - Manufacturing & Resources at Intelex Technologies. John has over 25 years of experience in EHS consulting and information technology and is considered an expert on EHS management systems and EHS legislation. John has co-authored several books on these topics and lectured at the University of Toronto. His most recent book, Good to Green (John Wiley & Sons), addresses the business risks and opportunities associated with environmental issues.

About Intelex Technologies

With more than 1,000 clients and 1 million users, Intelex Technologies Inc. is a global leader in environmental, health, safety and quality (EHSQ) management software. Since 1992 its scalable, web-based platform and applications have helped clients across all industries improve business performance, mitigate organization-wide risk, and ensure sustained compliance with internationally accepted standards (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001) and regulatory requirements. Intelex is one of Canadas fastest-growing tech companies and has been named one of the countrys Most Admired Corporate Cultures, Best Managed Companies, as well as one of the countrys top employers by Aon Hewitt and Canadas Top 100. For more information, visit http://www.intelex.com.

###
If having the most accurate, defensible, cost-effective, and secure German Review is something important to you, Inspired has now set the new standard for that. - Karl Schieneman,Esq.

It is with great enthusiasm that Inspired Review announces its expansion in Frankfurt, Germany with it's new State-of-the-Art Managed Review Center. The office is located at Neue Mainzer Str. 28, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany and will allow Inspired Review to support various matters with its German Clients. The office is located across from Commerzbank and will be lead by Sven Kill, Esq., Inspired Review's Senior Manager in Germany.

In addition to the office, Inspired Review has launched proprietary Data Security Tools for Document Review that will ensure the most secured managed review operation. Finally, Inspired Review's Document Review Testing Program, has been translated into the German language and we will be able to provide the guaranteed best talent around in the marketplace to ensure better reviews and cost savings.

Karl Schieneman, Esq., Inspired Review's Co-CEO shared that "Inspired Review is now the only Document Review provider globally that has this level of data security around review and the ability to test a German team and ensure we are getting the right talent to be on these matters. If having the most accurate, defensible, cost-effective, and secure German Review is something important to you, Inspired has now set the new standard for that."

About Inspired Review:

Inspired Review is the most groundbreaking document review firm in the industry up to date. The firm prides itself on its incentive based, low cost per document pricing model, top notch quality control workflows, proprietary document review testing/metrics and data security tools in the review phase. Inspired Review is also very concerned with igniting change in the world by giving back. A percentage of all the companys profits are donated to a monthly sponsored charity.
Zuhdi Jasser

A widely known Muslim-American reformer, Zuhdi Jasser, has accused U.S. President Barack Obama of "kissing up to Middle Eastern dictators, at a time when radical Islamist terrorism is running rampant worldwide."

Obama refuses to use any term equating Islam with terrorism, such as radical Islam or Islamic extremism. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-obama-term-radical-islam/story?id=39815449) Thats because he does not want to offend U.S. allies such as Saudi Arabia  the dictatorship that regularly carries out public executions by beheading, Zuhdi Jasser, president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, told Borderless News Online.

Jassers statements come at a time when terror attacks are being carried out by radical Islamists nearly every day across the globe, and recent weeks have seen scores of terrorist attacks in Orlando, France, Germany, Turkey and Iraq, just to name a few.

(The Saudis) would become upset (if Obama used the term radical Islam), but theyre not our allies. We need to re-define what it means to be allies, said Jasser, author of A Battle for the Soul of Islam, speaking of countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, which he believes are bastions of radical Islam.

The root cause of Islamist terrorism, he says, is the 13th century Islam thats coming out of Saudi Arabia and other such countries with which former secretary of state Hillary Clinton has been knee-deep, he said of the Democratic candidate for president.

Saudi Arabia is a cauldron for radical Islam, he said, noting that radical group ISIS ideology is based on Wahhabi Islam  the draconian version of Islam that was invented by Saudi jurists, and which dictates the law of the land in Saudi Arabia. (http://www.borderlessnewsonline.com/muslim-american-reformer-blasts-hillary-for-kowtowing-to-mid-east-dictators/)
CAYIN Joins Trade Mission to Latin America to Explore Digital Signage Potential We look forward to exploring potential cooperation, and extending our relationship with existing partnerships in Latin America

CAYIN will participate in the 2016 Taiwan Trade Mission to Latin America, held by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council from August 28 to September 6. During the visit, CAYIN will share its pioneering digital signage solutions to visitors from emerging markets in Latin America.

During the trade mission, CAYIN will visit Mexico, Chile, and Argentina to thoroughly introduce its professional digital signage solutions. In response to the rapid economic growth in Latin America and the potential needs for high-technology products, CAYIN will showcase three digital signage player models: SMP-300, a compact, energy-saving FHD player, SMP-2100, a fanless metal-build dual-display player, and SMP-8000, a 4K UHD Quad-display player.

SMP-300 supports multimedia content in seven zones. Users can update and play multimedia content via USB flash drive or SD card. Whats more, SMP-300 is extremely energy efficient and the maximum power consumption is less than 6W that can greatly help users reduce overall management costs.

SMP-2100 is a durable high-performance digital signage player. This dual-HDMI-output fanless Player comes with the new and improved SMP-NEO2 software, supporting unlimited video, image and ticker zones (Depending on the video resolution, codec, bitrates and hardware spec.) Equipped with a solid-state drive, SMP-2100 makes it a suitable choice for it to withstand rough handling.

Also making its debut in Latin America, SMP-8000, the 4-display video wall solution supports flexible display modes such as 4x1 or 2x2. Unlike traditional signal distribution box, which significantly decreases signal strength and resolution, each output of the player supports Full HD display resolution, and up to 4K if in Single display mode to present crystal clear images to audiences, permitting the possibility to build multi-displays on a budget.

CAYIN believes that the road show to Latin American countries including Mexico (Mexico D.F.), Chile (Santiago), and Argentina (Buenos Aries) will be a great opportunity to meet the needs of existing and potential customers in the said region. Ravel Chi, delegate of CAYIN Technology, said, CAYIN looks forward to exploring potential cooperation, and extending our relationship with existing partnerships in Latin America. CAYIN sincerely welcomes visitors to stop by 2016 Taiwan Trade Mission to Latin America.

For detailed information on this Trade Mission or to book a meeting, please visit: Mision Comercial de Taiwan a America Latina 2016
OrthoPediatrics Corp. is pleased to announce it has finalized a license agreement with Sydney Childrens Hospitals Network for the EPIC Plate Physeal Tethering Technology, which expands the Companys leading position in the guided growth marketplace. The EPIC Plate was designed in collaboration with the Networks researchers from the Kids Research Institute at The Childrens Hospital at Westmead in Sydney, Australia. This is the second product the Company has licensed as part of their on-going partnership. Sydney based Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Professor David Little collaborated with the Company on the design of the system, saying Guided growth has become a mainstay in deformity correction. The EPIC Plate is designed with an extremely low profile and allows access to areas where standard plates are challenging to use.

David Bailey, OrthoPediatrics Executive Vice President, echoed his enthusiasm for the project, saying We are excited to further expand our physeal tethering business. The EPIC Plate offers a smaller and lower profile physeal tethering option, allowing us to expand indications into foot and ankle, elbow and wrist procedures for pediatric patients.

About OrthoPediatrics Corp.

Founded in 2006, OrthoPediatrics is the only orthopedic company focused exclusively on providing a comprehensive product offering to the pediatric orthopedic market in order to improve the lives of children with orthopedic conditions. OrthoPediatrics currently markets 17 surgical systems that serve three of the largest categories within the pediatric orthopedic market. This offering spans trauma and deformity, complex spine and ACL reconstruction procedures. OrthoPediatrics also has the only global sales organization focused exclusively on pediatric orthopedics and distributes its products to 29 countries outside the United States.
Rigaku MiniFlex Benchtop X-ray diffraction instrument

Rigaku Corporation is pleased to announce its attendance at the 252nd American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition (ACS Fall 2016), taking place August 21-25, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA.

Rigaku is presenting its diverse lines of benchtop X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrumentation at Booth 527.

ACS National Meetings provide researchers with current scientific, professional and product information news. The Fall meeting will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The events theme is: Chemistry of the People, by the People, for the People, and will include a broad range of symposia topics, along with a wide variety of oral sessions and poster sessions.

About Rigaku

Since its inception in Japan in 1951, Rigaku has been at the forefront of analytical and industrial instrumentation technology. Rigaku and its subsidiaries form a global group focused on general-purpose analytical instrumentation and the life sciences. With hundreds of major innovations to their credit, Rigaku companies are world leaders in X-ray spectrometry, diffraction, and optics, as well as small molecule and protein crystallography and semiconductor metrology. Today, Rigaku employs over 1,400 people in the manufacturing and support of its analytical equipment, which is used in more than 70 countries around the world supporting research, development, and quality assurance activities. Throughout the world, Rigaku continuously promotes partnerships, dialog, and innovation within the global scientific and industrial communities.

For further information, contact:

Michael Nelson

Rigaku Global Marketing Group

tel: +1. 512-225-1796

michael.nelson(at)rigaku(dot)com
Robert S. Sullivan will spearhead the strategic direction of PCIs efforts working with families and communities in 15 countries to enhance health, end hunger and overcome hardship.

Robert S. Sullivan was elected Chairman of San Diego-based PCI (Project Concern International) at its annual meeting of the Board of Directors on August 6th. As chair, Sullivan will spearhead the strategic direction of PCIs efforts working with families and communities in 15 countries to enhance health, end hunger and overcome hardship.

Bob is a recognized leader in entrepreneurship and innovation, and we are thrilled to have his expertise and guidance as PCI seeks to impact the lives of 20 million people annually, said PCI President & CEO George Guimaraes. Bob began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia, and he knows first-hand the difference that can be made when we partner with people and communities on the ground to find solutions combatting global poverty.

Sullivan is the founding dean of the Rady School of Management at the University of California San Diego. Since its creation is 2003, the Rady School has become a global player inspiring creativity and innovation in business education. Sullivan previously served as dean of the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and as dean of the Graduate School of Industrial Administration at Carnegie Mellon University.

Given the challenges in our world today, PCIs work at the grassroots level to inspire and create opportunity for people to improve their own lives is more important than ever, said Sullivan. I am honored to be a part of this important mission, and I look forward to working with PCIs leadership to ensure we have an even greater impact in the years to come.

Sullivan replaces Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez as chair. Vasquez, a former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome and Peace Corps Director, served as chair since 2014. Under Ambassador Vasquezs leadership, PCI experienced the most significant growth in its history and impacted more lives than ever before, said Guimaraes. We are grateful for his leadership guidance.

About PCI

PCIs mission is to empower people to enhance health, end hunger and overcome hardship. PCI envisions a world in which the most vulnerable people will have the power to lift themselves out of poverty and to create vital, healthy lives for their families and communities now and for the future. For more information, visit: http://www.pciglobal.org.

About the Rady School of Management at UC San Diego

The Rady School of Management at UC San Diego is a business school that develops ethical and entrepreneurial leaders who make a positive impact in the world through innovation, collaboration and knowledge. The Rady School offers a Full-Time MBA program, a FlexMBA program for working professionals, a Ph.D. program, a Master of Finance program, a Master of Science in Business Analytics program, Executive Education and undergraduate courses. To find out more about the Rady School, visit: http://www.rady.ucsd.edu.

###
PAL and CarteNav logo I am proud of what CarteNav has accomplished over the last 14 years and feel joining PAL Aerospace, along with EICs support, will allow us to rapidly move to the next level

Provincial Aerospace Ltd. (PAL Aerospace) and CarteNav Solutions Inc. (CarteNav) announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which PAL has acquired CarteNav, which will now also be part of the Exchange Income Corporation (EIC) group of companies.

CarteNav is a leading Nova Scotia based software developer that provides situational awareness and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions for maritime, land, and air environments. The company serves defence, security, and commercial clients. Its flagship product, AIMS-ISR has become the software of choice for both government and non-government customers in more than 30 countries around the world.

The acquisition of CarteNav Solutions is extremely exciting. There are many synergies between our two companies as we are each leaders in our specific segments of the ISR market, said Brian Chafe, Chief Executive Officer, PAL Aerospace. Together we look forward to enhancing the product and service offerings we are each able to offer. We are pleased to welcome CarteNav to the EIC family and excited about the additional market opportunities for us both.

CarteNav Solutions has grown from a small software company into an international industry leader within the ISR market, said CarteNav President Paul Evans. I am proud of what CarteNav has accomplished over the last 14 years and feel joining PAL Aerospace, along with EICs support, will allow us to rapidly move to the next level. Our combined expertise will allow us to enhance solution offerings for our marketspace. CarteNav will continue to preserve our ongoing commitment to our dedicated employees and clients and we look forward to working with PAL.

PAL Aerospace and CarteNav are industry leaders within the global ISR market. Looking towards the future of the market, developments are rapidly occurring in user interface design, data warehousing, and data analytics, explained Brian Chafe. Together we will have greater capabilities and can ensure that we are well equipped to serve this developing market demand.

CarteNavs growth has resulted from our focus on innovation, responsive service, and building meaningful relationships with our customers and partners, continued Paul Evans. We are excited by this new chapter in our companys evolution supported by a broader team that shares these values in support of a global community of operators undertaking the most demanding of missions.

BCMS Corporate acted as the exclusive financial advisor to CarteNav Solutions Inc. in connection with the transaction.

About PAL Aerospace

PAL Aerospace is a Canadian aerospace and defence company with a focus on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions. Recognized by governments and militaries for on time/on budget delivery, and high reliability rates, the company has grown globally. This track record of success has led to on-going operations around the world. PAL Aerospace offers a single point of accountability for its programs and takes pride in being the trusted choice for clients worldwide.

About CarteNav Solutions

CarteNav solutions Inc. is an international leader in mission management and sensor management software solutions for the airborne, land, and maritime environments. Founded in 2002, CarteNav offers operationally proven software that dramatically improves the performance of both sensor operators and tactical decision makers. The company has established a reputation for providing sought-after and high-value software solutions that can be deployed on a wide variety of platforms supporting multiple mission types for government, military, and commercial customers.
New Clothing Startup BoyNewYork Launches With Success

Traditional fashion has become oversaturated with preppy to conservative attire and consumers are not happy. A large segment of the male kidult segment have been alienated in an attempt to appease the masses. The voice of todays alternative fashion centric shopper has been answered by BoyNewYork. The companys mission statement is to globally influence this generation of streetwear culture in a different way. Since launch BoyNewYork has seen extensive positive feedback and the company looks to ride this wave of success going into the future.

BoyNewYork was founded by Leo Wang in 2016 after being inspired by famous punk journalist Jon Savage. Leo had inadvertently learned about Savage one day when scrolling the internet and was mesmerized by his idea that history is created by those who say no. Leo soon became infatuated with fashion and would look to find the missing piece. Leo has since spent the last 10 years in the New York fashion district learning the craft of design. Today Leo runs BoyNewYork a new startup ready to provide that missing piece in todays fashion. BoyNewYork has a mix of Asian flair from the streets of New York City. When asked about why he started the brand Leo had this to share:

I had to launch this brand as fashion had become too tame. Fashion is meant to be our freedom to express our own likes and tastes, were meant to be able to do what we want with it.

Today BoyNewYork is proud to announce that they have 80 staff on hand and this list continues growing. Staff consists of innovative designers, experienced material buyers, and a dedicated and experience customer support team. The dynamic background in the office has led to innovative ways to offer New York styles to a global community at affordable prices. With everything said BoyNewYork has been able to steadily grow a strong and loyal customer base, and as sales continue the brand looks to hire more staff and create a better customer experience.

BoyNewYork is geared currently towards male Kidults, which means both kids and adult men. The brand relies heavily on darker styles to emphasize a rebellious user who is looking to break free from the normal constraints of everyday fashion.

Related link: http://www.boynewyork.com/
This program brings together pharmaceutical companies,advocacy groups, cancer patients, caregivers, physicians and nurses to raise money, awareness and create hope and inspiration for all cancer patients. - Marty Murphy, dir. of patient ed., CURE.

From Aug. 9 - 14, a team of 20 multiple myeloma patients, caregivers, physicians, nurses and supporters will hike along Perus arduous Inca Trail leading to the ruins of Machu Picchu to raise funds for research and build awareness around the incurable blood cancer. The Inca Trail trek is the third event for Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma (MM4MM), a collaboration between the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), CURE Media Group and Takeda that has raised nearly $500,000 to date for critically needed myeloma research.

Ascending to a height of more than 9,000 feet, the route the team will use is a rare and challenging opportunity to traverse the Sacred Valley and enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Intipunku). The 16-kilometer trek will begin at the Chachabamba entrance on the Urubamba River and take hikers through the Andes Mountains over the course of seven to nine hours. Previous MM4MM events this year have included similarly intensive treks up Tanzanias Mount Kilimanjaro in January and into Arizonas Grand Canyon in May.

Jeff Stiles, one of four patients with multiple myeloma on the trek, is a 46-year-old police officer from Kodak, Tenn. He was diagnosed with the rare cancer in 2014 and plans to take on the Inca Trail to inspire others and embrace an outdoor adventure. Hiking and being outside have had an almost spiritual impact on me and always improve my mental state, he said. This reason, as well as being on the Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma team as an example of strength for others, has brought me to this point in my journey.

Other patients living with multiple myeloma on the MM4MM team are Cindi McNair, 52, of Lincoln, Nebr.; Evelyn Bhattacharya, 76, of New York, N.Y.; and Klaas de Weerth, 52, also of New York.

"The MMRF continues to lead collaborative, cutting-edge scientific efforts to conduct multiple myeloma research, with a particular emphasis in the promising area of precision medicine, said Paul Giusti, MMRF president and CEO. Working with our partners at Takeda and CURE, were able to create awareness and help generate the necessary funds to support this important research. What is particularly gratifying is to see multiple myeloma patients working side-by-side with us, battling their disease and taking positive steps to bring us ever closer to a cure.

CURE  magazine is honored to be a founding partner of Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma, said Marty Murphy, director of patient education, CURE/OncLive, for CURE Media Group. This program brings together pharmaceutical companies, advocacy groups, cancer patients, caregivers, physicians and nurses with the mission to raise money, awareness and create hope and inspiration for all cancer patients.

Shawn Goodman, head of Global Oncology Corporate Communications at Takeda, said, During my 19 years with the company, I have had the privilege of hearing the personal stories of many courageous people who are battling this disease and have been part of an incredibly passionate team launching novel, transformative multiple myeloma treatments for patients around the world. I joined the Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma Machu Picchu team to contribute, in a new way, to improving the lives of people with multiple myeloma  raising funds and showing my support alongside patients during the trek.

Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer of the blood. According to the National Cancer Institute, patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma have less than a 50 percent chance of survival beyond five years. While great progress has been made in recent years to develop novel treatments, continuous research funding is critically needed to get to the ultimate goal: a cure. Every dollar raised by the MM4MM team will go to MMRF research efforts to accelerate next-generation treatments.

About Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma

Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma is supported by CURE Media Group and Takeda. MM4MM has teams participating in other adventure climbs, including Mount Kilimanjaro in February 2017. Funds raised by the MM4MM endeavors will go directly to research, supporting the MMRF mission. For more information, visit http://www.movingmountainsformultiplemyeloma.com.

About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) was established in 1998 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by twin sisters Karen Andrews and Kathy Giusti soon after Kathys diagnosis with multiple myeloma. The mission of the MMRF is to relentlessly pursue innovative means that accelerate the development of next-generation multiple myeloma treatments to extend the lives of patients and lead to a cure. As the worlds number-one private funder of multiple myeloma research, the MMRF has raised more than $300 million since its inception and directs nearly 90 percent of its total budget to research and related programming. As a result, the MMRF has been awarded Charity Navigators coveted four-star rating for 11 consecutive years, the highest designation for outstanding fiscal responsibility and exceptional efficiency.

About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is a global, R&D-driven pharmaceutical company committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines. Takeda focuses its research efforts on oncology, gastroenterology and central nervous system therapeutic areas. It also has specific development programs in specialty cardiovascular diseases, as well as late-stage candidates for vaccines. Takeda conducts R&D, both internally and with partners, to stay at the leading edge of innovation. New innovative products, especially in oncology and gastroenterology, as well as its presence in emerging markets, fuel the growth of Takeda. More than 30,000 Takeda employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients, working with our partners in health care in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit http://www.takeda.com/news. Additional information about Takeda is available at http://www.takeda.com, and additional information about Takeda Oncology, the brand for the global oncology business unit of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, is available at http://www.takedaoncology.com.

About CURE Media Group

Combining science and humanity to make cancer understandable, CURE Media Groups flagship product, CURE magazine, is the indispensable guide to every stage of the cancer experience. With nearly 1 million readers, CURE is the largest U.S. consumer publication focused entirely on cancer, with broad distribution to patients with cancer, cancer centers and advocacy groups. CURE Media Groups offerings include its online resource, curetoday.com; live meetings; a resource guide for the newly diagnosed; and the Extraordinary Healer oncology nursing award. It also offers CURE Connections, a video platform designed specifically for patients with cancer that features information, stories, advice about the cancer journey and subscription options to receive updates. Cure Media Group is part of Michael J. Hennessy Associates, Inc., a full-service health care communications company offering education, research, medical media and the acclaimed OncLive platform of resources for the practicing oncologist.

# # #

Media Contacts:

Becky Taylor

MJH Associates

becky(at)btaylorpa(dot)com

609.240.6886

Sharon L. Saias

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

saiass(at)theMMRF(dot)org

203-652-0211

Amy Atwood

Takeda

amy.atwood(at)takeda(dot)com

617-444-2147
Brooklyn, NY based artist collective, YesYesNo transforms buildings into interactive playgrounds with light projections and sound. The Indianapolis Foundation is creatively transforming some of our citys most inspiring places in ways that could not have been technologically possible even a few years ago. Brian Payne, president and CEO, The Indianapolis Foundation

At only one event this summer can festival-goers see themselves projected onto the facade of a downtown Indianapolis landmark; witness illuminated icebergs floating in the canal; groove at a soulful silent disco; and become part of a blacklight coral reef, among other electrifying experiences. That event? IN Light IN, a dazzling, free, two-night interactive light festival, from 8:52 p.m. to 1:02 a.m., Friday, Aug. 26, and Saturday, Aug. 27.

More than 20 artists and performers from Indianapolis and beyond will illuminate the downtown Indianapolis canal and The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick (along Walnut Street) at the event produced by Central Indiana Community Foundation, in partnership with Northern Lights.mn, to honor The Indianapolis Foundations 100th anniversary.

IN Light IN highlights include:

Daily Tous Les Jours, Montreal, Quebec:

The U.S. debut of McLarena, an interactive installation that encourages attendees to imitate a dance sequence. Their movements will be projected on the facade of a building in the Zesco.com parking lot.

Brian McCutcheon and MANA2, Indianapolis, IN:

Brian McCutcheon and MANA2 will present Water Mining, an interactive installation that collects and amplifies the sounds of the Canal Walk waterway.

PATTERN, Indianapolis, IN:

Indys most talented fashion designers partner with PATTERN to turn the Downtown Canal into a roving fashion showcase featuring light-based couture.

Tiffany Carbonneau and Susanna Crum, Louisville, KY:

Carbonneau and Crum will pay homage to Bethel A.M.E, Indianapolis oldest African American church with a site-specific video projection onto the 147-year-old building, celebrating its significance and history.

YesYesNo, Brooklyn, NY

Artist collective YesYesNo will transform the Scottish Rite Cathedral into an interactive playground with Night Lights/Funky Forms. Attendees will become performers as their body and hand movements are projected across the Cathedrals iconic architecture, bringing it to life.

BareBones Productions and the Illuminated Reef Collective, Minneapolis, MN

Attendees will leave land behind, figuratively, as they immerse themselves in a black light coral reef, borrowing an illuminated sea creature and interacting with fellow deep sea dwellers in the space.

IN Light IN is sponsored by The Indianapolis Foundation, Efroymson Family Fund, Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL), Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, Lilly Endowment and many other generous sponsors.

Dont miss the most illuminating event of the summer in downtown Indianapolis. Visit Indy is offering special Indianapolis hotel rates for travelers to Indianapolis with rooms available for as low as $99. Book a room, experience both nights of the festival, and enjoy one last summer getaway.

More information about IN Light IN, including an event map and details about the 20 plus artists and performers featured at the festival, can be found at inlightinfestival.org.

ABOUT INDIANAPOLIS FOUNDATION

One of the first community trusts in America, The Indianapolis Foundation is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016. The Foundation is a public charity and an affiliate of Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), a collaborative effort between the community foundations serving Marion and Hamilton Counties. As Indianas oldest and largest community foundation, The Indianapolis Foundation was created to ensure that the quality of life in Marion County continuously improves; to help where the needs are greatest and the benefits to the community are most extensive; and to provide donors a vehicle for using their gifts in the best possible way now, and in the future as conditions in the community change.

ABOUT CENTRAL INDIANA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

CICF is a $700 million public foundation transforming the lives of Central Indiana residents in three ways: consulting donors, family foundations and their professional advisors on charitable giving; awarding grants to effective not-for-profit organizations; and providing leadership to address community needs and seize opportunities. CICF was established in 1997 as a partnership between The Indianapolis Foundation, serving Marion County since 1916, and Legacy Fund, serving Hamilton County since 1991. For more information about CICF, visit cicf.org, or call 317-634-2423.
Los Angeles team with Moty Ginsburg, CEO of Treeium last year celebrating their first Inc 500 listing Being on the INC. 5000s list again is an incredible honor,  said Moty Ginsburg, CEO of Treeium Inc., about the inclusion of Treeium on the list. The fact that we achieved this accomplishment for the second year in a row is a testament to our efforts.

Treeium Inc., a California-based home remodeling company focused on eco-sustainability, is proud to announce that it has earned a prestigious spot on the 2016 Inc. 5000 list of Americas fastest-growing privately-held companies. The company has made it onto the exclusive list for the second year in a row, given its continuous growth in the US remodeling industry.

Being on the Inc. 5000s list again is an incredible honor,  said Moty Ginsburg, CEO of Treeium Inc., about the inclusion of Treeium on the list. The fact that we achieved this accomplishment for the second year in a row is a testament to our commitment to high-quality service, and for the continued efforts we have made in the past year.

Treeium will join other companies at a Black-Tie gala that honors the 2016 Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000 companies. The celebration will be held in San Antonio, Texas, on October 20, 2016, and will be the ideal event to celebrate a year of triumphs and accomplishments for the company.

About Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000

Inc. magazine, founded in 1979 and based in New York City, is an American monthly publication focused on growing companies. The magazine publishes an annual list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., the Inc. 500," which was introduced in 1982. The Inc. 5000 is an expansion of the Inc. 500, which ranks the countrys top 5000 fastest-growing private companies and also features a special ranking of the top 10% of the list as the Inc. 500.

The Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth over a four-year period. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by the first week of the starting calendar year, and therefore able to show four full calendar years of sales.

About Treeium, Inc.

Treeium is a general contracting company based in California with over 24 years of experience in green home remodeling. We believe that change starts from the inside out, and that the home is a great place to start. We believe that every need can be answered with a green solution, which is why we offer remodeling services that help our customers create their dream homes in an efficient, sustainable, healthy way for both their families and the planet.
If you are new to iQ you can schedule a demo and learn more about this opportunity.

PSFK iQ - Where Innovators Turn for Research. Our professional-grade research platform is designed specifically for Retail and CX leaders who want to know whats next. Whether youre staying current on trends or need a real-time research partner to help you get ahead, count on PSFK iQ to deliver the info you need to make your next move.
The state carrier and its employees had been at loggerheads with each other over a slew of issues, including the perpetual delay in disseminating salaries.
"this book provides detailed and proven success stories to enable better informed individuals, communities and organisations for future generations... I have no doubt you will gain appreciation for the absolute need to integrate farming with conservation and conservation with farming as a result of reading this book." Stephani Grove, Land for Wildlife South East Queensland, April 2017, p. 13

"I feel sure that this book will be useful to those who work the land and is likely to be of interest to anyone who likes to broaden their perspectives on our environment." Gil Porter, Warbler, September 2016, pp. 22-23

"Richly illustrated, with chapters on birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and plants, this book illustrates how management interventions can promote nature conservation and what practices have the greatest benefit for biodiversity... an invaluable tool for anyone associated with a rural lifestyle." LM, Talking Birds, October 2016, p. 21

"This book is an excellent publication to provide a digestible overview of a large body of scientific work as it applies to the selected landscapes, mainly woodland environments. In a couple of days' intriguing reading, the reader will become aware of a wide range of factors that can influence the success of programs to improve the biological diversity of farm landscapes." Michael Banyard, Wild Side (Newsletter of the Australian Veterinary Conservation Biology Special Interest Group), Spring 2016, p. 4

" Wildlife Conservation in Farm Landscapes explores ecologically sustainable farming in short and concise chapters, but manages to do so without sparing the science or importance of each topic... This book will prove valuable to anyone managing agricultural land, but is also an excellent read just for interest's sake." Emma Walsh, Wild Melbourne (blog), 20/10/16

Details Paperback | August 2016 | $ 49.95

ISBN: 9781486303106 | 232 pages | 245 x 170 mm

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Colour photographs, Illustrations



ePDF | August 2016

ISBN: 9781486303113

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Available from



ePUB | August 2016

ISBN: 9781486303120

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Available from

Authors

David Lindenmayer is a Research Professor at the Fenner School of Environment and Society, the Australian National University. He has written more than 990 scientific articles (including 520 papers in peer-reviewed international journals) and 41 books on forest ecology and management, forest and woodland biodiversity, conservation in agricultural landscapes, the ecology and management of fire, and conservation science and natural resource management. He is one of the most highly cited ecological scientists in the world (listed in the top 0.1% in his field) and one of less than 1% of >15 million scientists globally that publish more than 10 peer-reviewed articles annually. He is a member of the Australian Academy of Science and the New York Academy of Science, winner of the Eureka Prize (twice), Whitley Award (six times), the Australian Natural History Medal, the Serventy Medal for Ornithology and numerous other awards. David was awarded a prestigious 5-year Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship in 2013 and an Order of Australia in 2014. He currently runs five large-scale, long-term research programs in south-eastern Australia, primarily associated with developing ways to conserve biodiversity in reserves, national parks, wood production forests, plantations and on farm land.

Damian Michael is a senior research officer in ecology at the Fenner School of Environment and Society, the Australian National University. Damian completed his PhD on the ecology and conservation of reptiles in rocky outcrop ecosystems and is currently the project manager of several long-term biodiversity monitoring programs in south-eastern Australia. Damians research interests include understanding the effects of agriculture on the distribution and spatial ecology of reptiles, and evaluating the response of reptiles to habitat restoration and woodland management interventions. Damian is passionate about science communication and is the author of Reptiles of the NSW Murray Catchment.

Mason Crane has been a field-based research officer with the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University for the last 15 years. During this time he has implemented and worked across numerous research projects examining biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes. Masons main responsibility is to coordinate research programs associated with the South West Slopes Restoration Study. While having a broad interest in ecology and a wide range of taxa, Mason is in the final stages of a PhD program focusing on the conservation of the Squirrel Glider.

Sachiko Okada is a senior research officer at the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University. She manages a project of the Nanangroe Natural Experiment that investigates animal responses to land that has been transformed from grazing farms to radiata pine plantations. She is particularly interested in birds and is currently researching how landscape conversion affects bird breeding success in the region.

Daniel Florance has a strong interest in the conservation of our native ecosystems, using scientific research to provide practical evidence-based solutions to effectively implement conservation within the agricultural landscape. Daniel began working for the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority alongside the Lindenmayer research group on the ecological monitoring of the Australian Government's Environmental Stewardship Program in 2011 and he now manages this program. Since 2012, he has worked as a research officer at the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University, where he is responsible for field-based, long-term ecological research in south-east Australia.

Philip Barton is a community ecologist interested in the drivers of insect diversity in box-gum grassy woodlands. He has previously studied how insects respond to grazing, woody debris, restoration plantings and fire, and is now studying insects associated with dead animals and how these insects contribute to the decomposition process.

Karen Ikin is a postdoctoral fellow with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, based at the Fenner School of Environment and Society, the Australian National University. Her research focuses on wildlife and habitat conservation in human-modified environments, such as those that occur in urban and agricultural landscapes. Karen is particularly interested in how ecological knowledge can be applied to improve conservation, management and planning.
The countrys oldest African-American bookstore, 56-year-old Marcus Books, is about to reopen in San Francisco, according to news reports. The store was evicted from its historic landmark building on Fillmore Street in 2014.

The new Marcus Books grew out of a partnership between Karen and Greg Johnson, who own the SF store, and the African American Arts and culture Complex (AAACC) in the Fillmore District of the city.

The bookstore will be located in the first floor lobby of the AAACC's complex. AAACC director Mohammed Soriano-Bilal and Marcus Books's Karen Johnson will share the design plans for the store with the community at an event, to be held at the AAACC, on August 16.

The bookstores Oakland location, which opened in 1960, has continued to operate in spite of the financial difficulties posed by the San Francisco store. In the past few years the Oakland store has developed its website to encourage online shopping.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  The Patti and Rusty Rueff Galleries will feature intricate collages by Val Britton and posters by students from Purdue University beginning Aug. 22.

The Patti and Rusty Rueff Galleries are housed in Yue-Kong Pao Hall, 552 W. Wood St.

"Woman," an international invitational exhibition of posters, will run in the East Gallery through Sept. 9. This poster exhibition is the result of a collaboration between Purdue's Rueff School of Visual and Performing Arts and the Communications Design Program at the Instituto Superior de Diseno in Havana, Cuba. The invitational exhibition was organized by professors Flor De Lis Lopez Hernandez from Havana and Dennis Y Ichiyama from Purdue.

"This event comes after efforts by the United States government and the Vatican to renew relationships with Cuba," said Ichiyama, a professor of visual and performing arts. "It is my hope that our efforts will open up dialog with ISDi and further educational relations with faculty and students in Havana."

Students at both schools created original posters exploring the theme of "woman." An exhibition of the posters opened in Havana on April 27 as part of the weeklong Second Annual Festival del Cartel, dedicated to women. The exhibition was also part of the First Design Biennial of Havana, which opened in May.

Purdue's exhibition honors the 18 American students who participated in the project, and various organizations, including Xerox, and individuals who supported the project in Cuba and here at Purdue.

"Navigator," a solo exhibition by Val Britton, will run in the West Gallery through Sept. 16. Britton also will give a talk about her work at 10:30 a.m. and again at 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 in Stewart Center, Room 206. These talks are free and open to the public.

Britton creates immersive, collaged works on paper and site-specific installations that explore physical and psychological spaces. Her fragmented, exploded landscapes draw on the language of maps to explore memory, history and the possibilities of abstraction.

Britton was born in Livingston, New Jersey, and currently lives and works in San Francisco. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Rhode Island School of Design and her Master of Fine Arts from California College of the Arts.

"I am interested in how my work can explore the tension between chaos and imposed order, the concrete and the imaginary, the known and the unknown," Britton said.

A recipient of the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant and the Fleishhacker Foundation Eureka Fellowship, she has participated in residencies and fellowships including the Affiliate Program at Headlands Center for the Arts, Recology, Millay Colony for the Arts, Kala Art Institute, the Facebook Artist in Residence Program, the Golden Foundation and Ucross. She has exhibited in museums, galleries, art fairs, alternative spaces, and nonprofit institutions including the San Jose Museum of Art, Gallery Wendi Norris, the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art and the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery. Group shows include the San Jose Museum of Art, the Katonah Museum of Art, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History and the de Saisset Museum.

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Source: Liz Erlewine, eerlewin@purdue.edu
A cropduster wants a Henry County Circuit Court judge to allow him to have an airstrip in Osco Township.

Craig Woodley, president and owner of Woodley Aerial Spray of Walnut, on Aug. 5 filed a request for declaratory judgment and a review of the county's position. His suit states he plans to use the Osco Township property for agricultural purposes, including the storage of agricultural projects and construction of a private airstrip to apply those products on fields.

Through his attorney, Richard Porter of Rockford, the suit states Illinois statute and county zoning ordinances prevent Henry County officials from requiring a special use permit for the airstrip if it is for agricultural purposes.

The complaint states Mr. Porter notified county officials on June 14 the planned building and airstrip were exclusively for aerial application of pesticides and fertilizers on agricultural land, all of which are legally recognized agricultural purposes.

In May, Mr. Woodley pulled his special use request from the county board meeting agenda after adjoining landowners formally complained.

The complaint states monetary damages alone are inadequate to compensate the plaintiff for the unlawful position and action taken by the county and the resultant inability of the plaintiff to carry out their business. Instead, it seeks injunctive relief from the requirement for a special use permit, as well as other relief deemed just and proper.

The county's zoning ordinance defines agriculture as "the use of land for the growing of crops or the raising and keeping of stock and poultry and shall include farming, dairying, truck farming, apiaries, aviaries, horticulture, floriculture, uticulture, nurseries, orchards, forestry and animal or poultry husbandry and the buildings or structure accessory to and necessary for carrying out such operations, including farm dwellings.

The ordinance lists private landing strip under special uses rather than permitted uses.

Begun in 1998, Woodley Aerial Spray now has 12 spray planes and two spray helicopters serving farmers in Illinois and parts of Wisconsin, Indiana and South Dakota, according to a March 17 letter Mr. Woodley sent county officials. He currently has airstrips at Walnut and Bradford.

The county has 30 days to respond to the complaint; no date has been set for a hearing. Henry County Zoning Officer Kyle Stromquist and Henry County State's Attorney Matt Schutte were unavailable for comment Monday.
An Olympia, Wash., man appeared in Henry County Circuit Court on Monday for a preliminary hearing on cannabis trafficking charges.

Judge Terry Patton found probable cause to believe a felony was committed by Al D. Smith, Jr., 30.

Illinois State Police Trooper Andrew Fratzke testified he stopped a vehicle driven by Mr. Smith's co-defendant, Keith D. Lincoln, 25, of Camillus, N.Y., for speeding at 10:45 a.m. July 26 on Interstate 80 near Geneseo.

Mr. Smith was a back-seat passenger in the vehicle, Officer Fratzke said, adding a K-9 dog alerted and a search found five pounds of cannabis in two duffel bags in the vehicle's trunk. The trooper also said $3,901 was found in a shoe box inside one of the duffel bags, money Mr. Smith said was his.

A judge already has ruled there was cause to proceed with a forfeiture case for the money.

Trooper Fratzke said Mr. Smith told him he grew marijuana at his home and the men had been in Washington but were headed to New York to sell the marijuana. A pretrial hearing was set for Sept. 26.

Mr. Lincoln's preliminary hearing was last week; his next pretrial hearing is set for Sept. 22.
A 62-year-old Sterling woman died after a single-vehicle accident Saturday afternoon in Whiteside County.

Barbara L. Wear died after being flown to Rockford following a 2:12 p.m. accident on Illinois 40 just south of Yates Road, near Rock Falls. The driver of the vehicle, 18-year-old Hannah L. Zinke, of Rock Falls, was traveling northbound on Illinois 40 about a half-mile south of Yates Road when she lost control of the vehicle, according to a release from the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office.

The driver entered the southbound lane, overcorrected and came back through the northbound lane before entering the east ditch, where the vehicle overturned and rolled before coming to rest on its roof.

Passengers of the vehicle -- Ms. Wear, 62, of Sterling, Cindy L. Fuller, 59, of Sterling, and a 6-year-old juvenile -- were injured along with the driver, the release said. All occupants were transported to CGH Medical Center in Sterling by Tampico EMS and Walnut EMS. The three adults were then flown to Rockford's St. Anthony Hospital, where the Winnebago County Coroner pronounced Ms. Wear dead shortly after arrival, the sheriff's office said.

The juvenile boy (who was not named in the release) was treated with minimal injuries and released to his parents. No other information was available Sunday regarding the driver and other passenger. The Whiteside County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Illinois State Police, Rock Falls Police, Tampico Fire/EMS and Walnut EMS.
Adams County State's Attorney Jon Barnard refiled charges Friday against 42-year-old Stefan K. Crider Jr. and 40-year-old Julia A. Crider. Barnard had dropped similar charges last year to focus on the trial of Steson L. Crider.

A jury found Steson Crider guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Ray Humphrey Jr.

Steson Crider was sentenced to 65 years in prison.

The Quincy Herald-Whig reports (http://bit.ly/2b10zZj) Stefan and Julia Crider have a court hearing Aug. 25.

Prosecutors say the Criders provided money and a vehicle to help Steson Crider leave the state after the March 2015 shooting on Quincy's northwest side.
The incident occurred Sunday evening when the gunmen stopped the professors car near the American University of Afghanistan, where both worked, officials said.

Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said the foreigners, whose identities were not revealed, were on their way home from the university when they were taken.

A police officer who responded to the incident said the gunmen broke the cars passenger window to stop the car before kidnapping the victims.

U.S. Embassy security officials are working closely with Afghan law enforcement and security colleagues and AUAF (the university) to assist in the investigation into the kidnapping, the embassy said in a statement.

Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement confirming the apparent kidnapping of an Australian in Kabul, the Associated Press reported.

The university, established following the 2001 U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan as part of the massive U.S. redevelopment effort, bills itself as the only private nonprofit institute of higher education in the country.

In 2013 it had more than 1,000 students, 30 percent of whom were female, according to university figures.

University staff have suffered before in Afghanistans violence. In 2014, two Americans, Lexie Kamerman and Alexandros Petersen, were among 21 people killed in a Taliban raid on a popular Lebanese restaurant in Kabul.

The number of foreigners residing in Kabul has dropped sharply in recent years with the drawdown of U.S.-led international military forces and deteriorating security.

Kidnapping by suspected criminal gangs is seen as a growing threat. At least three other foreigners were abducted in Kabul previously this year; all have been released.
Just when it seems that Donald Trump couldnt possibly get any worse, he proves all of us wrong.

It was bad enough when he said Sen. John McCain was not a hero because he was captured and became a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War (a war in which Mr. Trump avoided serving).

It was inexcusable when he made fun of a disabled journalist.

It was incredibly poor judgment when Mr. Trump expressed the hope that Russian intelligence operatives would be able to find the email messages that Hillary Clinton deleted -- and then claimed he was just being sarcastic.

But now Mr. Trump has gone way, way too far by attacking a Muslim couple who lost a son in Iraq -- grieving parents who had the audacity to question Mr. Trumps knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and ask whether he had sacrificed anything for our country. (Mr. Trump, who is a thin-skinned as they come, always responds to criticism by attacking.)

The simple fact of the matter is that Mr. Trump is vain, arrogant, and has no scruples whatsoever. Add to this his shoot from the hip tendencies and his lack of any significant diplomatic skills. Does he really think that he can bully other countries into doing whatever he wants them to do?

Does anyone, apart from perhaps Mr. Trump himself, really believe that Mexico is going to pay for building a wall along the border between our country and Mexico because he will tell them to do it?

The thought of Mr. Trump sitting in the Oval Office is enough to scare the daylights out of anyone with even a modicum of human decency. Yet it could happen in this year of surly voters.

I am no fan of Hillary Clinton. I am troubled by her tendency to play loose with the facts, as when she recently stated that the FBI director told her that she hadnt done anything wrong with respect to her use of a private server for e-mail messages while she was secretary of state. In a normal election year, that is a misstatement which would have been the lead story in newspapers and on the evening news on television.

Her good fortune is that Mr. Trump continues to dominate the news cycle by making a never-ending series of inflammatory and inappropriate comments.

Notwithstanding the never-ending barrage of criticism from Republicans hoping to destroy her, Secretary Clinton was, by most accounts, quite highly regarded internationally during her tenure as secretary of state. And she is working to bring people together, which is a contrast to Mr. Trumps flamboyant, divisive demeanor.

I also have concerns about the impact of Mr. Trumps ill-considered and abrasive comments on the Republican Party. We are already seeing an ever-growing list of prominent Republicans refusing to support him, some of them leaving the party. What this means for the Republicans remains to be seen, but it cant be good for the GOP.

I am concerned about the future of the Republican Party because I do not believe that it is wise for all of the power to be concentrated in the hands of one political party. It is for this reason that I hope that Republicans maintain a majority in at least one house of Congress.

Yes, I know that this can mean gridlock. That has certainly been the case with Republican majorities in Congress refusing to work with President Obama.

However, perhaps this election can be a learning experience that results in greater appreciation for the value of bipartisanship.

And in any event, gridlock is often preferable to the hubris of one party controlling everything, which can lead to injudicious policies without the checks-and-balances of bipartisanship.

None of this, of course, means anything if Mr. Trump is elected. Could it be the case that not even Mr. Trump believes this is going to happen, given the fact that he is already whining about what he perceives as the electoral process being rigged?
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 Baht 60bn ($US 1.7bn) project was implemented by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme, which was financed with a Japanese ODA loan.

MRTA awarded a contract in 2013 to Bangkok Metro Public Company (BMCL) for both the provision of the railway systems and operation of the 16-station line.

Ch Karnchang, Thailand, which is a shareholder in BMCL with MRTA, was responsible for the civil works while a joint venture of Marubeni and Toshiba was selected for the railway systems package which included rolling stock, power supply systems, signalling and control systems and communication systems.

Japan Transport Engineering Company (J-Trec), a subsidiary of East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has supplied a fleet of 21 three-car Sustina trains, which will be maintained by a local JR East subsidiary for the first 10 years of operation.

The Purple Line is forecast to carry around 200,000 passengers per day in the initial year of operation, rising to 400,000 passengers per day by 2019.

A free shuttle bus will operate between Tao Poon and Bang Sue station on the MRT Blue Line until a 1.2km western extension of the Blue Line between the two stations opens later this year.
Welcome to Railway Gazette. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of these cookies. You can learn more about the cookies we use here.

OK
When Abu Mohammad al-Julani, commander of the al Qaeda franchise in Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra, or the Nusra Front, announced last month that his group was severing its affiliation with al Qaeda, he said Jabhat al-Nusra  which means the Support Front for the People of al-Sham, a geographic term for the region of greater Syria or the Levant  would henceforth be known as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, or the Front for the Conquest of al-Sham. A statement by al Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri confirmed the split, saying it was amicable and had been approved by al Qaeda leadership.

What does it mean? Less than meets the eye, but, like any desert mirage, it tells us something about the local atmosphere.

The newly minted Jabhat Fateh al-Sham is just one of many formations, fronts and coalitions that comprise the forces arrayed against Syria's government. Others include the Free Syrian Army, the Syrian Revolutionaries Front, Soldiers of al-Aqsa, Knights of Justice Brigade, the Islamic Movement of the Free Men of the Levant, the Supporters of the Religion Front and the infamous Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The names and composition of these groupings shift like the dunes in a desert sandstorm.

The names and composition of these groupings shift like the dunes in a desert sandstorm. Their continuously changing order of battle reflects the changing fortunes of war, ideological divisions  mainly between the more secular and more Islamist elements of the rebellion  and the efforts of external powers to unify and strengthen the insurgency while isolating its jihadist extremists. The names provide clues to their beliefs but it is more complicated as the Islamists themselves represent degrees of commitment to a holy war against all infidels and the ultimate imposition of a fundamentalist Islamic State.

Ambitious leaders and ideological agendas turn quarrels into bloody confrontations in which rebels kill rebels, but survival and success also require a degree of pragmatism. Syria's rebels have fought each other, but at times also cooperate against Syrian government forces.

Counterterrorism analysts see the current departure of the Nusra Front from al Qaeda's constellation as merely a rebranding that will allow the Nusra Front to create a broader Syrian coalition of radical Salafist-oriented rebels (and possibly some secular rebel formations) in which the Nusra Front is the most powerful group. One possible obstacle to this rebel coalition was the Nusra Front's link to al Qaeda, which other groups fear would make them targets of U.S. and Russian bombing and interfere with the funding they receive from Gulf nations. These risks became more urgent as the United States and Russia appeared to be cooperating more closely in going after the jihadist components of the Syrian rebellion.

Breaking with al Qaeda could also make it easier for the Nusra Front's external supporters to continue their funding. Qatar reportedly had suggested months ago that the Nusra Front break with al Qaeda in order to join the peace negotiations. The rebellion's supporters in the Gulf and Turkey will welcome the move. And their continued support will keep the insurgency going against the Iranian-backed Bashar Assad regime  for them, the real target.

The United States has been cautious in its attacks on the Nusra Front compared to those on ISIS. Shortly after the United States began bombing ISIS in 2014, it extended its campaign to Syria, where a cell of seasoned al Qaeda veterans from Afghanistan called the Khorasan Group had set up shop in Syria under the Nusra Front's protection, supposedly to launch terrorist attacks against the West.

Whether the Khorasan Group was a component of the Nusra Front or a separate mission from al Qaeda was not clear, but it caused great alarm. At the time, U.S. intelligence officials said that the group posed a threat to the United States equal to that of ISIS. But a number of Western analysts remain skeptical that the Khorasan Group has ever posed a significant terrorist threat.

The Nusra Front has previously indicated that it does not intend to be a launching pad for terrorist attacks on the West, but instead would focus on the Syrian struggle, an approach that also has been endorsed by al Qaeda leader Zawahiri. The objective is local progress.

Whether the Nusra Front believes it will avoid being targeted by American bombing itself is not clear  thus far, U.S. officials have dismissed the name change, saying it will not alter current policy. But to the extent that the rebel formations coalesce, any attacks on them will be more difficult and risk weakening the pressure on Assad to step down. The Nusra Front's maneuver will buy no respite from the Russians as they have never had any qualms about hitting any of the rebel formations, jihadist or secular.

This is more speculative, but the Nusra Front also might want to at least superficially distance itself from al Qaeda to facilitate receiving foreign fighters fleeing ISIS as it is gradually being ground down. There is true hostility between the leadership of the Nusra Front and ISIS, although the two organizations have in the past cooperated in some areas, but loyalties among the lower-level commanders and rank and file have been more fluid. A name change could lessen the humiliation involved in a loyalty switch.

At the same time, not all of those in the Nusra Front may be pleased with anything that looks like a softening of its hard jihadist line, which is why Zawahiri's endorsement was needed. The Nusra Front does not want to lose its own firebrands to ISIS.

It will be interesting to watch whether the United States promptly designates the newest incarnation of the Nusra Front as a terrorist organization.

It will be interesting to watch whether the United States promptly designates the newest incarnation of the Nusra Front as a terrorist organization. No one should be fooled into believing this is anything more than a tactical ploy, but as such, the pretext could have some utility in facilitating a solution that allows the United States an off-ramp from the Syrian conflict.

The United States still harbors hopes of a grand bargain that will end the Syrian conflict, but putting Syria back together again is a long way off. An interim solution could be a local accommodation that reduces the violence and leaves in place some sort of Sunni entity governed by a rebel coalition. Could that include the Nusra Front, which is now certainly one of the most powerful of the non-ISIS formations? It would be easier to do so if it were not an overt al Qaeda branch.

Critics have already expressed fears that the Obama administration will be taken in by the Nusra Front's deception and naively (or wittingly) use the political ruse as an excuse to stop bombing the Nusra Front. They want to ensure that the new name brings no reprieve in the campaign to destroy all jihadists.

Foreign diplomats trying to advance their own national interests on this shifting political terrain find principles and strategy replaced by Byzantine maneuvers and endless arabesques. For America's partners in the region, this may be more familiar territory.

For Americans, whose political rhetoric expresses itself in immutable terms  black-and-white contests of good versus evil  and whose military doctrine demands clear, achievable objectives, this is treacherous ground. But if American politicians and policymakers are going to see homeland security as directly dependent on some level of continued U.S. military engagement in the Middle East, North Africa and Afghanistan where sectarian and tribal politics still prevail, the United States is going to have to better understand and appreciate the local political and military realities.

Jenkins is a senior adviser to the president of the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation and director of the National Transportation Security Center at the Mineta Transportation Institute.

This commentary originally appeared on The Hill on August 8, 2016. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
In the aftermath of shootings, there is inevitably a public debate about gun safety, constitutional rights, police tactics, terrorism, race and politics. But these discussions rarely focus on a common factor among the perpetrators  a history of violence against women.

Reports suggest that the shooter in Dallas left the Army after a sexual harassment charge. The Orlando shooter allegedly abused his first wife. The Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooter was accused of sexual assault, domestic violence or stalking by three different women, including his then-wife. The Sandy Hook shooter targeted his mother. And though the police have released little information about the Baton Rouge shooter, a suspect who opened fire on a Milwaukee police officer that same day was a domestic violence suspect. The list goes on and on. And each time there's a shooting that grabs national headlines, the debate centers on gun control and the Second Amendment. Now it's time to further explore the connection between violence against women and murder.

This goes beyond anecdotes. Recent research drawing on FBI data and media reports between 2009 and 2014 analyzed all shootings that resulted in four or more deaths and found that 57 percent of mass shootings targeted family members or intimate partners. In those shootings, 64 percent of the victims were women or children.

While these statistics are troubling, they may point to a means to help reduce violence. Existing research suggests that "by far, past violence is the best static predictor of future violence," and a detailed analysis (PDF) of the cases of over 300,000 ex-convicts, including those with a history of violent offenses, found that offenders with domestic violence charges were the most likely to commit another violent felony. Of course not all of these felonies will be mass shootings, but some will and so policies to identify, punish and prevent access to dangerous weapons by abusers may be a key means to reduce all violent crimes, including mass shootings.

In many cases, the core aspects of the policies are already on the books, though the coverage and efficacy varies by state. That variation, however, introduces substantial risks as some victims may be reluctant to report abusers, abusers are not always appropriately identified and gaps in laws allow known abusers to obtain dangerous weapons.

Efforts should include policies to increase reporting by better supporting victims, including improving police response and ensuring sufficient domestic violence crisis services to enable victims to safely report. But victim reporting is just the first step in preventing intimate partner abusers from accessing dangerous weapons.

Once a victim reports, the crime must be appropriately categorized as "domestic violence" if it is to prevent abusers from obtaining weapons under existing restrictions. This does not always happen, because of the "boyfriend loophole" in many existing laws that does not categorize physical assaults on unmarried partners as domestic violence. Moreover, stalking is often not covered by existing laws aimed at restricting access to guns.

Even if the abuser is appropriately categorized as a domestic violence offender, the offenses must then promptly be entered into the system that is used for criminal background checks for gun purchases. Unfortunately, according to a recent GAO study, states vary greatly in the degree to which this information is entered, delaying the FBI background check results. The delay is particularly dangerous given so-called "default proceed" laws which allow sales to happen if information is not available within 72 hours.

Many of the public debates after mass shootings focus on the trade-off between public safety priorities, like reducing gun violence and combating terrorism, and individual rights, like those of legitimate gun owners and others. But there is no such trade-off when considering those who commit intimate partner or family violence. The Supreme Court has clearly ruled that domestic abusers do not have a right to own firearms and most states and the federal government already have laws prohibiting ownership. Moreover, members of both political parties have and continue to support efforts to end domestic violence from the Violence Against Women Act to recent efforts to strengthen federal laws that prevent abusers from purchasing weapons.

The dialogue on gun violence could be advanced by including discussion of its links to intimate partner violence and how addressing those issues may be part of a solution.

Radha Iyengar is a senior economist at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation.

This commentary originally appeared on U.S. News & World Report on August 2, 2016. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
Spains Grupo Secuoya is to adapt the Keshet International format Deal With It for its own free-to-air (FTA) network, TEN.





Keshet International has confirmed that is sold the hidden camera game show to the DTT channel , which will air a local version this fall.The original US version of the show, dubbed into Spanish, has been airing on TEN since the network launched.Keshet International holds global distribution rights to the format as well as the finished two seasons of the US series produced by Howie Mandels Alevy Productions, Banca Studio and Keshet Broadcasting in association with Lionsgate Television for TBS.In the US, the first series of Deal With It ranked as the No 2 original programme on TBS for those aged 18-49s and men aged 25-54. In Colombia, where it has been broadcast by RCN, the premiere episode increased the channels slot average by 55%.The show has also aired in Brazil (Record), Canada (W Network), French Canada (Vrak), Denmark (Viasat), Finland (JIM), Greece (Antenna), Israel (Keshet Broadcasting), Mexico (Televisa) and Turkey (Kanal D).
The Television Critics Association (TCA) has announced the best of the best from the 2015-2016 television season.





FX emerged as one of the evenings biggest winners on the strength of its true-crime thriller, The People v OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, which snagged three awards including Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries, and Specials; Individual Achievement in Drama, given to star Sarah Paulson for her outstanding portrayal of troubled prosecutor Marcia Clark; and the nights top honour of Programme of the Year. Rounding out the networks wins was acclaimed Soviet spy thriller The Americans, which captured the award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama for the second consecutive year.Additionally, ABCs Black-sh received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy; Rachel Bloom, star of The CWs Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, claimed the award for Individual Achievement in Comedy; TBS freshman comedy show Full Frontal with Samantha Bee earned top honours for Outstanding Achievement in News and Information; and the PBS animated series Daniel Tigers Neighbourhood won Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming.This was truly a landmark season  not just for television, but for women in television, said Amber Dowling, TCA president. We had an unprecedented amount of female winners this year, which is a testament to both the talented actresses who were honoured tonight, as well as to the growing number of high-quality roles being created for and by women. Its extremely encouraging to see this growing trend being embraced, accepted and expanded upon, and I look forward to seeing even more of it in the future.The TCA also bestowed a Heritage Award upon CBS groundbreaking 1970s sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show for the tremendous cultural and social impact it has had on society, and presented legendary comedy pioneer Lily Tomlin with a Career Achievement Award for her diverse television legacy that spans more than 50 years.Voting was conducted by the TCAs membership, comprised of more than 220 professional TV critics and journalists from the United States and Canada.
Lawyers ask court to return case against Russian tycoon Polonsky to prosecutors

MOSCOW, August 8 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko)  Defense of the Russian businessman Sergei Polonsky, who is charged with embezzling 2.6 billion rubles ($41.2 million), has asked the Presnensky District Court to return a criminal case against him to prosecutors, businessmans lawyer Alexei Tsaplin told RAPSI on Monday.

Preliminary hearings in the criminal case against Polonsky began today.

According to investigators, Polonsky, aided by Alexander Paperno, Head of the Mirax Group Finance Department and Alexei Pronyakin, CEO of Avanta company, have defrauded participants of shared construction apartment projects of 2.6 billion rubles ($41.2 million), thus committing a serious crime.

Polonsky, who is the founder of Potok (formerly Mirax Group), a diversified corporation that has been involved in several large development projects, is deemed to cause damages in amount of 2.4 billion rubles (around $38 million) with regard to Kutuzov Mile and 256 million rubles (around $4 million) with regard to Rublyovskaya Riviera development projects.

Other projects Polonsky has been involved in include Federation Tower in the Moscow International Business Center, office buildings Mirax Plaza, Poklonnaya 11 and Admiral, condominium developments Mirax Park, Golden Keys 1 and 2, and the Well House.

In May 2015, the Cambodian authorities, where Polonsky had been avoiding Russian prosecution, extradited him to Russia.

If convicted, Polonsky could face up to ten years in prison. Polonsky has pleaded not guilty.
Berlin elections in a nutshell - This is what happens on the 18th of September

Mo 08.08.16 | 07:38 Uhr | Von Tina Friedrich, Ubersetzung: Mario Carl

There are elections on the 18th of September, but what are you actually voting for? What happens to your vote? Which issues are at stake? And how long do we have to wait until we can change it all again? Here is what you as a citizen have to know about your most powerful weapon  your vote. By Tina Friedrich

Every five years, Berlin elects its representatives at state level (Land) and at district level (Bezirk). Hence, the elections on September 18th are elections for the House of Representatives (Abgeordnetenhaus) as well as for the 12 district councils (Bezirksverordnetenversammlungen/BVV). These elections also mark the end of this legislation period and therefore also the end of Michael Muller's (SPD) term in office as Governing Mayor, as well as the end of the senator's and district mayor's terms in office. The new legislation period will last until the autumn of 2021. But there is no concrete date of election yet. To enter the House of Representatives, a party must gather at least five percent of the vote; to enter the district council they must gather three percent. The state's election supervisor has admitted 21 parties to the election [Link in German]. In order to be admitted, parties not yet represented in the House had to collect a certain number of supporting signatures in due time.

What am I voting for?

In the election for the House of Representatives every eligible voter has two votes  a primary vote (Erststimme) to elect a candidate directly in his/her respective election district, (Direktkandidaten) and a secondary vote (Zweitstimme) to elect a party on the state level. On the district level voters can cast one vote for a party or a voters association in their respective districts. That's why everyone receives three ballot papers at the polling station. The number of representatives in the House of Representatives changes with every legislation period. The results of the secondary votes, those for the parties, determine how 130 seats are distributed. This is the minimum number of representatives of which the parliament consists. Through the primary votes, candidates can be elected who would not have otherwise entered, e.g. because they are lower on the list or not on the list at all. Those are called "Uberhangmandate". This way, a party can gather significantly more seats in parliament. In order to preserve the balance of power, additional seats will then be granted to other parties as well. In the district councils the number of seats can just decrease: If there are fewer candidates on the list than necessary according to the vote, those seats will remain empty. Right now, the parliament consists of 149 representatives at state level and 55 legislators in each district council. Since 2011 a coalition of the Social Democrats (SPD) and Christian Democrats (CDU) has been in power. They put together the city government (Senat). First, Klaus Wowereit (SPD) was Governing Mayor; he resigned in August 2014. In December 2014, the SPD chose Michael Muller in a member's vote as his successor.

Remuneration The House of Representatives and the district councils are part-time parliaments  their members have another job in addition to their political work. At the moment, a member of the House of Representatives receives about 3,000 euros in remuneration per month; a member of one of the district councils gets about a tenth of that, plus attendance fees. Those amounts are determined by the representatives themselves.

What issues are being discussed?

Each party published an election programme [Link in German]. Most of them focus on education, housing and security. rbb Abendschau did a survey together with Berliner Morgenpost in July [Link in German] to find out about the voter's interests. 36 percent of the respondents said that the parties' integration policy would be decisive for their vote. The second most important issue is social justice, a priority for 23 percent of the respondents. Education (17 percent) and housing (14 percent) follow in third and fourth, as well as security issues (11 percent) in fifth. Finding affordable housing in Berlin is the most important issue at district level, according to research done by rbb. Gentrification  the displacement of lower-income households and established communities by rising rent prices  plays a major role in this respect. Administrative problems come second: ranging from district administration, to youth welfare service or problems with the building authorities  in short: everything that matters in your everyday life.

When do I vote?

Polling stations are open from 8 am to 6 pm on Sunday, September 18th. Afterwards, the votes are counted. This is public, so everybody can watch if interested. All German citizens who have resided in Berlin since June 18th 2016 [Link in German] are eligible for the elections. Furthermore, those who want to elect the House of Representatives have to be at least 18 years old; and 16 years old at district level.

What will be influenced by my vote on the state level?

The elected House of Representatives has various tasks:

Governing Mayor and Senate The House of Representatives elects the Governing Mayor by majority vote. Void votes and abstentions are counted. The Governing Mayor then selects the Senators (currently up to 8). The House of Representatives has to confirm this proposed selection by a two-thirds majority.

Monitoring the Berlin government i.e. the Senate Members of the city parliament, especially members of the opposition, monitor the Senate by asking written or verbal questions. Senators and Secretaries of State reply to verbal questions in the plenary or in committees. Written inquiries are answered in writing and those answers are published afterwards.

State Legislature Factions (Fraktionen) can propose draft laws. Also, groups of a minimum of 10 representatives can propose draft laws. First, draft laws are reviewed and discussed in the committees. Afterwards, they are discussed and voted on by the plenary of the House of Representatives. If a law is passed, it has to be published in the Official State Journal (Amtsblatt) within two weeks. Within the following two weeks it becomes effective.

Budgeting The House of Representatives is responsible for Berlin's budgetary policy. The Senate submits a draft budget to the parliament. Traditionally, the draft is voted on in the last plenary meeting of December the year before it needs to be effective. Currently, there is a biennial budget for 2016/2017. Therefore, the next consultations on budgetary planning for 2018 and after are to be expected in the second half of 2017.

Constitutional Amendment The House of Representatives can change the State Constitution of Berlin by a two-thirds majority.

What can I influence on the district level?

On the district level, elected representatives are mainly responsible for communal services, i.e. local administration. Additionally, the district councils decide on urban planning concepts, they are concerned with youth welfare services and responsible for the district's budget (which is to be confirmed by the House of Representatives).

Public Question Time Residents of a district can make inquiries to the district council at the beginning of each meeting (Einwohnerfragestunde). The questions have to be submitted in writing and will be answered in session by the district council.
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.
Property details:

Here's another opportunity for someone looking for land in Northern California, and this is one of the lots a little closer to the highway and lake, and only 90 minutes from the San Francisco Bay Area and adjacent to the Napa Valley and beautiful wine country. You will be bidding on this residential lot that has a beautiful LAKE VIEW, approximately 4,500 square feet in size, and located about a half of a mile from Clear Lake, the largest natural lake entirely in the state. The property is locate...

Price: $ 2,024 Seller State of Residence: California Property Address: 6248 Lincolnshire Road State/Province: California City: Lucerne Type: Homesite, Lot Zoning: Residential Zip/Postal Code: 95458 Location: 928**, Orange, California

You will be redirected to eBay



Nearby 95458
,



We're sorry, this article is not currently available
In this Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2016 photo, Ellia Kassoff, CEO of Leaf Brands, a Newport Beach candy and cookie company, poses with Hydrox cookies at the offices of his distributor in Pico Rivera, Calif. Kassoff is concerned about how the public will react to labels that say its food has GMOs _ although the bulk of the nations corn and soybean crops are now genetically modified. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

SHARE

By JOYCE M. ROSENBERG, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP)  A new law that requires food makers to label the packaging of any products that contain genetically modified ingredients has small and medium-sized manufacturers facing some big decisions.

Should they try to provide the information on the label itself, or invest in the technology to add scannable codes? Should they change their ingredients to steer clear of such products, and is it worth getting certified as being GMO-free? These are tough questions for companies that may not have financial cushions like bigger businesses to absorb the cost of such changes, which can run into the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars  a considerable amount for a small enterprise.

The law, which President Barack Obama signed last week, requires food manufacturers and producers to disclose whether products contain GMO components, also known as genetically engineered ingredients. Companies can embed the information in a QR code, the square found on some packaging that is read with a smartphone camera.

GMOs have been the subject of much debate. The government and many scientists say they're safe, but opponents believe they can be toxic and cause allergies. Although GMOs have become a staple in many processed food products over the past two decades, many Americans may not realize how widespread they are.

Ellia Kassoff, CEO of Leaf Brands, which makes Hydrox cookies and various candies, is concerned about how the public will react to labels that say its food has GMOs  although the bulk of the nation's corn and soybean crops are now genetically modified.

"It does create this negative feeling with the customer, and I don't know if the majority of customers in the U.S. fully understand the benefits or non-benefits of GMOs," says Kassoff, whose company is based in Newport Beach, California.

But many consumers don't read labels that already display nutritional information like calories, fat and carbohydrates, and they might not read or understand labels that mention GMOs, says Alexander Chernev, a marketing professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

"People don't know if it's good or bad," he says. "In the short term, it's not very likely to change behavior by itself."

A look at the issues surrounding GMOs that small and medium-sized companies face:

A QUICK PRIMER

A GMO is a plant or animal whose genes have been altered to change how they act or react to the environment. Corn, for example, has been genetically modified to make it resistant to insects and to herbicides used to kill weeds. The Agriculture Department estimates that about 90 percent of the U.S. corn crop is modified against herbicides, and about 80 percent is modified against insects.

According to the government, the majority of plants with GMOs are used to make ingredients like corn starch and syrup and corn, canola and soybean oils and beet sugar. They're also used as livestock feed.

The Food and Drug Administration, which regulates food made from GMOs, has declared them safe, and the nonprofit National Academy of Sciences, in a review of almost 900 scientific studies and reports released this year, "found no substantiated evidence of a difference in risks to human health between current commercially available genetically engineered (GE) crops and conventionally bred crops."

But many groups that oppose GMOs point to studies in the U.S. and other countries that have said food with GMOs can cause some types of cancer or other illnesses. The European Union, relying on such studies, requires GMO foods to be labeled.

The Non-GMO Project, an organization that advocates for the production of more non-GMO food, has said that determining the safety of GMO foods requires studies spanning generations.

HOW MUCH TO DISCLOSE, AND WHERE?

Before the law can take effect, the Agriculture Department must write regulations spelling out what food companies will be required to do to comply. The USDA has two years to do that.

Kassoff isn't sure how Leaf will label its packages, simply because the government hasn't specified what's needed. Depending on the requirements and the size of the package  Leaf's products include small packets of candies  it might not be possible to fit everything in without using the QR code.

Soylent, a protein and carbohydrate drink maker whose website says it's "proudly made with GMOs," favors labels that give details on how GMOs are used so consumers can be well-informed about what they're eating.

"Simply saying on the label 'Made with genetically engineered' ingredients is probably not enough," says Samy Hamdouche, the Los Angeles-based company's vice president of research.

GO NON-GMO?

Some companies have decided to stop using GMO ingredients rather than risk doubts in consumers' minds. Others are going further, seeking a certification from the Non-GMO Project that their food is made completely without GMOs, and getting to use a logo on their packages.

"Our consumers are the types that value certification of non-GMOs to reassure them they're getting the highest-quality ingredients," says Jonathan Davis, a senior vice president of Los Angeles-based bread maker La Brea Bakery. The company has always sought non-GMO ingredients, he says, and it plans to be completely non-GMO by the end of this year.

But some companies may not be able to afford to phase out GMO ingredients because the supply of non-GMO versions is limited.

"In some cases it's hard to acquire non-GMO ingredients and sell a product at a price where consumers will buy it," Kassoff says. If Hydrox cookies were reformulated to be GMO-free, he says, a package would cost 50 cents more than Oreos, the cookie's biggest competitor.

Kar's Nuts has Non-GMO Project certification for its Second Nature line of snack mixes, but some of the ingredients in its Kar's line do contain GMOs, says Nick Nicolay, the company's president. Finding replacements would drive up his costs.

"It's a little unrealistic for us at this time," says Nicolay, whose company is located in Madison Heights, Michigan. However, the company says going completely non-GMO is something it will consider in the future.

Deep River Snacks doesn't use GMO ingredients and almost all its products have been certified by the Non-GMO Project. Founder Jim Goldberg says the Deep River, Connecticut, company is still trying to get certification for two potato chip flavors and one tortilla chip flavor that are dairy; that takes verification from its suppliers that the cows whose milk is used weren't given feed with GMOs.

Goldberg thinks labeling is a good idea.

"This is about consumers wanting to know what they're eating," he says.
Greg Barnette/Record Searchlight

Mason Baseley, left and her sister, Morgan, both avid hunters from Palo Cedro, are featured in this month's issue of Field & Stream in an article about women changing the face of hunting and fishing.

SHARE

By Damon Arthur of the Redding Record Searchlight

Morgan and Mason Baseley represent the future of hunting in America  at least according to Field & Stream magazine.

The two identical twin 15-year-olds from Palo Cedro are featured in this month's cover article on the growing number of female hunters.

Morgan and Mason were highlighted as "the future" of hunting.

A freelance writer for the magazine contacted the twins because they had gained a reputation in the hunting world. They are on Facebook and maintain a website called 2girlshunting.com.

They have given speeches at meetings of local hunting groups and have been featured in other hunting magazines. Grandma Sandy Benoit of Palo Cedro said the two have become so well known that strangers have approached them in public after seeing them on the internet.

"I think what they've accomplished for their age is amazing," Benoit said. "It's fun to be with them when people recognize them in town."

Though only 15, the two are veteran hunters who started tagging along with their dad, Gunnar Baseley, on duck hunting trips when they were only 4 or 5 years old. The early mornings freezing in a duck blind with dad didn't deter them from becoming avid hunters, though.

By the time they were 10 they were bird hunting, and at 12 they were hunting for deer and pigs, Gunnar said. He started the girls out on smaller caliber guns and as they have gotten older they have progressed to bigger guns that fit them better.

Their shooting prowess has also grown, said their mother, Traci Baseley. The girls often shoot trap at a gun range, and they do quite well, she said.

"They give a lot of men out there a run for their money," Traci Baseley said.

There is even some intra-family competitiveness and some disagreement between the girls and dad about how they stack up with him in trap shooting.

Morgan said she is probably the better rifle shot, while Mason said she is the better shooter with a bow.

But Gunnar Baseley said it's about more than just shooting and hunting. He wanted to pass along to his daughters a love of the outdoors and appreciation for wildlife.

Morgan and Mason appear to have picked up on that.

"Let us share our passion and excitement for hunting. But not just hunting. The importance of land and wildlife management, the thrill of the hunt and even how to enjoy a meal from your harvest," their website says.

"We are here to empower girls and shooting sports. We are the next generation of female hunters and need to be able to speak up to protect our rights and protect the Second Amendment," the website says.

When not practicing at the shooting range to get ready for the hunting season, the Foothill High School sophomores also run cross country and raise pigs with the Future Farmers of America club.
SHARE

"Who's going to pay for the wall?" asks Donald Trump, hand to ear. "Mexico!" yells the crowd.

Trump's call and response is as iconic as it is misleading. Because the real answer is Texas.

No state has more to lose from soured relations with Mexico than the Lone Star State. By threatening to make Mexico pay for a border wall, to impose double-digit tariffs on Mexican imports and to block remittances, and by calling Mexican immigrants "rapists," Trump is directly threatening the health of the Texas economy. This should concern all Americans, not just Texans.

Texas is the top exporting state in the country, and its biggest trading partner is Mexico. Texas exported $251 billion in 2015, or a sixth of total U.S. exports, according to the Census Bureau. California and New York are the next largest exporting states, although their combined exports in 2015 were still less than Texas ($245 billion).

Texas almost single-handedly has driven export growth during the economic recovery. From 2009 to 2015, Texas exports increased by 54 percent. National export growth, sans Texas, was just 42 percent.

And far from popular wisdom, Texas exports are not just oil. Coal and petroleum products make up just 19 percent of the state's exports.

If politicians want to reduce America's $41 billion trade deficit, a major priority now of both Republicans and Democrats, maintaining and growing Texas exports must play a large role.

Mexico purchases more than a third of Texas' exports, making the state's export activity highly concentrated. According to the Dallas Federal Reserve, Texas ranked 37th among states in terms of diversification of trading partners. In comparison, the next biggest exporting state in the U.S., California, ranks sixth.

It is common sense that the fewer countries a state trades with, the more dependent that state is on the economic and diplomatic relations with said countries. This makes Texas, America's largest exporting state, highly exposed economically to strain in the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico  the type that could easily come from the proposed policies of Trump.

If you don't live in Texas, a knock on its economy may seem like small price to pay for Trump's "big, fat, beautiful wall" or the hope of more jobs on U.S. shores. But the Texas economy is comparable in size to that of South Korea or Australia. If it falters, the U.S. economy could falter with it.

Some may argue that Texas has the most to gain from Trump's reforms. After all, Texas is home to more illegal immigrants than almost any other state, and 75 percent of the illegal immigrants are Mexican, according to Pew Research.

But this is a distraction. Of course Texas would benefit from better border security. Border security can be accomplished without cutting off legitimate commerce, haranguing the Mexicans and threatening to cut off remittances if Mexico doesn't pay for something we want.

Likewise with trade. Some may argue that high tariffs on imports could encourage Texans to create more factories (and thus jobs) in state and stop outsourcing to Mexico.

But for every factory where jobs have been outsourced from trade, there are other American factories where jobs depend on trade. Nearly 1 million jobs in Texas were supported by manufactured exports in 2015, the most in any state, according to the Department of Commerce. Trump has put their jobs on the line.

Indeed, tariffs on Mexican imports are likely to result in more lost jobs than the ones that are saved, as America's recent foray into tariffs revealed. The Obama administration's tariffs on Chinese tire manufacturers cost the U.S. 2,531 jobs on net, according to a recent study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. While some manufacturing jobs were saved, the higher cost of tires reduced Americans' purchasing power and resulted in more lost jobs in the retail sector. Considering that Trump's proposed tariffs would go much further than Obama's did in terms of size and scale, this is bad news for America's biggest exporting state.

Hillary Clinton, of course, is little better. She is toeing Trump's line on trade, becoming more protectionist by the day and renouncing her support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership and calling to re-examine the North American Free Trade Agreement. Such behavior is par for the course for Democrats, punishing the economy of America's largest red state. It is masochism for Republicans.

Trump's antagonizing of Mexico may rile up the base. But his political gain is a loss for Texas (and America).

Abby McCloskey was the policy director for Rick Perry's presidential campaign and an economic adviser to Jeb Bush. She wrote this for the Dallas Morning News.
'The Centre cannot absolve itself by simply saying you should borrow only as much as you can repay.'

'The Centre had written off Rs 5,500 crore (Rs 55 billion) for Punjab decades ago, which they had lent to address their (states) political crisis.'

'If states are fiscally weak, the country is fiscally weak.'

After lending support to the Centres Bill for a national goods and services tax, the West Bengal government was told by the Union finance minister in the Lok Sabha that one should only borrow in line with repayment capacity.

Amit Mitra, below, left, the finance minister of West Bengal, speaks with Ishita Ayan Dutt on this.

Excerpts:

You have said a fiscal crisis is brewing for West Bengal.

The FRBM (Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management) Act was introduced in 2010 and till then there was no constraint on borrowing by the (then) Left Front government.

Between 2011-12 and 2015-16, market borrowings and borrowings from small savings have been maturing every year.

Our government had to make repayment of past borrowings to the tune of Rs 42,312 crore (Rs 423.12 billion).

Over the next five years, that is 2016-17 to 2020-21, repayments of the principal amounts that would mature are to the staggering tune of Rs 99,524 crore (Rs 995.24 billion).

These borrowings were done during the Left Front government; our government is having to pay for the sins of the past.

Can these debts be staggered or rolled over?

There is a sovereign guarantee behind all these loans; therefore, the repayments are simply cut from our treasury and we have no option.

It also pertinent that every time the state government borrowed, the central government gave permission.

Therefore, they too are engaged in the process of debt creation in all states.

The Centre cannot absolve itself by simply saying you should borrow only as much as you can repay.

Bengal is not the only debt-stressed state. Is it possible for the Centre to restructure debts for so many states?

The 13th Finance Commission had identified Kerala, Punjab and West Bengal as debt-stressed and that was many years earlier.

If you look at the figures now, many more states would be added to the list.

Maharashtra, for example, has debt of Rs 3.79 lakh crore (Rs 3.79 trillion) and without having an additional debt hangover of Rs 2 lakh crore from the past as Bengal had.

If you add the Rs 2 lakh crore (Rs 2 trillion) to Maharashtras debt, it would be one of the most debt-stressed.

Uttar Pradesh has debt of Rs 3.27 lakh crore (Rs 3.27 trillion).

Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are seeing mounting debt.

This is a time bomb ticking towards a fiscal crisis in states.

Is there any precedent of debt restructuring by the Centre?

The Centre had written off Rs 5,500 crore (Rs 55 billion) for Punjab decades ago, which they had lent to address their (states) political crisis.

Today, that Rs 5,000 crore (Rs 50 billion) would probably translate into at least Rs 25,000-30,000 crore (Rs 250-300 billion).

This is a clear case of writing off a debt, not just debt restructuring.

And, yet, Punjab has again been classified as a debt-stressed state, like West Bengal and Kerala.

Note that the Government of India pledged $10 billion to the International Monetary Fund in 2012, primarily to be used for debt restructuring of countries like Greece.

Sadly, when India can provide Rs 66,000 crore (Rs 660 billion) for debt restructuring of other countries, it is not seriously looking at debt restructuring and moratorium to its own states.

One must remember that financial inclusion of those at the bottom of the pyramid requires resources, just as resources are required for creating social infrastructure like schools colleges, universities and ITIs (industrial training institutes).

Similarly, physical infrastructure for both people and industry require resources.

With such a debt trap hanging on the necks of states, how will they address these fundamental people-centric issues?

After all, we are a federal polity and economic action is at the level of states.

If states are fiscally weak, the country is fiscally weak.

Therefore, the Centre and states must work together towards a debt structuring programme, to strengthen the countrys fiscal and financial health.

For this reason, I am a little disappointed with the comment of the Union finance minister in Parliament, in response to (state MP) Abhishek Banerjee's question on this subject.

I am hoping the Union finance minister will think over this subject cogently in the future.

After extending unequivocal support to GST, do you feel let down by his response on this question of debt waiver and restructuring?

The debt restructuring issue for West Bengal and all the other states which are debt-stressed today is a standalone matter for a federal democracy.

The Centre speaks about cooperative federalism. GST is again a standalone issue for the country as a whole, which (Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee has supported in principle since 2009.

It would not be appropriate to leverage one for the other, when both are standalone subjects of vital importance to the nation. Our party stands for principles and we are consistent.

What is the way out?

It is interesting that the European Union, consisting of many nations, has been implementing debt restructuring programmes for countries like Greece and others, and are deeply worried about the debt situation in other southern European countries.

Yet, we as a nation-state are not thinking about the restructuring of debt in our own states.

I hope the Government of India will put in motion urgently a debt restructuring plan, with a timeframe to avert a crisis that is looming large for not only West Bengal, Kerala and Punjab but many others, which could jeopardise the nations growth trajectory.

The top image is used for representational purpose only
The Victoria's Secret model makes motherhood such a glamorous affair.

Supermodel Candice Swanepoel has been documenting her pregnancy boldly.

And her stunning pictures have completely left us awe-struck.

The South African Victoria's Secret Angel is expecting her first child and she has no problem flaunting her baby bump in style.

She even left a note for her Instagram followers on one of her photos: 'If you have a problem seeing photos of pregnant women feel free to unfollow my page instead of reporting it. Thank you.'/p>

IMAGE: That's her...painting a pretty picture in blue.

IMAGE: Look at her...not an inch of fat gained! Isn't that commendable? She took this photo at a New York studio at five months.

IMAGE: Candice soaks in the setting sun as she enjoys the new phase in her life.

IMAGE: It also reminded her of her childhood. She captioned this pic: 'Big brother and I dressed for success.'

IMAGE: Another stunning portrait of the South African supermodel.

IMAGE: And that's her baby having a chat with the beautiful Dutch aunt and model Doutzen Kroes in this black-and-white photo.

IMAGE: She calls it the 'magical business of making new life.' Here's a picture from a nature shoot in New York.

IMAGE: We admit she is stunning even during her pregnancy.

IMAGE: Here's another super hot shot of the supermodel flashing her baby bump in just a pair of rugged denims.

IMAGE: Going by this picture of the supermodel from an earlier time, we're certain she will make an awesome mother, right?

All photographs: Kind Courtesy Candice Swanepoel/Instagram
Bollywood stars go for the loveliest holidays -- exotic locations with a lot of adventure thrown in.

So we decided to document their travels with a special series.

Parineeti Chopra had an adventurous Australian holiday, Asin went to Italy and Ileana D'Cruz, who was accompanied by her Australian boyfriend Andrew Kneebone, had a fun time in Fiji.

Here's a look at Malaika Arora Khan's beautiful holiday in Maldives.





Malaika cycles her way around the Four Seasons, where she was staying.





A room with a view.





Yoga, in the middle of the deep blue sea, with son Arhaan.

That's Malaika trying to sea-Bob.

Her daredevil son, as she describes him in this picture, does the jet-blade.

Beautiful sights from Maldives.

'All good things in life come in pairs,' she says.





Some love from the Indian ocean.





Malaika is obviously a water baby.





Here's some more proof.





Look, she found Nemo!

Malaika calls this place 'beyond stunning'. We agree.





Malaika shared her travel tips as well:

Tip #1: Pack a statement-making swimsuit that makes you look and feel fabulous. Whether surfing in Maldives or sunbathing in Morocco, don't forget the Statement Swimsuit!

Tip #2: Always choose comfortable separates in breathable fabric that allow you to stay fuss-free all day long, especially if you are travelling to a warm place. Remember confidence comes from comfort, and while it is important to stay stylish, never at the risk of your comfort.

Tip #3: We carry a couple of different pairs of shoes on holiday, but the ONE that you will be wearing all day long - make sure it's flat and fabulous. Lend the adventure of sightseeing a stylish spin!

Tip #4: Yes, it's vacay time. Dress the part by choosing a versatile piece. Something you can throw leggings and a cardigan over if it gets too cold. A belt to cinch for added definition always helps!

Photographs: Malaika Arora Khan/Instagram
With Tamil Nadus economy getting increasingly debt-ridden with each passing budget, any concession to the Centre on the tax front, the state government has argued, would only help forgotten minor parties to start hoping of a revival, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Last weeks Rajya Sabha walkout by Tamil Nadus ruling AIADMK may not have caused the GST Bill to be voted out, or even delayed its passage, but the partys reservations that the Bill sought to neutralise the federal structure of the Constitution in form (Centre-state fiscal powers) and content (reduced tax receipts for the state) can regain national focus, if its implementation in the months and years ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls proves a point or two.

It also remains to be seen if the state government or any AIADMK functionary/backer would move the Supreme Court as two-thirds of the state legislatures formally vote in the Bill, and President Pranab Mukherjee too gives his asset, in the coming weeks.

Nearer home, the AIADMK walkout may have silenced critics of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and also Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that their personal and personalised political equations are greater than the political opposition of each others party in Tamil Nadu. It could also silence uncharitable social media comments linking any shift in the AIADMKs stand on any issue involving the Centre as a compromise, to benefit Jayalalithaa in one pending case or another.

There have been enough graft cases against Jayalalithaa over the past two decades, now reduced to the single, pending the Supreme Courts verdict in the disproportionate assets case. Its another matter that the Centre has no role whatsoever in this case -- hence not even the remote possibility of counsel for the Union weakening the arguments, to favour one person or the other.

Truth be acknowledged, Jayalalithaa had expressed her party-governments reservations on GST when she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time after the latters election in mid-2014. The party has only stood firm on its position.

With Tamil Nadus economy getting increasingly debt-ridden with each passing budget, any concession to the Centre on the tax front, as the state government has argued, could help the forgotten minor parties from the assembly elections in May this year, to hope of reviving themselves.

Worse could be the case of the Opposition DMK, which could now begin facing flak both within and outside the assembly, for compromising on the salient federal principles of the Dravidian polity.

The discourse, taken to its peak, could go back to a revived war of words on who between the two had cheated the state and its people on a series of past concerns, including river water disputes with all three neighbouring states, Katchchativu and the Sri Lankan Tamils issues.

Independent of their ability to influence electoral decisions in the state, pan-Tamil revivalism over the past two decades and more has become a millstone for the multi-layered Dravidian polity.

Having fuelled the pan-Tamil Dravidian fire, when it was in the ebb after the successive electoral successes of the DMK and breakaway AIADMK from the 60s to the 80s, the two in particular found out that they were being judged not on ideology anymore but on performance and poll promises -- and the ability to live by them, if and when voted in.

When traditional ideology began taking a backseat in the mainline Dravidian electoral calculus, the periphery had to seek its own identity. Thus was born the likes of Vaikos MDMK and GenNext actor-politician Vijaykanths DMDK and Seemans Naam Tamizhar Katchi.

Other parties founded during the era, like Dr Ramadosss PMK, Dr K Krishnaswamys Puthiya Tamizhagam and Thol Thirumavalavans Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi all had undeniable caste identities and causes. Yet, they could not escape embracing a larger pan-Tamil cause, which had fewer takers anyway in mainline Dravidian polity.

This meant that the ideological DMK parent first, and the AIADMK rival later on, too needed to take a step or two backward, if only to ensure that they did not lose out on the unidentified and unquantifiable number of GenNext pan-Tamil voters, with whom they had begun losing the much-mentioned cadre connect from the preceding decades.

Over the past two decades and more, Tamil Nadus river water disputes with all three neighbouring states, namely, Karnataka (Cauvery waters), Kerala (Mullaperiyar storage) and Andhra Pradesh (Palar check dams), has silently given a 21st century twist to the Dravidian politys traditional therku thaikiradhu argument.

Translated, it means that the south was on the wane in the national politico-economic context. Earlier the slogan was aimed at contrasting with vadakku vaazhgiradhu (north is progressing), part of what was DMK founder C N Annadurais famous slogan. Today, its Tamil Nadu vs Rest, or so it seems.

As coincidence would have it, the three river water disputes, which evolved independent of one another in the decades after Independence, have encompassed all of Tamil Nadu in geographical, political and cultural terms. Its thus Cauvery issue in west and south central Tamil Nadu, Mullaperiyar in the south, and Palar, now in the north.

To this has been added in recent years and decades, the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, the Katchchativu dispute and the fishermens issue.

More for wrong reasons than right, competitive Dravidian politics of the past two decades -- where identity issues too found challenges and challengers -- mutual one-upmanship has embroiled Tamil Nadu in pan-Tamil politics than ever before since inception.

Not to be left out, the mainline had to take on and also take over those identities, which they had known had lost their larger electoral relevance long ago. If nothing else, the DMK and the AIADMK could not afford lesser and newer parties to claim ownership. Nor could they afford the other between them, to monopolise.

Its thus that Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora strategists have been able to influence Tamil Nadus political thoughts on the ethnic issue, war and violence in the island-nation.

At the bottom of it all is an increasing tendency against compromises that are inevitable not only for states in the Union to thrive and grow together, but also for the very survival of federalism as a concept and the Union of India as a reality.

Its thus that inter-state and Centre-state issues as river water disputes and Katchchativu concerns have acquired an over-arching pan-Tamil identity more than even federal legality.

So complete has it all become that during the ongoing Budget session of the state assembly that the House, at the instance of the ruling party, passed a unanimous resolution, seeking to rename the rechristened Chennai high court (earlier Madras high court) as Tamil Nadu high court.

Its sad that the state government, which is conscious so as wanting to guide and direct all fishermen-level talks with counterparts in Sri Lanka, seems overlook the fact that the jurisdiction of the Madras/Chennai high court covers the Union territory of Puducherry as well, and that renaming the high court after one of the two jurisdictional states could have political consequences in and for the other.

There is still a silver lining of sorts. DMKs P T R Thyagarajan, a technocrat who has spent much of his career overseas, delivered his maiden speech in the state assembly, in English, and confined himself to fiscal issues and principles (generally not heard much in the state, otherwise).

What was even more surprising about Thyagarajans content-filled assembly speech in English was the way the rest of the 89-member DMK legislature party defended him and his right when the ruling party fielded half-bit Tamil film comedian, Karunaas, to snub him in the House.

That Karunaas did not do his homework on this issue as much as on any other on which he had been commissioned to talk in the House only went on to make the comparison in perspective  that times are changing even more than two decades ago, and the Dravidian polity better watch out for the winds of change before it overwhelmed them, and possibly for real!

N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and political analyst, is Director, Chennai chapter of Observer Research Foundation.
With its refusal to accept the modern social values, which progressive communities around the world have accepted, the Indian Muslim community is virtually going down the slope of progress, says Najid Hussain.

The Rajinder Sachar Committee, in its damning report submitted to the government of India in 2006, put the status of the Indian Muslim "below the conditions of Schedule Castes and Tribes".

In education, employment, income level, representation in the government, and a range of other social and economic indicators, Muslims lag behind all other social groups in the country.

Despite seven decades since Independence, and six decades of Congress party in power -- a party that wants to be seen not just as a secular entity, but also as a friend and supporter of the minorities -- Muslim status in the country has continued to decline.

How does one explain this? And who should be responsible for such declining fortunes of a community that has, not in too distant past, ruled the country for over 200 years?

The new generation Muslim, educated and angry, blames the Congress.

He also blames Sangh Parivar, but not as much, because that body is well known to be anti-Muslim since its inception, and Muslims had little expectations of receiving any positive help from them.

Young Muslim anger is now reaching a point where Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru are also not spared from the blame.

The objective of this essay, however, is not to play the political blame game. That has been played far too long and did not change anything -- either for improving the stocks of Indian Muslims, or keeping the fortunes of political parties garnering Muslim support during elections.

The objective is to do a little introspection -- something that is not very popular among a majority of my fellow Muslims -- and see what other factors under our own controls may be contributing to the pathetic state of this community.

Having grown up in a traditional Muslim family, and having learnt the elements of faith, traditions, and culture first hand, obscurantism plaguing our belief system readily comes to mind.

It is said that the purpose of education is not to fill up a pail, but to light a fire.

In the light of that fire, when I see my faith, and scrutinise beliefs, I find that on a range of issues we have failed to bring our religious discourses to reality.

Dependence on medieval values and archaic conventions, continue to dominate our intellectual bandwidth on a range of topics governing customs, traditions, and personal laws.

There is a widespread belief in the community that the period of the Prophet was the perfect period in Islamic history, and we need to go back to that period.

Take for example the issues of Uniform Civil Code and triple talaq, which are currently the hot topics, once again, under the Bharatiya Janata Party-led rule.

It is no brainer that the laws that cover matters of marriage, divorce, property inheritance, and guardianship of children, must be a modern goal of a nation-state, and should therefore be uniform for all citizens.

Developed nations around the world have civil laws that are religion-blind and gender just.

Even among Muslim countries that follow Sharia laws, 21 of them, including Pakistan, have banned triple talaq.

But Muslims of India generally oppose both (Uniform Civil Code and a ban on triple talaq) based on their interpretation of the Quran and/or belief in Sharia, which, in the words of London-based scholar Ziauddin Sardar 'is a set of ninth century customs and rules, which may or may not have served that society very well,' and is irrelevant in present times.

Not to ignore, there is some justifiable fear among Indian Muslims that through a Uniform Civil Code, the Hindu right is trying to take away Muslim rights.

Such fears increase when the BJP fans the flames of communal hatred, goes about erasing the Muslim history of India, and acts to reduce the status of the Muslims to second class citizens in their own country.

But it is also undeniable that a major factor behind Muslim opposition to the Uniform Civil Code is our clergy's inability to replace medievalism with modernity, or to strike a balance between the past and the present.

Critical thinking is very much needed among Muslims -- not just in defending Quranic edicts with modern science, but to accept the fact that some of the edicts had applicability for the Bedouins of Saudi Arabia and have no relevance to contemporary societies.

In their resistance to modernity, Muslim hardliners enjoy a significant support from numerous well-meaning liberal and highly qualified non-Muslim friends and NGOs, advancing the cause of secularism in India. That is astounding.

Frustrating too.

Whether such support is to underscore their secular credentials, or to record opposition to the BJP/Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideology, or foster their business interests, a 'no strings attached' backing from 'friends', given to wrong causes, results in deepening the widespread impression that Muslims are a regressive community steeped in feudal values.

This further increases the community's isolation, sharpens communal hostilities, and adds to its social woes.

It is said a true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.

With its refusal to accept modern social values, which progressive communities around the world have accepted, the Indian Muslim community is virtually going down the slope of progress.

We need the help of our friends, more than ever, to stop that slide. Showing favours out of fear, or self-interest, is not help.

So 'friends,' begin by ending your support to our medieval laws. Your valuable, sincere and honest guidance -- without pandering, or provoking -- is all that we seek.

That alone will help us join the rest of our non-communal and deeply secular fellow citizens on board the progress train.

Najid Hussain is a marine scientist, who works at the University of Delaware. He is the son-in-law of former Member of Parliament Ahsan Jafri, who was murdered by a mob in Ahmedabad during the 2002 riots.

Photograph: PTI Photo
'Modi is now infected by the fever of secularism.'

'If PM has some concrete information against gau rakshaks, then he must disclose it, otherwise we will take legal action against him.'

IMAGE: Members of a cow vigilante group unload cows at a rescue shelter from a truck that they had chased down in Rajasthan. Photograph: Allison Joyce/Getty Images

Over the weekend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the cow brigade, saying the business of cow vigilantism has made him very angry.

Modi told a town hall-like address on Saturday, August 6, to mark the second anniversary of his government's MyGov initiative: 'I feel infuriated at some people who have opened shops in the name of cow protection. I have seen that some people who commit anti-social activities through the night, don the mantle of cow protectors by the day. I urge state governments to prepare a dossier of such self-proclaimed volunteers and big cow protectors.'

'It will be found that 70 to 80 per cent are such people who commit such bad deeds which society does not accept. To hide their bad activities, they don the mantle of cow protectors,' Modi said.

While some praised the PM for finally breaking his silence against the cow vigilantes, another bloc is miffed with him.

Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf spoke to Pandit Ajay Gautam, chief of the Hum Hindu organisation that campaigns for the cause of gau raksha and who was until now a very vocal supporter of Modi but is now deeply upset with the prime minister's remarks.

You have come out strongly against Prime Minister Modi for his comments on the cow brigade.

Prime Minister Modi has only appeased and polarised. Prime Minister Modi has hurt Hindu sentiments.

He made his statement from Telangana where over 3,100 illegal slaughter houses are operational. The statement made by Modi, 'If you have to shoot, shoot me, but not my Dalit brothers', was done only to attract Dalit voters in Uttar Pradesh.

The statement is just like when L K Advani went to Pakistan in 2005 and called Mohammed Ali Jinnah secular. Atal Bihari Vajpayee too did the same thing by taking the bus to Lahore.

In the same way, Modi is now infected by the fever of secularism.

What must have been the reason for Modi's statement, in your opinion?

'In a population of 100 crore people if there is one incident like Una will you blame all gau rakshaks?'

There was no reason for Prime Minister Modi to speak against gau rakshaks. This statement against gau rakshak is a self goal by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Modi made the same mistake during the Bihar elections.

He made the DNA statement during the Bihar elections and that went against the BJP.

In the same way, his statement on gau rakshaks will backfire on Modi. Hindus will not vote for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Hindus will vote against Narendra Modi for his statement against gau rakshaks.

Four gau rakshaks were killed in Haryana. Gau rakshak Prashant Poojary was killed in Karnataka. The BJP will suffer due to Modi's statement in Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat in the forthcoming elections. You wait and watch.

IMAGE: Pandit Ajay Gautam, chief of the Hum Hindu organisation, which campaigns for cow vigilantism. Photograph: Kind courtesy Humhindu.com

Don't you think gau rakshaks are creating law and order problems?

Maintaining law and order is the duty of the police. To ban plastic is the duty of the government and not gau rakshaks.

Gau rakshaks only voluntarily inform the police about the illegal movement of cattle. They help the police voluntarily and do not take the law into their own hands.

Every profession has a few black sheep. If one or two such incidents have taken place, like in Una, how can you accuse other gau rakshaks of doing illegal work?

If Prime Minister Modi has some concrete information against gau rakshaks, then he must disclose it, otherwise, we will take legal action against him.

But in Una, Dalits were beaten up by gau rakshaks.

In a population of 100 crore (1 billion) people if there is one incident like Una, will you blame all gau rakshaks or what?

If there is one parliamentarian who is charged with some crime, does it mean that all parliamentarians are criminals?

Don't you think tensions have risen in society due to the presence of gau rakshaks?

What kind of problem? Only three incidents have taken place.

If there is an accident due to the railways, does it mean you will shut down the railways? If one film producer gets caught for raping a girl, does it mean you will say 80 per cent of film producers are rapists?

Black sheep are there in every section of society, but you cannot take the black sheep as a representation of the larger section of society.

The PM must have some proof of gau rakshaks creating a law and order issue.

We will send a notice to the prime minister on this issue. How did he arrive at the figure that 80 per cent of gau rakshaks are not genuine?

When the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) can send a (legal) notice to Rahul Gandhi, why can't we send a (legal) notice to the prime minister?

But you have always been a supporter of Prime Minister Modi.

I was, but you have to know that Modi won due to Hindu votes and now he is passing remarks against Hindu sentiments.

ALSO READ
'Flooding forces the animals to disperse out of the park that, in turn, attracts the attention of poachers.'

IMAGE: The latest floods have left 80 per cent of the Kaziranga National Park under water, forcing rhinos to find dryer lands.

As the monsoon lashes across India, Assam is tackling a flood situation that has displaced lakhs of residents in the state.

Other than its human occupants, wildlife, including the one-horned rhinoceros, is also facing a dire situation.

Besides the challenge of saving rhinos and elephant calves from the treacherous water is the fear that a rescue operation may scare them into jumping right into the water. Ashraf Nvk, senior director and chief veterinarian at the Wildlife Trust of India, speaks to Manavi Kapur about how the impact of these and future floods can be reduced on the wildlife in Assam.

What is currently the condition of the rhinos affected by the floods? Where do you think will they be rehabilitated?

Eight rhino calves were admitted in a span of four days to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation, Kaziranga. Four are males, the rest females. Their age varies from about three months to one year.

It was a pathetic sight to see them lying in our large animal nursery, resting most of the time. Except for one calf that had sustained some injuries, the rest looked alright externally.

All rhino and elephant calves take some time to get used to bottle feeding, especially given the trauma they have been through. The calves were reluctantly learning to suckle from bottles, and once fed properly, should be able to recover soon. They are all likely to be rehabilitated in the Manas National Park.

IMAGE: The Wildlife Trust of India is carrying out search operations trying to rescue these animals from the flood. Till date, they have been able to rescue 10 rhino and eight calves. Photograph: Kind courtesy @wti_org_india/Twitter

What has been the biggest challenge in carrying out rescue operations in Kaziranga? Has there been enough support from the authorities in prioritising wildlife?

In such situations, accessing the affected areas is the real challenge. When 80 per cent of the park gets flooded, the only option is to travel by boats.

However, if one actively travels on boats looking for stranded animals, animals that have taken refuge on small islands and mounds would get disturbed and jump into water. This can, in turn, be counter-productive and hence needs very tricky balance.

The strategy is not to approach them too closely.

In all this, the forest department has been very supportive and involved. In fact, we support their work in the mission to rescue stranded animals.

Assam floods drown out animals The flood fury in Assam has taken its toll on one of the world's most protected heritage sites -- The Kaziranga National Park.

As many as 218 animals, 17 of them being rhinos and over 166 hog deer, have drowned in a span of just seven days owing to the floods.

There have been frequent floods in Assam in the last few years. How can the authorities ensure that the animals are kept safe and are safeguarded against future incidents?

Flooding is normal for a park like Kaziranga because central Assam is a flood plain. It is only when the water level increases dramatically over a period of 24 hours that the impact is greater on wildlife.

Animals do not get enough time to search for higher areas and move out. This is what happened this year. We cannot prevent flooding from happening, but we can facilitate dispersal of animals from low lying areas to higher reaches (such as the Karbi Anglong Hills).

Unfortunately, there a lot of human settlements along the highway that roughly separates the part from the hill slopes of Karbi Anglong. Most of these are large resorts, and such human infrastructure blocks the safe movement of animals across the park to higher ground.

There are only three or four 'corridors' left for animals to use. The answer to minimise the impact of floods lies in wise, ecologically viable land use practices.

Wildlife needs to become a priority for not just the authorities but also for local residents and business owners. This is the only way forward.

Does this make the already endangered species vulnerable to poaching? How can this be prevented?

Yes, flooding forces the animals to disperse out of the park that, in turn, attracts the attention of poachers.

This is a very sensitive time that leaves animals more exposed. But ironically, it is also during the floods that there is increased patrolling on all sides.

The floods are also the time when the entire focus of the government machinery is on rescue operations and one hopes that illegal trade and poaching will be harder to accomplish.
The Election Commission has urged the government to amend the electoral law to bar political advertisements in newspapers 48 hours before the day of polling on the lines of the restriction on electronic media.

The move came as the poll panel had to use its constitutional powers to ban such newspaper advertisements on a case-by-case basis during the Bihar assembly elections in October-November 2015.

In a meeting with Legislative Department of the Law Ministry in May, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and fellow Commissioners A K Joti and O P Rawat said print media should also be included in Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act so that campaign or political advertisements are barred from appearing 48 hours ahead of polling day.

As of now, political advertisements are barred in electronic media, including TV, radio and social media platforms.

During Bihar assembly elections, the EC had used its constitutional powers under Article 324 to impose a ban on political advertisements in newspapers in various districts of the state.

The EC had said the advertisements were divisive in nature.

This proposal was first mooted by the Commission in April, 2012 and has the backing of the Law Commission.

After banning the advertisements in Bihar, the EC had ensured that newspapers do not carry advertisements which are not certified by Media Certification and Monitoring Committees ahead of each phase of assembly polls in Assam and West Bengal held in April.

On October 30 last, the Commission had clamped a ban on publication of two controversial advertisements printed by the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar during assembly polls.

One of the advertisements alleges that Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad and Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar are snatching the plate of Dalits by planning to transfer the quota meant for Dalits and Extremely Backward Class to minorities.

Another advertisement dealt with vote ki kheti or votebank politics.

It alleged that some parties were giving sanctuary to terrorists to appease a particular community for votes.

IMAGE: An advertisement released by the BJP during Bihar polls last year.
Three Border Security Force personnel, including an officer, and a terrorist were killed on Monday in an operation in Macchil sector near the Line of Control in Kashmir, officials said in Srinagar.

Security forces launched the operation in Macchil sector in north Kashmirs Kupwara district following information about presence of terrorists in the area, an Army official said.

One terrorist and two BSF jawans were killed while five other security force personnel were injured in the initial firefight between the two sides, the official said.

Among the injured personnel -- three BSF jawans and two Army soldiers -- condition of one BSF jawan was critical, who later succumbed to injuries, a police official said.

He said the slain BSF personnel were identified as sub Inspector Mohinder Yadav, Head Constable C P Singh and Constable Babu Shaan.

The operation was in progress when reports last came in, he added.

Image used for representation only.
Three more persons, including the main accused in the Bulandshahr gangrape case, have been arrested, taking the total number of those nabbed in connection with the incident to six, a police official said on Monday.

Declining to give details, he said that all the three accused were picked up by the police during raids.

Among them was the main accused Salim Bawariya, he said, but did not disclose the place from where the arrests were made.

These arrests are in addition to three persons picked up earlier.

Director General of Uttar Pradesh Police Javeed Ahmed had earlier said, "The names of other accused are almost clear and efforts are on to arrest them."

A group of dacoits had brutally raped the woman and her 13-year-old daughter at gunpoint after dragging them out of a car in Bulandshahr on NH-91 when they were travelling with their family from Noida to Shahjahanpur on July 29.

Later, another police official said the three accused were arrested from Meerut, after a week-long chase.

Uttar Pradesh Police had earlier arrested--Naresh (25), Bablu (22) and Rais (28)--and detained a dozen others after launching a massive hunt for the bandits suspected to be behind the crime.

Earlier, the Allahabad high court had sought to know from the Uttar Pradesh government on why the investigation in the gangrape case be not handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Directing the state government to file its reply by August 10, a division bench of Chief Justice D B Bhosale and Justice Yashwant Varma also sought a report on status of probe in the case, including the "criminal antecedents, social background and political affiliations, if any", of the accused persons.

The court has taken suo motu cognisance of the July 29 incident when a group of criminals waylaid a car, carrying six members of a Noida-based family on their way to Shahjahanpur in western Uttar Pradesh, and sexually assaulted a minor girl and her mother after dragging them out of the vehicle.

The Lucknow bench of the high court also sought within a week an appropriate reply from the Uttar Pradesh government on a PIL seeking a direction for a CBI probe into the case.

A division bench of justices Amreshwar Pratap Sahi and Vijay Laxmi passed the order on the PIL filed by NGO We the People through its general secretary Prince Lenin.

The court has listed the matter for further hearing on August 22.

The court had asked the petitioner to file details of the alleged irregularities in the case.

The petitioner filed a supplementary affidavit on Monday entailing therein the alleged lapses in the investigation and the factors which had led to the filing of the petition showing lack of confidence in the probe process.

The incident had sent shock waves across the country, rocked Parliament and led to widespread criticism of the law-and-order situation in Uttar Pradesh.

Apparently rattled by the outcry, senior minister in the Samajwadi Party government Azam Khan had remarked that he suspected a "political conspiracy" behind the incident, evoking widespread condemnation.

The Allahabad bench also sought to know from the state government whether it had any policy to ensure proper policing of the highways passing through the state and ensure safety and security of those who used these roads.

"When a person pays toll tax on a highway, he does not do so merely for using the road. After collecting the toll tax, the state becomes duty-bound to ensure safety and security of the payers," it remarked.

The court also added "We are not going to dispose of this petition at an early stage. We are going to monitor the investigation in the case. The investigators better take note and ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are brought to justice".
A youth injured during clashes on Friday succumbed at a hospital in Srinagar on Monday, taking the death toll 55 in Kashmir where curfew continued in many areas in the wake of violent protests since the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in an encounter a month ago.

Amir Bashir Lone, a resident of south Kashmirs Shopian district, succumbed to injuries at SKIMS hospital on Monday morning, a police official said.

He said Lone had received pellet injuries on his head during security forces action against protesters on Friday.

With Lones death, the number of people killed in the unrest in the Valley, which entered the second month on Monday, reached 55, including two police personnel.

Many parts of Kashmir, including several areas of summer capital Srinagar, continued to remain under curfew for the 31st day on Monday.

Curfew remains in force in six police station areas of Srinagar -- Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, Maharajgunj and Batamaloo -- on Monday as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, the official said.

He said curfew was also in force in two towns of Budgam district -- Chadoora and Khansahib -- and Anantnag town.

The official said restrictions were in force in other areas of the Valley.

Restrictions on assembly of four or more people continue to remain in effect in rest of the Valley, he said.

There were reports of the army being called to maintain law and order in Sopore township of north Kashmirs Baramulla district. However, a police spokesman denied it.

The army has not been called in but it is patrolling the peripheries of the town, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, normal life in the Valley remained affected for the 31st consecutive day due to the curbs imposed by the authorities and the separatist sponsored strike.

Schools, colleges, business establishments, petrol pumps and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off the roads.

The attendance in government offices and banks was also thin, the official said.

Mobile internet services continued to remain snapped in the entire Valley where the outgoing facility on prepaid connections is also barred.

The separatist camp has extended the shutdown call in Kashmir till August 12 and has asked the people today to block all roads around Civil Secretariat Srinagar, deputy

commissioners and Tehsil offices and ensure that no employee is able to join duty.

Kashmir has been rocked by violent protests after Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmirs Anantnag district on July 8.

Image: Protesters hold sticks as they shout slogans during a protest in Srinagar against the recent killings in Kashmir. Photograph: Danish Ismail/Reuters

PLEASE READ:
If plans do go ahead, the 82-year-old will be the countrys first monarch to abdicate in 200 years.

IMAGE: The Japanese emperor Akihito has signaled his desire to abdicate by expressing concern about his ability to carry out his duties fully in a rare address to the public address. Photograph: Thomas Peter/File Photo/Reuters



The Japanese emperor has signalled his desire to abdicate by expressing concern about his ability to carry out his duties fully in a rare address to the public.

When I consider my age of over 80, as well as my gradually deteriorating physical condition despite being luckily healthy at this moment, I am concerned about being able to fulfil by duties as a symbol with the utmost efforts, as I have done so far, Japans Emperor Akihito said in a 10-minute pre-recorded speech broadcast on national television.

As expected, he avoided using the word abdication, which could have violated restrictions.

This is only the third time a Japanese emperor has spoken to the public in the television and radio era.

Japanese people stopped in the street, gathering to watch the historic address in public on big outdoor screens.

IMAGE: People react as they watch the emperor's address on giant screens on the streets of Tokyo. Photograph: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters

Akihito suggested in his speech a need to consider how to make the succession process smoother.

He has reportedly told palace officials and his family that he doesnt wish to cling to his title if his responsibilities have to be severely reduced, and his two sons have accepted the idea.

If the plans do ahead, he would become his countrys first monarch to abdicate in 200 years in allowing his son to take over the throne.

The monarch, who has had heart surgery and prostate cancer, has been cutting back on his official duties and handing them over to his heir Crown Prince Naruhito, 56, within a few years.

Read his full speech HERE (external link)
Facing a month-long turbulence and violence in the state, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open a dialogue process with the people of the state.

Talking to reporters after a two-hour meeting with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, which was also attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Mehbooba also hinted at resuming a dialogue with Pakistan on Kashmir issue saying the state could act as a bridge between the two nations.

I believe there is a need to heal the wounds of people, to initiate dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. These are our own people. If process of dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir can improve the situation in valley, we should do it, she said and adding, her state could become a bridge between India and Pakistan.

There is a need to apply balm to the wounds of Kashmiri people, she said.

Mehbooba, who has been facing difficulties in restoring normalcy in the Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8, said only the process of dialogue with the people of Kashmir can help improve the situation.

The chief minister said during the one month of unrest, which started after the killing of Wani, 55 people lost their lives and referred the deceased as our own boys.

People will keep dying if we don't take initiative to bring normalcy. We want peace. There is an opportunity for dialogue and we should avail it, she said.

We have seen agitations in the past like in 2008 (Amarnath land row) and 2010 (over fake encounters by army). Our children have been killed. Our families have suffered. I dont wish to see any more killing.

Our prime minister has a huge mandate in the present Lok Sabha and he should seize the opportunity created by the unrest to win the hearts of the people and solve their problems, the way former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee did, she said.

I am hopeful that the Prime Minister will take this as an opportunity to initiate dialogue with people to address their problems. There is a need to take the same initiative of winning hearts of people, which was taken during Vajpayee jis tenure, she said after the meeting which was also attended by National Security Advisor A K Doval and other senior officials of home, sefence and finance ministries.

The meeting took place on a day when month-long curfew in Kashmir echoed in Parliament with Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad raising the matter during Zero Hour and demanding a statement from the Prime Minister about the steps being taken by the government for restoring normalcy.

In such circumstances, we want to awaken the government... We feel the government and the Prime Minister are watching the situation deteriorate like a silent spectator, he said, adding he wanted to know why Modi has not spoken on the grave situation in Kashmir so far.

IMAGE: Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti leaves after meeting Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on current situation of J&K at North Block in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: Subhav/PTI Photo
Freedom in the World 2016 - Italy

Publisher Freedom House Publication Date 5 August 2016 Cite as Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2016 - Italy, 5 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a847f5c.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.

Freedom Status: Free

Aggregate Score: 89

Freedom Rating: 1.0

Political Rights: 1

Civil Liberties: 1

Quick Facts

Capital: Rome

Population: 62,466,780

GDP/capita: $34,960.30

Press Freedom Status: Partly Free

Net Freedom Status: Free

OVERVIEW

Several reforms promoted by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi passed or went into effect in 2015, affecting the labor, electoral, banking, and education sectors. Renzi continued to advocate for improvements to the judiciary as well as for an ambitious parliamentary reform plan, which the Senate approved in October.

The Renzi government continued to reduce spending and restructure the civil sector to counter the economic problems that had challenged its predecessors. In May, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) declared that Italy was slowly emerging from its recession, forecasting modest economic growth of 0.7 percent for the year. Italy's unemployment rate stood at just over 11 percent at year's end.

POLITICAL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES

Political Rights: 36 / 40

A. Electoral Process: 12 / 12

The bicameral Parliament consists of the 630-member Chamber of Deputies and the 322-member Senate; most members of both houses are popularly elected to five-year terms. Parliament and regional representatives elect the president, whose role is largely ceremonial but sometimes politically influential, for a seven-year term. The president may appoint up to five senators for life. The president also appoints the prime minister, who is often, but not always, the leader of the largest party in the Chamber of Deputies. The prime minister proposes a Council of Ministers that needs to be confirmed by Parliament. In January 2015, Sergio Mattarella, a former constitutional judge, was elected president in what was seen as a political victory for the Renzi government.

In general elections, most members of both houses are elected through closed party-list proportional systems, with thresholds that encourage political groups to form coalitions. A so-called majority bonus guarantees that whatever grouping emerges with the most votes at the national level will gain at least 340 of the seats in the lower house; in the upper house, victory in a given region ensures the winning party or coalition a 55 percent majority of that region's allotment of seats.

The most recent parliamentary elections took place in 2013. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) positively assessed the preelection environment, and observers considered the vote to be free and fair. The center-left Italy Common Good coalition, headed by Democratic Party (PD) leader Pier Luigi Bersani, won the most votes and claimed 345 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 112 of the 315 directly elected seats in the Senate.

Local elections took place in 7 of Italy's 20 regions in May 2015, and saw gains by the antiestablishment Five Star Movement, the regionalist Northern League, and the conservative Forza Italia, which is led by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Several changes to Italy's electoral laws and framework were ongoing during the year. In May, Parliament approved electoral legislation initiated by Renzi that included controversial provisions for fixed lists and higher electoral thresholds, ostensibly intended to enhance majorities and avoid postelection deadlock. The law will go into effect in July 2016. In October, the Senate approved a controversial draft plan to reform itself. Part of a package of overarching constitutional changes, the proposal aims to abolish perfect bicameralism by, among other things, reducing the size of the Senate to 100 members chosen by regional councilors, mayors, and the president, as well as by shifting most power of legislative approval to the Chamber of Deputies. Critics claimed that the plan would enhance the influence of regional governments, which are often corrupt and rule by factionalism. The proposals must be put to a referendum in order to be fully adopted.

The Renzi government has also supported a measure to replace elected provincial governments, long considered an excessive bureaucratic level, by dividing their responsibilities between local and regional governments. The proposal was approved in March 2014 through a confidence vote, but implementation was delayed in 2015 because of the reluctance of regional and local administrations to shoulder the associated costs.

B. Political Pluralism and Participation: 14 / 16

The Italian party system is characterized by a high level of pluralism and political competition. However, its structure is very unstable since political coalitions easily change their compositions, and new political parties are often created.

The threshold and runoff provisions in electoral legislation passed in May 2015 will enable single parties to gain seats more easily, and are likely to affect the dynamics of the party system ahead of the next legislative vote. Although critics allege that the new system will allow one party to gain excessive power, proponents argue that it will reduce the complexity of coalition-building and the potential for parliamentary gridlock.

Historically, the Vatican has held significant influence over politics in Italy, an overwhelmingly Catholic country. Ties between organized crime and public officials persist and fuel concerns about undue pressures on government.

In order to protect linguistic minorities, the electoral law stipulates that parties representing such groups can gain seats in the lower house if they obtain at least 20 percent of the vote in their constituencies. In 2015, the German-speaking South Tyrolean People's Party had four representatives in the Chamber of Deputies and three in the Senate. Issues of concern to ethnic minorities play only a marginal role in national and local political agendas, and some municipal policies aggravate the exclusion of Roma.

In December, the lower legislative house approved amendments to the country's citizenship law that, if adopted, would facilitate new pathways for minors to become citizens. The changes would give children born to immigrant parents the ability to become citizens if at least one parent has permanent resident status. Additionally, the law would make foreign-born children eligible for citizenship if they fulfill basic educational and residency requirements. The bill had not passed in the Senate at year's end, and faced opposition from Forza Italia and the Northern League.

C. Functioning of Government: 10 / 12

Efforts to combat corruption continued in 2015. In May, Parliament passed stronger legislation against financial crimes, increasing penalties and broadening the scope of activity punishable under it. In March, police carried out additional arrests connected to the suspected mishandling of procurement and construction contracts for the Milan Expo 2015 world's fair. In 2014, Renzi had appointed National Anticorruption Authority president Raffaele Cantone, a magistrate distinguished for investigating organized crime and corruption, to take charge of Expo 2015. The opening of the fair in May 2015 was marred by clashes between protesters and the police. Separately, in June, 44 people were arrested in Rome on suspicion of misusing public contracts to manage migrant reception centers. Rome's former mayor, Gianni Alemanno, was among those under investigation for his role in the scheme.

The government also continued to combat organized crime during the year. In July, authorities seized assets from and issued dozens of arrest warrants for members of gambling rings operated by the 'Ndrangheta, a syndicate active in the southern region of Calabria. Several antimafia advocates themselves came under suspicion in 2015 for possible links to organized crime, prompting investigations by a special parliamentary commission.

Since 2011, Italy has been an active member of the Open Government Partnership. In this context, a 2013 legislative decree established greater transparency of information within public administration. The government regularly complies with requests for information, though delayed responses have been reported.

Civil Liberties: 53 / 60

D. Freedom of Expression and Belief: 15 / 16

Freedoms of expression and the press are constitutionally guaranteed. Despite the rapid growth of the online news industry, traditional media still play a large role in news consumption. There are more than 100 daily newspapers, most of them locally or regionally based, as well as political party papers, free papers, and weekly publications. Political party newspapers are supported by public funds. In February 2015, board of the state broadcaster, RAI, approved a plan to structurally reform the outlet in order to, among other things, reduce its vulnerability to political influence. The plan elicited strong opposition from Forza Italia and Berlusconi, who owns Mediaset, the largest private broadcaster in Italy. Concentration of media ownership remains a major concern, although it has improved since the administration of Berlusconi, who controlled up to 90 percent of the country's broadcast media through state-owned outlets and his own private media holdings.

In August, the parliamentary antimafia commission released a report that voiced concerns about the high number of attacks against journalists by organized crime groups. The report recorded 2,060 "acts of hostility" against journalists between 2006 and October 2014, and noted that at the time of publication, 20 journalists in Italy were living under the protection of armed guards.

Internet access is generally unrestricted. In July, Italian legislators proposed an international declaration of internet rights, which aims to strengthen restrictions on personal data collection and declare internet access a fundamental right.

Religious freedom is constitutionally guaranteed and respected in practice. Although Roman Catholicism is the dominant faith and the state grants some privileges to the Catholic Church, there is no official religion. Agreements between the government and a number of religious groups have been signed, but an omnibus religious freedom bill has yet to be passed.

The level of academic freedom in the country is fairly high. In July, Parliament adopted education reforms that, among other things, enhance the authority of head teachers, allow for merit-based raises, and provide tax breaks to private schools. Freedom of private discussion is respected.

E. Associational and Organizational Rights: 12 / 12

Italian citizens are free to assemble, establish social and political associations, and organize demonstrations. The constitution recognizes the right to strike but places restrictions on strikes by employees of essential sectors like transportation, sanitation, and health, as well as on some self-employed individuals, including lawyers, doctors, and truck drivers. In 2014, Parliament passed the Jobs Act, a reform package meant to combat unemployment and create flexibility in Italy's rigid labor market. The final details of the legislation were approved by the cabinet in September 2015.

F. Rule of Law: 12 / 16

The judicial system is undermined by long trial delays and the influence of organized crime. A March 2014 report by the European Commission showed that within the European Union (EU), Italy has a comparatively high number of pending civil cases in proportion to its population. Italy also has one of the lowest numbers of judges per capita in the EU. The Renzi government announced a plan for judicial reform in 2014, aiming to simplify civil law, improve management of judicial proceedings, and encourage the settlement of disputes outside of court, among other things.

In 2014, Parliament approved a law targeting prison overcrowding. The legislation introduced early-release programs and alternatives to imprisonment. Italian prisons remain overcrowded, with more than 52,400 detainees held in facilities built for about 49,600, according to an October 2015 report by the Ministry of Justice.

Despite legal prohibitions against torture, there have been reports of excessive use of force by police, particularly against illegal immigrants. Italy is a major entry point for undocumented immigrants trying to reach Europe, and the government has been criticized for holding illegal immigrants in overcrowded and unhygienic conditions and denying them access to lawyers. Italy faced increased migration by sea from the Middle East and North Africa during the year, with approximately 149,400 registered arrivals from January to mid-December. Immediate emergency services for arriving migrants, many of whom were asylum seekers, were routine and included medical treatment, food, water, and temporary shelter. However, the authorities struggled to provide long-term services such as housing and timely processing of asylum applications. A 2014 measure easing penalties for illegal entry into the country went into effect in 2015.

Although Italian law specifically bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, there is no legal recognition of same-sex relationships, and same-sex couples may not adopt children. In July 2015, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) condemned Italy for not granting same-sex unions legal status or protections. In September, the Senate resumed discussion of legislation that would recognize same-sex unions.

G. Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights: 14 / 16

Italian citizens enjoy a high level of personal autonomy as well as freedom of residence, movement, and work. The right to education is guaranteed by the constitution.

Despite some recent improvements, the Heritage Foundation rates Italy as a moderately free economy due to problems like corruption, limits on labor freedom, and mismanagement of public resources, which weaken access to economic opportunities and resources. Delays in court proceedings often undermine enforcement of protections for property rights.

Gender-based discrimination is prohibited by law. Women's political representation increased in 2013 in both the Chamber of Deputies (31 percent) and the Senate (28 percent). Female ministers comprise half of Renzi's cabinet. However, gender inequality remains widespread. According to the 2015 Global Gender Gap report, Italian women face serious obstacles in both labor force participation and wage equality. Violence against women also continues to be a problem.

Human trafficking, particularly the trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation, remained a major concern in 2015. Watchdogs and government agencies noted an increase in the reported number of trafficking cases during the year, most likely due to the influx of asylum seekers and other migrants, who are especially vulnerable to abuse.

Scoring Key: X / Y (Z)

X = Score Received

Y = Best Possible Score

Z = Change from Previous Year

Copyright notice:  Freedom House, Inc.  All Rights Reserved
Freedom in the World 2016 - Brunei

Publisher Freedom House Publication Date 5 August 2016 Cite as Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2016 - Brunei, 5 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a847f615.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.

Freedom Status: Not Free

Aggregate Score: 29

Freedom Rating: 5.5

Political Rights: 6

Civil Liberties: 5

Quick Facts

Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan

Population: 413,000

GDP/capita: $41,344

Press Freedom Status: Not Free

Net Freedom Status: N/A

OVERVIEW

In 2015, Brunei continued to implement an initial phase of new criminal regulations that were adopted in 2013 and are based on Sharia (Islamic law). This first phase, which prescribes fines and jail terms for relatively minor religious offenses, was introduced in 2014. Plans to roll out the second and third phases of the regulations, which include severe penalties ranging from flogging to execution by stoning for some offenses, were put on hold through the end of the year. Observers noted that the harsh laws would have jeopardized Brunei's inclusion in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, which was moving toward signing and ratification.

Brunei's vast oil, gas, and mineral resources form the backbone of the country's development plan and the royal family's power, but the low price of oil and the possibility that Brunei's reserves will run out within two decades have led the government to pursue a more diversified economy, with greater emphasis on tourism and manufacturing.

POLITICAL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES

Political Rights: 7 / 40

A. Electoral Process: 0 / 12

The hereditary sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, is the head of state and prime minister, and continues to wield broad powers under a long-standing state of emergency imposed in 1984. He is advised by the Council of Cabinet Ministers, the Legislative Council, the Privy Council, and the Religious Council. Members of the unicameral Legislative Council are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the sultan.

Elections are held for village-level councils that play a consultative role, though candidates are vetted by the government.

B. Political Pluralism and Participation: 3 / 16

Genuine political activity by opposition groups remains extremely limited. The National Development Party (NDP) was permitted to register in 2005 after pledging to work as a partner with the government and swearing loyalty to the sultan. Since the National Solidarity Party was deregistered without explanation in 2008, the NDP has been Brunei's sole legal political party. It has no formal political role, few activities in practice, and a small membership.

Ethnic and religious minorities have few opportunities for political participation. Village council candidates must be Muslim, and ministers and deputy ministers must be Muslim and Malay unless the sultan grants an exception.

C. Functioning of Government: 3 / 12

Although the appointed Legislative Council has no independent power, it formally passes the state budget and engages in question-and-answer sessions with government officials that show a continued openness to light oversight activity.

The government claims to have a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, and its Anti-Corruption Bureau has successfully prosecuted a number of lower-level officials in recent years, though in general there is little transparency.

Sultan Hassanal and his family members have held multiple positions in government. As part of an October 2015 cabinet shuffle, the sultan  who has long served as defense minister and finance minister  added the position of minister of foreign affairs and trade to his portfolio, replacing his brother, Prince Mohamed Bolkiah.

Discretionary Political Rights Question A: 1 / 0

Citizens have the opportunity to convey concerns to their leaders through the government-vetted councils of elected village chiefs, and through the members of the Legislative Council. The sultan also hears directly from citizens, though usually only from men, on certain days of the year and during festivals.

Civil Liberties: 22 / 60 (-1)

D. Freedom of Expression and Belief: 6 / 16

Journalists in Brunei face considerable restrictions. Officials may close newspapers without cause and fine and imprison journalists for up to three years for reporting deemed "false and malicious." Amendments to the sedition law in 2005 strengthened prohibitions on criticizing the sultan and the national "Malay Muslim Monarchy" ideology. The country's main English-language daily newspaper, the Borneo Bulletin, is controlled by the sultan's family and often practices self-censorship. A second English-language daily, a smaller, Malay-language newspaper, and several Chinese-language papers are also published. Brunei's only television station is state run, but residents can receive Malaysian and other international broadcasts as well as satellite channels. Foreign journalists sometimes face difficulty gaining permission to report from Brunei. Local media have reported very cautiously on the new Sharia-based penal code and have mostly ignored international criticism.

The country's internet practice code stipulates that content must not be subversive or encourage illegitimate reform efforts. Brunei has an active online discussion community, however, and social media are not censored, though they are frequently monitored.

The state religion is the Shafi'i school of Sunni Islam, but the constitution allows for the practice of other religions. Non-Shafi'i forms of Islam are actively discouraged, and marriage between Muslims and non-Muslims is not allowed. The regulations of the 2013 penal code that took effect in 2014 include provisions limiting the use of certain words and expressions deemed to be sacred to Islam in reference to other religions, whether in print, speech, or public statement. The words and expressions include some that are common in the Malay language, such as "Allah" (God) and "hukum" (law). The crime is subject to three years in prison and a maximum fine of $12,000.

The new code also bans proselytizing of a religion other than Islam to Muslims or atheists, and requires Muslims to participate in fasts and other religious observances. By mid-2015, fewer than 20 people had reportedly been convicted of violating the new Sharia code, with most facing fines for smoking during the Ramadan fast or improper proximity to unrelated members of the opposite sex. Also in late 2014 and 2015, the authorities imposed limits on public displays of non-Muslim observances including Christmas and Chinese New Year.

Academic freedom is respected to some extent, though in 2013 a Burmese professor at Universiti Brunei Darussalam resigned his position, citing academic censorship. Some scholars reportedly practice self-censorship or release their work under pseudonyms in overseas publications to avoid repercussions in Brunei.

The government utilizes an informant system to monitor suspected dissidents, and online communications are monitored for subversive content. However, in practice there is relatively open discussion in public spaces on issues other than the royal family or Islamic law.

E. Associational and Organizational Rights: 3 / 12

Emergency laws continue to restrict freedoms of assembly and association. No more than 10 people can assemble for any purpose without a permit; permits are relatively easily and frequently obtained for social occasions such as weddings. Most nongovernmental organizations are professional or business groups. All groups must register and name their members, and registration can be refused for any reason. The law guarantees the right to form and join a union, but only a single union is active  the Brunei Oilfield Workers Union. Strikes are illegal, and collective bargaining is not recognized. Civil servants may not join a political party.

F. Rule of Law: 6 / 16

The constitution does not provide for an independent judiciary. Although the courts generally appear to act independently, they have yet to be tested in political cases. Civil and criminal law is based on English common law and is enforced in secular courts, while Sharia historically has been enforced in Sharia courts. Final recourse for civil cases is managed by the Privy Council in the United Kingdom, and for religious cases the Religious Council of Brunei.

The 2013 Sharia penal code, whose implementation began in May 2014, includes rules that apply to non-Muslims as well as Muslims. For example, those found guilty of getting pregnant out of wedlock or of cohabiting without being married, whether nonmarried Muslims or a nonmarried Muslim with a non-Muslim, can be subject to a fine and prison time. Many of the new Sharia rules overlap with existing provisions of the civil and criminal codes, but under the new Sharia code there will be different sentences and burdens of proof. While a defendant will only be tried in a single court under a single code, comprehensive rules dictating which court will try whom and for which crime were not fully established by the end of 2015. It also remained unclear when the final two phases of the new code  with their harsh corporal punishments  would be implemented.

Brunei retained the death penalty for crimes including drug trafficking and murder before the new Sharia code was launched, though the last known execution took place in 1957. Many criminal offenses, including immigration violations, can be punished in part with caning, and this penalty is commonly carried out, though an attending doctor can interrupt the process for medical reasons. Prison conditions generally meet international standards.

Thousands of stateless residents of Brunei, including longtime ethnic Chinese residents, are denied the full rights and benefits of citizens. However, the government continued to process permanent-residency applications during 2015, and those with a basic identity document have access to some government services and health and education subsidies.

Same-sex sexual activity is a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison under the existing penal code, and in practice LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people do not disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity. The new Sharia code, if fully implemented, will prescribe execution by stoning for same-sex sexual relations.

G. Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights: 7 / 16 (-1)

Freedom of movement is respected. All government employees, domestic and foreign, must apply for permission to travel abroad, but permission is easily obtained.

The new Sharia penal code criminalizes "indecent behavior" by Muslims and non-Muslims, and enjoins women to dress "modestly." Cross-dressing is a crime under the code, and at least one man was convicted and fined for the offense during 2015. Religious enforcement officers raid homes to arrest people for khalwat, the mingling of unrelated men and women, when there is probable cause. According to the new code, non-Muslims can be punished for khalwat if another defendant is a Muslim. Most first offenders are fined or released due to a lack of evidence.

Islamic law generally places women at a disadvantage in cases of divorce and inheritance, and the new Sharia penal code institutes offenses that fall mainly on women, such as pregnancies out of wedlock. All women in government-run institutions and schools are required or pressured to wear traditional Muslim head coverings. In 2015, Brunei ranked 88 out of 145 countries in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap report; while it scored well on economic participation and opportunity, it performed poorly on health and survival and ranked last on political empowerment.

Migrants who come to Brunei to serve as household workers are often coerced into involuntary servitude or debt bondage, and can be subject to varying forms of abuse. There are approximately 100,000 migrant workers in the country, and they remain largely unprotected by labor laws and vulnerable to exploitation. Workers who overstay visas are regularly imprisoned and, in some cases, caned.

Scoring Key: X / Y (Z)

X = Score Received

Y = Best Possible Score

Z = Change from Previous Year

Copyright notice:  Freedom House, Inc.  All Rights Reserved
Freedom in the World 2016 - Benin

Publisher Freedom House Publication Date 5 August 2016 Cite as Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2016 - Benin, 5 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a847f99.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.

Freedom Status: Free

Aggregate Score: 82

Freedom Rating: 2.0

Political Rights: 2

Civil Liberties: 2

Quick Facts

Capital: Porto-Novo

Population: 10,583,034

GDP/capita: $825.30

Press Freedom Status: Partly Free

Net Freedom Status: N/A

OVERVIEW

Benin remains among the most stable democracies in sub-Saharan Africa, having witnessed multiple free and fair elections and peaceful transfers of power since the country's transition to democracy in 1991. Tensions resulting from unusual political strife in recent years largely eased in 2015 following free and fair legislative and municipal elections, a declaration by President Boni Yayi that he would not amend the constitution to seek a third term, and an expansion of opposition representation in the legislature.

In May, the Netherlands suspended development assistance to the country amid suspicions that Beninese officials had misused funds intended to improve access to drinking water. Following government cooperation in investigating the case, the Dutch government resumed its assistance program by year's end.

POLITICAL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES

Political Rights: 33 / 40 (+1)

A. Electoral Process: 9 / 12 (+1)

The president is elected by popular vote for up to two five-year terms and serves as both the chief of state and head of government. In November 2015, President Yayi announced that he would cease his pursuit of a third term in the 2016 presidential election. By year's end, nearly a dozen challengers had emerged to contest the election, including Patrice Talon, a former Yayi ally. In September, the government began implementing procedures to enable Beninese citizens living abroad to participate electronically in the presidential contest, though concerns remained that burdensome registration requirements could stifle overseas voting.

Delegates to the 83-member, unicameral National Assembly serve four-year terms. Legislative elections were held in April under a reformed electoral code with stronger mechanisms for guaranteeing the transparency and integrity of the vote. Among other improvements, the code made the Autonomous National Electoral Commission, which includes representatives from both the ruling party and the opposition, a permanent electoral body. International observers deemed the elections free and fair, noting only minor logistical issues, including delays in some poll openings and shortages of voting materials. Yayi's Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin (FCBE) won 33 seats, compared with 41 in the 2011 polls. The Build the Nation Union (UN) coalition took 13, and the opposition Democratic Renewal Party (PRD) took 10. Smaller parties split the remainder. The results produced a nearly even split between government loyalists and their opponents, with a slight advantage for the opposition.

Local elections, delayed for two years, were held in June. The vote proceeded smoothly and without serious problems, although turnout was low at just under 60 percent. Despite its poor showing in the legislative elections, the FCBE performed strongly at the local level, taking 493 seats on municipal councils, with the UN coalition winning 205 and the PRD capturing 132.

B. Political Pluralism and Participation: 16 / 16

Benin has historically been divided between northern and southern ethnic groups. Support for Yayi and the FCBE is based primarily in the north, while much of the opposition's support comes from the south. There are dozens of political parties in Benin, and they are able to operate openly regardless of ethnic or regional affiliation.

The weakening of the FCBE in the National Assembly following the April 2015 elections significantly increased the power of opposition forces. The National Assembly elected Adrien Houngbedji, head of the PRD, as its president, and several other opposition politicians assumed high-profile cabinet roles.

C. Functioning of Government: 8 / 12

Yayi came to power in 2006 on an anticorruption platform and subsequently enacted a number of measures to combat graft, including an internationally praised audit of 60 state-run companies. Corruption nevertheless continues to be a problem in Benin. In 2013, the government created the National Anti-Corruption Authority (ANLC), a move that has been praised by the international community. However, while the ANLC has the ability to hear complaints, recommend measures, and pass cases to the courts, it has no enforcement authority. The body received its first funding in 2015, and worked to build its operational capacity and engage with civil society during the year.

In May, the Dutch government cut off development aid to Benin amid allegations that local officials had embezzled more than $4 million intended for water and sanitation programs. In July, an independent audit concluded that fraudulent contracts, primarily in the energy and water ministry, had been used to misappropriate the funds. The audit implicated parliamentarian Barthelemy Kassa, who previously served as head of the ministry, as well as dozens of other officials and business figures. In August, the National Assembly rejected a motion to revoke Kassa's parliamentary immunity. Investigations into other individuals named in the report were ongoing at year's end.

Civil Liberties: 49 / 60

D. Freedom of Expression and Belief: 15 / 16

Constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression are largely respected in practice. Print media exhibit pluralism of opinion and viewpoints. However, most media outlets receive direct financial support from politicians, and few are considered genuinely independent.

In January 2015, the National Assembly adopted legislation abolishing prison terms for numerous press offenses, including defamation, but retained high financial penalties. In recent years, the High Authority of Broadcasting (HAAC), the media regulatory body, has aggressively pursued certain media outlets with financial sanctions and suspensions, though no such incidents were reported in 2015.

The government does not restrict internet access, but penetration is still very low. Nonetheless, an increasing number of entities, from official news outlets to private bloggers, are publishing online.

The government actively seeks to ensure religious and academic freedoms. While the majority of Beninese identify themselves as either Muslim or Christian, many also practice some form of voodoo. Confrontations between religious groups are rare.

E. Associational and Organizational Rights: 12 / 12

Freedom of assembly is generally respected, and requirements for permits and registration are not usually enforced. In an exceptional case in May 2015, security forces in Cotonou used tear gas to violently disperse a demonstration against police harassment of an opposition politician. Following the incident, the interior ministry announced a ban on all public protests until the conclusion of local elections in June.

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), including human rights groups, operated freely in 2015.

The right to organize and join labor unions is constitutionally guaranteed. While the guarantee extends to government employees, these individuals are restricted in their ability to bargain collectively. A 2011 law extended a ban on the right of military personnel and police officers to strike to include customs officers as well as water and forestry workers. Unions have historically played an active role in Beninese politics, and many were involved in the 2014 mass demonstrations protesting delayed local elections. In February 2015, police in the town of Abomey prevented a local primary teachers' union from holding a march to protest unpaid social security benefits. In March, teachers organized a national strike to demand a pay increase in line with recent raises for other government employees.

F. Rule of Law: 12 / 16

Judicial independence is generally respected by the executive branch, but the courts are highly inefficient and susceptible to corruption, largely due to their persistent lack of funding. A series of strikes led by the National Union of Magistrates of Benin (UNAMAB) to protest a variety of issues  including executive interference in the judiciary, the dismissal of judges critical of the Yayi administration, and unpaid salaries  paralyzed the court system in 2014. Continuing strike actions in 2015, though fewer than in 2015, resulted in similar dysfunction. Judges staged a brief walk-out in April to protest the unilateral appointment of several new magistrates by the executive branch. In September, after the government continued to recruit magistrates without consulting UNAMAB as legally required, the union launched a monthlong strike.

Prison conditions are harsh, and overcrowding is a major problem. Criminal cases are rarely processed in a timely manner. In 2012, Benin ratified an international treaty to abolish the death penalty, and promulgated a new code of criminal procedure in 2013 to reflect the change. Torture as a sentence for a crime is banned by the new code, though reports of abuses by police continue to occur.

Relations among Benin's ethnic groups are generally amicable, although regional divisions occasionally flare up, particularly between the north and south. Minority ethnic groups are well represented in government agencies, the civil service, and the armed forces. The constitution prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, and disability, but it does not protect individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Nevertheless, the only legislation directly restricting the rights of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people is the penal code of 1996, which imposes a higher age restriction on the age of consent for same-sex sexual activity (21) than for heterosexual activity (13).

G. Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights: 10 / 16

In 2013, the government released a decree to better control roadblocks around the country and to reduce the incidence of extortion, although it is unclear how well this has been enforced. Due to widespread poverty, economic activity continues to be restricted, but changes to the processes surrounding business registration, anticorruption efforts, and regulatory reform since 2010 have improved Benin's commercial environment.

The constitution provides for gender equality, and a national gender promotion policy aims to achieve gender equality by 2025. However, movements to improve female representation in electoral politics have been largely unsuccessful. Only six women were elected to the National Assembly in 2015, a decrease from the eight elected in 2011. Women enjoy fewer educational and employment opportunities than men, particularly in rural areas. A 2004 family code improved women's inheritance, property, and marriage rights, and prohibited forced marriage and female genital mutilation, but it has not been strongly enforced.

Human trafficking is widespread in Benin; the vast majority of victims are girls trafficked domestically from rural to urban areas. A law formally outlawing the trafficking of children was passed in 2006, but no legislation specifically addresses the trafficking of adults.

Scoring Key: X / Y (Z)

X = Score Received

Y = Best Possible Score

Z = Change from Previous Year

Copyright notice:  Freedom House, Inc.  All Rights Reserved
Cite as

UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), OHCHR intervention before the European Court of Human Rights in the case of N.D. and N.T v. Spain , 9 October 2015, Application Nos. 8675/15 and 8697/15, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a876f34.html [accessed 28 October 2022]
Mali: Ban condemns attack that kills UN peacekeeper in Kidal

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 8 August 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Mali: Ban condemns attack that kills UN peacekeeper in Kidal, 8 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a89cfa40b.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.

8 August 2016 - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned an attack in Mali on a convoy of the UN mission in the country that resulted in the death of a peacekeeper.

The Secretary-General underscores that attacks targeting UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law, said a statement issued yesterday by his office. [He] calls for the perpetrators of this attack to be brought to justice, it added.

Four other peacekeepers serving with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) were also injured in yesterday's improvised explosive device attack against the convoy, south of Aguelhok, in Kidal region.

This incident follows a similar attack on 5 August that injured one peacekeeper in the vicinity of Kidal city.

In the statement, Mr. Ban reiterated that attacks against MINUSMA will not weaken the Mission's determination to fully implement its mandate in support of the efforts of the Malian Government, the parties to the peace agreement and the people of Mali to achieve lasting peace and stability.

It further noted that the UN chief reminded that the primary responsibility for peace lies with the Malian parties and urged them to continue to work to fully implement the provisions of the peace agreement and to do all they can to prevent such attacks.

The Secretary-General also extended his condolences to the family of the victim and the Government and people of Chad, and wished a speedy and full recovery to the injured.
Yemeni peace talks enter 'new phase,' as UN envoy announces month-long pause for consultations

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 6 August 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Yemeni peace talks enter 'new phase,' as UN envoy announces month-long pause for consultations, 6 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a89d2d40d.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.

6 August 2016 - The United Nations envoy facilitating peace talks on Yemen announced today that as the discussions wind down for a one-month break, the process will enter a new phase, during which the focus will be on working with each side separately to crystalize precise technical details.

We depart Kuwait today but the Yemen peace talks continue. The structure and mechanism will change during the coming weeks so that we give the parties space to consult with their leaderships, UN Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said of the talks, which have been hosted by Kuwait for the past three months, between a Yemeni Government delegation and a delegation of the General People's Congress and Ansar Allah.

We will work with each party separately to crystalize the precise technical details. I once again repeat that a lasting solution is one which is worked upon with care, study and consideration. Every rushed solution comes truncated and incomplete, he added.

As for the current round of talks, he said that the biggest dilemma was the deficit in trust between the parties and in that regard, the focus had been on the necessity of offering concessions and advancing a step towards the other side so that the other side can advance a step in return.

We must continue to urge the parties to initiate a series of confidence-building measures and it is their duty to continue the releases of detainees and refrain from adopting unilateral measures<' he said.

Noting the difficult situation in the country, Mr. Ould Cheikh Ahmed raised the alarm regarding the faltering economy, and called on the two sides to unify their efforts to ease the increasing burden of suffering on the Yemeni people.

He stressed that the solution for the economic crisis depends on the political solution: The economic situation has seen a serious decline and the economic indicators are disconcerting if not dangerous. I am sounding a warning for those involved in the internal affairs of Yemen. The alarm is being sounded strongly for the economy and this is a direct result of the war. There will be no economic solution except through a lasting political solution, he explained.

The Special Envoy also expressed his deepest gratitude to Kuwait for hosting and its gracious hospitality. He also lauded the role of the international community in support of the path to peace and praised the cooperation of the delegation of the Government of Yemen and the delegation of Ansar Allah and the General People's Congress.

In his closing statement, he cited to the most significant compromises arising from the meetings of the previous weeks, touching on the following points:

Renewal of their commitment to the terms and conditions of the Cessation of Hostilities, and to urgently activate the mechanisms for its implementation;

Activation of the De-escalation and Coordination Committee in Dhahran al-Janoub and Local Security Committees in order to strengthen respect for the Cessation of Hostilities;

Facilitation of the adoption of urgent measures to ensure unhindered access for humanitarian aid and basic goods and to address the economic situation;

Facilitation of the urgent release of all political prisoners, and all individuals under house arrest or arbitrarily detained including those mentioned in UN Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015);

Abstention from any acts, escalation or decisions likely to undermine the prospects of finalizing these negotiations and reaching an agreement;

Conducting a series of consultations between the delegations and their respective leaderships in the coming phase on the ideas, which were discussed during the talks and study them in detail;

Continuation of consultations and resumption of direct talks within one month from the submission of this statement at a place to be agreed upon;

Reaffirming the continued positive spirit in engaging with any and all matters, which may facilitate reaching a complete, comprehensive and permanent solution to the conflict in Yemen; and

To that end, addition to the delegations, to the next round of talks, military experts in order to provide technical support and advice in their area of expertise.

Finally, the Special Envoy noted preparations for another round of direct talks at a time and place to be announced.

Following nearly 16 months of conflict in Yemen, the cessation of hostilities was declared on 10 April and has since continued to provide relief from violence in many parts of the country. But serious violations have occurred in Marib, al Jawf, Taiz and in the border areas with Saudi Arabia.
UN chief welcomes South Sudan's acceptance of regional protection force

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 7 August 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN chief welcomes South Sudan's acceptance of regional protection force, 7 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a89dd140b.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.

7 August 2016 - Welcoming the Government of South Sudan's acceptance of a regional protection force to help quell the ongoing violence in the country, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all South Sudanese parties to uphold their responsibility to protect civilians and to demonstrate their commitment to a peace agreement, the only viable path out of the crisis.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the Secretary-General welcomed the communique of the Heads of State and Government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Plus countries, which proposed the deployment of the force, agreed at a regional meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Media reports suggest IGAD leaders' aim is for the force to help shore up South Sudan's year-old peace deal.

He commends the IGAD leaders for their decisive action and welcomes the Government of South Sudan's acceptance of a regional protection force, the statement continued, adding that Mr. Ban called on all South Sudanese leaders to set aside their personal differences and demonstrate their commitment to the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, which remains the only viable path to ending the crisis.

The decision by IGAD, the East African bloc which has been working along with the wider African Union (AU) to address the crisis, comes after deadly clashes in South Sudan between rival forces  the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to President Salva Kiir and the SPLA in Opposition backing First Vice-President Riek Machar  erupted in and around the capital, Juba, on 7 July, close to the fifth anniversary of the country's independence.

UN compounds and civilian protection sites managed by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) were attacked during the fighting, and, according to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, a preliminary UN investigation into the recent fighting and its aftermath revealed that Government security forces carried out killings and rapes, and looted and destroyed properties.

Wrapping up a three-day Mission to the country late last week, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien voiced his serious concern at the humanitarian situation, particularly the violence against civilians, as well as attacks against aid workers, which he said is hampering efforts to respond to the needs of the people affected by the fighting.

The young country has faced ongoing challenges since a political face-off between the two leaders erupted into full blown conflict in December 2013. The crisis has produced one of the world's worst displacement situations with immense suffering for civilians. Despite the August 2015 peace agreement that formally ended the war, conflict and instability have also spread to previously unaffected areas in the Greater Equatoria and Greater Bahr-El-Ghazal regions of South Sudan. This past month, deadly clashes in Wau resulted in the deaths of more than 40 people, while up to 35,000 fled their homes.

Today's statement stressed that the Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the continued fighting in the country and called for an immediate end to the hostilities.

He is outraged by the continued reports of serious human rights violations and abuses, including widespread sexual violence against women and young girls, committed by armed men in uniform, said the statement, adding that Mr. Ban called on all parties to uphold their responsibility to protect civilians and demanded that they take immediate steps to hold accountable those responsible for these despicable crimes.

Finally, the UN chief in his statement reiterated his commitment to work with all South Sudanese, IGAD, the African Union and international partners, to implement the recommendations of the East African summit.
UN team in Jordan uses cranes to hoist relief aid to Syrian refugees at sealed border

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 5 August 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN team in Jordan uses cranes to hoist relief aid to Syrian refugees at sealed border, 5 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a89f1d301.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.

5 August 2016 - Syrians stranded at a sealed border with Jordan have received life-saving food and other supplies from the United Nations in a unique operation that saw aid hoisted by crane and monitored by drones across the closed frontier.

Jordan sealed the area following an attack in June on Jordanian military personnel. Before the border closure, UN agencies and partners regularly delivered supplies from the Jordanian side to the people stranded in a 'no man's land.' More than 75,000 people seeking to escape the conflict in Syria are living in that area - earthen embankments between the two countries, known as the "berm."

"Most are women, children and the elderly - many of them sick or wounded - who have no access to food or medicine. They are living in tents, enduring temperatures of more than 50 degrees Celsius," said Mageed Yahia, World Food Programme (WFP) Representative and Country Director in Jordan.

"This unconventional operation was designed to give them at least temporary relief," he explained.

The 650 metric tonnes of aid was delivered this week to two locations, Rukban and Hadalat, over three days, after being lifted from the Jordanian side by 70-metre-high cranes and lowered into encampments.

It was the first humanitarian assistance delivered since the border closure in June, and was the first time that WFP used cranes to deliver relief items. Community and tribal leaders were trained to carry out the distributions. Drones flying overhead monitored the operation to ensure it was conducted in an orderly fashion, according to WFP.

It was a "one-off distribution," the WFP representative said, adding that a longer-term solution must be found to meet the needs of the tens of thousands of people in the area.

Items delivered included food provided by WFP, bread from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and hygiene kits from the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).
UN convoys reach thousands affected by conflict in eastern Ukraine

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 5 August 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN convoys reach thousands affected by conflict in eastern Ukraine, 5 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a89f6740d.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.

5 August 2016 - For the first time in five months, convoys from the United Nations refugee agency have reached non-Government controlled areas in Luhansk, in the easternmost part of Ukraine, carrying much- needed construction materials, kitchen sets and items for use in winter for thousands of people affected by the conflict.

According to a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the humanitarian assistance is of prime importance as a tense and volatile security situation, compounded by restrictions on freedom of movement, have added to the hardships faced by the affected populations, particularly the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Two separate convoys of 25-trucks each travelled with support from WFP (the UN World Food Programme) and local partners to deliver supplies that will enable UNHCR to expand its shelter programme in the region, William Spindler told journalists today at a regular press briefing in Geneva.

According to the agency, the delivery of humanitarian assistance has decreased to non-Government controlled areas in the Luhansk region, where some 10,000 houses have been damaged because of the conflict, as many UN agencies have not been able to operate there since February 2015.

Since the onset of the conflict in 2014, more than two million people have been forced to flee their homes and seek sanctuary elsewhere in the country or abroad, and nearly 800,000, including the elderly and others in the most vulnerable categories, remain in need of assistance in or close to the conflict zone.

Highlighting the plight of two such people are 77-year-old former construction worker Petro and his wife, who have been living in a tiny basement room  the only part of their shelled home that protects them from snow, rain and wind  for more than two years.

Mr. Spindler said: UNHCR remains extremely concerned about restrictions on freedom of movement that have aggravated hardships for people like Petro, who must also struggle to have access to benefits and entitlements  including pensions  on the government-controlled side.

The agency's officials had met Petro and his wife during an assessment mission to Luhansk in May where they also found that many homes damaged by shell and mortar fire had their windows and roofs blown off.

Mr. Spindler further said that a major problem, particularly for elderly, persons with disabilities and other individuals with specific needs, is the limited number of checkpoints to cross the front line.

They have to wait for long hours, without shelter or adequate sanitation to cross check points to reach the Government-controlled areas as payment of social benefits and pensions to Internally Displaced Persons have been suspended until their residential addresses have been verified.

UNHCR renews its call to all actors to guarantee unrestricted access to benefits and rights to all displaced persons, regardless of registration status or current place of residence, stressed the agency spokesperson.

In the Luhansk region, only one pedestrian checkpoint in Stanitsa Luhanskaya remains open, with people queuing up to eight hours to cross.

Assisting the conflict-affected in Luhansk

This year, the UNHCR team in Luhansk, working with a local construction company and volunteers, and in coordination with local village administrators, plans to complete the rehabilitation of 1,500 damaged houses by October 2016, in addition to 1,500 households repaired in 2015.

About 1,100 families in 15 villages located close to the dividing line have already received construction materials, but 40 per cent of the targeted population will not be able to complete shelter works without the agency's support.
Ban hails EU donation to African-led Lake Chad Basin task force combating Boko Haram

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 5 August 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Ban hails EU donation to African-led Lake Chad Basin task force combating Boko Haram, 5 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a89fc940b.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.

5 August 2016 - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has commended the European Union (EU) Commission for its 50 million euro contribution to the multinational task force, created by Lake Chad Basin countries - Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria - and Benin to combat Boko Haram insurgents in the sub-region.

According to a statement issued late yesterday by his Spokesperson's Office, the Secretary-General welcomed the signing of an agreement between EU and the African Union Commission, in Brussels, Belgium, on 1 August, on the EU's contribution to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

"The Secretary-General wishes to take this opportunity to commend the Lake Chad Basin countries and Benin for the significant progress achieved in combating the terrorist threat posed by Boko Haram," the statement said, adding that Mr. Ban particularly welcomes the enhanced cooperation and coordination by countries of the region, their individual contributions to the Force and the sacrifices made in the fight against Boko Haram.

In the statement, the UN chief reiterated his call on MNJTF countries to ensure that counter-terrorism measures are in full compliance with their obligations under international human rights, humanitarian and refugee laws.

"This is crucial, as Boko Haram is most unlikely to be defeated if the affected communities do not have confidence in the armed forces that are supposed to protect them," the statement said.

Further in the statement, the Secretary-General encouraged Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria to consolidate MNJTF operations by re-establishing state authority and resuming social services in Boko Haram-affected areas, as well as creating an environment conducive for the safe and voluntary return, resettlement or local integration of the internally displaced and refugee populations.

The Secretary-General also urged the international community to continue to enhance its support to regional efforts to combat the Boko Haram threat and in mitigating the impact of its activities through the provision of requisite humanitarian, political, financial and logistical support.
UN human rights chief deplores mass executions in Iran

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 5 August 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN human rights chief deplores mass executions in Iran, 5 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a8a08c40d.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.

5 August 2016 - The United Nations human rights chief today deplored the execution of 20 people in Iran this week for purported terrorism-related offences.

The application of overly broad and vague criminal charges, coupled with a disdain for the rights of the accused to due process and a fair trial have in these cases led to a grave injustice, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in a news release.

Reports suggest that most, if not all, of those executed were from a minority group  Sunnis from the Kurdish community. In many of the cases, there were serious doubts about the fairness of the trials, respect for due process and other rights of the accused.

A man who was hanged yesterday, Shahram Ahmadi, had allegedly been beaten and coerced into signing a blank piece of paper on which his false confession was recorded. His family members were unable to visit him before he was executed, and were reportedly directed to the cemetery instead of Rajai Shahr Prison west of Tehran.

Mr. Zeid also condemned the execution last month of Hassan Afshar, a 19-year-old who was 17 when he was arrested and convicted of rape. The execution of juvenile offenders is particularly abhorrent, Mr. Zeid said, urging Iran to respect the strict prohibition under international human rights law against this practice.
Rights experts 'deeply disturbed' at erosion of media freedom in Venezuela  UN human rights office

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 4 August 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Rights experts 'deeply disturbed' at erosion of media freedom in Venezuela  UN human rights office, 4 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a8a1e04.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 United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye, and the Inter-American Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Edison Lanza, expressed concern at the eroding media freedom in Venezuela, citing a number of reported incidents of harassments of journalists and media groups.

"We are deeply disturbed by the recent reports of attacks against journalists and independent media groups, escalating the pressure over the Venezuelan media," they said in a news release issued today by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

"This is especially alarming given the country's food and medicines shortages, economic crisis and heightened social and political tensions," they stressed.

The experts have also sent a joint letter to the Venezuelan Government expressing their concerns and have requested clarifications.

According to the news release, the Government confirmed the receipt of the letter. The experts now hope that the response to their communication will enable a dialogue on these and other topics related to the exercise of the right to freedom of expression.

Citing recent reports, the news release also mentioned that a number of journalists have been arrested, threatened, attacked or had their work equipment retained, especially when they were reporting on looting or covering protests.

It added that radio stations, newspapers and a news website too have had to face obstacles in carrying out their work.

"Threats or attacks against journalists and the media not only violate the rights of these persons but undermine the ability of Venezuelans and others elsewhere to be informed on events of critical importance," Mr. Kaye said, highlighting the importance of the work of the media.

Furthermore, referring to allegations that attackers were loyal to groups supportive to the Government, the experts underlined that the authorities must urgently respond to the reports of violence and intimidation.

The two rights experts stressed that law enforcement agencies have the obligation to protect journalists rather than harass them.

The experts also drew attention to recent judicial decisions, voicing concern that these greatly increase the pressure over media and restrict them from carrying out their work with independence.

On 8 June, the Supreme Court of Venezuela ordered the La Patilla and Caraota Digital news website to cease disseminating videos of a lynching through its webpage and social media.

This decision can be extended to other media in the country, the OHCHR press release noted.

"This recent Supreme Court's decision establishes a disproportional and unreasonable restriction confronting Inter American and global standards for the right to freedom of expression," Mr. Lanza said.

"The exercise of the right to freedom of expression cannot be subject to prior censorship," he stressed.

The experts further said it was disturbing that a number of requests by radio stations for concession renewal remain ignored for unreasonable periods and that they were operating under expired permits.

In particular, they noted great concern at the closure of the La Barinesa radio station, on 10 June, reportedly because of its expired licence.

On this closure, Mr. Kaye said, "International standards are also clear on this matter: precisely to prevent abuses, procedures for licensing broadcasters must be reasonable, objective, clear, transparent and non-discriminatory."

"The adoption of extreme measures such as the closure of a radio station must be grounded on very firm grounds and only used as a last resort," Mr. Lanza pointed out.

Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.
UN experts urge China to stop ill-treatment of imprisoned hunger striker

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 4 August 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN experts urge China to stop ill-treatment of imprisoned hunger striker, 4 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a8a29640d.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.

4 August 2016 - Expressing deep concern about the critical health condition of a prisoner on hunger strike for three months, a group of United Nations independent human rights experts today called on the Government of China to stop all forms of ill-treatment and urgently provide him with specialized medical care, based on his full and informed consent.

Prominent Chinese human rights defender Yang Maodong, known by his pen-name 'Guo Feixiong,' was arrested in August 2013 for taking part in a public protest against official censorship of a Guangzhou newspaper, and has been sentenced to six years in prison on charges of "gathering crowds to disturb public order" and "picking quarrels and provoking trouble."

"We are concerned about repeated incidents of degrading and humiliating treatment suffered by Mr. Guo in detention, both at the hands of other inmates and prison guards at Yangchun Prison in Guangdong province," they said in a news release.

Mr. Guo has been on hunger strike for almost three months, demanding to be transferred to another prison where he would be free from ill-treatment.

The experts argued that his public profile as a human rights defender seems to have been the cause and aggravating factor for the denial of appropriate medical care and ill-treatment, which included sleep deprivation, harassment, and humiliating medical procedure filmed by prison officials for public release.

"Mr. Guo's six-year imprisonment is connected to his peaceful and legitimate human rights activities," the experts said. "His only wrong-doing was to have exercised his rights to peaceful assembly and expression concerning censorship in China."

The experts reiterated that the criminalization of legitimate human rights activities and the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly that has formed the legal basis for the arrest, conviction and detention of Mr. Guo, is incompatible with China's obligations under international human rights law.

They recalled that in 2015, the UN Committee against Torture recommended the Government of China "to refrain from prosecuting human rights defenders, lawyers, petitioners and others for their legitimate activities for broadly defined offences."

The experts urged the Chinese authorities to release Mr. Guo and recognize the important contribution of human rights defenders in upholding constitutional values in China.

The experts are UN Special Rapporteurs, Michel Forst, on the situation of human rights defenders; Maina Kiai, on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; David Kaye, on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Juan E. Mendez, on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Dainius Puras, on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; and Setondji R. Adjovi, current Chair of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
UN agency welcomes 'landmark step' by North and Central American countries to protect refugees

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 4 August 2016 Related Document(s) San Jose Action Statement Cite as UN News Service, UN agency welcomes 'landmark step' by North and Central American countries to protect refugees, 4 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a8a34840b.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.

4 August 2016 - The United Nations refugee agency today welcomed a joint commitment by nine North and Central American countries acknowledging the need for stronger protection of asylum-seekers, refugees and internally displaced people in the region, where crime and gang violence have driven thousands of people from their homes.

Through the San Jose Action Statement, the governments of Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and the United States vowed to work together to strengthen protection of refugees fleeing Central America, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

"It is vital and immensely gratifying to see the countries of the Americas coming together in a regional approach to devise humane, collaborative solutions for people in desperate need of life-saving help," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi in a press release.

"This is the path to helping the most vulnerable among us regain lives of dignity," he added.

The undertaking comes ahead of the UN Summit on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants, on 19 September at UN Headquarters, in New York, as well as a summit on the global refugee crisis, hosted by US President Barack Obama during the high-level segment of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly on 20 September.

According to UNHCR, the countries said that they are confronted with a growing number of asylum-seekers and refugees and that they recognize the need for asylum systems to identify and respond to those in need of international protection.

Most asylum applications are from people who have fled widespread violence by heavily-armed, transnational gangs in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala that have made these countries - known collectively as the Northern Triangle of Central America - one of the most dangerous places on earth.

The UN refugee agency added that the 'San Jose Action Statement' also "stressed the importance of 'timely identification and documentation' of people in need of protection, of 'unhindered access to fair and efficient procedures for protection,' of finding alternatives to detention for asylum seekers and of ensuring their access to legal aid."

In individual declarations accompanying the Action Statement, Costa Rica, Mexico, US and Honduras said that they would undertake efforts to address the challenges confronting refugees and to protect vulnerable people fleeing violence.

The joint statement is the outcome of an unprecedented gathering of concerned governments organized by UNHCR and the Organization of American States (OAS) in Costa Rica last month. It was also attended by four countries of South America and other interested States.

"[The Action Statement] is a visible and significant demonstration of the willingness of countries from the region to work together to address the plight of refugees, internally displaced persons and others in need of protection, in a spirit of solidarity and within a collaborative responsibility sharing framework," said UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Volker Turk, who co-chaired the meeting with Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the OAS.
In South Sudan, UN humanitarian chief calls for end to attacks against civilians, aid workers

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 3 August 2016 Cite as UN News Service, In South Sudan, UN humanitarian chief calls for end to attacks against civilians, aid workers, 3 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a8a9ff40d.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.

3 August 2016 - United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien concluded today his three-day mission to crisis-torn South Sudan, voicing serious concern at the humanitarian situation in the country and in particular the violence against civilians, as well as attacks against aid workers, which is hampering efforts to respond to the needs of the people affected by the fighting.

"I am outraged by the heinous acts of violence that have been committed against civilians, including by members of the armed forces," Mr. O'Brien said, calling for swift and decisive action to halt these abuses and hold the perpetrators accountable, in a press release issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) following his press conference in Juba.

Humanitarians are here in South Sudan to save lives and for no other reason UN Emergency Relief Coordinator

He stressed that despite challenges that aid workers are facing on a daily basis, "[They] are working tirelessly and courageously to bring desperately needed relief to people in need."

"It is imperative that humanitarian organizations are granted free, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access, to reach all people in need, wherever they are," stressed the UN humanitarian chief.

'Catastrophic' humanitarian situation; response affected by violence

Mr. O'Brien's visit came as the situation in South Sudan has worsened after fighting broke out three weeks ago in and around the capital, Juba, between rival forces backing President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar.

Protection of civilians 'paramount concern'

The press release adds that the protection of civilians in the country is of paramount concern. It noted extensive reports of rape and other forms of sexual violence during recent fighting, including in the capital Juba and Wau, in the north-west of the country.

"My visit to Wau and Aweil (also located in north-western South Sudan) was heart-wrenching," said Mr. O'Brien. "The women I met in both locations told me that it is a daily struggle to keep themselves and their children alive, one for fear of violence, the other due to hunger."

During his three-day visit, Mr. O'Brien met with humanitarian partners and Government officials, and visited people affected by the crisis in Juba, Wau and Aweil. In his meetings, the Emergency Relief Coordinator stressed that: "We humanitarians are here in South Sudan to save lives and for no other reason. Our task and our demand by the UN and beyond is to impartially meet the urgent and severe humanitarian and protection needs of the millions of suffering people in this country."

UN envoy on sexual violence in conflict echoes condemnation

In related news, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura has echoed Mr. O'Brien's condemnation of the violence in the country, in particular the sexual violence crimes being committed.

In a press release issued by her Office, Ms. Bangura called on the Heads of State and Government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to acknowledge the gravity of sexual violence, to request South Sudanese authorities to take immediate measures to prevent their troops and associated militias from committing these crimes, and to take action against those responsible.

"IGAD should ensure that the military and political leadership of South Sudan move beyond rhetoric and implement the commitments they have made in their 2013 communiques on preventing and responding to sexual violence crimes," Ms. Bangura stressed.

Amidst the politics, we must not forget the survivors SRSG Bangura

IGAD is an eight-country bloc in Africa comprising Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda. The leaders of its member countries are meeting in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, for an extra-ordinary summit on the situation in South Sudan.

Ms. Bangura emphasized that the bloc must use its leverage over the parties to this conflict to ensure that they immediately cease, prevent and decisively respond to serious crimes, including sexual violence. "IGAD must clearly stress the need for accountability, in line with the Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan of August 2015," she emphasized.

She also called on the conflict parties to stop their troops from committing such crimes, and on the Government of South Sudan to investigate the alleged violations and abuses and prosecute those found responsible.

"Amidst the politics, we must not forget the survivors. The international community stands in solidarity with them and will spare no effort to ensure that they receive adequate care, assistance and livelihood support while ensuring that the perpetrators, irrespective of their ranks, are held accountable," Ms. Bangura reiterated.
Ethiopia: Dozens killed as police use excessive force against peaceful protesters

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 8 August 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Ethiopia: Dozens killed as police use excessive force against peaceful protesters, 8 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a8aa9a4.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.

At least 67 people were killed and hundreds more injured when Ethiopian security forces fired live bullets at peaceful protesters across Oromia region over the weekend, according to credible sources who spoke to Amnesty International.

Thousands of protesters turned out in Oromia and Amhara calling for political reform, justice and the rule of law. The worst bloodshed - which may amount to extrajudicial killings - took place in the northern city of Bahir Dar where at least 30 people were killed in one day.

"The security forces' response was heavy-handed, but unsurprising. Ethiopian forces have systematically used excessive force in their mistaken attempts to silence dissenting voices," said Michelle Kagari, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes.

"These crimes must be promptly, impartially and effectively investigated and all those suspected of criminal responsibility must be brought to justice in fair trials before ordinary civilian courts without recourse to death penalty."

Information obtained by Amnesty International shows that police fired live bullets at protesters in Bahir Dar on 7 August, killing at least 30. Live fire was also used in Gondar on 6 August, claiming at least seven lives.

No deaths were reported from the Addis Ababa protests, but photos and videos seen by Amnesty International show police beating protesters with batons at Meskel Square, the capital's main public space.

In Oromia and Amhara, hundreds were arrested and are being held at unofficial detention centres, including police and military training bases.

"We are extremely concerned that the use of unofficial detention facilities may expose victims to further human rights violations including torture and other forms of ill-treatment," said Michelle Kagari.

"All those arrested during the protests must be immediately and unconditionally released as they are unjustly being held for exercising their right to freedom of opinion."

Background

The protests in Oromia are a continuation of peaceful demonstrations that began in November 2015 against a government masterplan to integrate parts of Oromia into the capital Addis Ababa. Deaths were reported in multiple towns in the region, including Ambo, Adama, Asassa, Aweday, Gimbi, Haromaya, Neqemte, Robe and Shashemene.

The protests in Amhara began on 12 July 2016 when security forces attempted to arrest Colonel Demeka Zewdu, one of the leaders of the Wolqait Identity and Self-Determination Committee, for alleged terrorism offences.

Wolqait is an administrative district in Tigray Region that was part of Amhara Region before the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) came to power 1991. It has been agitating for reintegration into Amhara for the last 25 years.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Pakistan: Attack on Quetta hospital abhorrent disregard for the sanctity of life

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 8 August 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Pakistan: Attack on Quetta hospital abhorrent disregard for the sanctity of life, 8 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a8ab1d4.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.

An apparently pre-planned suicide attack, which killed at least 63 people and wounded more than 50 others in a hospital in Quetta, south-western Pakistan, today is the latest in a series of horrific attacks by armed groups targeting ordinary people in Pakistan, said Amnesty International.

"This is an absolutely senseless targeting of dozens of people, including patients and mourners. It has led to a devastating loss of life, and is an example of the string of attacks in recent years in Pakistan on schools, hospitals and other 'soft targets', which must cease immediately," said Champa Patel, Amnesty International's Regional Programme Director, Asia Pacific.

"A full, independent and transparent investigation must be carried out into how and why this bombing took place, and whoever is responsible should be brought to justice as soon as possible in fair trials, without recourse to the death penalty."

Eyewitnesses report that the bomb exploded at the entrance to the emergency department of the Civil Hospital in Quetta. Mourners, many of whom were lawyers, had gathered to accompany the body of Bilal Anwar Kasi, the President of the Balochistan Bar Association who was killed by unidentified gunmen earlier in the day.

There have been no credible claims of responsibility for the attack so far.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Kenya: Taiwanese nationals must not be deported to China

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 5 August 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Kenya: Taiwanese nationals must not be deported to China, 5 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a8ab8a4.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.

An apparently pre-planned suicide attack, which killed at least 63 people and wounded more than 50 others in a hospital in Quetta, south-western Pakistan, today is the latest in a series of horrific attacks by armed groups targeting ordinary people in Pakistan, said Amnesty International.

"This is an absolutely senseless targeting of dozens of people, including patients and mourners. It has led to a devastating loss of life, and is an example of the string of attacks in recent years in Pakistan on schools, hospitals and other 'soft targets', which must cease immediately," said Champa Patel, Amnesty International's Regional Programme Director, Asia Pacific.

"A full, independent and transparent investigation must be carried out into how and why this bombing took place, and whoever is responsible should be brought to justice as soon as possible in fair trials, without recourse to the death penalty."

Eyewitnesses report that the bomb exploded at the entrance to the emergency department of the Civil Hospital in Quetta. Mourners, many of whom were lawyers, had gathered to accompany the body of Bilal Anwar Kasi, the President of the Balochistan Bar Association who was killed by unidentified gunmen earlier in the day.

There have been no credible claims of responsibility for the attack so far.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Mayor Costin provides council district update & talks about other city projects

A town hall was held at Martinsville City Hall Thursday evening where residents were encouraged to attend and discuss their concerns or questions with Martinsville Mayor Kenny Costin.
SHARE

By Adam Russell, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications

LUBBOCK  Alternative crops will not supplant top commodities such as corn and cotton, but producers choose them as drought-tolerant rotation options that can pay off when the price is right, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agronomist in Lubbock.

Dr. Calvin Trostle said alternative crops such as sunflowers, sesame and guar also give producers, especially in the Rolling Plains and High Plains regions, viable options when it comes to replanting on a failed field. They can also be used for rotations for soil health, or enduring heat and drought conditions, as well as provide access to other markets when prices and industry demand.

In Central Texas, some sunflower fields are being harvested now, Trostle said. Good yields are being reported. One producer in Ellis County said sunflowers performed better than any other crop he planted this year, Trostle added.

Prices on sunflowers and other oilseeds have been better in the recent past, Trostle said. But sunflowers have a wide planting window, are drought tolerant and make good rotation crops for commodity crops like cotton.

"Producers seem to like them, but it comes down to how many contracts are there to be filled," he said. "The price goes up and down based on the number of acres the industry needs."

Trostle said guar, or cluster bean, a drought-tolerant legume, has become an option in West Texas cotton crop rotations. Guar is used to produce food emulsifiers and lubricants for oil and gas drilling and fracking.

Trostle said producers in West Texas and a few other areas are facing moderate drought and high temperatures, as well as a lack of precipitation that have been stressing dryland plants. Those conditions make sesame, sunflowers and other crops that can take heat and lack of moisture more appealing to producers.

The number of alternative crop acres planted goes up and down like most other crops from year to year, Trostle said. Under the right conditions it can be a good financial decision.

Dr. Clark Neely, AgriLife Extension statewide small grains and oilseed specialist in College Station, said canola performed well for producers despite heavy spring rains. Canola is a cool-season oilseed crop harvested before summer, similar to wheat.

Neely said more producers are becoming aware of the crop as an option to wheat, which has experienced dipping prices, Neely said. Canola follows the soybean market and prices were strong, around $6.50 per bushel currently, but peaked at over $8 per bushel at harvest time, compared to wheat, which stayed at or below $4 per bushel.

Canola prices generally peak at harvest time for the Southern Great Plains as the majority of North American canola is spring canola, which is harvested in late summer in North Dakota and Canada, Neely said. This gives winter canola grown in Texas a price advantage.

Neely and Trostle said interest in alternative crops fluctuates with prices on typical commodities such as cotton, corn and wheat.

"Anytime you see dips in the commodity prices, you'll typically see more alternative crop acres planted," Neely said.

AgriLife Extension district reports

WEST CENTRAL: Conditions were hot, dry and windy with temperatures remaining in the triple digits and no relief in sight. A few areas reported widely scattered showers. Wildfire dangers continued to increase as tall, dry fuel was found in all areas. Burn bans were in effect. Field activities were slow due to hot conditions. Many crops showed severe drought stress. Range and pastures were showing heat and moisture stress and were declining rapidly. Cotton crops were in fair to good condition with slow growth due to dry conditions. Corn harvest was underway. Grain sorghum headed and was maturing. Harvest was getting started with the overall crop in good to excellent condition. Some cutting and baling of hay continued. Most haygrazer planted for hay production was cut and baled. The first cutting provided a good harvest. Moisture was needed for a second cutting. Livestock remained in fair to good condition.

ROLLING PLAINS: Hot, dry and windy days zapped some crops. Most cotton tapped into good moisture. Some scattered storms brought beneficial rains to small areas. Sorghum was starting to mature with harvest right around the corner. Some pastures started to turn yellow and posed a significant fire danger. Livestock were in good condition.

SOUTH PLAINS: Weather conditions remained hot and dry, with only a few light and widely scattered rain showers received. Irrigation continued and some corn was abandoned due to lack of rainfall and irrigation. Temperatures were at or over 100 degrees for 10 days in some areas and almost the whole month of July in others. Irrigated cotton looked good, but many dryland fields were cut out prematurely. Conditions for wildfires were increasing with the amount of dry tinder left over from early season rainfall. Range conditions were getting worse.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Kay Ledbetter
"Oddities' at local festival preview coming event in December

The Abilene Goddess Festival celebrated the role of women and the natural world.
Global Samaritan Resource's Team just returned from Iraq (their compound located 1 kilometer from the ISIS front line). An especially interested group heard GS Director Danny Smith tell about their experience of how persecuted Christians and marginalized Muslims are terrorized by ISIS. Two million children are at-risk of slavery. All are starving. They want to return home, but there is really no place to turn. Help is needed for these people. GS has relationships with U.S. food providers. Donations cover logistics costs, they negotiate shipments of FREE fortified rice meals (285,000 servings) or FREE high protein soup mix (1 million bowls) and ship the food directly to their partners via the Air Force humanitarian aid space available program. Fifty dollars sends 10,000 servings, and a million people can be fed with $5,000.

Maybe there was a spark of reward when the team toured a refugee camp and saw their partner's secured warehouse and the food which had been shipped to Iraq now actually being distributed to persecuted people from Mosul. The crisis is complex. Partners in Iraq are doing long-term sustainable work  the hard part. This is so little of what MizCheevus learned that evening: she met Esther Kissell, director of Logistics and Disaster Services, and Myra Dean, director of Development, and Kent Jones, executive assistant.

And MizGadAbout saw Esther again (with her daughter Heidi Kissell and mother Sybil Crane) at the Frank Sinatra event at the Paramount a week ago Saturday. Also saw David Williams, Steve and Kelly Martin, Fred Lee Hughes and Marian Reeder, H.C. and Lanita Zachry, Joe and Teddie Spano and his brother Pete, who lives in Midland, with his wife Cathy, who is Teddie's sister!

MizCheevus herself has said she talks quite a lot about age and her own age, at that. Now  she is specializing in age 95, and she missed one of those parties, which she should have attended:

On July 9th, a 95th birthday reception was held for Ellen Webb, of Abilene, at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church in Albany where she lived and was a member for many years. Hosts were daughter Carol and Glenn Dromgoole, and son John and Cheri Webb of Vega.

Among those attending: From Albany  Ada Ruth Cotter, John Matthews, Liz and Billy Green, Betty Law, Nancy Birdwell, Donnie and Melinda Lucas.

From Abilene  Bob Milstead, Roxanne Klump, Charlie and Betty Hukill, Cliff Stewart, Dave and Clare Nickel,

Friends and family from San Antonio, Houston, Honolulu, Lubbock, Pennsylvania, Dallas, Austin and Amarillo attended. Mike Schuler, 'The Piano Man,' entertained the more than 150 guests with his selections.

In 2007  Ellen wrote a popular recipe book. 'You'll be Going Back for Seconds.'

A little more about the Dromgooles: Charlie Dromgoole, with a 42-year career in chamber of commerce management, signed his new book 'Chamber Stories That I Can Tell (and some that I probably shouldn't!!)' at Texas Star Trading Co., owned by his brother Glenn and wife Carol Dromgoole. At that event, MizCheevus saw: Fred Lee Hughes, Jimmy Tittle, Travis Hartgrave, David Bell, Greg Jaklewicz, Leroy and Rhonda Bolt, et al.

At the estate sale of Bill and Fannie Baker  it was interesting to meet Stephen and Nancy Cook, who have moved to Abilene so that Dr. Cook can head the Liberal Arts Department of Hardin-Simmons University. They were with his mother Gayle Wright Gray. Miz also saw Beckie Way, who moved to Abilene to be near parents Nancy and Robert Stephenson. And saw Nancy Roberts and daughter Emily, Mark and Sharlyn Garoutte, Kay Cheek.

Last Wednesday night was different at the Country Club  at least for one table: Mr. Fareed Hassen of Stamford invited four ladies to meet him for dinner and dancing: Donna Albus, Myra Dean, Judy Wilhelm and MizCheevus. It was a very nice 'treat' for the ladies and several of the men population stopped by to see what charming characteristics were possessed by our host to attract more than one female date ... among those who inquired: Vance Cooksey and Tim Yandell.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Judy Godfrey invited friends for a Presentation by Angela Lynn, CFF National Office Representative, in the Loggia of The Grace Museum. In Judy's reminder note, she pointed out that their granddaughter Lu Godfrey has Cystic Fibrosis, which, of course, has made Judy and Larry Godfrey anxious about needs and successes for this special group. This is the first time a CF national rep has been to Abilene, we're told.

Nitpickings from last week's Column: The West Texas population knew how to spell Judge J. Neil Daniel when he was around  yet it came out slightly incorrect. The Center for Contemporary Arts has its own telephone number of 325-677-8389, everyone does not want to use the one assigned to MizCheevus.
Movie at the Mockingbird library

A free showing of a classic film will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Mockingbird Branch of the Abilene Public Library, 1326 N. Mockingbird Lane. The choice will be between a thriller and a romantic comedy.

Calligraphy, painting and poetry workshop

Craig Thompson will present a workshop on calligraphy, painting and poetry from 1-3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Center for Contemporary Arts, 220 Cypress St. Registration is $35 for members and $45 for nonmembers. To register, contact 325-677-8389 or bird@center-arts.com.

Business workshop

The Texas Tech Small Business Development Center in Abilene will conduct a Texas Comptroller Workshop from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday in the Texas Tech Training Center, 749 Gateway St., Suite 301. For reservations, call 325-670-0300.

Dog Days at the mall

Dog Days will take place from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Mall of Abilene. Participants are encouraged to bring their dogs for a costume contest and other activities. Dogs must be well-behaved and leashed. Dog Days will continue each Wednesday in August.

Women's luncheon

A Christian Women's Connection luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway Blvd. Tomi Calmes will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $16. For reservations, or for more information, contact 325-370-6567 or AbileneCWC@aol.com.

ArtWalk

ArtWalk, a program of the Center for Contemporary Arts, will take place from 5-8 p.m. Thursday in downtown Abilene. The theme will be 'DogWalk.' Participants are encouraged to bring their dogs. A variety of activities for dogs, including a costume contest and swimming pool, will be available.

Grace After Dark

Screenings of several short films will be presented during Grace After Dark at 8:30 p.m. Thursday on the roof of The Grace Museum, 102 Cypress St. Food trucks will open at 6:30 p.m., and a cash bar will be available. Admission will be free, but will be limited to 100 viewers. Participants must be 18 or older.

Movie at the park

A free showing of the movie 'Inside Out' will begin at 9 p.m. Thursday at Rose Park, 2910 S. Seventh St. Participants are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and snacks.

Trade Days of West Texas

An opening celebration of Trade Days of West Texas will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at 2501 E. Highway 80. Crafts, antiques, food trucks and more will be available.

Concert

A concert featuring the Booth Brothers will begin at 7 p.m. Friday at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 Pioneer Drive. Admission is free, but an offering will be accepted.

'Giant'

As part of the Paramount Film Series, 'Giant' will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Friday and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St. Film historian Robert Holladay will give a lecture on the film at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, military and children. For more information, visit paramount-abilene.org.

Heirloom care workshop

Erika Parker will present a workshop, 'Preserving Home: Caring for Your Heirloom Textiles, Garments and Fabrics,' from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at The Grace Museum, 102 Cypress St. Registration is $40 for members and $45 for nonmembers, with all supplies included. To register, or for more information, go to www.thegracemuseum.org.

Movie at the library

A showing of a recent PG rated animated movie will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the South Branch of the Abilene Public Library, 1401 S. Danville Drive. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Admission is free.

Chautauqua

The Chautauqua Learning Series will continue with a presentation by Robert F. Bluthardt, 'Fun and Frolic on the Frontier,' from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at Buffalo Gap Historic Village, 133 N. William St. in Buffalo Gap. Free admission.

Family Fun Saturday

The Family Fun Saturday art program will be presented from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, 102 Cedar St. Free admission.

Benefit concert

Yanstock, featuring Happy Fat, Collector's Edition and other artists, will open at 5 p.m. Saturday at Play Faire Park, 2300 N. Second St. Admission is $15. Proceeds will go to medical bills incurred by Yan Hartman.

Exercise classes

Public group exercise classes will be presented from Aug. 22 until Dec. 2 in the Hunt PE Center, Room 200, at McMurry University. Classes will include yoga, low-impact aerobics, Zumba and sessions for people 50 and older. Registration is $80 for unlimited sessions, $40 for 15 sessions or $5 for a single session. For more information, including a complete schedule, contact 325-793-4634 or mcmurraj@mcm.edu.

Volunteers sought

Zion Lutheran Church, River of Life Church and Global Samaritan Resources, in partnership with the Children's Hunger Fund, are seeking volunteers to assist with packing about 2,000 packages of food from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 28 at Zion Lutheran Church, 2801 Antilley Road. For more information, email shuerta@childrenshungerfund.org. Monetary donations also will be accepted.

Back-to-school immunizations

Immunizations for children are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District, 850 N. Sixth St. An administration fee of $10 per child will apply, and the cost of private vaccines will vary. For more information, call 325-692-4660.
WACO, Texas (AP) - A federal judge has questioned whether the Texas district attorney prosecuting bikers arrested in a deadly melee outside a Waco restaurant has a conflict of interest because he's also being sued for his handling of the shootout that left nine people dead.

U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks also said it 'makes one wonder' why 154 bikers were indicted following the May 2015 shootout outside the now-closed Twin Peaks restaurant, the Waco Tribune-Herald reported Sunday (http://bit.ly/2b5iQ4D ). Sparks did not ask attorneys to respond to that comment during a June hearing in Austin, according to a transcript obtained by the newspaper.

'It's just so far from all of the experiences I've had. It's just staggering to think of the problems,' said Sparks, referring to the number of people indicted.

Sparks is overseeing a civil lawsuit that several indicted bikers filed against McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna, the Waco police chief and others law enforcement officials. The bikers claim they were unlawfully arrested and jailed under $1 million bonds with no justification or evidence of wrongdoing.

Sparks is not presiding over the criminal case. On Monday, a hearing in state district court in Waco begins over whether Reyna should be disqualified from prosecuting the cases. Reyna is opposing those efforts while simultaneously trying to stop the civil lawsuits against him in federal court.

'These people have a substantial interest. They're being sued in their personal as well as official capacities,' said Sparks, referring to Reyna and others named in the lawsuit.

Dallas attorney Don Tittle, who represents 15 bikers suing Reyna, said that although district attorneys usually can't be sued that immunity is lost, he said, when a prosecutor 'steps into the role of the police.' Records filed in the case show Waco police officials had already interviewed, identified and photographed a busload of bikers detained that afternoon and decided to send them home when Reyna and two of his top assistants arrived at the Waco Convention Center, where bikers were being held.

Attorneys for the bikers have claimed from that point on, almost every biker was jailed under $1 million bonds after Reyna gave orders to arrest anyone with ties to rival biker groups the Bandidos or Cossacks.

'If you are asking me personally, unless the county has already told Reyna that they will pay for any jury verdicts against him, then he clearly and without a doubt has a direct financial interest in virtually every case he is prosecuting,' Tittle said.

Neither Reyna nor his attorney returned calls to the newspaper for comment.

Sparks called the situation a 'logjam' and has not ruled on whether the civil lawsuit will proceed.

___

Information from: Waco Tribune-Herald, http://www.wacotrib.com
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

This just in...
Features

It's so much more than just a "truly f**ked up ride".
Forward thinking is not what one has come to expect from the conservative military regime running Thailand for the past two years. But a government which otherwise likes to suppresses dissent and emphasize the need for law and order, has proposed what for southeast Asia is a novel answer to what is seen as a major problem: drugs. It also provides a welcome contrast to the extra-judicial slaughter of alleged drug dealers unleashed in the Philippines by newly-elected President Rodrigo Duterte.

Thai Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya announced last month that his ministry was consulting with relevant agencies a proposal to exclude Ya Ba from the list of illegal narcotics. Ya Ba is the colloquial term for the pills which are by far the most widely used illegal drug in the kingdom. They are methamphetamine usually mixed with caffeine and occasionally other substances. They are the Thai equivalent of the Philippines most ubiquitous illegal narcotic colloquially known as Shabu, a methamphetamine in pill, crystal or powder form which can be ingested, inhaled or injected. So far some 400 alleged shabu sellers and users have been gunned down by anonymous assailants since Duterte took office at the end of June  and the toll mounts daily.

Myanmar, Laos and even isolated North Korea are all grappling with problems associated with production, use or smuggling of methamphetamines.

Thailand however appears to have learned a lesson  also brutally. Paiboon noted that decades of waging war against narcotics had been a failure. Usage had actually increased. In the case of Ya Ba, ending its illegal status would encourage addicts to come forward for treatment. He claimed medical evidence showed Ya Ba to be less harmful than alcohol and tobacco  both readily available, socially accepted substances. (Western doctors in Hongkong once made the same point about opium being less of a public health hazard than alcohol).

Thailand learned from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatras effort in 2003 to wipe out drugs via extra-judicial killing of those allegedly engaged in their promotion and sale. More than 2,000 people are believed to have perished in this brutal exercise. Though Ya Ba prices soared and thousands of users volunteered for treatment, the impact was short lived. Those killed were almost all small time vendors. No big fish were caught and cross-border trade in narcotics was barely interrupted. Some users turned from Ya Ba to other substances. Before very long, drug use was back to where it had been before the blood-letting.

The death penalty is used, though not extra-judicially, against drug vendors in other southeast Asian countries including Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. In the case of Indonesia it has been revived by President Widodo, drawing much foreign criticism, if mainly because several of the victims have been foreigners. Indonesia and Malaysia have also made efforts to increase treatment of addicts with compulsory treatment. They also enable the supply of needles to those using intravenous drugs in an effort to reduce the spread of HIV via needle-sharing.

However there may well be a danger that the whole drug issue is being exaggerated, that the efforts should be focused on rehabilitating confirmed addicts, especially of heroin. rather than a vain attempt to wipe out usage.

For instance, Widodo quoted a figure of 4.5 million users which amounts to almost 3% of the adult population. However, of those only 1 million are classed as addicts and addicts include anyone using drugs more than 49 times a year. Once a week is a broad definition of addict. The other 3.5 million so called users include 1.6 million who have once used a drug.

Nor is it clear whether the drug situation has deteriorated significantly. Shabu has been widely available in the Philippines for at least two decades and any increase may simply be a reflection of the rise in the urban population with ready access to it. There is nothing new about young people getting high at parties whether using alcohol or illegal substances. Indeed the parents now cheering Dutertes cynical onslaught may well have been occasional users too in their youth. The death toll to date suggests that it is the poor whether vendors or users who are mainly being killed, not the better off.

Keeping drugs out of archipelagic countries with vast coastlines would be almost impossible even if the police and other law enforcers were all clean  which they are not.

Nor do most laws draw much if any distinction between types of drugs  such as between opium and marijuana and heroin. Illegality also results in varying levels of strength and composition in shabu and Ya Ba. These variations are seen as responsible for many drug-related deaths. The illegality of shabu and similar substances also leads to much petty theft by users to support the habit.

As it is, in much of Southeast Asia, anti-drug campaigns have filled the prisons  half of the prison population in Malaysia for example  without suppressing either demand or supply. Prisons are no place for rehabilitation, particularly as drugs often circulate there too. Meanwhile the people who make the big money from the trade, those who control the cross border shipments and the factories making pills and powders, are rarely ever caught. Even less often are their profits not successfully laundered via legal trade or through casinos.

In open societies, the selective drug war cannot be won. Sensible policies focus on mitigating the drug impact on health and on other crimes. President Duterte needs not only to abide by the nations laws, but to learn some lessons from Thaksin and Thailand of what not to do. He could start by inviting Paiboon to advise its ASEAN neighbor.

Philip Bowring, former editor of the Far Eastern Economic Review, is a freelance columnist based in Hong Kong. He is a consultant editor to the Asian Sentinel.
Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi (C) and military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (R) arrive for the handover-of-power ceremony at the presidential palace in Naypyidaw, March 30, 2016.

Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi announced Monday that the 21st-Century Panglong Peace Conference will begin on the last day of August and run for five days in the capital Naypyidaw.

We intend to hold the 21st-Century Panglong Conference on August 31, said Zaw Htay, spokesman of the Presidents Office.

A management and support group was formed during the meeting of the conferences central committee in Naypyidaw to hold the Panglong Conference at the Presidents House for the convenience of meeting attendees, he said.

The conferences central committee for the 21st-Century Panglong Conference formed a group today to manage and provide support during the conference, he said.

Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmars de facto leader, chairs the central convening committee which the Presidents Office created on Aug. 3.

Additional details about the Panglong Conference will be approved during the meeting of the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) on August 15, Zaw Htay said.

Aung San Suu Kyi heads the 18-member UPDJC, composed of armed ethnic groups that signed a nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA), political party representatives, and government representatives, which is overseeing the drafting process of the framework for political dialogue.

She is spearheading the country's efforts to hold the peace talks to end civil war by fostering national reconciliation and peace among the countrys various armed ethnic groups and the government military.

The Lady and the military commander

On Monday afternoon, Aung San Suu Kyi held her first official meeting in her capacity as state counselor with the countrys military commander-in-chief to discuss the Panglong Conference and ending the ongoing clashes between armed ethnic soldiers and national army troops in northern Myanmars Kachin state and the northern part of Shan state.

She and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing discussed national reconciliation, peace, and the rule of law in Myanmar during their two-hour conversation.

Vice-Senior General Soe Win, deputy commander-in-chief of the Myanmar military; Lieutenant General Ye Aung, minister of border affairs; attorney general Tun Oo; Tin Myo Win, chairman of the governments Peace Commission; Lieutenant General Mya Tun Oo, chief of military intelligence; and Lieutenant General Soe Htut, the military attorney general, also attended the meeting, the online journal The Irrawaddy reported.

The meeting between Aung San Suu Kyi and Min Aung Hlaing occurred the same day that Kachin Independence Army (KIA) troops ambushed and killed seven government security officers near the town of Kamaing in Kachin state, according to a police official.

Our security police were attacked with small arms and landmines along the road by KIA, said police Lieutenant Colonel Myo Thura Naung.

Six other officers and a driver were injured, he said.

We were attacked several times by the KIA at our police station, he said.

Colonel Tant San of the KIA said the attacks were not intentional.

I dont think our troops attacked the police intentionally, he told RFAs Myanmar Service. We have had columns moving back and forth in the region for several days. Its my understanding that our columns and these police officers had met.

USDP meets

Meanwhile, the former ruling, military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) began a two-day workshop on national reconciliation, peace and the formation of a federal union with ethnic unity on Monday at the partys headquarters in Naypyidaw.

USDP spokesman Khin Ye said party members decided to hold the workshop to discuss what they will to avoid delays at the Panglong Conference when various stakeholders submit different discussion topics.

We want peace as soon as possible, Khin Ye said. There will be many groups during the conference, such as the government, the military, and political parties, and they will talk, discuss and argue. We discussed today how we can help not to delay discussions during the conference.

Former president Thein Sein attended the workshop and talked about the peace process that his administration had worked on.

Thein Sein brokered the NCA signed by eight of the countrys 15 armed ethnic groups last October to end their hostilities with the Myanmar military. Other groups refused to sign or were excluded because of ongoing clashes with government troops.

Reported by Wai Mar Tun, Myo Thant Khine, Kyaw Thu and Kyaw Myo Min for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
A Tibetan Buddhist nun has committed suicide because of a project by Chinese authorities to demolish a large religious institute where she studied in a Tibetan-populated county in southwestern Chinas Sichuan province, RFAs Tibetan Service has learned.

Rinzin Dolma hanged herself on July 20 because she could not bear to see the government-ordered demolition of the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Serthar (in Chinese, Seda) county in Ganzi (Kardze) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, a Tibetan source from the region told RFA, speaking on condition of anonymity.

She lived on Pema Khado Road inside the Larung Gar complex, he said.

Rinzin Dolma was from the Dege region, and she was studying at the complex as a regular student, the source said. She left a note behind in which she wrote about how she could not bear the pain of the endless Chinese harassment of innocent Buddhists who quietly studied at the institute."

She also left some money that she requested in the note to be handed over the institute, he said.

Strict controls on communication in the region prevented news of the suicide from reaching the outside world at the time.

Plans for destruction

High-level authorities outside the county issued an order to destroy the study center along with individual houses in the complex and reduce the number of Larung Gars residents by about half to a maximum 5,000 people, sources told RFA in earlier reports.

The Chinese plan to destroy around 2,000 dwellings in the complex this year, and more are expected to be demolished next year, one source told RFA in July when the project began.

RFA reported on Aug. 8 that authorities had begun clamping down on telephone calls and messages sent by social media from the area and preventing local residents from entering the demolition site in an effort to limit scrutiny of their destruction of the study center.

Authorities have paid 20,000 yuan (U.S. $3,000) to those whose houses have been destroyed as part of the project, the Tibetan source said.

The institute also provided some compensation to those who lost homes, he said.

The daily routine of study and practice by the monks and nuns has been adversely affected because many of them have had to leave [their homes] without having alternative accommodations, he said.

Many [at the complex] are sharing rooms and helping each through this tough situation, he said.

No resistance

Thousands of Tibetans and Han Chinese study at the sprawling Larung Gar complex, which was founded in 1980 by the late religious teacher Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok and is one of the worlds largest and most important centers for the study of Tibetan Buddhism.

Monastic leaders at Larung Gar have urged the institutes monks and nuns not to resist the destruction of their homes, and the work is believed to have gone ahead so far without interference.

Armed security forces have been stationed at the work site and in nearby counties to discourage attempts at protest.

Rights groups have slammed the government-ordered destruction at Larung Gar, with New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) saying that Beijing should allow the Tibetan people to decide for themselves how best to practice their religion.

Reported by Kunsang Tenzin for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Karma Dorjee. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
An American and an Australian have been abducted in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

Officials said on August 8 that the two were taken from their car by gunmen wearing military uniforms on a main road near the American University of Afghanistan late on August 7.

They are believed to be employees of the university.

U.S. and Australian officials said they were aware of the reports and were seeking clarification.

The kidnapping comes just two weeks after the rescue of an Indian charity worker, who was also taken at gunpoint near her residence in central Kabul.

Three other foreigners who were kidnapped in Kabul in the past year have been released.

An Australian woman, Kerry Jane Wilson, was abducted in the eastern city of Jalalabad in April. Her whereabouts are unknown.

News of the abduction comes just days after the Taliban attacked a group of foreign tourists in western Afghanistan.

The group, including British, American and German nationals, came under Taliban fire on August 4 in the western province of Herat, leaving some of them wounded.

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and dpa
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."
BAKU -- Azerbaijan has shortened a suspended sentence that was handed down to RFE/RL journalist Khadija Ismayilova.

In Baku on August 8, the Court for Serious Crimes in Baku ordered Ismayilova's 3 1/2-year suspended term to be shortened to 2 years and 3 months.

No reason was given for the decision.

Ismayilova was detained in December 2014 and sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison in September 2015 after the Court for Serious Crimes in Baku found her guilty of tax evasion, misappropriation of property, abuse of position, and illegal entrepreneurship.

She was released from custody in May after the country's Supreme Court reversed her convictions on charges of misappropriation of property and abuse of position, but upheld her convictions for illegal entrepreneurship and tax evasion. The court then reduced her sentence to a suspended term of 3 1/2 years.

The case against Ismayilova had been widely seen as retaliation for her award-winning investigative reporting linking the family of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to corruption.


Health officials say the death toll from a natural-gas explosion in Russia's North Caucasus region of Daghestan has risen to five.

The explosion on August 1 at a restaurant in the Daghestani capital, Makhachkala, caused wide concern. The city, and the entire province, has been troubled in the past by violence spilling over from neighboring Chechnya.

But authorities ruled out terrorism as a cause of the blast, which also injured 28 people.

The regional Health Ministry said on August 8 that two women injured by the blast died in a Makhachkala hospital.

Two other women died in a Moscow clinic over the weekend.

The first victim of the explosion, a 15-year-old girl, died on August 5.

According to the ministry, 14 other people injured by the explosion remain in hospitals in Makhachkala and Moscow.

Gas explosions occur with some frequency in Russia, due to aging pipelines and infrastructure, or lax safety standards.

Based on reporting by TASS and RIA Novosti
Eight years ago today, the Putin doctrine was born.

Eight years ago today, the Kremlin learned what it could get away with in its neighborhood.

Eight years ago today, Moscow proved it could pretty much flout international rules and norms with impunity.

Eight years ago today, Russia invaded Georgia.

And in many ways, that five-day war fought in the summer of 2008 was a harbinger.

In many ways, it was a prologue to the world we are living in today.

In many ways, it was a dress rehearsal for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Then, the Kremlin accused Georgia of committing genocide in South Ossetia.

Now, they accuse Ukraine's government of being a fascist junta.

Then, Russia solidified their control over Georgia's Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.

Now, they've annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and de facto occupied the Donbas.

Then, the Kremlin regime pretty much ignored a European-brokered peace agreement.

Today, it is flagrantly and regularly violating a European-brokered peace agreement.

Eight years ago today, the world got a warning that Vladimir Putin was intent on rebuilding Russia's empire in the former Soviet space -- the consequences be damned.

The world didn't heed the warning then.

And now the Georgians, the Ukrainians, and the rest of us are paying the price now.

Keep telling me what you think in the comments section, on the Power Vertical's Twitter feed, and on our Facebook page.

And now the Georgians, the Ukrainians, and the rest of us are paying the price now.

Keep telling me what you think on The Power Vertical's Twitter feed and on our Facebook page.




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."
A former Kazakh consul in India has been found guilty in an illegal visa scheme.

A court in Almaty on August 8 sentenced Rashid Rakhimbekov to 18 months of "limited freedom," which amounts to a suspended sentence with parole limitations.

The court found Rakhimbekov guilty of illegally issuing business visas to foreign nationals while serving as the Kazakh consul in India in 2010-2013.

It also ordered him to pay a fine of 26 million tenges ($73,500).

Rakhimbekov denied any wrongdoing and said he will appeal the ruling.

Based on reporting by KazTAG and Tengrinews


Kosovo's special war crimes court has convicted a former ethnic Albanian guerrilla fighter of war crimes against civilians after the country's war ended.

A statement released on August 8 by the court's international judges sentenced Xhemshit Krasniqi to eight years in prison for crimes committed in 1999 in Albania and Kosovo.

A Council of Europe report in 2010 claimed that leaders of the now disbanded Kosovo Liberation Army were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Serbs, Roma, and ethnic Albanians suspected of collaborating with the Serbs.

The report said this happened during the summer of 1999, after NATO's 78-day bombing forced Serbian forces to withdraw from Kosovo.

The special court staffed with international jurors was set up as a way to insulate the court from accusations of bias from either Kosovars or Serbs.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP
In the wake of deadly flash floods in and around the Macedonian capital, criticism over how the disaster was handled and why more was not done to prevent it is flooding in.

Activists, citizens, and online media are expressing outrage at what they view as the government's slow response, failure to issue warnings as torrential rains battered Skopje and its environs on the night of August 5-6, and neglect of a storm-drain system that could have prevented the flooding that killed at least 21 people.

As recovery efforts continued in the hardest-hit villages near Skopje, the government declared August 8 a day of national mourning. A state of emergency is in place for the next 15 days in the country's northwest.

Most of the deaths occurred on the outskirts of the capital, in the villages of Aracinovo, Smilkovci, Stajkovci, and Singelic. The northwestern municipality of Tetovo was also hit by the torrential rains, causing landslides near several mountain villages.

A video shot in Singelic by RFE/RL's Balkan Service on August 8 shows residents struggling to deal with flood damage.

Many civilians and local media said already bad flooding was exacerbated by clogged storm run-off channels, and a slow response by the authorities.

President Gjorge Ivanov, interim Prime Minister Emil Dimitriev, and Skopje Mayor Koce Trajanovski faced some of these accusations when they visited affected villages on August 7.

Trajanovski, who just five months earlier had told locals in Singelic and Stajkovci that storm-sewerage systems had been reconstructed, found himself being booed when he returned to there on the evening of August 7.

Trajanovski, currently in the middle of his second term, said the floods were a natural disaster and could not have been foreseen. "I don't feel responsibility, just grief," he told media.

The intensity of the floods was unprecedented -- according to the country's National Weather Service, in the course of four hours, 93 liters per square meter fell -- approximately equal to the monthly average for August.

Skopje's city council has decided to award the families of those who died in the floods 180,000 dinars ($3,237), each. But it likely won't be enough to quiet government critics.

A Facade In The Capital

The floods have put the controversial Skopje 2014 revitalization project, which has cost the country upward of 600 million euros ($665 million), in the spotlight.

Both the costs and the results of the project have come under criticism, with international media coining the city "Europe's new capital of kitsch" after the facelift.

Skopje Mayor Trajanovski and President Ivanov, members of the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party, have been the target of much of the criticism.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, they were asked whether they would recommend that money earmarked for their party's latest big Skopje project -- a gigantic Ferris wheel along the river -- be reallocated to help flood victims or to help create a drainage system that could prevent such floods in the future.

The panoramic Ferris wheel is expected to cost more than 18 million euros ($20 million).

Ivanov deflected the question, saying that he had done all he could in his capacity of commander in chief by sending in 400 soldiers to deal with the floods, and that it should be directed to the government.

Skopje's Public Transportation Enterprise, which is behind the project and falls under the mayor's purview, is directly involved in the Ferris wheel project, however, leading to more criticism after Trajanovski remained silent when asked the question.

Journalist Kristina Ozimec expressed outrage on her Facebook account afterward, and called on the authorities to take responsibility. "Now we see where our billions have gone -- everywhere but where they are most needed -- the sewerage system, infrastructure, emergency services, fire fighters...."

For her part, student Eleni Mickovska shared a photo of water sprinklers going full blast in her neighborhood a day after the floods. Some people are living in a parallel universe, she wrote.

Former Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, now head of the VMRO-DPMNE, has also been subjected to mockery after he was filmed giving instructions to government officials about how to handle the post-flood relief efforts.

The video clip posted online has been dubbed "Gruevski's reality show." In the video he is seen questioning the number of food packages and barking orders -- even though he no longer serves as a public official.
A suicide bomber has killed at least 70 people at the main gate of a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan, where lawyers had gathered to honor a prominent colleague who was shot dead earlier the same morning, authorities said.

The extremist group Islamic State and a faction of the Pakistani Taliban issued conflicting claims of responsibility for the August 8 attack that also wounded more than 100 others, many critically, in the capital of the southwestern province of Balochistan.

The bomber struck shortly after the body of Bilal Kasi, president of the Balochistan Bar Association, was brought to the hospital.

Police said most of the victims were lawyers who had gathered at Civil Hospital to honor Kasi, who was gunned down by unknown assailants on his way to Quettas main court complex.

Mohammad Din Kakar, one of the lawyers at the hospital gate, told RFE/RL that he had come to grieve for Kasi and was caught in the blast:

"I arrived [at the hospital] around 9:45 a.m.," Kakar said. "I saw Kasi's dead body, many lawyers were standing around [and] a lawyer asked a policeman on duty not to let people in and to close the doors. Then we walked out and the blast occurred. I lost consciousness after that."

Anwar ul-Haq Kakar, a spokesman for the government of Balochistan Province, said the attack at the hospital appeared to have been "preplanned."

As many as 200 people had gathered at the hospital to pay respects to Kasi when the suicide bomber struck.

Sarfraz Bugti, the provincial interior minister, denounced the attack as an "act of terrorism."

Hours after the attack, there were conflicting claims of responsibility.



The Islamic State (IS) extremist group said that it carried out the bombing. If so, it would be the first that IS has claimed an attack in Balochistan, though it has been behind previous attacks in Pakistan.



Meanwhile, the Pakistani Taliban faction Jamaat-ur-Ahrar also claimed responsibility. The groups spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan, said it would release a video of the bombing soon.

Television footage from the hospital showed scenes of chaos, with panicked people fleeing through debris as smoke from the explosion filled the corridors.

"I was coming for my shift at the office [and] as soon as I reached the gate, there was a blast and people came running out," an unidentified witness told Reuters. "I left my bike there, and as I entered, I saw dead bodies scattered all over the place. There was blood all over. The injured people were covered with blood. "

Many of the dead appeared to be wearing black suits and ties, the traditional uniform of lawyers in Pakistan.

Pakistani lawyers' associations have announced seven days of mourning and a one-day boycott of courts nationwide to protest the bombing.

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has major oil and natural-gas resources but is afflicted by Islamist militancy, sectarian violence between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims, and a separatist insurgency.

Quetta has also long been regarded as a base for the Afghan Taliban, whose leadership has regularly held meetings there in the past.

Pakistani hospitals have been targeted by militants previously.

In 2010 a bomb killed 13 people outside the casualty department of a hospital in Karachi, where victims of an earlier attack were being treated as relatives gathered.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
What a difference a few months can make.

Last November, a day after Turkish jets shot down a Russian Su-24 along the Syrian border, an angry Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out, calling the incident "a stab in the back by the terrorists' accomplices."

His Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, responded with his own chest-thumping and finger pointing: "I think if there is a party that needs to apologize, it is not us. Those who violated our airspace are the ones who need to apologize."

Fast forward to August 9, when Erdogan is to meet in St. Petersburg with the man he called "my friend Vladimir" in an interview with Russian state news agency TASS ahead of the trip. "This will be a historic visit, a new beginning," Erdogan said.

After several weeks of contrite signals like that from Ankara, the Kremlin is confident that Erdogan wants to bury the hatchet and restore what had been a relatively robust trading relationship between the two Black Sea neighbors.

"This testifies that the Turkish partners are indeed interested in the renewal of multifaceted cooperation with our country," Putin's foreign-policy adviser, Yury Ushakov, said -- friendly language that indicates Russia is equally eager to mend ties.

Economic Incentive

Economically, Turkey has largely been on the losing end of the standoff with Russia, which, among other punitive measures, barred its citizens from flocking to Turkey's Mediterranean beaches.

Russians were the second-largest group of tourists, after Germans, and spent an estimated $3 billion in 2014, or around 0.4 percent of the country's gross domestic product, according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), fueling a vital tourism industry.

Russia also banned many Turkish food and consumer goods, cut permits for truck traffic, and took other measures that the EBRD estimated would, taken together, shave between 0.3 and 0.7 percentage points off Turkey's economy over 2016.



By contrast, Russia would see minimal economic impact from the standoff, the bank said.

Turkish leaders "really did underestimate the Russians last year," says Halil Karaveli, a Stockholm-based analyst who heads the Turkey Initiative, a program affiliated with Johns Hopkins University.

For many Turkey watchers, what will matter most is the geopolitics bubbling under the surface of the Putin-Erdogan meeting, along with the attempted coup in Turkey that Erdogan and his allies managed to put down last month.

Both Putin and Erdogan hope to advance their interests -- with each other's help.

"This isn't about one having an upper hand; they're really working in tandem here," says Anna Borshchevskaya, a scholar at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "The coup is helping Erdogan consolidate power, and he is essentially blackmailing the West, moving closer to Putin, and all of this works to Putin's advantage."

Complex Calculus

Turkey's overtures to Russia insert new variables into the complex calculus of Middle Eastern politics, Karaveli says -- particularly where Syria is concerned.

Erdogan has long been a vocal foe of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whom Russia has backed in the more than five-year civil war and saved from potential defeat with a bombing campaign that began in September 2015.

Ankara's opposition to Assad, plus Turkey's membership in NATO, has motivated its involvement in the U.S.-led fight against Islamic State extremists -- and its support for anti-Assad rebels.

But Erdogan, and much of Turkey's security establishment, also opposes the growing prowess of Kurdish militias, whom the United States has relied upon heavily to wage the ground fight in Syria.

That suits the Kremlin, which has given some support to at least one Kurdish militia but would be happy to have a stalemate that would leave the Assad regime in place.

Russia's stepped-up battlefield support for Assad's forces has made that outcome more likely than it looked a year ago, seemingly strengthening Russia's hand and weakening Turkey's. In the TASS interview published on August 8, Erdogan was quoted as saying, "Without Russia's participation it's impossible to find a solution to the Syrian problem."

Also, like Erdogan, Assad fears a stronger Kurdish presence that could result in carving out a state from territory in Syria, along with Turkey and Iraq.

Fraying Relationship

Meantime, the failed coup has created a potential wedge for Russia to use to its advantage against the United States.

Amid a flood of conspiracy theories, some members of Erdogan's government have suggested the United States had a hand in the coup attempt, pointing to the fact that some jets from the Incirlik airbase, where thousands of U.S. troops and dozens of aircraft are housed, helped fuel Turkish F-16 that attacked sites in Ankara during the coup.

In a nod to Moscow, Erdogan went so far as to accuse the pilots who shot down the Su-24 on November 24 of being involved in the coup plot. And Prime Minister Binali Yildirim last week gave voice to the conspiracy theory that American one-dollar bills were somehow instrumental to the coup plotters, including a reclusive cleric living in self-imposed exile in the United States.

"With one American dollar, this organization turned the children of this country into monsters," Yildirim said on August 4.

Comments by the head of U.S. Central Command, who publicly fretted that that mass purges in the Turkish military could weaken the campaign in Syria, also outraged Turkish government officials.

INTERACTIVE TIMELINE: Best Frenemies

Not one to miss an opportunity to turn a foreign crisis to his country's advantage, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov voiced strong support for Erdogan in the wake of the coup attempt -- and likened it to the Euromaidan protests in Ukraine that forced the country's president, Viktor Yanukovych, to flee in 2014. Yanukovych was considered an ally by the Kremlin.

Adding to Turkey's gripes is the cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania and whom Ankara claims was behind the uprising. The United States has repeatedly rebuffed Turkish demands for his extradition.

Worries about a fraying relationship with Erdogan's government was what motivated the top U.S.military officer, General Joseph Dunford, to visit Turkey on August 1.

"This is the subtext...of the meeting" between Putin and Erdogan, Karaveli says: "Demonstrating to Washington that 'Hey, we can also talk to others, you are not our only option.'"

It will serve a similar purpose where Europe is concerned, says Lilia Shevtsova, a Moscow-based analyst with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Grappling with millions of refugees fleeing war-torn Syria and elsewhere, European leaders brokered a deal to earlier this year that essentially pays Turkey -- around $6.8 billion -- to accommodate the refugees, primarily from Syria.

Erdogan "understands that the West is dependent on him, and it cannot fight back. America needs NATO bases in Turkey and its membership in the alliance," she wrote in a commentary on her Facebook page. "Europe is even more dependent, for it is Erdogan who has built a wall that will save the Europeans from millions of refugees."

"If he wants to open the border, then what will Europe do?" she said.

With reporting by Reuters and TASS
Serbia's prime minister-designate said his new government will include an openly gay minister for the first time in the conservative Balkan country.

Aleksandar Vucic said on August 8 that his future public administration minister, Ana Brnabic, 40, does not hide her sexual orientation and he is aware it may draw public attention in a country where gays often face harassment.

Vucic said he is "only interested in her results" and added that he is looking forward to working with her.

"Her personal choices do not interest me. She is welcome in the Serbian government," he said.

Serbia's Gay Straight Alliance hailed the choice as a "historic decision."

Vucic's center-right government is expected to be voted into office by the end of this week, more than three months after an April 24 snap election.

Vucic's government has pledged to boost gay rights as it seeks to join the European Union. More than 80 percent of Serbia's 7 million people are Orthodox Christians.

At Belgrade's gay-pride march in 2010, hard-line nationalists attacked participants and clashed with police, wounding 150 people and prompting officials to ban the parade for the next three years.

Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP
Prominent Turkish satirist and comedian Gulse Birsel was just in Europe -- this time for five days. She writes how "bored" she was, and how she couldn't wait to return to her beloved Istanbul.

"Enough Parisian croissants and European monotony, we are addicted to adrenaline," she writes in the daily Hurriyet. "How can Europe make us feel happy? Within seconds following an argument, she says of Turks, "we hug and kiss each other, cry out of happiness.

"Then we start discussing politics, and fight and insult each other again."

She's right. Forget about Turkey's EU-accession talks, which are on hold anyway. Forget about Turkey's membership in NATO, boasting the second-largest army in the alliance. Things in Turkey are not so cut and dry as to take cooperation as a sign of future unity.

As satirist Birsel describes Turkey, from the top down many of its people can be seen as emotional, unpredictable, and not so reasonable and calculated, at least not in the Western sense (and much like Italians or Greeks might have been perceived 50 years ago). This characterization seems to fit whether you are talking about the president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is well-known, respected (in Turkey), and feared (abroad) for being "autocratic," or the lowly grocer around the corner.

Let's not look away and pretend we were not aware of this. The average Turk is now suspicious of the West, especially of the United States. Many think Washington was behind the terrible, bloody coup attempt in July. Don't ask why. They feel they have tons of proof that U.S.-based Turkish preacher Fethullah Gulen is the mastermind of the coup. And the United States' purported reluctance to immediately hand him over to Ankara as requested, and following of protocol that passes the case to American courts -- which could take years -- means the Turks are angry at their Western and NATO friends.

Many Turks are concerned about the territorial integrity of their country because they see it as being threatened by Kurdish insurgency both within Turkey and across the border -- in Iraq, but especially in Syria. And they are angry because they think the United States and Europe are not doing anything to counter it. On the contrary, they believe, the United States is even helping the Kurdish "terrorists" in northern Syria. Turks generally have no objections to the Kurds fighting in northern Syria as long as they stick to defeating Islamic State (IS) extremists. But many believe this is not the case, that the Kurds are fighting to expand their territory, and that Kurdish involvement is bad for Turkey because the Kurds fighting in Syria are an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) -- which is banned in Turkey and which many Western states consider to be a terrorist organization.

On August 7, hundreds of thousands of people attended a huge Democracy And Martyrs rally in Istanbul to promote unity among political parties and to honor those killed during the failed coup attempt.

It was not only Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) that mobilized people to attend the rally. A majority of the other political parties, NGOs, and nonpoliticians showed up to show their opposition to the coup and their support for parliamentary democracy -- even those critical to Edogan.

Again, let's not look away, assuming that Erdogan is just appealing to the masses in an attempt to strengthen his power base. Yes, he is. But this time around it is clear that the masses are with him -- he is not alone, or backed only by supporters within his own party, but by many Turks from across the political spectrum.

Ask around 50 people in Turkey, as I did in the last week, and this reality becomes obvious. And it is not only the average person -- this is what I am seeing in the Turkish media, and in the words of political and public personalities.

To win the hearts of an old friend -- in this case, Turkey -- one would have to address their needs. For Turks this means extraditing Gulen from Pennsylvania to Turkey to stand trial as the mastermind of a coup that brought Turkey to the edge of complete collapse, and actively helping Turkey reduce the danger posed by Kurdish insurgency, especially in northern Syria, which is seen as an existential threat.

I know this is easier said than done, and involves a litany of legal issues over Gulen's extradition, strategic issues with Syria, IS, etc., etc. But let's not forget Turkish satirist Birsel's brilliant description of how her countrymen fight and/or agree with foes and friends.

I am afraid the West's adrenaline-addicted friends in Turkey will not wait too long for their demands to be met.

In the aftermath of the huge show of power and support exhibited in Istanbul on August 7, Erdogan is set to leave for St. Petersburg, where he will meet a friend-turned-enemy-turned-friend-again -- Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Turkish president will likely be doing some comparison shopping as he seeks foreign backing. And Putin can be expected to be more open to agreement with Erdogan -- with fewer caveats -- at the moment than the West.

But the Russian president won't have much to offer his newly regained Turkish friend in terms of immediate help, either.
6 Members of the Czech Muslim community attend a mass at the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord in Prague. The mass and rally were held to condemn terror attacks in Europe. (epa/Filip Singer)
Virginia State Police are searching for a suspect involved in a double hit and run in Mathews County in early June.

Jerry T. Fisher, 46, of the 900 block of Islington Road, in Warsaw, is wanted for two counts of felony hit and run, two counts of felony malicious wounding, felony destruction of property and two counts of misdemeanor reckless driving.

On June 3, around 11:15 p.m., Fisher was driving on Pine Hall Road when he hit a pedestrian on the roadway with his vehicle and fled the scene. Shortly after, Fisher fled to Mathews High School where he was involved in a confrontation with another victim. Fisher rammed his vehicle into that victims vehicle.
In the fall of 2013, a group of local parents saw a gap in the Richmond areas educational landscape with which they werent too thrilled.

There were plenty of schools to choose from, but what they wanted for their children was an affordable, coeducational Catholic high school close by.

So they decided to go out and create one of their own.

We all believe in the importance of a Catholic education, that it be affordable, and that it prioritize real learning, wonder and joy, said John OHerron, an attorney and one of the schools founders.

So we began talking to everyone we knew about it  who was interested, how to get started, the model to follow, etc.

The outcome is Cardinal Newman Academy, an independent school whose educational foundation is based on the teachings of Catholicism.

Cardinal Newmans board of directors is planning to open the school in the fall of 2017 with a single class made up of at least 10 to 15 freshmen. The school will then add a grade per year, with the first class graduating in 2021.

For now, the school does not have a location, but the board is looking at several properties to rent. The idea, OHerron said, is to find a church that has classroom space available on weekdays.

Once Cardinal Newman is better established and on firmer financial footing, the school will move into its own building.

The board also is holding a national search for a head of school who will begin work in the next several months and who will be able to help get all the needed pieces in place. And plans call for the school to have three full-time staffers and use professionals as adjunct teachers.

OHerron said last week that the board is hoping to raise an additional $150,000 by next summer. The board is not saying how much it has raised so far.

***

For now, Cardinal Newman will not be officially designated as an independent Catholic school by the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.

Deborah Cox, a spokeswoman for the diocese, said the process has not even begun for Cardinal Newman to be recognized within the organizations Office of Catholic Education.

That, however, does not mean the school will not be sanctioned one day.

In 2014, Bishop (Francis X.) DiLorenzo decided he would leave it up to his successor to make that determination, since Bishop DiLorenzo is nearing retirement, Cox said.

The schools founders say that not having the official blessing of the diocese does not change its plans or the fact that it will offer its students teachings based on Catholicism as well as rigorous academics.

OHerron said the schools mission will be, like a sanctioned school, to provide students with a Catholic education that, he said, is a marriage of faith and reason.

The faith of our church is true. It is just as true as science and math, thats what we believe. The faith of our church is beautiful, its good, it has done tremendous good for the world, it does tremendous good for young people, he said.

Children, students, are formed to know the truth, are formed to be able to communicate effectively, to write well, to think. Not that they just know how to think, know how to read and know how write, but to know what is that theyre thinking, reading and writing about. Those things matter.  A Catholic education should combine those two things.

The board says it chose Cardinal John Henry Newman, a 19th-century religious leader in England, as the schools patron because of his commitment to education.

***

One of the ideals pushing Cardinal Newmans founders is a belief that a Catholic education is so important and so uniquely formative that it needs to be easily within reach for all families.

If you believe what the church says about education and about our faith, it needs to be accessible, OHerron said.

Right now, there are three Catholic high schools in the area: Benedictine College Preparatory, St. Gertrude High School and Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Catholic School.

Benedictine is a Catholic military school for boys in Goochland County, and St. Gertrude is an all-girls school in the city.

Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Catholic School is a coed pre-K-12 school. But its in Powhatan County, making it too far out of the way for many families in the metro area.

The Cardinal Newman board commissioned a feasibility study in 2014 to see if other parents saw the same need they had identified.

The study found that parents in the area who were interested in sending their children to Cardinal Newman had been considering non-Catholic schools because of a lack of options.

But it also found that the school would fill a particular void and would improve and expand education options without negatively affecting existing Catholic high schools.

Parents, the study concluded, yearn for more high school choice and believe a coeducational option is needed.

As the report shows, the Richmond Catholic community is overwhelmingly interested in an additional coed, affordable high school choice, OHerron said. We aim to fill that need and from the extensive research we have done, we think we have both the academic and business model to succeed.

Anne Kennon has a son and a daughter attending St. Benedict Catholic, a school in Richmond serving children through the eighth grade.

For years, the family had planned to send Will, a rising eighth-grader, to Benedictine for high school. But that changed when the school moved from the citys Museum District to Goochland, which is too far away for the North Richmond family.

Kennon said that left them out on a limb and wondering what were going to do with our son.

Cardinal Newman is now an option, she said.

Im interested in it because its something thats going to be closer to home and still has a Catholic foundation, said Kennon, who likes the founders approach. I can tell theyre doing it the right way, asking parents what they want and where they want it, and how much theyre willing to pay.

As for their daughter, Scout, a rising sixth-grader, she still wants to go St. Gertrude. But Kennon said they may consider sending her to Cardinal Newman when the time comes.

***

For OHerron, Cardinal Newman is a personal venture as well as a mission.

He is the father of four children  with a fifth on the way  and comes from a family with nine siblings.

As a child, he and the sister born right after him went to school together, and that helped bond them as siblings, he said. He wants his children to share a similar experience.

So the first (goal) was that I want my kids in the same school, he said. It wasnt some deeply held ideological passion about single sex versus not. It was more about practicalities.

Plus, starting a school from scratch was not a foreign concept for him.
This week, we head under the streets to get to the bottom of why some Richmond city streets sometimes smell terrible.

QUESTION: Why do some streets in Richmond randomly start smelling foul periodically throughout the summer?

 A co-worker

ANSWER: Its because of Richmonds antiquated sewage system, which was state-of-the-art when it was built.

In parts of Richmond, Lynchburg and Alexandria, stormwater and wastewater flow through the same pipes to wastewater treatment plants. Unfortunately, that means a lot of the things that get flushed down the drain end up going directly into the Chesapeake Bay watershed during times of heavy rainfall.

That also means the storm drains have to behave a bit like the kitchen sink. Drains still within the combined system have water traps like the U-pipes under sinks to block sewer gases, Bob Steidel, Richmonds director of public utilities, has said.

If those traps go dry, those gases escape the pipes and rise to greet passers-by.
UPDATE:

Assembly hearings set for U.Va. on $2.2 billion investment fund Legislative leaders plan two hearings to allow the University of Virginia to explain its $2.

State lawmakers critical of the University of Virginias new Strategic Investment Fund are attempting to pull rank in their call for a detailed financial accounting of how $2.3 billion came to be amassed.

The fund, which has dipped in value to $2.2 billion, was created in February as a way to generate an estimated $100 million annually to finance new programs for the university and its medical center.

The lawmakers sent a letter Monday to President Teresa A. Sullivan and Rector William H. Goodwin Jr. citing state code that the rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia shall be at all times subject to the control of the General Assembly.

The university cant claim exemptions under the state Freedom of Information Act in complying with their requests, including for presidential working papers, the lawmakers contend.

The letter signed by 11 delegates and senators from both parties complained that their initial inquiry received a less-than-adequate response one week ago from Patrick D. Hogan, U.Va.s executive vice president and chief operating officer.

His response and a commentary written by Goodwin have done nothing to alleviate our mounting concerns, the letter says.

Among signers are Sens. J. Chapman Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, and William R. DeSteph Jr., R-Virginia Beach, and Dels. Lionell Spruill Sr., D-Chesapeake, and Timothy D. Hugo, the House Majority Caucus chairman from Fairfax.

The lawmakers said they want information on individual, not aggregate sources for the fund, and questioned why UVIMCO has been placed off-limits regarding our requests for information and documents.

UVIMCO, the University of Virginia Investment Management Co., manages more than $7.9 billion in investments for U.Va. and its foundations, including the new strategic fund.

Certainly, we appreciate the scale of our legislative requests but they are commensurate with the enormity of the fund in question, the letter states. Given the gravity of the matter at hand, you are not free to define or limit your responses to parameters of time, subject, or personnel that may better suit the universitys interests.

The university did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

However, George Keith Martin, a former board member who preceded Goodwin as rector, defended the fund in an online column Sunday for The Washington Post, calling it a bold step to enhance the quality of the student experience.

The effort furthers the work of the board in 2015, when it increased the spend rate on the endowment to devote more funds for financial aid to make a university education more affordable, Martin wrote.

Our goal should be to enhance  not just maintain  excellence, Martin wrote. His column appeared in the same forum that sparked the feuding when his predecessor, Helen Dragas, last month called the money a slush fund to be used on pet projects rather than lowering tuition.

But Martin pointed to consistent best-value ratings to argue otherwise, including a recent ranking by Money magazine that found U.Va. to be among the most affordable nationally.

Martin, a Richmond attorney who was U.Va.s first African-American rector, also pointed to the universitys top ranking in the graduation rate for black students.

He said he is proud to be associated with an institution that shuns mediocrity and embraces excellence.
It looks like nothing was found at this location. Maybe try a search?

Search for: Search
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
For the 32nd year, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College in Clifton Forge hosted the Field Ecology Summer Regional Governors School from June 13 to July 8. Eighteen students from 10 middle and high schools in the DSLCC service area learned about ecology by studying nature outdoors rather than in the classroom. The students examined forests and wildlife throughout the highlands of Virginia and West Virginia.

The highlight of the first half of the program was a three-day primitive camping trip to the Laurel Fork region of Highland County, where the Governors School continued its long-term monitoring of the salamander population of the area. Students captured, identified, and released 178 salamanders during a day-long study at eight elevations.

In the second half of the program the Governors School investigated forest ecology, with a three-day camping trip to Morris Hill near Lake Moomaw, and additional trips to Roaring Run in Botetourt County and the Cranberry Glades in West Virginia. The participants learned how to identify and measure trees to assess forest diversity and quality.

The program also included trips to Douthat State Park in Bath County, Virginia, Gaudineer Knob and Scenic Area in Randolph County, West Virginia, and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia.

During the four weeks of the Governors School, participants photographed, identified, and researched local flora and fauna to produce an electronic field guide for each of the two sessions.

Jane DeGroot, biology teacher at Covington High School, and Susan Rollinson, former chemistry and environmental science instructor at DSLCC were the instructors. Danielle Dulaney, a 2008 graduate of Alleghany High School, is a biology teacher in Stafford County and was assistant instructor for the Governors School. Cody Daugherty, a 2014 graduate of Alleghany High School and current pre-med student at Bridgewater College, was a mentor-aide for the course.

Students are invited to participate based on their interest, maturity, and potential for excelling in biology. To be considered, a first-time participant must be a rising 9th or 10th grade student in the DSLCC area. In early March science teachers, guidance counselors, and local gifted education teachers and administrators encourage qualified students to complete an application. Home-schooled and private-schooled students are welcome to apply provided that they are residents of Virginia. The Governors School is one of twenty Summer Regional Governors Schools sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education, local school divisions, and host schools, such as DSLCC.

The Governors School website (www.fieldecology.org) has more information photos of this years activities.

Anyone wishing to learn more about the Governors School or provide input on future activities is invited to contact their local gifted program administrator, Jane DeGroot at Covington High School, or Susan Rollinson at amrollinson@gmail.com.

Submitted by Judy Clark
In front of a class of Roanoke police recruits, therapist Mendi Keatts told family members to try not to worry if their officer sometimes comes home silent.

A lot of times the reason an officer doesnt want to tell a family member some of those things is they want to protect us, said Keatts, who works for Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare. They want us to be innocent of some of those things, and happy, and able to go through life without some of those worries and concerns.

But if the new recruits decide not to share some of their experiences, they still need to communicate, Keatts husband added. Keeping silent can easily be misconstrued as keeping secrets, Lt. Stephen Keatts said.

Im very honest with Mendi. I dont tell her everything, he said.

And I have learned that thats OK, she said.

The class aims to equip newly minted officers and their families with ways to cope with the stressors that the profession can bring to relationships. Long hours, potential dangers and new behavioral traits can be difficult for family members to handle, especially if the officer used to work a 9-to-5 job.

The couple started offering the class about six years ago, Mendi Keatts said. The department already was warning spouses to expect changes after their partner went through the academy, but family members werent hearing the message from someone who had experienced those changes firsthand.

I asked if they would consider letting me doing it, so it could be wife-to-wife, she said.

The Keattses have gone on to teach the class in several other states.

Its just a lot of tips on how to better communicate and monitor whats going on, Mendi Keatts said. Learning what normal is, stress-wise, so we know when its gone beyond normal. Or just a change in whatever the coping skill is. Just being aware of whats going on with him, even when hes not saying anything.

The session also reminds officers to keep their loved ones anxieties in mind.

Keatts said family members may worry when they notice that the new officer is hyper-vigilant or has trouble relinquishing control of everyday situations. Coming home late without warning can lead a partner to believe their officer is in danger, rather than simply held up by job-related duties.

An hour is really no cause for concern to be calling 911 and saying Wheres my husband?  which is a no-no anyway, Keatts said. But three hours, you havent heard anything, its hard for anybody not to worry at that point.

In some cases, an officers attempt to defuse tension with humor can lead to frustration. A bawdy joke can cut tension at a stressful crime scene, but it may not be appropriate during family outings, Stephen Keatts said.

She has to reel me in sometimes, and thats OK, he said. Thats part of the balance of the relationship, is having that person give you that nudge  Throttle back, honey. Sometimes we dont realize where we are, and we need that check system.

The Keattses say attendees should connect with other law enforcement families. Above all, they need to dedicate themselves to supporting each other, Stephen Keatts said.

A relationship, marital relationship or otherwise, only works if both parties are committed to it, Keatts said. Any one-sided proposition leads to failure.
SOUTH Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has shipped life-saving kit to Portugal in response to a plea from volunteer firefighters.

Dozens of pallets of unwanted tools, clothing, hose reel fittings, ropes and lines were sent to the Albufeira service.

SYFR group manager Andy Strelczenie said: The equipment weve donated had reached the end of its operational life here, but its brilliant that it will continue to be put to use by our international colleagues.

Firefighting is a profession which knows no borders and when the request came to help our colleagues overseas, we were only too happy to help.

Nine in ten firefighters in Portugal are self-funded volunteers who rely on equipment donations. The Albufeira fire service serves a large area of the Algarve.

Nuno Correira, from the Albufeira service, said: We are so grateful to our friends in South Yorkshire for this equipment.

It will be hard for people living to the UK to appreciate what a donation like this means to firefighters in Portugal.

Its completely overwhelming and the equipment really will make a big difference, not just to firefighters in Albufeira, but across the whole of the region.

SYFR has previously donated obsolete equipment to Kashmir and Moldova, while officers have delivered training in Ghana and parts of eastern Europe.
One of the most promising developments for the global diamond and jewelry industry over the past year was the foundation of the Diamond Producers Association (DPA). Established by ALROSA, De Beers, Rio Tinto Diamonds, Dominion Diamond Corporation, Lucara Diamond Corporation, Petra Diamonds Ltd and Gem Diamonds Ltd, and led by industry veterans, it targets a rise in consumer demand for diamonds and diamond jewelry.

Led by Chairman Stephen Lussier, a long-time senior De Beers executive and President of the diamond giant's Forevermark brand, and CEO Jean-Marc Lieberherr, formerly head of Rio Tinto's diamond division, the DPA recently outlined its much-awaited campaign strategy and slogan at a special presentation at the JCK Show Las Vegas following six months of in-depth work. The slogan that the DPA has selected is "Real is Rare. Real is a Diamond".

The DPA's marketing strategy targets so-called Millennials  aged between 18 and 35  who the DPA feels have not been targeted by diamond jewelry advertising and are not aware of the diamond industry's messages regarding precious gems. The DPA initially started out last year with a $6 million budget but with widespread comments that the figure was nowhere near large enough, that figure is being doubled, Lussier told the JCK presentation. The DPA presentation followed six months of work, including in-depth research into millennial buyers.

Lussier said the DPA's target was to bring "the diamond dream" to a new generation and get them to take on board and accept the symbolic and emotional role diamonds can play in their lives. Meanwhile, DPA CEO Jean-Marc Lieberherr spoke of three goals for the campaign: to create an ongoing emotional connection with current and future diamond consumers, to construct trust and confidence in diamonds and the gems trade, and to develop further the diamond trade's business practices from mine to market.

The presentation spoke about millennial consumers' "double-edged diamond perceptions", with an ambivalence about diamonds. They have a reluctant attitude to diamonds, seeing them as part of past generations' desires and do not want diamonds imposed on them.

On the other hand, diamonds could fit with millennials' desire for real connections and real experiences since their digital lives were missing real human connections. Stephen Lussier also stressed the value of diamonds being inherently rare, precious and having enduring value, as opposed to lab-grown stones.

The Millennials campaign is part of the DPA's wider aim of creating demand among consumers for diamond jewelry and for polished diamonds across the world. The aim is to create a ripple effect throughout the industry: higher demand for diamond jewels will mean bigger sales of polished stones by traders and manufacturers to jewelry makers and others.

The body was set up after the world's main diamond producers realized that diamond jewelry was being left behind in the race for consumers' disposable income across the world, especially in the United States and Europe, as the public developed a taste instead for smartphones, tablets and fancy vacations. There has been no program of unified worldwide generic promotion of diamonds and jewelry since De Beers decided around eight years ago that it was no longer in a position to spend around $200 million annually on advertising diamond jewelry on behalf of the global trade.

With De Beers' share of the global supply of rough falling to less than 40% in recent years from 80% just 20 years ago, and before that for around 100 years having almost a total monopoly on rough supply, the giant miner came to the conclusion that it was no longer its role to serve as the industry's custodian. Instead of promoting diamonds generically, it decided to slash its marketing budget and concentrate instead on its Forevermark brand. It is estimated to spend around $100 million per annum on marketing Forevermark.

The DPA's unveiling of its campaign to target millennials  people born between 1980 and 2015  including extensive surveys and focus groups conducted by its marketing firm, Mother New York, came as little surprise. Millennials are being targeted by many different industries and new research and campaigns are an almost daily occurrence judging by the global media coverage of the topic.

However, there is a huge gulf between creating a campaign and actually succeeding. Although millennials are potentially an enormous market, they are also a difficult one to crack and with many potential problems. They have generally graduated into a tough and uncertain economic climate. In the United States, stories are legion of student debts putting new graduates into a precarious period of some years while they live frugally and try to pay off the debts. They are faced with considerably more debt and fewer job prospects than their parents' generation. Consequently, they are less likely than previous generations to own their own home and more likely to feel about their financial prospects. Ironically, however, despite the financial constraints, they are generally optimistic and upbeat.

Regarding diamond jewelry specifically, research finds that millennials consider diamond jewelry as being too formal and that diamonds may appear to their peers as being rather blingy and ostentatious. The millennials value experiences rather than material possessions and when they do buy something, they want it to have a significant personal meaning.

As Thomas Henry, a senior strategist with Mother New York told JCK Online: If you think about the fact that they are living in an oversaturated world, they are desperately seeking these moments of meaning, which are few and far between, what they love about diamonds, and what we heard over and over again, is the authenticity. [Diamonds are] a product that they still believe carries authenticity, they are from the earth, they are very rare. That is an exciting opportunity. The way that millennials live their life now opens up a lot of space for diamonds, he concluded. It is just a very different space than diamonds used to occupy through most of the 20th century.

Clearly, it is still a little early to draw any conclusions about the success or otherwise of the Diamond Producers Association project. However, it is an excellent sign for the industry that it is aware of the need for such a grouping and created a professional staff to start the process.

By our Israel correspondent Abraham Dayan






Diamcor more than doubles Q2 revenue Diamcor generated gross revenues of about $3 million from its operations in the interim period ended September 30, 2022, compared to $1,4 million for the same period in the previous year. The company is still conducting trial mining exercises at its...

IBJA commits to Declaration of Responsibility & Sustainability Principles The Indian gold industry has signed a Declaration of Responsibility and Sustainability Principles, convened by the LBMA and the World Gold Council, which expresses a commitment to operate responsibly and sustainably, based on a clear set of shared goals...

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.
Malabar Gold & Diamonds is enhancing its jewellery manufacturing capacity in Qatar by expanding facilities at its Al Nazha Gold Jewellery Factory in Dohas Ain Khaled area. The factory, which started operations in 2013, will be renovated and latest machinery will be added in order to meet gold jewellery requirements in Qatar.

Starting with 15 employees and a limited production of 360kg, Al Nazha Gold Jewellery Factory has today reached a production capacity of 960kg with about 40 employees running the factory.

The factory is the fourth of its kind by Malabar Gold & Diamonds in the GCC region and 11th globally. The factory covers around 2,000 sqft and an additional 1,100 sqft is to be acquired as part of the expansion.

Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished






To mark its 50th golden jubilee anniversary, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) presented Jewellers for Hope Charity Dinner event in association with De Beers as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.Praveenshankar Pandya (Chairman, GJEPC), Bruce Cleaver (CEO, De Beers Group) and Russell Mehta (Vice Chairman, GJEPC) hosted several jewellers, celebrities and prominent personalities during the black tie sit-down dinner event. As part of its corporate social responsibility, GJEPC, in association with De Beers, made significant contribution of $0.15mn to two NGOs  Swades Foundation (rural empowerment) and Friends of Tribal Society (tribal welfare).Praveenshankar Pandya, Chairman, GJEPC, said, Jewellers for Hope showcases the humane aspects of the gems & jewellery sector, which contributes significantly to the country in terms of human capital and key economical indicators. The Jewellers for Hope annual charity dinner signifies GJEPC's commitment towards the betterment of all sections of society."De Beers is committed to ensuring that diamonds are transformed into economic wealth, bringing with it lasting improvements in the quality of life and wellbeing of everyone touched by its businesses. As such, much of what we achieve in this field is delivered through collaborative initiatives, and we are pleased to see our partners sharing our ethos and undertaking their own highly effective initiatives, helping to amplify the great work that is done by the broader diamond industry," - Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said."At De Beers we call this 'Building Forever' as we believe diamonds have the power to catalyse immutable and enduring positive changes in the world."33 leading manufacturers and 260+ leading Indian retailers present at the gala dinner pledged their support to the society for commitment to good causes, besides talking business.
The World Diamond Council (WDC) will hold its next annual general meeting in New York on September 7 - 9, Rapaport reported.

Issues to be discussed include the current agenda of the Kimberley Process (KP) and the implementation of the WDCs first-ever strategic plan. Delegates will also talk about the WDCs planned new communications platform aimed at positioning the group as the industry's voice to respond to issues related to the KP and conflict diamonds.

The meeting will also focus on the upcoming KP plenary meeting taking place later this year in Dubai.

The AGM will be hosted by the newly formed United States Jewelry Council (USJC), the body that brings together the views and actions of the U.S. jewelry trade associations regarding responsible and sustainable sourcing.

The sessions will start on the afternoon of September 7 with the first of two WDC board of directors meetings. Maurice Tempelsman, chairman of the board of Lazare Kaplan International, will deliver the keynote address on September 8, joined by a number of high profile speakers from the diamond industry and government.




Dominion Diamond Corporation announced that its former chairman and chief executive officer Robert Gannicott passed away at the age of 69 on August 3.

Gannicott was a director of the company since its inception in 1992. He was chairman of Dominions board from June 2004 until April 2016 and held the position of CEO from September 1999 to July 2015.

It is a sad day at Dominion, said Brendan Bell, Dominions CEO. Bob Gannicott was a visionary and a pillar of the Canadian diamond industry. He built the company from the ground up, taking it from a junior mining company to what is it is today as Canadas largest independent diamond producer.

Bob was an exceptional leader as well as a good friend and mentor. He will be deeply missed by all who had the good fortune to work with him and to know him.

Gannicott led the business through its growth following the companys discovery and founding of the Diavik Diamonds Project in 1994 and 1995, through to the acquisition of the luxury diamond jewelry brand Harry Winston.




Japan will on Monday release June figures for current account, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The current account in May showed a surplus of 1,809.1 billion yen.

Japan also will see July figures for bank lending, bankruptcies and the eco watchers survey. Lending was up 2.0 percent on year in June, while bankruptcies fell an annual 7.4 percent.

The eco watchers survey for current conditions is expected to show a score of 43.0, up from 39.9 in June. The outlook is pegged at 41.5, up from 39.7.

Australia will provide July data for job advertisements in June; job ads advanced 0.5 percent on month.

China will release July numbers for imports, exports and trade balance. In June, imports fell 8.4 percent on year, while exports lost 4.8 percent and the trade surplus was $48.11 billion.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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.
Industrial production from Germany is due on Monday, headlining a light day for the European economic news.

At 2.00 am ET, Destatis is slated to publish Germany's industrial output for June. Economists forecast production to expand 0.9 percent on a monthly basis in June reversing a 1.3 percent fall in May.

At 2.30 am ET, the Bank of France is set to release sentiment survey results.

At 3.00 am ET, the Czech Statistical Office releases industrial output and trade figures for June. Economists forecast production to rise 2 percent annually in June.

In the meantime, Turkey's industrial production data is due. Production is seen rising 0.6 percent month-on-month in June following a 1.6 percent rise in May.

At 3.15 am ET, the Swiss Federal Statistical Office is set to issue consumer prices for July. Economists expect consumer prices to fall 0.3 percent annually after easing 0.4 percent in June.

At 4.30 am ET, Eurozone Sentix investor confidence data is due. The sentiment index is forecast to rise to 3.6 in August from 1.7 in July.

At 5.00 am ET, Greece consumer prices are due. Prices had declined 0.7 percent year-on-year in June.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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.
Editors Pick

Oil major Exxon Mobil Corp. reported Friday a profit for the third quarter that soared from last year, reflecting sharply higher upstream and energy product earnings. Adjusted earnings per share for the quarter topped analysts' expectations, while quarterly revenues missed them.

Seattle, Washington-based Amazon.com Services LLC is recalling Amazon Basics Executive Desk Chairs, citing fall and injury risks, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The recall involves about 11,400 units of the Amazon Basics Executive Desk Chair.

Shares of Swiss Re AG were losing around 3 percent in the morning trading in Switzerland after the reinsurer reported Friday a net loss in its third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2022. The results were hurt mainly by weakness in Property & Casualty Reinsurance or P&C Re segment. Going ahead, the company still expects it is unlikely to reach its Group ROE target of 10 percent in 2022.
#Justice Party Former Justice Party leader Lee Jeong-mi elected for 2nd term Lee Jeong-mi, a former chief of the minor progressive Justice Party (JP), was elected Friday for a second term to lead a major reform of the party reeling from recent election rout...

#KBO Heroes reach Korean Series after eliminating Twins in KBO postseason For the first time in three years, the Kiwoom Heroes will be playing in the South Korean baseball championship series. Former big leaguer Yasiel Puig homered and knocked in two ...
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 ...
By SA Commercial Prop News

The trustees of the China Town Trust have expanded China Town by taking another 690m of space in the centre



Now well into its second year of trading at Sable Square, the trustees of the China Town Trust have expanded China Town by taking another 690m of space in the centre, and turning it into ten additional shops, leading off the popular restaurant precinct on the square.

This was the second China Town to be opened by the China Town Trust, the first was in Ottery over five years ago and most recently a third was opened in Parow at the Shoprite Centre in Voortrekker Road.



Between the three centres there are now in excess of 160 traders, all of whom have employed at least one local person, if not two, and together with security staff, cleaners and management, over 400 permanent jobs have been created.



China Town Sable Square continues to be a very popular shopping destination for customers from all walks of life, says Steve Kruger, a trustee of the China Town Trust.



China Town is open seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm. The stores stock a wide range of goods, from clothing to toys, electronic goods, food, home ware, and much more, said Kruger.



The China Town concept is here to stay, he said. Shoppers continually seek more value for money and a large variety of goods in an exciting and secure environment. When these centres were originally opened sceptics didnt believe the concept would work, the thousands of feet that pass through each centre each week prove that this is a popular way to shop.
Youve heard about this story.

Its about our governments unwavering insistence that the residents of Sogi - that relatively peaceful seaside community on the Mulinuu Peninsula where theyve been living for so many years - were told they would be evicted and then relocated to an inland community called Falelauniu.

It all began in early May this year. That was when the residents of Sogi received a letter from the governments Samoa Land Corporation (S.L.C.), which warned: Today is the last day of the 30-day notice, given to you to relocate.

Asked for a comment at the time, an S.L.C official said: We will abide by the law as stated in the Letter of Eviction. Thats all I can say for now. Until further notice.

But a Sogi resident, an older man who asked not to be named, was bluntly defiant.

Whatever decision the government will come up with, we are not going anywhere, he said.

This is where we belong and this is where we will stay.

He went on to say he had been told about the governments Letter of Eviction, but then evicted or not, it does not matter, it would not change anything.

We are aware of the consequences but we will stay here until they come and move us away.

And then an elderly mother, Tala Leiataua, who said she has been living in Sogi all her life, made it quite clear she would rather not move anywhere.

Please let us stay on this land, she begged, and it was quite clear that the person she was addressing was none other than Prime Minister, Tuilapea Sailele Malielegaoi.

She repeated: Please let us stay on this land. Our ancestors worked hard to level this swamp for us during the German colonial times, so this is where we belong. Please, we want to stay.

However, should the government insist on evicting her and her family, Tala said: I will ask the government to dig a hole and throw us all in there.

Id rather die and be buried in the land my ancestors had passed down to us, so were ready to face the consequences, Tuilaepa.

She went on to remind: This is where Ive lived all my life, and this is where Ill be buried. This is where we belong. This land is our grave.

That was two months ago.

Last week, a Samoa Land Corporation (S.L.C.) officer revealed that during discussions with Sogi residents, the majority agreed to relocate, except one family.

The officer asked not to be named.

But the one family who is not going anywhere is that of Nanai Tokuma, a well-respected Samoan leader whose forebears were among Sogis original settlers.

Asked for a comment, Nanai told the story about how his family got the land the government is now trying to evict them from.

He said it was when his father was accused of the death of a businessman and now he was about to be hanged for murder.

I remembered vividly when our father said goodbye to us with his hands already handcuffed, he explained.

He was about to be executed. His hands were already tied, there was a rope around his neck, and a piece cloth was covering his face.

And then as he was walking towards where he would be hung, two Chinese men ran up and told the Police that they were the ones who had killed the businessman.

My fathers life was spared. He walked out a free man while fighting back tears from his eyes, right in front of us children and our mother. And that was why we were offered this land where were living on now.

This land was given to our father, the late Tokuma Torurae, by the late Mataafa Faumuina Mulinuu II, the first Prime Minister of this country.

And as he did, he said to my father: No go live on this land with your children; the government cannot afford to pay for what we owe you. Now the land is yours forever.

And last week, Nanai Tokuma said: Thats why weve been living here. And now after all these years, the government is telling us to go away, but where to? We have no money to do that.

Its a poignant story all right. It is so sad you just cant help thinking that just listening to it even a tyrant would break down and cry.

Just a thought anyway.
To all Designers,

Dress Designers design a dress with the imagination and a picture already in his or her head. Its like fabricating a story of how a designer wants to portray and express ideas by creating the dress, with a purpose and satisfaction.

Elegance

The woman who wears the dress should feel good and confident in it. She also plays an important role in portraying the dress by adding her own unique personal touch. Elegant is something that cannot be sewn into the dress. Its about the woman in the dress, the way she wears it and how she wears it, tasteful and dignified in appearance.

She is the draw card of attention that attracts interest to the dress. To quote Fashion Icon Coco Chanel: Look for the woman in the Dress, if there is no woman, there is no dress.

Kaftan - Tropicalising the Kaftan

Kaftan has been in the Pacific including Samoa, for over fifty years. It has its own story and originality. By adding our own motifs - elei prints, leaves, flowers and vibrant colours - makes it our very own style. We dont modernise the Kaftan, we blend in our ideas into the Kaftan

To Young and Upcoming Designers: Congratulations to the Young Designers of Samoa. There is so much potential show - cased in your fashion night at Taumesina Hotel.

Tips/Advise - Go with the flow! Just do it with a passion and tap into your ability to explore that pool of ideas. And utilize what you already have then go with the flow! Its a bigger world outside of Samoa - explore it. And as far as Fashion is concerned - Fashion come and go but Style remains yours. As Coco Chanel says In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.

Joan Laugutusuamalie Tamasese
The Samoa Cancer Society is $1,500 better off today thanks to the Pacific community in the Sultanate of Oman, Middle East.

Last week, Omega Malelega Hilbron presented the money on behalf of the Australians and New Zealanders in Oman (A.N.Z.O) committee.

The Societys Executive Officer, Shelley Burich accepted the donation.

The funds are part of the proceeds from the annual A.N.Z.O ball which brings together over 400 members of the organization to celebrate Pacific cultures and communities, said Mrs. Hilbron.

The Samoa Cancer Society was selected as one of our beneficiaries this year along with other Charities in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji.

I am immensely proud to be able to bring something back from the A.N.Z.O community in Oman, towards the work of the Samoa Cancer Society in Samoa.

The work of Samoa Cancer Society is extremely important and we are proud to support this cause.

Many were involved in the ball and fundraising activities that resulted in this donation, these include A.N.ZO members, sponsors and friends who made it all possible.

The presentation was the first opportunity Mrs. Hilbron has had to visit S.C.S and in her own words, she said: I am so happy to learn so much more about the good work that the Society does for our people, not only in Samoa, but in New Zealand too.

I now want to tell my expatriate friends back in Oman, that we need to fundraise for even more funds next time, to help our Cancer Society here at home. Mrs. Burich expressed her gratitude.

Its amazing and exciting to know that the Samoa Cancer Society (a small NGO out in the Pacific Ocean) is being recognised for its work for cancer patients, all the way out the Middle East, she said.

A.N.Z.O stands for Australians and New Zealanders in Oman.

Its members are made up of Kiwis and Aussies and recently includes Pacific Islanders and families who work and live there.

A.N.Z.O is run by a committee of volunteers who organize events throughout the year for the A.N.Z.O community.
The Oloimanu Juvenile Center has gone full circle since it was established by government five years ago. Today you just need to visit Oloimanu to see that Warden Taefu Niko Vili Ifopo and his team have done wonders with the 300 acres allocated for the Center to rehabilitate the young offenders.

Oloimanu is literally running out of land from the vast agricultural investments spear-headed by the veteran law enforcer.

We have planted the entire 300 acres with pineapples, taro, coconuts, manioka, bananas, and hopefully cocoa and coffee once the Ministry of Agriculture gives us the OK to be part of the Stimulus Package to revive cocoa, coffee and coconuts, said Taefu.

We even have our own tilapia fish farm. And afforded more resources the possibilities of intensifying live stock farming such as piggery, poultry, sheep and cattle are endless.

And its blessing to have our with Ministers (Tialavea Fea Leniu Tionisio Hunt) support and lead to take Samoas Prison and Correctional to the next level and be self sustain when it comes to food supplies.

Labour is not an issue as we have over 60 able bodies, added Taefu explaining that under the Centres code, the juveniles are called students or intakes and not inmates. Seven of our students are now in charge of the 100 acre taro plantation at Tanumalala where the new prison complex will be constructed.

That is the plan that once the new prison is commissioned, we will have the capacity to feed over 600 inmates reducing the reliance of public funds.

And Prison Minister Tialavea with his Associate Minister Sooalo Mene agrees that the need for more land is genuine.

The current budget allocates $300,000 for the prison services food supplies, noted the Minister. That alone cannot sustain the 600 inmates at Tafaigata and Oloimanu not to mention the big island of Savaii 12 months years.

So the need to subsidize and improvise is authentic.

The priority is for Prison and Correctional to meet its own needs on its own.

And once that is accomplished the next phase is the revenue generating partnership with other government agencies, hotel and retail shops, says Minister Tialavea.

Cattle farming is now a priority and we are in the process of tapping into the Prisons Savings Account to buy more cattle to complement the herd of 20 left. The Savings Account by the way are revenues from sales of agricultural crops grown by prisoners.

The investment is that once we are on full swing with all the resources available, the prisons will be able to independently generate dire revenues not only to meet their needs but also to fund rehabilitational activities to ensure that once they walk out of the prison doors, they have hope to become asserts and not liabilities to our society.
The young people of Samoa who are looking for acceptance through drugs, alcohol, gangs and all sorts of bad outlets have a choice.

They can choose to make something good of their lives because thats what their purpose is.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, James Katina, of the Katina Brothers, said the young people of Samoa have a bright future but some of them need to change their paths.

I have been hearing about gangs, gang violence and gangs forming in Samoa, he said. Its disappointing because this is not the Samoa that I know of. The Samoa I know of is full of young people who are respectful, obedience and they care for others.

According to James, people turn to gangs for a number of reasons.

I believe that gangs are formed through trying to find acceptance. Maybe theyre going through some trials at home with a disconnect between parents and their kids, fathers and their sons.

So the message that we would like to inspire them with is that they dont need to join a gang to be accepted. Theyre already accepted by God for who they really are.

The Katinas are in Samoa for the National Praise Festival which ended on Saturday night. The brothers performed on Friday and the last night, sharing their testimonies with hundreds of young people who turned up.

We do anything that we can do as brothers to inspire not just through our music, James said.

What we sing about or try and speak or preach; its really the lifestyle that we try and live on a daily basis.

Thats our message to what has been going on here in Samoa as of late; pertaining to gangs and so on. We want them to know that God loves them and you dont have to prove anything.

Another message the Katinas promoted is that God has a plan for everyone.

Sometimes as Polynesians we feel like we come from a small island group so maybe the opportunity for us are limited but we want to remind our brothers and sisters especially here in Samoa that God has an amazing plan, said John.

It was a treat to be with the young people at N.U.S. and it felt like we were staring into the faces of leaders; obviously not just for the future but leaders of today that will shake this nation to do amazing things.

To be amazing inside the church and outside the church; we want to remind the people of Samoa that we can do all things through Christ.

On Saturday night, the Katinas message was backed up by the Chairman of Youth For Christ, Leota Kosi Latu, who reminded the young people of Samoa that they are sons and daughters of the living God.

You can try and find an identity in anything in this world but it will still leave you empty until you accept Jesus Christ into your life, Leota told the crowd.

The Bible tells us that before you were born, before you were even conceived, God knew exactly how he was going to bring you to blessings.

Leota highlighted Gods grace and his love.

Gods love supersedes anything.

Parents need to share the same love with their children.

If you show and demonstrate your love to your children, they will not need to find it somewhere else, Leota said in addressing the role of parents.

Tell them that you love them, its not enough to say that she knows or he knows. The solution is here in the WordGod affirmed his son, here is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased.

The Festival was coordinated by the Youth for Christ (Y.F.C) organization along with its partners in the public and private sectors, communities and churches.

The Youth for Christ Mission and Vision is to reach out to the young people of Samoa. The Youth for Christ is not a church but an organisation that focuses on the young people of Samoa,

The young people are the future of our nation and that is our mission - to bring together the young people of this nation because it matters to God.
The Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Seigafolava, has denied claims taxpayers had to fork out to pay $80,000 on a 2016 Ford Everest he used at the beginning of the Parliamentary Sitting.

The Minister needed a vehicle as the previous Minister of Revenue had taken his ministerial vehicle when his term ended in March.

During an interview with the Samoa Observer, Tialavea confirmed the acquisition of the 2016 Ford Everest, which was intended to be his new Ministerial vehicle.

However, it was later returned to Ford Samoa while he used the Ministrys Chief Executive Officers Toyota double cab pick-up truck.

When I became the Minister, there was no official vehicle to use because the former Minister had taken it, said Tialavea.

Then the vehicle (Ford Everest) was used and intended as my Ministerial car but there were some changes.

Some (Ministers) felt that we (Ministers) should use double pick-up while C.E.Os could use Tucsons. That is why it (Ford Everest) was returned and I used my C.E.Os pick- up."

Asked how much the rent cost, the Minister said he doesnt know.

I dont know about the rent cost. The market price for a 2016 Ford Everest is $144,000 tala.

According to Tialavea, Cabinet has not enforced the changes of Prado to double pick-ups yet.

He said the decision is pending.

There is a view that pick ups would not be suitable for Ministerial positions, he said.

But I feel more comfortable with a pick up than a Prado. In the end, however, we listen to Cabinet decides then that is what should be done.

Under Cabinet policies, Ministers have the luxury of Toyota Prados as their ministerial vehicles.

But Tialavea said he prefers a pick up because his portfolio requires him do inspection in Oloamanu and other prisons.
Think a minuteA famous painting shows a king making a chain from his crown, and a slave making a crown from his chain. Underneath the painting are these words: Life is what one makes it, no matter of what it is made. We each were born with certain abilities, but it is up to us whether we fully use them or not. Are you making the most of what youre made of? Do you give it all youve got?

A young man I know named Bob was born with ordinary abilities, but he is living an extraordinary life because of his self-discipline, courage, and faith. When he was only 15-years-old Bob battled cancer for several years. He and his family had to move to another city where the hospital and doctors specialized in childrens cancers. But Bob never gave up! Eventually he won his fight against this deadly disease.

In school Bob always had to work harder in his studies than other students, yet he went on to attend one of Americas top universities. After graduating from university, he had to study harder than ever to qualify for medical school. But again, Bob did his part and gave it all he had. Today he is a medical doctor who plans to help the sick in poor Third World countries.

How about you? Do you respond to your challenges like Bob? In your life do you give it all youve got? Remember, its not how well you start, but how well you finish that counts. When you die, the question is not How big was your house?, but How big was your heart?. How well did you play your God-given part?

Remember, God will do for you what you cannot do for yourself, but He will not do for you what you can do. You must choose to play your part and give all youve got to your character, your marriage, your children, your job and career, your studies, etc. But it all begins with giving all youve got back to your Maker, so He can help you make the most of everything He gave you. From this day forward, wont you ask Jesus to take full charge of your heart and way of living? His way is the only way you can make your life all He intended it to be. Just think a minute
SINKING SPRING, Pa. (AP)  A couple featured in news stories about their difficulties getting medication for a daughter who had a heart transplant were found shot to death in their home along with their three children in apparent murder-suicide, authorities said.

District Attorney John Adams said a handwritten note that "appeared to be a 'murder-suicide' note" was found in the family's Sinking Spring home Saturday afternoon. Police said they found all five dead of gunshot wounds and a handgun near one of the adults, but they didn't say which one or say who they believe was the shooter.

"This is an apparent tragic domestic incident," Adams said Sunday. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families at this difficult time."

Police went to the home to check on the welfare of the family after receiving a call from a relative concerned that the woman had not shown up for a lunch date. Mark Short Sr., 40; Megan Short, 33; and their children  8-year-old Lianna, 5-year-old Mark Jr., and 2-year-old Willow  were found dead in the living room, Adams said. A dog also was found dead.

The district attorney's office said the married couple had been having "domestic issues." In an April 13 post on Philly at Heart , Megan Short wrote of her emotional struggles over her child's condition.

When only days old, Willow had a heart transplant for a congenital defect. Her family was featured in articles in The Reading Eagle in 2014 and in The New York Times last year about her condition and the Shorts' difficulties obtaining anti-rejection medication for her.

In the post on the website devoted to families dealing with congenital heart issues, Megan Short said anxiety over her daughter's condition had left her with post-traumatic stress disorder. She said she suffered from "anxiety and nightmares" triggered by smells, hallways or even the beeping sound of a phone. She also said she experienced "survivor's guilt" when children with similar problems from other families passed away.

"I don't think PTSD ever truly goes away but, with therapy, medication, and the right support, I have begun to loosen its grip on me," she said. "As I work on my own mental healing, I wanted to share my experience so that other heart parents know they are not alone."
A woman who is at the heart of a sex allegation against the former Secretary General of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa, Rev. Dr. Afereti Uili is on the run.

Earlier this year a defamation case was filed by Rev. Uili in the Supreme Court following an article in a local newspaper regarding sex allegations involving him.

The matter was referred to mediation and was successful.

The lawyer for Rev. Uili, Semi Leung Wai yesterday asked the Court to list the mediation agreement as a judgment of the Court.

However, the Chief Justice, Honorable Patu Tiavaasue Falefatu Sapolu made it clear that he could not enter a judgment by consent with the absence of the woman involved.

The lawyer for the woman, Alalatoa Rosella Papalii told the Supreme Court yesterday that she was having a hard time locating her client.

Unfortunately I havent had any success in locating the defendant who seems to be on the run, said Alalatoa.

I have left countless messages with her to get in touch with us and also the contact peopleshe has not turned up.

Unhappy with this, Mr. Leung Wai reminded the Court that yesterday was the last adjournment date and there was no sign of the defendant.

On 10th June there was a mediation and were trying to list it as judgment with this honorable Court, said Mr. Leung Wai.

We had filed proceedings with counsel (for defendant) and it was mentioned on 5th July. The problem is my client in this matter. The decision of this Court will decide his position in church.

Chief Justice, Patu, ruled that the Court cannot give judgment by consent without the defendant to say she gives consent.

Mr. Leung Wai argued that the woman had already wasted too much time and he too was unsuccessful in serving her.

He told the Court that it was the duty of the lawyer for the defendants role to inform her client on the proceedings of the Court.

Sympathetic towards Mr. Leung Wai, Alalatoa said she understands his frustration but it is difficult for her as she has had no luck in locating the woman.

We did send someone to her residence in Afega but shes not there.

The Chief Justice said it is unfortunate that the plaintiff has had trouble in serving the defendant.

It is the obligation of the plaintiff to effect service on to the defendant, he said.

Counsel is only an agent but she is not the defendant. The defendant is the principal and if the defendant does not agree or authorize service to be effective on counsel who is only an agent then the agent has no authority to accept service on the client who is the principal.

He ordered an adjournment for the 22nd August for Alalatoa to file withdrawal as counsel and for the unfortunate plaintiff to effect service on to the defendant.

Asked outside Court about the mediation agreement, Mr. Leung Wai declined to comment.

He said the agreement is confidential.

He was also asked about the defamation case and details.

In response he said they are workers of God and do not seek money but only to clear his clients name.

During the General Assembly of the C.C.C.S. in May this year, the former Secretary General was stripped of his key position in the church administration over the sexual allegations.

The decision was made by the Elders Committee before the court proceedings began.
Get Ya Yum On manufactures a range of unique grain free bread with flavours including Tandoori, Pesto Herb and Garlic, and Linseed Chia and Raisin Cinnamon spice.

The mixes are made in Australia and designed by Kiwis, Jo Linney, Jeremy Faumuina and Shelley Gibb-Faumuina.

In an interview with two of the three founders of the Get Ya Yum On Jeremy and Shelly Faumuina they said the whole idea of the product was to help educate girls at the Samoa Victinm Support Group (S.V.S.G.) and provide life outside of the shelter to learn skills that will enable them to start a new life and help bring change to the next generation and to stop the cycle of abuse.

I have been part of the S.V.S.G. for the last six years and I brought my sister with me on one of the trips. She fell in love with Samoa instantly on her first trip, but we have both grown up alongside Samoans and she just had a heart for Healthy Living with Humanity and came up with this, said Shelley Faumuina.

We run a Home Stay programme here in Samoa which we launched last year. We take girls from the shelter that have been there for a while to bring them to New Zealand for three months for the Home Stay programme where they get to experience something more than the four walls and a wider fence.

[And] so the whole idea and we started last year and it was going really well we will be bring another two girls next month.

This little cost is where the idea of the bread mix came along and we thought of how do we keep this sustainable long term and so we thought, what if we start a business where it will help Samoa and help the girls who come to the Home Stay programme.

Jeremy Faumuina said their work here is specifically about bringing awareness to the forgotten children.

Under Samoa Alofa, an initiative based out of N.Z., we work alongside S.V.S.G, he said.

We have a vision that victims of violence and sexual abuse should be well supported, safe and in control of restoring their lives.

So we are part of S.V.S.G.s Global Team and travel to Samoa five times a year where we continue our ongoing work in building relationships with the most vulnerable members of the Samoan community.

All of whom are survivors of sexual and domestic violence and are housed within S.V.S.Gs shelters. Many of the babies in the shelter are born from incest or rape of the young girls.

The Home Stay programme is a long-term commitment where they will continue bringing girls to New Zealand for 3-12 month stays. According to Jo Linney, the third founder of the Get Ya Yum On the vision behind the bread mixes is not just about the bread itself but about the why behind the brand.

Being brought up in a multicultural community I had friends from all walks of life but my closest friends were predominantly Samoan.

I loved the people and I loved the culture, they used to call me their akeha cuz, but these days I would be called a sister from another mother!

My sister Shelley and her husband Jeremy have been working alongside S.V.S.G. for some years now in advocating and bringing awareness for the children of Samoa to speak out against sexual and physical abuse and to help bring change, hope and a future for these beautiful kids.

The House of Hope Shelter in Apia Samoa was founded by Lina Chang and this amazing woman has provided a place of safety for many victims who through no fault of their own, have been victimised and abused, some from as early as 2 year olds.

Many of these children and young girls come into the shelter pregnant having been raped, abandoned, or tossed out by their family or village due to the shame of being pregnant and the perpetrators remain protected.

She went on to say that 50 percent of all profits goes to work alongside Samoa Alofa Trust and S.V.S.G. to help fund a sponsorship programme in Aotearoa, New Zealand to help educate the girls and provide life outside of the shelter to learn skills that will enable them to start a new life and help bring change to the next generation and to stop the cycle of abuse.

We want you to know that every pre-packaged Get Ya Yum On bread mix you buy, you are sowing into a life to restore what has been stolen from these kids.

This is our story this is where it begins, we know you will love our bread and we want to thank you in advance for helping us be a voice to the voiceless.
The new Minister responsible for Prisons who is also the Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tioniosio Seigafolava is a man of strong faith and belief.

He needs to be.

Tasked with overseeing the building of a new prison at Tanugamalala, the Ministry has an allocated $1 million from Government, less than a quarter of the targeted amount of $10 million needed for the project.

The Minister believes it is not impossible and he and his Associate Minister are depending on prayers and donor funds.

You pray to God, said Tialavea.

At the end of the day, prayer is all we have. We have $1 million for the preparations and we are hoping to secure funds.

We prepare papers and submit them to Cabinet who have the authority to make decisions.

There are developments that started with $5 tala like the National University and with that as an example, we can do the same.

The relocation of Tafaigata prison to Tanugamalala is for the construction of eight buildings including a medical clinic and a rehabilitation center.

We were given $1 million from the budget for the preparation of the prison, said Tialavea.

That was to prepare the roads, electricity, water and other thing. At the moment we are currently looking for funds to fund the actual prison buildings. According to Tialavea, Prisons and Correctional Services were given a total budget of $5 million for this financial year.

From that amount, $1 million goes towards prison preparations, nearly $3 million goes to wages while $360,000 is allocated for food at prison for the 12 months.

The Minister stressed that while prayers go a long way, the building of the prison is crucial.

Everyone knows about the urgency of the prison, he said. We need it to be done.

Some of the issues in the prison project have been securing donors and funding.

Last year the Chinese Embassy expressed interest in building the fence for the prison.

But things have changed.

There were talks with them to build the fence but their priorities have changed, said Tialavea.

They have instead offered to build the Police Academy.

It was not possible to get an official comment from the Chinese Embassy yesterday.

An email sent to Chinas ambassador third secretary, Liu Peng was not responded to by press time.

A new cement fence for the prison at Tafaigata will be lifted four meters up and wired on the top.

Meanwhile, the prison continues to be overcrowded with about 400 prisoners and an additional 70 others on remand.

Tialavea explained that there are only 53 staff handling the prisoners with 20 of them being sworn in. The other 30 unsworn officers are running the administration and rehabilitation works.

As to how the Authority handles the overcrowded prison, Tialavea said culture is the answer.

Its run like a village where there is an elderly matai who looks after each cell, he said.

We cannot move away from our culture and it has shown that it workswe cannot afford more staff.

At the moment, a building committee has been selected to deal with the project.

The sketch of the prison has been completed but is yet to be submitted and approved by Cabinet.

Tialavea said the Samoa Water Authority, Electric Power Corporation and Land and Transport Authority are working on roads to the allocated land as well as trying to take water and electricity to the area.

A tract of 550 acres has been put aside for the facilities.
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/08/2016 -- Broadcast switchers are hardware components used in video transmission process. Switchers are the integral part of the video broadcasting and used in film or video production for selecting or switching different audio and video signals coming in from different sources. Switchers are of different types such as production switchers, routing switchers and master control switchers and are used in control rooms, remote trucks and so on.



The increasing consumer demand for broadcasting major programs including music concerts and live sporting events in HD format requiring equipment to add special effects has resulted in the growing demand for production switchers worldwide. In addition, with increasing demand for higher quality video, the broadcast industry has seen an increase in HD satellite broadcast subscribers globally. HD channels have seen steady growth and with increasing digital transmission, the number of HD channels is expected to grow from 4,500 to 7,547 at a CAGR of 9.0% from 2013 to 2019.



Complete Report with TOC @ http://www.mrrse.com/broadcast-switchers-market



ITU (International Telecommunication Union) has mandated the conversion of digital television broadcasting globally because of its spectrum efficient transmission technology. Digitalization allows broadcast stations to provide more programming opportunities through multiple broadcast streams with improved picture and sound quality. In 2006 at Geneva, at a conference of the ITU, 120 countries signed a treaty to migrate to digital television. In accordance with this treaty, African, European and Middle-East regions have to migrate to digital television before June 17, 2015. Countries of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) sub-region are working to adopt a common implementation plan for digital transition. This is expected to boost the market for broadcast equipment and, in turn, broadcast switchers deployed in them. Different countries in South America including Chile, Columbia and Venezuela are expected to adopt digital transmission by 2020. In addition, the Arab countries and CIS countries (Commonwealth of independent states) such as Ukraine and Belarus are also moving towards the transition from analog to digital terrestrial broadcasting and are expected to adopt digital transmission in mid 2015. Countries such as Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Libya, Syrian Arab Republic and the United Arab Emirates among others are expected to show greater market opportunity in near future.



The report includes segmentation of broadcast switchers market by type, application, number of ports, type of ports, video resolution, and by geography. Further, it provides current and forecast market size and volume for the aforementioned categories. Cross sectional analysis for the type of broadcast switchers and geography segments is a part of the scope. Factors influencing and inhibiting the growth of the market have been analyzed. Porter's five forces analysis covered in the report offers insights on market competition.



The adoption of digital technologies is slow due to the heavy infrastructure required to enable digitized broadcasts. The switchers are used only as a part of broadcast equipment. Moreover, establishing new broadcast facilities involves huge capital investment for purchasing broadcast equipment such as camera control units, lighting equipment, cables, digital audio mixers, converters, controllers, on-field audio recorders, encoders, mobile video studios, video conversion software and most importantly switchers or vision mixers. Thus, the small private broadcasters that operate over-the-air find it difficult to enter into the market, thus restraining the market growth. But the cost of digital equipment is expected to fall during the forecast period. Hence, the impact of these factors is high at present but is analyzed to be medium to low throughout the forecast period.



Request a Free Sample Copy of the Report @ http://www.mrrse.com/sample/728



This study includes profile of key players in the market and the strategies adopted by them to sustain the competition. Recent developments and barriers of the market will help emerging players to design their strategies in an effective manner. The study is expected to help key players in broadcast switchers market to formulate and develop their strategies.



About MRRSE

MRRSE stands for Market Research Reports Search Engine, the largest online catalog of latest market research reports based on industries, companies, and countries. MRRSE sources thousands of industry reports, market statistics, and company profiles from trusted entities and makes them available at a click. Besides well-known private publishers, the reports featured on MRRSE typically come from national statistics agencies, investment agencies, leading media houses, trade unions, governments, and embassies.
New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/08/2016 -- According to the latest market report published by Persistence Market Research, titled "Europe Market Study on Foodservice Disposables Distribution Systems: Impelled By Increasing Number of On the Go Consumers, Coupled With Rapid Growth of the Quick Service Restaurants, Over the Forecast Period 2016 - 2022," the europe foodservice disposables distribution systems market is estimated to be valued at US$ 1,590.9 Mn by the end of 2015 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 4.9% over 2016 - 2022 in terms of value, to reach a market value of US$ 2,225.2 Mn by 2022.



The Europe (U.K. Spain, France & Switzerland) foodservice disposables distribution systems market is driven by increasing adoption of the on the go lifestyle and increasing initiatives taken by the various food disposables manufacturers to introduce food disposables with creative designs. Moreover, collaboration of various distributors with manufacturers that offer foodservice disposable products is another key factor expected to drive market growth of the food service disposables market in the region over the forecast period.



Thinking about report: Please observe the beneath the hyperlinks to satisfy your necessities; Request for the Report sample : http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/10807



On the basis of type, the Europe foodservice disposables distribution market has been segmented into tableware disposables, finger food disposables, and durable plastic glasses. The tableware disposables segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 85.8% in 2015 and is projected to maintain its dominance through 2022. Increasing number of cafes and takeaway formats is supporting the segment growth in the foodservice disposable distribution system market. The tableware disposable segment is further sub-segmented into plates, bowls & tubs, cutlery, trays and containers, and cups and mugs. The plate segment accounted for the significant share in 2014 and is estimated to be valued at US$ 732.2 Mn by 2022, expanding at a CAGR of 5.5% over 2016 - 2022.



On the basis of end use, the market is segmented into hotel & other accommodation facilities, restaurants, cafe and bistros, bars & pubs, clubs, institutions, and foodservice providers/caterers. The restaurants segment is estimated to account for the highest value share by 2015 end and expected to remain the most dominant segment over the forecast period. The restaurants segment was valued at US$ 341.5 Mn in 2014 and is estimated to be valued at US$ 526.8 Mn by 2022, expanding at a CAGR of 5.6% over 2016 - 2022.



In terms of distribution channel, the market has been segmented into wholesalers, hypermarket/supermarkets, cash & carry, logistic providers, distributors, and online. The cash & carry segment is projected to exhibit the highest growth over 20162022. The cash & carry segment was valued at US$ 326.3 Mn in 2014 and is estimated to be valued at US$ 494.9 Mn by 2022, expanding at a CAGR of 5.3% over 20162022.



The report provides in-depth information about the various trends driving each segment and provides analysis and insights about the foodservice disposables distribution system market in specific countries.



The U.K. market accounted for the significant volume share of 42.6% of the Europe foodservice disposables market in 2014.



Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/europe-foodservice-disposables-distribution-systems-market/toc



Key players in Europe foodservice disposables distribution system market that are covered in the report include Dispo International, EFG Foodservice, First Pack, Go-Pak Group, ITP Imports Ltd. (Discount Wholesale), Mashers, MBS Wholesale Ltd, Party & Paper Solutions Ltd., Pattersons UK, and Sustainable Disposables Trading BV (SD Trading).
London, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/08/2016 -- Flight delays and cancellations plague business executives and individuals around the world with extreme wait times, plan changes, and hardships. According to the European Guideline 261/2004, flyers deemed to wait more than three hours, or those resulting in flight cancellations may qualify to receive compensation. A new website, FlightDelayCompensationNow.co.uk, recently launched to assist people throughout the United Kingdom claim compensation for their hardships due to delayed and cancelled flights.



Flight Delay Compensation Now has helped millions of people throughout the U.K. and Europe suffering from excessive wait times and unexpectedly cancelled flights receive compensation for their hardships. Claims are handled on a "No Win, No Fee" basis, eliminating the concerns associated with hiring an attorney to file a suit.



"There is really no reason why an airline should need to cancel or delay a flight without proper reimbursement or compensation to their customers," says Martin Jones, CEO at Flight Delay Compensation Now. "Flight delays and cancellations put a severe hardship on these customers  missing business meetings, events, and reducing vacation times with their families. At Flight Delay Compensation Now, we vow to help ease the burden for our clients who have suffered from excessive wait times and unexpected cancellations through appropriate compensation as deemed by law."



There are protocols, procedures, and steps to qualify for flight delay and cancellation compensation, however. Individuals interested in learning more about the steps and qualification required to claim compensation are encouraged to visit the company's website, which offers in-depth information on legal rights according to European Guideline 261/2004, how to file a claim, and approximately how much compensation a claim may be awarded.



For more information about Flight Delay Compensation Now, visit http://www.flightdelaycompensationnow.co.uk or call 0800-634-8668.



CONTACT:

Martin Jones

Flight Delay Compensation Now

Address: Farnsworth Court, 1 W. Parkside, London, SE10 0QF, UK

Phone: 0800 634 8668

Email: contact@flightdelaycompensationnow.co.uk

Website: http://www.flightdelaycompensationnow.co.uk
Panama -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/08/2016 -- Kegeratorfactory.com, a premier site that offers comprehensive information on a variety of kegerator models has recently published a buying guide and review on best kegenerators that are currently available on the market. This particular site is considered by many as the ultimate destination for obtaining useful information and unbiased reviews on kitchen appliances of different brands.



The website's spokesperson divulged that their company has a team of experts who frequently monitors kitchen appliance reviews. he added that its experts conducts thorough analysis on the machines quality, endurance and style before publishing the information. He also added that its team helps customers make an informed buying decision and find the best appliance that will meet their requirements.



At kegeratorfactory.com, consumers will only find appliances that have good ratings. The information provided at the site revealed that the experts ratings are based on their hands-on experience with these appliances and the experience of customers. The information provided at the site added that its experts do not rate any appliances that are too new to have a track record, or where information are inadequate for the team to form a practical opinion. The ratings offered at the site will provide consumers with an idea of the overall quality of the kegerator models, which is extremely vital for making an educated buying decision.



The experts have provided details about the functionality, features, and pros and cons, of each of the kegerator models. The information and reviews provided at the site will help consumers to choose a model that will best suit their needs. The kegerator reviews published at the site will also help consumers learn about how each models works and compare each of the models. The reviews offered at by this particular site have helped many people find the right appliance that serves them aptly, thus meeting all areas of concern, along with efficiency and budget.



In addition, kegerator are quite expensive, so consumers will want to make sure that they find the right model that will serve their requirements and budget.



About kegeratorfactory.com

Kegeratorfactory.com is a premier site that offers comprehensive information and reviews of top kitchen appliances that are currently available on the market.



http://www.kegeratorfactory.com/



CONTACT MEDIA:

kegeratorfactory.com

http://www.kegeratorfactory.com/

PANAMA, PANAMA
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/08/2016 -- Natural gas causes half the amount of pollution as that of coal for power generation, which makes it an increasingly popular energy source. In the liquid state, natural gas can be stored and transported over long distances, which contributes to expanding the supply and enhance energy security in the long run. Liquefied natural gas accounts as the main alternative to piped gas for regions or countries that are not connected by pipelines.



Browse Report with Full TOC at: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/liquefied-natural-gas-market.html



The liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry though relatively new, now is an indispensable part of the global energy market, says a new report from Transparency Market Research. Liquefied natural gas trade has increased exponentially in the last two decades and is expected to double in the forthcoming years.



Q. How economical is the use of LNG in place of natural gas?



A. The use of LNG in place of piping natural gas has high-cost implications. This is mainly related to the special terminals required for the liquefaction and regasification processes. The construction of specialty infrastructure is very expensive, which is the reason for their limited number across the world. According to the International Gas Union, currently only 28 countries across the world have regasification terminals, although some more are under development.



Q. What is the demand scenario of LNG in Europe?



A. The LNG market in Europe is characterized by decline in the domestic consumption and an even more rapid decline in domestic production. Due to the recent economic slump, the region is largely dependent on imports, which is likely to increase in the near term and in the long term. Other than this, the recent drop in gas prices complemented with their abundant supply and a weak global economy has led to the diversion of LNG supplies to Europe.



View exclusive Global strategic Business report: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=484



As per the estimates of the International Energy Agency and the European Commission, this trend is expected to continue in the forthcoming years. The emergence of new LNG suppliers and the increasing probability of U.S. shale gas being exported as LNG will further reshape the energy landscape in Europe.



Q. What are the advantages of LNG in the industrial sector?



A. The use of LNG as an operational fuel across a host of industries offers numerous advantages. Industrial processes require significantly large quantities of distillate fuels, thus the transition from conventional fuels to LNG can help in significant capital saving for industries. The use of LNG for various industrial equipment such as drilling equipment, mining equipment, and industrial boilers is cost-effective and is emission-free. In many parts of the world, governmental regulations mandate the use of LNG in the industrial sector to curb greenhouse gas emissions.



Q. How has the Panama Canal Expansion Program benefitted LNG trade?



A. In a significant industry development, the U.S. has shipped its first LNG cargo via the expanded Panama Canal. The use of this canal has reduced the distance between export plants located along the Gulf of Mexico and Asia from 16,000 miles to 9,000 miles. The Maran Gas Apollnia tanker of Royal Dutch Shell that was loaded at the Sabine Pass LNG export plant of Cheniere Energy located in Louisiana is scheduled to arrive at the Panama Canal on July 25, 2016. This opening of this trade route will add a new dimension to the LNG export capacity of the U.S.



About Transparency Market Research

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.
Sandy, UT -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/08/2016 -- Main Street Heating & Cooling, a full-service HVAC company based in Salt Lake Valley, provides emergency HVAC services to local customers when they need it most. Whether an air conditioner is on the fritz before the family BBQ or a heater breaks down just before the holidays, Main Street Heating & Cooling representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer the call and quickly restore clients' comfort.



Breakdowns do not follow a schedule. Thankfully, though, Main Street Heating & Cooling makes a customer's emergency, their emergency. So, at night, over the weekend or on holidays, the Main Street Heating & Cooling team quickly dispatches a technician and provides comprehensive service. Always responding promptly to after-hours calls, the company's uniformed team arrives in well-stocked vehicles to complete a heating or air conditioning service in Salt Lake City, UT and the surrounding communities, on the spot.



Even more, when customers call Main Street Heating & Cooling, they will not enter a maze of voice-activated prompts. Instead, a company team member personally answers the phone during business hours, and responds promptly to after-hours emergencies. So, homeowners can rest easy knowing that if they experience a sudden breakdown or if they're simply tired of temperature extremes from room to room, the Main Street Heating & Cooling team will get their HVAC unit up and running in a timely fashion.



"We don't want anyone to suffer through a hot summer day without air conditioning," said Owner Douglas Sheneman. "That's why our emergency services are designed to keep our customers from ever being anything but comfortable in their homes."



Founded on over a decade of HVAC experience, Main Street Heating & Cooling is built on budget-friendly solutions and unparalleled service. Committed to customers' comfort and safety, the company's mission is to provide speedy, responsive HVAC expertise that is tailored to customers' budgetsand superior in every way.



For more information about Main Street Heating & Cooling, their commitment to their customers, or to schedule an appointment, residents and business owners of Salt Lake City, UT and its neighboring towns are encouraged to call the company at 801.208.9565. Interested individuals can also learn more on the company's website at http://www.mainstreetcomfort.com.



About Main Street Heating & Cooling

Serving residential and commercial customers throughout Salt Lake Valley, Main Street Heating & Cooling assists customers with all of their HVAC needs. From furnace and AC repairs, to system installations and inspections, the company's licensed technicians deliver innovative, energy-saving solutions to ensure that Utah homes and businesses are always comfortable.



To learn more about Main Street Heating & Cooling, visit them on the web at http://www.mainstreetcomfort.com.
Colorado Springs, CO -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/08/2016 -- A renowned provider of fireplaces in Colorado Springs, Western Fireplace Supply provides fireplace installation and services at the market's best rates. These services are rendered by their team of highly-skilled and experienced fireplace installers who have been working in this industry for many years. They are skilled in the latest tools that are needed for installing fireplaces properly and efficiently. Those planning to fix masonry or gas fireplaces in their homes can trust them to provide one-of-a-kind fireplace installation and services. This reputable firm guarantees customer satisfaction and provides solutions for any fireplace problem. They even offer a money-back guarantee if the customer isn't satisfied.



Western Fireplace Supply is highly-regarded for offering one-of-a-kind fireplace installations and services. They also offer financing, which can help individuals more easily obtain their fireplaces. Individuals looking to hire their services can contact them by filling out a simple form on their official website, WesternFireplace.com. They have been in this business since 1983 and have acquired many satisfied customers looking for top-notch quality fireplaces. They even stock different types of fireplaces including gas burning fireplaces, masonry fireplaces, wood burning fireplaces and many others. Besides fireplaces, they also offer stoves, inserts, and gas logs.



One of their spokespersons talked more about their fireplace installation and services, "Putting a device that burns inside your home is not something to be taken lightly. Our fireplace installers are extensively trained and certified, and licensed in gas line installation. The safety of your home and family is always our utmost concern. We obtain all necessary permits and schedule any required inspections for you. We will respect your home and completely protect your floors and the installation area. When your stove or fireplace installation is complete, we will schedule a start-up visit at your convenience."



About Western Fireplace Supply

Since 1983, Western Fireplace Supply has helped more people find heating solutions for their homes than any other fireplace store in Colorado Springs or in Colorado. Visit any of their Colorado fireplace showrooms in Avon, Colorado Springs, or Ft. Collins to see today's remarkable new fireplace and stove technology. They also offer the finest outdoor furniture, fire pits, premium barbecue grills, even complete outdoor kitchens to help buyers make the most of Colorado's delightful summers. Everything they sell is of the highest quality, and made from the nation's most respected manufacturers.



To know more, please visit: http://www.westernfireplace.com/



Contact Details:

Avon Showroom

Colorado Fireplace & Fireplace Supplies

Western Fireplace Supply

910 Nottingham Road

Avon, CO 81620

970-827-9623



Colorado Springs Showroom

Colorado Fireplace & Fireplace Supplies

Western Fireplace Supply

1685 Paonia Street

Colorado Springs, CO 80915

719-591-0020



Fort Collins Showroom

Colorado Fireplace & Fireplace Supplies

Western Fireplace Supply

1408 Riverside Ave.

Ft. Collins, CO 80524

970-498-9679
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/08/2016 -- An expanding economy and low unemployment rate (4.05% in 2015, according to IMF) continued to encourage the growth of domestic and outbound tourism in 2015. This strong growth is likely to continue over the forecast period. Chinas inbound tourism recorded 2.3% growth in 2015, which can be largely attributed to the Chinese tourism boards promotional campaigns.



Both domestic and outbound tourism demonstrated strong growth in 2015, putting an end to the fears that the less rapidly growing economy will discourage Chinese from taking more trips. Domestic trips totaled 2.1 million in 2015, up by 9.9%, while international departures expanded by 12%. Moreover, in terms of expenditure, domestic and outbound tourism recorded double digit growth; Chinas strong currency played a significant role in driving outbound tourism. Inbound trips also recorded growth of 2.3% in 2015, totaling 56.9 million, driven by China tourism boards promotional campaigns such as Visit Beijing. However, arrivals from Japan, one of its key source markets, have been declining since 2013 largely due to the appreciation of Chinas currency against the Japanese yen. Over the forecast period (20162020), inbound trips are projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3%, reaching 70.4 million in 2020. Business is the main purpose of inbound travel. Outbound trips are expected to increase from 120.1 million in 2015 to 177.4 million in 2020.



Browse Market info, get a Sample PDF with TOC: http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=774479



Trips to South Korea, which have been rising consecutively over the past few years, declined by -7% in 2015 due to the outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome in the country. Chinese arrivals to Japan grew strongly by 114% in 2015, driven by appreciation of the yuan against the yen. Furthermore, MERS in Korea proved an advantage for Japan. After a decline in 2014 due to political turmoil, Chinese arrivals to Thailand rebounded with 71% growth in 2015. Thailands promotional efforts also supported this growth



Room supply grew by 3% in 2015, supported by an increase in both domestic and international visitors. The growing presence of Fortune 500 companies in the area and increased connectivity on international routes is attracting international tourists. There are 11 new luxury hotels projected to open in 20162017



Canadeans report Travel and Tourism in China to 2020 provides detailed information on the countrys tourism sector, analyzing market data and providing insights. This report provides a better understanding of tourism flows, expenditure, and the airline, hotel, car rental, and travel intermediaries industries.



Enquiry at: http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=774479



Reasons To Buy:



- Make strategic business decisions using historic and forecast market data related to Chinas Travel & Tourism sector



- Understand the demand-side dynamics within the industry to identify key market trends and growth opportunities



- Direct promotional efforts on the most promising markets by identifying the key source and destination countries



About ResearchMoz

ResearchMoz is the world's fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMoz's service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.



Contact Us:

Mr. Nachiket

Albany NY - 12207

United States

Tel: 518-621-2074

Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)

Email: sales@researchmoz.us

Follow us on LinkedIn at: http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG
While, there's no word from Google about the release date, specs or price of the highly anticipated Nexus 2016 flagships codenamed HTC "Marlin" and HTC "Sailfish," new reports suggest the launch is likely to happen sometime this month. According to popular leakster Evan Blass, Google's Android 7.0 Nougat will get an August release. It is expected that the upcoming Nexus 2016 smartphones will also get announced alongside the latest OS.

Last month, the HTC Nexus 2016 "Marlin" M1 smartphone was spotted on GeekBench benchmarking site. Now, this time it's HTC Nexus 2016 "Sailfish" S1 smartphone which has featured on GFXBench listing. As per the listing, the smartphone will feature a 5-inch screen with a 1080p display resolution, Qualcomm's current-generation Snapdragon 820 chipset coupled with Adreno 530 graphics processing unit (GPU), 4GB RAM, and 32 GB of built-in storage capacity.

Recently, Android Police reported that Google is planning to debut a brand-new launcher for its upcoming Nexus 2016 smartphones Marlin and Sailfish. The report claims that there will no longer be an app launcher button on the upcoming Nexus handsets as it's usually seen on the bottom part of the screen. Users will have two options to access the app drawer. They can either slide up anywhere in the "frosted" zone, including on the small arrow above the zone or can simply tap the arrow to instantly reveal the drawer.

Exclusive: This is Google's new "Nexus Launcher" that may debut on the 2016 Nexus phones https://t.co/7aKQOC5f8c pic.twitter.com/lKpZwxFEF4  Android Police (@AndroidPolice) August 1, 2016

In addition, a new report from BGR suggests that the upcoming Google Nexus 2016 smartphones will come with a host of new features including a Settings menu, a "Night Light" feature and a "Quick screen check" feature which will enable users to check their phones notifications without waking it up. We advise our readers to take the information with a grain of salt as nothing yet about Google Nexus 2016 release date, specs and price has been announced officially.

Stay tuned to SWR for more updates on Google Nexus 2016 release date, specs and price details.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the Camp Century under the surface of the northwestern Greenland Ice Sheet in 1959. This was abandoned including its wastes in 1967. The camp was hidden for almost 50 years and now has been exposed by global warming, according to researchers.

"Camp Century", a secret army base buried beneath the ice of Greenland, could soon see the light of day: https://t.co/e6y6HMS5xh  john pearce (@techpearce3) August 6, 2016

The study was published in Geophysical Research Letters on August 4, 2016. It was led by William Colgan, an assistant professor at York University in Toronto and from Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA and other colleagues.

Researchers stated that the base and its wastes were abandoned with minimal decommissioning in 1967, under the presumption they would be preserved for eternity by perpetually accumulating snowfall. On the other hand, they further said that because of the relentless and accelerating march of man-made climate change, the world is warming and the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere else. The result of this is the uncovering of the base to the world.

The base contained 240,000 liters (63,000 gallons) of sewage, 200,000 liters (53,000 gallons) of diesel fuel, a slew of radioactive coolant fluid and toxic construction chemicals that are leaching into the ice sheet. They continued that the vulnerable ice sheet will melt so fast in the future that all these toxic chemicals will be able to escape by 2090, according to IFL Science. Professor Colgan explained that once the site transitions from net snowfall to net melt, it's only a matter of time before the wastes melt out; it becomes irreversible. He further explained that if it leaks into the oceans, the marine ecosystems may be seriously disrupted.

According to Science Mag, the researchers argued that the responsibility for cleaning up Camp Century could strain the relationships between the Denmark, United States, and Greenland. The representatives of the Greenlandic and Danish governments and U.S. military officials did not respond to requests for comment. Kristian Nielsen, a science historian at Aarhus University in Denmark said that it plays into a discussion about the U.S. and Denmark using Greenland for their own purposes and then the Greenlandic people have to deal with it afterward.




Health care officials are struggling to eradicate Zika mosquitoes in Miami, and many are concerned that the virus could contaminate their own homes. The efforts in Miami's Wynwood Arts District showed that 15 people have already been infected, which means that the efforts are not producing the results that officials have been hoping for.

Across the country in California, Fox News reported that the Department of Public Health noted two babies have already been born with Zika-related microcephaly, both of whom are born to mothers who got infected outside the states - a reminder that the virus can cause more than flu-like symptoms to a parent. The CDC recommended the use of insect repellents and wearing long-sleeved clothes for people to protect themselves from mosquito bites, but there are other problems that needed to be addressed head on.

Dr Edward McCabe, medical director for the March of Dimes said that there are bigger problems regarding the Zika virus other than just microcephaly - during these times, he said that it is important for couples to plan their pregnancies, as the virus can live up to eight weeks after the onset of the virus for women, and up to six months in men. Blood transfusions have also become a problem - people with high levels of the virus in their blood can die of the disease, and scientists are not yet sure as to how many ways the disease can be passed. Due to the effect of the virus in the blood, transfusions are becoming a concern, as well as donated organs that may or may not have been infected with the virus.

According to the International Business Times, Zika can be contracted through blood -- including handling of specimen by lab workers - or sexual transmission, and because there are other potential problems regarding the disease, like babies being born susceptible to neurological problems, stillbirth, or mothers have a tendency to miscarry their babies - and not much understanding about it, health practitioner fear that microcephaly is just the "tip of the iceberg" in regards to the virus.
A new study has found that women today are more confident about their body in regard to weight than ever before. The study reported more body dissatisfaction in men than women.

For the purpose of the study, the researchers examined over 250 studies from 1981 to 2012 that included more than 100,000 U.S. men and women. The purpose of the study was to analyze trends in how people felt about their bodies, specifically in regard to weight, reported Daily Mail. It was found that the percentage of women who are dissatisfied with their bodies has reduced 3.3 points from 1981 to 2012. On the other hand, dissatisfaction among men remained relatively constant throughout. Men's body image issues can often be related to their muscles, strength and power.

Psychologist Dr Bryan Karazsia from The College of Wooster, Ohio, said that the research findings indicate that the social pressures women face over body image and diversity has changed positively. He added that while women consistently report being more dissatisfied with their bodies than men as far as thinness is concerned, that dissatisfaction has decreased over the 31-year period. Karazsia claimed that there could be two possible reasons for the shift. One is that Americans are physically larger than they have ever been, so they feel more normal and less concerned about their body. Secondly, there has been an increase in the number of advertisements featuring women of all body types.

"The last two decades have witnessed increasing attention and awareness on a body acceptance movement aimed primarily at girls and women," said Karazsia, reported Eurekalert. That, combined with increased media visibility of role models who run counter to the trend towards thinness, may, in part, help explain their findings." The research findings was presented at the American Psychological Association's 124th Annual Convention.

Are you happy and satisfied with your body? Let us know in the comments below.
H-P schools get HPs in a 1:1 program for coming school year

PAMPLICO, S.C.  Thanks to a state education department grant, each of the students in Hannah-Pamplico middle and high schools received, during registration Aug. 2, a Hewlett Packard 810 Revolve laptop computer to take home for use there and in the classroom for the coming school year.

Just like checking out a book at the library, students were issued the laptops once they were registered, Florence County School District Superintendent Neal Vincent, who wrote the grant that secured the laptops, said.

This $968,911 project allowed us to purchase 683 HP laptops and provided technology professional development for teachers, Vincent added.

Additionally, we used federal mini-grants, provided by the state, to purchase 280 HP Chromebooks for a one-to-one issue of Chromebooks to students in grades three through five. Those will stay at school, at least for the first half of the school year, Hannah-Pamplico Elementary-Middle School Principal Legrande Richardson, said.

Near the end of the first half of this year, or the beginning of the next half, that will be reevaluated and if it is determined that students are responsible, and if parents are willing, those will go home with students as well, he said.

HPEM School Media Specialist Julie Hyman said the teachers have been increasingly using technology in the classrooms. She taught a class last spring, through Francis Marion University, another one this summer and one is planned this fall, to educate the teachers on how to use the google classroom platform.

Google for Education, Hyman said, is free to schools using the interactive, collaborative program. All assignments can be put through the programs and the students can easily access it, she said. And no, the use of computers is not replacing all reading, at least not in her school.

My circulation statistics are amazing, she said. Students still use real books for reading, researching and education.

The school has insured proper firewalls and search parameters are in place Richardson said.

This past year, Hyman said, Most of the teachers were using the technology every day. And it grew. First with the teachers with google class applications and then as the students would go to another classroom, and talk about what they were learning and doing, another teacher would get excited and the enthusiasm for it spread.

The teachers, parents, students and community are excited, she and other school officials said.

And, perhaps one of the best things, in a rural community where internet access is at times sketchy, the offerings by Google for Education is useable offline and online.

Vincent, Richardson and Hyman said efforts are underway in the community to better ensure the internet is available to more segments. In the meantime, aps are downloaded and materials are searchable while offline, Hyman explained.

FCSD2 leaders visited schools in rural and urban settings similar in size and situation to the Pamplico schools, Hyman said, looking for what would be right for their students.

This is the way its going, Hyman said.

Donna Creel, seventh and eighth grade math and math detectives teacher, said she is looking forward to working with students and using the platform. Shell be assigning work through the platform to students, theyll be working and completing assignments and shell be grading and returning work, all through the program, mostly all online. She was one of the first at FCSD2 to take the google classes.

We rolled out the devices in her classroom, Hyman said. Three years ago, we didnt use computers as much. Hyman and Creel said.

We had one standalone computer, and Promethium Boards. We had computer labs, Hyman said.

The kids have become much more computer literate with time and so have we, Creel said.

The instruction through the computer platform uses Google slides and Google docs, Creel said. So, instead of using Powerpoint, and students the saving their work to a flash drive, they can save it to the cloud and it can be worked on in real time, with no lost or forgotten flash drives.

Students in a classroom in one location of the school can help students in another location in the building, sharing information, slides, and documents. Hyman said that is the biggest part of Google, the collaboration it creates and allows.

And the teachers can check to see whos doing the work, Creel said, through the history of the file.

I had the problem, especially with my boys, I taught single gender, with them saying they left their flash drive at home, lost their flash drive, and they had done all this work. So, now, its retrievable, Creel said.

FCSD2 English teacher Susan Porter said this past year her students did a lot of work with storyboard, a website that allows the kids to break apart elements of a story and process it.

That was really helpful for vocabulary, and defining and using words, she said. All my notes now are on Google slide, so I can disseminate that right away and the students dont have to write them down.

Instead of spare time, because students are not actively involved in writing her notes, students can use their time to pull secondary short stories that we dont have print access to, so research and learning continue.

Additionally, Porter said, students can and do use headphones for audio versions of their lessons, so they can hear the words they may struggle more with.

And the applications and uses for technology in teaching continue, the teachers agree.

And are the grades better?

There is more engagement, Creel, who has also used technology when teaching science, said, adding that more engagement is definitely better and leads to better grades.

Students who struggle with creating fluent sentences, Porter said, like the safety net of the little red line  Right away theres feedback  they write and then I suggest edits to their writing and students who wouldnt put things down in writing are doing so.

Feedback is almost simultaneous, Creel and Porter said, with Porter adding that the interactiveness and collaboration of the programs has opened a lot of doors for students who were not participators before we got this.

Getting this technology into the hands of the students is incredible, Creel said.

We can take interactive field trips, Porter said, and students who may never get experiences and exposure outside this one area, can now see Shakespeares Globe Theatre, in three-D. That opens a whole new world for these kids."
EXCLUSIVE : MISFIT GARAGE Sneak Peek Featuring NASCAR Legend BILL ELLIOTT

Monday, August 8 -9PM ET/PT  MISFIT GARAGE

The Original Rum Runner: Thom and Tom race out to Georgia to take a hot lap with Legendary NASCAR driver Bill Elliott and bring home a 40 Ford Tudor sedan to transform into a vintage Moonshine Runner! But when pressures mount from this high-end hot rod build, tensions boil over.

[springboard type=video id=1647387 player=s42f004 width=800 height=450 ]

ABOUT MISFIT GARAGE:

From Fast N Loud producer Pilgrim Media Group, MISFIT GARAGE follows the crew at Fired Up Garage  Thomas Weeks, Tom Smith, Jordan Butler, Kevin Clark, John Klump and Josh Paris  mechanics who joined forces to create their own hot rod start-up rivaling FAST N LOUDs Richard Rawlings and his mega-successful Gas Monkey Garage in Dallas. The crew wants to prove once and for all that theyre the best and make Fired Up the #1 shop in the world for custom street rods. But things dont always go so smoothly.
As oil prices remain low, downward pressure on offshore exploration activities has not alleviated and the demand for maintenance of rigs and related goods and services has not picked up, Kim Heng said.

Given the current conditions in our operating environment, we expect our business to remain challenging in the next 12 months. We continue to actively explore diversification opportunities into the maritime and marine infrastructure sector, it stated.

In May this year, the company announced a potential partnership with the Iran Marine Fund to explore the provision of technical expertise and financing to Iranian offshore marine and oil and gas projects.

In earnings, Singapore-listed Kim Heng registered a first half loss of SGD3.14m ($2.33m), widening from the deficit of SGD1.73m in the previous corresponding period.

Revenue in the first six months was recorded down 40% year-on-year to SGD16.48m due mainly to continued low demand for maintenance of rigs and related goods and services, and no projects undertaken during the second quarter this year from its vessel sales and newbuild segment.
A fuzzy, reddish-hued rodent known as the Santa Marta Toro, or the Toro for short, is one of the most wanted animals alive. The Toro (Santamartamys rufodorsalis) was thought to have been extinct for 113 years before one was spotted on the porch of a Colombian ecotourism lodge in 2011. Captivated by this animal holy grail, Nicolette Roach, an associate research scientist at Global Wildlife Conservation and a doctoral student at Texas A&M University, is leading a search this summer for the elusive rodent. "I believe the Toro is likely both rare and shy, making it all the more difficult to find and study," Roach told Discovery News. RELATED: Big-Brained Mammals at Greatest Risk of Extinction Since the lodge where the Toro was rediscovered -- the El Dorado Reserve -- is located in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta in northeastern Colombia, Roach and her team are camped out there. The search happens both day and night for the Toro, which is thought to be a member of the Echimyidae family of spiny rats. It is one of the most poorly understood small mammal families. "They are notoriously difficult to study due to their elusive nature and life history strategies -- some are completely arboreal, nocturnal, and solitary," Roach said, adding that anecdotal sightings of the Toro have happened when clearing the Colombian forest for coffee farming. Instead of coffee, the researchers are using cherry-flavored lollipops to lure their prize. WATCH:Do Animals Dream Like Us?

"Nobody knows exactly what the Toro eats, but based on dentition, and discussion with other biologists at the reserve, (it) probably eats fruits and maybe invertebrates too," Roach said. One of the biologists who initially rediscovered the shy rodent, Sam Waller, suggested that Roach use cherry lollipops as lure. Aside from the well-known sweet tooth of rodents, Roach explained, "Because we are not live trapping, it was easy to tie lollipops to trees and replace them when necessary." Thus far, the lollipops have attracted the attention of sweets-loving squirrels, but no Toro yet. If the scientists do find one, they hope to collect some harmless samples like hair and saliva. Roach said that only three known specimens of this species exist in the American Museum of Natural History, so any information on it would be an immense help toward understanding its basic life history and ecology. RELATED: 'Garcia Marquez' Tarantula Has Novel Defense Strategy Paul Salaman, a scientist from the Rainforest Trust who confirmed the identity of the species, said, "The El Dorado Nature Reserve represents the ultimate Noah's Ark, protecting the last populations of many critically endangered and endemic flora and fauna; a living treasure trove like no other on Earth." Roach can attest to that. One of the sites that she visited was full of breeding Atelopus laetissimus, a critically endangered frog native to the area. She and her team also found a rare margay (Leopardus wiedii) sitting in a tree. They watched the small spotted wild cat for 20 minutes. "It is one of the most beautiful animals I have seen," Roach said. "Prior to our sighting, it had never been officially recorded on the El Dorado reserve." The team also has daily -- and often nightly -- encounters with what she calls "gorgeous" moths, insects and spiders from the region, including a tarantula (Kankuomo marquezi) whose species was only just documented recently. As the summer rolls on, so does the search for the Toro. "While we have not found the Toro yet, I remain hopeful," Roach said. "Now that I have talked with local people and conducted preliminary surveys, I have a better understanding of the region and I plan to return next year with more equipment, as well as revised survey methods." SEE PHOTOS BELOW:

style="text-align: left;">Researchers are now on the hunt for the elusive Santa Marta Toro (Santamartamys rufodorsalis), a fuzzy reddish-brown rodent that was thought to have been extinct for 113 years before it was rediscovered in the jungles of Colombia in 2011. Only a handful of images exist for the elusive Toro; this is the clearest one. style="text-align: left;">Photo: One of a handful of known photographs of the Santa Marta Toro (Santamartamys rufodorsalis). Credit: Lizzie Noble, Global Wildlife Conservation

style="text-align: left;">Finding the shy rodent is like looking for a needle in a haystack, or, in the case, looking for a modest-sized furry animal in a dense jungle canopy. style="text-align: left;">As for why Roach is so fascinated by the animal, she explained that she first visited Colombia when she was 22 years old. Then an intern for Global Wildlife Conservation, she was part of a field expedition searching for "lost frogs," referring to frogs that had been documented by scientists, but that had not been seen for 10 years or more. style="text-align: left;">Roach later studied the world's most elusive marsh bird, the black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis). She said, "I found myself drawn to elusive, threatened and seemingly uncharismatic species." The story of the mysterious Toro then completely captivated her. style="text-align: left;">Photo: A forest in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, northeastern Colombia. Credit: Nicolette Roach, Global Wildlife Conservation

style="text-align: left;">Trying to lure a Toro is a challenge, given that so little is known about the rodent. The researchers are hoping to lure the Toro to camera traps with cherry lollipops. style="text-align: left;">Photo: Researcher Nicolette Roach holds up the cherry lollipops that she is using to try to lure a Toro to camera traps in Colombia. Credit: Nicolette Roach, Global Wildlife Conservation

style="text-align: left;">Camera traps have been set up throughout the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, Colombia, in hopes of capturing photos of the Toro. style="text-align: left;">Photo: Camera trap. Credit: Nicolette Roach

style="text-align: left;">The image may not be the clearest, but it is important. It is one of just a handful of photos taken of the Toro when it was rediscovered in 2011. It was snapped sitting on the bannister of an ecotourism lodge porch. style="text-align: left;">Photo: Toro on the porch of the El Dorado Reserve, Colombia. Credit: Lizzie Noble, Global Wildlife Conservation

style="text-align: left;">While searching for the Toro, Roach and her team spotted several breeding Atelopus laetissimus -- a critically endangered frog native to the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta in northeastern Colombia. style="text-align: left;">Photo: The frog Atelopus laetissimus. Credit: Nicolette Roach

style="text-align: left;">While hunting for the Toro, the researchers also found a margay, which is a rare, small wild cat. They observed the spotted feline for about 20 minutes. style="text-align: left;">Photo: Margay cat (Leopardus wiedii). Credit: Malene Thyssen, Wikimedia Commons

style="text-align: left;">The researchers encountered this newly discovered tarantula, named after novelist Gabriel Jose de la Concordia Garcia Marquez, while searching for the Toro. style="text-align: left;">Photo: A female Kankuamo Marquezi tarantula. Credit: Zookeys, Wikimedia Commons

style="text-align: left;">Since many rodents like the Toro are nocturnal, the researchers are conducting night as well as day surveys of northeastern Colombia. style="text-align: left;">Photo: Nicolette Roach (right) with a field assistant. Credit: Nicolette Roach, Global Wildlife Conservation

style="text-align: left;">Anecdotal sightings of the Toro include locals seeing the rodent in areas cleared for coffee plantations. style="text-align: left;">Photo: Coffee beans. Credit: Nicolette Roach, Global Wildlife Conservation

style="text-align: left;">The northeastern Colombian region where the elusive Toro lives is a mountainous area that is important for conservation. UNESCO recognized it as a "Biosphere Reserve" in 2013. In addition to its rich wildlife, the area is home to a number of indigenous people who are impacted by changes to the ecosystem. style="text-align: left;">Photo: El Dorado Reserve, Colombia. Credit: Robin Moore, Global Wildlife Conservation
You don't have to like someone to work with them, a fact confirmed daily at ... checking the notes here ... every place of employment on the planet. The same goes for countries, it seems. Jules Suzdaltsev explains in today's Seeker Daily report concerning the curious alliance of Pakistan and the United States.

In many key respects, Pakistan is an inner-circle kind of ally for the U.S. -- a longtime military comrade and critical partner in the war on terror. But actually, the two countries simply don't like each other very much. A recent Pew Research Center poll found that Pakistanis and Americans rank each other as among their least favorite countries. The two nations' diplomats regularly exchange harsh words, as well. History provides some context....

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan was created as a home for Muslims in the region when it was split off from India in 1947. The U.S. supported the new country from the start, hoping for a ally in the region since India at the time was aligned with the Soviet Union.

RELATED: Why Do China And Pakistan Love Each Other?

In the 1970s and 1980s, the U.S. and Pakistan worked together closely during the Soviet-Afghan War. In what was to be the CIA's longest and most extensive covert operation, the agency worked with Pakistani intelligence services to distribute funds and weapons to the Muslim Afghan mujahideen. Infamously, many of those fighters would later join the ranks of the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

Diplomatic relations took a serious hit when Pakistan developed a nuclear program over strenuous U.S. objections. America cut military and economic support, and the two countries were not considered allies for much of the 1990s. After the the September 11 attacks, the U.S. put enormous pressure on Pakistan to assist in the invasion of Afghanistan. Pakistan eventually opened their military bases to U.S. troops and the country has been a somewhat reluctant ally in the region ever since.

Relations between the two nations remain complicated. Check out Jules' report for more details on the rather severe trust issues that plague U.S. and Pakistani relations.

-- Glenn McDonald

Learn More:

U.S. Department of State: U.S. Relations with Pakistan

The Atlantic: The Ally from Hell

The Independent: Terror 'blowback' burns CIA

Brookings: Pakistan's Role in the Afghanistan War's Outcome
Photo: Fireflies light up a forested area in the town of Schiavi di Abruzzo, Italy. Credit: Moyan Brenn, Flickr Many firefly populations around the globe are in decline, according to entomologists and other experts who study the bioluminescent bugs. Habitat loss is the primary reason for the drop in firefly numbers over the past few decades, says Sara Lewis, a professor of biology at Tuft's University. Lewis is the author of the new book, "Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies" (Princeton University Press, 2016). See slides below:

style="text-align: left;">Fireflies are winged beetles that chemically produce light from their lower abdomen. They do this to attract mates and food, such as when fooling other bugs to fly toward them, and also to defend territory while warning potential predators away. The flashes are used for other forms of communication, but scientists have not yet fully deciphered their meaning. style="text-align: left;">There are more than 2000 species of fireflies in the world. While it's challenging to conduct surveys of their numbers, Lewis says she's not the only one who believes that the glowing insects are in decline. James Lloyd, aka the "Firefly Doc" at the University of Florida, said that he has noticed "there aren't anywhere near as many as there used to be." His colleague, Marc Branham, as well as University of Georgia biologist Kathrin Stanger-Hall have additionally seen the decline. In Japan, researchers have documented dramatically reduced numbers of the once plentiful firefly species Luciola cruciata. style="text-align: left;">Photo: Eastern U.S. firefly Photinus pyralis captured mid-flight. Credit: Art Farmer, Wikimedia Commons

style="text-align: left;">Firefly flashes happen when a combination of chemicals reacts with oxygen. In this image, larger channels are seen branching into smaller ones within the firefly's "lantern," or specialized light-emitting organs within the insect's abdomen. The smallest channels are ten thousand times smaller than a millimeter and were invisible to scientists until just a few years ago, when this image was taken. style="text-align: left;">"Fireflies' light-producing chemicals have been used extensively since the 1950's for food safety testing and biomedical research," Lewis told Discovery News. While there is a better, cheaper synthetic alternative now (recombinant luciferase), some still harvest fireflies for their chemicals. style="text-align: left;">Photo: Tomographic reconstruction of part of the firefly lantern. Credit: Giorgio Margaritondo/EPFL



style="text-align: left;">The phasing out of trans fat has led to increased worldwide demand for palm oil, which has a long shelf life and is found in countless food products now, from sauces to cookies. Oil palm trees are being planted in areas once dominated by fireflies. style="text-align: left;">Demand for housing and other foods, such as shrimp, are also having a negative impact on the glowing insects.

style="text-align: left;">"In the U.S., fields and forests give way to development and urban sprawl," Lewis explained. "In Southeast Asia, mangrove forests are being cleared for shrimp aquaculture farms and oil palm plantations." style="text-align: left;">Photo: Oil palm plantation in Malaysia. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

style="text-align: left;">Light pollution disrupts the lives of many nocturnal animals, and especially fireflies. Lewis explained that the artificial lighting can hurt firefly courtship rituals, leading to more expended effort -- and therefore more lost energy -- as well as fewer matings. style="text-align: left;">Fireflies are incredibly sensitive to background illumination, so there may be other related problems affecting the insects that researchers have not yet been able to determine. style="text-align: left;">Photo: Satellite image of Paris at Night. Credit: NASA



style="text-align: left;">Pesticides can indiscriminately kill non-target organisms, including fireflies, Lewis said. Chemicals like malathion and diazinon can remain in water and soil for lengthy periods, harming juvenile fireflies that -- depending on the species -- live underground or in water for several months. style="text-align: left;">Photo: Farm worker applying pesticides to a field. Credit: Day Donaldson, Flickr

style="text-align: left;">Many of us have placed fireflies in a jar in order to admire their mesmerizing glow. This only affects a few of the insects at a time, and ideally the fireflies are released back into nature. style="text-align: left;">In some countries, such as China, fireflies are caught on mass to release into parks, according to Lewis. They are also sold online as love tokens for Valentine's Day. The efforts often involve large-scale harvesting from wild populations that can hurt the overall health and number of fireflies, she and other experts believe. style="text-align: left;">Photo: Man admires fireflies in a jar. Credit: B. Rosen, Flickr

style="text-align: left;">There are several, simple steps that homeowners can take to make their properties more firefly-friendly. style="text-align: left;">"Create an inviting habitat by letting the grass grow longer in some parts of your lawn," Lewis said. "(This) will help the soil hold more moisture. Leaving some leaf litter and woody debris at the edges of your yard provides good habitat for larval fireflies." style="text-align: left;">"Turn off unnecessary outside lights at night -- at least during fireflies' mating season," she continued. "Reduce pesticide use on your lawn and garden. Broad spectrum insecticides will kill larval fireflies, which live underground." style="text-align: left;">Photo: A home with a natural-style garden in Pays de la Loire, France. Credit: Sten Porse, Wikimedia Commons

style="text-align: left;">Lewis and other firefly experts are calling for the establishment of firefly sanctuaries. style="text-align: left;">"In the past few years, sites such as Elkmont in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and DuPont State Forest in North Carolina have become increasingly popular tourist destinations," Lewis said, explaining that both areas provide habitat for fireflies. style="text-align: left;">She added, "Together with local, state and national organizations, conservation biologists and firefly scientists can work to establish sanctuary boundaries, guidelines, and develop educational materials to protect firefly habitats and populations."

style="text-align: left;">Photo: Hooker Falls at DuPont State Forest in North Carolina. Credit: Gary Stevens, Wikimedia Commons

style="text-align: left;">Firefly larvae help to keep garden pests in check, benefiting homeowners. style="text-align: left;">"Like every creature, fireflies are intimately interconnected with their ecosystem," Lewis said. "For instance, firefly larvae are voracious predators -- as juveniles, they spend up to 2 years living underground and eating slugs, snails, worms, beetle grubs, and other pests."

style="text-align: left;">Photo: Firefly larva eating a snail. Credit: Heinz Albers, heinzalbers.org, Wikimedia Commons
The street performance in Nantes, France, started out like a Cirque du Soleil offshoot. Acrobats descended gracefully along cables suspended from cranes in front of the city's famous cathedral while twinkly, dreamlike music played.

But then they sat on a towering 43-foot mechanical spider and brought the beast to life, extending its bone-like legs from their curled position.

RELATED: 10 Animal-like Robots That Slither, Hop, Run and Fly

Meet Kumo, a human-controlled mechanical beast made from wood and steel created by the French street theater company La Machine. A team of more than a dozen people is required to work the 38-ton spider, including its eyes, head, and eight legs, reports The Creators Project. Rolling along on a wheeled base, the spider can also spray "venom," which is just water.

"I thought it was interesting to work with a being that people find repulsive," La Machine's founder and artistic director Francois Delaroziere told Noemie Jennifer of The Creators Project. "People often kill spiders even though they are very useful." First made in Nantes in 2009, Kumo has been touring internationally and returned to the city where La Machine is based this summer.

RELATED: 8 Snake Bots Crawling Your Way

Kumo doesn't come alone. La Machine's other stunning performance pieces include a giraffe, an elephant, and a dragon-horse that actually breathes fire. The creatures have come together in the streets for some unique interactions (video).

Following its homecoming, Kumo is going to rest for a little while. Then the spider will begin touring again next year starting in Ottawa, according to The Creators Project.

RELATED: Ginormous Armed Robot Controlled by Phone

Watching video clips of Kumo's performance in France, I was pleasantly surprised to see how well the spider "danced" for the crowds. And the spraying water effects looked welcome in the summer heat.

Still, anyone who shares Ron Weasley's fear of giant spiders might want to stay back. This creature is way more friendly than Aragog of Harry Potter fame, but at least as huge:
A nearly 19,000 ton offshore oil rig broke free during towing in a severe storm early Monday morning, sending it aground on the Western Isles in Scotland.

The Transocean Winner is carrying 300 tons of diesel fuel. During an overnight towing operation, the rig came loose from a tugboat in strong winds and went aground on a beach in Dalmore, reported the BBC. There were no injuries reported and no personnel aboard.

WATCH VIDEO: How Much Oil Is Left On Earth?
Photo: Hurricane Wilma was the last major hurricane to make landfall in the U.S., in 2005. Credit: Thinkstock The U.S. coastline is in the midst of an unprecedented hurricane drought, with no major storms -- Category 3, 4 or 5 -- making landfall since 2005, the longest such streak in the recorded history of U.S. weather dating back to the 1850s. The last major hurricane to hit the U.S. was Wilma, a Category 5 monster, in October 2005.

And there's been a comparable dearth of smaller hurricanes as well, with just four smaller -- Category 1 or 2--storms in the past seven years. The last such storm to hit the U.S. was Hurricane Arthur, a Category 2 hurricane, which struck North Carolina in July 2014.

RELATED: Do Hurricanes Have an Environmental Upside?

Weather researchers, though, say that the hurricane drought is largely a matter of luck. And there's fear that when the streak ends, we may be caught dangerously underprepared for the inevitable monster storm.

Before we go any further, you're probably wondering -- what about Sandy? While that 2012 storm reached the status of Category 3 while it was in the Caribbean, by the time it made landfall in New Jersey, it had weakened into a post-tropical cyclone. Even so, the storm's size was still large enough to inflict massive damage on the East Coast.

In a study published in Geophysical Research Letters in 2015, scientists used a computer simulation to study the hurricane drought, and determined that such breaks between landfalls are relatively rare, but not unheard of. An 11-year break would occur, on average, every 177 years, they calculated.

Prior to the current drought, the longest period without a major hurricane was a stretch that started in August 1860 and extended to September 1869. Here's a list of all the hurricanes that have made landfall since 1851 From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,.

QUIZ: Hurricane Fact or Fiction?

But the break in hurricanes could give us a dangerously false sense of complacency, because it's only a matter of time before another big one hammers the U.S. coastline. Coastal populations are growing -- Florida, for example, has added 1.5 million coastal inhabitants and 500,000 homes since 2005 -- so there's more to protect, Washington Post Weather Editor Jason Samenow reports.

"Hurricanes are going to hit the U.S. again and people are going to be shocked by the magnitude of the disaster," Roger Pielke Jr., professor of environmental studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder, told the Post.

The most recent hurricane to reach land in North America -- Hurricane Ingrid, which hit northeastern Mexico in September 2013 -- was outside our borders.

WATCH VIDEO: How Do We Know When Hurricanes Are Coming?
Press Release

August 8, 2016 Gatchalian Files Inclusive Education Bill for Special Needs Children On Monday Senator Win Gatchalian filed Senate Bill No. 996, also known as the "Inclusive Education for Children and Youth with Special Needs Act of 2016", in an ambitious move to integrate millions of excluded special needs children into the country's public education system through a comprehensive inclusive education policy framework. Gatchalian, the Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture, said that the ultimate vision of the measure is to prepare children and youth with special needs (CYSNs) for full-time participation and achievement in the regular classroom setting of public schools. "Every child has the right to an education commensurate with their abilities and to the development of their skills for the improvement of his capacity for service to themselves and to their countrymen," said Gatchalian in the bill's explanatory note. In pursuit of this vision, the Inclusive Education Act provides for the establishment of at least one Special Education (SPED) Center per DepEd division, which will be staffed by a full complement of special education specialists, therapists, and other child development experts devoted to the full-time task of developing the social and academic capabilities of children and youth with special needs. Meanwhile, mobile SPED teachers will be assigned to roam the most remote and inaccessible parts of the entire Philippines to identify CYSNs and bring them to SPED Centers for assessment, therapy, integration, and mainstreaming. The bill also mandates the government to provide special equipment needed by CYSNs either for free or at highly discounted rates. Gatchalian expressed optimism that passage of this landmark legislation would result in an exponential increase in the enrollment of CYSNs in public educational institutions. According to current data, only around 40,000 of the country's estimated 5.5 million special needs children are enrolled in public elementary schools. "The complete lack of a coherent policy framework for educating special needs children is a sad and frustrating tragedy. CYSNs have the same right to learn and succeed as other children do, so let's make sure we defend their rights," said Gatchalian. Gatchalian also highlighted the expanded role of LGUs in special education under the Inclusive Education Act, especially the provision authorizing LGUs to use the Special Education Fund (SEF) to finance special education programs. To underline the potential of LGUs in providing quality SPED services Gatchalian, a former three-term mayor and two-term congressman of Valenzuela City, pointed to the Valenzuela City Special Education Center (ValSped), a state-of-the-art facility opened by the city government in January 2016. ValSped, which provides top-notch mainstream inclusion services to special needs children throughout the city, is the model for the SPED centers proposed in the Inclusive Education Act. "Local governments must be empowered to craft and implement specialized programs to solve one of their most marginalized constituents - special needs children and their families," Gatchalian said.
Press Release

August 8, 2016 IT'S ABOUT TIME FOR PNP TO LOOK INTO SPATE

OF KILLINGS - GORDON Senator Richard J. Gordon yesterday reiterated that it is high time that the Philippine National Police conduct an investigation on the extrajudicial killings in President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal war on illegal drugs. Gordon pointed out that under Republic Act (RA) 8551 or the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, the PNP's Internal Affairs Service (IAS) can automatically investigate incidents where police personnel discharge a firearm. Last month, the senator pointed out that Section 39 of the act states that the IAS can conduct motu proprio investigations on incidents where a police personnel discharges a firearm; and incidents where death, serious physical injury, or any violation of human rights occurred in the conduct of a police operation. "We do not countenance the killings but there is a rule here. The police or the PNP must conduct its own probe and there's a law that says that. Let the law do its job. The law must be utilized and the public should understand that the drug pushers are usually armed and usually high on drugs which alters their judgment. Therefore, the police have to protect themselves and the citizenry. However, the police, in performing their duties, should respect the right of the citizenry," he said. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno has ordered Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, PNP chief to look immediately into the deaths of hundreds of drug suspects during law-enforcement operations and in almost nightly attacks in slums across the country that have been blamed on so-called vigilantes. He also ordered the PNP Internal Affairs Service to investigate police operations that had led to violations of human rights. It is the investigation conducted by ias to determine if the killings are justifiable as self-defense. Gordon, head of the Blue Ribbon Committee, also maintained in an interpolation in the Senate last week that the internal affairs service of the PNP, not the Senate, should conduct the investigation. When he was elected as Mayor of Olongapo City, Gordon transformed what was then known as the Sin City into a Model City, defined by its cleanliness, and the discipline of its residents. Gordon is also the father of the Peoples' Law Enforcement Board, which empowers the people against abusive and erring policemen. Inquirer monitoring showed that 660 drug suspects have been killed between July 1 and Aug. 4. Of the killings, 436 were by police and 224 by vigilantes. In July alone, 596 were killed, 196 of them by vigilantes. The other 400 were killed by police. "Let the IAS do its job," Gordon said.
Press Release

August 8, 2016 Hontiveros to conduct inquiry on violations of hospital deposit law Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros vowed to conduct a senate inquiry on the reported violations of several hospitals of Republic Act 8344 or the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, which prohibits any hospital and medical facility to demand any deposit or any other form of advance payment, as a prerequisite for admission or medical treatment of a patient to prevent death or serious harm. Hontiveros, who is the newly-elected chairperson of the Senate' Committee on Health expressed alarm regarding cases of some hospitals' refusal to follow the law. She said her committee will investigate the said cases and other reports of hospital negligence "to end the cruel practice of giving premium to profits over and above the public's health." "Kahit saan natin tignan, mas mahalaga ang buhay ng tao kaysa anumang deposito. Ang deposito ay mababayaran. Ang buhay na nawala ay hindi maibabalik o matatawaran," Hontiveros said. Early this year, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Hospital came under fire when Andrew Pelayo took to social media to air his grievance regarding his wife's miscarriage due to the hospital's refusal to provide treatment before any deposit was made. In 2014, Hontiveros slammed the Butuan Doctors Hospital over the death of a 10-year old girl who was refused hospital care because her family failed to produce the P30,000 deposit demanded by the medical establishment. Recently, another case of neglect is being investigated by the Department of Health (DoH) at the Casimiro Ynares Sr. Memorial Hospital. While no deposit was asked in exchange for medical assistance, a two-year old child lost her life when the hospital made her wait in line for hours. To address this growing concern, Hontiveros filed Senate Bill No. 216 [SB216] which seeks to impose heavier fines for hospitals that violate the law and possible nullification of erring hospitals' license to operate. The bill also provides tax deduction for hospitals that admit indigent or poor patients in cases of emergency. The said senate bill also hopes to create a Health Facilities Oversight Board, chaired by a Department of Health representative. "The Board will provide a clear channel for redress of grievances by patients and ensuring their rights and welfare", Hontiveros said. "Hospitals should know that their primary duty is to save lives. The government must make an example of medical establishments who believe profits are more important than the lives of the people." Hontiveros ended.
Torrentz.eu, the largest torrent meta-search engine in the world, has been shut down since yesterday and is unlikely to return.

Started only a few months after Pirate Bay in 2003, Torrentz.eu was one of the most resilient search engines for torrents for illegally downloading television shows, films, music and games online.

Torrentz.eu disabled its search functionality two days ago, according to TorrentFreak, and has now disabled the site's registered users from accessing their logins. Unlike Pirate Bay, Torrentz.eu didn't host any files or torrents on the site. Instead, it acted as a search engine similar to Google and displayed results based on user searches.

Despite this, the site was regularly reported by the RIAA and the MPAA for copyright infringement. The fall of Torrentz.eu is just one part in a major crackdown on illegal downloading and torrenting online.

Google Chrome users are now being suspiciously blocked from accessing Pirate Bay or its proxies, which the browser showing up a Malicious Software alert when one tries to access it. However, when you attempt to bypass the safety message, you're automatically pointed to the Internet Service Provider's website, i.e. Virgin Media.

It's not yet known if Torrentz.eu was targeted by anti-piracy organisations or if it was shut down over legal actions, however it was one of the major torrent search engines on the internet and marks a huge victory against illegal downloading.

Via Torrentfreak
Gummy-ring candy laced with THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, is the suspected culprit in a weekend incident in which 19 people fell ill at a quinceanera party in the Mission District, San Francisco health officials said Monday.

Partygoers who ingested the candy Saturday night reported symptoms including heart palpitations, high blood pressure, dizziness and nausea. Nineteen people were taken to hospitals, 13 of them 18 years old or younger, health officials said. The youngest victim was 6 years old. All had been released by Monday morning.
NEW YORK  Ecuadoran plaintiffs cannot collect a $9 billion judgment in the U.S. against Chevron for rainforest damage, a federal appeals court ruled Monday, upholding a judges finding that the judgment was obtained through bribery, coercion and fraud.

The Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York said U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan had the authority after a trial to rule in March 2014 as he did. It noted, however, that Kaplans decision doesnt invalidate the Ecuadoran judgment and doesnt stop the enforcement of the judgment outside the U.S.

A U.S. spokeswoman for the Ecuadorans, Karen Hinton, said they were shocked and called it a sad day for the U.S. justice system.

As disappointed as we are, this ruling will not deter the Ecuadorans, their lawyers and their supporters from aggressively seeking justice in Canada and in other countries where litigation is underway to seize Chevron assets, she said.

A Chevron vice president and general counsel, R. Hewitt, Pate, said the San Ramon company was pleased that the truth has prevailed over fraud and corruption. He said the ruling leaves no doubt that the Ecuadoran judgment against Chevron is the illegitimate and unenforceable product of misconduct.

In a decision written by Circuit Judge Amalya Kearse, a three-judge Second Circuit panel rejected the argument by the Ecuadoran plaintiffs that they were unaware of wrongdoing by lawyers in the case and shouldnt be held responsible.

There is no authority suggesting that a party ignorant of its attorneys fraudulent actions may enforce a fraudulently procured judgment, the panel said.

An attorney for a New York City lawyer, Steven Donziger, who was heavily criticized by Kaplan, called the ruling unprecedented in American law and vowed to explore all options on appeal.

Never before has a U.S. court allowed someone who lost a case in another country to come to the U.S. to attack a foreign courts damages award, attorney Deepak Gupta said. The decision hands well-heeled corporations a template for avoiding legal accountability anywhere in the world. And it throws the entire international judgment enforcement framework out the window.

The case resulted from a long-running court battle between Amazon rainforest residents and oil companies.

Chevron had long argued that a 1998 agreement Texaco signed with Ecuador after a $40 million cleanup absolves it of liability. It says Ecuadors state-run oil company is responsible for much of the pollution in the oil patch that Texaco quit more than two decades ago. The Ecuadoran plaintiffs said the cleanup was a sham and didnt exempt third-party claims.

In February 2011, a judge in Ecuador issued an $18 billion judgment against Chevron in a lawsuit brought on behalf of 30,000 residents. The judgment was for environmental damage caused by Texaco during its operation of an oil consortium in the rainforest from 1972 to 1990. Chevron later bought Texaco.

Ecuadors highest court in 2014 upheld the verdict but reduced the judgment to about $9.5 billion.
Emotions were running a little higher than usual during the opening weekend of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, and the reason wasnt difficult to discern. Marin Alsop, the festivals tireless and impassioned music director, is stepping down after 25 years at the helm, making this an occasion not only for music-making but also for reflection and celebration.

Those themes came to the fore in ways both large and small. Friday and Saturdays concerts at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium  part of the first of two weekends marking Alsops final season  each began with filmed tributes to her tenure from members of the orchestra. There were testimonies elsewhere to the transformation that she has wrought with Cabrillo, turning it from a small, endearingly shaggy musical institution into a prominent national hub for new orchestral music.

And a look at the schedule for the current season hints at how she has done it, by staking out a small and specific area of the contemporary musical world and cultivating it assiduously. The roster of names this summer includes most of the composers whose work Alsop has championed particularly faithfully over the years, including James MacMillan, Christopher Rouse, Jennifer Higdon, Mason Bates, John Adams and more.

Their music, along with Alsops probing and exhilaratingly physical conducting of it, has defined the Cabrillo brand for many years. A visit to the festival is sure to mean music of a particular kind  kinetic, accessible, rhetorically forthright and often brightly colored  that is executed at a remarkably high technical level. The result has been an artistic profile that makes up in rigor and clarity whatever it may lack in variety or the possibility of surprise.

During the opening weekend, the strains of institutional stock-taking and artistic achievement found themselves intertwined in a satisfying way. Saturdays program began with the announcement that the musicians of the festival orchestra, in seeking out a way to express their gratitude for Alsops leadership, had decided to commission a short piece from Adams as a thank-you gift.

And what a piece it turned out to be! Lola Montez Does the Spider Dance, a vivacious five-minute orchestral showpiece drawing on one of the more outre chapters of San Francisco history, set the hall abuzz  and heightened the sense of anticipation for Girls of the Golden West, Adams Gold Rush opera scheduled to premiere in 2017 at San Francisco Opera.

In conjuring up the stage shenanigans of the famed exotic dancer born Eliza Gilbert, Adams creates a punchy, adrenalized burst, full of angular rhythms, jabby woodwinds and growly brass. The principal trombone takes a short solo before yielding the spotlight to the principal clarinet for a breathless, sinuous shimmy (John Schertle took up the fiendish challenge with gusto).

This is eroticism, all right, but not in the perfumed, seductive vein of Bolero. Its a wild, frontier sort of burlesque, and Alsop and the orchestra played it superbly  and then, as though divining the audiences most urgent desires, played it through again.

If nothing else during the opening weekend quite rose to that level of exalted physicality, there were rewards aplenty scattered throughout the program. Absolute Jest, Adams buoyant gloss on Beethovens scherzo movements, got a forceful account with the aptly named Attacca Quartet as soloists.

The Pacific Harmony Foundation, through which Adams and his wife, Deborah OGrady, support the efforts of young composers, made possible the world premiere of Spinning Music, a brilliant, rapid-fire stretch of perpetual motion by 24-year-old Michael Kropf. In writing this sleek and ingratiating piece, Kropf picked up not only Adams money but some of his compositional examples well, including the textural profile, the gleaming brass writing and the knack for closing up with a perfectly judged punch line.

Fridays concert was largely given over to the work of Cabrillo stalwarts. Rouse was represented by Thunderstuck, an uncharacteristically squishy tribute to 1970s rock, and the far more rewarding Oboe Concerto of 2004, in which strands of Debussyan lushness alternate with vigorous oratory from the soloist (the capable Katherine Needleman). The Death of Oscar, MacMillans richly imagined scene from Scottish legend crowned by an expansive English horn soliloquy, got a powerful U.S. premiere.

In addition to purely orchestral music, the weekend brought some multimedia efforts as well. The world premiere of Rift, a symphonic ballet by composer Anna Clyne, with the troupe Hysterica Dancers executing the choreography of Kitty McNamee, was quickly stymied by the scores limited harmonic range and short-breathed phrasing. And The City, a meditation on the history and recent travails of Baltimore by composer Kevin Puts and filmmaker James Bartolomeo, rarely ventured beyond CNN platitudes.

Still, Alsops dedication to these and other projects was palpable at every turn. The work shes done at Cabrillo has been indispensable, and her legacy will be long felt.

Joshua Kosman is The San Francisco Chronicles music critic. Email: jkosman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JoshuaKosman

Cabrillo Music Festival: Through Saturday, Aug. 13. $30-$65. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz. (831) 426-6966. www.cabrillomusic.org.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.  Hillary Clinton offered a simple reply to Donald Trumps economic address Monday: Dont let a friend vote Trump.

At a rally in St. Petersburg, Clinton said the plans Trump outlined in Detroit on Monday would push the country back into recession, warning that his proposals benefit the rich and do little to create jobs.

His tax plans would give super big tax breaks to large corporations and the really wealthy, Clinton said, characterizing the proposals, which include substantial tax cuts, as trickle-down economics.

You know that old saying: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me, she said.

Clinton countered with her own economic proposals, saying she wants to invest in public works projects and more educational opportunities and will tax top earners to pay for her plans. She is expected to speak to the Detroit Economic Club on Thursday.

I have said throughout this campaign I am not going to raise the taxes on the middle class, but with your help we are going to raise it on the wealthy, said Clinton.

Earlier Monday, Clinton toured a brewery as a way of highlighting her commitment to small businesses.

Her two-day tour through battleground Florida, home of 29 electoral votes, is focused heavily on jobs and the economy.

Aides said they hope to build on polls showing Clinton gaining ground on economic issues, which have made up the core of Trumps campaign message.

We are not interested in economic plans that only help the top 1 percent, Clinton said.

Clinton is putting a heavy focus on Florida, with travel and television advertising. President Obama narrowly won the state in 2012.

Clinton also plans to meet with health professionals combatting the Zika virus. She said she would meet with people on the front line of Zika on Tuesday.
DALLAS  The family of a Muslim boy who was arrested after bringing a homemade clock to school filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Texas school officials and others, saying the incident violated the 14-year-old boys civil rights, prompted death threats and forced them to leave the United States.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Ahmed Mohamed, who was arrested at his suburban Dallas high school in September and charged with having a hoax bomb. He says he brought the homemade digital clock to school to show his English teacher.
LOUISVILLE, Ky.  Avoiding possible banishment from the bench, a remorseful Kentucky judge was suspended Monday for racially charged comments aimed at a top prosecutor that stemmed from the judges frustration over lack of minority representation on a jury panel.

Olu Stevens, a black circuit judge in Louisville, accepted a 90-day suspension without pay in an agreement approved by the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission.

A contrite Stevens  once dubbed Judge Selfie by a colleague for his prodigious use of social media  acknowledged he violated judicial canons and said his social media onslaught against the prosecutor, Tom Wine, who is white, was wrong.

I recognize how serious it is to accuse someone, either expressly or implicity, of racism, Stevens said in a statement he read to the commission. I do not believe Tom Wine is a racist. I apologize for any statements that implied as much.

Wine, the Jefferson County commonwealths attorney, said later that he accepted Stevens apology, ending the prolonged feud. The case ignited a debate about racial fairness, judicial impartiality and free speech for judges.

I have had no personal animosity toward Judge Stevens and I have none now, Wine said in a statement after the hearing.

In provocative posts that threatened to end his judicial career, Stevens social media barrage came after Wine questioned his authority to scrap a jury panel because it lacked minorities.

During the feud, Stevens had written that Wines request that the state Supreme Court review Stevens decision to dismiss the jurors amounted to an attempt to protect the right to impanel all-white juries, a charge Wine vehemently denied. Stevens suggested there was something much more sinister, and wrote that the prosecutor will live in infamy.

Stevens will return to the bench after his suspension.

I pledge that I will rule on all cases that come before me based solely upon the facts and the law, he said.

The agreement struck with commission attorneys was announced at the start of a hearing that potentially could have ushered Stevens off the bench for good. The commission deliberated a few minutes before accepting it.

Im delighted to have this over with, move forward, and Im looking forward to getting back to the bench, Stevens said after the hearing.
1 Airbnb funding: The home-sharing company Airbnb Inc. is raising $850 million, according to a disclosure filed with the state of Delaware. The equity round values the San Francisco company at $30 billion, people told Bloomberg News in June. The private stock market company Equidate provided Airbnbs July 28 filing. A spokesman for Airbnb declined to comment. The filing did not disclose who is making the investment. In July 2015, Airbnb raised $1.6 billion at a $25.6 billion valuation, according to Equidate. With the $850 million disclosed in last weeks filing, Airbnb has raised about $3.2 billion in equity, according to Equidate.

2 Family killed: A Pennsylvania couple who were featured in news stories about their difficulties getting medication for their youngest daughter who had a heart transplant were found shot to death in their home along with their three children in an apparent tragic domestic incident, authorities said. Prosecutor John Adams said an apparent murder-suicide note was found in the familys Sinking Spring home Saturday. Police found a handgun near one of the adults, but didnt say which one who they believe was the shooter. Mark Short Sr., 40, Megan Short, 33, and their children  8-year-old Lianna, 5-year-old Mark Jr., and 2-year-old Willow  were found dead in the living room. A dog also was found deceased.
1 Tahoe environment: The White House said Monday that President Obama will travel to Lake Tahoe on Aug. 31 to speak about his commitment to protecting the environment and addressing climate change. Spokesman Eric Schultz said Obama will talk about how the United States can ensure that national treasures like Lake Tahoe can be protected for future generations. Federal, state and local leaders meet annually to review policies designed to restore and sustain Lake Tahoe, known for its clear waters. The event began after President Bill Clinton ordered federal agencies to coordinate to protect the lake and surrounding region.

2 Wildfire: Smoke from flaming ridges of the San Bernardino Mountains blew all the way across the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas as Californias latest wildfire chewed through timber and brush Monday. Hundreds of firefighters, aided by 16 aircraft, battled flames that spread across 7 square miles of the rugged mountain range about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. About 25 homes were ordered evacuated. Helicopters sucked loads of water from nearby Silverwood Lake to douse flames. The fire, which erupted for unknown reasons Sunday, was just 5 percent contained.
WASHINGTON  While President Obama never hid his penchant for marijuana during his youth in Hawaii, Americans soon will elect a president who claims never to have touched it.

Republican Donald Trump boasts that he has never smoked marijuana or a cigarette, or had a drop of alcohol. Democrat Hillary Clinton was adamant on CNN when asked whether she had ever smoked marijuana, replying that she never had and never would: Absolutely not.

Despite their personal views, Clinton and Trump have pledged to allow the states to regulate marijuana.

That would be welcome news for Washington state, Colorado, Oregon and Alaska, where voters approved recreational marijuana, along with the 26 states, including California, that allow the drug to be used for medical reasons. But legalization backers still have one nagging question: Can you believe either Clinton or Trump?

Both candidates have a history of flip-flopping on major issues, and a majority of Americans dont trust either candidate: A CNN poll taken during the Republican convention found that only 30 percent think that Clinton is honest and trustworthy, compared with 43 percent for Trump.

Trump, who once called himself a supporter of abortion rights, now wants to ban abortions. After first opposing an increase in the minimum wage, he wants it raised.

In 1990, the Republican candidate called for legalizing all drugs, a position he no longer holds. And his statements on marijuana have given ammunition to both sides of the legalization debate.

Trump told a Denver television reporter recently that he would not use federal laws to block Colorados marijuana sales: Im a states person. I think it should be up to the states, absolutely.

But last year, he told a conservative gathering that Colorado had experienced big problems by legalizing marijuana. I think its bad and I feel strongly about that, he said.

Clinton once opposed same-sex marriage but now backs it. As secretary of state, she promoted Obamas proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, only to oppose it now.

Like Trump, Clinton backs medical marijuana, though she says it needs more study. And Clinton has repeatedly said that states such as Washington and Colorado should be laboratories of democracy in experimenting with recreational marijuana.

In a 2014 interview on CNN, Clinton distanced herself from her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who famously said in 1992 that he had smoked marijuana once but never inhaled.

No, I didnt do it when I was young, she said. Im not going to start now.

Ex-CIA official to run for president

Evan McMullin, a former CIA official and a Republican who passionately opposes Donald Trump, announced Monday that he would run for president as an independent candidate.

McMullin, who until recently worked on policy development with the House Republican Conference and previously worked for Goldman Sachs in the Bay Area, has missed the ballot-access deadlines in more than two dozen states. But McMullin, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, studied in Utah and could take votes from Trump in the heavily Mormon state.

New York Times
PHOENIX  The sheriff of metropolitan Phoenix has raised close to $10 million in his bid for a seventh term, a stunning collection of campaign riches for a local police race, and much of it was contributed by a devoted base of backers who live outside Arizona.

Sheriff Joe Arpaios fundraising far exceeds the amount spent by both the winning and losing candidates in a typical congressional race.

Most people would think that you mistakenly added a zero to that number, said Heath Brown, a public policy professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York who studies the role of money in politics.

The 84-year-old sheriff is facing the toughest campaign of his career. His political strength has gradually slipped over the past four election cycles, but loyal local supporters and impressive fundraising have helped him pull out wins.

Waning popularity isnt Arpaios only challenge. The lawman who cultivated a national reputation for being tough on accused criminals is at risk of being charged in a contempt-of-court case. A judge is considering whether to recommend criminal charges against the sheriff for ignoring court orders in a racial-profiling lawsuit.

Arpaios leading challengers say they cant hope to match his fundraising, so they are focusing more on grassroots efforts.

Dan Saban, a former police chief running in this months GOP primary, has raised $30,000. Getting his message out can be difficult, Saban said, given that Arpaio has spent two decades carefully crafting an image as an effective law enforcer.

How do you compete with that? he asked.

The influx of out-of-state donations fuels criticism that outsiders have emboldened Arpaio, leaving Phoenix taxpayers to pay the hefty legal bills that result when his jail and immigration policies are tested in court.

Contributors from other states account for three-fourths of the money, the sheriffs campaign said.

Arizona was home to the largest number of donors who gave more than $50, followed by California, Texas, Florida and Washington. Contributors included retirees, self-employed business operators and people who worked in law enforcement and served in the military, according to records.

Mike ONeil, an Arizona pollster who has followed Arpaios career, said the sheriffs campaign war chest can be attributed heavily to his reputation for immigration enforcement, even though he was forced to abandon those efforts in January 2015 in a lawsuit over his business raids that targeted immigrant workers.

Folks who are incensed about that issue are a ready target for Arpaios fundraising efforts, ONeil said.
RICHMOND (BCN)



Two people were killed in separate shootings in Richmond on Saturday night, police said today.



One shooting killed a suspected gang member, identified as 26-year-old Melvin James, and critically wounded his 29-year-old brother, according to interim police Chief Allwyn Brown.



They were both shot during a shootout in the 900 block of Lincoln Avenue. James was pronounced dead there. His brother fled the area and was later found at a residence in the 100 block of 17th Street, Brown said. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Police are continuing to investigate and suspect the motive for the shooting was gang-related.



Also on Saturday, Kori Shanelle Mattie, 26, was shot and killed by two male assailants near the Civic Center Motel at 425 24th St., Brown said.



The motive for the shooting remains unclear, Brown said.



In a letter to city officials, Brown said investigators are concerned that recent shootings could potentially lead to further retaliatory violence between the city's gangs.



All of Richmond's homicide investigation resources were devoted to the violence on Saturday night and special investigators have been called in to watch for signs of retaliation, Brown said.



They will be working with partners in the city's Ceasefire program, a gun violence prevention approach that involves coordination between multiple law enforcement and community organizations, as well as the FBI Safe Streets Task Force to prevent any escalation in gun violence, Brown said.
















Picking up steam in New York Updated: 2016-08-08 07:21 By ZHANG MIN/ZHAO YANRONG(China Daily)

Zhang Pengyi, general manager of Yi Chi Future Food Technology Co Ltd, is holding his Entity Information issued by the New York State government. The certificate allows start of business operations.PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Baozi is set to be the new fashion on US streets that already savor jianbing

First, it was the Chinese crepe or jianbing. Years back, the Manhattan Island simply fell in love with China's popular street food that originated in Tianjin. Now, another Tianjin fast food item, baozi, or the Chinese steamed stuffed bun, aims to sweep New York off its feet.

Zhang Pengyi, general manager of Tianjin Yi Chi Future Food Technology Co Ltd, recently completed the registration of his bun company in New York. "What's going to be the new street fashion in the world's financial nerve-center? Everyone eating Chinese baozi," he said.

The 30-year-old from Tianjin plans to open his first international restaurant in Manhattan with an area of 100 square meters and 70 seats before Christmas. The shop will be decorated in a minimalist way but brightly, with Chinese cultural elements. For instance, the bamboo steamers will be used not only for cooking but interior decoration, Zhang said.

Customers wait for their jianbing from the Flying Pig, a food truck plying the streets of New York, April 15, 2016. [Photo/IC]

"Besides the Chinese traditional fillings, such as pork and mushroom, we will produce more local flavors such as cheese fillings and sweet puree fillings to meet local New Yorkers' tastes," said Zhang, who will name the newly designed food "Fancy Buns".

In his new shop, there will be a glass-walled, see-through kitchen, where customers can observe the process of bun-making.

"We will provide food, and we will also give a taste of Chinese culture. We will show American consumers how to make steamed stuffed buns, and help them understand Chinese food culture," he said.

Zhang said he will visit Manhattan later this month to confirm the site of his first American restaurant. He once considered a site close to China Town but now prefers to locate the restaurant in the middle town or upper town.

"Overseas Chinese may bring a stable income to my business, but they are not my only target customers. We want to sell Fancy Buns to local communities as well," he said.

His buns will be on sale also via mobile food stalls that roam New York streets. In order to deliver the Chinese food quickly, as well as to guarantee the original flavors, Zhang's team developed a technology that can freeze uncooked buns but keep the yeast vibrant for steaming later.

Workers make steamed stuffed buns at Yi Chi Future Food Technology Co Ltd in Binhai New Area of Tianjin.PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

"We are evolving a standard to ensure the buns bought from different shops or vending trucks taste the same. Even the manufacturing process will be standardized so that cooks' individual touch is minimized," said Zhang.

In order to arrive at a potentially successful standard, Zhang's team has already used more than 20 tons of flour for tests.

Twelve years ago, having failed to find a place on several universities, Zhang started his own business. He set up the Yi Chi chain two years ago. In Tianjin alone, it has four shops and one community catering center.

China's Internet Plus strategy has since helped Zhang sell his steamed buns in more than 30 cities nationwide.

Last year, Zhang met his schoolmate Wang Haixiang who is working with Morgan Stanley in New York. The two young men later agreed to found a food business.

Citbank brings out food trucks to the Meatpacking District in New York for a branding event promoting the No Kid Hungry charity, December 12, 2015. [Photo/VCG]

But that was easier said than done. Back then, Zhang saw himself as an entrepreneur running a small business in China. Typically, such entrepreneurs would not dream of making overseas investments. But Zhang did.

However, the duo's application to open a Chinese food shop in New York ran into some bureaucratic hurdles. "We had to file our papers with many government agencies and banks. The procedures were quite complicated," he said.

Finally, in late July, the New York State government issued the necessary approvals and licenses.

When Zhang's Fancy Buns finally roll out, they will follow in the footsteps of "Tom's BaoBao", a Chinese food chain in New York that sells Hangzhou-styled baozi. It opened its first store in early July at Harvard Square targeting local citizens and students.
Nuclear giant reassures public Updated: 2016-08-08 16:54 By Lyu Chang(chinadaily.com.cn)

Nuclear giant China National Nuclear Corp says it will further strengthen communication with the pubic and build their confidence in the industry, as China adopts the most advanced technology to ensure nuclear safety.

Lei Zengguang, chief engineer of China National Nuclear Corp, says the company has put emphasis on communication with the public to dismiss their concerns about nuclear power.

"Our home grown nuclear technology Hualong One features the highest standards of nuclear safety, which is the principle to the nuclear development," Lei said during the second "Open Day" on nuclear science popularization and education.

The event will invite students and journalists to visit more than 70 of its subsidiaries, focusing on nuclear power development, nuclear industry system, nuclear technologies application and nuclear safety culture, according to CNNC, one of the country's largest nuclear companies.

Companies, including CNNC's institutes, nuclear power stations and nuclear fuel fabrication plant, will be open to the public.
Storm in Macedonia kills at least 17 Updated: 2016-08-07 21:27 (Agencies)

A woman wallks on the street after heavy floods in Cento near Skopje, Macedonia, Aug 7, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

SKOPJE - At least 17 people died in flash floods in the Macedonian capital Skopje during a storm on Saturday evening, Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Todorov said on Sunday, warning that the death toll could rise further.

Torrential rains had swept away a section of the ring road around Skopje and some cars had been carried hundreds of metres into nearby fields, a Reuters reporter said.

"This is a catastrophe of unprecedented proportion," Todorov said. He said he had received unconfirmed reports of three further deaths.

Northern suburbs of Skopje were particularly hard hit, with many homes flooded. There were also flash floods in the city centre, according to the reporter.

Police had said earlier that 22 people had been hurt during the storm.

Special police forces and trucks loaded with drinking water were heading for the most affected areas, and there some electricity outages, the Reuters reporter said.

The rain had stopped on Sunday morning and water levels were receding, but more rain was forecast for the evening in the capital of the small Balkan nation of 2 million inhabitants.

European Union Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said on Twitter that the EU stood ready to help Macedonia, which is a candidate to join the bloc.

Further north in the Balkans, in Croatia, heavy winds caused disruptions on some roads, including the closure of the highway linking the capital Zagreb to southern coast for lorries and buses, local media said.
30 killed, 50 injured in SW Pakistan hospital blast Updated: 2016-08-08 15:08 (Xinhua)

ISLAMABAD - At least 30 people were killed and 50 others injured when a blast hit a hospital in Pakistan's southwest Quetta city on Monday morning, local Urdu media reported.

Dunya News said that the blast happened at about 9:50 am local time when people were gathering to collect the body of a local law association chairman in the civil hospital of Quetta, the capital city of the country's southwest Balochistan province.

Hospital sources said that the killed people included two journalists including a local TV channel's cameraman while the injured included journalists, lawyers and hospital staff.

The slain lawyer Bilal Kasi was on his way to office when some unknown gunmen opened fire on his car in Manno Jan Road of Quetta.

The gunmen fled the scene after the attack.

Provincial health minister Rahmat Baloch said that the death toll is feared to rise further as 20 among the injured people are said to be in critical condition.

He said that the lawyers, who were gathering in the hospital to protest against the killing of their slain president, were target of the explosion.

Baloch said that some of the injured have been shifted to Bolan Hospital Quetta as the Civil Hospital ran out of beds and other services to accommodate the victims.

He said that a state of emergency has been declared in all hospital of the city to ensure the best possible medical treatment to the injured people.

Bomb disposal squad said that the blast might be carried out by a suicide bomber as they have found limbs from the blast site, but more investigations are being made to confirm the nature of the explosion.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

A heavy contingent of police and paramilitary troops rushed to the site and cordoned it off for investigations.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast and vowed to root out militancy from the country.

Chief Minister Balochistan Sanaullah Zehri condemned the blast and sought report from the concerned authorities.

Following the attack, the lawyers in the province boycotted court procedures.

The explosion caused a chain reaction from the circles of lawyers from the country.

Lawyers in Balochistan and the country's southern port city of Karachi boycotted court proceedings.

The Pakistan Bar Association condemned the attack and announced a three-day mourning.
Description

Celebrate the bounty of summer with us at our annual two-day Tomato Festival! We will have a special sampling of our own tomato varietals to demonstrate the different flavors of our heirloom and regular tomatoes! In addition we will be preparing several special tomato based ready to eat foods! Farmer Fred will be emceeing the day with fun for the whole family including tomato eating contests, tomato relay races, plus potato sack races, tug of war contests, and other family contests! Live music will be available to enjoy all day.
This Sunday, 22-year-old gymnast Aly Raisman began her journey in Rio for a second chance at gold. As in past competitions, Raisman's parents Lynn and Rick were there to cheer her on and provide some much-needed support.

As the gymnast began her uneven bar performance, the camera panned to her parents, showing them on the edge of their seats. Their facial expressions were tense and they mimicked Raisman's every move, while swaying back and forth, and grabbing each other tightly for moral support.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Several years ago, when I was living in Minneapolis, I drove to suburban Shakopee to see a performance of Anything Goes. I had no particular desire to see the show but wanted to support a friend who had a small part in the Cole Porter musical.

I soon regretted my decision.

The production featured two Chinese characters named Ching and Ling, whose cartoonish antics greatly amused the crowd. To make matters worse, Ching and Ling were actually played by the white directors sons, each with red hair, no less.

As the crowd roared with laughter, the back of my neck started to burn. I was the only Asian  indeed the only nonwhite person  in the audience. It was as if a spotlight bathed my seat with scorn and ridicule.

The memory instantly came to mind as I nervously walked into the theater at the Lesher Center for the Performing Arts in Walnut Creek on Friday evening, Aug. 5.

The Chronicle asked me to see the opening night of The Mikado, as staged by Lamplighters Music Theatre. Once again, I was seemingly the only Asian in a crowd of mostly older white people.

To many Gilbert and Sullivan aficionados, the 19th century operetta is a masterpiece. To Asian Americans, The Mikado is one of the most notorious examples of yellowface, the act of casting white actors as Asian characters. The show ranks up there with Mickey Rooneys infamous role as I.Y. Yunioshi in the film Breakfast at Tiffanys.

Gilbert and Sullivan set the show in Japan with characters named Yum-Yum, Nanki-Poo and Pish-Tush. Of course, such ridiculous Japanese names dont really exist, but I doubt anyone really cared when the show debuted in 1885.

I held my breath when the lights went down. But when the curtain rose, Japan was actually Renaissance Italy, and the three characters I mentioned above were renamed Amiam, Niccolu, and Piccia Tuccia. The plot remained the same.

Did the changes really diminish the core of The Mikado? Not really. People still loved the music and laughed at the jokes.

Gilbert and Sullivan set the show in Japan to mask their goal of skewering parts of British society without blowback. They chose Japan because at the time, the public was particularly fascinated with such an exotic country.

But such a notion is out of date in the 21st century. Plenty of people have traveled to places like China and Japan. People of Asian descent are the fastest-growing demographic in the United States. We should no longer be a novelty.

Yet Western culture continues to see us as outsiders, a source of both fear and fascination.

Over the years, yellowface has evolved from meaning white actors playing roles that ridicule Asians to white actors performing legitimate roles meant for Asians.

The Walt Disney movie Mulan told the story of a Chinese girl who disguised herself as a man to join the military. A few years ago, the Childrens Theatre Company in Minneapolis decided to stage Mulan with white actors playing key Asian roles.

In the film Aloha, writer-director Cameron Crowe cast Emma Stone as a half-Asian woman. The makers of the upcoming Dr. Strange replaced an Asian character from the original comic books with Tilda Swinton.

In many cases, the creative teams argued that they couldnt find Asian actors.

Such an argument, of course, does not hold water. If Lamplighters wanted to stage The Mikado in Japan, they would not need to cast white actors, since the Bay Area is home to one of the largest Asian American populations in the country. (Interestingly enough, a few Asian American actors show up in the revamped Mikado.)

In the end, the real litmus test for staging works is the authors intent. Or put more specifically, does the casting detract from or support the story?

Since Mulan is based on real Chinese history, casting Asian actors is crucial to the story. You wouldnt cast shows about African Americans like The Color Purple or A Raisin in the Sun with white actors. So why do it with Asians?

As for Gilbert and Sullivan, the duo could have set The Mikado in any distant land or even made one up. The setting and race of the characters seemed subordinate to the satire they were crafting.

The same logic applies to Shakespeare. We have witnessed countless productions that set his shows in lands and time periods far different from what the Bard wrote. But like Gilbert and Sullivan, Shakespeare was less concerned about geographic and cultural purity than conveying some universal truths about humankind.

The Lamplighters goal is to respect the original intent of the works we perform, Artistic Director Rick Williams wrote in the program, not to preserve the past unthinkingly but to show how much Gilbert and Sullivan can still teach us about the perennially enduring eccentricities of humanity.

Thomas Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: tlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByTomLee
SACRAMENTO  California would no longer prosecute minors for prostitution under a bill in the state Legislature, a move law enforcement agencies say would make it more difficult to prosecute pimps.

Supporters of SB1322 say many children caught selling sex are the victims of human traffickers and that prosecuting them for prostitution is not the appropriate or ethical response.

The bill could come up for a vote this week in the Assembly after having already passed the state Senate.

Under the law, a child who is under the age of 18 cant consent to sex, said state Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, who wrote the bill. And yet we charge the child victim of commercial sex trafficking with a crime.

SB1322 passed the Senate 28-10 in June, but faces a tougher vote in the more moderate Assembly, where some Democrats have aligned with law enforcement groups. Under the bill, misdemeanor laws involving solicitation of prostitution and loitering with the intent to commit prostitution would not apply to a those younger than 18.

California dedicates $14 million in funding for counties and child-welfare agencies to provide intervention and prevention programs for sexually exploited minors so that their cases can be handled in juvenile dependency court, not delinquency court. Dependency court focuses on minors who have been abused, neglected or abandoned, while delinquency court is for children charged with crimes.

But, Mitchell said, Victims are still being prosecuted.

Law enforcement groups such as the California District Attorneys Association say decriminalizing juvenile prostitution is in neither the publics nor victims interest and could make it more difficult to prosecute pimps because the minors would have no incentive to testify.

Everyone on both sides of the bill is in agreement that these kids are victims, not criminals. Where we differ is in how much faith we have in the dependency side of the juvenile system to effectively handle this population, said Sean Hoffman, director of legislation for the district attorneys association. If they cant keep a victim in a facility long enough for a provider to reach that child with services, then we undermine the efforts of a number of great community-based organizations that are having tremendous success in servicing victims of human trafficking.

Hoffman said its possible the state will have the resources and infrastructure in five to 10 years, so that decriminalization wouldnt have a negative impact.

What were hearing from around the state is that we arent there yet, Hoffman said.

The bill is supported by many child-welfare groups that serve a growing population of child sex-trafficking victims.

Kate Walker Brown, an attorney for the National Center for Youth Law, said making the change in Californias law would codify what advocates have been saying for years  there is no such thing as a child prostitute. Instead, children who sell sex are victims of abuse and neglect and need social services.

Victims of trafficking should not be housed in prison-like settings, Brown said. We hear time and time again of the harm that causes. They dont understand why, if they are the victim, they are in the concrete cell.

Brown said that instead of arresting a minor for prostitution, officers should call for county child welfare agents and community advocates to meet with the juvenile, a protocol piloted in Los Angeles.

Under the bill, officers could still take the minor into protective custody if they are worried about the childs immediate safety. This way, Brown said, the minor wouldnt be saddled with a criminal record.

Its hard for them to see themselves as victims, said Adela Rodarte, assistant program director at WestCoast Childrens Clinic in Oakland, which offers mental health services to sexually exploited youth. By the time they see us they are so embedded that they dont realize someone is taking advantage of them. To be arrested for it  its punishing them for a crime someone else committed.

Melody Gutierrez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia  Ethiopian security forces shot dead several dozen people in weekend protests across the country as frustration with the government mounts, an opposition leader and Amnesty International said Monday, while hundreds staged a rare demonstration in the capital.

The government again blocked the Internet over the weekend, alleging that antipeace elements based abroad and online activists were to blame for the violence.

Amnesty International said at least 67 people were killed in the Oromia region when security forces fired on protesters, and that at least 30 were fatally shot in the northern city of Bahir Dar. The rights group cited credible sources and said hundreds of people were detained.

An opposition politician, Mulatu Gemechu of the Oromo Federalist Congress party, said more than 70 people were killed across Oromia. Many others were injured, and we have lost count of the number of those who were arrested, he said.

Ethiopia, a close security ally of the West, is often accused by rights groups of stifling dissent. The U.S. Embassy said it was deeply concerned with the extensive violence.

People rallied around various causes. In Bahir Dar, the northern Amhara regions capital, protesters demanded the reinstatement of the Wolqayit area in the Tigrary region back to the Amhara administration.

The arrest of members of a committee set up to oversee the reinstatement led to violent clashes over the past week.

In the Oromia region, protesters demanded the release of people detained earlier this year in massive demonstrations against plans by the capital, Addis Ababa, to expand its territory into adjacent Oromia lands. The proposal has since been retracted.
SRINAGAR, India  Government forces have arrested more than 1,000 protesters in Indian-controlled Kashmir in an attempt to stem deadly anti-India demonstrations in the Himalayan region, a senior police official said Monday.

Inspector-General Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani said the arrests were made over the past two weeks in a bid to end a month of protests in which more than 55 civilians and two policemen have been killed and thousands injured.

Kashmir has been under a security lockdown and curfew since the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8 sparked some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years.

Tens of thousands of people have defied the curfew and participated in street protests, often leading to clashes between rock-throwing residents and government forces firing live ammunition, shotgun pellets and tear gas.

On Monday, tens of thousands of troops patrolled streets ringed with barbed wire and enforced a curfew in most parts of Kashmir. Shops and schools were closed because of the security crackdown and a separatist-sponsored protest strike.

However, protests demanding the end of Indian rule over the region continued in several places, with reports of clashes between protesters and government forces in at least five locations. Seven civilians were reported injured.

Separatist politicians, who challenge Indias sovereignty over Kashmir, have called on residents to resist the crackdown and stage protests when troops raid neighborhoods to arrest young people.

Kashmir is divided between rivals India and Pakistan, which have fought two wars over control of the region since British colonialists left the subcontinent in 1947.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training Kashmiri rebels who have been fighting for independence or for a merger with Pakistan since 1989. Pakistan denies the charge, saying it only provides moral and political support to Kashmiris.
1 Syria fighting: Rebels breached the Syrian government siege on opposition neighborhoods in the city of Aleppo, opening a corridor and marking a major military breakthrough. The push prompted an intensive air strike campaign Sunday as insurgent groups fought to protect the new corridor and gain ground. The battle for Aleppo, Syrias largest city, is pivotal for the civil war. It is not clear whether the rebels will be able to hold the gains, but the breach was a setback for the Syrian governments territorial expansion, bolstered by Russian air support. Until the latest rebel offensive, government troops had effectively blocked access to 300,000 people in eastern Aleppo.

2 Deadly floods: The Macedonian capital of Skopje was hit by torrential rains and floods that left at least 21 people dead, six missing and dozens injured, authorities said Sunday. Police and army helicopters searched for the missing and evacuated hundreds from the flood zone. Heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms hit the city and its northern suburbs late Saturday. Skopje Mayor Koce Trajanovski described the damage as the worst Skopje has ever seen.
1 Severe storms: Tropical Storm Javier pushed closer to the resort city of Cabo San Lucas on the tip of Mexicos Baja California Peninsula on Monday, while the death toll from former Hurricane Earl rose to 45 in the countrys eastern mountains. Javier was expected to brush Cabo San Lucas late Monday and continue raking the Pacific coast of the Baja peninsula. Among the casualties of Earl, at least 32 people died in multiple mudslides in the mountainous north of Puebla state. In neighboring Veracruz state, 13 people lost their lives when mudslides hit the towns of Coscomatepec, Tequila and Huayacocotla, Gov. Javier Duarte said.

2 Philippines insurgency: Communist guerrillas in the Philippines vowed Monday to step up their attacks, defying a warning by President Rodrigo Duterte and putting at risk scheduled peace talks. After visiting the wake of three soldiers killed by a rebel land mine, Duterte warned over the weekend that if another soldier died from such weapons, he would call off the planned resumption of peace negotiations on Aug. 20 in Norway. The Communist Party of the Philippines and its guerrilla wing, the New Peoples Army, rejected Dutertes demand and vowed to increase the manufacture of remotely detonated explosive devices and their use in guerrilla assaults.
MANILA  Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte publicly linked more than 150 judges, mayors, lawmakers, police and military personnel to illegal drugs Sunday, ordering them to surrender for investigation as he ratcheted up his bloody war against what he calls a pandemic.

Duterte relieved members of the military and police he named from their posts and ordered government security personnel to be withdrawn from politicians he identified in a nationally televised speech. He also ordered gun licenses of those named revoked.

All military and police who are attached to these people, Im giving you 24 hours to report to your mother unit or I will whack you. Ill dismiss you from the service, Duterte said in the speech at a military camp in southern Davao city.

He said that the list of politicians, judges and law officers given to him by the military and police might or might not be true, but that he had a duty to disclose to the public how the drug problem had become so pervasive.

There is no due process in my mouth, Duterte said. You cant stop me and Im not afraid even if you say that I can end up in jail.

The list of names, which Duterte said included some friends, did not contain details of the officials alleged involvement to the drug trade or offer any evidence.

They included eight judges, as well as five retired and current generals. The rest were mostly town mayors and police officers. One retired general, Vicente Loot, has been previously named in public by Duterte and has denied any wrongdoing.

Its a pandemic, said Duterte, a former mayor of Davao, where he built a reputation for his crime-busting style that allegedly involved extrajudicial killings.

Dutertes latest move raises the stakes in his war on drugs, which already has left more than 400 suspected dealers and pushers dead and more than 4,400 arrested in more than a month since he took office. Nearly 600,000 people have surrendered to authorities, hoping to avoid getting killed.

The crackdown has been one of the biggest and bloodiest in the Philippines recent history and has alarmed human rights groups and the dominant Roman Catholic Church. But Duterte has dismissed their concerns and has openly threatened to kill crime suspects, assuring law officers that he would defend them if they face lawsuits while battling criminality.
ANKARA, Turkey  Turkish authorities have detained at least 10 foreign nationals suspected of ties to a U.S.-based cleric whom Turkey accuses of masterminding the July 15 failed coup, a senior official said Monday.

At least four of them were formally arrested pending trial while a fifth person was released, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told reporters after a Cabinet meeting. One of the suspects was detained Saturday after entering Turkey illegally from Syria, the deputy premier said. Kurtulmus said at least one wanted foreign national was on the run.

He did not provide details on their nationalities, but said the number of foreigners detained could increase as the investigation deepens.

Turkeys government launched a sweeping crackdown targeting followers of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of being behind the coup attempt by renegade soldiers within the military. Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania, has denied involvement.

Nearly 18,000 people have been detained or arrested in the crackdown, mostly from the military. Tens of thousands of people have been suspended or dismissed from jobs in the judiciary, media, education, health care, military and local government.

The scope of the crackdown has alarmed European countries and rights groups, who have urged restraint, triggering criticism by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has angrily complained of a lack of support from Turkeys allies.

The government is demanding Gulens extradition from the U.S., but Washington has said it would need evidence of the clerics involvement.

On Sunday, Turkey held a mass rally in Istanbul to denounce the attempted coup, which two main opposition party leaders attended in a show of unity.

Kurtulmus, citing police figures, said as many as 5 million people had attended the rally, which he described as a strong expression by the Turkish people of their demand that Gulen be returned to Turkey to face trial. Turkey also is pressing for the extradition of other U.S.-based Gulen supporters.

I have no doubt that U.S. officials will review their stance (on Gulen), Kurtulmus said. Either they will continue to protect three or five bandits, or they will act in a way that will allow them to win the hearts of a nation of 79 million people.

Kurtulmus said the government doesnt believe Gulens movement would be capable of staging another military coup, but didnt rule out possible acts of sabotage by his followers, including cyberattacks. Kurtulmus said, however, that Turkey was taking measures to counter any possible threat.

I can confidently say that there is no longer a threat of (another) coup, Kurtulmus said.
The last of the finance company cases being brought by the Financial Markets Authority has begun in the Auckland High Court today with one of the five accused pleading guilty to theft charges.

Paul Bublitz, Bruce McKay and Richard Blackwood pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the collapse of Mutual Finance and Viaduct Capital, including theft in a special relationship and making false statements in a prospectus.

Charges against Lance Morrison and Peter Chevin related to Mutual Finance only and while Morrison pleaded not guilty, Chevin pleaded guilty to 10 charges of theft by a person in a special relationship.

Charges against a sixth defendant, Nick Wevers, were withdrawn following his death in March 2014.

The trial was delayed from starting in February after Bublitz asked for extra time to obtain funding from a current property development he was involved in Queenstown which would allow him to fund lawyers for his defence.

Both Viaduct Capital and Mutual Finance went into receivership in 2010. They held deposits insured by the governments retail deposit guarantee scheme when they collapsed, owing a total of around $17 million.

In his opening address, Crown prosecutor David Johnstone said Bublitzs property development company Hunter Capital got into trouble after the global financial crisis in 2007  it was asset rich and cash poor.

The Crown alleges Bublitz and his co-conspirators then deliberately misled investors and potential investors in Viaduct Capital and Mutual Finance over a series of related party transactions for their direct benefit and to the detriment of the companies.

Bublitzs Hunter Capital had a portfolio of five property assets nationwide said by the Crown to have been involved in the related party transactions, including a property development in Khandallah in Wellington, Northgate business park in Silverdale, property at Kinloch, a share in assets owned by Dockland Holdings in Auckland, and NKE Trust which had a property development at Helensville.

All of the properties were not generating sufficient income to cover bank loans which Bublitz had provided personal guarantees for.

The Crown alleges the defendants comprised a plan at Blublitzs holiday home in Pauanui in January 2009 to buy an existing finance company that was covered by the government's retail deposit guarantee scheme. They proposed the finance company would then acquire Hunter Capitals distressed property assets, but structured in such a way that it wouldnt alert investors and regulatory authorities to the related party transactions or breach the trust deed.

Priority Capital, later renamed Viaduct Capital, was bought in February 2009 in a complicated transaction that involved Wevers and Bublitz allegedly setting up a shell company, Phoenix Finance, which was lent $2.165 million by Hunter Capital to buy Priority Capital for $2.15 million. Hunter Capital, in turn, sold six loans and its Dockland shareholding to Priority Capital for $2.55 million in cash and $2.35 million in capital notes.

Bublitz was not named as a shareholder or director in the renamed Viaduct but the Crown alleges he effectively controlled it and earned $240,000 a year  the same as chief executive Nick Wevers - as an informal consultant.

He effectively controlled Viaduct after acquiring it, Johnstone said, including instructing Wevers on how to run the finance company, setting salaries and the strategic direction.

The company also followed the earlier blueprint laid out to acquire Hunter Capital property assets through a series of transactions that was signed off by the trustee.

The trial is continuing.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

Comments from our readers

No comments yet

Add your comment:

Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process.

Related News:

SKO - FY23 Interim Results Announcement Date - 23 November 2022

Downer awarded $490 million road maintenance contract

SKC - 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND TRADING UPDATE

TCL - Result of AGM

TradeWindow secures U.S. footprint with FoodChain ID

October 28th Morning Report

October 25th Morning Report

Mainfreight Investor Day / Market Update

GFI - Greenfern - Offer closes 27th Oct

MCY - Quarterly Operational Update


Nov. 1, 2019

A shoe box can make a world of difference in the life of a needy child when it is filled with gifts. Millions of children in our world live and exist in conditions difficult for most of us to imagine. As victims of poverty, war, AIDS, famine and other catastrophes, many are orphans and many live on
I want to argue that pirates emerge whenever economies become 'blocked.' To put it another way, wherever we see piracy we are looking at a system in trouble, a trading structure that is unjust...

In his book Mutiny! Why We Love Pirates, And How They Can Save Us Kester Brewin makes the argument that pirates always emerge when economies become blocked by the powerful. During the Golden Age of piracy wealth was flowing from the New World to the Old, enriching the empires of Europe. The seamen who made this transport possible were blocked from this wealth, often pressed into naval service at the point of a gun. Press ganged into service by the empire, life aboard the ships of England, Spain, France and Portugal was functional slavery.So a life of piracy seemed an attractive alternative. Though perilous, the life of a pirate offered freedom over the slavery of empire.And this freedom was the great affront of the pirate to the empires of the world. The ships of England, Spain, France and Portugal carried letters from their kings allowing them to act as pirates. When a English ship attacked and robbed a Spanish ship this was legitimate, sanctioned by the king of England. The English ship was not a, but aTo the pirates, that seemed to be a distinction without a difference. When robbery was sanctioned by empire it was legitimized, not robbery but business as usual. But when pirates, unaffiliated with any empire, robbed a ship? That was an affront to empire. High treason. A crime. Immoral. A sin. When captured, pirates were summarily hanged.In short, Kester Brewin argues that piracy emerges when access to the common good becomes blocked. And more often than not, it's empire who is doing the blocking, legitimizing their own robbery, injustice, and oppression while condemning it in others.Piracy, thus, emerges whenever and wherever an economy has becomed blocked. Pirates are symptoms that injustice is talking place. As Brewin writes:In the hands of Brewin this understanding of piracy is a powerful tool to talk about our current political and economic systems. I encourage you to readto ponder his analysis.For my purposes, I want to ponder how Jesus and the early church acted as pirates.Specifically, I think you can make a really strong case that the reason Jesus was killed was because he was a pirate.The conflict that brought about Jesus' death was his clash with the temple. Jesus' temple action was the precipitating event leading to his arrest and trial. And Jesus' claims about "tearing down the temple" were the main issues being debated during his trial before the Sanhedrin.Jesus had been picking a fight with the temple for some time. What was the issue?Following Brewin, the temple represented an economy that had become blocked. Access to God, community and salvation was being controlled by wealthy and politically powerful elites. Large portions of Jewish society--the poor and marginalized--were being shut out of God's kingdom economy.And so a pirate emerged.Jesus began to offer forgiveness on the street, free of charge. And the problem with this was that the forgiveness Jesus offered was not legitimized or sanctioned by the temple elites. That was the question Jesus faced over and over again: "Whoyou to do this?"Jesus was a pirate. Acting outside the structures and controls of empire, Jesus cracked open a blocked economy, granting access to those who had been excluded and marginalized.As Brewin writes, pirates emerge to raise "merry hell" whenever "the voiceless find their path blocked."Jesus, as a pirate, raised merry hell, and he was killed for it. For the kingdom had begun to unblock God's economy, letting in the voiceless, excluded and marginalized. And for that the empire executed Jesus as a criminal and bandit.In all seriousness, Jesus was crucified for being a pirate.So raise a glass today for the pirates of the kingdom! Cheer on those raising merry hell as they unblock the blocked economies of the world.Or better yet, let us join the fleet! It's time to join the kingdom's mutiny against the empires of the world.The tide is up and the winds of the Spirit are blowing. So shake out the main sail and pull up your anchor.Set sail and raise the kingdom's pirate flag.
'ASIAN' = MUSLIM 99% OF THE TIME





The politically correct term 'Asian' is used by the leftist UK media as a way to cast suspicion on a wider group of people and take some of the negative attention away from the group usually responsible for committing the heinous acts.

A perfect example would be the Muslim grooming gang epidemic which are constantly referred to by the press and authorities as 'Asian' grooming gangs.

It isn't people from China, Japan or any Far Eastern Asian place.

Nor is it Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists,Christians Etc....

They are Muslims!!!!
BENGALURU: IBM, in partnership with Apple, this week launched a global development hub called Garage for iOS apps in Bengaluru that will work with existing design locations in Atlanta,Chicago and Cupertino in the US and Toronto in Canada.

The Garage will enable clients to complete digital mobility projects as quickly as possible.

"With each IBM MobileFirst for iOS client's success, we see the conversation shifting from wanting a single app to cultivating a broader business transformation led by mobile," said Mahmoud Naghshineh, General Manager, Apple partnership, IBM, in a statement.

There are 22 inter-disciplinary teams working at Garage in Bengaluru, using end-to-end DevOps, IBM Design Thinking and agile delivery approaches to deliver iOS solutions in weeks not months.

IBM also announced Mobile at Scale for iOS, a new offering specifically for clients looking to invest in digital transformation projects that include more than three iOS apps over a multi-year period.

Clients opting for this model will have full access to IBM's portfolio of MobileFirst for iOS apps to jump start their digital transformation, iOS App Accelerators for rapid app development and customisation and Enterprise Design Services that align the app experience to the needs of the user.

IBM also plans to open satellite centres in Brazil, China, Romania and ther countries.

Read Also: Google Aims To Take Net Users In India To 1 Bn-Mark

Mphasis Launches Risk And Compliance Centre For Financial Services
GAJWEL: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that cooperative federalism was the only way to take the country forward, and his government was working for this.

He said the centre and states were now working together.

"There was a time when there was always a language of tension between the centre and the states but today they are working together to take India to new heights," he said in his address at a public meeting here on Sunday after launching Telangana's drinking water project "Mission Bhagiratha' and other projects.

The PM also hailed healthy competition among states, saying this would contribute to the country's development.

On his maiden visit to Telangana, Modi began his speech by greeting people in Telugu and speaking a few words in the local language.

He was all praise for the steps taken by the youngest state in the short span of two years to fulfill people's aspirations.

Referring to Good and Services Tax (GST) bill, he described it as the biggest economic reform after Independence and thanked Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and other parties who supported it.

Modi told the gathering that his government was trying to ensure water supply to farmers under Pradhan Mantro krishi Senchai Yojna. Stating that the government is giving priority to agriculture sector, he said if farmers get water, they have the capability to produce gold out of soil.

The PM also spoke about the achievements of his government during last two years. He said the states which were facing electricity shortage had now become electricity surplus.

Referring to fertilisers, he said the central government no longer receive requests from states for supply of fertilisers for farmers as the government overcame the problem of diversion of urea to chemical factories with neem-coated urea.

Later, at the BJP workers' meeting in Hyderabad, Modi said there was no blot on his government as it faced no allegation of corruption during last two years.

Modi said his government eliminated the role of middlemen, stopped leakage of gas subsidy and convinced 1.25 crore families to give up gas subsidy to use the money for providing connections to poor.

Read Also: Apple Says It Has Achieved Pay Equity In U.S.

IBM, Apple Open First Global Development Hub In India
NEW DELHI: Major tax reform  Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill  will be taken up by Lok Sabha on Monday, with virtually all political parties backing this legislation.

GST, the biggest economic reform since 1991, is likely to sail through smoothly in the Lower House. It will replace a raft of different state and local taxes with a single unified value added tax system to turn the country into world's biggest single market.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to intervene during the debate on the Bill in Lok Sabha.

The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha last year and now it has to go back to the Lower House for incorporating the amendments approved by Rajya Sabha.

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday said the party will support GST (Constitutional Amendment) Bill and has issued whip to all its MPs to be present in the House tomorrow where it is scheduled to be taken up for passage.

Aiming for early implementation of the GST, senior Union ministers have spoken to chief ministers of NDA-ruled states to ensure that the constitutional amendment is ratified by state assemblies at the earliest.

The chief ministers have assured that, if required, they will call a special session for the passage of the Bill in their state assemblies.

The GST Bill has to be ratified by at least 16 states in 30 days after it is passed by Parliament.

After facing fierce opposition over the Bill for almost a year, the government succeeded in bringing all major opposition parties, including Congress, on board and it was passed in the Upper House with an overwhelming majority on August 3.

The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014, that would lay the ground for roll out of GST regime, was passed by the opposition-dominated Upper House after the government moved four amendments.

Once implemented, GST will subsume various taxes, including excise, services tax, octroi and other levies, and the proceeds will be shared between the Centre and the states.

Under the new GST regime goods would be taxed at the point of consumption, instead of the goods being taxed multiple times at different rates.

The GST, which was first proposed a decade back, is seen as potentially transformative for India's economy, adding as much as 2 percentage points to the GDP while also improving the ease of doing business and encourage investment in manufacturing.

It is also expected to result in greater tax compliance, boosting government revenues.

Read Also: Apple Says It Has Achieved Pay Equity In U.S.

IBM, Apple Open First Global Development Hub In India
HYDERABAD: "If you want to shoot, shoot me," Prime Minister NarendraModi said, as he called for stopping the attacks on Dalits and the politics over it.



Making an emotional appeal, he asked people to protect and respect Dalits who have for long been neglected by the society.



"I would like to tell these people that if you have any problem, if you have attack, attack me. Stop attacking my Dalit brethren. If you have to shoot, shoot me, but not my Dalit brothers. This game should stop," he said addressing BJP workers here.



The Prime Minister said if the country has to progress it cannot ignore key mantras of peace, unity and harmony.



"Country's unity is the main source of country's development," he said.



His comments come at a time when the NDA government is facing flak over incidents of violence against Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes in various states including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.



Modi said at times some incidents come to notice which give us "unbearable pain". "It should be our responsibility to save and respect them (Dalits)," he said without referring to any particular incident.



Modi asked what right the perpetrators had to exploit Dalits and said the unity in society should be our priority.



"I know this problem is social. It is a result of sins which have crept into the society... But we need to take extra care and save society from such danger (of social strife)," he said. Modi said the society should not be allowed to be divided on the basis of caste, religion and social status.



Deprecating those who try to make political currency out of such issues, the Prime Minister said attempts to politicize those would only aggravate the problem.



"Those who want to solve this social problem, I request them to leave politics that divides the society. Divisive politics will not do any good to the country," he said.

Read Also: Apple Says It Has Achieved Pay Equity In U.S.

IBM, Apple Open First Global Development Hub In India
WASHINGTON: Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, is leading her Republican rival Donald Trump by nine points, a latest opinion poll said today.



In a latest poll, The Washington Post/ABC News said Clinton and her running mate, Tim Kaine, now lead Trump and his running mate Mike Pence by 50 to 42 per cent among registered voters.



This is double the four-digit lead Clinton had over Trump on the eve of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland last month.



The poll confirms that Clinton received a larger post- convention bounce than Trump did from his convention, said The Washington Post/ABC News.



However, a close confidant of Trump and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani argued that there is every opportunity for Trump to win the November general elections in about 90 days from now.



"First of all, 8 points down at this stage, of course you'd rather be ahead, but I remember George Bush the first being 16 points down to Dukakis going into September. There's certainly every opportunity for Trump to win this election," he told ABC News in an interview.



"I think Hillary's comments just don't get the same attention that Trump's do. For example, she lied to a Gold Star mother. She lied to Patricia Smith, the mother of Sean Smith, who was killed at Benghazi, because of her incompetence in failing to secure that mission," he said.



"And she lied to her on September 14th, 2012, right at the coffin. She said it was due to a video. So I think that's far more serious -- or at least it should get as much attention as was paid to, you know, the comments that were made about -about the Khan family," the former New York Mayor said.



Giuliani alleged that Trump and his campaign is not getting a fair treatment from the media and this is the reason why the Republican presidential nominee has said in the last few days that the US elections would be rigged.



"Do you believe this election could be rigged?" he was asked.



"I think what he's taking about is the very unfair media coverage that Republicans get. I know all of those of you in the media don't believe this but you really don't treat us the same way," Giuliani said.



"Hillary's situation in which the FBI found her to be extremely careless in handling top security information, my goodness, I wouldn't hire a person as an assistant US attorney if that was in their FBI background," he said.

Read Also: Indian-American Woman Wins Washington Open Primary

Clintons National Lead Over Trump Touches Double Digit

Source: PTI
Fly By Midnight

Fly By Midnight relesed their second original track "Karaoke" on Friday. The video has over 3,000 viess on YouTube. (Courtesy of Fly By Midnight via Facebook)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y-- Two years ago, Tottenville High School graduate Justin Bryte and Florida-born Justin Slaven were just two guys who shared a passion for music and a first name.

Now, they are the internet sensation Fly By Midnight -- with millions of video views to prove it.

The band released their second original track, "Karaoke," one week ago on their YouTube channel. The video for the song has already racked up more 7,360 views and rave reviews on social media. The song was inspired by a party Bryte attended at Wagner College a few years back, according to the band.

The track is currently No. 3 on Spotify's Radar Releases.

The day "Karaoke" was released, Fly By Midnight opened for Third Eye Blind at the Festival of Ballooning in New Jersey, which was a surreal opportunity for the band according to Bryte.

"Right now, we're just looking to build a fanbase," said Slaven, who goes by Slavo. "When we release original stuff, we're looking for a genuine review of what we're doing so it's definitely suspenseful."

The Justin's claim that a lot has changed since they started making YouTube videos and putting their songs on SoundCloud but they're enjoying the ride.

"We're learning what to do and not do as we go along," said Slavo. "This is the first time in history that everything feels effortless for us. Everything's falling into place."

The band has racked up millions of views on YouTube performing covers, like "We Don't Talk Anymore" but they claim now is the time for their original content to shine.

Although Bryte grew up in Huguenot and Slavo's parents are from the North Shore area, Fly By Midnight's first song to go viral was "Brooklyn." The video recently turned a year old and has over 130,000 views.

"The feedback from 'Brooklyn' made us super excited to release 'Karaoke'," said Bryte. "We hope our fan have fun with it and enjoy it."

Fly By Midnight is all about their "small victories" right now, one of those being the release of a remix to Karaoke in the near future.

"We are in our early 20s," said Bryte. "We're still in the party stage of our lives. So whenever we play a song, we want it to be upbeat and fun."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Today's archive page is from Feb. 11, 1982.

Marc Sherry, owner of the Old Homestead Restaurant in Manhattan, says his fish supplier is unable to provide the four- and five-pound lobsters served at the eatery.

Sherry explains that he was told the supplier only has lobsters that are between 20 and 33 pounds.

"I'm in the business 20 years and I've never seen anything like it," Sherry says, in disbelief.
German Pagan

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The 30-year-old Midland Beach man knifed to death at the St. George Ferry Terminal early Thursday morning was slashed in an unrelated boxcutter attack at the same location less than a month before his death, according to relatives and a source with knowledge of the investigation.



German (Ricco) Pagan suffered several slash wounds on July 10 when he was attacked by two men at the terminal, the source said.



According to court documents in that case, Isaiah John, 25, and Marcus Temple, 23, both of St. George, were taking the ferry to Staten Island when they got into an argument with Pagan just before 1 a.m.



The dispute escalated at the St. George terminal, and Temple jumped on top of the victim, punched him and held him to the floor, while John slashed him with a boxcutter, court documents allege.



Pagan suffered deep cuts to his left shoulder, back and right thigh in that incident.



John and Temple pleaded guilty to second-degree assault last week.





Pagan had barely healed up when he was attacked for a second time at the terminal early Thursday morning -- this time fatally.



He was found dead on a park bench between Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George and the ferry terminal around 2 a.m.



On Sunday, former convict Leonard Evans, 49, of St. George, was arraigned on second-degree murder charges in the slaying.



Authorities said the fatal stabbing was sparked by a dispute.



Pagan had just moved back to Staten Island from Texas with the hope of building a relationship with his 2-year-old daughter, relatives said.
In 2002, when she was 12, Tasia was diagnosed as bipolar, although her medical records show little sign of manic episodes or psychosis. Recent studies have found bipolar disorder is misdiagnosed in children at least half of the time. Moon took over Tasias treatment in 2004, shortly after Dr. Tressan died. She was 14 and had gained 45 pounds in four months. She often refused the humiliation of being weighed, because  at 5 feet 4 inches and 250 pounds  I knew I was fat, she said. Thats all I needed to know. Notes from Moons predecessor described the young girl as Markedly Zomboid in manner and function. And although there are no studies supporting the use of three or more psychotropic medications at once in children, Tasia was on five, including two antipsychotics. Yet her medical records showed little improvement  and no sign of anyone questioning whether another approach might be needed. Within a month of taking over her care, Moon did depart from the approach of Tasias earlier psychiatrists. He questioned her bipolar diagnosis, and added the phrase NOS, or not otherwise specified  a term used when patients dont quite fit diagnostic criteria. But while he eventually tapered her off almost all of the earlier medications, Moon introduced what psychiatrists reviewing redacted copies of her records for this news organization described as the biggest gun available: Clozaril, an antipsychotic designed for treatment-resistant schizophrenics that is rarely used in children younger than 16. A medication of last resort because of its risk of irreversible bone marrow suppression, Clozaril prescriptions cannot be filled without biweekly blood draws. Moon steadily increased Tasias Clozaril dosages 11 times from 2004 to 2008, her records show. One night, for a matter of hours, he agreed to allow Tasia off her meds. On June 12, 2008, after a 10-minute office visit, he noted in her medical records: Client is attending grad night this evening and wishes to hold medication so she will not be sleepy. Hold both evening meds for tonight only. (resume both meds on 6/13/08). That was the one time I know of that I stood up for myself and refused my medication, she said. I was not about to fall asleep at my prom  thats embarrassing!

Whats best for the kids

Lorraine Triolo, right, has been a long time supporter of former foster youth Tasia Wright. Triolo, a professional photographer, was a volunteer and benefactor at the Hillsides residential group home in Pasadena where she met Tasia. Triolo grew concerned about the prescribing of psychotropic medications at the group home after reading the 2014 series "Drugging Our Kids" and learning one of the group home's psychiatrists  Dr. Eliot Moon  had ties to drug companies. Triolo, who grew close to Tasia throughout her teenage years, began asking critical questions about Moon. Last year, she sent a letter to the Hillsides CEO threatening to rescind a five-year, five-figure funding commitment she had made for a new campus construction project.

Hillsides main campus in Pasadena  where Moon still works  houses 50 children on a spacious 17 acres with stately cream-colored dormlike cottages, a swimming pool, playground and library. The group home, flanked by palms in an upscale residential neighborhood, is rated a Level 12  which means it is not designed to treat the states most seriously disturbed children. Yet Rosa Martinez, who worked at Hillsides as a child care counselor from 2013 until February 2016, said many children took multiple drugs. Martinez said the flow of information that led to the high prescribing often concerned her: The staff would complain in meetings about kids acting out, and a therapist would take those complaints to Moon as prescription recommendations. I can understand there are those days where its really difficult and very challenging, she said, but theyre not thinking about the long-term benefit of the child. What I saw is everybody just trying to get through their shift, versus whats best for the kids. Lorraine Triolo, a Hillsides volunteer and benefactor, had other concerns about prescribing at the group home. After learning of Moons ties to drug companies in this news organizations 2014 investigative series Drugging Our Kids, Triolo  a professional photographer who grew close to Tasia throughout her teenage years  began asking critical questions about Moon. Last year, she sent a letter to Costa, the Hillsides CEO, threatening to rescind a five-year, five-figure funding commitment she had made for a new campus construction project. It appears to me that there is an ongoing conflict of interest between Dr. Moon, his pharmaceutical vendors and the children at Hillsides, Triolo wrote Costa. This conflict leaves children like Tasia vulnerable to inappropriate medication with profound, lifelong consequences. I strongly object to this practice and cannot continue to support or fund the organization until Dr. Moon is removed from your staff, and all future psychiatrists serving at Hillsides do not receive payments from pharmaceutical manufacturers of psychoactive drugs. I hope that you will see this as I do. Costa defended Moon and his approach to medication in his correspondence with Triolo, so she withdrew her pledged support. Triolo insists she has never seen the violent behaviors from Tasia that the staff described, or the psychiatric conditions her doctors seemed to be treating. In all that time, there was never a moment when I was concerned for my safety, Triolo said. She was always a sweet, sensitive kid. So, now, Triolo continues to try to help Tasia find a way through life. But it has not been easy.

A terrifying emancipation

In her final days at Hillsides, Tasia was terrified of leaving  weepy and unsure how to function on her own after 13 years in a group home. She also was left saddled with lifelong health problems from the medications she received. She is a client that will require monitoring closely for many health risks, a final note from her nurse predicted in 2009. Since being discharged from the group home, Tasia has been homeless and in and out of jail for minor offenses, living meagerly on monthly $889 disability payments. In his final visit with Tasia, Moon noted in her medical records she would need endocrinology follow-ups, given that she was barreling into a life with diabetes. She should try to lose weight, count her carbs and monitor her blood sugar, he wrote. Three months earlier, he described her anxious mood associated with her upcoming emancipation from foster care, adding: Yesterday, she had an episode of tearfulness concerning this issue. Tasias send-off from Hillsides launched new struggles. I go to counseling, but every time I go, its like where do I start? I have childhood trauma that has never been resolved, but now that Im an adult, its like what do I do now? she said. I was treated like an adult when I was a child, but now that Im an adult, I have a ticking time bomb inside me of all the pain that I buried away.

Tasia Wright spent 13 years of her childhood growing up in foster care at the Hillsides residential group home in Pasadena. She was prescribed 23 different psychiatric drugs during her days at Hillsides by three doctors.
2016 SkS Weekly Digest #32

Posted on 7 August 2016 by John Hartz

SkS Highlights... Toon of the Week... Quote of the Week... He Said What?... SkS in the News... SkS Spotlights... Coming Soon on SkS... Poster of the Week... SkS Week in Review... 97 Hours of Consensus...

SkS Highlights

One Nation's Malcolm Roberts is in denial about the facts of climate change by John Cook (The Conversation AU) generated the highest number of comments amomg the articles posted on SkS during the past week.

Toon of the Week

Quote of the Week

Leading climate scientists have warned that the Earth is perilously close to breaking through a 1.5C upper limit for global warming, only eight months after the target was set.

The decision to try to limit warming to 1.5C, measured in relation to pre-industrial temperatures, was the headline oucome of the Paris climate negotiations last December. The talks were hailed as a major success by scientists and campaigners, who claimed that, by setting the target, desertification, heatwaves, widespread flooding and other global warming impacts could be avoided.

However, figures  based on Met Office data  prepared by meteorologist Ed Hawkins of Reading University show that average global temperatures were already more than 1C above pre-industrial levels for every month except one over the past year and peaked at +1.38C in February and March. Keeping within the 1.5C limit will be extremely difficult, say scientists, given these rises.

These alarming figures will form the backdrop to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change talks in Geneva this month, when scientists will start to outline ways to implement the climate goals set in Paris. Dates for abandoning all coal-burning power stations and halting the use of combustion engines across the globe  possibly within 15 years  are likely to be set.

Atmospheric heating has been partly triggered by a major El Nino event in the Pacific, with 2016 expected to be the hottest year on record. Temperatures above 50C have afflicted Iraq; India is experiencing one of the most intense monsoons on record; and drought-stricken California has been ravaged by wildfires.

Stanford Universitys Professor Chris Field, co-chair of the IPCC working group on adaptation to climate change, told the Observer: From the perspective of my research I would say the 1.5C goal now looks impossible or at the very least, a very, very difficult task. We should be under no illusions about the task we face.

Scientists warn world will miss key climate target by Robin McKie, Observer/Guardian, Aug 6, 2016

He Said What?

Campaigning in Pennsylvania on Monday, Republican nominee Donald Trump went on an odd  but on-brand  rant against solar and wind. Trump appeared to occasionally conflate the two renewable energy technologies, and criticized both for being expensive.

Its so expensive, Trump said. And honestly, its not working so good. I know a lot about solar. I love solar. But the payback is what, 18 years? Oh great, let me do it. Eighteen years.

In fact, the cost of solar has declined 70 percent since 2008, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, and the return on investment for a homeowner in California, say, is nine years. In New Jersey, it is seven years.

Fastest-Growing Source Of Electricity Not Working So Good, Trump Claims by Samantha Page, Climate Progress, Aug 2, 2016

SkS in the News

In his Washington Post Op-ed, Why facts dont matter to Trumps supporters, David Ignatius states:

The final point that emerged from Gravess survey is that people will resist abandoning a false belief unless they have a compelling alternative explanation. That point was made in an article called The Debunking Handbook, by Australian researchers John Cook and Stephan Lewandowsky. They wrote: Unless great care is taken, any effort to debunk misinformation can inadvertently reinforce the very myths one seeks to correct.

SkS Spotlights

Your forecast, with climate context. Your weather, explained. Your world, made a little clearer.



WXshift (pronounced "weather shift") is a collection of ?independent journalists, ?climate scientists, and ?meteorologists working to bring you the latest in weather and climate information.

Our team is committed to providing you with the most up-to-date weather forecasts, news and information, all with local and relevant climate context.

This? site is a project of Climate Central, an independent group of journalists, and leading scientists and researche?rs who are committed to communicating the science and effects of climate change. We are a non-partisan, non-advocacy organization and we do not support any specific legislation, policy or bill.

We're here to simply make your day brighter (unless it's raining, of course).

Coming Soon on SkS

Rejection of experts spreads from Brexit to climate change with 'Clexit' (Dana)

(Dana) As nuclear power plants close, states need to bet big on energy storage (Eric Daniel Fournier & Alex Ricklefs)

(Eric Daniel Fournier & Alex Ricklefs) Climate scientists make a bold prediction about sea level rise (John Abraham)

(John Abraham) Six charts show UK progress towards low-carbon energy (Simon Evans)

(Simon Evans) Climate-related disasters raise conflict risk, study says (Robert McSweeney)

(Robert McSweeney) 2016 SkS Weekly News Roundup #33 (John Hartz)

(John Hartz) 2016 SkS Weekly Digest #33 (John Hartz)

Poster of the Week

SkS Week in Review

97 Hours of Consensus: J Marshall Shepard

Marshall Shepherd's bio page

Quote derived with permission from author from:

"...as I often say, weather is your mood and climate is your personality. So on any given day, you can have really cold weather or really violent weather. But the scientific literature, including our recent AMS Climate Change statement, does suggest that our climate is changing and I think we can say some things about certain weather phenomenon and climate phenomenon that are more linked to this climate change and we are in a different climate system now. Almost every weather phenomenon happens in a warmer and more moist climate."

High resolution JPEG (1024 pixels wide)
By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent.

Agree
Trump appears to have done little to improve his overall image, despite efforts primarily by his children to use their convention speeches to portray him as a loving father and a successful business executive. Almost 6 in 10 voters say he is not qualified to be president, unchanged from before his convention. Three in 10 say they would feel comfortable if he were to become president.
A Canberra man who was wrongly imprisoned for 82 days has avoided more time behind bars after a court threw out an appeal that could have seen him return to jail years after he was granted bail.

Stephen James Lewis, of Oxley, was sentenced to 12 months' weekend detention in 2008 after he smashed a glass into another man's face, causing serious injuries, after an argument outside Fyshwick Tavern.

The ACT Court of Appeal dismissed the government's appeal.

But Lewis, who was struggling with alcoholism and his father's ill health, missed a number of his required weekend detention visits.

He moved to Griffith, NSW, to be with his father before he completed his weekend detention, but failed to notify ACT Corrective Services. When he returned, he did not go back to weekend detention.
Precious time and resources are being spent on hoax or inappropriate calls to triple zero, which take up half of all emergency calls directed to police.

Two thirds of wrong calls are misunderstandings about when to call police, while the rest are mainly deliberate pranks or malicious anti-police sprays, acting officer in charge of ACT Policing operations Sergeant Mike Ward said.

Sworn and unsworn officers such as ACT Operations team member Ali Chan have to juggle many emergency and non-emergency calls at once. Credit:Karleen Minney

"Of the roughly 2800 calls we get a month, fifty per cent of the time people get it wrong," he said.

"Thirty per cent of calls that we get are from people who have made an honest mistake."
Roughly $1 million in federal funding was cut from support services for ACT carers last month, adding to what advocates say is a crippling level of pressure leading some to threaten self-harm.

On Monday, a former support worker broke her silence about using rope to restrain a woman with a severe intellectual disability, at the insistence of the client's mother, who was "a wonderful woman pushed to the absolute edge of carer stress".

A former care worker demonstrates how an intellectually disabled woman's arms were tied above her head for 30 minutes at a time while she was directed to clean the house. Credit:Karleen Minney

The woman was tied up for 30 minutes at a time, with her hands held high above her head by ropes attached to the roof.

"I am not a monster, but that role turned me into one," the former Kincare support worker said.
Commodities have been a major beneficiary of this leniency to China's overcapacity secondary sector so far this year. And the moves being seen in a range of Chinese commodity futures as well as notable pick-ups in the Caixin Manufacturing PMI and MNI Consumer Confidence Index look to be giving an early lead on another round of third-quarter fiscal support by China. And no doubt, today's CPI and PPI numbers will be carefully analysed today for further evidence of this as well.

With Japan committing to aggressive fiscal stimulus, the UK likely to announce a major fiscal package at the "Autumn Statement" and the potential for the EU to look into fiscal measures as well, now does not seem like a good time to be betting against commodity prices or commodity-related firms.

And this is the main reason why the Aussie dollar may continue to push back towards $US0.78, despite the prospect of further rate cuts and relative strength in the US dollar.

The negative close in US equities has not provided a strong lead for the Asian session. But the materials and energy sector look set for a strong day. Some further weakness in the yen may help Japanese equities today.

The ASX looks like it will open higher, primarily buoyed by commodities-related firms and the banks.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten met last week to discuss recognising Aboriginal people in the Constitution. Both have said that they want a referendum to be held in 2017. However, as Australia edges closer to that date, momentum is building instead for a different reform. A growing number of Indigenous leaders are joining the call for a treaty, or final settlement of claims, encompassing political representation, land and reparations.

This counter-reaction has grown over the course of a decade despite prime ministers advocating strongly in favour of constitutional recognition. Tony Abbott went so far as to say that he would "sweat blood" to secure the reform.

The problem is that positive words and good intentions have not been backed by deeds. Successive prime ministers have failed to take practical steps to progress the debate, or have even set it back. Most recently, Turnbull's plan for a same-sex plebiscite is heading off any prospect of a referendum on Indigenous recognition being held in the near future.

Our leaders have not even taken the step of backing a model for reform. They have ignored or rejected every proposal put before them. It is telling that the most complete and thorough report, delivered in 2012 by a widely representative expert panel, has yet to elicit a formal response from any federal government.
Bruce and Denise Morcombe have given their approval for a new film about their son Daniel, who was murdered by paedophile Brett Cowan. It led to Clegg having sex with the girl on four occasions in Scarborough and also at the girl's house. Clegg has also admitted possessing, creating and distributing child pornography. Killer paedophile Brett Cowan was recently attacked in prison. Credit:Queensland Police In previous court proceedings, Western Australian District Court Judge Philip Eaton has described this whole thing as one of the worst cases of child sexual abuse to come before this state's courts.

For anyone who may not have heard of this case, an 11-year old girl's father raped and pimped out his own daughter, offering her up for sexual abuse to a variety of men. Right here in the usually safe suburbs of Perth. The girl was subjected to two known years of sustained sexual abuse and degradation by the man who in normal circumstances is meant to protect and nurture his offspring. Her father, who cannot be named to protect his daughter's identity, pleaded guilty to 61 offences committed between 2013 and 2015 when she was aged between 11 and 13. He was jailed for a minimum of 22 and a half years- one of the toughest sentences ever handed down in the Western Australian District Court. At his sentencing in June, Judge Eaton said that images of the daughter were still circulating online within paedophile networks. "It involves the potential for negative impact upon your daughter for years to come."

However, the evil man behind all this evidently still does not recognise the seriousness of what he has done. He has just appealed his sentence claiming it is too harsh. I like to think most normal-minded people think that this guy should never be let out. He apparently sees it very differently. Experts always argue whether a paedophile can be rehabilitated. I have my view. You will undoubtedly have yours. However, is anyone really surprised that the evil father has appealed, given that this is the man who said to police when arrested: "I'm going to be honest, it was fun while it lasted but it went way over the line." The girl is now 14 and sadly lives her life sentence every day.

Six men have faced court over the sordid, depraved sexual abuse of the girl in which she was subjected to humiliating behaviour including being shackled to a bed with a mask and a dog collar with the word "bitch" on it around her neck. Last year, a former pastor and father-of-two was jailed for ten-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to 12 charges. He had advertised sexual massages on the internet and ended up molesting and raping the blindfolded girl on various occasions, while her father sat in the same room at both a city hotel and her father's home. Nicholas Adam Beer pleaded guilty in April to 163 charges including sexual penetration of a child and indecently dealing with a child. In June, photographer Benjamin Simon Clarke was sentenced to three years jail after taking naked and semi- naked photographs of the girl in 2014.

Troy Phillip Milbourne pleaded guilty down in Bunbury's District Court to four counts of having indecent dealings with a child under 13 years and three counts of sexual penetration of a child under 13 years. Mark Lesley Higgins had his sentencing delayed back in January so he could support his seriously ill daughter after she had surgery. A Perth judge warned Higgins that he is likely to go to jail after he admitted using electronic communications to attempt to expose a child to indecent matter or procure them to engage in sexual conduct. Another man still faces charges including four counts of sexually penetrating a child aged between 13 and 16, and possessing child exploitation material. He tried unsuccessfully a few weeks ago to obtain a substantial adjournment. Instead the magistrate told him he would only get a short one and has to enter a plea soon as "he'd delayed the matter successfully for 12 months".

He is also another one who remains on bail. Every time one of these men comes before the courts, the first thoughts of all Western Australians should always be for the girl who is now trying to rebuild what life she has. In the past few days, there was again a reminder of the importance of continuing to highlight the dreadful crimes of paedophilia and why, as a society, we have to maintain the pressure so the seriousness of the issue is not down played. Daniel Morcombe was 13-years old when he was abducted and murdered on the Sunshine Coast in 2003. His parents fought for years for an inquest, which led to a covert operation in which Brett Peter Cowan was eventually committed to stand trial and was sentenced to life imprisonment, providing at least some closure for the family.

Recently, we heard the news that Cowan had been admitted to hospital after a fellow prisoner threw boiling water over him, apparently saying as he did that "this one's for Daniel". Cowan is believed to have suffered burns to his face, hands, head, chest and legs. Predictably, Cowan's lawyer is now questioning whether the prison failed in its duty of care. I like to think the question in most Australians minds would have been: "Did Cowan indeed think of his victim whilst in the ambulance?" Because I can assure him that the overwhelming majority of Australians certainly did.
Thanks Australian Bureau of Statistics, you've ruined everything. The census is supposed to be fun. Or at least as much fun as filling out a form can be. And it's not just the coin toss between declaring yourself a Frisbeetarian or a Jedi Knight. (See last week's blog). The census is fun in the same way that putting a bunch of crap into a time capsule and burying it is fun. It's nerdalicious fun.

But nerds have pushed back against this year's census because the government is insisting that every little Vegemiter attach their personal ID to this year's survey. It doesn't matter that the ABS is ridiculously proud of the safety protocols it's built into the process to protect your privacy. It doesn't matter that severe penalties apply to public servants and agencies which disclose your personal information in breach of these protocols. None of this matters because the sense of trust, which was the magical fairy dust sprinkled over this exercise every five years, is gone. Not for everyone. Perhaps not even for a majority of people. But enough people have lost trust in the process of handing over to Canberra quite intimate details about their existence, that this year's census has birthed its own hashtag. #CensusFail.

The biggest dilemma on census night used to be deciding whether to be a Frisbeetarian or a Jedi Knight.

Opposition to the demand that we identify ourselves to the ABS ranges from the well-informed and highly principled all the way out to the far fringes of violent wingnuttery. It doesn't help that this is the first time the Bureau has defaulted to online lodgement over the old-fashioned paper booklets. Anyone with more than five minutes of experience on the Internet has probably developed a healthy scepticism about the very short lifespan of anything approaching privacy there. It's not simply the way the companies like Google and Facebook sell us out to their advertisers  it's the endless revelations of massive data breaches in supposedly secure digital storehouses.

Most of the reported breaches are the work of freelance hackers and hacker collectives, but the most serious are perpetrated by foreign governments as matters of state policy. The United States, which takes these things much more seriously than we do, has suffered serious and humiliating identity theft on a vast scale in Chinese government cyber raids. The Russian government is alleged to be interfering in the US election, right now, partly through targeting the IT systems of the Democratic Party. And the Snowdon revelations demonstrate our own governments to be world class abusers of their citizens' private lives.
Older generations always seem to fret about the sexual behaviour and romantic lives of the younger crowd. In the 1920s, there was alarm when boys stopped visiting in the parlour and started driving girls around in what one newspaper called "a house of prostitution on wheels". This worry paled in comparison to the panic evoked by the rowdy sexual revolution that began in the late 1960s.

In the 1980s, observers were rightly alarmed by the growing prevalence of early teen sex, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. In the first two decades of this century, anxiety shifted to the college hook-up scene and the emergence of dating apps to facilitate casual sex.

Unleashed and undressed: many undergo a sexual awakening at university.

Recently, however, a new concern has surfaced, with the finding that young adults, those aged 20 to 24, are now having less sex than Gen-Xers or Baby Boomers born in the 1960s did at the same age. Indeed, 15 per cent of 20 to 24-year-olds today report having had no sexual partner since they turned 18. (This is more than double the percentage for those born the 1960s; only 6 per cent of them reported being sexually inactive at that age.)

Explanations abound. Some experts posit that porn and virtual sex are replacing the intimacy of actual sex. Others blame the distraction of social media, unrealistic expectations of beauty and sexual prowess perpetuated by the mass media, the pressure of preparing for careers, or the inhibiting effect of so many young adults living with parents.
Donald Trump had it all figured out.

Throughout the Republican primaries, he kept his wallet closed while his opponents threw millions of dollars into traditional advertising. Trump relied instead on massive volumes of news coverage, pioneering a free-media strategy that not only allowed him to campaign on the cheap but also drowned out the voices of his 16 Republican challengers.

Donald Trump's free-media strategy is shaping up to be a disaster in the general election. Credit:AP

In that environment, Trump's pattern of "say something crazy, capture the news cycle, get a bump in the polls" was a winning strategy. But with the conventions over and the general election now in full swing, Trump's free-media strategy has transformed from asset to albatross.

To be clear, this strategy is a choice. The Trump campaign doesn't have to operate on free media alone any more. After months of flaccid fundraising efforts, the campaign pulled in more than $80 million in July. That's enough money to hire some staff, run some ads, and  if the campaign cuts down on payments to his children and his businesses  maybe even hire a new campaign manager to replace the one he fired in June.
Shorten said that more needs to be done to protect whistleblowers, people with the courage to call out poor behaviour in the banks when they see it. The banking industry agrees. That's why we've promised to implement the highest standards of whistleblower protections across the industry, making sure whistleblowers get independent support and are protected from financial disadvantage.

During the election campaign, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was asked repeatedly what particular issues a royal commission would look at. He gave various answers, but in one radio interview he did give a clear answer, setting out what he saw as the priorities for a royal commission.

But what does Labor actually want to achieve with a royal commission? What is the problem it is supposed to fix?

Labor did not win the federal election, but continues its demands for a royal commission into banks. They know it is a popular call. Most Australians, if asked, "would you like to give the big banks a bash?", will say, "yeah, sure!"

The banks welcomed the guidance from the regulator on Wednesday. Credit:Paul Rovere

He questioned whether the way bank staff are paid  particularly in "vertically integrated" banks that offer a wide range of products and services  encourages them to sell products to customers that the customers don't need. The banking industry agrees that this needs to be look at. That's why a former Australian Public Service Commissioner, who used to oversee how government employees get paid, is conducting an independent review of payments and commissions to bank staff and to third parties, like mortgage brokers. The industry has promised to remove or change any payments that could lead to poor customer outcomes.

Labor says we need a royal commission to look at a last resort compensation scheme. This is to make sure people who have been given bad financial advice can get their money back, even if their adviser has gone broke or disappeared. The banking industry agrees. That's why we support such a scheme and are already working on getting one put in place. Banks are also working to make sure they have good systems in place, covering all types of financial products and all financial advice, so that, if the bank hasn't done the right thing, customers can be compensated.

Labor has raised valid issues, and we are taking action now. But we are also going beyond the issues identified by the Opposition Leader. Banks have promised to appoint a customer advocate for retail and small business customers to make sure any complaints are dealt with promptly. If customers aren't satisfied with the way a bank has handled a complaint, they can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Banks also want to see access to the Ombudsman expanded, so more customers can get an independent hearing and ruling on their complaints.

We're also setting up an industry register to record any bank employee who breaches the law or a code of conduct. This will make sure people who fail to live up to expected standards of conduct don't just keep moving from job to job within the industry.
Australia's largest business peak body has urged the nation to "keep in perspective" Chinese investment, amid rising concern that China's possible ownership of half the NSW power grid could imperil national security.

Treasurer Scott Morrison firmed his view that the bids by Chinese firms for controlling stake in the firm Ausgrid through a 99-year lease would be knocked back if necessary, insisting that "national security outranks everything".

Treasurer Scott Morrison says Chinese bids for Ausgrid control could be knocked back in the national interest. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The looming decision by the Turnbull government over the Chinese bids is shaping as a major test of its approach to foreign investment, with some security experts warning that China could ultimately use the grid against Australia if relations deteriorate.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive officer James Pearson agreed national security was a vital part of the assessment, but stressed that Australia's economic relationships were becoming more complex and it needed to remain adaptive.
A long winter federal election campaign that clashed with school holidays has resulted in the biggest voter no-show since compulsory voting began in 1925.

More than 1.4 million Australians last month failed to cast a vote for the House of Representatives in what ultimately became a cliff-hanger election. The figure represents more than 9 per cent of 15.7 million eligible voters.

The turnout is the worst since 1922, when voting was optional and just 59 per cent of eligible people cast a lower house vote.

Compulsory voting was introduced before the 1925 federal election.
Newly elected One Nation senator Rod Culleton has been arrested by police after handing himself in as he tries to have a larceny conviction overturned in court.

The One Nation senator who is due to appear in Parliament for the first time later this month was arrested and placed into police custody while the warrant was formally processed.

"A 52-year-old man attended Armidale Police Station where an outstanding arrest warrant was executed," New England Inspector Chris Mckinnon told Fairfax Media.
Senate powerbroker Nick Xenophon has effectively killed off any changes to racial discrimination law, just days after a push by newly minted senators to put the issue "back on the table".

Derryn Hinch, David Leyonhjelm and One Nation's Malcolm Roberts came out of the blocks calling for amendments to or the abolition of Section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act, which makes it unlawful to "insult" or "offend" others based on race.

But Senator Xenophon told Fairfax Media he was "not interested" in resurrecting a debate about Section 18c  neither on its own merits nor as part of horse-trading on other legislative matters.

"No. The simple answer is no," he also told the ABC on Monday, when asked if he would support his fellow senators' proposed changes. "This issue was dealt with by the government back in 2014."
The ABC should engage more with the business community by taking corporate leaders to lunch and by embedding its reporters in companies for short periods, a major review of the broadcaster's business coverage has found.

As revealed by Fairfax Media, the review found the ABC has no discernible "anti-business" bias and identified no major breaches of editorial standards in a week's worth of coverage.

But the review finds the ABC's coverage can be unfocused and uncoordinated and needs a stronger sense of direction.

The broadcaster must also avoid "excessive commercial plugs", including the use of large company logos, which give the impression it is endorsing a particular business.
Senate powerbroker Nick Xenophon has declared he will refuse to provide his name on the 2016 census form this week amid privacy concerns and criticisms of recent changes made to the nationwide survey.

As well as volunteering himself as a legal test case, the South Australian senator - now with two party colleagues in the upper house and one in the House of Representatives - foreshadowed amendments to the relevant legislation.

This year, as well as being completed online, the census will retain people's names and addresses for four years rather than 18 months.

Senator Xenophon has joined a chorus of critical voices, including a former head of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, condemning the "unnecessary intrusion" and violation of the "inherent human right" to privacy.
Fifteen scientists will be hired to predict fluctuations in the climate system up to 10 years into the future, as part of the Turnbull government's renewed enthusiasm for climate science at the CSIRO.

As Fairfax Media revealed last week, new Science Minister Greg Hunt has ordered a U-turn in the direction of the national science agency, reviving climate research as a bedrock function just months after the organisation slashed climate staff and programs.

At the time, Mr Hunt said the full strategy was still being devised, but would involve 15 new climate science jobs and research investment worth $37 million over 10 years.

On Monday, he announced the money would be spent on so-called decadal climate science monitoring and forecasting capacity in a new CSIRO Climate Science Centre to be established in Hobart.
Reuters

Some hints that U.S. price pressures are beginning to ease even as overall inflation remains high could encourage Federal Reserve policymakers to opt for smaller interest rate increases after they deliver a fourth straight supersized hike next week. While the Commerce Department reported on Friday that underlying inflation pressures remained stubbornly high last month, the Labor Department's Employment Cost Index showed a considerable slowdown in private-sector wage growth in the third quarter - it rose 1.2% compared to 1.6% in the second quarter - suggesting the likelihood of a scenario of ever-rising wages pushing prices higher may be receding. Fed policymakers are keenly attentive to the ECI as one of the better measures of labor market slack and a predictor of core inflation.
Aidan Smith couldn't wait to get to his best mate's 18th birthday party in Sydney's north-west on Saturday night.

The 16-year-old listened to hip-hop and talked excitedly with his friends as they made their way to the party, arriving at the house on Victoria Road in Ryde between 6 and 7pm.

Aidan Smith, centre, died after being stabbed at a party in Ryde on Sunday. Credit:Facebook

He'd picked out a collared shirt; it was a rare occasion to dress up and celebrate.

Aidan was fatally stabbed just after midnight in a brawl that left five other males, and a female with stab wounds.
A 14-year-old boy is fighting for his life in hospital after becoming the latest victim in almost a dozen stabbings in Sydney in three days.

Police believe the teenager's altercation with his attacker on Sunday night started near the Fairfield train station and ended a few hundred metres away in nearby Wilga Street.

A trail of blood in the foyer of a unit block shows where the injured boy fled to seek help from a resident and friend.

He was rushed to Liverpool Hospital just after 11pm with several stab wounds to the torso. He remained in a serious condition and underwent surgery on Monday.
The administrator of the state's largest council has launched a review of planning approvals by one of the area's former local governments, citing inappropriate development along a key inner-west Sydney transport corridor.

When the Baird government sacked 42 councils across Sydney and NSW this year and appointed 19 administrators in their place, one concern cited by some opposed to the policy was that the administrators would pursue a conspicuously pro-development agenda.

A development site at 538-546 Canterbury Road, adjacent to a second proposed development at 570-580 Canterbury Road, which was approved under the former Canterbury Council. Credit:Michele Mossop

But in a number of areas, transferring power to administrators has resulted in decisions potentially less favourable to developers than was occurring under the old regimes.

Richard Colley, the administrator of the council formed from the merger of Canterbury and Bankstown councils, said a "number of decisions" by the previous Canterbury Council had "eroded the integrity" of that council's strategy for residential development.
A 38-year-old woman, who was a passenger in a stolen car, was killed during a collision in Sydney's south-west over the weekend, while the driver remains on the run, police say.

Emergency services were called to Warwick Street, Punchbowl, just before 11am on Sunday following reports that a Mitsubishi EVO and a Honda CRV had collided.

The driver of the Mitsubishi fled on foot, while his passenger was taken to Liverpool Hospital with critical injuries.

The passenger, whose identity was at first unknown, died about 6.10pm, police said.
The ex-wife of former Labor MP Matt Brown, whose antics at a budget night party led to his resignation as police minister almost a decade ago, has put up her hand to contest the Wollongong byelection.

But solicitor Deborah Langton, who separated from Mr Brown before he entered Parliament, might not get the opportunity to contest a rank-and-file preselection, with ALP head office understood to be considering referring the matter to the party's national executive.

Wollongong MP Noreen Hay has announced her resignation from Parliament. Credit:Sylvia Liber

Doing so would see Wollongong academic Paul Scully  who lost out to Noreen Hay in a bitterly fought preselection before the 2015 state election  selected as Labor's candidate.

On Monday, Ms Langton said it would be "undemocratic" to not have a rank-and-file preselection.
A Brisbane woman is creating reusable sanitary pads in a bid to stop period shaming and encourage a more environmentally friendly approach to 'that time of month' for women.

Freeda Thong, 23, said when she first heard more than 45,000 tonnes of absorbent hygiene waste, including sanitary pads, were being dumped into landfill each year, she had to do something about it.

Ecopads founder Freeda Thong. Credit:Ecopads

"I started seeing statistics about how much disposables contribute to landfill and I thought about it a lot," she said.

"We go through a period every month for three to seven days, for me I change about five times a day, multiply that by how long your life is, how many women there are in the world and it adds up exponentially, the environmental factor is huge."
A man accused of killing Queensland schoolgirl Jayde Kendall has been committed to stand trial.

The 16-year-old went missing in Gatton on August 14 last year, sparking an exhaustive search and an ongoing appeal for information before her body was found in a paddock two weeks later.

Jayde Kendall went missing after leaving her school in Gatton.

Brenden Jacob Bennetts, 19, faced the Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday and was committed to stand trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court on charges of murder and interfering with a corpse, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

AAP
Tiger sharks are lazy when it comes to feeding, with most preferring to scavenge rather than actively hunt green sea turtles off a Great Barrier Reef island, a study has found.

Researchers from Queensland and Miami, Florida, fitted more than 10 tiger sharks and 10 green sea turtles with satellite tags at Raine Island over a five year period to better understand tiger shark movements around one of the reef's most biologically significant islands.

Raine Island, about 620 kilometres north-west of Cairns, is the largest breeding site in the world for green sea turtles, with more than 90,000 heading to the site each year between November and April.

James Cook University researcher and co-author of the study Adam Barnett said satellite data found tiger sharks surfaced more often around the island than further offshore, which indicated they were scavenging on dead or weak turtles rather than actively hunting the thousands of turtles that headed to the island to nest each year.
A woman and two children were injured when an alleged car thief crashed into their vehicle, causing it to flip in Brisbane.

Police say a stolen ute hit the woman's car in Fortitude Valley on Monday night, pushing it onto its side and into a taxi travelling beside it.

All three were taken to hospital but their injuries are not life-threatening.

Police caught the alleged offender a short time later after the ute sped off and hit a power pole. The 27-year-old driver was also taken to hospital but his injuries were not critical.
New Ticker Symbol and Name Change effective August 5, 2016

DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / August 8, 2016 / New Age Beverages Corporation (OTC: NBEV) the Colorado-based owner of the XingTea, XingEnergy, Aspen Pure, and the Bucha Live Kombucha brands today announced that it has finalized its name change to New Age Beverages Corporation and has been awarded the ticker symbol NBEV.

New Age Beverages Corporation was formed on June 30th 2016 when Bucha, Inc. acquired the assets and XingTea, AspenPure, and New Age Beverages LLC. Bucha, Inc., the public entity acquirer was formerly the American Brewing Company and traded under the symbol OTC: ABRW.

American Brewing was originally founded in 2010 in Edmonds, Washington and became an award winning Craft Brewer. The business continued to expand distribution primarily in the Northwest United States, and in April 2015 acquired the assets of B&R Liquid Adventure, which included the brand Bucha Live Kombucha. Bucha Live Kombucha was one of the leading brands in the burgeoning Kombucha segment, which in 2015 reached a scale of $529 million according to the Wall Street Journal. In November 2015, American Brewing sold their Brewery and assets to focus on the Kombucha opportunity, and changed its name to Bucha, Inc.

The sale of the brewery and craft beer operation ultimately completed in May 2016, coincident with the acquisition of the brands and assets of New Age, based in Denver, Colorado. At that time, the firm decided to integrate its California operations into the Colorado headquarters of New Age. The firm officially changed its name to the New Age Beverages Corporation, and was subsequently issued the ticker symbol "NBEV."

Neil Fallon, Executive Chairman of the NBEV and founder of American Brewing commented, "I couldn't be happier with the evolution of the firm and its focus. It was a hard decision for me to part ways with the brewery, but the right decision to focus on the opportunity to become the World Leader in Healthy Functional Beverages. We have the the brands, the scale, the infrastructure and the leadership to be able to acheive it, and we will let noithing get in our way. We love our new smbol NBEV, and indeed have the "in" and "new" beverages that consumers are increasingly gravitatating to."

Story continues

About New Age Beverage Corporation

New Age Beverage Corporation is a Colorado-based, healthy functional beverage company originally founded in 2003 and re-created via the combination of XingTea, Aspen Pure Artesian Water, Bucha Live Kombucha, and New Age Beverages in June 2016. The Company trades under the symbol ABRW on the OTC exchange and intends to file with FINRA for a new trading symbol as soon as the Company name change is finalized. The Company competes in the fast growing healthy functional beverage segments including Ready to Drink (RTD) Tea, Kombucha, Energy Drinks and Functional Waters with the Brands XingTea, Bucha Live Kombucha, XingEnergy, and Aspen Pure. The brands are sold in 46 states within the US and in more than 10 countries internationally across all channels via direct and store door distribution systems. The company operates the websites www.mybucha.com, www.xingtea.com, www.aspenpure.com.

Safe Harbor Disclosure

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions 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. Forward-looking statements are any statement reflecting management's current expectations regarding future results of operations, economic performance, financial condition and achievements of the Company including statements regarding American Brewing's expectation to see continued growth. The forward-looking statements are based on the assumption that operating performance and results will continue in line with historical results. Management believes these assumptions to be reasonable but there is no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements, specifically those concerning future performance are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. American Brewing competes in a rapidly growing and transforming industry, and other factors disclosed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission might affect the Company's operations. Unless required by applicable law, ABRW undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

For investor inquiries about New Age Beverage Corporation please contact:

Chuck Ence

cence@newagebev.us

Websites:

www.mybucha.com

www.xingtea.com

www.aspenpure.com

SOURCE: New Age Beverages Corporation
Playing computer games can boost a student's school performance and should be incorporated into classroom activities - but the same can't be said for social media which does teenagers few favours, a study has found.

Alberto Posso found playing video games regularly has academic advantages. Credit:RMIT

Economist Alberto Posso from RMIT used OECD test results and information on the amount of time students spent in the digital world to measure the impact computer gaming and social media had on 15-year-olds' performance in maths, science and reading.

Perhaps not surprisingly, social media was outed as a pastime with little return on investment.
Shane Greenup knows the worth of mothers' milk better than most. It's about $US20 billion ($26 billion) a year.

That's the value of the global market for infant formula. Greenup plans to wipe it out with a new formula based on 14 proteins from human breast milk reproduced in a laboratory. HIs company Bionascent is already making one of them, alpha-lactalbumin, to sell at $US1700 a milligram for use as a biotech research tool.

That will help fund the next step towards global domination. The vision? "A world where where all babies, whether breastfed or formula-fed, are equally healthy, happy and strong."

"In the future when you go into a supermarket you won't be choosing between cow's milk and soy formulas. You will be choosing between specific formulations of human protein mixture and we will be at the centre of it all," said Greenup, a University of NSW molecular biology graduate and serial entrepreneur, pitching to venture capitalists in San Francisco last month.
The Catholic Church has housed a string of paedophile Christian Brothers on the same inner-city property it rents out as a family-friendly function centre.

A Fairfax Media investigation has revealed the Christian Brothers have been housing child sex offenders next to the Treacy Centre wedding and conference facility in Parkville since it opened three decades ago.

The Treacy Centre in Parkville. Credit:Luis Ascui

Past residents include notorious paedophiles Robert Charles Best and William Stuart Houston, who are both now serving lengthy jail sentences for historic sex crimes.

The Christian Brothers have refused to disclose how many known abusers are currently living in the complex, citing privacy concerns.
When police followed a "foul smell" on a property in Bulla, what they allege they found was horrifying: "Piles of dead horses".

The property was allegedly littered with horse bones and decomposing bodies. Out the back, police allege they found another horse graveyard with the bodies of 23 more horses.

While many horses on the property were allegedly starving, six to eight bags of horse feed were found in a fenced-off stable, police say. But even that would not have been enough to feed the horses on the property for a single day, police say.

Mr Bruce Akers, a 63-year-old former Olympic wrestler who competed for Australia in 1972 and 1976, was initially charged with more than 90 animal cruelty offencesafter police made the discovery on what they allege was his Bulla property on April 3 this year.
Tree-changers whose V/Line commute is already an hour long are up in arms at a proposal that could see them dumped at Pakenham and having to board a second train on their daily commute.

The public transport minister has been forced to hose down the concerns, saying the government has no plans to make V/Line commuters juggle multiple trains.

The proposal calls for Gippsland residents to switch trains at Pakenham. Credit:Leanne Pickett

A public consultation group set up by Infrastructure Victoria has recommended creating a "Gippsland/Pakenham rail shuttle" in order to ease congestion on city trains.

The proposal would see passengers travelling to and from Gippsland switch trains at Pakenham.
Aldi has been granted permission to sell alcohol at its Wattle Grove store despite opposition from the Executive Director of Public Health and a responsible alcohol action group.

The Director of Liquor Licensing granted the German supermarket chain in Perth's southern suburbs a liquor licence on August 2.

It is the second Aldi store to be approved to sell alcohol by the state government, following the approval of a liquor licence at its Butler store.

An application the sell alcohol at its Harrisdale store was rejected.
The deportation of a 26-year-old Irishman from Australia on character grounds after he was kept in a detention centre has been criticised by his lawyer.

Bernard Frederick Lee is back in Ireland after being escorted on a plane by two staff members from Serco, which runs the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre.

Bernard Lee had lived in Australia for more than seven years. Credit:Facebook

Mr Lee has been in Australia for more than seven years and has an Australian girlfriend, Amal, but will struggle to ever return to Australia.

The Department of Immigration refused his application for a resident's visa, which triggered the cancellation of his work visa.
Jakarta: Australia is moving to become one of the first countries to regulate e-currencies such as bitcoin under its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws.

Bitcoin - the most prominent digital currency to emerge globally - is backed by a computer code rather than a physical substance such as gold or mainstream currency.

The anonymity of payments using digital currencies make them attractive for terrorism financing, according to Australia's financial intelligence agency, AUSTRAC, which is co-hosting a counter-terrorism financing summit with Indonesia in Bali this week.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan will inform the summit of the work Australia is doing to improve its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing legislation after a review recommended the regulation of digital currencies.
Jakarta: One of Indonesia's most prominent human rights activists has cancelled a trip to Australia because he has to fight a criminal defamation suit after he alleged the military and police were involved in a drug smuggling syndicate.

Just hours before the execution of Freddy Budiman last month, Haris Azhar posted allegations on Facebook that the notorious drug baron had told him he had paid millions of dollars in bribes to top-ranking officials to run his ecstasy smuggling racket from behind bars.

Haris Azhar (right) with colleagues from the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) and Brazilian woman Angelita Muxfeldt plead for the life of Angelita's cousin Rodrigo Gularte in Jakarta, February 2015. Gularte was executed alongside Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran in April last year. Credit:Jefri Tarigan

The National Narcotics Agency (BNN), military and police filed a criminal defamation suit against Mr Haris last week and he is considering asking for witness protection after receiving anonymous threats.

Mr Haris, the co-ordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), had been invited to Australia by the Perth-based Indonesia Institute next month to deliver public lectures and closed-door briefings on his human rights activities.
Shahram Amiri with his son Amir Hossein after his arrival at Imam Khomeini airport in July 2010. Credit:AP The American, Israeli and European search to understand the scope of Iran's nuclear program - an intelligence effort that continues - has taken many bizarre turns that have become the stuff of books and film. And the drama of Amiri's apparent double defection came in a summer of espionage efforts against Iran gone wrong. The Stuxnet computer virus was then replicating itself around the world, which ultimately revealed the sophisticated US-Israeli cyberattack on Iran's nuclear facilities that many today see as a turning point in the use of cyberweaponry. US Secretary of State John Kerry, left, with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in September 2015. Credit:AP But few stories were as confusing, and at moments heart-rending, as Amiri's.

Among the side players was Hillary Clinton, then secretary of state, who said as Amiri was returning to Iran: "He's free to go. He was free to come. Those decisions are his alone to make." In an undated handout image, a satellite view of a mountain in Iran where the Fordow uranium enrichment plant is located underground. Credit:Google Earth Some of her emails, made public last year during the controversy over her private email server, show that her top foreign policy aide warned her that the story was about to break. An email forwarded to Clinton by senior adviser Jake Sullivan on July 5, 2010, from Richard Morningstar, a former State Department special envoy for Eurasian energy, says, "Our friend has to be given a way out ... We should recognize his concerns and frame it in terms of a misunderstanding with no malevolent intent." The Natanz nuclear facility in Iran in 2002. Credit:AP Photo/DigitalGlobe

Another email, sent on July 12, 2010, by Sullivan, appears to refer to Amiri just before the story of his complicity became public. "The gentleman ... has apparently gone to his country's interests section because he is unhappy with how much time it has taken to facilitate his departure" from the US, Sullivan wrote. "This could lead to problematic news stories in the next 24 hours." Shahram Amiri greets his son Amir Hossein after arriving back in Iran in July 2010. Credit:AP Weeks after Amiri returned to Iran, US intelligence officials described the events on ground rules of anonymity to a small group of reporters. Their story was that Amiri had been a voluntary recruit, interviewed and then placed in the agency's equivalent of a witness protection program. When he first told his CIA handlers that he planned to return, they warned him, according to the intelligence agency's account, that it would probably end with his head in a noose.

Amiri was 32 years old in 2009 when he left a university post to go on what he declared was a pilgrimage to Mecca. He disappeared when he got to Medina, in Saudi Arabia. He had left his shaving kit in an empty hotel room, and the Iranians guessed he was with the Americans - and they accused the US of kidnapping. He was an unlikely spy, a bit bumbling and nervous. By all accounts, Amiri was not in the inner circle around Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the scientist who had run the weapons side of the Iranian nuclear program. But Amiri had seen a lot; he worked at the academic centre of research for the Iranian program. It now appears he may have begun work as a US source while he was still in Iran. As a specialist in measuring nuclear radiation, he had been to a number of sensitive Iranian sites, all of great interest to intelligence officials. According to officials familiar with his debriefing, he was among the sources who told the Americans about the internal Iranian debate over whether the country needed a nuclear weapon or just a "threshold capability" to build one on short notice without violating the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and inviting a military backlash. By 2009, the CIA had apparently decided that the chances he would be detected were rising, and offered to get him out of the country. The agency promised him $US5 million and a new identity. Amiri believed his estranged wife would never leave Iran, and he decided to go alone, without his son. After he was interviewed in Washington, he ended up near Tucson, Arizona, under the agency's national resettlement program, which provides cover and protection for cooperative foreign spies.

But he immediately missed his young son and began calling home. Iranian intelligence agencies pressured his family, and by one account threatened to harm his son. They told Amiri to make a video claiming he had been kidnapped. He did, using a webcam to declare that he had been kidnapped in Medina "in a joint operation by the terror and abduction units" of the CIA and Saudi Arabia's intelligence service. He said he had been drugged and tortured. Two months later, in 2010, the video showed up on Iranian state television. The CIA made its own video with Amiri, filmed in the friendly setting of a study. In that one, Amiri contradicted what he had said in the first. "I am free here," he said, "and I assure everyone that I am quite safe." His estranged wife told Iranian television that the second video must have been faked. "He was reading text," she said. A few weeks later the Iranians broadcast a third video, in which Amiri returned to the story that he had been kidnapped, but had escaped his captors. Behind the scenes, Amiri was telling his handlers that he had made a mistake by defecting, and only wanted to return to see his son. He was warned of what had happened to Soviet defectors - prison and potentially execution - who had returned.
PHILIPSBURG:---Independent Member of Parliament Maurice Lake commends Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Angel Meyers for executing the very important project of connecting the homes on St. Peters Road to the sewage line and for upgrading the trench behind St. Maarten Academy School.

Sewage has been a big issue in St. Peters for a long time and it is good to see Government is addressing the issue, said Lake. He advised the Minister to put funds aside in the draft 2017 budget for sewage connections to homes on Tangerine Road, Lime Road and Grapefruit Road and the hard surfacing of the Genip Road Trench.

As the co-founder and a former president of St. Peters Community Council, Lake is very happy to see vision and hard work of the current Government on Infrastructure projects such as the paving of the main road and adding of sewage connections, the hard surfacing of the dirt roads and the upgrading of the trenches in the area.

Lake looks forward for Government providing work to the local boys of St. Peters/Marigot Hill. We need to make sure that the contractor gives a sub-contract to hire the local boys with the new projects in St. Peters.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The 2016 ASL Award students recently returned to St. Maarten after the annual student award trip to New York City. They were accompanied by Ari Sutton, ASL project manager and Yvans Azzard and Gregory Victor of Soualiga Media.

The students attended classes at Alvin Ailey, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway and attended a private class at Google Headquarters; in addition to taking in the Broadway Show On your Feet during their visit. It was an enriching experience for the students and ASL will host a talent showcase and provide more information for ASL 2017 in the upcoming weeks.
"The US justifies and advances the global war on terror via its alliance with Israel and is complicit in genocide against the Palestinians..."

ADL: We categorically reject the document's criticism of the United States and Israel as being 'complicit in the genocide taking place against the Palestinian people.'

The Black Lives Matter movement stands to lose potential support from influential Jewish organizations after release of a platform that slanders Israel. The activist movement associated with protests across the nation in support of blacks wrongfully killed by white and white police officers recently released a lengthy platform of principles. Among those, catalogued under "Invest-Divest," is this statement, filled with old and oft-refuted canards against the Jewish state:

"The US justifies and advances the global war on terror via its alliance with Israel and is complicit in the genocide taking place against the Palestinian people. The US requires Israel to use 75 percent of all the military aid it receives to buy US-made arms. Consequently, every year billions of dollars are funneled from US taxpayers to hundreds of arms corporations, who then wage lobbying campaigns pushing for even more foreign military aid. The results of this policy are twofold: it not only diverts much needed funding from domestic education and social programs, but it makes US citizens complicit in the abuses committed by the Israeli government. Israel is an apartheid state with over 50 laws on the books that sanction discrimination against the Palestinian people. Palestinian homes and land are routinely bulldozed to make way for illegal Israeli settlements. Israeli soldiers also regularly arrest and detain Palestinians as young as 4 years old without due process. Everyday, Palestinians are forced to walk through military checkpoints along the US-funded apartheid wall."

(https://policy.m4bl.org/invest-divest/)

In its decision to wage moral war against Israel, the BLM movement apparently ascribes to the notion of "intersectionality," the idea that all revolutionary struggles are related, and seeks to identify with the Palestinians. Palestinians are Arabs caught in land conquered by Israel during the 1967 war in which Israel's Arab neighbors sought to utterly destroy the country. These Arabs were not repatriated into the countries from which they came but have remained on Israeli land ever since. Violent attacks against Israeli Jews have also occurred ever since.

It is not surprising that the BLM movement would sympathize with the "struggle" of the Palestinians, whose cause largely involves a demand that all Jews leave the region and surrender their homes and businesses. The BLM's official statements reflect desire to blame all problems in the black community and the world on "the state." Implied is the idea that all misfortunes can be traced to some powerful (white) oppressor. This is similar to the claims of the Palestinians, who do not accept responsibility for their own failed leadership or for their betrayal by the countries to whom they were native. Instead, they blame Jews who purchased and worked hard for the land they govern and in which they flourish. Below is an excerpt from the "herstory" of the movement on the BLM website:

"When we say Black Lives Matter, we are talking about the ways in which Black people are deprived of our basic human rights and dignity. It is an acknowledgement Black poverty and genocide is state violence. It is an acknowledgment that 1 million Black people are locked in cages in this countryone half of all people in prisons or jailsis an act of state violence. It is an acknowledgment that Black women continue to bear the burden of a relentless assault on our children and our families and that assault is an act of state violence.

"Black queer and trans folks bearing a unique burden in a hetero-patriarchal society that disposes of us like garbage and simultaneously fetishizes us and profits off of us is state violence; the fact that 500,000 Black people in the US are undocumented immigrants and relegated to the shadows is state violence;.the fact that Black girls are used as negotiating chips during times of conflict and war is state violence; Black folks living with disabilities and different abilities bear the burden of state-sponsored Darwinian experiments that attempt to squeeze us into boxes of normality defined by White supremacy is state violence. And the fact is that the lives of Black people-not ALL people-exist within these conditions is consequence of state violence."

(http://blacklivesmatter.com/herstory/)

The founding principles of the group are called a "herstory" because the group was founded by three queer women who apparently are even offended by the prefix "his" in "history."

There may be little by which this group is not offended.

In response to the BLM's stated platform slandering Israel came a complete disassociation from the group by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Boston. Their statement includes the following:

"We are deeply dismayed by elements of this platform, specifically the co-opting and manipulation of a movement addressing concerns about racial disparities in criminal justice in the United States in order to advance a biased and false narrative about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. To conflate the experiences of African-Americans and Palestinians oversimplifies complex matters and advances false equivalencies that diminish the unique nature of each.

JCRC cannot and will not align ourselves with organizations that falsely and maliciously assert that Israel is committing "genocide." We denounce an agenda to wage economic and cultural warfare against Israelis, including efforts to mobilize against state and local efforts that reject the "BDS" movement. We reject participation in any coalition that seeks to isolate and demonize Israel singularly amongst the nations of the world.

As we dissociate ourselves from the Black Lives Matter platform and those BLM organizations that embrace it, we recommit ourselves unequivocally to the pursuit of justice for all Americans, and to working together with our friends and neighbors in the African-American community, whose experience of the criminal justice system is, far too often, determined by race...."

Fair Use excerpt from "Solidarity Demonstration in Nazareth: Ferguson to Palestine" http://vimeo.com/116675694 Marc Lamont Hill on the "Revolutionary Struggle Against Israel." Israel is an apartheid state with over 50 laws on the books that sanction discrimination against the Palestinian people. Palestinian homes and land are routinely bulldozed to make way for illegal Israeli settlements. Israeli soldiers also regularly arrest and detain Palestinians as young as 4 years old without due process. Everyday, Palestinians are forced to walk through military checkpoints along the US-funded apartheid wall.

Also tasking the group with calumny against the Jewish state was the Anti-Defamation League. Previously, the powerful ADL had embraced BLM and even provided them with lesson plans to use in schools. Without formally breaking from BLM, the ADL nevertheless released a forceful tweet in which they stated the following:

"But would-be allies in the struggle for civil and human rights along with justice and fair treatment cannot ignore the Platform's false and blatantly one-sided position on US-Israel relations and Israeli-Palestinian issues. We categorically reject the document's criticism of the United States and Israel as being 'complicit in the genocide taking place against the Palestinian people.' The Jewish community knows too much about genocide. It's repellent and completely inaccurate. And the Platform completely ignores incitement and violence perpetrated against Israelis by some Palestinians, including terror inside the country and rocket attacks lobbed from Gaza."

However, given the Black Lives Matter movement's suspicion of and accusations against everyone who is not their color - according to their own website - they will probably not mind getting abandoned by US Jewish organizations, who would be, in their eyes, just more enemies.
imbus goes overseas: New site in Toronto for the Canadian and US market

With over 20 years of proven experience, imbus service portfolio  including consulting for process improvement, software testing services, test outsourcing, test tools, and training  are now available for customers in Canada and USA.

By choosing Toronto as our new site we rely on a boom region on the east coast, explains Tilo Linz, executive board member of imbus AG. It has been largely spared from the world economic crisis for the last few years. Primary industries and the energy sectors are flourishing here. Today, reliably functioning IT solutions are vital competitive factors in these presumed traditional branches, too.

imbus Canadas service puts a special emphasis on the training field. We strive to improve and raise the standards of QA professionalism by training and consulting, especially in Canada, quotes Sammy Kolluru.

imbus Canada offers various courses in software testing including the internationally acknowledged and standardized ISTQB Certified Tester scheme. All trainings are accredited. The first course in Toronto will begin in October.

Sammy Kolluru has first-hand experience in software testing and certification: As a member of the executive board of directors at the Canadian Software Testing Board (CSTB), he actively co-creates the certification scheme for the International Software Testing and Qualifications Boards  for example in the Agile Working Group Committee. Sammy Kolluru has over ten years of experience in software testing and quality assurance field. In addition to that, he is also an avid speaker in agile software development.
SpeedCast Partners with DH-INTERCOM to Provide Broadband Connectivity to a 50-vessel Fleet Globally

Hamburg, Germany, August 8, 2016  SpeedCast International Limited (ASX: SDA), a leading global satellite communications and network service provider, today announced that it has partnered with DH-INTERCOM (DHI), a subsidiary of Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL), which is based in Germany and provides communications and IT services to the maritime industry, to offer global Ku-band satellite broadband services to a fleet of 50 vessels sailing worldwide.

DHI will leverage SpeedCasts global satellite infrastructure to provide high speed, high-throughput connectivity to its customer, who wish to offer crew access to Internet services, as well as gain greater efficiency on the vessels via remote monitoring and operation applications.

Our customer is looking for network connections with higher speed to run more applications and provide better data services to their crew on 50 vessels. SpeedCasts outstanding global network will deliver the performance and reliability we need to support our customer, said David Bunting, Director of Operations at WINS.

Piers Cunningham, Vice President, Maritime Services, SpeedCast commented, We see an increasing demand for high speed, high-throughput connectivity from the maritime industry. Ship owners need to run more bandwidth-demanding applications on their vessels to improve operational efficiency and provide better crew welfare. We are well poised to answer this growing connectivity demand with our extensive, highly resilient, global Ku-band network and provide best-in class services wherever our customers operate.
FirstNet Concerns: NetMotion Wireless to Discuss Public Safety LTE and Wi-Fi Roaming at APCO 2016

SEATTLE, WA  (Marketwired)  08/08/16 

Steve Fallin, Senior Product Manager, , will address how future FirstNet users can keep their apps in contact with data centers while roaming between commercial LTE, private LTE and Wi-Fi networks at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) 2016 in Orlando, August 14-17.

Fallin has extensive experience in network security product and program management and is responsible for driving the strategic direction, feature roadmap, and go-to-market programs for Mobility. NetMotion Mobility, trusted by approximately 80 percent of U.S. state and city public safety organizations, keeps first responders connected to the applications they depend on in mobile environments.

As the roll-out of FirstNet draws near, many want to know how to make the adjustment as painless as possible and what this change will mean for their roaming connectivity and the monetary charges that come along with it. In FirstNet Roaming: Application Stability and Connectivity Across Network Boundaries, attendees will receive guidance and insight on how their agencies can prepare for FirstNet and its inevitable roaming issues, bringing them into closer alignment with specific business and organizational connectivity needs.

FirstNet Roaming: Application Stability and Connectivity Across Network Boundaries: Sunday, August 14, 2016 at 10:40 AM Eastern, Room W204AB

Orlando Convention Center, Orlando, FL

NetMotion Wireless mobile performance management and traffic optimization software accelerates business-critical applications, hybrid networks and mobile devices. Thousands of enterprises around the world depend on the companys solutions to deliver application performance management, network optimization, adaptive policy control and secure remote access for their mobile workforces. NetMotion gives IT decision-makers robust intelligence and control over devices, applications and networks to increase operational efficiencies and end-user productivity. NetMotion has received numerous awards for its technology and customer support. The company consistently receives an impressive customer satisfaction Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 91, significantly exceeding NPS averages in the technology and telecom industries. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Visit .

NetMotion and NetMotion Mobility are registered trademarks of NetMotion Wireless, Inc. All other trade names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contact:

Jaci Hendricks-Scott

Voxus PR

Direct: 253-444-5955

Email:
Instore Adds Support for Star Micronics mPOP(TM) for iOS

SOMERSET, NJ  (Marketwired)  08/08/16  , the worlds easiest-to-use point-of-sale system, recently integrated the from to better address the needs of non-food retailers. Instores iPad POS system has already gained popularity amongst the food service industry, and is now expanding to cater to retailers as well. Star Micronics mPOP, Mobile Point of Purchase, is Stars first hybrid for tablet POS, combining a cash drawer and printer peripheral. After working with a number of Stars impact kitchen, thermal, and mobile receipt printers, Instore was eager to integrate the mPOP to provide the perfect hardware solution for its new retail platform.

Instore is a single, simple operating system for a retail business. Starting with point of sale, the Instore Pro platform includes labor management, customer rewards, CRM, marketing, gift cards, inventory management, reporting, and more. Merchants seeking an even simpler solution use Instore Terminal, which includes payments, gift cards, rewards, and CRM for one low price. Merchants in a wide variety of industries save time and money managing operations on Instore while growing sales through integrated features that inspire repeat customer visits.

The mPOP is the perfect peripheral for Instores new retail POS, says Matt Niehaus, CEO of Instore. The modern look and feel along with its compact design matches perfectly with our simple yet powerful platform for small business. The integration was easy and will help spread the tablet POS revolution to even more small business retail environments.

About Star Micronics

Star Micronics, one of the worlds largest POS providers, has designated a portfolio of printing, secure cash management, and customer solutions for any retail or hospitality establishment in POS and mPOS environments. Embracing the mobility wave, Stars complementary SDKs allow users to utilize Star printers in tandem with Android, and iOS iPad and iPhone devices to generate receipts for all of its printers. Always leading, and always innovating, Star Micronics enables web-based printing solutions including remote cloud printing, wireless cash drawer solutions, proximity-based printing, and secure cash management. For more information, please visit or follow us on , , , , or .

About Instore

Instore is a single, simple operating system for a retail business. Starting with point of sale, the Instore Pro platform includes labor management, customer rewards, CRM, marketing, gift cards, inventory management, reporting, bar code scanning, and more. Merchants seeking an even simpler solution use Instore Terminal, which combines payments, gift cards, rewards, and CRM for one low price. Merchants in a wide variety of industries save time and money managing operations on Instore while growing sales through integrated features that inspire repeat customer visits.

Media Contact:

Brianna Moriarty

Star Micronics America, Inc.

848-216-3300 x580

Melissa McGaughey

SkyRocket Group

814-833-5026 x106
Zeidman Consulting Concludes That Microsoft Did Not Copy CP/M Code but Did Copy System Calls From Digital Research to Create MS-DOS

CUPERTINO, CA  (Marketwired)  08/08/16  , a leading provider of consulting and expert witness services for intellectual property litigation, today announced that, after a comprehensive source code comparison, its president found no evidence that Microsoft copied CP/M from Digital Research to create MS-DOS but did find evidence that system calls were copied.

For decades there have been rumors that in 1980, when IBM chose MS-DOS over CP/M for its PC operating system, Microsoft had copied CP/M and that the credit, and the money, should have gone to Digital Research, Inc. (DRI) and its CEO, Gary Kildall. Recently, Microsoft donated the previously unavailable source code for MS-DOS to the in Mountain View, California, and a more complete version of the CP/M source code was discovered. Renowned forensic scientist Bob Zeidman compared the two programs using the same methodology that he uses as an expert witness in high-profile intellectual property cases such as Oracle v. Google and ConnectU v. Facebook. He found no evidence that Microsoft copied CP/M source code to create MS-DOS.

Based on my comprehensive comparison of Microsofts MS-DOS and Digital Researchs CP/M source code, Im confident in my assessment that Microsoft did not copy CP/M code from Digital Research to create MS-DOS, said Zeidman. This question has finally been laid to rest.

However, Zeidman did confirm that the CP/M system calls were copied. System calls are used by a computer application program to request a service from the operating system, such as outputting text to a console or a printer, determining the amount of memory that is installed in the system, or reading from and writing to a hard disk. The code to implement the system calls was not copied, but at least 22 of the system calls in both systems have the same function and the same function number.

While Im not a lawyer, my experience in over 175 intellectual property cases tells me that DRI might have had a copyright claim for the system calls that it could have litigated against Microsoft. On the other hand, there is a good chance Microsoft could have beaten such litigation by claiming it was a fair use of the system calls, said Zeidman.

Zeidman found no evidence to support a related rumor that there is a secret command in MS-DOS that can be called to print Gary Kildalls name and a copyright notice for DRI.

Zeidman presented his findings on Saturday, August 6, at the at the Computer History Museum. His presentation and the full results of his analysis are available .

Zeidman is standing behind his analysis and conclusion. He will offer a $100,000 reward to anyone who can use accepted forensic techniques to prove that Microsoft copied MS-DOS source code from DRIs CP/M source code. He will offer another $100,000 reward to anyone who can demonstrate or find source code for a secret function in MS-DOS that prints Gary Kildalls name or a copyright notice for DRI. The award details and specific criteria will be announced shortly.

After years of research, Zeidman developed the algorithms for multidimensional software correlation that determine which sections of code are similar for multiple different reasons. After that determination, an expert can use an iterative filtering process that Zeidman developed to decide whether the correlation is due to any one of the six reasons for correlation: third-party code, code generation tools, commonly used names, common algorithms, common programmers, or copying. The correlation algorithms are implemented in the forensic software tool , developed by Zeidman and sold by his software company .

Bob Zeidman is considered a pioneer in the fields of analyzing and synthesizing software source code. He is the president and founder of , a premier contract research and development firm in Silicon Valley that provides engineering consulting to law firms regarding intellectual property disputes, and he is the president and founder of , the leading provider of software intellectual property analysis tools, having pioneered the field. His book is one of the main books for engineers and lawyers on software intellectual property.

Image Available:

Media Contact

Todd Lane

Antenna Group

415-977-1945
Here are the raises coming for Mishawaka teachers and administrators

From teachers and administrators to bus drivers and substitutes, increased pay is coming to staff across the School City of Mishawaka.
Welcome to SwanseaOnline - your home for the best news, sports and what's on coverage of the city.

Never miss a Swansea story with our daily newsletter Sign up to comment on our stories here

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Swansea City news | Ospreys news | InYourArea
Bright, young planets that are still hot from their formation could shine some light on their moons, making the dim satellites easier for astronomers to spot using a newly developed technique.

The new method suggests using the polarization of the light from the planet to find these small moons. Polarization light refers to light waves that are oriented in the same direction. For example, when sunlight reflects off the surface of the ocean, it tends to become polarized.

"When you use polarized sunglasses, you block one direction of the light waves and not the other," Mark Marley, a research scientist at NASA Ames Research Center in California, told Space.com by email. "In our case, as the moon passes over the planet, it sort of acts like polarized sunglasses and blocks part of the polarization from the planet." [The Strangest Alien Planets (Gallery)]

The hunt for exomoons

As the gas and dust around a newborn star collapses in on itself, creating planets and other bodies, it compresses and heats up. Newborn planets carry this heat with them, slowly cooling over time. In their youth, the heat causes the planets to glow in the near-infrared wavelength, a glow that lasts for a few hundred million years, according to Sujan Sengupta, an associate professor at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, and lead author on the new paper describing the new moon-hunting method.

Sengupta and Marley were curious how that glow could help astronomers find exomoons, the satellites around exoplanets, or those that orbit stars other than the sun. Although gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn aren't habitable, their moons provide some of the best potential sites for finding life in the solar system today. Moons around the giants of other solar systems could also serve as potentially habitable worlds.

One method for finding planets around other stars is known as direct imaging, in which scientists try to capture photographs of the exoplanets themselves. Moons can't be directly imaged, since they are too small, faint and close to their planets.

"It's hard enough to see the planet near its star," Marley said.

Some planet-hunting techniques look for the indirect effects of a planet orbiting a distant star, such as the planet tugging at the star with its gravity or blocking the star's light.

This latter method can be used to find exomoons as well, if the planet is detected using direct imaging. As an exomoon passes between its parent planet and the Earth, the moon covers up a section of the planet's disk. This has the potential to change how bright the planet appears to Earth-based telescopes. These variations can be extremely difficult to spot, but some researchers are searching for exomoons with this method.

However, the researchers found that if the planet is cloudy, the clouds can polarize the light that the planet radiates, and most gas giants in and out of the solar system have clouds. Spread across a typical spherical planet, the total polarization adds up to zero, Marley said. But when a moon covers up part of the planet, it changes the total polarization. Back on Earth, scientists can detect this change, which, Marely says, is especially strong along the edges of the planet.

"In the right circumstances, it could be easier to detect this change in polarization than the small change in brightness as the moon crosses the planet," Marley said.

The research was published in the Astrophysical Journal.

This graphic shows how the transit method is used to discover planets around distant stars. As the planet appears to pass in front of the star's disk, it causes a brief dip in the star's brightness. This method could also be used to discover moons orbiting planets. (Image credit: NASA Ames)

Setting the stage

Moons around other planets remain a tantalizing possibility because they are so challenging to find. The satellites must be enormous to be directly imaged, or to cause a dip in the brightness of their parent star. While no moons have yet been confirmed outside the solar system, a huntfor them with NASA's Kepler telescope narrowed the range down to about twice the mass of Jupiter's moon, Ganymede. According to Marley, however, the new method could find Ganymede-size satellites with instruments like the upcoming Thirty Meter Telescope, provided the parent planet was the right size.

"The higher the moon-to-planet ratio, the higher the polarization," Sengupta said.

The final factor in the hunt for an exomoon in the polarized light of a planet comes from its oblateness. Planets are not perfect spheres, and carry a bulge around their equator. The faster the planet spins, the more oblate it becomes. The bulge can create asymmetries in the light and give rise to its own polarization issues. According to Sengupta, a perfectly spherical planet without a moon should have no detectable polarization. But when a large moon crosses between its host and Earth, it would block part of the polarized light, revealing itself by the shift.

If the planet carries very little bulge and a medium-size moon, it can make an exomoon detection more challenging, as the effect due to the oblateness would dominate how the cloudy planet is polarized. Slow-rotating planets, like those found in the solar system, should more easily reveal their moons.

"Such high oblateness needs the planet to rotate around its own axis at a period of less than 5 hours," Sengupta said. "Jupiter is the fastest rotator in our solar system, and the rotation period of Jupiter is about 10 hours."

He went on to say that a medium-size moon beyond the solar system could be detected if the planet rotated once every 10 to 15 hours or more.

"It seems likely that the abundance of planetary systems discovered around other stars should also have a significant number of natural satellites or exomoons orbiting the planets," the researchers concluded.

Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd or Google+. Follow us at @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
Scientists with the IceCube neutrino observatory in Antarctica have found no evidence of a strange, theoretical particle called a "sterile neutrino." Three types of neutrinos are already known to exist.

An experiment buried deep under the ice of Antarctica that was designed to study distant cosmic objects, has come up empty in a search for a strange particle.

The submerged instrument, called the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, is pioneering the field of particle astrophysics  that is, detecting particles (other than light) that come from cosmic events such as star explosions. Because the instrument was built to detect particles called neutrinos, it has also provided some insight into the nature of these mysterious particles.

Today, the IceCube team announced the publication of a new paper showing that the detector found no sign of a theoretical particle called the sterile neutrino, which is a potential candidate for dark matter, the material that makes up more than 80 percent of the mass in the universe. [Neutrinos from Beyond the Solar System Found (Images)]

Neutrinos are particles that don't make up normal matter, but they are ubiquitous in the universe. The sun produces a heavy stream of neutrinos that showers down on Earth, but these particles interact with regular matter very rarely. So rather than colliding with regular matter (that is, the atoms that make up the planet or the people living on it), they slip through the planet like ghosts.

There are three known types of neutrinos, and some theoretical models have predicted the existence of an even more elusive fourth neutrino. It's named the "sterile neutrino" because it would never physically collide with particles that make up regular matter. A sterile neutrino would only interact with regular matter via gravity, which is why it's a possible candidate for dark matter  a substance that does not radiate or reflect light, and also appears to interact only with regular matter via gravity.

So, to detect a sterile neutrino with IceCube requires a slightly different approach. Neutrinos are shape-shifters; one type of neutrino can suddenly become another type of neutrino as it travels through space. The neutrinos passing through the Earth and interacting with IceCube would effectively disappear if they were to transform into sterile neutrinos, researchers with IceCube said.

"It turns out that it is more likely to morph into a sterile neutrino if it goes through a very dense region of matter," Janet Conrad, a professor of physics at MIT and a member of the IceCube collaboration, said in a video released today by Ice Cube explaining the finding. "And so the [Earth's] core is ideal for producing much more morphing than you would get for the neutrinos that do not pass through the core. And so what we're looking for is neutrinos that are on the trajectory that come through the core to disappear."

IceCube can observe the sterile neutrino only if the particle has a mass within a particular range (and no other experiment can look for sterile neutrinos in that entire range, the researchers said in the video). If the neutrino did fall within that range, then the observed effect in the detector would be "dramatic," and "you either see or you don't see [it]; it's as simple as that," Francis Halzen, a professor of physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the principal investigator for IceCube, said in the video.

The results don't completely rule out the existence of the sterile neutrino but show that many currently operating neutrino experiments most likely won't be able to find it, the researchers said. Furthermore, the results appear to negate some "hints" of a sterile neutrino that have appeared in past years  that is, weak detections that looked like they could have been caused by the sterile neutrino but were not strong enough to confirm its existence. In particular, Halzen pointed to a claim by the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector at Los Alamos National Laboratory from about 20 years ago.

"I think that we should keep pursuing any hints of new physics in the neutrino data, but our result shows that they are unlikely to be associated with the existence of a sterile neutrino," Halzen told Space.com in an email.

"What [the new result] is going to mean is that our belief in the sterile neutrino decreases, but it also is telling us where a sterile neutrino may not be, and where it may still survive," Carlos Arguelles Delgado, a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and a member of the IceCube team, said in the video.

Conrad said in the video that the new results still help scientists refine models that describe the universe. Any models that include a sterile neutrino in this particular mass range may need to be rewritten, and scientists hope it will help them get closer to an accurate description of the physical world.

Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
A lunar sample bag used to protect the first moon rocks collected by the Apollo 11 astronauts may have been mistakenly sold by the U.S. government.

A small white bag that was once used by Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong to hold the first-ever lunar samples to be collected from the surface of the moon is now at the center of not one, but two lawsuits over who owns it today.

The zippered cloth pouch, which was labeled in bold black letters "Lunar Sample Return," was used on July 20, 1969 as the "outer decontamination bag" to hold the moon rocks for their trip back to Earth with Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.

Under normal circumstances, one might expect that a bag of such extraordinary significance would be on display in a museum today. Instead, it is evidence in separate lawsuits filed by an Illinois woman who bought the historic bag at a government auction and by the United States Attorney for the District of Kansas, who is seeking to return the artifact to NASA. [Apollo 11 Moon Landing in Pictures]

"The lunar [sample return] bag... is a rare artifact, if not a national treasure," Thomas Beall, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, and Annette Gurney, Assistant U.S. Attorney, wrote in a court filing.

Roxana Hegeman with the Associated Press was the first to report the news of the lunar bag lawsuits.

From moon rock storage to stored in a garage

Thirty-four years after it was on the surface of the moon, on Dec. 18, 2003, the execution of a search warrant turned up the same sample return bag inside the Kansas garage of a space museum's former curator. The lunar bag, which NASA long ago emptied of its moon rock stash, still bore small stains of lunar dust.

How the sample return bag ended up at Max Ary's home is not exactly known, but as a result of an apparent inventory error by the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas, it was decided that the sack was not among the museum's space artifacts that Ary was later convicted of stealing and selling at auction.

Instead, the bag  which was then thought to be among Ary's legal personal space collection  was forfeited along with other items to help fulfill his sentence to pay $132,274 in restitution. (Ary, who has maintained his innocence and serves as the director of the Stafford Air & Space Museum in Oklahoma today, also served two years in prison.)

As such, the lunar sample bag was turned over by the U.S. Marshals Service to Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers to be sold.

Bidding (and betting) on Apollo history

The Texas-based auction firm described the 11.5-inch-long (29 cm) pouch as containing lunar dust, but did not identify the Apollo mission on which it flew.

Three times the bag was listed for auction, in April, August and October 2014, initially with an opening bid of $42,500, and each time it failed to attract a single bid. Then, on Feb. 17, 2015, Nancy Lee Carlson, an attorney from Inverness, Illinois, won the bag with a bid of just $995.

(The lot Carlson won also included a steel mesh pad of the type used to cushion moon rocks on their return to Earth. The auctioned pad was not flown and is not in contention.)

In August 2015, after taking ownership of the bag, Carlson made contact with Ryan Zeigler, the Apollo sample curator at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, for help with verifying the lunar dust inside. Carlson voluntarily submitted the bag for testing, which not only identified the dust as authentic, but also as originating from humanity's first moon landing mission.

"It was not until NASA scientifically tested the bag that it was learned that the lunar bag, which had been forfeited and subsequently sold at the Gaston & Sheehan auction, was used on the Apollo 11 lunar mission," wrote Beall and Gurney.

Prior to being contacted by Carlson, NASA was not aware of the forfeiture or auction of the bag. Usually, the agency would have been alerted, but in addition to not knowing of its Apollo 11 history, the Cosmosphere's inventory system had confused and conflated the bag with another one like it that had been flown on Apollo 17, the last moon landing. [Apollo 17 Landing Site Explored By Orbiter (Video)]

Apollo 11 moon rock collected by Neil Armstrong. (Image credit: collectSPACE.com)

Mistaking one moon bag for another

That other bag was among the artifacts that Ary had been found guilty of stealing and selling and, in fact, part of his restitution was to the person who voluntarily returned it to the Cosmosphere.

As such, when the Apollo 11 bag was discovered in Ary's garage in 2003, it did not match any of the items identified as missing and so it went unreported.

Now knowing what happened, NASA decided that the sale was a mistake. The agency retained the lunar sample bag, despite Carlson's request that it be returned.

Gurney, acting on behalf of the government, attempted to settle with Carlson, offering to refund the auction payment and shipping fees, as well as pay an additional $1,000 "in appreciation for your assistance in returning the bag" and "to offset any inconvenience you may have suffered."

Replevin or rescind

Carlson rejected the government's offer, protesting what she described in a letter as the "unwarranted seizure of my personal property... without any legal provocation."

On June 27, she filed a lawsuit against Ziegler and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for the return of the sample bag and compensatory damages.

Just over a month later, on Wednesday (Aug. 3), Beall and Gurney filed a lawsuit against Ary, seeking the court to set aside the earlier forfeiture and rescind the sale of the lunar sample return bag.

"NASA was denied the opportunity to assert its interest in the lunar bag," the two attorneys wrote. "Had NASA been given notice of the forfeiture action and/or had all the facts about the lunar bag been known, the lunar [sample return] bag would never have gone to a government auction."

"The true identity and ownership of the lunar bag are now known. The failure to give proper notice to NASA can be corrected by setting aside the forfeiture and rescinding its sale," they stated. "These are unusual circumstances that warrant the particular relief sought."

See more photographs of the Apollo 11 lunar sample return bag at collectSPACE.

Follow collectSPACE.com and Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2016 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved.
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.
Optimization

Are you frustrated with a slow pc or a hard disk not performing as it should?

Try SLOW-PCfighter to speed up boot time on a slow PC, or try a free scan of FULL-DISKfighter to recover space on a full disk. The latest offering is DRIVERfighter to update your driver updater. Get complete PC optimization and extend the life of your PC with these must-have software tools.
It's uncertain whether Turkey will ultimately make good on its ultimatum. That wouldn't be a very wise move, even from a Turkish perspective. For one, Erdogan would lose his most important piece of supposed leverage. Turkey also depends on Europe for its economic development; the newly rediscovered friendship between Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin offers no real alternative to the EU. But the Turkish president is an unpredictable actor and he doesn't always seem to act rationally.

Consequences Less Dramatic than Fears

If Turkey were to actually scrap the refugee deal, the consequences would likely be much less dramatic than many people fear. Sure, the flow of migrants to Europe would probably increase, but it's rather unlikely that tens of thousands of people would immediately start making their way to Europe. After all, it was the closure of the Balkan route -- not the deal with Turkey -- that was primarily responsible for staunching the flow of migrants heading north. Both measures together sent the message that the EU was no longer willing to accept uncontrolled migration to central Europe. More than anything, the refugee deal had symbolic power. To this day, Greece has not rejected a single Syrian who has applied for asylum. As of late July, only 468 people had been deported to Turkey. The announcement of the deal was sufficient -- it never had to truly come into force.
SAO PAULO, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The superintendent's office of Brazil's antitrust regulator Cade has recommended penalizing state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA for anti-competitive behavior on the natural gas distribution market, according to statement from Cade.

The case will now be tried before Cade's tribunal at a date yet to be determined. The complaint was made at Cade by rival natural gas distributor Comgas.

(Reporting by Ana Mano; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
Having gone from being terrorists to key witnesses, the three appear to have undergone an astonishing transformation. If their statements are to be believed, neither Nils D., 26, Harry S., 27, nor Harun P., 28, knew exactly what they were signing up for in Syria. They were radical Muslims, but they weren't leaders or fighters -- they were more hangers-on. "It's usually those who were at the periphery of a group, whose ideologies haven't yet hardened, who work with judicial authorities later," says one expert who often works with such key witnesses.

From Cards and Cafes to the Caliphate

Prior to his field trip into the realm of the murderous IS band, Nils D. had been a good-for-nothing. He would sleep until mid-day, then surf the Internet and meet up with his buddies in a cafe, where they took drugs, drank booze and played cards. They didn't have any hobbies and they lacked any enthusiasm. The company that had provided him with vocational training fired him because he wasn't attending the vocational school courses that were part of the program. Afterward, the most he found were temporary jobs. "I was a pothead," Nils D. says. "I didn't feel like doing anything."

This continued for years. Then D. discovered Islam through his cousin Philip B. and became a Salafist. He was still serving a sentence for grand theft when his cousin and the other guys went to Syria to fight. Then, during the autumn of 2013, D. also traveled to the "caliphate."

During his trial in the dock of the Higher Regional Court in Dusseldorf, Nils D. said "he wanted to see things for himself." He then quickly became part of the murderous system. In Manbij, he joined a special IS unit. The force's task was to capture suspected traitors, spies or deserters. D. is believed to have taken part in up to 15 missions.

He also knew what happened to the men he had helped to capture. The former pothead from Dinslaken knew about the wooden crates they would be placed in. There were large ones in which they could stand, sandwiched. And there were small ones in which the prisoners could only crouch -- sometimes for days at a time.

Nils D. sported a typical Islamist beard. Whenever he went out, it was always dressed in black and with his face covered. He attended five executions as a spectator. "I had goosebumps all over," D. would later tell investigators with the State Office of Criminal Investigation in Dusseldorf. "But after a while it bounces off you."

One time, he held a pistol to the back of the head of a bound prisoner and allowed himself to be photographed. Why? "It was incredibly stupid," he says today. "I'm sorry. The man probably didn't even notice." He claims that he never committed physical violence. Nils D. also denies reports that he abused or killed prisoners.

He told investigators there were several times when he wanted to leave the caliphate. One time a rebel offensive got in his way, and on another occasion a leader didn't want to send him to Germany on a mission. Nils D. claimed he would have used an attack order like that to escape and said he was not interested in acting on IS' behalf in Germany. At least by his own account.

'The Best Thing in the World Is Martyrdom'

But D. still hasn't made any statements about having broken with IS' ideology. He says he wanted to leave because the organization has built up a "total surveillance state."

He managed to get out in November 2014 under another false pretense. He told his superiors he wanted to bring his daughter to IS and traveled to Turkey with their permission. He didn't come back.

Once he had returned to his mother's place in Dinslaken, he only partly sought to resume normal life. "He wanted to go party, but that wasn't his thing," one of his friends told investigators. "He wanted to go to the brothel, but he couldn't work up the courage."

At the same time, he remained an open Islamist. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was "our president," and, "What he says, we have to do," he told one acquaintance. "The best, the very best thing in the world is martyrdom," he instructed his new girlfriend. When he found out that a close friend had died fighting, he took it as good news. "Of course I am pleased when my friend doesn't burn in hell," he would later say.

One day he began talking with an acquaintance about his time with IS in his car, which had been bugged. He spoke of the ID he had been given as a member of a special unit. That was enough for investigators. They arrested him in January 2015, three days after the attack on the French satire magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Initially, Nils D. had been far from willing to talk. He told one experienced anti-terror investigator that they had nothing concrete against him and they would "embarrass themselves in court." He even threatened to retaliate "once I'm out."

Investigators then left and didn't return for months. After a while, however, they were able to reconstruct the data on his mobile phone. By that point, they were aware not only of the browser history with the porn, but also of the photo with the hooded prisoner and the images of his fellow fighters from Dinslaken.

"That's when he changed his mind," the investigator who questioned Nils D. at the time told the court. When he spoke, he did so soberly, almost without emotion. But the exchange of glances between the investigator and Nils D. during his testimony indicated a certain amount of sympathy. The official had been sympathetic toward the terrorist because he had already testified over 40 times; and Nils D. toward the investigator because he had been fair to him.

Connections Between Germany and Paris Attacks

D. has since let himself be interrogated even more. He disclosed the connections between the Paris attackers surrounding Abdelhamid Abaaoud and his accomplices in Dinslaken. He made it possible to initiate numerous investigative proceedings and trials. He described the structures of his special IS unit in greater detail than anyone before him.

He also provided new details about the leadership roles of Germans in IS. Among other things, he provided information about a previously unknown German who allegedly worked in the IS security apparatus under the nom de guerre "Abu Hager" -- a man who still has not been positively identified to this day.

Nils D. has already completed more than one and a half years of his prison sentence, and it's possible he'll get released early for good behavior. He is also participating in a reintegration program organized by the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution in North Rhine-Westphalia, the agency responsible for monitoring extremist behavior in Germany. Intelligence officials and investigators describe him alternately as a "goldmine" of information or a "stroke of luck." Some even believe he could have made a good police officer. "He's got a gift for observation, a feel for hierarchies and an excellent memory," says one person.

But there's one aspect of policing he doesn't appear to be very skilled at: prevention. Despite his extensive testimony, Nils D. so far hasn't distanced himself from radical Islam. Or from the fact that Islamic State murders and terrorizes. That it has nothing to do with Islam. That the tales of heroism in the "caliphate" are nothing but propaganda. There hasn't been a single word about any of this from Nils D. So what is it that's driving him to come clean with officials?

"It can be assumed that one of the main reasons is the hope of a shorter prison sentence," says one high-ranking security official. "There's no such thing as instant de-radicalization. When someone has been in that deep, it takes months or even years."

Nils D. apparently hasn't made it that far.

Harry S., on the other hand, has.

'Hell on Earth'

Visitor Room 3 of the Oldenburg prison is a bare space with a green floor and a gray table in the middle. You can see the massive walls topped with barbed wire through the barred window. The rain clatters in the inner courtyard.

Harry S. speaks with a muted voice. He has followed the attacks of the past few weeks on TV from jail. Nice, Wurzburg, Ansbach. He had immediately flashed back to images of the atrocities in Syria, Harry S. says: stonings, executions, chopped-off hands, bodies that had been riddled with bullets. These were the atrocities of the terror militia he had joined. The nom de guerre they gave him in Syria was "Abu Saif," meaning "father of the sword."

"What you experience there is hell on earth," Harry S. says. "It was the biggest mistake of my life." He now only calls IS the "so-called Islamic State," because for him it is now clear that "this is a criminal organization acting under the cover of Islam." He says it turns people into monsters.

Harry S. was a member of the terror militia for just under three months before he managed to flee to Turkey in the summer of 2015. He hadn't yet completed his combat training.

When he boarded his flight to Germany on July 20, operated by an airline called SunExpress, Bremen police special forces were already waiting with an arrest warrant. It took several months for Harry S. to break his silence, but then it all flowed out of him.

Details from Inside a Terror Regime

From October to February, seven days a week from morning until night, Harry S. told intelligence operatives, police officers and investigators from the Federal Prosecutor's Office about his time with IS. The transcripts of the interrogations are several hundred pages long.

They include disturbing details from inside a terror regime, many of which were previously unknown to authorities. Harry S. told the officers about the internet cafe in Syria's IS stronghold, Raqqa, where he and his jihadist friends socialized ("everybody there is German"). He named fighters from Bremen, Wolfsburg, Bonn, Berlin and Solingen. And he said which of the Germans killed prisoners at a mass shooting in the desert of Palmyra.

Harry S. also told the authorities more about the attempts to recruit people for attacks in Germany than any previous IS returnee -- one month before the November 13 attacks in Paris.

Inside the prison's visitor room, Harry S. recalls the situation. He had barely just arrived in Syria when two masked men -- supposedly Frenchmen from Marseille, who worked for a kind of IS secret service -- showed up at an IS safe house. They asked if he was ready to sacrifice his life for the "caliph," Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. They said there were already enough men in France who were ready to undertake the ultimate act. "But we desperately need people who will go to Germany to carry out attacks," they told him.

He says that later an Englishman and a German-Russian drove by in a car with black-tinted windows, also masked and heavily armed. He reports they claimed that thus far all volunteers for Germany had gotten cold feet and they needed "action," and referred to attacks in Germany, England, worldwide, that would be "coordinated to be simultaneous."

An IS 'Office' for Foreign Attacks

Many details suggest the men came from a secret IS unit responsible for operations in foreign countries. Its leader is alleged to be Abu Mohammed al-Adnani. Harry S. talks about an "office" for attacks in foreign countries that creates lists of volunteers.

Wurzburg, Ansbach -- he believes these are just the beginning. "They want these kinds of reactions, they want the politicians to say it's the refugees' fault, that they have brought the terrorism with them," he says. "They want to create this black-and-white image."

A few weeks ago, Harry S. had to defend himself in front of the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court of Hamburg. It was a short trial. After only four trial days, the court sentenced him to three years in prison -- an unconventionally mild punishment for a member of a terrorist group. S. appeared in a white shirt and recalled even the most minute details.

Sometimes he described things so thoroughly that the presiding judge had to stop him. He interrupted the accused, saying, "This has ended well." "Yes, it ended well," S. answered, relieved. His remorse seemed convincing. "Today you are no longer a terrorist," the judge said in his ruling, "but back then you were far from simply being a follower." In a propaganda video, S. could be seen carrying the IS flag through the frame while wearing a camouflage uniform with a Beretta sticking out of his holster.

Harry S. would now like to warn young people from making the same mistake he did. Through his lawyer, he has taken up contact with an organization that focuses on preventing Islamist radicalization. Once he has served his sentence, he would like to speak with students and tell them: "No matter what crisis or bad situation you are in, there is no justification for joining IS. You not only throw away your own life, but also the lives of those you love."

Political, economic and intelligence experts are urgently looking for key witnesses like Harry S., who can convincingly counteract IS propaganda -- though so far they haven't been successful. As a result, the expectations they have of former jihadists are correspondingly high.

"These descriptions could have a strong influence on young people if they reach them personally," says Peter R. Neumann, professor of security studies at King's College London. "The testimonies would be an important component of a prevention program. The crucial thing is to reach young people before they are reached by extremists."

Dangerous Testimony

But these former jihadists are in danger, since their former comrades view them as turncoats who should be punished. The authorities' third key witness, Harun P., had such an experience.

The German-born son of Afghan immigrants traveled to Syria in September 2013 because he "feared having to serve jail time for previous convictions," as he later told investigators. He had been caught perpetrating petty crimes in his hometown of Munich.

In Syria he joined not IS, but a terror militia called Jund al-Sham. Harun P. passed the training camp and got to know the house near Latakia where many Germans make a stop on their way to jihad. "Most of the time we didn't do anything except clean, cook, do laundry, keep weapons clean," he later said, describing the everyday life of the terrorists in the "two-story villa."

After his combat training, he took part in an attack on Aleppo's jail. Harun P. was part of the reserves. He later shot a mortar shell over a wall -- which worked against him in court.
Leonard Cohens amazing letter to Marianne Ihlen has hearts melting. Over the weekend, a letter penned by Canadian icon Mr. Cohen was made public. The very personal and moving letter was written for his muse and lover, Ihlen.

Ihlen, who was also known as Marianne C. Stang Jensen Ihlen, and the famous poet and novelist were together for almost ten years. The lovers met in the 1960s while Ihlen and her baby boy were on vacation in Greece. They fell in love, and he asked her to move in with him to Montreal.

During their seven years together, Ihlen inspired classics such as So Long, Marianne, Hey, Thats No Way to Say Goodbye, and Bird on the Wire. After a lengthy battle with cancer, Ihlen died in her native Norway on July 28, 2016.

Few days before her death, Jan Christian Mollestad, a very close friend of Ihlen, contacted Cohen and revealed her failing health. Hours after the conversation with Mollestad, Cohen sent him a moving letter and asked him to read it to Ihlen. Mollestad, a filmmaker, said the letter read in part:

Well Marianne, its come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon. Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine. And you know that Ive always loved you for your beauty and for your wisdom, but I dont need to say anything more about that because you know all about that. But now, I just want to wish you a very good journey. Goodbye old friend. Endless love, see you down the road.

Mollestad penned a letter to Cohen detailing Ihlens reaction to his words and her final moments. Mollestad wrote:

Your letter came when she still could talk and laugh in full consciousness. When we read it aloud, she smiled as only Marianne can. She lifted her hand, when you said you were right behind, close enough to reach her. It gave her deep peace of mind that you knew her condition. And your blessing for the journey gave her extra strength.

He went on to say:

In her last hour I held her hand and hummed Bird on a Wire, while she was breathing so lightly. And when we left he room, after her soul had flown out of the window for new adventures, we kissed her head and whispered your everlasting words: So long, Marianne.

Via Facebook, Mr. Cohen and many of his longtime collaborators remembered Ihlen with a series of written tributes and videos.
We agreed that regular meetings of this nature will now take place going forward to discuss trade, support and future regulatory issues and developments. This is a positive opportunity for the livestock sector to shape future policy post Brexit, and to help Governments as much as possible by working in a collaborative way to deliver a profitable and dynamic industry, said Mr Dodds.

The group agreed to work through the practical implications of the various policy development aspects ahead so that issues can be discussed with Governments in a united way, whilst maintaining the respective organisations individual responsibilities to their members and respecting devolution. It was agreed that this is far too important an issue for the industry to approach it in a fragmented way. The industrys future is at stake, and the next generation must be protected. Working together will provide the best opportunity to get it right.

The group are all looking forward to a positive future, whilst appreciating that they have to be creative and support the Governments with solid recommendations to show that there is one overall message from the UK livestock sector. There is a need to be clear and articulate and to provide a strong voice.
Agronomists and farmers could be set to benefit from a partnership between University of Leicester researchers and Precision Crop Nutrition Ltd (PCNL). Leicester experts in satellite imagery and high performance computing will work with the company to develop a system to help farmers and their advisors make better use of satellite images to develop variable rate nitrogen fertiliser application plans for their crops.

It follows an award of 118,500, including 45K to the University, from Innovate UK and NERC, to fund a year-long technical feasibility study  the first funding success for the Universitys new Leicester Institute for Space and Earth Observation.

Precision Crop Nutrition Ltd currently offer the Precise N-Map service using centrally processed data which is delivered electronically to each farm. The development of the new system will offer a quicker and more flexible way to convert data and will allow agronomists and farmers to be more closely involved in crop management recommendations.

Robin Thompson, Managing Director of Precise Crop Nutrition said:

This is a very exciting development for our company and will help us take our existing N-Map service to the next level. Expertise from the University of Leicester will be invaluable in helping us develop the system for use in the field leading to significant benefits for our clients and, we hope, even greater uptake of our service.
Although early hopes of a relatively good season have been dashed for many by adverse late weather during the crucial nesting period, there is cause to celebrate.

So said chairman of The Moorland Association, Robert Benson, who heralded results coming in showing a massive 18,000 hectares of fragile peatland has been repaired and revegetated, with much more to come.

He explained:

This is all on land managed by our members and equates to the combined areas of Liverpool and Nottingham. It shows that even in poor shooting seasons the huge commitment to moorland conservation continues.

On the one hand, we are looking at pockets of poor grouse numbers on some moors this year and shoot days being cancelled but, on the other, very positive outcomes for work that will ultimately impact on vast numbers of people.

In the wake of some of the worst flooding in recent memory, peatland restoration will help slow the flow of water. We are working with some of the countrys leading conservation organisations on these critical areas.

The process improves the diversity of habitat and therefore food supplies for our precious moorland wildlife, including notable endangered bird species and plants. It creates homes for millions of insects, as well boosting water quality and trapping carbon.

Natural Englands operations director, Amanda Craig, said:

Data is still being collated, but we are currently looking at a figure of around 18,000 hectares of restored moorland habitats across northern England, all on land managed for grouse shooting.

This gratifying result is especially thanks to peatland restoration partnerships and we are very grateful to The Moorland Association for all its help.

We recognise there is still a long way to go to restore all these habitats, and so the work continues to ensure we have as much properly functioning moorland habitat in the uplands as possible.

Speaking about prospects for the 2016 season, Robert Benson explained:

Chick survival seems better than the calamitous conditions experienced last year, but this is not the case for all. Yet again, we are reminded that grouse are wild birds.

Initially, we were predicting a relatively good season, despite the mild and very wet winter followed by a damp spring. However, due to snow in late April and early May, grouse counts indicate poor chick survival on some moors and we are now much less optimistic.

Shooting usually stops well before the official end of season in December, but every day is a bonus to the local economy.

Managing moorland for grouse shooting in England and Wales brings many economic, environmental and social benefits, not least a 52.5 million annual spend on conservation. Grouse shooting creates 42,500 work days a year and over 1,500 jobs.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Gone are the days of back-to-school shopping for paper and pencils. The age of technology is creeping into classrooms and shopping for supplies might now mean downloading an app or software for schoolwork.

But as technology use continues to grow, parental concerns have risen as loads of their childrens personal data is sent into cyberspace.

Maria Naughton, a New Canaan parent and member of the towns board of education, said she became worried when her child entered answers to personal questions into a database for college information.

At the time, I was wondering Well, who sees these answers? Naughton said. That was probably the eye-opener for me  something seemingly innocuous is now being given through a device online and includes a third party I dont know about.

Naughton joined other parents from the area and around the state in a two-year effort to have a new law passed that will protect student data.

The law, which will take effect Oct. 1, is comprised of several parts to protect different aspects of student data. It includes restrictions on how student information can be used by contractors, clarification on data ownership and says school boards must notify parents of any new contracts where student data may be collected. The act says student data is not owned by the contractors and data security and privacy provisions need to be included in all contracts.

Earl Kim, superintendent of Stamford Public Schools, said district officials are reviewing current contracts and will investigate to ensure our vendors have the right safeguards in place.

He said the district is also reviewing all grade book software, tutorial programs and mobile applications used in classrooms to ensure they comply with the new guidelines.

Naughtons concerns were elevated when she realized the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium testing partnered with the American Institute for Research and third-party vendors were collecting the data.

The companies provide software and data storage to the schools and collected the data to track the effectiveness of certain educational programs. But Naughton and other parents felt it was a lot of personal information on their children to have in other peoples hands.

The sensitive data being shared has come in all forms. Saxe Middle School students in New Canaan, for example, used chest straps to monitor their heart rates. However, their heart rate data was then collected and sent to Finland.

Theoretically, theyre using it for the kids, Naughton said. But its a very personal thing.

Bryan Luizzi, superintendent of New Canaan schools, said these data-collecting programs are also meant to benefit the students education. He said the chest straps were educational software that also allowed students to track their own heart rates for class.

Its teaching fitness in a way we couldnt do otherwise, Luizzi said. Were not doing it for research purposes.

Naughton said she was particularly uncomfortable with the data being shared since she knew as a former teacher the sensitivity of some of the information.

Kids all grow at different rates and capturing info in the classroom is different, she said. Kids grow, mature, think differently...So to capture it forever bothered me. Kids have problems, so if they're coming in on a bad day, you're capturing it forever.

This lack of privacy raised the concerns of other local moms, including Dr. Kimberly Norton Butler, a psychologist who has four children ranging from elementary school to high school-aged attending New Canaan schools.

Most parents don't know what kind of data is being collected, whats the agreement between company and school and all those kind of details, she said. I have a child in [every school] and parents would see a textbook, worksheet, but now they're signing into a platform and don't know what theyre using. Its like theres no information other than what a child may tell you.

Norton Butler and Naughton said the new law will also affect the vendors, which will need to ensure their contracts now comply to new state standards.

It requires a higher level of consciousness of data and notification to parents, Norton Butler said. It should not be a burden to any school.

Stamfords superintendent said he hopes the state helps school districts fund the cost of potentially replacing software or training teachers.

Its a good act, Kim said. I just hope that, as new incremental things unfold... our legislators provide the support to switch systems and staff training that come with greater security.

The new law addresses the changes in education as students release more data through digital platforms.

I see how education has changed so dramatically from the time my oldest and youngest have been in school, Norton Butler said. The digital platform is growing every day. Thats the way education is changing.

But Naughton and Norton Butler are going to continue working to preserve the privacy of students.

We have a lot more work to do, Norton Butler said. But its a start to making the whole data collection process transparent for parents.

Staff writer Nelson Oliveira contributed to this report.

ekayata@hearstmediact.com; @erin_kayata
SAO PAULO, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais SA, Brazil's No. 3 power utility, plans to conclude the sale of stakes in various companies, such as the Gasmig gas unit, by the end of 2017, Chief Executive Officer Mauro Borges said in an interview with newspaper Valor Economico.

Borges said Cemig was considering stake sales in Gasmig, hydroelectric dams Belo Monte and Santo Antonio, transmission company Taesa and Rio de Janeiro-based distribution company Light. In some cases, the company may prefer to attract investors to inject cash into the companies instead of selling its stake, Borges said in the interview published on Monday.

Cemig will use most of the proceeds to repay net debt, which in March stood at 11 billion reais ($3.45 billion), or 4.4 times its earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization.

Borges said the board would decide on the Belo Horizonte-based company's portfolio review by the end of the month.

Cemig, which has stakes in 232 different companies, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

($1 = 3.1887 Brazilian reais) (Reporting by Tatiana Bautzer; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
More Information

The 4-1-1 on Naturopathic Medicine

What are Naturopathic Doctors anyway?

Naturopathic Doctors diagnose and treat patients with a focus on natural healing. Instead of dealing with symptoms, they work with patients to root out the cause of an illness or prevent it altogether. They like to say they treat the "whole" person. The emphasis is on wellness, diet and lifestyle.

How do you become one?

To become licensed in Connecticut an ND must attend a four-year naturopathic medical school that is accredited through the U.S. Department of Education. The training in the basic sciences is the same as a student in medical school would receive. Upon graduation, the ND must pass a licensing exam.

Who allows them?

With the passage of a bill this year in Maryland, there are now 17 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands that license NDs. The scope of practice in each state varies. In some states, NDs can perform minor surgeries, but not in Connecticut. Currently, 11 that license NDs allow some form of prescriptive authority.
W e are not paragons of virtue and we all slip off the wagon at some point. Summer holidays are for living life to the full, and who doesnt love a bit of sun, sea and Sangria? Anyone who saw my Twitter feeds from my trip to the Dominican Republic this summer will see that I love a trip to a sunny destination as much as the next person.

After the summer excesses however I see a flock of patients at the clinics who want to undo and repair some of the summer holiday damage; from sunburn, parched and dehydrated skin - and I also see the long term effects of excessive sun exposure - to brown spots on the face and hands, as well as wrinkled, prematurely aged faces.

I am not here to preach, but there are ways to protect yourself before you travel - even to UK destinations - and ways we can repair the damage.

Prevention rather than cure

Skin is a barometer and reflects what you eat, what you drink and how you treat it. You may get away with it in your 20s but it is likely to catch up with you and surface in your 30s-40s.

Its not too late to start the fight against premature ageing brought about by excessive exposure to wind, sea and sun as ultimately it is an accumulative process.

Prevent and protect

Wear a sun hat and a long sleeve shirt or a rash vest, because two weeks in the sun can lead to a lifetime of tell-tale signs and prevention is always better than cure (much as I would welcome the visits to my clinics to put them right!).

You should also avoid UV exposure and protect with SPF. This is not just holiday advice. I strongly advise patients to wear SPF products daily under make up. A minimum of SPF30-50 should be worn. UV has the ability to penetrate the skin even on the cloudiest of days and begin to degrade your support structures. Look out for SPFs that also contain Vitamin C and E for enhanced photo protection. Heliocare gel cream light/ brown SPF50 is a must.

Fight the damaging effects of sun exposure and summer holiday excesses - including smoking - can have on your skin. Use products containing antioxidants in particular vitamin A which help to neutralise damaging free radicals leading to fine lines, dehydration and aging. Vitamin A is also a power house in treating prematurely aged skin. At Dr Leahs Skin Clinic we recommend Dermaquests Peptide Vitality Range to strengthen plump and smooth the skin.

SPF moisturisers - in pictures 1 /8 SPF moisturisers - in pictures We select the best moisturisers with SPF... Shutterstock Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Sun Protection Factor? 30 55, John Lewis, Buy it now FrezyDerm Sun Screen Velvet Face 50+ Sun Protection Factor? 50 24.50, Amazon, Buy it now Cover FX Clear Cover Invisible Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum Sun Protection Factor? 30 36, Beauty Bay, Buy it now Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral Sun Protection Factor? 45 24, Cult Beauty, Buy it now Skinceuticals Sheer Mineral UV Defense Sun Protection Factor? 50 35, myDermacenter, Buy it now

Cure

Parched and dry skin needs to be moisturised but choosing the right moisturiser is key. If you have oilier skin then go for an oil-free light weight formula, for drier skin types a richer emollient formula works best. Regardless of your skin type moisturisers will help to both nourish and protect your skin from external elements while making it soft, smooth and pliable. Dr Leah patients tend love Obagi hydrate luxe. As the name suggests, this luxuriously rich face cream is extra-moisturising and contains ingredients to keep your skin looking and feeling supple and firm.

Skin peels are a fantastic way to remove the top layer of peeling and dead cells to expose fresh, new skin beneath. This brings about renewed luminosity and evens out any uneven skin tone. A Lactic Acid peel is good to tackle sun damaged skin.

Treat yourself to a facial which will not only repair the outer layers of your skin, but will also help to regenerate the deep layers where the UV has managed to penetrate and potentially accelerate the ageing process. Our most frequently requested facial is Dr Leahs Bespoke treatment which combines radio frequency to stimulate your skins own collagen and tackle ageing, microdermabrasion to smooth, brighten and deep cleanse, LED light therapy to hydrate and quench parched skin and mesotherapy to infuse important ingredients into the skin to restore your natural glow.

AFT, an FDA approved Laser treatment is a fantastic way of banishing dark spots or pigmentation caused by the sun. By exposing them to short pulses of visible light, the highly concentrated area of pigment know as melanin can shatter. The pigment is then absorbed by the body, making the dark patches less visible or completely destroying them leaving you with a clear complexion.

Anti-wrinkle Injections are an effective way off smoothing out those fine lines crows feet immediately for those of you who forgot your sunglasses and scrunched up your eyes. At Dr Leahs Clinic we always ensure safe and effective practice when it comes to the administration of Anti-Wrinkle Injections. Results take effect between 7-14 days and will last 3-4 months.

SPF foundations - in pictures 1 /12 SPF foundations - in pictures Scroll to see our pick of the best SPF foundations... Shutterstock BareMinerals BareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation SPF 20 Not only is this formula infused with SPF 20, but also contains brightening elements  such as vitamin C and lilac stem cells  to help you achieve even-looking complexion. It provides sheer coverage that can be built up for flawless-looking skin. With 20 different shades to choose from, it shouldnt be hard to find the perfect one for you. Perfect for everyday wear. 27, Feel Unique, Buy it now Clinique Anti Blemish BB Cream SPF 40 With zero shine and buildable coverage, this lightweight formula  made with UVA/UVB protection  is a safe bet for blemish-prone and oily skins and wears for up to 12 hours. Ideal for daytime use, it comes in four different shades and can be teamed with a pressed powder for a lasting finish. 28, Clinique, Buy it now Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation SPF 30 A great choice for wearing at festivals, Shiseidos hydrating foundation is designed to resist water, oil and perspiration. Its transfer-proof, suitable for sensitive skin and offers a luminous and dewy finish. Blend with a sponge applicator for even coverage. 30, John Lewis, Buy it now Vichy Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation SPF 35 If youre looking for a barely-there foundation that will hold in place while protecting your skin, then this one is for you. The hydrating formula, which is enriched with Vichys thermal spa water, glycerine and plant oil, conceals perfections without that cakey effect and can be used on all skin types. Use with the brands Dermablend Setting Powder for a water-resistant finish. 12, Feel Unique, Buy it now Dior Diorskin Forever Fluid Foundation SPF 35 A long-wear foundation with skincare benefits as well as sun protection. Created from a non-oily formula, the silky fluid not only provides a long-wearing matte finish, but also helps to improve the texture of skin in as little as 4 weeks. Available in 18 different shades. From 29.70, John Lewis, Buy it now Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Finish Foundation SPF 15 Dealing with dry skin? This satiny foundation, enriched with moisturising glycerine and shea butter, keeps skin looking flawless and healthy for up to 12 hours. It blends effortlessly to deliver a polished yet natural-looking finish and stays put in even humid conditions. 34, House of Fraser, Buy it now MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation Lightweight and smooth to the touch, this ultra-fluid foundation offers a weightless feel and is designed to control oil - ideal for hot situations. It offers sheer to medium coverage that doesn't cake or streak throughout the day. Also gentle enough for acne-prone skin. 27, Mac Cosmetics, Buy it now Givenchy Teint Couture Cushion Foundation SPF 10 Providing a light protection, the Givenchy cushion foundation is a good one to wear all year round. The high water content and myrrh oil keeps it light and dewy, helping to smooth out fine lines for a fresh faced appearance. Due to the design of the compact, you must use the non-absorbent sponge to apply the fluid, meaning you reduce the risk of breaking out from using your fingers. 36, Escentual, Buy it now

As a final cure for the summer holiday blues, the Dr Leah clinic in Loughton is offering 15% off a number of skin treatments (with the exception of Botox, dermal fillers, Silhouette Soft treatment, HIFU and skin products).

You can read more about this on drleah.co.uk/blog

A healthy attitude towards caring for your skin - at home or away - is paramount for everyone regardless of your age, so if you are unsure on how to achieve this please contact me for some expert advice.

For more information please visit www.drleah.co.uk
O n the quest to find the cutting edge of beauty, all roads lead east. Asia and its beauty-obsessed culture has given us Brits such innovations as BB creams, CC creams, cushion compacts, sheet masks, sleep-packs and snail facials - and thats just for starters.

But while Japanese brands such as SK-II, Shiseido and Shu Uemura have long been household names on our shores, South Korea and its booming beauty bounty is now increasing its influence on the global stage.

The Western beauty consciousness is definitely shifting its focus from Japan to South Korea, thinks Alexia Inge, co-founder of Cult Beauty, an online emporium dedicated to cherry-picking the very best products in the world. I was in Japan in April and speaking to beauty experts over there, and everybody agrees all of the innovation is coming out of Korea.

Everything from packaging, ingredients and techniques to inventing completely new beauty categories, K-beauty is a hive of innovation. In fact, so advanced is the So-Ko beauty industry, its product development is said to be seven years ahead of the rest of the world.

Much of the reason for this warp-speed advancement is down to its demanding consumers. Korean women are famed for their sky-high beauty ideals and, unlike us time-poor types, prize good skincare over make-up quick fixes. This prevention-is-better-than-cure approach means the average Korean skincare regime involves 12 steps and can take up to 40 minutes each day.

Inge also believes that part of the appeal of So-Ko beauty lies in its Kawaii culture - the love of all things cute - which means that big-brand companies arent afraid to put a serious face cream into a tub shaped like a panda.

Korean innovation has brought the concept of skin-tertainment back to the serious world of skincare, she says. The K-beauty regimes are not only super-effective but have also brought some novelty and fun back to our bathroom routines (and Instagram feeds).

And the best news is you dont have to travel very far to bring a taste of Korea to your bathroom cabinet. Here are 10 of the best exports, available right here in the UK.

1. Tonymoly

The name Tonymoly means putting style into packaging. But theres more to this cult brand than cute cases. Its Cherry Lip Balms (8) and bunny-shaped Gloss Bars (7) are rich in super-hydrating fruit extracts, while its adorable Pandas Dream So Cool Eye Stick (10) instantly soothes morning-after dark circles.

(cultbeauty.co.uk)

2. Peripera

The cheeky cousin of cushion compact foundations, the cushion blushers from Peripera are the foolproof way to achieve a fresh flush of sheer colour. Find it at US-based Korean skincare specialists Peach & Lily.

(12, peachandlily.com)

3. 3CE

3 Concept Eyes (or 3CE) has won fans across the globe for its bold approach to colour-pop cosmetics. Try its ombre blusher (17), which is big in Korea right now for its ability to give a two-tone finish, while its innovative Moving Mascara (13) boasts adjustable bristles to let you customise the length, curl and volume of your lashes.

(cultbeauty.co.uk)

4. Erborian

Blending Korean technologies with a French pharmacy aesthetic, Erborian is renowned for its modern approach to traditional herbal remedies. Among its latest launches are its black soap (15, from Sept 6) and cleansing brush (18) charged with purifying charcoal powder, while its new Shot Masks (6) contain half a bottle of serum. Try the hydrating bamboo version for a fresh, plumped-up complexion known in Korea as tchok tchok.

(erborian.co.uk)

5. Too Cool for School

Creative cosmetics brand Too Cool for School has just landed at Selfridges. Among its bestsellers is the Pumpkin Sleeping Pack (13.50) - a cross between a face mask and a night cream - while its cute cotton buds (6) are infused with a gentle cleanser to make eye make-up removal a doddle.

(selfridges.com)

6.Mizon

Cult Korean skincare brand Mizon champions science-driven formulas and pioneering hero ingredients. Among its most popular products is the Egg White Bubble Cleanser, a foaming formula which contains egg white (revered in Korea for more than its ability to make a cracking omelette) to purge pores of impurities and leave skin sensationally smooth.

(19, cultbeauty.co.uk)

7. Etude House

Girlie, fun and toothache-inducingly sweet, make-up brand Etude House sells the fairy-tale princess fantasy to grown-up shoppers. But its latest innovation is not just for those passionate about pink. Its Tint My Brows Gel uses the same technology as self-tan for semi-permanent brow grooming  simply paint on and peel off to reveal natural-looking colour that lasts.

(12.50, thisisbeautymart.com)

8. Freeset

Joining snail secretion, pig collagen and horse oil in the long list of bizarre ingredients to hit the mainstream, donkey milk is being hailed as the next fountain of youth. Its said to be loaded with proteins and contain five times more vitamin C than normal milk. If you fancy giving it a whirl, youll find Freesets Donkey Milk Skin Gel Mask on Amazon.

(18 for 10, amazon.co.uk)

9. Skinfood

Sparkling skincare is big business in Korea, with effervescent formulae said to provide a deeper clean. Skinfoods Fresh Apple Sparkling Pore Emulsion contains carbonated water and promises to tighten pores and control excess sebum, while masquerading as a bottle of Appletiser.

(koreankosmetics.co.uk)

10. Holika Holika

Youve got your sheet mask, sleep pack, rubber mask and bubble mask - what you need now is a step mask. The multi-stage treatment sachets from Holika Holika come in three steps for intensive, targeted results. Try its charmingly titled Pig-Nose Clear Blackhead Kit (4.50) or Golden Monkey Glamour Lip Kit (8.50) for a plumper pout.

(thisisbeautymart.com)
C hina suffered another poor month for trade in July, reinforcing fears the worlds second-largest economy is still struggling.

A 4.4% fall in exports and 12.5% drop in imports were worse than economists had expected and point to weak domestic demand and sluggish global trade.

It is just over a year since the Chinese government devalued the yuan, which artificially boosted the value of exports in the local currency.

Signs of stronger manufacturing activity among many of Chinas key trading partners has so far failed to lift export growth, Capital Economics China economist Julian Evans-Pritchard said. The countrys export growth is likely to remain subdued for some time.

Exports to the US, Chinas largest external market, fell by 2% and those to the EU, the second-largest, dropped by 3%.

Iron-ore imports rose 8.1% by volume in the first seven months of the year but factory activity surveys last week showed that domestic and export orders cooled in July, while heavy flooding in some areas disrupted business.

Evans-Pritchard added: China is less reliant on external demand than it used to be and we still think the continued feed-through from stronger credit growth will provide some further support to domestic demand during the rest of this year.
H ouseholds on shale gas hotbeds will not be the only ones to benefit from Theresa Mays plans to dole out cash, as shareholders of the London-listed fracking firms were also quids in on Monday.

Shares in AIM-listed IGas Energy and Egdon Resources leapt on reports that the new PM could dish out as much as 20,000 to households, which is likely to boost support among local residents.

Proposals previously included only reimbursing community trusts or local councils, with 10% of taxes from fracking earmarked for local authorities near wells which extract gas using the controversial process.

IGas, the UKs best-known listed fracking hopeful whose shares have collapsed over the past two years, surged 4.05p, or 28%, to 18.30p in a boost for its loyal City backers, which include JO Hambro, Norges Bank, and Alliance Trust.

Its biggest shareholder is Chinese energy giant Cnooc, which took over Canadas Nexen in 2013, two years after IGas bought Nexens UK assets in return for shares in the AIM company.

Egdon, a partner of IGas in Lincolnshire, was 1.73p, or 16%, up at 12.6p. Its investors include Hargreave Hale, JPMorgan, and Hargreaves Lansdown.

On the wider market, the mood remained upbeat after Fridays punchy US jobs figures. Banking shares added 19.06 points to the FTSE 100 at 6812.53.

Barclays put on a particularly strong show, climbing 5.7p to 157.7p as investment bank Exane BNP Paribas upgraded the high street lender to outperform.

Knee and hip replacements specialist Smith & Nephew wobbled 5p lower at 1261p despite kicking off a $300 million share buyback following the $350 million sale of its Medtronic gynaecology business.

Shares in FTSE 250 aerospace engineer Meggitt, whose boss confirmed this year it would look at takeover offers, flew 25p, or 6%, higher to 439.6p as expectations of a possible bid rose. The surge came as US activist investor Elliott Capital Advisors, known for pushing for better takeover terms, revealed a 5.2% stake in Meggitt through so-called contract for difference derivatives.

Elsewhere on the mid-cap index, McCarthy & Stone fell 4.55p to 175.25p as UBS slapped a sell rating on the retirement homes builder.

Finally, Panmure Gordon shot up 11.9p to 57.4p on reports Mehmet Dalmans WMG fund is working on a takeover bid for the under-pressure broker controlled by Qatars QInvest.
T elephone polling is dead after the inaccuracy it threw up ahead of the Brexit vote, the boss of YouGov has said.

Phone polls may actually have been responsible for the Leave win, said Stephan Shakespeare, chief executive.

The Prime Minister and Remain campaign based their responses on those phone polls, which were wrong.

YouGov, which polls online, had a fair referendum with the average of its polls within 1% of the result and the only organisation to warn that Leave could win.

Now the focus is switching to Hillary Clinton's showdown with Donald Trump in the US Presidential election, where the firm is enjoying a bonus thanks to the weakness of sterling.

Warren Buffett Challenges Trump to Reveal Tax Return

Today it said results would be slightly ahead of previous expectations in the year just ended with double-digit revenue growth well ahead of the global market research sector.

Broker Numis raised its profit forecast by 7% and the shares gained 4.5p to 195p today.
T hose wanting the UK to leave the European Union have won the referendum battle but it is still far from certain that they will win the Brexit war. The task before the UK is huge, and it may be that Article 50 is never invoked. If there is a Brexit, or a radical new basis for UK membership, this may have to be by an entirely new treaty.

One thing is plain: Brexit cannot be quietly abandoned. The Leave win was narrow but decisive and Remain was emphatically defeated. No political fact is so stark than that of the EU referendum result. It cannot be forgotten or wished away. Most UK citizens who voted in a referendum set up just to ask the question said they want the UK out. That was in the face of expensive government propaganda.

This vote must mean the issue of the UKs relationship with the EU, which has dogged British politics for more than 40 years, has been decided. If so, no future Thatcher will need to face down a Jacques Delors, no future Major will have to contend with Maastricht rebels, and no future Blair and Brown will need to find excuses for the UK not to join the euro. The matter of the EU seems to have been resolved, to the extent that it was capable of resolution.

But there is a serious problem. Making something happen is not the same thing as merely wishing for it. It may be near-impossible for the UK to leave the EU, at least in the next few years. And just as the brutal fact that the British people voted to leave the EU cannot be ignored, the fact that leaving the EU may not be possible cannot be ignored either.

Six ways Brexit will affect you

So extensive are the EU ties which bind the UK that they take at least a political generation to untangle. Gus ODonnell, the former head of the UK civil service, has pointed out that it took Greenland, with a population less than Croydon and with only the issue of fish, three years to leave the old EEC. And in the Eighties the EEC was a far less complicated entity than the modern EU.

Thousands of UK laws  nobody knows exactly how many  are based on EU law. Many of these laws only have effect because of the European Communities Act, which would need repeal or substantial amendment. Some of the laws have effect without any UK-implementing measure.

Millions of pounds of funding for agriculture, regional development and scientific research comes from the EU. Almost every policy area you can think of, from medicines to television, has a EU component and many UK public bodies depend daily on EU institutions providing information.

Each policy area needs to be examined so the Government will put appropriate measures in place. All this will have to be done on top of what the Government will be doing anyway running the country, in a period of budget cuts and spending freezes, and with a civil service that is 20 per cent smaller than in 2010.

Who is David Davis and what are his plans for Brexit?

Cutting the EU out of UK domestic law and policy is not some discrete surgical operation. It will be the political and legal equivalent of separating conjoined twins. And this is only the start of the problem. One special feature of the EU is the enforceable rights it gives citizens and companies. These so-called acquired rights are, in principle, enforceable by any EU citizen or company wherever they are in the EU. The most notable of these rights is that of free movement but others deal with the other freedoms of capital, goods and service provision. Brexit may mean the rights of UK citizens and companies in the EU face being extinguished, as do the rights of EU citizens and firms in the UK. The Government already seems confused about what to do about this, and if it puts a foot wrong then substantial litigation is a near-certainty.

But the Government does not know what sort of Brexit it wants. The referendum only asked about membership of the EU. It did not propose any particular model.

Some urge that the UK stays a member of the single market which means the UK accepting EU law and policy without having a role in the making of it. Others propose a customs union, which would mean that the UK would have to accept tariffs set by the EU. Each compromise model means the UK will lose some control. This is presumably not what people voted for in the referendum.

A minority of Brexiteers are clamouring for the quick break of a Hard Brexit: in effect, tearing the conjoined twins apart in one hefty pull. This will not happen, and for good reason.

The problem with this is not only all the legal and policy complications, it will propel the UK into a world of tariffs and other barriers to trade. The UKs agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors would be critically endangered overnight. It cannot even be taken for granted that we would immediately get membership status at the World Trade Organisation.

Any balanced trade agreements with the rest of the world will take time. The Chinese and Australians took 10 years to complete their recent deal. Unless the UK accepts a series of one-sided deals then that is about how long it will take the UK to conclude agreements with other major economies.

Time is not the only problem with trade deals. In the modern world, they are rarely about tariffs and quotas but cover non-tariff barriers such as competition policy, consumer rights, access to public procurement, and intellectual property protections. In other words, domestic policies. The most notorious example of such wide-ranging agreements is the US-EU Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, but this is not the only one.

A post-Brexit UK may be less about taking back control and more about giving it away in return for a trade deal. And, in any case, no major economy will want to do a deal with the UK until they see what form Brexit takes.

There is currently litigation about whether an Act of Parliament is needed to commence the Article 50 exit process. There is also uncertainty as to what will happen if the Scots and Northern Irish remain opposed: the referendum question was about the UK leaving the EU and not just England and Wales. But these major constitutional problems may be less important to whether there is a Brexit than the immense practical difficulties of making Brexit work.

The referendum may have given irresistible political force to the Leave side but membership of the EU may prove an unmoveable object. There is a contradiction, and nobody can predict how this contradiction can be resolved.

David Allen Green is a law and policy commentator and a solicitor at Preiskel & Co LLP.
T he British Library will present an exhibition dedicated to the magic of Harry Potter next year, marking twenty years since the first of the novels was published.

The exhibition will open on October 20, 2017, two decades after the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, the first of seven novels that went on to take the world by storm.

It will feature a combination of original material from JK Rowling and publisher Bloomsburys archives, as well as British Library treasures about wizarding that are hundreds of years old.

The British Library promises that visitors will be able to go on a journey to the heart of the Potter stories, from learning about the origins of the philosophers stone to reading medieval descriptions of dragons.

More information about the exhibition will become available at the beginning of next year, with tickets going on sale from spring 2017. The exhibition will run until February 28, 2018.

Museums that stay open late 1 /9 Museums that stay open late Royal Academy of Arts The Royal Academy is always home to the big hitters, from David Hockney to Ai Weiwei, and it stays open until 10pm every Friday and Saturday (normal hours 10am-6pm). Fraser Marr Tate Modern If you want your modern art fix and want to make sure you dont miss the Tates latest blockbuster exhibition, it is open until 10pm on Friday and Saturday (normal opening hours 10am-6pm). Tate Photography Wellcome Collection The Wellcome Collection bring science to the masses, and previous exhibitions on sex and drugs have had people queueing for hours. If you want a sneaky science fix in your evening, the Wellcome Collection stays open until 10pm on Thursdays (normal opening hours 10am-6pm, closed on Mondays). Wellcome Collection Barbican Centre's Art Gallery The Barbican Centre has so much going on that you can check out their latest exhibition and you might even fit in a theatre show afterwards. Their Art Gallery stays open until 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays (normal opening hours 10am-6pm). Barbican V & A Museum The V&A won 2016 Museum of the Year, and its exhibitions in recent years have been unmissable, from Alexander McQueen to Hollywood costumes. On Fridays, the haven of design and art is open until 10pm (normal opening hours 10am-.545pm). Victoria and Albert Museum, London Science Museum The Science Museum stays open late on the last Wednesday of every month. They host a themed evening full of talks, workshops, drinks and music until 10pm, and future lates will focus on topics as diverse as gaming, crime, and big data (normal opening hours 10am-6pm). Science Museum National Gallery The National Gallery, home to over 2,300 paintings that date from the mid-13th century to the 1900s, stays open until 9pm every Friday (normal opening hours 10am-6pm). The National Gallery, London British Museum The British Museum in Bloomsbury holds a vast collection of world art and artefacts, including the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles; its open until 8.30pm on Friday if you want to end your week with some world history (normal opening hours 10am-5.30pm). British Museum Natural History Museum The Natural History Museum stays open late on the last Friday of every month, until 10pm. Plenty of activities plus lots of drinks make it a not quite like your usual museum experience (normal opening hours 10am-5.50pm). Trustees of the Natural History Museum London

Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout
Review at a glance









P ile up the barricades, get out the guillotine, it's time for ballet's Les Mis! Originally a one-act ballet by Vasily Vainonen from 1932, The Flames of Paris was a glorified story of the French Revolution, designed to fit Soviet state-approved themes. Most Soviet-era ballets have since have been mothballed, but this one was deemed fit for revival in 2008 by the Bolshoi Ballet's then-director Alexei Ratmansky, who fleshes things out to a full evening, with human stories and a dash of political ambiguity for the modern age.

Brother and sister Jeanne (Ekaterina Krysanova) and Jerome (Denis Savin) are off to join a gang of rebels heading to Paris to slice off some aristo heads. Jerome gets in some bother with the local Marquis, but is saved, and then smitten, by his daughter Adeline (Nina Kaptsova), who switches sides to join the uprising.

The spirited young revolutionaries dance with the naivety and fervour of the political convert, in stomping folk rhythms and buoyant allegro leaps, contrasted with the effete members of the royal court.

The first act of the ballet is somewhat hijacked by a play-within-a-play device, an overlong ballet performed for the nobles. It's intended to be clever and echo the themes of the story but doesn't really come off, just serving to stall the action  although the graceful presence of Artem Ovcharenko is delightful.

But the second act makes up for it. There's rip-roaring action, as Jeanne and her lover Phillipe (Igor Tsvirko) fly through variations with great gusto, pulling out jackpot moves and revving up the (skilfully choreographed) crowds for battle, Tsvirko with his rocket-launcher jumps and jetes; Krysanova with a rabble-rousing string of swift, sharp fouettes. Amid all that, Jerome and Adeline's doomed romance across the class divide has genuine pathos.

The ballet's themes of political power struggle and class war are not really so far away from 2016  there's more muscle and zeal here than a Trump rally  but it's the pace and brio of Ratmansky's choreography, the sheer audacity of the virtuoso leads, and the touching love story that might just make you join the revolution.

Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout
T here's just one thing better than quizzing chef Raymond Blanc about his favourite places to eat, sleep and drink in Paris: visiting them myself.

There is just so much to celebrate here, some of the best produce in the world, some of the best restaurants, and talent. I love this city so much! he said during our recent trip there. Blanc, born in eastern France, is one of UKs best-known TV and restaurant chefs who has also trained or taught top chefs including Marco Pierre White and Heston Blumenthal. As well as being the owner of the two-Michelin-starred Oxfordshire restaurant and hotel, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, he is also the culinary director of Business Premier for Eurostar. Here are his top foodie-picks in Paris:

My favourite patisserie

Laurent Duchene: Patissier Laurent Duchene, holder of a 'meilleur ouvrier de france' (best craftsman) title, is a protege of Blancs. Unsurprisingly, his shop on Rue Wurtz, 13th arondissement, is a roaring success. Between the opening hours of 7am - 8pm he sells some 800 baguettes every day, sometimes to customers twice in one day who want fresh bread for dinner. The smell of these baguettes echoes out onto the pavement. Walking in is like a feast for the eyes, and you can see trays of chocolates, jams, croissants, eclairs, madeleines, and millefeuille laid out in neat rows on the counter. Our patisserie is very classic, says Duchene. We sell lots of coffee and chocolate eclairs - people love chocolate in France, so you always need a chocolate one! Of his superb, award-winning classic croissants, Dubois says: For a classic croissant, you should be able to see all the layers. It should be crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Even though two bakers must arrive every morning at 4 oclock to start making bread, Duchenes staff are so loyal that his first baking employee has worked with him for 15 years, and another for eight.

Duchene's famous baguettes (Lucy Trebble) / Lucy Treble

Patisserie Laurent Duchene, 2 Rue Wurtz, 75013 Paris

My favourite cheese shop

Laurent Dubois: Cheesemonger Dubois is also a holder of one of the prized meilleur ouvrier de france titles, and Blanc adores this shop because of Dubois commitment to the producers he works with. Dubois has three shops, one of which is situated above his temperature-controlled cheese cellar. Here, he and his staff wash and brush the cheeses regularly before packaging them up to sell in his shops, but he never exports anything. Does he ever get bored of cheese? No! I eat cheese personally at the weekend, but I try it here every day for work. In my time Ive probably tasted 1000 cheeses and I currently have around 150 varieties in my shop. I choose the best in Europe, and work with 200 producers, who I visit regularly. Dubois also says that he thinks the AirBnB tourism market is particularly interesting, because people can come and eat the cheese and bread and charcuterie immediately in their apartment, rather than taking home with them. Particularly good is his truffled brie, and 36-month-aged comte.

Cheesemonger Dubois, Paris (Lucy Trebble) / Lucy Treble

My favourite restaurants

Pierre Gagnaire at Hotel Balzac: Blanc loves to eat here not because of its star quality - it has three-Michelin stars - but because of Gagnaires approach to produce and emotionally-driven cooking. To create the tasting menus at this special Parisian restaurant, the chef and his team work closely with vegetable suppliers who can grow precisely what they want. The result: refined and modern version of many traditional rustic French dishes. For example, you might get veal served with spelt, morrel mushrooms and orange-flavoured burrata ice cream, or crab with ginger, lemongrass and paprika.

Edamame dish at Pierre Gagnaire / Pierre Gagnaire

Atelier Maitre Albert: one of Blancs favourite bistros, the design of this restaurant is a cross between a dark, wine cellar and a medieval country kitchen, only with more space. You can see why Blanc likes it; chef Guy Savoy and his team cook market menus such as spit-roasted meats, and dangerously good chocolate fondants.

Pierre Gagnaire at Hotel Balzac, 6 Rue Balzac, 75008 Paris

Atelier Maitre Albert, 1 Rue Maitre Albert, 75005 Paris

My favourite wine shop

Le Grand Filles et Fils: situated in the old shopping arcade, Galerie Vivienne, this charming wine and grocery shop, bar, and school is lovely. It is worth a visit simply to gaze at the jars of traditional sweets and chocolates before sitting down for a glass of something and some bread and cheese. Our philosophy is not to impose, but to help each person find their own taste their own road into the history of wine, explains sommelier Bruce, who leads tastings in a special room opposite the shop. Le Grands history dates back to the 1880s, when it started out as a grocery store, but after Pierre Le Grand bought the shop, he set out to visit vineyards himself, selecting wines of the best terroir, quality and elegance. Today the mission of the wine part of the business is to sell the best new wine, priced from 10-10,000, and to tell the stories of the 400 wine growers that they work with.

Le Grand Filles et Fils, 1, rue de la Banque 75002 Paris

My favourite hotel

Hotel Le Bristol: From the flowers dotted all around the hotel and arranged specially by the in-house florists, to the roof-top pool designed to look like a wooden boat, this hotel's old-school elegance has charmed Blanc who has stayed here many times. Now part of the Oetker Collection of luxury hotels, Le Bristol was first opened in 1925 by the Jammet family, and after a 170 million restoration project that finished last year, it now boasts the new Cafe Antonia which does one of the most luxurious breakfasts in the city. Here, you can have any egg made any way you like, washed down with a glass of champagne. Blanc has also tried - and likes - the superb three-Michelin starred restaurant which has been run by chef Eric Frechon since 1999. Famous dishes include stuffed macaroni with black truffle, and artichoke and duck foie gras.

Truffle Macaroni at Hotel Le Bristol / Hotel Le Bristol

Hotel Le Bristol, 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, 75008 Paris

Victoria Stewart was a guest of Eurostar (www.eurostar.com) and Le Bristol hotel, part of the Oetker Collection, where doubles start at 950
W hen celebrities want to get their nose or tragus pierced, they head to Maria Tash.

The New York-based jewellers piercing spa has attracted a cult following in America, thanks to A-list fans such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus and FKA Twigs, to name just a few.

But Londoners dont need to board a plane to the Big Apple to get the latest Hollywood it piercing, as Tash has permanently brought her high-end studs, hoops and earrings to iconic London department store Liberty.

The London shop previously hosted a piercing pop-up with the designer for 10 days in February in their historic jewellery room.

Now Tash has become a permanent fixture of their curated space for independent jewellery brands, joining the likes of Oscar De La Renta, Astley Clarke and Monica Vinader.

But if youre thinking of booking an appointment, dont expect to leave with a simple pair of silver studs. Tash is renowned for her intricate, high-end designs laden with diamonds, sapphires and rubies.

I am honoured to be welcomed into Liberty's finely curated selection of top designers, Tash said of her new London space.

Liberty has generously given me and my team a new, large British home, and allowed us to design the space to optimize our jewellery shopping, piercing, and jewellery styling team.

We are privileged and thrilled to be welcomed inside this historic UK location.

Follow us on Twitter: @eslifeandstyle
U sed up all of your annual leave? Feeling summer creep away?

Not to worry - weve got Londoners covered. Here are our top three UK destinations you can escape to in under an hour and a half.

1. Cambridge

Slow the pace in the historic city of Cambridge.

How Long?

Kings Cross to Cambridge Station in 46 minutes.

Lunch:

Keep things simple at Bread & Meat. A two-minute walk from the famous Kings College Chapel, this quaint lunch destination is straight-forward and delicious. Its a popular place, though, so turn up for an early or late lunch to avoid queues.

Tip: Make time to hop next door to Cambridges most famous pub, The Eagle. Look for the plaques by the entrance to find out why.

Afternoon:

Most of Cambridges iconic sights can only be truly appreciated from the river. Head to Scudamores Punting to arrange a chauffeured river tour of Cambridges world-famous colleges.

Scudamore's punting tour of the river Cam (Scudamore's) / Scudamore Punting

Dinner:

For larger budgets, Midsummer House is the restaurant of choice. Run by two-starred Michelin chef Daniel Clifford, this restaurant was named the 2nd best restaurant in the world by Trip Advisor in 2014.

The restaurant is set on the edge of Midsummer common, a park in the centre of the city which still operates grazing laws, so dont be alarmed if you spot a wandering cow or two.

For a wallet-friendly dinner, head to The Old Bicycle Shop on Regent Street. Before it was a restaurant, the site was home to Englands oldest bike shop (it is rumoured that Charles Darwin bought his bike here).

Dinner at The Old Bicycle Shop / The Old Bicycle Shop

Evening:

Enjoy far-reaching views across the city at the Varsity rooftop cocktail bar. Situated at the top of a luxury spa hotel and restaurant, this cocktail bar offers an unrivalled combination of quality drinks and unspoilt vistas.

Rooftop cocktail bar at Varsity Hotel (Varsity Hotel) / The Varsity Hotel

2. Birmingham

Often left quaking in Londons shadow, the UKs second city neednt be overlooked.

How Long?

London Euston to Birmingham New Street in an hour and 25 minutes.

Lunch:

If visiting after the 9th August, go to The Warehouse Cafe (they're on holiday until then). This vegetarian cafe in trendy Digbeth has reached cult status in Birmingham so be sure to book ahead.

A good alternative would be to head to Cafe Opus along the canal.

Afternoon:

A true art house cinema, soak up the history in the oldest working cinema in the country. The Electric first opened its doors in 1909 and has been running films (almost) ever since.

The oldest working cinema in Britain, The Electric / The Electric

The city has an excellent and large art gallery in the central Chamberlain Square, but the real jewel is found a little outside of the centre at Birmingham Universitys Barber Institute of Fine Arts.

Birmingham University has a train station on campus, so its certainly easy to get to. Have a wander through University Square on your way to the gallery  the tower (affectionately named Old Joe) is the tallest free standing clock tower in the world and was allegedly the inspiration for J.R.R Tolkeins Eye of Sauron.

'Old Joe', University of Birmingham / Shutterstock

Dinner:

You cant go to Birmingham and not have a curry, and Lasan does the best. With the restaurant being named as Gordon Ramsay's 'Best Local Restaurant' and chef Aktar Islam's win on Great British Menu, Lasan's modern menu is not to be missed.

If you can make it down on a Friday, the Digbeth Dining Club is well worth a visit. Voted the best Street Food Event in 2013 and 2014, this is the place to go if youre looking for something livelier.

Evening:

Try award-winning The Lost & Found for post-dinner cocktails. Built around a fictional Victorian explorer and bontanist - Hettie G. Watson - this sprawling cocktail bar is full of surprises and secret, cosy corners.

Tip: Look out for Hetties secret emporium": a bar hidden behind a bookcase

Bar behind the bookcase, Lost & Found (The Lost & Found) / The Lost & Found

3. Brighton

Cleanse your city lungs with some seaside air.

How long?

London Victoria to Brighton Station in 56 minutes.

Lunch:

Surely it has to be fish and chips! Bardsley's is generally considered to be the best, though sadly it is not on the seafront. Its just a ten-minute stroll from the train station, though, so hop off the train from London and satisfy your seafood cravings.

Afternoon:

If you head off from Bardsleys in the direction of the coast, youll hit the main sights on your way. First up will be the iconic Brighton Pavilion, a beautiful wedding cake of a building set in park surroundings. Find a shaded corner and snooze off your lunch.

Brighton pavilion (Shuttershock) / Shutterstock

Once youve regained consciousness, cross over the road to the Laines for a wander around Brightons quirky boutique shops.

Finally  you know whats coming  the beach! Release your inner child and seek out Boho Gelato (just off the beach) for ice cream then head to Brighton Pier for some seaside nostalgia.

Dinner:

Food for Friends has had a lot of recognition since opening. This is a vegetarian restaurant which has strived to make its dishes as sophisticated and flavourful as any other leading non-vegetarian restaurant. Meat lovers, give it a go  you wont miss the meat.

Evening:

Tucked away down a little street off the main promenade is The Potting Parlour. Specialising in quality cocktails, this watering hole has become a favourite among the locals.

Follow us on Twitter @eslifeandstyle and sign up to our newsletter here.
B iarritz wears its aristocratic past lightly. Napoleon III and his Empress Eugenie turned it into a chic playground for royalty in the mid-19th century. A hundred years later it was surfers who brought a more laid-back vibe to this classy resort on Frances Basque coast (fittingly, the Quiksilver shop is just around the corner from Hermes).

Theyre here for the beaches, of course  all 6km of them  and the salty Atlantic breezes. Le Grande Plage is the main draw, where youll find the elegant casino and opulent Hotel du Palais, which Napoleon III built for his wife in the shape of a giant E. Grande Plages neighbour, Plage Miramar, doesnt allow surfers so its marginally quieter. Cute Plage du Port Vieux is sheltered and a magnet for families with small children, while surfers head south to Plage de la Cote des Basques, where there are numerous surfing schools. When high tide comes to spoil the fun, just hop on the free shuttle and hit the beaches further south, especially locals favourite Plage de la Milady. For a change of scenery, check out the 4.5km of sandy beaches in the town next door, Anglet.

Bed down: shipshape

Rising like a giant ocean liner from the beach at Miramar, Sofitel Biarritz le Miramar Thalassa Sea & Spa (00 33 559 413 000; sofitel.com) offers five-star luxury as chilled out as Biarritz itself. All the rooms have terraces, most with sea views. Choose between the huge outdoor pool or the thalassotherapy spa and indoor heated pool; theres also direct access to Plage Miramar. Doubles from 185, room only.

Fed and watered: seaside specials

Le PimPi Bistrot (00 33 559 241 262; lepimpi-bistrot.com) has been open for only a year but it already has a reputation for top-class fare. The menu can include prawns in tempura with aubergine caviar, or white asparagus with a slow-cooked egg and air-dried ham.

At Le Surfing (00 33 559 247 872; lesurfing.fr), the food and ambience is as lovely as the view of Plage de la Cote des Basques. Inside, theres a collection of skateboards hanging from the ceiling, and the window is an atmospheric spot at which to enjoy hefty burgers, spicy anchovies and spaghetti with prawns.

Lovely views: Le Surfing / Adam Batterbee

Among the quayside restaurants along Port des Pecheurs, the old fishermens port, rustic little Crampotte 30 (00 33 535 469 122) is the place for a light tapas lunch, Basque-style. Snack on local cheeses and charcuterie, or tot up the toothpicks stuck into other bites while enjoying views of the Grande Plage. Tapas in Biarritz are the pintxos found in other parts of Basque Country.

The area around Biarritzs excellent indoor food market, Les Halles (halles-biarritz.fr), teems with bars. One of the best and liveliest is Bar Jean (00 33 559 248 038; barjean-biarritz.fr), which has a superb selection of cheap tapas to go with its reasonably priced drinks.

Head around the corner to Rue Gambetta, another major hub of Biarritzs bars and restaurants. Squeeze into one of the pavement tables at convivial La Cabane a Huitres (00 33 559 547 965; cabane-a-huitres.com) for plates of oysters and razor clams.

Beach life: shelters on Le Grand Plage / Getty Images/Bruno De Hogues

In the bag: cheesy treats

Its hard to find a man happier in his work than Henri Bille, owner of Mille et un Fromages (00 33 559 246 788). His shop is full of treats, many featuring the sweetly spicy flavour of Espelette peppers. Maison Adam (00 33 559 242 168; maisonadam.fr) specialises in the Basque version of macarons  not the multicoloured meringues youre used to but a delicious almond version.

Family-run Lartigue 1910 (00 33 559 238 302; lartigue1910.com) has been making linen goods in the distinctive Basque stripes since 1910. Stock up on tableware, bags and espadrilles (another Basque speciality) from the flagship shop in Avenue Edouard VII.

Fascinating: Musee Asiaticas art collections / Adam Batterbee

Cultural agenda: water worlds

Musee Asiatica (00 33 559 227 878; museeasiatic.com) has one of Frances biggest collections of art and treasures from India, China, Nepal and Tibet, spanning 20 centuries.

In an Art Deco building overlooking the sea, Aquarium Biarritz (00 33 559 227 540; aquariumbiarritz.com) is home to hammerhead sharks, seals and other creatures. Take in views from the roof terrace where you might see dolphins frolic in the sea. Youll also have a view of rocky outcrop Rocher de la Vierge, with its statue of the Virgin Mary. You can get a combined ticket to visit the Aquariums new offshoot, Cite de lOcean (00 33 559 227 540; citedelocean.com). Housed in a wave-shaped structure near Plage de la Milady, the museum delves into the story of the ocean and Biarritzs role in it. Its full of hands-on exhibits, the most thrilling being virtual-reality surfing.

DETAILS: BIARRITZ

Biarritz is served by Ryanair (0871 246 0000; ryanair.com) from Stansted, easyJet (0330 365 5000; easyjet.com) from Gatwick and British Airways (0344 493 0787; ba.com) from Heathrow. Mary Novakovich travelled with Voyages-sncf.com (0844 848 5848; voyages-sncf.com), which sells rail tickets from St Pancras to Biarritz via Paris.

tourisme.biarritz.fr
A n 11-year-old child and a 40-year-old man have been taken to hospital following reports of a shooting near an east London children's playground.

Police were called to Loxford Lane, near Loxford Park in Ilford, at about 4.30pm on Monday.

An eyewitness told the Ilford Recorder they called 999 after seeing a man shoot someone with a "big gun, like one that the army would have".

The boy's injuries are not said to be life-threatening.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "Police were called Loxford Lane, Redbridge, at approximately at 4.30pm to reports of shooting.

"London Ambulance Service was called to the scene. They treated two people.

"A 40-year-old man was taken to an east London hospital with injuries. We await a condition update.

"An 11-year-old boy also suffered injuries. His injuries are not thought to be life threatening."

"Both injured parties were not known to each other.

"There have been no arrests. Cordons are in place."

An LAS spokeswoman said: "We were called at 4.30pm to reports of an incident at an address in Loxford Lane.

"We sent two single responders in cars, an ambulance crew and London's Air Ambulance to the scene.

"We treated two patients at the scene. A man was taken as a priority to hospital, with the doctor from the air ambulance on board. A child was also taken to hospital."
A 15-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of a promising young rapper who was stabbed in the neck at a house party in south London.

Leoandro Osemeke, 16, was found with multiple stab wounds in Colegrove Road, Peckham, at 7.19pm on August 5, following reports of a disturbance, the Metropolitan Police said.

He died at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics to save him. A post-mortem examination determined he was killed by a stab wound to the chest.

The suspect, who has not been named, will appear in custody at Highbury Corner Youth Court on Tuesday following his arrest at the weekend.

It comes after the brother of Leoandro, who performed under the name Showkey, said today he wished he could have been there to protect him.

His older brother, who performs under the name Slimzy, paid tribute to his best friend, right- and left-hand man.

He posted on social media: Your legacy remains, adding: I wish I was close enough to you when it happened so I could protect you but I wasnt.

I know you had plans for the future and will definitely see each other one day.
T he brother of a promising rapper stabbed in the neck at a house party today said he wished he could have been there to protect him.

The 16-year-old victim, who performed under the name Showkey, had been due to collect his GCSE results later this month was planning to study at music college.

He was a close friend of Myron Yarde, an aspiring musician murdered earlier this year in New Cross, and released a song in tribute to the 17-year-old with the lyrics: Is it really worth it?

He died in a pool of his own blood on the pavement after a fight broke out at a house party in Colegrove Road, Peckham, at 7.15pm on Friday.

Disturbing footage showing police attempting to resuscitate the schoolboy was being shared on social media last night.

Friends today said Showkey, whose real name is believed to be Leon, had turned his back on gang culture following the death of his best friend. They described him as full of energy, dreams and aspirations.

Stab death scene: the aftermath of the attack in Colegrove Road / PA

His older brother, who performs under the name Slimzy, paid tribute to his best friend, right- and left-hand man.

He wrote on social media: Your legacy remains, and you linked with M-Dot [Myron] earlier than expected but just know Im there for you.

I wish I was close enough to you when it happened so I could protect you but I wasnt.

I know you had plans for the future and will definitely see each other one day.

Showkeys manager, Junior Anim, told the Standard the teenager was just like any other young boy, full of energy with big dreams and aspirations.

His talent was undeniable and he would have been successful in music or any other trade or skill he put his mind to.

Stabbed to death: the teenager, who was an aspiring rapper / Fortress Records

A promoter who released several of Showkeys mixtapes said he was: a charismatic and very talented young musician who showed hunger, drive and discipline beyond his years in the studio.

I was happy when I learned he was going onto college education after completing secondary school. Myself and so many have been fortunate enough to transition our lives through music. Our hearts go to his family and friends.

Heartbroken friends have raised thousands of pounds towards his funeral.

Schoolfriend Rachel Jones said: Leon was so enthusiastic and a very confident person who liked to speak his mind.

Hes the type of guy everyone in the class liked because he could make them laugh every time.

He wasnt some bad street kid. He was a lovely, lovely boy. Always laughing, always positive and had so much potential.

Ms Jones added: After Myrons death Showkey just wanted to come out of this gang lifestyle and make himself a better person by sticking to music and trying to get a career out of it.

He had made a name for himself in the industry and he was getting a good buzz from it.

Patrick Green of the Ben Kinsella trust, echoed the calls for a change in police tactics after six people lost their lives in stabbings in London including several teenagers and the American tourist killed in Russell Square.

He said: It is very sad that eight years after Bens murder more families are having to suffer the devastating loss of a son, brother and friend.

More needs to be done to protect our young people and keep them safe. We need to ensure that violent behaviour doesnt become the norm for young people.

The police need to increase the use of their stop and search powers to target those who carry knives and we need to enforce strict sentences for people caught carrying.

The crowdfunding page for Showkeys funeral can be found by searching Showkeys funeral funds in Go Fund Me.

Police are appealing for witnesses and asking anyone with information to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A 15-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death.
A police force has been forced to apologise after it posted an unacceptable photograph of two men in Nazi uniforms on an official Twitter page.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) removed the tweet from their GMP Traffic account after Londoner Shulem Stern complained it was not right.

The post showed two men in SS uniforms standing next to a German military Kubelwagen. It was shared on Sunday and was captioned: "M62 J22 On the west Yorkshire border. These two likely lads trying to invade".

Mr Shulem, who lost relatives in the Holocaust, said: "In my view it was inappropriate, especially for an official police account, to tweet a picture of two men dressed in Nazi uniforms, joking about them trying to invade.

"The Nazi's rounded up millions of innocent people, including my great-grandfather, great-grandmother and their two young boys aged just two and six.

"They were all put on a train after the Nazi's invaded their hometown, and taken to Auschwitz where they were murdered simply because they were Jewish."

Deleted: It was unclear whether the post was intended to be a joke / Greater Manchester Police

GMP said it would be speaking to the officers behind the post. In a tweet the force wrote: "It has been removed and we will speak to those involved. It was unacceptable."

A GMP spokesman added: "A tweet was posted on a GMP local social media account on Sunday 7 August 2016, which caused offence to a number of people.

"This post was deleted as soon as were made aware of it and we apologise for its content, as it was unacceptable.

"This matter has been referred to GMP's Professional Standards Branch."
P olice stormed a flight and arrested a man at Heathrow Airport after he allegedly become disruptive and loitered near an exit on board.

The drama unfolded on a British Airways passenger jet from Canada this morning after the man had begun acting suspiciously mid-flight.

Witnesses said police stormed flight BA098 after it landed at Heathrow just before 10am.

Passenger Eric William, 37, told the Standard that fellow travellers reported the man wandering around the aisles and acting strangely near an exit.

He said: The captain advised everyone to stay seated when we landed until the police and ambulance personnel were on board and we were told we could leave.

Police arrested a male passenger at Heathrow Airport (Picture: Eric William) / Eric William

We landed and they boarded and attended the person at their seat where the crew had them confined.

We all waited a while until they decided to let all the passengers leave first. The crew seemed genuinely upset.

Police confirmed a male passenger was escorted from the plane when it touched down on the runway after officers were alerted to the incident at 8.30am.

He was arrested and taken to hospital for medical treatment.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman: It was reported that a man had been disruptive on an inbound flight from Canada.

Officers attended and a man was arrested for failing to comply with the directions of cabin staff.

He has been taken directly to hospital for medical treatment. Enquires continue. 

A spokesman for British Airways said: "Our crew requested medical services to meet the flight to provide assistance.

"The safety of our customers and crew is always our first priority."
A n investigation has been launched in to the death of man in his 20s who suffered a fatal blow to the head after leaning from the window of a Gatwick Express train.

The train was approaching Wandsworth Common station towards London Victoria when the victim lowered an unlocked droplight window to look outside.

It is understood that he was struck by an oncoming train.

British Transport Police today denied earlier reports that the man had been decapitated by the force of the blow.

Police and paramedics rushed to the station at 5.30pm yesterday but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Emergency services at Wandsworth Common station where a man died leaning from a train / PA

Around 15 to 20 other passengers were said to be in the carriage where the man died.

One, who gave her name as Rihanna, told Wandsworth Radio: He lifted his head out and basically he didnt notice that the train was coming, so all you see is basically a head gone.

Emergency services at Wandsworth Station

The train stopped and people were screaming and they were coming out.

Lucie Walker, a 21-year-old student, who arrived at the station shortly after the incident, told the Standard: The train was evacuated and there was one woman especially who was sobbing and seemed very traumatised.

Another witness told the Standard: There were a large number of people standing around, some looked pretty distressed.

The police shut the station and put up a large cordon and the paramedics were on the platform.

The station was cordoned off for several hours causing delays and diversions to services as emergency services launched an investigation.

A Gatwick Express spokesman said: The emergency services attended the scene at Wandsworth Common station and despite their best efforts, they were unable to save him. We send our condolences to his family.

We are co-operating fully with British Transport Police and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch who are investigating this incident.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: Officers from the BTP attended an incident, which was reported to BTP at 5.30pm, and is currently being treated as non-suspicious.

Medics from the local Ambulance service also attended but the man was pronounced deceased at the scene. A file will be prepared for the Coroner.
A young woman was rushed to hospital today after being hit by a van at a busy road junction in south London.

The pedestrian, aged in her 20s, was struck by a vehicle as she crossed the road in Brixton in the early hours of this morning.

Police and paramedics rushed to the scene in Brixton Road at the junction with Acre Lane shortly after 5.20am.

Pictures from the scene showed police and ambulance vehicles guarding a large police cordon.

Brixton Road was cordoned off by police

The road remained closed for more than an hour following the crash as police investigated.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman: Officers await an update on the womans condition.

Emergency vehicles guard a police guard at the busy junction

The driver stopped at the scene and is assisting officers with their enquiries.

No arrests have been made. 
F irefighters are battling a blaze tearing through a block of flats in south-east London.

The London Fire Brigade confirmed 72 firefighters were at the scene on Manor Road.

The fire is believed to have started in a top floor flat and has spread to the roof and a communal corridor.

Witnesses have reported seeing residents frantically escaping down a drainpipe.

Blaze: The fire can be seen for miles / Rob Joyce

Erith Road has been cordoned off while the incident is being dealt with.

Firefighters rescued one woman from the fifth floor using breathing apparatus and led her to safety down an internal staircase.

An LAS spokeswoman confirmed the woman was checked over at the scene but did not require hospital treatment.

Paramedics remain at the scene on standby.

72 firefighters are battling the blaze / Brooke Fewins

It is not yet known if there have been any casualties.

Around 25 people have been evacuated from the building.

25 people have been evacuated from the flats / Brooke Fewins

The blaze broke out while 100 firefighters were dealing with a major fire just a few miles away in Greenwich.

This page is being updated
H ordes of protesters have entered the final day of a hunger strike outside Downing Street in a bid to convince the government to condemn horrific executions being carried out in Iran.

The three-day starvation demo began on Saturday to coincide with the anniversary of the 1988 massacre in which 30,000 political prisoners were slaughtered in the country.

Over the weekend groups of Anglo-Iranians and British supporters flocked to Downing Street in anger at the execution of scores of Iranian nationals last week.

The National Council of Resistance in Iran says more than 2,500 people have been hanged during the presidency of Hassan Rouhani, who assumed office in 2013.

Hunger strike: Hordes descended on Downing Street to urge the UK government to condemn excecutions (NCRI) / Mohammad Hanif Jazayeri

Protesters are urging the UK government to condemn executions and torture in the country.

One protester, Omid Ebrahim, 18, told the Standard that despite hunger taking its toll it was worth it to achieve the groups goal.

He added: We are striking in solidarity with prisoners in Iran.

No matter how hard this is for us, it is nothing compared to the conditions they are facing.

In an article, posted on their website, the NCRI said: Hunger strikers and protesters are urging the UK government to categorically condemn the incessant cruel hangings that are taking place unabatedly in Iran and act with its Western allies to press for an immediate halt to the executions and torture in Iran."
T he UK is in for a fortnight-long spell of hot summer weather when a heatwave sweeps in towards the end of this week.

Dry, bright, and sunny conditions are expected as warm weather blows in from the continent to bring two weeks of temperatures in the mid to high 20s.

However, forcasters have warned that thunderstorms are also on their way when the hot weather arrives.

Temperatures are predicted to reach 24C by Friday, and by Monday the mercury is set to rise as far as 27C, with the capital due to start next week under bright and sunny skies.

The warm weather is predicted to last until late August, with forecasters saying they are expecting the Bank Holiday weekend at the end of the month to be warm.

Meteorologists from Weather Outlook said incoming high pressure and continental heat in August means temperatures are predicted to beat July's hottest day, when 33.5C was recorded at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

Hot weather in London - July 2016 1 /8 Hot weather in London - July 2016 Workers bask in glorious sunshine by the River Thames Amer Ghazzal/REX Workers spend lunch in the sun Amer Ghazzal/REX People enjoying the sunshine on London Riverside Amer Ghazzal/REX A young woman dips her feet into a fountain in Trafalgar Square Jack Taylor/Getty Images People stroll through St James's Park Jack Taylor/Getty Images A man sits in a deck chair in St James's Park Jack Taylor/Getty Images

However, for those living in the north of the UK the news is less good, as they will first see a cold snap, brought about by Arctic air sweeping in and bringing cool winds.

Forecasters have said August snow may even fall early this week in the Scottish mountains.

A Weather Outlook spokesman said: "Maximum temperatures will be lower than recent days as cooler air originating in the Arctic pushes down from the northwest.

"Through the second half of the week high pressure is expected to build from the south west bringing the likelihood of drier and warmer conditions.

"On Thursday and Friday the north probably remains under a changeable Atlantic flow, but the south should be mostly fine.

"Through the weekend the settled and warm weather should gradually spread northwards. In the south temperatures could reach 27C by Sunday."

A Met Office spokesman added: "A north-south split to the weather is likely on Friday and into the weekend, with cloudier and windier conditions in the north and outbreaks of rain, whereas further south and east should see drier, brighter weather and lighter winds.

"Into the start of the week, there is a low chance of hot and fine weather briefly pushing in from the near continent into southern parts but also bringing a risk of thunderstorms.

"Northwestern parts should see the heaviest rain and the southeast the driest and brightest weather. Temperatures generally around normal, though likely to be rather warm at times in the south."
A man has been rushed to hospital after being hit by a car in Hackney.

Emergency services were called to Stamford Hill shortly after 9.30pm on Monday evening after the smash outside a Morrisons superstore.

The man, in his 30s, was taken to hospital with a head injury.

A spokesman for neighbourhood watch group Shomrim NE London told the Standard they understood the pedestrian had been walking with a child when he was hit.

Dramatic images showed a black car with a smashed-up windscreen being investigated by police.

A Met Police spokesman could provide no immediate update on the condition of the injured man.

No one has been arrested in connection with the crash.

Stamford Hill was closed northbound close at the junction with Manor Road while police dealt with the incident.
R evellers who had planned to descend on Brixton for the annual free Splash street party reacted with anger at its cancellation.

Social media users blamed "gentrification" for the decision to block the event which was due to be held this weekend.

Lambeth Council rejected an application for this summers free party citing a spike in violence, drug-taking and arrests during its tenth anniversary last year.

Dubbed south Londons answer to Notting Hill Carnival, more than 40,000 people attended last Augusts Splash, leading to complaints from residents about noise, crime and a mountains of litter.

Brixton Splash aftermath

In an open letter to residents, the authority said the party had become a victim of its own success with uncontrollable crowds of people coming to Brixton.

The council said it plans to bring back the event next year after liaising with police and community groups.

Revellers at Brixton Splash on its 10th birthday last year

Over the weekend, many people expressed their frustration and sadness on social media at the cancellation of this year's street carnival.

The council has previously been accused of trying to cancel the festival as it did not fit in with its gentrified image of the Brixton area.

Moneer Elmasseek tweeted: So disappointed that Brixton Splash has been cancelled. Gentrification is destroying a lot of culture in London. It needs to stop.

Musician Somaye said: Five years ago today I was performing at #BrixtonSplash. Pity it was cancelled this year.

One user tweeted: Im still annoyed that Brixton Splash was cancelled.

Another user named Fran said: So Brixton Splash is cancelled and the police keep tweeting that no one should come to Brixton tomorrow, what do you think everyone is going to do?

Police had posted warnings to would-be partygoers in the run up to this weekend, urging them not to turn up to Brixton as the event would not go ahead.

Sergeant Andy Moseley said: There is no #BrixtonSplash this weekend. Please dont travel to Brixton and be disappointed. 

Despite warnings from the council and police, some people seemed confused and unaware that the event had been called off.

YouTuber Alpay B tweeted: Whos going Brixton Splash tomorrow?

Another Twitter user wrote: They cancelled Brixton Splash?

The festival was founded in 2005 and is usually held on or near 6 August each year.

The Splash is a non-profit community organisation established in 2005 which also runs an outreach programme for young people to get access to the arts, part-funded by the Arts Council.

Organisers also offered a qualified stewarding training programme for young people to get work experience controlling the crowds during the event.

In a statement released after the councils decision to turn down the application for this years festival, the companys board said the town hall planned to take over the event and accused the council of railroading them.

A Lambeth Council spokesman said: The year break is important because since those early days, Splash has become a victim of its own success with ever increasing numbers coming to Brixton.

That has brought its own problems. Last year, there were a large number of complaints from residents and businesses who expressed concerns that the event was too big, too uncontrolled and the cost of policing and cleaning up were too expensive.

Quite simply, we want Splash to return to its original objectives, to be a safe, community-led event, which is a positive boost for Brixton. Our objective is to bring back a better, safer organised Splash event in 2017.

A new Brixton Splash team led by Ros Griffiths is organising next year's event with a series of local meetings starting in September.

Miss Griffiths, who helped found the festival, said: "We are taking Brixton Splash back to its roots and relaunching Splash as a family friendly event that the whole community will want to be part of.

We will work with Lambeth council, local businesses, residents groups and locals to make that happen.

Sadly, last years event wasnt one that served the local community or local businesses."
A young woman claims an Uber driver called her a "slut" and threw her out of his car after she pointed out he appeared to be driving her home in completely the wrong direction.

Frances Carbines, 27, went out for dinner at Dishoom in Shoreditch with friends last night after she split from her fiance, she said.

The British Council worker said she was feeling "fragile" but had gone out with her would-be bridesmaids, who were trying to console her following the break-up.

She said one of her bridesmaids called her an Uber after the meal, at about 11.30pm, and put the postcode for her home address in Crouch End into the app. However, she claims that instead of driving her home, the driver started taking her to the "opposite end" of London.

How does Uber work and why is it so controversial?

Miss Carbines claims that when she had told the driver he was going the wrong way he became aggressive, calling her a "slut" and commenting on her short skirt, before telling her to get out of the car on Waterloo Bridge.

An Uber spokesman said the firm was investigating the claims but denied the driver had been abusive towards Miss Carbines. He added that the passenger was taken in the direction of the address that had been entered into the app.

But Miss Carbines told the Standard: "He took the wrong address and tried to take me to Brixton. When I complained he said I must live in Brixton because the system couldn't be wrong.

"He said 'get out or something bad will happen to you' and stopped on a busy dual carriageway. He didn't even pull over, then he called me a slut.

"I was shaken and crying and the Uber driver made me get out at night miles from home. The Uber driver commented on my short skirt and said I must be easy."

Miss Carbines, who works in cultural relations for the British Council for projects in Beirut and Pakistan, said she was left feeling "frightened" when she was asked to leave the car.

"I didn't have cash for a taxi, which is why I got the Uber," she said.

"I had no idea where I was, it was dark, I had had a beer and I couldn't even get a bus as I have been overdrawn.

"I was especially fragile because that weekend my fiance called off our engagement and cancelled our new shared ownership house."

Miss Carbines said she was eventually picked up by a black cab driver, who agreed to take her to Crouch End.

She said her mother was at home and was able to pay the driver, but he only asked for 20 instead of the usual 30 fare.

She is now appealing for the taxi driver to come forward, so that she can thank him for his kindness.

Miss Carbines described him as a slim Londoner with grey hair, square framed glasses, and a "kindly face", who had been working as a driver for 20 years.

She said: "I'd want to say thank you so much for saving me essentially when I couldn't get home.

"Your kindly disposition and act of humanity really cheered me up, please meet me as I owe you 10 and a drink. I wish more drivers could be like you."

Miss Carbines has also demaned an apology from Uber.

However, the company denied that the incident unfolded as Miss Carbines described.

An Uber spokesman said: We have called the rider in question so we can investigate these allegations, but have yet to receive a response.

"The driver in question has confirmed he was going to Brixton to an address that was pre-entered into the rider app.

"The driver has told us that the rider became angry that they were going to the entered destination and requested to exit the car. He denies being abusive towards the rider and so we would ask her to get in touch with us so we can investigate further.
D avid Cameron has been seeking a blockbuster advance for his Prime Ministerial memoirs, hoping to beat the 4.6 million Tony Blair got for his post-leadership autobiography. But could he have competition from his former next-door neighbour?

Ex-Chancellor George Osborne was seen wandering around the Haymarket offices of esteemed literary agent Curtis Brown recently, the assumption being that he is hawking the rights to his own account of the Cameron years. Curtis Brown is known for its championing of literary figures, with D H Lawrence, C S Lewis and Daphne du Maurier among its early clients but has a good track record with politicians too, including Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George.

Osborne should have plenty to cover  he was, after all, Camerons second-in-command through two separate governments and has been at the top of the Tory party for many years. When The Londoner called Curtis Brown, reception put us through to the voicemail of Catherine Cho, assistant to joint CEO Jonny Geller. Her profile reads: Having grown up in the American South, Im particularly drawn to atmospheric settings and strong narratives  a perfect description of Osbornes Notting Hill upbringing, Tatton constituency and Westminster years.

He wont be the first to tell the story of No 11. Ex-Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling published Back from the Brink about the crash in 2011, while Gordon Brown wrote Beyond the Crash soon after losing the 2010 general election.

When Curtis Brown did call back they said they had no comment to make at this point. We called George Osbornes office but have so far received no reply.

-----

With more than 30,000 members its fair to say that the Musicians Union strikes a chord with many. Last week the unions executive committee voted to endorse Owen Smith as leader of the Labour Party, citing Jeremy Corbyns support of invoking Article 50 as a definitive turning point. Owen has met us on a regular basis, and has supported the MU, said general secretary John Smith. Brexit-resistant Smith clearly dances to their beat.

London rugby nut turns out for Brazil

Forget Team GB for a moment, theres another Londoner at the Olympics worth watching in the Brazilian rugby sevens team. Juliano Fiori, brought up in west London and now head of humanitarian affairs at Save the Children, was selected for the side earlier this year. He started playing aged six at the encouragement of an influential neighbour: Lord Kinnock. His son and daughter used to babysit me and my sister, he has said.

Fiori came to the attention of The Londoner thanks to one of his enthusiastic neighbours. You can take the boy out of London

Charles finds Sturgeon tasty

Actors Charles Dance, Miranda Richardson and Anna Chancello, gathered at the Regent Street Cinema on Friday for the premiere of Janos Edelenyis new film, The Carer.

Dance recently admitted developing something of a schoolboy crush on feisty Nicola Sturgeon after meeting the First Minister in Scotland, while Chancellor had just hopped over from the National Theatre, where she is reprising the role of Arkadina in Chekhovs The Seagull.

Richardson, meanwhile, has been finishing filming an upcoming Churchill biopic alongside Brian Cox, who stars in The Carer with Chancellor  degrees of seperation, eh?

Pedro's still in shock over Brexit

Arthouse film-maker Pedro Almodovar may be known for his Spanish dramas but the director has taken a keen interest in British politics of late, and is now interpreting his new film Julieta, out later this month, as a mirror of 2016s divisive Brexit spirit.

In Spain we are all in shock  for my generation and the one that came after London represented freedom. I first came here in 1971 during the Franco dictatorship, so you cant imagine what that meant for a young Spanish man, he told The Observer yesterday.

Almodovar thinks our British vote comes during a time of general European angst. The climate of the past four years in Spain has been of enormous unhappiness... its no accident that my Eighties films were much happier.

Julieta is based on three short stories by the Nobel Prize-winning Canadian author Alice Munro, set in contemporary Spain. Reality always filters through into my films, even when I try to reject it. It finds a crack to seep in through.

Almodovar has become entwined with Britain recently: he received an honorary doctorate from Oxford University in June, calling the ceremony a Sister Act parody.

Following that honour he was one of the gang of celebrities who contributed their signatures to the Times Literary Supplements pro-Remain love letter before the referendum in June.

If theres no hope for a sun-soaked Spaniard, where does that leave us?

-----

After the recent honours scandal Sir Simon Hughes, ex-Lib-Dem MP, tells The Londoner how he turned down a peerage. I was twice asked after the general election. I said no. Why? I do not believe an unelected legislature is justified and after 32-plus years in the Commons I did not want a potential 32-plus years doing similar things in the same building!

Lionel joins la Legion

While UK honours look fishy, are European ones still respectable? Financial Times editor Lionel Barber has sent out a cryptic tweet. Morning LW, I wanted to share this with you confidentially because not good publicity in UK right now! What followed was a picture of a letter from the French Embassy, with a signature that appears to be that of the ambassador Sylvie Bermann. I am pleased to inform you that... the French President has appointed you to the rank of Chevalier in the Ordre National de la Legion DHonneur, it reads, for a remarkable career and the FTs positive role in the EU debate.

Past recipients include Paul McCartney, Anna Wintour and Kristin Scott Thomas. Many congratulations, Lionel, Sadly this news hasnt gone viral because Barber rapidly deleted the tweet.

-----

Tweet of the day: Ed Balls. The BBCs Strictly Come Dancing confirms that the former Labour shadow Chancellor is to learn some new steps.
J eremy Corbyn was given a major boost today when five new members of the Labour Party won a High Court battle over their legal right to vote in the forthcoming leadership election.

The partys ruling body, the National Executive Committee, had imposed a rule which meant that anyone who joined after January 12 had to re-register and pay an extra 25 to become a registered supporter in a few days last month in order to have a say in the leadership contest.

But the five members took legal action funded by crowd-sourcing.

The High Court ruled in their favour today.

The judgement is expected to allow 130,000 Labour members now to be able to vote, many of them Corbyn supporters.



It comes as senior London MP David Lammy raised growing fears that Labours internecine war risked splitting the party.

The Tottenham MP (pictured) accused wings of the party of being engaged in a clash which they had been fighting 'since student union times'

The former minister predicted that Jeremy Corbyn was likely to hang on as Labour leader but many MPs will still refuse to back him.

The Tottenham MP also accused wings of the party of being engaged in a clash which they had been fighting since student union times.

We are in danger of splitting as a party, he told Radio 4s Westminster Hour.

There is a fracture running through the Labour party - this internecine war that were caught up in this summer is a huge distraction at a very serious time for our country.

He stressed he was serially depressed at Labours infighting, adding: Theres some that might feel that those on the hard left of the party and those on the right of the party are caught up in a war that theyve been fighting since student union times.

He declined to publicly back either Mr Corbyn or his challenger Pontypridd MP Owen Smith.

But he added: He (Jeremy Corbyn) was elected just a year ago.

It looks to me like hes probably going to win. I dont know where that leaves us after weve finished this horrendous fight.

A number of MPs seem highly unlikely to back Islington North MP Mr Corbyn even if he wins by a considerable margin when the leadership contest ends in September.

MPs backed a motion of no confidence in Mr Corbyn by 172-40.

Ilford South Labour MP Mike Gapes tweeted this morning: Im Labour. I belong to a political party not a leadership cult. I have no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn as leader.

While another senior Labour MP said: There is a massive disconnect between Jeremy Corbyn and the electorate including a big part of the Labour electorate.

Recent polls have given the Tories under new Prime Minister Theresa May a double digit lead.

Former shadow work and pensions secretary Mr Smith and Mr Corbyn were both giving speeches today as they stepped up their campaigns.

Speaking in Newcastle, Mr Smith was due to warn that Britain is on the cliff edge of another recession following the Brexit vote and called for urgent action to prop up the economy.

He also outlined plans for a new industrial revolution to make the UK into the workshop of the world.

For too long, successive governments have allowed our economy to be too reliant on financial services and the creation of insecure, low-skilled, and low-paid jobs, he was set to say.

We must have a bold mission for Britain - to undergo a new industrial revolution.

Mr Smith is calling for the British public to have a second say to endorse the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, a move that Mr Corbyn has so far not backed, insisting that the party must abide by the result of the June 23 referendum.

Mr Corbyn, who was due to address a rally in Bristol this evening, has not ruled out trying to stay on as leader even if Labour loses the 2020 General Election.

Asked if he was prepared to step down if Labour continued to badly trail the Tories in the polls and lose council seats, Mr Corbyn told the Huffington Post: The party members control what happens. They will decide, one way or another.
T heresa May is determined to get more children from all backgrounds into the countrys top professions, one of her ministers said today.

London Minister Gavin Barwell said the Prime Minister wanted bright youngsters from the more deprived parts of the country to get the same opportunities as their more affluent peers.

Following reports Mrs May is planning to lift the ban on new grammar schools, the Croydon Central MP said allowing some to open in areas where parents wanted them might make some sense.

It fits with the reforms that have already been made We now have a system that tries to allow parents to pick the right kind of school for their child and I think it would be good to continue that move, he told BBC Radio 4.

Mr Barwell, also housing minister, said the PM was determined to address the question of how to give clever children in poorer areas the same opportunities to enter professions like medicine, finance and law.

But he added that he was not keen on a return to a full-on selective school system where children were divided into either grammars or secondary moderns at the age of eleven.

The suggestion that Mrs May, a former grammar school pupil, will opt for new selective schools after an 18-year ban has delighted many Conservative backbenchers.

But her plans to return to more selective schools in England as early as the Tory autumn conference face an uphill battle with a cross-party coalition of Tory rebels, Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs vowing to fight against them.

Former shadow education secretary Lucy Powell tweeted: Having got to know some Tory MPs when opposing forced academisation, Im sure there is real resistance to grammars.

One senior Conservative said: The prime minister is fond of saying no silver bullet on immigration  it is clear to many of us that grammar schools are not a silver bullet on social mobility.

It came as research suggested the Tories are on course to win a 90-seat majority at the next election, aided by boundary changes that favour the party.

Political website Electoral Calculus found that planned changes to the size and make-up of constituencies would increase the Tory majority from the current 12 seats to a comfortable 48-seat majority.

Brexit Secretary David Davis was today said to be battling to prevent senior Whitehall officials from exiling his department to soon-to-be vacated office space at the former Department for Energy and Climate change.

He and 50 staff are currently based at 9 Downing Street, right at the heart of power, while DECC, which has been merged with the Department for Business, is a five minute walk away.

Mrs May is also alleged to be clamping down on the number of political advisers, which ballooned under David Cameron, and making sure that cronies or trouble makers are not appointed to the influential roles.
S o, I say to Freddie Fox, how did it feel to save Kenneth Branaghs West End Romeo and Juliet, stepping into the lead role with 48 hours notice? The first night was like one of those party poppers  an explosion where you have no control over the direction of the streamers, says the 27-year-old scion of the thespian Fox clan. The audience were very generous, very appreciative: it was a new experience for them as it was for me. Everybody fed off that energy. Even if it was a little frantic for me, I didnt trip over my feet and I wasnt sick on my shoes.

Were on the balcony (where else) of the Garrick theatre overlooking Charing Cross Road, and Fox is suavely calm. By contrast, the response of audience members to his performance on social media has been hysterical (outstanding, perfect, stunning, AMAZING!!!), while Londons theatre community has been quietly, respectfully awestruck. Such hero-of-the-hour stuff is what showbiz legends are made of.

To recap: as Shakespeares lovers, Branagh cast Lily James and Richard Madden, who starred together in his film of Cinderella, and separately in War and Peace and Game of Thrones. First Madden, then his understudy Tom Hanson, injured themselves. Fox, who had played Romeo in Sheffield last year, was with his father Edward, mother Joanna, sister Emilia and her daughter Rose at the familys holiday home in Dorset where there is no mobile reception, just an almost Victorian telephone, that began ringing off the hook on the afternoon of Friday July 22.

On Saturday night, he agreed to take on the role. Fortunately, his mum had a copy of the play in Dorset (being part of a theatrical dynasty has its perks), so he swotted as a car drove him to Lily Jamess house to run their lines together on Sunday afternoon. On Monday morning he had a costume fitting, then intense rehearsals including ferocious and detailed fight scenes, before giving his first performance on Tuesday.

It was a triumph  a colleague who was there described his Romeo as puppyish and hugely impressive  but an odd one. Fox had to slot into the choreography, rhythms and stage business of a production that had been running for seven weeks. He couldnt just repeat his performance from the Sheffield production, which was set in the Balkans, but nor did he want to emulate too slavishly Maddens performance in Branaghs stylish Dolce Vita staging, which hed seen on opening night. (It had been hoped Madden would alternate the role with Fox but his injury proved too severe.)

Thankfully, Fox had short cuts into key relationships, having known Lily James and Derek Jacobi, who plays a mature Mercutio and who he jarringly refers to as Del, for years. His decision to step into the breach was taken as much out of consideration for their plight  and Maddens, also a friend  as his wish to play Romeo in the West End for Branagh. Lil and I are exact contemporaries, born on the same day, he says. They acted together often and became best friends as drama students together at Guildhall. Lil also dated his cousin Jack Fox  actor brother of actors Laurence and Lydia, son of Edwards actor brother James. Do try to keep up!

When I first met Freddie Fox last January, he was in the middle of a purple patch of screen roles: Pride, The Riot Club, an arresting turn as a totemic object of desire to both men and women in Russell T Daviess series Cucumber. He had also been linked to Prince Harrys ex, Cressida Bonas, had moved out of his parents home in west London to his own flat in Islington, and was relishing all the pleasures that burgeoning, post-2012-Olympics London could offer a young man.

This year, everything has changed. Hes been doing a lot of theatre to improve his breadth as an actor, and after Romeo will be seen in a major revival of Tom Stoppards Travesties at the Menier Chocolate Factory, co-starring Tom Hollander and directed by Patrick Marber. Next hell be directing and producing a short film hes co-written about hero worship, based on a very chance meeting I had as a teenager with Burt Reynolds. He suggests that diversifying from the family business of acting is a result of his restless energy, akin to his cousin Laurence forging a second career in music.

But if Fox does start directing, he may fall foul of Brexit: Most of the independent films Ive been involved with all had European subsidy or co-production agreements. Whats more, as we chat on the Garrick balcony, he winces whenever a siren goes past, partly because he suffers from tinnitus but also because the spate of recent terror attacks have made him nervous, if unwilling to curtail his social life. Hes moved to Kentish Town but is still paying someone elses mortgage, ie, renting. Life is tougher for young people today, even gilded young people such as Freddie Fox.

He watched the break-up of his cousin Laurences marriage to Billie Piper play out in the tabloids this year. They have done what they needed to do, he tells me. I love them both very much and they are going about it with great kindness and elegance and humility, with their children in mind. A million families go through it every day, and they are doing it well. Unsurprisingly, he wont tell me if he is dating anyone, though he insists he is not dating Bonas: Definitely not. Shes my friend: if we spend time together I can hardly take the blame for what people surmise. It just happens to be incorrect.

The run of Romeo and Juliet ends on Saturday but Fox is already hoping to work with Lily James again. Indeed, he has a play in mind, but its not worth telling you in case it doesnt come off and I look like a moron. Hed love to work with Branagh again, too, but hell probably be too busy. Get him to cast you in one of his superhero movies, I say: surely there must be a part in a Thor spin-off for a blond, chiselled Fox. That would be lovely, he smiles. Im missing a cape. Thats all Ive not had yet.

Romeo and Juliet is at the Garrick Theatre until Saturday, branaghtheatre.com. Citi is the headline sponsor of this years Progress 1000.

Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout
T he is the first picture of a pilot who went missing after his plane crashed into the sea off the coast in East Sussex.

Simon Wells, 44, was flying a light aircraft when it plummeted into the sea around half a mile off Rye Harbour yesterday.

The photograph of Mr Wells, from Greatstone, in Kent, standing by a Lightning aircraft at an air display was released on behalf of his family by his brother, Anthony Wells.

Mr Wells's plane is thought to have only had one person on board when it crashed off Winchelsea Beach just after 5pm.

Coastguard helicopters and lifeboats combed the sea for survivors but had to call off the search when darkness fell.

Today, a spokeswoman said the rescue operation would not be resumed, saying: "There was a very intensive search yesterday and there aren't any plans to restart this morning, unless there is any further information.

"The helicopter was at the scene very quickly and if there had been anything on the surface it would have been seen.

"The aircraft and pilot weren't above the water - there was sheen and bits of debris. It is not an active search and rescue operation now."

Wreckage from the plane was washed ashore later that day and police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to come forward.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch has been informed and will be carrying out an investigation.

Anyone who saw what happened is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101 quoting reference 1172 of 06/08.
S ir Philip Green came under renewed pressure today to sign a 700 million cheque to cover the pension liabilities of collapsed firm BHS.

Iain Wright, chairman of the Commons business committee, said it was time for the billionaire tycoon to do the right thing and support former staff whose pensions are under threat. The Labour MP said he was frustrated by lack of progress in resolving the pension deficit since Sir Philip told MPs earlier this summer he would sort it.

I appreciate that these are very complex arrangements but Philip Green is meant to be a deal-maker... if he wanted to sort this he would be getting his cheque book out and sorting this now, he told the BBC Today programme.

Sir Philip has come under growing pressure to deal with the deficit, which is thought to be more than 700 million, although MPs have admitted they have few formal powers to make him do so.

It comes as the businessman, who sold BHS for 1 to formerly bankrupt Dominic Chappell about a year before the retailer went into administration, faced calls to be stripped of his knighthood.

Mr Wright said: Philip Green needs to do the right thing. The responsibility for BHS, including the enormous pension scheme deficit, lies with Philip Green. Its up to him. He has got the responsibility to sort it out.

He also criticised the Pensions Regulator, which is in preliminary discussions with Sir Philip, for circling round each other like a pair of punch drunk boxers without anybody landing a decisive blow.

Sir Philips starting point is likely to be the 350m it would cost the Pension Protection Fund to partly compensate members of the scheme.

The Commons Work and Pensions Committee today called for evidence on defined benefit pension schemes, following its report on BHS.

Chair Frank Field MP said: The lessons of BHS must be learnt. This may mean strengthening the powers and resolve of the Pensions Regulator to act early, quickly and firmly with those who seek to avoid their pension responsibilities.

It is important, however, that businesses that are run reputably and responsibly are not put under undue restriction. Ultimately, defined benefit schemes must be placed on a sustainable footing.

A spokesman for Sir Philip referred to a letter sent to Labour MP Frank Field last week, in which the businessman said there had been real progress with the pension regulator towards a solution but stressed he was under no legal liability.

He wrote: Your repeated attempts to lead the public into thinking that it is simply a matter of me writing a cheque are utterly disingenuous.
A second Welsh seagull has been turned bright orange after falling into a vat of Tandoori sauce.

RSPCA officers found the shocked bird in a flap after it plunged into the cold curry in waste bins in Newport, Wales, last week.

It comes after a similar incident in June which led to another seagull being nicknamed "wingdaloo" or "gullfrazie".

The RSPCA said the pungent liquid in the latest incident had been left out with rubbish but had no idea if the bird had fallen in by accident or was peckish and looking for a snack.

Welfare officer Sian Burton said: He must have had a shock when he fell in the curry.

Seagull turned orange after falling into a vat of curry

He was uninjured and just needed a good clean, I expect he will be put off from curry after this.

The bird, nicknamed Spice Gull, returned to his normal colour after a good wash and is now being rehabilitated before being released back into the wild.

Back in June, another Welsh gull, nicknamed Gullfrazie, fell into a vat of tikka masala.

At the time, veterinary nurse, Lucy Kells told the Standard she had never seen anything like it before  but seemingly history has repeated itself.

Miss Kells added that he smelled amazing after being marinated in spices.
A furious row broke out at a kids' fun day in Essex branded a "con" by parents.

Kidz Fest, in Orsett, cost 36 for a family of four with further fees for add-ons like the bouncy castle and rides.

Parents criticised the organisers after turning up to find the event was "basically a school fete."

Police were called to calm tempers at the event run by Tom Kembery, whose Frozen-themed fun day was also lambasted last year.

Mother-of-two Alison Wilson, who bought her Kidz Fest tickets through voucher website Groupon, said she felt she had been completely ripped off.

Mine wont be the only complaint, people were going mad, the police were even called! It was daylight robbery, she wrote on Twitter.

Another, Vikki Pontefract, posted: @Groupon_UK I bought from you #kidzfest tickets & it was an absolute con! Everyone was fuming! Any way I can contact them to complain.

Jessica Turner, 29, who took five children to the event, told the Sun: The event was a complete and utter disgrace, it was basically a school fete.

We paid, on top of 128 entry, 5 each for the kids to go on unlimited bouncy castles, they only went on a couple.

His excuse was people are still having fun  because parents wanted to put on a brave face for their kids and it cost them an arm and a leg to do so.

Organiser Mr Kembery said refunds would be available for people who booked through certain voucher websites.

He added: We made a huge effort, there was loads of free activities but there was stuff charged at an extra cost like inflatables and funfair rides.

We made it clear in all our advertising materials that the event would provide many activities without further charge  including craft and dance workshops, singing and theatre performances and a petting zoo  but that others, provided by external suppliers, would carry an additional cost. Some members of the public appeared to have forgotten or ignored that.

An Essex Police spokesman said: Officers attended to prevent breach of the peace and offered words of advice to attendees.
P assengers were forced to flee a busy London commuter train this evening following reports a fire had broken out on board.

Commuters complained that smoke filled carriages on board the Southeastern service from Charing Cross to Medway on Monday evening.

They were later evacuated from the train at Northfleet, in Kent, just after 6.30pm, amid concerns about a blaze in the outside frame of a carriage.

According to Kent Fire and Rescue, firefighters attended but found no evidence of a fire.

Commuter Lauren Rule said the train filled with thick smoke".

She wrote on Facebook: The train ran over something ... We had to pull the emergency release and jump down onto the tracks to get off.

(I) was struggling to breath because the carriage was filled with smoke.

We had to walk down the tracks to the platform and climb over the barrier to get to platform.

The scared commuter went on to slam the lack of information received from the train company.

She added: We had no info from the driver and didn't know if we could get off."

Amid the confusion, some passengers used Twitter to say they believed the train had been on fire.

Chloe Rowan, who saw the incident from her window, said the train was passing over a bridge when she "heard a loud bang" before the train "started to smoke".

A spokesman from Southeastern told the Standard that the train was evacuated after the driver reported a fire.

He confirmed that no one was injured during the incident and said the cause was under investigation.

The spokesman said: We are unsure at this stage if [it] was an accident or was vandalism.

Trains from all London stations towards Dartford and Gillingham faced delays and cancellations until at least 10pm.

Rail replacement buses will run between Dartford and Gillingham.

Southeastern tickets are being accepted on London Underground services.
J apan's Emperor Akihito today shocked his country by signalling he wants to abdicate, saying age and deteriorating physical state mean he is struggling to fulfil his duties.

The 82-year-old went as far as he could in a rare televised address without explicitly saying he wanted to resign his crown, as he is forbidden to make political statements under the countrys constitution.

Broadcast on national television, the announcement was watched on outdoor screens in the capital Tokyo and sparked emotional scenes.

In the 10-minute pre-recorded speech broadcast he said: When I consider my age of over 80, as well as my gradually deteriorating physical condition despite being luckily healthy at this moment, I am concerned about being able to fulfil my duties as a symbol with the utmost efforts, as I have done.

Akihito, who has had heart surgery and was treated for prostate cancer, has been Emperor since the death of his father Hirohito in 1989. The monarch spoke publicly after recent media reports suggested that he wanted to abdicate. However it could be a drawn-out process as it would require legal reform and a vote by parliament to amend existing rules.

While younger Japanese support a constitutional change to allow for an emperor to abdicate, more conservative sectors of society are opposed.

In his speech, the Emperor suggested a need to consider how to make the succession process smoother.

His eldest son, 56-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito, is first in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, followed by his younger brother Prince Akishino.

Princess Aiko, the daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito, cannot succeed her father because women are not allowed to inherit the throne.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would take the Emperors remarks seriously and consider what could be done. I think we have to thoroughly think what we can do to accommodate his concerns, taking into consideration the emperors age and the current burden of official duties, he said.
K indly police officers came to the aid of an elderly Italian couple after neighbours called emergency services when they were heard crying in their apartment - because they were so lonely.

Officers rushed to the flat in the Appio area of Rome after nearby residents heard shouting and crying coming from inside, and found and 84-year-old Jole, and her 94-year-old husband Michele.

The couple said they had not been victims of crime, but were overcome by emotion after watching sad stories on the news.

The pair, who have been married for 70 years, said they had not had visitors for a long time and were very lonely.

While they waiting for an ambulance to arrive to check the couple over, the officers prepared a hot meal.

They then sat down to have a chat while the elderly couple ate the spaghetti with butter and parmesan they had prepared.

Lonely: the couple said they had had no visitors for some time / Questura di Roma/Facebook

The police force said on its Facebook page: "Especially when the city empties and the neighbors are away on holiday, sometimes loneliness dissolves into tears.

"It can happen, as this time, that someone screams so loud from despair that eventually, someone calls the State Police.

"There is not a crime. Jole and Michele are not victims of scams and no thief entered the house - there is no one to save.

"This time, for the boys, there is a more daunting task - two lonely souls who need reassuring.

Italian coastguard save kitten from drowning

"And while waiting for the ambulance to ensure that the spouses are well, they understand that just a little human warmth will restore peace to Jole and Michele.

"They asked for permission to access to the pantry and improvise a dinner, a plate of pasta with butter and cheese, nothing in particular, but with a precious ingredient: There is, in, all their humanity."
A dele is reportedly set to record an album of duets with fellow vocal heavyweight Barbra Streisand.

The British superstar, who is currently on the North American leg of her world tour, is thought to be in talks with Streisand and their label Columbia Records.

According to reports, the pair met up while in Los Angeles last week to discuss plans for a collaboration.

This could easily become one of the most important and lucrative collaborations in modern music history. And they are both very much up for it, a source told the Daily Star Sunday.

Despite the huge gulf in age and their different genres, both have said they would love to get together in the studio and record a duets album.

The feeling is that the tracks would most likely be new versions of their own best-known numbers with maybe one or two new songs added to the mix.

Despite the fact that both stars have hectic schedules, they are both reportedly keen to make something happen.

The potential album is expected to be similar in style to Lady Gagas recent collaboration with Tony Benett.

Emotional Adele says Hello to Glastonbury and wows fans

Streisand has recently collaborated with British Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley, who is in the process of launching her music career.

While fans are yet to hear any of the music, Ridley announced that shed been in the studio with her idol earlier this year.

The Force Awakens director J.J Abrams actually let the cat out of the bag, saying: On Saturday, this weekend, she is going to record a song with an unnamed person, but let's just say a massive superstar.
H arry Potter And The Cursed Child might have taken over the West End but original boy wizard Daniel Radcliffes Donmar play transfer Privacy is invading New York in style.

London playwright James Grahams scorching look at how technology has affected citizens private lives has sold out its limited run at New Yorks off-Broadway venue The Public Theater following rave reviews.

The plays director Josie Rourke, who is also artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse, ascribes its success to the interaction of having theatregoers send selfies during the show, Americas looser laws on privacy allowing them to explore the subject in greater depth and Radcliffes starring role.

She told the Standard: Ive had one of the greatest experiences working with Daniel. For someone still young, hes an incredible leading actor.

Hes kind and intelligent and engaged but hes also got a great analytical mind for a show that has a phenomenal amount of material in it but also requires him to do a huge amount of improvising.

"He has to do the date scenes differently [where audience members are brought on stage in an improvised date situation with Radcliffes charater] every night. Hes an unbelievably great improviser. Id work with him again at the drop of a hat.

Radcliffe, 27, received great reviews for his sixth theatre gig in nine years, as did the production. New York Times critic Ben Brantley wrote Privacy was one of New Yorks hottest tickets. Makes you say WOW again and again!

For the shows New York run, being staged as part of the Donmar New York season, Graham has extensively rewritten parts of the script to suit US audiences.

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child opening 1 /6 Harry Potter And The Cursed Child opening Dave Benett/Getty Images Dave Benett/Getty Images

Many British real-life characters, such as politician William Hague and former Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger, have been written out to make way for US technology experts, including academic and author Sherry Turkle and New Yorker writer Jill Lepore.

Rourke, who featured in the Donmar production, has also gone as a character. She said: That was always the intention.

"When we did it at the Donmar, people knew who James and I were so there was an in-joke with audiences that we were invading our own privac

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Reviews

y in order to make a show called Privacy. In New York, nobody has a clue who I am so its significantly less amusing.

American whistleblower Edward Snowden makes a video appearance in the New York production. Rourke said: It was great he could do that  not just recording the bit in which he appears in the show but Snowden then spoke to us for 45 minutes about privacy.

I never thought I would find myself in a theatre in Manhattan directing Edward Snowden and Daniel Radcliffe performing a bit of The Tempest!

Rourke said she hoped to stage Privacy in Australia as well as San Francisco and Washington DC, and raised the prospect of it returning to London:

We know our new Prime Minister is very involved in a lot of the issues that were brought up, so it will be interesting to see what further legislation is put through Parliament and perhaps it will be a good moment for us to think about Privacy again.

But we should wait and see what Theresa May has in store for us first.
R icky Gervais has defended Christopher Biggins after he was removed from the Celebrity Big Brother house.

The British comedian stepped in to say that the entire house would be empty by now if everyone was removed for making offensive remarks.

Gervaiss comments come after Biggins was told to leave the house on Friday after making a joke about Nazi extermination camps in front of Jewish star Katie Waissel.

He wrote on Twitter: If people are removed for saying things that viewers could find offensive, surely the Big Brother house should be empty now.

After Biggins replied to thank him, the comedian added: Imagine what they'd have done if you had exposed yourself, spat in someone's drink, or vandalised the place :)

Gervais seemed to despair of the contestants left in the house while watching Sunday nights episode, writing:

So I'm watching Big Brother. Let's not get bogged down with the obvious "what happened to celebrity?", let's ask, WTF happened to humanity?

Biggins has issued an apology after he was forced to quit the Channel 5 programme on Friday, insisting that he had never meant to cause offense.

He told The Sun: I am mortified by whats happened, really mortified. Most of my friends, in fact, are Jewish. I apologised to Big Brother and Katie.

I love Jewish people. Listen, my best friend is Lesley Joseph. You cant get much more Jewish than that.

The panto star also made controversial comments about bisexuals, referring to Aids as a "bisexual disease".
Countries & Areas

Search for country or area A Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan B Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi C Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cote dIvoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia D Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia F Fiji Finland France G Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Holy See Honduras Hungary I Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy J Jamaica Japan Jordan K Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway O Oman P Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Q Qatar R Republic of the Congo Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria T Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Y Yemen Z Zambia Zimbabwe
Monday, 08 August 2016 23:40:31 (GMT+3) | San Diego





The Shagang Castrip facility will be the first line built outside of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Castrip LLC announced today that it has signed a licensing agreement with Chinese steelmaker the Shagang Group. With over 35 million tons of annual steel production capacity, the Shagang Group will use the Castrip process in conjunction with existing steelmaking furnaces to displace less energy-efficient casting and rolling mill facilities.The Shagang Castrip facility will be the first line built outside of North America . Last year, TYASA, a steelmaker in Mexico, announced plans to build a Castrip facility in that country. Nucor Corporation owns and operates thin-strip casting facilities in Crawfordsville, Indiana, and Blytheville, Arkansas.





The Shagang Group will use the Castrip Technology for casting and finishing high strength, thin gauge sheet, with widths up to 1,600 mm and gauges from 0.7 mm up to 1.9 mm. By utilizing Castrip, the Shagang Group is replacing a more energy intensive casting and rolling process, resulting in less energy use and lower emissions  two important goals for China 's steel industry. Estimated capacity is 500,000 tons annually per Castrip line. Hot commissioning of the new facility is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2017.





"We are very pleased Shagang is joining the Castrip family of licensees and expanding the use of this technology in markets around the globe," said Frank Fisher, President of Castrip LLC. "This agreement will help move the technology forward at an accelerated rate and enable the Shagang Group to use a much more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly steelmaking process. Shagang Group has a successful 45 year history of adapting new technologies to grow and differentiate itself among the top steel producers."








In July this year, China s imports of iron ore and iron ore concentrate amounted to 88.40 million mt, up 8.3 percent month on month and increasing by 2.7 percent year on year, while in the January-July period this year China s imports of iron ore and iron ore concentrate totaled 582.05 million mt, up 8.1 percent year on year, as announced by the Chinese customs authorities on August 8.
In July this year, iron ore shipments from Australia 's Port Hedland decreased by 7.4 percent compared to June and were up 9.7 percent year on year, totaling 38.72 million metric tons.

According to the information released by Port Hedland Port Authority, in July of the current year iron ore shipments made from Port Hedland to China amounted to 32.51 million metric tons, falling by 5.6 percent compared to the previous month and increasing by 10.3 percent year on year. South Korea and Japan followed China in July, receiving 2.54 million mt and 1.88 million mt respectively.
Friday, 05 August 2016 03:03:36 (GMT+3) | San Diego

Theft of steel products in Mexico totaled 3,000 mt in H1 2016, local newspaper El Universal said on Friday, citing data from the countrys steel association, Canacero.





According to the media report, the 3,000 mt total reflects a decline of 19 percent from the total of stolen tons in H1 2015.





The media report said rebar made up a majority of the total, as it is easy to resell. Other steel products frequently stolen include wire rod and steel coils.





Mexican steelmaker AHMSA said theft of steel in Nuevo Leon state declined considerably in the past few years.








Updated at 2:35 p.m.

LONDON  Twelve hours after a power outage knocked out its computer systems worldwide, Delta Air Lines was struggling Monday to resume normal operations and clear backlogs of passengers stranded by canceled flights.

By early afternoon, Delta said it had canceled 451 flights. Tracking service FlightStats Inc. counted 2,000 delayed flights  about one third of the airline's entire schedule.

At Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, where Delta accounts for about 13 percent of passenger traffic, seven Delta arrivals had been delayed and another six canceled, as of early Monday afternoon. Two departing Delta flights were delayed and another six canceled.

Delta representatives said the airline was investigating the cause of the meltdown. They declined to describe whether the airline's information-technology system had enough built-in redundancies to recover quickly from a hiccup like a power outage.

Many passengers were frustrated that they received no notice of a global disruption, discovering that they were stranded only after making it through security and seeing other passengers sleeping on the floor. Delta said that the outage caused a lag in posting accurate flight-status information on its website.

At noon inside New York's LaGuardia Airport, Francesca Villardi still had no idea when her 11:50 a.m. flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, would depart.

The departure boards said her plane was leaving on time. She received different answers from three Delta employees, one of whom said she would be traveling to Cincinnati first.

"This is not organized at all," said the 51-year-old professional organizer from Pembroke Pines, Florida.

Delta said that almost 1,700 of its scheduled 6,000 flights had operated by mid-afternoon. The airline posted a video apology by CEO Ed Bastian, who stood in the airline's technology center and assured customers that employees were working hard to resume normal operations.

A power outage at an Atlanta facility at around 2:30 a.m. local time initiated a cascading meltdown, according to the airline, which is also based in Atlanta.

A spokesman for Georgia Power said that the company believes a failure of Delta equipment caused the airline's power outage. He said no other customers lost power.

Delta spokesman Eric O'Brien said he had no information on the report and that the airline was still investigating.

Flights that were already in the air when the outage occurred continued to their destinations, but flights on the ground remained there.

Airlines depend on huge, overlapping and complicated systems to operate flights, schedule crews and run ticketing, boarding, airport kiosks, websites and mobile phone apps. Even brief outages can snarl traffic and cause long delays.

That has afflicted airlines in the U.S. and abroad.

Last month, Southwest Airlines canceled more than 2,000 flights over several days after an outage that it blamed on a faulty network router.

United Airlines suffered a series of massive IT meltdowns after combining its technology systems with those of merger partner Continental Airlines.

Lines for British Airways at some airports have grown longer as the carrier updates its systems.

On Monday in Richmond, Virginia, Delta gate agents were writing out boarding passes by hand. In Tokyo, a dot-matrix printer was resurrected to keep track of passengers on a flight to Shanghai.

"Not only are their flights delayed, but in the case of Delta the website and other places are all saying that the flights are on time because the airline has been so crippled from a technical standpoint," said Daniel Baker, CEO of tracking service FlightAware.com.

Many passengers, like Bryan Kopsick, 20, from Richmond, were shocked that computer glitches could cause such turmoil.

"It does feel like the old days," Kopsick said. "Maybe they will let us smoke on the plane, and give us five-star meals in-flight too!"

In Las Vegas, stranded passengers were sleeping on the floor, covered in red blankets. When boarding finally began for a Minneapolis flight  the first to take off  a Delta worker urged people to find other travelers who had wandered away from the gate area, or who might be sleeping off the delays.

Word of the extensive breakdown began to spread after the airline used a Twitter account to notify customers that its IT systems were down "everywhere." Technological issues extended even to the company's website.

Tanzie Bodeen, 22, a software company intern from Beaverton, Oregon, left home at 4 a.m. to catch a flight from Minneapolis and learned about the delays only when she reached the airport and saw media trucks.

Bodeen said that passengers were taking the matter in stride. "It doesn't seem really hostile yet," she said.

The company said travelers will be entitled to a refund if the flight is canceled or significantly delayed. Travelers on some routes can also make a one-time change to the ticket free of charge.

Yet many passengers still did not know where the rest of their day would be spent, and decisions on refunds would have to be made later.

Koenig reported from Dallas. Matt Small in Washington, Bree Fowler in Las Vegas, Joseph Pisani in New York, and Jeff Martin in Atlanta  all with The Associated Press  contributed to this report. Leah Thorsen of the Post-Dispatch also contributed.
ST. CHARLES COUNTY  A homeowner and a man who allegedly invaded his home here early Monday were killed in gunfire that also wounded one of the owners sons, police said.

Officials identified the resident who died as Daniel Patrick Donovan, 53, and the dead suspect as Amonte Savyon Dees, 21, of St. Peters.

The men were found about 4 a.m. Monday in the backyard of a home in the first block of Southwinds Drive, off Salt Lick Road and south of Interstate 70.

The initial confrontation apparently centered around drugs, police said. Officers found drug paraphernalia in the home. The St. Charles County Drug Task Force was helping in the investigation.

Police said they were not looking for any other suspects.

Val Joyner, a spokeswoman for the St. Charles County police, said officers were still trying to sort out who shot whom and how many shots were fired.

Dees, armed with two handguns, had entered the home and confronted another of Donovans sons and a woman about narcotics, Joyner said. Police werent sure how Dees got in.

Donovan heard the commotion and came to his sons aid. Donovan and Dees fought, moving to the back yard. The son who would be wounded joined in a three-way scuffle, with all of them getting shot.

Were not sure where the gunshots came from, Joyner said.

Dees died shortly after arriving at a hospital. Donovan died later at the hospital. The wounded sons condition was not available.

Joyner said both weapons the gunman brought to the home were recovered. She said that the son Dees initially confronted was not in the backyard struggle, and that neither he nor the woman was hurt.
A federal judge on Monday ordered that the St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission's lawsuit against Uber be returned to St. Louis County Circuit Court.

The two sides have been at odds on what court should hear their suits against each other.

The taxi commission filed a suit in St. Louis County on Oct. 5 seeking to have Uber barred from operating.

The case later was moved to federal court, where Uber wanted the case heard, but the taxi commission filed a motion seeking for it to be returned to St. Louis County.

The San Francisco-based company objected, saying in court documents that the "core dispute" between itself and the taxi commission was a federal antitrust case.

Uber alleged that the taxi commission's desire to have the case removed from federal court was part of a game that's "rigged by the market-participant commissioners" to protect their financial interests in the companies they own.

A state law specific to St. Louis and St. Louis County mandates that four of the taxi commission's nine members be from the taxi industry.

The state court is the appropriate place for the matter to be heard, U.S. District Court Judge Henry Autrey ruled Monday.

In his order, he wrote that the taxi commission's allegations that UberX drivers did not comply with vehicle-for-hire rules  an action that would "violate and interfere" with Missouri laws and the taxi commission's vehicle-for-hire code.

On Sept. 18, the taxi commission voted to allow ride-hailing services, but it required drivers to be fingerprinted and possess a Class E Missouri commercial drivers license, also known as a chauffeurs license. Those terms are dictated by a state law specific to St. Louis and St. Louis County.

UberX is an app-based, ride-hailing service in which drivers use their own cars to ferry passengers.

That same day, Uber launched UberX, even though drivers had not met the requirements set by the taxi commission, and the company filed a federal lawsuit against the commission alleging anti-competitive practices in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

UberX has operated in defiance of commission regulations since then.

The Legislature wrapped up in May, but none of the bills put forth for consideration to create statewide ride-hailing regulations in place of a patchwork of local rules was passed into law.

Last week, six cab companies and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay called for Lambert-St. Louis International Airport officials to crack down on UberX drivers picking up passengers at the airport.

Taxis must pay a $4 fee for every airport pickup  $3 goes to the airport, and $1 goes to the taxi commission. UberX drivers have not been paying the fee and are not supposed to be picking up airport passengers.
WASHINGTON  Sen. Roy Blunts backing of the parents of a dead Muslim soldier in a scrap with Donald Trump illustrated the biggest challenge facing Republicans as they struggle to hold the Senate this year.

How do Republican incumbents, like Blunt, make peace with Trumps anti-Washington supporters without alienating the independents and conservative Trump doubters necessary for a winning Republican coalition? How do incumbents run with a presidential nominee who has been raging against every hue of the status quo for 14 months?

Blunt, who faces Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander in the Nov. 8 election, is one of a dozen Senate Republicans facing this challenge. State-by-state, their individual fortunes will greatly shape the state of American governance starting next January.

Irrespective of who wins the presidency  Trump or Democrat Hillary Clinton  control of the Senate will determine how much the next president can get done.

Republicans now hold a 54-46 majority, and Blunt is a member of his partys leadership. But Republicans are defending 24 Senate seats to the Democrats 10  bad math in any election year, but especially so in one so defined by the chaos surrounding Trump.

Polls show Trumps popularity has been in a national free-fall in the wake of his extraordinary  and some say inexplicable  public spat with the parents of a soldier killed on duty. His support has also plummeted in presidential battleground states with close Senate races.

Thats why Blunts attempt to separate himself from Trump without a total divorce was telling.

At the Democratic National Convention, Khizr Khan, the father of Capt. Humayun Khan, an Army captain killed in Iraq, criticized Trumps proposals to temporarily halt Muslim immigration.

After he and Trump traded shots in separate interviews for several days, Blunt urged Trump to continue to focus on jobs and national security and stop responding to every criticism, whether its from a grieving family or Hillary Clinton.

Did that advice provide a shield from anti-Trump fallout for Blunt, who is attacked by Kander as an entrenched Washington insider?

Right now we are picking up some evidence that Trump is cratering nationwide, but voters are still making a distinction between the presidential races and the Senate races, said Nathan Gonzales, editor and publisher of the nonpartisan Rothenberg-Gonzales Political Report. Trump is having a negative impact on these vulnerable senators, but their fates are not so tied together that they are both going to win or both going to lose.

But, Gonzales added: Republicans need Trump supporters in order to win re-election so there is a risk of attacking their own presidential nominee too far.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report lists eight Senate races as tossups, with seven of those now held by Republicans: Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Florida, Indiana and Illinois (where Mark Kirk faces Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth). The only Democratic-held seat considered highly competitive is the Nevada one held by retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid.

Blunt and Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Richard Burr, R-N.C., are given lean Republican status. Republican senators in Iowa, Alaska and Georgia are rated likely to win re-election by Cook.

The GOP Senate has not had the 60 votes needed to procedurally beat back Democratic opposition on consequential issues like anti-Zika disease funding, which House Republicans tied to ideologically combustible issues like abortion rights and the Confederate flag. But the Republican-led Senate has passed some legislation  on mental health and opioid abuse  in which Blunt has been an instrumental legislator.

Absent Trump, Blunt could more cleanly and clearly hammer on these to point to how he gets things done in Washington, and to answer Democratic criticism that he is deeply embedded in Washington special interests. But with Trump sitting at the top of the ticket and making news almost daily, down-ballot Republicans are more on the defensive than theyd like to be.

We have more paths to control of the Senate than Republicans do, and their paths are especially cut down when, every day, instead of talking about the stuff they want to talk about, they are trying to defend or do a dance around Donald Trump, said Lauren Passalacqua, national press secretary for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which has given financial aid to Kanders campaign.

For Sen. Blunt and the rest of the Republican (Senate) class that he is running with, if they try to distance themselves from (Trump) now, it is going to look politically motivated instead of taking a principled stand, she said.

But Greg Blair, deputy communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said Republican incumbents like Blunt long prepared to run individualized campaigns, regardless of the presidential nominee.

The strategy for running as a Republican in this cycle in a down-ballot race is to localize, localize, localize, Blair said, adding that Republicans are running for the Senate like they are running for sheriff.

In reality, Blunt is running on two re-election tracks. He is trying to hyper-localize the race in his defense, while trying to nationalize it by tying Kander to Clinton and President Barack Obama (who lost Missouri by more than nine percentage points to Republican Mitt Romney in 2012).

Blunts campaign and the NRSC are now running TV ads attacking Kander as a Clinton acolyte and a defender of Obamacare. Concurrently, Blunt tries to highlight his work in the Senate that he says benefits Missouri. He chairs a key Senate subcommittee that shapes government funding on mental health and opioid abuse funding, and he led negotiations on Zika spending.

Democrats have attacked Blunt as failing to get the job done on Zika funding. Late last week, Democrats assembled Missouri doctors and nurses to urge Blunt to get Congress to end its summer recess and pass anti-Zika funding.

But Blair said he believed Blunt is viewed in Missouri as a fighter on this issue, despite Congresss inability to come to an agreement.

Gonzales cites Blunts long history of electoral success and Missouris recent Republican presidential leanings as why he does not consider it in the top tier of potential Democratic Senate takeovers.

If we get to October, and Jason Kander is in a prime position to pick up the seat, then Democrats are already winning the majority, and we are just talking about how big the majority is, Gonzales said.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  Missouri State University researchers who have trapped more than 10,000 mosquitoes have not found any evidence that the insects are carrying the Zika virus into Missouri.

The team has been trapping and identifying mosquitoes for about seven weeks, with a goal of providing an early warning if the virus is found, said associate professor David Claborn, who is leading the effort.

The yellow fever mosquito, the primary carrier of Zika, has existed in Missouri in the past and the team is trying to determine if it is still in the state, Claborn said.

Were going on seven weeks with this study and we still havent found one yet, he said. We have no reason to believe Zika is in the mosquito population in Missouri at this time.

Yellow fever mosquitoes are plentiful in southern states but are less common inland, The Springfield News-Leader reported. However, the Asian tiger mosquito, which also can carry the Zika virus, is plentiful in Missouri.

None of the thousands of Asian tiger mosquitoes caught in the Missouri traps were infected with Zika, Claborn said.

The Zika virus can cause severe birth defects. At least 15 people have been infected in one Miami neighborhood in what are believed to be the first mosquito-transmitted cases in the mainland U.S. of people who had not traveled to Latin America or the Caribbean, where there is a Zika epidemic.

Claborns staff uses special traps baited with dry ice to attract the mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are drawn to carbon dioxide in your breath, so thats what the dry ice imitates, Claborn said. The trap has a small fan that sucks them into a net on the bottom.

We collect the mosquitoes, freeze them in the lab to kill them, and then we put them under a microscope to sort them by species and by sex.

The researchers are particularly looking for female mosquitoes, which bite people, unlike the males.

Every trapping site is logged by GPS coordinates that also describe the environment in which the mosquitoes were found. The collected data are shared with the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services, which provides the information to the Centers for Disease Control.

The state wants to know whats here and have a plan for how to deal with it if Zika does reach Missouri, Claborn said. I think its wise for our state health department to get ahead of this before it happens.
LONDON MARKET CLOSE: FTSE makes weekly gain but banks weigh on Friday

Friday, October 28, 2022 - 17:08

The FTSE 100 managed a weekly gain, despite underperforming peers on Friday, while strong results from oil majors lifted the mood in New York, shaking off poor numbers from Amazon.

Central banks move into focus again next week. The Federal Reserve announces its rate decision on Wednesday, with the Bank of England following on Thursday.

The FTSE 100 index closed down 26.02 points, or 0.4% at 7,047.67 on Friday, but finished the week 1.1% higher.

The FTSE 250 ended down 165.25 points, or 0.9%, at 17,916.67 - closing the week up 4.1%. The AIM All-Share closed down 4.09 points, or 0.5%, at 805.37, finishing 2.7% higher over the past five days

The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.5% at 703.81, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 1.0% at 15,378.84, and the Cboe Small Companies ended down 0.5% at 12,320.39.

The pound was quoted at $1.1595 at the London equities close Friday, up slightly from $1.1573 at the close on Thursday. Though sterling's marked rise tempered slightly on Friday, the currency has gained 3.2% over the past week.

Markets have so far taken confidence from the new UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

In the FTSE 100, Centrica added 5.2% after it announced the reopening of the Rough natural gas storage facility off the east coast of England.

Centrica, which owns British Gas, said the facility is operational for winter. The facility increases the UK's storage capacity by 50% despite it operating at just 20% of its previous capacity.

GSK closed up 2.3% after it said its majority owned ViiV Healthcare venture has received the European Medicines Agency's validation for its marketing authorisation application for HIV prevention, and said its MAA for respiratory syncytial virus adult vaccine has also been accepted.

NatWest was the worst performer. It plunged 8.3% as it reported strong income growth in the third quarter, boosted by both increased lending and higher interest rates, but the bank warned it is keeping a close on eye on any change in behaviour from its customers.

In the three months to September 30, operating profit before tax rose to 1.09 billion from 976 million a year before.

Putting a cap on the bank's profit, NatWest set aside 247 million in the quarter to cover an expected increase in bad loans, which is reversed from a 221 million gain the year prior.

Lloyds fell 3.3% in negative read across.

Glencore fell 1.0% as it trimmed annual guidance for some of its commodities after a disappointing third-quarter performance dominated by supply chain disruptions in Kazakhstan, extreme weather in Australia, and strikes in Canada and Norway.

In the FTSE 250, ASOS tumbled 11%.

The stock was rocked by a Telegraph report which stated some hedge funds have shorted the stock, just days after retailer Frasers bought a stake.

Elsewhere in London, China-focused investment trusts fell.

JPMorgan China Growth & Income fell 2.9% and abrdn China Investment dropped 3.5%.

Investor sentiment turned sour as Chinese cities doubled down on Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Stocks in New York were firmly in the green at the London equities close, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 2.0%, the S&P 500 index up 1.7% and the Nasdaq Composite up 1.8%.

After disappointment from tech stocks, oil majors put some shine on this week's US corporate earnings calendar.

Exxon Mobil revenue in the third quarter of 2022 jumped 52% to $112.07 billion from $73.79 billion a year prior. Attributable net income soared to $19.66 billion from $6.75 billion. The oil major's bottom line rose 10% from $17.85 billion in the second quarter.

Chevron posted pretax earnings of $14.80 billion, up from $8.06 billion the year before. Revenue increased to $66.64 billion from $44.71 billion the year before.

Exxon shares rose 1.8%, while Chevron was up 0.3%. Amazon slid 10%, after its poor numbers overnight.

Wall Street also shook off a higher inflation reading for the US on Friday.

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Fed's preferred inflationary measure, the core personal consumption expenditures index, which excludes food and energy, shot up 5.1% year-on-year in September, quickening from a 4.9% hike in August.

"The Fed's favoured measure of inflation is heading higher, rather than lower, while employment costs continue to rise at double the rate experienced over the past 15 years. The market is probably right to expect the Fed to slow the pace of rate hikes from December, but this is by no means guaranteed," analysts at ING commented.

On Thursday, the European Central Bank on Thursday lifted its benchmark interest rates by 75 basis points, as expected.

In European equities on Friday, the CAC 40 in Paris ended up 0.5%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt ended up 0.2%.

The euro stood at $0.9943 at the European equities close Friday, lower against $0.9984 at the same time on Thursday.

Against the yen, the dollar was trading at JP147.54 late Friday, higher compared to JP145.90 late Thursday.

Gold was quoted at $1,640.91 an ounce at the London equities close Friday, down sharply against $1,662.60 at the close on Thursday. The precious metal has an inverse relationship with the greenback, weakening as the dollar strengthens.

Brent oil was quoted at $93.34 a barrel at the London equities close Friday, down from $94.75 late Thursday.

In Monday's UK corporate calendar, there are full year results from self storage company Lok'n Store and kidney disease-focused diagnostics firm Renalytix.

In the economic calendar, the EU will publish its latest GDP and CPI readings.

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Piper Jaffray analyst, Samuel Kemp, reiterated his Overweight rating on shares of GoDaddy Inc (NYSE: GDDY) and believes the company will see a positive outcome after the new CFO Ray Winborne indicated he looks to double GoDaddy's size over the next four years. Key to this is deeper penetration of the countries it has recently localized, where it is well prepared to begin forcefully competing. This growth will be a combination of taking market share from existing incumbents and from being an early, dominant player in markets that are approaching inflection points in domain-related development.

The analyst believes "India, Brazil, and China can contribute 14M-16M domains to GoDaddy's current portfolio of 63M managed domains over the next 5 years, driving domain and hosting revenue. Half of this opportunity is in India, where we see a cocktail of encouraging factors driving internet availability/adoption, shifts in internet engagement for lifestyle purposes, and the need for SMEs to get online. GoDaddy is the market leader in India's otherwise fragmented market, reportedly taking 60% share of new registrations".

No change to the price target of $38.00

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on GoDaddy Inc click here. For more ratings news on GoDaddy Inc click here.

Shares of GoDaddy Inc closed at $33.35 yesterday.
Deutsche Bank maintained a Hold rating on SM Energy (NYSE: SM) with a price target of $35. Earlier the company announced that it has entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire 24,783 net acres in Howard County, West Texas, expanding the Companys Midland Basin footprint to approximately 46,750 net acres.

Commenting on the development, analyst Josh Silverstein said, "Beyond a common theme of accelerating activity through year end, Permian producers thirst for M&A has led to escalating asset price tags throughout the basin, though the narrative is evenly split between premium core packages and value-hunting, as of late. With recent transactions going for as high as ~$60k per acre, producer focus in 2Q highlighted the Delaware and edges of the Midland basin where laterals are getting longer, EURs are trending higher (1mmboe+), and assets can be acquired for under ~$35k per acre."

"For SM, this marks a significant expansion of the Permian Basin leasehold and alleviates a concern that while Sweetie Peck is clearly a strong asset, the inventory base is dwarfed by the Eagle Ford and Williston. In our view, the acquisition is consistent with messaging from SM that they were looking for acquisition opportunities to high-grade the portfolio with the Permian at the top of the list. While we remain HOLD rated and wait for additional details on the leasehold footprint and volume impact through 2017 (SM plans to deploy 2 rigs throughout the year), the now ~47k net acre position provides a growth and resource base that is supportive for multiple expansion with execution," added the analyst.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on SM Energy click here. For more ratings news on SM Energy click here.

Shares of SM Energy closed at $29.30 yesterday.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced it has fined Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. $12.5 million for significant supervisory failures related to research and trading-related information it disseminated to its employees, called hoots or squawks, over internal speakers commonly known as squawk boxes. Despite multiple red flags regarding the potential dissemination of confidential information, Deutsche Bank failed to establish adequate supervision over registered representatives access to hoots or their communications with customers regarding hoots. As part of the settlement, Deutsche Bank also agreed to provide a written certification that it has adopted and implemented supervisory systems and written procedures concerning hoots that are reasonably designed to achieve compliance with FINRA rules and federal securities laws.

FINRA found that Deutsche Bank was aware that hoots involving research and trading might contain confidential, price-sensitive information, and that there was a risk that material non-public information could be communicated over them. However, for several years, the firm repeatedly ignored red flags indicating that its supervision was inadequate, including internal audit findings and recommendations, multiple internal warnings from members of the firms compliance department, and internal risk assessments. Despite these red flags, the firm still failed to implement reasonable written policies, procedures and systems governing who should have access to the hoot information, how the employees should handle hoot information, and how supervisors should supervise employees to ensure compliance, and protection of confidential and material nonpublic information potentially communicated over the hoots.

Brad Bennett, FINRA's Executive Vice President and Chief of Enforcement, said, "Recognizing and responding to red flags is the hallmark of proper supervision, particularly in areas involving confidential information. Deutsche Banks disregard of years of red flags including internal audit findings, risk assessments and compliance recommendations was particularly egregious given the risk that material nonpublic information could be communicated over squawk boxes.

In settling this matter, Deutsche Bank neither admitted nor denied the charges, but consented to the entry of FINRAs findings.
Liquid Web, a $90 million web hosting and cloud services provider devoted to delighting customers, today announced it has signed an agreement to purchase Rackspace (NYSE: RAX) Cloud Sites business unit, which will remain in San Antonio.

Users of the Cloud Sites platform, who include designers, developers and digital agencies, should expect a seamless transition as Liquid Web and Rackspace work together to complete the transaction. In fact, Liquid Web plans to invest in developing innovative solutions on the Cloud Sites platform to better serve these savvy, skilled professionals who are dependent on a highly available and reliable hosting provider.

With its relentless focus on customer experience, Liquid Web ruthlessly designs its services to work for rapidly growing businesses living, building and creating on the web and in the cloud. Backed by Liquid Web's impeccable customer support, Cloud Sites will provide an all-in-one technology platform designed for high-traffic websites with easy scalability. The Cloud Sites platform-as-a-service (PaaS) product significantly augments Liquid Web's already premium portfolio, and adds capabilities to further simplify web hosting and cloud services. The Cloud Sites platform supports WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, .NET, PHP, and other development and production environments customers desire.

"With the addition of Cloud Sites, we further our mission to empower web professionals all over the world to create content and commerce without worry, free of problems and devoid of even one bit of hesitation by providing absolutely flawless web hosting," said Liquid Web CEO Jim Geiger. "Unfortunately, our industry is trending toward unsupported services, which leaves fast-growing developers, digital agencies and designers alone, without a real person to turn to when they really need help. However, at Liquid Web, day-in and day-out our people stand behind the creators of content and commerce and we're going to continue to stand behind those businesses who rely on the web and cloud. Our job is to delight and every single human being in our company is empowered to do so. Each of them has a relentless devotion to simplifying how our customers experience web hosting and cloud services."

With the acquisition of Cloud Sites, Liquid Web will grow to approximately 550 employees and 30,000 customers globally. The addition of Cloud Sites supports Liquid Web's mission to heroically empower web professionals worldwide. The company plans to invest in the Cloud Sites platform, employees and overall business. Given the clear shift in how customers want to consume web services, for example the mass adoption of easy-to-use, open-source content management systems like WordPress or commerce platforms like Magento, Liquid Web aims to continually improve the usability and reliability of the systems behind those services.

"Our No. 1 priority is making this a seamless transition for everyone involved, most importantly our customers and new team members," said Mr. Geiger. "We are committed to investing and growing the current business with plans to have the Cloud Sites team firmly rooted in San Antonio. Our goal is to be a preferred technology employer in San Antonio, while also being an engaged corporate citizen."

"As Rackspace continues to focus on delivering expertise and Fanatical Support for the world's leading clouds, and serving more enterprise customers, it made sense for us to sell the Cloud Sites business unit to Liquid Web," said Matt Bradley, vice president, corporate development and strategy, at Rackspace. "Through the transaction, we are also pleased to welcome Liquid Web to the Rackspace Partner Network as an email reseller."
TORONTO, Aug. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nevada Zinc Corporation (Nevada Zinc or the Company) (TSX-V: NZN) is pleased to report significant developments that impact its Yukon based VIP Project located west of Kaminak Gold Corporations previously owned Coffee Gold Project (Kaminak Gold was purchased by Goldcorp Inc. on July 19, 2016 in a share exchange valued at approximately $521 million). The Company acquired its large unexplored VIP Project land package before the Kaminak Gold announcement of its Coffee Gold discoveries in 2010 and has recently added significantly to its VIP Project land package by acquiring the 16 square kilometre Wolf claim group that is located within the existing boundaries of the VIP Project.

The recently acquired Wolf claims and the original VIP Project cover the interpreted sources of a number of high gold and multi-element geochemical targets similar to those around the Coffee Gold Project. Nevada Zinc has outlined a number of geochemical and structural targets that warrant further follow-up and the Company is carrying out several initiatives to define targets to a level that the targets would warrant drill testing. No drilling or trenching has ever been undertaken on the Companys extensive VIP Project land holdings.

Adjacent to the west of Goldcorps Coffee Gold Project, Independence Gold Corp. (TSX-V: IGO) recently announced the definition of a new gold trend target that it will soon drill test on ground where Nevada Zinc holds a 1% net smelter royalty interest. The Companys VIP Project is located adjacent to the west of Goldcorps and Independence Golds properties and covers a significantly underexplored 17 kilometre extension of the regionally extensive Coffee Fault structural trend that is important to both Goldcorps Coffee Project and Western Copper and Gold Corporations, copper-gold Casino Project. The Coffee Gold Project is now known to host more than 5 million ounces of gold (total NI-43-101 inferred resources or higher category see website reference below) while the Casino Project, further to the east on the trend, hosts 8.9 million ounces of gold and 4.5 billion pounds of copper (reserves alone, not including resources).

Given the recent strong interest by investors in the gold market and in the Coffee Gold area specifically, Nevada Zinc is in the process of allocating additional resources to its VIP Project, which has been significantly enhanced by the Companys recent acquisition of the Wolf group of claims. The Wolf claims cover a number of targets as well as the extension of other targets near the boundaries of the Wolf and the VIP claims. The northeast corner of the Wolf claims and the adjacent VIP claims cover the upper portion of a creek that shows clear evidence of significant historic placer gold mining that has not previously been reported in any literature. This placer activity near the headwaters of a local creek is indicative of the presence of nearby gold in bedrock.

President and CEO, Bruce Durham commented, while our focus project continues to be our highly prospective Lone Mountain Zinc Project in Nevada, we are extremely encouraged to see the recent entrance by Goldcorp into the Coffee Creek area of Yukon through its purchase of Kaminak Gold and its very recent acquisition of a 19.9% interest in Independence Gold. We own a 100% interest in more than 800 claims in the area making us the only significant junior company in the area not influenced by Goldcorp. We have expanded our property position significantly with our recent acquisition of the Wolf block of claims and we look forward to advancing a number of high priority targets that we have outlined on the VIP Project over the past 6 years. The discoveries just announced and currently being drilled by Independence Gold on its YCS property, where we hold a 1% NSR royalty, extend the Coffee Creek gold district much further west toward our VIP Project. Not only do we hold a royalty on the YCS property, but any further extension of these gold discoveries would trend onto our VIP Project that extends along the main regional trend for more than 17 kilometres. There is room for an entire gold camp on our VIP Project and VIP is only one of several large footprint, high quality, gold projects we continue to advance in Yukon.

New property maps for the Companys key gold projects are available at: www.nevadazinc.com.

Timeline of Recent Developments

May 12, 2016: Goldcorp announced its intention to acquire, via a share exchange, all of the outstanding shares of Kaminak Gold Corporation for total consideration of approximately $521 million.

June 20, 2016: Independence Gold announced a private placement of $1.96 million. Goldcorp announced they would acquire 19.9% of Independence Gold as well as secure certain participation rights in Independence Golds Boulevard Property, adjacent to both the Coffee Project and Nevada Zincs VIP Project, as part of the private placement.

June 24, 2016: Independence Gold closed the $1.96 million private placement. Goldcorp acquired 19.9% interest in Independence Gold and certain participation rights in its Boulevard Property.

July 7, 2016: Independence Gold announced plans to complete additional drilling on the Denali Zone where Nevada Zinc holds a 1% net smelter royalty pursuant to a property deal between the parties.

July 19, 2016: Goldcorp announced completion of the takeover of Kaminak Gold at an exchange ratio of 0.10896 of a Goldcorp share per Kaminak Gold share resulting in the Kaminak Gold shareholders holding a 2.5% ownership interest in Goldcorp. On the closing date the takeover was valued at approximately $521 million.

August 2, 2016: Independence Gold announced it had outlined a new 1200 metre long multi-element soil geochemical target 750 metres north of the Denali zone called Kahiltna that it will drill test in its current exploration program.

VIP Project

The VIP Project was acquired by the Company (formerly Goldspike Exploration) before the first announcement of the Coffee Creek drill results by Kaminak Gold in 2010. The VIP Project was acquired as a very large, completely untested gold exploration target covering the upstream location of a number of significant gold and pathfinder element anomalies located along the major regional trend located immediately west of Goldcorps Coffee Project. A transaction between Goldspike Exploration Inc. (now Nevada Zinc) and Silverquest (now Independence Gold) on some of the claims near the western boundary of the Coffee Project resulted in the Company retaining a 1% net smelter returns (NSR) royalty on Independence Golds YCS Property.

The largest field program completed to-date on the VIP Project commenced about the time of the Company completing its Initial Public Offering in August of 2011. Since that time Kaminak Gold and Independence Gold among others have completed multi-million dollar exploration programs to advance their properties. Kaminak Gold reported the following commentary on its resources outlined since that time on its website:

Since making the initial discovery in 2010, Kaminak has drilled 16 separate and distinct gold discoveries and established a Probable reserve of 46.4Mt at 1.45g/t Au, containing 2,157,000oz Au. In addition the NI 43-101 Indicated resource (inclusive of reserves) comprise 63.7Mt at 1.45g/t Au for 2,968,000oz Au, including 2,170,000 ounces gold classified as Oxide, and an Inferred resource total of 52.4Mt at 1.31g/t Au for 2,212,000oz Au, including 857,000 ounces gold classified as Oxide.(See news release September 23rd, 2015). Resource cut-off grade limits are 0.3 g/t Au for Oxide and Upper Transitional, 0.4 g/t Au for Middle Transitional and 1.0 g/t Au for Lower Transitional and Sulphide resources.

The VIP Project, through various government and industry mapping initiatives, has been shown to be underlain by various identical and similar geological units as are found on both the Coffee Project and Boulevard Project and significant structures, anomalous soil and stream geochemical targets have been shown to exist at locations on the VIP Project. These features when combined with results from the Companys work program clearly demonstrate that the VIP Project warrants significant additional detailed follow-up exploration including drilling.

Wolf Claim Block Addition

Nevada Zinc recently made a significant addition to its overall VIP Project land position by acquiring the 64 Wolf claims that are located within the existing boundaries of the VIP Project. The Wolf claim group measures approximately 4 kilometres by 4 kilometres. One item of particular interest just outside the Wolf claims on the VIP claims is the discovery of remnants of historic, never recorded, placer gold operations near the eastern boundary of the Wolf claims on the VIP block. Early in 2016 the Company completed reprocessing of the magnetic data from its 2010 airborne geophysical survey and the interpretation of the data has helped define new targets that warrant field follow-up at a number of locations on the VIP Project including a new target outlined in the Companys exploration program late last year that discovered a new single line, open ended, multi-element soil geochemical anomaly that is defined by anomalous values in gold, silver, antimony, bismuth, mercury and telurium. The anomalous values appear to be associated with a magnetic low feature that can be traced for several kilometres and is located in an area with no previous sampling. This suite of anomalous elements is very similar to the suite of anomalous elements at the Casino and Coffee deposits.

Corporate

The Company continues to be focused on its highly prospective Lone Mountain zinc exploration assets located in Nevada while concurrently allocating resources to its gold exploration targets in Yukon. In addition to its VIP Project the Company also holds a large block of claims referred to as the Goodman Project that cover the along trend extension of the gold and silver mineralization trends being actively explored by Victoria Gold Corporation. The Company also holds a significant land position at Josephine Creek where it holds both hardrock and placer rights along Josephine Creek adjacent to land also held by Victoria Gold. In addition, the Company holds the dominant land position in the Livingstone Creek placer gold district northeast of Whitehorse where its land position was acquired to cover the upstream portion of several historic placer creeks that have produced some of the largest gold nuggets discovered in Yukon since the days of the original Yukon Gold Rush, weighing up to more than 20 ounces. The Livingstone area, arguably the only placer gold district in Yukon for which a significant gold in bedrock source has not yet been located, was once a thriving community of more than 300 people and now sits as an abandoned village. The Company has in fact discovered significant gold in bedrock in its most recent work on the Livingstone property. Geochemistry of the nuggets and this new discovery of gold in bedrock by the Company appears to be part of the source for the extremely large nuggets that are still being found occasionally by the placer miners.

Bruce Durham, P.Geo, is a qualified person, as that term is defined by National Instrument 43-101, and on behalf of the Company has approved the contents contained in this press release.

About Nevada Zinc

Nevada Zinc is a discovery driven mineral exploration company with a proven management team focussed on identifying unique opportunities in mineral exploration that can provide significant value to its shareholders. The Companys existing zinc and gold projects are located in Nevada and Yukon, respectively.

The Lone Mountain Project

While the Company maintains its highly prospective Yukon gold properties and continues to advance them, the current focus of the Company is the exploration and advancement of the highly prospective Lone Mountain Zinc Project comprised of 224 claims covering approximately 4,000 acres near Eureka, Nevada.

The Lone Mountain Project is located in east-central Nevada and is easily accessible via paved and gravel roads northwesterly from Eureka where all essential services are available. The land that comprises the project includes options, leases or purchase agreements to acquire 100% interests in all properties along the key structural trend for more than three kilometres. Additional drill hole assay results are pending.

For further information please contact:

Nevada Zinc Corporation Suite 1660, 141 Adelaide St. West Toronto, Ontario M5H 3L5 Tel: 416-504-8821

Bruce Durham, President and CEO [email protected]

www.nevadazinc.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.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

Source: Nevada Zinc Corporation
An AT&T Logo is pictured on the side of a building in Pasadena, California, January 26, 2015. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - AT&T Inc will pay $7.75 million in refunds and fines after federal investigators found it allowed unauthorized third-party charges related to phony directory-assistance service on its customers' telephone bills, U.S. regulators said on Monday.

The fraud was uncovered by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration while investigating two Ohio companies for drug-related crimes and money laundering, the Federal Communications Commission said.

AT&T, the Dallas-based telecommunications giant, allowed "scammers to charge customers approximately $9 per month for a sham directory assistance service," the FCC said. AT&T received a fee from the companies for each charge AT&T placed on its customers bills, the FCC added.

The settlement includes $6.8 million in refunds and a $950,000 federal fine, the FCC said.

AT&T signed a consent decree with the FCC and agreed to cease billing for nearly all third-party products and services on landline bills and adopt procedures to obtain express consent from customers prior to allowing third-party charges. The company also agreed to revise its billing practices to ensure third-party charges are conspicuously identified on bills.

AT&T said in a statement it has "implemented strict requirements on third parties submitting charges for AT&T bills to ensure that all charges are authorized by our customers; indeed, those requirements go beyond the requirements of FCC rules and impose safeguards that the FCC proposed but never adopted."

The FCC said two Cleveland-area companies, Discount Directory Inc and Enhanced Telecommunications Services, were billing thousands of consumers for a monthly directory assistance service on their AT&T landline telephone bills. The companies never provided any directory assistance service, the FCC said.

"A phone bill should not be a tool for drug traffickers, money launderers, and other unscrupulous third parties to fleece American consumers," FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Travis LeBlanc said.

AT&T said it stopping billing for the two companies in June 2015. "Unbeknownst to us, two companies that engaged in a sophisticated fraud scheme were apparently able to circumvent those protections," AT&T said.

AT&T said it plans to send refund checks to consumers within 90 days.

In 2014, AT&T agreed to pay $105 million in fines and refunds to current and former wireless customers for unauthorized third-party subscriptions and premium text messaging services as part of a settlement with the FCC, Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Will Dunham)
By Jon Herskovitz

(Reuters) - Helen Delich Bentley, a former journalist and a U.S. Republican congresswoman from Maryland who gained global attention by smashing Japanese goods to protest Tokyo's trade policies, died over the weekend at the age of 92, officials said.

Bentley upset a longtime Democratic congressman to win a U.S. House of Representatives seat in 1984, a year in which Ronald Reagan's landslide victory in the presidential race helped bring several new faces from the party to Congress.

The five-term congresswoman was a staunch advocate for the port of Baltimore and the state's maritime industry.

After reports that Japanese company Toshiba had sold technology to the Soviet Union to help their submarines sail more quietly, she led other members of Congress who used a sledgehammer to smash Japanese-made goods on the Capitol steps. The event came as tensions were running high with Tokyo over a widening U.S. trade deficit with the country.

She left Congress to run for governor of Maryland but lost in the party's primary.

"Congresswoman Bentley worked with tenacity, energy, and passion on behalf of her constituents, making her a rare breed in politics and a role model to public servants across Maryland," current Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, wrote in a Facebook post.

Bentley was born in 1923 in Nevada and her parents were immigrants from Yugoslavia. After earning a bachelor's degree in journalism, she found a job with the Baltimore Sun, beginning a three-decade long relationship with the newspaper in which she wrote ground-breaking stories on the maritime industry and labor, according to her congressional biography.

She died on Saturday at her home in Timonium, a Baltimore suburb, the Baltimore Sun reported, adding Bentley had been diagnosed with brain cancer.

(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
BAMAKO (Reuters) - A United Nations peacekeeper was killed and four others wounded on Sunday when their vehicle hit a mine in Mali's restive north, the U.N. mission (MINUSMA) said.

The attack on the vehicle, which was escorting a logistical convoy, occurred about 11 km (7 miles) south of Aguelhoc in the region of Kidal, where several Islamist militant groups are active, the mission said in a statement.

All five peacekeepers were from Chad, a mission spokesman said.

About two hours later, another mine exploded near a U.N. peacekeeping vehicle two km east of the mission base in Kidal but only caused material damage, the MINUSMA statement added.

MINUSMA did not say who was responsible for the attacks.

In a statement on Sunday, Islamist militant group Ansar Dine claimed responsibility for a mine attack on Friday near Kidal targeting Chadian troops, according to SITE Intelligence Group.

That explosion injured one peacekeeper, the spokesman for U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement on Sunday.

Mali's government has not had a military presence in Kidal since clashes between the army and Tuareg rebels killed 50 soldiers there in 2014, leaving a heavy security burden on U.N. troops.

Mali has become the deadliest place to serve for U.N. peacekeepers. The United Nations says more than 100 peacekeepers have been killed since MINUSMA deployed in July 2013. The U.N. Security Council voted in June to increase the contingent by 2,500 troops, taking the total number of uniformed personnel to more than 15,000.

In May, five Chadian peacekeepers were killed in an ambush near Kidal. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) also claimed responsibility for an attack that month that killed a Chinese peacekeeper and three civilians.

Islamist militant groups, some with links to al Qaeda, hijacked a Tuareg uprising in 2012 and seized northern Mali until a French-led intervention drove them back a year later.

But the region has remained plagued by violence despite a peace accord signed last year between Tuareg fighters and the government. Two days of fighting last month between Tuareg rebels and pro-government militia killed up to 20 people.

(Reporting by Adama Diarra; Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols in New York; Writing by Aaron Ross; Editing by Gareth Jones)
If the hand that rocked the cradle, ruled the world View(s):

With the appointment of Theresa May as Great Britains Prime Minister a few weeks ago  only the second woman in British history to hold this position  the picture at the helm of the European world suddenly became a little different. With German Chancellor Angela Merkel becoming the longest-serving incumbent head of government in the European Union in March 2014, this combination of two of the most powerful nations in the world being led by two powerful women brought about a visible change in the political landscape.

Is the world becoming more familiar with a phenomenon which began on our very own shores in 1960, with the election of the first female Head of Government in the world? The concept of female leadership has long been a thorny issue in the sides of many traditionalists  across nations and professions  who would prefer a woman engage in more womanly pursuits.

Come November 2016, if Hillary Clinton clinches victory at the Presidential Election of the United States of America, it will make her their first female President. It will bring about another historic moment in American politics and in turn three of the most powerful nations in the world, will be run with women at the helm. Yet interestingly, despite making history of a different kind in July 2016, it was her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who seemed to be in the public eye. As Jessica Lussenhop reported for BBC News Magazine on the 27th of July, Hillary Clinton: Nominated for president, but not for the front page, read the headline, with Hillary Clinton just became the first woman in US history nominated for president by a major party. So why is her husband on the front page of so many newspapers?, just below it. She goes on to explain that despite this historic moment in US politics, outside of the Newseum in Washington, the trend was on display in the glass cases which each morning contain the current days front page from newspapers from all 50 states.Of the front pages on display the morning after Clintons historic nomination, her picture was only on 19 of them.

Perhaps it is fair to say that despite the progress we have made this year with regard to women leaders in politics, there is still an inherent sexism that exists amongst many about the ability of a woman to lead a nation. This despite the fact that the political landscape is changing quite dramatically. Writing for politico.com in July 2016, titled Women in Charge: A New Record?, Annabelle Timsit says Picture the major global actors of 2017. Among the leading candidates to be United Nations secretary general next year are several women, and if one of them is chosen, she will join a female managing director of the International Monetary Fund and a female director general of the World Health Organization. May and Merkel will find themselves on the world stage with the female presidents and prime ministers of Chile, Norway and South Korea, among other countries, andif Hillary Clinton can pull out a win this fallthe United States.

She goes on to elaborate that In fact, by January 2017, as many as 21 countries could be led by a woman as president, prime minster or an equivalent high political office. That number might not seem all that big at first glance. But according to Politico Magazines calculations, it would be a record, topping the 19 female heads of state currently in power. In the United States, 1992 was dubbed the year of the woman when a record number of women were newly elected to the House and Senate. Now, 2017 could be theYear of the Woman around the world.

What then, could this mean to the world at large and for women in general? Having a female political leader, does not necessarily mean that there will be renewed vigour in dealing with issues particularly relevant to women, and those that are sometimes sidelined such as children, getting back to work after having a family, increased access to maternity and paternity leave, equal pay for equal work and dealing with disadvantaged groups.

However the consensus seems to be that there is a tendency for female politicians to deal with diverse policy issues more coherently and conscientiously than their male counterparts. Annabelle Timsit goes on to elaborate that there is a growing body of evidence showing that women, in certain ways, are more effective leaders than men. For instance, research has shown that women are more inclined toward collaboration across ideological lines and social sectors; are more inclined to compromise and that inclination is especially useful in highly fractured countries, where female leaders are associated with higher rates of political and economic success. (A 2013 Journal of International Affairs study showed that having a female leader in highly diverse countries correlated with a 6.6 percent higher GDP growth rate compared with having a male leader, because of female leaders ability to navigate divided societies and ethnic fractionalization.)

Women are also thought to be more adept at building coalitions and pushing for peace because women  according to the Institute for Inclusive Security- are often perceived as more honest brokers than men and are good at broadening societal participation.

How too, could this change in focus towards a more female led political landscape benefit Sri Lanka and South Asia as a whole? What began as a tremendously progressive step in 1960, has almost ground to a halt, with less than 6% female representation in parliament in Sri Lanka in 2015. Is this our opportunity to pick up the baton, carried through with much struggle and hardship by our south Asian sisters, and run with it towards a more representational parliament, with women having a stronger voice and a more visible presence? Perhaps a discussion for a later date.

It is difficult to imagine how and when we will be likely to have the proper conditions to make a valid assessment as to whether a country, and in turn the world, is governed more justly, efficiently, honestly, bravely, intelligently and effectively by either sex, be it male or female. However, with the possibility of three of the worlds leading economies being led by women, it brings us one step closer to levelling the playing field.

Interestingly as Janet Street-Porter sums it up in The Independent in July 2016, Let women run things. Well cut to the chase, excise the peripheral and the extraneous crap. We already multi-task. We are highly skilled at achieving our goals and playing well in a team.Women have been training all their lives for this moment.

All comments, suggestions and contributions are most welcome. Confidentiality guaranteed.

Please email: KJWVoiceforWomen@gmail.com
Sadique Saleem re-elected as All Ceylon YMMA national president View(s):

Sadique M Saleem has been re-elected as the National President of the All Ceylon YMMA Conference for 2016/2017.

He is the 50th National President of the 67-year-old All Ceylon YMMA Conference.Mr. Saleem, a veteran banker, is hailing from Badulla and is the eldest son of the Late M.T.M. Saleem (Postmaster) and the Late Rahela Moomin Khan of Passara.

His social service career spans from 1982 when he became the General Secretary of Badulla YMMA. He, along with the late A.M.M. Rafeeq JP revived the Badulla YMMA which had remained defunct for a long period. He also served as the President of Rotary Club of Badulla during 1985/1986.

During his first term as All Ceylon YMMA Conference National President, Mr. Saleem spearheaded a project to set up a Drug Rehabilitation Centre at Minuwangoda in collaboration with the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board in a property donated to the YMMA Conference by Mr. and Mrs. Kemal Miskin of Melbourne, Australia.
The day a Soviet leader banged his shoe at the UN View(s):

UNITED NATIONS  During the height of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, and particularly in the 1960s, the United Nations was the ideological battle ground where the Americans and the Soviets pummeled each other metaphorically speaking  either on the floor of the cavernous General Assembly hall or at the horse-shoe table of the Security Council.

Perhaps one of the most memorable war of words took place in October 1962 when the politically-feisty US Ambassador Adlai Stevenson challenged Soviet envoy Valerian Zorin over allegations that the USSR, perhaps under cover of darkness, had moved nuclear missiles into Cubaand within annihilating distance of the United States.

Speaking at a tense Security Council meeting, Stevenson admonished Zorin: I remind you that you didnt deny the existence of these weapons. Instead, we heard that they had suddenly become defensive weapons. But today  again, if I heard you correctly  you now say they dont exist, or that we havent proved they exist, with another fine flood of rhetorical scorn.

All right sir, said Stevenson, let me ask you one simple question. Do you, Ambassador Zorin, deny that the USSR has placed and is placing medium and intermediate range missiles and sites in Cuba?

Yes or no? Dont wait for the translation: yes or no?, Stevenson insisted with a tone of implied arrogance.

Speaking in Russian through a UN translator (who faithfully translated the US envoys sentiments into English), Zorin shot back: I am not in an American courtroom, sir, and therefore I do not wish to answer a question that is put to me in the fashion in which a prosecutor does. In due course, sir, you will have your reply. Do not worry.

Not to be outwitted, Stevenson howled back: You are in the court of world opinion right now, and you can answer yes or no. You have denied that they exist. I want to know if Ive understood you correctly. When Zorin said he will provide the answer in due course, Stevenson famously declared: I am prepared to wait for my answer until hell freezes over.

An equally memorable Soviet-US confrontation took place at the General Assembly hall in October 1960, but this time it was between the USSR and the Philippines, considered a close US ally at that time. The Filipino delegate Lorenzo Sumulong, lashed out at the USSR, pointing out that the peoples of Eastern Europe and elsewhere (under Soviet domination) have been deprived of the free exercise of their civil and political rights and which have been swallowed up, so to speak, by the Soviet Union.

Incensed by the remark, the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, who was leading the Soviet delegation, hit back with a vengeance, describing the Filipino as a jerk, a stooge, and a lackey, and a toady of American imperialism words that are rarely heard in the General Assembly or the Security Council these days.

Forget the North Korean refrain: Running Dogs of Imperialism.

But an equally legendary story was the longstanding rumour that Khrushchev removed his shoe and kept banging on his desk, to be recognised, on a point of order.

According to one rumour, the shoe-banging never happened (and there were no UN photographers or cell phone cameras to record the incident for posterity or for the UN archives). The only evidence was a single photo in circulation, which was dismissed by some as a fake concocted by US intelligence  and that was long before the age of digital technology and photo-shopping.

But according to another unconfirmed rumour, Khrushchev did bang his shoes  but the sole was riddled with holes and the shoe was badly in need of urgent repairs. That was probably an anti-Soviet canard by the US or its allies, who claimed they were witnesses to the incident in the General Assembly hall.

As the Hollywood comedian Grouch Marx once remarked: Who do you believe? Me. Or your own eyes?

Both UN anecdotes are worth recalling at a time when another Cold War between Russia (this time, minus the USSR and the Soviet Union) and the United States is simmering in the geopolitical arena.

As a former US Ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, said recently US-Russian relations have reached one of their lowest points since the end of the Cold War. The current battle ground is the Security Council where both the Americans and the Russians (and this time joined occasionally by the other veto-wielding member, China) are pounding at each other over Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Israel, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and North Korea.

The conflicts in the Security Council are reminiscent of the Cold War era when each of the two superpowers were in a relentless battle to protect their allies and safeguard their own national interests at the cost of international peace and security.

The US has remained an eternal saviour of Israel and Russia has prevented all attempts at regime change in Syria, a longstanding Soviet ally going back to the days of President Hafez al-Assad, the father of the current embattled President, Bashar al-Assad, whom the Americans want ousted from power.

In recent years, the Security Council has remained deadlocked because Russia has used its veto power on four occasions to block resolutions on Syria, including one resolution aimed at taking Syria before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes.

Having annexed Crimea, Russia has also forestalled US action on Ukraine, leaving the Security Council in limbo.

Samantha Power, the US permanent representative to the UN, told the London Guardian last year: Its a Darwinian universe here.

If a particular body reveals itself to be dysfunctional, then people are going to go elsewhere, she said, And if that happened for more than Syria and Ukraine and you started to see across the board paralysis  it would certainly jeopardise the Security Councils status and credibility and its function as a go-to international security arbiter. It would definitely jeopardise that over time.

Meanwhile, the recent hacking of emails inside the offices of the Democratic National Committee, has been attributed to the Russians thereby escalating the threat of a Cold War even further.While US intelligence has confirmed the Russian hacking, there is speculation that this was an attempt to embarrass Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton and a boost for Republican candidate Donald Trump, both running in the US presidential elections. If true, this will be the first time that Russia (or for that matter any foreign country) has interfered in a US presidential election.

Asked whether the charges were true, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (a former Russian diplomat based in Colombo in the early 1970s) remarked: I dont want to use four-letter words.

And he did not mean: Nyet.

To add fuel to the fire, Trump last month invited Russia to unearth Hillary Clintons 30,000 missing emails from her private email servera suggestion condemned even by his own Republican Party members.

Trumps bromance  defined as a non-sexual relationship between two men  with Russian President Vladimir Putin has prompted some to jokingly remark that his running mate as Vice President should have been Putin, not Governor Mike Pence of Indiana.

(The writer can be contacted at thalifdeen@aol.com)
Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the announcement that His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands will visit New Zealand from November 7-9.

I am delighted to welcome King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima back to New Zealand on their first official state visit as King and Queen, Mr Key says.

Our close relationship with the Netherlands dates back to Abel Tasmans sighting of New Zealand in 1642, and we are lucky to have many Dutch migrants living here who greatly enhance our society and economy.

The King and Queen will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Bert Koenders and, parallel to the state visit, a trade mission led by Minister for Economic Affairs Henk Kamp will take place.

While this will be their first official state visit as King and Queen, it will be their second visit to New Zealand. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima last visited in November 2006, before the investiture of King Willem Alexander in 2013.

Further programme details for the visit will be released once they are confirmed

SOURCE: Office of John Key
An aspiring Tauranga City councillor has pulled off the ambitious feat of personally visiting more than 4000 homes in the ward he hopes to be elected in.

Sheldon Nesdale says hes visited 4291 homes since setting the goal for himself in May  nearly one third of the 15,356 total households in the Otumoetai-Pyes Pa ward where he is standing.

Ive spoken face-to-face with 1254 residents and left my election flyer at the door or letterbox of everyone else who wasnt home when I visited. Ive really enjoyed the whole process, meeting people and hearing their stories, says the 39 year-old.

It wasnt a hard slog at all, it was a lot of fun.

A meticulous records keeper, Sheldons notes shows he travelled 369km by scooter or bicycle during the 98 hours he spent pounding the pavements and visiting homes.

Over the past three months Sheldon has spoken to residents in Matua, Otumoetai, Pillans Point, Bellevue, Brookfield, Judea, Bethlehem, the Lakes and Pyes Pa. Five hundred of those homes he visited with his eldest of three children, son Connor, who he says absolutely loved the experience.

Sheldon recalls a common response he received from people was: weve lived here for 20 or 30 years and youre the first candidate to knock on our door and ask us what we think.

People appreciated I took the time to ask for their opinion. The number one thing they talked about was that council debt was out of control and poor spending decisions were being made behind the scenes.

To sum the whole experience up, I think people just want to see value for money. They dont like seeing waste and they want maximum value to be achieved from their ratepayer dollars.

Now that Sheldons achieved his campaign goal he doesnt plan to stop there.

Im definitely going to keep going. I havent heard of any other council candidates door-knocking to this extent but its a great opportunity to learn and hear what people have to say.

The idea to personally door-knock thousands of homes was born during interviews Sheldon conducted with past and present councillors, and mayors around New Zealand, to research what the job entailed.

He says several successful councillors suggested it was the way to go, but he was hesitant at first.

Then I realised what a great opportunity it was to find out what was on peoples minds; what their ideas and concerns were. Its all valuable knowledge, so I set my goal of visiting 4000 homes and away I went, says Sheldon.

Nominations for this years Tauranga City Council election close on August 12.

For more information about Sheldon visit: www.iamlistening.co.nz



A meticulous records keeper, Sheldon says hes spoken face-to-face with 1254 residents in the Otumoetai-Pyes Pa ward where he is standing. Supplied Photo.
Police staff of Cook Islands heritage celebrated their culture last week during Cook Island Language Week 2016.

Members of Polices new Cook Islands Internal Support Network (ISN) created a series of videos featuring colleagues of Cook Islands heritage - and otherwise - speaking simple phrases in Cook Island Te Reo.

The week started with Auckland City District Commander Superintendent Richard Chambers saying Kia orana (Hello); and concluded with Aere ra (Goodbye) from Tairawhiti Area Commander Inspector Tamuera Sam Aberahama.

Also involved were Youth Development Project manager Hol Kairua (Waitemata), Constable Aaron Marsters (Auckland City), Detective Inspector David Lynch (Counties Manukau), Constable Anne Napara (Counties Manukau) and Constable Nga Meti (Waitemata).

The videos were posted on Police social media throughout the week and shared with community networks, racking up more than 50,000 views.

The ISN has 50-plus members, mainly from Auckland districts but with strong input from Sam (Eastern), the highest-ranked officer of Cook Islands heritage.

ISN Vice-chairman Constable Nga Paratainga, of Mt Roskill CPT, says the Language Week was a timely opportunity to make a statement.

Our purpose is to support colleagues where needed, mentor current and future colleagues and encourage recruitment of more Cook Island people into Police, he says.

Our monthly meetings have seen our numbers steadily grow and interest increase. We intend to spread our network nationwide.

The ISN met for the first time in March, with great support from Aucklands Cook Islands community.

SOME EVERYDAY PHRASES:

Kia orana  hello

Akarongo mai - listen here

Peea koe? - how are you?

Anau  family

Meitaki au - Im fine

Meitaki maata - thank you

Aere ra - goodbye

SOURCE: New Zealand Police
Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye is travelling to Samoa today for a three-day visit, focused on affirming the strong ties between New Zealand and Samoa around disaster risk management.

The ever present risk of natural hazards is something that both New Zealand and Samoa understand very well, says Ms Kaye.

This risk is part and parcel of living in the Pacific. Were surrounded by the Ring of Fire, which makes us susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, while our geographies and climates also make us vulnerable to events such as cyclones, storms, floods and droughts.

New Zealand and Samoa have a long and close relationship, and sharing expertise and experience on managing hazards and responding to disasters plays a central part in this relationship.

During my three days in Samoa I will meet with the Prime Minister, Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and attend a range of meetings with senior government ministers and officials.

These meetings will include a roundtable on disaster preparedness. Topics discussed at this will include lessons learned from previous disasters in Samoa, and New Zealands contribution towards strengthening Samoas risk management capabilities.

I will also visit key disaster risk management facilities and initiatives, including the National Disaster Management Office operations centre, the meteorological monitoring station at Mulinuu and the emergency siren network on the south coast of Upolu.

At Lalomanu I will view areas devastated by the 2009 tsunami, as well as work done since then to prevent future loss of life and property damage.

While in Samoa, I will also hold meetings related to my other portfolios.

These include a youth roundtable, where Im looking forward to meeting some of Samoas upcoming young leaders and hearing their aspirations and thoughts on topical issues, including innovative approaches to disaster preparedness.

I will also attend a meeting on Samoas accident compensation scheme, which will include discussion on building communication channels with ACC in New Zealand.

Samoa is a close friend with whom we have a strong and affectionate bond, and I am looking forward to strengthening this relationship during my three-day visit.

Source: Office of Nikki Kaye.
Police have named the 17-year-old girl who died after her car crashed into a stream in the Bay of Plenty.

Moana Titihuia Matthews, from Rotorua, was killed when the vehicle she was in crashed on Saturday around 12pm.
Budget 2016 is investing $19m over four years in modernising and transforming Customs workforce model, Customs Minister Nicky Wagner says.

Air passenger volumes are forecast to increase by 21% between 2015 and 2020. Trade volumes are forecast to grow by 30% for the same period. We need to ensure that Customs is ready for this growth.

That is why the government is supporting the reshaping of Customs workforce model and remuneration structure by investing $4.7m a year to increase its operational effectiveness and productivity, Ms Wagner says.

It will be the most significant change to the Customs workforce in 20 years, and the governments investment supports the introduction of a more efficient and effective operating model and new flexible staff deployment model.

The three unions, the Customs Officers Association, E tu, and PSA, have recently ratified a new multi-union collective agreement which supports the new operating structure.

This will enable Customs to retain, upskill, and deploy staff across priority work areas in response to the current and emerging risks growing trade and travel volumes bring.

Experienced officers will focus on border risks and law enforcement, and will be supported by technology that enables them to prioritise the risk.

Customs works to protect and promote New Zealand trade and travel through world class border management. The government is committed to ensuring that legitimate travellers are welcomed and border security is maintained, Ms Wagner says.

SOURCE: Office of Nicky Wagner
Statement Pieces

Ulysse Nardin is a historic sponsor of the Monaco Yacht Show, and has even more heritage in the art of crafting some of the finest wrist pieces on the luxury market. For 170 years, the work of Ulysse Nardin has evolved to capture the very essence of success and sophistication; having just launched two statement pieces.

The Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon and the Marine Chronograph Annual Calendar are the latest watches to emerge from the brand, launched to coincide with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the contemporary Marine collection. These, among countless others, will be a major attraction for the high-net-worths walking the docks of Port Hercules.

Automotive Debuts

The world of yachting and automotives often go hand in hand, and the Monaco Yacht Show is introducing the first ever edition of the Car Deck this year to celebrate that fact.

A platform to showcase some of the most exciting projects available on the market, just a few of the ten-car-exhibition covers the brand new Tesla Model S P90D, the recently launched Rolls-Royce Dawn and the Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder. Read our full run-down of the Monaco Yacht Show Car Deck here.

The Height of Aviation

Dassault Aviation, DC Aviation, Jetcraft and Netjets are all in attendance at the show, and looking to provide the finest service available in the sky - from purchase to management - while the superyacht display has the water covered. We'll be taking a full, in-depth look into the Private Aviation industry at the Monaco Yacht Show later this month, providing you with everything you need to know about the experts of business and leisure travel.

Resident Luxury

The homeware and luxury residence exhibition of the Monaco Yacht Show is a fantastic look into the world of the elite homestead, not to mention a perfect opportunity to discuss inspiration for your new home styling with the people in the know.

Linley - world famous British furniture and interior decoration brand - will be on display after announcing a new Autumn catalogue and offering the finest in wood and hand-crafted products fit for superyacht or study. The interior styling and expertise of Sabrina Monte-Carlo is also widely on display, with a range of outdoor and indoor furnishings and presenting a harmony of styles across superyacht, residence and private jets.

StudioArt provides leather interior options for the whole home, while Crystal Caviar, a leading brand in the craft of crystal who have worked on superyachts and homes across the world, will showcase the delicate reflections of true art; from chandeliers, lights, architectural details and artwork itself.

This is just a glimpse of the luxury legion on display at the Monaco Yacht Show; however, we'll be delivering further insights into the brands, glamorous events and glittering products on display as September approaches.
By Barani Krishnan

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices settled up nearly 3 percent on Monday amid renewed speculation that OPEC would try to restrain output, easing oversupply worries that pressured the market to three-month lows last week.

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that OPEC countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador and Kuwait want to take another stab at cooperation between the 14-nation Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-members such as Russia.

The last such initiative failed in April after Saudi Arabia backed out of talks in Doha, Qatar, citing Iran's refusal to join in a so-called production freeze.

Qatar's Energy Minister and OPEC President Mohammad bin Saleh al-Sada hinted at overtures of cooperation in a statement on Monday. OPEC members are to have an informal meeting on the sidelines of the International Energy Forum, which groups producers and consumers, in Algeria from Sept. 26-28.

The energy minister of Russia, the world's biggest oil producer, said crude prices were not at levels that warranted intervention, but he remained open to negotiations with OPEC.

"It would appear that OPEC calls for restraint would be inevitable," said Jim Ritterbusch of Chicago-based oil markets consultancy Ritterbusch & Associates, citing concerns over rising numbers of U.S. oil rigs and weakening energy demand.

The U.S. oil rig count rose last week for a sixth week in a row. In China, fuel exports increased more than 50 percent from a year earlier to a monthly record 4.57 million tonnes, adding to a global glut.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled up $1.22, or 2.9 percent, at $43.02 per barrel. WTI hit April lows beneath $40 a barrel last week.

Brent crude rose $1.12, or 2.5 percent, to settle at$45.39.

Some fund managers were pessimistic the OPEC-fueled rally would last. Crude prices rallied nearly 4 percent at the session peak only to pare gains toward the close. They gave up more gains in post-settlement trade after news that the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port will have an additional 2.5 million barrels in oil capacity by April 2017.

Story continues

"Until proven otherwise, this is still a correction in a bear market," said Matthew Tuttle, chief executive at Tuttle Tactical Management in Riverside, Connecticut.

"You can have massive up moves like this, and if you can trade it, great. But if you're looking at another run up to $50 and beyond, I'm not ready to go there. I think we still see under $35 a barrel before we get to $50."

Hedge funds cut their bullish exposure to Brent to the smallest level since January while paring positive bets on WTI to the least since February, data on Friday showed.

Market intelligence firm Genscape reported a build of more than 307,000 barrels at the Cushing, Oklahoma delivery hub for WTI futures in the week to Aug. 5, traders said, even as analysts forecast a total U.S. crude inventory drop of 1 million barrels.

(Additional reporting by Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Paul Simao)
Hotel occupancy on the Costa del Sol is expected to exceed 95% this month, with no special offers, and bookings only accepted for a minimum of five days

July came to an end on the Costa del Sol with the definite feeling that all expectations with regard to tourism figures had been exceeded, and with an average hotel occupancy rate of 80 per cent. This month, too, is expected to be the best August ever in the area, with more tourists, longer stays, and more money being spent.

Professionals in the tourism sector, hotel managers and the CEOs of hotel chains all say the same: things are looking good. In some cases, hotels are booked solid mid-week, and not just at weekends.

The president of the Aehcos hotel association, Luis Callejon Sune, says that many hotels in the province have sold 85 per cent of their capacity through advance bookings, and he is sure occupancy levels will reach 90 per cent this month. That figure could rise to 95 per cent, if just the hotels on the coast are taken into account.

All these professionals are clear about one thing: this is not going to be a normal August. Not only are more visitors and higher hotel occupancy levels expected, but tourists are staying longer. Hotels will also earn more money because demand has been so high that few special offers are available. As an example of the strength of the tourist industry in this area at present, numerous hotels have imposed a minimum five-night stay for bookings this summer.

The sector is confident that the number of overnight stays will rise by between three and four percentage points compared with 2015, which was already a record summer.

The Costa del Sol was prepared to welcome over 620,000 visitors from 1 August onwards, as that is how many stayed in hotels last year: there were 2.6 million overnight stays over that month, the highest figure all year, even though the increase in both indicators was lower than one per cent, according to figures collated by the Turismo Costa del Sol organisation.

You only have to stroll along a seafront to see that the towns are full of tourists, or go to the airport to see the numbers of people who are arriving. There is concern in the tourism sector because the queues on the access roads to the Costa are building up again, and puzzlement because so few people are using the toll motorways. Many professionals believe the hold-ups are down to the signs for the fast roads being so inadequate that many visitors miss them.

Spending more

The chiringuito beach restaurants have also witnessed an increase in tourists this year, as hotels, apartments and holiday villas are full. They are also seeing people spending more. There are more visitors and they are consuming more this year. We believe our turnover will have increased between five and six per cent in July compared with last year, and that was already a fantastic month in 2015, says the president of the beach business association, Manuel Villafaina.

When asked what we can expect in August, he had no hesitation: We are absolutely full in the first half of the month. We have had people, families of four or five, ringing us up to see if we can help because they cant find anywhere to stay, he says.

The CEO of the ML hotel chain, Jose Carlos Escribano, points out that there is something else unusual about this August, which is that tour operators are using up a quota of rooms which they normally leave for the hotel because they dont have enough demand.

Our occupancy levels are very good, but there are still vacancies, he says, although the groups three hotels in Fuengirola are expected to exceed 90 per cent occupancy this month.

Miguel Sanchez, the president of MS Hoteles, a chain with five establishments on the Costa del Sol, says average occupancy in those hotels during July was 90 per cent and he is confident that it will be even higher in August.

We are working with volumes of visitors and business which are similar to those before the crisis. We have excellent occupancy levels for this month, even though the Spanish market is a bit slow, he says.

He also says there has been a considerable increase in the numbers of German tourists this year.
After the meeting on Wednesday, the chief minister said Sir Alan Duncan came across as being ?instinctively pro-Gibraltar?

Fabian Picardo (left) and Sir Alan Duncan. :: SUR

The chief minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, met the UKs new Minister for Europe, Sir Alan Duncan, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London on Wednesday.

At the meeting, which was described as cordial and positive, the two men discussed Gibraltar, where Sir Alan lived when he was a child because his father, who served with the Royal Air Force, was posted there.

Following the meeting, Mr Picardo said that Sir Alan came across as being instinctively pro-Gibraltar. The chief minister had been able to explain in detail the concerns that the result of the EU referendum had created on the Rock, and outlined the opportunities which may now be exploited as the result of a new relationship with the EU.

This was the latest high-level meeting to have been arranged by the Gibraltar government to discuss the subject of the so-called Brexit and how it is likely to affect Gibraltar. Mr Picardo and members of his team have held similar talks with the new British prime minister Theresa May and recently appointed foreign secretary Boris Johnson, among others.

At the meeting with Sir Alan Duncan on Wednesday, Mr Picardo also reiterated his concern over Spains renewed calls for joint sovereignty over Gibraltar on the grounds that it would enable the Rock to remain in the EU.

The chief minister said afterwards: I am clear that there is absolutely no suggestion that the United Kingdom will ever compromise at all on its commitment to respect and maintain our British Sovereignty. The double-lock commitment is strong and unshakeable.
In the woods. A family enjoys a meal amid the pine trees. Beside them, a Seat 600, the type of car in which many Spanish people travelled for their first holidays.:: R.C The USA is the only developed country that does not recognise paid holiday leave by law

You can imagine the reaction: Be paid wages, even though youre not working? Thats impossible. It would be sheer laziness! Many of our grandparents could never have grasped the concept of holidays as we know them today. Their consciences, moulded over centuries by a primordial fight for survival, would have rendered them incapable of comprehending an idea such as that. Only the nobility lived without doing anything, they used to say. Everyone else had no choice, they had to go out and work if they wanted to eat.

Paid leisure time is a relatively recent phenomenon, no matter how hard it would be for us to conceive of a summer in which we did not receive our usual salary. The first time people demanded paid leave, says Francisco Javier Capistegui, professor of Contemporary History at the University of Navarra, was in Germany in the mid-19th century, but it wasnt until the 20th century that the idea really caught on.

The bolshevik government which took power afterthe Russian revolution of 1917 was the first to introduce the right of workers to enjoy holidays. It was a right in name only, says Capistegui, because in reality it only applied to those who the party leaders thought should have a reward for their behaviour. Something similar occurred with the Nazis, who would later take power in Germany; they used a system of punishments and rewards in which holidays were used as a lure to gain the loyalty of the workers.

In Spain, for centuries, the concept of leisure time was unknown to the vast majority of the population. Only the privileged classes knew the true meaning of the term doing nothing. It was from the 19th century onwards that the desire to enjoy free time at spa resorts or on beaches arose among the circles which were closest to power.

At the start of the new century the military, teachers and public employees had managed to obtain permits which allowed them to spend a few days away from their obligations. A law of 1918 gave all civil servants 15 days holiday. A year later another regulation gave naval captains and officers the right to enjoy a months paid holiday a year.

The new urban classes began to feel left out. Railway workers, typesetters, shop workers and bank employees began to demand the same benefits. With more pressing social demands already satisfied, paid holidays became the focus of attention.

Countries such as Austria, Finland, Sweden and Italy introduced this right into their legislation in one way or another in the 1920s. Spain followed suit in 1931, during the Second Republic, by approving the Law of Work Contracts, under which article 56 included seven days paid leave a year for all salaried workers. It was a pioneering rule but had little effect in a Spain which was largely agricultural, and the political convulsions which shook Manuel Azanas government impeded the stability needed for the urban classes to benefit from its introduction.

Music and dance in factories

In France, with a more diversified labour structure and much greater weight among the workforce in major industries, paid holidays were one of the strongest arguments in the elections of May 3, 1936. The resounding win by the Popular Front, which grouped together socialists and communists, brought an unprecedented euphoria which led to strikes and the occupation of factories. They have gone down in history as happy strikes, because they took place in a festive atmosphere, with music and dancing in the workshops. They also resulted in great improvements in the living conditions of the working population, explains Professor Capitegui.

The demonstrations were to demand a 40-hour working week, recognition of union representation and, of course, paid holidays. More than three million French people took part and the country came to a complete halt. The government, led by socialist Leon Blum, called representatives from the sector and the unions to the Matignon palace in Paris, and the agreements of the same name were drawn up, a model for the theory that democracy is the best way to resolve conflicts, not the authoritarianism of fascism and communism.

The Matignon agreements are one of the starting points in the universalisation of labour rights and also of what we know today as the welfare state which defines Europe, says Francisco Javier Capistegui.

The pact was ratified by the National Assembly and came into force on June 20, 1936. That same summer, tens of thousands of French workers enjoyed the first paid holidays of their lives, with an enthusiasm which was undoubtedly enhanced by an average salary rise of 15 per cent, which appears in the small print of the text. Leon Blums government made train tickets available at special prices (with a 40 per cent discount) and set up a network of hostels in beach and mountain areas.

That first summer, about 500,000 trips were paid for, and the following year, in August 1937, the figure doubled. This was the start of a new phenomenon, mass tourism: it became extraordinarily important for economic growth, but also as a form of cultural exchange.

The Matignon pact ended up being known as the law of paid holidays. Initially, these were two weeks, which were extended to three in 1956 and to four weeks in 1968. A fifth week was an electoral promise by socialist Francois Mitterrand, and it became reality in 1982, a year after he was elected president. When WW2 was over, the Matignon agreement became a benchmark when regulating rights for workers. Social democracy, which inspired labour relations in a good many European countries when economies took off again in the post-war period, had its foundations in that same pact.

The slavery of the countryside

Spain recognised the right to paid holidays in the Fuero del Trabajo (1938) issued by Francos government before the end of the Civil War. It did not stipulate the length of time for holidays and the country, fractured and impoverished, was in no condition to start a debate about days of rest. Later legislative developments gradually marked the limits of holiday periods until the present Workers Statute came into force, establishing a minimum of 30 calendar days.

Summer holidays, as we know them today, are a result of the development of tourism in the 1960s, a time when industry and the services sector employed tens of thousands of Spanish workers who until then had only known the slavery of working in the countryside. Economic growth and the arrival of tourism in places such as Torremolinos and Benidorm which injected vast sums of foreign currency into the public coffers - led Franco to emulate neighbouring countries and introduce paid holidays for Spanish workers.

Days of leisure which are recognised by law are one of the pillars of the framework of the welfare state which began in Europe in the last century, and is now under threat from neoliberal cutbacks. The legislation of countries such as the US, for example, does not include paid holidays. On the other side of the Atlantic these are seen as something to be negotiated between the company and the employee. This dynamic often results in new employees ending up with no time off: they are told that this will be discussed when they are consolidated within the company, in a few years time. Statistics show that four out of every ten American workers do not have paid holidays and those who do only have, on average, ten days a year. It also seems that nobody has much interest in improving things.
Some of the children at the Baviera Clinic for a medical. :: A. Cabrera

Vladislaba Harbarukon has been coming to Malaga for the past seven summers, thanks to the La Sonrisa de un Nino association, and says When I first came to Malaga, I thought that I wouldnt fit in here, but ever since Day 2, Ive loved it . One 14-year-old girl, like her 14 other friends, comes from the areas closest to Chernobyl in Belarus. Although they didnt experience the 1986 catastrophe directly, their day-to-day lives are determined by it.

The main objective of the association is to be able to improve their quality of life, even if it is only in the summer, says Estebina Martos, the president of the association which has brought children aged between seven and 17 to different towns in the Malaga province since 1997. The food, climate, activity and interpersonal relations are the main pillars on which the actions of families are founded during the stay of the children, who this year arrived on the 27th June and will remain until the 29th August. Another of the pillars is health, according to Almudena Armentia, vice president of La Sonrisa de un Nino, (A Childs Smile), who says: According to studies by the World Health Organisation, by merely moving away from the radiation environment for a month, their life expectancy increases by a year. The Baviera and Gross clinics are repeating their offer of health examinations for the children, to deal with any eye and oral health problems respectively.

Like Vladislaba, Yauhen Brakarenka is a returnee, who stays at the home of the vice president, Almudena Armentia. Its one of the best things that Ive ever done in my life, says Armentia enthusiastically, commenting that she considers Yauhen to be one of the family. Hes the same age as my biological son at 12 years old and theyre just like brothers: they fight and care for each other like all the rest. Carlos Morales, Armentias son, tells of how his feelings were negative when he met Yauhen for the first time: I thought we wouldnt get on well and that hed pinch all my toys, he jokes. Today, eight journeys back to Malaga later, because Yauhen comes back in both the Christmas and the summer holidays, he thinks of him as a brother. The Belarussian boy with a Malaga accent raves about what a good time he has in Malaga: Id give it 11 out of 10.

The effect of the crisis

The shame now is that we can only bring in 15 , four years ago there were 29 and before that, many more, laments Martos, who would like more help from better-off families: Were not asking them to take the children in but they could contribute so that families with lower resources can do it. The association is looking to maintain the initiative year after year, despite seeing an annual fall in the number of families able to take in children. The lottery, festivities, and donations from members and through various activities are some of the methods they use to raise funds.

Both Armentia and Martos emphasise that even though the children do not usuallly suffer from serious illnesses, they have various issues in common: they are smaller than other children of the same age and they have problems with skin, hair and teeth.
The Afesol association is calling for a home with room for 20 people to be built so better care can be provided for the patients

The president of Afesol, Conchi Cuevas (right), at the day centre. :: M. Gamez Opinions about a Residential Facility in Mijas: Conchi Cuevas President of Afesol We need commitment from the Junta The head of the Afesol association says we need commitment from the Junta de Andalucia to build a type of mini-residence with 20 beds in Mijas and a day centre to attend to 40 people.Juan Francisco del Campo Provincial head of FAISEM in Malaga A project like this has to be analysed first Del Campo recognises that there is a need for a residential facility, but says mental health projects have to be analysed by head office. The planning department is in Seville. Ill forward the details to them, he says.Gustavo Acin Psychologist at Afesol The residential facility is vitally important We work with therapeutic techniques, medication and mental health programmes. The person needs to be looked after in the community, and that is why the residence is essential. It is better not to admit people to institutions unless really necessary.

Afesol, an association which helps people with mental illness and their families on the Costa del Sol, is calling for a residential centre to be built in Mijas. This association, which was started by a group of six families and was officially constituted on 2 September 1999, already has day centres in Benalmadena Costa and Las Lagunas (Mijas Costa), ten apartments in Mijas and Fuengirola, (which have been donated, are being rented or are owned) and a residential centre in a rented building in Ojen, but it says there is a need for a similar facility in Mijas.

The association is similar to others such as the Afenes association for relatives of people suffering from schizophrenia in Malaga, the Adusnax association for mental health patients in La Axarquia and the Alfarala association of mental health patients in Malaga, and they all share similar objectives.

Conchi Cuevas Gonzalez is the president of Afesol, and she is single-minded about helping its users. Afesol looks after 35 people aged between 19 and 65 at the day centre in Las Lagunas.

We need a residential facility so we can provide more services and create 20 places for people with mental illness. It would be for people who need full-time care, and there would also be a day centre which would attend to 40 people a day, explains Conchi, who is convinced that Mijas council would not object to providing the land so that this type of residential facility could be built.

Im sure the Town Hall would be prepared to let us have 1,000 square metres, which is what we need, but there has to be the political will for that to happen, she says. She has never hesitated to say what she thinks, when it comes to looking after the interests of those in need, especially people with mental illness who are especially vulnerable.

In some countries like England they have double the resources for people with mental illness, but here they tend to be forgotten. From the time the association was set up we have been fighting for what they need. Afesol has made it a priority for the statute of autonomy and health laws to be fulfilled. Everyone agrees that these people are vulnerable and should have the right to specific care, but it isnt happening, says Conchi, who holds the Junta de Andalucia responsible for the lack of human resources and materials which are needed to provide proper care for mental patients and their families.

At the Junta, they are specialists at putting obstacles in the way instead of finding solutions. An NGO like ours should not have to be paying for things. The Junta is working to the detriment of all the associations that fight for people with mental illness. Anyone can suffer from mental problems; these people are our children, our brother and sisters, our mothers, our fathers.... she emphasises.

More resources

Through an agreement which Afesol has with Faisem, the Andalusian Foundation for Social Integration of People with Mental Illness, which is part of the Junta, there is one member of staff at the day centre in Mijas. She is called Carolina Arbos and she is a psychologist, but she is working as an occupational supervisor. In theory, she is supposed to look after all 35 users of the day centre, something which Conchi Cuevas says would be impossible for one person on their own. For that reason, in 2013 Afesol decided to contract another staff member, psychologist Gustavo Acin.

Conchi insists that amother two staff are needed at Afesol. We dont need a cobalt bomb, or a state-of-the-art operating theatre or anything like that, we just need space and people, she says. She is also asking the Town Halls in Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Mijas to let the users of the day centre work as car park attendants. We have already applied for that. There are people who may have mental illness, but are able to work. If someone suffers from an intellectual disability people are sympathetic towards them, but they are afraid of anyone who suffers from mental illness. A mental patient is not a criminal. If one person ever kills somebody, all the rest pay for it. There is stigma about mental illness because we dont have enough resources and that wont stop until these people are treated as equals. How many men kill their wives? How much gender violence is there in Spain? she asks.

Meanwhile, Carolina, the only employee to have been contracted via Faisem, explains what her work entails. Im an occupational supervisor, but in reality I run the whole centre because I have to give people their medication and their money (each person normally receives three euros a day, for coffee or ice cream, etc) and I try to make sure they take part in some activity for two hours, says Carolina, who likes her work but is visibly stressed.

From 9.30am, when the users arrive at the day centre and are given their medication, to 1.30pm, when most of them leave (a few have lunch there and stay on until 5pm), they take part in different activities. From 10am until noon there are handicrafts (pottery, painting, making soap, bracelets and other items) and computer tuition; from noon until 1.30 they can go out for a walk, accompanied by a monitor, or if they prefer they can watch TV, play table games or take part in the reading workshop.

Most of the illness we treat here can be improved but not cured. We can do a great deal, working from perspectives we know beforehand and which vary from person to person, says Gustavo Acin, who runs the Integral Accompaniment programme, although he stresses that at Afesol we work as a team, treating people with anxiety, major depression or personality disorders . Gustavo also voluntarily presents a programme called Travesias on a Marbella radio station.

We want the users to be as independent as they can; to be able to live in an apartment, or sometimes in their family home. There are more possibilities of them integrating with society. We have one case of somebody who was able to leave a psychiatric institute and live in one of the apartments. This type of work is more developed in other countries. There, they try to care for people with mental illness as part of their health system. Places like the UK and Poland have twice as many workers in the public health system as we do, says Gustavo.

Different treatment

Residential care is very important for many people suffering from mental illness. It is not the same to treat someone at a health centre, with an appointment lasting five or eight minutes, as it is when you are able to observe them and treat them. Every day, from Monday to Friday, we go shopping with them and we teach them how to be independent. We try to stop their condition deteriorating, although they need continual supervision. We want them to use their own initiative as much as possible, explains Gustavo.

Conchi Cuevas, who says the association has a good relationship with the councils and with Faisem, believes that the authorities should think about the fact that cutbacks should start with themselves and not with groups like Afesol.

Juan Francisco del Campo, the Faisem representative for Malaga province, says this is the first he has heard of the need for a residential facility. Normally, these things are raised directly with head office. The resources we provide are good, but there has to be a balance between what is available and demand, he says.
Hasan.jpg

Haithem Hasan was arrested for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, Syracuse police said.

(Provided photo)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A Syracuse man was charged early Sunday morning for possessing a handgun, according to Syracuse police.

Haithem Hasan, 29, of 108 Dearborn Place, was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

Officers were originally called to the 400 block of Shonnard Street at 3 a.m. Sunday in regards to a shots fired incident. Upon arrival, officers were not immediately able to locate any evidence.

Officer Jacob Breen returned a short time later and located nine .40 caliber shell casings. Officer Chad King continued to search the area for any evidence or suspects. While searching the area, King observed a black SUV in the driveway of 308 Merriman Ave., police said.

King began to investigate the SUV and the driver of the vehicle quickly moved the vehicle to the rear of the home, police said. King approached the vehicle and the three occupants began to run. King gave chase and two other officers assisted.

The officers were able to detain all three occupants of the vehicle. King located a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber semi automatic handgun and loaded magazine, police said.

Police say the gun was possessed by Hasan, who was charged and transported to the Onondaga County Justice Center.
ZHAMIR WRIGHT

Zhamir Wright

(Provided by the Syracuse Police Department)

A vacant house at 1704 E. Fayette St. is seen in this 2014 Google screenshot. Officers with the department's Crime Reduction Team were patrolling in the area Friday when they approached a group of people loitering at the house. An officer later shot at an armed suspect.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse police have identified the officer who shot at -- but did not hit -- an armed suspect Friday.

Officer Vallon Smith fired his service gun after Zhamir A. Wright pointed a Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic handgun at him, city police said in a news release Sunday.

Smith and Officer William LaShomb, members of the Syracuse Police Department's Crime Reduction Team, were patrolling the 1700 block of East Fayette Street at 5:14 p.m. Friday when they approached three people loitering in front of a vacant house at 1704 E. Fayette St. The property is an abandoned home "known to be frequented by drug users, dealers and those involved in gambling and weapons possessions," police Lt. Geno Turo said in the news release.

When Smith and LaShomb approached the people loitering at the house, they saw one man -- later identified as Zhamir Wright -- with a handgun in his waistband, police said.

As the officers tried to arrest Wright, Wright struggled with Officer Smith, police said. Wright then ran east along East Fayette Street. Officers ran after him.

During the foot chase, police said, Wright took the handgun from his waistband, turned toward Smith and pointed the gun at him.

"Officer Smith, then fearing for his life, withdrew his service weapon and fired one shot at Wright, missing him," Turo said in the news release.

Smith, LaShomb and Crime Reduction Team members, Officers Brent Potts and Sean Thomas, helped arrest Wright behind 1809 E. Fayette St.

Wright, 20, of 326 Allen St., Syracuse, was charged with menacing a police officer, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and one count each of criminal possession of a firearm, resisting arrest, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, promoting prison contraband and unlawful possession of marijuana. He also was arrested on an outstanding warrant for violation of probation.

Wright remained Sunday night at the Onondaga County Justice Center jail without bail.

Smith was in the news over the last week and a half after he arrested OG and local anti-violence activist Maurice "Mo" Crawley.

Crawley, 52, was arrested July 28 in the 100 block of South Avenue while filming Smith and another officer as they made a drug-related arrest.

The video of the confrontation made by Crawley on Facebook prompted a protest by a local chapter of the anti-police-violence group Black Lives Matter the next day. The video has so far received more than 122,000 views on YouTube.

Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick announced the charges filed by the Syracuse Police Department would be dropped, but a new harassment charge would be filed against Crawley.

The DA said Crawley had been stalking Smith after the officer issued him a ticket, possibly related to a noise complaint. Since then, Fitzpatrick said there have been "at least a dozen" incidents where Crawley harassed the officer.

While Fitzpatrick said harassment is a proper charge for Crawley, the DA also said he disagreed with how Smith handled the incident.

"He made a mistake," Fitzpatrick said at a news conference Friday. "He overreacted, and he will suffer the consequences...with Chief Fowler."

LaShomb also was in the news earlier this year after he discharged his weapon once at a suicidal man who pelted officers with glass bottles and other items, then burst out of an apartment holding a knife. The bullet grazed the man's hand and leg. A grand jury indicted the suicidal man, who will be sentenced to prison later this month, and cleared LaShomb of any wrongdoing.
Dewayne Comer prison ph_2.JPG

Dewayne Comer of Syracuse, after he graduated from a drug treatment program at a federal prison in Bennettsville, S.C., last year.

(Provided photo)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A federal courtroom was packed with 11 criminal defendants in March 1997.

They were all on trial at once for their roles in a million-dollar drug ring.

It was then and likely still is the most defendants to stand trial at the same time in the 32-county Northern District of New York, which includes Central New York.

The evidence included 200 recordings of wiretapped phone calls. The courtroom was so packed with defendants and their lawyers that the configuration of the tables and chairs became the subject of a defense motion.

The trial lasted two months, ending with nine convictions. As the leader and the only one convicted of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, Dewayne Comer was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison.

That was the only choice then-U.S. District Judge Rosemary Pooler had at the time. The other defendants have long since been freed from prison.

Comer, now 46, has been behind bars for nearly 21 years.

Almost two decades after the historic trial, Comer got a phone call at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the federal prison in Bennettsville, S.C.

"Are you sitting down?" asked his lawyer, Federal Public Defender Lisa Peebles. She told him she had good news: President Barack Obama had signed off on Comer's clemency petition.

"You're going to get out before Christmas," Peebles told him.

The silence went on for so long that Peebles asked if he was still there.

"I'm speechless," Comer said. "My head is spinning. I got to call you back."

Comer will be released Dec. 1, the White House announced Wednesday.

Peebles gave his mother the news too.

"I just started shouting," Mary Comer said. "I started thanking Jesus.''

Mary Comer pleaded guilty in 1997 to letting her son use her home to sell crack cocaine. Most of the phone calls police intercepted came from her home. She was sentenced to probation.

She said last week that she had no idea anyone was selling drugs out of her house.

Her son has called her nearly every day since he's been in prison, she said. Some days, he called twice and even three times, she said.

On Thursday, the day after he got the news, Comer called his mother twice. He talked about coming home and seeing his four grown children, she said.

"He's very excited," she said. "He said he'll be home after a while and not to worry."

In his petition for clemency, Comer admitted that for two years in the mid-1990s he'd organized the pooling of money among his friends and relatives so they could buy cocaine to sell. He admitted he was "somewhat of the ring leader" of the 21-person organization, he wrote.

"I accept full responsibility for my conduct," Comer wrote. "I was young and foolish and I was trying to take the easy way out to make money without having to work hard."

He used his connections to buy cocaine from people in New York City and get it to Syracuse, where he and the others sold it, he said.

"I had no idea about the gravity of what I was doing nor did I comprehend the burden I was placing on society," Comer wrote.

He admitted being involved in all levels of the drug-trafficking, from cooking the cocaine into crack to selling it in street-level quantities, he wrote.

The evidence at the trial showed he was selling on the street, Peebles said. She used it in her request for Comer's clemency, as proof that his drug ring wasn't a big or sophisticated one, and that it had no ties to any gangs or drug cartels.

"A leader of a major drug organization would never be involved in selling street level quantities to informants," she said. "Wouldn't happen."

The 1997 conviction was Comer's first for selling or possessing drugs. Before that, he had two misdemeanor convictions for criminal mischief and possessing stolen property -- both when he was 19.

Seven people wrote letters of support for Comer's release. One was from his 21-year-old daughter, Sadari Comer, who was 1 when he went away. She kept in touch with him by phone and email.

"Throughout the years of correspondence, I feel in my heart that my father has changed," she wrote. "I would love a chance at having and building a father-daughter relationship with him."

Peebles started her request for a reduction in Comer's sentence by writing to the Clemency Project 2014, a program Obama initiated to find federal prisoners who would likely have received a shorter sentence if they had been sentenced today.

After the Clemency Project vetted the request, it was passed on to the federal Office of the Pardon Attorney, in the Justice Department. That office then passed on its recommendations to Obama, who commuted the prison sentences of 214 nonviolent convicts this week.

She knew of only two cases her office had handled in which a someone was sentenced to life in prison for drug-dealing, she said. Along with Comer's case, Peebles has a clemency request pending on the other one, she said.

If Comer were sentenced today, federal sentencing guidelines would put his prison term at 14 1/2 years, she wrote in her clemency filing.

"There are plenty of people convicted of more serious drug offenses through gang-related activity who have moved successfully back into the community," she said. Those defendants have gone through drug treatment programs and an intensive re-entry program and are thriving members of the community, she said.

In his 21 years in prison, Comer had 13 minor infractions, including gambling, disruptive conduct and refusing work assignments, Peebles wrote in her request for clemency. The last infraction was in 2012.

Comer wrote in his request for freedom that if he got out he hoped to start a non-profit support ministry to provide character development and spiritual guidance to troubled kids.

"I have been blessed to with the opportunity to help young people within the prison," he wrote. "Today, God controls my life and spirituality is the cornerstone to all decisions that I make. I truly believe my calling is to give back to the community by sharing my story and experiences with the wayward youth of today."

Contact John O'Brien anytime | email | Twitter | 315-470-2187
Paint chips on window seat in old home

Peeling paint that contains lead poses a hazard to young children. Syracuse has the highest lead poisoning rate among children in the nation.

(XiFotos)

Michael Stanton is president of the Southeast University Neighborhood Association.

By Michael Stanton

A study released last month showed that Syracuse children have the highest rate of lead poisoning in the nation. Forty percent of Syracuse children living in ZIP codes beginning with the numbers 132 had blood lead levels between 5 micrograms per deciliter and 10 micrograms per deciliter; 16 percent had levels exceeding 10 micrograms per deciliter. That's more than double the level in Buffalo, with the next highest incidence of lead poisoning. Even at 2 micrograms per deciliter, lead can cause serious, irreversible health problems in children. Symptoms include headaches, abdominal pain, aggressive behavior, difficulty concentrating and memory loss. High levels of lead poisoning can be fatal.

This news has not set off alarm bells in our community. Are we so accustomed to bad news that something like this just rolls off us?

Rochester faced a similar problem a decade ago when tests showed children there suffered from lead poisoning at a rate 10 times higher than the national average. Local leaders said this was unacceptable. What resulted was a set of laws heralded by lead poisoning experts as the "smartest" in the nation. Over the next decade Rochester reduced the rate of lead poisoning in children by 85 percent.

What is the secret of Rochester's success? Rochester officials started looking for lead in rental housing rather than waiting to act only once a child had been poisoned. Several years of property inspections made clear that 90 percent of all lead hazards were in single- and double-unit rentals; Rochester then focused its efforts almost exclusively on this type of property.

In Syracuse, single- and double-unit rentals are the only type of property that is never examined, for lead or anything else. The only exception is the few properties renting to Section 8 tenants, which are inspected by the Syracuse Housing Authority. By state law, fraternities, sororities and dormitories must be inspected, inside and out, at least once a year. Rentals with three or more units must be examined at least once every three years. But the 9,000 one- and two-unit rental properties on the city's Rental Registry can go literally forever without an interior inspection.

Gary Kirkmire, Director of Inspection and Compliance Services for the city of Rochester, says that some landlords resisted the inspections at first, but they are now become commonplace. Landlord and tenant compliance with the inspections is now nearly 99 percent, with the city only rarely needing to force compliance through the courts.

Kirkmire says the city's attention toward one- and two-unit rentals has had benefits beyond lead poisoning reduction. Code inspectors ensure that all units have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. They also look for overcrowding and for illegal bedrooms in attics and basements where escape during a fire might be impossible. As a result, fire fatalities in this type of rental housing have become extremely rare.

There is now legislation before the Syracuse Common Council that would require periodic inspections of one- and two-unit rentals. It is patterned on Rochester's ordinance, which was upheld in 2011 by the state Supreme Court, Fourth Department - the same court that would hear any challenge to a Syracuse ordinance. A similar ordinance in Schenectady was ruled to be constitutional by the state Supreme Court in 2012, and by the U.S. District Court in 2015. Kirkmire says this type of inspection requirement is now well established in New York case law.

But the Syracuse legislation faces stiff opposition from a deep-pocketed coalition of area landlords. They may well succeed in blocking it.

Will Syracuse institute an inspection system similar to Rochester's, reducing our alarming rate of lead poisoning and ensuring a basic level of health and safety for single- and double-unit rentals? If we do not, the city's children will pay the price.
zoom.jpg

Zoom Flume Water Park in the Catskills is seen in an updated photo from the park's Facebook page.

(Zoom Flume Water Park via Facebook)

DURHAM, N.Y. -- An Upstate New York water park has fired a casting company after a talent scout called for "two well-groomed Caucasian families" to be featured in the park's latest ad campaign.

Denise Kerrigan, owner of Zoom Flume Water Park in East Durham in Greene County, said the planned casting call for Friday was canceled at 7 a.m. as soon as she saw the Facebook casting call.

Simultaneously, the New Paltz-based Cocca Casting was fired.

A call to Cocca Casting on Saturday was not returned.

"I totally disavow that post," Kerrigan said. "We had absolutely nothing to do with it. We did not authorize this."

Kerrigan said that Zoom Flume does not discriminate and that she employs 135 people of all races and nationalities. The owner said that the Catskills park's own Facebook page shows many families of color spending time at the facility.

"We have a Disney character visit the park each year," said Kerrigan. "Last year, we had an African-American girl."

The posting, which offered $125 per person with no experience necessary, was seen by families that frequent the park.

"We do not offer refunds," Kerrigan said. "But we love everyone to come to the park."

-- Wendy Liberatore, Times Union, Albany, N.Y.
A designated driver is a good idea, but not when the D.D. is also drinking -- and doesn't have a driver's license.

KOAT reports a New Mexico woman is accused of asking her 13-year-old grandson to drive her car when both she and the teen were drunk. According to the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, that's what happened when deputies pulled their car over early Thursday morning and found the teen at driving while intoxicated and his grandmother very inebriated in the back seat.

Sanjuana Mercado-Mendez, 52, was charged with child abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and having an open alcohol container in a motor vehicle. She was released Thursday night on a $2,500 unsecured bond.

According to the Albuquerque Journal, a deputy initiated a traffic stop after noticing a blue 1994 Oldsmobile sedan having trouble staying in its lane in Santa Fe, N.M. A sheriff's report said the driver jumped to the back seat and smelled of alcohol.

Deputies said the boy drank 16-ounce beer from a cooler found in the backseat and a breathalyzer found his blood alcohol content was 0.14, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08. He was taken into custody on charges of aggravated DWI, having an open alcohol container and other traffic violations; an instructional permit cannot be obtained in New Mexico until age 15, let alone a driver's license.

A 15-year-old girl who was also in the car was released to her mother.

Mercado-Mendez's record shows multiple run-ins with the law in the past few years. She had a driving with a revoked license charge dropped last year, pleaded guilty to driving without a license in 2013 and 2012, and was charged with larceny and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in 2014, though the charges were later dropped.
SHARE

Andrew Treacy, Stuart

Letter: These are Martin County's environmentalists, and these are pretenders

The day's mail brought a bevy of fliers from various candidates touting the usual experience, integrity and dedication ad nauseam.

One, however, impressed: Donna Melzer's was replete with beautiful pictures of flora, fauna and waterways, a true reflection of her tireless devotion to our environment (shame on the way-past-his-prime Nat Reed for endorsing environmental traitor John Haddox).

Melzer attended the 7/25 Ground Floor presentation regarding the devastating effects of the poisonous Roundup/glyphosate on our air and water.

There was zero presence from any city or county commissioner at this very informative meeting  zero again from any TCPalm columnist or Nat Reed.

Scott King, who is challenging Sunshine Law violation queen Laurie Gaylord for superintendent of schools, attended as did Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch who is giving Doug Smith well-deserved heartburn in the District 1 race.

Smith supported All Aboard Florida in 2014 and pretends to be an environmentalist every four years; his gall is unmitigated. In his life-or-death battle with Lippisch, he did not participate in the Conservation Alliance's recent forum at the Blake Library. Even turncoat Haddox showed up.

I guess Smith was too busy writing his farewell address or discussing political philosophy with the District 1 write-in candidate.

Good luck to worthy aspirants Scott King, Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch and Donna Melzer.
SHARE

MONDAY'S SPECIAL EVENTS

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.

Barn Theatre Auditions: Barn Theatre Auditions for "The Haunting of Hill House". 7 p.m. Aug. 8, 9. The Barn Theatre, 2400 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart. www.barn-theatre.com.

MONDAY'S RECURRING EVENTS

ART

Alizarin Crimson Art Studio: Over 30 years of Fine Art Instruction Painting Classes-All Levels. 9:30 a.m.-6:30 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.

Oil Painting with Carol: 9 a.m.-noon June 6-Dec. 1. Artist Nook, 45 Kindred St., Stuart. Adults. $30 per class. Register: 772-288-6371; keppca@bellsouth.net.

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.

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

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.

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.

Twilight Yoga at the Lighthouse: Experience the serenity of yoga on the Lighthouse Deck. 6 p.m. Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, 500 Captain Armour's Way, Jupiter. 561-747-8380; www.jupiterlighthouse.org.

Yogalates: Strengthen, Stretch and Tone the entire Body. 4-5 p.m. Bethel Creek House, 4405 North A1A, Vero Beach. $6 drop in fee. 772-216-3051; exerciselady@comcast.net.

Zumba Gold: 9-10 a.m. Kane Center, 900 S.E Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 50+. $4/$6. 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

GAMES

Social Bridge: Very friendly group for rubber bridge. 1 p.m. PSL Community Center, Airoso Blvd. & PSL Blvd., Port St. Lucie. All ages. $2. 772-332-8200; PSLSocialBridge@gmail.com.

OTHER

Open Mic Night: Get your Rock Star on every Monday night. 7-11 p.m. Terra Fermata, 26 S.E. 6th Street, Stuart. Ages: 18+. 772-286-5252; www.terrafermata.com.

MC Genealogical Society: Research assistance in Genealogy Room. Blake Library, 2351 S.E. Monterey Road, Stuart. 5:45-7:45 p.m. Ages: 12+. 772-220-1638; mcgensociety.org.

Piano Instruction: Beginners to concert level. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Shirley Heifetz, Jensen Beach. Ages: 8+. Registration: 772-934-6812.

TUESDAY'S RECURRING EVENTS

ARTS/CRAFTS

Alizarin Crimson Art Studio: Over 30 years of Fine Art Instruction Painting Classes-All Levels. 9:30 a.m.-6:30 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.

All Ages Oil Painting: Individually tailored oil painting classes with Kate Wood. Join anytime. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Alizarin Crimson Studio, 2611 E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart. All ages. $25. Register: 772-287-0835; katewoodartist@comcast.net.

Art Classes: Learning to paint for beginners or improve existing skills. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m./1-4:30 p.m. Kane Center, Salerno Road, Stuart. Adults. $25/$20 members. Register: 772-221-7640; brendaleigh737@gmail.com.

Painting Class: For Beginner Students. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 50+. $20/$25. 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

Painting Class: For Experienced Students. 1-4:30 p.m. Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 50+. $20/$25. 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

Peggy's Art Studio: Enjoy 3 hours of uninterrupted painting. Noon-3 p.m. MCP&R Log Cabin Senior Center, Langford Park, 2369 N.E. Dixie Highway, Jensen Beach. Multigenerational. $3. 772-334-2926; zcarter@martin.fl.us.

Children/TEENS

Family Story Time: 10 a.m. Ages: 0-12 months. Hoke Library, 1150 N.W. Jack Williams Way, Jensen Beach. 772-463-2870; library.martin.fl.us.

Family Story Time: 11 a.m. Ages: 1-4 years-old. Hoke Library, 1150 N.W. Jack Williams Way, Jensen Beach. 772-463-2870; library.martin.fl.us.

Family Story Time: Weekly story time designed for families. 10-10:30 a.m. Robert Morgade Library, 5851 S.E. Community Drive, Stuart. Ages: 0-3 years and up with parent. 772-463-3245; library.martin.fl.us.

Lighthouse Story Time & Crafts for Kids: Story time & craft activity under the Lighthouse Seminole Chickee. 10:30-11:15 a.m, Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, 500 Captain Armour's Way, Jupiter. Ages: 8 and under. RSVP required: 561-747-8380; www.jupiterlighthouse.org.

"Music & Movement": Parent/child classes designed to enhance child's growth and development. Ages: 19-26 months. 9-10 a.m. Florida Arts & Dance Studio, 938 S.E. Central Parkway, Stuart. 772-288-4150.

"Music & Movement": Parent/child classes designed to enhance child's growth and development. Ages: 27-60 months. 10:15-11:15 a.m. Florida Arts & Dance Studio, 938 S.E. Central Parkway, Stuart. 772-288-4150.

"Music & Movement": Parent/child classes designed to enhance child's growth and development. Ages: 3-11 months. Noon-1 p.m. Florida Arts & Dance Studio, 938 S.E. Central Parkway, Stuart. 772-288-4150.

"Music & Movement": Parent/child classes designed to enhance child's growth and development. Ages: 12-18 months. 1:15-2:15 p.m. Florida Arts & Dance Studio, 938 S.E. Central Parkway, Stuart. 772-288-4150.

Preschool FUNdamentals: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Peter and Julie Cummings Library, 2551 S.W. Matheson Ave., Palm City. Ages: 3-5 years. 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 Dance Class/New Season: 6:30 p.m. 2369 N.E. Dixie Highway, Jensen Beach. Ages: 16+. $9 pp. per class. Register: 772-529-3325; sdancer516@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.

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 basic 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 a.m.-noon. 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.

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

Carpro Autospa Night Car Show: 6-8 p.m., weather permitting. Lowe's Stuart, 3620 S.E. U.S. 1, Stuart. 772-285-3320.

Piano Instruction: Beginners to concert level. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Shirley Heifetz, Jensen Beach. Ages: 8+. Registration: 772-934-6812.

Toastmasters: Join us for lunch and experience what Toastmasters is about. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Palm City Presbyterian Church, large room in back, 2700 Martin Highway, Palm City. Ages: 18+. palmcityorators@gmail.com.

LOOKING AHEAD

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.

Kick off to Kindergarten: The event will give the children the chance to hop on a school bus, make healthy food choices, play with their new friends at recess and much more. 5-7 p.m. Aug. 10. The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast, 1707 N.E. Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach. Space is limited space, please register: 772-225-7575 or visit www.ChildrensMuseumTC.org.

Town Hall Meeting: Martin County District 3 Commissioner Anne Scott hosts, following the NAC meeting. 6 p.m. Aug. 10. Civic Center,15675 S.W. Oseola St., Indiantown.

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.

Sailfish Splash Waterpark: Free admission day to Martin County residents. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 11. Sailfish Splash Waterpark, 931 S.E. Ruhnke St., Stuart.

An Evening of Contemporary Dance: 7 p.m. Aug. 13. St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Cove Road, Port Salerno. $15 in advance/$20 at door. Ticket: 772-286-5455; stlukes@stlukesfl.org.

Required Minimum Distribution Workshop: What you need to know about RMD's if approaching 70. 2-3 p.m. Aug. 16, 18. Indian River State College - Wolf High Tech Center, 2400 Salerno Road, Building C, Room C102, Stuart. Adult. RSVP: 888-710-1002; www.peakcapital.fixedincomecounsel.com.

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.

Parent University: 9 a.m.-Noon. Aug. 20. Martin County High School, 2801 Kanner Highway, Stuart. martinschools.org.

Volunteer Open House: Noon-4 p.m. Aug. 20. Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 East Indiantown Road, Jupiter. 561-972-6105; brafkin@jupitertheatre.org.

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.

Hearing Health Event: Get your free hearing checked out by an expert. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 23 & 25. Professional Audiology Associates, 1045 Southeast Ocean Blvd., Ste. #4, Stuart. Reservation: 772-220-8354; www.hearinghealthusa.com/event/free-hearing-health-event-stuart-fl/.

Human Trafficking Coalition of the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee: Guest Speaker: Representative Gayle Harrell. 10-11 a.m. Aug. 23. Martin County Sheriff's Office, 800 S.E. Monterey Road, Stuart.

Brain Boosting Workshop: Four Week Brain Boosting Workshop. 3-4 p.m. Aug. 24. Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 60+. RSVP: 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

The Florida Chamber Foundation/Town Hall Meeting: Will roll out their 2030 plan. 8:30 a.m. Aug. 25. Indian River State College, 2400 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Register: floridaflcoc.wliinc25.com/cwt/external/wcpages/wcevents/eventregistration.aspx?LK=BD8P5F7I704R1Q4L7Y4W4C2R48&EventID=674F5P.

Summer Beach Party: Social Dance Party and Dinner. 7-10 p.m. Aug. 26. Jensen Beach Ballroom, 881 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach. Ages: 18+. $12 per person. 772-444-7003; JensenBeachBallroom.com.

Club Scrub River Paddle II & The End of Summer: Fundraiser that will benefit JDSP Camp Murphy Mountain Bike Trails. 8 a.m. Aug. 27. Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Swim Beach River Area, S.E. U.S. 1, Hobe Sound. Clubscrub.org.

Treasure Coast Yard Sale: Community yard sale & auction. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 27. Martin County Fairgrounds, 2616 S.E. Dixie Highway, Stuart. All Ages. $0-50. Register: TreasureCoastYardSale.com.

SEPTEMBER

Bankruptcy and Fair Debt Collections  Know Your Rights: Clinics on Bankruptcy and Fair Debt Collections. 6 p.m. 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.

Crary Buchanan 9-11 Memorial Blood Drive: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 10. Crary Buchanan Law, 759 S. U.S. 1, Stuart and Jetson Appliance and Electronics, 4145 S. U.S. 1, Fort Pierce.
<p>Photo provided Walton Acquisitions FL LLC purchased this 400-acre tract in Fort Pierce, northwest of Midway Road and Interstate 95, to join with an adjoining 116-acre parcel in unincorporated county to create the Villages of Midway.</p>

SHARE

By Keona Gardner of TCPalm

ST. LUCIE COUNTY ? A Canadian real estate investment firm has purchased more than 500 acres northwest of Midway Road and west of Interstate 95 for a future development, the Villages of Midway.

Walton Acquisitions FL LLC purchased 516 acres ? a 400-acre tract in Fort Pierce and an adjoining 116-acre tract in unincorporated county ? for a combined $5 million, according to documents filed with the St. Lucie County Clerk of Court.

The firm's parent company is Walton International, a privately owned real estate investment and land development firm based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The firm's U.S. headquarters is in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Officials have not decided whether the project would be residential, commercial, or mixed use, Bob Sebesta, Walton's general manager for Florida wrote Thursday in an email.

"We are in the early stages (of) developing a conceptual plan for the property that will incorporate the property's natural features as well as the historical and cultural features of Fort Pierce and the surrounding communities," Sebesta wrote.

He said company officials chose the area for its growth potential.

"The Fort Pierce/Port St. Lucie area is well positioned for future growth as the state continues to be a favored destination for both residents from other states as well as other countries," Sebesta wrote.

Both parcels are zoned agricultural at 2.5 units per acre.

"Although we do not have a proposed plan for the property, it is likely that the future use will be something other than agricultural," Sebesta wrote. "However, until that process is complete, we intend to continue with the current agricultural use."

Meanwhile, the firm is selling lots to private foreign investors, according to documents filed with the St. Lucie County Clerk of Court.

Walton has divided the lots among more than 1,000 private investors but the firm retains a 5 percent ownership stake, records show.

The firm will act as the project's operator. The individual, mostly foreign investors do not have the right to live on or sell the land, records state.

Before development can occur, Walton officials would have to choose whether the project would be in Fort Pierce or the county and seek annexation.

"In all likelihood, the parcel in the county would be annexed into the city of Fort Pierce," said County Planning Manager Leslie Olson. "They wouldn't have to meet with us but apply for annexation through the city of Fort Pierce."

Fort Pierce Planning Manager Rebecca Grohall on Thursday wrote in an email that she met with Walton representatives in October when the firm was exploring options for the property. However, she hasn't heard from them since the group purchased the land.

"We welcome development on that parcel and will work with them to provide the support they need for a successful project," Grohall wrote Friday in an email.

Nikolaus Schroth, vice president and broker associate with the Stuart-based NAI Southcoast, who facilitated the land deal, said the Walton firm is known in the development community for building large mixed-use communities.

"Walton is a buyer of acreage. What they like to do is buy large tracts of land and develop it, putting in infrastructure and whatever is needed to make it a livable community," Schroth said.
SHARE

Efrem Neal, 24, 3300 block of Avenue R, Fort Pierce; possession of a controlled substance (hydromorphone); possession of a controlled substance (oxycodone). (

Suzanne Browne, 48, 1100 block of 17th Avenue, Vero Beach; possession of cocaine.

Deyontay Miles, 22, 4100 block of 39th Drive, Vero Beach; possession of cocaine with intent to sell; possession of a controlled substance (hydromorphone).

Thomas Frost, 34, 2100 block of 87th Avenue, Vero Beach; discharge of a firearm from a vehicle by an occupant; shooting or throwing a deadly missile; criminal mischief.

Unique Hanford, 20, 900 block of Sixth Street, Vero Beach; aggravated assault; aggravated assault (domestic violence).

Shantavia Mahaffey, 24, 500 block of Howie Drive, Fort Pierce; out-of-county warrant, Orange County, violation of probation, grand theft.

Calista Krasotkin, 33, 3700 block of 21st Street, Vero Beach; possession of a controlled substance (oxycodone).

Sylvester Mitchell, 21, 900 block of 35th Avenue, Vero Beach; possession of a controlled substance.

Shalanda Spearman, 27, 200 block of Sixth Avenue, Vero Beach; warrant for violation of probation, retail theft in concert with others.

Chad Carter, 45, 400 block of Brocksmith Road, Fort Pierce; warrant for violation of probation, attempted robbery.

Robin Pearce, 34, Rockledge; out-of-county warrant, Brevard County, failure to appear, petty theft, more than two convictions.

Robert Heath, 22, no street address/city; warrant for battery with prior conviction.

Christopher Amarante, 27, 14000 block of U.S. 1, Vero Beach; possession of a controlled substance (suboxone).

Patricia Silver, 64, 400 block of 12th Street, Vero Beach; warrant for unlawfully conducting a bingo game.

Dennis Silver, 67, 400 block of 12th Street, Vero Beach; warrant for unlawfully conducting a bingo game.

Amber Kimmel, 42, 8700 block of 20th Street, Vero Beach; out-of-county warrant, St. Lucie County, uttering a forged instrument.

Kitty Brown, 53, 14000 block of U.S. 1, Sebastian; possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (subutex)

Jalisa Brown, 27, 4200 block of 20th Avenue, Vero Beach; out-of-county warrant, Brevard County, second amended violation of probation, grand theft; hold, Indian River County, introduction of contraband into a detention facility, tampering with or destroying evidence. Arrested in St. Lucie County.
SEBASTIAN  A motorist speeding from police early Sunday crashed into a power pole about 6 a.m., blowing up an electrical transformer along Main Street, police said.

Then, according to Police Commander John Blackledge, the driver hid out for hours in the adjoining 450-acre North Sebastian Conservation Area, a wooded nature preserve that has ponds and alligators.

Police converged on the area and waited. At 9:30 a.m. Officer Shawn Daley spotted a man walking across Main Street and made an arrest. 'He was compliant,' Blackledge said of the arrest of Michael Bray, 22, of Deerfield Beach.

The incident began at 5:45 a.m. when police learned someone was driving in circles near the intersection of County Road 512 and Powerline Road. As officers arrived, the Pontiac GT vehicle spent northward on Powerline Road 'at a high rate of speed,' Blackledge said.

Police backed off but still followed the vehicle. About 1 1 /2 miles north of C.R. 512, Powerline Road dead-ends at Main Street. There the car swerved, hitting the power pole, he said.

Bray is charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. An investigation continues.

Bray is being held without bail in the Indian River County Jail pending a bail bond hearing Monday.
SHARE

Gino Solimini, 21, Palm Springs; warrant for violation of probation, burglary of an occupied dwelling while armed.

Valentine Martinez, 35, Okeechobee; warrants for failure to appear, possession of methamphetamine, court order to revoke bond, possession of methamphetamine.

Cecil Adams, 43, 1300 block of North 24th Street, Fort Pierce; warrant for sale and delivery of cocaine.

Maureen Cummings, 25, 1700 block of Southeast Clearmont Street, Port St. Lucie; warrant for violation of probation, sale, manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of hydromorphone.

Veronique Saint Juste Louisme, 42, 1100 block of Southeast Proctor Lane, Port St. Lucie; fleeing/eluding police  failure to obey officer's order to stop.

Daniel Manrique, 42, Miami; larceny/retail theft in coordination with others.

Luis Roldan, 30, 300 block of Silverstream Circle, Fort Pierce; warrant for court order for pretrial detention, possession of cocaine.

Carroll Sherrill, 46, 5700 block of Pinetree Drive, Port St. Lucie; warrant for violation of probation, DUI impairment, driving without a valid driver's license.

Heather Saltalamacchia, 36, 4400 block of Southwest Gagnon Road, Port St. Lucie; out-of-county warrant, Palm Beach County, grand theft.

Bradley Krist, 20, 1700 block of Southwest Ardmore Street, Port St. Lucie; dealing in stolen property.

Sherika Atmore, 37, 400 block of North 23rd Street, Fort Pierce; aggravated battery  offender knew/should have known victim was pregnant.

Charles Cravish, 33, 900 block of Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Pierce; possession of cocaine.

Ryan Horton, 34, 1100 block of Southeast 12th Street, Stuart; robbery with a firearm; aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; kidnapping/false imprisonment of adult.

Jason Acrey, 35, 2600 block of North U.S. 1, Fort Pierce; warrant for violation of probation, battery.

Kevin Wade, 32, 800 block of Southwest Nichols Terrace, Port St. Lucie; warrant for sale or delivery of heroin, possession of heroin.

Porsha Randle, 29, Orlando; driving while license suspended.

Tobias Thomas, 31, 500 block of Ixoria Avenue, Fort Pierce; warrant for possession of cocaine.

Darius Love, 41, 600 block of 21st Street, Fort Pierce; warrant for possession of cocaine.

Kimberly Guastalli, 37, 4200 block of Southwest Tumble Street, Port St. Lucie; warrant for possession of butalbital.

Christopher Ivanoff, 50, 100 block of Oneida Way, Fort Pierce; driving while license suspended, third or subsequent offense.

Melissa Ford, 23, 6400 block of South U.S. 1, Port St. Lucie; warrants for petty theft, giving false information to a pawnbroker, dealing in stolen property.

Cassandra Robinson, 35, Gainesville; driving while license suspended, habitual offender.

Efrain Hernandez, 22, Fort Myers; DUI  unlawful blood alcohol level of .15 or higher with person under 18, third offense.

Gordon Raymond, 25, 500 block of Southwest Bayshore Boulevard, Port St. Lucie; escape; obstruction of justice  tampering in a misdemeanor proceeding; warrant for violation of probation, grand theft auto.

Monique James, 30, 400 block of Southeast Guava Terrace, Port St. Lucie; aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Gnita Simmons, 41, 600 block of Northwest Winfield Drive, Port St. Lucie; out-of-county warrant, Brevard County, grand theft, fraud.

Crystal Mike, 33, 100 block of Southwest Glenwood Drive, Port St. Lucie; warrant for grand theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, organized fraud.

Daniel Roberts, 20, 300 block of Southwest Atlas Terrace, Port St. Lucie; larceny/grand theft; fraud  giving false ownership information on pawned items; dealing in stolen property.

Mercedes Esquivel, 55, 3100 block of Southwest Chilton Court, Port St. Lucie; larceny/grand theft.

Aaron Larkin, 31, Orlando; fleeing/eluding officer with lights/siren active.

Nicole Michel, 24, 2800 block of Stoneway Lane, Fort Piercel; battery on a detention facility employee with fluids.

Ronald Mix, 61, 3900 block of Southwest Jarmer Road, Port St. Lucie; warrants for grand theft, criminal use of personal I.D. information.

Bendrell Johnson, 18, 5100 block of La Salle Street, Fort Pierce; homicide  first-degree, premeditated murder.

Marcus Jones, 16, 3100 block of Avenue K, Fort Pierce; homicide  first-degree, premeditated murder.

Efrem Neal, 24, 3300 block of Avenue R, Fort Pierce; possession of a controlled substance (hydromorphone); possession of a controlled substance (oxycodone). Arrested in Indian River County.

Shantavia Mahaffey, 24, 500 block of Howie Drive, Fort Pierce; out-of-county warrant, Orange County, violation of probation, grand theft. Arrested in St. Lucie County.

Chad Carter, 45, 400 block of Brocksmith Road, Fort Pierce; warrant for violation of probation, attempted robbery. Arrested in Indian River County.

Jalisa Brown, 27, 4200 block of 20th Avenue, Vero Beach; out-of-county warrant, Brevard County, second amended violation of probation, grand theft; hold, Indian River County, introduction of contraband into a detention facility, tampering with or destroying evidence.

Miguel Interian, 40, 2000 block of One Plus Place, Fort Pierce; warrant for court order, aggravated battery.
St. Lucie Lock and Dam, Lake Okeechobee discharges, Lake Okeechobee, water, aerial, aerials, Army Corps of Engineers, Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie estuary (LEAH VOSS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS) TAKEN: Monday, April 4, 2016

SHARE

By Isadora Rangel of TCPalm

Florida Senate President-Designate Joe Negron will announce a plan to reduce Lake Okeechobee discharges Tuesday in Stuart, his office said.

That plan, which he plans to present to the Legislature next year, is based on information he gathered from meetings he held last week with environmentalists, government agencies and other stakeholders, Senate spokeswoman Katie Betta said.

Details about Negron's plan weren't made public Monday. He seemed focused on buying land south of the lake, said Audubon Florida Executive Director Eric Draper, who met with Negron. That land would be used to build reservoirs to send the water into the Everglades instead of into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers.

"That was clearly his major focus," Draper said.

Negron, R-Stuart, pushed to fund a 2015 University of Florida Water Institute study that found 11,000 to 120,000 acres of additional storage south of the lake are needed to significantly curb discharges. He sponsored a law this year to use money from Amendment 1 for Everglades restoration with a focus on projects that reduce discharges. Voters approved the amendment in 2014 to set aside dollars for land and water conservation. Negron, who didn't return calls for comment Monday afternoon, will preside over the Senate in 2017-18.

Negron told Treasure Coast Newspapers in May he was asking these questions to conservationists, the agriculture and businesses communities: what's the best way to reduce discharges; why is their proposal feasible and how much will it cost?

Draper said he suggested to Negron last week the state should use 16,000 acres it currently leases to sugar company Florida Crystals in Palm Beach County to store more lake water in the short term.

Nonprofit One Florida Foundation founder Don Voss, who also met with Negron, said he suggested the state invest more in storage north, east and west of the lake in addition to south.

If you go

What: Announcement on Lake Okeechobee discharge reduction plan

When: 11 a.m. Tuesday

Where: Flagler Place, 201 S.W. Flagler Ave., Stuart
A replica of the railway village created by volunteer Nat Huggins at Fellsmere City Hall.

SHARE Photos by Fran Foster Fellsmere City Manager Jason Nunemaker discusses how the original Section Foremen's House will be part of the railway village the city is creating over the next few years. A sign indicating the previous location of the Section Foremen's House as part of an overall history project in Fellsmere. Inside the Section Foremen's House from the front door looking out to the back door. The house was divided into two sections to meet the needs of multiple foremen.

By Fran Foster, The Newsweekly

The oldest surviving structure in Fellsmere has a new place to call home.

The Section Foremen's House is the last remaining original component of Fellsmere's railway system  a genuine reflection of the city and county's rich past.

The relocation is part of a North County project designed to entice history buffs to visit.

City Manager Jason Nunemaker noted that the city recently received three different grants to help develop what he hopes will become a "must stop" destination for those interested in the history of Florida and the county's first railroad.

"Places like St. Augustine have building after building of historical nature, which draws interest," he said. "We want to save as much as we can of our railway heritage and there are very few buildings in the whole county that haven't been restored or renovated like the Foremen's House."

The history of the railway goes back to 1896. In 1924, the name of the Fellsmere Railroad was changed to the Trans Florida Central Railroad so the house became its property, too. Not even thirty years later, the Interstate Commerce Commission approved the abandonment of the Trans Florida Central Railroad and shut it down on November 30, 1952.

Although all of the other railroad structures built in the early days were eventually demolished, the Section Foremen's House remained and was occupied as a residence. Kirby and Evelyn Yates Cruce and family were its last residents. They moved out in the latter part of 2013.

Big idea

The relocation of the house is part of a major project: a "village" filled with buildings that once stood in the area. Because the Foremen's House is the only original left, the others will have to be re-created.

The idea is for the area to be a place where visitors and residents can stroll among replicas of the historical jail, the water tower that used to feed the steam trains, the blacksmith and machine shops, and the cart barn where they parked the train cars when they weren't in use.

Fellsmere Community Development Director Mark Mathes is also deeply involved in the project.

"It's going to be a place to come and take a nice little walk around a beautiful lake," says Mathes. "The lake will be a great centerpiece and we hope to have plaques, old photos and artifacts we can gather up so visitors will get a true sense of the history. After walking around the lake, they can go downtown on Broadway, visit a couple of restaurants, then the cart barn which will be a couple of blocks away.

"The longterm goal is, with the I-95 bridge, the trail will actually connect all the way to downtown Sebastian."

The city received three different grants that will allow them to create the village. The first grant is for the replica of the historic train station, which is being constructed as part of the recreational trails grant funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. It will reside at the end of Broadway Street and South Carolina Avenue. They are hoping to find an original locomotive from the era to include at the station.

The second grant, a historical preservation grant through the Florida Department of State, is for the Section Foremen's House, which is already underway.

Time capsule

According to Votapka, The Fellsmere Railroad was completed by early September 1910 to replace the shorter, narrow-gauge railroad from the 1890s. There were two section gangs that maintained the track and each gang had its own foreman. Apparently, the house was a duplex that served as the residence for two section foremen.

"If you look in the house, it's divided into two separate areas with one general walkway," explains Votapka. "It's amazing what great condition the house remains in and that you can really understand that there were two different gangs using the building."

The third grant is a cultural facilities grant through the Department of State, which will fund the rest of the buildings. The entire project will be constructed during the next two to three years. The first phase, including the new lake and foremen's house, should be completed within six to eight months.

"Fellsmere in particular owes its success and growth to the railways," said Mathes. "This village will be a nice way to celebrate our beginnings, and bring visitors to learn about our history and contribution to the area. We hope that our residents will utilize the area, whether with children playing, weddings, various events and just bringing people together to enjoy the effort of preserving old Florida."

A complete model of the village is on display at the Fellsmere City Hall in the Old Schoolhouse, thanks to volunteer Nat Huggins who created the model. The address is 22 S. Orange St., or visit the website at www.cityoffellsmere.org
SHARE

By Joe Hudak, Your Newsweekly Contributor

Three graduating seniors from Vero Beach High School have been awarded $1,000 scholarships from the Italian American Civic Association of Vero Beach.

The three students were selected for their community involvement, academics and school activities.

The students are Patrick Zatz, Megan Reyer and Gabrielle Eaton.

Club president Anthony Andola met with the three students on pizza night at the Italian American Club and were told of their selection.
Anti-virus software is often used to mitigate all sorts of attacks levied against computers, but what about their displays? Turns out, those can be manipulated in much the same manner as a pair of security researchers have demonstrated.

At the annual Def Con hacker convention in Las Vegas, Ang Cui and Jatin Kataria from Red Balloon Security said that in their spare time over the past two years, they reverse-engineered a Dell U2410 monitor to determine how it worked. In the process, they discovered that Dell hadn't implemented any security with regard to how they update the display controller's firmware.

What this means is that someone with access to the monitor's USB or HDMI port can manipulate the on-screen pixels with nefarious intent. In one example, the two demonstrated the ability to change a PayPal account balance from $0 to $1 million.

In theory, cyber attackers could use the method to permanently display a message on a screen and only remove it if a ransom is paid. I'm not exactly sure how that would actually play out given the need for physical access to the monitor but it's at least plausible.

What's more, a bad actor could use the technique to spy on a user by logging the pixels that the monitor generates.

Although they've only performed the hack on a Dell monitor, the security researchers said it's also theoretically possible to replicate the attack on displays from other brands including Acer, Hewlett Packard and Samsung.

The duo say their goal is to raise awareness for monitor security.

Those interested in checking out the code behind the technique can do so by clicking here.

Image courtesy Pressmaster, Shutterstock
A girl in South Carolina died after contracting a brain-eating amoeba.

Eleven-year-old Hannah Katherine Collins, who was chosen as the Young Miss at Walterboro's annual Miss Rice Festival in April this year, was believed to have been infected with the naegleria fowleri amoeba while she was swimming in the Edisto River near Charleston on July 24.

Collins was given treatment but it was revealed on Thursday, Aug. 4, that she had suffered irreparable brain damage. The drug administered to her was not given early enough to avoid the fatal consequences of the infection. She passed away at the Medical University of South Carolina on Friday night.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed earlier of a patient in South Carolina who has contracted naegleria fowleri but federal privacy laws prevented health authorities and the hospital to provide more information about the patient.

The girl's family has already set up a GoFundMe page to help them with the funeral expenses as well as to raise awareness about the deadly amoeba.

"My beautiful angel Hannah. I feel her with me as I try to go through my day. I pray she gives me the strength to conquer the hard days ahead of me. My baby girl will always be with me and I will try to find comfort in the fact I will one day be united with her in her new home, Heaven," Collins' mother wrote on Facebook.

State epidemiologist Linda Bell said that the naegleria fowleri occurs naturally and can be found in many warm bodies of water such as rivers, lakes and streams but infection rarely occurs. The amoeba is not present in salt water like the ocean and infection rarely happens with swimming pools that do not have adequate levels of chlorine. Infection often requires very specific circumstances.

"Very rarely, infections have been reported when people submerge their heads, cleanse their noses during religious practices, or irrigate their sinuses (nose) using contaminated tap or faucet water," the CDC said. "You can only be infected when contaminated water goes up into your nose."

Over the past 10 years, the United States has only seen fewer than 40 cases of the infection. Bell said that infection is very difficult to contract as exposure often results in the amoeba dying before it can cause infection. Nonetheless, she advised avoiding water-related activities in warm and poorly treated water.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The first asthma drug in 20 years designed to reduce the severity of the condition has been hailed as a "game-changer" by experts in the United Kingdom.

Researchers from the University of Leicester discovered that the new drug called Fevipiprant can lessen the symptoms  such as inflammation  in patients.

The new pill offers "massive" hope for the more than 5 million asthma sufferers in the country, experts say.

"This new drug could be a game changer for future treatment of asthma," says Chris Brightling, lead author of a new study on Fevipiprant and university professor.

Controlling Asthma

Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the airways in the lungs and inflicts wheezing, cough or breathlessness.

Most people use inhalers to help control their asthma, but some people still have persistent symptoms.

What's more, flare-ups can be fatally dangerous. In fact, statistics from Asthma UK show that approximately 1,216 people have died from the condition in 2014.

In a new study, experts from the University of Leicester looked at 61 individuals who had suffered from severe asthma despite using steroid inhalers and receiving regular checkups from specialists.

About half of the participants received 225mg of Fevipiprant twice a day for 12 weeks, while the remaining participants took a placebo.

Fevipiprant and the placebo were added to the medications that the patients were already taking.

In the end, scientists found that Fevipiprant strongly decreased the symptoms of asthma, reduced inflammation, improved lung function and healed the lining of airways.

Gaye Stokes has had severe asthma for 16 years and received Fevipiprant during the small-scale trial. She says she felt like a "completely different person" after taking it.

"[I] was less wheezy," says Stokes, now age 54. "And for the first time in years, I felt really, really well."

Stokes added that once she stopped receiving the drug after the 12-week trial, her asthma quickly deteriorated once again.

Hope For Future Treatments

With that, researchers explained that the drug is still part of an early proof-of-concept study. Large-scale and long-term clinical trials will be conducted to see if Fevipiprant can help patients get by their everyday life.

Still, Samantha Walker of Asthma UK believes the new drug is promising and should be greeted with "cautious optimism."

Walker says the likelihood of taking an asthma pill instead of an inhaler will be welcomed, especially because the study focused on patients who developed the condition later in life. Some of these patients struggle with the dexterity required in using an inhaler, she says.

Meanwhile, Professor Brightling says the new drug could help stop preventable asthma attacks, lower hospital admission rates and improve everyday symptoms.

Details of the new study are published in the journal The Lancet.

Photo: Ben Dalton | Flickr

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A swarm of bees estimated to number between 30,000 to 60,000 attacked people in a Walmart parking lot in Oklahoma City. Three people were hospitalized as a result of the incident.

Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) spokesperson Lara O'Leary said that two of those who were taken to the hospital were transported in serious condition after they were stung on Saturday morning after the insects escaped from three hives.

The incident started about 10:30 a.m. when a person who sells beehives met a buyer in the parking lot of the Walmart Neighborhood Market off Sooner Road and the bees escaped.

EMSA field operations supervisor Colin Roy explained that the movement of the bees from one car to another disturbed the bees and likely caused them to escape. Three hives were being sold, and each of these contains more than 10,000 bees.

"The bee keeper that we spoke to on the scene said that each hive can have up to 22,000 bees and at the time there were three hives she counted and she said they were about half full at that time," Roy said, explaining that there were at least 30,000 bees.

He said that attacks of large bee swarms such as this are not common since most bee attacks only involve between one and two bees. An attack by a swarm, though, poses more concern because bees may sting the same person. The swelling from multiple stings may eventually affect the person's eyesight and breathing.

Bee stings in people who have insect sting allergy may also cause a potentially deadly anaphylactic reaction. In May, an attack of aggressive bees in northern California left two dogs dead.

Several people in the area were stung. When honeybees sting, they release pheromones that also prompt other bees nearby to attack.

Oklahoma City Fire Battalion Chief Benny Fulkerson said that beekeepers were called to gather the bees.

One of the firefighters who responded was also stung but did not need medical attention, Fulkerson said. The fire crews sprayed water in the area to distract the bees and prevent them from attacking people nearby.

Walmart was evacuated for several hours because of the danger posed by the swarm of bees. Beekeepers and responders worked together to keep people safe.

EMSA officials said that they have removed the truck that was used to bring in the bees because it could attract the insects back to the area.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Microsoft is allegedly gearing up to release the successor of the Surface Pro 4, dubbed the Surface Pro 5, in 2017. The impending tablet will also supposedly come with Intel's next-gen Kaby Lake chipset in tow.

The Surface Pro 5 was initially scheduled to be unveiled this June, but as we reported early that month, Intel confirmed that it would be releasing the next-gen Kaby Lake processor by the end of 2016.

Considering the device did not debut in June, it seems Microsoft has opted to go ahead with the Kaby Lake processor-powered Surface Pro 5 and, therefore, pushed back the tablet's release to next year.

"The hybrid tablet was scheduled to be launched this fall, but the company has bigger plans for the said device and opted for a 2017 release. Reports suggest that the company thought that the Surface Pro 5 will have an upper hand if the tablet will be preloaded with Intel's next generation chipset, the Kaby Lake," notes Vine Report.

The Surface Pro 4 was unveiled in October 2015, so an educated guess would be that Microsoft will launch the successor Surface Pro 5 in the same period this year. However, unlike many companies such as Apple and Samsung that follow an annual cycle for their products, Microsoft has not followed a particular launch cycle for its Surface Pro tablets.

The original Surface Pro debuted in June 2012, followed by a February 2013 release. The second-gen Surface Pro 2 was unveiled in September 2013, followed by its release a month later. Its successor, the Surface Pro 3, was shown off in May 2014 and released a month later.

Therefore, the erratic product cycle for the Surface Pro 5 makes it virtually impossible to forecast a launch window for the Surface Pro 5 with certainty.

This is not the first time murmurs of Microsoft eyeing a 2017 release for the Surface Pro 5 have surfaced online. Earlier in June, reports pointed to the laptop-tablet hybrid's arrival being possibly delayed due to the arrival of the seventh-gen Intel processor, that is, Kaby Lake in late 2016. Microsoft was apparently looking to align the release schedule of the device with the Intel processor's arrival.

"Microsoft may be adjusting their schedule in order to align with the Kaby Lake's release. If the device can't make it this year, it may come out in 2017," noted The Christian Times.

The faster Kaby Lake processor powering the Surface Pro 5 is not the only reason behind the device's delay. Microsoft is also reportedly waiting for the arrival of the Redstone 2 update, the fourth milestone for Windows 10 OS.

The Surface Pro 5 is rumored to house a 4K Ultra HD screen and boast USB Type-C port support. It will also offer an improved battery life and 16 GB of storage. A patent from Microsoft also hints at a magnetic dock and a rechargeable Surface Pen. The base model of the tablet is rumored to be priced around the $899 mark.

Will Microsoft announce the Surface Pro 5 immediately after the release of the Intel chipset and release the device in spring 2017? We will have to wait and watch!

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Apple is slated to unveil the next-gen iPhone 7 smartphone in September, and now rumor has it that the handset will indeed come with a pressure-sensitive home button (instead of a physical click) and a dual-lens camera system, and without the standard headphone jack.

The confirmation comes courtesy of a Bloomberg report that cites anonymous sources familiar with the matter and reveals that the iPhone 7 and its bigger sibling the iPhone 7 Plus will sport a similar design as that of predecessors iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

"The standout features will be a dual-camera system on the larger iPhone, a re-engineered home button that responds to pressure with haptic feedback and the removal of the devices' headphone jack, said the people, who didn't want to be identified discussing unannounced features," revealed the publication.

This is not the first time murmurs pertaining to these features have surfaced online.

Earlier in June, an alleged image of the iPhone 7 showing off the front panel of the upcoming handset leaked online courtesy of publication MobiPicker.

The leaked image hinted at a tweaked home button, which appeared flat and suggested that Apple was poised to house a pressure-sensitive button. However, the images were blurred and the authenticity could not be established.

We also reported that the iPhone 7 could come with a Force Touch home button as forecasted by analysts from Cowen and Company. The physical home button would essentially be replaced by one that deployed the company's Force Touch tech.

The pressure-sensitive home button would respond to haptic feedback vis-a-vis a physical click. This mechanism will be akin to the one found on the new MacBook lineup, according to Bloomberg's sources.

The current report also shares that while the design sensibilities for the iPhone 7 will be the same with its predecessor, the handset will benefit from minor tweaks. A notable change will be that Apple is set to discard the two innermost antenna lines, which can be espied on the rear of the present-gen iPhones.

The publication also confirms previous assertions of the iPhone 7 coming sans a headphone jack. Instead, Apple will be pushing Lightning and Bluetooth-supported headphones. The removal of the jack will apparently enable the company to introduce another speaker into the device, which will enhance the volume and sound quality of the handset's speaker system.

With regard to the dual-camera lens system  a feature rumored previously as well  the report reveals that the two sensors will have the capability to capture colors in a different way.

They will also be able to shoot pictures in tandem with each other, which can be merged to create a single image. Thanks to these features of the dual-camera lens, the detailing and brightness of the photos will get enhanced manifold. Moreover, it will also improve the quality of images shot in low-light conditions.

Whether these features will actually see the light of day when the iPhone 7 launches this year is anybody's guess. As always, we'll keep you posted.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
flare

For months, review sites including Yelp and TripAdvisor have accused Google of unfairly burying their search results down its search page and instead favoring its own offerings.

In November, Google said this was caused by a "bug" and that it was working on a fix, to which Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman responded: "Google is sounding about as truthful as Trump."

Now Stoppelman has been given a new reason to complain about Google's practices, Recode reported.

Earlier this month, Google launched a new search feature called "must-try," which features a carousel of reviews of restaurants from sites including Zagat, which Google owns, as well as other publishers.

The problem, for companies like Yelp and TripAdvisor, is that this feature pushes search results for their site's reviews right down the search results page  and, in some cases, off the first page altogether, as Stoppelman outlined in this tweet:

Google monopolist not satisfied with above the fold they've now claimed "page 2" cc @kaufer #byeorganic pic.twitter.com/qGXmt2Z5K5  Jeremy Stoppelman (@jeremys) August 5, 2016

Stoppelman argues that this is a monopolistic practice because Yelp has "well over 4X" the reviews on this particular business, so its site should be favored over one that Google owns.

TripAdvisor CEO Stephen Kaufer also tweeted unfavorably about the new development:

If Google would just let users search the web instead of foisting their content upon us... https://t.co/RuoaFLh3I0  stephen kaufer (@kaufer) August 5, 2016

Google declined to comment.

Story continues

As Recode notes, both TripAdvisor and Yelp are complainants in the European Union's antitrust case against Google, which is looking into whether the search giant deliberately promotes its own products over those of rivals.

In 2013, the US Federal Trade Commission dropped its antitrust investigation into Google's search practices.

NOW WATCH: A psychologist reveals a trick to stop being lazy





More From Business Insider


Symantec reports on the activity of a previously mysterious group dubbed "Strider" that deploys cyber-espionage actions against targets in Belgium, China, Sweden and Russia.

The American-based security company warns that the group has been active since October 2011 and might be in close ties with a national intelligence agency. Symantec identifies one of the main tools of Strider as Remsec (Backdoor.Remsec), which is a complex example of hidden malware.

As opposed to malware that gets entangled in an individual machine, Remsec spyware crawls throughout the network of organizations, giving hackers total control over the machines it infects. Some of its malicious capabilities are the theft of files and various data and the ability to login keystrokes.

According to the researchers, the source code of Remsec has references to Sauron, the all-seeing evil character from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Symantec decided to refer to the group as "Strider," a name belonging to another leading character in J.R.R. Tolkien's books.

Based on the high number of headlines that reports on novel cyber-spying attack types, it may seem that Remsec is just another flaw in security. However, Symantec's head of security response, Orla Fox, points out that the discovery of a special class of spyware such as Remsec is something to be noted. The reason behind it is that the cyber protection industry merely discovers one or two such campaigns on a yearly basis.

Among the identified victims of Strider, we find four organizations and Russian individuals, a Chinese airline company, a Swedish organization and an embassy in Belgium. Symantec did not reveal the country the embassy belongs to.

"Based on the espionage capabilities of its malware and the nature of its known targets, it is possible that the group is a nation state-level attacker," Symantec notes.

The cybersecurity venture refused to reveal speculations pertaining to which government or governments might be tied to Strider's actions.

Meanwhile, research firm Kaspersky Lab also confirmed the existence of the spyware. Kaspersky affirms that it is planning to publish more details about its findings at a later date.

Interestingly enough, Remsec seems to have taken a page out of another older piece of "nation state-grade" malware. The inspiration for Remsec seems to have been Flamer, or Flame, a piece of code that was used by operational cyber espionage in recent years.

Computer experts are tracing a connection between the Flamer malware and Stuxnet, a military-grade computer virus. Security researchers claim that Stuxnet has been deployed by the United States and Israel against Iran's nuclear program in the last decade.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
German state authorities have recently criticized Facebook for its reluctance to cooperate in criminal investigations, but the social network denies the claims and says it's committed to helping authorities combat terrorism.

Germany has faced a number of attacks recently, and authorities have called on Facebook and other websites to help with investigations by immediately handing over data when requested to do so.

Facebook was said to be reluctant in complying with such requests to help authorities, but the social networking company says it's not the case. According to Facebook, many requests it received to turn over user data were in fact incorrectly formulated, suggesting that this may have hindered the process.

In turn, this may be what prompted German interior ministers to complain that Facebook is not responding to requests for data as promptly as it should. To address this situation, German officials have asked the Federal Justice Ministry to introduce new laws, local news outlet Die Welt reported.

Facebook, for its part, argues that it has provided proper assistance to authorities in Bavaria after the recent attacks in Munich, Wurzburg and Ansbach. A spokesperson for the Justice Ministry says there are ongoing efforts to determine whether this situation with Facebook stems from a need to change the law, or whether the implementation is in fact the problem.

The recent uptick in attacks in Germany had increased the need for security agencies to work with technology companies and social networks to discover potential links to militant groups and terrorist organizations that may be planning their next attack.

According to authorities, the bomber who attacked Ansbach had no fewer than six Facebook accounts, one of which was under a false identity. Reuters further cites Bavarian interior minister as saying that traces of online conversations found on the bomber's phone indicated that he was influenced by another person, still unidentified, right up until the attack.

Terrorists have been increasingly relying on social networks to communicate, but that's hardly any news anymore. Social networking companies have been making efforts to crack down on terrorism and online extremism, and there's even a new algorithm designed to sift through social media posts to anticipate the next terror attack.

Facebook, however, has been accused on multiple occasions of not doing enough to combat terrorism. An Israeli minister even called Facebook a "monster" and relatives of terrorist victims sued Facebook for facilitating the attacks. Facebook said it's not a monster, it's not sabotaging police work and it's not abetting terrorism, but it seems to keep drawing criticism over the way it handles things.

Faced with Germany's new accusations, Facebook says it rejected the requests that were poorly formulated, as they were too vague or too broad. The social network says that while it's working with law enforcement officials to help them put their systems to good use, there are still many officers who don't know the proper procedures to make a successful request for user data.

"We have zero tolerance for terrorism on Facebook. We have and will continue to support law enforcement investigations to fight terrorism in Germany," says Facebook.

"This sometimes means proactively providing information to law enforcement officials that will help them respond to emergencies, including potential terrorist threats."

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Vienna Zoo is celebrating its latest arrival: a giant panda cub.

The baby bear was born on Sunday, Aug. 7, to mother Yang Yang and father Long Hui. This marks the fourth time that Yang Yang has given birth after having her other children  Fu Long, Fu Hu and Fu Bao.

The cub's sex is not yet known, though in a statement Monday, Tiergarten Schoenbrunn, the zoo's official name,revealed that its newest addition is 4 inches long and weighs in at 3.5 ounces. In addition, a spokeswoman for the zoo recently added that the panda will be named after 100 days.

This occasion is worthy of celebration for two reasons: first of all, most panda breeding centers typically resort to artificial insemination due to low birth rates (as opposed to this instance, where Yang Yang conceived naturally). Additionally, even in that case, artificial insemination is only a better option by definition. There is still an assortment of difficulties associated with giant panda births, such as the fact that pandas experience embryonic dispause, where the egg is fertilized but not yet implanted in the uterine wall  meaning that it can't grow until it implants itself.

Furthermore, female pandas can experience psuedopregnancy, where they exhibit the same behaviors as a pregnant panda but are not yet pregnant. Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to distinguish between the two, since panda fetuses are often too small to be spotted on an ultrasound. Due to these factors, it is often until a panda is actually born that a pregnancy is confirmed.

The other reason why this event is noteworthy is because of the endangered status of giant pandas. As of now, there are only 1,864 pandas living in the wild in China, which is where this cub will be presumably sent when it gets older. The panda's situation has been getting better as of late, but not to the extent that experts believe that the species can be reclassified from endangered to vulnerable.

Now, with its latest addition, the zoo's panda area has been closed so that Yang Yang can care for her cub in peace, while Long Hui is being kept away for the cub's safety.

"[Yang Yang] is taking good care of her offspring," said zoo director Dagmar Schratter.

However, even though the cub has been successfully born, it is still not out of the woods just yet: about 40 percent of giant pandas don't survive their first year of life.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google Takes Palestine Off Maps, Sparks Outrage | TechTree.com

Google Maps has done it yet again. Google Maps has time and again managed to spark raging controversies due to erroneous representation of maps of places under dispute. Just last month, Google Maps was slammed by Russians for the incorrect depiction of Crimean Peninsula , which was dubbed as topographical cretinism.

This time, Google Maps has irked Palestinian Journalists Forum as Palestine is taken off the maps and is replaced by Israel. According to a report published by Middle East Monitor, the Palestinian Journalists Forum condemned Googles decision to remove Palestine from its maps, calling it is part of the Israeli scheme to establish its name as a legitimate state for generations to come and abolish Palestine once and for all.

An online petition has been initiated to urge Google to put Palestine back onto the maps.The petition seeks 150,000 signatures to approach Google to rectify the map.

Earlier, Google faced flak from India for the depiction of Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh on Google Maps. Google tailored the maps to suit the preferences of different nationalities. Kashmir belonged to India when searched in India, while international searches labelled Kashmir and parts of Arunachal Pradesh as disputed. This prompted the Union government to draft National Geospatial Policy [NGP 2016]. Erroneous depiction of the Indian map and its territories could lead to a jail term of up to seven years with a mammoth fine of INR 100 Crores.

In 2010 Nicaraguan troops crossed the border to Costa Rica, removed that country's flag and replaced it with their own and that could have escalated into war, thanks to Google Maps. An inquiry into the matter revealed that Google Maps told the troops' commander the territory belonged to Nicaragua.

Facebook also drew widespread criticisms for its greetings sent on Philippine Independence Day with an inverted national flag which is an indication of the country being at war. Although Facebook issued an apology, it didnt go down well with netizens.

So here we are at an era where all unanswered questions are googled for answers.

Dont trust the internet blindly, be cautious - We can't afford another war!



TAGS: Google, Google Maps, Google Maps Street View, Facebook
Lenovo Launches Vibe C2 Power | TechTree.com

Lenovo has launched a new smartphone, dubbed the Vibe C2 Power, which is an upgraded variant of the Vibe C2 that was launched in Russia, last month, reports helpix.ru.

According to the same report, the smartphone is said to be available in two color schemes -- white and dark grey. However, there seems to be no information on the price at which the device would be available.

The new Lenovo Vibe C2 Power comes with a 3,500 mAh battery which is pretty big when compared to the 2,750 mAh battery that comes with the Vibe C2. However, again, there seems to be no information regarding the performance.

On the other hand. the smartphone comes with a 2 GB RAM, 5 inch IPS display, 1 GHz MediaTek MT6735P quad-core processor with Mali-T720 GPU.

The smartphone also packs an 8 MP rear camera with LED flash, 5 MP selfie camera, 4G LTE support, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, FM Radio, and 3.5 mm audio jack. The smartphone runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow with Vibe UI out-of-the-box.

TAGS: Lenovo Vibe C2 Power
Most Californians have probably never heard of DJI Technology, but legislators in Sacramento are hearing its message.Over the last year, the company has sharply ramped up its spending on lobbying in the state capital, moving from zero in the third quarter of 2015 to $155,000 since then. Its also spending about $200,000 on lobbying in Washington.Its the largest manufacturer of drones. Theyre those buzzy, compact remote-controlled aircraft that have become all the rage among hobbyists and are being eyed by industry and government agencies to perform work thats too costly, dangerous, or difficult for humans, including the prompt delivery of merchandise, inspection of remote facilities, filming, firefighting and police surveillance. The drone industry emphasizes the potential for expanding the use of unmanned aircraft in arguing for measured regulation or self-regulation.Fans and critics of drones alike expect the skies to become very crowded in coming years, as the devices become cheaper and acquire greater capabilities. Shenzhen, China-based DJI, which is reported to command as much as 70 percent of the drone market, sells its camera-equipped products today for prices ranging from $6,500 to less than $500 Estimates of the drone market vary, but all agree that its exploding. At a White House workshop on drone policy Aug. 2, Intel Chief Executive Brian Krzanich, whose company produces control circuits for the units, projected that the consumer drone business will be worth $16 billion by 2020, and the commercial market another $4 billion. The Consumer Technology Association expects some 700,000 drones to be sold this year.Statistics from the Federal Aviation Administration attest to the growth trend: 520,000 of the devices have been registered with the FAA since it began requiring registration at the beginning of this year of any drones heavier than a half-pound. The number of manned aircraft registered with the FAA is only 320,000  and it took us 100 years to get there, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta told the White House workshop.The popularity of drones poses challenges for policymakers and legislators, not unlike those posed by other new technologies with obvious benefits and possible dangers, such as self-driving cars: How can they minimize the drawbacks of the technology while its still under development, without stifling the innovation necessary to make the field grow?The FAA leaves most drone regulation to state and local authorities, though it does prohibit flying drones higher than 400 feet, within five miles of an airport or after dark, and requires that the devices remain within the line of sight of the users.But government officials have found it almost impossible to keep up with the mushrooming private drone fleet. Of 921 encounters between drones and manned aircraft reported to the FAA from mid-December 2013 to mid-September 2015, more than a third were close encounters carrying the possibility of a collision.According to an analysis by the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College, more than 90 percent occurred above 400 feet. Most also occurred within five miles of an airport.The stakes in these incidents are enormous. Any collision between a drone and a manned aircraft could lead to a potentially catastrophic incident, the analysis observed.Some locations that are off-limits to manned aircraft have been bedeviled by drones. That includes the Golden Gate Bridge, which has become such a popular subject of high-flying remote videography  including by a drone that crashed onto the roadway in 2015  that bridge officials had to post signs warning that drone flights are illegal over the bridge and nearby federal land.More than a dozen bills to regulate drones are awaiting action in the state Legislature. Some resemble three bills that Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed last year that would have prohibited flying the devices over wildfires or other emergency scenes, K-12 schools and prisons or jails.Brown said he vetoed the measures because they criminalized conduct that was already illegal. But he did sign a measure aimed at paparazzi , prohibiting drone flights over private property to make a recording or snap a photo.The overarching themes of these bills, says Steven D. Miller , an expert in the emerging field of drone law at the San Francisco law firm Hanson Bridgett, are safety, security and privacy.Some, including one measure Brown vetoed, aim to prohibit interference with firefighters or other first responders. Theyre a reaction to numerous reports of drones getting in the way of firefighting aircraft; just last month a drone hobbyist was arrested for allegedly flying a drone over the Trailhead fire, which burned 5,600 acres in Placer and El Dorado counties. Other bills aim to grant government officials immunity for destroying or damaging drones that get in their way.Several aim to limit the ability of law enforcement officials to use drones to conduct surveillance. That addresses a key question not yet specifically considered by the courts, Miller observes: Do police need a search warrant to fly a drone over your backyard?Lobbying disclosures by drone makers and other companies only hint at the breadth of commercial interest in these devices. Both Amazon and Google have lobbyists watching the drone bills in Sacramento. Google has its eye on bills that would mandate insurance coverage on drones and GPS systems that would prevent drones from entering prohibited airspace. Google hasnt taken a position on those measures yet, although DJI and GoPro, the camera maker whose devices are often attached to drones, oppose them.California isnt the first state to ponder drone regulations  14 states have enacted rules governing some aspect of drone flights. But as a high-tech center, Miller says, California may be more likely to come up with a creative approach that accommodates innovation.So far, however, that prospect still lies on the horizon. As my colleague Jazmine Ulloa reported last month, industry is already flexing its muscles to block drone legislation in California, including a bill that would have placed limits on drone use by law enforcement and another that would have expanded no-fly zones around critical infrastructure, private property and parkland. State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, who introduced the latter bill, complained that the technology industry hadnt been willing to work with her to shape a compromise.The consequence of such blocking-and-tackling is exactly what the drone industry fears most  a patchwork of federal, state and local rules and ordinances to fill what Miller calls a Wild West void.Our interest is in reasonable outcomes and, most important, consistency, says Brendan Schulman, vice president of policy and legal affairs for DJI. Generally, he says, DJI doesnt object to measures that simply extend existing prohibitions to drones.The industry supports a proposed measure specifying that restraining orders protecting individuals from stalkers applies to drones flown within the prohibited space. You shouldnt be stalking somebody, including with a drone, he says. But the industry objects to rules that single out drones, say, by requiring special permits for activities that would be otherwise legal.After Brown issued his vetoes last year, the San Diego County community of Poway enacted its own ban on flying drones within the city during emergencies. Poway has had a bulls-eye on its back when it comes to wildfires, Mayor Steve Vaus said then, targeting drone pilots trying to get footage that they can monetize on YouTube  on the backs of our first responders.The Los Angeles City Council last year passed an ordinance that resembles FAA rules by prohibiting flights higher than 500 feet, within five miles of an airport or 25 feet of a person, while imposing local punishments of up to $1,000 in fines and up to six months in jail.Drones arent going away. That buzzing you hear is just the front edge of a tidal wave. Before it arrives, California legislators should have a single, consistent legal regime in place to protect the public from untrained and heedless remote pilots, and the drone industry should get behind reasonable rules. The first time an accident occurs that demonstrates how lax our oversight is of this emerging industry will be the last time it will have the credibility to sit at the table.
Elecciones presidenciales

El pais mas grande de la region elige este domingo a su proximo mandatario. Tras no lograr hacerse con la mayoria de los votos en los comicios del 2 de octubre, Luis Inacio "Lula" Da Silva y Jair Bolsonaro se disputan la Presidencia en una balotaje que enfrenta tendencias y valores contrapuestas. Con equipos en el terreno, Telam presenta una cobertura exclusiva con noticias, analisis, opinion, fotos y mas.
Trump is chagrined' and realizes his campaign is in trouble, Steve Forbes says

Donald Trump has an opportunity to get his campaign back on track when he outlines his economic plan on Monday, following a bruising week, former GOP presidential candidate Steve Forbes said Monday.

Recent polls show Hillary Clinton leads Trump nationally and in some key battleground states following Trump's public dispute with the Muslim parents of a U.S. Army captain killed in action in Iraq.

Trump also clashed with his party's establishment, by refusing endorse Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan and Sen. John McCain. He relented on Friday during a campaign stop in Wisconsin, endorsing Ryan and McCain, as well as New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, in their primary battles.

"If you saw him on Friday making that endorsement announcement, that was a chagrined man who finally realized his campaign's in trouble. If he doesn't change it, it's over," Forbes told CNBC's "Squawk Box."

Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes, said Trump's speech on Monday will come down to drawing a distinction between his tax-cutting initiatives and Clinton's plan to raise taxes.

"This gets to the whole heart of the campaign. It's third term [Obama administration] versus temperament. If it's about third term, he wins. If it's about temperament, she wins," he said.

Trump is expected to announce he would make child-care costs fully deductible. He is also expected to reiterate his support for cutting the corporate tax rate to 15 percent, rescinding estate taxes, and putting a moratorium on new regulations.

A Trump policy adviser told CNBC's John Harwood the speech would be a "vision proposal" and that details would come later.

On Monday, Trump economic adviser Dan Dimicco said the speech will focus on four main areas  taxation, regulatory reform, trade and energy. He said it will include new details.

"I think you're going to find out that it's a little bit more than just a straight visionary speech, but certainly it will be wrapped up in an overall vision of economic growth, and economic growth that's more than twice what we've been experiencing since 2009," Dimicco told "Squawk Box."

Story continues

Tax policy analysts have awaited more detail on Trump's plan. An analysis earlier this year by the Tax Foundation found his initial proposal could result in a $10 trillion budget shortfall over 10 years.

Ahead of Monday's speech, a Trump tax adviser told USA Today the campaign had reduced the cost of the tax proposals to about a third of the $10 trillion estimate.

Forbes said people would ultimately focus on whether Trump's plan will stimulate growth, provide relief and pad Americans' paychecks.

Despite attempts to appeal to Republicans, Clinton has not yielded on her "left-wing, far Bernie Sanders-like economic program," according to Forbes.

"She wants increases on income taxes, estate taxes, business taxes, gun taxes, soda taxes  every kind of tax," he said.

According to Clinton's campaign page, she would impose a "fair share surcharge" on multimillionaires and billionaires. She would also raise the top estate tax rate to 45 percent and lower the exemption threshold to $3.5 million. She has pledged tax relief for working families.

A study from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center found that Clinton's plan would raise taxes on the top 1 percent by an average of $78,000 per person while keeping taxes for the rest of Americans largely the same. Clinton has not committed to a gun tax, but has said the policy could help defray the medical and law enforcement costs of gun violence. Earlier this year, she endorsed a Philadelphia proposal to impose a tax on sugary drinks.

 CNBC's Robert Frank contributed to this story.



Correction: This story was revised to correct the military branch in which Humayan Khan served. He was in the U.S. Army.





More From CNBC


O Globo will broadcast the last presidential debate on Friday night. Voting intention surveys show that Lula da Silva is the favorite to win the ballot. | Read More
Trump is about to make his most important economic speech yet  what to expect

After a messy week, Donald Trump will turn his focus Monday to economic policy, aiming to assure voters of his chops following months of public inconsistency.



Respondents in recent polls have narrowly picked the Republican billionaire as better prepared to handle the U.S. economy than his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, even as Clinton expands her national lead in the presidential race. Trump has a chance to nail down his often vague policy stances after recent headlines focused more on his bluster and antics than his solutions.

In his speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Trump is expected to describe more details or tweaks to his proposed broad tax cuts, which some analyses have said could cause the U.S. to lose trillions of dollars over a decade even if they boost growth. He is also slated to contrast his economic vision to Clinton's, seeking to bolster his conservative economic credentials.

"It's going to be a very substantial pro-growth message," said Larry Kudlow, a senior CNBC contributor and informal Trump economic adviser. He hinted Thursday at "significant" personal and business tax cuts and new incentives for businesses to operate in the United States.

Trump's speech comes amid mixed signals for the U.S. economy. July job creation of 255,000 positions easily beat expectations , with the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.9 percent and wages growing at an annualized pace of 2.6 percent.

That followed a disappointing second-quarter gross domestic product reading, which showed GDP grew at only a 1.2 percent annual rate . Trump has repeatedly painted a bleaker picture of the U.S. economy than even the weaker data reflect.

Trump, who unveiled an economic policy team Friday comprised of mostly investors and businessmen rather than economists, previously outlined some tax reform details. Trump has previously proved inconsistent on these proposals, like when he said his position on cutting taxes for the rich is flexible.

Story continues

Here are Trump's tax proposals as they currently stand, according to his campaign's website:

Trump would set the highest income tax bracket at a rate of 25 percent, with no income taxes on single filers making less than $25,000 or families making less than $50,000. The other two brackets would be taxed at a 10 and 20 percent rate, respectively. The top income tax rate is projected at 39.6 percent for 2016, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Businesses of all sizes would not pay more than 15 percent of their income in taxes. The Trump campaign also currently proposes a "discounted" 10 percent one-time tax repatriation of corporate money held overseas.

Trump pledges to cut deductions and loopholes for the "very rich," as well as "corporate loopholes that cater to special interests."

The campaign claims cutting those reductions or loopholes would make the plan "revenue neutral," but analyses have disputed that.

"The corporate business side of this plan is going to be so important ... this is going to create new incentives so that American companies stay home," Kudlow said, adding that he expects more foreign companies to move cash to the U.S. under Trump's plans.



Kudlow also said Trump could discuss his plans on energy and health care on Monday. Trump has previously pledged to reverse environmental restrictions on coal issued under President Barack Obama while boosting domestic natural gas production through hydraulic fracturing.

He also said he wants to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a new system. Trump's reforms could include allowing people to buy insurance from any state and making insurance premiums deductible.

The billionaire Trump has also previously pledged to dismantle the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reforms. He wants to put resources into a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border as well as deport many undocumented immigrants, which could cost in the tens of billions of dollars.

Many policies Trump is expected to detail clearly contrast those Clinton has supported. Clinton wants people making more than $1 million per year to pay an effective tax rate of at least 30 percent.

She has called for a 4 percent "fair share surcharge" on taxpayers making more than $5 million per year. And like Trump, Clinton wants to cut loopholes used by the rich.

Her campaign claims those measures and others would raise $400 billion to $500 billion in revenue over 10 years to invest in American businesses and infrastructure.

The Democratic Party platform also calls for a $15 minimum wage, another policy on which Trump has given conflicting statements.





More From CNBC


By Emily Stephenson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will propose allowing parents to deduct spending on childcare from their income taxes in a speech on Monday meant to challenge the economic policies of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, a campaign aide said. The aide, who asked not to be identified, said on Sunday in outlining the plan: We dont want it to be an economic disadvantage to have children. The aide said the campaign would have a more detailed childcare plan in the future. A wealthy businessman seeking his first public office, Trump seeks to counter Clinton's argument he is out of touch with the problems of working families. He will also say that, unlike Clinton, his business policies would encourage companies to remain in the United States, a concern of blue-collar workers he has tried to court, the aide said. In his speech, to business leaders of the Detroit Economic Club, Trump will also propose stronger protections for American intellectual property and a temporary moratorium on new regulations, the aide said. Seeking to move beyond a week of discord, Trump will outline plans for trade, taxes, regulation and energy policy. His plans include proposing a 15 percent corporate tax rate, an idea that is on his website. The current federal rate is 35 percent. Senior aides and supporters said in television appearances on Sunday that Trump wanted to put behind him his disputes of last week with Republican Party leaders and the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in Iraq. With the economy a major issue, Clinton on Thursday lays out a plan of her own for the "biggest investment in good-paying jobs since World War Two," her campaign said. A Democrat like President Barack Obama, Clinton will be buoyed by figures released on Friday showing U.S. employment rose more than expected for a second month in a row in July and wages picked up, bolstering expectations of faster economic growth. Clinton has pledged that no family should pay more than 10 percent of its income on childcare. She has called for a tax cut to help middle-class parents cope with rising childcare costs and an expansion of a federally funded programme that provides education and health services to low-income families with young children. In a phone call lasting little more than an hour on Sunday and run by some of Trump's most senior aides, members of his newly announced economic advisory group shared their views on policy, said banker Stephen Calk, one of the members who took part. The Clinton campaign has criticized Trump over the advisory group, announced on Friday, for including no women and relying on members who come from hedge funds and investment banking, a make-up at odds somewhat with Trump's populist message. Calk, chief executive of Federal Savings Bank and National Bancorp Holdings, said Trump had asked advisory group members to nominate women and minorities who could be added to the group. He said there were some "big, recognizable" names on the call who would be announced soon as joining the team but did not elaborate. A new Washington Post-ABC News opinion poll on Sunday showed Trump trailing Clinton by 8 percentage points after her party's convention in Philadelphia. A Reuters/Ipsos poll out on Friday showed the race closer three months ahead of the Nov. 8 presidential election. (Reporting by Emily Stephenson; Additional reporting by Mike Stone in New York; Editing by Howard Goller)
Sherry Boger, Intel Products Vietnams general director, holds up the first CPU manufactured in the Ho Chi Minh City-based factory on July 29. Photo credit: Thoi Bao Kinh Te Saigon

The US-owned Intel Corporation presented its first Ho Chi Minh City-made Central Processing Unit (CPU) on Tuesday and announced plans to shift the majority of its chip production here.

During the press conference, General Director Sherry Boger of Intel Products Vietnam told reporters that the Haswell CPUs were made at their factory in the Saigon Hi-Tech Park over the course of two months, Thoi Bao Kinh Te Saigon reported.

"Haswell" is Intel's codename for the fourth generation of processing chips found in nearly every laptop, desktop and mobile phone.

Intel plans to produce 80 percent of CPUs for the world market in Vietnam by this time next year, Boger told the press.

The company has already imported 71 pieces of equipment from factories in Malaysia and Costa Rica and sent 105 Vietnamese engineers to their Malaysian factory for training.

It plans to import 159 more devices to ramp up CPU production in the near future.

Intel Products Vietnam's factory opened in 2006 and began assembling and testing semiconductor components in 2010.

It achieved over US$1.8 billion in export turnovers last year.

Boger said the factory has disbursed around 45 percent of the $1 billion investment Intel set aside for it in 2006.

As of June, the factory has provided more than 1,000 jobs and attracted 80 component providers, including Vietnamese ones.
A Vietnamese (R) and his Lao accomplice arrested for trafficking heroin from Laos into Vietnam on August 6. Photo: Lam Son/VnExpress

Border officers in central Vietnam are holding a Laotian and two Vietnamese over drug trafficking allegations after they were caught carrying heroin and marijuana across the border.

The Lao man, 43, and his Vietnamese accomplice, 42, were arrested in Thanh Hoa Province Saturday night after failing to escape. They were armed with knives and a tear gas gun.

Border guards seized from them 700 grams of heroin.

During the weekend, police in Ha Tinh to the south of Thanh Hoa also arrested a woman who smuggled three kilograms of marijuana from Laos on a bus.

Vietnam has some of the worlds toughest drug laws. Those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine face the death penalty.

The production or sale of 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal narcotics is also punishable by death.

Although the laws have been strictly enforced with capital punishment handed down regularly, drug crimes remain a serious problem.

Police said transnational drug operations are complicated at border areas with Laos, as well as China, where many drug busts have been made this year.
A man was detained in Nam Dinh Province for attacking a team of traffic police with a stick last week. A man was detained in Nam Dinh Province for attacking a team of traffic police with a stick last week.

Vu Thanh Chung, 40, is in custody and being investigated for resisting officers, Nam Dinh police said.

The incident took place on Aug. 4, a footage of which has since went viral on the Internet.

According to the police, the police officers were talking with a traffic law violator in Nam Truc Dist. when Chung and a woman came and attempted to persuade them to let him go without a fine.

As the officers ignored him, Chung found a bamboo stick and started hitting the them.

He was later overpowered and detained, the police said.

It's unclear if Chung and the traffic violator were relatives, or why Chung attacked the police.
The breath of an off-duty police officer who fatally struck a motorbike owner with his car smelled of alcohol, police in southern Vietnam said Monday.

The crash happened early Sunday in the Mekong Delta town of My Tho, the local police said.
A tour guide in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak claimed that he could help tourists buy real elephant tail hairs to make good luck rings.

You can choose the hair you want directly from an elephants tail, he said.

He quickly asked a mahout to hold the tail of an elephant. The latter took out a nail clipper and cut the hairs that a tourist in the group wanted.

A recent investigation by Tuoi Tre found that domesticated elephants in Dak Lak, home to Vietnams largest population of the animals, are being threatened by the seemingly harmless practice.

The newspaper said more than 10 elephants were serving tourists at a local attraction and all of them had tail hairs cut.

Can Dinh Chinh, director of a tourism company, confirmed that many mahouts, also owners of most elephants, are in the trade. However, they own the elephants and we cannot stop them from selling the tail hairs. We can only urge them not to do so to protect the elephants health, he said. Experts said elephants use their tails to chase away insects and they cannot do so with a hairless tail. It will then be difficult for an injured elephant to protect its open wounds from insects.

The tail trade adds to a range of threats faced by the population of less than 50 domesticated elephants in the province, including a lack of food and exhaustion from serving too many tourists.

An elephant hair can be sold for VND300,000 (US$13) each. Prices are higher if hairs are made into rings or bracelets which some people wear as good luck charms.

A mahout cuts tail hairs from an elephant to sell to tourists in Dak Lak Province. Photo credit: Trung Tan/Tuoi Tre he Elephant God helped a couple come together and gifted them a tail hair in their wedding to bring good luck.

But Linh Nga Nie KDam, a Central Highlands culture researcher, said the sellers were trying to romanticize an unethical practice.

She said she has never heard such a tale during more than 40 years studying the regions culture.

It is a story made up by those who want to sell elephant tail hairs. In the Central Highlands, people traditionally love elephants and will never hurt them. When an elephant dies, people bury it carefully with the carcass intact, she said.
Police have arrested three drug trafficking suspects in two arrests in central Vietnam over the weekend, seizing more than 1.6 kg of heroin and 200 methamphetamine pills. Police have arrested three drug trafficking suspects in two arrests in central Vietnam over the weekend, seizing more than 1.6 kg of heroin and 200 methamphetamine pills.

The suspects were smuggling the drugs from Laos into Vietnam. Two of them attempted to resist arrest by attacking the police with a stun gun and knives.

One suspect, Nguyen Thi Hoa, 35, was arrested by the police of Ha Tinh province on Sunday evening.

Hoa said she was hired to transport nearly 1 kg of heroin and 200 methamphetamine pills from Laos' Thakhek town to Ha Tinh.

She hid the drugs in a box of raw meat and took a cross-border bus. The police said they stopped the bus when they found "suspicious signs."

A day earlier, the police in Thanh Hoa province arrested Ho Van Tho, 43, and Ha Van Lim, 42, for allegedly smuggling 660 grams of heroin at a location near the Vietnamese border with Laos.

Tho and Lim attempted to fight the police using knives and a taser, but were eventually overpowered.

They told the police the had bought the heroin in Laos and planned to resell it in Vietnam for profit.
The customs office of Da Nang airport has taken disciplinary action against two officers who were accused of soliciting bribes by a passenger last month.

Nguyen Thi Thuy Nga, head of the Parcel/Package Check Unit, was reprimanded, while her superior, Nguyen Thai Hoan, head of the Anti-Narcotics Unit, was issued a warning notice, leaders of the customs office said Monday.

Nga had committed "professional wrongdoings" in conducting customs clearance and receiving a passenger's "gratuity."

Hoan was reproached for his lack of supervision in managing staff which led to Nga's misconducts.

The customs office launched an internal investigation after a Vietnamese woman arriving in Da Nang from the US on Jul. 4 complained on her Facebook that a customs officer demanded some "money for a drink."

Even after she gave that officer a VND200,000 bill (US$9), she was asked for "another bill for a colleague."

The disciplinary measures were decided based on the accused officers' reports and footage from security cameras, said Pham Duy Nhat, director of the customs department at Da Nang airport.
The cruise ships that crashed into three others at a pier in Nha Trang August 7. Photo: Thanh Truc/Tuoi Tre

A cruise ship carrying 10 foreign tourists crashed into three anchored boats and sank one of them while leaving a pier in Nha Trang in central Vietnam Sunday.

The vessel, piloted by Banh Thanh Duy, 31, first hit a boat that broke up and sank in five minutes. No one was aboard it.

The ship went on to hit two other boats, causing minor damage.

The foreigners on board panicked and screamed. They were quickly taken back to shore, where they canceling their plan to sail around Nha Trang Bay.

A person managing the pier said Duys vessel could have had some gear problems. The investigation is continuing.
An aerial view shows Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp's Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) taking off for a test flight at Nagoya Airfield in Toyoyama town, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, in this photo released by Kyodo November 11, 2015.

Iran intends to purchase 20 Regional Jets from Japan's Mitsubishi Corp, according to Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan, deputy minister for international affairs at the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development.

The Mehr News agency quoted Fakhrieh Kashan on Sunday as saying that the deal was likely to be finalised when a Japanese delegation visits Tehran in December.

The aircraft will be acquired through a lease-purchase contract and will be used by Aseman Airlines on domestic routes, Fakhrieh Khashan said.

The lifting of long-standing economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear activities has allowed it to strike provisional deals worth around $50 billion with Boeing and Airbus to buy some 200 airliners to renew its ageing fleet.

However, financial and political obstacles have continued to dog the deals, and Iran has made clear it is widening its search to include other suppliers.

The Mitsubishi Regional Jet, Japan's first commercial airplane in half a century, will seat just under 100 people and is being developed by Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp.
Japan's Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko will visit the national Heroes' Cemetery in the Philippines and a memorial for Japanese war dead during a five day visit starting Tuesday

Japan's ageing Emperor Akihito travels to the Philippines this week to visit World War II memorials, his latest pacifist pilgrimage which appears increasingly at odds with the government's rightward drift.

Akihito, 82, has made honouring Japanese and non-Japanese who died in the conflict a touchstone of his near three-decade reign -- known as Heisei, or "achieving peace" -- and now in its twilight.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, meanwhile, wants to revise Japan's war-renouncing "peace constitution", seeing it as an embarrassing remnant of its WWII defeat and occupation by the United States.

In the Philippines, which saw some of the war's fiercest fighting, Akihito and Empress Michiko will visit the national Heroes' Cemetery and a memorial for Japanese war dead during a five day visit starting Tuesday.

"The emperor has been very consistent with the fact that Japan is apologetic about their aggression," said Richard Javad Heydarian, a political science professor at De La Salle University in Manila.

Such contrition, decades of Japanese economic aid and the Philippines' search for allies in a maritime dispute with increasingly powerful China have made Abe's nationalist lurch -- which includes strengthening his military -- palatable in Manila.

"We in the Philippines are OK with Japan becoming a normal power," Heydarian said.

Akihito is strictly limited to "symbol of the state" under Japan's constitution imposed by Washington, which aimed to prevent any return to the militarism in the early reign of his father, Hirohito.

Abe last year pushed through legislation that under certain conditions could allow Japanese troops to fight abroad for the first time since 1945, passage which came amid protests and fears the country could be dragged into conflict in support of allies, particularly the US.

Despite constitutional restraints, the soft spoken Akihito, 11-years-old when the war ended in the nuclear obliteration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, is still seen as getting his point across about the importance of cherishing Japan's postwar peace.

"He is the emperor so he really can't speak from a political standpoint," said Fumiko Imagawa, who went to the Imperial Palace early this month to hear Akihito's brief annual New Year's message.

But she added: "His own thoughts are conveyed in each word."

'Profound remorse'

Akihito has previously journeyed to other Pacific battle sites where Japanese troops and civilians made desperate last stands in his father's name.

On visits to Saipan in 2005 and Palau last year he prayed not just for the Japanese soldiers and civilians who perished, but also colonial subjects such as Koreans and troops from its wartime enemy, the US.

In remarks in August at a memorial marking the 70th anniversary of Japan's 1945 surrender, Akihito expressed "profound remorse" for the war fought in his father's name, reportedly the first time he used those words at the annual event.

Author Masayasu Hosaka says Akihito has become clearer in his pacifist comments in recent years.

"The reason is perhaps that in reflecting on his life he is looking back on what he should have done as emperor, seeing if there are things he has not spoken enough about or words he wants to leave behind," Hosaka wrote in a recently published book.

To be sure, "peace" and "remorse" are words Abe himself utters, and in August as the world watched he said Japan would stand by previous war apologies.

But other comments and actions, including having prevaricated over whether Japan's wartime aggression amounted to "invasion" and his 2013 visit to Yasukuni Shrine, where 14 Class A war criminals are sanctified, have raised questions of sincerity.

In December his ruling party launched a group to review modern history amid reports it would consider issues including the 1937-38 Nanjing massacre, which Tokyo is accused of playing down.

By contrast, early last year Akihito said Japanese should "study and learn from the history" of the war "as we consider the future direction of our country".

Manila-based Heydarian says what helps Filipinos reconcile is that history weighs less heavily on them, while their government does not "peddle this narrative of historical victimhood", alluding to China, where sentiment remains bitter.

Sonny Sanchez, a retired businessman, concurs that his compatriots are not the type to hold grudges, but he also points to frequent Japanese natural disaster aid and support for Manila in its dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea.

"I love the emperor and his family," he said after watching the palace New Year's greeting on a trip to Tokyo with his wife and sons.

"That's why we came here, just to take a glimpse of him for a few seconds."
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic (R) attend a military parade to mark 70 years since the city's liberation by the Red Army in Belgrade, Serbia, October 16, 2014.

Serbia, which treads a delicate line between U.S.-led NATO and traditional ally Russia, is to hold joint air force exercises with Russia this year, the defense ministry said on Monday.

Russia's ally, Belarus, will join units from the Serbian and Russian air forces in the first exercise called "Slav Brotherhood 2016" to be held in autumn, the ministry said in a written statement.

"It represents the continuation of the cooperation between the two air forces that began in 2014 with a joint military exercise," it said.

Another similar exercise would be held just between Serbia and Russia later.

The Balkan state is performing a delicate balancing act between its European aspirations, partnership with NATO and its centuries-old religious, ethnic and political alliance with Russia.

Though Serbia aspires to join the European Union and has taken part in partnership programs with NATO, it is not actively pursuing membership of the U.S.-led alliance which remains unpopular among Serbs because of its 1999 bombing campaign to drive Serbian forces out of Kosovo.

Serbia shares Slavic and Orthodox Christian traditions with Russia and depends on it for energy. The warm relationship has been nurtured by Russia which prevented Kosovo from becoming a member of the United Nations, at Belgrade's request.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha casts his ballot at a polling station during a constitutional referendum vote in Bangkok, Thailand August 7, 2016.

Thai voters approved a junta-backed constitution in a referendum on Sunday, preliminary results showed, an outcome that paves the way for an election next year but will also require future elected governments to rule on the military's terms.

Voters handed the junta led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha a convincing win in its first major popularity test at the ballot box since it seized power in a 2014 coup.

With 94 percent of the vote counted, early results from the Election Commission showed 61.4 percent of Thais had voted for the charter, while 37.9 percent rejected it. Full results are due on Wednesday.

The junta says the constitution is designed to heal more than a decade of divisive politics in Thailand that has dented economic growth and left scores dead in civil unrest.

But Thailand's major political parties and critics of the government say the charter will enshrine the military's political role for years to come.

The win was a blow to the powerful Shinawatra clan and their allies, whose populist politics are reviled by Thailand's military-royalist establishment. Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted as prime minister in a coup in 2006 and his sister Yingluck's government was toppled by Prayuth in 2014.

The acting head of the Peau Thai Party, which carried Yingluck to power, said Thais may have voted pragmatically for the charter as the fastest route to an election.

"The reason most Thais accepted the constitution is because they want to see a general election quickly," Wirot Pao-in told reporters at the Peau Thai's Bangkok headquarters on Sunday. "All sides must now help move the country forward."

Across town at the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship group, the tone was less conciliatory.

"What will we do next? Tell Prayuth that, although it seems he is winning, this is not a victory he can be proud of because his opponents have not been able to fight at their best due to threats and harassment," said Jatuporn Prompan, chairman of the pro-Shinawatra UDD.

Some people wept as the result became clear at the UDD headquarters in Bangkok.

Intimidation

The junta, formally known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), banned debate about the constitution and campaigning ahead of the vote. The authorities have detained and charged dozens of people who have spoken against it, including politicians and student activists.

"(It was) a one-sided campaign in which the junta indirectly encouraged 'yes' votes and arrested or intimidated referendum opponents," said Paul Chambers, director of research at the Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs in the city of Chiang Mai.

"As a result many voters did not show up while others felt compelled to vote 'yes'."

Turnout of around 55 percent was below the 80 percent targeted by the Election Commission. That likely favored the government, said Thithinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.

"This is a hands-down convincing margin of approval for the military government," he said. "This is going to give the junta a signal to go full steam ahead for elections next year. They will feel confident from this vote about rolling out their plans for the transitional period."

Around 200,000 police were deployed for the referendum and voting passed without major incident.

The yes vote will likely be cheered by Thai financial markets.

Women walk out of a polling station after casting their ballots during a constitutional referendum vote at southern province of Pattani, Thailand August 7, 2016.

"The outcome is our best case scenario and investors should react positively as it's clear that the election will happen next year," said Kasem Prunratanamala, head of research at CIMB Securities.

"Foreign investors had been waiting for the vote and may invest more now."

Decade of turmoil

The vote comes amid concerns about the health of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 88. The military has for decades invoked its duty as defender of the deeply revered monarch to justify its interventions in politics.

Critics say the charter is the military's attempt to make good on their failure to banish Thaksin from Thai politics after the 2006 coup.

Senior army officers have told Reuters the new charter aims to make future coups unnecessary by weakening political parties and ensuring the military a role in overseeing Thailand's economic and political development.

Under the constitution, which would be Thailand's 20th since the military abolished an absolute monarchy in 1932, a junta-appointed Senate with seats reserved for military commanders would check the powers of elected lawmakers.

Thaksin called the charter a "folly", saying it would perpetuate the junta's power and make it impossible to govern Thailand.

Thaksin retains strong influence despite living in self-imposed exile. His support base in the rural northeast bucked the trend and voted against the charter on Sunday.

Decha Shangkamanee, a day laborer in Khon Kaen, said he had voted against it because he disliked the junta, but did not expect the referendum to make much difference.

"I know that nothing really changes today with the way the country is ruled," he said.
Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission
Violent crime was soaring. Murders had reached peak levels. The city's police force, mired in corruption and lawlessness, was undermanned and under siege.

And in a move that would spawn bitter division along racial lines, elected leaders passed a measure requiring cops and other city employees to live in the city or forgo promotion.

That was New Orleans, in 1995.

The ordinance, backed by then-Mayor Marc Morial, was essentially a move to enforce a residency rule for city workers that had been sitting on the books for decades. The move came during a period of record bloodshed in a city that was more than 60 percent black, with a police force that was 57 percent white.

The rule would survive opposition by a pair of police chiefs, allegations of selective enforcement and a proposal by former Mayor C. Ray Nagin to repeal it. The debate, and the vitriol, resurfaced in 2005 and was nearing a head that summer before Hurricane Katrina struck, the populace scattered and the City Council suspended it.

As advocates press now for a residency requirement for officers in Baton Rouge following the police shooting of Alton Sterling last month, promoting it as a way to mend a deeply frayed trust between cops and community, the issue's thorny history in New Orleans appears to be just that  history.

A manpower crunch that continues to bedevil the New Orleans Police Department has, at least for now, quelled the kind of political heat that erupted over the issue in Baton Rouge, where 67 percent of officers are white in a city that's 55 percent black. Department leaders in Baton Rouge have said this issue is a priority and recent academy classes have included high percentages of minority officers.

In New Orleans, the prevailing political sentiment seems to be that such a law amounts at best to an unaffordable luxury as the city confronts a yawning manpower shortfall in the face of fierce competition for new recruits.

"We need the officers. We need to survive, here and now. We can't be thinking 20 years down the road. There's more demand than supply for police officers, and that demand is only going to increase," said Rafael Goyeneche, president of the nonprofit Metropolitan Crime Commission in New Orleans.

"Would you like to live next to a police officer? Sure, but police officers are just like everybody else. They're looking for the best quality of life that they can get for their family members."

When a sunset provision expired and the New Orleans ordinance came back into effect at the start of 2013, it caught elected leaders off guard. The NOPD was mired in a deep manpower trough, the fallout from a four-year hiring freeze, and the council quickly altered the law, giving new hires a grace period to move into the city.

Questions about whether officers who already lived in the suburbs would be stuck  unable to move to another house outside of New Orleans without running afoul of the ordinance  only heightened the opposition among police officer groups. Citing a potential recruiting obstacle, the City Council in early 2014 scrapped the domicile rule for public safety workers. The vote was 6-1.

The relief brought a spike in recruit applications, said Melanie Talia, CEO of the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, which helped bankroll the upstart recruiting drive.

Less than a year later, the Civil Service Commission loosened another perceived recruiting barrier, scrapping a requirement for most applicants to have 60 hours of college credit.

Lately, that recruiting drive has helped the NOPD log slim net gains. New hiring has started to outpace attrition, though only by a few dozen cops.

Whether the absence of a residency requirement has buoyed that effort remains uncertain. The city's recruiting campaign was just getting underway when the issue was settled in April 2014.

In terms of racial diversity, the NOPD appears to be reversing a trend that saw a steady rise in black officers, from 36 percent of the force in 1990 to 43 percent in 1995, to about 55 percent in 2002 and continuing higher, according to media accounts.

Today, NOPD figures show the force is 57 percent black, just shy of the city's declining black population as a whole.

Yet the NOPD's hiring binge has appeared to reverse that upward trend for black officers. About 58 percent of the new hires since 2013 are white, and just 33.5 percent black, according to the department's own figures.

What's unclear is the racial makeup of the hundreds of officers who have retired, resigned or been fired over that period.

About 57 percent of those new hires list addresses in Orleans Parish, mirroring the figures for the total force.

Civil Service Department figures show that nearly a quarter of the 300 new NOPD hires live in neighboring Jefferson Parish, with 10 percent living across the lake in St. Tammany Parish.

The apparent racial shift comes despite what NOPD spokesman Tyler Gamble chronicled as a concerted effort to recruit from African-American churches and predominantly black neighborhoods, historically black colleges and universities, along with a push into the city's Vietnamese and Spanish-speaking communities.

Eight percent of the new hires are of Asian or Hispanic origin, double that of the force as a whole.

New Orleans is far from alone in struggling to attract black officers, particularly following police-involved deaths of black residents in Ferguson, Missouri, and elsewhere, according to numerous media accounts.

It also is far from alone in scrapping residency requirements for officers. In 2014, after a white officer fatally shot a black teenager in Ferguson, the data journalism outlet Five Thirty Eight reported that most police don't live in the cities they protect and serve, and that only 15 of the nation's largest police forces have residency requirements for officers.

That's down from a level at which more than half of the biggest U.S. cities had such rules in the 1970's.

"Basically, the idea of a city enforcing residency rules is pretty much gone," said Ronal Serpas, the former NOPD superintendent who is now a Loyola University professor.

"Where we stand today, in the post-Ferguson world, to suggest a police officer living in the community they serve would make a better police officer has some intuitiveness, but today's generation are not likely to embrace that type of employment relationship. What we really want are good police officers who serve well where they work."

Serpas, who had served under former New Orleans police Superintendent Richard Pennington when the council passed the ordinance in 1995, said such policies originated as a way to capture local tax dollars. Other arguments in favor of them "ring hollow," he said.

"Advancing the economic interests of a city  that was the first reason. There really wasn't much talk early on about police being closer to the community," Serpas said. "The relationship that they serve better if they work where they live had really not been made. If we don't have officers living in the city, are we going to expect worse policing? That's not the case at all."

In New Orleans, the debate took on deep racial overtones, with the policy viewed by critics as targeting white officers who had taken to the suburbs.

When Nagin first proposed repealing the requirement as mayor-elect in 2002, selling it as a boon for police recruiting, black officer groups described it as a rollback.

Some critics saw the rule under Morial as a vehicle for leapfrogging black officers up the ranks, though a Times-Picayune report in 2005 found several instances in which NOPD brass who lived outside the city slid past the bar to promotion.

"Race was indeed a factor. Most of the officers who lived outside of the city were not African-American. The officers who wanted to live in the suburbs were mostly not African-American. So there was a racial dynamic," said Morial, now president of the National Urban League.

"One of our goals was certainly to make the police department more diverse. I wouldn't say that I saw the residency rule as a tool in doing that. It was more part and parcel in making the department more effective."

Morial said he remains a proponent of the domicile rule as a counter to what he described as "drive-by" policing.

"I can't speak for Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge has got to have its own debate, given the Alton Sterling situation, given some of the challenges which have been exposed," Morial said. "But one of the things that exacerbates police-community relations is when the community believes the police force is just a bunch of outsiders who work for the day and don't care about these communities."

Morial, citing a significant rise in police manpower under his tenure, claimed he "disproved the arguments against it, that it would make it more difficult to recruit."

"I firmly believe the evidence will show the most successful recruiting operation in the history of the NOPD was on my watch, when we had a domicile law and enforced it and had competitive pay."

Eric Hessler, an attorney and spokesman for the Police Association of New Orleans, called the arguments for a residency rule "just a feel-good," saying trust is built one interaction at a time.

Losing the requirement "hasn't hurt the department in any way, shape or form. I certainly don't think having a residency policy is anything but a detriment to recruiting.

"If somebody calls the police, they don't ask you where you live before you go there. They should judge you by what you do and how they treat you when you get there."

To New Orleans City Councilman James Gray, the lone vote against repealing the residency rule two years ago, the issue isn't dead, just dormant.

Gray touted the residency rule as a prod to recruit local talent, but he acknowledged that the city's police manpower struggles make it a fight for another day.

"Nothing quite substitutes for putting police officers on the street who walked those streets as children, as citizens, who have family members walking those same streets. So you tell me you didn't find them? Well, you quit looking," Gray argued.

"Clearly it's something that can be and should be revisited at some point. I don't have a sense it's an argument I can win right now."
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Deputy Nick Tullier, critically wounded in the July 17 Baton Rouge attack on law enforcement, is now off a breathing machine but remains hospitalized and in need of prayers, his father wrote in a Facebook post Sunday.

James Tullier wrote that his son  who was shot in the head and stomach during the attack that left two other officers wounded and killed three others  is receiving an oxygen feed but has been breathing on his own since earlier in the weekend, though concerns remain about his abdominal wounds.

James Tullier also wrote that doctors removed bandages from his son's head and, though he suffered some scarring, "we can live with that."

"Everyday is a miracle," James Tullier wrote. "He has only gotten here through the power of prayer. For that we thank you all very much. I know you will, but I have to say, please keep praying."

Nick Tullier, 41, was wounded in the deadly attack on Airline Highway while he was in his patrol car, running the shooters license plate information. The shooter, a 29-year-old disaffected former Marine from Missouri by the name of Gavin Eugene Long, was killed by police.

Tullier's father wrote in an earlier post on Friday that his son was suffering complications but was "still fighting." The elder Tullier credited prayers from supporters around the world for his son's progress.

+2 Denham Springs community pulls together for critically wounded East Baton Rouge deputy As the family of a critically wounded East Baton Rouge sheriffs deputy continued their vigi

"I know people are praying all over the world but my fear is with time, that will start slacking off some," James Tullier wrote Friday. "Our only hope is for a miracle."
First NBC Bank has filed a petition in federal court to force River Park Development to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a move that would liquidate its assets.

The New Orleans-based bank filed the petition on July 11. First NBC has been battling with River Park, which has a 36.8-acre tract next to Hollywood Casino where developer Pete Clements wants to build hotels, residences, live music venues and restaurants.

In the filing, First NBC said that River Park is generally not paying its debts as they come due. The bank said it had a $50,001 claim against River Park.

In a court filing Friday, Richard Mary, an attorney for River Park, said First NBC isnt qualified to file a bankruptcy petition because the debt is fully secured. Mary noted the riverfront tract that River Park owns in downtown Baton Rouge is valued at more than $64 million and at more than $28 million even in case of a fire sale.

According to documents First NBC filed in February in 19th Judicial District Court, River Park owes the bank about $10.1 million in principal and interest payments.

Mary denied the banks claim that River Park isnt generally paying its debts.

River Park says that First NBC should pay for court costs, attorneys fees and damages as a result of the involuntary bankruptcy filing.

First NBC initiated foreclosure proceedings against River Park in February. At the time, the bank said it extended a $10 million promissory note to River Park in January 2008. The development company was supposed to make regular monthly payments, and the entire amount, plus any interest, was due January 2010. However, the note was modified, most recently in August 2015, when the maturity date was extended to May 2016. River Park and Clements also took out a $200,000 note in June 2015, which was due a month later. That note also was modified in November 2015, when the amount was bumped up to $410,000.

The River Park property was set to be sold at a sheriffs sale in late June. However, that sale was halted after Mary pointed out several problems with First NBCs court filings. Among his arguments was that the original petition was not executed by a licensed attorney but by the bank itself. He also said there were discrepancies between the legal description of the property in the foreclosure filing and what's in the mortgage documents. He also said that River Park officials didnt receive a copy of the original petition or any of the attachments that came with it.

Clements has been working on developing River Park for several years, spending millions on the project, including partnering with Hollywood Casino to build a railroad underpass to improve access to the land.

In 2010, the Legislature approved a tax increment financing district for River Park. That would allow a portion of state and local sales taxes collected in the area to be used toward paying development costs.

Clements went before the Downtown Development District in September 2013 to discuss plans for River Park. At the time, he said financing was nearly lined up and a groundbreaking should be held before the end of the year. He said the development would include 18 local and national restaurants, two live music venues, residences, hotels, a park and a boardwalk along the Mississippi River.
A Slidell Republican said Monday state Superintendent of Education John White should be fired this week after his annual job evaluation.

"In the years since White began implementing his reforms, Louisiana has fallen to the absolute bottom," state Rep. Kevin Pearson said in a prepared statement.

"In any other profession, such a performance would result in termination," Pearson said.

A spokesman for White disputed the criticism and said Louisiana's public school system has shown solid gains.

White is set to undergo his annual job review Wednesday by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The superintendent, who is paid $275,000 per year, works on a month-to-month contract because of an impasse over his future on BESE, which has 11 members.

He has held the job for about 4 1/2 years.

Backers have been just shy of having the eight votes needed to extend his contract, and critics are believed to be well under the tally needed to fire him.

Gov. John Bel Edwards said repeatedly during last year's campaign that he wanted White removed.

But earlier this year the governor backed off those efforts, at least for now, amid a lack of support on BESE to get rid of White.

Despite earlier comments, governor stands down on bid to replace Education Superintendent John White Gov. John Bel Edwards is putting off his vow to try to replace state Superintendent of Educa

"I don't think BESE will do anything," Pearson said in an interview.

"They seem to listen to everything and don't pay any attention on where we are ranking within the nation," he said.

Barry Landry, a spokesman for White, said 4th grade improvements last year were tops in the nation, ACT scores have increased for three years in a row and the high school graduation rate is at an all-time high.

"Representative Pearson's perspective may have been different had he reviewed these facts," Landry said in an email.

House Education Committee Chairwoman Nancy Landry, R-Lafayette, praised White's work.

"John White is one of the most impressive people in all of American education today," Landry said in an email.

"He is a deeply committed and hard-working superintendent," she said. "With John White on the job Louisiana has seen real, meaningful and measurable improvement in education in recent years.

Pearson cited a report issued last week by WalletHub, a personal finance website, that said Louisiana has the worst public school system in the nation.

Worst school system in nation? Louisiana, new study says Just a week before many schools open re-open their doors, a new report says Louisiana has the worst school system in the nation. The review was done by WalletHub, a personal finance website best known for offering credit scores...

The review cited metrics that have long listed the state as 47th, 48th and 49th in key areas, and the state has been near the bottom in academic achievement for generations.

Critics blasted the source of the study.

Teacher union blasts report that ranked Louisiana school system worst in nation The interim president of a teachers' union Tuesday blasted a report that labeled Louisiana's

In a tweet, Stephen Waguespack, president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, said firing White would be a huge mistake, especially amid recent gains in education indicators.
Two long-awaited high schools are opening this week in Baton Rouge, offering different pathways to college and the working world.
The interim president of one of Louisiana's two teachers unions is a veteran New Orleans educator said to know his way around the hot-button issues sparking public school debates in Louisiana.

Larry Carter, 48, also hopes to become full-time president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers in November.

Former LFT President Steve Monaghan retired after nearly 13 often turbulent years. His term included pitched battles in the Legislature in 2012 over former Gov. Bobby Jindal's public schools overhaul, which the LFT vehemently opposed.

Carter is president of the United Teachers of New Orleans, an affiliate of the LFT.

In a rarity in Louisiana, UTNO had a collective bargaining agreement with the Orleans Parish School Board until Hurricane Katrina toppled the city's public school system in 2005.

The group now represents top-performing Ben Franklin High School and Morris Jeff Community School, both charter schools.

UTNO includes about 600 teachers and other school workers in traditional and public charter schools.

Carter is a former teacher at Murray Henderson Elementary School on the West Bank of New Orleans, where he taught fourth- and sixth-graders for seven years.

He has been an UTNO member since 1993, including time as a grievance specialist, when he represented teachers with complaints, and later as organizing director for the group.

"My strength is that of an organizer," he said.

That experience, and seven years as president of the UTNO, have made Carter well-versed in volatile public school topics around the state, according to those who know him.

"He is very much aware of the movements with charters and vouchers and teachers being paid on performance," said Meladie Munch, former president of the Jefferson Federation of Teachers, an affiliate of the LFT.

New Orleans schools have been in the national spotlight periodically since Hurricane Katrina, especially with charter schools dominating the education landscape.

"I know Larry has done presentations around the country because people look at New Orleans with such a radical change from the typical public school system," Munch said. "He could tell people firsthand what was going on."

Carter is known to be quiet, congenial and energetic.

While no lock for the presidency, he is considered a top contender for the three-year term up for grabs.

Louisiana Federation of Teachers has interim president A New Orleans teacher union leader will be interim president of the Louisiana Federation of 

The job means, among other things, all but living at the Legislature when it is in session, especially in the House and Senate education committees.

Monaghan also spent long days at the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education during debates over Common Core, teacher evaluations and letter grades for public schools.

"He is pretty well versed on issues," former BESE member Leslie Jacobs, of New Orleans, said of Carter.

"If you are head of the United Teachers of New Orleans, you are really on the cutting edge of knowing a lot of the issues that are being discussed in education reforms across the state," said Jacobs, who helped establish Louisiana's accountability system.

Unlike Monaghan, the next full-time LFT president has the advantage of having an ally as governor.

The group was among the first to back Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards, who shares many of the LFT's concerns about vouchers and other school overhaul measures.

"The LFT has been on the front lines fighting to improve the education system for children across Louisiana," Edwards said in a prepared statement.

"The former president, Steve Monaghan, worked tirelessly to advance the mission of the organization, and I am certain that the work will continue under its new leadership," he said.

Louisiana union leader eyes retirement Steve Monaghan, president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, will be retiring soon aft

Sen. Wesley Bishop, D-New Orleans, served on the House Education Committee from 2011-15 and got to know Carter.

"Larry has a long-standing career of working with public education and teachers, particularly in the city of New Orleans," Bishop said. "I think it is a good hire."

State Superintendent of Education John White often clashes with LFT positions. But White praised Carter's denunciation of a report earlier this month that said Louisiana has the worst public school system in the nation.

Worst school system in nation? Louisiana, new study says Just a week before many schools open re-open their doors, a new report says Louisiana has the worst school system in the nation. The review was done by WalletHub, a personal finance website best known for offering credit scores...

"Larry is a thoughtful and principled person," White said in an email.

"This week he came to the defense of schools in a big way, explaining the progress in Louisiana classrooms from a factual and informed perspective," he said. "I look forward to working with him."

Carter said he has had a good working relationship with White, a former superintendent of the Recovery School District in New Orleans.

"He has done a fairly good job of pushing the agendas that he was brought in to push." Carter said of White.
The name of Lee High School in Baton Rouge is once again sparking controversy and an African American member of the East Baton Rouge Parish Sc
Two long-awaited high schools are opening this week in Baton Rouge, offering different pathways to college and the working world.

Opening Monday is Cristo Rey Baton Rouge Franciscan High School, the newest member of a Chicago-based network of 32 Catholic schools in 21 states and the networks first in Louisiana.

Supporters have been working for more than two years to bring Cristo Rey to Baton Rouge. Its inaugural class of 78 ninth-graders will not only learn in the classroom, but starting Monday, they also will go to work. At least one full day each week, they will work at a white-collar job in town. In exchange, 17 Baton Rouge employers have agreed to underwrite part of their tuition.

On Wednesday, students return to Lee High School historic home in the Southdowns subdivision after spending three years in a temporary location. They return to a new $54.7 million building and a new academic program. About 850 students in grades nine to 12 are expected to show up, nearly twice the number who enrolled last year; the public school eventually will grow to about 1,200 students.

A cross between a community college and a Silicon Valley startup, Lee High's new campus has a commons building and three academies, focusing on digital media, engineering and biomedicine. Students will have the chance to amass a variety of college credits, ranging from mainstays like math and English to rare courses like cell genetics.

Cristo Rey students first arrived July 12 for a three-week orientation to get ready not just for school but their new workplaces.

Roderick Adams said her daughter Rakia, 14, learned about work ethic and conduct. For instance, she spent one session learning just about proper phone etiquette.

You cant just send a text message like you do with your friends, Adams said. Youve got to be professional.

On Friday morning, they returned dressed in blue plaid Catholic school uniforms. They sat in the pews next door at St. Gerard Majella Catholic Church to celebrate Mass and officially dedicate their new school.

What a fantastic opportunity. You have a great privilege, said an ebullient Bishop Robert Muench, who presided over the Mass. You have a lot of people pulling for you.

If this sounds like a pep talk, thats what I had in mind, Muench continued. I want you to be fired up! Not fired.

Yes, students at Cristo Rey can get fired. If that happens, they get second chances with a different employer. Students terminated twice, however, not only lose their job, they are expelled from the school.

Meleyah Murphy, 14, has been paired with Our Lady of the Lake health system, one of the sponsors. Murphy said she will be doing a variety of clerical work, including scanning and printing.

I have my own desk, she said with a smile. I can put anything I want on it.

Darell Lee Jr., 14, is looking forward to starting his work-study job at the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. He was more excited, though, before he learned that the money hell make isnt going right into his pocket.

I know we were going to get paid, Lee said. I didnt know it was all going to my education.

Cristo Rey is leasing the former Redemptorist High School as its home. The Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge provoked controversy in May 2015 when it closed Redemptorist, a north Baton Rouge institution for nearly 70 years.

Redemptorists enrollment, once topping 1,000 kids, had declined to about 200. The final blow came in fall 2014 when the state froze the high school out of its publicly funded private school voucher program due to low test scores.

Redemptorist supporters tried in vain to persuade the diocese to keep the school open, claiming the closure was made to free up a home for Cristo Rey, which already had announced plans to come to Baton Rouge. Cristo Rey denied it had any interest in locating at Redemptorist. But two months after Redemptorist closed, Cristo Rey officials reversed course and leased the school building, saying they were unhappy with the other places they had considered.

Redemptorist was one of many high schools in north Baton Rouge that have either closed or seen their enrollments shrink substantially. Cristo Rey is arguably part of a reversal of that trend. It is one of a handful of schools with high school grades opening in north Baton Rouge now and in the near future. Though its starting small, Cristo Rey hopes to expand to about 400 students by fall 2019.

Cristo Reys high schools seek low-income students, many behind their peers academically, who the organization thinks can handle the combination of white-collar work and a college prep curriculum. About 90 percent of Cristo Rey graduates elsewhere ended up enrolling in college.

Cristo Rey students in Baton Rouge have family incomes no greater than 250 percent of the federal poverty line, which works out to about $60,750 a year for a family of four. Students below that income threshold qualify for a mostly state-funded private school tuition rebate currently worth $4,662 a year. The net tuition is $1,400, though the school is providing additional financial aid on a case-by-case basis.

Fridays dedication Mass attracted many of the new schools supporters, including representatives of the nonprofit New Schools for Baton Rouge, which gave Cristo Rey money to come here.

It took a lot of people, a lot of money and a lot of effort to make this possible, Muench said Friday.

Lee High also required a lot of people, money and effort to get off the ground. And like Cristo Rey, it will require even more to become what its organizers hope it will be.

Robert E. Lee High School first opened as a south Baton Rouge neighborhood high school in 1959, named after the famed Civil War general. A half-century later, the campus at 1105 Lee Drive had fallen into disrepair. In 2008, voters, as part of the renewal of a 1-cent sale tax devoted to schools, agreed to tear down and rebuild Lee.

Since then, the school has gone on a tumultuous journey. It has closed, reopened, converted from a neighborhood school to a dedicated magnet school meant to rival Baton Rouge Magnet High, then moved 2 miles away to a temporary home while it was rebuilt.

Through all its changes, the East Baton Rouge Parish school system, in part to please school alumni, stuck with the schools increasingly controversial name. A request by parents this spring to shorten the schools name and make the connection to the Civil War general less obvious provoked weeks of debate.

On June 16, the parish School Board, divided along racial lines, voted to excise the Robert E but to keep Lee High School as the schools official name. A compromise of sorts, it left many unsatisfied.

Despite its grounded-in-the-past name, Lee High School is forward-thinking in design and quite different from the high school Baton Rouge has known for decades.

Pittsburgh native Bernard Taylor, who served as superintendent from 2012 to 2015, left a heavy imprint on the new Lee High. Taylor re-envisioned Lee High as a 21st-century school full of technology with a special emphasis on learning through student projects. The result is an architectural design that eschews a traditional school layout, opting instead for flexible and adaptive spaces that can change with the shifting demands of educators.

The task of fleshing out Taylors broad vision and figuring out what to do with these unusual spaces was left to Nan McCann. The longtime principal of Baton Rouge Magnet High was tapped in May 2014 to take over Lee as well.

McCann joined forces with Frank Neubrander, LSU math professor and co-director of the universitys Gordon A. Cain Center, which provides research and outreach on educational issues. McCann and Neubrander pulled together a diverse team of East Baton Rouge Parish and LSU school leaders.

After several months of work, the team eventually settled on making computational thinking and big data Lees overarching theme, where every class will touch on elements of computer science and statistical analysis. To make this happen, Lee formed a partnership with LSU, which is offering an array of help. Lee in turn is becoming an early college for LSU, allowing Lee graduates to vault ahead of their peers if they decide to become a Tiger.

Throughout, McCann assembled a team of educators to bring this theme to life. She could not hire teachers from other schools in the parish; she had to recruit from outside the school system.

Neubrander said hes impressed with what shes managed to do.

What Nan has assembled there is a really remarkable faculty, he said. It goes through all departments.

One of the school's linchpins is computer programming. Consequently, every Lee student will have to learn coding.

Its universal between all three academies, said LSU research associate Vanessa Begat, who is doubling as Lees lead engineering teacher. You can apply it to any discipline.

All Lee High students have take-home laptops, and Wi-Fi access points abound, meaning good reception all the way to a walking track that borders the 26-acre campus. A new AT&T cellphone tower, disguised to look like a pine tree  right down to a fake tree trunk  helps as well. Teachers will all use interactive, electronic whiteboards. With a few exceptions, textbooks are all electronic.

Students visited July 28 and 29 to pick up their schedules and locate their classes. Nearly half of them, more than 360 students, are ninth-graders. Were set for our ninth-graders, McCann said.

The upper grades are less developed. McCanns team is still creating courses in digital media, engineering and biomedicine for those grades. Some sequences are further along. For instance, Begat is well along spearheading the development of the pre-college engineering course.

The least developed sequence is biomedicine. McCann had hired a lead teacher for this area who left for another job. To complete the biomedicine sequence, McCann has persuaded Suzy Sonnier, executive director of the Baton Rouge Health District, to form a working group of about 10 health professionals.

Theres another prominent unfinished area at the new Lee: wow spaces. Thats the name architects gave to massive three-story atriums located at the entrance of each of the three academies. They are meant to be sandboxes for large creative projects.

Taylor, the former superintendent, wanted corporate partnerships to finance the outfitting of these wow spaces. The schools systems charitable foundation, the Foundation for East Baton Rouge School System, was tasked to strike those partnerships but has thus far been unsuccessful.

Adonica Duggan, a spokeswoman for the school system, said many potential donors visited the spaces last summer and fall, but none ended up signing on.

Only one of the wow spaces has been partially outfitted. The school systems magnet program was able to come up with almost $77,000 to purchase visual and sound equipment for the digital media space.

McCann hasnt given up. The biomedical wow space, she said, is still in design, a task assigned to Sonniers team.

She said the plan for the engineering space is to create a fabrication lab filled with 3-D printers and other creative tools, and she said she still hopes to find private donors in time for the 2017-18 school year.
A state budget deficit is all but "inevitable" and will need to be addressed by paring back spending, Gov. John Bel Edwards' chief budget adviser said Monday.

But that doesn't mean that legislators will be called back to the Capitol for a third special session this year.

"I don't think anybody is planning right now on another special session," Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne during a Press Club of Baton Rouge luncheon.

It's unclear how large the hole in the budget that ended June 30 will be, as final figures aren't in, but Dardenne said he is bracing for bad news.

"I think we are going to be facing some amount of a deficit that will have to be dealt with," he said.

Any gap from last year's budget will have to be made up by taking money from the budget that began July 1, which already included cuts to several state agencies.

Dardenne said the Edwards administration has already warned agency heads that they should be prepared for further cutbacks in the nearly $25 billion state spending plan.

"We're hopeful that people are listening and not spending money too quickly," he said.

Louisiana leaders weigh possible short-term loan to shore up cash flow Louisiana leaders are developing a game plan just in case the state starts to experience cas

The state Legislature earlier this year held two special sessions to try to rectify an anticipated shortfall. Initial estimates were that the state was about $2 billion short of money that had been budgeted last year. Lawmakers believed they had bridged the gap by a variety of actions, including hikes in the state sales tax and cigarette tax.

Edwards has said he wants state lawmakers to prioritize a long-term budget approach during next year's legislative session. A task force devoted to budgeting and tax recommendations has been meeting regularly for the past several months. Its report is due in September.

"That, I think, will provide a blue print of where the administration is going to head," Dardenne said.

Dardenne said his believe that the state still wound up short on last year's budget is based on the word of economists and projections linked to the money that has come in so far.

After the second special session ended in June, Dardenne said the Edwards administration met with agency heads and instructed them to manage their budgets "judiciously and cautiously."

Agencies have been instructed to review contracts to find areas where they can be cut back or eliminated.

"I think everybody's taking that message seriously," he said.

The governor's office recently revealed that it had saved nearly $1 million by renegotiating contracts for information technology services and eliminating unfilled positions. The state is also beginning the process of consolidating call centers that address issues for the state Department of Health and the Division of Children and Family Services.

"It's going to save us a significant amount of money and be a lot more efficient," Dardenne said, but he didn't have a specific dollar figure.

The state also is in the process of re-negotiating contracts with private partners that operate the state's safety net hospital services under agreements reached with the previous administration. Dardenne said the goal is to make the contracts more efficient.

"They were not confected in a way that is favorable to the state in any shape or form," he said.
When you're looking for new ideas in the world of food and drink, often the best place to start is the past. Chefs and food entrepreneurs acro
Major closure to SB Causeway on Monday after vehicle plunged into Lake Pontchartrain

Major closure to SB Causeway on Monday after vehicle plunged into Lake Pontchartrain
A new bridge program between the University of New Orleans and Delgado Community College will automatically admit low-scoring UNO applicants t
Macbeth. By William Shakespeare. Directed by Jordan Best. Canberra Repertory Society. Theatre 3, Ellery Circuit, Acton. Until August 20. Bookings 6257 1950 or canberrarep.org.au. It has been some decades since Canberra Repertory Society last attempted Macbeth. But Jordan Best's direction ensures a clear-eyed view of the piece. It's a powerful thing to see the full width of Theatre 3's playing area taken advantage of and costume and setting stripped back to no more than suggestions of antiquity. Jenna Roberts and Chris Zuber lead the cast in Macbeth. Credit:Helen Drum Chris Zuber and Jenna Roberts as the central couple lead the company most capably. They are a young Macbeth and Lady Macbeth but already beset with restlessness and ambition. The witches' prophecies simply fuel what is already there. There could be more made of Macbeth's inner turmoil in Zuber's performance but he has presence and a sense of the consequences of his actions. It is a telling moment when this Macbeth says, "We will proceed no further in this business" only to give in to his wife's scorn almost fatalistically.

There is a sinister edge to Macbeth, starring Chris Zuber, left, and David Bennett. Credit:Helen Drum Roberts' Lady Macbeth has no living children and her focus is on her husband and his ambitions, however wavering. Roberts' performance has a clarity that makes it clear she cannot see anything beyond the act of murder except that Macbeth will gain the power and position the witches seem to promise. Her death in this production loses the ambiguity it has in the script but that choice serves to add a sinister edge to David Bennett's Doctor and the tensions between this and the honesty of the Gentlewoman (Alex McPherson) in the sleepwalking scene are unusually sharp. The witches are a little too vocally prosaic for my liking but their hooded figures behind the long black scrim that divides the front from the back of the stage are disturbingly sinister. Blink and you'll miss them disappearing due to a neat bit of theatrical magic. But the true magic in this show is the assembling of a large cast with experienced players generously taking on more minor roles than usual, with doubling abounding; everyone seems to get a branch of Birnam Wood. Jim Adamik's arrival as a demented Harry Lauder of a Porter is kind of expected but Bennett's Doctor is a surprise as is Sam Hannan-Morrow's younger than usual King Duncan, Tim Sekuless as a Lennox of some warmth and Tony Falla as a Banquo of substance, living or ghost.
An analysis used by Labor to claim the Liberals would cost 2000 jobs is fundamentally flawed and significantly exaggerates the depth of any cuts.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr used a costings analysis produced by his office to savage the Canberra Liberals earlier this month.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr used a costings analysis produced by his office. Credit:Dan Pinhorn

He claimed their various election promises, policy stances, and criticisms of government in the past four years would force them to spend $400 million in their first four years of government, including $220 million for ripping up the light rail contract, and roughly $134.4 million in clear and obvious Liberal election promises.

Labor then took the attack a step further last week.
Melbourne looks set to remain the long-term home of the Brownlow Medal count.

The AFL is in negotiations with Crown Casino about extending their contract to host the grand final week event.

This follows a report on the weekend detailing the New South Wales government's interest in taking the Brownlow north.

The league's five-year agreement with Crown is due to expire this year.
Deliveroo has raised $361 million in a bid to compete with UberEats. The London-based food delivery service announced the investment, lead by Bridgepoint, on Friday night. It said the funds would be used to expand its service in new and existing markets as well as provide money for its latest service, RooBox, which gives restaurants access to "delivery-only kitchens". Deliveroo's Australian head, Levi Aron, said the company's take-up of new technologies had helped cement its position in the Australian market.

Deliveroo says new funds will be used to expand into new and existing markets. Credit:Jason South "Deliveroo continues to strive and bring the latest technological and data-driven innovations to the restaurant industry, including our newest rollout called RooBox," he said in a statement. The investment takes the company's funds raised to date to $623 million and has lead to speculation its valuation has now reached "unicorn" status of more than $1 billion. Ride-sharing giant Uber launched its food delivery service, UberEats, in Melbourne in April and Sydney last month. The service is available in only a handful of European and North American cities. The arrival of UberEats to Australia adds to an already crowded food delivery market that includes Deliveroo, Foodora, Menulog and Suppertime.
The venerable David Jones menswear store in Market Street, which has been in the group since 1938, has been sold for $360 million and will see apartments built on top of a revamped retail centre.

The long-anticipated sale comes only three days after the owners of the department chain, the South African Woolworths, revealed it was severing its corporate ties with Sydney by relocating head office operations to Melbourne.

David Jones' iconic Market Street store will be sold to the Scentre group for $360 million.

Scentre Group, the owner of the Westfield Sydney mall and the Melbourne-based super fund Cbus were the buyers. Scentre will redevelop the retail floors to adjoin its mall, while Cbus will develop the air rights into apartments.

In a statement late Monday evening, Scentre's chief executive Peter Allen said the group's share of the purchase price is $182.5 million with Cbus Property paying the balance of $177.5 million.
While the privacy concerns resonate with The Age, we do not believe they are sufficient to justify boycotting the census, a course being widely advocated, including in our opinion pages and on our digital platforms today by a former deputy privacy commissioner.

The current concern is primarily in response to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' decision to store the names and addresses of respondents to the compulsory census. Previously, the ABS has destroyed these key identifying details as soon as the statistical data had been processed. Against the potential for such unprecedented consolidation to facilitate breaches of privacy  be they sinister or inadvertent  must be weighed the fundamental value to our community of the census.

This wariness is a corollary of our collective cherishing of freedom and the principle that those in public office have positions of public trust. It's a wariness that killed a two-year attempt almost 30 years ago by the Labor government, led by one of the most skilled builders of social and political consensus, Bob Hawke, to introduce a national identity card that would have centralised vital information under a unique number for each citizen. And it's a wariness that is peaking ahead of Tuesday's census, the five-yearly collection of pivotal statistical information about the people who live in this nation.

Times have changed. A census collector in 1976.

The ABS and the government argue privacy will be protected by stringent measures. There is no reason to doubt the sincerity of this, but it is not unreasonable to harbour some concerns about the potential for information to be misused, stolen, leaked or hacked. Nevertheless, the likely benefits to Australia of richer, more calibrated national data outweigh the chance that privacy will be breached. People's privacy is far more at risk from the multifarious digital footprints they inevitably leave on the open internet, and from the potential misuse of confidential information so many willingly provide to companies online.

The ABS argues it will develop "a richer and dynamic statistical picture of Australia through the combination of census data with other survey and administrative data". We have long been advocates for evidence-based public policy. We have long been advocates for the tenets of public policy: transparency, accountability, efficiency, fairness and effectiveness. And we believe that the ability to generate good public policy probably will be augmented by the census changes. But we also hold that there must be vigilance, and that any transgressions of privacy be dealt with harshly.

The ABS has not dealt impressively with communicating the change. By announcing its decision in a media release the Friday before Christmas, the ABS created suspicions the move was untoward. Since then, it has been struggling to reassure people. Had it better explained the benefits and protections, it might not have encountered such resistance.

Some objectors will boycott the mandatory survey. It is not clear what the legal situation for such people would be, as there is debate about whether names and addresses would fit the definition of statistics in The Census and Statistics Act. Whatever the legal considerations, The Age believes it is in the enlightened self-interest of citizens to fill out the census in good faith, for the augmented data should help all in the public policy debate  including bureaucrats, politicians, academics, media, research organisations and individuals  better create opportunities throughout our economy and society.
Time's running out: Sign up for the City2Surf fun run

Rain will be banished for most of Australia this week as a large high-pressure system dominates, creating near ideal conditions for Sydney's big day out  the 2016 Sun-Herald City2Surf, presented by Westpac.

While most mornings will be cooler than average, daytime temperatures will nudge in front of the norm, with only a small chance of rain on most days this week.

Wednesday may be the pick of the days, with a top of 23 forecast and a low of 13 degrees  both 4-5 degrees warmer than is typical for August, the Bureau of Meteorology said. Tuesday's top is likely to be almost as warm, with 22 degrees tipped.
Newly elected One Nation senator Rod Culleton has had his larceny conviction annulled in court but will have to again defend the charge when the case returns to court in September.

It was a dramatic day for the West Australian One Nation senator who was arrested after handing himself into police in Armidale, five months after a conviction warrant was issued for his arrest.

Fairfax Media revealed on Friday Culleton was risking arrest if he entered NSW, and after trying to avoid media outside Armidale Local Court, the 52-year-old was arrested and placed in police custody before being bailed to go to court.

Magistrate Michael Holmes, who issued the warrant for his arrest in March, said it "was in the interests of justice" to annul the conviction, after Culleton finally appeared.
The minister responsible for the census has compared it to Facebook, saying concern about its ability to track people is "much ado about nothing".

Michael McCormack, who also has responsibility for small business, was responding to Senate powerbroker Nick Xenophon, who on Monday vowed to withhold his name from the census and face fines of $180 per day rather than have his name kept on file.

The Bureau has announced that the names collected in this year's census will be retained instead of being thrown away after processing, as in the past. They will be used to create linkage keys, which will allow the personal information in the census to be linked to information gleaned from other surveys to provide a richer picture of those surveyed. The answers could also be linked to medical, criminal, road traffic and educational records.

Although the names will be destroyed within four years, the linkage keys created from the names will be kept indefinitely.
Treasurer Scott Morrison has confirmed plans to water down some of the superannuation changes announced in the budget, but says he'll hold the line on the most important elements.

Speaking on Macquarie Radio, Mr Morrison said while the proposed $500,000 lifetime cap on top-up contributions out of post-tax income would remain, he was prepared to write in exemptions for people experiencing "major life events".

"One of them, if you get a pay-out as a result of an accident or something like that, then that is exempted from the $500,000 cap," he said. "If you have entered into a contract before budget night to settle on a property asset out of your self-managed super fund and you are using after-tax contributions to settle that contract  well, that won't be included."

Other measures would be in the exposure draft of the legislation that would be released shortly.
Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics asks more than 18 million people to tell the truth.

This year, when anxiety about privacy is high and the census form is filled in online rather than by looking a data collector in the eye, how does the bureau know when you're lying?

Sometimes, it's obvious.

Take the 16 people in Australia who claimed during the last census in 2011 that they were born in Antarctica.
Lord mayor Clover Moore is backing herself to win over business voters and defeat what she has described as an "undemocratic gerrymander" to secure conservative control of Town Hall.

Cr Moore's City of Sydney revealed on Monday that more than 20,000 non-residential voters had been added to the roll to vote in the September elections, after the state government passed laws to increase the power of the business vote.

The laws, passed last year, require the council to maintain a constantly updated roll of property owners, lessees and sole traders, to alert those potential voters they are required to vote, and to grant corporations two votes each.

The Labor Party has promised to repeal the laws, which have resulted in 22,972 verified non-residential being enrolled to vote on September 10.
Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore's campaign against the proposed densities around Waterloo has not cut the city out of the government's major redevelopment plans for the area.

NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes gave his strongest comments yet that the City of Sydney would be given a seat at the planning table, labelling the council a "crucial partner" in the government's development plans for the city.

"The city over time has developed strong expertise in delivering on complex sites, and we want to work in partnership with them, and that's going to be a recipe for success," Mr Stokes said on Monday.

"They have to be a crucial partner in whatever we deliver in the city."
A Queensland man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of murdering a pregnant McDonald's worker more than three years ago.

A Brisbane Supreme Court jury on Monday convicted Andrew Michael Burke of 27-year-old Joan Ryther's rape and murder, as well as killing her unborn child at Logan Central in May 2013.

Justice Debra Mullins sentenced him to a head term of life imprisonment for murder, opting not to alter the standard 20-year non-parole period despite prosecution submissions based on the viciousness of the crimes.

It came after Mrs Ryther's husband, Cory Ryther, gave an impassioned victim impact statement to the court in which he described the "inhuman act" that robbed him of his wife and unborn child.
Queensland Education Minister Kate Jones says a lack of job security is to blame for the re-emergence of One Nation as a political force.

A Galaxy poll, published by News Corp on the weekend, showed more than one in six voters support One Nation at state level.

Education Minister Kate Jones. Credit:Glenn Hunt

"There are a lot of people out there who expect the government to work really hard to create jobs. People are doing it tough ... and they're expressing it with their vote," Ms Jones told reporters at a state cabinet meeting being held at the Brisbane Royal Show.

She conceded the government needed to work harder to create jobs.
The victim of a doctor whose schizophrenia saw him acquitted of sexually assaulting 17 of his patients has "given up faith in this country" after learning he was still practising.

Marlene Eziuzor, 51, broke down crying when she heard the Brisbane man was able to see patients again thanks to a tribunal decision.

In August 2012, Kevin Robert Wong was charged with 27 counts of sexual assault after police investigated allegations from 18 complainants - 17 patients and a female staff member.

The case was referred to the Mental Health Court in 2013, which found the doctor was suffering from "unsoundness of mind" during the alleged offences, acquitted him and allowed him to keep practising under a range of conditions including that he keep taking medication to ward off another relapse.
An elderly woman has been injured in a drive-by bag snatching on the Gold Coast.

The 79-year-old was walking with her husband at Carrara on Sunday afternoon when a car approached and a male passenger ripped her bag from her shoulder.

Police have arrested two men in relation to a bag snatching incident on the Gold Coast. Credit:Tom Threadingham

The woman suffered a bruised wrist as a result of the bag being wrenched from her shoulder.

Police have charged two men in relation to the incident.
When people in Brazil and Canada tapped on the Facebook app during the Olympics' opening ceremony, a camera appeared on top of the News Feed, making it easy to snap photos and videos and add Olympics-themed filters, frames and masks.

It's the latest example of Facebook's new "video first" philosophy, the belief that moving images will soon subsume words and photographs as the preferred means of sharing personal updates on social media and messaging services. It's also an escalation of growing competition for eyeballs and advertising dollars with the buzzy and youth-friendly mobile app Snapchat.

Facebook's new feature shows a camera feed when you open the app, just like Snapchat. Credit:Facebook

The idea: to make it easier to shoot photos and videos and give people tools  filters, frames and masks popular on Snapchat  to make status updates more personal and expressive. The masks are from MSQRD, the start-up Facebook bought in March which makes imaging software that jazzes up videos and selfies with fun filters, masks and other special effects.

Here, Facebook is taking a page directly from the visual storytelling style made popular by Snapchat. Open Snapchat and you'll find something that looks a lot like your phone's camera app. Snapchat users can jazz up selfies and videos with emojis, doodles or an ever evolving array of filters.
Police could lay further charges after an alleged political extremist linked with far right group Reclaim Australia was arrested in counter-terrorism raids on the weekend.

Phillip Galea, 31, was arrested at a property in Ballarat Road, Braybrook, on Saturday afternoon.

Police have laid two charges against Mr Galea in relation to preparing to commit a terrorist act.

Properties in Bacchus Marsh and Tatura, near Shepparton, were also searched, however no one else has been arrested in connection to the raids.
In 2015, students devoted an average of 59.4 minutes to learning a language every week, a figure which has stagnated over the past decade, despite a massive increase in the uptake of languages in primary schools.

Just 0.9 per cent of Victorian schools, excluding those offering bilingual programs, met the Department's target of 150 minutes of language teaching a week.

Primary school students are spending, on average, less than half the time recommended by the Education Department learning a language.

Yvette Slaughter, a language education expert from the University of Melbourne, said increasing the time spent learning languages was an ongoing challenge.

"There's a lot to fit in the curriculum and schools do need to be convinced about the value of language education. The less amount of time they spend learning a language, the less they are able to achieve by the time they finish school," she said.

Dr Slaughter said parents were often disillusioned about what their children would achieve through school language programs.

"They get disillusioned by the argument that it is good for trade or career purposes. But that pathway requires a lot more work than the education system will allow for. Even at a VCE level."

But schools are finding creative ways of meeting these challenges.
For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  August 08, 2016  Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Aerospace & Defense, Part 2, including Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII), General Dynamics Corp. ( GD), Boeing (BA), Raytheon Company (RTN) and United Technologies (UTX).

Industry: Aerospace & Defense, Part 2

Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/87748/is-war-on-terror-a-boon-for-the-defense-industry

U.S. defense companies are benefiting from the ongoing warfare in the Middle East and elsewhere. Europe, the Middle East and Asia havent let demand flag, resulting in a steady inflow of defense dollars.

The terror spawned by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has deepened the resolve of the West to fight it. The increased threat of global terrorism means more spending on defense and intelligence services. This has drawn market watchers to closely track defense stocks and the sector overall.

The aerospace and defense sector is expected to return to growth going forward from declines in the past three years that bore the brunt of weak U.S. defense budgets. The increase in the domestic defense budget and growth in defense budgets of important allied nations around the world spurred by emergent global security threats are expected to aid the sector as a whole.

But no country in the world can match the U.S. when it comes to military spending. In the U.S., military spending consumes two-thirds of the discretionary budget, way ahead of the second-spot occupant China and third, Russia.

Increasing threats and the need to safeguard the interest of nations and people have pushed up demand for U.S. weapons exports, benefiting U.S. defense manufacturers. The ISIS and Syrian conflict, continued saber-rattling by North Korean leadership and high tensions over the disputed ownership of islands in the East and South China Sea are some of the ongoing global flashpoints.



Many of the defense majors are doing a decent job, propelled by the following strategies:

Story continues

Budget Stability: On the eve of Halloween 2015, Congress approved a crucial bipartisan budget agreement, in line with the White House. Although it was $5 billion short of the President's 2016 defense budget request, the comprehensive two-year budget deal, unveiled on Oct 26, 2015, is expected to give Pentagon planners the fiscal stability they have been pleading for. This deal is also a reprieve from situations involving government shutdowns and lengthy stop-gap spending measures.

Adding to the positive sentiment, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter unveiled the fiscal 2017 defense budget this February. The contemporary political scenario, marked by Russian assertiveness and the brutal rise of the ISIS, has reshaped spending priorities to a large extent.

Among the priorities, the budget will seek a major boost in funding for the fight against ISIS as part of its FY 2017 defense budget request. This signifies a potential stepping up of U.S. military efforts. The $7.5 billion request for the fight against the Islamic State is up about 50% from the FY 2016 allocation.

The Obama administration has decided to boost the European Reassurance Initiative budget to $3.4 billion for fiscal year 2017 to support military training and exercises on the continent. This is almost a four-fold increase from 2016's $789 million that will likely help the U.S. to reinforce its military stance in Europe in view of Russias ominous moves in Eastern Europe since the annexation of Crimea in Mar 2014 and the ensuing war in eastern Ukraine.

The proposed budget will also seek to enhance spending in several key areas, including cybersecurity, electronic warfare and increased security for crucial U.S. satellites. $8.1 billion of funds for submarines (with over $40 billion in the next five years) brings into focus the likes of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII) and General Dynamics Corp. ( GD).

Foreign Military Sales (FMS): The big defense operators are expanding their markets, with foreign sales acting as a key top-line growth driver. Driving the demand for foreign sales is a number of escalating regional conflicts, such as, the ongoing Syrian civil war, the unsettled situation in Iraq, Yemen and Libya, and tensions in Eastern Europe. Apart from the U.S., U.K. or France, a number of emerging markets as well as nations, such as, India, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Brazil are increasing defense spending and generating business for the U.S. aerospace and defense companies.

Notably, defense stocks are in the spotlight as countries in Europe and the Middle East may need to ramp up their defense spending in order to combat the threats posed by ISIS. Indeed, Britain has planned to boost its defense equipment budget by 7% over the next 10 years. The total budget amounts to approximately $270 billion, including the uplift in equipment spending, the purchase of nine new Boeing ( BA) P8 maritime patrol aircraft and two new strike brigades by 2025.

In fiscal 2015, sales under the government-to-government FMS Program totaled $35.35 billion, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The U.S. government is on track to approve nearly $40 billion in FMS in the 2016 fiscal year that ends on Oct 1, as per a top Pentagon official.

In this regard, it is worth mentioning that foreign military contracts are a vital growth driver for Raytheon Company ( RTN) too. The company has been witnessing a steady rise in international sales over the past few years. International bookings comprised 31% of total company bookings in the second quarter of 2016. International sales increased 8% in the quarter while 42% of the total backlog was from international customers. Rising demand from the Gulf countries as well as the Asia-Pacific region will likely be the companys primary revenue driver.

Restructuring/Acquisition: To maintain margins in a tough business environment, companies are squeezing costs out of their operations and diversifying into new business areas. Commercial aviation is one such diversification play, with opportunities in the emerging markets driving the trend.

New macro challenges are prompting industry players to revisit their business models. One such example is Lockheed Martins two recent strategic moves  a planned spin-off or sale of its government IT and technical services businesses and the acquisition of Sikorsky. This prime defense contractor became an even bigger aerospace powerhouse as it scooped up Black Hawk helicopter maker Sikorsky Aircraft from United Technologies ( UTX) for $9 billion in cash.

Bottom Line

The U.S. defense majors will likely rule in the near term as the world comes together to combat the brutal jihadist group ISIS. With two years of budget security, investing in defense looks to be a good idea now, particularly buying the blue-chip stocks on the dips.

Check out our latest  Aerospace & Defense Stock Outlook  for more on the current state of affairs in this market from an earnings perspective, and how the trend is shaping up for this important sector of the economy now.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978. The later formation of the Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock picking system; continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Click here for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros.

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

support@zacks.com

https://www.zacks.com/performance

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.



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



HUNTINGTON INGL (HII): Free Stock Analysis Report



GENL DYNAMICS (GD): Free Stock Analysis Report



BOEING CO (BA): Free Stock Analysis Report



RAYTHEON CO (RTN): Free Stock Analysis Report



UTD TECHS CORP (UTX): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Is Naz breaking bad?

Thats the harrowing thought that comes from watching Sunday nights episode of The Night Of, Season of the Witch, which finds our central character changing before our eyes as he becomes even closer to Michael K. Williams prison power broker, Freddy.

To garner favor and, with it, protection from Freddy, Naz (played by Riz Ahmed) begins doing some of his biddingsmuggling drugs, challenging other inmates, shaving his head, and smoking. In one scene, he beats an inmate that previously attacked him so brutally Freddys henchman have to stop Naz before he kills him.

Exhibiting a rage and capacity for darkness that, previously watching this scared and nervous Bambi, we wouldnt have believed Naz had in him, were now forced to wonder: has this capacity been in him all along? At this halfway point in The Night Of, more doubt than ever into Nazs innocence is introduced when this upstanding citizen who seemed wholly incapable of such brutal violence is seen not just tiptoeing into, but embracing dark and violent tendencies.

More, we find out that Naz had been keeping an incriminating secret: he had been on amphetamines the night of the murder hes been accused of. What else has he been hiding?

With The Night Of basking in critical accolades and reaching a turning point in its exalted HBO run, we gathered Ahmed, Williams, and series creators Steven Zaillian and Richard Price to discuss the significance of Nazs transformation, what that does to our impression of his guilt, and the surprising cultural resonance that has grown out of this gritty crime drama.

Episode 5 has been called the episode when Naz breaks bad. What is it about where he is at this point in his jail stay that causes that drastic change?

Riz Ahmed: Obviously theres a carefully mapped trajectory that these guys have already crafted in the script. And I guess my interpretation is this classic American Dream. Naz is the child of immigrants. An aspirational character. Working a job. Going to college. Hes a caterpillar but wants to be the butterfly. Theres this thing, something in the water in America that is so intoxicating as well, thats like your dreams can come true. You can have it all. You can be the master of your destiny. Theres this thing it encouragesthis illusion of your significance. And the way I saw it is that Naz ultimately empowers himself by accepting his insignificance; by accepting that hes a cog in the machine.

So the transformation is born out of a resignation, of sorts? A giving in?

Ahmed: Its a weird idea. This Zen idea or something of when you kill your ego, thats when things flow through you. Thats how you empower yourself, by letting go. So in a way I think thats how Naz gets throughletting go of some of his dreams, letting go of himself, accepting his environment, that guy who you meet in episode one, where is he now? Were all defined by our context. His context is dead. In this new context he needs to empower himself and embrace his new reality.

Steven Zaillian: The other thing, too, is that everyone you meet, just in life, you have an impression of who they are. Who you meet in episode one, in terms of Naz, its part of him but its not all of him. And a lot of times these other parts of him arent allowed to come out unless the circumstances are a certain way.

Ahmed: Its a really good point, actually. You dont know whats in that cocoon. Is it gonna be a butterfly? Or what is going to come out? So its this idea that there are different sides to us. And in different contexts, a different side to us is what flourishes and goes. I think thats the deep truth about us. A lot of people are saying, Naz is so naive, why isnt he calling the police? [in reaction to Nazs arrest] I think as a person of color, Muslim, post-9/11 in the justice system you have reason to be suspicious of law enforcementand maybe be a little bit cagey. Do the things that people are screaming at the TV screen, Why are you doing this? Why are you doing that? I think you come in with scars. I think you come in with baggage. Just growing up as a person of color with that baggage, I think theres a part of you that is a survivor; that knows how to get shit done in order to survive. You dont make it even that far unless you have that in you.

And then in terms, too, of the audience experience of whether he did it, or couldve done it, deeing these darker, more violent and vicious parts of Nazs personality coming out of the cocoon obviously gives anyone who thought of him as this Bambi who didnt do it some intense pause. Why is this happening so suddenly in the narrative?

Zaillian: It was carefully crafted from moment to moment. Again, what I was saying is that everyone has different sidesnot only one other side, but many different sides to who they are. Not just Naz. Freddy. The police. The lawyers. They all have these other things as you begin to learn with real people as you get to know them, and this idea that you feel at the very beginning that theres no way he couldve done this and as you get to know him

Ahmed: You see what people are capable of.

Zaillian: And you begin to question what people are capable of.

Richard Price: You wonder was he always like this and not just showing it? This was all very carefully considered.

Zaillian: Obviously youre still questioning in your mind?

Michael K. Williams: What this lawyer says, what John says, it doesnt fucking matter. It doesnt even matter. Innocence is irrelevant.

Zaillian: I guess what Im trying to say is that these other parts of peoples characters make up their character. Thats what Im interested in. Im not into a character that has one idea to them or one reason to being there, and its to service a plot in some way.

Lets talk about the reception that the shows been getting. When youre putting on a show like this where people siphon out greater cultural meaning outside of the simple crime narrative, is that something you plan for? Was that intended?

Zaillian: For me personally, it never really came into my thinking when we were making it. This thing we were making was, to me, a real living, breathing story. It was a story we were trying to tell as well as we could tell it. And it was real. I really wasnt thinking, honestly, beyond the next day of shootingor the next days editing, or the next days writing when we were at the beginning. I dont think any of us were thinking, OK when it comes out and people are going to say this, what are we going to think of that? I never thought about that. And I think that is the best way. We werent making something with anticipation of what someone might say about it. I never thought about that. We were just making something that was the best it could be.

The show has been in the works for the better part of a decade. In terms of the conversations surrounding a post-9/11 America and Trumps Muslim ban that have arisen from the decision to make the central character, it gives the show an immediacy. Also the discussions about Black Lives Matter and the failure of the prison and judicial system gives the show an immediacy now that it maybe wouldnt have had in its original planned transmission date. Is part of why the show is resonating so viscerally because of the things that were talking about in this particular moment as a society?

Price: Itsdo you want to call it lucky or unlucky? Shit happens. Shit always happens. And nothing thats in the air now has not been in the air for decades. If something happens and if you start this thing seven years before Trump, you start this seven years before ISIS, its the world youre thinking about and then things happen in that world that happen just to double down on what you might have been thinking about at the time. Its almost like, I knew Trump was going to get this far seven years ago. Or that Black Lives Matter was going to be a movement. So heres what Im gonna do, because I knew Eric Garner. I knew he was gonna get You dont know these things. But Eric Garner has been in the air for hundreds of years. The evolution from the Cold War with Russia to this Islamic extremist terrorism, its been around. 1993 is when the first bombing at the World Trade Center was. Its not like opportune. It just is. And if you wait another year, youre going to see more stuff that will make us look like geniuses.

Zaillian: When Richard first said that he should be a Pakistani immigrant, he didnt follow it with because then we can get into this whole thing. It was because it was real. Thats what it would be. Certainly a lot of the things we were writing about that went on in Rikers, everything that went on in Rikers, came through conversations with people who had been there. And then this stuff started coming out in the press. A year or so before we finished, all this stuff came out. Were like, were not geniuses. We just listen.

Ahmed: I guess, yeah, as writers youre just trying to tell a realistic story and have your finger on the pulse. So its your job to just listen a little more closely to whats already in the air. Its only when it turns into a hurricane that the rest of us sit up and go oh shit, look whats in the air. And well go oh yeah, weve been out there with our microscope and our gloves to the wall. We could see those things were brewing. You just pick up on them because they were there. You dont have special intention to focus on issues.

Price: Theres no Nostradamus.

Williams: I listened to a talk, an interview, with the late Nina Simone. And she was talking about her definition of an artisther take on it was that its an artists duty to reflect the times that they find themselves in. I took that to heart and I looked at myself and I was, like, wow Im a part of this cast of The Night Of. I was like, I guess by Nina Simones definition Im an artist. Or at least I surround myself with people whoIve been surrounded myself with...I say that but I dont pick my jobs. My jobs pick me. But Ive been around people like Richard, like Steven, who care about these kinds of stories. They couldve easily been making Meet the Fockers, you know what I mean?

Price: Meet the Mother Fockers

Williams: Haha, exactly! But they care about it. So in Nina Simones definition, Richard and Steven theyre artists. They see the times. They are the documenting the times in which they see themselves in. And when you come from that truth you cant help but get magic. Theres a truth there: Im gonna write about what feels real. Again, Richards reason for making Naz Pakistani is that if you live in New York City, it cant replace a truth. The time that Richard finds himself living in his existence, you cant help but find that truth. And then you get all these gifts, these jewels that tell the times of the story. It plays out in real life because theyre tuned in and trapped into that truth. It comes out.

I think part of the reason these truths, these issues, resonate so strongly right now for viewers is that its impossible to watch it and not personally amplify those issues with your own experiences. Michael, you were talking this morning about your nephews and the family members you thought about while shooting this. I can speak from the audience experience of having to reckon with yourselfyour own biases and opinionsfrom watching something like this. What was it like for all of you to have that reckoning while filming?

Williams: It was heartbreaking. It was liberating and heartbreaking at the same time. They had no idea that all this was playing in my head because by the time I landed on set I was already in character. The mere drive to work for me was the route that you take to go to prison, when you go Upstate, up north. You go on the FDR, the Major Deegan, Manhattan, the Bronx, Yonkers, hit Upstate. That was the route. We were in Upstate filming. Just the ride to work was just...by the time I got to set I was wearing some of Freddys heaviness. His layers.

Zaillian: I thought you slept there.

Williams: Basically (laughs). We were there long enough. There were times on a cot I would just sleep there, I swear. By the time I came to set I was prepped for that world. It gave me insightjust a voyeuristic look at what people go through in prison on a daily basis. My cousin, he did 20-some-odd years, hes home now. My nephew, he did 20-some-odd years. Hes still there. You go to visit him, I never once went to visit my nephew when he wasnt like, Uncle Mike! A big ole smile and nothing but love, happy to see me. Never fails. I never leave there doing anything but crying. You have to. The prisoner has to go back first before you can leave. There was never a fucking time when I wasnt like, alright [mimes crying]. Im like how the fuck do you go back in there with this smile on your face and this light? Im broken.

Zaillian: How do you know that there was a smile on his face?

Williams: I dont. I really dont. Its a long time to spend in a place like that. Its a hellhole. I couldnt do it.

Zaillian: Rikers, I dont know what the numbers are, but the large proportion of the population therebecause its not a jail, its a prisonmay not have done the crime. They were just accused of a crime.

Exactly. Its whether you are guilty or not, you are being sent to a place you dont just live and wait in, but that you have to survive.

Zaillian: You have to survive that. And not everybody does. Its rough. The amount of time you have to wait there does seem to be cruel and unusual.

Price: What you have to do is go visit someone. It starts with waiting for a bus somewhere in a borough.

Williams: The Rikers bus it picks up in Long Island City. Or the Bronx.

Price: After a while you feel like this (slams head), what you go through.

Zaillian: I think its this: you have to wait. You have to go to the building.

Williams: And the women, they have to have their bras flipped inside out. They have to be checked for a wire. So degrading.

Zaillian: Its a very long process. We know the tragedies and horror stories. But the idea that everyone goes there if they cant afford bail, even if its a case thats going to be dismissed 18 months from nowwhats happened to you? Were seeing some of that with Naz.
BRINDISI, Italy  As Europe struggles to find relative peace during a tense summer of terror, Italy has remained oddly outside the fray.

But Italians are now afraid thats about to change, and with reason.

For years now, the country has been one of the most threatened targets on the so-called Islamic States published target lists. As far back as 2014, on the cover of its propaganda magazine Dabiq, ISIS featured St. Peters Square with its black jihadi flag flying atop the obelisk there. And last month, ISIS again featured Italy in one of its propaganda videos, with a photo of Piazza Navona in Rome and other Italian tourist attractions, renewing its threats of conquest.

Many terrorism analysts saw those threats as primarily symbolic, however, since ISIS likes to style itself as an army of holy Muslim warriors dialing back the clock a millennium or so to re-fight the Crusades against the infidel infidels of Rome, meaning all of Christendom. ISISs main targets, in fact, were countries that are waging war against it on the air and the ground in the here and now, most notably France.

But as the United States pursues its 30-day campaign against ISIS in Libya, concerns, if not panic, is running high across the country. And they ratcheted up when the Italian government said it would positively consider any requests by the United States to use Italian airspace and American bases on Italian soil to launch anti-ISIS strikes.

So far, the raids have been conducted from aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean, but that de facto go-ahead from the Italians, it is almost certain that as the campaign continues, the use of Sigonella airbase in Sicily will become the most logical launching pad for sustained attacks due south across the Med.

To make matters more unnerving, over the last several months Italy has expelled 106 people for terrorist intent and arrested countless others, including a Tunisian man named Khemiri Mohamed Kamel Edine in Caserta last week, where he is alleged to have been involved in a racket that smuggles men on terrorist watch lists into the country among the hordes of legitimate refugees trying to escape war and famine. Among his possessions when he was arrested was a sort of how to manual for lone-wolf terrorists that he was allegedly using as a recruitment tool for fighters.

Hes a highly dangerous individual, because hes smart and knows how to make people listen to him, Giuseppe Governale, a general with Italys counterterrorism division said. He did not carry out concrete actions, but our investigations have found evidence he could strike at any time.

Eight others were arrested as part of Edines circle, but authorities fear that there could be dozens more who managed to stay under the radar. He reportedly pledged his allegiance to ISIS on a recent secret Facebook recruitment page. I will be an ISIS man as long as I live, he wrote, according to Italian police reports. And if I die, I exhort you to join.

Italians worry that arrests like Edines, along with the combined threat of violence directly from ISIS and what could be considered a motive for retaliation if ISIS in Libya is attacked from Italian soil, will make them even more vulnerable than they already feel.

The government is trying to take proactive measures, but the effect is not altogether consoling. In Rome, what amounts to high security rings with heavily armed and uniformed soldiers now circle the Coliseum and St. Peters Square. Nicolo DAngelo, Romes police chief, said the city is under the highest level of security ever enacted in its modern history.

There are also armed military police in the shopping malls and along the busy pedestrian thoroughfares in most major Italian cities, trying to stop knife and machete attacks like those that have claimed victims in Germany, France, Britain, and Belgium. There are sharpshooters hovering on the rooftops during busy summer festivals to try to avoid the type of massacre that took place in Nice, France, during Bastille Day celebrations.

There is even a constant buzz of military helicopters patrolling above the beaches, no doubt trying to thwart attacks like those that happened on the pristine seaside resort in Tunisia. Museums are barricaded, airports are like fortresses, and there is such a sense of preparedness for something dreadful, one can find it hard to remember that the country is a vacation destination.

What we have seen of the so-called Islamic State so far is that its full of surprises, and always looking for soft targets. When it finds difficulty arming its volunteer terrorists in Europe it bids them used kitchen knives, axes, machetes, or to drive cars and trucks through crowds. But it is also hungry for more high-tech means of spreading terror, and Libya offers at least one disturbing precedent.

Back in 1986, when the United States conducted aggressive air raids over Libya in a building confrontation that culminated in a thunderous night of bombing that targeted Tripoli and Benghazi, then-strongman Muammar Gaddafi fired a couple of long-range Scud missiles towards the Sicilian island of Lampedusa in retaliation. Two years later to the day, his agents set off a car bomb outside a USO club in Naples, killing five people.

What munitions ISIS may have seized from Gaddafis old stockpile is a matter of conjecture. Might the caliphate have a better class of Scud than Gaddafi did?

The fact is, Italy is fewer than 300 miles from the Libyan coast and no one really knows what ISIS has in its arsenal, but there is a definite, palpable fear any sophisticated weaponry the terrorists might have will be set to home in on Italian territory.

Whatever happensor hopefully doesnt happenit could be argued that much of the damage already is done, since terror works best when it keeps people on edge, which is certainly where Italians are right now.
David Cameron, the former British prime minister forced to resign after his catastrophic failure of judgment in calling a referendum on Britain exiting the EU which he then lost, has been swift to embrace the consolations of losing office.

Freed from the bounds of political necessity, Cameron has reverted to type. No longer does he have to pretend to be a normal middle-class London dad. Instead, once again, he can embrace his wealthy upper class roots.

One immediate fringe benefit to the disaster of losing the premiership is that instead of being forced to once again go to rainy Cornwall and munch ice cream on wind-swept and sodden beaches, the Camerons are spending August in a luxury villa, costing an estimated $20,000-per week, in Corsica, surrounded by the twinkling Mediterranean instead of the stormy Atlantic. And he is sporting very expensive swimming trunks.

The family will benefit in other ways too: the prospect of London state schools for the kids is receding rapidly, and Eton is back on the cards for his eldest boy, Elwen, who turned 10 in February.

Cameron adored his time at Eton, contemporaries say, and the impossibility of the PM sending his child to Eton was said to be one of his greatest regrets of taking office.

Now, he has no such political shackles to restrain him. Boys have to be registered for Eton by the time they are 10-and-a-half, says a source. For Elwen, that means this month is the deadlineso Camerons resignation has come just in time.

And while 10 Downing Street is out, the new Cameron pad is a much nicer, 16 million mansion in Holland Park lent to them by a close pal (as their own 2 million home in nearby Notting Hill is being rented out for 100,000 a year).

The friends in question, Sir Alan Parker (boss of city PR firm Brunswick) and his wife Lady Jane Parker, were ennobled by Cameron for services to business, charitable giving and philanthropy in the 2016 New Years Honors.

Camerons use of the honors system is also benefiting from his new lack of cautionthere is an almighty row unfolding in the British press after it emerged he awarded his wifes hairstylist, among others, an OBE in his resignation honors.

David Cameron himself is certainly wealthy, but not super rich. Cameron published his tax return this year, in the wake of the Panama Papers.

His tax documents reveal that he made more than 1million worth of taxable income over the past six years, including his pay as Prime Minister, rental income from his 2 million home in Notting Hill, interest on his savings and dividends from his shares.

He comes from a long line of a stockbrokers (Camerons great grandfather, Ewen Ivan, was a senior partner of the stockbroking firm, Panmure Gordon, as was Ians father, Donald) and they have managed their affairs wisely and had some lucky breaks.

Ian Cameron, Davids father, a member of Whites club who died in 2010 is said to have received more than 2 million in 1986 (a considerably larger fortune today) when the Stock Exchange deregulated in the big bang.

Although the Cameron family has undoubtedly done very well for itself in their city careers, their wealth pales in comparison to that of Davids wife Samantha. She makes a good wage as a consultant to the exclusive stationery firm Smythsonshe collected a 50,000 windfall when the company changed hands for 18 million in 2009but the real money is in her family, an ancient and powerful extended clan of aristocratic landowners.

Samanthas father, Sir Reginald Sheffield, owns tens of thousands of prime agricultural land near Scunthorpe, and is conservatively estimated to be worth at least 20 million.

Sir Reginald divides his time between Scunthorpes Thealby Hall and Sutton Park near York.

Even Sir Reggies riches, however, are trifling compared to the fortune controlled by her stepfather, William, the fourth Viscount Astor, whom her mother married in 1976 after divorcing Sheffield.

Astors family trust controls property holdings valued at an eye-watering 210 million. Another benefit of losing office is that Cameron, freed from the need to project an image of personal austerity, will once again be able to visit Astors 20,000-acre estate on the Scottish island of Jura, home of what guests say is the U.K.s best private stag shoot (Cameron is said to be an excellent shot).

Losing the premiership as a result of the Brexit referendum was a disastrous end to Camerons otherwise charmed political careerbut, as he relaxes beside the pool in Corsica, he (and his wife) will no doubt be cognizant of the fact that there are considerable consolations to a lower public profile.

A return to the millionare-y life to which the Camerons were for so many years accustomed should help to soften the blow.
Call it Mitt Romneys revenge.

With less than three months left before Election Day, some prominent Republicans are banking on a long-shot candidate to bring down Donald Trumpone who happens to be a Wharton educated Utah native and a Mormon missionary.

Dont expect Evan McMullin, who is also a former CIA counterterrorism officer and chief policy director of the House Republican Conference, to get jammed up on basic constitutional questions. He wont be grousing aloud about our national hesitance to deploying nuclear weapons on a whim or hurling brickbats at Republican leaders. Its doubtful that McMullin has ever filed bankruptcy and likely has no headline-grabbing, message-derailing personal baggage.

Republican consultant Rick Wilson, who eviscerated Trump in a weekend opinion column published in the New York Daily News, has teamed up with Florida-based pollster and operative Joel Searby to head up McMullins campaign staff.

A growing number of Americans are coming to the realization that Trump is more than just a political train wreck, Wilson wrote. Hes a real threat to the nation

McMullin, he believes, is the answer Republicans have been waiting for. Wilson readily admits that it will be an uphill battle, but said there is a strategy is get McMullin on the ballot in a broad number of states and said that if necessary, the campaign will take matters to court to do so. Americans should have a choice between crazy and corrupt, said Wilson, referring to Trump and Hillary Clinton.

Even so, the self-styled conservative independent wont likely take home any states this fall and theres no reason to believe he can topple Clinton in the polls. And with so little time left in the campaign, the likelihood that he will meet the qualification threshold for national debate appearances seems impossible. There frankly isnt enough time on the clock to build the kind of state-by-state organization necessary especially since Clinton already has thousands of foot soldiers out door-knocking and has been up on television for weeks.

But McMullin might not be in the race to win, place or even show. His candidacy appears to have one specific aim: Cut off Trumps narrow path to victory.

Back in March, when former Massachusetts governor Romney stood before cameras and called Trump a fraud and a phony and said his promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University, most people watching said, Okay, what are your going to do about it?

Well that answer came around noon Monday when McMullin filed the requisite paperwork, formalizing his bid for the presidency. Backed by Republican operatives who worked with Better for America, a 501(c)(4) funded in part by former Romney bundler John Kingston, McMullin might have just enough money to dig a hole in the electoral map and bury Trump in it.

Doing so means keeping previously uncompetitive states like Georgia and Arizona safely out of the win column for the New York businessman. It means forcing the quasi-reality television star to fight in territory that any other Republican candidate could have taken for granted. In several states out West and in the deep South, where the majority of Republican voters live, Trump is neck-and-neck with Clinton. Matched against Romney and John McCain, Trump is losing (or coming close to it) where he should be safest.

Recently polling shows Clinton expanding her campaign map to include states like Utah, Nevada, Arizona and even Georgiawhere she holds a stunning 44-37 lead. Shes even pulling ads out of Virginia and Colorado. But, with McMullin potentially peeling off bench-warmers, independents, and center-right voters in close contests people who might have otherwise stayed home or held their noses to vote for TrumpClintons strength in close-in suburbs might just flip states with sitting Republican governors.

There is no reason to believe that McMullin will upset that math or carve into Clintons base of centrist and progressive Democrats. But keeping Trump out of the White House isnt the only goal. McMullin presents a bona fide conservative alternative to the toxicity unleashed by Trump and his campaign. Should McMullin make it onto the ballot, his candidacy would give disaffected right-wingers a lever to pull.

In a year where Americans have lost faith in the candidates of both major parties, its time for a generation of new leadership to step up, McMullin told ABC News. Its never too late to do the right thing, and America deserves much better than either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton can offer us. I humbly offer myself as a leader who can give millions of disaffected Americans a conservative choice for President.

For her part, Clinton has been actively courting independents and those who dont have the stomach for Trump. The early numbers show a significant softening in support for Trump in the wake of a seemingly endless string of public gaffes and verbal fisticuffs.

The ultimate fear of Republicans is that once center-right voters begin splitting their tickets, they might leave the party and never come back. (Trump is effectively locking them out and Katy-barring the door.) Thus, the GOP could lose its national footing for a generation or more. By challenging Trump, McMullin may be saving the partysomething RNC chairman Reince Priebus didnt have the mettle for.

They couldnt beat Trump in a fractured primary and their efforts on the Cleveland convention floor quickly turned to dust. But by putting McMullin in the race, with focused efforts on a handful of state contests, the #NeverTrump coalition is betting it can seal the Republican nominees fate once and for all.

In the end, McMullin might be able to knock the wheels off the crazy-wagon.
Syrian rebel forces, spearheaded by jihadists and Salafists, broke the Assad regimes siege of Aleppo on Saturday after nearly a month encircled in the opposition-held eastern sector of the city. The regime noose had prevented any food or humanitarian aid from reaching the 300,000 men, women and children trapped inside, but that state of affairs is now ended, with the first convoy of produce sent from rebel affiliates in Idlib province reaching east Aleppo on Sunday.

The breakthrough, easily the single biggest tactical victory for the opposition in a year, lifted the apocalyptic gloom that had descended upon anti-regime actors, beginning with Moscows aerial intervention last September. Russian airstrikes ostensibly were against the putative Islamic State, but in reality were focused on mainstream rebel groups, including those supported by the CIA and Pentagon.

Cheers went up across all ideological segments of the opposition, renewing hope that the Assad regime, in spite of its continued support from Iran, Russia and assorted foreign sectarian militias, might still be bled, if not quite defeated.

According to the opposition-friendly news site El-Dorar al-Shamia, more than 400 combatants from the Syrian Arab Army and Lebanese Hezbollah were killed in nine days of fighting, a figure that may well be exaggerated but, given other rebel assessments, not by a great deal.

A spokesman for the Fateh Army, the umbrella organization leading the operation, said that the territory seized is about 40 square kilometers, which is larger than city of Idlib. The main prize was the Syrian Army Artillery Academy, a crucial installation that anti-Assad forces had not been able to take in four years of warfare.

Symbolically, the academy has long represented a fortified outpost of repression, dating back to the early days of unarmed protests against Assad, and continuing through the insurgency, when its howitzers were used to pound the Salah ad-Din and Hamadaniyah neighborhoods, which became miniature Stalingrads suffering the most intense urban combat of the war.

Assads Air Force Technical Academy, the last regime base in southern Aleppo, fell to the rebels on Sunday. Rebel sources said that they killed a Hezbollah commander in this battle, seized a great deal of weapons and ammunition, including tanks, and arrested many Syrian Army soldiers, one of them allegedly a general.

Meanwhile, Russian warplanes blasted rebel-held neighborhoods in Aleppo, in addition to the new rebel positions. Six people reportedly were killed in these airstrikes, although they failed to dislodge the enemy from its new turf.

Within the Syrian opposition, however, uplift was tempered by the grim awareness that hardline forces utilizing suicide bombers played the decisive role in the linkup between militias that captured the Artillery Academy and their counterparts approaching from the south along the Al-Ramouseh Road.

The entire battle, originally named Aleppos Greatest Epic, enjoined by two dozen different factions, was in fact led by jihadists and Salafists, principally Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and Ahrar al-Sham, a formidable super-brigade. Together, these two groups control the Fateh Army.

The role of suicide bombings, according to Abu Yusef al-Muhajer, the military spokesman for Ahrar al-Sham, was to open the road for the regimes militias to run away because these operations create the greatest terror. The explosion of a [vehicle] which carries six tons of explosives has a great effect in making the other side collapse.

Apart from Fateh Army, al-Muhajer said, the participation of other groups from Aleppo in this battle was between 0 percent and 5 percent. A local consortium of rebels based in Aleppo, known as Fateh Halab, which included Ahrar al-Sham but also FSA factions, fielded fighters who almost certainly exceed that meager percentage estimate, into which local power politics and influence-peddling has no doubt factored.

Syrian media activist Hadi al-Abdullah recently survived an assassination attempt -- allegedly by Jabhat al-Nusra -- but was back at the Aleppo front in a wheelchair to conduct interviews with fighters at the weekend. He told Business Insider, "There have been many different players all playing a critical role  the forces fighting the regime from inside Aleppo have been almost exclusively FSA. When it comes to operations in southwest Aleppo, Ahrar al-Sham probably played a bigger role than Jabhat Fatah al-Sham."

Other moderate FSA factions from Hama and Idlib also contributed to the campaign, including Sukour al-Jabal, al-Nasr Army and the Central Division. Al-Muhajer was more complimentary of their efforts than of his confederates in Fateh Halab: We do thank them for their contribution, especially with the anti-vehicles missiles. Some FSA units within the Fateh Army, he added, such as Al Sham Legion and Ajnad Al Sham, are recipients of TOW anti-tank missilesthe telltale dispensation of vetted rebels armed by the CIA.

The FSA [from Hama and Idlib] worked hard and offered a lot, said al-Muhajer. But they are not part of the operations room even though they were with us everywhere in the battlefield. (The New York Times has reported that the resupply of TOWs to these groups has dried up in recent weeks.)

Despite its name change and PR-savvy avowal to have no relationship to any external entityan organizational pivot that was blessed by Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of global al-QaedaJabhat Fateh al-Sham is still on the U.S. terrorism hit-lit and will continue to be targeted by American warplanes.

Al-Muhajer also claimed that Turkey did not assist in the breaking of the siege, although many Syria analysts have suggested it did, as have eyewitnesses at the Syrian-Turkish border who told the Financial Times that truckloads of heavy firepower have been pouring in for "weeks."

Depending upon how discussions between Washington and Moscow proceed for coordinating airstrikes and intelligence sharing against mutually agreed upon jihadist targets, U.S. F-18s and Russian Sukhois could soon be flying parallel missions to drop bombs on the very insurgents who many Syrians now see as having delivered them from starvation and annihilation.

And herein lies a major problem for the Obama administration, still nominally committed to brokering a compromise in Syria even as it loses any and all leverage to do so:

The breaking of the siege on opposition-held Aleppo illustrates how marginal the United States has become to major developments in the war, said Faysal Itani, a resident fellow at the Atlantic Councils Rafik Hariri Center. Jihadists and hardline Islamists received a major reputational boost, highlighting to Syrians that they need not and should not rely on America for support or rescue. The insurgency will continue with or without the United States. The only question is whether the United States is even relevant to the course of events.

Already, as The Daily Beast reported on Aug. 5, Russia may be trying to poach Pentagon-trained anti-ISIS rebels who feel that they were never adequately supported by Washington.

BuzzFeed reported months ago that the Kremlin has made similar overtures to the CIA-backed FSA groups commissioned to battle the regime.

As ever, amid geopolitical gamesmanship and bureaucratic wrangling, the extremists have shown that they can dispense with red tape and get things doneto the greater glory of their domestic brands. Ahrar al-Sham, for instance, made a point of importing 10 to 15 trucks full of food into Aleppo not just to cultivate goodwill among the population but also as a military training exercise.

We used military vehicles to hand the food over. It was an exercise for our fighters to learn how to use the road and avoid the regimes fire," al-Muhajer said. "We will work now to keep the Al-Ramouseh Road. We havent announced the road open for civilians yet. We still need two days to take some points that could pose fire control over the road.

In his estimation, despite fielding paramilitaries from Hezbollah, Irans Revolutionary Guards Corps, and even Iranian-conscripted Afghan Hazaras, the Assad regimes defensive lines remain anemic, whatever the David-versus-Goliath options may seem from afar: The intelligence we get from there says that the regime is in a state of panic and in a chaotic situation. So the battle must continue."
You could say that the latest exhibition at Cheim & Read gallery in New Yorks West Chelsea is the best kind of payback.

The male gaze, as defined by the film theorist Laura Mulvey in 1975, was the governing focus for how women were seen and fetishized on screen, both by male characters and male directors. It is such a convincing thesis, and sadly all too relevant still, that the male gaze as a piece of critical phraseology long left the ivory tower and entered common argot.

In this, the second female gaze exhibition at Cheim & Read (the first, in 2009, was dedicated to the work of female artists observing women), the works on display featuring female artists painting, photographing, and sculpting the male body. All this just in time for a world reveling in, then anguishing over, the sight of Orlando Blooms penis.

Facing the visitor entering the gallery is Katy Grannans Anonymous, Modesto, a handsome man staring nervously out to the viewer. His intensity is matched by Catherine Opies Ryan, again topless, and lit in shadow, looking reflectively off to the side. Nan Goldins Warren In Bed is cute but also captured unawares.

Diane Arbuss Jack Dracula, the Marked Man is more relaxed and languorous, lying in the grass, covered in tattoos, and at ease; in her photograph, a young male-female couple on a bench in Washington Square look both tough and vulnerable. Hanging in the first room is also a Louise Bourgeois sculpture Fillette (Sweeter Version) which is a dick and balls that also looks like a smooshed-up kebab or a dog turd.

In the initial part of the exhibition, what is notable is how unsexily or unconfidently the men appear. If the male gaze fetishized and sexualized women, the men here are captured much more matter-of-factly.

Alice Neels David Sokola appears with his leg slung over the arm of a chair. Lynda Bengliss Smile is a brilliant cast bronze sculpture of what first looks like a smile, then a boomerang, and thenup closeit is a penis, with a head at both ends.

The same artists Secret 3 is a collection of photographs of a couple playing sexual dress-up, and having fun with a strap-on. Berenice Abbotts Cocteau In Bed With Mask, Paris is an appositely surreal image of the writer asleep in bed, a stunning white mask next to his chin.

In the second room, the images of men and masculinity multiply intriguingly: the first imageDana Schutzs Frank as a Proboscis Monkeyis a playful riff on man-as-primate; Chantal Joffes Man in a River is of a slim, wasp-waisted fellow, his body a delicately melting mass; Sylvia Sleighs Paul Rosano in Jacobsen Chair is of a sexy guy, naked on chair, but again with no overt sexuality emanating from him. Lois Dodds Caleb Martin is a stunning profile of a face, made up of a series of jagged clefts and shadows.

Away from the conventional artworks are inventive conceptual pieces. Tracey Emins Is This a Joke is a blanket with an embroidered couple on top of one another; Jenny Holzers white marble footstool bears the legend, Men Dont Protect You Anymore. Cindy Shermans Untitled photograph is of a muscle man with black leather gloves, his head perversely screwed around, and hair sprouting from every orifice.

From here on in the show, the male body comes to be endowed with more overt sexuality and sensuality. Marlene Dumass Morning Glory is of a naked guy reclining with an erection, itself a blurred tower of brownish grey. Lynette Yiadom-Boakyes The Justifying Doctors Note features a man, naked, looking very happy, lying on his front, head and long hair and perfect ass all in sunny alignment.

Catherine Murphys Harrys Nipple visualizes a nipple breaking through the rip of a piece of material, and surrounded by hair. Louise Bourgeoiss Male Figure is a figure, seen in cross section, a soft pink except for the raging redness of a blood-filled erect cock. Joan Semmels David is of a naked man, hand on hip, his slim body a beautiful, swirling kaleidoscope of vivid brushstrokes and colors.

Katherine Bradfords Fathers sees a group of men, seemingly floating in space gazing into what is a pool of water (or is it a condom?). There is more playfulness in Kathe Burkharts Whore: From The Liz Taylor Series (The Only Game In Town) in which an Elizabeth Taylor-like figure (an ethereal, purplish pale color) entertains a hot young stud, withamong other titlesa Laura Mulvey book on the nightstand: here the female gaze of Burkhart configures a portrait of female power, where the Taylor-like subject objectifies and controls the man opposite her. It is her desire that is the fulcrum of the painting, not his.

Gina Beaverss Tag Yourself is deceptively brilliant: a gorgeous male chest and rippling six-pack sculpted to rise from the canvas itself.

Betty Tompkinss Fuck Painting is similarly ingenious: a cock entering a vagina, although the sexuality of the moment is less affecting than the light, shade, and shapes of the moment as a piece of abstract art.

Sarah Lucass White Nob is a plaster sculpture of a penis, all white, rough and flaky at the base and the main part of the shaft, and sensuously smooth at the tip.

This pleasure in male sexuality, as visualized by women, is most beautifully captured in Cecily Browns Raspberry Beret, which sees Prince naked, his arm behind his head, a melange of oranges, blacks, whites and grays. Celia Hamptons imagesof Eddie and Bensee asses, cocks, and ball sacks painted delicately in soft swirls and pastels.

The last two images of this wonderful show sees the male gaze reflected back to the female. Collier Schorrs Peter, Paul and David features a man in a T-shirt, his penis hanging down, holding a picture of another man, while Grace Graupe-PillardsDillon: Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is a painting of a handsome young man, paintbrush in his teeth, holding an iPhone in front of him.

Perhaps he is taking a picture of her or of himself. But whatever, it is his expression that is captured by Graupe-Pillard, her gaze that defines him.

This last image reminds us that the cleverly curated brilliance of this exhibition is to show the plurality of masculinities as seen by women: the nonchalant, the literal, the questioning, the swagger, the sweetness, the mysterious, all are hereexamined, analyzed, and sometimes, refreshingly, played with and reconfigured. Any man coming to the show leaves realizing that he has much to learn by observing his gender as seen through female eyes.

The Female Gaze, Part Two: Women Look at Men is at Cheim & Read, 547 West 25th Street, New York, until Sept. 2.
MOSCOW  Reporters covering the conflict in Ukraine are in constant danger. At least six journalists have lost their lives in the two and a half years since the hybrid war there began. Dozens have been abducted, dragged away by masked men, and threatened with executions.

On one of the early days of the war, on May 24, 2014, three journalistsItalian photographer Andy Rocchelli, his co-author, a human rights defender and journalist Andrei Mironov, and French reporter William Roguelon drove up the road outside of Andreyevka village, known for almost daily firefights between Ukrainian and pro-Russian rebel forces.

They were seasoned correspondents. Mironov, 60, was a veteran of Afghan and Chechen wars.

A few minutes after they stopped their car to interview civilians living on the front line, there were bursts of gunfire followed by the blast of a grenade launcher and a mortar barrage that left Roguelon wounded and Rocchelli and Mironov dead. The mortar had torn off Mironovs head.

Those of us covering the war then said his number came up in Ukraine as we cried over our friends, whose bodies were found in a ditch on the following day.

More than two years later, the war in Ukraine goes on and on. And in the last couple weeks it has intensified: dozens of soldiers die or are injured in fresh clashes every week. Journalists are the witnesses to this carnage, documenting the casualties both among the military and civilians suffering from the conflict.

But in the last few days journalists have been horrified, if not entirely surprised, to discover that many people in the Kiev government were out to intimidate them, or worse, for doing their jobs.

A group of hackers known to be supported by Ukraines police and secret service leaked a digital archive containing personal photographs, copies of passports, accreditations, and other documents, as well as email addresses and personal correspondence between journalists covering the war in the Russia-backed part of Donbas, or Eastern Ukraine.

Hackers called the leaked archive The Dump. It included private information about journalists from more than 30 international media outlets, including CNN, the BBC, the Associated Press, Al Jazeera, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and The Daily Beast.

Ukrainian nationalists and officials supporting the leakand, disturbingly, there are manyclaimed that for the last two years journalists covering the war on the rebel side were collaborating with terrorists.

The hacked email inbox in question belonged to Tatyana Yegorova, a rebel administrator from the self-proclaimed Donetsk republics security service. Most of the leaked emails were asking Yegorova to give journalists accreditations and press passes. Without such credentials a reporter cannot pass through checkpoints at all, and even with that piece of paper issued by the rebels there were few guarantees of protection for reporters, who crossed checkpoints dozens of times every day, facing staring down the barrels of Kalashnikovs, facing detentions, abductions, and interrogations.

An attempt by some factions in the Kiev government to blacklist so-called collaborating journalists did take place once before. In May a group affiliated with security agencies and Ukrainian nationalists, Myrotvorets, targeted the reporters by drawing up blacklists.

Minister of Interior Affairs Arsen Avakov excused the actions by the Myrotvorets group, saying, Those journalists passed their personal data to bandits from the occupiers regime.

Minister Avakovs adviser, Anton Geraschenko (widely alleged to be the mentor of Myrotvorets) thanked it for leaking the personal data of dozens of journalists. But in May, unlike now, the reaction to the blacklisting was immediate and sharp: Ukraines President Petro Poroshenko condemned Myrotvorets and all its supporters. The Committee to Protect Journalists supported President Poroshenko and also supported the investigation by Ukrainian prosecutors into the website that put journalists at risk.

This time the countrys top leadership remained silent, and by Sunday the silence had become very loud indeed.

According to an article by the Associated Press it was the same group, Myrotvorets, that published the personal data of dozens of journalists. And as a result of this weeks leak, reporters have received numerous death threats on social media.

In some environments, that might seem like just another troll-fest, with creeps coming out of the woodwork on their own, or on commission from others. But in Ukraine, this truly is a matter of life and death.

This attack on the media is very dangerous for local journalists, because after every publication we can see a wave of hate speechlocal journalists already got messages with threats, Polish journalist Pawe Pieniazek, who covered Ukraine for Political Critique told The Daily Beast. These kinds of lists are creating an atmosphere of mistrust. I have already heard questions from Ukrainian soldiers about the leaks and my presence on these lists.

The Daily Beast interviewed journalists from nine intimidated publications who have watched in consternation as a group of Ukrainian state officials have waged a deliberate campaign against the freedom of press, inspired public hate against journalists, and jeopardized the security of reporters working in Ukraine.

But its not just the collection of government trolls in Kiev who present a problem. If one downloads The Dump, a 2.2. GB file, one could find among the emails there many revealing comments among administrators in the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic as they talk with contempt about journalists and make lists of those denied press accreditation.

There is even something in those emails about the U.S. presidential campaign of Donald Trump (who has been accused of late in the United States of being far too cozy with Russian President Vladimir Putin).

One of the intimidated journalists, Piotr Andrusieczko from the Polish Gazeta Wyborcza, said that Dump was part of a larger campaign by Ukraines law enforcement agencies and nationalists, who did not like it that journalists from all over the world covered both sides of the conflict.

Reporters who had been risking their lives crawling in trenches with both Ukrainian government and rebel soldiers, believed they were doing their jobs, being witnesses, telling the true story about the devastated areas during the two-year-long crisis. Many journalists had begun to report from Donetsk long before Kiev started referring to it as terrorist controlled territory.

What Myrotvorets has done in recent days is to distribute the leaked emails while lambasting journalists for cooperation with terrorists just because they received press accreditations on the enemy side of the front line.

Reporters and advocates for freedom of speech are concerned that this hate mongering could endanger journalists on either side of the front line.

But to many in Ukraine, who clearly are not concerned about the future of freedom of the press, the condemnation and endangerment of journalists seems somehow appropriate.

The leaked data was a good thing, said Alya Shandra, the managing editor of Euromaidanpress, an online magazine founded as a grassroots resource after the pro-EU revolution in 2014.

Euromaidanpress media strives to be the go-to bridge between Ukraine and the English-speaking world, the magazines web site says.

Shandra told us: What Myrotvorets has done is very valuable. They showed how the propaganda machine works in Donetsk that is much more important than any personal data of journalists, she said. Besides, journalists are not as endangered as Ukrainians attacked by the separatists army in the east, Shandra said.

What Shandra does not understand, it seems, is that her publication broke the countrys law, violated the rights of journalists it also humiliated the president of Ukraine, who very clearly condemned Myrotvorets at a news conference in Kyiv on June 3, for publishing the data of more than 4,000 journalists and for attacking reporters.

What international media expected from President Poroshenko was to protect reporters, who clearly are under attack.

Last month, somebody assassinated one of Ukraines most respected reporters, the founder of a school for journalism, Pavel Sheremet, right in the center of Kiev, a few meters away from the German embassy.

Sheremet worked for a local radio and Ukrayinska Pravda (Ukrainian Truth), a newspaper.

Earlier this month another Ukrainskaya Pravda journalist, Yekaterina Sergatskova, received threats from notorious right-wing nationalist Dmytro Korchinsky: after she published an interview about Ukrainian Security Services torturing prisoners. Sergatskova came to live in Ukraine from Crimea in 2014; the journalist renounced her Russian citizenship.

President Petro Poroshenko personally granted Sergatskova her Ukrainian citizenship. I received threats from Korchinsky, after I published an interview with a man about SBU torturing him in their prison in Kramatorsk; that was when somebody wrote to me on Facebook: Die, creature, Sergatskova told The Daily Beast.

Korchinsky, who cooperates with state security agencies, threatened me on his Facebook page, Diane Sergatskova said that the president should have not have granted me my citizenship, that I should not be working as a journalist in Ukraine. Hramadske TV editor-in-chief Natalia Gumenyuk also expressed concerns: We constantly receive threats and insults from officials.

A Ukrainian journalist, Anton Skiba, and Polish reporter Piotr Andrusieczko spent hours downloading and studying the leaked correspondence. Some of the emails they found are dated as late as July this year.

It is clearly a well-staged campaign to discredit the independent press in Ukraine so nobody would criticize state policy, says Skiba, who worked in Donetsk as a fixer for CNN, Al Jazeera, and several other media groups.

But a look at the dossiers shows the press under as much pressure and as great a threat from the rebels as from the government in Kiev.

In one of the files Janus Putkonen, a Finnish rebel supporter in Donetsk, suggests to the rebel administration a method for grading and banning reporters, marking in red all those deemed Russophobe, or who have been blaming Russia for participating in the Ukrainian war, or who can be considered a NATO propagandist warrior.

One of the leaked letters sent from Irina Buria, another DPR employee, is addressed to the Donetsk rebels security agency with a recommendation on behalf of U.S. citizen Alexander Erdey, a Cleveland resident.

He is actively promoting Trump, works with Art McCoy radio station, Buria wrote, suggesting to use Erdey in propaganda efforts to promote the views by self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk separatist republics at Trumps convention in Cleveland.

The letter was sent to Tatyana Yegorova, the same employee of the security service of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic, earlier this year.

Interestingly, as The Daily Beast and others have reported, Trumps supporters and staff played a critical role watering down a plank in the Republican Platform that used strong language opposing Russian intervention in Ukraine.Trump himself has repeatedly, awkwardly, tried to claim Russia never moved into Ukraineconveniently ignoring and then downplaying the annexation of Crimea. And Trumps top aide, Paul Manafort, used to lobby in Washington on behalf of Ukraines deposed pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovich.

It remains unclear what Erdeys connection to the Trump cabal actually is, if any. But its perfectly clear the people who leaked the documents were not interested in pursuing it. Instead, they focused on discrediting journalists, whose emails currying enough favor with the rebels to get credentialed were widely distributed on social media.

We know that several reporters have received threats since the release of their personal information, Human Rights Watch monitor Tatiana Lokshina told The Daily Beast.

On Friday, Euromaidanpress republished a link to the entire leaked archive on their website, again.

The leak is another example of how oblivious some individuals and groups are when they put journalists at risk in the conflict zone, an AP journalist who asked not to be named told The Daily Beast. The publication is a disgusting attempt to divide reporters into good and bad.

Human Rights Watch defenders recommended that journalists whose personal data was leaked fight for their rights through the legal system. We are considering taking the abusers who published the leaked data to court, says Timur Olevsky, a presenter at Current Time, a part of Radio Free Europe media group based in Prague. The Ukrainian government is silent because the ministry of interior affairs obviously is involved this campaign against freedom of speech.

Clearly, nobody in Ukraine was serious about punishing the group intimidating journalists by distributing their personal information. The prosecutors investigation was forgotten and Myrotvorets was given a green light to continue attacking journalists working in Ukraine.

Earlier this week, interior ministry advisor Anton Gerashchenko declared that from now on Myrotvorets would be a registered media outlet.

Minister Arsen Avakov and his advisor Gerashchenko are the worst representatives of Ukrainian officials, said Oliver Carroll, a reporter who has covered the war extensively. They are creating a smoke screen between the countrys society and government, and that smoke is the journalists.
Donald Trump absolutely, unequivocally did not donate money to the North American Man-Boy Love Association.

But thats not what some people are saying.

Speaking of tax returns, did you hear Donald Trump is refusing to release them because Donald Trump has donated to NAMBLA? Thats what all the best sources, the most tremendous sources are saying, said EnoughTrumpSpams AutoModerator.

AutoModerator is, of course, a robot thats been fed code to spit out this exact, completely baseless and fact-free conspiracy theory about Donald Trump every single time somebody brings up taxes. It started on Reddit, but in just a couple of days, the conspiracy theory has flooded Twitter and other corners of the web. Trump and NAMBLA saw a spike on Google Trends this week.

And its not just an effort to get Trump to release his tax returns. Its a way to show off how Trumps conspiracy rhetoric is always precisely worded, but also based on nothing at all. Take this, for example:

Maybe thats right, maybe thats wrong, but I dont know why he doesnt he release his records. Why doesnt he release [them]?

Thats not the bot. Thats Trump trying to cajole President Obama into releasing his birth certificate in 2011.

A lot of people are questioning [them]. There are some major questions here and the press doesnt wanna cover it. The press just refuses to cover it.

And so was that, in 2012.

Heres how he talked about the conspiracy theory that Hillary Clinton killed Vince Foster.

Somebody asked me the question the other day, and I said that a lot of people are very skeptical as to what happened and how he died, he said.

Now, the people behind the bot want those same completely made-up sources to finally provide cannon fodder against Trump.

If you think about it, this is exactly how Trump works, Faiz, a moderator who helped sign off on the bots language on the subreddit in which its deployed, told The Daily Beast. Faiz is from California, and declined to give his last name. He stirs up as much smoke as he possibly can to convince people that there is fire.

The goal, according to the guy who wrote the code and provided screenshots to The Daily Beast, is to repeat the phrase so much that it starts saturating the media until people dont know it was based on no real information whatsoever. Its not just a page from the birther playbook. It is the birther playbook.

I thought to do it because, well, I thought itd be a good laugh, said the user who went by J. Peterman, but who refused to give his real name so he wouldnt be witch-hunted.

Also, if I kept repeating the phrase Donald Trump donated to NAMBLA every time tax returns was mentioned, which is often, Google might pick up on it as a hot phrase. Im so glad that its trending, although I cant take sole credit.

That credit goes to the Reddit users who created threads about it. Or the people posting it to Buzzfeed as a community news post. Or the people creating entire fake Fox News websites about the allegations.

Its an old-fashioned Googlebomb. And even the unsavory acronym has some old-fashioned history, too, with Trumps most successful comedic agitator.

In mid-2000s Daily Show episodes, Jon Stewart used to shorten every long-winded organizational name to NAMBLA. Stewart also successfully got under the skin of Trump for years. Trump has called him an "overrated asshole-total phony on Twitter, and famously tweeted this sentence after a Stewart gave him a nickname on a 2013 Daily Show episode.

Amazing how the haters & losers keep tweeting the name F**kface Von Clownstick like they are so original & like no one else is doing it

Sources say that tweet has now been retweeted over 29,000 times. No word on if its thanks to the same sources that are behind the NAMBLA rumors.

By Thursday night, the rumors had already gained enough traction for a thorough debunking by the website Inquisitr, which deemed it a bizarre viral hoax. The moderators think this is just the beginning.

As for the campaign responding, I think that would be the ultimate prize. I dont think he will, but Trump gets set off pretty easily so I can dream, said Faiz.

There is, after all, only one way to stop it.

The only logical conclusion would really be Trump releasing his tax returns but he would never do that because hes hiding donations to NAMBLA, he added. Thats what Ive heard from some very smart people anyway.
Its been a rough year for comedy films. I mean rough. Last Friday, a movie came out in which Kevin Spacey finds himself trapped inside the body of a cat. And U.S. audiences have needed the respite more than ever, what with the neverending deluge of terrorist attacks, police shootings, the rise of a hate-filled tweet-mad Cheeto dipped in cotton candy, and the realization that, perhaps, David Bowie was the magical glue holding this crazy universe together.

Fortunately for those seeking comedy sustenance, youll find it in this weeks Sausage Party, an extremely R-rated animated odyssey from the creative duo of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldbergyou know, the fellas who wrote Superbad together at 16, co-directed This Is the End and The Interview, and shepherded the hit AMC series Preacher.

Sausage Party tells the story of the grocery items in Shopwells who all dream of being chosen (a la the aliens in Toy Storys claw machine) by customers so that theyll be carted off into the sweet, sex-filled afterlife. Frank (voiced by Seth Rogen), one of a package of sausages, is particularly excited to get inside the hot dog bun of Brenda (Kristen Wiig). But when he discovers that there is no afterlife, and that food is in fact brutally slaughtered and consumed by people, he tries to warn his fellow anthropomorphic brethren of the ugly truth.

According to Rogen, every studio except Sony passed on the fuck-filled project, co-directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernanand featuring music by Beauty and the Beasts Alan Menken (!)because nobody had seen anything like it before.

Whats funny is every meeting ended with me thinking they were going to make it, Rogen tells The Daily Beast. Its a response weve had before of, This is amazing, this is great. We cant make this. It happened with Superbad, Pineapple Express, and everyone rejected This Is the End except Sony. What we consistently underestimate is how hard it is to get movies made where there isnt something to point to thats analogous to it.Rogen, Goldberg, and pal Jonah Hillwho voices Carl, the most dickish sausagecame up with the films title at Hills house back in 2006, and worked backward from there. Then, it took three years to develop the concept of an R-rated Pixar-style movie and in 2010, after a year of work, they finished the first draft of the script. They penned it while making the dramedy 50/50, based on their pal Will Reisers real-life battle with cancer. It was a good way to blow off steam and take our minds off what we were doing, remembers Rogen. Then it took another three years from that point to get Megan Ellison to come onboard and finance it.

Annapurna Pictures Ellison came on in 2013, ponying up the dough for the $30 million project, and the film was a go. In addition to Ellison, one of the biggest early supporters of the movie was Edward Norton, who voices the nebbishy bagel Sammy Bagel Jr.

[Nortons] been a friend of ours for around 10 yearsand when we first came up with the idea we told it to him and he said, I want to be in it, and I want to play a bagel that sounds exactly like Woody Allen. And then he did the impression for us and we were like wow, thats fucking incredible, says Rogen. He then helped us get Salma Hayek, who we didnt know at all, and did most of the convincing to get Kristen Wiig onboard. He was really the silent champion of this movie.

Norton was so enthusiastic about the movie hed bring it up to everyone he came across, including his Oscar-winning Birdman director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu.

Jonah [Hill] said he was at a dinner party with Edward Norton and Inarritu, and the whole time it was Edward Norton trying to explain Sausage Party to Inarritu, who didnt quite get it but kind of did, says Rogen, with a laugh. Jonah was like, man, this is one of the most surreal conversations Ive ever witnessed taking place in my entire life!

One sequence that everyone will be talking about in Sausage Party, perhaps for years to come, is its climactic orgy, where all of the groceries have sex with each other in every position imaginable.

Its about two-and-a-half minutes long. There are a lot of panels, chuckles Rogen. There was a version that was eight minutes long at one point. We told the animators go fuckin bonkers, and then we had to scale it back a lot to a place where it was consumable. It took months and months and months! I think the first version we watched of that orgy was while we were filming The Interview, so about three years ago, and we didnt get to the final version of it until around the middle of May. So thats a long time!

If this orgy involved real people, itd never get released on Netflixlet alone in theaters. But its still pretty damn shocking, and really fucking hilarious, nonetheless. Rogen claims that only about one second of the orgy sequence was cut and that they were pleasantly, pleasantly shocked by the lack of censorship on the part of the studio and MPAA.

We made it dirtier than wed originally planned because we were expecting some sort of negotiation, so when we first heard it was getting kickback we felt, OK, lets change as little as possible, Rogen recalls. Then we sent that in and approved it, and we were like, What?! We thought that would be the first of fifty back-and-forths that would happen.

Rogen and Goldberg are, of course, no strangers to controversy. Their last film, the Kim Jong Un satire The Interview, allegedly triggered the hacking of Sony Pictures by a group claiming ties to North Korea (the FBI believed it was North Korea, while many cybersecurity experts thought otherwise). Threats followed, the movie was pulled from theaters, and Obama even addressed the controversy in his last presser of 2014, calling out Seth Rogen and James Flacco [sic] by name.

Looking back on that eye-opening experience, Rogen says he still doesnt have a theory as to who perpetrated the hack, and was most shocked and disappointed with how the media dealt with peoples stolen personal information. He also thinks that its patently absurd when comedians complain about how PC culture is ruining comedy and cant handle the backlash that their jokes provoke.

As someone who was involved in, like, an actual controversy, Im really confused by people who tell an edgy joke, piss people off, and then consider themselves the victim of some backlash, say Rogen. So theyre mad? Its your right to tell the joke and its their right to get mad at it. Thats why you tell the joke in the first placesome people will get mad, and some people will laugh. I personally am confused by the PC culture thing. I hear people talking about it a lot, and to me, its equally whiny on the person saying thats behalf.

Thats not the only strange thing to happen to Rogen. Of late, a Twitter user who goes by the handle @SamePhotoOfSeth tweets out the same exact picture of the actor every day: a still of him glaring mock-seductively at the camera in his parody music video to Kanye Wests Bound 2, wherein a shirtless Rogen plays the Kim Kardashian to James Francos Kanye West as they gyrate on top of a motorcycle.

Someone just tweets the same photo of Seth every single day. The same photo, he says. I take it as a compliment. No one would dedicate that much time to me out of hate I think. And I started following them and they follow me, so theyve started direct-messaging me the photo as well. Every few days I get a photo and its its very weird!

Another surreal thing to happen to Rogen was the time he and Franco were almost invited by Kanye West to perform their Bound 2 parody at the rappers star-studded wedding to Kim Kardashian in Florence, Italy.

Kanye kind of decided in the course of the call where he was asking us to do it that it was a bad idea. Im sure youve had an idea that in your head sounds good, and then when you start to say it out loud you realize its not, says Rogen. But he called us up and me and Franco are both on, and Ive met him a bunch of times so it wasnt this epic formal conversation, it was just this casual chat of, Do you think that would be funny? Maybe it would be weird or would it be funny? Its actually the exact conversation Id have with a comedian where you ask, Would it be funny? How long would it be funny for? Would it be funny for long enough? Maybe not. And if its a big schlep for you guys for two seconds of comedy, maybe not. I would love to work with Kanye West in some capacity, he adds. The right opportunity has not arisen yet, but Im a huge fan of his.

In the meantime, Rogen recently shot a pilot with Goldberg for Hulu called Future Man, which stars Josh Hutcherson as a janitor at a sexual disease research laboratory who becomes the first person to beat a very obscure video game, and then is told he is the savior of humanity because he beat that game. Rogen calls it a cross between Terminator 2, The Last Starfighter, and Back to the Future, and basically an R-rated sci-fi TV comedy. Hes also keen to develop sequels to Sausage Party as well as other R-rated animated films, hinting at a few more original ideas up his sleeve.

Sausage Party is one of the only movies weve ever made where, as we were making it, we thought wed like to do more of these, he says. I do really hope it does well not just to make another Sausage Party, but so it will open up the doors for anyone who has an idea for an animated movie that isnt strictly for children.
TOKYO  When the Emperor speaks, Japan listens and so does the world. Monday at 3:00 p.m. local time a speech by Emperor Akihito was televised on a date that commemorated no anniversary or major tragedy, as most of his addresses do. Instead it pertained to the very Imperial System itself.

The Emperor, who is 82, discussed his health, his position as a symbol of the state under Japans modern constitution, the hardship of his duties, his love for the people of Japanand made clear his desire to abdicate the throne in his lifetime in a way that would cause the least amount of turmoil.

He used the word, the people (kokumin) frequently, speaking to the nation in a fatherly, thoughtful tone and asking for understanding.

The Emperors speech, in its quiet way, was the opening salvo in a battle for the future of modern Japan, a nation he sees as based on peace and democracy as important values to be upheld.

Some of it had been telegraphed before, preparing the public for whats to come. There had been hints in the press dating back years, then last month Japanese public broadcaster NHK caused a sensation by reporting that the emperor might want to abdicate the throne before he diessomething that hasnt happened in Japan for more than 200 years and, indeed, something the current constitution doesnt appear to allow.

Mondays speech left little doubt his desire and intent is to step down, if such a thing can be arranged, but more importantly it marks the prelude to what may be an epic battle between the emperors successor, Crown Prince Naruhito, and the man some critics call the Clown PrincePrime Minister Shinzo Abe, leader of Japans ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Media reports in Japan already are calling the consideration of abdication the current emperors final act of resistance against the prime minister, a bid to halt the return to Japans aggressive pre-war attitudes and policies.

There was, to be sure, a certain weariness in the emperors 11-minute prerecorded speech and one can understand whyhe remembers the war and its aftermath first hand.

He began his remarks with the acknowledgement that 70 years had passed since the end of the war, and that he was now past 80.

The carefully woven speech was centered on his concerns for his own physical limitations and their repercussions. He reflected on the difficulty of living up to the standards of what is expected of the Symbolic Emperor (no longer considered divine, as his forebears were) and the responsibility to do what is best for his people as well as his family.

I ascended to the throne approximately 28 years ago, said Akihito, and during these years, I have spent my days together with the people of Japan, sharing many of the joys as well as the sorrows that have happened in our country. I have considered that the first and foremost duty of the Emperor is to pray for peace and the happiness of all the people. At the same time, I also believe that in some cases it is essential to stand by the people, listen to their voices, and be close to them in their thoughts.

"When the Emperor has ill health and his condition becomes serious, I am concerned that, as we have seen in the past, society comes to a standstill and people's lives are impacted in various ways," said Akihito. "It occurs to me from time to time to wonder whether it is possible to prevent such a situation."

He then touches upon Japan's Imperial history, obliquely indicating that, historically, emperors did abdicate and that he hopes the people will understand his wishes.

Akihito ended the speech by reiterating that he does not have powers to influence the constitution (which his Japanese listeners knew would be required were he to abdicate), but that he sincerely wishes for the peoples understanding.

He used the phrase symbol of the state six times. It was a pointed reference to the dark time in Japans history where the emperor was not a symbol but the divine ruler of Imperial Japan. Under the pre-war constitution Japan waged wars of conquest in China, Korea and Southeast Asia, eventually fighting, and losing, the Second World War as a country devastated by the ferocious firebombings of Tokyo and other cities, and the U.S. atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Prime Minister Abe wants to revive that pre-war constitution, and Abe, who understood the emperors message perfectly well, did not like it.

Abe read a short prepared speech to the press after the video was aired. He seemed irritated as he noted that the emperor had addressed the peopleas if this direct appeal to the masses was the equivalent of going over his head.

We must seriously think about the public duties and burdens of the Emperor and what we can do about it, Abe stated. There was no pledge to change the laws or make abdication easy.

In recent years, the emperors speeches and those of Crown Prince Naruhitowho will most likely succeed the current emperor, perhaps even while his father is still alivehave been studied for their sentiments on the importance of pacifism and the post-war constitution. They have remembered honestly Japans crimes during the war, and voiced subtle opposition to the renewed militarism of the current administration.

In some respects, Abe was in trouble even before the emperor struck back. The prime ministers signature policies on the economy have not done well. The International Monetary Fund has pronounced Abenomics a failure. But politically, he should be happy. After the recent Upper House elections, he gained enough supporters in both houses last month to have a shot at his long cherished dream of altering Japans constitution.

The NHK report last month of the emperors possible abdication plans, coming just days after the elections, was seen as a move to throw cold water on Abes evident ardor for old Imperial glories.

Not surprisingly, after the NHK scoop Abes people at first vehemently denied reports that the emperor wished to retire. According to Japanese reporters covering the administration, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga angrily scolded NHK reporters for having the audacity to broadcast the news without letting him know in advance, and a witch hunt supposedly was launched within the Imperial Househould Agency to find out where the leak came from.

Todays speech confirmed that the leak was correctand it may have come from very high up in the Imperial Household. Certainly it cleared the way for the Emperor to give his unusual address today.

This is a pivotal moment in Japanese history, and for the emperor there must be a grim sense of deja vu. Since Prime Minister Abe took office in 2012, Japans World Press Freedom ranking has declined to 72; down from 11 in 2010.

The state secrecy bills which make it a potential crime even to ask persistent questions, were passed into laws amid huge protests.

Japans remilitarization is steadily underway. The weapons industry has been revived; the country is shipping arms.

The State Security Laws will enable Japan to wage war overseas for the first time since the war ended. And if the ruling coalition somehow fails to alter the pacifist constitution, it will push to pass an emergency powers act, which will give the Prime Minister power to rewrite the laws during a time of crisissomething straight out of the Nazi playbook. (Some members of Abes cabinet have a well-known admiration for Hitlers political stratagems.)

In post-war Japan, the emperor has been constitutionally defined as the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people, deriving his position from the will of the people with whom resides sovereign power and he has no powers related to government.

The Emperor and his wife, Empress Michiko, have reigned more than 27 years as quiet symbols of a pacifist nation, living voices reminding the Japanese people of the horrific past that the country endured and that Imperial Japan imposed on others.

In light of the current administrations revisionist inclinations, many observers have picked up on a significant shift in the tone and content of the Emperors public statements. This year alone, he has referred several times to wartime experiences and the need to study and learn from this war.

Prime Minister Abe and his political allies have long derided Japans constitution as a humiliation imposed upon the Japanese people by the United States occupation government, impinging on basic human rights.

Abes grandfather, Prime Minister Kishi Nobusuke, was Japans minister of munitions during the war. Kishi was also arrested as a war criminal but never prosecuted and became a founder of the Liberal Democratic Party. Abe, now leading the same political party, said in 2014, My party has been advocating amending our constitution since its founding almost 60 year ago.

Contrast that to the remarkably liberal and pacifist remarks made by the emperor on his birthday in 2013:

After the war, Japan was occupied by the Allied forces and, based on peace and democracy as values to be upheld, established the Constitution of Japan, undertook various reforms and built the foundation of Japan that we know today. I have profound gratitude for the efforts made by the Japanese people at the time, who helped reconstruct and improve the country devastated by the war. I also feel that we must not forget the help extended to us in those days by Americans with an understanding of Japan and Japanese culture.

The remarks were a far cry from the rallying cry of shake off the post-war regime that Japans neocons love to chant.

It is not only the emperor who has been vocal about the current administrations current misguided reverence for the Imperial Family. The number of times Prince Naruhito has referred to the Japanese Constitution in his annual birthday press conferences has gone up significantly since 2012. He has also spoken of the necessity to correctly pass down history to future generations seemingly a jab at Abes constant denial or minimization of Japans wartime crimes.

Even the Empress Michiko, always beside her husband physically and ideologically, when asked on her birthday in 2014 about her thoughts on upcoming 70th anniversary of the war, pointed out the grave responsibility of Japans war criminals.

It was something that the Japanese popular press attempted to ignore. Litera, a Japanese news and research site, suggested this was in direct response to Abe sending an official message of condolence, as the leader of the LDP, to the memorial services honoring the Class A war criminals that year.

Abe and many in the LDP are known as staunch worshippers and supporters of the Yasukuni Shrine where Japans convicted war criminals such as Hideki Tojo are currently memorialized. Abes visit to the shrine and the problems surrounding it were taken up in the 2015 US government report, Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress (PDF).

The Imperial Family, even during the previous emperors reign came to an end, stopped paying their respects after fourteen convicted war criminals were enshrined in 1978. Neither the current emperor nor the crown prince has visited Yasukuni since.

On the other hand, in recent years, the Royal Couple have visited the sites where Japanese soldiers died overseas, expressing their condolences also to the foreign nationals killed in the war.

There is a delicious irony in the strained relationship between the Imperial Family and the Prime Minister.

Abe is also a special advisor to the political branch of Nippon Kaigi, an emperor-worshipping Shinto cult and the majority of his cabinet are also members of the group, which wields considerable influence.

Historically, the Emperor is the highest authority of the Shinto religion. He and his family are said to be the direct descendants of the sun-goddess. They are believed to have a direct pipeline to the deities and serve as ministers of heavenly affairs. The current Emperor, who is the ostensible object of Nippon Kaigi worship, often is a thorn in Abes side.

Even in Mondays speech, Emperor Akihito pointed out that he was a state symbol under Japans constitution, not a leader. On the 70th anniversary of the end of the war, Abe had planned a glorious revisionist address, the Abe Danwa (discourse) where the vocabulary traditionally featured by his predecessorscolonial rule, invasion, remorse, apologywould be omitted for the first time. However, in the end Abe had to defer to his elder.

A senior LDP member told The Daily Beast, Abe was anxiously obsessing over the probable content of the emperors address since he could not present something that does not align with it. In the end, he had to capitulate, keep the old wording, and made a mealy-mouthed insincere apology.

Positions on Japans past and present militarization are not the only things the emperor and Abe seem to disagree on.

Historian Hideya Kawanishi, an expert on Japans Imperial system, assistant professor at Kobe College and author of Symbolic Emperor System in Post War Japan, views the abdication as part of the emperors tactics to bring the conversation back to the issue of the validity of female emperors.

The Crown Prince has a daughter but his wife, former Ministry of Foreign Affairs bureaucrat, Princess Masako, has failed to bear a son.

Kawanishi thinks that the emperor, by revealing plans to abdicate, has found a way to address the Abe administration, which has been reluctant to discuss the possibility of having a female emperor. The opposition to a female emperor is not surprising coming from a political party that appears to push forward a women centric agendawomenomicsbut has achieved little and is known to be, in fact, outlandishly sexist.

Even Abes appointees to cabinet positions who are female, share a traditional view of the role of women in Japanese society and are surprisingly anti-feminist.

Kawanishi also points to other issues the Imperial Family faces. The Emperor and Empress are beloved figures and are warmly welcomed wherever they go, another interesting contrast to the jeers Abe seems to attract.

However, the crown prince, by comparison with the emperor, does not have the same authority or popularity. In addition the long-term depression of Naruhitos wife, which has prevented her from carrying out her official duties, has been a sore spot for the couple and drawn criticism from conservatives.

Kawanishi suggests, The emperor seeks to facilitate a smooth transition while he is alive rather than the ordeal taking place after his own passing. He spoke at length on the duties and stress that would befall the family after his own death, the mourning duties along with the transition of the duties of the Emperor, and his wish to relieve them of the burden as much as possible. He expressed his doubts about achieving a steady continuation of the royal lineage in the present system, and asked the people for understanding, something extremely rare.

Because the Emperors living abdication isnt covered under the current constitution, does that mean there has to be a de facto revision of the founding document, like the Security Act? Some legal scholars believe that simply revising the Imperial Household Law could solve the problem but no one is sure.

Simply raising the question may slow down Abe and Liberal Democratic Partys attempt to replace the current constitution with their proposed new constitution, which some scholars says could seriously damage freedom of speech and democracy in Japan.

Kawanishi says that if the constitution is revised as a result of the emperors personal wishes, that would automatically be a breach of the constitution whose foundation lies in the separation of imperial and political power. But it is clear that the Abe administration is going to have to address the abdication issue. It will take time, and the emperorcant wait forever.

The Emperor is no longer a young deity. He has had two surgical procedures since 2003, reportedly for his heart, and for prostate cancer. According to an opinion poll conducted by the Yomiuri newspaper, over 84 percent of Japanese believe that the Imperial System should be changed so that the emperor will be allowed to step down. The will of the people is clear.

The emperors abdication and the consequences will cast a shadow on the LDPs revisionist parade. One of the most terrifying thoughts for the Abe administration after todays speech must be about what will happen after the crown has been passed. Imagine what the retired Emperor would say once he steps off the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Everything the Emperor says is correct, said the acting head of Nippon Kaigi, Tadae Takubo, in a press conference last month.

This seemingly benign statement puts Abe and his cabinet in a difficult position. If they really wish a return to the Emperor as the center of the government, and believe his words are sacredthey will have to obey them. They will have to let him retire and respect his wishes for a pacifist Japan, and a constitution that guarantees basic human rights and renounces war.

It may be a bitter pill to swallow, but such would be the word of a god. Even a retired one.
Donald Trump delivered what was billed as an economic policy speech in Detroit Monday afternoon, but instead of outlining the details of his proposals, he announced vague plans to explain them at an unspecified date in the future.

Trump promised, in the coming weeks, we will be offering more detail on all of these policies and, in the days ahead, we will provide more details on this plan and how it will help you and your family, and I will unveil my plan on this in the coming weeks, and in the coming days, we will be rolling out plans on all of these items.

Trump spoke for roughly fifty minutes, during which time he was interrupted by protesters on fourteen separate occasions. He made lofty promises and offered harsh criticism of his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, but like so many of Trumps public remarks, a close inspection of what he said revealed his words to have little meaning, or to be demonstrably false.

The improbable Republican nominee took to the lectern at the Detroit Economic Club, a nonpartisan speaking forum that claims its proud to have hosted every U.S. President since Richard Nixon, after a brief introduction from his running mate, Mike Pence. He wore his standard uniform of dark suit, white dress shirt and wide, gleaming red tie. He gripped the sides of the wooden structure, as is his custom, and he leaned into the microphone as he read carefully from the teleprompter.

This was Trumps first major policy speech since accepting his partys nomination. The only other time hes stoically read from a teleprompter to deliver remarks in this manner was in Manchester in June, when he unveiled what he said was his foreign policy doctrine following the terror attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando.

It certainly does not seem to be a coincidence that Trumps big, presidential speech follows a week of the least presidential behavior of his campaign.

Months ago, during the Republican primary, Trump replaced his novice staffers with hardened political operatives who were said to be tasked with professionalizing his operation, grooming him to be the kind of candidate who could compete against Clinton. It turned out that was a bit like teaching a pitbull to waltz.

And frustration with Trumps inability, or unwillingness, or reluctance, to act presidential seemed to finally reach a fever pitch last week after a series of gaffes and terrible poll numbers seemed to send the already off-kilter campaign into a tailspin.

Anonymous sources told NBC News that an intervention was in the works to stop Trump from wounding himself further and to get him back on message, although he never quite had a coherent message to begin with.

But there he stood on Monday, trying again to act the part of the office he was seeking.

Its wonderful to be in Detroit, been here many times, he said. We now begin a great, national conversation about economic renewal for America. Its a conversation about how to make America great again for everyone, and especiallyand I say, especiallyfor those who have the very least.

Trump proposed a number of reforms but offered no specifics for how he would achieve them or why they would result in a wealthier, more prosperous country.

Among them: an across the board income tax reduction, especially for middle income Americans, which he said will lead to millions of new good paying jobs; as well as the elimination of the Carried Interest Deduction and other special interest loopholes; the reduction of the current number of [tax] brackets from 7 to 3; some unspecified changes so that no American company will pay more than 15 percent of their business income in taxes; to cut regulations massively; to allow businesses to immediately expense new business investments; a moratorium on all new regulations; and a childcare tax deduction.

In the days ahead, Trump said, we will provide more details on this plan and how it will help you and your family.

Trump bemoaned the decline of the Motor City, citing as its cause America having abandoned the policy of America First. He claimed that rebuilding other countries instead of our own was a reason for the downturn.

The skyscrapers went up in Beijing, and in many other cities around the world, while factories and neighborhoods crumbled in Detroit, he said.

Although, Trump, whose line of ties was produced outside the U.S., was once a fan of job outsourcing. In a column posted to his Trump University blog, uncovered by Buzzfeed, Trump said, outsourcing creates jobs in the long run.

He also continued to conflate issues that have virtually nothing to do with one another.

It was a shame, Trump said, that while American infrastructure suffered, we managed to find the money to resettle millions of refugees at taxpayer expense. According to State Department, three million refugees have been resettled in the U.S. since 1975, although only 8,000 Syrian refugees have come here since we began admitting them last year. Trump cited a Breitbart News article, however, not the State Department.

He offered no details about how he planned to fund new infrastructure spending.

Trump said Detroits decline was due to high taxes, radical regulation, the immigration policies that have strained local budgets and the trade deals like NAFTA. He argued that Clinton was to blame for this, because the city of Detroit is the living, breathing example of my opponents failed economic agenda. Every policy that has failed this city, and so many others, is a policy supported by Hillary Clinton.

High taxes and unfriendly business policies are part of the story, but not the complete picture. Trump didnt mention that the city had put all its eggs in one basket, the auto industry, which made it vulnerable to the sort of decline. Nor did he mention the racial divide that led to white flight, or the political corruption, or the related shoddy leadership that prevented the city from avoiding its eventual spiral into bankruptcy.

Trumps insistence that immigration is somehow responsible for Detroits suffering is curious, too, especially given that Michigans Republican governor, Rick Snyder, in 2014 announced his plan to attract 50,000 immigrants to the city as a means of reinvigorating its economy.

Trump then claimed that, if you were a foreign power looking to weaken America, you couldnt do better than Hillary Clintons economic agenda, although Trump is the only candidate with direct ties to a foreign power looking to weaken AmericaRussiawhose bidding he seems to be doing at every turn.

Clinton, Trump said, short circuited again, to use a now-famous term, when she accidentally told the truth and said she wanted to raise taxes on the middle class. A review of the video of Clintons remarks, last Monday in Omaha, makes it clear she said we arent going to raise taxes on the middle class, just as her prepared remarks stated.

Trump bemoaned the Trans-Pacific Partnership, claiming that, a vote for Hillary Clinton is a vote for TPPand its also a vote for NAFTA. He neglected to mention that Pence, the man with whom he shares his ticket, was a fervent supporter of both TPP and NAFTA.

Although he talks with the help of a teleprompter now, just like those career politicians he hates, Mondays economic speech was proof that Trump hasnt changed much during his fourteen months as a candidate. He remains big on drama and short on details.

When he first announced his candidacy, in June 2015, he ended his speech with the following line: Just to sum up: I would do various things very quickly.

And the sentiment remains.
The Russian military is apparently getting ready to launch a new generation of high-tech spy satellites.

It could help Moscow begin to match the as-yet-unrivaled resolution of Americas own eyes in orbit. But the U.S. space force isnt standing still. While Russia races to catch up to the United States in one particular aspect of orbital reconnaissancethat is, imagery detailthe United States is plotting a sort of technological sidestep that could actually extend its lead over its rivals in space-based espionage.

Moscow reportedly plans to launch three of the new Hrazdan satellitesone each in 2019, 2022, and 2024. Essentially orbital telescopes that point down toward Earth, the Hrazdans will replace Russias two existing Persona spy satellites.

Moscow has come to rely heavily on its military spacecraft to support long-distance deployments. Spy satellites, including the Personas, have played a central role in the Russian intervention in Syria, helping to spot targets for Russian bombers and cruise missiles.

The Hrazdans are built around huge, finely-crafted lenses. Where the Personas feature 1.5-meter-diameter lenses, the Hrazdans boast lenses with a diameter greater than two meters, according to Kommersant, a Russian newspaper.

The Personas maintain circular orbits around Earth at an altitude of 700 kilometers. At that altitude, the older sats lenses afford them a 31-centimeter resolution, Ted Molczan, an independent satellite-tracker and space expert, told The Daily Beast. In other words, when a Persona takes a snapshot of the Earths surface, each pixel in the image represents an area 31 centimeters by 31 centimeters.

At the same altitude, the Hrazdans would significantly improve on the Personas. Their resolution could go as high as 24 centimeters, according to Molczan.

This is a significant upgrade for the Russian capabilities, Brian Weeden, a space expert with the Secure World Foundation in Colorado, told The Daily Beast.

But while Russia focuses on improving its spy satellites resolution, the United States is working hard to make its own spacecraft more responsiveand combining them with for-hire, commercial satellites. Thats a major, major shift for the American military and intelligence communities.The U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, which operates Americas main spy satellites on behalf of the military and intelligence communities, can get resolutions as high as seven centimeters from its KH-11 Keyhole spy satellites, whose 2.4-meter-diameter lenses formed the basis of NASAs famous Hubble telescope.

But theres a catch. The KH-11s traditionally maintain elliptical orbits that dip as low as 260 kilometers and climb as high as 1,000 kilometers. At the highest altitude, the Keyholes resolution degrades to 28 centimeters, Molczan said. Its only at the low point that the U.S. sats can peer down with seven-centimeter resolution.

The elliptical orbits are no accident. They allow the satellites to modulate between viewing huge swathes of Earth at low resolution and much smaller sections of the planet at high resolution. By coordinating the orbits of the KH-11sthere are apparently four of the spy sats in operationthe NRO can maintain simultaneous wide and narrow surveillance.

But the NRO apparently has a new and, it clearly believes, better scheme in mindone that could vastly improve Americas space reconnaissance capability without simply counting on ever-larger lenses on successive generations of spy satellites.

The NRO appears to be shifting its KH-11s in lower, more circular orbitsand is set to continue this deployment pattern as new Keyholes come on line starting in 2018. There are indications that the next-generation KH-11 may adopt a 260-kilometer-by-500-kilometer orbit, which would maintain the present seven-centimeter best resolution, but significantly improve the overall resolution around the orbit, Molczan explained.

That would leave gaps in wide-area surveillance compared to the traditional orbital pattern. But the NRO has a plan, according to Molczan. The task of lower-resolution, wide-area coverage would shift to commercial satellites.

Private firms such as DigitalGlobe sell space-based imagery at resolutions as high as 30 centimeters, the current cap under U.S. law. Weeden told The Daily Beast that companies now possess the technology to collect 25-centimeter-resolution imagery, even if they cant legally sell it to private users.

DigitalGlobes satellites orbit at 770 kilometers, near the KH-11s old peak. The NRO could substitute imagery from DigitalGlobe or another company for the lowest-resolution Keyhole imagery25 to 30 centimetersand free up the KH-11s to do what they do besttake detailed snapshots at very, very high resolution.

At the same time, the NRO is improving its satellite-communications infrastructure. Spy satellites are really just remote-controlled cameras. To make use of their imagery, analysts on the ground must download the photos.

Thats only possible when the spacecraft has a line of sight to a ground station and can beam down a digital file. Alternatively, the spy sat can beam its data to a constellation of dedicated, very-high-altitude satellite data system relay spacecraft that stays in constant contact with controllers on the ground.

The United States is the world leader in these SDS relay satsand might be on the verge of pulling even farther ahead of rivals. The U.S. appears to be investing a lot more in that than the Russians or anyone else, Weeden commented. The NRO generally doesn't disclose the exact nature of its satellite launches, but Weeden and Molczan both said they believe the most recent NRO launch, on July 28, involved a new SDS satellite.

So yes, the Russians are reportedly getting new spy satellites. Theyre apparently pretty sophisticated. But that doesnt mean the Russia is pulling ahead of the United States in the field of space reconnaissance. From what I can tell, the U.S. still has a pretty sizable advantage at least qualitatively, if not quantitatively, Weeden said.
A government watchdog is taking legal action in an effort to compel the Internal Revenue Service to investigate whether Donald Trumps charitable foundation violated its tax-exempt status by engaging in political activity on behalf of the Republican nominees presidential campaign.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a left-leaning government watchdog group, is filing a formal complaint to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen on Monday morning, citing the Donald J. Trump Foundations highly publicized contributions to veterans charities that were doled out earlier this yearwhich could be a violation of its nonprofit status.

If the IRS audits the Trump Foundation and it is determined to have violated regulations governing nonprofits, the charitable organization could lose its tax-exempt status and the Republican nominee himself could be subject to excise taxes.

Tax-exempt organizations like the Trump Foundationof which Trump is the presidentare strictly prohibited from engaging in political activity.

The Trump Foundation appears to have violated this prohibition by participating in Mr. Trumps campaign and advocating for Mr. Trumps nomination and election, Noah Bookbinder, CREWs executive director, writes in the complaint.

The Daily Beast reported in June that the foundation has been operating essentially as a political slush fund, and that it has been coordinating with the campaign in a way that likely violates both IRS and Federal Election Commission regulations.

Mondays legal action was prompted in part by the presentation of checks to veterans charities that were paid by the foundation, which had Trumps campaign logo and its signature sloganMake America Great Againimprinted on them.

Although the IRS prohibits charities like the Trump Foundation from engaging in political activity, the agency does not specifically define what that is. According to FEC guidelines, though, the use of a campaign slogan is a violation because it constitutes express political advocacy that can have no other reasonable meaning than to urge the election or defeat of a candidate.

CREW cites the reporting of The Daily Beast and others to conclude that the foundation is acting as a public relations tool to prop up Trumps historic and unprecedented presidential campaign.

The Trump Foundation has a history of engaging in inappropriate political activity, Bookbinder told The Daily Beast. The law strictly bans charitable foundations from engaging in political activity. The IRS should immediately investigate these apparent repeated violations of the law.

Phil Hackney, a law professor who worked for the IRS chief counsel for five years and specialized in tax-exempt organizations, said legal action taken by groups like CREW often serve as ways the IRS can generate leads on organizations that are thought to have violated the agencys regulations.

It [CREWs complaint] is one of the ways the IRS generates information in order to decide whether to open an audit, Hackney, who helped oversee the IRS tax-exempt sector, told The Daily Beast. There are several different ways to do this. A referral is one of them. CREW is playing a part in that system of how the IRS selects groups for audit.

The Daily Beast previously reported that campaign staffers were in direct contact with the veterans charities on behalf of both the Trump Foundation and the Trump Organization ahead of formal presentations of the checks, suggesting improper coordination among the three entities. Two of themthe foundation and the campaignare subject to IRS and FEC rules, respectively.

Representatives from two of the charities that received $100,000 checks from the Trump Foundation told The Daily Beast they were in direct communication with Trump campaign staffers, including its spokeswoman, Hope Hicks.

Under these facts and circumstances, and especially as Mr. Trump was both a political candidate and controlled the Trump Foundation, the Trump Foundation appears to have participated in Mr. Trumps campaign, according to the complaint.

In January, Trump pledged $6 millionwhich was never completely accounted forto charities that work to help military veterans after the candidate skipped a Fox News primary debate over an ongoing feud with Megyn Kelly. The money raised at an event the same night as the debate went to the Trump Foundation instead of directly to the charitable organizations, and the checks were doled out in the succeeding months.

Those checks unquestionably communicated the Trump for Presidents campaign slogan, and in the context of a campaign rally designed to advocate for Mr. Trumps nomination and at which Mr. Trump spoke, the use of the slogan can have no reasonable meaning other than to urge his election, CREWs complaint says.

In 2013, the foundation failed to report an illegal $25,000 donation to a political group supporting Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, chalking it up to a simple clerical error. At the time, Bondi was reviewing legal complaints regarding the defunct Trump University.

The Bondi donation alone should be enough for the IRS to audit the foundation, experts told The Daily Beast. CREW filed a complaint over the contribution in March.

The Daily Beasts calls to the phone number listed on the foundations annual disclosures routinely led to staffers within the Trump Organization. Multiple attempts to speak with a foundation staffer were unsuccessful, suggesting that the foundation exists largely on paper.

If the IRS finds evidence of illegal behavior, the organizations tax-exempt status could be taken away and its purveyorwho has not made his tax returns publiccould be forced to pay up.
It looked like he was wincing.

Reading from prepared remarks Friday night in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Donald Trump raised two thumbs in the air, flashing a knowing smirk before he buried himself in the stilted notes he had brought with him.

In our shared mission to make America great again, I support and endorse our speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, Trump said.

The white nationalists didnt buy it. Trump was coming off the worst week of his campaign, during which he insulted the mother of a fallen U.S. Army captain in Iraq, dragged a fire marshals name through the mud, and made a point of saying he was not ready to back the campaigns of Ryan and Sen. John McCain. To some of Trumps most fervent supporters on the fringe, Friday nights brief hat-tip to both men came off like a child pleading with a teacher to get out of timeout.

Its a boringly conventional movebut I just dont think it will work, because its increasingly obvious that the Donorists will sink the ship rather than let a Nationalist candidate win, said Peter Brimelow, the editor of VDare.com, a site that often argues for a moratorium on immigration to the United States. And that goes for their subsidized Conservatism Inc. sock puppets like National Review and Red State, too. Trump already gave them [running mate Mike] Pence, who is a weak fool, and he let [Ted] Cruz speak even though he knew he wouldnt endorse him. Its got him nothing.

Brimelow, who has been described as an anti-immigration activist, told The Daily Beast these sorts of establishment-kowtowing moves dont help Trump gain voters. He needs to stick to what made him successful already.

Trumps only path to victory is a Brexit-type spontaneous popular surge, Brimelow said in an email exchange. In fact, thats all hes ever had going for him. To get that, he has to raise Nationalist issues, like immigration/TPP, that will terrify the GOP Establishment and enrage the MSM. These endorsements havent helped him with his voters at all.

Brimelow suggested that Trump didnt really want to endorse Ryan and that his belated move to do so runs the risk of diluting the Trump message, which is tinged by nationalism.

Id guess they had to break his arm, Brimelow said. I think it was a mistake, but what do I know? What does anyone know about this campaign?

Trump is anything but subtle about his internal monologue, which he telegraphs to his 10 million Twitter followers. And days before his hand was seemingly forced to back two men with whom he agrees on little, Trump was sleeping with the enemy.

Thanks to @pnehlen for your kind words, very much appreciated, he tweeted at Ryan challenger Paul Nehlen on Aug. 1. Nehlen is a businessman, like Trump, who recently suggested that perhaps all Muslims should be deported from the United States. And he is staring down a tough primary against the hometown hero speaker of the House on Tuesday.

But Nehlens stances and his outsider pedigree align quite closely with Trump, something that is not lost on white nationalists who applaud a candidate like the Wisconsin long shot.

Im disappointed in Trumps endorsement of Paul Ryan, who is exactly the kind of Republican politician the Trump movement should displace, Richard Spencer, the president of the white nationalist think tank National Policy Institute, told The Daily Beast. Trump probably telegraphed what he really thought this week by hilariously announcing that he wasnt ready to endorse the speaker.

Echoing Brimelow, Spencer suggested that he understood the calculus but was disappointed in seeing it employed by Trump, who doesnt normally use math to reach solutions.

I understand why Trump made the endorsement, Spencer said. A similar calculation went into his picking of a dumb-but-loyal running mate, Mike Pence, who has supported so many of the things Trump opposes and vice versa.

Spencer, a baby-faced figure in the white nationalist movement who has advocated for a strictly white homeland, said he didnt think the Trump endorsement was necessarily disingenuous but that it was forced.

A politician has to make compromises and weigh the relative good and bad, he said. Clearly, Trump did not view endorsing Ryan as an easy, no-brainer decision. He was reluctant.

Its not as if Trump and Ryan are chummy. The speaker first delayed his Trump endorsement and then condemned Trumps assaults on Hispanic judge Gonzalo Curiel and war of words with the Muslim gold star Khan family. But Ryan, like many in the Republican establishment, has found himself in the unenviable position of trying to keep the peace while avoiding being a witness to the party burning.

Ryan told The Washington Post that he hasnt even spoken with Trump since Fridays endorsement and he was not there in person to receive it. He dismissed Nehlens support as being from this alt-right crowd, a day after conservative ice princess Ann Coulter spoke at a rally for the Ryan challenger.

Coulter and the alt-right crowd also happen to boost Trump on a daily basis, promoting memes of the real estate mogul as a godlike emperor throughout the fever swamps of the internet and normalizing a sector that was in hibernation until 2016.

So when Coulter heard that Trump had endorsed Ryan, she dismissed it as farce.

It was hilarious! she told The Daily Beast. Had to do it for party unitywhich hell promptly be betrayed on, just like the pledgebut was as if he was walking on broken glass.

Coulter has called Trumps party line-toeing pick of Mike Pence as his vice president his first mistake.

Trump has thrilled white nationalists across the country for the past year as he has publicly prioritized the dangers of immigration and touted a unique perception of nationalism to great success. He has inspired a Senate run from former KKK leader David Duke and initially allowed William Johnson of the white nationalist American Freedom Party to be a delegate for his convention. And even the chair of the American Nazi Party recently took time out of his radio program to praise Trumps run.

But as he marches toward a final showdown for the highest office in the land, Trump has to leave these fervent fans out in the cold as he reluctantly bends a knee to some of D.C.s biggest players.

Trump has his campaign to run and we have ours, Dukes campaign manager, M.C. Lawrence, shot off in a dismissive text to The Daily Beast. Duke, who subscribes to the same social media messaging strategy as Trump, didnt tweet about the Ryan endorsement, but his disdain for the House speaker is clear.

Beyond the white nationalist sector of the population, Trumps endorsement served as a harsh reminder that outsiders cant stay outsiders for long. And even if the words werent entirely genuine, the fact they were said at all has an impact.

Youll have to ask him why he did it. I dont know, Dr. Kelli Ward, McCains primary opponent, told The Daily Beast in a phone interview. Ward has frequently tried to tie herself to Trumps campaign and even appeared at a rally on his behalf in Cleveland, as a warm-up act for InfoWars host Alex Jones and former Trump adviser Roger Stone.

Ward suggested that Trumps tepid endorsement of McCain was halfhearted at best.

I dont think it was any kind of glowing endorsement from Donald Trump, Ward said. I didnt ever hear him say he endorsed John McCain as a person. I still think that theres probably something going on between the two of them.

While candidates like Ward and Nehlen may have slipped by unnoticed in other election years, Trumps open tent of anti-immigration nationalist sentiment has given them a bigger mouthpiece. Hes mainstream, and now they can be too. Just as white nationalists have felt legitimized in their beliefs by hearing Trump call some Mexican immigrants rapists and propose a ban on Muslim immigration, fringe candidates with similar views who challenge the political class have been rising.

And there will only be more in the future.

I have been and still am a perennial losing candidate, William Johnson told The Daily Beast. I often run to get the message out. In fact, I tried to get on the ballot for U.S. Congress in the California primary, but the movement people gathering signaturestrue to formfailed in their efforts. The bigger issue is how to make David Duke palatable to the general public. Is it even possible? I dont know.

First, Johnson wants to help out the candidates who can bring that dream closer to reality.

On Friday, I got a call for Dr. Kelli Ward seeking my support, Johnson said. I told her I would support her financially, but she needs to understand that I am a white nationalist. She said, Ill get back to you, which sounded like a I like you as a friend response in the dating context.

Theyre still ironing out the kinks.
His old enemy Orlando Bloom may have been making headlines for his naked paddleboarding exploits with Katy Perry in Sardinia, so it was perhaps unsurprising that Justin Bieber retaliated by staging his own naked photos.

The message was pretty clear: Anything Orlando can do, I can do bigger.

By his side as he skinny-dipped in Hawaii was his new squeeze: model, swimwear designer, and social media star Sahara Ray, 23, who has been busily posting a series of idyllic snaps and video from their island getaway.

The winsome blonde has now become an object of worldwide attention.

In one video sequence, Bieber can be seen close up behind Ray in a pool. She opted to cover her face with a sunglass Snapchat filter, while in another sequence Ray is seen posing topless beside a waterfall before jumping in for a swim.

It is perhaps unsurprising that Ray exudes a devil-may-care insouciance from every image; Ray is the daughter of Aussie surfing legend Tony Ray, one of the first pros to make a full-time living off his board.

Sahara abandoned plans to follow in her fathers footsteps to become a surf pro when she was 16, opting instead for a life in fashion.

Shes believed to have moved into Biebers circle through her friendship with Biebers former tourmate Cody Simpson. She started dating Simpson after he broke up with Gigi Hadid, in 2015.

The 23-year-old model was born in Australia and took classes at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles and went on to create Sahara Ray Swimwear, which she often models in revealing pictures on her sassy Instagram account. She is a bona fide social-media star in her own right and has a million followers.

Sahara describes herself as a workaholicbut, lucky for her, when you are a swimwear designer and model for your own brand, your work mainly appears to consist of having titillating pictures taken of yourself in various states of undress in various tropical locations.

Ray is a well-known character in Hawaii, due to a peripatetic childhood with her father: Every winter I would spend three months on the north shore of Hawaii with my dad. He was a professional surfer, so I used to travel all over the world with him while he was competing in the Pipe Masters and big wave competitions, she has said.

In a recent interview with Australias Herald Sun, she said, Australia is where I want to end up and I want to have kids here. Its more chilled and relaxed and even on shoots, its more about quality than quantity.
Brexit - what now for Scotch whisky?

Since UK voters decided that the UK should leave the European Union, the SWA has been busy consulting members on what that means for one of the countrys most significant industries and exporters

David Frost Scotch Whisky Association

More than 90% of Scotch whisky produced is sold outside the UK. Indeed, Scotch Whisky is the biggest single net contributor to the UKs balance of trade in goods, and without this contribution the UKs trade deficit would be over 10% larger. Moreover, of the 3.8 billion worth of Scotch exported last year, 1.2bn  almost a third of the total - was shipped to the EU.



So, as global traders, the industry is taking a very close interest in the arrangements for trade after Brexit. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has a wealth of knowledge and experience of EU and global trade and legal issues, built up over many years. We are ideally placed to advise on the post-Brexit options that will be best for the UK economy and its position on the world stage.



The SWA has set out the potential consequences of Brexit for Scotch  including challenges and opportunities  and what action the industry wants to see from governments. . .

First, we can be confident certain things will not change, whatever the future arrangements. Scotch whisky will not face a tariff on exports to the EU, 0% is the current EU tariff and World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules mean it wont change. In many markets Scotch will also continue to benefit from existing zero tariffs, for example in the US, Canada, and Mexico, as these are offered to all countries already. In many other markets that already demand high tariffs, for example India, Brexit will not make the situation any worse. We will be able to protect Scotch whisky across the EU and globally to the extent we can now, although the precise mechanisms for some markets will have to change, and we will have to put other measures in place to ensure continuity.

Second, the UK will eventually lose access to the EUs Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Unless there are transitional arrangements, Scotch will lose significant tariff reductions in certain markets, notably Korea, South Africa, and Colombia and Peru. The UK will eventually need to negotiate its own FTAs or rely, as the EU largely does with most countries, on WTO rules. This will take a major upgrade of capacity within the UK Government and cant be done quickly. We will no longer be subject to EU rules on excise duty or VAT.

And third, there are some major uncertainties - the Government has not yet been clear whether it is looking for the UK to have European Economic Area (EEA) status, like Norway, or a more distant relationship based on a Free Trade Agreement with the EU, like Canada or Switzerland. The key difference is that EEA status keeps most EU single market laws in force in the UK, at the price of accepting free movement and a budget contribution. An FTA relationship means Britain would need its own rules in these areas. The difference is crucial because many laws setting out the rules for Scotch and the food and drink sector generally are made at European level  for example rules on the definition of whisky, food labelling, bottle sizes, and so on. If these laws are to be rewritten it will make Brexit more complicated and the industry will need to start planning now.

Therefore, the Scotch whisky industry priorities are as follows:

A UK trade policy that is as open and free trading as possible;

Broad clarity on the nature of the future arrangement that is sought with the EU, so we know how much new legislation to expect;

Agreement with the EU on practical arrangements enabling us to export Scotch whisky to and across Europe as simply as possible. We will also need new UK legislation for customs enforcement and interception of counterfeit goods;

Existing FTAs provisions to be subject to transitional arrangements, or to be grandfathered (ie continue application to the UK after Brexit). This will need an understanding with the EU and with the third countries concerned

Over the medium term, UK development of its own network of trade agreements with non-EU countries;

Reflection on a new excise duty regime that is fairer to Scotch whisky and taxes alcohol more rationally across categories; and

No further burdens on business at such a sensitive time.

We urge government in Edinburgh and London to work closely with us and to put in place mechanisms that allow vital industries such as Scotch whisky a seat at the table.



Scotch whisky is one of the UKs most successful exports. We are calling on the UK Government to bring clarity to the transition to Brexit as soon as possible, and to negotiate to ensure that the current open trading environment is not affected. Finding practical ways forward on export practicalities and on free trade agreements should be high on the agenda as negotiations begin in the coming months. We plan to play an active role in influencing this whole process to ensure that Scotch remains a product enjoyed across the globe.

Visit www.scotch-whisky.org.uk to read an accompanying blog on Brexit by David Frost who is also a member of the Scottish Governments Standing Council on Europe, in a personal capacity.



8 August 2016
Personal Chef Sue Graves has wrapped up a series of visits to the Rocky Mount Farmers Market to demonstrate healthy southern cooking.

Partnering with the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Graves used ingredients available at the market to prepare dishes on site for consumers to taste and learn to prepare themselves.

The vegetables found at the farmers market are not trucked in from other localities, Graves said. They are found right here. Buying locally not only benefits us health-wise, it benefits our neighbors and our economy as well.

Graves also handed out several recipes of the dishes she prepared.

There is an epidemic of bad health in our country, Graves said. We can fight it by buying locally grown fruits and vegetables and meats that are pasture-raised and naturally low in fat.

Graves from Halifax teaches a culinary program at Patrick Henry Community College.

My thing is healthy cooking and healthy eating, she said. I cook primarily southern, but healthy southern.

Learn more about Graves and healthy cooking at sovalocaltaste.wix.com/personalchef or email her at sovalocaltaste@gmail.com.

You cant beat it, Graves said of shopping the local farmers market. Just walking the market and getting exercise, socializing and planning meals around whats available in the market, improves the health of families and saves on budgets. It really is a win-win.
What we know so far about alleged Iowa serial killer Donald Studey

Sheriff's deputies were often called to the home in Fremont County, Iowa. This year, Donald Studey's daughter reported him as a serial killer.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Earlier this month, reports of a "Wolf of Wall Street"-style bash at a lux rental home in the Hamptons that hosted revelers who allegedly broke property rules and prompted threats of a $1-million lawsuit against the host flooded the internet.

Now, the host, Brett Barna, a 31-year-old hedge fund manager who ultimately lost his position at Louis Bacon's Moore Capital Management when allegations arose claiming he and his guests of the Sprayathon event "trashed" the $20 million Hamptons mansion, is offering his side of the story, according to The New York Times.

RELATED: Instagram reveals 'Wolf of Wall Street-style' party that 'trashed' $20-million Hamptons mansion

After the July 3 party, the disgruntled owner of the estate spoke to The New York Post's Page Six under conditions of anonymity. This week, Barna spoke with The New York Times to tell his side of the story  one that names the man as Omar Amanat, arrested for alleged fraud days after the party.

According to The New York Times follow up, transactions between the two men began on Friday, July 1. Recommended by a real estate contact, Barna worked out a deal to host Sprayathon at the home under a 5-day rental for $27,000. The owner asked for the money to be paid in cash, immediately, Barna told the Times.

The following day, he arrived to find the property had been double-booked for the weekend and a separate party was occupying the inside of the home, but Barna went forward with the deal, he said.

Before the party took place, Barna told the site he received "repeated texts and calls" from Amanat asking for an additional $13,000.

In his statement to Page Six, Amanat claimed costumed dwarfs and attendees left the home awash in champagne showers, collapsed the side of a pool, broke into the house and stole art. However, Barna told the Times he took precautionary measures including hiring a "former police chief and eight security guards to keep the crowd outside and maintain order, and had eight portable seats set up" from noon until 6 p.m.

RELATED: Lake Travis boat parties flood social media as 2016 summer revelers take over

He insisted none of his party entered the home and has photos to prove "no visible damage." Barna also said his event was "good clean fun" which raised $100,000 to benefit Last Chance Animal Rescue by 500 guests, not "a thousand of them" as originally purported by Amanat.

"We raised money for charity," Barna continued in his New York Times interview. "Nothing illegal happened, and no one complained."

On the other hand, Amanat has allegedly been participating in illegal fraudulent activity, according to The New York Times.

Amanat, a 43-year-old who "is a co-founding investor and partner in more than 36 different media, finance and technology companies" according to his website, was arrested on July 13 by Federal Bureau of Investigations agents in New Jersey under charges unrelated to the Hamptons party, the Times reported.

He faces four counts of fraud for conspiring to defraud investors of Kit Digital, a technology startup, Bloomberg reported. Former Chief Financial Officer Robin Smyth pleaded guilty to fraud in March and the former CEO Kaleil Isaza Tuzman is awaiting extradition to the U.S. in Columbia.

Amanat's arrest was also covered by Page Six in an additional article, which made no mention of his situation with Barna despite initial coverage of the "Wolf of Wall Street" style party. The July 14 piece reported "Amanat can't afford to make bail."

RELATED: The rich kids of Instagram take Spring Break 2016

According to the site, Prosecutor Andrea Griswold challenged Amanat's claims of having only $2,700 in the bank, saying he resides in a $4.75 million rental home. His bond was set at $2.5 million, requiring three signers and "secured by $250,000 in cash or property."

The court ordered Amanat to be released under home confinement and electronic monitoring, due to government arguments that he is a flight risk, according to Page Six.

Amanat, who the Times reported has a "long list of disputes," was released from custody on July 26 and has declined to comment.

The suspect transaction made sense to Barna following the arrest  he told The New York times he presumes Amanat was pressuring him for extra cash to pay the bail of his impending legal troubles and demands were not satisfied, the media investor took his story to Page Six.

RELATED: Outrageous Austin mansion party, #ATXSpillover, was not 'expected or allowed,' venue owners say

"Omar knew exactly what he was doing when he planted this story," Barna told the New York Times. "His goal was to cream me in the press to pressure him into giving him more money."

Barna shared text messages with the site from Amanat's phone number illustrating aforementioned threats.

"I'll keep my cool for another 24 hours, then I'll handle things another way," one message said, followed by another stating "When you least expect it one night, something so unspeakably bad is going to happen to you (maybe it's karmic law, maybe it's a friend of me who heard what you did to me). Personally I won't do a thing to you."

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

5

1 of 5 Alex von Kleydorff / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Alex von Kleydorff / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Alex von Kleydorff / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 5 of 5
Todays offering in our Timeless Essay series affords readers the opportunity to join Glenn Arbery as he contemplates the importance of poetry to a well-formed soul. W. Winston Elliott III, Publisher

Last year when Dr. Kevin Roberts and I first met with the senior class in a course we were co-teaching, Dr. Roberts asked what was on their minds, and one of them said that he had never understood why the students at Wyoming Catholic College have to memorize poems every semester in Humanities. This response was a little disconcerting. At the time, Dr. Roberts and I were both new to the college, whereas this was the fourth year for these seniors. Neither of us had any winged words for an answer, as they say in Homer, so we did what teachers do in such circumstances: We both nodded sagely.

In the year-and-a-half since then, some of the reasons for this practice distinctive to WCC have begun to unfold. At the banquet before graduation last year, the seniors got up and recitedor maybe its better to say, performeda number of poems they especially loved, and almost every other student also knew those poems. It would be hard to find any other college anywhere, I suspect, where so many students know so many poems by heart, but the question of why they memorize them keeps coming up. Part of what I want to do tonight, on this feast in honor of Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, is to answer the question literally and then use it as a way of approaching the real question, which is the place of poetry in the larger sense, including the lyric poems we memorize, in the liberal arts curriculum of a Catholic college like ours.

Literallyor perhaps I should say, historicallythe practice of memorizing poetry derives from the earliest days of the college, when it was instituted by Dr. Robert Carlson, who thought that educated people should have poetry as part of who they were. The practice survives because the professors who have taught students these poems have repeatedly found it a fruitful practice. On one level, it is like knowing prayers or hymns; it allows a community to speak with one voice, and in doing so, it helps shape what the community is. For example, I know that the freshmenprobably the whole collegewill remember John Keatss On First Looking into Chapmans Homer and Gerard Manley Hopkins Gods Grandeur. Whole poems are instantly present, without recourse to a text, and reciting them has its own pleasures: all that great language alive in this moment, with these friends and the very air you breathe. And on another, more personal level, these poems, once they are held for a time and revived in the memory, begin to reveal why living memory is more than a hard drive. When St. Augustine writes about memory and time, one of his major examples is a psalm he knows by heartand by heart, with all the implications of really caring about something, is how the English language teaches us to think about what weve memorized.

To know something by heart means that youve taken it deeply into the center of who you are. When you know a poem by heart, you find that you can not only recite it, but also relive it and let it unfold in new ways, line-by-line, revealing new subtleties that you might have missed in the mere recitation. But even before this meditative exercise begins, the shaping force of a memorized poem has already laid its claim. Long before I ever make a technical point about the turn between the octave and the sestet in a Petrarchan sonnet, or even fully discuss what a sonnet is, those who know sonnets by heart have already felt their nature. For example, in the first eight lines of Gods Grandeur, Hopkins describes how a world originally charged with the grandeur of God has become inaccessible to modern man because

Generations have trod, have trod, have trod,

And all is seared with trade, bleared, smeared with toil

And wears mans smudge and shares mans smell. The soil

Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

Just when plodding repetition and world-weariness seem to take over, Hopkins turns the poem in the ninth line: And yet for all this nature is never spent./There lives the dearest freshness deep down things. Having the poem memorized means that it can be thought through at leisure; lines like The world is charged with the grandeur of God suddenly take on new resonance. I think of recently listening to a retired doctor of my acquaintance describe what its like to be on the rim of the Great Rift Valley in Kenya and see a storm below you. Its what Hopkins means.

Or think of Keatss great sonnet, written when he was just twenty-one. Keats uses the first eight lines of the poem to describe the works of great literature as the realms of gold, the goodly states and kingdoms of a known world; lets call it the world of classical literature or the literary canon, if you prefer. He has often heard of the wide expanse that deep-browed Homer holds as his demesne; he has even read Homer in Alexander Popes translation; but he has never really understood what people mean by praising Homer so highly until he reads George Chapmans versionTill I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold. What is reading Chapmans Homer like? Keats tries to describe it when he makes a bold turn in the ninth line: Then felt I like some watcher of the skies/When a new planet swims into his ken. This isnt the known classical world at all. Suddenly were into something new, something distinctly modern. A whole new planet swims into someones kena wonderful word, by the way; its difficult to find a one-word synonym, because it means ones range of vision or range of knowledge. Who discovers new planets? Modern astronomers, in this case probably William Herschel, whose telescope allowed him in 1781 to find Uranus, the first new planet since antiquity. Keatss point is that what Herschel must have felt in that moment, the essential wonder of it, was an emotion analogous to his own. In his Preface to Lyrical Ballads, which Keats had certainly read, Wordsworth describes poetry as the impassioned expressionin the countenance of all Science, and in that sense, Herschels moment of discovery was already poetry.

But then comes an even bolder comparison. Keats thinks of the explorer who first stood on a mountain peak in Panama and saw the Pacific, a whole ocean much vaster than the Atlantic, and one whose existence no European had ever even suspected. He imagines how the men looked at each other with a wild surmise. Historically, of course, it was Balboa, not Cortez, but this moment of wonder and sublimity, like the astronomers, breaks open the known European world even more than the discovery of the Americas; it extends the boundaries of the imaginable. This is a moment that distinctively epitomizes the modern spirit. But Keats is not talking about science or exploration: Hes talking about reading a 200-year-old translation of Homer. For Keats, Homer is suddenly no longer part of the guided tour of tamed and categorized literature represented by Alexander Popes translation. Ironically, it takes a new planet or the Pacific Ocean to describe the astonishment of feeling the poetry of Homer for the first timeHomer, the very oldest poet of the classical tradition, who now feels radically remade, radically new. To know Homer this way throws open the gates of the wonder-world at the sources of the West.

A third sonnet that our students memorize deals with very much the same theme: The idea that the economic promise of the modern world, with all its wealth and technological novelty, nevertheless lacks something that we find in the ancients. Wordsworths most famous sonnet begins with a lament about what the commercial and industrial preoccupations of the modern world have done to us:

The world is too much with us; late and soon,

Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.

Little we see in nature that is ours.

We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon.

Time no longer has any leisure in it, no sense of holiday or Sunday rest. Something is always late; something always has to be done soon. Nothing has the quality of a simple gift; everything is a matter of getting things and spending moneyeverything except what counts most, our hearts, which most connect us to the world. Not valuing the heart in the getting and spending of economic valuation, we have given the most important thing away for nothing, which makes the gift a sordid boon, like giving away our honor or our chastity.

But so what? What difference does it make? What are we actually missing as a result of our heartlessness?

The sea that bares her bosom to the moon,

The winds that will be howling at all hours

And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers,

For this, for everything, we are out of tune.

It moves us not

Technically, as we know from the other sonnets and from the long tradition of the Petrarchan form, the turn should come after the end of the eighth line, we are out of tune. But Wordsworth doggedly keeps going, continuing the thought, delaying the turn by four syllables: it moves us not, four stern, hardheaded syllables that anticipate Thomas Gradgrind in Dickens Hard Times, with his emphasis on facts, nothing but facts. Why should we care how sonnets work or whether were in tune? It moves us not. We arent interested in all that poetic claptrap. But it is a sonnet, we do have an expectation of the turn, and because of the delay, these utilitarian words burn like a fuse. When the turn belatedly comes in the second half of the line, it explodes in exclamation and protest:

Great god! Id rather be

A pagan suckled in a creed outworn

So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,

Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;

Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea

Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.

The speaker of the poem had rather be a pagan than live as we do, getting and spending. Does he mean a pagan instead of a Christian? Does he blame Christianity for our worldliness and our estrangement from nature? Maybe, in a sense Ill return to later, but mostly he criticizes a rote inertia of religious practicewhat Newman will later call a civil religionwhen our real treasure is in everything conventional and manmade, not in the sacramental character of the natural world or the demands of the divine.

Like Keats, he sees in the ancients the kind of imagination that fills us with wonder. Proteus, the old man of the sea, the shape-shifter of the Odyssey, makes the sea, at least in some imaginable sense, ours, as does Triton, blowing his great conch shell, with the howling of the winds. What Wordsworth emphasizes is the lost beauty and sublimity of our poetic engagement with the given world, and it comes here as a direct counter to the increasingly, bureaucratized, alienated life of the factory and the office that we see throughout the rest of the nineteenth century in such works as Gogols Overcoat, Melvilles Bartleby the Scrivener, Dickens Hard Times or Bleak House, and Tolstoys The Death of Ivan Ilych.

Later in that century, Hopkins answers Wordsworth in Gods Grandeur, which starts with the same two words: The world, but takes a different tack. Hopkins in his sestet does not turn to the ancients. After showing a world that wears mans smudge, and shares mans smell, he gives us an image of apocalyptic promise:

And yet for all this, nature is never spent.

There lives the dearest freshness deep down things.

And though the last lights off the black west went O!

Morning at the brown brink eastward springs,

Because the Holy Ghost over the bent

World broods, with warm breast and with Ah! Bright wings.

The dearest freshness deep down things comes with morning. Im reminded of another poem by Wordsworth, this one about seeing London, usually noisy and filthy, early in the morning as he crossed Westminster Bridge:

This City now doth, like a garment, wear

The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,

Ships, towers, domes, theaters, and temples lie

Open unto the fields, and to the sky;

All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.

But Hopkins adds to this morning renewal the metaphor of the brooding bird, drawing on the image of the Holy Spirit descending as a dove: the Holy Ghost over the bent/World broods. Notice the violent emphasis on the word bentviolent because the adjective modifying world receives the whole stress of the rhymespent, went, bentbut unlike those earlier words, which end a clause and have a kind of finality, bent does not; in itself, over the bent means nothing and concludes nothing, since it needs the word world and its verb at the start of the next line. The strain on the word bent bends the feel of the poem; the next line starts off-balance with a heavy spondee: World broods. The bent world. We do not so much picture as feel the heavy, off-kilter world on its axis. The enlivening presence of the Holy Ghost makes this bent world stir from within, and we know it because a poetic pleasure stirs within us; it promises to bring forth the freshness deep down thingsbut more than that, an apocalyptic newness. Hopkins poem is not only about the renewal of morning, in other words, but the promise that in time the world itself will break open with Gods grandeur.

In short, the turn in each of these sonnets we have taken to heart is about a poetic renewal of the world. In each case, it is a claim about poetry itself, the necessity of poetic imagination for fullness of life; in each case, its about what Im calling the witness of poetry to the inner richness of the world. At the beginning of his book Creative Intuition in Art and Poetry, Jacques Maritain explains what he means by his title. By Art I mean the creative or producing, work-making activity of the human mind. By Poetry I mean, not the particular art which consists in writing verses, but a process both more general and more primary: that intercommunication between the inner being of things and the inner being of the human Self which is a kind of divination(3).

Just to take up Maritains distinction for a moment, we would think about the art of Keats or Hopkins or Wordsworth as the work-making activity of writing a fourteen-line Petrarchan sonnetlearning to employ the ten-syllable iambic pentameter line, for example, and answering the particular demands of a rhyme scheme; following the logical structure of the two quatrains of the octave, the eight-line exposition of a problem or situation; then fitting the answer to the problem into the six lines of the sestet. Meeting the requirements of this conscious art requires a great deal of thought and attention, especially at first, like learning to ski, or ride a horse. Poetry in Maritains extended sense is something deeper than art per se, precisely the kind of divination that both Hopkins and Wordsworth call forthat intercommunication between things and us. At first, we might wonder what Maritain means by the inner being of things. The innerness raises the question. In fact, if he had said the being of things and the inner being of the human Self  we would have less of a question.

But as an example of what he might mean, let me use two passages from Homer. The first comes in Book IV of the Iliad, when the Greeks and the Trojans have just declared a truce with the potential to end the war and spare many lives. Menelaos and Paris are fighting to see who gets Helen. But Aphrodite intervenes and spirits Paris out of the battle. Athena then takes the form of a Trojan warrior, approaches a man named Pandaros, and convinces him to use his famous skill as an archer to shoot Menelaos. Homer gives six lines to a description of the bow and how it was made from the horns of a goat before turning to the shot itself:

He stripped away the lid of the quiver, and took out an arrow

Feathered, and never shot before, transmitter of dark pain.

Swiftly he arranged the bitter arrow along the bowstring,

And made his prayer to Apollo the light-born, the glorious archer

He drew, holding at once the grooves and the ox-hide bowstring

And brought the string against his nipple, iron to the bow stave.

But when he had pulled the great weapon until it made a circle,

The bow groaned, and the string sang high, and the arrow, sharp-pointed,

Leapt away, furious, to fly through the throng before it.

The American poet and critic John Crowe Ransom borrows a term from the German, Dinglichkeit, the materiality or thingliness of something, to describe the vividness of a poetic evocation. On the level of art, Homer uses the figure of personification: the bow groans, the string sings, the arrow leaps and flies with fury. But on the level of poetry, he divines the inner being of these things by finding in them a communication with our inner being through the imagination. In distinguishing between fancy and imagination, Samuel Taylor Coleridge writes that objects, as objects, are merely fixed and deadbut this bow and this arrow, these things are by no means dead. They gather us into the very act of being what they are in the moment of their fulfilled purpose: This is what a bow and arrow are for, this is what they do, and here they reveal their inner being to the imagination. After almost 3000 years, theres a distinct now in what were seeing as that arrow flies furiously through the throng toward Menelaos. It comes to us live.

The other Homeric example is from Book V of the Odyssey when the god Poseidon sees Odysseus on his way home after escaping from Kalypsos island and goes after him. (By the way, several men of the freshman class could not see why Odysseus was so eager to escape Kalypsos island at all.) In any case, Poseidon hates Odysseus for blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemos, and he rouses a great storm, stirring up the waves and the winds to smash Odysseus raft into splinters. In a recent book on Homer, Adam Nicolson, a lifelong sailor, quotes the passages about the storm and then draws upon his own experience at sea: If there is one fact that a storm seems to impose, he writes, it is the seas mysterious dominance from below. A storm-driven sea appears to acquire a vitality and viciousness, a desire to do damage, which has nothing to do with the wind but comes from inside its own enraged, destroying body. If you ever have that sensation, it is when you are meeting Poseidon. For Nicolson, Homers poetry is not a matter of mere personification, but a compelling description of this real encounter with another will, another body, with its inner vitality and viciousness, its desire to do damage. In other words, Homer divines the inner being of the sea more profoundly than any account of cross-currents and wind could do.

What does it mean to have lost this experience of the sea? That seems to me exactly what Wordsworth asks as well. The poetry lies in this apprehension of what the thing is for us, with respect to us, not in terms of its utility, but in a way that ennobles us imaginatively. Take Wordsworths line in the second quatrain of his sonnet as an example. The Sea that bares her bosom to the moon. As a rhetorical figure, it is a personification of the sea as a woman. Behind it might be a recollection of Hecuba on the walls of Troy, desperately baring her breast to her son Hektor to remind him of his former helplessness and the helplessness Troy will feel if he dies at the hands of Achilles. In other words, this gesture of the Sea would have something pleading in it, a last hope for rescue.

But perhaps we do not need to go so far; as an image, it is about her gesture, which can be read as less desperate than bold, passionate, erotic; as an idea, it is surely about the waters of the earth responding to the gravitation of the moon. If we take the idea as the point, we disenchant the image, but if we discount the idea entirely, we fail to see the whole import of this personification. As poetry, it is a way of making the Sea ours, not as our possession, not as a means of human commerce, but as alive and knowable through ourselves and our emotions.

Of course, we can no longer unself-consciously personify the world as the ancients did; for us a forest is more likely to be what Martin Heidegger calls standing reserve, either for the timber industry or for tourism, than to be full of dryads or sacred groves. For us, rivers may be beautiful, clear, good for trout fishing, but the Popo Agie or the Wind River will never befor most of usa person, a god, as it would be in Homer. When Odysseus swims for land after Poseidons devastating storm, he sees a river and prays to it to smooth his way out of the surf, and the river accommodates him. In the Iliad, the river Skamandros gets furious with Achilles for cramming his water-courses with the dead bodies of Trojans, and he comes out of his banks and chases Achilles across the plain until Hephaistos intervenes. Later, Achilles apologizes to a river back in his homeland, Spercheios, for cutting the lock of hair he had been growing for him, apparently a common practice for the ancient Greeks. Since Achilles now knows that he will die in Troy, he puts the lock instead on the pyre of Patroklos, and in doing so he brings a whole river of grief to bear on the gesture. No wonder the pyre will not light at first. Everywhere in Homer, the things and forces of the world are animated with intelligences that have to be acknowledged and placated. It is never simply man as the only thinking subject versus the rest of the world as unthinking object, but man in a world of presences that know him and most often exceed him.

In an excellent recent article in The New Atlantis called Fantasy and the Buffered Self, Alan Jacobs, a professor at Baylor, quotes a passage from the philosopher Charles Taylor that speaks directly to this point. As Taylor writes, we live in a much less enchanted world. We might think of this as our having lost a number of beliefs and the practices which they made possible. But the enchanted world was one in which these forces could cross a porous boundary and shape our lives, psychic and physical. Now, we live with a much firmer sense of the boundary between self and other. We are buffered selves.

Taylor is surely right. Already by the time of Shakespeare, the porous self feels like something remembered rather than experiencedfor example, in A Midsummer Nights Dream. Perhaps The Tempest is both homage and farewell. Elsewhere, Iago seems to voice the spirit of the age: Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. By contrast, as Jacobs comments, To be a pre-modern person, in Taylors account, is to be constantly in danger of being invaded or overcome by demons or fairies or nameless terrors of the darkor, though he is speaking of the Middle Ages more than the ancients, by Aphrodite or a deluding Athena. As Jacobs says, It is easy, then, to imagine why a personor a whole culturemight, if it could, exchange this model of a self with highly permeable boundaries for one in which the self feels better protected, defendedimpermeable, or nearly so. The problem with this apparently straightforward transaction is that the porous self is open to the divine as well as to the demonic, while the buffered self is closed to both alike. Taylor and Jacobs argue that this disenchantment took on greater force with the Reformation, which reinforced the Biblical injunctions against divinizing the forces of nature, and combined with modern science to disenchant our understanding of phenomena.

When Wordsworth says more than 200 years ago, Little we see in nature that is ours, he already sees the problem. We are so buffered that nothing moves us. The answer he proposes is not a return to animism, butagaina recourse to the witness of poetry. Maritains definition of poetry helps us understand what the word ours might mean in Wordsworths line: ours through a kind of divination, an intercommunication between the inner being of things and the inner being of the human Self. An intercommunication means that we do not simply impose human characteristics on things; rather, they communicate to us what they are as we communicate ourselves to their inner being. The point is precisely that the world outside us is not alien. Maritain calls this kind of communication knowledge through connaturality. In this kind of knowing, as he puts it, the intellect is at play not alone, but together with affective inclinations and the dispositions of the will, and is guided and directed by them. In other words, an emotion such as love or pity or awe might guide us to what we know. It is not rational knowledge, says Maritain, but it is really and genuinely knowledge, though obscure and perhaps incapable of giving an account of itself, or of being translated into words. For example, we might know what courage is in someone when we see it without being able to satisfy Socrates with an adequate definition.

The other day my wife and I came around the bend from Baldwin Creek Road to Squaw Creek Road, and as we started east we saw a whole herd of horses galloping at full speed out on the meadows between the road and the mountains. The very look and manner of them communicated the exhilaration of what they were to us. How do you begin to say what that knowledge is, except that we share something of the same nature, at least by analogy? When connatural knowledge is translated into words, however, it is poetic language. Homer compares both Paris and Hektor to

some stalled horse who has been corn-fed at the manger

[who] breaking free of his rope gallops over the plain in thunder

to his accustomed bathing place in a sweet-running river

and in the pride of his strength holds high his head, and the mane floats

over his shoulders; sure of his glorious strength, the quick knees

carry him to the loved places and the pasture of horses.

Its almost like students getting out of class.

Maritain bravely tries to explain where poetry comes from. He writes that connatural poetic knowledge comes aboutthrough the instrumentality of emotion, which, received in the preconscious life of the intellect, becomes intentional and intuitive, and causes the intellect obscurely to grasp some existential reality as one with the Self it has moved, and by the same stroke all that which this reality, emotionally grasped, calls forth in the manner of a sign. If this sentence is not immediately comprehensible, you might sympathize with what Byron quips about Coleridge, who had begun Explaining Metaphysics to the nation./I wish says Byron, he would explain his explanation.

Let me explore Maritains insight by using Keatss great Ode to a Nightingale. In May of 1819, Keats was twenty-three years old. He had lost his beloved brother Tom at nineteen to tuberculosis the previous December, and it may be that Keats already noticed some of the early symptoms of the same disease in himself; he would die of it less than two years later. On this May night, the speaker of the poem hears a nightingale singing. In Maritains terms, the instrumentality of emotionbecomes intentional and intuitive. The speakers imagination fixes enraptured upon this bird singing in the dark, so much so that his own body sinks into oblivion as though of hemlock [he] had drunk or emptied some dull opiate to the drains. He imagines this light-winged dryad of the trees out in some melodious plot/Of beechen green, and shadows numberless where the bird is singing of summer in full-throated ease. Impelled by his underlying sorrow, the speaker obscurely grasps the existential reality of the nightingalethe real bird he hearsas one with the Self it has movedthat is, with himself. Bird and poet become one: The bird pouring forth his soul abroad is the poet grasping the very being of the nightingale emotionally and revealing this reality through stanza after stanza as the way of disclosing his own inner self. The poem moves us through the oneness Keats feels with the nightingalein embalmed darkness, passionate lyric escape, and, in the end, through return to the sole self  with which he beganas did we.

What makes Maritains understanding of poetry compelling is that it puts the emphasis on a kind of wedding between the deepest, preconscious life of the intellectthat darkness out of which thought emergesand the existential reality of things, their actuality, their limitation to what they are. He writes that it is essentially an obscure revelation both of the subjectivity of the poet and of some flash of reality coming together out of sleep in one single awakening. The limited particular keeps yielding more insight than one might imagine it could possibly contain, as we discovered in Trivium class the other day in thinking about Richard Wilburs Two Voices in a Meadow, a poem personifying a milkweed and a stone. The mode of poetry is through what Fr. William Lynch calls the generative finite in Christ and Apollo, a book that Flannery OConnor loved almost as much as Maritains Art and Scholasticism. Stressing the universal limitation, or particularity of the real world we inhabit and the real people we meet, he writes that the heart, substance, and center of the human imagination, as of human life, must lie in the particular and limited image or thing. This limitation is the source of the power of poetry. As Lynch puts it, with every plunge through, or down into, the real contours of being, the imagination also shoots up into insight. In other words, poetry engenders insight by concentrating its focus, not on clear concepts, which it then illustrates, but on the particularities of image or character or actionnot on grief but on a particular nightingale; not on ambition but on Macbeth; not on war per se but on the trajectory of Achilles wrath. As Maritain puts it in Art and Scholasticism, the artist achieves radiance of form, an ontological splendor which is in one way or another revealed to our mind, not a conceptual clarity.

In an essay on Dante shortly after his conversion to Catholicism, Allen Tate calls this mode the Poetic Way. He writes that Despite the timeless orders of both rational discourse and intuitive contemplation, it is the business of the symbolic poet to return to the order of temporal sequenceto action. His purpose is to show men experiencing whatever they may be capable of, with as much meaning as he may be able to see in it. It is the way of the poet who has go to do his work with the body of this world, whatever that body may look like to him, in his time and place.If the poet is able to put into this moving body, or to find in it, a coherent chain of analogies, he will inform an intuitive act with symbolism; his will be in one degree or another the symbolic imagination.

May I say, in honor of the occasion, that the very mode of revelation in our tradition corresponds to the way of the poetthat is, the entrance into the body of this world in a particular time and place? Near the beginning of his book, Fr. Lynch writes that he will be stressing the great fact of Christology, that Christ moved down into all the realities of man to get to His Father. Movement down through the particular might even be a kind of martyrdom for the poet who might prefer to circumvent particularity and fly directly to essences. In other words, poetry might witness in another sense as well.

Let me close by musing briefly on a poem by Richard Wilbur, Love Calls Us to the Things of This World, whose very title seems to make the point of Tate and Fr. Lynch. I always imagine the scene of this poem as a second-story room on one of those narrow Roman streets in the Trastevere or somewhere near the Campo di Fiori, maybe a little street called Via Poetica, on a morning when the Roman housewife has hung her laundry on a line from her window to an opposite one across the way, cranking it out item-by-item by pulling the rope through its pulleys. The speaker wakes upor almost wakes upand her laundry is his first vision of the morning.

The eyes open to a cry of pulleys,

And spirited from sleep, the astounded soul

Hangs for a moment bodiless and simple

As false dawn.

Outside the open window

The morning air is all awash with angels.

Some are in bed-sheets, some are in blouses,

Some are in smocks: but truly there they are.

Now they are rising together in calm swells

Of halcyon feeling, filling whatever they wear

With the deep joy of their impersonal breathing;

Now they are flying in place, conveying

The terrible speed of their omnipresence, moving

And staying like white water; and now of a sudden

They swoon down into so rapt a quiet

That nobody seems to be there.

The soul shrinks From all that it is about to remember,

From the punctual rape of every blessed day,

And cries,

Oh, let there be nothing on earth but laundry,

Nothing but rosy hands in the rising steam

And clear dances done in the sight of heaven.

Yet, as the sun acknowledges

With a warm look the worlds hunks and colors,

The soul descends once more in bitter love

To accept the waking body, saying now

In a changed voice as the man yawns and rises,

Bring them down from their ruddy gallows;

Let there be clean linen for the backs of thieves;

Let lovers go fresh and sweet to be undone,

And the heaviest nuns walk in a pure floating

Of dark habits, keeping their difficult balance.

Just a few last comments. Its a poem about laundry, but its also a poem about an almost Dantean experience of the ascent of the soul into the angelic orders. The laundry remains laundry, but for the moment of the souls ecstasy, as it hangs bodiless and simple, the angels fill the clothes on the line with the deep joy of their impersonal breathing: the wind whipping through the clothes becomes for an instant the terrible speed of their omnipresence. When they fall still, the soul shrinks/From all that it is about to remember. The soul descends once more in bitter love/To accept the waking body. Why bitter love? Because it has experienced a moment of heaven and it longs for nothing but that purity and holiness.

But the way of the poet is not like that. On the Via Poetica, love calls us to the things of this world. What the poet can do is give this dirty and sinful place a reminder of the dearest freshness, deep down things. Where will those garments worn by the angels go now? Onto the backs of thieves and lovers and nuns. Wilburs last image of nuns is comicnot just nuns, but the heaviest nuns who walk in a pure floating/Of dark habits, with that wonderful play on the word habits. The difficult balance is the thing: between metaphor and existential reality, between animism and Incarnation, between image and idea, between Heaven and Lander.

This essay in our series of Timeless Essays was first published here in August 2015. Republished with gracious permission from Integritas (Issue 1.8).

The Imaginative Conservative applies the principle of appreciation to the discussion of culture and politicswe approach dialogue with magnanimity rather than with mere civility. Will you help us remain a refreshing oasis in the increasingly contentious arena of modern discourse? Please consider donating now.

The featured image is Apollo, God of Light, Eloquence, Poetry and the Fine Arts with Urania, Muse of Astronomy (1798) by Charles Meynier (17631832) and is in the public domain, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Irma Hidayana (The Jakarta Post) New York  Mon, August 8, 2016

This week, from Aug. 1 to 7, advocates of breast-feeding celebrate the annual World Breastfeeding Week. Globally, this years theme is How to value our well-being from the start of life.



Breast-feeding is a key element toward the 17 global Sustainable Development Goals. Lets just focus on the goals of reducing poverty and ensuring sustainable consumption and production, as they both relate to the urgent need of demarketing infant formula.



First, breast-feeding contributes to poverty reduction because it is a natural behavior and a way of feeding infants that is affordable for everyone compared to infant formula feeding. Infant formula is expensive, including the cost of utensils and sterilizing them. As formula-fed babies have been found to become sick more often than breast-fed ones, families also have to spend more for health care.



Second, sustainable development is essentially also about ecology. Optimal breast-feeding requires less energy compared to infant formula feeding, which is produced by factories. Unlike infant formula, breast milk feeding needs no water, bottle sterilization equipment, or fuel, and is thus ecofriendly. When a baby reaches 6 months, locally nutritious available and affordable foods should complement breast milk until the baby is 2 years or older.



If local foods will no longer sustain nationwide needs, families have to buy processed baby food products from the market.



Unfortunately, Indonesia is one of infant formula industrys biggest target markets. According to Dylan Walters, a health researcher with Canadas University of Toronto, and several others who together published an article entitled The cost of not breastfeeding in Southeast Asia in the July 2016 issue of Health Policy and Planning, in 2014 the value of annual formula milk sales nationally for children under the age of 3 was estimated to be US$2.4 billion. Infant formula marketing in Indonesia is considered aggressive, inappropriate and some say unethical.



Here, marketing means going beyond advertising. Judith Richer, a sociologist and breast-feeding advocate, defined marketing as a strategic activity and a discipline focused on getting more consumers to buy certain products more often to make more money. Thus, any infant nutrition program supported by the baby food industry or its affiliates could be included in this definition.



Nationally, it is not hard to name nutrition programs supported by transnational baby food corporations  not to mention posters, baby/mother-name bracelets, hospital discharge packages for mothers and much more. A recent study in six provinces across Java also found that 72 percent of mothers confirmed that they saw formula milk promotional materials both inside and outside health facilities. Moreover, some mothers have reported receiving advice and information from health professionals to use infant formula to substitute for breast milk.



Notwithstanding breast-feeding promotion and other infant nutrition programs to prevent babies and mothers from facing health risks, national breast-feeding rates remain low at 42 percent.



Thus, it is now perhaps the time to demarket infant formula in Indonesia. One of the rationales is the potential health risks caused by infant formula feeding, particularly regarding misuse. For instance, when no safe and clean water is available or when those in charge of the infant fail to comply with instructions on mixing the powder and water, the infant is exposed to various illnesses.



Numerous studies find that artificial feedings, including with infant formula, contribute to the underlying causes of death among infants, such as diarrhea, pneumonia, acute ear infection, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal, obesity, asthma and type 2 diabetes. Worldwide, poor breast-feeding practices, including the use of infant formula, contribute to more than 800,000 deaths in children under the age of 5 annually.



The transnational baby food corporations do not need to fear bankruptcy because they can still produce infant formula in adequate amounts to meet the needs of those who are medically indicated as unable to breast-feed.



The notion of demarketing aims to reduce or stop completely efforts to sell a particular product because of health risks to users. Demarketing has been commonly used to reduce the consumption of tobacco, drugs, sugar and other products that pose health risks.



Another important driver to demarket infant formula nationally is perhaps the recommendation from the latest World Health Assembly, its 69th assembly in May, which Health Minister Nila Moeloek attended. It recommended ending inappropriate marketing of foods for infants, including formula products for zero to 3 year olds. The recommendation clearly aims at protecting, promoting and supporting breast-feeding.



Thus the government should follow up the commitment to scale down the marketing of any formula such as follow-up formula and growing-up milk targeted for consumption by infants (zero to 6 months) and young children aged 6 months to 3 years.

***

The writer is an Indonesian government LPDP scholarship student pursuing a doctoral program at the Health and Behavior Studies Department of Teachers College, Columbia University, in New York, US.

---------------

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. For more information click here.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Nursyahbani Katjasungkana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

On July 20, a video of presiding judge Zak Yacoob reading out the major conclusions of the International Peoples Tribunal on the 1965 Crimes Against Humanity in Indonesia (IPT 1965) was released simultaneously in Jakarta, Amsterdam, Melbourne in Australia, Frankfurt in Germany, Phnom Penh and Stockholm. The judges of the tribunal, which is not a criminal court but a court of inquiry, found Indonesia guilty of crimes against humanity in the systematic killing of at least 400,000 people.



These victims were not only leaders and members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) in 1965, but also members of affiliated associations or committed supporters of then president Sukarno. The tribunal also found that Indonesia was guilty of other crimes against humanity including slavery, involuntary disappearances, sexual violence and a campaign of hate propaganda inciting such crimes. These crimes are not only punishable under international customary law and other conventions, but also under Indonesias domestic laws, including those on human rights.



The prosecutors of the IPT 1965, led by renowned human rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis, put forward enough evidence during the hearings last November to persuade the judges unanimously to agree that crimes against humanity had indeed taken place in Indonesia following the actions of the so-called G30S group, which ended in the murder of six generals and one lieutenant. But the judges went one step further than the prosecution.



They also studied the extensive report prepared by 40 researchers, half of them from Indonesia. The 1948 Genocide Convention defines genocide as that including any of the following acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group namely (a) killing members of the group; (b) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (c) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.

(Read also: The IPT 1965 on hate propaganda)



The report argued that this was the case in Indonesia, also referring to the arguments of Daniel Feierstein, a leading researcher on genocide, particularly on the violence and killings in Argentina in the 1970s to 1980s.



The first argument in the research report for IPT 1965 was that the mass murders by the army and the militias trained and supported by the army constituted genocide as the partial destruction of an Indonesian national group.



The material presented demonstrated the extent to which society was completely and intentionally reorganized through terror and the destruction of a significant part of this group  comprising leaders and supporters of the PKI and other Sukarno supporters. In the process Indonesias history was rewritten to portray the PKI as an enemy of the state, ignoring attacks on the republic by the Darul Islam movement and regional rebellions in the 1950s.



Further, after Soeharto came into power, it became almost impossible to fight for social justice and human rights.



A second argument of the research report concerned the ethnic Chinese. It seems that most Chinese were murdered because they belonged to Baperki, an organization of Chinese Indonesians associated with the PKI by the New Order leaders. But ethnic motives played a role in mass killings of Chinese-Indonesian citizens as well, particularly in Aceh, Medan in North Sumatra, Makassar in South Sulawesi and Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara.



The tribunal concluded that where people of Chinese ethnicity were killed with the specific intent to annihilate or destroy that group in whole or in part this crime possibly also fell within the 1948 Convention.



The convention specifies that countries are required to prevent and punish such actions, whether carried out in war or in peacetime. However no country attempted to prevent the genocide unfolding under the watchful eyes of their embassies.



Some countries have laws that make holocaust denial a crime; these include Austria, Belgium, France and Germany. This helps those who fight for the non-recurrence of Nazism and racism. The European Union is debating whether condoning, denying or grossly trivializing genocide and crimes against humanity should be criminalized.

(Read also: 1965 Tribunal: State vs international law)



In Indonesia the opposite is the case. Human rights defenders such as activists of the IPT 1965 who call for state responsibility for the genocide are called enemies of the nation. Some groups have even called for violence against these activists. Yet if Indonesia wants to recover from the trauma of 1965, as the President promised to help achieve, if Indonesia wants to ensure that such atrocities will never be committed again, it should not deny the classification of genocide but instead use the final IPT 1965 report as a basis for reflection and action.



This is also what is recommended by, among others, retired general Agus Widjojo, the director of the National Defense Institute. New Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto will hopefully continue to engage in dialogue with victims of the genocide, as his predecessor did during a national symposium in April.



Indonesia is a major country. Its international peacekeeping corps, the Garuda Contingent, has implemented some 20 missions in three continents since 1956. The country should fulfill its international role to help establish peace and to prevent crimes against humanity all over the world with pride.



This pride is now marred because, unlike Germany, Indonesia has not conclusively dealt with its own traumatic, genocidal past.



So what steps can be taken next? The IPT 1965 fully supports the earlier recommendations of the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) in 2007, and of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) in 2012. Both reports document grave human rights violations and urge the government to instigate further research including a criminal investigation, as the basis for reconciliation.



Too much is still unknown, even the total number of those murdered, tortured and made to disappear are not available and hundreds of mass graves are unopened and unrecognized. Indonesia, as with all countries that were aware of the enfolding genocide but did nothing to prevent it, should open its archives to researchers.



The national road to truth finding, victim rehabilitation, reconciliation and remembrance lies wide open. The next opportunity for Indonesia to speak with pride about its national efforts to deal with its genocide is the universal periodic review of the UN Human Rights Council in April next year. The topic will also be brought up before the UN Security Council.



***

The writer, a lawyer, is coordinator of the International Peoples Tribunal on 1965 Crimes Against Humanity, which took place last November in The Hague, the Netherlands.

---------------

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. For more information click here.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

London falls amid the plunge in the pound after the Brexit vote, making New York first on the ranking of worlds most expensive cities to live and work in, after being at the top for the last two years-and-a-half.

The UK capital is now third behind New York and Hong Kong, according to research on global cities from property broker Savills that examined the costs of an employee living in a city in rented housing and working in an office there for a year.

Total accommodation costs in New York for one employee were US$114,010 in July, up 2 percent from December last year. Meanwhile Hong Kong was up 1 percent to $100,984, and London fell 11 percent to $100,141.

(Read also: Brexit: What would this mean for the youth?)

"Brexit has made London more competitive, at least in the terms of cost," said Yolande Barnes, head of Savills. "Of course, other factors might mean it won't be."

Tokyo climbed to fourth on the list, rising 22 percent in accommodation cost to $85,334, said the report. Paris, San Francisco, Singapore, Dubai, Sydney and Los Angeles are behind Tokyo as other most expensive cities in the world. (tif/kes)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Masajeng Rahmiasri (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

Nine million or one-third of Indonesian children suffer from stunting, a condition where their height is lower than the standard for their age, said a development aid group official.

Iing Mursalin, associate director for the community-based Health and Nutrition to Reduce Stunting Project (CHNP) at Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Indonesia said that stunting was the most common form of malnutrition that could be found since birth and increases rapidly until a baby is 24 months old.

"The golden chance to decrease stunting is during the 1,000 first days of life, since fertilization to the age of two," he said during a recent talk show on the miracle of breast-feeding in Jakarta, adding that two of the possible causes of stunting were long term nutrients deficiency and repeated infections during the first 1,000 days of life.

(Read also: Mother-infant interaction smoothens breast-feeding: Expert)

"Children who don't suffer from stunting have higher productivity [later in life] by 20 percent more than those who do," he said.

The government, supported by MCA Indonesia, reportedly had made efforts to implement community-based health and nutrition projects to reduce stunting in around 6,000 designated villages. The project also aims to reduce household expenditure through cost savings, growth in productivity and increase in earnings, added Iing.

Fala Adinda Pringgayuda, a doctor specializing in lactation, explained that providing good nutrients, which ranges from nutrient intake during pregnancy and exclusive breast-feeding for the first six months, to giving supplementary food in breast-feeding, could help prevent stunting. "It's also recommended to give exclusive breast milk feeding for the first six months and then continuing it with the breast-feeding supplementary food," she said.

(Read also: Husbands play key role in breast-feeding: Expert)

Fala said that breast milk had sufficient nutrients for babies, including water, colostrum, lactose, protein and many more useful components so that mothers dont need to feed their infant with anything else for the first six months.

However, there are not enough mothers breast-feeding exclusively in Indonesia, she added. There is an increase per year, but it hasn't yet met the Health Ministrys standard of 80 percent."

According to the ministry's data last year, the amount of breast-feeding in Indonesia had only reached 54.3 percent nationally.

A formative study by MCA Indonesia revealed that around 55 percent of respondents did not exclusively breast-feed due to various reasons, including inability to produce and worry that the baby might be hungry. "Around 43 percent of mothers think that breast milk isnt enough to provide their childrens nutritional needs," he said. (kes)
Overlooked Indonesian weaponry manufacturer slowly appears on world radar.

by Anton Hermansyah

The Pindad SS1-V1 left not only a definite hole in the US Marine Corps' body armor, but also a big impression on participants of the recent Rim of Pacific joint military training in the Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base, Hawaii.

Admiration for the Indonesian-made assault rifle was sparked during a zeroing test on July 10. A zeroing test, conducted at a range of 25 meters, measures the power of each participating corps before the joint training begins.

Major Indra Fauzi Umar, who was among delegations of 28 countries at the joint training event, said Indonesia was put in one group with the US, Australia and New Zealand during the test. The US Marine Corps brought the M4 with them and Australia the Steyr AUG, while New Zealand retreated from the test.

According to him, the plate in the body armor vest is 1.75 centimeters thick. The M4 and Steyr AUG were only able to bend the plate, but failed to penetrate it. However, the SS1-V1 did the job successfully, leaving a hole in the plate.

"The news quickly spread to other participants, who immediately lined up to try our rifle," he proudly told The Jakarta Post at the weapons factory in Bandung on July 13.

Pindad manufactures SS1-V1 since 1991 after securing a license from Belgium Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal (FN Herstal) in 1984. The rifle is based on the FN FNC developed between 1975 and 1977. Since then, Pindad has created five variants of the rifle and subvariant modifications.

The state-owned companys president director, Silmy Karim, wore a proud smile when handing over a 5.56 millimeter caliber SS1-V1. "This is the one that recently created a shock in the US. It is actually an older generation," he said.

After further development, the firm created the SS2 in 2006. The predecessor also gained respect in the region, as it helped Indonesia win an annual shooting competition, the Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting (AASAM), every year from 2008 to 2016.

Indonesia also secured the first place in May 2016 among 18 Asia Pacific countries with 23 gold, 13 silver and nine bronze awards. "And in July we just launched its latest generation, the SS3, which has higher accuracy and is more comfortable," Silmy said.

Indonesian marines officially use the rifle, matching the gun with a particular type of bullet.

Unlike a ordinary bullet that only leaves a hole in the target, Pindad's bullet swirls after being shot and thus can tear up the flesh. It is a big sin when you shoot an enemy in a war but fail to kill him instantly and leave him dying slowly," Silmy said.

Dutchs legacy

Pindads roots can be traced back to 1799 during colonial times when the Dutch Eastern Coast Governor Frederik Jacob Rothenbuhler set up the Artillerie Constructie Winkel workshop in Surabaya, East Java.

Located in Japan Village, south of Tanjung Perak Port, the workshops function was limited to repairing broken weapons. Herman Willem Daendels upgraded the workshop into a weaponry factory in 1808 after he took over the baton of Dutch East Indies governor-general.

Workers stand beneath an awning at Artillerie Constructie Winkel in Surabaya, East Java, around 1890. (Collection of Universiteit Leiden's Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies, KITLV)

The strategic measure was taken as the Netherlands faced threats in its colony, not only by local fighters, but also the British. History dubbed the era as the Anglo-Dutch Java War (1810-1811), where the Netherlands fought the UK on the Island of Java.

For that purpose, Daendels established a canon factory named Projectile Fabriek in Semarang, Central Java, along with the chemical laboratory. He even converted a kitchen utensils factory into a weapons factory in Gresik, East Java, while building a munition factory in nearby Ngawi.

Meanwhile, the existing Surabaya factory was upgraded. The number of the employees was doubled to 1,275, including Javanese  but under tight supervision by European engineers.

However, his efforts proved futile against Britains maritime might.

In 1810, a strong British East India Company (EIC) expedition under Gilbert Elliot, first earl of Minto, governor-general of India, conquered the French islands of Bourbon (Reunion) and Mauritius in the Indian Ocean and swept the Dutch East Indian colonies at Molucca Islands.

Elliot then captured Batavia (todays Jakarta) in August 1811 and forced Daendels to surrender at Semarang on Sept. 17, 1811. Java, Palembang (in Sumatra), Makassar and Timor were ceded to the British.

Appointed as lieutenant governor of Java, Thomas Stamford Raffles (17811826) ended Dutch administrative methods, liberalized the system of land tenure and extended trade. However, it lasted only five years, before the British returned Java and other East Indian possessions to the Dutch as part of the accord ending the Napoleonic Wars.

In 1850, the Dutch colonial government set up an explosives factory called Pyrotechnische Werkplaats in Surabaya. A year later, both Pyrotechnische Werkplaats and Artillerie Constructie Winkel merged into one company with the latter as surviving identity.

However, in 1898, the government started to move the military industry one by one to Kiaracondong, Bandung, West Java. The defeat in the Anglo-Dutch Java War taught the Dutch to move their arsenals as close as possible to the capital city of Batavia.

Artillerie Constructie Winkel workers in Bandung, West Java, pose during a photo session to mark the companys 75th anniversary in 1925. (Collection of Tropenmuseum/Museum of the Tropics, Amsterdam)

Workers and materials are seen inside an Artillerie Constructie Winkel building in Bandung in 1925. (Collection of Tropenmuseum /Museum of the Tropics, Amsterdam)

Artillerie Constructie Winkel employees in Bandung strike a pose for the 75th anniversary celebrations. (Collection of Tropenmuseum/Museum of the Tropics, Amsterdam)

Artillerie Constructie Winkel was the first factory to move, along with the munition factory from Ngawi, followed by the Surabaya-based Pyrotechnische Werkplaats, the Semarang Projectile Fabriek and the chemical laboratory.

The Dutch also moved the Geweermakersschool, a vocational training facility for weapon preparation and maintenance from Jatinegara, Jakarta, to the Bandung complex. The weaponry industry park was then renamed into Artillerie Inrichtingen.

A bullet manufactured in February 1941 by Pyrotechnische Werkplaats for a Dutch 9.4 mm revolver is seen in this image. (Courtesy of International Ammunition Association, Inc.) A box of bullets manufactured by Pyrotechnische Werkplaats for Dutch 9.4 mm revolvers in February 1941 is seen on display. (Courtesy of International Ammunition Association, Inc.)

During World War II, Japan took over the factory in 1942. They left the management and production system of the military factory complex intact, only changing its name to Japanese.

After the proclamation of independence on Aug. 17, 1945, Indonesian fighters seized the factory in October 1945 from Japanese troops and renamed it Kiaracondong Weapon Factory. However, Indonesian control did not last long as the allies, backed by the US, took over the factory again and gave it back to the Dutch.

They merged the Artillerie Constructie Winkel, Pyrotechnische Werkplaats and Projectile Fabriek into Leger Productiebedrijven (military production). The Geweermakersschool changed into Central Reparatiewerkplaats (central preparation workshop). The Dutch controlled it for another four years.

After the Dutch recognized Indonesian sovereignty in 1949, the weapons factory was transferred to the Indonesian army. It was first renamed into Weapons and Munitions Factory (PSM) and later into Army Equipment Factory (Pabal AD). It was in 1962 when it took its ultimate name, Pindad, which it goes by to this day.

Tank approaching

After successes in rifle development, Pindad began to manufacture armored vehicles and launched the Anoa in 2008. The 6x6 armored personnel carrier is an upgraded version of the French Vehicule de l'Avant Blinde (VAB), which was used by the Indonesian army.

In 2011, it launched the 4x4 armored personnel carrier Komodo, with around 80 percent of the components made locally. This gave the company confidence to build more complex military vehicles, like a medium battle tank.

"We are looking to launch our medium tank in 2017. We are developing it with FNSS Savunma Sistemleri Turkey since 2013. Currently, it is in the prototype phase," Silmy said, adding that the company was also considering to build a civil version as the Indonesian Humvee.

So far, Pindad has only manufactured the Excava 200 for non-military use. The excavator was introduced in September 2015, and 50 units have been produced each month since January 2016.

The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry ordered 500 unit, while state-owned constructors, including PT Wijaya Karya, PT Adhi Karya, PT Waskita Karya and PT Pembangunan Perumahan, ordered a total 600.

Pindad must deliver all of the 1,100 units, priced at US$90,000 to $110,000 per unit, in two years. "We need to prioritize the government's project, then we will think about selling to the private sector,"

Silmy said.

Government support is still crucial for the company, as 87.5 percent of the 2016 sales target of Rp 4 trillion ($305.5 million), or around Rp 3.5 trillion, comes from the government. Last year, sales to the government reached Rp 2.8 trillion, a 79 percent increase from 2014.

"It is President Joko "Jokowi" Widodos commitment to increase Pindad's sales by 30 to 40 percent every year. In 2019, when the presidential term ends, sales are targeted to reach Rp 5 trillion," Silmy explained.

Taking the helm from Sudirman Said, who became the minister of energy and mineral resources in December 2014, Silmy eyes to increase Pindad's product quality through joint ventures.

He has expertise in the field. Starting his career as an entrepreneur, Silmys career took him to an expert staff position for international cooperation in the defense and security ministry for four years.

"We have exported our military products to other Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand, Myanmar and the Philippines. In Middle East and Africa, we have loyal customers, such as Egypt and Nigeria," he said.

The list is likely to get longer, as two middle-eastern countries in July 2015 approached Pindad about investing in joint factories after they saw the companys products and its capacity in Jordan. The investor would invest in the infrastructure, while Pindad would grant them the license.

"We consider it an excellent opportunity, but we must consider several factors before making the final decision," he said.

For now, Pindad is focused on updating its production facilities in Kiaracondong, Bandung, which produces military equipment and vehicles, and in Turen, Malang, East Java, which produces explosives.

The company recently got a capital injection of Rp 700 billion in 2015, 84.79 percent of which were allocated for production line renovation, 9.5 percent for explosives development, and 3.57 percent and 2.14 percent, respectively, for corporate facilities and human resource development.

With that achievement and full government support, Pindad is reaching for the stars in the region.

"I dare to say that Pindad now is the best [weaponry manufacturer] in Southeast Asia. But in Asia, we have many strong competitors, such as India, China and South Korea. We need to work harder to compete with them," Silmy said.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The interview and filming took place on July 13, when Silmy Karim was still leading Pindad as president director. On Aug. 3, the government appointed Abraham Mose to replace Silmy, who -- according to the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Ministrys assistant for mining, strategic industries and media, Fajar Harry Sampurno -- will be promoted to lead another SOE.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, August 6 2016

Filmmaker Wregas Bhanutejas Prenjak (In the Year of Monkey), lasting 12 minutes and 42 seconds, made Indonesian film history this year for two reasons.



It is the first Indonesian film of any category that won an award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, for one, while on the other hand it opened the eyes of people at home to international exposure of Indonesian short films. They have been regulars at many international film festivals, some by submission and many more by invitation, such as Lucky Kuswandis The Fox Exploits The Tigers Might that was shortlisted at last years Cannes International Critics Week.



Some of the titles include Sidi Salehs Maryam, focused on mental illness and religion, that triumphed at Berlinale in 2014, Kamila Andinis Sendiri Diana Sendiri (Following Diana) on polygamy which premiered in Toronto last year, and Nia Dinatas Kebaya Pengantin (Wedding Kebaya), a transgender story that garnered attention in The Hague.



The connection between the films is the exploration of themes rarely found in feature films.



Short films give filmmakers the freedom to create and to capture the realities in our society, said film observer Adrian Jonathan Pasaribu of Cinema Poetica at a public discussion after the recent screening of four shorts at Bentara Budaya Jakarta.



Besides Prenjak, other films screened at the event organized in collaboration with e-commerce gramedia.com were Edwins Dajang Soembi: Perempoean Jang Dikawini Andjing (Dayang Sumbi: The Woman Who Was Married to a Dog), Ninndi Raras Kitorang Basudara (We Are Brothers), and Adi Marsonos Semalam, Anak Kita Pulang (Last Night, Our Child Came Home).The works have traveled to various film festivals and received accolades.



If Prenjak was based on a folk story of a genitalia peep show from the past in Yogyakarta, Dajang Soembi has content of bestiality, Oedipus complex and gory violence wrapped in as artistic black-and-white silent film.



Kitorang Basudara explored racism and discrimination in Yogyakarta, while Adi Marsonos work told of the hardships of migrant workers from the viewpoint of their families. According to Edwin, shorts have the advantage of giving viewers new knowledge about an issue without bowing to the prevailing market taste.



It will be more interesting to watch a film without being able to guess what its about or how it ends from the start, said Yogyakarta-based Adi.



In my work I always think of which side of Indonesia Id like the film to present instead of what kind of Indonesia Id like to sell outside. Having said that, either its the best or the worst kind of film on Indonesia that would sell.



WINDOW ON INDONESIA



Short film is the most favorable medium for aspiring filmmakers in Indonesia to capture local stories, hone their skills on a relatively low budget while using affordable devices within a shorter time of production. They were not usually made for commercial viewing in theaters, hence their independency.



The many annual short film competitions held by either private and government institutions can gain hundreds of submissions.



Filmmaker Monty Tiwa, who has often been appointed a judge for such competitions, said the high enthusiasm was a good sign for the film industry in the near future.



We need good scriptwriters, for one, those who have knowledge about the market and have the ability to communicate the message in the film in the most effective way, he said in a separate interview.



By definition, a short film is a feature film that is no longer than 40 minutes in duration. By nature, a short film sends a message across in the shortest time possible.



There are many international film festivals for ultra-short films under five minutes, even one minute  usually non-narrative or animated films.



Although most filmmakers acknowledge that they do not create short films for competition, the screening or nomination of the works at film festivals, preferably a prestigious international event, is assured of securing audience members at home.



A good review will lead to continuous screening at cultural centers or communities, or as Ninndi put it, short in duration, but long in presentation.



Despite their strong achievements, Indonesian short films have yet to have their own market at home because they were often considered merely as a stepping stone of filmmakers to develop their skills.



Short films are not financially profitable, said Adrian, adding that the increasing number of short film productions each year was partly attributable to technological advancements that make shooting a film with smartphones possible.



Currently film communities encourage commercial screening for short films with the proceeds going to filmmakers.



Acknowledging that limited screenings could be advantageous because they would not require approval from the censorship body, Monty suggested a dedicated theater for short films, similar to the practice in other countries, to create its own market.



Short films have an enthusiastic audience and they are big in number, but they are mostly students whose access to the films is limited to occasional screenings, he said.



Ninndi, however, said where and how her films were screened was the least of her concerns.



I just want my films to be out there and to be watched by as many people as possible, she said.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

Anti-Ahok labor group nominates ex-minister to run for Jakarta governor

Hundreds of workers will gather in the capital on Monday to declare their support for former coordinating maritime affairs minister Rizal Ramli to run for Jakarta governor in the 2017 election, a labor union leader has said.

Confederation of Indonesian Workers Unions (KSPI) chairman Said Iqbal said the workers would file a report with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) stating that incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama was corrupt.

After the declaration, we will hold a seminar of reclamation titled: does Ahok deserve to be a suspect? he said in a statement.

(Read also: Unions want former minister Rizal Ramli to run for Jakarta governor)

The union claims that Ahok has been involved in corruption involving the reclamation of Jakarta's northern coast and the purchasing of land adjacent to Sumber Waras Hospital and in Cengkareng.

Iqbal said earlier that labor unions would continue to garner support from both the public and political parties for Rizal.



We are going to approach some political parties, including the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the United Party Development (PPP), he said.



Iqbal said he believed Rizal had shown promise and that should he lead Jakarta in the future, he would listen to the aspirations of workers and the poor.



To gain more support, the KSPI will conduct a long march in the city to promote Rizal as the next governor, he said, without specifying a date. (dan)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan  Mon, August 8 2016

The Tanjungbalai Polices move to report a woman for blasphemy after she complained about the volume of loudspeakers at a mosque near her house, which led to the worst racial violence in the country in more than a decade, has called into question law enforcers impartiality in handling religious conflicts.



North Sumatra Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Rina Sari Ginting insisted that the police were right to report Meliana for blasphemy based on statements by witnesses. It is justified by the law the officer told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.



Meliana has not been officially charged with blasphemy as the police are seeking the opinion of a University of North Sumatra linguist to decide if what she is alleged to have said could be considered as defaming religion. But the police said they were now building a case against her.



Dailami, a staffer at Al Maksum mosque, a key witness in the case, said Meliana had objected to the volume of the mosques speakers and had asked him to lower it.



The mosque then sent representatives to Melianas house to ask her if she was really disturbed by the loudspeakers. Yes, it hurt my ears, Dailami said, quoting Meliana.



The polices decision to report Meliana for blasphemy has sparked suspicions they are trying to appease angry Muslim residents, as those arrested and charged for their roles in the rioting, which saw the burning and looting of viharas and pagodas, are thought to be mainly Muslims.



Rina dismissed the suspicions, saying those involved in the rioting could not be charged with blasphemy even though they had ransacked places of worship. Religious defamation must have the element of verbal abuse, she said.



National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) commissioner Nur Kholis said criminalizing Meliana would not address the conflict in Tanjungbalai.



The Blasphemy Law does exist, but it is not rigid and doesnt specify to what extent an act can be classified as blasphemous. The implementation of this law is relative, depending on whether one feels another has offended ones religion, he said,



There had to be mutual understanding that although the adzan (the Muslim call to prayer) is a form of freedom of expression and a manifestation of religion, it should also know certain limits, and someone conveying an objection should not be considered as blasphemous, Ghufron Mabruri of Imparsial said.



We cannot prosecute people who express their discomfort. In the same way we cannot prosecute citizens who object to a wedding ceremony set up on the street.



He added that the case should be dropped as Meliana had publicly apologized and her problem had nothing to do with religion.



Yenny Wahid, executive director of the Wahid Institute, slammed the police for building a case against Meliana, saying that the police regarded their duty as more about restoring order, but less about ensuring citizens constitutional rights.



The Tanjungbalai incident was not the first caused by complaints about the excessive use of loudspeakers by mosques, though it was the first to trigger rioting.



In 2010, a US citizen, Gregory Luke Lloyd, was sentenced to five months in prison for a blasphemous act in Lombok. He had unplugged electricity in a mosque because he was disturbed by the volume of a Quran recitation during Ramadhan.

_________________________________________

To receive comprehensive and earlier access to The Jakarta Post print edition, please subscribe to our epaper through iOS' iTunes, Android's Google Play, Blackberry World or Microsoft's Windows Store. Subscription includes free daily editions of The Nation, The Star Malaysia, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Asia News.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

The controversially packaged Bikini snack, which has drawn public outrage over moral concerns, has been officially banned and ruled to be an illegal product because of its lack of distribution permit, an official has confirmed.

The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) had conducted an investigation into the snack, called Bikini from Bihun Kekinian or trendy rice noodles, which was sold online, over the impropriety of its labeling.

"It has been found that the production company did not apply for official institutional permits in the first place, either from the BPOM or the MUI [Indonesian Ulema Council], and that the stamps on the packaging were fake," BPOM head Penny Kusumastuti Lukito said during a press conference.

The agency conducted a raid on Saturday at the site where the snack was produced in the wake of complaints. The BPOM has also placed an administrative sanction on the team behind the dried rice noodle snacks, which consists of five product makers and one brand owner, Penny said, adding that the product was no longer allowed to be sold.

The ban, she insisted, was not an attack on creativity in packaging design. However, she stressed the importance of adhering to cultural values and norms applicable in Indonesia. The agency pointed out the impropriety of the packaging, which features the torso of a woman in a bikini, accompanied by the words "remas aku" (squeeze me).

Furthermore, the BPOM's food safety and hazardous materials field head, Suratnomo, said no food safety test had been carried out on the snacks as the product had never received a sales permit in the first place. (rin)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

The Jakarta administration is investigating a fire that occurred at the construction site of the 27-story Swiss-Belhotel in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta that claimed two lives on Sunday over suspicions that the construction company failed to provide proper safety equipment to its workers.

The citys manpower and transmigration agency started the probe by deploying four employees on Monday to meet with the parties in charge of the construction, the agency's head, Priyono, said. The agency suspected that the construction company had failed to provide proper safety equipment, especially for emergency situations.

"There should be equipment that workers can use to save themselves. In the incident, workers could only find steel rope," he told thejakartapost.com on Monday.

The equipment was crucial as the building was still under construction, Priyono said. In the half-constructed building, the workers were not able to use the stairs, he added. The agency urged all construction companies to provide better safety equipment to workers.

Sanctions may be imposed on parties found responsible for the fire after the agency completes its investigation, Priyono said.

Workers on the 23rd floor of the building got trapped during the fire. Two people died and 13 were injured as they tried save themselves by using steel rope to reach the security platform. (rin)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Wahyoe Boediwardhana (The Jakarta Post) Surabaya, East Java  Mon, August 8, 2016

Thousands of Indonesian salt farmers, mostly in East Java, will suffer economically as traditional salt production may decline by 70 percent this year. The expected decline in production is a result of weather anomalies caused by La Nina and an influx of imported salt from Australia.

The East Java branch of the Salt Farmers Association's (HMPG) chairman, Mohammad Hasan, said that based on Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) data, it was expected to continue raining during the dry season until the end of September.

If the forecast is correct, salt farmers in Indonesia will have only two to three months for production, namely September, October and November. It will be quite difficult because this will result in only about 30 percent of total 2015 national salt production, he told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

Hasan further said that if it continued to rain until November, salt farmers would suffer harvest failures because the rainy season was expected to start in December.

In 2015, traditional local salt production was 2.7 million tons, which did not include salt produced by state-owned salt company PT Garam. National salt demand amounted to 3.3 million tons in 2015, which comprised 1.5 million tons of salt for consumption and the remaining 1.8 million tons for industrial purposes.

Despite the production decrease, Hasan said, the price of traditional salt had been on a decline. The influx of imported salt aggravated the situation, he added.

Around 270,000 tons of salt from Australia are expected to arrive in Indonesia this month. (ebf)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin N.Adri (The Jakarta Post) Balikpapan  Mon, August 8, 2016

Personnel of the East Kalimantan Polices Mobile Brigade (Brimob) counterterrorism squad were deployed on a counterterrorism operation in Poso, Central Sulawesi, on Sunday.

The 105 Brimob personnel will be part of the 2016 Operation Tinombala task force assigned to quash the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT), a guerilla network led by Santoso before he was killed by security personnel.

They will be part of a counterterrorism operation in Sector 2 in Poso for three months. They will be under the Central Sulawesi Polices operation command, said East Kalimantan Police deputy chief Brig.Gen.Hendrawan.

He said the unstable climate in Poso required a high level of security. Brimob personnel on the counterterrorism operation have been told to shoot to kill any disturbers of the peace and security, he went on.

(Read also : One more MIT member surrenders)

Our duty is to tackle any security disruptions that can lead to fatalities. We will firmly uphold the law, Hendrawan said.

As reported earlier, Basri, a trusted Santoso follower, escaped a raid in Tambarana village, North Poso Pesisir district, on July 18. The MIT leader was killed in the shoot-out. It is likely that Basri has replaced Santoso as MIT leader in Poso.

Before being dispatched to Poso, the 105 police personnel underwent physical exercises at the Brimobs Ksatrian horse stables in Balikpapan for two months. They are from Battalion A, B, and C as well as the Pelopor unit and the Gegana bomb squad of East Java Polices Brimob. (ebf)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8 2016

Embattled rights activist Haris Azhar may feel vindicated after a former National Narcotics Agency (BNN) official backed his claims that law enforcement officials were often involved in drug smuggling.

Loopholes were still wide open for smugglers to collude with officials in transporting drugs across borders, BNNs former chief of operations, Benny Mamoto, said during a discussion event held in Cikini, Central Jakarta, on Saturday. They [drug traffickers] take advantage of their relations with law enforcers to make the process run smoothly.

Drug traffickers often exploited loopholes at seaports through cooperatives, including ones owned by the military, that opened services at ports, he said. By manipulating the data to hide the real content of containers, some shippers were able to deceive cooperative officials, or they would even work together with the officials in smuggling drugs.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Imanuddin Razak (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

It was indeed a big leap forward when the defense ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines reached an agreement on Tuesday to conduct coordinated patrols to combat piracy in their waters.

The deal, which was made during the third trilateral defense ministers meeting in Bali, also includes a commitment by the three ASEAN neighbors to contain the spread of the Islamic State (IS) movement in the region.

The agreement is expected to immediately address the problem of abduction  mainly involving Indonesian and Malaysian nationals employed on vessels passing through the dangerously unguarded sea lanes  and increasing security threats posed by people claiming to be IS militants, or their networks.

Dozens of Malaysian and Indonesian nationals have been abducted by the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf terrorist group. The three countries, meanwhile, are potential breeding grounds for the dissemination of radical thoughts and subsequent threats of terrorist attacks, including by Abu Sayyaf, which has declared its allegiance to IS.

The growing threat of IS in the region stole the limelight in discussions during the three countries Third Ministerial Defense Meeting in Bali last Tuesday, during which they agreed to expand maritime cooperation to not only prevent the Abu Sayyaf group from kidnapping sailors in the Sulu Sea, but also to tackle attempts to smuggle weapons for IS supporters in the region.

As part of the agreement, the three countries established three command posts  in Bongao, the Philippines; Tawau, Malaysia; and Tarakan, Indonesia  where the three defense ministers can meet and discuss solutions to problems related to abductions and terrorism.

The two major aims of the coordinated forces are essentially two different sets of responsibilities that the militaries of the three countries have to perform. Each needs a different security or military approach. The question is whether these two ambitious amalgamated tasks can ultimately be performed given their broad differences.

In reference to their first task, the three countries have apparently made clear the coordinated forces terms of reference. As stipulated in the pact, military personnel from the three countries will be allowed to enter each others waters to pursue kidnappers or terrorist groups, such as Abu Sayyaf, during a state of emergency, but under certain limitations outlined in a signed standard operational procedures (SOP) document agreed upon during the Bali meeting. The patrol was inspired by best practices shared by Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand in the Malacca Straits Patrol (MSP).

The maritime pact, however, did not choose a joint patrol scheme because the regular presence of military personnel in a countrys waters could be seen as a threat and could be used as jurisprudence for other countries to push the three to open access to their seas in the future.

Under the coordinated patrol system, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines will guard their respective waters and will inform one another through a special communication line if a kidnapping takes place, to ensure swift action.

However, due to shared fears about Abu Sayyafs repeated moves in Sulu waters, the three countries customized the agreed coordinated patrol system under the SOP by allowing military personnel to enter one anothers waters in a state of emergency, but with the prior knowledge of the enroached upon party.

The three countries have also established safe routes for boats, guarded by military personnel, to prevent piracy and kidnapping. The agreement legalizes the use of sea marshals on board ships passing their borders.

They also have a shared understanding of the importance of allowing one anothers military personnel to hunt down kidnappers and terrorist groups, but no official agreement has been reached on the issue yet because the Philippines still has objections to the proposal due to constitutional hindrances.

In regard to the coordinated forces second task of containing the spread of IS, the three countries have yet to formulate their terms of reference, as such a task would need the involvement of more institutions from each of the three countries.

In Indonesias case, for example, the coordinated forces will need to involve personnel from the immigration directorate general, which controls data on the movement of people, particularly Indonesians on watch lists, and those from the National Police, which is responsible for the countrys counterterrorism and simultaneously keeps and updates data on terrorism.

In the Philippines, counterterrorism can be handled by all law enforcement agencies and the military. At the same time, there are also offices formed to handle, and prevent, threats of terrorism. Meanwhile in Malaysia, counterterrorism activities are performed by all levels of security services, including the military, police, border and infrastructure security, as well as civil defense.

As each of the three countries adopts different mechanisms in countering terrorism, it is therefore advisable that measures are discussed and agreed upon, particularly those that will ensure interoperability among agencies and organizations involved in counterterrorism  not only within a single country, but also among institutions in the three countries.

Besides all the technicalities, the coordinated forces should consider the financial state of each country. As for Indonesia, a newly announced budget cut will affect spending on security and defense, including for the operation of the coordinated forces. Similarly, the ongoing global economic slowdown may impact on both Malaysia and the Philippines.

As a result, security arrangements will very likely be affected and should be adjusted in line with the respective countries technical and financial capacity.

However, the challenges should not keep the countries from transforming their commitment into actions.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

The increasing number of grassroot political volunteer groups leading up to the Jakarta gubernatorial election next year should urge political parties to accommodate public aspirations in determining the ideal figure to lead the capital, executive director of Charta Politika Indonesia Yunarto Wijaya said.

If political parties and volunteers work together, they could surely create a great power, Yunarto told thejakartapost.com on Monday.

Volunteer groups have been growing in number to support individual figures seeking candidacy in the election, starting with the establishment of Teman Ahok (Friends of Ahok) in 2015, which supports Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama.

There are Rismas Warriors (Laris), Rismas Troops (Paris), Tanah Merah with Risma (Tameris) and Jakarta Love Risma (Jaklovers), which support Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini and Sahabat Sandiaga Uno, a group that supports Gerindra Party candidate Sandiaga Uno. Meanwhile, Confederation of Indonesian Workers Unions (KSPI) chairman has declared support to former coordinating maritime affairs minister Rizal Ramli for the gubernatorial election.

Siti Zuhro, an analyst from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), said that the volunteer movement was positive, as long as their supported figures were strong candidates and so long as the movement was not a political commodity that may lead to conflict.

Bottom-up democracy can reach equilibrium when political parties consider and accommodate public aspirations. The trust-building will be formed with such cooperation so the parties do not arbitrarily nominate their candidates, Siti said. (dan)


Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

The Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (GAPKI) believes the French National Assemblys move to cancel a planned progressive tax on imported palm oil will boost Indonesian exports to that country.

In the initial plan, France would impose an extra tax of 300 euros or US$332 per ton on palm oil and its derivative products in 2017, which would then be further increased to 900 euros per ton in 2020 in a bid to curb oil palm plantation expansion and its consequent negative environmental impact.

However, the French government in March said the tax would be slashed to 30 euros in 2017 and 90 euros in 2020 after protests from several countries including Indonesia and Malaysia. Eventually, the tax was completely discarded on June 23.

"That is a good decision and positive for the Indonesian palm oil Industry. France and the European market are very important for us," GAPKI's spokesman Tofan Mahdi told thejakartapost.com on Monday in Jakarta.

In Marchs revision, the French National Assembly had opted to make exemptions for sustainable palm oil plantations. However, this received criticism as the sustainability criteria was not clear. "We cannot and will not interpret the [French] decision, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Indonesia director Tiur Rumondang had said.

Based on consulting firm Europe Economics' data, in 2015 France imported around 100,000 tons of palm oil from Indonesia as well as 11,000 tons from Malaysia. (ags)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8 2016

The Jakarta Police on Saturday arrested Fenny Lanawati Angka, 55, an Interpol fugitive who allegedly distributed counterfeit banknotes in Singapore before being caught in Cawang, East Jakarta.

The police hunted down Fenny after receiving a letter from Singapore Interpol asking for assistance to investigate the suspect, after fake S$10,000 (US$7,426) banknotes spread across the country.

She was arrested in front of the Indonesian Christian Church on Jl. Cawang Baru Tengah in Cawang at 6 a.m., Jakarta Police general crimes division head, Sr. Comr. Rudi Heriyanto, said on Saturday as quoted by kompas.com.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8 2016

Police have spoken to 11 people regarding the alleged sexual assault of a vocational senior high school student who was interning at the Central Jakarta municipalitys office.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Awi Setiyono said the witnesses included the victims mother, the victims friend and fellow intern and a cleaning services worker. Three civil servants, identified as H, Y and A, were accused by the victim of committing the crime.

They are all still witnesses. The alleged crime happened on the sixth floor of the Central Jakarta municipality office, Awi said on Saturday as quoted by tribunnews.com.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8 2016

JAKARTA: Former MTV VJ Daniel Mananta will host the competition series The Big Start Indonesia for young, creative entrepreneurs. The online retail giant Blibli.com created the TV series in partnership with the Creative Economy Agency.

It will air on YouTube in August.

All this time, people have known me as a presenter even though I have run my Damn! I Love Indonesia business for the past eight years. Through this show, I want to share my experiences with up-and-coming entrepreneurs on how to run a successful business, Daniel said as quoted by kompas.com.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

Indonesia and Ukraine have agreed to enhance cooperation in the agriculture sector. Besides the transfer of technology, it is hoped that Ukraine will invest in agriculture in Indonesia, particular in wheat.

President Jokowi "Jokowi" Widodo witnessed the signing of an agreement on agriculture cooperation between Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman and Ukrainian Food Minister Taras Kutovyi.

"We invite them to invest in Indonesia, particularly in wheat, because the country is known for its expertise in that commodity. We will try to develop wheat in Sumatra," Amran told journalists at the State Palace in Jakarta.

Ukraine is one of the biggest wheat producers in the world and ships more than 60 percent of its wheat exports to Indonesia, while more than 60 percent of Indonesia's exports to the country is palm oil, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.

As the most populous country in Southeast Asia, Indonesia in 2014 imported more than 7 million tons of wheat, making it the third-biggest wheat importer in the world. (ags)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Tony Keusgen (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8 2016

An exciting thing happened in Indonesia in May  we crossed 100 million internet users. That is four times the number of people in Australia, making Indonesia the fifth-largest internet population in the world.

A joint Google-Temasek report recently predicted that, at this rate, Indonesia will have 215 million internet users by 2020, making it the fourth-largest globally.

Every day thousands of people across the archipelago are coming online for the first time. And since their introduction to the internet is through a smartphone, they are not necessarily thinking about the internet in the same way as people in the US or Japan.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Indra Budiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8 2016

Islamic parties may field a candidate of their own to challenge incumbent Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama in Jakartas gubernatorial election next year should the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) fail to nominate Surabaya mayor Tri Risma Rismaharini.

With various political surveys pointing to Ahok, a Protestant of Chinese descent, as the candidate to beat in 2017, Islamic groups have called on Islamic parties to propose a Muslim candidate to lead the capital, where Muslims account for about 85 percent of the population.

The National Awakening Party (PKB), the United Development Party (PPP), the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) are in talks on forming an alliance.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama revealed that his decision to run in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election on a political party ticket was due to a discussion he had with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who he said had advised him not to take the risky path of independent candidacy.

Jokowi reportedly gave the advice prior to Ahok declaring that he would run on a party ticket.

"Jokowi told me that taking the independent path was risky. According to the law, the Jakarta General Elections Commission must verify 1 million supporters for me. If I were to fail [in the verification] what would I do then?" he said on Monday at City Hall.

Jokowi did not advise him which political party he should represent, but just gave insight on the advantages of running on a political party ticket, Ahok added.

Meanwhile, despite several Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politicians objecting to the party backing Ahok, the incumbent governor has implied that PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri supported him. The PDI-P has not announced who it will back in next year's election.

If Megawati makes a decision, all the members remain silent and prepare to implement it, Ahok said.

Ahok, who previously claimed he would run independently, announced last month that he would run on a party ticket. The Golkar, Hanura and NasDem parties have pledged support for Ahok. (rin)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8 2016

Another Indonesian has fallen victim to kidnapping by armed militants off the coast of Sabah, as top officials in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines continue to discuss the technicalities regarding the implementation of a maritime accord to secure the Sulu Sea, signed during a trilateral forum in Bali last week.



The latest incident has put pressure on the three countries to speed up the implementation of the pact, which authorizes each state to encroach into the territory of another to save its citizens from pirates.



On Sunday, the Foreign Ministry confirmed that the kidnapping took place on Wednesday at 4 p.m., exactly 24 hours after defense ministers of the three countries signed the pact, which is also aimed at preventing the spread of the Islamic State (IS) movement in the region.



The third incident in the Malaysian waters follows a number of similar kidnappings of foreign nationals, not only Indonesian sailors, by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in the Sulu Sea in the southern Philippines.



Since March 24, Indonesian nationals have been taken hostage by the group in four separate kidnapping incidents, with 10 remaining in captivity. A number of Malaysians are also still being held by the group.



The Foreign Ministry is coordinating with Malaysian and Philippine authorities to seek a solution to the latest kidnapping case. The victim has been identified as Herman Manggak, who captained a Malaysian vessel with three crewmembers, one Malaysian and two Indonesians.



The three crewmembers were released by an unidentified armed group of men. The group then took Herman prisoner after their ransom demand for 10,000 ringgit (US$2,500) was not met.



The identity of the kidnappers remains unknown because the amount of ransom asked for is far from the usual demand of 20 million ringgit that characterizes Abu Sayyaf affiliated groups.



We will provide more details later after all information on the incident has been verified, said Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, the Foreign Ministrys director for the protection of Indonesian citizens.



Herman and the crewmembers were brought to an island, located 12 hours from the location of the incident. The crewmembers were later released and they reported the incident to the local police.



Military defense expert Kusnanto Anggoro said the failure to swiftly execute the joint agreement to secure the maritime border areas of the three countries demonstrated that there was still disagreement among officers in the field, even though their political leaders had achieved a shared understanding on the pact.



He said while waiting for the pact to be implemented, military commanders of the three countries could have taken action to secure the release the kidnapped captain in order to show kidnappers that authorities were serious in prosecuting kidnapping crimes in the area.



The Bali pact does not yet authorize the militaries of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines to launch military campaigns to release hostages because of constitutional hindrances on the Philippine side.



Kusnanto said Indonesian and Malaysian military personnel could join a military operation to release hostages in the Philippines by wearing Philippine military uniforms.



Such an alternative action can be made by military commanders of the three countries while waiting for the Bali agreement to be implemented, Kusnanto said.



He said the implementation of the Bali agreement could take a while as a result of technical discussions, but authorities could not let kidnappers launch their actions on and on while waiting for the pact to be implemented.



Connie Rahakundini Bakrie, president of the Indonesia Institute for Maritime Studies, encouraged the governments of the three countries to expedite the implementation of the Bali agreement.

____________________________________________

To receive comprehensive and earlier access to The Jakarta Post print edition, please subscribe to our epaper through iOS' iTunes, Android's Google Play, Blackberry World or Microsoft's Windows Store. Subscription includes free daily editions of The Nation, The Star Malaysia, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Asia News.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

News Desk

The National Commission for Child Protection (KPAI) has warned the city administration to protect civil servants, including school-age interns, from sexual harassment and assault while working at the citys offices.

Student interns are entitled to protection, as stipulated in Article 16 of the Child Protection Law, said KPAI commissioner Rita Pranawati.

Separately, Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Awi Setiyono said the force was investigating the recent reported rape of a 17-year-old intern at the Central Jakarta municipality office, based on a report from the victims mother. Initial reports from local media said the girl was assaulted by three men at the office, but only one was mentioned in the police report.

Police have taken her skirt as evidence and accompanied her to Cipta Mangunkusumo Hospital [RSCM] in Central Jakarta for forensic examinations, Awi said. (rez/evi)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

Over 150 lawyers from across the country have expressed their willingness to provide legal assistance to human rights activist Haris Azhar, who is currently facing a defamation charges filed by the National Police, Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN).

Haris has officially requested us to give him legal assistance and we are ready to help as he is one of us, Indonesian Advocates Association (Peradi) chairman Luhut Pangaribuan told a press conference on Monday.

Luhut further said the three state institutions implicated in Haris statement, about the alleged involvement of their senior officials in executed convict Freddy Budimans international drug network, should have engaged in introspection instead of reporting him to the police.

Haris, the coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), was reported to the polices Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) on Aug. 2 for allegedly defaming the three institutions through an article he posted on social media.

In the statement, which was based on Freddys testimony to him in 2014, Haris claimed that police, TNI and BNN officials were involved in the drug lords business. Freddy claimed he had over the years paid around Rp 450 billion (US$34.42 million) to BNN and Rp 90 billion to top officials in the National Police.

The testimony was released the day before Freddy was executed on Nusakambangan prison island in Cilacap, Central Java, on July 29.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar previously said Haris had violated the 2008 Electronic Information and Transaction (ITE) Law by circulating defamatory information on the internet. (wnd/ebf)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Palu  Mon, August 8 2016

Another member of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) militant group, identified as Juhri, gave himself up to National Intelligence Agency (BIN) personnel taking part in Operation Tinombala on Friday evening. The surrender came after the arrest of three other MIT members on Thursday.

Operation Tinombala commander Brig. Gen. Rudy Sufahriadi confirmed that Juhri surrendered at 3:40 a.m. local time in Tamanjeka hamlet, Lape village, Poso, Central Sulawesi.

Rudy, the Central Sulawesi Police chief, said Juhri was picked up from a house belonging to his relative and was taken to the BIN post in Poso.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Bambang Muryanto (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

Papuan student Obby Kogoya, 21, filed on Monday a pretrial motion challenging the Yogyakarta Polices decision to name him a suspect.

Obby registered the pretrial motion at the Sleman District Court through his lawyers from the Yogyakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH).

The pretrial hearing motion is filed by LBH Yogyakarta as a way of showing up the investigators oppressive acts in naming Obby a suspect, said Emanuel Edo Gobay of LBH Yogyakarta told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

Obby is one of the Papuan students arrested by the police as they made their way to the Kamasan Papuan student boarding house on Jl. Kusumanegara in Yogyakarta, on Friday. The students were staging a peaceful rally in support of the United Liberation Movement for West Papuas (ULMWP) full membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) when a group of police suddenly approached to disperse them.

Obby attempted to escape but the police arrested him. The student was allegedly beaten before he was handcuffed.

Obby was later taken to the Yogyakarta Police office where he was named a suspect for allegedly violating Articles 212, 213 and 351 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on using violence against state officials. He has since been required to report to the police twice a week.

From photos circulating that weve seen, it was Obby who suffered the violence, said Edo.

He further said Obby was named a suspect without adequate preliminary evidence. Prosecutors had not been able to show any valid evidence or which witnesses they had questioned, he went on.

National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) member Natalius Pigai said earlier there were potential human rights violations involved in Obbys arrest. (ebf)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

Seven political parties, namely the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Gerindra, the Democratic Party, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the National Awakening Party (PKB), the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the United Development Party (PPP) have formed a coalition named the "Koalisi Kekeluargaan" (Kinship Coalition) to endorse a pair of governor and deputy governor candidates for the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election.

In a press conference in a restaurant Monday, the coalition set out its criteria for candidates: wise, thoughtful, civilized, ethical, clean and smart. "We hope that these criteria will show the public what we have been longing for so long, after seeing the performance of the existing leader, acting chairman of the PDI-Ps regional executive board Bambang DH said.

He was referring to Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, who is currently leading by a wide margin in polls.

Gerindra Jakarta chairman Muhammad Taufik said the next item on the coalition agenda was to discuss particular names. Gerindra has named businessman Sandiaga Uno as its candidate.

We will discuss the position of Sandiaga in the election. We will also assess him with the criteria that we have determined. Were sure that the chosen candidate pair will win the election, Taufik said.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Safrin La Batu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has narrowed down its list of potential candidates for the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election to one person, a party official said on Monday, keeping the name discreet until an official announcement is made.

"We already have one [final] name. But as for who the person is, it will be announced by the party's central board," PDI-P Jakarta campaign team chairman Gembong Warsono said.

Senior members of the party previously submitted seven names to the party's chairwoman, Megawati Soekarnoputri, for her to make a final decision. Party members had been silent over the seven names, but a senior PDI-P politician said the list comprised both party members and individuals outside the party.

Megawati's blessing had been the most sought after by candidates such as Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and businessman Sandiaga Uno from the Gerindra Party. As the ruling party, the PDI-P has yet to announce to whom it would throw its support behind in the Jakarta election.

The party had been in talks with several political parties to form a coalition in next year's election, Gembong said. There is no word yet as to whether the PDI-P will join Gerindra and the Islamic-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), or back Ahok, who has secured backing from the Golkar Party, the Hanura Party and the NasDem Party.

PDI-P member Surabaya Mayor Tri "Risma" Rismaharini is among possible candidates on account of her positive performance while leading the country's second- largest city. Political analysts have also said that Risma would be a worthy contender for incumbent Ahok should she gain the nomination. (rin)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara  Mon, August 8, 2016

Officers with the Mataram Police have aborted an alleged attempt to smuggle hundreds of 3-kilogram liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) canisters from Lombok to Sumbawa islands in West Nusa Tenggara.

Two smuggling suspects, Budiman, 35, and Abdul Haris, 50, and a truck containing more than 400 of 3-kg LPG canisters have been taken into custody by the Mataram Police.

The polices criminal investigation unit chief Adj.Sr.Haris Dinzah said the police intercepted the smugglers on Narmada highway in West Lombok, on Saturday, when they were on the way to Lombok-Sumbawa Port in East Lombok.

We got a report on the smuggling attempt and we followed up [...], said Haris.

He said the suspects admitted they had conducted the illegal activity for one year. As a method of operation, they first bought subsidized LPG in retails in Mataram city and West Lombok regency, with an average price of between Rp 12,000 (91 US cents) and Rp 13,000 per canister. They gathered the canisters and sent them to Sumbawa via trucks. To deceive security officers, the perpetrators hid each of the gas canisters in a used mineral water boxes.

In Sumbawa, they sold the subsidized LPG canisters to consumers at non-subsidized prices, ranging in between Rp 23,000 and Rp 25,000 per canister.

They smuggled them to Sumbawa as subsidized LPG canisters are not yet available on the island. People in Sumbawa still use subsidized kerosene; the kerosene-to-gas conversion program has not yet been implemented in the area, said Haris.

From each delivery, Haris said, the perpetrators could get a profit up to Rp 4 million. In his testimony, Abdul claimed their profits could reach Rp 60 million per month, he said. (ebf)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

The Jakarta Police had investigated reports of alleged fake Healthcare and Social Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) membership cards in Koja, North Jakarta on Friday, said police spokesperson Sr. Comr . Awi Setiyono.

We received a report from Suhajoyo and Isti Komaesih, a couple from Koja. They registered for health treatment at Koja community health center (Puskesmas) on July 26, Awi told journalists recently.

The Puskesmas head, Anita Yuliasari, directed them to administration department staff to verify the documents. Unfortunately, the staff could not the couple's data.

(Read also: National scene: Fake BPJS cards found in West Java)

They reported their case to Koja sub-district head, Depika Romadi. Suhajoyo and Isti reported to the sub-district head that they had registered the card with the head of RT 08 in Koja, with initials DF, who has issued 28 fake membership cards for seven families in his neighborhood, Awi said.

Separately, Cimahi Police in West Java uncovered the distribution and use of fake membership cards for BPJS Kesehatan last month. The finding was made possible following a complaint filed by Budiyanto from Padalarang, West Java, who was denied access to Cibabat Regional Hospital to obtain a meningitis vaccine. The hospital management said his BPJS Kesehatan card was fake. (rez/dan)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Gene Johnson (Associated Press) Seattle  Mon, August 8, 2016

A 19-year-old man who shot and killed three people at a party in suburban Seattle was so unfamiliar with his newly purchased AR-15 semi-automatic rifle that he parked his car across the street and read the firearm's instruction manual just before the attack, police wrote in a probable-cause statement made public Monday.

Allen C. Ivanov was arrested by state troopers on Interstate 5 early Saturday more than 100 miles from the bloody scene in Mukilteo, a north Seattle suburb, authorities said.

They said he confessed to the killings and that he did it because he was angry that his ex-girlfriend, Anna Bui, seemed to be moving on with her life after their recent breakup. She was one of the victims.

The document also indicates that Ivanov gave a few indications of his troubling intent: He texted someone last week in Tennessee "regarding committing a mass shooting"; he posted on Twitter, "What's Ruger gonna think"  an apparent reference to the manufacturer of his rifle; and he told his supervisor at an electronics store on Friday that the previous night he had put the rifle in the trunk of his car and gone to a quiet spot and just sat.

Ivanov made a court appearance by video link Monday from the Snohomish County Jail and a judge ordered him held without bail, said Dave Wold, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office. Prosecutors have until Wednesday to file charges.

Ivanov's attorney, Tim Leary, did not contest the state's request that his client be held without bail.

Ivanov had bought the assault-style weapon about a week before the attack, saying he planned to use it for target practice and that he had signed up for a gun-safety class this month, Mukilteo Police Detective John Ernst wrote in the probable-cause statement.

Police haven't said where he bought it, but Ernst wrote that Ivanov said he went to a sporting goods store on Friday to buy a second magazine for it.

"Ivanov stated that he showed up to the homicide scene at approximately 2200 hours, and parked across the street and watched," Ernst wrote. "He said that he creeped up toward the house and saw A with another male and got angry. He said that he returned to his car, read the instruction manual for the rifle, loaded the magazine, placed the magazine in the rifle, and sent the rifle's selector switch to 'safe.' He then returned to the victim house property."

Ivanov told detectives he creeped around the back of the house and hid near the living room windows, where he was eventually discovered by one of the young men attending the party.

"The male said, 'No, no no,'" Ernst wrote. "Ivanov stated that he was 'scared,' he flipped the selector switch to fire and shot the male. He stated that at that point it was too late to turn back, and once he had pulled the trigger his adrenaline kicked in."

Ivanov said he entered the house through a side door, found Bui and shot her twice, then continued through the house, saw through the front door another man running toward the house and shot him, according to the probable-cause statement.

From a balcony off the master bedroom, he said, he shot at two more men in the driveway before going onto the roof, realizing his magazine was empty and fleeing.

Ivanov's attorney questioned why it's legal for a depressed 19-year-old to buy a semi-automatic rifle, especially given research that shows the brains of young adults continue to develop into their 20s.

"If he would have walked into a 7-Eleven and tried to buy a six-pack of beer, he would have been turned away," Leary said. "When you look at someone who's 19, what they can and can't do is very troubling, and the consequences of that could not be any greater for the victims, for my client and for the community at large."

In addition to Bui, of Everett, Jordan Ebner, of Lake Stevens, and Jacob Long, of Everett, were killed. They were all 19 and recent graduates of Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, a waterfront city of 21,000 people.

A fourth person, 18-year-old Will Kramer, was wounded and remained in serious condition Monday at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Bui and Ivanov were students at the University of Washington.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Severianus Endi (The Jakarta Post) Pontianak  Mon, August 8 2016

Initially, it was a land dispute between residents of Olak-olak village in Kubu Raya regency, West Kalimantan, and oil palm plantation company PT Sintang Raya, which holds a concession nearby.

Then, the company accused several residents of stealing oil palm fruit and allegedly paid police to secure the area and make arrests.

The companys harsh measures frightened locals, many of whom took shelter at the local office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Tama Salim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8 2016

ASEAN is celebrating its 49th anniversary on Monday and it is a perfect time to reflect on the progress made on the ASEAN Community, which came into force at the end of last year

Among the three pillars of the Community, namely the economic, political and security, and sociocultural pillars, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) has thus far occupied the majority of discussion.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam  Mon, August 8, 2016

The Singaporean government, represented by its Internal Security Department (ISD), visited the Riau Islands Police headquarters Monday to say thank you to the National Police for arresting six members of a group allegedly connected to the Islamic State (IS) group.

The police said the six detained members of the group had been planning a terror attack on Marina Bay in Singapore. The members are believed to have been under the tutelage of Bahrun Naim, an IS member suspected of being behind a terror attack in Central Jakarta in January.

The ISD delegation met with Riau Islands Police chief Brig. Gen. Sambudi Gusdian and Batam, Rempang and Galang Police chief Sr. Comr. Helmi Santika on Monday.

They extended their thanks to the National Police for dispersing the IS network that had planned to attack Marina Bay, he said. They also proposed intensive cooperation to ensure security in the region. I say region because the cooperation would be done extensively, he said.

Sambudi said the planned attack on Marina Bay was ordered by Bahrun to the Rahmat Dewa Group, also known as Khatiba Gonggong Rebus, led by suspect Gigih Rahmat Dewa. (evi)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8 2016

Follow your dreams, people say, which is exactly what many people from outside the capital do by coming to Jakarta in the hope of finding a better life.

For the lucky ones, their dreams do come true, but others struggle so much that they end up living in spaces under the water pipes that stretch along the West Flood Canal in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, August 8, 2016

The Indonesian Refined Sugar Association (AGRI) plans to produce more refined sugar this year in line with food and beverage industry growth, a senior AGRI member has said.

AGRI executive director Faiz Ahmad said refined sugar producers had reported plans to manufacture up to 3 million tons of sugar this year, up by 6.5 percent from 2.8 million tons last year.

The food and beverage industry is projected to grow by 6.5 percent this year, which is why sugar production will also rise by 6.5 percent, he told journalists in Jakarta on Monday.

He further said that the refined sugar would be manufactured by 11 sugar refiners in Indonesia and would be strictly distributed to food and beverage enterprises.

Faiz also said the countrys sugar refiners could produce up to 3.6 million tons of sugar in a year, thus no sugar mill expansion was needed in the near term. (vny/ags)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Elena Becatoros and Vladimir Isachenkov (Associated Press) Istanbul, Turkey  Mon, August 8, 2016

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heads to Russia this week as part of efforts to rebuild ties shattered by Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane last year  just as Turkey's relations with traditional allies the United States and Europe show increasing strain amid Ankara's crackdown following a failed coup.

Tuesday's visit to St. Petersburg for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin will be Erdogan's first foreign trip since the abortive July 15 putsch, in which a group of renegade Turkish military officers attempted to seize power using fighter jets, helicopters and tanks in a night of violence that left more than 270 people dead.

Both Turkey and Russia, which once described themselves as strategic partners, have been hurt by their roughly seven-month rupture in relations: Russia's ban on the sale of package tours to Turkey and an agricultural import embargo dealt a painful blow to the Mediterranean country, while Moscow also paid a price as the spat shelved a much-touted Russian natural gas pipeline to Turkey and other lucrative projects.

So both Erdogan and Putin are interested in mending the rift and reviving economic and trade ties, a process that began in June following Ankara's apology for shooting down the Russian plane, which had been running bombing sorties in neighboring Syria.

"This will be a historic visit, a new beginning. In the talks with my friend Vladimir, I believe, a new page in our relations will be turned. Our countries have much to do together," Erdogan said in an interview with the Russian state news agency Tass.

However, some fundamental differences remain.

The Russian bomber's downing in November, which Putin described as a "treacherous stab in the back," came amid boiling tension over Syria, where Moscow and Ankara backed opposing sides in the conflict. Neither country has fundamentally altered its stance on Syria, and the issue could still prove a sticking point.

"This is an alliance of convenience, not a strategic relationship. It is more of a transactional relationship driven by converging interests and challenging circumstances," said Fadi Hakura, associate fellow at the Chatham House international affairs think tank in London.

"I would compare it to someone having a viral infection who immediately takes paracetamol to lower the temperature, which rapidly declines but precipitously starts fighting back up again," Hakura said. "What we have seen with Turkey in this rapid change, rapid swings in its relationship with Russia from breakdown to reconciliation, indicates that the relationship is still not healthy, despite appearances."

The visit comes as Turkey's relations with traditional allies falter over Ankara's post-coup crackdown, which has seen nearly 18,000 people detained or arrested and tens of thousands suspended or fired from their jobs on suspicion of being associated with the movement of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.

The government says Gulen, a former Erdogan ally living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania, orchestrated the coup, and has demanded his extradition. Washington has asked for evidence of the cleric's involvement and says the extradition process must be allowed to take its course. Gulen himself denies any involvement.

The issue has soured relations, with members of the government implying the US could have been behind the coup  leading American officials have publicly denied that.

Turkey has also blasted its European allies for expressing alarm over the scope of its crackdown. Ankara has complained the West has shown a lack of support for a democratically elected government which survived a violent attempt to overthrow it, and Turkish officials have publicly traded barbs with Germany, Austria and Italy as well as the European Union.

In contrast, the Kremlin was quick to voice support to Erdogan immediately after the failed coup and, unlike the EU, didn't voice concern about the ensuing crackdown  the stance reflecting Putin's intention to mend bilateral ties.

Ankara has also hinted its deal with the EU to stem the flow of Syrian refugees into Europe could break down unless the EU quickly implements part of the deal allowing visa-free travel for Turkish citizens.

Yet despite the rhetoric, Turkey's political leadership knows its interests lie more with the West than with Moscow, Hakura said.

"Russia cannot replace the United States and NATO and European Union or European partners .... in relation to Turkey's strategic interests," Hakura said. He noted three quarters of Turkey's direct foreign investment comes from Europe and its military is firmly rooted in NATO, whereas it has a limited economic and trade relationship with Russia focused primarily on natural gas and agriculture, as well as construction and low-tech manufacturing.

Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Friday that Putin and Erdogan's discussions would include the revival of projects such as the natural gas pipeline and Russia's contract to build Turkey's first nuclear power plant.

Ushakov told reporters the two weren't expected to sign any agreements, but he underlined the importance of the talks.

"This is the first meeting amid the long-term pause in all contacts, political, trade and economic and others, which is why it is important to hold a detailed conversation now, to see where we stand and plan the possible prospects of further cooperation," he said.

He noted the issue of compensation for the downed plane could also be discussed. Turkish officials have been skittish on the issue.

One lesson to take away from the improving ties, Hakura said, was that Turkey reacted better to tough responses.

"Erdogan reacts more positively to robust and muscular diplomacy rather than to diplomatic niceties," Hakura said. "And that is I think the abiding lesson to Europe and the United States."

___

Isachenkov reported from Moscow.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang  Mon, August 8, 2016

The Semarang Police in Central Java have arrested two men identified as Ahmad Rifai, 26, and Muhammad Bandowi, 29, three hours after they were reported by the family of a 14-year-old who accused them of raping her.

Semarang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Vincentius Thirdy Hadmiarso said on Monday the suspects had been drinking intoxicating herbal concoctions before they allegedly raped the girl.

The suspects reportedly raped the girl on Monday last week, and left her alone in a hut near a field in Bawen district in Semarang regency. She walked about 5 kilometers to the nearest mosque, where residents found her half-conscious. She was taken to a hospital where she has been receiving treatment since Tuesday. Her parents reported the case to the police on Saturday.

Thirdy said the suspects would be charged under the 2014 Law on child protection, which carries a minimum of five years in jail and a maximum of 15 years.

In May, Semarang Police arrested eight men who allegedly raped a junior high school girl. Among the suspects were teenaged boys. (evi)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Simon Tay (The Jakarta Post) Singapore  Mon, August 8 2016

The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has again come under criticism, this time for failing to refer in a joint communique to the recent judgment by the Permanent Court of Arbitration on competing claims in the South China Sea.

Cambodia has been singled out as the ASEAN member that blocked consensus during the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Laos.

In contrast, the US and her principal allies in the region  Japan and Australia  issued a joint statement openly chiding China for its reclamation and military activities in the contested seas and called on Beijing and Manila to abide by the tribunal ruling, which invalidated Chinas expansive claims in the strategic waterway.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 9, 2016

Charoen Pokphand Indonesia, which has been accused of colluding with 11 other companies to drive up the price of day old chicks by creating a shortage of supply, says the companies were in fact ordered by the government to cull chicks.

Charoen Pokphand found itself on a list by the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU), along with 11 other chicken breeders suspected of engaging in a cartel. The company denied those allegations on Monday, saying the order to cull had come from the Agriculture Ministry.

"We were invited to attend a meeting [at the Agriculture Ministry] from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sept. 14, 2015. Prior to the meeting, we did not know the meetings agenda, Charoens director Jemmy Wijaya said at the KPPU office on Monday.

He added the decision had come purely from the government, without any lobbying from the companies. He said the government had decided to cull the chicken because of persistent oversupply at the time, driving down the price at the expense of small and medium-scale breeders, which had complained to the ministry.

At the meeting, the companies had been prohibited from leaving without signing the agreement, Jemmy said.

The other companies on the list are PT Japfa Comfeed Indonesia, PT Malindo Feedmil Indonesia, PT Satwa Borneo, PT Wonokoyo Jaya Corp, PT CJ-PIA (Cheil Jedang Superfreed), PT Taat Indah Bersinar, PT Cibadak Indah Sari Farm, CV Missouri, PT Ekspravet Nasuba, PT Reza Perkasa and PT Hybro Indonesia.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Tama Salim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 9, 2016

Thirty-four Indonesians who survived a recent capsized boat incident in the waters surrounding Johor in Malaysia were escorted back to Indonesia on Monday.



The survivors are expected to make the trip home after being discharged through the Pekan Nenas Immigration Depot in Johor Bahru's Stulang Laut Port, their last stop before arriving at Tanjung Pinang Port in Indonesia's Riau Island province.



All expenses for the repatriation of the 34 Indonesians will be borne by the state, the Foreign Ministry's director for the protection of Indonesian nationals and entities abroad, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, said in a statement.



"In accordance with the instructions of Foreign Minister [Retno LP Marsudi], our consul general in Johor approached the Malaysian authorities to ensure the 34 Indonesians would be able to return without bearing any fines or detention time for the immigration violations they may have committed," Iqbal said, quoting a report from Marsianda, the Johor Bahru Consulate General's consular officer who will accompany the survivors to Tanjung Pinang.



Upon arrival in the Riau Island port city, the 34 Indonesians will be handed over to the Tanjung Pinang branch of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Placement Services Office (BP3TKI), where local officials will further process the migrant workers' return to their respective hometowns across the country.



Late on July 23, a boat overloaded with around 62 informally processed Indonesian migrant workers capsized in Johor waters, claiming at least 15 lives with around a dozen more still missing. From the 34 survivors, 10 come from the West Nusa Tenggara province, nine from East Java, four from Aceh, three from East Nusa Tenggara, four are from North Sumatra, two from Banten, and one person each from Jambi and West Sumatra. (dmr)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang, Central Java  Tue, August 9, 2016

A 14-year-old girl allegedly raped by two men in Bawen, Semarang, was given an intoxicating herbal concoction prior to the incident at a party where she was taken by friends.

One of the suspects, Muhammad Bandowi, 29, told the press at the Semarang Police office on Monday that they boiled leaves from devils trumpet plants and mixed the liquid with tea. We wanted to get drunk, and then we went to find a girl we could play with. We met the girl, who was brought there by her friends. She drank some too, and when she was half-conscious, I raped her, Bandowi said Monday.

Bandowi also said he hit the girl twice in the face. After the incident, he left the girl alone in a hut.

A second suspect, Ahmad Rifai, 26, said he also raped the girl. I didnt know whether she was injured or not because I didnt know that [Bandowi] had raped her too, he said.

Semarang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Vincentius Thirdy Hadmiarso said the girl was with her friends at the party, held at Taman Siwarusmas in Semarang. We have questioned five witnesses, he said. Four of the witnesses were teenagers aged 14 to 16, while the other was 24 years old.

So far the ones who raped her were two people, Rifai and Bandowi. But were still investigating, Vincentius said. (evi)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Vijay Joshi and Grant Peck (Associated Press) Bangkok  Mon, August 8, 2016

BANGKOK (AP)  For those who believe in democratic governments and self-rule, it would seem to be the political equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot.

How else would you explain the result of Sunday's referendum in which Thais showed an acceptance of military rule by approving a new constitution that could pave the way for a quasi-democratic system of government controlled by the junta?

The answer is not too complicated. The Associated Press interviewed several people, including experts, and their opinions dovetailed into one theme: After years of political dysfunction, violence, corruption and deepening divisions in society, Thais wanted stability. Perhaps they did not think it through, but they saw the constitution  however flawed  as a way out of the quagmire.

There's also the fact that the military government kept a tight lid on debate on the constitution, meaning many may not have realized it was flawed.

Here's a collection of opinions from Thai and foreign experts, politicians and ordinary people who try to make sense of the seemingly incongruous outcome:

Puangthong R. Pawakpan, associate professor of political science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok:

"I believe a big part of the people who accepted the charter truly believe that it can solve corruption problems. Part of the people voted 'yes' because of their misunderstanding that once we have a constitution we will have an election and the military will be gone. ... It also indicates the distrust for politicians is deep-rooted in Thai society. It also reflects a problematic perspective of the pro-military masses, who turn a blind eye to the corruption in bureaucracy and the armed forces."

BACKGROUND: Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the former general who took power in a 2014 coup, has promised elections in 2017. But the new constitution requires a five-year transition period to civilian rule. Also, it requires a military-appointed Senate to name a prime minister  in effect a leader controlled by the military. Other governing bodies, the courts and the bureaucracy will also remain under the military's influence, according to the constitution. Corruption is endemic in Thai politics and society. The military, which has mounted 13 successful and 11 attempted coups since 1932, claims it wants to clean up corruption through the new constitution by curbing the powers of politicians.

___

Prajak Kongkirati, lecturer, political science, Thammasat University, Bangkok:

The referendum result "demonstrates that the voters simply buy the discourse of the junta that Thailand needs the military to stabilize the country during the 'transition period.' Voters simply believe that ... the strong rule of military, or the new semi-authoritarian regime guided by that military, can prevent the recurrence of street politics and violent conflict that engulfed Thailand in the past several years."

"Looking cursorily at the comments of and talking to people who voted 'yes,' it's quite clear that they did not dissect the constitution in detail. They looked at the big picture and they accepted the newly designed system (in which) the military, courts and independent (bodies) can check the elected politicians. It is a vote out of anxiety about the future."

BACKGROUND: Thai politics became divisive after former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra won elections for the first time in 2001 with the help of support from rural voters who traditionally had little say in politics. Unnerved by his popularity, Thailand's traditional ruling class and royalists  known as the "yellow shirts"  took to the streets in 2005 to bring Thaksin down. He finally was ousted in a coup in 2006, prompting his supporters  known as "red shirts"  to come out into the streets. Over the next several years, Thailand was plagued by demonstrations and violence by Thaksin's supporters and opponents. He has lived abroad since 2008.

___

Michael Montesano, research fellow, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore:

"Relatively low turnout and the absurd measures that Thailand's dictatorship took to prevent meaningful discussion of the draft constitution certainly contributed to the dictatorship's surprisingly easy victory. For now, what merits emphasis is that the dictatorship has made an important stride forward in its effort to depoliticize what had become a highly politicized society, and it has done so with the help of the voters. This result seems to increase the likelihood that the steps that the dictatorship will take to institutionalize its favored political order will be met with continued apathy and disengagement on the part of many Thais."

BACKGROUND: Only about 55 percent of the electorate of roughly 50 million voted in the referendum, reflecting indifference and apathy for a system that they knew would bring little change to their everyday lives. The low turnout also implies that only one-third of the electorate supported the new constitution. Also, ahead of the referendum, the junta banned all political rallies, debates and discussions on the constitution, preventing the "no" camp from explaining the pitfalls of the charter to the people. More than 100 people were jailed for violating the order.

___

Jatuporn Promphan, former government minister and supporter of Thaksin Shinawatra:

"We have to accept the reality. The government controlled its opponents ... with arrests and stifling of opinions. The fact that we've come this far is our best effort despite everything that has happened. But we are good sports, and we hope that peace comes now. The problem is, how are we certain that the country will remain peaceful? We have seen that the military government can use Article 44 to solve its short-term problems, but how is that going to solve our long-term issues?"

BACKGROUND: Article 44 is an overarching law passed by the junta that gives Prime Minister Prayuth the power to pass any order in the name of public peace.

___

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, junta leader:

"This exercise [referendum] is part and parcel of the government's road map to have the participation of the people while we progress Thailand towards democratic political reforms, which are necessary for a bona fide democracy and thus for Thailand not to remain as a kleptocratic state. The government will pay heed to the will of the people today and will do everything possible to address their concerns while providing a sustainable solution to our country's political problems."

BACKGROUND: The junta and its supporters accuse former Prime Minister Thaksin, as well as subsequent governments formed by the various incarnations of his party, of stealing the nation's wealth. It ousted the government of his sister Yingluck Shinawatra in 2014.

___

Yingluck Shinawatra, former prime minister ousted by Prayuth:

"I am sad, and regret that the country is stepping backward by accepting a constitution that may look democratic but really isn't truly democratic. I'm not surprised with the results of the referendum because there was no opportunity to show our opinions or to criticize the content of the draft constitution to the full extent. It was one-sided and very different from any other referendum we've had, and from the rest of the world."

___

Warabhorn Sampanna, English teacher, interviewed in Bangkok:

"I'm glad that the referendum passed because I believe that politics will change in a positive way, especially in regards to corruption. Politicians in the past have not taken care of Thailand as well as they should have, like the way that our current government is doing now. (Prayuth) really loves Thailand and he loves the Thai people. With him, there is no corruption because he really loves his country."

___

Sansern Teekakul, occupation unknown, interviewed in Bangkok:

"It's good. I feel good about it because I want there to be elections. Everyone came together to vote in the referendum. It's like everyone came together because they wanted ... democratic elections."
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Jim Gomez (Associated Press) Manila  Mon, August 8, 2016

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte publicly linked more than 150 judges, mayors, lawmakers, police and military personnel to illegal drugs Sunday, ordering them to surrender for investigation as he ratcheted up his bloody war against what he calls a "pandemic."

Duterte promptly relieved members of the military and police he named from their current posts and ordered government security personnel to be withdrawn from politicians he identified in a nationally televised speech. He also ordered gun licenses of those named revoked.

"All military and police who are attached to these people, I'm giving you 24 hours to report to your mother unit or I will whack you. I'll dismiss you from the service," Duterte said in the speech at a military camp in southern Davao city.

He said that the list of politicians, judges and law enforcers given to him by the military and police might or might not be true, but that he had a duty to disclose to the public how the drug problem had become so pervasive.

"There is no due process in my mouth," Duterte said. "You can't stop me and I'm not afraid even if you say that I can end up in jail."

The list of names, which Duterte said included some friends, has been validated by authorities but did not contain details of the officials' alleged involvement to the drug trade or offer any evidence. Some names were incomplete, while others had no rank or government position.

They included eight judges, one of whom was reported to have been killed by a gunman in 2008, as well as five retired and current generals. The rest were mostly town mayors and police officers. One retired general, Vicente Loot, has been previously named in public by Duterte and has denied any wrongdoing.

"It's a pandemic," said Duterte, a former mayor of Davao, where he built a reputation for his crime-busting style that allegedly involved extrajudicial killings.

Duterte's latest salvo ups the ante in his war on drugs, which has already left more than 400 suspected dealers and pushers dead and more than 4,400 arrested in more than a month since he took office. Nearly 600,000 people have surrendered to authorities, hoping to avoid getting killed.

The crackdown has been one of the biggest and bloodiest in the Philippines' recent history and has alarmed human rights groups and the dominant Roman Catholic Church. But Duterte has dismissed their concerns and has openly threatened to kill crime suspects, assuring law enforcers that he would defend them if they face lawsuits while battling criminality.

Church leader Archbishop Socrates Villegas issued a statement, read in churches Sunday in his northern district, expressing deep concerns over the killings of drugs suspects and lamenting a lack of widespread outrage over the deaths.

"Is not humanity going down to the dregs when bloodthirsty humans encourage the killers and ask for more blood?" Villegas said. "Will you kill me again and again on social media for saying this?"

Vice President Leni Robredo, who is on a trip to the US, said media can do a lot to help raise awareness on the need to stop the killings.

"There have been a few voices already out there against extrajudicial killings, but I think that public outcry is not there yet," Robredo said. "I think all of us should do our share in making sure that this has to stop."

Duterte also attended the wake of four soldiers who were killed in two clashes with communist rebels last week in the gold-mining town of Monkayo in southern Compostela Valley. Three of the soldiers were killed by a land mine blast, the military said.

Duterte criticized the rebels for using land mines, which have also killed civilians. He warned that if anyone else dies from a rebel land mine attack, he would call off peace talks that are scheduled to start Aug. 20 in Norway.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Nadirah H. Rodzi (The Star/ANN) Petaling Jaya, Malaysia  Mon, August 8, 2016

Three people  including a pregnant woman  were killed when they were thrown out of a car in a horrific crash in Taman Puchong Utama, Selangor, Malaysia.

Indonesians Ning Tiyas and Lancy, as well as Nings Malaysian husband, known only as Azni, 42, died when their car crashed into a billboard and plunged into a monsoon drain.

It is believed that the driver lost control of the vehicle while travelling to a kenduri in Taman Equine, Serdang. Ning was six months pregnant.

The car, horribly mangled by the force of the collision, was found at the bottom of the 4 meters-deep drain.

Their friend, known only as Alfin, 34, said Lancy had been visiting Malaysia and was supposed to return to Indonesia Monday.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant operations director Mohd Sani Harul said its personnel arrived at the scene to find the bodies of the victims scattered.

The bodies were thrown out of the vehicle. One of the bodies was retrieved several meters away from where the car was found.

The victim might have been dragged by the water in the drain, he said.

A medical team from the Serdang Hospital pronounced the victims dead, said Mohd Sani, adding that the department was called to remove the bodies at around 10.05 a.m.

Confirming the incident, Subang Jaya deputy OCPD Supt Lee Swee Meng said the women were aged 21 and 20.

The bodies were sent to the Serdang Hospital for post-mortem. The case is being investigated for reckless driving.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Khanathit Srihirundaj (The Nation/ANN) Bangkok  Mon, August 8, 2016

A political activist is facing three charges for tearing up his ballot at a polling booth in Bangkok.

Piyarat Chongthep, 25, walked into the polling booth in the capitals Bang Na district in a T-shirt emblazoned with the words No Coup. After receiving the ballot, he shouted Doom the Dictatorship, Thrive the Democracy! and tore his ballot into two pieces.

He was then arrested and sent to Bang Na Police Station.

Piyarat said he tore the ballot up because he disagreed with the referendum process.

I hope my action will go down in history as a record about the illegitimacy of this charter draft, he said.

Piyarat also announced in a written statement that he was not insane and said he was ready to take responsibility for what he did.

I will go to court to underline the abuse of power, he said, criticizing how authorities have taken action against many people for their critical comments on the charter draft.

Piyarat, president of the For Friends Association, is charged with violating the public referendum law, causing property damage, and destroying state documents.

If convicted of the first charge, he could face up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to 20,000 baht (US$568). The second charge carries a punishment of up to three years jail and/or a fine of up to 60,000 baht. The third charge, meanwhile, is punishable by up to five years in jail and/or a fine of 10,000 baht.

Election Commission member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said Piyarats action was reminiscent of a university lecturer tearing up his ballot during an election a number of years ago.

When the university lecturers case went to the Supreme Court, he received a guilty verdict, Somchai said.

He said the university lecturer got a suspended jail term, lost his electoral rights for five years, plus a fine of 2,000 baht.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Christopher Bodeen (Associated Press) Beijing  Mon, August 8, 2016

A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential gas and oil reserves:

US NAVY VISITS QINGDAO IN FIRST PORT CALL SINCE ARBITRATION PANEL'S RULING

A US Navy guided missile destroyer arrived in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao on Monday in the first visit by an American warship to the country since Beijing responded angrily to an arbitration panel's ruling that its expansive South China Sea maritime claims had no basis in law.

Arriving in the home port of China's northern fleet, the USS Benfold held a signal exercise with the Chinese navy. Cmdr. Justin L. Harts said the visit aimed to "build relationships" with counterparts from China, but referred questions on tensions in the South China Sea to Pacific Command in Hawaii.

China rejected last month's ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration in a case initiated by the Philippines and has criticized the US as encouraging Manila's actions.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the US, Japan and Australia were "fanning the flames" of regional tensions after they released a joint statement urging China not to construct military outposts or reclaim land in the disputed waters.

FORMER PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT FIDEL RAMOS TO HOLD TALKS IN HONG KONG

Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos flew to Hong Kong on Monday for talks with long-standing contacts after being asked by current President Rodrigo Duterte to travel to China and start discussions on the South China Sea.

He told reporters before his departure that he hoped to bring an improvement in frosty relations between Manila and Beijing, but did not say who he would meet or what they would discuss apart from "peace, harmony and goodwill between China and the Philippines."

The 88-year-old former leader said his trip "is part of my lifelong commitment to help achieve sustainable development and enduring peace."

Duterte has said he wants better ties with Beijing and has already talked about his desire for Chinese-financed railways.

CHINA SAYS ITS MILITARY AIRCRAFT CONDUCTED SOUTH CHINA SEA PATROLS

China's air force said Saturday it had conducted a combat air patrol over disputed areas of the South China Sea to improve its fighting ability.

The air force didn't say when the exercises took place, but after the July 12 arbitration ruling, the air force had said such patrols would be "a regular practice."

Air force spokesman Senior Col. Shen Jinke said in an online statement that bombers and fighters, early warning aircraft and reconnaissance planes patrolled the airspace around the Spratly Islands, Scarborough Shoal and surrounding areas.

MARINE ARCHAEOLOGIST REPORTS CHINESE COAST GUARD HARASSMENT

An Australian amateur marine archaeologist says the Chinese coast guard harassed him and his team while they were diving to a shipwreck off Borneo.

Farmer Hans Berekoven told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that while the Chinese ship did not directly intervene, it clearly was trying to make them leave.

"They were trying to push us out. When we arrived there and started diving, they would up-anchor and sort of circle around us, sometimes really close. It was a sort of gentle intimidation," Berekoven said.

The report said the location was the Luconia Breakers, a cluster of shoals and a tiny island about 84 nautical miles (135 kilometers) north of Borneo that lies inside Malaysia's exclusive economic zone. China also claims the area within its nine-dash maritime border that the Hague arbitration panel ruled invalid.

Berekoven also said the Chinese ship was causing major damage to the coral reef near where it was anchored.

"She's got a massive anchor chain. Every time the wind changes or the current changes that big anchor chain is just making a hell of a mess of that reef," he said.

Other reports of harassment appear to show China's determination to monopolize marine archaeology in the South China Sea, which is littered with the wrecks of ships of all nationalities. China has used archaeological finds to support its claim to have mapped and named the sea's features from ancient times and therefore to have a historical right to sovereignty.
JDS Development Group faces a lawsuit from Little Cherry, another real estate firm, after it announces plan for a one-thousand foot tower in the Two Bridges area. [Crains]

Community groups say Slate Property Group should not have been rewarded for its bad behavior in the Rivington House transaction with a much bigger prize: the Bedford-Union Armory development deal. [Crains]

There were more legal skirmishes last week in the battle over whether Sheldon Silver should stay free while his appeals are pending. [Wall Street Journal]

Firefighters had to rescue a drunk 27-year-old man from an Allen Street building after he decided it would be a good idea to slide down the chimney. [Daily News]

The Times abandons what was left of its commitment to New York news coverage, retooling the Metro section for a global audience. [New York Times]

What the kids are wearing downtown. A slide show from Division and Ludlow streets, where the hip grit of the Lower East Side and the vibrant flare of Chinatown meet. [New York Times]
At least 42 people have been killed as a bomb exploded at the main gate of a government-run hospital in south-western Pakistan, police said.

Senior police official Zahoor Ahmed Afridi said dozens of other people were injured in the blast in the city of Quetta today.

No-one has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

(Arshad Butt/AP)

Afridi said the bomb went off shortly after the body of a prominent lawyer who was shot dead earlier in the day was taken to the hospital.

Sanaullah Zehri, the chief minister in Baluchistan province, of which Quetta is the capital, said it seemed to be a suicide attack but police are still investigating.

It was also unknown who was behind the killing of the lawyer, Bilal Kasi, who was gunned down on his way to court.

Pakistans prime minister denounced the hospital bombing.

(Arshad Butt/AP)

Nawaz Sharif issued a statement expressing his deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives.

He instructed local authorities in Baluchistan province to maintain utmost vigilance and to increase security. He also asked health workers to provide the best treatment possible to those injured in the attack.

Sharif added that no-one will be allowed to disturb the peace which countless sacrifices by the security forces, police and the people of Baluchistan have worked so hard to restore.
Humans have used up the Earths budget of natural resources for the year in less than eight months, environmental campaigners warn.

People are putting more carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere than the forests and oceans can absorb, and catching fish and cutting down forests more quickly than nature can replenish them.

As a result, the world has reached earth overshoot day, the point in the year when humans have exhausted annual supplies such as land, trees and fish, and outstripped Earths capacity to absorb greenhouse gases.

The problem is worsening, with the planet sliding into ecological debt earlier and earlier.

Environmental campaigners say carbon emissions are the biggest contributor to the overshoot (Ajit Solanki/AP)

The day on which the world has used up all the natural resources available for the year has shifted, from late September in 2000 to August 8 in this year.

But the rate Earth overshoot day is creeping up the calendar has slowed in the past few years, according to the Global Footprint Network, the organisation behind the measurement.

Carbon emissions are the largest contributor to the overshoot, with the greenhouse gas now making up 60% of humanitys demand on nature, or the ecological footprint.

To meet goals to tackle climate change agreed at United Nations talks in Paris in December, the worlds carbon footprint must fall to zero by the second half of the century.

Campaigners also warn we have used up our annual supply of trees (AP)

Meeting the goals will require a new way of living on the planet, the Global Footprint Network said.

Mathis Wackernagel, co-founder and chief executive of the organisation, said: Such a new way of living comes with many advantages, and making it happen takes effort.

The good news is that it is possible with current technology, and financially advantageous with overall benefits exceeding costs.

It will stimulate emerging sectors like renewable energy, while reducing risks and costs associated with the impact of climate change on inadequate infrastructure. The only thing we need more of is political will.

We are also expected to run out of fossil-fuels such as coal and petroleum in the near future (Yui Mok/PA)

The organisation said some countries were already embracing the challenge, pointing to Costa Rica, which generated 97% of its electricity from renewable sources in the first three months of this year.

The UK, Germany and Portugal are also setting new records for renewables, while Chinas government has outlined a plan to reduce its citizens meat consumption by 50%, which could cut the emissions from the livestock industry by a billion tonnes by 2030.

In the UK, solar outperformed coal over the course of a month for the second month on record in July, while overall renewables contributed a quarter of the countrys electricity generation in 2015.

The Global Footprint Network is also urging individuals to take action to live more sustainable lives.
A Ukip leadership candidate is calling for the Muslim veil to be banned in public buildings, shopping centres and on buses and trains.

It is also expected that Lisa Duffy will demand the closure of Islamic faith schools until the problem of Islamist terrorism is dealt with, as well as a complete and comprehensive ban on sharia courts in the UK.

In a speech in London, Duffy will say her proposals are designed to foster integration, arguing that Muslims who were born in this country are as British as I am and I simply want them to feel as British as I do.

Lisa Duffy launching her leadership bid last month (Steve Parsons/PA)

But a rival in the race to succeed Nigel Farage will warn Ukip against focusing its efforts on issues like Islam, warning it risks being seen as small-minded if it chases the bigot vote.

Launching his own leadership campaign in Manchester, Ukip MEP Bill Etheridge is predicted to say: I am proposing that as a party we focus on our policies, cementing libertarianism into our DNA.

That means not focusing on small issues like Islam which makes us look small-minded  Im not chasing the bigot vote.

Duffy  who is backed by high-profile former Ukip spokeswoman Suzanne Evans  will say she wants to set out a path of opportunity for young Muslim women who were told by men what they should wear, what leisure activities they should pursue and even who they should marry.

Why should I, as a white, Christian woman, effectively enjoy greater civil and human rights and freedoms than others? the Huntingdonshire district councillor will ask. My ambition is that everyone, from every community, should be able to enjoy the same rights and have the same independent control over their lives and their bodies as I do.

Bill Etheridge is backed by Nigel Farage (PA)

She will describe the veil as a symbol of aggressive separatism that can only foster extremism and will claim that it is often forced on women by men who view them as their property.

While stopping short of a complete ban on the veil, Duffy said that under her leadership, Ukip would advocate a show your face in public policy.

On our public transport networks, in public buildings, banks, stores and shopping precincts  all those places where teenagers are told to take their hoodies down and where motorcyclists are expected to remove their helmets  it is only reasonable to expect everyone to show their faces, she will say.

Again, it is about making sure there is one law for all, rather than making an exception for a community because we are frightened of causing offence. There is no offence to be taken if all are treated equally.

Duffy will say the rule should apply just as much to the retinues accompanying Middle Eastern princes to London as it will to Muslim women living in Britain and that it should not be regarded as Islamophobic for someone to politely request a woman to remove a veil in public.

Farages replacement will be announced in September (Geoffroy Van der Hasselt/AP)

I have a positive vision for British Islam where girls can grow up with equal rights to men and be given the rights of self-determination the rest of us take for granted, she is expected to say.

Meanwhile, Etheridge will position himself as the unity candidate in a contest taking place amid increasingly vitriolic disputes between supporters of Farage and backers of the partys only MP Douglas Carswell.

At his campaign launch, the Dudley borough councillor is expected to say: I do not want the party to scurry to the centre and abandon the values we as a party are supposed to promote, like a small state, low taxes and individual liberties. It is our difference which is our strength.

Duffy and Etheridge are among a field of six candidates on the ballot paper in a race from which early favourites like Evans and Steven Woolfe have been excluded. The victor will be announced at Ukips annual conference in Bournemouth on September 15.
On Friday 5th August, Black Lives Matter UK  or BLM UK  activists protested across different parts of the nation. Some chained themselves to the roads in areas such as Nottingham and on the M4 leading up Heathrow airport, grinding traffic to a complete halt in the latter area for about 25 minutes. Police were called to the scene at 8.25am after complaints of traffic congestion and a number of protestors were reportedly arrested across the sites where the demonstrations took place.

These were timed; they took place on what wouldve been the fifth anniversary of North Londoner Mark Duggans shooting at the hands of the police  for which no conviction was made; an inquest jury decided that he was lawfully killed. There was an additional aim to commemorate four other Tottenham residents who were killed as a result of encounters with the police since 1985: Cynthia Jarrett, Joy Gardner, Roger Slyvester & Jermain Baker.

The BLM UK activists outlined the reason for this nationwide shut down: to mourn those who have died in custody and to protest the on-going racist violence of the police, border enforcement, structural inequalities and the everyday indignity of street racism.

This shutdown has helped to formalise the presence of BLM UK. People sat up and took notice of the protests, whether or not they were in sympathy with them. A media frenzy ensued, causing an unquestionable impact upon mass conversation.

All great change comes about through this initial step  discussion. There has been previous, albeit marginalised, kitchen-table and online talk of such a movement being needed in the UK, for the purpose of peacefully combating racial inequalities that take place in our own backyard. It only gained real traction yesterday when such talk surpassed the boundaries of social media and into the real world. It then became official: BLM UK have developed a real presence and theres a chance that their agenda will be about more than just about standing in solidarity with the US; theres work to do here, after all. Whether or not it is a flash in the pan/temporary hype, remains to be seen.

Heathrow airport is the busiest in the UK and sixth busiest in the world. When protestors used their bodies to block the road, the plans of many holidaymakers and commuters were disrupted; while this was unfortunate for them, the often-covert racism that thrives in the United Kingdom is a huge inconvenience for the average black person and these protests demonstrated this perfectly. Recent statistics released by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has shown that Black graduates are more than twice as likely to be unemployed. TUC has also found that Black workers with degrees are being paid 25% less than white colleagues, prompting the Unions general secretary Frances O'Grady to conclude that: "Race still plays a huge role in determining pay. Black people are three times more likely to be excluded from school and are twice as likely to die in police custody. They are stopped and searched at just over 3 times the rate of white people. According to a previous Healthcare Commission census, black people were 44 times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health act than their white counterparts.

Fridays protests were about economic disruption and general unease. They were a comparison, on a lesser scale, to the inconveniences of wasted time, money, opportunities and dignity that Black people suffer through institutionalised racism, state sanctioned slayings, the futility of the IPCC, CPS and the inquest system. The shut down of major transport hubs was a declaration against avenues of justice being inaccessible to blacks in the justice system. To the open minded, the concept of Fridays campaigns is rather easy to grasp. For those who were hacked off  that was the point.

With all of this said, my post-protest thoughts are as follows:

*Now that BLM UK have lay down in the road and demonstrated their ethos, what will be the next move? I am interested to see how will they go about influencing real systematic changes that will lead to not just equality, but equity for black people in the UK. If the group does not make a palpable, peaceful and powerful follow up then this protest would have been pointless.

*Is BLM UK about black lives  as it says on the tin? In the protests promotional clip (above), reference is made to 3,034 black and brown bodies drowned in the Mediterranean in 2016, "fleeing conflict Britain is responsible for. The lumping together of black and brown  Afro-Caribbean and Asian  toes a dangerous line. Not only does it reinforce the they all look the same/similar, so are rhetoric, which is a legacy of racist, colonialist perspective, it also suggests that BLM UK are attempting to repackage 70s-80s politics which implied that black was simply a case of being 'non white'. Look up Southall Black Sisters, for a bit of context.

If the activists behind this movement feel so strongly about this item on their agenda, then they need to change the groups name altogether and avoid this potential confusion and conflict of interests. It is an oxymoron, in the context of a movement that is deemed to protect the interests of black people.

*Does the aforementioned reference mean that the movement aims to protect the interests of immigrants, Asian people, black lives from within and outside of the UK? If so, then this is too extensive and too soon; the movement would need to be more precise, controlled and build from the inside-out. Unfortunately, not everyone can be saved at the same time.

*The aforementioned clip also draws reference to 1,562 deaths in police custody  this figure (which is actually a bit more, according to official statistics) refers to all deaths which took place within police custody or following contact with the police in England & Wales from 1990-date, and not just black deaths. Again, this calls into question the agenda of BLM UK. Is this group about black lives or all lives? Neither is wrong per se, but clarity is needed.

*Judging from the same clip and the group's general media exposition, BLM UK strikes me as more middle class than anything else and, so far, the people at the forefront have not been representative enough of the group it claims to advocate. I just don't see the black road men, old people, rastas, muslims, chavs. Why, I even see a lot more women on the front line than men, which often seems to be the case in black protests. There are a number of different groups within the black community and I hope that BLM UK's membership becomes more wide-ranging in the long run. It is still early days but this will help to solidify its effectiveness. It was good to see a lot of white protestors, though!

The fruits remain to be seen, but there are more than a few indications that BLM UK can yield a positive and lasting impact on race relations in Britain. Such a movement is most definitely needed.
Christopher Biggins has been prematurely evicted from the CBB house following a slew of bisexual slurs and misguided remarks about the Holocaust to fellow contestant Katie Waissel. The 67-year-old actor claims to have tearfully apologised to Waissel for his unacceptable comments, which included a warning to be careful or they'll be putting you in a shower and taking you to a room. However, a question mark still hangs over his representation of the bisexual community and his recent accusation that AIDS was a bisexual disease.

While attempts have been made to minimise offense caused (Biggins has since claimed to have many bisexual friends, that old chestnut!), many remain outraged by his remarks. The controversy began with a casual conversation with contestant Renee Graziano about the LGBTQ community, in which Biggins argued that bisexuals are the "worst type" for "not wanting to admit they are gay."

Such comments echo widely held assumptions that bisexuality is a stepping stone on the path to accepting your homosexuality or, conversely, that bisexuality is a phase of experimentation before running back into the open arms of heterosexuality. Ignorance about bisexuality is still sadly commonplace and despite the many leaps and strides made for LGBTQ rights, it remains a largely misunderstood and ignored orientation in discussion and cultural representation.

Take, for example, how Orange Is the New Black, a series which is celebrated for its diversity of characters and stories, still tentatively dances around its protagonists bisexuality and Piper Chapman herself never fully embraces her identity, choosing instead to awkwardly shuffle around the term. This reluctance to proclaim ones bisexuality is common: a recent Workplace Equality Index survey found that bisexual men and women are seven times more likely to disguise their sexual orientation at work. Alongside long-standing bisexual erasure, the stigma and confusion surrounding bisexuality still runs rampant in both heterosexual and LGBTQ communities, with many admitting reluctance and anxiety about dating bisexual men or women due to fears of cheating or insecurities about polysexual identities.

The most common misrepresentation of all is the pervasive myth of the promiscuous bisexual. This was certainly evoked in Bigginss most recent rant, in which he blamed the spread of HIV on bisexuals who "went to those [third world] countries and had sex with those people and brought it back to America." What is particularly upsetting about Biggins referring to HIV as a "bisexual disease" is the fact that this stereotyping and apportioning of blame was utilised against the gay community in the 1980s and sadly still continues today. These stereotypes are all too familiar territory; in the case of bisexuals, it is assumed that if you are attracted to two or more genders, you are predisposed to a life of promiscuity and unsafe sex. There are so many problems with this stereotype, its hard to begin.

Firstly, having multiple consenting sexual partners and treating all parties involved with respect is not a negative thing. Monogamy in and of itself is not a virtue. If bisexuals choose to have multiple partners or practise polyamory, this is not harmful, taking for granted of course that the sex is both consensual and safe. Secondly, not all members of a community are the same: there are bisexuals who are polyamorous, there are bisexuals who have had many sexual partners, and at the same time there are bisexuals who are fiercely monogamous and who have had a small number of sexual partners. Communities are diverse and this is something to be celebrated and embraced. One simplified stereotype cannot adequately encapsulate a large group of people with different opinions, lifestyles and personalities.

So, in the aftermath of the untimely eviction of Christopher Biggins and his calamitous comments, lets take this controversy as an opportunity to talk openly and educate those who still maintain confusion about bisexuality. Ultimately, the best weapon against biphobia and bisexual erasure is discussion, so lets speak loudly, proudly and openly.
Tentang Situs Slot Online Resmi MGS88 Nama Situs  MGS88 Minimal Deposit  Rp. 10.000,- (Sepuluh Ribu Rupiah) Proses Deposit   2 Menit Metode Deposit  Bank Transfer,  Pulsa,  E-Wallet Judi Online Terbaik  Slot Online,  Judi Bola,  Casino Online,  Togel Online,  Tembak Ikan Provider Slot Gacor Mudah Maxwin  Pragmatic Play,  PGSoft,  MicroGaming,  Habanero Slot Gacor Gampang Menang  Gates of Olympus,  Sweet Bonanza,  Wild West Gold,  Starlight Princess Win Rate 98%

RTP Live Slot Gacor Tertinggi Hari Ini Terbaru Terlengkap

Selamat datang di halaman RTP live dan informasi soal slot gacor hari ini dari situs MGS88 yang setiap hari selalu update. Berdasarkan RTP Live MGS88, Anda bisa mendapatkan informasi tentang slot online yang saat ini yang sedang Gacor atau onfire dengan persentase yang terbukti akurat, ini bisa menjadi rekomendasi anda sebelum memilih permainan slot online di situs MGS88. Cek RTP Slot sekarang juga bosku

Klik Provider Slot Untuk Mengetahui RTP Slot Secara Real Time

Selamat datang bagi kalian yang sedang mencari situs RTP Live terlengkap dan terkini hari ini. Sangat sesuai jika Anda mengunjungi website MGS88 RTP live untuk informasi tentang permainan slot yang lagi gacor dengan slot RTP yang terupdate. Persentase kemenangan yang kami berikan tentunya diambil dengan data yang sangat valid dan hanya untuk permainan slot yang tersedia di situs MGS88. RTP yang tersedia juga akan selalu diperbarui setiap hari berdasarkan level kemenangan yang diberikan kepada member kami.

Memang sih untuk bermain slot itu tergantung hoki dari setiap pemain, Namun RTP live atau bocoran slot dari yang kami sediakan ini adalah data autentik dari banyaknya pemain yang telah bermain dan mencapai kemenangan tinggi. Sederhananya, kalau banyak pemain yang menang di dalam 1 permainan slot, karena itu permainan slot tersebut akan mempunyai persentase RTP yang sangat tinggi.

Namun kami tegaskan sekali lagi, ini bukan sebuah paksaan kami situs MGS88 untuk anda bermain di game slot yang mana. Ini bisa dijadikan sebagai referensi atau tolok ukur, boleh dicoba kalau anda mempunyai feel yang kuat dalam memainkan permainan game slot. Anda dapat mengakses kapan saja dan di mana saja selama anda siap bermain. Jangan ragu untuk bertanya ya seputar pola putaran terhadap kami, sebab kami juga menyediakannya loh.

Apa itu RTP Live?

RTP Live ialah informasi mengenai persentase tertinggi saat ini dari hasil RTP Live dengan bocoran kemenangan pemain saat ini. RTP Live merupakan singkatan dari Return To Play atau bisa juga diartikan sebagai Return to Player. Karena itu, para pemain slot sekarang jika ingin mengetahui seberapa besar kemenangannya, bisa dengan memainkan permainan yang akan dimainkannya dan bisa untung dengan mudah dan tentunya maksimal.

Apa itu RTP Slot?

RTP Slot juga dikenal sebagai return to player atau pengembalian ke Pemain. RTP slot ialah persentase dari nilai pengembalian semua uang yang dipertaruhkan pemain dari waktu ke waktu. Dengan kata lain, RTP juga dianggap sebagai salah satu fitur slot yang mengembalikan uang pemain saat pemain kalah.

Persentase digunakan untuk menghitung RTP dalam permainan slot. Misalnya, jika slot memiliki RTP 97%, itu berarti untuk setiap 100.000 koin yang hilang di slot, slot dapat mengembalikan 97.000. Jika Anda mengetahui RTP sebuah permainan slot, Anda dapat memutuskan permainan slot mana yang akan dimainkan tanpa kerugian besar.

Apakah Angka Persentase RTP Slot Itu Penting?

Biasanya pemain slot itu tidak memperhatikan RTP dalam permainan yang akan dimainkan, biasanya setelah anda mengisi saldo utama anda akan langsung buru-buru memainkannya. Yang terakhir 90-96% mempengaruhi jumlah kemenangan. Semakin tinggi jumlah RTP yang digunakan, semakin luas peluang untuk mendapatkan keuntungan.

Akan namun itu segala tak secara 100% menjamin kemenangan kau dalam bermain, RTP itu cuma sebagai kalkulasi pengeluaran anda saja selama bermain slot.Dengan adanya RTP, kau dapat mengerjakan pengaturan atas uang yang akan kau pertaruhkan nanti pada ketika bermain.Untuk itu pada ketika kau bermain slot dan telah mengalami banyak kekalahan di satu permainan, direkomendasikan kau pindah ke permainan slot lainnya yang RTP nya lebih tinggi dari permainan yang tadi kau mainkan.

Keuntungan Menggunakan Bocoran RTP Slot Hari Ini

Situs MGS88 Akan dengan senang hati akan beberapa keuntungan yang didapatkan jika anda bermain slot dengan menggunakan RTP Live yang telah disediakan. Berikut Keuntungannya :

Peluang Kemenangan Meningkat Tentu saja, saat bermain slot online, menang adalah hal yang paling penting. Di sinilah RTP berperan sebagai metode atau metode baru yang akan membantu Anda memilih permainan slot persentase tinggi. Mendapat variasi dalam Memainkan Game Slot Pastinya banyak pemain slot online yang hanya memainkan 3-5 permainan slot saja. Namun dengan RTP Live slot akan memberikan banyak game slot lain yang bisa anda coba. Tentunya semua permainan slot memiliki potensi kemenangan yang besar, jadi jangan hanya mengandalkan beberapa permainan saja. Menambah Pengalaman Dalam Bermain Slot Keuntungan terakhir adalah Anda tentu saja menambah pengalaman dan keahlian dalam permainan slot online. Dengan berbagai macam permainan slot yang dimainkan, Anda pasti mengetahui karakteristik dari setiap permainan slot yang Anda mainkan. Akibatnya, Anda pasti bisa dianggap sebagai pemain slot yang andal, yang pasti akan meningkatkan peluang Anda untuk menang besar menggunakan RTP.

Daftar 8 Situs Dengan RTP Slot Live Tertinggi Hari Ini

Ada banyak penyedia mesin slot online di internet. Tetapi tidak semuanya memiliki peluang tinggi atau RTP Live Slot yang sangat tinggi. Tapi jangan khawatir, berikut ini adalah situs slot gacor yang akan memberikan bocoran slot dengan RTP Live Tertinggi:

RTP Live Slot Pragmatic Play (RTP Slot 97.85%) RTP Live Slot PG Soft (RTP Live 96.15%) RTP Live Slot Habanero (RTP Slot 95.89%) RTP Live Slot CQ9 (RTP Live 98.83%) RTP Live Slot Spade Gaming (RTP Live 94.99%) RTP Live Slot Micro Gaming (RTP Slot 95.39%) RTP Slot Live Top Trend Gaming (RTP Live 96.14%) RTP Slot Live JOKER123 (RTP Live 97.45%)

Itulah Daftar 8 Provider Slot Gacor dengan RTP Live teratas diatas tentunya kami analisa terlebih dahulu. Anda bisa membuktikannya langsung dengan mengklik banner atau meprovider game slot yang sudah tersedia di atas. Saran kami yaitu Anda harus memainkan semua penyedia slot di atas untuk mencapai peluang kemenangan terbaik.

Daftar Slot RTP Live Tertinggi Sering Kasih Jackpot

Selain mempertimbangkan RTP Slot Gacor yang ada, sebenarnya ada banyak faktor penting untuk menang dalam permainan judi online. Sebab ada banyak game yang memiliki fitur dan mekanisme unik dan bisa membantu anda meraih Jackpot yang sangat besar.

Berikut ini akan kami ulas daftar 5 game slot paling populer karena sering memberikan jackpot:

RTP Live Gates of Olympus Gates of Olympus adalah game slot teraneh dan terbaik di Indonesia. Karena permainan mesin slot ini paling populer karena kakek Zeus dapat mengizinkan pengganda x500. Selain itu, fitur dan mekanik Gates of Olympus juga sangat menguntungkan untuk memenangkan Grand Jackpot. Secara teoritis, RTP slot langsung Gates of Olympus bernilai 96,50%, yang berarti peluang Anda untuk memenangkan MaxWin cukup tinggi. RTP live Sweet Bonanza Sweet Bonanza adalah permainan slot terpopuler kedua. Game slot bertema buah dan permen yang lezat ini sepertinya akan menarik banyak perhatian karena tergolong slot gacor yang mudah menang. Secara teoritis, slot Sweet Bonanza RTP bernilai 96,48%, yang berarti peluang Anda cukup tinggi untuk memenangkan jackpot. RTP Live Wild West Gold Wild West Gold adalah permainan slot bertema koboi yang juga populer di kalangan penggemar konspirasi. Permainan slot Wild West Gold sendiri kerap menawarkan kejutan jackpot bagi para pemainnya. Selain itu, nilai RTP Live Slot menunjukkan indeks tertinggi hari ini, yang berarti sangat layak dan sangat direkomendasikan. RTP Live Starlight Princess Slot Starlight Princess ini memiliki gaya dan fitur yang mirip dengan Gates of Olympus. Perbedaannya hanya pada desain dan karakter gamenya saja, karena memiliki fitur dan mekanik yang sama tentunya RTP slot teoritis pada game slot ini sama yaitu 96,50%. RTP Live Cash Elevator Mungkin sebagian dari Anda baru mengenal slot Cash Elevator. Namun dari data benchmark yang diungkap, ternyata banyak sekali yang menikmati permainan slot ini. Dengan fitur dan mekanisme unik seperti Lift up and down asli, slot ini juga memiliki slot RTP Live dasar 96,64% yang juga memiliki mekanisme yang sangat menguntungkan untuk memperlancar tingkat kemenangan besar.

Bocoran Jam Main Slot Gacor Hari Ini

Dalam bermain permainan slot online itu tidak bisa dilakukan dengan sembarangan yah. Jadi, Jika anda bermain pada waktu tertentu seperti yang akan kita bahas sesaat lagi, ada kemungkinan anda untuk mendapatkan kemenangan lebih tinggi. Jam RTP Slot Gacor merupakan bocoran jam main slot yang akan memberikan anda kapan waktu yang pas dalam bermain game slot.

Tentu saja seluruh provider slot online memiliki jam tertentu dalam memberikan peluang kepada para pemainnya untuk mendapatkan kemenangan. Disini kami akan memberikan anda Bocoran Jam Slot Gacor yang Paling Akurat Hari ini:

Jam Slot Gacor Pragmatic Play 02:30 WIB - Jam 05:25 WIB Jam Slot Gacor Habanero 14:26 WIB - Jam 17:38 WIB Jam Slot Gacor CQ9 00:45 WIB - Jam 05:53 WIB Jam Slot Gacor PG SOFT 14:25 WIB - Jam 17:35 WIB Jam Slot Gacor Joker123 17:41 WIB - Jam 20:42 WIB Jam Slot Gacor Microgaming 22:30 WIB - Jam 00:35 WIB

MGS88: Situs Judi Slot Online Gacor Pay4D Resmi dan Terpercaya

MGS88 adalah situs game slot online Gacor terbaru yang bermitra dengan Pay4D, Pay4D sendiri merupakan daftar situs game slot online terpercaya dengan berbagai macam permainan judi yang mudah dimenangkan seperti Game Bola, Casino Online, Slot Pay4D, Tembak Ikan dan Pay4D Online Permainan togel seperti Singapura, Hongkong, Sydney dan lain-lain. Tujuan utama kami adalah menjadi situs judi online Pay4D yang menyediakan layanan judi online terbaik di Indonesia.

Kami juga salah satu situs resmi PAY4D di Indonesia yang pasti akan membayarkan semua kemenangan kepada semua member kami, karena kepercayaan dari semua member kami adalah prioritas utama kami sebagai mesin slot 4d Asia terbaik di Asia, khususnya di Indonesia.

Dalam melakukan sistem transaksi sistem simpanan dapat dilakukan dengan mudah melalui mobile banking dan electronic banking berupa bank BCA, BSI, BRI, BNI, Cimb Niaga, Permata dan Mandiri. Selain itu, transaksi e-wallet juga tersedia melalui Dana, Gopay, LinkAja dan Ovo serta dapat digunakan untuk pulsa tanpa dipotong.

Untuk mempermudah dan kenyamanan dalam melakukan registrasi atau melakukan setiap transaksi, MGS88 menyediakan layanan live chat dan Whatsapp terhubung langsung dengan customer service online 24 jam.

Mengenal Istilah Dalam RTP SLOT

Di slot RTP Live Anda akan melihat berbagai fitur yang mungkin tidak Anda pahami masing-masing. Namun jangan khawatir, disini sebagai situs slot gacor MGS88 kami akan memberikan penjelasan lengkap mengenai tentang istilah yang ada di RTP SLOT dibawah ini.
Mexico landslides leave 38 dead as new storm forms

MEXICO: Landslides triggered by Tropical Storm Earls remnants have killed at least 38 people in Mexico, officials said yesterday (Aug 7), as a new storm threatened the countrys Pacific coast.



By AFP

Monday 8 August 2016, 09:33AM

View of the community of Coscomatepec, Veracruz in eastern Mexico on Saturday (Aug 6). Photo: Eduardo Murillo/AFP

A total of 28 died in central Puebla state, at least 15 of them minors, as landslides buried several houses, the state government said.

The other 10 died in similar circumstances in the eastern state of Veracruz, its governor said.

In the town of Huauchinango, the amount of rain that normally falls in a month came pouring down in just 24 hours, the Puebla government said.

A hill crumbled and came sweeping down on an adjacent village, killing 11 people including eight minors, it said.

Several highways in Puebla were ripped up, two bridges collapsed and power was knocked out in several towns.

Governor Rafael Moreno Valle pledged to rebuild damaged structures and posted on Twitter photos of himself walking in mud and residents helping in clean up efforts.

Some 200 people were left homeless in Puebla by the torrential rains, while in Veracruz rivers swelled with rainwater and dozens of families were evacuated.

Earl swept in from the Caribbean at hurricane strength last Wednesday (Aug 3), striking just south of Belizes capital. It hit Mexico as a storm on Thursday (Aug 4)and eventually weakened to a tropical depression.

Yesterday, however, it was approaching Tropical Storm Javier that was sparking new warnings. It was expected to bring heavy rains and high winds to southwestern Mexico in the coming days, US weather forecasters said.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Centre said Javier was about 405 km southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

On the forecast track, the centre of the tropical cyclone should pass near or over the southwest coast of Mexico later today, and approach the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula on Monday, the centre said.

The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h with higher gusts and was expected to dump four to six inches of rain in western Mexico, it said.

Another tropical storm, Ivette, also was swirling in the eastern Pacific, but it was far from land and expected to weaken later in the day, according to the NHC.
Phuket referendum short turnout supports draft constitution, selected Senate

PHUKET: Little more than half of eligible voters in Phuket turned out to cast their ballots in the referendum yesterday (Aug 7), but those who did voted in support of the draft constitution and to allow the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to select all 250 members of the Senate, who will be able to vote with elected MPs to choose the prime minister.

politicsmilitary

By The Phuket News

Monday 8 August 2016, 11:39AM

All votes were counted and the results posted at Saphan Hin last night (Aug 7). Photo: PR Dept

According to unofficial results posted at Saphan Hin last night, only 150,326 of Phukets 274,407 eligible voters turned out to cast their votes in the referendum

The turnout of only 54.78 per cent was a huge shortfall on the 80% turnout hoped for, but only 3% short of the national average. (See story here.)

All votes cast for Phuket were counted last night, with 3,181 spoiled ballots reducing the number of countable votes 147,819. Of those, 88.03% agreed to introduce the draft constitution, and 85.59% agreed to allow the NCPO to select the entire Senate, who will be able to vote with elected MPs to choose the prime minister.

A total of 370 polling stations were set up throughout Phuket, with 209 in Phuket Town, 98 in Thalang and 63 in Kathu, as well as polling stations on islands within Phukets administrative jurisdiction, such as Koh Lone, Koh Maphrao and Naka Island.

The results posted by referendum officials at Saphan Hin were as follows:

Question 1

(Agree or disagree to introduce draft constitution)

Phuket City: Agree - 73,249; Disagree - 9,315.

Kathu: Agree - 16,082; Disagree - 2,655.

Thalang: Agree - 34,335; Disagree - 4,621.

Total votes cast in Phuket: Agree - 123,666; Disagree - 16,591.

Phuket votes cast from outside Phuket: Agree - 1,977; Disagree 490.

Total (all votes counted): Agree - 125,643; Disagree 17,081

Question 2

(Whether or not to allow the NCPO to select all 250 members of the Senate, who will be able to vote with elected MPs to choose the prime minister.)

Phuket City: Agree - 69,330; Disagree - 10,925.

Kathu: Agree - 15,192; Disagree - 3,189.

Thalang: Agree - 32,602; Disagree - 5,293.

Total votes cast in Phuket: Agree - 117,124; Disagree - 19,407.

Phuket votes cast from outside Phuket: Agree - 1,845; Disagree - 615.

Total (all votes counted): Agree - 118,969; Disagree - 20,022.

The results at this stage are unofficial as they have yet to be ratified.

Phuket Governor Chamreon Tipayapongthada this morning thanked all voters who took part in the referendum.

Thank you to everyone for coming up to vote on the constitutional referendum day, August 7, he said.
Yes camp overwhelms charter referendum

NATIONWIDE: The draft constitution cruised to an easy win yesterday (Aug 7) in the long-awaited referendum as supporters overwhelmed opponents in what was not the tight contest that had been predicted.

politics

By Bangkok Post

Monday 8 August 2016, 09:08AM

Unofficial result of the referendum on the draft charter. The Election Commission says the counting for yesterday (Aug 7) was frozen at 94%. Bangkok Post graphic

The unofficial result from the Election Commission (EC) with 94 per cent of the votes counted showed 15.56 million people backed the draft as opposed to 9.78 million who were against it.

The EC said the vote counting was frozen for yesterday. The counting will resume this morning (Aug 8).

The Yes camp accounted for 61.4% of the voter turn-out yesterday, while the No faction could garner only 38.6%.

But the support for the extra question on the ballot paper was slightly behind the draft, with 13.9 million people, or 58%, voting for it as against 10 million, or 42%, who rejected it.

The second question asked whether voters should allow the Senate to join the House of Representatives in selecting a prime minister.

Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, vice rector of Thammasat University, told Spring News TV that the result showed people are sending the message through their vote that they want to see corruption-free politics.

The statement by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ahead of the referendum that he would vote for the draft played a key role in building the momentum for voters, Mr Prinya added.

EC chairman Supachai Somcharoen said shortly after all polling units closed that the official result is expected on Wednesday (Aug 10), pending no complaints lodged to the election organising agency.

The EC expected 80% of 50.5 million eligible voters to come out to exercise their right in the referendum, but the turnout fell short as only 58% went to the polling stations.

EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn admitted the turnout target fell short because of several factors.

The unofficial result was in line with polls carried out before the referendum which showed most voters would cast ballots to support the draft.

Constitutional Drafting Committee chairman Meechai Ruchuphan thanked supporters for accepting the draft and said all voices in the referendum would not be ignored when the drafting of organic laws begins.

Read original story here.
City prepares budget for the next four years of capital improvements
We value your privacy.

Focus Taiwan (CNA) uses tracking technologies to provide better reading experiences, but it also respects readers' privacy. Click here to find out more about Focus Taiwan's privacy policy. When you close this window, it means you agree with this policy.
But the tribe has a long way to go
Kerala's Peace International School and at least 19 people in the state are under the scanner after a suspected woman recruit of Islamic State made some sensational claims during a police interrogation.

Last week, Yasmin Ahmad, a 28-year-old school teacher, was arrested at the Delhi airport, en route to Kabul, where she was to join her handler, Abdul Rashid.

According to media reports, Yasmin has revealed that at least 40 people were radicalised by Rashid, who reportedly runs terror operations for the IS from Afghanistan. Yasmin has claimed that Rashid held radicalisation sessions in Kasaragod in the guise of Quran classes. He allegedly used IS propaganda magazine Dabiq and other online materials to radicalise youth.

Based on Yasmin's information, police have launched an investigation into 19 persons, who allegedly attended the terror classes.

The new details have come in the backdrop of the terror investigation in connection with the 21 missing persons from the state. All the missing youths have suspected to have fled the country to join the IS.

Meanwhile, the Peace International School has also come under the scanner as most of the missing youths were connected to the school in various capacities.

Yasmin, meanwhile, was working as a teacher with the Peace International School in Malappuram, where she met Rashid. He was reportedly working as the public relations officer for the school then.

Rashid is the suspected mastermind behind the disappearance of the missing youths17 from Kasaragod and four from Palakkadin May and June.

Meanwhile, another 20-year-old youth has been reported missing under mysterious circumstances, triggering a police investigation. Abdullah, a native of Cheenapadi in Kasaragod, who went missing six months ago, is suspected to have joined the IS.
A school manager in Allahabad has been arrested after he declared a ban on singing the national anthem. With mounting pressure against the manager from political parties and public outrage, the manager, Zia-ul Haq, was arrested late evening on August 7, two days after he made the statement.

The manager of M. A. Convent School in Baghara, Allahabad, ordered students and teachers to not recite the national anthem for the upcoming Independence Day. In protest, seven teachers and the principal of the school resigned.

According to the teachers who quit, he had said that the words Bharata Bhagya Vidhatha was against his religion. He said, Only Allah can be the Bhagya Vidhata, which means the one who decides our destiny. How can we call Bharat our Bhagya Vidhata?

He also said, Muslims believe that the Almighty is the lord of everyone, including all Indians. Even the Supreme Court has said that a person is free to not sing the national anthem if any part of the anthem is against his or her religion."

According to reports, BJP's National Secretary Shrikant Sharma alleged that the school had banned the national anthem and 'Vande Mataram' for the past 12 years. He blamed a senior leader of the Samajwadi Party, led by Akhilesh Yadav, to have backed the school's anti-nationalism. A senior UP minister has ensured that no action is taken against the management. The SP government is giving protection not only to criminals and rapists but also to those who insult the nation and are anti-nationals. He added that this was part of the vote bank politics.

The school, with 300 students, is not a recognised institution, according to authorities. Allahabad's Basic Shiksha department had sent a legal notice to the school.

Zia-ul Haq has been charged under the Prevention of Insults to the National Honour Act, 1971, and also for running a school illegally.

In 1986, a school in Kerala expelled three students who refused to sing the national anthem, saying that they belonged to the Jehovah's Witness sect. In response to their parents' appeal, the Supreme Court ruled stating,there is no provision of law which obliges anyone to sing the national anthem nor is it disrespectful to the national anthem if a person who stands up respectfully when the national anthem is sung does not join the singing. It also said that the expulsion was a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of conscience and freely to profess, practise and propagate religion.

However, the Act also states that it is illegal to intentionally prevent or cause disturbance during the singing of the anthem, and offenders can be punished up to three years in jail along with a fine.
The North Block was buzzing with activity on Monday afternoon. In one of the rare occasions, both Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar along with MoS PMO Jitender Singh came together to meet with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in Delhi to discuss the security scenario in the Valley.

The need to bridge the gaps in security, undertake visible confidence-building measures and bringing the situation under control are some of the issues believed to have been addressed. The meeting was necessitated by clashes between civilians and the police and paramilitary forces, which left many injured, following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces early last month.

The chiefs of the central paramilitary forces, CRPF and BSF, were also present at the meeting, which took stock of the situation following protests over large scale pellet injuries among civilians in the clashes.

Security sources told THE WEEK that the threat from cross-border outfits in Pakistan who fuelled these agitations, was a matter of deep concern for the security top brass. Inputs had suggested that militants had played a role in instigating violence in the Valley after Wani's killing.

Sources said instances of firing had also come to the notice of the forces when the mob was indulging in stone pelting and targeting the security personnel deployed on the ground.

The ministry has already constituted a committee to suggest alternate methods to deal with mob violence.
Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday witnessed a hi-tech purloining. An electric device with a camera was installed near a smoke exhaust on the ceiling of the State Bank of Indias ATM at Althara junction in Vellayambalam. The hi-tech thieves who had installed the device captured bank card numbers and pins and withdrew money from an ATM in Mumbai on Sunday afternoon. Amounts ranging from Rs 7,000 to Rs 47,000 were reportedly withdrawn from the accounts of different people.

The police swung into action after they received complaints from more than 50 people, at Peroorkada, Museum and Vattiyoorkavu police stations. They said they had received alerts in their mobile phones after money was withdrawn from their accounts.

Said G. Sparjan Kumar, city police commissioner, to THE WEEK: The investigation is on. So far, we have not got any details. We are inspecting the device thoroughly. Once we get the technical details, we will contact agencies in Mumbai and track down these fraudsters.

The SBI branch office at Althara is situated on the floor above the ATM counter. Said Pratish M.B., the bank manager, to THE WEEK: We could not trace the device inside the ATM at the right time. The police investigation is on and it wont be appropriate for me to speak at this juncture. I am sure the police will do the needful.

The police are examining more ATMs in the city.

A Malayalam film, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, which released in 2009, had the hero, played by actor Prithviraj, enact the role of a thief who stole money from ATM counters using similar technology.

Said Sachidanandan, one of the screenwriters of the film, to THE WEEK: "We never thought at that point in time that such technology will be used in real life. Sad to know about it. In the film, the hero fixes an electromagnetic device inside the ATM counter which processes and tracks down the 16-digit number in an ATM card.

A case of the script going haywire.
Rubbing more salt into BSP chief Mayawati's wounds, former rebel leader Swami Prasad Maurya joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday. Maurya joined the BJP in Delhi in the presence of party national president Amit Shah, UP state head Keshav Prasad Maurya and other important BJP leaders.

For the past few days speculations had been rife that Maurya might join the saffron party after he went to Delhi and met a couple of prominent BJP leaders a few days ago.

The crucial political move by Maurya, who had been associated with the BSP for two decades, is likely to dent the party's vote bank.

On joining the BJP, Maurya said, BJP is a new home to me. There will be new things for me. I was in the BSP because it was formed by Kanshi Ram and he was influenced by Ambedkar's principles. But I left the party when I felt that Ambedkars mission was crumbling and the BSP had turned into a money-minting party rather than a political outfit."

Keshav Prasad Maurya said that Swami Prasad was being misused by his former party and now he would help BJP in dealing with the corrupt rule of the SP and the BSP in coming elections.

Maurya had openly revolted against Mayawati last month accusing her of selling poll-tickets to candidates and killing the principles of Ambedkar. His open accusations had hiked political temperature in the state prompting the BSP chief to expel him from the party.

However, his revolt had also forced Mayawati to change her election strategy for 2017. Soon after Mauryas expulsion from the BSP, the SP had tried to woo him in to its fold.

Maurya had been a cabinet minister thrice in the BSP regime and had held many important posts in the party including that of president and general secretary.

After quitting the BSP, he had last month formed an outfit, Loktantrik Bahujan Manch and held a massive rally in Lucknow.

With Maurya joining the BJP, around nine per cent of the vote share comprising members of his community may turn against Mayawati and it could work in the BJP's favour.
The Supreme Court on August 1 ruled that former chief ministers are not entitled to any government accommodation for lifetime. Many former chief ministers have been living in government bungalows, but there are others who do not take advantage of government resources and set austerity measures for themselves.

One of them is Manik Sarkar of Tripura, who is considered the poorest of all chief ministers in the country. The 67-year-old Marxist stalwart has less than Rs 40,000 in bank. I dont even have a house of my own, Sarkar told THE WEEK. And, what about former chief ministers in his state? In Tripura, we dont have the provision of giving government accommodation to former chief ministers. But, if a sitting chief minister doesnt have a house of his own, we provide him with one.

Sarkar said his immediate predecessors in office, Dasarath Deb and Nripen Chakraborty, lived in their own houses after laying down office.

Sometime ago, the family of our first chief minister, Sachindra Lal Singh, requested us to provide them a house in Agartala, as they were based in Delhi. But we simply refused, said Sarkar. My government is quite strict on such matters.

Former chief minister of Puducherry N. Rangasamy is considered to be a peoples leader. Said Rangasamy to THE WEEK: Even when I was chief minister, I lived in my own house. I follow a simple life. Rangasamy created a flutter some years ago when he went to the polling booth on his motorcycle, without any security. In fact, he used to ride around the Union territory on his Yamaha.

The Supreme Court ruling came on a petition filed by a Lucknow-based NGO, Lok Prahari, which challenged the validity of a rule that allowed allotment of residence to former chief ministers in Uttar Pradesh. Said S.N. Shukla, general secretary, Lok Prahari, to THE WEEK: It is the verdict of the Supreme Court. Former chief ministers have no option but to obey the order.

Among the former chief ministers in UP affected by the August 1 ruling of the Supreme Court are N.D. Tiwari and Ram Naresh Yadav of the Congress, Kalyan Singh and Rajnath Singh of the BJP, Mulayam Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Mayawati of the BSP. Tiwaris private secretary Akrosh Nigam told THE WEEK: Sir [Tiwari] is not keeping well. He is admitted in a hospital. We will follow the verdict of the court and do whatever is necessary. He said Tiwari stayed once in a while in his official bungalow in Lucknow.

The Supreme Court ruling will have a bearing on other states also.

Jharkhand, for instance, has five former chief ministersBabulal Marandi, Arjun Munda, Madhu Koda, Shibu Soren and Hemant Sorenwho have retained their government houses.

Said Madhu Koda to THE WEEK: I have come to know about the Supreme Court judgment through the media. Let a proper notice come to me from the concerned officials. I will thereafter decide if I need to vacate my government house in Ranchi.

In Kerala, former chief ministers are not given government accommodation. Said S.M. Vijayanand, chief secretary, Kerala, to THE WEEK: No chief minister in Kerala had asked for a government house after they resigned. It doesnt happen that way in Kerala. Here, chief ministers happily vacate their official bungalows and go to their native place.
The Pakistan Government has again encouraged terror leader Syed Salahuddin, the head of the Hizbul Mujahideen, to threaten war against India over the Kashmir issue, and this time, Salahuddin has threatened a nuclear attack on India.

Speaking to reporters in Karachi Salahuddin said there is a great chance of a nuclear war taking place between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.

Pakistan is duty bound, morally bound, politically bound and constitutionally bound to provide concrete, substantial support to the ongoing freedom struggle on the territory of Kashmir. And, if Pakistan provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between the two powers, he added.

He said three wars have already been fought between the two countries over the Kashmir issue, adding that he can predict a fourth war with certainty because Kashmiris are no longer willing to compromise under any circumstances.

Whether the world supports them or not; whether Pakistan stands by them or not; whether the United Nation performs its duty or not; they have taken a pledge to fight up to the last drop of their blood, he added.

Salahuddin warned that if the international community did not pay heed to the ongoing violence in Kashmir, Kashmiris from both sides of the divided valley would be forced to take things into their own hands.

If God forbid, the international community continues to cold shoulder and ignore this issue and Pakistans efforts are not fruitful, and India does not stop its atrocities, a big incident can occur. Our base camp in liberated Azad Kashmir and the Kashmiris from this side will announce the trampling of the Bloody Line (of Control), he said.

Salahuddin further stated that there would be no ceasefire line, no international rules and no consideration for the United Nations observers.

Bleeding Kashmiris will come from that side, these Kashmiris will go from this side, and God willing a decision will take place on the bloody line, he added.

He said the Kashmiri people have reached this conclusion that they have no second option except to go ahead with an armed struggle and an armed jihad.

Neither is the international community doing its duty, nor are the international organisations trying to stand by their resolutions, nor is the Modi government ready to give any leeway. So, what remains with Kashmiri suppressed, bleeding people? Nothing less than target-oriented armed struggle. God willing, all this is already present there, but a new dimension will enter it now, which will prove very dangerous for India, god willing, Salahuddin said.

He asserted that the movement was now gaining strength every day and night.

After the martyrdom of Burhan Muzaffar Wani, why did the entire state come out on to the streets against India? Actually Burhan is not the name of a person; it is the name of an ideology, a goal, the name of a dedication and a sentiment. At this point in time, the Indian troops are faced with Burhan in every street and lane. Every old person is Burhan, every child is Burhan, every young man is Burhan and every mother, daughter and sister is Burhan, he added.

Kashmir has been on the boil after security services on July 8 gunned down 22-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

Around 60 people have been killed and more than 5,000 wounded, including the security forces, since protests erupted in Kashmir after the killing of Wani.

Pakistan marked 'black day' earlier on July 20 to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people and condemn the violence.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on July 22 chaired a high-level meeting of the National Security Council in Islamabad to discuss regional security and termed the ongoing situation in Kashmir a violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

The meeting resolved to approach the United Nations Human Rights Council on its own and also on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) contact group on Kashmir to request the body to send a fact-finding mission to Kashmir.
If you have been thinking about spending a fortune on a well-made, Swiss mechanical watch, there has never been a better time. Though most luxury collectibles hardly promise enough bang for the buck, there is a reason why investing in a timepiece now could be an exception.

Over the past four years, the Swiss watch industry has sailed into a perfect storm. Ditched by the Chinese and buffeted by a slowdown in markets such as Russia and the Middle East, luxury watch companies have hit an all-time low. From January to June, the exports of Swiss watches dropped 11.9 per cent in units. The Swatch group, which owns brands like Breguet, Omega, Blancpain, Tissot and Rado, has witnessed a fall of 53.6 per cent in profits year on year. Its competitor Richemont SAthe parent company of Jaeger-LeCoultre, Cartier, IWC and A. Lange & Sohnehas slashed more than 300 jobs this year.

The smartwatch tsunami, surging Swiss franc and drop in tourism across Europe have forced luxury watch companies to realign their product strategies and usher in reverse snobbery, where steel, not gold, is the new cool; vintage is a must; and shrinking sizes are the 'it' thing. The two big fairs in Geneva and Basel this year focused on pumping up watch sales by volumes rather than value.

Until last year, Cartier would roll out novelties in precious metals priced at Rs 7 lakh onwards. This year, the brand brought out the new Drive model, which is a cushion-shaped dress watch in steel. With a starting price of Rs 3 lakh, the Drive has an inimitable vintage appeal to it, which is perfect for times like these.

Tag Heuer Carrera CH-02T is the cheapest Swiss-made tourbillon.

Piaget brought down the prices for the base models of its ladies watches to about Rs 5 lakh from about 08 lakh in previous years. In July, the brand launched the Polo S, its first steel-only collection. According to its CEO Philippe Leopold Metzger, the brand would now focus on a new generation and the Piaget Polo S would fulfil that aim. We want to reach out to a generation of game changers. The collection is priced at less than $10,000 (Rs 6.6 lakh), offers two new movements and is trendy, he said.

Steel ruled large at Baselworld. From Rolex, which created a frenzy among collectors with the introduction of the famed Daytona in steel, to Blancpain, which reintroduced the Villeret Quantieme Annuel GMT in a 40mm stainless steel version, most companies offered new iterations of their best-sellers at almost half the price.

Fuelled by the Chinese hunger for all things luxurious, watch prices had spiralled out of control in the first few years of this decade. The slump has made it safe for the heads of these companies to openly discuss what earlier was not even whispered in private. Most watch executives at the two fairs agreed it was high time for price corrections across categories. We have repositioned some products since the market is changing and even the strong brands are lowering their prices, said Aldo Magada, CEO, Zenith. We want to make sure that our products offer the best value for the price that people pay and, of course, focus on 100 per cent manufacture of the El Primero, which is the best chronograph in the world. That's why the starting price for our El Primero line is 6,900 Swiss francs (Rs 4.76 lakh). We have to adapt our pricing accordingly, because we believe in justifying that to our customers and not just quote any amount for the El Primero.

While most watch companies launched at least one affordable novelty at the fairs, Tag Heuer jolted its competitors by announcing the cheapest Swiss-made tourbillon watch in the market. At $15,950 (Rs 10.6 lakh), the COSC certified (a Swiss regulator that checks watches for accuracy) Carrera Heuer-02T is at least 10 times cheaper than any other timepiece with similar functions. This move comes as part of LVMH (Tag Heuer's parent company) watch division president Jean-Claude Biver's strategy to market Tag Heuer as an entry-level luxury brand. I want Tag Heuer to be the gateway brand into the world of luxury watchmaking, Biver said at a news conference on the much-awaited smartwatch from the brand.

Thin is in: Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater, the world's thinnest minute repeater.

In the good old days, the tourbillon, a much-coveted complication, allowed brands to charge anything from $30,000 to $50,000 (Rs 20 lakh to Rs 33.3 lakh) for timepieces with multiple complications. But, not any more. As a chief executive of a brand mentioned on condition of anonymity, Biver has disturbed the industry's price balance, making survival of the smaller brands even more tough in the months to come.

Fearing the loss of market share to Apple Watch, a lot of Swiss brands are dabbling in the idea of smartwatches. While Montblanc is offering an e-strap with its classical watches, high-end manufacturer H. Moser intrigued enthusiasts with the Swiss Alp. A spitting image of the Apple Watch, the Swiss Alp, with its rectangular case, is a beautifully engineered mechanical watch that tells you nothing except the time.

Tag Heuer, too, has secured its position in the market for smartwatches with the $1,500 (Rs 1 lakh) Connected. All the people who produce watches in Switzerland between $300 (Rs 20,000) and $1,500 might have a problem with Apple, but not us. We will make about 2,00,000 smartwatches annually and we will also offer buyers the option of converting it into a mechanical watch, said Biver.

While the Apple Watch has not affected the sales of prestige brands, those in the lower and mid-priced bracket are reeling under pressure. Global shipments of smartwatches surpassed those of Swiss wristwatches in February, according to data from market research firm Strategy Analytics.

Slash and earn: Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti.

Given the current uncertainty in the market, the Swiss are swearing by what they do bestclassic, three-hand watches, vintage designs and iterations of their all-time hits. So, Omega has a fantastic new Globemaster, Rolex harks back to the glorious Air-King from the 1950s, Longines entices collectors with the Heritage models and Breguet revives the romance of its Classique Hora Mundi with a simpler dial. Known for its bulky, macho designs, even Hublot threw up a beautifully crafted surprise in its Classic Fusion line this year. The brand has tied up with Italian luxury menswear brand Berluti to make a sleek watch in black ceramic as well as rose-gold, fitted with exquisite leather straps.

Be it the brands or the collectors, the craze for retro mechanics seems to be at an all-time high this year. While Longines has brought back the watch it first made for the railroad engineers in 1960s, Rado has come up with a reinterpretation of its Cape Horn watches from the 1970s in the HyperChrome 1616a beefy 46mm watch in steel with a broad, rugged strap.

Size zero is not an obsession limited to just fashion runways anymore. Watch brands, too, are trimming case sizes to prove their mettle at making highly complicated yet slim timepieces. A pioneer in ceramics, Rado took its quest for lightness to another level with the True Open Heart, a limited edition watch with a razor-thin, mother-of-pearl dial measuring just 0.2mm. Wafer-thin watches were the toast of the fairs, with Chopard, Citizen and Hermes offering thin, elegant and dressy watches for men as well as women. However, Bulgari took the thinness quotient to another level with the Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater. Touted as the thinnest striking timepiece in the market, the watch measures 6.85 mm and packs all the wonders of a repeating watch. Apart from being super-light, the brand has made a clever use of titanium to amplify the sound of the minute repeater. The watch comes on a vulcanised black alligator leather rubber strap and is priced at Rs 1.2 crore.

The luxury watch industry may be going through its worst turmoil, but does it affect the buyers? Not really. In fact, the watches are as beautiful as before, the quality is supreme and the price, perfect. So what are you waiting for?
Dozens of body parts and specimens were buried in a mass grave by officials of Abu Kabir Forensic Institute without consulting with family members or obtaining permission for the move.

YWN-ISRAEL reported a number of months ago that over 8,000 body parts and specimens were found in the forensic institute, samples that were kept by Chief Pathologist Prof. Yehuda Hiss without consulting with family members.

After Health Ministry officials learned of the body parts, efforts began to begin identifying them but it was quickly realized that some of the labels were faded and identifying the body parts would not be an easy task.

As such, the decision was made to only return items sought after by families. To date, about 1,000 requests were received from members of families of the deceased. Other parts have been buried in a mass grave and ministry officials now state identification of those parts is no longer possible or warranted.

Some families however are unwilling to just let this matter be swept under the carpet, insisting measures should have been taken to ensure remains can be identified.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Speaking on a Motzei Shabbos TV news magazine program, Jerusalem Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Aryeh Stern Shlita was asked how he feels about the condemnatory statements recently made by Rabbi Yigal Levinstein vis-a-vis the toeiva community, and the increasingly anti-religious trend in the IDF. He was also asked to comment on the letter signed by over 300 rabbonim including himself in support of Rabbi Levinstein.

Rabbi Stern explained that on an individual level, we must do our utmost to befriend each and every Jew, without exception, and there is room in shul for one and all. However, he added that as a way of life, there are prohibitions in the Torah and we cannot under any circumstances accept this, including a toeiva lifestyle.

I dont understand this concept of pride parade stated the rav, adding Yiddishkheit teaches us modesty and humility, not pride. This is in direct contradiction of the values we hold dear. In addition, why does Israel permit toeiva pride parades in Yerushalayim or anywhere? We do not have pride parades for chilul Shabbos and we should not have them for toeiva as there is no pride here and it is unacceptable. I stand behind the 300 or more rabbonim who signed in support of Rabbi Levinstein.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Telma, which is owned by Unilever, has issued an apology to consumers in the form of ads in Sunday morning newspapers. The company is now feeling the impact of its mishandling of contaminated breakfast cereals. Telma was quick to downplay the reports, insisting its line of breakfast cereals is safe as the company places the consumer above all else. l

Following mounting pressure, Telma finally admitted to salmonella infection http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/447706/telma-reveals-contamination-was-more-serious-than-just-cornflakes.html in some of its products, which led to the Ministry of Health becoming involved. The ministry is now probing if the chain of events is the result of negligence or intentional foul play.

A few hundred boxes of contaminated cereal have already been found on store shelves, 240 to be exact, in the Petach Tikvah area, as company officials insist they are probing just how this occurred. A total of 154,320 boxes were infected with salmonella. Telma insists the contaminated runs were eliminated. However, it has now been learned an employee placed barcoding from good boxes over the contaminated boxes. It has yet to be determined if the worker acted on his own or if this was an intentional company effort to dupe the consumer.

In the interim, Telma brand sales continue to drop as stores are thinking about totally removing Telma cereals from their shelves for the time being. Shufersal reports that 3,000 boxes of Telma cereals were returned last week and that number is likely to grow this week. Health Minister Yaakov Litzman has ordered an in-depth probe, telling Israel Radio if necessary, a closure ordered will be issued to shut the production down entirely.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Director of Israels Chief Rabbinate of Israel Batei Din Rabbi Shimon Yaakobi is calling upon the Minister of Finance and the Civil Service Commission to recognize a rabbinical pleader ( ) as an undergraduate degree. This would permit pleaders to take part in tenders for civil service jobs that require a college degree.

A Toein Rabbani or Rabbinical Pleader is the equivalent of an attorney representing one in the beis din who has the required familiarity and certification of both state law and halacha.

Rabbi Yaakobi sent a formal request to the appropriate Finance Ministry official following a meeting in which Rishon LTzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita and civil service officials.

In his letter, Rabbi Yaakobi explains for eligibility to become a Toein Rabbani, one must complete four years of learning in yeshiva after age 18 or three years of study in an institution recognized by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel for certifying the rabbinical pleaders. Yaakobi points out studies towards this certification are on line with one achieving an undergraduate degree.

Rabbi Yaakobi reminds officials that over recent years much has been done towards encouraging yeshiva graduates to enter the civil service arena and this would be a step in the correct direction, adding this field is open to both men and women.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Yeshivas Chachmei Lev is located in the Kiryat Yovel neighborhood of Jerusalem, serving chareidi talmidim who are seeking a bagrut matriculation high school diploma. The yeshivas existence is a constant uphill battle as many residents of the growing chareidi community oppose the yeshivas presence. They fear if talmidim attending a yeshiva ketana see the matriculation diploma option, they may be pulled in and abandon their fulltime limud Torah.

Kikar Shabbos has detected by Jerusalem Deputy Mayor (Degel Hatorah) Yitzchak Pindrus has issued conflicting statements pertaining to the yeshiva. When speaking to non-chareidim in English, he boasted how he assisted in bringing the yeshiva to the area. however, when speaking in Hebrew, his comments are condemnatory, stating one may not assist the yeshiva which is operating contrary to the explicitly instructions of Gedolei Yisrael.

Commenting on the report, Pindrus explains his comments in English were made before Gedolei Yisrael spoke out against the yeshiva. However, a check reveals Pindrus is documented some two years ago agreeing with his colleagues that the yeshiva is operating against the word of Gedolei Yisrael and therefore, no one should be assisting him. This was before his English statements in support of the yeshiva.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
It is known that products with a Badatz Eida Chareidis supervision are limited regarding the packaging of the product, which is subject to the Eidas approval. One example would be Bomba, which at certain times a year will release a limited number of bags with the national flag on it. Those will not bear the logo of the kashrus organization.

It appears that as the Ministry of Health is probing Telma to determine if company officials covered up the fact that over 154,000 boxes of breakfast cereal were infected with salmonella, the Eida Chareidis is demanding an apology from Telma for printing the summer Olympic logo on boxes of cereal with Eida supervision. Regarding the salmonella, the Ministry of Health has launched an investigation into a possible Telma cover-up.

The design of packages of cereal from Telma under the Eida Chareidis must be approved by the Eida before production. This was not done in this case. It is reported the Eida has been receiving phone calls from chareidi consumers, who are not pleased with the addition of the Olympic logo on boxes. The Eida is insisting Telma added the logo without authorization and it is demanding to learn who if responsible.

Both Telma and the Eida Chareidis prefer not to respond to the report.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
A court has ordered the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute will compensate two families a total of NIS 550,000 in compensation for removing organs from their loved ones without authorization. Over 8,000 body parts were discovered in the institute back in 2012 leading to a probe and the discovery that all too often, then chief pathologist Dr. Yehuda Hiss did has he pleased, ignoring instructions not to permit an autopsy to removing organs and not returning them for burial. Health Minister Yaakov Litzman was instrumental in ousting Hiss, who was accused of illegal activities for years, accusations that were ignored by Litzmans predecessors. When Litzman acted to oust Hiss he was serving as the deputy health minister with ministerial authority.

In one case a second levaya was held and the agmas nefesh led to the mom being classified as having limited mental capacity of 30% following a break down. This family was awarded NIS 400,000.

In case two involving the body of a 2005 murder suspect, whose vital organs were removed and stored at Abu Kabir without authorization, the family was awarded NIS 150,000.

It is likely that additional cases or a class action legal action will follow at a future date.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Israel Tax Authority inspectors operating in the Tel Aviv district inspected 250 businesses and non-profits. Inspectors report that 17% of those monitored failed to record income as the law requires. One non-profit registered gifts totaling NIS 2 million but failed to maintain proper books to record the income. The head of the non-profit assured tax inspectors he would look into it.

Another non-profit, which runs a kollel and yeshiva, showed a monthly income of NIS 10,000 used for tuition costs that was not recorded. In addition, income generated from operating a mikve was not recorded. The director of this non-profit told inspects this is what the admor told us to do.

Inspectors documented income in the amount of NIS 135,000 in another non-profit that was not recorded as the law demands. They were told by the director this is how the accountant instructed me to run operations.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
A branch of Greg Cafe located in the BIG A shopping center on Seventh Avenue in Beersheva is advertising a promise to pamper patrons who visit on Tisha BAv.

After the ad was circulated via social media, Greg issues an apology explaining they are advertising a fish menu for the Nine Days and Tisha BAv, as the custom is to refrain from eating meat.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The Bezeq Company has fired an employee who used social media to express his backing for Hamas, Channel 2 News reports.

The report states the employee of Bezeq showed its correspondent the letter of dismissal which accusing him of using a Hamas poster on his Facebook page along with praising the Har Nof shul terrorists for the past two and a half years.

The employee is also accused of liking the terrorist, a former employee, who perpetrated the vehicular attack on Malchei Yisrael Street in Geula, Yerushalayim. The employee insisted it was not him but his six-year-old son who changed the photo. He was given a polygraph exam, which he failed.

He insists he has been working for Bezeq for 17-years and failing a lie detector test does not mean he supports terrorism, insisting his dismissal is not justified.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Donald Trump is trying to shift from a disastrous stretch of his presidential campaign to one focused on policy and party unity. But even as his allies speak of lessons the political newcomer has learned, two of his staunchest Republican critics predict hes heading for losses in a pair of battleground states.

Trump is set to deliver an economic speech on Monday to the prestigious Detroit Economic Club in his effort to step past his spats over the past 10 days with the Muslim-American parents of a slain Army captain and the leaders of a Republican Party he has promised to unite.

Mr. Trump on Monday will lay out a vision thats a growth economic plan that will focus on cutting taxes, cutting regulation, energy development and boosting middle-class wages, campaign chairman Paul Manafort said in remarks broadcast Sunday on Fox Business. When we do that, were comfortable that we can get the agenda and the narrative of the campaign back on where it belongs, which is comparing the tepid economy under Obama and Clinton, versus the kind of growth economy that Mr. Trump wants to build.

What came before Mondays speech, Manafort suggested, doesnt count in the race to Election Day on Nov. 8. Its a three-month campaign, he said.

Two of Trumps staunchest Republican critics say Trump may have done irreversible damage in two critical states, Arizona and Ohio, with an approach to immigration reform that some say is divisive. Trump wants to build a wall between the United States and Mexico and now says he wants to suspend immigration from terror countries  though he has yet to say what those are.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who lost the Republican nomination to Trump, has not endorsed the billionaire and skipped the partys convention in Cleveland, said Trump faces a difficult climb in a state thats a must-win for Republican presidential candidates.

Hes going to win parts of Ohio, where people are really hurting. There will be sections he will win because people are angry, frustrated and havent heard any answers, Kasich said on CNNs State of the Union. But I still think its difficult if you are dividing, to be able to win in Ohio. I think its really, really difficult.

In an interview on CBSs Face the Nation, Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said, Yes, it is possible that Democrat Hillary Clinton could beat Trump in his state, noting that Bill Clinton won Arizona in 1996 and that Hispanics represent about a third of the Arizona population.

You cant just throw platitudes out there about a wall or about Mexico paying for it and then be taken seriously here, Flake said.

Clinton is expected to deliver her own economic plan to the Detroit Economic Club on Thursday.

Thats who Republicans want to see Trump fighting  the former senator and secretary of state, not Republicans and others. Its a message furious senior members of the party carried to Trump privately and publicly in the days after Trump last week refused in a Washington Post interview to endorse the re-election bids of House Speaker Paul Ryan, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire. The trio had strongly disapproved of Trumps fight with Khizr and Ghazala Khan, Muslim-Americans whose son, Capt. Humayun Khan, was killed in Iraq in 2004.

On Friday at a Wisconsin rally not attended by Ryan or Gov. Scott Walker, Trump reversed course and endorsed all three lawmakers, saying, We have to unite.

If you look at the last few days, I think hes gotten the messages, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said on Fox News Sunday. Its very tricky if youve never run for public office, to jump from being a businessman to being one of the two leaders fighting for the presidency, and hes made some mistakes.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said on ABCs This Week that Trumps endorsements show he has the ability and the understanding to realize that there are going to be disagreements and youve got to be able to reach out to the entire party.

(AP)
Sen. Charles Schumer says Congress should return to Washington to take up emergency funding to combat the Zika virus.

The New York Democrat says ongoing work on a vaccine could be jeopardized unless lawmakers end their current recess early and approve a $1.9 billion emergency Zika funding bill.

Schumer says he made his request in a letter to House and Senate leadership.

He says lawmakers would only have to return to Washington for a single day to approve the funding.

Congress isnt scheduled to reconvene until September.

(AP)
The Islamic State group on Sunday claimed responsibility for a weekend machete attack that wounded two policewomen in the Belgian city of Charleroi, calling it an act of reprisal carried out by one of its soldiers.

Belgian prosecutors identified the machete-wielding assailant as a 33-year-old Algerian known to police for criminal offenses, but not for extremist acts.

Belgian media reported that he was in the country illegally, despite two separate orders being issued for him to leave. The government didnt immediately confirm the reports.

The attack on Saturday afternoon is being treated as a terrorist incident, notably because the man shouted Allahu akbar!  Arabic for God is great  as he slashed at the officers outside Charlerois main police station, Prime Minister Charles Michel said.

The assailant, shot by a third officer, died later in a hospital. A statement by the IS-affiliated Aamaq News Agency, posted Sunday on an IS-linked Twitter account, said the attack on the policewomen was in response to the Crusader coalitions military campaign against IS and its self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria.

Belgium, a longtime U.S. ally, is a member of the American-led coalition combating IS, and has supplied warplanes to participate in anti-IS operations.

The Belgian Federal Prosecutors Office said the attacker, who it identified only as K.B., had lived in Belgium since 2012.

Since there are indications that the attack may have been inspired by a terrorist motive, the federal prosecutors office decided to take over the investigation from the district prosecutors office of Charleroi, the federal office said in a statement.

The office said two police searches were carried out overnight in the southern Belgian city, but that no further information about the investigation would be made public.

Broadcast media including state-owned RTBF said K.B. was in Belgium illegally despite receiving two separate orders from government authorities to leave. Michel didnt directly confirm the reports. But he told RTL television that more must be done to combat illegal immigration, saying it was difficult to persuade Algeria to accept the return of its nationals.

Both policewomen were severely injured in the face and neck in the attack, the federal prosecutors statement said. RTL said both were placed in an artificial coma to allow surgeons to operate on them. Michel said the prosecutors were treating the attack on the officers as a case of attempted terrorist murder.

Michel said the prosecutors were treating the attack on the officers as a case of attempted terrorist murder.

The prime minister spoke to reporters following an emergency meeting with top Belgian law enforcement officials Sunday morning. Michel cut short his vacation in the south of France following the Charleroi attack, which had some police unions clamoring for greater protection for police officers and installations.

We must keep a cool head, Michel said. We must avoid panic, of course  not give in to terror. Thats the trap that has been set for us.

Belgium has been on high alert since the March 22 suicide bombings claimed by Islamic State extremists that killed 32 people in Brussels. Many of the perpetrators of the Nov. 13 carnage in Paris that killed 130 people were also residents of Belgium. That attack was also claimed by IS.

We know we must be constantly, constantly vigilant, Michel said.

Defense Minister Steven Vandeput said the governments Crisis Center would meet to determine if additional measures should be taken to protect police buildings and staff.

On Sunday, Charleroi police posted a request on their Twitter account asking reporters not to divulge officers identities.

We are targets, Charleroi police explained.

Prosecutors said K.B. was carrying a backpack at the time of the attack, but that a bomb squad search found no explosives or other weapons inside.

On June 27, Belgium deployed six F-16s to the Middle East for a year as part of the U.S.-led coalition, with orders to strike Islamic State targets while operating in Syrian and Iraqi airspace, the Belgian Defense Ministry announced at the time. Until returning home in July 2015, Belgian F-16s took part in earlier anti-IS missions over Iraq.

(AP)
The following is via COL:

By all rights, Yossi and Sarah Shidler should have easily been able to afford a house, in the not so distant future. Owners of a successful business, the young couple earn a modest living, dont live extravagantly and with just two young daughters, they arent paying daunting yeshiva tuition bills.

Yet like so many others in Crown Heights, the Shidlers found themselves spending so much on rent and day care that buying a house was fast becoming an impossible dream. Faced with a choice of staying forever in a cramped apartment or moving out of Brooklyn, the Shidlers decided to take the plunge and join the growing number of Lubavitch families that call Lakewood, New Jersey home.

Once a small town centered around the famed BMG yeshiva, over the past decades Lakewood has blossomed into a full-fledged city as frum families of all stripes, Litvish and Chassidish, continue to join its ranks. Drawn by the vast infrastructure of conveniences and the affordability of housing, Lakewood has become the fastest growing town in Ocean County. With a current 1,600 new houses in development, the population is expected to reach 300,000 by 2020.

We were paying a significant portion of our monthly income to rent an older 2  bedroom apartment in Crown Heights and next year we would be paying $1,500 a month for child care, said Shidler. In Lakewood, our rent drops over $400 a month for brand new (kosher-designed) five bedroom house. Day care will cost $800 a month less than in Crown Heights.

This is a substantial savings reflects Shidler, the total amount could easily exceed $15,000 annually. With Hashems blessing, we can start a savings fund so that one day, we can purchase a home.

The Shidlers considered several options as they began to hunt for a new home base. They had heard of small Chabad communities that had popped up in towns like Kingston, Pennsylvania and Hillsside, New Jersey but rejected both.

One was a bit far and the other still couldnt offer the conveniences of an established Jewish community, remarked Shidler. If we wanted to take our kids out for a slice of pizza it would have meant driving 20 minutes each way. It just didnt make sense for us.

Monsey was another attractive option but Lakewood offered an advantage that was hard to resist: a ready supply of houses custom built for Orthodox Jewish families that were available for purchase or rent at reasonable prices.

A brand new 4000 sq. ft. home with 5+ bedrooms on a quarter acre lot with a finished rent-able basement start for around $500,000. Smaller older homes (also on a large lot) start at around $350,000. In Toms River, which borders Lakewood (and is currently home to about 150 frum families, 3 shuls and a Chabad house run by Rabbi Moshe Gourarie) costs even less but sits on 1 full acre, and often includes a pool. A new 5 bedroom house rental goes for around $2,000 a month and a brand new 3 bedroom basement for around $1200 or less.

Still, Shidler admitted that he was hesitant about putting down roots in Lakewood. While there was no doubt that the town had a thriving Jewish community and it gave Shidler the proximity he needed to New York City for his photography business, he had yet to hear of anyone from Crown Heights relocating there.

All that changed one Shabbos when Shidler spoke to a friend who was currently living in Lakewood.

I was telling him that I have a good business but I still cant manage to save any money because the cost of living in Brooklyn is so high, recalled Shidler. He suggested Lakewood, telling me that there were already about 25 Chabad families there as well as a Chabad shul and a Rov, who is a renowned Talmid Chochom, Horav Nochum Grunwald.

Sharon Fogel has been living in Lakewood for 13 years and her husband was among the founders of the towns Chabad shul on Central Avenue (together with Reb Shmulik Rabinowitz), which draws a full house every week. Many of the regulars are not Chabad Chassidim but they enjoy the unique Chabad atmosphere.

Over the years Mrs. Fogel has seen several Chabad families moving to Lakewood and she hopes that the trend will continue. Her children attended local schools during their elementary school years and have moved on as they have gotten older. Fogels high school daughter goes to Bais Chaya in Coral Springs, Florida.

Chabad in Lakewood offers a full roster of programming including several weekly Chassidus shiurim as well as farbrengens marking the special days in the Chabad calendar.

With the continued influx of Chabad residents, Chabad of Lakewood plans to break ground for a new shul in the near future and plans to continue offering even more services including the establishment of a Nshei as well as programs for the children.

The fact that there are currently no Lubavitch schools in Lakewood poses no problem, according to Rabbi Gourarie.

Before we moved here I called people to find out about the schools and any shluchim within a 50 mile radius were sending their kids to Lakewood for school, said Rabbi Gourarie. They said that the schools go out of their way to make everyone feel at home and that no one felt that they were in any way considered to be different.

Several Lakewood schools serve the communitys mixed Chasidic population, with dedicated schools opening to cater to particular sects as more Chasidim move into the area.

There are close to 20,000 frum families here, and they keep coming. Belz already has an entire development and they have their own school, said Shmuly Mandelbaum, a Lubavitcher who has been living in Lakewood for 15 years. Rachamstrivska and Skver also have their own schools and if enough Chabad people move in then there is no doubt that there will be a Chabad school here too.

While the whole of Lakewood does not have an eruv because of halachic complications, many developments have their own eruv and there are quite a few neighborhood eruvs that encompass hundreds of homes, said Mandelbaum. Where I live we can go to the playground on Shabbos with the kids. The kids have a life on Shabbos. The mothers have a life on Shabbos. And you can go out to eat by a friend on Shabbos. It really makes a big difference.

Designated frum commuter busses from Lakewood to Manhattan give residents the ability to travel to work without having to negotiate traffic, while having a minyan on the bus means that commuters can put their travel time to good use. There is also a frum bus that goes to Borough Park and Flatbush and back about 10 times a day.

Combined with dozens of reasonably priced Kosher supermarkets, restaurants, frum clothing stores, relatively affordable housing and a vast assortment of shuls and schools, Lakewood seems to have it all. A simple pie of pizza is $10 here, compared to a staggering $18 in Brooklyn.

Its affordable living at reasonable prices, said Mandelbaum. You get the benefits of out of town life plus the advantages of living in an established community.

Shidler, a native of Denver, embraced life in Crown Heights, the epicenter of Chabad, but both he and his wife are excited to take their place and become part of the fabric of the Lakewood community and hope that others will follow in their footsteps.

We dream of a Lakewood that has a Lubavitch community of the likes of Monsey, Shidler expressed. The Shidlers are the fifth Chabad family to move to Lakewood this year and Shidlers business, CJ Studios, will continue its operations out of Crown Heights.

This is a gigantic move upwards for us, said Shidler. We have proximity to the city when we need it, Crown Heights is an hour and twenty at non peak traffic hours. More importantly though, we will finally be able to breathe a little. We will have space for our family, the ability to start saving money and an opportunity to host a lot of guests. Who could ask for anything more?

(Source: COL)
Air Canada flight AC84 from Toronto to Ben-Gurion International Airport is being diverted to London after announcing an inflight emergency.

The aircraft is a Boeing Dreamliner and it appears the emergency is a maintenance issue that requires attention, Flightraddar24 tweeted a short time ago.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Irans former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a letter on Monday to President Barack Obama, asking him to quickly fix a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing families of people killed in attacks linked to Iran to collect damages from some $2 billion in frozen assets.

While writing that his letter is by no means of (a) political nature, Ahmadinejads message to Obama arrives amid swirling speculation that the hard-line politician may run as a candidate in Irans presidential election next year.

It also comes as average Iranians largely have yet to see the benefits of Irans nuclear deal with world powers  something a discontent Ahmadinejad and other hard-liners could mine in any potential campaign against moderates.

In the letter, posted on a website associated with the former presidents office, Ahmadinejad focuses on the Supreme Courts decision in April. The courts 6-2 ruling allows families of victims of the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut and other attacks linked to Iran to collect monetary damages from Iran.

At risk for Iran is $1.75 billion in bonds, plus accumulating interest, owned by Irans Bank Markazi and held by Citibank in New York.

It is the clear expectation of the Iranian nation that the particular case of property seizure  be quickly fixed by your excellency and that not only the Iranian nations rights be restored and the seized property released and returned, but also the damaged caused be fully compensated for, the letter said.

I passionately advise you not to let the historical defamation and bitter incident be recorded under your name, Ahmadinejad added.

Ahmadinejads letter was delivered to the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which has overseen Americas interests in the country in the years after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and U.S. Embassy takeover. Embassy officials declined to comment.

Its unclear what steps Ahmadinejad expects Obama to take. There was no immediate comment from the White House regarding the letter.

The timing of the letter, however, is interesting as Ahmadinejads name continues to circulate as a possible challenger to moderate President Hassan Rouhani in Irans coming May 19 election. Rouhanis administration negotiated the nuclear accord, which put limits on Irans atomic program in exchange for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions.

While Ahmadinejad previously served two four-year terms, Iranian law calls only for a one-term cooling-off period before hes eligible to run again.

How Iranians would react to another Ahmadinejad run, however, remains to be seen if and when it happens.

Under his presidency, Iran found itself heavily sanctioned over the nuclear program as Ahmadinejad questioned the scale of the Holocaust and predicted the demise of Israel. His disputed 2009 re-election saw widespread protests and violence. Two of his former vice presidents have since been jailed for corruption.

(AP)
Minister of Agriculture (Bayit Yehudi) told Kol Chai Radio on Monday morning 4 Menachem Av that he backs the plan to relocate the community of Amona, located near Ofra in the Binyamin Regional Council of the Shomron.

Ariel explains that while he opposes removing any yishuv, under the current administration and its legal and political realities, relocating Amona to a nearby venue is the best available solution.

Residents of Amona remain opposed to any deal, insisting they will not be bought out and that they plan to stay in their homes and resist any effort to oust them and destroy their community of about 40 families.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The Swedish registered Estelle tried to break Israels Gaza marine embargo in 2012. Israels High Court ruled on Sunday, 3 Menachem Av that Israel does not have the right to confiscate the vessel, which Israel feels also serves as a deterrence for future flotillas.

Israel naval commandos boarded the Estelle in October 2012, bringing an end to its planned defiance of the marine blockade in Gaza. In the summer of 2013, Israel filed a petition to confiscate the vessel, which is owned by a company headed by leftist Dror Feiler, who lives out of Israel. A lower court in Haifa ruled against the state, eventually leading to the matter coming before the High Court.

In addition to ruling against Israels confiscation, the state was instructed to pay NIS 40,000 in court costs to the owner of the vessel.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Speaking at an assembly hosted on Monday 4 Menachem Av in the community of Nitzan, Minister of Agriculture (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel stated It is a national responsibility not to expel the residents of Amona again. We lived this horror film during the expulsion of Gush Katif. The behavior of the expellees was exemplary and 100% behaved responsibly. They did not raise their hands to soldiers who tried to allegations to the contrary.

He added that national responsibility does not end there but continues after the expulsion  to continue settling the length and breadth of the country  it is a national responsibility.

He feels the people who failed to act responsibly are those who tried to blemish the residents of Gush Katif when the contrary was true.

He calls for learning from the expellees of Gush Katif regarding Amona, and to realize the national responsibility involved in reaching a solution to prevent their expulsion rather than continuing to look for a solution every time.

The original Amona was destroyed after violent confrontations between residents and supporters and police, in 2006. It was a bloody confrontation with police, as mounted units literally ran people over without mercy.

As per a High Court of Justice ruling, the current Amona must be removed by December 25, 2016. The government has offered residents to agree to locate to the same general area, where new homes will be built and the community significantly enlarged. Residents have refused to date, insisting they will not be removed from their homes again.

Amona is currently home to about forty families.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
In the past few weeks, the Baltimore Jewish community has been on high alert as multiple cars have been broken into and pillaged  with many cars broken into each night.

Baltimore Shomrim volunteers had undertaken to work through the night to try to identify the perpetrators and assist the police department in stopping this crime wave.

But while last nights search for criminals came up empty-handed, the Baltimore Shomrims efforts did yield one substantial result:

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania state police in Gettysburg issued a Missing Endangered Person Alert (also called a Silver Alert) for a missing elderly couple from Aspers (Adams County), with the search going into the night.

Shomrim volunteers, at 1:39 AM on Cross Country, noticed a vehicle that was driving slowly, and seemingly aimlessly. Shomrim alerted City police, who responded and discovered that the occupants were the same elderly couple who had been reported missing.

Heshie Klein, The Shomrim volunteer, who found the couple also ensured that Pennsylvania state police were informed. Shomrim also messaged the granddaughter that was doing most of the social media postings to help find them and this was her reply.

Kudos to Baltimore Shomrim for another job well done!
Defendants in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing case want to put lawyers for New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christies office on the witness stand after their subpoena for more documents was denied.

Attorneys for Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher say in court filings they will seek to block attempts to call them as witnesses at the trial next month of two former Christie loyalists.

Gibson Dunn has billed the state more than $10 million for its 2014 report that found Christie blameless and for representing Christies office in the subsequent federal investigation.

Former Christie aide Bridget Kelly and former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey executive Bill Baroni are charged with closing access lanes to create traffic jams in 2013 to punish a mayor for not endorsing Christie.

(AP)
The following is via Sky News:

A police force has apologized after posting a photograph of two men dressed in Nazi uniforms on its official Twitter page.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) removed the tweet from their traffic feed, which showed the men wearing SS uniforms and standing next to a German military Kubelwagen.

The tweet was posted on Sunday and captioned: M62 J22 on the west Yorkshire border. These two likely lads trying to invade.

But one Twitter user, Shulem Stern, saw the post and complained to the force.

Mr Stern, who is part of Stamford Hills Orthodox Jewish Community, posted: Two guys dressed in SS uniform tweeted by official @gmpolice account. Not right.

He later said that the insensitive SS uniform tweet had been removed before re-tweeting an apology from GM Police.

GM Polices tweet read: It has been removed and we will speak to those involved. It was unacceptable.

Following the incident, a GMP spokesman said: A tweet was posted on a GMP local social media account on Sunday 7 August 2016, which caused offence to a number of people.

This post was deleted as soon as were made aware of it and we apologise for its content, as it was unacceptable.

This matter has been referred to GMPs Professional Standards Branch.

(Source: Sky News)
Delta Air Lines canceled around 365 flights Monday after its computer systems crashed worldwide, stranding thousands of passengers on a busy travel day.

That number is likely to grow. More than 1,000 flights were delayed, according to flight tracking site FlightStats Inc.

About six hours into the outage, limited flights had resumed but widespread delays and cancelations were ongoing.

A power outage at an Atlanta facility at around 2:30 a.m. local time initiated a cascading meltdown, according to the airline, which is also based in Atlanta.

A spokesman for Georgia Power told The Associated Press that the company believes a failure of Delta equipment caused the airlines power outage. He said no other customers lost power.

A Delta spokesman said he had no information on the report.

Many passengers were frustrated that they received no notice of a global disruption, discovering that they were stranded only after making it through security and seeing other passengers sleeping on the floor.

It was unclear if the airline was even able to communicate due to its technical issues, and Delta said that there may be a lag issuing accurate flight status on the company website because of the outage.

Flights that were already in the air when the outage occurred continued to their destinations, but flights on the ground remained there.

Airlines depend on huge, overlapping and complicated systems to operate flights, schedule crews and run ticketing, boarding, airport kiosks, websites and mobile phone apps. Even brief outages can snarl traffic and cause long delays.

That has afflicted airlines in the U.S. and abroad.

Last month, Southwest Airlines canceled more than 2,000 flights over several days after an outage that it blamed on a faulty network router.

United has suffered a series of notorious delays since it merged with Continental as the technological systems of the two airlines clashed.

Lines for British Airways at some airports have grown longer as the carrier updates its systems.

On Monday in Richmond, Virginia, Delta gate agents were writing out boarding passes by hand. In Tokyo, a dot-matrix printer was resurrected to keep track of passengers on a flight to Shanghai.

Technology that appeared to be working sometimes issued bad information. Flight-status systems, including airport screens, incorrectly showed flights on time.

Not only are their flights delayed, but in the case of Delta the website and other places are all saying that the flights are on time because the airline has been so crippled from a technical standpoint, said Daniel Baker, CEO of tracking service FlightAware.com.

Delta issued an apology to customers and said teams were attempting to fix the problem as quickly as possible.

Many passengers, like Bryan Kopsick, 20, from Richmond, were shocked that computer glitches could cause such turmoil.

It does feel like the old days, Kopsick said. Maybe they will let us smoke on the plane, and give us five-star meals in-flight too!

In Las Vegas, stranded passengers were sleeping on the floor, covered in red blankets. When boarding finally began for a Minneapolis flight  the first to take off  a Delta worker urged people to find other travelers who had wandered away from the gate area, or who might be sleeping off the delays.

Word of the extensive breakdown began to spread after the airline used a Twitter account to notify customers that its IT systems were down everywhere. Technological issues extended even to the companys website.

Tanzie Bodeen, 22, a software company intern from Beaverton, Oregon, left home at 4 a.m. to catch a flight from Minneapolis and learned about the delays only when she reached the airport and saw media trucks.

Bodeen said that passengers were taking the matter in stride. It doesnt seem really hostile yet, she said.

The company said travelers will be entitled to a refund if the flight is cancelled or significantly delayed. Travelers on some routes can also make a one-time change to the ticket free of charge.

Yet many passengers still did not know where the rest of their day would be spent, and decisions on refunds would have to be made later.

At noon inside New Yorks LaGuardia Airport, Francesca Villardi still had no idea when her 11:50 a.m. flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, would depart.

The departure boards said her plane was leaving on time. She received different answers from three Delta employees, one of whom said she would be traveling to Cincinnati first.

This is not organized at all, said the 51-year-old professional organizer from Pembroke Pines, Florida.

(AP)
It's a curse for our children. Their downpayment will be much higher than ours, all while earning the same wages. I'm not saying to stop all Chinese people, who in my opinion are definitely preferred in my books; they are hard workers, many bring money in the country, so not many have to use our our social programs, and incarceration is very low, but the rich ones sitting in Asia should not be allowed to inflate our real estate. There is a reason why most countries have restrictions on wealthy immigrants buying everything in sight in their country, it makes the next generation's life harder, and who would want that? They will already inherit a large debt, which will be out of control in 4 years. If we love our country, which by extension means we also love our way of life, then we need to be able to offer the same life to our children.
It's the stuff of nightmares for travellers  arriving late at the airport thanks to oversleeping, traffic or a public transport nightmare and racing through security to the gate only to be told you've missed the flight.

Although the number that miss their flight is relatively small, for those who have endured the trauma a little known rule means you can claim back a portion of your ticket if flying from a UK airport.

A slice of your outbound flight is Air Passenger Duty, essentially a tax for leaving Britain in the sky. This can be as much as 73 on an economy ticket or 146 if travelling business or first class.

Taxing: People miss flights for a variety of reasons - but what many may not know they can claim back the tax

However, if you miss your flight, the tax is not charged and it means you can claim it back from the airline.

Airlines are estimated to have pocketed up to 300million of APD over the past six years from people that didn't make their flight and didn't claim it back, comparison website Cheapflights says.

Each airline has different procedures and fees for claiming the tax back if you do miss your flight  This is Money and Cheapflights explain below...

Since when could passengers do this and why?

Airline taxes all come under the same name of Air Passenger Duty which is paid upon booking but not actually collected by the Government until travellers fly.

This means if a passenger misses their flight or cancels their flight, they are well within their rights to claim back the APD.

APD was introduced on 1 November 1994. It was originally just 5 per person for short-haul flights, and 10 elsewhere.

But since then, the cost of APD per flight has risen by up to 539 per cent and passengers now pay up to 73 on long-haul economy flights.

It's also worth pointing out that you should check your travel insurance as it may include missed flight cover.

Do airlines make it clear people can do this  or is it little known?

Cheapflights has taken a look at the terms and conditions of the major airlines for This is Money. Many do not make it immediately clear that APD is refundable.

The information is there but it can take some hunting down.

Many airlines will refund taxes, fees and charges if travellers do not use their ticket  even if the ticket is otherwise non-refundable.

However, there is no law under which they are required to refund these charges.

The law that brought in APD does not deal with the issue of refunds when a passenger does not use their ticket.

Nor is there any law that prevents an airline from charging an administration fee for processing the refund.

This can mean claiming back the APD from various airlines, depending on the APD cost, may not be worthwhile, especially on short haul flights.

In any event, airlines rarely voluntarily refund taxes, fees and charges to passengers who do not travel, they have to ask.

Other than APD, extras can include airport tax and fuel surcharges but, unlike APD, these aren't set amounts and vary airline to airline and airport to airport - check with your airline.

It's reported that airlines have the right to keep the APD tax if the customer does not claim it back, as they only need to pay the Government the taxes of those who have flown.

In fact, it's believed that airlines could've pocketed up to 300million of APD tax over the past six years, Cheapflights says.

How can passengers claim it back?

EasyJet

Fee: Free

Time limit: None

T&Cs: Passengers can claim back APD by calling customer services on 0330 365 5000 and they will refund you full APD tax with no charge.

In its terms and conditions, it states: 'If after having made a booking you do not fly with us, whether or not a refund or credit to the value of the fare is payable, you will be entitled to claim a refund of any applicable APD payable by you in accordance with Article 5.2, which as a consequence we have no obligation to pay to any government or other authority on behalf of which we collect passenger duty.'

Ryanair

Fee: 17

Time limit: One month

T&Cs: You can apply for an APD refund via this form but APD taxes are non-refundable if they are under 17.

Its website states: 'If you do not travel on your booked flight the air fare, fees and charges are non-refundable but you may apply in writing within one month of the date of travel for a refund of the Government Tax paid.

'Government tax refunds are subject to an administration fee of 17. If the refund amount is less than the applicable administration fee, no refund will be made.'

It adds: '4.2.2 Taxes, fees and charges imposed on air travel are constantly changing and can be imposed after the date that your reservation has been made.

'If any such tax, fee or charge is introduced or increased after your reservation has been made you will be obliged to pay it (or any increase) prior to departure.

'Alternatively, you can choose not to travel and a full refund will be processed. Similarly, if any such tax, fee or charge is abolished or reduced such that it no longer applies to you, or a lesser amount is due, you will be entitled to claim a refund of the difference from us.'

British Airways

Fee: 15-30

Time limit: None  and refund within 72 hours

T&Cs: According to information from the Civil Aviation Authority: 'If you wish to claim the ADP tax back from an online booking, the fee will be 15 and you can make your claim through the 'manage my booking' section of the website.

'However, if you made your booking over the phone, the administrative fee will be 30.'

According to Cheapflights, customer services told it that it's free to claim back APD and passengers just need to go onto 'manage my booking' and update details and would automatically receive a refund within 72 hours.

'It adds that it is very difficult for a customer to find out how to claim APD back without doing a lot of research to find the CAA table.'

In the T&Cs on its website, BA say: 'We will refund the fare and carrier imposed charges and surcharges for your ticket, or any unused part of it and any taxes, fees and charges, as set out in the fare rules and conditions applicable to your booking.'

Virgin Atlantic

Fee: 30

Time limit: None

T&Cs: On the customer help section of its website, Virgin says: 'For restricted non-refundable tickets where only the taxes and fees are refundable, there is a 30 refund administration charge, per person, per ticket, for refunds processed in the UK.

Cheapflights said when it called customer services, it was given the wrong information.

It was told it's best to call up customer services on 0344 209 7770 to be refunded without charge, which goes against what it says on Virgin's T&Cs and on the CAA table.

This proves how difficult it is to claim back APD and how little known it is even among airline staff.

In its T&Cs, it states: '10.1.3 Applicable taxes, fees and charges paid at the time of issue of your Ticket will be included in fare refunds pursuant to Articles 9, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4, where appropriate.'

Flybe

Fee: 25

Time limit: None

T&Cs: Visit the Flybe website and claim a refund for any unused taxes and charges.

Note: As the fee is 25 and many of Flybe's routes are under 2000 miles (Band A), this can cost more than the APD.

Its website says: 'If you do not travel and your ticket is not used, you may be able to claim a refund of any unused taxes and charges via our refunds team.

'As Flybe are a non-refundable carrier, we are not able to refund the fare or ancillary parts of your reservation.

'Your tax refund will be subject to an administration fee per passenger, per flight and will vary by currency. The administration fee in GBP is 25.'

Its T&Cs state: '4.2.3. If you do not use your Ticket or any part of it, you are entitled to claim a refund of any T&Cs relating to the unused part which you paid, less a reasonable service charge.'

How much of a ticket is typically made up of APD?

APD BREAKDOWN SINCE APRIL 2016 Bands (distance in miles from London) Reduced rate (lowest class of travel) Standard rate (1) (other than the lowest class of travel) Higher rate (GA flights over 20 tonnes and equipped to carry fewer than 19 pax) Band A (0 2000 miles) 13 26 78 Band B (over 2000 miles) 73 146 438

As APD charges start from 13 and airlines such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic charge up to 30 to claim it back, it can mean the charges are often more than the refundable amount.

However, it's worth travellers checking what other charges were on their ticket as they may be able to claim some of the other taxes such airport taxes as well which could make it worth claiming back, Cheapflights says.

It's also worth pointing out that under 16s are no longer charged APD tax, this was brought into place by the Government in March 2016.

The new rules mean that 12 - 15-year-olds are now exempt from paying the duty on economy class tickets when flying from a UK airport.

You can see the impact this has on flight tickets below:

Price of return flights with British Airways from London Heathrow to Rome for an adult (over 16): from 217.50pp based on flights departing 16 September  18 September 2016.

Price of return flights with British Airways from London Heathrow to Rome for a child (under 16): from 196.80pp based on flights departing 16 September  18 September 2016.

Breakdown:

Traveller 1: Adult 217.50 - Flight: 143.00 - Taxes & Fees: 74.50

Traveller 2: Child 196.80 - Flight: 143.00 - Taxes & Fees: 53.80

How high is Britain's tax compared to elsewhere?

According to 'A Fair Tax on Flying'  a campaign to reduce APD consisting of some of the UK's leading travel organisations, including ABTA - the UK has the highest air travel tax of anywhere in the world.

Only six EU countries levy a similar tax, but with substantially lower rates. See a comparison with France and Germany in the table below:

TAX COSTS IN THE UK Country Tax on short-haul flight Tax on long-haul flight UK 13 71 Germany 5.70 32.10 France 3.90 8.90
Posh crisp maker Tyrrells has been snapped by US food giant and SkinnyPop popcorn owner Amplify Snack Brands in a 300million deal.

The Herefordshire farm-based firm, which was bought by Bahrain-based investment company Investcorp three years ago, sells a range of crisps and 'poshcorn', with flavours spanning 'Lobster Cocktail' to 'Butter and Mint'.

David Milner will stay on as Tyrrell's chief executive, as Amplify ramps up its quest to drive sales in the US.

Changing hands: High-end Herefordshire-based crisp maker Tyrrells has been snapped by US food giant and SkinnyPop popcorn owner Amplify Snack Brands in a 300million deal

In the last year Tyrrells raked in 84million in revenues, with global markets including Australia and Germany accounting for 40 per cent of its sales.

Mr Milner said: 'This is a terrific deal for Tyrrells and the team who have delivered a stellar performance over the last few years.

'As a small, UK farm-based business it is a tremendous achievement to be now part of a US publicly-traded company with the international reach to make Tyrrells a global brand.'

Amplify, best known for its SkinnyPop brand in the US, is a major player in the snacking category in the US.

Tom Ennis, chief executive of Amplify, said: 'Together we plan to capitalise on each company's market leadership and sales force capabilities to drive higher revenue growth than either company could independently accomplish.'

It's a tasty deal: Amplify will pay Tyrrells' current owner Investcorp about 278million in cash, with the remainder in Amplify shares

Amplify will pay Tyrrells' current owner Investcorp about 278million in cash, with the remainder in Amplify shares.

The deal will spark memories of US giant Kraft's 11.5billion hostile takeover of UK-based chocolate brand Cadbury's in 2010.

Kraft promptly closed Cadbury's factory at Somerdale, near Bristol, triggering the loss of 400 jobs.

Last year, Kraft also changed the ingredients for the Cadbury's Creme Egg, replacing the popular Cadbury Dairy Milk shell with one made from a standard cocoa mix.

The deal between Tyrrells and Amplify is not a hostile takeover, but only time will tell what sort of influence the US snacks maker has on Tyrrell's recipes, factories, and staff.

Another US giant: The Tyrrells deal will spark memories of US giant Kraft's 11.5billion hostile takeover of UK-based chocolate brand Cadbury's in 2010

Tyrrells was founded on a Herefordshire farm by William Chase in 2003.
It was once the case that the food sector had more individuals on the annual Rich List than any other industry.

But the emergence of telecoms, property and industrial firms means that the billionaires running these giants now pepper the list.

There are signs of a renaissance in food and drink, though, and there is one part leading the resurgence  the artisan sector.

Posh biccies: There are signs of a renaissance in food and drink, though, and there is one part leading the resurgence  the artisan sector

Small distilleries are popping up, bakeries are flourishing, on-farm creameries making hand-crafted cheeses are opening and there's even a shop in Malton, Yorkshire, that sells only hand-crafted butter.

Britain has become a nation of foodies with an insatiable appetite for finely produced goods.

There's even a School of Artisan Food, based at Welbeck in Nottinghamshire, which runs an array of courses ranging from bread-making to brewing. Big business is waking up to the sector's huge potential.

Take Dorset Cereals, the high-end Dorchester muesli maker. It was started in 1989 by entrepreneur Terry Crabb, who sold it to the management in 2005.

Three years later the business was snapped up by Wellness Foods in a 50million deal.

By 2012, the company had sales of 36million and profits of nearly 16m  an extraordinary margin.

So extraordinary, in fact, that in 2014 Associated British Foods coughed up a reported 70million for the business to add to its Jordans and Ryvita portfolio.

FOOD FACTS One in eight of all manufacturing jobs in the UK is in food, with exports worth 19bn

30,000 food and drink firms set up every year

When an artisan cafe called Harris + Hoole was launched, it met with rave reviews  until customers discovered it was run by Tesco

421,000 tons of artisan bread are produced in the UK every year

British foodmakers launch 16,000 products annually  more than in France and Germany combined

In 2012, Scottish mail-order butcher Donald Russell was snapped up for 30million by the Vestey Food Group. Previous to that, specialist chocolate maker Green & Black's was sold to Cadbury in a 20million deal.

It seems large companies have neither the skill nor the innovation to start niche brands, so they buy them instead.

More recently, in April this year, Thomas J Fudge's luxury biscuit maker, run from a bakery in the West Country, was sold to its management after being in family hands for 100 years.

The Fudge family started the business in 1916, originally delivering freshly baked bread by horse and cart to the north Dorset farming community.

Today its range of sweet and savoury biscuits is sold in supermarkets, with customers including Waitrose, Tesco and Marks & Spencer.

When the family looked for an exit route to end their involvement they brought in 51-year-old food veteran Paul Vita, who had previously worked at Ferrero and Allied Bakeries.

Vita liked what he saw so much that he decided to buy the business himself with the help of private equity backer Livingbridge.

'So far Livingbridge have been excellent, very supportive. It's early days yet but so far so good,' he says.

In 2015, Fudge's produced approximately 6.5million biscuits per week. It grew at double the premium market growth rate, with a turnover of 11million and profit before tax of 331,000.

Now Vita wants to establish Fudge as the UK's No1 premium biscuit brand. The firm employs 120 people, with 100 in the bakery, and Vita says he is confident about the future.

Although premium biscuits make up just 4 per cent of the biscuit market as a whole, the segment is growing 10 per cent per annum whereas, according to Vita, there is no growth for large-scale biscuit bakers.

Vita says: 'There's an increasing demand from customers who want to know where the ingredients come from, how they've been sourced and how the biscuits have been made.

'For instance, every single one of our Florentines has been hand-dipped in chocolate and if I said to you, 'You can have three Hobnobs or one Florentine,' I know what I'd choose.'

Dorchester muesli maker Dorset Cereals was started in 1989 by entrepreneur Terry Crabb, and eventually snapped up by Wellness Foods in a 50m deal

Devon farmer Peter Greig comes from a family of food retailers, but his model for success is based on mail order delivery of locally sourced meat from a network of 25 Devon farms.

He also has a butcher's shop in Exeter and a turnover of more than 1million. Greig, 59, has ambitions to grow that to 2million in short order.

Growth has been tricky because he knows he has to sustain the integrity of the supply chain. He also sells ready meals, and the firm has started selling its meat into the restaurant trade.

Greig says: 'When we started this business, the tide of food culture was flowing in a very different direction.

'Then it was price, but now more and more people are seeking integrity of the product.' Greig knows each of the farmers he works with and he knows which farm every bit of meat he sells comes from.

Potato farmer William Chase moved into producing vodka and gin after selling Tyrrells

The horsemeat scandal helped fuel growth not just for Greig but for the whole artisan food and drink sector. It is now easier to raise money for small food ventures than it has ever been.

But, a word of caution is needed. In 2002 William Chase, a Herefordshire potato farmer who was having a tough time, decided to branch out into producing crisps under the Tyrrells brand name.

He nurtured small farm shops and refused to sell to Tesco. Nevertheless, business boomed and six years later Chase sold to Langholm Capital for 30million.

They did not see eye to eye and, shortly afterwards, not only did Langholm start selling to Tesco, it also cancelled buying Chase's potatoes and bought cheaper ones instead.

Five years later and Langholm turned round and sold Tyrrells for 100million. Yesterday it was sold to US firm Amplify Snack Brands for 300million.

Elsewhere, Green & Black's former owner William Kendall has been critical of Cadbury's and, now, Kraft's stewardship of the firm, citing the need for immediate results once they had acquired it.

But once a food entrepreneur, always one. And what on earth was Chase going to do with all his unsold potatoes?

Turn them into spirits, of course  William Chase gin and vodka, to be precise.
'Simples': Comparethemarket.com looks one step closer to a 2bn stock market float

Comparison website Comparethemarket.com looks one step closer to a 2billion stock market float after it appointed bankers to oversee its listing.

BGL Group, which owns the website known for its meerkat TV adverts, has hired JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley to advise on an initial public offering expected early next year.

Comparethemarket has cashed in on consumers becoming price-savvy and keen to shop around for the best deals.

In BGLs latest accounts, for the year to June 2015, it reported revenues up by 2.4million to 507.2million and said this was thanks to growth in market share.

As well as Comparethemarket, BGL has a life insurance business, Beagle Street, and brokers so-called white label insurance for companies.

BGL is owned by two South African dynasties  founders the Douw Steyn family and the Enthoven family behind the chicken restaurant Nandos.
I have Power of Attorney for my mum who is 95 and in a care home. Is it OK for me to sell her house as the tenants renting it have given notice?

She is not desperate for the money but it would ease our minds about further increases in her care home fees.

Power of attorney: There are rules to ensure attorneys do their duty and only ever act in the best interests of the person who appointed them (stock image)

Tanya Jefferies, of This is Money, replies: Power of attorney gives people legal authority to take over decisions about the health and finances of family members or friends if they can't act on their own behalf any longer.

Understandably, there are rules to ensure attorneys do their duty and only ever act in the best interests of the person who gave them this authority. We have a guide to power of attorney here.

We asked Solicitors for the Elderly, a national organisation of lawyers that specialises in helping older and vulnerable people plan for later life, to answer your question.

Claire Davis, board member of Solicitors for the Elderly, replies: Although you have Power of Attorney, before you start making care or financial decisions for someone else, it is important to consider your exact legal authority.

This is a complex area of the law and some key considerations are set out below, but wed recommend seeking out an expert to discuss your case.

Claire Davis: 'You will need to determine whether your mum still has capacity - the ability to make her own decisions'

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that grants individuals - called attorneys - the power to act on a friend or loved ones behalf. This may be needed once the individual is too ill and they can no longer make their own decisions.

What type of Power of Attorney do you hold?

You will need to make sure you have the correct LPA in place as there are two  one is for health and welfare decisions and another is for property and financial affairs. In your case you would need the latter to enable you to access your mums accounts and pay her care home bills.

If your mum has the old style of Power of Attorney, called an Enduring Power of Attorney and created before 1 October 1987, then the rules differ.

If it is an EPA and your mum has capacity then you can act on her behalf with her permission, otherwise you will need to register the document before you can act.

An LPA for financial decisions has to be registered before you can use it whether or not the donor has capacity.

Registering an LPA or EPA involves sending the form to the Office of the Public Guardian along with a fee of 110. If you make both types of LPA then the fee needs to be paid twice. Your solicitor can handle the registration on your behalf.

Its important to plan in advance as there is a waiting time for the document to be registered. This may take four to six weeks, but varies depending on the amount of applications being processed.

Who needs to be involved in the decision?

Whether you have an LPA or EPA, you will need to determine whether your mum still has capacity - the ability to make her own decisions.

If she retains capacity, then it is important to involve her in the decision-making process and have her permission before you act.

Before selling the property you should also check whether you are the sole attorney, or appointed with someone else, such as a brother or sister.

You would need to check whether you need everyones consent to proceed (jointly), or whether you can proceed independently (jointly and severally).

What are your options besides selling the house?

Generally, if the above conditions are met then you would be able to sell your mums property and then utilise the sale proceeds to pay her care home fees.

It is also important to weigh up your options  you could consider not selling the house and continue renting.

Legal document: Lasting Power of Attorney grants individuals - called attorneys - the power to act on a friend or loved ones behalf

If the only asset your mum owns is her house, then you could opt for something called a Deferred Payment Agreement. This is where the local council will attach a debt to the property for the amount of care home fees that are due.

Eventually you will then need to repay these with an element of interest when selling the property, but it allows you to take advantage if your mums home increases in value over time.

You should contact the local council to discuss your eligibility. You must prove that your mum has limited savings; in England this is currently a maximum of 23,250 but this differs slightly in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A specialist solicitor would be able to advise you in more detail on this.

What happens if you go ahead with the sale?

If you still decide to sell the house, then it is recommended that you get specialist financial advice to invest the sale proceeds in the best interests of your mum and to try and make the money last as long as possible.

Your specialist lawyer can put you in touch with organisations that offer you the best guidance for these specific circumstances.

Also, it is worth bearing in mind that there are various rules in place around what can be done with the proceeds of sale, and the Office of the Public Guardian recently issued new guidance about gifting for someone acting as an attorney.

For example, if you sell the house on behalf of your mum you cant gift yourself the money. All finances should remain in your mums bank accounts and you must operate them as her attorney.
Wealthy pensioners should downsize or remortgage their homes to pay sky-high care bills, Theresa May's director of policy has said.

John Godfrey suggested that over the next 10 years, the solution to the social care system lies in those with valuable homes selling up or releasing some of the equity in their property.

He said there was an 'awful lot of money' trapped in the value of older people's homes, which could be 'liberated' to help people fund their care costs.

The comments, made last year, were branded a 'betrayal' by David Cameron's former pensions minister, Baroness Altmann.

John Godfrey has suggested wealthy pensioners should sell their homes in order to pay for care bills (stock photo)

At present, an elderly person's home has to be sold to pay care bills but only after their death.

The downsizing idea would see homes being sold at a much earlier stage, freeing up cash to pay the care home bills. This means an inevitable reduction in what is passed on to their children.

Lady Altmann, who left the government when Mrs May took over, said governments have been promising reform of Britain's broken care system for years  but nothing ever happened.

'This is a betrayal of the older generation and the taxpayers who will have to foot the bill,' she said.

'Governments who kick the can down the road, who keep saying they are going to do something about social care and then don't  they are betraying elderly people and their children, who won't be able to inherit their properties and could end up picking up the bill themselves.'

Around one in 10 people end up paying more than 100,000 in care costs in old age, research has shown. Up to 40,000 a year have to sell their homes to pay care bills.

Mr Godfrey is the director of policy for the new Prime Minister, Theresa May (pictured)

The Conservatives went in to last year's election pledging to introduce a cap on the amount people have to pay for care of 72,000 a year.

But just weeks after their victory, the Department of Health announced that the cap would not come into place until 2020  leaving people with sky-high bills for years to come.

Speaking to an independent commission last year, Mr Godfrey said: 'On a 10-year view, equity release is going to be hugely important, because if you look at the amount of housing equity across the UK that is owned by people of post-retirement age, that is really where an awful lot of the money sits at the moment.

'Can people either downshift or liberate some of that money through equity release to fund their living costs?'

Equity release involves borrowing against the value of a home or selling all or part of it for a lump sum or a monthly income.

Mr Godfrey, who was a special adviser to Douglas Hurd in Margaret Thatcher's administration, said he believed the government should encourage people to sell their homes to release cash through the building of suitable retirement homes.

'As far as downshifting is concerned, you move into another area of policy altogether, which is the need to build more housing to give people a choice of the right sort of home,' he said.

Research has suggested that around one in 10 people end up paying more than 100,000 in care costs in old age (stock photo)

The comments, reported in the Observer, are believed to have been made to an independent commission carried out by the King's Fund.

Mr Godfrey had been working for insurer Legal & General as corporate affairs director for eight years before his appointment in mid-July. Downing Street declined to comment last night.

Neil Duncan-Jordan, spokesman for the National Pensioners' Convention, said: 'This plan is not going to address the crisis in social care.

'Why should someone with dementia have to be means tested and sell their home to fund themselves, while cancer sufferers get their care funded by all of us? We should no longer have this artificial divide between illnesses.

'If this is seen as the answer, it shows the government has run out of ideas.'

Baroness Altmann said: 'It is unbelievable how somehow or another, successive governments have failed to get to grips with social care.
Bar Sinister said: The US has never had true freedom of speech. Just ask the Dixie Chicks. Freedom of speech means being able to speak the truth without having your livelihood threatened or being bombarded with progtard hate mail. Click to expand...

Fixed to reflect the current problem group. Like seriously, how is saying All Lives Matter, racist? The old Moral Majority may be on life support if not outright dead, but the progressives have picked up the Moral Majority's sanctimony with gusto and run with it. Speech is only going to become less free.
THE WALL OF SHAME

"The only thing [Trump's] mouth is good for is being Vladimir Putin's c--k holster."

--STEPHEN COLBERT

"[Ivanka Trump] Your father is a racist birther. Steve Bannon an anti-Semitic opportunist. You and your husband are enabling hatred. F--- your shoes."

--BRADLEY WHITFORD

"Melania [Trump] is a hooker."

--JACOB BERNSTEIN

"And my job is to shut other white people down when they want to interrupt."

"We have to, at the DNC, provide training. We have to teach them how to communicate, how to be sensitive, and how to shut their mouths if they're white."

--SALLY BOYNTON BROWN

"And to our detractors that insist that this march will never add up to anything: F--- you! F---you!

"Yes, I have thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House."

--MADONNA

"Barron Trump looks like a very handsome date-rapist-to-be."

--STEPHEN SPINOLA

"Barron [Trump] will be this country's first homeschool shooter."

--KATIE RICH

"Hollywood is crawling with outsiders and foreigners, and if we kick 'em all out, you'll have nothing to watch but football and mixed martial arts, which are not the arts."

--MERYL STREEP

"There's a billion to one chance we're living in base reality."

[That means we're almost positively living in a simulation, like a video game.]

--ELON MUSK

"When I would deny that there was a significant racist component in some of the politics on our side, it was because the people I hung out with were certainly not. When suddenly, this rock is turned over, there is this'Oh shit, did I not see that?'"

----------------------------

"In any other scenario, Hillary Clinton's lying about her emails, and her pay-for-play relationship with the Clinton Foundation would be disqualifying issues. The only reason they're not disqualifying is because Donald Trump is a fundamentally more repellent, dishonest figure."

--CHARLIE SYKES

"I made a mistake in recalling the events of twelve years ago... I said I was traveling in an aircraft that was hit by RPG fire. I was instead in a following aircraft."

--BRIAN WILLIAMS

"I'm here to tell you if you elect me governor of this state, I will end the civil war."

--TOM BARRETT

"I would not look to the U.S. Constitution, if I were drafting a constitution in the year 2012. I might look at the constitution of South Africa. That was a deliberate attempt to have a fundamental instrument of government that embraced basic human rights, had an independent judiciary. It really is, I think, a great piece of work that was done."

--RUTH BADER GINSBURG

"Callista Gingrich. Karen Santorum. Ann Romney. Now, do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady?"

--ROBERT DE NIRO

"The death of Andrew Breitbart disproves the adage that only the good die young."

--JULIAN BOND

"The National Institute of Health has said that it is a danger to women's health and safety of their families that for 30 years to be exposed to the prospects of pregnancy."

--GWEN MOORE

"[Tea Party Republicans] have acted like terrorists."

--JOE BIDEN

"Why did- Couldn't the President have said at that moment, way back in December of last year, 'no game playing. No hostage-taking. No terrorizing this country with the debt ceiling. I'm not going to negotiate with you guys. You can't play it that way.' Could he have done that?"

--CHRIS MATTHEWS

"[T]he tea-party Hobbits could return to Middle Earth having defeated Mordor."

--WALL STREET JOURNAL EDITORIAL

"I remember distinctly an image of--we were sitting on his couches, and I was looking at [Obama's] pant leg and his perfectly creased pant, and I'm thinking, a) he's going to be president and b) he'll be a very good president."

--DAVID BROOKS

"I feel like calling her back and smackin' her around."

--FRED CLARK, DEMOCRAT

"The picture was of me, and I sent it."

--ANTHONY WEINER

"[I]f you go back to the year 2000, when we had an obvious disaster and - and saw that our voting process needed refinement, and we did that in the America Votes Act and made sure that we could iron out those kinks, now you have the Republicans, who want to literally drag us all the way back to Jim Crow laws and literally - and very transparently - block access to the polls to voters who are more likely to vote Democratic candidates than Republican candidates. And it's nothing short of that blatant."

--DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

"This is probably one of the worst times we've seen because the numbers of people elected to Congress. I went through this as co-chair of the arts caucus. In '94 people were elected simply to come here to kill the National Endowment for the Arts. Now theyre here to kill women."

--LOUISE SLAUGHTER

"The protesters have proven today that theyre not going away. It was a pretty rough night last night. You can imagine if people said, well, we just cant fight the power. Instead, this morning, they came by tens, by hundreds, by thousands. By midday today, it was easily more than 10,000, perhaps as many as 15,000 people on the square here in Madison. Not organized by anyone, just grassroots citizens who came out just like the Minutemen in 1776."

--JOHN NICHOLS

"They're sitting on the money, they're using it for their own -- they're putting it someplace else with no interest in helping you with your life, with that money. We've allowed them to take that. That's not theirs, that's a national resource, that's ours. We all have this -- we all benefit from this or we all suffer as a result of not having it. I think we need to go back to taxing these people at the proper rates."

--MICHAEL MOORE

"Why don't we just raise the taxes and let these folks have their collective bargaining, have their union representation and go back to their jobs? Raise the taxes on the wealthy."

--DAVID LETTERMAN

"In 1933, [Hitler] abolished unions and that's what our Governor [Scott Walker] is doing today."

--LENA TAYLOR, Democrat State Senator

"So I would urge my Republican colleagues, no matter how strongly they feel -- you know, we have three branches of government. We have a House. We have a Senate. We have a president. And all three of us are going to have to come together and give some, but it is playing with fire to risk the shutting down of the government."

--CHUCK SCHUMER

"Well, when you start off with the Preamble of the Constitution, you talk about the pursuit of happiness."

--JOHN LEWIS

"I'm Rebecca Kleefisch. I performed fellatio on all the talk show hosts in Milwaukee. And they endorsed me and that's how I became lieutenant governor."

--SLY SYLVESTER

"Do you think this Constitution-loving is getting out of hand? I mean, is it a nod to the Tea Party?"

--JOY BEHAR

"We cant just leave it up to the parents."

"[Military leaders] tell us that childhood obesity isnt just a public health issue; they tell us that it is not just an economic threat -- it is a national security threat as well."

--MICHELLE OBAMA

"Actually, I did not take part in [the assassination of Sarah Palin]. I led it."

--KATHLEEN PARKER

"[The repeal of ObamaCare is] a kind of creeping genocide."

--JESSE JACKSON

"[Obama] has to realize that Mitch McConnell has virtually said so that politically he wants to cut out his heart and throw his liver to the dogs."

--DAN RATHER

"And the instructions are not to improvise a comedy sketch, but to elect a group of unqualified, unstable individuals who will do what they are told, in exchange for money and power, and march this nation as far backward as they can get, backward to Jim Crow, or backward to the breadlines of the '30s, or backward to hanging union organizers, or backward to the trusts and the robber barons.

"Result: the Tea Party. Vote backward, vote Tea Party. And if you are somehow indifferent to what is planned for next Tuesday, it is nothing short of an attempted use of democracy to end this democracy."

--KEITH "Reagan's dead and he was a lousy President" OLBERMANN

"I gotta wonder when people are gonna start wearing uniforms. I mean they've got an army out there in Alaska of militia people. You've got these guys going around acting like street thugs. I mean it isn't far from what we saw in the thirties, where all of a sudden, political parties started showing up in uniform."

--CHRIS MATTHEWS

"[Sharron Angle] is a moron on top of being evil... I'd like to see her do this ad in the South Bronx. Come here, bitch. Come to New York and do it. I'm not praying for her. She's going to hell. She's going to hell, this bitch."

--JOY BEHAR

"So people have been hurting and I understand that. And it doesn't give them comfort or solace for me to tell them, you know, but for me, we'd be in a worldwide depression."

--HARRY REID

"And to play Dick Cheney, all I had to do was find my Dick Cheney. And you can find all the villainy in the world in your own heart, and that's what an actor's job is. I always say to kids, inside you is Hitler and Jesus. And you got to find the appropriate person and bring them out."

--RICHARD DREYFUSS

"Because I live in the District of Columbia which is so predominantly Democratic, I am a registered Democrat. But I am an avowed neutral. And to put that into practice, I take my young daughter into the voting booth and she votes for me. She's now 14. We've been doing this since she was about age 4. She's now quite informed."

--BOB WOODWARD

"Sarah Palin's an idiot. Come on. This is a remarkably, stunningly, jaw-droppingly incompetent and mean woman."

"The Democrats may have moved into the center, but the Republicans have moved into a mental institution."

--AARON SORKIN

"Perhaps the greatest threat of all is the undermining of our Constitution and the systematic attack against the inalienable rights of the citizens of this nation, rights that are guaranteed by our Constitution. At the vanguard of this insidious attack is the Tea Party. This band of misguided citizens is moving perilously close to achieving villainous ends."

--HARRY BELAFONTE

"[Christine O'Donnell is] a witch who doesn't masturbate."

--JOY BEHAR

"Ah, the Tea Party, the nativist bed-wetters who somehow control our national dialogue. Yes, I call them the Pee Party, Jay, because they're always peeing in their pants about something. They're just, they're afraid of a mosque being built in New York. They're afraid of guns. You know, they think Obama, who like every other pussy Democrat has never said a single word about gun control, but they are very sure that he and his Negro army are coming after their guns. You know what? If you think that he's coming after your guns, you need to get out of your chat room and have your house tested for lead. He's not coming after your guns or your Bible or your fishing pole or your chewing tobacco."

--BILL MAHER

"That's a trade-off society is making because of very, very high medical costs, and a lack of willingness to say, you know, is spending a million dollars on that last three months of life for that patient, would it be better not to lay off those ten teachers and to make that trade-off in medical costs. But that;s called the 'Death Panel' and you're not supposed to have that discussion."

--BILL GATES

"NOT the 'whiteman's bitch'"

--IESHUH GRIFFIN

"[If Rush Limbaugh suffered a heart attack in my presence, I would] laugh loudly like a maniac and watch his eyes bug out. I never knew I had this much hate in me. But he deserves it."

--SARAH SPITZ

"You want freedom, you going to have to kill some crackers. You going to have to kill some of their babies."

--KING SAMIR SHABAZZ

"If this was Texas, which is the state that, that is directly on the border with Mexico, and they were calling for a measure like this, saying that they had a major issue with, you know, with undocumented people flooding their borders, I would say I would have to look twice at this. "But this is a state that is a ways removed from the border. And, um, it just, it doesn't make sense to me that when you google this subject, if you put in 'Arizona S.B. 1070,' that you see a picture of the governor of Arizona meeting with President Obama in May of 2010. If you have direct linkage to the president, there are already National Guard troops on the border in Arizona."

--PEGGY WEST

"Tell [the Jews] to get the hell out of Palestine. Remember, these people are occupied and it's their land. It's not German. It's not Poland. [The Jews] can go home. Poland. Germany."

--HELEN THOMAS

"After the last eight years, it's good to have a president that knows what a library is."

--PAUL McCARTNEY

"By the way, I just want to point out I'm wearing my splash shield because I was told I was going to be in the splash zone (during Harry Smith's colonoscopy on live TV)."

--KATIE COURIC

"And that Word is, we have to give voice to what that means in terms of public policy that would be in keeping with the values of the Word."

----------------------------

"Think of an economy where people could be an artist or a photographer or a writer without worrying about keeping their day job in order to have health insurance or that people could start a business and be entrepreneurial and take risk, but not job loss because of a child with asthma or someone in the family is bipolaryou name it, any condition  is job-locking."

--NANCY PELOSI

"Back in World War II, we viewed the Japanese as 'yellow, slant-eyed dogs' that believed in different gods. They were out to kill us because our way of living was different. We, in turn, wanted to annihilate them because they were different. Does that sound familiar, by any chance, to what's going on today?"

--TOM HANKS

"The 'White Right' is trying to set Barack up to be assassinated.... Here are Christians praying for God to kill Barack Obama."

--LOUIS FARRAKHAN

"I refuse to accept the notion that the United States of America is not going to lead the world economically throughout the 20th Century."

--JOE BIDEN

"Obama's critics keep blasting him for Chicago-style politics. So, fine. Channel your inner Al Capone and go gangsta against your foes. Let 'em know that if they aren't with you, they are against you, and will pay the price."

--ROLAND MARTIN

"Martha Coakley is running to fill the rest of Ted Kennedy's term, and her opponent is a far-right tea-bagger Republican."

--CHUCK SCHUMER

"I tell you what, if I lived in Massachusetts, I'd try to vote ten times. I don't know if they'd let me or not, but I'd try to. Yeah, that's right, I'd cheat to keep these bastards out. I would. 'Cause that's exactly what they are."

--ED SCHULTZ

"We also see how revved up the tea baggers are at the thought of hijacking health care reform and every chance we have at making progress in Washington."

--JOHN KERRY

"A few years ago, this guy (Obama) would have been getting us coffee."

--BILL CLINTON

"I didn't realize I had written a column defending Roman Polanski and minimized his crime - are you sure it was me? I mean, I? There is, apparently, more to this crime than it would seem, and it may sound like a hollow defense, but in Hollywood I am not sure a 13-year-old is really a 13-year-old."

--TOM SHALES

"Joe Wilson yelled 'You lie!' at a president who didn't. But, fair or not, what I heard was an unspoken word in the air: You lie, boy!"

--MAUREEN DOWD

"One awkward moment for Sarah Palin at the Yankee game... During the 7th inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez."

--DAVID LETTERMAN

"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasnt lived that life."

--SONIA SOTOMAYOR

"We all considered sexual abuse of minors as a moral evil, but had no understanding of its criminal nature."

--REMBERT WEAKLAND, Archbishop of Milwaukee 1977- 2002

"You know, you might want to look into this, [President Obama], because I think maybe Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker, but he was so strung out on Oxycontin he missed his flight."

"Rush Limbaugh -- 'I hope the country fails.' I hope his kidneys fail."

----------------------------

"[Obama] told me I did a great job. The first lady said the same thing. I got a 'well done' from the president, I'm on cloud nine."

--WANDA SYKES

"Americans are looking for more government in their life, not less."

--COLIN POWELL

"[Tea Party goers are] just a bunch of wimpy, whiny, weasels who don't love their country."

--PAUL BEGALA

"I wouldn't want [gay marriage] to go to the United States Supreme Court now because that homophobe Antonin Scalia has too many votes on this current court."

--BARNEY FRANK

"Going forward, my mind will be open to every solution -- except one. We should not -- we must not -- and I will not -- raise taxes."

--JIM DOYLE, Liar

"He's a terrorist. Rush Limbaugh is a terrorist."

--JOY BEHAR

"You know, I just want to say to her (Sarah Palin), just very quickly...F--- you."

--JON STEWART

"Should I be worried about being a slave and being returned to slavery?"

--WHOOPI GOLDBERG

"I also believe that America is the greatest sin against God."

--FR. MICHAEL PFLEGER

"Those who think they can revive the stinking corpse of the usurping and fake Israeli regime by throwing a birthday party are seriously mistaken. Today the reason for the Zionist regime's existence is questioned, and this regime is on its way to annihilation."

--MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD

"We'll be eight degrees hotter in ten, not ten but 30 or 40 years and basically none of the crops will grow. Most of the people will have died and the rest of us will be cannibals."

--TED TURNER

"Look, [Mitt] Romney comes from a religion founded by a criminal who was anti-American, pro-slavery, and a rapist. And he comes from that lineage and says, 'I respect this religion fully.'"

--LAWRENCE O'DONNELL

"Mexico does not end at its borders... Where there is a Mexican, there is Mexico."

--FELIPE CALDERON

"The planet has a fever. If your baby has a fever, you go to the doctor. If the doctor says you need to intervene here, you don't say, 'Well, I read a science fiction novel that told me it's not a problem.' If the crib's on fire, you don't speculate that the baby is flame retardant."

--AL GORE

"Don't fear the terrorists. They're mothers and fathers."

--ROSIE O'DONNELL

"Is America ready for a black president? Well, I say we just had a retarded one. When did being black become a bigger deterrent than being retarded?"

--CHRIS ROCK

"Shut the f--- up! Shut up if you can't take a joke [about President Bush]!"

--BARBRA STREISAND

"Right, oh, yeah, Happy 9/11! Celebrate the day, right?"

--JAMES BROLIN, Mr. Barbra Streisand

"I think President Bush very well may have signed an authorization for the 9/11 attacks."

--KEVIN BARRETT, UW-MADISON Lecturer

"I said what I said. I am not guilty."

--SADDAM HUSSEIN

"Terri will not be starved to death. Her nutrition and hydration will be taken away."

--MICHAEL SCHIAVO

"On the eve of the election last month my wife Judith and I were driving home late in the afternoon and turned on the radio for the traffic and weather. What we instantly got was a freak show of political pornography: lies, distortions, and half-truths -- half-truths being perhaps the blackest of all lies. "

--BILL MOYERS

"I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for."

--HOWARD DEAN

"The Iraqis who have risen up against the occupation are not 'insurgents' or 'terrorists' or 'The Enemy.' They are the REVOLUTION, the Minutemen, and their numbers will grow -- and they will win."

--MICHAEL MOORE

"And there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the--of--the historical customs, religious customs."

--JOHN KERRY

"F---ing retarded."

"[Republicans] can go f--- themselves!"

--RAHM EMANUEL

"I'm not going to have some reporters pawing through our papers. We are the president."

--HILLARY CLINTON

"It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is."

--BILL CLINTON

"And let me tell you something -- for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment."

--MICHELLE OBAMA

"If asking a billionaire to pay the same tax rate as a Jew, uh, as a janitor, makes me a warrior for the working class, I wear that with a badge of honor."

----------------------------

"If you love me, you got to help me pass this bill."

----------------------------

"[F]or most of my lifetime, the United States was such a dominant economic power, we were such a large market, our industry, our technology, our manufacturing was so significant that we always met the rest of the world economically on our terms. And now, because of the incredible rise of India and China and Brazil and other countries, the United States remains the largest economic and the largest market but theres real competition out there. And that's potentially healthy. It makes -- Michelle was saying earlier I like tough questions because it keeps me on my toes. Well, this will keep America on its toes."

----------------------------

"If Latinos sit out the election instead of saying, 'We're gonna PUNISH OUR ENEMIES and we're gonna reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us,' if they don't see that kind of upsurge in voting in this election, then I think it's gonna be harder and that's why I think it's so important that people focus on voting on November 2."

----------------------------

"We don't mind the Republicans joining us. They can come for the ride, but THEY GOTTA SIT IN BACK."

----------------------------

"We can absorb a terrorist attack. We'll do everything we can to prevent it, but even a 9/11, even the biggest attack ever... we absorbed it and we are stronger."

----------------------------

"We're buying shrimp, guys."

----------------------------

"We are the ones we've been waiting for."

----------------------------

"We talk to these folks because they potentially have the best answers so I know whose ass to kick."

----------------------------

"We're not trying to push financial reform because we begrudge success that's fairly earned. I mean, I do think at a certain point you've made enough money. But, you know, part of the American way is, you know, you can just keep on making it if youre providing a good product or you're providing good service. We don't want people to stop fulfilling the core responsibilities of the financial system to help grow the economy."

----------------------------

"If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen."

----------------------------

"It is a vital national security interest of the United States to reduce these conflicts because whether we like it or not, we remain a dominant military superpower, and when conflicts break out, one way or another we get pulled into them. And that ends up costing us significantly in terms of both blood and treasure."

----------------------------

"But I -- I think that the most important thing for the public to understand is, we're not handling any of these cases any different than the Bush administration handled them all through 9/11."

----------------------------

"One such translator was an American of Haitian descent, representative of the extraordinary work that our men and women in uniform do all around the world -- Navy CORPSE-MAN Christian [sic] Brossard. And lying on a gurney aboard the USNS Comfort, a woman asked Christopher: 'Where do you come from? What country? After my operation,' she said, 'I will pray for that country.' And in Creole, CORPSE-MAN Brossard responded, 'Etazini.' The United States of America."

----------------------------

"I hear that Dr. Joe Medicine Crow was around, and so I want to give a shout-out to that Congressional Medal of Honor winner. It's good to see you."

----------------------------

"We are God's partners in matters of life and death."

----------------------------

"[T]he Cambridge police acted stupidly."

----------------------------

"I am going to teach [my daughters] first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby."

----------------------------

"The reforms we seek would bring greater competition, choice, savings, and INEFFICIENCIES to our health care system."

----------------------------

"Over the last 15 months, weve traveled to every corner of the United States. Ive now been in 57 states? I think one left to go. Alaska and Hawaii, I was not allowed to go to even though I really wanted to visit, but my staff would not justify it."

--BARACK OBAMA
Leaders of Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan met on Monday to discuss a new transport corridor and other economic projects in the Caspian Sea region.

A prospective railway link between Iran and Azerbaijan is expected to become part of a transport corridor that would run from India all the way to St. Petersburg in Russia, providing a faster and cheaper alternative to existing sea routes.

"The North-South transport corridor would be highly efficient," Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said during the talks. He added that construction is already under way to link Azerbaijani and Iranian railways.

Prior to the trilateral talks, Russia\s President Vladimir Putin met separately with Aliyev and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, hailing the "multi-faceted" cooperation with Iran and burgeoning economic ties with Azerbaijan.

It was the first time the three nations had such a meeting, and the three leaders said the new format should help improve ties. Rouhani offered to host the next such meeting.

Putin pointed at threats posed by the Islamic State group and other extremists, saying that the three nations need to cooperate more closely to tackle that and other challenges.

The three leaders also signed a joined declaration, urging stronger global action against terrorism and organized crime.

SOURCE: AP
A panel of international judges Monday sentenced a former member of Kosovo\s ethnic Albanian guerrilla group to eight years in prison for war crimes committed during the 1998-1999 conflict, a court statement said.

The court panel "found the accused Xhemshit Krasniqi guilty of committing the criminal offence of war crimes against the civilian population," the EU rule of law mission (EULEX) said in the statement.

Krasniqi was a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) that fought security forces loyal to the then Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic.

Krasniqi "was found guilty of arrest, illegal detention, violation of bodily integrity, health and torture of several witnesses and unknown civilians in the KLA camps" in Albania and Kosovo, EULEX said.

The war ended after a three-month long air campaign against Serbia by NATO and paved the way for Kosovo\s independence a decade later.

Just months after Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008, the EU launched a large civilian mission to help the young country improve its rule of law.

EULEX\s mostly European judges and prosecutors can take over court cases that the local judiciary cannot handle due to their sensitivity.

SOURCE: AFP
These real PA creatures could become cryptids if we don't save them
A Walmart employee is accused of sexually assaulting an under-aged girl he met at his store.

According to an arrest affidavit:

On March 30, a woman went to the Burkburnett Police Department and said her 15-year-old daughter had sex with a man she had met at the Central Freeway Walmart in north Wichita Falls.

The mother said she had discovered her daughter had created an account on Facebook to keep in touch with the 23-year-old man. The Facebook account showed a picture of the two kissing. The girl told an investigating detective the man, Victor Fernando Tezaguic Sicay, 23, had come to her home in Burkburnett on three occasions and she would sneak out of the house and meet him in his car.

In an interview at Patsy's House Child Advocacy Center, the girl admitted the two had engaged in sexual acts.

When police went to the Walmart store, a manager told them Sicay had taken a leave of absence to go home to Guatemala.

Jail records indicate Sicay was arrested Saturday. He is charged with sexual assault and indecency with a child. His total bail was set at $300,000 and he was in the Wichita County Jail Monday.
New York

Several private universities are boosting stipends and benefits ahead of a federal ruling that could clear the way for graduate students to form unions. To some grad students, it's an attempt to persuade them that they don't need collective bargaining to get a raise.

Union backers say pay hikes are nice but what they want most is more control over their work as teaching and research assistants.

"The message isn't that graduate students need more money," said Ben Cohen, who studies biomedical engineering at Cornell University, which recently raised stipends by 2 percent and increased child-care subsidies for graduate students.

"The message is that graduate students deserve to have a voice in their representation," he said.

Thousands of graduate students at public universities are already unionized, but New York University is the only private university in the U.S. where graduate students now have union representation.

That could change in the months ahead. The National Labor Relations Board, which ruled in 2000 that grad students had a right to collective bargaining only to reverse itself in 2004, has been revisiting the issue yet again in cases involving Columbia University and the New School, both in New York City.

Both pro- and anti-union forces say they expect the current board, appointed by President Barack Obama, to again declare that grad students have a right to organize. A ruling is expected before Obama leaves office.

Last month, Columbia announced it would raise the standard nine-month graduate stipend of $26,286 by 17 percent over the next four years. That came after the university acted last May to increase child-care subsidies and paid parental leave.

Among other universities that have increased pay and benefits for graduate students, the University of Chicago announced a $2,000 graduate student stipend increase over two years last December. Brown University raised stipends and added money for dental coverage and travel to conferences.

Brian Carlson, a Massachusetts-based law lawyer who represents educational institutions, said the increases in pay and benefits are likely intended to dissuade graduate students from unionizing. "When graduate students are happy they are less likely to be receptive to calls to organize," Carlson said.

University administrators argue that graduate students are not employees, even though they help teach and conduct research.

The other seven Ivy League institutions plus Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology filed a brief with the NLRB on Feb. 29 supporting Columbia against the union effort. They warned that allowing graduate students to unionize would represent "an inappropriate intrusion into long protected areas of academic freedom and autonomy."
COLONIE  An Albany man faces a litany of charges  15 in total  after leading police on a high speed chase that, police said, was suspended once he drove through a thickly populated part of Albany's Arbor Hill.

Police said they initially stopped Carl Lumpkin's vehicle Tuesday for an alleged traffic violation on Wendell Avenue.
Albany

A one-alarm fire Sunday night at 151 Lark Street left eight residents displaced, fire department officials said.

The fire was in a third floor apartment, Battalion Chief Daniel Coleman said.

There was mostly smoke and water damage to the three-story brick building, the chief said. The fire call was at about 8:30 p.m.

One firefighter was sent to Albany Medical Center Hospital as a precautionary measure.

"The men did a good job," Coleman said in praising the firefighters.

Lark Street was closed to traffic north of Central Avenue.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known and is under investigation.

 Kenneth C. Crowe II
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Troy

A specialized registry to track cancer among firefighters would illuminate the risks of the job and help policy makers determine how to protect firefighters from disease in the future, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said Monday at the city's Central Fire Station.

The senator, with fellow Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, will introduce a bill to direct the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create the registry, which would provide concrete data to support efforts to prevent and treat cancer among firefighters, Schumer said. The legislation has already been proposed in the House of Representatives.

The CDC and National Cancer Institute already maintain extensive cancer registries, which researchers use to track the disease by type, geography and other factors. Schumer said that the increased cancer risk among firefighters, which has become better known since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, justifies a specialized registry.

A report released by federal health officials last month showed higher rates of certain types of cancers in a study of 30,000 firefighters in Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Firefighters had higher rates of digestive, oral, respiratory and urinary cancers, as well as a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

The senator and local officials cited new chemicals in all manner of household goods  furniture, toys, cellphones  among factors that contribute to firefighters' increased disease risk.

"The fire service today is not your father's or your grandfather's fire service," said Sam Fresina, president-elect of the New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association, who praised the idea of a registry.

The senator did not have an estimate for the cost of establishing the registry, but said data collection would not be expensive. More costly would be analyses by researchers using the database.

Schumer and local officials also announced Monday that the Troy Fire Department has received $1.8 million in federal funding through three grants the senator promised to help secure during a visit to the city nine months ago. The grants will cover the cost to hire seven firefighters over two years, the purchase of a fireboat for about $350,000, other equipment and training.

The fireboat will aid firefighters in battling blazes at waterfront buildings and piers and also serve as a launching pad for underwater investigations such as this year's search for the body of Noel Alkaramla, said Assistant Fire Chief Eric McMahon.

McMahon was repeatedly praised for working nights and weekends to write proposals for the grants. He thanked Schumer's office for guiding him through the grant-writing process.

Troy Fire Chief Thomas Garrett presented Schumer with his own Troy fire chief's hat, emblazoned with the No. 1.

chughes@timesunion.com  518-454-5417  @hughesclaire
Stephentown

A 32-year-old man was arrested Saturday after he attacked a local woman, State Police at Schodack said.

Shane Dus of Pittsfield, Mass., went to the woman's residence and outside the house he punched her then choked her until she was unconscious, State Police said.

After the attack, Dus allegedly broke into the woman's home. He was an acquaintance of the woman, troopers said.

Dus was arrested by troopers from Schodack and Sand Lake for second-degree strangulation, a felony, and misdemeanor counts of third-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree trespass.

Dus was arraigned in the Nassau Town Court and sent to the Rensselaer County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail.

Kenneth C. Crowe II
Williamstown, Mass.

Infuriated beyond caring about her political future, the woman nominated to be U.S. surgeon general tears into the TV interviewer responsible for essentially scuttling her chance at the job, upbraiding him and the country for the hypocritical expectations they have for successful women, especially those in the public eye.

Following the monologue, delivered with precisely calibrated, escalating fury by Diane Davis during Williamstown Theatre Festival's handsome, strongly acted production of the Wendy Wasserstein drama "An American Daughter," the audience on Saturday exploded with extended applause.

The play, written and set 20 years ago, has enough resonances with today make Wasserstein seem eerily prescient  or the American political system to seem hopelessly stuck. Then it was Hillary Clinton, who'd offended the women of middle America when she said she was glad she hadn't sacrificed her career for her husband's and "stayed home, baked cookies and had teas"; and it was also Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood, whose nominations for U.S. attorney general both were ended after it was revealed they had employed undocumented immigrants as nannies. Today it is Hillary Clinton again, held to a standard so far beyond her Republican opponent for president that Wasserstein, who died a decade ago, couldn't have imagined it.

More Information Review "An American Daughter" When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Main Stage, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Main Street, Williamstown, Mass. Length: Two hours, 25 minutes; one intermission Continues: 2 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 3:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; additional evening performance, 7 p.m.Sunday, Aug. 7. Aug. 21. Tickets: $40 to $68 Info: 413-597-3400 or www.wtfestival.org See More Collapse

Well, she probably could. The audience in Williamstown certainly relates. Choosing "An American Daughter" was a smart programming choice for the festival; given its audience demographics, probably half of any given crowd attending the production will be women roughly Clinton's age who faced similar work-family challenges and choices, albeit with less scrutiny. When one of the characters says that the surgeon general nominee "needs to learn that it is arrogant to be herself," the audience's reaction of affronted recognition was audible.

The production, under the direction of Evan Cabnet, does just about the best job possible with Wasserstein's play, which is so overstuffed with Important Themes and Very Important Observations about American Life Today that it strains its own seams and creaks with weightiness. This is true even though Wasserstein is too much a pro for the play not to be finely hewn and the dialogue artfully sculpted, despite at times being a mouthful (i.e., "Her nonpracticing heterosexuality puts a damper on her joie de vivre").

The nominee, Lyssa, boasts significant professional accomplishments  a top doctor, professor of medicine, hospital administrator  yet she's also a dutiful mom and wife, too, found at the opening of the play watching the announcement of her nomination on TV as she folds laundry on the living-room floor of her posh Georgetown home. Just about all of the characters with significant roles come from related strata of Washington's political and media elite, including Lyssa's husband, Walter (Stephen Kunken), a sociology professor who wrote a definitive book about American liberalism; her father, Allen (Richard Poe), a veteran conservative senator from the Midwest; family friend Morrow (Roe Hartrampf), who's a gay conservative commentator with a million-dollar screenplay deal; a Wolf Blitzer-style reporter and anchor (Jason Danieley); and Quincy (Kerry Bishe), a former student of Walter's who's now a media darling as a postfeminist author and pundit. Even the lone nonpublic figure, Judith (Saidah Arrika Ekulona), Lyssa's best friend from high school, is a distinguished doctor and breast-cancer specialist.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter.

This is elevated company indeed, and Wasserstein sets them to grappling with equivalently grand matters that, as previously mentioned, feel so of-the-moment that it's almost a shock to realize the play is two decades old. (The clues to its age are the lack of cellphone ubiquity and the absence of social media as a factor; TV and newspapers dominate, albeit at the beginning of their decline.) The flaws are almost exclusively with the play, though quibbles can be raised with Ekulona's line stumbles and Kunken portrayal of the husband, who's marginally less convincing than the others.

As Superwoman Lyssa, complete with Susan Sontag gray stripe in her hair, Davis is extraordinarily convincing, and the three media types are so convincingly portrayed that you both loathe them and understand their behavior exactly. The design aspects  set by Derek McLane, costumes by Jessica Pabst, lighting by Ben Stanton  are quintessential Williamstown, which is to say top-notch and obviously expensive, and the whole thing has sheen of high-quality professionalism.

When Quincy, the shiny blonde sexpot commentator, says of Lyssa, "I can't find her soul," we're meant to understand the assessment as glib, bordering on vapid. But it applies equally to the play, too, a condemnation that in wrapping her arms so wide, Wasserstein makes the core of her story elusive.

sbarnes@timesunion.com  518-454-5489  @Tablehopping  http://facebook.com/SteveBarnesFoodCritic
Albany

Andy Williams projects 2016 will be another good year for his marijuana business.

The Medicine Man CEO estimates the company is valued at about $30 million, with some $18 million in revenue projected for 2016.

So goes business for a successful marijuana company in Colorado, where recreational and medicinal uses of the drug are legal.

New York presents a different story for medical marijuana growers and producers, where recreational use remains illegal. Eight months into sales, the eligible patient base remains smaller than companies would like and profitability seems like a distant goal. Three of New York's five licensed operators, Etain Health, PharmaCann and Vireo Health of New York, confirmed in interviews that they are not yet profitable. A spokeswoman for a fourth company, Columbia Care NY, declined to discuss the company's financials. The other company, Bloomfield Industries Inc., did not respond to interview requests.

The fact that business is plodding along is more expected growing pains of a fledgling industry than any egregious offense on the part of either the companies or the state, which is tasked with regulating the program. But it does give weight to the fears of wary investors who have viewed the New York program as medically sufficient but a lackluster business model.

"If they told their investors up front, 'Look, this is going to be a 5-, 6-, 7-year play and we're going to need $40 or $50 million to weather a storm that's going to be the first couple of years, then they're probably OK," said Rob Hunt, partner at Tuatara Capital, a Manhattan-based private equity fund that specializes in the legal cannabis industry. "But if they said, 'This is what it's going to take and then we're going to start building the business out of cash flow,' those are the guys that are going to be in trouble."

Hunt said he is aware of some license applicants who feel as if they've dodged a bullet by not receiving the blessing to operate in New York.

"No matter how hard you look, there's no path, there's no way to make money in any way," said Leslie Bocskor, founder and president of Las Vegas-based investment fund Electrum Partners, noting he was approached by some prospective New York operators but declined investment "because we just didn't think that the risk-reward was there for us."

"The program is just so hamstrung as to make it impossible, from my perspective, to find any path to profitability that doesn't involve substantial assumptions that when you start to go down into them doesn't have a high degree of uncertainty associated with them."

Publicly, the New York companies are bullish, though.

"People need to understand that it's easy to look at what people would consider small patient numbers or small physician numbers, but we came to market in January," PharmaCann spokesman Fred Polsinelli said. It would likely be another 18 months until companies "can see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of potential profitability," he said.

"This has not been a small undertaking at all. But we are happy because we did not expect to be profitable Day 1. It's just the reality."

As of July 26, just shy of 6,000 patients had been certified by 639 registered doctors to use medical marijuana products, according to the state Department of Health. Multiple companies noted that's growth from zero to start the year. For both the businesses and the patient advocacy communities, growing those numbers have been of keen interest. Yet modifications to the program including more ailments to be treated with medical marijuana and to allow other medical professionals, such as physicians assistants, to prescribe the drug did not win approval from the state Legislature this year.

Vireo Chief Executive Officer Ari Hoffnung said he believes the patient and doctor numbers are headed in the right direction, and the company has plans to open its fourth and final dispensary in Albany shortly.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter.

Nearly all of the 20 planned dispensaries (four apiece run by the five companies) have opened, and Hoffnung said Vireo's dispensaries are adding hours as the patient count grows.

"I think that's the sensible and reasonable thing to do because ultimately costs get passed on to the patient in the form of the price of medication, so you want to balance running an efficient and lean operation with being accessible enough to patients and offering convenient hours and times," he said.

Like Hoffnung, Etain Chief Operations Officer Hillary Peckham pointed to expansion of the program as a future positive, citing both patient access and marketing as current concerns (medical marijuana companies cannot advertise the same way other pharmaceutical companies can, which does not help in boosting awareness of the program for doctors or patients).

"We're still having a lot of challenges, and there's still a huge amount of cost associated with just operating  it's still a slower growth than we'd like to see overall," Peckham said. "The really positive part of this is now being open for seven, eight months, we've been able to see recurring patients and the benefits they are having."

Still, New York companies aren't alone in early slow growth and persistent struggles. Medicine Man, like companies nationwide, has experienced banking issues that include losing accounts on a cyclical basis and even personal banking issues for its executives and employees. While financial regulation is one place lawmakers could look to tweak, the federal government's Schedule I designation of marijuana, which makes it akin to hard drugs like heroin in the eyes of the law, has proven to be a hindrance in the financial world.

"The capital we get has a much higher price than we'd be able to get otherwise," said Williams, who did seek a New York license. "We have stellar financials, and any bank would be willing to give us a business loan in any other industry at great terms. But because of who we are we can't get that."

mhamilton@timesunion.com  518-454-5449  @matt_hamilton10
THE ISSUE:

Cases of Zika virus are growing in the U.S. as funds to fight the disease run out.

THE STAKES:

This is not the time for members of Congress to wage another partisan battle.The number of confirmed cases of Zika in the continental U.S. now has exceeded 1,800, making the fight against the dangerous virus even more urgent. Yet funds needed to defeat the disease are drying up  another casualty of our dysfunctional Congress.

More Information To comment: tuletters@timesunion.com or at http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion See More Collapse

Members of Congress started their summer recess last month in another nasty deadlock, this time over President Obama's request for $1.9 billion in emergency funds to halt the virus' spread and to fast-track development of a vaccine. Nearly all the U.S. cases are people who traveled here after being infected elsewhere but, ominously, last week 15 cases believed spread by mosquito bites were reported in Florida, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In February the mosquito-borne illness was declared an international public health emergency after outbreaks across Latin America. Heart-wrenching images of babies born with the birth defect microcephaly after their mothers were infected with Zika were followed by predictions that the virus would soon make its way to the U.S. Instead of taking necessary action, some members of Congress played their usual games.

The Republican-led Congress pared down Mr. Obama's request to $1.1 billion, then attached some objectionable strings to the bill  like cutting Ebola protection funds by $107 million, restricting Planned Parenthood's ability to advise expectant mothers infected with Zika and loosening environmental regulations on pesticides that have nothing to do with controlling the spread of Zika. In what can only be described as bizarre, language was also added to reverse a ban on displaying the Confederate flag at federal cemeteries. Perhaps GOP leaders figured they could remove that ridiculous rider and boast that they had compromised.

This was all unacceptable to Democrats, who said the imminent public health crisis meant members of Congress should stop their usual partisan dithering. The stalemate continued until July, when lawmakers left town for seven weeks.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter.

Now the Obama administration warns that money to fight Zika is about to run out, which will mean Americans would have to wait longer for a vaccine.

A partisan fight over critical funding for such a real and present threat to our country in inexcusable. Congress set aside politics two years ago when the Ebola outbreak was exploding across West Africa, allocating $5.4 billion to support our emergency response. Where is that spirit now?

Citing the urgency for the emergency money, many Democrats are urging Speaker Paul Ryan to reconvene the House to act on a bipartisan Zika bill that had passed the Senate. Some may call it partisan posturing; to us, it looks more like a legitimate call.

It won't hurt House members to interrupt their summer recess (or re-election campaigns) for a day to return to Washington  to do what they were elected to do in the first place.
With climate change now a major national and international issue that needs to be addressed at every level, tax reliefs for investment in energy efficient equipment should be extended to sole-traders including farmers according to the chair of Tipperary ICMSA, Seamus Troy.

The Thurles farmer observed that of the 516,000 businesses registered in Ireland, some 60 per cent were sole-traders with the vast majority of farms operating as sole-traders for tax purposes.

These businesses, mainly family-run, were being totally excluded from a tax allowance for energy efficient equipment and the ICMSA spokesperson cited this as yet another example of how sole-traders - including the vast majority of farmers - are discriminated against within the tax code despite the fact that they pay a substantially higher rate of tax than companies.

Under the relevant relief, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has an Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) scheme for investment in energy efficient equipment that allows companies (paying Corporation Tax) to write-off the full cost of SEAI-approved energy efficient equipment against tax in the year of purchase.

Mr Troy said that ICMSA believes that there were a number of equipment categories in the ACA scheme which have considerable potential for uptake in the farm sector and the association wants the matter dealt with in Budget 2017 by extending the ACA scheme for investment in energy efficient equipment to sole-traders.

He noted that such a change would achieve two objectives: it would help Ireland to meet its challenging climate change commitments and, secondly, remove another inexplicable and blatant discrimination in the tax code that disadvantages sole-traders relative to companies.

It has to happen. Its long overdue and no more than a recognition of simple fairness, he said.
Security Feature August 08, 2016



Cyber Attacks: Guarding Yourself from the Internet of Threats.

By Special Guest

Lucjan Zaborowski , Head of Digital for 1E Whats the most probable thing that you think can impact you significantly? If you think it could be a road accident, a brutal assault, an earthquake, or even heart disease, youre way off the mark. So lets put things in perspective right off the bat. Certainly, as this is the era of the digital big bang, the risk of falling prey to a cyber attack eclipses all these risks.





Here are some numbers that will shake any false sense of security that you may have. A United Nations report reveals that international homicide took the lives of almost half a million people in 2012. Statistics from a WHO report states that heart disease, the worlds No. 1 killer ailment, claimed about 7.4 million lives globally in 2012, while road traffic accidents leading to deaths rose to 1.25 million globally in 2013. In 2015, the world witnessed 14,795 earthquakes of various magnitudes. In contrast to these numbers, last year saw over 315 million pieces of malware being reported, averaging it to close to a million malware threats per day! Coupled with this, there were actual cases of over 1 million attempts at attacking individuals and businesses each day. Thats the gargantuan risk we faced. And its only growing with time. To assume that your current system protection measures provide immunity to your business from such risk would be a fallacy. Now comes the spine-chiller. Digital records of close to half a billion people were accessed and pulled out by hackers last year from various data banks of insurance companies, banks and hospitals. When such a thing happens, besides the businesses which bear the unprecedented impact, its individuals such as clients and customers whose data security has been compromised, thus standing at high risk. This sensitive data may then be sold by mercenaries through clandestine deals for a pretty sum on the Darknet, which may become the subject matter of identity thefts, fraudulent financial transactions, or spam marketing, adding to the collateral damage. Whats the estimated damage? 2015 also witnessed one of the biggest bank robberies of that year, with over 100 banks across several countries such as USA, China, Germany and Russia losing out on close to $1 billion through cyber attacks. British insurance company Lloyds estimates that cyber attacks cost companies $400 billion every year, while Juniper research predicts that the cost of data breaches will rise astronomically to $2.1 trillion globally by 2019. If we go down to the enterprise level, the average cost of recovering from a security breach for a small business is around $38,000, while that for a large one could go up to $551,000 as stated in a 2015 Kaspersky Lab (News - Alert) study. Whats more, intelligence at the Ponemon Institute shows that in cases where the attack is financial in nature, 68 percent of the stolen dollars are generally declared unrecoverable. Ramifications of attacks are costly to say the least. Some large victims of infamous attacks over the last year: Anthem Inc, USAs second largest health insurer, where hackers plundered the data of nearly 80 million people

T-Mobile (News - Alert), where 15 million customer records were stolen when hackers got into the data of Experian, T-Mobiles credit application processing partner

TalkTalk, where around 20,000 customer data points were stolen, running up to 35 million in damages and its shares nose-diving

The office of the U.S. Personnel Management, where hackers got in and exposed data of nearly 22 million people, including more than a million fingerprints

Ashley Madison, the adultery website, where close to 32 million people suffered public shaming as their online presence and data were exposed, leading to the suicide of one pastor, who found his name on the list

And the more recent breach suffered by Amazon, where a hacker exposed login credentials of 80,000 of its kindle customers after allegedly being refused of a bug bounty What facilitates an attack despite all what businesses do, and what kind of attacks can happen? More often than not, hackers pinprick and exploit existing vulnerabilities in the system software, or processes and practices followed within organizations. Its like an ongoing cat and mouse chase between hackers and the potential victims. The more prepared you are, the better your chance of fending off the threats. Over 70 percent of websites have been found to have vulnerabilities. Last year witnessed at least one Zero-Day vulnerability being reported worldwide each week. Attacks can be of many types, such as: DoS (Denial of Service): The victims sever gets flooded by more traffic per second that it can handle, leading to its inability to cope and unavailability. A DoS attack can flood or even crash services. DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service): This is a DoS attack, but more diabolic in nature, orchestrated by multiple computers which the hacker has control over, thereby compounding the effect with intensity of the flood sometimes reaching as high as 400 GB per second. A DDoS attack may be an Application Layer attack, Volume-based attack, or a Protocol attack, and may manifest as a Zero-Day exploitation, HTTP flood, SYN Flood, UDP (News - Alert) flood, a Ping of Death, NTP amplification, or a Slowloris. SQL Injection: A type of application layer attack that penetrates through the front-end applications that talk to user-supplied data. Spear Phishing: An Advanced Persistent Threat (APT (News - Alert)) carried out through a link embedded in a cleverly crafted deceptive email masquerading as being trustworthy. Botnets: Hackers may acquire control over hundreds or thousands of computers and instruct the bots to unleash a merciless attack on a specific target. Rogue software: This puts on a false face of being genuine, while concealing malicious code. MITM (Man in the Middle): A MITM attack generally happens through a non-encrypted access point which may expose itself when you use your smartphone to transact with your bank. Password attacks: Weak passwords can easily reveal themselves in the face of clever password guessing tools. Malware: This constitutes the myriad set of malicious programs created for harm. Socially engineered attacks: Once a hacker gains control over a website, he can use it to ride on a visitors trust by prompting a download, which then unleashes the menace. As hackers get viler, more sophisticated and ingenious in their ways, we see several new and alarming ways in which attacks are conducted. Gartner (News - Alert) predicts that in 2016 there will be over 6.8 billion connected devices. This proliferation of digital devices is providing an even larger playground for hackers to create havoc. The changing faces of these demons of online terror Driving their knives deeper, hackers have more recently targeted SCADA systems and successfully kept the power distribution down for several days. Malevolent applications have surreptitiously found their way even into MRI and X-ray machines in hospitals and hijacked data. Known as Medjacking, this poses a serious threat to patients as well as hospitals. Ghostwares, a type of artillery in cybercrime that infiltrates deep inside the network and then covers up its tracks, are predicted to be deployed. Another observation has been of a two-faced malware that poses itself as innocent Dr. Jekyll when it is under scrutiny, but soon enough peels off its mask to reveal Mr. Hyde once the eye of suspicion moves away from it. Thats when it goes about doing its satanic work. Blastwares which wreck or disable systems once they are identified, continue to enjoy popularity of usage What precautionary measures can help you be one up against the attackers? While it is next to impossible to keep your business totally impermeable from such attacks, there are some best practices that you can follow to help improve your defense: Invest in employee education, discouraging the temptation of opening unscanned attachments or those from unknown sources, avoid clicking on embedded links from unknown sources

Always use safe connections to the Internet facility and update your firewall

Ongoing physical monitoring of all systems and data flows Have a strong password protection policy to thwart any attempts at password guessing

Be wary of advertising that sounds preposterous or ostentatious, and avoid clicking to know more

Here are four time tested risk mitigation strategies that are believed by the Australian Signals Directorate to prevent 85 percent of the targeted cyber intrusions. With cyber attacks being devised with increasing levels of trickery, deception, obfuscation and malice, prevention is always better than the cure. And far cheaper too. Lucjan Zaborowski is the Head of Digital for 1E. Lucjan is also an experienced marketer and project manager with a solid understanding of digital acquisition and optimization, product marketing and program management. He has over six years of experience in multi-channel digital acquisition. He is keen to learn and stay up to date with the latest marketing trends.





Edited by Edited by Alicia Young

 More Security News


[August 08, 2016] America First Credit Union Drives Enhanced Branch Experience with TellerInfinity Assisted Service Solution from Glory Global Solutions

Glory Global Solutions today announced that their TellerInfinity assisted service solution has been installed in America First Credit Union's (AFCU) Innovation Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. TellerInfinity forms part of a 'collaborative hub' where AFCU members from throughout the state and surrounding areas will test new technologies, and their interactions will provide feedback as to how they want to be served in the future. The solution enables in-branch teller assisted service, merging many of the transactions that are performed by a teller, online and via self-service into one device, but retaining the personal interaction with the teller as and when required. This helps financial institution branches to manage member engagement and fulfill needs more quickly and efficiently, enabling staff to dedicate more time to sales opportunities and to the delivery of high levels of customer service. At AFCU, TellerInfinity has been deployed using Antuar's inBranch Kiosk software and teller assistance is enabled by inBranch Transact, Antuar's teller and service application, delivered through a tablet interface used by the Innovation Center staff. The America First Innovation Center will test multiple channel experiences and give members a say in how the credit union can best enhance their experience across its 120 locations. Welcoming the launch of the Innovation Center, America First Credit Union President and CEO John B Lund said "We are dedicated to providing innovative solutions and the best experience possible to our members. We value our partnership with Glory Global Solutions and are excited about TellerInfinity. It will provide a transformative approach to member engagement within our Innovation Center and is clearly aligned with our innovative strategies." Chris Reagan, President, Americas at Glory Global solutions explained the special relationship that exists between the two companies. He said "AFCU and Glory share a dedication to providing remarkable member experiences. This common goal, combinedwith Glory's global engineering commitment has driven a unique partnership. By letting members and clients 'into the lab' the new Innovation Center demonstrates AFCU's commitment to putting the consumer at the center of their branch transformation."



- ENDS - About Glory Global Solutions

Glory Global Solutions is a global leader in secure cash management solutions. Operating across the financial, retail, cash center and gaming industries, businesses in more than 100 countries rely on our solutions to enhance staff efficiency, reduce operating costs and enable a better customer experience. Headquartered in the UK and with North American headquarters in Lisle, IL, Glory Global Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of GLORY Ltd. Employing over 3,000 professionals worldwide with dedicated R&D and manufacturing facilities across Europe, Asia and North America, Glory Global Solutions is GLORY's international sales and service organization. Built on a rich customer-focused, technology-driven heritage spanning almost a hundred years, GLORY is a pioneer in the development and manufacture of cash management, vending and automatic service equipment. For further information please visit www.gloryglobalsolutions.com or follow us on Twitter (News - Alert): http://twitter.com/glory_global. About America First Credit Union With a long-standing history and more than 77 years servicing members, America First has become one of the largest, most stable and most progressive credit unions in the country, and has remained a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution. Today, America First has 120 locations, and is the 12th largest credit union in assets in the United States with over $7.7 billion, and the seventh largest credit union in membership in America with more than 781,000 members. About Antuar Antuar is a financial software company developing solutions that utilize the latest technology, such as tablets and mobile, to provide solutions for today's branch banking needs. inBranch, Antuar's core agnostic solution suite, applies latest technology to drive customer engagement through interactions; promote sales through relationships; and improves staff efficiency and utilization through automation and reduced administrative tasks. Antuar's product suite includes inBranch Transact (Teller & Check 21), Engage (Sales and Service) and Kiosk. Antuar's inBranch Kiosk, implemented on the TellerInfinity in AFCU, interfaces with each device to augment the services that are typically offered through phone and internet banking offerings. For further information contact [email protected] or visit www.antuar.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160808005271/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] Chancellor (Emeritus) Dr. John A. White Joins NanoMech Advisory Board of Directors

NanoMech today announced that Dr. John White, one of our Country's most renowned engineering scholars and technology business leaders, has become a significant investor and member of our distinguished Board of Advisors. Among many outstanding leadership positions in science, academia and business, Dr. White served 11 years as Chancellor of the University of Arkansas and 6 years as Georgia Tech's Dean of Engineering. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160808006024/en/ Chancellor John A. White, Jr. (Photo: Business Wire) Chancellor White said, "I am delighted to accept a role with NanoMech on their NanoMech Advisory Board along with several well known and creative American technology, innovation, media, and manufacturing leaders. I have personally been associated with Dr. Ajay Malshe for many years appreciating his rare counter-intuitive intellect and combination of academic and creative leadership excellence along with his relentless drive as an expert science and engineering practitioner. The combination of Ajay with Jim Phillips' (News - Alert) demonstrated skill-sets in technology entrepreneurship bodes well for continuing to build out a world class material science company with breakthrough products making America more competitive." White has served on several boards of directors for publicly traded corporations, including Eastman Chemical Company (1994-2004); J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (1998-2016); Logility (News - Alert), Inc. (1997-2009); Motorola, Inc. (1995-2011); Motorola Solutions, Inc. (2011-2014), and Russell Corporation (1992-2006). His industrial experience includes employment with Eastman Chemical Company, Ethyl Corporation, and Rockwell, Inc. He has served as a consultant to AT&T, Briggs & Stratton, Burlington, Coca-Cola, Corning, DuPont, Federal Reserve Bank, Ford, IBM, L. L. Bean, Tektronix, Texas Instruments (News - Alert), U.S. Navy, Westinghouse, and Xerox, among others. In 1977, he founded a logistics consulting firm, SysteCon, Inc., and served as its chairman until its acquisition by Coopers & Lybrand in 1984; he served as an Executive Consultant for Coopers & Lybrand until 1993



Jim Phillips, Chairman & CEO of NanoMech Inc., stated, "Dr. White is truly a national treasure in science and engineering leadership, including his excellent reputation for advancing innovation, tech transfer and commercialization on both a federal and state level at the very best institutions in America." White noted, "Any and all proceeds from my investment in NanoMech will go to the University of Arkansas. Research performed at the University of Arkansas by Dr. Malshe and his students led to NanoMech's creation. As chancellor, one of my goals was for research performed by our faculty to spawn high-tech companies and lead to economic development. NanoMech is a shining example of a research university being an economic engine for a region and state."

A member of the National Academy of Engineering, White served two six-year terms on the National Science Board. In addition, he served as: president and director of the Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award; president of the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE); chairman of the American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES); and president of the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science, Inc. (GEM (News - Alert)). Dr. Ajay Malshe, the CTO and founder of NanoMech said, "It is humbling to receive strong endorsement from Dr. White, who is one of the world's top Industrial Engineers, and welcome him and Mary Lib to the NanoMech family. We appreciate their trust for the world-class NanoMech team, as NanoMech is making history for the state, in tech-transfer and commercialization, and for the nation in the field of Nanomanufacturing. NanoMech is the country's top leading nanomanufacturing company, and experienced engineering business advise from Dr. White will be a treasure for continuing to achieve global leadership. Since the first NNI bill was passed in early 2000, nanotechnology has been touted as the next big revolution for the 21st Century, which NanoMech is successfully bringing to the Fortune 100 and 500 companies across the world." White's awards include: NSF's Distinguished Service Award; ASEE's National Engineering Economy Teaching Excellence Award, Donald E. Marlowe Distinguished Education Administration Award, and its John L. Imhoff Global Excellence Award; the Rodney D. Chipp Memorial Award from the Society of Women Engineers; AAES's Kenneth Andrew Roe Award; IIE's highest award, the Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Industrial Engineering Award; IIE's David F. Baker Distinguished Research Award; IIE's Albert G. Holzman Distinguished Educator Award; IIE's Outstanding Publication Award; IIE's Book of the Year Award (three times); IIE's Wellington Award; Virginia Tech's Academy of Engineering Excellence; University of Florida's Gator Engineer Award; Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Arkansas; and Georgia Tech's Teacher of the Year, among others. A native Arkansan, John A. White, Jr., is a 1962 BSIE graduate of the University of Arkansas. White is married to Mary Elizabeth Quarles White; they have a daughter, a son, three granddaughters, and a grandson. About NanoMech NanoMech is focused on patented platform nanomanufacturing technologies that offer a broad range of high value market opportunities. The operating vision of NanoMech is to be the Six Sigma world leader in nanomanufacturing innovation with swift product development and an emphasis on platform technologies that are scalable for efficient mass production. NanoMech Inc. creates advanced engineering materials through patent and patent-pending nano-engineered and nanomanufactured product development. NanoMech is recognized as a leader in innovation and technology. Their breakthroughs in nanomaterials and manufacturing include the first cubic boron nitride coating for machine tools and advanced nano-engineered lubricants and coatings. The company's products have applications in very advanced energy manufacturing, machining, lubrication, highly durable and sustainable protective multi-functional coatings for metals and textiles as well as consumer products, and strategic military applications. NanoMech has recently won the prestigious R&D 100 Award and two Edison Awards. NanoMech is a member of President Obama's Materials Genome Initiative, the U.S. Manufacturing Competitiveness Initiative (USMCI) and the U.S. Technology Leadership and Strategy Initiative, both based in Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.NanoMech.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160808006024/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] Chipotle Partners with Guild Education to Offer Employees Exceptional Education Benefits

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced a new partnership with Guild Education to give Chipotle employees an opportunity to earn college credits and pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees. Between Chipotle's existing tuition reimbursement program (which offers up to $5,250 per year) and an additional $5,815 in available federal grants for those who qualify, Chipotle employees can pay as little as $250 per year to go to college. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160808005165/en/ Chipotle employees can now pay as little as $250 per year to earn college credits or complete a degree. (Photo: Business Wire) Through the program with Guild Education, Chipotle employees can pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees, take college courses or attend graduate school at little to no cost, earn a GED, or study English as a second language. Employees have access of up to $5,250 annually in tuition reimbursement from Chipotle, and an additional $5,815 in federal grants for qualified applicants in undergraduate programs. Through these programs and the discounted tuition offered to Chipotle employees by Guild Education, many participants can complete their degree for as little as $250 per year. "Attracting and retaining teams of top performers is one of the key drivers of our business, and we are always looking for ways to enhance the benefits we offer to help us do that," said Monty Moran, co-CEO at Chipotle. "We've seen a lot of success and participation with our existing tuition reimbursement program, and through this new partnership with Guild Education, we can offer our employees even more assistance and opportunities to pursue their education." Guild Education offers a variety of online classes, programs and more than 30 degrees from top-ranked universities, including Colorado State University's Global Campus, Bellevue University and Western Governors University. Chipotle employees cn complete courses while also continuing to work at Chipotle.



The programs help Chipotle employees gain credit for their past college coursework and up to 44 transfer credit hours for on-the-job training in crew, kitchen manager, service manager and apprentice manager positions. Participants complete their classes online, allowing them to work at their own pace and with the support of a Guild Education personal college and career adviser who will support them throughout their program. In addition to its tuition reimbursement program, which was expanded to include hourly employees in 2015, Chipotle offers other competitive benefits including paid sick leave and vacation for all employees, including hourly workers; health, dental and vision insurance; a 401(k) matching program; employee stock purchase program; and the opportunity for twice-annual merit increases and an annual bonus.

Chipotle employs more than 60,000 people and is constantly looking for top performers to join its team. Interested applicants can visit careers.chipotle.com for more career information. ABOUT CHIPOTLE Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in a distinctive atmosphere. Through our vision of Food With Integrity, Chipotle is seeking better food from using ingredients that are not only fresh, but that - where possible - are sustainably grown and raised responsibly, with respect for the animals, the land and the farmers who produce the food. In order to achieve this vision, we focus on building a special people culture that is centered on creating teams of top performers empowered to achieve high standards. This people culture not only leads to a better dining experience for our customers, it also allows us to develop future leaders from within. Chipotle opened with a single restaurant in 1993 and operates more than 2,000 restaurants, including 20 Chipotle restaurants outside the U.S. and 15 ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen restaurants, and is an investor in an entity that owns and operates three Pizzeria Locale restaurants. For more information, visit Chipotle.com. ABOUT GUILD EDUCATION Guild Education works with organizations to offer Education as a Strategic Benefit to their employees, with an end-to-end solution to reshape tuition reimbursement policies to aligning business goals with affordable education programs that employees love. Education as a Strategic Benefit is designed to support the goals and aspirations of employees for higher education advancement and degree completion, while improving organizations' corporate recruitment and retention efforts. Guild works with non-profit universities and learning providers to offer a consortium of classes, programs and college degrees, including Bellevue University, Western Governors University and Colorado State University's Global Campus. To learn more, visit www.GuildEducation.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160808005165/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] DCS Corporation Awarded KC-46A Mission Planning Delivery Order

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DCS announced today that the company was awarded an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) for KC-46A Mission Planning under the Mobility Air Forces (MAF) Delivery Order on the U.S. Air Force's Mission Planning Enterprise Contract (MPEC) II. MPEC II provides aircraft mission planning systems for the United States Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Work on the MAF KC-46A ECP will occur over a twenty six-month period and is valued at approximately $7.9 million. Under this delivery order, DCS will provide mission planning software development and integration to create a Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) mission planning environment (MPE) for the KC-46A aircraft. The KC-46A effort buils upon other DCS-developed JMPS MPEs for the C-5, KC-135, KC-10 CNS/ATM, C-130J Block 6, C-130J Block 8.1, C-17 Blocks 15-20, and C-130 SCNS Block Cycles 7 and 8 platforms as well as the Global Flight Planning (GFP) Tool for user access to the Advanced Computer Flight Plan (ACFP) system. Work awarded under the delivery order will be performed at DCS offices in Nashua, NH and Lexington Park, MD by the Mission Planning Department, whose software engineering processes are appraised at the CMMI Maturity Level 3.



DCS is a strong advocate of designing and building "tomorrow's DoD capabilities within today's budget." In this regard, DCS will continue to form strategic partnerships with other industry members to lead successful teams to continue to provide highly-capable, low-risk, proven mission planning systems. DCS offers advanced technology and management solutions to Government agencies in the DoD and national security sector. The transformative ideas, commitment to quality and entrepreneurial spirit that characterize our 1,000-plus employee-owners allow DCS to ensure the success of each client's mission and actively contribute to the well-being of the Nation. For more information about the work we do for the U.S. Air Force, please visit: http://www.dcscorp.com/en/Our-Customers/US-Air-Force.aspx.

Contact :

Jeff Brody

571-327-6343 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160526/372748LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dcs-corporation-awarded-kc-46a-mission-planning-delivery-order-300309847.html SOURCE DCS Corporation

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] Express Logic Expands European Presence With New Sales and Support Office in France

Express Logic, Inc., the worldwide leader in royalty-free real-time operating systems (RTOS), today announced that it has established a sales and support office in France. With this office, located about 35 kilometers southwest of Paris, Express Logic will better serve the growing numbers of local developers using its ThreadX RTOS and middleware products and generate new business throughout the country. Express Logic extends its European footprint by adding France to the company's existing offices in the U.K. and Germany. Through all three offices, Express Logic will work with processor vendors, development-tool partners, and system-on-chip (SoC) customers to further Express Logic's penetration into the area's real-time embedded applications and burgeoning IoT markets. Jean-Paul Medina, Director of Express Logic, France, will lead the team at the new office. To this job Medina brings over 20 years' experience serving developers in the embedded-software space. "With more than 5.4 billion deployments, ThreadX is the clear solution for developers who need integrated connectivity and a reliable RTOS," Medina said. "The Express Logic France team looks forward to demonstrating how ThreadX, and other products in the company's solid portfolio, can benefit embedded developers especially those who are creating products for the burgeoning IoT market."



"Our European business has grown to the point where it warrants greater local coverage and support, and our strong financial position enables us to capitalize on this opportunity," said David Lamie, Vice President of Sales for Express Logic, Inc. "With his extensive experience, Jean-Paul will help us better serve our European developers locally and provide world-class products to our target markets." Medina and his team will support customers in France from the Express Logic office at:

Express Logic France.

46 Ave. des Freres Lumiere

78190 Trappes

France Tel: +33 (0)1 30 13 17 11

Fax: +33 (0)1 30 13 17 27

Mobile: +33 (0)6 13 21 18 01 Contact Information For sales and support in France, contact [email protected] or call +33 (0)1 30 13 17 11. For additional company information, visit http://www.expresslogic.fr. About Express Logic and ThreadX Headquartered in San Diego, CA (News - Alert), Express Logic, Inc., offers the industry's most advanced run-time solutions for deeply embedded applications, including the popular ThreadX RTOS, the high-performance NetX and NetX DuoTCP/IP stacks, the FileX embedded MS-DOS-compatible file system, the USBX Host/Device USB protocol stack, and the GUIX embedded graphical user interface development toolkit. Most products from Express Logic include full source-code and have no run-time royalties. For more information about Express Logic solutions, please visit www.expresslogic.com, call 1-888-THREADX, or e-mail [email protected]. ThreadX, TraceX, and FileX are registered trademarks, and Safety-Critical Certification Pack, NetX, USBX, GUIX, GUIX Studio, preemption-threshold, picokernel, and UDP (News - Alert) fast path technology are trademarks of Express Logic, Inc. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160808005143/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016]

Filtration Group to Acquire Industrial Filters Business of MAHLE GmbH

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Filtration Group Corporation is pleased to announce that it has agreed to acquire the industrial filtration business of MAHLE GmbH. The pending acquisition will add filtration capabilities across a range of applications and global markets. "MAHLE's industrial filtration business will greatly expand Filtration Group's product portfolio and customer base," according to Steve Felice, Filtration Group CEO. He added, "We are extremely pleased to be welcoming such an engaged and talented team that has built a truly remarkable business."

The acquisition will add to Filtration Group's expertise, innovation, and customer base across three primary segments: internal combustion engine, air filtration, and fluid filtration. The industrial filtration business expands Filtration Group's presence in Europe and Asia by adding over 900 employees with world-class production facilities in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Romania, the US, Japan, and Chia.







"In Filtration Group, we are pleased to have found a company that can give our industrial filtration business a great boost," explained Wolf-Henning Schneider, Chairman of the MAHLE Management Board and CEO.

Filtration Group

Filtration Group, an affiliate of Madison Industries, is making the world safer, healthier, and more productive by creating innovative solutions that deliver outstanding customer value. With a passionate team, global footprint, and leading technology, Filtration Group is driving innovation and developing unparalleled filtration solutions. Filtration Group serves a highly diverse set of customers with offerings that span life science, process technologies, fluid, and environmental air applications. One of the fastest growing companies in the industry, Filtration Group serves its customers from 80 facilities in over 20 countries. Please visit Filtration Group and Madison Industries at: www.filtrationgroup.com and www.madison.net.

Related Links

Filtration Group

Madison Industries

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/filtration-group-to-acquire-industrial-filters-business-of-mahle-gmbh-300310570.html

SOURCE Filtration Group
[August 08, 2016] Fitch Affirms Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (NH) at 'A'; Outlook Revised to Positive

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the 'A' rating on approximately $87.8 million of New Hampshire Health and Education Facilities Authority Series 2011A bonds issued on behalf of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (WDH). The Rating Outlook has been revised to Positive from Stable. SECURITY Debt payments are secured by a pledge of the gross revenues of the obligated group and a mortgage. KEY RATING DRIVERS SUSTAINED OVERALL IMPROVEMENT: The Positive Outlook reflects WDH's multi-year trend of improving profitability and strengthening balance sheet metrics. WDH generated a 12.8% operating EBITDA margin in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 and is on track to post similar results in 2016. The Positive Outlook is also supported by robust days cash on hand (DCOH) of 309.8 days as of June 30, 2016. As the debt load moderated and liquidity increased, cash-to-debt improved to 210.5% as of June 30, 2016 from 152.5% in fiscal year end 2013, comfortably above the 143.7% category median. EXPECTED BENEFIT FROM ACQUISITION AGREEMENT: WDH and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) entered into an agreement on July 21 for the acquisition of WDH by MGH. The acquisition will not be finalized until it receives the necessary approvals from various regulatory agencies, a process which is expected to take at least until the end of the year. If approved, Fitch expects the agreement to yield significant operational advantages for WDH in the future. WDH has had a successful clinical affiliation with MGH for the past eight years. IMPROVED LEVERAGE POSITION: With the refinancing of the Series 2011B bonds and a note payable in March 2016, maximum annual debt service (MADS) decreased to $9.9 million. Consequently, MADS coverage increased to 4.4x as of fiscal year end 2015 and measures at 4.0x for the six months of fiscal 2016 (June 30), which is comfortable for the rating category. MANAGEABLE CAPITAL PLANS: WDH's five-year capital plans reflect increased investment in an ambulatory expansion as well as an EPIC installation in 2018 and 2019. Fitch expects the increased capital targets (ranging from approximately $27 million to $43 million annually) to be relatively manageable given the average annual $42 million in EBITDA over the past three years and the system's adequate cash position. The ambulatory expansion is still under consideration as management is conservative in managing the system's balance sheet strength. PHYSICIAN COMPENSATION: An important strategy for WDH has been to continue growing its employed physician group, which now numbers 116 employed providers. The group is a key contributor to the revenue growth at WDH, but the physician losses remain high. As WDH continues to grow the employed practice combined with future revenue pressure from changing payor contracts, minimizing the loss per physician will be an important determinant of future profitability. RATING SENSITIVITIES OPERATING PROFILE ELEVATED BY ACQUISITION: Fitch expects that Wentworth-Douglass Hospital's (WDH) planned acquisition by Massachusetts General Hospital will be accretive and will provide WDH greater access to clinical and data analytic expertise that is needed as payments continue to transition to value-based reimbursement. The acquisition should also provide branding opportunities and operational savings. Even without the acquisition, WDH has demonstrated steady improvement in its metrics, which Fitch expects will continue in 2016 and 2017 and may be the basis of a possible upgrade consideration in a future rating review. CREDIT PROFILE WDH is a 178 bed acute care hospital located in Dover, NH, which is situated in the center of the Seacoast region of New Hampshire, approximately 60 miles from Boston, MA and Portland, ME. Along with WDH, the other obligated group member on the bonds is Wentworth-Douglass Physician Corporation, which employs over 100 Family Practice, Internal Medicine and Specialty physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Fitch's analysis is based on the full consolidated Wentworth-Douglass Health System (WDHS). SOLID OPERATING HISTORY The 'A' rating and Positive Outlook are supported by strong operating EBITDA margins and comfortable balance sheet metrics. The solid operating performance and liquidity levels offset Fitch's concerns regarding WDH's small revenue base for an 'A' rated credit and presence in a market where there are other similarly-sized providers. The cometitive environment in the Seacoast region is reportedly limited by the fact that most of the area's hospitals operate within their own discrete markets. WDH employs almost all its primary care medical staff but specialists do split their referrals between WDH and its closest competitor, Frisbie Memorial Hospital.



Fiscal 2014 and 2015 yielded improved results as utilization stabilized or increased in most clinical lines, uncompensated care decreased with the ACA and Medicaid expansion in New Hampshire, and the hospital received additional disproportionate share (DSH) revenue as a result of a settlement between the state and hospitals on the distribution of Medicaid Enhancement Tax (MET) program funds. Due to the settlement, Medicaid DSH payments to WDH increased significantly from -$158.6 thousand in fiscal 2014 to $4.8 million in fiscal 2015 and a projected $6.9 million in fiscal 2016. The current agreement extends through 2019, but early expectations are that the final settlement after 2019 will not deviate significantly from the current terms for the distribution of MET funds. For fiscal 2015, the consolidated financial results yielded a 5.1% operating margin, 12.8% operating EBITDA margin, a 24.2% cushion ratio and 200.2% cash-to-debt. Unrestricted cash and investments grew again to $240.5 million (303.9 DCOH). These metrics comfortably exceed Fitch's 'A' category medians.

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS In preparation for risk contracts and population health, WDH has continued to focus on building its employed physician network in recent years. Also, through its membership in Granite Health (a collaboration with four other New Hampshire providers) WDH has begun to explore and gather data needed for the shift to value-based contracting. In addition, WDH participates in a captive insurance and as a member/owner for a health plan, the Tufts Health Freedom Plan, with its Granite partners. This small plan was launched in 2015 and is and primarily made up of the employees of the member organizations (approximately 15,000 lives). In order to better prepare for population health as well as increase its access to tertiary clinical education and support, WDH has pursued a full acquisition by one of its existing clinical partners, MGH. The parties are planning a conservative, gradual approach to the acquisition with WDHS maintaining its local board and legal independence for an initial period. MGH would be the parent organization, but WDH would not initially join MGH's obligated group. Given the more cautious approach and test period of the proposed agreement, Fitch does not expect to see an immediate impact or change in WDH's financial profile even if the acquisition is approved. However, Fitch does expect that if the acquisition is successful, it will yield long-term opportunities in savings and marketing for WDH as MGH is a recognized tertiary provider with a strong brand name. WDH is planning to build an ambulatory presence in the Seacost market as well as convert to the EPIC system in 2018 and 2019 ($30 - $35 million project). WDH expects to open a physician practice site with imaging and lab in Portsmouth in the fall of 2016. DEBT PROFILE WDH's debt structure is conservative with 81% fixed-rate debt and no defined benefit plan liability. The system refinanced its Series 2011B bonds with the $16 million direct bank purchase of Series 2016A bonds, thereby addressing the LOC that was due to expire in April 2016. The 2016B bonds ($6 million, direct bank purchase) repaid a note payable that was previously outstanding to Bank of America. Two fixed payor swaps, each for $9.9 million, serve as hedges for the variable rate Series 2016A bonds. WDH has no collateral posting requirements. DISCLOSURE WDH provides annual and quarterly financial information to the market through EMMA. Quarterly statements include a balance sheet, income statement, and utilization statistics. Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'. Applicable Criteria Revenue-Supported Rating Criteria (pub. 16 Jun 2014) https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=750012 U.S. Nonprofit Hospitals and Health Systems Rating Criteria (pub. 09 Jun 2015) https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=866807 Additional Disclosures Dodd-Frank Rating Information Disclosure Form https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/press_releases/content/ridf_frame.cfm?pr_id=1010118 Solicitation Status https://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=1010118 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/20160808006252/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] Habitat for Humanity Texas to Receive $10K Grant from Frost Bank and FHLB Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and member institution Frost Bank will present a $10,000 Partnership Grant Program (PGP (News - Alert)) check August 9, 2016, to Habitat for Humanity Texas (HFHTX) at the nonprofit's annual Lone Star Summit. The ceremonial check presentation will take place at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 9, 2016, at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in San Marcos, Texas. The media is encouraged to attend. HFHTX provides its statewide affiliates with training, technical assistance, and resource development that takes advantage of economies of scale. The PGP funds will be used to hire a fundraising consultant to help solicit sponsors and exhibitors for its annual conference. This is the third PGP grant by Frost Bank to HFHTX since 2007. Since 2005, Frost Bank has awarded 14 PGP grants to community-based organizations (CBOs). PGP awards provide grants up to $12,000 to CBOs. The funds may be used for research, organizational capacity-building, grant- and funding-application assistance, or contractual services. Through PGP awards, FHLB Dallas matches a member's contribution to a CBO of $500 up to $4,000 at a 3:1 ratio. The grants are offered via a lottery system once a year through FHLB Dallas members. In 2016, FHLB Dallas awarded $225,000 in PGP funds. Combined with the $96,200 contributed by the Bank's members, a total of $321,200 was awarded to CBOs to help with their operational needs. For more information, visit fhlb.com.







WHAT: Check Presentation WHEN: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 9, 2016 WHO: Amy Ledbetter Parham, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Texas John Schott, Market President, Frost Bank Betty Davis, VP, Community Development, Frost Bank Ryan Bennett, AVP, Frost Bank Eric Haar, VP, Government Relations, FHLB Dallas Steven Matkovich, Sr. Affordable Housing Analyst, FHLB Dallas WHERE: Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center 1001 East McCarty Lane San Marcos, TX 78666

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160808006162/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] KaiserDillon PLLC Welcomes William Pittard, Former Acting General Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives

KaiserDillon PLLC, a Washington, D.C.-based law firm that represents individuals and small businesses in government investigations, white-collar matters, and complex commercial litigation, is pleased to announce that William Pittard, the former Acting General Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives, has joined the firm as a partner. Mr. Pittard's practice will focus on representing clients in government investigations and complex criminal and civil litigation matters. The move follows closely on last month's announcement that Jonathan S. Jeffress, a former Assistant Federal Public Defender for the District of Columbia, had joined the firm



"I've known Matt Kaiser and Jon Jeffress since our time together at Williams & Connolly," said Mr. Pittard. "KaiserDillon has a fantastic government investigations and professional ethics practice, and I'm looking forward to helping expand our service offerings, particularly in the areas of congressional investigations and litigation involving other legislative matters." Mr. Pittard has extensive experience litigating cutting-edge legislative branch cases and working on the scope of Congress's ability to secure information or documents. He has also worked with clients facing white-collar criminal charges and on cases involving professional ethics.

Prior to joining KaiserDillon, Mr. Pittard served in the Office of General Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives for more than five years. In that role, he acted as legal counsel to Members and employees of the House on matters related to their official duties. Before joining the House, he practiced at Williams & Connolly LLP, where he litigated complex criminal and civil cases from inception through trial and appeal. "Bill's background is a seamless fit for KaiserDillon," said founding partner Matt Kaiser. "Bill is a natural litigator; tenacious, smart, and fearless for his clients. We're tremendously excited to welcome him. Having both Bill and Jon Jeffress come to the firm in the span of five weeks is a tremendous boon to the firm and our clients, and it reinforces our position as a go-to firm for critical, high-stakes criminal and civil trials and investigations in DC and beyond." Mr. Pittard earned his J.D., with honors, from the University of Chicago Law School and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Wake Forest University. He served as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert H. Henry of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and the Honorable Louis F. Oberdorfer of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. About KaiserDillon PLLC KaiserDillon PLLC is a litigation boutique based in Washington, D.C. The firm represents individuals and small businesses in government investigations, complex commercial litigation, and in the defense of criminal cases in federal court. For more information, visit www.kaiserdillon.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160808005269/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] mimik Appoints Allen Salmasi To Board Of Directors

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- mimik technology, a company dedicated to distributed micro-cloud and micro-service technology, today announced the appointment of Allen Salmasi to its board of directors. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/396180 "We are excited to have Allen join the mimik team," stated Siavash Alamouti, President and Chief Executive Officer. Allen is an internationally recognized technologist, distinguished leader, serial entrepreneur and successful investor in the communications, SaaS and pharmaceutical industries. His entire career has been focused on cutting edge technologies with founding and leadership roles in impactful companies like Omninet, Qualcomm, NextWave, and PacketVideo, and startups like OncoSynergy, Virtuosys and Max2 to name a few. He shares our vision of digital freedom and putting people in direct control of their digital lives. I'm confident that his experience as a cutting edge technology entrepreneur and diverse background across industries will add tremendous value in deploying and scaling our distributed micro-cloud technology platform globally in order to revolutionize the way we communicate and put people in control of their digital lives. Mr. Salmasi commented, "I'm most excited to be joining the mimik Board of Directors and support their impressive team with a game changing technology platform. mimik platform can revolutionize our digital lives which today is fragmented across incompatible networks and operating systems. mimik utilizes the power of any computing device to form an edge based distributed micro-cloud enabling incompatible devices to communicate seamlessly through micro-services. mimik access, as the first application of the platform already addresses many pain points of the casual users and exhibits the power of the platform which I believe will become even more crucial with internet of things. I'll be working with the eecutive team and the Board to help the company roll out this unique technology globally and across different industry sectors."



About Mr. Salmasi Allen Salmasi is currently Chairman and CEO of NLabs Inc., a New York-based venture capital firm. Prior to NLabs, he served as chairman and CEO of NextWave Wireless Inc. (NWI), a company he formed in 2005 that was subsequently acquired by AT&T in 2013. NWI was spun-off from NextWave Telecom Inc. (NTI), a company he had founded in 1995 which was acquired by Verizon Wireless in 2005.

Prior to NextWave, Mr. Salmasi was a member of the Board of Directors, President of the Wireless Communications Division, and Chief Strategic Officer of QUALCOMM Inc. between 1988 and 1995. He initiated and led the development of wireless business, including chipset and handset products, licensing and standards programs for CDMA technology. Prior to QUALCOMM, at Omninet Corporation, a company he founded in 1984 and served as its Chairman of the Board and CEO, he envisioned and led the development of the OmniTRACS system and service, the world's first and currently the largest commercial terrestrial mobile satellite communications service. From 1979 to 1984, Mr. Salmasi was employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Mr. Salmasi is also the Chairman of the Board of OncoSynergy Inc., a San Francisco-based biotech company with a portfolio of oncology drugs under development. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Korea Information and Communications Co., Ltd (KICC), the largest payment processing company in Korea, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Barnard College of Columbia University. Mr. Salmasi received two B.S. degrees with honors in Electrical Engineering and Management Economics from Purdue University in 1977. He also received two M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 1979 and in Applied Mathematics from the University of Southern California in 1982. Prior to the formation of Omninet, he completed his doctoral coursework at University of Southern California towards a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering (Engineer's Degree) in 1983. Mr. Salmasi received Purdue University's Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineer Award (OECE) in 1999. President William Jefferson Clinton awarded Mr. Salmasi for his innovations and contributions to wireless industry in 1999. About mimik mimik has pioneered a distributed micro-cloud technology that enables devices to create clusters by physically discovering and establishing peer to peer connection between one another. The technology allows discovering micro-services running on any cluster and enabling micro-service level communication. This unique capability enables ad-hoc and real-time formation of mesh networks across different devices, OS, and networks. mimik offers its platform to third-party developers via SDKs and APIs to enrich the experience for consumer, connected home, automotive, health and other vertical applications. Available in the App Store and Google Play Store, the company launched its award winning first consumer branded applications using and extending its SDK and APIs called "mimik access". This app makes it easy to instantly access and share digital content across incompatible devices and platforms and demonstrating the power of mimik's patented, transformative edge-based micro-cloud technology. Download the mimik access app for Android or iOS - winner of CableLabs best new product award! For more information visit www.mimik.com Contact:

Matt ArjMandi, Director of Marketing

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1-604-899-8843 Ext. 107 Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20160808/8521605030



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] Optics Augments Reality and Brings 3D Medicine into Focus

Live 3D imaging is one of the hottest topics in optics today, transforming medical imaging capabilities and delivering the immersive experience behind augmented and virtual reality. During The Optical Society's Light the Future centennial program in Heidelberg, Germany on 26 July, Dr. Joseph Izatt of Duke University and Microsoft's (News - Alert) Bernard Kress gave an insider's look at how these technologies are advancing medicine and changing the future of how we interact with computers. Picking up where Ray Kurzweil left off in the previous Light the Future presentation about artificial intelligence and the continually shrinking scale of medicine, Izatt discussed some of the latest optical technologies delivering micron precision to surgery. Specifically, he sees the convergence of real-time 3D imaging technologies, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) visualization and surgical robotics as driving such advanced capabilities. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has already delivered the ability to map the entire vascular network within the retina, down to the single capillary level. Thanks to the computing power of graphical processing units (GPUs), the real power of this 3D resolution is just starting to emerge by bringing the images to the surgeon live during an operation - in real time, using a variety of display methods. Izatt and collaborators have developed a way to integrate OCT hardware into the surgical microscopes typically used for eye surgery. The retina, for example, has the consistency of wet tissue paper and any surgery requires complex and delicate surgical techniques. Describing the implications of the OCT device Izatt said, "In addition to just visualizing this better, this technology enables quantitative measurements that cannot be made without the technology." Where he sees major challenges are in the ways this live 3D imaging is displayed to the surgeon. Izatt's team has had success with stereoscopic heads-up displays they developed to integrate the live OCT images into surgeon's microscope oculars. This is a relatively small fieldof view to work with, however, and there is great potential for developing more advanced visualizations for surgeons.



Some operating rooms have already employed the use of 3D TV displays, which don't have the physical discomfort that might come with looking through a microscope. While they also offer a slightly larger field of view, at around 55, Izatt sees great potential for head-mounted AR/VR displays that could offer much closer to a full 4p steradian field of view - in other words, allowing the surgeon to see these volumetric images from any angle she or he chooses to look. A challenge in using head-mounted displays arises, perhaps surprisingly, when adapting the display and volumetric perspective for a surgeon's intuitive hand-eye coordination. Here, Izatt sees great potential for the use of haptic - or touch driven - control of robotics. With the right levels of sensory feedback, such cooperative control not only offers higher precision for microsurgery, but also offers better safety for the patient.

The technology of such head-mounted display systems was the focus of the session's second presentation given by Bernard Kress, optical architect for Microsoft's HoloLens AR headset. For many, the names HoloLens, Occulus, Vive, or even Google (News - Alert) Cardboard may seem very new. In terms of the market, however, Kress notes that head mounted displays have already passed through the hype cycle, paving the way for their ubiquity in as little as 10 years. "At Microsoft we think strongly that this will be the next computing platform," says Kress. Although there is plenty of overlap, he points out that VR, AR and smart eyewear such as Google Glass (which Kress also helped develop before moving to Microsoft), are three very different technologies - for now, at least. He, along with many other major players in the field, sees the fusing of the three technologies as an eventuality. These are far from trivial claims when taking into account the capabilities and challenges involved in these technologies. In addition to the physical differences between any given person wanting to comfortably adorn their head with such massively complex devices, each person will also have differences in field of view and vision processing. Moreover, there are multiple elements to be considered within a single user's vision where different parts of our field of view are optimal for different types of vision. An example of this is reading text in the near field versus detecting the motion of objects in the periphery. For the time being at least, AR and VR require different solutions to these problems. While VR has the largest field of view to account for, the entire visual environment is simulated and can be accounted for in development. AR has a more normal 220 field of view, but simulated objects are painted on top of the viewer's reality and must be capable of adapting to continually changing landscapes. Aside from the technical challenges in developing head mounted displays, Kress also pointed out some of the market challenges already being addressed and conquered. Availability of these devices, which typically run close to 1000 USD today, is an obvious hurdle. With so few people having access to their use, this can also allow cultural barriers to fester, leaving many averse to trying something so unfamiliar and even fearful of such exotic technology. This is where Kress sees products like Google Cardboard and Pokemon Go as playing major roles in promotion and democratization. Each of these has millions of users already gaining familiarity with AR and VR capabilities. "Imagine you're playing Pokemon Go with HoloLens instead of your smart phone. It's just the tip of the iceberg," says Kress. Despite the difficulties, Kress emphasizes that AR and VR technologies are taking off. And as they do, both the user experience and (shrinking) hardware standards will ultimately be shaped by the growing toolkit of optical technologies. Some of the technologies Microsoft is already playing with include geometric phase holograms, surface plasmons, metamaterials and parity time symmetry optics. Whether it's for finding a single capillary in a retina, or finding Pikachu in the park, VR and AR technologies have eyes clearly focused on the future. About The Optical Society Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and entrepreneurs who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the science of light. Through world-renowned publications, meetings and membership initiatives, OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts. For more information, visit osa.org/100. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160808006191/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] U.S. Appeals Court Affirms RICO Judgment Against Lawyer Behind Fraudulent Ecuador Lawsuit

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has unanimously affirmed a lower court decision, which found that the $9.5 billion judgment against Chevron (News - Alert) Corporation in Ecuador was the product of fraud and racketeering activity, and unenforceable in the United States. The appeals court stated that there was "no basis for dismissal or reversal" of the district court's judgment, noting that "[t]he record in the present case reveals a parade of corrupt actions by the LAPs' legal team, including coercion, fraud, and bribery, culminating in the promise to Judge Zambrano of $500,000 from a judgment in favor of the LAPs." In 2014, Steven Donziger, the American lawyer behind a fraudulent lawsuit against Chevron in Ecuador, was found by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York to have violated the federal Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), committing extortion, money laundering, wire fraud, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations, witness tampering and obstruction of justice in obtaining the Ecuadorian judgment and in trying to cover up the crimes committed by him and his associates. "This decision, which is consistent with the findings of numerous judicial officers in the United States and South America, leaves no doubt that the Ecuadorian judgment against Chevron is the illegitimate and unenforceable product of misconduct," said R. Hewitt Pate, Chevron vice president and general counsel. "Chevron is pleased that the truth has prevailed over fraud and corruption." During the seven-week RICO and fraud trial, Chevron presented unrebutted evidence detailing the extent of the fraudulent acts undertaken and directed by Donziger, his Ecuadorian legal team and other associates, including fabricating environmental evidence, pressuring scientific experts to falsify reports, plotting to intimidate judges into handing down favorable rulings, bribing court-appointed experts, ghostwriting court reports and even drafting the final judgment. Chevron has never operated in Ecuador. Texaco Petroleum (TexPet), which became a subsidiary of Chevron in 2001, was a minority partner in an oil-production consortium in Ecuador along with the state-owned oil company, Petroecuador, from 1964 to 1992. After TexPet turned its remaining share of the oil operations over to Petroecuador in 1992, pursuant to an agreement with Ecuador, TexPet agreed to conduct a remediation of selected production sites while Petroecuador remained responsible to perform any remaining cleanup. The government of Ecuador oversaw and certified the successful completion of TexPet's remediation and fully released TexPet from further environmental liability. Petroecuador, however, failed to conduct the cleanup it promised and has continued to operate and expand oil operations in the former concession over the past 20 years.



Since the extent of the fraud scheme was revealed, more than a dozen former insiders and allies have abandoned Donziger and his scheme, including his former co-counsel, environmental consultants, funders, investors, employees and Ecuadorian collaborators. In May 2015, Brazil's Deputy Prosecutor General recommended to the country's Superior Court of Justice that the fraudulent Ecuadorian judgment not be recognized for enforcement, upholding both international and Brazilian law.

In December 2015, the Supreme Court of Gibraltar issued a judgment against Amazonia Recovery Ltd., a Gibraltar-based company set up by Donziger and his associates to receive and distribute funds resulting from the fraudulent Ecuadorian judgment. The court awarded Chevron $28 million in damages and issued a permanent injunction against Amazonia, preventing the company from assisting or supporting the case against Chevron in any way. Chevron Corporation is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies. Through its subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide, the company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants; manufactures and sells petrochemicals and additives; generates power and produces geothermal energy; and develops and deploys technologies that enhance business value in every aspect of the company's operations. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160808006005/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] IndianMoney.com has Adopted 'Be Wise, Get Rich' as its Official Slogan

BANGALORE, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IndianMoney.com, a pioneer in offering financial education to the common man, recognized the need of being financially literate way back in 2008. It offers on-call financial education to over 14,000 people per day to help them make sound financial decisions. It has constantly evolved to its present form to meet the requirements of the ever aspiring common man. In order to be in-line with the dynamic population 'Be Wise, Get Rich' - has been adopted as the official slogan of IndianMoney.com. "We will soon kick-start our aggressive marketing campaign to help more people save, invest and spend consciously," said C S Sudheer, Founder and CEO of IndianMoney.com. "We are on the verge of signing up with a veteran Bollywood actor as our brand ambassador," he added. During this occasion he quoted, "IndianMoney.com has been living up to te expectations of common man in fulfilling their needs of financial education. With the changing dynamics, IndianMoney.com is all set to offer whole new preposition to its consumers with its new yet to be launched personal finance app, Wealth Doctor."



Recently IndianMoney.com concluded the much followed 'Money Trap' series. Now the company has launched its next series 'Retire with Pride'. "With these initiatives IndianMoney.com aims to enhance financial literacy among common man and inch ahead to make India a financially literate country where everyone is rightly invested and insured," added C S Sudheer. About IndianMoney.com:

IndianMoney.com, a part of Suvision Holdings Pvt Ltd is an 8-year-old start-up and is backed by Vertexperts Consulting (Bangalore) and Hyderabad Angels (Hyderabad). It has accomplished investors like Mr. Ravindra Krishnappa (founder of Erasmic Venture Fund) and Mr. Pradeep Mittal (former head of Magna Infotech's India operations) on its board of directors and, Mr. Shekhar Kirani (partner at Accel Partners) and Mr. Ramanand Baliga (Ex-IBM India Director) on its advisory panel. Started in 2008 by Mr. C S Sudheer, the vision of IndianMoney.com is to create a financially literate India by providing free consultation to anyone looking for an expert opinion on matters related to finance. In the process, IndianMoney.com also provides this unique service of educating the consumers on how not to get cheated by unscrupulous agents while buying financial products. Media Contact:

Narasimha B

[email protected]

+91-8095476355

VP Corporate Finance

Suvision Holdings Pvt Ltd



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] The Prospect of Vibration Isolators

HANGZHOU, China, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Vibration isolators, especially wire rope isolators, are applied in many fields, such as military, aviation and maritime. Hoan, one of the leading manufacturers and providers of quality energy absorption and vibration isolation products and services, sells their products to heavy industries throughout the globe, to places such as Canada, France, India and more. Annual sales have reached approximately $1 million. Due to their special applications most people are not familiar with the wire rope isolators. So what are they? Many electronic devices are installed on military communication vehicles. The vibrations caused by the airflow over them can easily cause these electronic devices to malfunction. Even worse, these vibrations can destroy the vehicle's communication system. A suitable anti-vibration system should be adopted to guarantee that these critical systems work normally. Wire rope isolators have emerged as a perfect solution for these problems. Wire rope isolators are very high performanceshock isolators and vibration isolators that can be used in endless applications. Wire rope isolators are very useful vibration dampers because they maintain excellent vibration isolation performance under maximum shock in severe environmental conditions such as chemical pollution or extreme temperatures. They have a long life span and can adapt to elastic displacement in all dimensions, allowing multi-directional vibration isolation, and they can be installed in many different ways.



There is elastic support for heavy duty machinery such as generators, and vibration isolation for delicate applications such as precision instruments, transportation of missiles and satellites, processors, communication units, protection for navigation and launching systems as well as large scale construction. The working temperature for stainless steel wire rope isolators is -75C to +175C, and even up to +370C, and each wire rope isolator comes with softened non-linear stiffness. The maximum dynamic displacement is over 70 percent of the space the mount takes up; the dynamic stiffness decreases when the displacement increases. http://www.hoanincs.com

What are the advantages of wire rope isolators? Nonlinear damping and nonlinear soft characteristic s -- Under strong deformation, the wire rope will act to avoid friction force s and reduce energy . Then it can control the vibration s .

-- Under deformation, the wire rope will act to avoid friction force and reduce . Then it control the vibration . Vertical and Transverse Vibration -- Wire rope isolator s not only provide a soltion for vertical vibration s, but can also protect against transverse vibration s .

not only provide vibration but also vibration Wild environmental Adaptation -- Since the mounting cable s of wire rope isolator s are made of wire ropes, they have strong anti-corrosion characteristics and can withstand extreme temperature s . Normally, wire rope isolator s work in temperatures ranging from -60 o C to 260C.

mounting cable of wire rope isolator made of wire ropes, they anti-corrosion and extreme temperature . Normally, wire rope isolator work from -60 C to 260C. Simple structure and lightweight -- Wire rope isolator s are just half the volume of traditional vibration isolators, yet their anti- vibration performance is same . In addition, wire rope isolator s also can be applied to use wiith precis ion instruments. Future developments will see wire rope isolators not confined to military and aviation applications, but also to civil fields such as vehicles, drones, and more. Please visit http://www.hoanincs.com for more information. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-prospect-of-vibration-isolators-300310276.html SOURCE Hoan

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] IDFC Bank Launches Services in Meghalaya, Opens First Branch in the North East

SHILLONG, India, August 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IDFC Bank today launched its services in Meghalaya, opening its first branch in the capital city of Shillong and setting up first-of-its-kind interoperable micro ATMs in the state's rural locations. This is IDFC Bank's first step in establishing its presence in the North East and expanding reach to the region's under-banked rural and semi-urban locations. The branch was inaugurated by Mr. Prestone Tynsong, Hon'ble Minister for Community & Rural Development, Border Areas Development, Forest & Environment and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, in the presence of Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister for Urban Affairs, Municipal Administration & Labour, Government of Meghalaya and Mr. Ravi Shankar, Head - Bharat Banking, IDFC Bank. Speaking on the launch, Dr. Rajiv Lall, Founder Managing Director & CEO, IDFC Bank, said, "IDFC Bank has chosen to establish presence in the North East in its very first year of operations. This shows its intent to achieve inclusive growth by expanding financial access in under-banked locations. The bank's plans for Meghalaya will be shaped by the State's goal of financial inclusion. IDFC Bank will bring to citizens of Meghalaya, the convenience of doorstep banking, customised financial products and increased access to capital for micro, small and medium businesses." IDFC Bank's branch, located in Shillong's Demseiniong area, is powered by a custom-designed solar power system. IDFC Bank's innovative Interoperable Micro ATMs are designed to make banking simpler and more accessible across Meghalaya. The first few micro ATMs are now operational in Mawlyngbna, a hamlet on the Indo-Bangladesh border and Umsning. The micro ATM enables ctizens to transact from the comfort of their neighbourhoods, while also encouraging local entrepreneurship. The device, which functions like a 'Bank in a Box', enables digital transactions for customers of any bank. It also provides instant account opening and activation, working on multiple identifiers including mobile numbers, debit cards, bank account numbers or Aadhaar.



IDFC has been working with the Government of Meghalaya since 2012, initially in an advisory role, and subsequently implementing projects funded by IDFC Foundation. Last year, through IDFC Foundation, it implemented a solar street lighting project in Mawlynnong and Mawlyngbna village. IDFC Foundation is currently working on a drinking water and micro-hydel project at Mawlyngbna village. IDFC Bank currently has a network of nearly 70 branches, of which 50 are in unbanked rural and semi-urban locations in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. To deepen financial inclusion, the bank is placing special focus on segments such as marginal farmers, micro enterprises and the self-employed.

The bank's interoperable micro ATMs have gained popularity across geographies where it has a presence, being used by retail shops, dhabas, chemists, panchayat offices and entrepreneurs. The concept has been particularly successful in Andhra Pradesh where the bank was the first to enable Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) such as pensions; and cashless PDS payments, through its partnership with the state government. IDFC Bank's branch in Shillong is located at: VN Hardware Building, Demseiniong, Laitumkhra, Opposite NEEPCO Office, Shillong, 793011 Meghalaya About IDFC Bank: IDFC Bank (BSE: 539437, NSE: IDFCBANK) is a subsidiary of IDFC Ltd (BSE: 532659, NSE: IDFC). Headquartered in Mumbai, IDFC Bank is a universal bank, offering financial solutions through its nationwide branches, internet and mobile. Envisioned as a new age bank, IDFC Bank seeks to set a new standard in customer experience, using technology and a service-oriented approach, to make banking simple and accessible, anytime and from anywhere. In keeping with IDFC's legacy of building the nation, IDFC Bank will focus on serving the rural underserved communities and the self-employed, while continuing to support the country's infrastructure sector. IDFC Bank provides customized financial solutions to corporates, individuals, small and micro-enterprises, entrepreneurs, financial institutions and the government. With best-in-class corporate governance, rigorous risk management, experienced management and a diversified team, IDFC Bank is uniquely positioned to meet the aspirations of its customers and stakeholders. For more information, please visit: http://www.idfcbank.com or Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn For media queries, contact:

Freeda D'souza

+91-9892962607/91-22-4222-2000

[email protected]

External Communications Head, IDFC Bank



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] Carnegie Mellon sweeps DefCon as team wins third 'World Series of Hacking' title in four years

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnegie Mellon's competitive computer security team, The Plaid Parliament of Pwning, just won its third title in four years at the DefCon Capture the Flag competition. The win comes on the heels of CMU-spinoff ForAllSecure's win at the DARPA Cyber Grand Challenge just days earlier. The DefCon Capture the Flag competition, widely considered the "World Series of Hacking," was held August 7  9 at the Paris and Bally's Hotels in Las Vegas. "Our team has put in thousands of hours of practice and it is rewarding to see them win amongst the best hackers in the world," says David Brumley, faculty advisor to the CMU team as well as director of Carnegie Mellon's CyLab Security and Privacy Institute and professor of electrical and computer engineering. "Every year this competition becomes harder and harder to win." Capture the Flag (CTF) is one of the most popular competitive hacking games in the world, wih hundreds of smaller CTFs being held annually. During these competitions, teams try to break into competitors' servers while protecting their own. After achieving a successful breach, teams catch virtual "flags" and earn points.



While thousands of CTF teams exist worldwide, only 15 teams representing at least 10 countries qualified for this year's DefCon CTF. "The consistency of our team's performance over the last four years demonstrates CMU's strength in cybersecurity education and research," says Jim Garrett, dean of Carnegie Mellon's College of Engineering. "These students will clearly help drive the next level of cybersecurity."

Carnegie Mellon's win comes at a time that the computer security field is struggling to find suitable hires to join the workforce. These contests give people a place to practice and hone their computer security skills. "These contests are critically important to developing a skilled cybersecurity workforce," says Brumley. The Carnegie Mellon hacking team formed in 2009 and began competing in DEFCON's Capture the Flag competition in 2010. Prior to this year, the team held two DefCon Capture the Flag titles from 2013 and 2014. About Carnegie Mellon University: Carnegie Mellon (www.cmu.edu) is a private, internationally ranked university with programs in areas ranging from science, technology and business to public policy, the humanities and the arts. More than 13,000 students in the university's seven schools and colleges benefit from a small faculty-to-student ratio and an education characterized by its focus on creating and implementing solutions for real world problems, interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. About Carnegie Mellon University CyLab: Carnegie Mellon University CyLab (www.cylab.cmu.edu) is a University-wide, multi-disciplinary cybersecurity and privacy research institute. With over 50 core faculty, CyLab partners with industry and government to develop and test systems that lead to a world in which people can trust technology. CyLab stretches across five colleges encompassing the fields of engineering, computer science, business, public policy, information systems, humanities and social sciences. Contact: Daniel Tkacik, 412-268-1187, [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160808/396266 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carnegie-mellon-sweeps-defcon-as-team-wins-third-world-series-of-hacking-title-in-four-years-300310296.html SOURCE Carnegie Mellon University

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[August 08, 2016] Netsync Network Solutions Named to 2016 CRN Fast Growth 150 List

HOUSTON, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Netsync Network Solutions, announced that it has been named to The Channel Company's 2016 CRN Fast Growth 150 list. The list is CRN's annual ranking of North America-based technology integrators, solution providers and IT consultants with gross sales of at least $1 million who have experienced significant economic growth over the past two years. The 2016 list is based on gains in gross revenue between 2013 and 2015, and the companies recognized represent a total, combined revenue of more than $25,637,241,944. "We are very pleased to demonstrate to our technology partners and customers that Netsync has once again earned our place on CRN's Fast Growth 150 List," said Kurt Nordquist, Director of Business Development for Netsync. "This is truly a remarkable achievement and there's plenty of thanks to go around to the various teams that helped make this a reality. Netsync professionals continuously keep an eye on the industry in order o identify, build, and deliver innovative solutions to our customers."



"The companies on our 2016 Fast Growth 150 list are growing at an incredible rate, establishing themselves as clear leaders in today's IT channel," said Robert Faletra, CEO of The Channel Company. "Their rapid expansion in a climate of economic uncertainty and unprecedented technological advancement is especially impressive. We congratulate each of the Fast Growth 150 honorees and look forward to their continued success." The Fast Growth 150 list is highlighted in the August issue of CRN and can be viewed online at http://crn.com/fastgrowth150.

About Netsync Network Solutions

Netsync Network Solutions is a HUB-certified, minority-owned, value-added reseller (VAR), specializing in collaboration and unified communications, data center and cloud, network infrastructure, wireless and mobility, physical and cyber security, end-user computing and VDI, optical transport/WAN, managed services, and staffing solutions. Based in Houston, TX, with sales and engineering assets throughout Texas, Netsync uses a true business consultative approach to determine clients' requirements and architects innovative and synergistic IT solutions to meet clients' needs. This approach has earned Netsync various customer service excellence awards and recognition as a progressive partner that introduces the newest, best-of-breed products and solutions to clients. For more information, visit netsyncnetwork.com . 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 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150610/222251LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/netsync-network-solutions-named-to-2016-crn-fast-growth-150-list-300310783.html SOURCE Netsync Network Solutions

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
JD England reflects on time as Mayor of Mitchell before stepping down

JD England reflects on his time on the Mitchell police force, his first term election by just four votes and his accomplishments in office.
You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber.



Not a subscriber?



Subscribe today for access to:

Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles).


Last week, Plattsmouth City Council members approved a five-year agreement with Omaha Tank Wash, LLC., to provide wastewater treatment services to OFC Schmidt Liquid Trucking.

Omaha Tank Wash was established in 2005, and is an affiliate of OFC/Schmidt Trucking LLC. The agreement with the city will be with Omaha Tank Wash.

The councils decision followed the presentation of an engineering study of Omaha Tank Washs existing wastewater treatment facility at 108 East Bay Road. The company and its treatment system are outside the city of Plattsmouths corporate jurisdiction and its two-mile zoning jurisdiction. Wells Resource LLC conducted the study.

Omaha Tank Washs request for services was in response to Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) issuing the company a notice of violation pertaining to the construction and discharge of waste without appropriate permits.

According to the Wells Resource study, OFC/Schmidt uses its trucks to transport bulk agricultural and industrial products and chemicals. These products and chemicals include biodegradable and non-biodegradable elements.

When the hauling operations are complete, OFC/Schmidt cleans the interiors and exteriors of its bulk tankers, the report explains.

The wastes from these cleaning operations are discharged into an on-site industrial wastewater treatment system. Some of the wastes are hauled to suitable off-site treatment systems for processing, the report states.

In a letter from the citys consulting engineers, Olmsted and Perry Consulting Engineers, Inc., in Omaha, to the Plattsmouth Mayor and City Council dated May 31, the city has the capacity to provide the services if OFC/Schmidt modifies and upgrades its industrial wastewater pre-treatment facilities, limits its treatment operation to only biodegradable products and constructs a private sewer main to convey its wastes to the city at a controlled volume and limited flow rate.

The Wells study recommends modifications to OFC/Schmidts treatment facility including 1)eliminating all non-biodegradable wastes from the treatment process, and 2) providing biological treatment to the flow, Oxygen Demand (COD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) loadings through a seven-day treatment and equalization period. The treatment would be accomplished by transforming the lined lagoon basin into a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR), with an aeration system in the bottom of the basin.

A new private sewer main, consisting of a pumping station, force main and gravity connecting sewer would be required to convey the waste to Plattsmouths existing collection and treatment system. OFC/Schmidt is also required to obtain an NDEQ Industrial Pretreatment Permit.

According to the study, the Plattsmouth treatment system, built in 1978, has the capacity to accept the wastewater from OFC/Schmidt through the agreement with Omaha Tank Wash. The analysis indicates that the plant is currently operating at 41 percent of hydraulic capacity and between 27 percent and 31 percent of organic/solids loading capacity. The physical and operational conditions of the plant are good.

At the councils April 18 meeting, Jim Olmsted of Olmsted and Perry said OFC/Schmidt generates 7,500-12,000 gallons of waste per day from cleaning the tanker trucks.

the bulk of the wastes are biologically treatable, and only those types of wastes would be compatible with Plattsmouth. The volume of waste from Schmidt would represent approximately 2-3 percent of Plattsmouths current waste volume being processed, a study that began in December 2015 by Olmsted and Perry states.

The wastewater strengths will be constantly monitored with automatic control features in the pumping station. The control system will also lock out flow if the pre-treated waste exceeds biochemical oxygen demand requirements at the Plattsmouth system.

Omaha Tank Wash has agreed to pay 100 percent of all pretreatment improvements, along with 100 percent of the private sewer main construction needed to connect to Plattsmouths system. This cost would include city engineering fees and legal and administrative costs.

The company will also be required to pay all sewer capital facilities charges and all monthly service fees.

Omaha Tank Wash and OFC/Schmidt officials have agreed to all of the terms.

Running a wash facility is a necessity in our business. Putting in place a more efficient process for disposal of the wash water has been a goal of ours for many years, said Josh Schmidt, Liquid Trucking Companies OFC general manager. We are grateful that the city of Plattsmouth was able to work with us to come up with a viable solution to our problem.
The online stranger goaded Bill Kintner for 30 minutes, urging him to remove his pants for the webcam.

At first, alone in a Boston hotel room, he resisted.

"I just can't do this," the outspoken, conservative state senator typed. "It would break my wife's heart if she knew I did this."

He hung up then, but his decision seven hours later  to resume the chat and give the woman what she wanted  resulted in Kintner falling victim to an online extortion scam, being fined Friday for breaking a law that restricts public officials' use of state computers, and being urged by Gov. Pete Ricketts and others to resign from the Nebraska Legislature.

Kintner, 55, refused to step down but said he has apologized to his wife and God.

The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission fined the Papillion lawmaker $1,000 for using his government-issued laptop for the live video exchange, which happened in July 2015 while he attended a conference.

The ruling drew swift reaction at the Capitol.

"Senator Kintner should resign his office immediately. Period, Ricketts said in a news release.

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers called Kintner a "guttersnipe" and a "vulgar hypocrite," and repeated his vow to pursue Kintner's impeachment if he doesn't step down.

And Speaker of the Legislature Galen Hadley said he was leaning toward supporting Kintner's expulsion from office and that the situation should be dealt with this year  possibly through a special legislative session.

"This puts his fellow senators in an exceedingly difficult position," Hadley said.

News of Kintner's online issues first emerged last week, a year after the woman he met on Facebook convinced him to masturbate into a webcam using the computer program Skype while she did the same. The two also swapped sexually explicit messages, hers apparently translated from another language.

"Make me pleasure," she says at one point, according to transcripts compiled by the Nebraska State Patrol.

But Kintner is conflicted: "I don't want to sneak behind my wife's back," he tells her. "It's not about you, it is about me. You are smoking hot."

The woman, who used the name Vinciane Diedeort, continues pressing Kintner to remove his clothing.

"Let's end this, before I get in trouble," he responds, then stops the call around 5 p.m. July 30.

Only when he returns after midnight does he do as the woman asks, exposing himself. And within minutes, she threatens to post the video on YouTube and share it with his Facebook friends if he doesn't wire $4,500 to an account in the Ivory Coast, which she claimed was for a deaf child.

Kintner reported himself to the State Patrol that day, telling investigators he'd fallen victim to a scam.

"I knew as a follower of Christ I needed to take quick and decisive action, and I did," Kintner said in a statement.

His wife of seven years, Lauren Kintner, is the governor's top policy adviser. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer days after her husband's return from Boston.

News of Sen. Kintner's online activity didn't surface publicly until last week, and even then officials were reluctant to comment pending action by the Accountability and Disclosure Commission.

Ricketts acknowledged having known about the investigation but said he didn't make it public out of respect for Kintner's due-process rights.

Top Democrats have criticized the lack of transparency, noting that Kintner was chosen as a delegate to last month's Republican National Convention in Cleveland despite the ongoing investigation.

The case against Kintner is now resolved, but the file isn't closed on the extortion attempt, State Patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins said in an email. Such cases are often lengthy and can involve suspects in foreign countries, she said.

Kintner said investigators traced the scam to a small crime syndicate based in the Ivory Coast and using Russian computers.

Recorded video of the exchange was never saved on his computer, Kintner said. The scammer posted a brief clip, or GIF, of the recording online, but it has since been deleted.

Kintner's $1,000 civil penalty is half what the Accountability and Disclosure Commission could have ordered, part of a settlement agreement with Kintner's attorney.

Former Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy made a similar deal in 2013 after using his state cellphone to make late-night calls to various women other than his wife.

State law also provides for a misdemeanor criminal charge against public officials who misuse state property. Asked why such a charge hasn't been filed against Kintner, Suzanne Gage, spokeswoman for Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, noted the exchange took place in Massachusetts.

Hadley said Kintner's action was "unbecoming a senator in the state of Nebraska."

Members of the Legislature's Executive Board will meet Aug. 19 to discuss their options.

Only the governor or a supermajority of the Legislature, 33 of 49 senators, can call lawmakers back into the Capitol before they reconvene as scheduled in January.

Impeachment would then require support from 25 senators, although some have questioned whether a state senator may be impeached at all under Nebraska law. Expulsion of a senator requires 33 votes.

Legislative staffers have estimated the cost of a seven-day special session at $65,000.

Ricketts spokesman Taylor Gage said the governor believes Kintner should resign "out of respect to the taxpayers."

"The governor's office is keeping open lines of communication with the speaker (Hadley) to see what course of action legislative leaders pursue," Gage said in a text message.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7234 or zpluhacek@journalstar.com.
I'm ditching Android for the iPhone  and it's all because of this one thing

Being the only Android user when everyone else uses an iPhone can be a lonely experience, especially when it comes messaging software and the iPhone's notorious green bubble for Android users.
Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Heres why you can trust us.
PLATTSMOUTH  Two people appeared in Cass County District Court Monday morning for their involvement with methamphetamine.

Former Plattsmouth resident Martha E. Moyer, 41, took part in a sentencing hearing. Moyer pled guilty earlier this year to one Class I misdemeanor charge of attempted possession of controlled substance-methamphetamine.

Deputy County Attorney Colin Palm said the state would recommend probation due to Moyers light criminal history. Moyers record included only one traffic citation prior to this year. She received the Cass County methamphetamine charge in February.

Judge Steven Burns ordered Moyer to serve 12 months on probation. Moyer will have to move from her current residence in southwest Missouri back to Nebraska to serve the probation. She told the court she would rather do that than face the possibility of a jail sentence.

Moyer will be required to pay a $300 fine and all court costs within one year. She must abstain from all alcohol and drugs and will be required to submit to random drug testing.

Avoca resident Avery J. Quick, 25, took part in the second case. Quick pled guilty to one Class I misdemeanor of attempted possession of controlled substance-methamphetamine. The state agreed to reduce its original felony-level charge in exchange for the guilty plea. The plea bargain did not contain any recommendations regarding sentencing.

Palm told the court a Cass County Sheriffs Office deputy stopped Quicks car near the intersection of Highway 50 and Holdrege Street in southern Cass County March 15. The routine traffic stop turned into a more serious incident when the deputy saw drug paraphernalia in Quicks vehicle.

The deputy searched the car and found a glass multi-colored marijuana pipe. Palm said the deputy also located a blue-tinted methamphetamine pipe that contained residue. State crime lab employees later tested the residue and confirmed it was methamphetamine.

Quick remains free on bond. Sentencing in his case will take place Sept. 19.
The week in storage was filled with the normal punishing string of briefings that occur before a big industry trade show. We are boarding planes to head out to the Flash Memory Summit in sunny California, so stay tuned over the course of the week to hear about the next big thing(s) in flash technology.

Chris Ramseyer put the screws to six different two-bay NAS in our round up, and he found that though many of the offerings are similar, they all have different feature sets and capabilities that suit different needs. A modern NAS unit, even these cheap little jobbers, will transcode on the fly, which is great for all of those Blu-Ray "backups" one might have laying around.

The Plextor M8Pe NVMe SSDs popped up on Newegg earlier this week, and surprisingly, the SSDs will ship in eight different flavors. The M.2 model marks the first M.2 SSD to come to market with its own heatsink, which means that either the Marvell Eldora controller runs hot, or Plextor is simply ahead of the rest of the market. Of course, once we receive samples we will ferret out the meaning of all this, but for now, we are forced to merely ogle at the listings on the Egg.

Google's anti-abuse research team conducted a test that involved dropping USB sticks around a college campus to see who would "bite" and insert them into their computers. Common sense isn't common, so many of the unwitting test subjects obeyed their more base instincts and chose to snoop around on the loaded drives. Lucian Armasu, our resident security expert, covered the perils of picking up stray USB sticks.

Seagate is exploding into the enterprise SATA SSD market, again, with its new Nytro XF1230 SSDs. The SSD wars make for strange bedfellows at times, so it isn't entirely surprising to find Seagate infusing its latest SSDs with SK Hynix NAND and controllers. Seagate has a strategic alliance with Micron, so it is curious that it didn't simply use Micron's M510DC SSDs, which slot into a similar category.

The battle lines are being drawn between UFS and NVMe. Toshiba is armed with 3D BiCS NAND and is charging the hill with its newest BG series of NVMe SSDs. Apple, the world's largest flash consumer, is going for NVMe, while Samsung, which makes whatever it wants because it is vertically integrated, appears to be focusing on UFS for mobile applications. Toshiba has both UFS and NVMe solutions, so it will be happy to help anyone.

Our Big HDD Showdown pitted three of the highest-density helium HDDs on the market against each other. We took the HGST He10 10 TB, the Seagate 10 TB and the WD Gold 8 TB and threw them in the ring to determine the victor. There weren't any platters or heads strewn about in the aftermath, which was somewhat disappointing, but jump to the article to see who rose to the top, and who deflated.

Man, it took us that long to get to the meat? My thoughts are turning to flash because of the impending Flash Memory Summit, but before we go to the big memory dance, let's wrap up a few HDD tidbits.

WD Ships 10 TB Gold HDDs

WD began shipping its enterprise-class 10 TB Gold HDDs last week, which unfortunately wasn't in time to make our big HDD roundup. In either case, the drive is still plenty impressive, at least if one considers a near carbon copy of the HGST He10 to be exciting news.

WD is beginning to merge technology from its HGST underling into its own HDDs, so we can expect the product stacks to become more similar in all aspects. The similarity shows in the specs, and also the overall design of the drive, which appears to be nearly identical with the two metal stanchions on the front of the drive (which are unique to He10s).

The 6Gbps SATA 10 TB Gold features the same 7,200-RPM spindle speed but kicks its sustained data transfer rate up a notch to 249 MBps, which is a quite a bit speedier than its 8 TB predecessor (205 MBps), but (surprise) it's exactly the same as the HGST He10.

The drive also moves from a 128 MB cache to 256 MB, but there really isn't much to see here that you cannot already see with the HGST He10. That's not a bad thing, just sayin'.

Actually, its a great thing, considering that the He10 is currently (by our estimation) the best 10 TB HDD on the market.

Seagate Spins Out 12 TB

James Luczo, Seagate's CEO, mentioned in the company's Q4 2016 earnings call that the company would ship 12 TB helium HDDs to its customers for evaluation this quarter. The industry is fast reaching the limits of PMR (Perpendicular Magnetic Recording), but Seagate's quick jump from 10 to 12 TB indicates that there is still some gas in the tank.

Seagate may have added TDMR (Two-Dimensional Magnetic Recording), which employs two heads per platter to increase the readability of denser tracks. If Seagate is using TDMR, it will be the first to the market, but only time will tell if that is the technique the company is using to increase density. However, the 12 TB should fall into the rough timeline for TDMR.

HDD Vendors Run For The High Capacity Hills

The HDD vendors have begun to acquiesce the performance segment and much of the notebook PC space to SSDs. The realization that it might be time to regroup and retool specifically for high-capacity applications isn't lost on Seagate, which revealed that it is ceding some areas of the market that aren't as profitable.

"We continue to make strategic decisions to not aggressively participate in certain areas of the low-capacity notebook and gaming market where the gross margin contribution does not warrant the long-term manufacturing investment. As a result, our future forecast for Seagate's HDD unit addressable market may have a variance to our competition, as we may not participate in all HDD unit sales demand in any given quarter," said David Morton, CFO and Executive Vice President, Seagate.

Morton also noted that the company's client shipments for PC hard drives accounted for only 25 percent of its revenue due to its strategic shift to high-capacity market segments, which now account for 45 percent of its revenue.

The move makes sense, as the average capacity per drive increased to 1.7 TB (113 percent), and the average selling price also rose to a record of $67 (since the Thailand floods). Seagate indicated that its HDD unit shipments have declined 15% over the last five years, but that its exabyte shipments (capacity) grew 112 percent (up to 233 exabytes).

HDD vendors used to rely upon selling a massive amount of small capacity HDDs for the client market; at one time, Seagate punched out nearly 1 million HDDs per day (seven per second). The move to the high-capacity climes, which are free of SSD invaders, has changed the dynamic entirely.

WD also recently echoed these sentiments in its latest conference call, when it also noted robust sales of high-capacity HDDs. We expect the HDD vendors to continue to retreat, and rightly so, into the high capacity enterprise segment. Unfortunately, both companies continue to close manufacturing plants and lay off employees.

Be wary, the mighty Toshiba is rising from the ashes with 19% Q/Q growth, and now it has 21.9% of the HDD market, according to the latest Trendfocus predictions. Toshiba's flash operations are also booming, so the company might have a banner year.

This Week's Storage Tidbit

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich recently noted that the average autonomous car in 2020 will generate 40 GB of data per minute and that an autonomous drone will generate more than 20 GB of data per minute. The devices will process much of this data in real time, so it won't necessarily require long term storage, but some of that data will inevitably land back in a data center at some point (if for nothing else than to satisfy the NSA's curiosity).

Five years ago, there were no predictions of the impact of autonomous vehicles or drones in the long-term storage roadmap, and the industry will surely have to evolve to satisfy the storage needs for these new applications over the next few years. This leaves one to wonder what the next new hot data-generating technology will be in five years.
As far as Australian music history is concerned, Killing Heidi owned the year 2000. Their album Reflector went platinum five times, topping the ARIA albums chart, and spawning smash singles like Weir and Mascara.

The tracks received virtually non-stop play all over radio and on television, appearing on high rotation on programs like Video Hits and Pepsi Live, which were still things back then.

The band, led by Ella Hooper and initially founded as a folk-pop duo with her brother Jesse, went on to sweep that years ARIA Awards, nabbing Album of the Year, Best Group, Best Rock Album, and Breakthrough Artist.

Six years later, Killing Heidi embarked on what was seemingly a permanent hiatus. Their MySpace (again, still a thing at the time) described the group as taking a break and the members embarked on separate projects.

Hooper launched a solo career and told Its My Kind of Scene in 2013, I dont think I could sing such youthful, and youth based songs convincingly any more. It really did just run its natural course and I think it would be very unnatural to start it up again now.

But Hooper and her bandmates feel like the time is right to get back on course. Theyve confirmed they will reunite to perform as part of the lineup for the upcoming Queenscliff Music Festival in November.

The lineup already boasts the likes of Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Peter Garrett, Urthboy, Pierce Brothers, Ash Grunwald, and another much-loved Aussie 2000s throwback in a newly reformed George.

Love Pierce Brothers? Get the latest Pierce Brothers news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more JOIN

Speaking to News Corp, Ella Hooper said shed repeatedly turned down offers to reunite, but felt the time was right to look back on that era of her career and celebrate it. Im really glad weve waited this long, she said.

Queenscliff Music Festival is set to run from 25th till 27th November in Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria. Hooper told News Corp there are no plans for future Killing Heidi shows at the moment so QMF is your only chance to see them again.

Photo: Kim Tonelli
Local music VJ Jim Medcraft has launched a GoFundMe page to help get him back to work after a hit and run left him wheelchair-bound.

Medcraft built a respected reputation working festivals such as Stererosonic, Future Music, and Field Day and had toured with the likes of The Aston Shuffle, Hayden James, and Alison Wonderland.

A hit and run early this year left Medcraft wheelchair-bound with no means to claim compensation, jumping from hospital to hospital. To make matters worse, while undergoing multiple surgeries Medcraft had his laptop as well as his VJing gear stolen.

Working from a laptop with a broken screen, which has now completely given in, Medcraft is now without gear and looking to replace what was stolen and purchase an electric wheelchair.

Taking his first steps in months this last week, the VJ has started a GoFundMe page to raise the money to get back to work. Stating on the campaign page: Hopefully I wont be wheelchair based for too long but I wont be able to travel longer distances for a fair while.

At the time of writing, Medcrafts GoFundMe has raised $14,000 of its $17,000 goal, just three days into the campaign. If you want to help him reach that goal you can donate to his campaign here.
AMID SO MUCH CULTURE WAR AND ELECTION CHATTER . . . THE MIDTOWN KANSAS CITY CRIME SPREE CONTINUES!!!

Police say the first robbery was reported at Chubby's at 3766 Broadway just before 6:30 a.m. Three black males with a handgun robbed two managers in the parking lot, and fled the scene.





Police were only given vague descriptions of the suspects - three black males, one with dreadlocks and a t shirt, another wearing a white t-shirt. They fled southbound in a tan Chevy Malibu.





About ten minutes later, customers at another area business were robbed.





Customers on the patio at The Filling Station coffee shop at 2980 McGee were robbed. Victims only reported two black male suspects, but they also described a tan Chevy Malibu as the getaway car.

Quick look at an ongoing trend that our blog community called out FIRST . . .Here's the latest on Kansas City's new hotspot . . .Deets:##########Developing . . .
OUR BLOG COMMUNITY HAS SPOKEN CLEARLY AND TOP ECHELON KANSAS CITY TIPSTERS TELL US THAT THE SCHLITTERBAHN VERRUCKT SLAUGHTERHOUSE MUST BE SHUT DOWN FOREVER!!!

"Think about it TKC, who would want their loved ones getting on a slide where some kid died a sickening and painful death? I don't wanna be too macabre about this whole thing but making a youngster take a ride on the thing if it ever opens back up again (and it won't) is something out of those scary German fairy tales. It would be more like a punishment.

The mistake people made here was trusting that something this dangerous looking was safe in the first place . . . The rhetoric blaming the family or their son for this is some of the very worst online stuff I've seen but the supporters of this monstrosity must be desperate. Remember these are the same jerks who didn't want to change the name of 'Livestrong Park' and no kid died in that blood doping scandal. The slide doesn't have a future, the water park will be lucky if it survives. It's a sad situation but after the investigation is complete, anyone with a shred of common sense or decency would take a wrecking ball to the that slide immediately . . . "





New York Daily News: Kansas lawmaker's son killed riding world's tallest water slide

A tragic death at a local amusement park has once again focused the eyes of the nation upon Kansas City, Kansas amid the horrific aftermath of a child's death.Here are the highlights . . .- More confirmation reports of adecapitation from eyewitnesses as authorities struggle to protect the privacy of the family but also ensure public safety and honest discussion of this attraction that might have endangered thousands of youngsters.- Social media ghouls blame the victim for the tragedy and some even suggest political conspiracy . . . Both ideas represent the lunatic fringe of the Internets and haven't resonated with any proof.- Meanwhile, more deets about the slide's early design flaws and delayed opening are coming to light.To wit . . .Here's the word . . .Accordingly . . .There are many news stories out there on this topic, these provide the best round-up of the stich:Developing . . .
Turkeys general consulate in Thrace will not be excluded from the purges unleashed by Ankara against the supporters of Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, following the failed coup in the country last month

Turkeys general consulate in Thrace will not be excluded from the purges unleashed by Ankara against the supporters of Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, following the failed coup in the country last month, according to an article in the Greek daily Kathimerini, published on Sunday.

The paper claims that two subconsuls in Thrace's general consulate have been targeted. A translation of the full article follows below:

"A weird silence prevailed at the Turkish Consulate between the minority in Thrace on the night of 15 July while the attempted coup in Turkey was in progress. Vice Consul Irfan Cetin who is essentially the strong man of the Consulate did not appear to be worried and turned out late in his office despite the rapid developments in his country. Neither Cetin nor any of his close associates expressed their support to president Erdogan but waited for the outcome of the Turkish generals' operation.

A few days later on 24 July, date of the death of the founder of the minority party Friendship Equality and Peace (FEP) party Ahmet Sadik, his supporters had organised a protest march in Komotini. The fact did not have raised interest of the Turkish consul in Thrace that closely monitors and mostly guides the activity of the minority entities that he funds. However, everything changed a few hours before the start of the march. The Consul General Ali Riza Akinzi was informed that the message of the specific mobilisation did not move within the limits of protest on the rights of the "Turkish minority in Thrace" but had also other dimensions with the offering of support to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan through the condemn of the failed coup in Turkey. Immediately, the Turkish Consul was informed on the intention of a part of the minority and rushed to receive himself the deputies of the governing Turkish party AKP that had arrived in the city of Komotini to attend the event and led them to the famous restaurant "Stavros" where they had dinner until the march was over and only then he took them to Sadik's grave.

Drawing up lists

What is hiding behind Turkish consul's sudden and special interest? Nothing but concern over what is taking place in Turkey after the failed coup, meaning the cleansing of any state structure from the supporters of Gulen. The dimensions of the cleansing operations reach the General Consulate of Turkey in Komotini where developments are expected. The stance the consulate has attested in the period from the attempted coup until today is dictated by the order send to the diplomatic authorities of Turkey to Bulgaria, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina to proceed immediately with the drawing up of lists with Gulen supporters and their zones of responsibility either they have double nationality or are nationals of their country of residence.

Bearing in mind the situation in Turkey, the investigation to draw up lists with the Gulenists is taking place at a very tense and conflictual climate. The Turkish diplomats have not been excluded from the cleansing including the consul in Komotini where according to information both vice-consuls are on target. In the last three years one of them, Irfan Cetin, has essentially replaced the consul.

Cetin arrived to Thrace in 2013 with clear orders from Ankara and 'inheriting' from his predecessors a ready network with tentacles spread in all the Balkan peninsula. It closely cooperates with the pseudomuftis of Xanthi and Komotini Ahmet Mete and Ibrahim Sheriff, with the head of FEP Mustafa Ali Cavus and the editors of the Turkish-language newspaper Millet, Bilal Bodur and Cengiz Omer. Every Friday the vice consul visited the mosques in the regions of Rodopi and Xanthi at the hour of prayer in order to promote his relations. In the night he continues his activities by showing his talent in music and particularly in saz. The regular clients of the taverna "Ta Maggalia" at the village of Mischos near Komotini, had often the opportunity to be entertained by the popular Turkish vice consul's performances. However, they were also witnesses of the vice consul's tendency to drink alcohol and at times he got drunk he hurled insults against Erdogan and AKP. Rumours also said that the vice consul was very attracted to beautiful women regardless of his relation with a lady of the minority.

However, the vice consul was extremely cautious on the handling of his sources and very familiar with Thrace's business environment with result his mistakes and slips to be almost none. Until 29 October 2015 when a photo from a reception on the celebration of Turkey's national feast that was held at a hotel in Komotini raised questions to the minority. The reception list was drawn by the vice consul and in it were two high ranked members of Gulen's movement in Thrace, a lawyer who had worked for a period as TRT's correspondent in Thrace and now an Istanbul resident and the director of a private school in Xanthi. In the photo the vice consul and his wife appear to welcome them both at the entrance of the hotel. Additionally, the vice consul's wife has a close relationship with the lawyer's wife.

A special relationship

The photo fuelled a series of debates in the minority circles and gradually information started spreading on the particular relation between the MIT (National Turkish Intelligence Organisation) and the Gulenists of Thrace. According to Gulen supporters, the vice consul in the beginning of his term appeared as a genuine Kemalist and supporter of the secularism state but later he changed and chose to cooperate with members of the Gulen community and not only. The same sources said that the general consul was aware of his selection and probably covered it provided that the consul general's wife frequently appears with the head (a Turkish national) of Gulen's women's movement in Thrace who also works in Komotoni pseudomufti.

The talented vice consul has also chosen to closely cooperate with theologist-journalist of Millet newspaper Bilal Bodur also a member of Gulen's movement. His sister and his brother in law are responsible for Gulen's schools in Bucharest. Bodur's associate was aware of Cetin's relations with the Gulenists but chose to cover and support him. AKP deputy of Bursa Hakan Cavusoglu did the same. In the other hand the vice consul did not forget his religious duties but gradually become to get closer with the pseudomufti of Xanthi Ahmet Mete instead of the pseudomufti in Komotini. Mete is member of the Suleymanci order which has supported significantly officials of the Gulenist movement. For example it has financially supported the Gulenist Foreign Languages centres "Elite" in Komotini and Xanthi and has a number of imams-supporters of Gulen in his sphere of influence. The funds the pseudomufti supports his actions dictated by the vice consul are ordered by the Islamic Institutions IRCICA and by the Religious Affairs Directorate of Turkey. However, after the failed coup the cleansing have reached the specific Directorate and some sources say that Mete is losing his powerful backing in Ankara and is very worried over his future taking into consideration his relations with Gulen's community.

In FEP's core

Turmoil prevails and in FEP's leadership. Its president Ali Cavus appears to worry if his relation with the vice consul is seen as an opportunity to be accused as Gulenist. The common secret that Ali Cavus is influenced by former president of the former "Union of the Turkish Youth in Komotini" and today a prominent figure of FEP Ikbal Karasalih Osman that promotes the Gulen community via the internet, intensifies his concern.

Another branch of the relations network that has developed the vice consul with the Gulenists refers to the relations he has developed, with pseudomufti Mete working as link, with some Muslim constructors from the Pomak villages. These constructors own shipyards in Germany and the Netherlands and offer seasonal jobs to compatriots from the minority. These constructors are members of Gulen community and alleged to illegal channel funds in Greece by financial actions in the name of the pseudomufti of Xanthi.

The choice to remain silent in two occasions and the minority circles' concern

Even after the failed coup when the Turkish government officially targeted the Gulen network as the instigator and organiser of the coup, the vice consul did not show any special zeal in briefing Ankara on the reaction of the Gulenists in the area of his responsibility. His close associates selected not to state ex ante their faith in Erdogan but waited to see what will happen before they express their devotion to the Turkish president. The same credentials had the opportunity to present twice in the next days the team of Ali Cavus, Ahmet Mete, Cegiz Omer and Ibrahim Sheriff.

The first opportunity was offered when the eight Turkish military officers sought refuge in Alexandroupolis requesting political asylum. The pseudomufti and the others called the minority community to hold a protest on the extradition of the officers. The turnout was slim however the presence of Gulenists was remarkable. The second opportunity was the march on July 24 where the minority was called on to demonstrate against the coup leaders.

The vice consul remained silent on both occasions. Bearing in mind some of his colleagues have been recalled, members of AKAM in Athens have not yet returned from their vacations in Turkey and the cleansing operation continues and in the main pillars of Erdogan's policy, even inside AKP, nothing cant be taken for granted. Some believe that as the end of Cetin's term is very close, his repatriation on the horizon. Cetin and his group of associates in Thrace is vague because it can't be excluded the possibility everything to be set on the target of the operation for MIT 'cleansing' from the slightest Gulen supporters.

These indications raise concern in the minority circles for a series of other reasons, mostly to those with double nationality.

Some believe that the vice consul's associates in an effort to reverse Ankara's negative impressions and to renounce their relations with Gulen community will not hesitate to draw up lists with allegedly supporters of the Gulen movement based on their own interest and not on reality. However, in order this scenario to bear fruit, MIT should have totally missed the depth and extent of the cooperation this group had developed with the Gulenists. Has this mysterious vice consul taken care to protect his network so well by keeping so many secrets from his service?"

Source: kathimerini.gr

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
Charter flights arrivals at Hippocrates airport of Kos posted a 13 pct decline in July

Charter flights arrivals at Hippocrates airport of Kos posted a 13 pct decline in July. The decline is mostly attributed to migrants and refugees arrivals and had a negative affect to the islands' tourist image.

According to Civil Aviation Service date, the passengers were 28,838 less in comparison with the relative period in 2015.

Arrivals from Poland were 27 pct down, Netherlands (-19 pct), Denmark (-37 pct), Austria (-28 pct) and Belgium (-34 pct).

On the contrary arrivals from Russia posted an 18 pct increase, from Switzerland 6 pct rise and from Israel were up 18 pct.

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
Thousands of Filipino workers stranded in Saudi Arabia due to a massive layoff triggered by a slump in oil prices have pleaded to the Philippine government to expedite their repatriation.



Some have not been paid for months and are suffering from lack of food, a migrant support group said.



Manila said last Friday a team would be sent to the kingdom, which has about 1 million Filipino migrant workers, to provide humanitarian and legal assistance.



The team, which will arrive on Wednesday, will focus on those "without food and in dire need of medical care and other support services", according to a foreign affairs department statement.



"That is the initial relief but we are telling the government to concentrate on the repatriation," Mario Ben, the head of Filipino migrants group Migrante International in Saudi Arabia told the Thomson Reuters Foundation from Riyadh.



"It is better for the workers to go home as soon as possible. They want to go back and look for jobs elsewhere again."



Ben said the repatriation should be done immediately while the Philippine and Saudi governments work out a deal to recover wages owed to the Filipino workers which are typically around $400-500 a month. Some have not been paid for up to eight months.



Saudi Arabia has seen an unprecedented influx of migrant workers during the oil boom, with the number almost doubling from 5.3 million in 2000 to 10.2 million in 2015 according to UN figures.



But the world's largest crude exporter's economy has taken a knock since late last year as a sharp drop in oil prices forced cuts in state spending.



Construction companies, hit by the downturn, have laid off tens of thousands of labourers, leaving many with no money for food let alone for tickets home.



Migrante International estimates around 11,000 Filipino construction workers have lost jobs.



According to Ben, the affected workers - who are living at company camps for migrant labourers - have survived based on support from the local Filipino community. Although aid has arrived in recent days, food remains a key concern, he said.



"Some of their children back home have also stopped going to schools because there was no remittance to send home. Their parents could not support them anymore," Ben added.



India said last month that 10,000 Indians in Saudi were facing a "food crisis". - Thomson Reuters Foundation


Iran has signed three agreements with South Korea's K-Water and Daelim companies on water supply and management and wastewater treatment solutions, a report said.



"The South Koreans have valuable experience in the field of environmental technology and water and wastewater management. Hence, these MoUs were signed with the aim of sharing experiences, facilitating investment in Iran and manpower training," Iran's Deputy Energy Minister Rahim Meydani was quoted as saying in the Iran Daily report, citing Irna.



South Korean Deputy Minister of Environment Lee Min-ho added: "Developing water and wastewater systems is one of Iran's priorities and we hope to help Iranian companies further develop these technologies.
Kuwait-based Mezzan Holding has reported that its second quarter revenue increased to KD52.8 million ($175.01 million), representing a 2.4 per cent increase on the same period in 2015.



Mezzan Holding is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of food, beverage, fast moving consumer good (FMCG) and pharmaceutical products in the Gulf.



The company said its year-to-date revenue increased to KD108.5 million, representing a 3.9 per cent growth over the same period in 2015.



Mezzan Holding CEO, Garry Walsh, said: We were pleased with our overall performance given some of the macro-economic challenges across the markets we operate in as we highlighted earlier in the year.



Our consumer staple portfolio demonstrated its resilience in these market conditions, while new business, distribution gains, and market share gains in some of our key businesses in Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar added to the growth momentum, he said.



We are also pleased to announce that we are making good progress on the creation of the our previously announced joint-venture in Saudi Arabia that will give us access to the Gulfs largest food and consumer market. We expect to finalise the transaction in four weeks, he added.



In June, the company announced that it is in talks with Saudi Arabias Al Faisaliah Group, a leading diversified business group, for the establishment of a joint venture in Saudis food manufacturing and distribution sector, said a statement.



The joint venture will enable Mezzan Holding to manufacture, market and distribute food products in Saudi Arabia, and award it exclusive rights to continue to manufacture, market and distribute Al Faisaliah Groups bakery and snacks products line, as well as the exclusive rights to import, manufacture, sell and distribute all Mezzan Holding brands. The joint venture company will be headquartered in Riyadh, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
Equate Petrochemical Company, Kuwait's first international petrochemical joint venture, and UAEs Altaaat Leadership Development Institute continued their strategic partnership in innovation through a recently held joint workshop.



Commencing their partnership in 2014, Equate has so far dispatched two waves of its employees to be trained at Altaaat in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, said a statement from the company.



During 2015, Equate was granted Innovation Based Leadership (IBL) Award organised by IBM, Masdar City, and Altaaat for developing a fully integrated solution that meets customer requirements in supply chain, marketing, procurement, research & development (R&D), as well as other areas, it said.



Equate president and CEO Mohammad Husain said: Innovation is a critical strategic initiative in our companys culture to generate overall value and ensure long-term competitiveness.



To maintain our position as a global industrial leader, the holistic culture of innovation is implemented throughout the company. The most critical element to ensure the success of innovation is the human capital, our employees, who represent our top stakeholders and main component for sustainability, he said.



Husain added: This ongoing partnership with Altaat is part of Equates continuous journey to connect people from different organisations, locally and globally, to achieve overall growth and development through innovation. Equate will continue sharing and exchanging innovation ideas with its Partners in Success.



Altaat partner and senior leadership trainer Hala Al-Turki, said: Equate has been instrumental in realising our aspiration to form partnerships. These partnerships have the common objective of establishing a culture of innovation with individuals and organisations throughout different parts of the world.



In addition, we have developed several innovation-based leadership solutions and programmes in many fields, including IT, marketing and education. This is all part of the continuous social and economic development Altaat and its partners, such as Equate, are aiming to achieve, she added.



In addition to Husain and Al-Turki, the workshop was attended by Equate vice president for technical services Tareq Jafar Al-Kandari; innovation program leader Abdulrahman Al-Munayes; members of Equate Innovation Steering Team; Equate participants in Al-Taaat IBL Programme; as well as a number of leaders and employees, it said.



The workshop was held at Equate Innovation Lounge, which is considered one of the first innovation centre established by a private company in Kuwait. Equate is also planning on establishing Innovation Centres at its industrial complex and its new headquarters, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service


A pedestrian bridge in Riffa, funded by Batelco and which links the Southern and Central governorates in Bahrain, was officially opened today.



Batelco chairman Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa joined Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning Undersecretary Dr Nabil Abu Fath, to officially open the Batelco Pedestrian Bridge.



The bridge has been funded by Batelco, Bahrain's leading telecom company and one of the leading philanthropic organisations in the kingdom, at a cost of BD350,000 ($921,538) and is in line with the companys commitment to support initiatives that benefit the community, said a Batelco statement.



Shaikh Hamad expressed his delight at seeing the project completed and opened to the public.



Riffa has grown enormously in size in recent years and the area where the pedestrian bridge is located is among the busiest areas, with a huge amount of pedestrian traffic crossing the very busy main road. The new Batelco Bridge will ensure everyone can cross safely while not disrupting the flow of traffic, he said.



Dr Abu Fath said he was very proud to participate in the opening of the bridge and praised Batelcos efforts and national role in key projects to meet the needs of citizens.



Based on the recommendations of the Municipal Council of the Municipality of the Southern region to provide better services for citizens, the ministry was delighted to move forward with its efforts to ensure the safety of pedestrians crossing between the two sides of the busy Riffa main street. - TradeArabia News Service






Equate Petrochemical Company, Kuwaits first international joint-venture in this industry, and Altaaat Leadership Development Institute continued their strategic partnership in innovation through a joint workshop.

Commencing their partnership in 2014, Equate has so far dispatched two waves of its employees to be trained at Altaaat in Masdar City, UAE. During 2015, Equate was granted Innovation Based Leadership (IBL) Award organised by IBM, Masdar City, and Altaaat for developing a fully integrated solution that meets customer requirements in supply chain, marketing, procurement, research and development (R&D), as well as other areas.

Equate president and CEO Mohammad Husain said: Innovation is a critical strategic initiative in Equates culture to generate overall value and ensure long-term competitiveness. To maintain Equates position as a global industrial leader, the holistic culture of innovation is implemented throughout the company. The most critical element to ensure the success of innovation is the human capital, our employees, who represent our top stakeholders and main component for sustainability.

Husain added, This ongoing partnership with Altaat is part of Equates continuous journey to connect people from different organisations, locally and globally, to achieve overall growth and development through innovation. Equate will continue sharing and exchanging innovation ideas with its Partners in Success.

On her part, Altaat partner and senior leadership Trainer Hala Al Turki said, Equate has been instrumental in realising Altaats aspiration to form partnerships. These partnerships have the common objective of establishing a culture of innovation with individuals and organizations throughout different parts of the world. In addition, Altaaat has developed several innovation-based leadership solutions and programs in many fields, including IT, marketing and education. This is all part of the continuous social and economic development Altaat and its partners, such as Equate, are aiming to achieve.

In addition to Husain and Al-Turki, the workshop was attended by Equate vice president for technical services Tareq Jafar Al Kandari, innovation programme leader Abdulrahman Al Munayes, members of Equate Innovation Steering Team, Equate participants in Al Taaat IBL Programme, as well as a number of leaders and employees. The workshop was held at Equate Innovation Lounge, which is considered one of the first innovation centers established by a private company in Kuwait. Equate is also planning on establishing Innovation Centres at its industrial complex and its new headquarters. TradeArabia News Service
Leading international energy logistics provider Peterson has been awarded two long term contracts with Statoil to provide logistics support for the Dudgeon offshore wind farm located in the Southern North Sea.

Peterson will work closely with the operator to deliver comprehensive logistics services including stevedoring, ship agency services, provisions delivery and transportation of personnel for walk to work security. It will also be responsible for the supply of fuelling services from its facility in Great Yarmouth, a statement said.

In addition to these long-term contracts Peterson recently supported the barge load-out of the 1,800Te Dudgeon offshore windfarm Substation. Peterson provided 12 of the 72 Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMT) axles required for this operation which was completed successfully and safely in Lowestoft in July 2016. SPMTs are one of the most powerful heavy-duty transportation systems in the world.

The Dudgeon field is an extensive 1.5 billion ($1.95 billion) project to harness offshore wind to power more than 410,000 UK homes. This 402MW offshore wind farm will be located some 20 miles off the coast of Norfolk.

Ron van der Laan, regional director, Peterson said: To have been awarded these long term contracts for such a ground-breaking project is a huge achievement for Petersons Great Yarmouth team. This strongly positions Peterson as a leading provider of logistics support to windfarm assets in the Southern North Sea.

The management of logistics services in the renewables industry presents a significant growth opportunity for us. We have the depth of experience and proven capabilities to deliver the services required to meet the needs of operators working in this sector.

Peterson has been operating in Great Yarmouth since 1997 and employs 30 people at its facility providing quayside and logistics services. Earlier this year Peterson, in partnership with Veolia the UKs leading environmental solutions provider, opened a new, purpose built decommissioning facility in the western terminal of the recently developed Outer Harbour at Great Yarmouth.

Peterson offers a comprehensive range of safe, reliable and value added logistics solutions to the energy industry globally from strategic locations. Established in 1920, the organisation has expanded throughout the UK with facilities at a number of prominent ports including a integrated asset base in Aberdeen. Peterson employs 3,500 people globally. The company is part of a wider group operating in over 70 countries worldwide.

Dudgeon Offshore Wind Limited, which holds the licenses and consents to enable it to construct the Dudgeon offshore wind farm, is owned by two Norwegian companies, Statoil and Statkraft, and Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company, Masdar. Statoil holds the responsibility as operator for both the construction and the operational phase.

Statoil is an international energy company with operations in 33 countries. Building on 40 years of experience from oil and gas production on the Norwegian continental shelf, it is committed to accommodating the world's energy needs in a responsible manner, applying technology and creating innovative business solutions. It is headquartered in Stavanger, Norway with approximately 23,000 employees worldwide, and is listed on the New York and Oslo stock exchanges.

Statkraft is Europe's largest generator of renewable energy and is the leading power company in Norway. The company owns, produces and develops hydropower, wind power, gas power and district heating. Statkraft is a major player in European power trading and has 3,600 employees in more than 20 countries.

Masdar is Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of clean energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between todays fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future. Wholly owned by the Mubadala Development Company PJSC, the strategic investment company of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the Emirates long-term vision for the future of energy and water. TradeArabia News Service
A Fremont man was sentenced to prison Monday morning in Dodge County District Court after pleading no contest in reference to two felony offenses.

Neal R. Connick, 30, was sentenced by Judge Geoffrey Hall to spend one year in the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services after being found guilty on two separate charges.

In one case, the defendant was found guilty of being in possession of a controlled substance  methamphetamine, a Class IV felony.

If prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, Connick could have faced two years in prison, a $10,000 fine and nine to 12 months of post-release supervision.

Connick was also found guilty of violating the Nebraska Sex Offenders Registration Act for the second time. Violating the act constitutes a Class IIA felony, and has a maximum penalty of the violator spending 20 years in prison.

Through a joint agreement with the prosecution and defense, Connicks sentences will run concurrently  together.

Conick was credited with serving 102 days in Saunders County Jail and under the Good Time Law of Nebraska, the defendant could be eligible for release in six months.

The defendant was arrested July 20, 2015, when investigators witnessed Connick operating a motor vehicle during a time when his license was suspended, Dodge County Attorney Oliver Glass said while providing factual basis about the case.

After being stopped, a K-9 unit was called and drugs were detected in the car. A bag with white residue was found which subsequently tested positive as being methamphetamine.

On June 17, Connick was arrested for violating the Nebraska Sex Offenders Registration Act when a member of the Nebraska State Patrol conducted a compliance check to make sure Connick was working where he was registered  Selectel Wireless.

It was determined that he wasnt, and Connick was arrested for failing to contact the Sheriffs Office within the proper timeframe updating his movements.

Connick, who is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, spent 2  years in prison for sexual assault of a child before being released in 2009.

The incident that led to him obtaining his sex offender status occurred when he was 14, but the victim didnt come forward until later.

Connick said that he is working hard to make some changes.

Ive been using this time to straighten my life out, he said. Its lit a fire under me.
Black Rock City is a remote town that exists only for a week every year. Its located in the middle of the Nevada Desert, about two hours north of Reno. When Black Rock is there, it consists of about 60,000 people, several bars, a post office, an emergency services crew, nightclubs, restaurants and a lot of art installations.

A photo posted by Burning Man (@burningman) on Aug 4, 2016 at 1:27pm PDT

Black Rock City exists for Burning Man Festival, a radical arts festival that takes place in late August. Whats quite remarkable is that if you visit Black Rock at any other time of the year, youll find nothing but sand and dust. The city is demolished after the festival every year as part of the leave no trace policy of Burning Man. Most of the town is, as youd expect, burned, leaving the harsh desert exactly as it was before.

A photo posted by Burning Man (@burningman) on Apr 25, 2016 at 8:02am PDT

Black Rock is built by volunteers and paid organizers of the Burning Man Organization with the aid of local officials in order to provide for the festival attendees. It is a community of radical self-expression; nudity is widely accepted, as are drugs of all kinds and mass orgies. The anything goes attitude of Black Rock City does not, however, overflow into the less curious or expressive attendees. Its a civil community of raw debauchery, if such a thing is fathomable.
After World War II there a was a serious housing crisis in the USA, as thousands of young people returned home without much money or jobs and nowhere to live. It was also just after an industrial revolution where mass production techniques were refined to crank out vast volumes of planes, ships and weapons. Some designers, like Bucky Fuller, tried to apply those manufacturing technologies to the problem of housing.

On Houseplans blog Time To Build, Boyce Thompson looks at his Dymaxion House in some detail. It is an amazing and sad story; the house was actually a brilliant design.

 Henry Ford museum/ Interior, Wichita House
Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, August 8

The diamond industry is keeping a keen eye out on unscrupulous small players who are mixing synthetic stones with genuine diamonds in order to make a quick buck.

According to industry sources, many small traders are quietly mixing the lab-cultured stones with natural diamonds and palming the consignment off to unsuspecting buyers. There is a sudden increase in this malpractice because of the slump in the diamond business, says Ashok Zaveri, a diamond jeweller from Opera House in South Central Mumbai.

Worse still, say industry veterans, the mixed consigments are finding their way to international buyers. Since the lab-cultured diamonds are much cheaper than natural stones, traders who mistakenly buy them end up with big losses.

The illegal practice of mixing synthetic diamonds with natural diamonds is hurting the credibility of Indian exporters, Sanjay Kothari, former chairman, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) said.

Diamond jewellers in Mumbai also warn buyers against exchanging their old diamonds with new ones under various schemes. The buyer can get cheated if the jeweller is not honest, says an industry veteran.

Jewellers say buyers must obtain a certificate of purity and buyback guarantee from the jeweller as a precautionary measure.
Yogendra Kumar

ON July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) gave an award in an arbitration instituted by the Philippines against China over latter's claims on South China Sea. The tribunal did not take any position on the territorial claims made by the various claimant countries, that is, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, the Philippines and China (and Taiwan); these competing claims have led to occupation of different land features by them which they do not recognise in respect of the others in this group. Nor did the tribunal take any position on grounds of lack of jurisdiction, on the Philippines complaint about China over the military stand-off over a land feature called Second Thomas Shoal, as these activities were of a military nature. It rejected the legal basis under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) for the Chinese nine-dash lines (NDL) and its claim of historical exercise of exclusive control over the encompassed waters or their resources. It also determined, based on archival record, that extensive land reclamations with artificial efforts to sustain a small group of people do not alter maritime entitlements; under the Convention, only land features remaining above water at high tide can generate 12 nautical miles territorial sea and islands, able to sustain human habitation, can generate EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) or Continental Shelf.

The Indian official response has been closer to that of the ASEAN claimant countries on the dispute in the Spratlys. It noted the arbitration award emphasising freedom of navigation and overflight, and unimpeded commerce, based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the UNCLOS: it urged all parties to show utmost respect for the UNCLOS. Curiously, Chinese diplomats have been citing the Moscow joint communique between the foreign ministers of Russia, India and China (April 18, 2016) as supporting its position where it says, inter-alia, all related disputes should be addressed through negotiations and agreements between the parties concerned. They are ignoring the entire passage of the communique which calls upon full respect of all provisions of UNCLOS. India's concerns about safety of navigation routes and the stability and security of the entire neighbouring region are the basis for its Act-East policy, where maritime security cooperation with the ASEAN member states is an important dimension. It also has a growing relationship with the US, Japan and Australia in the maritime domain; it has also, recently, launched a maritime dialogue with China to discuss all issues of interest to both sites.

The South China Sea island groups have caused considerable military tension since World War II, after the withdrawal of the Japanese forces from the region. Being traditional fishing grounds, the importance of these islands increased once it was understood that there were good prospects of oil and gas on the seabed although the estimates vary and technology for deep sea oil drilling is not fully developed. In 1974, Chinese troops ousted the Vietnamese from the Paracel Islands during the final years of the Vietnam War; in 1988, the two sides clashed in the Spratlys with the loss of over 60 Vietnamese sailors. In 1995, China captured Mischief Reef from the Philippines. Clashes between fishermen from different claimant countries are not uncommon. In the Chinese case, however, its assertion of its claim line has led to a serious naval stand-off with both Vietnam as well as the Philippines, especially in the context of oil exploration activity.

In recent years, the tension has increased sharply in the South China Sea region. It has led to naval buildup amongst the littoral countries. The rise of Chinese naval power, which was until a decade ago focused more on the East China Sea, has increased anxiety amongst the South China Sea littoral countries. However, most ASEAN member states have been happy with the return of the US in the region. Under its policy of rebalance towards Asia; its naval, and military presence has increased and it is developing military-to-military cooperation with several countries in the region, particularly Vietnam, the Philippines, Australia and Indonesia.

Whilst the relations of China with the Philippines have worsened considerably, especially during the previous administration of President Aquino, the relations have also become tense with Vietnam and, even, with Indonesia and Malaysia, the latter two being generally quite friendly to it. In the case of Malaysia, China has not been asserting its NDL claims over areas from where the former has been extracting oil.

The South China Sea has been witnessing a vicious downward action-reaction spiral, adding to considerable regional tension. China's aggressive buildup of infrastructure, including airstrips for long-range aircraft, harbour facilities for receiving ships, air defence missile batteries, on several islands have raised temperatures. The US Pacific Fleet's Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) as well as overflights to contested areas where international law permits have elicited angry responses from China; Australia is carrying out its own overflights operations. However, there are as yet no reports of joint freedom of navigation operations along with those of the US Navy.

There are almost daily instances of Chinese coast guard ships being involved in interfering with fishing activities by other countries within the NDL areas; other countries are doing the same to the Chinese fishermen. There have been, not too distant in the past, instances of close confrontation between the naval ships of the US and China as well as between China and those of other countries. The overall level of tension in the region does cause concerns about the safety of navigation and overflights. The involvement of two big powers, namely, US and China and the active concerns of the other powers can potentially create regional instability, with its cascading effects. It can be surmised that the timing of active missile tests by North Korea and, indeed, of the South Korean decision to install the US anti-ballistic missile system (THAD) might be linked with the atmosphere of growing regional insecurity.

Despite the vehement Chinese rejection of the arbitration award, its national leadership cannot be unmindful of the negative impact on its international image, especially as it is projecting itself as a responsible international power. In fact, some Chinese analysts have cautioned the government that its current policy might undermine its maritime silk route (MSR) programme for greater influence in the region vis-a-vis US. At an ongoing summit in Ulan Bator, the Chinese Prime Minister met both his Japanese and Vietnamese counterparts and there have been similar conciliatory statements from Beijing and Manila about peaceful resolution of their disputes. Whilst the US, Japan and Australia have been more forthright in describing the award as final and legally binding on the parties to the dispute under UNCLOS, the ASEAN countries on the South China Sea littoral, namely, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines have been more restrained in their response. In the immediate aftermath of the arbitration award, all sides are trying to calm the situation which, however, remains combustible with, potentially disastrous consequences. The history of negotiations between the two sides on CBMs in the region does show that a united position produces results. The wide open question is as to whether the changed geopolitics  and extreme fluidity  would now make things easier.

The writer is a former Ambassador to the Philippines. His book on India's maritime challenges has just been published.
Prime Minister Modis intervention in the human killings in the name of cow, welcome as it is, will carry weight only when self-styled gau rakshaks (cow protectors) are taken off the nation's streets and put in their place. Muslims too have faced the fury of hooligans taking the law into their own hands on the pretext of saving cows from slaughter. Starting with Dadris Akhlaq, the attacks have extended to those even suspected of possessing beef. Most attacks, incidentally, have happened in BJP-run states except Uttar Pradesh, where the ruling Samajwadi Party also has an electoral interest in stoking communal trouble. The Una flogging has ignited Dalit outrage beyond Gujarat. Muslims are joining Dalits, hoping that together they would count for something politically.

In his 2014 election speeches Narendra Modi had tried to whip up public outrage over cow slaughter and accused the Congress of introducing a pink revolution. Now he has changed the narrative, made a fine distinction between asli gau rakshak and naqli gau rakshaq, and told the cow protectors that the real danger to the cow is from plastic bags. There is a strong political reason for this change of track.

Statistics show that attacks on Dalits have increased sharply in recent years in some states, including Gujarat. Modi did not intervene to stop these but after Una happened, Chief Minister Anandiben was conveniently eased out. When Rohith Vemula was driven to suicide and BJP leaders wondered aloud whether he was actually a Dalit, Modi kept quiet, as he did when the Left-ABVP student rivalry escalated in JNU, leading to a sound thrashing of student leader Kanhaiya Kumar by lawyers in the presence of a friendly Delhi Police. Now with the realisation that the Una incident may influence the election outcome in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, Modi's heart has started bleeding for Dalit brothers. It should be our responsibility to save and respect Dalits, he has said. The place where this realisation has dawned is not without significance. It is Hyderabad, where Rohith Vemulas suicide sparked anti-BJP Dalit ire.
Pradeep Sharma



Tribune News Service



Chandigarh, August 8



Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattars government dropped a controversial name from a list of appointments for the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) on Monday, a move that is being attributed to differences within the states council of ministers over candidates.



Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki administered oath of office to two new members Neeta Khera and Jai Bhagwan Goyal  but a third appointment, Narender Yadav, was put on hold at the last minute.



The latest appointments to the commission have been rife with controversy. The state government had narrowed its candidates list to Khera, a former municipal councillor from Ambala Cantonment; Goyal, a close confidant of Union Minister Birender Singh from Jind; and Yadav, who is considered close to state minister Rao Narbir Singh.

However, Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma protested Yadavs nomination and is even reported to have met senior leaders among them Ram Lal, the person in charge of the RSS in Haryana  in New Delhi to register his objections.



Sources in the party claim Sharma accused the state government of elevating leaders that worked against the BJPs interests in the assembly elections of 2014 to constitutional positions.



Yadav has been accused of having tried to sabotage Sharmas chances in Mahendragarh assembly segment in the elections.



Health Minister Anil Vij has also claimed he was not consulted before Kheras was shortlisted. Khera belongs Ambala Cantonment, a segment that Vij represents in the Assembly.



Appointments to Haryana Public Service Commission have been criticised in the past for lack of transparency.



Although Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Transport Minister Krishan Lal Panwar and Minister of State for Public Health Engineering Banwari Lal attended Mondays ceremony, several ministers stayed away.



The newest induction in the commission will take the number of members appointed by the BJP government to four and that by the previous state government under Bhupinder Singh Hooda to three.



Khera was previously a member of the Social Welfare Board Haryana, while Jai Bhagwan Goyal has been president of Jinds District Bar Association.


Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, August 8

Members of the INLD today took out a march here to protest against the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.

They claimed the premium paid under the scheme was being forcibly collected from state farmers, especially those who had taken agricultural loans from banks.

The protesters, including women, raised slogans against the Centre and the state BJP government and demanded that rollback of the scheme.

The party workers gathered at the Old Jail Complex near the Sohna Chowk and marched towards the Mini-Secretariat here. They were led by former state Deputy Speaker Gopi Chand Gahlot and other senior party leaders.

Yamunangar: The INLD today held a demonstration at the Mini-Secretariat opposing the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Hundreds of party workers led by Ashok Arora, state INLD president, handed over a memorandum to the Governor through SS Phulia, Deputy Commissioner, in this regard. Earlier, the INLD workers assembled in front of the gate of the new grain market, Jagadhri, where they were addressed by party leaders.

Arora said the government had nothing to do with the betterment of farmers and the yojana had been launched only to benefit the insurance companies.

Jhajjar: Members of the INLD today organised a protest march and submitted a memorandum to Anita Yadav, Deputy Commissioner. They termed the scheme as anti-farmers.

Earlier, they gathered at the INLD office near Bikaner Chowk and started their protest march, which culminated at the Mini-Secretariat.

Karnal farmers up in arms

Karnal: Farmers of the district are agitated over the deduction of the premium for the Pradhanmantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PFBY) from their accounts. They are accusing the banks and the government of deducting the premium without their consent. I was taken aback after seeing my bank passbook. Rs 5,312 have been deducted from my account as the premium for the PFBY. The bank should have consulted me before doing so, said Ved Tyagi, a farmer from Gonder village. Rattan Mann, president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, said members of the union today protested outside the State Bank branch in Nagla Megha village against the scheme. He said the union had launched a campaign against the scheme and members were spreading awareness among farmers about the demerits of the scheme, he said. We will start a padyatra at Loharu in Bhiwani against the scheme, he said. He said: It is unfair to deduct money without the consent of the farmer. This scheme is just providing insurance companies with benefits. TNS
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 8

The Ministry of Home Affairs today said it was the state governments duty to provide security cover to senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, who had sought the same alleging political conspiracy to eliminate him.

Replying to Surjewalas plea in the High Court, Under Secretary (VIP security), MHA, Pranab Bishwas, said, Public order is a state subject and it is the duty of the state government to provide appropriate security to the petitioner as per the threat perception.

The MHA also stated the matter was examined in consultancy with the central security agencies and accordingly, state government of Haryana had been requested to appropriately calibrate/augment the security arrangements of the petitioner.

It was added that the CISF security cover may not be warranted in the absence of specific threat. The MHA said the petitioner would be provided security during his stay in Delhi as per the existing guidelines, whenever intimation about his visit to the national capital was provided to the Delhi Police in advance.

Meanwhile, the State of Haryana has already claimed that Surjewala had been provided adequate security. In a reply before the High Court, Superintendent of Police Surinder Singh said Surjewala had been provided Y category security since November 2014.
Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 8

With differences in the Council of Ministers over the appointment of members to the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) coming to the fore today, the Khattar Government was forced to drop one name from the list of three appointees.

While Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki administered the oath of office and secretary to two new members,Neeta Khera and Jai Bhagwan Goyal, the name of third appointee Narender Yadav was withheld at the eleventh hour. The oath-taking ceremony was attended, among others, by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Transport Minister Krishan Lal Panwar and Minister of State for Public Health Engineering Banwari Lal. However, senior ministers were conspicuous by their absence. .

Earlier, the state government had zeroed in on the names of Neeta Khera, a former municipal councillor from Ambala Cantonment, Jai Bhagwan Goyal, a confidant of Union Minister Birender Singh from Jind, and Narender Yadav, considered close to state minister Rao Narbir Singh.

However, Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma, reportedly lodged a strong protest over Yadavs nomination. Sharma reportedly met senior leaders in New Delhi, including RSS organisation in charge for Haryana Ram Lal, following which a direction to withhold Yadavs came to the state government.

Sources said Sharma brought to the party high commands notice how leaders, who worked against the party in the 2014 Assembly elections, were being elevated to the constitutional posts. Yadav allegedly worked against Sharma in the Mahendragarh assembly segment in the 2014 Assembly poll.

Even Health Minister Anil Vij has reportedly taken umbrage at not being consulted about Kheras nomination. Khera belongs to Ambala Cantonment, the constituency represented by Vij in the Assembly.

Over the years, the HPSC has become a parking place for favorites of the government of the day.

With the induction of two new members, the HPSC will have four members appointed by the BJP government as against three by former Congress Government headed by Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

While Chairman Manbir Singh Bhadana and Surender Sharma, Neelam Singh and Rajesh Vaid were appointed during the Hooda regime, Vandana Sharma and Kulbir Chhikara were appointed during the current BJP regime.
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, August 8

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday told the Delhi High Court that it would not arrest Pratibha Singh, wife of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, in the money laundering case against her and her husband without taking the courts permission.

The Directorate told a Bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi that it would question her tomorrow and take a decision on the need for arresting her depending upon her statement.

Nevertheless, the Judge issued notice to ED seeking its response to Pratibha Singhs plea for protection from arrest till further orders and posted the next hearing for August 24.

The High Court granted liberty to Pratibha Singh to approach it before the next hearing if necessary.
Samaan Lateef

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 8

Reenu Jan, 27, is lying unconscious in the post-anaesthetic care unit of Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital here after surgery to remove multiple pellets from her chest.

A cartridge of around 300 pellets had hit her in the chest and shattered her lungs. Her lungs are damaged. We have put chest tubes to avoid accumulation of blood and air in the pleural cavity, said a doctor.

Doctors said Jan was fortunate as the pellets had stopped in the pericardial cavity and not gone inside the heart. Jan has a two-year-old daughter.

Her family alleged that security forces personnel barged into houses at Simthan village of south Kashmirs Bijbehara sub-district on Monday morning and beat up the occupants.

We came out, where police and CRPF personnel fired on us, said Ruby Begum, 40, of Simthan. At least 25 persons, a majority of whom were women, were injured in pellet firing, she said.

She received multiple pellet injuries in the right eye, head and face. Doctors said a pellet had damaged her retina and her chances of regaining vision were bleak.

Ishrat Javaid, 17, of Simthan was another victim of pellet firing. I came out when policemen entered our house. We raised a hue and cry and policemen fired on us, she said.

Ishrat received multiple pellets in the face. Doctors said her eyes were safe. She has got fractures in nasal and cheek bones, a doctor said.

Next to Ishrat is her neighbour Haseena Begum, 60, who was hit in the right eye. She suffered severe haemorrhage in the eye.

Doctors said they would seal the wound in the eye and once the wound settled, the procedure to restore her vision would be conducted.
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 8

In the backdrop of the prevailing law and order situation in the Kashmir valley for the past one month, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has said there is a need to take bold and tangible initiatives to reach out to the people of the state.

The Chief Minister, on her first visit to New Delhi after trouble erupted in Kashmir early last month, met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed in detail the situation prevailing in the Valley.

At least 54 civilians and two police personnel had lost their lives in the unrest following the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in south Kashmir on July 8.

She called for reviving confidence-building measures and peace process in the state and the region through a productive dialogue process with all shades of political opinion, as was done by then NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003.

She said while the problems confronting Jammu and Kashmir could be tackled through short-term economic and development initiatives, there had to be a political solution to the problem in Jammu and Kashmir, which could be reached out by involving all stakeholders in a constructive and result-oriented dialogue process.

Mehbooba said Kashmir had been witnessing repeated cycles of violence and there should be an end to this vicious cycle of violence.

We saw similar volatile situations in 2008 and 2010, resulting in loss of precious human lives, destruction of public property and enormous economic slowdown, just as it happened this time around, she said.

She lamented that there had been no follow-up of working group recommendations, reports of all-party delegations or recommendations of interlocutors, resulting in cynicism and alienation in Kashmir.

I hope that the current situation, unlike the past, is used as an opportunity to reach out to the people in Jammu and Kashmir through tangible confidence-building initiatives and provide the much-needed healing touch to them to tide over the trust deficit, she said.

After meeting the Union Home Minister, she told mediapersons that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a big mandate. She expressed the hope that the Prime Minister would start a dialogue process like Vajpayee.

She said the current situation could be used as an opportunity to provide a healing touch to Kashmiris. She said Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led government from 2002 to 2005 was known for its healing touch policy for the people of Kashmir.

Mehbooba expressed concern over the killing of youths and injuries to many others in the ongoing unrest and said they are our own people, our own children.

The Chief Minister said there was a need to have friendship and dialogue with the neighbouring country for restoration of peace in the subcontinent. Not only friendship, we want a dialogue process for restoration of peace in the region, she said.

She added that Kashmir could become a bridge between India and Pakistan and help in peace, progress and development in the two nighbouring countries.
Amit Khajuria

Tribune News service

Jammu, August 8

A senior police officer has received an anonymous letter warning of explosions in Jammu on Independence Day, sources in police claimed on Monday.

The letter, sent to Sunil Gupta, Jammu Senior Superintendent of Police, bore the Islamic States name and warned of serial blasts in Jammu and Kashmirs winter capital on August 15, sources said.

The citys railway station, bus stand, locations such as Raghunath Bazar, Gole Market-Gandhi Nagar and some well known schools in the city are believed to be among the target list for the attack.

The state administration called an emergency meeting of police and administration at Divisional Commissioners office, sources said.

Police are still trying to verify the source of the letter. Although police sources said it could be a prank, law enforcement agencies want to take no chances, particularly because of the ongoing unrest in Kashmir that has left 54 dead and scores injured.

Although Islamic States black flag has occasionally been spotted in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army and Indian establishment deny its presence in the state.
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 8

Three Border Security Force personnel and a militant were killed in a gunfight close to the Line of Control in north Kashmirs Kupwara district on Monday morning.

The army said the firefight took place in Macchil sector ahead of the LoC fence when militants attacked a BSF post.

Three BSF men were killed in the gun fight and two others were injured, defence sources said. One militant was also killed.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The identity of the slain BSF jawans, who belonged to the 156 Batallion, could not be established immediately. The search operation in the sector is still under way.

The defence officials, however, did not confirm whether it was an infiltration attempt that was foiled or it was Pakistani Armys Border Action Team.
Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 8

While another youth succumbed to his injuries suffered recently in hospital on Monday, the army is gradually moving in to assist the state government in restoring law and order in the Valley.

The army has begun work to secure the national highway besides other vital links in Kashmir.

Columns of Army could be seen deployed along the Anantnag-Srinagar-Baramulla stretch of the highway.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Though the officials and army authorities in Kashmir are tightlipped on this, those who travelled on the stretch on Monday reported such movement and deployment.

Official sources said the government is working on its first major challenge to restore the national highway in the valley and for it all security agencies are pooling in resources.

The army is moving its convoy on the highway during night to avoid stone-pelters and other protesters.

The development comes four days after Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda called on Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and assured her that the army would provide all help to the state government in restoring peace.

At Mirgund in north Kashmir, the Army and police stopped several trucks laden with goods which had embarked on their journey during night.

There are indications that the army may play a major role in the coming days to restore normalcy, especially in south Kashmir, which has been the epicenter of the current unrest following the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.

J&K Police and CRPF are currently handling the law and order situation in the region and there seems no end to the unrest.

Meanwhile, a Shopian youth succumbed to his injuries at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences on Monday morning, taking the death toll of civilians killed in the current unrest to 54. The 17-year-old Amir Bashir of Sedow Shopian was injured on Friday during protests.

The curfew and restrictions continued on Monday in many parts of Kashmir as life in the valley remained paralysed for the 31st consecutive day.

Separatists have asked people to block roads leading to the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar and other administrative offices.
Legal Correspondent



New Delhi, August 8

The Delhi High Court on Monday posted CBIs appeal against the acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case for final hearing on September 7.

A Bench comprising Justices Gita Mittal and RK Gauba said all the appeals in the case would be heard for three consecutive days till September 9 and clarified that no adjournments would be granted.

The CBI has challenged Sajjan Kumars acquittal in a case relating to the killing of five Sikhs in the Raj Nagar area of Delhi Cantonment.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Besides the CBI, two family members, Jagdish and Nirpreet Kaur, of the victims have also come to the High Court appealing against the May 30 verdict of the trial court. Their appeals would also be heard along with that of the CBI.

In all, trial had been conducted against six persons  the others being ex-councillor Balwan Khokkar, Girdhari Lal, retired naval captain Bhagmal (all given life term), former MLA Mahender Yadav and Kishan Khokkar (both given 3-year sentence).

The fatal victims of the mob fury were Kehar Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Raghuvender Singh, Narender Pal Singh and Kuldeep Singh. All of them were from one family.

The trial court acquitted Sajjan, observing that the key witness Jagdish Kaur had not named him as an accused in her statement to the Justice Ranganath Misra panel in 1985.

In its appeal, CBI has insisted that the trial court had ignored the fact that it was Sajjan who had instigated the mob to go on a rampage following the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. The CBI had registered the case on the recommendation of the Justice GT Nanavati Commission.

The convicts have also challenged the trial court ruling.
Kathmandu, August 8

A five-year-old Indian girl, who was abducted four days ago from Bihar, was rescued and two people arrested in eastern Nepals Morang district on Monday.

Sparsa Agrawal was abducted on August 4 from Kursela in Katihar district of Bihar while returning from school. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of Rs 10 million, the police said.

She was brought to Nepal after her abduction. According to Nepal Police, Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) personnel rescued the girl after being informed by their Indian counterparts.

A former bus driver of her school, Mithun Paswan Awas, was involved in the abduction, the police said.

A Nepali national, Dinesh Gupta, and another driver were arrested.

Mithun took her to Nepal on an Indian motorcycle. He took the girl to Biratnagar and later brought her to Bhedetar, in Dharan district of eastern Nepal, with the help of his local friends. IANS
From our correspondent

Jaipur, August 8

All 18 students were rescued when a private school bus in which they were travelling fell into the Palka river while crossing an inundated bridge at Bijoliya in Bhilwara district on Monday morning.

The students, including five girls, were rescued after villagers present near a community centre broke the front pane of the bus, policeman Panchu Ram of Bijoliya police station said.

The driver of the private bus of Acharya Vidhya Sagar Secondary School tried to cross the river through a small bridge with no railings when from the rear side the bus plunged into the river around 7.30 am, the policeman said. There was about 2 feet water on the bridge when the mishap occurred.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

As the front portion of the bus stuck somewhere, the bus did not fall into the river completely.

There were reports that the bus was carrying 50 students, but there were only 18, he clarified. A case against the driver would be lodged for negligent driving despite warning by villagers, he added.
Tribune News Service

Lucknow, August 8

The manager of a private school in Allahabad was today remanded in judicial custody for refusing to allow students recite the national anthem terming it un-Islamic.

Manager of the MA Convent School Zia-ul Haq booked under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, was arrested late last night. Section 3 of the Act states: Whoever intentionally prevents the singing of the Indian National Anthem or causes disturbances to any assembly engaged in such singing shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

Situated in the Sadiyabad Baghara locality, the school was sealed today and the students asked to shift to other schools within two days. The administration has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the case. The school was not recognised and it was being run illegally as per the whims and fancies of the management.

The role of educational department officials is also under lens as the school had been functioning in blatant violation of law for over 12 years.
Seema Kaul

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 8

Opposition parties in Rajya Sabha questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modis silence on the ongoing unrest in Kashmir on Monday and demanded an all all-party meeting to discuss it as the state enters its second month of curfew amid more deaths.

Principal Opposition Congress said on Friday in the House that the situation prevailing in the state could no longer be put down simply as a law and order issue and wondered why Prime Ministe Narendra Modi was still silent.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said: Its been 30 days of curfew. All work has come to a standstill at the Secretariat and other government offices. Has there ever been a situation of 30 days curfew in a state after we got Independence in 1947?

He quoted health services data to claim that more than 8,000 people have been injured, of which 410 have undergone eye surgeries.

At least 1,000 young boys are in jail. It is a very grave situation. So I request government not take it as just a law and order problem. The problem is political, developmental and regional, said Azad in his concluding in the Upper House as he called on the Prime Minister to chair a meeting of all political parties.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury demanded government action on police excesses reported from the state.

He also called use of pellet guns is inhuman and criminal as he echoed Azads demand and also asked for a delegation to be sent to Kashmir.

Choosing to remain silent the Prime <inister is actually sending a message that this government does not care about what is happening in Kashmir, said Yechury.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi however said the central government was willing to discuss the crisis and that there should be no doubt of the establishments commitment to the state.

Some 54 have been killed in violence that began in the state after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8. The Indian Army has been called to help restore normality to the restive state.
Kuala Lumpur, August 8

After years of battling bureaucracy, about 7,000 Indians who were born in Malaya before its independence from Britain have at last obtained Malaysian citizenship.

S Subramaniam, president of the countrys largest ethnic Indian political party, Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), said about 7,000 Indians had obtained citizenship so far but a lot more people were yet to register.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

On average, probably more than 15,000 Indians have yet to register to obtain the citizenship. So, this process will be continued to solve this issue. We will find ways to solve this immediately, he said after attending a religious ceremony Kalvi Yathirai organised by the Sri Murugan Centre here on Sunday.

Prime Minister Najib Razak said recently that those yet to obtain citizenship should redeem their right.

Subramaniam hoped the government would refine the citizenship registration process for ethnic Indians by reducing the existing bureaucracy to expedite the process.

Many have repeatedly applied but failed due to the bureaucracy. I admit the main problem is documentation, whereby their birth records have been missing. If the bureaucracy is reduced, we target this issue will be solved by this year, he said.

Malaya became independent from Britain in 1957. PTI
Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 8

Looking for the winning formula for the forthcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the BJP today got a shot in the arm with former senior BSP leader Swami Prasad Maurya joining it.

Four-time MLA Maurya joined the BJP with his supporters, including former Shivpuri MLA Udai Lal, in the presence of Amit Shah. The BJP headquarters teemed with Mauryas supporters.

Shah left the venue immediately after welcoming Maurya to the party fold. However, the symbolism of his presence on the occasion was unmistakable. The BJP sent a stern message to its rivals, besides luring those in other parties having thoughts of join it.

Maurya quit the BSP on June 22 accusing party chief Mayawati of selling party tickets and acting against the Dalits. He was Leader of Opposition in the UP Assembly when he quit. Earlier, he was the national general secretary of the party.

Addressing workers after joining the BJP, Maurya reiterated his allegation against Mayawati: Had Mayawati not sold tickets in the 2012 Assembly elections, the BSP would have won. This hurt party cadres. They are waiting for an opportunity to teach her a lesson.

If we have support of the BJP leadership, it will win the 2017 elections and form a government in the state, he said.

He was accompanied by more than 12 former ministers and MLAs. However, they were asked to postpone their joining the party. BJP sources said this was a strategy to keep the spotlight on Maurya with an aim to give him face against Mayawati.

The BJP and the BSP squared off following saffron partys Daya Shankar Singh making derogatory remarks against her. The remarks sparked a face-off between the Opposition, led by Mayawati, and the BJP in Parliament. The incident injected fresh life into the BSP that had been on the back foot ever since Maurya quit.

Maurya is a big catch for the BJP as he was considered a strong OBC face of the BSP, especially in Western Uttar Pradesh that encompasses more than 150 seats. The party is in the midst of micro-managing caste and other identity equations to get past the electoral humph.

With the ruling Samajawadi Party facing anti-incumbency, the BSP is the biggest threat to the BJPs desire to win the UP frontier. The BSP is trying to cobble up a powerful Dalit-Muslim-Brahmin axis to be nose ahead of others.
Seema Kaul

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 8

Facing a month-long turbulence and violence in the state, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open a dialogue process with the people of the state.

Talking to reporters after a two-hour meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Mehbooba also hinted at resuming a dialogue with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, saying the state could act as a bridge between the two nations.

I believe there is a need to heal the wounds of people, to initiate dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

These are our own people. If process of dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir can improve the situation in Valley, we should do it, she said, adding that her state could become a bridge between India and Pakistan.

There is a need to apply balm to the wounds of Kashmiri people, she said.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Mehbooba, who has been facing difficulties in restoring normalcy in the Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8, said only the process of dialogue with the people of Kashmir can help improve the situation.

The Chief Minister said during the one month of unrest, which started after the killing of Wani, 55 people lost their lives and referred the deceased as our own boys.

People will keep dying if we dont take initiative to bring normalcy. We want peace. There is an opportunity for dialogue and we should avail it, she said.

We have seen agitations in the past like in 2008 (Amarnath land row) and 2010 (over fake encounters by Army).

Our children have been killed. Our families have suffered. I dont wish to see any more killing.

Our Prime Minister has a huge mandate in the present Lok Sabha and he should seize the opportunity created by the unrest to win the hearts of the people and solve their problems, the way former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee did, she said.

I am hopeful that the Prime Minister will take this as an opportunity to initiate dialogue with people to address their problems. There is a need to take the same initiative of winning hearts of people, which was taken during Vajpayee jis tenure, she said after the meeting which was also attended by National Security Advisor AK Doval and other senior officials of Home, Defence and Finance Ministries.

Oppn questions PMs silence, demands all-party meet

The meeting took place on a day when the issue of continued curfew in the Valley echoed in Parliament. Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modis silence on the ongoing unrest in Kashmir and demanded an all all-party meeting to discuss it as the state enters its second month of curfew amid more deaths.

The principal opposition Congress said in the House that the situation prevailing in the state could no longer be put down simply as a law and order issue and wondered why Prime Ministe Narendra Modi was still silent.



Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said: Its been 30 days of curfew. All work has come to a standstill at the Secretariat and other government offices. Has there ever been a situation of 30 days curfew in a state after we got Independence in 1947?

He quoted health services data to claim that more than 8,000 people have been injured, of which 410 have undergone eye surgeries.

At least 1,000 young boys are in jail. It is a very grave situation. So I request government not take it as just a law and order problem. The problem is political, developmental and regional, said Azad in his concluding in the Upper House as he called on the Prime Minister to chair a meeting of all political parties.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury demanded government action on police excesses reported from the state.

He also called use of pellet guns is inhuman and criminal as he echoed Azads demand and also asked for a delegation to be sent to Kashmir.

Choosing to remain silent the Prime Minister is actually sending a message that this government does not care about what is happening in Kashmir, said Yechury.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi however said the central government was willing to discuss the crisis and that there should be no doubt of the establishments commitment to the state.

Some 54 persons have been killed in violence that began in the state after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8. The Indian Army has been called to help restore normality to the restive state. With PTI inputs
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 8

Parliament on Monday passed the Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill to pave way for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) with the Lok Sabha adopting the legislation, which was last week passed by the Rajya Sabha, but not before scoring of some political brownie points by leaders from both the government and the Opposition sides.

The Bill was passed by two-third majority, with 443 members voting in its favour and none against in the final vote. The AIADMK, however, staged a walkout just before the voting. Congress floor leader in the House Mallikarjun Kharge tried to derive credit for the previous UPA government for giving birth to the piece of legislation, whereas Prime Minister Narendra Modi countered by saying: India has a tradition where someone gives birth to a child and someone else brings up the child.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

As the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to all parties for the support to the historical Bill, Kharge took a jibe by thanking Modi for understanding the tax reform now, which he had failed as chief minister of Gujarat. Quoting Modi, Kharge said: As CM of Gujarat during UPA government at the Centre, the Prime Minister had opposed the Bill, which was brought by then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Abbreviating GST as Great Step by TeamIndia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described GST as a crucial step towards ending tax terrorism besides reducing corruption and black money and said the new regime of indirect taxation will make consumer the king.

The Prime Minister also insisted that the passage the legislation would not be a victory of any party or government but was everybody's victory as it highlighted the success of the democratic ethos of the country.

Intervening in the debate in the Lok Sabha, Modi asserted that the GST will benefit mainly those states which are considered backward and address the problem of regional imbalance.

Now with it, my dream of seeing the eastern states getting equally developed like their western counterparts will come true, he added.

Later while replying to the debate, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley rebutted the question raised by Congress leader M Veerappa Moily as to whether the LS is the minor partner in this case.

He said: The Constitution itself says there can be no taxation laws made unless this House sanctions the said laws.
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 8

The Congress on Monday demanded that PM Narendra Modi should speak in the House on Dalit atrocities instead of expressing anger at self-styled gau rakshaks or vigilante groups dishing out punishments to people.

The Congress walked out from the Lok Sabha alleging that Speaker Sumitra Mahajan was not allowing their leader Mallikarjun Kharge to speak during Zero Hour.

Outside the House, Kharge said the PM is helpless and his statement expressing anger at self-styled gau-rakshaks indicated that. He should order action, Kharge demanded.

In the past two days, Modi, speaking at separate functions, had expressed anger at the gau-rakshaks.
New Delhi, August 8

Investigations are on to identify the militants responsible for killing 14 innocent people in the crowded market of Kokrajhar town of Assam on Friday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha on Monday.

One AK-47, two magazines and other explosives have been recovered from the extremists. The identity of the extremist organisation is yet to be known, Rajnath said while making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha.

The minister said militants came in army uniform and attacked the marketplace.

At least 14 people were killed, including eight Bodo people, a woman and a boy. Nineteen other people were seriously injured. The local police and security forces acted tough against the extremists and killed one of them, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, Rajnath said.

He also offered condolences to the bereaved families.

The Home Minister said he had asked the state government to find out the details of the extremist group and act tough against them.

Earlier, the Lok Sabha condoled the deaths in the Kokrajhar militant attack.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

As soon as the house assembled for the day to resume its session after the weekend break, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan read out a brief statement describing the action of the terrorists in Kokrajhar as an act of cowardice.

The members stood in silence for a while as a mark of respect to the deceased.

Authorities in the state have blamed the anti-talks faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland led by IK Songbijit, who carries a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, for the massacre. IANS
Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi

Hoshiarpur, August 7

The driver of a private bus lost control during descent on the Chintpurni-Chohal road and the vehicle ran over people sitting along a culvert, killing seven of them. Among the dead were four of a family, all women. Twenty persons were injured. Two of the grievously injured were referred to a hospital in Ludhiana and one was taken to the PGIMR, Chandigarh.

The people were on their way to religious fair at Chohal, 15 km from Hoshiarpur. Local MLA Sunder Sham Arora, who was passing by, helped remove victims stuck under the bus and shifted them to hospital. He asked the nearby JCT Mills and Reliance Factory to send their ambulances.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

It took us more than two hours to reach the hospital barely 15 km away. Despite the rush of pilgrims, there were no traffic arrangements or emergency services.

Even as vehicles of various social service organisations ferried the injured to hospital, Health Department ambulances reportedly remained parked at the Civil Hospital. Adviser to CM Tikshan Sud, CPS Mohinder Kaur Josh, PPCC member Dr Rajkumar, Hoshiarpur Mayor Shiv Sud, AAP leader Navin Jairath and DC Aninidita Mitra later visited the injured at the hospital.

Five of the deceased were identified as Jitesh Kumar from Bihar, who was working with the JCT, Samitri Devi of Purheeran, her daughter Maneesha, niece Sonia and relative Jagtar Kaur Babbu.

Expressing grief, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the state government would bear the medical expenses of the injured and asked the Hoshiarpur DC and SSP to lend all possible help to the bereaved families.
Ludhiana, August 8

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the attack on senior RSS leader Jagdish Gagneja could have been orchestrated by a "neighbouring country" to create law and order problems.

"Law and order problem could be created either by internal forces or by external forces. This (attack on Gagneja) appears to be a case of the second type where the hand of a neighbouring country could not be ruled out," he said after visiting the RSS leader who is still critical.

Instead of criticising one another, we should maintain unity and brotherhood, Badal said.

The Punjab Chief Minister also met members of Gagneja's family in the hospital and talked to the doctors about the RSS leader's condition.

Earlier, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also enquired about the health of Gajneja.

He said that ten special police teams had been formed to nab the criminals behind the attack.

Gagneja, the Vice President of RSS (Punjab), was shot at on Saturday by bike-borne persons at Jyoti Chowk area in Jalandhar when he had gone shopping with his wife, leaving him seriously injured. A four-member SIT has been formed to probe the attack.  PTI
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 8

The Punjab State Commission for NRIs has urged the Union Ministry of External Affairs to take action to help three Punjabis allegedly held hostage by their employers in Libya.

The families of Sarbjit Singh ( 25) of Latala village, Titu Bansal (60) of Bowani village and Malkiat Singh (26) of Ghaloti, all in Ludhiana district, have alleged that they were being tortured by their employers and denied food and medication.

A report highlighting their plight was carried by the Tribune on August 8. Taking a suo moto notice of the news, the Punjab State Commission for NRIs has asked the Union Ministry for External Affairs to secure the early release of the detained NRIs.
Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 8

Anguished over the murderous attack on its state joint president Brig Jagdish Gagneja (retd), the RSS today met Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal even as district-level RSS leaders and workers poured into the streets and submitted strongly-worded memoranda to DCs, demanding that Gagnejas attackers be arrested immediately.

The Punjab BJP core committee, that met the CM and the Deputy CM separately, sought decisive action against the assailants. Led by state president Vijay Sampla, the leaders demanded that the matter be looked into by the CM himself. State DGP Suresh Arora, who was present, reportedly shared information on the attackers.

Edit: Peace under attack

The police has provided a security cover to prominent RSS leaders even as Gagnejas condition remains critical. He was shot at in Jalandhar on Saturday night and shifted to DMC, Ludhiana. The DMC vice-principal, Dr GS Wander, said none of the three bullets had been removed from his body.

The RSS sees the attacks on its cadres as a political conspiracy. In 2009, its state chief Rulda Singh was gunned down in Patiala. A few months ago, an RSS shakha in Ludhiana was attacked.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Rameshwar, the Pracharak Pramukh (North Zone-RSS), adopting a sterner posture than the BJP leaders, minced no words while expressing displeasure at the government failure to solve earlier such cases. A statement issued by the RSS media wing later in the day read,

The RSS delegation in unequivocal terms conveyed its displeasure over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Whether it was the attack on a shakha in Ludhiana or the daylight murder of Mata Chand Kaur or the incidents of kidnapping, snatching, etc, the common man on the streets is feeling insecure.

The Chief Minister, later in the day, visited the DMC to enquire about Gagnejas health. He said a neighbouring country could be behind the attack on the RSS leader.

Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, who holds the Home portfolio, said he was confident the culprits would be nabbed soon.

Centre to send 15 BSF, RAF companies

Chandigarh: The probe agencies are working on the theory that the attack could well be the handiwork of a foreign-backed agency. As a result, it has decided to step up vigilance at the International Border. The Centre has agreed to send 15 companies of Border Security Force and Rapid Action Force (about 3,000 personnel) to Punjab, after Home Minister Rajnath Singh called up Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal and discussed the situation.  Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 7

Brigadier (retd) JC Gagneja, vice-president of the Punjab Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), who was shot at in Jalandhar last night, was shifted to Hero DMC Heart Institute here this afternoon amid tight security even as intelligence sources said they suspected the hand of a Khalistani group in the attack.

One of the doctors said Gagneja's condition was critical. We have stitched the stomach at three places and the intestines at five.There is fluid in the chest," he said.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

There was a huge rush of VVIPs outside the Emergency Ward. One of Gagneja's daughters, her hands folded, requested that they be given way. Even before Gagneja was brought to the hospital, RSS district chief Phul Chand Jain, senior BJP leader Renu Thapar, Satpal Gossain, Ravinder Arora, Anil Sarin, Arunesh Mishra and KD Bhandari (CPS) had already arrived there.They were later joined by Dr Navjot Sidhu and Jagdish Sahni (former minister).

Observing that the law and order situation had worsened, Dr Sidhu said she was certain that "the people of Punjab will bring about a change." Anil Sareen, BJP vice-president, Punjab, said the people must remain calm and not allow peace to be sabotaged.

Meanwhile, Punjab DGP Suresh Arora, DGP (Law and Order) Hardeep Dhillon and Additional DGP IPS Sahota, SIT head, inspected the crime site. Commissioner Police Arpit Shukla said, We have formed 10 police teams. CCTV footages along various city routes have been obtained and eyewitness accounts are being collated."

Intelligence sources said the questioning of terrorists arrested in the past one year, including Jagtar Singh Tara and Ramandeep Goldy, suggested that aided by Pakistan's ISI, some separatist groups were trying to regroup.

We strongly suspect the involvement of separatists behind the attack on Gagneja. We have busted more than five modules of these Khalistani groups in the past two years. All of them said the ISI was trying to foment trouble in Punjab by targeting RSS leaders. We had prevented many such attacks," claimed a senior officer.

The police believes the assailants were not sharp shooters and were recent 'recruits'.
Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 8

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today launched a high-decibel election campaign, Youth for Punjab, amid a show of strength by its youth wing. The partys young brigade from all 117 Assembly constituencies of the state converged here this morning in their SUVs, choking the citys arterial roads.

Challenging the khooni panja (referring to the Congress and its alleged anti-Sikh policies) and the Lutt-kho sarkar (referring to the Aam Aadmi Party and its tainted MLAs), the Akali leaders went all out to spew venom on their political opponents.

Amid slogans such as Punjab Akaliyan da, na khooni panje da te na topiwale da, Akali ministers Bikram Singh Majithia and Sharanjit Singh Dhillon exhorted the hundreds of youth gathered here to repel those who knew nothing about Punjab and were trying to divide Sikhs and Punjabis. Majithia also told the Youth Akali leaders and workers to increase awareness among the people about the development works initiated by the SAD-led government.

All sorts of names were used for AAP leaders, such as Khujliwal, Natwar Lal, alcoholics and Shaitan.

The young Akalis were told that just like the past two elections (2007 and 2012), the youth wing would be first activated this time.

Party president Sukhbir Singh Badal told the gathering: Punjabis have always been discriminated against. Our sacrifices for the nation and our contribution towards ensuring Indias food security have been ignored by successive Congress governments. The Akali Dal is the only party that has been fighting for the Punjabis. Let us continue to do that.

He added that 2.5 lakh youth had been employed in the state since 2007. Sukhbir told the young party workers to act as foot soldiers of the Akali government.
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 8

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 8

Congress MP Partap Singh Bajwa has accused External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj of misleading Parliament on the issue of 39 Indians going missing from Iraq in 2014. Our External Affairs Minister has misled Parliament. She has misled the nation, said Bajwa.

This has been happening for the last two years. Parents are seeking clarifications from the Ministry of External Affairs.

He said a Punjabi youth named Harjeet Masih had escaped from Iraq and was a witness to the kidnapping and killing of the Indians by ISIS in June 2014, but Swaraj had dismissed Masihs testimony as baseless.

Seeking that a parliamentary delegation be sent to Iraq to bring back the survivors, Bajwa said such an exercise would enable identification of those who had been killed so that their families could be informed. He said families could not be kept waiting indefinitely for news about their loved ones.

Congress MP Ambika Soni said, The foreign minister gave not a wishy-washy assurance but a categorical assertion on the floor of this House that she had definite information that all 39 people were safe and she would bring them back. We referred to what my colleague Mr Bajwa had said, but she said it was not true.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said, I will request Naqviji (Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs) to take up the matter with the Minister of External Affairs. She should contact the Embassy there. This is a genuine concern.
At the war anniversary celebration in the Simla Singh Sabha Hall, His Highness the Raja Sahib of Faridkot delivered a thoughtful and stirring address which will be read with great interest throughout the Punjab. His Highness is a young and enlightened Prince who takes a deep interest in public welfare and he struck the right note in appealing to his countrymen to do their utmost to prosecute the war to a successful issue.
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 8

Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Badrikashram and Dwarka Peeth Swami Swarupanand Saraswati today asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come clear on his gau raksha agenda.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Sudarshan Jayanti celebration function at Kankhal ashram, Saraswati said on the one hand Modi was concerned about saving cow but on the other hand the government was providing subsidy to cow meat exporters.

One shouldnt make cow a political agenda. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP and Modi raised the cow issue and now he is angry over those activists who are trying to save cows from getting slaughtered. The cow is regarded as the symbol of the holy mother. The PM should first ensure that government takes stringent measures so that no one dares to slaughter cow or ill treat it, said Shankaracharya.

He also attended the Sudarshan Jayanti function at the ashram. In South India , Sudarashan Jayanti is widely celebrated and now was being observed in Northern India too, he said.

He said the Sudarshan Chakra mentioned in Vedas and ancient religious texts was the main weapon of Lord Vishnu
Kabul, August 8

Five gunmen wearing Afghan military uniforms have abducted an American and an Australian in the Afghan capital, Kabul, a security official said today.

The two foreigners were taken from their SUV while driving last night on a main road near the American University of Afghanistan, according to Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry.

They are believed to be employees of the university and were traveling between the university and their residence, he said.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Sediqqi also added that initial reports show that up to five armed men stopped the foreigners vehicle and carried out the kidnapping. The two abducted are both men, he said. He did not reveal any more details except to say that an investigation is underway.

Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement confirming the apparent kidnapping of an Australian in Kabul.  AP
Karachi, August 8

A Taliban suicide bomber killed at least 70 and wounded more than a 100 on Monday in an attack on mourners gathered at a hospital in Quetta in Pakistans restive southwestern Balochistan, head of the provincial health department said. The death toll is likely to climb.

The bomber struck more than 200 people  mostly lawyers  gathered at a government-run civil hospital in Quetta to mourn the death of a prominent lawyer who was shot dead earlier in the day.

A loud explosion and gunfire were heard from the emergency department where the lawyers body had been kept for autopsy.

Police claimed that a bomber had strapped on 8 kg of explosives.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Jamaat-ur-Ahrar, a faction of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed the attack and warned of more "until the imposition of an Islamic system in Pakistan".

Visuals of the incident on television showed panicked mourners running through debris as smoke filled the corridors of the hospital's emergency ward.

"Today's suicide attack appeared to target Kasi's supporters," Anwar ul Haq, a spokesman for the Balochistan government, said.

Ali Zafar, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan, told reporters in the eastern city of Lahore: "We (lawyers) have been targeted because we always raise our voice for people's rights and for democracy...Lawyers will not just protest this attack but also prepare a long-term plan of action."

Police cordoned off the hospital following the blast, with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif paying visits to the wounded on Monday evening.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain condemned the attack. "No one will be allowed to disrupt the peace of the province," Sharif said.

Reports said two journalists were among the dead.

"This was a security lapse and I am having this personally investigated," Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said as he called it an "act of terrorism".

In January, a suicide bomber killed 15 people outside a polio eradication centre in an attack claimed by both the Pakistani Taliban and Jundullah, another Islamist militant group that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State in the Middle East.

Monday's attack was the worst in Pakistan since an Easter Day bombing ripped through a Lahore park, killing at least 72 people. Jamaat-ur-Ahrar also claimed responsibility for that atrocity.

Quetta has long been regarded as a base for the Afghan Taliban, whose leadership has regularly held meetings there in the past.

In May, Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed by a US drone strike while travelling to Quetta from the Pakistan-Iran border.  Agencies
Kathmandu, August 8

All seven persons, including a newborn baby, on board a private chopper were killed after it crashed in a forest area in central Nepal while flying the baby and her mother to Kathmandu for treatment.

The Fishtail Air helicopter carrying six passengers lost contact with the air traffic control tower shortly after it took off from Gorkha this afternoon.

The chopper, which was flying the newborn for treatment in Kathmandu with her mother, crashed at Bhatine Danda area in Nuwakot district, 150 km west of Kathmandu, officials said.

All seven persons, including pilot Ranjan Limbu, on board the 9N-AKA helicopter were killed, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Caan) said.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

A Nepal Army team and other rescue officials have been deployed at the crash site, said Devendra KC, spokesperson of the Caan.

The cause of the crash was yet to be probed. Without an investigation, we cannot tell what caused the accident, Ramesh Shiwakoti of the Fishtail Air said.

In Nepal, air travel is hugely popular as there is only a limited road network.

The country has suffered a number of air disasters in recent years, affecting the tourism industry.

In February, 23 persons on board a small plane were killed after their aircraft crashed in a remote mountainous region amid poor visibility.

The European Union in 2013 banned all Nepalese airlines from flying there following international alarm over Nepals air safety record.  PTI
Tokyo, August 8

Japanese Emperor Akihito, 82, in a rare video address to the public on Monday, said he worried that age may make it difficult for him to fully carry out his duties, remarks widely seen as suggesting he wants to abdicate.

Public broadcaster NHK reported last month that Akihito, who has had heart surgery and been treated for prostate cancer, wanted to step down in a few years  which would be unprecedented in modern Japan.

Once considered divine, the emperor is defined in the constitution as a symbol of the state and the unity of the people. He has no political power. Akihito stopped short of saying outright that he wanted to abdicate, which could be interpreted as interfering in politics.

When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being, as I have done until now, he said.

Akihito took the throne after the death in 1989 of his father, Hirohito, in whose name Japan fought World War Two. He has sought to soothe the wounds of the war in Asia during trips overseas  Reuters
Kabul, August 8

Five gunmen wearing Afghan military uniforms had kidnapped an American and an Australian in the Afghan capital, Kabul, a security official said on Monday.

The two foreigners were taken from their SUV while driving on Sunday night on a main road near the American University of Afghanistan, according to Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry.

They are believed to be employees of the university and were travelling between the university and their residence, he said.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Sediqqi said the initial reports showed that up to five armed men stopped the foreigners vehicle and carried out the kidnapping. The two kidnapped are both men, he said. He did not reveal any more details except to say that an investigation is under way.

Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement confirming the apparent kidnapping of an Australian in Kabul.

Due to privacy and security considerations we will not be commenting further. We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation, including the serious threat of kidnapping, it said.

Senior staff at the university in Kabul could not immediately be reached for comment.

Kidnappings are not uncommon in Afghanistan. Three other foreigners who were kidnapped in Kabul over the past year have all been released, including an Indian woman, Judith DSouza who was freed last month after being held for more than a month.

An Australian woman, Kerry Jane Wilson, was abducted in the eastern city of Jalalabad in April. Her whereabouts are unknown.

Sediqqi said kidnappers in all the Kabul cases, including Mondays, had been wearing military uniforms, establishing a pattern and hinting at some form of organised gang activity.

Most of the thousands of foreigners living and working in Kabul are largely confined to their embassies or, in the case of those working for the United Nations or other non-government organisations, to their residential compounds, with limited movement permitted.

The kidnappings heighten the risk for the few foreigners, including journalists, who move with relative freedom across the Afghan capital in order to do their work.

Residents of the capital complain that crime has risen in recent months, especially robbery and car theft. The apparent rise coincides with an economic crisis as the government has not been able to create jobs or stimulate growth.

President Ashraf Ghani took office in 2014 promising jobs and peace, but has provided neither as the war with the Taliban grinds on for its 15th year.

The police, however, deny a spike in crime. AP
Baghdad, August 8

The Iraqi Air Force has received a new batch of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from the United States, bolstering the countrys fledging air force amid more than two years of fighting with the Islamic State group, a spokesman said today as attacks in and near Baghdad killed six people.

Defence Ministrys spokesman, Brig Gen Tahseen Ibrahim, told The Associated Press that the new batch consisted of four fighter jets. Ibraim did not give more details or say when the next shipment will be delivered.

With the new arrivals, Iraq has now eight F16s in service, out of 36 fighter jets the US agreed to sell to Baghdad.

Also today, a bomb went off at an outdoor market in the town of Youssifiyah, 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Baghdad, killing four shoppers and wounding 11, a police officer said.

Two more civilians were killed in another bomb explosion in a commercial area in Baghdads western Eskan neighborhood.

That attack also wounded eight people, another police officer said.

Medical officials confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, but they bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State group, which often targets commercial areas and large gatherings.

Iraq has been going through its worst crisis since summer 2014 when IS militants captured much of the countrys north and the west, including the second-largest city of Mosul.

Despite major ground loses since last year, IS still controls key areas.

Iraq heavily depended on aging Russian-made Sukhoi Su-25 jets. In 2014, the country received Sukhoi Su-25 jets from Russia and Iran to help combat IS.  AP
Toronto, August 8

After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's apology in the House of Commons in May for the tragic 1914 Komagata Maru incident, Canada officially recognised its venue as a site of national historic significance.

Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan unveiled a commemorative plaque on Sunday at the venue of the Komagata Maru episode in Vancouver over 102 years ago.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The Komagata Maru was a Japanese ship hired by wealthy Sikh Gurdit Singh from Malaysia to bring 376 persons, mostly Punjabis, from India to Canada to challenge the racist laws of the time. The ship anchored in Vancouver in May 1914, but the passengers were not allowed to disembark.

The ship was forcibly returned to India after two months of stand-off. On arrival in Kolkata, 20 passengers were killed by British Indian police.

"On this day, 102 years ago, the Canadian Government shamefully turned away 376 immigrants because of their country of origin. Today, as a representative of the Canadian Government, I am honoured to stand with the South Asian community and recognise the Komagata Maru incident as an event of national historic significance which helped shape the values, including multi-culturalism, that have become a source of strength for our country today," Sajjan said at the inauguration of the plaque.

The statement said the designation of the Komagata site provides an opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about India's varied history, rich diversity and the lessons we have learned.  IANS
Beijing, August 8

Thousands of people took to the streets of a city in eastern China to protest against a possible Sino-French nuclear project, as the local police denied beating demonstrators.

Residents in Lianyungang, 480 km of Shanghai, shouted slogans and waved banners outside government offices to complain about the health impacts of a suggested nuclear waste processing plant.

There were several thousand people, a hotel worker said. Another local surnamed Xu described clashes between police and protesters. French nuclear fuel group Areva in 2012 agreed to cooperate with state-run China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC) to build a reprocessing facility in China, without stating the location.

Locals say Lianyungang, a port city in Jiangsu province, is a prime candidate.  AFP
Iran announced on August 7 that it hanged a nuclear scientist for handing over secret information to the United States, concluding a week in which the country came under criticism for its recent execution of up to 20 people.

A judiciary spokesman was quoted as telling the Mizan Online news site that the scientist, Shahram Amiri, "was hanged for revealing the country's top secrets to the enemy," the AFP news agency reported. The dpa news agency reported that the 39-year-old was hanged on August 3.

Amiri reportedly went missing in Saudi Arabia while on pilgrimage to Mecca in 2009 before later surfacing in the United States.

After spending a year in the United States, he was subsequently detained in Iran after returning there for unclear reasons.

A series of video recordings showed him first claiming that he had been kidnapped by U.S. and Saudi agents, then that he was living freely in the United States, and finally announcing that he wanted to go home to Iran.

Family members had expressed fears about Amiri's safety, saying that they had been prevented from talking to him, and hinted that he returned because relatives in Iran were being pressured.

The announcement comes after Tehran reacted angrily to criticism of the country's recent executions of up to 20 people, which UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein described as "a grave injustice" and said followed "the application of overly broad and vague criminal charges, coupled with a disdain for the rights of the accused to due process and a fair trial."

State media quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi on August 6 as accusing the West of meddling in internal Iranian affairs.

"While Iran is itself a victim of terrorism, it will do its best to maintain the safety of its citizens," Ghasemi said.

Ghasemi said the 20 men in question had murdered innocent civilians and spread terror. Reports suggested that most -- if not all -- of those hanged over the course of a week were Sunni Muslims from the Kurdish community.

Iran, which is predominantly Shi'ite, executed at least 977 people last year, according to Amnesty International. The organization said Iran was the second most prolific executioner in the world in 2015, after China.

With reporting by AFP, AP, dpa, RFE/RL, The Guardian, and Saham News
Madrid, August 8

A third election in Spain would do nothing to resolve a deadlock that has left the country without a new government for over seven months, an influential

survey suggested on Monday, piling pressure on leaders to find another way out of the impasse.

Two elections, in December and June, delivered hung parliaments after the rise of newer political forces ended four decades of a stable two-party system.

Now, state pollster Centro de Investigaciones Sociologicas said, the number of people who not even bother to vote is on the rise. A third election would be ridiculous, what a waste of money. Politicians job is to govern and sort this out, what have they been doing for a year? said Beatriz Claver, a financial consultant taking a break in a square in central Madrid.

Negotiations between Spanish leaders have yet to bear fruit after the latest election, with the conservative Peoples Party (PP) of acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, which won the most votes both times, struggling to get backing from rivals to form a government.

The PP would maintain its leading position in another election, winning 32.5 per cent of the vote, the survey showed. But that would be a slight drop from the 33 per cent it garnered in a June 26 election and would still leave it far from a parliamentary majority. The political paralysis has yet to derail Spains economic recovery, with a booming tourism season encouraging businesses to hire and households to spend.

But without a government, Spain will struggle to deliver its 2017 budget plans to Brussels in time for a mid-October deadline, raising concerns over how long its economy can continue to outperform euro zone peers. And voters are growing increasingly weary.

Some 13.4 per cent of the 2,500 people surveyed in early July said they would abstain in another election, versus the 11 percent recorded in its last survey of voting intentions in early June.

The historic rivalry between the PP and the Socialists as well as differences over policy and leadership have hampered the talks. The Socialists would come a slightly improved second if another election were held, the poll showed, on 23.1 per cent of the vote versus 22.7 per cent in June. It did not give an estimate of parliamentary seats.  Reuters
Geekologie has shut down.

Thank you to everybody.

Now go be happy.
OKLAHOMA CITY  Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has politicized a state question by rewording it, said Ryan Kiesel, ACLU of Oklahoma executive director.

The issue goes back to when the ACLU of Oklahoma successfully challenged the erection of a privately funded Ten Commandments monument on the state Capitol grounds.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court on June 30, 2015, in a lawsuit brought by the ACLU, ruled that the monument must be removed, citing Article 2, Section 5 of the state Constitution.

The section reads: No public money or property shall ever be appropriated, applied, donated, or used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, or system of religion, or for the use, benefit, or support of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher or dignitary, or sectarian institution as such.

The court found that the Ten Commandments are obviously religious in nature and an integral part of the Jewish and Christian faiths.

Because the monument at issue operates for the use, benefit or support of a sect or system of religion, it violates Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution and is enjoined and shall be removed, the ruling said.

The ruling generated considerable consternation among those who supported the erection of the monument. Critics of the opinion said it could result in any art with religious symbolism being removed from the capitol or the end to state funds going to hospitals that are religiously affiliated.

Pruitt was among those who criticized the ruling.

Quite simply, the Oklahoma Supreme Court got it wrong, Pruitt said in a June 30, 2015, statement. The court completely ignored the profound historical impact of the Ten Commandments on the foundation of Western law. Furthermore, the courts incorrect interpretation of Article 2, Section 5 contradicts previous rulings of the court. In response, my office will file a petition with the court for a rehearing in light of the broader implications of this ruling on other areas of state law. In the interim, enforcement of the courts order cannot occur. Finally, if Article 2, Section 5, is going to be construed in such a manner by the court, it will be necessary to repeal it.

The court said there was no merit warranting reconsideration.

The monument was relocated a few blocks from the capitol on the grounds of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Lawmakers wasted no time passing Senate Joint Resolution 72. The measure put on the ballot a proposal to remove the section of the constitution cited in the opinion.

If approved by voters, the measure, State Question 790, would remove a constitutional prohibition of using state money or property for religious purposes.

The original ballot title passed by lawmakers contained no reference to the Ten Commandments.

Pruitts office on May 4, said the wording failed to comply with state law because it didnt fully explain what the provision prohibits or the effect of the provisions repeal.

The office rewrote the ballot title and included that the constitutional provision had been cited by a court in an order requiring the removal of the Ten Commandments.

I think the attorney general thought it was politically necessary to do that from a legal standpoint, Kiesel said.

When most Oklahoma voters walk into the voting booth and read the section proposed for deletion, they will harken back to a basic high school civics class, Kiesel said. They realize it makes sense to have that provision in the Constitution, he said.

I think the attorney general saw it was necessary to politicize this in a way that would color the way voters think about this important issue at the ballot box, Kiesel said.

ACLU of Oklahoma Legal Director Brady Henderson said there was no reason to insert the Ten Commandments into the wording, adding that it singles out one case interpreting the provision of the constitution.

Pruitts office is required to explain to voters the effect of the measure in 200 words or less, said Lincoln Ferguson, a Pruitt spokesman.

Simply telling the voters that the measure repeals that section of the Constitution would not suffice because the voters would not know what that provision is or why it should matter to them, Ferguson said.

Because of the word limitation, we could not include every example, so we chose to include the most recent, and most publicized, instance of an Oklahoma court using Article 2, Section 5 to invalidate a law: the Oklahoma Supreme Courts decision that Article 2, Section 5 required the removal of the Ten Commandments monument from the Capitol grounds, he said.

That example is the example most likely to provide the voters with the context they need to make an informed decision on the measure.

State Question 790 is expected to be among several that appear on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.
Regional networks will be forced to air some local programs and the reach rule is set to go, as the Turnbull government puts media reform back in the spotlight for the next sitting of parliament.

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said the government would bring the media reform package forward as a priority in the sitting period which begins on August 30.

A spokeswoman for Senator Fifield told the Australian Financial Review, The reform package will repeal the media control rules known as the 75 per cent reach rule and the two out of three rule. It will also impose new local programming obligations on regional commercial television licensees in certain circumstances.

The reach rule prevents networks from broadcasting to more than 75 per cent of the population, and the two-out-of-three rule prohibits proprietors from owning a TV station, radio network and newspaper in the same market.

Local content obligations in Regional areas could be through a points system to guarantee local production.

But Fifield will need to negotiate with Labor or the new cross-bench to get them through. Some Labor senators have previously expressed concerns over scrapping the two-out-of-three rule.
Thirteen young hopefuls will star in the tenth series of Australias Next Top Model, hosted by Jennifer Hawkins.

Megan Gale will feature as a full time judge, alongside designer Alex Perry.

Elle Macpherson, Gemma Ward and Miranda Kerr will all guest star throughout the series.

Former contestants Montana Cox (Series 7), Simone Holtznagel (Series 7), Amanda Ware (Series 6), Cassie Van Den Dungen (Series 5) will feature along with a grand finale featuring over forty returning contestants. Australian twins Jordan and Zac Stenmark, will also work beside returning mentor Cheyenne Tozzi.

Alex Perry said: Ten years is a lifetime in the modelling industry, so to have survived let alone thrived, is such an honour for Australias Next Top Model. Its fantastic and a very proud moment to be celebrating ten seasons of such an iconic and landmark series. When we first started filming in the Foxtel studios in Sydney in 2004, none of us could ever have imagined the show would grow to launch so many modelling careers.

Its been a thrill to have worked with hosts Erika Heynatz, Sarah Murdoch, Jodhi Meares, Jennifer Hawkins and of course our dear, irreplaceable Charlotte Dawson, to whom so much of the of the shows success is attributed to. Over the years weve shared plenty of laughter, tears, outrageous moments and a love of producing great fashion imagery.

This season we welcome the gorgeous Megan Gale, who next to Jennifer Hawkins, will provide one of the most dynamic judging panels weve ever assembled. Megan and Jen bring great heart and commitment to the show. Its a wonderful combination that also equals exceptional glamour to the 10th anniversary.

The thirteen finalists are: from NSW: Aleyna Fitzgerald (16), Linnea Stevens-Jones (16), Sabine Jamieson (17), Belinda Kosorok (18), Daisy Davies (19), Kassidy Ure (19), Jordan Simek (20), Vitoria Triboni (25) from VIC: Summer Kane (19), from QLD: Christy Baker (17) from SA: Jessie Andrewartha (21) from WA: Laura Taaffe (20) from TAS: Sofie Baric (17)

The winner of Australias Next Top Model will receive a 12 month modelling contract with Priscillas Model Management, and will feature in an editorial spread for leading fashion magazine, Elle Australia. They will also get $20,000 trip to New York during Fashion Week, and drive away in a stylish Mazda.

Australias Next Top Model is produced by Shine Australia for Foxtel, and is subscription televisions longest running local production.

Tuesday September 20 at 7.30pm on FOX8.
The officers of the Security Service of Ukraine have prevented blasts at three sites of the railway tracks in Lviv region.

This was reported by the Security Services press centre on Monday.

"Having conducted a special operation, the officers identified and detained five members of the terrorist group, who had planned to simultaneously blast the railroad tracks in three different directions from the regional centre," the statement reads.

As the press centre noted, one of the terrorists was arrested while laying explosives on a bridge near the village of Dubliany in Lviv region.

ol
Russian-backed militants launched 61 attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbas over the past day.

This is reported by the ATO Headquarters press center.

The tensest situation was observed in Mariupol area, where the Ukrainian servicemen came under 122 mm artillery fire in Pavlopol (30 km northeast of Mariupol), Marinka (35 km south-west of Donetsk), Krasnohorivka (29 km west of Donetsk). The terrorists used mortars and grenade launchers to fire at Vodiane (16km north-west of Donetsk) and Novotroitske (32km south of Donetsk). ATO troops in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) came under fire from machine guns of large caliber.

In Donetsk area, Russian-backed militants slammed two dozen heavy artillery shells into Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk) and Mayorske (45km north of Donetsk).

ol
DES MOINES  Hillary Clinton plans to return to Iowa to campaign for the first time since securing the Democratic nomination for president.

Clinton will hold a campaign rally Wednesday at Des Moines Lincoln High School, according to the campaigns website.

Doors open at 11:45 a.m., according to the website.

The most recent polls in Iowa showed Clinton locked in a close race for the White House with Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Those polls were taken prior to the Democratic and Republican national conventions, after which most national polls have shown Clinton taking a lead over Trump.

Trump has appeared in Iowa twice since the conventions.
The Main Investigation Department at the Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine carries out a pre-trial investigation into criminal proceedings over misappropriation of funds, allocated by the National Bank of Ukraine for refinancing, by officials of PrivatBank. The proceeding was entered into the unified register of pre-trial investigations on November 13, 2014.

This is stated in the relevant ruling of the Pechersky District Court in Kyiv on July 29.

According to the case files, it was established during the pre-trial investigation that the PrivatBank officials abused their power in 2014 to misappropriate the NBU assets in the amount of over UAH 19 billion, allocated for refinancing of PrivatBank.

ol
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has agreed the procedure for keeping the register of the producers of organic products (raw materials).

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said this at today's Cabinet's meeting, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The decision was made," Groysman said.

As explained by Agrarian Policy and Food Minister of Ukraine Taras Kutovy, the adopted procedure for keeping the register of producers of organic products (raw materials) will not provide anything new in principle, but will attract investments in the Ukrainian organic agricultural production.

"Only the data specified in the producer's license will be entered in such a register, i.e. no new information will be required. The register will be open and available on the website of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection," Kutovy said.

ol
The governments meeting will be held on Monday, August 8.

This has been reported by Governments portal.

"On August 8, the governments meeting will be held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman," reads a statement.

In particular, the issues of benefits and housing subsidies will be considered during the meeting. The Cabinet will also approve the action plan for 2016-2017 to implement the strategy to overcome poverty.

ish
The Presidents of Ukraine and Poland will adopt a joint declaration on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

This has been stated by the foreign minister in the Office of the President of Poland, Polish Radio reports.

"On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, the Polish and Ukrainian Presidents will adopt a joint political declaration," he said.

As it was noted, the declaration will focus on support for the Ukrainian independence and the Polish contribution to it, as Poland was the first country in the world which recognized its independence.

It was also reported that President of Poland Andrzej Duda will arrive in Kyiv on August 24 to take part in the celebration of the Independence Day of Ukraine.

ish
The U.S.-Ukraine Strategic Partnership Commission can resume its work in 2017.

Ambassador of Ukraine to the USA Valeriy Chaly said this in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.

"We plan to resume the work of the U.S.-Ukraine Strategic Partnership Commission in 2017. I hope the Commission will work again after the U.S. presidential election," he said.

He said that he was satisfied with the intensity of meetings and visits at the highest level between Ukraine and the USA.

As a reminder, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko met with the heads of the Group of Five at the NATO summit in Warsaw in July.

ish
The Cabinet of Ministers has supported the government's draft regulation "On signing the Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on cooperation in the field of education."

The corresponding decision was taken at the Cabinets meeting, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"This agreement aims at cooperation in the field of education on the principles of equality, exchange of experience and mutual respect. We ask you to approve this draft," representative of the Education Ministry urged ministers.

ish
| By Mary T. Phelan

At a July 29 luncheon at the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry marking the culmination of the YouthWorks program for Baltimore students, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, JD 76, encouraged the youths to continue to pursue their aspirations, regardless of any obstacles they may face along the way.

Im here to tell you, you come from good stock, Cummings told the students. Your mother and father, your grandmother, your great-grandfather, were strong people. They came through some difficult times, he said. The question now becomes how do we go from, what sometimes seems, invisible to invincible?

The luncheon was held for 50 of the University of Maryland Medical Centers (UMMC) Hire One/YouthWorks students and 27 students in the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Summer Bioscience Internship program.

(View a photo gallery.)

Leonard Taylor, Jr., MFA, MBA, senior vice president for operations and support systems at the University of Maryland Medical Center, captured students' attention with a rose.

The YouthWorks internship program is for students ages 16-21, who reside or attend school in Baltimore. The intensive five-week program began on June 27. Students are paired with faculty mentors in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and community engagement. Youths learn about workplace behavior and dress, lab safety, ethics, research practices, community organizing, and advocacy.

Every year Cummings issues a challenge to get more students into the program, said Roger J. Ward, EdD, JD, MPA, chief accountability officer and vice president of operations and planning, who provided welcoming remarks to the students on behalf of UMB President Jay A. Perman, MD.

He understands better than most how vital it is not only to get a good job, but to get the chance to compete for good jobs, to get your foot in the door, to get the experiences and advantages that so many other students get, Ward told the students. Thats what he wants for you. Thats what we all want for you.

The program began in 2008 at the request of Cummings as a way of getting disadvantaged students interested in health sciences careers.

Cummings said he opted not to attend meetings scheduled that morning in Philadelphia following the Democratic National Convention because he felt compelled to be in Baltimore.

I wanted to come and be with you, the future not only of Baltimore, not only of Maryland, but of the world, Cummings said. He spoke of the work ethic of his parents, former sharecroppers in South Carolina who moved the family to South Baltimore in 1945 to strive for a better life for their children. He said his father believed there was no such word as cant.

So often we go through life telling ourselves we cant do something, when you have to make up your mind that you can, Cummings said.

The internship program is an example of a collaborative partnership between UMMC and UMB, said Leonard Taylor Jr., MFA, MBA, UMMCs senior vice president for operations and support systems. In his remarks to the students, he reflected on the acronym used in the focus on careers in science, technology, engineering or mathematics  the so-called STEM fields.

Maybe they picked STEM because the stem is the foundation of something quite wonderful, quite beautiful  the flower, said Taylor, holding up a fully bloomed white rose in his hands. You cant have a flower without a very strong stemwe certainly hope youve established your personal stem, a foundation for the flowering of your future.

Tykira Jackson, 17, said she enjoyed the time spent with her mentor, Laura Buchanan, MD, assistant professor of surgery at the School of Medicine.

I learned about wounds and soft tissue, toured an operating room, and helped stock patient rooms, said Jackson, who attends Green Street Academy. There was so much to do. It was a model experience.

Nina Mendez, 18, a pre-med psychology sophomore at the University of Chicago, has been participating in the internship program for three years. Its expanded a lot since I was 15. It wasnt as intense as it is now. I really enjoyed my experience, she said. Mendez spent time with her mentor pharmacy professor Julie Zito, PhD, studying the use of medications on children in emergency departments.

Dijiaih Hill, 16, who will be entering her junior year at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, spent her internship shadowing nurses in the pediatric unit and nurse practitioners in the neonatal intensive care unit. She was mentored by Elsie M. Stines, DNP, CRNP, a pediatric nurse practitioner who is also assistant vice president of special projects and initiatives in the Office of the President at UMB.

It was an invaluable experience, said Hill, who also was involved in Club UMB, a University youth outreach program, in the sixth grade. Her 11-year-old brother, Davioin, is in Club UMB now.

Cummings thanked several individuals who helped create the program, primarily Brian Sturdivant, MSW, UMBs director for strategic initiatives and community partnerships.

These things dont just happen. Mr. Sturdivant has put his blood, sweat, and tears into this because he wants to make sure his fingerprints are on your future, Cummings said. You may not realize it right now, but this program will be something that you will remember and that will become a part of your destiny and you will remember it until you die.

Others credited for the programs success included: Richard Colgan, MD, executive director of the Maryland Area Health and Education Center (AHEC) program, and vice chair for medical student education and clinical operations in the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Department of Family and Community Medicine; Allison Robinson, MPH, a research coordinator at the School of Medicine (SOM) and AHEC; Samuel Burris and Maxine Rush, both community engagement workforce development specialists with UMMC; and UMB Summer Bioscience program coordinators SOM student Kiondra Fisher and School of Nursing student Mica Thompson.
COUNCIL BLUFFS  The body of Lee Rotatori was found in room 106 at the Best Western Frontier Motor Lodge in Council Bluffs on the afternoon of Friday, June 25, 1982.

The 32-year-old woman was found wearing pajamas and lying on her back in a pool of blood on the bed. She had been stabbed once in the heart and had likely been dead 12 hours before her body was found.

Police found no signs of forced entry or any kind of struggle. Investigators said the homicide may have been sexually motivated, but had no conclusive evidence to support or disprove that theory.

Despite reports that some of Rotatoris personal items were missing  including a purse and some jewelry  police werent sure robbery was the motive since the room wasnt torn apart as if somebody was looking for something.

Rotatori had lived at the motel for about a week while in training for her new job at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs.

Her husband, Jerry Nemke, remained in Michigan while his wife was in Iowa for the job training, but had planned to move to Council Bluffs once she had become established in the new position.

On Thursday, June 24, Rotatori had spent a few hours boating with other employees from the hospital. That gathering broke up at dusk and Rotatori stopped at McDonalds to pick up food before returning to the hotel. McDonalds employees were the last to see her alive.

The food from the restaurant indicated shed made a purchase for only one person and she was not seen by any motel personnel as she entered her ground-floor room.

Police considered Rotatoris murder one of the most perplexing they had ever worked. A $3,000 reward was offered but the reward went unclaimed and Rotatoris murder unsolved.

In April 1982, less than three months prior to Rotatoris murder, 21-year-old Linda Mayfield was stabbed to death at the Starlite Motel in Council Bluffs.

A witness in that case described the offender as a Caucasian male, 26-28 years of age, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10, clean-shaven and wearing a blue jean jacket, blue jeans and a light blue pullover shirt with an emblem on it.

The witness also described the offender as having lots of body hair that came up over his shirt collar. The witness told responding officers she remembered the offenders first name as Chris. Mayfields murder also remains unsolved. It is not clear if the murders are related.
DES MOINES  Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said Monday he supports the Iowa State Fairs weapons ban, but he declined to say whether he would approve changes to state law that would permit certified residents to carry weapons during the fair.

The issue was raised Monday during Branstads weekly news conference at the Iowa Capitol. On Friday, a rules committee of state legislators discussed the State Fair policy that prohibits people from carrying weapons on the grounds during the fair.

Branstad said he supports the fair policy because he thinks the fairgrounds are safe because of the heavy presence of Iowa State Patrol officers.

But Branstad did not say whether he would oppose legislation that would permit fair-goers to carry weapons.

I support the right to carry, but I think the fairgrounds is a little different situation because we have such phenomenal coverage from the highway patrol at the fair, Branstad said. So, its not like other places where you have nobody with a firearm to protect somebody against a violent act. We have excellent security, and I think the patrol does a great job. And because of that, I think thats the reason why you really dont need to have your own firearm for your protection at the fair.

The legislative rules committee is unlikely to change the policy, said the committees vice chair, Rep. Dawn Pettengill, R-Mount Auburn, who added the discussion to Fridays meeting agenda. She said any changes likely will have to be made through changes to state law, which would require action by the Legislature and governor.

Richard Rogers, a board member for the Iowa Firearms Coalition, said after Fridays hearing that the organization will press state lawmakers for changes in state law to allow permitted individuals to carry weapons during the fair.

Branstad did not say Monday whether he would approve such a proposal.

I understand that there may be issues come before the Legislature on that, he said. Im just going to say that Ive gone to the State Fair for decades and decades, and I just want to compliment the fair board and the Department of Public Safety, our state troopers. They do a phenomenal job.
The U.S. Department of Education took to social media to promote summer reading. Its #ReadWhereYouAre campaign is encouraging people to share photos of themselves while reading.

Ed Week reported that the Education Department's #ReadWhereYouAre campaign is an annual call to action that wants young people to do more reading outside of school. The project is under President Obama's two-year-old My Brother's Keeper initiative, which aims to improve educational and career opportunities for young men of color.

"On the bus, on the train, at the park, on your couch," the U.S. Department of Education tweeted, "On 8/5 show the world your fave reading spot! #ReadWhereYouAre"

The official website of the campaign cited research that revealed how summer learning loss hurts low-income students. Apparently, by eighth grade, the lost learning time takes up to two-thirds of the achievement gap between low-income students and their more well-to-do peers.

"It's #ReadWhereYouAre day!" Education Department press secretary Dorie Turner Nolt posted on Twitter. "Get a book, and get to reading!"

There were a lot of people who supported the campaign by posting their photos. Education secretary John King also tweeted a picture of himself while reading a book.

"A quiet moment to do what I love to do," he wrote. "Current read: Jackie Woodson's 'Brown Girl Dreaming.'"

NPR shared tips on how parents can encourage their kids to read in summer. University of Virginia psychology professor Daniel Willingham advised against using money as incentive for children to read since it will only give them the impression that reading is done only to access the reward.

While there are a lot of concerns over comics and graphics novels, they may be a useful tool in sparking the love of reading in young children. The same goes for fairy tales, which may help girls develop a habit of reading, eventually letting them move on to deeper materials.

Willingham also advised parents to put books in places where there is not much to do such as the bathroom. Another would be to restrict his or her time doing other things, such as TV time, and making more books available.
CLARION  The Wright County Board of Supervisors will hold the third public hearing on the Prestage Foods of Iowa development agreement Monday morning.

The board will also set the date for a vote on the development agreement Monday.

Prestage Foods has proposed building a $240 million, 650,000-square-foot hog-processing plant near Highway 17 and 320th Street, about 5 miles south of Eagle Grove.

More than 900 full-time workers would be employed in the first stage, with another 850 or more jobs expected to be added in a second phase.

The supervisors meeting Monday begins at 9 a.m. and the public hearing begins at 9:30 a.m. at Wright County Courthouse.

The supervisors previously passed rules regulating comments during the public hearings on the Prestage proposal. People who want to speak at the hearings must provide proof of residence and sign in on a registration form 30 minutes prior to the meeting.

Each registered speaker will have two minutes to speak, and residents of Wright County will have first priority, followed by residents of adjoining counties, then anyone else if there is time. Public discussion will be limited to two hours.
All the latest Uttoxeter news

Story Saved

You can find this story in My Bookmarks.

Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
CLEAR LAKE  A Clear Lake man was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison Monday in a child sexual abuse case.

Daniel J. Wigant, 25, received that sentence for two counts of lascivious acts with a child, a Class C felony.

He pleaded guilty to those charges in June.

Wigant received a sentence of up to 10 years in prison on each count. District Court Judge Colleen Weiland ordered the sentences to be served concurrently with each other.

The offenses took place on July 10 and July 16, 2015, according to Clear Lake Police Department criminal complaints.

The victim was under age 12.

Wigant was ordered to register as a sex offender after he is released from prison. He also will be under post-release supervision by the Iowa Department of Corrections for the rest of his life with eligibility for parole.

Wigant must pay two civil penalties of $250 each. Two $1,000 fines were suspended.

Wigant originally was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, a Class B felony, in addition to the two counts of lascivious acts with a child. The state is dismissing both Class B felony charges.

 Mary Pieper
ANTHONY PLASCENCIA/THE STAR Erika Beck (left), the new president of CSU Channel Islands, meets with a group of student leaders Monday during her first day on the job.

SHARE ANTHONY PLASCENCIA/THE STAR Erika Beck, the new president of CSU Channel Islands, walks through campus Monday after meeting with a group of student leaders during her first day on the job. ANTHONY PLASCENCIA/THE STAR Erika Beck is the new president of CSU Channel Islands in Camarillo. ANTHONY PLASCENCIA/THE STAR Erika Beck (center), the new president of CSU Channel Islands, meets with a group of student leaders Monday during her first day on the job.

By Jean Moore of the Ventura County Star

In her first 100 days as the new president of CSU Channel Islands, Erika Beck will go on a "listening tour."

"I have to understand our culture, what's important to us  what you can't read on paper," said Beck, whose first day on the job was Monday. "Also, the community is essential to us. I need to meet the key players, expand our donor base and our alumni base."

Beck, 44, is only the second president to lead Channel Islands. She succeeds Richard Rush, the Camarillo university's founding president, who retired Friday.

On her first day, Beck met with campus leaders, took selfies with students and sent her first tweet. She also posted her first Instagram photos, one with the campus mascot, a dolphin named Ekho.

"I wanted to meet students and the community where they are," Beck said. "I think this will be a really good vehicle to engage with people."

Beck comes from Nevada State College which, like Channel Islands, opened to students in 2002. At Nevada State, she was provost and executive vice president, so she brings experience in growing enrollment, forming partnerships in the community and raising funds, she said.

At a glance: Erika Beck

Job: President of CSU Channel Islands

Age: 44

Education: Bachelors degree, psychology, UC San Diego; masters degree, psychology, San Diego State University; doctorate, experimental psychology, UC San Diego.

Family: Two sons. They also have a 3-year-old Newfoundland named Bella, who really likes the familys new pool.

Home: Camarillo.

Last book read: A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink. She just ordered Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth.

Interests: Running, hot yoga and gardening, especially roses. For Becks 14th birthday, her mom planted her a rose garden right outside her bedroom window. She also plays basketball with her sons and sometimes wins.

Quote: Chance favors the prepared mind.

Beck takes over as Channel Islands is poised to grow, after years of stagnant enrollment because of the recession. Plans call for enrollment to double in the next decade, growing to 10,000. A new engineering major is up for approval in the chancellor's office. And officials plan to add bachelor's degrees in philosophy and freedom and justice studies, as well as master's degrees in psychology, nursing, history and coastal sustainability.

But the university also has had a lot of turnover recently. Provost Gayle Hutchinson left this summer to become the first female president at Chico State University. The deans of the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as the School of Education, also have left.

Together, the growth and turnover mean the university is at a key transition, said Dennis Downey, chairman of the sociology department and a director of the Center for Community Engagement.

"Up to this point we've operated as a small startup," Downey said. "But now we have about 6,000 students, what people would consider a small midsize university. We need to adjust to that reality."

First, the university must establish clear priorities, then keep its focus on those priorities, he said.

"We have to determine our unique strengths, cultivate them and, frankly, market them," Downey said.

As the university goes through that process, faculty and staff members must feel comfortable expressing their ideas, while maintaining the collegial atmosphere that Rush cultivated, he said.

"We need to be critical and collegial at the same time," Downey said.

Beck also wants to set priorities  and find the money to pay for new initiatives, she said.

"We'll need to be very intentional," she said. "There will be more opportunities than we'll be able to pursue."

At the same time, Channel Islands needs to shore up the foundations of its recent growth, said Cindy Wyels, chairwoman of the academic senate.

"We want to keep adding things, but also recognize that we've done a lot on limited resources," she said. "We need to solidify the foundations of our existing initiatives."

In addition to setting priorities within the university, Beck must cultivate relationships out in the community, both among donors who can help the university grow and with the students who are its core, Downey said.

"We have to appeal to all of those constituencies, inspire them, and communicate to them what the mission of the university is," he said.

Though she just moved into her new home in Camarillo last week, Beck has already started working on those relationships, she said. She's talked to people she met on her runs. And she and her two sons went to the fair on Friday, where they met some members of 4-H and their animals.

"I'll be asking some questions, trying to understand the community I live in," she said.

One priority will be hiring a provost and two deans, which in itself will have a "huge impact" on Channel Islands, Downey said.

Beck agrees. She plans to make those hires after "a lot of discussion with the faculty about the vision they have," she said. Beck will name a provost first, then work with him or her to hire the two deans, she said.

John Griffin, president of the faculty union, hopes that Beck will also hire more tenured faculty.

"We would hope she would make a strong commitment to increasing the ratio of permanent positions to adjunct positions," Griffin said.

At Channel Islands, only 30 percent of faculty were on the tenure track in fall 2015, compared with an average of 40 percent throughout the CSU system.

But Beck's first job should be exactly what she said it would be  getting to know the university, Wyels said.

"We have values," Wyels said. "We have a direction. But we're going to need help getting there. ... We need her to be a quick study."

My first welcome video... https://t.co/NK2uWh3eOX  Erika D. Beck (@CIPresBeck) August 8, 2016
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Chris (left) and Tjerk Bury of Thousand Oaks stop for a photo near the Bernina Pass in Switzerland, near the end of the 8,500-mile Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, which they finished on July 17 in 273 hours, 40 minutes and 25 seconds.

SHARE CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Muddy roads were part of the challenge on the 8,500-mile endurance rally from Peking to Paris, which Chris and Tjerk Bury of Thousand Oaks completed on July 17. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Western Mongolia offers a dark and stormy future. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Suspension problems plagued the 1972 Datsun 240Z on the 8,500-mile drive, but the Endurance Rally Association had sweep vehicles to make sure no one got stranded. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Tjerk (left) and Chris Bury of Thousand Oaks celebrate on top of their car at the finish line in Paris.

By Doug Thompson, Special to The Star

When Tjerk Bury saw flames emerging from under the hood of his 1972 Datsun 240Z in Mongolia, just a week into the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge 2016, he thought his quest to complete the 8,500-mile, 36-day rally had gone up in smoke.

"I grabbed the fire extinguisher and put out the fire," said Bury, a Thousand Oaks hand surgeon. "We then stood back for five minutes, because if there was a fuel leak the car could still explode. Then we started the car and didn't find any fuel leaks.

"For the rest of the day the fire extinguisher was between my legs."

Tjerk Bury, 61, along with his son Chris, 25, finished 26th out of 98 competitors who completed the rally. They crossed the finish line in Paris on July 17 with an official time of 273 hours, 40 minutes and 25 seconds.

They began the event in Peking on June 12, competing in the Classic category for cars in production from 1942 to 1975. Mark Pickering and Dave Boddy from Australia won the Classic category in their 1973 Datsun 240Z with a time of 260:41:28.

The fire in Mongolia was the result of an exhaust leak that had to be patched at the end of each day. The patch caught fire, but it caused far less damage than what Chris Bury expected.

"I had wrapped muffler repair tape around the joint that morning," said Chris, an aerospace engineer and Westlake High graduate who now lives in El Segundo. "The tape burned up, but the car wasn't damaged much."

Mongolia turned out to be an unbelievable challenge for both driver and navigator. The ill-defined roads were hard to follow and sometimes led to dead ends. Using a marine GPS, they navigated from geographic latitude-longitude way points as if they were on open water.

"These are dirt roads and there could be 10 different tracks at a fork," said Tjerk, who did most of the navigation while Chris did the driving. "I had to make a split-second decision as the navigator  where to go left or right  with Chris driving at full speeds. Sometimes we had to turn around. Other times we had to go off road until we found another track."

Support and fuel tucks were part of a caravan staffed by The Endurance Rally Association, which organizes the event, to ensure driver safety. Each car was equipped with a GPS-locator so every movement could be tracked, and sweep trucks came by to deliver broken-down vehicles to the day's end point.

"All the competitors are rooting for each other to get to Paris," Chris said. "The camaraderie you develop is special. I made a dumb mistake in a timed stage when driving and went into a ditch, and other cars stopped to push us out, even though it cost them time."

The Burys traveled through 11 countries, including Mongolia and its Gobi Desert, Russia and Belarus, before entering Europe to reach the center of Paris.

"The biggest thing I realized is a lot of things we worry and freak out about don't matter," Chris said. "We have an amazing life in Southern California, and we find problems to stress about. Out there, nobody cared about our election or what was going on in the rest of the world. The genuine friendliness of the people we met was amazing."

The car is in storage in Switzerland, and Tjerk plans to return in a month or so to make minor repairs. As for their next event, the Burys are considering the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge 2019, with a proposed route through Kazakhstan and across to Azerbaijan, Turkey and Greece.

"It's a different route, but we may want to do something different," Chris said. "I can say that if we ever do it again, there's only one person I would want to go with. Not only is it personal, but you develop a system with your navigator that works."

Tjerk agreed, saying that 36 days in a small car turned them into an efficient driving machine. The hard part was seeing it come to an end.

"Most participants have some withdrawal symptoms, and I certainly," Tjerk said. "You get up at 6:30 a.m., recalculate your route, get the car ready, drive all day, get to camp, fix the car, shower, have dinner and go to bed. You do it again the next day, then after 36 days it's over. None of it is there anymore.

"On Friday I went back to work and saw 40 patients."

For complete results see: http://www.endurorally.com/pages/the-peking-to-paris-motor-challenge-2016
SHARE TROY HARVEY/SPECIAL TO THE STAR Landon Lujan holds his chicken Pearl dressed as chicken and fries during the animal costume contest held at the Ventura County Fair Sunday afternoon. TROY HARVEY/SPECIAL TO THE STAR Brett Bowman puts the finishing touches on his chicken Barbara Jane before the start of the animal costume contest held at the Ventura County Fair Sunday afternoon. TROY HARVEY/SPECIAL TO THE STAR Ralph Theising holds his goat Dolphin before the start of the animal costume contest held at the Ventura County Fair Sunday afternoon. TROY HARVEY/SPECIAL TO THE STAR From left, Robert and Garrett EcEachron wait with their goats for the start of the animal costume contest held at the Ventura County Fair Sunday afternoon.

By Jeremy Foster, Special to The Star

Inspired by the new Ghostbusters movie, Shira Cohen-Sitt, 15, and her Pygmy goat, Athena, donned "Goatbuster" jackets on Sunday afternoon for the small livestock costume contest at the Ventura County Fair.

"I'm not afraid of no goats," said Cohen-Sitt, who earned second place in the pygmy goat contest.

The small livestock event included poultry, rabbits, guinea pigs and  for the first time  pygmy goats.

Cohen-Sitt, who has been preparing for the goat showmanship portion of the fair, said the costume contest was a nice respite from all the stress of the past week.

"It's one of the more fun things we get to do," she said. "We can let go a little bit and be creative."

More than 20 young people competed and many dressed up for the owner-animal contests. Robert McEachrom, 14, of Thousand Oaks, sported a black, secret service outfit, replete with an earpiece and black shades, as he held in one hand the leash on his blonde-wigged pygmy goat Butch and in the other a sign that read "Goat for President in 2016: Make America Great Again."

"The presidential campaign has been so big in the media so I just decided to dress my goat up as Trump because everyone would know who it was and find it humorous," said McEachrom. "I like to make people laugh, and I figured a goat running for president would make them laugh."

The goat's shot at winning?

"That's up in the air so maybe fifty-fifty," McEachrom said.

His 18-year-old sister Kristen McEachrom dressed her pygmy goat up as a Pikachu, which she said seemed fitting since so many people were searching for Pokemon on the new virtual reality game for smartphones.

"We all play it so it made sense," she said.

Heather Swetman, of Fillmore, helped her sons Dylan, 10, Wyatt, 6, and Garret, 7, keep their guinea pigs calm before the cavy  or Guinea pig  portion of the contest.

The boys and their four-legged friends were dressed as superheroes. Their younger brother, 3-year-old Emmett, was too young to join them but he insisted over and over that he was a real pirate.

"This is our first time showing small animals," Swetman said. "Two of my boys are just old enough to participate and we're loving it."

She said Dylan had been struggling to speak in front of people and she thought it would be great to have his brothers and their furry friends help him come out of his shell in a fun way.

Small Livestock Assistant Superintendent Laurie Banoni helped judge the competition.

"There was so much enthusiasm and creativity on display," Banoni said. "This kind of event helps build community and that's what the fair is all about."

The event, she said, teaches young people public speaking skills, composure and determination.

"For some, this is their first time speaking into a microphone in front of a big group of people," Banoni said. "This is a fun way for them to learn that skill and also a way for them to see something from beginning to end."
SHARE

Back in 2014, Christmas came a bit early for the McConnells of Louisville, Kentucky. In November, America's voters gave Republicans control of the U.S. Senate, which meant Mitch McConnell would be getting the one gift he had always wanted: the title of Senate Majority Leader.

After a few days of jubilation, in which the perpetually turtlesque McConnell was actually documented smiling, the Senate's soon-to-be leader had a very Washingtonian power epiphany.

"I don't want the American people to think that if they add a Republican president to a Republican Congress, that's going to be a scary outcome," McConnell told The Washington Post's Paul Kane shortly before Christmas. "I want the American people to be comfortable with the fact that ... there would be nothing frightening about adding a Republican president to that governing majority."

Now this: Suddenly virtually all the Republican leaders are privately frightened about the prospect of a President Donald Trump. (Note: When I use the term "leaders," I am just referring to their titles  since none of the GOP leaders seem to have summoned the courage to actually try to lead their party out of the mess they are in.)

In recent days, Trump brought public expressions of rebuke and private warnings of far worse from many of the GOP's most famous names. Trump's unrelenting attack-dog political instincts led him into committing what other Republicans consider an irreparable, unforgivable sin: Trump attacked the Gold Star parents of a Muslim-American Army captain killed in Iraq. The captain saw a suicide bomber's car speeding toward the gate of his base. So he ordered his troops to hit the ground and walked toward the car, forcing the bomber to detonate his explosive before he could kill more soldiers.

To their credit, every Republican you have ever admired blasted their party's nominee for his reprehensible insults, including Sen. John McCain and House Speaker Paul Ryan. Then Trump refused to endorse Ryan and McCain, the GOP's 2008 presidential nominee, who face primary contests this month.

Trump avoided serving in the Vietnam War thanks to multiple draft deferments. McCain heroically rejected a North Vietnamese offer to be released because his father was a famous Navy admiral, instead opting to endure years more of torture and cruelty so he could share the fate of his fellow prisoners of war.

Trump climaxed his pathetic days of contemptuous conduct by displaying a Purple Heart medal at a rally in Virginia. As he told the story of the veteran who had just handed him the medal, Trump morphed into the dialect of the Fonz, the Brooklynesque caricature from the 1970s "Happy Days" TV sitcom:

"Now, I said to him, I said to him, 'Is that, like, the real one or is that a copy?' And he said, 'That's my real Purple Heart. I have such confidence in you.' And I said, 'Man, that's like, that's like, big stuff.' "

The Republican Party's nominee to be president and commander-in-chief paused and then added his own epilogue to his awful and disrespectful week: "I always wanted to get the Purple Heart. This was  (he paused for effect)  much easier."

What we need this year is a political medal  a Profiles in Courage medallion (with a bow to John F. Kennedy's book). Let it be awarded to the prominent Republicans  to Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, John McCain, et al.  who care enough to dare to lead their party faithful back to patriotism's high road.

Let them announce, one by one or together, that they will campaign to elect Republican candidates for every office  except president. Let them lead by announcing they will not vote to inflict a Trump presidency upon their fellow citizens and the planet.

Martin Schram, an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service, is a veteran Washington journalist, author and TV documentary executive. Readers can email him at martin.schram@gmail.com.
SHARE

The following editorial appeared Wednesday in the Miami Herald:

The Obama administration substantially expanded its Central American refugee program recently by making entire families eligible for approval, expanding refugee processing in Central America and offering immediate protection for some in Costa Rica.

This will not put an end to the border crisis caused by the dramatic increase in migrants seeking shelter from gang violence in Central America, but the administration deserves credit for acknowledging that more needs to be done.

For years, the administration has been under pressure from Congress and the public to devise a program that can deal with the crisis in a way that meets the often conflicting goals of living up to this country's humanitarian values while keeping our borders from being overrun.

This is a tall order, particularly in an election year in which immigration is a hot-button issue.

It is important to declare plainly that the "expansion" is no open door for new waves of migrants. It will be limited, administration officials say, to those who have legitimate claims of asylum because of the violence they face in their home countries and communities.

Under the new program, the administration hopes to persuade potential migrants not to undertake the perilous journey to the United States and, instead, take advantage of new resources for processing refugee and asylum claims in their own countries  Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. More U.S. officials will be based in those countries to review claims.

A second part of the program offers those found to be at imminent risk an opportunity to move into a refugee camp being established in nearby Costa Rica under the auspices of the United Nations.

Its capacity will be limited to 200 people needing immediate protection for a period of no more than six months.

That's far less than the expected demand, but far better than the complete absence of any comparable emergency shelter in the region at the present time.

A third element of the expansion involves a broadening of the Central American Minors program, which aims to help underage at-risk migrants. The expanded program allows families who would otherwise be separated to become eligible for asylum.

The most welcome aspect of the program consists of the reassurance that the administration remains committed to finding a way to tackle immigration in a safe and responsible manner, despite criticism from all sides that it is either doing too much (deportations) or not enough (by failing to protect the border, or turning back migrants who deserve to have their asylum claims heard).

The expansion announced recently cannot possibly accommodate all those in Central America, young and old, who are desperate to flee, but it creates priorities and speeds up the review of legitimate claims. It also undermines the activities of "coyotes" who charge exorbitant fees for smuggling migrants across the border.

Clearly, even more needs to be done, especially in helping Mexico, the transit country for migrants moving north. Mexico needs help to establish its own asylum standards and in evaluating claims for those who want to remain there. It also needs help to create resettlement facilities.

In a visit to the White House last month, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said his country would step up its program to aid migrants.

Realistically, however, it cannot do so without U.S. help.


Mat Franco  Magic Reinvented Nightly celebrated a momentous first anniversary at The LINQ Hotel & Casino. To commemorate the special occasion, Mat and company were presented with a custom, magic-inspired cake and cupcakes (Courtesy Photo).

Courtesy Photo.

Following an electrifying performance for the packed theater, the company joined together backstage to discuss the thrilling first year of performances, sharing memories and laughs while enjoying the delectable treats.